By Muriel Bristol | April 5, 2026
Timothy Ricker was born in Rochester, NH, in 1758, son of Ebenezer and Patience (—-) Ricker.
Timothy Ricker enlisted in Rochester, NH, in the Spring of the Year 1776, in Capt. John Brewster’s Company, in Col. Pierce Long’s Regiment, at Seavey’s Island, in Kittery, ME. He then served five months in Capt. John Drew’s Company, in Col. Wyman’s regiment, at Fort Ticonderoga, in New York.
Timy Ricker appeared in a muster roll of Capt. James Carr’s Company, in Col. Nathan Hale’s 2nd NH Battalion, for February 1778. William Palmer was in the same company (although he was listed in that same muster roll as “sick in camp”).
… he enlisted for three years in the company commanded by Capt. Carr in Colo Hale’s Regiment N.H. line, the last of June or first of July 1777, that he continued in that Regiment for about one year until he went into Washington’s life guard ~ he continued in the said Washington’s life guard until his discharged about April or May 1780 by Colo Henry Dearborn.
Timothy Ricker transferred or was “seconded” to the Corps of Guards, or Washington’s Life Guards, while at Valley Forge, in March 1778. One had to be between 5’8″ and 5’10” tall to be a Guard. He would be remembered over a century later – at the Milton Centennial – as having been “… of such a magnificent physique that he served as one of the body guards of the great Washington himself” (Dover Enquirer, August 30, 1902).
The size of Washington’s Life Guard was increased on 1 March 1778. In addition to Captain Caleb Gibbs, who remained Commandant, Lieutenant Henry Philip Livingston was selected to permanently replace Lieutenant George Lewis. 1st Lieutenant Benjamin Grymes of Grayson’s Continental Regiment, 2nd Lieutenant William Colfax of the 1st Connecticut Regiment, and Surgeon Samuel Hanson (son of Continental Congress President John Hanson), were assigned to the Life Guard. The rank and file included four Sergeants and three Corporals, two drummers, a fifer and 136 privates (Wilson, 2023).
… In May of 1778, General Washington attached Captain Gibbs and 100 Life Guards to the force led by Major General, the Marquis de Lafayette. The combined force numbered 2,400 men. Their primary mission was to gather intelligence on the British positions around Philadelphia. Several severe skirmishes resulted, and the Life Guard proved their worth in the line of battle (Wilson, 2023).
Timothy Ricker of Rochester, of “Dover” [i.e., Strafford] County, appeared in a list of New Hampshire men serving in Major Caleb Gibbs’ Corps of Guards, March 15, 1779. Daniel Cook, also of Rochester, served in the same Corps of Guards.
In or after April 1779, Sgt. Timothy Ricker returned home on furlough, during which time an army doctor examined him for rheumatism and lameness at Exeter, NH, and Col. Henry Dearborn granted him a medical discharge.
AUGUST 6th 1779. Ordered the R.G. [Receiver General] to pay Timothy Ricker of Capt. Kar’s [Carr’s] Compy & Danl Cook of Capt. Rowel’s Compy both soldiers of Colo Reid’s Regt in the Contl Service – Fifty Dollars Each to Enable them, to join their Command, at Genl Washington’s head Quarters, (they being part of his Guard) for which they are to be Accountable, as so much rec’d respectively towards the depreciation of the paper Currency, – their Situation being such, that they have not been in the way to draw any thing out of the State Store (NH General Court, 1916).
The “Amt of Depreciatn,” or loss due to monetary inflation, on the military wages paid Private Timothy Ricker, of the Capt. James Carr’s Fourth Company, in Col. George Reid’s Second Regiment, in the years 1777, 1778, and 1779 was calculated to have been $169.15 (NH General Court, 1886).
Timothy Ricker of Rochester, “Dover” [i.e., Strafford] County, appeared as one of the soldiers who had been attached to Major Caleb Gibbs’ Corps of Guards, in a list compiled in August 1780.
War Office, August 21, 1780. The foregoing return of the Officers & Men (of the additional and Independent Corps belonging to the State of New Hampshire, is a true copy taken from the original return filed in this office – under the resolution of Congress of March the 15th 1779. Ben Stoddert, Secy.
Timothy Ricker married in Rochester, NH, February 14, 1780, Lois Plumer, both of Rochester, NH. Rev. Joseph Haven performed the ceremony.
