Daniel Baird

---

Daniel Baird was born in Leicester, MA on November 13, 1742 to Thomas and Elizabeth (Walker) Baird. Baird also appears as "Beard", "Bard", and "Bierd" (spelling during the 18th century was very fluid). 

He married Jane Smith in 1768, and they had six children: Patty, Daniel, Thomas, Lewis, Betsey, and Polly. Their farm was in the southeast part of Worcester near what is now the Millbury line along the Grafton Road, and in addition to farming Daniel ran the Baird Tavern.

Daniel was very active in local political actions and discussions in the months preceding the American Revolution. In the town minutes for August 22, 1774:

"Voted that messrs Daniel Beard, Doct. John Green, John Smith, David Bigelow, & Samuel Millar be a Committee to take under their consideration the acts of the British Parliament Respecting America and Report to the Town of their doings thereon at the adjournment of this meeting."

Two weeks later the residents of Worcester County prevented the courts from opening, essentially ending the British Government from ruling over the county.

He served as a Sergeant in Captain Flagg’s Company when they marched on the Lexington Alarm from Worcester on April 19, 1775, the first battle of the American Revolution. Two weeks later he joined Captain Edward Craft’s Artillery Company as a Sergeant and was present at the Battle of Bunker Hill. In lieu of currency he was given a bounty coat. He ended his military service as a Private in Captain David Chadwick’s Company to respond to the Bennington Alarm in September 1777.

Daniel continued his civic service during the war through town committees and appointments, serving as a juror, fence viewer, highway surveyor, and collector of highway taxes. After the war he was one of two men chosen to be a delegate to the congress to create the Massachusetts State Constitution. Later he was elected as a town Selectman and Overseer of the Poor, Assessor, and school committee member.

During the 1780s during the search for a new town minister after the death of Rev. Thaddeus Maccarty Daniel was in the slight majority who chose not to ordain Aaron Bancroft. When a second parish was formed by those who wished to have Rev. Bancroft as their minister, Mr. Baird chose to stay with the first congregation at the Old South Church and serve as a tithingman.

Daniel's daughter Betsey married Rufus Wesson, the son of another Revolutionary War soldier.  Their son was Daniel Baird Wesson who designed firearms with his partner Horace Smith.  Smith & Wesson still manufactures firearms today. 

Mr. Baird died in Worcester on December 9, 1819 and was interred to the Mechanics Street Burial Ground. He and Betsey were moved to Rural Cemetery in the mid-1800s.