The Farley Family of Hollis – Pioneers and Military Men

The Farley family has a prominent place in the history of Hollis, NH. But the name, and the line started in Shawshin, also known as Shawshin Plantation in Massachusetts. Today, this area is known as Billerica, MA.

The exact date of the settling of Billerica is questionable, but the town was officially founded on May 29, 1655. A man named Henry Jefts was in this area possibly as early as 1652. But an unoccupied house already sat on the property, its builder and origin unknown. Jefts’ infant daughter died in May 1653 at Billerica and is noted in an early history written of the settlement.

It is unknown when George Farley (1615-1693), the progenitor of the Farley clan, arrived in Billerica. But in March 1654, his son, Samuel, was the first baby born there. George was one of the major landowners with at least 20 acres to his name.

Hazen’s history of Billerica, published in 1883, lists the following Farley family members either living there or related to Billerica history: George, James, Joseph, Samuel, Timothy, Caleb, and Ebenezer. Caleb and Timothy are listed as being “Soldiers in the Public Service 1745-1762.” This would appear to be a local militia group. Timothy Farley was killed in a skirmish with Indians, making him possibly the first Farley to be killed in a military action, although the book is not clear on the date or exact location of his demise.

Also, another source notes that Benjamin Farley Sr. was born in Billerica (1685-1717) and later removed to Hollis, NH. His son, known as Lt Benjamin Farley, was also born in Billerica (1708-1787) and also removed to Hollis, NH.

(Author’s Note: Not only was the Farley family quite large and spread out across Massachusetts and New Hampshire, but multiple generations used the same name. Today, they would be noted as Benjamin Srt, Benjamin Jr, Benjamin the third, etc. But 100 to 300 years ago they weren’t that particular. Moreover, chroniclers of the time were not necessarily clear about to whom they were referring. It’s almost as if they were writing for an audience that just naturally knew who was who, not thinking about any future generations that would read their words. Subsequently, I tried to be as clear as I could relative to the subject of my text.)

It should also be noted that a “Joseph Farley of Billerica” was one of the first land owners in Hollis, a deed to property being executed sometime between 1731 and the spring of 1741. The exact date is not given.

In November 1740, taxes were assessed for the first time on Hollis’s residents. Twenty-nine names were listed as inhabitants, among them were Samuel Farley and Benjamin Farley. It is assumed this was Lt Benjamin Farley.

On December 28, 1741, Benjamin Farley, Samuel Farley and Joseph Farley voted during a town hall meeting to elect a new minister for the town. In a later text, it was noted that Joseph Farley was “killed by the fall of a tree, November 34. 1762, age 49.”

In 1741, Samuel Farley was elected to be the Deer Reeve for the town of Hollis. This was an early version of today’s NH Game Warden. It was Samuel’s job to ensure that no deer were shot or otherwise taken out of season. It was a crime to kill deer between the last day of December and the first day of August. It carried a fine of 10 pounds, or to “work 40 days for the Government.”

On January 1, 1775, the Hollis tax list was made public for those paying their tax for 1774. This would be the last tax collected in Hollis in the name of the King of England. Among the names were Christopher Farley, paying 4 shillings and 8 pence, Lt Samuel Farley, paying 10 shillings and 9 pence, Caleb Farley, paying 7 shillings and 6 pence, and Ebenezer Farley, paying 2 shillings and 6 pence.

Before getting into the military lives of the Farley’s, it should be noted that many of the Farley family engaged in the civil and ecclesiastical operation of the Town of Hollis, including but not limited to:

• Deacon
• Parish Officer
• Town Meeting Moderator
• Town Clerk
• Town Treasurer
• Selectman
• Representatives to the General Court
• Justice of the Peace
• School Committee

Among other vocations, the Farleys also produced several prominent attorneys who practiced in Hollis and other places.

The Farleys in the Revolutionary War

In 1775, three military companies were assembled for the town of Hollis. The first list, dated January 26, 1775, was titled, “A List of the Company of Militia in Hollis Under the Command of Capt. Joshua Wright.” This was the primary list of able-bodied town men capable of fighting and contained no Farley family members. The second list, also created on January 26, 1775, was titled “Alarm List.” The list includes the names of all such able-bodied men of the town “as by the province law were exempt from military duty, either on account of age or other cause specified by law.” For example, the list contains the names of two millers, Thomas Jaquith and Enoch Noyes, who were then being excused from doing military duty. It also contained the names of twenty-seven persons who were designated with the title senior, indicating that each of the twenty-seven had a son of the same name. Among the 100 names on this list were Lt Benjamin Farley and Lt Samuel Farley. By this time, Lt Benjamin was too old to serve at 67 years old, as was Samuel at 57 years of age.

