Esther Sumner Damon
Encyclopedia
Esther Sumner Damon of Vermont was the last Revolutionary War
widow. She married Noah Damon on September 6, 1835. Upon his death, on July 2, 1853, she applied for a pension
, and it was granted on October 25, 1855. This pension was increased by Congress on February 28, 1905. She died November 11, 1906. She is buried in the same Vermont cemetery as President Calvin Coolidge. She held the distinction of being the last pensioner of the American Revolution. A 1903 U.S. Pension report listed two Revolutionary War widows {Damon and a Rebecca Mayo of Virginia} and three "Real Daughters" of Revolutionary War veterans.
American Revolution
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
widow. She married Noah Damon on September 6, 1835. Upon his death, on July 2, 1853, she applied for a pension
Pension
In general, a pension is an arrangement to provide people with an income when they are no longer earning a regular income from employment. Pensions should not be confused with severance pay; the former is paid in regular installments, while the latter is paid in one lump sum.The terms retirement...
, and it was granted on October 25, 1855. This pension was increased by Congress on February 28, 1905. She died November 11, 1906. She is buried in the same Vermont cemetery as President Calvin Coolidge. She held the distinction of being the last pensioner of the American Revolution. A 1903 U.S. Pension report listed two Revolutionary War widows {Damon and a Rebecca Mayo of Virginia} and three "Real Daughters" of Revolutionary War veterans.