Cornelius Chittenden (1766 - 1858)

Born 6 Apr 1766 in Westbrook, Middlesex, Connecticut Colony

Ancestors

Husband of Rachel (Porter) Chittenden — married 29 Dec 1791 in First Church, Killingworth, CT

Descendants

Died 24 Dec 1858 at age 92 in Westbrook, Middlesex, Connecticut, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Joann Haines [send private message]

Biography

Cornelius was the son of Nathaniel Chittenden IV and Mehitable (Beebe) Chittenden. He was born in Connecticut (probably Westbrook, but possibly Winthrop) on April 6, 1766 and died in Westbrook, Connecticut on December 24, 1858.

Private Cornelius Chittenden served with 2nd Connecticut Regiment (1781), Continental Army during the American Revolution.

Cornelius Chittenden is a DAR Patriot Ancestor, A021658.

Cornelius served as Private, 2nd Connecticut Regiment, Captain Potter’s Company, in the Revolutionary War. Cornelius enlisted on February 1, 1781. He was 15 years old.

A story told to Cornelius' grandson, Henry Newton, and then passed down to Newton's children, and on down to me (Joann H., Cornelius' 3x great granddaughter):

"Cornelius' regiment was being inspected by Baron Steuben. Cornelius' musket shone. Steuben called him out and in a loud stentorian voice asked him his name. "Chittenden," replied Cornelius (who was the youngest soldier in the regiment being then only about 16.) "What?!, Chittenden?," exclaimed the Baron. "Are you related to the one-eyed governor of Vermont?" "I am," replied Cornelius. "Well, your gun looks fine."

"Cornelius Chittenden, son of Nathaniel, 103, (and Mehitable Beebe), m. Dec. 29, 1791, Rachel Porter, of Tolland, Conn., born June 5, 1770. He resided in Westbrook, and died, aged 92, Dec. 24, 1858. She died, aged 78, Nov. 5, 1848."

"Cornelius Chittenden enlisted in the Revolutionary Army at the age of 15, served three years under Baron Steuben, was acquainted with Washington, and claimed the honor of having made Washington laugh on review day, in a conversation about his cousin." (See story above. Also, KCHaines notes that Cornelius served in the Second Connecticut Line.)

"He commenced life without means, and gained a good farm property. He and his wife held connection with the Congregational Church till they preached too strong upon future punishment, when he left them and joined the Methodist Church. He left them when they held slavery as too light an evil, and helped to organize the First Wesleyan Methodist Church in Westbrook, which was sustained strongly by him through severe struggles in the Anti-slavery contest. He often said the nation must suffer for the crime of slavery."

"He had 10 sons and 7 daughters. Three daughters, named Polly, Mehitabel, and Susan, died in childhood at nearly the same time and were buried in the same grave." Talcott, Alvan. p. 80

I do not believe Talcott is correct regarding the 17 children. Talcott names only 6 surviving children and 3 who died young. He is also incorrect in naming Susan a child who died. The 3 young children who died were Mehitable I, Polly I, and Anne. (KCHaines' notes: "Buried Winthrop, Conn. Stone says Mehitable died May 24, 1799, aged 8 mos., Polly died Oct. 3, 1804, aged 8 years, 5 mos., Anne died Nov. 14, 1804, aged 2 years. 'Sleep on sweet babes - make your rest. God cald you home - He thought it best.'"

Sources

• Talcott, Alvan, Chittenden Family: William Chittenden of Guilford, Conn. and His Descendants. New Haven, CT : Press of Tuttle, Morehouse & Taylor, 1882. pp. 79-80.
• Genealogical Research of Kathryn Chittenden Haines

Cornelius’s Revolutionary War service is cited under son, Alson’s biography and lineage for his acceptance as a Son of the Revolution:

• Sons of the American Revolution, Minnesota Society. Year Book. 1889-1895. St. Paul, Minn., McGill Printing Company, 1895.,p.233

1781-Revolutionary war record. Enlisted February 1, 1781 and served for 3 years in Captain Potter’s Company.

• "United States Rosters of Revolutionary War Soldiers and Sailors, 1775-1783," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QG2M-DQM6 : 18 March 2018), Cornelius Chittenden, 01 Feb 1781; citing Military Service, , Citing various published state rosters, United States; FHL microfilm 101711093.

1782 War Rolls

• "United States Revolutionary War Rolls, 1775-1783," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2DG-CNRM : 15 March 2018), Cornelius Chittenden, 23 May 1782; citing 23 May 1782, Connecticut, United States, citing NARA microfilm publication M246. Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Services, 1980. FHL microfilm 830,286.

