USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Windsor > The history and genealogies of ancient Windsor, Connecticut, Vol. I > Part 40
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At their next town meeting, however, the people resolved not to class the town for raising their quota of men ; but voted, that " Edward Griswold. Jr., Nath'l Griswold, Elisha Strong, Alex'r Allyn, Daniel Tal- cott, Jonah Gillet, Jr., Josiah Phelps, and Henry Allyn be a committee to hire their quota of men to fill up the deficiency in the army." They were " empowered to act their best judgment in procuring said men as to the price given and what pay to make, and if need be to borrow such sum of money as they shall judge it necessary for the purpose of procur- ing said men, which sums that said committee shall pay ont for said purpose shall be repaid to them with law ful interest," ete.
The following Windsor men were appointed officers of the " Guard to the Convention Troops," May 31, 1780 : Eben' F. Bissell, Capt., Isaac Pomeroy, Capt., Oliver Granger, Eux., Seth Smith, Lieut., John Sey- mont, Eux. -- Conn. State Arch., Revol. War, xxi. 191. The Convention Troops were those belonging to Burgoyne's army, in transit to quarters which had been assigned them.
" A Memorial, dated Windsor, 17 April, 1780, sheweth that one Troop of Light Horsemen and their Horses have been for about two Months last passed Quar- tered in this town and the Inhabitants have in General cheerfully parted with their Hay, 'till they can spare no more & in a very few days the Horses will have no Hay to rat unless the Cattle now fating are turned out of the stalls & become poor.
" Signed by HENRY ALLYN. 1 Justices of
ROGER NEWBERRY, 1 Peace. EBZ' FITCH BISSELL, 1 JONAII GILLET,
GEORGE GRISWOLD. Selectmen."
- Conn. State Arch., Recol. Wir, xviii. 11-
332
HISTORY OF ANCIENT WINDSOR.
From a letter written by Col. Roger Newberry to Gov. Trumbull, 11 Dee., 1780, it appears that, since March, 1778, and by the Governor's direction, a guard had been established over the General Hospital Stores, located at Windsor - said guard being increased or diminished, accord- ing to the amount of stores in hand - and, at time of writing, consisting of eight soldiers ; that Capt. James Hooker, who had the charge of these stores, while settling his areounts with Dr. Foster, Medical Director- General at Boston, received from him verbal orders to dismiss the guard ; but, as Col. N. has received no written orders, and as " under the same Roof with the Hospital Stores," are " the medicines for the Eastern De- partment under the care of Dr. Johonnot, with which Dr. Foster & Capt. Hooker have no concern, he does not feel justified in dismissing the guard, without the Governor's orders." - Conn. State Arch .. Revol. War, xix. 275.
" To the Honourable the General Assembly of Governor and | Company of the State of Connecticut
" The Memorials of us the Subscribers in the State of | Connecticut, in behalf of ourselves & others humbly Sheweth that the last Winter and | the fall before we Sold the Publick a number | of Fatted Cattle in expectation of Immediate Payment | but were Disappointed, many of our Cattle we Obtained on | Credit, our Creditors call for their pay & we are in Danger of | being Ruined For want of our pay we have since been unable | to Procure Cattle for fatting & our Country suffers for want | of our help. Large [& necessary] Taxes are Called for and we | are unable to pay because we have parted with our Substance | for the use of our Country and can get Nothing therefor, while those who have done nothing construe our zeal to serve our | Country to be the want of Common prudence. We are Chagrined | to se (by some Political Mistakes) the Virtuous punished for their Publick | spirit and the Base rewarded for their Baseness. Permit us [to ask ] ask | your Honors. Is Virtue a Crian ? Does a real to Subscre the best \ Interest of our Country descere to be Punished with heavy Mulets? \ Can we hope for future supplies de future serving \ achile Justice is refused for the past? It appears to us that to | Refuse us pay is to Criminate and severely Punish our Virtue and our Zeal, the Consequence is Obvious, But we have Confi | dence in your Honors Justice and Regard for the Publick Good and to | your Honors we look for that Justice that is our Due & pray your Honors to take our Case into your Wise consideration & Grant | ns such relief in the Premises as shall appear Just and Reasonable and | we as in duty Bound shall ever pray Dated at Windsor, the 11th Day of December Anno Domini, 780
Henry Allyn Roger Newberry James Hooker Alex' Allin Eliakim Mather
Noalı Griswold Pelli Mills
Solomon Allyn Joseph Fitch Edward Griswold, Jr.
