Military Service of Israel Alden

 

American Musket from the Revolutionary War

In the Spring when I was researching the life of Israel Alden (my maternal 6th great grandfather) I learned he also served in the Revolutionary War.  Israel Alden is the great-great grandson of John & Priscilla Alden of the Mayflower.   (See post The Life of Israel Alden)  This led me to wonder what I could find out about his Revolutionary War service?

From the Massachusetts, U.S. , Soldiers and Sailors in the Revolutionary War page 108:

From these records of Israel's service I know that he was a Private and served from 19 September 1777 until 16 October 1777.  Israel served for a total of 28 days.   What happened during this time period of the War?  What was Stillwater?  Hmm, he served for only a month.  

First, I looked for information on Paterson's brigade:

• Patterson’s Brigade was organized in Cambridge, Massachusetts in April 1775.  The Regiment became part of the Continental Army in June 1775 then after several changes was also designated as the 15^th Continental Regiment and the 1^st Massachusetts Regiment in 1777.

Next, I wanted to learn about "Stillwater" and the War:

• “Stillwater” is a village southwest of Saratoga and part of the Battle of Saratoga occurred here.  So, Israel was a soldier at the Battle of Saratoga.

Being a little rusty on my Revolutionary War battles I needed to learn more about the Battle of Saratoga:

• The Campaign of Saratoga (14 June – 17 October 1777) was an attempt by the British to gain military control of the strategically important Hudson River valley.  The campaign ended with the surrender of the British army and was an enormous morale boost for the Colony and convinced France to enter the war in alliance with America.  WOW, Israel was part of a very important battle during the Revolutionary War.  Now I want to visit the battlefield to experience and learn more about the battle.

This Summer I had the opportunity to visit the battlefield which is now maintained as part of the Saratoga National Historical Park:

Listening to the Ranger talks and reviewing the displays I was surprised to learn how much of the land had been cleared of trees by the early settlers. It was also interesting to find out that frequently men served for short periods such as Israel did because they had farms to get back to, etc.  These soldiers brought whatever weapons they owned and used them in battle.  I also learned that there is Battle Historian for the Saratoga Battle.  I contacted him to ask questions about the battle and to see if there is any additional information about Israel.  As of this time, I have not received a reply.

Did Israel receive a pension for his service?  I’ve heard that some soldiers received land grants as payment.  Could that have been why Israel decided to move to Windsor, NY as other soldiers did?

• In the book Binghampton It’s Settlement, Growth and Development Lawyer states, ”Under a law of congress passed March 18, 1818, pensions were provided to be paid to those soldiers of the Revolution who had served in the regular or United States army, and they alone were entitled to its benefits, to the exclusion of the militia or state troops, whose service in many cases was fully as meritorious and hazardous as that of their more favored fellows.  The injustice or at least the discriminating provisions of the act were so manifest that the whole body of troops, both regulars and militiamen, were loud in their denunciation of them, yet more than twelve years passed before congress remedied the wrong.” 

Since Israel served for such a short time and after searching and searching for records, I was unable to find a record for a pension or a land grant.

What an interesting journey this was!  I was able to learn more about an important battle in our Country's history and learn that my ancestor was a farmer who became part of this important battle.  I was able to stand and view the areas Israel may have looked over and fought on.  Being able to actually "be" where your ancestor was 244 years ago is just amazing.  I always learn more when I can be at the location and talk to others who have done such extensive research about an event my ancestor was part of.

If you have any corrections or additions or stories to share I look forward to hearing them.

Enjoy the journey,
Debby

Seven Generations of Photos

     Does having a picture of your ancestor change the way you look at their life story?  While I am researching I am always hopeful that I will find photos of my ancestors, unfortunately, I rarely find them.  I can tell their stories with the facts I can find but I still want the photos.  So, I keep searching.

     This Summer I was amazed at the number of photos on my Robinson and Terry lines that were found at my cousin's house.  Rebecca has bins of things that belonged to her great-grandmother Ella Terry Billard.  When we got together this Summer, while I was visiting, I was astounded at the number of photos we found and how old they were.  Working with these photos I am learning so many new things about the family.  One of the first things I realized is that these are the oldest photos I have ever been able to see!  As I thought about this I also realized I have seven generations of photos with this find.  Photos from my son all the way back to Stephen Robinson (3x great grandfather) which was taken no later then 1871.  As you look at the generations of photos, what family resemblances do you see among the photos?  What else do you notice in the photos?

(click on image to enlarge)

I wonder if Caroline's closed "smile" was due to a lack of teeth? I wonder if there was a permanent photographer in the Riverhead area in the 1860s and 70s?  What was the occasion for the photos taken of Stephen and Caroline?  What was the occasion for Almeda's photo?  I believe Carrie's photo was taken in New York City during her time in college (1880-2).  My grandfather's picture was taken from a family photo probably taken in the 1940s.  My father's picture was taken at my second marriage in 2012.  Mine was taken in 2018 when I received my General Society of Mayflower Descendants certificate and my son's was his senior picture in college.  (Be sure to click on the bold names above if you'd like to find out about the life stories of the people in the photos.)

Seeing a picture of my ancestor really brings them to life for me.  I may have many facts about them but actually seeing what they looked like definitely makes them "real" for me.  How about for you?  What an amazing find this was!

If you have any corrections or additions or stories to share I look forward to hearing them.

Enjoy the journey,
Debby

The 1871 Will of Stephen Robinson

Wills can hold such interesting pieces of information about our ancestors and frequently generate additional questions.  Stephen Robinson is my paternal 3x great-grandfather.  Last Spring I wrote what I had been able to learn about his life (see Blog post Celebrating the Life of Stephen Robinson).   Now I wanted to look at his last wishes as recorded in his Will.

