American Union Lodge No. 1 - Onondaga and Oswego Masonic ...

MEMBERSHIP IN AMERICAN UNION LODGE NO. 1 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR
[Military Union Lodge No. 1 – under the Prov. Grand Lodge of New York]
Compiled by R.’.W.’. Gary L. Heinmiller
Director, Onondaga & Oswego Masonic Districts Historical Societies [OMDHS]
www.omdhs.syracusemasons.com
Jan 2012
There were two interesting traveling Lodges at West Point during the Revolutionary War. The second of these was Washington
Lodge No. 10 warranted 11 Nov 1799 by the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts; the first being American Union Lodge warranted 15
Feb 1776 by the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts and later confirmed in April 1799 by the Peter Middleton, M.D., Provincial Deputy
Grand Master for the province of New York, by the name of Military Union Lodge No. 1, without recalling the former warrant.
The Brothers of American Lodge, noted in bold type below, for which biographical sketches appear, where in the very thick of the
proceedings of the Revolutionary War, from Concord and Lexington; Quebec to Ticonderoga; Saratoga, Trenton, Valley Forge, and
especially at West Point, where this Lodge met.
Along with those of American Union Lodge, several of the Brothers of Washington Lodge were among the founding organizers of
Marietta, Ohio , which at its time was one of the pioneer settlements of the new Northwest Territory. A separate paper has been
prepared for the interesting history and biographical sketches of Washington Lodge No. 10, to which you attention is invited.
Seal of American Union Lodge
http://books.google.com/books?pg=PA49&dq=%22Washington+and+His+Masonic+Compeers%22&id=TzUFAAAAYAAJ#v=onepag
e&q=%22Washington%20and%20His%20Masonic%20Compeers%22&f=false
Washington and his Masonic Compeers, by Sidney Hayden
The seal of American Union Lodge bore the same popular American idea in its symbolism, having as its principal device a chain of
thirteen circular links, around a central part, on which was the square and compasses, with the sun, moon, and a star above, and
three burning tapers beneath them, the extremities of the chain being united by two clasped hands. For the leading idea of the
symbolism of the chain representing the union of the colonies, the brethren were probably indebted to Dr. FRANKLIN, who visited the
American Camp in 1776, as one of a committee from Congress to confer with WASHINGTON on the affairs of the war; and the seal is
supposed to have been engraved by PAUL REVERE, a distinguished Mason and patriot of Massachusetts, who was often employed
at that period to engrave such designs.
Although a Military Lodge warrant had been granted by the Masonic authorities of New York on the 24th of July, 1775, for a lodge in
the provincial troops of that colony, which was called St. John's Regimental Lodge, yet the American Union Lodge was the first
organized in the Continental army, and may be justly regarded as the eldest Masonic daughter of the American Union. It was
organized in troops of which WASHINGTON had command, and though his military duties did not admit of his attendance on its
meetings during the time the army was encamped around Boston, he subsequently often joined his Masonic brethren within its
walls, and ever inculcated among its members, both by precept and example, a love of Masonry. This lodge went with his army,
when it removed to New York, and held its meetings there while the city remained in his possession. Its last meeting there was on
the 15th of August, 1776, a few days before the disastrous battle on Long Island. The next subsequent record of this lodge states:
"The British troops having landed with a large body on Long Island, the attention of the American army was necessary to repel them.
On the ever memorable 27th of August, the Right Worshipful JOEL CLARK, ELISHA HOPKINS, OZIAS BISSELL, JOSEPH JEWETT,
NATHANIEL GORE, being taken prisoners; and on the 13th of September, Brother JAMES CHAPMAN, MICAJAH GLEASON, killed; WILLIAM
CLEAVLAND and JOHN P. WYLLYS taken prisoners, and Brother OTHO H. WILLIAMS taken prisoner at Fort Washington, by which
misfortunes the lodge was deprived of its Master, and some most worthy members, and many other brethren were called to act in
separate departments, wherefore the lodge shall be closed without day.
"(Signed) JONATHAN HART, Secretary
No further meetings of this lodge were held until March, 1777; and in the mean time, JOEL CLARK, its Master, died in captivity.
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No record seems available setting forth in systematic order the total membership of American Union Lodge No.1 during the
Revolutionary War period. A record for 1776 has been found in the typewritten copy of the Lodge minutes, but nothing further. The
Historian made Inquiry of the United States Department of War to learn if it possessed a record of the membership, and the reply
came that it did not.
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In order to make as nearly an authentic record of the membership as seems possible, the Historian examined the minutes of the
Secretary, and checked off for the entire war period the name and date of initiation, passing and raising of each individual. These
names have all been arranged in alphabetical order as Entered Apprentices, Fell6w Crafts and Master Masons. It has not been
possible in every instance to give the full name. The Secretary frequently recorded last name only, and in some instances it was
impossible to find the given name or letter. There has been found difficulty in some cases in determining the spelling, as for example
where the Secretary himself apparently guessed. However, no doubt this is the most complete list of the membership for the
Revolutionary period that has been compiled. A star (*) indicates Brethren who have been given degrees elsewhere prior to
organization of American Union.
-----
Mackey’s Encyclopedia, 1912. Page 53.
http://books.google.com/books?id=cdoSAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA53&lpg=PA53&dq=%22American+Union+Lodge%22&source=bl&ots=J
kmTb35nOS&sig=8ZBp4PHK5Vd9e2UaLDvmdOkBEyQ&hl=en&ei=D3GuSbmRGYyPngeljdm3Bg&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=
10&ct=result
The Lodge was duly constituted and almost immediately moved to New York, and met on April 23, 1776, by permission of Dr.
Peter Middleton, Grand Master of Masons in the Province of New York. It was agreed at this meeting to petition him to confirm
the Massachusetts warrant as, under its terms, they were without authority to meet in New York. Dr. Middleton would not confirm the
warrant of American Union Lodge, but in April, 1776, caused a new warrant to be issued to the same brethren, under the name of
Military Union Lodge, No. 1, without recalling the former warrant. They thus presented an anomaly of a Lodge holding warrants from
and yielding obedience to two Grand Bodies in different jurisdictions. The spirit of the brethren, though, is shown in their adherence
to the name American Union in their minutes, and the only direct acknowledgment of the new name is in a minute providing that the
Lodge furniture purchased by American Union "be considered only as lent to the Military Union Lodge."
This Lodge followed the Connecticut Line of the Continental army throughout the War of Independence. It was Gen. Samuel Holden
Parsons of American Union who returned to the British army Lodge Unity, No. 18, their warrant, which had come into possession of
the American army at the taking of Stony Point in 1779. American Union participated in a convention at Morristown, N. J., January
31, 1780, when it was proposed to nominate Gen. Washington as "Grand Master over the thirteen United States of America," and it
was on the suggestion of Rev. Israel Evans of American Union that the " Temple of Virtue." for the use of the army and the army
Lodges, was erected at New Windsor (Newburgh), NY, during the winter of 1782-83. The Lodge followed the army to the Northwest
Territory after the War of Independence, and participated in the formation of the Grand Lodge of Ohio. Shortly afterward the Lodge
withdrew from the Grand Lodge of Ohio and did not appear on the roll thereafter, but pursued an independent existence for some
years. The present American Union Lodge at Marietta, Ohio, No. 1 on the roll of the Grand Lodge of Ohio, was organized by
members of the old Lodge. The first minute book, from the original constitution to April 23, 1783, is in the library of the Grand Lodge
of New York. During the war many prominent patriots were members, and several times Washington was recorded as a visitor.
-----
History of Marietta, by Thomas Jefferson Summers
http://books.google.com/books?id=6BImAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA295&dq=%22Jonathan+heart%22&hl=en&sa=X&ei=aYcDT7eHLOTW0
QGErZCyAg&ved=0CIoBEOgBMA4#v=onepage&q=%22Jonathan%20heart%22&f=false
AMERICAN UNION LODGE No. 1, F. & A. M.
In tracing the early history of this lodge it is proper that we go back to the American Union Lodge and note its rise, progress,
influence and final development into the American Union Lodge No. 1. The American Union Lodge was the first chapter organized in
America under American authority, and in its re-organization at Marietta on June 28, 1790, was organized the oldest institution in
Marietta, the oldest Masonic lodge in Ohio, or in the original North west Territory.
The organization of the American Union Lodge dates prior to that of the American government, and during the early part of the
Revolution. It had its origin in the minds of a few Free Mason soldiers of Connecticut, who desired to enjoy the friendly relations to
which they had been accustomed. They thus resolved to organize a lodge in connection with the army. But in the colony of
Connecticut there was no one who had the authority to issue a warrant for a new lodge, and the Boston Grand Lodge had been
suspended, as the place was in the hands of the British. Of this Boston Lodge, John Rowe was grand master, and Richard Gridley
was deputy.
It was decided by this small number of Masonic soldiers to make application to Mr. Gridley for authority to assemble and work as a
regular lodge in connection with the Connecticut line of army, then at Roxbury. In response was received the following document
which is copied from the minutes of the early American Union Lodge:
JOHN ROWE, GRAND MASTER, To JOEL CLARK, ESQ., GREETING:
By virtue of authority invested in me, I hereby, reposing special trust and confidence in your knowledge and skill of the Ancient Craft,
do appoint and constitute you, the said Joel Clark, Esquire, Master of the American Union Lodge, now erected in Roxbury,or
wherever your body shall remove on the continent of America, providing it is where no Grand Master is appointed.
You are to promote in your Lodge the utmost harmony and brotherly love, and to keep up to the constitutions for the reputation of
the Craft. In your makings you are to be very cautious of the moral character of such persons, and also of visitors, and such as
desire to become members of your Lodge (such as were not made in it). You are lo transmit to the Grand Lodge a fair account of
the choice of your officers, as well present as future. Any matters coming before your Lodge, that cannot be adjusted, you are to
appeal to and lay the same before the Grand Lodge for a decision. You are, as often as the Grand Lodge meets, to attend with your
two wardens; of the time and place the Grand Lodge shall meet, you will have previous notice.
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In order to support the Grand Lodge, your Lodge is to pay into the hands of the Grand Secretary, each quarterly night, the sum of
twelve shillings lawful money; all of which you will pay due regard to.
This commission is to remain in full force and virtue recalled by me or my successor in office.
Given under may hand, and the hands of the
Grand Wardens, (the seal of the Grand
Lodge first affixed), this, the 15th day of
Feb'y, Anno Mundi 5776, of Salvation, 1776.
RICHARD GRIDLEY, D. G. M.
WILLIAM BURBECK, S. G. W.
Per order of the G. Master.
Recorded, WM. HOSKINS, G. Sec'y.
The following names appear on the minute book, as the "original members of the American Union Lodge, at the first establishment,
April, 1776:"
Col. Joel Clark; Col. John Parke, Thomas Chace, Esq., Ens. Jonathan Heart, Capt. Joseph Holt, Capt. William Coit, Master Masons.
Col. Samuel Holden Parsons, Capt. Ezekiel Scott, ____ Whittlesey, _____Cotton, Fellow Crafts. Col. Samuel Wyllys, Entered
Apprentice.
After the organization of this chapter, meetings were held at various times and places throughout the whole period of the
Revolutionary War. The seal of the lodge is supposed to have been suggested by Benjamin Franklin as well as the name of the
chapter. It was engraved by the famous patriot Paul Revere, and consisted of a square and a compass, surrounded by a chain of
thirteen links joined at the top by clasped hands, above which were the sun, moon and stars, and below three burning tapers.
On August 13, 1776, the lodge held a meeting at New York, and on the 27th was fought the battle of Long Island in which Joel Clark
was taken prisoner; on September 13th two members were killed and two taken prisoners. Soon after his captivity Colonel Clark
died, and as many of the members were called to different battle fields, the lodge was adjourned.
On February 15, 1779, the lodge was again convened at "Widow Sanford's, near Reading's old meeting house," at which Samuel II.
Parsons was elected master. He was afterwards prominent in the Ohio Company, and one of the Judges of the Northwest Territory.
Other meetings of the lodge were held upon the 17th, 24th and upon March 10th, 17th and 25th. On May 7th the lodge "closed
without date," as the army was compelled to move.
We next find the lodge at Nelson's Point on June 24, 1779. This being St. John's day, it was duly celebrated, and during the day the
lodge went to the Robinson house, two miles down the Hudson river, where they were visited by General Washington and his
family. Soon after this Rufus Putnam became a member of the lodge. It continued to move with the army, and in March, 1783, a
meeting was held at West Point, and on April 23, 1783, was hold the last meeting of the American Union Lodge while connected
with the army. It was adjourned to such a time as the master should choose to call it together. When that was, was then uncertain;
but it seems that it was .destined to be again revived and in, what was then, an unsettled territory,—the country on the banks of the
Ohio and Muskingum.
On June 28, 1790, the American Union Lodge was re-organized at Marietta as the American Union Lodge No. 1. The first masonic
work done in Marietta and in the State of Ohio was on January 10, 1789, when Judge Varnum was buried with such honors. With
this suggestion it was deemed expedient to make more fast the ties of brotherhood which existed among the different Masons of the
settlement. The commandant of Fort Harmar at this time, Capt. Jonathan Heart, was a master, having been elected as such on July
30, 1790, and still had with him the warrant of the old army lodge. The idea was to revive it.
On June 25, 1780, at Nunsell & Btiell's in Marietta, gathered a body of men for this purpose. The company consisted of Rufus
Putnam, Benjamin Tupper, Griffin Greene, Robert Oliver, Ezra Lunt, William Stacey, William Burnham, Anselm Tupper, Thomas
Stanley and Ebenezer Sproat. The meeting resulted in a petition being framed as follows:
"Having considered the disadvantages that the brethren of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons have labored under in this
western hemisphere, relative to their further knowledge from the east, that W. Brother Jonathan Heart, at Fort Harmar, would take
them under his immediate patronage, and establish them on a permanent basis; and give them, and the other brethren of the
fraternity in this quarter, an opportunity to meet him as soon as possibly consistent."
The response of Captain Heart was as follows:
Previous to the late Revolution all authority exercised in America with respect to Masonry was derived from the grand lodge in Great
Britain, delegated to deputies in and over certain districts, by virtue of which all lodges were then held. The Federal territories not
coming within the district of any grand lodge, holding under the authority of the grand lodge of Great Britain and the United States,
nor as yet having formed a Federal head in Masonry, it may be in doubt whether at this time there is any power in America having
jurisdiction over the Federal territories. From whence it follows the power is still in the grand lodge of Great Britain, unless there can
be found some power which has been other ways than through the present grand lodges, and extending its jurisdiction to this
country. Whether the warrant under which you wished to be convened affords protection is the next subject of enquiry.
The warrant was granted in the year 1776, previous to the Declaration of Independence, by Richard Gridley, Esq., deputy grand
master, whose authority extended to all parts of North America where no special grand masters were appointed, as may appear
from the book of constitution, and as expressed in the same instrument. It will therefore follow that, there being no special grand
master for this territory, a more ample authority for holding a lodge in this country could not be obtained, provided there was a
competent number of the former members present. But there are only two, viz: Brother Putnam and myself, who are actually
enrolled members. To remove this objection, it is observable that there are two others who are members and residents in this
county, but at present are at too great a distance to attend. There are also two of the petitioners who were constant visitors of the
3

lodge during the war, one of them a past master (Brother Bingham Tupper) who by custom is a member of all lodges. There are also
others of the petitioners who have frequently visited the lodge at several times.
Therefore, under every consideration with respect to your situation— the difficulty of obtaining authority—a doubt whether more
ample authority can, at this time, be obtained, the right which is ever retained by individuals of incorporating themselves where there
is no existing power already lodged, with particulars for that purpose.
Wherefore, being the present master of the lodge held under the authority of said warrant, as may appear by having recourse to the
records deposited in Frederick's lodge, held at Farmington, State of Connecticut, and being the oldest Ancient Mason within said
territory, I have thought proper, with the advice of Brother Putnam, member, and Brother Benjamin Tupper, past master, to grant the
request contained in your petition, and will meet you in Campus Martins, on Monday the twenty-eighth instant, at six o'clock P.M., for
the purpose of forming you into a lodge.
I am, with every sentiment of respect, brethren,
Your most obedient and humble servant,
JONATHAN HEART,
M.A.U. Lodge.
In accordance with the date set in the foregoing answer of Jonathan Heart, the brethren were convened on June 28, 1790, by order
of Mr. Heart, and the lodge was opened in due form. There were present Worshipful Brother Heart, master; Worshipful Benjamin
Tupper, past master of Hampshire Lodge, acting as senior warden; Brother Rufus Putnam, junior warden, and Brothers Thomas
Stanley, Oliver Stacey and William Stacey. The first thing was the reading of the warrant of February 15, 1770; then followed a
motion by Rufus Putnam that the seven brothers be received as members, who, being balloted upon, were so received. On
September 6th the first petitioner, Francis Choate, was received as a member; on October 4th Rev. Daniel Story was admitted; later
several were received as members.
Jonathan Heart was re-elected master, which office he held until compelled to go with the army into the Indian country. Rufus
Putnam was elected to succeed him, but refused to serve, and Robert Oliver was elected to fill the office. Mr. Heart was one of the
number who was killed in St. Clair's defeat on November 4, 1791.
The early years of the lodge at Marietta were pleasant ones. The membership grew rapidly, and among its members were some of
the best men of the settlement. In 1791 the lodge was recognized by the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, and in 1792 by that of
Pennsylvania.
Upon the death of George Washington the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania notified this chapter of its action, and the American Union
Lodge made the following reply:
With you we sincerely feel the loss we sustained in the death of Washington, our beloved brother. And though he never graced our
meetings or processions with his presence, yet the happy effect of his masonic and civil virtues, of his heroism, wisdom, patriotism
and policy have reached the west. They have extended to every extremity of the United States, and like the sun at high meridian,
have cheered, enlightened and animated, not only America, but the whole civilized world.
On the first intelligence jf demise, the lodge unanimously agreed to wear mourning for six months, as a great, respectful and
affectionate tribute to his memory; and we cannot but receive sublime satisfaction in this intelligence, that our brethren in the east
unite with us in respect, esteem and veneration for so distinguished and amiable character. He was indeed an illustrious brother,
citizen and chief—in peace and war, in council and action, pre-eminent.
On the night of March 24, 1801, the house used for a lodge room was burned, and the charter, jewels, etc., were all probably
destroyed by fire. A duplicate charter was later granted them by the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. During the years from 1802 to
1810 meetings were held in the Ohio Company's Land Office. On January 5, 1816, the American Union Lodge received the charter
from the Grand Lodge of Ohio, which recognized it by its present name and number.
Entered Apprentice
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Names and Dates of Receiving Degrees
Adams, William, 06 Jun 1776.
Hosmer, Lieut. Prentice, 07 May 1779.
Billings, Andrew,
24 Jun 1776. NY Line.
Hosmer, Doctor Timothy, 20 Aug 1779.
Bradford, Col. Gamaliel, 07 Aug 1779.
Hubbard, John, 20 Aug 1779.
Brooks, Col. John, 28 Aug 1779. Mass. Line. Johns[t]on, Col. Francis, 11 Oct 1779. Pa. Line.
Brown, John, 15 Feb 1779.
Lacey, Capt. Josiah, 20 Aug 1779.
Bush, Lieut. John,
16 Sep 1779. Pa. Line.
Lawrence, Lieut. Oliver, 17 Feb 1779.
Buxton, Lieut. James, 07 Aug 1779. Mass Line. Marshall, Capt. Elihu, 15 Feb 1779.
Byles, Major Thomas L., 03 Aug 1779.
Palmer, Lieut. Edward, 16 Sep 1779.
Clift, Dills, 07 May 1779.
Redfield, Capt. William, 15 Feb 1779.
Coleman, Noah, 17 Feb 1779.
Richards, Lieut. Samuel, 07 Apr 1779.
Finley, Doctor Samuel, 28 Aug 1779. Mass. Line. Sherman, Col. Isaac, 15 Feb 1779.
Graham, Doctor Jonathan G.,* 28 Aug 1779. CT. Line. Sherman, Lieut. John, 20 Aug 1779.
Graham, Doctor John, 20 Aug 1779.
Sill, Lieut. Richard, 10 Mar 1779.
Gray, Eben, 07 May 1779.
Ten Eyck, Capt. Henry, 28 Aug 1779.
Heath, Lieut. Peleg, 28 Aug 1779.
* Also served in the 2nd Battalion of Westchester, NY, as 2nd Major.
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Fellow Craft
Barnes, Capt. Thomas, E. A., 20 Jun 1776; F. C. date
not given 15th Mass. Line.
Betts, Capt. Stephen, 24 Jan 1780. CT. Line.
Clark, Jabez, 15 Apr 1779.
Cleaveland, Lieut. Moses, E. A. 16 Sep 1779. Degree
recorded, date not given. CT. Line.
Cleveland, Lieut. William, CT. Line. Degree recorded.
Made prisoner 13 Sep 1776.
Gleason, Capt. Micajah. Degree recorded. Mass. Line.
Killed 13 Sep 1776.
Grove, Nathaniel, 05 Aug 1776.
Hide [Hyde], Jedediah. Degree recorded without date
in 1776 (?) Mass. Line.
Hopins or Hopkins, Elisha, 05 Aug 1776. Prisoner 27 Aug
1776, Battle Long Island.
Hopkins, 02 Apr 1783.
Jewett, Capt. Joseph. Degree recorded without date,
in 1776 (?) Virginia Line.
Hull, David, 11 Mar 1776.
Jewett, Capt. Joseph. Degree recorded without date.
Conn. Line. Prisoner 27 Aug 1776. Battle Long Island.
Judd, William,
15 Feb 1779. CT. Line.
Prentice, Major Samuel, 06 Jun 1776. CT. Line.
Van Zantz, Capt. Vivian. Degree recorded without date
in 1776 (?) New York Line.
Williams, Theodore, 11 Mar 1776.
Wilson, Capt. William, 20 Aug 1779.
Winthrop, Eben.
Degree recorded without date
in 1776 (?) Mass. Line.
Master Masons
Allyn, Lieut. Robert,
02 Oct 1782.5th CT. Reg.
Avery, Lieut. Simeon, 05 Jun 1782. 5th CT. Reg.
Ball, Libeus, 03 Mar 1776.
Barker, Lieut. Samuel, A. L., 27 Mar 1780. [6th] CT. Line.
Belding, Lieut. Simeon, 03 Mar 1779. [Quartermaster,
Samuel Wyllys’ Regiment - 1776] [Treas.]; retired 15 Nov 1781.
Boyles, 07 Sep 1779.
Bradford, Capt. William, 13 Mar 1776. R. I. Line.
Brewer, Major Samuel, 13 Mar 1776. 12th Mass. Line
Champion, Capt. Henry, 03 Mar 1779. 3d CT. Reg.
Chapman, James, 20 Mar 1776. k. 13 Sep 1776.
Chase,* Major Thomas, Mass. Line.
Clark,* Col. Joel,
Conn. Line. Taken prisoner,
Battle Long Island, 27 Aug 1776. Died a prisoner.
Coit,* Capt. William, CT. Line.
Cole,* Lieut. John,
CT. Line.
Cotton, Daniel,
13 Mar 1776, CT. Line.
Craig, Capt. Samuel L., 09 Sep 1779, Pa. Line. [served
six years in the Continental Line from Pennsylvania, and after
the close of the war settled in Green County, TN.]
Crane, Major John, 20 Mar 1776. Mass. Line.
Curtis, Lieut. Giles,
20 Jul 1780. CT. Line.
Davis, Joshua,
02 Apr 1776. Mass. Line.
Dickinson, Jacob,
27 Feb 1776. CT. Line.
Ensworth, Dr. Jedediah, 05 Jun 1782. 5th CT. Reg.
Evans, Rev. Dr., T. E., 21 Apr 1779.
Fernold, 16 Sep 1779.
Fitch, Capt. Andrew, 07 May 1779. 4th CT. Reg.
Gore, Lieut. Nathaniel. 1776. Date not given.
Grosvenor, Col. Thomas, 03 Mar 1779.
Hart,* Capt. Joseph, Conn. Line.
Heart,* Major Jonathan. Conn. Line.
Higgins, William,
07 May 1779. 3rd CT. Reg.
Hoge, 05 Jun 1782.
Hoit,* Capt. Joseph.
Holdridge, Capt. Hezekiah, 11 Feb 1176. CT. Line.
Hopkins, John,
02 Apr 1776. Mass. Line.
Hughes, Lieut. John, 09 Sep 1779.
Hull, Capt. William,
13 Mar 1776. CT. Line.
Humphrey[s], Elijah, 07 May 1779. CT. Line.
Huntington, Lieut. Eben., 13 Mar 1776. CT. Line.
Judson, Lieut. David, 07 May 1779. 3d CT. Reg.
Keyes, Lieut. Stephen, 05 Mar 1776. CT. Reg.
Little, William, 07 Apr 1779.
Loomis, Lieut. Lib[b]eus, 05 Jun 1782. Adj., 1st CT.
Reg.
McGard,* John Pierce D. P., 16 Sep 1779.
Mather, Samuel,
13 Mar 1776. CT. Line.
Mix, Lieut. John,
31 Mar 1779. 2d CT. Reg.
Newins, Lieut. David, 13 Mar 1776. CT. Line.
Parks,* Col. John,
Delaware Line.
Parks, Capt. Warham, 20 Mar 1776. CT. Line.
Parsons, Lieut. Jabez, 29 Jul 1780. 2d CT. Reg.
Parsons, Samuel H., 27 Feb 1776. CT. Line.
Parkins, Capt. Eben, 07 Apr 1779.
Pride, Lieut. Reuben, 07 May 1779.
Putnam, Col. Rufus, 09 Sep 1779.
Richards, Lieut. William, 21 Apr 1779.
Russell, Lieut. Cornelius, 29 Jul 1780. CT. Line.
Scott, Capt. Ezekiel or Ely, 27 Feb 1776.
Sergeant, Major Winthrop, 13 Mar 1776. Mass. Line.
[Sargeant / Sargent]
Sewell, 16 Sep 1779.
Sill, Capt. David I.,
07 Apr 1779. CT. Line.
Simpson, Surgeon John, 26 Jul 1779. 5th CT. Reg.
Skinner, Doctor Elisha, 16 Sep 1779. 5th CT. Reg. In
the records in 1782, he was again given the three degrees.
Quoting the record of 18 Apr 1782: A Lodge opened. Dr. Elisha
Skinner of the 5th Connecticut Regiment who had stood on the
Minutes of this Lodge was again proposed, balloted for,
accepted, and made an Entered Apprentice."
Smith, Major David, 29 Jul 1780. CT. Line.
Stillwill, Capt. Elias,
21 Apr 1779. [Stillwell?}
Tiffany, Lieut. Isaac, 05 Jun 1782. 5th CT. Reg.
Trotter, Adjutant John. Date not given.
Waldo, Doctor Albigens, 07 Apr 1779. [Albigence]
Warner, Capt. Robert, 31 Mar 1779.
Watrous, Surg. John B., 31 Mar 1779, 3rd CT. Reg. [Dr.
John R. Watrous]
Whiting, Adjutant Charles, 07 Sep 1779. CT. Line.
Whiting, Timothy, 07 Sep 1779.
Whitney, Henry,
21 Feb 1776. CT. Line.
Whittlesey, Lieut. Charles, 21 Feb 1776. CT. Line.
Williams, Otho H.,
13 Mar 1776. VA. Line.
prisoner 13 Sep 1776.
Williams, Lieut. Samuel, 07 Sep 1779. CT. Line.
Williams, Col. William, 07 Sep 1779.
Wilson, Capt. William, 07 Sep 1779. Pa. Line.
Worthington, Asa,
27 Mar 1780. CT. Line.
Wyllys, Capt. John Paulsgrave, 02 Apr 1776. CT. Line.
Prisoner, 13 Sep 1776.
Wyllys, Col. Samuel, 21 Feb 1776. CT. Line.
Note: Colonel William Stacey as a soldier in the Massachusetts line, attained rank as a Lieut. Colonel. He was captured by a band
of Indians and Tories [at Cherry Valley - 1778], and for four years was as held a prisoner. It is said that on one occasion he was
saved from torture at the stake, due to the intervention of a Mason among his enemies, the famous Brant, who had recognized a
signal given in desperation by Stacey. In 1789 Col. Stacey moved to Marietta. Here he attended the construction and strengthening
of the fortifications at the "Point," an area bounded by Front and Butler Sts. and the Ohio and Muskingum rivers. A son of his was
5

killed in the Big Bottom Massacre, 2 Jan 1791, and another son, captured at this massacre died a prisoner. Brother Stacey
became a member of American Union Lodge as reorganized in 1790, and when in Marietta was a regular attendant. He died in
Marietta in 1804.
The records as thus compiled show the following number of persons having received degrees in this or other Lodges and
recognized as regular members.
Entered Apprentice............................... 29
Fellow Craft.......................................... 20
Master Masons..................................... 75
------
Total in service during the war........... 124
Names Proposed for Initiation But Not Voted Upon Robert Allen, Nathaniel Cranch, Lieut. Levi Dodge, Capt. Edward Eells, Capt.
Elisha Ely, Lieut. Charles Fanning, Otho Holland, John Hubbard, James Knowles, Dr. Mathie, Lieut. Sylvanus Perry, Eben Putnam,
Lieut. Elijah Ransom, Capt. David Strong, Isaac Stutson, Lieut. Joshua Whitney, Nathan Whittlesey.
On March 17, 1779, Capt. Edward Archibald for unmasonic conduct was relieved of Lodge membership.
In view of irregularities in the degree of care in making up these early records, it will not be at all strange if the proceeding list is not,
as a result, somewhat imperfect. Many names have appeared in the records that could not be identified with membership of
Brethren who were present at certain special sessions, such as St. John's Days for instance who were otherwise rarely present.
Should the reader discover errors in the preceding make-up of names, the Secretary of American Union Lodge would much
appreciate the favor if his attention were called to the same.
A list of the Officers of American Union Lodge during the Revolutionary Period, and the dates of their election, is a matter of
importance. It is herewith given as based on the same, records as the ones which furnished the source of the membership list.
Name and Positions Place and Date of Meeting
Joel Clark, Master
Waterman's Tavern,
John Parks, Senior Warden Roxbury, MA, 13 Feb 1776
Thomas Chase, Junior Warden
S. H. Parsons, Treasurer
Jonathan Heart, Secretary
Joel Clark, Master
Waterman's Tavern,
John Parks, Senior Warden Roxbury, MA, 20 Jun 1776
Samuel Wyllys, Junior Warden
John Crane, Treasurer
Jonathan Heart, Secretary
Eben Huntington, Senior Deacon
Winthrop Sergeant, Junior Deacon
Stevens and Keys, Stewards
Samuel, Parsons, Master Mrs. Sanfords,
Jonathan Heart, Senior Warden Reading, CT,
Elisha Marshall, Junior Warden Feb.15, 1779
Isaac Sherman, Treasurer
William Judd, Secretary
Charles Peck, Tyler
Names and Positions Place and Date of Meetings
Jonathan Heart, Master
Beverly Robinson House,
Samuel H. Parsons, Senior Warden Nelson's Point,
Samuel Wyllys, Junior Warden Opposite West Point,
Simeon Belding, Treasurer New York,
Thomas Grosvenor, Secretary June 24, 1779
William Redfield, Senior Steward
William Little, Junior Steward
Daniel Whitney, Tyler
Jonathan Heart, Master
Colonel Gray's Quarters,
Richard Sill, Senior Warden Morristown, NJ,
Robert Warner, Junior Warden Dec.15, 1779
William Richards, Treasurer
J. B. Watrous, Secretary
Thomas Grosvenor, Senior Deacon
Henry Champion, Junior Deacon
Jonathan Heart, Master
Robinson House,
Richard Sill, Senior Warden Nelson's Point, NY,
William Little, Junior Warden July 20, 1780
Simeon Belding, Treasurer
John Simpson, Secretary
Thomas Grosvenor, Senior Deacon
Noah Coleman, Junior Deacon
Jonathan Heart, Master
Connecticut Hutt
Robert Warner, Senior Warden March 25, 1782
David Judson, Junior Warden
William Richards, Treasurer
John Simpson, Secretary
Eben Gray, Senior Deacon
David Smith, Junior Deacon
Jonathan Heart, Master June 20, 1782
Robert Warner, Senior Warden
David Judson, Junior Warden
William Richards, Treasurer
John Simpson, Secretary
J. R. Watrous, Senior Deacon
William Higgins, Junior Deacon
The Sons of the American Revolution: New York State Society, 1893-94
http://books.google.com/books?id=uyoKAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA189&dq=%22simeon+avery%22&hl=en&sa=X&ei=Sn8CT53iDsnt0gGpn
8G4Cw&ved=0CF0Q6AEwBQ#v=onepage&q=%22simeon%20avery%22&f=false
Simeon Avery b. in Groton, CT, 20 Oct 1752; d. there 1 Aug 1796; m1. 15 Jul 1777 Lucy Swan; m2. Elizabeth Billings 12 Feb 1795.
He was successively Ensign, Second Lieutenant, First Lieutenant and Adjutant in Col. Jedediah Huntington's regiment, Connecticut
militia; participated in battles of Germantown, Monmouth and Stony Point, and wintered at Valley Forge. Two brothers were killed
and one desperately wounded at the massacre of Fort Griswold. Their father, the Rev. Park[e] Avery, was pastor of a church in
Groton, and every male member of his congregation was either killed or wounded in that battle.
-----
6

-----
< Samuel Barker (1739-1807) commanded a company in the 6th regiment, Connecticut
Continental Line, 1777. He was born in Branford, CT; died in Tinmouth, VT.
http://homepages.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~showe/BarkerFamily.html
Samuel Barker (William 3 , William 2 , Edward 1 ), b. 6 Aug 1739; d. 5 Nov 1807; son of
William Barker and Abigail Frisbie, m. 27 Nov 1760, Lucy Leete, d/o Samuel Leete and
Hannah Graves. Captain Samuel BARKER commanded a company in 6th Connecticut
Continental Regiment, retired by consolidation 1778, in 1779 commanded the gunboat
"New Defense" on the Sound. He was a member of the General Assembly in 1779.
About 1793, Samuel BARKER came to Vermont and lived in Tinmouth, Rutland County.
Samuel was given 300 acres in Poultney, VT, for his Revolutionary War service. Samuel
is buried in Sawyer Cemetery, Tinmouth, VT. He was a member of American Union
Lodge No. 27 Mar 1780.
Children, born at Branford, CT:
i. Mary BARKER 1762
ii. Sabina BARKER 1764
iii. Eustace BARKER 1766
iv. Lucy BARKER b. 1769, m.1800 Oliver Church, New Marlboro, MA / Westhaven,
MA.
v. Pitman BARKER 5 Jul 1772-1832
vi. Erastus BARKER 1764-19 Apr 1826. Listed as Esq. was Sheriff of Rutland Co.
Erastus is buried in the Tinmouth Cemetery. He married Mabel THOMPSON 17 Feb
1764-14 Nov 1838.
Lieut. Simeon Belding, Quartermaster, Col. Samuel Wyllys’ Regiment - 1776] [Treasurer]; retired 15 Nov 1781.
http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=rbg531&id=I01871
Simeon Belding b. 24 Feb 1736/37 in Wethersfield , Hartford, CT; d. 29 Oct 1820, son of Thomas Belding (9 Sep 1700-13 Apr 1761)
and Mary Mix (24 Mar 1700-14 Apr 1742); m. 3 Nov 1765 Martha Lockwood, b. 28 Sep 1743. Simeon graduated at Yale, 1762.
Note: Thomas Belding married second, Ruth Wyllys (22 Feb 1705-) as her second husband. She was the sister of Col. Samuel
Wyllys [q.v. - below].
Children:
1. Simeon BELDING b: 03 Oct 1767 in Wethersfield Twp, Hartford, Connecticut
2. Simeon BELDING b: 27 Apr 1769 in Wethersfield Twp, Hartford, Connecticut
3. Charlotte BELDING b: 24 Dec 1770 in Wethersfield Twp, Hartford, Connecticut
4. Martha BELDING b: 01 Dec 1772 in Wethersfield Twp, Hartford, Connecticut
5. James Lockwood BELDING b: 15 Oct 1774 in Wethersfield Twp, Hartford, Connecticut
6. Joseph BELDING b: 29 Dec 1776 in Wethersfield Twp, Hartford, Connecticut
7. Mary Mix BELDING b: 09 Aug 1783 in Wethersfield Twp, Hartford, Connecticut
8. Mehitable BELDING b: 09 Aug 1783
-----
The Frontiersmen of New York: showing customs of the Indians, vicissitudes ..., by Jeptha Root Simms
http://books.google.com/books?pg=PA567&dq=%22forlorn+hope%22+%22betts&ei=e979Tt7SAqLW0QHuuvS0Ag&id=ZxobAAAAY
AAJ&output=text
Capt. Stephen Betts
Capt. Betts was b. 15 Jul 1756 at Wilton, Fairfield, CT, d. 28 Oct 1832; bur. Church Hill
Cemetery, New Canaan, Fairfield, CT; son of Isaac Betts and Elizabeth Griffith; m. 4 Jan
1784 Ruth Church (1760-1835). At the age of eighteen he enlisted in Col. Charles Webb's
regiment made up for the most part of Stamford men.“ He it was who resisted Tyron's 2,000
men at the Battle of Norwalk, CT, 12 Jul 1779. He took the Oath of Allegiance at Valley
Forge “in the spring of '78 before that encampment was broke, and who undoubtedly were
members of the army actually in camp at Valley Forge the ever memorable winter of '77-'78.”
During the siege of Yorktown by the American and French armies, two strong redoubts of
the enemy were carried; the one on the bank of the river by American light infantry under
Gen. Lafayette, and the other by French grenadiers under the Baron de Viomenil. To divide
the attention of the enemy while the redoubts were being stormed, Col. Laurens, who had
recently returned from a foreign embassy, was required, as his first military duty, to select
two trusty Captains, each with 40 chosen men from Scammel's corps of infantry (10 from a
company), and march in between the redoubts. Captain Williams, of the Massachusetts line,
and [Stephen] Betts, of the Connecticut, were the two officers chosen for this honorable
task. A heavy fire was opened from both redoubts and the army in front upon the troops
under Laurens; but it was illy directed, and soon silenced after an entrance was forced by
the forlorn hope; and what is surprising, not one of Laurens' command was either killed or
wounded. Opposition had nearly ceased when Laurens and his men entered the redoubt
7

carried by the American infantry. Charles Miller, an Irish Lieutenant, and the bringer up of the fourth platoon under Williams, was a
very large man, and could not enter the passage forced. Said he to his comrades: "My lads, take me on your bayonets and toss me
in!)" Said [Stephen] Betts to Williams, as Britain's flag gave place to the stripes of liberty: "This is the 13th engagement I have
been in during the war, and this is the best of them all." Those redoubts were carried on the 14th of October.— Capt. Williams.
[note: Capt. Betts was slightly wounded in this engagement]
-----
ALR Transactions, Vol. III, No. 1, page 107
Andrew Billings, a distinguished patriot and expert silversmith, was long a resident of Poughkeepsie, NY. By trade he was a
silversmith, die sinker and engraver. In 1778, New York in the Revolution inform us, “To cash advanced in Specie to Andrew
Billings, Esq., towards making a great Seal for the State – as per receipt 16 pounds,” and the Bagle History of Poughkeepsie states,
“Letters preserved in various collections show that Billings made silver cups and did other work for General Washington, Lord
Sterling and other prominent Revolutionary leaders.”
In 1775 he raised a company of recruits and was directed to put himself under the command of Colonel Clinton. American Archives
relates that “Capt. Andrew Billings, the eldest Captain in this Regiment [3rd Regiment of New York], had done duty as Major for
several months past – served as a Captain in the last campaign with the reputation of a good officer, is recommended to fill this
vacancy [Major of the 3rd Ref.].” Later in 1776 he withdrew from the army but was active in connection with the Council of Safety.
His duties in this connection placed on him the very unpleasant duty of sending the Rev. John Beardsley to New York as a
“suspect.” He and Peter Tappan had endeavored to have the severity of the orders mitigated – family connections being a strong
factor in favor of the rector.
Major Billings was one of the officers to whom General Washington, as the army was about to disband, presented a lock of his hair
as a memento of their association. This lock of hair is now in possession of the Grand Lodge, F&AM, of the State of New York.
The records of Christ Church in Poughkeepsie reveal that he was a pew holder, also classed as the head of a family, and under
date of 21 Dec 1782 is the entry: “The Vestry resolved that the thanks of this corporation be presented to Major Andrew Billings for
the elegant Time-piece he has presented to our Church,” and finally records his passing in April 1808.
He is not rated high as an engraver. Few signed examples of his work are known. Our New York Masonic Library owns a Masonic
certificate with his signature. In civil life he served the village of Poughkeepsie as trustee, and in 1803 as its president.
Bro. Billings was initiated in American Union Lodge, 24 Jun 1776, later affiliating with Solomon Lodge of Poughkeepsie, of which in
1801 he became Master.
Major Billings was present at the battle of Quebec and was by the side of Gen. Montgomery when he fell. He lived in a house on the
northeast corner of Academy and Cannon Streets, and long held pew in Christ Church for his wife, Cornelia Livingston*, and her
uncle, Gilbert Livingston. {ref. The Records of Christ Church, Poughkeepsie, New York: History 1755-1910].
* Cornelia Livingston was a daughter of James Livingston and Judith Newcomb. James was son of Gilbert Livingston and Cornelia
Beekman, and a grandson of Robert Livingston (1654-1728), first lodge of the Manor of Livingston, and Alida Schuyler, d/o of Capt.
Philip Pietersen Schuyler.
On St. John the Evangelist's Day, Friday, December 27, 1782, Washington attended a meeting of Solomon's Lodge, No. 1, at
Poughkeepsie, New York, of which Major Andrew Billings, a warm friend, was the Master.
By permission of Most Worshipful Grand Master Crandall, of New York, we have here the original minute hook of that Lodge.*
It shows that there were only ten members and three visitors present, the first of the latter being "Bror George Washington Comdr in
Chief." "The Lodge closed till after Dinner, when the following Address was presented to his Excellency Bror Washington."
At this point, unfortunately, the Secretary, after writing only a few lines, suspended copying in the address, and, leaving almost a
page, finished up his minutes, the Lodge closing until Wednesday following.
In the frame is a lock of Washington's hair, which Washington had sent to Major Billings, in June, 1783, and also a portrait of
Washington, which the Major pronounced "the best I have seen."
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~silversmiths/makers/silversmiths/32492.htm
Andrew Billings, b. 25 Nov 1743, Stonington, CT; d. 28 Apr 1808, Poughkeepsie, NY; m. Cornelia Livingston in Aug 1778
He worked in 1780 as a silversmith in Preston, CT
He worked from circa 1800 to 1805 as a silversmith in Fishkill, NY
Fishkill NY, Sep 1805: a notice appeared that Henry Sadd and Elijah Morgan, Jr. had taken over shop of Andrew Billings.
He worked from 1805 to 1808 as a silversmith in Poughkeepsie, NY.
Andrew’s silversmith mark
8

-----
http://homepages.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~decann/genealogy/master/b123.htm#P41002
Col. Gamaliel Bradford was born on 2 Sep 1731 in Duxbury, Plymouth, MA. He served in the military during the Revolutionary War
in the 14th Massachusetts Continental Regiment in 1777. He also served earlier in the Old French War under Shirley and Pepperell.
He retired in 1781. He died on 4 Jan 1807 at the age of 75 in Duxbury, Plymouth, MA. Gamaliel was buried on 9 Jan 1807.
Parents: Hon. Gamaliel Bradford and Abigail Bartlett.
Spouse: Sarah Alden, d/o Samuel Alden (David , John ) and Sarah Sprague. Sarah Alden and Col. Gamaliel Bradford were married
on 10 March 1757 in Duxbury, Plymouth County, Massachusetts. Children were: Perez Bradford, Sophia Bradford, Gamaliel
Bradford, Alden Bradford, Sarah Bradford, Jerusha Bradford, Daniel Bradford, Gershom Bradford.
Spouse: Mary Tuliston. Mary Tuliston and Col. Gamaliel Bradford were married on 24 November 1790 in Duxbury, Plymouth
County, Massachusetts. They lived in Duxbury, Plymouth County, Massachusetts.
Gamaliel, like his father, Hon. Gamaliel Bradford, he was a man of eminence and worth in his town, serving it in various capacities,
and was intrusted with its highest honors. During the period of 1756-58 he commanded a company, and in 1775 held the rank of
Major. As a magistrate of the county, he was one of those who presented an address to Gen. Gage, for which act he afterward
asked the forgiveness of the town, and signed a recantation of sentiments. 1 Jan 1777, he was commissioned Colonel of the 14th
Continental Regiment which he commanded until the close of the war. He was also Colonel of militia, and for some years the
representative of the town. Col. Gamaliel m. 10 Mar 1757, Sarah Alden.
Children:
Perez, b. 14 Nov. 1758; m. Judith Cooper, and had Samuel and Judith, who m. a Huntington.
Sophia, b. 16 Nov. 1761; d. 2 Feb. 1855.
Gamaliel, b. 04 Nov. 1763
Alden, b. 19 Nov. 1765.
Sarah, b. 24 Feb. 1768; m. Wm. Hinckley.
Jerusha, b. 30 Jan. 1770; m. Ezra Weston.
Daniel, b. 27 Dec. 1771; m. Sarah Drew.
Gershom, b. 03 Feb. 1774; m. Sarah Hinckley, and d. 8 Aug. 1844.
http://www.famousamericans.net/gamalielbradford/
Gamaliel Bradford, revolutionary soldier, born in Duxbury, MA, 2 Sep 1731; died there, 9 Jan 1807. He was a descendant of
Governor William Bradford and son of Judge Gamaliel Bradford, who was a councilor under Govs. Bernard and Hutchinson, and
who died 24 Apr 1778, aged 73 years. The son served in the French war as captain and rose to the rank of major. During the
revolutionary war he commanded the 14th Massachusetts regiment of continentals. After the war he was a member of the
legislature and a judge.--His son, Alden, author, born in Duxbury, MA, 19 Nov 1765; died in Boston, MA, 26 Oct 1843. He was
graduated at Harvard in 1786, and was a tutor in the College in 1791-93, then pastor of the Congregational church in Wiscasset,
Maine, till 1801, afterward for some time clerk of the Supreme Court of Massachusetts, next a bookseller in Boston, and then, from
1812 to 1824, he held the office of secretary of state for the commonwealth, and in 1826 edited the Boston "Gazette." He was the
author of "Eulogy on Washington" (1804); "On the Death of General Knox" (1806); "Life of C. Strong" (1820);" History of
Massachusetts from 1764 till 1789," subsequently continued down to 1820 (Boston, 1822-'9); "Life of Jonathan May-hew" (1838);
"History of the Federal Government" (Boston, 1840); " Biographical Notices of Distinguished Men of Massachusetts" (1842); "New
England Chronology, 1497-1800" (1843); and accounts of Wiscasset and Duxbury.--His great-grandson, Gamaliel, political writer,
born in Boston, 15 Jan 1831, was graduated at Harvard in 1849. He is the principal advocate for the admission of cabinet officers to
a seat and a voice in congress, without the right of voting.
-----
William Bradford, (1752-1811), was lieutenant of Continental Infantry, 1776. He served as aide to Major General Charles Lee, and
as major of Sherburne's regiment, 1777.
When Major General Charles Lee was captured 13 Dec 1776 at Widow White’s Tavern, Basking Ridge, NJ, by [Bro.] Banstre
Tarleton, Capt. William Bradford [of Rhode Island] gives an account of the capture as follows:
http://books.google.com/books?id=Y8clK994H0QC&pg=PA147&dq=%22lee%22+%22william+bradford%22+%22white+tavern%22&
hl=en&sa=X&ei=yzwHT9H4H8jt0gHS5ZW1Ag&ved=0CEQQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=%22lee%22%20%22william%20bradford%22
%20%22white%20tavern%22&f=false
Gen. Lee had “dressed and sent for his horses, was ready to mount, and would have been gone in five or ten minutes when, about
10 o’clock,” the British raiding party suddenly appeared. “About fifty horse . . . came on the house from the wood and orchard at
once and, surrounding, fired upon it.”
“The General [saw] then that they must submit, and after walking the chamber perhaps ten or fifteen minutes” told Bradford “to go
down and tell them General Lee submitted.” Bradford “went to the door and, on opening it, a whole volley of shot came in the door.”
He “spoke loud and opened again and delivered his orders.
“General Lee came forward and surrendered himself a prisoner of war, saying he trusted they would use him like a gentleman. Of
this one of them gave assurance and ordered him instantly to mount.”
Looking disheveled as usual, and shivering against the could morning, Lee asked for his hat and cloak. The British granted the
request and Captain Bradford, sensing an opportunity to escape capture, volunteered to get them. Inside the house he quickly threw
off his uniform coat and put on a servant’s garment luckily at hand. He hurried back and found to his relief that the British “did not
9

know him from a servant.” After handing over Lee’s hat and cloak, Bradford “escaped back into the house.” The cavalrymen
“immediately rode back in triumph with the General,” leaving Bradford at liberty.
-----
Samuel Brewer, a native of Framington, MA (brother of Cols. Jonathan and David Brewer), but then living in Rutland, enlisted in the
eight months' service, was appointed adjutant-general of the troops in Roxbury under General Thomas. He was wounded at Bunker
Hill, 17 Jun. In 1776 he raised and commanded a regiment which served at Ticonderoga. He, with his regiment, was in the
campaign of 1777, which ended with the defeat of Burgoyne.
Samuel Brewer enlisted at an early age in the Provincial Army, and was Adjutant General under General Thomas at the Battle of
Bunker Hill, where he was severely wounded. In 1776 he raised the 12th Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteers, of which he was
commissioned Colonel, 1 Jan 1777. This regiment formed part of Gen. Nixon's Brigade, and was in service at Ticonderoga; in the
battle of Stillwater, and afterwards until sometime in 1778, was at Albany, part of Gen. Patterson's Brigade.
Samuel Brewer, b. 4 Nov 1716 in Framingham, Middlesex, MA; d. ca 1808, son of Jonathan Brewer and Arabella Goulding. He
married 41. Martha Bent; m. Martha Bent, b. 7 Mar 1719/20 in Framingham, Middlesex, MA, d/o John Bent and Hannah Rice.
Collections of the Massachusetts Historical Society
http://books.google.com/books?id=TBEQAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA116&dq=%22samuel+brewer%22+%22ticonderoga%22&hl=en&sa=X
&ei=QWsCT6L6KqrX0QH5go0-
&ved=0CEMQ6AEwADgU#v=onepage&q=%22samuel%20brewer%22%20%22ticonderoga%22&f=false
SAMUEL BREWER TO [Gen.] WILLIAM HEATH.
TICONDEROGA, 3d July, 1777.
HON Sir, — I receivd your letter; cannot now refer to ye date as I am not now with my papers. I sensably acknowledge your kind
favor. Shall very cherfully comply with you request, in sending you every extraordinary occurrence that may from time to time
happen in this camp, so far as shall come to my knowledge.
10

