 William Stacy ( February 15 , 1734 – August 1802 ) was an officer of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War , and a pioneer to the Ohio Country . Published histories describe Colonel William Stacy 's involvement in a variety of events during the war , such as rallying the militia on a village common in Massachusetts , participating in the Siege of Boston , being captured by Loyalists and American Indians at the Cherry Valley massacre , narrowly escaping a death by burning at the stake , General George Washington 's efforts to obtain Stacy 's release from captivity , and Washington 's gift of a gold snuff box to Stacy at the end of the war . 
