History of Middlesex county, Connecticut, with biographical sketches of its prominent men, Part 125

Author: Whittemore, Henry, b. 1833; Beers, J.B. & Company, publishers
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: New York : J. B. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 818

USA > Connecticut > Middlesex County > History of Middlesex county, Connecticut, with biographical sketches of its prominent men > Part 125

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were more distructive and later in the season than any recorded in the town.

The coldest day on record in this town was January 27th 1873. The thermometer indicated a temperature of 29° below zero.

INDIAN WARS.

Although this part of Connecticut did not suffer from Indian depredations and cruelty as had other parts, the people here furnished men to assist their more afflicted brethren, rightly considering, says an old writer, " that if the fire of this were not timely extinguished it would en- danger their own fabrick." Major John Savage was a distinguished Indian fighter. The old Narrative of the Indian Wars speaks of " Ensign Savage, that young mar- tial spark, scarce twenty years of age, had at one time one bullet lodged in his thigh, another shot through the brim of his hat by ten or twelve of the enemy discharging upon him together, while he boldly held up his colors in the front of his company." He died in Chatham, in 1775. It is said there was a tract of land set off to him, in Virginia, as a reward for his services. The only son of Rev. Mr. Newell fell in battle, some time in 1755. How many men went from Chatham to join the expedi- tion against Canada cannot be certainly known. In April 1756, men enlisted in Chatham, and " June ye 16th they marched for Crown Point." Several from this town were at the assault on Quebec. The following letter, pre- served in the Sage family, mentions three of these:

" Dec. 24, 1775. To Esqr. Sage.

" I write a word to inform you of us here at Quebeck. the notice is short and David not Present, but he is well and harty; but has been sick, but I think I never saw him more fleshe, father can inforin you of our travel and affairs. the men that came from Chatham are all well and harty but Goff and he will soon be so; but I fear the Small Pox will be too frequent among us for good.

"SAM'LL COOPER."

Richard Strickland fought at Quebec, and died on the way home, of small-pox contracted in camp. Lieutenant David Sage (who is mentioned in the letter) was wounded at the time of the assault. He afterward died of small- pox, and was buried under the walls. Captain Hanchett, Lieutenant Savage, James Knowles, and others from Chatham, were present at the siege.

5º3

PORTLAND-THE REVOLUTION.

administered by Ebenezer White, and 58 at another time, and by tens and dozens all through the early years of the war. March 17th 1777, the town appointed a committee, and directed them to engage on behalf of the town to provide necessaries for the families of the sol- diers belonging thereto, "who shall engage and go into any of the Continental battalions, agreeable to the rec- ommendation of his honor, the Governor and Commit- tee of Safety in a proclamation." Also voted " that the soldiers enlisted into the Continental Army shall be pro- vided with necessaries and committees appointed in every parish to procure such necessaries." It was also voted to provide clothing for Continental soldiers.

The selectmen for the year 1777, were Ebenezer White, David Sage, Col. John Penfield, Enoch Smith, Deacon David Smith, John Hinckley, and William Welsh.

April 19th 1779, it was " voted that the Committee of Supply shall have liberty to draw money from the town treasury to provide for families of Continental soldiers," and the town treasurer should borrow money if needful to supply the committee of supply. Capt. Joseph Churchill, Deacon Jeremiah Bradford, and John Norton were this committee of supply.

January 5th 1779, Ebenezer White paid $160 for eight bushels of wheat "for ye Continental service." It was voted that the selectmen of the town should class the in- habitants in as many classes as there were soldiers to pro- vide for, and each class to provide for one. The select- men this year were Dr. Moses Bartlett, Col. John Penfield, Capt. Joseph Kellogg, Deacon David Smith, Capt. Joseph Dart, Capt. Silas Dunham, Capt. Timothy Percival.