As to present news, can inform you that ye enemy's fleet arrivd in full view of us at 3 Mile Point the 30th of June, consisting of two
ships, one of 22 gun and one of 18 or 20, with 5 or 6 sloops, and as near as we can tell about 25 ruddows and gun boats. The same
day they landed a large number of men on 3 Mile Point, which were composed of Fraizer's infantry, Canadians, savages, &c, on ye
west. The next day, i. e. ye 1st ins*, 45 boats came up from Crown-point loaded deep with men, and landed on ye east side, where
they still remain in the woods. Ye 2nd inst. they took possession of my old fortris at Mount Hope, which is near the mill and block
house. They made several attempts upon Leu* He wit, with about 20 men. He having 2-2 pounders in the block house repulsd them
repeatedly: in the night following the Gen1 sent him orders to burn ye block house and mill and make his escape ye best way he
could, which he did yesterday morning after sunrise. Befor noon they attack our piquett in ye front of the French lines. Our piquet
gave way after a brave resistance, and retreated within the lines and brought off the killd and wounded; they ventured to persue our
men so close to the lines that one of our regiment had oppertunity of discharging two rounds on them, which with a few peices of
cannon loaded with grape they scampered away. In the afternoon they rallied again, as we (we had replacd our piquet) and made
the second attack, but without effect; our piquet stood their ground. At the writing of this they are imbodied about a mile west of the
lines and appear to be about a thosand of them. One of the infantry pushing so hard to kill one of our men (which hed) but was
made a prisoner in an instant. 2 Waldeckers deserted to us yesterday, but am not able to give any account of what intellegeance
they bring, as I am so much unwell I have not been able to go to Head Quarters since they were taken; nothing has been done this
day on either side but prepare for action. Our numbers are few but in high spirit, and seem determined to conquer or die: our men
are very helthy, thank God. Hope in my next to be able to give you a good account of those fellows that now present themselves to
our view. Sr, excuse my freedom, as the post is now waiting for this. I beg leave to subscribe my self
Your Honour's much obligd, humbl servt.
To which Gen. Heath replied:
WILLIAM HEATH TO SAMUEL BREWER.
SAML BREWER.
HEAD QUARTERS, BOSTON, July 21st, 1777.
DEAR SIR, — Your favor of the 3rd instant duly came to hand. I thank you for the particulars contained therein. I am sorry that you as
well as we were disapointed in having so good an account of the enemy as by your letter you were in hopes of giving us. I must
request to hear from you again and in as particular a manner as your situation will admit. The people are exceeding agitated on
account of the evacuation of Tyconderoga. We have not as yet obtained the particular reasons of it. I would also request that you
would obtain and send me the true state of the army as to its numbers; mention in particular the strength of each regiment from this
State, just observing that such a regt including officers consists of so many men. Request the other Colonels from this State to
assist you in this matter, as I am very anxious to know on several accounts. Both you and they shall have my hearty thanks for it. I
am sending on tents, camp kettles, pails, canteens, &, and almost all kinds of military stores with the utmost dispatch for your relief.
We have no special news here, save a packet has just arrived at Portsmouth from France with dispatches for Congress, said to be
of great moment, and that there is a greater prospect of an immediate rupture than ever has yet been. Our frigates lately took the
Fox frigate, which has since been retaken by the enemy. Present my regards to all friends, in particular to Colonels Bailey, Wesson,
Marshall, and Scammel, if they are with you. Francis, I am told, is no more. Please to distinguish in your letters how many
continental troops and how many militia compose your army, and let me request a letter by the first oppertunity. Your last I published
in the paper. It gave great satisfaction.
I am, dr Sir, yours sincerely.
-----
W. HEATH.
Col. John Brooks, b, 31 May 1752 Medford, MA; d. 2 Mar 1825; son of Caleb and Ruth (Albree) Brooks; m. Lucy Smith 1774.
Children:
Lucy, b. 16 Jun 1775;
Alexander Scammell, b. 19 Oct 1781;
John, b. 20 May 1783.
He served as Governor of Mass. from 1816-1822. Was a doctor in Reading, MA and was selected a Fellow of the Mass. Medical
Society, 18 Oct 1786.
Lieut. Colonel, of Col. Jackson's Mass. Regt.; from 1 Jan 1777 to 31 Dec 1779; commanding regiment on 19 Sep 1777.
Major, Col. Ebenezer Bridge's regt. of Minute-men; marched 19 Apr 1775; served 4 days; also, one of officers detailed for picket
guard 8 Jun 1775; also, Lieutenant Colonel Commandant, 7th regt.; from 1 Jan to 31 Dec 1780; also, acting Colonel, 7th regt.; at
West Point and German Hutts [sic], 26 Jan-25 May 25, 1781; reported on command at Boston; also on command in Massachusetts;
1 Jun to 15 Jun 1781; also, Oct-Nov 1781, at York Huts [sic]; reported commanding the brigade.
11

Col. John Brooks at the Surrender of Burgoyne [with hand on the cannon]
The National Portrait Gallery of Distinguished Americans, Vol. 2, by James Barton Longacre, American Academy of Fine Arts
http://books.google.com/books?id=kgUFAAAAYAAJ&pg=RA5-
PA27&dq=%22john+brooks%22+%22governor%22&hl=en&sa=X&ei=B5H8TruLCsrg0QGt0IGzDw&ved=0CDUQ6AEwAA#v=onepa
ge&q=%22john%20brooks%22%20%22governor%22&f=false
JOHN BROOKS.
GOVERNOR BROOKS was one of the most favorable specimens of a truly useful
character. He united the gentleman, the soldier, the civil magistrate, and the
citizen, in a most perfect harmony of all the qualities which give respectability to
public and private life.
He was born in the village of Medford, near Boston, in the year 1752. His family
had been established in this place from the earliest settlement of the country,
employed, from one generation to another, in the cultivation of the soil. The father
of Governor BROOKS was a respectable farmer; and he himself passed the early
part of his life in the usual occupations of village husbandry. The circumstances of
the family prevented his acquiring an academic education; but he attained, in the
town school of Medford, sufficient knowledge of the learned languages to enable
him to engage to advantage in the study of medicine,—the profession of his choice.
While at school in Medford, the celebrated Count Rumford, a native of the
neighboring town of Woburn, was his associate and friend; and the intimacy then
formed was kept up by correspondence, till the death of that distinguished
philosopher and friend of man.
Having completed his medical studies, he established himself in the practice of his
profession in the adjacent town of Reading, and there he was found at the
commencement of the revolutionary war. No part of the community engaged with
greater ardor in the cause of the country than the members of the medical
profession; a circumstance, no doubt, to be ascribed in part to the brilliant example
and commanding influence of Dr. Joseph Warren, the martyr of Bunker Hill. A
company of minute-men was raised in the town of Reading, and young BROOKS, a
stranger, just established in the town, and but 23 years of age, was chosen its
commander. He was indefatigable in drilling and disciplining the men, and prepared
himself for this duty by carefully observing the military trainings of the British
soldiery, in Boston.
The alarm of the approach of the British, on the nineteenth of April, was given in
advance along the tract of country through which they were to pass. Colonel Paul
Revere passed through Medford for this purpose, on his way to Concord and Lexington, on the night of the eighteenth, knocking at
every door, and rousing the inhabitants. In Reading the alarm was received from Medford; and Captain BROOKS' company was
12

immediately put in motion. After proceeding some distance on the morning of the nineteenth, he was ordered, by a superior officer,
to halt; but after a short delay, BROOKS took the responsibility of continuing his march towards Concord. Within a short distance of
that place he came up with the retreating army of the British, by a cross road which traversed the highway from Concord to Boston,
at a point where a bridge and causeway were thrown over a marsh. Captain BROOKS perceived, that on arriving at the causeway the
enemy would have to call in their flank guards. He accordingly took a position partly covered by a barn and stone wall, near the
road, and greatly annoyed the flying column of the British. After they had passed, he joined the other American forces in the pursuit
to Charlestown.
In the organization of the army, which immediately took place, BROOKS was appointed a major in Colonel Bridge's regiment. A
battalion from this regiment formed a part of the detachment under the command of Colonel Prescott, by which the heights of
Charlestown were fortified on the night of the 16th of June, 1775. Although Major BROOKS' own battalion was not ordered upon this
service, he himself obtained General Ward's assent to attach himself to Colonel Prescott's party. He was very active, during the
night, in assisting in the work of entrenchment, and, in company with Colonel Prescott, reconnoitered the enemy. They heard, on
their midnight rounds, by the water's side in Charlestown, the voice of the sentinels on board the British man-of-war, the Somerset,
proclaiming "all's well." As soon as it was made manifest in the morning, from the enemy's movements, that they were preparing to
cross over and attack the redoubt, Major BROOKS was dispatched by Colonel Prescott to Cambridge, to the general-in-chief, to make
known the condition of affairs, and the want of a reinforcement. He wished to take one of the artillery horses, for greater expedition.
This was opposed by Colonel Gridley, who was unwilling to risk the safety of the piece; and Major BROOKS was obliged to perform
his errand on foot, which he did with promptitude and success.
During the residue of the year 1775, Major BROOKS paid great attention to the discipline of his regiment, which was considered as a
model in the army. When the new organization of the troops, at the beginning of the year 1776, took place, he was attached to
Colonel Webb's regiment, of the Connecticut line. With this regiment he was detached to assist in throwing up the works on
Dorchester heights, by which the enemy were compelled to evacuate Boston. After the British retired from Boston, Major BROOKS
marched, with the greater part of Washington's army, to Long Island; and was actively concerned in the service on that station, and
in performing his duty in the skilful retreat which the army was compelled to make.
After the retreat of the army from Long Island, Washington took a position at the White Plains. His advanced guard occupied a hill,
about a mile in front of the main army. Colonel Webb's regiment formed a part of this advanced corps. The whole of the British army
moved against this position. Unable, of course, to maintain the conflict successfully against a force so overwhelming, the Americans,
nevertheless, made a brave and resolute stand. Major BROOKS' gallantry and conduct were conspicuous; and the regiment received
the particular thanks of Washington, in his general orders, not only for its firmness in battle, but for the perfect discipline and good
order evinced in the retreat. It is believed to be no injustice to the other officers of the regiment, to attribute to Major BROOKS a large
share of the credit which it acquired for its exact discipline and soldier-like conduct on this occasion.
This regiment was included in the division of the army which marched through New Jersey, under the command of General Lee, to
reinforce Washington, on the right bank of the Delaware. Major BROOKS bore his part in the hardships and dangers of this winter
campaign, and remained with the regiment till the term had expired for which the men had enlisted.
In the campaign of 1777 Major BROOKS was advanced to the rank of lieutenant-colonel, and attached to the 8th regiment of
Massachusetts troops, recruited principally by himself. Colonel M. Jackson of this regiment having been severely wounded in 1776,
the command in the field devolved principally upon Lieutenant Colonel BROOKS during the campaigns of 1777 and 1778, and till he
was promoted to the command of the 7th regiment, with the rank of colonel, on the death of Colonel Alden, in 1779.
In the spring of 1777, after the regiment was recruited, Lieutenant Colonel BROOKS was ordered to march to Albany and join the
northern army. On his arrival there, Fort Stanwix on the Mohawk was besieged by a portion of Burgoyne's army, then in the full
career of success. A division of the American army under General Arnold was ordered to the relief of the fort, and BROOKS'
command formed a part of the detachment. The route lay through a wilderness, for almost the whole distance of a hundred miles.
The march was performed with great rapidity; the object was accomplished, the siege raised, and the savage auxiliaries of the
British army dispersed.
This service having been performed, the detachment returned to the main army on the Hudson. Immediately afterwards, General
Gates advanced and stationed himself on Bemis' heights. General Burgoyne crossed the Hudson, and took up a position within two
miles of that of the American army, where he established and fortified his camp. On the ground between the two armies, on the 19th
of September and 7th of October, two of the severest battles of the revolutionary war were fought. On the 19th, Lieutenant-Colonel
BROOKS occupied the extreme left of the American line, and was engaged with the German troops. His regiment was the last to quit
the field, where it remained till near eleven o'clock at night. In the still more important and severely contested action of the 7th of
October, the regiment commanded by BROOKS was particularly conspicuous. He turned the right of the enemy's encampment, and
stormed the redoubt occupied by the Germans. Their commander, Colonel Breyman, was killed, and the works were gallantly
carried. Orders were given by Burgoyne to endeavor to retake them, but the attempt was not made; and Colonel BROOKS and his
regiment remained masters of the ground. In this important action, the influence of which on subsequent events was so decisive, it
is believed that Colonel BROOKS bore a part as distinguished as that of any officer of his rank engaged. He occupies a prominent
position in Colonel Trumbull's picture of the surrender of Burgoyne.
Immediately after this glorious event Lieutenant-Colonel BROOKS was ordered with his regiment to Pennsylvania, to join the army
under Washington. Soon after his arrival, the army took up its winter quarters at Valley Forge. Here Baron Steuben joined the army
as inspector general, and introduced his new system of military manoeuvres. Colonel BROOKS was designated by Washington to
assist the baron in bringing it into general use.
When the British army retreated from Philadelphia, in the spring of 1778, Washington left his encampment at Valley Forge and
marched on its rear. At Monmouth the two armies came in conflict; and Colonel BROOKS, as adjutant-general to General Lee,
performed a very conspicuous part in the events of that important day.
13

After the troops had again taken post on the banks of the Hudson, Colonel BROOKS was employed under Baron Steuben as
inspector of discipline, and rendered the most valuable services by introducing uniformity and order, under the new system, into the
ranks of the army. In these various duties he acquired the confidence of Washington, and established an enviable reputation, alike
for military science and the personal qualities of the brave officer. But the services which he rendered as a patriot citizen, at the time
the army was disbanded, were in no degree inferior to those which he had performed in the bloodiest fields of the war.
On the appearance of the Newburgh letters, Washington summoned the officers of the army together, and affectionately exhorted
them to withhold their countenance from the suggestions contained in those publications. After this address of the general, the
officers raised a committee to express their views of the subject, in the form of resolutions. Of this committee Colonel BROOKS was
an active member. The tone and purport of the resolutions reported by the committee, are well known to all who are acquainted with
the history of the American war. It would not be easy to overstate their importance, in preventing the army from being excited at this
crisis to rash and unpatriotic measures. We should do injustice to this part of the subject did we not relate an anecdote, preserved
by the late Chief Justice Parker of Massachusetts, in an interesting biographical sketch of Governor BROOKS; nor can we do it so
well, as in the words of the chief justice:—" On this occasion the commander-in-chief, to whom this was the most anxious moment in
his life, rode up to BROOKS, with intent to ascertain how the officers stood affected. Finding him, as he expected, to be sound, he
requested him to keep his officers in their quarters, to prevent them from attending the insurgent meeting. BROOKS replied, 'Sir, I
have anticipated your wishes, and my orders are given.' Washington, with tears in his eyes, took him by the hand and said, ' Colonel
BROOKS, this is just what I expected from you.'"
Colonel BROOKS, like most of his brethren in arms, retired in poverty from the service of his country. He immediately resumed the
practice of his laborious profession, in Medford and the neighboring towns. The kindness of his heart and the gentleness of his
manners procured him the love and confidence of all around him; and increased, if possible, the extraordinary reliance which was
placed in his professional skill.
The community, however, was not willing to release its claim on his public services. He was, immediately after the close of the war,
appointed major-general of the 3rd division of the Massachusetts militia. He was frequently chosen a representative to the general
court of the commonwealth. He was a delegate to the convention of 1788, by which the constitution of the United States was
adopted. To this happy frame of government he gave his hearty and intelligent support. He took part, on several occasions, in the
debates of the convention. His remarks are characterized by good sense and discrimination; and in pointing out the difference
between "a consolidation of the states" and " consolidation of the union," he evinced a forethought and sagacity indicative of the
sound practical statesman. He was for several years a senator for the county of Middlesex, and a member of the executive council.
On the visit of Washington to that part of the country, in 1789, General BROOKS had the satisfaction of passing his division of the
Massachusetts militia in review before the beloved and revered commander-in-chief. Their state of discipline attracted Washington's
especial notice; and he said to General BROOKS, "if we had had such men as these when I was here before, we should have made
short work of it." When the army of 1798 was organized, Washington designated General BROOKS for the command of a brigade; but
not thinking the dangers of the country to be such as required from him a second sacrifice of the comforts of domestic life, he
declined the appointment.
During the administration of Governor Strong, he was appointed adjutant-general of the commonwealth of Massachusetts; and on
his retirement from the chief magistracy, was called to the chair of state. This event took place shortly after the close of the War of
1812. Governor Brooks was happily calculated to cooperate in the work which then took place, of allaying party dissension. Before
the close of his administration, which was renewed for six successive terms, from 1816 to 1822, the state was brought to a good
degree of internal harmony; and mainly under the healing influence of his character.
He labored assiduously to discharge the duties of his office. His addresses to the legislature evince large and liberal views of the
policy of the state, united with a spirit of moderation and impartiality. It was impossible to bring less of the partisan to the
performance of official duty. But we cannot so effectually do justice to this part of his character, as by again borrowing the words of
Chief Justice Parker: — "He maintained the dignity of the office, and thereby honored the people who bestowed it; receiving all
distinguished strangers with becoming attention and courtesy. Though the style of his living was conformable to his limited means,
yet the order and regularity of his household, the real comfort of his entertainments, the polite deportment of the host, struck
strangers, even those accustomed to magnificence, as a happy specimen of republican simplicity, and of generous but economical
hospitality. Bred in the best school of manners—a military association of high-minded, accomplished officers—his deportment,
though grave and dignified like Washington's, was nevertheless warm and affectionate. On all ceremonious occasions, ceremony
seemed to become him better than any one else. In the chair of state, when receiving the gratulations of a happy people on the
birthday of their independence;—on the spacious common, paying honors to the president of the United States;—on the military
field, reviewing our national guard, the militia;—at his own humble but honored mansion, taking to his breast his early friend, 'the
nation's guest,' what young man of taste and feeling could be unmoved at his soldierly air, his graceful demeanor, covering, but not
impairing the generous feelings of a warm and affectionate heart! If the writer does not mistake, he was one of the last and best
samples of that old school of manners, which, though it has given way to the ease and convenience of modern times, will be
regretted by some, as having carried away with it many of the finest and most delicate traits of social intercourse."
After his voluntary retirement from the chair of state, Governor BROOKS still continued to serve the community in various important
capacities, and to manifest his sympathy in the public spirited objects which were presented for his approbation. He continued to his
death president of the Massachusetts medical society; of the Cincinnati; of the Washington monument society; and of the Bunker
Hill Monument Association. He received from the university at Cambridge, at different periods, the honorary degrees of Master of
Arts and Doctor of Laws, conferring on that ancient and venerable society, in thus becoming her adopted son, an honor not inferior
to that which he himself derived from these academic distinctions.
Returned to the shades of private life, he devoted himself to the cultivation of his farm;—to a wide course of scientific, political, and
various reading; and to a free and unceremonious intercourse with the circle of friends and neighbors of which he was the ornament
and boast. He reaped and enjoyed the harvest of a life of virtue, honor, and usefulness. He had retired from the public service with
14

his faculties unimpaired, and his name untarnished by the breath of reproach. Respected, honored, and beloved, his life at every
stage was passed with, perhaps, an unusual share of good fortune, yet not without trial.
He became in early life a widower, and remained so till his death. An only and beloved daughter died in a foreign land. A gallant
son,—beautiful and accomplished,—the heir of the manly graces and heroic patriotism of his father, was slain in the ever
memorable battle of Lake Erie.
Governor BROOKS was a Christian in the best sense of the word; — in heart, in principle, in action, penetrated with the influence of
the gospel. He paid, throughout life, undeviating respect to the sacred offices of religion, and died consoled with its hopes, in the
possession of his reason to the last.
On the 11th of February, 1825, he went abroad, perhaps for the last time, to attend the funeral of his revolutionary associate and
successor in the chief magistracy of Massachusetts, the late Governor Eustis; and died himself on the second of the next month, at
the age of 73; leaving an only surviving child, Lieutenant-Colonel Alexander Scanamel Brooks, of the army of the United States.
-----
http://www.maulefamily.com/fziphtml/i1638.htm
James Buxton b. 1745 Smithfield, RI; d. 1817 Smithfield, RI; bur. Buxton Cemetery, Smithfield, Rison of Benjamin Buxton (1715-
1781) and Charity Maule (ca 1712-); m. 6 Jun 1771, Smithfield, RI, Esther Southwick (5 Jun 1748, Mendon, MA - 1835), d/o
Jonathan Southwick and Hannah Osborn.
James fought in Revolutionary War, 11th Regt Continental Army, 1 Jan 1777 to 31 Dec 1779, also ensign (promoted to captain 16
Mar 1781) in Col. Ebenezer Francisco's regiment.
Owned land in Worcester Co., MA.
He received 300 acres of bounty land for Rev. War service.
James Buxton of Danvers, MA; 11th Regt. Continental Army; Lieut. Col. Benj. Lappin --pay accts. for services 1 Jan 1777 to 31 Dec
1779. Also Ensign in Col. Ebenezer Francisco's regt. Promoted Captain 16 Mar 1781.
Enlisted in the Revolutionary army as ensign on the Worcester Rolls 3rd. C. Mass Regt. 15th Regt, Capt. Noah Littlefield, Maj.
Andrew Peters, Lt. Col. Benjamin Tupper, Col. John Baily. He served on the Hudson under Gen. Lee and on 1 Jan 1781 he
received a Captain's commission, signed by Gov. John Hancock.
Siblings:
BUXTON John 05 Dec 1742 - 22 Apr 1837
BUXTON James 1745 - 1817
BUXTON Betsey ca 1748 -
BUXTON Esther ca 1753 -
Children by Esther Southwick:
BUXTON Jonathan Dec 1771 - 12 Jul 1870
BUXTON David 1775 - 1861
BUXTON Rufus 15 Sep 1778 - 23 Dec 1863
BUXTON Charity ca 1780 - Sep 1809
BUXTON Elizabeth 1784 - 22 May 1827
-----
BUXTON Otis 1785 - 1870
BUXTON Harriet ca 1787 -
BUXTON George ca 1789 -
BUXTON Jacob ca 1791 -
BUXTON Ruth 1793 - 1861
Major Thomas L. Byles, of Colonel Lambert Cadwallader's 3rd Pennsylvania Regiment, was another of the prisoners of Fort
Washington, captured 16 Nov 1776. He was Captain from 1 Aug 1776, to 8 Jun 1777, when he was promoted to Major. He was
exchanged 1 Mar 1778, and hastened to join his regiment at Valley Forge. Killed at Paramus, NJ, 16 Apr 1780.
-----
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Champion_(general)
General Henry Champion III b. 16 Mar 1751, Westchester, CT; d. 13 Jul 1836; son of Colonel
Henry Champion and Deborah Brainard. He is a descendant of the Henry Champion who
settled in Connecticut in 1647. He sailed to the colony from Norwich, Norfolk, England. He was
the eldest of 7 children born to Col. Champion. His brother General Epaphroditus Champion
was born in 1756 and also became a staunch Federalist.
On 10 Oct 1781, Henry married Abigail Tinker, daughter of Sylvanus and Abigail (Olmstead)
Tinker. Their family included four sons and four daughters, all born in Westchester:
Henry (1782-1823); m. Ruth Kimberly Robbins (1782-)
Aristarcus, twin (1784-1871); he died in Rochester, NY, unmarried
Aristobulus, twin (1784-1786); died young
Abigail
(1787-); m. General David Deming
Harriet
(1789-1823); m. Joseph Trumbull (1782-1861), governor of Connecticut
Maria
(1791-); m. Robert Watkinson
Elisa, twin (1797-); m. Elizur Goodrich
William, twin (1797-1798); died young
Henry Champion entered into service in the Continental Army at the Lexington Alarm. He served as Ensign for 22 days before being
promoted to 2nd Lieutenant of the Eighth Company, Second Regiment on April 26, 1775. In May, he became a 1st Lieutenant of the
same. He was one of the men who fought at Bunker Hill. January 1776 be was again promoted to Adjutant on the staff of Col.
Samuel Wyllys. One year later, he was Captain of the First Connecticut Line, remaining until the regiment was reorganized as the
Third. 15 Jul 1779, Captain Champion was detached from his old regiment and appointed Acting Major of the First Battalion Light
15

Brigade. The Light Brigade had been organized by General George Washington to attempt the capture of Stony Point on the
Hudson. The corps was composed of men picked from all regiments and under direct command of General Washington. Major
Champion continued his career in the army until the close of the Revolutionary War. He was a member of the Connecticut Society of
the Cincinnati.
After returning home to Westchester, Gen. Champion entered the life of politics. He was Deputy from Colchester to the Connecticut
Assembly in 1789, 1793 to 1798 and 1800-1805. From 1806 to 1817 he held the office of Assistant. From 1813-1828 he was a
deacon in a church in Westchester. General Champion always celebrated July 15 which he called Stony Point Day, in due and
ancient form at his famous old country seat in Westchester. He obtained a charter
for the Phoenix Bank of Hartford, because the State Bank had refused him the
accommodation of $2,000. "Well," said he, "if this bank can't accommodate me, I
will have one that can." He was largely interested in the Connecticut Land
Company to which he subscribed over $85,000, and the towns of Champion, NY,
and Champion, OH, are named in his honor.
-----
After his death, in 1836, the Champion Homestead was sold to the Loomis Family
and Henry's male line had died out in 1865.
The Henry Champion House was built by Colonel Henry Champion in the Colonial
Federal style. Today the Champion house still stands and is located on
Westchester Rd in Colchester, CT. It is listed on the National Register of Historic
Places. The house in now privately owned and not open to the public.
The Chapman Family: or The Descendants of Robert Chapman, by Frederick William Chapman
http://books.google.com/books?id=bO3i0L9qsmMC&pg=PA280&dq=%22james+chapman%22+%22revolutionary%22&hl=en&sa=X
&ei=uNL_TqWaB6b50gHd54CsCA&sqi=2&ved=0CEcQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=%22james%20chapman%22%20%22revolutionar
y%22&f=false
James Chapman [Jr.], b. 1720 in Connecticut, son of James Chapman, married a lady whose name is not known. He had one son,
and perhaps other children. He was a Captain in Col. Parson's Regt. of Connecticut in 1775; fought at Bunker Hill; participated in
siege of Boston. He was a major in the Revolutionary army. The following account is found in Miss Caulkins' New London, page
532. "Major James Chapman of Selden's regiment, Wadsworth's brigade, was a man of strength and stature beyond the common
standard, and as a soldier steady and brave. But what avail these qualities against the aim of the marksman, or the force of a
cannon-ball! He was slain in what was called the orchard fight, near Harlem, when the army was retreating from New York, 15 Sep
1776. His son James, a youth of only fifteen years of age, was with him when he fell," when the British invaded Manhattan Island,
and served till the end of the war
Child: James, born 23 Oct 1762.
-----
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=48309023
Lt. Col. Joel Clark, b. 1728; d. 19 Dec 1776; bur. Prison Ship Martyr’s Monument, Brooklyn, NY.
Joel Clark, Esq., was the first Master of American Union Lodge.
Major-8th Continental Infantry to December 1775
Lt. Col 17th Continental Infantry {Jedediah Huntington's Regiment}
Wounded/captured Long Island
-----
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moses_Cleaveland
Moses Cleaveland b. 29 Jan 1754, Canterbury, Windham, CT; d. There 16 Nov 1806; m. Esther Champion (1766-1840). He was a
lawyer, politician, soldier, and surveyor from Connecticut who founded Cleveland, Ohio, while surveying the Western Reserve in
1796. He studied law at Yale University, graduating in 1777. That same year, with the Revolutionary War in progress, he was
commissioned as an Ensign in the 2nd Connecticut Regiment of the Continental Army. In 1779 he was promoted to Captain of a
company of "sappers and miners" in the newly formed Corps of Engineers. He resigned from the army on 7 Jun 1781 and started a
legal practice in Canterbury. He took the Oath of Allegiance at Valley Forge “in the spring of '78 before that encampment was broke,
and who undoubtedly were members of the army actually in camp at Valley Forge the ever memorable winter of '77-'78.”
He was known as a very energetic person with high ability. In 1788, he was a member of the Connecticut convention that ratified the
United States Constitution. He was elected to the Connecticut General Assembly several times and in 1796 was commissioned
Brigadier General of militia. He was a shareholder in the Connecticut Land Company, which had purchased for $1,200,000 from the
state government of Connecticut the land in northeastern Ohio reserved to Connecticut by Congress, known at its first settlement as
New Connecticut, and in later times as the Western Reserve.
16

He was approached by the directors of the company in May 1796 and asked to
lead the survey of the tract and the location of purchases. He was also
responsible for the negotiations with the Indians living on the land. In June 1796,
he set out from Schenectady, NY. His party included fifty people including six
surveyors, a physician, a chaplain, a boatman, thirty-seven employees, a few
emigrants and two women who accompanied their husbands. Some journeyed by
land with the horses and cattle, while the main body went in boats up the
Mohawk, down the Oswego, along the shore of Lake Ontario, and up Niagara
River, carrying their boats over the long portage of seven miles at the falls.
At Buffalo a delegation of Mohawk and Seneca Indians opposed their entrance
into the Western Reserve, claiming it as their territory, but waived their rights on
the receipt of goods valued at $1,200. The expedition then coasted along the
shore of Lake Eire, and landed, on July 4, 1796, at the mouth of Conneaut Creek,
which they named Port Independence. The Indians were propitiated with gifts of
beads and whiskey, and allowed the surveys to proceed. General Cleaveland,
with a surveying party, coasted along the shore and on July 22, 1796, landed at
the mouth of the Cuyahoga River. He ascended the bank, and, beholding a
beautiful plain covered with a luxuriant forest-growth, divined that the spot where
he stood, with the river on the west and Lake Erie on the north, was a favorable
site for a city.
He accordingly had it surveyed into town lots, and the employees named the place Cleaveland, in honor of their chief. There were
but four settlers the first year, and, on account of the insalubrity of the locality, the growth was at first slow, reaching 150 inhabitants
only in 1820. Moses Cleaveland went home to Connecticut after the 1796 expedition and never returned to Ohio or the city that
bears his name. Today, a statue of him stands on Public Square in Cleveland.
The place called "Cleaveland" eventually became known as "Cleveland". One explanation as to why the spelling changed is that, in
1830, when the first newspaper, the Cleveland Advertiser, was established, the editor discovered that the head-line was too long for
the form, and accordingly left out the letter "a" in the first syllable of "Cleaveland", which spelling was at once adopted by the public.
An alternative explanation is that Cleaveland's surveying party misspelled the name of the future town on their original map.
-----
Captain William Coit
Collections of the Connecticut Historical Society, Volume 7, by Connecticut Historical Society
http://books.google.com/books?id=XvhlpZm7-
n0C&pg=PA1&dq=%22william+coit%22+%22connecticut%22&hl=en&sa=X&ei=0IwAT_aJHMHL0QGlwt2bAg&ved=0CDEQ6AEwA
A#v=onepage&q=%22william%20coit%22%20%22connecticut%22&f=false
ORDERLY BOOK
At Siege of Boston
of
CAPT. WILLIAM COIT
OF NEW LONDON
April 23 to August 7, 7775
WITH SKETCH OF CAPT. COIT
CAPTAIN WILLIAM COIT
By P. H. WOODWARD
John Coit (e), the emigrant ancestor of most of the Coit family in America, is found in 1638 at Salem, Mass., whence he moved to
Gloucester in 1644. He made one of the party that accompanied Rev. John Blinman from that seaport to New London, and to whom
the townsmen granted lands Oct. 19, 1650. He was a ship carpenter. The business descended to his son Joseph, who, with his
brother-in-law, Hugh Mould, built many "ships " ranging from twenty to one hundred tons. Daniel Coit, father of Capt. William, was
town clerk of New London from 1736 till his death in 1773, at the age of seventy-five, with the exception of a single year. He
married, second, Mehitable Hooker of Farmington, the mother of the subject of this sketch.
Capt. Wm. Coit was born in New London Nov. 26, 1742; graduated at Yale College in the class of 1761; studied law, and was
admitted to the bar, his certificate bearing the signature of Gov. Saltonstall. He was a selectman in 1771, and • in December, 1774,
was added to the local committee of correspondence raised the previous June. Early in 1775 he organized and drilled a military
company at New London, contributing generously from his own resources toward its equipment.
News of the fight at Lexington reached New London the night of April 20. A few hours later, Capt. Coit with a part of his command
was on the road, hurrying to the scene of action. The first leaf of the orderly book bears the legend "Campt at Cambridge, April 23d
A. D. 1775." It is probable that the detachment consisted of about twenty men and rode on horseback. Like hundreds of others from
Eastern Connecticut, they started under a sudden, tumultuous impulse. After a short stay, finding that hostilities were not likely to be
renewed by Gen. Gage in the near future, many of the minute-men, including the detachment from New London, returned home to
put their affairs in order for the serious work of war.
NOTE.— The writer is indebted to Miss M. E. S. Coit, granddaughter of Capt. Wm. Coit, for many facts contained in this sketch.
17

May 25, the company (the Fourth of the Sixth Connecticut Regiment, Col. Samuel Holden Parsons commanding) started for Boston,
marching via Norwich, Sterling, and Providence. Eight of the companies remained on duty at New London till June 17, when they
were ordered to Boston and posted at Roxbury.
No entries are made in the orderly book between April 26 and June 1.
Capt. Coit with his company marched from Cambridge to Bunker Hill while the battle was in progress, and aided the other troops
from Connecticut in covering the retreat of the provincials.
The last entry on the last page of the orderly book bears date "Roxbury 7th August, 1775," and at this point the record as preserved
breaks off abruptly.
On the 5th of October, 1775, the Continental Congress authorized Gen. Washington to employ two armed vessels to intercept
British store-ships, and before the close of the month made provisions for four additional cruisers. Acting under a broad construction
of his commission, the commander-in-chief had anticipated Congressional action.
Capt. Coit was detailed from the army to take command of the armed schooner "Harrison," one of the first to be got ready for
service. His instructions from Gen. Washington are dated Oct. 22, 1775, and are printed in this pamphlet. In brief, he is directed to
seize supply ships bound to or from Boston; to send prizes to the nearest and safest port; to search diligently for papers tending to
disclose the designs of the enemy; to treat prisoners kindly, allowing them to retain their money and apparel; to avoid any
engagement with any vessel of equal or slightly inferior strength, "the design of this enterprise being to intercept the supplies of the
enemy;" and to be extremely frugal of ammunition.
During the war no more daring service was performed than by the sailors of the nascent republic. King George regarded them as
pirates, while his cruisers seemed sufficiently numerous to seal up the ports of New England. In putting out to sea they took not
merely the ordinary risks of war, but, as they had reason to expect, of ignominious death in case of capture. Capt. Coit claimed to be
the first American "to turn His Majesty's bunting upside down."
In January, 1776, the Council of Safety of Connecticut authorized the construction by Uriah Hayden, at his yard in Saybrook, of a
war ship, "to be 80 feet keel, 27 feet beam, and 12 feet hold," and of about 260 tons. July 11 Wm. Coit was appointed captain of this
craft, which had been christened the "Oliver Cromwell." Being in Lebanon the same day, Capt. Coit was called before the Council,
when Gov. Trumbull with Homeric simplicity "gave him advice, instruction, and admonition as to his conduct, etc." ,
Early in August the masts were damaged by lightning; but on the 18th of the month she sailed out of the Connecticut River, and
reached New London the 20th. On the 23d of October the Council ordered her to sail on a cruise of about two months, but she was
not ready. Jan. 28, 1777, she was ordered to proceed to sea immediately, but the crew deserted. In March, Melally, the First
Lieutenant, was dismissed, and Capt. Coit reported that he would sail as soon as supplies were received. As the result of various
complications, however, he was retired from the State service April 14. Later he commanded the "America," and perhaps other
privateers.
When Benedict Arnold burned New London, Sept. 6, 1781, Capt. Coit was captured, and detained for a time on a prison ship near
New York.
Capt. Coit was tall, portly, soldierly in bearing, frank, jovial, somewhat eccentric, and very liberal. Among his peculiarities he wore a
scarlet cloak, and hence was familiarly known as "The Great Red Dragon." Dec. 18, 1763, Capt. Coit married Sarah, daughter of
Capt. John Prentiss, commander of the armed sloop "Defence," which convoyed five hundred Connecticut troops under Gen. Roger
Wolcott from New London to Cape Breton in 1745. He died in London, England, in February, 1747. They had eight children,— three
sons and five daughters; the latter celebrated for beauty. Samuel Waldo said that Esther (Mrs. Clapp) had the handsomest face he
ever painted.
The eldest, Sarah, born in 1764, married George Lillington of North Carolina, grandson of Col. Alexander Lillington of the British
Army. Gen. Lillington distinguished himself at the battle of Moore's Creek, N. C, where in February, 1776, about one thousand militia
routed over fifteen hundred Tories, composed in large part of Scotch Highlanders.
Esther, born Jan. 3, 1767, married Samuel Clapp in March, 1792. They lived under the shadow of Trinity Church, New York city, and
the remains of both rest in the adjoining cemetery.
Ann, born March 30, 1770, died March 30, 1792, on the day fixed for her marriage to the eldest son of Bishop Seabury.
Elizabeth, the youngest daughter, married Joseph Bocage, a French exile, to whom Louis Philippe paid a lengthy visit while in this
country. Mr. Bocage died in St. Lucia, where he owned a large estate. His widow died in Pine Bluff, Ark., at the residence of her
grandson, Hon. G. W. Bocage.
Of the sons, Daniel died at sea and Leonidas in childhood.
William, Jr., born Nov. 19, 1771, married in 1800 Frances Murdock, daughter of Rev. Jonathan Murdock (Yale College, 1766). He
sailed out of New York as master for twenty-six years. During the war of 1812, at the solicitation of Commodore Decatur, he took
command of the armed boats that watched the enemy from the mouth of the Thames. He advanced, too, a large sum to pay the
bounties demanded by the sailors who enlisted to man the fleet of Commodore O. H. Perry on Lake Erie. His vouchers were
destroyed by fire in 1818. As he had no duplicates, and as Commodores Perry and Decatur died in 1820, and the chaplain of the
squadron about the same time,— the only officers having knowledge of the facts,— no part of the money was ever refunded either
to him or to his heirs.
In 1797, Capt. Wm. Coit, Sr., broken in health, left New London to visit his daughter in North Carolina, where he died in 1802. His
dust rests in the family cemetery of the Lillingtons, on the banks of the Cape Fear river, thirty-five miles from Wilmington. His widow
died in New York city in 1813, and was buried in Trinity churchyard beside her daughter, Mrs. Clapp.
18

Both father and son made generous sacrifices for their country. No descendant of theirs has ever received pension or bounty land,
or asked for either.
Note: The Orderly Book of Capt. Coit’s Company in not herein transcribed as there is little personal reference to him in it.
-----
John Crane was Captain of Gridley's Regt. , Massachusetts Artillery, 3 May 1775 ; Major of Knox's Regt. Continental Artillery, 10
Dec 1775 ; wounded at Corlaer's Hook, 14 Sep 1776 ; Colonel Third Continental Artillery, 1 Jan 1777; transferred to corps of
Artillery, 17 Jun 1783; Brevet Brigadier General, 30 Sep 1783; served to 3 Nov 1783. He was a member of the Massachusetts
Society of the Cincinnati. He married 16 Dec 1766 Mehitable Wheeler, d/o of Samuel Wheeler and Mary How.
http://boston1775.blogspot.com/2006/11/john-cranes-wounded-foot.html
John Crane (1744-1805) was a house carpenter in Boston. In the early 1770s, he became a sergeant in the town's militia artillery
company. Like several other men in that company, he participated in the Boston Tea Party, reportedly being knocked cold by
accident and hidden in a pile of wood chips. Probably fearing arrest and seeking better business prospects, Crane and his friend
Ebenezer Stevens left Boston for Providence a few weeks later.
Crane returned to the Boston area in 1775 as a captain in the Rhode Island Artillery, stationed in Roxbury and then at a forward
position on Boston Neck. He showed such skill in commanding his battery and aiming his guns that by the end of the year he was
commissioned a major in the Continental Army's artillery regiment, much to Thomas Craft’s mortification.
In the 1820s, William Eustis cited Crane as an example of an excellent officer who came from the ranks of craftsmen, not gentry.
Eustis wrote:
After the evacuation of Boston, he marched to New York. Whenever a British ship of war appeared in the East, or North river, or any
firing was heard, Crane was on horseback, and galloped to the scene of action. Being reproached on an occasion when he exposed
himself alone, riding through Greenwich street, under the constant broadsides of a passing ship, he replied, “The shot is not cast
which is to kill me.”
Not long after, a frigate run up the East river, and anchored on the Long Island side, near Corlaer’s hook [14 Sep 1776]. Four field
pieces were ordered to annoy her. They were only six pounders. Crane, as usual, was present and pointed the pieces. His sight was
remarkably true, his aim was sure.
He had from habit and the acuteness of his vision, the faculty of seeing a cannon ball on its passage through the air. A falling shot
from the ship he kenned in a direction to strike, as he thought, the lower part of his body, not having time to change his position in
any other way, he whirled himself round on one foot, the ball struck the other foot while raised in the air, carrying away the great toe
and ball of the foot. Thus ended his usefulness for the campaign. He was afterwards removed to New Jersey, and surviving the
perils of a partial jaw lock, so far recovered as to go home on furlough.
He returned to service under Gen. Henry Knox and ended the war as a colonel. At that time, Crane was among the Continental
Army officers who were upset at Congress's slow pay—an effort that led them to create the Society of the Cincinnati. Crane also
indignantly refused a disability pension at that time, declaring, "No, sir; they never shall say that I eat their bread when I have done
serving them." He followed Knox and other artillery colleagues in becoming a landowner in the part of Massachusetts that became
Maine. Crane's businesses didn't flourish, however, and his wounded foot became disabling. He tearfully accepted a federal pension
a few months before he died.
-----
http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/a/i/t/James-Aitcheson/GENE1-0017.html
Dr Samuel Finley [Jr.]. (SAMUEL FINLEY 13 DD., LL.D., MICHAEL 12 FINLEY, ROBERT 11 , JOHN 10 , JAMES 9 , ANDREW 8 , JOHN 7
FINLAY, JOHN 6 , JOHN 5 , ANDREW 4 , WILLIAM 3 , ARCHIBALD FYNLAY 2 (FINLAY), FEARCHAR 1 MCFINLAY) b. 20 Oct 1748 in
Nottingham, Cecil, MD; d. 18 Jun 1834 in Salem Co., NJ; m. Nancy Moore 1778, d/o John Moore.
A.B., M.D., Princeton University [of which his father was President]; served as Surgeon in the 14th Massachusetts Regiment, 10 Apr
1778; the 7th Massachusetts Regiment, 1 Jan 1781 to 3 Jun 1783; entered the Regular U. S. Army, as Surgeon of 12th Infantry;
resigned 1 Apr 1800, taking up the practice of medicine in Salem Co., NJ.
Children:
i. WILLIAM FINLEY, b. WFT Est. 1769-1798; d. WFT Est. 1775-1877.
ii. NANCY FINLEY, b. WFT Est. 1769-1798; d. WFT Est. 1774-1880.
iii. SARAH FINLEY, b. WFT Est. 1769-1798; d. WFT Est. 1785-1880; m. ARGUBRIGHT.
iv. PRUDENCE FINLEY, b. WFT Est. 1769-1798; d. WFT Est. 1785-1880; m. YOUNG.
v. SAMUEL FINLEY, b. 10 Apr 1786, Cecil County, Maryland; d. 30 Jun 1862, Miss.
-----
Micajah Gleason, tavern keeper, b. 17 Oct 1740, Farmington, Middlesex, MA; d. 28 Oct 1776 , White Plains, NY; son of Ebenezer
Gleason, Sr. and Thankful Johnson; m. 1762 Hannah Drury daughter of Josiah Drury. He commanded a company of minute men at
the Lexington alarm which marched on the alarm of April 19, 1775, to Concord. He was captain of the Fourth Continental Infantry
1776 and died on the battlefield at White Plains. Hannah m2. Gen. John Nixon. In 1758 he served on an expedition to Cape Breton.
Children:
1.Betty GLEASON b. 2 Sep 1764 in Framingham, Middlesex, MA
2.Hannah GLEASON b. 5 Apr 1767 in Framingham, Middlesex, MA
19

MICAJAH, son of Ebenezer, m. Hannah Drury; and had 1. BETTY, bap. Sep. 2, 1764, m. Jacob Reed, Jun., of Sudbury, Feb. 5, '81;
2. HANNAH, bap. Ap. 5, '67, m. Abel Reed, of Sudbury Jan. 20, '85, and 2d, Asa Clark, of Princeton. Micajah, the father lived on the
place now of Mr. Joseph Angier, and died while in the continental service, as Capt., at White Plains. His widow Hannah, (who had
kept Tavern while her first husband was in the service, "and made money"), m. Gen. John Nixon, Feb. 5,1778, and d. in Sud., 1828.
-----
http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/g/a/r/Robin-Garraway-IA/WEBSITE-0001/UHP-0581.html
Thomas Grosvenor (son of John Grosvenor) b. 20 Sep 1744 in Pomfret, Windham, MA; d. 11 Jul 1825 in Pomfret, Windham,
MA.; m. Ann Mumford 26 Jun 1785 in Newport, Newport, RI; d/o Peter Mumford and Abigail Martin.
Notes for THOMAS GROSVENOR, LIEUT. COL.:From BIOS FROM THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF CONNECTICUT GENEALOGICAL
MEMORIAL, REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 1917 http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Fields/4791/thomasgrovenor.html
Colonel Thomas Grosvenor, son of Captain John Grosvenor, was born at Pomfret, 20 Sep 1744, died in 1825. He graduated at Yale
in 1765. Judge Theodore Sedgwick, of Massachusetts, was a classmate. Grosvenor established himself in the practice of law at
Pomfret.
When Connecticut raised and officered the first seven regiments for the relief of Massachusetts in the Revolution, Grosvenor was
commissioned second lieutenant of the Third Regiment, under Colonel Israel Putnam and Lieutenant-Colonel Experience Storrs, of
Mansfield. The minute-men followed Putnam to Cambridge and the old red house where the company assembled on the morning of
their departure, April 23, 1775, is still standing. On the evening of June 16, 1775, Lieutenant Grosvenor was detailed with thirty-one
men drafted from his company to march to Charlestown under Captain Thomas Knowlton, of Ashford and with about a hundred
others of the same regiment were stationed before noon next day at the rail fence on the left the breastworks on Breed's Hill
(commonly known as Bunker Hill) and extending thence to Mystic river. The whole force was under the command of Knowlton.
When the British attack was made, a column under General Pigott was directed against the redoubt and another under General
Howe advanced against the rail fence. Captain Dana relates that he, Sergeant Fuller and Lieutenant Grosvenor were the first to fire.
When at the third attack the British burst through the American line at the left of the redoubt, Captain Knowlton, Chester and Clark,
clung persistently to the position near the Mystic, though separated from the main body of provincials, and eventually protected the
retreat of the men who were in the redoubt, fighting, according to the report of the Massachusetts Committee of Safety, with the
utmost bravery, and keeping the British from advancing further than the breach until the main body had left the hill. Colonel
Grosvenor related in a letter to Daniel Putnam, Apr 30, 1818, respecting General Dearborn's charges against the behavior of
General Putnam at Bunker Hill, that his command of thirty men and one subaltern lost eleven killed or wounded. "Among the latter
was myself, though not so severely as to prevent my retiring." At Winter Hill, where entrenchments had been thrown up by the
Connecticut troops, the Provincials made their last stand. Colonel Grosvenor carried a musket and used to relate that he fired his
nine cartridges the same precision of aim as if fox hunting and saw a man fall after each shot. His wound was caused by a musket
through the hand. Before striking his hand it had passed through the rail and it passed through the butt of his musket after piercing
his hand and finally bruised his breast. He bound up his hand with a white cravat and remained on until after the battle. This incident
immortalized in Trumbull's painting of the battle of Bunker Hill. The commanding figure in the foreground was intended to represent
Lieutenant Grosvenor accompanied by his colored servant [below].
20

