USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > Fairfield > The history of Fairfield, Fairfield County, Connecticut, from the settlement of the town in 1639 to 1818, Vol. II > Part 2
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CHAPTER XIV
1770-1780
THE WAR OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
1770 .- Increasing spirit of liberty .- Civil and military officers .- Repeal of colony duties on ex- ports .- Exasperating conduct of English troops .- Boston Massacre .- Day of fasting and prayer .- 1771 .- Civil and military officers .- Personal taxes .- Death of Col. James Smed- ley .- 1772 .- Civil and military officers .- Great storm .- Drilling soldiers .- 1773 .- Civil and military officers .- Purchase of arms .- Judge Silliman's letters to the colonies .- Census of the colony and regiments .- Western Lands .- Tea shipped back to England .- Boston Tea Party .- 1774 .- Civil and military officers .- Western Lands .- Boston Port Bill .- Dr. Benjamin Franklin .- Action of General Assembly .- Day of fasting and prayer .- Prepara- tions for war .- Congress of colonies at Philadelphia .- Boston port closed .- Fairfield sends assistance and supplies .- Connecticut regiments called out .- Industry of Daughters of Liberty .- Military arms inspected .- Importing slaves into Connecticut prohibited .- Mili- tary officers appointed and ammunition distributed .- Bills of Credit .- Assembly opposition to British colonial acts .- Fairfield's approval of Colonial Convention's resolutions, and call a county congress .- Strict economy agreed upon .- 1775 .- Large call for ammunition .- Negro spirit roused to fight .- Bonds of naval officers .- Contributions to Boston while be- sieged .- Letter to Earl Dartmouth .- King permits limited fishing on New Foundland banks .- Patrick Henry .- Preparation for war throughout the colonies .- Battle of Lexing- ton .- Troops set out for relief of Boston .- Men from Fairfield .-- Special Assembly .- Embargo on food, grain, etc .- Committees of supply and relief .- Forces for Connecticut. -Officers appointed .- The Fifth Regiment .- Bills of Credit .- Committees for ammu- nition .- Defence of seaports .- Four regiments sent to Boston .- Fasting and prayer .- Governor Trumbull's letter to General Gage .- Insolent reply of Gen. Gage .- May Assem- bly .- Civil and military officers .- Bills of credit and taxes .- Every war preparation made. -Regiment standards .- Premium for stands of arms and ammunition .- Act passed for defending the colony .- Expedition against Ticonderoga and Crown Point .- Kindness to prisoners of war .- Council of War .- Provincial Congress of New York, New Jersey and Philadelphia .- Col. George Washington appointed Commander-in-Chief of the army .- Israel Putnam Major General of Connecticut forces .- Continental bills of credit .- Con- necticut forwards troops and ammunition to Boston .- Battle of Breeds and Bunker Hill. -Battle flags .- Connecticut troops sent to New London and New York .- General Wash- ington sets out for Massachusetts and passes through Fairfield .- General Tryon arrives in New York .- Connecticut officers and troops posted near New York .- Fairfield sends food and ammunition of relief to Boston .- More regiments raised .- Fairfield officers .- Naval vessels .- Mile stones .- General Montgomery's forces to attack Quebec .- Bills of credit issued .- Provisions sent out of the colony .- Embargo laid .- First colony uni- forms .- Marriage of Hon. John Hancock and Miss Dorothy Quincey .- Continental money .- General Washington prepares his troops for action .- Calls for more troops from Connecticut .- New stands of arms .- Money and supplies sent to sick soldiers at Ticon- deroga and prisoners of war .- Capt. Stephen Thorp's sloop of provisions sent to Massa- chusetts .- Connecticut retains her charter government .- Brother Jonathan .- Expedition against Canada .- Ileroes of Fairfield .- Minute-men .- Bounty for salt-petre and nitre .-- Powder mill in each town .- Punishment of Tories .- Enemy ordered to harass coast towns. -Congress makes it a crime to assist the British .- Vessels and row galleys ordered to de- fend the coast of Connecticut .- Coast guards .- Ammunition and stores .- 1776 .- Rein-
