USA > Connecticut > The public records of the State of Connecticut, from October 1776 to Ferbruary 1778, inclusive > Part 66
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AT A MEETING OF &C., HARTFORD, 4 MARCH, 1778. Present : His Honor the Deputy Governor. Jz. Huntington, Abm Davenport, Roger Sherman, W. Pitkin, and
W. Williams.
On the petition of Jos. Beck, a refugee from N. York on account of the British troops and tyranny, now residing in N. Haven &c., shewing by reason of losses and the high prices of provisions &c. he is reduced and un- able to support his family; that he has several sums of money due from principal inhabitants of N. York which he thinks his wife Margaret Beck might be permitted to go there for that purpose, and praying liberty for that purpose &c .: Voted, that said Margaret Beck be permitted to go and return to the city of N. York.
N. B. The purpose of her going not to be express'd as it might frustrate the design &c., and she is willing to risque it and her chance to get out again &c.
Permit to be sent him.
AT A MEETING &c., HARTFORD, 9 MARCH, 1778. Present : His Honor the Deputy Governor. Wm. Pitkin, Wm. Williams,
Roger Sherman, B. Payne, Esq's.
Abm Davenport, And. Adams,
On motion and agreement of Mr. Colt and Col. Champion: Resolved, that an order of the Hon. President Laurens, dated York Town, Jany 27, 1778, on Jno. Lawrence, Esq', Continental Loan Officer in this State, for the sum of 200,000 dollars, in favor of the Governor and Council of this State, be disposed as follows, viz: 50 thousand dollars in favor of Peter Colt, Esq', D. Commissary Gen. of Purchases of the Eastern Department, and the remaining 150,000 dollars in favor of Col. Henry Champion, purchaser of beef cattle in said department; and that his Excellency the Governor be
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COUNCIL OF SAFETY
[ March,
desired to inform Congress or the Board of Treasury of this disposition, that the same may be entered to the debit of said Colt and Champion.
And entry made on the order, and lodged with Jno. Lawrence, Esq". And the same day: absent Mr. Payn and Adams and present Mr. D. Sherman.
On motion by Wm. Griswold : Voted, that liberty be granted to the man- agers of the cannon foundery at Salisbury to sell and dispose to Capt. Wm. Griswold 16 six or four-pound cannon belonging to this State, at the rate and according to the rules heretofore given by this Board.
Copy dª said Griswold.
AT A MEETING &C. AT LEBANON, MONDAY, 16 MARCH, 1778. Present : His Excellency the Governor. Jabez Huntington, Nath" Wales,
Wm. Williams, Wm. Hilhouse, Esqrs.
Consulted and advised on sundry matters with the French Capt. Michel, lately arrived at N. London with a large cargo of goods &c.
Colo. McClellan, about his undertaking in the new order'd regiments, &c. Cap. Niles, present, account of his late voyage.
Sundry letters wrote &c., but, there not being a quorum, past no votes. Wrote Gen' Wadsworth and Mr. Payn to attend on Thursday next. And adjourn'd till Fryday next.
AT A MEETING OF THE GOVERNOR &C., FRYDAY, 20TH MARCH, A.D. 1778. Present : His Excellency the Governor. Jz. Huntington, Wm. Williams, Esqrs. 1 Wm. Hilhouse, )
Not a quorum present. Consulted sundry matters.
The Governor by approbation of those present gave a commission to Griffith for a whale-boat to cruize in the Sound.
And to
for the same purpose.
And also, with approbation of those present, to Mrs. Winthrop on her petition for her two sons, Benjamin and Robert, to go into New York to the care of their uncle Major Sheriff, who offers to take and send them to London for their education, under such care or convoy as the selectmen of N. London shall approve &c.
Sundry persons apply about sundry things &c.
AT A MEETING OF THE GOVERNOR &C., MARCH 21ST, 1778. Present : His Excellency the Governor. Jabez Huntington, Wm. Hillhouse, William Williams, Benj. Huntington, S Esqrs.
