Cogswell Family Association
crest1.GIF (12460 bytes)A non-profit corporation, organized in Mass., in 1989, dedicated to preserving the history of the Cogswell family
Prominent Cogswells in History


curl_black.gif (1071 bytes)  Cogswell Family Association (Home Page) curl_black.gif (1071 bytes)  Cogswell Arms & Crest
curl_red.gif (1115 bytes)  Officers, Board Members & Past Presidents   curl_red.gif (1115 bytes)  Prominent Cogswells in History
curl_Yellow.gif (1100 bytes)  "Descendants of John Cogswell," published 1998   curl_Yellow.gif (1100 bytes)  New Discoveries/Information  
curl_green.gif (1125 bytes)  "The Cogswells in America," published 1884 curl_green.gif (1125 bytes)  Reunion 2007
curl_purple.gif (1132 bytes)  Missing Family Members   curl_purple.gif (1132 bytes)  Links of Interest

    For the past 372 years the Cogswell family has been contributing its sons and daughters to the cultural, religious, and political "experiments" in North America.  For a time, the world wondered whether or not the displaced sons of England could survive and prosper in the new world, especially after the nurture and protection of the English Monarch was rejected by the disgruntled Americans.  Now, from our modern perspective, we can only try and understand and appreciate the sacrifices made, the hardships endured, and the personal pride and satisfaction resulting from a job well-done by our Cogswell ancestors.  Members of the Cogswell family have been especially well represented by honorable military service, and in the fields of medicine and teaching.  But, these "highlights" are not meant to ignore the contributions of the Cogswell farmers, mechanics, teamsters, public servants, and craftsmen (and women) who built the edifice we inherited - North America.   Periodically, this page will introduce you to one of those Cogswell sons or daughters who made a distinguished contribution to our lives in the U.S. and Canada.

    The Association would very much appreciate receiving any additional information (preferably documented) concerning any Cogswell - anywhere.  Now, may we introduce:                                                                                                                                                                              (Update October 16, 2007)


Thomas [324] COGSWELL, Gen

Son of Nathaniel [103] COGSWELL & Judith BADGER. Born 4 Aug 1746 in Haverhill, Mass. Died 3 Sep 1810.

DAR Patriot Index, p. 142:  Cogswell, Thomas  b. 8-4-1746  d. 9-3-1810  m. Ruth Badger, L Col. MA.

Thomas Cogswell was a commissioned officer in the army of the Revolution during the whole war.  He was Captain, then Major, Jan. 1, 1777, then Lieutenant-Colonel, Nov. 26, 1799, and afterward Wagon-Master General.  He led a company in the battle of Bunker Hill, was present at the siege of Boston, and continued in the service until peace was declared.  General Washington wrote: "I do certify that Major Cogswell has been always represented to me as an intelligent, brave and active officer."  Headquarters, New Windsor, 7th of Jan., 1781.

Thomas then settled on a farm in Gilmanton, N.H., and was called to fill various civil offices in town and state.  He was Judge of the Court of Common Pleas from 1784 until his death in 1810.  Hon. Thomas Cogswell was twice nominated for Representative to Congress from New Hampshire.

He married his cousin, and the ceremony was performed by their mutual uncle, the Rev. Moses Badger, a dedicated Tory, who suffered heavy loss of property during the Revolution.

General Cogswell brought home from the war a colored manservant, "Prince," whose descendants were in the Cogswell family for many years.  Prince was described as "a smart negro who had great pride of family."  His widow, "Aunt Sophia," survived him, and died at the age of eighty-five years, 1882, in Gilford, N.H.

General Cogswell and his brother, Col. Amos Cogswell,  were among the founders of the Society of the Cincinnati.

Thomas married Ruth BADGER, daughter of Joseph BADGER, Gen. & Hannah PEARSON, 26 Feb 1770. Born 14 Sep 1751 in Haverhill, Mass. Died 16 Oct 1839.  They resided in Haverhill, Mass. and in Gilmanton, N.H.  Their children were:

                                     832          i.            Hannah [832] COGSWELL  b. 26 Feb 1771. d. 18 Feb 1776
 
833         ii.            Nathaniel [833] COGSWELL
 
834         iii.           Joseph [834] COGSWELL  b. 4 Apr 1775. d. 16 Apr 1775.
 
835         iv.           Judith [835] COGSWELL
 
836          v.           Ebenezer Badger [836] COGSWELL  b. 3 May 1778. d. 12 Oct 1778.
 
837         vi.           Thomas [837] COGSWELL
 
838        vii.           William [838] COGSWELL, Capt.
 
839       viii.           Francis [839] COGSWELL, Lieut.
 
840         ix.           Pearson [840] COGSWELL, Col.
 
841          x.           Frederic [841] COGSWELL, Rev.
 
842         xi.           Alfred [842] COGSWELL  b. 27 Jun 1795.  d., unmarried, in Dixon, Ill.


Hannah [710] COGSWELL

Daughter of Jonathan [263] COGSWELL, Dea. & Mary [521] APPLETON.

Born 12 Aug 1762 in Chebacco Parish, Ipswich, Mass. Died 3 Feb 1796.  She married John PROCTOR, Lieut., son of John PROCTOR & Lucy GOODHUE, 3 May 1783. Born 1757 in Manchester, Mass. Died 3 Feb 1821 in Henniker, N.H.

They resided in Manchester, Mass.  At age eighteen he was commissioned Lieutenant for meritorious conduct as a soldier of the Revolution.  Following the untimely death of Hannah Cogswell, Lieut. Proctor married, Jan. 19, 1797, Mrs. Edna Dean, widow of Capt. Israel Dean.  Lieut. John and Hannah (Cogswell) Proctor had the following children:

                                    1472          i.            Hannah [1472] PROCTOR  b. 5 Mar 1784.  She married _____ FISH, 1805.
1473         ii.            John [1473] PROCTOR
1474         iii.           Mary [1474] PROCTOR  b. 30 Mar 1791. d. 24 Oct 1793
1475         iv.           David Choate [1475] PROCTOR

   

On a quarterly basis, this page will be updated with more information on other prominent Cogswells.  Please visit our Web site often to find out more information about our family members.

 

Click on one of the following to go to that page:
Cogswell Family Association / Cogswell Arms & Crest  /
Officers, Board Members & Past Presidents / Descendants of John Cogswell
The Cogswells in America  / New Discoveries/Information /
Reunion 2007 / Missing Family Members /Links of Interest