The following information was assembled from numerous sources and cannot be used directly as proof of Qualifying Service or Lineage.
It is considered a research aid and is intended to assist in locating sources that can be used as proof.
State of Service: MA
Qualifying Service: Private
Birth: abt 1757 Harwich / Barnstable / MA Death: 07 Feb 1834 Harwich / Barnstable / MA
Qualifying Service Description:
October 1777, he served as a Private in the company of Captain Abijah Bangs, commanded by Colonel Nathaniel Freeman.
October 1778, he served in the company of Captain George Webb, commanded by Colonel William Shephard.
Continental Army three years
Additional References:
Revolutionary War Pension file W.4446
Secretary of the Commonwealth, Massachusetts Soldiers, and Sailors of the Revolutionary War, Volume III, Massachusetts. Boston: Wright & Potter Printing Co, 1901, pg 10, 727
Spouse: Azuba Avery Children: Sylvanus; Crosby; Joseph; Thankful; Betsey; Peter;
Members Who Share This Ancestor
None*
*This means that the NSSAR has no applications for this Patriot on file.
Instead the information provided is best effort, and from volunteers who have either researched grave sites, service records, or something similar. There is no documentation available at NSSAR HQ to order.
Image taken and provided with permission from compatriot David C Schafer (MA) member 159259.
SAR Plaque Placed in cemetery dedicated 17 Jun 2023. Grave site not marked by SAR.
Directions to Cemetery / Gravesite:
Entrance to the cemetery is at the corner of Depot and Main Street. The gravestone of Gamaliel Cahoon is made of white marble, and beside it is placed a Revolutionary War service stake marker.
From the cemetery entrance at the corner of Depot and Main Streets, walk southerly 222 feet, and then westerly 47 feet to the grave site of Gamaliel Cahoon.
Photo: 1 of 2
Photo: 2 of 2
Author: David Crandall Schafer
Gamaliel Cahoon was born about 1757 in Harwich, Massachusetts, the son of Downing and Elizabeth (Maker) Cahoon.
At the Massachusetts District Court of Boston on 7 April 1818, Gamaliel Cahoon of Harwich, Barnstable County, appeared to testify about his military service in the American Revolution. “That he served as a private soldier in the war of the Revolution for upwards of three years in manner following. In 1775 he enlisted as a private soldier in the company commanded by Abijah Bangs, and in Massachusetts Regiment, commanders name not recollected, and served in the said corps eight months. Enlisted shortly after in the company commanded by Captain Job Crocker of Orleans, in Massachusetts Regiment, commander name not recollected, and served in said corps six months – Enlisted shortly after in the company commanded originally by Captain John Bates, Lieutenant John Yarmans then actually commanding (the Captain being a prisoner) in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Shepherd, and served in said corps nearly three years; and was honorably discharged, which discharge is lost – and is in such reduced circumstances as to require aid from his country.”
The Certificate of Pension to Gamaliel was issued on 8 June 1819 and sent to John Davis, Esq, in Boston, Massachusetts. Payment of arrears to 4 March 1819 was $87.46, with the semiannual allowance of $48.00.1
Records from the Muster/Payrolls of the Revolution from Massachusetts and Rhode Island as given in the volumes of the Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors in the War of the Revolution state:
Gamaliel Cohoon, Harwich, Private Capt. Abijah Bangs company, Colonel Nathaniel Freeman’s regiment, October 1777, service, 31 days on a secret Expedition to Rhode Island.
Gamaliel Cohoon; Captain George Webb, Colonel William Shephard’s 3rd regiment, October 1778, an enlistment of 8 months.
Gamaliel Cahoon, Private, 4th company order dated 17 October 1783 for wages for July and August. Also, the order dated 28 October 1783 for wages for September. Also, the same company, order dated 27 December 1783, for wages for 28 days in October.
He and Azuba Avery, of Harwich, were married on 4 March 1784, at Harwich, and together raised a family of six known children born from 1784 to 1801:
Sylvanus
Crosby was born on 16 January 1786 and married Jane Nickerson.
Joseph was born on 16 January 1786
Thankful was born on 15 November 1794 and married Richard Rogers
Betsey was born on 6 July 1799 and married Amaziah Baker
Peter
On 29 October 1838, Azuba, as a resident of Harwich and widow of Gamaliel, appeared at the Barnstable County Probate court to obtain the benefits of pensions for certain widows. A certificate of Pension was issued to the widow on 30 April 1839. Arrears to the 4th of March were $240, with a semiannual allowance of $40.2
The Patriot died on 7 February 1834, and was buried at the North Harwich cemetery. Mrs. Azuba (Avery) Cahoon, aged 74, died on 23 October 1842 and was buried beside her husband Gamaliel at the North Harwich cemetery.
Sources:
Revolutionary War Pension file W14446
Ibid.
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