Seth Pomeroy, d. 1777

GENERAL SETH POMEROY Listed among first U.S. Generals b. May 20, 1706, Northampton m. December 14, 1732, Mary Hunt d.1777 A second generation Northampton family, he was gunsmith by trade; a smith did everything from pulling a tooth, to making and repairing farm equipment, horse-shoeing, making bells and firearms. Pomeroy was an 18th century military hero. He was named Captain to command three companies of Hampshire County Minute Men if and when a break was made with England. In 1745 he fought as a Major against the French and Cape Breton Island on the St. Lawrence River, and helped capture the fort they had spent 20 years building. Ten years later, as a Colonel, he again fought them, this time at Crown Point. In 1774, at 68 years old, he was promoted to General and helped to train men in Boston. He was in Northampton when the British Colonials threatened Bunker Hill and was summoned to take a command at the historic spot . Fought at a volunteer with the troops. He refused to command them on the grounds that he was too old. In 1777 at the request of George Washington, he reported to Peekskill on the Hudson River to command Massachusetts troops fighting the English. Before the battle began he was stricken with pleurisy and died. Buried on a high bank of the Hudson River overlooking West Point. He served with distinction in the French and Indian wars and was only known Northampton man known to have taken part in the Battle of Bunker Hill. At that time he was 69 years old.

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