USA > Connecticut > The public records of the State of Connecticut, from October 1776 to Ferbruary 1778, inclusive > Part 9
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Resolved by this Assembly, That his Honor the Governor and Council of Safety do and they are hereby impowered and directed to appoint all the staff officers of the eight battalions ordered to be raised in this State by an act of the General Assembly at their session in October last, and also from time to time to fill up all such offices as have or may become vacant in said battalions, either of commission or of the staff, by reason of refusal or otherwise, and also to appoint pay-masters to said battalions respectively, the present session of this Assembly notwithstanding. This power and authority being thus delegated and referred in consideration of the extraordinary and pecu- liar circumstances of the case, and not to be drawn into precedent in future.
Resolved by this Assembly, That Capt. Ephraim Bill be and he is hereby desired and impowered to purchase of the cargo of the prize ship John, for and on account of this State, fifty hogsheads of sugar, and that he procure the whole of the rum of said cargo to be gauged, and that he take two thirds of the said rum and safely preserve, store and keep the same for the use of this State : and the sheriff is directed not to make sale of the same; and also, that the late captain of the said prize ship John be presented with so much of the said ship's cargo as he can or shall procure authentic evidence of its being his own private adventure.
Resolved by this Assembly, That the county court to be holden at Norwich within and for the county of New London on the fourth Tuesday of instant November be adjourned and the same is hereby adjourned to be holden at said Norwich on the first Tuesday of Feb- rnary next; and all persons concerned therein are to take notice thereof accordingly.
Whereas Lieutenant Barker has been lately sent to the port of New London to propose an exchange of prisoners in the marine department :* Resolved by this Assembly, that Colo. Erastus Wolcott and Capt. John Deshon be and they are hereby appointed and impow-
*Nov. 15th, on the part of Lord Howe. - Rev. War, v, 127.
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PUBLIC RECORDS
[November,
ered to advise, consider and determine on the expediency of entring into any negotiation with Lieut. Barker on the exchange of such prisoners, if they judge best, to enquire after and obtain such marine prisoners as they may be able, and to agree on time, place and man- ner of exchange, and to treat and deal with Lient. Barker in every respect as shall appear to them prudent and best.
This Assembly do appoint Thomas Belding. Esq", to be Colonel of the sixth regiment of militia in this State, in the room of Elizur Talcott, Esq', resigned
This Assembly do appoint John Chester, Esq', to be Lieutenant Colonel of the sixth regiment of militia in this State, in the room of Thomas Belding, Esq", promoted.
This Assembly do appoint Howell Woodbridge, Esq', to be Major of the sixth regiment of militia in this State, in the room of John Chester Esq", promoted.
This Assembly do establish Daniel Godfrey to be Captain of the 14th company or trainband in the fourth regiment in this State.
This Assembly do establish Joseph Sage to be Lieutenant of the fourth company or trainband in the 23d regiment in this State.
This Assembly do establish Ebenezer Cue to be Captain of the first company or trainband in the town of Stratford in the 4th regiment in this State.
This Assembly do establish William Pickslee to be Lieutenant of the first company or trainband in the town of Stratford in the 4th regiment in this State.
This Assembly do establish Samuel Uffoot to be Ensign of the first company or trainband in the town of Stratford in the 4th regiment in this State.
This Assembly do establish Giles Meigs to be Ensign of the first company or trainband in the 23d regiment in this State.
This Assembly do establish Hezekiah Gridley to be Captain of the eighth company or trainband in the 15th regiment in this State.
This Assembly do establish Josiah Ives to be Lieutenant of the eighth company or trainband in the 15th regiment in this State.
This Assembly do establish Zebulon Peck jun' to be Ensign of the eighth company or trainband in the 15th regiment in this State.
This Assembly do establish William Huntington to be Captain of the first company or trainband in the 12th regiment in this State.
This Assembly do establish Andrew Huntington, to be Lieutenant of the first company or trainband in the 12th regiment in this State.
This Assembly do establish Stephen Bingham to be Ensign of the first company or trainband in the 12th regiment in this State.
This Assembly do establish Zebulon Bidwell to be Captain of the second company or trainband in the 19th regiment in this State.
This Assembly do establish John Pitkin jun' to be Lieutenant of the second company or trainband in the 19th regiment in this State.
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OF CONNECTICUT.
1776.]
This Assembly do establish Stephen Roberts to be Ensign of the second company or trainband in the 19th regiment in this State.
This Assembly do establish Odle Close to be Captain of the sixth company or trainband in the 9th regiment in this State.
