USA > Connecticut > New London County > Stonington > History of the town of Stonington, county of New London, Connecticut, from its first settlement in 1649 to 1900 with a genealogical register of stonington families > Part 7
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Att a Town Meeting Legally Warned and held in Stonington
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REVOLUTIONARY WAR.
this 21st day of Novemr, 1780. The same Day Charles Phelps Esqr., was Chosen Moderator of sd meeting. The same day the Question was put whether the town would accept of the Resolve of Assembly Requesting Clothing for the Army, Past in the affirmative. The Same day the Question was put Whether they would Choose a Committee to Class the Inhabitants of said town & Proportion their Lists, that Each Class should Procure their men to fill up the Continental Army, Past in the Affirma- tive. The same day Charles Phelps Esqr., Paul Wheeler Esqr., Henry Minor, Nathl Gallup, Peleg Chesebrough, Joshua Bab- cock, Capt. Jno. Randall Joshua Prentice & Jno. Davis was Chosen a Committee to Class the Inhabitants of said town & Proportion their Lists. Also Granted a Silver Tax of one penny on the pound upon the Polls & Ratable Estate of the Inhabitants of said town upon the List of 1779 to be paid in male Clothing for the Army & the prices of the Clothing Stated in the following manner Viz : Flannen Shirt of 372 Yd Shirting Width a 3 Dollars in Silver, Linnen Shirts 312 Yds Shirting Width a 2 Dollars, Shoes a Ios, Woollen Stockins a 6s, Mit- tens 2s. Also voted that the Persons that Neglect paying their Rates in above mentioned Clothing by the First monday in Decemr next shall be Subjected to pay it in money. Also Voted that Capt. Amos Main, Capt. Wm. Stanton & Mr. Joshua Prentice be a Committe to Receive the Clothing & forward the Same to the Army. Also Voted that in Case the inhabitants of said town neglect paing in the Clothing by the Ist monday of December next that the above Committee borrow the Money upon the Credit of the town and immediately Purchase the Clothing & forward the same to the Army.
Att a Town Meeting Legally warned and held in Stonington this 12th day of February, 1781. Also Voted that Col. Oliver Smith, Capt. James Eldridge & Paul Wheeler Esq., to fill up the Recruits in the several Neglecting Classes. Also Voted that the head of each neglecting Class has Liberty from this time till the 19th of this instant to Procure their Recruit to fill up the Continental Army & not give to Exceed 120 Silver Dollars & the states Bounty & the Neglecting Individuals in each Class shall be assessed double the sum that it shall Cost to that part of the Class that advances sd money to hire said Recruit, which sum assessed shall be for the Benefit of that part of the Class
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that advances the money & that the head of Each Class make Return of their doings to the adjourned town meeting. Also Voted that Gilbert Fanning be a Committee in addition to the Committee heretofore Chosen to take Care of the Soldiers fam- ilies.
Att a Town Meeting Legally held in Stonington on the 19th day of February, 1781, by adjournment. The same Day that the Several Classes that have Procured a Recruit for their Class & no Collector appointed for them in any of the above Votes that the head of such Classes be the Collector to Collect of Neglect- ing Individuals in such Class their Proportion of Monies due. The Same Day Col. Oliver Smith, Capt. James Eldridge & Paul Wheeler, Esqr., was Chosen a Committee to asses the Neglecting Classes or Neglecting individuals in said Classes Agreeable to an Act of the Assembly holden at Hartford on the second Thursday of October, 1780, for filling up the Continental Army & Also to make Return of such Recruits to his Excellency the Governor as shall be Raised by said town & also the Number & Names of the Soldiers now in the army Belonging to said town. The same Day Paul Wheeler Esq., & Capt. Oliver Grant were Chosen a Committee to make Out the Rate Bills for the Provision Rate & also for the Clothing Rate. The Same Day Lieut. Joseph Smith was Chosen Collector to Collect of such neglecting Classes as have not Procured their Recruits. The same Day Mr. John York was chosen Committeeman to Supply Soldiers familys. Paul Wheeler moderator of meeting.
Certified Pr Joshua Prentice, Clark Pro Tempore.
Att a Town Meeting Legally Warned and held in Stonington this 12th day of March, 1781. The Same Day Voted that they would Raise Ten Men for the State Service by Classing the in- habitants agreeable to an Act of Assembly. Also Voted that this Committee be impowered to put the Act of Assembly into Execution according to Law Respecting the Raising the State Soldiers & to asses the neglecting Classes, or the Nelecting individuals in Each Class. Also Voted that the Surplussage Money Raised from Each Neglecting Class shall be put into the town treasury & be for the Benefit of the Town, & that the Surplussage money Raised from Each Neglecting individuals in Each Class shall be for the Benefit of the Class to which he Belongs.
