Iddo Church

Quick Facts

Date of Birth:

1756

Place of Death:

September 19, 1777

Date of Death:

Stillwater, NY

Like many young men of their generation, brothers Iddo (born 1756) and Thomas (born 1754) Church of Gilsum, New Hampshire were living at home when the Revolutionary War broke out in April 1775. Afire with patriotic fervor, they joined Colonel Paul Dudley Sargent’s Continental Regiment that August and participated in the siege of Boston.

By 1777, the brothers joined the newly raised 1^st New Hampshire Regiment in which Thomas was appointed a sergeant. Not to be outdone by his older brother, Iddo was transferred to the 3^rd New Hampshire Regiment and appointed a sergeant in Captain Grigg’s / Ellis’s company.

As with other soldiers of the Northern Army in upstate New York that summer, Iddo and Thomas endured significant hardships: no blankets, tents, or money; little food; threadbare clothing; and a relentless enemy. Thankfully, some of these things were rightened by September and the Northern Army was ready to make a stand against the British invasion at Bemus Heights, just north of Stillwater.

Both regiments were sent into battle at Freeman’s Farm on September 19, but only Thomas returned to camp that night; 21-year old Iddo was left behind on the battlefield, dead. The British probably buried Iddo’s body near where he fell.

As for Thomas, he survived the subsequent Battle of Bemus Heights, saw the British surrender at Saratoga, and was transferred down to #Valley Forge National Park for the winter and spring. Like so many others stationed there, he became sick in camp; Thomas died on June 21, 1778.