By Muriel Bristol | November 2, 2025
Ebenezer Twombly was born in 1757, son of Jonathan and Deborah (Wentworth) Twombly.
Ebenezer Twombly of Rochester, NH, enlisted in Capt. William McDuffee’s Company, in Col. Thomas Tash’s 2nd NH Regiment, September 16, 1776. They were ordered to join the Continental Army in New York. Later records indicate that he was engaged in the battles of Stillwater and Saratoga.
In applying for a veteran’s pension many years later – September 5, 1832 – Ebenr Twombly, by then of Lancaster, NH, provided the following account of his Revolutionary War service:
… on the last of August or first of September [1776] he enlisted as a Soldier into the Company of Militia commanded by William McDuffee which Company belonged to the regiment commanded by Col. Thomas Tash ~ that he enlisted at Rochester in the State of New Hampshire for the term of three months. He immediately Marched as he supposed for New York and arrived at Peakskill in about twenty days, remained there a short time, then the Company was moved to Tallows Point to prevent communication between the inhabitants and three english Ships then lying in the Hudson River. Soon after the Ships Moved up the river. The Company was ordered to Kings ferry where he remained until the 1st day of December, from thence he Marched to Peakskill and was there discharged the same day ~
In the year 1777 at Rochester aforesaid he again enlisted as a Soldier under Capt. Daniel McDuffee (brother to the afore namd Wm McDuffee). Same Company was attached to the regiment Commanded by Col. Stephen Evans. Twas the last of August or first of September that he enlisted for the term of three Months. Soon after his enlistment the Company was ordered to March for Bennington in the State of Vermont and their March passed through Keene, N.H., Brattleboro, Vt., to Said Bennington where they remained a few days, from thence they were ordered to Stillwater in the State of New York where he remained in Camp about twenty days while there they had an engagement or Battle with the British and Indians. I[n] the Battle he took a British Soldier and Conducted him to the Main Guard ~ Soon after this the British left their encampment & proceeded to Saratoga in the State of N. York, his Company followed them to Saratoga and there remained until the surrender of Gen. Burgoyne ~ They then Marched to Albany in the State of N. York and remained until the first day of December in the Same year when he was discharged. He does not know whether he could procure any positive proof of Service or not. Lancaster where he now resides is over one hundred Miles from the place that he lived when he enlisted and he has not been able to learn whether or those that served with him are now living and that it would be a great expense to him to obtain their testimony if they are living ~
Ebenr Twombly was one of the Strafford County petitioners that recommended, in 1783, Nathaniel Cooper of Dover, NH, to the NH President, i.e., Governor, and Executive Council as a replacement or interim Registrar of Probate.
Ebenezer Twombly married in Rochester, NH, December 21, 1790, Deborah Wentworth. She was born in Rochester, NH, December 30, 1761, daughter of Ebenezer and Dorothy (Hartford) Wentworth.
(The known children of Ebenezer and Deborah (Wentworth) Twombly were: Lucy Twombly (1795-1863), Sophia Twombly (1795-1853), Eliza Twombly (1797-c1838), Deborah Twombly (1801-1879)).
Daughter Lucy Twombly was born in Northeast Parish, Rochester, NH, February 14, 1795. Daughter Sophia Twombly was born in Northeast Parish, Rochester, NH, February 14, 1795.
Father-in-law Ebenezer Wentworth died April 24, 1797.
Daughter Eliza Twombly was born in Northeast Parish, Rochester, NH, in November 1797. Daughter Deborah Twombly was born in Northeast Parish, Rochester, NH, August 12, 1801.
Ebener Twombly headed a Northeast Parish, Rochester, NH, household at the time of the Second (1800) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 26-44 years [himself], one female aged 26-44 years [Deborah (Wentworth) Twombly], one female aged 16-25 years, and three females aged under-10 years [Lucy Twombly, Sophia Twombly, and Eliza Twombly]. (See Northeast Parish in the Second (1800) Federal Census).
Ebenr Twombly was among the “respectable inhabitants & freeholders” that sought a special Town Meeting to reconsider the proposed Meeting House site, in 1803. He did not subsequently purchase a pew. (See Milton Town House – 1804).
The Milton Selectmen of 1805 were Wm. Palmer, Eben. Twombly, and John Remick, Jr.
Ens. E. Twombly was assessed in the Milton School District No. 2 of Lieut. J. Nute in 1806 (See Milton School Districts – 1806).
Ebenezer Twombly headed a Lancaster, NH, household at the time of the Third (1810) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 26-44 years [himself], one female aged 16-25 years [Deborah (Wentworth) Twombly), two females aged 10-15 years [Lucy Twombly and Sophia Twombly], and three females aged under-10 years [Eliza Twombly and Deborah Twombly]. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of John Burgin and Joseph Balch.
