USA > Connecticut > Windham County > History of Windham County, Connecticut, Volume II, 1760-1880 > Part 18
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stock and the north and central companies of Killingly were included in the eleventh regiment-Ebenezer Williams, Colonel ; William Dan ielson, Major. Lebanon was included in the twelfth regiment, and Union in the twenty-second. A troop of horse was attached to each regiment. Company trainings were held at least once a month during the winter, and special preparation made for the projected parade in April. Liberty-poles were set up in many of the towns with appro- priate exercises. A great crowd assembled on Killingly hill and hoisted two long sticks of timber united by a couple of cross-ties. From the top of this high pole a flag was flung to the breeze, deco- rated with a rising sun and other suggestive devices. A stray English- man who had settled in the neighborhood smiled scornfully at the demonstrations. " Ah," said he, "yon know nothing of Old England : she will come and cut down your liberty pole for yon."
No event of especial significance occurred during the winter. The colonists waited for the session of Parliament to learn the effect of appeals and statements made by Congress to the king and people of Great Britain. That body when convened showed little spirit of con- ciliation, and it was soon manifest that no redress of grievances could be expected. Yet unless such redress was guaranteed farther collision was unavoidable. The colonists saw no course but persistent and more effective resistance. Such preparation was made as circumstances per mitted ; ammunition was gathered up, the prescribed military exer cises faithfully performed, the rights and principles for which they were contending more earnestly examined and discussed. It was no light matter to rise up against the government of Great Britain, the lawful government to which they owed allegiance, and could only be justified by supreme necessity. This winter of 1774-75 was one of "sober second thought " to the citizens of Windham County. Rest- ing from their summer toils and raids, they now had time to ask them- selves on what grounds are we preparing to take up arms against our rightful sovereign. A little book opportunely brought to public no- tice answered this query in a most comprehensive, conclusive and satisfactory manner :- " English Liberties, or the Freeborn Subject's Inheritance "-a compendium of the laws and rights "bought and vindicated by Englishmen at the expense of much blood and treasure," comprising Magna Charta, the Habeas Corpus Act, a Declaration of the Liberty of the Subject, and much other kindred matter-was pub- lished in England in 1691, and so favorably received that in thirty years it had reached a fifth edition. An edition of this priceless work was issued by John Carter, of Providence, in 1774, and extensively cir- culated as " a campaign document." No better evidence could be given of Windham's intense interest in the pending struggle than her de-
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PREPARATION FOR THE CONFLICT, ETC.
mand, when money was so scarce and books so rarely purchased, for more than a hundred and twenty copies of this compilation .* These plain, rough spoken country farmers meant to know for what they were fighting. They took their stand upon their right as British subjects to the privileges won by their fathers, and were ready to sacrifice their lives and fortunes to secure their confirmation. Fortified with argu- ments and equipped with arms and ammunition, they were well pre- pared for the contest that awaited them. Many circumstances gave Windham County unusual prominence at this juncture, and enabled her to render most effective aid to the patriot cause. The towns of Lebanon, Mansfield, Coventry and Union were then included in her territory. Among her citizens were JONATHAN TRUMBULL and ISRAEL PUTNAM, Connecticut's honored governor and the most popular military officer in America. And in addition to these great leaders she was favored with men in every town who seemed to have been raised up expressly to meet this exigency, brave soldiers and wise civilians, men of valor and men of judgment, alike endned with ardent self-sacrificing patriot ism. She had a stalwart, sturdy body of yeomanry, united as one man in devotion to the patriot cause. She had a learned, able and faithful ministry, in full sympathy with the people, and ready to en- courage, strengthen and sustain them. She had women with strong hands and resolute hearts, urging the men to action, and willing to bear all the additional burdens that might be brought upon them. Her geographical position was favorable, remote from sea board alarms and revenue entanglements, yet on the main thoroughfares of travel between the larger towns-posts from Boston to Hartford and
