Sampson Yearney

April 1779 Muster Roll listing Yearney as died in March 1779.

Quick Facts

Significance:

Patriot of Color who enlisted for Concord, Ma during the American Revolution and died in service, March 7, 1779.

Place of Birth:

Massachusetts

Date of Birth:

Unknown

Place of Death:

Peekskill, New York

Date of Death:

March 7, 1779

Place of Burial:

Unknown

Cemetery Name:

Unknown

Private Sampson Yearney of Medford, Massachusetts was a free man of color who enlisted for service during the American Revolution. Sampson’s father, Sampson Yearney Sr, was enslaved in Medford by Peter Seccomb. Hannah Anthony, his mother, was from Woburn; it is unclear if she was enslaved. Both parents were listed as ‘negro’ in their March 16, 1745, marriage record. Eight and a half months after their marriage, the Yearney’s welcomed a daughter, Hannah, into their family. Unfortunately, a record of their son, the said Private Sampson Yearney, has not been found. However, tax records for 1775 and 1776 list Sampson Yearney, without a Jr or Sr, on tax records for the town of Medford. Perhaps the younger Yearney was too young to make a designation worthy of noting.

After the death of the enslaver, Peter Seccomb in 1756, Yearney Sr. “bought his time and was made free.” Although it is unclear if the children of Yearney Sr. were born enslaved, it is clear they were considered free based on documentation. A “Yarney Hannah – free negro” of Woburn was warned out of Boston in 1767. The same Hannah was then admitted to the alms house on August 26, 1773. She died two days later. Without an age or more information it is impossible to know if Hannah Yarney was Private Yearney’s mother or sister. For Private Yearney, an entry for him in Medord in the Revolution: Military History of Medford, Massachusetts, 1765-1783: also List of Soldiers and Civil Officers, with Genealogical and Biographical Notes states Sampson Yearney was a “free negro.”

Although, Private Yearney’s entry into military service is unknown, he appears on an account for payment of service due prior to January 1, 1776. In 1777, when Private Yearney reenlisted, he belonged to Medford but engaged for Concord as part of Capt. William Toogood’s co., Col. Thomas Nixon’s regiment. When the war encroached on New England again, Yearney participated in the Saratoga campaign during the fall of 1777.

On Feb 16, 1779, Private Yearney was “certified at Camp near Peekskill,” in the Hudson Valley. Less than a month later, Yearney was reported “died March 7, 1779.” Although the circumstances of his death remain unclear, it is likely he succumbed to disease and was buried near Peekskill, New York.

According the 1903 book, Medford in the Revolution, Private Yearney left behind a widow who later remarried, John Greenough, the village fiddler. Her death entry lists her as “Mrs.” with no first name. Regrettably, the Vital Records of Medford, Massachusetts do not record Private Yearney’s marriage, but it likely occurred shortly before or just after he enlisted for service in the Revolutionary War.

Research by Beth van Duzer, Concord, Massachusetts.
 

Research notes:

Name written: Orney, Yarnee, Yarney, Yearny, Yemer, Ymer, Yanner, and Yarner.

INDEX CARDS:
Sambo Yarney Appears in An Account dated Camp Mt. Washington, Oct. 1, 1776, of wages etc., due said Yarney and others prior to Jan. 1, 1776; receipt for said wages etc., given to Benjamin Heywood, Paymaster, 4th regt., signed by Capt. Jeremiah Gilman. {in pencil – not in other rolls of this co. Wm. Smith prec.} (MMPR Vol 52 Page 106 18)

Samson Yearny {in pencil per order} Appears in a List of Men raised to serve in the Continental Army from 1st Middlesex Co. regt., as returned by Lieut. Stephen Hall dated Medford, Feb. 19, 1778. Town belonged to, Medford. Town engaged for, Concord. (MMPR Vol 41 Page 110)

Samson Yemer appears in A Receipt for clothing given to Benjamin Heywood Paymaster, dated Nov. 29, 1778, signed by said Yemer and others belonging to Capt. Toogood’s co. Autograph signature.1st Cont Yanner (Mass Archives Vol. 294 Page 15)

Samson Ymer Appears in A Receipt for clothing given to Benjamin Heywood, Paymaster to Col. Nixon’s regt., dated Dec. 24, 1778, signed by said Ymer and others belonging to Capt. Toogood’s co. Autograph signature 1st Cont Yanner (Mass Archives Vol 294 Page 33)