On the arrival of the American army in New York, May 1776, General Washington organized a battalion of light troops from the
volunteer regiments of New England and Thomas Grosvenor commanded one of the companies under Colonel Thomas Knowlton.
The Knowlton Rangers, as they were called, took part in the battle of Long Island, in the fight at Harlem, in that near McGowan's
Pass, where Knowlton was killed. The silk sash of Colonel Knowlton, which had been presented to him by the town of Boston, is
preserved in the family of the youngest daughter of Colonel Grosvenor, Hannah. Captain Brown, who succeeded Knowlton, fell in
the defense of Fort Mifflin in Nov 1777. Colonel Grosvenor was in the battle of White Plains, 28 Oct 1776, and was captain in
Durkee's regiment in the battles of Trenton, Trenton Bridge and Princeton, and wintered at Valley Forge. He was captain in Colonel
Wyllis's regiment and was with him at the capture of Ticonderoga, 10 May 1776. He was commissioned 6 Feb 1777, major in that
regiment.
During the winter at Valley Forge he belonged to Huntington's brigade, which took part in the battles of Germantown, Brandywine
and in the movements at White Marsh and Chestnut hill, from 23 Nov to 22 Dec 1777, and down to the encampment at Valley
Forge. He was commissioned lieutenant-colonel, 13 Mar 1778, in Colonel Durkee's regiment, and marched to Monmouth, where 28
Jun 1778, a battle was fought that decided the fate of Washington. His regiment was in the advance under Lafayette and was
ranged upon the heights behind the causeway after Lee's retreat. Colonel Grosvenor was also in General Sullivan's expedition
against the Seneca Indians in the summer and autumn of 1779. On 22 May 1779, he was appointed, and 11 Jul following was
commissioned as sub-inspector of the army under Baron Steuben. He was commissioned an inspector, 1 Jan 1781. On the death of
Colonel Durkee, 29 May 1782, he was appointed lieutenant-colonel of the First Connecticut Regiment and continued in that
command until 1 Jan 1783, when the Connecticut regiments were consolidated under act of Congress of 7 Aug 1782. He was also
assistant adjutant-general of the Connecticut Line, as his orderly books show. After 1 Jan 1783, Colonel Grosvenor returned to
Pomfret and resumed the practice of law.
He married Ann, youngest daughter of Captain Peter and Abigail (Martin)Mumford. For more than twenty years after his marriage
Colonel Grosvenor was a member of the Governor's Council in Connecticut, and for a still longer period chief justice of the Court of
Common Pleas for Windham county and judge of probate for his district. The diploma signed by Washington constituting him a
member of the Order of Cincinnati, now in the possession of Bertram G. Goodhue, hung until 1891 in the hall of the mansion house
which he built at Pomfret and in which he died. The raising of the frame of that house was an occasion of festivity and many were
the recipients of his bounty at that time. It is said that a young Mohegan Indian danced upon the ridge pole as part of the
celebration. The house was always open to the chance visitor and for many years was a refuge for the remnants of Indian tribes that
still lingered in Connecticut, as well as other unfortunates. Among them were the venerable Indians, Joshua Senseman and his wife,
and brother Isaac.
Soon after the death of his second son, Colonel Grosvenor joined the Congregational church at Pomfret. No man was more
venerated and respected by his townsmen. He refused a pension. He died 11 Jul 1825. His wife died 11 Jun 1820, and both are
buried in the little burying ground in Pomfret, where monuments have been erected to their memory. Children: Thomas Mumford,
married Charlotte Lee; Ann, married Henry King: Peter, died young; Major Peter, was in the war of 1812, married Ann Chase, had
four sons, who with five sons of his brother, Thomas Mumford, fought in the Civil War and of the nine five were killed.
John H., was consul of the United States at Canton, China, died unmarried in New York City, 3 Jan 1848; Hannah, married Edward
Eldredge.
The New York Historical Society Collections, 1914.Lt. Col. 3rd.Connecticut Regt. July 4th 1780 and Aug. 11, 1780."Folklore and
Firesides of Pomfret, Hampton and Vicinity" by Susan Jewett Griggs (1950) pp 37, 38. Thomas Grosvenor served as lieutenant
under Captain Brown during the Revolutionary War. At the battle of Bunker Hill, although wounded in the right hand (which he
bound with a white cravat) he continued to lead his company into battle, holding his sword in his left hand, despite the efforts of his
Negro servant to draw him from the field. This scene, painted by the artist John Trumbull, hangs on a wall at Yale University.
Colonel Grosvenor saw seven years of toil and privation, attached to Washington's main army. He was with General Washington in
the famed crossing of the Delaware. In 1780 he broke ground at West Point and began the fort that is now the site of West Point
Academy. At the end of the war, He resumed his law practice, and served on the Governor's Council. He was in high repute
throughout the state-ever the friend of soldiers, Indians, and all who needed counsel. When Washington made his trip to Boston in
1789, he passed through Pomfret, and dined with Col. Grosvenor. It is usually said that Washington was entertained at the Thomas
Grosvenor Mansion (now the Rectory School), but when we consider that Washington made his visit to Pomfret two years before
the house was completed, the tradition is confirmed that the Commander-in-Chief actually stopped at the Harrison House which
would appear to have been the home of Thomas Grosvenor before the erection of his mansion in 1792. Entered the army as Lieut.;
was wounded at Bunker Hill; captain Continental infantry, 1776; major, 1777; lieutenant colonel, 1778, and retired, 1783, as Lieut.
colonel commandant. Served through the war and was a member of the Society of the Cincinnati. (DAR Lineage Book) In 1765
Thomas graduated from Yale. He listed in the 1790 Conn, census. He practiced law at Pomfret. The painter John Trumbull painted
him in the battle of Bunker Hill, the painting titled "The Death of General Warren at the Battle of Bunker's Hill" the painting is hung in
the Yale University of Fine Arts. History of Hocking Valley (1883) p347.
Thomas Grosvenor, served on the personal staff of General Washington during the Revolutionary War, with the rank of Colonel. He
was afterward Judge of the Circuit Court of Connecticut. Connecticut Pensioners of 1835 p78. County: Windham. Rank: Lieutenant
colonel. Annual Allowance: 240.00. Sums Received: 394.23. Description of service: Connecticut line. When placed on pension:
August 6, 1818. Commencement of pension: July 14, 1817. Age: 74.
-----
Jonathan Heart [Hart]
Journal of Capt. Jonathan Heart on the march with his company . . . , by Jonathan Heart, John Dickinson.
http://books.google.com/books?id=6t8yAQAAIAAJ&pg=PR7&dq=%22Jonathan+heart%22&hl=en&sa=X&ei=aYcDT7eHLOTW0QG
ErZCyAg&ved=0CD0Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=%22lodge%22&f=false
Jonathan Heart, second son of Ebenezer Hart and his wife, Elizabeth Lawrence Hart, was born in that part of Farmington,
Connecticut, called Kensington, in 1748. He received a classical education, graduating at Yale College with high honors, in the year
21

1768. Soon after this, he left his native State for New Jersey, where he was engaged at several places as district schoolmaster. This
manner of occupation continued until about the year 1773, when young Heart, having accumulated a small sum of money, returned
to Farmington, and at once engaged in mercantile operations. He was very successful, and was carrying on a flourishing trade,
when the Revolutionary war broke out.
He immediately placed his business affairs in his brother's hands, and in 1775 enlisted as a private in Putnam's battalion of
Connecticut militia. He marched with that command to the "seat of war," in Massachusetts, and participated in the battle of Bunker's
Hill. When the Connecticut line was formed, Heart joined the 1st Regiment, and served in the same until the close of the war. From
a private, he became an ensign, and in 1777 was made a lieutenant. This year he married Abigail Riley. In 1780, he was promoted
to captain. During the year 1782, Captain Heart was with the army under Washington at Newburgh and Verplanck's Point, New
York. On the 11th of November, that year, he was appointed by General Jedediah Huntington, Brigade Quartermaster of the
Connecticut Brigade. He was a good penman and draughtsman, and has left a valuable record of the operations on the Hudson
(1782), including the organization of Washington's army, many of his orders, and details of the camp, not hitherto known.
Captain Heart was one of the very few officers retained by Congress in the service until after the ratification of the treaty of peace
with Great Britain. He left the army in the fall of 1783, and returned to Connecticut. The misfortunes of war had ruined his business,
and his pay, consisting of continental money, was almost worthless in value; as a consequence, Captain Heart found it necessary to
begin anew in the struggles of life in the hope of obtaining a competency for advancing years. The shattered condition of trade, with
a market flooded with depreciated currency, soon convinced him that merchandising on a small scale was up-hill work, and hardly
remunerative. He therefore engaged with a surveyor to learn that art, and was advancing in a knowledge of it, when he received
from Congress a commission as captain in the "First American Regiment "—a force just being organized for service on the western
frontier. This was in the winter of 1784-5. Heart immediately accepted the appointment, and in obedience to instructions began to
recruit in Connecticut. It was with difficulty that a company could be raised. Recruiting was very slow; and it was the last of August,
1785, before Heart was ready to march his command to the West.
Concerning Captain Heart's journey with his company to Fort Pitt, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he arrived the twelfth of
October, his Journal immediately following this sketch furnishes the details so far as they are known. Soon after his arrival at that
post, he was ordered to Fort McIntosh, where, with his company, he remained until the 25th of October. On that day, in obedience to
orders from Lieut. Colonel Harmar, he set out with Major John Doughty, Lieut. James Bradford and Lieut. Ebenezer Frothingham for
the mouth of the Muskingum, where they, with their respective commands, built Fort Harmar. Captain Heart was in command there
from April 20th to the 6th of August, 1786, when he was ordered to protect the surveyors of the Ohio Company in their work of
surveying the Muskingum Valley. Captain Heart was engaged in this service until the 26th of November, when he returned with his
command and the surveyors, to Fort Harmar.
In April, 1787, Captain Heart was ordered by Col. Harmar to the Venango country, Pennsylvania, for the purpose of building a fort
on French Creek, near its mouth, about 150 miles above Pittsburgh. Heart arrived at his destination on the 11th of May, and
immediately commenced the erection of an earthwork. This was completed in December, 1787, and named Fort Franklin, in honor
of the illustrious patriot, philosopher and statesman, Benjamin Franklin. The vigilance, skill and care with which Captain Heart
discharged his duty in the erection of the fort, wa9 warmly applauded by General Harmar, General Knox and Congress. Fort
Franklin became an important post and fully answered the purposes of its erection; which was, to check the northern Indians by way
of the river Alleghany.
In 1788, Captain Heart left for Connecticut to recruit for his company. He returned to the West in the spring of 1789, and was
ordered to Fort Harmar. In June, 1789, Heart with a portion of his command was engaged with Major Doughty in the erection of Fort
Washington, on the site of the present city of Cincinnati. During that year, the constitution went into effect; Washington was chosen
president; and the new government began its career of prosperity. On the 29th of September, 1789, President Washington
commissioned Heart as captain in the First American Regiment. This was done agreeable to an Act of Congress re-organizing the
army. He served in 1789, in an expedition to the falls of the Ohio, and in the campaign during the fall of the year 1790, under
General Harmar, against the Indian towns at the junction of the Miami and St. Joseph rivers, near where the city of Fort Wayne now
stands. Upon that occasion, he made a plan of Major Wylly's battle-ground, of the old French post, and of the Indian towns in the
neighborhood.
Congress having raised an additional regiment, Captain Heart was, on the 4th of March, 1791, appointed major of the same. Not
long after this appointment, preparations were made for St. Clair's campaign against the Indians. A force of over 1,400 men,
consisting of a battalion of the 2d United States Infantry, and militia from Kentucky, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and North Carolina,
left Fort Washington in October, 1791, against the Indians of the Northwest. Major Heart was with this force, in command of a body
of regulars. When near the sources of the Maumee river, in what is now Darke county, Ohio, St. Clair's army was surprised by the
savages, and totally defeated, with a loss of 632 killed and 204 wounded.
During the engagement, Major Heart handled his men with consummate skill and bravery. He led them in person against the enemy,
and put a number to flight through the energetic use of the bayonet. He had, thus far, escaped all harm; and when the order to
retreat came, with the utmost coolness and gallantry he formed his men, and cautiously fell back toward the rear. He seemed
careless as to his own life, his great desire being the safety of his men. When his troops, with a number of their wounded left the
field, Major Heart was ordered, with a handful of men, to cover the retreat of the army. He endeavored to discharge that duty, but
had hardly gone about the dangerous task, before a musket ball struck him in the head, and he fell from his horse. His men,
alarmed at the near approach of the savages, left the spot immediately. A month afterward, a party of American regulars proceeded
to the battle-ground to bury the dead, when the body of the brave Heart was found and recognized, and, with the remains of a
number of his fellow officers, was sorrowfully laid in its last resting place.
-----
22

HEART, Jonathan
Yale B.A. 1768, M.A. 1791. Born in Kensington (now Berlin), Conn., 1744; graduated Yale, 1768, M.A. in course, 1791; taught
school in New Jersey; prominent officer in the Revolutionary and Indian wars ; killed in action while Major of 2d Regiment U. S.
Infantry, 1791.
JONATHAN HEART, Soldier, was born in Kensington (now Berlin), Connecticut, in 1744, the son of Ebenezer Heart and descended
from Stephen Hart, who was one of the early settlers of Hartford and Farrington, Connecticut. He graduated Bachelor of Arts at Yale
in 1768, and received the degree of Master of Arts in course in 1791. At the outbreak of the Revolution he was engaged in teaching
in New Jersey, but appears to have entered the Colonial Army with the first volunteers at the time of the Lexington alarm, probably
enlisting as a private May 4, 1775, and as such taking part in the fight at Bunker Hill. He was at the front with the Connecticut troops
during the siege of Boston. At the opening of the New York campaign in 1776, he was an Ensign in Colonel Wyllys' regiment, and
during that year was made Second Lieutenant. January 1, 1777, he became First Lieutenant and Adjutant in the Third Regiment of
the Connecticut Line, and then for seven years was in continuous military service, displaying great bravery and judgment,
participating in all the important battles, and being frequently promoted in rank for his conspicuous ability. In the campaign in Virginia
against Cornwallis, Jonathan Heart was with Lafayette's Light Infantry Corps, which was engaged in the heavy fighting at Green
Springs in July 1 781, and later occupied the post of honor at the siege of Yorktown. His military service continued in the Indian wars
subsequent to the Revolution, and in March 1791 he became Major of the Second Regiment United States Infantry when it was
organized for service against the Indians; this regiment was in the St. Clair expedition, and in the fighting of November 4, 1791, its
Major was killed. Jonathan Heart was active in matters other than military; he was often engaged in the survey of land for new
settlers, and during the negotiations for the purchase of the Western Reserve of Connecticut, he was consulted by General Samuel
Holden Parsons, the Commissioner in charge. He was interested in the subject of Indian Ethnology, and some of his letters on the
Ohio mounds and other topics, published in the Transactions of the American Philosophical Society, contain much valuable
information.
-----
http://www.wellswooster.com/tree/getperson.php?personID=I44180&tree=bryant
Peleg Heath, b. 23 Mar 1747 Warren, Bristol, RI; d. 1782 Barrington, Bristol, RI; bur. Prince's Hill Cemetery*, Barrington, Bristol, RI;
son of Peleg Heath b. 26 Jul 1700, Roxbury, Suffolk, MA, and Jerusha Peck b. 18 Nov 1724, Rehoboth, Bristol, MA; m. 18 Apr
1769, as his third wife, Anna[r] Kent b. 17 Apr 1745, Barrington, Bristol, RI.
* In Memory of Major Peleg Heath, Second Son of Rev. Peleg Heath and Jerusha his Wife. Born April 8, 1747, O. S. Died July 4,
1786, in the 40th year of his age.
Peleg Heath served in the Revolutionary War as an ensign in the 2nd company of Col. Richmond's regiment, October 1775. Annar
Kent applied for a Revolutionary War pension on 24 August 1836 at age 91.
Children:
1. Peleg Heath, b. 31 Mar 1771, Barrington, Bristol Co, Rhode Island
2. Mary Heath, b. 07 Sep 1772, Barrington, Bristol Co, Rhode Island
3. Joseph Heath, b. 1774, Rhode Island
4. Jabez Heath, b. 16 Apr 1781, Barrington, Bristol Co, Rhode Island
5. Winchester Heath, b. 30 Jun 1783, Barrington, Bristol Co, Rhode Island
6. Mary Heath, b. c. 1778, Rhode Island
7. Benjamin Heath, b. 1785, Barrington, Bristol Co, Rhode Island
Peleg Heath
BLW #957-200-5 (From Abstracts of Revolutionary War Pension Files)
Lieutenant in the Connecticut line
Peleg Heath, wife Annar (W24428), Rhode Island Line.
Soldier was son of Peleg Heath, Sr. and lived at Barrington, RI when son enlisted. Soldier married Annar or Anner (---) 18 Apr 1769
at Barrington, RI & soldier died there in 1786 and his widow applied there 24 Aug 1836 aged 91. Soldier and wife had 5 sons and 1
daughter. A son Peleg was born 31 Mar 1771 at Barrington and in 1836 he lived at Killingly, Conn. Another son Joseph was living in
1836. One Joshua Bicknall of Barrington, Rhode Island stated that all but 1 of the soldiers children were born before the
Revolutionary War and he stated his father married the soldier's mother (neither named).
Spencer & Sullivan Expedition. Peleg was a Major.
The demoralizing effect of recurrent Indian raids on the settler in western New York and the valley of the Susquehanna led to
vigorous retaliatory measures in the summer of 1779. Acting under orders of Congress, Washington directed Daniel Brodhead to
march from Fort Pitt up the Allegheny River, while a larger expedition under Sullivan ascended the Susquehanna and Wyoming
valleys. Their instructions were to destroy all Indian villages and crops belonging to the Six Nations, to engage the Indian and Tory
marauders under Brandt and Butler whenever possible, and to drive them so far west that future raids would be impossible. These
operations consumed three months, during which the main army remained for the most part inactive near the Hudson above New
York, waiting for Clinton to make the next move. In the South Lincoln, with the support of D'Estaing's fleet, laid siege to Savannah,
but failed to rout the British from the city.
page 283
Heath, Peleg (R. I.). Ensign of Richmond's Rhode Island State Regiment, 1st November, 1775, to June, 1776; 1st Lieutenant 3d
Connecticut, 1st January, 1777; Captain Lieutenant, 1st May, 1779; retired 1st January, 1781. (Died 1786.)
-----
23

Revolutionary War Veterans Buried in Columbia Co., NY, Vol. 1, p. 149:
Hezekiah Holdridge (1737-27 Oct. 1798) m. 20 Apr. 1763, Colchester, CT, Eunice NORTHUM (1735 - 20 Mar. 1823).
Cemetery: St. Peter's, Spencertown. Town Austerlitz.
Col. Hezekiah HOLDRIDGE d. Canaan, NY.
He enlisted from Hebron, CT.
Lieutenant in Capt. Hez. PARSON's Co., Fourth CT Regt.
Major in Col. WYLLYS' 22 CT Regt., 1776.
Lt. Col., Seventh Regt., CT Line, 25 May 1778. Retired by Consolidation 1781.
Society of Cincinnati membership went to son Asa.
He was a charter member and charter Treasurer along with Henry Champion [q.v.] [Master] of Wooster Lodge No. 10, chartered 31
Jan 1781, Colchester, CT, by the GL of Massachusetts.
-----
http://www.ebooksread.com/authors-eng/samuel-blachley-webb/family-letters-of-samuel-blachley-webb-1764-1807-hci/page-6-
family-letters-of-samuel-blachley-webb-1764-1807-hci.shtml
Elisha Hopkins [Jr.]
Martha Cady, b. 14 Oct 1725; d. in Providence, Sep 1815; m. Elisha Hopkins. B. 29 May 1723; d. 18 Nov 1798. He served in the
Revolutionary army, first as private, later as Captain and Adjutant; was taken prisoner at Long Island, 27 Aug 1776; exchanged and
served to end of war.
Children of Elisha Hopkins and Martha Cady are:
i. Asa Hopkins, b. 23 Aug 1749.
ii. Rhoda Hopkins, b. 1752.
iii. Ruth Hopkins, b. 1754.
iv. Abigail Hopkins, b. 1753.
v. William Hopkins, b. 1758.
vi. Mary Jane Hopkins, b. 1760.
vii. Elisha Hopkins, b. 1762.
viii. Annie May Hopkins, b. 1765.
ix. Jeremiah Hopkins, b. 1768.
x. Martha Hopkins, b. 1747.
xi. Susanna Hopkins, b. 1756.
From Elisha Hopkins.
Dear Sir:
FLAT BUSH, 1 March 1778.
Desirous to hear from my friends and relations, likewise to receive any support they might have sent by your [hands], I have desired
the bearer to wait upon you with this, (as I understand by Col. Bull l that it was uncertain whether you would be permitted to come to
the Island) to receive either money or letters if you cannot come. When Mr. Joseph Webb was in N. York with the flag, I received
neither money nor letters, which if should now be the case I am certainly to be pitied. I received from Mr. Mumford a small sum to
procure a few things that I was necessitated for, but at present am destitute, and am indebted for making a few shirts. Mr. [John]
Riley lives four miles from me, but I saw him last Thursday. He was well, and very desirous of seeing or hearing from his Colonel,
which also is the ardent wish of your Adjutant. I am, dear sir, with esteem still your Adjt.,
ELISHA HOPKINS.
Addressed: Colo. Sam. B. Webb, Prisoner, New York.
-----
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=15949621
Jedediah Hyde, b. 5 Nov 1761, Norwich, New London, CT; d. 21 Nov 1824, Burlington, Chittenden, VT.
Ref. Herman C. Brown - Vermont Society Sons of the American Revolution
Jedediah (Jedidiah) was the first of eight children born of Jedediah Hyde (1738-1822) and his first wife Mary (Waterman) Hyde
(1739-1780). Jedediah's siblings were: Jerusha (b. 1763), William (b. 1765), Arunah W. (b. 1768), Mary (b. 1770), Deborah (b.
1772), Thomas W. (b. 1774), Pitt Williams (b. 1776), and of his step-mother Elizabeth (Brown) (Parker) Hyde (1751-1825): Reuben
C. (b. 1781), Martha Post (b. 1783), Elizabeth (b. 1785), Russel Brown (b. 1787), Diadama (b. 1789), Jabez Perkins (b. 1791), and
Hiram (b. 1796).
In May 1775, Jedediah, at the age of 13, enlisted out of school into Captain William Coit's Grenadier Company in which his father
was 1st Lieutenant. Coit's Company marched to Boston and was engaged in the Battle of Bunker (Breed's) Hill, 17 Jun 1775. After
the battle, they became the 4th Company, Colonel Samuel Holden Parsons's 6th Connecticut Regiment, Continental Line. Soon
thereafter, Jedediah was "returned on command" and served as a Clerk to Colonel Stephen Keyes who kept a Sutlers Store for the
Connecticut Line, 1775.
In early 1776, Jedediah, enlisted for one year in Captain Jedidiah Hyde's (his father's) Company, Col. Samuel Wylly's Connecticut
(22nd Continental) Regiment. After the evacuation of Boston by the British, Wylly's Regiment marched under General George
24

Washington to New York by way of New London, CT, and Long Island. The Regiment remained in the vicinity of New York until the
close of the year. After the Regiment arrived at New York, Jedediah was assigned to Lt. Col. Rufus Putnam and served as Clerk in
the Regiment's Engineer Department. Jedediah was in charge of issuing out and receiving in all the tools that were required by the
Regiment's Fatigue Parties during the 1776 Campaign.
In early 1777, Jedediah, enlisted, for the duration of the war, in his father's Company, Colonel John Durkee's 4th Connecticut
Regiment, Continental Line. Upon being mustered into service, Jedediah was appointed Quarter Master Sergeant and served in that
capacity for about 16 months. Colonel Durkee's Regiment went into camp at Peekskill on the Hudson River in New York, Spring
1777. In September, the Regiment was ordered to join General Washington's army in Pennsylvania. The Regiment, being on the left
flank of the army, was engaged in the Battle of Germantown, PA, 4 Oct 1777. During that battle, Jedediah commanded a Platoon.
Soon after, the Regiment was ordered to Fort Mifflin on Mud Island near Red Bank on the Delaware River. They were engaged in
the defense of Fort Mifflin for about five or six weeks, lost a great many men, retreated and took up winter quarters at Valley Forge,
PA. On 28 Jun 1778, at the Battle of Monmouth, NJ, in which the Regiment was closely engaged, Colonel Durkee was wounded
losing permanent use of his right hand and Jedidiah was internally injured while lifting an ammunition wagon, in danger of falling into
the hands of the enemy, out of the mire and/or from the excessive heat of the day. Jedediah was never again able to do hard labor
and had frequent turns of raising blood. He, however, was not so unwell, but continued his regimental duties of Quarter Master
Sergeant until 1 Sep 1779 when he was appointed Conductor of Military Stores to the First Connecticut Continental Brigade.
Jedediah continued this assignment until 1 Nov 1780, when he was granted a leave of absence due to his declining health.
Jedediah returned home and upon the advise of surgeons, physicians and friends that "sea breezes" and salt water might improve
his health, he spent much time at the sea shore and then embarked upon a two month cruise aboard the Favorite a 14 gun Brig out
of New London, CT. They set sail and put out to sea, 14 Aug 1781. After taking several valuable prizes, they in turn were captured,
August 29th, by the British Frigate Media. After 4 days, Jedediah and 39 other prisoners were put on board the British Frigate Iris.
Several days later the Iris was engaged by the French Fleet. On 11 Sep, the Iris was driven into Chesapeake Bay and captured by
the French. Jedediah remained on board the French Fleet assisting at the blockade of Yorktown until after British General
Cornwallace [sic] and his army surrendered, 22 Oct 1781. Jedediah was put ashore at Yorktown where he met an old acquaintance
"Old Colonel Robert Cochran", the Officer of the Day, who took him to Headquarters where he reported to Captain William Colfax,
Captain of General Washington's Life Guards (a former Sergeant in Jedediah's Father's Company). Captain Colfax returned with a
permit to proceed home with the men that had been taken with him and an order from General Washington to draw provisions from
the Commissaries of Stores on the road.
Jedediah wintered, 1781-1882 at Norwich. Not recovering his health, he was advised to try the country. In the year 1782, he spent
time in Albany, NY, and Bennington, VT.
Jedediah married, 10 Nov 1783 at Pawlet, Rutland, VT, Elizabeth Friot (1765-1842) of Albany by whom he had ten children (5 sons
and 5 daughters):
Alexander Frasier (1784-1873),
Archibald Waterman (1786-1847),
Jedediah (1788-1845),
Abraham Henry W. (1790-1864),
Elizabeth (Betsey) (1792-1859),
Mary (Polly) (1793-1866),
John (1795-1876),
Maria (1798-1858),
Catherine (b. 1800),
Julia (b. 1803).
During the winters, 1783-1787, Jedediah taught school in Williamstown, MA, and at
Pawlet. During the summers he assisted his father surveying several of the towns in
what is now Grand Isle and Lamoille Counties, VT. About 1787, he moved from
Pawlet to the northern part of South Hero (later Middle Hero and now the Town of
Grand Isle), Chittenden (now Grand Isle) County, VT.
Jedediah served on various committees whose works resulted in the dividing of "The
South Hero" into two separate towns: South Hero and Middle Hero (now Grand Isle).
He served the Town of Grand Isle as Road Surveyor, Justice of the Peace,
Selectman 16 years: 1800-1801, 1804-1811, and 1819-1824; and State
Representative, 1824. He was Clerk of the Grand Isle County Court, 1806-1823; on
the Council of Censors, 1820; and Assessor of Internal Revenue, 1814-1821.
Jedediah was taken ill while attending a session of the State Legislature meeting in
Montpelier, VT. On 17 Nov 1824, he was brought to Burlington, Chittenden, VT,
where he died. His remains were conveyed by Steam Boat to Grand Isle for
interment at Grand Isle Cemetery.
References:
(1) "Hyde Genealogy; of the Descendants in the Female as well as in the Male Lines
from William Hyde of Norwich" Vol. I., by Reuben H. Walworth, 1864, Pgs. 115, 116,
485, 486, 488 and 489
(2) "Gazetteer and Business Directory of Franklin and Grand Isle Counties, Vt., for
1882-83" by Hamilton Child, 1883, Pg. 224
(3) US Federal Military Pension File # W25816
(4) "The Record of Connecticut Men in the Military and Naval Service during the War
25

of the Revolution 1775-1783." By Henry P. Johnson, 1889, Pgs. 72, 74, 107, 143, 182, 183, and 187
(5) "The Vermont Historical Gazetteer:" Vol. II., by Abby Maria Hemenway, 1871, Pgs. 532, 533, and 542-544
(6) "History of the South Hero Island being the Towns of South Hero and Grand Isle Vermont" Vols. I & II., by Allen L. Stratton,
1980, Pgs. 32-34, 36, 307, 360-361, 425, 553, 677-681, 818, and 820.
http://grgordon.tripod.com/jedhyde.htm#SupportAffs
Grand Isle County
I, Jedediah Hyde Junr. of the Town of Grand Isle County & State aforesaid aged fifty seven years do testify and say that I enlisted
under Lieut. Jedediah Hyde in Capt. William Coit's Company Connecticut State troops in the year 1775 and that I enlisted under him
when a Captain in the year 1776 in Colonel Wyllys Regt. and that I also enlisted under him when a Captain for during the war in
Colonel John Durkees Regiment of Connecticut Troops on the Continental establishment and that I am knowing to all the facts set
forth in his petition for a pension until his resignation in the line and his entering into the naval service further the deponent saith not
/s/ Jedediah Hyde Junr.
Grand Isle 22nd June 1819
State of Vermont Grand Isle County - Grand Isle June 22nd 1819 Subscribed and sworn to before me and I further certify that the
said Individual Hyde Junr is a credible witness
Note: The Petition of his father reads as follows:
State of Vermont
Orleans County ss.:
Revolutionary War Pension File
of Jedediah Hyde [Sr.] #S39759
/s/Benj. Adams
Judge of Grand Isle County Court
On this second day of May Anno Domini eighteen hundred and eighteen before the Subscriber one of the assistant Judges of the
County Court within and for said County of Orleans personally appears, Jedediah Hyde aged seventy nine years resident in
Hydepark in the County of Orleans aforesaid, who being by me first duly sworn according to law doth, on his oath make the
following declaration in order to obtain the provision made by the late act of Congress entitled "an act to provide for certain persons
engaged in the land and naval Service of the United States in the Revolutionary War" that he the said Jedediah was appointed and
commissioned by the State of Connecticut in the month of May A.D. 1775 a first Lieut in a company commanded by William Coit,
which company was attached to a Regiment commanded by Samuel H. Parsons of the Connecticut Line of Troops and that he
served till the January following and was during that term of service in the battle of Bunker Hill that he on the first of January 1776
was appointed and commissioned a captain in a Regiment commanded by Samuel Willis of Hartford in the State of Connecticut in
the Connecticut Line of Troops and Continental establishment that he faithfully served his Country till the first of January 1777
during which time he was in the battle of Flat-bush on Long Island and received a wound in the side of his head which apparently
deprived him of life, and for which [he] received a pension thro the goodness of his Government of fifteen dollars per month since
the year of 1807, which he here now relinquisheth in consideration of an additional pittance under the above act - that he again was
appointed and commissioned, on the first of January 1777 a Captain in a Regiment, commanded by Col. John Durky of Norwich in
the State of Connecticut of the Connecticut Line of Troops and Continental establishment that he served till the __ day of July 1777,
at which time he resigned his commission for military reasons that could not be avoided with honor and immediately was appointed
and commissioned a Captain of Marines on board the ship Warren then lying at Providence in the State of Rhode Island carrying
thirty two guns, commanded by Capt. John [Hopkins] of Providence, and in ten days after enlisted [sixty] men & put them on board
said ship and without injury passed thro the British fleet then at anchor at New-port and arrived save at Boston then left said ship
and immediately entered the ship Putnam and continued in the Naval Service of his Country till nearly the close of the war and then
left the Service and retired to his wife and children in the State of Connecticut, and that he is in reduced circumstances and stands
in need of the assistance of his Country for support; and that he has no other evidence now in his power of his said services except
what is herewith transmitted and the said Jedediah hath hereunto set and subscribed his name
/s/ Jedh Hyde
Sworn to and declared before me, the day and year aforesaid
/s/ Samuel Cooke
asst Judge Orleans County
I Samuel Cook one of the assistant Judges of Orleans Cy Court within and for said County of Orleans do certify that it appears to my
Satisfaction that Jedediah Hyde aforesaid did serve in the revolutionary war, as stated in the preceding declaration against the
common enemy and I now transmit the proceedings and testimony taken and had before me to the Secretary for the department of
War persuant to the directions of the aforementioned act of Congress. I also certify that except for the pension heretofore mentioned
the aforesaid Jedediah Hyde is in reduced circumstances and absolutely needs the assistance of his Country for support.
State of Vermont
Orleans County - Irasburgh May
/s/ Samuel Cooke
Asst. Judge Orleans County Court
26

I the Subscriber Clerk of Orleans County Court in the State of Vermont do certify that Samuel Cook Esquire is one of the assistant
Judges of said Court legally appointed thereto for the year 1818 and has officiated as such since last December, that his name
above subscribed is his own proper signature and that there is no Seal belonging to or established for said [word obscured by seal,
probably "Court"] except that hereto affixed.
District of Vermont ss.
--- OOO ---
Att /s/Ira H. Allen
Clerk & Notary Public
at Irasburgh in the County of Orleans On this 2d day of January 1821 personally appeared in open court being a court of record for
said district & County being made so by the statute law of the State having a jurisdiction unlimited in point of amount and having the
power of fine and imprisonment -- Jedediah Hyde aged seventy two years, resident in Hydepark in said district circuit county or
corporation who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath declare that he served in the Revolutionary war as follows .
. . . [there follows a summary of his service record] . . . . And I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on
the 18th day of March 1818; and that I have not since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner, disposed of my property or any part
thereof with the intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress, entitled "An act to
provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States, in the Revolutionary war," passed on the
18th day of March 1818, and that I have not nor has any person in trust for me any property or securities, contracts, or debts due to
me; nor have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed, and by me subscribed - The use of a farm
during the natural life of the said Jedediah Hyde granted to him by Arunah W. Hyde in consequence of the needy circumstances of
his aged Parents, at $30.00 yearly being 100 acres with an old house and Barn thereto, two cows $15.00 one last spring colt at
$7.00 one wooden clock $3.00 one old Desk $2.00 one old wooden cart $4.00 one yoke and chains $2.00 one cutter and old
harness $6.00 one cheese press $1.00 one saddle & Bridle $4.00 one old side saddle $1.00 one other side saddle $10.00 one
harrow $1.00 one pare of fire dogs $1.50 one table $2.00 one fire slice and tongs $1.00 one old Brass kettle $1.00 with sundry other
articles of necessary household furniture appraised at $12.13 in the whole I am by occupation a tanner and currier but have been
unable to attend to this occupation for years on account of age and debility. My family consists of myself and wife named Elizabeth
aged sixty nine unable to labour for her support - /s/Jedediah Hyde
Sworn to and declared on the 2d day of January A.D. 1821 -
/s/Jedh Hyde
I Ira H. Allen clerk of Orleans County do hereby certify that the foregoing oath and the schedule thereto annexed are truly copied
from the record of the said court; and I do further certify that it is the opinion of the said court that the total amount in value of the
property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule is one hundred three dollars and sixty three cents - In testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court on this 5 day of January 1821 -
http://www.historiclakes.org/explore/islands.html
/s/Ira H. Allen
Clerk of the Court of the County of Orleans
Known as "Middle Hero" until 1810 , Grand Isle (the town) came into existence on November 7, 1798 when the Township of South
Hero was divided in two 7 . Situated as it is in the center of the lake, directly opposite Cumberland Head, residents of the town have
watched some dramatic events take place from her shores.
Grand Isle is the home of the Hyde Log Cabin, an original structure built circa 1783, by one of the islands pioneer settlers, Capt.
Jedediah Hyde [Jr.]. A fascinating building to see, this cabin is one of the oldest in the United States. It consists of one large room-
20'x25', with an overhead loft and a huge fireplace at one end 2 . British Lt. John Enys, in his American Journals, spent the night in
this house during his return visit to the fledgling United States in 1787-1788. He writes "we saw up in a small Bay just after we had
passed the small Island that lies opposite to Valcore. Here we found an excellent harbour and a small house belonging to one
Captain [Jedediah] Hyde [Jr.] who[s]e wife received us very civily he being absent. This place was so very small that there was
hardly Room for us all to sleep upon the floor." 3 The cabin served as a home to members of the Hyde family for nearly 150 years.
http://www.historicvermont.org/sites/html/hyde.html
One of the oldest log cabins in the United States
HYDE LOG CABIN
This one-and-a half story structure was built by Jedediah Hyde, Jr. circa 1783. Made of 14- to 18-inch diameter cedar logs, the cabin
consists of one 20' x 25' room, with a massive fireplace at one end and an overhead loft.
In 1945, the Vermont Historical Society acquired the cabin, moved it about two miles to its present location, and stabilized it for
further restoration. In 1952, the cabin was turned over to the Vermont Historic Sites Commission and the stabilization was
completed by the Department of Forests and Parks. An agreement with the newly formed Grand Isle County Historical Society
allowed that organization to furnish the cabin and use it as a meeting place, museum, and local information center. In 1985 further
restoration of the cabin was undertaken by the Vermont Division for Historic Preservation, the successor to the Historic Sites
Commission. This work included the reconstruction of the original roof proportions which returned the cabin to its original,
documented appearance. The cabin is owned and maintained by the Vermont Division for Historic Preservation.
27

Vermont's oldest log cabin reveals how early settlers lived.
HISTORY OF CAPTAIN JEDEDIAH HYDE, JR.
Jedediah Hyde, Jr. was born in Norwich, Connecticut in 1761. His father, Captain Jedediah Hyde, later became a prominent
resident of a town which was named Hyde Park in his honor. Captain Hyde fought at the Battle of
Bunker Hill, then joined Captain William Coit’s Connecticut Grenadiers. The younger Hyde was in
school at the time of the Battle of Lexington and Concord, but like many of his generation, enlisted
at the age of fourteen, joining his father in the Connecticut Grenadiers. Jedediah Hyde, Jr. served
in various capacities during the war. One of his assignments was in Captain Rufus Putnam’s
Corps of Engineers, where he undoubtedly learned something
about surveying. At Bennington, from among the spoils of war,
he was given a surveyor’s compass and a theodolite which he
would use later in surveying Grand Isle and other parts of
Vermont.
< In 1945, the cabin was moved to its current location.
A thorough stabilization project in 1945 preserved the cabin for
future generations >.
In the summer of 1783, Jedediah Hyde, Jr. and his father came to Grand Isle as surveyors of the
island. Four years earlier Ira and Ethan Allen had modestly named the island “The Two Heroes,”
and, with Governor Thomas Chittenden, parceled out grants to the Green Mountain Boys. Most of
the grantees sold their rights and Captain Hyde purchased several parcels on what would later be
called Grand Isle. These deeds are in the office of the South Hero Town Clerk and were recorded
June 12, 1783. On one of his father’s parcels, Jedediah, Jr. built this cabin, which served as a home to various members of the
Hyde family for nearly 150 years. The original site was approximately two miles southwest of the cabin’s present location.
In the cabin today are maps of the county’s original grants, furnishings from the cabin and other homes in the county, agricultural
and household implements from the area, and other items relating to the history and settlement of Grand Isle.
28

Hyde Log Cabin (1783) – State Historic Marker
-----
Prentice Hosmer, b. 11 Sep 1752; m. Elizabeth Steele, 10 May 1783 (West Hartford, CT), d. 7 Jan 1787 (West Hartford, CT) .
Ensign in a company in Col. Wyllys' regiment.
-----
Dr. Timothy Hosmer (1740-1820). (moved to New York – Littleville/Avon). (Ontario co. NY judge, 1798).
In area and productive wealth Avon ranks among the leading towns of the county. It was formed from the original District of
Geneseo in January, 1789, and embraced townships ten and eleven of the seventh range, under the name of Hartford. This
designation was derived from the city of the same name in Connecticut, and was suggested by Dr. Timothy Hosmer, one of the
first proprietors of the township and a native of that State. In 1808 its name was changed to Avon, from a town in Connecticut in the
vicinity of the city of Hartford.
http://mcnygenealogy.com/book/river-ramble-5.htm
An important early settler [of Avon] was Dr. Timothy Hosmer, physician, jurist, politician, land owner, tavern keeper. This
Connecticut Yankee, a tall, corpulent, scholarly man, who wore breeches of soft deerskin and tied his powdered wig with a ribbon,
gave the settlement its first name of Hartford. He was the grandfather of the poet Hosmer.
He married Laura Smith, one of the six daughters of Major Isaac Smith, innkeeper.
On 2 Oct 1780 Major Andre was hanged by the ‘rebels’ as a spy on Garret Smith’s farm near Tappan, NY. Avon, NY, physician
Timothy Hosmer pronounce Andre dead.
To Timothy Hosmer, formerly the village doctor of Farmington, [CT], and now army surgeon, was assigned the duty of laying his
finger on Andre's pulse and reporting him dead.
The Geneva Times – Thursday, 11 May 1967.
http://fultonhistory.com/Newspaper%2011/Geneva%20NY%20Daily%20Times/Geneva%20NY%20Daily%20Times%201967%20Ma
y-Jun%201967%20Grayscale/Geneva%20NY%20Daily%20Times%201967%20May-Jun%201967%20Grayscale%20-%200214.pdf
Rites at Canandaigua — Masons Mark 175th Year
Freemasons at Ontario County will observe the 175th year of Masonry this Monday evening in Canandaigua. Canandaigua Lodge
294 will be the host for the occasion. Master Robert E. Blake announced that the historical program will begin at 8 p.m. Masters and
Historians of the following lodges plan to participate: Ark Lodge 333 and Geneva Lodge 965 of Geneva; Sincerity Lodge 200 of
Phelps; Rushville Lodge 377; Canandaigua Lodge 294; John Hodge Lodge 815 of Naples; Garoga Lodge 300 of Clifton Springs;
Eagle Lodge 619 of Honeoye, and Milnor Lodge 139 of Victor. All area Masons are invited to attend this milestone event.
The first Masonic Lodge chartered in Ontario County was Ontario Lodge No. 23, March 7, 1792 in Canandaigua by Grand Master
Robert R Livingston. First Master of Ontario Lodge was Dr. Timothy Hosmer. He had been a surgeon in the Revolutionary War;
the 2nd Continental Artillery and later, of the 6th Connecticut Regiment. He attended and certified the death of Major John Andre,
the British spy in 1780. Dr. Hosmer also served with distinction as Chief Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Ontario County
1793-1805.
A total of 20 different Masonic lodges were organized in Ontario County in 175 years. Of this group nine lodges are presently
working. Masonic lodges once were active in Gorham (Harmony Lodge 183; 1817-32); East Bloomfield (Zion Lodge No. 172; 1808-
35); Manchester (Manchester Lodge 269; 1815-32); Bristol (Bristol Lodge No. 470; 1826-30); Hopewell (Hopewell Lodge No. 480;
1826-30).
29

