ENLISTED AS A MINOR AND DIED FIGHTING FOR HIS COUNTRY

A collection of two (2) Revolutionary War-era documents detailing the sad conclusion of a young soldier's story. Benjamin Buck of Farmington, Connecticut, was a minor when he enlisted in the Continental Army. He signed on for a three-year service in Kimball's Company of the 8th Connecticut, starting on 30 April 1777. As part of the 8th Connecticut, Buck would have likely been stationed at Valley Forge, the large-scale camp that also saw large bouts of disease and poor conditions.

Spending the winter at Valley Forge forced the thousands of soldiers to build log cabins in close quarters, promoting the spread of diseases such as smallpox, influenza and typhus. Additionally, there was a lack of food and clothing in the colder months, no doubt weakening the immunities of soldiers. It is likely due to this combination that Buck was reported as deceased on 1 March 1778. 

These documents, which were written six years after Buck's death, all involve a woman named Phillis verifying Buck's minor status in the Continental Army. As Buck's "only surviving parent and guardian," Phillis was seeking "the balance due to my Son... for service in the Cont'l Army before 1780." The balance was 11 pounds, 6 shillings and 2 pence, but it's unclear whether or not Phillis ever received the money. 

A full list of the documents includes: 

1. Autograph document signed by Simeon Hart, Hoodiah(?) Hooke, Timothy Root and Phillis Buck. Hartford County, Connecticut, 6 March and 10 April 1784. 2 pages, 8vo. 

2. Partly printed document completed in manuscript. Signed by Silas Bunnel. Hartford, Connecticut, 18 May 1784. 1 page, 8vo. Docketing to verso. 

[American Revolutionary War, American Revolution, Founding Fathers, Declaration of Independence, Colonial America, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, James Monroe] [Manuscripts, Documents, Letters, Ephemera, Signatures, Autographs]