Sgt. John Newton (1755–1780) was a soldier of the American Revolutionary War who was popularized by Parson Weems in his school books in the early 19th century. Newton served under Brigadier General Francis Marion , the famous "Swamp Fox". Today Newton appears to have been a very minor figure. However, place names across the United States demonstrate his former fame. He is considered one of the popular fictionalized heroic enlisted men of the American Revolution.
2-636: Newton County is the name of six counties in the United States. All except for Arkansas (and perhaps Mississippi) are named for Sgt. John Newton , a soldier of the American Revolutionary War who became a fictionalized hero. Many counties share a boundary with a Jasper County , named after Sgt. William Jasper , a similarly distinguished soldier. The following counties are called Newton County: John Newton (soldier) Parson Weems' story describes Sgt. Newton bravely saving
4-434: A group of American prisoners from execution by capturing their British guards at the 1779 Siege of Savannah . However, no contemporary account of this rescue exist, and the only source is the very unreliable Parson Weems. In fact, according to Lieutenant Colonel Peter Horry , who took part in the campaign, "Newton was a Thief & a Villain." Sgt. Newton's tale is similar to the true story of Sergeant William Jasper , who
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