A History of Livingston County, New York
http://www.ebooksread.com/authors-eng/lockwood-l-lockwood-lyon-doty/a-history-of-livingston-county-new-york--from-its-earliesttraditions-to-its--yto/page-39-a-history-of-livingston-county-new-york--from-its-earliest-traditions-to-its--yto.shtml
In 1790 Dr. Timothy Hosmer and Major Isaiah Thompson, of Farmington, Connecticut, visited the Genesee country and purchased
the township on behalf of five Connecticut men, of whom they were two. "The price paid," says Colonel Hosmer, "was eighteen
pence, New England currency, per acre, then a high rate in consequence of the open flats. Of the five grantees only Major
Thompson and Dr. Hosmer became residents here. The latter had been surgeon of the Sixth Connecticut regiment and served
through the war of the Revolution. His diploma of membership in the Society of the Cincinnati, signed by Washington as its
President, and General Knox as Secretary, is an eloquent attestation of his long term of service.* Partly from love of adventure,
partly to escape professional practice requiring constant toil, he emigrated from his pleasant New England home to this realm of
unbounded forest. He passed the summer of 1790 in exploring the country, returned home in the fall, and in the following year,
accompanied by his sons Frederick and Algernon Sydney, began the work of settlement by erecting a log dwelling near the present
residence of his nephew, James Hosmer. In 1792 his family joined him, and being the only physician within call of the detached
settlements, he relieved the sick, prompted by a spirit of benevolence rather than professional gain. His good humor and
encouraging words cheered the desponding settlers wrestling with disease and the fearful privations of the wilderness. The red man
appreciated his skill and named him At-ta-gus, or "healer of diseases."
* "His dress-sword, a sharp blade, enclosed in a silver-mounted
black leathern sheath, is now in possession of a grandson, at
Meadville, Pa. On Dr. Hosmer devolved the duty of laying finger on
Andre's pulse after the execution of that noted British spy, and
reporting him dead to the officers of the Court martial."
"When Ontario county was organized Dr. Hosmer became one of its
judges and succeeded Oliver Phelps as First Judge. The latter office
he held until sixty years of age, the constitutional limitation. He
possessed a fine literary taste, and his well-selected library of medical
and miscellaneous works was an anomaly in the backwoods. His
correspondence reveals varied reading and mental culture. He had
acquired high, professional reputation in the army, and at one time
was transferred from the Connecticut line to the staff of the
Commander-in-chief.
"He was a gentleman of the old school, scrupulously clean and neat in
his attire, with a portly frame and erect military carriage. His hair was
ribbon-tied, and carefully powdered by his black body-servant 'Boston.'
His breeches of soft and nicely dressed deerskin, were fastened at the
knees by silver buckles. He was courtly in his manners to all, but
especially marked for chivalric courtesy to women. When passing a
lady acquaintance in the street, he would bow with uncovered head
though rain were falling, and the poorest, the most unfortunate of the
sex ever found in him a ready champion and defender. He died in
November, 1816, aged 70 years." He sleeps in the Avon village
cemetery, where a plain and substantial headstone marks the spot.
He was the father of five sons, including Sylvester.
The Bench and Bar of New York, page 175.
http://books.google.com/books?id=kAg9AAAAIAAJ&pg=PA175&lpg=P
A175&dq=%22timothy+hosmer%22+%22andre%22&source=bl&ots=T
AVIQZqJUg&sig=bwwmP6Q0dsEG7xOOnWuCmstSQQ4&hl=en&sa=
X&ei=Vbj8TrTqJcrj0QH4r7ylAg&ved=0CCgQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=
%22timothy%20hosmer%22%20%22andre%22&f=false
Timothy Hosmer, one of the earliest settlers of Ontario county, a man
of liberal education, a physician by profession, and a true gentleman
of the old school.
At the commencement of the revolutionary war, he entered the Continental army as surgeon of a Connecticut regiment, in which
capacity he served during the war, with the exception of two years, during which time he served as surgeon on the staff of
Washington. He was present at the battles of Monmouth, White Plains, Brandywine, Princeton and Trenton.
At the execution of Andre he was one of the attending surgeons, and no event which he witnessed during the progress of the whole
war made so deep and lasting an impression on his mind as did the death of that elegant and accomplished soldier. In after years,
while relating the circumstances of this execution, he was "often beguiled of his tears."
In October, 1798, he was appointed by Governor George Clinton, first judge of Ontario county. Oliver Phelps, with whom he came to
western New York, had previously been appointed to that office, but such was the condition of the county that no courts were held or
organized by Judge Phelps, and his many important business relations compelled him to resign, and Dr. Hosmer was appointed in.
his place. Mr. Phelps was a native of Windsor, Connecticut, and with Nathaniel Gorham was one of the earliest landholders in the
then far off Genesee country. He was active, high-minded, enterprising and intelligent. When he first visited western New York, that
now highly cultivated and splendid section of the State was an unbroken wilderness, save the few settlements or openings made by
30

the Indians. But the sheen of its beautiful lakes and rivers, the legendary hunting ground^ of the red man, and. the natural beauty of
the country, had many charms for the intrepid pioneer, and as if by prophetic vision he saw something of its future greatness, though
he could not realize that within a period of time less than a century it would attain a position in civilization, wealth and refinement
equal to realms known in history for ages.
Mr. Phelps first visited Geneva, than called Kanedesaga, in the year 1788. In the spring of 1789, under his auspices, a large
company from Connecticut and Massachusetts commenced a settlement in the country of the Genesee; after encountering many
hardships and adjusting many difficulties with rival companies and the Indians, a settlement was permanently commenced.
Canandaigua, or Canadargua, as it was first called, was the headquarters of Mr. Phelps. The beautiful location of that village, or
trading post as it was then, had been previously described by tourists and adventurers who had occasionally found their way to this
distant country. As early as 1765, a traveler by the name of Kirtland, visited Kanadesaga, or Geneva, and in a letter to Sir William
Johnson, under whose auspices the journey was undertaken, he bitterly complained of the fare he found.
"Could I have plenty of fresh venison and bear's flesh," he said, "I could do without bread, ye staff of life; but to have little of either,
and ye most part of it rotten, I think may be called coarse food."
In another part of this letter, he says he finds "nothing but ye Indians here." And this only a hundred and four years ago.
Soon after the settlements under Phelps and Gorham were commenced, several distinguished tourists from the Atlantic cities and
from Europe, visited western New York, and the poetic description which they gave of the country attracted great attention. The
Gentleman's Magazine, a well known quarterly of much literary merit, then published in London, contains a letter written from
Geneva in 1790, by a young nobleman, who made the tour of "these western wilds," as he called the country.
"The scenery about Kanadesaga," he says, "is beautiful and as enchanting as any Italian landscape, or the shores of classic seas,
while the whole country about Canandaigua is as enchanting as the Vale of Tempe, and as beautiful as the garden of Hesperides.
There are, however, but one or two families of whites at either place, to enjoy the Eden-like beauties of the situation."
The county of Ontario was set off from Montgomery in the year 1789, and included all the territory known as the Geneeee country,
and now known as western New York. Mr. Phelps was elected to Congress from Ontario county in the year 1803. He served in that
body two years. After retiring from Congress, he embarked in certain speculations, which resulted disastrously, and he became
greatly embarrassed, notwithstanding that his wealth was once estimated at a million dollars. He died at Canandaigua in the year
1809. The names of Oliver Phelps and Nathaniel Gorham are indelibly inscribed in the history of western New York; while their
descendants are known among the most respectable and distinguished citizens of the State.
Judge Hosmer presided at the first county court ever held in Ontario county. His associates were Charles Williamson and Enos
Boughton. This court was held at Nathaniel Sanborn's hotel, in Canandaigua, November, 1794. Among the lawyers present were
Vincent Mathews, James Wadsworth, John Wickham, and Thomas Morris. There were several causes on the calendar, but no jury
cases were tried—the principal business being the organization of the court. The next term was held in June, 1795. At this court,
occurred the first jury trial which ever took place west of Herkimer county. It was the trial of a man indicted for stealing a cow-bell.
The culprit was defended by Vincent Mathews and Peter B. Porter; while the prosecution was conducted by Nathaniel W. Howell,
afterwards Judge Howell. The cause was tried with all the adherence to strict legal rules, with all the conformity to great principles of
justice, which characterizes legal proceedings in the most gorgeous temple of justice, or under the domes where law, in scholastic
robes, has been for ages dispensed. After a close, legal contest, and an able charge to the jury from Judge Hosmer, the prisoner
was acquitted. The first Circuit Court, and Court of Oyer and Terminer, held west of Montgomery county, took place at Patterson's
tavern, Geneva, June, 1793. John Sloss Hobert, one of the three justices of the Supreme Court, appointed after the organization of
the judiciary in 1777, presided. A grand jury was impanneled and charged, but no indictments were found.
Judge Hosmer was not bred to the bar, yet his strong, practical, good sense, his finished education, extensive reading, his love of
justice and equity, rendered him well qualified for his judicial position, and his decisions were always acceptable to the bar and the
public. The following anecdote illustrates his natural love of justice:
During one of the terms of his court, a woman was brought to the bar for trial, on an indictment charging her with a violent assault
and battery upon a man by the name of Scrope. The evidence developed the fact, that Scrope had intruded himself into the kitchen
of the lady, and grossly insulted her. Seizing an old fashioned splint broom, a formidable weapon, by the way, she drove him from
the house, inflicting several very severe blows upon his head with the broom, which considerably injured him.
The district-attorney, having proved the assault and the injury resulting from it, rested his case, confident that the woman would be
convicted. Her counsel seemed to take this view of the case, and made but little effort to save her. Then came the charge of the
judge; he was, as we have seen, a gentleman of the olden time, too refined and chivalrous to see a lady convicted under such
circumstances; especially as he believed the acts of the complainant were a perfect justification for the assault.
"Gentlemen of the jury," said he, "the evidence in this case, clearly shows that an assault and battery has been committed upon this
man, and unless there is some justification for the assault, you must convict the defendant. But, gentlemen, in my view, there are
extenuating circumstances in the case, which you must take into consideration. Among which, are the sex of the defendant, the
place where the assault was committed, and the circumstances which led to the assault. Gentlemen, bear in mind that the kitchen is
a woman's empire, the broomstick a legalized, and therefore legitimate weapon, her honor the corner-stone of society, nay, its
superstructure. The wretch who invades her empire and there wantonly insults her, should never complain if quick, heavy, repeated
blows given with her proper weapon should in fury descend upon his head. If he escapes with his life, he should make no other
demonstration than thanking God for it. But when he goes further, when, as in this case, he asks redress from a jury; if there is a
juror in the box who has a wife, mother, daughter, sister, or female friend of any kind, that cannot see in the provocation a
justification of this act, and of the whole act, his name ought to "be stricken from the jury box forever. Go out, gentlemen, and return
with such a verdict as will not, when you go to your homes, bring upon you the condemnation of every virtuous woman."
This charge, although not entirely balanced by strict legal rules, rendered the judge very popular, especially with the ladies.
31

-----
http://www.archive.org/stream/farmingtoninwaro00gayj/farmingtoninwaro00gayj_djvu.txt
A letter written by Dr. Timothy Hosmer to Ensign Amos Wadsworth July 30, 1775, illustrates the spirit of the times, and is, perhaps,
quite enough to say about Whig and Tory hatred. He says:
"The first act I shall give you is concerning the grand Continental Fast as conducted by that great friend to administration, the Rev.
John Smalley. The Sunday before the Fast, after service, he read the proclamation, and then told his people that fasting and prayer
were no doubt a Christian duty, and that they ought in times of trouble to set apart a suitable time to celebrate a fast, but they were
not obliged to keep the day by that proclamation, as they (the Congress) had no power to command, but only to recommend, and
desired they would speak their minds by a vote, whether they would keep the day. The vote was accordingly called for, and it
appeared to be a scant vote, though they met on the Fast day and he preached to them. We look upon it as implicitly denying all
authority of Congress. It hath awakened his best friends against him. Even Lieut. Porter, Mr. Bull, and John Treadwell say they
cannot see any excuse for him, and I believe the committee will take up the matter and call him to answer for his conduct. There
hath happened a terrible rumpus at Waterbury with the Tories there. Capt. Nicholl's son, Josiah, enlisted under Capt. Porter in Gen.
Wooster's regiment, went down to New York with the regiment, tarried a short time, and deserted . . . came home and kept a little
under covert, but goes down to Saybrook and there enlisted with Capt. Shipman . . . . got his bounty and rushed off again. Capt.
Shipman came up after him . . and went with some people they had got to assist them to Lemuel Nicholl's, where they supposed he
was.
Lemuel forbade their coming in, and presented a sword and told them it was death to the first that offered to enter, but one young
man seized the sword by the blade and wrenched it out of his hands. They bound him and made a search through the house, but
could find nothing of Josiah. The Tories all mustered to defend him, and finally got Lemuel from them and he and Josiah pushed off
where they cannot be found. This ran through Thursday. The Whigs sent over to Southington for help, and the people almost all
went from Southington on Friday. They took Capt. Nicholls, whom they found on his belly over in his lot, in a bunch of alders, carried
him before Esq. Hopkins, and had him bound over to the County Court at New Haven They had near 100 Tories collected upon the
occasion, and were together till ten o'clock Friday night. They dispersed and there was nothing done to humble them, but I
apprehend the next opportunity I have to write I shall be able to inform you that Smalley and they, too, will be handled."
-----
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ebenezer_Huntington
Ebenezer Huntington b. 26 Dec 1754, Norwich, CT; d. There 17 Jun 1834; son of Gen. Jabez Huntington and Hannah Williams,
was a U. S. Representative from Connecticut. He pursued academic studies and was graduated from Yale College in 1775. He
served as a soldier during the Revolutionary War, first in the Lexington alarm in April 1775 and later with the 3rd and 1st Connecticut
Regiments. As a lieutenant colonel, he commanded a light infantry battalion at Yorktown. He was promoted to brigadier general in
the Army,19 Jul 1798 when war with France was threatened, and was honorably discharged 15 Jun 1800.
Huntington was elected as a Federalist to the 11th Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Samuel W. Dana and
served from 11 Oct 1810, to 3 Mar 1811. He was elected to the 15th Congress (1817–1819). He was buried in Old Colony
Cemetery.
The American historical review, Volume 5, by American Historical Association
http://books.google.com/books?id=B-
4OAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA702&dq=%22ebenezer+Huntington%22&hl=en&sa=X&ei=BSkBT9qzOuf10gH68tmLAg&ved=0CEYQ6AEwA
Q#v=onepage&q=%22ebenezer%20Huntington%22&f=false
Letters of Ebenezer Huntington, 1774—1781}
Ebenezer Huntington was born at Norwich, CT, 26 Dec 1754, the fourth son of General Jabez Huntington. After preparation at the
grammar school at Lebanon he entered Yale College, in October 1771, where he was graduated in 1775. The same year he
received an honorary degree of A.B. from Harvard College. Already, on the outbreak of hostilities in April, 1775, he had joined the
army before Boston as a volunteer. In September he received a commission as first lieutenant in Captain Chester's company of the
Connecticut regiment commanded by Colonel Samuel Wyllys. In June, 1776, he was appointed a captain in that regiment. Toward
the end of the year he was made deputy adjutant-general, and deputy paymaster-general to the troops on the North River under the
command of Major-General Heath. In January, 1777, he was appointed a major under Colonel Samuel B. Webb in one of the
sixteen additional regiments which Congress had authorized General Washington to raise. He was with Washington at Valley Forge,
and in the passage of the Delaware on the night of 24 Dec. In 1778, Colonel Webb having been made a prisoner, and the
lieutenant-colonel being sick, Ebenezer Huntington commanded the regiment and marched it to Newport to reinforce the troops
intended for the attack on Rhode Island. On October 10, 1778, the lieutenant-colonel having resigned, Huntington was promoted to
that position. In 1781, as lieutenant-colonel in a regiment of light infantry, he marched from the North River to Yorktown, and served
at the siege of that place. From 1792 to 1823, he was adjutant-general of the state of Connecticut, and from 1799 to 1805 he was
also major-general of the third division of the Connecticut militia. He was actively interested in the establishment of the turnpike
between Norwich and New London, the first in the state (1791), in the establishment of the first insurance company at Norwich
(1794), and of its bank (1796), of which he was president for many years. In 1798 he was appointed a brigadier general in the
provisional army raised by the United States at that time. From 1810 to 1811, and from 1817 to 1819, he was a member of
Congress. He was an excellent disciplinarian, and a man of great dignity and force of character.
He was twice married, and died on 17 Jun 1834. The letters here printed should be brought into connection with the letters of his
brother Jedidiah Huntington, which are printed in the Collections of the Massachusetts Historical Society, Fifth Series, IX. 493-518,
with the letters of Jedidiah and Joshua, another brother, printed in the same society's Proceedings, Second Scries, VII. 355-360,
32

and with the letters printed in the three volumes of the Correspondence of Colonel Samuel Blachley Webb, edited by Mr.
Worthington C. Ford. A portrait of Gen. Ebenezer Huntington is given in Miss Caulkins's History of Norwich, ed. 1866, facing p. 419.
1 For the following letters we are indebted to Miss Perkins, of Norwich, Connecticut, a granddaughter of their writer. They may be
read at Appendix II of this present compilation.
-----
Joseph Jewett
http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/w/e/i/Irene-Weinmann/BOOK-0001/0086-0013.html
CAPT. JOSEPH JEWETT (DEBORAH 6 LORD, ELIZABETH 5 HYDE, SAMUEL 4 , WILLIAM 3 , ROBERT 2 , ROBERT 1 ) b. 13 Dec 1732 in
Lyme, New London, CT; d. 29 Aug 1776 in Battle of Long Island; bur. Marvin Cemetery, Lyme, CT; son of Capt. Nathan Jewett and
Deborah Lord (daughter of Richard Lord & Elizabeth Hyde; m. ca 1758 LUCRETIA ROGERS (his second cousin), b. 4 May 1740 in
Norwich, New London, CT; d. 18 Jan 1836. d/o Dr. THEOPHILUS ROGERS and ELIZABETH HYDE.
Joseph Jewett, (1732-76), commanded a company at the siege of Boston and the battle of Long Island, where he lost his life. (DAR
Records)
Cause of Death: Killed: Medical Information: Bayonet stabs after he had surrendered
Military service: Bet. 1775 - 1776, American Revolution
Epitaph: "In Memory of Mrs. Lucretia Lee, Born May 15, 1740, died Jan. 18, 1836, in her 96th year. She opened her mouth with
wisdom, and in her tongue was the law of kindness?"
Children of JOSEPH JEWETT and LUCRETIA ROGERS:
i. LUCY JEWETT, b. 12 May 1759, Lyme, New London, CT; d. 1784; m. DAVID MINER; b. ca 1750.
ii. MARY JEWETT, b. 12 Mar 1761, Lyme, New London, CT; m1. SAMUEL PERKINS; b. ca 1760; m2. COL. JACOB
SPOFFORD; b. ca 1760.
ii. JOSEPH JEWETT, b. 07 Jun 1763, Lyme, New London, CT; d. 1812; m. JANE PETTIBONE, 1786; b. 1767; d. 1842.
iii. ZABDIAL JEWETT, b. 30 Apr 1765, Lyme, New London, CT; m. ZEBIAH ROWE; b. ca 1765.
v. LUCRETIA JEWETT, b. 24 Aug 1767, Lyme, New London, CT; m. PLINY HAYES, 14 Nov 1787, Lyme, New London, CT; b. 6
Jun 1766, Simsbury, Hartford, CT; d. 2 Aug 1831, South Bristol, Ontario, NY.
vi. DEBORAH JEWETT, b. 27 Aug 1769, Lyme, New London, CT; m. RICHARD LORD; b. ca 1769.
vii. ELIZABETH JEWETT, b. 1769, Lyme, New London, CT; d. Lyme, New London, CT (infancy).
viii. JOSHUA JEWETT, b. 14 Aug 1771, Lyme, New London, CT; m1. SYBIL PETTIBONE; b. ca 1771; m2. MARY ANNA
COSSIT; b. ca 1770.
ix. JOSIAH JEWETT, b. 29 Dec 1773, Lyme, New London, CT; d. 1860.
x. GEORGE WASHINGTON JEWETT, b. 10 Mar 1776, Lyme, New London, CT; m. SOPHIA MATHER; b. ca 1776.
Congressional Edition, by United States. Congress
http://books.google.com/books?id=B2pHAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA240&lpg=PA240&dq=%
22joseph+jewett%22+%22long+island%22&source=bl&ots=YGDqnu6pwh&sig=aaO
bQrDExuZUaFO-
W4BwSQccE3s&hl=en&sa=X&ei=rkH_Tor6L8Pg0QGM49CsAg&ved=0CDAQ6AEw
Aw#v=onepage&q=%22joseph%20jewett%22%20%22long%20island%22&f=false
The estate of Joseph Jewett was embroiled in a series of legal proceedings following
his death. The first page of these proceedings is shown below, the remaining 9
pages may found as Appendix I to this present compilation.
Joseph Jewett . . . was a captain in the army of the revolution, and who marched
with his company to Roxbury at the time of the Lexington alarm, as will appear from
records and affidavits accompanying this application, and who was again
commissioned as a captain of the 8th company of the 8th regiment, and marched to
Boston to join the American forces at that place, and who again joined the army as a
captain of the 8th company of the 8th regiment, under the command of Colonel
Jedediah Huntington; that his father, Captain Joseph Jewett, marched with Colonel
Huntington on to Long Island, and at the battle on the 27th of August, 1776, he was
taken a prisoner, and upon his refusal to deliver up his watch was mortally wounded
by a British officer, of which wound he died on the 31st of that month; that his mother
was left with a family of nine children to support, all of whom are since dead except
the above-named applicants; that his mother, Lucretia Lee, (formerly Lucretia
Jewett,) died at Lyme, aforesaid, on the 18th of January, 1836 . . .
Joseph Jewett, of Lyme, in New London county, was married unto Lucretia Rogers, of Norwich, in the county aforesaid, on the 18th
day of May, A. D. 1758.
Lucy Jewett, daughter of Joseph and Lucretia Jewett, was born the 12th day of May, A. D. 1759;
Mary Jewett, daughter of Joseph and Lucretia Jewett, was born the 12th day of March, A. D. 1761;
Joseph Jewett, son of Joseph and Lucretia Jewett, was born June 7th, A. D. 1763;
Zabdial Rogers Jewett, son of Joseph and Lucretia Jewett, was born April 20th, A. D. 1765;
Lucretia Jewett, daughter of Joseph and Lucretia Jewett, was born April 24th, A. D. 1767;
Elizabeth and Deborah Jewett, daughters of Joseph and Lucretia Jewett, were born August 27th, A. D. 1769;
Joshua Jewett, son of Joseph and Lucretia Jewett, was born August 14th, A. D. 1771;
33

Josiah Jewett, son of Joseph and Lucretia Jewett, was born December 29th, A. D. 1773;
George Washington Jewett, son of Joseph and Lucretia Jewett, was born March 10th, A. D. 1776;
Elizabeth Jewett, aforesaid, died March 12th, A. D. 1775;
Captain Joseph Jewett, abovesaid, died in New York, August 31st, A. D. 1776.
-----
History of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick and of the Hibernian Society . . ., by John Hugh Campbell
http://books.google.com/books?id=kKoCAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA117&dq=%22francis+johnston%22+%22Society+of+the+Cincinnati%2
2&hl=en&sa=X&ei=1vT8TsGUK6b00gHQnOWyAg&ved=0CEMQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=%22francis%20johnston%22%20%22So
ciety%20of%20the%20Cincinnati%22&f=false
Francis Johnston, 1779.—As early as 1721 lands were settled by Alexander Johnston (father of Francis Johnston) and others,
who were Irish Presbyterians, in the central portion of Chester co., PA. Alexander Johnston, who came from the vicinity of
Londonderry, Ireland, was a magistrate, and his farm contained some 900 acres. He was married to Martha Johnston (maiden name
not known) and had nine children, viz., five sons and four daughters. He died August 8, 1790, aged 84 years, and his wife, Martha,
on February 8, 1784, aged 66 years. They are buried, on what was a portion of his plantation, at New London Cross-Roads
(changed in 1847 to New London), Chester co., PA.
Colonel Francis Johnston (1779), the second and only son leaving issue to perpetuate the name, was born on his father's estate in
1748. In Futhey's History of Chester County, Pa.," it is stated that he "was among the earliest and most earnest of the Whigs of
Chester co., who led the opposition to the measures of Great Britain, which resulted in the War of Independence. When the
masterspirits of that day assembled to organize resistance to tyranny, we almost invariably find Anthony Wayne presiding at the
meetings in Chester co. and Francis Johnston acting as Secretary." On January 2, 1776, the Committee of Safety in Philadelphia
recommended Anthony Wayne for Colonel and Francis Johnston for Lieutenant-Colonel of the 4th Pennsylvania Battalion then to be
raised, and they were accordingly appointed by the Continental Congress on January 4, 1776. In September, 1776, the 5th
Pennsylvania Regiment was organized with Francis I Johnston as Colonel, and Persifor Frazer as Lieutenant-Colonel. It was
present at the battles of Brandywine, Germantown, Monmouth and Stony Point. Colonel Johnston was in active service until
January 1, 1781. In 1783 he was Assistant Treasurer and in 1785 Treasurer of the State Society of the Cincinnati. In 1784 he was
appointed by the General Government a Commissioner to treat with the Indians, when the treaty of Fort Stanwix was executed. In
1791 he was Receiver General of the Land Office of Pennsylvania, and had his office at 133 Walnut street. In 1794 he still held that
office, as he wrote, September 10, 1794, to Governor Mifflin, offering his services as a volunteer in the City Troop, to suppress the
whiskey insurrection, '' should you think it compatible with the duties I owe the public at this time, in the character of Receiver
General of the Land Office." He died February 22, 1815, aged 67 years.
He was a member of the First City Troop, and was the facetious Secretary of the Fishing Club before the war. He was also a
member of the Hibernian Society (1808) and of the Hibernia Fire Company. He received a liberal education; was an excellent
classical scholar, and was distinguished for his drollery and humorous anecdotes, sung a merry song and was the life of a dinner
party. His wit was proverbial. At one time he lived at "Mount Prospect," on the Schuylkill, now included in Fairmount Park. Upon
December 15, 1775, he married Alice Erwin, as recorded in Christ Church records, Philadelphia, and had two children—Mary Erwin
Johnston, who married Richard Renshaw, and Alexander W. Johnston, who married Anne Poyntell, daughter of William Poyntell,
and sister of Rebecca Poyntell, who married Robert A. Caldcleugh (1806). His son, Alexander W. Johnston, left the following
children, viz.: 1st. Wm. Poyntell Johnston, an eminent physician, who resided in Philadelphia, and at one time in Erie and Sunbury,
Pa. He died February 26, 1836; his widow and children reside in Wilmington, Del. 2d. Francis Johnston, a member of the Bar, who
died at Pittsburg, Pa., on September 10, 1863; his only living descendants are a daughter, the wife of Professor Wm. M. Sloane, of
Princeton, N. J., and a granddaughter, the child of his son, Ross Johnston. 3d. Howard; 4th. Alexander; 5th. Caroline—all deceased.
Alexander W. Johnston succeeded his father, Colonel Francis Johnston, to the membership of the Society of the Cincinnati: he was
succeeded by his son, Wm. Poyntell Johnston; he by his son, Wm. Poyntell Johnston, and he by his brother, Tilghman Johnston, a
member of the Bar of Wilmington, Del., who is now the representative.
Some Pennsylvania Women during the War of the Revolution, edited by William Henry Egle
http://books.google.com/books?id=jEUVAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA101&dq=%22francis+johnston%22+%22Society+of+the+Cincinnati%22
&hl=en&sa=X&ei=1vT8TsGUK6b00gHQnOWyAg&ved=0CFIQ6AEwBg#v=onepage&q=%22francis%20johnston%22%20%22Societ
y%20of%20the%20Cincinnati%22&f=false
ALICE ERWIN JOHNSTON - Alice Erwin, daughter of James Erwin, was born circa 1754 in Whiteland township, Chester county,
PA. Brought up on her father's farm, she was educated at one of the Friends' schools for which that county was then so eminently
distinguished, in ante-Revolutionary times. December 15, 1775, she married Francis Johnston, and they resided during the greater
part of their lives on the plantation near New London Cross Roads, Chester county. During the Revolutionary period, unlike the
majority of her neighbors, which settlement was pre-eminently a Quaker one, she manifested great interest in the welfare of many
whom she knew had accompanied her husband to the field of battle. In her patriotic ardor during the occupancy of Philadelphia by
the British, her actions were in strange contrast to the conduct of the women in the city who showered favors upon the British
officers, little thinking of the sufferings, the sacrifices and the daring of their sisters in the interior of the State, whose husbands and
sons were battling with the enemy of their country. Mrs. Johnston never wearied in philanthropic work, whether to those who were in
the service of their country or to her less fortunate neighbors. During that terrible winter at Valley Forge, she greatly assisted in
gathering and sending supplies to the half-fed soldiers. Her husband not returning until the close of the war, the entire management
of the estate and the care of her little family devolved upon her. When Colonel Johnston was appointed Receiver General of the
Land Office, the family removed to Philadelphia, where they resided until the close of life. Mrs. Johnston died in .that city, but we
have no record of the date of her death or where interred.
Francis Johnston, son of Alexander and Martha Johnston, was born near New London Cross Roads, Chester county, October 17,
1748. He received a liberal education, was an excellent classical scholar and greatly distinguished in life for his drollery and
humorous anecdotes, sung a merry song, and was the life of the dinner party. His wit was proverbial. He entered the study of the
34

law, and was admitted to the Philadelphia bar in August, 1771. It is not known if he continued in the profession. He was among the
earliest and most earnest of the Whigs of Chester county, who led the opposition to the measures of Great Britain, which resulted in
the War for Independence. When the master spirits of that day assembled to organize resistance to tyranny, we almost invariably
find the name of Francis Johnston in some official capacity. On January 2, 1776, the Committee of Safety recommended Francis
Johnston for lieutenant colonel of the Fourth Pennsylvania Battalion, then to be raised, and he was accordingly appointed by the
Continental Congress January 4, 1776. September 27, 1776, he was commissioned colonel of the Fifth Regiment of the
Pennsylvania Line. He had previously served in the Canada Campaign of that year. He participated in the battles of Brandywine,
Germantown, Monmouth and Stony Point, and continued in active service until January 1,1781, when he retired, the Fifth and Ninth
Pennsylvania Regiments being consolidated.
Colonel Johnston was one of the original members of the State Society of the Cincinnati, in 1783 was its assistant treasurer, and in
1785 treasurer. In 1784 he was appointed by the general government one of the commissioners to treat with the Indians when the
treaty of Fort Stanwix was executed. Under the Constitution of 1790 he was appointed Receiver General of the Land Office and held
that office during the administration of Governor Mifflin. During the Whiskey insurrection of 1794 he offered his services to the
Government.
In 1810 he was chosen to the office of sheriff for the city and county of Philadelphia—elected by those who differed with him in
political opinion, thereby showing, however true the charge of ingratitude may be against republics generally, that the people of
Republican America had not then forgotten the services of those to whose exertions they were indebted for the liberty they enjoyed.
He died at Philadelphia February 22, 1815. Colonel Johnston was a member of the First City Troop, of the "State in Schuylkill," and
of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick. His services in the war of the Revolution were ably and zealously rendered, and highly
appreciated. He ventured his life and spent his fortune for liberty.
-----
http://books.google.com/books?id=KSwEAAAAYAAJ&pg=RA1-
PA197&dq=%22william+judd%22+%22connecticut%22&hl=en&sa=X&ei=YhsFT5G-
NoXt0gG1wPmpAg&ved=0CDEQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=%22william%20judd%22%20%22connecticut%22&f=false
Captain William Judd, sixth child of William Judd and Ruth Lee, was born in Farmington, 20 Jul 1743; graduated from Yale College
with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, in 1763; and two years later was admitted to the legal bar of Hartford county. As an attorney he
gained prominence. Establishing his law office in the town of his nativity, he eventually became justice of the peace there, and
otherwise took active part in local administrative affairs. Ultimately he became a State legislator, and during the Revolution took rank
as captain under Colonel Willis in the Connecticut regiment. He was a leader of the Whig party in Connecticut, and a charter
member of the Connecticut branch of the Society of the Cincinnati, incorporated in 1786, General George Washington having
signed his certificate of membership. His death occurred at Farmington on 13 Nov 1804. On 8 Dec 1765, he married Elizabeth Mix,
daughter of Ebenezer Mix and Mercy Sedgwick, and widow of Caleb Merrill.
A History of Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, . . . , Volume 2, by Oscar Jewell Harvey, page 824.
http://books.google.com/books?id=xLBZAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA825&dq=%22william+judd%22+%22mix%22&hl=en&sa=X&ei=rRwFT5
yWD-bb0QH07u3QAg&ved=0CEQQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=%22william%20judd%22%20%22mix%22&f=false
William Judd (Jr.) was born at Farmington, CT, 20 Jul 1743, the third son and sixth child of William Judd, Sr., and his wife Ruth,
youngest child of John and Elizabeth (Loomis) Lee of Farmington. William Judd. Sr., was the only son and eldest child of John Judd
of Farmington. who was a descendant in the fourth generation of Thomas Judd who came from England in 1633 or '34 and settled
at Cambridge, MA; removing to Hart lord, CT, in 1636, and about 1644 becoming one of the proprietors of Farmington, where he
died 12 Nov 1688. He was a Deacon of the Farmington Church. William Judd, Sr., was a well-to-do man. He died in 1751, and upon
his monument the following inscription was carved: "Liberality of sentiment, singular veracity, integrity and charity marked his
character." His widow was married in 1760 to Jacob Kellogg.
William Judd, Jr., was graduated A. B. at Yale College in 1763, in the same class with Ebenezer Gray mentioned on page 292, Vol.
I) and Vine Elderkin (mentioned on page 463, Vol. I), and in Sep 1778, the degree of A.. M. was conferred on him by his Alma
Mater—he being present, in person, to receive it. Having studied law he was admitted to the Bar of Hartford County, Connecticut, in
1765, and immediately began to practise his profession in his native town. In 1773 he became a proprietor in The Susquehanna
Company, and in March 1774, was (as noted on page 798. ante) appointed a member of the Standing Committee of the Company.
At a town-meeting of the inhabitants of Farmington held 15 Jun 1774, it was voted: "That the Act of Parliament for blocking up the
port of Boston is an invasion of the rights and privileges of every American, and as such we are determined to oppose the same—
with all other such arbitrary and tyrannical acts—in every suitable way and manner that may be adopted in General Congress; to the
intent that we may be instrumental in securing and transmitting our rights and privileges inviolate to the latest posterity. * * * That
William Judd, Fisher Gay [and nine others named] be, and they are hereby, appointed a committee to keep up a correspondence
with the towns of this and the neighboring Colonies."
In May, 1775, William Judd was still living in Farmington, but shortly afterwards—leaving his family there—he removed to Wilkes-
Barre\ Here he was the proprietor of Town Lot No. 32 (see page 655). which he continued to own until 15 Jun 1792, when he sold it
to Putnam Catlin for £30. In August and September, 1775, Major Judd was at Wilkes-Barre, where he was exercising the duties of
his office of Justice of the Peace.
After his release from custody by the Pennsylvania authorities (see page 843) he returned to Wilkes Barre:, where, in the Summer
or early Autumn of 1776, he enlisted a number of men for the Continental army. At the session of the Connecticut Assembly held at
New Haven in Oct 1776—Col. Zebulon Butler and Col. Nathan Denison being in attendance as Representatives from
Westmoreland—Major Judd was appointed a Justice of the Peace in and for Westmoreland for the ensuing year, and was also
appointed a Captain in the 3rd Regiment, Connecticut Line, in the Continental service. (See page 637.) Under the date of 18 Dec
35

1776. Major Judd wrote from Wilkes-Barre" to Governor Trumbull of Connecticut as follows (see "American Archives," Fifth Series,
111:1281):
"By the hand of Jonathan Fitch, Esq., I was favored with a certificate of my appointment to a captaincy in the Continental service.
The duty I owe my country, and the gratitude due to friends, are strong motives urging me to accept the appointment; but when I
consider this infant country and settlement, and the probability of Colonel Butler's leaving it at so critical a season, I rather consider it
my duty to remain here for the present. Capt. Robert Durkee, who commands these two companies of troops stationed here [the
"Wyoming Independent Companies," described in Chapter XIII], is very desirous of joining the army. Could he be allowed to take my
place in the army, and I have his berth at this place, it would be agreeable to me, for the reasons aforementioned. My inclination
strongly urges me to the service of my country, and were it not for the regard I have to this settlement, would immediately enter into
the service. Should I be so happy as to succeed in my wish, I hope I may be allowed the rank of Major, though I expect to receive no
more than Captain's pay or rations. My reasons are, that I may not be commanded by the other Captain [Samuel Ransom] stationed
here; which will be the case provided I cannot obtain the rank of Major, as his commission will be older than mine. I have wrote to
General Parsons to the same purpose. Captain Durkee is gone to the army. I humbly hope for your Honour's influence with the
Congress for that purpose."
1 Jan 1777, Major Judd was commissioned Captain in the 3rd Regiment, Connecticut Line (previously mentioned), and a few weeks
later he left Wilkes-Barre for Connecticut, where, having accepted his commission, he aided in organizing the new regiment. He
remained in the service until 1 Jan 1781, when he was retired by the consolidation of his regiment with the 4th Connecticut
Regiment. (See page 486, Vol. I.) Subsequently Captain Judd became an original member of the Connecticut branch of the Society
of the Cincinnati. Upon leaving the army he returned lo Farmington, where he resumed the practise of law, and where he resided
until his death. He represented his town at nine sessions of the General Assembly of Connecticut from 1786 to 1791; in 1788 he
was a member of the State Convention which ratified the Constitution of the United States, and for several years about that period
he was a Justice of the Peace.
American Union Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, was constituted at Waterman's Tavern, Roxbury, Massachusetts, February
20, 1776. It was an Army, or a Military, Lodge, and worked in the American army until April 23, 1783. It was re-opened at Marietta,
Ohio, June 28, 1790, and was re-chartered by the Grand Lodge of Ohio in 1815. It is still at work, at Marietta, and is the oldest
Masonic Lodge in the West. While working as an Army Lodge many prominent American officers were members of it; among them
being Samuel Holden Parsons, Ebenezer Gray, Samuel Wyllys, Isaac Sherman, Samuel Richards and Jedidiah Huntington. At a
later date Gen. Rufus Putnam (the first Grand Master of Ohio), Gov. Return Jonathan Meigs, the Hon. Lewis Cass, and other
eminent men were members of the Lodge. Capt. William Judd became a member of American Union Lodge prior to February,
1779, at which time, as the records show, he was serving as Secretary of the Lodge. At a meeting of the Lodge held at
Morristown, New Jersey, on St. John the Evangelist's Day (27 Dec), 1779, Captain Judd was present, and among the names of
distinguished Brethren present we find those of Generals Washington, Schuyler, Maxwell and Benedict Arnold.
After the war Captain, or Major (as he was commonly called), Judd became a member of St. John's Lodge, No. 2, F&AM,
Middletown, CT. Frederick Lodge, No. 14, F&AM, now of Plainville, CT, was organized under a charter from the Grand Lodge of
Massachusetts 18 Sep 1787, by several members of the craft residing at Farmington, CT. Major Judd was the first Worshipful
Master of this Lodge, and among its members were several other Brethren who had been members of American Union Lodge. A
convention of representatives from various Masonic Lodges located in Connecticut assembled at Hartford May 14, 1789, to consider
the question of establishing a Grand Lodge. Major Judd presided, and a committee was appointed to arrange a plan of organization,
to be reported at a convention to be held at New Haven on the 8th of the following July. On that day 21 representatives from twelve
Lodges convened at the old "Doolittle Tavern, corner of Kim and College Streets, New Haven, and organized the present Grand
Lodge of Connecticut, F&AM. "These Free Masons," wrote the late Grand Secretary of Connecticut, Joseph K. Wheeler,
"represented the best element in the community. They were men of intelligence and influence, filling dignified stations in the
community in which they lived, and whose interests were so closely identified with the welfare of the Colony that our historical
sketch of Free Masonry will enter somewhat into the history of the State." Pierpont Edwards (youngest son of the Rev. Dr. Jonathan
Edwards, and for years Judge of the United States District Court in Connecticut), a member of Hiram Lodge, No. 1, of New Haven,
was elected Grand Master; William Judd was elected Deputy Grand Master, and Col Samuel Wyllys of Hartford (seepage 283.
Vol. I) was elected Grand Junior Warden. William Judd was Grand Master of Connecticut in 1792, '93, '91 and '95, and the
warrants, or charters, of many of the Lodges now working in Connecticut bear his signature as Grand Master.
For a number of years prior to his death Major Judd was a conspicuous and leading man in the Democratic-Republican party of
Connecticut. In the Summer of 1804 he was chairman of the convention of citizens held at New Haven to agitate the matter of
forming and adopting a State Constitution. The General Assembly of the State was entirely opposed to this idea, and was so much
offended at Judd's activity in the cause that it revoked his commission as a Justice of the Peace. It is said that Major Judd died
broken-hearted, in consequence of the persecutions which ensued because of his zeal in the advocacy of a Constitution. His death
occurred at Farmington 13 Nov 1804, and within a short time thereafter there was printed and published, "for the General
Committee of Republicans." an octavo pamphlet of 24 pages, said to have been written by Abraham Bishop, a graduate of Yale
College in the class of 1778, and entitled: "William Judd's Address to the People of the State of Connecticut, on the subject of the
removal of himself and four other Justices from office by the General Assembly of said State, at the late October [1801] session, for
declaring and publishing their opinion that the people of the State are at present without a Constitution of Civil Government." The
following paragraph is an extract from the pamphlet in question: "The Federalists, finding that a royal charter, granted 140 years ago
to a small Colony, upon the petition of a few individuals, and imposed on all the rest, and since made void by the Declaration of
Independence, could not be a Constitution for a free people; and that a statute law, liable to be repealed at the pleasure of the
Legislature, would not do, * * * conjured up this old compact, or agreement [of the inhabitants settled at Hartford, Windsor and
Wethersfield], that had been quietly sleeping for 160 years, and we are now told—' The dispute is settled I Behold your
Constitution!'"
On the last page of this pamphlet appears the following: "Major Judd, at the time of receiving notice from the General Assembly,
was out of health; but having been chairman of the convention, and being by profession a lawyer, he decided on making his own
36

defence. His extreme exertion, in preparing for this, so disabled him that soon after his arrival at New Haven he was confined to his
bed and prevented from making his defence. After a partial recovery he proposed to his friends his wish to publish his brief, or
summary, of defence, which, being judged advisable, he furnished them with his ideas on this subject. * * * The work being nearly
finished he left New Haven yesterday (November 13th) morning, and having arrived at his house expired at eleven o'clock in the
evening. * * * These are to you, the people, the last words of a respectable individual, lately of your number; of a man who served
for a long time in the character of a Justice of the Peace, of an officer in the Revolutionary War, of a Representative of his town, of
Master of the Grand Lodge of Connecticut, and of Chairman of the Republican convention. In the course of a busy life, spent in
political councils and in extensive practise at the Bar, Major Judd had the means of understanding the principles of our Revolution,
and the history and true interests of this State. With uniform integrity and firmness he asserted his political opinions in opposition to
the powers of the State, and this last opinion, for which he was removed, was expressed at a time when he had strong
presentiments that his end was near."
The following paragraph is an extract from a pamphlet entitled "Judd vs. Trumbull; or Plain Truths" —published at New Haven,
Connecticut, in 1820. "He [Maj. William Judd] had been a brave and an accomplished officer in the Revolutionary War; he
afterwards was a Justice of the Peace in Connecticut and while he held this office he asserted in a Republican convention that
Connecticut ought to have a written Constitution of civil government. For this declaration he was arraigned as a culprit at the bar of
the Assembly; men were hired at the public expense to conduct a prosecution against him; and after a hearing he was deprived of
his commission of the peace, in a way calculated above all others to wound the feelings of an honorable man. * * * At the opening of
the late convention [the Connecticut Constitutional Convention of 1818. which framed a Constitution that was subsequently adopted
by the State, as noted on page 243, Vol. I] a vote was adopted in which, the Federalists themselves, with two or three exceptions,
expressed the sentiments of Major Judd by declaring that it was then 'expedient that the State of Connecticut should have a
Constitution of civil government.'"
Major Judd was married 8 Dec 1765, to Elizabeth Mix, elder daughter of Ebenezer Mix and Mary Sedgwick of West Hartford, CT.
They became the parents of the following children:
i. William Samuel, b. 10 Jan 1766; graduated at Harvard College in 1787; married to Esther Stanley; was a Major in the
Connecticut Militia; died at New Britain, CT, 27 Mar 1835, leaving numerous descendants,
ii Rortiva, b. in 1767; d. 1774.
iii. William, d. 1776.
iv. Elizabeth Olive, who became the wife of William T. Belden, and lived at Poughkeepsie, NY.
Mrs. Elizabeth (Mix) Judd, widow of Major Judd, died at Farmington 23 Sep 1806, in the 69th year of her age.
Frederick Lodge No. 14 was organized Sept. 18, 1787, by several members of the fraternity residing in Farmington, and received its
charter from the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, and at its first meeting elected the following officers: William Judd, Master;
Timothy Hosmer, Senior Warden; Reuben Humphrey, Junior Warden; John Mix, Treasurer; Samuel Richards, Jr., Secretary; John
Hart, Senior Deacon; and George Humphrey, Junior Deacon. Among the early members of this lodge are the names of several who
had been prominently identified with American Union Lodge, a military lodge attached to the Connecticut line of the Revolutionary
army. Most prominent are the names of William Judd, Timothy Hosmer, Captain Reuben Humphrey, Lieutenant John Mix, and Dr.
John Hart. William Judd was a delegate to the convention that organized the Grand Lodge in 1789, was appointed chairman of the
convention and elected first Grand Master, which position he occupied for seven years, and was then succeeded by Chief Justice
Stephen Titus Hosmer, of Middletown. John Mix was elected Grand Secretary in 1791, and held the position twenty-nine years. He
was made a mason in American Union Lodge while it was stationed at Reading, Feb. 24, 1779. This army lodge was afterward
located at Marietta, Ohio, and is still in existence there, being known as American Union Lodge No. 1. A few years since it came into
possession of the original records of its early meetings while attached to the Revolutionary army.
At the organization of the Grand Lodge, Frederick Lodge received a charter from that body and was designated as No. 14. For many
years it has been located in Plainville, and numbers seventy-two members.
The records of the Grand Lodge show that a lodge was in existence in the town of Berlin as early as 1791. It was represented that
year at the May session of the Grand Lodge, but no record has been found of its original charter. It received a charter from the
Grand Lodge of Connecticut, and continued to work under the name of Berlin Lodge No. 20 until 1797, when its name was changed
to Harmony Lodge No. 20, and in 1848 it was removed to New Britain, and has since existed in a flourishing condition, numbering
now two hundred and thirty-three members. From these three lodges have sprung twenty-two others, located in the surrounding
towns in the county, and aggregating a membership of about four thousand.
-----
A History of the Old Town of Stratford and the City of Bridgeport ..., Volume 1, by Samuel Orcutt
http://books.google.com/books?id=fILAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA569&dq=%22josiah+lacey%22&hl=en&sa=X&ei=fvz8TtGjJKLg0QHNgZ2DAg&ved=0CDAQ6AEwAA#v=onep
age&q=%22josiah%20lacey%22&f=false
Josiah Lacey, Esq., departed this life Oct. 28th, 1812, in the 67th Year of his age. He was a Captain in the Revolutionary Army and
a leading citizen.
I n memory of Mrs. Judith Lacey, Wife of Capt. Josiah Lacey, who departed this life June y* 3d, 1780, aged 31 years & 5 months
wanting 3 days.
In memory of Mrs. Ruth Lacey, Wife to Capt. Josiah Lacey, who departed this life April l8,h, 1788. aged 27 years & 8 months
wanting 1 Day.
In memory of Mrs. Molly Lacey, Wife of Capt. Josiah Lacey, who departed this Life Jan' 30,h, 1793, aged 32 years 8 months & 12
days.
37

In memory of Mrs. Anna Lacey, Wife of Josiah Lacey, Esqr., Who departed this life April 7, A. D. 1812, aged 46 years 3 months and
2 days.
History of Bridgeport and vicinity, Volume 1, edited by George Curtis Waldo (Jr.)
http://books.google.com/books?id=DwkWAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA30&dq=%22josiah+lacey%22&hl=en&sa=X&ei=fvz8TtGjJKLg0QHNgZ
2DAg&ved=0CEwQ6AEwBQ#v=onepage&q=%22josiah%20lacey%22&f=false
Capt. Josiah Lacey, a house joiner by trade, was commissioned in 1777 by Governor John Hancock to raise a company for the
Continental army. This he did and was its captain for three years. After the war he built a house at 237 State Street.
Josiah Lacey, captain. Born 1746; died October 28, 1812. Served as private in Lexington Alarm; ensign under Colonel Dimon, 1775;
lieutenant under Colonel Waterbury, 1776; captain in Fifth Regiment, 1777-1780.
He was Master of St. John’s Lodge, Bridgeport, CT, in 1802.
St. John's Lodge, No. 3, Free and Accepted Masons, of Bridgeport, was founded under a charter dated February 12, 1762, the
same having been issued by George Harrison, Grand Master of the province of New York, to Eleazer Hubbell of Stratfield. At
this time there was not a grand lodge in Connecticut; in fact, there were only two local lodges, Hiram No. 1 of New Haven, instituted
in 1750, and St. John's No. 2 of Middletown, instituted in 1754.
The first meeting of the St. John's lodge at Stratfield was held at the home of Capt. Samuel Wakeman, on what is now Park Avenue,
a short distance south of State Street, on February 15, 1762. There were just five members present at this time, namely: Arnout
Cannon, of New York, who acted as master pro tern; Joseph Knapp and Isaac Young, of Fairfield; Eleazer Hubbell, of Stratfield; and
J. Anderson, a visiting member of the lodge who acted as secretary. This particular meeting was called for the purpose of initiating
into the order David Wheeler and Wolcott Chauncey.
The first regular meeting was held at the house of Richard Hubbell, on the street later called Clinton Avenue, on February 24, 1762.
On July 14th of the same year occurred the first election of officers and Eleazer Hubbell was chosen the first master.
Until December 8, 1762 the meetings of the lodge were held in Stratfield, but on that date the lodge was moved to the house of c
Young in Fairfield. Two years later it was again moved, this time to the "Sign of the Anchor," presumably an inn at Fairfield.
In January, 1763, it was voted that the lodge should have a seal and parchment and that the secretary should assess the sum of
three shillings for a certificate. Until 1780 the initiation fee was three pounds ten shillings, approximately $17, then it was changed to
three pounds in silver coins.
That the members of the lodge in the early days were not strangers to the sociability and good will of the "flowing bowl" is
abundantly proved by various items in the official records. The lodge room was equipped with a spacious punch-bowl and the the
steward had his orders "to provide necessaries for the lodge room, rum, sugar, pipes and tobacco." These appurtenances, or
"refreshments" as they were officially designated, were considered indispensable to a successful meeting. Needless to say, this
feature has passed with the years.
The two St. John's Days—June 24th and December 27th—were days when a celebration was held, the lodge members inviting their
friends to hear a sermon by some member of the clergy. Rev. Andrew Elliot of Fairfield was a frequent speaker on these occasions,
also Revs. Lamson, Baldwin, Shelton and Sayre. Some present or token of appreciation was usually presented to the obliging
minister, such for instance, as a strip of calico to Reverend Elliot and a pair of silk gloves to Reverend Stebbins. Under date of
February 25, 1793 the record states the following: "Voted unanimously, That Bros. Lacey and Cannon wait on the Rev. Philo
Shelton and present him with the thanks of this lodge, as likewise one guinea, for his excellent discourse on St. John's Day, 27th
December, 1792, at Newfield."
Some of the prominent members of the lodge at this time were Jonathan Bulkley, who served for seventeen years as master; Gen.
Elijah Abel, sheriff of Fairfield County; Lieut. Isaac Jarvis and Capt. Samuel Smedley, who won honors in the Revolutionary war; and
Dr. Francis Forgue, the leading doctor of the village. In connection with the latter a pathetic note appears in the records, when it was
written "That Brother Abel be desired to wait on Brother Forgue and know whether it is his desire that prayers be desired for him at
the Throne of Grace, under his present indisposition of body." A short time later Forgue died.
During the War of the Revolution long intervals occurred when no meetings were held, in fact until 1789 meetings were infrequent.
In 1789 Josiah Lacey, Lambert Lockwood and Daniel Young induced the removal of the order to the village of Newfield where they
were engaged in business. Here the first meeting was held at the house of Daniel Young, on the southwest corner of Union and
Water Streets, on June 24, 1789. Nine members and four visiting members were present. After the election of officers and delegates
to the convention the members walked to the tavern of William Peet, "where they dined and drank in good harmony."
On January 27, 1790 it was decided to meet at the house of William Peet upon the north side of State Street and on December 14,
1791 another removal was made to Josiah Lacey's house, on the south side of State Street, between Main and Water. A year later
the lodge began to meet in the home of Isaac of Hinman, on the southwest corner of Wall and Water streets. From 1800 until 1812
the lodge was compelled, by order of the grand lodge, to meet within one mile of the court house in the Town of Fairfield. In 1812
the members returned to Hinman's house.
Free Masonry suffered severe criticism during the years 1831-2, owing to the alleged abduction of Morgan and in Bridgeport, as
elsewhere, the order was pronounced "injurious to morality and religion." St. John's Lodge strenuously defended themselves and an
article signed by fifty members was published in the local newspapers. Among the prominent signers of this defense were: Hanford
Lyon, Philo Hurd, Wilson Hawley, Gen. Enoch Foote, Charles Foote, William Peete, Rev. H. R. Judah, Dr. William B. Nash, Abijah
Hawley, Ezekiel Hubbell, Eli Thompson, and Gideon Thompson, all representative men of Bridgeport. However, after 1847 Masonry
began to revive and once more St. John's became active. Meetings were held in the old lodge room in the second story of a school
house at 200 State Street, afterwards upon the northwest corner of State and Water streets, at the foot of State, and then over
38

