BORN: NEW LONDON COUNTY, COLONY OF CONNECTICUT, AUGUST 2, 1754
DIED: WEST SPARTA, LIVINGSTON, NEW YORK, SEPTEMBER 15, 1840

Buried on Union Corners Cemetery, at the corner of Veley Road and Presbyterian Road on the east side of the house on the border of Mt. Morris and West Sparta, Livingston County, NY

Biography provided by Dave Ketterer, May 2000.

“Revolutionary War Solider and Sailor Sailed with John Paul Jones.”

James Palmer was born to the family of Walter Palmer of Stonington, Conn. He enlisted in August 1775 in the local militia for the defense of Stonington, Conn. and served one month. After the month expired, he enlisted as a Sergeant in Capt. Oliver Smiths company of colonel Webbs regiment and served until Dec 7 th, 1775, when he enlisted as a sailor on the U.S. ship Alfred under Capt. Dudley Saltonstall, Lieut. John Paul Jones and Commodore Esek Hopkins, they sailed for the island of New Providence, landed and took the South Ford and the City, and as much of the military stores as they could carry away and made Governor Brown a prisoner. Also took a ship belonging to the Governor, which was afterwards ransomed. On their return they captured a Bomb Brig and the Schooner Pollv. off Montauk Point and afterwards were in an engagement with His Majesty’s Ship Glasgow, he was in this service seven and one half months. In 1776 he was Sergeant in Nathan Palmers company, Colonel John Elys regiment and served until 1 January, 1777, when he reenlisted in the same regiment and served seven or nine months more. In 1778 and 1779 was on the Privateer Revenge under Captain Nathan Post, while on board of her they captured a British ship laden with clothing and provisions bound for New York and several smaller prizes. Served about eighteen months. In 1781, he volunteered under Captain Sands Miles and went to New London, Sept. 24, 1832, while a resident of Mount Morris, New York. He married at Stonington, Connecticut, 23 February 1780, Pamela Miner and dies at Sparta, New York, 11 September, 1839. Their children were Rufus and James. His widow Pamela was allowed pension on an application executed 21 February, 1843, while a resident of Sparta, New York ages eighty-five years. She died 7 May 1848.

Reference: PG.pg.77-DR.BSP/p.149-b-PF/p.799-US Pension Records