| Lemuel Cook | |
 | |
| Birth: | 10 September 1759 Northbury, Litchfield County, Colony of Connecticut, British America |
| Death: | 20 May 1866 Clarendon, New York, USA |
| Age: | 106 years, 252 days |
| Country: |  USA
|
| Centenarian | |
Lemuel Cook (10 September 1759 – 20 May 1866) was an American centenarian who was one of the last surviving verifiable veterans of the American Revolutionary War.
Biography
Early Life
Cook was born in 1759 in Northbury, Litchfield County, Connecticut Colony, to Henry Cook and his wife Hannah Benham. Cook enlisted in the Continental Army at the age of sixteen. He fought at Brandywine and in the Virginian campaign, and was wounded several times. He was present at the surrender of Charles Cornwallis in October 1781. Cook served for the duration of the war, and received an honorable discharge signed by George Washington on 12 June 1784. He married Hannah Curtis, with the couple having ten children.
Later Life
Following the end of the war, Cook resided in Cheshire, Connecticut, later moving to Utica, New York. Whilst living in Utica, Cook had frequent encounters with the Native Americans that still resided in the area, and on one occasion, was attacked with a knife. Interviewed at the age of 105, Cook gave his view on the then ongoing American Civil War, stating that "it is terrible; but, terrible as it is, the rebellion must be put down." At the time of the interview, Cook was reportedly in good health, being able to walk with the aid of a cane. At the time, he lived in Clarendon, New York, with his son and daughter-in-law.
Cook died on 20 May 1866, at the age of 106 years, 252 days. At the time of his death, he was the oldest known living veteran of the American Revolutionary War.
References
- Lemuel Cook biography
- The last men of the Revolution - Lemuel Cook AmericanRevolution.org