I. From Captain John Francis, 15 March 1780
I
From Captain John Francis
West point [N.Y.] March 15th 1780.
Sir
From the ruinous situation of the Interests of my Brother the late Colonel Francis, in which my own is deeply concerned, induces me to request your Exc’llency to grant me a discharge from the service;1 Nothing but the distress of my Family would have ever induced me to quit the service of my Country; in which I have been engaged ever since the War began, & have endeavoured to do Justice to every appointment I have been honored with. I am with every sentiment of respect Your Excellency’s most Obedient hble Servt
John Francis, Capt. 11th Massachusetts Regiment
ALS, DNA, RG 93, manuscript file no. 2352.
John Francis (c.1753–1822) served as adjutant of the 11th Massachusetts Regiment until he became a lieutenant in 1778. He advanced to captain in June 1779 and resigned from the army in March 1780. After the war, Francis held the rank of colonel in the Massachusetts militia.
1. Col. Ebenezer Francis had been killed on 7 July 1777 at the Battle of Hubbardton in what is now Vermont. At the time of his death, he left his wife, five children, and property in Beverly, Mass. (see , 19–22).
John Francis eventually advertised for sale at auction his brother’s “elegant Dwelling-House, Barn, and about Eighty Poles of Land under and adjoining the same . … Said House has 2 front rooms, a kitchen, and 3 other rooms on a floor, and two good front Chambers, all in excellent order, with a good Well near the door, and is situated on the Main Road between Salem and Ipswich” (Salem Gazette [Mass.], 13 Dec. 1796).