Jacob Bayley facts for kids

Jacob Bayley (born July 19, 1726 – died March 1, 1815) was an important leader in early American history. He was a soldier and officer in two big wars. First, he fought with the British in the French and Indian War. Later, he became a brigadier general in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War.

After the French and Indian War, Jacob Bayley helped start two towns: Newbury, Vermont, and Haverhill, New Hampshire. He made a lot of money from owning land there. But during the Revolutionary War, he used his own money to pay for soldiers and supplies. He was never paid back for this. Because of this, he died without much money.

Early Life and Family

Jacob Bayley was born in Newbury, Massachusetts. He married Prudence Noyes (1729–1809). They got married on July 19, 1726. The next year, they moved to Hampstead, New Hampshire. Their first child, Ephraim, was born there. In 1749, Jacob Bayley was chosen as one of the town's leaders.

Fighting in the French and Indian War

The French and Indian War was a big fight between Britain and France. Both sides had Native American allies. Jacob Bayley started as a lieutenant in the New Hampshire army. In 1755, he explored the area around Lake Champlain.

He was later promoted to captain. He led a group of soldiers who defended Fort William Henry in 1757. The British soldiers at the fort surrendered to the French. The French promised to protect them from their Native American allies. But this promise was broken. Native Americans attacked the British soldiers as they left. Many soldiers were killed. Women, children, and servants were captured. Captain Bayley was one of the few who escaped.

According to his family, he ran barefoot for about 12 miles (19 km). He reached Fort Edward safely. The New Hampshire government paid him for his losses. This included money for his shoes!

Later, the war started to go well for the British. Bayley helped General Amherst capture Fort Carillon. He also helped take Montreal in New France. This basically ended the fighting in North America. By the end of the war, Bayley was promoted twice. He became a lieutenant-colonel, then a colonel.

Starting New Towns

Founding Newbury and Haverhill

After the war ended in 1760, Bayley and three friends traveled home. They were Captain John Hazen and Lieutenants Jacob Kent and Timothy Bedell. They found a great spot near the Connecticut River. It was called the Oxbow. They decided to make it their new home.

In 1761, Bayley and Hazen cleared land around the Oxbow. The first settlers arrived in 1762. In 1763, the governor of New Hampshire gave them permission to start two towns. These towns were Newbury (named after Bayley's hometown) and Haverhill. Newbury was on the west side of the river. Haverhill was on the east side.

Disagreement with Ethan Allen

Jacob Bayley had a disagreement with Ethan Allen. It was about land titles. They also had other differences. This led to them not liking each other very much.

Fighting in the American Revolutionary War

In 1776, Jacob Bayley was a colonel. He was chosen to become a brigadier general. This promotion was approved.

General Bayley wrote many letters to George Washington. You can read 63 of these letters online! They talked about building the Bayley Hazen Military Road. They also discussed the situation in Canada. The United States had tried to invade Quebec in 1775, but it failed.

Bayley and Moses Hazen started building the Bayley Hazen Military Road in 1776. This road was meant to help a second invasion of Canada. But that invasion never happened. In 1777, Bayley became the Commissary General. This meant he was in charge of supplies for the northern part of the Continental Army.

Bayley only fought in one major battle during the war. He led a group of soldiers in the Battle of Saratoga on October 7, 1777. He was with 2,000 New Hampshire soldiers north of Fort Edward.

In the early 1780s, the British were secretly talking with the Vermont Republic. This was called the Haldimand Affair. Jacob Bayley was strongly against talking with the British. So, someone tried to capture him and take him to Canada. But the plan failed. Bayley's neighbor, Colonel Thomas Johnson, warned him. Johnson had been captured by the British earlier. He was released but broke his promise to warn Bayley. Ethan Allen was part of these secret talks. This made his disagreement with Bayley even worse.

Legacy

There is a monument to General Bayley in the town common of Newbury, Vermont.