USA > Connecticut > New London County > New London > History of New London, Connecticut, From the First Survey of the Coast in 1612 to 1852 > Part 48
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1 Council records in Hinman's War of the Revolution, p. 466. John Deshon was of French Huguenot extraction. His father, Daniel Deshon, was a youth in the family of Capt. René Grignon, at the time of the decease of the latter, at Norwich, in 1715, and is mentioned in his will. After the death of his patron, he settled in New Lon- don, where he married Ruth Christophers, and had several sons, and one daughter who married Joseph Chew. He died in 1781, at the age of eighty-four, which carries his birth back to 1697. Three of his sons were conspicuous in the Revolutionary War. Capt. Daniel Deshon was appointed in 1777, to the command of the armed brig " Old Defence," owned by the state, which was unfortunately taken by the British, in Jan- uary, 1778. John, mentioned in the text, was the second son, and born December 25th, 1727. Richard, another son, served in the army. The name is supposed to have been originally Deschamps.
2 Son of Governor Jonathan Law, and born in Milford, March 17th, 1732-3. He was, after the Revolution, judge of the district of Connecticut, and chief justice of the superior court. The late Capt. Richard Law, and Hon. Lyman Law, M. C., were his sons.
3 Major Hillhouse was subsequently for many years chief judge of the county court. Tradition confirms the truth of the character engraved upon his monument :
" A judge and statesman ; honest, just and wise."
4 State Records, Hinman, p. 31.
5 Ibid, p. 497.
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HISTORY OF NEW LONDON.
Nathaniel Shaw, Jun., has been mentioned in a former chapter, as an enterprising merchant ; we may add that he performed important service to the country during the Revolution, particularly in naval affairs. His judgment in that department was esteemed paramount to all others in the colony. He also acted as a general agent, or friend of the country, in various concerns, military and fiscal, as well as naval. His mercantile letters, though brief, and devoted to mat- ters of business, contain allusions to passing events that are valuable as cotemporaneous authority. They have been already quoted, and further extracts will occasionally be made.
To P. Vandervoort, October 220, 1773.
" In regard to the tea that is expected from England, I pray heartily that the colonies may not suffer any to be landed. The people with us are determined not to purchase any that comes in that way."
We have here a hint that apprises us of the spirit of the inhabitants of New London, in regard to the duty on tea. Aged people have related that some salesmen who had no scruples on the subject, hav- ing received small consignments of custom-house tea, as experiments to try the market and tempt the people to become purchasers, were either persuaded or compelled to make a bonfire of it upon the Parade ; and that not only the tea-chests from the shops were emp- tied, but some enthusiastic housekeepers added to the blaze by throwing in their private stores. It is further related that parties were made, and weddings celebrated, at which all ribbons, artificial flowers, and other fabrics of British manufacture, were discarded, and Labrador tea1 introduced.
Shaw to Vandevoort, April 1st, 1775.
" Matters seem to draw near where the longest sword must decide the con- troversy. Our Gen. Assembly sets to-morrow and I pray God Almighty to direct them to adopt such measures as will be for the interest of America."
To Messrs. Wharton, Philadelphia, May 5th.
" I wrote to you by Col. Dyer and Mr. Dean, our colony delegates to con- gress, desiring you to let them have what money they should have occasion for to the amount of 4 or 500 pounds. I really do not know what plan to follow or what to do with my vessels "
To the Selecimen of Boston, May 8th.
" I have received from Peter Curtenius, treast of the comee in New York,
1 This was probably the Ceanothus Americanus, a plant sometimes used during the Revolution as a substitute for tea, and usually called Jersey tea.
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HISTORY OF NEW LONDON.
100 bbls. of flour for the poor in Boston. He writes me he shall forward £350 in cash for the same use."
To Capt. Handy, May 31st.
" I never met with so much difficulty to get hard money since I was in trade, as within these two months past. I have large quantities of West India goods in store, in Boston, in New York, and in Phila, but cannot raise a shil- ling."
