Thomas Akeley (Revolutionary War)
Akley (Akeley) is a name that has been part of Brattleboro and Guilford since before the Revolutionary War. According to historical records, Francis Akeley Jr. moved to Guilford from the Boston area before the war began. He had been an indentured servant to the Houghton family. The Houghton family moved to Guilford in 1773. Francis was twenty two years old when the Houghton’s moved to Vermont. It is unclear whether he was still working for the Houghton’s or if he followed them to Guilford to start a life of his own. This story will focus on Francis’ younger brother, Thomas. A few months ago we came upon Thomas’ grave in West Brattleboro’s Mather Road Cemetery. The stone is faded and hard to read but the gravesite has a Revolutionary War marker beside it. The plaque that has fallen from the stone says, “Thomas Akeley…A Soldier of the Revolutionary War…served 5 months 9 days 1775”. This […]