Hi Joan I hope the following helps your niece in her quest to join the DAR. By the way, albeit with limited information, Silas is already listed in the DAR's book! Don't know if that helps you at all. Ah, yes, the illusive Silas & Judith (Graham) Canfield. I am just one of many descendants of Silas & Judith and to date the best proof of his Rev.War soldiering experience is the written statement in the book "Vermont Soldiers in the Rev. War", that Silas was, and I quote, "A Vermont Soldier serving in Col. Seth Warner's New York Company of Continental Soldiers", enlisted from Sept. 1777 to 1780. (VT wasn't a state then, so the U.S.Congress listed them with the NY contingency.) The book further states that he said to have died in Luzerne Co., PA. Luzerne at that exact time period was huge, but later separated into smaller counties. Thanks to bits of information from several Canfield researchers, we see that his second son, Hezekiah Graham Canfield, married his wife, ___ Rowley in town of Tunkhannah (spelling?), PA in 1802. Off the top of my head I think that is in Luzerne Co. It would be a good bet that the aging Silas Canfield followed his son to that newly opened land. Regarding Judith -- So far I have been unable to track Judith Graham down. There are soooo many Grahams, but none that I have found with a daughter named Judith. Check out the payroll books of "Connecticut Men in the Rev.War" (mainly volunteer militia men) as he is listed as receiving soldiers pay in 1776. The last payroll was in Dec. 31, 1776, and he is listed as a Deserter...however, two mitigating circumstances may make that a harsh word for a patriot. Dec. 31, 1776 was the end of a three month enlistment period, in that pre-war. Although I personally haven't seen the actual written records, other researchers note that in same general time period, Silas & Judith married in Rye, NY, and that their first child, a daughter, was born there too. Further, in pre-war (1776 time period) most militia volunteers came and went as family and farming duty called. The payroll record where his name is listed also states that fact. >From the internet (Google) I found the family tree of the "Rose Family". There they tell the story of Silas' sister, Chloe, who married to Samuel Rose, Jr., the son of the first pioneer family to settle Manchester, Bennington Co. When she moved to Manchester, the "Rose Family" website said "two of her brothers Silas and Timothy Canfield" moved with her. I presume that would be in the spring or summer of 1777. As it developed, Silas and brother Timothy became Patriots and Chloe & husband became Tories. Samuel Rose, Jr., was a well noted and active Tory during that terrible time. Samuel was caught a couple of times leading a Tory group, imprisioned by his neighbors, and escaped - twice. Eventually Samuel & Chloe and family moved to Canada. Their home and land confiscated by the Patriots. As I said this is all in the Rose Family tree on the internet. In 1777 Silas & Judith and family were settled in Manchester, Bennington Co., VT, which, at the time I understand from local history was a gathering place for Col. Seth Warner and other VT military. The the information I have discussed, with your niece's research to back it up, should be enough to get your niece in the DAR because everything I mentioned above is documented in printed material (especially the book of "VT Soldiers in Rev.War"). I By the way, I obtained my version from the Vermont Historical Society in Barre, VT. I am sure they help you find more back up material of that day and time. Col. Seth Warner was one of the top three major leaders in that time period (Ethan Allen, Seth Warner & Remember Baker) and was very, very militarily active. His exploits are listed in most VT history or military books of that time period. If your niece reads the history books, especially involving Warner's military activities, she will be pleased to know that Silas, after leaving CT militia and settling in VT was no doubt a "Green Mountain Boy" and a volunteer in the military escapades and skirmishes of that group. Next, in Sept. 1777, he formerly Enlisted as a soldier (a Private) with Col. Seth Warner's NY Co. of Continental soldiers....and honest-to-goodness paid Continental soldier! I encourage her to follow that lead By the way, Silas Jr., and Hezekiah Graham Canfield were children number 3 & 4, but the first boys. The Bennington Historical Society, in town of Bennington, Bennington Co., VT, is a historical society within the wonderful Bennington library and has volunteers who could help you take photos of the Birth Certificates of those two and some others. Off the top of my head, Silas or Hezekiah was born in Manchester and Ft. Edward, NY respectively. At that time Ft. Edward was an active military fort where alot of VT/NY military and British soldiers were tromping through. You know, first the British has it, then are chased out by the VT soldiers, then British chase the VT soldiers out. Quite a terrible and hectic time. I hope the above will give your niece allot of leads and where to locate the information. I've been quite ill for a couple of years and most my material is in stacks awaiting the time I feel well enough to put it in order. So I wish her well in her hunting. Which of Silas & Judith's children are you descended from? Sandy Childs Descendant of Matthew, Samuel, Ebenezer, Timothy, Silas Sr., Ira, Orsemus, Alice Canfield ----- Original Message ----- From: "Dave & Joan Price" <djp@rockisland.com> To: <jschilds@pacbell.net> Sent: Friday, September 26, 2008 3:11 PM Subject: Silas and Judith Graham Canfield > I've been reading your posts on Rootsweb regarding my ancestors. Have you > had any further information on Judith's death or Silas's death? My niece > is wanting to join DAR and my mother did not have this info. > > Thanks for responding. > > Joan in WA State > >