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REVOLUTIONARY WAR.
Att a town meeting Legally Warned and held in Stonington April 9th, 1781. ^The Same Day Paul Wheeler Esq. was Chosen Agent by said Town to meet a Committee Appointed by the General Assembly of the State of Connecticut (in order) to Lay in our Several inter Claims, with the Different towns, Respect- ing our Soldiers in the Continental Army the Same Day Capt. Amos Main, Joshua Prentice & Wm. Stanton was appointed a Committee to Receive the Clothing Requested by the Assembly for the Continental Soldiers & forward the Same to the Army & affix the Price & Notify the Collector what Proportion Each person shall pay upon the last tax granted for on the pound. Also Voted that Col. Oliver Smith be appointed a Committee to go to Hartford to get the State's Bounty due to the Several Classes.
Att a Town Meeting Legally Warned and held at the North meeting House in Stonington on Thursday, the 26th of June, 1781. The same Day Voted a tax of 4 pence on the Pound in Gold, Silver or Beef Cattle be paid by the inhabitants of said Stonington Monthly Agreable to Act of Assembly passed May last Requiring a Silver Tax on Beef. Voted that Joshua Brown be a Collector for the above Tax. Also Voted that Capt. Amos Main be a Committee to Receive the town clothing.
Att a Town Meeting Holden by Adjournment this 25th day of September, 1781. The same day Elisha Denison was appointed Receiver of Clothing, in addition to Capt. Amos Main. Also Voted that Messrs. Paul Wheeler Esqr. and Mr. Henry Minor is appointed to Procure Orders from the Men that went out of this town in the Six months Continental Service in the year 1780 and Prepare their Returns and for them Receive their Wages and pay the same to the men Respectively at the charge of this town that the town may as Soon as may be able to pay out what they have to make up to Each Soldier according to the Vote of this town made this 26th day of June, 1780. Also Voted that Select- men Liquidate and adjust the amounts of the Committee Chosen by this town at their meeting in November last to Receive and Put up Provisions for the army for their trouble & Expense in Receiving and Securing the Same and Draw Orders on the Treasurer for what shall be found Equitably due to them Over and above what the pay Table Committee hath or may allow to them for said Service.
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HISTORY OF STONINGTON.
Att a Town meeting Legally Warned and held in Stonington this 2nd day of December, 1781. The Same day Peleg Chese- brough was Chosen T. Clerk & Sworn. The Same Day Voted that the Receivers of Provisions, Clothing, &c. be impowered to Receive untill the Ist day of January next.
Att a Town meeting Legally warned and held in Stoning- ton the 4th day of march A. D. 1782. The same Day Paul Esqr. was Chosen Agent to meet a Committee at New London Appointed by ye General Assembly. Also Voted that the town will Raize & inlist a Guard for the Defense of long Point to Consist of Twelve Privates, Two Corporals & a Commander, such Persons as the Selectmen shall think proper to appoint to Commence from ye first of april next ensuing & to Continue till ye Ist of Decemr next unless soner Dischargd. Also Voted that the Commander of the Guard shall have three Pounds Pr month, the Corporals 45s Pr month & the Privates 40s Pr month to be paid when Discharged.
Att a Town meeting Legally Warned and held in Stonington April 8th, 1782. Also Voted that the Soldiers Ordered to be Raized by the Assembly to fill up the Continental army shall have a Bounty of £ 10.00 Lawful money, Three pounds of sd Bounty to be paid down upon their enlistment or Detachment and the Remaining Seven Pounds ye Selectmen is Ordered to give their Security to the Soldiers inlisted or Detached to be paid when their time Expires & said Rate was Granted & ordered to be Collected immediately for that purpose. Also Voted that Mr. Henry Minor & Mr. Jno. Denison at point be a Committee to hire the money that ye town has promis to pay down & the town is to pay them for their service and the money Borrowed or hird when Soldiers service Shall Expire which will be ye last of December next & sd meeting was Dissolved.
Att a town meeting Legally Warned and held in Stonington June Ioth, 1782. The Same Day Col. James Rhodes was Chosen moderator of d meeting. The Same Day Mr. Gilbert Fanning was Chosen Agent to Defend in the Case against Jon- athan Palmer Junr in a Suit against d township in the County Court. The same Day Mr. Henry Minor was chosen a Com- mittee to inspect into the Classes that were Deficient in Raising their men for the Defense of their Guards at Horse neck & made His Report to the Selectmen to the ajournd town meet-
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ing which will be this day fortnight & said meeting was Ad- journed to Mr. Fishes meeting house to the 24th of this instant June, 2 O'clock Afternoon.
