USA > Connecticut > Middlesex County > Durham > History of Durham, Connecticut, from the first grant of land in 1662 to 1866 > Part 13
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" The same meeting voted, that Col. Chauncey, Col. Wads- worth, Mr. Daniel Hall, Captain Israel Camp, and Mr. John Newton be a committee to observe the conduct of all persons in this Town touching said Association, and deal with such persons as shall violate the same according to the eleventh article in said Association."
"The meeting being informed that the Honorable House of Representatives of this Colony in their session at New Haven, in October last did resolve that the several towns in this colony do contribute towards the relief of their distressed Brethren in the town of Boston, as their circumstances may call for-There- fore, Voted by this meeting, that Mr. Phinehas Spelman, Elna-
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HISTORY OF DURHAM.
than Camp, and Elias Camp be a Committee to receive all such contributions as shall be voluntarily offered by any of the inhab- itants of this Town, for the purpose above mentioned, and cause the same by them to be improved for the relief and support of the poor of that Town suffering under the oppressive Port Bill."
These votes, showing the spirit of the people of Durham were passed the 5th of September, nearly two years before the Decla- ration of Independence.
" At a special Town Meeting March 25, 1777, Daniel Hall was chosen moderator; the following vote was passed : "This Town taking into consideration the slow progress made in filling up the Continental Battalions, the great importance of their being immediately completed, and the necessity of every possible ex- ertion for that purpose, it is voted that the families of such sol- diers belonging to this Town as shall engage in said service, on their reasonable request shall be supplied, in their absence, with necessaries at the prices stated by law, and that a committee be appointed for that purpose to see them provided for and supplied accordingly on such soldiers lodging, or from time to time remit. ting, money to said Committee for that purpose, and that without any additional expense, and the necessary expense to be borne by the Town."
" At the same meeting, and by a major vote, Messrs. Lemuel Guernsey, Samuel Parsons, and Caleb Fowler, were chosen a Committee for the purposes mentioned in the preceding vote."
" At a Town Meeting held in Durham by a special warning Sept. 16, 1777, " Voted, that the Select mnen purchase at the ex- pense of the Town, 33 pair of shoes, 33 pair of stockings, 33 shirts either linen or flannel, 33 pair of overalls, 33 hunting shirts or froeks for the use of the non-commissioned officers and soldiers belonging to the Continental Army who went from this Town, and exhibit an account thereof to the General Assembly to be held at New Haven in October next, to obtain payment therefor, and lodge the moneys they shall receive of the State for the same in the Town Treasury for the use of the Town."
" At the same meeting voted, that Robert Smithson, Jesse Crane, Elah Camp, Timothy Parsons, Heth Camp, Elias Camp, and Abel Coe, were chosen a Committee for supplying the families of the officers and soldiers of the continental army belonging to this Town, with clothing and provisions."
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DURHAM IN THE WARS.
" At the same meeting voted, that the salt belonging to this Town be divided to each family in proportion to the number of souls, and that to ascertain the number each head of a family shall return to a committee to be appointed for that purpose the name of each person in his family in writing on or before the 11th instant, and in case they shall fail to make such return, they shall forfeit their right to such salt ; which division shall be made on the 15 day of instant December."
" At the same meeting by a major vote, Ebenezer Tibbals, Joseph Chedsey and Phinehas Spelman were chosen a commit- tee for the purposes mentioned in the preceding vote."
" At a town meeting held in Durham by special warning of the Select men, the fifth day of January, 1778, Daniel Hall be- ing chosen moderator. The Articles of Confederation and per- petual union between the States of New Hampshire, Massachu- setts, Rhode Island, &c., proposed by Congress to the Legislatures of all the United States for their consideration and approbation at the desire of his Excellency the Governor having been com- municated to this meeting; impressed with a deep sense of the necessity of speedily entering into a confederacy as well as the important advantages resulting therefrom, but not possessed of the means of knowledge of the differing habits, produce, com- merce, or an internal police of the several States, yet rising su- perior to local attachment, willing with a candor and liberality becoming brethren and fellow citizens embarked in a Common cause to promote, to our utmost, the safety, happiness and glory of the general confederacy.
