USA > Connecticut > Middlesex County > Middletown > Centennial address and Historical sketches > Part 5
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One measure, which was the subject of much consid- eration about this time, was the breaking off from all trade with the mother country, so long as she should con-
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tinue ler arbitrary proceedings. How the people felt on this point, is clear from an incident which occurred, when the delegates from Massachusetts were on their way to
the first Continental Congress. Stopping in Middletown, Dr. Eliot Rawson, Mr. Alsop, Mr. Mortimer and others, the committee of correspondence, Mr. Henshaw and many other gentlemen, called upon them to pay them their respeets, and to assure them that they thought that all was in their hands, and that they would abide by whatever should be determined on, cuen to a total stop- page of trade to Europe, and the West Indies." This assurance is the more noticeable, because the wealth of the town at that time, was mainly derived from foreign com- merce, and some of the gentlemen present were princi- pals in carrying it on. Congress assembled, and formed an association for non-importation, non-exportation and non-consumption "of British goods." 'The Colonial Assembly approved and recommended it, and before the ycar was closed, the people here heartily concurred in it, and appointed a committee of inspection, consisting of seventeen persons, "to see the same duly observed, to publish the names of any willful transgressors of said association, and generally to do cvery thing necessary to the carrying into execution the objects of the association, according to the true intent and meaning of said Con- gress." The people of Chatham did the same, and ap- pointed a committee of cleven, larger in proportion to their population, for the same purpose. Such commit- tees were appointed from time to time, in both towns, through the Revolution. This measure, thus pursued here and elsewhere, was designed to show Great Britain, that the Americans were determined not to submit to oppression, and that if they could not live peaccably with her, they would endeavor to live without hier.
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But what other things did the towns of Middletown and Chatham do, under all the motives which were brought to bear upon them? They met very often, considered the measures recommended and urged upon them by the General Assembly, or by the Governor or Council of Safety in behalf of the Commonwealth ; approved them, and took promptly the steps necessary to their execution.
One thing which they did, was to sec that the inhabi- tants took the oath of fidelity to the State, and the re- cords of both towns year after year, abound with such subscriptions.
Another thing was to provide that sundry articles, necessaries of life specified by a law of the State, should be sold at certain fixed prices. This law the town of Middletown approved February 10th, 1777, soon after it was passed, and all informing officers were charged " to be very circumspect and diligent in their inquiries after all breaches of said act." The binding force of this law is repeatedly recognized. The town of Chatham on the 1st of April in the same year, voted, "That the inhabitants with one consent, will join with, and support to the utmost of their power, the authority, selectmen and all informing officers in carrying into execution the laws made for the regulation and affixing the prices of certain articles therein mentioned." The law thus ap- proved was followed by another, and a very severe one, against monopoly and the engrossing both of agricultu- ral products and imported goods, entitled an act to en- courage fair dealing, and to restrain and punish sharpers and oppressors."
Early this year it was seen and felt to be of the last importance, that the army of Washington should not be obliged to depend as much as it had been upon militia ; but should have soldiers enlisted for three years, or dur-
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ing the war; and Continental battallions were ordered to be raised in the State. That the respective towns might fill their quotas, all classes were earnestly exhort- ed, by an appeal to their patriotism, to procure the en- listment of men. Such orders and exhortations found a speedy and full response in the feelings of the people, both of Middletown and Chatham. But it would be tedious to repeat all the votes they passed, and measures they took to engage soldiers.
Both towns did much for the support of the families of these soldiers, sometimes by assigning them to the care of large committees, or the care of particular fami- lies to individuals. They also did much to supply the soldiers themselves with clothing.
In the course of the year 1777, Middletown voted that the selectmen distribute to the officers and soldiers fami- lies, the salt belonging to the town as they should think it needed, and the remainder to the poor at their discre- tion. Chatham made a similar donation.
In December 1779, Middletown voted that every man in the town that has a team, be desired to furnish the light dragoons with wood, at least one load, as soon as possible. This was doubtless much needed, for the win- ter proved exceedingly cold.