This Assembly do establish Silvanus Marshall to be Lieutenant of the sixth company or trainband in the 9th regiment in this State.
This Assembly do establish Nathaniel Mead 4th to be Ensign of the sixth company or trainband in the 9th regiment in this State.
Jonathan Trumbull, Esquire, Captain General and Commander in Chief of the State of Connecticut in America, To Greeting: You being by the General Assembly of this State appointed to be of a company ordered to be raised and to join the conti- nental army, reposing especial trust and confidence in your fidelity, courage and good conduct, I do by virtue of the laws of this State me thereunto enabling. appoint and impower you the said to be of said company. You are, therefore, carefully and diligently to discharge the duty of a in leading, ordering and exercising said company in arms both inferior officers and soldiers in the service aforesaid, and to keep them in good order and discipline ; hereby commanding them to obey von as their ; and yourself to observe and follow such orders and instructions as you shall from time to time receive from me or the Commander in Chief of said State for the time being, or other your superior officer, accord- ing to the rules and discipline of war ordained and established by the laws of this State, pursuant to the trust hereby reposed in you.
Given under my hand and the public seal of said State at
the day of A.Dom. 1776.
By his Honor's command,
Secty.
In the Lower House : The above form of a commission &c. is approved of and ordered to be transmitted to the Honble Upper House. Attest. BENJA. HUNTINGTON, Clerk.
Concurrd in the Upper House. Test. GEORGE WYLLYS Secr".
Upon the memorial of the inhabitants of the town of Norwalk, shewing to this Assembly that they are situated upon the sea shore and are exposed to the depredations of the enemy, and that they have need of cannon to defend themselves &c .; praying this Assembly to grant them six six-pounders with a suitable quantity of powder, ball &c. for their present defence: Resolved by this Assembly, that his Honor the Governor be desired to order six cannon, six-pounders, with a sufficient quantity of powder and ball, for the defence of said town of Norwalk, to be delivered to the selectmen of said town of Norwalk at such place as his Honor the Governor shall direct: Pro- vided that said town of Norwalk mount said cannon on suitable car- riages and keep them fit and ready for use.
76
PUBLIC RECORDS
[November,
Upon the memorial of Amos Mead, one of the Representatives of the town of Greenwich, in behalf of himself and the rest of the inhab- itants of said town, shewing to this Assembly that the town of Green- wich is situated upon the sea shore and that the inhabitants have no cannon to defend themselves against the attacks of the enemy &c .; praying this Assembly to grant to the memorialists six small cannon, ball &c. for the defence of the said town of Greenwich &c., as per memorial dated Novembr 28th, 1776: Resolved by this Assembly, that the selectmen of the town of Greenwich upon application to Joshua Porter, Esq', of Salisbury, shall have liberty to have six small cannon ; and the said Porter is hereby directed to deliver to the selectmen of said Greenwich upon application six four-pounders together with a sufficient quantity of shot for said cannon, to be kept at said town of Greenwich for the defence thereof till the further order of this Assem- bly; and that his Honor the Governor with the advice of his Council of Safety be desired on proper application to deliver to said selectmen of Greenwich a sufficient quantity of powder for the use of said guns : Provided the said town of Greenwich shall mount said guns on proper carriages for use.
Whereas the General Assembly in their sessions in October, 1766, upon the memorial of Michael Humphry and others, representing that the public road laid out by order of Assembly through the Green Woods &c. wanted repair and amendments within the limits of sundry towns not incorporated &c. ; praying said Assembly to make provision &c .; whereupon it was resolved, that Messrs. Joseph Rockwell of Colebrook, Seth Smith of New Hartford, and Ezekiel Wilcox of Nor- folk, be appointed a committee for said purpose with certain powers and instructions in said resolution expressed ; and it is represented to this Assembly that said Joseph Rockwell and Ezekiel Wilcox are since deceasd and said road much neglected and the public greatly discommoded for want of necessary repairs and amendments: It is therefore resolved by this Assembly, that John Porter and Isaac Pin- ney, both of Colebrook, and Capt. Peletiah Allen of Barkhemsted, be and they are hereby substituted and appointed in the room of said Joseph Rockwell and Ezekiel Wilcox decd, to join with and assist Colo. Seth Smith, for the same purposes and with the same powers and directions set forth and expressed in said resolution.
Upon the petition of Elijah Clap of Hartford against Joshua Chandler, Esq', of New Haven, shewing to this Assembly that some years past he mortgaged his house and homestead in said Hartford to said Chandler for a sum much below the real value thereof, that he not paying the money by the time set in said mortgage the said Chandler instituted a suit against him for the recovery of the posses- sion of said premises, that pending said suit the said Clapp brought his petition to said Assembly for the reconveyance of the premises upon
77
OF CONNECTICUT.