Wm Thrall
James Parsons
Jonathan filley
John Gaylord Josiah Bissell Ezra Hayden Sam" W. Allin
James C'adwell
Amos Gillet
John Hubbard
Roger Mills
Alex' Ellsworth Ozias Loomis Uriah Loomis, Jr.
Robert Sanford
Hezekiah Lattimer
333
WINDSOR'S SHARE IN THE REVOLUTION, 1781.
William Phelps
Roger Phelps Benja Allin Daniel Talcott John Filley
Elisha Moore
Daniel Eno
Phine Wilson J'.
Isaac piney Isane pinney .l. Martin Pinney George Griswold, Jr.
- Conn. State Arch., Rerol. War. xix. 332, 333.
Oliver Ellsworth of the Upper House and Messrs. Wales and Mitchell of the Lower House of the Assembly were appointed a Commit- tee (Dee. 1750) to examine into and report upon this petition.
1781
brought with it new drafts and responsibilities. Gen. Washington, hav- ing informed the assembly that there was an imperative necessity of raising 1,500 " three months' men," and a force equal to one-sixth part of the State's quota in the regular army, to supply deficiencies, they, at their May session, took measures to secure a voluntary enlistment of 2.100 men by the 1st of July following. All deficiencies existing after that date were to be filled by peremptory detachment. The largest part of actual service performed by these new troops was at Horseneck and vicinity, and guarding the seacoast from that place to New Haven, under charge of Brig .- Gen. Waterbury, Jr. These drafts afterwards (July ) joined Washington at Phillipsburgh. N. Y .. and for a while served under Gen. Heath. on the Westchester line.
Six men was the quota assigned to Windsor, who were raised by dividing the town into six classes. each of which hired a man for the service.
At town meeting, March 27, 1781,
" Voted. to apply to His Excellency the Governor, and Council of Safety for a per- mit to transport one thousand bushels of Indian corn to Rhode Island, for the sole pur- pose of enabling this town procuring Hard money to enable this town to comply with the act of the General Assembly relative to procuring the quantity of clothing assigned to this town for the Connecticut line of the Continental army.
"Voted, that Capt. Josiah Phelps, Eliakim Marshall and Henry Allyn, be agents in behalf of this town to apply for said permit."
At town meeting, held April 3, 1781.
"Voted, That Nath'l Griswold and Sylvanus Griswold shall take all benefit that may be had by a permit granted by His Excellency the Governor, and Council of Safety. granting to the town of Windsor liberty to transport one thousand bushels of Indian corn, or Rye flour equivalent thereto, to Rhode Island for the purpose of procuring Linen Cloth for frocks, shirts and over alls for this town's quota of clothing for the army, agreeable to the acts of the General Assembly, upon these conditions, that they lay out Sixty pounds Hard money in Linen cloth, proper, good and suitable for frocks, shirts and overhalls, provided they procure the same by the 10th day May next -and deliver the same to Mr. Elijah Hubbard for and on account of the town of Windsor,
334
HISTORY OF ANCIENT WINDSOR.
and to have no other pay for the same than what said Hubbard shall apprize the same at. and be allowed by Pay table for the same.
" Voted, That Nath'l Griswold have Twelve pounds State money paid to him out of the treasury of this town upon his procuring One Hundred and eight [pairs] good, large well made men's shoes, and one hundred and eight pairs of good, well made men's stockings, and deliver the same to Mr. Elijah Hubbard. Subclothier at Middletown, by the 10th day of May next, for and on account of the quota of shoes and stockings ordered by the General Assembly to be provided by the town of Windsor for each non- commissioned officer and soldier required for this town's quota of the Conn. Line of the Continental Army, to serve for three years or during the war. He having no other demand for the same than said twelve pounds State money, and also that what shall be allowed by Pay-table for the same.
"Voted. To raise a rate or tax of four pence one farthing on the pound on the list of polls and rateable estate of the Inhabitants of the town of Windsor made and computed for August 20th, 1780, to be paid in Silver or Gokl for the purpose of purchasing the Beef ordered by the General Assembly to be raised in this town in the months of July, August. September and October, 1781, as by said act may appear. &c.
" Voted. That James Roberts be Receiver of all such Beef-cattle as shall be brought in to him by any person or persons as shall choose to pay their four-pence half-penny tax above.
" Voted, To raise the Beef assigned to this town. for this month and the three follow- ing months, said beef called to be appraized as in said act mentioned and the person or persons procuring the same to have the advantage of the same according to apprisement and price stated, only allowing one half of one per cent for trouble to said Roberts, and said Roberts to have full power to purchase the whole of the beef ordered by the Gen- eral Assembly to be raised in the month of July, August. September and October by this town, except the beef that shall be delivered to said Roberts by the inhabitants of this town. &c. . The town to have liberty to bring in their cattle by the -
5th day of each of said months respectively."
