Samuel Palmer

GEDCOM Note

Category: Greenwich, ConnecticutCategory: American Revolution

Biography

From Palmer Families in America, Volume 1.1, Samuel Palmer of Greenwich 1733-1825 compiled by Michael E. Palmer 2011

"Palmer Families in America" - The first record of Samuel is in the tax list for 1774 is as tradesman at Long Ridge, Greenwich.
Samuel Palmer, Jr., met the call of service in 1776 having on the 13thof August enlisted in the Captain Matthew Mead's Company, within the 9th Connecticut Militia Regiment as Sergeant. The 9th regiment was under the command of Lieutenant Colonel John Mead. In the summer of 1776 George Washington was in need of a large force to defend New York City as the British were threatening attack. Connecticut responded to an urgent request from the commander-in-chief to send down a portion ofher militia. Two requisitions were issued. The first called out 14 of the regiments (including Samuel Palmer's) all of which were west ofthe Connecticut River. Samuel Palmer's 9th regiment took part in theBattle of Long Island, August 27, 1776. This was the first major battle of the war, and it turned out to be the largest battle of the entire conflict. At the time, it was by far the largest battle ever fought in North America. If the Royal Navy is included, over 40,000 men took part in the battle. The Americans were handily defeated and Washington evacuated. The Ninth was one of the last regiments to leave New York in the retreat. The regiment was then posted at Harlem Heights before taking part in the Battle of White Plains, October 28, 1776, where the regiment suffered considerable loss. Following the Battle of White Plains, the General Assembly ordered the 9th, 10th, 13th, and 16th militia regiments to march to the Westchester border and place themselves under General David Wooster's command until they were dischargedon January 11, 1777. The Record of Connecticut Men in the Military and Naval Service duringthe War of the Revolution, 1775-1783, by Henry Johnston, 1889, which PFIA cites, says Samuel Palmer also served Captain Selah Benton's company. This was almost certainly a different Samuel Palmer, as a close examination of the Johnston book reveals that this was not made up of men from Greenwich or Stamford. It was probably the Samuel Palmer of New London. At the annual town meeting of Greenwich, which was held on December 8,1777, Samuel Palmer Jr. was appointed to the "Committee of Inspectionof Provisions." This body ensured and provided food and vital necessities of life to families of soldiers in need for the duration of the war. PFIA incorrectly attributed this to his father. Quoted from PFIA, p. 426: He [Samuel Jr.] was in the 1790 U. S. censusfor Greenwich with three males besides himself over 16 years, two males under 16, and three females. On June 23, 1805, Samuel joined the Second Cong. Ch. [sic: Congregational Church], Stanwich Society, and hadfive of his youngest children baptized that day. On Oct. 1, 1789, AmyRundle of Greenwich deeded land to Samuel Palmer of Stanwich Society,Greenwich, land "on which the said Samuel has set up his shop." His will was dated April 15, 1813 and probated on May 2, 1813, in which he mentioned his wife Mary and all of his children, and appointed his sonWilliam and his brother Levi Executors. Administration of William Rundle of Greenwich, dated Dec. 2, 1783, mentioned his daughters Amy Palmer, wife of Samuel, and Sarah Palmer, wife of Levi.

Sources

• WikiTree profile Palmer-2983 created through the import of PaulAncestry.ged on Jan 26, 2012 by Joyce Rosnel. See the page for the details of edits by Joyce and others.

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