Ferris Kurd's store on Water Street. In 1835 the lodge occupied rooms in the Sturdevant Building at the corner of Main and Bank
streets.
http://gl.ctfreemasons.net/index.php/history-of-the-grand-lodge-of-connecticut.html
HIRAM LODGE, NEW HAVEN 12 Nov 1750 R. W. Thomas Oxnard, Provincial Grand Master
ST. JOHN'S LODGE, MIDDLETOWN 14 Feb 1754 R. W. Thomas Oxnard, Esq., Provincial Grand Master at Boston
ST. JOHN'S LODGE, FAIRFIELD 1762 R. W. George Harrison, Provincial Grand Master of New York
ST.JOHN'S LODGE, HARTFORD 1763 R.W. Jeremy Gridley, Esq., of Boston, "Provincial Grand Master of
Masons in North America"
UNION LODGE, STAMFORD Nov 1764 R.W. George Harrison, Provincial Grand Master at New York
ST. JOHN'S LODGE, NORWALK 23 May 1765 R. W. George Harrison, Grand Master, Provincial Grand Lodge in
New York
ST. JOHN'S LODGE, STRATFORD 22 Apr 1766 R. W. George Harrison, Provincial Grand Master for the Colony of
New York
UNION LODGE, DANBURY 23 Mar 1780 R.W. John Rowe, New York , "Grand Master for North America"
ST. PAUL'S LODGE, LITCHFIELD 1 Jun 1781 R.W. Joseph Webb, Esq., "Grand Master of Masons in America"
WOOSTER LODGE, COLCHESTER 1781 Massachusetts Grand Lodge
MONTGOMERY LODGE, SALISBURY 05 Mar 1783 Most Worshipful Joseph Webb, "Grand Master of Ancient Masons for
the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, in America"
FREDERICK LODGE, FARMINGTON 18 Sep 1787 “Massachusetts Grand Lodge," at Boston
ST. JOHN'S LODGE, FAIRFIELD.
This Lodge was instituted in 1762, under a Warrant from R. W. George Harrison, Provincial Grand Master of New York, by
which "our worshipful and well-beloved Brother Eleazer Hubbell, was nominated, constituted and appointed to be Master of the
Saint John's Lodge, in the County of Fairfield, and Colony of Connecticut."
The members of this Lodge, in the year 1763, were Eleazur Hubbell, Isaac Youngs, Woolcott Chauncey, Benjamin Wyncoop, David
Wheeler, Ebenezer Bartam, Jr., Joseph Silliman, Joseph Knapp, N. Smith Odell, Gold, Samuel Hull, Jr., Daniel Brown, Timothy
Northam, Seth Sherwood, Henry Ketch, Seth Warner, John Whiteo, Aaron Hubbell, John Gregg.
Upon the organization of the Grand Lodge, a new charter was taken out by this Lodge, locating it at Newfield, and giving it rank as
"number three" in the list of subordinates. From and after the October session of 1801, St. John's, No. 3, was located at Bridgeport,
or, at least, their returns to the Grand Lodge were dated at that place, until the May session of 1809, when by vote of the Grand
Lodge it was " ordered, that Saint's Lodge, No. 3, be holden in future within one mile of the court-house in the town of Fairfield." This
arrangement was continued until the annual communication of 1821, since which, without any action of the Grand Lodge, the
permanent location has been at Bridgeport; and in 1826 a new Lodge was constituted in Fairfield.
St. John's, No. 3, has generally been among the most active flourishing Lodges in this jurisdiction; but in the excitement that, which
prevailed for a few years after 1826, she bowed before the storm, only to rise when it had passed, and to stand again, more erect
and firm than ever.
-----
Diary kept by Capt. Elihu Marshall while a participant in the campaign against the Indians of New York state in the summer of 1779
... Wyoming Valley, Tioga, Chemung, Owego, and elsewhere, June - Sept. 1779.
-----
Yale and her Honor-roll in the American Revolution, 1775-1783, by Henry Phelps Johnston
http://books.google.com/books?id=XAcAAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA312&dq=%22john+mix%22+%22regiment%22&hl=en&sa=X&ei=vCEC
T-GHOKjs0gHTxbjGAg&ved=0CGEQ6AEwCA#v=onepage&q=%22john%20mix%22%20%22regiment%22&f=false
John Mix, Lieutenant, Continental Army, of Farmington, CT; b. 1755. He entered the army as Ensign in the Third Connecticut
Regiment, Colonel Wyllys, 1 Jan 1777, and served at first along the Hudson, and in fortifying West Point. 28 Apr 1778, he was
promoted Lieutenant and Adjutant of Col. Butler's Second Connecticut Regiment, and afterwards acted as Quartermaster. From 1
Jan 1781, to the close of the war he was in Col. S. B. Webb's regiment in the Highlands. He remained in service until Sep 1783.
After the war Mix settled in Farmington, and held various offices. He kept the position of Town Clerk for thirty-two years from 1791,
represented his town in the Assembly, six sessions excepted, for 25 years, and from 1810 to 1820 was Probate Judge. In 1796 the
governor appointed him Quartermaster General of the State Militia, with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. He was thereafter known as
Col. Mix. In 1776 he married Martha Cowles, daughter of Solomon Cowles Martha Spencer [or Ezekial Cowles and Martha
Hooker?], who died 23 Feb 1826, aged 72. Col. Mix himself died 29 Apr 1834, leaving no descendants. Member Connecticut
Cincinnati Society.
Children
1. Eben Hooker Mix b: 10 OCT 1776 in Farmington, Hartford County, Connecticut
2. Betsey Mix b: 25 DEC 1781 in Farmington, Hartford County, Connecticut
3. Ann Goodwin Mix b: 15 FEB 1783 in Farmington, Hartford County, Connecticut
4. Ann Goodwin Mix b: 4 MAR 1784 in Farmington, Hartford County, Connecticut
5. William Mix b: 27 SEP 1785 in Farmington, Hartford County, Connecticut
6. Catherine Mix b: 1 DEC 1787 in Farmington, Hartford County, Connecticut
7. Martha Hooker Mix b: 1793 in Farmington, Hartford County, Connecticut
39

8. John Williams Mix b: 8 DEC 1794 in Farmington, Hartford County, Connecticut
-----
Warham Parks
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~bucknum/P160Db01.htm
Warham Parks was born 13 Mar 1752 at Westfield, MA; d. 6 Mar 1801 [of wounds received at the Battle of Saratoga [Stillwater],
where he served as aide to Gen. Benjamin Lincoln].
The Journal of Rev. Mr. Ballantine entry for July 20, 1768: “Went with my wife to Cambirdge. Attended public exercises
[Commencement at Harvard] … My wife came to Cambridge. Parks admitted.” That was Warham Parks then about 16 years old,
who had been fitted for college by Mr. Ballantine. He became one of Westfield’s very illustrious citizens, Gen. Warham Parks,
prominent in the war of the Revolution. In 1773 Warham graduated from Harvard College.
Upon the first alarm at Lexington he commanded a company of 70 men, all of whom were from Westfield. He became a major,
served throughout the Revolutionary War, and at the time of his death was a General. He lived in Westfield, where he was a large
land-owner; and was Selectman in 1790-1, 1797-98-99, and 1800.
Warham Parks married Mary ‘Molly’ Ingersoll, his cousin, a daughter of John Ingersoll, 15 Jan 1778. Mary Ingersoll was born 19
Feb 1755; d, 29 Aug 1790. [he was the son of Elisha Parks and Mary Ingersoll; Warham married second 1791 Rebecca Gorham, b.
1765, d/o Nathaniel Gorham and Rebecca Call].
Warham Parks served as a Captain of Danielson's Massachusetts Regiment from
May to Dec 1775; was a Captain of the 3rd Continental Infantry on 1 Jan 1776; a
Major of the 4th Massachusetts on 1 Jan 1777, encamped at Valley Forge, PA; was
wounded at Saratoga, NY on 7 Oct 1777; and resigned 1 Jul1778.
At the March meeting, 1778, the need of the army were considered. Major Warham
Parks was chosen to go to Boston “on the cost of the town,” as its agent in
consequence of certain letters received from Colonel Shepard and others in the
Continental Army. Then a committee consisting of John Ingersoll, Esq., Doct.
Mather, Elisha Parks, Esq., and Capt. David Mosley, was chosen “to remonstrate to
the General Court &c. of the Nakedness of the Army & of the Necessity of its being
supplied with Cloathing & other necessaries immediately.” In August a committee
consisting of Dea. Root, Elisha Parks, Esq., Capt. Daniel Sacket, Col. John Mosley,
and Mr. Samuel Fowler, was appointed to collect the clothing sent for the by the
General Court for the use of the Continental Army.
The Shays Rebellion - On 12 Jun 1782, a rabble of about 150 riotous persons,
gathered from different towns up the river, entered Springfield late in the afternoon
when a large part of the male inhabitants were absent at the funeral of Rev. Stephen
Williams of Longmeadow, and released Ely from the gaol. Col. Elisha Porter of
Hadley, high sheriff of the county, hastily organized a posse and the next day in
Northampton an agreement was reached between the mob and the representatives
of civil authority, whereby Ely was to be given up, but as he had already disappeared
he could not be produced, and three hostages were therefore given by the mob and
put into jail in Northampton to remain until Ely should be returned. This angered the
malcontents who had begun to disperse. They gathered again and were joined by
others the next day, while the guard about the jail was strong and vigilant. On
Saturday, June 16, the crowds increased and became so threatening that Colonel
Porter called upon various towns for assistance, and the services on the following
day were marked by the absence of many male worshipers usually in attendance.
The account in the Diary of Jonathan Judd, Jr., who was and eyewitness, is so vivid in its details of the proceedings on that eventful
Sunday as to warrant its reproduction. “Sunday 17. Got up about four went to the middle of the Town. Maj. Bannister, Capt. White &
Capt. Warner, who are leaning toward the Mobb go up to Hatfield. Was with a Committee to advise the Sheriff. Was at the Meeting
part of the Exercises. People collect but slow till Noon and after. Upon Maj. Bannister &c. coming back at 2 Phinehas Lyman, Noah
Smith & Dea. King go to the Mobb. All the return we have is that they will have the Hostages. They were then thought at Luke
Lymans. We answer they can not. At Dusk when Col. Porter had about 500 Men at the Jail and General Parks arrives with 160
more, they march to the Jail mostly on horses, being about 450 men one half armed with Clubbs. They fill the lane from the School
House to and in the Jail Yard. A Parley then began which lasted about 1 Hour and a half, in which Time Capt. Dickinson and other
Heads of the Mobb went into the Goal and saw the Prisoners. They had then one Idea of resigning up Ely, but as soon as they
came out Ely put off with speed. It was then agreed that the Mobb should go to the plain near the Burying Yard and they went and
Dickinson returned and the agreement was that the Question whether the Hostages should be delivered up should be brought to a
County Convention and their opinion sent to the General Court who should be the final Judges in the matter. When Dickinson
returned to the plain all his party had left him. Almost the whole Party might have been taken with very little loss, but we aimed to
show we did not want to Hurt them nor shed blood. Springfield people came while they were at the Jail with 1 field Piece and a
Number of Continental Soldiers. A large Guard was kept at the Goal, others scattered about a little not much; it was so near Day
before matters were settled.” It was surely a long and exciting day for Judd, lasting nearly twenty-four hours, during which he could
have had little if any rest. But late as was his hour of retiring he got up at 4 o’clock again on the following morning to find the leaders
as “obstinate as human creaturs can be. Nothing can be done with them. A Mobb man is almost certainly a Liar. Their cause is
principally carried on by Lying.”
40

The General Parks mentioned in his record was Gen. Warham Parks of Westfield, and his contingent of 160 men was probably
raised in his native town.
Judd’s Diary: Tues. [Sept.] 26, 1786. 60 or 70 men of the Militia set off for Springfield, very early to support the Government. About 8
I set out, some from Westhampton likewise got to Springfield about 10. Militia at the Court House and the mob above Ferry. About 1
the Mob marched down in order and back; about 900 armed and unarmed. The Government upwards of 1000. Court sit in the
afternoon. A very sorrowful day. Brother against Brother. Father against Son. The Mob threaten the lives of all that oppose them.
Came away about sunset.
Wednesday, 27. Went with Dr. Woodbridge about 9. Got to Springfield by 12. Lines are drawn with Centuries kept by each party.
Looks more threatening than yesterday. Committees from each have met but cannot agree. Court did business in the P. M. our
situation is truly deplorable. An alarm about 7; but rest of the Night was Quiet.
Thursday, 28. mob threaten much but they are not coming. Those who threaten most do the least. The agreement nearly completed
yesterday. Militia march on to the Hill, the Mob march and countermarch through the Town. Militia discharged about 3 P.M. Mob are
high yet, not lowered tho lost their vim. I came away about 5; nothing but fire and Smoke where the Mob are.
Fryday, 29. Militia got home in afternoon.”
Besides the government forces mobilized in response to the Governor’s order and on duty during the disturbance, an ancient muster
roll proves that eighty persons who had arrived from various towns organized themselves into an independent company of defense,
chose General Warham Parks of Westfield to act as their Captain, and were armed at the public store. Several Westfield men
served in the ranks…
As the crisis approached there were five different bodies of combatants under arms: General Shepard had about 1200 at
Springfield; General Lincoln with some 3000 men was moving from the east toward Springfield; Shays with some 1200 men was on
the march from Rutland; Eli Parsons with about 400 had come from Berkshire and taken possession of the north parish of
Springfield, now Chicopee; Luke Day with about the same number of well-drilled men and boys held West Springfield under martial
law. He had the presumption to arrest, examine and imprison travelers and citizens of Springfield and Longmeadow, two of whom
while resisting such outrageous treatment were severely wounded. Ezra Starkwether of Worthington was held in prison two or three
days. Gen. Warham Parks and Dr. Paul Whitney of Westfield were seized in their sleighs. Day was the most arrogant and offensive
of the leaders at that time. On the 21 st Shepard sent an urgent appeal to Lincoln at Worcester for a flying column to follow in the rear
of Shays to harass and hinder him.
Mary Parks died August 29, 1790 (Source: Genealogy of the Parke Families of Massachusetts, 1909.).
March 14, 1791 Town Meeting. Voted that several Bulls shall be provided the present year for the use of the Town: & that William
Shepard Esq, Warham Parks, Esq, Jed Taylor 7 Zadoc Martindale be a Committee to procure said Bulls & allot them to the
different parts of the Town. (Source: Westfield and Its Historic Influence: Reverend Lockwood, 1919.).
Warham Parks married Rebecca Gorham, a daughter of Nathaniel Gorham, December 20, 1791 (Source: Genealogy of the Parke
Families of Massachusetts, 1909.).
Warham Parks died March 6, 1801 at Charlestown, MA.
Rebecca Parks died November 26, 1834 at Cambridge, MA (Source: Genealogy of the Parke Families of Massachusetts, 1909.).
Warham Parks was born at Westfield, Massachusetts 13 March 1752 [Thomas Bellow Wyman, The Genealogies and Estates of
Charlestown, in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 1629-1818. (Boston, Mass., David Clapp and Son,
1879), p. 730] ; died there 6 March 1801. [Frank Chester Parks, Genealogy of the Parke Families of Massachusetts. (Washington,
D.C., 1909), p. 70] Warham was a son of Elisha and Mary (Ingersoll) Parks. He married (1) at Westfield, Mass. 15 January 1778
to Mary Ingersoll (his cousin). She was born 19 February 1756; died 29 August 1790. He filed his (2) intention of marriage at
Charlestown, Mass. 4 December 1791, and married there 20 December 1791 by Rev. Jedediah Morse to Rebecca Gorham. [Vital
Records of Charlestown, Massachusetts to the year 1850. (Boston, Mass., NEHGS, 1984), 1:501 [Marr. Int.], 441 [Marriage]] She
was born at Charlestown 20 March 1765 [ibid, 1:412] ; died at Cambridge, Mass. 26 November 1834. [Vital Records of Cambridge,
Mass. to 1850. (Boston, Mass., NEHGS, 1915), 2:688] Rebecca was the daughter of Hon. Nathaniel and Rebecca (Call) Parks.
Her father held many high offices including serving as President of the Continental Congress in 1786. [Thomas Bellow Wyman, The
Genealogies and Estates of Charlestown, in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 1629-1818. (Boston,
Mass., David Clapp and Son, 1879), p. 424] The announcement of Warham and Rebecca’s marriage was published in the
Massachusetts Centinel, 24 March 1791. Warham was a graduate of the Harvard Class of 1773. The accounts of his academic
misadventures at Harvard, and his later accomplishments are chronicled in detail by Conrad E. Wright and Edward W. Hanson in
Sibley’s Harvard Graduates – Biographical Sketches of those who Attend Harvard College in the classes of 1772-1774 (Boston,
Mass., Massachusetts Historical Society, 1999). [Sibley’s Harvard Graduates – Vol. XVIII– 1772-1774. Biographical Sketches of
those who attended Harvard College in the Classes 1772-1774. (Boston, Mass., Massachusetts Historical Society, 1999), pgs. 270-
272] During the Revolutionary War he served as Captain of Danielson’s Massachusetts Regiment from May to December 1775;
Captain 3rd Continental Infantry, 1 January 1776; Major of the 4th Massachusetts, 1 January 1777; wounded at Saratoga 7 October
1777, and resigned 1 July 1778. [Francis B. Heitman, Historical Register of Officers of the Continental Army during the War of the
Revolution April, 1775, to December, 1783. (Washington, D.C., Rare Book Shop Publishing Co., 1914), p. 427] His second marriage
occurred a few months after his being wounded at Saratoga. After the war he served as a justice of the peace in Hampshire County
from 1779 until his death. [Sibley’s Harvard Graduates – Vol. XVIII– 1772-1774. Biographical Sketches of those who attended
Harvard College in the Classes 1772-1774. (Boston, Mass., Massachusetts Historical Society, 1999), pgs. 270-272] Warham
would later serve Hampshire County in the capacity of Brigadier General for the county militia from 1782-1786. [ibid] Warham’s
death notice appeared in the Columbian Centinel, 11 March 1801. He was buried at the Mechanic Street Cemetery in Westfield,
Mass (Source: The Massachusetts Society of the Cincinnati Profiles.).
41

-----
Jabez Parsons, (15 Jul 1754-24 Dec 1836), was a minute man at the Lexington Alarm in the Connecticut line; served as sergeant
1776; regimental quartermaster 1778; lieutenant 1779 and resigned 1781. He was born in Enfield, CT; died in Huron, Ohio.
He served as a private at the Battle of Lexington and from Dec 1775 to Mar 1776. He was Sergeant in Col. Wolcott's Regiment. Sep
1777, he was promoted to Quartermaster of the 2d Connecticut. In 1778 he was made Regimental Quartermaster, and again
promoted in 1779 to a First Lieutenancy. He resigned in May 1781, having been in active service six years.
After the close of the war Jabez Parsons took up his home in New Hampshire, engaging in commercial ventures, and enjoyed
prosperous returns until the passage of the Embargo act. As a result of that measure, he lost his property. He then moved to the
State of New York, living in Albany, Utica, and Rochester, and finally moving to Erie County, Ohio, where several of his children had
previously settled. He died in Huron, Ohio, 24 Dec 1836, and is buried in Scott cemetery near that village.
-----
Samuel Holden Parsons
See also Life and Letters of Samuel Holden Parsons: major-general in the Continental ..., by Charles Samuel Hall, 1905. 600
pages, at
http://books.google.com/books?id=llssAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA26&dq=%22samuel+Wyllys%22+%22hartford%22&hl=en&sa=X&
ei=cRgGT5S9AsTm0QGD7snzDw&ved=0CEgQ6AEwBDgo#v=onepage&q=%22samuel%20Wyllys%22%20%22hartford%2
2&f=false
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_Holden_Parsons
Samuel Holden Parsons b. May 14, 1737, Lyme, CT; d. November 17, 1789. He was lawyer, jurist, general in the Continental
Army during the Revolutionary War, and a pioneer to the Ohio Country. Parsons was described as "Soldier, scholar, judge, one of
the strongest arms on which Washington leaned, who first suggested the Continental Congress, from the story of whose life could
almost be written the history of the Northern War" by Senator George F. Hoar of Massachusetts
He was the third son of Rev. Jonathan Parsons, a distinguished clergyman of New England. His mother, Phoebe, was a sister of
Governor Matthew Griswold. At the age of nine, his family moved to Newburyport, MA, where his father, an ardent supporter of the
First Great Awakening, took charge of the town's new Presbyterian congregation.
Parsons graduated from Harvard College in 1756 and returned to Lyme to study law in the office of his uncle, Connecticut governor
Matthew Griswold (governor). He was admitted to the bar in 1759, and started his law practice in Lyme. In 1761, he married
Mehitabel Mather (1743–1802), a great-great-great-granddaughter of Rev. Richard Mather. Well-connected politically, he was
elected to the General Assembly in 1762, where he remained a representative until his removal to New London.
Actively involved in the resistance against British forces on the eve of the Revolution, he was a member of New London's
Committee of Correspondence. In March 1772, he wrote to Massachusetts leader Samuel Adams, suggesting a congress of the
colonies: "I take the liberty to propose for your consideration", he wrote, "whether it would not be advisable in the present critical
situation to revive an institution which formerly had a very salutary effect – I mean an annual meeting of commissioners from the
colonies to consult on their general welfare."
Parsons went on to suggest that the time for discussing colonial independence from Britain was at hand: "The idea of inalienable
allegiance to any prince or state, is an idea to me inadmissible; and I cannot but see that our ancestors, when they first landed in
America, were as independent of the crown or king of Great Britain, as if they hade never been his subjects; and the only rightful
authority derived to him over this people, was by explicit covenant contained in the first charters."
In April 1775, immediately after the battles of Lexington and Concord, Parsons, along with colleagues in the Connecticut legislature,
began promoting a project to take Fort Ticonderoga from the British, securing commitments of both public and private funds to
underwrite the expedition.
Like most active politicians of the period, Parsons served as a militia leader. He was appointed Major of the 14th Connecticut, Militia
Regiment in 1770. In 1775, he was commissioned Colonel of the 6th Connecticut Regiment, a new regiment raised "for the special
defence and safety of the Colony". In June he was ordered to lead his regiment to Boston, where he fought in the Battle of Bunker
Hill. He remained in Boston until the British evacuated the city in March 1776.
In August 1776 Congress appointed Parsons Brigadier General in the Continental Army. He was ordered to New York with his
brigade of about 2,500 men. Stationed in Brooklyn, Parsons was in the thick of the fighting with British troops under Lord Sterling at
Battle Hill on August 17, 1776. He took part in the Council of War on August 29, at which it was decided to retreat from New York.
Parsons successfully transported his men from Long Island, joining the main body of the army as it withdrew from the city.
While in New York, Parsons played a central role in the American efforts to destroy the British fleet. David Bushnell, an inventor
from Connecticut, had devised a submarine called the Turtle which he planned to use to place torpedoes on British ships. Parsons
selected his brother-in-law, Captain Ezra Lee, to undertake this risky mission. Lee succeeded in reaching the British flagship Eagle
undetected, but was unable to attach the torpedo to its hull. The bomb exploded, much to the consternation of the British, but
without causing any harm to the ship.
After the retreat from New York, Parsons' brigade was assigned to General Israel Putnam's division north of the city. He fought in
the battle of White Plains. In January 1777, he returned to Connecticut to help recruit the Connecticut Line to bolster depleted
Continental forces. He led raids on Loyalist enclaves on Long Island, and took part in efforts to defend Connecticut towns against
raids by British forces under General William Tryon. He organized the raid led by Return Jonathan Meigs against Sag Harbor in
retaliation for Tryon's raid on Danbury, and led a failed assault on Setauket, NY, in August 1777.
42

In the winter of 1777–78, Parsons took command of West Point, and began building its fortifications. At the end of 1778, he joined
Connecticut troops at winter quarters in Redding. In December 1779, Parsons took command of Putnam’s Division, and spent the
following months recruiting, training, and trying to engage British General Sir Henry Clinton in battle. The high point of this period
was the discovery, in September 1780, of Benedict Arnold's treacherous scheme to surrender West Point to the British. Parsons
served on the board of officers which tried Arnold's accomplice, Major John Andre, and ultimately sentenced him to death.
On October 23, 1780 Parsons was promoted to Major General. In the winter of 1781 he helped suppress the mutinies of soldiers in
Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and took part in efforts to clear out Tory militias in Westchester, north of New York. After months of
containing the British troops in New York, American forces, now bolstered by French reinforcements, departed for Virginia. Parsons
and his troops were left behind to keep the British contained.
In July 1782, following the British surrender at Yorktown, Parsons – broken physically and financially – tendered his resignation to
Congress. Forty-five years old, he had served continuously since the Lexington Alarm of 1775.
On the eve of the war, Parsons had moved his family to Middletown, CT, which was then a prosperous port on the Connecticut
River. He returned there during the summer of 1782, hoping to revive his law practice, his political career, and his depleted finances.
Something of a celebrity, Parsons was elected to the legislature, became involved in organizing the Connecticut branch of the
Society of the Cincinnati, and was appointed by Congress to help with Indian diplomacy on the western frontier.
In March 1787, Parsons became a director of the Ohio Land Company, a scheme that enabled ex-Revolutionary officers to trade
their pay certificates for Ohio lands. Parsons played a leading role in persuading Congress to sell land to the company, and then
jockeyed for appointment to a leading position in the territory. Though aspiring to the governorship—which was later awarded to
General Arthur St. Clair -- Parsons was appointed Chief Justice. In the midst of this, Parsons was also an active member of the
Connecticut Convention for adopting the U.S. Constitution.
In March 1788, Parsons and his son Enoch, who had been appointed Registrar and Clerk of Probate, set out for the Northwest
Territory. They arrived at Marietta, OH -- a settlement of some fifty houses—in May 1788. Parsons was one of the early pioneers of
the Northwest Territory. Lacking a clergyman, Parsons filled in as leader of sabbath services. During the following months, Parsons
busied himself with surveying the Ohio Company's lands and purchasing choice parcels for himself and his family.
On November 1, 1789, Parsons wrote to his wife in Connecticut from Pittsburgh, stating that he was about to "set out for Lake Erie
to survey the Connecticut lands (Connecticut Western Reserve)."
A letter written by Richard Butler, dated November 25, 1789, relates the circumstances of Parsons' death:
“I am sorry to inform you that I have every reason to fear that our old friend, General Parsons, is no more. He left this place
[Pittsburgh] in company with Captain Heart, (who is sent to explore the communication by way of the Beaver to Cuyahoga and the
Lake), on the 5th instant, he had sent a man with his horses from the place where he had encamped the night before, and
directed him to tell Lieut. McDowell, who commanded the Block House below the falls of Beaver, that he (General Parsons) would
be there to dinner. A snow had fallen in the night which had retarded the progress of the man with the horses. At one place on the
Beaver shore he saw where a canoe had landed, and a person got out to warm his feet by walking about, as he saw he had
kicked against the trees and his tracks to the canoe again. The man did not get down till evening, but about noon the canoe,
broken in pieces, came by the Block House, and some articles known to belong to General Parsons were taken up and others
seen to pass. Lieut. McDowell has diligent search made for the body of the General, but made no discovery.”
Parsons' body was found the following May and was buried with the expectation that it would be more suitably interred. Because of
the series of mishaps, the location of his burial was lost. The General now lies in an unmarked grave on the banks of the Beaver
River in Pennsylvania.
Parsons' surviving children included:
William Walter Parsons (1762–1802). Served as a midshipman during the Revolution, wherein he was taken prisoner by the
British during the disastrous Penobscot Expedition. He eventually settled in Bangor, Maine.
Enoch Parsons (1769–1846). Accompanied his father to Ohio, where he served as Registrar and Clerk of Probate.
Returning to Connecticut after his father's death, he served as High Sheriff of Middlesex County for 28 years and as President of the
Middletown Branch of the Bank of the United States from 1818 to 1824.
Samuel Holden Parsons
(1777–1811). Middletown merchant in West Indies trade.
Lucia Parsons
(1764–1825). Married Stephen Titus Hosmer, Chief Justice of Connecticut. Her daughter, Sarah
Mehitabel Hosmer (? - 1834), married Major Andre Andrews (1792–1834), second Mayor of Buffalo.
Mehetable Parsons
Margaret Parsons
(1772–1825). Married William Brenton Hall, Middletown physician.
(1785-?). Married Stephen Hubbard of Middletown.
Children
1. William Walter Parsons b: 05 Jul 1762 in Lyme, New London, CT
2. Lucia Parsons b: 02 Nov 1764 in Lyme, New London, CT
3. Thomas Parsons b: 12 Dec 1767 in New London, Lyme, CT
4. Enoch Parsons b. 05 Nov 1769 in Lyme, CT
5. Methetabel Parsons b: 24 Dec 1772 in Middleton, Middlesex, CT
6. Phebe Parsons b: 25 Jan 1775 in Lyme, New London, CT
7. Samuel Holden Parsons , Jr. b: 31 Dec 1777 in Lyme, New London, CT
8. Margaret Ann Parsons b: 15 Feb 1780 in Redding, Fairfield, CT; d. young
43

9. Margaret Ann Parsons b: 01 Jun 1785 in Carthage, Jefferson, NY
Further of his ‘Life and Letters’ [601 pages] may be read at
http://books.google.com/books/about/Life_and_letters_of_Samuel_Holden_Parson.html?id=llssAAAAMAAJ
Another fine biography of Gen. Parsons may be read on page 186 of Publications, Volumes 1-3, by Historical and Philosophical
Society of Ohio, at
http://books.google.com/books?id=8XsVAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA217&dq=%22benjamin+tupper%22&hl=en&sa=X&ei=nrIYT6jiFajz0gGq
5snbCw&ved=0CEkQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=%22benjamin%20tupper%22&f=false
-----
Samuel Prentice
The History and Genealogy of the Prentice, or Prentiss family, by Charles James Fox Binney
http://books.google.com/books?id=0EJfQJUmarMC&pg=PA405&dq=%22samuel+prentice%22+%22saybrook%22&hl=en&sa=X&ei
=rFz_TpHzJ4jk0QGFk5GSAg&sqi=2&ved=0CE0Q6AEwBA#v=onepage&q=%22samuel%22&f=false
Col. Samuel Prentice, b. 1736, son of Jonas and Lucy; m. Abigail, b. 1 Mar 1707, or Phoebe, b. 1738, dau. of Ebenezer and
Phoebe Denison Billings. He d., age 70, in Stonington, Ct., July 1807; she d. Dec 1829, ae. 91. Her mother was Phoebe Denison,
dau. of John and Phoebe Denison. Jonas Prentice, father of Samuel Prentice, fought for the king in the old French war, and Col.
Samuel Prentice against the king in the American Revolution. He was a captain and major of 3rd Company, 6th Regiment from
Connecticut, 1775, and rose to the rank of colonel. William Bond's MSS. list (New England Historic Genealogical Society, Boston) of
held officers, in the Continental army in Cambridge, Nov. 4, 1775, has Samuel Prentice as major. (See "Herrick Family," Bangor,
Me., 1846.) Col Prentice was six feet high, weight 200 pounds, and muscular. (He and his son Samuel spelt their name Prentice; the
sons subsequently altered it to Prentiss.) He was a stern and fearless commander, and as a civilian beloved and esteemed; since
his death there has been no time but some of his descendants have held civil or military offices. Children of Col. Samuel Prentice:
I. SAMUEL, b. in Stonington, Ct., 1759; surgeon and physician; m. Lucretia Holmes. [38]
II. LUCINDA, m. 19 Jan 1786, Dr. Elijah Herrick, a physician of Lansingburg, next of Grand Isle, Plattsburg, and lastly of
Buffalo, NY. She d. several years ante 1852. She left several children in Plattsburg.
III. BETSEY, b. ?
IV. NANCY both she and Betsey lived in Stonington, Ct. One of them m. a Hewitt.
V. SALLY, m.David Moore; she d. 3 Mar 1817.
VI. REBECCA, b. 1765; d. 27 Jan 1786, age 21.
VII. PHOEBE, b. 1769; d. 20 Jun 1786, age 17.
William Williams said, "There was a Capt. Prentice (afterwards Col. Prentice of the Provincial militia) a captain of grenadiers at the
capture of Port Royal, Acadia, Aug. 16, 1754." (See Mrs. Lee's "Life of Buckminster.") (This Col. Prentice [19] was b. 1736.)
-----
Rufus Putnam
http://www.freemason.com/past-grand-masters/82-rufus-putnam-1808.html
Rufus Putnam was born at Sutton, MA, 9 Apr 1738 the son of Elisha and Susan (Fuller) Putnam. Typical of many early pioneers, he
was a man of great physical strength and endurance. At the age of nineteen he enlisted as a private and served three years in the
French and Indian War. Leaving the army in 1759 he purchased a farm at New Braintree, MA, and devoted his time to farming and
building of mills. Meanwhile studying practical surveying, he soon became sufficiently master of the business and devoted himself to
it.
In 1761 he was married to Elizabeth Ayers, daughter of William Ayers of Brookfield, Massachusetts, she died within the year and a
few months later their infant son was laid to rest beside his mother. In January 1765 he married again, to Persis Rice, daughter of
Zebulon Rice of Westborough, MA, to this union six daughters and two sons were born.
On 19 Apr 1775 he again enlisted in the army at the onset of the Revolutionary War, he was
commissioned a Lieutenant Colonel and charged with the responsibility of building the
fortifications about such important towns as Boston and Charlestown, MA, West Point, New
York and Newport, Rhode Island. In 1776 General Washington gave him the assignment to
drive the British from Boston. As was typical of Rufus Putnam, he was successful. This
success led to many other important assignments, such as Chief Engineer of the army and
commander of the 5th Massachusetts regiment. In recognition of his conspicuous service,
the Congress in 1782 commissioned him a Brigadier General. Early in 1883 he resigned his
commission and returned to his farm and surveying.
General Putnam was probably the outstanding figure in the opening up of the Northwest
Territory and was frequently referred to as "The Father of the Northwest Territory". Under his
leadership the Ohio Company of Associates (New England veterans of the Revolution)
landed at the mouth of the Muskingum River on 7 Apr 1788 and founded the settlement of
Marietta, the first permanent settlement within the limits of the Northwest Territory.
He was made a Master Mason in American Union Lodge, an army Lodge, in New York in
1779. He was one of ten Brethren who, on 25 Jun 1790, petitioned for the reorganization of
American Union Lodge. At the first meeting held at Campus Martius on 28 Jun 1790, Rufus
Putnam was elected Junior Warden. He later served as Master in 1794, 1798, 1800, the last
44

half of 1801, and in 1804 and 1805.
On 7 Jan 1808 in Chillicothe on the second day of the meeting called to organize the Grand Lodge of Ohio, Rufus Putnam was
elected to the position of Right Worshipful Grand Master, thus becoming the first Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Ohio.
Unfortunately poor health prevented him from discharging the obligations of that office though he lived some sixteen years longer,
passing away on 4 May 1824. He was buried in Mound Cemetery at Marietta, Ohio.
-----
Capt. William Redfield
http://books.google.com/books?id=klM3AAAAMAAJ&pg=PA7&dq=%22captain+william+redfield%22&hl=en&sa=X&ei=Qyf9TpHSHsj
b0QGj5cXHAg&ved=0CDEQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=%22captain%20william%20redfield%22&f=false
William Redfield, born in Killingworth December 5, 1727. He resided for a brief time in Guilford, and there is evidence that he then
owned and commanded a small coasting vessel, a fact which gave him the title of Captain in later years. Retiring from that
occupation he became a resident of Middletown, Conn. His name is found in a list of the inhabitants of Middletown who, in 1775,
were adjudged liable to special military service in case of sudden alarm. In August, 1776, he was commissioned second sergeant of
the First Company in one of the regiments raised by Connecticut for the Continental service, and in the following year he was
appointed issuing commissary in the same service. He is said to have kept an inn at Middletown for a short period, and at one time
had charge of the county jail. His grandchildren remembered him as occupying a pleasant residence on High street, on part of the
ground now occupied by the Wesleyan University. There he had a fine garden, supplied with a great variety of fruit trees, no small
attraction to the rising generation of that day, and it was his pride to furnish the earliest kitchen vegetables and the finest fruit of the
neighborhood. He was fond of reading, and the large fund of information which he had acquired from this source and from his
seafaring experience rendered his society agreeable to his juvenile visitors.
Those were the days when Free Masonry was in its glory, and Captain Redfield held a prominent position among the
members of the order, and I have seen those who remembered him as figuring in the public processions of the lodge, conspicuous
by his venerable appearance as he carried the open Bible. His grandson (my father, of whom I shall have more to say), was in his
boyhood attracted greatly by the mummery and parade of that pretentious fraternity, and amused himself by organizing mimic
lodges among his playmates; but in his riper years he placed a truer value upon the ridiculous claims of the institution and became
prominent in the political movement which was aroused by the kidnapping and murder of William Morgan for revealing the secrets of
the order. Captain William Redfield died in July, 1815, in the 86th year of his age, having outlived all his twelve brothers and sisters.
He was buried in the "old yard by the river," near the present railroad station at Middletown, but no stone marks his grave. His four
sons who reached maturity all followed the sea, and of these the fate of the elder two was never accurately known.
-----
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winthrop_Sargent
Maj. Winthrop Sargent b. 1 May 1753, Gloucester, MA; d. 3 Jun 1820, New Orleans, LA, was a
patriot, politician, and writer; and a member of the Federalist party. Sargent graduated from
Harvard College before the Revolution. He spent some time at sea, as captain of a merchantman
owned by his father. He enlisted in Gridley's Regiment of Massachusetts Artillery on 7 Jul 1775 as
a lieutenant, and later that year was promoted to captain lieutenant of Knox's Regiment,
Continental Artillery, on December 10. He was with his guns at the siege of Boston, as well as the
battles of Long Island, White Plains, Trenton, Brandywine, Germantown, and Monmouth. He was
promoted to captain in the 3rd Continental Artillery on January 1, 1777, and brevetted major on 25
Aug 1783.
In 1786, he helped to survey the Seven Ranges, the first lands laid out under the Land Ordinance
of 1785. With inside knowledge of the area, he went on to form the Ohio Company of Associates,
was an important shareholder in the Scioto Company, and as of 1787, secretary of the Ohio
Company.
Sargent was appointed by the Congress of the Confederation as the first Secretary of the
Northwest Territory, a post second in importance only to the governor, Arthur St. Clair. He took up
his post in 1788, and in 1789 he married Roewena Tupper, a daughter of Gen. Benjamin
Tupper, at the settlement of Marietta in the first marriage ceremony held under the laws of the Northwest Territory. Like St. Clair,
Sargent would function in both civil and military capacities; he was wounded twice by
Indians at St. Clair’s ill-fated Battle of the Walbash, on 4 Nov 1791. He also served in
the Indian wars of 1794-95 and became adjutant general. On 15 Aug 1796, he would,
as Acting Governor, proclaim the establishment of Wayne County, the first American
government in what is now Michigan.
< Mississippi Territory ~ Winthrop Sargent ~ Issue of 1948
President John Adams then appointed Sargent the first Governor of the Mississippi
Territory, effective from 7 May 1798 to 25 May 1801. His last entry as Northwest
Territory's secretary was on 31 May 1798; he arrived at Natchez on 6 Aug, but due to
illness was unable to assume his post until 16 Aug.
Sargent was a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and of the Philosophical Society, an original member of the
Society of the Cincinnati as a delegate from Massachusetts, and published, with Benjamin B. Smith, Papers Relative to Certain
American Antiquities (Philadelphia, 1796), and “Boston,” a poem (Boston, 1803).
45

Being a Federalist, Sargent was dismissed from his position as territorial governor in 1801 by incoming president Thomas Jefferson.
Sargent took up life in the private sector as a planter in Natchez.
His uncle Paul Dudley Sargent also served in the Continental Army.
-----
Sherman Genealogy including families of Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk, England ..., by Thomas Townsend Sherman
http://books.google.com/books?id=papRAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA200-
IA1&dq=%22col.+isaac+sherman%22&hl=en&sa=X&ei=ZCr9Trv9C8Pr0gGEpcm3Ag&ved=0CDUQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=%22co
l.%20isaac%20sherman%22&f=false
Lieut Col. Isaac Sherman, b. at New Milford, June 17, 1753, O. S., June 28, 1753, N. S.; Yale B.A., 1770 M.A; son of the Hon.
Roger Sherman. Taught school at Exeter, NH, 1774. When Lexington was attacked in 1775, he immediately entered the service in
Massachusetts Apr. 27, 1775.
He took the Oath of Allegiance at Valley Forge “in the spring of '78 before that encampment was broke, and who undoubtedly were
members of the army actually in camp at Valley Forge the ever memorable winter of '77-'78.”
Commissioned Captain, served bravely and honorably thereafter until the close of the war, Jan., 1783.
Major in Mar., 1776. In letter dated Oct 9, 1776, to Gov. Trumbull, of Connecticut, General Washington mentioned Major Sherman
for promotion.
Connecticut Council of Safety, Mar. 7,1777. "Major Isaac Sherman is promoted to be Lieutenant Colonel in Col. Charles Webb's
battalion in Continental Service."
(Records of the State of Connecticut, Vol. I, p. 188.)
Lieut. Col of Conn. Line in Jan., 1777. Was Lieut. Col. commanding from 1779 to end of war.
The following is a copy of a letter to his father written by him at the beginning of the war:
Hon’l Sir
"Brookline Fort at Sewalls Point Sept. 8, 1775
I received your letter dated August 21st, which is the only one received since that favored by Col. Folsom. It gives me great pleasure
to hear that my friends are in a good state of health. Mr. Dagget's stay was so very short that I could not possibly have wrote—he
told me you would set out for Philadelphia.
I was appointed by the Mass"5 Province. Business of almost every kind was entirely stagnated in this Province by reason of the
Publick difficulties which rendered it almost impossible to obtain any employment sufficient to procure a maintenance, was an
inducement for me to enter the Army; but far from being the only one. The goodness of the cause a desire of being an useful
Member of society and of serving my Country—a thirst for Glory, real glory, were the grand incentives. I hope by the assistance of
the Deity I shall be enabled to serve every useful End, never to reflect dishonor upon the Family or myself. The distance being so
great the necessity of being expeditious in recruiting rendered it almost impossible to have consulted with you on the affair. I am so
far from thinking the advice of the experienced disadvantageous to youth, that I apprehend it to be the incumbent duty of young Men
to consult and advise with those who are acquainted with the various manovres of Mankind, and especially with a kind indulgent
Parent, who always consults the good of his Children. The Questions you proposed I shall answer with Pleasure. I am stationed at
Brookline Fort at Sewalls Point, situated between Cambridge and Roxbury—on Charles River. We have no great prospect of a
Battle at present. They will never presume without a very considerable Reinforcement to attempt to force our lines which are very
strong; nor we theirs. The Army is very healthy, in fine spirits, resolute in the cause. We have no certain News from the British
Troops—a few deserters now and then, but their relations are to be but little depended on. The people in Boston have been and are
still in a very disagreeable situation. They have liberty to come out but they come out very slow, for a few Boats pass a day and
those over Winipinet Ferry only. The Generals are well. We have various accounts from England but no Intelligence to be depended
on. Nothing remarkable has happened here of late. Judges nor Justices are appointed. But the Assembly in their next Session I
understand are a going to appoint them. The Council at present are settling the Militia of the Province. I should esteem it a great
favor to be informed as soon as possible of the Plan preferred by the Continental Congress for raising troops for the ensuing
Campaign—Whether I could obtain the command of a regiment if I could raise one. There are a Number of things I stand in great
need of which cannot easily be procured here but at a very extravagant price—should be glad you would furnish me with a genteel
Hanger, a yard an half of superfine scarlet Broad cloth, with suitable Trimmings—for a Coat of Uniform & a Piece Holland. I am in
good health, very much pleased with a Military Life, tho' attended with many inconveniences. I shall for the future take every
opportunity of writing and when anything of importance occurs, shall endeavour to give the earliest intelligence
I am Sir
Your most dutiful Son
Isaac Sherman
N. B. I should be glad to know what number of Men a Regiment will consist of the ensuing Campaign. Mr. Seevar the Bearer of this
will tarry some days in Philadelphia he is after Goods. You may if agreeable have an opportunity of sending the Things I wrote for
with his and they will be conveyed with safety to me. Mr. Sevar will purchase the quantity of Goods he proposes at N York, these
things may be obtained there and sent with his if equally agreeable to you.
To the Honble Roger Sherman Esqr.
at Philadelphia
favored by Mr. Sevar"
46

Near the end of his life he wrote as follows:
"I entered the army immediately after the battle of Lexington, and continued therein till sometime after the preliminary articles of
treaty were announced in the United States. I was at the siege of Boston—with General Washington at the taking of the Germans at
Trenton—commanded the advance guard into Princeton on the third of January 1777,—at the battle of Monmouth with General
Wayne in the taking of Stony Point,—and many other actions and skirmishes in my power to enumerate. I underwent great
hardships, privations and dangers. At White Marsh in the close of the year 1777, I was placed in front of the American Army for 17
days, and was twice in action, in which nearly 120 brave Americans lost their lives under my command."
Took part in many important engagements; commended to Congress by General Wayne. An original member of The Society of the
Cincinnati of Connecticut. In 1785 elected by Congress Surveyor of Western lands. July 18, 1785 "Congress proceeded to the
election of a surveyor from Connecticut, and the ballots being taken, Mr. Isaac Sherman was elected, having been previously
nominated by the delegates of that state." (Proceedings of Continental Congress.) Resided in Philadelphia in 1795, in New York in
1796. Later lived in New Jersey. Never married. The following are copies of his letters:
Sir,
"New York 20th Nov' 1788.
I have been unsuccessful with the commissioners of the treasury board. I have had encouragement of employment from several
gentlemen in this city, in an enterprise to the westward; but the length of time already elapsed and the uncertainty when their object
will be matured, induce me to retire from New York to some town in its vicinity, where I propose to enter into a line of business
sufficient for a support, till a more favorable time shall offer, for entering into public employ. The unfortunate failure of my brother has
been exceedingly injurious to me; but perseverance, I am persuaded, will enable me to rise superior to the surrounding difficulties. It
is with reluctance that I call upon you for assistance to retire from this city; but I hope this will be the last time that my circumstances
shall render a similar application necessary. To descend into the vale of obscurity, for one who has acted no inconsiderable part in
effecting the great revolution, which gave the United States of America a name among the nations of the earth, is hard; but when I
consider, that too great a reliance on public justice to be in some measure the cause, and not owing altogether to my own
misconduct, the task becomes more easy. After once having taken the station, which my present circumstances render necessary,
my mind will be more composed; and I shall have time and leisure to make the proper arrangements for a reintroduction into public
employ. From the consideration of the numerous family you have to support, it is painful to solicit any assistance; and were this not
the case, a man of my years and experience in life ought to depend upon himself. I have borrowed eleven dollars since my being in
New York, and have engaged to pay them the ensuing week, I therefore most earnestly request that sum, at least, may be remited
me. The following is a statement of the money I owe.
To Colonel Richard Platt, borrowed last Spring 25 Dollars
Mr. David Osborn for board 17
Cap'. Forbes East Haven 1
Mr. Wm. Baldwin—Branford 2 30/90
Mr. Jacob Brown—New Haven 3 60/90
Borrowed in New York 11
Thomas & Samuel Green 1 45/90
60 45/90
I hope to be able to pay Colonel Platt before he will want it— he is willing to wait three months The eleven dollars borrowed; and the
17 due to Mr. Osborn are necessary to enable me to retire from this city.
I am, Sir, with filial affection,
Your obed'. Serv'. Isaac Sherman.
Sir,
The Honorable
Roger Sherman Esqr."
"New York 19th Nov. 1796.
I expected before this to have heard from you; and that you would have transmitted a certificate from the Secretary of the Cincinnati
Society of Connecticut, as I requested in my former letter, as it would be of great advantage to my family. I also expected to have
seen you here before this, though I suppose your business has prevented your coming. You are well acquainted with my situation
and the circumstances of my family; and therefore if you have any regard for me, I should apprehend that you would have written. I
told you when here that I did not wish you to involve yourself to extricate me from my present difficulties, though I think you and the
other parts of the family might afford me some assistance; as I have no doubt, but that we shall be able in a short time to return the
favor. If anything can be done, the urgency of the case admits of no delay, or the least possible. I do not know when I shall be
liberated. It may not be till the coming spring. But this is not the present point. Provision for my family is the primary object, which
had I the certificate I wrote for, might in part answer the object. I write in haste. My respects to the family. If you do not come
yourself, send me some money, as early as you can.
I am, Your Affectionate Brother
Isaac Sherman.
Mr. Roger Sherman
P. S. I wish you to come as early as your business will permit. If you was here three or four days, I have no doubt, but something
could be done of utility to me, and without any injury to yourself. I want to see you or brother Baldwin very much.
I. S."
47