1776.]
his paying the money and interest, that while said petition was depending before said Assembly the said Chandler under his hand agreed to the granting the prayer thereof upon which the said Chand- ler unbeknown to said petitioner procured a bill in form to be drawn and past foreclosing the equity of redemption after a very short time, which was kept an entire secret from the said Clapp untill after expi- ration of said term, and in the mean time procured a judgment against the said Clapp for the recovery of the premises with damages and cost, and execution is now about to be immediately inforced, and he with his distressed family turned out of his house and possession notwith- standing he has procured and tendered to said Chandler's attorney the whole of said monies with interest and cost and is now willing and desirous to pay the same &c. The said petition by accident now happens to be in the hands of said Chandler's attorney. Whereupon it is resolved by this Assembly, that said petition be continued untill the session of this Assembly in May next, and that in the mean time all proceedings upon or by virtue of said execution be stayed and nothing further done thereon untill the rising of said Assembly May next.
Upon the memorial of Alexander Bushnell, administrator on the estate of William Clemens late of Hartland deceasd, shewing to this Assembly that the debts and charges allowed against said estate by the court of probate for the district of Symsbury together with some small allowance made to the widow of said deceasd surmount the inventoried moveable estate of said deed the sum of £39.19.2; pray- ing for liberty to sell so much of the real estate of said deceasd as shall be sufficient to pay the same: Resolved by this Assembly, that the memorialist hath liberty, and authority is hereby granted to him, to sell so much of the real estate of said deceasd as shall be sufficient to pay said sum of £39 19 2, together with the incident charges arising on such sale; taking the advice and direction of the court of probate for the district of Symsbury therein.
Upon the memorial of David Lathrop, conservator of the person and estate of Joseph Bates of Tolland, an impotent person, shewing that there is due to the memorialist the sum of six pounds one shilling and five pence from said impotent person's estate, being a ballance allowed to him by the county court in and for the county of Hartford as of record appears, and that there is no way to pay him said sum but by the sale of said impotent person's real estate ; praying for lib- erty to sell the same for that purpose &c., as per memorial : Resolved by this Assembly, that the selectmen of the town of Tolland be and they are hereby impowered to make sale of so much of the real estate of said impotent person as shall be sufficient to pay said sum with the incident charges of sale.
78
PUBLIC RECORDS
[November,
Upon the memorial of Epaphras Sheldon, Esq' and Capt. John Strong of Farmington, shewing to this Assembly that the prisoners of war in said town cannot now be supported upon the continental allowance, that the commissary lately appointed by this Assembly to take care of prisoners not having received any orders or directions from Congress for the regulation of his conduct in the premises, and that the committee lately appointed by this Assembly look upon their powers incompetent to remedy the inconveniencies ; praying for relief &c .: Resolved by this Assembly, that the committee of prisoners formerly appointed by this Assembly be and they are hereby directed and impowered to make such suitable provision for the support of all such prisoners of war as now are or hereafter may be brought into this State, either by removing or ordering them into such towns where they may be supported upon the present allowance or by making such additions thereto as they may find necessary untill said prisoners shall be exchanged or other provision made. And the said committee are also hereby impowered to take all such measures from time to time with regard to said prisoners as they in their discretion may find requisite.
Upon the memorial of Elizabeth Thrall, administratrix on the estate of Timothy Thrall late of Windsor, deceasd, shewing to this Assembly that the memorialist together with John Phelps 3d were by this Assembly in May last appointed to sell so much of the real estate of said deceasd as would raise the sum of £236 7 5 &c., and that since said appointment the said John has deceasd, said business not being accomplished ; praying for relief &c .: Resolved by this Assem- bly, that Josiah Bissell, Esq", be and he is hereby appointed and fully impowered together with the memorialist to sell so much of the real estate of said deceasd Thrall as will be sufficient to raise the sum aforesaid &c., with the same powers and under the same regulations as directed in said resolve of Assembly in May last.
Upon the memorial of Ralph Isaacs of New Haven, shewing to this Assembly that he has been lately ordered to be removed to the parish of Eastbury, that he is still in a low state of health, praying that he may have the limits of the town of Glastonbury, as per memorial on file : Resolved by this Assembly, that his Honor the Gov- ernor with the advice of his Council of Safety may grant the memori- alist such further enlargement within said town of Glastonbury or remove him to some other inland town at their discretion as said Governor and Council shall judge may consist with the safety and best good of the publick.
