Erastus FOSTER

                      Erastus Foster
Pvt Cpt Mills Co
Mass Militia
Revolutionary War
Sept 12, 1766   Nov 28, 1842






   LET FREEDOM RING
   by Jill Michielsen

   Erastus Foster
   September 1766 November 1842

   First Massachusetts Regiment Continental Army of the United States

Unveiling of Bronze Marker September 18, 1999 1:30 PM West Hill Baptist Cemetery,                              Prattsburgh, NY.

Erastus Foster was born in Granville, Hampden County, Massachusetts. His father, Fenner Foster, was at Lexington - April,1775. Fenner was also at Fort Ticonderoga, serving his country in the American Revolution. We suspect this to be one of the reasons Erastus volunteered just as soon as he turned sixteen. Erastus served under Captain John Mills in the First Massachusetts Regiment of the Continental Army commanded by Colonel Joseph Vose. In December 1783, he was transferred to the Company of Captain Henry Jackson in Colonel Hull's Regiment. In June of 1784, Erastus was honorably discharged at West Point.

From Massachusetts, Erastus moved to Ballston Springs, NY. There he married Chloe Davis on February 19, 1789. Their children were: Rhueben, Dianthy, Jeremiah, Dianthy II, Hury Orrin, Ezra, D. W. Darius and Milinea. After Ballston Springs, they moved to Pompey, Onondaga County, NY - where
other relatives resided. Later they moved to Prattsburgh, Steuben County, NY. On November 20, 1842, Erastus died and was laid to rest in the West Hill Baptist Cemetery at Prattsburgh, NY.

Chloe obtained bounty land, granted by the Act of March 3, 1855, while still a resident of Prattsburgh. By 1887, Chloe had moved to Springwater, Livingston County, NY, where she died - well over 100 years of age. Jill Kathryn Fogle Michielsen is the Gt, Gt, Gt, Gt, granddaughter of Erastus Foster.

WELCOME


Today, as we dedicate this Bronze Marker for Erastus Foster, let us also Re-Dedicate ourselves - to be ever vigilant, in our constant struggle for FREEDOM

Presentation of Colors: Prattsburgh American Legion

Opening Comments and Pledge of Allegiance: William Garrison

Invocation: Chaplain "Whitey" Anderson

Ceremony: William Garrison

Unveiling: Jill Kathryn Fogle Michielsen (DAR Member # 0783930)

Gun Salute: Prattsburgh American Legion

Taps: Prattsburgh Central School Music Department

We wish to thank all for coming and paying Tribute to a veteran of The American Revolution. Without Erastus Foster and several other like-minded men and women, both from the past and on into the future,
we would surely NOT have the freedoms we have today. We wish to thank ALL our veterans, for the sacrifices they have made.


Special thanks to:

Eleanor Silliman: for getting Jill Michielsen started in genealogy, and helping her to become a  Daughter's of the American Revolution (DAR) Member

William Garrison: for volunteering to be M.C., and making many of the arrangements for the ceremony

Rocco Bottoni: for the placing of the marker


Dan McRea: Asst. Service Officer of the Steuben County Veteran Service Agency, and Bill Kastner from the same office, for helping us to obtain the marker

Prattsburgh American Legion: for providing the Color Guard & Honor Guard

Chaplain "Whitey" Anderson: for the Invocation

Prattsburgh Central: for providing Taps

Shirley Shaver: for having the lawn mowed for today's ceremony

Bill Woodworth: President - Newtown Battle Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution (SAR)

Joseph Striano: Acting Director, Veteran's Administration Medical Center, Bath, NY and many others who have made our lives richer, and the dozens of folks who have helped Jill in her quest to find more information about her heritage.

A VERY SPECIAL THANK YOU TO: Homer & Arlene Fogle, of Springwater, NY for providing Jill with a family of heroes. Including those from the American Revolution, the Civil War, Grandpa Brokaw in
World War I, and Homer Fogle in World War II.

May GOD bless them all 


Copyright© 1999 by Othello Enzian. All rights reserved.