Timothy Danielson Leads the Hampshire County Militia
Timothy Danielson was a Brigadier General in the Massachusetts Militia throughout the Revolutionary War.
Additionally, Danielson spent time on the Committee of Arrangement which helped keep his State’s Militia full of soldiers.
Timothy Danielson
By the outbreak of the Revolutionary War, Timothy Danielson had a long history as a rebel and committed Patriot.
After sitting as Chairman of the Hampshire County Committee of Correspondence, Danielson had worked closely with several other Founders in the Massachusetts Provincial Congress. Notably he served on a committee with John Adams and Joseph Warren which attempted to convince the Governor to institute a day of fasting.
By the time hostilities began, Timothy had already raised a militia regiment which awaited his orders.
The Revolution Begins
When the Battle of Lexington and Concord occurred, Danielson led his men to support the rebels. He was then sent to Connecticut in an effort to gain more support from his colony’s neighbors to the south.
Timothy conferred with John Adams (who was on his way to Philadelphia for the Second Continental Congress) before returning home.
Although he was commissioned as a Colonel in the Continental Army, he soon received appointment as a Brigadier General in charge of the Hampshire County Militia.
Committee of Arrangement
Danielson fought his way through the New York Campaign of 1776.
Simultaneously, he served on the Massachusetts Committee of Arrangement, whose responsibility it was to muster and keep up the Militia. In this position, he had several long General Council meetings with George Washington.
Additionally, Timothy kept his home State appraised of the Continental Army’s situation, working closely with fellow committee member George Partridge.
Timothy Danielson would go on to fight in the Battle of Ticonderoga before returning home, as he was chosen to sit in the convention which wrote Massachusetts’s second Constitution.
Major General
Although he was selected to represent his State as a Delegate to the Continental Congress, he declined to serve. Timothy had run into a bit of financial trouble and in an effort to stay out of debtor’s prison he decided to look after his affairs.
By May of 1781, however, Danielson had been chosen as a Major General in the State Militia. When the Revolutionary War ended five months later, Timothy was the senior member of the Militia.
He was able to recover his finances and accepted a judicial appointment in his home county. By the time of his death, Timothy Danielson was one of the most respected members in his community and left behind a substantial library.
Follow this site to read about another Founder tomorrow!
Until then, check out one of these articles on other Brigadier Generals in the Revolution.
William Woodford Wins the First Battle in Virginia
George Clinton Governs New York
Enoch Poor Dies Under Suspicious Circumstances
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