Lemuel Cook
Encyclopedia
Lemuel Cook was one of the last verifiable surviving veteran
s of the American Revolutionary War
. He was born in Litchfield County, Connecticut
to Henry Cook and his wife Hannah Benham. Enlisting in the Continental Army
at the age of sixteen, Cook fought at Brandywine and in the Virginia campaign, and was present at Charles Cornwallis' surrender. He received an honorable discharge signed by George Washington
on June 12, 1784.
Following the war, Cook became a farmer and married Hannah Curtis. They had seven sons and three daughters.
Lemuel Cook died at the age of 106 and was buried with full military and masonic
honors. He was one of seven Revolutionary War veterans who, having survived into the age of photography, were featured in the 1864 book The Last Men of the Revolution (which gives many more details of his life).
He was the last survivor of 2nd Continental Light Dragoons
.
Veteran
A veteran is a person who has had long service or experience in a particular occupation or field; " A veteran of ..."...
s 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 born in Litchfield County, Connecticut
Litchfield County, Connecticut
Litchfield County is a county located in the northwestern corner of the U.S. state of Connecticut. Litchfield County has the lowest population density of any county in Connecticut but is geographically the state's largest county. As of 2010 the population was 189,927...
to Henry Cook and his wife Hannah Benham. Enlisting in the Continental Army
Continental Army
The Continental Army was formed after the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War by the colonies that became the United States of America. Established by a resolution of the Continental Congress on June 14, 1775, it was created to coordinate the military efforts of the Thirteen Colonies in...
at the age of sixteen, Cook fought at Brandywine and in the Virginia campaign, and was present at Charles Cornwallis' surrender. He received an honorable discharge signed by 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...
on June 12, 1784.
Following the war, Cook became a farmer and married Hannah Curtis. They had seven sons and three daughters.
Lemuel Cook died at the age of 106 and was buried with full military and masonic
Freemasonry
Freemasonry is a fraternal organisation that arose from obscure origins in the late 16th to early 17th century. Freemasonry now exists in various forms all over the world, with a membership estimated at around six million, including approximately 150,000 under the jurisdictions of the Grand Lodge...
honors. He was one of seven Revolutionary War veterans who, having survived into the age of photography, were featured in the 1864 book The Last Men of the Revolution (which gives many more details of his life).
He was the last survivor of 2nd Continental Light Dragoons
2nd Continental Light Dragoons
The 2nd Continental Light Dragoons, also known as Sheldon's Horse after Colonel Elisha Sheldon, was commissioned by the Continental Congress on December 12, 1776 and was first mustered at Wethersfield, Connecticut in March 1777 for service with the Continental Army...
.