If such difficulties as are here described, were experienced by men of large resources, it may easily be imagined that all the smaller mer- cantile concerns must have been harassed and impoverished to the last extremity. The stagnation of business was general. Neither cash nor merchantable bills could be obtained. The most lamentable destitution prevailed ; every thing was wanted, yet no one had the means to buy.
To Messrs. Thomas and Isaac Wharton, September 18th, 1775.
" I shall set out to-morrow for the camp at Roxbury, and it is more than probable that I may come to Philadelphia on my return, and hope I shall be able to procure Adams' Letters, which I have never seen."
To an agent in Dominica, January 16th, 1776.
" All our trade is now at an end and God knows whether we shall ever be in a situation to carry it on again. No business now but preparations for war, ravaging villages, burning towns," &c.
At a very early period of the contest, Mr. Shaw took the precau- tion to secure supplies of powder from the French islands. In De- cember, 1774, he had represented to the government of the colony, the great destitution of New London, and other exposed places in this respect, and urged them to send without delay to the West In- dies for a considerable stock, offering a fast sailing vessel of his own, to be used for this end. The Assembly acted on this advice, sending him an order to obtain six hundred half barrels, with all possible speed. In July, 1775, to the commander of a sloop fitted out with flour and pipe-staves for Hispaniola, he gave the brief direction : " Purchase gunpowder and return soon." Again, in January, 1776, he writes to William Constant, his agent in Guadaloupe, requesting him to purchase powder " to the amount of all the interest you have of mine in your hands." And adds, "make all the despatch you can ; we shall want it very soon." We learn from his accounts, that in 1775, he furnished the regiment of Col. Parsons with powder, ball and flints, and that in June, 1776, at the order of the governor, he forwarded an opportune supply of powder to General Washington.
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HISTORY OF NEW LONDON.
4
July 22d, he wrote himself to the commander-in-chief, stating that he had recently forwarded to him three cases of arms and a quantity of flints, adding, " and now, by the bearer, John Keeny, I have sent two cases of arms, and one chest and bar of continental arms and cutlasses, as per invoice." July 31st, he advises Robert Morris, chairman of the secret committee of Congress, that he has received another supply of powder, " 13,500 cwt., arrived from Port-au- Prince and safe landed."
The first naval expedition under the authority of Congress was fitted out at New London in January, 1776. The command was given to Commodore Hopkins-sometimes styled admiral. The fleet consisted of four vessels, the Alfred, Columbus, Andrea Doria and Cabot, varying in armament from fourteen to thirty-six guns.1 The preparations were made with great expedition and secrecy, no notice being given respecting it in any of the newspapers. It was destined to cruise at the south, and annoy the British fleet in that quarter. Dudley Saltonstall, previously in command of the fort, or battery, on the Parade, was appointed senior captain ; Elisha Hin- man a lieutenant ; Peter Richards and Charles Bulkley, enterprising young seamen of the place, were among the midshipmen-eighty of the crew were from the town and neighborhood. The fleet sailed about the first of February to its rendezvous in Delaware Bay-less than a month from the time in which the first preparations were commenced. The only results of this expedition, from which appar- ently some great but indefinite advantage was expected, were the plunder of the British post of New Providence, and a fruitless com- bat with the British ship Glasgow, on their homeward voyage, near the eastern end of Long Island.
The commodore re-entered New London harbor on the 8th of April ;2 he had taken seventy prisoners, eighty-eight pieces of can- non, and a large quantity of military and naval stores. Many of the heavy pieces of ordnance had arrived previously, in a sloop com- manded by Capt. Hinman.
Just at the period of the return of this fleet, the American army was on its way from Boston to New York.3 Gen. Washington met Commodore Hopkins at New London, April 9th. The brigade under
1 Cooper's Naval History.
2 New London Gazette.
3 Sparks' Life of Washington.
43*
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HISTORY OF NEW LONDON.
