Palmer Overton
Coram
Palmer Overton was born on January 6, 1750 in Coram, NY. The first son born to David Overton and Susanna Palmer, he grew up with siblings Susanna, Nathaniel , Messenger, Justus and Nehmiah. Palmer Married Lucretia Hammond, daughter of Reverend Noah and Lucretia Hammond. Palmer and Lucretia together had two children, their eldest being Elisha and youngest being Lucretia.
In honor of being the oldest in his family, Palmer inherited the original family homestead and lived there. From then on, it forever remained the personal estate of the Overton's. Palmers inventorial status was very large. It consisted of animals such as cows, bulls, sheep and pigs. On April 13, 1775, he had his cattle ear- mark recorded. The 1775 Brookhaven Town tax rates shows Palmer Overton paying 8 pence tax on his land.
Palmer Overton lived at a time of conflict between England and her Colonies, titled The Revolutionary War. This ongoing war first took place in April 1775 when miscellaneous shots were fired at Lexington. Palmer declared his Loyalty to the American cause on the dates of May 16, 1775 and June 8, 1775 under Selah Strong`s Fourth Company Limits when colonists were asked to pledge their support to the Continental Congress. In the August of 1776, The Battle of Long Island took place. General George Washington, later to become the first president of the United States was defeated by the British and Long Island was now under the control of the British. Many Patriot's fled to Connecticut (four of Palmer`s brothers being some of the many). Overton fought as a strong soldier in The American Revolution. He took part in a loyalty oath, in the year of 1778 to King George the III, promising not to aid the patriots.
Palmer was elected town overseer of Highways on April 3, 1787. His task for this title was to decide on where new roads were to be built.
Palmer died on December 18, 1805, leaving behind his family and friends. Overton`s gravestone and burial site can still be seen today in the town at the Old Baptist Church cemetery in Coram. There he will be seen buried Next to wife Lucretia who died on September 5 , 1815. Their children however lived until the mid 1800 `s. Elisha died on January 19, 1866 and Lucretia died on November 13, 1852 .
Written by,
Rachel Rana
June, 2003