History of Pemaquid, (Lincoln County) Maine United States of America

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William North, senator, was born in Fort Frederick, Pemaquid, Maine, in 1755; son of Capt. John and Elizabeth (Pitson) North; grandson of John North and of James Pitson of Boston, Mass. John North, the immigrant, was a native of West Meath, Ireland, came to America in 1730, and settled in Pemaquid, Lincoln county Maine. Capt. John North commanded Fort Frederick and Fort St. George during the French and Indian war; was the first surveyor of lands in Pemaquid, and judge of the court of common pleas from the organization of Lincoln county in 1760 until his death in 1763. William removed with his mother to Boston, Mass., where he was educated and placed with a merchant until the closing of the port in 1774. He entered the Revolutionary army in 1775. He was commissioned 2d lieutenant in Knox's regiment of Continental artillery in which he served from May 9, 1776, to Jan. 1, 1777. He was promoted captain in Col. Jackson's Additional Continental regiment May 10, 1777, and led his company at the battle of Monmouth. He was transferred to Spencer's regiment April 22, 1779, which became the 16th Massachusetts, July 23, 1780, and was aide-de-camp to Baron Steuben from May, 1779, to November, 1783. Steuben made him one of his sub-inspectors in introducing and perfecting his military system in the Continental army. He was promoted major of the 2d U.S. regiment Oct. 20, 1780; transferred to the 9th Massachusetts regiment Jan. 1, 1781; to the 4th Massachusetts regiment Jan. 1, 1783, and attended Baron Steuben in the Virginia campaign and was present at the surrender of Cornwallis. He was brevetted major Sept. 11, 1783. He served as inspector of the army from April 15, 1784, to June 25, 1788; was promoted major of the 2d U.S. regiment Oct. 20, 1786; adjutant-general of the U.S. army, with the rank of brigadier-general, July 19, 1798, and was honorably discharged from the service June 15, 1800. He was married Oct. 14, 1787, to Mary, daughter of James Duane, of New York city. He settled in Duanesburg, N.Y.; represented his district in the New York assembly several times; served as speaker, and was appointed by Governor Jay U.S. senator to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of John Sloss Hobart, May 5, 1798, serving from May 21, 1798, until the election of James Watson by the legislature in 1799. He was appointed adjutant-general of the U.S. army March 27, 1812, but declined to serve. Baron Steuben bequeathed the larger part of his property to him at his death, which he in turn divided among his military companions. He was one of the first canal commissioners of New York, and a member of the Society of the Cincinnati. He died in New York city, Jan. 3, 1836.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

History of Pemaquid, (Lincoln County) Maine

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