The history and genealogies of ancient Windsor, Connecticut, Vol. I, Part 41

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909
Publication date: 1891
Publisher: Hartford, Conn., Press of the Case, Lockwood & Brainard company
Number of Pages: 1038

USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Windsor > The history and genealogies of ancient Windsor, Connecticut, Vol. I > Part 41

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Before they had been long absent, their intent was suspected, and they were pur- sued by a detachment of the British light horse. Luckily, however, they reached a large swamp, in which they hid themselves for some time, with nothing but their heads out of water, while their pursuers, accompanied by bloodhounds, were riding and beat- ing around in vain search. But the water with which it abounded threw the dogs off their scent, and after two or more hours of the most agonizing suspense, Bissell and his comrades were delighted to hear the bugle sound a recall, and the footsteps of their pur- suers gradually receding. They climbed up into the trees, and there cold, wet, and hun gry, spent a forlorn night. But at length their sufferings had an end. [From his Mento- rial to the Connecticut General Assembly of 24 Oct., 1782, asking for a settlement due him, Conn. State Archives, Kerol. War, xxiii. 251, he says he was not able to complete these services and " return from them till the 29th of Sept. last." }

Supplemental Jote. In my boyhood days I listened from time to time to the recital of thrilling incidents in the experience of Uncle David Bissell, while he was acting as spy. These stories were told me by two of his sisters, Mrs. John Haskell of Windsor Locks, and Mrs. Pember of Vermont; also by several of his nephews and nieces, among them the late Herlehigh Haskell, who had much to do with Unele David when a boy. The most exciting part of the story to me was that of his escape. Procuring a pass to go beyond the lines to buy a pig to eat the debris of the camp, with the boy taken as a blind to their real intention, they pushed on beyond the pickets, but found no means to cross the North [llarlem ? ] River, where they hoped to; and pushing on farther, knowing that they would be pursued and overtaken soon, they came toa swampy pond

340

IfISTORY OF ANCIENT WINDSOR,

" When I returned from the British Army to the American Head Quarters, and after being there two days, committing to paper the information which I had obtained, Col. Humphrey informed me that his Excellency said that he could not reward me in the way and manner he intended when I went in; my being detained there so long, also there being so many supernumerary officers, Congress had ordered there be no more commissions given; and asked me if I wished to be discharged From service. 1 told the Col. I had been in every campaign of the War (and out of health) that my wish was to continue through. I was then asked to join the Invalid Corps and receive a pension. This I declined on the ground, that my country was poor and it would be of no advan- tage to me. He said I might do duty or not as I pleased. I went to my Regiment and did orderly sergeant duty until May following, when I obtained permission from his Ex- celleney to go to Susquehannah. And on my return to the regiment I found the last division of the army had been furloughed the day before; my clothes which I left in the regiment were all stolen. I found there had been a General Order for me to attend at Head Quarters and receive an honorary certificate and a badge of military merit. These were given me by Jonathan Trumbull, then secretary.

" In the year 1777 or 78, Congress passed a resolution that any non-commissioned officer or private who should furnish himself with clothing (regimental) should receive thirty-six dollars, seventy-five cents per year. Agreeably to the resolve, I furnished myself with clothing the most part of four years as it will appear by the Books of the 2nd Connecticut Regiment, now at the seat of Government. Thirteen months I clothed and victualled myself, while in actual dangerous service for my country, and sacrificed a constitution as good perhaps, as any ever entered the American service. In Washing. ton's administration I petitioned Congress for compensation for extra services, and for money paid for clothing in the War. Daniel Buck, Esq., member of Congress from the state of Vermont, carried forward my petition, he was to call on the President, show him my certificate and badge of merit. The President did advise Mr. Buck to put in a petition for me. Accordingly he did. Mr. Buck, on his return to Vermont, informed me I was barred by law, this being the year the Limitation Act took place. James Fisk, Esq., member of Congress from Vermont, carried forward my second petition ; on his return informed me that the committee on claims, reported in favour of the petitioner; that it went to the second reading, when Mr. Talmadge, a member from Connecticut moved to have the petition put over to the next sitting of Congress (and carried). llere the business has rested ever since. Furthermore the deponent saith not.

