Old Peru Village Cemetery is the burial place for several Revolutionary War Veterans

The tour attracted several people interested in local history. (Chris Mullen photo)
By John T Ryan
If you appreciate the Town of Peru’s history or Revolutionary War history, you would have enjoyed the Saturday, September 26 tour of Peru’s Old Village Cemetery on North Bend Street. Peru Town Historian Helen Nerka, accompanied by military historian Thaddeus Booth Trudo, led the tour. An America250 event, it focused on Revolutionary War veterans buried there. Some veterans’ graves have not been located, but documents indicate they were, or probably were, buried there.

L-R Thaddeus Booth Trudo, Helen Nerska, and cemetery caretaker Darrell Altizer
Thaddeus Booth Trudo described the local militias’ role in the American Revolution and why so many men served. Helen Nerska focused on the veterans’ connection to local families like Fuller, Everest, Clark, Soper, and Allen.
Trudo explained that all men above a certain age were “called up” to serve in militias. Some men volunteered. One man buried here, John Eells, re-enlisted six times. Another veteran, John Haff, is buried next to Emory Haff, a Civil War veteran. Trudo said some militias threatened the British occupying New York City to the extent that the British could not move south to reinforce other forces, such as those led by General Cornwallis.
Nerska and Trudo believe that it’s very likely other Revolutionary War veterans are buried in this cemetery, but that determination awaits more research. American Revolution veterans are buried in several local cemeteries.
Blanchard, Peter (1746 – June 3, 1838)
Military Service: Continental (Canadian) and Patriotic Service
Find a Grave: no grave photo DOB listed as 30 December 1739 Annapolis County, Nova Scotia Canada, DOD as 1 February 1823 Chazy, Clinton County New York. Burial Peru Cemetery Clinton County New York
Not Listed by Rabideau
NY Tombstone Project: no record in this cemetery but there are two other Blanchard tombstones.
BLANCHARD
In Memory of / Alma Blanchard, / Consort of / Rev. Hiram Blanchard, / And Daughter of / Joel & Bathshebe / Ayers, / who died Dec. 2, 1842, / Aged 28 years /
Much beloved and lamented by all /
who knew her. /
BLANCHARD
Departed this / life on the 10 of / April, 1841, Morris / Tilly 2nd son of Rev. / Hiram & Alma / BLANCHARD, / aged 1 / year, 7 mo. & 22 d’s /
This lovely bud so young & fair /
Called home to early doom /
Just came to show how sweet a flower /
In paradise would bloom /
Comments: Lots about him in Chazy – his will was signed by Matthew Saxe and Thomas Tredwell – his will said he was a private in the Revolutionary War.
Private Peter Blanchard
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- Enlisted as a PVT in Cpt. Olivie’s Company of Col. Hazen’s 2nd Canadian (Congress’ Own) Regiment on 12/17/1776 and served until the end of the war in 1783. During this time, he saw action at Staten Island, Brandywine, Germantown, and the Siege of Yorktown. Blanchard seems to have served as a waiter and interpreter assigned to LTG Rochambeau’s Headquarters of the French Expeditionary Force as part of MG Lafayette’s Liasson troops from June to the fall of 1782 before rejoining his unit after the French troops started to return home.
Brown, Samuel (J-2) (July 22, 1761 – November 27, 183Military Service: 5th Massachusetts and 3rd Continental Artiller
Find A Grave: no grave photo DOB 22 June 1761 DOD 27 October 1836
Found at the DAR free search site;
DAR# A015840
Service: MA
Rank: Private
Birth: 7/22/1761 Roxbury, Canada, Hampshire, MA
Death: 11/27/1836 Peru, Clinton, MA
Pension: S*W15758
Service Source: S*SW15758
Service Description: Capt Samuel Shaw, Col Crane, Artillery Regt; Capt Daniel, Col Putnam
Spouse: Mary Dorr
Listed by Rabideau as DOB 1760 DOD 27 November 1836
NY Tombstone Project: BROWN
In memory of / Samuel Brown, / who died Nov. 27, 1836, in the 76 / year of his age. /
The Righteous has hope in his death. /
BROWN
In memory of / Mary, wife of / Samuel BROWN, / who died Jan. 2, / 1840, In the 78 / year of her age. /
Blessed are the pure in heart for they / shall see God. /
(NOTE: One of 16 Samuel Browns who were Revolutionary soldiers. This Samuel Brown’s daughter Polly married Ezra NICHOLS — their son was Edmund B. NICHOLS. See West Chazy, N.Y. data. Mary, wife of Samuel BROWN, was a DORR.)
