John Nixon

Background

John Nixon was born on March 1, 1727 in Framingham, Massachussets, United States. He was the son of Christopher Nixon or Nickson and his wife, Mary Seaver.

Career

At the age of eighteen Nixon enlisted in Captain Ephraim Baker's company of Sir William Pepperell's regiment and served in the expedition of 1745 against Louisbourg. At the outbreak of the French and Indian War, he enlisted in Captain Ebenezer Newell's Roxbury company and was commissioned lieutenant.

Subsequently transferred to Captain Jonathan Hoar's Concord company and promoted to be captain, he took part in the expedition against Crown Point. In the following year he served in the provincial force organized to capture Ticonderoga. In 1758 he was captain of a company in Colonel Ruggles' regiment at Half Moon, New York. He also saw considerable service in the closing years of the struggle.

Family and fireside could not hold him back when the Revolution began. He commanded a company of minute-men in the fighting at Lexington and Concord of April 19, 1775. His keen sense of discipline is illustrated by the fact that when he was ordered to hold his detachment in check and one of his men impatiently accused him of cowardice, he replied: "I should rather be called a coward by you, than called to account by my superior officer, for disobedience of orders". A week later, under authority of the Massachusetts Committee of Safety, he proceeded to raise a regiment.

He was wounded in the battle of Bunker Hill and participated in the siege of Boston.

On January 1, 1776, he became colonel of the 4th Continental Infantry, and later moved with the army to New York. On Washington's recommendation, Congress elected him brigadier-general. He was placed in command of two regiments of infantry and a detachment of artillery on Governor's Island, and took part in the operations on the mainland subsequent to the capture of New York.

In 1777 his brigade, as part of the northern army, participated in the movements resulting in the defeat of Burgoyne. On one occasion a cannon-ball passed so near to his head as to impair his sight and hearing on one side. He was detailed to escort the captive British from Saratoga to Cambridge, Massachussets Granted a furlough of several months because of ill health,

Upon his return to the colors, he served on the court-martial appointed to try General Schuyler. His health continuing poor, he resigned September 12, 1780, receiving an honorable discharge. About 1806 he removed from Sudbury to Middlebury, where he died.

Achievements

• Nixon served as a company commander during expeditions against the French in upstate New York, including Ticonderoga and Crown Point, Fort William Henry and Fort Half Moon.

Personality

Notwithstanding his soldierly bearing and firmness of character, he was a man of engaging manners, who in later years especially enjoyed recounting stories of his military career for the pleasure of his grandchildren.

Connections

Nixon married Thankful Berry on February 7, 1754. In the course of time ten children, five sons and five daughters, were born. On February 5, 1778 he married his second wife, Hannah (Drury) Gleason, widow of a comrade-in-arms.

Father:

Christopher Nixon

Mother:

Mary Seaver

Spouse:

Hannah (Drury) Gleason

Spouse:

Thankful Berry

References

• VERMONT SOLDIERS, SAILORS, AND PATRIOTS of the Revolutionary War
• Saratoga: Turning Point of America's Revolutionary War