Revolutionary War Veterans, Chenango County, New York, Volume I, A-B

During the 1780s the state government of New York was zealously working towards acquiring the title to the land which would later become Chenango County. It was late in 1788 before the state officially assumed jurisdiction of the area, and by 1789-90 a land survey was completed that divided the county into townships. The land was promptly put up for public sale, but it was some time before settlers migrated en masse to the county. Circa 1791, immigration began to climb, and steadily the population of Chenango County increased. A great portion of these immigrants were Revolutionary War veterans. Some of these veterans had recently received their pensions and were looking to make a home in Chenango County. It is this subject that this work very astutely addresses. The veterans of Chenango County came from various locations around the state and the country, and it has often been quite difficult for individuals to research them. However, this series makes that task seemingly effortless. The sources used are extremely reliable. The initial research was taken from files generated by the Daughters of the American Revolution. These files subsequently became part of the collection of the Chenango County Historian’s Office. The author logically followed by compiling a list of possible veterans using the innumerable libraries, archives, historical associations and societies at his disposal. The register of likely veterans was established by a process of rational conclusions, using information from varied sources. These sources include: family information, surrogate records, family genealogies, cemetery records, historical publications and many local historians. The format of this serial study is set up in a very sensible manner. In short form each entry incorporates all or most of the following information: the veteran’s name, date of residency, town of residence, date of birth and birthplace, mother and father, date and place of death, name and location of cemetery, and epitaph. A more detailed description of each veteran’s history is also present. Aspects examined are service history; family information, including a brief profile of the veteran’s children; and other additional information. Each edition provides a handy alphabetical listing of veterans to aid in research, and a family name index for the entire series exists within Volume IV. The veterans of Chenango County, New York, were quite active in their respective communities. They served their nation faithfully, with distinction and valor in war, and brought home to Chenango a sense of pride. They truly merit a place in Revolutionary War-era history. This is the first of four volumes of vital records concerning the Revolutionary War veterans of Chenango County, New York. It lists veterans with names that begin with letters A and B. Additional sections in this volume discuss: pension legislation, Revolutionary War battles, and Chenango County burial grounds.