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 23
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to be printed towards defraying the expenses of the expedition, to redeem which a tax was levied of four per cent. on the pound on all the po le ami taxable estates of the colony. Amy constable who should jeded to collect and pay to the colony treasurer this tax before Jane, 1,00, the treasurer was ordered to send and collect it " out of the estate of the negligent one, any law, usage of custom to the contrary motivoby standing."*
At the October session of the General Assembly. Daniel Sherwood was commissioned captain, Ezra Hawley heutenant, Telefon Lesst cornet, and John Moss quartermaster of the Fourth Regiment of five colony.+
A further order was given to print twelve thousand bits of rent equal to lawful money, to redeem which a tax of three pence of the pound was levied on polls and taxable estates of the colony.
It was agreed to send two commissioners from Connecticut to meet the commissioners of the other colonies at New York on the fitcenti of November, in order to take measures for protecting the frontjets mol to frustrate the designs of the French. Judge Ebenezer Silliman of Fair field was appointed with Jonathan Trumbull. Esq. for Connecting Governor Fitch was also requested to meet with the commissioner of the other colonies in November.
Some doubt existing in the minds of the magistrates as to the cap. diency of keeping all the troops in camps at Crown Point, or to take further active preparations against Crown Point and Lake George during the winter, it was decided to send two gentlemen to Albany to investigate the condition of the army and their need of men and supplies. General Johnson had written that a portion of the men might with safety be dis- banded, but the Governor of Massachusetts differed with him.+
All soldiers remaining in service under General Johnson were made exempt from taxes.
The taxable estates of Fairfield were valued at 250.119 Is.
Upon the arrival of the English fleet in the spring, only a dense ios prevented the Admirals from discovering the French fleet, which had anchored near their moorings. This gave the French an opportunity to send a part of its fleet up the St. Lawrence, while their other ships sailed through the straits of Bellisle into the river, and so reached Canodu
* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. X. p. 401. + Col. Rec. Conn , Vol. A. 1. 420).
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in safety. Meanwhile two of the French ships had been overtaken by the English Captains Howe and Andrews, and after an engagement of several hours surrendered and were made prizes to the English govern- ment. They had on board eight companies of troops, several officers and eight thousand pounds in money.
Before the end of June the expedition against Crown Point had reached Albany, and Generals Johnson and Lyman found themselves at the head of a force of six thousand men, and a large body of Indians under the Mohawk Sachem Hendrick. General Lyman with the main part of the army marched along the banks of the Hudson to the " carrying place," about fourteen miles south of the southern end of Lake George, while General Johnson remained at Albany in charge of the remaining troops, artillery, batteaux, and provisions to be sent forward when needed. It was deemed advisable by General Lyman and his officers to raise a strong fort at the carrying place, to provide for the men and stores to be sent to them, as well as to keep up communications with Albany, and also to provide a safe refuge for retreat. Six weeks passed while this necessary labor was effected.
Late in August General Johnson set out on a march across the country to Fort Edward on Lake George, situated at the south end of the lake. He encamped on a favorable covered position to make prep- arations to convey his cannon, batteaux and military stores across the lake. His Indian runners, however, soon gave him information that the French were advancing from Ticonderoga to Fort Edward, then gar- risoned only by about five hundred troops from New Hampshire and New York, under the command of Colonel Blanchard. Runners were sent with all speed by General Johnson to Colonel Blanchard to call in his forces and place himself in readiness for an attack, as the enemy dur- ing the night were discovered to be within four miles of Fort Edward. A party of one thousand men under Colonel Williams of Massachusetts and Colonel Whiting of Connecticut, with the Mohawk Indians under their Sachem, were dispatched to overtake and defeat the enemy.
