By Muriel Bristol | March 2, 2025
Milton Mills celebrated the 104th birthday of Ralph Farnham of neighboring Acton, ME, on July 7, 1860.
Ralph Farnham was born in Lebanon, ME, July 7, 1756, son of Paul and Elizabeth (Dore) Farnham.
Ralph Farnham of York County enlisted in Capt. Phillip Hubbard’s Company, in Col. James Scammon’s MA Regiment, May 15, 1775. (Maine then being a “province” of Massachusetts).
Our company met a Berwick Landing – from there we marched to Cambridge, Mass., where we joined the Army and Colo James Scammon’s Regiment of Infantry. Our Lieut Colo was Johnson Moulton from York, our Major was Daniel Wood of said Berwick, Gen. Heath commanded our Brigade.
His unit served in the Battle of Bunker Hill, June 17, 1775, and, thereafter, for the remainder of the year 1775, in the Siege of Boston.
We remained at Cambridge till the last day of December 1775, when our enlistment was out and was dismissed. I was an inhabitant of Lebanon in said County of York when I enlisted. I served as a private soldier.
He enlisted again as a Sergeant in Capt. Samuel Grant’s Company, in Col. Oliver Titcomb’s Regiment.
In the year 1777, I enlisted a second time in the War of the Revolution under Capt Samuel Grant, the first Lieut I cannot recollect, the second Lieut was a Mr Billings from Kittery. I joined the company at Providence, Rhode Island. We joined Colo Titcomb’s Regiment. Our Lieut Colo and Major took a part of the Regiment and went down near Newport. Gen. Spencer commanded in chief. I remained in Providence aforesaid three months. We were called Militia men from York. I served in this campaign as a Sergeant. I enlisted under Capt Grant in May 1777 and was dismissed in August at Providence.
He enlisted for a third time as a Sergeant in Capt. Elisha Shapleigh’s Company in September 1777.
In about two weeks after I got home from Providence I enlisted under Capt Elisha Shapleigh from Kittery in the month of Sept 1777 to go up to meet Gen Burgoyne. I joined the Company at Bennington, Vermont. Our first Lieut was Jonathan Davis of said Lebanon, our second Lieut was a Mr Hummons from Bennington. We was marched to Manchester and from there to Polbert [?] and from there to Still Water where we joined the Army and Colo Joseph Stevens’ Regiment. Our Major was a Mr Littlefield from Wells. […] was Brigade guard. [Major] Gen […] and Gen Lincoln. I was at the taking of Burgoyne. I served as a Sergeant under Capt Shapleigh during this campaign, from Saratoga we went to Albany, where we stopped some time and from there went across the river 14 miles and then back to Albany. Our Company was ordered to take some prisoners to Hartford, Conn., where we was dismissed. I served in this campaign near four months.
I was born in said Lebanon in the year 1756, where I remained till I moved where I now live [in Acton, ME,] in 1779. I never received any written discharge.
Ralph Farnham married, probably in Acton, ME, circa 1780, Mehitable Bean. She was born in 1765. Mehitable (Bean) Farnham died in Acton, ME, March 8, 1842, aged seventy-six years.
John Farnham, a farmer, aged sixty-three years (b. ME), headed an Acton, ME, household at the time of the Eighth (1860) Federal Census. His household included Fanny Farnham, a matron, aged fifty-eight years (b. ME), James M. Farnham, a shoemaker, aged twenty-three years (b. ME), William P. Farnham, a shoemaker, aged twenty-one years (b. ME), and Ralph Farnham, a Revl Soldier, aged one hundred three years (b. ME). John Farnham had real estate valued at $2,500 and personal estate valued at $625. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Dummer Farnham, a farmer, aged sixty-four years (b. ME), and Woodman Miller, a farmer, aged fifty years (b. ME).
Ralph Farnham was the last surviving veteran of the Battle of Bunker Hill.
Celebration at Milton Mills. The inhabitants of Milton Mills and vicinity met at that place, July 7th, to celebrate the anniversary of the birth of RALPH FARNHAM, who on that day attained the extraordinary age of 104 years. The presence of the aged veteran gave unusual interest, who notwithstanding his more than five score years, enjoyed the exercises of the occasion with as much enthusiasm as any who participated in the event. A procession was formed at the Milton Mills Hotel, and he, seated in a carriage at the head of the procession, proceeded to the Union Meeting House – the connoisseur of all eyes – the embodiment of patriotism – the Christian Knight and Soldier – the last survivor of the terrible fight at Bunker Hill! – Tears were in the eyes of many as the aged veteran descended from his carriage and walked up the aisle of the church with much of the dexterity of youth, and took his seat in a finely decorated chair in front of the audience. The meeting was then organized by the choice of the following officers, viz: Joseph Townsend, President; Dr. Reuben Buck, Hon. Aaron Hubbard, Vice Presidents; W.W. Reynolds, Esq., Dr. Wm. B. Reynolds, Secretaries; Capt. Asa Fox, Marshall; Dr. Wm. B. Reynolds, Toastmaster. Rev. Theodore Stevens, of Berwick, was then introduced, who addressed the audience in a speech of thrilling eloquence, reviewing in part the life of the aged veteran, and some of the incidents of “the time that tried men’s souls” – of the time when the immortal Warren is supposed to have said, “Stand! the ground’s your own, my braves! Will ye give it up to slaves? Will ye look for greener graves? Hope ye mercy still? What’s the mercy despots feel? Hear it in yon cannon’s peal! See it on yon bristling steel! Ask it, ye who will! At the close of the oration, the Rev. Mr. Emerson, of Acton, addressed a few appropriate remarks, followed by Rev. Mr. Taggart, of Union. Hon. J.D. Lyman, of Farmington, was then called for, who addressed the audience with his usual ability. The exercises were closed by music by the Milton Mills Quadrille Band, who furnished appropriate music for the occasion. A procession was then formed and under the direction of the Marshall, marched to Reed’s Hall, to partake of refreshments, prepared by Mr. Reed of the Milton Mills Hotel, for the occasion. The tables did not literally groan, but had they the organs of