At an adjourned Town Meeting Legally held this 24th June, 1782. The same Day Granted a Tax of one penny half penny Lawfull money upon the pound upon the Polls & Ratable Estate of the inhabitants of said town upon the List of 1781. The said Paul Wheeler Esqr. & Mr. Henry Minor was appointed a Committee to make a Settlement with the 9 month & 3 month Soldiers in Regard to making good their wages as heretofore promised by a former Vote of said Town & sd Committee to make Report of what they find due and the Selectmen are Directed to draw Orders upon the Town treasurer for the Bal- ance due. Also Voted that Mr. Gallup may fill up his guard at long point out of d inhabitants on d Point. Also Voted that Mr. Gallup may draw Powder & Ball out of the town treasury; first take Esqr. Wheeler's directions in the matter.
Att a Town meeting legally Warned & held in Stonington Septemr 10th, 1782. The Same Day The Question was put whether the Town would or not Continue the Guards Stationed at Long point at the Expense of said town after said Ioth of September. Passed in the Negative.
Att a Town meeting Legally warned & held in Stonington Decemr 9th, 1782, Capt. Akors Sheffield is appointed to take Care of the Guns, Stores, &c. at long Point. Paul Wheeler Esqr. & Mr. Henry Minor is Appointed a Committee to Settle With the three months men Respecting their wages.
I have no reliable information, showing how many of the patriot soldiers of Stonington, who entered their country's ser- vice, lost their lives on the battle fields of the American Revolu- tion, or died from wounds or sickness while in their country's service. The companies and regiments to which they were assigned participated in nearly all of the great battles of the war, and some of them must have fallen, but no record shows that any of them deserted or turned traitor to freedom's cause.
Lieut. Enoch Stanton and his brother, Daniel Stanton, and Thomas Williams of this town, fell in the battle and massacre of Fort Griswold, Sept. 6th, 1781, and their cousins, Edward and Daniel Stanton of Stonington, were dangerously wounded in that inhuman massacre. They both rallied and recovered after long continued suffering.
WAR OF 1812.
Nothing of especial interest occurred in this town after the close of the Revolutionary war and the ratification and adoption of the Constitution of the United States, by a convention assem- bled at Hartford, Conn., by authority of the General Assembly of the State Jan. 9th, 1788, wherein this town was ably repre- sented in the affirmative by its representatives, Nathaniel Miner Esq. and Dr. Charles Phelps, beyond the annual election of town officers and representatives to the General Assembly and laying of taxes to defray the cost of the Revolution, until the war clouds again appeared between the United States and Great Britain. The embargo acts of Congress, which were so severely de- nounced and resisted in the Courts of New England found active and influential defenders. In order to give force and expression to their views on that subject a town meeting was called and held in Stonington March 27th, 1809, which adopted a preamble and resolutions, denouncing all opposition to the embargo acts of Congress and all who did not approve of them, closing with an order to send a copy of their proceedings to the then President of the United States. The determination of the British gov- ernment to impress American seamen into their service, and other belligerent acts on her part, led to several armed collisions and finally culminated in a declaration of war by the United States government against Great Britain, June 18, 1812. Very little had ever been done by the general government for the defense of our seacoast. Long Point since the close of the Revolution had materially increased in population and wealth. The General Assembly had incorporated the place into a Bor- ough in 1801. Mystic was but a small village at the time, composed largely of enterprising, seafaring men. Before the
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WAR OF 1812.
