USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Simsbury > A record and documentary history of Simsbury > Part 25
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"Furthermore this meeting concur and approve of a General Congrefs from the Several Colonies and Plantations in North America to be Convened at Philadelphia in September next, agreeable to the Refolves of Several Towns already Pub- lifhed, relating to a Non Importation agreement from Great Britain &c.
"We likewife concur with our Neighbouring Towns, that a Harmony, and Correfpondence, be propogated and main- tained between the Several Towns in this and Neighbouring Colonies, for their mutual advice and afsiftance, as Occafion Shall call for. Therefore Col. Jonathan Pettibon, John Owen Efqr:, Co1. Jonathan Humphrey, Judah Holcomb Efqr:, Mr: Joel Hayes, Mr: Afahel Holcomb, Mr: Ezekiel Phelps, Oliver Humphry Efqr:, and Capt: Amos Willcocks were Chosen a Comtee of Correfpondence for the Purpose aforesd.
"This Meeting further Refolve, that a Subfcription be Speedily opened for all well Difpofed Persons to Shew their Redinefs to Contribute for the Relief of the Poor Diftrefsed Inhabitants of Bofton in Such articles as each Subfcriber Shall Judge proper, and their circumftances will beft admit of. and the aforenamed Gentlemen, the Committee of Cor- refpondence are Chosen a Committee to open and Encourage, and take in Said Subfcriptions, and the Said Committee are to receive Said Donations, and to Transmit the same to the
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Select men of the Town of Bofton, or to Such other perfon or Persons as Sd Town Shall appoint, taking their receipt for the Same to be improved for the Purpofe aforesaid.
"The foregoing Pafsed Nemine Contradicenta, and to be publifhed in the Connecticut Courrant. Certified by -
John Owen, Town Clerk."
It was the spirit of these Resolutions all over our country pervading all classes of the people, that achieved our Inde- pendence and cemented our Union. It was such resolutions as these that called together that first Continental Congress that convened on the 4th of September following, at Philadel- phia, which united the Colonies and agreed upon and issued a Declaration of Rights.
This act of the British Parliament to destroy the trade of Boston excited universal sympathy. In none of the colonies was there a greater manifestation of sympathy and patriotic feeling than in Connecticut. All over the Colony town meetings were held and resolutions passed, expressive of sympathy with the people of Boston, and of indignation and a spirit of resistance to the tyrannical act. Donations were sent from al- most every town for the relief of its distressed inhabitants.
In September of this year (1774) the alarm was raised that ships of war were cannonading Boston. Instantly the country was aroused; the cry "to Arms" resounded every- where. Instant preparations were made for resistance. The roads were soon crowded with armed men on their way to Boston. In Connecticut alone, it was estimated that not less than twenty thousand men, fully armed and equipped, were on their march. Then intelligence was received that it was a false alarm, and they returned. But the spirit of the people was manifested by the incident.
In the Spring of 1775, the General Assembly met and voted to raise one-fourth of the militia of the Colony for its special defense, which, after the battle of Lexington, was sent for the relief of Boston. Of these, two companies were sent from Simsbury in April of that year, - one, of twenty- five men, under the command of Capt. Amos Wilcox; the other, of twenty-six men, under Capt. Zachariah Gillet.
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But the military operations of Simsbury were not con- fined to the militia of the town. On the 19th of April, 1775, the first blood of the Revolution was shed at Lexington. In three weeks from that time, a company of more than 100 volunteers was raised in Simsbury under the command of Capt. Abel Pettibone, and marched to the camp near Boston. Many of them were afterwards engaged in the Battle of Bunker Hill.
Immediately after this battle another company was raised of seventy-five men, under command of Capt. Elihu Humphrey.