(The known children of Timothy and Lois (Plumer) Ricker were: Amos Ricker (1781-1800), Lydia Ricker (1783-187?), Stephen Ricker (1785-1812), Luther Ricker (1799-1871), Louisa Ricker (1802-), Timothy Ricker (1803-1847), and George Ricker (1806-1820)).
Son Amos Ricker was born in Rochester, NH, in 1781. Daughter Lydia Ricker was born in Rochester, NH, in 1783.
The NH President, as its Governor was formerly termed, and his Counsel ordered the NH Treasurer to pay Timothy Ricker £4 16s, October 14, 1784, “for Depreciation in 1780” (Batchellor, 1891).
Son Stephen Ricker was born in Rochester, NH, in 1785.
Timothy Ricker was among the three hundred ten Rochester inhabitants that petitioned the NH legislature, August 30, 1785, seeking repeal of an act requiring milled boards to be square-edged and an inch thick (and other lumber in proportion). Those inhabitants described themselves then as being “largely Concerned in Lumber.” They sought also repeal of an act forbidding transport of lumber to the British West Indies, and seeking the issuance of a new paper money (Hammond, 1884). (See Rochester Lumber Remonstrance – August 1785).
Timothy Ricker headed a Rochester, NH, household at the time of the First (1790) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 16-plus years [himself], two males aged under-16 years, and three females. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those Ebenzr Ricker and Saml S. Wentworth. (See Northeast Parish in the First (1790) Federal Census).
Son Luther Ricker was born in Rochester, NH, in 1800. Son Amos Ricker died in 1800.
Timothy Ricker headed a 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, one female aged 16-25 years, one male aged 10-15 years, two males aged under-10 years, and two females aged under-10 years. (See Northeast Parish in the Second (1800) Federal Census).
Daughter Louisa Ricker was born in Milton, in 1802. Son Timothy Ricker [Jr.] was born in Milton, NH, in 1803.
[The 1803 death date on the Timothy Ricker gravestone in the Samuel Plummer graveyard would seem to be in error. The stone’s style would seem to be of a later date, even a relatively modern one. Other supporting evidence for the inscribed date remains to be seen. On the contrary, his appearance in subsequent Federal Census records, in the 1818 and 1820 pension applications, and in his Dover Enquirer obituary of October 1831, would all seem to have him living well past 1803].
Daughter Lydia Ricker married in Rochester, NH, November 13, 1803, Joseph Corson. He was born in 1783, son of Ebenezer and Elizabeth (Ricker) Corson.
Son George Ricker was born in Milton, in 1806.
Timothy Ricker headed a Milton household at the time of the Third (1810) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 45-plus years [himself], one female aged 45-plus years, three males aged under-10 years, and one female aged under-10 years. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Clement Hayes and John Ricker. (See Milton in the Third (1810) Federal Census).
Joseph Corson headed a Middleton, NH, household at the time of the Third (1810) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 26-44 years [himself]], one female aged 26-44 years [Lydia (Ricker) Corson], two males aged under-10 years, and one female aged under-5 years.
Son Stephen Ricker drowned at the Portsmouth Navy Yard, in Portsmouth, NH, in 1812.
Son Timothy Ricker [Jr.] served as a musician, i.e., a fifer or drummer, in Waldron’s Command, defending Portsmouth, NH, in 1814, during the War of 1812.
On April 7, 1818, Timothy Ricker, a resident of Milton, aged fifty-nine years, swore before Judge Richard Dame …
… that he, the said Timothy Ricker, enlisted in the Town of Rochester in the county aforesaid in the Spring of the Year 1776 in the company commanded by Captain John Brewster in the regiment commanded by Colonel Pierce Long in the Newhampshire line in which Coy he continued a while and then served five months in the Company Commanded by Captain John Drew in Colonel Wyman’s regiment. And in the month of May 1777 again enlisted in the Company Commanded by Captain James Carr in the regiment Commanded by Colonel Hale and continued in said Coy until May 1778 and then became a Soldier in General Washington’s life Guard in which station he continued until April 1779. Then enlisted in said Service as a Sergeant during the war, and soon after obtaining a furlough he went home was taken ill with the rheumatism and lameness and went to Exeter in the State of Newhampshire and consulted with the General Doctor, he understood him to be and Colonel Henry Dearborn who was then at Exeter, and was by the said Doctor and Col. Dearborn concluded unfit for duty, and was by said Dearborn discharged at Exeter aforesaid after having served in the revolutionary war upwards of three years. He was at the battle of Hubbarton [Hubbardton], at Moose Creek near Fort Edward, and at Stillwater, at the taking of Gen. Burgoyne, & The Guard in which he last inlisted was commanded by Major Gibbs and Captain Livinston ~ and that he is in reduced circumstances and stands in need of the assistance of his country for Support, that he has lost his discharge and has no other evidence now in his power of his said Service except the depositions herewith forwarded.
