USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > New Haven > Revolutionary characters of New Haven : the subject of addresses and papers delivered before the General David Humphreys branch, no. 1, Connecticut society, Sons of the American revolution > Part 3
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BY GEORGE HARE FORD.
Delivered before the Connecticut Society, Sons of American Revolution, at a summer outing at the West Shore, September, 1908.
Historical and ever memorable events on this Connecti- cut Coast and along this Connecticut shore a century and a quarter ago, suggest the occasion and the spot for this gathering in a social way of men whose ancestors were as- sociated as friends and patriots in that American conflict, 1775 to '81, which brought about the establishment of this, now the second nation on the face of the earth. A natural pride inspires us as we contemplate this fact, and a spec- ial pleasure pervades the members of this patriotic society as we gather and greet each other, reiterate and rehearse historic incidents, and assist to transmit for generations fol- lowing the magnificent heritage secured to us through those anxious and perilous times by the deeds of our forefathers. The grandeur of their achievements can not be too highly estimated.
The Revolutionary battles of Connecticut, while not numerous, were important. The population of the state then consisted of one hundred and forty thousand white and five thousand colored. Four thousand patriots had marched to Lexington; thirty-eight thousand were enrolled in the Continental army, a larger number than from any
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The Defense of New Haven
other state, except Massachusetts. Connecticut had fur- nished largely of manufactured supplies and munitions of war, and fitted out frequent expeditions by land and water, causing great annoyance to the British. An attempt had been made to negotiate, and Governor Trumbull had re- plied in no uncertain words. Commanding General Sir Henry Clinton, with headquarters at the city of New York, had evidently planned, after capturing Stony Point and other strongholds on the Hudson, for a similar campaign along the Connecticut shore.
It was in the summer of 1779, the British in control of Long Island and the Sound, that General William Tryon, then Colonial Governor of New York, in command of 5,000 well equipped troops, embarked on forty-eight ships with Sir George Collier, Commander-in-Chief of the British Naval forces of America, composing the largest fleet that entered Long Island Sound during the Revolution, and set sail for conquest along this coast. It was supposed at first that they were bound for New London or Newport, and not until they had passed Stratford Point, did the people of this locality realize that New Haven was their possible destina- tion.
New Haven was one of the principal seaports of the State, one of the State capitals, the seat of Yale college, and had the credit of furnishing the first and only uniformed company, officered and equipped at Lexington. The thrift of its founders as represented by Eaton, the noted merchant, and the pious Davenport was emphatically stamped upon the community, giving the city a degree of importance to the British.
Saturdaynights were kept sacred in the colony instead of Sunday night according to the old New England custom. It was on the eve of Sunday, July 4th, the third anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. New Haven had never celebrated this great event as many of the larger cities and towns had already done. A gathering was held in the old Center Church at sundown to complete elaborate arrange-
New Haven during the War of the Revolution.
West Rock
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Neck Rock
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Derby Road Bridge
Neck Bridge
Ditch Corner
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6'2 mile stone
Here Professor Daggett taken pricener.
Leon Hill.
Here Adj. Campbell killed
Haven.
Here Capt Hillhouse's party began the fire. O
West Haven.
Black Rock af Fort.
Lt Pierpont with a Field piece
Beach. ---
------
000 Landing July 5th at Orise B. G Garth and 1000 men.
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Landing July 5th X A.M. Gen Tryon & 2000 men. II Division
1 Division Guards Welsh Fusileers 54 Regiment
23 Regiment Hessian
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Landgrave Do. Rangers Do.
and It preses Cannon.
Tories Do
British Invasion of New Haven July 5 !! 1779- Drawn by President Stiles.
& 2 pieces cannon.
SKETCH OF THE BRITISH INVASION OF NEW HAVEN, JULY 5TH, 1779. Drawn by President Stiles.
Miles.
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The Defense of New Haven
ments for a celebration of the event the following day. General Wooster was mourned and Arnold was eulogized. Orations and ceremonies were to take place with a banquet in the evening when toasts would be drunk and patriotic sentiments expressed. The adjoining towns had been in- vited to participate in the ceremonies. Everybody was en- thusiastic and satisfied that the day would be a great success. Colonel Hezekiah Sabin was to be the Grand Marshal. The Governor's Foot Guard of Lexington fame were to lead the procession under their beloved and distinguished commander, James Hillhouse, afterwards representative in Congress, United States Senator, Mayor, and fifty years Treasurer of Yale University. By his persistency in plant- ing elm trees here the name of our Elm City was acquired.
