Simeon Thayer
| Simeon Thayer | |
|---|---|
| Born |
April 30, 1737 Mendon, Massachusetts |
| Died | October 14, 1800 (aged 63) Cumberland, Rhode Island |
| Allegiance |
 British America United States
|
| Service/branch | Continental Army |
| Years of service | 1775–1781 |
| Rank | Major |
| Battles/wars |
French and Indian War American Revolutionary War |
| Other work |
Brigadier General of militia Society of the Cincinnati |
Simeon Thayer (April 30, 1737 – October 14, 1800) fought in Rogers' Rangers during the French and Indian War and made a harrowing escape from French-allied Indians. At the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War, the Rhode Island assembly appointed him an officer. He quickly raised a company of soldiers and marched with them to the Siege of Boston. He and his men went on Benedict Arnold's expedition to Quebec during which time he kept a journal of his experiences. He fought at Quebec and was captured. After being paroled, he again served as an officer in the Continental Army.
Thayer distinguished himself at the Siege of Fort Mifflin in the autumn of 1777. For the period of four days he commanded the garrison until he was compelled to evacuate the fort by the tremendous bombardment. He fought at Barren Hill and Monmouth, where he was seriously wounded. He led his men in a clash at Springfield and retired from the army in 1781. Later, he served as a brigadier general of Rhode Island militia for three years. He was married three times and died after being thrown from a horse at age 63.
Simeon Thayer was born in Mendon, Massachusetts on April 30, 1737 of parents David and Jane Keith Thayer. His eight brothers and sisters were named Jean, David, Susanna, George, Faithful, Jemima, Mary, and Elizabeth. As a young man, he served as an apprentice to a wig-maker.
In 1756 he volunteered for military service with a Rhode Island regiment. Soon after, he joined Colonel Fry's Massachusetts regiment and served in Rogers' Rangers during three separate clashes with French-allied Indians. He became a prisoner after the Siege of Fort William Henry on August 9, 1757. He survived the massacre of many British prisoners by pro-French Indians that followed the surrender. The captured troops were stripped of their weapons and much of their clothing and made to march from the fort. A tomahawk-armed Native Americans seized Thayer by his under-waistcoat and began dragging him toward a swamp. The garment tore off, allowing Thayer to flee his captor. He soon joined another prisoner and the two were pursued by an Indian who tomahawked his companion to death. Thayer began sprinting and reached Fort Edward in safety. The effort of running a great distance on a hot day impaired his health and rendered him unfit for service for the rest of the French and Indian War.
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