Upon the memorial of Stephen Greenleaf of Windham, shewing to this Assembly that on or about the 21st of February, 1776, as he was delivering a twenty-shilling bill of the State of Connecticut into
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OF CONNECTICUT.
1776.]
the hands of John Brown of said Windham it accidentally dropt from his hands fell into the fire which consumed the upper half of said bill, whereby he suffers damage and prays for redress, as per memorial on file: Resolved by this Assembly, that the sum of ten shillings be granted to the said memorialist out of the public treasury; and the Treasurer is hereby ordered to pay the same accordingly.
Upon the memorial of Benjamin Galpin and Roger Norton, execu- tors of the last will of Samnel Galpin deceasd, shewing that the debts due from said estate surmount the personal estate of said deceased the sum of £90 0 1124; praying for liberty to make sale of so much of said real estate as shall be sufficient to pay said sum with the incident charges of sale arising thereon: Resolved by this Assembly, that the memorialists have and liberty is hereby granted to them to make sale of so much of said deceases real estate as will be sufficient to pay said sum with the incident charges of sale; taking the direction of the court of probate for the district of New Haven therein.
Upon the memorial of Silas Phelps of Lebanon, shewing to this Assembly that by the generous encouragement given for the mannfac- turing and making of gun-locks the said Silas made for the use of this Colony fifty-five good gun-locks and the same delivered to the makers of guns for this State, and that the said locks have been received and improved to the benefit of this State, but that the said memorialist not knowing said locks so to be made was to be double- warded in order to draw the premium given by this Assembly made said locks only single; praying to this Assembly that he may still be allowed and paid the premium for said locks, notwithstanding; as per memorial on file : Resolved by this Assembly, that the said memorial ist be allowed three shillings out of the treasury of this State for each of said fifty-five locks as a premium, and that the Pay-Table be and they are hereby directed to give an order upon the Treasurer for the same.
We your Honors' committee appointed to consider the expediency of adjourning this Assembly for some short time, in order to reassume the consideration of the public and important affairs of this State, now report it as our opinion, that the present situation of the army, the great necessity of providing and forwarding the raising the new army and of putting the militia upon the best footing, and the proba- bility of soon receiving further intelligence from Congress and the army very interesting to this and the other United States, will speed- ily require a further session of this Assembly, and therefore the same should be adjourned to the third Wednesday of December next, to be convened at Midletown. All which is submitted by Your Honors' most obedient humble servants. Signed per order,
JABEZ HAMLIN.
80
COUNCIL OF SAFETY.
[November,
In the Lower House : The above report is accepted and approved and ordered to be transmitted to the Honble Upper House.
Attest, BENJA. HUNTINGTON, Clerk.
In the Upper House : Concurrd with the Lower House in accepting the within report of the committee.
Test. GEORGE WYLLYS Secret'.
This Assembly was adjourned by proclamation, to the third Wednesday of December next, to meet, at the town of Midletown, according to the above order.
Teste GEORGE WYLLYS Secret
AT A MEETING OF THE GOVERNOR AND COUNCIL OF SAFETY, HARTFORD, Novr 218, 1776.
Present : His Honor the Governor. The Deputy Governor. Elipht Dyer, Wm. Hillhouse,
Jz. Huntington, Thos. Seymour,
Esqrs.
Wm. Williams, Benj. Huntington,
Appointed officers to supply the places of those that refuse to serve in the eight battalions now to be raised for continental service.
AT A MEETING OF THE GOVERNOR AND COUNCIL OF SAFETY, HARTFORD, Novr 224, 1776.
Present : His Honor the Governor.
His Honor the D. Governor. Elipht Dyer, Wm. Hillhouse,
Jabez Huntington, Thos. Seymour. Esqrs.
Wm. Williams, Benj. Huntington,
Voted, That the general officers from this State together with the colonels of the Connecticut regiments now to be raised for continental service be desired to arrange the captains, subaltern and staff officers appointed by this State to serve in said regiments in due order and make return of their doings to his Honor the Governor, that the same may be considered and established by this Board.
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OF CONNECTICUT.
1776.]
AT A MEETING OF THE GOVERNOR AND COUNCIL OF SAFETY, HARTFORD, Novr 26th, 1776.
