USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Windsor > The history and genealogies of ancient Windsor, Connecticut, Vol. I > Part 74
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Four companies of East Windsor men sprang to arms in response to the " alarm" which swept over New England. These were commanded by Captains LEMUEL STOUGHTON (North Parish ), AMASA LOOMIS (South Parish ), MATTHEW GRANT ( Wapping Parish), and CHARLES ELLS- WORTH, comprising a total of 148 men. Capt. Ellsworth's company was mainly enlisted from Ellington.
" Prepared, to a certain extent, for such an alarm," says the author of the Official Record of Connecticut Mon in the War of the Revolution. "a large number of able-bodied men in Connecticut hurried off to Massa- chusetts. The wording used in the records of the day, . marched for the relief of Boston,' expresses alike the extent of their sympathies and the nature of the service intended. The response to the alarm was not the official action of the Colony, nor, on the other hand, an impromptu movement of individuals without previous organization. An .uprising' of armed men might have partaken of a mob character, and the militia regiments as such could only be called out by the governor or legis- lature. It was rather a morement of the townsmen marching under their militia organizations. The gatherings thus became orderly as well spon- taneous and represented the town spirit, shown previously in protests and resolutions. It appears, from the records, that, in some cases the compa- nies or train-bands collected and marched off under their officers without further orders ; in other cases, the colonels, taking the lead, called out a certain number of their men and directed them forthwith to the point of danger : in a few cases volunteer companies were organized for the spo- cial service."
- -
--
631
EAST WINDSOR IN THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR, 1775.
Marched from East Windsor for the Relief of Boston, etc., in the Lex- ington Alarm, April, 1775. ["NORTHI SOCIETY" (SCANTIC) TRAIN BAND. ]
MEN'S NAMER AND QUALITY.
No. of days in Servire
Wages Due.
Billiting dne at 1 / 6 per day.
Total Amount.
Lemuel Stoughton. Captain,
9
1
16
Solomon Elsworth. + Lieut.,
18
10
6
1
9
2
Noah Allen.+ Ensign.
1-
14
10
6
1
4
Ebenezer Watson, Jun. [*26-4, un der Capt. Stoughton], Serjeant,
5
11
7
6
15
5
David Allen,
11
1
10
1
1
David Shaw, Private,
9
4
10
6
19
10
Asael Stiles [*8], [drummer], .
11
14
15
1
9
Samuel Watson, Jun' [*Clerk, 16].
5
6
7
6
14
2
Jonathan Munsell. Jun' [*12],
25
1
13
1
15
2
3
- Roswell Blodgett, .
9
4
10
19
1€
Ephraim Ely [*35].
40
2
13
1
15
3
1
John Stiles. Jun' [*15],
19
1
5
1
15
6
19
10
Hezkh Munsell [*12],
1
11
T.
15
1
9
S
David Osborn. .
9
.4
10
6
19
10
Josiah Blodgott.
1
9
1
10
6
19
10
Ely Pease,
Joel Elsworth,
9
4
10
6
19
10
John Loomis, Jun".
11
14
15
1
9
Noah Phelps [*35], Serjeant,
40
3
2
1
15
3
17
1 10
Jos. Harper, Jun',
1
4
10
6
19
10
Ashbel Barber. .
7
9
1
10
6
19
10
Daniel Moss [Morse] [*15],
19
1
5
1
15
2
4
John Pearce,
1-
1
16
15
2
11
John Wills [*21],
1
4
10
6
19
10
Samuel Skinner, Jun. [*8],
11
14
15
1
9
Samuel Allen.
4
4
11
1
Jonathan Barber,
1
5
4
11
1
Caleb Booth, Jun',
1
5
4
=
11
1
Daniel Osborn. .
.1
1
=
11
4
Nathaniel Andrus,
4
5
[
6
11
4
Moses Bissell, Jun',
1
5
1
11
4
Samuel Peck,
14
2
1×
S
3
1
S
Jonathan Pinney, Serjeant.
2
11
1
6
15
9
588
£.12
1
1 £25
967
1
Add to Ebenezer Watson's wages,
17
1
" to Noah Phelps'
9
to Samuel Watson,
4
20 Horses rode, amount 1.066 miles, at 2d. per mile.
12
9
Transporting provisions not used by Company. .
2 14
082 19
8.
€.
