History of Middlesex county, Connecticut, with biographical sketches of its prominent men, Part 97

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 97

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

"One high way by the south side of George Gateses lote and by Mr. batesis lote neare James Wellesis Lote so south and be west tordes the Lote of the widow blach- fordes to the end of the boundes ten rods wide.

"One high waye from the reare of thre acre lotes by tho. brookes lote west thirty rods wide and runes west and be south by Garrard Spenseres lote twelve rods wide to the end of the boundes,

" One high way by the northwest side of Garrard Spen- sers lote tille it comes into the high way that lyeth by tho. brookesis lote twelve rods wide.

"One highway from Garrird Spensers bound tree south and by James Welles lote to the end of the bounds ten rods wide.

"One high way that comes from James welles lote comes over the hill and swampe by mr. batesis Lote, so into the high way that is over mudy brooke ten rods wide.

"One high waye at the east side of Jarrird Spenseres lote runeing west ten rods wide.

"One high way lying by the side of Richard piperes lote runing to the reare of mr. Noyesis hows lote and ouer the Great hille wheare persones dige stones sixteen rods wide.

" One high way lying between James welles and peter blachford and runes to the mille brooke neare the Dame and ouer the brooke by the side of the hille to the ende of the boundes ten rods wide.

" One high waye lying one the southeast side of mr. Noyesis lote up the hill: and comes into that high way that goeth ouer neare the dame and then tornes east ward tordes the mille land and then comes downe into the contry road againest wiates lote twelue rods wide.

" One high way from the reare of the thre acr lotes and runes north west to Tom heganumps first branch and then tornes southward to the end of the boundes and from this high way another highway goeth ouer hegan- umpes by balyes lote northwest to the eand of the boundes ten rodes wide."

take place until the year 1828. In April of that year, it was divided into 17 such districts.

Some idea of the growth of the town is given by Dr. Field, in his pamphlet on Haddam, published in 1814. He thinks there may have been 30 families in the town

at its incorporation in 1668; and perhaps 60 families in 1700. In 1718, 62 names are mentioned on a tax list, and in 1739, there were 71 voters, and it is probable that in either instance the number of families was somewhat in excess of the numbers mentioned. It is supposed that about 1750 there were 150 families within the town, of which number 20 were on Haddam Neck.

The following is a list of the freemen in Haddam So- ciety in 1730: Rev. Mr. Phineas Fiske, Capt. James Wells, Capt. James Brainerd, Capt. Thomas Shailer, Capt. Caleb Cone, Ensign Simon Smith, Deacon Thomas Brooks, Lieut. Thomas Clark, Lieut. Joseph Smith, Serg't Jarrard Spencer, Samuel Ingram, Ensign Moses Vent- rous, Ensign John Fiske, Solomon Bate, James Ray, John Ventrous, Josiah Arnold, Deacon Joseph Arnold, James Hazelton, Nathaniel Baily, Richard Walkly, William Clark, Nathaniel Spencer, Caleb Brainerd, Hezekiah Brainerd, Elijah Brainerd, Thomas Brooks jr., Joshua Arnold, James Brainerd jr., Isaac Bartlet, Nathaniel Sut- liff, John Coe, Lieut. William Brainerd, John Baily jr., Ephraim Baily, Daniel Clark, Gideon Arnold, Serg't Daniel Hubbard, William Porter, Azariah Dickenson.

In 1814, there were in that part of the town on the west side of the river 340 dwelling houses, 390 families, and 1,951 inhabitants, of whom 967 were male, and 984 were female. On Haddam Neck there were then 47 dwelling houses, 62 families, and 349 inhabitants, of whom 174 were male, and 175 were female. The "list " of Haddam in 1718 showed a valuation of £3,607, 14S., and 8d .; that in 1813 showed for Haddam Society, $32,- 107.73; and for Haddam Neck, $5,422.33. The expense of supporting the poor of this town in 1813 was $320.

THE FRENCH WAR.

