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 31
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* Connecticut Miscellaneous Documents, Vol. 3. p. 273.
t Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. XIII, note on page 236.
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HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD
[1769
to the Duke of York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts Bay, Rhode Island, & in general all other grants that can affect us, & have them duly authen- ticated & transmit them to said committee; that they may be lodged in the Secretary's office, & make their report to the General Assembly as soon as it can be accomplished."*
Only the greatest apprehensions led the General Assembly to make the above resolutions. The colonies had hoped to find a friend in Lord Hillsborough; but they were greatly disappointed, as he joined Lord North, then prime minister, when the parliament repealed the obnoxious taxes laid on the American colonies, in supporting a duty on tea as a par- liamentary matter of right.
Colonel Andrew Burr of Fairfield, who had for many years occupied one of the most prominent positions in the Colony of Connecticut, until a few years before his death, died November 9, 1769, well advanced in years. He possessed the confidence and highest respect not only of the town of Fairfield, but of the Colony of Connecticut, both as a states- man and one of its chief military officers. He particularly distinguished himself by bravely leading his regiment in the siege and capture of the fortress of Louisburg. His life was one continued advancement in use- fulness, crowned with years of well-spent energy for the best interests of Fairfield, Connecticut and the American colonies. t
It was voted at a town meeting held at Fairfield, December 27th, to erect " a powder-house to receive & lodge the town magazine." This powder-house is still standing on the hill, which, in those days, was called the Rocks.
* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. XIII, p. 247.
+ Appendix-Genealogical.
CHAPTER XIV
1770 -- 1780
THE WAR OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
PART FIRST
1770 .- Increasing spirit of liberty. --- Civil and military officers. - Repeal of colony duties on exports -Exasperating conduct of English troops .- Boston Massacre .- Day of fasting and praver 1771 .- Civil and military officers. - Personal taxes -Death of Col. James Smedley .- 1772 - Civil and military officers .- Great storm .- Drilling soldiers .- 1773 .- t'iviland military officers -Purchase of arms .- Judge Silliman's letters to the colonies .- Census of the colony and regi ments .- Western Lands .- Tea shipped back to England .-- Boston Tea Party. 1774. ( IV1. and military officers .- Western Lands .- Boston Port Bill -Dr. Benjamin Franklin - Action of General Assembly .- Day of fasting and prayer .- Preparations 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. - Military officers appointed and ammunition distributed -Bills of Credit .- Assembly opposition to British colonial acts. - Fairfieldl'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 .- Contri- butions to Boston while besieged .- Letter to Earl Dartmouth .- King permits limited fishing on New Foundland banks .- Patrick Henry .-- Preparation for war throughout the colonies. Battle of Lexington .- 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 tor ammunition .-- Defence of seaports .- Four regiments sent to Boston .- Fasting and praver - Governor Trumbull's letter to General Gage .- Insolent reply of Gen. Gage -May Assembly. -Civil and military officers .- Bills of credit and taxes .- Every war preparation made .- Kegi- ment 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 .- Connecticut forwards troops and ammu- nition to Boston .- Battle of Breeds and Bunker Hill .- Battle flags .- Connecticut troops sent to New London and New York .- General Washington 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 regi- ments 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 uniforms .- 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-
In
as
nd
en-
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HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD
deroga and prisoners of war .- Capt. Stephen Thorp's sloop of provisions sent to Massachusetts. -Connecticut retains her charter government .- Brother Jonathan .- Expedition against Canada .- Heroes 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 defend the coast of Con- necticut .- Coast guards .- Ammunition and stores .- 1776 .- Reinforcements 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 rejoic- ing .- Col. Gold Sellick Silliman's regiment sent to New York to join General Washington .- Lieut. 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 Howe .- 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 commissary .- 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 discovered .- Armed galleys ordered out .- Embargo on provisions and grain .- The General Assembly pro- poses 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 suplied 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 Harlem .- Eight regiments sent to New London to harass the English on Long Island .- Families flee from Long Island to Connecticut .- Fast Day .- Regi- ments sent to Westchester .- 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 Declara tion of Independence .- State, civil and military officers amenable only to the State of Connec- ticut .- 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 .- Husking 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 borders 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 .- Ammunition 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 l'ennsylvania .-- 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