Daniel Cook of Wakefield, NH, swore in an affidavit, April 13, 1818, that he had well known Timothy Ricker.
I, Daniel Cook of Wakefield in the County of Strafford and State of New Hampshire, testify & say that I was in the war of the revolution in the service of the United States the most of the war. I very well knew Timothy Ricker now of Milton in said County. He was a soldier in said Army in Capt. James Carr’s Company in the Second New Hampshire regiment. I know he served nearly three years in said service and was discharged at Exeter, as I understand, and verily believe, by Col. Henry Dearborn, in consequence of a lameness in the knee. Before he left the army he & I were selected for and became a part of Gen. Washington’s life guard. Daniel Cook.
James Roberts, “one of the [Milton] Selectmen,” and John Fish, “Justice of the peace,” both swore that they knew Timothy Ricker and were acquainted with his reduced circumstances. His name was inscribed on the pension roll of New Hampshire at the rate of $8 per month, commencing April 7, 1818.
Jonathan Downing of Durham swore in an affidavit, September 2, 1818, that he had well known Timothy Ricker.
I, Jonathan Downing of Durham in the County of Strafford and State of New Hampshire, testify & say that I was a soldier in the army of the revolution & in the second New Hampshire regiment. I served during the war eight years & eight days. I was sergeant major a part of the time. I very well knew Timothy Ricker now of Milton in said State and he was a soldier in said regiment, I think In Capt. James Carr’s company. Said Ricker was enlisted for three years ~ And while we lay at Valley Forge adjutant William Bell told me he had orders to draft two men out of said regiment of a particular height for General Washington’s guard and I mentioned said Ricker & one Daniel Cook & they were accordingly detached for that service ~ And I often afterwards saw him in the army in the uniform of the guards and I have no doubt he served in said guard. I am confident he served in the army more than one year and think he served until nearly the end of his term, when he was either lame or sick & had as I understood leave to come home ~ Jonathan Downing.
[The uniform of Washington’s Life Guard consisted of blue coats, captured white breeches dyed with coffee, captured red waistcoats, black half-gaiters, brown boots, and captured British dragoon helmets with a blue turban, white cockade and white feather. They were armed with French Charlesville muskets and bayonets (Wilson, 2023)].
Former Captain James Carr (1748-1829) of Somersworth, NH, swore in an affidavit, September 5, 1818, that he well remembered Timothy Ricker.
I, James Carr of Somersworth in the County of Strafford and State of New Hampshire, testify and say that in the years 1777 & 1778 and for sometime before and after I had the honour of commanding a company of infantry in the second New Hampshire Regiment commanded by Col. George Reid in the late army of the revolution. and well remember that Timothy Ricker now of Milton in the said County did belong to my company. I have this day examined some returns of my company (which returns I presume came to my hands after I was a major while acting as Colonel commandant of said regiment, for I cannot recollect how they did come into my hands), and in the returns of my company dated April 4, 1778 & May 2d 1778 under the column of three years men I find this “Timothy Ricker Genl life g[u]ard.” I know the handwriting of those who made & verified these returns & have no doubt said Returns are genuine & true ~ James Carr.
Timothy Ricker of Strafford County, a veteran of the N.H. Line, was entered on the Revolutionary pension roll, January 26, 1819.
Timothy Ricker signed the Milton Anti-Division Remonstrance of June 1820. (See Milton Militia Dispute – 1820).
The pension records of some Revolutionary veterans bear the notation that their pensions had been “suspended” under the act of May 1, 1820. Timothy Ricker’s record was not so annotated but his pension does seem to have been suspended. Based upon what followed, his claim evidently lacked sufficient evidence of infirmity or need.