"At 10:00 o'clock p. m. on the Lord's Day, July 4th," as President Stiles in his diary informs us, "advice was re- ceived that a great fleet was off Westfield, now Bridgeport. I pleaded for militia immediately, but did not believe that the enemy intended to land."
The diary continues : "July 5th, Monday morning, one and one-half a. m., fleet had anchored off New Haven, alarm guns, bells rang, beat to arms in earnest. At day light, with telescope on steeple, clearly saw the boats putting off from the ships and landing troops."
History tells us, the expedition sailed under the follow- ing instructions from Sir Henry Clinton: "New Haven is the only port in which the rebels have vessels, except New London. Begin at New Haven. The country is populous and there are many friends there. Likewise land at Stratford Point and Milford, capturing cattle; your next object Fair- field." The landing was made along the beach between where to-day is the summer residence of our esteemed citizen Max Adler and Savin Point. Up the old road from the shore to the West Haven Green (that you passed in coming here) the left division of the invading army marched under command of General George Garth. Here they halted for rations and breakfast. They then resumed
3
34
The Defense of New Haven
their march three divisions of ten companies each, and (Bar- ber in his "History of Antiquities of New Haven" says) "The marching of these troops along the road and summit of Milford hill, with their scarlet uniforms and well bur- nished arms flashing in the sun-beams, was described by eye witnesses as the most imposing military display they ever beheld.
Although no great battle was fought on this sultry July morning, the warfare of Lexington and Concord was re- peated by unorganized groups of patriots from behind stone walls, fences and bushes. Milford Hill was reached before any organized resistance was made. Here Adjutant Camp- bell of the British Army was killed, and President Daggett of Yale University was taken prisoner, while carrying on an individual warfare in advance of our main column.
The combined patriot forces were hastily marshalled under Col. Sabin, senior officer in command, Capt. Hill- house and others, including Aaron Burr, afterwards Vice- President of the United States, visiting in the vicinity, who took command of a section of the defense. But they were insufficient to arrest the advance of the invading army. Re- treating across and burning West Bridge, they planted field pieces in charge of Capt. Bradley, and their fire was so ef- fective as to prevent the British from crossing at this point. Unable to enter the town here as anticipated, the British troops kept on through Allingtown up to Hotchkisstown (now Westville, the home of our registrar), and the defense at West River was transferred to along the opposite side of the river at this point. Despite vigorous resistance, the city was entered by the enemy.
The story of the two days occupancy of the town, the plundering of the houses and experiences of residents has been so often told, and the legend of every detail being so highly familiar to and cherished by our people, it need not be detailed fully here. President Stiles in his diary says that "one-third of the population armed and went to meet the enemy. A quarter moved out of town, and the rest, Tories
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The Defense of New Haven
and timid Whigs, remained unmoved." The town was full of confusion and alarm. Important papers and valuables were removed or secreted and buried. The women and chil- dren as far as possible, were sent to East and West Rocks.
Many instances of heroism may be recalled. Perhaps the most conspicuous man of the day was the Acting Presi- dent of Yale, Napthali Daggett, who, mounted on his black mare and with a fowling piece across the pummel of the sad- dle, rode to the front followed by an enthusiastic company of Yale students. Far in advance of the command, he planted himself in a clump of bushes on Milford hill and opened a warfare on his own account. Unable to successfully resist the enemy, Col. Sabin had ordered a retreat, but Daggett in his enthusiasm, declined to leave the spot, and kept on blazing away until the head of the line was within a few yards of his ambush. A detail was sent to capture him, and the officer in charge addressing Daggett in the following language : "What are you doing, you old fool, firing on his majesty's troops?" "Exercising the rights of war, sir," was his reply, and off went the fowling piece again. Sur- rendered and taken prisoner, he afterwards died of the in- juries he received.
Captain John Gilbert, at the head of a company from Hamden, reaching Broadway, was commanded by a British officer to surrender, and replied by shooting the officer. Gil- bert was immediately bayoneted by the British soldiers. Many of the names upon our rolls are to be found on the muster rolls of the defenders of the town, and are entitled by lineal descent to especially commemorate the events of that day. Among the killed and wounded appear the names of Hotchkiss, Gilbert, English, Bradley, Daggett, Beers, Atwater, Mix and others prominent in the local branch of our Society.
