USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > Stratford > A history of the old town of Stratford and the city of Bridgeport, Connecticut > Part 34
USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > Bridgeport > A history of the old town of Stratford and the city of Bridgeport, Connecticut > Part 34
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The Rev. Edward Rutledge succeeded Mr. Baldwin, and served until the spring of 1829, when he accepted a situation as professor in the University of Pennsylvania at Philadelphia.
For a short time after Mr. Rutledge, the Rev. Ashbel Steele officiated in this Church, but was not rector.
The Rev. George C. Shephard followed him from Nov. I, 1829, until Easter, 1839.
Several other clergymen followed these in succession, the Rev. Edwin W. Wiltbank, the Rev. Alfred A. Miller, the Rev. John Morgan, the Rev. James Scott, and on the 28th of October, 1849, the Rev. John A. Paddock commenced his labors here, and the next April 30th was admitted to the order of priests by Bishop Brownell.
14 History of the Church in Connecticut, ii. 345 and 425.
CHAPTER XV.
1
K
THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR.
INGS and monarchs have nearly always estimated too lightly the power of the com- mon people they pretended and sought to govern, until it was too late to govern at all. King George III. of Great Britain, and his Ministers of State, were no exceptions to this law or want of wisdom, in 1776, and hence the American Revolution and the Independence of the United States.
The loyalty of New England had been exhibited previously, by its aid in the war between England and France, by the num- ber, energy and success of volunteers and the expenses borne. In the capture of Louisburgh the Connecticut soldiers under Capt. David Wooster bore an honorable part; there being, however, only one memorandum concerning it on the Strat- ford town records, so far as seen.
" Zebulon Lorin of Stratford having been a soldier in the reduction of Louisburgh and the Island of Cape Brittain, in the Col. Goreham Regiment and in Capt. Lumber's Com- pany, sold for ten pounds current money to Capt. David Wooster of New Haven, all title to his right in 'Plunder, stock of plunder, captures, stock of captures and all my right, title, interest and claim to the soil, land and appertenances upon or in the said Island of Cape Brittain and parts adjoin- ing.' March 27, 1746,-19th year of the Reign of Our Sover- eign Lord George II. King, &c."
No account of the part Stratford had in the French war has been obtained except that which appears incidentally in the following record of the acts of the General Assembly, but
Revolutionary War. 371
a careful perusal of the colony records shows Connecticut to have done grandly in soldiers and money in that war.
The following is one item only, amounting in the aggre- gate to £2376-118-6ª.
"October 1758. On the memorial of the inhabitants of the towns of Fairfield, Milford, Stratford, Norwalk and Stanford, praying for the reimbursement of the charge and expense for quartering Col. Frasiers Highland Battalion the last winter ; Resolved by this Assembly that the treasurer of this Colony be and hereby is ordered and directed to pay out the Colony treasury to the inhabitants of the town of Fairfield the sum of £449-168-3ª; Milford the sum of £429-128-41/2ª; Stratford £435-108-111/2ª; Norwalk, £349-78-21/2ª ; Stanford, £369-138-41/2ª, for charges and expenses referred to."
But these appropriations did not settle the matter, for it came before the Assembly the next spring, and a committee was appointed to investigate the expenses and make report, and the next October another committee was appointed to complete the examination of the matter, but the towns pre- ferred to bring the matter before that body at that time, and it ordered the following sums paid : Fairfield, £491-158-7ª; Milford, £491-108-9ª ; Stratford, £472-58-11d; Norwalk, £487 -58-6ª ; and Stanford, £433-138-11ª, in full satisfaction of their said respective accounts."
The Regiment of Col. Frasier or a part of it lay encamped in Stratford, during the winter of 1757 and 8, on the common east of the old Episcopal burying-ground. He and his com- missioned officers occupied the house then recently built, but never occupied, by the Rev. Izrahiah Wetmore.1 Col. Frasier was he who said that with one regiment he could march through North America.
The Rev. I. Wetmore recorded Jan. 29, 1758, the baptism of Bettee the daughter of Daniel Gunn, drum Major in Col. Frasier's regiment.
