USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > Greenwich > Greenwich old & new; a history > Part 4
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SICHUND A KLUXP>
BLOCK ON RAILROAD AVENUE, OPPOSITE GREENWICH STATION, AS IT LOOKED SHORTLY AFTER ITS CONSTRUCTION ABOUT 1890.
OBADIAH TIMPANY HOUSE, WHICH STOOD AT CORNER OF VALLEY ROAD AND ORCHARD STREET, COS COB.
STATE INSURANCE
POST OFFICEO
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BUILDING ERECTED AT GREENWICH AVENUE AND LEWIS STREET IN 1884 BY JOHN H. RAY, WHICH HOUSED RAY'S HALL. DAMAGED IN GREENWICH AVENUE FIRE OF MAY, 1900 AND REBUILT.
THE WILLIAM MEAD HOMESTEAD, WHICH STOOD ON THE SITE OF THE PRESENT COS COB SCHOOL AT THE POST ROAD AND ORCHARD STREET.
FRANK SEYMOUR HOME ON STRICKLAND ROAD, COS COB. BUILT BY CAPTAIN JAMES WARING IN 1749.
THE OLD JOSEPH BRUSH HOMESTEAD ON STRICKLAND ROAD, COS COB, BUILT ABOUT 1750, TORN DOWN MANY YEARS AGO. THE STORE WAS A LATER ADDITION TO THE HOUSE.
THE PUTNAM COTTAGE, EAST PUTNAM AVENUE, AS IT LOOKS NOW. BUILT ABOUT 1731, AND USED AS A TAVERN DURING REVOLUTION. NOW THE HOME OF PUTNAM HILL CHAPTER, D. A. R.
III. THE REVOLUTION
T HE YEARS of the Revolution represent the most ex- citing and eventful period in Greenwich history. Dur- ing the first two years of the war the town was only indirectly affected. But after the English captured New York, "neutral land" between American and British territory extended westward from Byram River, so once again we find Greenwich a border town.
From the very beginning the citizens of Greenwich were in favor of taking a stand against the British. A special town meeting was held in October, 1774, for the purpose of "taking into serious consideration the alarming State of American Liberty." It was resolved that "this town approved of the Hon- orable Congress of Delegates from the several colonies and would abide by their final determination." Later delegates were sent to a County Congress at Fairfield.
The town also resolved "that as the Province of Massachus- etts Bay, especially the Town of Boston, is now suffering under the Iron Hand of Despotic Power and ministerial Influences, it is the Indispensable duty of this Town, in Imitation of ye noble examples set up by most of the colony, to contribute to the relief of the oppressed and suffering Poor in said Town of Boston." Donations were collected and sent immediately. A committee was also appointed "to examine the state of the
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Town Stock of Powder, Lead, etc., and to take care to supply what is wanting at the expense of the Town." The "inhabitants were much surprised to find that the price of that most neces- sary article for our defence, viz, Gunpowder, is now doubled."
When news reached here of the battle of Lexington, troops were ready to march to Boston and Captain Abraham Mead led a company from Horseneck to assist in the defense of New York City. From this time on, troops from Horseneck and Greenwich were serving continuously in the Continental army and taking part in many important Revolutionary battles.
In June, 1775, Washington passed through Greenwich on his way to Boston to take command of the army. Feeling against the British was very intense here although there were a num- ber of Loyalists or Tories in the town.
One of these Tories in Stamford was found guilty of buying and selling tea, so the citizens of Stamford indulged in a "Tea Party." A great crowd gathered from the surrounding country- side to see the "confiscated tea executed." At night a torchlight procession marched around the town "with a guard of armed soldiers surrounding two men carrying the guilty tea." A dole- ful dirge was played on drums and flutes. The procession ended at an open space in front of the tavern where the tea was taken in charge by the common hangman and hung upon the gallows. A bonfire was built and the tea was burned while the crowd cheered.
The country now was in a state of war so Greenwich as a town took measures for active defense. A committee of safety was appointed which continued to serve throughout the war. Another committee was formed "to see that the families of those who enter the Continental Army shall be supplied with the necessaries of life and to furnish clothing etc. for the soldiers."