There is little evidence of the participation of the peo- ple of this town in the French war. There is, neverthe- less, existing evidence to show that some interest was taken by the people, and that a few at least offered their services to their country. At the annual town meeting in 1758, Capt. Jabez Brainerd was appointed to receive the produce of the country "mentioned in the act of the General Assembly of the Colony Entitled an act to sup . ply the Treasury in the present Extraordinary Emergen- cy of government and for creating and Issuing Bills of Credit, and Dispose of such produce according to such act." From a private letter written some years afterward is gathered the information that James Smith, Samuel Tyler, Col. Abraham Tyler, Lieut. Higgins, Lieut. N. Dickerson, "and many more in Haddam," served in that war.

MILITIA.

The division of the town into road districts did not and in later years uniform with the prescribed rules hold-

The regulations governing the organization of the militia in this town were similar to those of other towns, ing throughout the State. A militia company was formed at a very early date. George Gates, one of the proprie- tors, was probably its first captain. He was succeeded by another of the first settlers, James Wells Esq., in May I714.

381

HADDAM-REVOLUTIONARY WAR.

Following these the successive captains of this com- pany up to 1814 were: Dea. James Brainerd, Caleb Cone, Thomas Shailer, John Fisk, Gideon Brainerd, James Wells, Thomas Shailer, Joseph Selden, James Hazleton, Dea. Eliakim Brainerd, John Ventres, Oliver Wells Esq., Joshna Smith, David Dickinson, Samuel Shailer, Major Huntington May, Arnold Tyler, Col. John Brainerd, Stephen Dickinson, and Gideon Higgins.

A new company was formed at Higganum about 1730. The successive captains of this company were: Nathaniel Sutliff, Abraham Brooks, Jabez Brainerd Esq., Charles Seers, John Smith, David Brainerd, Col. David Brainerd Esq., Heman Brainerd, John Brainerd, Noadiah Cone, John Clarke, Curtis Smith, Daniel Brainerd, James Walkley, and Amos Smith.

A company was formed at Ponsett, from the Higga- num company, in May 1771, and its successive com- manders were: Stephen Smith, Abner Smith, Samuel Hubbard, Edmund Porter, Jeremiah Hubbard, Jonathan Burr, Samuel Stannard, James Thomas, David Spencer, Samuel Hubbard, Abraham Hubbard, and Sylvester Brainerd.

These companies were parts of a regiment that had been under the command of Hezekiah Brainerd Esq., and Abraham Tyler.

In 1740, a company was formed at Middle Haddam, when the people of Haddam Neck were transferred from the Haddam company to that. The honors of the captaincy at different times fell to the following mem- bers from Haddam Neck: Deacon Ebenezer Smith, Thomas Selden, Ansel Brainerd, Elias Selden, and Daniel Brooks.

In 1773, the militia of " Haddam Quarter" were transferred from the Higganum company to that of Dur- ham, when that section was united to the latter town.

THE REVOLUTION.

to the discomfiture of the people and the embarrassment of the government.

March 31st 1777, the town voted unanimously that they would join with, and to the utmost in their power support the civil authority, selectmen, committee of in- spection, and all informing officers in carrying out the laws made for regulating and fixing the prices of certain articles, as recommended by the governor and council of safety in their proclamation of March 18th 1777. At the same time they voted that the families of all soldiers who had enlisted or should do so, to fill up the battalion of this State, should be supplied, in the absence of such heads, with necessaries at the prices affixed by law, and if the committee appointed to superintend this business could not obtain such supplies at the prices affixed, the town should be drawn upon to make up the deficiency.

At a meeting held on the 22d of April following, an effort was made to raise the quota of men for the Con- tinental army. Accordingly a bounty of £5 was offered to every able bodied volunteer who should enlist for three years or during the war, from this town in any of the nine and a half battalions to be raised in the State. All non-commissioned officers and soldiers were also to be supplied with two shirts, two pairs of stockings, and one pair of shoes annually. The time for which this offer held good closed in ten days following the meeting. At another meeting, held on the 2d of May following, a bounty of £4 was offered for enlistments that should be made up to the 5th of the next January.

September 24th 1777, the town voted that the select- men should hire some person to bring the salt that be- longed to the town, which was then at Boston, to this place, where the selectmen should sell it out at cost, in- cluding expenses.

