from Chronicles of Danvers: Old Salem Village by Harriet Sylvester Tapley (A copy of this book is available through the Cullen Library.  Refer to the book to compile a citation.)

Gen. Gideon Foster, p. 79 -

This worthy Revolutionary hero was born in that part of the old town of Danvers, now Peabody, on Feb. 24, 1749.  In his early years he improved the limited opportunities for an education, so that he became an excellent draughtsman, a fine penman and a skillful surveyor.  He had considerable mechanical genius, having planned and constructed all the machinery used in his mills.

Gideon Foster organized a company of "Minute Men," when the colonies were threatened by English oppression, who were at the North Bridge encounter at Salem, and later at the Battle of Lexington. After this engagement he was stationed at Brighton, and was at the scene of the Battle of Bunker HIll, although he did not participate in it.  Being ordered to escort a load of ammunition to Charlestown, he met the Americans on the retreat after the fight.  Their ammunition was gone and Captain Foster and his men, with their hands and dippers, filled the troops' horns, pockets and hats, and whatever else they had that would hold powder.  At the same time the enemy's shot were constantly whistling by, but they worked on, wholly unmindful of the danger.

In the State militia, during times of peace, he rendered good service, advancing step by step, until, in 1861, he was elected Major General by the Legislature.  "He was chosen commander of a company of 'exempts' during the War of 1812, and he never lost his military ardor, but to the last the sound of the drum was music to his ear.  He was nurtured in that school of patriotism which taught that opposition to tyrants is obedience to God.  Liberty and love of country were his early and abiding passions."  General Foster was honored by his fellow citizens with many town offices, and he also served in the State Legslatue.  He lived to be ninety-six years of age, the last commissioned officer of the Revolution.  He died Nov. 1, 1845 and was given a military funeral.