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Born: Jan. 5, 1718, Marlboro, Mass. Notes:Married Ruth Wood, May 14, 1737 Orderly Sergeant David Forbush fought at the battle of Lexington and Concord under the command of Capt. Isaac Davis. When the British reached the bridge at Concord, they were met by Minutemen. The History of Middlesex Co., Mass. states that there may not have been a battle that day except for the fact that smoke began to rise from burning houses at the center of Concord. Colonel Barrett gave the consent to attack rather than watch “Ole Concord burn.” Capt. Davis came back to his company and drew his sword and gave the command to advance six paces. By his side marched Major Buttrick of Concord. As the British began to take the bridge, the Americans quickened their pace. Immediately the firing on both sides began. Davis was shot dead through the heart, the ball passed quite through his body, making a large wound, perhaps driving a button off his coat. His blood gushed out in one great stream, flying, it is said, more than ten feet, besprinkling and besmearing his own clothes, the shoe buckles and clothes of Orderly Sergeant David Forbush, and the file leader, Thomas Thorp. Jonathan Knight, the housewright connected with the manufacturing venture that brought about the settlement of Mill Corner, now South Acton, built a still-standing house in 1710. This house was owned and occupied by the Forbush Family from 1739 until the 1830’s. David Forbush, the Orderly Sergeant of Captain Davis, and the Minutemen, occupied the house for some time. The house has an unusually well preserved early 18th century chimney. He resided in Marlboro and in 1739 moved to Acton, Mass. David Forbush died at the age of 83 years. |