Gen. Greene was then here, ready to embark in transports. Wash- ington slept that night at the house of Nathaniel Shaw.1
Commodore Hopkins, immediately after his return, formed a plan for the capture of the Rose man-of-war, commanded by Sir James Wallace, then cruising upon the coast. Gen. Washington consented to furnish two hundred men to assist the enterprise, and the governor and council ordered the Defence and the Spy to join the squadron for the cruise.2 Thus reinforced, the commodore sailed to the east- ward; but his plans were not accomplished. Neither the details of the project, nor the cause of its failure, are now understood. The disappointed fleet went into port at Providence.
A large number of seamen belonging to the fleet, was left behind in New London, sick, and in the charge of Mr. Shaw. To him also was confided the care of the stores that had been disembarked.
Mr. Shaw to Governor Trumbull, April 25th.
" Inclosed is an invoice of the weight and size of thirty-four cannon received from Admiral Hopkins, ten of which are landed at Groton, viz. three twenty- four-pounders, two eighteen, and five twelve. The remainder are at New Lon- don. He has landed a great quantity of cannon ball. The mortars and shells General Washington desired might be sent to New York, and the Admiral has sent them. The remainder of the cannon are part sent to Newport, and part are on board the fleet, which he wants to carry to Newport. The nine-pound- ers are but ordinary guns, the others are all very good." -
To Francis Lewis, Esq., at Philadelphia, June 19th.
" I have received a letter from Commodore Hopkins, wherein he says that I was appointed by Congress as their agent for this port. I should be glad to have directions how to proceed. I am in advance at least a thousand pounds for supplies to the fleet and hospital in this town ; one hundred and twenty men were landed sick and wounded, twenty of which are since dead ; the remain- der have all since joined the fleet at Providence."
To Hon. John Hancock, President of Congress, July 31st.
" The cannon and stores delivered me by Commodore Hopkins, amount to £4,765, 4s. 10d. L. M.
Last Sunday, a ship sent in as a prize by Capt. Biddle, in the Andrew Doria, ran on the rocks near Fisher's Island, being chased by a British ship-of-war, and immediately a number of armed men from Stonington went on board, and as they say, prevented the man-of-war from destroying her. The next day,
1 The chamber in which he reposed, has been retained of the same size and finish, and even the furniture has been but little varied since. When La Fayette visited New London, in 1824, being shown into this room, he knelt reverently by the side of the bed, and remained a few minutes in silent prayer.
2 Hinman, p. 356.
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HISTORY OF NEW LONDON.
Capt. Hinman, in the Cabot, went to their assistance, and has saved and brought into port ninety hogsheads of rum, and seven of sugar; remainder of the cargo is lost. The Cabot has been lying here ever since Commodore Hop- kins set out for Philadelphia, with a fine brave crew, waiting for orders."
July 10th, 1776, Nathaniel Shaw, Jr., was appointed by the gov- ernor and council of safety, "agent of the colony for naval supplies and taking care of sick seamen." From this period during the re- mainder of the struggle, as an accredited agent of Congress and the colony, he furnished stores, negotiated the exchange of prisoners, provided for sick seamen, and exercised a general care for the public service in his native town. He was also engaged on his own account, as were also other prominent citizens of the place, in sending out pri- vate armed vessels to cruise against the enemy. These for a time met with a success which stimulated the owners to larger adventures, but in the end, three-fourths, and perhaps a larger proportion of all the private cruisers owned in New London were captured and lost.
