USA > Connecticut > The trade of Revolutionary Connecticut > Part 17
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Total number of omera21 85
Average number of ommers per vassel 2.6
Ships owned entirely by one man 4 Number of omers with interests in two or more ships 15
Number of owners with interests in
three or more ships :- 8
(1) William Holms-6 (1 entirely)
(2) Joseph Howell-5
(3) Elias Shipman-4
(4) Robert Fairchild-3
(5) James Gilbert-3
(6) Samuel Huggins-3
(7) Benjamin Sanford-3
(8) Ebenezer Townshend-322
It was the custom, apparently, to spread one's risk by taking interests or shares in several different ships. Some ships were owned by as many as five or six man, but two or three were the usual number. William Holms, Joseph Howell and Elias Shipman ranked at the top in shipping interests; but at least a dozen others had extensive investments, as the analysis
20 Record of Vessels Registered at New Haven.
21. Plus several incomplete or illegible names.
22 Record of all Ships and Vessels Registered at New Haven.
Map of New Haven (1775)
Exra Stiles'
- --
-
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above indicates.
The Journal carried less advertising than the Courant, but it did - . reveal much about the commercial life of New Haven. In the five issues of October 1777, for example, at least twelve commercial advertisements appeared.
Name
Product
Issues advertising in
Jeremiah Atwater
train oil
two
David Austin
Jinsoed oil
ono
Jool Beach
best wool cards
one
Elias Boers
books (long list)
two
Amos Doolittle
picture of John Hancock
two
Cept. Ebenezer Graoy
cash for flaxseed
five
Daniel 01 ds
cash for flaxseed
three
Hawkins (of Derby)
cash for flaxseed
thre
The Printer
cash for rags; books
four
Hezekiah Sabin and Michael Todd
long list of articles to
three
be exchanged for Army clothing
Elias Shipmen
cash or salt given for
five
flaxsood
Hozokiah Tuttle
blistered stool
one
From this group Atwater, Beers, and Austin appear to have advertised frequently throughout the War. Other extensive advertisers included Henry Daggett (West India goods), Micajah Daggett (dry and West India roods ), William Helms (Wost India goods; made hoops, staves), Joseph Howell (West India goods), Archibald and Elijah Austin (dry and West India goods), Jared Potter (of Wallingford; West India goods), and Michael Todd (dry and West India goods).
6. Conclusions
No real specialization as between retail and wholesale merchants had developed even by the end of the Revolution. Most merchants with large stocks would and did sell both at retail and wholesale. Yet, even
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as lato as 1795, no real wholesale market had developed in Hartford. 23
In general, the impact of the conflict upon local trade was markadly uneven, both as to towns, and individuals. A few merchants such as Nathaniel Shaw and Jeremiah Wadsworth appear to have made large profits, although local trade constituted only a small part of their trade. It was a period when unusual methods of doing business were frowned upon, and not even a war could shake many merchants out of their accustomed ways. In general, trade flourished much better in the central and northern regions of the State than along the exposed coast. The great dependence placed upon Connecticut for supplies stimulated local trade immensely and prevented any state-wide mercantile depression. This demand, in part, compensated for the curtailment of foreign trade.
23 Martin, p. 13.
CHAPTER XVII
Supplies for the State and Continental Forces
I. Organizing the supply effort
The business of procuring supplies of food and clothing for the Stato and Continental forces constituted an omnipresent, complicated, and harassing problem. Unclear and conflicting directives, inadequate transportation facilities, serious currency and price problems, growing demands, and uneven abilities among the commissaries-each contributed to the difficulties involved in getting enough supplies to the right place at the right time. Something has already been seen of the effort to obtain supplies of small arms, cannon, and powder" so that attention here will be centered upon food and clothing needs.
Kuch credit is due to Connectiout for a speedy start in tackling the supply problem, mad for a brilliant choice in her first Commissary-General. At the ten-day special session of the general assembly beginning on April 26, 1775 Captain Joseph Trumbull, a son of the Governor, was appointed Commissary-General to oversee the provisioning of the Connecticut troops stationed in Massachusetts. At the same time, nine commissaries were chosen to assist in the supply field-Oliver Wolcott, Bonry Champion, Thomas Mumford, Jedidiah Strong, Jeremiah Wadsworth, Thomas Howell, Samuel Squire, Amasa Keyes, and Hezekiah Bissell." By and large, this was an exceptional group of
Soo pp. 204-228.
