He, with his borther James, were privates in Capt. Johnson’s company, later Capt. John Jacob’s in the King Philip’s War.1713

At a Meeting of the Selectmen the 6th day of September 1680 "Whereas there is information given against John Reed, John Vinson, & James Reed, for Cutting timber upon the Towns Commons contrary to the Towns order the Selectmen on the hearing of the Case & the evidence produced do order that the said John Reed John Vinson, & James Reed do forthwith pay each of them twenty Shillings the one half to the informer & the other half to Joseph Dyer Constable for the use of the town, and in case of refusall to be, levied by a Warrant from the Selectmen to the Constable."
We learn from tradition this action, on the part of the selectmen, so offended John Reed and James Feed, that they determined to change their residence, and subsequent records show that they immediately removed from Weymouth to Taunton (South Purchase) about 1680, and John remained there until he was set off in the new town of Dighton, May 30, 1712, and died there. James afterwards removed with his family, about 1705, to Middleborough. In 16S2 they were both enrolled on the military roll of Taunton.1714