Settled first in Mansfield, where his 2 eldest children were born.
When the news reached him of the skirmish at Lexington, MA he took his gun and went to Boston, participating in the battle at Bunker Hill.
Enlisted 12 Jul 1775 in Captain Shipman's company 7th Regiment CT Continental Infantry, commanded by Colonel Charles Webb. The regiment was stationed about Boston. Discharged 16 Dec 1775, on account of ill health.

1778 he emigrated to Hanover, NH, from whence he removed to Stillwater, NY, and in 1790 to Broad Albin, Fulton Co., NY, where his 3 younger children were born. In the spring of 1806, he left his home at Broad Albin, for the West, intending to fix on a location for his future residence, and raise a crop; his family to follow him to his new residence in the fall. He located near the Ohio River, about 14 miles from Louisville, where he erected his cabin in the wilderness, raised a crop - intending to buy a plantation in Kentucky.
While on a prospecting tour in KY he was robbed and murdered near the foot of "Twelve Mile Island". It has been supposed that he was murdered for his money, as he had gone thither to purchase a farm, where he died suddenly, and his money was never recovered. His grave is not identified. [re: The Constitution of the Society of Sons of the Revolution by Sons of the Revolution OH Society 1893]

His family emigrated, as previously arranged, by way of Philadelphia and Pittsburg, and down the Ohio River. Reached Cincinnati and heard of his death. They located in Green Township, Ohio, near Cincinnati, where Deborah continued to reside until her death (1867 note).