The history of Waterbury, Connecticut; the original township embracing present Watertown and Plymouth, and parts of Oxford, Wolcott, Middlebury, Prospect and Naugatuck. With an appendix of biography, genealogy and statistics, Part 33

Author: Bronson, Henry, 1804-1893
Publication date: 1858
Publisher: Waterbury, Bronson brothers
Number of Pages: 722


USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > Waterbury > The history of Waterbury, Connecticut; the original township embracing present Watertown and Plymouth, and parts of Oxford, Wolcott, Middlebury, Prospect and Naugatuck. With an appendix of biography, genealogy and statistics > Part 33


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Dr. Mansfield, already mentioned, wrote to Gov. Tryon ear- ly in the war, giving it as his opinion that if the king's troops were present to protect the Royalists, "several thousand men in the three western counties of the Colony [of Connecticut] would join him." The letter was intercepted and Dr. M. was forced to fly for his life.


In 1777, according to Mr. Inglis, all the society's missiona- aries in Connecticut were " either removed to a distant part of the province from their cures and there detained, or else confined in their own houses." To the credit of the parties in Waterbury, it may be said that, though the excitement was intense, no scenes were enacted here such as were witnessed in some other towns. This is doubtless to be attributed in part


* Hawkins' Missions.


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to the prudence and wisdom of Mr. Scovill. He was some- times threatened. Occasionally, he had reason to fear injury. In the more critical seasons, it is stated, he often slept from home in order to be out of the way of midnight calls; but he had the courage, which the Whigs respected, to remain through the war.


It has been customary to denounce the Tories of the Revo- lution as the worst of people-devils incarnate. But the time has arrived when we should be able to view them impartial- ly. They were mistaken men, but no doubt can exist that they were in the main conscientious and patriotic. They thought, doubtless, that they were in pursuit of the greatest and most permanent good of their country. They were actua- ted by a principle of loyalty to government and of respect for existing laws.


When the time for action came, the majority of the peo- ple of Waterbury were the fast friends of colonial rights. Af- ter the meeting of the General Congress, in 1774, a town meeting was warned to be held on the 17th day of November, 1774, " for the purpose mentioned in the eleventh article of the association of the General Congress, &c." At this meet- ing, Phineas Royce, Esq., was chosen moderator, and Rev. Mr. Leavenworth made a prayer .*


* Periodically and on important special occasions, our fathers met in town meetings for the transaction of the public business and for general consultation and discussion. These meetings give a good idea of American republicanism in its practical workings. In them, the people learned their first lessons in government. These assemblies formerly exercised more extensive powers, and had the oversight of more numerous interests, than now. The affairs of ecclesias- tical and school societies, as well as those belonging more strictly to the whole town, were reg- ulated in them. Voluntary associations are of comparatively modern origin. The great town meeting, so called by Mr. Southmayd, was held annually in December. A person to be qualified to vote must be " an admitted inhabitant, a householder and a man of sober conversation," and have a freehold estate of fifty shillings. After some influential man had been chosen modera- tor, " the meeting was opened with prayer." (The custom of opening town meeting with prayer is said to be still kept up in some of the old towns in this State. When companies met for mili- tary parade, a prayer from the minister formerly introduced the business of the day.)


A town clerk, constable and selectmen, "able, discreet and of good conversation," and other officers, were then chosen, in proper order. The penalty for refusing to serve was forty shil- lings. All, down to fence-viewers and town-brander, were required to take an oath, and this was generally administered in open meeting. To prevent disorderly conduct in town meetings, a statute was passed to punish the same. " At a court for ye tryal of small causes, held in Water- bury, Jan. 9, 1756, present Thomas Clark one of his Magesties Justices of the peace," Thomas Doolittle and John Barnes were arraigned for the breach of the ahove law, and were fined, each 5s. and the costs of court, 1s. At the next town meeting, Feb. 16, 1756, there is this entry- "Voted to give Thomas Doolittle his fine for speaking without liberty in town meeting." Barnes, it is presumed, showed less contrition, and the fine was exacted.


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At the same meeting, the extracts of the proceedings of the late respectable continental Congress holden at Philadelphia having been read, (together with the resolves of the House of Representatives [of Connecticut] thereon,) and the same appearing a wise and judicious plan in the present dangerous and difficult state of our public affairs, in order to effect 'a happy and much to be desired union between Great Britain and these colonies ----


This meeting therefore agree and resolve faithfully to adhere to and strictly to abide by the association entered into by said Congress-and appoint the gentle- men hereafter named a committee to see the same carried into execution in every article thereof.