He also records : " On October 6, 1760, baptised Victory the son of Iz. Wetmore, born the 8th of September previous, the day Montreal was taken."
1 Vol. ii. Town Records.
372
History of Stratford.
It is said that Col. Frasier's men amused themselves at times in shooting at the weather-cock at the top of the Episcopal Church spire, which they pierced several times, as may still be witnessed by climbing to it.2
The records of Stratford introduce us to the part which that town was to take in the Revolution by three votes in town meeting.
" December 19, 1774, Ichabod Lewis moderator. In the meeting were read the proceedings of the Continental Con- gress, and the association therein recommended, and unani- mously appeared as the most peaceable and likely method to be pursued at present, and that we will firmly adhere to the measures proposed in said association until the next General Congress, unless we obtain redress of our grievances before that time. Passed without contradiction.
" Voted N. C. D.3 that a committee be chosen in the several parts of this town to observe the conduct of all per- sons relative to said association and proceed thereon accord- ing to the advice therein given : and Mess. Robert Fairchild, Deacon Johnson, John Brooks, Esqr., Capt. Isaiah Brown, Capt. Samuel Whiting, Capt. Daniel Judson, Isaac Nichols, William Pixlee, Mr. Nathan Birdsey, Mr. Joseph Curtiss, Maj. Agur Judson, Ichabod Lewis, Daniel Fairchild, Esqr., Capt. Abraham Brinsmade, Capt. Nathan Booth, Capt. Sam- uel Blakeman, Capt. Stephen Burroughs, Elnathan Curtiss and Abijah Starling were chosen a committee for the purpose abovesaid."
The first great overt war act of the British government towards the colonies was the blockading of Boston. No act
? The officers of Col. Frasier's Highland Regiment quartered in Stratford and Milford in 1757 and 8 were :
Hon. Col. Simon Frasier,
Lieut. Alexander McLoud,
Capt. John McPherson, Capt. John Campbell,
Lieut. Simon Frasier,
Lieut. William McDonald,
Capt. Charles Bailey,
Lieut. Hector McDonald,
Lieut. John Cuthbert,
Ensign Simon Frasier,
Lieut. Charles McDonald,
Ensign John Chisholm,
Lieut. John Frasier, Adjutant Hugh Frasier. In 1759, Sergt. Wilham Young and Captain Gordon of the 48th Regiment.
3 Nemine contra dicente. Without one dissenting voice.
Revolutionary War. 373
could have been more fortunate for America and unfortunate for England, since nothing could move the sympathies of the people throughout the country as the causing of indiscrimin- ate suffering of helpless women and children of the poorer classes. This is clearly set forth in the resolution of the town when assembled, December 19, 1774.
" The meeting then took into their serious consideration of the unhappy circumstances of the poor people of Boston, now suffering in the common cause of American liberty under the oppressive acts of the British Parliament called the Bos- ton Post Bill; and thereupon unanimously voted, that a subscription be immediately opened, and collection be made and sent as soon as may be, for the relief of the poor sufferers in that town; and Messs. Philip Nichols, Josiah Hubbell, David Hawley, Nathan Bennitt, Stephen Burroughs and Legrand Cannon, are appointed a committee to solicit and transmit to Boston such donations as they shall receive, by any safe opportunity, addressed to the committee appointed to take care of, and employ the poor of that place.
" Attest, Robert Fairchild, Town Clerk."
In this list of names may be seen Episcopalians as well as Congregationalists; and the same is true throughout the struggle to the end of the war.
The next year-Dec. 18, 1775-the town appointed as a " Committee of Observation," the following persons :
" Robert Fairchild,
Daniel Fairchild, Esqr.,
John Brooks, Esq., Capt. Abram Brinsmade,
Capt. Isaiah Brown,
Capt. Nathan Booth,
Col. Samuel Whiting.