speech, they would have uttered complaints louder than did the cannon, planted on a high eminence a little distance off, which every minute uttered its hoarse voice in honor of the aged hero. 104 guns were fired, the number of his years, and as the last uttered its hoarse music over the hills and through the valleys, a most earnest and hearty wish arose from the assembled multitude, that he might be spared yet a little longer, as a connecting link between the past and present centuries. After an invocation by Dr. R. Buck, Mrs. John Townsend presented him with a magnificent bouquet, prepared expressly for the occasion, prefacing it with a few appropriate remarks. After doing the most ample justice to the superb supper furnished by Mr. Reed, who spared no pains or expense to render it a success, the Toast Master proposed the following toasts and sentiments: By E.W. Fox – May our Legislators and Statesman ever follow the example of our aged veteran, in fighting for freedom throughout our glorious country. This was responded to with marked success by Hon. John D. Lyman of Farmington. His speech was pithy and to the point, and the audience showed their appreciation of it by hearty cheers. The signers of the Declaration of Independence, and the Heroes of the Revolution. John R. Palmer, of Milton, was called for, who made an elegant and polished response. Dr. Reuben Buck, of Acton, was called for, and made an emphatic appeal to the young, ever to follow in the footsteps of our venerable father and friend, who has outlived his revolutionary compatriots, and whose longevity is mainly attributable to virtue, morality and religion. By W.W. Reynolds – The inalienable rights of man – Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness – above all parchment. By Joseph P. Swasey – The last American survivor of the battle of Bunker Hill – may the day of his death be as triumphant as the cause for which he fought. By J.N. Witham – The orator of the day – his appreciation of the man, whose anniversary we this day celebrate, tells that the Orator and the Patriot took their inspiration from the same burning altar. By Joseph Townsend – The orator of the day – Like the veteran patriot of ’76, always willing to sacrifice pleasure for right, liberty and religion. By W.B. Reynolds – Our venerable guest – The Christian Knight and Soldier – may we follow his footsteps and practice his virtues. By Capt. Asa Fox – As the star decks the evening sky and guides the weary traveller on his way, so we may be guided by the genius of American Liberty, to that concentration of political happiness which is the just reward of Patriots, Philanthropists and men. By Mrs. John Townsend – England and America – united by the hands of their fir daughters. This was responded to by the President in a short and neatly-turned speech. Dr. D.T. Parker, of Farmington, was next called up, who made a speech with his characteristic humor, and some of his hits at fashionable follies called down storms of applause. By Lewis D. Reed – The Press – may we closely Review our past life, Advertise the merit of friends and foes, be earnest Enquirers after truth, place a Sentinel over our passions, and ever be Travellers in the path of justice and right. At this point the exercises closed amid the booming of cannon and ringing of bells, and all seemed pleaded at the success of the celebration. Many thanks to the Democratic party at Rochester, for the loan of their cannon, and to A.A. Perkins, Esq., Supt. of the G.F. & C.R.R., for passing the same over the road without charge. – such liberality deserves commendation and hearty thanks (Dover Enquirer, July 19, 1860).
After his Milton Mills birthday party, Ralph Farnham was invited to return to Bunker Hill in October, 1860.(See Milton in the News – 1860).
In his letter accepting the invitation, he states that he was eighteen years of age when he enlisted in the American army, and he adds: “It seems strange that out of all who were at Bunker Hill, I alone should be living. It appears to me, though so long ago, as if it were but yesterday. I can remember the particulars of the march after I enlisted – how the people cheered, and when near Andover, Col. Abbot came out and said, ‘Well done my lads,’ and sent out cider and grog in pails. We got to Cambridge the day before the battle. O, it was a terrible affair to me, for it was the first time I ever engaged in fighting. I served with the army through three campaigns, and was present on guard, when Burgoyne surrendered. I don’t think I deserve aby special praise for the part I took in the Revolution. I felt and acted only as others” (Boston Courier, October 1860).
Ralph Farnham died of dropsy in Acton, ME, December 26, 1860, aged one hundred four years, five months, and nineteen days.
RECENT DEATHS. The venerable Ralph Farnham, the last survivor of the battle of Bunker Hill, died yesterday morning, at the residence of his son, in Acton, Me., aged one hundred and four years, five months, and nineteen days. The funeral will be on Friday, at 1 o’clock. The thousands who saw this veteran soldier during his recent visit to Boston, will ever retain pleasant memories of his appearance, vivacity and cheerfulness (Boston Evening Transcript, December 27, 1860).
(Daughter Joanna Farnham died of lung fever in Boston, MA, March 1, 1877, aged eighty-one years, eleven months. The story of her passing, and the discovery of her “nesting” trunks, became a viral story that was copied many times across the whole country. (It was even revived as late as 1894 (See Milton in the News – 1877)).
References:
Clarence, C.W. (1860, September 20). A Biographical Sketch of the Life of Ralph Farnham of Acton, Maine. Retrieved from www.loc.gov/resource/gdcmassbookdig.biographicalsket00clar/?sp=11
Find a Grave (2010, July 22). Joanna Farnham. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/55312457/joanna-farnham
Find a Grave. (2006, March 27). Mehitable Bean Farnham. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/13754776/mehitable-farnham
Find a Grave. (2006, March 27). Ralph Farnham. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/13754805/ralph-farnham
Milton Observer 