Savage, John, 1740-1826

John Savage was born in Ireland in 1740 and immigrated to the United States as a young man. He married Ann Pratt, probably in Spencertown, NY, and together had seven children, all born in New York state. In 1775, having refused to command a local company of the Continental Army, he was regarded as an enemy and imprisoned. He escaped and joined the British Army. When hostilities ended in 1783, he and his family took refuge in the province of Quebec. In July 1792, he petitioned to obtain the Township of Shefford, but did not receive the letters patent until 1801. He was named Captain of the 2nd Battalion of the Eastern Townships Militia in 1805 and Justice of the Peace for the District of Montreal in 1806. Savage contributed to the surveying of the Township of Shefford, the opening of roads, and the organization of religious services in Shefford County. He continued to play a major role in the life of the community of the Township of Shefford until his death in West Shefford on 27 September 1826.