Private Samuel Paugenit*

On December 9, 1754, Samuel Pocknett/Paugenit married Elizabeth Speen, daughter of Benjamin Speen and Rachel Thomas in Natick. Benjamin was the son of Natick proprietor, James Speen. James Speen’s granddaughter Elizabeth was one of eight heirs when James Speen’s estate was administered in 1742.

Although Samuel did not come from a Natick proprietary family like his wife Elizabeth, he came from a Native family that had acquired lands during their time in the town. His father, Eleazer Kenepaukenit managed to acquire lands much of it purchased from Natick proprietors. Eleazer Kenepaukenit left Samuel Kenepaukenit three and one quarter acres when he died in 1741.

Samuel served in Capt. Bailey’s company of the 2d Massachusetts Regiment, Col. John Bailey. He was reported deceased Sept. 29, 1777.

Note: More often than not, service, vital, and/or other historical records were created and kept by men of English and European backgrounds. They employed a wide range of descriptive terms, such as "mulatto," negro," and "dark complexion." These terms cannot fully capture any soldier's identity, but they do offer clues. In some cases, the surname of a soldier of color connects him to a Natick family that is well documented. Often, these soldiers are Indigenous men. The biographies in this project make it possible to say more not only about a soldier's identity or background, but also about the life he led in Natick and beyond.