₺.
N.
Il.
David Trumbull, Clerk.
11
1
10
6
1
1
17
1
Jontba Pinney [#26],
36
9
1
10
15
1
James Harper, Jun' [*8],
11
1
9
1
10
6
19
10
Nathaniel Watson [*16].
21
1
15
2
3
Samuel Osborn, Jun.,
9
4
10
6
19
Wm. Brow[n]lee*,
9
4
10
19
10
1
10
6
19
10
Francis Baxter [*23].
15
2
8
Jesse Fitch,
9
4
10
6
19
10
Ezekiel Osborn |*8],
1
15
1
Oliver Bissell [*20],
15
3
1
Phineas Blodgett, .
John Roberts [*12],
15
1
9
6
6
1
1 This company (as it appears by another document) reached Shrewsbury, Mass .
Forage for ditto, amount 65 days, at 9d, per day,
=
632
HISTORY OF ANCIENT WINDSOR.
June 6, 1775.
Certifyd.
Pr. BENONI OLCOTT, DAN'L ELSWORTH, Jun., EDWARD CHAP. GRANT,
Selectmen. CHARLES ELSWORTHI.
€. x. d.
June 11, 1775, Rec'd an order on Colony Treasurer for 73 16 3, pr. Lemuel Stoughton June 20, 1775, .. for 1 10 4, pr. Ebenezer Watson. for 3 48, pr. Ichabod Wadsworth.
Sept. 5, 1713, "
78 11 3 2 15 9
$1 :0
The within and above is a true copy of the original Account as allowed and settled.
Pr. T. SEYMOUR, EZL WILLIAMS, Com tee. OLIV. ELLSWORTHI,
where it was met with the news that the urgent necessity for its presence at Boston had passed; and the asterisk, within brackets, in the above list, indicates those members of the company who, at Shrewsbury, decided to push on to the front, and who then and there chose Ebenezer Watson, Jr., to command them. They reported for duty at Rox- bury, as is shown by the following document:
ENFIELD, June y+ 34, 1775.
These may certify that Mr. Ebenezer Watson, Jun', appeard | at Roxbury with a party of Men under his command | did duty as a Lieut .. and was excepted as such by | the general Officers.
pr me, HEZEKIAH PARSONS.
To the Select Men of the Town of East Windsor.
* The figures included within the brackets indicate the number of days service of each man, as returned by Lieut. Ebenezer Watson, Jr., in command from date of his being chosen Lient., April 24, to the time of their return. Hezekiah Parsons, who gave the above certificate, was Captain of that portion of the Enfield Lexington Alarm party which decided to push forward to the scene of action, and probably Lieut. Watson's men was consolidated with Parsons' command during their term of service at the front.
+ Elected by the Train Band, May 9, 1774.
1
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633
EAST WINDSOR IN THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR, 1775.
Marched from East Windsor for the Relief of Boston, etc., in the Ler- ington .Alarm. April, 1775. [" WAPPING PARISH" TRAIN BAND. ]
MEN'S NAMES AND QUALITY.
No. of Days in Service
Wages Due.
Billiting due at 1x. Gd per day.
Total Amount.
Mathew Grant, Captain,
6
1
4
9
1
13
Thomas Sadd. Lieutenant, .
6
16
9
6
15
6
Thacher Lothrop, "
6
9
7
9
18
Wm. Grant.
5
9
1
9
18
Abner Rockwell.
6
9
18
Oliver Skinner, Private.
6
9)
11
Israel Strong,
6
1
4
6
6
Jonathan Stoughton.
6
9
17
Ebenezer Rockwell,
3
4
-1
6
G
Lovi Gay,
4
4
6
6
Daniel Strong,
6
9
17
Elisha Pendal, .
G
9
11
Timothy Bissell,
6
17
lustus Grant. .
6
9
17
Alexander Elmor
1
4
6
8
6
The following persons proceeded for- ward after the company returned back, viz. :
Thacher Lothrop, as Ensign,
5
7
10
10
Samuel Mears, Private. .
3
.1
1
Israel Strong,
5
6
6
David Wright,
5
6
Y. S. Y.
6
8
Justus Grant,
5
6
6
8
Elisha Pendal,
5
6
6
148
£11
9
11
22 Horses, rode 1,046, at 27. per mile,
14
1
Forage for ditto, at 9d. per mile, .