The following is "A rool of the Persons who took the oath of allegiance & fremans Oath Sept. 1777:"-Capt. Abraham Brooks, Capt. Cornelius Higgins, Ens. Jere- miah Hubbard, Capt. Stephen Smith, Major Abraham Tyler, Dr. Brainerd, Joel Arnold, Hezekiah Clark, Gid- eon Brainerd, Joseph Cone, Deacon Cone, Capt. Samuel Hubbard, Capt. John Smith, John Willcocks, Jedediah Brainerd, Josiah Brainerd, Increase Brainerd, Samuel Brainerd, allegiance, Daniel Ventres, James Cone, Joel Hubbard, Elijah Brainerd, William Brainerd, Ebenezer Thomas, Capt. John Ventres, James Pelton, Elisha Brainerd, Dudley Brainerd, John Seward, Edmund Por- ter, Lieut. Josiah Brainerd, Daniel Smith, Waken Brooks, Gideon Bailey, Nathaniel Tyler, Aaron Thomas, Charles Smith, Josiah Brooks, David Hubbard, William Bailey, Lieut. Phineas Brainerd, Capt. James Hazelton, Jonathan Brainerd, James Hubbard, Captain Sears, John Clark, Eber Tibbals, Thomas Shailer jr., Baz. Shailer, Lieut. James Clark, Capt. Eliakim Brainerd, Lieut. William Smith, Simon Tyler, Jonathan Smith, Lieut. James Arnold, Lieut. William Willcox, Augustus Lewis, Samuel Scovil, Abijah Brainerd, David Brainerd, Phineas Brainerd, jr., William Smith, Stephen Bailey, Lieut. Samuel Brooks, Evan Thomas, Nehemiah Brain-

The data from which to make up a narrative of the particular doings of the people of this town while that great struggle was in progress are meagre and fragmen- tary. The militia were in constant drill, and prepared in a rude way to enter the service of their country at short notice, though the defense of their own immediate terri- tory was to them of the first importance, and they seem with reluctance to have left their firesides when occasion called them to go into the service on distant fields. The equipments of the militia were put in more perfect order as the prospect of being called upon to defend them- selves by resort to arms grew imminent. February 6th 1776, it was voted that all who had powder, balls, or flint from the town treasury should return them or pay for the same at the rate of six shillings a pound for pow- der, eight shillings a pound for ball, and twelve pence a dozen for flints. The first intimation of a call for men appears on the records under date of March 27th 1777, when the town appointed a committee to confer with the governor respecting the quota of men to be raised, and also the sudden rise in cattle which had been occasioned by some speculative action of under commissaries, much erd, Ens. Joseph Brooks, Deacon Ezra Brainerd, Samuel

382

HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY.

Pratt, Prosper Brainerd, Samuel Stannard, Lieut. Arnold Hazelton, Asa Shailer, Samuel Lewis, Jeptha Brainerd. "These four took the Oath of Allegiance."

On the Ioth of the following December, committees were appointed by the town, to procure clothing for the soldiers in the army, and to provide for their families at home. For several years afterward, similar committees and committees of inspection were annually appointed.

On the 9th of July 1779, an alarm at Saybrook called for help from this town. Captain John Ventres, with his company, responded, and repaired to the defense of that place. Nothing serious appears to have resulted, however, and the company were retained in the service only two days. This company was then attached to Colonel Worthington's regiment. The pay roll for that expedition shows that the following wages-remarkably high, on account of a depleted currency-were paid, per day, for service: To the captain, £2 8s .; lieutenant, £1 12S .; ensign, £1 4s .; sergeants, £1 98. 2d .; cor- porals, £1 75. 3d .; privates, Ios. 6d. The company was then composed of: Captain John Ventres; Lieutenant James Arnold; Ensign Oliver Wells; Sergeants Thomas Shailer, Charles Smith, Reuben Smith, and Jonathan Smith; Corporals Samuel Arnold, Samuel Lewis, David Arnold, and Augustus Lewis; Drummer Daniel Smith, and Privates Frederick Smith, Obadiah Dickerson, Elihu Bates, James Arnold, Roger Thomas, James Merwin, David Higgins, George Kelsey, William Ely, Samuel Ray jr., Josiah Scovel, Nathan Brooks, Hawes Higgins, Jesse Brainerd, Noah Clark, Ezra Shailer, Jesse Tinker, Jeffrey Smith, John Porter, Samuel Bates, Samuel Shailer, Jethro Smith, Oliver Brainerd, James Smith, Peter Ray, David Dickerson, Jonathan Smith, Hezekiah Shailer, John Smith, Zachariah Brainerd, John Church, Abraham Tyler jr., and Daniel Ray.

