James Reed (soldier)

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James Reed (1724 or 1722–1807) was a military officer in the French and Indian War and the American Revolution, rising to the rank of brigadier general in the latter conflict.

Reed was born in Lunenburg or Woburn, Massachusetts. During the French and Indian War, he served as an officer in Col. Brown's Massachusetts Regiment, becoming a lieutenant colonel. He was at Fort Ticonderoga in both 1758 and when it fell in 1759.

In 1765 Reed moved to Fitzwilliam, New Hampshire and married Molly Dodge on December 11, 1768. He was the original proprietor of Monadnock Fort #4 (now Fitzwilliam).

With news of the Battle of Lexington and Concord, James Reed gathered the local militia and marched to Boston. James Reed was appointed Colonel of the 3rd New Hampshire Regiment and fought together with John Stark's 1st New Hampshire Regiment at the Battle of Bunker Hill. On April 26, 1776, the three New Hampshire regiments of the Continental Army were sent under Gen. John Sullivan to help in the Invasion of Canada. James Reed only made it as far as Crown Point on Lake Champlain where he contracted smallpox and lost his vision forcing him to retire from military service. James Reed would be promoted to Brigadier General in the Continental Army, but would never serve at that rank because of his failing health.

James Reed lived to the age of 83 before passing away in 1807. A sign erected by State of New Hampshire to James Reed's memory is in the town square of Fitzwilliam, New Hampshire.