Therefore voted, that we will cheerfully adhere to and abide by what the Legislature of this State, (whose great wisdom and zeal for the public good we have long experienced) shall do in the premises ; at the same time cannot but express our desire that some alteration may be made in the 8th article, and 8th par- agraph of the 9th Article of Confederation."
The objections to these articles will be mentioned hereafter.
"Feb. 27, 1782. At a Town Meeting, voted that Capt. Simeon Parsons, Capt. Samuel Camp, Capt. Charles Norton, Mr. Elna- than Camp, Lieut. Abraham Scranton, Licut. Jeremiah Butler, Lieut. Joseph Smith, Ens. John Johnson, Ensign Medad Strong, Ens. David Scranton, were chosen a Committee to procure able
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HISTORY OF DURHAM.
bodied men to serve in a Regiment ordered by the General As- sembly holden on the 10th day of Jan. 1782, to be raised for the defense of Horse Neck and the western frontier."
" At a Town meeting held by special warning, Aug. 25, 1783, Capt. Simeon Parsons was chosen moderator. " Voted that Gen- eral James Wadsworth, Capt. Simeon Parsons, Daniel Hall, Esq., Capt. Wadsworth, and Mr. Elnathan Camp are appointed a Committee to report to this Meeting a proper vote expressing their disapprobation of the giving half pay for life to the offi- cers of the Army or a commutation therefor. Then by a major vote this meeting was adjourned to Monday next at 3 o'clock in the afternoon."
" The meeting met according to adjournment.
"September 1, 1783. This Town, being advised by a late publication of General Washington's last official Address to the Legislatures of the United States and the papers thereto annexed, of the Half pay and Commutation of half pay given by Congress to the officers of the Army-Think it a duty they owe to the public, themselves, and posterity to show their disapprobation of the various arts and practices made use of to induce Congress to give the same, and also of the measures adopted by Congress to subject the citizens of the United States to the payment thereof- measures notwithstanding all the high colorings that have been put on them to render them tempting, we conceive are founded in injustice and impolicy, and which we are by no means con- vinced Congress are vested with competent power to adopt. In the beginning of the late contest with Great Britain, it was the dnty of every citizen of the States to lend his aid according to his ability to defend his country and just rights, some in one way and some in another, all equally necessary. All these are justly entitled to a reward in proportion to their services, taking into consideration the dangers, hardships, risques, losses, &c. If then the officers of the army have sustained no greater losses in pro- portion to their mode of defending the country, exclusive of half pay or commutation, than the other citizens in proportion to theirs (as observation must clearly convince every one they have not) nothing but injustice will compel the citizens to yield up their property to be expended in half pay, or commutation of half pay. The impolicy of the measure is clearly evinced from
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DURHAM IN THE WARS.
the old and true proverb, that honesty is the best policy ; for it cannot be honest to take the property of one citizen who has as es- sentially served his country as another and has received no greater reward for his services (ceteris paribus) and give it to the other. The experience of mankind shows the impolicy of such meas- ures. We need look no further than Great Britain, where by pay- ing their public officers far beyond a reasonable reward, they have so exhausted themselves of moneys, as to be obliged to deluge themselves in blood to obtain supplies. Will not the misfortunes of others teach us wisdom ? We boast ourselves of having ob- tained independence and freedom from the arbitrary measures of Great Britain. But if a half pay establishment or commutation takes place, may we not say, we have only changed masters .- Thereupon voted, that we will, in every constitutional way, op- pose the half pay establishment or commutation of half pay."
At the same meeting, Daniel Hall, Esq., and Simeon Parsons, Esq., were chosen Delegates to attend a convention in Middle- town, on the first Wednesday of instant September, to consider what ought to be done upon the subject of commutation in order to some constitutional mode of redress, &c.