Comments: Buried in the Old Peru Cemetery with wife Mary – Both DAR and SAR claimed to be descendants – 9 children declared in the family bible – Owned a house and farm in Peru in 1800 – on a jury list in 1808 – Dr. Brooks McCuen, born in Chazy, claimed decadency from Brown for SAR
Private Samuel Brown
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- Joined Capt. Shay’s Company of the 5th Massachusetts Regiment on June 9, 1778, for a three-year term of service
- Re-enlisted in Col. Crane’s 3rd Continental Artillery in April of 1780
- Discharged with the rest of the regiment at West Point, NY on June 10, 1783
- Returned to his civilian trade as a cooper
Clark, Edmond (1750 – September 17, 1828)
Military Service: Vermont Militia
Find a Grave: DOB October 11,1750 New Haven, New Haven County, Connecticut DOD 17 September 1828 Peru Clinton County, New York
Not listed by Rabideau
NY Tombstone Project: CLARK
In memory of / Edmund CLARK, / who died Sept. 17. / 1828, / in the 78th year / of his age. /
CLARK
Louis, / wife of / Edmund CLARK, / died July 23, / 1842. / Aged 82 years / & 9 months. /
Comments: Pioneer settler of Peru – came to Peru in 1804 – grandfather of the first Datus Clark and the Clarks that followed – bought and cleared a tract of land that eventually expanded to 800 acres – cleared the land himself – trails only blazed in the woods at the time – gave 100 acres to each of his 8 children – had twin daughters both recorded as dying on the same day in Peru – Feb 5, 1825 (Zellah and Zeliea) His daughter Polly married John Eells
Corporal Edmond Clark
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- Called up as a private in Lt. Ives’ Company of Warren’s 15th VT Militia Regiment for 6 days Alarm service 11/7 to 11/13/1779
- Called up as a CPL in mow Cpt. Ives’ Company now of Ira Allen’s Regiment of VT Militia for frontier duty 10/12/1780 to 10/31/1780
- Finally called up as a private in Jackson’s Company of Lee’s Regiment VT Militia for 4 days alarm service at Bennington in February 1782
Eells, John (June 21, 1760- July 14, 1839)
Military Service: Massachusetts
Find A Grave:
Son of Waterman Eells (1732-1777 – Battle of Bennington – Benington County, Vermont) and Sarah Bonney Tubbs (1730-1825)
Married Elizabeth Polly Ann Clark 11 July 1793
(1788-1875)
EELLS, JOHN
PVT US ARMY
REVOLUTIONARY WAR
DATE OF BIRTH: 06/21/1760
DATE OF DEATH: 07/14/1839
————-
From Dr B (#46872215):
WBaran@prodigy.net
From MA. Soldiers and Sailors in the Rev., Vol 5 pg 248.
Lanesborough, Berkshire Co. MA MA, John Eells, aged 17 years, stature 5 ft 3 in. complexion dark. Enlistment, private, Capt. Ebenezar Newell’s Co., Col. Symonds Reg. service 21 days. Company marched from Lanesborough, Berkshire Co. MA to Manchester, July 9, 1777 on alarm. Same company marched from Lanesborough, Berkshire Co. MA to Neloomscuyk, August 14, 1777.
An alarm also, Lt. Joseph Farnum’s Company, Col. Benj. Symonds reg. enlisted Sept. 5, 1777. Discharged Sept. 30, 1777. Service 26 days. Company marched from Lanesborough, Berkshire Co. MA to Pawlet: Also, list of men mustered by Truman Wheeler, Muster Master for Berkshire Co. dated Great Barrington, June 5, 1776, residence Laneboro; term 9 months.
Known as “Muddy Lane John” which distinguished him from his nephew.
Not listed by Rabideau Need to look for Eells plot for marker Sections F&G
Comments: Possibly married Edmund’s daughter Polly – brother to Waterman Eells (buried Mason/Fish Cemetery) – also a Rev War vet – Daughter Julia Ann married Oliver Everest son of Joseph Everest – Joseph had married John’s sister Sarah – hence Oliver and Julia Ann were first cousins. Seemed to live near the Quakers –
Private John Eells
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- Enlisted as a PVT in Cpt. Rook’s Company, Col. Smith’s Regiment MA Militia serving from May to October 1776. During his service he witnessed the British fleet turning New York Harbor into a forest with their masts and saw action during the Battle of White Plains.
- He re-enlisted now in Col. Powell’s MA Militia Regiment for three months service on frontier patrol duty out of Pawlett, VT between May and August 1777.
- He rapidly reenlisted in Cpt. Newell’s Company of Col. Smith’s MA Militia Regiment after just returning home on August 10th as part of the mobilization for the Bennington Campaign. He fought at Bennington alongside his father who was killed in action there.
The next year he again enlisted this time as a PVT in Cpt. Cleveland’s Company, Jackson’s Massachusetts
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- Regiment on 6/9/1778 serving in the Hudson Highlands and West Point garrisons until discharged on 3/9/1779.