* Names of Windham County subscribers :-
Joseph Allen, Ebenezer Backus, Edmund Badger, Hezekiah Bissell, Benja- min Dyer, Joshua Elderkin, Royal Flint, Andrew French, Ebenezer Gray, Esq., Stephen Greenleaf, Capt. Jabez Huntington, John Ripley, Jacob Simons, John Walden, Jun., Nath. Wales, Jun. Esq., Nath. Wales 3d, Nath. Warren, Windham. John B. Adams, Peleg Brewster, Elijah Bennet, Nathaniel Clark, Gideon Carver, Capt. Aaron Cleveland, William Foster, Jabez Fitch, Jun., Abel Lyon, Rev. Nathaniel Niles, Nath. Satterlee, Joshua Tracey, Nathan Waldo, Asa Witter, Elijah Williams, Canterbury. Capt. James Bradford, Lieut. Andrew Backus, Isaac Coit, William Dixon, Esq., Robert Kinsman, Rev. Alexander Miller, Elisha Paine, Esq., Elisha Perkins, Plainfield. Eben- ezer Dow, John Dixon, Voluntown. Benjamin Converse, David Day, Noah Elliott, Perley llowe, Ebenezer Knight, Rev. Noadiah Russel, 6, George Rob- inson, James Thurber, Joseph Torrey, Capt. Benj. Wilkinson, Killingly. Samuel Craft, Thomas Cotton, 6, Thomas Grosvenor, Esq., Caleb Grosvenor, Ebenezer Holbrook, Esq., John Jefferd, 6, William Osgood, Esq., John Park- hurst, Jun., Rev. Aaron Putnam, Amasa Sessions, Alexander Sessions, Daniel Tyler, Ebenezer Williams, Esq., Thomas Williams, Esq .. Rev. Josiah Whit- ney, Pomfret. Nathaniel Clark, Nath. Child, Esq., 6, John Goodell, Jun., Capt. David Holmes, Asa Lyon, Jedidiah Morse, 6, Nath. Marcy 6, Hadlock Marcy, Esq., 6, Ebenezer Paine, Joseph Peake, Jun., 6, Rev. Stephen Wil- liams, Woodstock. Elijah Whiton, Esq., Ashford.
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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
New York, and from Providence to Norwich and New London, pass ing over her highways. Her resources* had largely increased since the war of 1756. Trade and enterprise had been lively. Food and clothing were far more abundant. She had sheep enough for home use and consumption, and to spare great flocks to the needy. Despite the large emigration, she had added more than eight thousand to her population as shown by Connecticut's second census, taken in 1774.f
Practically this population was a unit at this juncture, and in this unity lay, perhaps, Windham's greatest strength. Opposition if it existed, dared not or cared not to show itself openly. The few tories within her towns were mostly recent emigrants, like Malbone and Stevens, with little sympathy or influence with the people, and taking no part in the administration of town affairs. A notable and most unhappy exception, was the high-sheriff of the county. Colonel Eleazer Fitch of Windham. Having served in the French war under the commission of King George, a sense of honor and loyalty forbade him to turn against his master and former comrades. Friendly ties attached him to the British army. The roughness and bluntness of the ardent patriots shocked his fine taste ; their vehement denuncia- tions and violent onslaughts outraged his sense of justice; yet his official position. his business and family connections, his true regard for his own countrymen, made open opposition impossible. He therefore held himself aloof from public affairs, voiceless in the general hubbub, unable to affiliate with patriots or loyalists. His high position and great personal popularity saved him as yet from violence and inspectorial visitation. "Everybody loved Colonel Fitch." and hoped he might be brought to share in the popular sympathies, and most earnest efforts were made by Governor Trumbull, his former partner in business, and
* Grand List of Windham County towns in 1775 :-
Ashford, .
£17,273 11 3
Voluntown,
13,801
4
Canterbury,
20,730
Windham, .
32,222 10 7
Killingly,
27,907 12 4
Woodstock,
20.800
Plainfield,
14,216 16
Pomfret,
27,711 12 4
£174,665
t TOWNS.
WHITES.
BLACKS.
TOWNS.
WHITES.
BLACKS.
Ashford,
2,228
13
Voluntown,
. 1,476
35
Canterbury,
2,892
52
Coventry,
. 2,032
24
Killingly,
3.439
47
Lebanon,
3,841
119
Plainfield,
1.479
83
Mansfield,
2.443
23
Pomfret. .
2.241
65
Union, .
512
2
Windham,
3.437
91
Woodstock,
1,974
80
27,494
634
Taking from this list the towns afterward affixed to other counties, the population of the towns now embraced in Windham County was 18,666 whites, 466 blacks.
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PREPARATION FOR THE CONFLICT, ETC.
other patriot leaders, to overcome his scruples and induce him to esponse their canse.