The following year the British evacuated Boston. New York then became the center of activity during the summer campaign
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of 1776. Part of the Ninth Regiment under Lieutenant Colonel John Mead was ordered to New York and took part in the battle of Long Island.
Colonel Mead, later appointed General Mead, was an especi- ally interesting personality. He was short, and so fat that it is said that his tailor could measure the General's vest by button- ing it around himself and four other men.
When the Americans retreated from New York, Colonel Mead's regiment was one of the last to leave the city. They narrowly escaped capture and since the day was unusually hot the men suffered intensely from heat and fatigue. At night, as soon as a place of safety had been reached, every one sought rest. The officers found accommodations on the floor of a tavern and every inch was occupied.
Colonel Mead came in last of all, and dropped down on the ground, appropriating an officer's feet for a pillow. The officer awoke, and in a rough tone demanded who was lying on his feet. Colonel Mead apologized politely, and the officer recog- nizing his voice, cried out, "For God's sake, Colonel, is that you? I never expected to see you again alive after the dreadful heat and struggle of this day; make a pillow of my feet and welcome, if you can find any rest here."
Colonel Mead's company took part in the battle of White Plains where a number of his men were killed. In November, two groups of Greenwich soldiers under Colonel Thomas Hobby and Captain Sylvanus Mead were sent across the river to assist in the defense of Fort Washington, which was cap- tured with its entire garrison. Officers and men were taken as prisoners but later many of them were paroled. During the course of the war many Greenwich citizens were imprisoned in the Sugar House at New York, the Jersey Prison Ship and other camps.
These were the dark days of the Revolution, and the town of Greenwich especially was seriously affected by these Amer-
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ican losses. For the next years the British held New York. Un- able to recapture the city, Washington however succeeded in cutting off New York by a line of fortifications extending from West Point on the Hudson across North Castle to Danbury.
One of these forts was built west of Stamford and was known as Fort Nonsense and later Fort Stamford. Reserve troops were quartered at this fort but an advance guard was stationed at Greenwich as a border town, to protect the inhabi- tants against attack.
In the winter of 1777 troops under Colonel Roger Enos were quartered in the town and apparently they were unwelcome visitors, for the town issued a protest against "great outrages upon the property of some of the inhabitants."
While outside troops thus came to help protect the town, Greenwich sought every means possible for defense. Six four- pounder cannons mounted on field carriages were procured from the foundry at Salisbury, along with a supply of amu- nition. The Town Hall was turned into a storehouse and guard room for the artillerymen, and a chimney was built to keep the place warm in cold weather.
GENERAL PUTNAM
DURING the winter of 1779 General Israel Putnam was in com- mand of a large part of the Continental army which was en- camped at Redding. The English were firmly entrenched in New York with a number of regiments under General William Tryon stationed at Kingsbridge, now in the Bronx. Neither army was sufficiently strong to undertake a serious campaign so the war had "degenerated into a series of marauding expeditions." By frequent raids, plundering inhabitants of food supplies, and damaging as much property as possible, the English hoped to demoralize the Americans. They also hoped to induce Wash- ington to weaken his force on the Highlands by sending troops into Connecticut to protect the defenseless towns.
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As a border town Horseneck was an easy victim. The town was known to be prosperous, with an ample supply of food and ammunition. At Cos Cob there was a large salt works which supplied salt for many towns back from the Sound. An attack on the town was expected sooner or later and General Putnam came here frequently to inspect the guard stationed here and to send out scouts to investigate the activities of the enemy.
In this way Putnam became a familiar figure in the town. Sixty years old, weighing well over two hundred pounds, "Old Put" was admired and beloved by old and young. Silas Dean said that in Connecticut, Putnam was "the toast of the army. He does not wear a wig, nor screw his countenance into a form that belies the sentiments of his generous soul; he is no adept either at politics or religious canting and cozening, he is no shake-hand body; he therefore is totally unfit for everything but fighting."
When "Old Put" came to Horseneck, he usually stayed at one of the taverns on the Post Road. Hobby Tavern, opposite Sherwood Place, was army headquarters so "Old Put" came there frequently to consult with Colonel Thomas Hobby, an old friend and companion from the French and Indian war.
