William Cookskin Corum assisted in establishing American Independence as a Sergeant in Capt.
Gibbs’ Infantry, Commander-in-Chief’s Guard, Continental Line. The Commander-in-Chief’s Guard, also
known as Washington’s Life Guard, protected Gen. George Washington following him to every military engagement.
William was at the Battle of Brandywine, Battle of Germantown, Battle of Connecticut Farms, King’s Bridge Skirmish,
and Battle of Yorktown. He returned to military service during the War of 1812 as a Private, 4th Virginia Regiment.
William was born in 1760, Virginia and died on 5 August 1853, Clay County, Missouri.
He is buried at the Corum-Judy Cemetery which is a small family burial ground on private property at 1800 NE 132nd Street,
Smithville, Clay County, Missouri. William has a private and military tombstone located at coordinates: N39° 20' 04.15"
and W94° 33' 23.95". The SAR William C. Corum Chapter is named after him.