The above unanimously voted and for a committee, Joseph Hopkins and Tino- thy Judd, Esqs., captains John Welton, Gideon Hotchkiss, John Lewis, Benjamin Richards, Nathaniel Barnes, Doct. Ebenezer Beardsley, Doct. Roger Conant, Messrs. Andrew Bronson, James Bronson, Stephen Matthews, Jesse Curtis, Josiah Rogers, chosen.


At the same meeting, voted that the town clerk shall get a copy of the doings of the Congress well bound at the cost of the town, and lodge it in his office, there to remain among the records of the town, for the use of future generations.


Voted also, that in case a County congress should be agreed upon and desired in the County, (which we would recommend,) then the above said committee shall choose and appoint two out of their number to attend such Congress.


Voted also that the doings of this meeting shall be published.


The articles of the Continental Congress to which the town " resolved faithfully to adhere," pledged the delegates and the people of the several colonies they represented to a system of non-intercourse with Great Britain, this being thought the most effective means of obtaining redress of grievances. Noth- ing was to be imported, bought, sold or consumed which was the product of the British Islands-no East India tea, no mo- lasses, syrup, coffee, pimento, &c. Slaves were no longer to be imported, and the trade was to be discontinued. The eleventh article recommended that every county, city and town should appoint a kind of vigilance committee, "whose business it shall be attentively to observe the conduct of all persons touching this association," and if any one was found violating it, "the case to be published in the Gazette, to the end that all such foes to the rights of British America may be publicly known and universally contemned, as the enemies of American liberty, and thenceforth we respectively break off all dealings with him or her." It was in accordance with the recommendation of this article, (and of the House of Rep- resentatives of the Colony,) that the town meeting above noticed was warned and the committee named appointed.


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At the next meeting, which was held Jan. 12th, following, the town voted that the selectmen should procure a double stock of powder, lead and flints, and "build a house suitable to store " them in-a proof that the people were thoroughly in earnest. While they talked of " a happy and much to be desired union between Great Britain and these colonies," and felt doubtless as they talked, they were determined, as far as possible, to be prepared for the worst. At the same meet- ing, Col. Jonathan Baldwin, Capt. John Welton, Joseph Hop- kins, Esq., Capt. Samnel Hickox, Timothy Judd, Esq., Messrs. Stephen Welton, James Porter, Jr., Stephen Seymour, Randal Evans, David Smith, Josiah Rogers, Samuel Lewis, Esq., and John Hopkins were chosen a committee " to receive the donations that may be contributed towards the relief of the poor in Boston," who were suffering at this time, from the effects of the odious Boston Port Bill. The Boston people threw the tea on which a duty had been levied by the gov- ernment at home, into the harbor, and this bill was passed by Parliament in retaliation. The design was to destroy the commerce of that refractory town, and to transfer its business to Salem. It was an oppressive act, a general sympathy was awakened, and material aid was contributed, in all parts of the country, for the relief of that doomed people. Nearly all the towns in Connecticut had public meetings and sent money, provisions, live stock, or whatever they could spare.


After the skirmishes (not battles) at Lexington and Concord, in April, 1775, the Connecticut Legislature took immediate and decisive steps in way of preparing for the contest. An act was passed for enlisting and equipping one fourth part of the militia, "for the safety and defense of the colony." They were to be divided into six regiments, and the companies to contain one hundred men each. The eighth company of the first regiment (commanded by Major General David Wooster) was to be raised in Waterbury. The officers appointed to command it were Phineas Porter, captain ; Stephen Mat- thews, 1st lieutenant; Isaac Bronson, 2d lieutenant; David Smith, ensign. Their term of service was not to exceed seven months. Each soldier was to have a premium of fifty-two shillings to be paid at the time of enlistment, and one month's


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advance pay, amounting to forty shillings, besides ten shillings for the use of his arms, and sixpence a day for billeting money. Capt. Porter was in readiness and " about to march " late in May.


As an attack was apprehended on some of the towns upon the sea-coast, Capt. Porter was first ordered to march into Fairfield county. Afterwards, he was directed to go to the Hudson River and so north. He was in Greenbush in Octo- ber. Thence he marched by way of Albany to Lake Cham- plain, where he was at the expiration of the time for which his company was enlisted. Some of them then returned to Waterbury. Others chose to continue with the army, went into Canada and were with generals Montgomery and Woos- ter at the taking of Montreal. Some were present at the storming of Quebec, under Arnold, late in Dec. 1775, when Montgomery fell. Among them were Freeman and Daniel Judd. The latter died of small pox, near Quebec, Feb. 2, 1776.


