USA > Connecticut > Windham County > Historic Gleanings in Windham County, Connecticut > Part 6
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" That we do engage with and promise each other that we will not from and after the first day of March next, by land or water, transport into this Colony either for sale or our own family's use, nor purchase of any other person, any of the following articles produced or manufactured out of North America, viz. : Loaf - sugar, cordage, coaches, chaises, and all sorts of carriages and harnesses for the same, men's and women's saddles, and bridles and whips, all sorts of men's hats, men's and women's apparel ready-made, men's gloves, women's hats, men's and women's shoes, sole-leather, shoe and knee buckles, iron ware, clocks, nails, gold, silver and thread lace, gold and silver buttons, dia- mond stone and paste ware, snuff, tobacco, mustard, clocks and watches, silversmith and jeweller's ware, broad-eloth that costs above 9s. pr. yard, muffs, tippets and all sorts of headdress for women, women's and children's stays, starch, silk and cotton velvet, linseed oil, lawn and cambrie that costs above 4s. pr. 8*
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yard, malt liquors, cheese, chairs and tables, and all kinds of cabinet ware, horse combs, linen exceeding 2s. per yard, silks of any kind in garments, men's and women's stockings, and wove patterns for breeches and vests."
They also agreed to discourage and discounte- nance the excessive use of all foreign teas, spices, and black pepper; also expensive treats by military officers, and to encourage various specified domestic manufactures, and to discountenance in the most ef- fectual but decent and lawful manner any inhabitant who did not conform to these regulations. They also voted that a committee be appointed to correspond with committees from the several towns in the county, in order to render the foregoing proposals as extensive and effectual as may be. This report was unanimously adopted at " a very full meeting of the inhabitants of the town," and three of her most influential citizens-Nathaniel Wales, Jun., Samuel Grey and Dr. Joshua Elderkin-appointed a commit- tee of correspondence. The several towns of the county were quick to follow this suggestion ; held indignation meetings ; passed resolutions and ap- pointed their best men on these corresponding com- mittees. According to Bancroft, Samuel Adams "thought out his plan of correspondence and union among the friends of Liberty," and laid it before a Boston town meeting in 1772. Madam Mercy War- ren claims that it had been previously discussed in
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their home circle, and that her husband, Paymaster General James Warren, had suggested it to private friends. Like many other great movements it was "in the air," and Samuel Adams undoubtedly has the honor of its public and general enforcement. But here we have it in full force among our Wind- ham County towns in December, 1767; five years in advance of its general adoption.
And these resolutions and pledges were not suf- fered to remain dead letters. If any of our young people could have had the good fortune to attend the wedding of Miss Dora Flint, of Windham Green, December, 1767, they must have discarded from their apparel every article of foreign manufacture. Silk, ribbons, gauze, lace, jewels, are rigidly tabooed. The wedding garment that wins admittance to that mar- riage feast is of sober homespun. The bountiful re- freshments are all of native origin. Does not Con- necticut furnish fish, fowl, and game in endless variety and abundance? Sparkling beverages are distilled from her own grapes and apples. Even the domestic red-root tea can be made wholesome and palatable. It was a jovial and joyful feast, attended by belles and beaux from Lebanon and Norwich, as well as Windham. Patriotic zeal flavored the viands and added lustre to the homespun, home-made gar- ments. Any evasion or infringement of this agree- ment was quickly noted and held up to severest
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reprobation. Joshua Elderkin, a prominent mer- chant, presuming to have on sale "felt hats and worsted patterns," the town voted "To look upon him as a person not fit to sustain any office of trust till he properly manifests his repentance."
The tea question also came to the front in Wind- ham. Perhaps there was no article whose deprivation cansed so much inconvenience and grumbling, and none that seemed so obnoxious to flaming patriots. " Any person who persists in using teu shows disre- gard for the liberties of America," votes the town of Canterbury. The old minister in Scotland Parish had the misfortune to lose his step-daughter, Elisabeth Devotion, a beautiful young woman. Her illness was sudden and severe ; her death greatly afflictive ; and under the circumstances the aged parents were per- suaded to indulge in the gentle stimulant of a cup of tea. And such a storm as was raised by it. As soon as Mr. Cogswell heard of the complaints he hastened to the Committee of Inspection with certificates from attendant physicians that the tea had been taken by their advice as a medical prescription. But this ex- cuse was wholly unsatisfactory. From all parts of the parish parishioners were dropping into the min- ister's house to vent their own disapproval, and report sayings of their neighbors. Some showed their dis- pleasure by actually staying away from meeting. Others insisted that Mr. Cogswell's dereliction should
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be published and denounced in the Norwich and New London newspapers. One old woman declared that she should never be satisfied till Mr. Cogswell made public explanation and confession in the pulpit.