Ebenezer Twombly and his eldest son, James Twombly, were among the thirty-five inhabitants of Barker’s Location, NH, that petitioned the NH legislature, June 12, 1818, for authority to tax land at 5¢ per acre for maintenance of roads. [“Barker’s Location: Triangular portion now of Lancaster north of Jefferson bounded to east by Kilkenny” – Wikipedia].
Daughter Eliza Twombly married in Lancaster, NH, August 9, 1818, Benjamin F. Hayes. He was born in Northeast Parish, Rochester, NH, April 30, 1793, a son of Clement and Joanna (Wentworth) Hayes. Rev. William Lovejoy performed the ceremony.
Mother Deborah (Wentworth) Twombly died in Lancaster, NH, August 21, 1821. Mother-in-law Dorothy (Hartford) Wentworth died in 1822.
[Dorcas Twombly married in Lancaster, NH, April 29, 1823, Samuel Banfield, both of Lancaster, NH. Rev. Joseph Willard performed the ceremony]. Daughter Lucy Twombly married Samuel Banfield. (She may have been his second wife).
Father Jonathan Twombly died in Milton, in 1830.
Ebenezer Twombly headed a Lancaster, NH, household at the time of the Fifth (1830) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 70-79 years [himself], one female aged 60-69 years [Deborah (Wentworth) Twombly], two females aged 30-39 years, one female aged 20-29 years, and one male aged 10-14 years. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Jonathan Twombly and Joseph Twombly.
Samuel Banfield headed a Lancaster, NH, household at the time of the Fifth (1830) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 20-29 years [himself], one male aged 5-9 years, and one female aged under-5 years.
Benjamin Hayes headed a Lancaster, NH, household at the time of the Fifth (1830) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 30-39 years [himself], one female aged 30-39 years [Eliza (Twombly) Hayes], one male aged 10-14 years, one female aged 10-14 years, two males aged 5-9 years, and two males age under-5 years. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Clement Hayes and Hiram W. Hayes.
Daughter Eliza (Twombly) Hayes died in Lancaster, NH, circa 1838. Benjamin F. Hayes married (2nd), circa 1840, Eliza E. Lucas. She was born in 1809.
Ebenezer Twombly headed a Lancaster, NH, household at the time of the Sixth (1840) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 80-89 years [himself], one female aged 70-79 years [Deborah (Wentworth) Twombly], two females aged 40-49 years [Lucy (Twombly) Banfield and Sophia Twombly], one female aged 30-39 years [Deborah Twombly], and three females aged 5-9 years. Revolutionary War pensioner Ebenezer Twombly, aged eighty-one years, resided in the household. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Joseph Balch and Joseph Hanson.
Benjamin Hayes headed a Lancaster, NH, household at the time of the Sixth (1840) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 40-49 years [himself], one female aged 30-39 years [Eliza (Lucas) Hayes], one male aged 15-19 years, one female aged 10-14 years. Four members of his household were engaged in Agriculture. His household appeared in the enumeration between those of George W. Perkins and George W. Lucas.
Dorothy (Wentworth) Twombly died in Lancaster, NH, August 5, 1848. Ebenezer Twombly died in Lancaster, NH, August 17, 1848.
DEATHS. At Lancaster, N.H., Mr. EBENEZER TWOMBLY, one of the earliest settlers, and a soldier of the Revolution, 89 years, 10 mos. His wife also, 86 (Boston Evening Transcript, September 6, 1848).
Revolutionary War pension accounts confirm that Ebenezer Twombly of Lancaster, NH, died on August 17, 1848, in the 3rd quarter of 1848.
Amos Balch, a farmer, aged thirty-four years (b. NH), headed a Lancaster, NH, household at the time of the Seventh (1850) Federal Census. His household included Esther A. [(Woodward)] Balch, aged thirty-two years (b. ME), Adaline R. Balch, aged seven years (b. NH), Joseph L. Balch, aged three years (b. NH), Lucy [(Twombly)] Banfield, aged fifty-four years (b. NH), Delia Ann Banfield, aged eighteen years (b. NH), John A. Banfield, aged seventeen years, Sophia Twambly, aged fifty-four years (b. NH) (b. NH), Deborah Twambly, aged forty-eight years (b. NH), and Diantha Hays, aged seventeen years (b. NH) Amos Balch had real estate valued at $1,000. Deborah Twambly had real estate valued at $800. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Joseph Wilder, a farmer, aged forty-one years (b. NH), and John L. Balch, a shoemaker, aged twenty-three years (b. NH).
