Major Watson's American Revolution Service

This man was a veteran of both the American Revolution and the War of 1812 and was captured in both wars.  he is buried in the Hebron-Linn Cemetery in Hebron, Illinois, the only known American Revolution veteran buried in McHenry County, Illinois.

Despite his first name, major, he is listed as a private.  (Too bad he wasn't a major then he would have been Major Major Watson.)

He is listed as enlisting on March 11, 1777, and deserted September 7, 1777.  He joined again in March 5, 1778 and was taken prisoner at Fort Stanwix in July 1779 and never exchanged until the end of the war.

I doubt that his desertion is of the type we usually consider desertion.

--Cooter