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forcements for New York .- Cannon and ammunition for Fairfield .- Fort at Grover Hill erected .- Lieut. Ebenezer Bartram .- Captain Harding of Brig Defence .- Dorchester Heights .- Boston evacuated .- Great rejoicing .- Col. Gold Sellick Silliman's regiment sent to New York to join General Washington .- Lient. John Mills .- Lieut. Samuel Smedley of Brig Defence and Joseph Squire .- Row galleys fitted out .- German troops sent to assist the English .- Fresh troops ordered out .- General Washington's reply to General lowe .- General Assembly of May .- Civil and military officers .- Five regiments of cavalry .- Major David Dimon of new regiment .- Bills of credit issued and taxes .- Call for all able bodied men .- Continental bills of credit .- Captain Samuel Squire com- missary .- Premium for gun-lock .- Letters of marque and reprisal .- Mr. Thaddeus Burr specie agent of postal money, etc .- Fairfield officers .- Inhabitants of towns ordered to arm and form themselves into companies of defence .- Attack to be made on Fairfield dis- covered .- Armed galleys ordered out .- Embargo on provisions and grain .- The General Assembly proposes through their delegates to Continental Congress to declare the United American Colonies free and independent states .- National standard of stars and stripes. - British attack upon Virginia .- The Declaration of Independence declared July 4, 1776 .- Prayers for the king and royal family omitted .- Battalions raised for northern department. -Continental army .- Boston .- Fairfield officers .- Bills of Credit .- Last Assembly of the colony of Connecticut .- Patriotic proclamation read in every church .- Ammunition for Fairfield .- Three regiments of light horse sent to New York .- Supplies and money sent to Black Rock Fort .- Brig Defence captures several British vessels .- Newgate Prison .-- Tow-cloth tents .- Military uniforms .- Spies punished .- Cannon supplied to Black Rock Fort .- Brigantine Defence sent out to secure prizes .- Naval officers and seamen raised for northern lakes .- General Howe's attack on Charleston, and Long Island .- Battle of Long Island .- American prisoners and Prison-Ships .- Gen. Washington retreats to Har- lem .- Eight regiments sent to New London to harass the English on Long Island .- Families flee from Long Island to Connecticut .- Fast Day .- Regiments sent to West- chester .- Hospital erected .- Nathaniel Hale .- Gen. Washington defeats the British on East River .- British occupation of New York .- Public and private buildings burned .- Fort Washington .- Battle of White Plains .- Gen. Washington retires to New Castle and Gen. Howe to New York .- State of Connecticut Assembly endorsed the Declaration of Independence .- State, civil and military officers amenable only to the State of Connecticut. -Charter rights maintained .- Punishment of traitors .- Oath of Fidelity .- Tories warned .- Counterfeiters punished .- Necessary supplies impressed .- Embargo on food and clothing .- Women and children plow and plant fields .- Ilusking parties .- Relief sent to General Washington .- Captain Samuel Squire to seize all necessary articles for the army. - Thaddeus Burr sent to Washington's camp .- Eight regiments sent to protect the bor- ders of the Sound .- Tories sent to western parts of the State .- Gold Sellick Silliman, Abraham Gold and Jonathan Dimon promoted in Fourth State militia regiment .- Prizes taken by brig Defence .- AAmmunition sent to Fairfield .- Defeat of Americans on Lake Champlain .- British fleet off Fairfield and Norwalk .- Guards stationed along the coast. -Defeat of General Lee at Fort Washington .- Gen. Washington retired from Fort Lee to Trenton and Pennsylvania .- Washington attacks and defeats the British at Trenton and Princeton and occupies Morristown Heights .- Gen. Lee taken prisoner .- Great drain of officers and men from Connecticut .- Twenty-five Connecticut regiments formed into six brigades .- Prices fixed upon labor of all kinds .- Industrial and imported goods .- State Loan office .- Troops sent to Gen. Washington from western Connecticut .- Thaddeus Burr one of committee for this design .- Alarm officers and men from sixteen to sixty years of age to protect coast towns .- Fairfield alarm soldiers .- Troops sent to Rhode Island .- Care of all sick soldiers .- Gold Selleck Silliman Brigadier General of Fourth State militia brigade .- State tax .- Guard at New-Field Harbor .- 1777 .- Lieut. Samuel Smedley
