Revolutionary War soldiers endured perils, privations

‘He subsisted for 15 days on a pint of flour and a dog’s liver’

By Catherine Cooper, Orleans County Historian

“Illuminating Orleans” – Volume 6, No. 12

MURRAY – This bronze marker set on a millstone is located at the northeast corner of the junction of Routes 104 and 237 in the Town of Murray.

It was dedicated on October 12, 1932, by members of the Orleans Chapter DAR and the Jewell Buckman American Legion Post in Holley. It commemorates “the 200th Anniversary of the Birth of George Washington and the Men Who Fought in the American Revolution and Sleep in the Town of Murray.”

Many of the early settlers of Orleans County were Revolutionary War veterans or the sons of veterans. In other instances, aging parents later came to live with their families. An estimated 65 Revolutionary War soldiers are buried in Orleans County.

The Orleans Chapter of the DAR and the Rochester Chapter of the SAR have maintained records of these burials. In addition, Luci Borello and Sutton Sanders, two students from the Albion Middle School, have researched and presented a list of the Revolutionary War veterans buried in Orleans County with the guidance of their teacher, Tim Archer. They also obtained graveside markers for unmarked graves and replaced a damaged headstone.

They will present their findings on Saturday, May 16, at 10:30 am at the Pierce-Smith Pioneer Cemetery at 3960 Hulberton Road in Holley. This event is open to the public.

During this current year-long recognition of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, there has been a renewed interest in the wartime experiences of the Continental Army soldiers.

The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) and the National Park Service have created a Citizen Archivist Mission project to assist in the transcription of the 80,000 pension application records on file. Perhaps you may be interested? https://www.archives.gov/citizen-archivist/missions

Adam Tabelski, a former mayor of Medina who now lives in Batavia, has contributed several transcriptions of the experiences of these veterans buried in Orleans County to the Orleans County Department of History records:

John Percival (1754-1837)

According to his pension deposition in 1833, Percival saw much action during the war. He enlisted on May 16, 1775, with a Massachusetts company under General Heath and was involved in the Battle of Bunker Hill on June 17, 1775. He volunteered for the ill-fated Continental Army expedition to Quebec under Col. Benedict Arnold later in 1775. He testified that:

“They were supplied with Boats to carry their Baggage and provisions (at Fort Winslow) and they went up the river through a dreary wilderness. The river was very rapid, and the soldiers were obliged to wade and push the boats upstream. In many cases, the boats were taken out of the River and carried upon their shoulders…..At this time they were in the greatest distress for the want of provisions. He himself subsisted 15 days on a pint of flour and a dog’s liver.”

He was part of the group that retreated following the unsuccessful attack on Quebec. In 1777, he was involved in the burning of two British schooners and the fortifications at Fort George as well as the destruction of bridges and felling of trees tin an effort to  deter the advance of General Burgoyne’s troops. Later he was “out on one or two short alarums after Tories and Indians”. He testified that he never received any of his monthly wages except for the Quebec Expedition. Apparently, the Continental paper money soldiers occasionally received as pay for service was often worthless.

Two of Percival’s sons resided in Orleans County: Montgomery in the Town of Carlton and Samuel in the Town of Gaines. In 1824, Samuel built the hotel/tavern which is still in operation currently as  the Tavern on the Ridge, formerly the Village Inn.

John Percival is buried in Gaines Cemetery.

Robinson Smith (1761-1828)

Smith enlisted in the Continental Army in 1782 and served in General Washington’s Life Guard, a unit of the Continental Army, about 180 strong, which protected Washinton as well as the money and papers of the Continental Army. Smith was discharged in 1784. He applied for a pension in 1818 and was awarded $8 per month. Eligible to reapply in 1820, he had to cite financial need. His testimony gives a vivid description of the difficulties of the times.

By 1820, he was a farmer with a wife and four children. He could do little labor as he was “badly ruptured.” His debt amounted to $30. His itemized possessions were indeed meagre  and included 3 old axes and 3 old hoes, 1 sickle, 1 barrel and 3 old common chairs.

Robinson Smith is buried in Pierce-Smith Cemetery, Hulburton. In July 1939, the Lemuel Cook Chapter Sons of the American Revolution unveiled an official marker at his grave in recognition of his services for the Life Guard.

Please note that Patrice Birner of the Orleans County DAR will speak about the DAR and the NY250 Centennial Celebration at the Gaines-Basin Cobblestone Schoolhouse, 3286 Gaines-Basin Road, Albion, at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 28. This is an Orleans County Historical Association program.