In the year 1775, Waterbury furnished, for the continental army, one hundred and fifty-two soldiers. This appears from a certificate of the town officers to the treasurer of the Colony, claiming an abatement of this number of polls (taxed at £2,736) according to an act of Assembly. Of the fifty-five towns whose returns are on record, Waterbury appears to have provided more men than any other, except Farmington and New Haven, which had respectively, one hundred and fifty- seven and one hundred and fifty-three. Woodbury had one hundred and fifty. No town in the Colony, not itself the theater of conflict, made greater personal sacrifices through- out the war than Waterbury. It contributed men-the rank and file of the army-and had but an insignificant share of the honors and emoluments of the war.


In March, 1776, Gen. Howe evacuated Boston, and in June following appeared before New York. Congress made a re- quisition on Connecticut for troops. The Legislature, then in session, (in June,) passed an act for raising, by voluntary in- listment, seven regiments to be marched immediately to New York to join the continental army .* They were to serve till


* Such was the enthusiasm for the public service, at an early period, that in many towns voluntary companies were raised, officered and equipped. July 4, 1776, a company of house-


22


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the 25th of December following, unless sooner discharged. The officers of the fifth regiment were William Douglass, (of Northford,) colonel, James Arnold, lieutenant colonel, and Phineas Porter, major. The sixth company of this regiment was from Waterbury, and its commissioned officers were John Lewis, Jr., captain, James Warner, 1st lieutenant, Michael Bronson, 2d lieutenant and Joseph Beach, Jr., ensign. Early in August, such was the critical condition of affairs, at the urgent solicitation of General Washington, the governor and council of safety, constituting the committee of war, directed all the standing militia west of the Connecticut River and two regiments on the east side, to march forthwith to New York, " until the present exigency is over." The Waterbury militia, attached to the 10th regiment, marched under Lieut. Col. Jonathan Baldwin, the 17th of August, ten days only after the order was issued. It is estimated that full one half of Washington's army in and about New York, this year, were Connecticut men ; and that during this season, (1776,) the Colony had in all full twenty thousand troops in the service, whereas, her whole available military force, (from sixteen to fifty years of age,) did not much exceed twenty-three thousand. It is notorious that Connecticut did more than her part through- out the Revolutionary war, as she had uniformly done in previous wars. This fact, however, is most likely to be con- ceded when stated with modesty. If other States did not do as much, they all did well. No one of them which does not institute invidious comparisons need be ashamed.


In the disastrous conflict on Long Island, which occurred on the 27th day of August, 1776, "Colonel Douglass with his regiment [the fifth] was in the thickest of the fight."* He was afterwards engaged in several actions near New York, and was himself particularly distinguished at Harlem Heights, White Plains and Phillip's Manor. In the retreat from Long Island the night after the fight, Major Porter is said to have


holders was formed in Waterbury. They furnished themselves with arms and accoutrements ; chose Jonathan Curtis for their captain, Timothy Pond for lieutenant and Samuel Scovill, en- sign, and reported themselves ready for duty. llinman's War of the Revolution, p. 559.


* Hollister's Connecticut, Vol. II, p. 276.


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been in the last boat. Afterwards, he was taken a prisoner in New York, and at the end of three months, was exchanged. Capt. Stephen Matthews, attached to Col. Heman Swift's regi- ment, had eleven of his company killed in this campaign. . Lieut. Nathaniel Edwards (of Westbury) was taken prisoner at the capture of Fort Washington. He was not released for two years, and did not return to his home till 1780.


In November, the General Assembly enacted that four battalions, (regiments,) properly officered, should be forthwith raised by voluntary enlistment, (to take the place, probably, of those whose term of service was about to expire,) who were to serve till the 15th day of March, 1777. The officers of one of the companies (which was from Waterbury) in the 2d bat- talion, commanded by Col. Thadens Cook, were Benjamin Richards, captain, Isaac Bronson, Jr., 1st lieutenant, William Law, 2d lieutenant, Benjamin Fenn, Jr., ensign.