" DANIEL BISSELL.

" Personally appeared Daniel Bissell, of Richmond, Ontario County, State of New York, and made solemn oath, that the above, within and foregoing written deposition by him subscribed contains the truth, according to the best of his recollection and belief. Sworn to, this ith of January 1818 at Richmond, before

"WM. BAKER, Justice of the Peace."

The Honorary Certificate,1 which accompanied the Badge of merit, above alluded to, was as follows :

which had bushes in it, and there hid themselves. Soon they heard the coming of their pursuers. Buried to their necks in water, the boy became frightened and began to cry. I'nele Daniel said, "I shall drown you in a minute if you make the least noise," and he used to say, " I should have done it." The boy kept still until the bugle call announced that the pursuit was ended. - JABEZ HASKELL HAYDEN, 1891.

1 The establishment of this badge was announced to the army in general orders, dated:

" HEAD QUARTERS, NEWBURGIL, Wednesday, Aug. 7th, 1782. 5

" Honorary Badges of distinction are to be conferred on the veteran non-commis- sioned officers and soldiers of the army who have served more than three years with

341

ADVENTURES OF DANIEL BISSELL .. THE SPY.

"1, GEORGE WASHINGTON, Commander-in-Chief of the American Army, &c., &r.

" To all to schom these Presents shall von, sendeth brrating :

" Whereas it hath ever been an established maxim in the American Service, that the Road to Glory was open to all, that Honorary Rewards and Distinctions, were the great est Stimuli to virtuous actions, and whereas Sergeant DANIEL BISSELL. of the Second Connecticut Regiment, has performed some important service, within the immediate knowledge of the Commander-in Chief, in which his fidelity, perseverance and good sense, were not only conspicuously manifested, but his general line of conduct through

bravery, fidelity, and good conduct: for this purpose a narrow piece of white cloth of an angular form is to be fixed to the left arm on the uniform coats, Non-commissioned officers and soldiers who have served with equal reputation more than six years are to be distinguished by two pieces of cloth set in parallel to each other in a similar form. Should any who are not entitled to these honors have the insolence to assume the badges of them, they shall be severely punished. On the other hand. it is expected those gal lant men who are thus designated will on all occasions be treated with particular conti- dence and consideration.

" The General, ever desirous to cherish a virtuous ambition in his soldiers, as well as to foster and encourage every species of military merit, directs that whenever any sin- gularly meritorious action is performe 1, the author of it shall be permitted to wear on his facings over the left breast, the figure of a heart in purple cloth or silk, edged with narrow lace or binding. Not only instances of unusual gallantry, but also of extraor dinary fidelity and essential service in any way shall meet with a due reward. Before this favour can be conferred on any man, the particular fact or facts on which it is to be grounded must be set forth to the commander-in-chief, accompanied with certificates from the commanding officers of the regiment and brigade to which the candidate for reward belonged, or other incontestible proofs, and upon granting it, the name and regi- ment of the person, with the action so certified. are to enrolled in the book of merit which will be kept at the orderly office. Men who have merited this last distinction to be suffered to pass all guards and sentinels which officers are permitted to do.

" The road to glory in a patriot army and a free country is thus open to all. This order is also to have retrospect to the earliest stages of the war, and to be considered as a permanent one."

Four days later, another order was issued in explanation of the foregoing, and to prevent any misapplication of the badges.

" HEAD QUARTERS, NEWBURGH, Sunday, August 11. 1782. 6

"In order to prevent misapplication of the honorary badges of distinction to be con- ferred on the non-commissioned officers and soldiers in consequence of long and faithful service, through any mistake or misapprehension of the orders of the 7th instant. the General thinks proper to inform the army that they are only attainable by an uninter- rupted series of faithful and honorable services. A soldier who has once retired from the field of glory forfeits all pretensions to precedence from former services; and a man who has deservedly met an ignominious punishment or degradation cannot be admitted a candidate for any honorary distinction unless he shall have wiped away the stain his reputation has suffered by some very brilliant achievement, or by serving with reputa- tion after his disgrace the number of years which entitle other men to that indulgence. The badges which non-commissioned officers and soldiers are permitted to wear on the left arm as a mark of long and faithful service, are to be of the same color with the facings of the corps they belong to, and not white in every instance as directed in the orders of the 5th instant."

