America 250 My Massachusetts Revolutionary War Ancestor Daniel Markham Sr

 

Daniel Markham,  Sr

Daniel Markham is my maternal 7^th great grandfather.  Daniel was born in 1704 in Middletown, Connecticut to Daniel and Deborah (Meacham) Markham.  Daniel was the oldest of the children born to the couple.  Daniel would leave Middletown, then move to Stratford, Connecticut and then on to Tyringham, Massachusetts.   (See blog post The Life of Daniel Markham).  Daniel was 71 years old in 1775 and living in Tyringham, Massachusetts when the Revolutionary War officially began. 

• Tyringham was a small frontier farming town in Berkshire County during the Revolution. Settlement there was still relatively recent (mid-1700s), and many residents were first-generation landowners.

What could a 71-year-old man possibly have done in the Revolutionary War?  After searching through the traditional sites (Fold3, Ancestry, FamilySearch, etc.), exploring sites about the state in the Revolutionary War and then books detailing a town/city history can be of help. The following Document of Historical Interest was located in Tyringham: A Hinterland and Settlement:

Transcription:

WE the Subscribers, Do each of us severally for our selves, profess, testify and declare before GOD and the World, that we verily believe that the War, Resistance and Opposition in which the United American Colonies are now engaged, against the Fleets and Armies of Great-Britain, is on the Part of the said Colonies, just and necessary. And we do hereby severally promise, covenant and engage, to and with every Person of this Colony, who bears or shall subscribe this Declaration, or another of the same Tenor and Words, that we will not, during the said War, directly or indirectly, in any Way, aid, abet or assist, any of the Naval or Land Forces of the King of Great-Britain, or any employed by him; or supply them with any Kind of Provisions, Military or Naval Stores, or hold any Correspondence with, or communicate any Intelligence to any of the Officers, Soldiers or Mariners belonging to the said Army or Navy, or assist, protect or abet to assist them to take Land or Sea Service of Great-Britain, or take up Arms against either of the United Colonies, or undertake to pilot any of his Vessels belonging to the said Navy, or in any other Way aid or assist them, upon the Penalty of suffering such Punishment as shall be inflicted on us by the Laws of this Colony, now or hereafter to be provided, for the Regulation of the Militia thereof.

This was sworn to by me
(signature unclear)

Signers:

Which signature is my Daniel since two Daniel Markhams are listed?  

I will probably never know.  Research has indicated that Daniel had sons named Daniel and Benjamin who appear to have also signed this document.

What is the significance of this document to the Revolutionary War?

In the spring through the summer of 1776, towns across Massachusetts required adult men (usually 16-60 or 21-60 depending on the town) to sign a loyalty declaration supporting the American cause against Great Britain. These documents are usually called “Association Tests.”  Those who signed were generally”

• Free adult men (usually 16–60 or 21–60 depending on town)
• Heads of households
• Landholders or taxpayers

 “Association Tests” typically stated that the signer would defend the American colonies against the British fleets and armies. The purpose of this ‘oath’ was political in nature and would identify Patriots vs. Loyalists (Tories).  Returns from towns were sent to the Massachusetts Provincial Congress. Similar tests were used across New England. The results would help demonstrate popular support before independence was declared and organize militia and civil authority.

Daniel would live through the Revolutionary War and see victory for the colonies not passing until 1786. While the “Association Test” is evidence of political allegiance and not proof of military duty I believe it demonstrates that even at the age of 71 Daniel Markham and at least two of his sons (Daniel Jr. and Benjamin) were indeed “Patriots”! 

Note:  Daniel Markham’s daughter Lucy married Private Israel Alden.  (See post The Life of Israel Alden and America 250 My Massachusetts Revolutionary War Patriot Israel Alden)   

If you have any corrections or additions or stories to share, I look forward to hearing them.

Enjoy the journey,

Debby