Capt. Lemuel Blackman,
Daniel Judson, Esq.,
Capt. Stephen Burroughs,
Mr. William Pixlee,
Mr. Elnathan Curtiss,
Mr. Isaac Nichols,
Mr. Abijah Starling,
Mr. Joseph Curtiss,
David Wilcockson, Esq.,
Maj. Agur Judson,
Col. Ichabod Lewis,
Mr. George Thompson."
The battle of Lexington, Mass., occurred on the 19th of April, 1775, and the above seems to be the first vote of Strat- ford in sustaining the war. The next year, in December.
25
374
History of Stratford.
1776, after the Declaration of Independence, a like committee was appointed, but it was called the "Committee of Inspec- tion," and consisted of the following persons :
" Capt. Ebenezer Coe,
Daniel Bennitt,
Capt. Nathaniel Wheeler,
Benjamin Deforest,
John Benjamin,
Maj. Agur Judson,
William Thompson,
Edmund Leavenworth,
Capt. Isaiah Brown,
Capt.Abraham Brinsmade,
William Pixley,
Stephen Middlebrook,
Capt. Samuel Beers,
David Wells,
Abijah Sterling,
Thomas Hawley,
Nehemiah Deforest."
At the same time they passed the following :
" Voted, that watch and ward be kept in this town at the discretion of civil authority and selectmen as to the number from time to time, and to appoint a grand officer or officers to superintend said watch who shall be under the discretion of said authority and selectmen, and obey their instructions, and said grand officers shall be rewarded for their time while on duty not exceeding soldier's wages.
" January 13, 1777, Messrs. Joseph Curtiss, Capt. John Sherwood, John Hinman, William Wordin and Aaron Haw- ley, were added to the above committee of inspection."
A special town meeting was called, and met at Trumbull, probably, as being more central and convenient for the whole township, since no part of the original township had then been taken from it by the formation of any other town ; and decided action was taken.
" At a meeting of the inhabitants of the town of Strat- ford, holden at North Stratford Parish at said Parish meeting house, on Monday the 7th of April, 1777, in consequence of an order or requisition made by his honor the Governor and Council of Safety holden at Lebanon on ye 18th March, ult., said meeting being duly warned, chosen Mr. Nathan Birdsey, moderator, and John Brooks, clerk. Committees chosen : for the old society, Capt. Samuel Beers, Lieut. Ephraim Will- cockson and William Pixlee ; for Ripton, Maj. Agur Judson and Elisha Mills; for North Stratford, Stephen Middlebrook
375
Revolutionary War.
and Eliakim Walker; for Stratfield, Nathan Nichols and Jabez Summers ; for New Stratford, Capt. Nathan Booth and Dea. John Judson ; for New Stratford, west part, Benjamin Beardsley.
" The meeting proceeded to vote unanimously that they will give as an additional bounty to all such as shall or have inlisted themselves into the Continental service for the time of three years or during the war, the sum of ten pounds law- ful money, and that this donation shall be paid to such only as are inlisted to it and belong to the quota of men this town is to raise.
" Voted, also a tax or rate on the pound of eight pence for the purpose abovesaid, on the list for the year 1776, and that Capt. John Benjamin collect the same, and that the col- lector pay the same into the hands of the selectmen from time to time for the purpose above mentioned."
The following is a sample of the drafting and of paying fines at the early stage of the war, as shown by the dates. It is said that Daniel McEwen was a locksmith and his trade at this time in making and repairing guns was so profitable that he could afford to pay his fine every few months, besides remaining at home, somewhat shielded from danger.
" STRATFORD, May 14, 1777.
"To MR. DANIEL MCEWEN, Sen.
In pursuance of Regimental Orders after a fair Lot drawn ; you are to equip yourself ; and you are detached to serve as a guard under the Command of Col. Samuel Whiting until January next unless sooner discharged.
JOHN BENJAMIN, Captain." " STRATFORD, May 15, 1777.
Then Received of Mr. Daniel McEwen, five pounds lawful money in full for a fine for not serving until January next under the command of Col. Samuel Whit- ing, when drafted. Recd per me
JOHN BENJAMIN, Town Treasurer."
" STRATFORD, Sept. 30, 1777.