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promoted .- Brig Defence prizes .- Washington sends for all available troops for eastern New York .- Distribution of other prizes .- Fort Black Rock reinforced .- Rev. John Sayer sent as a Tory prisoner from Fairfield to Farmington .- Thaddeus Burr to collect tons of flax for the State; and hundreds of tons of flax and rye to send out of the State .- Lieut. Samuel Smedley promoted captain of Brig Defence .- Smallpox hospitals .- Fairfield military guard commanded by Brig. Gen. Silliman .- Troops sent to Fort Black Rock .- Treaty with the Six Nations .- France tenders supplies to Governor Trumbull .- Silas Dean, Arthur Lee and Benjamin Franklin sent by Congress commissioners to France, Prussia and Spain .- France sends arms and ammunition .- Marquis de LaFayette and De Kalb sail for America .- Families of volunteers supported at the expense of the State .- Alarm at Fairfield from enemy's ships .- Capt. Samuel Squire to supply two armed ships to cruise the Sound .- Cannon and ammunition sent to Fairfield and New Field .- General Silliman to protect stores at Danbury .- All towns called to furnish full military quotas. -Ammunition sent to Fairfield .- Captain Smedley takes prizes .- General Gates sends for reinforcements .- British attack on Danbury .- Attack on Gen's Silliman's, Arnold's and Wooster's forces .- General Wooster mortally wounded .- Battle at Ridgefield .- Lieut. Col. Abraham Gold killed .- Battle at Saugatuck Bridge .- British sail from Compo to Hunt- ington, L. I .- Gen. Wooster's valuable services .- Reinforcements sent to Continental forces .- Gen. Meigs' retaliation .- Troops sent to sea coast .- Connecticut credit .- Ecclesi- astical laws .- Court-martial regulation .- Three years enlistment .- Taxes .- Battalions raised to protect towns on the Sound .- Salt manufacturers .- State of Connecticut army commissions .- Pensions for disabled soldiers .- War Record office .- Deserters .- Ex- change of prisoners .- Pardon to deserters upon taking State oath of allegiance .- Fairfield military officers .- Captain Samuel Squire to supply state troops and those at Peekskill with stores and clothing .- Captain Samuel Smedley sent on naval cruise .- First national flag .- Troops sent to Fairfield .- Rev. John Sayer returned to Fairfield .- Movements of Washington .- Gen. Howe's victories on the Delaware .- Movements of Gen. Burgoyne and Gen. Schuyler .- Gen. Silliman sends troops to Peekskill .- Larger taxes laid on towns. -Declaration of Independence ordered recorded .- More troops sent to Peekskill .- Sale of prize goods at Fairfield .- Thaddeus Burr to impress necessary provisions and clothing for the army .- Arnold's victory at Fort Schuyler .- Battle of Bennington .- Thanksgiving. -Death of Col. David Dimon .- Great economy practiced .- Fortifications of New Field and Stratfield .- Outburst of patriotism .- Kosciusko's fortifications .- Battle of Bemis Heights .- Detachments from Fairfield brigade sent under General Silliman to Peekskill to join General Putnam's forces .- Oath of allegiance and fidelity .- Economic laws and licenses .- Connecticut and United States bills of credit maintained .- Maintenance of aged slaves .- Ministers to urge strict honesty and morality .- Reduction of Continental bills in circulation .- Each state taxed for war expenses .- Prison ships provided .- £20,000 to supply blankets and wool goods from France and elsewhere .- Connecticut's new issue of bills of credit .- English defeated at Bemis Heights .- Burgoyne's retreat .- Ticonderoga taken by Americans .- Renewed courage and hope for victory .- General Silliman sends fresh troops to Peekskill .- Washington at Valley Forge .- Sufferings of his army .- Wash- ington censured .- Upheld by the country .- Thanksgiving Day for victories appointed by Congress throughout the United States .- Military uniforms sent to Washington .- Constant alarm at Fairfield and neighboring towns .- British Prison ships in New York harbor .- Hon. John Hancock resigns presidency of Congress .-- 1778 .- Brighter prospects .- Well disciplined troops .- An united resolve to conquer .- France recognizes the independence of the American States .- Joyous news reaches Washington at Valley Forge .- Barrack masters for each town .- Fresh troops raised and equipped .-- Everything needed to be im- pressed .- Troops for Fairfield .- Clothing sent to American prisoners in New York .- Fourth Regiment officers .- Release of prisoners at Fairfield .- Naval officers .- Reception
