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Two Wilbur Generations Span Three Centuries

Daughter of Revolutionary War Soldier Died in 1907

Apr 5, 2009 Rosemary E. Bachelor

Ann Eliza Wilbur Prentiss, a real daughter of the Revolution, died in 1907. Joseph Wilbur, her father, was in 41 Revolutionary War engagements.

This branch of the Wilbur family witnessed many historic events in just a few generations. Much of it was from an unusual perspective. How many women still alive in the early 20th century could say their grandfather fought in the French and Indian War?

Ann (Wilbur) Prentiss, born in 1833 at Chatham, NY., was one of Josephs Wilbur’s six children by his second wife, Elizabeth Kittrick (or Kittridge).

Joseph Wilbur, Revolutionary War Soldier

Joseph Wilbur, who was born in 1751, served five enlistments, taking part in 41 Revolutionary War engagements. Family records show that Joseph, who enlisted in New York, was at one time an orderly under Gen. George Washington and was also a color sergeant at the Battle of Saratoga, considered by some to be a major turning point of the war.

Mrs. Prentiss coveted a memorandum of her father’s five enlistments. It shows that he served for two months in 1776 under Col. Asa Waterman, for two months in 1777 under Capt. John Smith, for one month that same year under Capt. Vosburg, three months under Col. H. W. Livingston and Capt. Elisha Gilbert, and 15 days in 1778 under Col. Whiting.

Mr. Wilbur died in 1842 at the age of 91.

Her Grandfather Captured by Indians

Ann’s grandfather, George Kittridge, served during the earlier colonial wars. He was captured by the Indians and held prisoner for 14 years. This is the stuff of which historical novels are made. The Indians carried him off into Canada, where he became a tribal medicine man. According to family tradition, an Indian girl helped George Kittridge make his escape.

This was also a family with a multi-generational record of distinguished military service.

Wilbur Brothers Died While Serving Their Country

Ann’s brother, George Wilbur, died at sea while serving with the Navy. Another brother, Eleazer Wilbur, who served with the 27th Massachusetts Regiment in the Civil War, was captured and died of starvation at the infamous Andersonville Prison in Georgia.

Ann Wilbur married Horace Prentiss in 1853; he died in 1900.

Ann (Wilbur) Prentiss and the DAR

Yes, this true daughter of the American Revolution did belong to the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution). She was a charter member of Peace Party Chapter of Pittsfield, MA. They gave a reception in her honor in 1905.

Mrs. Prentiss spent her later years with a daughter, Mrs. Romaine B. Powell, in Pittsfield.

How amazing that a man born in the mid-1700s had a daughter who lived until the early 1900s.

Source:

Death Notice in the Nov. 18, 1907 edition of The New York Sun.

The copyright of the article Two Wilbur Generations Span Three Centuries in Genealogy is owned by Rosemary E. Bachelor. Permission to republish Two Wilbur Generations Span Three Centuries in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.