Private Stephen Manchester

In the Revolution, Stephen Manchester (b 1717) enlisted 12 May 1775 at Windham, ME at the age of 58. He served three years and some months in Capt John Brackett's Co, Col Edmund Phinney's 31st Reg't of Foot, marched to Cambridge 3 July served under Washington until 31 Dec. Re-enlisted 1 Jan 1776 in Capt Jonathan Sawyer's Co, Col Edmund Phinney's 18th Continental Reg't. 1st Co and served thru siege of Boston, was discharged 20 Aug 1776.

He then served as a soldier in Capt Geo Smith's Co, Col Joseph Vose's 1st Maine Reg't 3 years from early 1777. Served thru the Saratoga campaign, was at the surrender of Burgoyne, and was served during the Winter 1777-8 at Valley Forge, PA. In April 1778, he was serving under Capt Smith in Col Patterson's Regiment. His total service was five years five months, according to the memorial monument erected in 1915 at the Parson Smith Family Cemetery in Windham.

Sources:

Ref. Mass State Archives of Vol 46 page 8 (Muster Roll reported discharged 20 August 1776 signed by Deputy Rich Verrick 2 Dec 1776 Copy of Vol 56 page ? (enlistment Stephen Manchester of Windham- Col Edmund Phinney's 31st Reg of Foot Company Return 29 Sept 1775) and Vol 27 page 35 (enlistment dated 24 April 1778) Ref. page 100 of "History of the Town of Windham."

Ref. Mass State Soldiers and Sailors in the War of the Revolution, 17 Vols - "billeting allowed from date enlistment 12 May 1775 to date of marching from Falmouth to headquarters, 3 July 1775, credited with 52 days allowance, also same Co and Reg't, Company Return dated 29 Sept 1775, also Capt James Johnson's Co in Col Phinney's Reg't, order for bounty coat or its equivalent in money dated Fort 2, Cambridge, 24 Oct 1775.