In the year 1780, £200 a year was voted for the families of those soldiers who had enlisted for the war, and £50 for those who had enlisted for three years only, to be drawn from the town treasury by the committee of supply; and more money could be drawn if this were in- sufficient. It was also voted to tax the inhabitants of the town to raise a bounty to encourage soldiers to enlist for three years or during the war.

November 14th 1780, was a town meeting "for ye purpose of raising Provision & filling up ye Continental Army." A tax of six pence on the pound on the list of the town was voted to provide provisions for Continental soldiers. A committee was appointed to ascertain the number of soldiers in service and to class the town. This committee consisted of "Cols. Penfield and Blague and Lieut. Smith before mentioned, and Hez'h Goodrich Doct Jer'h Bradford, Capt. Daniel Brainard, Capt. Elijah Cook, Capt. Bryan Parmelee, Capt. Stephen Brainard."

These quotations from the records* are sufficient to prove that Chatham nobly did its part in filling up the Continental armies with good soldiers, relieving them at the same time of all anxiety in regard to the care of their families in their absence, and strengthened the govern- ment by every available means.

Now it is purposed to follow, as well as may be by means of vague and meagre records, some of the soldiers who left their homes in Chatham to join the Continental armies at the front. At the time of the "Lexington Alarm," in April 1775, Capt. Silas Dunham marched from Chatham for the relief of Boston with his company, whose names have been found on an old pay roll in the State Archives. Timothy Percival was lieutenant; Isaac Kneeland, clerk; Marcus Cole, sergeant. The privates were: Stephen Olmstead, Ralph Smith, Samuel Kilbourn, Samuel Hall, David Hall, Caleb Cook, John Johnson, Nehemiah Day, Silvanus Freeman, William White, Sam- uel Sexton, Benjamin Kneeland, Thomas Hill, Daniel Clark, Amos Clark, Elijah Clark, Hezekiah Goff, Samuel Freeman, William Bevin, Daniel Park, Elijah Baily, Dan- iel Marchall, Lazerous Watrous, Nathaniel Markham, Elisha Cornwell, John Norton, Ezra Ackley, David Cas- well, Ezra Purple, Joshua Baily, James Johnson jr., Na- thaniel Gansey, Ithamar Pelton. They were five days in service on this expedition. In May 1775, the com- panies of Chatham were joined to those of Middle- town to form the Twenty-third Regiment. During the year 1776, many from this town were serving in the army, no less than five drafts being made that year on the militia of Connecticut. Each officer and soldier was to be allowed Is., 6d. for each gun and bayonet used in the service, and for the use of each blanket, 3s. August 20th of this year, Chatham had an order from the Gen- eral Court for 300 pounds of powder. February 28th 1776, the governor and council decided that "the frig- ate of twenty-eight guns to be built in this state should be built at Chatham on the Conn. River; " and Septem- ber 20th of that year the overseers of the furnace at Salisbury were ordered to deliver to the agents for building the Continental ship at Chatham " twenty-four twelve- pounders, and four six-pounders by their paying at the rate of £3., Tos. per hundred weight for the twelve- pounders and £4 per hundred for the less cannon."

There were several ships of war built here during the Revolution; among them the Trumbull, 36 guns; the Bourbon, 40 guns; and the Connecticut, built after peace was declared. These are mentioned in the article on shipyards more particularly.

In August 1776, the militia companies of Chatham were ordered to New York. They were also ordered to Rhode Island, Long Island, and the western borders of their own State. June 27th 1780, the militia of Chatham marched to defend West Point fort under Captain Brain - erd. They held themselves ready to march at an hour's warning to any threatened point. Great were the pri- vations and hardships of these soldiers, who were called to leave their families and business, even were they per- mitted to return, but what shall be said of the distress of those who were so unfortunate as to be taken prisoners? The number of those who died in the "Old Jersey " and other British prisons can never be known. Their sufferings can be inferred from the fact that few of those who escaped or who lived to be released, survived long the effects of their terrible imprisonment. Thomas

* For other extracts from the records see history of the town of Chatham.

