250 years ago, the Declaration of Independence announced to the world that the United States of America was its own sovereign nation. Though the message was clear, the war to uphold that declaration would last another seven years. Thousands of individual stories, from heartbreaking to heroic and everything in between, are contained within the span of the American Revolutionary War. Walking among the stones that mark these complex human lives, these centuries-old histories grow more familiar, bit by bit.
WILLIAM BARTON
Sometimes gravestones quite literally share the stories of the lives they memorialize. Such is the case with William Barton, a Continental Army officer whose marker is etched with the summary of one of his proudest moments—the capture of British Major General Richard Prescott.
The early years of the war saw Barton rise through the ranks in the Rhode Island militia. Meanwhile, General Prescott and his British forces had occupied several areas of Rhode Island. One of these was the coastal town of Newport, where Prescott was said to reside in a local farmhouse.
Barton concocted a rather daring plan. One night in July 1777, he and thirty-eight hand-picked soldiers piled into whale boats and set out toward Newport from the peninsula of Warwick Neck. They slid across Narragansett Bay undetected by three looming British frigates, silently subdued a sentinel who noticed their landing, then simultaneously stormed all entrances of Prescott’s headquarters. Prescott was captured where he slept and carried half-dressed back toward Warwick before the alarm was even raised.
George Washington personally praised Barton and his men for their exploit, and Barton was granted a sword in thanks. It’s said in later battles he wielded the sword aloft as he recounted his story as “the man who took Prescott,” so it’s fitting the tale continues to be told in stone.
In Memory Of
GENERAL WILLIAM BARTON
He was born in Warren, R.I.
May 26 A D 1748,
Was colonel in the Rhode Island
State Service in the War of the
Revolution and highly
Distinguished himself by the
Capture of Gen. Prescott,
The commander in chief of the
British Forces on Rhode Island,
In July 1777. He was appointed
Colonel in the Continental Army
December 24th of the same year
After the termination of the war.
He was elected major general
Of the militia of this state.
He died in Providence
Oct. 22d 1831
In the 84th year of his age.
“CAPTAIN MOLLY” CORBIN
In 1775, a soldier named John Corbin joined thousands of others in enlisting in the Continental Army. His 25-year-old wife, Margaret, was not one to let her husband go into danger alone. So she joined him as one of the many camp followers who stayed with the soldiers in exchange for useful work like cooking, cleaning, and nursing. Margaret’s no-nonsense ways earned her the name “Captain Molly” among the other wives and followers.
On November 16, 1776, John Corbin was part of the defense in the Battle of Fort Washington, fighting back against the much larger attacking British forces. Margaret was with him, loading artillery at his side, when he was killed. She stepped in to take his place on the cannon crew as the situation around her grew ever more dire, until enemy fire tore through her chest and jaw and nearly severed her left arm. The British ultimately captured the fort, but Margaret lived. She was treated and paroled with the rest of the wounded, but she never regained the use of her arm.
In 1779, the Continental Congress granted Margaret Corbin lifetime compensation for her injury and heroism, making her the first woman in U.S. history to receive a pension for military service. The location of her remains is unknown, but she has been honored with plaques and memorials throughout New York, including one at her official military gravesite in West Point Cemetery.
In Memory Of
MARGARET CORBIN
A Heroine of the
Known as Captain Molly
1731-1800
Who at the Battle of Fort Washington New York City
when her husband John Corbin was killed kept his field piece
in action until severely wounded and thereafter by act
of congress received half the pay and allowances of
“A Soldier in the Service”
She lived died and was buried on the Hudson River Bank
near the village now called Highland Falls
In appreciation of her deeds for the cause of liberty
and that her heroism may not be forgotten
her dust was removed to this spot and this memorial erected by
the National Society of the Daughters of the
American Revolution in New York State
1926
THE CULPER SPY RING
Many of us have heard of the heroism of the young soldier-turned-spy Nathan Hale, whose last words before his execution have lingered through time: “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.” Hale’s tragic death was one of several failures that pushed Washington to develop more organized spying operations.
Like any good spy organization, the Culper Spy Ring came about through a series of useful connections. In 1778, Washington chose a former Yale classmate of Hale’s, Captain Benjamin Tallmadge, as his head of intelligence. He felt that soldiers on solitary missions were more likely to be suspected as spies, as in the case of Nathan Hale, and Tallmadge favored a different approach: using civilians already embedded behind enemy lines.
Tallmadge’s primary task was to establish a reliable spy network on British-controlled Long Island. He suggested his trusted friend Abraham Woodhull as their first contact in New York City. Woodhull’s alias? “Samuel Culper.” The first member of the Culper ring was officially in business.
Woodhull, aka Samuel Culper, moved around Long Island mostly without suspicion, collecting information on the British under the guise of visiting his sister in New York. Local folklore says that in these early days he was also helped by a woman named Anna Strong. As the story goes, Anna used her laundry to signal where and when Townsend could meet the group’s courier to hand off his gathered intelligence. The story is unverified, but not necessarily unlikely—her husband, Selah, also later participated in the Culper Ring’s activities.