"c. R. XIV, 430-431. Thomas Howell resigned and was replaced by Jonathan Fitch in Nay, 1775. Trumbull did so well in supplying Connectiout troops in the Boston area that Washington recommended him to the Continental Congress as the best choice for Commissary-General for the entire Continental Army.
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which Wolcott and Wadsworth later won fame in many fields of public service, while Champion made a remarkable record in the commissary work. In general, each county was represented by at least one commissary. There is a certain humorous appropriateness in that the very first move to implement the program was an order to Trumbull that he "immediately purchase one hogshead of How England rum .... "3
Some idea of the magnitude of the supply problem may be gained from noting the items ordered in the first equipment bill, which was passed in May, 1775. It called for the following: 4
90 officers' tents 500 privates' tents
cloth for 48 officers' tents
cloth for 460 privates' tonts
1098 iron pots
1098 pails
2 brass kettles per company
4 frying pans por company 70 books
10 reams of paper for cartridges
2 reams of writing paper
2500 wooden bowls 6000 quart rulets
60 drums
120 fifes
one standard
per rogiment
one medicine chest and supplies per regiment one cart or wagon per company
The daily ration per soldier was established as follows: three-quarters of a pound of pork, or ans pound of beef; one pound of bread or flour with three pints of beer to each man per day. Each week's ration was to include, in addition, half a pint of rice or a pint of com meal, six ounces of butter, and three pints of peas or beans; also "one fill of rum to each man upon fatigue per day .... Milk, molasses, candles. soap, vinegar, coffee, chocolate, sugar, tobacco, onions in their season,
c. R. XIV, 431.
"C. R. IV, 15. By July the legislature already saw fit to order many more of most of these itaus, including, for example, 48 officers' and 281 privates' tents. XV, 96-97.
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and vegetables" at the discretion of the general and field officers. 5 From the standard ration one may understand which products the commissarios sought most assiduously. As a stipend for their work the commissaries wore voted a commission of one and one-half per cent upon all supplies purchased. 6
There is much evidence available that the Corectiout commissarios made valiant efforts to secure adequate supplies for the army and militia, but that shortages existed during most of the war. In May, 1776, for example, the general assembly took cognizance of "an arrearage of supplies or rations due to the officers and soldiers that went from this Colony last year in the northern army." Therefore, the commissaries were ordered to straighten out their accounts and report on the situation. 7
In raising supplies, especially for the militia, it was frequently the custom to allot each town a fixed quota. In October, 1776 the . legislature ordered for the militia 2000 tents, 2000 iron pots, 4000 wooden bowls, and 6000 canteens. Each town was to provide one tent, one pot, two wooden bowls, and three canteens for every one thousand pounds valuation on the general list, to be secured by the selectmon and kept in instant readiness. 8 Under this plan, Hartford's share, for example, -
5 c. R. XV, 15-16. It is of interest to note that Connecticut's ration seems to have influenced that adopted for the Continental Army in August, 1775, as well as Massachusett's ration which in turn was copied by New Hampshire. Victor L. Johnson, The Administration of the American Commissariat during the Revolutionary War (Philadelphia, 1941), pp. 11, 15, 27.
6c. R. XV, 40. 1c. R. XV, 319-320. 8s. R. I, 18.
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with a grand list of approximately £51,000, would be fifty-one tents, fifty-one pots, one hundred and two bowls, and one hundred and fifty-three canteens. In the late fall a shortage of blankets distressed the militiamen so that each town was called upon for one blanket per five Imdrød pounds of list. If necessary, impressment could be resorted to in mooting the quota. 9 These blankets were collected; and, interestingly enough, the following March they were requested by the Continental Army. Thereupon, the Council without hesitanoy ordered the selectmen to turn them over to Continental officers in Connecticut for use by Comootiout soldiers.' .. 10
In supplying the milita the State created, in effect, a separate establishment which in general consisted of the selectmen of each tom who were responsible for raising the town's quota. Beyond this, special stato commissaries were appointed to supply the militia, as distinguished from the Continental Army's commissaries. In December, 1776 the general assembly chose for this task six men; Chauncey Whittlesey of Middletown, Jonathan Fitch of New Haven, Andrew Huntington of Norwich, David Webb of Stamford, Joshua Elderkin of Windham, and Abel Hine of New Milford, who soon found themselves quito busy.
