James Reed (soldier)

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 1742, when he was about 22, James married Abigail Hinds, whose father was Hopestill Hinds. Abigail was born 4 March 1723 in Brookfield, Massachusetts, but is said to have been living in New Salem, Massachusetts.

He was the original proprietor of Monadnock township #4 (now Fitzwilliam, New Hampshire).

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 Fort St. Jean in Quebec, where he contracted smallpox. Apparently having recovered, he fell ill again during the retreat from Canada, shortly after arriving at Crown Point on Lake Champlain, with a malignant fever, which caused him to lose his vision forcing him to retire from military service at the end of 1776. James Reed would be promoted to Brigadier General in the Continental Army, but would never serve at that rank because of his failing health.

Reed was admitted as an Original Member of The Society of the Cincinnati in 1784.

James Reed lived to the age of 83 before he died in 1807 in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, where he was then buried. A sign erected by State of New Hampshire to James Reed's memory is in the town square of Fitzwilliam, New Hampshire.

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