Birge, James, died Feb. 10, 1850, age 91 yrs. Rev. War.
Revolutionary War, Colony of Connecticut Army Private, James Birge, late of the Milton section of Litchfield was honored by American Legion, Post 44 of Bantam, Connecticut as the January 2019 "Veteran of the Month."

Private James Birge was a native of Litchfield, born on 16 October 1758, the second child and oldest son of five children born to Elisha and Mary Muggleston Birge. He was the grandson of Joseph Birge, one of the first settlers and original proprietors of Litchfield. Little is known of his youth, but we can expect that he worked from sunup to sundown and it is known that he could read and write.
1775 was an exciting time to be a young man. Imagine being a seventeen year old boy on the western frontier of the Colony of Connecticut, first there was Lexington and Concord, then the siege of Boston. Neighbors and friends choosing allegiances and the constant talk of war.
In March of 1776 he choose to enlist. His company was commanded by Captain Beebe in the Regiment of Colonel Bradley. Captain Beebe was a well-liked Litchfield resident and his company consisted mostly of men from Litchfield and bordering communities.
It was only a few weeks before the Regiment assembled and marched off to New York City. Upon arrival they were assigned to Bergin Point, standing watch and acting as look outs and guards.
On the 27th of August 1776 the British landed on Long island and the route began. James’ Company was originally ordered into Bergin Township but was soon directed to Fort Washington to dig defenses. Captain Beebe was ordered to supply a work detail to Fort Lee opposite Fort Washington, thus James Birge and a few others were spared the horrors that soon befell their comrades. Washington retreated north leaving Fort Washington to its own defenses. Fort Washington soon was over run and Fort Lee was next. James retreated with the Continental Army across New Jersey participating in skirmishes at Hackensack Creek and outside Brunswick.
When his enlistment ended he returned to Litchfield arriving on the 15th of January 1777.
In the spring he again enlisted, this time in Captain Osborn’s Company and participated in the Battle of Ridgefield during April of that year. He additionally served at Stony Point before being discharged.
On the 29th of October 1780, in Litchfield, he married Sally Palmer and three years later he built a home in the Milton section of Litchfield. He and Sally raised six children in this house and their descendants lived in this family homestead continuously until 1941.
He served his community in many positions over the years starting in 1786, when elected as a Grand Juror, two terms followed in 1793 as a Lister or Rate Maker, today known as an Assessor. In 1811 he was elected and served as a selectman for several terms. In 1819 served again as an assessor and Justice of the Peace.
In 1832 he applied in court, under oath, as to his service in the Army of the Revolution. After two court appearances and endorsements by those who had served with him the old soldier was allowed a pension of $30.00 per month.
On the 10th of February 1850, at the age of 91, James was suddenly taken from his family. He is buried next to his wife at Headquarters Cemetery in Milton, Connecticut. He was survived by five of his six children.
Post 44 of the American Legion is proud to have this opportunity to honor the life of an American Patriot. We wish to thank his descendant, Dick Shelden, for his help in creating this tribute and we are also proud to have this opportunity to remind the public that 2019 kicks off a year of celebrations honoring Litchfield’s 300th anniversary