Jeremiah Gilman

Lt. Col. Jeremiah Gilman, 1st Regiment, New Hampshire Continental Line

Jeremiah Gilman was born December 14, 1740 in New Market, New Hampshire. He was the son of Israel and Ruth (Sanborn) Gilman. He married Abigail Johnson.

Jeremiah Gilman was commissioned as a Captain in the 5th Continental Infantry Regiment (the temporary designation for the 1st New Hampshire Regiment, Continental Line) on January 1, 1776. He re-commissioned as a Captain again in the 1st New Hampshire Regiment on November 8, 1776. After Colonel John Stark resigned from command of the 1st New Hampshire, Joseph Cilley was promoted to take command of the Regiment. As such, Captain Gilman was promoted to Major and assumed Colonel Cilley’s past billet on April 2, 1777. Major Gilam was further promoted to Lieutenant Colonel on September 20, 1777.

At the Continental Army’s encampment at Valley Forge, Lieutenant Colonel Gilman is listed with the Field Officers of the 1st New Hampshire Regiment, Continental Line. He further is marked “Present” for January 1778, “Sick” for February and March 1778, “Present” for April 1778, “Sick” from May 1778, and again “Present” for June 1778.

Lieutenant Colonel Gilman served until his resignation on March 24, 1780. He died March 24, 1823 in Tamworth, New Hampshire.

Sources: Frederic Kidder, History of the First New Hampshire Regiment in the War of the Revolution (Albany, 1868), 105; Francis B. Heitman, Historical Register of Officers of the Continental Army (Baltimore, 1914), 249; Selected Wartime Service Records of Lieutenant Colonel Jeremiah Gilman.