Fairbanks Women in the Revolutionary War

Anna Wight Fairbanks
by
Sharmin Fairbanks McKenny

Lineage

Wife of David, Joseph IV, Joseph III, John II, Jonathan I
Women in the Revoloutionary War

Only a few women actually fought in the Revolutionary War. However, their role was just as important as the men’s in attaining freedom for the Colonies. They stopped drinking tea even prior to the Boston Tea Party. They found substitues for their favored drink. As the men left their homes and fields to fight, the women became “deputy husbands” as a widow would when her husband died. They took over the home, the farm, and the business. Women were familiar with directing indentured servants or bonded servants as part of their regular role. Essentially they did everything that needed to be done with the help of their children.

Women provided food, sewed, mended, and washed uniforms. The often fed and housed troops, even enemies in some cases. Often a few followed the troops and tended to the injured. Some were know to ride to alert the troops or other communities of danger. Two women, Rebecca Flower Young and Betsy Ross, made flags. Others were spies or raised money for the troops. When women fought in battles, they had to dress as a man to disguise themselves unlike the picture of Molly Pitcher who took over loading the cannon after he husband was killed.

Lorenzo Sayles Fairbanks “Fairbanks Family in America” (LSF)

When Lorenzo Sayles Fairbanks wrote his book, females were not recognized as equal to men in preservation of the histories. That was the plight of women and women’s history. Today, we want to restore the ”her stories.” As of yet, I have not found a female Fairbanks descendant who has been recognized for her part in the Revolutionary War. However, the Daughters of the American Revolution recognize Anna Wight Fairbanks for her service. In the Lorenzo Sayles Fairbanks book, Anna does not have a number, but her husband Captain David Fairbanks is #50. They both can be found on page 88.

Revolutionary War Flag made by Rebecca Flower Young six months before the Betsy Ross Flag Photo cropped for blog. It has seven stripes.

Revolutionary Flag made by Betsy Ross. Started May 1776.

This blog will include both men and women with emphasis on Anna.

Daughters of the American Revolution Recognition

Anna Wight Fairbanks’ DAR number is A216729. Her sevice is recognized as patriotic service by furnishing supplies. The resourse for this information was found in MANN, HIST ANNALS OF DEDHAM, PP 57-58.

Anna was born March 12, 1735 in Dedham, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, to Joseph and Miriam (Stanley) Wight. She married David Fairbanks of Dedham, January 9, 1751/52. They lived in the Clapboard Trees area of Dedham. Anna and David had seven children. The youngest, a son , was only 9 years old when his father died in 1776. Anna died 22 years later on January 31, 1785 in Dedham.

Anna’s service description by the DAR was “furnished supplies.” Widowed, Anna Fairbanks, made two pairs of stockings valued as 12 shillings in February( of 1782. This was three years before she died at age 50.

David Fairbanks (#50, page 88 LSF) and (#: A038370 DAR). was born December 4, 1731. He was 4 years older than Anna. David fought in the Colonial Wars according to LSF (see appendix). He also marched in the Lexington Alarms on Aprl 19, 1775. LSF lists him on the “Coat Rolls” (probably Bunker Hill) as a private May 2 - Oct 5, 1775 under Captain Guild. That means Anna was taking care of their home, business or farm during planting and harvest season while David was away.

David, now a Captain, is again listed in Miscellaneous Militia Service March 4 for four days with Colonel William McIntosh. His service is listed as Revolutionary War Rolls Vol 9, Page 82, for these services. He died about 1 1/2 month later. It makes you wonder if he died of wounds.

One year from the day David responded to Lexington, he died, April 19, 1776, leaving his wife and children. Anna would have sustained herself and her children from that time on. David’s Service documented by the DAR: MASSACHUSETTS Rank: captain, birth: 12-4-1731, Dedham, Suffolk Co., Massachusetts. He died
April 19, 1976, Dedham, Suffolk Co., MA. His service is reported from MA SOLS & SAILS, VOL 5, P 461. The DAR only recognized his service at the Lexington Alarms, 1775, under Colonels Heath and McIntosh.

Summary

It took everyone in the colony to fight in their own way for the independence and freedoms that we enjoy today, men, women, and children. We should strive to find those who are not yet recognized for their contributions and hardships they endured to make this nation successful. Please submit your stories of your women, children, ethnic Patriot, and men who are Fairbanks (or descendants by other surnames) or had a relationship to the Fairbanks family in some way.

Be a Part of the Decision Making

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Next Up!

Jonathan Fairbanks of Sudbury

The Fairbanks House has his picture in their collections.