Windham's forbearance towards Colonel Fitch was quite excep- tional. It was scarcely safe for a resident or visitant of this belligerent township to be suspected of the slightest proclivity towards toryism. Any deviation from the Non-Importation Agreement, or from the popular standard of patriotic duty, might subject one to a visit from official inspectors, the publishment of his name in the New London Gazette as an enemy to his country, or even to some outrageous per- sonal infliction. The use of tea was especially offensive to the public. All the indignation that justly belonged to the concocters of the im- post was wreaked upon the innocent herb that seemed to be looked npon as the root of all evil, a more baleful gift to mankind than Eve's original apple. "Another great cargo of tea," writes Putnam to Trumbull, "so that we are to be plagued with that detested weed -nothing but a Non-Consumption Agreement can save America." Windham village, so fierce against suspected spies, was equally severe upon her own children. Jeremiah Clark, a most useful and industrious citizen, had opened a little trade with Newport, exchanging butter and domestic commodities for sugar, molasses or other articles, by means of two deep boxes put in a bag and laid across the back of his horse. Whether with or without cause. suspicion was aroused that he was smuggling tea into the town, whereupon the neighbors assembled with tar and feathers, intercepted him on his way homeward, and only released him after they had made sure by thorough search that no con- traband goods were included in his budget. Even the sacred office and avowed patriotism of the reverend minister of Scotland Parish did not save him from very serious annoyance for a very trifling indulgence. His household was visited by severe affliction-the distressing sickness of Mrs. Cogswell's youngest daughter, Betsey Devotion, a very beauti- ful and interesting young woman, greatly admired and beloved, who in March, 1775, was seized suddenly with malignant fever and died in a few days. The bereaved parents, greatly overcome by the loss and shock, were persuaded by sympathizing friends to indulge in the soothing stimulus of a cup of tea. Their delinquency was soon made public. Mr. Cogswell was informed that they would be reported to the Committee of Inspection. He immediately waited upon that body, and by certificates from the attendant physicians, that the tea had been taken as a medical prescription, was able to satisfy them; but the general public was not so easily appeased. Aggrieved patriots con- tinued to express their resentment by staying at home from church and open remonstrance. doughty old farmers rode over from Pudding Hill with rebuke and grumble, and sharp-tongued goodwives did not
144
HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
hesitate to assure their minister that the public would not be satisfied without a public confession and apology from the pulpit. Some insisted that his name and offence should be published in the Norwich Packet and New London Gazette. Poor Mr. Cogswell, always ner- vously sensitive to public opinion, was greatly annoyed and distressed by these manifestations of displeasure, which continued till the great news from Lexington swept away all minor excitements.
The rencontre between the king's troops and the provincials occurred on Wednesday morning, April 19. A post was dispatched from Watertown at 10 A. M., charged to alarm the people as far as the Connecticut line, "that the British have landed two brigades, have already killed six men and wounded four others, and are on their march into the country." A copy of this dispatch was forwarded by the town clerk of Worcester to Daniel Tyler, Jun., Brooklyn, who received it about 8 o'clock on Thursday morning, and sent it on by post to Norwich, while messengers on horseback, with beating drums, carried the news in all directions about the county. Putnam, plow- ing in the pleasant April morning, heard the joyful summons, and "loitered not " but left his young son, Daniel, "the driver of his team, to unyoke it in the furrow," and hurried off for consultation with town committees and military officers. A second express, via. Woodstock, was brought to Colonel Ebenezer Williams, Pomfret, at 3 P. M., and forwarded at once to Colonel Obadiah Johnson of Canter- bury, with a postscript stating that a merchant "just returned from Boston, via. Providence, informs that a thousand of our troops had surrounded the first brigade-50 of our men killed and 100 regulars. It would be expedient for every man to go who is fit and willing."
This summons was swiftly borne to every part of Windham County, and found thousands ready to meet it. Nearly all its male population were not only " fit and willing," but most eager to hurry to the rescue ; yet there was no headlong rush, no undue precipitation. Putnam, on returning from his consultory tour, found hundreds of men already assembled on Brooklyn Green, awaiting his orders. He bade them wait till regularly called out as militia, and march with their respective regiments as had already been arranged with the military officers of the County, and without rest or special refreshment started at sunset on his memorable night ride to Cambridge. There is some evidence that Killingly received the news at a still earlier hour on Thursday morning by a direct express from Boston, brought to the house of Mr. Hezekiah Cutler. He arose from his bed and fired his gun three times to give the aların, and before sunrise, with fifteen men, had started for the battle-field.
Friday was spent in active preparation throughout the county. The
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PREPARATION FOR THE CONFLICT, ETC.
