Daniel Waldo September 10, 1762 July 30, 1864

Daniel Waldo (September 10, 1762 - July 30, 1864) was an American clergyman born in Windham, Connecticut. He served in the American Revolutionary War and later became a missionary and clergyman. In 1856, at the age of 94, Waldo was named Chaplain of the House of Representatives. During his service to the House, he was in good health, and he was one of seven Revolutionary War veterans who, having survived into the age of photography, were featured in the 1864 book "The Last Men of the Revolution."

Waldo's connection with the war of the Revolution began in 1778 when he was drafted as a soldier for a month's service at New London. Later, he enlisted for eight months in the service of the State. In March 1779, he was taken prisoner by the tories (a term for colonists who remained loyal to the Crown) at Horseneck. The circumstances of his capture, as recounted by himself to the artist who took his photograph, were as follows:

One stormy night, a guard left his post without warning, allowing the tories to surprise Waldo. One of them attempted to shoot him with a musket, but it only flashed in the pan. Waldo then surrendered by laying down his own musket. However, one of the enemy soldiers, pretending that Waldo was about to pick up the musket again, thrust a bayonet at him, which failed to pierce him. Waldo demanded to be treated as a prisoner of war, and while lying down, the attacking party passed over him into the house he was guarding, capturing the entire company of thirty-seven soldiers it contained. Waldo and his fellow prisoners were then taken to New York, where they were confined in the infamous "Sugar House" for about two months. Despite receiving only short rations, they were generally well treated. After his release through exchange, Waldo returned to his home in Windham and resumed his labors on the farm.