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of Benjamin Franklin and Silas Dean by French king .- Treaty of amity and peace .- English offer of almost absolute independence rejected -England declares war against France .- Large bounties for recruits .- Large taxes and liberal offers to farmers .- New England states join in uniformity of labor prices .- Six battalions raised for immediate and constant service .- Day of fasting and prayer .- Extra teams impressed to carry provi- sions and clothing to New York for troops under Washington .- Guard at New Field Harbor .- Fairfield military posts .- Petitions for an armed vessel to guard coast .- All the States aroused to drive the British from the country .- Gen. Lafayette's skillful services to relieve Washington .- Washington appoints a day of thanksgiving in his army at Valley Forge .- Great exultation .- Estates of Tories confiscated .- General muster and alarm forces in Connecticut .- £100,000 ordered to be borrowed. - Cattle seized for U. S. army. Embargo laid on clothing and provisions except for the U. S. A .- Taxes .- AAddress of Con- gress sent to each town in the U. S. to be read in each congregation .- ( annon for Grover Hill Point .- Battle of Monmouth .- British retire to New York .- Washington to White Plains .- Connecticut coast towns in constant alarm .- Special couriers .- Arrival of Count D'Estaing's fleet .- F'rench ambassador Gen. Gerard's arrival in Philadelphia .- D'Estaing sails for Newport .- Washington sends for Connecticut troops to march to Providence, R. I .- Company sent from Fairfield .- Captain Samuel Smedley sent from Boston to seize enemy's vessels .- Engagement off Newport between D'Estaing and Admiral Byron's Eng- lish fleet .-- Land engagement at Newport .- Forces sent to New London and Fairfield .- Horse racing forbidden .- Taxes .- Ammunition sent to Fairfield .- Ship Defence prize money .- Massacre at Wyoming and Cherry Valley .- Dec. 30, Thanksgiving Day .- 1779. -State tax .- Congress calls upon the states for fifteen million dollars .- Connecticut to raise seventeen hundred thousand dollars .- Heavy taxes to meet this demand .- Mainten- ance of military officers and private families .- Prize money distribution among naval officers and seamen .- Sixty thousand pounds distributed among Connecticut soldiers .- Volunteers sent to Fairfield .- Connecticut towns send relief to Rhode Island sufferers .- Fairfield sends 1500 bushels of grain .- Spain for once joins against the English .- 1779 .-- Artillery officers for Fairfield .- Cap. Smedley sent out against the enemy .- Supplies for Black Rock Battery .- Family inspection of grain and army supplies made .- Battalions filled, bounties paid, army paid equivalent to gold and silver .- Shrinkage of Continental Bills of Credit .- General Silliman taken prisoner .- General Assembly in May at Ilartford .- Civil and mili- tary officers .- Taxes .- Town votes for congressional delegates .- Dueling prohibited. - Call for full state battalions .- Demand from Fairfield recruits .- Military officers,-Value of Fairfield estates .- Adjoining states call for assistance and supplies. - Wreck of the ship Defence .- Loss of ship Oliver Cromwell .- Fairfield supplies ammunition to Lieut. Col. Noadiah Huntington .- The ship Guilford .- British attack New Haven .- British attack towns Fairfield, Mill River, and Green's Farms .- Officer and men in Black Rock Fort .- Penfield Mills saved .- Rev. Andrew Eliot's description of burning of Fairfield .- Pilot of General Tryon's forces .- Rev. Dr. Timothy Dwight's description of the conflagration .- Major Talmage from White Plains reached Fairfield July 9th .- Threat to Mrs. Jonathan Bulkley .- HIeroic women of Fairfield .- Ellen Gold .- Christ Church record .- Rev. Dr. John Sayer with family leave with the British army .- Dr. Sayer's letter to the S. P. G. from Flushing, L. 1 .- Patriotic zeal increases at Fairfield .- New and temporary homes prepared. -Patriotic meeting of citizens of Fairfield .- Reward offered for General Tryon .- Gov. Trumbull and Council order town contribution for Fairfield .- Capt. Caleb Brewster's hero- ism and ancestry .- General Assembly raises two regiments of 4000 men for Continental army with supplies .- Demand on Fairfield .- Appeal to Assembly for Fairfield losses .- Count D'Estaing and General Lincoln defeated at Savannah .- Death of Count Pulaski. -Recovery of Stony Point and Verplanck by General Wayne .- Attack on the Iroquois .- Portsmouth and Norfolk retaken from the British .- Spain joins France against the British. 271