Oa Nay 16, 1777 the Council appointed Elijah Fubbard of Middletom as "Corzissary and Superintendent of the stores of supplies and refreshments to be provided by this State for the continental troops from Connecticut. = 11 The appointment was followed up on May 24 by
9S. R. I, 71.
1ºs. R. I, 195. Earlier, in November, Joshua Elderkin had been voted [1000 by the Council to purchase clothing for the State. S. R. I, 58.
11s. R. I, 314. A few days later Royal Flint was appointed, assistant commissary to Hubbard. . S. R. I, 318.
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elaborato instructions from the Council which afford an extremely good picture of how the business of procuring and delivering supplies was accomplished, even though it did not proceed as smoothly in practice as in theory.
... You will, therefore ... purchase one good team or waggon with horses to each battalion, and employ a faithful, trusty man to each to ... take care of the same, and them load with rum, sugar, molasses and clothing, belonging to this State .... At present there is West India rum and sugar in the hands of Capt. Ephrain Bill, salt in the hands of Capt. Jabez Perkins, New England rum and cloathing in the hands of Vr. Andrew Huntington of Norwich, oloathing, rum and sugar in the hands of Capt. Joshua Elderkin of Windham, clothing in the hands of Mr. Chauncey Whittlesey of Middletom, Col. Jonathan Fitch of New Haven, Capt. Sammel Squire of Fairfield, Messrs. David Webb and Danl Gray of Stamford, and Mr. Abel Hine of Hew Milford; and transport and secure such stores in the safest places you can near the continental army .... And you will be assisted by some person appointed to ... oversee the stores in about the camp ... as also an issuing commissary to each battalion.12 You are also impowered to impress ... teams, boats &o. ... and to employ such persons you find needful .... You have power in all cases of difficulty to take such measures ... as you ... shall judge prudent, and to purchase such articles as you find wanting .... You will be careful to provide forage and provender for your teams, cattle and horses .... Your assistant and issuing commissaries will be appointed and apply to you for their orders. You will direct the issuing commissaries what quantities of run do. to deliver to each soldier .... An exact account of articles delivered to each soldier to be kept and transmitted to the paymaster of each regiment respectively to be deducted out of the wages when paid ....
You will keep an account of all disbursements and expences by you made, as well as monies received, and have the same in proper order for settlement at proper times.
The troops now at Porkskill are in present want of supplies; your first attention must therefore, be to their reliefs and see to it that others are furnished with necessaries as they take the field. 13
12 The agents in camp were sometimes quite unsatisfactory. Noses Hazen on February 24, 1779, complained to Colonel Fitch about Ebenezer Clark the issuing commissary of Poor's brigade at Danbury who was distrusted by the men, and should be placed under arrest. Fitch Papers, Doos. 172-174,
13
S. R. I, 317-318.
1
.
269.
As time passed, realization came that the Stato was obligated to help in supplying the families of officers and men in the Continental Army with the necessities of life. The prime responsibility for doing this was placed upon the respective towns which were ordered to provide provisions and clothing to the families at the prices fixed by law. The individual soldier, however, had to provide the money, up to a maximum of one-half his pay, for the necessities. If adequate supplies could not be obtained at legal prices, then impressment was possible. 14 Sometimes the legal maximm prices were incorporated into a supply act as was the case in one of Cotober, 1777 which requested each tom to obtain and turn over immediately to Hubbard or Flint certain items for each town soldier in Continental service. The following rates were fixed: shoes, eight shillings six pence per pair; stockings, six shillings per pair; "shirts, hunting-frocks and overhalls" according to quality with good yard wide tow cloth at two shillings nine pence per yard; and good flannel at three shillings and six pence por yard. 15
2. The transportation bottle-neck
It seemed that just as the State got control of one aspect of the supply problem another would plunge out of control. Early in 1778 this proved to be the case in the matter of transportation. The moving of
14 S. R. I, 410-420. At the urgent request of Congress a further act along these lines was passed in January, 1778. S. R. I, 475-476. Impresament was unsatisfactory in practice as it was very expensive. Jeremiah Wadsworth pointed this out to Governor Trumbull in a specific case in 1779 when three tons of flour were seized. They were appraised at E1314:18:2, but it cost the State [1412:1:8 to sooure them, or nearly £100 for impressment legal costs. Wadsworth to Trumbull, Trumbull Papers, M.H.S.8., LXII, 385-388,
15s. R. I, 421.