In the same town a good farmer had worked up a little barter trade with Newport. Some one surmis- ing that tea might be among the articles brought home, neighbors met him on the road with a supply of tar and feathers ready for application had the ob- noxious article been found in his saddle-bags.
Windham County's intimate relations with Boston and Providence brought her into touch with current events. A son of Pomfret-Darius Sessions-was deputy governor of Rhode Island at the time of the burning of the Gaspee. Woodstock boys assisted in throwing the tea into Boston harbor. Joseph Howe, pastor of New South Church, could give thrilling re- ports of the desolation wrought by the enforcement of the Boston Port Bill. That act of power had great effect in hastening the inevitable conflict. A day of public fasting and prayer was observed throughout Connecticut. On the day the bill took effect, June 1, 1774, meetings were held in most of the towns. In Lebanon, the home of Gov. Trumbull, the bells were tolled throughout the day ; town house and public buildings draped with black. The people were everywhere aflame with indignation. Corre- sponding committees received new powers and in-
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structions. Sympathetic words for the suffering inhabitants of Boston were followed by helpful gifts. Windham town was first in relief with her "small flock " of two hundred and fifty-eight sheep. Put- nam himself took down Brooklyn's gift of one hun- dred and twenty-five fine sheep. Plainfield, Pomfret, Killingly, Woodstock, sent on their flocks. " A beef cow for the distressed," with quaint words of sym- pathy was forwarded by Capt. Aaron Cleveland, of Canterbury, father of the future Gen. Moses Cleve- land.
As it became more and more evident that Great Britain was bent upon carrying out her scheme of taxation, the colonists became more earnest and de- termined in plans for resistance. "Millions for de- fence but not a cent for tribute," was the prevailing sentiment. The burning words of Patrick Henry and James Otis added fuel to flames. Military prep- aration was carried on by every possible means. Experience gained in helping Great Britain to expel the French from Canada was now turned to account in training men to resist the authority of Great Brit- ain. Connecticut equipped four new regiments in the autumn of 1774. Each town was ordered to pro- vide double its usual stock of powder, balls, and flint. Trainings twice a month were required of each military company. The militia organization of our colony was then very efficient; military spirit,
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high. Great military parades aroused the admira- tion and martial spirit of country lads. A brigade training in Plainfield, 1773, is especially memorable for inciting the first spark of military enthusiasm in a young Quaker from Rhode Island, Nathaniel Greene, destined to win a high name among revolutionary commanders. Equally noteworthy was a military gathering at Woodstock Hill, May, 1774-one of the first of Woodstock's "notable meetings." Soldiers in Indian dress caught up and carried away some of the children present but were pursued and brought back in triumph by Capt. McClellan's gallant " troop of horse," to the intense admiration of thousands of spectators.
But while providing guns, bullets, and powder, and exciting public spirit by loud harangues and spec- tacular exhibitions, they did not forget to fortify themselves with arguments. The most influential ministers of Windham County came out boldly in de- fence of the rights of the people. Rev. Ebenezer Devotion, of Scotland, was sent as Windham's repre- sentative during the Stamp Act agitation. A clause in the resolutions of the General Assembly, after passage of the Boston Port Bill, expresses the true Connecticut attitude of solid men at that epoch :
"That the subjects of his Majesty in this Colony ever have had and of right ought to have and enjoy all the liberties, im- munities and privileges of free and natural-born subjects within
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any of the dominions of our said King . as fully and amply as if they and everyone of them were born within the realm of England."