Sundry matters were in consideration which spent the greater part of this day, but no quorum to transact sundry important matters which need to be done.
Adjourned till Monday, March 234.
.
573
OF CONNECTICUT.
1778.]
AT A MEETING OF THE GOVERNOR &C., MARCH 23D, 1778. Present : His Excellency the Governor. Jabez Huntington, Wm. Hillhouse, Wm. Williams, Benj. Huntington, & Esq™s. James Wadsworth,
Sundry letters wrote and matters agitated and considered of, but no votes pass'd.
Adjourn'd till tomorrow morning.
Acas Shefield for Second Lieutenant at Stonington.
AT A MEETING OF THE GOVERNOR AND COUNCIL OF SAFETY, MARCH 24TH, 1778.
Present : His Excellency the Governor. His Honor the Deputy Governor.
Jabez Huntington, James Wadsworth, 1
Roger Sherman, Benj. Payne,
Wm. Pitkin, William Hillhouse, Esqrs.
William Williams, Nath1 Wales jun™,
Benj. Huntington,
Sundry matters deliberated upon, but no votes pass'd this day.
AT A MEETING OF THE GOVERNOR AND COUNCIL OF SAFETY HELD AT LEBANON ON TIIE 25TH DAY OF MARCH, A.D. 1778.
Present : His Excellency the Governor. Jabez Huntington, William Hillhouse,
William Williams, Nathaniel Wales, Esqrs.
James Wadsworth, Benja. Payne,
Voted, That Andrew Rowland, Esq', deliver to Mr. Edward Hallam, commissary at New London, five barrells of pork, who is hereby appointed to receive the same ; also to Capt. Sam11 Squier, commissary at Fairfield, fourteen barrells of beef, who is hereby appointed to receive the same ; tak- ing their receipts for the same, in part payment of the provisions due from said Rowland to this State, and that he procure as soon as may be such quantity of salted beef, pork, and flour as may be still due, and advise this Board thereof, that further order may be made thereon.
Voted, That Mr. John Ireland, an inhabitant of Long Island in the State of New York and there taken prisoner in arms against the United States and now kept and residing within this State, be and he is hereby indulg'd and permitted to return to said Long Island and New York, for the purpose of procuring necessary cloathing &c., on giving his parole in common form, and to return and deliver himself to the Deputy Commissary General of Prison- ers in this State within thirty days from the 25th day of March, 1778.
This Board do appoint Joseph Harriss jun', Esq', to be Major in the bat- talion ordered to be raised in the third brigade in this State for the defence of this and the United States, in the room of Joshua Huntington, Esqr. resigned.
John Ripley, Esq', is appointed Major of one of the battalions ordered by the General Assembly at their last session to be raised for the defence of this State, in the room of Levi Welles, Esq', resigned.
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John Penfield, Esq', is appointed Lieutenant Colonel of the battalion ordered to be raised by the General Assembly at their last session, in the second brigade in this State for the defence of this and the United States of America, in the room of James Arnold, Esq', resigned.
William Ledyard, Esq', is appointed to command the forts at New Lon- don, Groton and Stonington, with the rank and pay of a major, and to superintend the works, give proper orders about the military stores and tools in said fortifications ; to continue in service untill the first day of Jan- uary next.
William Latham is appointed Captain of the matross or artillery com- pany ordered to be raised and stationed at Groton the year ensuing, or untill the first day of January next.
Youngs Ledyard is appointed First Lieutenant of the matross or artillery company stationed at Groton &c.
Achas Shiffield is appointed Lieutenant of the company of twenty men stationed at Stonington &c.
Voted, That an order be drawn on the Committee of Pay-Table, directing said committee to draw on the Treasurer of this State in favour of Nathaniel Shaw jun', Esq', for five thousand pounds, to be in account with this State. Agreeable hereto an order drawn and dd to Mr. Thomas Shaw.