April 18, 1775 – Late at night on the 18th of April, a detachment of British troops under the command of Lt. Col. Smith crossed over from Boston Common to East Cambridge on their march to Lexington and Concord. The alarm of this expedition was at once spread through the country by mounted express. According to a well-established tradition, the news of it was brought to Hollis, NH, about noon of the 19th, by Deacon John Boynton. Being alerted, men immediately dropped what they were doing and headed for the Hollis Common. On the evening of the 19th or possibly early morning of the 20th, the Hollis minutemen headed for Cambridge, a distance of about 42 miles. Among the 92 men assembled were Pvts Benjamin and Ebenezer Farley.

After an absence of five to twelve days, 39 of the privates of the company returned to Hollis. The remaining fifty-three, with “but few if any exceptions”, stayed at Cambridge and volunteered in other companies to serve for eight months. It would appear that the two Farleys returned because an account was given, by name, of who went to serve with what company. The Farley name was not among this list.

It would appear that another call to arms was made in December 1775. General Washington himself requested 31 companies of men from NH. (It seems that a request to Connecticut for men was either turned down or greatly delayed.) Answering the call were Benjamin, Joseph and Stephan Farley as evidenced by their names being on a payroll list upon their return to Hollis. Privates of the Revolutionary War period made 24 cents per day and a penny per mile for travel.

Early in August of 1776, a small regiment of seven companies was organized by order of the New Hampshire Committee of Safety, afterwards commanded by Col. Pierce Long, and stationed at Newcastle, near Portsmouth. About the last of November, 1776, this regiment was ordered to the State of New York for the defiance of Ticonderoga. Among those bound for Fort Ticonderoga were Caleb and Christopher Farley.

In December 1776, another New Hampshire regiment was enlisted to reinforce the army in New York, commanded by Col. David Oilman. In the second company of this regiment, of which William Walker, of Dunstable (now Nashua) was Captain, there were thirteen Hollis soldiers. Among them was Ebenezer Farley.

On May 15, 1777, a proclamation is made in the Town of Hollis to ensure the defense of the colonies: “Whereas it appears that the enemies of the United States of America are laying every Plan in their power to ruin. and destroy us — and it being hourly expected that a Fleet and Army will arrive on some part of our coast to prosecute their wicked purpose— we apprehend it to be the Duty of all the Inhabitants of these States to be in the greatest Readiness and Preparation to exert themselves in defense of their country in this hour of danger.”

“Wherefore we whose names are hereunto subscribed do promise and engage to equip ourselves immediately, with Arms, Ammunition, etc. and to be ready at a minute’s warning by night or by day, to go and assist our Brethren wherever they may be attacked — that upon an alarm we will immediately appear upon the Parade at the Meeting House in Holies, (Hollis) and be under the command of such officer and officers as we shall choose ourselves or the major part of us, and that each of us will be provided with a good Horse so that we the sooner may get to the place attacked.” This proclamation was signed by 48 Hollis residents, including Benjamin, Christopher, Ebenezer, and Stephen Farley.

About the 20th of June, 1777, General Burgoyne of the British army with his fleet and army advanced up Lake Champlain, towards the important fortress at Ticonderoga, and soon after arrived with his forces at Crown Point, within a few miles of it, where he halted for a short time. Upon the news of this advance, known as the ” Ticonderoga Alarm,” a company was at once enlisted and organized at Hollis to aid in the defense of Ticonderoga. This company consisted of fifty-eight men, inclusive of officers, fifty of whom were from Hollis. Among these men was Joseph Farley.

About the 6th of August, 1778, a company of volunteers to aid in the defense of Rhode Island was raised in Hollis. The company, including its officers, consisted of forty-three men. It was commanded by Capt. Daniel Emerson was the 1st company of a regiment commanded by Col. Moses Nichols of Amherst. The men were in the service from the 6th to the 28th of August, and were then discharged, “in consequence of the misfortune to the French fleet.” A French fleet was to assist in the defense of Rhode Island. However, the fleet was scattered and partially destroyed due to a storm, and the military action was cancelled. Among those who served during that ill-fated encounter was Lt. Caleb Farley.

