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 33
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* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. XIV, p. 327.
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prohibiting the importation and sale of Indian, negro or mulatto slaves into the colony, under a penalty of one hundred pounds from any person who should either import, sell or purchase them .*
Major Gold Sellick Silliman was appointed lieutenant colonel and Captain Agur Judson major of the Fourth Regiment of militia.t The Fourth Regiment of Connecticut largely supplied men and officers for the Fifth Regiment; in fact, constant drains were made upon it for the northern regiments.
Elijah Abel was appointed captain, Peter Hendrick lieutenant, and Seth Silliman ensign of the first train-band of Fairfield.
Edward Burroughs was made ensign of the Stratford train-band in the Fourth Regiment.
David Dimon was appointed captain, Eliphalet Thorp lieutenant, and Samuel Penfield ensign of the second train-band of Fairfield.
Ezekiel Hull was appointed lieutenant, Stephen Betts cornet, and Jonathan Silliman quartermaster of the second troop of horse in the Fourth Regiment.#
It was resolved that every town in the colony should be provided as soon as possible with double the quantity of powder, ball and flints that hitherto had been required by law.
Answers to the questions from the Secretary of State in reply to the Earl of Dartmouth's queries on trade, etc., were printed and ordered to be circulated in each town, requesting materials for further replies to be sent to the Assembly for consideration. 5
Fifteen thousand pounds in bills of credit were ordered to be struck off for the expenses of the colony, payable before January. 1777, and dated January, 1775. to redeem which a tax of one penny on the pound was levied, according to the list of taxable estates of this October, and an additional tax of one penny for the list of 1775, which taxes were to be paid into the colony treasury December, 1775, and December, 1776.
The Assembly, while recognizing King George the Third to be their lawful king, took occasion to renew and declare their chartered liberties and their just rights as colonial subjects of Great Britain; that the right of taxing the colonies was vested alone in the General Assembly. They opposed the Court of Admiralty recently established by Parliament, as
* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 14, p. 329. + Cel. Rec. Conn., Vol. 14, P. 331. $ Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 14, 343.
# Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 14, pp. 334, 340, 341. | Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 14. 346.
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well as carrying persons to England, " & in a summary way without a jury trial," as unconstitutional and subversive of the chartered rights of the free subjects of the colony; that the harbors and ports could not be shut up without sacrificing the liberties of the people. They declared the late act of Parliament in closing and blockading the port of Boston " a precedent justly alarming to the British colonies in America; incon- sistent & subversive to their constitutional rights," etc. "That we look upon the well-being & greatest security of the Colony to depend (under God) in our connection with Great Britain, which it was hoped might be maintained as it had previously been ever since it had existed." These resolutions were eleven in number .*
" At a legal meeting of the inhabitants of the Town of Fairfield held on the 29th Dec., A. D. 1774, Ebeneser Silliman, Esqr., moderator.
This meeting having duly considered the agreement and association entered into by the Continental Congress lately held at Philadelphia, do heartily approve thereof and ratify the same; and take this opportunity to express their most grateful sense of the good services of the worthy delegates from this Colony who attended said Congress: And, pur- suant to the eleventh article of said agreement and association, make choice of the follow- ing gentlemen to be a committee for the purpose therein mentioned (viz.) Gold Sellick Silliman, Johnathan Sturges, Job Bartram, Andrew Rowland, Samuel Squier, Johnatlıan Bulkley, Elijah Abel, Increase Bradley, Eliphalet Thorp, Aaron Jennings, Benjamin Lacy, Daniel Wilson, Asariah Odell, David Hubbell, Zalmon Bradley, John Hubbell, Thomas Cable, Joseph Hanford, Stephen Gorham, Thaddeus Burr, Johnathan Lewis, David Dimon, John Wilson, Joseph Strong, Albert Sherwood, Moss Kent, Samuel Wakeman, Jolın Squire, Ichabod Wheeler, Ebenezer Bartram, Johnathan Dimon, Jabes Hill, George Burr, Hesekiah Hubbell, Benjamin Wheeler, Joseph Hyde, Jeremiah Sherwood, Daniel Andrews, Hesekiah Bradley, Joseph Bradley, Ephraim Lyon, and John Allen.
"Voted that any person or persons who shall directly or indirectly, with intent to dissuade, disunite or otherwise prevent us from strictly complying & conforming to said agreement & association, publish, or sell, or otherwise dispose of any books or pamphlets or publications in this town, directly tending thereto ; such person or persons shall be dealt with & exposed in the same manner as is prescribed in said eleventh article for such person or persons as violate said agreement or association.