Voted, That Nath1 Shaw jun', Esq', agent for this State, be authorized and directed to purchase of Capt. Michel of the ship Lyon lately arriv'd at . New London from France, seven hundred and fifty bushells of salt, for the use of this State ; and if he has already engaged more, that he may relin- quish the overplus to Mr. Colt or any continental purchasing commissary for the use of the United States ; and that said Mr. Shaw send one third part of what he shall so purchase to Norwich, one third to East Hadham, and the remainder to Middletown, and lodge the same in proper stores, to be kept for the use of this State.
AT A MEETING OF THE GOVERNOR AND COUNCIL OF SAFETY HELD AT LEBANON THE 26TH DAY OF MARCH, 1778.
Present: His Excellency the Governor. Jabez Huntington, James Wadsworth, William Williams, William Hillhouse, Benja. Payne, Esq",
Letter sent to John Dishon, Esq', respecting getting out the ship Trum- bull.
Letter drafted and sent to Nath" Shaw jun', Esq', in answer to his re- ceived yesterday by his brother, relative to goods, cloathing, salt &c.
Voted, That the Committee of Pay-Table be authorized, upon applica- tion of any of the proper officers of either of the six battalions lately or- dered to be raised for the defence of this State, to order such an advance of money to them to fill up their companies or battalions, agreeable to the encouragements given by the act of Assembly for raising said battalions, taking proper security for the disposition thereof.
This Board do appoint Mr. John Odel to be Lieutenant of a company of matrosses of 24 men, to be raised and stationed at Fairfield.
Voted, That Messrs. Benjamin Henshaw and William Whiting be and they are hereby continued Overseers and Managers of the furnace or foun- dry at Salisbury with the appurtenances and all other buildings and estate
575
OF CONNECTICUT.
1778.]
of Richard Smith late of Boston, situate and being in said Salisbury, or- dered by the General Assembly at their last session to be taken up and im- proved for the use and benefit of this State, and to observe the orders and directions they shall from time to time receive from the General Assembly or this Board, and to be accountable for their conduct and management of the same when thereto required, and to continue in said business untill fur- ther order.
Voted, That the overseers of the furnace at Salisbury proceed imme- diately to make the necessary preparation to put the said furnace in blast for the ensuing year by collecting the several articles necessary for that purpose : particularly that they take effectual care to provide a sufficient stock of oar and charcoal ; that they inform themselves of the terms and prices on which teams may be either hired or purchased for the transporting the same to the furnace, and report the same to this Board in due time, that measures may be taken thereon accordingly ; and the said managers are further directed to use their best endeavours to purchase a sufficient quan- tity of wood as near as may be to said furnace, (if to be obtained,) upon reasonable terms, for the purpose of making coal, and to enquire after wood or woodland which may be purchased and the terms on which it may be bought, and give information thereof to this Board ; that said managers be directed to employ a suitable number of men to be by them hired for carry- ing on said business, and make the necessary provision for their subsistence, and that they have liberty to exchange pig iron for good barrel'd pork and for the better accommodation of the people to be employed in said service.
It is further voted, That there be built a small house on the said furnace lot, the expence thereof not to exceed the sum of one hundred pounds, lawfull money, for the use of Mr. Whiting and his family, and that the house in which Mr. Whiting now lives be used for the people to lodge and cook in &c., as the managers shall direct
And whereas it is represented to this Board that there remains due to the committee appointed to build the bridge lately ordered to be built across the river between the towns of Salisbury and Canaan, for building said bridge, about twenty-five pounds, lawfull money, for which no provision is made,
It is therefore further voted, That the said managers do enquire into the same and pay what shall be found justly due and in arrears for building said bridge, and charge the same to the account of this State.