At the time the British troops were making their way across New Jersey towards Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and the whole country became very much alarmed. While extraordi- nary efforts were being made to reinforce Gen. Washington and Gen. Lee, the General Assembly of Connecticut, in Decem- ber, earnestly called upon all able bodied men, living west of Connecticut river, to go forward and offer themselves for the service. A committee was appointed " to arouse and animate the people to rise and exert themselves with the greatest ex- pedition," and "to set on foot with all expedition an enlistment in the various parts of the State." On this committee are found the names of Mark Leavenworth and Capt. Thomas Porter, apparently of Waterbury.


Near the close of this year, (1776,) the General Assembly reorganized the militia of the State, forming them into six bri- gades. At the same time, " it was enacted that all male per- sons from 16 years of age to 60 years, not included in the train- band, and exempted from ordinary training," (with certain ex- ceptions,) should be formed into companies, and equipped to constitute an alarm list. These were called "alarm companies." Those over fifty years of age could not be compelled to march out of the State. With this exception, they were, " in case of alarm, or orders given by a superior officer," to be liable to


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the same duties, service and penalties as others of the militia .* I find in Major Phineas Porter's "orderly book " a list of the officers of the alarm companies of Waterbury, (to wit,) 1. Capt. Phineas Castle, Lieut. Ashbel Porter, Ens. Timothy Clark. 2. Capt. John Woodruff, Lieut. Thomas Dutton, Ens. John


· Stoddard. 3. Capt. Isaac Bronson, Lieut. Aaron Benedict, Ens. John Slater. 4. Capt. Jotham Curtis, Lieut. Timothy Pond, Ens. Samuel Scovill. 5. Capt. Stephen Seymour, Lieut. Daniel Sanford, Ens. Samuel Parker. 6. Capt. Josiah Terrel, Lieut. Stephen Hopkins, Ens. Hezekiah Hine.


The experience gained in the campaigns in 1775 and 1776 had taught the country the ruinous effects of the system of short enlistments. No sooner had the troops acquired some discipline and efficiency, than their term of service had expired, and their places must be filled by raw recruits. Patriotic senti- ments and enthusiasm, it was found, were not a safe de- pendence in a protracted war. They might lead to heroic deeds, as at Bunker Hill. They might sustain soldiers behind a breast-work ; but would not with certainty hold them to their duty in the open field and through a campaign. America must have trained battalions before she could meet successfully the disciplined armies of England. The Legislature, therefore, in compliance with a resolution of Congress, resolved that eight battalions (regiments) should be immediately raised, by enlistment, out of the Connecticut troops then in the army and other inhabitants of the State, to serve during the war, on the terms proposed by Congress.+ Among the officers which were at the same time appointed, are found the names of David Smith, captain, and Michael Bronson, 1st lieutenant, both of Water- bury. This was in November, 1776. Capt. Smith's company was made up wholly, or nearly so, of Waterbury men.


Waterbury's quota of troops for the eight regiments seems to have been one hundred and thirty-one. To devise measures to facilitate the enlistment, (which made but slow progress,) and in conformity to the recommendation of the governor and council of safety, a town meeting was called on the first


* Hinman's Revolutionary War, p. 251.


t Afterwards, those who enlisted for three years were put upon the same footing as those who were engaged for the war, except the former had no part of the 100 acres of land.


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day of April, 1777. At this meeting, a vote was passed to give each non-commissioned officer and soldier who should enlist, or had already enlisted, into the continental army, for three years, or during the war, twelve pounds lawful money annually, one half to be paid at the time of enlistment. To provide the means, a tax was laid of one shilling lawful money on the pound, and a committee appointed to act in the matter.


That the families of those who enlisted might be cared for, the governor and council recommended that the towns should provide for them the necessaries of life " at the price fixed by law." Waterbury resolved to make the provision and ap- pointed a committee to see it done. The members of the con- mittee (which was reappointed annually, in December) were Capt. Stephen Matthews, Thomas Dutton, Jonathan Scott, Benjamin Munson, Daniel Bronson, Capt. John Welton, John Thomson, Wait Hotchkiss, Daniel Sanford, Samuel Scovill, Thomas Fancher, Capt. Samnel Porter, Gideon Hickox, Ste- phen Warner and Josiah Rogers.


