USA > Connecticut > New London County > Groton > Groton, Conn. 1705-1905 > Part 22
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"In the year 1789 Rev. Henry Channing of New London delivered the annual sermon. His text was 'If thine enemy hunger give him bread to eat; if he thirst, give him drink.' Unlike the usual tone of such discourses, which had served to keep alive the remembrance of the country's wrongs, the speaker recommended forgiveness, peace and reconciliation. The British were no longer our avowed enemies; why cherish this envenomed spirit? The actors in that awful -tragedy were passing away to their final award: does it become Christians to follow them with their reproaches to another world? Should they nourish the bitter root of hatred in the heart and attribute to a whole nation the crimes of a few exasperated soldiers? Through the effects of this sermon or the diversion of public sentiment from some other couse, the celebrations were discontinued for many years. In the course of time, however, a desire be- came prevalent-not to revive the embittered feeling of Revolutionary days-but to erect some enduring memorial of the heroism and unfortunate end of the Groton victims.
"A general spontaneous utterance of this wish led to a celebration of the anniversary of the battle day in the year 1825. The orator was William F. Brainard. A grand military parade and a large assemblage of citizens gave effect to the unanimous sentiment then expressed, that a monument should be erected near the scene of the fatal assault. A lottery for the purpose was granted by the Leg-
* History of New London, 1st ed., p. 571.
266
GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905
islature: the cornerstone was laid September 6, 1826, and the monument completed in 1830. It is built of native rock, quarried not far from the place where it stands; is twenty- six feet square at the base, twelve at the top and one-hun- dred and twenty-seven feet in height. In the interior a circular flight of one-hundred and twenty-eight steps leads to the platform, from whence a fine view is obtained, par- ticularly toward the west and south, where lie New London and the river Thames, the Sound and its Islands."
In the centennial year, 1881, alterations were made to the monument, enclosing the top and increasing the height to one-hundred and thirty-four feet. The following inscrip- tion on a marble slab over the entrance sufficiently explains the object of the memorial :
THIS MONUMENT
was erected under the patronage of the State of Connecticut A. D. 1830 and in the 55th year of the independence of the U. S. A. In memory of the brave patriots who fell in the massacre at Fort Gris- wold near this spot on the 6th of September A. D. 1781, when the British under the command of the traitor Benedict Arnold burnt the towns of New London and Groton and spread desolation and woe throughout this region.
A marble tablet containing the names of the killed was originally built into the masonry of the die on the south side facing the fort, but many years ago, during the making of repairs, it was removed to the inside of the structure.
List of men who fell at Fort Griswold, September 6, 1781
William Ledyard Lieut. Col.
Commanding
Elias Coit
Simeon Perkins
Ebenezer Avery
James Comstock
David Palmer
1
Peter Richards
Solomon Avery Jasper Avery Elisha Avery
Daniel Davis
Captain Adam Shapley of Fort Trumpull David Seabury
Daniel Avery
Henry Halsey
David Avery
John Holt Rufus Hurlburt
Christopher Avery Thomas Avery
Moses Jones
Simeon Allyn
Eliday Jones
Enoch Stanton
Samuel Allyn
Benoni Kenson
Daniel Stanton
Belton Allyn Benadam Allyn
Barney Kinney
John Stedman
Thomas Lamb
Elnathan Perkins Elisha Perkins
Asa Perkins
Elijah Avery
Daniel Chester
Richard Chapman Philip Covil
William Comstock John Clark
Samuel Hill
Nathan Sholes
Thomas Starr, Jr.
Nicholas Starr Amos Stanton
Henry Williams
267
REVOLUTIONARY WAR
Nathan Adams
Youngs Ledyard
Thomas Williams
John P. Babcock
Daniel D. Lester
John Williams
John Billings
John Lester
Henry Woodbridge
Andrew Billings
Jonas Lester
Christopher W'dbridge
Samuel Billings
Wait Lester
Stephen Whittlesey
Ezekiel Bailey Joseph Lewis
Andrew Baker
Nathan Moore
John Whittlesey Sylvester Walworth Patrick Ward
William Bolton
Joseph Moxley
John Brown
Simeon Morgan
Joseph Wedger
Hubbard Burrows
Edward Mills (Colored men)
Jonathan Butler
Thomas Miner
Lambo Latham
Frederic Chester
Luke Perkins
Jordan Freeman
Eldredge Chester Luke Perkins, Jr.
