John Gray (American Revolutionary War)
Encyclopedia
John Gray was one of the candidates for last surviving U.S. veteran
of the American Revolutionary War
. He was advertised as such by journalist James Dazell and as of 1876 was believed by the Pension Office of the U.S. Department of the Interior to be the last surviving veteran.
His claim to the "last surviving veteran" of the War depends primarily on the failure of his competitors Daniel F. Bakeman
and George Fruits
, who died a year, and several years, after him. Bakeman and Gray had been granted pensions, by special act of the U.S. Congress (on February 14, 1867, retroactive to June 1, 1866). The special act was required because the two had not previously applied for pensions or service land grants and Bakeman was unable to prove his service; Gray, while able to prove his service, had only served six months; Fruits had never had any pension.
Gray was born on Mount Vernon
plantation, home of George Washington
, "hero of the Revolution." His father fought in the war and was killed in the Battle of White Plains
. Gray joined at age 16 in 1780, and was eventually present at the Battle of Yorktown. After the war he moved to the Northwest Territory
, and lived out most of his life in Noble County, Ohio
. He had three wives during his life and fathered at least four children. He died at age 104 years, 2 months, 23 days.
A memorial to Gray is located along State Route 821 in Noble County's Noble Township
.
Last surviving United States war veterans
This is an incomplete list of the last surviving veterans of American wars. The last surviving veteran of any particular war, upon his death, marks the end of a historic era. Exactly who is the last surviving veteran is often an issue of contention, especially with records from long-ago wars...
of the American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
. He was advertised as such by journalist James Dazell and as of 1876 was believed by the Pension Office of the U.S. Department of the Interior to be the last surviving veteran.
His claim to the "last surviving veteran" of the War depends primarily on the failure of his competitors Daniel F. Bakeman
Daniel F. Bakeman
Daniel Frederick Bakeman may have been the last surviving veteran of the War for American Independence . He is buried in Sandusky Cemetery, Freedom, New York....
and George Fruits
George Fruits
George Fruits claimed to be the last known surviving soldier of the American Revolutionary War. Subsequent research indicates that he was possibly confused somewhat with the identity of his father. The George Fruits of this article was born in Baltimore, Maryland; his parents were George and...
, who died a year, and several years, after him. Bakeman and Gray had been granted pensions, by special act of the U.S. Congress (on February 14, 1867, retroactive to June 1, 1866). The special act was required because the two had not previously applied for pensions or service land grants and Bakeman was unable to prove his service; Gray, while able to prove his service, had only served six months; Fruits had never had any pension.
Gray was born on Mount Vernon
Mount Vernon (plantation)
Mount Vernon, located near Alexandria, Virginia, was the plantation home of the first President of the United States, George Washington. The mansion is built of wood in neoclassical Georgian architectural style, and the estate is located on the banks of the Potomac River.Mount Vernon was designated...
plantation, home of George Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
, "hero of the Revolution." His father fought in the war and was killed in the Battle of White Plains
Battle of White Plains
The Battle of White Plains was a battle in the New York and New Jersey campaign of the American Revolutionary War fought on October 28, 1776, near White Plains, New York. Following the retreat of George Washington's Continental Army northward from New York City, British General William Howe landed...
. Gray joined at age 16 in 1780, and was eventually present at the Battle of Yorktown. After the war he moved to the Northwest Territory
Northwest Territory
The Territory Northwest of the River Ohio, more commonly known as the Northwest Territory, was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from July 13, 1787, until March 1, 1803, when the southeastern portion of the territory was admitted to the Union as the state of Ohio...
, and lived out most of his life in Noble County, Ohio
Noble County, Ohio
Noble County is a county located in the state of Ohio. As of the 2010 census, the population was 14,645. Its county seat is Caldwell. Noble County is named for Rep. Warren P. Noble of the Ohio House of Representatives, who was an early settler there.-History:...
. He had three wives during his life and fathered at least four children. He died at age 104 years, 2 months, 23 days.
A memorial to Gray is located along State Route 821 in Noble County's Noble Township
Noble Township, Noble County, Ohio
Noble Township is one of the fifteen townships of Noble County, Ohio, United States. The 2000 census found 2,013 people in the township, 1,750 of whom lived in the unincorporated portions of the township.-Geography:...
.