David Lamson

Quick Facts

Significance:

Patriot of Color at Battle Road

Place of Birth:

Arlington, Massachusetts(?)

Date of Birth:

Circa 1740

The following is from the 2004 National Park Service study Patriots of Color researched and prepared by George Quintal:

David Lamson was probably born circa 1740.^I In the French and Indian Wars he served as a Private from Cambridge.^II In 1767 he lived in Medford (MA) and ‘came to live at house of P. Tufts Jr.’ The next year he was warned-out. By 1769 he was in Reading and described as a ‘young man.’^III At some time after that he moved to Menotomy (also called West Cambridge and later Arlington), where he was on 19 April 1775:

Lord Percy’s reinforcement had been delayed for a little time at Brighton bridge, the planks of which had been taken up by the direction of the Committee of safety. But, unfortunately, they were simply piled up on the Cambridge side, and it was the work of but a few moments to replace them sufficiently to allow the troops to pass. When, however, a convoy of provisions and supplies in charge of a sergeant’s guard, following in the rear of the main body, came to the bridge, they could not cross so easily; and, in the delay incident to making it passable by the heavy wagons, and misled by false direction as to the road, they became so far separated from the troops that they could receive no protection from them. Meantime an express was sent post-haste from Old Cambridge to Menotomy, bearing the information that these supplies were on the way. Several of our men met at once in Cooper’s tavern … to form some plan for capturing them. They were of the exempts, or alarm list as it was called, all old men … in all about twelve. They chose for their leader David Lamson, a mulatto, who had served in the war, a man of undoubted bravery and determination. They took their position … behind a bank wall of earth and stones … The convoy soon made its appearance. As it came between them and the meeting-house of the First Parish, Lamson ordered his men to rise and aim directly at the horses, and called out to them to surrender. No reply was made, but the drivers whipped up their team. Lamson’s men then fired, killing several of the horses, and, according to some accounts, killing two of the men and wounding others. One of the bullets passed through the front door of the church. The frightened drivers leaped from their places, and with the guards, ran directly to the short of Spy Pond, into which they threw their guns …^IV

On 7 May 1775 Simon Tufts, a Loyalist, listed the names of thirty men who ‘made Solemn Oath that they were personally present with their Guns within about Ten Rods of the Carts yt. were filled wth, Stores for the King’s Troops, when they were first Fired upon near Menotomy Meeting on the 19^th day of April last …’ On this list of names is ‘David Lampson.’^V

It was undoubtedly the same man who joined Capt. William Adam’s company in Col. Thatcher’s regiment for five days, marching ‘at request of Gen. Washington at the time of taking Dorchester Heights March 4, 1776.’^VI Later that year he had enlisted from Lexington in Capt. Simon Hunt’s company in Col. John Brooks’ regiment, serving at Rye [NY] where he was ‘reported sick.’^VII Once again, it is undoubtedly the same man who enlisted from Cambridge in Capt. Stephen Dana’s company in Col. Josiah Whitney’s regiment, serving at South Kingston (RI) for two months and five days from his arrival on 17 May 1777.^VIII With Gen. Burgoyne preparing to advance on northern New York, the call once again went out for soldiers to meet this serious threat. He joined the Massachusetts militia on 20 August 1777, in the company of Capt. Joseph Fuller in Col. Samuel Bullard’s regiment. This regiment served at the second Battle of Saratoga on 7 October 1777. He was discharged on 29 November 1777 and was allowed 240 miles home.^IX

In 1787 he moved from Cambridge to Charlestown.^X The 1790 census of Charlestown lists him alone as a free man as head of his household.^XI

Footnotes:

1. He would have had to be 16 or older in order to serve in the French and Indian Wars (1756-1763). However, to be called a ‘young man’ in 1769 (see Wyman, Thomas Bellows. The Genealogies and Estates of Charlestown, Massachusetts 1629-1818 (1879). 2 vols. 539), he would probably not have been older than 29. The compromise birthdate is 1740.
2. Page, Lucius R. History of Cambridge Massachusetts … 1630-1877 … (1877), 405.
3. Wyman, Thomas Bellows. The Genealogies and Estates of Charlestown, Massachusetts 1629-1818 (1879). 2 vols. 539; listed under ‘INDIANS.’
4. Smith, Samuel Abbot, West Cambridge on the Nineteenth of April, 1775 … (1864), 27-9; this story was told by David Lamson himself to a Col. Thomas Russell, who told it to the author. Some accounts say the Americans were led by Rev. Phillips Payson of Chelsea who led on his parishioners.
5. Rubenfine, Joseph. American Historical Autographs, List 142, #61 MASSACHUSETTS; this is the first known primary proof to place Lamson at the scene.
6. Secretary of Commonwealth. Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolutionary War (1896-1908), 9:452; listed as ‘Lamson.’ Also 2-CD Family Tree Maker^TM set “Military Records: Revolutionary War.”
7. Ibid.
8. Ibid.
9. Secretary of Commonwealth. Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolutionary War (1896-1908), 9:450, listed as ‘Lampson.’ Also 2-CD Family Tree Maker^TM set “Military Records: Revolutionary War.”
10. Wyman, Thomas Bellows. The Genealogies and Estates of Charlestown, Massachusetts 1629-1818 (1879). 2 vols. 539.
11. United States Census, National Archives and Records Administration, Record Group 29 (1790-1850). Index. 1790, Massachusetts, Charlestown, 138.

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