ALPHEUS NEWTON5 (Abner4, Thomas3, John2, Richard1), son of Abner and Vashti (Eager) Newton of Westborough, Mass.; born there May 7, 1734; died in Deerfield, Mass., December 24, 1818.
He married in Westborough, Mass., January 31, 1753, Elizabeth Claflin, daughter of Cornelius and Elizabeth (Caryl) Claflin of Wenham, Mass. She was born September 3, 1739. She died, probably at Deerfield, Mass., ----, 1814, "aged 82."
Alpheus Newton was a farmer. He lived first in Westborough, where the first three children were born; in 1758 and 1759 he had a child baptized in the church at Brookfield, Mass.; then seven children are recorded as having been born in Petersham; three others were born somewhere else and one born in Deerfield; where the names of all his children are recorded. He was in that town as early as 1778. Petersham and New Salem are adjoining towns.
Alpheus Newton and his son Alpheus, Jr., were soldiers of the Revolution. The following may be, in part, the service of either father or son. I cannot determine which is which in this case:
Alpheus Newton. New Salem. List to serve Continental Army from 1st Company, 5th Hampshire County regiment, as returned by Capt. Thomas Dickinson, engaged for Deerfield. Joined Capt. Gates Company, Col. Putnam's regiment, term three years. Also, men returned by Capt. Israel Richardson, and Capt. Jeremiah Ballard. Residence New Salem, engaged for New Salem, joined Capt. Ichabod Alden's Regiment, term three years (name is crossed out on list). Also, men mustered by Thomas Newhall, and other dates and items. Said Newton claimed by both New Salem and Deerfield, allowed to Deertield. Also, Capt. Gardner's Company, Col. Rufus Putnam's (5th) regiment. Other rolls of other companies and regiments, the last date being May 1, 1780.
Alpheus Newton, Jr.. Deerfield. Descriptive list of men to reinforce Continental Army for term of 6 months July 10, 1780, age 17 years. Stature 5 ft. 8 in.. Complexion light, engaged for the town of Deerfield, arrived at Springfield July 9, 1780, arrived at Camp under Capt. Daniel Shays. Also on roll of 6 months service returned by Brig-Gen. Peterson, dated at Camp Totoway, Oct. 25, 1780. Also on pay roll for 6 months service, men of Deerfield, marched July 7, 1780, discharged Dec. I8, 17S0. Travel home. (150 miles).
Alpheus Newton. Private Capt. Oliver Shattuck's Company in regiment commanded by Lieut. Col. Barnabas Sears, enlisted Aug. 12, 1781, discharged Nov. 8, 1781—travel home 100 miles. Regiment raised from Hampshire county militia to serve 3 months, muster roll dated at Deerfield.
In the First Census of the United States. 1790, the family of Alpheus Newton, Deerfield, Hampshire County, Mass., consisted of himself, one male under sixteen years, and three females. Brookfield church records gives the baptism of two children, daughters of Alpheus: "Reekord," bapt. Oct. 22, 1758, and ----, bapt. May 6, 1759. He may have lived there before, settling in Petersham.
The records at Petersham are torn, leaving the dates imperfect.