" Voted that a County Congress be held to advise & consult on the most effectual measures to carry the said agreement & association into execution.
"Voted that Gold Selleck Silliman, Jonathan Sturges, Andrew Rowland, Job Bar- tram & Thaddeus Burr be a committee of correspondence for this town. The same com- mittee to attend the County Congress at such time & place as they shall appoint agreeabie to the other towns in this county who shall adopt this measure."+
The strictest economy was agreed upon by the Continental Congress in their Articles of Association, even to restricting funeral expenses.
* Col. Rec. Conn., XIV, p. 347. t Fairfield Town Records on Votes.
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" That upon the death of any relative, or friend, none of us, or any of our families will go into any further mourning dress, than a black crape ribbon on the arm or hat for gentlemen; & a black ribbon or necklace for ladies; & we will discontinue the giving of gloves & scarfs at funerals."
One of the greatest trials which the Sons of Liberty had to contend with was the opposition of the Tories to these patriotic resolutions. There were many people throughout the country who were bitterly op- posed to any separation from the mother country. These men were watched and their acts and sayings reported to the authorities. There were people who delighted in burning such offensive partisans in effigy, riding them through the towns on a rail, with an occasional coat of tar and feathers, and pulling down Stamp Act officers' houses over their heads. But these acts were not sanctioned by the town authorities or by the General Assembly.
The taxable list of estates at Fairfield were £51.004 10s. 3d.
1775. At a session of Council held at Hartford, January 4th and 5th, it was voted to procure for the use of the colony three hundred barrels of gunpowder, fifteen tons of lead and sixty thousand good flints .*
During the first week in February " seven half barrels of gunpowder which was being carried to New Haven was seized by one William Hub bard of Stamford. A body of Liberty lads headed by one Sergeant Bar- tram attacked the house of the collector of Stamford, took possession of the powder, & carried it off on horses to Fairfield. A party of thirty men from Hartford under Col. Wyllys marched to Fairfield, took pos- session of the powder & carried it to Hartford."+
When the County delegates were in session at Fairfield, March 11th, to ratify the resolutions of the Continental Congress, the following toasts were drunk by a party of gentlemen in that town: "Additions to Whigs; Subtraction to Tories ; Multiplication to the Friends of Liberty, & Divi- sion to the enemies of America."+
Negro slaves gave much cause for anxiety, and in several instances proved treacherous to their owners in order to gain their freedom ..
Governor Trumbull called a special session of the General Assembly
* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. XIV, p. 387.
+ Rivington's Gazette.
# Rivington's Gazette.
§ The colored people of the colony entered fully into the spirit of the independence of their masters. They made preparations to form themselves into companies ; but fearing they might go further and use their show of patriotism to free themselves, it was deemed advisable to discourage them .- Hinman's War of the Revolution, p. 31.
19
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March 2d, at New Haven. Mr. Jonathan Sturges and Captain Samuel Squire represented Fairfield.
An act was passed requiring every naval officer in the colony to give a bond of one thousand dollars to the Governor, with two sureties for the faithful discharge of his trust, for receipts of duties on rum and other dutiable articles of goods and merchandise.
Ebenezer Burr was established lieutenant, and Ebenezer Hill en- sign of the train-band of Greenfield, in the Fourth Regiment .*
In February, Parliament declared that Massachusetts was in rebel- lion, and that an additional force be added to the 3,000 British troops already stationed there. This act and the blockaded harbor of Boston elicited the sympathy and generosity of all classes. " The Assembly voted to recommend the several towns in the Colony to cheerfully & liberally contribute to the relief of their suffering brethren-esteeming it an in- cumbent duty & an acceptable service in the sight of God & the country."
A letter was addressed by Governor Trumbull to the Earl of Dart- mouth, one of his Majesty's principal Secretaries of State, protesting against the course which Great Britain continued to pursue towards her American colonies :
-" that while disagreements existed by the severe measures of Parliament, that British Supremacy & American Liberty are not incompatible with each other, having existed & flourished together for more than a century; & that the unlimited power, lately claimed by the British Parliament, drove them to the borders of despair." He wrote of the great distress in which Boston had been placed by the Port-bill, where many thousands of his Majesty's subjects were "reduced to the utmost distress, & the whole province thrown into a state of anarchy & confusion by the Act changing the constitution of that province, & depriving them of some of their chartered rights; that if the act for shutting up their port was repealed, the armed forces withdrawn from Boston, & the people put upon a footing to act freely & constitutionally, he doubted not but that, as they have upon all former occasions shown themselves to be a generous, brave & loyal people, they would comply with any reasonable requisitions that should be made by his Majesty." It was further urged that Earl Dartmouth should give his serious attention to "the unhappy case of that distressed people, & in effect of all the colonies, whose fate seemed to be involved in theirs, & who are therefore most anxiously distressed for them." After this letter had been submitted to both houses, and that part left out in regard to the dutiful return of the Massachusetts people if their ports were opened, etc., it was unanimously approved, and a copy of it ordered to be sent to the Earl of Dartmouth. t
March Ist the Fishery bill was passed by Parliament, prohibiting the American colonies from carrying on any fisheries on the Banks of New
* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 14, p. 398.
+ Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. XIV, p. 410.
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Foundland and other places under certain conditions and for a limited time, except whale fishery, which was to be continued until November. This act was largely prompted by the King.
It was in March that the Virginia legislature assembled to make preparations to organize an American army, to cooperate with the forces of the other colonies. Eloquent speeches were made and an oration by Patrick Henry thrilled his listeners with enthusiastic patriotism when he uttered those memorable words: "I know not what course others may take ; but for me. give me liberty or give me death."
Active military preparations were taking place in every part of the country for the struggle, which now seemed inevitable, and minute-men. ready to defend the country, were prepared for immediate action. AAbont 8.000 troops were assembled at Philadelphia, fully prepared for any emergency. Every eye and thought was turned toward Boston, where a plot had been set on foot by General Gage to seize upon the cannon, powder and ammunition which the patriots had secretly conveyed in Concord: and to secure as prisoners Samuel Adams and John Hancock. The affair was carried on with great secrecy. At eleven o'clock on the night of April 18th eight hundred men set out for Concord, but General Warren, having discovered the design of Gage, sent messengers by dii- ferent routes to give the alarm. Paul Revere's Lantern, immortalized by Longfellow, was hung in the belfry of the North Church, which was seen by the people of Charlestown, who immediately sent out messengers of alarm, so that in a short time the British troops, under General Pit- cairn, having reached Lexington, ten miles distant from Boston, found themselves assailed by every boy, youth and aged man in the vicinity, eager to strike the first blow for liberty. As brave as the spirit of the patriots was, they were forced to give way under British fire after a loss of several men. A number of British were also killed. The main body having now joined the British, they took up their march towards Con- cord. Another skirmish followed, the minute-men and inhabitants of the place having bravely met the enemy. Several men were killed on both sides, and although the British were reinforced by 1,000 men under Lord Percy, they were assailed all along the route to Charlestown by the yeomanry from forests, houses, sheds, trees and fences. Some of the British officers and their soldiers fell by the roadside under the well- directed aim of sharpshooters, well skilled in the use of firearms. By the time Charlestown was reached the British had 65 killed, 180 wounded
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and 28 taken prisoners. The Americans lost 59 killed, 39 wounded and 5 missing .*
Thus was fought the first battle of the War of the American Revolution. As fast as man and horse could travel, the news was heralded from town to town, and from colony to colony, until the whole country was aroused with patriotism. Men hurried from all quarters towards Boston. Within a few days an army of 16,000 men was gathered around Boston, and the siege of the oppressed city was begun. From Fairfield marched forth a brave band to the relief of their beleaguered friends. Their names de- serve the highest record for patriotism, for they were among the first who set out to defend the homes of their kinsmen and countrymen.
" From the Town of Fairfield for the relief of Boston & Lexington, April, 1775:
Captain David Dimon
Isaac Jarvis
Lieut. Peter Hendrick
Andrew Thorp
Lieut. Edward Bourroughs
Isaac Jennings
Ensign Wakeman Burr
David Annabel
Sergeant Abijah Sterling
Daniel Wingfield
Sergeant Aaron Hubbell
Levi Mallery
Sergeant Ebenezer Wakeman, Clerk
Paul Nichols
Privates.
Israel Bibbins
Andrew Wakeman
Joseph Squire
Walter Buddington
William Jennings
Isaac Burr
John Pearson
Thomas Elwood
Nehemiah Whitney
Ebenezer Squire
Jonathan Darrow, Jr.
John Fuller
Nathan Thorp
Daniel Morris, Jr. 4
Nathan Peet Jackson
Nathan Seeley
William Hubbell
Benjamin Hall
John Hayes
Josiah Lacey
Solomon Green
Joseph Hubbell
Oriel Morehouse
Isaac Hubbell
Zebulon Kirtland
Captain Elijah Abel's Express to New Haven."
