A MILITARY HISTORY OF THE TEWKSBURY FAMILY was compiled by H. C. Skip Robertson. Relationships indicated pertain to Skip.
MAJOR NORTH AMERICAN WARS
This list does not include numerous “Indian wars” after 1776 or actions outside of the continental United States. The list also does not include American participation in other nations’ conflicts. If a relative/ancestor was involved in any of these, it will be noted separately.
King Phillip’s War – 1675–1678
King William’s War – 1688–1697 (also known as the Second Indian War, Father Baudoin’s War, Castin’s War, or the First Intercolonial War
Queen Anne’s War – 1702-1713
Dummer’s War – 1722–1725 (Also known as Father Rale’s War, Lovewell’s War, Greylock’s War, the Three Years War, the Wabanaki-New England War, or the 4th Anglo-Abenaki War)
King George’s War – 1744-1748
French and Indian War – 1754–1763
American Revolution – 1775–1783
War of 1812 – 1812–1815
Mexican War – 1846-1848
Civil War – 1861-1865
Spanish-American War – 1898
World War I – 1917-1918
World War II – 1941-1945
Korean War – 1950-1953
Vietnam War – 1965-1975
Invasion of Grenada – 1983
Invasion of Panama – 1989-1990
Gulf War – 1990-1991
War in Afghanistan – 2001-2021
Early Ancestors
HENRY BRUNDISH TEWKSBURY (Also spelled “Tewkesburie” or “Tuxbury”) – 1621 – 1709
Ninth Great Grandfather
Admiral in the British Navy
Born in 1621 in Greenwich, Kent, England. Died about 1705 at Amesbury, Essex County, Massachusetts. The immigrant ancestor, settled in Newbury, Massachusetts. He resided also in Amesbury, where the name has been common ever since his coming. (https://archive.org/stream/historichomespla01cutt#page/104/mode/2up)
“During one of those terrible convulsions of religious persecution and fervor which swept over the British Isles, from “John O’Groat’s, To the Lands End”.
At frequent intervals during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, one John TEWKSBURY gave up his life for religion’s sake and was burned at the stake in the marketplace of his native town, Tewkesbury, England. His ancestors had given their name to the town and his descendants were among the earlier settlers of New England.”
This is a quote from ” History of Susquehanna County Pennsylvania”, a centennial book. Rhamanthias M. Stock. reprinted 1974 Baltimore Regional Pub. Co. This may explain the emigration to America of John’s children Henry and probably, Thomas. Also, there is a footnote to this article that states:
“Charles II of England granted to Admiral TEWKSBURY a township of land in the Colony of Massachusetts for individual loyalty and efficiency as an officer. Subsequently two sons of Admiral TEWKSBURY settled on this grant of land, and from these two descendants came the family here.”
Henry took the oath of fidelity at Newbury in 1669. In 1669 he moved to Amesbury where he took the oath of allegiance. He was one of the petitioners of 1680. He was a freeman in 1690. He was a tithing man in 1693 and was still living in 1697. Henry TEWKSBURY and Martha COPP were married on 10 November 1659 in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts. Their children were: Elizabeth TEWKSBURY, Hannah TEWKSBURY, Henry TEWKSBURY, Naomi TEWKSBURY, Ruth TEWKSBURY, Mary TEWKSBURY, Martha TEWKSBURY, and Deacon John TEWKSBURY.
SOURCE: Early Vital Records of Suffolk County, Massachusetts to 1850.
1659, 10 November – married Martha Copp, widow of William Harvey.
Tewksbury or Tuxbury, as his name as more generally spelled, took the oath of fidelity at Newbury in 1669.
Took the oath of allegiance in 1677 at Amesbury.
1693 tithing man, living in 1697;
1680 Admitted Freeman
STEPHEN SAWYER – 25 April 1663 – 8 June 1753
Seventh Great Uncle
King Philips War
Stephen Sawyer, Corporal in Indian Wars. (He became) a Quaker in 1690. At the time of his death, he was the oldest man in Newbury, Mass.
HENRY TEWKSBURY – 27 November 1739 – 28 November 1806
(5 X Great Grandfather)
American Revolution
Lieutenant Henry Tewksbury removed (probably from Hampstead) to Weare about 1772. He was a soldier in the Revolution. He enlisted July 8, 1775, in Captain John Parker’s company, where he served as a private until his discharge December 16, a term of five months and seven days. He was described as a husbandman and credited to Weare. September 28, he was reported with his company at St. Johns, Canada, which was besieged about that time. Corporal Henry Tuexbury’s (sic) name appears on the roll of soldiers in Captain Timothy Clement’s company, Colonel David Gilman’s regiment, into which he was mustered April 15, 1776; also in the same company in Colonel Pierce Long’s regiment at New Castle, where he was mustered out August 7, as ensign after sixty-three days’ service. He was in the same company and regiment in the Continental service from December 17, 1776, to January 7, 1777, at New Castle, and is named second lieutenant. He married Sarah Calfe, of Hampstead. He died November 28, 1806; and his wife died January 11, 1832. Their ten children were: Mary, Judith, Sarah, Hannah, David, Naomi, John, Dolly, Henry and Nancy.