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private goods throughout the State had increased so much and required so many oxen as to interfere with agriculture and decrease the supply of beef for the Continental Army. Hence, a very specific act was passed providing that no private property could be transported anywhere in the State after April 1 if it required the use of more than one pair of ozen. Moreover, all publio shipments taking two pairs or more of oxon had to be authorized and carefully identified. For violation, heavy penalties were provided which included confiscation of the goods and of all toums in excess of the one permitted. 16
The matter of moving supplies overland was a complicated and difficult one. It was hard to recruit teamsters because the service was arduous, especially in winter, roads bad, and pay slow. Private teaming . often seemed to be a much more attractive proposition. The journal of Joseph Joslin, Jr. , of Killingly, gives an intimate and valuable record of the trials and tribulations of the teamster's life in 1777 and 1778. Joslin, together with Moses Wilder, Moses Robinson, and John Robinson, all of Killingly, accepted an engagement as teamsters in the Continental service on March 5, 1777. They carted mostly hay, pork, and timber back and forth all over Connecticut, from one depot to another, and usually westward toward or to Washington's Army on the Hudson. In the winter and early spring terrible hardships were undergone as this account of a trip from Horsenock, New York to Danbury, Connecticut reveals.
(April 4, 1777) ... very Early in the morning we Put along toward the Neck & it was very Cold indeed Sir and we went to the mills and Loaded 8 barrels of flower a Peice & then we Eat some Raw pork and Bread and then we Came along by the Small Pox House
16
S. R. I, 542-544.
271.
and then we Came to Morwolk to a Diabolical bad tavern. I Say & about 22 mil[es] we have ben or more to Day and we Did lie by the fire almost froze indeed Sir. Oh Remember Clemmons for Ever & Ever. "17
Some of the worst carting occurred during the winter and early spring thews. On Joslin's first long trip he started out in very cold weather through deep snow, but three days later it thered and then rained heavily. The teamsters experienced "dreadful carting" through Haddam to Middletown and all the way to Cheshire, Waterbury, and Danbury-a ten-day journey. 18 For such great exertions the remuneration was quite modest. After two months of the work, Joslin agreed to continue for six months more at fifteen dollars per month. In November, 1777 he actually received ninety-six dollars for six months' work. 19 . work. 19 Joslin's vivid description of the rigors of the work in itself largely explains the reasons for the frequent shortage of teamsters. At times too, the sudden requests for a large amount of supplies would have overwhelmed a much larger and
better organized teamsters' service. The food shortages in the Continental Army, moreover, inevitably tended to be worst toward the and of the winter and in early spring, exactly the time when the roads were nearly impassable quagmires. At harvest times the wagons and oxen were badly needed by the farmers so that great difficulty was experienced then in moving army supplies.20
-
17 Journal of Joseph Joslin, Jr., C.H.3.C., VII, 306.
18 Ibid., pp. 29J-303.
. 19 Ibid., pp. 310, 333.
20 Johnson, p. 14, oites the trouble in the 1775 harvest season.
.. .
.
272.
Often the teamsters hauled very valuable loads, and some yielded to the temptation of embezzlement. 21 Others failed to carry out their contracts despite very profitable terms.22 At times it became necessary to wara unreliable teamsters, to do their duty, as this notice in the Courant amply indicated.
All Waggoners, Teamsters, and others, belonging to the Quarter Master General's Department in this State, who have deserted or otherways absented themselves from the service, are hereby desired to repair immediately to this Post, by the 20th instant, and they shall be forgiven. Those who neglect will be advertised as deserters, and treated accordingly. NEHEMIAH HUBBARD, D.Q.M.G.
Hartford, May 10, 1779.
Despite their many shortcomings, however, the teamsters made a vital contribution to the prosecution of the war.
3. The continental commissariat in action
The functioning of the Continental service of supply in the field constitutes a significant factor in an adequate comprehension of Connecticut's supply problems and achievements.
The need of an overall service of supply was quickly grasped by General Washington. The matter of special importance was to secure a capable man to superintend, in the field, the procurement of necessary
21 Ibid. , p. 219. Timothy Pickering, Quartermaster General, in a letter to Ralph Pomeroy, his deputy in Connecticut, dated February 2, 1781, described the exorbitant prices demanded by ox-cart teamsters who then failed to carry out their agreements. Ho admonished Pomeroy to set a low and reasonable price since it would set a precedent. Ho considered nine shillinga daily enough. Connecticut Miscellany, 1740-1787.