We have seen the zeal and patriotism with which Durham, as a Town, entered into the war of the Revolution. It is impossible to give the names of all those who were soldiers in that war. Almost every able bodied man in the town from the age of six- teen to that of sixty, at one time or another, was in the service. More than one volunteered when short of that age. One at least, exempt by law, furnished a soldier for the army. The fol- lowing are the names of persons from Durham : Major General James Wadsworth, Col. Daniel Lyman, Col. James Arnold, Capt. Simeon Parsons, Capt. Samuel Camp, Capt. Charles Norton, Lieut. Abraham Scranton, Lieut. Benjamin Sutliff, Ensign Jere- miah Butler, Ensign John Johnson, Benjamin Gale, Charles Coe, William N. Chauncey ; three or four by the name of Brown, Phinehas Squier, John Strong, John Meeker, Eliakim Hull, John Hull, Jeduthan Bemus. Benjamin Gale distinguished him- self in the Battle of Bunker Hill. His Mother had written to him, "You may be called to lose your life, but save me from the mortification of knowing you were wounded in the back." He shot a British officer, took his purse and watch and other valu-
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HISTORY OF DURHAM.
ables to the tent of his commanding officer, who kept the prop- erty for his own use. He afterwards enlisted on board a priva- teer which was successful in capturing, and bringing prizes into the port of Boston.
The following is a list of soldiers which Durham had in the army, Dec. 9, 1777. I have no means of ascertaining precisely a list of the men which Durham furnished at any other time. Lieut. William Burritt, Serj. Eliakim Strong, Serj. Benjamin Sut- liff, Cor. Huston Hinman, Cor. Samuel Lucas, Dr. Sweton Squire, Dr. Phinehas Squire, Dr. Reuben Brown, Dr. David Brown, Dr. John Bishop, Fif. Samuel Brown, Fif. Nathaniel Brown, Eliakim Hull, Timothy Dunn, Warren Murray, William Lucas, Simeon Mallory, Phinehas Meigs, Seth Strong, Samuel Seward, Enos Crane, John Meeker, Nathan Kelsey, William Carr, Jun., Bryan Rossiter, Schuyler Goddard, Gideon Chittenden, Thomas Cooke, Abiathan Squier, Amos Davis, Wm. Johnson, John Han- cock, Sharp a negro, Cato a negro, Robert Neal, Gershom Brown, Newton, Joseph Hickox. Five of these served the two following years, viz: Eliakim Strong, Abiathan Squire, Thomas Cook, William Johnson, Samuel Seward. There is no reason to suppose that there was a greater number of soldiers from Dur- ham in the year 1777, than there was in other years.
The following is an interesting letter from General Andrew Ward, to General Wadsworth, and his letter to the officers of the Militia in Durham.
" Sir,
This moment I have received advice from Fair- field that the enemy have embarked after destroying the Town and are standing East-ward; have ordered all the companies near the coast, to march immediately to the shore; beg you will give notice to the several companies in Durham to be in readiness to march on the shortest notice, in case I should send the latter part of the night or in the morning-as the safety of our habitations depend on our united efforts.
I am, Dear General, your assured friend and humble servant
Guilford, July 8, 1779.
Gen. Wadsworth.
ANDREW WARD."
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DURHAM IN THE WARS.
" 8 of July, 11 O'clock P. M. 1779.
- Gentlemen,
Have just received as above, by Express ; I suppose this will meet you on your return ; if so must advise the arms and ammunition of each company to be lodged in some place at which they may parade on some signal being given; but this I submit to your prudence.
I am, gentlemen, yours &c., J. WADSWORTH.
To the officers of the Militia companies of Durham."
The events of the war formed the staple of conversation at the fireside, and in the field, and on the way, when I was a boy. Bunker Hill, Saratoga, Monmouth, and Yorktown were as fa- miliar as household words. Washington and Lafayette, Bur- goyne and Cornwallis, were constant topics of conversation. The old soldier would tell of his perils and privations, of his suffer- ings and his victories, would shoulder his hoe, or his staff and " show how fields were won." There were certain anecdotes which were current at the time but which derived their chief in- terest from the animation of the narrator.