To these names Allyn* has added :
Jedidiah Chester Daniel Eldredge Cary Leeds
Daniel Williams
Names of the wounded paroled and left at home **
"A Particular Account of the Men that were Wounded at Fort Griswold, in the Battle with the British, on the 6th of Sept. 1781, who were Paroled by Captain Bloomfield, and Ebenezer Ledyard Esq. was taken as Hostage to see them forthcoming if called for."
In the presence of Rufus Avery
Lieut. Parke Avery, Jr., lost one eye,
Groton
Ensign Ebenezer Avery, in the head,
Amos Avery, in the hand,
John Daboll, Jr., in the hand,
Ensign Charles Eldredge-knee,
Daniel Eldredge, shot through neck and face,
Christopher Eldredge, in the face,
Samuel Edgecomb, Jr., in the hand,
Andrew Gallup, in the hip,
Robert Gallup, in the body,
Sergeant Stephen Hempstead, in the body,
Corporal (Jehial) Judd, in the knee,
Captain William Latham, in the thigh,
Captain Edward Latham, in the body, Jonathan Latham, Jr., body,
Christopher Latham, Jr., body,
Frederick Moore, body,
John Morgan, in the knee,
Jabish Pendleton, in the hand,
Captain Solomon Perkins, in the face,
Lieutenant Obadiah Perkins, in the breast,
Ebenezer Perkins, in the face,
* Battle of Groton Heights, pp. 267-8.
* Ibid, pp. 269-72.
6
.6
New London Hebron Groton
66
268
GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905
Elisha Prior, in the arm,
Lieutenant William Starr, in the breast,
John Starr, in the arm, 66
Daniel Stanton, Jr., in the body,
William Seymour, lost his leg,
Stonington Hartford Groton
Ensign Jos. Woodmansee, lost one eye,
Sanford Williams, in the body,
Axel Woodworth, in the neck,
Thomas Woodworth, in the leg,
Zibe Woodworth, in the knee,
Additional names not on Avery's list, but in that printed by Mr. Harris
Samuel Stillman, arm and thigh, Saybrook Tom Wansuc (Pequot Indian) bayonet stab in neck, Groton
If to these we add
Edward Stanton, in the body, Stonington who is in the list of wounded reported by the committee of the Legislature, we have exactly the number (35) reported by Stephen Hempstead as being paroled.
The large proportion* of officers among the killed and wounded is accounted for by the fact that, after six years of war, many men had been in the army or militia and had earned their titles. When the alarm was sounded, the same spirit which had raised them to command at once brought them to the fort as volunteers. They were there prompt for duty. Others were officers of privateers or merchantmen lying in the harbor, whose fearless hearts prompted them to lend a hand in defence of the fort.
Others, both unhurt and wounded, not taken prisoners:
Benjamin Bill, wounded in the ankle,
Groton
Joshua Bill, in the leg,
Benajah Holdredge, 46
Samuel W. Jaques,
Amos Lester, in the hip,
Exeter, R. I. Groton 16
Cary Leeds, died December 28th,
William Latham, Jr., (a boy of twelve who was allowed to go free),
66
Henry Mason, in the leg, Japheth Mason,
New London
James Morgan, fifteen bayonet pricks in back and legs, Groton
Thomas Mallison,
Joseph Moxley, Jr., in the body,
Elisha Morgan,
John Prentis, slightly wounded,
New London
16 Captains, 9 lieutenante, 5 ensigns.
K
269
REVOLUTIONARY WAR
Prisoners carried off
Sergeant Rufus Avery
Walter Harris
Caleb Avery
Kilburn Jeremiah Harding
Peter Avery
Ebenezer Ledyard (Hostage)
Samuel Abraham
William Latham
Joshua Baker
Jonathan Minor
Reuben Bushnell
Isaac Morgan
Capt. William Coit (taken on New London side)
Isaac Rowley
Charles Chester
Lieutenant Jabez Storr (of Fort Trumbull) Saybrook
Nathan Darrow
Corporal Josiah Smith
Elias Dart
Halsey Sanford
Levi Dart
Solomon Tift
Gilbert Edgecomb
Horatio Wales
Daniel Eldredge
Thomas Welles
Ebenezer Fish
The following inscription was originally on the monu- ment :
"Zebulon and Naphtali were a people that jeoparded their lives unto the death in the high places of the field." Judges V, 18.