Recd of Mr. Daniel McEwen, five pounds L. Money for a fine for neglect of duty when drafted to serve under Col. John Mead.
Recd per me
JOHN BENJAMIN, T. Treasurer."
At another special meeting held Nov. 10, 1777, they made the following record :
376
History of Stratford.
" The laws were read in said meeting respecting the pro- viding of necessaries for the Continental soldiers, &c., and were of opinion it ought to be done, and thereupon appointed Messrs. Mr. Joseph Curtiss, Capt. John Benjamin, Capt. Joseph Birdsey, Mr. Zechariah Lewis, Capt. Joseph Burton, Daniel Fairchild, Esqr., Mr. David Wells, Nehemiah Deforest, Capt. Robert Hawley, and Capt. John Sherwood, a commit- tee to provide immediately all those necessaries for said sol- diers as the law directs.
" Voted in said meeting that Messrs. Ephraim Willcock- son, William Pixlee, Maj. Agur Judson, Elisha Mills, Esqr., Stephen Middlebrook, Eliakim Walker, Nathan Nichols, Jabez Summers, Capt. Nathan Booth, Dea. John Judson, and Benjamin Beardslee are reappointed a committee for the pur- pose of supplying the families of such soldiers as are in the Continental service, as the law directs."
One month later, Dec. 22, 1777, a committee was ap- pointed to receive all provisions the people were disposed to give for the support of the soldiers' families, and another was appointed to distribute the same; and a tax was laid of six- pence on the pound. This made two taxes voted in one year, amounting to fourteen pence per pound.
Also, a committee of inspection was appointed as usual for the year.
Capt. Ebenezer Coe, who was elected deacon in the Congregational Church in 1784, was a captain in the Ameri- can army and left the following brief record of his service and misfortunes in that war.
" An account of the singular misfortune and deliverances which befel me during the contest.
" Aug. 13, 1776, marched to New York with my company as Lieutenant at the time, and on the 15th of September, pro- videntially escaped from the enemy to Harlem hills and arrived home on the 17th, after which 1 was sick some months.
" On the 25th of April, 1777, twelve o'clock at night, marched to Fairfield. The next day to Danbury ; 27th to Ridgefield, it being Lord's day ; attacked the enemy ; re- ceived a musket ball through my head, cutting off a part of my right ear and carrying away my right eye. I fell, as
377
Revolutionary War.
dead, lay a time, but recovered to my thoughts, after being inhumanly stabbed with a bayonet in my side and right hand while 1 lay unfeelingly as dead ; which perhaps was the means, by turning the stream of blood another way, of saving my life.
" At this time, being come to my thoughts, was abused, robbed, and repeatedly threatened with instant death. But blessed be the name of the Lord, who delivered me from death and from the hand of my enemies, who heard my cry in the night of distress, as in the 142d Psalm, and brought me to my house, the 21st day of May. 'Bless the Lord, O my soul and forget not all his benefits.' "
Tradition explains further, that while Captain Coe lay on the field wounded a British soldier was about to pierce him with a bayonet when a superior officer severely reprimanded him, took up Captain Coe, carried him to a school house near by, examined his commission which was in his pocket, ex- pressed his sorrow at being unable to give him further aid and withdrew.
The Captain recovered and lived many years afterwards. " Dec. 31, 1781. On motion in town meeting, it was voted that the house purchased by the selectmen from Mr. Silas Nichols for the horse-neck service, be given and granted as a free donation to Capt. Ebenezer Coe, as a compensation in part for his suffering and loss occasioned by the enemy landing on Stratford Point last summer.
" William Thompson was also present from Stratford at the fight at Danbury. At Ridgefield he was wounded, and while in that condition a British soldier stepped up and blew out his brains with his gun."
The following resolves sent to Stratford for their consid- eration and adoption, manifest a remarkable degree of clear perception and discriminating judgment, precisely as to what the people intended to secure by their resistance to England ; and the people of Stratford on hearing them read, quickly decided to pass them without alteration ; and here is a for- cible illustration that the people understood that they were contending for great principles of government that were worthy of the efforts and sacrifices they were making to secure them.