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HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY.

Dean, a youth of sixteen, died soon after reaching his home " from the effects of a cruel imprisonment;" and there lies in the cemetery near the Center Church the grave of Samuel Boardman, "who in II days after his Captivity in New York departed this life Jan 12th 1777, aged 20 years." One hundred of the officers and men of the sloop of war Sampson were from Chatham. These were consigned to the Old Jersey, and many perished from cold, and hunger, and the want of the necessaries of life. Timothy Cornwall, Isaac Buck, David Sage, - Bartlitt, Lemuel Lewis, and others died from sick- ness or in prison. . Moses Pelton is said to have been killed in the war. It is impossible to obtain the names of those who fell in battle as no list or record of names was kept. ' At the end of the church record of deaths for the year 1775, of the First Society, is the laconic an- nouncement, "3 died in the Army," and in the year 1776, " 13 died in the Army in different States." Yet the full names of all the "infant sons " and "infant daughters " who died at home are carefully set down by the pastor. We who grope too late among the dusty relics of the century gone can only snatch from obivion here a name, there a half forgotten incident. Not one of the grand names of those who first launched our Ship of State should have been lost, yet great-grandchildren scarce know of the heroic sire, whose deeds and sacri- fices should bear fruit in a race higher, nobler than com- mon men. Those three who fell at Lexington or Bun- ker Hill, foremost among Liberty's martyrs, the 13 heroes of '76, we shall never know their names, their only monument shall be the wide, free country for which their lives were the first installment of the great price to be paid.

A list of Revolutionary soldiers who lived to return home, or who were afterward pensioned, is more easily obtained, though not without much research, and it is probably incomplete.

Gen. Seth Overton served his country in many ways though he saw little or no active service in the field. He was agent for the government in contracting for the ship Connecticut, which was built in this town.

Col. John Penfield died February 22d 1797, aged 66.

Col. Joseph Blague was a Continental officer. He commanded a company in the battle of Saratoga. He then bore the rank of captain, but was afterward pro. moted for gallant services. General Lafayette gave him, in the presence of Washington, a beautiful sword as an expression of esteem for him as an officer.

Lieutenant, afterward Captain, Daniel Stewart, served through the war. Through the courtesy of Mr. Lucius Stewart, the writer has been permitted to examine two of his commissions. The first is copied entire:

" Jonathan Trumbull Esq. Capt. General and Com- mander in Chief of His Majesty's colony of Connecticut in New England; to Daniel Stewart Gent., Greeting,

" You being by the General Assembly of this colony accepted to be Ensign of the Seventeenth Company or Trainband in the Sixth Regiment in this colony;

"Reposing special Trust and Confidence in your Loy-

alty, Courage, and Good Conduct, I do, by virtue of the Letters Patent from the Crown of England to this Cor- poration, Me thereunto enabling, appoint and Empower You to take the said Company into your Care and Charge as their Ensign carefully and diligently to discharge that Trust; exercising your inferior Officers and Soldiers in the Use of their Arms according the Discipline of War; Keeping them in good Order and Government, and com- manding them to obey You as their Ensign for His Majesty's Service. And you are to observe all such Orders and Directions as from Time to Time You shall receive either from Me or from other your Superior Offi- cer pursuant to the Trust hereby reposed in You.

" Given under my Hand and the Seal of this Colony in Hartford the 19th Day of May, in the 12th Year of our Sovereign Lord George the Third King of Great Britain &c. Annoque Domini 1772.

" JONTH. TRUMBULL. " By His Honour's Command " GEORGE WYLLYS Secr'y."

The second commission-of captain of the 4th Com- pany or Trainband, in the town of Chatham and bear- ing date January 1775 -- is like unto the first with a few slight but very essential changes; it substitutes the "State of Connecticut," and the "Laws of this State," for " His Majesty's Colony," and " Letters Patent from the Crown." It refers to a former commission issued October 15th 1775, perhaps as lieutenant. Captain Stew- art was on Long Island, and on one occasion stood near General Washington when a cannon ball struck the ground under the general's horse. Washington calmly soothed his frightened horse, then rode a little further off.

