USA > Connecticut > The public records of the State of Connecticut, from October 1776 to Ferbruary 1778, inclusive > Part 22
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187
OF CONNECTICUT.
1777.]
it or not ; and that Mr. Chauncey Whittelsey, of Middletown. do also pur- chase one hundred hogsheads of W. I. or N. E. rum for the same use, and to report as abovesaid ; and that David Webb, of Stamford, purchase and provide also one hundred hogsheads of such W. I. or N. E. rum for the use and to make report as aforesaid.
Whereas his Honor the Governor received a few days since 60,000 dol- lars from Gen1 Washington, towards paying the continental premiums, of which sum his Honor has by advice of the Council of Safety delivered five hundred dollars to Colo. Walter Stewart who is now at Boston, imployed by a committee of Congress to provide many articles and military stores for the use of the army : Whereupon the Committee of Pay-Table are. directed to draw on the Treasurer for said sum of 500 dollars in favour of the Gov- ernor, to replace said sums delivered said Stewart, and charge the continent for said sum advanced as aforesaid.
Order draun and copy given. A copy taken by the committee of account, Dec. 27, 1786.
Prepared and voted the form of a Proclamation to be signed and issued by the Governor, to inforce the law for regulating prices &c.
Gen. Huntington to get printed at Norwich.
And many things attended, to and about &c. &c.
And adjourned to Tuesday next, 4th March.
TUESDAY MARCH 4TH, 1777. His Honor the Governor.
Jed" Elderkin,
Wm. Williams, ) Esqrs were present to attend on busi- ness, but for want of a quorum Nath1 Wales jun", were obliged to adjourn till to-
Benj. Huntington,
morrow.
AT A MEETING OF THE GOVERNOR AND COUNCIL OF SAFETY, MARCH 5TH, 1777.
Present : His Honor the Governor.
Jabez Huntington, Benj. Huntington,
Wm. Williams, Nath1 Wales jun",
Jedh Elderkin, Wm. Hillhouse,
Voted, To draw an order in favour of Col. Jedh Huntington on the se- lectmen of Norwich or Mr. Andrew Huntington, commissary of cloathing at Norwich, for thirty blankets for the use of the soldiers in his regiment.
An order was drawn March 5th, 1777, directed to the selectmen of Norwich, if they have or can have the blankets collected, or otherwise to Mr. Andrew Hunt- ington, commissary of cloathing.
Large consultation about the practicability, and how &c. &c. to effect an attempt on Long Island, to destroy forage &c. according to Gen1 Washing- ton's proposal in letter to G. Parsons, who is also present.
Voted, To give order to draw off Col. John Ely from Providence to march to N. London with four companies of his men, there to wait further orders.
Voted, To order Messrs. Doolittle & Co., at New Haven, to deliver to the selectmen of Milford 130 lb. of cannon powder for the use of the fort there. Ordered dd to Lt. Prudden March 5th, 1777.
188
COUNCIL OF SAFETY
[March,
Eli Catlin is appointed Captain in Col. Heman Swift's regiment, instead of Capt. Robert Walker engaged in the train of artillery.
AT A MEETING OF THE GOVERNOR AND COUNCIL OF SAFETY MARCHI 6TII, 1777. Present : His Honor the Governor.
Jabez Huntington, Jedh Elderkin, Wm. Williams, Nath1 Wales jun', . Esqrs. Benj. Huntington,
Joseph Fish is appointed a Second Lieutenant in Capt. Lee's company in Col. Durkee's regiment.
Orders were sent to Gen1 Spencer to order Col. Ely with four of his com- panies to N. London to wait further orders.
A letter was sent to Col. Ely to notify him of his march, which is not to be delayed.
William Fitch, a tory convict from Stanford now confined in Canterbury, is permitted to return to Stanford and from thence to Canterbury within twenty days, upon his giving bond with surety in the sum of £200 0 0. that he shall not do or say any thing against these States and return within that time, and a letter was written to the committee of Canterbury to take such bond.