Patriotic women cast bullets and supplied them to our troops. Others, by their skilled and ready Yankee inge- nuity, prevented disaster and thought too quickly for the now rum befuddled brains of the enemy, thereby saving
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The Defense of New Haven
property and lives. Tories, too, assisted in the crisis by their hospitality and assurance of loyalty to the King, im- pressing upon the officers how much the Royal cause would suffer if the town was burned. Gen. Garth, taken to the top of the Court House, and surveying the situation from the roof, remarked it was "too beautiful a town to burn." But plunder and destruction prevailed. Valuables of every description were taken or demolished.
An interesting story in connection with Deacon Ball of Center Church, who lived at the corner of Chapel and High streets, where the Yale Art School now stands. He was the custodian of the solid silver Communion Cups, and secreted them by lifting his little eight year old daughter up the chimney sufficiently high to put them on a ledge. They were not discovered by the enemy and are still in use at Center Church.
The old historic New Haven Green occupied by the main forces, was then surrounded by dwelling houses. The only one remaining, so far as I know, is the Pierpont resi- dence on Elm Street, between the Graduates Club house and the Governor Ingersoll house at Temple Street. The Pier- pont house is in a good state of preservation, and is owned and occupied by Anson Phelps Stokes, Jr., Secretary of Yale University. This house was used as a hospital during the Invasion. Where the Tontine Hotel now stands was Ogden's Coffee House. Ogden was a Tory who became so unpopular by entertaining the British that he and his family were soon obliged to move from the city.
"Being a prosperous commercial town, a large number of New Haven's inhabitants were wealthy. Many were engaged in West India trade, and there was scarcely a house that did not have in its cellar a barrel of old Santa Cruz rum. The soldiers soon discovered this, and from the great supply of liquor, became more or less intoxicated," as already intimated. But organized and unorganized bodies of patriots were swiftly gathering from surrounding towns. General Andrew Ward with three regiments of Continentals was
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The Defense of New Haven
fast approaching from the east. The English generals, unable to control their men, began to be alarmed, and fear- ing they might be surrounded and their retreat cut off, cautiously withdrew their forces and re-embarked in the night to the surprise of the patriots and inhabitants of the town, and on the morning of the third day New Haven was no longer in possession of the hostile forces, and had es- caped the disaster that attended the raids upon Fairfield and Norwalk two days later by the same forces, when all the public buildings, churches, school houses, mills and four hundred and seventy-one dwelling houses in those places were burned.
Had not a successful resistance been made at New Ha- ven and our forces rallied with such strength as to make the foe's retreat desirable, this important port in possession of the British would have been a most serious embarrassment to the whole Continental army, and the result would have been far reaching.
This brief reference to the events that occurred in this vicinity, may impress us with the interest that should be at- tached to and maintained in connection with historic spots. The East and West shores of New Haven harbor were made historical in connection with the American Revolution. In 1895 this Society gathered upon Beacon Hill, Fort Wooster Park, on the East, and placed a tablet in memory of the American patriots who resisted the invading troops on that side. Today we gather upon the West Shore, not to place a tablet, but in a social way, in a sort of family reunion, and incidentally to review some of the events that occurred along the West coast that lies at our feet.
A Defenders' Monument Association has been formed, under the auspices of the New Haven Colony Historical Society, for the purpose of erecting a suitable memorial where the cannon were placed to command West Bridge and the most important resistance was made. The Mem- orial group selected is typical of those who took part in the defense as regards age and social condition. One represents
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The Defense of New Haven
the citizen soldier, a merchant of local aristocracy in half Continental uniform; one, a well-to-do farmer, the other, a young student at Yale, and all in heroic size. The group is spirited and artistic. When completed it will be the most notable and impressive Revolutionary memorial erected in our State.
The actors on the scene we have contemplated have gone, but the spirit that animated them to battle for their liberties and their homes is the same that has inspired men to heroic deeds since the dawn of civilization. The members of this Society especially represent the heroes of that period of our country's history.