Samson Yarner Appears with rank of Private on A Return of men of Capt. Wm Toogood’s Co., Col. Thomas Nixon’s {in pencil (6th)} Regt., in camp on or before Aug. 15, 1777, and who had not been absent subsequently except on furlough etc, certified at Camp near Peekskill, Feb 16, 1779. {in pencil Transferred to Cont’l Yanner} (MMPR Vol 23 Page 178)

Sampson Yarner Appears in A Return for wages due certain men belonging to Col. Thomas Nixon’s (6th) regt. who had died, deserted, been taken prisoners, or were absent, made up to May 31, 1779. Signed by B. Heywood, Captain and Paymaster of said regiment. Rank. Private. Capt. Toogood’s co. Reported deceased. {in pencil 1st Cont Yanner Yarner) (Mass Archives Vol 294 Page 47)

Samson Yanner Appears with rank of Private on Continental Army Pay Accounts of Capt. {in Pencil Wm} Toogood’s (5th) Co., Col. {in pencil Thomas} Nixon’s (in pencil (6th) Regt., for service from May 15, 1777 to March 19, 1779. Remarks:- Residence, Concord. Term 3 years. Reported: Died {in pencil March 7, 1779 (Yarner)} also, same co. & regt; return of men who were in camp on or before Aug. 15/77. Who had not been absent subsequently except on furlough etc. certified at Camp, near Peekskill, Feb. 16/79 (Yarner) Yarner. (Continental Army Books Vol. 6 Part 1 Page 92)

Sampson Yarner Appears among A List of Men belonging to 6th Regt appearing on clothing account – from January 1, 1778 to December 31, 1782. Reported died March 7, 1779. {in pencil Transferred to Cont’l Yanner} (MMPR Vol 53 Page 216)

Sampson Yarner Appears with rank of not given on A Return Col. Nixon’s (6th) Regt., for arrears of pay etc. (yr. not given – 1784/85). (MMPR Vol 75 Page 352)

Sampson Yarner Appears in An Account of certificates of final settlement, due officers and men of late 6th Mass regt, and certain officers of late 13th Mass. Regt, delivered John Avery, Jr., Secretary, at Boston, March 17, 1786, by Benjamin Heywood, Agent, late 6th Mass regt. Said Yarner reported as belonging to 6th Mass. Regt. No. of certificate 11943 Amount of certificate $17 16/90. Total amount $17 16/90. (MMPR Vol 54 Page 13 File A)

Sampson Yanner Appears as. Private on An Account rendered against the United States by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for amounts paid officers and men of Col. Thomas Nixon’s Regt. on account of depreciation of their wages for the first three years’ service in the Continental Army from 1777 to 1780. Account exhibited by Committee on Claims in behalf of Mass. Against U.S., Sept. 21, 1787. (Mass Archives: Depreciation Rolls. Vol 31, page 128)

Sampson Yanner Appears in a Statement of Continental Balances with rank of not given in Col. Nixon’s Regt. Time engaged for 3 years. Remarks:- Certified – June 22, 1786. Reported – deceased.

History of Medford – page 389-390: *** Taverns seemed to subserve all purposes. Auctions, theatricals, legerdemain, caucuses, military drills, balls, and dancing-schools, all came in place at the tavern. Especially sleigh-riding parties found them convenient. Medford was just about far enough from Boston to tempt a party to a ride on a pleasant moonlight evening. Scarcely one such evening passed without witnessing a gathering of young people, who brought with them their "fiddler," or engaged the services of Greenough, a noted colored fiddler of Medford, danced from seven to ten, and then took a hearty supper, and reached Boston at twelve. New forms of trade and amusement have almost wholly displaced these former customs.***

Other Resources:

Charles Brooks, William Henry Whitmore, James M. Usher, History of the town of Medford, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, from its first settlement in 1630 to 1855, Boston: Rand, Avery, & Company. The Franklin Press, 1886. Accessed June 17, 2023. https://archive.org/details/historyoftownofm00broo/page/n8/mode/1up

Helen Tilden Wild, Medford in the Revolution : military history of Medford, Massachusetts, 1765-1783 : also list of soldiers and civil officers, with genealogical and biographical notes, Medford, Mass, J.C. Miller, Jr., printer, 1903. Accessed June 17, 2023 https://archive.org/details/medfordinrevolut00wild/page/54/mode/2u