Individual Details

"Sprague Families in America", by Dr. Warren Vincent Sprague, page 163.

Major Joshua Sprague was a native of Smithfield, RI. Little is known of his early life. It is quite probable that his military training was acquired in the local military organizations common in those days. Soon after his first marriage his father William deeded him "300 acres of land in Smithfield and Cumberland, and dwelling house on the easterly part of the homestead on the intervale on the west side of the Pawtucket River, also half the barn".

In June, 1762, after having disposed of his farm, he with his family followed the tide of emigration into Canada for the purpose of occupying land left by the luckless Arcadians who had been carried away by order of Gov. Lawrence, in 1755. The Sprague family took up a homestead of several hundred acres at the town of Sackville, which is located on the famous Tantamar marshes, "the granery of Nova Scotia". They resided here about fourteen years. At the opening of the revolutionary War there was so much feeling against the new settlers on account of their sympathy for their brethren in revolt that they were forced to leave, losing all their possessions. Among these were the Spragues, who went first to the old home in Smithfield and later, about 1777, to East Hoosac (now Adams) Berkshire Co., MA.

For the losses sustained by these refuggees from Canada and Nova Scotia, and for the services some of them rendered the United Colonies or States in the Revolutionary War against Great Britain, Congress passed a resolution, April 23, 1783, that "whensoever Congress can consistently reward them by grants of land they will do so". An act was approved by Congress, April 7, 1798, directing "all persons having claims under the said resolution" to transmit to the War Office within two years after the passing of this act, a just and true account of their claims to the bounty of Congress. Many were slow in presenting their claims so Congress from time to time extended the time in which the claims could be made. Joshua Sprague and James Sprague, his son, and the heirs of Gilbert Seamans are mentioned as entitled to land under an act passed April 23, 1812 and that Joshua Sprague should be entitled to 960 acres; James Sprague 320 acres; and the heirs of Gilbert Seamans 320 acres of land in Ohio in what is known as the Refugee tract, which was four and one half miles wide and extended from the Scioto river in Franklin Co., east to a place in Muskingum Co. The district was set apart by act of Congress of Feb. 18, 1801. A patent was granted to Joshua Sprague, July 12, 1812, for W. 1/2 fo section 24, Twp. 12, Range 21, containing 323.96 acres and another the same day for E. 1/2 of Sec. 23, T/12, R/21, containing 327 acres, 88 perches. It appears from the records that 178 patents were issued to various refugees, the first being issued Feb. 13, 1802, and the last, March 30, 1820. But few if any locations were made in the eastern part of the strip, it being in excess of the demands of the claimants. All that part not located upon was made a part of the Chillicothe Land District, April 29, 1816.

Mr. Sprague was enthusiastic in the cause of freedom, as also were his sons. He enlisted as private in Col. Archibald Crary's Regt. in 1776; had due him 20 pounds, 12 shilling, 10 pence. In Massachusetts, he served as Major in Col. Joab Stafford's (Independent) Co. of volunteers and fought in the battle of Bennington, August 16, 1777. He marched to Fish Kill, June 6, 1778, to serve nine months in Col. Diamond's Regt., but was rejected as unfit for service. However, on October 17, 1779, he enlisted as private in Capt. Asa Barnes's (1st) Co., Col. Israel Chapens' 3d Regt., and was discharged November 21, 1779, serving one month and nine days.

After the war Joshua and his sons, William and Jonathan, worked at the carpenter trade, building boats. In 1788 they left Massachusetts, going to Simrell's Ferry, on the Monongahela river. They brought their tool chest on a two-wheeled cart drawn by one horse. Here they expected to remain and build boats, but after building several they were persuaded to come with the company that arrived at Marietta, June 22, 1788. Mr. Sprague and his two sons took a contract of building one of the block-houses and stockade called Fort Frye. Early in the spring, William and Jonathan had gone up to Waterford and cleared five acres of ground and planted corn, which produced a good crop. They lived in the stockade seven years, or until the Indian troubles were over. Joshua came into possession of a farm in Waterford Twp., on which he lived until 1812, when the infirmities of his years caused him with his wife to seek a home with their son Jonathan in Adams Twp., where their remaining years were spent. He always regretted that he went from Rhode Island to Canada. He said that he had a peck of silver dollars when he moved to Nova Scotia.

Mr. Sprague was of the hardy pioneer stock; in the military records his height is given as six feet and complexion light. He was a man of more than ordinary strength and energy, which enabled him to withstand the hardships and privations attending the settling of a new country. His descendants at the time of his death numbered one hundred and sixty-three.

Joshua first married Amy Darling, 2 Jan 1748, Cumberland, Providence Co. They had a daughter Amy who died as an infant. He married second to Abigail Wilbur, 22 Apr 1750 - they had 14 children.

Buried Sprague Cemetery, Coal Run, Washington Co, Ohio, as is Abigail.

Birth	3 Jul 1729	Smithfield, Providence County, Rhode Island
Marriage	22 Apr 1750	Cumberland, Providence County, Rhode Island - Abigail Wilbur
Death	1 Oct 1816	Washington County, Ohio

Spouse	Abigail Wilbur (1731 - 1825)
Child	James Sprague (1761 - 1845)
Child	Samuel Sprague (1762 - 1853)
Child	Jonathan Sprague (1767 - 1840)
Child	William Sprague (1756 - 1826)

Father	Capt. William Sprague (1691 - 1778)
Mother	Alice Brown (1691 - )
Sibling	Nehemiah Sprague (1717 - 1807)
Sibling	Alice Sprague (1720 - 1766)
Sibling	Sarah Sprague (1722 - )
Sibling	Samuel Sprague (1724 - )
Sibling	Peter Sprague (1726 - )