Lebbeus Dod
(1739 - 1816)

Lebbeus Dod was born Feb. 15, 1739 at Newark, N. J., and died Mar. 31, 1816, at Mendham, N. J.

He moved as a child with his father to Mend ham about 1745. He was a farmer, mathematical instrument maker, Revolutionary Soldier and also armorer for the Continental cause. Was Captain of Artillery (not listed in Stryker) at Con necticut Farms and Springfield, 1780. His musket armory was next to his house, still standing at Mendham. He hid from British soldiers at one time in the hay while his wife sang and knitted. After resuming his ordinary vocations, he said he had served in war when “a month’s pay would only buy him a pair of boots”.

He was assessor in 1804. In 1778 Lebbeus started with his brothers, Thad- deus and Daniel, for Redstone Country of Western Pennsylvania. Halted by Indian troubles, the emigrants remained about a year at Patterson’s Creek, Va., on the Cumberland Trail. Thaddeus went on alone, Daniel remained a year, but Lebbeus decided to return to Mendham and later did loyal work as a patriot. His brothers were pioneers in Western Pennsylvania. The old Mendham town books record Lebbeus as having collected for taking up “strays” in 1765,1767 and 1770. Lebbeus deposed, Dec. 20, 1784, as “Captain Lebbeus Dodd” that he had seen his sister, Deborah, married to William Minthorn, who lost his life at Yorktown, 1781. (N. J. Hist. Proceeding, Vol. 1, 1916, p. 156.) An extensive note, p. 144, Dodd Genealogies, 1864, may also be read.