Capt. Omstead And The French-Indian War

French-Indian War Reenactors

From the "History of Ware, Massachusetts (also here)":

"The fourth and last of these struggles 1754-63 was by far the greatest, and from its importance is often known as "The French and Indian War." It was to decide a question of supreme importance, namely, whether the English or the French should control the American Continent. The fighting line extended from the mouth of the St. Lawrence to the Mississippi River, through the great valleys of the Mississippi, the Ohio and the Hudson, along the shores of Lake Champlain, and even down the Connecticut Valley as far as Greenfield. This war involved the whole of the American Colonies, and in it George Washington won his spurs."

"In 1736...we find a petition of Jabez Omstead of Ware River praying for a grant of province land 'in consideration for his good services in the late Wars against the French and Indians, and the Wounds he has received with the expense he has been at for the cure of them."' ...Capt. Omstead was active, taking part in the expedition against Louisburg in 1745. He commanded the 10th Co. in Col. Samuel Willard's 4th Mass. Regiment." 

The following anecdote is preserved by Mr. Hyde—" On the return of the army to Boston from Louisburg, he was invited with the officers to dine with Governor Shirley. The pudding he found to be too hot; and taking it from his mouth, and laying it upon the side of his plate, he said he would keep it to light his pipe with."