Seth Pomeroy facts for kids

Seth Pomeroy (born May 20, 1706 – died February 19, 1777) was an American gunsmith and brave soldier from Northampton, Massachusetts. He played an important part in several major wars. These included the French and Indian War and the start of the American Revolutionary War. He even fought as a regular soldier at the famous Battle of Bunker Hill. Later, he became a high-ranking officer, a major general, in the Massachusetts army.

Seth Pomeroy's Early Life

Seth was born in Northampton, Massachusetts. His parents were Ebeneezer and Sarah (King) Pomeroy. His father was a respected leader in their town. He had also been a Major in the local army, called the militia.

Seth learned to be a skilled mechanic and gunsmith. This meant he was very good at making and fixing guns. He also joined the local militia in Hampshire County. People knew him as one of the best gunsmiths in the entire colony.

Pomeroy married Mary Hunt on December 14, 1732. They had nine children together. Their children were Seth, Quartus, Medad, Lemuel, Martha, Mary, Sarah, and Asahel.

Fighting in King George's War

When Massachusetts decided to fight against the French in Nova Scotia, Major Pomeroy stepped up. He joined the volunteers when Governor William Shirley asked for help.

In 1745, he was part of an army led by William Pepperrell. This army successfully captured Fortress Louisbourg in Nova Scotia. Seth used his amazing gunsmith skills to help the army. He worked with Richard Gridley, who was the main engineer. Seth fixed guns that the French had broken, helping the army keep up their attack for 46 days.

The French and Indian War

In 1755, Seth Pomeroy, now a Lt. Colonel, was second in command. He served under Colonel Ephraim Williams. They marched to New York to help capture Crown Point.

During their march, they were suddenly attacked. About 800 French and Canadian soldiers, along with 600 Iroquois warriors, ambushed them. This attack happened at the Battle of Lake George. Seth Pomeroy was the only commanding officer who survived the battle. After Colonel Williams died, Seth became a Colonel.

Even though they lost many soldiers, they managed to retreat. They went back to the English camp at the south end of Lake George. There, they quickly built a wall using wood and carts. They held their ground with the help of cannons and more soldiers. These extra forces were led by General William Johnson. The native warriors and Canadians would not attack them in the open. When the French leader was hurt, the entire French army left. They went back to their fort, which was later called Fort Ticonderoga.

The French leader was captured. General Johnson then built a stronger fort, Fort William Henry, to protect the area.

Role in the Revolutionary War

Coat of Arms of Seth Pomeroy

Even though Seth Pomeroy was an important officer, he had a smaller role at the start of the war. He was almost 70 years old at this time. But when the Siege of Boston began in 1775, he volunteered to help.

On June 17, British ships started firing cannons. This was the beginning of the Battle of Bunker Hill. Seth borrowed a horse from General Artemas Ward and rode towards the battle. When he reached a narrow strip of land, he saw many soldiers stuck there. This area was being heavily fired upon by British warships.

Seth gave his horse to another soldier to take back. He then picked up his musket (a type of gun) and walked right through the cannon fire. He did not want to take command. Instead, he joined the soldiers at a fence, fighting alongside John Stark's New Hampshire army.

The next week, the Continental Congress offered him a high position. They named him a brigadier general in the Continental Army. However, Seth's health was not good. Also, there were some disagreements about who should be in charge. So, he turned down the offer. Instead, he served as a major general in the Massachusetts militia.

In 1776, General George Washington asked for help in New Jersey. Seth Pomeroy marched with his militia unit to help. But he became very sick and died in Peekskill, New York. He is buried in an unmarked grave in St. Peter's Churchyard. This churchyard is now part of Hillside Cemetery.

There is a tall monument in Hillside Cemetery that honors Seth Pomeroy. It is about 26 feet high. It has a large square base, a column, and a ball on top. One side of the monument has these words: "General Seth Pomeroy. Born at Northampton, Mass., May 20th 1706. Died near this spot Feb. 19th 1777." Another side has a quote from him, written on February 11, 1777. It might be about facing his last days: "I go cheerfully, for I am sure the cause we are engaged in is just, and the call I have to it is clear, and the call of God."

Images for kids

• 

  Seth Pomeroy monument

• 

  Base of monument

• 

  Plaque near graveyard entrance

See also

• Seth Pomeroy's Ride (poem)