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Grave of Private Levi Daggett
Newman Cemetery,
Rumford, RI
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Private Levi Daggett
Guarding the Shore in Rhode Island
Levi often heard his father and older brothers talk about how relations with Britain were becoming progressively worse. There were more and more restrictions on trade, and taxes had more than doubled. The people of Rehoboth were very much aware of the growing friction between them and the mother country.
In the year of 1776, the Colonies signed the Declaration of Independence. It was evident the colonies had set their minds on revolt. And then the shots were fired at Lexington. Rehoboth sent a contingent. Young Levi Daggett was fifteen years old. His older brothers, Joshua and John and his father were busy with their farm chores and planting, and training on the town common with their hunting rifles, ready to defend their home. His father joined Captain Sam Cowell's Co, and served in Col. Benjamin Haws' Regiment. Anxious to do his part, he joined Captain James Hill's Company. It was part of Col. Carpenter's Regiment from Rehoboth, MA.
Levi enlisted on December 11, 1776. His first service was for a period of thirteen days. His unit marched to Bristol on an alarm.
He was next drafted for three months to guard the shores at Rhode Island on December 29, 1777. He then served as a Private in Captain Joseph Franklin's unit from Rehoboth in Col. John Daggett's Regiment. Col. Daggett was a cousin. His enlistment in this unit was on January 1, 1778. Levi served for three months and was discharged on March 31, 1778. He had been on duty in Rhode Island. He was then seventeen.
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