Voted, To draw on the Pay-Table for £540, in favour of Chauncey Whittelsey of Middletown on account of purchasing cloathing.
An order was drawn March 6th, 1777, and dd to Mr. Whittelsey.
AT A MEETING OF THE GOVERNOR AND COUNCIL OF SAFETY MARCH 7TH, 1777. Present : His Honor the Governor.
Jabez Huntington, Jedh Elderkin, Wm. Williams, Nath1 Wales jun", & Esq's.
Benj. Huntington,
Consultation about procuring cheese &c. for refreshment for our troops, not got thro'.
And Colo. Charles Webb came in and good deal to do and say to him about arranging &c. officers &c.
Sailing orders were given to Capt. Niles to go in the Spy to Maryland or Virginia for flour &c.
Major Isaac Sherman is promoted to be Lieutenant Colonel in Col. Charles Webb's battalion in continental service.
Hezekiah Holdridge is appointed to be Major of Col. Charles Webb's regiment in continental service.
Webb is appointed to be Paymaster of Col. Charles Webb's battalion.
Upon the memorial of Capt. John Nott and others, commander and owners of the brig of war America now lying at Black Rock in Fairfield, for a permit to take on board said brig a sufficient number of hands and remove her to the port of N. London in this State : Voted and resolved, that the owners and commander of said brig have liberty to take on board a sufficient number of hands and remove said brig to the port of N. London, and on arriving there to dismiss all said hands saving a sufficient number to work on board and take care of said brig. Copy given to Capt. Nott March 7th, ITT7.
189
OF CONNECTICUT.
. 1777.]
Mr. John Tuttle of Southold on Long Island, who fled for refuge to this State. is permitted to transport by land from this to the State of N. York thirteen hhds. of rum and ten hhds of sugar, to be used for the continental army.
Voted, To permit Mr. David Munro to bring forward thirty-six hundred weight of flax by him purchased in this Colony, as far as Hartford and there deposit the same in the hands of Capt. Wm. Tiley, there to remain untill further orders.
Toted, To give order on Capt. Eph™ Bill to deliver a barrel of rum to Capt. Robert Niles, for the use of the schooner Spy. Ordered dd to Capt. Viles March 7th, 1777.
Voted, To draw an order on Capt. John Deshon for two barrels of pork, one barrel of beef, and bread enough for his voyage to Maryland.
Order dd to Capt. Niles March 7th, 1777.
John Mills is appointed First Lieutenant in a company in Col. Swift's regiment.
Voted, To draw on the Pav-Table for the sum of £16. 16. 0, in favour of Lt. John Mills, it being for money advanced by him for expence in the defence of the harbour at Fairfield.
Order drawn March 7th, 1777, dd to Mr. Mills.
AT A MEETING OF THE GOVERNOR AND COUNCIL OF SAFETY, MARCH 8TH, 1777. SATURDAY.
Present : His Honor the Governor.
Jabez Huntington, Nath1 Wales jun",
Wm. Williams, Benj. Huntington, Esq's.
Jedh Elderkin,
Whereas Thomas Allen of New London by authority &c. of said town is judged inimical to the liberties of the American States and ought to be removed from said town &c. and thereupon said Allen is sent to the Gov- ernor and his Council of Safety to be assigned to such place and limits as they shall order and direct : It is therefore voted, resolved and ordered, that said Alien be sent to the town of Windham in this State, there to abide within the limits of the first society in said town under the care, direction and over- sight of Major Ebenezer Backus and Capt. Hezekiah Huntington, two of the committee of inspection in said town of Windham, till further orders from this Board.
Whereas Mr. Hezekiah Thomson of Woodbury on the first day of Feb- ruary, 1777, bought of Capt. Abiather Camp of New Haven three hogsheads of rum guaged at 340 gallons, as appears by his bill of parcels, which he says he wants for the use of his tavern &c., since which the same has been seized by Col. Jonathan Fitch for the use of the publick, supposing the same to be engrossed by said Camp : Wherefore it is voted and resolved by this Board, that said three hogsheads of rum be and the same is hereby released to said Thomson, and Col. Jonathan Fitch is hereby directed to release the same to him accordingly.
