Friday, June 22, 2007

Finding the Last Men (and Women)

As I'm writing this book, I'm still hoping for a few more images. It's not that we don't have "enough." David and I would like to find a photo of each of the last living Revolutionary War vets and last living Revolutionary War widow from each state. We know these images are out there. Every state had one.

Can you help us by asking your local historical society if they have any daguerreotypes of very elderly men and women? We'll do the research to verify the connection and give you credit for the find.

Right now, I'm looking for an image of Caleb Harrington of Lexington, Massachusetts. He attended the 75th anniversary celebration of the Battle of Lexington and Concord. His image isn't in the collections of the Lexington Historical Society or the Concord Public Library.

Thank you to all the people that have already provided tips!

1 comment:

Lyston said...

My 3g-grandfather, Solomon Briggs, was a Revolutionary Pensioner & lived in Plymouth, VT from ca 1802 to after the 1830 census. In 1840 he was in Johnson, VT-he & wife Lydia were living with his daughter Sarah & her husband William Brown & he was recorded as a Rev. Soldier on that census. Solomon's pension records his death at age 92 on 8 Feb 1845 in Johnson & his wife's widow pension record gives her death there as 11 Jan 1852, aged 93.

I was interested in the WSJ 12 Oct story about you which mentioned the 100 photos
Cassie Homer had of Plymouth, VT. Are any old enough to go back to 1830-40?

My family doesn't know of any photos of Solomon or Lydia, however family lore says 2 silhouettes were cut of them by a Justin Salisbury (unknown to me) (perhaps cut when they were married in the N. Taunton (MA) Baptist Church, ca 1775). This info comes from a 90 yr old cousin who wasn't able to give me any source for this.

I don't know if this story is useful to you, but it seemed to fit loosely into your quest for photos of Rev War men & wives.

my email: Lystons@yahoo.com