Woodhull continued collecting precious intel from New York for months until a stray accusation turned attention his way. Anxiety over being discovered became too much to bear; Woodhull retreated further afield and recruited Robert Townsend, a local businessman, to take his place in the city. Woodhull became Samuel Culper Sr., a watchful link in the communications relay between Townsend and Washington. Townsend became Samuel Culper Jr., primary informant in New York City.
Secrecy was so key to the Culper Ring’s operation that not even Washington knew all his agent’s true identities. Townsend was especially wary of discovery—he demanded Woodhull never reveal his name to anyone, wrote pro-Tory essays to conceal his true sympathies, and ultimately went to his grave with only a handful of people ever knowing the role he played as Samuel Culper Jr. In fact, Townsend’s connection to the Culper Ring wasn’t discovered until 1929, when handwriting comparisons matched his personal letters with those in Washington’s collection.
Together, the knowledge gathered by “Samuel Culper” and the agents of the Culper Ring uncovered enemy timelines, fortifications, troop movements, supplies, morale, and more. They concealed information in code names and numbers, hid messages in newspapers, and wrote secrets in invisible ink between the lines of mundane letters. Their intel contributed to victory at Yorktown and helped thwart Benedict Arnold’s traitorous plans at West Point. Their biggest success came in 1780, when Townsend learned a British force 8,000 strong planned to ambush Rochambeau’s recently arrived (and exhausted) French troops. Armed with this knowledge, Washington led an advance on Manhattan that distracted British forces long enough for Rochambeau’s men to rest and ready themselves for action—a move that likely saved thousands of lives. And through it all, not one agent of the Culper Ring was ever discovered by the British.
It’s easy to get swept away in daring tales, especially with heroes who lived hundreds of years ago. But ultimately each of these graves honors a human life as complex and personal as yours or mine, made significant because they chose to act with hope for a better future.
Do you have an American Revolutionary War story in your family or local cemetery? We’d love to hear about it in the comments. And be sure to check out our 1776 Homepage, where you can discover more individual histories, explore Revolutionary War burial sites, and suggest memorial pages to be given the 1776 badge. We hope this resource helps connect you to the stories behind the graves as you research this defining moment in U.S. history.
Excellent. Thank you for reportin
-Sam
Very cool!
Thank you for making this possible. It is a wonderful way to honor those who served and our
great country, America!!! M
I have found that I am descended from William Pace, who was a member of Washington’s “Life Guard.” I don’t know too much about him personally, but feel humbled that I have such an ancestor. In all, I have 21 ancestors who fought in the Revolutionary War and am proud of every one of them.
I have two Story Revolutionaries in my tree. One is a 4x great-grandfather Ebenezer Story, a ship’s carpenter, who wound up dying in the Sugar House Prison. The other, a cousin, Elisha Story who was a member of the Sons of Liberty and helped throw tea into the Boston harbor.
Capt. Nathanial Fitz Randolph, New Jersey Miltia, is interred in the graveyard of the First Presbyterian Church of Woodbridge, NJ.. He was so hated by the local loyalists and British that they shot at his tombstone. Four musket balls were uncovered buried in the dirt at the base of his tombstone. Capt. Nathaniel Fits Randolph died from his wounds received at the Battle of Springfield. “The ball entered his left arm, below the shoulder, penetrated his body, and came out at the right breast.” His tombstone reads: “Here lies beneath this stone reposed, Patriot merit straitly housed; His Country called, he lent an Ear, Their Battles fought and rested here”. Carver: “E. Price.”
GREAT stories! Happy Birthday America!
One of my patriot ancestors of the Revolutionary of War was Robert Carter Nicholas (1729-1780). Here is a blog entry about him:
https://myvirginiapeeps.wixsite.com/myvirginiapeeps/post/robert-carter-nicholas
I am grateful for this information as I have found in my family many members of the service that fought in this war. Unfortunately I don’t have any stories to tell, but it seems most of the survived the war and died later in life. Thank you for this information! God Bless America!!!
Morris Barto (Aug 18, 1758 – 6 Feb 1839) is my 4th great grandfather. He enlisted in the Continental Army Nov 21, 1776, and was furloughed on Jun 8, 1783. A member of the 4th Regiment New York line he saw action in the Saratoga campaign in upstate New York Oct 7, 1777, spent the winter in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania Sep 1, 1777 – 2 Jun 1778. and was back in action at the battle of Monmouth, New Jersey Jun 28, 1778. After the 4th Regiment merged with the 2nd Regiment New York line Jan 1, 1781, he participated in the siege of Yorktown, Virginia 28 Sep -19 Oct 1781. He was awarded the Badge of Merit for 6 years faithful service. His home (built circa 1790) in Greenlawn, New York is still standing and currently occupied. He is interred at Elmont Cemetery, Elmont, New York.