Of the raising of this Company, and their march to Boston, Rev. Daniel Barber, in his "History of My Own Times," gives the following account. He was a member of the Company and knew whereof he wrote. He says:
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"I enlisted under Captain Elihu Humphrey of Simsbury. My other officers were Lieut. Andrew Hillyer, Lieut. Ebenezer Fitch Bissell and Ensign Stoughton; all of whom are men of character and reputation. Captain Elihu, as we generally called him, was the son of the Hon. John Humphrey, formerly one of the Governor's Council, and a Justice of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Hartford. Captain Elihu was a well-bred gentleman; his friendly turn of mind, with a sweetness of disposition, secured him the love of all good men; his confidence and esteem procured him the commission of Major, in the second campaign. He dying about the close of the year 1776, left as a legacy to his family, a name, whose reputation will not be forgotten during many generations. I knew him - I revered him - and I loved him. Lieut. Hillyer (now Col. Hillyer) was also of Simsbury. He was a handsome sprightly young gentleman, who had, in early life, received a college education. As an officer, his manner was unassuming, gentle and persuasive. Whenever he spoke, the soldiers heard him with pleasure, and whatever was his will, was cheerfully complied with. E. Fitch Bissell of Windsor, was second Lieu- tenant. He was a gentleman, though not of the most easy and familiar turn; yet, for his steady, correct attention to the duties of his station, was well respected. Of Ensign Stoughton, I remember but little. He was a tall well made man, and pos-
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Barber's "History of My Own Times."
sessed a good military appearance. He was also from old Windsor. The Sergeants in this Company were Aaron Pinney, Jacob Tuller, Daniel Higley, and Thomas Hayden; Jonathan Humphrey, Jr. (afterwards Col. Humphrey) was Clerk of the Roll; all of Simsbury except Sergeant Hayden. Sergeant Pinney was a man of a fierce and fiery countenance, and commanding air, well becoming a soldier of '75. Sergeant Tuller was a man from whom we did not expect much flattery; his brow was generally knit together in a forbidding frown. Sergeant Higley, who had been a soldier in the old French War, was of a musical turn, and his old war songs made the time pass away to very good account. Sergeant Thomas Hayden was, no doubt, a military man; but I should guess no soldier ever admired him for his pleasant airs. Jonathan Humphrey, Clerk of the Roll, was a most charming companion; his social airs and pleasant countenance gained the affection and good wishes of alÎ.
"Our company being suddenly enlisted, to the number of about seventy five, rank and file, orders were given for all to meet on a certain day at the house of the Captain well equipped, and ready to begin their march." (This house is still standing, and is occupied as the residence of his grandson, Dr. Lucius I. Barber). "The Rev. Mr. Pitkin of Farmington, was requested that day to preach the farewell sermon to the soldiers. At the hour appointed, we marched to the meeting house, where the officers appeared in military style, with their appropriate badges of distinction, and the soldiers in proper order, with their arms and accoutrements, as men prepared for battle. It was a full and overflowing audience, all in high expectation of hearing something new and charming from so gifted a preacher. After his warm and fervent prayer to Heaven for the success and posterity of the American armies, and the liberties and freedom of our country, he introduced his address, if I remember right, from these Words: 'Play the men for your country and for the cities of your God; and the Lord do that which seemeth him good.' His sermon was well adapted to the occasion, and the spirit of the day. It was tender and pathetic, lively and animating. It was like martial music; while it
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touched the finer feelings, it roused and animated for the dreadful outset, the shout of war and the cry of victory. During the time of its delivery, abundance of tears were seen to flow, from both old and young, male as well as female. The sermon being ended, the drums soon beat to arms. Being arranged in military order, we were again conducted to the Captain's house and dismissed for a short time. In going to and from the meeting, we were followed and accompanied by a mixed multitude, fathers and mothers, wives and children, sisters, friends and strangers. Now each soldier had the opportunity of mingling for a few moments with his dearest friends and companions. The tender feelings of love - of friendship - of affection - again burst forth. While the fond father and tender-hearted mother are bidding adieu to their sons, the husband, the wife, the children, brothers, sisters and best friends are exchanging, as for the last time, the token of their love and the best affections of the heart.
"In the midst of this mingling scene of sorrow, the drums beat to arms. 'Soldiers take your places,' is the word: the line of march is formed; we add one more wishful, lingering look, while many a silent tear bespeaks the real feeling of the heart. The word is given, we begin our march with Silence, down- cast looks, and pensive feelings and reflections. We were now leaving our homes, our friends and all our pleasant places behind, and which our eyes might never again behold. The most of us had not at that time I believe, been twenty miles from home."
They marched to Roxbury and reached the place of their encampment after a march of nine or ten days. Here they remained in camp till December of that year, when they were discharged.
One of the most brilliant and successful exploits of the war was achieved at its very commencement, - an exploit in which Connecticut men were engaged, and with whom a Simsbury man was one of the principal actors and projectors. This was the capture of Ticonderoga.