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CHAPTER XV 1780-1790
END OF REVOLUTION. FREEDOM OF UNITED STATES
1730-Severity of winter .- General Assembly Officers .- Embargo on Provisions .- Recruits and bounty .- Hartford sends money to Fairfield sufferers .- Order to exchange prisoners. -Fourth Regiment officers .- Payment of Bills of Credit .- New issue of Bills of Credit. -Taxes .- Order to borrow money on State credit .- Effort to sustain State credit .- Tax to rebuild Fairfield Court-house .- Legal rights granted to holder of French estates in America .- Bills of Congress and Connecticut made legal tender .- Jonathan Buckley's petition for release as British prisoner granted .- Value of estates at Fairfield .- Order to exchange General Silliman and other prisoners .- Mrs. Silliman's account of the ex- change .- Ammunition sent to Fairfield .- Exchange of grain, etc., with Boston for build- ing materials .- Depreciation of currency .- Efforts to relieve the depression .- Tax at Fairfield .- Account of currency by W. Wheeler .- Causes of depreciation .- Efforts of the British to sustain a spirit of cheerfulness .- Its failure .- Patriotism of American women. -Congress calls upon Connecticut for supplies .- Large bounties offered for recruits .- Supplies of food, etc., from Fairfield .- Indians of Golden Hill .- The visit of Major Talmage to Fairfield and his victory at Fort George, L. I .- Capt. Caleb Brewster's brave deeds .- Victories of Paul Jones .- Money and articles sent from Hartford to Fair- field sufferers .- Companies sent from Fairfield to assist Greenwich .- Destruction and plunder of privateers -Burning of mills at Mill Plain .- Troops raised for Continental army .- General Washington's visit to Wethersfield with French Counts to carry on war .- Treason of Benedict Arnold .- Capture of Major Andre .- Patriotism and industry of Fairfield women .- 1781 .- Washington's efforts to clothe and provide for army .- Death of Gen. Israel Putnam .- Agent sent from Connecticut to borrow money from France .- March Ist. Final ratification of articles of confederation between States .- Great rejoic- ing .- Fairfield officers .- Resolve to regain the South .- Battle of Cowpens, King's Mountain, Guilford Court-house, and Eutaw Springs .- Brilliant victories of General Green .- Plundering of Cornwallis and Arnold in Virginia .- General Lafayette's forces in Virginia .- Washington's plan for taking New York .- His resolve to march to Virginia. -The French fleet in Chesapeake Bay .- Clinton's attack on Tarrytown .- Benedict Arnold's attack on New London .- Washington reaches Yorktown .- Position of the French army and fleet .- Position of the American army .- Bravery of Connecticut troops. -Duke of Lauzun prevents Cornwallis' escape .- Storming of Yorktown .- Surrender of Cornwallis .- Accounts of the surrender .- Great rejoicing throughout the country .- Gen- eral Clinton's tardy effort too late .- Washington's proclamation of pardon to criminals .- Washington appoints day of thanksgiving and prayer for victory .- Signing articles of peace at Versailles and Paris .- Boundaries of the United States established .- Fisheries secured .- Washington's proclamation of peace .- Disbands his army .- Fairfield officers belonging to the Order of Cincinnati .- British evacuate New York .- Bravery of Fair- field troops and energetic loyalty towards independence .- Fairfield town meeting .- Tories not allowed to return .- Rebuilding of Congregational and Episcopal churches, private residences, Academy, and jail .- Equal rights granted to all classes of Christians. -Sale of Connecticut land west of Pennsylvania granted to the support of churches and schools .- First newspaper of Fairfield .- Newfield's (Bridgeport) rapid growth .- Fairfield a centre of legal and intellectual culture .- Gentlemen of note ..
