Patriot Ancestor: William Locke
Submitted by Compatriot Stephen Allen Cywin
Stephen Cywin is a descendant of William Locke who immigrated to Massachusetts in 1634/35 at the age of six. William Locke was a first cousin of the philosopher John Locke and served as surgeon to the militia during King Phillip’s War. He lived to the age of 91 and had eight children, who also lived and had children. By the time of the revolution, the Locke family lived largely along the corridor from Cambridge to Acton Massachusetts. The Locke family supported the Revolution with over 40 members of the family serving in the Revolution, including seven who responded to the alarm on April 19, 1775, at least three of whom were on the Lexington Green.
Abraham Locke, Mr. Cywin’s 4th great grandfather was in Maine on April 19, 1775, but joined soon afterward and was on Dorchester Heights for the end of the Siege of Boston and later rose to the rank of Lieutenant. Three of Abraham Locke’s sons, including Isaac Mulliken Locke, Mr. Cywin’s 3rd great grandfather served in the War of 1812.
Mr. Cywin is a member of The Society of the War of 1812, The Winthrop Society, Flagon & Trencher, and the Campbell Society, in addition to the Sons of the American Revolution. He is currently attempting to restore the Walton-Locke Cemetery where Isaac Mulliken Locke is buried.