Fifth Regiment was to rendezvous in Pomfret; companies from the other regiments to hasten on as soon as they could be properly mus- tered. Officers were riding rapidly around in every direction with their warnings, bullets were run, accoutrements and rations provided. Many, especially in the northern towns, snatched their guns and marched off without waiting formal orders. Killingly's stock of pow- der was stored in the meeting-house, under the charge of Hezekiah Cutler, who had left orders that each volunteer should be furnished with half a pound. and the house was thronged all day with squads of men coming from all parts of the town to claim their portion and march onward to Cambridge. Early on Saturday, April 22, Lieuten- ant-Colonel Storrs led " sundry of ye troop" to Windham Green, and " had a further conference with Colonel Elderkin with respect to our disposition of the regiment." Selected companies from Coventry. Mansfield and Windham were already on the ground, ready to march, and hundreds of joyful spectators were coming in to see the men and cheer them on their way. Officers and companies " attended prayers in the meeting-house," led by the reverend ministers of the town. It was nearly sunset before they set off for Pomfret. They were passed on the road by Colonel Parsons of Lyme, hurrying on to Boston : found the companies from Canada Parish and Ashford awaiting them -the former led by Captain James Stedman. Ashford's picked com- pany of seventy-eight had chosen Thomas Knowlton for its Captain. Late as it was, the regiment paraded before dismissal. The officers were entertained by Mr. Ebenezer Grosvenor, the men bivouacked wherever it was convenient. It was a night much to be remembered in Pomfret throughout all generations. News of the military rendez- vous had been widely circulated, and men were thronging in from all parts of Windham County. That sacred Sabbath morning witnessed a strange spectacle-more than a thousand men offering themselves in sacrifice. There were veterans from the old French war, filled with martial and patriotic enthusiasm, and young men yet untried, equally eager to show their zeal for the cause of liberty. Many, as they looked upon this great company so full of spirit and self-sacrificing devotion, could exclaim with Adams and Hancock-"O. what a glorious morning is this ! "
The officers of the regiment were embarrassed by the great num- bers that presented themselves, and doubtful about maintaining their regimental exclusiveness. They sent for the Rev. Mr. Putnam to pray with the companies, and " after prayer formed a hollow square and communicated to the regiment orders from Colonel Elderkin." The
19
146
HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
following letter received the day previous may have been also com- municated :-
" CONCORD, April 21.
To Colonel Ebenezer Williams :
Sir,-I have waited on the committee of the Provincial Congress, and it is their Determination to have a standing Army of 22,000 men from the New England Colonies, of which, it is supposed. the Colony of Connecticut must raise 6,000, and begs they would be at Cambridge as speedily as possible, with Conveniences; together with Provisions, and a Suffleieney of Ammuni- tion for their own Use.
The Battle here is much as has been represented at Pomfret, except that there is more killed and a Number more taken Prisoners.
The Accounts at present are so confused that it is impossible to ascertain the number exact, but shall inform you of the proceedings, from Time 10 Time, as we have new occurrences; mean time I am, Sir, your humble servant,
ISRAEL PUINAM.
N. B .- The Troops of Horse are not expected to come until further notice."
The regiment was then dismissed till 1 P. M., while the officers held a council. During this interval religions services were doubtless held in the great meeting-house, thronged we may well suppose with eager, anxious listeners. It was agreed by the council "to take out one-fifth of the companies, and order the overplus (of ten present) to return home. Divided the remainder into three companies and their officers."" How this selection and division were accomplished is not apparent. The whole Ashford company and a larger number from Pomfret, under Captain Ingalls-Eleventh Regiment-appear to have been chosen, which would leave but a small proportion from the other companies. The greater part of the volunteers were thus sent home. The elect fifth, selected probably like Gideon's three hundred, in con- sideration of their special fitness for military service, set out on the march at about 5 P. M. Mounted officers led the little band and some twelve or fifteen men with pack horses followed. Lient .- Colonel Storrs accompanied them to Moulton's tavern at Woodstock, where they passed the night, and on to Dudley the next morning, when feel- ing that Providence called more loudly to duties in Connecticut, he left them to pursue their way under charge of Major Brown and Captain Knowlton. Their orderly and soldierly bearing attracted great attention on their march, and they were received at Cambridge with special distinction as the first trained companies that had come from abroad to the aid of Massachusetts.
Detached companies and squads of men from varions towns had preceded this body. The " troops of horse " under Captain Mcclellan, had gone in advance of Putnam's message. Lient. Keyes, Corporal Seth Grosvenor, and Albigence Waldo, clerk, were all from Pomfret. Perley Howe, Killingly, served as cornet, John Flynn, Woodstock,
* Colonel Storrs' manuscript.
Janmillian
J :- Heltotype Printing Co. 211 Tremont StE .st r.