In October, 1777, the Assembly ordered that each town in the State should procure immediately for each non-commis- sioned officer and soldier in the continental army belonging to such town, one shirt or more, one hunting shirt or frock, one pair woolen overalls, one (or two) pair of stockings and one pair of good shoes, at certain stipulated prices. If said arti- cles of clothing could not otherwise be procured, the town an- thorities were authorized " to impress " them wherever found, whenever they could be spared. A town meeting was held in October, according to recommendation, and a vote taken to comply, &c. To carry the object of the meeting into execu- tion, a committee was appointed, consisting of Messrs. Eli Bronson, David Taylor, Moses Cook, Peter Welton, Abraham Andrews, Samuel Hickox, Phineas Royce, Esq., John Dunbar, Caleb Barnes, Joseph Sutliff, Jr., Daniel Alcock, Simeon Hop- kins, Samuel Lewis, Esq., Gideon Hotchkiss and Ira Bebee. The result of the movement was that Waterbury provided (for which the selectmen presented an account against the State) 115 woolen shirts, containing 2623 yards of shirting; 24 linen shirts with 65 yds. of do .; 133 frocks, (hunting shirts,) having 366 yds. " toe cloth ;" 130 pairs of " over halls," having


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3052 yds. fulled cloth ; 184 pairs of stockings ; 127 pairs of shoes ; 5 sacks of " toe cloth" for transporting clothing. A bill was made out against the State for these items, to which was added "2Ss. officers fees for impressing sundries of clothing." There may have been other articles furnished besides those mentioned in the above schedule, in order to make up the apparent de- ficiency of some of them. The number of "frocks" named (133) may have been the whole number required, and may have represented the number of soldiers then in the regular army from Waterbury.


The frock or hunting shirt was a common article of the sol- dier's dress in the Revolution. It was recommended by the commanding officer of the Connecticut troops in New York, as a part of the uniform, as follows :


The General being sensible of the difficulty of providing cloth of almost any kind for the troops, feels an unwillingness to recommend, much more to order, any kind of uniform; but as it is absolutely necessary that men should have clothes and appear decent and light, he earnestly encourages the use of hunting shirts, with long breeches of the same cloth made gaiter fashion about the legs, to all those who are unprovided. No dress can be had cheaper or more conven_ ient, as the wearer can be cool in warm weather, and warm in cold weather by putting on under clothes, which will not change the outward dress, winter or summer-besides which, it is a dress supposed to carry no small terror to the enemy, who think every such man a complete marksman .* [Major Phineas Por- ter's Orderly Book, July 22d, 1776.]


Among the other articles which the American army stood in need of, and without which battles could not be won, was lead. A committee was appointed by the Legislature, consist- ing of Joseph Hopkins (of Waterbury) and others, to search for lead mines in the State. At the same time, it was provi- ded that the selectmen of all the towns should purchase all the lead they could find-lead weights, bar lead, old lead, shot, &c., at a reasonable price, and to see that the same was cast into bullets of suitable and various sizes. The selectmen of Waterbury reported, March 26, 1777, that they had " collected fonre hundred and fifty five lbs. and were running up the


* Our ancestors were skillful in the use of fire arms. Hunting was with them an occupation. Deer abounded in our town, and were killed for food and clothing. There was a penalty for destroying them out of season, which was often exacted of the Waterbury hunters. Foxes and wild cats were also common, and for the destruction of these the town paid a premium. It was in the pursuit of game that our fathers became marksmen.


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same into bullets, and had made some allowance for waste, the cost of which amounted to £16-17-6, at 9d. per lb." They asked for an order on the state treasury for that amount.


In the campaign of 1777, the Connecticut militia were not quite so severely taxed as in the year previous. Late in April, however, the State was invaded for the first time, by Gov. Tyron, when Danbury (where some military stores had been accumulated) was burnt. The neighboring militia were summoned. Many arrived the next day to take part in the action, in which Gen. Wooster was mortally wounded. Aner Bradley (then, or immediately afterwards, of West- bury) received a musket ball in the side.


In this year, Lieut. Col. Baldwin was stationed with his regi- ment at Fishkill and on the Hudson, as part of the force de- signed to guard the Highlands, and prevent the communica- tion of the enemy below with Gen. Burgoyne, who was com- ing down from the north. He had several companies from Waterbury with him, much reduced in the numbers of their men. The captain and commanding officers of these, accord- ing to a return made, were Benjamin Richards, Aaron Bene- dict, John Woodruff, Phineas Castle, John Lewis, Thomas Fenn, Nathaniel Barnes, Josiah Terrell, Samuel Bronson, Jesse Curtis, Jotham Curtis, Joseph Garnsey, the twelve companies having but 193 men. Other companies swelled the whole number of men to 434.




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