In my journey tracing family history, I often come across intriguing individuals or families that transport me into a different era. So it is with the Osborne (aka Osbourne) family. It was through this line that I qualified for membership in the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution).
I wonder what Sarah Wade Osborne thought and felt as her husband, George, and sons stepped onto the path that led to war. To have her husband and older sons enter into military service was one thing, but what about the young sons who joined at ages eleven and fourteen, as well as her other sons in between?
George Osborne was forty-two years of age when the Revolution broke out. The first military record for George and his sons, George Jr., and Thomas are found on a list in a company of Minutemen. Maybe their enthusiasm was driven by compelling love and responsibility to be ready at a minute’s notice to protect their families and towns. Minutemen were civilian colonists organized independently for militia campaigns. The men were chosen for their zeal, reliability and strength. They certainly did not lack in enthusiasm and readiness.
Azuba Osburn Brewer, great granddaughter of George Osborne, Sr
The night of April 18, 1775, Paul Revere, on a borrowed horse, began his midnight ride to alert the colonial militia of approaching British forces. The next morning George and his sons marched to war as other men emerged from their homes to join the ranks gathered to face the enemy. Soldiers and militia forces stood before the British army, and so began the battle of the revolution, with George Osborne and his two oldest sons by his side. Other sons of George and Sarah soon joined the fight. Seven of their eight sons served terms of various lengths throughout the war. Military documents record their places and times of service.
George, Jr. was twenty-one years of age at his first enlistment. He reentered the army in 1780 and served under two enlistments until the end of the war.
Thomas entered the army at age seventeen. He marched with his father on the alarm of Lexington and took part during the entire siege of Boston. Following that stint, he was under General Washington’s command in other battles. While in service on the armed vessel, the Protector, he was wounded, captured, and detained as a prisoner of war. After his release he enlisted on the frigate Deane where he joined some of his brothers. He was transferred to the Alliance and served until the ship went out of commission in March 1783.
Peleg was fourteen years of age when he began his military service in 1777 and served under three different enlistments. In 1781, he enlisted as a marine of the frigate Deane. He, too, was transferred to the Alliance. On December 25, 1781, the Alliance sailed for L’Orient, France, where the passengers Marquis de la Fayette and the Count de Noalles disembarked before the Alliance began its homeward journey. Peleg and his brother, William died at sea on the return trip in June of 1782.
William enlisted with his brothers Thomas, Hugh, John and Peleg on the frigate Deane in December 1781. He was transferred to the Alliance on which he died in June 1782.
Michael served with Colonel Nathan Tyler’s Regiment between July and December 1779. He served another short stint and later in Washington’s army. He was also on the frigate Deane between December 1781 and May 1782.
John was eleven years old when he began his military service. He enlisted as a “boy” and served three times in the navy, one of his tours of duty on the frigate Deane. He was wounded in battle and was listed as “lame.” How his mother’s heart must have hurt as she watched him march out the door of their home.
Hugh was thirteen years of age when he began his military career serving alongside his father in Captain Joseph Stetson’s company of Colonel Nicholas Dyke’s Regiment at Dorchester Heights in November of 1776. He marched again with his father from Pembroke to Bristol, RI. He had the opportunity to serve alongside his brothers at various times as well. While on the Deane, he served with Thomas, Peleg, John and William. Four of the brothers were transferred to the Alliance where Peleg and William died on board. At full stature, Hugh was only 5 feet 4 inches tall.
The Osborne family knew what it meant to sacrifice. They volunteered service to their country to claim freedom and were willing to do what was necessary to protect their families and communities.
Ezra Osborne, son of Hugh
Hugh is my 5thGreat Grandfather, George Osborne, Sr. is my 6thGreat Grandfather.
Sheri,
You’re articles on the family are so true to life. You definitely need to put our family together in a book. I know someone who would buy several autographs copies. Yup, me!