USA > Connecticut > Litchfield County > Woodbury > History of ancient Woodbury, Connecticut : from the first Indian dead in 1659 to 1854 > Part 20
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189
HISTORY OF ANCIENT WOODBURY.
weakened strength of the town. But they met the call with a ready zeal, and an undaunted perseverance. Large bounties were offered to those who would enlist, and heavy taxes laid on the property of the inhabitants who were not liable to military duty, or did not en- list into the army. Immediately on the reception of the order for new levies of troops, the town was convened in lawful meeting and had the following action :
" A: a Legal meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Woodbury April 3d, 1777 :
" Daniel Sherman, Esq., was Chosen Moderator. Voted, that the Select men in this Town for the time being be a Comtee as is specified in the Resolve Issued by his Honour the Governour and Committee of Safety. Dated Mareh the 15th 1777, to take Care of such Soldier's Famelys, as shall Inlist into the Continental Army,
" Voated, that Each Able Bodied Effective man, who hath or shall volunta- rily Inlist into the Continental Army in such way and Manner toward makeing the Quota of this Town for the space of Three years, or during the War, shall be Intitled to Receive out of the publick Treasury of this Town the sum of Twenty Shillings Lawful money, as an Addition to Each month's Wages he shall continue in the service, to be paid to him, or his order, at the End of Each six month's serviss." 1
This was in addition to the wages the soldier received from the authorities of the confederation, and a tax of eight pence on the pound was at the same meeting laid " on the Poles and Rateable Es- tate of the Inhabitants" to pay the bounty thus offered. It will be seen that this order was given by the governor, with the advice and consent of the " Council of Safety." This council was appointed annually by the Assembly, and was composed of from nine to four- teen of the most distinguished men in the state, whose duty it was to assist the governor, when the assembly was not in session ; with authority to direct the militia and navy of the state, marches and stations of the troops, either in whole or in part, and give all neces- sary orders for furnishing said militia, troops and navy, in every re- spect, to render the defence of the state effectual ; to fulfil and exe- cute every trust already reposed by the assembly in the governor, with power and authority in the governor to notify and convene the whole of said council on all important occasions. But in cases where necessity and safety required immediate action, or on small matters, the governor, at his discretion, was authorized to convene a part of said council, not less than five, to aet with him. The per diem al-
1 Town Journal.
190
HISTORY OF ANCIENT WOODBURY.
lowance to each of the council for this service, including their ex- penses, was settled at eight shillings per day. Woodbury was for four years from May, 1777, represented in this council, by Daniel Sherman.1 His colleagues the first year were Hon. Matthew Gris- wold, William Pitkin, Roger Sherman, Abraham Davenport, Wil- liam Williams, Titus Hosmer, Benjamin Payne, Gen. James Wads- worth, Benj. Huntington, William Hillhouse, Thaddeus Burr, Na- thaniel Wales, Jr., and Andrew Adams. A more brilliant array of names, perhaps, could not have been selected. This committee were frequently in session, and the most responsible, arduous and difficult details of the service were confided to their care. Perhaps no body of men of similar numbers contributed more by wise councils and vigorous action to the success of the general cause than this. For his attendance and services during the years 1777 and 1778, Daniel Sherman's bill was £56, 8s., showing an attendance of 141 days, at the established price. He was called to Hartford on public duties four times during 1779, and was in attendance forty-five days.