At the time this Will was written Stephen was 66 years old and had been married to Caroline Overton Robinson for 46 years.  They had the following children all still living at the time: Barnabas O., George W., Perry S., Almeda V. (my 2nd great-grandmother), William S., Arthur M., Alonzo M., Dolisca, Huldah J., and Carrie E.  [I have underlined family names within the following transcribed Will.]

Stephen’s Will was written 6 days before he died.

(click on image to enlarge)

Transcription:

Will

In the name of God, Amen. I, Stephen Robinson, of the Town of Riverhead, County of Suffolk and State of New York being of sound mind and memory, and considering the uncertainty of this life, do therefore, make, ordain, publish and declare, this to be my last Will and Testament; That is to say,

First, after all my lawful debts are paid and discharged, I give, bequeath-To my Son Alonzo M. Robinson, my Homestead Farm Consisting of one Hundred and Seventy-five acres the same more or less-Situate at Manorville in the said County of Suffolk and Bounded as follows-first piece on the North by the Lands of Thomas G. Osborn, on the South by the Peconic River and on the West by the Lands of Jonah Raynor.  Second piece-On the North by the Land of Louis Worthington, on the East by the Land of Jonah Raynor, on the South by the Branch of the Peconic River and on the West by the Land of George O. Raynor.  Together with the hereditaments [something capable of being inherited] and appurtenances [belonging to something else, ie. the land] or in otherwise thereunto belonging or in anywise appertaining to have and to hold the premises above described to the said Alonzo M. Robinson his heirs and assigns Forever-

I give and bequeath to my son William S. Robinson all that certain piece or parcel of Land Situate at Manorville in the said County of Suffolk, Containing seventy acres be the same more or less and Bounded as follows on the North partly by the Highway and partly by the Land of Sally Ann Sweezey on the East by the Lands of Sally Ann Sweezey and Albert Terry on the South by the Land of Isaac Raynor and the old School House Road and on the West by the Land of O. H Oc’t(?), together with the hereditaments and appurtenances hereunto belonging or in anywise appertaining to have and to hold the premises above described to the said William S. Robinson Forever-

I give and bequeath to my son Arthur M. Robinson Two Hundred acres of land near Manorville in the said County of Suffolk and bounded as follows-first piece on the North by, the Long Island Rail Road on the East by the Land of Isaac C. Hulse and the Heirs of Elegin Dayton in the South by the Land of Joel H. Raynor and on the West by the Lands of J. Minor Raynor and by Jab. Raynor- Second piece lying near Manorville in the said County of Suffolk and Bounded as follows on the North by the Land formerly of ?Yosing & Roger on the East by the Land of Warren Raynor on the South by Peconic River, and on the West by the Lands of Benjamin R. Woodhull and Bertha Caffee Zuba-To have and to hold the premises above described to the said Arthur M. Robinson Forever-

I give and bequeath to my son Barney O. Robinson the Sum of one Thousand Dollars in Money.

I give and bequeath to my son George W. Robinson the sum of one Thousand Dollars in Money.

I give and bequeath to my son Stephen Perry Robinson the sum of one Thousand Dollars in Money-

I give and bequeath to my son William S. Robinson the sum of Three Hundred dollars in Money-

I give and bequeath to my wife Caroline Robinson the sum of Eight Thousand dollars in Money-

I give and bequeath to my daughter Caroline E. [Carrie] Robinson the sum of Three Hundred dollars in Money-

I give and bequeath to my daughter Almeda V. Terry the sum of Two Hundred dollars in Money-

I give and bequeath to my daughter Dolisea Terry the sum of Two Hundred dollars in Money-

I give and bequeath to my daughter Hulah J. Hawkins the sum of Two Hundred dollars in Money-

All the residue and remainder of my Estate-both real and personal I give and bequeath to my sons Barney O. Robinson, George W. Robinson and Arthur M. Robinson to be equally divided between them.

Likewise, I make constitute and appoint my Wife Caroline Robinson, to be my Executrix and my son Barney O. Robinson to be Executor of this my last Will and Testament, hereby revoking all former Wills by me made.

In Witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my seal, the fifth day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and Seventy one.

Stephen Robinson   (L.S.)

Witnesses

Richard T. Osborn, Riverhead

George F. Homan, Riverhead

 

Since the Will was written so close to the time of his death I wonder if Stephen was seriously ill at the time?  Unfortunately, there are no death certificates that would have recorded the cause of his death.

I notice that Stephen leaves more money to his youngest daughter Caroline "Carrie".  I believe this is do to her age only being 17 at the time the letter was written.  She was a minor and still at home at the time.  Stephen's other three daughters were married at the time the Will was written.

I am curious about why property was left to some of the sons but not all of them?  I wonder if property was not left to sons who already owned their own land?  When I looked back at what Stephen farmed according to the US Federal Non-Populations Census-Agricultural Blog post I had written I saw a decline from 1850-1860 in the acreage that Stephen farmed/owned.  I was unable to locate Stephen in the 1870 US Federal Non-Populations Census-Agricultural.  Had he stopped farming by 1870?  I think some further investigation into Stephen's land sales are definitely needed.

The handwriting in the Will, at times, was difficult to decipher.  There may be errors in the spelling of some of the names mentioned as owning land bordering Stephen's property holdings.  

If you have any corrections or additions or stories to share I look forward to hearing them.

Enjoy the journey,
Debby