John Whitcomb, born in Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts, in
1720, served with distinction in the French and Indian War. On account
of his advanced age, he was not called into service at the beginning
of the Revolution; but his soldiers were so much attached to him
that they would serve under no other commander. His appeals to their
patriotism being unavailing to keep them in the army, he determined to
join the ranks as a volunteer; but Colonel Brewster, his successor,
learning his willingness to serve, relinquished the command of the
regiment, and Colonel Whitcomb continued with it until he was made a
brigadier-general, June 5, 1776, when he succeeded General Ward in
charge of the troops in Boston. On the 13th of the same month he was
made major-general. Soon after, he was permitted to resign; but he
lived to see our independence firmly established, and died in 1812.