1
16
530
12
9
EAST WINDSOR, June 10, 1775.
Certifyed.
Pr. LEMUEL STOUGHTON, C'HAS. ELSWORTH, Selectmen. EDWARD CHAP. GRANT, )
June 11th, 1775, Rec'd an order on Colony Treasurer in full of this ace't in favour of the Seleetmen.
Pr. MATHEW GRANT.
The within is a true copy of the original account as allowed and settled.
Pr. T. SEYMOUR. Ezt. WILLIAMS.
{ Comtre of
O. ELLSWORTHI, Pay Table.
Vol. 1 -80
1-
6
15
6
Simeon Drake,
Samuel Mears, .
9
12
David Wright.
9
17
Nathaniel Drake,
3
1
4
6
Asael Green,
6
4 9
£8 12 6
£17 17
3
11.
€.
R.
1 5
Noah Barber, Serjeant,
5
17
Joel Nash,
3
9
i
6
S
Jonathan Stoughton.
6
5
634
HISTORY OF ANCIENT WINDSOR.
Marched from East Windsor for the Relief of Boston, etc., in the Ler- ington Alarm, April, 1775. [ " ELLINGTON PARISH" TRAIN-BAND. ]
MEN'S NAMES AND QUALITY.
No. of days in Service.
Wages Due.
Billiting dne at 1x. 64. per day.
Total Amount.
€.
Til. :
€.
£.
11.
Charles Ellsworth, Captain,
5
1
6
1
6
Elisha Kibbe, Ensign,
5
10
6
17
6
James Slade, Serjeant, .
5
6
15
6
Samuel Pinney. Fifor, .
5
3
4
G
14
9
James McKenney, Jun .
5
6
6
14
John Taylor,
5
6
6
1-
Joseph Pinney, Jun.,
5
6
4
6
14
Joseph Parkhurst,
5
6
8
6
14
Eli Carpenter, .
5
6
6
14
Nathan Hall,
5
6
x. Y.
6
14
Warham Foster,
5
6
6
14
Andrew Pember,
5
6
7
6
14
Abner Borroughs, Jun.,
5
G
7
6
1-
Seth Gibbs,
5
6
6
14
Jonathan Sexton,
5
6
6
14
Elijah Lee,
5
6
1
6
1-
Hezekiah Russell, .
6
6
1 .
Josiah Bradley, Jun
5
6
1
6
14
John Charter, Jun.,
5
6
x
6
14
Wm Spear. .
5
6
7
14
John Wallace,
35
2
6
12
1
19
2
Andrew Kennedy.
10
12
1
2
Stephen Bartlett.
8
10
12
1
1
1
2
Daniel Green,
8
1(
12
1
2
John Whitney.
10
12
1
8
Stephen Russell,
5
6
X
6
11
Jonathan Porter. Jun'
6
6
14
2
244
$17 5 3
£16
5 £33
10
9
38 Horses rode, amount 2,280 miles, at 2d. per mile.
19
0
Forage for ditto, 111 days, at 9d, per day. .
4
16
3
4
19
£51
16
10
June 10, 1775. Certifyd.
Pr LEMUEL STOUGHTON. EDWARD CHAP. GRANT. Selectmen. BENONI OLCOTT,
June 11, 1775, Rec'd an order on Colony Treasurer for $51 16%. 10d. in full of this account.
Pr ('HAS. ELSWORTH.
The within and above is a true copy of the original account and settlement thereof.
Pr T. SEYMOUR, EZL. WILLIAMS, Comtre Pay Table. O. ELLSWORTH, )
-
Oliver Hills,
5
6
6
14
Wm. MeKenney,
6
6
14
6
14
2
Edward Payne,
5
6
6
14
14
Hozea Chapman,
5
6
6
Jacob Bottom, .
5
6
10
1-4
Lothrop Shirtliff.
Samuel Peck,
10
12
Jonathan Damon,
10
11010X
12
1
6
Deduct overcharged in Billiting, etc.,
£56
6
15
Ichabod Wadsworth, Serjeant.
5
Gurdon Elsworth, Private,
Peter Mills, .
10
12
6
635
EAST WINDSOR IN THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR, 1775.
Marched from East Windsor for the Relief of Boston, etc., in the Ler- ington Alarm, April, 1775. [" SOUTH PARISH " TRAIN-BAND. ]
MEN'S NAMES AND QUALITY.