In April, 1775, several patriotic members of the General Assembly convened at Hartford, to consult as to the situation.
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There was convincing proof that a design was formed by the British ministry of making an invasion upon the northern colonies by way of Quebec. The importance of Ticonderoga and Crown Point, as military posts, and their value to the Colonies in case of such invasion were clearly discerned.
Impelled by a just regard for their defense and self- preservation, it was resolved to capture and hold these forts. They borrowed money from the Colonial treasury on their individual security. They appointed a Committee to direct the expedition, who, after collecting sixteen men in Connecti- cut, among whom was Capt. Noah Phelps of Simsbury, pro- ceeded to Berkshire County, Mass., where forty or fifty volunteers were added to their number. The expedition then advanced to Bennington, Vt. where it was joined by Ethan Allen, and nearly one hundred volunteers. Thus reinforced to the number of about one hundred and fifty men, they marched to Castleton, where they were organized as a military company. Ethan Allen, of Connecticut, was appointed a commander. They marched directly to a point opposite to Ticonderoga, on Lake Champlain.
Meantime Capt. Phelps had been selected to proceed to the fort, examine its situation and condition and make report to his associates. He proceeded from the southern part of the lake in a boat, and stopped for the night at a tavern near the fort. The officers of the garrison occupied a room adjoining that in which he slept, for a supper party, and, as usual on such occasions, protracted their entertain- ment to a very late hour. They spoke of the commotion in the colonies, and the condition of their fort. Very early in the morning Capt. Phelps gained admission into the fort for the purpose of being shaved. While retiring through it, the com- mandant walked with him and conversed about the rebels, their movements and their object. Capt. Phelps, seeing a portion of the wall of the fort in a dilapidated condition, remarked that it would afford but a feeble defense against the rebels if they should attack it. The commandant replied, "Yes, but that is not our greatest misfortune, for all our powder is dam- aged, and before we can use it, we are obliged to sift and dry
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it." He left the fort, and soon after proceeded to the lake shore and employed a boatman to transport him in a small boat down the lake. He entered the boat in plain view of the fort, and under her guns. He had not proceeded a great dis- tance before he urged the boatman to exert himself and ter- minate the voyage as soon as possible. The boatman requested Capt. Phelps to take an oar and assist; this was declined, being in full view of the fort, by replying that he was not a boatman. After rounding a point of land projecting into the lake, and intercepting the view from the fort, he proposed taking the oar, and did so. Being a strong and active man, he excited the surprise of the boatman by the velocity of the boat, who, with an oath, replied "You have seen a boat before now, sir." This circumstance at the time excited the boatman's suspicion that his passenger was not a loyal subject, but fear of superior strength prevented an attempt to carry him back to the fort, as he told Capt. Phelps after the surrender. Capt. Phelps reached his place of destination, met his associates, and told them what he had discovered. The next morning, May 10th, 1775, the fort, upon demand made by Col. Allen, by authority of "the Great Jehovah and the Continental Congress" was surrendered without the loss of a man.
In 1776, the General Assembly appointed "Noah Phelps, of Simsbury, captain of a company, in a regiment to be raised for the continental service." In 1777, he was appointed Lieut. Colonel of a battalion to be raised.
In August, 1777, the General Assembly resolved to raise a regiment "by voluntary enlistment" . . "to serve in the northern department or elsewhere" and appointed Samuel McLallan Colonel, and Noah Phelps Lieut. Colonel. Subse- quently he was promoted to the grade of Major General of the Militia.
Hinman's War of the Revolution P. 160
The Militia of the Colony was organized and formed into regiments in 1739. Prior to this time there was only a company organization. In that year all the military companies in the Colony were formed into regiments. There were at first thirteen regiments. This number was subsequently increased. In 1774, the 18th regiment was formed, comprising the military
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Hinman War of the Revolution P. 207
companies of Simsbury, New Hartford, Hartland, Barkham- stead and Colebrook, and Jonathan Pettibone, Esq., was appointed Colonel, and Jonathan Humphrey, Esq., Lieut .- Colonel, both prominent Simsbury men, and both subse- quently engaged in active service.
The following scrap of information from a Hartford newspaper of Sept. 4th, 1775, is of interest, as showing the patriotic spirit of the times. "Jonathan Pettibone, Colonel of the 18th regiment of militia in this Colony, on receiving the notice from the Continental Congress, to enlist one-fourth part of the militia to be in readiness on the shortest notice for service, gave orders to the Captains of his regiment to muster their men for said purpose, as minute men.