A small book widely circulated in Connecticut dur- ing this winter of 1774-75, and especially endorsed by Windham County clergy, enforced this principle in most effective terms. It was entitled-"English Liberties, or the Freeborn subjects Inheritance, con- taining Magna Charta, Habeas Corpus Act, a Decla- ration of the Liberties of the Subject, the Petition of Right, and other kindred documents," reprinted from the fifth English edition, and showing, saith the preface, "the laws and rights that from age to age have been delivered down to us from our renowned forefathers, and which they so dearly bought and vindicated to themselves at the expense of so much blood and treasure." And yet there are those to-day who ask if our country people were not " dragooned" into rebellion by partisan leaders !
Fully to appreciate the part borne by Windham County in the seven years' contest, we must bear in mind the meagreness of her resources as compared with the present. The population of the towns now embraced in the county was a little over seventeen thousand : its grand list of estates only figured at about £160,000, considerably less than three-quarter million dollars. There was no business centre of any pretensions except at Windham Green, and the pop-
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ulation of old Windham town, including village, Scotland, and parts of present Hampton and Chaplin territory, was only thirty-five hundred. Killingly, including all Thompson and present Putnam east of the Quinebang, had about the same population as Windham, and its tax list only rated a little more than a hundred thousand dollars. A few houses in each town clustered about the hill meeting-house, but the main bulk of the population was scattered about in farm houses. There were a few stores in Windham: Larned and Mason carried on an exten- sive barter trade in Thompson Parish ; there were saw and grist mills in every town, but the great ma- jority of the inhabitants were farmers. Wonderment has been expressed at the large number of men kept in service during the war in proportion to the popu- lation. It was due mainly to the fact that the men were available ; not tied up by business cares. These stalwart farmers with their large families of boys were more at liberty to answer the call than any suc- ceeding generation.
The section was favored in the way of public roads. A weekly stage-coach from Providence to Norwich passed through Plainfield; a new route was estab- lished in 1774 from Norwich to Boston, passing through Windham, Pomfret, and Thompson. The only post-office was in New London. Taverns were numerous on every road, and well supplied with 9
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liquor. Public life at this time mainly centered in the town meeting and military gathering. Wind- ham's military companies were comprised in the Fifth, Eleventh, and Twenty-first Connecticut regiments- strong and well disciplined organizations. Jedidiah Elderkin was colonel, Experience Storrs, lieut .- colo- nel of the Fifth, which comprised companies from Windham and Ashford. Pomfret, Woodstock and Killingly men made up the Eleventh-Ebenezer Wil- liams, colonel ; William Danielson, lieut .- colonel. The newly organized 21st took in Plainfield and Canter- bury. A " troop of horse " connected with each regi- ment was extremely popular. Old French war vete- rans connected with the several companies added much to their spirit and efficiency.
The news of the battle of Lexington found these men ready for the summons. Thousands of hearts and homes were stirred by the announcement. An official despatch sent from Worcester reached Daniel Tyler, Jun., Brooklyn, 8 A. M. April 20, the morning after the encounter; but earlier than that, as we learn from private sources, a swift-footed messenger speeding across the hills brought the great news to Woodstock and Killingly. A small boy then sleep- ing in bed with his grandfather-Ephraim, son of Dr. Manasseh Cutler-tells the story in later years :
"I well remember that the express with the news of the bat- tle of Lexington came directly to my grandfather's house in the
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night. He was in bed and I slept with him. He arose and fired his gun three times, which was doubtless the agreed signal as it was universally expected there would be a hostile attack from the British. Before sunrise he with fifteen others had started for the battlefield. He had the care of a quantity of powder which was kept in the meeting house. He gave directions to have half a pound delivered to each man as he called for it. The house was thronged through the day with parties of ten or twenty men who followed on towards Boston. I suppose that from the age of sixteen to seventy all left except sickness or some disability excused them. I remember that while the men were all away the women were thrown into quite a panic by a report which was started by some mischievous or evil-disposed person, that 'Malbones niggers' were coming to pillage and burn the place. Our house was filled with trembling, frightened women and children. There was not a firearm or weapon in the place and only a few aged men. I remember they prepared ket- tles of heated water and the boys were stationed as sentinels to give timely notice of their approach. My place was the top of my grandfather's gambrel-roofed house. But we saw no negroes nor indeed anybody else for the whole place seemed deserted."
