Eli Hull was born at Killingworth, Connecticut, March 20, 1764, and was therefore a mere boy when the American Revolution broke out. He was "bound out" to learn the shoemaker trade but felt that his apprenticeship was irksome and ran away from his master. The fact that his only brother Joseph was then in the American army at Valley Forge led the youth in that direction. After considerable exertion, accompanied by the hardships incident to a long journey on foot at that time, he reached Valley Forge weary and worn and offered his services to the great and only Washington. The great hearted American commander saw that the lad was fired with patriotism but could not enlist him at that time on account of his tender years. However, General Washington said to him: "I will employ you as my waiter boy and when you are old enough will enlist you." From that time to 1781 he took care of General Washington's horse, ran on errands, &c,, serving faithfully and acceptably. On Jan. 1, 1781, he enlisted as a private in Captain Stephen Potter's Company, Colonel Heman Swift's Division, and served throughout the remainder of the Revolution, doing his duty steadfastly and well.

After the close of the Revolution he and his brother Joseph went to Lampster, New Hampshire, where both married and settled as farmers. Eli Hull's wife was Sally Beckwith in her maiden days.

Shortly after 1800 Eli Hull moved into what is now the town of Keene, Essex County, New York, settling on the banks of the Ausable River near what is to-day known as Hull's Falls, named in honor of himself. There in rural seclusion the friend of Washington and Lafayette, with his wife and at least nine sons around him, was enjoying pioneer life when the news of the "War of 1812" penetrated the valley he had adopted as his home. And eventually this cannonading of the 2d war with Great Britain drew the Revolutionary veteran out of retirement. He went to Plattsburgh, taking three of his sons, Joseph, Alden and Eli B., with him, leaving our late lamented friend, Major William Henry Harrison Hull, an infant at home. Eli Hull and his three sons remained in the thickest of the fray at Plattsburgh until the great victory was won on the morning of Sept. 11, 1814 after which he returned to the pursuits of peace in his mountain bordered Ausable Valley home.

--------------------
DAR# A059475
Service: CT
Rank: Private
Birth: 3/20/1764 Killingworth, Middlesex, CT
Death: 4/3/1828 Keene, Essex, NY
Pension: S*W26663
Service Source:
Service Description: Capts Baldwin, Potter; Col Heman Swift
Spouse: Sally Beckwith

Contributed by: Bruce Coyne, FAG# 47569362
--------------------