At the May session of the Legislature in 1776, the governor was placed at the head of the naval and custom-house business of the col- ony, with power to appoint subordinate naval officers for the ports of New Haven, New London, Middletown and Norwalk. Duncan Stewart, the English collector, was still in New London, where he dwelt without other restraint than being forbidden to leave town, except by permission from the governor. That permission appears to have been granted whenever solicited. In 1776, he spent three months in New York upon parole, and in June, 1777, obtained leave to remove thither with his family and effects, preparatory to taking passage for England, to which country the governor granted him a passport. Permission was also given him at first to take with him the goods of Dr. Moffatt, late his majesty's controller of customs, but this was countermanded, representations having been made to the governor, that Dr. Moffatt had withdrawn from America in a hostile spirit, and had since been in arms against her. His goods, which consisted only of some household stuff of trifling value, were there- fore confiscated.
The populace took umbrage at the courtesies extended to the En- glish collector. At one time, when some English goods were brought from New York for the use of his family, the mob at first would not permit them to be landed, and afterward seizede and made a bonfire of them. The ringleaders in this outrage, were arrested and lodged in jail ; the jail-doors were broken down and they were released ; nor were the authorities in sufficient force to attempt a re-commit-
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HISTORY OF NEW LONDON.
ment. It was indeed a stirring season, and the restraints of law and order were weak as flax. It is however gratifying to know that Mr. Stewart was allowed to leave the place with his family, without any demonstration of personal disrespect.1 He departed in July, 1777.
[ Note on the Shaw Family. The elder Nathaniel Shaw was not a native of New London, but born in Fairfield, Ct., in 1703, to which place it is said, his father had removed from Boston. He came to New London before 1730, and was for many years a sea-captain in the Irish trade, which was then pursued to advantage. He had a brother, who sailed with him in his early voyages, but died on a return passage from Ireland, in 1732. Capt. Shaw married in 1730, Temperance Harris, a granddaughter of the first Gabriel Harris of New London, and had a family of six sons and two daughters, Three of the sons perished at sea, at different periods, aged twenty, twenty-one and twenty-two ; a degree of calamity beyond the common share of disaster, even in this com- munity, where so many families have been bereaved by the sea. The other sons lived to middle age. Sarah, the oldest child, married David Allen, and died at the age of twenty-five. Mary, the youngest, has already been mention- ed as the wife of the Rev. Ephraim Woodbridge; though dying at the age of twenty-four, she was the only one of Capt. Shaw's family who left descend- ants. The parents lived to old age. Capt. Shaw died in 1778 ; his relict in 1796.
Nathaniel Shaw, 2d, was the oldest son, and born Dec. 5th, 1735. He lived through the dark days of the Revolution, always active and enterprising, but was suddenly cut off by the accidental discharge of his own fowling-piece, be- fore the nation had received the seal of peace, April 15th, 1782. His wife pre- ceded him to the grave ; she died Dec. 11th, 1781, of a malignant fever taken from somc released prisoners, to whose necessities she ministered. ]
1 Duncan Stewart, Esq., married in Boston, Jan. 6th, 1767, Nancy, youngest daugh- ter of John Erving, Esq. They had three children born in New London-a daughter that died in infancy, as we learn from a small gravestone in the old burial-ground, and two sons that went to England with their parents in 1777. Mr. Stewart's resi- dence, with the adjoining custom-house, stood near the Cove, on Main Street; both were destroyed Sept. 6th, 1781. The site is now covered by the manufacturing estab- lisliment of Messrs. Albertson and Douglas.
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CHAPTER XXX.
MILITARY AFFAIRS.
The Militia .- Two companies from New London at Bunker Hill .- Nathan Hale .- Tories .- Cannonade of Stonington .- Fortification .- Building of Fort Trumbull .- Officers on duty .- Enlistments .- Marauders .- Smugglers .-- Shaving-mills .-- Various alarms .-- British fleets in the Sound .-- Exchange of prisoners .- Rumors and alarms of 1779 and 1750 .-- Notices of individual soldiers.