Lieut. Samuel Hart was in the battle of Saratoga when Bur- goyne was taken. Gen. Benedict Arnold was so excited in that battle that he was what was called "military mad." He urged the men into the fight in a furious manner, striking some of them and even the officers with the flat of his sword. Lieut. Hart, upon being asked whether Arnold struck him, replied "No, no, I was so near the enemy that he durst not come there." He was shot through the body, and though pensions were not readily granted, he obtained one for life.
Worthington G. Chauncey, in 1792, viewed the battle ground where Col. Baum was defeated, near Bennington, Vermont. The enemy were back of a stone wall upon which there were rails. These rails and a tree back of the fence bore many marks of the balls. There were an old man and his sons chopping wood, and when they heard the guns, they supposed there was a foraging party. Accordingly they hastened home, took their guns and plunged into the battle. A ball struck the old man and killed him. "I swear," said a son "they have killed Dad." He then
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HISTORY OF DURHAM.
turned his gun taking hold of the barrel, sprung over the fence and began to belabor the enemy with the breech of the gun. The American soldiers, encouraged by his example, followed him over the fence, attacked and defeated the enemy.
Deacon Abner Newton was in a company of which Charles Norton was Captain. He had been on guard all night in the cold ; when the Captain met him'in the morning, he said to him "You have had a cold time, you must now come and take a knock in the jaw," that is, a glass of bitters.
VOTE ON THE FEDERAL CONSTITUTION.
" At a Special Town Meeting legally warned by the Select Men by order of the, General Assembly, at their Session October, 1787, and holden at Durham on the second Monday of Novem- ber, being the 12 day of said November, A. D. 1787.
" At the same Meeting, by a Major vote, General James Wads- worth was chosen Moderator.
" At the same Meeting, the Question was put whether you will accept and approve of the Constitution made by the Con- vention holden at Philadelphia, in Sept. 1787, and recommended by Congress to this State, voted in the negative by 67, and 4 in the affirmative.
" At the same meeting, by a major vote, General James Wads- worth and Daniel Hall, Esquires, were chosen Delegates to at. tend a Convention to be holden at Hartford on the first Thursday of January next."
In taking the above vote, those opposed to the constitution and those in favor of it were arranged in two lines running south on the Green from the south door of the Meeting House. Four only were in one line and sixty-seven in the other. This vote was given in the negative, from the apprehension and fear felt by the people of the town, that the Federal Government to be created by it, would take advantage of the powers delegated to it, to assume other powers not delegated. So I was often told by those who knew.
THE WAR OF 1812.
The State of Connecticut was opposed to the war of 1812, and to the policy by which it was carried on. It placed itself on its
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DURHAM IN THE WARS.
constitutional rights, and refused to comply with the unconstitu- tional demands of the Administration of the Federal Govern- ment. Connecticut had always been a staunch supporter of the rights of the Colony against the usurpation of Great Britain. She had in the Federal convention which formed the Constitu- tion of the United States, opposed the too great concentration of power in the Federal Government; and now, true to her tradi- tions, she opposed the usurpation of power by the Federal Gov- ernment. She refused to raise troops and place them under Federal officers, to be marched into Canada.
In this struggle between the State Government and the Fed- eral Government, Durham by her votes in the Legislature, sus- tained the State in opposition to the Federal administration.
The following soldiers from Durham enlisted under Captain JOHN BUTLER, 1813-14, Captain of the 6th company of State troops: Joseph Tuttle, James Clarke, James Potter, Spencer Camp, Enos Camp, Miles Merwin, Jun., Florus Cook, Ichabod Curtiss, Aaron Baldwin, Dan. Baldwin, Elah Camp, 2d, Lyman Camp, Collins Hosmer, Norris Baker, William C. Butler, Charles Par- sons, Samuel Curtiss.
In the cavalry, Parsons Coe, Charles Camp, Samuel Newton, Abner Newton, Jonathan Southmayd.