Farley Family Military Profiles
Captain Caleb Farley, known colloquially as Captain Caleb Farley, was born in Billerica, MA., on October 19, 1730, and married Elizabeth Farley on October 11, 1754. He was the son of Joseph Farley and grandson of the original George Farley. He was a soldier from Billerica in the French War of 1755, and came to Hollis in November 1765, and was a Hollis Selectman in 1767. He enlisted in 1776 in the regiment of Col. Pierce Long for New York and Canada, and in 1778, he was a Lieutenant in Capt. Emerson’s mounted company. He enlisted in the Hollis militia for the defense of Rhode Island. Captain Farley died in Hollis, April 5, 1833, at 102 years, 5 months.

Joseph Farley, born in 1757, was the son of Caleb and Elizabeth Farley (seen above). He married Bridget Powers in 1777 in Hollis, NH. Note: There is another Joseph Farley, born in 1758, the son of Ebenezer Farley (the elder) and Hepzibah Wyman. There is an indication that Joseph Farley served in the military for a very short time, and as such, there is no evidence of his being an officer.

Lieutenant Samuel Farley came from Bedford, Mass., was in West Dunstable in 1739, and was a petitioner for the charter. He married Hannah Brown on October 7, 1744. His son Benjamin was a soldier in the Revolution. Died November 23, 1797, age 79. The following was also found in connection with his name. Lieutenant Samuel Farley is listed in Worcester’s History of Hollis in the following manner: In addition to the military officers already mentioned, we find on the Hollis tax lists and other public documents before 1775, many names of Hollis men with military titles, most if not all of whom may be presumed to have held the commissions indicated by their several titles in the militia company of Hollis. Several names are mentioned, including Lt Samuel Farley.

Lt. Benjamin Farley was a central figure in Hollis during the Revolutionary period. He is often referred to as “Lieutenant Benjamin” to distinguish him from his son and father. He was born Aug 28, 1708, in Billerica, and died in Hollis on November 33, 1797, in his 80th year. (Author’s Note: Other accounts state that he died in 1787 or 1788.)

• Civil Role: Lt Benjamin was one of the first selectmen of Hollis elected in the first town meeting for the purpose of electing town officials on April 28, 1746. The first town meetings were held at his home/Inn on Depot Road on January 22, 1739. At another town meeting on May 20, 1746, Benjamin Farley was one of three men assigned to a committee to ensure that a new and larger meeting house was built.
• Military: Lt Benjamin was Commissioned as a Lieutenant in the Colonial Militia. During the American Revolution, he was listed as “exempt because of age” but performed patriotic service by supporting the local effort. In Worcester’s History of Hollis, the following account is found concerning the commission of Lt. Benjamin Farley: In May 1744, the General Court passed an Act organizing the 6th Regiment of New Hampshire militia. This regiment, of which Joseph Blanchard of Dunstable was Colonel, embraced the militia companies of a large part of the territory acquired by the settlement of the new Province line in 1741, being the towns and districts then known as Dunstable, the West Parish of Dunstable. Rumford (now Concord), Nottingham (now Hudson), Souhegan East (now Bedford), Souhegan West (now Amherst), and some others, making in’ all nine companies, of which that in West Dunstable was the ninth. Of this last company, Peter Powers was appointed Captain by the Governor and Council. As we find in the Hollis records, shortly after the appointment of Captain Powers, the title of Lieutenant was prefixed to the name of Benjamin Farley,
• Family: Married Joanna Page (a noted midwife) in 1732. They had 12 children, among them three sons, Ebenezer, Christopher, and Stephen, who were Revolutionary soldiers.

Benjamin Farley (Multiple Generations)
There are three primary Benjamins often cited in Billerica and Hollis records:

• Benjamin Sr. (1685–1717): Father of Lt. Benjamin; lived in Billerica.
• Benjamin Jr. (1737–?): Son of Lt. Benjamin; born June 21, 1737.
• Benjamin (1756–1829): Son of Samuel Farley. He was a Revolutionary soldier who married Lucy Fletcher.

Ebenezer Farley was the son of Lt. Benjamin and Joanna Page. He was born in 1747 and died in 1827. He married Betty Wheeler in 1766. He was a Private in Capt. Reuben Dow’s company and later served in New York (1776) under Capt. William Walker. His one claim to fame is that his name is inscribed on the Nevins Stone, now on display on the Hollis Common, as one of the 92 Minutemen who marched from Hollis to Lexington on April 19, 1775, in response to the British incursion of that city.

