His Family did often share

His generous love & tender Care

his friends also did often find

a man of truth both just and kind

Inscription on his tombstone in Newman Cemetery, Rumford, RI

John Daggett and Penelope Wood

John Daggett was the son of John and Hopestill Wood Daggett. He was born in Rehoboth, MA on November 6, 1723 and lived on the farmlands of his family. This land was originally purchased from Governor Bradford of Plymouth Colony. It was described after his death in a sale of land made by his widow and heirs.

John was a farmer, mariner and trader from the nearby cove. At the age of twenty-nine he and Penelope Wood were married in the Church of Christ, Swansea, by Job Mason, Elder on April 4, 1752. Penelope was the twin sister of Isaac Wood. Her aunt was Hopestill Wood, wife of John Daggett. John and Penelope had five children, three boys and two girls, all born in Rehoboth, MA.

During the American Revolution, John was not a young man. He was in his fifties.John served the cause of the Colonies by being sworn into the Militia in 1777. He served as a Private in the Company of Captain Samuel Cowell. This company served in Col. Benjamin Haw's regiment of Rehoboth, MA. John took part in a secret expedition from September 23 to October 30, 1777. The Roll Call was taken in Suffolk County. This mission was a plan for a general attack on Newport, Rhode Island, under the direction of General Joseph Spencer. The goal sought was for 10,000 men to gather for this battle. By October 13, only 8,333 men were counted, John being one of them. Later, a decision was made to mount an attack if the muster revealed 6000 men available, but the count on October 28 was only 5000 men, and the plan was called off. John remained the entire time. Perhaps other's left, as it was harvest time, and they may have had to return to their farms.

John also contributed money to raise Continental Soldiers on February 18, 1778. His son Levi, our ancestor, also served in the Rehoboth Militia. He joined when he was only fifteen.

John died on August 9, 1789 at the age of sixty six. He is buried in the Newman Cemetery in Rumford, RI. A Revolutionary War Veteran's flag has been placed on his grave by the DAR.

His widow Penelope remarried after his death. She and her second husband moved to Cheshire, MA. She is buried there.