"The spirit was so generous in the soldiery, that a number sufficient to form three companies of sixty-eight men each, exclusive of officers, immediately enlisted, chose their officers, soon equipt, and were ready for any expedition on the shortest notice."
In July 1776, the whole militia company under the com- mand of Capt. Job. Case of Simsbury was drafted, and ordered to be in readiness at a certain time on the parade; from thence to march to New Haven, and thence to take shipping for New York. They were allowed but one day to make preparation. Col. Jonathan Pettibone was commander of the regiment, and Jonathan Humphrey Lieut .- Colonel.
Of this expedition, Rev. Daniel Barber, in his "History of My Own Times," says: "The next year, the war appeared much more alarming, as the British had sent out a large addition of sea and land forces. The whole country west of Connecticut River was in alarm. The militia were called out for the defence of New-York and Long-Island. In this general alarm, I again turn out, with most of my old associates in arms. This was about the month of July. We took shipping at New- Haven, I think the day before the battle began at Flat-Bush, on Long Island; which battle continued for several days. This was, indeed, a very serious time with us. From the place where we were stationed, the loud thunders of the cannon, and the cracking of small arms, while the smoke ascended
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like the smoke of a furnace gave us, as might be expected, anxious and trembling fears for the cause of our country, as well as for ourselves. Our army, at length, finding out that they were not able to hold their position, made a general and very secure retreat from Long Island to the city, under the darkness of the night; which retreat was not discovered by the enemy till sometime after sunrise next morning. This was owing to a very dense fog, through which the sun did not shine till about an hour high. I need not mention, that shortly after this, our armies evacuated the city, which was made the strong- hold of the British troops. Not long after, Fort-Washington, with 1800 Americans, fell into the hands of the enemy. This was a very dark period in the history of the Revolution. The principal officers of our regiment, in this expedition of '76, were Col. Jonathan Pettibone, the elder. Lieut. Col. Jonathan Humphrey, the elder, and Major Holmes. Job Case was my Captain, - Benjamin Farnham, lieutenant, and Benjamin Bodwell, ensign.
"Colonels Pettibone and Humphrey had been officers in the French war, and both very respectable characters as Christians and Statesmen.
"Colonel Pettibone died on his return from New York, and his remains lie buried in the public burying ground in New Rochelle. He was naturally a man of enterprise and resolution. That he was a politician, appears from his being twenty-eight times a member of the General Assembly of Connecticut. In addition to all, he was a kind-hearted, benevo- lent, hospitable man. His death was lamented by all who knew him."
In the old burying ground in Simsbury, stands an ancient headstone, bearing the following inscription:
"In Memory of Col. Jonathan Pettibone, who Departed This Life, at Rye, in the State of New-York & was Buried there; at the head of his Regt in the Defence of his Country, Sept. 6th 1776, in the 67th year of his age. He filld up his De- partments in publick & Privet life, with fidelaty & Honor, exhibited a bright example of the Christian Virtues & Died with a firm hope of a Glorious immortality."
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In 1776, after his return from Boston, Capt. Elihu Hum- phrey was in command of a Company, and subsequently promoted to the rank of Major in the Continental line, and was in service in and about New York. In the battle of Long- Island he was wounded and taken prisoner, and afterwards confined in the "Old Sugar House", where he was barbarously treated, so that on his release his health was destroyed, and he returned home and died soon after. As an officer and soldier, he was brave and efficient; as a citizen and friend, he was respected and beloved. Standing near those of Col. Pettibone and Col. Humphrey, his gravestone bears the following in- scription :
"In Memory of Maj. Elihu Humphrey, who died Feb. ye 25th A.D. 1777. In ye 39th year of his age."
"Death is a debt to Nature due.
Which I have paid & so must you."
Many other names of brave and patriotic officers and soldiers of Simsbury might be here inserted as worthy of mention, did space permit. The 18th Regiment, commanded by Col. Jonathan Humphrey, consisted of twenty-one com- panies with an aggregate force of eleven hundred and forty- nine men, more than three-quarters of whom belonged to Simsbury. In July of that year, two hundred and sixty-four men of that regiment were in service in the continental army. In 1778 the whole of this regiment was called into service in and about New York, and subsequently detachments from it were occasionally sent out for short periods of service.