The records of the town during the year
1782
present nothing of very special interest.
"At a town meeting held July 15, 1782, voted, That Gen. Roger Newberry and Mr. 1 Oliver Ellsworth be a committee to attend the proposed Convention to be held at Hart- ford on the 16th day of July next, agreeable to the proposal made by the town of Farm- ington, there to represent this town to consult and advise what is proper and necessary to be done to carry into execution the Laws of the State for preventing illicit trade and commerce with the enemy, and to counsel aud determine upon other matters and things for the publie good, proper for such a convention."
The requisitions made upon the different towns of the State were very heavy, and it is doubtful if they could have much longer sustained the continued drain to which they had for so many years been subjected. The town of Windsor, in common with others, began to evince a flagging, not in her patriotism or cheerfulness, but in her ability. Yet every nerve was strained to its utmost. At this juncture the God of America's battles interposed his strong arm to save her. The surrender of Corn- wallis on the 19th of October virtually ended the long eight years' strng- gle for independence. The whole country was filled with joy and
335
WINDSOR MEMBERS OF " THE CINCINNATI."
thanksgiving. Preliminary articles were signed at Paris in November following, and on the 19th of April, 1783, a formal proclamation of peace was published to the world.
SOCIETY OF THE CINCINNATI.
At the close of the Revolution the officers of the American army felt a natural desire in some way to perpetuate the long-cherished friend- ship and social intercourse which had bound them together during the many trying scenes of the contest which had ended. Agreeably, there- fore, to the suggestion of Gen. Knox, and with the acquiescence of their beloved commander, Washington, they formed themselves, in May, 1783, into a society which they called, in honor of the Roman hero, Cincin- natus, the " Society of the Cincinnati."
This association was founded on the following " immutable" principles:
"An incessant attention to preserve inviolate those exalted rights and liberties of human nature for which they have fought and bled, and without which the high rank of a national being is a curse instead of a blessing.
"An unalterable determination to promote and cherish between the respective States, that unison and national honor so essentially necessary to their happiness and the future dignity of the American empire.
" To render permanent the cordial affection subsisting among the officers, this spirit will dictate brotherly kindness in all things, and particularly extend to the most sub- stantia) acts of beneficence, according to the ability of the society, towards those officers and their families who unfortunately may be under the necessity of receiving it."
On this basis, then, these officers solemnly associated themselves into " one society of friends, to endure as long as they shall endure, or any of their eldest male posterity, and in failure thereof, the collateral branches, who may be judged worthy of becoming its supporters and members."
This society was divided into State societies. Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, and South Car- olina were thus represented. Gen. Washington was its first President- General from 1783 till his death in 1799. He was succeeded in 1800 by Gen. Alexander Hamilton until his death in 1804. His successor was Gen. Charles C. Pinckney. of South Carolina, who died in 1825. Since then the office has been filled by Major-Gen. Thomas Pinckney, Col. Aaron Ogden, of New Jersey. Gen. Morgan Lewis of New York, Major Popham, of the same State, and lastly Gen. Dearborn.
The following commissioned officers of the Continental Army, belonging to Windsor, were members of the Connectient Society of the Cincinnati: 1
' From MSS .. etc., relating to the Conn. Cincinnati, in possession of the Coun. Hist. Soc.
336
HISTORY OF ANCIENT WINDSOR.
Time of service
Major ABNER PRIOR.
Jan., 76.
Lieut. MARTIN DENSLOW,
April, "79-Aug., '82.
Sgt. TIMOTHY MATHER (Surgeon), Oct. 15. 76.
Lieut. CORNELIU'S RUSSELL,
Lieut. SAMUEL GIBBS,
Capt. ERASTUS WOLCOTT
The Town Treasurer's report of the year
1775, exhibits a balance in favor of the town, of - 1776.
322:17:1
1777, .. 586:17.6
859:17:1
1778. Balance on hand,
562:09.4
1780. Now in the hands of the Treasurer (Phinehas Wilson), and collec tors, £5,151:9:10 Con'l money. old currency. Also. 440.18:04 State money.
1781. The Treasurer has on hand as follows :
91.202:12:02 Continental. 2,109:04:11 State money. 439:17:11 Lawful money to pur. beef. 142:02:01 Bounty money.
1782. On hand as follows :
€590:09:06 Continental. 539:07:00 State. 642:04:09 Silver.
1
1
1783. On hand :
£533:16:03 Continental money. 476:12:00 State money. 356:02:00 Silver.