Whereas the General Assembly of this State at their session at Hart- ford, 12th February, 1778, resolved that the furnace or foundry at Salisbury with the appurtenances and all other buildings and estate of Richard Smith late of Boston, situate in said Salisbury, shall be improved and occupied the year ensuing and untill further orders of this Assembly for the use and benefit of this State, in such manner as the Governor and Council of Safety shall order and direct, who are also by said act authorized and impowered to make such contracts, rules and orders for managing the same as they shall judge most beneficial and conducive to the public good, as by said act may appear ; and whereas this Board have continued Messrs. Benja. Henshaw and William Whiting to be overseers and managers of said furnace and foundry, and who are also appointed to receive, take care of and improve all said estate for the benefit of said State, and for that purpose all persons concerned and who may have possession or improvement of any lands,
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COUNCIL OF SAFETY
[March,
buildings, tools, implements, utensils or articles whatever, belonging to said Smith within said town of Salisbury, are requested, ordered and directed. to deliver over and give possession thereof and of every part and parcel thereof to the said Henshaw and Whiting, managers, and to be improved as aforesaid, they to be accountable and to give their proper receipts for what they shall so receive ; and all persons concerned are to take notice hereof and conform themselves accordingly.
Whereas Messrs. Otis & Andrews of Boston, Deputy Clothiers for the Continental Army, on the request of his Excellency the Governor by the advice of the Council of Safety, have sent into this State cloths and trim- ings to be made into garments for the continental soldiers, and have de- sired his Excellency the Governor to nominate some proper person to take upon him the management of and oversee the execution of said business.
Toted, That his Excellency the Governor be desired to appoint Major John Bigelow to take upon him the management of and oversee the making np said cloaths into proper garments for said soldiers agreeable to the pat- terns given, collect the accounts of the costs and charges of making and the number of suits made to cover the soldiers of each regiment, and the same exhibit to Messrs. Otis & Andrews for payment thereon ; that he apply to them for directions how these cloathis may be carried to the army, and that lie correspond from time to time with them touching said business and pursue such instructions as he may receive either from them or this Board in the premises, agreeable to the desire of Messrs. Otis & Andrews: to have commissions on any purchases and a reasonable allowance for his trouble in the affair according to what was offered Mr. David Trumbull.
Voted, That the Committee of Pay-Table draw on the Treasurer in favour of Major John Bigelow, superintendent of the making the cloathing for the continental soldiers, for the sum of two hundred pounds, to be in account with this State, to be replaced on his receipt of the same from Messrs. Otis & Andrews. Order delivered 26th March, 1778, to Major Bigelow.
AT MEETING OF THE GOVERNOR AND COUNCIL OF SAFETY HOLDEN AT LEBANON THE 27TH DAY OF MARCH, A.D. 1778.
Present : His Excellency the Governor.
Jabez Huntington, William Hillhouse,
William Williams, Nathaniel Wales, Esqrs.
James Wadsworth, Benjamin Payne,
Mr. Trumbull from N. Haven presented a petition from that town, set- ting forth their exposed situation and great apprehensions &c. from the enemy, and a report of their committee approved by the town &c., praying for a number of men to be stationed there &c. &c., as per petition : Where- upon, after due consideration, voted, that his Excellency the Governor be desired to issue the following orders, viz: That Thaddeus ('ook, Esq', colo- nel of one of the battalions ordered to be raised by the General Assembly at their session on the 12th day of February last for the defence of this State, do forthwith detach and order two companies of his said battalion to march and take post at New Haven for the defence thereof and places ad- jacent, to be commanded by the major and such other officers as the said colonel shall direct : said officers to be in proportion to the number of non-
577
OF CONNECTICUT.
1778.]
commission officers and privates. And in case there be not two full compa- nies already inlisted, that then said two companies be made up of such as have inlisted in any of the companies in said battalion : but if there be not a sufficient number already inlisted to make two companies, that said colo- nel be directed to apply to Brigadier Gen. Ward, who is hereby ordered and directed to draft from the militia in his brigade so many men as will be sufficient to compleat two companies as aforesaid, which said militia men are to be released from said service as fast as they can be relieved by such as shall be inlisted in said battalion and ordered on to said post ; and that said militia be released at the discretion of the commanding officer on said station. And further, that said Colo. Cook do continue to order and send on for the defence of said post so many officers and privates as to complete three full companies.
[Phineas ] Bradley, who was second lieutenant of the company of ma- trosses stationed at N. Haven the last year, is appointed Lieutenant of the company of matrosses, of 24 men, ordered by the Assembly to be station'd at said N. Haven the present year, and his orders sent by Col. S. Hall.
