The Rotary Club of Enfield is honoring Enfield’s veterans by sponsoring military tribute banners that will be displayed in Higgins Park, the Town Green, Freshwater Walkway, North Main Street and Hazardville between Memorial Day and Veterans Day in 2026 and 2027. The Enfield Public Library partnered with Enfield Rotary to preserve digital versions of these banners as well as biographical information about each veteran.
Elijah Churchill
United States army 1775-1781
Revolutionary War
sergeant
badge of military merit
purple heart
Elijah Churchill (September 5, 1755 – April 11, 1841) was a soldier for the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. Churchill entered the 8th Connecticut Regiment as a private on July 7, 1775. On May 7, 1777, he re-enlisted for the duration of the war as a corporal in the 2nd Continental Light Dragoons, later the 2nd Legionary Corps, and was promoted to sergeant on October 2, 1780. He was cited for gallantry in action at Fort St. George near Brookhaven, NY on Long Island, in November 1780, at Tarrytown, NY, in July 1781, and at Fort Slongo (now known as Fort Salonga, also on Long Island) on October 2, 1781. He was awarded the Badge of Military Merit (later re-named the Purple Heart) for his actions, one of only three soldiers to receive the award. Once the American Revolutionary War was completed, Churchill moved to Massachusetts. In 1784, he lived in Enfield. He died on April 11, 1841.
