By Jessica Hoehn, Local History and Genealogy Specialist
It’s 2026, and that means we’re only months away from the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding this July! To celebrate, you’re sure to see many programs and events around the community, including some of our own here at the library. As we get ready for all Seneca County has to offer for this special anniversary, let’s take a look into some of our county’s connections to the American Revolution.
Many soldiers of the Revolution left their hometowns after the war for new areas to lay down roots. Some of these soldiers eventually found their way to Ohio, often bringing their families with them to settle in the (at the time) new state. This year, we’ll take a look at those soldiers who settled in Seneca County and learn more about them.
For January, we’re focusing on Aaron Dean. Born in Stamford, Connecticut on August 16th, 1767, Aaron was only a young teenager when he enlisted in the Connecticut State Troops as a private in substitute for a man only listed as “Mr. Andrus”. On December 1st of 1781, he was stationed at Fort Stamford, where he served until April 1st, 1782. Aaron then again entered services as a substitute for a “Mr. Young” at the same fort, serving from November 1st, 1782, until April 1st, 1783.
Aaron wasn’t the only member of his family to serve in the Revolution. His brothers Ebenezer, a colonel and Samuel, a private, were occasionally stationed with Aaron at Fort Stamford. Aaron, however, was the only one to leave Connecticut and eventually settle in Seneca County.
According to his pension file, Aaron first moved to the borough of Kingston, Pennsylvania at the age of 19. Later he moved to the small town of Benton, New York in 1817 where he stayed until October of 1834, when he moved a few counties over to Mendon, New York. It was there that he initially applied for his soldier’s pension in 1835. Aaron didn’t stay in Mendon long though, as he stated in a letter to the government in November, 1837 that he decided to move in with his son Hallett in our very own Seneca County!
Aaron stayed in Seneca County after that, living with his wife Rachael in Reedtown alongside their son. On May 8, 1855 he applied for a Bounty Land Warrant, where the government further compensated his service to the country with 150 acres of land granted to him on May 28, 1856. Sadly, Aaron died before receiving his land. He passed on September 18th, 1855. He is buried with his wife in Omar Cemetery.