Stephen Farley, son of Lt Benjamin Farley, was born in 1754 and died in Hollis in 1837. He married Mary Shattuck in 1779 and fought for three months during the Revolutionary War.

Christopher Farley, son of Lt. Banjamin Farley, was born April 1, 1751, and died in 1788. He married Ruth Jewett in 1773. He served in the military during the Revolution for 12 months. There is no indication that he was anything other than a Private.

Revolutionary War Summary

Worcester’s History of Hollis, published in 1879, gives a summarized account of the roughly 350 Hollis residents who served in the Revolutionary War, where they served, and the amount of time spent serving.

• Farley, Lt. Caleb, 1776, Portsmouth and New York, 12 months – 1778 Rhode Island, 22 days
• Farley, Christopher, 1776, Portsmouth and New York, 12 months
• Farley, Ebenezer, 1775, Lexington – 1776, New York, 2 months.
• Farley, Joseph, 1775, Cambridge, 3 months
• Farley, Stephen, 1775, Cambridge, 3 months
• Farley, Benjamin, 1775, Lexington, – 1775, Cambridge, 3 months
• Farley, Benjamin, Jun., 1776, Ticonderoga, 6 months

The Farleys in the Civil War

The Seventh NH Regiment was formed in Manchester, NH, and mustered into the United States Service on December 14, 1861, under Col. Haldimand S. Putnam. Soldiers signed on for a three-year enlistment. The regiment left Manchester for Florida, by the way of New York, January 14, 1862, and was in the service in Florida and South Carolina until April 1864, when it was ordered to Virginia.

While in the two former States, among other battles in which this regiment was engaged, it was present and lost heavily in the assault on Fort Wagner, July 18, 1863, and also at the bloody and disastrous battle at Olustee, FL., February 20, 1864. After coming north, it was present and engaged in many of the battles near Richmond, Va., and also in the capture of Fort Fisher, NC. In company H of this regiment were forty-one Hollis soldiers, mustered in for three years, the survivors of which were not discharged or re-enlisted were mustered out at the expiration of their term, at Manchester, December 22, 1864. Among those listed are the following from the Farley family:

• Farley, Benjamin L. – Discharged for disability at Fort Jefferson, FL., June 26, 1863.
• Farley, Charles H. – Promoted to First Sergeant, December 14, 1861. Second Lieutenant June 30, 1862. First Lieutenant August 6, 1863. Wounded, mortally, at Olustee, FL., February 20, 1864.

Civil War Soldier Lieutenant Charles H. Farley was born in Hollis, NH, July 31, 1835, to Leonard W. and Clarissa (Butterfield) Farley and died at Lake City, Florida, February 24, 1864, at 28 years and six months of age. He was among the first of the young men of Hollis to enlist in the service of his country when the Civil War broke out. Early in the fall of 1861, he volunteered as a private soldier in the 7th New Hampshire Regiment, and on the organization of Company H, he was appointed Orderly Sergeant. On June 30, 1862, he was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant, and to 1st Lieutenant on August 6, 1863. He faithfully served with his regiment in Florida and South Carolina through the years 1862 and 1863, and until mortally wounded at the battle of Olustee, Florida, February 20, 1864.

He bravely fought at Fort Wagner on Morris Island in Charleston Harbor, in South Carolina, where twice he was hit with musket balls. One went harmlessly through his clothing, the other was deflected when it struck a small bible in Farley’s shirt pocket.

The Battle of Olustee in Florida commenced on the afternoon of February 20, 1864, and Lieutenant Farley was mortally wounded in the first part of it. The Union troops were soon driven from the part of the field where he fell, and he was taken prisoner and carried by the enemy to Lake City, about twenty miles away. He was found the next day in a Confederate hospital by two ladies formerly from New Hampshire, taken to their own home and kindly cared for by them, and also by the rebel surgeon. But all efforts to save his life were unsuccessful, and he expired four days after the battle. His funeral was attended by the Mayor of Lake City, his remains were kindly interred in the public burial ground, and afterwards removed for burial at Hollis in the family burial lot.

US Service Personnel Profiles
By Gary Ledoux March 4, 2026

• Source: The History of Billerica, Massachusetts by Rev. Henry Hazen, published 1883
• Source: The History of the Town of Hollis, NH by Samuel Worcester, published 1879
• Thanks also to the Hollis Historical Society for their help with this profile.