Elias Haven

Elias Haven (June 18, 1742-April 19, 1775) was a militiaman from Dedham, Massachusetts who died at the battle near the Jason Russell House in Menotomy after the battles of Lexington and Concord.[1] He was the only man from Dedham who died on that day.[2][3]

Battle at Menotomy

Main article: Battles of Lexington and Concord
See also: Dedham, Massachusetts in the American Revolution

On April 19, 1775, news of the fighting at Lexington reached Dedham via a messenger who stopped at the home of Samuel Dexter, who was so overcome he nearly fainted.[4] Church bells rang and signal guns were fired to summon the town’s minutemen and militia.[5] At the time, Haven was harrowing in a field on the George Ellis Chickering.[3]

Dedham’s companies assembled quickly, and Captain Joseph Guild silenced anyone who attempted to dismiss the alarm.[5] Within an hour, nearly every male between sixteen and seventy had departed with their minister’s blessing.[6] A total of over 280 men left from Dedham’s four parishes, under leaders such as Captains Aaron Fuller, George Guild, William Bullard, Daniel Draper, William Ellis, and David Fairbanks.[1] Haven marched under Ebenezer Battle's command.[7][3]

Dedham’s companies joined others from surrounding towns in an ambush near the Jason Russell House in Menotomy.[1] There, a British flanking maneuver drove the colonists back, killing ten, including Haven.[7] Fighting next to him next to the Arlington Meeting House at the time he was shot was his brother-in-law, Aaron Whiting.[3]

He was buried with the others who fell that day in Patriots' Grave at the Old Burying Ground.[8][3]

Personal life

Haven was born in Hopkinton on June 18, 1742 to Joseph Haven, a deacon in Dover, and his wife, Miriam (née Bayley).[3][9] He moved to Dedham, and settled on Farm Street.[3] On June 14, 1764, he married Jemima Whiting.[3][a] Together they had three children: Elias, Abigail, and Jemima.[3][b]

He worked as a cordwainer as well as husbandman.[3]

Haven was a first cousin, once removed, of Jason Haven.

Notes

  1. ^ Jemima was the daughter of Jonathan and Anna (née Bullard) Whiting.[3]
  2. ^ Elias later moved to New York and one of his daughters married a Bacon.[9]

References

  1. ^ a b c Hanson 1976, p. 153.
  2. ^ "Dedham and the Battles of Lexington and Concord". American History Central. Retrieved March 31, 2025.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Smith 1909, p. 35-36.
  4. ^ Hanson 1976, p. 152.
  5. ^ a b Hanson 1976, p. 155.
  6. ^ Worthington 1869, p. 26.
  7. ^ a b Hanson 1976, p. 154.
  8. ^ Winkler, Howard B. "Fiercest Fighting was in Arlington" (PDF). Menotomy Minutes (Winter 2020). Arlington Historical Society. Retrieved March 31, 2025.
  9. ^ a b Adams 1843, p. 41.

Works cited

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