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All the United States New York State New York City Rochester Grave of George Washington's Drummer Boy

Grave of George Washington's Drummer Boy

Alexander Milliner, a favorite of General Washington, is interred at Mt. Hope Cemetery along with 80 other Revolutionary War veterans.

Rochester, New York

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Tim Hansen
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A Son of the American Revolution, Alexander Milliner   timothyjhansen299 / Atlas Obscura User
A Son of the American Revolution, Alexander Milliner   timothyjhansen299 / Atlas Obscura User
At the corner of 2d and Elm   timothyjhansen299 / Atlas Obscura User
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Alexander Milliner at 104   Rev. Elias Hillard/Public Domain
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About

Alexander Milliner, widely regarded as the drummer boy for General George Washington, is interred along with his family on the glacially swept plain of the Mt. Hope Cemetery in Rochester, New York. His headstone sits prominently just a few paces from a corner at the intersection of Second and Elm Streets of this necropolis. There are 80 other Revolutionary War veterans buried across the haunting expanse of this 196-acre cemetery.

Milliner stands out among the veterans resting here because of his wartime service in the Life Guard, Washington’s personal security detachment, and the battles he witnessed at White Plains, Brandywine, Saratoga, Monmouth, and Yorktown. He served for over six years and was wounded in action at Monmouth in 1778.

After the war, Milliner said he “wandered ‘round” about the country until 1799, when he married Abigail Barton, 20 years his junior. He claimed to have served also in the U. S. Navy for five years, three of those on the U.S.S. Constitution during the War of 1812. There is, however, no record of his naval service. He and his wife made a living by farming and raised a family of nine children, just west of Rochester. The Reverand Elias Hillard interviewed Milliner at the age of 104 and included his profile along with five other living Revolutionary War vets in The Last Men of the Revolution. Milliner died in 1865. 

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The cemetery gates open at 7:30 am and closing times change seasonally. Free parking is available by the chapel and along cemetery lanes. Check the web site or call (585) 428-7999 to inquire about any changes to the closing time.The grave can be found at range 2, lot 231.

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timothyjhansen299

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hrnick, Julius Spada

  • hrnick
  • Julius Spada

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November 3, 2016

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  • https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=2890
Grave of George Washington's Drummer Boy
Evergreen Ave
Rochester, New York, 14620
United States
43.128396, -77.620506
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Nearby Places

Mount Hope Cemetery

Rochester, New York

miles away

Susan B. Anthony's Grave

Rochester, New York

miles away

Warner Castle

Rochester, New York

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Rochester

Rochester

New York

Places 25
Stories 2

Nearby Places

Mount Hope Cemetery

Rochester, New York

miles away

Susan B. Anthony's Grave

Rochester, New York

miles away

Warner Castle

Rochester, New York

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Rochester

Rochester

New York

Places 25
Stories 2

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