Jacob Bayley
General, Vermont Militia

Jacob Bayley was born on 19 July 1726 in West Newbury, MA.

He moved to Hampstead, NH, and was a Captain with the British in the French and Indian War, later receiving promotion to Colonel. He settled in Newbury, VT, in 1764 and was one of the founders of the town, serving as Judge of the Court of Common Pleas and Justice of the Peace.

In 1776 he was named to Vermont's Council of Safety and appointed Brigadier General of the Vermont Militia. That year he began work on the famed Bayley-Hazen Military Road to connect Newbury to St. Johns, Quebec. Later in 1776 Bayley was appointed Commissary General of the Continental Army's Northern Department.

He was friendly with the St. Francis Indians, who provided him important intelligence on Burgoyne's army during its invasion. This enabled Bayley to keep Generals Schuyler and Gates informed about the size and movement of Burgoyne's force, which played a key role in the Continental Army's victory at the Battle of Saratoga, where Bayley commanded a division.

During and after the Revolution, Bayley continued his involvement with Vermont's government, by serving as Newbury Selectman and Town Meeting Moderator, Orange County Probate Judge, Chief Judge of the County Court, and member of the Governor's Council.

He died in modest financial circumstances, never receiving compensation for the personal expenses he incurred in support of the Revolution.

Death and Burial

General Jacob Bayley died on 1 March 1815 in Newbury, VT. He is buried at Oxbow Cemetery in Newburg, VT.