In 1780, another quota of men was due for the Con- tinental army, and June 26th a bounty of £3, and a monthly allowance of 25 shillings in addition to their wages, was offered to all volunteers who should enlist be- fore the 5th of the following July. This additional al- lowance was to be paid in wheat, at five shillings a bushel. On the following day, a premium of five bushels of wheat per month was offered, in addition to wages, to every volunteer before July 5th, who should represent the town in the quota of 2,500 called for from this State.

Recruits were, however, required to relinquish to the town the benefit of any grants that the General Assembly might thereafter make.

The town decided to receive taxes in provisions, and fixed the following schedule of prices: Beef, best qual- ity, per pound, 5 pence; beef, inferior, but good, per pound, 472 pence; pork, from hogs weighing five score or less, per pound, 5 pence; pork, five to eight score, per pound, 572 pence; pork, over eight score, per pound, 6 Inhabitants of these United States or that they are not pence; wheat flour, per cwt., 24 shillings.

the service. These bounties were to be paid either in money or provisions, and the offer held good till the 7th of February following.

Early in 1781, a quota of five men was due from tlie town for the defense of the State at Horse Neck. On the 17th of January, a town meeting offered a bounty of £6 and a guarantee of 40 shillings a month for men to fill this quota. Other calls followed, and March 26th the men of the town were divided into nine classes, according to their assessments. On the 22d of June, two of these classes had furnished a man each, and the town voted that they should each furnish another man, and that the seven delinquent classes should furnish two men each, to fill the town's quota under a late call of the General Assembly.

In September of this year another alarm appeared at Saybrook, and Capt. John Ventres and his company again entered the service. They were under the regi- mental command of Col. Tyler, and used six days-from the 7th to the 12th, inclusive-in the expedition.

February 25th 1782, the town voted to raise the six men required of it for the defense of Horse Neck, and a committee was authorized to obtain the men at whatever price they might cost. On the 18th of March following, it was voted to raise two men from each of the nine classes in the town, to fill the quota in the Continental army. The committee on recruits, which had previously been appointed, was now instructed to look up deserters from the Continental army.

In respect to illicit trade, the town, August 8th 1782, passed the following resolutions:

" I. We will to our utmost bring to justice all who have been or may be concerned in this pernicious Traffic & use every lawful means to prevent and suppress it.

"2. to which end we will to the utmost of our power & influence strengthen the hands of all officers, civil & military in the discharge of their duty & support the full & vigorous Execution of the laws of this State.

"3. we will give every assistance to those that are vested with authority to Restrain & punish all suspicious persons traveling without proper passes or carrying British goods or other property made Siezable by law.

" 4. We will avoid as far as possible all intercourse, communication & dealings with such as have been or may be concerned in trading with the Enemy or who have been or may be justly suspected of being so con- cerned.

"5. we will give every support and assistance in our power to those that shall Exert themselves to detect & bring to Justice persons concerned directly or indirectly in trading with the Enemy & treat as mean false and designing Every insinuation that such Endeavours are in the least degree inconsistent with the honour of good

Becomeing and praiseworthy.

"6. in the prosecution of these objects we will En-

On the 18th of December, the town offered a bounty of £20 for recruits for three years or £30 for those who deavour to conform to the laws of this State being would enlist for the term of the war, and an additional determined not to resort to force unless the circum- stances of the case make it absolutely necessary." bounty of f10 yearly and 40 shillings monthly while in

383

HADDAM-REVOLUTIONARY WAR.

It was resolved that these resolutions should be pub- lished in the public prints.

A quota of State soldiers was due August 20th 1782, when a committee was appointed to hire them, the number required being six men.

