American Revolutionary War General. In 1745 he joined British colonial forces for the French and Indian War, taking part in the Siege of Louisburg. Nixon served as a company commander during expeditions against the French in upstate New York, including Ticonderoga and Crown Point (1755 to 1756), Fort William Henry (1756 to 1757) and Fort Half Moon (1758). When the Revolution started in 1775 he commanded a company at the Battle of Lexington, and he was a Colonel in charge of a regiment at the Battle of Bunker Hill, during which he was wounded. In 1776 Nixon was promoted to Brigadier General as commander of the Continental Army's 1st Massachusetts Brigade. He took part in action around New York City, including the Battle of Harlem, and served as commander of the Governor's Island garrison. His brigade was to take part in the crossing of the Delaware and Battle of Trenton on December 25, 1776, but were not able to cross the river in time. Nixon also fought in the 1777 campaign that ended with the Battle of Saratoga, and during the Battle of Bemis Heights a cannonball passed so close to Nixon's head that his eyesight and hearing were permanently impaired. He resigned his commission in 1780 and retired to a farm in Sudbury, Massachusetts. In the early 1800s he moved to Weybridge, Vermont, where he farmed until his death, which occurred while he was visiting his son. The General John Nixon Elementary School in Sudbury is named for him. General Nixon's great-great grandson was General Leonard Wood.
American Revolutionary War General. In 1745 he joined British colonial forces for the French and Indian War, taking part in the Siege of Louisburg. Nixon served as a company commander during expeditions against the French in upstate New York, including Ticonderoga and Crown Point (1755 to 1756), Fort William Henry (1756 to 1757) and Fort Half Moon (1758). When the Revolution started in 1775 he commanded a company at the Battle of Lexington, and he was a Colonel in charge of a regiment at the Battle of Bunker Hill, during which he was wounded. In 1776 Nixon was promoted to Brigadier General as commander of the Continental Army's 1st Massachusetts Brigade. He took part in action around New York City, including the Battle of Harlem, and served as commander of the Governor's Island garrison. His brigade was to take part in the crossing of the Delaware and Battle of Trenton on December 25, 1776, but were not able to cross the river in time. Nixon also fought in the 1777 campaign that ended with the Battle of Saratoga, and during the Battle of Bemis Heights a cannonball passed so close to Nixon's head that his eyesight and hearing were permanently impaired. He resigned his commission in 1780 and retired to a farm in Sudbury, Massachusetts. In the early 1800s he moved to Weybridge, Vermont, where he farmed until his death, which occurred while he was visiting his son. The General John Nixon Elementary School in Sudbury is named for him. General Nixon's great-great grandson was General Leonard Wood.
Bio by: Bill McKern
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