Elijah Churchill
Elijah Churchill (September 5, 1755 - April 11, 1841), was a soldier for the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War.
Elijah Churchill | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 5, 1755 Newington, Connecticut |
| Died | April 11, 1841 (aged 85) Massachusetts |
| Buried | Bell Cemetery at Middlefield, Massachusetts |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ | Continental Army |
| Years of service | 1775–1783 |
| Rank | Sergeant |
| Battles/wars | American Revolutionary War |
| Awards | Badge of Military Merit |
| Spouse(s) | Elinor Nooney (m. 1777 - 1846) |
| Children |
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Early life
Elijah Churchill was born on September 5, 1755 in Newington, Connecticut. His father was named Giles.[2]
Military career
Churchill entered the 8th Connecticut Regiment as a private on 7 July 1775. On 7 May 1777, he re-enlisted for the duration of the war as a corporal in the 2nd Continental Light Dragoons, later the 2nd Legionary Corps, and was promoted to sergeant on 2 October 1780. He was cited for gallantry in action at Fort St. George near Brookhaven, New York on Long Island, in November 1780, at Tarrytown, New York, in July 1781, and at Fort Slongo (now known as Fort Salonga, also on Long Island) on October 2, 1781. He was awarded the Badge of Military Merit for his actions, one of only three soldiers to receive the award that later became the Purple Heart.
Later life and death
Once the American Revolutionary War was completed, Churchill moved to Massachusetts.[2] In 1784 he lived in Enfield.[1] He died on April 11, 1841.[2]
Notes
- Churchill (1904), p. 348
- Moran, Donald (April 2007). "Sergeant Elijah Churchill of the Continental Light Dragoons". Liberty Tree Newsletter. Cons of the American Revolution. Retrieved December 19, 2018.
References
- Churchill, Gardner; Churchill, Nathaniel (1904). The Churchill Family in America. The Family of Gardner Churchill. OCLC 1041789673.