But to revert to the year 1774. It was thought very possible then, that Gen. Gage might use force against those whom he regarded as rebels against the British Government, and on such an occurrence, that it would be the duty of Americans far and near to help their in- jured brethren. Military men in Connecticut accord- ingly prepared to start at once, upon the knowledge of an attack. All this is evident from the rush of hundreds and thousands of armed men towards Boston, upon what is termed the "Boston alarm," in Sept. 1774. This
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was a premature report that the "English ships of war were cannonåding Boston, and the regular troops massa- cring the inhabitants without distinction of age or sex."
At the October session, this year, the General Assem- bly resolved, " That the several towns in this Colony be and are hereby ordered to provide as soon as may be, double the quantity of powder, balls and flints that they were heretofore by law obliged to provide, under the same directions and penalties as by law already pro- vided."
The circumstances of the Bostonians grew worse and worse. Deprived of their trade, want and suffering pressed them. The rich in Connecticut and elsewhere contributed liberally, and those of smaller means added to the amount, and forwarded relief. But as more was learned continually of the oppression they were endur- ing, the higher rose the spirit of resistance.
Titus Hosmer Esq., gave to this spirit the sanction of his enlarged mind. As the difficulties with Great Britain were becoming more serious, at a session of the General Assembly in Hartford, a secret meeting was held by the members, in which a long and thorough discussion was carried on by appointed debaters, whether in the con- troversy, Great Britain was in the right, or the Colonies. In this discussion Mr. Hosmer was conspicuous ; great light was imparted, the members became satisfied that the right was with the Colonies, and that they would be justified in resisting their oppressors in war, should war come. The members scattered the light among their constituents, and the grand result was, that when the time for decided action arrived, the people of Connecti- cut were remarkably united, and so continued through the long contest, which has effected so much good for our country and the world.
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Blood was shed at Lexington in April 1775, and then the war commenced. Return Jonathan Meigs and others of Middletown, on petition, had been constituted a com- pany of light infantry the preceding year, and Mr. Meigs became their captain. Comfort Sage commanded a com- pany of light horse. Immediately upon the news of the battle at Lexington, Capt. Meigs marched his company " completely uniformed and equipped," to the environs of Boston. Capt. Sage was there with his troop, and Capt. Silas Dunham with a military company from Chatham.
In this month the General Assembly held a session, and enacted a law "to raise one fourth of the militia, for the special defense of the Colony ; formed into com- panies of one hundred men each, and into six regiments." The Assembly " also authorized the purchase of three thousand stand of arms." About this time the compa- nies in Middletown and Chatham were formed into a regiment.
Large sums of money had been expended upon a lead mine in this town by foreigners ; and when the Revolution commenced, it was in the hands of Col. James, a British officer, who had raised a quantity of the ore, and prepared it for exportation. This mine, and this ore, the government of Connecticut now seized for their own use.
The plan for the brilliant enterprise of taking Ticon- deroga was formed in Connecticut, in the same month in which the war commenced at Lexington. In this, Sam- uel Holden Parsons, whose family resided here in the Revolution, was prominent ; for he informed the General Assembly afterwards by a memorial, that he, together with Samuel Wyllys,Silas Deane and others, did in April 1775, undertake the suprising and seizing the enemics' fort at
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Ticonderoga, without the knowledge of said Assembly, and for that purpose took a quantity of money from the treasury, giving their receipts for the money, all which [£810] had been expended in said service, and prayed the Assembly to cancel said notes and receipts. The memorial was honored, and this enterprise which Mr. Parsons did so much to start and effect, inspired the Colonists in Connecticut and elsewhere with confidence, that in the war with Great Britain, they should triumph: and this triumph he himself did much to secure.
In the memorable battle of Bunker Hill, which oc- curred the following June, officers and soldiers from Con- necticut participated. Gen. Putnam showed his usual intrepidity. This battle fired the whole country. Hun- dreds of our men were about Boston months afterwards. Many of the militia were directed to points upon our own coast, and to co-operate with the faithful in and about New York.
