Subject: Waltham Boy Became One of the "Immortal Band" - Revolutionary War Source: Groton Historical Series by Dr. Samuel A. Green Volume I, Chapter XIV, 1887 - from Article in the Boston "Columbian Centinel" Jan 11, 1834. Part 1 of 2 Abraham Childs, A Revolutionary Officer p.15 Abraham Childs married Rebecca Stowell of Waltham, MA. She died November 14, 1830. He spelled his name CHILDS but his descendants dropped the "s". Biographical Sketch of Capt. Abraham Childs Capt. Abraham Childs died at Groton, MA on Friday, Jan. 3d 1834, aged 93 years. He was born at Waltham, Mass. August 12, 1741. The estate on which he was born had been in the possession of the same family for more than a century. A fact worthy of notice, as evincing the sound judgement and untiring industry, which are peculiar traits of their character. At the age of fifteen, Abraham was apprenticed to a blacksmith with whom he continued two years, when no longer controlling his patriotic ardor, he joined the company of Capt. William Jones of Medford in the regi- ment of Col. Saltonstall of Haverhill, and marched to join the army under Gen. Amherst, appointed to invade Canada. After aiding in the capture of Ticonderoga and Crown Point, and being engaged in several skirmishes, he wintered with the army at Crown Point, 1760. Marching in the spring upon Montreal, they were compelled after a severe action at Silsery, to fall back upon Quebec; from whence, finally concentrating their forces under Amherst, upon Montreal, the reduction of Canada was effect- ed, and our soldier enabled to resume his trade, at which he continued until 1762, when he again entered the service under Capt. William Baldwin of Chelmsford, of Col. Hoar's regiment, marched to Boston, took shipping to Halifax and thence sailed to aid in the reduction of some French posts in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Upon the accomplishment of which, returning to Halifax, he there spent the winter, working at his trade. At the peace of 1763 he returned home. In 1767 he married Rebecca Stowell of Waltham. In 1774 when the Provincial Congress deemed it necessary to organ- ize more thoroughly a military force, he was appointed lieu- tenant of Capt. Abijah Childs' company of 'Minute Men.' In the following year he warmly engaged in the pursuit of the English at the battle of Lexington. Then entering the States' service for eight months as lieutenant of Capt. J. Williams' company, in Col. Baldwin's regiment, was at the battle of Bunker Hill. At the expiration of his time he enlisted for another year. Washington's Immortal Band After the evacuation of Boston, he marched to New York and suffered at the defeat of Long Island in the summer of 1776. Retreating with the main army through the Jerseys, into Pennsylvania, he was one of that 'determined band,' which, headed by Washington, resolved to turn the current of success, or perish ere their country's chains were rivet- ed. Victory at Trenton crowning their endeavor, our soldier returned home with the rank of Captain in Colonel Western's regiment. In 1777 he took command of 300 men, whom he had assisted in recruiting, and joined General Gates in time to aid at the capture of Burgoyne. Returning to the main army, he passed the winter at Valley Forge, where he endured hard- ships. The following summer he thoroughly warmed himself at Monmouth. To be continued Part 2 of 2 Transcribed by Janice Farnsworth