In the course of the war there were some bitter feelings and some bitter language. But when peace was declared in 1815, all parties were united in the common joy. At the Festival for celebrating the return of peace, the following toasts, which con- tained nothing that could be offensive to either political party, were drank with the entire approbation of all present. They were prepared by a committee composed of an equal number from both parties.
TOASTS AGREED UPON TO BE DRANK AT THE CEL- EBRATION OF PEACE.
1. Peace .- The harbinger of good will towards men ; may it con- tinue until the sun shall rise and set no more, and may all nations be partakers of the blessing.
2. The United States .- May they never be disunited, let their motto be Union and peace.
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HISTORY OF DURHAM.
3. Great Britain .- Our Parent Country-in war, enemies, in peace, friends. To forgive injuries is God-like.
4. The President of the United States .- In his exalted station may he enjoy peace of conscience.
5. The Governor of the State of Connecticut .- Peace to his gov- ernment and wisdom to his councils.
6. The Army and Navy of the United States .- Able to com- mand peace, and willing to receive it.
7. The Memory of our departed Heroes .- May they live in mem - ory to the latest posterity, peace to their manes.
8. The State of Louisiana .- The youngest sister in the Union has set a noble example for the family, namely, unity and peace among themselves.
9. Agriculture, Commerce and Manufactures .- May they peace- ably go hand in hand.
10. True Religion .- That gives peace to the Soul, comfort in time and happiness in eternity.
11. The different sectaries of Christians .- May their difference in Opinion never disturb their peace in Society.
12. Parties in Politics .- Differing in local and personal mat- ters, but agreeing in the great essentials to promote peace and happiness.
13. Local prejudices and Party Animosities .- May they be over- come and subdued by the reign of peace.
14. Society .- Happy only in peace.
15. Solitude for those who cannot live in peace.
16. The Festive Board .- Moderation in its enjoyment and peace among the partakers.
17. Our own Fire Sides .- Never to be disturbed by a foreign foe, never to feel the gripes of necessity and never to loose the enjoyment of peace.
18. The Female Sex .- Powerful in opposition, lovely in sub- mission, and essential to all our enjoyments, even in peace.
VOTE ON THE STATE CONSTITUTION.
" At a town meeting legally formed and held in Durham, on the 5th day of October, A. D. 1818, pursuant to a Resolve of the General Assembly of May last, and the Recommendation of the Convention of the 15th of September, 1818, for the purpose
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DURHAM IN THE WARS.
of Ratifying the Constitution recommended by the convention, begun and held in Hartford, on the 4th day of August last, James Robinson was chosen Moderator. Voted, that the presi- ding officer should call for the votes, for and against the consti- tution ; which were as follows, viz: For the constitution, yeas 82; against the constitution, nays 74.
THE WAR WITH MEXICO, 1846.
In the war with Mexico, the State of Connecticut, by the ac- tion of the Legislature in 1847, opposed and censured the Ad- ministration of the Federal Government. The yeas and nays were not taken in the vote referred to, so that it cannot, from them, be seen whether Durham, by her representatives, sustained or censured the Administration in that war. It has been stated that the vote of Durham was divided, yea 1, nay 1.
THE CIVIL WAR OF 1861.
The State of Connecticut and the Town of Durham sustained the Federal Administration in the war which commenced in 1861.
Copy of report rendered to the Provost Marshal on his appli- cation for the same, June 24th, 1865.
Amounts paid by the town of Durham and by individual sub- scription for Volunteers, Commutation Tax and Substitutes.
By Town, $1700 00 ) on call 1861 for 300,000 volunteers.
By Town, $400 00
By Individuals, $375 00)
on draft of 1862, 9 months' men.
By Town, $850 00 By Individuals, $850 00)
on draft of 1863.
By Individuals, $875 00 } on call of 1863, October.
By Individuals, $250 00 ยง on call of 1864, February.
By Town, $4000 00 on call of 1864, July.
By Individuals for Substitutes,
$1675 00 - on call of 1864, December.
By Town, $600 001 By Individuals, $615 00
on call of 1864, December.
$12,890 00
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HISTORY OF DURHAM.
