Thomas Knowlton
BIRTH
Nov 22, 1740
Boxford, Massachusetts
DEATH
September 16, 1776
Harlem Heights, New York
FAMILY
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Knowlton, Thomas
(1740-1776)
Thomas W. Knowlton was an American patriot who served in the French and Indian War and was a colonel during the American Revolution. Knowlton is considered America's first Intelligence professional, and his unit, Knowlton's Rangers, gathered intelligence during the early Revolutionary War. Knowlton was killed in action at the Battle of Harlem Heights.
2
SISTER
Polly Knowlton
BROTHER
Sampson Knowlton
(1770-1777)
WIFE
Anna Keyes
(1743-1808)
Polly Knowlton
Anna Knowlton
(1824-1907)
Abigail Knowlton
Sampson Knowlton
(1770-1777)
Places | Image | Address | GPS | Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Battle of Harlem Heights | 478 Riverside Drive, New York, New York, 10027, USA | MARKER | ||
Battle of Brooklyn Marker | Belt Parkway, New York, New York, 11209, USA | MARKER |
DIED:
Harlem Heights, New York
Sep 16, 1776
Knowlton was born into a military family on November 22, 1740, in West Boxford, Massachusetts. When he was eight, his family relocated to a farm in Ashford, Connecticut. In 1755, at fifteen, Knowlton served in the French and Indian War with his older brother Daniel. He enlisted in Captain John Durkee's company, and is known to have joined Daniel on scouting missions into enemy territory. He later served in Captain John Slapp's 8th Company, where he served with Throope Chapman. He served during six campaigns in the war and was promoted to lieutenant in 1760. He also fought in Israel Putnam's company against the Spanish during the British expedition against Cuba in 1762. By August 1762, Knowlton had returned home and married Anna Keyes. He and his wife raised nine children. At the age of thirty-three, Knowlton was appointed a Selectman of Ashford, Connecticut.
Thomas Knowlton joined his militia, the Ashford Company, which became part of the 5th Connecticut Regiment, along with the men from Windham, Mansfield and Coventry, Connecticut. Knowlton was chosen unanimously as captain and led 200 men into Massachusetts. His force consisted of farmers, without uniforms, primarily armed with shotguns.
Knowlton was ordered to Charlestown to join Colonel William Prescott. Knowlton's troops were sent by Colonel Prescott to oppose the advancing British grenadiers, and took their posts on the side of Breed's hill. Knowlton was in command of a 200 men work party. His men dismantled another fence further back and used its rails to strengthen the existing fence, and they filled the space between with new-mown grass which formed an effective breastwork. There they held their ground until the general retreat, and were among those providing cover as the troops retreated. Only three men from Knowlton's company died in the battle.
In 1776, Knowlton was sent by General Washington during the Siege of Boston to burn any remaining buildings at the base of Bunker Hill, with orders to capture any British troops guarding the location. Knowlton accomplished his mission without firing a shot or losing a single man