But while the preceding events and transactions served to keep up, and strengthen the opposition to Great Bri. tain in Connecticut, it must be admitted that there were some among ourselves, who doubted the propriety of the course which the Colonies were pursuing, and who wer, in heart opposed. Some took refuge in Nova-Scotia, or other parts of the King's dominions. But tories, or semi-tories, were not so numerous in Connecticut as in some other colonies, as in Southern New York and in the Jersies, particularly after the British had possession of New York, and began to issue their proclamations. It was rather the colony, whither tories were sent for safe keeping ; so that the people were called to watch and guard tories, as well as to the more pleasant service of showing hospitality and kindness, to such as fled to them from Long Island to escape the flatteries, and the arms
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of the enemy. The tory mayor of New York city was sent hither, and many smaller tories. William Frank- lin, the last royal Governor of New Jersey, though the son of Dr. Benjamin Franklin, " the genius of the day, and the great patron of American liberty," and possess- ing much of his ability and shrewdness, was a tory, and so remained. A convention of New Jersey, after an examination, declared him "a virulent enemy to his country," and a person that might prove dangerous ; and sent him to Gov. Trumbull, who was desired to take his parole ; and if he should refuse to give that, " to treat him agreeably to the resolution of Congress respecting prisoners." The very day that the Representatives of the Thirteen United Colonies of America declared, " that these Colonies are, and of right ought to be free and in- dependent States," Mr. Franklin entered Connecticut. The next morning a parole was prepared for him, by Gov. Trumbull and the Council of Safety. He moved for an alteration in the parole, and for liberty to return to New Jersey, which was refused. He then asked per- mission to go to Stratford. This was not granted, but he was informed that he might go to Wallingford, to which he finally consented, "and signed his parole ac- cordingly." In a few days "he applied to be removed from Wallingford to Middletown, which was granted on the same parole." Here he came and remained until the people were alarmed by his influence ; for in a town meeting, January 7th, 1777, they appointed Capt. Sam- uel Russel, Col. Comfort Sage and Seth Wetmore Jun., to prefer a petition to Gov. Trumbull, to remove Gov. Franklin from the town, for the safety of the town and State. What Gov. Trumbull at once did is not ascer- tained, but it is probable he consulted the Congress of the United States : for on the 22d of April "Congress
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resolved, That Gov. Trumbull be informed, that Con- gress have received undoubted information, that William Franklin, late Governor of the State of New Jersey, and now a prisoner in Connecticut, has, since his removal to that State, sedulously employed himself, in dispersing among the inhabitants the protection of Lord Howe and Gen. Howe, styled the King's commissioners for grant- ing pardons, &c., and otherwise aided and abetted the enemies of the United States ; and that he be requested forthwith to order the said William Franklin Esq., into close confinement, prohibiting to him the use of pen, ink and paper, or the access of any person or persons, but such as are properly licensed by Governor Trumbull .*
The year 1776, was rendered remarkable by the de- parture of the British from Boston, their approach to New York, and eventual occupation of the city, which they held until the cessation of hostilities, and the arri- val of the treaty of peace. It was rendered remarka- ble also, by the almost incessant calls for the services of our men within our own borders and beyond them, as appears in part from the records of the commonwealth now before the public, in part from other histories, and from tradition. After 1776 indeed, until the close of the war, our whole seaboard was exposed to alarms and at- tacks, and how seriously, let the incursions of the enemy into Danbury and New Haven ; the burning of Norwalk, Fairfield and New London tell, and the accursed massa- cre at Groton. But as to the scenes of that most trying year.
In May " large detachments of militia were ordered to hold themselves in constant readiness to march at the
* Journals of Congress, Vol. III. pp. 121.
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shortest notice, for the defence of any portion of Con- necticut, or other adjoining Colonies."
In June, seven regiments were ordered to march im- mediately, and join the Continental army in New York," and at this time James Wadsworth Jun., of Durham was appointed Brigadier General, and among the seven Colonels then appointed, was Comfort Sage of this town, who as Captain, went with a company of light horse to the neighborhood of Boston the preceding year.