On this memorable day men from six companies marched from Killingly. Those from the mother town were led by Major William Danielson and cap- tains Ephraim Warren and Joseph and Daniel Cady. The Thompson men were led by captains Joseph El- liott and John Green and Lieutenant Elwell. Many of the older men, the fathers of the town, were in the ranks. The honored list of 177 names embraces rep- resentatives of nearly every old family in the large
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town. Woodstock sent four companies under captains Daniel Lyon, Ephraim Manning, Nathaniel Marcy, Benjamin Lyon, with her proportion of the "troop of horse," and of Elwell's New Boston company. All the other towns in the county were worthily rep- resented. We all know the story of Putnam's recep- tion of the news and how much he had contributed towards inciting military spirit and advising efficient organization. The field in which he left his young son, Daniel, to unyoke the team left in the furrow is one of the hallowed possessions of Windham County. His hurried ride that April day to Cambridge is linked with that of Paul Revere in popular regard.
Among the many thousand homes that day en- grossed by the great news and hurried preparations, the one I see most clearly is a low, square old house, now standing in South Woodstock, left of the road that turns to Roseland Park. There the famous Windham County "troop of horse " gathered around their leader, Capt. Samuel Mcclellan-a stalwart body of men, the pride of eastern Connecticut-and thence they started off in advance of regimental or- ders-thirty-six horsemen in battle array. And after all were gone in the late April afternoon, the mis- tress of the household-Rachel Abbe of Windham- brought out a small bunch of saplings, stripling elms from her early home, and with her own hands planted them in Woodstock soil. And there they stand on
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the common before the house, three noble elms, true trees of Liberty, forever testifying to the patriotic devotion of a daughter-rather let us say of a mother of the Revolution-one whose constant aid and sym- pathy encouraged and strengthened her husband and many other sons of Windham County to bear a most honorable and helpful part in the long struggle.
What would we not give for as clear a glimpse of many Pomfret homes on that memorable Saturday and Sunday. All day and night the clans were mar- shaling in this town. No promiscuous scramble to the front was allowed in Putnam's town. By his advice the companies of the Fifth Regiment were mustered to march in due military order to the scene of action. And here they met in Pomfret Street and Abington, hundreds of men ready for marching orders. It is strange that tradition preserves no hint of that most remarkable gathering. We are indebted to the diary of Lient .- Col. Storrs for brief report. Late on Saturday night he and his company reached Pomfret and found Ashford and Windham companies awaiting him. The officers were entertained at the house of Mr. Ebenezer Grosvenor; the soldiers- where? Did they bivouac in tents, or were they billeted upon scores of Pomfret homes? Hundreds more came in the night, eager to offer themselves for service. As soon as possible after the morning meal they sent for Rev. Mr. Putnam, the Pomfret minister,
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to pray with the companies. After prayer Col. Storrs formed a hollow square and communicated regimental orders. The men were then dismissed till 1 P. M., while the officers held council. Was service held that day in that famous great meeting-house, filled with those waiting soldiers? Did those good ministers, Reverends Putnam and Ripley, improve the opportunity for timely prayer and exhortation ? Did anxious wives and mothers leave household cares to attend these helpful services ? No echo comes to us from those waiting, eager men and burdened households. We can only picture in our minds the bustle, the excitement, the varied experiences of that eventful day in many a Pomfret home. Col. Storrs curtly notes that they decided to take one fifth of the ten companies present and order the "overplush " to return home. The elect two hundred were from Ash- ford and Windham, (Canada Parish) with fifty-nine from Pomfret. At 5 P. M. they started on their march to Lexington. Lieut .- Col. Storrs accompanied them as far as Dudley and then left them in charge of Capt. Thomas Knowlton-a young hero already noted in military service, and destined to win im- mortal laurels. These companies were received with much distinction at Cambridge, as the first on the ground fully disciplined and equipped. Other Pom- fret men-Lieut. Keyes, Corporal Seth Grosvenor, Dr. Waldo, and a number of privates, had preceded with the Troop.
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Of these thousands of Windham County men who sallied out upon the alarm, the younger portion almost without exception served under successive enlistments during the war. As many as were needed were mustered into Putnam's own regiment-the Connecticut Third, in May. The captains of its ten companies were Israel Putnam, senior and junior, Experience Storrs, John Durkee, Obadiah Johnson, Thomas Knowlton, James Clark, Ephraim Manning, Joseph Elliott, Ebenezer Mosely. The older men were left to carry on their farms and town affairs, but were often called out with the militia.