LIST OF VOLUNTEERS FROM DURHAM FROM 1861 TO 1864 INCLUSIVE.
Calvin Albee, killed.
Francis L. Albee.
T. E. Hawley. Samuel L. Hall.
Wm. H. Augur, (Capt.)
Timothy Hickey.
Julius Augur.
Sylvanus A. Hull.
Michael Angly.
John Hearne.
Curtiss C. Atwell.
John Hickey.
Seager S. Atwell, (Col.)
Albert P. Ifull.
Ezra E. Bailey.
James Lyden.
Henry Bemus, killed.
Edwin J. Merriam, (1st Lt.killed) Augustus W. Morse.
Whitney Brainard, died in serv'e. Steven Mix.
Gilbert W. Blinn.
Robert M. Murdock.
George IL. Barnes.
L. M. Maynard.
Samuel A. Camp.
Edgar Nettleton.
Dallas Clark, killed.
George Olin.
Samuel G. Camp.
Ira A. Graham, (1st Lieut.)
Leonidas M. Camp.
Frederick J. Payne.
Frederick Canfield.
Edwin W. Priest.
Russell P. Clark.
Philip Rheinhardt.
William E. Camp.
Henry P. Rich.
Howard A. Camp.
John Rich.
Whitney D. Clark.
James Rich.
Frederick E. Camp, (Lt. Col.)
Phineas L. Squares.
Wm. H. Davis, died in service. Guernsy B. Smith.
William Eurle.
Edmond W. Shelley.
George W. Farnham, (Lieut.)
Talcott Strong.
Wadsworth Fowler.
Franklin S. Smith.
Nelson Fowler.
IIoward A. Smith.
Friend H. Francis.
Albert M. Sizer, died in service.
Thomas Francis, killed.
Frederick Sizer.
Thos. Francis, Jr., died in serv'e. George H. Twitchell. William Francis. Charles Tibballs. John E. Vandervoort.
Franklin F. Field.
W. R. Griswold, (Asst.Surgeon.)Luther White, died in service.
William H. Harrison. Seymour L. White, killed.
Lewis W. Hart. Henry A. White.
Charles E. Hart, (Capt.)
Frederick J. Ilart, (2d Lieut.)
Wedworth Fowler.
Twenty-two volunteers were also furnished by the town. Also, the following persons furnished substitutes: S. S. Seran- ton, Andrew Hull, L. A. Stone, L. M. Leach, Oscar Leach.
Henry HI. Church.
Frederick Parmelee.
Eli S. Camp.
Harry Parsons, killed.
John B. Clark.
D. W. Robinson.
Heman Bailey.
Eckford J. Morse.
E. M. Brainard.
Charles A. Justin.
H. H. Bishop.
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OCCUPATIONS AND CUSTOMS.
Durham, it is said, was represented in 17 regiments.
In the Summer of 1865, there was a large gathering of the people of Durham, who assembled in Lyman's Grove to welcome the returned soldiers.
CHAPTER IX.
OCCUPATIONS AND CUSTOMS.
AGRICULTURE.
At the first settlement of Durham, the principal occupations of the inhabitants were to open a place in the wilderness, each for himself; to build a log-house, and then to replace it by a better one, after saw mills were built; to cut down and burn the forest trees; to build fences, and establish boundary lines; to bring the land to good tilth ; to lay it down to grass, to stock it with orchards, and furnish it with barns, and put cattle and sheep and horses upon it. Since these arrangements were made, agri- culture has been the chief employment, to which the land is well adapted.
The soil in the Town Plat is excellent; some of it indeed lying on a hard pan, some of it requiring drainage, but all of it pro- ductive with good cultivation. The soil in the first range of hills, in the eastern part of the town, is with some exceptions sufficiently free from stone, is easily worked, and for many years after the first settlement of the town, produced good crops, first of Wheat, and Indian-corn, and afterwards of Rye, and Buck- wheat. But by continual cropping for a long period, the soil, never the strongest, became in many localities exhausted ; though with a good dressing of manure it will still produce good crops, with a moderate amount of labor.
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