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HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD
CHAPTER VII
1700-1710
WAR WITH THE FRENCH AND INDIANS
Dawn of the eighteenth century .- Free grammar schools .- Yale College Charter .- The General Assembly to be held at Ilartford and at New Haven. - Fairfield Village changed to Stratfield and made a parish .- Tornado at Fairfield .- Death of King William .- Accession of Queen Anne .- Smallpox town hospitals and maritime laws for vessels .- Slaves .- Court of Assist- ants held annually at New Haven in October .- A portion of Fairfield school tax to be paid to Stratfield school .- Grant of grammar school lands .- War declared against France and Spain. -School tax .- Freeman's fine .- Kenzey's Point .- Indian Sasco Neck land .- School at Bank- side .- Compo mill .- Grant to John Edwards on Meeting-house Green .- School at Greenfield Hill .- Clapboard Hill .- Nathan Gold judge of New Haven Court of Assistants .- Peter Burr one of the Court of Assistants .- Surveyors of Fairfield. - Protection sent to the eastern and west- ern plantations .- Townships confirmed in their patent rights. - Protection to friendly Indians. -Reward for taking Indian enemies .- Committee of Safety .- l'reparations for defending the frontier towns .- War tax .- Fairfield military officers .- Queen's Attorney .- Connecticut Charter in danger .- Burning of Richard Ogden's mill .- Demand of England for masts and stores .- Repeal of laws against Quakers .- Fast day .- Ministers and families exempt from taxes .- Drunkenness punished .- Stocks .- Land granted to Rev. S. Wakeman .- Grant of land for Pequot war service to Capt. Richard Osborn .- Renewal of Long-lots .- Efforts of the governors of Massachusetts and New York to nullify colony charters .- Sir Henry Ashurst's defense of the Connecticut Charter in England .- Heavy taxes .- Introduction of the Church of England .- Unfriendly Indians sent to Fairfield jail .- Refusal of men and arms to the govern- ors of Massachusetts and New York .- Law of Inhabitants and who to admit .- Charity for Samuel Carter .- Petitioners of New Fairfield .- Nathan Gold elected Deputy Governor .- Church of England at Fairfield .- Governors to be elected by the people instead of by magis- trates-Bankside farmers apply for parish rights .- Grant of parish rights to towns .- Laws for dissenters from Congregationalism .- The Saybrook Platform .- Impost on home and foreign liquors .- Election Sermons in towns .- Thanksgiving Day .- Stock of town guns and ammuni- tion .- Fresh taxes .- Persons exempt from train-band service .- Nathan Gold in charge of military arms, etc .- Dogs .- Penalty for selling arms, etc., to Indians .- Peter Burr major of Fairfield County Regiment .- Church of England members disheartened .- Expedition against Canada, etc .- Failure of the expedition .- Fairfield surgeon and military officers .- Resolve to renew the expedition .- First issue of paper money .- l'etition of Connecticut to the Queen .- Military affairs .- The sick and wounded at Albany .- Laws for encouraging and improving military companies. - Young people not to gather on Sabbath evenings, etc.
1700. THE dawn of the eighteenth century was pregnant with great events for the American colonies. The struggle for political and religious
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HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD
[1700
liberty, which had made rapid progress within the last decades of the past century, now breathed a spirit of bolder resolution. Out of the dreams and ambitions of the past, the light of intelligence was framing for the American people a republic, which was destined to become the greatest nation of the world. With such wisdom, patient endurance and conscien- tious zeal had the attainment of this end been conducted by the General Court and Council of Connecticut, that already they had begun to realize the day was not far distant when this republic should be firmly estab- lished. In no town was this aim more zealously pursued than in Fair- field; and, alas, no town was destined to suffer more in consequence.
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