Source: Genealogical and Family History of the State of New Hampshire: A …, Volume 3 By Lewis Publishing Company, pg. 1088
HENRY TEWKSBURY – 13 February 1786 – 1864
Fourth great grandfather who adopted David H. Tewksbury
War of 1812
Private – Osgood’s Massachusetts Militia
Private – Davis’ New Hampshire Regiment
Sergeant – Binney’s Massachusetts Militia
DAVID H. TEWKSBURY – 26 January 1844 – 13 April 1897
(2 X Great Grandfather)
Civil War
4th New Hampshire Infantry, Company I
The 4th New Hampshire Infantry was organized in Manchester, New Hampshire, and mustered in for a three-year enlistment on September 18, 1861. The regiment was attached to Casey’s Provisional Brigade, Army of the Potomac, October 1861. Wright’s 3rd Brigade, Sherman’s South Carolina Expeditionary Corps to March 1862.
Mustered in – 18 September 1861 as a private
Mustered out as a corporal (Possibly 23 August 1865)
Unit Service: 18 September 1861 to 23 August 1865
Fought near the town of Bermuda Hundred, VA
EDWIN SELDON TEWKSBURY – 16 May 1867 – 19 May, 1963
Great Grandfather
Spanish-American War
Private – Co. F – 1st VT infantry
In his book, “Ninety Years of Sunshine and Shadows”, he said that he never got past training in Georgia before the war ended
Descendants of Edwin Seldon and Martha Young Bliss
JONATHAN YOUNG – Born 1717 – Providence, RI (No further information found)
(Also listed as John Young) (5X Great grandfather)
American Revolution
Service Description: Enlisted with the Colonial Militia for a period of 5 years.
Fought in the Battle of Bunker Hill.
ENOCH MORSE – 20 March 1735 – (Sometime after) 25 May 1781
Fifth Great Grandfather
American Revolution
Rank – Drum
Not listed in DAR records, but may be there under a different spelling of his name.)
GUSTAVUS YOUNG – 1835 – ?
(2 X Great Grandfather)
Civil War
Private – Vermont Infantry 1861 – 1865
8th Regiment
Company E
Descendants of daughter Mary Tewksbury Fullam
Relatives of her daughter, Virginia Pearle Fullam
Lewis Paschal Reed, Jr. - October 13, 1916 - June 22, 1944
Husband of Virginia
WWII
US Army – Pfc
Enlisted 1940
Sent overseas in February, 1944
Killed in action June 22, 1944
Buried Edson Cemetery, Lowell, MA
Wesley James Robertson - 22 May 1946 – October 22, 2018
Son of Virginia
Vietnam Era
US Navy
February 1964 – May, 1967
USS Taconic (AGC-17/LCC-17)
Cook
(Service record unavailable)
HOWARD (Skip) CHARLES ROBERTSON – 30 May 1947 – (still living)
Vietnam
US Navy
29 August 1966 – 29 May, 1970
Service – March 1967 – May, 1970 – USS Hornet (CVS-12)
March 1967 – October, 1967 and October, 1968 – May, 1969 – Two tours
(WESPAC) in Vietnamese waters (Tonkin Gulf)
Worked with NASA during recovery operations of Apollo 11 and 12
Award – Given for service during Apollo 11 and 12 recovery operations
Radarman second class (RD2)when discharged
RICHARD JEFFREY ROBERTSON – 2 August 1948 – (still living)
Vietnam
US Army – 1970 – 1972
Served one Year “in-country” Vietnam
JOHN MILTON ERICKSON – 2 August 1936 – 30 December 2010
Son-in-law of Virginia
US Marines – 1959 – 1960
DONALD A. RIFFLE – 4 January 1939 – (still living)
Son-in-law of Virginia
US Army – 19 March 1959 – 30 September 1963
AMY PEARLE COVEY RODGER – 30 November, 1975 – (still living)
Granddaughter of Virginia
US Army National Guard
Active Duty 28 June 1995 – 27 June 1998
Reserve Duty until 02 March 2007
Specialist – E4
James Rodger - 5 August 1975 - (still living)
Grandson-in-law of Virginia
US Army
Active Duty: August 1995 – August 2015
Numerous peace and wartime deployments in various locations including Yemen, Egypt, Iraq, Afghanistan, Oman and Bahrain.
Eleven deployments in support of the War on Terrorism including Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
Retired as a Special Forces Master Sergeant.