Capt. John Cooper.

Ensign Daniel Shephard, afterward lieutenant He died August 22d 1798, aged 76.

Sergeant Eber Stocking served through the war. His cartridge box is still preserved by his descendants. He used to tell his grandchildren that on one occasion when they had bivouacked upon the field, on awaking in the morning, the forms of the sleeping soldiers were marked by mounds of snow which had fallen upon them during the night. Sergeant Stocking was for some years a pen- sioner. He died August 26th 1828, at the age of 73.

Seymour Hurlburt served seven years in the Conti- nental army. It was said he was " the first in battle and the last man out."

Samuel Kilbourn was sick with "camp distemper " (dysentery) at the time of the massacre at Fort Griswold, Groton. When it was seen that an attack was imminent the sick were removed to a barn about two miles distant. Here they remained that night unattend- ed, in the terror and confusion of the time, The drink which had been left for them froze on the surface dur- ing the night, and they had not strength to break the thin ice. The scars resulting from this illness with the want of proper care, he carried to his grave. He was over six feet in height, of fine appearance.

David Hall was at the battle of Long Island.

505

PORTLAND-ORGANIZATION OF THE TOWN.

Abram Schellinx was drafted into the army. He was a chair maker by trade. His apprentice went with him to the war, and at White Plains both his legs were shot off. Abram Schellinx was a pensioner, and died October 23d 1821.

Michael Stewart was in the army a short time.

THE WAR OF 1812.

The second war with Great Britain did not call for such sacrifice or make such demands upon this town as the struggle for Independence. If any citizens of what is now Portland took an active part in the fighting the fact has not come down to us. But they did all that was required of them when Col. Daniel White marched away with his men to New London, where the time was spent in patrol and sentry duty, and so much was the stern reality of war softened that it seemed like a prolonged picnic. Elizur Abby was captain; David Cruttenden, lieutenant; John Kay, sergeant. It is related that one party of soldiers returned from the "scene of war's alarms," ingloriously but comfortably, in an ox cart. Col. White rode a fine charger, Pomp, who lived for many years, and when incapacitated for further service by rea- son of his age, he would still show a martial spirit, and try to curvet and prance as of old, when he heard the music of the drums on training days.

PORTLAND AS IT IS.

The old town of Chatham covered a large extent of territory, and as its three parishes increased in population, there was naturally talk of dividing the township. This was advocated as early as 1798. At a meeting of the school society of Chatham, on the 27th of September 1798, " the Question was put whether this Meeting will do anything relative to dividing the town of Chatham ? It was voted that this Meeting do approve of the petition which has lately circulated in this Society and is signed by a num- ber of its inhabitants relative to applying to the General Assembly to incorporate that part of the town of Chatham described in said petition into a distinct town."

The division was made in May 1841; the bounds of the First Society in Chatham being taken for those of the new town. The name first given was Conway, but this was changed to Portland at the same session. This was in reference to the quarries, which resemble in size and the quality of the stone the great sandstone quarries of Portland, England. The first town meeting was held at the Congregational meeting house, the 21st of June 1841, for the purpose of electing officers to serve until the regular town meeting in October. Philip Sage was clerk, and Henry Hall, moderator. The selectmen appointed were: Edward C. Whitmore, Lucius E. Waldo, Selden Cook; treasurer, Selden Cook; constable, Samuel Wilcox; grand jurors, Rufus Sears, Chauncey Taylor; tything men, Charles Williams, Job H. Payne, Selden Cook, Edward C. Whitmore, Ralph Pelton, Enoch Sage; pound keepers, David Shepard, and Jesse Goff; sealers of weights and measures, Gilbert Griswold and Daniel Shepard jr .; fence viewers, Agustin Overton, Samuel Wilcox, Hiram