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THE WAR OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
from western Connecticut .- Thaddeus Burr one of committee for this design. Mam officers and men from sixteen to sixty years of age to protect roast towns-Fantiel alum aldien Troops sent to Rhode Island .- Care of all sick sobliers. add Selleck Sillman Beaten General of Fourth State militia brigade -State tax -Guard at New-Field Harbor -1777 Lient. Samuel Smedley promoted .- Brig Defence prizes - Washington sends for all available troops for eastern New York. -- Distribution of other prizes .- Fort Black Rock remforced Rev. John Sayer sent as a Tory prisoner from Fairfield to Farmington. Thaldess Port to collect tons of flax for the State; and hundreds of tons of fax and the to send out of the Stat -Lieut. Samuel Smedley promoted captain of Brig Defence. Smallpox Hospitals -Fitted military guard commanded by Brig. Gen. Silliman. - Troops sent to L ort Black Rock. Ficaty with the Six Nations .- France tenders supplies to Governor Trumbull -Silas Dein, Attit Lee and Benjamin Franklin sent by Congress commissioners to France, Prussia and South France sends arms and ammunition. Marquis de LaFayette and De Kalb saif for Aniet.c. Families of volunteers supported at the expense of the State. - Marm at Fairheld from eren y . 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 Dathurs. -All towns called to furnish full military quotas. - Ammunition sent to Fairfield. Captan Smedley takes prizes .- General Gates sends for reinforcements. British attack on Di bufs -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 Saug t cl Bridge .- British sail from Compo to Huntington, 1 .. I .- tien. Wooster's valuable services. Reinforcements sent to Continental forces. - Gen. Meigs retaliation. Troops sent to sea coast -Connecticut credit .- Ecclesiastical laws .-- Court-martial regulation. 'Three years enlistment -Taxes .- Battalions raised to protect towns on the Sound. - Salt manjifacturers .- State of Con necticut army commissions .- Pensions for disabled soldiers. - War Record office. Deserter -Exchange of prisoners. - Pardon to deserters upon taking State oath of allegiance. - Fairfiel: 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. S huyler -Gen. Silliman sends troops to Peekskill .- Larger taxes laid on towns. -- Declaration of In- dependence ordered recorded .- More troops sent to Peekskill .- Sale of prize goods at Fairhell -Thaddeus Burr to impress necessary provisions and clothing for the army .- AArnolff's victory at Fort Schuyler .- Battle of Bennington .- Thanksgiving. Death of Col. David Dine Great economy practiced .- Fortifications of New Field and Stratheld .- Outburst of patriotist. -Kosciusko's fortifications .- Battle of Bemis Heights .- Detachments from Fairheld ligade sent under General Silliman to Peekskill to join General Putnam's forces .- Oath of alo ither and fidelity .- Economic laws and licenses. - Connecticut and I'nited States bills of codit maintained .- Maintenance of aged slaves .- Ministers to urge strict honesty and morality .- Reduction of Continental bills in circulation. Each state taxed for war expenses Frison
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 Iss army .- Washington censured .- Upheld by the country .- Thanksgiving Day for victories ap pointed by Congress throughout the United States. - Military uniforms sent to Washington Constant alarm at Fairfield and neighboring towns. - British Prison ships if New York harbor -Ilon. John Hancock resigns presidency of Congress .- 177" .- 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
18
274
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD
each town,-Fresh troops raised and equipped .- Everything needed to be impressed .- Troops for Fairfield .- Clothing sent to American prisoners in New York .- Fourth Regiment officers. -Release of prisoners at Fairfield .- Naval officers .- Reception 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 provisions and clothing to New York for troops under Wash- ington .- 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 .- Address of Congress sent to each town in the U. S. to be read in each congregation .- Cannon for Grover Hill Point. -Battle of Monmouth .- British retire to New York .- Washington to White Plains .- Con- necticut coast towns in constant alarm .- Special couriers .- Arrival of Count D'Estaing's fleet. -- French 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 English 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 .- Ileavy taxes to meet this demand .- Maintenance 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 .- Bat- talions 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 Hartford .- Civil and military officers .- Taxes .- Town votes for congressional delegates .- Dueling pro- hibited. - Call for full state battalions .- Demand from Fairfield recruits .- Military officers .- Valne 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 Iluntington .- 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 .- l'ilot 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 .- Heroic 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. I .- 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 heroism 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
1770]
275
THE WAR OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
Wayne .- Attack on the Iroquois .- Portsmouth and Norfolk retaken from the Br ti heSpain joins France against the British.