22 Commissary Ephraim Blaine warned Quartermaster General Pickering to be very cautious in hiring teamsters for the next campaign, and related several examples of excessive pay and dishonesty. Pickering forwarded this warning to his deputies, as shown just above. Ibid., No. 345,
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supplies for the Continental forces. While at Cambridge, Washington . noticed that the Corectiout troops were unusually well-fed and clothed, and he looked into the matter. 23 Further study convinced him that the 3 Purt happy situation was caused by the exertions of Joseph Trumbull whom Washington recommended to Congress as the best choice to be the first commissary-general. The appointment of Trumbull followed, effective July 19, 1775. A year later Washington declared thats "Few armies, if any, have been better and more plentifully supplied than the Troops under Mr. Trumbull's care ..... 24
Trumbull's difficulties grew steadily in 1776 and early 1777 as the American Army suffered frequent defeats, and retreated so often as to disrupt constantly the arrangements for supply depots and a smooth flow of supplies. Trumbull repeatedly asked for more assistance from Congress, but that body moved tardily. Finally, it enacted a new plan which Trumbull found unacceptable, and he resigned as of August 4, 1777. The rigors of the service caused a physical breakdom, and he died, a comparatively young man, in 1778.
Under the new plan, two commissary-generals were created: one, of purchases; the other, of issues. But the commissary-generals would have to deal with and be responsible for assistants appointed directly by Congress. Under the new plan the leading commissary, that of purchases, was William Buchanan, who made a poor record in his term which ended
-
23 On his arrival at Cambridge, Washington "found the Connectiout troops so much better supplied than the other ... [that] he recommended him [Joseph Trumbull] to Congress for that appointment." Eliphalet Dyer and Silas Deane to Governor Trumbull, Philadelphia, July 22, 1775, A. T. P., XXVIII, 307.
24 Washington to the President of Congress, June 28, 1776, W. G. ... V, 192.
274.
March 23, 1778. Congress then reversed itself, and in essence acknowledged the correctness of Trumbull's criticisms by providing that the new commissary-general should have centralized authority and stronger backing without constant interference. Jeremiah Wadsworth assumed control as Commissary-General of Purchases on April 9, 1778 and served efficiently until December 2, 1779.
Wadsworth, unlike his predecessor Buchanan, brought a rich background of large-scale mercantile experience plus invaluable training in the Quartermaster Department. Moreover, he retained nearly all of the experienced deputy commissaries such as Peter Colt, Jacob Cuyler, and Henry Champion who had proven their worth earlier. Wadsworth, because of his Connecticut friends and interests, worked smoothly with the State leaders and agents, and undoubtedly obtained far more supplies from Connecticut than an outsider could have done in those days of hot state jealousies. The scenes of semi-starration and horror which marked the winter at Valley Forge in 1777-78 (when Buchanan was in charge) were not repeated in the winter quarters of 1778-79. Washington noted that the troops during that winter were the best olad and healthiest sinoe . their formation. 25
Like his predecessors, Wadsworth found the work very exacting, and the pecuniary rewards not largo. Cn December 2, 1779 Congress accepted his resignation and appointed in his stead Ephraim Blaine, a man of long experience and proven abilities in commissary work. Ho authorized Champion to continue as his deputy, purchasing in Commecticut. Blaine held the position until the Yorktown campaign reached its
25 Johnson, pp. 109, 133-134, 153. W. G. W., XIV, 218ff.
:
275.
26
successful conclusion.
By and large, the commissariat of the Continental Army did not function efficiently. The frequent critical lack of supplies amply verifies this generalization. The basic cause, however, rested upon the American people who would not vest Congress with enough centralized authority to put into operation a strong commissariat. The very fact that the commissary-general had to pload with the States for supplies instead of ordering them to produce the supplies indicates the almost fatal weakness of Congress' position. In addition, Congress reorganized the department each time a new comissary-general came into office, and this procedure kept the agents in the field confused. Engrossing seriously affooted collection of supplies, as did currency depreciation, buying of goods on credit, state jealousies, transportation difficulties, and finally, graft on the part of some agents.27
4. Trading at army corps
Although no system of "post exchanges" comparable to those in the modern American army camp existed in Revolutionary times, some enterprising merchants did a thriving business at and near army camps. One of these was Joshua Huntington of Norwich who ran a small store, first in the Boston area, and later, in New York and vicinity. For example, on August 17, 1775 Andrew Huntington wrote to his brother, Joshua, that he had sent thirteen gallons of good cherry rumm which ought to bring one dollar per gallon. 28 Apparently the whole business was a
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