Sunday, March 14, 2010

Nathan Cole's Revolutionary War Button

Occasionally some new "find" in family history will make me want to do a happy dance😊.  Receiving the following photo did just that. 

This will be the first of several posts on our direct ancestor, Nathan Cole.  Nathan Cole is on our Wilson-Hatfield family line - the third great-grandfather of Maymie Pearl Wilson Martin.

Nathan Cole was a young single man when he served in the Revolutionary War.  His wife, Judith, gives the following information of Nathan's service in the Revolutionary War in her pension application, "she stated her husband was a resident of either Swansea, Massachusetts or Freetown in Rhode Island, and that he served from RI in 1775 or 1776 for about six months. In about 1778 he moved to Hancock, MA, and again enlisted, serving at Springfield under Captain Enos Parker as one of the military store guards. Nathan Cole appeared on a payroll for Capt. Enos Parker’s Company, detached from Berkshire County to guard the Springfield stores for 6 months from 1 July 1778 to 1 Jan 1779. He became sick, was sent home, and never recovered to return to service."

This button was passed down to Monroe Cole, son of Joseph Cole and grandson of Nathan Cole.  Judith Cole, wife of Nathan Cole, lived with her son Joseph during the last years of her life, so grandson Monroe Cole would have known the stories of his grandfather.  Judith may have given the button to Monroe.  Monroe Cole gave the button to a historical society.

Below is a photo of Nathan Cole's button, from Nathan's jacket he wore while serving in the Revolutionary War.






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9 comments:

TCasteel said...

What a great treasure!

Anonymous said...

Awesome - what a find! Using this photo of the button in a term paper about the Revolutionary War. Mom says Nathan Cole is some kind of great grandpa.

Anonymous said...

As a descendant of Nathanial Cole (my 5th Great Grandfather) I do so appreciate seeing this!

Thank you,
Ken Barnes

Anonymous said...

I appreciate all the genealogy work you have done on this family. I couldn't believe my luck when I found your blog. I am sharing this site with all my family. Hopefully even the younger ones with enjoy looking this over. Seeing the button was a real treat.
Thank you, MPW

kate said...

This is the best way to teach the history of our country - through the stories of our own families. Thank you for all the stories you are sharing.

DonaldCole said...

Thanks for the button picture and story

Anonymous said...

What a fantastic find! Thanks for sharing this.
Beth

Bs Comments said...

SO cool that this became a family heirloom passed down from generation to generation.

Sarah said...

Cool find! The button is so unique. Is that a pheasant or another kind of bird? The pattern around the side is so intricate and ornate.