A. Penfield, Guy Cooper, Seth I. Davis, Alfred Payne, and Whitby Foster; haywards, Jacob Dunham, Whitby Foster, William G. Savage, Ralph Goodrich; assessor, Selden Cook; treasurer of the town deposit fund, Daniel Russel; highway surveyors and collectors, Whitby Fos- ter, Hezekiah G. Pelton, Amos Cornwall, George M. Brown, William Hale. It was resolved that the whole of the income of the town deposit fund, the current year, be appropriated to the use of the schools. It was resolved that William R. Smith, Ralph Goodrich, and Sylvester Gildersleeve should be the agents or managers of the town deposit fund. Resolutions were also passed relating to alterations of highways if necessary; divisions of town funds with Chatham, and that the poor house should be held jointly with the town of Chatham for the poor of both towns.

It was resolved that the sign posts heretofore estab- lished in the Portland School Society should be con- firmed and kept in repair; also " that the first annual Town meeting of the town of Portland shall be held on the first Monday of Oct. next." Selden Cook was ap- pointed agent to appear for the town in all suits, etc. The selectmen were instructed to ascertain the property of the town of Chatham, and to make division of the same agreeable to the resolution incorporating the town of Portland. The pounds near Wangunk Meadow and at Pacausett were declared lawful pounds of the town of Portland; the earmarks were ordered to be transferred from the records of Chatham to those of Portland. The selectmen were requested to ascertain the liability of the town of Portland to maintain a road from Chuchill's Landing to Glastonbury, through Wangunk Meadow.

It was voted that no money should be paid out of the town treasury without an order from the selectmen; that the town clerk should provide all suitable record books; that the selectmen be authorized to employ some person to clean the meeting house; and the thanks of the meet- ing were tendered to Mr. Hall for the impartial and able manner in which he had performed the duties of moder- ator. The meeting then adjourned.

At the first annual meeting, 4th of October 1741, two assessors were appointed, Edward Lewis and Hiram A. Penfield; board of relief, Willam R. Smith, Edward A. Penfield, Daniel Shepard jr .; town clerk, Sylvester Stock- ing; treasurer, Edward Lewis; selectmen, the same as before appointed; constables, Samuel Wilcox, Hiram A. Penfield. A highway tax of two cents on a dollar, and a town tax of the same amount, was voted. Highway surveyors were, Hezekiah G. Pelton, Hiram A. Penfield, Harley Case, Ralph Pelton, Benjamin Abbey; collector of taxes, Hiram A. Penfield; grand jurors, Charles Willianis, Al- fred Myrick, Chauncey Taylor, Alfred Payne; tything men, James W. White, Jonathan Fuller, Job H. Payne, Seth I. Davis, Chester Pelton, Sylvester Stocking; treasurer of town deposit fund, William R. Smith; haywards, Seth I. Davis, Whitby Foster, Alfred Hall, Henry S. Conkling. The same sealers of weights and measures, and the same pound keepers, were reappointed. Whitby Foster, Hiram A. Penfield, and David Cornwall were appointed

506

HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY.

a committee to divide the town into highway districts. of such of the drafted men's families or dependents as The fence viewers appointed were: Phillip H. Sellew, should need such pecuniary assistance. The soldiers and their familes also received much aid aside from this. The ladies of Portland met frequently to make clothing, scrape lint, and make gallons of blackberry cordial which was sent with many other comforts and delicacies to their soldiers in the army or in hospitals. Ralph Goodrich, David Crittenden, Erastus Strong, Samuel Wilcox, John R. Ames, Seth I. Davis, and Daniel F. Hopkins. The selectmen were instructed to discon- tinue the highway from Churchill's Landing, through Wangunk Meadow, to Glastonbury. Resolutions were passed relative to the funds deposited with the State, by The officers of the town of Portland, elected October Ist 1883, were: the United States, in pursuance of Act of Congress, and William R. Smith was appointed the town's agent to re- ceive the town's share of such funds. April 4th 1842, Kellogg Strong was chosen the first representative of the town in the General Assembly. The 26th of May 1845, the town voted to accept the old church of the Episco- pal society, and the deed thereof was received by the town, and it was voted to hold town meetings there. Some repairs and alterations being made, the town house was first used for a town meeting, October 6th 1845. May 24th 1851, it was unanimously voted to direct the selectmen to petition the Legislature, in the name of the town of Portland, for liberty to loan the credit of this town to aid in constructing the New York & Boston Rail. road, commonly known as the Air Line Railroad, within the limits of this State, to an amount not exceeding $20,000.