These names deserve to be perpetuated in history and will serve as an inspiration to generations yet unborn. These men counted their lives not dear when the liberties of their country were at stake, but freely gave their all in defence of their homes and families. All honor to them!
In December 1731, the General Assembly was memorial- ized to enact some measures for the relief of the sufferers at Fort Griswold :+
"To the Honorable the General Assembly of the State of Connecticut, to be convened at Hartford (by adjourn- ment) in the 10th day of January Anno Dom. 1782.
"The Memorial of the subscribers Inhabitants of the Town of Groton & Towns adjacent, humbly showeth-
"That in the late attack made by the Enemy upon the towns of New London and Groton & the public Fortresses therein, they were induced upon the most humane & dis- interested motives, in the moment of an alarm, to enter as Volunteers into Forts Trumbull & Griswold under their late amiable Commander-
"That the Memorialists tho. they have (thro. the hand
* Battle of Groton Heights, Allyn, p. 121.
270
GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905
of heaven) hitherto survived the Conflict & Inhuman Car- nage which ensued, yet they have suffered more or less from wounds & Contortions all that Rage & Cruelty could inflict short of Death.
"That they cant expect your Honors to fully compensate for all the pains and distresses they have undergone, which cannot be measured, yet in as much as they have made so great a Sacrifice out of regard to their Country & in Defence of the State, they humbly beg leave to hope your Honors will stand fully justified in directing an inquiry of the par- ticular Case, Circumstances & Sufferings of each of the Memorialists & thereupon to grant them such Relief as your Honors may think consistent with justice & Humanity & they as in Duty bound shall pray.
John Morgan third Charles Eldredge Junr.
Joseph Woodmansfee John Daboll Junr.
Daniel Stanton Junr.
Christopher Latham Jr.
Edward Stanton
Isaac Morgan
Park Avery Junr.
Samuel Edgecomb Jr.
Cary Leeds
Daniel Eldredge 1st
John Starr Elisha Prior
Edward Latham Saml. Abraham
"Decb. 1781
"In the Lower House
"On this Memorial Samuel Mott and Rufus Lathrop Esqr. (Robert Crary was afterwards added to the committee and signed the report-C. R. S.) are appointed a committee to inquire into the Matters set forth therein and similar Cases, and what they shall find to report to the General Assembly to be holden in Hartford in May next."
"Test Jedediah Strong Clerk
"Concurred in the Upper House
"Test George Wyllys Secy."
This committee evidently took time to carefully examine into the cases brought to its attention, as its report was not made until the January session in 1783 (the report stating that the committee was appointed the previous October) when it reported that the following persons remained in a crippled and debilitated condition :
-
271
REVOLUTIONARY WAR
Ensign Charles Eldredge, of the militia,
John Morgan, 3rd, a volunteer,
Ens. Joseph Woodmansee, a volunteer,
Capt. Solomon Perkins, a volunteer,
Andrew Gallup, a soldier of the garrison,
Lieut. Park Avery, a volunteer,
Sergt. Daniel Eldredge, a volunteer,
Zibe Woodworth, a soldier of the garrison,
Stephen Hempstead, a Sergt. of the garrison of Fort Trumbull, wounded in Fort G.
Edward Stanton of Stonington, a volunteer,
Jehiel Judd of Colchester, a corporal in the Company of Artillery in Fort Griswold,
Sanford Williams, a soldier of the garrison,
William Seymour of Hartford, a volunteer.
The men mentioned in the above report were granted pensions varying from £3 to £20 per annum.
On June 13, 1791, the town "Voted -- That Ebenezer Led- yard, Esq. be agent for the town to appear before the com- mittee appointed by the General Assembly (to sit at Hart- ford) to look into the losses by the several towns in the State by the enemy's burning etc. to represent and lay before said committee the losses the inhabitants of said town of Groton have sustained by the enemy's burning during the late war."
The following action resulted :*
"General Assembly May session A. D. 1792. Resolved by this Assembly, That there be and hereby is released and quitclaimed to the sufferers hereafter named, or their legal representatives when they are dead, and to their heirs and assigns forever, Five hundred thousand acres of the land belonging to this State, lying west of the State of Pennsylvania and bounded northerly on the shore of Lake Erie . . . to be divided to and among the said suf- ferers and their legal representatives where they are ded in proportion to the several sums annexed to their names."