Baron Dieskau, who was in command of the French and Indian troops, had marched from Ticonderoga to make an attack upon Fort Edward, but upon learning that it was fortified with cannon, resolved to attack General Johnson's camp. On his march thither runners dis- covered the forces of Colonels Williams and Whiting about three miles from the main camp. He, therefore, with his troops and Indians lay in
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unbush to await the advancing English Upon them approach the city sprang from their hiding places and poured into them fach a dearly fire that Colonel Williams and the Mohawk Sachem Hendrick, with many other officers and men, were instantly killed. Colonel Whang with dith culty rallied his panic stricken forces and retired to in champ
General Johnson sent about half a mile to the border of the like for his cannon, which reached him in time to render great al tance m defending him from the enemy. As the Canadians and lucane advanced. the defeat the provincial forces had sustained had so bewildered and di heartened them that their officers found it difficult to hold them in love but. after the first firing began and they saw the execution their cufcops were making, they took heart and ralhed with great spuit. " The lite became one continual roar & blaze." The Canadians and their Imulddn allies were so surprised and amazed by this unexpected attack that they retired behind the trees and rocks to continue their assault Biron Dieskau in vain endeavored to force an entrance into the camp, but the deadly fire of the provincials made it impossible. As the fire of his forces began to be less active the provincials leaped from their breastworks and so furiously attacked the enemy that they were soon entirely routed Out of a force of two thousand Baron Die-kau and about seven hundred of his men were killed and three hundred made prisoners
General Johnson and Major Nichols of the provincials were wounded Colonel Williams. Major Ashley and six captains were killed and about two hundred soldiers.
On the following day Captain McGuinnes marched to the rehet of the camp with a hundred and twenty New Hampshire men. On Ius way he came unexpectedly upon three or four hundred of the enemy sitting by a pond near the spot where Colonel Williams had been defelited; and .it though his force was so much smaller than the enemy he made such a vigorous attack upon them that they were entirely routed and fed, leaving much of their packs and stores. Captain Mefinnes was severely wounded, from the effects of which he died a few days later in the camp
Meanwhile the expedition against Nova Scotia under the command of Colonel Mockton proved successful, he having taken three forts and secured many provisions, cannon. ammunition and stores. Colonel Mockton disarmed about fifteen hundred prisoners. " great numbers of whom were sent to New England."
General Braddock, who had been placed in command of about two 13
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thousand two hundred men, had received strict orders in England to pro- ceed through the country with caution, and to be on the alert against ambuscades. Colonel Washington, seeing his total lack of this necessary precaution, warned and urged him to send out scouts, and to be more on his guard; but he seems to have been possessed with such a strong sense of self-sufficiency and haughty obstinacy as to lose sight of such neces- sary wisdom. On the 8th of July he found himself within fourteen miles of Fort Du Quesne, but having neglected all advice and precautions, the next day he fell into an ambuscade, when a deadly fire was poured from the front and into his left flank which, with the yells of the Indians, threw his advance guard into such a panic that they fled back to the main body, when confusion and dismay wholly demoralized the entire force. In vain General Braddock with his officers endeavored to rally his forces. Five horses were shot under him; and at last he was shot through his right arm and lungs. As he fell, his army fled in the wildest confusion. He was carried from the field by two of his faithful officers and died four days after. All of his artillery, ammunition, baggage and his letters of instructions fell into the hands of the French. With cautious scouting, General Braddock might have saved his army, but his self-sufficiency and stupid egotism caused him to sacrifice some of his bravest officers and men, as the whole attacking force of the enemy did not exceed five hundred.
The Virginia militia led by Colonel Washington stood firm and un- broken. They advanced against the enemy, and covering their retreating companions, saved the main army from utter destruction; but a number of officers and between seven and eight hundred men fell in this engage- inent.
The remaining forces joined the rear division, and the entire army continued their retreat until they reached Fort Cumberland. Soon after Colonel Dunbar, who succeeded in command, leaving the sick and wounded in the fort, marched away with fourteen hundred men to Penn- sylvania. Thus the frontier settlements of Virginia and Pennsylvania were left to suffer from frequent attacks from the French and Indians.
The news of this defeat seriously affected a force of two thousand men under Governor Shirley, which had been sent against Niagara. Many of his troops and boatmen deserted and made their way back home. He had found it almost impossible to transport his artillery, ammunition and stores from Albany to Oswego, and now when deprived of his desert-
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ing men, and finding it impossible to supply his army with provisions, after erecting Fort Ontario, near the old fort which commanded the ex trance of Lake Niagara and Fort Oswego, a short distance wet of the , he returned to Albany in October, leaving Colonel Mercer with ffel hundred men to garrison the forts for the winter.
