These are the Only Photos Ever Taken of Revolutionary War Veterans
By Moore, Nelson Augustus, 1824-1902, photographer [Public domain], via the Library of Congress
In 1864, at the height of the Civil War, Reverend Elias Hillard set out to document a bit of history from a previous war - the American Revolution - before it was too late.
His subjects were the last remaining soldiers of the Revolutionary War, six men between the ages of 100 and 105, who managed not only to escape the war with their lives, but also managed to live decades beyond the average life expectancy of the time.
It was a fascinating undertaking for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is that Elias and his photographer, Nelson Augustus Moore, managed to snap the only photographs ever taken of anyone that participated in the War for Independence.
Their photos, and each man's story, are below.
By Moore, Nelson Augustus, 1824-1902, photographer [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
William Hutchings enlisted to fight in the war at the tender age of 15.
He saw limited fighting at the Siege of Castine, during which time the British captured him and held him prisoner.
However, because he was so young, the British let him go.
After the war, he settled down in his home state of Maine, married at the age of 22, and with his wife Mercy, had 15 children.
He died at the age of 101 on May 2, 1866.
Like William Hutchings, Daniel Waldo's involvement in the Revolutionary War began at a young age - 16.
Drafted into the Continental Army in 1778, Waldo served for a year before being captured by the British, after which he was taken to New York, where he was held prisoner with other members of his company.
Waldo and his fellow prisoners were held in a Sugar House Prison - a sugar refinery that was converted into a prison because of its stone and brick construction that made escape difficult.
Waldo, along with other Sugar House Prisoners, was released two months later as part of a prisoner exchange with the British.
He went on to become a minister, serving as the chaplain of the House of Representatives at the ripe old age of 96.
He died on July 30, 1864, at the age of 101.
Born in 1760, Adam Link enlisted in the army in 1776 at the age of 16.
His duty was to guard the frontier, and spent five years doing so in the western reaches of Virginia. He also served three tours with the Pennsylvania Militia.
Despite seeing so much action in the war, Link survived and married, frequently moving from one place to the next over the course of his life.
Late in life, he left his home in Pennsylvania and walked 141 miles to Ohio, where he later cleared land for a farm.
He died on August 15, 1864, at 103 years old.
Alexander Millener saw action in several battles during the war, including at White Plains, Brandywine, Monmouth, Saratoga, and Yorktown.
He also served in the Navy aboard the Constitution. All this after having enlisted as a drummer boy because of his young age.
In recounting his experiences in the war, it was those as a drummer boy that stuck out the most.
In fact, he was such a good drummer that he caught the attention of General George Washington himself, who regarded Millener as one of his favorites.
He lived a long life with his wife, Abigail, who died when he was 102. Millener died in 1874 at the age of 104.
When Lemuel Cook enlisted for service in the war, he was told that he was too small, and that the only way he could serve was to sign up for the duration of the war.
So, instead of serving for three months, six months, or one year, as was typical, Cook enlisted to serve for the duration, seeing battle at the likes of Brandywine, and also witnessing Cornwallis' surrender at Yorktown to end the war.
Cook was born in Connecticut on September 10, 1761, and died on May 20, 1866, at nearly 105 years of age.
He was the oldest survivor of the Revolutionary War.
Samuel Downing was born in Massachusetts in November 1764.
In July 1780, he traveled to New Hampshire, where, at the age of 15, he enlisted for service in the Continental Army.
He was stationed in the Mohawk Valley, where he served under General Arnold, a man known for his vigor in fighting.
Downing saw action in the Battle of Saratoga, in which the Continental Army defeated British General Burgoyne.
Downing lived to be 102 years old, passing away on February 19, 1867.
After Elias Hilliard and Nelson Augustus Moore completed their interviews, Hilliard wrote a book, The Last Men of the Revolution.
The images above, as well as detailed stories of all six men, are contained in the book, which is still in print to this day.
The book provides a unique glimpse - and the only photographic record - of men that saw one of the most significant events in American history unfold.
You can pick up the book on Amazon for about $10.
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