As England cherishes the fame of her Wellington and Waterloo, France her Napoleon and his conquests, as Ger- many reveres Frederick the Great, at rest at Sans Souci, and America her Washington, Bunker Hill and Yorktown, so along similar lines may we not most justly honor these men of lesser fame, who in their time, by their valor and their deeds as occasion offered, contributed their share to the grand result,-American Liberty and American Pros- perity.
MAJOR-GENERAL DAVID WOOSTER. From a portrait in his early life.
4
DAVID WOOSTER
BY A. HEATON ROBERTSON.
Delivered in Grove Street Cemetery at the Monument to General Wooster, at the annual meeting of the Branch, June 26, 1910.
When one sees the mighty river, bearing on its bosom the wealth of nations and lapping with its wavelets the mighty machinations of man, he is apt to forget the springs and the rivulets without which it would have no existence. So, too, at the present day, to one, as he looks upon this country of ours, stretching from ocean to ocean, and covered with enterprises more varied and undertakings more gigantic than any land, peopled by representatives of every nation under the sun, forming one cosmopolitan whole, with active brain and cunning hand excelled by none, he is likewise apt to forget those men who years ago made possible this country and that emancipation of the human race which never has been equalled since the dawn of history. Among the men of Connecticut who contributed to all that we and humanity enjoy to-day, the name of David Wooster stands out as one of the beacon lights of its history.
David Wooster was born in that part of the town of Stratford, Connecticut, which is now Huntington, about opposite the town of Derby, on the 2d day of March, 1710. He came to New Haven and entered Yale College about 1734 or 1735, and graduated in a class of fifteen in 1738, three years later receiving his degree of M.A. from the same institution. Immediately after gradua- tion, in 1739, at the breaking out of the war between England and Spain, he entered the army as lieutenant of light infantry, but I find no record that he ever saw any active service under this commission.
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David Wooster
The Connecticut Assembly, at its session in 1739-40, authorized the building of a sloop of war of about one hundred tons, the war between England and France having broken out afresh, to protect the coast of the colony, and in May, 1741, David Wooster was appointed lieutenant of this sloop. In 1742, he was advanced to the position of captain in the infant navy of the Con- necticut colony, in which capacity he served for over two years, in guarding our coast. In February, 1745, the Connecticut Assembly passed a resolution, after much debate, for the raising of five hundred men to take part in an expedition with the other colonies against Cape Breton, particularly seeking the destruction of Louisburg, the strongest fortress on the American con- tinent, and at that time garrisoned by French regulars. Wooster was appointed Captain of one of the companies of this levy, resigned his commission in the Colonial navy, and took a very active part in the siege of Louis- burg, in the regiment of Col. Burr of Connecticut and under the general command of Sir William Pepperell, the hero of Louisburg.
So useful and distinguished were his services, that to him was assigned the honor of conducting part of the prisoners to France for exchange. At the siege of Louis- burg for the first time the Colonial army met the disci- plined troops of Europe and showed to the world that they were not inferior. After exchanging his prisoners, David Wooster went to England, where he was received with no little attention at Court, and was made a Cap- tain in the regular service of Great Britain, and stationed at New Haven on recruiting service.
He married, March 6, 1745, Mary Clapp, the daughter of President Clapp of Yale College, by whom he had four children,-two of whom married-Thomas, who grad- uated at Yale in 1768, who also served as an officer in the Revolutionary War, and Mary, who married the Rev. John O. Ogden, an Episcopal clergyman. Mrs. Ogden
4I
David Wooster
had three children, who died unmarried. Thomas had seven children, one of whom, Charles, was a rear admiral in the Chilian navy. He was married and left one son, Charles Francis Wooster, a lieutenant in the United States army, who died unmarried in 1855, and was the last lineal descendant of Gen. David Wooster, the other children of Thomas having died without children. There are some descendants living of the brothers of Gen. Wooster's father, among whom was Col. William B. Wooster of Derby. Mr. C. B. Wooster of New Haven is also one of the descendants.
On the declaration of peace between France and Eng- land, David Wooster retired and lived in New Haven on half pay as an officer of the British army, at the same time being engaged in mercantile pursuits, in partner- ship with his classmate, Aaron Day, and afterwards alone. During this period of semi-peace, he founded Hiram Lodge, the first lodge of Freemasons in the State of Con- necticut, and was its Grand Master. Wooster Lodge of New Haven was named in his honor. He lived part of the time on George Street and later on Wooster Street, New Haven, which was named for him, as were also Wooster Square, and Fort Wooster on East Haven heights.