Addressed on the back—"Mr. Roger Sherman,
New Haven
Merchant."
He died at the house of Zophar Hetfield in Westfield, Essex County, New Jersey, Feb. 16, 1819, intestate. Adm. granted in Essex
County to Levi Hetfield, Apr. 12, 1819. Inventory $110.79.
-----
http://skinnerkinsmen.org/SKU/SKU02_2/02_2elisha.html
Dr. Elisha Skinner, b. 20 Jun 1754, Norton, Bristol, MA; d. 3 Nov 1827, Brewer, Hancock, ME; bur. Old Cememtery, Brewer, ME;
son of Timothy Skinner; m1. 18 Apr 1790, Mansfield, MA, Mary Grover.
Children:
1. Elisha SKINNER
2. Alfred SKINNER
m2. 1823 Sarah Rogers
DR. ELISHA SKINNER
by Barbara Dunn Hitchner
Elisha (6), Timothy (5), Ezra (4), John (3), Thomas (2) Thomas (1) of Malden
Dr. Elisha Skinner, distinguished citizen, whose abilities and steadfastness of purpose were invaluable to the broad countryside he
served as physician, churchman, tavern
He had reached a middle-aged 45 years when, in 1787, a year prior to the town's incorporation, he settled in Old Orrington. His
former home was Mansfield, Massachusetts. There he had studied medicine and from there he had enlisted in the Revolution as
surgeon's mate. He advanced rapidly to the rank of surgeon in General Marshall's regiment, a post he held to the war's end. In
private life he followed the same profession being the first settled physician on Penobscot River above Fort Pownal, and for many
years the only one.
His position in the community can be gauged by the settlers' confidence in him. He was selected in April and again in October,
1790, to go to the General Court with a petition relating to the land -- "each inhabitant to pay three shillings for Dr. Skinner's charge.'
At this time, in that area of Old Orrington, later set off as Brewer, there was no organized church within a radius of 50 miles. A small
band of citizens gathered to explore the possibility of creating a religious organization. Imbued with a deep spiritual zeal, Dr. Skinner
was numbered among them and served as scribe for the meeting. Into this project of `settling the gospel" among them he plunged
wholeheartedly. As of September, 1800, the First Congregational Church, the `Mother Church' of the upper river, with a membership
of at least thirteen persons, was organized. For many years he served as one of the Deacons and was strongly identified with it.
William Hasey, of Bangor, records: --".. .having an overwhelming sense of God's infinite goodness in me...I presented myself to the
Old Orrington Church at Dr. Skinner's in Brewer.. .and was admitted to the church.'
Good Deacon Eliashib Adams, in his Autobiography, speaks very frankly: -`Soon after I came to Bucksport (1803), I walked up to
Bangor. ...I should have remained there had it not been that there were no religious privileges. It was a mere Sodom, with Lot
dwelling in it. ...I was so disgusted with the character of the place, that for several years, when my business made it necessary for
me to remain over night, I used to cross the river to Orrington and put up at Dr. Skinner's, who, with his wife were both pious and
intelligent.
The truth of history requires mention that Dr. Skinner, being a tavern keeper, sold intoxicating liquors. Although he enforced the Blue
Laws, sometimes his customers were boisterous and quarrelsome.
It was a welcome abode for travelers. When Park Holland and his assistants, Jonathan Maynard and John Chamberlain, had
completed their survey of the Old Indian Purchase, Chamberlain closed his field notes with this statement:
--"Monday, Nov. 2nd. 1797. Maynard and I started down river with one of the crew as boatmen, and passed the night at
Dr. Skinner's, an old brother officer.'
As a civilian, Dr. Skinner continued his interest in military affairs. Under the command of his old friend, General Blake, he was
surgeon for the Old Orrington militia. During the spring of 1814 when the British were threatening the Maine coast, he agreed to
serve on Brewer's Committee of Safety.
In the early fall of that year came the disastrous Battle at Hampden. Even as the ships moved up the Penobscot there was effort on
the part of the British to inflict random damage. Minutes of the Methodist Quarterly Conference report: - "September 3, 1814. The
British troops coming up the river prevented Q. M. They shot a cannon ball through the meeting house this day. After the British
were established at Castine there were further acts of annoyance and pillage. There is a tradition that pulpit furniture from the
"Mother Church" was carried to Castine. Among the homes pilfered was that of Dr. Skinner. In making an inventory of his loss he
was most concerned to discover his Family Bible missing. In a few days it was found, discarded, at the ferry, salvaged and returned
to him. Today it is cherished by a lineal descendant, General Ralph B. Skinner of Auburn, Maine.
Of Elisha Skinner's varied activities, the one with which his name has remained most closely associated is Rising Virtue Lodge No.
10, A.F. & A.M. It could well have been his most absorbing interest. At first it seems a little surprising that none of his immediate
family continued his active interest. A little research indicates that two sons died in their early twenties and other close relatives
removed to Corinth, Exeter and Garland. It is within the range of possibility that they were members of Lodges elsewhere. But the
Skinner name continues on Rising Virtue Rolls. John B. Skinner, Jr. (raised 1920) and his son, John B. Skinner, III (1939) are
distantly related to Dr. Elisha Skinner. The latter is presently an active member.
48

Born in 1742, Elisha Skinner crossed the threshold into Life Eternal in 1827 when the years of his earthly life numbered eighty
signed, Barbara Dunn Hitchner
"This article was written for Rising Virtue Lodge and John B. Skinner, III. It was read at lodge and then filed in the archives."
-----
Major David Smith
http://books.google.com/books?id=dD0b_VeqA08C&pg=PA17&dq=%22major+david+smith%22+%22connecticut%22&hl=en&sa=X
&ei=W-
0FT_6xJKnL0QGxneGPAg&ved=0CDEQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=%22major%20david%20smith%22%20%22connecticut%22&f=fa
lse
David Smith’s first war experience was as an Ensign in a Waterbury company in 1775. The parish of Northbury, in which he lived,
was in the town of Waterbury. The company was service in the invasion of Canada. By 17776 David Smith was Captain. “Captain
Smith’s Company” was at the battle of Burnetsfield or German Flats. He was commissioned Major of the Eighth Regiment,
Connecticut Line, 13 Mar 1778, and wintered at Valley Forge. Here he was appointed sub-inspector of Varnum’s Brigade, and in
1779 was appointed Brigadier-Major of the Second Connecticut Brigade. Major Smith remained in camp at West Point until the army
was disbanded in June 1783.
At the Battle of Monmouth, two months before he was commissioned Major, David Smith disarmed two British officers and gave
their swords to General Lafayette. The French general was impressed by the young officer’s bravery and in person presented him
with one of the swords. The sword late hung in the home of his great-granddaughter’s in Burlington, NJ. It has a silver hilt of
beautiful design. Years ago the rust that covered the stains of blood could be discerned. Crossed with it is the sword of the greatgrandson,
David Smith, who lost his life in the Civil War.
Major Smith was good penman and his services in this line were put to use in his duties on the staff at Valley Forge. His quarter
books, containing much information of value, are in the possession of the Connecticut Historical Society, to whom they were given
by [his son; b. 2 Oct 1780] Junius Smith. Major Smith was member of the Connecticut Society of the Cincinnati, and among the
family relics is a well-preserved certificate of membership signed by G. Washington [which was later offered for sale by Christie’s].
General Smith, as he was known because of his being a General of the Connecticut militia, returned to the parish of Northbury
(which became a town by the name of Plymouth in 1795) and was a village merchant. His family had received town supplies during
the war. He lived on the site of building now known as the Quiet House, on the old turnpike from Hartford to Litchfield, facing the
village green. His business flourished. President Ezra Stile of Yale College, who was an honorary member of the Society of the
Cincinnati, lodged with General Smith once in 1787 and in his diary recorded the fact that “his shop trades 2,000 pounds per
annum.”
http://www.plymouthct.us/history2.htm
It’s hard to imagine the Revolutionary War and George Washington ever came to Plymouth, Connecticut, but Route 6 was formerly
a stagecoach road to Hartford and stopped at David Smith’s inn, later called the Quiet House, near Plymouth Center. Plymouth, at
that time, was part of Northbury. The Town of Plymouth did not incorporate until 1795, after the Revolutionary War, with a population
of 1,121.
The Plymouth area, as a stage coach stop in 1780, was familiar to George Washington as his cousin, Norman Woodruff lived here
and later inherited George Washington’s silver spurs. The Quiet House was owned and operated by one of the officers of the
Continental Army, Major David Smith and his wife. Major Smith was a member of the local 1774 committee to receive donations
for relief of the poor in Boston whose port was closed by the British fleet. Smith also served at Valley Forge and his journals of
George Washington’s army at Valley Forge are in possession of the Connecticut Historical Society. On September 23-25, 1780
George Washington was on his way to Hartford to meet with comte de Rochambeau to discuss preliminary plans for future
campaigns. It is during this time George Washington was a guest of the Quiet House. It is unfortunate that the hotel register with
George Washington’s actual signature was lost in a fire but evidence exists in several diaries to confirm his presence.
David Smith was b. 16 Oct 1757 Woodstock, Windham, CT; d. 10 Feb 1816 Colrain, Franklin, MA; son of Hezekiah Smith (1726 -
1800) and Eunice Morris Smith (1729 - 1807); m1. Martha Thompson Smith (1761 - 1808); m2, Thankful Dean Smith (1760 - 1813).
Children:
Rachel Smith Pierce (1782 - 1847)*
John Smith (1784 - ____)*
Celenda Smith Patterson (1792 - 1865)*
Calvin Smith (1795 - 1795)*
Calvin Smith (1796 - 1822)*
Clarisa Smith (1799 - 1820)*
Burial: Colrain West Branch Cemetery, Colrain, Franklin, MA
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Biographical sketches of the graduates of Yale college with annals of the ..., by Franklin Bowditch Dexter
http://books.google.com/books?id=M9aEAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA708&dq=%22captain+hendrik+Ten+Eyck%22&hl=en&sa=X&ei=1xUFT4
feLsPi0QG35cGxAg&ved=0CIcBEOgBMA4#v=onepage&q=%22captain%20hendrik%20Ten%20Eyck%22&f=false
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Hendrick or Henry Ten Eyck, second son and child of Tobias Ten Eyck, of Schenectady, NY, and grandson of Captain Henrik and
Margarita (Bleecker) Ten Eyck, of Albany, was baptized in Schenectady on 27 Jul 1755. His mother was Rachel, daughter of
Johannes de Peyster [Mayor of Albany] and Anna Schuyler, of Albany, and he was thus a first cousin of his classmate Douw.
Before graduation, on 3 Apr 1777, he was appointed Adjutant to the 2nd Connecticut Continental Regiment, commanded by Colonel
Charles Webb, and then left his studies. He was commissioned as Captain in the same regiment in May 1778, and at the taking of
Stony Point in July 1779, he lost his hearing and received a blow on one arm which rendered it comparatively useless ever after. In
Oct 1782, on the consolidation of regiments he was transferred to the 3rd Connecticut Line, with his old rank of Captain, and served
until his discharge in Jun 1783. He was granted a pension in 1807.
His will was made in Schenectady on July 18, 1814, and was proved in the last week of June, 1816; he probably died in the early
part of the latter year, aged nearly 61.
He was twice married: first to Anna Van Eps, youngest child of Jan Baptist and Maria (Truex) Van Eps, of Schenectady, born 20
Sep 1761, by whom he had one son and one daughter, who survived him; and secondly to Maria Dorothea Vrooman, only daughter
of the Rev. Barent and Alida (Van Der Heyden) Vrooman, of Schenectady, and widow of John Louis Victor Le Tonnelier, of
Schenectady. She was born on 27 Mar 1764, had one son by her first marriage (born 1788), and survived her second husband.
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Dr. Albigence [Albigens] Waldo
Albigence Waldo (27 Feb 1750-29 Jan 1794), son of Lt. Zachariah Waldo and Abigail Griffen, was a physician from Pomfret, CT;
served during the Revolution as a surgeon for the American army. He married first, 19 Nov 1772, Lydia Hurlbut (1751-1785). They
had six children including Elisha Hurlbut Waldo (1773-1801). Elisha, their oldest child, was apprenticed to Isaiah Thomas (1749-
1831) in Worcester, MA. Waldo married second, 16 Jul 1787, Lucy Cargill (1762-1830); they had two daughters. Lucy Cargill Waldo
had a local reputation as a writer of poetry and verse.
His sister, Sarah, married Col. Israel Putnam, son of General Israel Putnam. Albigence did the eulogy at the death of Gen. Putnam.
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=35475781
Sarah Waldo (1740-1808) was the wife of Israel Putnam Jr. (1738-1812). Israel Putnam Jr. was one of the founders of the Ohio
Company, which initiated the establishment of the state of Ohio, by bringing in settlers from Massachusetts and Connecticut in
the late 1780s and 1790s to found the towns of Belpre (Belle Prairie) and Marietta (named for Marie Antoinette).
Colonel Israel PUTNAM (b. 28 Jan 1740, Salem Village, Essex, MA ; d. 7 Mar 1812, Belpre, Washington, OH); son of Maj. Gen.
Israel Putnam; m. Sarah Waldo (b. 9 Jan 1740, Pomfret, Windham, CT ; d. 7 Mar 1812, Belpre, Washington, OH), 1764; they
had: Sarah, Israel, Aaron Waldo, David, William Pitt, Mary, George Washington, and Elizabeth.
Col. Israel Putnam Jr (1738-1812) was one of ten children of Hannah Pope (1739-1766) and General Israel Putnam (1717/18-
1790), famous to history for purportedly shouting to his soldiers at the Battle of Bunker Hill, June 16-17, 1775. "Don't fire until you
see the whites of their eyes!" . . .
The wife of Israel Putnam Jr was Sarah Waldo (1740-1808).
By 1788, two tiny communities (Belpre & Marietta) had been established along the Ohio River. This was the work of a handful of
Revolutionary War veterans and prospective frontier settlers from New England and the Mid-Atlantic States. In 1786, in Boston,
these intrepid adventurers had formally organized an association with the goal of opening to farming a vast tract of western lands.
In the spring of 1788, the first of these homesteaders, arriving mostly as family groups, had established the community of Marietta
on the Muskingum River near its outflow into the Ohio River. The war veterans, whose leader was former General Rufus Putnam,
decided to name their town in honor of the French queen, Marie Antoinette, whose nation had given crucial navel aid during the
American Revolution. Between 1788 and 1790 four different companies of New Englanders, composed of several dozen people -
mostly families - arrived at Marietta and began to spread out from there.
The name of their second settlement was Belle Prairie, soon shortened to Belpre. [. . .] By 1789, the Belpre settlement consisted
of a few dozen log cabins on the banks of the Ohio River. The inhabitants [. . .] began farming in the spring of that year. The
Marietta and Belpre settlers were intent upon taming the territory with plow and cow.
The journey from Connecticut (the Putnam home state) was a trip of astonishing rigor and tragedy. Here follows selections from
an important never-before published letter written by Israel Putnam (1738-1812), with his cousin Rufus Putnam (1738-1824), one
of the leaders of the Ohio Company.
When Israel wrote in 1795, to his brother-in-law back in Connecticut, he had already been living in Belpre and had returned to
Connecticut to bring out his family, with other settlers.
To Col. Lemuel Grosvner
Postmaster at Pomfret, Conn.
Sunday morning, Belpre, October 18, 1795
Dear and Loving Brother;
I recd your favor of ye 25th ult, last Monday. [. . .]
We passed on well from Harrisburg till we were ascending the last of the three mountains, and there Clarry [wife of his son Israel]
met with a miscarriage which hindered us the day. We made a bier and carried her over to the first plantation, two miles, and
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there tarried eight days for her to recover and then proceeded on slowly as our cattle could bear, for their shoes were almost all
off, and no possibility of getting them on. so we had to wait for their feet to grow when worn too thin. But after all that, we arrived
at headwaters [of Ohio] in two months, only abating the time we laid by for Clarry. So long I laid out to be getting to ye waters.. . .
Israel [the letter writer's son] was taken sick and unable to drive his team so that Waldo arrived just soon enough. Before we got
to where we took Maum [evidently a pet name for his wife] was taken sick - both with dysentery [. . .] Mr. Cutler and I drove the
cattle about 50 miles, but I had not reached there before a messenger overtook us with the information that Maum and Israel
were both very dangerously sick at Elizabethtown, a little further above Pittsburgh. [. . .]
Maum and Israel were very low and weak but there was a clever little rise of water and all were a mind to embrace it and did -
and got on slowly, for our boat had all our wagon body and its covers and loading and if the wind was ahead we floated up
stream, so were obliged to come to till there was calm - Maum and Israel mending slowly.
Mr. Butler's youngest child about 16 or 18 months old, had been sick and great part of the journey was taken with the disorder
and died within a few days. [. . .]
Mr. Cutler's oldest daug, 7 or 8 years Old, was taken sick and died before we reached Muskingum [. . .] After all our delays,
terrible sickness and deaths on board ye boat - which many times aground and all hands out in the water lifting with iron spikes,
etc. we arrived at Marietta ye 18th day of September, Israel so that he could walk with a cane, and Maum a little better, Clarry
and Fanny poorly. [Fanny was a little child of Clarry.]
[. . .] Monday we set off and arrived at Belpre. Tuesday bought a house. Maum and ye girls went on visit to Waldo's about three
miles down ye river, George and I cleaning ye house. I believe by this time you are tired of particulars. I think the family are as
well pleased with the situation and people as I expected and much better than they expected. [. . .]
I have meat to kill, people to say "how do ye" to and every tool to grind and helve, a shaving brake and a shelter or hovel to make
for my cattle in ye winter before I could begin harvesting my corn. But now I have a barrel of good pork, some good dry venison,
hams, good turkey hanging ready to roast and with plenty of good soil in ye garden, and ye family have all good health and
excellent stomachs. My old shop or cabin has been a hen roost for some years and for ten shillings I bought the cabin full of hens
and chickens and have plenty of eggs. Tomorrow I am going to harvesting, wind and weather permitting. Then I shall shut up a
pair of hogs and bring in my fatting cow and look a little like living through ye winter. If I can obtain forage enough for my cattle. . .
It has been sickly up the river this season -- owing, some people think to a little standing water just by their stockades. Maum
wishes you to let Mr. Barrett to have a little indigo to color some for her - wish you to mention it. As David is with you, he may
send him a line. As to the debts due me I shall always be ready to receive ye money, or you may and use it. But don't distress
people where it is perfectly safe; where it is otherwise, I would have the money collected, or ample security given to your full
satisfaction.[. . .]
Shall be happy to hear from you [. . .] as often as anything worth offers and you may expect the same from me.
Yours etc.
I. Putnam
After being apprenticed to a surgeon in Canterbury, he Albigence served as a surgeon in the Connecticut militia in 1775. He was
then surgeon in a Connecticut Continental regiment from January 1777 to October 1779, when he had to resign because of bad
health. After the war he settled in Windham County, Connecticut, where he died on 29 Jan 1794.
As the Surgeon General of the Revolutionary Army of General George Washington, Dr. Waldo did a remarkable job of "on the
spot" inspections and medical care, and in issuing orders which prevented disease and frostbite and which rationed food and
supplies to keep the men in the army as healthy as possible, under conditions of great hardship. He kept a dairy through much of
the war.
Dr. Waldo was the brother of Abigail Waldo, the wife of David Bucklin. David was an uncle of Joseph Bucklin 5th, who fired the
first shot of the Revolution and for whom this Joseph Bucklin Society is named. In memory of the events of the Revolutionary
War, the David Bucklin family line deliberately continued to carry the name of "Albigence" for eight generations (two hundred
years!), either as a first name or a middle name of a Bucklin boy.
http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/D/1776-1800/war/waldo.htm
From the Diary of Albigence Waldo, Surgeon at Valley Forge, 1777.
December 6 The Enemy forming a Line from towards our right to the extremity of our left upon an opposite long height to ours in
a Wood. Our men were under Arms all Day and this Night also, as our Wise General was determined not to be attack'd Napping....
December 8 All at our Several Posts. Provisions and Whiskey very scarce. Were Soldiers to have plenty of Food and Rum, I
believe they would Storm Tophet...
December 11 At four o'clock the Whole Army were Order'd to March to Swedes Ford on the River Schuylkill, about 9 miles N.W.
of Chestnut Hill, and 6 from White Marsh our present Encampment. At sun an hour high the whole were mov'd from the Lines and
on their march with baggage. This Night encamped in a Semi circle nigh the Ford. The enemy had march'd up the West side of
Schuylkill - Potter's Brigade if Pennsylvania Militia were already there, and had several skirmishes with them with some loss on this
side and considerable on the Enemies....
I am prodigious Sick and cannot get anything comfortable - what in the name of Providence am I to do with a fit of Sickness in this
place where nothing appears pleasing to the Sicken'd Eye and nausiating Stomach. But I doubt not Providence will find out a way
for my relief. But I cannot eat Beef if I starve, for my stomach positively refuses to entertain such Company, and how can I help that?
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December 12 A Bridge of Waggons made accross the Schuylkill last Night consisting of 36 waggons, with a bridge of Rails
between them each. Some skirmishing over the River. Militia and dragoons brought into Camp several Prisoners. Sun Set - We
were order'd to march over the River - It snows - I'm Sick - eat nothing - No Whiskey - No Forage - Lord - Lord - Lord. The Army
were 'till Sun Rise crossing the River - some at the Waggon Bridge and some at the Raft Bridge below. Cold and uncomfortable.
December 13 The Army march'd three miles from the West side of the River and encamp'd near a place call'd the Gulph and not
an improper name neither, for this Gulph seems well adapted by its situation to keep us from the pleasures and enjoyments of this
World, or being conversant with anybody in it. It is an excellent place to raise the Ideas of a Philosopher beyond the glutted thoughts
and Reflexions of an Epicurian. His Reflexions will be as different from the Common Reflexions of Mankind as if he were
unconnected with the world, and only conversant with immaterial beings. It cannot be that our Superiors are about to hold
consultations with Spirits infinitely beneath their Order, by bringing us into these utmost regions of the Terraqueous Sphere. No it is,
upon consideration for many good purposes since we are to Winter here-
1. There is plenty of Wood and Water
2. There are but few families for the soldiery to Steal from - tho' far be it from a Soldier to Steal
3.
4. There are warm sides of Hill to erect huts on
5. They will be heavenly Minded like Jonah when in the Belly of a Great Fish
6. They will not become home Sick as is sometimes the Case when Men live in the Open World - since the reflections which
will naturally arise from their present habitation, will lead them into the more noble thoughts of employing their leisure hours
in filling their knapsacks with such materials as may be necessary on the Journey to another Home.
December 14 Prisoners and Deserters are continually coming in. The Army which has been surprisingly healthy hitherto, now
begins to grow sickly from the continued fatigues they have suffered this Campaign. Yet they still show a spirit of Alacrity and
Contentment not to be expected from so young Troops. I am Sick - discontented - and out of humour. Poor food - hard lodging -
Cold Weather - fatigue - Nasty Cloaths - nasty Cookery - Vomit half my time - smoak'd out my senses - the Devil's in't - I can't
Endure it - Why are we sent here to starve and Freeze - What sweet Felicities have I left at home; A charming Wife - pretty Children
- Good Beds - good food - good Cookery - all aggreable - all harmonious. Here all Confusion - smoke and Cold - hunger and
filthyness - A pox on my bad luck. There comes a bowl of beef soup - full of burnt leaves and dirt, sickish enough to make a Hector
spue - away with it Boys - I'll live like the Chameleon upon Air. Poh! Poh! crys Patience within me - you talk like a fool. Your being
sick Covers you mind with a Melancholic Gloom, which makes every thing about you appear gloomy. See the poor Soldier, when in
health - with what cheerfulness he meets his foes and encounters every hardship - if barefoot, he labours thro' the Mud and Cold
with a Song in his mouth extolling War and Washington - if his food be bad, he eats it notwithstanding with seeming content -
blesses God for a good Stomach and Whistles it into digestion. But harkee Patience, a moment - There comes a Soldier, his bare
feet are seen thro' his worn out Shoes, his legs nearly naked from the tatter'd remains of an only pair of stockings, his Breeches not
sufficient to cover his nakedness, his Shirt hanging in Strings, his hair dishevell'd, his face meagre; his whole appearance pictures a
person forsaken and discouraged. He comes, and crys with an air of wretchedness and despair, I am Sick, my feet lame, my legs
are sore, my body cover'd with this tormenting Itch - my Cloaths are worn out, my Constitution is broken, my former Activity is
exhausted by fatigue, hunger and Cold, I fail fast I shall soon be no more! and all the reward I shall get will be - "Poor Will is dead."
People who live at home in Luxury and Ease, quietly possessing their habitations, Enjoying their Wives and families in peace,have
but a very faint Idea of the unpleasing sensations, and continual Anxiety the Man endures who is in Camp, and is the husband and
parent of an aggreeable family. These same People are willing we should suffer every thing for their Benefit and advantage, and yet
are the first to Condemn us for not doing more!!
December 15 Quiet. Eat Pessimmens, found myself better for their Lenient Opperation. Went to a house, poor and small, but
good food within - eat too much from being so long Abstemious, thro' want of palatables. Mankind are never truly thankfull for the
Benefits of life, until they have experienc'd the want of them. The Man who has seen misery knows best how to enjoy good. He who
is always at ease and has enough of the Blessings of common life is an Impotent Judge of the feelings of the unfortunate....
December 16 Cold Rainy Day, Baggage ordered over the Gulph of our Division, which were to march at Ten, but the baggage
was order'd back and for the first time since we have been here the Tents were pitch'd, to keep the men more comfortable. Good
morning Brother Soldier (says one to another) how are you? All wet I thank'e, hope you are so (says the other). The Enemy have
been at Chestnut Hill Opposite to us near our last encampment the other side Schuylkill, made some Ravages, kill'd two of our
Horsemen, taken some prisoners. We have done the like by them....
December 18 Universal Thanksgiving - a Roasted pig at Night. God be thanked for my health which I have pretty well recovered.
How much better should I feel, were I assured my family were in health. But the same good Being who graciously preserves me, is
able to preserve them and bring me to the ardently wish'd for enjoyment of them again
December 21 [Valley Forge.] Preparations are made for huts. Provisions Scarce. Mr. Ellis went homeward - sent a Letter to my
Wife. Heartily wish myself at home, my Skin and eyes are almost spoil'd with continual smoke. A general cry thro' the Camp this
Evening among the Soldiers, "No Meat! No Meat!" - the Distant vales Echo'd back the melancholy sound - "No Meat! No Meat!"
Immitating the noise of Crows and Owls, also, made a part of confused Musick.
What have you for your dinner boys? "Nothing but Fire Cake and Water, Sir." At night, "Gentlemen the Supper is ready." What is
your Supper Lads? "Fire Cake and Water, Sir." Very poor beef has been drawn in our Camp the greater part of this season. A
Butcher bringing a Quarter of this kind of Beef into Camp one day who had white Buttons on the knees of his breeches, a Soldier
cries out - "There, there Tom is some more of your fat Beef, by my soul I can see the Butcher's breeches buttons through it."
December 22 Lay excessive Cold and uncomfortable last Night - my eyes started out from their Orbits like a Rabbit's eyes,
occasion'd by a great Cold and Smoke.
Our Division are under Marching Orders this morning. I am ashamed to say it, but I am tempted to steal Fowls if I could find them, or
even a whole Hog, for I feel as if I could eat one. But the Impoverish'd Country about us, affords but little matter to employ a Thief, or
52

keep a Clever Fellow in good humour. But why do I talk of hunger and hard usage, when so many in the World have not even fire
Cake and Water to eat....
It is not in the power of Philosophy...to convince a man he may be happy and Contented if he will, with a Hungry Belly. Give me
Food, Cloaths, Wife and Children, kind Heaven! and I'll be as contented as my Nature will permit me to be.
This Evening a Party with two field pieces were order'd out. At 12 of the Clock at Night, Providence sent us a little Mutton, with which
we immediately had some Broth made, and a fine Stomach for same. Ye who Eat Pumkin Pie and Roast Turkies, and yet Curse
fortune for using you ill, Curse her no more, least she reduce you Allowance of her favours to a bit of Fire Cake, and a draught of
Cold Water, and in Cold Weather too.
December 23 The Party that went out last evening not Return'd to Day. This evening an excellent Player on the Violin in that soft
kind of Musick, which is so finely adapted to stirr up the tender Passions, while he was playing in the next Tent to mine, these kind
of soft Airs, it immediately called up in remembrance all the endearing expressions, the Tender Sentiments, the sympathetic
friendship that has given so much satisfaction and sensible pleasure to me from the first time I gained the heart & affections of the
tenderest of the Fair....
December 24 Party of the 22d returned. Hutts go on Slowly, Cold & Smoke make us fret. But mankind are always fretting, even if
they have more than their proportion of the Blessings of Life. We are never Easy, allways repining at the Providence of an Allwise &
Benevolent Being, Blaming Our Country, or faulting our Friends. But I don't know of any thing that vexes a man's Soul more than hot
smoke continually blowing into his Eyes, & when he attempts to avoid it, is met by a cold and piercing Wind....
December 25 Christmas. We are still in tents, when ought to be in huts — the poor sick, suffer much in tents this cold weather.
But we now treat them differently from what they used to be at home, under the inspection of old women and Doct. Bolus Linctus.
We give them mutton and grogg — and a captial medicine once in a while — to start the disease from its foundation at once. We
avoid piddling pills, powders, Babus's Linctus's cordials — and all such insignificant matters whose powers are only rendered
important by causing the patient to vomit up his money instead of his disease. But very few of the sick men die."
December 26 Party of the 22d not Return'd. The Enemy have been some Days the west Schuylkill from Opposite the City to
Derby, l here intentions not yet known. The City is at present pretty Clear of them , Why don't his Excellency rush in & retake the
City, in which he will doubtless find much Plunder?, Because he knows better than to leave his Post and be catch'd like a . . . fool
cooped up in the City. He has always acted wisely hitherto, His conduct when closely scrutinised is uncensurable. Were his Inferior
Generals as skillfull as himself, we should have the grandest Choir of Officers ever God made....
December 28 Yesterday upwards of fifty Officers in Gen. Green's Division resigned their Commissions, Six or Seven of our
Regiment are doing the like to-day. All this is occation'd by Officers Families being so much neglected at home on account of
Provisions. their Wages will not by considerable, purchase a few trifling Comfortables here in Camp, & maintain their families at
home, while such extravagant prices are demanded for the common necessaries of Life, What then have they to purchase Cloaths
and other necessaries with? It is a Melancholly reflection that what is of the most universal importance, is most universally
neglected, I mean keeping up the Credit of Money.
The present Circumstances of the Soldier is better by far than the Officer, for the family of the Soldier is provided for at the public
expence if the Articles they want are above the common price, but the Officer's family, are obliged not only to beg in the most
humble manner for the necessaries of Life, but also to pay for them afterwards at the most exhorbitant rates, and even in this
manner, many of them who depend entirely on their Money, cannot procure half the material comforts that are wanted in a family,
this produces continual letters of complaint from home....
December 31 Adjutant Selden learn'd me how to Darn Stockings, to make them look like knit work, first work the Thread in a
parallel manner, then catch these over & over as above....
1778. January 1st. New Year. I am alive. I am well.
Hutts go on briskly, and our Camp begins to appear like a spacious City....
Bought an embroidered Jacket.
How much we affect to appear of consequence by a superfluous Dress, , and yet Custom, (that law which none may fight against)
has rendered this absolutely necessary & commendable. An Officer frequently fails of being duly noticed, merely from the want of a
genteel Dress ....
Sunday, Jan. 4th. Properly accouter'd I went to work at Masonry , None of my Mess were to dictate me, and before Night (being
found with Mortar & Stone) I almost compleated a genteel Chimney to my Magnificent Hutt, however, as we had short allowance of
food & no Grogg, my back ached before Night.
I was call'd to relieve a Soldier tho't to be dying, he expir'd before I reach'd the Hutt. He was an Indian, an excellent Soldier, and an
obedient good natur'd fellow....
January 8
Unexpectedly got a Furlow. Set out for home. The very worst of Riding, Mud & Mire.
We had gone thro' Inoculation before this furlow.
-----
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http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/w/a/t/Leland-R-Watrous/GENE6-0036.html#CHILD95
Dr. John R. Watrous b. 16 Mar 1754 in Colchester, CT; d. there 18 Dec 1849; son of Dr. John Watrous
and Sarah Taintor; m1. 10 Jun 1783 Lydia Wright, b. 1760, d. 5 Jul 1797; m2. 29 Mar 1798 Mrs. Louisa T.
Mather [widow of Nathaniel Shaw Woodbridge], born 8 Feb 1776 in Lyme, CT, d. 15 Feb 1823 in
Colchester; d/o Samuel Mather and Alice Ransom;l m3. 20 May 1829 Lucretia W. Ransom.
Children by Lydia:
1. Richard Henry Watrous b: 12 APR 1784 in Colchester, New London Co., CT
2. Zerriah Watrous b: 20 FEB 1786 in Colchester, New London Co., CT
3. Richard Henry Watrous b: 24 APR 1787 in Colchester, New London Co., CT
4. Anne Watrous b: 8 FEB 1790 in Colchester, New London Co., CT
5. Caroline Watrous b: 29 JUN 1797 in Colchester, New London Co., CT
Dr. John served as a surgeon's mate in Col. Joseph Spencer's regt and was a surgeon from 1777 to the
close of the Rev. War. He also played a role in setting up Bacon Academy, 1803, a private High School in
Colchester, CT; his third wife, Mrs. Hubbard made application for a widow's pension based on John R.'s service.
Dr. John Richard Watrous was in his day one of Connecticut's shining lights in the medical profession, as well as one of
Colchester's most distinguished citizens. He was born in Colchester, March 16th, 1754. He saw military service during the whole of
the Revolutionary War, and was one of the committee of eighteen appointed to examine candidates for the positions of surgeon and
surgeon's mate. Such experience combined with marked native ability gave him a lasting prestige. He was an incorporator of the
State Medical Society, of which he was president from 1807 to 1812. He was also an original member of the County Medical
Society, served as clerk twice, was chairman six times, and was repeatedly elected Fellow of the State Society. In 1804 he received
the honorary degree of M. D. from the Connecticut Medical Society. He maintained a high standing in the community, was most
successful as a practitioner, and was widely consulted, especially as a surgeon. Dr. Watrous was three times married. He died
December 13th, 1842. A full and interesting account of his life is contained in Dr. Russell's article.*
He also served a short time during the War of 1812
The Grand Lodge of Connecticut met on 20 May 1807 in Hartford with Deputy Grand Master David Daggett presiding. The Grand
Senior Warden, Samuel Bellamy, had moved to Albany, New York and dropped out of the Grand Lodge line and was replaced by
John Richard Watrous, a member of Wooster Lodge No. 10 in Colchester. Stephen Titus Hosmer was elected to his tenth term
(of 18 terms) as Grand Master.
Mount Olive Lodge, No. 52, F. & A. M., was constituted, February 13th 1812, the ceremonies being conducted by Rt. W. John R.
WATROUS, D. G. M.
-----
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otho_Holland_Williams
Otho Holland Williams (March 1, 1749 – July 15, 1794) was a Continental Army officer from Maryland in the Revolutionary War.
He participated in many battles throughout the war in the New York, New Jersey and Southern theaters, eventually ending his
career as a Brigadier General.
Born in rural Prince George’s County, MD, Williams spent his childhood on
Springfield Farm near present day Williamsport. He was orphaned at age thirteen
and was put in the care of his father's brother-in-law, Mr. Ross. Williams took an
apprenticeship under Mr. Ross and studied his profession in the Clerk's office of
Frederick, eventually taking charge of the office. At age eighteen, Williams moved
to Baltimore and undertook a similar trade. Williams returned to Frederick in 1774
and entered into a commercial life.
In response to Congress’s call for soldiers at the outbreak of the Revolutionary
War in the spring of 1775, Williams joined a Continental Army rifle unit as a
commissioned officer. Soon thereafter, he and his unit marched off to the Siege of
Boston. Seeing his first significant combat action in late 1776 at the Battle of Fort
Washington [16 Nov 1776], Williams was captured by the British and imprisoned in
New York. He was released in early 1778 and returned to the Continental Army as
colonel of the 6th Maryland Regiment, a position he had acquired during his
captivity. From thereafter, Williams led his regiment through much of the southern
campaign, most notably in the battles of Camden, Guilford Court House, and
Eutaw Springs. Near the end of the War, Williams was sent by his commanding
officer General Greene with documents to congress and was promoted to brigadier
general in 1782.
After the war, Williams later served as an associate justice for Baltimore County,
and as the first commissioner of the Port of Baltimore. He returned to Springfield
Farm in 1787, bought the house and the surrounding land, and began laying out
the town of Williamsport. In 1792, Washington offered Williams to be Brigadier General of the Army, though he declined due to his
failing health. Williams died two years later in 1794 while travelling to Sweet Springs, VA.
54

Otho Holland Williams was born on March 1, 1749, the third generation of his family born on the North American Continent, his
ancestors having emigrated from Wales. For the first year of his life, he lived with his parents Joseph and Prudence Williams in
Prince George’s County until the family settled at the mouth of the Conecocheague near present day Williamsport. His family home
was Springfield Farm, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. Shortly before Joseph Williams death, he placed his
thirteen year old son into the care of his brother-in-law Mr. Ross who worked in the Clerk's office in Frederick County. After studying
the duties of the office, Williams took charge of the office himself before moving to Baltimore for similar employment at the age of
eighteen. In the spring of 1774, Williams returned to Frederick and entered into commercial life.
Early War
On June 14, 1775, upon the call for soldiers by the Continental Congress, Williams joined Capt. Thomas Price's Independent Rifle
Company of Maryland as first lieutenant. The company then marched to the Siege of Boston. Soon after the company's arrival in
Boston, Williams was promoted to the command of the company. By order of the Continental Congress on June 27, 1776, the rifle
company was integrated into the Maryland and Virginia Rifle Regiment, with Hugh Stephenson as colonel, Moses Rawlings as
lieutenant colonel and Williams as major.
The regiment did not see much action until the Battle of Fort Washington, where Williams was taken prisoner by the British. He was
taken to New York, where due to his rank he was permitted to go at large on his parole. During this time in New York, it was
common for British officers to amuse themselves by insulting American prisoners with pointed questions such as "What Trade were
you of before you entered the service?" When a high ranking British officer asked this question of Williams he replied:
"That he was in a profession which taught him to resist tyranny and punish insolence, and that proofs of his profession would follow
a reputation towards him."
It is suggested that the officer offended by this retort informed William Phillips—then in command of the New York garrison—that
Williams was sending military information to George Washington contrary to the terms of his parole. Williams was promptly arrested
and confined to a sixteen square foot room without ventilation in the city's provost jail which he shared with Ethan Allen. Due to
possible maltreatment by his captors and malnourishment, his health was affected to the point where he never fully recovered from
his imprisonment.
After the surrender of General John Burgoyne after the Battles of Saratoga, Williams was exchanged on January 16, 1778. During
his imprisonment, Williams had been promoted to colonel and given command of the 6th Maryland Regiment of the Maryland Line.
Shortly after his release, he stated in a letter to the governor of Maryland that the regiment contained "...not above a hundred
effective men... and that those are very indifferently clothed." He further stated: "I heartily desire to join the army as soon as possible
but certainly it had better be reinforced by a regiment without a colonel than by a colonel without a regiment." After joining
Washington's army shortly before the Battle of Monmount he learned that the regiment was noted for a looseness of discipline and
was unable to stand with others in the line during battle. Soon after he took effective command, the 6th Maryland Regiment became
known as the equal, if not superior, to any in the whole army.
Southern campaign
After the unsuccessful attempt to capture Savannah, Georgia, under the command of General Benjamin Lincoln, the Southern
Department of the Continental Army retreated to Charleston, SC. General Sir Henry Clinton moved his forces, surrounded the city
where Lincoln's army was located and cut off any chance of relief for the Continental Army. Prior to his surrender, Lincoln had been
able to get messages to General Washington and Congress requesting aid. At the end of April 1780, Washington dispatched
General Johann de Kalb with 1,400 Maryland and Delaware troops. The Maryland Line made up a large portion of this force, with
Williams serving in the post of Adjutant general to General De Kalb.
General de Kalb's forces took almost a month to descend the Chesapeake Bay and did not arrive in Petersburg, VA, until the middle
of June, almost a month after Lincoln had surrendered his army. The Continental Congress appointed Horatio Gates to command
the Southern Department. He assumed command on July 25, 1780 and immediately marched into South Carolina with the intent of
engaging the British Army, now under the command of Charles Cornwallis. Williams served as Deputy Adjutant General under
Gates.
Battle of Camden
After brief aggressive maneuvering which threatened the British position in the Carolinas, Cornwallis moved his forces to engage the
American forces. The two armies met in the Battle of Camden on August 16, 1780, six miles north of Camden, SC. Due to several
tactical errors on the part of General Gates, Cornwallis achieved a decisive victory. Deserted by their commander and facing
opposition on all sides, the Continental Army was forced to retreat. During this engagement, Williams had been stationed to the rear
of the army and was unable to contribute until the end and General de Kalb was mortally wounded. Prior to his death three days
later, de Kalb paid a glowing tribute to the Maryland Troop under his command.
Battle of Guilford Court House
After the successful retreat across the Dan River, during which Williams led his men during many highly successful rear guard
actions checking the enemy's advance and baffling every British attempt to bring the American army into a general engagement,
General Nathaniel Greene chose to offer battle to General Cornwallis's forces on March 15, 1781 on ground of his own choosing at
Guilford Court House, inside the city limits of present day Greensboro, NC.
After the British forces had broken Greene's first line made up of North Carolina Militia and the second line made up of Virginia
Militia they threatened the third line made up by the 1st Maryland Regiment, under the command of Colonel John Gunby, and the
2nd Maryland Regiment. The Brigade of Guards, under the command of a Colonel Stewart, broke through the 2nd Maryland
Regiment, captured two field pieces and threatened the rear of the 1st Maryland forces whom were already engaged with sizable
force under the command of a Colonel Webster.
55

The 1st Maryland Regiment charged and swept Webster's forces from the field.
They then turned to face the oncoming guards unit. After a brief exchange of
musket fire, in which 1st Maryland's commander's horse was shot from under him,
the 1st Maryland Regiment charged the Guard’s unit who were quickly routed.
Greene, not able to see this part of the battle from his vantage point, had already
ordered a retreat. Thus, unsupported, the Maryland troops were soon forced to
withdraw. During this retreat the 6th Maryland Regiment under Williams again
acted as the rear guard of the army and is credited with holding off the British
forces allowing Greene to move his forces to safety. In recognition of Williams'
gallantry, Greene appointed him to the post of Adjutant General of the Army.
Battle of Eutaw Springs - The Battle of Eutaw Springs can be divided into two
distinct engagements. During the first action, Greene had given the following order
to Williams:
"Let Williams advance and sweep the field with his bayonets."
The 6th Maryland Regiment advanced and broke the British line forcing them to fall
back several miles and allowing the Continental Army to gain control of the British Camp. The Americans then began to pillage the
camp which allowed time for the British to form a new line anchored by a stone house that the Continental Army was unable to
move later in the day.
Near the close of the War, he was sent by General Greene with dispatches to congress and on May 9, 1782 promoted to Brigadier
General.
Later life - After the War, Williams returned to Maryland and settled in Baltimore. He was soon appointed Commissioner of the Port
by the Governor of Maryland, an appointment that was renewed when George Washington assumed the Presidency. He was also
elected Treasurer of the Society of Cincinnati on November 21, 1783.
In 1786 he married his wife, Mary Smith, the second daughter of William Smith with whom he had four sons. In the year following his
marriage, Williams bought his father's house near the Potomac River and dedicated himself to improving the farm and laying out the
town of Williamsport, Maryland, which was named in his honor. Williams wanted the capital of the United States to be located in
Williamsport and wrote a letter to Washington to that effect on November 1, 1790 enclosing a map of the town.
Washington thought so highly of Williams that that in 1792, when Daniel Morgan refused the rank of Brigadier General of the
American Army, the president had Henry Knox, the Secretary of War, write Williams asking him to accept the position. The position
would have made Williams the second in command of the American Army, but citing poor health and no ambition for the position,
Williams declined the appointment. However, on December 21, 1792, Williams accepted the Maryland State Legislature’s invitation
for him to serve as an Associate Justice for Baltimore County.
His health deteriorating, Williams was induced to try the "sea airs" and in 1793 journeyed to Barbados which afforded him some
benefits. In 1794 upon reaching Woodstock on his way to Sweet Springs, VA, Williams became too ill to travel. On Tuesday, July
15, 1794, at the age of 46, Otho Holland Williams died. His remains were interred under a simple monument on the summit of a hill
on his Williamsport homestead. His wife died one year later leaving their children orphaned and under the care of her father.
-----
http://books.google.com/books?id=WJ_XiLoXvLkC&pg=PA699&dq=%22samuel+Wyllys%22+%22hartford%22&hl=en&sa=X&ei=CP
oFT-e3O6rl0QHelIWxAg&ved=0CDwQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=%22samuel%20Wyllys%22%20%22hartford%22&f=false
John Paulsgrave Wyllys, bp. 11 Aug 1754; d. 30 Sep 1790; son of George Wyllys and Mary Woodbridge; m. Jerusha Talcott, bp.
11 Apr 1756; d. 9 Aug 1783; d/o Col. Samuel Talcott and Mabel Wyllys.
Yale College 1773; served through the Revolutionary War; Brigade Major 1176; in 1781 Major of the Third Connecticut Regiment,
and distinguished himself by his gallantry. In 1785 he was appointed Major of the troops raised for the defense of the frontier. He
was killed in the attack on the Miami Towns while serving in Gen. Harmar’s expedition against the Indians.
-----
Samuel Wyllys, [brother of John Paulsgrave Wyllys above] bp. 7 Jan 1738-39; d. 9 Jun 1823; son of George Wyllys and Mary
Woodbridge; m. 3 Feb 1777 Ruth (Belden) Stoughton, widow of John Stoughton. She d. 2 Sep 1807, d/o Thomas Belden and Ruth
(Wyllys) Lord.
Children:
i. Oliver St. John b. 9 Nov 1777
ii. Mary Woodbridge b. 18 May 1781; m. John M. Gannett
iii. Samuel Hobart b. 16 Aug 1784; d. 5 Mar 1797
v. William Alfred b. 3 Feb 1790
Samuel: Yale College 1758; went to England 1764 and remained there for six years; in 1771 he became the first Captain of the First
Company of Governor’s Foot Guard; in 1774 Colonel of the First Regiment; he served through the Revolutionary War as Colonel of
a Connecticut Regiment; was town clerk of Hartford, 1796-1805; held other town officers, and was Major General of the Connecticut
Militia. He succeeded his father as Secretary of State, 1796, and held the office until 1809. His wife was Ruth, d/o Thomas Belden
and Ruth (Wyllys) Lord, and widow of Capt. John Stoughton whom she m. 22 Jan 1765. He d. 25 Nov 1766.
56

