A Signed Document by Revolutionary War Patriot Dr. Amos Mead

Today’s mail brings news of a relic from the American Revolution involving Dr. Amos Mead. He is interred in the New Burial Grounds Association Cemetery next to the Second Congregational Church off East Putnam Avenue in Greenwich, Connecticut.

Scott Winslow, a dealer in historical documents in New Hampshire writes, “I am a dealer in historical documents from New Hampshire. I'm forwarding a scan of a document signed by Dr. Amos Mead during the American Revolution which I thought you might have an interest in. I recently sold an early Connecticut pay order issued to (not signed by) Dr. Amos Mead but frankly, can't remember who I sold it to and thought it might be someone in your family.” The document image is provided here.

Historian Spencer P. Mead provides some interesting information found in the family genealogy book. On page 59:

“Dr. Amos Mead, of Greenwich, Connecticut, who was ye Surgeon of ye 3^rd Connecticut Regiment in the expedition against Crown Point and Ticonderoga in 1759, and also one of the committee of Safety, was so chased and hunted by these men as to be obliged to travel about back in the country for a whole winter. He retraced by night the tracks he had made by day, and then moving off a short distance in another direction, spent the night in the first sheltered place that could be found. In the early spring following the winter of 1780, he came down to look at a field of wheat growing some distance back of his house, but, on arriving at a certain point in the road, he turned back, for he was impressed with the idea that he must not go any farther, but how to account for the impression he knew not. A few days after a neighbor met him and told him that five men bent on taking his life were in that very wheat field with their loaded muskets aimed at a certain point in the road where he must have passed had he proceeded. Dr. Mead, wisely acting on this timely warning, retired again into the country.”

This text is also found on page 145 of Ye Historie of Ye Town of Greenwich, also authored by Spencer P. Mead, published in 1911. Both the town history and Mead family genealogy book feature more interesting background on Dr. Mead.

If you are interested in acquiring this wonderful piece of family history please contact Mr. Winslow at 800-225-6233, or e-mail him at Scott@scottwinslow.com.