No. of days in Service.
Wages Due.
Billiting due at 1x. 6/. per day.
Total Amount.
Amasa Loomis, Captain,
6
1
4
1
13
Samuel Tuder, Lieutenant,
6
16
9
1
5
-
11
6
15
5
Silvanus Martin, ..
5
11
6
15
5
Erastus Wolcoot, Clerk,
0
9
6
10
6
Stephen Gills, Private,
6
9
17
Oliver Stoughton, .
6
9
17
John Brownley.
G
9
17
John Stoughton,
G
9
17
Ebenezer Foot, .
6
8
0
17
Daniel Sunderland,
6
9
17
Aaron Drake,
6
8
9
17
Charles Bissell,
6
8
=
17
Elijah Churchill,
6
9
17
Giles Loomis,
6
9
17
Asael Olcott,
6
9
17
Abraham Skinner,
3
4
4
6
6
Wm Culver,
6
9
17
Elisha Bissell,
5
6
6
14
2
Nathaniel Porter.
5
6
6
14
2
Nathaniel Strong,
6
9
17
Timothy Pratt.
6
9
17
Roswell Skinner,
5
6
G
14
2
Chauncey Nuberr[y ].
6
9
17
Thos. Bancroft,
6
4
1
G
G
AAbner Burnham,
G
9
17
Christopher Horton.
6
9
17
Ebenezer Smith,
5
6
S
6
14
Warham More ..
5
4
1
G
G
Diodate Morton,
6
9
17
.Į
4
G
G
Timothy Elmor.
3
-4
1
6
G
Cymon Wolcott,
6
9
17
Noney [ Benoni} Thomson,
G
8
9
17
Noah Wells.
5
6
6
11
2
Harden Gerrels,
6
9
11
Job Thomson. .
3
1
6
6
Aaron Grant, Jun.,
G
9)
1.
The following persons proceeded for
ward, and were longer in service, viz. :
Ebenezer Foot.
3
1
1
G
Charles Bissell,
3
1
G
G
Amasa Drake, .
3
1
1
G
G
Simon Wolcott,
3
.1
1
6
6
Carried forward. . 215 217 13
918 5
£35 19
1
Roger Wolcott. Ensign,
12
1
1
Oliver Day, Serjeant.
5
9
17
William Stoughton.
1
9
17
Amasa Drake,
4
9
17
Isaac Washburn,
6
11
2
John Anderson,
Samuel Bancroft,
11. ₺.
636
HISTORY OF ANCIENT WINDSOR.
Brought forward,
2.44
517 17 1
6 4
$35
19
4
Benoni Thomson. .
3
1
6
6
Stephen Gills,
5
6
4
6
11
2
Oliver Stoughton, .
5
6
1
6
11
2
John Stoughton,
5
6
1
6
11
2
Aaron Drake,
5
6
8
.4
6
11
Elijah Churchill,
5
6
4
6
11
2
Wm. Culver,
5
6
1
G
11
2
Nathaniel Strong,
5
6
8
$
6
11
John Brownley,
1 !!
1
5
1
5
2
1
301
£21
13
2 £20
2 £41
15
2
Horse hire, 2,276 miles, at 2d. per mile,
18
19
1
Forage for ditto, at 9d. per day,
3
18 3
€64
8 9
June 10, 1775.
Certify'd.
Pr CHARLES ELSWORTHI, LEM'L STOUGHTON,
Selectmen.
EDWARD CHAPMAN GRANT,
June 11th, 1775, Rec'd an order on Colony Treasurer in favour of the Selectmen, East Windsor, in full of this account.
Pr AMASA LOOMIS.
The within and above is a true copy of the original account as allowed and settled.
Pr T. SEYMOUR, Ez. WILLIAMS,
/ Comtee of
Pay Table.
0. ELLSWORTH?
It is said that among these volunteers for the Lexington Alarm were some (among whom were Ens. ALEXANDER KING and THOMAS STARKS) who were present at the subsequent battle of Bunker Hill, and that in the retreat from the latter Mr. King very nearly lost his life.