The Brewster Genealogy, p. 89, says Lucy Brewster, d/o Elisha Brewster & Lucy Yeomans of Middletown, b. 30 May 1745, m. 11
Oct 1764, as first wife of Samuel Wyllys of Hartford.
Ruth Belden, b. 1747, d. 1807, who m., first, 22 January, 1765, Captain John Stoughton, of the British Provincial Army, son of
Nathaniel Stoughton, of Windsor, CT. She m., Secondly, her cousin, General Samuel Wyllys. By her first husband, who was
drowned in Lake George, 1768, she had: Elizabeth Stoughton, b. 1767; m. 1 June, 1785, Judge Oliver Wolcott, of Litchfield,
Governor of Connecticut, Secretary of the Treasury of the United States, 1795-1800; Judge of the second circuit of the United
States District Court; d. 1833; a son of Oliver Wolcott, Governor of Connecticut, and a Signer of the Declaration of Independence.
Chapter Sketches, Connecticut Daughters of the American Revolution: patron ..., by Connecticut Daughters of the American
Revolution
http://books.google.com/books?id=wQgWAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA21&dq=%22samuel+Wyllys%22+%22belden%22&hl=en&sa=X&ei=M
hoGT4yVE6nj0QHaivzQBQ&ved=0CEQQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=%22samuel%20Wyllys%22%20%22belden%22&f=false
RUTH WYLLYS - The name Ruth Wyllys was adopted by the Hartford Chapter, not only in compliment to the gallant services of
General Samuel Wyllys and his brothers, in the Revolutionary War, and the long term of office of their father, Col. George Wyllys, as
Secretary of the Colony and State of Connecticut, before, during and after the Revolutionary period, but also in recognition of the
prominent position held by the family in Hartford for nearly two hundred years.
The first George Wyllys held the office of Governor. His son Samuel served in the General Assembly thirty-six years. Samuel's son
Hezekiah was elected, in 1712, Secretary of the Colony, and was succeeded by his son George, who held the office for a period of
sixty-four years. George Wyllys was succeeded by his son, General Samuel Wyllys, who was the husband of Ruth Wyllys,
patroness of the Hartford Chapter, and who continued in the office for thirteen years. Thus, this office, so important in the history of
the Colony, was held for ninety-eight years without a break by father, son and grandson. "It is believed," remarks I. W. Stuart, in his
"Lives of the Early Governors of Connecticut," "that this instance of the perpetuation of high office in the same family for so long a
term of years is without a parallel in this country." Add to this period of ninety-eight years, the thirty-six years of service of the first
Samuel Wyllys, and the six years when the first George Wyllys was Magistrate, Deputy Governor, and Governor, and we have the
record of one hundred and forty years when high places of trust were annually given to the Wyllys family.
The first of the name in this country was Governor George Wyllys, who in 1638, left an ancestral estate in England, Fenny Compton,
in Warwickshire, to join his fortunes with the Puritan settlers of Hartford. His steward preceded him with twenty men, bringing the
timbers and other materials for the Wyllys home. This mansion remained in the family for five generations, and was always a
gathering place for prominent citizens and for visitors from abroad. The portraits of General Samuel Wyllys, and his wife Ruth,
which, with other family pictures, hung in this house, were burned in the great fire in New York in 1835, where unfortunately they
had been stored after the death of the last of the name, and the sale of the mansion.
The Wyllys Mansion and the Charter Oak
The services of George Wyllys as Secretary are not as conspicuous or picturesque, as those of a soldier who led battalions into the
fray, nevertheless they were very important. No official document was valid without his signature and the seal of the Colony or State.
As Secretary, he signed in June, 1776, the instructions sent by the General Assembly of Connecticut to the delegates of the Colony
at the General Congress in Philadelphia, directing them to propose that the United Colonies should be declared Independent
States—also the bill passed in October, 1776, declaring this Colony an Independent State. He was a member of the Committee
appointed by the Town of Hartford, Dec. 3o, 1777, to take into consideration the Articles of Confederation drawn up by Congress as
a plan of union to be adopted by the United States of America, and to lav the same before the people at the next town meeting. In
January, 1778, he signed the Articles of Confederation, establishing a perpetual union between the States. During the Revolutionary
period, he signed all the commissions that were issued by the General Assembly or by the Council of Safety. In 1779 he
memorialized the Assembly, stating that the great increase of business in his office had put him to much additional expense and
trouble, and asked for an increase of salary, which was granted.
Ruth, the wife of General Samuel Wyllys, and patroness of the Hartford Chapter, herself shared in the Wyllys blood. She was the
daughter of another Ruth Wyllys,* by the latter's second husband, Col. Thomas Belden of Wethersfield. Ruth Belden, their daughter,
was born in 1747, and was married in 1765, when barely eighteen, to Captain John Stoughton, of Windsor, who had served with
great gallantry in the French War, 1755-63, and who for his services had received from the Crown a grant of land between Lakes
George and Champlain, still known as the Stoughton Patent. Here he settled with his wife, and here he met his death by drowning
November 27, 1768, having been overtaken by a storm while crossing Lake George.
57

After eight years of widowhood, being then only thirty, Mrs. Stoughton married on February 3, 1777, her cousin, General Samuel
Wyllys, at that time a Colonel in the Continental Army.
Judging from family correspondence, Mrs. Wyllys was with her husband during the winters when he was in quarters on the Hudson,
sharing with him as far as possible the dangers and privations of a soldier's life.
*Ruth, born February 22, 1705, was a daughter of Hon. Hezekiah Wyllys, and sister of Col. George Wyllys, and married (1)
December 31, 1724, Richard Lord, of Hartford, who, later, removed to Wethersfield. After Richard Lord's death in 1740, she married
(2) Col. Thomas Belden.
Samuel Wyllys was one of the incorporators of the First Company Governor's Foot Guards, organized in 1771, and became its first
captain. He served from the beginning of the war, taking part with his regiment in the siege of Boston. In 1776 his regiment reenlisted
and served under his command in the New York campaign, being actively engaged in the battle of Long Island. After the
battle of White Plains, Wyllys was commissioned Colonel of the new Third Connecticut Regiment, and served with it for four years,
during which period he was almost continually on duty on the Hudson Highlands, or along the Connecticut border. Early in 1778 his
regiment, with other troops, began the permanent fortifications of West Point. In the summer of 1779, his regiment marched with the
Connecticut division towards the Connecticut coast to check Tryon's invasion, Wyllys being then in command of his brigade. In 178o
he was in camp with Washington's army on the Hudson. Finally, in January, 1781, the Colonel retired from service with many other
officers, in consequence of regimental consolidation. From 1789 to 1792 he was Brigadier-General of the First Brigade, State Militia,
and from 1793 to 1796 Major-General of the State Militia.
General Wyllys's brothers were in the service also. Hezekiah Wyllys fought in the battles of Long Island and White Plains. Later he
was appointed Colonel of the First Regiment of Militia, which frequently turned out on alarms. He was in Putnam's force on the
Hudson during Burgoyne's campaign, also at Stonington and New Haven, when those towns were attacked by the British.
The youngest brother, John Palsgrave Wyllys, was only twenty one when he entered the army as adjutant of Col. Erastus
Wolcott's regiment at the time of the siege of Boston. In the New York campaign of 1776 he was appointed Brigade Major of Wads
worth's Brigade, and was taken prisoner on September 5, during the retreat from New York, but was soon exchanged. In January,
1777, he was commissioned captain in Colonel S. B. Webb's regiment.
The following is a copy of a letter written by Major John Palsgrave Wyllys to his sisters, among whom is included Ruth Wyllys.
To my Sisters—Greeting:
After a tedious forced march through the Jersies, I have the pleasure to inform my good Sisters of my safe and sound arrival at
Peekskill—not a single wound—(except eye-shots or so)—but all healed after crossing the River. These Dutch women are perfect
antidotes for all poisonous wounds of that kind, I wonder if Susa finds any antidotes at Killingworth. Dr. Gale's powders never will
answer—the air among the pines would do much better. As for Ruth, I retract what I said of her—she is good for a great many
things !—she feeds the body not only—but the mind also. I thank her for her presents of both kinds, and Mrs. Pomeroy* for hers—
they are very good—they will be still kinder by continuing them in an epistolary way. With regard to Susa she is gadding about so
much there is no knowing where to find her, therefore, I say nothing to her in particular, but I must tax her as well as all the rest of
my sisters with neglect in writing —to punish them for which I shall not inform them of any of my adventures in the Jersies—as how I
saw Miss H. Bull accidentally upon our march into Brunswick the morning it was evacuated by the enemy—the mutual surprise—the
story of her sufferings—her many kind enquiries for her friends—the great relief two or three dishes of Tea afforded me—how our
Brigade first entered the Town driving the enemy before them—march through the Town with colors flying —pursuit towards
Amboy—return—many affecting instances of British Cruelty—their treatment of women— some tender scenes of which I was
witness—our fatigueing march back. These, with many other curious particulars, are entirely lost by your negligence. I hope for the
future you will behave better, otherwise I can't with a good conscience give loose to my inclination for particular descriptions of this
kind—your amendment will give me opportunity.
Mrs. Pomroy will be so good as to send by the first opportunity a couple of Blankets—it is very inconvenient to be without.
*Eunice Belden Pomeroy, sister of Ruth Wyllys, and wife of Quartermaster General Ralph Pomeroy.
Rutha I suppose will soon be for writing to her good man. I expect a letter from her at the same time. It would be of no great service
to write news. I will omit it, and say no more, but conclude with giving my best wishes to all my Sisters and subscribing myself their
Friend & Brother.
J. P. WYLLIS.
Camp at Peeks-kill. July 14, 1777.
Sunday evening.
John Palsgrave Wyllys served in the campaign against Burgoyne, was stationed at Newport, RI, the next year, and in 1779-8o the
regiment wintered in the Morristown huts. In 1780 he was absent from his regiment most of the year, commanding one of the
Connecticut companies in Lafayette's Light Infantry Corps. He distinguished himself by his gallantry in Virginia, especially at the
siege of Yorktown. After the surrender of Cornwallis, he returned to his regiment, then with the army in the Highlands, and remained
with it until it was disbanded in November, 1783. He entered the regular army again in 1785, served in the Indian campaigns in the
Ohio country, and was killed at the head of his command in the battle of the Miami, October 21, 1790.
After General Samuel Wyllys returned to Hartford, he assisted his father in the performance of his duties as Secretary of
Connecticut, and after his father's death in 1796, was elected to the same office. He continued to act as Secretary until 18o9, when
he retired from active life. He died June 9, 1823, and was buried with military honors in the old Center Burying Ground. Mrs. Ruth
Wyllys died September 2, 1807.
58

There are no monuments to either Ruth Wyllys or her husband, as the Wyllys family did not wish to have any grave stones. One of
them said, "If the State of Connecticut cannot remember the Wyllyses without tomb stones, their memory may rot." The shaft which
is seen rising in the distance in the picture of the Ancient Burial Ground is the monument erected to the memory of the first settlers
of Hartford, and is said to be on the Wyllys plot.''
* Since this sketch was written a fine monument has been placed in the Ancient Burying Ground in memory of the Wyllys family by
their descendants. This includes Ruth Wyllys whose name appears as the wife of General Samuel Wyllys.
An obituary notice from the old volumes of the Connecticut Courant supplies, with the exception of the recollections of a grandniece,
all the definite knowledge thus far obtained of Mrs. Wyllys's fine qualities of character.
Several years ago her remembrances of Ruth Wyllys were imparted to the writer by the grand-niece, then a centenarian, who in her
childhood had been an inmate for a time of the Wyllys household. She described Mrs. Wyllys as a beautiful woman of a calm, sweet
temperament with dignified manners and possessing an indescribable charm and loveliness of spirit which drew all hearts towards
her. The following is the obituary notice which appeared in the Connecticut Courant:
"Died in this City on Wednesday last, after a long illness, Mrs. Ruth Wyllys, the amiable and worthy consort of Gen. Samuel Wyllys,
aged 6o years. We do not recollect to have recorded the death of one more justly and universally esteemed for every quality which
constitutes the worth of the female character. From her youth she has been distinguished for those virtues, which are the fruit of
religious piety. By nature she was endued with a superior understanding which commanded respect—an amiable disposition which
knew no resentment—benevolence which diffused happiness among her numerous acquaintance. Every moment of her life was
spent in the discharge of some duty. As a wife she possessed the esteem and love of her husband—as a mother the unbounded
affection of her children; and by the tender charities of her nature she secured the friendship of all. She died universally lamented,
and cheerfully resigned her spirit to Him who gave it; cherishing the humbler hope of receiving the reward of a virtuous and wellspent
life. COURANT, Sept. 9, 1807."
Mary Kingsbury Talcott.
-----
Free masonry in North America from the Colonial period . . . page 16.
http://books.google.com/books?id=hNQWAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA18&dq=%22peleg+heath%22+%22american+union%22&hl=en&sa=X
&ei=MZf7Tsv_Eebr0gGaivmPAg&ved=0CD0Q6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=%22peleg%20heath%22%20%22american%20union%22&f
=false
AMERICAN UNION LODGE
As this forms one of the most interesting and important chapters in the history of Masonry in North America, covering the period of
the American Revolution, when many Lodges suspended operations, copious extracts have been made from the minute-book of this
Lodge, which was published in its entirety some thirty years ago by Rt. Wor. E. G. Storer, Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of
Connecticut.
This Lodge was no doubt organized by General (then Colonel) Samuel Holden Parsons, of the Connecticut Line, a prominent
member of St. John's Lodge, Middletown, Conn., and the names appearing first on the list in the minute-book were also members of
this Lodge. General Parsons was one of the most conspicuous officers in the war of the Revolution, and composed one of the board
of officers that tried Major Andre, the British spy, at Tappan, N. Y., in October, 1780.
It will be observed that this Lodge met and transacted all regular business on the Entered Apprentice degree. Most Lodges at that
time were known as " Ordinary Lodges," and worked only the Entered Apprentice and Fellow Craft degrees, the "Master's Lodge "
being separate and distinct, and requiring a special warrant, though emanating from the same source.
During the suspensions of the meetings of the Grand Lodge at Boston, in 1776, the following Dispensation was issued by the Grand
Master:
JOHN ROWE, GRAND MASTER, To JOEL CLARK, Esq.r—GREETING.
By virtue of authority inverted in me, I hereby, reposing special trust and confidence in your knowledge and skill of the Ancient Craft,
do appoint and constitute you, the said Joel Clark, Esquire, Master of the AMERICAN UNION LODGE, now erected in Roxbury, or
wherever your Body (hall remove on the Continent of America, provided it is where no Grand Master is appointed.
You are to promote in your Lodge the utmoft Harmony and Brotherly Love, and to keep up to the Conftitutions, for the reputation of
the Craft. In your makings you are to be very cautious of the Moral Character of fuch perfons, and alfo of vifitors, and fuch as defire
to become Members of your Lodge (fuch as were not made in it). You are to tranfmit to the Grand Lodge a fair account of the choice
of your officers, as well prefent as future. Any matters coming before your Lodge that cannot be adjufted, you are to appeal to and
lay the fame before the Grand Lodge for a decifion. You are, as often as the Grand Lodge meets, to attend with your two Wardens;
of the time and place the Grand Lodge (hall meet, you will have previous notice.
In order to fupport the Grand Lodge, your Lodge is to pay into the hands of the Grand Secretary, each Quarterly Night, the fum of 12
millings lawful money; all of which you will pay due regard to.
This Commiflion to remain in full force and virtue until recalled by me or my fucceflbr in office.
Given under my hand, and the hands of the Grand Wardens, (the feal of the Grand Lodge firft affixed,) this [L. s.] the I5th day of
Feb'y, Anno Mundi 5776, of Salva
tion 1776.
59

RICHARD GRIDLEY, D. G. M.
WILLIAM BURBECK, S. G. W.
J. G. W.
Per order of the G. Mafter.
Recorded, WM. HOSKINS, G. Sec'y.
The following names appear on the Minute-Book, as the " ORIGINAL MEMBERS OF AMERICAN UNION LODGE, at the first establishment,
April, 1776:"
Col. Samuel Holden Parsons, Fellow Craft.
Capt. Ezekiel Scott, do.
____ Whittlesey, do.
Cotton, do.
Col. Samuel Wyllys, Entered Apprentice.
Col. Joel Clark, Master Mason.
Col. John Parke, do.
Thomas Chace, Esq., do.
Ens. Jonathan Heart, do.
Capt. Joseph Hoit, do.
Capt. William Coit, do.
BY-LAWS OF AMERICAN UNION LODGE.
ARTICLE 1. That the members of this Lodge shall consist of forty-five and no more, unless it shall hereafter appear necessary for the
benefit of Masonry, in which case it shall be determined by a majority of the members present— the Master having a casting vote in
this and all other matters that concern the true interest of this Lodge, except in cases hereinafter mentioned.
ART. 2. That this Lodge shall be held from time to time at such place as by adjournment it shall be ordered, of which the members
are desired to take particular notice and attend punctually.
ART. 3. In order to preserve the credit of the craft and the harmony of Masonry in general, no candidate shall be made in this Lodge
unless his character is well vouched by one or more of the brothers present. Every brother proposing a candidate shall stand up and
address the Master, and at the same time shall deposit four dollars as advance towards his making, into the hands of the Secretary,
and if he is accepted shall be in part of his making; if he is not accepted it shall be returned, and if he is accepted and does not
attend it shall be forfeited for the use of the Lodge, casualties excepted.
ART. 4. No candidate shall be made on the Lodge night he is proposed, unless it shall appear that he is under such circumstances
that he cannot with convenience attend the next Lodge night, in which case it shall be submitted to the Lodge. But this rule may be
dispensed at discretion of the Lodge.
ART. 5. Every candidate proposed shall stand on the minutes until the next Entered Apprentice Lodge night after he is proposed,
and then shall be balloted for; if one negative only shall appear then he shall have the benefit of a second ballot, and if one negative
shall still appear he shall have the benefit of a third ballot, and if a negative still appear, the candidate shall then be dismissed and
his money refunded: provided this By-Law does not annul the provision made in the immediate foregoing article.
ART. 6. Every brother made in this Lodge shall pay ten dollars for his making, of which the deposit money shall be considered as
part.
ART. 7. A Lodge of emergency may be called for making, passing or raising a brother, they paying the expense of the evening.
ART. 8. Every brother made in this Lodge and shall sign the By-Laws, shall commence member thereof, and shall be considered as
such until he signifies his intentions to the contrary to the Master and Wardens of the Lodge.
ART. 9. Every member shall pay into the hands of the Secretary one shilling, equal to one-sixth of a dollar, for every night's
attendance, to be paid 'quarterly.
ART. 10. Every brother visiting this Lodge shall pay one shilling each night he visits, except the first night, whtn he shall be excused.
ART. 11. Any visiting brother who shall desire to become a member of this Lodge, being properly recommended, shall have the
benefit of a ballot (the same as a candidate), and if accepted shall pay nine shillings.
ART. 12. No person who may have clandestinely obtained any part or parts of the secrets of Masonry shall be suffered to visit this
Lodge until he has made due submission and gone through the necessary forms, in which case he shall pay for making, at the
discretion of the Lodge, not exceeding the usual fees.
ART. 13. No person made a Mason in a traveling Lodge, lu-injr an inhabitant of any metropolis or city where there is a regular Lodge
established, shall be admitted as a member or visitor in this Lodge until lie has complied with the restrictions in the immediate
foregoing article.
ART. 14. Whenever the Master shall strike upon the table the members shall repair to their places and keep a profound silence. No
brother is to interrupt the business or harmony of the Lodge, under penalty of receiving a severe reprimand from the Master for the
first offence, and if he shall remain contumaciously obstinate shall be expelled the Lodge.
ART. 15. When a brother has anything to propose he shall stand up and address the Master, and no brother shall interrupt another
while speaking, under penalty of a rebuke from the Master.
ART. 16. The By-Laws shall be read every Lodge night by the Secretary, to which every member is to give due attention.
ART. 17. That every member of the Lodge shall endeavor to keep in mind what passes in Lodge, that when the Master shall
examine them on the mysteries of the craft he may not be under necessity of answering tor them.
ART. 18. That the officers of this Lodge shall be chosen on the first Lodge night preceding the Festival of St. John the Baptist and St.
John the Evangelist, and ofteuer in case of vacancies by death or any other casualties, at the discretion of the Lodge.
ART. 19. The Secretary shall keep true and fair accounts of all the transactions of the Lodge, and shall pay all moneys collected into
the hands of the Treasurer.
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ART. 20. The Treasurer shall keep fair and true accounts of all moneys received and paid, and shall exhibit the same when called
upon by the Master and Wardens for that purpose: and when a new Treasurer is chosen the late Treasurer shall pay such balance
as shall appear to remain in his hands to the new Treasurer.
ART. 21. No brother shall Itave the Lodge Room until he obtains permission from the Master for that purpose.
ART. 22. The outside Tyler shall be allowed one shilling and six pence for each night's attendance, also three shillings more for each
new made, passed or raised brother, which shall be paid them exclusive of the premiums paid to the Lodge; the inside Tyler shall be
excused from paying quarterages.
ART. 23. Any brother who shall disclose the secret transactions of this Lodge, or who shall be privy to the same done by any other
brother, and does not inform the Lodge at the next meeting thereof, shall be expelled the Lodge, never to be re-admitted.
ART. 24. Any brother who shall remain in the Lodge Room after the Lodge is closed, and shall be guilty of or accessory to any
conduct by which the craft shall be subjected to aspersions or the censure at the world, of which the Lodge shall be judge, shall for
the first offence be severely reprimanded by the Master the first time he appears at Lodge; for the second offence he shall be
expelled the Lodge.
ART". 25. Any brother who shall refuse to p

Lodge closed until 17th February, 5 o'clock p. M.
BEADING, viz. Mrs. Sanford's, Feb. 17th, 1779.
Lodge opened at 5 o'clock p. M. Present—Brs. Heart, W. M.; Marshall, S. W.; Redfield, J. W.; Sherman, Treasurer, Judd, Secretary;
Brown and Richards, members; Charles Peck, Tyler; Coleman and Lawrence, visitors.
Bro. Lawrence was proposed to become a member of this Lodge, balloted for and accepted.
Simeon Belding, Thomas Grosvenor, and Henry Champion, proposed the last Lodge night, were separately balloted for to be made
Entered Apprentices, accepted and made.
Capt. Robert Warner and Dr. John R. Watrous, Surgeon of the Third Connecticut Battalion, proposed to be made Entered
Apprentices by Bro. Heart; and Lieut. John Mix, of the Second Connecticut Battalion, proposed by Bro. Sherman.
Brother Belding, having been made in a clandestine Lodge, one-half of the deposit and fees remitted.
* General Samuel Holden Parsons composed one of the Board of Officers that tried and condemned Major John Andre, the British
spy, at Tappan, N. V , in September, 1780.
BEADING, viz. Mrs. Sanford's, Feb. 24th, 1779.
Entered Apprentice Lodge. Present—Brs. Heart, W. M.; Marshall, S. W. ; Lawrence, J. W.; Sherman, Treasurer; Judd, Secretary;
Richards, Grosvenor and Champion, members; Charles Peck, Tyler.
BEADING, viz. Mrs. Sanford's, March 10th, 1779.
Entered Apprentice Lodge, opened. The minutes of last Lodge read. Proceeded to business, when the committee appointed to
correct and amend the By-Laws reported them in twenty-eight Articles, which being separately read, the Lodge unanimously agreed
and voted that they take place in all cases whatsoever, any By-Laws heretofore enacted notwithstanding. The Lodge then
proceeded to particular business, when Richard Sill, Albigence Waldo, and William Little, who were proposed last Entered
Apprentice Lodge to be made Masons were separately balloted for, accepted and made Entered Apprentices.
BEADING, viz. Mrs. Sanford's, March 17th, 1779.
Entered Apprentice Lodge, 4 o'clock p. M. Present—Brs. Heart, W. M.; Marshall, S. W.; Bedfield, J. W.; Belding, Treasurer;
Grosvenor, Secretary; members—Brown, Lawrence, Champion, Warner, Watrous, Mix, Sill, Waldo, Little; Peck, Tyler; visitors—
Hunting, Clift, Woodward, Coleman.
Lodge opened, proceeded to business, when Capt. Edward Archibald, of the Train of Artillery, Lieut. Samuel Richards, of the Third
Connecticut Battalion, Capt. Elias Stilwill, of the same, and Lieut. Cornelius Russell, of the Fifth Connecticut Battalion, who were
heretofore proposed to be made Masons, were separately balloted for and accepted. Capt. Edward Archibald and Capt. Elias
Stilwell were made Entered Apprentices.
Entered Apprentice Lodge closed for a short space and Masters Lodge opened.
Capt. Archibald having appeared at Lodge in a situation unbecoming the character of a Mason, the Lodge unanimously resolved
and desired that Bro., Brown inform him that he is not to attend this Lodge, and that he is to be considered and treated in the same
manner as though never made a Mason.
Masters Lodge closed, Entered Apprentice Lodge opened.
Brs. Belding, Sill and Little, appointed to prepare a feast on Wednesday, the 7th of April next.
March 25th, 1779.
At a Lodge of Emergency; present—Brs. Heart, W. M.; Marshall, S. W. ; Redfield, J. W.; Belding, Treasurer; Champion, Secretary;
Whitney, Tyler; members — Warner, Watrous, Waldo, Little, Sill; visitor — Bro. Coleman.
Lodge opened, proceeded to business. Mr. Jabez Clark, State Commissary, Lieut. Judson, of the Third Connecticut Battalion, and
Lieut. Jabez Parsons, of the Second Connecticut Battalion, heretofore proposed to be made Masons, were separately balloted for
and accepted, and duly made Entered Apprentices.
Lodge closed for a space.
Procession began at half-past four o'clock, in the following order:
1. Bro. Whitney to clear the way.
2. The Wardens, with their Wands.
3. The youngest Brother, with the Bag.
4. Brethren by Juniority.
5. The Worshipful Master, with the Treasurer to his right hand, supporting the Sword of Justice, and the Secretary on his left hand,
supporting the Bible, Square and Compasses.
6. Music, playing the "Entered Apprentice March." Proceeded to Esq. Hawley's, where Br. Little delivered a few sentiments on
Friendship— the Rev. Dr. Evans and a number of gentlemen and ladies being present. After dinner the following songs and toasts
were given, interspersed with music, for the entertainment of the company:
Songs. Toasts. Music.
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Hail America. General Washington. Grand March.
Montgomery. SS£T
French Ladies' Lament . . . Country Jig.
Mason's Daughter. Ladies of America. Mason's Daughter.
On, on my dear brethren. Union, Harmony and Peace.
Huntsmen. Social Enjoyment.
My Dog and Gun. Contentment.
The festivities of the occasion were concluded with a speech by Bro. Waldo.
At half-past 7 o'clock the procession began in returning to the Lodge room, in reverse order from the afternoon procession. Music
playing "The Mason's Daughter."
The Lodge being opened, the W. Master returned his thanks to the officers and brethren for their faithful attendance in labor, and in
transacting the business of the day with the greatest decorum and harmony.
Voted, That the Lodge have a grateful sense of the honor paid them by the Rev. Dr. Evans, and other gentlemen and ladies in
attending the exercises of the day.
Voted, That the thanks of the Lodge be presented to Brs. Little and Waldo for the honor conferred on the Lodge by their addresses.
Lodge closed in good time, without date.
March 31st, 1779, 4 o'clock p. M.
Lodge opened and proceeded to business, when Brs. Warner, Mix and Watrous were separately balloted for and each raised to the
sublime degree of Master Mason.
Brs. Waldo, Sill and Little, were proposed to be raised at the next Masters Lodge.
Fated, That Brs. Little, Belding and Sill, as heretofore voted, proceed in preparing a feast on Wednesday, the 7th of April; that Bro.
Redfield wait on Bro. Putnam and his two Aids-de-Camp, with the desire of this body that they dine with us; that Bro. Heart wait on
the Rev. Dr. Evans with the desire of the Lodge that he dine with us, and also that he favor the assembly with a discourse on such
subject as he shall think proper. Also voted, that the Rev. Mr. Bartlett, his wife, Mrs. Sanford, her daughter and niece, Esq. Hawley,
his wife and daughter, the widow Fairchild, widow Sanford, Mrs. Marshall, Mrs. Heart, Miss Curtis and Col. Meigs, be invited to dine
with us; that Bro. Belding present them with notice in the name of the Lodge. Voted, that dinner be served at 2 o'clock.
April 7th, 1779, 10 o'clock A. M.
Masters Lodge, per adjournment. Present—Hon. Bro. Parsons, W. M. ; Heart, S. W.; Marshall, J. W. ; Belding, Tr.; Grosvenor,
Sec'ry; Whitney, Tyler; members—Bros. Hoit, Redfield, Lawrence, Champion, Mix, Watrous; visitors—Brs. Henry Dearborn,
Hosmer, Munson.
Lodge opened, when Brs. Waldo, Sill and Little, heretofore proposed, were separately ballotted for, accepted, and raised to the
sublime degree of Master Mason. Capt. Ebeu Perkins, by vote, was admitted to sit in this Lodge.
April 7th, 1779, 10 o'clock A. M.
Entered Apprentice Lodge, per adjournment. Present—The Hon. Bro. Parsons, W. M.; Heart, S. W.; Marshall, J. W.; Belding,
Treas.; Grosvenor, Secr'y; Whitney and Peck, Tylers; members—Bros. Hoit, Redfield, Lawrence, Champion, Mix, Watrous, Waldo,
Little, Sill, Judson, Clark; visitors—Bros. Dearborn, Hosmer, Monson, Fogg.
Entered Apprentice Lodge opened, when Lieut. Samuel Richards, Paymaster to the Third Connecticut Battalion, having been
proposed, balloted for and accepted to be made a Mason, was made an Entered Apprentice.
It having been voted to dine at three o'clock, at half-past one the procession began as follows:
1. Br. Whitney, Outside Tyler.
2. The Wardens, with White Rods.
3. The Youngest Brother, with the Bag.
4. The Brethren, by Juniority.
5. The W. Master, with his Rod; the Treasurer on his right hand, supporting the Sword of Justice; the Secretary on his left,
supporting the Bible, Square and Compasses.
6. Bro. Peck, the Inside Tyler.
Music advanced, playing the " Entered Apprentice March." The W. Master and Brethren having seated themselves, together with a
number of respectable inhabitants, gentlemen and ladies, the Rev. Doct. Evans delivered a discourse suitable to the occasion.
After dinner the W. Master called on Bro. Monson and others for songs and sentiments, when the company were favored with the
following, each song and toast being enlivened with appropriate music:
Song by Br. Munson—Watery Gods. Toast—Health of Congress. Music— Grenadier's March.
Song by Br. Munson—Elegy on General Wolfe. Toast, Warren, Montgomery and Wooster. Music—Dead March.
Mason's Song, by Br. Redfleld. Toast—The Good and Just. Music—Prince Eugene.
Song by Br. Munson—Colin and Phoebe. Toast—The Ladies of America. Music—Country Jig.
Song on Masonry, by Br. Marshall. Toast—Arts and Sciences. Music—Splendor of the Morning.
Song by Brs. Munson and Marshall—The Tempest. With Jack, the Seaman, to conclude.
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At six o'clock the procession returned to the Lodge room, and the Lodge being open, it was
Voted, That the thanks of this Lodge be presented in writing to the Rev. Doct. Evans, for his polite address and sentiments delivered
this day, and that Bro. Waldo wait on him with the same; also, that Bro. Waldo present our thanks to' the Rev. Mr. Bartlett, and to the
other gentlemen and ladies who favored the Lodge with their company at dinner.
Voted, That Brs. Whitney and Peck act as inside and outside Tylers, and share equally the profits of tyling this Lodge.
Ensign Wm. Higgins, Quartermaster to the Third Connecticut Battalion, and Doct. John Simpson, Surgeon to the Fifth Battalion,
were proposed by Brs. Watrous and Redfield to be made Masons.
April 15, 1779, 6 o'clock p. M.
Entered Apprentice's Lodge of Emergency; present, all the officers and several members and visitors.
Bro. Sill proposed the Rev. Doct. T 1 Evans to be made
a Mason; and, as he was under the necessity of soon departing from this place, and his character was so universally well known by
all the brethren, he was balloted for and accepted, and it was voted, that an emergent meeting be held to-morrow evening for the
purpose of making him.
Ensign Wm. Higgins and Doct. John Simpson, heretofore proposed, were separately balloted for, accepted, and made Entered
Apprentices.
Voted, That the thanks of the Lodge be transmitted to .Bro. Elihu Marshall, for his particular attention to the Lodge while serving
them as Senior Warden.
Voted, That the members of this Lodge, who were present at the feast on Wednesday the 7th inst., pay a club of five dollars, and
that Bro. Belden's bill be paid for the two feasts, viz.:
For Thursday, March 25th £ 45 0 3
For Wednesday, April 7th 81 14 11
Bro. Sill's bill for Apl. 7th 19 14 0
Bro. Little's bill, Mar. 25th 1 11 0
"Apl. 7th 4 10 0
£ 152 16 2
Voted, That Bro. Belding have an order on Bro. Judd for the balance in his hands. Closed without time.
READING, viz. Mrs. Sanford's, April 28th, 1779.
Entered Apprentice Lodge opened by adjournment; present, Br. Heart as W. M.; other officers, members and visitors.
Lieut. Reuben Pride, heretofore proposed, was balloted for, accepted, and made an Entered Apprentice.
May 5th.—Brs. Wm. Jiuld, Jabez Clark, and Samuel Richards, heretofore made Fellow Crafts, were proposed, separately balloted
for and accepted, and severally raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason.
[The operations of the Army now requiring the Connecticut Line to remove their quarters, the subsequent meetings of this Lodge
were held in the States of New York and New Jersey.]
STATE OF NEW YOKK.
NELSON'S POINT, June 24th, 1779.
Festival of St. John the Baptist.
The American Union Lodge held by authority under the Most Worshipful John Howe, Esq., Grand Master of all Masons in North
America, where no special Grand Master is appointed, confirmed by the Most Worshipful Peter Middleton, M.D., Provincial Deputy
Grand Master for the province of New York, by the name of Military Union Lodge.
8 o'clock A. M. Officers present—Brs. Parsons, W. M.; Heart, S. W.; Redfield, J. AY.; Champion, Treasurer; Grosvenor, Secretary;
Whitney, Tyler. Members present—Brs. Little, Gray, Clark, Pride, Watrous, Stilwill, Higgins, Warner, Wyllys, Clift, Fitch, Brown,
Holdridge, Lawrence, Richards, Humphreys, Judd, Sill, Judson. Visitors—Brs. Munson, Perkins, Coleman, Hubbard, Woodward.
Lodge opened, and proceeded to the business of the day, viz.: to elect officers for the half year ensuing, agreeable to Constitution,
when the following brethren were unanimously chosen, viz.: Jonathan Heart, W. Master; Samuel H. Parsons, S. Warden; Samuel
Wyllys, Jun. Warden; Simeon Belding, Treasurer; Thomas Grosvenor, Secretary; William Redfield and William Little, Stewards;
Daniel Whitney, Tyler.
The officers elect having taken their seats and finished the partial business of the day, Lodge was closed till 10 o'clock A. M., then to
meet on West Point, in order to celebrate the Festival of St. John.
The brethren then proceeded to West Point, where, being joined by a number of brothers from the Brigades on West Point and
Constitution Island, the whole proceeded from General Patterson's Quarters «to the Red House in the following order:
1. Bro. Whitney, to clear the way.
2. The band of music with drums and fifes.
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3. The Wardens.
4. The Youngest Brother, with the Bag.
5. Brethren by Juniority.
6. The Rev. Drs. Smith, Avery and Hitchcock.
7. The Master of the Lodge, with the Treasurer on his right, supporting the Sword of Justice, and the Secretary on his left,
supporting the Bible, Square and Compasses.
8. Bro. Binns to close, with Brs. Lorrain and Disborough on the flanks opposite the center.
pie
Being arrived at the Red House, Lodge was opened in ample form. Officers present—Brs. Heart, AAr. M.; Parsons, S. Warden;
Wyllys, J. Warden; Champion, Treasurer; Grosvenor, Secretary; Redfield and White, Stewards; Whitney, Binns, Lorrain and
Disborough, Tylers.
After the usual ceremonies, the Lodge retired to a bower in front of the house, where, being joined by his Excellency, General
WASHINGTON and family, an address was delivered to the brethren and a number of gentlemen collected on the occasion, by the
Bev. Dr. Hitchcock, followed by an address to the brethren in particular, by Bro. Hull. After dinner the following toasts were drank,
and closed with music, also the songs annexed to them, viz.:
Toasts—Congress; Friendly Powers of Europe; Warren, Montgomery and Wooster; Females of America; Arts and Sciences.
Music—Grenadier's March; Prince Eugene's March; Dead March; Rural Felicity; Country Jig.
Songs— Elegy on Gen. Wolfe, by Bro. Munson; The Mason's Daughter, by Bro. Page; The Virtuous Science, by Bro. Warner.
A number of other toasts and songs were given by different brethren.
His Excellency, Bro. WASHINGTON, having returned to the barge attended by the Wardens and Secretary of the Lodge, amidst a
crowd of brethren, the music playing " God Save America," and embarked, his departure was announced by three cheers from the
shore, answered by three from the barge, the music beating the " Grenadier's March."
The brethren then returned to Gen. Patterson's Quarters, in the reversed order of that in which the first procession was made, when
the Master with his Wardens and Secretary closed the Lodge.
Or. by club of 107 brethren £409 12 0
Expenses of the day £393 9 0
Allowance to the brethren on West Point
for mistakes in change, Ac 3 50
£396 14 0
Robinson's, Aug. 7, 1779.
Special Entered Apprentice Lodge, opened at 3 o'clock, p. M. Capt. Samuel Craig, Capt. Win. Wilson, Lieut. John Hughs and Lieut.
James Buxton, heretofore proposed, were balloted for and accepted. Also Col. Gamaliel Bradford, Doct. Elisha Skinner, and Doct.
Samuel Tinley, of the Massachusetts Line, though not heretofore proposed, being highly recommended by those well acquainted
with them, were balloted for and accepted. Craig, Wilson, Hughs, Buxton, Skinner and Bradford were made Entered Apprentices.
* The Beverley Robinson House, opposite West Point, at what is now known as Garrison's. The house is still standing, and is owned
by ex-Gov. Hamilton Fish.
Receipts of the evening, viz.:
Six makings £32 8 0
Three deposits 10 16 0
Overplus in change 3 14 6
£46 18 6
Robinson House (N. Y.), Sept. 7th, 1779.
Lodge opened at 3 o'clock p. M. Brs. Boyles, Williams, Whiting and Wilson were proposed, balloted for, accepted, and raised to the
sublime degree of Master Mason.
Bro. Elijah Chapman, made at Fairfield, was proposed to become a member of this Lodge, and accepted.
Voted, that the thanks of the Lodge be presented to the Rev. Dr. Hitchcock for the polite address delivered by him to this body on
the 24th of June last, and that Bro. Grosvenor acquaint him with the reason why they have been so long omitted; also, that our
thanks be presented to Bro. Hull for his address at the same time.
Sept. 9.—Brs. Putnam, Craig and Hughs were severally accepted and raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason.
Resolved, That the moneys remaining in the Treasury of this Lodge on the 1st day of November next, shall be invested in Tickets of
the Third Class of the United States Lottery, the avails of which shall remain in the treasury, to be appropriated to the relief of the
poor of the Fraternity, or as the brethren shall agree.
Sept. 25.—Lodge held, by particular application, at Moore's Quarters, on West Point. W. Master in the chair, and a large number of
visiting brethren present. No particular business being proposed, a lecture was given by the W. Master. Tyler's fees, 4s. 6d.
Expense paid by the brethren.
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Oct. 11.—Entered Apprentice Lodge opened at 2 o'clock, at Robinson's House. Colonel Francis Johnson and Major David Smith
were balloted for, accepted, and made Entered Apprentices. Capt. McClayton, and Lieuts. Harmon and McMurray, heretofore
proposed, were withdrawn from the minutes by Bro. Moore. Dr. Ainsworth was balloted for, and his deposit ordered to be refunded.
Lodge closed without date.
I
[In consequence of the movements of the Army, the operations of the Lodge were necessarily suspended for a short time, and no
further business appears on the Minute-Book until the Army had gone into Winter Quarters in New Jersey.]
MORRISTOWN (N. J.), Dec. 15, 1779.
At an Entered Apprentices' meeting, held at Colonel Gray's Quarters, for the election of officers for the American Union Lodge, for
the ensuing half year: present—Brs. Heart, W. M.; Wyllys, S. W.; Grosvenor, J. W.; Richards, Tr.; Watrous, Sec.; Smith, Judd,
Curtis, Stilwill, Warner, members.
Lodge opened and proceeded upon the business of the day, when the following brethren were unanimously chosen to serve in their
respective offices for the next half year ensuing:
Jonathan Heart,
Richard Sill,
Robert Warner,
William Richards,
John R. Watrous,
Thomas Grosvenor,
Henry Champion,
Lorain and Binns,
Worshipful Master;
Senior Warden;
Junior Warden;
Treasurer;
Secretary;
Senior Deacon;
Junior Deacon;
Tylers. •
Voted, That Bro. Heart be a committee from the different Lines in the Army at Morristown, to take into consideration some matters
respecting the good of Masonry.
Lodge closed until called by order of the W. Master.
MORRISTOWN, Dec. 27, 1779.
An Entered Apprentices' Lodge was held this day, for the Celebration of the Festival of St. John the Evangelist.
Officers present—BTS. Heart, W. M.; Sill, S. W.; Warner, J. W.; Richards, Treas.; Watrous, Sec'y; Grosvenor, S. D.; Little, J. D.;
Lorain and Binns, Tylers.
Members present—Brs. Stilwill, Higgins, Worthington. Curtis, Barker, Gray, Sherman, Craig, Wilson, Bush, Judd, Heath, S.
Richards, S. Wyllys, Parsons, Huntington, Smith, Juclson, Clark, Hosmer, J. Wyllys, Fitch, Pierce, Sargent, Gruham, Fitch, Whiting.
Visitors present—Br.s. WASHINGTON, Gibbs, Kinney, Van Rensselaer, Jackson, Bruff, Coleman, Craig, Baldwin, Durfee, Shaw,
Hunter, Lawrence, Church, Gist, Butler, Campbell, Maclure, Savage, Schuyler, Lewis, Livingston, Ten Eyck, Sherburn, McCarter,
Conine, Soniers, Bivins, Bleaker, Maxwell, Dayton, Campfleld. Arnold, Armstrong, Mentzer, Stagg, Smith, Sanford, Williams,
Rogers, Hughes, Brewin, Woodward, Brooks, Thompson. Hervey, Machin, Piatt, Gray, Van Zamlt, Edwards, Fox. Erskine, Guion,
Spear, Ellsworth, Hunt, Re-.icum! Counw, White, Proctor, Wetmore, Hamilton, Hanmer, Walden, Hubbard, Grunman, Peckham.
The Lodge was opened, and after the usual ceremonies had been performed, the brethren formed a procession in the following
order:
1. Bro. Binus, to clear the way.
2. The Baud of Music.
3. Bro. Loraine, with a Drawn Sword.
4. The Deacons, with their Rods.
5. The Brethren, by Juniority.
6. The Passed Masters.
7. The Secretary and Treasurer.
8. The Wardens, with their Wands,
9. The Worshipful Master.
The brethren then proceeded to the meeting house, where a very polite discourse, adapted to the occasion, was delivered by the
Rev. Doct. Baldwin, of the Connecticut Line. After service, the brethren returned by the same order to the Lodge room, where a
collation was served, &c., which being over, the following business was transacted:
Voted unanimously, That the thanks of the Lodge be presented to the Rev. Dr. Baldwin, for the polite address delivered by him this
day in public.
Voted unanimously, That the Secretary wait on the Rev. Dr. Baldwin, with a copy of the minutes, and a request that he will favor the
Lodge with a copy of the address, and permission to have it published.
A petition was read, representing the present state of Freemasonry to the several Deputy Grand Masters in the United States of
America, desiring them to adopt some measures for appointing a Grand Master over said States, of which the following is a copy:
To the Most Worshipful, the Present Provincial Grand Masters in each of the respective United States of America:
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The petitioners, Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons in the several Lines of the Army of these United States, assembled on the
Festival of St. John the Evangelist, at Morristown, Dec. 27th, 1779, to you, as the patrons and safeguard of the Craft in America,
beg leave to prefer their humble address.
With sincere regret we contemplate the misfortunes of War which have unhappily separated us from the Grand Lodge in Europe,
and deprived us from the benefits arising therefrom, so essentially necessary for the well being of Masonry, and which has in many
instances been subversive of the very institution of the Order. At the same time we lament tliat political disputes and national
quarrels should influence the exercise of charity and benevolence, and their several virtues, so necessary for our present and future
happiness. Yet, considering the present situation of our Lodges, and Masonry in general, the necessity for the honor of the Craft,
and the importance of enjoying the benefits of so valuable an institution, that some exertions are made for checking the present
irregularities, restoring peace and harmony to the Lodges, for opening a way to the enjoyment of the fruits of benevolence, charity
and brotherly love, and for the re-establishment of the Order on the ancient respectable foundation; which we conceive can never be
done more effectually than by the appointment of a Grand Master in and over the United States of America.
We therefore most earnestly request that the present Provincial Grand Master, in the respective &aid United States, would take
some measures for the appointment of a Grand Master in and over the said Thirteen United States of America, either by nominating
a person proper for that office, whose abilities and rank in life shall answer the importance of that conspicuous and elevated station,
and transmitting such nomination to our Mother Lodge in Britain, that the appointment may be made, or in such other manner as
shall to them appear most eligible. And we further beg leave to express our wishes, that the several Provincial Grand Masters in
these States would, in the intermediate time, enter into unanimous and vigorous measures for checking the growing irregularities in
the Society, cementing the different branches, erasing the distinction between ancient and modern in these States, that the Craft
may be established in unanimity, the established principles of its institutions more universally extended, and that our conduct may
not only be the admiration of men in this world, but receive the final applause of the Grand Architect of the universe in the other,
where there is nothing but light and love.
Voted, That the foregoing petition be circulated through the different Lines in the Army.
Voted, That a committee be appointed from the different Lodges in the Army, from each Line, and from the Staff of the Army, to
convene on the first Monday of February next, at Morristown, to take the foregoing petition into consideration.
Voted, That when the dividend of the expense of this day shall be paid, each brother will put into the hands of the Treasurer or
Secretary what he shall see fit. for the use of the poor of this town.
Voted, That the money so collected be transmitted to Bro. Kinney, to appropriate to the necessities, first, of the widows and orphans
of Masons, next to soldiers' wives and children in distressed circumstances; if any shall remain he will apply it to those poor persons
in this town whom he shall judge stand most in need thereof.
Lodge closed till called together by the Master's order. ***####
At a Convention Lodge from the different Lines of the Army and departments, held in due form, under the authority of the American
Union Lodge, at Morristown, the 6th day of March, in the year of Salvation 1780.
Officers present—Bro. Heart, W. M.; Little, S. W.; Clark, J. "W.; Williams, Treasurer; Pierce, Secretary; Coleman, S. D.; Boyles, J. D.
Lodge opened, the Secretary by order read the proceedings of a committee appointed by this Lodge at the Anniversary of St. John
the Evangelist, held at Morristown, the 27th of December, 1779, of which the following is a copy:
At a Committee of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons, met this 7th day of the second month in the year of Salvation 178i>,
according to the recommendation of a Convention Lodge, held at the celebration of St. John the Evangelist:
Present—Bro. John Pierce, M. M., delegated to represent the Masons in the Military Line of the State of Massachusetts Bay and
Washington Lodge No. 10; Bro. Jonathan Heart. M. M., delegated to represent the Masons in the Military Line of the State of
Connecticut and American Union Lodge; Bro. Charles Graluiiii, F. C., delegated to represent the Masons in the Military Line of the
State of New York; Bro. John Sanford, M. M., delegated to represent the Masons in the Military Line of the State of New Jersey; Bro.
George Tudor, M. M., delegated to represent the Masons in the Military Line of the State of Pennsylvania; Bro. Otho Holland
Williams, M. M., delegated to represent the Masons in the Military Line of the State of Delaware; Bro. Mordecai Gist, P. W. M..
delegated to represent the Masons in the Military Line of the State of Maryland; Bro. Prentice Brown, M. M., delegated to represent
St. John's Regimental Lodge; Bro. John Lawrence, P. W. M., delegated to represent the brothers in the Staff of the American Army;
Bro. Thomas Machin, M. M., delegated to represent the Masons in the Corps of Artillery.
The brothers present proceeded to elect a President and Secretary, whereupon Bro. Mordecai Gist was unanimously chosen
President, and Bro. Otho Holland Williams unanimously chosen Secretary of this Committee.
The Committee proceeded to take into consideration an address to be preferred to the Right Worshipful Grand Masters in the
respective United States, whereupon Bro. Williams presented the following address:
TO THE RIGHT WORSHIPFUL The Grand Masters of the general Lodges in the reqKctite United States of America.
UNION. FORCE.' LOVE.
The subscribers, Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons in Convention, to you, as the patrons and protectors of the Craft upon the
Continent, prefer their humble address.
Unhappily the distinctions of interest, the political views and national disputes subsisting between Great Britain and these United
States have involved us, not only in the general calamities that disturb the tranquility which used to prevail in this once happy
67

country, but in a peculiar manner affects our Society by separating us from the Grand Mother Lodge in Europe, by disturbing our
connection with each other, impeding the progress and preventing the perfection of Masonry in America.
We deplore the miseries of our countrymen, and particularly lament the distresses which many of our poor brethren must suffer, as
well from the want of temporal relief as for want of a source of light to govern their pursuits and illuminate the path of happiness. And
we ardently desire to restore, i!' possible, that fountain of charity from which to the unspeakable benefit of mankind flows
benevolence and love. Considering with anxiety these disputes, and the many irregularities and improprieties committed by weak or
wicked brethren, which too manifestly show the present dissipated and almost abandoned condition of our Lodges in general, as
well as the relaxation of virtue amongst individuals.
We think it our duty. Right Worshipful Brothers and seniors in the Craft, to solicit your immediate interposition to save us from the
impending dangers of schisms and apostacy. To obtain security from those fatal evils, with affectionate humility, we beg leave to
recommend, the adopting and pursuing the most necessary measures for establishing one Grand Lodge in America, to preside over
and govern all other Lodges of whatsoever degree or denomination, licensed or to be licensed, upon the Continent; that the ancient
principles and discipline of Masonry being restored, we may mutually and universally enjoy the advantages arising from frequent
communion and social intercourse. To accomplish this beneficial and essential work, permit us to propose that you, the Right
Worshipful Grand Masters, or a majority of your number, may nominate as Most Worshipful Grand Master of said Lodge a brother
whose merit and capacity may be adequate to a station so important and elevated, and transmitting the name and nomination of
such brother, together with the name of the Lodge to be established, to our Grand Mother Lodge in Europe for approbation and
confirmation, and that you may adopt and execute any other ways or means most eligible for preventing impositions, correcting
abuses, and for establishing the general principles of Masonry: that the influence of the same in propagating morality and virtue may
be far extended, and that the lives and conversation of all true Free and Accepted Masons may not only be the admiration of men
on earth, but may receive the final approbation of the Grand Architect of the Universe, in the world wherein the elect enjoy eternal
light and love.
Signed in Convention in Morristown, Morris county, this seventh day of the second month in the year of our Saviour 1780, Anno
Mundi 5780. Which being read, was unanimously agreed to sign, and ordered to be forwarded with an extra copy of their
proceedings, signed by the President and Secretary, to the respective Provincial Grand Masters. And the Committee adjourned
without day.
After which the question was proposed, whether the foregoing proceedings meet with the approbation of this Lodge? And after
debate it was unanimously resolved in the affirmative. An Entered Apprentice Lecture was given by the Master to the brethren
present.
Agreed to hold a Masters' Lodge the 27th inst., at this place, at 3 o'clock P. M.
Voted, That the sum of eight dollars shall be paid by each brother to defray the expenses of this evening; if any part of which shall
remain, voted, that the same shall be delivered to Bro. Kinney, to be appropriated in the same manner as that which was put into his
hands on the meeting of St. John's Day.
Lodge closed in due time.
MORRISTOWN (N. J.), March 27, 1780.
At a Masters' Lodge, held at the Assembly Room, by the special order of the W. M.; Brs. Worthington and Barker, being Fellow
Crafts, petitioned to be raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason, and being examined in open Lodge by the W. Master, and
having given satisfactory evidence of their proficiency, they were raised accordingly.
Lodge closed without day.
[The movements of the Army again impeded the operations of the Craft, and at the next entry on the Minute-Book we find the Lodge
at work, in mid-summer, on the banks of the Hudson.]
At an Entered Apprentices' Lodge, held at Robinson's House (N. Y.), July 20th, 1780. Present—Brs. Heart, W. M.; Belding, S. W.;
Judson, J. W.; Richards, Treas.; Judd, Secr'y; Coleman, S. D.; Simpson, J. D.; Whitney, Tyler; members— Wright, Chapman,
Barker, Curtis, Hobart; visitors—Tripp, Hart.
On the evening next before the Festival of St. John the Baptist, the situation of the Army being such that it was impossible to
convene the Lodge for the choice of officers, and this being the first convenient opportunity since, the Lodge now proceeded to that
business, and elected the following brethren to serve the current half year:
Jonathan Heart,
Richard Sill,
William Little,
Simeon Belding,
John Simpson,
Thomas Grosvenor,
Noah (':i|i-iii,in.
Worshipful Master;
Senior Warden;
Junior Warden;
Treasurer;
Secretary;
Senior Deacon;
Junior Deacon.
[The Minute-Book furnishes no further workings of the Lodge, until the Spring of 1782; we therefore conclude that the Army must
have been occupied in such a manner, during the intervening time, that the Craft had no opportunities to assemble.]
AMERICAN UNION LODGE, March 25, 1782.
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At an Entered Apprentice's Lodge, held by order of the W. Master, at the " Connecticut Huts." Present—Brs. Jona. Heart, W. M.;
Richards, S. W.; Judson, J. W.; Simpson, Secr'y; members—Sherman, Huntington, Gray, Smith, Pride, Higgins, Watrous,
Chapman, Curtis, Stillwill, Grosvenor, Russell; visitors —Hodge, Gorham.
The movements of the Army having rendered it inconvenient to choose officers at the usual time, the Lodge proceeded this evening
to the election of officers by ballot, when the following brethren were chosen:
Jonathan Heart,
Robert Warner,
David Judson,
William Richards,
Eben Gray,
John Smith,
Worshipful Master;
Senior Warden;
Junior Warden;
Treasurer;
Senior Deacon;
Junior Deacon.
A revisal of the By-Laws was proposed for next Lodge night. Closed until April 1st, then to meet at this place.
May 9.—At an Entered Apprentices' Ledge, held at the Connecticut Huts, Lieuts. Charles Fanning of the 1st, and Joshua Whitney of
the 5th Connecticut Regiment, were proposed to be made Masons, and ordered to stand on the minutes.
June 20.—At an Entered Apprentice Lodge held at the Connecticut Huts by order of the Master. Present—Brs. Heart, W. M.;
Warner, S. W.; Judson, J. W.; Richards, Treasurer; Simpson, Secretary; members—Brs. Clift, Avery, Loomis, Ensworth, Skinner,
Curtis, Barker, Tiffany, Russell, Chapman.
Lodge opened. It being the usual time to choose officers to serve in Lodge for the ensuing half year, the Lodge proceeded to the
election of officers to serve the term above mentioned.
Bro. Heart was chosen Master; Bro. Warner, Sen. Warden; Bro. Judson, Jun. Warden; Richards, Treasurer; Simpson, Secretary;
Watrous, S. D.; Higgins, J. D.
Ordered, that the Treasurer and Secretary settle the accounts of the last quarter as soon as convenient after the Festival of St.
John.
Voted, That this Lodge meet and celebrate the Festival of St. John the Baptist, in conjunction with Washington Lodge No. 10, at
West Point, on Monday next.
June 24th, 1782.
At an Entered Apprentice Lodge held by adjournment at the Assembly Room of the Connecticut Line, for the celebration of the
Festival of St. John the Baptist. Present, as officers-—Bro. Heart, W. M.; Warner, S. W.; Judson, J. W.; Richards, Treasurer;
Simpson, Secretary; Watrous, S. D.; Higgins, J. D.; Hodge, Tyler; members—Munson, A very, Chapman, Russell, Loomis, Skinner,
Ensworth, Tiffany, Hosmer, Curtis; visitors —De Forest, Foot, Glenuy, Seymour, Peckham, Hubbard, Greenman.
The Lodge was opened and proceeded to West Point, where they joined Washington Lodge, and commenced the procession from
Gen. Patterson's House to the Collonade, each Lodge separate, where a dinner was provided, and an oration delivered by Bro.
John Brooks of the Massachusetts Line.
After dinner, the Lodges having drank a number of toasts, the procession returned to Gen. Patterson's; the American Union Lodge
then proceeded to the ball-room in the Connecticut Line, and closed in good time, to stand closed until Thursday, the 27th inst,
VERPLANK'S POINT, Oct. 2, 1782.
At a Lodge of Master Masons, held at the Block House on this point. Present—Bro. Heart, W. M.,