1783 War Rolls

• “United States Revolutionary War Rolls, 1775-1783," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2DG-CNXC : 15 March 2018), Cornelius Chittenden, Feb 1783; citing Feb 1783, Connecticut, United States, citing NARA microfilm publication M246. Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Services, 1980. FHL microfilm 830,286.

1799 - In daughter Mehitable’s death registry:

• "Connecticut, Charles R. Hale Collection, Vital Records, 1640-1955", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F7J4-CPD : 16 September 2020), Cornelius in entry for Mehitable Chittenden, 1799.”

1800 Census, in Say Brook, Middlesex, Connecticut:

• “United States Census, 1800," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHRZ-YYC : accessed 1 November 2020), Cornelius Chittenden, Say Brook, Middlesex, Connecticut, United States; citing p. 420, NARA microfilm publication M32, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration,

1810 Census, in Killingworth, Middlesex, Connecticut:

• "United States Census, 1810," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XH2G-333 : accessed 1 November 2020), Cornelius Chittendon, Killingworth, Middlesex, Connecticut, United States; citing p. 338, NARA microfilm publication M252 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 2; FHL microfilm 281,230.

1820 Census, in Old Saybrook, Middlesex, Connecticut:

• "United States Census, 1820," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHL6-2JR : accessed 1 November 2020), Cornelius Chittenden, Saybrook, Middlesex, Connecticut, United States; citing p. 373, NARA microfilm publication M33, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 2; FHL microfilm 281,235.

1830 Census, in Saybrook, Middlesex, Connecticut:

• "United States Census, 1830," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHGY-VFQ : 24 August 2017), Cornelius Chittenden, Saybrook, Middlesex, Connecticut, United States; citing 156, NARA microfilm publication M19, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 8; FHL microfilm 2,801.

1840 Census

• "United States Census, 1840," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHBF-48P : 19 May 2020), Cornelius Chittenden, Connecticut, United States; citing p. 494, NARA microfilm publication , (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll ; FHL microfilm.

1840 - Roster of Revolutionary War Soldiers. Cornelius is recorded as head of household in Westbrook :

• "United States Rosters of Revolutionary War Soldiers and Sailors, 1775-1783," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QPSD-GFZP : 22 August 2019), Cornelius Chittenden, 1 Jun 1840; citing Military Service, Westbrook, Middlesex, Connecticut, United States, Citing various published state rosters, United States; FHL microfilm 103140737.

1848 - In wife, Rachel’s Death Cerificate:

• "Connecticut Deaths and Burials, 1772-1934", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F72P-3YJ : 16 January 2020), Cornelius in entry for Rachel Porter Chittenden, 1848.

1850 - Census, recorded age 86 [sb 84], living in daughter's household in Westbrook, Middlesex, Connecticut with son-in-law, Horace Chapman (60), daughter, Susan Chapman (54), grandchildren, Aaron P Chapman (25), Nitty J Chapman (21), and Hetty C Chapman (20) and great-grandson Aaron Emery Platts (14), [the son of Susan Chapman's daughter, Susan Maria]:

• "United States Census, 1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M68L-QKR : 19 December 2020), Cornelius Chittenden in household of Horace Chapman, Westbrook, Middlesex, Connecticut, United States; citing family , NARA microfilm publication (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).

1858 - Death in Westbrook, Connecticut on 24 Dec 1858. Burial at Lower Cemetery, Westbrook, Connecticut:

• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/80613788/cornelius-chittenden : accessed 23 January 2022), memorial page for Cornelius Chittenden (6 Apr 1766-24 Dec 1858), Find a Grave Memorial ID 80613788, citing Lower Cemetery, Westbrook, Middlesex County, Connecticut, USA ; Maintained by Irma (contributor 46927625).

Pension payment record 1818-1872

• "United States Revolutionary War Pension Payment Ledgers, 1818-1872," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q24Q-G1X2 : accessed 31 October 2020), Cornelius Chittenden, ; citing Connecticut, United States, NARA microfilm publication T718 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1962), roll 9; FHL microfilm 1,319,389.

• Ferry, Robert A., Connecticut Military Pensioners in 1840, Connecticut Ancestry (Connecticut Anc. Soc., Inc., Stamford, Conn., Feb 1996) Vol. 38, No. 3, WN 194, Page 132.