These hastily-mustered troops were equipped in the most grotesque manner. a few of them having swords and pistols, but most of them only a gun. powder horn, and shot-bag. Dr. GILLETTE says, " Among the lat- ter was Corporal DAVID SOPER, who long afterwards kept a tavern near Torringford Meeting-House in Litchfield county. Soper was sent. in charge of twelve men, on a foraging tour. He was small in person, mounted on a large horse, with gun in hand and a mammoth powder- horn and shot-bag by his side. A few miles from eamp the party was fired upon by a British foraging party concealed behind a stone wall: two of the party were wounded and taken prisoners. while nine escaped ax best they could and got into camp safely. Soper put spurs to his horse and, four hours after, returned to camp by a cirenitons route. He was cordially congratulated by Gen. Putnam, who, surveying the Corpo- ral's mount and rig. with characteristic bluntness, exclaimed, ' Soper! If you should ever fall into another serape like that one you've just ex-
-
!
637
EAST WINDSOR IN THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR, 1775.
perienced, pull out the plug of your powder-horn and crawl in, sir - you'll be safe' " This powder-horn was for many years a valued pos- session of Dr. Gillette's.1
At the time of the Bunker Hill battle, the father of Deacon Vin- ton (of South Windsor) was on picket-guard near Cambridge.
From a report made to Gov. Trumbull, June 26, 1775, of the amount and nature of available military supplies held by the various towns, it appears that Windsor and East Windsor had (located at Wind- sor) about 100 lbs. of powder (the rest being " lent to the Colony ") and 300 or 400 lbs. of lead. It was noted that " Individuals are mostly des- titute of powder."-State Archives, Rev. War, iii. 7.
Shortly after the Lexington Alarm, the. General Assembly directed (State Archives, Rev. War, i. 148) that the military officers concerned in that march to " the Relief of People in Distress," should deliver to the selectmen of their several towns a full list of all sokliers who thus volunteered, their time of service, the expenses of their trip in provis- ions, carriage, &e., that they might be laid before the Pay Table Com- mittee for reimbursement. The Assembly further, in June. 1776, di- reeted and empowered the selectmen of towns "to purchase such lead weights and other implements of lead, as well as all the bar and old lead ercept sheet lead on buildings, as also all shot" which might be found in private hands, at a reasonable price for the use of the Colony ; to present their accounts for such purchases to the Committee of the Pay Table, etc .; and in case any person or persons holling such lead should refuse to sell and deliver it, the selectmen were authorized to procure " proper warrants for impressing the same for the use of this Colony, to be paid for as aforesaid."
By subsequent enactment, December, 1776, the Assembly, after re- marking that the selectmen of the towns have " in many cases neglected their duty in the premises," and that "it is necessary for the safety of this State that every preparation for defence be speedily made," again directed the collection of all available lead, and that " the same be cast into Imullets of suitable and various sizes, and to send in their accounts of weights, cost, etc., to the committee of the Pay Table."
The selectmen were held stringently accountable for the exeention of this order, any neglect or refusal on their part to collect said lead being visited with a penalty of $5 if the order was not complied with by the 1st day of March following; and a further fine of 20x. for each week's failure after that date, etc., etc .- Conn. State Archires, Rer. War, 1776-1780, i. 22, 24. This aet was re-enforced by another passed by the Assembly, May, 1777. Ree. State Com., 1776-1780, vii. 840.
1 Dr. H. C. Gillette's Sketches in Hartford Times, Sketch III.
638
HISTORY OF ANCIENT WINDSOR.
The lead thus gathered was issued to the troops upon the personal order of Gov. Jonathan Trumbull and by sanction of his Council of Safety, as seen by the following:
State of Connecticut, October 17th, A.D. 1777.
Gentlemen :
Pleafe to Deliver to Brigade Gen Erastus Wolcott, or his order, Four Hundred w' of Lead belonging to the State in your hands, to be by him made up into Cartridges for the ufe of his Brigade in the defense of this State and take his rect therefor.
Given under my hand in Hartford the day & year above. To The Selectmen of East Windsor in the State of ('onnecticut. JONth TRUMBULL.
Indorsed on back :
March 17, 1778, Rec'd on the
Within 844 of Lead. ERASTUS WOLCOTT. (Copied Aug., 1889. Original in possession F. A. King. South Windsor.)
And Deacon Benoni, Olcott's Account Book furnishes this item : March 15, 1777, Sold to Mr. Trumbel :
Il 0%. 08 : 06 government Lead .
