American Revolution Ancestor of Doug Fidler

Newman Scarlett was a member of a Minuteman Company from Tewksbury, Massachusetts, who served in the American Revolution.  Sergeant Scarlett and his company marched off on the alarum of 19 April 1775 in Clark’s Company, Green’s Regiment.  While arriving late to the initial Battle of Lexington and Concord, his unit caught up to the retreating British unit and participated in the Battle of Merriam’s Corner.  He served 2 days in military service at this time.  In 1777, he was recalled to duty as a lieutenant in Farmer’s Company, Reed’s Regiment, to relieve Fort Ticonderoga.  While the unit was called back after the British withdrawal, he served 41 days in this campaign.

Scarlett was born on 25 April 1740 to unknown biological parents.  It may be inferred from Tewksbury records that he was adopted into the Edmund Frost family.  It is highly likely that he chose his own last name because family legend indicates the use of “Scarlett” came from the color of the clothing or blanket in which he was found.  He was a farmer by occupation, but it is clear that he was respected and rewarded for his academic abilities, too.  He was the town schoolmaster (4 years), clerk (21 years), and selectman (19 years).  He was a trusted leader by virtue of his election as sergeant and then lieutenant in the town militia.

Following his second period of service, he returned to his farm and family, and continued to serve his community in its town government.  In recognition of their respect for his knowledge and ability to serve their interest, he was selected at a town meeting of citizens on Christmas Eve 1787 to represent Tewksbury at the convention held at the State House in Boston to consider the Constitution of the United States.  While he voted along with 167 other members against ratification, John Hancock used his considerable influence to win approval for the new form of government by 19 votes.

Scarlett died in Tewksbury at his desk, according to family legend, on 4 June 1799.  The site of his grave is unknown, but likely to be in Tewksbury.

Scarlett was married to Betty Peacock (1743-1775) on 27 October 1761 and to Molly Merrill (1747-1822) on 24 May 1776.  His children by Betty were Betty (1762-____), Lydia [French] (1763-____), Sarah (1766-____), Mary [Gray] (1767-____), Newman (1769-1838), William (1772-1774), Rhoda [Emerson] (1774-____), and an infant who died at childbirth (1775).  His children by Molly were Hannah [Davis] (1777-1805), William (1778-1848), Merrill (1780-1829), Nancy [Shed] (1781-_____), Abner (1783-____), Susanna (1785-____), Sherebiah (1787-1840), Chadmiel (1789-1821), and Polly (1792-1793). 

The majority of his children and their families remained in the area between Tewksbury and Lowell, Mass., or in southern New Hampshire.  Abner and Newman moved to northern Vermont, and then westward into northeast Indiana and Ohio.