Daniel Sherman was perhaps the most distinguished man that had arisen in the town previous to his day. He was a descendant of Samuel Sherman, of Stratford, who emigrated to this country from England, in company with his brother Rev. John Sherman, and his nephew, Capt. John Sherman, ancestor of Hon. Roger Sherman. He was a justice of the quorum for twenty-five years, and judge of the Litchfield County Court five years from 1786. For sixteen years he was probate clerk for the district of Woodbury, and judge of that district thirty-seven years. He represented his native town in the General Assembly sixty-five sessions,? retaining the unbound- ed confidence of his fellow-citizens. This was by far the longest pe- riod of time any one has ever represented the town. He was a man
1 Hinman's Revolution.
2 Mr. Sherman was a representative at the May Session of the General Assembly in 1791, and, it is related, desired to be elected to the October Session of the same year, in order to make the full number of thirty-three years that he would then have represented the town. But at the time of the election for the October Session, the moderator of the meeting happened to think that he had had his share of honors, and in order to turn the tide of feeling in Mr. Sherman's favor against him, if possible, when he made proclamation that the ballot box was open for the reception of votes, remarked in a loud tone of voice, " Gentlemen, the box is now open; you will please to bring in your ballots for him whom you will have for your first representative-Hon. Daniel Sherman, of course !" This simple incident gave a change to the popular cur- rent, and on counting the votes it was found that Hon. Nathaniel Smith was elected instead of Mr. Sherman.
191
HISTORY OF ANCIENT WOODBURY.
of commanding powers of mind, of sterling integrity, and every way qualified for the various public trusts confided to his care. He died at a good old age, full of honors, and was followed by the affection- ate recollections of the inhabitants of the town among whom he had so long lived.
One inducement which the town held out to men to enlist into the army, besides increased wages, was a provision which required it to take care of and support their families during their absence in their country's service. Committees were annually appointed to carry this provision into effect. At the annual town meeting, Dec. 20, 1779, the committee thus appointed consisted of
" James Judson, John Minor, Elisha At wood, Jehiel Preston, Alexander Kas- son, Moses Galpin, Amos Martin, Jonathan Mitchell, Eleazur Knowles, Gideon Hicok, Israel Minor & Isaac Hunt."
In Mareli, 1780, Solomon Minor, Thaddeus JJudson, Jonathan Jnd- son and Daniel Tuttle were added to this committee. In December, the same year, the following persons were " Chosen a Committee to provide for the Soldiers' Wives :"
" Elisha Stoddard, Willm Preston, Solomon Strong, Thos Smith, Jonas Mar- tin, Dea. Stephen Curtiss, Alexander Kascon, Jaº Kasson, Jr., Thos Roots and John Hunt."
In March, 1782, Samuel Carr was appointed on this committee in place of Thomas Smith, and Seth Stoddard, Jesse Roots, Capt. Timothy Judson and Capt. Nathaniel Tuttle added to it. In December of the same year, Ebenezer Bird, Elisha Stoddard, David Mitchell, John Martin, and Amos Martin were appointed to take care of the families of the absent soldiers. March 3, 1783, Barzillai Hendee and Lee Terrill were added to this committee. From a return to the Gen- eral Assembly, Oct. 22, 1783, we learn that £2,718, 7s. 8d. worth of provisions had been furnished to soldiers' families by one man, John Sherman. Such was the care of the town to support and defend those nearest and dearest to the brave men, who were manfully fight- ing the battles, and consecrating with their blood every battle-field of their country. Those who went forth to war suffered extreme hardships, in common with their brethren from other parts of our country, and those who remained at home, suffered hardships scarcely less severe, in the heavy taxes to be paid for the soldiers' bounties, and the support of their families, while their own business was crip- pled and nearly ruined.
192
HISTORY OF ANCIENT WOODBURY.
No colony was more liberal in furnishing supplies than Connecti- cut. and Woodbury was a prominent point for their collection. The streets of the village, in those days, were piled high, on either side, with barrels and hogsheads of pork, beef, lard, flour, and other mili- tary stores for the use of the army. Nor was the supply of clothing of every kind, less profuse in quantity. In 1780, the selectmen were directed to give orders on the town treasury for all sums necessary for the purchase of clothing for all the soldiers in the Continental army from this town. Eleazur Knowles was appointed a committee to provide salt and other provisions for the soldiers. At this time it was difficult to obtain salt at any price, in sufficient quantities for the use of the army, and the inhabitants generally. On the 8th of Jan- uary, 1781, William Preston, Capt. Amos Hicock, Daniel Hinman, Waitstill Goodrich, and Samuel Hurd were appointed a committee . to " Provide Clothing for the Army." In July following, a tax of four pence on the pound was levied, to purchase " Beef Cattle" for the use of the soldiers, and Israel Stoddard was appointed to collect the tax, and buy the cattle.
