The Gravestone of James Reed

My recent postings about Col. James Reed of New Hampshire and his regiment brought a message and photo from Boston 1775 reader Robert J. O’Hara. I decided to adapt them into a guest blogger posting, letting me rest in peace on new material for another day.

James Reed is buried in the Laurel Hill Cemetery in Fitchburg, under a fine large stone carved in John Dwight’s workshop in Shirley. He might have become as well known as his fellow New Hampshireman John Stark, but the year after Bunker Hill he became ill, possibly with smallpox, and this left him almost totally blind. He retired to Keene, and then eventually to Fitchburg, where he lived in a house on the lot now occupied by the Fitchburg City Hall. He died there in 1807.

JAMES REED

Born at Woburn 1723

In the various Military scenes

In which his country was concerned

from 1755 to the superiour conflict

distinguished in our history as the

Revolution

He sustained Commissions.

In that Revolution, at the import-

ant post of Lake George,

he totally lost his sight.

From that period to his death he

receiv’d from his country the

retribution allowed to pensioners

of the rank of

Brigadier General.

died at Fitchburg

February 13th 1807.

Please visit this webpage for more information and photos about Fitchburg’s cemeteries.

Thanks, Bob!