Spouse & Children

Sarah Story Selinda Rudd (1769-) Jeremiah Rudd (1773-) Sarah Rudd (1775-) Joseph Rudd (1777-) Lucy Rudd (1779-) Enos Rudd (1781-1858) Martha Rudd (1783-) David Rudd (1786-1854)

2nd Lieutenant in the Revolutionary War.

Two more revolutionary patriots are gone.

DIED, in this town, since our last publication, Mr. Daniel Biddlecome, in the 83d year of his age, and Mr. Joseph Rudd, iu the 79 year of his age. Eulogy on these deceased. and venerable whigs is unnecessary. They sought not notoriety in life, they courted not distinction, they courted no loud applause, they sought no sounding titles. Their virtues were of the useful kind, the sober, solid cast of character, which the vitiated and depraved tastes of worldlings are apt to overlook, and rarely appreciate. They were industrious and honest men, aud their repu-ations were without reproach. When a hostile soldiery threatened invasion and plunder they rallied to the standard of their country from a sense of duty their property, their fire-sides, their families, and their liberies were in danger these were the motives which called them to the patriot's post ; and they fought and prevailed under the banner of the veteran Stark. They continued their attachment and fidelity to whiggism and the liberties of their country, with a steady and unshaken constancy until their death.

East Hoosick, N. Y., March 14, 1876. Editor Gazette: The following letter, written by my great-grandfather, Joseph Rudd, I copied from the original document now in possession of Miss Rhoda Rudd, of Bennington, and would respectfully request its publication in the columns of your valuable paper:

"Bennington, Aug. the 26th, A. D., 1777. Honored Father: After my duty, I take this opportunity to write to you, hoping these lines will find you well, as through the goodness of God they leave me and my family. We meet with a great deal of trouble. On the 16th inst myself and brother John were preserved through a very hot battle, we Killed and took, according to the best account we can get, about one thousand of the enemy. Our loss was about thirty or forty. We marched right up against their breast-works with our small arms, where they fired with their field pieces every half a minute, yet they never touched a man with them. We drove them out ol their breast-works and took their field pieces, and killed great numbers of them. Lost four or five of my neighbors, two Snyders and two Hornbecks. The biggest part of Dutch Hoosack was in the battle against us. They went to the Regulars a day or two before the fight. Samuel Anderson, a captain among the Regulars, was in the battle against us. While I was gone my wife and children went down to Williamstown. After I came home I went after them and found them at Landlord Simons'. I have got them home again. My wife was very much worried out. She had four children with her. Selinda was forced to run on foot. We some expect the enemy will come upon us again, and what I shall do with my family, I know not. I would inform you that I received your letter dated Aug. 18th, in which you tell me you was well, which l am glad to hear. I want to come and see you very much, but when I shall I do not know. If the enemy don't come upon us again this fall, I intend to. Remember our love to all brothers and sisters ; respects to all inquiring friends. So no more at present, but I remain your dutiful son until death. Joseph Rudd."

It will be readily noticed, by a reference to the dates, that this letter was written ten days after the battle of Bennington, nearly one hundred years ago. CAROLINE A. WILCOX.^{3 4}

Sources:

1. Fold3.com. U.S., Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Application Files, 1800-1900
2. Ancestry.com. Vermont, U.S., Vital Records, 1720-1908
3. Vermont Gazette Bennington, Vermont 02 Jun 1818, Tue Page 3
4. The Vermont Gazette Bennington, Vermont 24 Mar 1876, Fri Page 3