The exact amount of provisions, furnished by the town, is not now known, but it may be estimated, from isolated facts that remain. In July, 1775, the selectmen furnished £10 worth of powder, lead and flints, for the companies under the command of Col. Ilinman and Capt. Tuttle, that marched to Ticonderoga. In 1776, the town fur- nished £102, 1s. 1d. worth of arms, saltpetre and lead.' Nov. 18, 1777, blankets and military stores to the amount of £46, 13s. 5d. were sent to the army by Capt. Nathan Stoddard and Lieut. John Strong. March 12, 1778, the selectmen furnished for the use of the soldiers, 159 pairs of shoes, 165 pairs of stockings, 144 woolen shirts, 6 linen shirts, 117 fulled overalls, 29 linen overalls, 2 great-coats, 1 pair of leather breeches, 1 pair of breeches and 1 vest ; the whole being valued at £763, 1s. Od. In 1779, the town petitioned the Gen- eral Assembly for liberty to " forward the clothing furnished" by its citizens, " directly to their own soldiers in camp," but whether the request was granted, and if so, what was the amount forwarded, is not known. Enough appears from the foregoing to assure us, that our revolutionary fathers were not wanting in labors and sacrifices in the cause of their country, even those of them exempt by disease or age, from going into actual service.
Besides the amount of provisions furnished for the army during the
1 State Archives, Rev. War, vol. 6.
193
HISTORY OF ANCIENT WOODBURY.
war, large quantities were purchased of the inhabitants of this and neighboring towns, by Shadrach Osborn, of Woodbury, who was assistant commissary of purchases, and also an issuing commissary. Ilis first service in this department was in 1775, when he purchased and furnished supplies to the army at Ticonderoga, in conjunction with Truman Hinman. He seems also to have acted, during that year, as a sutler to the army. The volume from which the following items are taken, is entitled " Truman Hinman & Shadrach Osborn's Book of Accounts Kept in Connectient Courancy-began at Ticon- deroga, June 21st 1775." The reason why it is supposed they acted as sutlers, on this occasion, is, that there are frequent entries on the book like the following :
" Col" Easton, Dr. Esq' palmer Dr.
To 1 Nip Brandy Toddy £0-0 -- 9 0-1 -- 6"
To 1 Bowl Brandy Toddy
They were with the army, and dealt out to the soldiers whatever they wanted. Shadrach Osborn's accounts, as regular assistant com- missary of purchases, begin with Nov. 17, 1777. IIe rendered his accounts to Col. Peter Colt, deputy commissary general of purchases, and by them we learn, that he expended in purchases as follows :
" From Nov. 17,
March 1, 1778
66
Mar Sept 2%, 1775 to
30 31 1777
to to to
Apl. 30, 1779
21573-02-54
Oct. 31, 1779 15475-02-10
Apl Oct.
1779 1779
Aug. 2, 1783 60523-06-4
£114313-18-72"
£2742-13-2 6079-13-7 Oct. 31, 1775 7620-00-0 66 Oct. 21 1795 to
3, 1775 to Sept. 25, 1775
This amount, at twenty shillings to the pound, would be more than $381,000. There were other expenditures and disbursements con- nected with his office, which were considerable, the exact amount of which cannot now be ascertained. Add to this the amount furnished by the authorities of the town, and we have more than half a million dollars worth of supplies, furnished by this town and vicinity towards the grand amount necessary to achieve our country's independence. This is indeed a showing of which any town may be proud.