These experiences led the provinces of Virginia, Pennsylvania and Maryland to realize the great necessity of a more vigorous effort tell they had made to protect their frontiers, by erecting forts to gu I the settlements. Pennsylvania had not favored the expeditions of this ye. r. Maryland, being less exposed, had not suffered as much as the frontier inhabitants of Virginia and Pennsylvania.
" The bravery and zeal of the New England forces so pleased the king that he recommended the House of Commons to take into consideration and reward the faithful services of the people of New England and sonic other parts of America. On this recommendation Parlament voted them the sum of one hundred and fifty thousand pounds."
The taxable estates of Fairfield were valued this year at £50,119 IS. 21/4d.
Amid the losses sustained in this expedition, Fairfield bore her share of the large number of troops sent by Connecticut, and in many of her homes mourners wept by their firesides during the winter, while fears of further drains upon their youth and strength spread gloom and anxiety throughout the town. But the sturdy sons of this active and patriote town stood ready at all times to prove themselves prepared for every emergency.
On the 23d of March. 1755. it was voted at a town meeting in Fairfieldl. that all the parsonage lands lying in the twenty rod highway should be sold, and the money divided in the same proportions among the several societies as the former sum arising from the sale of parsonage landIs hal been. David Burr. Samuel Sherwood and Captain Thomas Hill were ppointed a committee to sell the parsonage lands.
On the 3ist of March it was voted at a town meeting " that all school ands in the town should be sold for law ful money, and distributed among he societies in the town, viz .: The first & ancient society to have one half of sd. money said land shall sell for ; the other half to be divided into three equal parts; the West Parish to have one third part, and the other third part to be divided between the parish of Reading & part of the * Trumbull's Hist. Conn., Vol. II, pp 352-372 Hollister's Hist. Cont. Ved. 11. pp 30 4:
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parish of Stratfield." This money was "to be used for the maintenance of schools & for no other purpose whatever."
1756. The General Assembly met again at Hartford, January 21st, when an oath of secrecy was administered to all the members in regard to their operations against the French. It was agreed that the opera- tions conducted by the General Council of War, held in New York, De- cember 12th and 13th, to be carried on against the French were " of a most salutary character, in laying a lasting foundation for the security of his Majesty's colonies & just territories in America." But as the colony of Connecticut during the past year had been at a much larger expense in issuing bills of credit than they could well afford to redeem, & " the inhabitants loaded with taxes laid out on the four next years " to redeem these bills of credit, and that the emission of a larger sum might greatly depreciate the value of the former, it was agreed to apply to Governor Shirley of Massachusetts to solicit the crown of Great Britain " that the pay of the troops, supply of arms, ammunition & carriage be undertaken at the expense of the crown."
Jonathan Trumbull and Phineas Lyman were appointed commis- sioners to confer with Governor Shirley for this purpose. They were also directed to purchase twenty barrels of powder, twenty thousand best flints and three tons of bar-lead in Boston, and ship them to Hartford at the risk of the colony, and to draw on the treasurer for pre-payment .*
On account of the extraordinary hardships which the troops of Con- necticut had undergone at Fort Edward, a gratuity of one month's wages was ordered to be paid to the chaplain, officers, and soldiers. Colonel Nathan Whiting was granted thirteen pounds for his extraordinary services.
An act was passed against foreigners trading with and corrupting the Indians in the colony. Retailers of liquor and captains of ships were placed under bonds of twenty pounds each to obey the excise laws of the colony.
About four hundred or more French prisoners having been sent into the colony, a committee was appointed to apportion and distribute them among the towns to be supported at the expense of the colony. Seven- teen were sent to Fairfield.
The selectmen were directed "to receive, manage & support them,
* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. X, pp. 447-449. Bullets were moulded in those days by goldsmiths, blacksmiths, and by private individuals.
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as if they were inhabitants of the towns." Such of the prisoner & were sick and could not be moved to Connecticut were ordered to be taken care of at the expense of the colony. A strict act was passed to pin-h any of them who should attempt to escape.
