The following is from HENRY LEBBEUS OAK'S book:

"HLO:
27. John. Eexter,Me.; carpenter and farmer.  John Oaks served 5 years-four enlistments or more - in the Revolution, being much employed as a scout, taking part at Bennington and many other battles and once being sent by General Washington from Long Island to Quebec.  There are many dates and details - somewhat confused- in the Massachusetts Archives and his pension petitions.  He received a pension from the U.S., and a land grant of 200 acres from the state of Maine.  After the war he returned to Canaan, Me., where in 1793 he sold his half interest in a saw-mill; was of Lisbon, 1803; lived for some years in Palmyra; and about 1812 went to Bangor, where he built some of the old structures, and with his son John was "a prisoner of war" in 1814 (War of 1812).  In 1819 he settled on a farm at South Exeter, still known as Oak's Hill, where he died at the age of 85 [1842].  Though somewhat fond of his grog, as was proper for an old soldier, he was a zealous Baptist, and meetings were often held in his barn.  He was noted for his fund of Revolutionary anecdotes, with which he enlivened even his religious exhortations.  The old veteran was widely known and well liked; obituaries were published in the Bangor papers; and Lines on the Death of John Oaks are found in the works of the Maine poet, David Baraker.  His descendants number over 1050 and are numerous in eastern and northern Maine.  Name "Oaks" and "Oakes"

Submitted by Paul Nichols whose 4 ggrandfather was John Oaks.

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