Timothy was born in Worcester, Massachusetts to Daniel and Elizabeth back in 1739. Growing up on a farm his father owned known as “Little Packachoag Hill”. He was taught to be a blacksmith and was self-educated accumulating a little library. When the winds of the Revolution came, it inspired young Timothy to forego the anvil for a musket.
He eloped with Anna to Hampton returning as husband and wife, they had six children. He became one of the Patriot leaders in Worcester and a chief promoter of the Sons of Liberty. He was also involved in the American Political Society and a member of the Committee of Correspondence and in his spare time he became a delegate to the Provincial Congress. He was involved in the spy ring just prior to the Battle of Lexington and Concord.
He was chosen as the commander of the Minute Men In Worcester, drilling his men so thoroughly that when General George Washington reviewed the company he said, “This is discipline indeed”. During the morning hours of April 19th, 1775, he gathered his men as the alarm was sent out “To Arms! To Arms! War is begun”, he was ordered to take a mountain near the headquarters of the Kennebec. Because of his action the mountain is now known as Mount Bigelow. That’s right I’m writing about Timothy Bigelow.
He was taken prisoner on the march to Quebec in December 1777 and released in August of that same year. When he was released he immediately reentered into service as a full Colonel. He was involved in some battles you may remember from school; Quebec, Monmouth, Sarasota, Verplanck’s Point,, Peekskill, Valley Forge, Yorktown West Point, Rhode Island, New Jersey and the surrender of Burgoyne. He died in 1790 at the age of 51.
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