We catch few inside glimpses of affairs this sum- mer of 1775-the busiest and happiest summer of the war for New England. As yet all were in the first flush of novelty and excitement. Every patriot home was astir with eager preparation. Constant inter- course was maintained with the camp at Cambridge. Many an aged Jesse " went down to camp" or sent his fresh young David as a substitute. The report of the battle at Bunker Hill thrilled every patriot heart. Windham County bore a most honorable part in this memorable battle. Putnam, by general accla- mation, was made the hero of the day. Knowlton and Grosvenor had done conspicuous service. Com- panies from Windham, Ashford, Canterbury, and Pomfret had taken part in the main defence. Others from Killingly had helped cover the retreat when
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ammunition was exhausted. The names of eleven Windham County men left on the field are inscribed on the sacred roll of Bunker Hill monument.
A mother's letter brings us back into the home cir- cle. It is from Mrs. Samuel Gray, of Windham, to her son, Lient. Ebenezer Gray.
" JULY 31, A, D. 1775.
Dear Child :- I, this morning heard by Mr. Trumbull, who passed through town in haste last evening, that you are prepar- ing to meet the enemy, or to drive them from their new intrench- ments. I could not hear it without some emotion of soul, al- though I firmly believe God is able to deliver and will deliver us out of the hands of these unnatural enemies in his own time. Our cause is just I don't doubt, and God in his holy and right- eous providence has called you there to defend our just rights and privileges. I would commit you into the hands of a just and merciful God, who alone is able to defend you. Confessing my utter unworthiness of the least mercy, would trust in un- merited mercy through Jesus Christ for all that strength, cour- age and fortitude that you stand in need of in the business he is calling you to. Trust in the Lord and be of good courage ; the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him; upon them that hope in his mercy. Confess your sins daily before the Lord, and forsake every evil way ; walk in all the commandments of the Lord. Be careful to set a good example before those that are under you, especially in observing the Sabbath. The surest way of conquering our enemies is to turn from every evil way, and seek the Lord with all our hearts with confession of our sins. I am more afraid of our sins than of all the forces of our enemy. As to profane swearing, which is very common in camps, I al-
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ways thought you were not inclined to, and I trust you will take all possible care to prevent it in those that fall under your care.
I think we have abundant reason to praise the name of the Lord for his wonderful assistance and deliverances our people have experienced at one time and another, especially at Bunker's Hill. Well, may we say, 'Had it not been the Lord who was on our side when such a number of troops rose up and surrounded our people, then they had swallowed us up quick when their wrath was kindled against us.' These merciful assurances of God for us ought to encourage us to call upon God, and strengthen our faith in Him. That you may put your trust in God, and go on with courage and fortitude to whatever work or business you may be called to, is the sincere prayer of your Loving Mother. LYDIA GRAY."
And some homes, even in this first hopeful summer, are already darkened. A neat farm-house on the road to Grosvenordale-the residence of our late friend, Mr. Elliott Shumway-brings freshly before me our first Revolutionary officer, Capt. Joseph Elliott, tossing on his bed through the hot summer days. A brave and gallant officer in the prime of life, after return from Lexington he had been selected to lead the Killingly company of Putnam's own regi- ment. There is reason for belief that he, with part of his company, covered the retreat of the little band from the redoubt at Bunker Hill, preserving it from annihilation or capture. A few days later he is at home struggling with disease, doubtless brought on by fatigue and exposure. We picture him lying in
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the darkened house, and the bereaved wife, the eight children, and aged grandfather following him to his grave in early August.
And the minister's house on Killingly Hill lies in deep shadow. There in June had been welcomed a son of the house, Rev. Joseph Howe, the beloved pastor of New South Church, Boston-driven from his pulpit by the exigencies of the time-the most brilliant young man of his generation. Passing on to visit friends in Hartford, he succumbed suddenly to complicated disease, brought on by fatigue and excitement. The death of his step-father, Rev. Aaron Brown, while returning from his funeral, made the blow still heavier for family and people.
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