In this war many citizens of Simsbury laid down their lives to secure their country's liberty.
The Town, also as a community, was zealous and active in its efforts to promote the glorious cause. The year 1777 was a trying period. On the 18th of March of that year, the Governor and Council of Safety of Connecticut ordered, "that the civil authority, Selectmen, and Military Officers, and all friends to the liberties of mankind, should be requested and exhorted to exert themselves to their utmost, and that im- mediately, as they regarded the welfare and salvation of their country, in encouragging and procuring the quotas of their
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respective towns to engage in said service, and encourage such enlistments." In compliance with this request, A Town- meeting was called by the Selectmen on the 26th of March, at which it was -
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"Voted, that the prefent Selectmen, Namely, Jacob Tuller, Isaac Gillet, Capt: Ezekial Humphry, Richard Gay, and Capt: Sam11: Hays are Chofen a Committee to take care of the families of any of the Soldiers who Defire it to lay out the money Such Soldiers Shall depofit in their hands to pur- chafe provifions & other necefsaries for Such Families at ye prices Stated by Law, agreeable to the Requifition of the Governor & council of Safety.
"It is alfo recommended by this meeting to Said Select- ment to See what money they can get by Subfcriptions or Donations to Encourage Soldiers to Inlift into the Continental Army."
On the 12th of September, the Governor and Council of Safety resolved, "that each town in the State should be re- quested, as soon as might be, to convene and make provision as should appear best, to procure immediately, one shirt or more if they saw fit, either linen or woolen, one hunting shirt or frock, one pair of woolen overhalls, one or two pair of stock- ings, and one pair of shoes for each non-commissioned officer and soldier in the continental who belonged to such towns, &c." Accordingly, "At a Lawfull Town Meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Simbury at ye Meeting Houfe in the firft Society in Said Town on the 29th Day of September A.D. 1777, Legally convened by Special order of the Selectmen.
'Capt. Ezekiel Humphry was Chofen Moderator of sd Meeting.
"Then his Excellencies Requifition of the 12th Inftant was Read, wherein it is Refolved that Some provifion be Speedily made for the Soldiers gone from this Town, into ye continental army, to provide for them Shoes & Stockings, and other articles of Clothing as therein mentioned, and it was voted, that the Town will comply with said Requeft.
"And alfo voted that the prefent Selectmen of this Town as soon as they pofsably can are Directed to provide & procure
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said articles of Clothing, for the Number of Soldiers belonging to this Town who are gone into, & Joined, the Continental Army, and Deliver ye Same to one, or ye other, of the Com- mifsaries mentioned in Said Requifition, and to pay the Ex- pences theireof out of the Town Treafury.
"Voted that all the Soldiers belonging to this Town that are in actual Service in the State or Joined the Army Shall have for their wages four pounds per month with what the Continental Congrefs have or Shall allow them that is with what they are Intitled to from ye Public they Shall have four pounds pr Month, and what ye Continental wages fall Short, the remainder Shall be made up to them by this Town, that is for all such as are or Shall be in Actual Service, until the Town Shall See caufe to order otherwife."
At a Town Meeting held in December 1777, it was "Voted that the Prefent Selectmen of this Town fhall be a Committee to take Care of Soldiers Wives & Families that are or Shall be called, or engaged in the continental Service agreeable to a Late Act of ye General Afsembly relating thereto, and alfo to procure tents, Clothing &c. for ye Soldiers."
As the war proceeded, owing to the embargo which pre- vented commerce with other nations, all foreign goods com- manded high prices. These were enormously increased by the system of monopoly which prevailed, in proportion to the scarcity. To prevent this evil the General Assembly passed laws fixing the prices of all kinds of goods, as well as of labor. Among these articles of commerce there was none of greater importance than salt, entering as it does into the daily use of every family. All that was used at that time was imported at great risk and expense. The price fixed upon this by the Legisla- ture, in 1776, was ten shillings per bushel. So great was the scarcity, that the General Assembly, to prevent monopolizing the article, passed an act "empowering the Civil Authority and Select men of the several towns, upon application to them made . . . to cause the stores &c., of any engrosser or monopo- lizer, within their respective towns, to be opened, seized, and distributed among the inhabitants who should need it, at the price affixed by law." No family was to receive more than
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