Captain Richard Beers, or Beeres, was the son of John Bere and Mary Selby and the husband of Elizabeth _____. He emigrated on the 'William and John' to America in 1635, and became a freeman on 16 Mar 1637 in Watertown, Middlesex, MA. He was an important man in Watertown, serving as selectman nearly every year from 1644 to 1675, and as representative for thirteen years. He served in the Pequot War. He was also an innkeeper. He was a captain in King Philip's War. On Sept. 4, 1675, he was leading 36 mounted soldiers near Northfield when he was ambushed by 150 Indians, led by Nashaway sachem, Monoco. In the fight Capt Beers and nineteen of his soldiers were killed. Sixteen soldiers managed to escape and return to Hadley. Also killed in the ambush were: John Genery, Ephraim Child, Benjamin Crackbone, Joseph Dickinson, William Markham, George Lycuss, John Gatchell, James Miller, John Wilson, Thomas Cornish, Jeremiah Morrell, Elisha Woodward, and James Mullard. The names of the other dead are not known.
Captain Richard Beers, or Beeres, was the son of John Bere and Mary Selby and the husband of Elizabeth _____. He emigrated on the 'William and John' to America in 1635, and became a freeman on 16 Mar 1637 in Watertown, Middlesex, MA. He was an important man in Watertown, serving as selectman nearly every year from 1644 to 1675, and as representative for thirteen years. He served in the Pequot War. He was also an innkeeper. He was a captain in King Philip's War. On Sept. 4, 1675, he was leading 36 mounted soldiers near Northfield when he was ambushed by 150 Indians, led by Nashaway sachem, Monoco. In the fight Capt Beers and nineteen of his soldiers were killed. Sixteen soldiers managed to escape and return to Hadley. Also killed in the ambush were: John Genery, Ephraim Child, Benjamin Crackbone, Joseph Dickinson, William Markham, George Lycuss, John Gatchell, James Miller, John Wilson, Thomas Cornish, Jeremiah Morrell, Elisha Woodward, and James Mullard. The names of the other dead are not known.
Inscription
The Grave of Capt. Richard Beers killed near this spot by Indians Sept. 4, 1675.
