Excerpted from A History and Genealogy of the Montague Family in America, published 1886.

When the news of Concord and Lexington reached him, he renounced all allegiance to the Crown of Great Britain, and became a zealous patriot for the independence of his country. Marching at the head of a company which he had raised chiefly from his own spiritual flock and friends, and saying to his wife, that "if the Lord would forgive him for fighting seven years for the King, he would light against him for the rest of his life," he joined the patriot army near Boston, and fought at the head of his men in the battle of Bunker Hill. 

He was with the army at Cambridge when Washington took command. General Washington soon discovered in him traits of character that made him desire to have him near his person: and so added more men to his command, raised him to the rank of major (he received his commission as major from Gen. Washington), and attached him, it is said, to his staff. A diary from Aug, 1 to Dec. 1, 1775, was kept by the major while at Cambridge, and is filled with interesting military details. Major Montague was often sent to Western Massachusetts as a recruiting officer; and the people were wont to mark his fine martial bearing, "How well he managed his men, and how elegantly he rode his horse."

Major Richard Montague was one of the principal founders of the town of Leverett [Massachusetts], and was prominent as a good and useful man. His natural talents were superior, and in his life he exhibited many of the elements of true greatness. He was a kind husband and father, a reliable friend, a brave soldier in both Indian and Revolutionary wars. He was also a member of the Massachusetts Provincial Congress during the Revolution. He died Feb. 21, 1794 and was buried in the small burial ground near and joining his farm in North Leverett.