Benjamin Whittemore

Quick Facts

Place of Death:

Stillwater, NY

Date of Death:

September 30, 1777

Benjamin Whittemore joined the cause of liberty in December 1776 by enlisting in Captain Graham’s company of Colonel Philip Van Cortlandt’s 2^nd New York Regiment for the duration of the war, a choice that came with a land grant if the conflict concluded successfully. A few months after enlisting, Captain Graham appointed Ben to the rank of sergeant.

On September 19, 1777, the American Northern Army clashed with the invading British forces from Canada at Freeman’s Farm (the First Battle of Saratoga), a fight in which the 2^nd New York Regiment lost one private killed and two lieutenants, three sergeants, one drummer, and 15 privates wounded. Ben was numbered amongst the wounded sergeants.

Ben “died of his wounds” in the hospital on September 30, eleven days following the battle. Unfortunately, we do not know the nature of his wound, nor do we know anything more about his life or his family. Sometimes, available research takes us only so far – hopefully, someday we'll know more.

Sergeant Whittemore was probably buried in an unmarked grave near the Flying Hospital at Bemus Heights.