The list of beneficiaries in Groton is as follows :
S. d.
Amos Avery
12
2
2
Prudence Avery
270
14
8
Thankful Avery
263
18
8
Rufus Avery
132
18
4
Lydia Avery
157
12
1
* Battle of Groton Heights, Allyn, p. 147.
272
GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905
Latham Avery
103
5
6
Ebenezer Avery
30
0)
4
Phebe Avery
2
2
0
Peter Avery
4
13
()
George Avery
8
8
2
Elisha Avery
10
14
5
Hannah Avery
15
6
6
Elizabeth Avery
2
6
()
"Benjn. Avery
3
19
0)
Caleb Avery
7
C
6
Ezekiel Bailey
2
19
5
James Bailey
2
10
0
Stephen Billings
74
6
7
John Brown
29
5
8
Simeon Chester
8
15
0
Samuel Chester
10
6
6
Eldridge Chester
6
11
0
Jedediah Chester
21
13
2
Benjamin Chester
442
3
0)
Benjamin Chester as executor
300
15
0
Charles Chester
0)
15
5
Daniel Chester
19
15
6
Jason Chester
20
18
0)
Esther Conklin
39
1
Nathan Darrow
9
1
1
Mary Dodge
14
6
()
Charles Eldredge, Jr.
755
6
7
Daniel Eldredge
4
14
0
Sergt. Daniel Eldredge
1
1
9
Andrew Gallup
11
8
0)
Robert Gallup
11
6
6
Thomas Griffin
3
8
()
Jonathan Havens
11
()
John Hicks
7
8
0)
Ruth Holliday
43
11
3
Edward Jeffrey
158
5
4
Alexander Kidd
9
5
11
John Latham
91
18
Capt. Edward Latham
4
8
7
Capt. William Latham
45
2
·2
Lydia Latham
92
4
6
Jonathan Latham
3
4
8
Mary Latham
4
0
0
Elizabeth Latham
15
12
6
W. A. Latham
36
19
Ebenezer Ledyard, Esq.
1151
3
4
Bridget Ledyard
397
14
5
Youngs Ledyard & Co.
75
0
0)
Benj. & Caleb Ledyard
200
0
0)
Anne Ledyard
142
7
10
William Leeds
360
7
8
Anne Leeds
57
15
2
Benajah Lester
0)
2
7
Thomas D. Lewis
13
10
Rebecca Miner
1
6
11
Henry Mason
27
18
273
REVOLUTIONARY WAR
Prudence Miner
17
19
10
Elizabeth Moore
62
10
9
Nancy Moore
30
10
2
Mary Moore
10
15
6
Frederick Moore
269
2
0)
Elisha Morgan
7
13
0)
Joshua and Isaac Morgan
.4
10
0)
Thomas Mumford, Esq.
604
16
0)
Abigail Palmer
6
19
4
Amos Prentice, Esq.
566
1
6
Elisha Prior
34
12
11
Alexander Reed
60
18
1
Thomas Starr
1
1
G
John Starr
0
19
6
Nathaniel Seabury
3
18
0
Elizabeth Seabury
177
11
0
Thankful Stanton
0
8
9
Sarah Stedman
0)
14
2
Jacob Sholes
0)
9
9
Nathan Sholes
0)
15
3
Lucretia Sholes
4
9
0
James Smith
6
2
0)
Shoram (Negro)
6
9
0
Benjn. Vose
6
8
6
Experience Ward
2
19
5
Samuel Walworth
10
11
6
Eunice Williams
15
9
0)
Peter Williams
27
7
6
Daniel Williams
7
13
0)
Christopher Woodbridge
1
3
Ezekiel Yerrington
2
7
6
£7712
14
10
"Comparatively few of the New London sufferers re- ceived any benefit from the land," says Allyn. "Many of the smaller rights were disposed of to speculators for nom- inal sums, and all were so far from the then civilized world that much of the land was left unoccupied until, the grantee being dead and the title lost sight of, the land was sold for taxes."