The town struggled hard to do its part in the great effort of the new-born nation, and when the sheriff stood ready to serve an execution upon the selectmen the town voted authority to borrow money on the credit of the town to satisfy the execution, and also "that Ens. Scovil proceed with vigour and Resolution to a Speedy collection of the arrearages of the Taxes in his hands." But the dawn of peace gave the town a chance to recuperate its exhausted energies. January 11th 1787, a committee was appointed to look up the fire arms, tents, and all articles of camp equipage belonging to the town and deliver them into the hands of the town treasurer.

The following papers, which have been preserved since the Revolutionary period afford interesting glimpses of the customs and conditions of that time.

" Haddam may 21st 1777.

" This may Certify that I have Inlisted my Self as Soldier in the Continental army for three year under John Smith Lieut. for James Clark Junr.

" H. & SYLVANUS CLARK.

" HEZEKIAH CLARK JUR."

" Haddam, May 26th A. D. 1777.

" this may Certify that Samer Negro hath Inlisted him- self a Soldier in the continental army in behalf of aron Hubbard and Daniel Spencer Junr, in a Regiment of foot to be Commanded by William Douglass Esqur for the term of three years according to the act of the Gen- eral assembly Passed in this State may 1777, Enlisted by me.

GIDEON BAILY lieut."

" Saybrook 30th June 1777.

" Theese may Certify that the following List contains the names of Sundry Souldiers Inlested into Coll. John Ely's Regiment before the 29th Instant and the Dates of their Inlistment.

" Jesse Brainard 16th June 1777.

" Sam'l Cone 16th

" Amos Brainerd 16th"

"Jonathan Smith 16th

" Felix Auger 16th

" Beniah Wheeler 20th

" Jonathan Church 20th

" Bushnell Dudley 17th

" Jeptha Brainerd 29th

"Certified pr JOHN SHIPMAN."

The following is addressed on the back "To the Clark of the County Court."

" HADDAM, August the 16th, 1777.

" A Returne of Sarjt Charles Smith, Nathan Brooks & Peter Ray in the third Company in the Seaventh Rigi- ment of Militia Who Were Ordered to March pursuant to Orders Rec'd: from Maj'r Tyler the Eighth of August to the Peeks kills for the Difence of the united States of

america have intirely Refused and Neglected to march for that Purpose.

" JOHN VENTRES Capt."

A regimental return of Capt. John Ventres' company dated August 30th 1777, shows the company to contain a captain, lieutenant and ensign, three sergeants, a clerk, a drumnier, two corporals, and 27 privates fit for duty. There were in service a sergeant, corporal, a fifer, and fifteen privates, while five were cleared by the late act, two were at sea, and four unfit for duty. An endorse- ment, acknowledging the receipt of money for public ser- vice in the company, is dated October 30th 1777, and bears the signatures of John Clark, Increase Brainerd, Oliver Bailey, Samuel Ray, and Jonathan Smith.

" Haddam December the Ist 1777, pursuant to Orders from Lieut. Col. Graves to detach two Able Bodied men well armed and equipt to served under Capt. John Hop- son of Gilford which men are as follows viz David Dick . enson and Moses Ely, which orders I have obayed.

" JOHN VENTRES Capt." " Pursuant to Orders Receiv'd you are hereby com- mand to warn all the Soldiers under my Command to Appear at the usual Place of Parade on monday the 8th Day of Instant June at five o'Clock afternoon with their Arms Compleat in Order for mustering.

JOHN VENTRES Capt."

" Dated Haddam June 6th [778."

" To Joshua Smith, Clerk

" Hereof make Return & fail not."

This bears the following endorsement:

" HADDAM June 8th 1778.

" then warning was Left at the usual place of abode of all the Soldiers under your Command.

" Left By me JOSHUA SMITH, Clark."

" This certyfys that Daniel Ray Jun'r Inlisted himself a Soldier in Behalf of the First Class in the town of Had- dam to serve Six months from the Date of his inlistment.

"Certifyd Pr me

ABRAHAM TYLER, " Lt Colo & muster master of 17 Regt."

