Historical records matching Sergeant Elijah Churchill
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About Sergeant Elijah Churchill
Grave monument photos and info ref.: < https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/18634830/elijah-churchill >, Elijah Churchill, Sr, Bell Cemetery, Middlefield, Hampshire County, Massachusetts.
One of only three Revolutionary War soldiers awarded the Badge of Military Merit by Commander in Chief General George Washington, which is now called the Purple Heart. This article was reprinted from the April 2007 Edition of the Liberty Tree Newsletter
Typical of the average 18th century American citizen, we know very little about Elijah Churchill. He was born on September 5th, 1755, at Newington, Connecticut, the son of Giles Churchill. And, yes, he shares an ancestor with the famous Compatriot Sir Winston Churchill. According to the 1790 Federal census he was a carpenter by trade. His enlistment record in the 5th Connecticut Regiment of the Continental Line stated he was 5 feet nine inches tall, dark complexion, gray eyes and dark hair. On March 10th, 1777, he married Elinor Nooney of Simsbury, Connecticut. They had the following children: Sophia, (born: 8 February 1782), Elijah, Jr. (born: 21 April 1784), James (born: 11 November 1785), Eleanor (born 14 November 1788), Eleanor (born: 7 July 1790) ,Giles (born: 28 July 1793), Charles (born: 16 February 1796) and Sophia (born: 30 January 1798).
The order conferring the Badge of Military Merit to Sergeant Elijah Churchill reads in part:
General George Washington, Esquire General and Commander-in-Chief of the Forces of the United States of America, Etc.
That Sergeant Elijah Churchill of the 2nd Regiment of Light Dragoons, in the several enterprises against Fort George and Fort Slongo on Long Island, acted in a very conspicuous and singularly meritorious part; that at the head of each body of attack he not only acquitted himself with great gallantry, firmness and address; but that the surprise in one instance, and the success of the attack in the other, proceeded in a considerable degree from his conduct and management.
Now therefore Know Ye, that the aforesaid Sergeant Elijah Churchill, hath fully and truly deserved, and has been properly invested with the Honorary Badge of Military Merit, and is authorized to pass and repass all guards and military posts as fully and amply as any Commissioned Officer whatever; and is hereby recommended to that favorable notice which a Brave and Faithful Soldier deserves from his Countrymen.
After the Revolutionary War, Elijah and his family moved to Massachusetts. He died there on April 11th, 1841 and is buried in the Bell Cemetery at Middlefield, Massachusetts.
See photo of the Badge of Military Merit: < https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&id=FFDAEFDDBD6ED24... >
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Sergeant Elijah Churchill's Timeline
| 1755 |
September 4, 1755
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Newington, Hartford County, Connecticut, Colonial America
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| 1784 |
April 21, 1784
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Enfield, Hartford County, Connecticut, United States
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| 1785 |
November 11, 1785
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Chester, Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States
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| 1790 |
July 7, 1790
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| 1793 |
July 28, 1793
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Middlefield, Ma.
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| 1796 |
February 16, 1796
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Middlefield, Ma.
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| 1798 |
January 30, 1798
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Chester, Mass
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| 1841 |
April 11, 1841
Age 85
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Middlefield, Hampshire County, Massachusetts, United States
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| ???? |
Bell Cemetery, Middlefield, Hampshire County, Massachusetts, United States
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