378
History of Stratford.
" Stratford, Second Monday of January, 1778.
The meeting took into consideration the Articles of Con- federation proposed and recommended by the Continental Congress, and being read and deliberately considered, para- graph by paragraph, and were adopted and approved by said meeting, and the Representatives be instructed to give their voice for the approbation in General Assembly.
" The meeting then proceeded to adopt several resolves of the town of Norwich which was thought of such impor- tance to the privileges of the people, and so seasonably pre- sented to the meeting as to need no emendation.
"First. The Representatives of the freemen of this town, use their utmost influence in the General Assembly to have the Delegates in Congress chosen by the freemen of this State in the same manner as the Assistants in this State are chosen.
" 2dly. That they use their influence to procure an alter- ation of the mode of taxation in such a manner that the same may be levied on the inhabitants in proportion to the worth of their whole estate, which method alone we conceive to be equitable.
" 3dly. That they endeavor to procure an act to be made and passed that all male persons in this State who are obliged by law to give in their list and able to pay taxes and are of sober life and conversation, and have taken the oath to the State (and of Freemen) may have the privilege of voting in all Freemen's Towns and Societies meetings, when they are liable to pay taxes in consequence of those votes.
"4thly. That they also endeavor to have the debates in the Assembly be made as public as may be, and that the yeas and nays in every important question be noted in the Journal and published that the towns may have them.
" 5thly. That they use their influence that the Delegates of this State in Congress be instructed to transmit to the Assembly a list of the yeas and nays in every important question, and that the publication of the Journal of Congress may be printed with the greatest dispatch and sent to the different States.
" The foregoing several Resolves the Clerk is directed to give in writing to the Representatives of this Town.
379
Revolutionary War.
" The several matters, causes and complaints of several persons who deserted from the Fish Kills and Peeks Kills in the company in October last, for which desertion they have been prosecuted and fined, and said fine secured or to be secured in the town treasury : On motion, voted, that Samuel Whiting, Abraham Brinsmade, Esqr., Mr. Nathan Birdsey, and Deacon Daniel Bennitt be and are hereby appointed a committee to hear and enquire into the causes of their said desertion, and if it shall appear to the satisfaction of said committee that the aforesaid deserters have reason sufficient to excuse themselves from said fine the committee are accord- ingly to make their report to proper authority, and the town voted to give up their fines, yet not so as to make this a pre- cedent or to countenance desertion in future."
" Mar. 20, 1778. The meeting proceeded, as was designed in the warning, to read, particularly and distinctly the present act of the General Assembly made at Hartford on the 12th day of February, 1778, entitled an act for the regulation of the prices of labour, produce, manufactures, and commodities within this State; likewise the doings, requisitions and stat- ings of civil authority and selectmen of this town, on the several articles, &c., &c., not particularly enumerated in said act, which duty as aforesaid, the said act does enjoin; at the same time also was laid and read before said meeting a Resolve of the General Assembly of this State at their session in Hartford on the 2d Tuesday of January, 1778, requiring this town to procure a quantity of clothing for the Continen- tal troops, &c., as per sd Resolve.
"The meeting after hearing the foregoing act, Stating of the town and Resolves of the Assembly ; and approved there- of, did proceed to vote, Ist, that this meeting does recom- mend that a suitable number of men in each society of the Town do enter into an association and mutual engagement with each other, to assist the civil magistrate and all inform- ing officers, to carry effectually into execution all breaches of the present regulating act of Assembly, and the doings and statings of the civil authority and selectmen of this town thereon, and this meeting by their vote also do earnestly recommend that the members of which this association may
380
History of Stratford.
be composed, be vigilant in complaining of and prosecuting all breaches of this act, which shall be considered by this meeting as rendering (not only this town) but the public the most essential service.