- In 1780 he enlisted as a substitute for Waterman Eells in Cpt. Allen’s Company of VT Militia for garrison service at Forts Castleton and Pittsford, VT from August to November.
- Finally, he served in Cpt. George’s Company of an uncertain regiment of VT militia from April to December 1781 as part of the garrison of a fort near Whitehall, NY.
Everest, Joseph (J2) (August 8, 1754 – September 13, 1825)
Military Service: Vermont Militia
Find a Grave: Joseph was born in Simsbury, raised Salisbury, Litchfield Co., Connecticut. He served as corporal in the Vermont militia at various alarms during the American Revolution.
Birth 8 August 1754, Salisbury Litchfield, CT Death 13 September 1825 Peru Clinton County NY
Comments: Married John Eells’ sister Sarah – met in Bennington, Vt. Everest Allen of Peru claimed ancestry from both Waterman Eells (John’s brother) and Joseph Everest. Granddaughter Sarah Marie married Richard Heyworth.
Corporal Joseph Everest
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- Served as a CPL in Cpt. Stark’s Company, Ira Allen’s Regiment of VT Militia on alarm service from 6/6-6-13/1781.
Fuller, Ignatius (J1) (October 29, 1763 – December 15, 1856)
Military Service: Massachusetts
Find A Grave: DOB 29 October 1763 Lynn, Essex County, Massachusetts DOD 15 December 1856 Peru Clinton County New York
NY Tombstone Project:
FULLER
In memory of / Anna FULLER / consort of / Ignatius FULLER, / who died May 13, / 1834, aged 65 years / 1 month & 23 days. /
Remember thy Savious and dwe- /
ll at his feet /
He wisely apoints thy distress, /
Cease to weep then my friends – /
– we shortly shall meet /
When our God will eternally bless. /
Also / Sally PITCHER, / died May 17, 1840 / Aged 43 years. /
Comments: 3rd great grandfather of Town of Peru Historian.
Private Ignatius Fuller
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- Served as a PVT in Cpt. Moore’s Company of LTC Hallett’s Regiment from 8/1-10/31/1780 on garrison service in Rhode Island
Haff, John (J1) (March 6, 1748 – December 19, 1843)
Military Service: Dutchess County Militia
Find A Grave: DOB 1748 DOD 19 November 1843 Peru Clinton County, New York
Associate of Waterman Eells and Abijah Ketchum
Came to Peru in 1793
Buried in Old Peru Cemetery
1800 – farm and lot – $2,104 (higher than most)
1808 Juror – farmer
Comments: Came from Duchess County like the Quakers – lived near the Quakers – a slaveholder and his son Abraham was an abolitionist. Owned the Stafford/Steven Keese Smith property at one time.
Private John Haff
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- Private in Col. Abraham Brinckerhoff’s Regiment of Dutchess County Militia
- Saw Active Service June 1-11, 1779
Mighell (alias) Miles, Thomas (May 15, 1755 – October 12, 1845)
Military Service: Massachusetts Milita
No Records Found
Comments: Daughter Mary married Aruna Shepherd in Peru and moved to Chateaugay – other two children died before he did – spelled Mighells and Mighill. Mary died in Chateaugay.
Sergeant Thomas Mighell
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- He first served for an undetermined time as a PVT in Cpt. Lyman’s Company of Porter’s Regiment of MA Militia starting on 2/15/1776.
- PVT later promoted SGT in Cpt. Smith’s Company of Col. Marshall’s Regiment of MA Militia from 2/201778-February of 1780. During his service with this regiment, he saw service in the Hudson Highlands garrisons and action at the Battle of Monmouth.
Soper, Edward J2 (1761 – June 1, 1813)
Military Service: Continental Vermont
Find A Grave: DOB 10 March 1761 Sheffield, Berkshire County, Massachusetts DOD 1 June 1813 Peru Clinton County , New York
Comments: Father of 7 – Came over from Vermont after 1800 – Wrote a will in February 1813 – weak in bodybut sound in mind and died in June. ¼ of estate to wife, three sons Orra, Briggs &
Edward. 10 sheep to daughter Eunice, $6 to daughter Deborah and $5 to daughter Olla. Turned over his house and 100 acres of leased property to 3 sons and wife’s son James Perry. Thomas Tredwell signed the will. Left blacksmithing tools to sell to pay debts.
Private Edward Soper
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- Joined Capt. Brownson’s Company in Col. Warner’s Additional Continental Regiment on March 17, 1777, and served with them until April 17, 1780
- Saw service at Ticonderoga in 1777, the Battle of Hubbardton, Battle of Bennington, Witnessed Gen. Burgoyne’s Surrender at the end of the Saratoga Campaign, and fought at Fort George
Posted: September 27th, 2026 under Adirondack Region News, America 250 Events, Community Events, Faces of Peru, General News, National History, Northern NY News, Peru News, Peru/Regional History.