The Assembly met again February 12th, when the minutes Were read of a Council of War held in New York. December 12th and 13th, at which time it was a unanimons opinion that an expedition should besent early in the spring against Crown Point and the French eneroachogente on Lake Ontario; and that ten thousand men would be needed to go against Crown Point. A communication was read from Major General Shirley, dated December 30th, in which he laid before the Assembly letter from the Right Honorable Sir Thomas Robinson, dated November 11, 1755, of " his Majesty's gracious intention to recommend Parhaugen to grant assistance for a vigorous prosecution of the war, by delaying the expenses thereof." As some doubt existed about the colonies south of New York sending their full quota into the fiekl. the northern govern- ments were advised to increase their proportions.
The Assembly voted to join at once with the three other New England colonies and the Province of New York in raising ten thousand men for the expedition against Crown Point & to remove the French en roach ments on and near the Iroquois Lake, and to march as soon as possible in the spring. It was also voted that Connecticut should raise too thousand five hundred men to act with the other neighboring colonie- A letter from the Right Honorable Sir Thomas Robinson was rend. m response to the application for assistance from the crown. informing Governor Fitch and the assembly " that his majesty had ordered teh thousand stands of arms with the proper accoutrements & ammunition to be sent to Boston for the troops." Without delay Governor Fitch sent for " at least three thousand stands of arms with proper accoutre ments & ammunition." for the use of the Connectiont forces. All the old and new tenor bills of credit were ordered to be called in, counted and burned by the colony treasurer, and their value paid according to the value of exchange in gold and silver, to pay the debt of the colony. as the Assembly should direct from time to time. An account of the ex- penses for the expedition against Crown Point was ordered to be kept In he Pay-table Committee and to be sent to Great Britain. The comuni saries were ordered to purchase flour for twenty-five thousand men for
* Col. Rec. Conn , Vol. X. pp. 452. 453
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four months. All bread-stuffs, peas, beans, pork and beef were forbidden ; to be sold out of the colony until after the first day of May .*
The Assembly met again, March 17th, at Hartford, when it was voted . that the two thousand five hundred men to be sent for the reduction of Crown Point, " should be formed into four regiments of eight companies."
John Winslow, Esq., was commissioned commander-in-chief of the expedition by order of Governor Shirley of Massachusetts; Phineas, Lyman major-general and second in command of all the forces, and also colonel of the first regiment; David Wooster colonel of the second regi- ment; John Pitkin colonel of the third; and Andrew Ward, Jr., colonel of the fourth regiment. The lieutenant colonels of each regiment were Eleazer Fitch of the first; William Whiting of the second; Nathan Payson of the third, and Stephen Lee of the fourth. Joseph Storrs was commis- sioned major of the first regiment; Jehosaphat Starr of the second; John Patterson of the third; and Benjamin Hinman of the fourth.
In the first regiment, under Major-General Lyman, and in the fifth company, under Captain Samuel Whiting, Samuel Hubbell was commis- sioned first lieutenant and Nathan Godfrey second lieutenant from Fair- field. +
A bounty of thirty-six shillings and a blanket was granted to each enlisting soldier when ready for marching orders, and four shillings a week before marching, and one shilling six pence a day while marching, " fifteen miles being accounted a day's travel."#
By reason of the scarcity of money in the colony, and fears of its great depreciation if further bills of credit should be issued, it was decided by the Assembly to borrow thirteen thousand, three hundred and thirty-three pounds, six shillings and eight pence from Governor Shirley of Massa- chusetts, Commander-in-Chief of his Majesty's forces in America, in milled dollars at six shillings each, or in coined silver at six shillings and eight pence per ounce, or in coined gold equivalent, for which it was agreed to give a receipt to Governor Shirley for the value of six thousand, six hundred and sixty-six pounds, thirteen shillings and four pence. To redeem this borrowed money a tax of one penny half-penny was levied on all the polls and taxable estates in the colony, to be paid into the colony treasury in April, 1758. An additional tax of one penny half- penny was levied according to the taxable list of estates of October, 1757,
* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. X, pp. 458, 460. + Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. X, pp. 471, 472. # Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. X, pp. 469-482.