(From an article by Peter Force, Esq .. of Washington, in the Historical Magazine, vol. iii. p. 1.) At present only two others are known to have received this badge. See the article above referred to.

842

HISTORY OF ANCIENT WINDSOR.

out a long course of service, having been not only unspotted but highly deserving of commendation.

" Now, therefore, Know Ye, that the aforesaid Sergeant Bisskin., hath fully and truly deserved, and hath bern properly invested with, the Honorary Badge of Military Merit, and is entitled to pass and repass all Guards and Military Posts, as freely and as amply any Commissioned Officer whatever; and is further Recommended to that Notice which a Brave and Faithful Soldier deserves from his Countrymen.

" Given under my band and seal, in the Highlands of New York, this Ninth day of Way, A. D. 1783.

" Signed. " GEORGE WASHINGTON. [1 .. N.]

" Registered. " JONATHAN TRUMBULL, Secretary."

This certificate was highly prized by the recipient, and in after life carefully preserved between the leaves of an old family Bible, which. together with all his earthly goods, was lost by the burning of his house in Richmond, N. Y. A copy, however, had been made, the authenticity of which was subsequently attested by the following affidavits and letters :

"To all whom it may concern, by these Presents be it certified and made known : That Daniel Bissel of the town of Windsor, in the State of Connecticut, was a Sergeant in the 2d Regiment of the Troops of the said State, in the service of the U. S . in the year 1781. That the Commander in Chief, to whom the undersigned were then aids-de- camp, having had occasion to employ an intelligent, faithful, and brave man to obtain. by personal inspection, information of the strength and position of the British army in New York at the time of the junction of the American and French armies, near the White Plains, at the opening of the campaign in the before mentioned year, did through the ageney of one of the undersigned, and on the special recommendation of Col. Heman Swift then commanding the Regiment, to which the said Daniel Bissell then belonged engage the aforesaid Sergeant Bissell, in this perilous and important undertaking, under pretext of being a deserter to the enemy, and in order to render the deception complete, of being returned as such, on the succeeding muster rolls; That he did so quit the lines of the American Army, about the 14th of August, 1981, and enlist in one of the Provincial Regiments, so called, in the service of the King of Great Britain, and become Quarter Master Sergeant in the same, whereby he had an opportunity of learn- ing the force of the several corps from the number of rations delivered at the Commis- sary's store. That having been constrained by inevitable causes to remain for nearly thirteen months, he did then return to the American Head Quarters with interesting intelligence. That General Washington, having been well satisfied with his whole conduct, did give him an honorable discharge from the army, lest from any future con- tingeney he might fall into the hands of the British, and be capitally punished for the performance of his patriotic and secret service to his country. And the undersigned do further certify and make known, according to the best of their knowledge and belief. that the before named Sergeant Daniel Bissell, did receive a highly creditable certificate, together with what was termed the Badge of Merit; and that they are ignorant of his having ever received any other reward for his meritorions services.

Given under our hands and seals, in Boston, in the State of Massachusetts, this 29th day of May, in the year of our Lord 18] ?.

[1. %.]

Signed

D. HUMPHREYS, DAVID COBB.

- -

343

AN INCIDENT OF 1776.

Accompanying this was a letter from Major Uhumphreys, in which he says : " We hasten to furnish you with a certificate in conformity to our joint and distinct recollection of facts, in the hope it may prove of some avail in procuring you a compensation for the perilons undertaking, in which we believe you engaged from motives of patriotism."

This testimony was further corroborated by two of his follow ser- geants, who were in the same regiment with him, and who were after- wards his neighbors in Richmond County. N. Y.