The stories are awesome, thank you findagrave.
Great stories as always, reporting never dull one minute.
These documented stories of the American Revolution Patriots need to be presented to every school classroom for our young people to realize how this country began and the people who gave of themselves to establish these United States of America.
All businesses or organizations should have a clear Mission Statement. Those who do not sustain them often fail. Did you know America has two Mission Statements?
Try a Google search by using the words “American Mission Statements” – Did you find them quickly? Or did you find just one of them?
I have asked many High School children what are the two American Mission Statements. Almost none of them knew them. Some can guess one of them but not both. That is terribly sad.
Here is an idea …
A statute by the Act of the Congress of the United States of America that solemnly declares before all Americans Citizens, and the world, Our American Mission Statements.
This reaffirms to “The People of the United States” our dedication to our founding documents in the two hundred and fiftieth year of Our Independence.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
Declaration of Independence 1776
WE THE PEOPLE of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
Constitution of the United States 1789
Those unique American Mission Statements declares the mission or preamble summary of Our Declaration of Independence and the Untied States Constitution.
These Mission Statements should be read yearly by every student at every level of education. Those elevated to the public trust by oath should also set an example by emulating those statements. Our Mission Statements should be prominent in all places of education, public gatherings, courts and other governmental offices.
All citizens, or visitors, that violate Our Mission Statements should be subject to the laws of the land, the many states and territories as prescribed by law. It should be the duty of those in the public trust by oath to protect and defend all citizens according to the laws, duties and offices that they hold. Much trust is placed in our elected representatives and they should purport themselves using our Mission Statements in public and other places. Those who no longer are able to maintain their oath, whether by age, injury or other reasons, should remove themselves from their duties or should be subject to said laws as any other citizen and by their fellow oath holders.
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Sadly, I think less and less people really care anymore.
Awesome stories that make us all so proud to be Americans! Let freedom ring!!
Keep these stories coming please! So proud to be an American during our 250th Birthday of Freedom!!
My 8th great grandfather, Aaron Abbott answered the call to arms on April 20, 1775:
Was a Cordwainer and Yeoman. Rev. War 14 days as Corporal in 2nd Lieut. Thomas Weeks’s Co., Col. Elisha Porter’s Regt. which marched Apr. 20,1775, on the alarm of Apr. 19,1775; as Priv. in Capt. Samuel Billings’s Co.,Col. Ebenezer Leonard’s Regt. from May 4,1775; as priv. in same command, as per Co. return, dated Oct. 7,1775; also a priv. in Capt. Isaac Powers’s Co., Col. Elisha Porter’s Regt., from July 10,1777, to Aug. 12,1777; and marched on an alarm to join the Northern Army under Gen. Schuyler
The “Culper” Spy Ring was beyond brave. I have read several accounts of their activities and am in awe of their courage and dedication to the survival of our then young country. All of them knew of Nathan Hale’s fate, and all risked the same, or worse, in one of the prison ships the British used.
My 4th great grandfather, Adam Henderson 1755-1780, was in the Revolutionary War. I believe (but can’t find any records stating when & how he died) he may have died during Battle of Waxhaws aka Buford’s Massacre. I was able to find him & his record of service thanks to the stories my 3rd great grandmother, Susannah Rachel (Henderson) Emerick told to her grandchildren(& wrote down). She was only 2 years old when he died… he was only abt 25. Her stories match the records I did find!
Adam Henderson US Revolutionary War Rolls, 1775-1783
Military Place: Virginia, USA State or Army served: Virginia
Regiment: 11th Regiment under command of Col. A. Buford
Type Infantry Engagement American Revolutionary War
Authorized by the Second Continental Congress on 16th Sept 1776, it was organized on 3 Febr 1777 and consisted of four companies from the Virginia counties of Loudoun, Frederick, Prince William and Amelia; Captain Daniel Morgan’s Independent Rifle Company from Fauquier County; and five companies from the state’s portion of the Maryland and Virginia Rifle Regiment.
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Historical Register of Virginians in the Revolution – page 369
Henderson, Adam [widow]
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Families of Soldiers in the Continental Army: Ordered provided for on the date given. Loudoun County, Virginia. Page 57
12 Sept 1780 Catherine, widow of Adam Henderson given aid
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Col. Buford’s Third VA Detachment refers to the Continental Army force led by Colonel Abraham Buford in 1780, composed of elements from various Virginia units, which marched south to Charleston but was intercepted and severely defeated by British forces under Lt. Col. Banastre Tarleton at the Battle of the Waxhaws (May 29, 1780) in South Carolina. This devastating loss, known as “Buford’s Massacre,” involved heavy American casualties, even after a white flag was raised, and fueled Patriot resistance, famously galvanizing recruits with cries of “Remember Waxhaws!”.
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