On February 25, 1779, Putnam was at Horseneck inspecting the guard. In the afternoon he sent about 30 men under Cap- tain Titus Watson toward New York to observe the movements of the enemy. At New Rochelle, late that night, this company came upon a detachment of the enemy coming from Kings- bridge under General Tryon.
Captain Watson and his men managed to retire before them, undiscovered because of the sheltering darkness, but at dawn the enemy saw them when they had reached the town of Rye. The Americans defended themselves as well as possible, at the same time retreating to Sawpits where part of the company made a brief stand.
Several men with Captain Watson reached Byram River and
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took up the bridge in order to delay the enemy as long as pos- sible. Then with all speed they hastened back to Horseneck and gave the alarm.
At nine o'clock that morning, Putnam was standing in front of his mirror shaving when the alarm was brought to the tavern where he was staying.
General Putnam immediately gave orders for all available troops to assemble on the hill by the meeting house. About 150 men were collected in a remarkably short time and three can- nons on field carriages were pushed into position to cover the Post Road below.
The first column of British troops appeared around the bend in the road, the column including Colonel Emmerich's chas- seurs on horseback, Colonel Robinson's battalion and a regiment of Hessians, about 1500 men in all. They marched forward briskly, line after line of soldiers wearing bright red uniforms and carrying flashing bayonets. When they sighted the Amer- icans on the hill in front of the Congregational Church, one section branched off to the right and another to the left.
In his official report Putnam wrote that "I soon discovered that their design was to turn our flanks and possess themselves of a defile in our rear, which would effectually prevent our re- treat. I therefore ordered parties out on both flanks, with direc- tions to give me information of their approach, that we might retire in season.
"In the meantime a column advanced up the main road, where the remaining of the troops (amounting to about 60) were posted. We discharged some old field pieces a few times and gave them a small fire of musketry, but without any con- siderable effect."
Putnam and his men were hopelessly outnumbered. It would have been a useless sacrifice for them to try to hold out against such odds. So Putnam ordered his troops to retire and form on a hill a little distance from Horseneck. At the same time he
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told them of his intention to go to Fort Stamford in order to collect more troops and bring them back to the aid of the town.
After making certain that his men had retreated in proper order, Putnam wheeled his horse down onto the Post Road and galloped in the direction of Stamford. Thomas Merritt of West- chester County and several British cavalrymen recognized the General, and started after him.
Down the road sped Putnam, the British following in mad pursuit. "Old Put" was a heavy load and the horses of the enemy were faster than his. When Putnam came to the edge of a steep hill where the road turned, the leader of the Red- coats was within two lengths of him. The General's capture seemed certain.
There was no time to follow the road which ran along the top of the hill and curved around with a gradual slope down- ward. So-without hesitation Putnam turned his horse's head and forced the animal off the road, over the brow of the hill and down.
Putnam's horse was a well trained, sure-footed animal. Crash- ing through the underbrush, sliding part of the time on his haunches, winding back and forth in a zig zag direction, the animal made his way down the steep rocky hillside. The fat old General, with his white hair blowing around his face, sat firmly in the saddle.
At the top of the hill, the Redcoats stopped in amazement. They saw "Old Put" plunging down the hill and not one of them dared go after him. They fired a number of shots at him and one of the bullets passed through the general's hat.
"Old Put" turned in his saddle and shook an angry fist at the soldiers above him. "God cuss ye," he is said to have shouted, "when I catch ye, I'll hang ye to the next tree."
Reaching the bottom of the hill safely, Putnam turned again onto the Post Road and sped on his way toward Stamford.
While Putnam went to Stamford to collect troops, the
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British took possession of the town. First of all they set fire to the town house where the ammunition was stored. Then, divid- ing into squads, they went into every house except those where Tories lived. They plundered the houses and took everything they could lay their hands on. Many of the farmers had taken the precaution to hide money and valuable possessions, but the Redcoats ransacked the homes from attic to cellar. They tore down partitions, broke open chests and closets and in a num- ber of cases ripped up feather mattresses and pillows. Wagons brought to carry plunder were filled with household utensils of pewter, copper or silver as well as blankets and clothing.