Commissions sent to Col. Thad. Cook. Lt. Col. . Jno. Penfield. and Maj. Abm Tyler, and blanks signed for the commission officers of that, being the 2d, regiment ordered to be raised by act of Assembly in Feb. 1778, for de- fence of this State, viz: by Colo. Street Hall.
AT A MEETING OF THE GOVERNOR AND COUNCIL OF SAFETY HOLDEN AT LEBANON THE 28THI DAY OF MARCH, A.D. 1778. Present : His Excellency the Governor. William Williams, Win. Hillhouse, James Wadsworth, Nath" Wales, Esq's.
Benja. Payne,
This Board do appoint John Shipman jun' to be Lieutenant of the com- pany of matrosses consisting of 24 men ordered by the General Assembly to be raised and stationed at Saybrook the present year.
And consulted about sundry other matters &c.
AT A MEETING &C. AT LEBANON, MONDAY, 30 MARCH, 1778. Present : His Excellency the Governor.
Very stormy, high Jabez Huntington, p. m., Wm. Hillhouse,
Wm. Williams,
Jas. Wadsworth,
Esqrs
wind at N. E. and snowy.
Benja. Payne, p.m.
Prepared, sealed &c., and sent by Colo. Bradley, commissions for three of the 6 battalions ordered by the last Assembly to be raised for defence of this and the United States, viz : Col. Mead's, Col. Enos' and Col. Hooker's. And sent commissions filled &c. to several officers of the matross companys, viz : Lt. Bradley, N. Haven ; Benj. Hine. Milford ; Jno. Odel, Fairfield ; Wm. Seymour, Norwalk ; Jno. Bean, Stamford ; Sylvanus Marshall, of Greenwich.
N. B. Commissions for Colo. Thad. Cook's regiment were sent the 27, by Col. Street Hall.
John Trumbull exhibited an account for printing, amounting to £15. A certificate made thereon that it might be adjusted by the Pay-Table and order given for payment. 37
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COUNCIL OF SAFETY
[March,
Thos. Fanning exhibited an account for transferring the accounts of the Governor and Council of Safety, 10 days at 12s. per day. A certificate made thereon that it might be adjusted by the Pay-Table and order given for payment thereon.
Order given to Capt. Dewit of Norwich to receive of Maj Ledyard the two wrought iron cannon 4 lb. with the apparatus, which were removed from Norwich by Colo. Ely's regiment.
Order dd Gen' Huntington, March 30th, 1778.
AT A MEETING OF THE GOVERNOR AND COUNCIL OF SAFETY HOLDEN AT LEBANON, THE 31ST DAY OF MARCH, A. D. 1778. TUESDAY. Present : His Excellency the Governor. Jabez Huntington, James Wadsworth, William Williams, William Hillhouse, Benjamin Payne, Esqrs.
Voted, That Capt. Jacob Dewit be and he is hereby directed to provide the necessary apparatus for preparing for service the two field-pieces at Norwich which are mounted on carriages, and that he receive of Major Gen1 Huntington a sufficient quantity of powder and ball to compleat eighty cart- ridges, and make up forty cartridges for said pieces and forty for the wrought iron field-pieces which he will have under his care. And the said General Huntington is hereby directed to deliver to said Capt. Dewit powder and balls for the purpose aforesaid.
Paul Pinkham of the island of Nantuckett, master of the sloop Fanny, is permitted to sell in this State one hundred bushells of salt, four hundred weight of coffee, fifty gallons rum, nine barrells of tar, six barrells of tur- pentine, and one hundred and sixty kegs of lamp-black, at the regulated prices, and to purchase any articles he may have occasion for, except pro- visions of every kind, and flax exceeding one ton weight, hog's lard exceed- ing three firkins, leather and iron, being the property of the inhabitants of this State.
Voted, That Capt. Seth Harding be and he is hereby directed to pay unto Justus Jennings * his wages for the time he served on board the brig Defence, amounting to the sum of £54 0. 0.