00 07 - 00
to 0% { of Lead Sold to John tomfon 00 - 06 - 10}
0Z
to 4 pounds 13 of Lead to adonijah Crane 00 -04 - 00
to 74 of lead to John Newbury Lent for few days
10 7 : 11 Lead lent to Joseph Diggens to 71 pound of Lead to ye toun of Eatt windfor lbs
01 - 19 02
May 6 : to Lead to ye town of East windsor 16 00 - 13 - 01
May 10: Sold to Samnel Rockwell 20 06 00 17-00
May 27 : to 30 pounds of Lead to the town 01 05 - 00
31,
June 17: to 97% of Lead to the town 04 - 01 - 03
March 17th 1778: 843 of Lead Delivered to general wolcott for which I have his Receipt [ see above, on this page. ]
January 8th 1779 Delivered to Capt Ebenz' Grant
one of the Select men of East windsor 579 pounds and & of Lead belonging to the Stat of Connectientt to 3 pound # of Lead Delivered to Alex4 King Ensign when he marched to the Northward for which I have his Receipt.
Lead for bullets was gleaned from every possible source. The old- fashioned lead settings of the diamond-shaped panes of glass were taken out of the windows of some houses, their place being supplied with square panes and wooden sash. The very meeting-house was deprived
ł
639
EAST WINDSOR IN THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR, 1775.
of its lead window settings and sash weights, as appears from the fol- lowing receipt, dated one day after the Declaration of Independence:
East Windsor, July 5th. 1776.
Then received of the Select Men of East Windsor thirteen pounds, five shillings, and seven pence. for the Lead Weights taken out of the Meeting-House Windows. Received for me, JOEL LOOMIS. 1
Clock-weights formed a considerable proportion of the lead thus garnered for military uses, and many clocks in East Windsor, as in the neighboring towns. stood still during the war, bearing mute witness to the emergencies of the time.
" This is to Certify the Honorabel Commitey of Pay | Tabel that wee the Sub- seribers have Purchased for | the Government's use Seven hundred and thirty | Pounds of Lead it being Clock weights at the price | of Eight peuce two farthings per pound to two Hundred and thirtey three pounds | of Lead being taken of fish nets at 25 17 1
nine pence per pound . 08 14 09 East windsor July 3: 1776 34 10 & the said Lead is now in our Hand for the Governments use when calls for |
Joseph Allen Jur. Benoni Alcott Dan" Elsworth Jun'. Edward Chapman Grant
Select Men
brot Down £34: 11 10
84 Day Spent by Select Men purchasing & Collecting st Lead & to pay for same - a 5 per Diem 2: 6
€36: 14 4
Reed Hartford July 5th 1776, of Pay Table Comer their Orders on | Colony Treasurer for £36-14-4 in full the above Acct for | 84 Select Men p .Joseph Allen Jun."
In the Military Operations of the year 1775, following the Lexing- ton affair, many East Windsor men were in the Fourth Continental Rey- iment, under Col. Benjamin Hinman : and mostly in the 2d Company, under Capt. George Pitkin, of Hartford, and the 10th, commanded by Capt. Hezekiah Parsons, of Enfield. Both of these companies were at the Siege of Boston ; the Former enlisted from the latter part of May to the latter part of December: the latter from the middle of May to the latter part of December.
Capt. Charles Ellsworth's (Ellington ) company, the 5th of the Eighth Continental Regiment. under Col. JJedediah Huntington, was in service from July 6th to Dee. 18th. During July and August they were doing duty along the Sound ; and, early in September, were ordered to the Boston camps, and stationed at Roxbury, in Gen. Spencer's Brigade, until the expiration of their term.
1 Dr. Gillette's Sketches. No. XIII.
640
HISTORY OF ANCIENT WINDSOR.
A few East Windsor men were among those detached from the Connecticut regiments for the Quebee Expedition, under Benedict AAr- hold, of which Roger Enos of Windsor was Lient .- Colonel.
1776.
East Windsor, during the Revolutionary war, was known as " a provision town"; that is, a center from which provisions could be drawn, as her record in the Pension Office in Washington and in the State Archives clearly show.
