Information compiled by Karen Cuccinello
Introduction by Kathleen Slater
The Revolutionary War began as conflicts throughout the Colonies in 1774, and continued until the Declaration of Independence in July 1776. As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration in 2026, the following series of articles will outline some of the Patriots buried in the Stamford-Jefferson area. They are listed by Cemetery.
By Karen Cuccinello
The war raged on from 1775-1783. Men enlisted for years, months, weeks or days at a time then often reenlisted again after a few months, and they were often hired as substitutes for other servicemen. The Continental paper money they occasionally received as pay for service was often next to worthless. Pension Acts in1818 for Continental Line soldiers, commanded by George Washington, could apply for a pension, in 1820 they could apply but had to prove financial need, in 1832 state militiamen could apply if they had served at least six months and in 1836 widows of veterans were eligible. A Census of Pensioners for Revolutionary or Military Services was taken in 1840.
Soldiers who fought with a state militia did not receive official discharge papers, so in order to receive a pension they gave declarations of their service at a Court of Record and got testimonial letters from friends or relatives. The federal government decided how much time served they would approve or not.
Stamford Cemetery, 2 Mountain Rd.- all posted on findagrave.com
Davenport, Noah was born August 17,1758 in Little Compton, RI to Oliver and Mary Davenport. He enlisted in Capt. Daniel Tilden's Co./Colonel Samuel McClellan's CT Regiment 1778 while a resident of Lebanon, CT. He later removed to Columbia County NY then to Harpersfield about 1818 where he remained. Noah married Lydia Metcalf (1762-1858) September 25, 1784 in Lebanon, CT and they had a few children. He received a pension of $76.66 per annum/year, for one year and 11 months service, in 1833. He died August 13, 1840 in Stamford while living with Nicholas P. Champlin. After his death Lydia applied for and received his pension. Plot D-35
English, Robert was born in Conner, Ireland 1748 and landed in Philadelphia, PA August 1774. He married Mary Jane “Jennie” Lamb (1771-1843) and had at least one child. While living in Montgomery, Orange Co.,NY he enlisted January 1776 in Captain Andrew Moody's Co./Colonel Lamb's Regiment of Artillery. When the British captured Fort Montgomery in Highlands, NY Robert received a sword-out wound, was captured and sent to the “Sugar House” prison in NYC for 18 months. There were about 300 prisoners when he was there and about half of them died of hunger or exposure. After being released in an exchange of prisoners he served another 1 ½ more years. He was granted a pension of $100 per year, for his two years service, in 1832 while living in Harpersfield. Robert died November 21, 1843. Plot D-51
Gilbert, Jesfe/Jesse was born in Goshen, NY 1764 (gravestone says 1761) son of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Walton) Gilbert. He entered the service while a resident of New Paltz, NY, in Capt. Swart Co. of Militia/Col. Spalding's Regiment in June 1778 and served until 1782. Jesse married Sarah Hallock (1760-1834) and they had about eight children. Lived in Marlboro, NY following the war then moved to Harpersfield and then Stamford about 1818. He received a pension of $61.66 per year, for 18 ½ months service, in 1833. Gilbert died 1839. Plot F-23
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