The Boy Soldier - Oliver Farmer (1765 - 1844)

The main source of information for the life, family, and Revolutionary service are his declarations in his Revolutionary War pension file. According to his declaration, Oliver Farmer volunteered for service in Whitcomb’s MA Regiment in 1776 when he was 11 years old. He served in that regiment for the year, and then Oliver volunteered for Nixon’s MA Regiment for 3 years from 1777 – 1780. His third term of service was in Chase’s NH Regiment in 1780 for 6 months.

Despite his claims, Oliver Farmer was repeatedly denied a pension for his Revolutionary War service. There were records presented to the Commissioner of Pensions that Oliver Farmer was reported as a deserter in both of his Massachusetts Regiments. For his New Hampshire service, Farmer claimed he served as a substitute for Elijah Brooks, and that he used that name while he served. Two of his fellow veterans, John Durkee and Salmon Dow, testified that Farmer was indeed the man who served as Brooks. Despite this, the Commissioner denied Oliver’s pension.

Oliver according to his own testimony was poor for most of his adult life. There is no record of him owning land or property, and he moved from town to town in northern New Hampshire. He died in 1844 in Franconia New Hampshire. His place of burial is unknown.

After his death, his children hired an attorney to look for evidence that would allow the children to collect Oliver’s pension. The attorney, Charles Tucker, found a discharge record for Oliver Farmer from Whitcomb’s Regiment, substantiating 10 months of service. Tucker also produced a payroll and muster roll for Chase’s Regiment in the name of Elijah Brooks. The Commissioner of Pensions accepted this evidence and the children of Oliver Farmer were able to collect the pension that Oliver was denied.

There is no known monument recognizing the service of Oliver Farmer in the Revolutionary War. Since his place of burial is unknown, a grave marker is not an option to recognize his service. If nothing else, we can recognize the service and struggle of Oliver Farmer here. He is truly a forgotten patriot.