EARLY in the year 1775, an independent military company was formed in New London, under Capt. William Coit. It was well- trained and equipped, and held itself ready for any emergency. Im- mediately after the news of the skirmish at Lexington was received, this gallant band started for the scene of conflict. They encamped the first night on Norwich Green ; the second, on Sterling Hill, and the third in Providence. Another militia company went from those parts of the town which are now Waterford and Montville, under Major Jonathan Latimer; Capt. Abel Spicer with another from Gro- ton. Fifty towns in Connecticut sent troops to Boston on this occa- sion. In May, the General Assembly ordered remuneration to be made from the colonial treasury for expenses incurred in the Lexing- ton alarm, and the quota of New London was £251, 18s. 6d. This amount is the fifth highest on the list. Windham stands first ; Wood- stock, from whence Capt. Samuel McLellan turned out with forty - five mounted men is next ; then Lebanon, Suffield, New London.1
Under the old organization, the militia of New London belonged to the third Connecticut regiment, and in 1774, the field-officers of this regiment were Gurdon Saltonstall, of New London, colonel ; Jabez Huntington, of Norwich, lieut. colonel, and Samuel H. Par- sons, major. Major Parsons was of Lyme, but at that time residing
1 State Records, (Hinman,) p. 23.
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HISTORY OF NEW LONDON.
in New London, in the practice of the law, being king's attorney for New London county. In April, 1775, six new regiments were formed, and the promotions after this period were so rapid, that it is difficult to keep pace with the grade of the officers. Every new re- quisition for volunteers, was followed by changes among the commis- sioned officers, and generally by an advance in rank.
In June, one of the six newly raised regiments, under the command of Col. Parsons, was reviewed in New London. This is believed to have been the first regimental training in this state, east of Connecti- cut River. Two companies of this regiment, the fourth and fifth, were raised in New London, and of these William Coit and James Chapman-names which by their townsmen were considered synon- ymous with patriotism and hardy gallantry, were captains.1
These two companies marched immediately to Boston, and took part in the battle of Bunker Hill.2 Of Capt. Coit's company, Jede- diah Hide was first lieutenant, James Day second lieutenant, William Adams ensign. Of Capt. Chapman's company, the corresponding officers were Christopher Darrow, John Raymond and George Lati- mer. Capt. Coit, soon after the battle, entered into the navy, and was appointed, by Congress, to the command of the schooner Harrison, fitted out in Boston Bay, to cruise against the enemy.3
1 State Records, (Hinman,) p. 169.
2 The following minutes of the day before the battle, were copied from the origin- als preserved in the sergeant's family, by the late Thomas Shaw Perkins. They are inserted here as memorials of one of the New London companies that fought at Bun ker's Hill.
" Sergeant Fargo's report to the Sergeant Major of Capt. Coit's company-4th company, in 6th regiment, under Col. Parsons of the Connecticut line.
"June 16, 1775. Morning Report.
" Main guard 18. Barrack Guard 7. Sick 9. Servants 4. Present 68. Total 106. Signed, Moses Fargo. Orderly Sergeant.
" General Orders, June 16, 1775.
" Parole, Lebanon; Countersign, Coventry.
" Field Officer of the day, Col. Nixon.
" Field Officer of the Picquet, Major Brooks.
" Field Officer of the Main-Guard, Lt. Col. Hutchinson.
" Adjutant to-morrow, Holden.
" Draft Capt. Coit's company-one subaltern, nine privates for the picquet guard : one sergeant and seven privates for the advance guard to-night. Sergeant Edward Hallam is detailed to this service."
3 Frothingham's Siege of Boston, p. 260. Capt. Coit, claimed to be "the first man in the states who turned his majesty's bunting upside down." This was a current be- lief at the time, and has been preserved by tradition, but its correctness at this dis- tance of time can not be determined. The Harrison was certainly one of the first ves- sels commissioned by Congress, and may have been the first to take a prize.
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HISTORY OF NEW LONDON.
