Col. Nathaniel Fairbanks of Winthrop, Maine

Lineage

Jonathan I, John II, Joseph III, Joseph IV, Joseph V

Nathaniel Fairbanks (LSF #104) (DAR #A38455) was born in Dedham, July 15, 1754. His relative, Ebenezer Fairbanks, lived in the original Fairbanks House. When Nathaniel was 13, he first visited his future home,“Pondtown”, when it was not yet a developed. In 1776, he returned to that town, now known as Winthrop, which had a good sized population. From Winthrop, Maine, Nathaniel and 18 others heard the Lexington Alarms call and traveled to Cambridge to help. https://archive.org/details/fairbanksfamilyi00fair/page/146/mode/2up

Nathaniel enlisted under Captain Samuel Mccobb and Col. John Nixon. In the Lorenzo S. Fairbanks book, he is not listed under the Lexington Alarms. He and his comrades may have arrived too late. He is listed under the Coat Rolls (Bunker Hill and Siege of Boston). Nathanial took part in the Siege of Boston. It is said, his officers requested him to serve six weeks after his term expired.

Like other troops that were not active in the Seige of Boston, he was recruited for an expedition under Colonel Benedict Arnold who communicated directly with General George Washington. There were 1,100 recruited. With different units having specific roles, Nathaniel’s leader, Colonel Enos’, job was to bring up the rear of the troops. His company was in charge of supplies.

The expedition started September 11, 1675, up the Kennebec River through dense forestation to Quebec. As they navigated the river, they had to portage (carry the boats) up to 12 miles because of falls and white water. This was a difficult assignment. The boats leaked, damaging ammunition and spoiling food. At one point they were near starvation. The weather was often bad and the trail unclear. In late October, it turned cold. With continual wetness due to the leaking boats, colds and desentary plagued the troops.

Benedict Arnold considered turning back, but decided to press on. Two of his companies that were well behind held their own counsel. Greene’s troops decided to push on. Col. Enos agreed, but his 450 men were divided on whether to go forward or go back. Enos casted the tie breaking vote to turn back after meeting with his captains. His troops were starving. It is said they were surviving on candle wax and shoe leather.

When Colonel Enos’ command returned against the orders of Benedict Arnhold, Colonel Enos was court -martialed. Later he was acquitted and found support among his peers. He went on to lead other battles in the War.

Other clues to Nathaniel’s role in the Revolutionary War are found in the remarks by his name on the Coat Rolls (Bunker Hill and the Siege of Boston). It specifically states Winter Hill, October 7, 1775. Winter Hill may relate to the Fort Winter Hill that was extensive during the Revolutionary War. His service is found in Volume 56, Page 30. Nathaniel went on to have a distinguished military career in Winthrop, Maine, which is discuss in Lorenzo Sayles Fairbanks Book.

Nathaniel’s wives were Susannah Metcalf from Wrentham, Massachusetts, and Lydia Chipman, a descendant of Pilgrim John Howland.

Late Addendem: Corporal Luther Fairbanks from Northfield was also on the Quebec expedition under Moses Kellogg and Jonathan Ward. Luther’s identity in the two resources we are citing is LSF #86, page 240. He was of the line Jonathan I, Jonas II, Jabez III, Joshua IV . He answered the call of the Lexington Alarms. He also enlisted in the siege of Boston as a Sergeant. Under Captain Hubbard, Luther’s unit followed Benedict Arnold to Quebec along with Col. Nathaniel Fairbanks of Winthrop, Maine. Corporal Luther actually participated in the assault on Quebec. He was taken prisoner, but parolled later to fight in other battles. This Fairbanks, very active in the Revolutionary War will have his own blog post later. The Daughters of the American Revolution listing is #A038427.

Suggested reading

Thomas A Desjardin. A Howling Wilderness - Benedict Arnold’s March to Quebec. New York, St. Martin’s Press, 2006.

https://maineanencyclopedia.com/revolutionary-war-deposition-of-caleb-gordon/

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