Anselm Tupper facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Anselm Tupper
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Anselm Tupper, portrait attributed to "Sully"
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| Born | October 11, 1763 Easton, Massachusetts |
| Died | December 25, 1808 (aged 45) Marietta, Ohio |
| Place of burial | |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/ |
Continental Army |
| Rank | Lieutenant and Adjutant |
| Battles/wars | American Revolutionary War |
| Relations | Benjamin Tupper (father) |
| Other work | pioneer, surveyor, militia major during the Northwest Indian War, school teacher, poet |
Anselm Tupper (1763–1808) was a brave soldier in the Continental Army. This was the army that fought for America's freedom during the American Revolutionary War. Anselm was also a pioneer who helped start Marietta, Ohio. This town was the first lasting American settlement in the Northwest Territory.
Anselm was the oldest son of Benjamin Tupper, another important figure. He joined the army when he was only eleven years old. He became a lieutenant (a junior officer) before he turned seventeen. After the war, he explored and measured land in the Northwest Territory. He became a major in the local army (militia) in Marietta. This was during the Northwest Indian War. Anselm Tupper was also the first school teacher in Marietta. He loved classic books and wrote poems. People knew him as a popular person in his community.
Anselm Tupper's Early Life and the Revolutionary War
Anselm Tupper was born in Easton, Massachusetts on October 11, 1763. He grew up in Chesterfield until he was eleven. His childhood ended quickly when he joined the army in May 1775. This was soon after the first battles of the war. He was likely one of the youngest soldiers fighting for independence.
Anselm joined Captain Robert West's company from Chesterfield. This company was part of Colonel John Fellows' regiment. Anselm's father, Benjamin Tupper, was already a major in this same regiment. A book called History of the Town of Easton, Massachusetts described him: "It is interesting to think of this Revolutionary soldier, not yet twelve years old, engaging in all the toil, hardship, and peril of war, and never flinching until his country's independence was achieved."
In 1779, Tupper became an adjutant. This meant he was a helper to the commander, Colonel Ebenezer Sproat. He was made an ensign (a junior officer) in 1779 or 1780. He was then promoted to lieutenant and adjutant in the 11th Massachusetts Regiment. This happened on September 1, 1780, before his seventeenth birthday. He continued to serve in different regiments until November 3, 1783.
Life After the War: Exploring the Ohio Country
In 1786, Rufus Putnam and Benjamin Tupper started the Ohio Company of Associates. This company aimed to settle land in the Ohio Country. That same year, Anselm joined his father to survey (measure) land there. Anselm became a part-owner of the Ohio Company. He also worked as a surveyor for them.
Later, on April 7, 1788, Anselm Tupper arrived at the Ohio and Muskingum rivers. He was with a group of American pioneers to the Northwest Territory. They were led by Rufus Putnam. Their goal was to establish Marietta, Ohio. This became the first lasting American settlement in the Northwest Territory. Anselm's parents, Benjamin and Huldah, arrived a few months later.
Anselm Tupper was an important person in the new settlement of Marietta. People liked him very much. In September 1788, he served on the Grand Jury. This was for the first civil court in the Northwest Territory. During the Northwest Indian War in 1789, he became a major in the local army (militia). He was in charge of the Campus Martius fort during the war.
He was also a founding member of the Society of the Cincinnati. This group was for officers who fought in the Revolutionary War. He was also an early member of the American Union Lodge No. 1 of Freemasons in Marietta. Other members included Rufus Putnam and Benjamin Tupper.
In 1803, Anselm Tupper was the second officer on a ship called the Orlando. This ship was built in Marietta. He sailed with the Orlando down the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. Then they crossed the Atlantic Ocean and sailed through the Mediterranean and Adriatic seas to Trieste. After this long journey, he returned home to Marietta. Anselm Tupper was the first school teacher in Marietta. He was a very smart person who loved classic books. He also wrote poems.
Anselm Tupper passed away on December 25, 1808. He is buried with his father and many other Revolutionary War soldiers. They rest at Mound Cemetery in Marietta.
See Also