October 3d 1853, an appropriation of $300 was voted for the erection of a lockup or house of detention, pro- vided the citizens of Portland would raise $200 more by subscription.

Nothing more is recorded than the usual proceedings each year till 1861. January 30th of that year, several resolutions were passed at town meeting, supporting the Constitution of the United States and of this State, both of which as freemen they had sworn to support, and deprecating the agitation of abstract political dogmas, especially by the pulpit and the press. Objecting to the " fanactical efforts of John Brown to overthrow slavery by force," and urging the maintenance of peace, and " hushing the loud call to arms.'

July 28th 1862, it was resolved by a vote of yeas 67, nays 55,

" That the Selectmen be directed to pay from the town treasury the sum of $1oo to every volunteer who may be enlisted into the regiments now being raised or filled in this State, under the recent call from the Presi- dent for three hundred thousand more troops. And if there shall not be sufficient funds in the treasury, then the selectmen are authorized to borrow money on the credit of the town to make up the deficiency. This bounty not to be paid to more than our quota under the above call, and on condition that all such enlistments shall be on or before the Ist of September 1862.

It was afterward voted that all who had enlisted in excess of the town's quota should receive the same bounty. August 5th 1863, at a special town meeting, it was voted to pay a bounty of $300 to each person drafted into the service of the United States, and the sum of $15,000 was appropriated for this purpose. September 30th 1863, the town appropriated $10,000 for the support

Assessors: William H. Bartlett, Asaph H. Hale; se- lectmen: Joseph S. Worthington, James H. Pelton, Nel- son Pelton; board of relief: Charles H. Sage, Andrew Cornwall, John H. Hall; registrar of voters: Billings Neff, James A. Butler; town clerk: William H. Bartlett; town quarry agent: William H. Beebe; agents of town deposit fund: William H. Beebe, Gilbert Stancliff: town treasurer; John I. Worthington; collector: Billings Neff; auditors of accounts: N. L. Cramer, Asaph H. Hale; grand jurors: George B. Cleveland, Daniel E. Dunham, Clark G. Southmayd, Lucius P. Stewart, David Critten- den, W. S. Coe; haywards: Jabez E. Jones, Charles Hall, Reuben Pelton, Norman B. Stevens, Hudson Hale, Robert A. Mitchell, Hobart Davis; treasurer of town deposit fund: John I. Worthington; town agent: Joseph S. Worthington; town registrar: Stephen H. Stocking; constables. Billings Neff, John Hayes, John McKay, George O. Mosher, George Hill, Demas Cornwall, Phillip Sage; pound keepers: Gordon S. Goodrich, Henry Hodge, Frederick C. Southmayd: sealer of weights and measures: E. I. Bell; town weighers: Ferdinand Gilder- sleeve, J. B. Carey, W. S. Coe.

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History of Middlesex county, Connecticut, with biographical sketches of its prominent men, Part 125

Author: Whittemore, Henry, b. 1833; Beers, J.B. & Company, publishers Publication date: 1884 Publisher: New York : J. B. Beers & co. Number of Pages: 818

Author: Whittemore, Henry, b. 1833; Beers, J.B. & Company, publishers
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: New York : J. B. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 818