" Voted secondly, that Mr. Joseph Curtiss, Mr. Nathan Birdsey and Capt. Benjamin of this Society; Capt. Joseph Burton and Mr. Daniel Hawley, of North Stratford parish, Woolcot Hawley of Stratfield parish, Zechariah Lewis and Samuel Beard of Ripton parish, Nehemiah DeForest and Lieut. David Wells of New Stratford parish, and Capt. John Sherwood of North Fairfield parish, be and they are each and every of them appointed as a committee in behalf of this town to purchase and procure clothing, &c.,8 for the Conti- nental troops agreeable to the directions of the aforesaid re- solve of Assembly.
3
NORTH STRATFORD, March II, 1778.
The following is an exact account of the donations of the parish of North Stratford, for the Continental soldiers in the southern army, Valley Ford, belong- ing to this place, sent down by Lieut. Beebe, being fifteen in number, to be divided equally between them, viz : the following persons : John Downs, Jeames Downs, Abraham Hawley, Truman French, William Dascom, Daniel Evis, Nathan Haw- ley, Reuben Beach, Joel Mosher, John Craford, Samuel Henman, Daniel Sher- wood, Toney Turney, Cæsar Edwards, and Nero Hawley.
The following persons were the donors :
€ s. d.
s. d.
Daniel Beers,
I IO
Ichabod Hawley, 0
5 0
Jonathan Beers, O
3 00 Eliakim Beach, O
6 0
Nathaniel Mosour,
3
O
Daniel Beach, O
2 0 David Stratton, O O
3
Thomas Edward's wife, O
3 9
Hawkins Nichols, O
3
O
6 Joshua Henman, 0 O
Daniel Turney, O
3
0
John Beach,.
O
5 O
David Turney,
2
O
Reuben Sherwood, O
6 O
Elnathan Turney, 3
I2 O Josiah Henman, O
6
O
Gideon Peet,
5
0
Joseph Burroughs, O
5
O
David Edwards, Jr., O
2
O
Samuel Edwards, O
3
O
John Hains O
3
C
Edmon Curtis,
3
O
David Barsley, C
3
O Gershom Turney O
3
0
Thaddeus Barsley, O
I
9 Ephraim Sterling, O
I2 0
James Barsley, O
3
O Peter Beers,
I O
David French,
O
4
Stephen Middlebrook, O
6
O
John Burton, 0 6
O
O Enoch Henman, O
6 0
John Turney, O
6 Samuel Turney, O
3
0
Robert Turney
5
Revolutionary War.
381
" On representation made to this meeting by Col. Whit- ing and Capt. Joseph Birdsey, that the lines at the Sawpitts were in a defenceless condition for want of men, and much exposed to the enemy and that although there had been a late draft from the militia and alarm list companies of this town, and regimental orders issued to them to march, join and take part at the said Saw-Pitts under the command of said Capt. Joseph Birdsey, notwithstanding which order many had re- fused to join said Captain as aforesaid, in consequence of which default orders were now issuing for a new draft to supply the deficiency aforesaid. Therefore, in order to en- courage the soldiery, on motion it was voted that this town will give a bounty of five pounds to the non-commissioned officers and soldiers that have joined or shall speedily join said company at said post under the command of said Joseph
The subscribers that gave cheese.
Ibs. oz.
lbs. oz.
David Salmon,
5
4
Josiah Henman,
5
O
Jabez Beach,
3 12
John Edwards, 3d,
6
O
Mrs. Starling,
4
4
David Edwards, 3d.
6
O
Mrs. Beach,
4
12
John Edwards, 4th,
5
O
Joseph Burton
7
4
Abigail Mosour,
4
2
Benjamin Burton,
6
O
Eliakim Walker,
5
4
John French,
6
8
John Wheeler,
6
O
70
IO
Subscribers for gammon.
lbs. oz.
lbs. oz.
Andrew Beach,
I
8
John Hinman,
12
Abel Beach,
4
0
Reuben Sherwood,
5
S
William Burritt, neat tongue,
John Turney
4
O
Mrs. Hinman
2
8
Agur Beach, 4
4
Josiah Hinman,
4
Small packs sent-
By Elnathan Seeley,
15
4
By Andrew Hawley S
By Daniel Hawley,
6
0 |By Peter Lewis, 4
8
NORTH STRATFORD, 12th March, 177S.
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