Sgt. Bissell was afterward Paymaster in Col. Bradley's Regiment in 1780. Conn. State Archives, Rerol. Har. xxi. 168. He also served in the campaign against the Indians in 1799. known as the Adams War. lle then held the rank of 1st lieutenant in the 16th regiment of D'. S. Infantry.

Still later he removed to Vermont, where he married a second wife. In 1810 he removed to Richmond, N. Y., where he died in August. 1824. aged 70 years.

llis character was that of an upright, fearless, public-spirited citizen. Ilis naturally fine constitution never recovered from the privations and sufferings to which he was exposed during his service as a spy within the British lines at New York ; and the maladies to which his after life was subject undoubtedly tended much to cripple his energies, and to thwart the success which those energies would otherwise have accom- plished. Yet he brought up a large family of children, all of whom have taken responsible and useful positions in life. And. to his latest hour, the remembrance of his patriotic service was a source of honorable pride, which fully compensated him for all the sufferings which it had entailed upon him.

AN INCIDENT.

At an early period in the Revolutionary struggle, and before the war had as yet fairly commenced, some of the tories (of whom there were a few in Windsor ) happened one day to come across ELIHU DRAKE, then a young lad about eight years old, and, partly in earnest and partly in a joke. endeavored to compel him to say " God save the King." Fail- ing of success. they tried to intimidate him by threatening him with a ducking in the Little River. But the boy still stontly refused. Becom- ing somewhat enraged at the young rebel, they carried their threat into execution, and thrust him under water: but as they pulled him out spluttering and choking, the only exclamation which he uttered was a fervent " God d-n the King." Again and again was the little martyr thrust under, but each time the same "God den the King" was all which they could extort from him, and they were obliged to release him, with many hearty curses for his stubbornness.

344

HISTORY OF ANCIENT WINDSOR.

This little hero was the son of Adjt. Augustine Drake, of Windsor, and afterwards, at the age of twelve, accompanied his father into the war, in the capacity of waiter.

A LIST OF SOLDIERS IN THE AMERICAN REVOLUTIONARY ARMY WIIO WERE NATIVES OF, OR ENLISTED FROM, THE TOWN OF WINDSOR, CONN.

In presenting this list in the first edition of this work we stated that (despite the claim made by almost every family that it had an " ancestor in the Revolution ") we had rigidly discarded tradition and had relied ex- elusively, in its compilation. upon original documentary evidence - such as papers in the State Archives at Hartford, the original certificates of enlistment in the Windsor town clerk's office, official returns, private let- ters, etc., etc.

Fortunately, the recent publication (1889) of the Record of Service of Connecticut Men in the Military and Naval Service during the War of the Revolution, 1775-1783, edited by Henry P. Johnston, A.M., under authority of the Adjutant-General of Connecticut, and published by the State (1889) enables us not only to prove the correctness of our former list, but to add materially to its details, as to regimental connections. terms of service, transfers, promotions, etc. Facts obtained from this official record are distinguished by being bracketted. thus [ J.

NOTE -The term " Continental Army " first appears upon the printed records of the Continental Congress in the summary of proceedings for June 14, 175, where the form of enlistment to be subscribed by companies of riflemen is given. It was to be an enlistment into "the American Continental Army." On the same day a committee of five was appointed to prepare rules and regulations for the government of this prospec- tive army, which were reported and adopted on the 20th. On June 15th, it was " Resolved, That a General be appointed to command all the Continental forces, raised or to be raised, for the defense of American Liberty." and Washington was unanimously elected.

At the opening of the War, or for the year 1275, no Continental force was in the first instance organized as such by Congress. As the New England colonies were mustering their own troops around Boston and Ticonderoga after the Lexington alarm, Congress adopted them as Continentals. Troops joining them from New York and else- where were generally recruited on the Continental basis. For the succeeding years of the war, Congress took the initiative and raised troops for the common army under its own regulations respecting pay, subsistence, and term of service. This was organized and reorganized several times and for various terms.