Benj Hays, a laborer, aged fifty-seven years (b. NH), headed a Lancaster, NH, household at the time of the Seventh (1850) Federal Census. His household included Eliza [(Lucas)] Hays, aged forty-one years (b.), Orange Hays, a laborer, aged twenty-one years (b. NH), James F. Hays, aged nine years (b. NH), Frederick Hays, aged seven years (b. NH), and George W. Hays, aged six years (b. NH) Benj Hayes had real estate valued at $400. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Timothy Lucas, a farmer, aged sixty-seven years (b. NH), and Nahum D. Day, a farmer, aged forty-five years (b. NH).
Daughter Sophia Twombly died in Lancaster, NH, August 10, 1853, aged fifty-nine years.
Died. In Lancaster, N.H., Sept. 5, of consumption, Mrs. Martha, wife of Hon, James W. Weeks, aged 35 years. – Also, Mrs. Sophy Twombly, aged 59. – Also, Mrs. Nancy, relict of Manasseh Wilder, aged 79 (North Star, September 24, 1853).
Granddaughter Delia A. Banfield married in Lancaster, NH, July 1, 1856, George W. Cummings, she of Lancaster, NH, and he of Northumberland, NH. He was born in Northumberland, NH, in 1826, son of John S. and Nancy (Schoff) Cummings.
MARRIED. At Lancaster, July 1, Mr. George W. Cummings, of Northumberland, and Miss Delia A. Banfield, of L. (Aurora of the Valley (Newbury, VT), September 13, 1856).
George W. Cummings, a farmer, aged thirty-four years (b. NH), headed a Lancaster, NH, household at the time of the Eighth (1860) Federal Census. His household included Delia [(Banfield)] Cummings, aged twenty-eight years (b. NH), Carrie Cummings, aged three years (b. NH), Mary Cummings, aged one year (b. NH), Lucy [(Twombly) Banfield, aged sixty-four years (b. NH), Deborah Twombly, aged fifty-eight years (b. NH), and Willington Willey, aged fifteen years (b. NH). George W. Cummings had real estate valued at $1,000 and personal estate valued at $800. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Eben C. Garland, a carpenter, aged forty-five years (b. NH), and Frank Kellum, a farmer, aged twenty-seven years (b. Ireland).
Benj Hayes, a laborer, aged sixty-seven years (b. NH), headed a Lancaster, NH< household at the time of the Eighth (1860) Federal Census. His household included Eliza [(Lucas)] Hayes, aged fifty years (b. VT), Jas. F. Hayes, aged nineteen years (b. NH), Fred Hayes, aged seventeen years (b. NH), Geo. Hayes, aged sixteen years (b. NH), and Dianthia Hayes, aged twenty-six years (b. NH). Benj Hayes had real estate valued at $1,000 and personal estate valued at $100. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Wm. H. Heath, a book agent, aged thirty-six years (b. NH), and Lyman W. Rowell, a joiner, aged twenty-five years (b. Ireland).
Daughter Lucy (Twombly) Banfield died in Lancaster, NH, May 20, 1863, aged sixty-eight years.
George Cummings, a farmer, aged forty-four years (b. NH), headed a Lancaster, NH, household at the time of the Ninth (1870) Federal Census. His household included Delia [(Banfield)] Cummings, keeping house, aged thirty-nine years (b. NH), Alice C. Cummings, at home, at home, aged thirteen years (b. NH), Mary E, Cummings, aged eleven years (b. NH), Kate Cummings, aged nine years (b. NH), George Cummings, aged seven years (b. NH), Lucy Cummings, aged two years (b. NH), and Deborah Twombly, without occupation, aged sixty-eight years (b. NH). Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of John Black, a famer, aged thirty-seven years (b. NH), and Owen Shannon, a farmer, aged seventy years (b. Ireland).
Daughter Deborah “Debby” Twombly died of apoplexy in Lancaster, NH, November 21, 1879, aged seventy-nine years. She was single. Ezra Mitchell, Jr., M.D., signed the death certificate.
References:
Find a Grave. (2015, July 9). Lucy Twombly Banfield. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/148960105/lucy-banfield
Find a Grave. (2013, July 20). Diantha Hayes. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/114109344/diantha-hayes
Find a Grave. (2015, July 9). Deborah Twombly. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/148960188/deborah-twombly
Find a Grave. (2015, July 9). Ebenezer Twombly. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/148960148/ebenezer-twombly
Find a Grave. (2015, July 9). Sophia Twombly. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/148960166/sophia-twombly
Find a Grave. (2018, March 3). Ebenezer Wentworth. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/187739202/ebenezer-wentworth
Wikipedia. (2025, July 13). Battles of Saratoga. Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battles_of_Saratoga
Wikipedia. (2025, June 30). Lancaster, New Hampshire. Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lancaster,_New_Hampshire
Wikipedia. (2025, July 4). Saratoga Campaign. Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saratoga_campaign
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