Military officer; born in
Londonderry, N. H., Aug. 28, 1728; removed, with his father, to Derryfield (now
Manchester) when he was about eight years old. In 1752, while on a hunting excursion, he was made a prisoner by the
St. Francis Indians, and was ransomed in a few weeks for $103. He became popular with the Indians, and was adopted into their tribe.
In 1755 he was made lieutenant of
Rogers's Rangers, and performed good service during the
French and Indian War. A member of the committee of safety at the commencement of the
Revolution, he was alive to the importance of every political event.
On the news of the fight at
Lexington, he hastened to
Cambridge and was immediately chosen colonel of the
New Hampshire troops.
He was efficient in the battle on
Bunker (
Breed's)
Hill.
Near the close of 1776, after doing effective service in the Northern Department, he joined
Washington on the
Delaware.
He commanded the vanguard in the
battle at Trenton, and was active in that at
Princeton.
In the spring of 1777, displeased because he had been overlooked in promotions, he resigned his commission in the army and was placed in command of New Hampshire militia, raised there to oppose the
British advance from
Canada.
Acting upon the authority of his State and his own judgment, he refused to obey the orders of
General Lincoln to march to the west of the
Hudson.
He soon afterwards gained the battle at
Hoosick, near
Bennington (Aug. 16, 1777), for which Congress, overlooking his insubordination, thanked him. He joined
Gates at Bemis's Heights, but the term of his militia having expired, he went home, raised a new force, and cut off
Burgoyne's retreat from
Saratoga.
Stark was placed in command of the Northern Department in 1778, and in 1779-80 served in
Rhode Island and
New Jersey.
He was also at
West Point, and was one of the court that condemned
Major Andre.
He was again in command of the Northern Department in 1781, with his headquarters at
Saratoga.
After the war he lived in retirement.
He was the last surviving general of the army, excepting
Sumter, who died in 1832.
He died in
Manchester, N. H., May 8, 1822.
