American Revolution veteran settled in Wayne County

One of few veterans of the American Revolution to live long enough to be photographed, Jeremiah Osgood came to Salem Township, Wayne County in 1801 and settled on the North-South Road about a mile north of Hamlin.  He and his wife Ruth raised a large family and were among the organizers of the Methodist Church. 

A resident of Bozrah, New London County, CT, in the fall of 1776, Osgood enlisted first for three months and then for the duration of the war in the First Connecticut Regiment of the Continental Line.  The regiment marched first to Danbury, then to Kings Ferry, NY, near West Point, where they joined the army commanded by George Washington.  After a march through New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, the army arrived at Valley Forge for the winter of 1777–1778. 

On patrol, Jeremiah was captured by the British and held at Philadelphia until the enemy evacuated the city in the spring of 1778. Osgood returned to his regiment and served until the end of the war.  Jeremiah Osgood died on 7 March 1855, at the age of 99.

The Wayne County Historical Society’s museum, research library and museum shop are open Friday and Saturday 10 a. m. to 4 p.m.