Notes |
- Ezekiel Sanford was a farmer by occupation and was brought up in Waterbury,CT. He later served in the French and Indian War and also in the American Revolution. His youngest son is the only child of his wife Rebecca. Ezekiel moved with his family to Windsor,NY soon after the birth of his youngest child(1785). In 1798, they moved to Dryden,NY. About 1816 or 17, Ezekiel removed to Sparta,NY with his son-in-law, John Reed and his son Elisaph. In 1818, he applied for and recieved a pension for his service as a soldier in the Revolutionary War. Dates of enlistment and appointment are as follows: 1775, for eight months as a private under Capt. Benedict Arnold (Conn. Regt.); 1776, for ten months as a private under Capt. Smith and Col. Elmore (Conn. Regt.); April 1777 to 15 Jun1779 as a Corporal under Capt. David Smith and Col. Chandler (8th Conn. Reg.). All enlistments were at Watertown,CT. Ezekiel fought in the battles of Germantown and Monmouth (The battle at Monmouth Court House,NJ, in 1778, was the last major battle in the North during the Revolution and took place in the spring following the winter spent at Valley Forge,PA). He was wounded in battle by a bullet striking the ridge of his nose. In April of 1818 he applied for a pension and received the sum of $8 per month. There is a letter written by Ezekiel Sanford while at Valley Forge that was in the possession of Frank S. Sanford, 1335 F St., N.W., Washington, DC, (Oct 5, 1907) A copy of this letter is in the Sanford Genealogy, by Carlton E. Sanford, 1910.
- THE FOLLOWING LETTER WRITTEN BY HIM TO HIS WIFE (Sarah Chloe Cook Sanford) WHILE AT VALLEY FORGE IS STILL EXTANT. The original letter is held by F. S. Sanford of Washington, D. C. {THIS STATEMENT MADE IN 1914, WHEN CARLETON E. SANFORD PUBLISHED HIS BOOK, "THOMAS SANFORD, THE IMMIGRANT."}
(This wife would be Sarah Cook Sanford, first wife and mother of nine children. He (Ezekiel Sanford) later married Rebecca Wheeler and had one son, Thomas Elisaph Sanford, father of our Lyman Sanford).
(copied exactly as written)
"Camp Valley Forge, 27th Apr 1778
Dear Wife:
A sense of my conjugal obligation and tender afection for you and the children whom God hath given us induces me to write at this time and I doubt not you have earnest desire to hear from me as you have frequently manifested. I have been very sick and nigh to Death for a long time, but God of his infinite mercy has lenthened out my life and so far restored my helth that I have returned to the Camp under circumstances of comfort and am able to attend the exercises of the _____ and am gaining strengh very fast. Hope soon to enjoy a confirmed state of helth, great and maniford have been the favors and Blessings which God of his infinite goodness has bestowed on me who am unworthy of any motive from him, may his name be suitable praised, and all his benefits Remembered by me and all concerned for me: I received your letters my :Majs" Curtis camp, am obligated to you for the care and concerne for me therein manifested.
Rejoiced greatly to hear of your welfare, but am not without the greatest concerne and anxiety for you and the Children. I know the times are difficult and I consider the care upon you to be very great under your particular circumstance--the duty of parents to children is very important and as it is necessarily devolved upon you, I cannot forbare, nor do I think it inconsistent with my Duty to express my concerne for them and earnest desire that they may be well instructed in the ways of virtue and piety, if they are not, Sin lieth at the Dore and we must be answerable for the neglect, and I can do my duty in no other way than by recommending them to your care and the care of a kind and indulgent Providence.
I understand the neighbors are kind and careful for you which I am very glad of, as I think it must of no small comfort to you and greatly softens your cares, be not discouraged but surmount the difficulties with all becoming Patience, and God bless your indeavors and preserve your helth __________.
I intend to come home but now do not expect, this summer--it would be very agreeable and gratifying to me to see you once more and hope I may at the close of another campaign, but that is uncertain. We appoint and God disappoints and it becomes us to prepare for the event of his will with all due submission and that His blessing may ever attend you.
Peace be restored to our land and our hearts prepared for the receipt of so great favors is the desire and prayer of your Loving Husband.
EZEKIEL SANFORD"
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