These Continentals were the " regulars " of the Revolution. They formed the main army in the fjeld and were the chief dependence of the Colonial cause. In arranging rosters of that war, accordingly, the Continental army occupies the central and most prominent place. All other troops raised during the war, whether State or militia, were to act as reinforcements of this army, or to relieve it by serving in alarms at different points. (Off. Ber. of Coun. Men in Recol, War. p 31 )

345

WINDSOR SOLDIERS IN THE REVOLUTIONARY SERVICE.

Abbreviations used in following List :

app., appointed. enl., enlisted. comm., commission or commissioned. memb., member.

Cont., Continental. prom., promoted.

d., died. dise., discharged. dex., deserted.

red., reduced in rank.

rex., residence.

ADAMS, WILLIAM (Corp'l), of the Wintonbury Parish, " Lexington Alarm " party. Mx. List of Cupt. Lemuel Robertx.

ALFORD, JOSEPH, [of Capt. Griswold's Co., Brig.Gen. Erastus Wolcott's Brig .. Col. Belden's Reg't (militia); joined regt. 6 Apl., disc. 23 May, 1777.] For ser vice, see p. 330. Served at N. Y., Peekskill, Fishkill, and N. Haven.

ALLEN, BENJAMIN, 1st Liout. Major Roger Newberry's Co., in Aug., 1776. See Lemuel Drak in this list.

ALLYN, ELISHA, Jenl. 21 April, 1777. in Lieut. Chas, Seymour's Co., Col. Beklen's Reg't, Brig. Gen. Erastus Wolcott's Brig .: disc. 6 June], [was one of Capt. Robinson's ('o .. Col. Enos Reg't. 3 mos' troops, which arrived at Saw Pitts, in the Hudson, 29 June. 1778.] In orig. edit. "enl. Mar., 1778, to Jan., 1779."

GEORGE, served at Horseneck, Conn., [from May. 1781. to Mar., 1782; res. Wind sor; application for pension on file, Co. Clerk's off .. Hartford. ]

JOB. [en]. C'apt. Roger Enos' (3d) Co., 2d Reg't, Col. Spencer, 9 May; disc. 18 Dec., 1775; Capt. Abner Prior's Co .. Col. E. Wolcott's Reg't. Boston, Jan .- Mch. , 1776. ]

JOHN, in " Lexington Alarm" party. Apl., 1225. Sec p. 311.

JOHN, Jr., in " Lexington Alarm " party, Apl., 1775. See p. 311.

JOSEPH. [en]. 1 AApl., 1777. for S mos, in Capt. Abner Prior's Co., 5th Reg't Conn. Line, of the formation of 1777-81; dise. 9 Jan., 1778. ]

MOSES, served six mos. in 1780. [A Moses Allyn was in Capt. Roswell Grant's Co. of Col. Enos' (militia) Reg't in service on the Hudson, 1778]: an E. W. Co.

SOLOMON (Ens. ), in Capt. Abner Prior's Co., Col. E. Wolcott's Reg't, Boston, Jan .- Mch. 1776; at Horseneck, Conn., May, 1781, to Mar., 1782. Sgt. of (apt. Samuel Granger's Co., Gen. Waterbury's State Brig., 1781; joined 23 Apl .; prom. Ens. 19 Aug.

THOMAS, enl. i July; dise. Dec. 18, 1775 ; in 4th Co., 8th Cont. (Col. Hunting ton's) Reg.

ANDRUS, SAMUEL (Why.), died Oct. 5. on return from camp, near New York, 1776. [ASHFORD, JOSEPH, memb. Sth Co. Ist Reg. Mil .. Windsor. ]

ATWOOD, PHILANDER. teamster of Supply Tran portation teams, 79-81. BARBER. AMAZIAH. of the Wintonbury parish, " Lexington Alarm " party. - Capt. Lammel Roberts' Mx. List. VOL. I .- 44

346

HISTORY OF ANCIENT WINDSOR.

BARBER, DAVID, Jr., enlisted May, 1777. in Capt. John Harmon's Co., Col. Durkee's Reg't, for 3 yrs. [this, the 20th Continental of '76, was Gen. Putnam's old reg't of '75 re-org.]

