Hi Joan
I hope the following helps your niece in her quest to join the DAR. By the
way, albeit with limited information, Silas is already listed in the DAR's
book! Don't know if that helps you at all.
Ah, yes, the illusive Silas & Judith (Graham) Canfield. I am just one of
many descendants of Silas & Judith and to date the best proof of his Rev.War
soldiering experience is the written statement in the book "Vermont Soldiers
in the Rev. War", that Silas was, and I quote, "A Vermont Soldier serving in
Col. Seth Warner's New York Company of Continental Soldiers", enlisted from
Sept. 1777 to 1780. (VT wasn't a state then, so the U.S.Congress listed
them with the NY contingency.) The book further states that he said to have
died in Luzerne Co., PA. Luzerne at that exact time period was huge, but
later separated into smaller counties. Thanks to bits of information from
several Canfield researchers, we see that his second son, Hezekiah Graham
Canfield, married his wife, ___ Rowley in town of Tunkhannah (spelling?), PA
in 1802. Off the top of my head I think that is in Luzerne Co. It would be
a good bet that the aging Silas Canfield followed his son to that newly
opened land.
Regarding Judith -- So far I have been unable to track Judith Graham down.
There are soooo many Grahams, but none that I have found with a daughter
named Judith. Check out the payroll books of "Connecticut Men in the
Rev.War" (mainly volunteer militia men) as he is listed as receiving
soldiers pay in 1776. The last payroll was in Dec. 31, 1776, and he is
listed as a Deserter...however, two mitigating circumstances may make that a
harsh word for a patriot. Dec. 31, 1776 was the end of a three month
enlistment period, in that pre-war. Although I personally haven't seen the
actual written records, other researchers note that in same general time
period, Silas & Judith married in Rye, NY, and that their first child, a
daughter, was born there too. Further, in pre-war (1776 time period) most
militia volunteers came and went as family and farming duty called. The
payroll record where his name is listed also states that fact.
From the internet (Google) I found the family tree of the "Rose
Family".
There they tell the story of Silas' sister, Chloe, who married to
Samuel
Rose, Jr., the son of the first pioneer family to settle Manchester,
Bennington Co. When she moved to Manchester, the "Rose Family" website
said "two of her brothers Silas and Timothy Canfield" moved with her. I
presume that would be in the spring or summer of 1777. As it developed,
Silas and brother Timothy became Patriots and Chloe & husband became Tories.
Samuel Rose, Jr., was a well noted and active Tory during that terrible
time. Samuel was caught a couple of times leading a Tory group, imprisioned
by his neighbors, and escaped - twice. Eventually Samuel & Chloe and family
moved to Canada. Their home and land confiscated by the Patriots. As I
said this is all in the Rose Family tree on the internet.
In 1777 Silas & Judith and family were settled in Manchester, Bennington
Co., VT, which, at the time I understand from local history was a gathering
place for Col. Seth Warner and other VT military. The the information I
have discussed, with your niece's research to back it up, should be enough
to get your niece in the DAR because everything I mentioned above is
documented in printed material (especially the book of "VT Soldiers in
Rev.War"). I By the way, I obtained my version from the Vermont Historical
Society in Barre, VT. I am sure they help you find more back up material
of that day and time.
Col. Seth Warner was one of the top three major leaders in that time period
(Ethan Allen, Seth Warner & Remember Baker) and was very, very militarily
active. His exploits are listed in most VT history or military books of
that time period. If your niece reads the history books, especially
involving Warner's military activities, she will be pleased to know that
Silas, after leaving CT militia and settling in VT was no doubt a "Green
Mountain Boy" and a volunteer in the military escapades and skirmishes of
that group. Next, in Sept. 1777, he formerly Enlisted as a soldier (a
Private) with Col. Seth Warner's NY Co. of Continental soldiers....and
honest-to-goodness paid Continental soldier! I encourage her to follow that
lead
By the way, Silas Jr., and Hezekiah Graham Canfield were children number 3 &
4, but the first boys. The Bennington Historical Society, in town of
Bennington, Bennington Co., VT, is a historical society within the wonderful
Bennington library and has volunteers who could help you take photos of the
Birth Certificates of those two and some others. Off the top of my head,
Silas or Hezekiah was born in Manchester and Ft. Edward, NY respectively.
At that time Ft. Edward was an active military fort where alot of VT/NY
military and British soldiers were tromping through. You know, first the
British has it, then are chased out by the VT soldiers, then British chase
the VT soldiers out. Quite a terrible and hectic time.
I hope the above will give your niece allot of leads and where to locate the
information. I've been quite ill for a couple of years and most my material
is in stacks awaiting the time I feel well enough to put it in order. So I
wish her well in her hunting.
Which of Silas & Judith's children are you descended from?
Sandy Childs
Descendant of Matthew, Samuel, Ebenezer, Timothy, Silas Sr., Ira, Orsemus,
Alice Canfield
----- Original Message -----
From: "Dave & Joan Price" <djp(a)rockisland.com>
To: <jschilds(a)pacbell.net>
Sent: Friday, September 26, 2008 3:11 PM
Subject: Silas and Judith Graham Canfield
I've been reading your posts on Rootsweb regarding my ancestors.
Have you
had any further information on Judith's death or Silas's death? My niece
is wanting to join DAR and my mother did not have this info.
Thanks for responding.
Joan in WA State