Patriot Ancestor: Abial Bugbee
Submitted by Richard Perry (Member #203590)
Abial Bugbee (1746 to 1824): P-124448
Abial Bugbee enlisted in May 1775 immediately after the events of Lexington-Concord. He was a native of Connecticut and, like others, joined the cause in a community effort. He was assigned to Captain Thomas Knowlton (who was later promoted to Colonel and formed “Knowlton’s Rangers”, America’s first professional intelligence Corp. ). Abial and Capt. Knowlton regimented under General Israel Putnam, and marched to Cambridge prior to the events of Bunker Hill. Although he was not a front line fighter, he was assigned to cover any potential retreat by the same and was situated in the rear on Bunker Hill itself as the fighting actually took place on Breed's Hill. There are recorded accounts that he was in action when the patriot lines broke and he did his duty to provide cover for the retreating forces (survivors?). The accounts state he was one of the last to leave the field getting his shoe buckle shot off for his efforts. There is a gap in his service record until he appears at the Battle of White Plains though details are sketchy.