1784. On hand :
£228.12:10 Continental. 71:11:01 State. 356:07:04 Legal.
THE HISTORY OF DANIEL BISSELL, THE SPY.
Among the names of Windsor soldiers in the Revolution occurs that of DANIEL BISSELL, accompanied on the official return by the ominous suffix, " deserter." The record was as undoubtedly authentic as it was unpalatable ; but enquiries among the old people suggested a probabil- ity that there were some extenuating circumstances, or possibly a satis- factory explanation. Investigations were at once instituted, and finally we had the extreme pleasure of vindicating the deserter's character, and of bringing to light the record of a life of devotion to his country's interests, and of suffering in her service, such as has been seldom par- alleled, even in the roll of brave deeds which ennoble the page of Ameri- can history.
1 Jan., '77. 21 .Jan., 7.
£276:12.2
And money raised to hire sokliers in addition,
337
ADVENTURES OF DANIEL BISSELL, THE SPY.
For, if honor and gratitude are due to him who boldly maintains a just cause by force of arms and personal bravery, how much more is it due to him, who, renomeing glory's brightest dream, takes upon himself the unenviable character and office of a spy in his country's service ? Such a one not only subjects himself to the ignominy of a felon's death, if detected, Init expatriates himself from all human sympathy. He knows - and it is the most terrible thought that a noble heart can feel -- that not only his comrades are covering his name with execration, but that those who are nearest and dearest to him, are either unconscious of his real character, or, if conscious, are dragged down and suffering from the contempt which he has brought upon them. For him, all hope of return is past, and the future has but one bright hope to illumine his pathway, the hope that his country will profit by the sacrifice which she demands of him. Such was Hale, whose martyr-memory is precious to every patriot heart : such too, though more fortunate, was DANIEL BIS- SELL of Windsor.
The following account of his military services and adventures is gleaned from a package of documents, now sacredly preserved, in the keeping of his son, Dr. D. BISSELL, resident physician at the Quarantine on Staten Island, New York. They are copies from the original docu- ments in the Department of War, at Washington, and their authenticity is fully attested by the seal of the department and the signature of the Secretary, John f. Calhoun, under date of December 5, 1820.
DANIEL BISSELL, the eldest son of Daniel and Elizabeth ( Loomis) Bissell of Windsor, was born in 1754, and arrived at the years of early manhood with a character marked by a great degree of personal cour- age, self-reliance, prudence, and strict integrity. Upon the breaking out of the Revolution, he enlisted in the Continental line, where his sterling qualities of head and heart speedily gained the esteem of his comrades and the confidence of his officers.
He served through the war with credit - was present at the battle of White Plains, also at Trenton and Monmouth : at the latter place he was slightly wounded in the check. In the summer of 1781, he was so- lected by Gen. Washington to obtain information of the enemy's forte and plans in the city of New York and, on Long Island. We will let our hero tell his own story, in his own way, in the following affidavit :
"State of New York, Ontario County, ss: I, DANIEL BISSELL, of Richmond, of more than sixty years of age do testify and say, that on the thirteenth day of August, 1781, Col. Heman Swift, of the 2d Connecticut Regiment, called on me early in the morning, and stated to me that he dined at Head Quarters the day before, and His Ex: celleney found it necessary to send within the British fines, toascertain their position and force, some person, and that I wasdetermined on for the undertaking, and further stated that His Excellency conceived that the great danger was in passing the several exami- nations, After some further conversation on the subject passed between us, I agreed VOL. I. - 43
338
HISTORY OF ANCIENT WINDSOR.