In August following, the whole of the standing militia of the State west of Connecticut river, together with two regiments on the eastern side, were ordered to march to New York city, and about the same time a large propor- tion of the remainder, were sent to aid the inhabitants of Suffolk county on Long Island. In the beginning of September, the standing militia together with the light horse on the east side the river, were ordered to march with the utmost expedition to Westchester, near New York. These drafts ef course included the militia of Middletown and Chatham. In the operations in the months of August, September and October, on Long Island, in and about New York, " the Connecticut forces comprised a large portion of Washington's army. The regular troops were formed into a division, comprising two brigades. The division was commanded by Major Gen. Joseph Spencer " of East Haddam and by Brig. Gen. James Wadsworth of Durham, just mentioned, and Samuel H. Parsons of this place. "They signa- lized themselves in all the achievments," and were dis- tinguished for their sufferings, as well as for their valor. Capt. Jabez Hamlin, who had been an ensign under Capt. R. J. Meigs the year before, died of sickness this year at East Chester. Col. Sage remained at or near White Plains in November in the same year, and it is
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understood was in the service of his country long after- wards.
The standing militia of the State were subjected to five heavy drafts in 1776, and were sent to Rhode Island, to Long Island, to New York, to the High Lands, and to the western borders of this State. Instead of asking therefore who went into the war from Middletown and Chatham this year, we may rather ask, who did not go ?
The privations and hardships of militia men this year were great. They sacrificed the sweets of home for a large portion of time, and their business was deranged or suspended. These things however were as nothing compared with the sufferings of those who were taken prisoners, particularly of such as were confined in New York. A letter from a prisoner of distinction, belong- ing to Connecticut, dated New York, December 26th, 1776, declares, " The distress of the prisoners cannot be communicated by words. Twenty or thirty die every day ; they lie in heaps unburied. What number of my countrymen have died by cold and hunger, perished for the want of the necessaries of life. I have seen it." Samuel Clark of this town "stated to the Assembly, that he was one of the unfortunate men taken at fort Washington, and confined in New York until December 1776, and then with others nearly dead, liberated on parole."*
* It is impossible to ascertain at this time, all who died during the Revolution, from battle and other evils connected with it. Some idea may be formed of the mortality from the statements following. John and James Smith, Abijah Kirby, Nathan Edwards and Reuben White, from Upper Middletown died in prison in New York. Some escaped from prison there, while others remained until released. What numbers then from different parts of Middletown must have felt the horrors of imprison-
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In describing the events of this trying year, Mar- shall says, " While the seat of war was in New York, very essential aid was given by that State," but, he adds, the main force of the army was drawn from New England. Such was the zeal and unanimity of those States, that while the enemy remained in their neighbor- hood, requisitions for militia were unformly complied with, and they enabled the American army to keep up a
ment in that city ? Moses Pelton, a soldier from Portland is said to have been killed in the war. David Sage, Timothy Cornwall, Isaac Buck, Bartlett and Lemuel Lewis and others, are said to have died of sickness or in prison. Jacob Norton from East Hampton died in prison in New York. In a bill of mortality kept in Middle Haddam by Rev. Benjamin Boardman, Asa Brainerd is mentioned as dying in the camp in 1775; Heman Higgins as dying in the army, of sickness in 1778; Jesse Higgins also as dying in the army the same year : Nathaniel Rich was killed in the action of Norwalk, July 11th, 1779, and the same ycar Jabez Arnold Jun., died in a tour in the militia at East Haven. Jonathan Cook Jun., and Seth Higgins are mentioned as dying prisoners in New York in the latter part of 1777, and not far from the same time, Jesse Swaddle, Elisha Taylor, Seth Doane Jun., and John Snow are mentioned as dying on their way home from captivity. And it should be added here, that not only great numbers of captive soldiers suffered in prison, but a considerable number of captive privateersmen, out of the many living on Connecticut river, who engaged in this tempting and hazardous concern. This was true of the officers and crew of the Sloop of War Sampson, built at Hig- ganum, some of whom, about one hundred in all, are understood to have been from Chatham, some were probably from Middletown. These were consigned to the old Jersey. In the records just referred to, and under date of June 4th, 1782, Capt. David Brooks, the commander of the sloop, Nathaniel Stocking, Jonathan Brainerd Jun., William Akins or Atkins, Elihu Cook, Elijah Green and James Stocking are mentioned as dying in New York. Shubael Brainerd, the first Lieutenant, is known to have died in the prisonship, it is believed many others did. Tradition declares that numbers belonging to the sloop, died in New York about the time of the death of the Commander and first Lieutenant.
