Drummer Eleazer Cole - 52 Ancestors #29

Eleazer Cole served in the Revolutionary War as a Sgt. in Capt. Hayden's Company in Col. Bailey's Regt. His active service began on June 1, 1775, and he spent 8 months on duty in Roxbury before being honorably discharged. Prior to being enlisted, he served several months as a Minuteman according to witness testimony. In his pension file is a letter from the Quartermaster General's Office of the War Dept, dated May 9, 1938. This letter gives details of Eleazer Cole's service.

Bela Noyes, testimony: "I further testify that the said Eleazer Cole stood as a minuet (sic) man
two or three months previous to the aforesaid enlistment under Capt. David Parker

1938 Letter from The Quartermaster General at the War Dept.

On July 27, 1833, he was awarded a pension of $40 per year with $100 back pay. Eleazer died on August 4 in Greenwood, Maine, and his widow filed for additional benefits in 1837 and was awarded $260 of back pay based on the $40 per year pension originally granted to Eleazer. There are a number of documents related to the pension and I've excerpted some relevant ones below.

Eleazer's Claim

Lucy's Widow's Claim

July 11, 1769. married Eleazer Cole and Lucy Shurtleff - John Porter
Pastor of 4th Church of Bridgewater [Massachusetts]

Lucy Cole's Signature - She was 85 when she signed the pension application

Eleazer Cole
Calvin Cole, Sr.
Calvin Cole, Jr.
Delphina (Cole) Hayes
George Hayes
Eva (Hayes) Yates
Linona Alice Yates - my grandmother