to accept the perilous tour. Col. Swift then directed me to go to a certain place near Head Quarters, where Col. David Humphrey would meet me. Soon after I arrived at the place appointed, the Colonel emme and put into my hand a paper, requesting me to go to some bye-place and read it over, through the course of the day, then destroy it, go to my Regiment, get some refreshment, put on and carry with me two suits of clothes, wear in my watch, silver buckles, &e., which I wore in the American army, so as it should have the appearance of deserting ; 1 and at the time the army was on the parade for evening roll-call, quit the Regiment, go to a bridge between the army and Col. Schammel's Light Infantry, where I should meet Col. Swift, who would give me further instructions. Col. Swift directed me to call on Col. Schammel at his marquee at nine o'clock in the evening; and Col. Schemmel went with, and conducted me by his Camp guards and sentinals, and informed me that he had ordered off all guards and patrols from the North River road (until after midnight) down as far as Croton Bridge, that be- ing the extent of our lines. 1 was then to answer (if hailed) . friend to Britain.' The paper Col. Humphrey gave me was as follows, to the best of my recollection :
"'As Gen. Arnold ? is now in Virginia, with all the new raised corps, there will be no recruiting parties in New York; and as the fleet is now at the Hook, consequently there will be no press [gang] in the city ; and with the money you carry in, you can get a pro- tection from the Mayor or Police of the city, to go to Lloyd's Neck, thirty miles on Long Island, to cut wood for the Crown. After this, you will return to King's Bridge or Lanrel Ilill, and view the works there, obtain the number of each regiment, the num- ber of men each contains, by whom commanded, their several alarm posts, the number of cannon mounted in each work. You will view all the works on York Island in the same manner; get the whole number of regular forces, distinguishing the British from foreigners; the number of the new raised corps, and also the number of militia enrolled for the defence of the city. Get what information you can of their works and force at Powler's Hlook, also that of Staten Island. Obtain the number of Shipping in the Har- bour, and that at the Hook: and when you have completed your business here, you will pass over to Brooklyn, view the works there, ascertain their force on Long Island. When you have got the business completed, the seventh or ninth night, be at a place called Whitestone, not far from Lloyd's Neck, where a boat will attend to fetch you off. In case you cannot attend on one of those nights, you will then make your escape off at the east end of Long Island.'
" Then followed all the probable questions that would be asked me. in the several examinations, together with their answers. But when I arrived in New York, to my great disappointment, I found that Gen. Arnold had returned and had established his recruit- ing parties in every place where deserters could come in; that the British tleet had got into New York and shut out the French fleet; and that the press-gangs were in every part of the city; that the Commander in-chief, Sir Harry Clinton, had issued a late order that there should be no more protections given to deserters. After avoiding the press-gang for three days, and being attacked with a violent fever, " I enused my name to be enrolled in Arnold's regiment. I was soon after sent to the Hospital at Flushing, in
1 Still further to avoid suspicion and secure the accomplishment of the design in hand. Bissell was entered and published in the official returns, as a deserter from the American army. His real character and design were thus known only to Washington and a few of his principal officers. The astonishment and mortification of his numerous friends, when they heard him returned as a deserter, can be better imagined than de- scribed; though his character was afterwards satisfactorily vindicated.
2 The traitor Arnold then in the British service.
s Mr. Bissell has been heard to say that he had fully possessed himself of the details of the proposed attack on New London, when he was attacked with illness, and thus prevented from making any use of his knowledge, as he dared not attempt to swim the river in his enfechled condition.
--
339
ADVENTURES OF DANIEL BISSELL, THE SPY.
December following removed back to York Island (Harlem Heights), put into a barn which was their Regimental Hospital, where I remained until May. Here my suffering was truly great ; without fire the greatest part of the time, only wood allowed for the purpose of cooking our pork and pease; withont attendance: but one additional blanket to two men; without shifting my clothes for three months; covered with head and body lice; unable to walk. In this situation, I was taken out of the Hospital to do Quarter- Master Sergeant's duty, for said Regiment, by Capt. Robert Rowley, who acted also as Quarter-Master to the same; and through his kind attention to my health, Lowe my escape from them.1
AAlthough Mr. Bissell in his affidavit has not mentioned the particulars of his escape, yet they are not without interest. It seems that from carly boyhood he had been in the habit of talking in his sleep, and during the temporary delirium of his fever in the British hospital, he probably betrayed his secret to his attending physician, who was also warmly attached to him. After his recovery the doctor gave him a quiet hint to that effort. Bissell's mind was immediately made up to leave. Taking into his confi- dence a comrade who was also desirous of escape, the two obtained permission of the officer of the guard. to leave the lines in search of a pig which, as they pretended, had strayed away. Accompanied by a boy, whom they took along as a blind, they started forth. Their adventures were numerous and exciting. Coming to a small river, they were obliged to swim across. Bissell supporting his comrade (who was a larger man, but no swimmer on his shoulders, and the boy swimming by his side. At another and wider river, they were at a loss how to cross, and were deliberating on the subject, when they espied a person approaching in a boat from the other side, whom they hailed. Ile seemed to be much frightened, threw overboard what seemed to be a quarter of beef, and was about paddling off in the opposite direction, when Bissell seized a small stick about the size of a horse-pistol, and threatened to shoot him immediately. if he did not come ashore. This he thought best to do, and on reaching the beach, was ordered by Bissell to put the party across the river, and " no questions asked or answered." This the man did, and appeared to feel quite relieved when well rid of his load. He was probably a renegade farmer who was smuggling in beef to the British army on New York Island.
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