Elijah Janes was paymaster of the 2nd Regiment of Light Dragoons, where he served under Col. Elisha Sheldon. He began his military career as a cornet on November 16, 1779 and was promoted to Lieutenant eight days later. He was wounded by a horseman's sword on the right wrist on November 20, 1780, and became Paymaster in 1782. The friendship that developed between Janes and fellow lieutenant in Sheldon's regiment James Dole continued after the war and their move to Lansingburgh (now Troy), NY, where Janes became godfather to Dole's daughter. In 1811 Elijah Janes became one of the original directors of the Farmers Bank of Troy. He died February 22, 1823 at the age of 64 and is buried in the Old Lansingburgh (Troy) Cemetery.
On December 12, 1776, Congress constituted the 2nd Continental Light Dragoons at Wethersfield, CT, also known as Sheldon's horse after its commander, Elisha Sheldon of CT, for service with the Continental Army. Congress authorized George Washington to appoint the other officers of the regiment, but he gave the duty to Sheldon. In accordance with General Washington's instructions, the new regiment was to have one other field officer, a major; a regimental staff of an adjutant, a surgeon, and a surgeon's mate; and 6 troops. Each troop was to consist of a captain, a lieutenant, a cornet, a quartermaster, 2 sergeants, 2 corporals, a trumpeter, a farrier, and 34 privates. The regiment saw action at the Battle of Brandywine, Battle of Germantown, Battle of Crooked Billet, and the Battle of Yorktown. The regiment was furloughed June 9, 1783 at Newburgh, New York and disbanded on November 20, 1783.
From the description of Paymaster papers of the 2nd regiment of light dragoons, 1779-1783. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 702185428