By enactment of the General Assembly at its May session in 1842 the title to Fort Griswold was ceded to the United States Government. On June 6, 1902, Congress granted to the State of Connecticut the right to occupy, improve and control the Fort Griswold tract for the purpose of a public park, but reserved to the United States the fee in said tract and the right to resume possession for public defence or otherwise. On June 22, 1903, the General As-
274
GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905
sembly accepted the tract and appropriated the sum of two -.. hundred and fifty dollars per annum for a caretaker, which sum was increased two years later to five hundred dollars. Seven commissioners were appointed by the Governor to hold office for two-year terms (except that the regent of the Anna Warner Bailey chapter, D. A. R., was to be a mem- ber) and they were charged with the care of the property. The appearance of the grounds and surroundings are in every way creditable to the commission and to the State. By purchase and by gift the original area of the fort has been increased from 43/4 acres to about 131% acres.
The Battle Centennial
The centennial observance of the battle on September 6, 1881, was a notable occasion. Two years before the event the Groton Monument Association appointed a committee to cooperate with any other committees and make arrange- ments for the One-Hundredth Anniversary of the Battle of Groton Heights. This committee consisted of C. L. Avery, R. A. Gray and Frederic Bill. On the same day John J. Copp, Daniel C. Rodman, John B. Getchell and Braddock M. Chester were appointed a committee by a mass meeting, for the purpose of asking the cooperation of the mayor and citizens of New London and the author- ities of Ledyard in the preparations for the celebration. 'To these joint committees were added local committees rep- resenting Groton, New London, and Ledyard, and at a meet- ing of all the committees held on November 12, 1879, was organized
The Groton Heights Centennial Committee
J. George Harris, President. Benjamin Stark, Vice President. William H. Potter " John Brewster John J. Copp, Secretary. Christopher L. Avery, Treasurer
At a later date the list of vice presidents was increased by the addition of the names of
William H. Barns Ashbel Woodward Robert A. Gray
1
SOLOMON TIFT Last survivor in Groton of the Fort Griswold massacre
275
REVOLUTIONARY WAR
Jeremiah Halsey Elisha H. Palmer
William Whaley
Jedediah Huntington
Richard A. Wheeler
William H. Hayward Charles P. White
Jeremiah K. Andrews Charles T. Williams
Thomas L. Shipman
James M. Peckham
N. R. Gardner
Enoch F. Burr
Chester W. Prentis
D. H. Nevins
Daniel Chadwick
Nehemiah C. Cook
This committee, aided by various sub-committees, under- took the task of arranging for a suitable celebration of the event. They secured from the State of Connecticut an appropriation of $3,000 and an order for the parade of the entire militia force of the State. From the United States Government they received $5,000 for the improve- ment of the monument and grounds and $5,000 for the celebration of "the 6th of September in a manner befitting the garrison's heroic devotion to duty and the present peace, prosperity and greatness of the Commonwealth."
The various sub-committees, having in mind the carry- ing out of such a worthy object, vied with each other in doing all possible to make the affair a notable success. The aid of the ladies was invoked and they gathered together the Ladies' Loan Exhibition, which added much to the enjoyment of the occasion, serving as an object lesson of the days of our ancestors.
The day of the celebration-September 6, 1881-will long be remembered as the "yellow day." A peculiar condition of the atmosphere gave a yellow tinge to all objects, and so darkened all nature that fowls went to roost at noon and it was second only to the dark day of May 19, 1780. Notwithstanding this the programme arranged for the day was carried out in its entirety as follows :
1781
1881
Programme of the Centennial Celebration of the Battle and Massacre of Groton Heights
and thé Burning of New London
276
GROTON, CONN. 1705-1906
"If I must this day lose honor or life,
you, who know me best, can tell which it will be." TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6.
I A. M.
Re-Enactment of Military and Naval Scenes of 1781 Rear Admiral R. N. Wyman, U. S. N.,
commanding the North Atlantic Squadron Brigadier Gen. Stephen R. Smith,
commanding Connecticut National Guard Major John A Darling, U. S. A., commanding United States Troops.
II P. M.
Pavilion, Groton Heights, 2 o'clock
1. Music-Overture by Military Band.
2. Prayer-By Rev. Jared R. Avery.
3. Music-"The Star Spangled Banner." Sung by a Chorus of School Children of New London and Groton.
4. Oration-By Hon. Joseph R. Hawley.
5. Music-Keller's American Hymn. By the Chorus of School Children.
6. Poem-By Rose Terry Cooke; read by Rev. T. J. Lee.
7. Music-"My Country, 'tis of Thee." By the Chorus.
8. Music-By Military Band.
II
In the Evening a Display of Fireworks At Fort Griswold, Mid-River, and Parade, New London.
