Elias Dayton Forties the Mohawk Valley
Elias Dayton was essential in fortifying Upstate New York during the Revolutionary War.
For his service, he would be one of the last people commissioned as a Brigadier General in the Continental Army.
Elias Dayton
In early 1775 Elias Dayton, a New Jersey Patriot leader, was selected to enforce the embargo of British goods sparked by the Continental Association.
Dayton joined Lord Sterling in suppressing several attempts by merchants to unload forbidden cargo.
Elias was also given command of the 3rd New Jersey Regiment. His young son (and future Constitution signer) Jonathan followed him into the field.
Forts
Dayton was instructed to go north and help with the Invasion of Canada, but while en route learned that the Americans were in retreat.
Now on the defensive, Elias was ordered to help construct forts along the Mohawk Valley in Upstate New York.
He oversaw the re-fortification of Fort Dayton and Fort Schuyler, both of which would play an important role in fighting both the British and Native Americans on the frontier.
Brigadier General
Dayton was elected to represent New Jersey in the Continental Congress but, unlike most of his contemporaries, he chose to remain in the field instead of accepting the position.
As the war came to a close, he helped suppress a mutiny of the New Jersey Line.
He would continue to serve with the Army through the end of the war and eventually received a promotion to Brigadier General.
Dayton’s promotion was on January 7, 1783 and was the second-to-last person given this rank in the Continental Army.
Mayor
After hostilities were completed, Elias returned to New Jersey where he was elected as Mayor of Elizabethtown.
Dayton also served in the State Assembly for several years.
He was chosen as a Delegate to the Constitutional Convention but turned it down. He instead recommended his son...who would go on to become the youngest signer of the Constitution.
Want to read about other Brigadier Generals in the Revolutionary War?
Great! Check out these articles:
Enoch Poor Dies Under Suspicious Circumstances
John Cadwalader Shoots ‘That Damn Rascal’ in the Mouth
John Glover Ferries An Army Across the Delaware
Want to learn more about the Forts that Dayton helped construct?
‘Bloody Mohawk’ discusses the war on the New York frontier.
Pick up a copy through the Amazon affiliate link below (you’ll support this site, but don’t worry, Amazon pays me while your price stays the same).
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