[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 90 (Thursday, May 23, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E554-E555]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     HONORING CLAUDIUS BRITTON II AND HIS SON CLAUDIUS BRITTON III

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ELISSA SLOTKIN

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 23, 2024

  Ms. SLOTKIN. Mr. Speaker, today I pay tribute to Claudius Britton II 
and his son, Claudius Britton III, both of whom demonstrated 
exceptional bravery and patriotism in their service to our nation 
during its founding years. Claudius II served during the American 
Revolutionary War, and Claudius III during the War of 1812.
  This Memorial Day Weekend, the Huron Valley Chapter of the Sons of 
the American

[[Page E555]]

Revolution and the Michigan Society of the War of 1812 will commemorate 
their contributions with a plaque dedication ceremony at Pinckney 
Cemetery, honoring them as the only Revolutionary War and War of 1812 
veterans buried there.
  Claudius Britton II was born in 1761 in Connecticut and relocated to 
Weybridge, Vermont, with his family in 1773. In 1777, at just 16 years 
old, he enlisted as a scout for the Vermont Green Mountain Continental 
Rangers during the Revolutionary War. His knowledge of the Lake 
Champlain area made him an invaluable asset, though his service placed 
him in constant danger. In 1778, both Claudius II and his father were 
captured by the British and spent nearly five years as prisoners in 
Quebec, making multiple escape attempts before eventually being 
released as part of a prisoner exchange in 1783. Despite these 
hardships, he returned to Vermont, married, and had children, including 
his son, Claudius Britton III, in 1798.
  Though the specifics of the younger Claudius Britton's service are 
lost in time, we do know that he followed admirably in his father's 
footsteps by volunteering to serve in the Vermont militia during the 
War of 1812, at the age of 16.
  Claudius III moved to Michigan with his father and his brother, 
Roswell, in 1824. He purchased land in what is now Pittsfield Township 
and built a homestead with his father. After marrying his wife, Sarah, 
in 1832, Claudius III continued to cultivate his land and started a 
family.
  In 1835, Claudius Britton II petitioned to obtain a Revolutionary War 
pension. Unfortunately, his petition was denied on the grounds that he 
did not serve a full six months because most of his time was as a 
prisoner of war, which sadly did not count as service back then.
  In 1836, Claudius III, his wife, and his father relocated to a large 
farm in Putnam Township, Livingston County, in what is now Pinckney. 
Father and son lived in Pinckney for the rest of their lives, passing 
away one year apart, Claudius II in 1850 and Claudius III 1851.
  The Britton family's legacy of service, from Claudius II's daring 
scouting missions during the Revolutionary War to Claudius III's 
defense of our young nation during the War of 1812, exemplifies the 
courage and dedication of early American patriots. As we reflect on 
their sacrifices in the founding and defense of our country, let us 
commit to preserving the memory of all who have fought for our freedoms 
and to honoring their enduring impact on our country.
  With profound gratitude, I ask that we honor the exemplary service of 
Claudius Britton II and his son, Claudius Britton III in the United 
States House of Representatives

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