" This company with a few changes also marched for the relief of New York, viz .:
David Dimon, Captain
Aaron Hubbell, Sergeant Thomas Couch, Clerk
James Hambleton, Lieut.
Wakeman Burr, Ensign.
Privates
Albert Chapman, Sergeant
John Mills, Sergeant
John Odle, Sergeant
John Watson Judson Sturges Abijah Morehouse
* Quackenbos, Hist. U. S. A., p. 205.
Peter Hendrick, Lieut.
Samuel Sherwood
Judson Sturges
Abijah Morehouse
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Thomas Elwood Andrew Thorp Isaac Jarvis
Moses Sturges
Shuball Gorham Gideon Morehouse Andrew Hendrick
Nathan Thorp William Jennings Nehemiah Fowler
Jolın McKee
Joseph Green
Isaac Burr
Asael Disbrow
Israel Bibbins
Ezekiel Canfield
Nehemiah Whitney
James Knapp
Josiah Jennings
John Hayes
Samuel Bradley
John Pearson
Nathan Bradley
Levi Mallery
Daniel Bament
Samuel Chard
Joseph Hayes
Josiah Smith
Joseph Stratton
William McCarthy
Peter Winton
David Sturges." *
Without orders, without a commander-in-chief and without time to make preparations, these brave men marched in a quick and orderly manner, all spontaneously moving as if by magic, from an earnest sense of sympathy and patriotism. The Connecticut and Rhode Island forces were under their own officers, who provided them with arms and rations. They were men of all ranks in life, sturdy farmers and merchants, as well as gentlemen's sons; all ready to obey the discipline of their officers.
Governor Trumbull called a special General Assembly to meet at Hartford, April 26th.
The act passed in October, requiring the officers of the several regi- ments in the colony to call their regiments to assemble for military exer- cises, on account of inconvenience, was repealed. An embargo was laid upon exports by water " until the 20th of May on wheat, rye, Indian corn, pork, beef, live cattle, pease, beans, bread, flour & every kind of meal, except necessary stores for vessels bound to sea."
Thaddeus Burr, Esq., of Fairfield, and Charles Church Chandler of Woodstock were appointed a committee, at the expense of the colony, to employ news-carriers to perform regular stages with all convenient speed to and from Fairfield and Woodstock, so as to arrive at Hartford every Saturday. Gurdon Saltonstall, Esq., of New London was appointed to the same duty to and from New London and Woodstock to New Haven in the Fairfield stage, to reach new London on Saturdays, and to forward all proper intelligence with convenient dispatch; and that
* Record of Connecticut, Men of the War of the Revolution, pp. 10, II.
Joseph Squire
Nathan Peet Jackson
1
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each of them forward as speedily as possible all proper intelligence each way on Monday mornings .*
A committee was appointed to supply and forward all necessary provisions to the forces who had gone to the relief of Boston and its vicinity. One-fourth of the militia was ordered to be called out and made ready for the special defence of the colony, subject to the orders of the Assembly. The enlisted men were to be formed into companies of one hundred men each, the companies to be formed into six regiments, to be commanded by one major general, assisted by two brigadier generals, each of which general officer should take command of a regiment as colonel; that each regiment be commanded by one colonel, a lieutenant-colonel and a major, each of which field officers should command a company as captain, and each general officer be assisted by two majors of his regiment, each company to be commanded by one captain, two lieutenants and one ensign; all duly commissioned by the Governor. There were also appointed for each regiment one adjutant, one quartermaster, one chaplain, one surgeon and two surgeon-mates, all to be employed not exceeding seven months. A premium of 52 shillings was offered and one month's pay in advance to each non-commissioned officer and individual upon their enlistment, each man supplying himself with a blanket, knapsack, clothing, etc., subject to the inspec- tion of his captain. Each company was furnished with good firearms belonging to the Colony. Each soldier who should furnish his own firearms was allowed a premium of ten shillings. Where arms could not be furnished, they were ordered to be impressed from householders and other persons not on the militia roll; who were allowed a premium of ten shillings for their use, or loss in full value; any misuse of which was to be deducted from the wages of the person carrying them. "Three thousand stands of arms of the following dimensions, to wit: the length of the barrel three feet ten inches, the diameter of the bore from inside to inside three-quarters of an inch, the length of the blade of the bayonet fourteen inches, the length of the socket four inches & one-quarter, with iron ramrod, &c .; five hundred spades ; five hundred pick-axes, three hundred narrow axes & five hundred tents " were ordered to be procured and held in readiness for the use of the colony. A particular account of all arms was to be taken and appraised by indifferent judges. Six pence a day was allowed each non-commissioned officer and citizen from the day of his enlistment for billeting until supplied from the colony stores. A form of com- missioning officers and subalterns was agreed upon. +
Jonathan Trumbull was made " Captain-General & Governor-in-Chief over his Majesty's English Colonies of Connecticut in New England, in America." Officers were appointed to take command of all enlisted persons.
