Sunday, November 9, 2025

My Ancestors in the American Revolutionary War: SOLOMON BROWN I: The Battle of Pound Ridge and the Burning of Bedford in Westchester County, New York


Artist interpretation of  Soldiers raiding in Westchester County NY


 SOLOMON BROWN I was born about 1746 in Westchester County, New York, the son of ELIPHALET BROWN I and THANKFUL WOOD.  ELIPHALET I migrated from Fairfield County, Connecticut to Westchester County  sometime before October 1744; his marriage to THANKFUL WOOD was recorded 4 October 1744 in Darien, Fairfield, Connecticut, and the record notes that ELIPHALET I was of North Castle (later called Pound Ridge) Westchester, New York, and THANKFUL was from Norwalk, Fairfield County, Connecticut.

SOLOMON BROWN I married SARAH "SALLY" SLASON in about 1772, in New Canaan, Fairfield County, Connecticut.  She was born 22 October 1750 in Stamford, Fairfield, Connecticut, the daughter of THOMAS SLASON & MARY BATES of Stamford.  The couple had nine children, and lived their entire adult lives in Pound Ridge.

During the Revolutionary War,  SOLOMON BROWN I enlisted first in  Capt EBENEZER SLASON's  1st company of Minute Men, under Col SAMUEL DRAKE, for two short terms of duty, Nov-Dec 1775, and Jan-Feb 1776, a total of 66 days

He again enlisted in 1779-1781 in the  Westchester  Militia, 4th  Regiment  under Col THADDEUS CRANE. His brothers TIMOTHY, BENIJAH and ELIPHALET BROWN II also served in this regiment, as did his brother-in-law STEPHEN SLASON (married THANKFUL BROWN), and his friend and neighbor JESSE BOUTON. Several of JESSE BOUTON's children married SOLOMON BROWN's children. As residents and Militia men,  it is highly likely they all  fought against the British at the Battle of Pound Ridge.  on July 2, 1779.

British Col BANASTRE TARLTETON was ordered to attack  Pound Ridge, where it was believed that Capt EBENEZER LOCKWOOD and his rebel militia were encamped. LUTHER KINNICUTT, a rebel spy, warned the Americans that the British were about to attack.  TARLETON attempted a raid on the town   on July 2, 1779. A rebel Cavalry unit, Sheldon's Dragoons,  and local Militia were able to repulse the British, who, unable to capture LOCKWOOD or Sheldon's Dragoons, retreated to the nearby town of Bedford, where they encountered rebels  who fired upon them. In response, the British burnt several houses. The British returned to Bedford on July 11, 1779, and burned all the houses to the ground except one--the home of a Loyalist.

The Burning of Bedford--Westchester County Revolutionary War Sites


SOLOMON BROWN I wrote his will 19 April 1815, which names his wife SARAH and most of his nine children: sons SAMUEL, ISAAC & SOLOMON BROWN II; daughters RHODA, ELIZABETH "BETSY", THANKFUL, SARAH, MATILDA & NANCY.

 SOLOMON BROWN I  died in 1821 in Pound Ridge, Westchester, New York.  His gravesite has not yet been found.



SOLOMON BROWN I is in the lineage of my maternal grandfather R B MARTINE

Have a great day!

Betty


© Betty Tartas 2025


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