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from" Reading's Colonial Rooftrees Built before
1800" by C. Nelson Bishop (1944) # 21"Statesmen,
Soldiers and a Bard"
The nex generation was outstanding in the life
record of Capt James Bancroft. He was at the
minutemen's battle on April 19, 1775, and during
the years of the Revolution served several terms in
arms, being commissioned as a captain. He was a
Selectmen in 1775 and resigned his office to join
the Army, the official record on May 29, stating
that "The town made choice of Dea. Jacob Emerson
for a selectman in the room of Lieut. James
Bancroft who has gone into the army." James had
held the office for about three months, the town
having chosen him "in the room of Jabez Damon who
excused himself."
When the Continental Congress finall began to
formulate its stand for independence, many of the
experienced soldiers were commissioned to take
command of the units of the Continental Army and
state militia. on May 6 James Bancroft was
commisioned Captain, the copy of this commission,
signed by the majority of the governor's council
having been exhibited this week in the antiques
dispay yndert the auspice of the Tercentenary
Commitee.
Three days after this commission was issued he
attended town meeting as selectman again to hear
the town take "into consideration a resolve of the
General court, relative to independencey and
unanimously voted strictly to adhere to the
determination of Congress in the above important
article and stand by it to the last with their
lives and their fortunes." On July 2 the special
town meeting was called in the name of "the
Independent States of the United Colonies of North
America" and there was a question whether Selectmen
Bancroft and Brown should be replaced because they
were in the army and two more additonal selectmen
chosen. Only the two extra were chosen and James
Bancroft finished his term.
He came back into office in 1788 and served again
in 1793, and 1794. He was elected to the General
Court in 1780 to 1785, in 1788,1793 and 1794.
During these years of advancement it is likely that
he might be becoming more affluent and would find
that a new house, across the road would be in
order. For 40 years prior to his death he served
the church as deacon.
He was said to have owned a chaise as early as
1790-a mark of prosperity for most of the menof
that time rode on horseback and on Sundays the
horse also carried a pillion on which the lady of
the house rode behind her lord ot the meetin house.
Wheels were expensive and could not be spared for
anythg but work vehicles.
In Eaton's history we find (pg 521) that a written
record left by Jmes Bancroft was a petition to be
allowed to sell spiritous liquors, The petition,
however, bears no other names and it apparently was
not presented. It does state, however, the James
had accumulated a stock of "West India Goods" such
as molases, sugar, rice tea, coffee, as well as
earthenware and other goods "in order to accomodate
my neighbors, determining to sell the same as
resonably as they sold at Medfor, Charlestown and
Boston" It is not know how long he carried on this
business.
Capt James died in 1831, leaving five daughters and
one grand-daughter. The latter inherited her
mother's share of the estate. This granddaughter
was Sarah Parker Brown, daughter of Jeptha and
Nancy(Bancroft) Brown and she married her
fourth-cousin, once removed, Parker Bancroft, The
other heirs sold their shares to him and thus the
homestead remained not only in the immediate family
but also in the name of Bancroft.
further notes on son of Parker and Sarah ..Francis
J. Bancroft
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