David Wooster was appointed Major-General, Joseph Spencer Briga- dier-General, and Israel Putnam Second Brigadier-General of all the forces. Officers were appointed for each regiment. David Waterbury, Jr., was made colonel, Samuel Whiting lieutenant-colonel, Thomas Hobby major of the Fifth Regiment. David Dimon captain, Peter Hendrick
* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. XIV, p. 416. + Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 14, p. 419. # Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 14, p. 421.
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first lieutenant. Ebenezer Hill, second lieutenant, and Wakeman Burr ensign of the fourth company in the Fifth Regiment. Hill resigned, and Wakeman Burr was promoted first lieutenant, Josiah Lacy ensign, Rev. Samuel Wood chaplain, John Wood surgeon, and Sammuel Whiting surgeon's mate in this regiment. Captain Joseph Trumbull was made Commissary-General, and Samuel Squire of Fairfield one of the army commissaries. All of them were instructed to furnish as quickly as pos sible their different regiments with necessary provisions, etc .*
Fifty thousand pounds in bills of credit were ordered to be printed, without interest, dated May 10, 1775, and payable on or before May 10, 1777, to redeem which a tax of seven pence on the pound was ordered to be levied on all the polls and taxable estates in the colony, to be collected from the October tax lists of 1775 and 1777.1
A committee was appointed to take charge of the powder for each county. Thaddeus Burr was chosen to care for twenty-eight half barrels of powder, to be sent from New London to Fairfield.+
A committee was appointed to examine and make a report of the condition of the sea-coast, ports and defences of the colony, and to con- sider the best way of securing, defending and protecting them and the shipping.
Four regiments under Brigadier-Generals Spencer and Putnam and Colonels Hinman and Parsons were " to forthwith get into readiness & march forward to Boston, or such places near there, as they should be ordered."§
It was resolved by the Assembly that :
" Considering the dark & gloomy aspect of Divine Providence over this Colony & land, & that it is the indispensable duty of every people suffering under the afflictive chastisements of a righteous God, with deep repentance, supplication & amendment of life, to endeavour by all the ways which God has prescribed to avert his anger & incline him to become reconciled to his people ; that it be recommended to all the ministers of the gospel in this Colony, that they earnestly endeavour to dissuade their several congregations from all excess, & all diversions which may be improper in the present day of distress : & that both they & their people cry mightily to God that he would be pleased to spare his people & be gracious unto them, & visit them with his loving kindness & tender mercies ; & not give up his heritage to reproach, but preserve unto them their great & important rights & privileges, & guide & prosper the public councils of this Colony & land; & in this hour of difficulty & distress graciously manifest His power in the deliverance & salvation of His people, to the glory of His own name." I
* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 14, p. 430.
+ Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 14. P. 432. § Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. XIV, p. 434.
# Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 14, p. 433. 11 Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 14, p. 434.
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All debtors imprisoned for debt were released, and "the creditor. allowed to take out an alias execution against the estates of such debtors."*
Governor Trumbull addressed a strong letter April 25th to General Gage, disapproving his course at Boston, as it was well known that his rash measures to prevent the cause of the Sons of Liberty had hastened and increased their righteous indignation.
He " demanded to know to what end such hostile preparations were daily being made; if it was his intention to ravage & desolate the country; why these outrages had been committed; why the town of Boston was blockaded, & why they were constantly hearing of fresh destination of troops to this country." "The people of this Colony," the Governor wrote, "you may rely upon it, abhor the idea of taking up arms against the troops of their Sovereign, & dread nothing so much as the horrors of a civil war. But, Sir, at the same time, we beg leave to assure your Excellency that as they apprehended themselves justified by the principle of self-defence they are most firmly resolved to defend their rights & privileges to the last extremity, nor will they be restrained from giving aid to their brethren if any unjustifiable attack is made upon them. Be so good as to explain yourself? Is there no way to prevent this unhappy dispute from coming to extremities ? Is there no alternative but absolute submission or the desolations of war? By that humanity which constitutes so amiable a part of your character, & for the honour of our Sovereign & the glory of the British Empire, we entreat you to prevent it if possible," etc.
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