"To mr. Jeams Ray and Samuel Ray and Hasa Shailer and Bazl Dudley and Nathan Brooks and Solomon Bates and Joseph Bates and Elihew Bates and Timothy Shailer and Jacob Miller and Andrew Southworth Jonathan Bates, Sarah Williams all of Haddam, Great- ing you are hearby Notified to apeair if you see cause at the Dweling house of Capt. Arnold Hazelton on Thus- day next at three O'Clock in the afternoon to shew Rea- sons If any you have why you should not pay your Proposonebel part for the purpus of hireing a solder in the first Class for twelve mounths to any Indiferent per- son to Sarve and Return.

" Haddam may 6 A. D. 1782.

" JOSEPH BROOKS Selet- "ELIAKIM BRAINERD , men." This paper is endorsed as follows:

" HADDAM May the Sth A. D. 1782.

" then Read the within Notification in the hearing of all the within Named Persons Excepting Asa Shailer,

384

HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY.

Joseph Ray, Jacob Miller, Jonathan Bates, Sarah wil- liams, Nathan Brooks, all these Persons whose Names are mentioned haves warning left at their houses.

" PR. JOSHUA SMITH JR."

The following named persons also served in the war of the Revolution:

Christopher Bailey, died April 18th 1840, aged 84; Eliakim Bailey, died October 30th 1838, aged 80; John Bailey, died June Ist 1815, aged 62; Jacob Bailey, killed at Stony Point, July 16th 1779, aged 32; Sergt. Reuben Bailey, died June 1826, aged 72; Lieut. Gideon Bailey, died May 10th 1806, aged 54; Samuel Burr; Stephen Burr; Benanawel Bonfoey, died August 14th 1825, aged 70; Lieut. Elijah Brainerd, died May 23d 1828, aged 72; Aaron Clark, died April 18th 1812, aged 70; Noadiah Cone; Thomas Church; James Kelly Child, died March 23d 1839, aged 73; Thomas Child, died at the age of nearly 90; William Clark, died June 1830, aged 74; Lieut. Cornelius Higgins; Francis Lewis; John Smith, died May 8th 1834, aged 78; Joseph Scovil, died March Ist 1839, aged 82; Lieut. John Smith, died January 1811, aged 72; Col. Abraham Tyler, died November 12th 1805, aged 71; Abishai Smith; Capt. John Brainerd, died 1820, aged 67.

WAR OF 1812.

In the war of 1812-14, this town took but little part, though its people were affected by the restrictions upon commerce, yet not to such an extent as some other towns were. A company of volunteers was raised in this town and commanded by Samuel Brooks and Deacon Nehe- miah Brainerd. The following men were in the service during that war, nearly or quite all of them belonging to the 'company mentioned above: Charles Arnold, Noah Clark, John Ventres, Samuel Church, Simon Knowles, Linus Parmelee, John Brainerd, George Kelsey, Samuel Kelsey (?), Dudley Clark, George Clark, Arza Dickinson, John Northam, Eleazer Lewis, Elijah Williams, Timothy Tyler, Arnold H. Hayden, Stephen Brooks, James (?) Brooks, Horace Smith, George S. Brainerd, Matthew Hubbard, Thomas Church, Captain Abraham Hubbard, Sergeant Selden Huntington, Orren Crook, Ezekiel Bailey, Warren Ely, Nathaniel Stocking, Joseph Stan- nard, Joseph Shailer, John Shailer, Simon Shailer, Hez- ekiah Brainerd, - House, Daniel Brainerd, David Church, and - Goff. This list has been kindly fur- nished by Mr. A. S. Clark, a native of this town, but now a resident of Chicago.

THE WAR OF THE REBELLION.

Haddam acquitted itself nobly in the great civil war of 1861-5. The following is a synopsis of the action of the town during that period.

At a special town meeting, held on the 5th of August 1862, a bounty of $100 was offered for recruits to fill the quota of the town in the recent call for 300,000 men. A committee appointed to procure recruits consisted of Luther N. Arnold, Smith Ventres, Isaac Arnold, Cor-

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Middlesex county, Connecticut, with biographical sketches of its prominent men, Part 97

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