Recap of Genealogy Research Stories: Benjamin Flinn and Oliver Cromwell

Thank you for attending the recent Genealogy Research Stories Class on Benjamin Flinn and Oliver Cromwell. For information about researching NJ Revolutionary War Soldiers (including information on accessing the digitized Rev War pensions), please see this post: https://www.njstatelib.org/recap-researching-revolutionary-and-civil-war-service-records-for-nj-residents/

Benjamin Flinn

Benjamin Flinn volunteered as a Minute Man in 1781 and served until 1783. After the War, he eventually moved to Hamilton County, Ohio, where he spent the rest of his life. In his later years, he attempted to get a pension starting in 1828, but did not receive one until January 1834.

In his first application, and in subsequent attempts until late 1833, Benjamin claimed that he enlisted in 1781 and was part of the New Jersey Line (NJ soldiers serving in the Continental Army). This was to take advantage of laws or resolutions passed in 1778, 1818, and 1828 which entitled members of the Continental Army to certain pay or pension benefits. When officials from the Pension Office attempted to verify this information, they could not locate a Benjamin Flinn serving in the New Jersey Line. This is documented in correspondence found in Benjamin’s pension file. Once Benjamin correctly identified himself as a volunteer and Minute Man in 1833, his application was successful.

Part of Benjamin’s story told in his pension application is his continued military service after the Revolution in both the Northwest Territory Wars and the War of 1812. Below are some of the links with additional context for the information provided in his pension:

Post Revolutionary War, he served in Northwest Indian Wars in 1790-1794, first with General St Clair, where he was witness to the brutal defeat of the U.S. Army in November 1791.
Further service of 4 years with General Wilkinson (Anthony Wayne’s second in command who was confirmed to be a Spanish double agent in the mid 19^th Century well after his death).
War of 1812 Service: went with General Harrison (William Henry) to Ft. Wayne, thwarting an attack on Wayne by British and Native forces under Tecumseh in 1812.

Oliver Cromwell

Oliver Cromwell, who proudly served in the Revolutionary War 1777-1783 and had a discharge paper signed by

General Washington, lived to be 99 years old. He was a life-long resident of Burlington County, and spent the last years of his life in Burlington, NJ. Unlike Benjamin Flinn, Oliver was quickly rewarded a pension in April of 1818.

He was interviewed by a local newspaper who shared related his service experience in their article “I Am 100 Years Old To-Day!”. Oliver died and was buried in an unmarked grave, and efforts were made over the years to either mark his burial place or put up a monument honoring his service. Oliver Cromwell’s service and patriotism was remembered, and although a monument in his honor was not successful until 169 years after his death, he was held as an example of excellence up to the present day. In April 2022, DAR put up an official plaque and held a celebration on his behalf in Burlington.

There are several articles in the Trenton Times relating to his memory and service. Here are some that I think are important reads:

August 4, 1976 article “Checking In from a Willingboro Garage to the First Museum Dedicated to Back Americans’ Achievements”. Oliver Cromwell is featured in a Traveling Bicentennial Exhibit by the Merabash Museum.
March 28, 1971 article “They Had a Dream” about Oliver Cromwell.
January 2, 1966 Henry Bisbee article “County Residents Split in ’76 War”, Oliver is featured significantly.
December 26, 1965, another article by Henry Bisbee “What About the Negro Patriots of 1776?” mentions him as one of four soldiers of color serving in the New Jersey Line, Second Regiment.
May 25, 1914 article “Princeton Colored Women Seek Money For Memorial to Famous Negro Soldier”, about efforts to raise a monument to Oliver Cromwell.
April 11, 1905 article “Wants Negroes to Have War Credit”, article which significantly features Oliver Cromwell and efforts to remember him. This article mentions that 1852 archives of the Burlington Gazette are missing and the re-publishing of the “I am 100 Years Old To-Day!” article in the New Jersey State Gazette.

Visitors to the New Jersey State Library can access the Historic Trenton Times archives via our NewsBank database (available for use onsite to members of the public).