embargo, the foreign trade of the town of Stonington was almost entirely with the West Indies, and generally productive of large gains. During the war, and especially after the spring of 1813, our seacoast was blockaded by a British squadron, which at first well nigh annihilated all our commerce, but a few grave, res- olute, enterprising men ran the blockade and carried on business with New York. Privateers were fitted out and were success- ful in most cases in capturing English vessels. We lost the sloop "Fox" in 1813, which was taken by the privateer "Hero," fitted out at Mystic and manned by Stonington and Groton men. Other feats of heroism and successful daring, by Groton and Stonington men combined, took place on the ocean before the close of the war. During its first year England had her hands full with European conflicts, but in the spring of 1813 she managed to send a formidable fleet to our shores and blockaded Long Island Sound. Stonington Borough had received two eighteen pounders from the General government for the defense of the place. A battery had been erected there during the Rev- olution which had almost disappeared. But the inhabitants, with the guards stationed there, drafted from the militia of the State, had erected another battery, the north end of which ter- minated at the northeast corner of the Messrs. Atwood's silk manufacturing establishment. So apprehensive were the people of Stonington Borough that their village would be attacked and burned by the British fleet that they sought the aid of the State, and the Governor of Connecticut ordered detachments from the militia to be drafted and stationed there. There were six of these detachments of militia who served at Stonington Borough, four of which were commanded by Lieut. Horatio G. Lewis, one by Lieut. Samuel Hough, and one by Sergt. Peleg Hancox. On the 19th day of June, 1813, a portion of the British fleet, under the command of Commodore T. M. Hardy, approached New London, creating fearful apprehension on the part of the people of that place and Groton Bank. Memories of the battle and massacre at Fort Griswold, Sept. 6th, 1781, intensified the ex- citement and alarm. Brig. Gen. Jirah Isham, then in command, immediately summoned his brigade by orders borne by post- riders, directed to the lieutenant colonels commanding the reg- iments of his brigade. The following is a copy of the order directed to Lieut. Col. Randall, then in command of the Thirtieth
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HISTORY OF STONINGTON.
regiment, composed of eight companies of infantry, four from Stonington and four from North Stonington :
"To Lieut. Col. William Randall, commanding the 30th Regiment, 3rd Brigade, Conn. Militia:
"Sir-You will immediately on the receipt of this, order the regiment under your command to march to the defence of New London, Groton and vicinity, giving them notice to be armed and equipped according to law. Lose no time as those places are in such imminent danger of invasion as will admit of no delay.
"Headquarters at New London, June 19th, 1813.
"JIRAH ISHAM, Brig. Gen. 3rd Brigade Commanding.
"By order of Geo. A. Perkins, Maj. 3rd Brigade."
Immediately on receipt of this order, Col. Randall, though living in the country and widely separated from his staff and from most of the officers of his regiment, acted with such energy and dispatch that his whole regiment paraded on Groton Bank the next morning, after marching nearly all night in a raging tempest to assemble and reach the place some fifteen miles away. The roll-call showed the presence of Lieut. Col. William Randall, First Maj. Nathan Wheeler, Second Maj. Nathan Pendleton, Adjutant Cyrus Williams, Paymaster Samuel Chapman, Quarter- master Latham Hull, Surgeon's Mate John Billings, Sergt. Maj. Nathan Smith, Quartermaster's Sergt. John P. Williams, Drum Maj. Augustus A. Williams, Fife Maj. Christopher Dewey, six captains (one absent, and one vacancy), seven lieutenants, eight ensigns, twenty-six sergeants, twenty-one corporals, two hundred and nine privates; total, three hundred and eighty-eight men .. This muster of a regiment that made up a roll at its review, and dress parade in October following of only two hundred and forty-two men shows something of the spirit of our citizens and soldiers in the face of the threatened invasion, and of the con- fidence reposed in their commander. Col. Randall was a brave, efficient and energetic officer, and during the whole war com- manded the Thirtieth regiment, who were proud of him and most cheerfully obeyed his orders under all circumstances.
The British fleet, after making a showy demonstration at the mouth of the Thames, went back to their anchorage ground in Gardner's Bay, relieving the inhabitants of Groton Bank and New London of their impending danger. Gen. Isham's brigade remained in camp at New London and Groton Bank for several
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WAR OF 1812.
days awaiting another demonstration from Commodore Hardy, who wisely kept his fleet at their old anchorage. On the morning of June 25th, Gen. Isham ordered the lieutenant colonels com- manding each regiment of his brigade to detach about one half of the officers and men of their respective regiments to remain in service, the remainder thereof to be discharged and to return to their homes. In pursuance thereof, Col. Randall issued the fol- lowing order :
"Regimental Orders, 30th Regiment, 3rd Brigade Conn. Millitia. "I am directed by Brig. Gen. Jirah Isham to detach from the regiment under my command now in service at Groton Bank (omitting in said detach- ment the eighth company, who were from Stonington Borough, and were then needed for defense of that place), thus, 1 major, 1 adjutant, 1 quarter- master, 1 chaplain, 1 surgeon's mate, 2 captains, 2 lieutenants, 2 ensigns, 8 sergeants, 8 corporals, 120 privates, who are to remain in service until fur- ther orders.