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respectable appearance."* To a liberal share of this commendation Connecticut is justly entitled.
Nor did the services of the militia of New England, and especially that of Connecticut close with 1776 .- The enemy were too much in our neighborhood after- wards, and among us. The campaign of 1777 opened with the invasion of Connecticut, and the march of the enemy to Danbury. Their services were needed this year in Pennsylvania, and in the Jersies; in Rhode Island, which was invaded ; particularly in the State of New York, while a junction of the British forces in the city with the army of Burgoyne was apprehended ; and years after his surrender, they were needed about the Hudson river. We needed them long in our own State; for in addition to the continual exposure of the coast, the burning of Norwalk and Fairfield, and the attack on New Haven, occured in 1779; the burning of New London, and the massacre at Groton in 1781.
But as mueli as militia men suffered by frequent and sudden marches, absence from home and the derange- ment of business, by eold and storm, siekness and con- fliet, the Continental soldiers had a harder lot. They were called to greater distances, and kept longer from their families, were more exposed to sickness from change of climate, and the more they learned of the military art, the more liable to have a position assigned them in the hottest of the battle. Much compassion was felt for them, and much was done for the relief of their wives and children in their absenec, and yet when the war was over, many returned poor to their homes.
Among the families helped in Middletown, were those of Colonels, Return Jonathan Meigs, John Sumner, and
* Washington's Life, Vol. III. pp. 53.
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Jonathan Johnson ; Captains, Robert Warner, Edward Eclls, Abijah Savage, David Starr and William Sizer ; Lieutenants, William Henshaw, Hezekiah Hubbard, John Hubbard and Othniel Clark, which renders it pro- bable, that all these for a time were in the Continental service, many of them certainly were. But how many more officers from Middletown were in the continental line, it would be difficult at this late period to ascertain. And it is more difficult to ascertain the like fact in re- gard to Chatham ; for though the people of that town were prompt and liberal in providing for the families of those who were in the regular army, they were not so particular in naming them. Another thing which in- creases the perplexity is, that persons enlisted at differ- ent times, some after they had served in the militia. Some, about the commencement of hostilities, enlisted in- to the service of their country during the war. A re- cruiting officer appeared then in one of the neighbor- hoods of Middle Haddam, as an aged man now living distinctly remembers, procured several enlistments there, and more in the surrounding neighborhoods ; a thing which was probably done in other parts of ancient Mid- dletown. But as the number of these was diminished by death, by loss of health or limbs ; or as the war raged more, or regular soldiers were more valued, new enlistments were called for, for the residue of the war, or for given periods. From what information has been re- ceived, it is believed, that Col. John Penfield, Capt. Joseph Blague, afterwards Col. Blague, Capt. John Cooper, Lieut. Daniel Stewart, and Ensign Daniel Shep- herd were commissioned officers in the Revolution, from that part of Chatham which is now Portland, and more or less in the service of their country. Several of them may have been continental officers. Capt. Blague was
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for a time, and commanded a company in the battle at Saratoga. On some occasion, Gen. Lafayette as an ex- pression of esteem for him as an officer, and it is said in the presence of Washington, gave him a beautiful sword .* Captains Silas Dunham and Stephen Brainerd, Lieut. Mareus Cole, his son Ensign Abner Cole, breveted Lieu- tenant, from what is now Chatham, were in the war. The Coles were Continental officers, and some of the other officers may have been, and others still, not now specified.
First or last, almost all that could, in some capacity, took part in the long contest. Continental soldiers went where they were commanded. Militia men by regular drafts and orders, or on the report of danger, flew to the places where the enemy came, or was apprehended. Old men, exempted by age from service, showed a dispo- sition to do what they could. About sixty here formed themselves into a company, to learn more of the military art, with a determination to preserve the liberty of their country. They marched in these streets. The drum- mer of the company was over eighty, and was as much engaged and alert as in his younger days. Lads sym- pathized and imitated. Mothers, wives, daughters and sisters, while laboring more in the house for the comfort of those gone to the camp, entered themselves into the field, and did the work of men.
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