Present : His Honor the Governor. The Deputy Governor. Elip' Dyer, Titus Hosmer,
Jabez Huntington, Benj. Huntington,
Wmn. Williams, Wm. Hillhouse, Esqrs
Thomas Seymour,
Voted, To accept and establish Wm. Cone for Captain, Nathaniel Sparrow for a Lieutenant, and Gideon Ackley for an Ensign, of a company of house- holders and others not in the militia roll, who have formed themselves into a company in the town of East Haddam; and his Honor the Governor is de- sired to commission them accordingly.
Voted, To accept and establish Nathaniel Ackley to be Ensign of a com- pany of householders and others in East Haddam; and his Honor the Gov- ernor is desired to commission him accordingly.
[This entry is from the Council Book 1770-1774, p. 88.]
AT A MEETING OF THE GOVERNOR AND COUNCIL OF THE STATE OF CONNECT- ICUT AT HARTFORD THE 28th DAY OF NOVEMBER 1776. Present : The Honorable Jonth Trumbull, Esquire, Governor. The Assistants, viz : Jabez Hamlin Samuel Huntington ) Elisha Sheldon Richª Law Esqrs. Jabez Huntington WVm Williams Wm Pitkin
This Board do appoint Jonath" Fitch, Esq', of Westmoreland in the county of Westmoreland, to be Sheriff of the County of Westmoreland; and Increase Mosley, Esq', of Woodbury, and John Phelps, Esq', of Hebron, with the said Fitch appeared before the said Governor and Council and acknowledged themselves bound in a recognizance of one thousand pounds, lawful money, payable to the Treasurer of this State, that the said Jonathan Fitch shall faithfully discharge his said office of Sheriff according to law and the commission given him and answer all such damages as any person or persons shall sustain by the unfaithfulness or neglect of said sheriff or any of his deputies in the execution of said office.
JONTH TRUMBULL Gov".
The oath by law provided for Sheriffs were taken by the said Jonathan Fitch in the presence of the Gov" and Council.
AT A MEETING OF THE GOVERNOR AND COUNCIL OF SAFETY, HARTFORD, Nov 28th, 1776.
Present : His Honor the Governor.
His Honor the D. Governor. Elipht Dyer, Titus Hosmer, -
Wm Williams, Benj. Huntington, Esq's. Thos Seymour,
Agreed on suffering Mr. Irwin, a prisoner taken by Commodore Hop- VOL. XVI .- 6
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COUNCIL OF SAFETY
[November,
kins, to go to Congress on his parole for his exchange or liberty to return to his family on parole, as the Congress shall see cause to order.
Voted, To assign the care of one Justus Miles. a person inimical to the United States of America, to Mr. Chapman Grant of East Windsor, who is hereby authorized to keep and govern the said Miles in such manner as he thinks prudent, till further orders from the General Assembly or this Council.
Voted, To replace 4 Ct. and 3 qrs. of cannon powder to Mr. Titus Hos- mer, due to him for powder supplied by him for the use of the lead mines in Middletown, and to give an order on the Treasurer for the same.
Order drawn and dd to Mr. Hosmer Novr 28th, 1776.
Voted, That the list of officers now appointed to fill up the vacancies of field officers, captains and subalterns, occasioned by refusal of like officers in the eight battalions to be raised in this State for continental service be drawn off. fairly transcribed and transmitted to Major General Spencer, and that the generals from this State in the service be desired and impowered, with the assistance of the colonels, to arrange said officers into regiments and com- panies; and in case any of said officers shall decline to accept the offices to which they are appointed, that the general officers aforesaid be desired to recommend other persons, duly qualified, to supply their places, and trans- mit such arrangement and recommendations to his Honor the Governor, and that they fill and deliver proper commissions to such officers as have accepted or shall accept the offices to which they have been or are appointed.
AT A MEETING OF THE GOVERNOR AND COUNCIL OF SAFETY, HARTFORD, Novr 29th, 1776.
Present : His Honor the Governor. The Deputy Governor. Elipht Dyer, Benj. Huntington,
Wm Williams, Wm. Hillhouse, Titus Hosmer, Thos Seymour.
Toted, That his Honor the Governor be desired to give orders to the Commissaries that have been employed to purchase cloathing for the use of the soldiers from this State in the continental army to forward such cloath- ing as they have provided to the army and deliver the same to the Quarter- Master General, or his assistant or assistants, or some other proper person appointed by the general officers, taking proper receipts; and also, that his Honor be desired to give orders to have the rum and other refreshments provided for the soldiers of this State in the army forwarded towards the western parts of this State; and also, that his Honor be desired to write Gen1 Washington and desire him to advise with such general officers from this State as are near him and point out a plan by which the resolve for supplying the soldiers from this State with refreshments and cloathing at prime cost may be carried into execution.
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