Richard Falley Jr.

Richard Falley Jr. (January 31, 1740 in St George River, Maine – September 3, 1808 in Westfield, Massachusetts) was a soldier who fought in the Battle of Bunker Hill.

Falley joined the Provincial Army at age 16. He was captured by Native Americans at the surrender of Fort Edward, taken to Montreal and adopted into the tribe. He was later ransomed from the tribe for 16 gallons of rum and returned to Westfield.[1]

He later joined Captain Park’s company as an ensign and commanded a company at the Battle of Bunker Hill where his 14 year old son, Frederick, served there as a drummer.[1]

During the American Revolution, Falley made guns for the Continental Army at an armory at the foot of Tekoa Mountain in Montgomery, Massachusetts.[1]

Sources indicate Falley was either the maternal grandfather[1] or maternal great grandfather of Grover Cleveland.[2]

Westfield, Massachusetts' Falley Drive is named for him. He is buried at the Old Burying Grounds off of Mechanic Street in Westfield.

References

  1. ^ a b c d Roberts, George Simon. Historic towns of the Connecticut River Valley. Robson & Adee, Schenectady, New York, 1906. convenience link
  2. ^ 'New York Times, 20 August 1884. GOV. CLEVELAND'S GRANDMOTHER; SOMETHING ABOUT HIS FAMILY ON THE MATERNAL SIDE". Accessed 31 May 2011.

External links