There seems to have been a general division of duties among the three seleetmen : and, as a rule, though sometimes broken, Deacon BENONI OLCOTT had charge of Arms and Ammunition, EBENEZER GRANT, the merchant, purchased, collected, and forwarded Clothing for the soldiers, and Capt. LEMUEL STOUGHTON forwarded commissariat supplies, Beef, Pork, Flour, etc., to the Continental Army.
The following was the oath which the latter was required to sign, upon taking his contract :
"I Lemuel Stoughton do solemnly and sincerely swear, in the Presence of Almighty God, that I will not | cobude, with any Person or Persons whatever, to enhance the Price of Provisions or any Article of | Commerce which I shall at any time hereafter be directed to purchase for the Use of the United States, | and that I will Endeavour by every honest means in my Power, to procure the Articles which | I may be directed to purchase at the most reasonable Rates, and that I will not charge the | public with any Advance on any Purchase by me to be made, and that I will in all things | Conduct my- self as becometh a faithfull servant to the Public -
"Hartford County East Windsor Decemb' 30th, 1777 Personally appeared | Maj' Lemuell Stoughton and made solom oath as is above writen Before me Erastus Wolcott Just. Pars.
Through the winter of 1777-78, Major Stoughton was engaged in buying to " Drive & kill &e &c." Much of the beef appears to have been salted, and a close account was kept of the hides and tallow. His title or office was " Ac P at East Windsor in the East Department."
Capt. L. Stoughton was also one of those who " were appointed in- spectors, to examine and approve of all such fire arms and locks as should be made within the State." General Assembly holden October 10th, and adjourned Nov. 7th, 1776. Reappointed 1777 .- Hinman's American Revolution, 239.
The strenuous exertions which were now being made during the early summer of 1776, with a view to equipping the troops sent to New York city and vicinity, to resist the impending capture of that place by the British, are most graphically told in the various acts of the General Assembly ; and in the scattered notes and papers which tell what the selectmen of each town were doing.
1
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641
EAST WINDSOR IN THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR, 1776.
In June, 1776, the Assembly appointed and empowered Capt. Jere- miah Wadsworth and Col. Jonathan Fitch to purchase " a sufficient number of Tin Kettles," and, also
"suitable Iron Hollow Ware, so far as Tin Cannot be had for the use of the Battalions now Raising and Destined to New York and forward | the Same to the Care of the Commissary General at New York by the | Cheapest & most Convenient Carriage tak ing his Receipt therefor | That the Committee who have Procured Firearms to be made in | the Several Counties be and they are hereby Directed to make a | Division of the Whole Number of those arms already Procured to & | among the Several Towns in this Colony according to their Respective | Lists and Certify to the Selectmen of Each Town the Number | of Guns & Bayonets allotted to them and where they may be found, and give ! Proper Orders to them [to receive & following] to Receive the Same, and Such Selectmen | shall Deliver such arms as they shall so Receive, to the Chief officers of the | Troops now Raising in such Towns taking their Receipts therefor, which | Receipts shall be Lodged in the Hands of the Treasurers of the Respective | Towns and such Arms when Returned shall be Lodged with the same | Treasurers to be by them kept in | Constant Repair at the Cost of such Towns -and fully to Equip said | Troops - It is further Resolved that the Fire arms Taken from Persons | Belonging to this Colony who are Enemies to this Country, and in the | hands of the Committee of Inspection or others shall be marked with the Initial | Letters of the Owners Names and apprised by two Indifferent Men under Oath and a Particular Account thereof taken by such | Com mittee and Lodged with the Treasurers of the Respective Towns where | such Owner Live, and shall also be Repaired if need be by order of | Such Committee at the Ex pence of the Colony and when Repaired shall be | delivered to the Chief officers of the Companies Raising in the Towns where | the owners of such arms Belong, taking their Receipts therefor which | Receipts together with the Marks and Prices of Such arms | and the Names of the Owners shall be Recorded by the Town | Clerks of the Towns where such owners Lived when said arms were taken | from them and a Particular ale count of the Repairs of those arms | shall by Such Committee be Laid Before the Com mittee of | Pay Table for adjustment and they are Directed to give orders on the Treas- urer for | Payment and when Such guns are Returned they shall be Lodged | with the Clerk of Such Committee of Inspection there to be kept until further | Orders from Such Committee or this Assembly and in Case of Loss | of any Such arms of Enemical Persons the Same may be laid | before this Assembly for their Orders thereon and it is further |
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