Fox Valley Chapter Patriot Profile

Biography of Patriot Aaron Miner

Aaron Miner was born in Brumfield, Connecticut on March 17, 1757.

In May of 1775 at the age of 18 while a resident of Woodbury, Litchfield County, Connecticut Aaron Miner enlisted for a term of 7 months in the company of Captain Porter in the regiment under the command of Colonel Worcester.

On June 27, 1775 the Continental Congress had sanctioned an invasion of Canada, under the command of Brig. General Richard Montgomery. On August 27, General Montgomery set out for Canada and established his base of operations at Ile Aux Noix, Quebec on September 5, 1775.

Aaron Miner’s regiment was marched from Woodbury to New York, and then on to Long Island, then back to New York. In the fall of 1775 the regiment marched up the Hudson River to Albany and went overland to Lake Champlain. From here they moved to Fort St. John and joined with the army of General Richard Montgomery, and successfully attacked and subdued Fort St. John and Montreal in October of 1775.

The regiment to which Aaron Miner was attached returned to Fort Ticonderoga. In November of 1775 Aaron Miner was discharged, having served six months of his 7 month enlistment and he returned to Woodbury.

Aaron Miner enlisted in May 1776 in Woodbury for a six month term in the company of Captain Hurd in the regiment under the command of Lt. Colonel Sullivan. The regiment marched once again to New York and then to Long Island, where they took part in the Battle of Long Island.

It was at the Battle of Long Island that the army of British Major General Lord Howe forced the troops under the command of General George Washington to evacuate New York City on September 15th. American losses were about 2,000 men and several guns.

The loss of New York was the worst period of the war for Washington and the American cause of independence. Morale in parts of the Continental Army collapsed and whole companies deserted. It is the mark of a truly great leader that he was able to recover from such a reverse.

The American forces retreated from New York City to the high ground around White Plains, New York. It was here in October of 1776 that British Major General Lord Howe once again clashed with the forces of George Washington, including the regiment to which Aaron Miner was attached.

The Battle of White Plains was an inconclusive meeting on October 28, 1776. General William Howe's British army, with Hessian support was completing their occupation of New York and its environs. George Washington had withdrawn to the high ground near the village of White Plains.

The battle is recorded as a British victory, in that Washington was forced to withdraw. But, Howe missed another chance to crush Washington's army. After taking the high ground, he paused to set up camp and artillery batteries. After spending a few miserable nights on swampy ground, under the British guns, the Americans slipped away to the north on the night of November 1, escaping with their wounded and supplies.

Considering the numbers involved, casualties were light on both sides. The Continental Army lost 130 killed and wounded, while British losses came to about 230.

Aaron Miner was discharged in December of 1776 and once again returned to Woodbury.

In the spring of 1777 Aaron Miner was drafted to serve a two month term. He was assigned to the forces under the command of General McDonald at Peckskill, New York. Aaron Miner was used to reinforce the companies of the regular troops who were short on men. At the close of this term, Aaron Miner was discharged and he returned home.

In the fall of 1777 Aaron Miner volunteered for a two month term of enlistment, and was once again sent to Peckskill, New York. At the end of seven weeks he was discharged and returned to Woodbury.

Aaron Miner married Hannah Baldwin in Woodbury, Connecticut on February 17, 1779.

Aaron Miner was once again drafted in Woodbury in March of 1779 and was marched to to the Hudson River and served two months in the regiment of Colonel Porter. He was discharged in May of 1779 in Peckskill, New York.

Aaron and Hannah Miner remained in Woodbury Connecticut until 1782, when they moved to Windsor, Connecticut, and lived here about 12 years. They then reloacted to Waitsfield, Vermont where they were living on August 7, 1832 when Aaron Miner applied for a pension.

It is not know when Aaron and Hannah Miner reloacted to Illinois. It was here on March 29, 1849 that Aaron Miner died at the age of 92 years and 11 days. He is buried in the Elk Grove Cemetery in Elk Grove Villiage, Cook County, Illinois.

On February 14, 1850, Aaron’s wife Hannah applied for a widow’s pension based on her husband’s service. For reasons unknown, it appears this application was rejected.

Sources:
Aaron Miners Revolutionary Pension Application File #R.7.256
DAR Patriot Index, Volume II, page 1, 873
http://www.britishbattles.com/battle-of-quebec-1775.htm
http://www.britishbattles.com/long-island.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_White_Plains

Photos from the Elk Grove Cemetery

Aaron Miner is buried mid way between the parking lot and the Elk Grove Cemetery sign. The Elk Grove Cemetery is a small cemetery which is bounded on the north by Interstate 90 and to the west by Arlington Heights Road.
Patriot Eli Skinner is buried only 15 or 20 feet behind Aaron Miner and near the parking lot.
Click for MapQuest map to cemetery. Click on thumbnail and enlarged photo will autoclose in 15 seconds.