Timothy Ricker was said to be a farmer who was totally unable to pursue his calling. He described his immediate family in July 1820 as then consisting of …
His wife Lois is aged 59 years, capable of labour as common for persons of her age ~ one Daughter aged eighteen years can earn her own living, named Louisa ~ One Son aged 14 years named George works at farming ~ one grand son named Stephen Ricker at 8 years not capable to earn his own living ~
He assessed his whole estate and income in July 1820 as being …
-
- … namely 18 acres of land in said Milton with a very poor and small house and hovel thereon part under improvement valued at one hundred and four dollars ~ $104.00
- Value of Personal estate ~ Viz. ~ one cow $15 ~ 15.00
- one horse valued at four dollars ~ 4.00
- one sley [sleigh] at ~ 8.00
- a few old chairs, some Iron and hollow ware not worth more than ~7.00
- [Subtotal] 158.00
- two Swine ~ 3.50
- [Total] $161.50
- Deduct 36.50
- $125.00
- That the income of all my real & personal estate is not over $20 pr year.
- Th[at] my said real Estate is Mortgaged to the amount of $66.59 and that I am owing other honest debts to the amount of $105.10
Simon Chase of Milton swore an affidavit regarding his neighbor’s infirmity, August 5, 1820.
Simon Chase of Milton in the County of Strafford and State of New Hampshire testify and say that I am well acquainted with Timothy Ricker of the said Milton, that I know him to be very infirm, that he has the Rheumatism in his knee & has had that or some other complaint or disorder in the knee ever since I knew him & has been ever since I knew him lame by reason thereof. I have been acquainted with him & lived near to him many years. I further testify that the joints of his fingers are very much afflicted, appear to be out of place & he has often told me in consequence of said complaints & from a very generally diseased constitution he is unable to labour. A few days since a report was carried into the village where he lives that he was stricken from the roll of pensioners, immediately upon that report reaching the village his creditors pushed him & took from him what little property he had except his cow and the trifling articles of furniture ~ and I verily believe if he should not obtain his pension he must be immediately supported by the town. Simon Chase.
(The pension legislation of 1832 would be somewhat less stringent regarding pensions for the few remaining Revolutionary veterans).
Son Luther Ricker married in Middleton, NH, April 6, 1828, Loisa Witham, both of New Durham, NH. William Buzzell performed the ceremony. She was born in Farmington, NH, March 29, 1810, daughter of Nathaniel Hannah (Runnells) Witham.
Joseph Corson headed a Rochester, NH, household at the time of the Fifth (1830) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 50-59 years [himself], one female aged 50-59 years [Lydia (Ricker) Corson], one male aged 20-29 years, two females aged 20-29 years, one female aged 15-19 years, and two males aged 10-14 years.
Luther Ricker headed a New Durham, NH, household at the time of the Fifth (1830) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 20-29 years [himself], one female aged 20-29 years [Louisa (Witham) Ricker], one male aged 5-9 years, and two male aged under-5 years.
Timothy Ricker died in Milton, in 1831, aged about seventy-two years.
DIED. In Milton, Mr. Timothy Ricker, aged about 72 – a Revolutionary pensioner (Dover Enquirer, October 11, 1831).
The Revolutionary pension rolls record his biennial disbursement for March 1831, but not that of September 1831. His file contains the notation “dead. See letter to P. Agt Jan. 28, 1834.” There was no indication that a widow’s pension succeeded his veteran’s pension. (The pension system would change in 1832).
Son-in-law Joseph Corson died in 1835.
Luther Ricker headed a New Durham, NH, household at the time of the Sixth (1840) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 30-39 years, one female aged 30-39 years, one male aged 15-19 years, two males aged 10-14 years, one male aged 5-9 years, and two females aged under-5 years. Four members of his household were engaged in Agriculture.
Timothy Ricker [Jr.] headed a Rochester, NH, household at the time of the Sixth (1840) Federal Census. His house included one male aged 40-49 years [himself], one female aged 30-39 years, one male aged 15-19 years, one female aged 15-19 years, one female aged 10-14 years, one male aged 5-9 years, one male aged under-5 years, and one female aged under-5 years. One member of his household was engaged in Agriculture.
Son Timothy Ricker, Jr., died in 1847.
