Brig. Gen. Solomon Place

Biography

Brig. Gen. Solomon Place was born on May 21, 1770 in Foster, Providence County, Rhode Island, United States. His parents were Stephen Place and Martha (Perkins) Place.

Solomon married Martha (Heard) Place on February 7, 1796 in Second Congregational Church, East Hampton, Middlesex County, Connecticut, United States. Together they had the following children: Phebe Place; Hannah Place; Harriet (Place) Bentley; Hiram A. Place.

Solomon married Dolly Place on February 1, 1827 in East Hampton, CT, United States.

He died on December 22, 1834 in Greenwich, Washington County, New York, United States and was buried in Greenwich Cemetery.

The dates for Solomon and his family are from a family bible in the possession of Mrs. Herbert Whelden of Greenwich, NY, copied October 1933 by Mrs. H. C. Hill.

He had a military career. In 1803 he appears as a Captain in Lieutenant Colonel Commandant Simon De Ridder's regiment, Washington County, New York. His name appears on the Massachusetts Civil List for June 1806, when a legislative committee reported that the state owed "Solomon Place to the time of his leaving the State, 150 45." He was named as "Capt. Solomon Place on the gravestone of his son Hiram, who died 23 January 1811. In 1812 he was Second Major in Lieutenant Colonel Hendrick Van Schaick's regiment, Washington County, New York. In 1814 he was First Major, and in 1815 he was Lieutenant Colonel following Van Schaick's resignation. In 1819 he was Brigadier General, 16th Brigade. He was named as "Gen. Solomon Place" on the gravestone of his wife Martha (1825), and on his own gravestone (1834).

He appears on the census of 4 August 1800 at Argyle, Washington County, New York (1 male 10-16, 1 male 16-26, 1 male 26-45, 2 females 0-10, 1 female 26-45) There is also a Jeremiah Place on the same page. Because Solomon had a brother of that name and family tradition puts them both in New York it is likely that this was Solomon's brother of that name.

He appears on the 6 August 1810 census at Greenwich, Washington County, New York (1 male 0-10, 1 male 16-26, 1 male 26-45 (himself), 1 female 0-10, 2 females 10-16, and 1 female over 45). His brother Godfrey is enumerated on the 1810 census in Washington (page 506).

He signed his bible on 10 February 1817 (Bible of Solomon Place, DAR 23:123.).

He appears on the census of 1 June 1830 at Greenwich, Washington County, New York (1 male <5, 1 male 20-30, 1 male 30-40, 1 male 50-60, 2 females 30-40, 1 female 40-50. Two pages away are Godfrey and Nathan Place.

In 1831 he joined the Dutch Reformed Church at Greenwich. The History of Greenwich says, "In 1831, 134 persons were received into membership of this church -- 118 of these upon profession of their faith, and 110 of these between April 20th and June 12th. This was probably the most marked revival in all the history of our church. That 24th day of April, when Wm. Mowry, Reuben Norton and good old Solomon Place stood forth with fourteen others to receive the sacrament of baptism must have been one of deep and lasting impressions." (Elisha P. Thurston & D. A. Boies, History of Greenwich (1877), 53.)

His gravestone says:

"In memory of Gen. Solomon Place

who died Dec. 22, 1834 in the 66th.

Let worms devour my wasting flesh

And crumble all my bones to dust

My god shall raise my frame anew

At the revival of the just."

His cemetery plot also contains the remains of his son Hiram (died 1816, age 1 month), wife Martha (died 1825, age 54), (his son?) Stephen (died 1849, age 22), and two daughters: Phebe (died 1869, age 73) and Hannah (died 1882, age 84).

Sources

• Findagrave.com Gen. Solomon Place
• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: May 11 2017, 3:27:41 UTC