In March, 1756, when the Connecticut Assembly (war having broken out again between England and France) raised 2,500 men to send against Crown Point, he was appointed Colonel of the Second Regiment and served in the campaign which, owing to the incompetency of the English leaders, proved a failure. In 1757, he repre- sented New Haven in the General Assembly. In 1759, at the request of Pitt, the Prime Minister of England, whose letter was read to the General Assembly, 5,000 men were raised to serve in the campaign against Canada, under Amherst. Wooster served as Colonel, and some of the time in command of the Connecticut brigade, during 1759 and 1760 in the attack on Ticonderoga, and other battles in the northern campaign.
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David Wooster
On the declaration of peace, in 1761, he returned to New Haven, and carried on a successful business as a merchant, serving some of the time as Collector of Cus- toms of the port of New Haven, and he accumulated considerable property for those days.
Immediately on the breaking out of the Revolutionary War, he resigned his commission in the British army, and at the special session of the General Assembly, which was called on the news of the battle of Lexington, he was commissioned Major-General of the Colony forces, the resolution reading, "from his proved abilities, well-known courage and great experience." He was present on the expedition that invaded Canada in 1775, led by General Montgomery, Wooster being one who affixed his name to the bond of indemnity given to raise money to equip Connecticut troops. His troops were assembled on the Green in New Haven, previous to setting out on the expedition. Of this assembly, Deacon Nathan Beers of New Haven, himself an officer in the Revolution, said :
"The last time I saw General Wooster was in June, 1775; he was at the head of his regiment, which was then embodied on the Green, in front of where the Center Church now stands. They were ready for a march, with their arms glittering and their knapsacks on their backs. General Wooster had already dispatched a messenger for his minister, the Rev. Jonathan Edwards, with a request that he would meet the regiment and pray with them before their departure. He then conducted his men in military order into the meeting house, and seated himself in his own pew awaiting the return of the messenger. He was speedily informed that the clergyman was absent from home. Colonel Wooster immediately stepped into the deacon's seat in front of the pulpit, and calling his men to attend to prayers, offered up a humble petition for his beloved country, for himself, and the men under his command, and for the success of the cause in which they were engaged. His prayers were offered with the fervent zeal of an apostle, and in such pathetic language that it drew tears from many an eye and affected many a heart. When he had closed, he left the house with his men, in the same order they had entered it, and the regiment took up its line of march for New York. With such a prayer on his lips, he entered the Revolution."
Wooster was present at the capture of Fort Chambly, where he showed distinguished ability; also at
THE GEN. DAVID WOOSTER HOUSE. Formerly on south side of George Street facing College Street.
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David Wooster
the taking of Montreal, and at the attack on Quebec, and on the death of Montgomery in the latter attack, the chief command in Canada fell upon Wooster, under most disheartening conditions. His relations with General Schuyler, the second in command, were most unfortu- nate, and charges were preferred against him for incom- petency and his patriotism was doubted. He had, in the June previous, been appointed by Congress as one of the eight Brigadier Generals in the Continental Army. The charges were investigated by Congress and discharged as groundless and unjust, but Wooster never forgot the manner in which he was treated. The Committee re- ported in August, 1776, that "nothing censurable or blameworthy appears against Brigadier General Wooster," and this report was accepted. Connecticut showed that her confidence in Wooster's ability and patriotism was in no way diminished, for in October, 1776, after the report of Congress, he was again appointed, by the Gen- eral Assembly, Major General and Commander-in-Chief of the Connecticut militia, and was assigned to the duty of protecting the southwestern portion of Connecticut, which was threatened by the British troops.
In the spring of 1777, Sir William Howe having learned that military stores were deposited at or near Danbury, Connecticut, he sent General Tryon, who was at that time Governor of New York and a general in the British army, with a detachment of 2,000 men to march on to Danbury and capture or destroy the military stores. Tryon landed at Saugatuck or Westport harbor in April, and marched on towards Danbury. Wooster was in ' New Haven at the time, and hearing of it, went imme- diately, unattended by troops, to Danbury, to take the chief command, leaving orders that the militia should follow him. He found General Silliman in command of a few troops, and he at once took command. His forces consisted of a few hundred undisciplined men and less than one hundred continental troops. Tryon, with little
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