Major Elijah Hide jun' exhibited an account to this Board for expence and wages of four light-horse men to escort Gen1 Prescott from Lebanon to East Windsor, amounting to £5 5 0. An order drawn on the Committee of Pay-Table to draw on the Treasurer for the same and charge it to the United States.
Voted, That the resolution of Congress of the 2d of March instant, respecting the raising of Light-Horse in this and several other States to serve in the next campaign &c., be sent to the respective majors of the light-horse in this State as soon as conveniently may be.
Said resolution enclosed in letters to each major accordingly.
N. B. Prepared and sent by Gen1 Huntington the commissions for Col. Mott's battalion, ordered by the Assembly in Feb. last to be raised for defence of this State &c.
* Justus Jennings, of Fairfield, entered as clerk on board the Defence March 10th, 1776. He lost a leg in the action in Boston Bay. His petition is in Rev. War, vii, 154.
579
OF CONNECTICUT.
1778.]
Also Maj' Wm. Ledyard's, as commander of the forts of New London, Groton and Stonington; Lt. Young Ledyard, Cap. W. Latham, Cap. Shap- ley, First Lt. Richª Chapman, Second Lieut. Dan1 Dee, for N. L., and Lt. Archas Sheffield for Stonington matross company.
AT A MEETING OF THE GOVERNOR AND COUNCIL OF SAFETY HOLDEN AT LEBANON THE 1ST DAY OF APRIL, A.D. 1778. Present : His Excellency the Governor. James Wadsworth, Benja. Payne.
This day spent in drafting letters to Congress, Board of War, Gen' Put- nam and Gen' Silliman, &c.
AT A MEETING OF THE GOVERNOR AND COUNCIL OF SAFETY HELD AT LEBANON THE 2D DAY OF APRIL, A.D. 1778.
Present : His Excellency the Governor.
Jabez Huntington, Benjamin Payne,
William Williams, William Hillhouse, Esquires.
James Wadsworth, Nath" Wales jun',
Mr. Samuel Felch, issuing commissary to Col. Durkee's regiment, made his resignation, dated Feby, 1778, which is accepted.
This day spent in consulting sundry matters and preparing letters &c.
AT A MEETING OF THE GOVERNOR AND COUNCIL OF SAFETY HOLDEN AT LEBANON ON THE 3D DAY OF APRIL, A.D. 1778.
Present : His Excellency the Governor. Jabez Huntington, William Hillhouse,
William Williams, Nath1 Wales jun™, Esq".
James Wadsworth, Benjamin Payne,
Daniel Hall junt, of Durham, exhibited his account for making 50 car- touch-boxes and 50 bayonet belts, amounting to £45. Delivered the same to Gen' Wadsworth for the use of this State. Committee of Pay-Table directed to draw on the Treasurer for the same.
Jeremiah Butler of Durham exhibited his account for making 20 car- touch-boxes and 20 bayonet belts, amounting to £16. Pay-Table directed to draw for the same.
Voted, That the following orders be sent to Col. Mott, viz :
To Samuel Mott of the 3rd battalion ordered to be raised for the defence of this or the United States :
Detach from the battalion under your command one captain, two lieuten- ants and one ensign and 86 non-commission officers and privates, if such numbers are inlisted, to take post at a place called the Great Neck in New London; also one captain, two lieutenants, one ensign and 86 non-commis- sion officers and privates, to take post at Groton, for the defence of those places. And in case numbers sufficient to compleat said two companies are not inlisted, you are to apply to Brigadier General Tyler, who is hereby directed immediately to give orders for detaching from the brigade under his command such number of non-commission officers and privates as may
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COUNCIL OF SAFETY
[April,
be wanting in said Col. Mott's battalion to compleat said two companies, and order the men so detached to join said companys to be stationed at New London and Groton, to continue in service untill they shall be relieved by such as shall inlist into said battalion, whom said Col. Mott is to order on for that purpose. You will make a weekly return of your regiment untill further order.
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