JACKSON ROBERTSON – 14 September, 1999 – (still living)
Great Grandson of Virginia
US Navy
21 September 2017 – 21 September 2023
2018-2019 – base Charleston
2019-2023 – CVN79 John G. Kennedy (PCU)
Nuclear Electronics Technician second class (ETN2) when separated
Descendants of her son Rex Fullam Jr.
REX SELDON FULLAM – 2 February 1920 – 31 May 2004
World War II
Service – Army
Joined February 24, 1941
Served in the Pacific
Earned a bronze star
Stationed in the Philippines for most of his overseas deployment. He was on a troop ship that was hit by a Japanese vessel. Had to swim to the island when the ship was bombed. They were given wooden guns to patrol with until the arms that were destroyed on the ship could be replaced.
According to his discharge papers, he was a Technician Fifth Grade for Headquarters Company 172d Infantry Regiment. Discharged on August 25, 1945. He was part of the Green Mountain Guard unit prior to enlisting in the Army.
RANDALL FULLAM – 11 March, 1955 – (still living)
Son of Rex Fullam II
USAir Force – 27 June 1973 – 21 April 1994
Duty Assignments/Military record:
- Basic training Lackland AFB, San Antonio TX (8 weeks)
- Tech Training Keesler AFB, Biloxi MS (6 months)
- 5th Combat Communications Group, Robins AFB, Warner Robins GA (1 year)
- RAF Uxbridge, USAF Communications Detachment, London UK (3 years)
- Tactical Air Warfare Center detachment @ Fort Huachuca AZ (16 months)
- Fukuoka Japan (1 year)
Fort Huachuca AZ (1 year) - Torrejon Air Base, Spain (3 years)
- Wright Patterson AFB, OH (to retirement)
Retired as MSgt (E7) USAF – Communications/Electronics technician
ROBIN A. FULLAM – 26 February 1957 – (still living)
Son of Rex Fullam II
Desert Storm – Desert Shield
Active-Duty – 17 APR 1984 through 30 SEP 2004 – 20 yrs., 5 mos., 14 days.
Vehicle Mechanic Supervisor, Battle Staff Qualified, Army Recruiter
US Army, Master Sargeant (E-8), Retired
Duty Assignments/Military record:
- Desert Shield, Desert Storm: 30 OCT 1990 – 21 APR 1991
- Bosnia Peace Keeping Service: 30 JUN 1999 – 07 MAR 2000
Overseas Assignments:
- West Germany: Sept 1984 – AUG 1987
- South Korea: AUG 1989 – AUG 1990
- South Korea JUL 1996 – JUL 1997
ROBERT A. FULLAM – 26 February 1957 – 5 August 2003
Son of Rex Fullam II
Active-Duty – US Army – July 1975 – summer – 1982 or 1983.
Infantryman – Retired as a Sergeant (E-5)
Served with the Elite Old Guard, 1st Infantry, in Washington
He was a member of the Caisson Detachment working with horses and duty as escorts for military burials in Arlington.
Honor Guard at President Jimmy Carter’s inauguration.
He later trained as an Air Traffic Controller and was assigned to an airport in Texas during the Reagan administration when President Reagan fired the Air Traffic Controllers who were on strike.
MATTHEW JASON FULLAM – 6 August 1983 – (still living)
Grandson of Rex Fullam II
Operation Iraqi Freedom – Operation Enduring Freedom
OIF 06-07, OIF 09-10, OEF 11-12
US Army, Sergeant First Class, Retired (26 Sept 2001 – 30 Sept 2023)
- 2001-2004, Medic, US Army Reserve
- 2004-2007, Combat Engineer, 1st Armored Division, Giessen, Germany
- Operation Iraqi Freedom, Jan 06- Feb 07, Tali-Far, Mosul, Ar-Ramadi
- 2007-2008, Corrections Officer, Ft. Knox, KY 2008-2011, Combat Engineer, 1st Cavalry Division, Ft. Hood, TX
- Operation Iraqi Freedom, Jan 09- Jan 10, Sadr City-Awarded Bronze Star
- 2011-2015, Combat Engineer, 555th Eng. Bde., Ft. Lewis, WA
- Operation Enduring Freedom, Jul 11- Jul 12, Kandahar, Leatherneck, Helmand Province-Awarded Bronze Star
- 2015-2023, Recruiter, Various Locations (KY, IN, DE)
Earned the SAPPER tab and was awarded 2x Meritorious Service Medals among others.
JOY ELIZABETH CARROLL FULLAM – 9 Apr 1987 – (still living)
Granddaughter-in-law of Rex Fullam II
Operation Enduring Freedom
US Army
- 2006-2007, Corrections Officer, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba
- 2007-2008, Corrections Officer, Ft. Knox, KY
- 2008-2011, Corrections Officer, MCAS Miramar, CA
- 2011-2013, Corrections Officer, Ft. Lewis, WA
- Operation Enduring Freedom, Nov 2011-Nov 2012, Bagram Air Base