In houses where grain was stored in the attics, the Redcoats cut holes through the floors and shovelled grain down into the cellars where cider barrels were broken so that all food supplies were spoiled.
A company of Redcoats marched to Greenwich, Old Town, and destroyed the salt works, 26 salt pans and a great quantity of salt. They burned a schooner and two small vessels in the harbor.
A few soldiers went up to Mianus Bridge and stopped at a mill where a housewife was making some dumplings. The soldiers asked for some to eat but she said they were not finished. When the miller's wife saw she was not being closely watched, she took the dumplings and threw them all out of the window into the mill pond, which is still known as Dumpling Pond.
While his soldiers were plundering the town, General Tryon made his headquarters in Horseneck at Mead Tavern. He had ordered a late dinner and was about to sit down to enjoy it when an American crept slyly into the orchard back of the tavern and fired a shot through the clapboards. It whistled close by Governor Tryon's head and struck against the mantelpiece. At about the same time a report was brought that the rebels would be able to collect a thousand Continental troops. Without
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waiting to eat his dinner, Tryon gave orders for his men to assemble and retreat at once. This was a difficult task as many of the Redcoats had indulged in too much cider from the farmers' cellars.
General Tryon started back towards New York at about four o'clock in the afternoon just as Putnam arrived with troops from Stamford. Following after the retreating army, the Americans managed to capture a number of prisoners and two wagons, one of which was full of ammunition. The other was filled with plunder, which Putnam reported he "had the satis- faction of restoring to the inhabitants from whom it was taken."
Many Greenwich families were left destitute after this ter- rible day. The British had driven off about 40 head of cattle and killed the live stock on a number of farms. For about a year Greenwich was practically in the hands of the British.
While the Tryon raid was the most spectacular attack on Greenwich during the war, there were a number of other raids on different sections, especially back in the country where farms could not be protected. At least one exciting story could be told about every farmhouse in the Round Hill region.
"COWBOYS" AND "SKINNERS"
IN "The Spy," James Fennimore Cooper tells of Cowboy and Skinner attacks at Bedford, which was just north of Horseneck. This was "neutral land" while Greenwich was American terri- tory, nevertheless it was so close to this debatable ground that it was subject to similar attacks.
What made the situation especially difficult was the fact that these raids were not attacks by regular troops or even soldiers: of just one side. The raiders were British refugees engaged in plundering the people living near the lines of their cattle and driving them to New York, and thus they were given the nick- name of "Cowboys."
The "Skinners" generally professed attachment to the Amer-
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ican cause, and lived chiefly within the American lines, but they were of easy virtue, and were really more detested by the Americans than their avowed enemies, the "Cowboys." They were treacherous, rapacious and often brutal. One day they would be engaged in broils and skirmishes with the "Cowboys," the next day they would be in league with them in plundering their own friends as well as enemies.
Often a sham skirmish would take place between them near the British lines, in which the "Skinners" were always victorious, and then they would rush boldly into the interior with their booty, pretending it had been captured from the enemy while attempting to smuggle it across the lines. The proceeds of sales were divided between both parties.
Thus the inhabitants who were near neutral ground were sure to be plundered and abused by one party or the other. If they declared themselves Americans, the "Cowboys" were sure to plunder them. If in desperation they said they were Tories, they would sooner or later be plundered by the "Skinners."
There was a large number of Tories in Greenwich, as well as many citizens who were undecided in their points of view. It must be remembered that Greenwich was very close to British New York. At the same time loyalty to King George and loyalty to the new Continental Congress was not as clear an issue as it is today. Farmers around here had homes and families to consider, and self preservation was a natural instinct.
In spite of loyalty to the American cause, a number of prac- tical farmers were tempted to trade with Britishers who paid cash in gold for food supplies. Elisha Davis, one of the brothers who ran the Davis mill at Indian Harbor, was found guilty of grinding grain and selling corn and wheat to Tories who came over from Long Island. It was quite easy for the small sloop called "The Miller's Damsel" to slip into the harbor at night, run close to the old tide mill to collect bags of grain and then dart back to safety again without being caught.