Whereas the terms of service of the militia at the forts in New London and Groton is nearly expired : Voted and resolved, that one 4th part of the 3d and eighth regiments of militia in this State be draughted and formed into companies and officered with one captain, one lieutenant and
190
COUNCIL OF SAFETY
[March,
one ensign, to be appointed by the field officers of those regiments from among the officers now in commission, and equipped with blankets and with their arms and accoutrements, and where it may appear that any soldiers have not arms they shall be equipped with such as are at New London and Groton belonging to the publick. Those draughted from the third regiment to be formed and officered for one company, and those from the eighth regi- ment in two companies.
And it is further resolved, That the company of Veteran Guards in the 20th regiment of militia be augmented to sixty-four privates by a draught from the other companies in that regiment exclusive of the Light Infantry, and be under the officers of the Veteran Guards and equipped as aforesaid, which companies so draughted, formed and equipped, are to be forthwith marched to said forts : those from the third and twentieth regiments to gar- rison the fortification and posts at and near New London, and those from the eighth regiment in like manner to the forts at and near Groton; and all serving both at New London and Groton to be under the command of Major Nathan Gallup untill the 15th day of April next unless sooner discharged. And his Honor the Governor is desired to issue his orders accordingly.
John Mills is appointed to be Captain of a company in Col. Swift's bat- talion in continental service.
Sylvanus Mead of Greenwich is appointed First Lieutenant of the same company.
An order was given to Mr. Andrew Huntington, commissary of cloath- ing for the army, to provide and deliver to Col. Jedh Huntington seven hundred hats for his regiment.
David Spencer is appointed Second Lieutenant in Capt. Holmes's compa- ny in Col. Jed} Huntington's regiment instead of Thomas Updike Fosdick. Gideon Bailey is appointed to be Ensign of the same company.
Voted, To draw, in favour of Capt. John Deshon, for £1500 0 0, on Prosper Wetmore, Esq', to be on account of services and expences incurred by said Deshon for the publick. Order drawn March 8th, 1777.
On motion of Col. Webb and Cap. Mills, from Gen1 Silliman &c.
Resolved, That the military guard ordered and stationed at Fairfield, be under the direction of Brig Gen Silliman with the advice of the civil author- ity of said town, as to the particular place or places and situations within the same where they, said guards, shall be kept and do duty, untill further orders. And the selectmen of said town are authorized to draw and receive of Mr. Doolittle and Compa., owners of a powder-mill at N. Haven, such quantity of cannon-powder and also musquet-powder as they shall judge necessery for serving the cannon in said Fairfield and for necessary defence: said selectmen to lodge their receipt for what they shall receive with said Doolit- tle, and to be accountable. And said Gen1 Silliman with advice as aforesaid are impowered to use the field and other cannon in said Fairfield at their best discretion. Copy given, da Cap. Jno. Mills.
Administrators of Mr. Sim. Gray deceased laid in the account for his services of riding post from this town to Hartford the last summer &c. twenty-six weeks at 15s , which is the sum agreed with him by the Governor and is allowed. Amount £19 10 0. And order given on Pay- Table.
Maj. Elij. Hide laid in an account for cash paid to two men going to Saybrook last summer, for guns for his troop ordered to N. York, being 20s .: is allowed and order given.
Adjourned to Tuesday next 11th instant.
191
OF CONNECTICUT.
1777.]
AT A MEETING OF THE GOVERNOR AND COUNCIL OF SAFETY, MARCH THE 11th, 1777. TUESDAY.
Present : His Honor the Governor.
Jabez Huntington, Jedh Elderkin,
Elipt Dyer, Nath" Wales, jun', Esqrs.
Wm. Williams, Benj. Huntington,
Voted an order of twenty pounds on the Pay-Table in favour of Jesse Brown, post to Gen. Washington and Congress, to be charged the continent. (Order dª said Brown.)
