A patriot of the Revolution

Exploits of unsung soldier Daniel Spencer helped shape America

Editor's note: In quoting from early sources, the original spelling and punctuation have been retained.

New York City pulled out all the stops for the Fourth of July, 1853. Military units and veterans of the War of 1812 paraded. Carelessness with firearms, said the New York Times, produced "the usual catalogue of small disasters." A brawl erupted when a stage driver, unable to control his horses amid the noise and confusion, blundered into the line of march of an Irish society.

But the highlight was New York City's guest of honor. "A patriot of the Revolution, aged 94 years, is now in the City," the New York Tribune reported on the Fourth. "If to-day be clear, he will receive visits in the Governor's Room, City Hall. He is a native of Canajoharie, N. Y., and is named Samuel Spencer."

Actually, his name was Daniel Spencer, and he was a native of Connecticut; he had moved to Canajoharie after the Revolution. The Tribune got his name right the next day, although that report had his age 20 years too young: "Daniel Spencer, aged 74 years, and who was many years engaged in the Revolutionary War, was present and joined in the festivities of the day. He was received very cordially by the Mayor."

The Times, in its July 5 coverage, devoted the lead article to the celebration, including the "Riot in the Ninth Ward" and "Accidents, Fires &c."

The 1812 veterans performed a marching salute in front of City Hall. They were, the Times wrote, "accompanied by DANIEL SPENCER, an old patriot of the Revolution, hailing from Canajoharie, N. Y., now in his 95th year, who had accepted their invitation, jointly with that of the Common Council, to unite with our citizens in the celebration of the Nation's birthday."

Sometime during the festivities, Spencer agreed to have his image preserved for posterity. He went to the daguerreotype studio of Robert A. Carden & Co., 293 Broadway, and his photograph was taken.

That daguerreotype, now somewhat scratched and abraded, shows Spencer as a calm, determined-looking old man. He sports a shock of white hair and is missing some teeth. His face is peppered with beard stubble.

Although taken in July, he wears a heavy overcoat — perhaps he was concerned about catching cold, as the Tribune had mentioned he would receive visitors if the weather was clear.

Daniel Spencer was a dark-haired young shoemaker from Pomfret, Conn. On July 8, 1780, exactly one month before turning 21, he began his service in Capt. John McGregier's Company of the 4th Infantry Regiment, Connecticut Continental Line. The outfit had suffered through the harsh winter at Valley Forge.

A historian named Jeptha R. Simms published a two-volume work, "The Frontiersmen of New York," in 1882 and 1883; a microfilm copy is kept in the Family History Library of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Simms had interviewed many sources, including (decades before the publication) Daniel Spencer.

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