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PREPARATION FOR THE CONFLICT, ETC.
trumpeter. Each town furnished its due portion of troopers. Other men and companies followed on as rapidly as possible till more than a thousand men were accredited to Windham County .* The great regimental muster planned for April, was transferred from Windham Green to Cambridge. In some towns every able-bodied man obeyed the call. Killingly was left so destitute as to subject those who remained at home to a serions fright and panic. Colonel Malbone's sharp tongue and open toryism had made him a terror in the north part of the county. It had been currently reported and believed that he had privately drilled and equipped his negroes, and intended to take up arms for the King when the hour of conflict came, and amid all the agitation and anxieties of the first alarm, word came to Killingly Hill that " Malbone's niggers " were close at han.l, burning and butchering everything before them. "Our house," says an eye witness, f " was filled with trembling, frightened women and children. There was not a fire-arm or weapon in the place, and only a few aged men. I remember they prepared kettles of heated water, and the boys were stationed as sentinels to give timely notice of their approach. My place was the top of my grandfather [Cutler's] gambrel-roofed house, but we saw no negroes, nor indeed anybody else, for the place seemed deserted." Other women in Windham County passed the day in very different fashion. There was exultant joy and thanksgiving in many a household. Rachel Abbe of Windham, now Mrs. Samnel McClellan, shared in the patriotic fervor which so characterized the women of her native town, and after fitting out her husband and his horsemen, she set out memorial trees in honor of the joyful occasion. Four sapling elms brought up on horseback from the old Windham homestead, were carefully transplanted into the soil of Woodstock-two in front of her dwelling and two on the slope of the adjoining com- mon. Nurtured with care and pains they soon took root and flourished and for more than an hundred years have told the story of Lexington. True trees of Liberty, they have grown up with the Nation, and still
* Woodstock, 140 men under Captains Benjamin and Daniel Lyon, Ephraim Manning, Nathaniel Marcy and Lieut. Mark Elwell, together with her pro- portion of the troops of horse; Captain Mcclellan. Windham, 159 men ; Captains William Warner, James Stedman, John Kingsley, Lient. Melatiah Bingham. Canterbury, 70 men; Captains Aaron Cleveland, Joseph Burgess and Sherebiah Butts. Union, 26 men; Captain Thomas Lamson. Ashford, 78 men ; Captain Thomas Knowlton. Pomfret, 89 men ; Captain Zebulon Ingalls. Plainfield, 54 men; Captain Andrew Backus. Killingly, 146 men; Major William Danielson, Captains Joseph Cady and Joseph Elliott. Coventry, more than a hundred men ; Major Thomas Brown, Lient. Joseph Talcott. Lebanon, Captain Daniel Tilden, men not given. Mansfield, Lient .- Col. Experience Storrs, Capt. Jonathan Nichols, men not given. Brooklyn Parish ; Colonel Putnam. Canterbury ; Lieut .- Colonel Obediah Johnson.
t Manuscript of Judge Ephraim Cutler, Marietta, Ohio, 1820.
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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
stand in majestic beauty, living witnesses to the patriotism and devo tion of the women of Windham County.
Wednesday, April 26, the General Assembly of Connecticut met in adjourned session at Hartford. After securing and storing a quantity of powder for Mansfield, and " fitting off a wagon load of provisions after our people" in camp, Lieut .- Col. Storrs was ready to aid in public deliberations. A committee had been already sent to New York to learn the disposition of the people there. With characteristic caution the Assembly avoided for a time any direct recognition of the revolutionary proceedings in Massachusetts, but appointed Capt. Joseph Trumbull and Amasa Keyes a committee "to procure provi- sions for the families of those who had gone to the relief of the peo- ple at the Bay, and to superintend the delivery and apportioning the same among them." As the transmission of correct reports was a matter of great importance, Thaddeus Burr, of Fairfield, and Charles Church Chandler, of Woodstock, were authorized at the expense of the Colony, to employ two news-carriers to perform regular stages from Fairfield to Woodstock, and from Woodstock to Fairfield, so as to arrive in Hartford each Saturday, and forward all proper intelli- gence through the country with all convenient speed. Gurdon Salton- stall, of New London, was also anthorized to engage two news-carriers to perform regular stages from Woodstock to New Haven, in such manner that they should severally arrive in New London on each Saturday, and forward all their intelligence every Monday morning to Woodstock and New Haven. These gentlemen were also authorized to forward at the public expense all such extraordinary and important intelligence as should appear proper, and necessary. Colonel Storrs reports :- " Bad weather for Tories in the House; yet we have some. April 27. Resolved on ye Grand question of making preparation in ye Colony for our defence, appointed a large committee, two from each County, to prepare a bill for our guide. Was appointed one of a committee to direct the commissaries in their duty at present. We are rejoiced to hear that the Yorkers are united with us in the cause, as we find they have secured the arms of that city."
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