All this was accomplished under the pressure of most unparalleled financial difficulties. The continental money, by means of British counterfeiting, and the unavoidable loss of credit, arising from so long and sanguinary a struggle, constantly depreciated, and at last became nearly valueless. By Mr. Osborn's accounts we see, that on the 30th of January, 1780, the depreciation was so great, that one dollar
194
HISTORY OF ANCIENT WOODBURY.
or pound in specie, was equal to thirty-three and one third of conti- nental money ; and in 1783, the ratio was one for seventy-two. We also find in these accounts, pork carried out at eight shillings per pound, tallow at twenty shillings, flour at eighteen pounds per cwt., and salt at one hundred dollars per bushel. Money had become an article in great demand, as early as 1774; so much so, that we find Elisha Steele, of Woodbury, petitioning the General Assembly in . that year for a reimbursement of two twenty shilling bills, which he had lost the year before while plowing, and which his hired man had found moulded and destroyed in his pocket-book. It would seem a very trivial loss, at the present day, but the matter engaged the at- tention of the legislature, and the prayer of the petition was granted. At the same session, a state certificate for £5, 10s. was reimbursed to Daniel Hinman, Jr., which had been burned with his house.1 This depreciation went on from bad to worse, till, at last, when the soldiers of the continental army were discharged after the peace of 1783, many of them were forced to beg their way home, their wages being searcely sufficient to buy them a dinner.
1775. But Woodbury, in a far more important manner, contrib- uted towards a successful issue of the dispute with Great Britain. This was accomplished by sending large numbers of her best sons to the field of battle. In the number and valor of her troops, it is be- lieved that few towns of similar territorial and numerical strength can vie with her. Their heroic deeds should grace a bright page of history. A list of nearly a thousand of her sons will be found in the succeeding pages of this volume, who "did battle for their country," and the list is by no means complete. It is believed that several hun- dred more names are irrecoverably lost, so that the pen of the histo- rian can not do them the justice they so hardly earned, and so richly merit. Their glorious achievements, their noble deeds, their peren- nial fame, survive ; but their names have perished. The sacred turf covers them, but the consecrated places may not be found to be wet with the grateful tears of a free and happy people. They sleep well; let them rest in their glory, till the final consummation of all things, when they shall be raised to a bright reward.
In April, 1775, after the battle of Lexington, there was an " alarm," called the " Lexington alarm," on which more than fifty towns sent companies of soldiers with all haste to the point of attack. Wood-
1 State Archives, Miscellaneous, vol. iii., p. 335.
195
HISTORY OF ANCIENT WOODBURY.
bury sent a full company on this occasion, but the roll is lost, and the names cannot be recorded.
At the commencement of the war, Col. Hinman's, or the 13th regiment of militia, comprised only the three towns of Woodbury, Kent and New Milford. From this regiment in 1775, marched eight companies to garrison Ticonderoga and Crown Point, after it had been taken by the gallant condnet of Ethan Allen and the brave men under his command. The precise proportion of these companies. furnished by Woodbury, cannot be stated ; but as it contained two- thirds of the soldiers in the regiment, it is believed that its quota was in the same ratio.' Eighty names have been collected, and appear in the " Revolutionary list" of this volume. It is certain that the number of soldiers furnished for the continental army, exclusive of those in the Lexington alarm, was one hundred and fifty, as this was the number whose " Poll taxes" were abated that year by the Gen- eral Assembly, on account of their service .?
