Captain Samuel Fayerweather (1761-1848)
Welcome back, Monroe history lovers. Today we’ll visit the Stepney Cemetery, where we’ll learn the history behind a near-forgotten American Patriot named Samuel Fayerweather. I’m sure you’ll find his early American history to be both fascinating and inspiring. As we enter the cemetery, please be mindful to keep your voices down so as not to disrespect or disturb those resting in peaceful repose. Thank you.
Just 100 feet inside the main gates on the east side of the drive, you’ll find the Fayerweather grave flanked by two ancient eastern red cedars, an evergreen traditionally planted in burial grounds, their year-round color signifying eternal life. For generations their combined canopy has protected the grave and its white marble headstone from the elements. Look more closely and you’ll notice that the upper left corner of the headstone is resting against one of the cedars, its trunk keeping the stone stable throughout the passage of time.
Captain Samuel Fayerweather was born on March 25, 1761 in what is today Trumbull. On March 1, 1777, heeding the call of patriotic service, he enlisted in the Continental Army, was issued the rank of Private, and was assigned to the company commanded by Captain Samuel Comstock in Colonel John Chandler’s 8th Regiment in the Connecticut line. He was just 15 years old.
As a Private, Samuel Fayerweather fought in the following battles:
• Battle at Germantown (Oct 1777, Pennsylvania - General Washington present)
• Siege at Fort Mifflin, AKA Siege of Mud Island Fort (Nov 1777, Pennsylvania)
• Battle of Monmouth, (June 1778, New Jersey - General Washington present)
• Battle of Stony-Point (July 1779, New York)
And, for those of you who may be wondering. Yes, it has been verified that Private Fayerweather was with General Washington at Valley Forge during the harsh winter encampment of 1777. Let all those details sink in for a moment. It’s truly amazing! On August 1, 1780, Samuel earned the rank of Corporal, the highest rank he would achieve for the remainder of his military service during the American Revolution.
Samuel Fayerweather was honorably discharged from the Continental Army on June 7, 1783. His discharge paper was personally signed by His Excellency George Washington at Hasbrouck House, the general’s headquarters overlooking the Hudson River at Newburgh, New York. A digital copy of Corporal Fayerweather’s signed discharge paper is attached as the third supporting image.
On this same date, Corporal Fayerweather was presented with the Badge of Military Merit, a decoration of honor conceived by Washington to recognize “singularly meritorious action” by enlisted soldiers. This would come to be known in time as the Purple Heart, the oldest military honor still presented to U.S. military members.
After six years of faithful service, and with independence won, citizen Fayerweather settled into the life of a humble country farmer. He married Charity Burton on April 28, 1791 and they lived out the rest of their days with their family in modern-day Easton, just outside the Upper Stepney Village. Commencing on March 23, 1818, Corporal Fayerweather was granted a military pension of $8.00 per month for his service to our country. Samuel’s wife Charity passed on April 16, 1847 and Samuel passed just over a year later on April 29, 1848, very near the end of the Mexican-American War.
Now, for those of you with a keen eye, you may be asking yourself, why are we referring to a Corporal as Captain? That’s a great question, and one that had perplexed me for many years. Eventually, I learned that this promotion was a tradition of our residents who publicly referred to all returning soldiers as Captain, regardless of their official military ranks. It was a genuine gesture of respect in life and death, and there are numerous examples of these posthumous promotions in Monroe’s cemeteries.
So, how’s that for an American History lesson, folks? Today, the inscription on the Fayerweather’s headstone is not fully legible to the naked eye, but with the application of modern digital technologies the veil of time has been pulled back. Please see the last supporting image to read the now deciphered impressive epitaph of our brave neighbor, a true American hero. Please share this post with your family and friends, and as always, thank you for your continued support and interest in Monroe’s rich history. Until next time, Are you typically one to thank someone for their service to our country? Make the time to visit Stepney Cemetery and make it so.
Regards,
Kevin Daly
Historian, Monroe Historical Society
www.monroecthistory.org
Our Past is Always Present