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to be collected and paid into the treasury by April 1. 1759, n laslu' money or gold equivalent. As the Assembly expected to be relimby sol with money from Great Britain, It was ented Hod if Juell mooney should arrive before June 20th of 1757 and 1758, these . rees Should be made null and void. In case the arms, ammunition mul blankes, Which were expected from the crown, did not arrive in textenable time the commissaries of the colony were ordered to supply them, and even in impress, appraise their value and pay for them.
The colony having exhausted its store of cannon, montar Shelf and powder for small arms and ordnance, a call was mide ppon Governor Shirley to seek through his brother, William Shirley, Commander Chief of all his Majesty's Forces in North America, to urge the reve it, and expediency of sending to Connecticut twenty five hundred golf of arms and ammunition, out of the ten thousand stands of arms soon Jo the care of his excellency to furnish his majesty 's subjects in America
Judge Ebenezer Silliman, Colonel Andrew Burr, Mr. Davil Row Vod of Fairfield, with Samuel Fitch and Joseph Platt, both of Norwalk. Were appointed a Committee of War, to assist and advise with Governor Fuch whenever he should call upon them. +
Mr. Jonathan Trumbull was appointed to go to England as agent and attorney from the colony, and assist Mr. Partridge, the colony igen there, to plead the insupportable condition of the colony and to obtain money and advice towards furthering his majesty's cause in Americal
The General Assembly met at Hartford, May 13th, when the ass ants' oath was administered to Judge Ebenezer Silliman and Colore Andrew Burr of Fairfield, and the deputy's oath to Captain Thomas Hill and Mr. Lathrop Lewis.
Ebenezer Silliman was made Judge of the Superior Court of the colony, and Colonel Andrew Burr Judge of the County and District Pro- bate Court of Fairfield.
A stringent act was passed to prevent bribery and corruption in the election of members to the General Assembly. " the Assembly declaring that any such evil & illegally elected members were incapable of crime as a member of such Assembly."
Samuel Hill was commissioned ensign of the train band of the pan- of Greenfield, and Samuel Morehouse ensign of the west perth of Fin-
* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. N, pp 476 475. + Col Rec. Conn., Vol X. p. j.
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field; James Smedley captain, Nathaniel Burr, Jr., lieutenant, and Eleazar Osborn ensign of the second train-band of Fairfield .*
It appears that the width of the Long Lots belonging to the original settlers of Fairfield had been for many years a matter of dispute among their descendants. It was therefore decided by the Assembly that the town should appoint a committee to measure the length and width of the long lots and fix monuments of the original owners to each lot. t
The money borrowed from Governor Shirley was ordered to be lodged in the colony treasury. A tax of one penny on the pound was levied on all polls and taxable estates according to the October list, with the additions to be added to the four-penny tax. The colony treasurer was ordered forthwith to collect the five pence levied on the pound.
Mr. Thomas Hill of Fairfield was chosen one of a committee to bor- row five thousand of the last issue of bills of credit at lawful interest, until the last day of January, to be loaned by them to private indi- viduals. +
Eight thousand pounds sterling, lately granted by his majesty to Con- necticut, was ordered to be paid towards the debts of the colony, either in lawful money and bills of credit in due proportion, as most expedient for the safety of the public welfare. §
The colony had, in its great stress for money, even borrowed from private individuals, which they now proposed to return with lawful in- terest.
The Governor was requested to appoint a day and issue a proclama- tion for public fasting and prayer in all ecclesiastical societies of the colony. !!
During the time of these warlike preparations, in which actual battles took place with the French and Indians, England did not declare war against France until the 18th of May; and not until June following did France declare war against England. Governor Shirley of Massachu- setts, not having been successful in commanding the last year's expedi- tion against the French, General Abercrombie was appointed to succeed him; and, as it was deemed advisable to have the entire forces of the col- onies under the control of an English officer, the Earl of Loudoun was appointed Commander-in-Chief over the North American department of
* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. X, pp. 504, 505. + Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. X, p. 512.
# Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. X, p. 536. § Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. X, p. 537. | Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. X, p. 538.
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