Gen. Isham, after ordering Col. Randall to detach his officers and men as aforesaid, tendered to him, his subordinate officers and soldiers his warmest thanks for their "alacrity and unusual promptitude, manifested by them while disregarding the tempestuous state of the weather, they appeared in defence of the rights and sovereignty of their country, when threatened with immediate danger.
"Dated at headquarters, June 25th, 1813.
"WILLIAM RANDALL, Lieut .- Col. Commanding.
"By order Cyrus Williams, Adjutant."
Towards the end of June, 1813, Gen. Burbeck arrived in New London and assumed the military command of the district, which had been assumed by the general government. The troops then on duty probably did not exceed eight hundred men, and be- longed to the militia of the State, and were under no orders but those of the Governor. The refusal of Connecticut to place her militia under the orders of the United States to be marched away from her protection to Canada and elsewhere had greatly vexed the general government, who had determined on a change. So Gen. Burbeck on the 12th day of July, 1813, in pursuance of an order from the Secretary of War, dismissed the whole force, and our Stonington men then on duty at New London returned to their homes, but General Burbeck did not dismiss the guard at Stonington then under the command of Lieut. Horatio G. Lewis. But the evacuation of Forts Griswold and Trumbull, without a man on duty to protect the property there, and at a time, too, when the British fleet in the Sound was largely augmented, cre-
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HISTORY OF STONINGTON.
ated a panic, not only among the inhabitants over there but at Stonington, who felt the protection of a large force at New London and Groton Bank. By some underground communi- cation the officers of the British squadron had learned of the discharge of our military force, and the next day the "Ramillies" and her consorts came up to the mouth of the harbor and saluted the panic stricken inhabitants with a tremendous cannonade. General Burbeck realizing the danger of the situation, on his own responsibility applied to the Governor for a temporary force, who authorized Maj. Gen. William Williams to call out as large a body of militia as emergencies should demand. But no addi- tional requisition was made on Col. Randall for any more troops from Stonington. During the latter part of July, August and September, the British squadron were so much engaged in block- ading the river Thames and the eastern approach of Long Island Sound through the Race, and in pursuing the Yankee privateers that vexed their commerce, that they did not molest the village of Stonington; but during October their threatening attitude alarmed the inhabitants, who petitioned the Governor under the approval of Brig. Gen. Burbeck, commanding the United States troops at New London, who in reply issued the following order :
"New Haven, 29 October, 1813.
"Col. William Randall, 30th Regiment of Militia:
"Sir-Pursuant to a request of certain inhabitants of the Town of Stoning- ton, and of Brigadier Gen. Burbeck, commanding the United States troops at New London, I do hereby, in conformity to advice of the Council, direct you to detach from your Regiment one subaltern, two sergeants, two corporals, and twenty-six privates, for a guard at Stonington Point, to serve from the first day of November next to the 30th of the same month, inclusive, unless sooner discharged. Application must be immediately made to Brigadier-Gen- eral Burbeck, at New London, for provisions, to whom also the subaltern commanding the detachment will apply for orders, and to whom he must make a report from time to time as he shall be directed.
"I am, Sir, your Obt. servant,
"JOHN COTTON SMITH, Capt. General."
Pursuant to the order of Governor Smith, Col. Randall de- tached the requisite number of men from his regiment, which ' `he put under the command of Lieut. Horatio G. Lewis, and they served at Stonington Borough during the time ordered by the Governor, receiving their army rations from Gen. Burbeck of New London. During the winter months of 1813 and 1814 no
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WAR OF 1812.
alarming demonstrations were made by the enemy, but as soon as the spring opened of 1814, unusual activity was observed on their part, which became so formidable that another draft upon the militia was made for a detachment of forty-one men to be stationed at Stonington, under the command of Lieut. Horatio G. Lewis. This detachment served from May 31st to June 30th, 1814, when they were dismissed, and another detachment of forty-one men were drafted from the militia in the northern part of the State, took their places and served from June 29th to August 29th, 1814, when they were dismissed. This detachment was under the command of Lieut. Samuel Hough.
The war thus far had progressed with varying success. The navy of the United States had immortalized itself upon the ocean, while on the land our armies, though small in numbers, had performed prodigies of valor. The early part of this year was marked by some of the most momentous events of the world's history. Napoleon was overthrown after a fearful struggle and the treaty of peace at Fontainebleau, which was concluded April 4, 1814, between France and the allied powers of Europe, released the larger part of the British army from active service there; and as soon as the exigencies of the case would admit were transported to this country and employed against the United States. So all-pervading was the apprehension of an attack from the enemy on our seacoast that the captain-general of our State, in the early spring of 1814, issued orders to the militia, through their superior officers, as follows, viz .:
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