- Abiathar's revolutionary service began as a Private in Capt. Cheney's Company, serving six days, "for the relief of Boston in the Lexington Alarm, April 1775."
- In January 1776, Private Evans was under the command of Capt. Jonathan Wells' Fifth Company, in Col Erastus Wolcott's Regiment. During the reorganization of the Continental Force, before December 1775, Washington called on regiments from New England to guard lines. Three regiments were sent to Boston including Col. Wolcott's. They reached Boston the end of January, there they remained six weeks and occupied Boston after the British evacuated. Boston and the province of Mass. were free of British troops for the remainder of the war.
- After his service in Capt. Wells' Company, on 28Feb1777, Corporal Abiathar Evans enlisted in Capt. David Parsons Company in the 2nd Connecticut Regiment, commanded by Col Charles Webb. The 2nd Connecticut Regiment was raised in 1777 for the Army of the "Continental Line," ordered assembled at Danbury in April, preparatory to taking the field and soon after went to Camp at Peekskill, NY.
- Served there during the summer and fall of 1777 along the Hudson under General Putnam and ordered 14 Nov to join General Washington's Army in Pennsylvania. There on December 8th they were engaged in the sharp action of Whitmarsh, where the 2nd Connecticut lost a number of Officers and men, killed and wounded.
- After leaving Whitmarsh, Washington's Army, including the 2nd Connecticut (and Corporal Evans) made their way to Valley Forge, for the harsh winter of 1777-1778.
- From Valley Forge, they marched to Monmouth, NJ to what would become "the most scorching summer day ever known in America." There the Battle of Monmouth was fought on the 28th day of June 1778 Events from this battle include, Washington restoring control, inspiring confidence, and turning the soldiers back to the attack, after a retreat by Gen. Charles Lee, later to be court-martial for this event. Also, the legend of Molly Pitcher occurs here, as it is said she took over the cannon manned by her fallen husband, during the battle.
- After the long and exhausting battle at Monmouth, the 2nd Connecticut Regiment was reassigned to the Second Connecticut Brigade under Gen. Huntington at Camp White Plains, where they were for the winter of 1778-1779 with the Division at Redding. They served on the east side of the Hudson in General Heath's wing during operations of 1779 and wintered at Morristown from 1779-1780.
- In 1780 the 2nd Connecticut Regt. served on the outposts with the main Army, on the Hudson. Here on May 1st, Abiathar Evans was promoted to Sergeant. His unit wintered 1780-1781 at "Camp Connecticut Village" above the Robinson House, on the Hudson, where they were reorganized for the next formation.
- Sgt Evans was part of the 2nd Connecticut Regt until 31Dec1781 when it was reorganized into the 3rd Connecticut Regiment, commanded by Col. Samuel B. Webb.
- Sgt Evans enlisted in Capt Rogers Eighth Company, on 01Jan1781 and served with the Army on the Hudson, as part of the 3rd Connecticut Regiment.
- The muster roll of 1782 list occupation and description of persons mentioned; Abiathar Evans, carpenter and joiner aged 40, 5'9" in height, born and resides in Hartford, CT; dark complexion, dark eyes, and dark hair.
- Colonel Samuel B. Webb's Connecticut Regiment was disbanded in June of 1783 and Sgt Abiathar Evans was officially discharged at West Point,NY the same month.
- In his pension record, Abiathar states, "discharged the month of June 1784, having served a year more than my term of enlistment." Very little is stated in his pension record about any conflicts and battles, it is all generalized. Sgt. Abiathar was allowed pension on his application executed 17 April 1818 at which time he was in his seventy-sixth year of age, and living in Pawlet, Rutland County, Vermont. He died in 1831 at the age of 89 and his widow, Mary, drew a Widows pension from 1832 until her death in 1847 at the age of 103 years
|
Notes |
- Abiathar Evans married and lived in Western Massachusetts prior to the Revolution. However, moved back to Hartford at the time of the Revolution (his youngest son, Abiathar Jr., was born there too). Served the entire war have served in New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, having seen action in several battles and skirmishes, as well as the winter in Valley Forge. After the war he moved his family to family to Pawlet, VT, where he help built the First Congregational Church in 1785. He was a carpenter and joiner by trade.
|