"I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country." NATHAN HALE MEMORIAL DAY WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7 1 A. M. Procession of Military and Civic Bodies II P. M.
Pavilion, Groton Heights, 2:30 o'clock
1. Music-Overture by First United States Artillery Band.
277
REVOLUTIONARY WAR
2. Prayer-By Rev. John P. Taylor.
3. Address Upon Nathan Hale .-- By Rev. Edward Everett Hale.
4. Music-By Military Band.
5. Address-By Rev. Leonard Woolsey Bacon.
6. Music-By Military Band.
7. · Addresses-By distinguished visitors.
8. Old Hundred-By Audience and Band.
9. Benediction.
III
Gala Display on Naval Vessels, Yacht Fleet, General Illumination of New London, Groton and the Harbor
Allyn says of the celebration :" "The first day of the cen- tennial celebration was a grand success in every respect. There was not a suspicion of failure in any feature of the programme. Everything went as smoothly as though it had been carefully rehearsed for months." The crowds in attendance were variously estimated at from 30,000 to 100,000. Every kind of conveyance was utilized and all roads led to Groton that day. The sham battle in defence of New London occupied the forenoon, after which the crowd moved to Groton, where was re-enacted the assault on Fort Griswold and its defence. The spectacular effect was marred by the atmospheric conditions, but the engage- ment was carried out along the lines of the battle of 1781 and was voted by all to be a magnificent success. After the engagement the invited guests were served with a colla- tion in the guests' tent and then proceeded to the pavilion and the formal exercises of the day were carried out, Mr. J. George Harris, chairman of the committee, presiding. The oration by General Joseph R. Hawley was a masterly production and the remarks by Congressman John T. Wait and by Lieutenant General William T. Sherman added to the interest of the occasion. A large detachment from the fleet of United States men of war, and the presence of all the militia of the State, with the Governor and his staff at the head, made an impressive military appearance and helped in the reproduction of the events of 1781.
* Battle of Groton Heights, 1882, p. 316.
CHAPTER XIII
WAR OF 1812
T HE WAR OF 1812 found Groton in the same condition as most of the maritime towns of New England. The wars in Europe with the various "orders in council," "decrees," blockades and other restrictions combined with embargoes at home to place the shipping interests in a very precarious position. The war was not popular in New England but in no part of it was it so unpopular as in Connecticut. The Governor of the State refused to put the militia under the command of United States officers .*
When the Government called for troops to march to Canada, Governor Griswold declared the call unconstitu- tional. "He declared that the three reasons for calling out State militia did not exist: there was no invasion, there was no insurrection, there was no failure to execute the laws of the United States." ** New England desired a strong navy, which was opposed by the West and South, so divided counsels prevented due preparation for the war. The records show that for three months or more in 1913 the militia were on duty at Groton and New London.j
Fort Griswold was hastily prepared for defence by a company of volunteers under command of Major Simeon Smith of New London.# The moving cause of these efforts was the appearance off the coast of a large blockading squadron, and from that time until the end of the war the vigilance of the fleet was unceasing, as was also the in-
* History of the United States, Bryant, Vol. IV, p. 229.
** History of North America, Vol. XII: Growth of the Nation, 1809- 1837.
1 Connecticut Militia, War of 1812, Adj. Gen.'s Office, 1889, Steven- son, p. 80.
History of New London, Caulkins, 1860, p. 031.
278
279
WAR OF 1812
genuity of our Groton ancestors in devising ways and means of outwitting the blockade.
It was during the excitement caused by the appearance of the blockading squadron that the incident occurred which made Anna Warner Bailey, "Mother Bailey," famous. "The inhabitants of Groton village were all in confusion removing their effects,* when a messenger from the fort was sent among them to collect flannel to be used as wadding for the guns. Most of the portable goods having been sent off, he was unsuccessful in his search until he encountered Mrs. Anna Bailey, a warm-hearted, prompt and impulsive woman, who instantly divested herself of her flannel petti- coat and heartily devoted it to the cause. It was carried to the fortress, displayed at the end of a pike and the story told to the garrison, who cheered the banner with great enthusiasm. 'The Martial Petticoat' and its partisan donor have ever since been renowned in our local annals. Mrs. Anna Bailey died January 10, 1851, aged ninety-two years." Her husband, Elijah Bailey, a Revolutionary soldier, was appointed postmaster at Groton by President Jefferson and held the office for forty years.
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