Abraham Gould
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Lt. Col. Abraham Gould | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 20, 1732 Fairfield, Connecticut Colony |
| Died | April 27, 1777 (aged 44) Ridgefield, Connecticut |
| Buried | Old Burying Ground, Fairfield, Connecticut |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Service/ | Connecticut Militia |
| Rank | Lieutenant Colonel |
| Battles/wars | American Revolutionary War
|
| Spouse(s) | Elizabeth Burr |
| Children | Abigail Gould Jennings Hezekiah Gould John Burr Gould |
Lt. Col. Abraham Gould (May 20, 1732 – April 27, 1777) was an American Patriot and military officer who was Killed in Action at the head of the 4th Regiment, Connecticut Militia during the American Revolutionary War. He is best known for his role in the Battle of Ridgefield, where he was killed in action while leading troops against British forces. His likeness is preserved in an Ink Silhouette Portrait of Abraham Gould at the Fairfield Museum[1] [2]
Early Life
Abraham Gould was born on May 20, 1732 in Fairfield, Connecticut Colony, to Samuel Gould and Esther Bradley. Little is documented about his early life, but he came from a family rooted in colonial Connecticut, his great-grandfather was Major Nathan Gold, and his grandfather was Lt. Gov. Nathan Gold Jr., who both served in the Fairfield Militia, in Gold's Dragoons.[3] Gould married Elizabeth Burr, daughter of Captain John Burr, and together they had several children, including Abigail, Hezekiah,Daniel,Jason and John Burr Gould, and Abraham Jr.. Prior to the war, Gould established himself as a career soldier, beginning his military service as early as 1757 during the French and Indian War mustering with Smedley Company in response to the Massacre at Ft. William Henry near Lake George.
Military Service
Gould rose through the ranks of the Connecticut Militia, eventually achieving the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the 4th Regiment, Fairfield County Militia. His military experience and leadership made him a key figure in Connecticut’s defense efforts when the American Revolution began in 1775. Recognized by the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) as a Patriot Ancestor (A046487) and by the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) (Ancestor #168485), Gould’s service exemplified the colonial resistance to British rule.
Battle of Ridgefield and death
On April 27, 1777, Gould participated in the Battle of Ridgefield, a significant engagement in Connecticut during the Revolutionary War. The battle occurred as British forces under Major General William Tryon marched south from Danbury, where they had destroyed Continental Army supplies, toward their ships on the coast. Connecticut militia leaders, including Major General David Wooster, Brigadier General Gold Selleck Silliman, and Brigadier General Benedict Arnold, mobilized approximately 700 regular and irregular troops to harass and impede the British retreat.
Gould was assigned to lead the right flank of the Patriot forces defending a barricade at the northern end of Ridgefield’s main street. Despite being outnumbered three-to-one by Tryon’s 1,800 troops, the Patriots held their ground initially. However, after an artillery barrage and flanking maneuvers by the British, the barricade was breached. During the intense fighting, Gould was fatally wounded. He died on the battlefield at the age of 44, one of the highest-ranking Patriot casualties of the engagement. His body was reportedly transported back to Fairfield slung over his horse.
The Battle of Ridgefield, while a tactical victory for the British, galvanized Patriot support in Connecticut, ensuring that no further deep inland raids occurred in the state. Gould’s death is commemorated as part of this broader resistance effort.
Legacy
Abraham Gould is buried in the Old Burying Ground in Fairfield, Connecticut. His gravestone and military service are documented in historical records, including the DAR and SAR archives. Two years after his death, in 1779, British forces raided Fairfield and burned his family home, along with many others, further underscoring the personal cost of the war to his family.
Gould’s sacrifice is remembered as part of Connecticut’s Revolutionary War history. A historical marker near the Ridgefield battlefield lists him among those who “fell in defense of America,” alongside notable figures like General David Wooster. His descendants and local historians continue to honor his contribution to American independence.
Personal Life
Gould’s wife, Elizabeth, outlived him, passing away in 1815. Several of his children survived into adulthood, many dying at sea, with some establishing families in Connecticut and New York. His daughter Abigail Gould Jennings, for example, lived until 1795, while his son, Abraham Gould Jr. Moved to Roxbury, New York where his grandson John Burr Gould, and great-grandson Jay Gould were born, and carried on the Gould family lineage.
References
- ↑ "Connecticut Collections". ctcollections.org. Retrieved 2025-05-19.
- ↑ says, David S. Parnas. "British Raid Monuments, Westport « CT Monuments.net". Retrieved 2025-05-19.
- ↑ "History". Golds Dragoons. Retrieved 2025-05-19.
External links
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