1776. The sun of 1776, although our armies had been successful the preceding year, arose clouded and in gloom. The " note of prep- aration" was sounded throughout the land. There was a " hurrying to and fro" throughout the country on business of the most solemn import, affecting the dearest interests we know in life. The General Assembly was early in the field. Five sessions of that body, three
1 At this date the officers of the regiment were as follows:
" March 21st: 1775. The Dignification of the Several Companies in the 13th Rege in the Colony of Connecticut ---
The 1st: Company. Capt. Timo: Judson Woodbury old Society
2uJ. Co. Southbury-Capt. Truman Hinman
8rt Co. N. Milford-N. C. Epenetus Platt
4. C .. Roxbury David Leavenworth
5th Co. Bethlem
Elias Dunning
6. C .. Kent 1st Co.
Abraham Truller
7 Co. Jndea David Judson
8 Co. N. Milford S. C .. . Isaae Bostwick
9 C. E. Greenwich . . Jos: Carter
10th. Co. N. Preston . . . Wm. Cogswell
11 C .. S.bury N. C ... . . Jno. Hinman
12th C. S. Britton
. Eleazar Mitchel
By us 1 Benjn Hinman Increase Moseley Jr : Officers of Field Samuel Canfield sì Regt' 3
2 State Archives, Rev. War, vol. 6, 63.
3 There were more commissioned officers during the war, of the name of Hinman, in Connecticut, than of any other name, being thirteen in number, all of whom were natives of Woodbury, viz: one colonel, five captains, four lientenants, two ensigns, one war-ship captain, (Elisha Hinman, of New London, captain of the Alfred,) and one quarter-master.
196
HISTORY OF ANCIENT WOODBURY.
of which were special, were held during the year. Among the acts passed at the May session, was one requiring a draft, or enlistment, of one-third of the soldiers in the 2d, 3d, 4th, 7th, 8th, 9th and 20th regiments ; and one-fourth of all the rest. By an order dated June 10, 1776, Col. Benjamin Ilinman commanded Capt. David Leaven- worth, and the other officers of his rank in the 13th regiment, to draft, or enlist, one-fourth of the men in their companies forthwith, and have them ready for service. Capt. Leavenworth's company was No. 4, in the regiment. It is not now known how large his company was at this time, consequently it cannot be determined how many were enlisted on this occasion.
4
After the evacuation of Boston by the Britishi, and Gen. Wash- ington had taken possession of this town, the British commander changed the plan of the campaign, and concentrated his forces near New York. At this time of danger and apprehension, Washington in like manner prepared to defend that post. In August, 1776, he sent a very urgent request to Gov. Trumbull, to order to his aid the whole of the militia west of Connecticut River. Accordingly the whole militia was ordered to New York, and at this time there were not less than 20,000 men in the service from Connecticut. Col. Ilin- man's order to Capt. Leavenworth is here given, and a like copy was sent to each of the other captains in the limits of the town :
" To Capt David Leavenworth, Capt of the 4th Millitary Company in the 13th Regt in the Colony of Connectient, Greeting,
" Whereas I have received order from his Honr Govr Trumbull to call forth (on notice given by Gent Washington, that Assistince is Necessary ) and March the sd Regt for the Defence of the Colonies to be under the Commander-in-chief of the American Army. And having this day Received a Request from Gent Washington to March sd Regt immediately to New York, Armed &c.
" These are therefore to order you withont delay to call forth the company under your command, & see that they are Equip'd with Arms, Blankets, Amu- nition &c. and march them immediately to New York, at which place I expect to join you.
" Dated at Woodbury the 10th day of August A. D. 1776.
"Benjn Hinman, Colo, 13th Regt.
" N. B. You will make Necessary provision for the March of your Company, which expense will be paid as usual."
By this it will be seen that this company was ordered out on the 10th of August. It was mustered on the 11th, marched on the 12th, and most of the men were gone till their discharge on the 25th of September following. How many were called out by this order does
197
HISTORY OF ANCIENT WOODBURY.
not appear. It comprised all the able-bodied men between the ages of sixteen and fifty years. It was probably not far from 500 men.
