Mohican Men in Capt. Enoch Noble’s Militia Company

Colleague Linus Leavens informed me of this military pay roll he found in Rolls of the Soldiers in the Revolutionary War 1775 to 1783, compiled by John E. Goodrich, published in 1904.  As you can see, the company was formed in Berkshire County, Massachusetts, probably October 19, 1780.  The company was on active duty for a total of 16 days.  The troops were discharged 4 November 1780.  It’s interesting to note that Captain Noble presented the pay roll to Major Goodrich so the troops could be paid on 18 April 1781. Payment was given 22 June 1781, over seven months after service.

The men whose names are in bold face were Native American.  The names whose names are also italicized were definitely Mohican.  Benjamin Ephraim was probably Native because he’s grouped with the other Native men, but confirmation needs to be made. 

There are two important points to be made.  This company was part of the Continental Army, under the command of Captain Enoch Noble.  Therefore, Mohican men fought in the Continental Army in a company completely different from the Indian Company, also called the Stockbridge Regiment, formed by Abraham Nimham in 1777.  David Naunauneek, A Concopatts, Isaac Wnaupeh were probably David Naunauneck, Abraham Konkapot and Isaac Wnaumpey who served in Nimham’s company and survived the disastrous battle in the Bronx.  

Capt. Enoch Noble’s Company, under command of Major Wm. Goodrich

A Pay Roll for the Continental Establishment for Capt. Enoch Noble’s Company of Militia from the county of Berkshire [Mass.], who marched to Bennington in the State of Vermont under the command of Maj. Wm Goodrich, to defend the frontiers on Oct. 23, 1780.

Names and Rank

Capt. Enoch Noble Lt. Wm Ashley Lt. Danl. Johnson Sergt. John Huggins Sergt. Baley Austin Sergt. John Cowles Sergt. Joseph French

Corpl. John Nichols Corpl. Asa Rood Corpl. Thos. Tilden Corpl. Thos. Tilden Corpl. Isaac Collins Drmr. Phineas Royce

Thaddeus Root Wm. Walker Francis Hase Timoy Cowles Noble Smith Alexr Gunn Nathl. Austin. Gilbert Olds Martin Marble Roger Holcomb Uriah  Harmon John Harmon Jos. Churchel Roswell Barnes Asa Barnes Moses Barnes Umph Negro Jona. Holcomb Ebenr Barker Lot Fuller Roger Savage Moses Bush Gideon King

Ebenr Stevens Solomon Ransford Wm Manley, Jr. Phineas Royce Moses Royce John Concopatts A Concopatts Moses Thangokeheek Benj. Pye Hendh Seekheek David Naunauneek Benj. Ephraim Jos. Usesulo Isaac Neham Isaac Wnaupeh Peter Tawpanpeet Jona Attoksin David Nesanankhuk Jacob Naunaupetonky Trias Charp Cornelius Hukmuk Cornelius Whenuppansuk

Archaeological Treasure

I've liked to read about archaeological digs ever since I could read.  My favorite magazines National Geographic and Smithsonian are famous for them.  I also enjoy archaeological documentaries such as Time Team and its American copycat program Time Team America.  

It's not uncommon for archaeologists in Europe to come across a cache of valuable items.  Sometimes these items have been broken in some way to make them unusable.  The experts always speculate why they're in such a condition.  One reason I don't remember them expressing, burying the family valuables so they aren't stolen by the enemy.   Or are they trying to avoid the stereotypical but valid assumption of "buried treasure?" 

Europe and the British Isles was invaded time and time again, and had their own revolutions and civil wars.  Why don't the experts express the idea that someone may have buried the valuables so that some invading enemy doesn't find them?  How would people in 400 A.D. safeguard their valuables?  If the objects are destroyed in some way to make them unusable, the enemy soldiers are less likely to steal them.  Coming back the owners could either repair or recycle them.  

Icenaen torques discovered in Northeastern Britain.  The Icenae were a British tribe.

These caches may still exist because the owner was never able to recover them.  He or she probably did not tell many people, if at all.  The owner and other people s/he have told may have been killed during the enemy's invasion.  S/he may have been enslaved and never able to return. S/he may have died some other way, illness maybe.  S/he may never had the resources to come back again.  It may never have been safe enough to return.  Then the owner's wealth would have been left unknown in the ground to be disturbed ages later for others to ponder over.