Barzillai Lew’s Revolutionary War Pension File

William Nell’s book lists Barzillai Lew as a fifer at the Battle of Bunker Hill back when he was in John Ford’s company from Chelmsford (7th Middlesex Militia ). He was in the same company from January to April 1776 and took part in the Ticonderoga Campaign from July to December, 1776.

Here is the full entry from the Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors in the War of the Revolution (17 vols.):

Lew, Barzillai, Chelmsford.Descriptive list dated June 15, 1775; Capt. John Ford’s co., Col. Bridge’s regt.; age, 30 yrs.; stature, 6 ft.; occupation, cooper; residence, Chelmsford; enlisted May 6, 1775; reported a negro; also, Fifer (also given Drummer), Capt. Ford’s co., Col. Ebenezer Bridge’s (27th) regt.; muster roll dated Aug. 1, 1775; enlisted May 6, 1775; service, 3 mos. 3 days; also, company return dated Sept. 25, 1775; also, company receipt dated Chelmsford, April 19, 1776, for wages for service from Feb. 5, 1776, to April 1, 1776, in Capt. John Ford’s co., Col. Roberson’s (Robinson’s) regt.; also, company receipt for mileage, given to Capt. John Ford, dated Ticonderoga, Aug. 28, 1776; also, company receipt for wages to Oct. 1, 1776, given to Capt. John Ford, dated Ticonderoga; company marched from Chelmsford, July 25, 1776, and was discharged at Albany, Jan. 1, 1777.

The Revolutionary War pension documents for Barzillai Lew include probate records and lists vital records for the descendents of Barzillai and Dinah Lew. (712 kb PDF)