The soldiers had just arrived from this expedition at their homes, and greeted their wives and children, when they were again ordered into service by a resolve of the legislature, as will be seen by the fol- lowing :
" To David Leavenworth, Captn of the 4th Military Company in the 13th Regt in Connectieut; Greeting-
" In pursuanee of a Late Resolve of the General Assembly of this State, and an order from Major General Wooster, you are hereby ordered & directed to call forth the Company under your Command, Such of them as are fit for Ser- vice, and others, Householders &e. who are able bodied, Effective Men, within the limits thereof'; without Loss of time & have them well Armed & Equiped : and you are further directed to March them immediately to Stamford in Fair- field County, and there wait for further Orders.
" Dated at Woodbury this 2tith day of October A. D. 1776. " Increase Moseley, Jr. Colº of sd Regt.
" N. B. Usual Provision will be made for you on the Mareh."
Unfortunately the length of the service on this occasion, and the list of the men are lost. These excessive drafts had exceedingly in- jured the agricultural interests of the town, and it had scarcely suffi- cient to support the inhabitants during the winter. The crops had been neglected, and consequently there was little food to be garnered.
The committee of safety of New York sent to Woodbury, October 21st, 1776, eight sailor prisoners, and a child belonging to one of them, for safe keeping. Their names were James Wilson, John Murray, Samuel Coppin, Jeremiah Rierden, Henry Killigrove, Mi- chael Conney, Cæsar Freeman, William Patterson, and his daughter, Mary Ann Patterson. The General Assembly ordered the committee of inspection of the town to give such assistance as was necessary till further orders, which was accordingly done. The Assembly next year reimbursed the expenses to Edward Hinman, Esq., chairman of the committee, to the amount of £22, 16s. 9d.1
The spirit of the people was well exemplified by their action in the society of Bethlehem during this year, as will be seen by the follow- ing :
" We the subscribers in Bethlem, Considering the great Danger we are in from our unnatural Enemies do voluntarily Ingage to Equip ourselves as soon as we Can with a Good Gun, Sword or Bayonet, & Carterage Box for any Es- peeial Emergeney, for the Defence of our Invaluable Rights & Priveleges & Promise to support the same with our Lives & fortunes, as witness our hands the 15th day of July A. D. 1776."2
1 Rev. War, vol. 5, p. 438.
2 Do. vol. 5, p. 9.
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HISTORY OF ANCIENT WOODBURY.
This agreement was signed by Capt. Andrew Martin, and forty- four others. By such means as this was the patriotism of the people kept glowing during all the vicissitudes of the protracted warfare. This was a company of householders, exempt from military duty, who thus formed themselves into a volunteer company for the com- mon defence, on any sudden emergency. It was formed in accord- ance with a recommendation of the governor and council of war, to this class of citizens, in all the towns.
Toward the close of this year, a census of the town was taken, which showed a population of 5325 sonls. The number of officers and soldiers on the military rolls was 564, and the number of " Able bodied Men between 16 & 45 not on the Militia Rolls" was 318, making a total of 882 effective men, a decided majority of whom were subject to draft or detachment, and the remainder, if they chose, could enlist into the service. Besides these, there were then " 248 Men in the Continental Army." So that in the two calls for the whole militia of the town, Woodbury had furnished the whole of the above number of 564, except such of them as were siek, or became liable to the usual forfeiture. But we are not left to conjecture on this point. We have the exact number of those who thought it bet- ter for them to pay the fine than to leave their business. A petition was sent to the General Assembly, signed by thirty-nine persons, who did not march at the eall of the commanding officers. They peti- tioned to be released from bonds for not marching when called on for this service. They urged that they " were overburdened : that they either had to go into service nearly all the time, or have their estates ruined."' The Assembly took the petition into consideration, but negatived the prayer thereof, not deeming it best by any act of clem- ency to countenance insubordination. We can, therefore, state con- clusively, that more than 500 men from Woodbury were on duty in these two calls, which, with the 248 men who had enlisted into the continental army, made a sum total of more than 850 men from "Ancient Woodbury," in the service of the country at one time. This "raw militia" was present in the unfortunate operations on Long Island, toward the elose of this year, and in Washington's retreat from New York, soon after which they were discharged.
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