Joseph Warren is known for his role in the early days of the rebellion and for his death at Bunker Hill. He also served as a key player in the Suffolk Resolves, Committee of Correspondence, and The Midnight Ride, in which he sent Paul Revere and William Dawes to warn John Hancock and Samuel Adams, and he led militia with William Heath in the Battles of Lexington and Concord.
Although most Americans do not know about them, the Suffolk Resolves were a precursor to the Declaration of Independence. They were drafted by Dr. Joseph Warren, who would die before Thomas Jefferson penned the Declaration.
Dr. Joseph Warren was a leading figure in the American Revolution. When British General Thomas Gage mobilized his troops for a secret mission, Dr. Warren was one of the first to learn of it.
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As stated previously, he sent Paul Revere and William Dawes to alarm the countryside and activate the militia. He also led men during the battle.
Dr. Joseph Warren was commissioned as a major general, but he chose to fight as a private in the Battle of Bunker Hill. During the battle, he bravely fought the British, but he was killed instantly by a British officer who recognized him.
The British buried his body in a shallow grave with another patriot. His death was mourned by his peers and celebrated by his enemies. Thomas Gage said that Warren's death was worth 500 soldiers.
After the British were forced to evacuate Boston, Paul Revere and some of Dr. Warren's family exhumed his body from the shallow grave and moved it to the Granary Burying Ground.
In 1855, his body was moved to Forest Hills Cemetery, where it rests today.
Family Overview
The Warren family came over with the Puritans in 1629/30 when they founded Massachusetts Bay Colony. The immigrant ancestor was John Warren.
They were a family of influencers within the colony. The Warren name had many descendants, including Mary Warren, who was an accuser during the Salem Witch Trials. I am unclear how she would have been related to Joseph Warren.
Joseph's father and mother had four children, with all of them living to adulthood.
He and his wife married and also had four children. Unfortunately, his two male children died young without any children.
At the time of Joseph's death, he was engaged to another lady. If he had lived longer, they may have had other children.
Only Joseph Warren's daughter Mary had a child that survived to adulthood. That child would be the only child to provide a direct link to Joseph.
Family Tree Chart
Parents:
Joseph Warren (1695 - 1755) - He was an early settler in Massachusetts Bay Colony. He and his wife had four children.
Mary Stevens (1713 - 1803) - She lived until she was 90 years of age and witnessed the French and Indian War as well as the death of her son in the Revolutionary War. She remarried but did not have any more children.
Spouse:
Elizabeth Hooten (1746 - 1773) - She was the wife of Joseph, and the two had four children before her death in 1773. I am unclear as to how she died. It could have been due to childbirth. However, various sicknesses plagued the 13 colonies during this time.
Children:
Elizabeth Warren (1765 - 1804) - She was the eldest child of Joseph and would marry but did not have any children.
Joseph Warren (1768 - 1790) - Due to his father's death, Samuel Adams motioned that he should be given free education. He graduated from Harvard but died young without being married.
Mary Warren (1770 - 1826) - She married twice. She lost all her children in her first marriage and then remarried after her husband's death. They had one child together.
Richard Warren (1772 - 1793) - The final child of Joseph Warren. He also died at a young age and never married.
Siblings:
Samuel Warren (1743 - 1805) - According to family lore, he kept the family Roxbury farm going along with his mother. During the time the Continental Army came through, most of their apple trees were cut down. He was a businessman and lawyer.
Ebenezer Warren (1748 - 1824) - During the Revolutionary War, Ebenezer served as a Private in the 7th Connecticut Regiment, enlisting in May 1778 into Captain John Yeats' Co. in the Regiment of Connecticut State Troops, commanded by Colonel Roger Enos. He served for three months until he was discharged on July 29, 1778. He married twice and had 10 children.
John Warren (1753 - 1815) - A Revolutionary War surgeon. He is remembered as a physician, anatomist, surgeon, and medical educator. He also served as the 7th president of the Massachusetts Medical Society from 1804-1815. He was a founder and president of the Massachusetts Humane Society, a founder of the Anthology Club, a trustee and manager of the Massachusetts Charitable Society, a trustee of the Massachusetts Agricultural Society; a member of the editorial board of Boston Magazine; and a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.