1770. This decade opened with gloomy apprehensions for our fore- fathers. The spirit of right, justice and liberty had so thoroughly seized upon the people after their bitter experience of oppression and the Stamp Act duties that many were led to enter upon a firm and fixed resolution to free the colonies from the tyranny of Great Britain. The loyal governors of the colonies had in vain demanded their chartered rights and privileges, which, with the arrogant and high-handed imposi tions of the British Parliament, served only to exasperate the people to the extent of those well uttered and well remembered words of Patrick Henry: "Give me liberty or give me death." Sending and stationing British troops in the colonies to intimidate the people into submission has already been shown when General Gage ordered his royal troops to be quartered at Fairfield, as well as at Boston and other towns and cities in the colonies, still further widened the breach to an irreparable extent. Great Britain was " all for Great Britain," and her magnificent colonies in America were simply to be made the tools of an unscrupulous King and of parliamentary leaders. But they little understood the spirit of the Americans, whose sons were no longer youthful pioneers, but full- grown men and women, strong in their strength, proud of their birth- rights, their homes, their country, their industries and their liberties, and. above all, the right to worship God according to the dictates of their own consciences. The cloud of war, however undesirable it might be. they felt would disperse only when the full light of an unclouded sky should open brighter than ever over their beloved land, and with a single eye to that glorious day the Sons and Daughters of Liberty resolved to make every sacrifice.
The General Assembly met at Hartford on the second Tuesday in May. and continued by several adjournments until the 8th day of June. Fairfield was represented by Captain David Burr and Judge Ebenezer Silliman. The latter was appointed Judge of the Probate Court of Fair- field.
Ebenezer Squire was made lieutenant in the train-band of Nor- field.
The act for laying and collecting duties on merchandise offered for sale by persons not living in the colony, having given great umbrage in England, was repealed. Dr. Johnson had previously written Governor
276
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD
[1771
Trumbull " that the enemies of the colonies in England intended to make use of it in the next parliament."*
The offensive conduct of the British troops infuriated the citizens of New York and Boston and Fairfield. A liberty pole was cut down by them in New York. The citizens of Boston were incensed that the British officers allowed their troops to go unpunished for their insolence, and it resulted in a sharp conflict with them March 5th, in which three citizens were killed and several wounded. This event caused great ex- citement throughout the country, and was called the Boston Massacre. Samuel Adams, heading a body of townsmen, insisted upon the British troops being quartered elsewhere, and obliged them to be sent to a neighboring fort in the harbor.+
The merchants still held firmly to their resolutions not to import British commodities, which led to a repeal of all offensive duties by Lord North, the new prime minister, except tea, which was retained to show the right of Parliament to tax the colonies.#
At the fall session of the Assembly, held at New Haven the second Thursday in October, it was represented that the proclamation for a general fast appointed in May did not reach Fairfield until the day after the fast had been kept in other parts of the colony; in consequence of which, "as it was suspected that such delay was from unfaithfulness & unwarrantable neglect, & in contempt of the authorities of this govern- ment, & not through casualty," the King's Attorney of the County of Fairfield was " ordered to make strict inquiry into the matter, & punish any offender or offenders according to law & justice."§
Jonathan Silliman was appointed surveyor of lands within the County of Fairfield.
Jonathan Dimon was appointed captain, and John Hull ensign of the train-band at Greenfield. ||
The taxable estates of Fairfield were valued at £49,008 9s. 9d.
At a meeting of the Governor and Council held at Windsor, March 25th, " the 18th of April was appointed to be observed as a day of public Fasting & Prayer throughout the Colony." The Governor was requested to issue a proclamation for that purpose.
1771. The Assembly met on the second Tuesday in May, at Hartford.
* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 13, p. 299.
# Quackenbos' Hist. United States, p. 197. I Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 13, pp. 376, 377.
+ Quackenbos' Hist. United States, p. 197.
§ Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 13, p. 305.
T Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 13, p. 412.
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THE WAR OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
1771]
Judge Ebenezer Silliman and Captain David Burr represented Fairfield. The former was again appointed Judge of the Fairfield District Probitte Court. John Hull was established lieutenant and Ebenezer Burr ensign in the train-band of Greenfield :* Hezekiah Sturges captain, John Whitear lieutenant, and David Dimon ensign of the second train-band in Paul field. +
At a meeting of the Deputy Governor and Council held at Litchfield. August 15th, Thaddeus Burr, Esq., was appointed sheriff for the County of Fairfield. Gershom Burr and Dr. Francis Forgue became his sure- ties in the stun of one thousand dollars.+
A law was passed at the October Assembly regulating the taxable property of the inhabitants of the colony as follows: " traders & shop-keepers 10 pr et on the first cost of all goods, wares & merchandise, as well as all traders of wholesale tradesmen, artificers & hotel keepers, except the produce & manufactures within the colony Every curricle. chaise, or riding wheel-carriage with a covered top, was taxed at the rate of five pounds , & every open chair & other open top riding wheel-carriage three pounds Dwelling houses one story high with two rooms & two fire-places on the floor were rated on the taxable list at twenty shillings ; a house with three rooms & three fire-places on a floor, at thirty shillings; four rooms & four fire-places at forty shillings; dwelling houses of two stories & two rooms & two fire-places on the lower floor, forty shillings; houses of two stories with more than two rooms & two fire-places on the lower floor, at three pounds." $
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