DAVID, Capt. of 8th Co., Poq. Parish, Ist Reg't Militia, Windsor, 20 May, 1779, was detached with a company of meu from the 1st Reg't on a tour of duty under Maj. Kent at N. Haven in Aug. and Sept. Sce pp. 327. 328.

JERIJAH, was drafted and served in New York and Westchester, in Aug. and Sept , 1780. See p. 323.

REUBEN, served six months in 1780. Prob. the Reuben, who was [ of the levies in ('ol. Bradley's 5th Conn. Line Regt, of the formation of 1777-81, of which Abner Prior of W. was a captain; Barber enl. July 1, and was disc. 13 Dec., 1780.]

SHUBAEL [served in Capt. Roger Enos' (3d) Co., 2d Reg. (Continental), Col. Spen- ver's 1975; raised on the first call for troops; enl. 7 May; disc. 19 Dec., '75; was of Capt. Abner Prior's Co., Col. Erastus Wolcott's State Reg't at Boston, Jan. to Mch., 1776; enl. 29 May, 67, for the war, in Capt. Harmon's Co. in 4th Reg. Conn. Line (Col. Durkee's), app. Corp'l 1 Sept., "77; reduced 20 Oct., '77: d. Mch., '78 ?]. He also bought and sent a negro into the army. See p. 314.

THOMAS, said to have served in the same co. and reg. as Lory Drake, in this list, which see for particulars.

BARKER, OLIVER, [res. Windsor; application for pension on file in Co. Clerk's off. at Hartford.] Sce p. 330.

BARNARD, EDWARD, JR., in Capt. Roger Enos' Co. (3d), 2d Reg. (Col. Spencer). May-Oct., 1775.

[JOSEPII, memb 8th ('o. Ist Reg't Militia, at Windsor]; said to have enl. for the war; was at White Plains, N. Y. See p. 330.

JOSEPHI, Ir., said to have served in Col. Durkee's reg't, Capt. John Harmon's ('o., 1777; not found on old rolls of that co. and reg't in Official Record.

SAMUEL, [memb, 8th Co. 1st Reg't Militia, at Windsor; ] served at N. Y., Boston, and New Haven. [en]. in Capt. Lemuel Roberts' C'o. 18th Mil. Reg't in service at N. Y., 24 Aug .; dex. Sept. 7, 1776 - the co. disc. 25th.] From Conn. State Archirex, Revol. War, xxi. 197, we learn that he also served as a wagoner 8 days at New Haven.

[MOSES, was memb. Sth Co. 1st Reg. Militia, at Windsor].

BARNES, ABEL, [was a Rev. pensioner, res. W. 1840, aged 86.]

STEPHEN, served 6 months in 1780.

[BARRETT, JEREMIAH, res. Windsor; application for pension on file in Co. Clerk's off. at Hartford.]

347

WINDSOR SOLDIERS IN THE REVOLUTIONARY SERVICE.

BARZILLA, HENRY (eolored), enl. in Capt. John Harmon's Co., Col. Durkee's (4th Conn. Line) Reg't, 15 May, 1777, for the war. Name appears in Official Record as Barzillai Henry.

BECKET, EZRA. (Possibly same as Beckwith below.)

BECKWITHI, EZRA (late of Simsbury); enl. in Capt. [Daniel] Allin's Co., Col. Wyl- lys' Reg't [3d Conn. Line, formation of 1777-81] for the war [Apl. 1, 1777; dise. 25 Meh., 1780; was a Sgt.] Sce Official Record, 8, 45, 482.

[BENTON, ADONIRAM, enl. 3 Mch., 1781, for 3 yrs. as recruit in Sheldon's Dragoons; described as 5 ft. 6 in. high; dark complexion, light eyes, brown hair; farmer.] Off. Rec., 165, 281, 538, 638.

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The history and genealogies of ancient Windsor, Connecticut, Vol. I, Part 41

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909 Publication date: 1891 Publisher: Hartford, Conn., Press of the Case, Lockwood & Brainard company Number of Pages: 1038

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909
Publication date: 1891
Publisher: Hartford, Conn., Press of the Case, Lockwood & Brainard company
Number of Pages: 1038