John Aldrich (1760 - 1843)

Born 1 Apr 1760 in Voluntown, Windham, Connecticut Colony

Descendants

Died 26 Feb 1843 at age 82 in South Kingstown, Washington, Rhode Island, United States

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Biography

Private John Aldrich served with Connecticut Militia during the American Revolution.

Surgeon John Aldrich served with Privateers during the American Revolution.

John Aldrich was born on 1 Apr 1760 in Voluntown, Wyndham (now New London), Connecticut Colony.^[1]

When he was sixteen years old, John began his first tour of service in the Connecticut Militia during the American Revolutionary War. He was a resident of Plainfield, Windham, Connecticut at the time.

John would continue to reside in Plainfield throughout the entire duration of the Revolution.^[1]

Following the American Revolutionary War, John moved to Rhode Island. John remained in Rhode Island continuously once he relocated, with the exception of two years that he spent in New York.^[1]

By 1802, John had settled in South Kingstown, Washington, Rhode Island. Here, John would remain for the rest of his life - with the exception of 5 months that he spent with his son, Nathan, in Knowlesville, New York.

John married Elizabeth Thurston.^[2]

In May 1836, John and Elizabeth moved to the hamlet of Knowlesville in Ridgeway, Orleans, New York to live with their son, [[Aldrich-2455|Nathan]. They were not in Knowlesville for more than a few months before they decided to move back home to South Kingston, Rhode Island.^[1]. John's wife, Elizabeth, would pass away in South Kingston the following spring.

John passed away on 26 Feb 1843 in South Kingston, Washington, Rhode Island.^[1] He was buried at Old Fernwood Cemetery in South Kingston.^[3]

Revolutionary War

Doctor John Aldrich's service record during the American Revolutionary War was quite extensive.

In February 1776, he enlisted as a Private in Colonel John Douglas' Regiment, for a term of 2 months. He served until April 1776.

On 1 Jul 1776, he enlisted as a Private in Captain John Dixon's Company, Colonel Comfort Sage's Regiment for a term of 6 months. During this time, John fought in the Battle of Harlem Heights and the Battle of White Plains. He was discharged on 25 Dec 1776.

In March 1777, he was drafted as a Private in Captain Butts' Company, Major Ripley's Regiment. He was discharged after two months.

In July 1778, he was drafted to serve in Captain John Tyler's Regiment for a term of two months. During this time, John fought in the Battle of Rhode Island.

In February 1781, John began his service as a Surgeon's Mate aboard the privateer, Marquis de Lafayette, for a term of 6 months.

In April 1782, John began his service as a Surgeon aboard The Randolph, a privately owned sloop that was armed. John worked aboard The Randoph for about 7 weeks, before he was taken captive by the British and held prisoner until April 1783.

All of the preceding information was adapted from Doctor John Aldrich's pension application file.^[1]

Pension

Doctor John Aldrich applied for pension on 7 Jun 1832. His certificate of pension was issued on 27 Mar 1833, for the amount of $36.66 per annum, retroactive (arrears owed) from 4 Mar 1831.^[1]

Census Enumerations

1800 Hopkinton, Washington, Rhode Island^[4]

1810 South Kingstown, Washington, Rhode Island^[5]

1820

1830 South Kingstown, Washington, Rhode Island^[6]

1840 South Kingstown, Washington, Rhode Island^[7]

Research Notes

The monument erected for Doctor John Aldrich in Old Fernwood Cemetery in South Kingston, specifies that John was born in Preston, Connecticut. John claimed to have been born in Voluntown, Connecticut when he applied for pension. The two towns are very close together.

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6} Records of the Department of Veterans Affairs; 1773-2007. Case Files of Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Applications Based on Revolutionary War Service, ca. 1800-ca.1912. John Aldrich, application no. S.21601, Connecticut Navy. Citing National Archives and Records Administration. Digital Images: Digital Public Library of America. Accessed 17 Nov 2023. John Aldrich Pension Application File
2. ↑ (Hopkins), Vol. 1, Page 391
3. ↑ Find A Grave: Memorial #41397214
4. ↑ United States Census, 1800. Hopkinton, Washington, Rhode Island United States. John Aldrich; page 739. Citing NARA digital publication series M704. Records of the Bureau of the Census, National Archives and Records Administration. Digital Images: Family Search. Image 283 of 306. Accessed 18 Nov 2023. 1800 US Census
5. ↑ United States Census, 1810. South Kingstown, Washington, Rhode Island United States. John Aldrich; page 90. Citing NARA digital publication series M704. Records of the Bureau of the Census, National Archives and Records Administration. Digital Images: Family Search. Image 182 of 197. Accessed 18 Nov 2023. 1810 US Census
6. ↑ United States Census, 1830. South Kingstown, Washington, Rhode Island United States. John Aldrich; page 137. Citing NARA digital publication series M704. Records of the Bureau of the Census, National Archives and Records Administration. Digital Images: Family Search. Image 266 of 759. Accessed 18 Nov 2023. 1830 US Census
7. ↑ United States Census, 1840 Veteran's Schedule. South Kingstown, Washington, Rhode Island United States. John Aldrich; page 419. Citing NARA digital publication series M704. Records of the Bureau of the Census, National Archives and Records Administration. Digital Images: Family Search. Image 849 of 1034. Accessed 18 Nov 2023. 1840 US Census, Veteran's Schedule

• Hopkins, Timothy. The Kelloggs in the Old World and the New (Sunset Press, 1903)