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Elisha Davis was suspected for some time before the mill was officially confiscated and he felt obliged to leave Greenwich. At the same time Stephen Davis, the other brother, was found in- nocent, so he was allowed to continue to run the mill.
The people of Greenwich felt especially bitter about the Tories because so much loss of life and property was due to their activities here at the border. One of the chief duties of the committee of public safety was to find those "vile abandoned wretches who have gone over to and joined the common enemy of the United States."
There were a number of individuals who possessed permits from the English to reside here without danger of attack and in return they gave information of the Americans here. The committee kept close watch on these Tories and like most other towns, Greenwich published its "black list" which at one time included the names of thirty four families.
While the citizens of Greenwich suffered acutely from fre- quent attacks, they however were able to retaliate on certain occasions. A number of men were engaged in what was called the whale boat service. Small boats, about thirty feet long and propelled by oars, resembling those used by whalers, were fitted up in the harbor. Anywhere from four to twenty in number would dart across the Sound at night and run into the inlets on the Long Island shore. Landing near the house of a Tory family they would plunder the farm and capture prisoners.
Occasionally they were able to capture small British vessels cruising in the Sound, and market sloops loaded with provisions for the British army in New York were their favorite prey.
There are numerous thrilling tales which might be told of these expeditions of the Americans, as well as similar counter attacks by the English. During the last years of the war especially, the inhabitants of Greenwich who lived along the shore were subject to frequent raids. Prosperous farms were rendered destitute.
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Because of attacks from land and sea all of Greenwich was in a state of deplorable poverty. Continental money was much depreciated in value, and the town was reduced to such ex- tremity that everything belonging to it was sold to such of the inhabitants as could afford to buy.
Through these years of real depression and active hardship, . the people of Greenwich showed great courage and fortitude. Many heroic acts might be recorded not only of the soldiers but of the women in the town. There are numerous anecdotes of wives and mothers who bravely faced the invaders and refused to betray the Americans even at the point of a bayonet.
Greenwich has every reason to be proud of its Revolutionary history.
PERIOD OF RECONSTRUCTION
IT WAS a slow and painful process picking up the threads of farming and industry after the war was over. Such periods of reconstruction are always difficult, involving spiritual as well as physical adjustment, and the people of Greenwich were especially torn because there were so many Tories here, some of whom belonged to the oldest and best families. While a number of the Tories had left here and emigrated to Canada, there were many others who preferred to stay here in spite of difficulties. Although their names had been on the black list, their property had been officially confiscated and feeling against them was very strong, they nevertheless determined to remain in the home town.
At a town meeting in 1783 it was "resolved that the select- men do not take bonds of any persons that have gone over to and joined the enemy during the late war for the purpose of making said persons inhabitants of this town, or giving them a residence therein."
All during the war drastic resolutions had been enacted against the Tories but as time passed, and many of them proved
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themselves really desirable citizens in spite of their loyalty to England, they were gradually allowed to regain land, and their old privileges as freemen of the town.
Greenwich as a town in the State of Connecticut sent Dr. Amos Mead and Colonel Jabez Fitch as delegates to a conven- tion at Hartford. At a meeting in November, 1787, it was voted "to approve the doings of the Federal convention lately held at Philadelphia." Thus we find Greenwich taking its part in the formation of the new United States, willing to assume its share of the burden but in turn expecting compensation for damages suffered during the Revolution.
At a meeting in 1783 the inhabitants drew up a memorial which was sent to the General Assembly. It was pointed out that Greenwich had not only suffered "losses and damages occasioned by the enemy" but also "damages occasioned by this being a garrison town, and the inhabitants harassed and dis- tressed by both parties," Greenwich thus having suffered more than other Connecticut towns. The people of Greenwich con- tinued to explain that they "do not entertain the most distant thought of an exemption from such part of the public burden as they are able to bear, but when they view the present alarm- ing situation of the town for want of resources by the check put upon their industry for years past, and the powers of Prov- idence on their labor in permitting their crops of wheat on which they cheefly depended to be cut off this season, should they under these circumstances be called upon for collection of their full proportion of the state taxes, they will be reduced to such hardships as must terminate in an uncomfortable ruin to themselves and families."
FUNDS FROM WESTERN LANDS
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