Large number of letters had been received and laid before and read.
Gen. Parsons writes for directions about his Long Island expedition, and there appearing now to be a number.
David Strong is appointed to be First Lieutenant in Capt. Solomon Strong's company in Col. Bradley's regiment, instead of Lt. Banks resigned. Ebenezer Olmstead is appointed Second Lieutenant in Capt. Sanford's company in Col. Bradley's regiment, instead of Thaddeus Weed resigned.
Voted, To raise a company of matrosses to consist of thirty-two [ 1 be raised and stationed at Fairfield and parts adjacent and properly officered. And Capt. John Greenell is appointed to be Captain of said company. And Brig. Gen1 Silliman is impowered to appoint a lieutenant of said company.
Whereas our quota of troops from this State are wanted to join Maj" Gen1 Spencer's division of the army at Rhode Island and Providence Plan- tation ; and whereas the more eastern regiments have been frequently called into service at N. London and Providence &c., and are now again returning, and there is now also great appearance of the enemy's ships and troops off New London &c.
Voted and resolved, That a detachment sufficient to form six companies of eighty-six privates each properly officered, be forthwith made for that pur- pose from the following regiments of the militia of this State, viz .. From the eleventh regiment one such company, from the 18th one, from the 19th two, from the 21st one, and from the 22ª one. Each of said companies to be commanded by one captain, two lieutenants and one ensign, to be appointed by the field officers of those regiments from among the officers now in com- mission and to be equipped with their arms and accoutrements and marched directed to Providence, under command of (Maj' Jnº Ripley, as appointed p. 82 top .* ) and put themselves under command of the commanding officers there untill the first day of May next unless sooner discharged, and the se- lectmen of the towns where the troops so to be draughted belong are to supply blankets, arms &c. for such as cannot furnish themselves, which arms and blankets are to be returned to such selectmen at the expiration of said service. And that £1 0 0, L. money, shall be advanced to the non-commis- sion officers and soldiers towards their first months pay. And his Honor the Governor is desired to issue his orders accordingly.
Such as are draughted are to be excused after the expiration of this ser- vice till the rest shall have taken their turn of duty.
Voted, To permit Jacob Griffin to carry out four hhds. of N. England rum for the use of the inhabitants of the State of N. York.
Voted, To appoint Isaac Turner [to] be a First Lieutenant in Capt. Rob- ert Lewis's company in Col. Webb's regiment.
Adjourned to Fryday next, the 14th inst.
* April 3d, p. 202 of this volume.
192
COUNCIL OF SAFETY
[March,
AT A MEETING OF THE GOVERNOR AND COUNCIL OF SAFETY, MARCH 14th, 1777. FRYDAY.
Present : His Honor the Governor.
Eliphalet Dyer, Jedh Elderkin,
Jabez Huntington, Nath" Wales jun', Esqrs.
Wm. Williams, Benj. Huntington, )
Jonathan Sled is appointed Ensign in Capt. Beardslee's company in Col. Swift's regiment, and Jonth Moore is appointed Ensign in Capt. Chapman's company in the same regiment.
Adino Hale is appointed Ensign of Theodore Woodbridge's company in the same regiment.
Voted, To permit Col. Andrew Morehouse to purchase 2 hhds. of West India rum and two hogsheads of sugar and transport the same to the State of N. York for the use of the inhabitants there.
Toted, To arrange Capt. Vine Elderkin and his subalterns and company in Col. Swift's regiment as at first ; and Capt. John Mills to Col. John Chandler's regiment instead of Capt. Elderkin and his company.
Capt. Michael Melally is dismissed from his office on board the ship Oliver Cromwell, on his own request.
Col. Swift was in a. m. Good deal to do with him about the affairs of his regiment, filling up, arranging &c., and about cloathing &c.
Gen. Sullivan came in p. m. with important letter from Gen. Washing- ton about another supply of militia and the state of his army &c. &c. con- sidered.