In July, two more regiments were raised in Connecticut, under Col. Charles Webb, and Col. Jedediah Huntington. Of Webb's regiment, Jonathan Latimer, Jr., was major and captain of the third company, having for his first lieutenant, Nathan Hale,1 who at the time of re- ceiving his commission, sustained the office of preceptor of the Union Grammar School, in New London.
It has been frequently asserted that when the news of the battle at Lexington arrived in town, Nathan Hale immediately dismissed his scholars, harangued the citizens, and marching for Boston with the company of Capt. Coit, took part in the battle of Bunker Hill. This statement is not entirely accurate ; his proceedings were marked with more calmness and maturity of judgment. He had taken an active part in all the patriotic measures of the inhabitants, but not till he had been tendered a commission in the army, which was subsequent to the battle of Bunker Hill, did he decide to relinquish his office of preceptor before the expiration of the time for which he was engaged. His letter to the proprietors of the school, announcing his purpose, was dated Friday, July 17th, 1775. In this communication, he ob- serves, that the year for which he had engaged would expire in a fortnight ; but as he had received information that a place was allot- ted to him in the army, he asked as a favor to be excused immedi- ately. Before the close of July, the regiments of Webb and Hunt- ington were ordered to Boston, where they were placed under the commander-in-chief. Lieutenant Hale shortly afterward received a captain's commission.
Those who knew Capt. Hale in New London, have described him as a man of many agreeable qualities ; frank and independent in his bearing; social, animated, ardent ; a lover of the society of ladies, and a favorite among them. Many a fair cheek was wet with bitter tears, and gentle voices uttered deep execrations on his barbarous foes, when tidings of his untimely fate were received.
As a teacher, Capt. Hale is said to have been a firm disciplinarian, but happy in his mode of conveying instruction, and highly respected by his pupils. The parting scene made a strong impression on their minds. He addressed them in a style almost parental; gave them earnest counsel, prayed with them, and shaking each by the hand, bade them individually farewell.
The summer of 1776 was noted for the large number of arrests of persons charged with toryism. Many of these were brought to New
1 State Records, (Hinman,) p. 186.
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HISTORY OF NEW LONDON.
London, and from thence sent into the interior of the state, to keep them from intercourse with the enemy. In August, three vessels arrived in one week, with persons arrested on Long Island and in New York city. After a short confinement in the jail, they were forwarded to Norwich and Windham, for safe keeping. Green's newspaper sometimes announced them as " gangs of miscreants," and again as "gentlemen tories." In the interior towns, they were allowed to go at large, within certain limits, and most of them after a few months were permitted to return to their homes.
On the 25th of July, three British ships of war came athwart New London harbor and anchored : these were the Rose, commanded by Capt. Wallace ; the Swan, and the King-fisher. This was a virtual blockade, and created much alarm. The town had no defense ex- cept the spirit of her inhabitants. The sole strength of the fort was its garrison, which consisted mostly of captains and mates of vessels that lay unemployed at the wharves. No other commander on this coast acquired a renown so odious as Capt. Wallace. He was the terror of the small ports and small vessels, capturing and plundering without discrimination, and threatening various points with attack. On the 30th of August, he verified his threats by a cannonade of the thriving village of Stonington, Long-point. On this exposed penin- sula, about half a mile in length, formerly a moiety of the Chese- brough farm, a hardy company of mariners and artisans had clustered together, and acquired a creditable share of the trade of the Sound. The tender of the Rose, whose business it was to destroy every thing in the shape of keel or sail that came in its way, pursued one of its victims to the wharf of the village. The citizens eagerly collected for its defense. Capt. Benjamin Pendleton, and other brave and true men were there, and the tender was soon driven from its prey. But the Rose came up, and without summons or communication of any kind, opened her broadside upon the village. She continued firing at intervals for several hours, until the pursued vessel was cut out and conveyed away. Only sound shot were used, and therefore no houses took fire, though several were much shattered by the balls. One man was wounded but none killed.1
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