Susan [(Corson)] Knowles, aged forty-three years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Seventh (1850) Federal Census. Her household included Lydia [(Ricker)] Corson, aged sixty-eight years (b. NH), and Joseph H. Knowles, aged nine years (b. NH). Susan Knowles had real estate valued at $100. Their household appear4ed in the enumeration between those of Hiram Gerrish, a farmer, aged thirty-seven years (b. NH), and James Rand, a farmer, aged seventy-three years (b. NH).
Luther Ricker, a farmer, aged fifty years (b. NH), headed a New Durham, NH, household at the time of the Seventh (1850) Federal Census. His household included Louisa [(Witham)] Ricker, aged forty-four years (b. NH), and Joseph Ricker, aged eight years (b. NH). Luther Ricker had real estate valued at $150.
Lydia [(Ricker)] Corson, aged seventy-eight years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Eighth (1860) Federal Census. Her household included Susan Corson [Knowles], aged fifty years (b. NH), and Joseph Corson [Knowles], a shoemaker, aged seventeen years (b. NH). Lydia Corson had real estate valued at $500. Their household appeared in the enumeration between an unoccupied house (just past that of Hiram Gerrish, a farmer, aged forty-eight years (b. NH)), and Stephen Downing, a shoemaker, aged thirty-two years (b. NH).
Stephen Ricker, a weaver, aged fifty-two years (b. NH), headed a Vernon, NY, household at the time of the Eighth (1860) Federal Census. His household included Catherine Ricker, aged forty-two years (b. NY), Franklin Ricker, aged twelve years (b. NY), Isabel Ricker, aged ten years (b. NY), Jerome Ricker, aged eight years (b. NY), Adelaide Ricker, aged five years (b. NY), Allie Ricker, aged one year (b. NY), and Joan [(Whitehouse)] Ricker, aged sixty-eight years (b. NH).
Luther Ricker, aged sixty years (b. NH), headed a New Durham, NH, household at the time of the Eighth (1860) Federal Census. His household included Louisa [(Witham)] Ricker, aged fifty-two years (b. NH). Luther Ricker had real estate valued at $200 and personal estate valued at $100.
Joseph H. Knowles, works for shoe factory, aged twenty-seven years (b. NH), headed a Middleton, NH, household at the time of the Ninth (1870) Federal Census. His household included Martha J. Knowles, keeping house, aged twenty-seven years (b. NH), Emma Knowles, eight months (b. NH), Susan [(Corson)] Knowles, a housekeeper, aged sixty-one years (b. NH), and Lydia [(Ricker)] Corson, aged eighty-nine years (b. NH). Joseph H. Knowles had real estate valued at $500 and personal estate valued at $300.
Daughter-in-law Louisa (Witham) Ricker died in Farmington, NH, August 7, 1870.
Son Luther Ricker died of dropsy in Farmington, NH, March 28, 1871, aged seventy-one years. He was a single farmer.
Daughter-in-law Joanna (Whitehouse) Ricker died in Oneida Castle, NY, in 1872.
References:
Batchellor, Albrt S. (1891). Early State Papers of New Hampshire. Retrieved from www.google.com/books/edition/Early_State_Papers_of_New_Hampshire/ewEw-S0CAtAC?pg=PA239
Find a Grave. (2011, September 26). [Maj.] James Carr. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/77117657/james-carr
Find a Grave. (2005, September 15). [Maj.] Caleb Gibbs. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/11755784/caleb-gibbs
Find a Grave. (2022, December 6). Luther Ricker. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/246223382/luther-ricker
Find a Grave. (2020, November 11). Timothy Ricker. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/218416011/timothy-ricker
Godfrey, Carlos E., M.D. (1904). The Commander-in-Chief’s Guard, Revolutionary War. Retrieved from www.google.com/books/edition/The_Commander_in_chief_s_Guard_Revolutio/viwRAQAAMAAJ
NH General Court. (1886). Rolls of the Soldiers in the Revolutionary War, May 1777, to 1780.
NH General Court. (1916). Laws of New Hampshire. Retrieved from www.google.com/books/edition/Laws_of_New_Hampshire_Including_Public_a/VqkwAQAAMAAJ?&pg=PA751
Wikipedia. (2026, January 11). Battle of Hubbardton. Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Hubbardton
Wikipedia. (2026, January 11). Battles of Saratoga. Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battles_of_Saratoga
Wilson, Raymond C. (2023). Washington’s Life Guards. Retrieved from readerslibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/Washingtons-Life-Guards.pdf
Milton Observer 