Relics of the Revolution - the DeForest Brothers

 Chenango Telegraph, Norwich, NY, October 7, 1835

Relics of the Revolution - The DeForest Brothers

We have materials before us from which we think we can sketch a brief little tale that shall be interesting to all - a tale of incidents connected with the Revolution.

Four brothers by the name of DeForest met in this village [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY] last week at the Eagle Tavern on a visit.  They were all born in the town of Stratford in the State of Connecticut.  The eldest Mr. Samuel DeForest was born July 18, 1758; Mr. Abel DeForest (father of Gen. DeForest of the Eagle) April 28, 1761; Mr. Mills DeForest May 24, 1763, and Mr. Gideon DeForest, September 14, 1765 - making the first named 77 years of age, the second 74, the third 72 and the fourth 70.  Mr. Samuel DeForest is a resident of Ballston, Saratoga County [NY], Mr. Abel DeForest of Edmeston, Otsego County (NY] Mr. Mills DeForest of Lemington, Essex County, Vermont; and Mr. Gideon DeForest, also of Edmeston, Otsego County.

These four brothers were all Soldiers in the Revolution!  While they were mere boys, they rallied to the field in defense of their own parental roof and of their country's rights.  the oppressive exactions of a proud and haughty Tyrant, who demanded the submission of the Colonies to his decrees, fired their souls with indignation and energy and moved their arms for conflict.  They disdained submission and with the heroic spirits of that day, determined to strike a bold stroke for Liberty.

Mr. Samuel DeForest was in the service two years and six months.  He was in the battle at the burning of Fairfield and was one who had charge of a boat on the night of Gen. Washington's well-planned and memorable retreat from Long island to New York in Aug. 1776.  Mr. Abel DeForest was in the service three years and three months and although he had not the good fortune to meet the enemy in battle array, he was constantly on duty and saw hard service.  Mr. Mills DeForest was in the service three years and seven months.  He was in several battles and skirmished, as also was Mr. Gideon DeForest, who served two years and two months. During the years 1778 and 1780, Mr. Abel DeForest and his brother Mills, served together in the same regiment in the old Continental Army and on the 2d day of Oct. 1780 (55 years ago last Friday) they both stood by and witnessed the execution of Maj. Andre.  They saw the last sad end of that unfortunate man and related to us and to others some of the circumstances connected with it.

Besides the periods during which these brothers were in actual service, as before related, they were repeatedly called out on sudden alarms and engaged in various skirmishes with the enemy.

They have all seen Gen. Washington and are able to relate even the minutiae of many interesting incidents in the life of that great and good man - "The Father of his Country."  They also knew many of the leading men of that time, and most of the officers who led on our armies to victory and immortal honor.

We have said that the brothers rallied to the field while they were mere boys.  They did so, stimulated and encouraged by her who gave them birth.  Often has their mother, when an alarm has bene sounded in the dead hour of night, sprung from her bed and cheered her sons on to battle - and while they have been engaged in preparing their guns for the onset, she was preparing food for their knapsacks to sustain them in their absence!  At one time, just as they were about to take their departure in haste, perhaps from her forever, she addressed them thus:  "My sons!  If you meet the enemy, I hope you will do honor to yourselves and your country!"  What an instance of female bravery - of heroic firmness was this!  The fullness of her hope was realized. They did honor  to themselves and their country; and though they endured all sorts of hardships, they yet live.  Thank Heaven! to enjoy that liberty which their own arduous labors aided to procure.

The Brothers have all resided at their present places of residence upwards of 40 years, and until their recent meeting, they had not all been together for more than half a century.

We have now to add one more fact to complete the singular coincidence of circumstances which we have related; and that is all the brothers have been allowed pensions by the Government for their Revolutionary services, and the amount of each is the same as the others - $80 per annum.

While they remained in this village - a period of nearly three days - the greatest respect and attention were shown them by our citizens.  All classes were highly pleased with them, and when they told how battles were fought and "fields were won" it seemed more like romance than reality.  For the kindness with which they were treated, they desired us to return to the citizens of our village in their behalf, their most heartfelt acknowledgements, which we do with pleasure.

The brothers have a strong family resemblance.  They are upwards of six feet in height, strongly built, and have seen the day when it would not have been prudent for three times their number of red coats to come in contact with them.  With one exception, they still walk with a firm step.  That exception is the eldest, who is evidently failing.  They are all men of extraordinary intelligence - able to converse freely and sensibly, not only upon long past events, but upon more recent and the present occurrences of the day.

We always love to listen to tales of Revolutionary daring and danger.  We can never look upon a little group of old Soldiers with ordinary feelings of emotion; but we can truly say that we were never so delightfully entertained by the recital of such scenes and the appearance of those who participated in them, as were by the four brothers - those interesting and venerable relics of the Revolution.