Several years ago, I came across a notice in New-Hampshire Patriot and State Gazette for August 28, 1845 for a reunion of Revolutionary War veterans taking place in New York City.
In that month, George Washington Parke Custis, adopted son (and grandson) of President George Washington visited New York City. In honor of the occasion there was a reception at the house of Alderman Peters attended by “the friends and companions in arms of the great Washington.” At that time, photography was still a relatively novel invention, but it’s quite possible that some of the attendees sat for a daguerreotype portrait before their death.
The following individuals were at the reunion. Their ages at the time (if known) are in parentheses. Not all were veterans. Some were well-known in New York while others were children of veterans.
Major Popham (93)
John Battin (93) of New York City
Major General Van Buren of Staten Island
Judge Miller
Judge Lynch
Thomas Lyell, Rector of Christ Church
William Mandeville
George B. Thorp
Elisha Whittlesey of Ohio
James M. Crane of Virginia
Samuel L. Waldo
Dr. John W. Francis
Isaac T. Hopper
Homer Curtis of Mount Vernon, Ohio
Jacob Hays
Dr. James E. Maney
Thomas Morris (born in 1771)
Teunis Quick (born in 1767)
A.S. Norwood (born 1770)
Philip Schuyler
Gilbert Smith (born 1772)
Sylvanus Miller
James Black of Newark, New Jersey
W. Vermilye
Joseph Weeks
Cornelius Bogert
R. Cheseborough
John W. Mulligan
Daniel B. Tallmadge
J.M. Matthews
A.L. Underhill
J.D. Beers
Judge Ogden Edwards
Geroge F. Hopkins
George Coggill
These are the only individuals named in the article, but according to the report about two hundred men who had served in the American Revolution came to pay respects to Custis.
Custis is the only known picture of any of the individuals in attendance that day.
If you know of any images of these men, please contact me at photodetective@maureentaylor.com.
Thank you for your help!
I have put together a free download of 5 Revolutionary War-Related Activities that you can explore. Click the button below to get your copy.
Download “5 Revolutionary War-Related Activities”
You can buy your copy of The Last Muster books by clicking here.