Mr. Kirtland came in also, has with him a number of warrior Indians from Oneida &c. and much to do and say with him about them &c.
AT A MEETING OF THE GOVERNOR AND COUNCIL OF SAFETY SATURDAY, MARCH 15th, 1777.
Present : His Honor the Governor.
Jabez Huntington, Jedh Elderkin,
Wm. Williams, Nath1 Wales jun', Esq's.
Elipht Dyer, Benj. Huntington,
Aaron Butler is appointed Ensign in Capt. Barnard's company in Col. Wyllys's regiment.
Voted, To draw on the Pay-Table for the sum of £25 0 0, in favour [of] the Revd Sam" Kirtland, to enable him to bear the expence of his journey through this State to Gen. Washington.
Order drawn and dd to Mr. Kirtland March 15th, 1777.
The Revd Mr. Sam" Kirtland came in with six warriors from the Six Nations, viz .: Kayendalongwea, a chosen Free Williamko, Head Warrior - Kaghnegtotis, Pine-Spliter - Hendrake, the 2ª Warrior - Shaleslago, Blaz- ing Spear, Quedel alias Peter - Yeghleghtzi, Joseph - Kaghlaghquisene, William - Yolonghyagewea, Clear Sky - who are traveling through the States to obtain what knowledge they can of the state of the country with regard to the present war and report the same to the Nations. The forepart of the day was chiefly spent in delivering to them a speech and belt &c. and in receiving their answer &c. A gun, a gun-lock and belt, strings &c. were delivered to them in token of friendship, the gun and lock being man-
193
OF CONNECTICUT.
1777.]
ufactured here and given as a specimen of American workmanship. A letter from a great house in France to his Honor the Governor, offering supplies, was also communicated to them, and they appeared greatly pleased.
AT A MEETING OF THE GOVERNOR AND COUNCIL OF SAFETY, MARCH 17th, 1777. Present : His Honor the Governor. Eliph' Dyer, Nath' Wales jun', Jabez Huntington, Benj. Huntington, & Esqrs. Wm. Williams,
Voted, To permit of New Brantrey in the State of the Massachusets Bay to purchase one ton of flax in the county of Fairfield to make cloathing for the continental army and to transport the same to said N. Brantrey to be manufactured there as their proportion of said linen cloathing.
Brig Gen1 Parsons, Col. Bradley and Lt. Col. Dimon are present, and some considerable time spent with them in arranging officers &c. and in ex- changing some subalterns from one place to another.
Voted, To draw on Messrs. Elderkin and Wales for one hundred weight of powder, in favour of the selectmen of Tolland for their town stock, for which they are to be accountable.
Order dd to Col. Chapman March 17th, 1777.
A Proclamation or order to sundry regiments to detach men to go to Peekskills &c. agreeable to the requisition of Gen1 Washington was draughted and voted in order for the press.
Adjourned till March 18th, 1777.
AT A MEETING OF THE GOVERNOR AND COUNCIL OF SAFETY, MARCH 18th, 1777.
Present : His Honor the Governor. Elipht Dyer, Nath1 Wales jun", Jabez Huntington, Benj. Huntington, Esqrs.
Wm. Williams,
P. M. Titus Hosmer, Esq', and Wm. Hilhouse, Esq'.
Gen. Parsons, Col. Bradley and Col. Dimon were in this morning to finish their business begun yesterday.
Ebenezer Gray is appointed to be Major in Col. Douglass's battalion in continental service, instead of Isaac Sherman promoted.
His Honor the Governor wrote to the Committee of War in the State of the Massachusets Bay to supply Gen1 Parsons or order with proper medicine for the purpose of inoculation.
A letter came in from Capt. Seth Harding, requesting some advice, whether to allow one Cornelius Dunham of the brig Defence, who was wounded in their fight in Boston Bay and was at home lame in time of a cruise made afterwards, his share of prize money and his wages whilst dis- abled to serve by reason of his wound; to which an answer was given that no reason appears to this Board against it.
This Board taking into consideration the slow progress made in filling up the continental battalions to be raised in this State and the vast importance of their being immediately compleated and of every possible exertion for that purpose, as from the present appearance it is more than probable that should
13
194
COUNCIL OF SAFETY
[March,
these United States freely exert themselves at this time and for a few months to come, the unnatural war we are engaged in might be brought to a happy close and peace and rest be restored to our country; and consider- ing the many advantages we have (by the blessing of Divine Providence) gained over our enemies there appears the greatest encouragement to exert ourselves most chearfully in the defence of our just rights and privileges, and in filling up said battalions for that purpose : Therefore, to promote the same,
It is voted and resolved by this Board, To ascertain the quota or proportion of each town to compleat said battalions, and that said towns be certified thereof, and that the civil authority, selectmen and military officers, and all friends to the liberties of mankind, be requested and exhorted to exert them- selves to their utmost, and that immediately, as they regard the welfare and salvation of their country, in incouraging and procuring the quotas of their respective towns to engage in said service, to promote and encourage such inlistment: And least any should be embarrassed by the prospect of leaving their families without a security of their being properly provided for, it is earnestly recommended to the several towns in this State to engage and promise such soldiers as shall undertake in said service and not have time and opportunity to lay out their money and make proper provision for their families, (such as have any,) that their said families on their reasonable re- quest shall be supplied in their absence with necessaries at the prices stated by law, and that each town severally appoint a committee for that purpose to see them provided for and supplied accordingly on such soldiers lodging or from time to time remitting money to said committee for that purpose, and without any additional expence; and the necessary expence attend- ing the same to be born by such towns respectively ; and that the several towns in this State, on proper notice to be given by the selectmen, meet together as soon as may be, in order to agree upon this regulation and to appoint committees accordingly and also to agree and firmly unite among themselves strictly to adhere to the law regulating prices, and to use their joint and several influence to support and maintain the same as a very im- portant and necessary regulation for the support of the army and preventing every measure artfully taken for oppressing the poor, which the Honb e Con- tinental Congress have also taken to recommend to all the other United States ; and also to exert themselves to have their quotas of the continental army immediately compleated.
Since the personal security, liberty and happiness of every individual is deeply concerned, and freedom or bondage to be secured and entailed to all posterity by the issue of the present struggle, and every one in their several capacities are called to a vigorous exertion for the defence and security of their country, it is earnestly recommended to her virtuous sons voluntarily and without delay to offer themselves for the service of God and their country in this righteous cause, thereby also to prevent the disagreeable necessity of the frequent rotation of the men from the militia, whereby the husbandry and manufactures are so much injured.
And his Honor the Governor is advised and desired to issue this order.
N. B. Printed and dispersed to all the towns.
Voted, That a letter be written to Capt. Wm. Coit to come directly to. Lebanon and bring in his accounts for settlement.
195
OF CONNECTICUT.
1777.]
Resolved und ordered, That the committee of prisoners at Windham col- lect and send in such safe way as they shall find prudent all prisoners now at Windham taken by Commodore Hopkins and who are desirous to be ex- changed, and deliver them to the care of Mr. Nath" Shaw jun' in New Lou- don in order to be exchanged ; first taking care that any officers among them pay or draw their bills for their expences and charge of support ; and take and keep a just account of the expence of the whole.
AT A MEETING OF THE GOVERNOR AND COUNCIL OF SAFETY, WEDNESDAY, 19TH MARCHI, 1777.
Present : His Honor the Governor. Elipt Dyer, Titus Hosmer, Wm. Williams, Nath" Wales, EsqrS. P. M. Jz. Huntington,
Many persons applying for many things.
Letters from Gen. Silliman &c. respecting the alarming situation of their affairs by attacks &c. And answers prepared &c.
Richard Law, Esq', (present about business,) laid in an account for his journey to N. York last summer by order of this Board &c. 13 days at 18s. for self, horse and expences, and the same is allowed and order drawn £11 14 0.
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