To the Most Worshipful, the Grand Lodge of Ancient Masons in the State of New York:
The brethren of the Ancient Craft northwest of the river Ohio send greeting.
An extensive country having lately been opened northwest of the Ohio, to which many brethren from Europe, as well as the different
States in America, have removed, who, bringing with them the knowledge of the sacred mysteries, are desirous of enjoying those
inestimable benefits of Masonry which flow from its well-regulated Institutes, and anxious that the light which shineth in darkness
might illumine their path in this Wilderness of the West, have therefore incorporated themselves into a Lodge under a warrant, by
the name of the American Union Lodge No. 1. * * * We have thought it expedient to address the Grand Lodge of New York; have
inclosed a copy of the warrant under which we work, together with our By Laws and a list of the present officers.
Under the same warrant a Lodge was held in the Connecticut Line of the Army at different places in the course of the late war, and
many worthy brethren from different States of America initiated into the sacred mysteries of our Craft.
We beg leave to observe that previous to opening this Lodge within the Western Territory, being fully impressed with the necessity
or' our strict adherence to the principles of Masonry, its Constitutions and most ancient customs in a matter of such magnitude as
the opening of a Lodge in this extensive country, and being sensible that our brethren in the Confederate States would naturally be
led to inquire by what authority a Lodge had been erected in a country where no Grand Lodge existed, wherefore we entered into a
full examination of the Rights of Masonry with every circumstance of its jurisdiction in America.
We found that previous to the late Revolution all Masonic jurisdiction in America was derived from Europe delegated to Grand
Masters in and over certain districts. That since the war the Masonic bodies in the different States have considered themselves
independent of Europe; have formed their Grand Lodges by electing a Grand Master and other officers necessary to compose the
same; that this system has taken place where there were no Grand Lodges previous to the Revolution, as well as in those States
where Grand Masters had been appointed from Europe; from hence we conclude, that as the Grand Lodges in the different States
now acting by virtue of different powers derived from their being elected to those offices when jurisdiction could not extend beyond
the limits of the States in and over which they had been elected, and that of course the Federal Territory was not within the
jurisdiction of any of the present Grand Lodges in the respective States.
We then proceeded to examine the warrants, of which the inclosed is a copy, and found that the Grand Master who granted it was
duly appointed Provincial Grand Master over all North America where no special Grand Master was appointed. That the warrant to
Joel Clark, Esq., was amply sufficient for opening a Lodge in any part of this jurisdiction; that our present Master was duly invested
with the same in the course of the late war, being his successor in office; that the powers contained in the warrant have never been
revoked by the office from which they issued, but that they now remain in full force.
And as there was no particular Grand Lodge having jurisdiction at this time over the Western Territory, and as the said Territory was
clearly within the jurisdiction of the Grand Master who granted the warrant at the time of its issuing, therefore we determined that the
warrant referred to as above was fully and most amply sufficient for opening a Lodge within the Territory northwest of the Ohio.
Accordingly the Master with a due number of the former members being present, the Lodge was opened in ample form and
incorporated agreeably to the ancient custom of the Royal Craft, and we have to request that we may be recognized as such in. the
different Grand Lodges in our sister States in America *********
We have only to request that every impediment may be removed which might prevent the mutual exchange of good offices between
the brethren of this and every habitable part of creation, and that nothing may prevent the light which shineth in the East from
spreading its benign influence even to the going down of the sun.
Other military Lodges were organized, but none of them ever attained the prominence of the American Union Lodge. Hayden's
"Washington and his Masonic Compeers " contains the following reference to them:
"Many military Lodges existed in the Army at this period, but the records of most of them are lost. So well established had these
camp-lodges become, and so beneficial to the brethren, that in providing the necessary conveniences for the troops in their quarters
on the Hudson at this time, an Assembly Room or Hall was built, one of the purposes of which was to serve as a Lodge Room for
the military Lodges.* Washington himself ordered the erection of the building. It was a rude wooden structure forming an oblong
square, forty or sixty feet, was one story in height, and had but a single door. Its windows were square, unglazed openings, elevated
so high as to prevent the prying gaze of the cowan. Its timbers were hewed, squared, and numbered for their places, and when the
building was finished it was joyously dedicated and called the' Temple of Virtue.' This ' Temple,' or 'Assembly Room' as it was
sometimes called, was not appropriated exclusively to Masonic purposes, but on the Sabbath it was used as a chapel for religious
purposes, and at other times for meetings of officers of the army, and also for dancing and other festive amusements. The American
Union Lodge met in this room on the 21th of June, 1782, preparatory to celebrating the Festival of St. John the Baptist.
* West Point.
Congressional Edition, by United States. Congress, pages 11-
Appendix I
Joseph Jewett
http://books.google.com/books?id=B2pHAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA240&lpg=PA240&dq=%22joseph+jewett%22+%22long+island%22&sou
rce=bl&ots=YGDqnu6pwh&sig=aaObQrDExuZUaFO-
W4BwSQccE3s&hl=en&sa=X&ei=rkH_Tor6L8Pg0QGM49CsAg&ved=0CDAQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=%22joseph%20jewett%22%
20%22long%20island%22&f=false
Note: the thumbnail copy of the below and such other text may be read by increasing the viewing mode to 500%.
70

tate on or about the 31st day of August, A. D. 1776; and in consideration of certain resolves of Congress hereinafter named.
And your petitioner further represents that the said Joseph Jewett was commissioned by Congress a captain, A. D. 1775, in the
continental service, in the revolutionary war, and served as such officer until his death, as aforesaid; that by a resolution of
Congress, of the 24th day of August, 1780, it was provided that the resolution of the 15th of May, 1778, granting half-pay for seven
years to the officers of the army who should continue in service to the end of the war, be extended to the widows of those officers
who have died, or should thereafter die in the service; to commence from the time of such officer's death and continue for the term
of seven years; or, if there should be no widow, or in case of her death or intermarriage, the said half-pay should be given to the
orphan children of the officer so dying as aforesaid, if he should have left any, &c. And your petitioner avers that the said Joseph
Jewett and brother died when in the service before the end of the war, and at the time above stated, leaving a wife and children him
surviving, but who are now dead, leaving issue, your petitioner.
And your petitioner further show to this Court, that the seven years half-pay provided for in the foregoing resolution, nor the land
promised by resolution of September 16, 1776, has never been paid, but remains as a debt or claim due to the estate or
representatives of the said officer from the United States.
Your petitioner therefore prays that this honorable Court will examine into the justice and equity of said claim, and report a bill to
Congress for the payment thereof, with interest, unto the legal representatives of the said officer, or such other bill as shall seem
order a fit and proper in the premises.
And your petitioner, as in duty bound, will ever pray.
JOSHUA R. JEWETT.
Dated JULY 12, A. D. 1856.
STATE OF CONNECTICUT, County of Hartford, \ Joshua R. Jewett, of Granby, in the county of Hartford, in the State of Connecticut,
being duly sworn, doth depose and say, that the petition above, by him subscribed, contains the truth according to the best of his
knowledge, information and belief.
JOSHUA R. JEWETT, Sworn and subscribed before me, this 12th day of July, A. D. 1856.
JOHN H. CASE, Commissioner Superior Court Hartford County.
STATE OF CONNECTICUT,
Hartford County, \ District of Granby-
On this 9th day of April, 1850, personally appeared before the court of probate for the district of Granby, aforesaid, now sitting,
Joshua R. Jewett, a resident in the town of Gran by, in the county of Hartford and State of Connecticut, aged seventy-eight years,
who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in behalf of himself and his brother,
Josiah Jewett, they being the only surviving children of Captain Joseph Jewett, deceased, in order to obtain the benefit of the
provision made by the resolutions of the continental Congress, passed on the 16th day of September, 1776, granting to officers of
the revolutionary army bounty lands; and also in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the resolution of the continental
Congress, passed on the 24th day of August, 1780, granting to the widows or orphans of the officers of the army of the revolution
who have died, or shall hereafter die in the service, half-pay for seven years, to commence from the time of such officer's death, and
also the interest on the same from the time it became due, together with the back pay as a militia and continental officer, with the
interest on said back pay, as certified from the records in the comptroller's office in said State of Connecticut: That he with his
brother, Josiah, are the only surviving children of Captain Josiah Jewett, late of the town of Lyme, in the county of New London, in
the said State of Connecticut, who . . .
was a captain in the army of the revolution, and who marched with his company to Roxbury at the time of the Lexington alarm, as
will appear from records and affidavits accompanying this application, and who was again commissioned as a captain of the 8th
company of the 8th regiment, and marched to Boston to join the American forces at that place, and who again joined the army as a
captain of the 8th company of the 8th regiment, under the command of Colonel Jedediah Huntington; that his father, Captain
Joseph Jewett, marched with Colonel Huntington on to Long Island, and at the battle on the 27th of August, 1776, he was taken a
prisoner, and upon his refusal to deliver up his watch was mortally wounded by a British officer, of which wound he died on the 31st
of that month; that his mother was left with a family of nine children to support, all of whom are since dead except the above-named
applicants; that his mother, Lucretia Lee, (formerly Lucretia Jewett,) died at Lyme, aforesaid, on the 18th of January, 1836, and that
he does not know or believe that his mother or any of the family ever received any pay from the State of Connecticut, or from the
United States, for the services of Captain Joseph Jewett, aforesaid; and further, that he was baptized when an infant by the name
of Joshua, as it is recorded on the records in the town of Lyme, where he was born, but having an uncle and a cousin of the name of
Joshua Raymond, he, at the age of about fourteen years, adopted as his second or middle name the name of Raymond, and has
ever since, for about sixty-five years, been called and known by the name of Joshua R. Jewett; and further, that the reasons why
71

this application has not been made before are, that each of his brothers and himself left home before the/were of age, and having
seen each other but seldom since, and that they were not aware until the last few months that there were any resolutions or laws of
Congress that would apply to this case and afford them any relief. Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. ,
JOSHUA R. JEWETT.
STATE OF CONNECTICUT, District of Grany Hartford County, ' Personally appeared Joshua R. Jewett above named, and made
solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing declaration by him subscribed; and I further certify that said Joshua R. Jewett is personally
known to me, and that he is a reputable and credible witness.
ARDON B. HOLCOMB,
Judge.
I, Edmund Holcomb, clerk of the court of probate, for the district of Gran by aforesaid, do hereby certify that Ardon B. Holcomb, esq.,
is now, and has been for more than six months past, judge of the court of probate for the district of Granby aforesaid, and that full
faith and credit are to be given to his official acts as such, and that, further, his signature hereon is his genuine signature.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office [L.43.1 this 9th day of April, 1850.
EDMUND HOLCOMB,
Clerk.
To the honorable general assembly of the State of Connecticut, to be held at Hartford, within and for said State, on the second
Thursday of May instant:
The memorial of Lucretia Jewett, of Lyme, within said Stale, humbly sheweth: That your memorialist's late husband, Captain
Joseph Jewett, late of said Lyme, deceased, went into the continental service in the defence of this and the rest of the United
States; and in 1776 was captivated on Long Island, in the State of New York, and was soon after inhumanly murdered or put to
death by our barbarous and cruel enemy, leaving your memorialist with a large family of small children, nine in number, the oldest of
which, being a daughter, on the sudden and shocking news of the captivity and murder of her father, was flung into fits of the falling
sickness, which sickness she still languishes, and has been, and still is, a great cost and charge; and although your memorialist's
husband left an estate of considerable consequence, in lands and moveables, to the amount of about fourteen hundred pounds—
but was principally in lands, and that much uncultivated—and a debt which surmounted the moveable estate a few shillings, which,
being settled, your memorialist was left to bring up and support said children on the freehold only, and great part of that in lands
unimproved, and by law subjected to taxation. And although the authority and selectmen of said town have made considerable
abatements, there is yet due to the collector of the public taxes, due to the State treasurer, the sum of thirty-one pounds fourteen
shillings, State's money, which refused to be abated more than what your memorialist hath or can any ways pay, (on the principles
of there being freehold estate sufficient, if it could be sold, to pay the taxes thereof,) which your memorialist, nor any one else is em
seal of said State, at Hartford, the thirty-first day of December, A. D. 1849.
ROGER H. MILLS,
Secretary of State.
I, Nathan Jewett, of the town of East Haddam, in the county of Middlesex, and State of Connecticut, aged eighty-three years,
depose and say: That I can recollect many incidents of the revolutionary war. I well remember my uncle, Captain Joseph Jewett,
whose residence was within one hundred rods of my father's, where I was born, and where I have resided (with the exception of
nine years) from my birth until the present time. My uncle's residence was in the town of Lyme, in the county of New London, in this
State, the dividing line between the towns of Lyme and East Haddam running between our places of residence I well know that my
uncle, Captain Joseph Jewett, was in the war of the revolution as a captain, in the continental line, in Huntington's regiment; that he
went to Roxbury, in Massachusetts, at the breaking out of the war, as an officer in the militia, and that in July, 1775, he was
persuaded, while in Roxbury or Boston, to give up his command in the militia, and accept of a commission as a captain in the
72

continental line; and that he continued in the service until his death, in August, 1776; and although I was not in the war, being then
not of age sufficient, yet I know it to be a matter of public notoriety that he was killed while in service at the battle on Long Island in
August, 1776. The news of his death and the manner of it very soon came home to his widow and family, and I well remember the
deep affliction of his family and friends on account of his death. I have often, and ever since that event, heard the subject of his
death talked of by the soldiers who were with and under him in the war, and cannot have the least doubt but that he came to his
death as above stated. Most of his company were enlisted in this immediate section, and many of them returned during the war and
after its close to Lyme and East Haddam, and all of them agree in the above statement with regard to his death and the manner of it.
I further depose and say that at my uncle Captain Jewett's death he left a widow and nine children, all of whom are, I believe, now
dead, except Joshua R. Jewett, of Granby, Connecticut; Josiah Jewett, of Moravia, in Cayuga county, in the State of New York; and
George W. Jewett, of Ann Arbor, in the State of Michigan; which three sons are the identical sons of the identical Captain Joseph
Jewett, of the revolutionary army. The widow of Captain Jewett died at Lyme, on the 18th day of January, 1836, aged ninety-five
years. I also remember to have seen the journal of Captain Jewett, which was returned to his widow after his death, with some other
things; which book was given by his said widow to my father, and which book I have often seen and read when young; which said
journal or book is now lost. I have always understood that Captain Jewett was killed by a subaltern British officer for refusing to
deliver up his watch and purse after he had surrendered his sword.
NATHAN JEWETT.
P. H. JEWETT.
MOSES CULVER.
family. I remember hearing at the time of the occurrence, or soon after, that he was killed by a British officer, after he had
surrendered his sword, at the battle on Long Island. I further depose and say, that I well know that Joshua R. Jewett, of Granby,
Connecticut, Josiah Jewett, of Moravia, in Cayuga county, New York, and George W. Jewett, of Ann Arbor, in the State of Michigan,
are the identical sons of this identical Captain Joseph Jewett, all of which I have never heard doubted, and I verily believe.
ALLEN W. GRIFFIN.
MOSES CULVER.
P. H. JEWETT.
STATE OF CONNECTICUT, )
Middlesex county, $
Personally appeared before me, Moses Culver, esq., judge of the court of probate for the district of East Haddam, the above named
Allen W. Griffin, who is a creditable and reputable witness, and made solemn oath to the truth of the above deposition by him
subscribed
MOSES CULVER, Judge. DISTRICT OF EAST HADDAM, December 7, 1849.
I, Luranna Stark, of East Haddam, in the county of Middlesex, and State of Connecticut, of the age of sixty-seven years, depose and
say: That for more than fifty-five years I have resided at or near the place which was the former residence of Captain Joseph
Jewett, of Lyme, who was an officer, and was killed in the revolutionary war. That my grandfather, Captain Abner Lee, married as
his second wife Lucretia, the widow of Captain Joseph Jewett, sometime before the year 1790. That I have lived with or near them
from since my earliest recollection until their deaths. That Lucretia Lee, formerly the widow of Captain Jewett, died on the 18th day
of January, 1836. That I have often heard her speak of the distress caused her and her family by the news of his death, and the
manner of it. That I have often heard from the soldiers who were members of his company that he was killed by a British officer for
refusing to deliver up his watch after he had surrendered at the battle on Long Island. That it was a thing of common report that he
was killed and buried on Long Island, and that during my existence he has never returned to claim either his wife, children, or
property; and I have no doubt but that his death, and the manner of it, took place as above stated.
LURANNA STARK.
STATE OF CONNECTICUT,
County of Middlesex,
Personally appeared before me, Moses Culver, judge of the court of probate within and for the district of East Haddam, the above
named Luranna Stark, who is a reputable and creditable witness, and made solemn oath to the truth of the above deposition by her
subscribed.
MOSES CULVER, Judge. DISTRICT OF EAST HADDAM, December 7, 1849.
I, Josiah F. Baker, of the town of East Haddam, in the county of Middlesex, and State of Connecticut, aged eighty-seven years,
depose and say: That I was acquainted with Captain Joseph Jewett before he entered the army of the revolution. That he raised or
enlisted a company as their captain or commander, and marched them off into the service of his country, from which he never
73

eturned. I never saw Captain Joseph Jewett afterwards, but was told by his brother, Gibbon Jewett, soon after, that he was killed
by a British officer at the battle on Long Island, in August. A. D. 1776. I well remember that Gibbon Jewett said that, after Captain
Jewett had surrendered, a subaltern British officer demanded his watch ; and, on Captain Jewett refusing to deliver it to him, he run
him through with his sword. These circumstances were strongly impressed upon my mind, because Captain Jewett was a friend of
my youth and a near neighbor of mine before the war. He lived in the north part of the town of Lyme until he went to the army, and
his widow continued to reside there until January, 1836; and I reside, and always have resided, in East Haddam, in the south part,
and not more than half a mile from Captain Joseph Jewett's former residence. Captain Joseph Jewett's death and the manner of
his death have so often been spoken of by those who were soldiers under him, that it has become a thing of common repute, and is
as I have before mentioned.
JOSIAH F. BAKER.
STATE OF CONNECTICUT,
Middlesex County,
Personally appeared before me Moses Culver, esq., judge of the probate court for the district of East Haddam, the within named
Josiah F. Baker, who is a reputable and creditable witness, and made solemn oath to the truth of the within deposition, by him
subscribed.
MOSES CULVER, Judge.
DISTRICT OF EAST HADDAM, December 7, 1849.
I, William D. Shipman, clerk of the court of probate for the district of East Haddam, do hereby certify that Moses Culver, esq., is now,
and has been for five months past, judge of the court of probate for the district of East Haddam aforesaid, duly appointed,
commissioned and sworn, and duly authorized by law, to administer oaths, take depositions, &c., and that full faith and credit are
and ought to be given to all his official acts as such judge; and furthermore, that the signatures on the within depositions, purporting
to be his signatures, are his genuine signatures.
In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, [L. S.] this eighth day of December, A. D. 1849.
WM. D. SHIPMAN, Clerk.
Mr. Joseph Jewett, of Lyme, in New London county, was married unto Lucretia Rogers, of Norwich, in the county aforesaid, on the
18th day of May, A. D. 1758.
Lucy Jewett, daughter of Joseph and Lucretia Jewett, was born the 12th day of May, A. D. 1759; Mary Jewett, daughter of Joseph
and Lucretia Jewett, was born the 12th day of March, A. D. 1761; Joseph Jewett, son of Joseph and Lucretia Jewett, was born
June 7th, A. D. 1763; Zabdial Rogers Jewett, son of Joseph and Lucretia Jewett, was born April 20th, A. D. 1765; Lucretia Jewett,
daughter of Joseph and Lucretia Jewett, was born April 24th, A. D. 1767; Elizabeth and Deborah Jewett, daughters of Joseph and
Lucretia Jewett, were born August 27th, A. D. 1769; Joshua Jewett, son of Joseph and Lucretia Jewett, was born August 14th, A. D.
1771; Josiah Jewett, son of Joseph and Lucretia Jewett, was born December 29th, A. D. 1773; George Washington Jewett, son of
Joseph and Lucretia Jewett, was born March 10th, A. D. 1776; Elizabeth Jewett, aforesaid, died March 12th, A. D. 1775; Captain
Joseph Jewett, abovesaid, died in New York, August 31st, A. D. 1776.
STATE OF CONNECTICUT, ) g8
New London County, )
The foregoing is a true copy of record as recorded in the first book of records of marriages, births and deaths in said town of Lyme,
page 94.
Attest: JOSHUA R. WARREN,
Town Clerk.
LYME, December 10, 1849.
I, Joshua R. Warren, above named, depose and say that I hold the office of Town Clerk in the town of Lyme, in the county of New
London, and State of Connecticut, and that the above is a true extract from the records of said town.
JOSHUA R. WARREN.
STATE OF CONNECTICUT, )
Middlesex County, )
Personally appeared before me, Selden M. Pratt, judge of the court of probate for the district of Saybrook, the above named Joshua
R. Warren, and made solemn oath to the truth of the within deposition by him subscribed.
SELDEN M. PRATT, Judge. DISTRICT OF SAYBROOK, December 10, 1849.
I, Clark Nott, clerk of the court of probate for the district of Saybrook, do hereby certify that Seldon M. Pratt, esq., is now, and has
been for five months past, judge of the court of probate for the district of Saybrook aforesaid, duly appointed, commissioned and
sworn, and duly authorized by law to administer oaths, take depositions, &c., and that full faith and credit are and ought to be given
to all his official acts as such judge; and further, that his signature hereon is his genuine signature.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of l> s-i office this 10th day of December, A. D. 1849.
CLARK NOTT, Clerk.
74

STATE OF CONNECTICUT, Comptroller's Office, Hartford, Dec. 12, 1849. I certify that, on application for evidence of the service of
Captain Joseph Jewett in the war of the revolution, I have examined the books and documents remaining in this office and find his
name in a pay roll headed as follows, viz: "Marched from Lyme for the relief of Boston, &c., in the Lexington alarm, April, 1775;" and
opposite his name are the following entries, viz: "Captain: number of days in service, 31; wages due, £6 4s.; billeting due, at 1s. 6d.
per day, £2 6s &d."
The above account is certified by the selectmen of the town of Lyme. I find also the name of Captain Jewett in "a pay roll of the 8th
company of the 8th regiment, raised per order General Assembly Colony Connecticut, July, A. D. 1775;" and opposite his name are
entries as follows, viz: "Time enlistment, July 6; when discharged, dead, or deserted, including time for the discharged to return
home, at 15 miles per day, December 10; wages due, £30 16«.; when received colony provisions, August 3; days billeted
themselves, 28; amount of billeting, £0 14s. Oct.; miles from home, 20; expenses home, at Id. per mile, £0 10s. 0d.; whole amount,
£32 0s. 0d."
ABU AH CATLIN,
Comptroller.
STATE OF CONNECTICUT, Comptroller's Office, Hartford, Dec. 29, 1849.
I certify that, upon application for further evidence of the service of Captain Joseph Jewett in the war of the revolution, I have
examined the books and documents remaining in this office, and find as follows viz: First, in a ledger of the pay table office, under
the following heading: "Colonel Jedediah Huntington's regiment, raised January, 1776, for one year," appears the name of " Captain
Joseph Jewett," and opposite said name are the following entries, viz: "arms and baggage taken or destroyed, £23; total, £23."
Second, the entry of the above is in the day book, as follows, viz: "United States Dr.: to order on treasury, Captain Joseph Jewett,
for loss, Huntington's battalion. '76, £23."
ABIJAH CATLIN,
Comptroller. By GEO. ROBINSON, Cleric.
STATE OF MICHIGAN,
Washtenaw County
Samuel P. Jewet, of Ann Arbor, county and State aforesaid, being duly sworn, deposes and says, that be is over twenty-one years
of age; that he was present at the time of the death of George W. Jewett; that said George W. Jewett died at Ann Arbor aforesaid on
the fourteenth day of February, A. D. eighteen hundred and fifty; that said George W. Jewett was an uncle of this deponent; that his
uncle, the said George W. Jewett, was a son of Captain Joseph Jewett, of Lyme, in the State of Connecticut; that the said George
W. Jewett, deceased, has left two surviving brothers, to wit: Joshua R. Jewett, who resides in the town of Granby, in said State of
Connecticut, and Josiah Jewett, father of this deponent, who resides in the town of Moravia, in the State of New York.
SAMUEL P. JEWETT.
STATE OF MICHIGAN,
Washtenaw County,'
On this twenty-eighth day of March, A. D. eighteen hundred and fifty, personally appeared before me, a notary public in and for said
county, the above named Samuel P. Jewett, who, being duly sworn by me, upon his oath says, that the facts set forth in the
foregoing affidavit, by him subscribed, are true, and further saith not.
SAMUEL P. JEWETT. Sworn and subscribed to before me the day and year above written.
TRACEY W. ROOT,
Notary Public, Washtenaw county, Michigan.
STATE OF MICHIGAN,
Washtenaw County
I, John C. Munday, clerk of the county of Washtenaw, and also clerk of the circuit court for said county, do hereby certify that Tracey
W. Root, before whom the annexed affidavit purports to have been taken, was, at the date of said affidavit, a notary public in and for
said county, duly commissioned and qualified, and by law authorized, to take the same. And I do further certify that I am acquainted
with the hand writing of the said Tracey W. Root, and verily believe his signature thereto is genuine.
In witness whereof I have hereunto affixed the seal of said county court at Ann Arbor, this 28th day of March, in the year one
thousand eight hundred and fifty.
JOHN C. MUNDY, Clerk.
IN THE COURT OF CLAIMS.
JOSHUA R. JEWETT and other claimants, )
vs. > Claimants' brief and points.
THE UNITED STATES. The claim is founded upon a law of Congress. The consideration was for services in part executed, and to be
continued to the end
75

The children could not take until the happening of one of these contingencies, the intermarriage or death of the widow.
The limitation acts had reference to subsisting claims then, and no subsequent law of Congress could take the right away from
them.
Captain Jewett's case.—Limitations.
I. Resolution of 2d November, 1785: .
"All persons having claims for services performed in the military department be directed to exhibit the same for liquidation to the
commissioner of army accounts on or before," &c., (August ensuing.)— (See Journals of Congress, 4 vol., 603.)
The object of this resolution was not to call in the debts for payment, but to ascertain its outstanding liabilities, of which the United
States had no account current. "Liquidation," as defined by Webster, means to ascertain, reduce to a certain rule.
II. Resolution of 23d July, 1787:
"All persons having unliquidated claims against the United States pertaining to the late commissary's, quartermaster's, hospital,
clothier, or marine department, shall exhibit particular abstracts of such claims to the proper commissioner appointed to settle the
accounts of those departments, &c. * * • And all persons having other unliquidated claims, to exhibit a particular abstract thereof to
the Comptroller of the Treasury, &c. And all accounts not exhibited as aforesaid shall be precluded from settlement or allowance."
"Unliquidated," as defined by Webster, is " not liquidated or settled, not having the exact amount ascertained; as an unliquidated
debt, unliquidated accounts, unpaid."—(See Journals of Congress, vol. 4, page 762-73.)
III. Act of 27th March, 1792, (1 vol. Statute at Large, p. 245,) suspends for two years the above acts so far as they have barred, or
may be construed to bar the claims of any officer, soldier, sailor, or marine of the late army or navy of the United States for personal
services rendered to the United States in the military or naval department, and such as shall exhibit the same for liquidation shall be
entitled to an adjustment and allowance thereof on the same principles as if the same had been exhibited within the time prescribed
by the aforesaid resolutions. Act of February 12,1793. (Obsolete.) 1 vol. United States, 301.
IV. Act of June 12, 1798. (Obsolete.) Law barring loan office and final settlement certificates and indents of interest suspended for a
year.—(See Statutes at Large, vol. 1, page 562.)
V. Act July 9, 1798: "All credits on the books of the treasury of the United States for transactions during the late war, which,
according to the course of the treasury, have hitherto been discharged by issuing certificates of registered debt, shall be forever
barred and precluded from settlement or allowance unless claimed by the proper creditors or their representatives on or before the
first of March, 1799. Notice to be published in one or more public papers in each State.— (See vol. 1, Statutes at Large, page 580.)
Settlement.—(See definition by Webster.) "Adjusted, liquidated,
IN THE COURT OF CLAIMS.—No. 652.
JOSHUA R. JEWETT VS. THE UNITED STATES.
Brief of United States Solicitor.
The petitioner describes himself as one of the surviving children of Joseph Jewett, who, it is alleged, was a captain in the
continental service, and served as such until slain by the enemy, August 31, 1776.
I. The petitioner, for himself and brother, claims the seven years' half-pay promised by the resolutions of May 15, 1778, and August
24, 1780, to the widows and children of those officers who had died in the continental service.
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1. The half-pay promised by resolution of August, 1780, would, if due at all, have gone to the widow, (who is admitted to have long
survived her husband,) subject to be divested by her marriage; and the evidence does not show that she was married before 1790.
The whole seven years' half-pay must then have vested in her; and the petitioners allege no privity between them and her. They do
not allege that they are her children. Her executors or children only can claim under the act of June 19, 1840.
2. It is barred by limitation, and resolutions of the continental Congress, of November 2, 1785, and July 23, 1787, as construed by
the act of March 23, 1792, sec. 1, (1 Stat., 243 ;) and by the act of February 12, 1793, (I Stat. 301.)
3. There is no evidence that the ancestor of these petitioners was one of those "commissioned by Congress," to which class only
the promises of the resolutions applied. The evidence goes to show that he was in a militia regiment, raised by the State of
Connecticut, for one year.
4. The resolution of August, 1780, requested the several States to make provision for paying the half-pay to the widows and orphans
entitled, and to charge the same to the United States. Connecticut, to which State Jewett belonged, made many payments under
this resolution.—(See Am. State Papers, Claims, pp. 70, 72, cited for petitioner.) If that State, as alleged, failed to pay in this case, it
affords, without explanation, a strong presumption against the claim.
II. The petitioner also claims bounty land under the resolution of September 16, 1776.
1. That resolution was prospective only in its operation, and the officer died before its passage.
2. It applied only to those who were on continental establishment, and it is not shown that this officer was in continental service.
3. It applied only to officers who should engage, or had engaged, for the war ; and this officer was engaged for one year only —(See
resolutions cited by petitioner, and regulations of Pension Office, Form 36, Mayo and Moulton's Pension Laws, p. 601.)
4. The Department of the Interior has authority under the act of February 8, 1854, (10 Stat., 267,) to adjust revolutionary bounty land
claims, and the claim should he presented there before being prosecuted before this court. It was not the object of the act
constituting this court, to assign it any portion of the ordinary duties of the executive departments.
III. The evidence offered is in great part inadmissible under the rules of this court.
JOHN D. MCPHERSON,
Deputy Solicitor Court of Claims.
JOSHUA R. JEWETT vs. THE UNITED STATES.
Judge BLACKFORD delivered the opinion of the Court.
The claimant presents his petition as one of the two surviving children and heirs of Captain Joseph Jewett, deceased. The petition
states that said Joseph Jewett was commissioned by Congress a captain in the army of the revolution in the year 1775; that he
died in the service on or about the 31st of August, 1776, leaving a widow and several children; that the widow is dead, and the
children, with the exception of the claimant and one brother, are dead also.
There are two claims set out in the petition, which are both founded on the services of said Joseph Jewett as a captain in the army
of the revolution.
The first of these claims is for bounty land; and the second, for seven years' half-pay of a captain in the army.
In support of the claim for bounty land, the claimant refers to the following resolutions of the old Congress:
"Resolved, That eighty-eight battalions be enlisted as soon as possible, to serve during the present war, and that each State furnish
their respective quotas in the following proportions, viz:" &c.; "that Congress make provision for granting lands in the following
proportions: To the officers and soldiers who shall so engage in the service and continue therein to the close of the war, or until
discharged by Congress, and to the representatives of such officers and soldiers as shall be slain by the enemy," &c.—(Resolution
of September 16, 1776, 1 Jour, old Cong., 476.)
"Resolved, That the bounty and grants of land offered by Congress by a resolution of the 16th instant, as an encouragement to the
officers and soldiers to engage to serve in the army of the United States during the war, shall extend to all who are or shall be
enlisted for that term."—(Resolution of September 18, 1776, 1 Jour, supra, 479.)
To obtain the bounty land now sued for, the first thing to be proved was, that said Joseph Jewett was a captain, on continental
establishment, in the revolutionary army, and that he was engaged to serve during the war.
The evidence on this subject consists of some ex parte affidavits taken by the claimant in Connecticut in 1849, the claimant's own
affidavit made in 1850, and two certified copies of entries in books in the comptroller's office at Hartford, Conn. The above
mentioned evidence was introduced by the claimant.
Rep. C. C. 123 2
It may he considered, though no commission is shown, that said Joseph Jewett was a captain in actual service at the time of his
death. The evidence above referred to, as relates to his office, is as follows:
The claimant's affidavit states that his father, Joseph Jewett, late of the town of Lyme, county of New London, State of Connecticut,
was a captain in the army of the revolution; that he marched with his company to Roxbury, at the time of the Lexington alarm, as
would appear from records and affidavits accompanying this application; that he was again commissioned as a captain of the 8th
company of the 8th regiment, and marched to Boston to join the American forces at. that place, and again joined the army as a
77

captain of said company and regiment under the command of Colonel Jedediah Huntington; that he, Captain Jewett, marched with
Colonel Huntington to Long Island, and at the battle on the 27th of August, 1776, was taken prisoner, and, upon refusing to deliver
up his watch, was mortally wounded by a British officer, and died of the wound on the 31st of that month.
Nathan Jewett's affidavit says that the affiant well knew that his uncle, Captain Joseph Jewett, was in the war of the revolution as a
captain in the continental line in Huntington's regiment; that he went to Roxbury, in Massachusetts, at the breaking out of the war as
an officer in the militia; and that in July, 1775, he was persuaded, while in Roxbury or Boston, to give up his command in the militia
and accept of a commission as a captain in the continental line, and that he continued in the service until his death in August, 1776.
Oliver Raymond's affidavit states that he could recollect some of the incidents of the revolutionary war, and among those incidents
was the death of Captain Joseph Jewett, who was a captain in Huntington's regiment, and who was killed at the battle on Long
Island by a British officer for refusing to give up his watch when demanded, after having delivered up his sword.
One of said certificates of entries in the comptroller's books at Hartford states that Captain Jewett's name is in a pay-roll headed
"Marched from Lyme for the relief of Boston, &c., in the Lexington alarm, April, 1775 ;" and opposite his name are the following
entries, viz: "Captain, number of days in service 31," &c. This extract also states that the name of Captain Jewett is in "A pay-roll of
the 8th company of the 8th regiment raised per order of the General Assembly, Colony Connecticut, July, A. D. 1775."
The other certificate is as follows:
STATE OF CONNECTICUT, COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE,
Hartford, December 29, 1849. "I certify that upon application for further evidence of the service of Captain Joseph Jewett in the war
of the revolution, I have examined the books & documents remaining in this office, and find as follows, viz: 1st. In a ledger of the Pay
Table Office under the following heading, 'Col. Jeded'h Huntington, Reg't rais'd Jan'y, 1776, for one year,' appears the name of'
Capt. Joseph Jewett,' and opposite said name are the following entries, viz: Arms & Baggage taken or destroyed £23, Total £23.
2d. The entry of the above is in the Day Book as follows, viz: United States, Dr. To order on treas'r Capt. Jos. Jewett, for loss,
Huntington's Batt'l '76, £23."
"ABUAH CATLIN, Comptroller,
"By GEO. ROBINSON, Clerk."
It is clear, therefore, according to the claimant's evidence, that Captain Jewett was not engaged to serve in the continental army
during the war. He belonged to Huntington's regiment, raised in Connecticut in January, 1776, which regiment was to serve for one
year.
This case, therefore, is not embraced in the resolutions of the 16th and 18th of September, 1776, above referred to, and on which
the present claim is founded.
This claim for bounty land appears not to be embraced in said resolutions of September, 1776, for another reason, and that is, that
the captain was killed before the passage of those resolutions, which are prospective only. The expression to be construed is, "to
the representatives of such officers and soldiers as shall be slain by the enemy." That expression applies not to past, but to future
cases only. It is said that in the case of Colonel Knowlton, who was killed on the 15th of September, 1776, the bounty land was
refused, as the resolution relied on was not passed till the next day after his death. — (American State Papers, title "Claims," p.
848.) In 1838 a bill was introduced into one of the houses of Congress providing for the heirs of the officers and soldiers who were
killed before the 16th of September, 1776, but the bill does not appear to have become a law.—(Rev. Book, 402.)
There is another ground upon which this petition for bounty land must be refused. It is not shown that application has been made to
the proper executive department for the bounty land in question. Before we can take jurisdiction of such a case as this, it must
appear that the bounty land had been applied for at such department as aforesaid, and that the application had been refused.
There are statutes of limitations as to applications for bounty land, but the time limited for such applications has been extended from
time to time by Congress. By the act of 1854, the time was extended for five years, from the 26th of June, 1853.—(10 Stat. at Large,
267.)
It may be proper also to mention, that the only application which appears to have been anywhere made for the bounty land in
question, before the filing of the present petition, was made to Congress after a lapse of more than sixty years after the claim is
alleged to have accrued; and no satisfactory cause is shown for the delay.
We now come to the examination of the claim for the half-pay for seven years from the death of Captain Jewett.
The claimant, in support of this claim, refers to the following resolutions:
"Resolved, unanimously, That all military officers commissioned by Congress, who now are or hereafter may be in the service of the
United States, and shall continue therein during the war * * * shall, after the conclusion of war, he entitled to receive annually, for the
term of seven years, if they live so long, one-half of the present pay of such officers, &c."—(Res. May 15, 1778, 2 Journals Old Con.,
554.)
"Resolved, That the resolution of the 15th day of May, 1778, granting half-pay for seven years to the officers of the army who should
continue in service to the end of the war, be extended to the widows of those officers who have died, or shall hereafter die in the
service, to commence from the time of such officer's death, and continue for the term of seven years; or if there he no widow, or in
case of her death or intermarriage, the said half-pay to be given to the orphan children of the officer dying as aforesaid, if he shall
have left any ; and that it be recommended to the legislatures of the respective States to which such officers belong, to make
provision for paying the same on account of the United States."—(Res. Aug. 4, 1780, 3 Jour. Old Cong., 512.)
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The present is a claim for the seven years' half-pay, alleged to be due under the two resolutions last above mentioned. It is
unnecessary to inquire whether, were this claim recoverable, the present claimant has any interest in it. Indeed, as the time of the
widow's second marriage is not proved, we have not the means to determine the question of ownership. The only demand that
appears to have been made by any person for the claim before the present petition was filed, was the presenting of a petition to
Congress in 1850, by the present claimant. At that time more than sixty years had elapsed from the time when the claim is alleged
to have accrued.
This claim for half-pay for seven years is barred by a resolution of Congress of the 2d of November, 1785, (4 Journ. Old Cong.,
603.) There is also the following act of Congress of the 12th of February, 1793:
''Be it enacted, &c., That all claims upon the United States for services or supplies, or for other cause, matter, or thing, furnished or
done previous to the 4th day of March, 1789, whether founded upon certificates, or written documents from public officers, or
otherwise, which have not already been barred by any act of limitation, and which shall not be presented at the treasury before the
1st day of May, 1794, shall forever after be barred and precluded from settlement or allowance: provided, &c. (The provisoes do not
affect this case.)—(I Stat. at Large, 301.)
We are of opinion that the claimant has no right to recover either of the demands described in the petition.
I. To JABEZ HUNTINGTON.1
Appendix II
Letters of Ebenezer Huntington
NEW HAVEN April 15th 1774 Hon. Sir In your last p' Esq' Sherman you wrote me that you Intend to send a horse for me next may,
should be glad if it is not Inconvenient, you would Please to send of your own family with it, for I have Several old Clothes that I want
to have at Home, and Cannot Carry them myself with other Necessaries.
The Vacancy2 begins Generally the 6,h Day of May, towards Night, but as it Comes on friday, so that Scholars that live at any great
Distance, Can not get home that week, the President and tutors will (I believe) let them go away on thursday.
Last Monday was freemans meeting here when they made Choice of Esq' Bishop the first Deputy and after going round two or three
times more made Choice of Esq' Darling the Second Deputy.3 After that they tried hard to vote in the Petition which was drawn up at
the Convention in Midletown but Could not Effect it. at last they Divided the house and got it in by three Majority have nothing further
to write you but am in all Respects your Affectionate and Dutiful son
P S The Deputies in this County are Pretty much as they were Last Year there are but 3 New ones in this County.
II. To JABEZ HUNTINGTON.
ROXBURY CAMP June 2^ 1775
Hon. Sir
EBENEZER HUNTINGTON
As I seldom have written to you perhaps you may think it is owing to Negligence, but I Assure you that is not the Case it is owing to
my being
1 Of Norwich, the writer's father.
2 The vacation at Yale College, where the writer was at this time a student. 3Samuel Bishop and Thomas Darling represented New
Haven in the General Assembly of May, 1774.
so Prodigiously Hurried for the fall business in Flaxseed time is nothing to be Compared to the fatigue I undergo daily, get to bed att
11 "Clock and up as soon as light appears with a great deal of Care on my hands.
Nothing has happend Lately worth Mentioning Except Yesterday, about i "Clock the Regulars began firing from their breastwork and
block house upon our lowermost Centinels and main guard but did no harm. they Continued their fire till about 3 "Clock. then they
hove severall Shells Carcases &C with a few shott from their Cannon. about four oClock two of our men very Imprudently ran down
upon the neck to destroy the house their main guard was kept in, Suspecting they were then out, but they were fired upon by about
thirty of the Regulars, who killed them, then went up to the bodies of the Dead and every one to a man thrust his Bayonet into their
bodies. they might have Easily taken them as they were both unarmd but they rather choose to destroy them than to take them
Prisoners. (a disgrace to the name of britons).1
Our men in General did not regard their firing one half so much as they do a Shower of hail. three men belonging to the Train of
Artillery from Rhode Island Espyed a Shell falling ran up to it knocked out the Phiz and brought it up to the General with almost two
Pounds of Powder in it. it is Strange that OUT People regard their firing no more than they do, but it is Certainly true they do not Pay
any Attention to it."
We hear from Boston by a Gentleman who made his Escape from thence in a fishing boat that Maj' Pitcairn and Maj' Sheriff and
Col" Williams are Certainly killed and about thirty other Officers* and about twelve hundred Privates killed and wounded so that their
loss is in a greater Proportion than it was in the Lexington Battle. the number of Wounded from Connecticut is 23 13 Missing. N
Hampshire, 19 Missing Seventy four Wounded. as to the loss the Massachusetts Sustained I have not been able to Learn.
79

I am well and have been Well Ever since I left home and as to Coming home in July I do not think at Present that I Can be With you
so soon but Cannot tell should be Glad you would get a Certificate from President Daggett that I am in Regular Standing at College
and likewise a Recommendation as I imagine I can have a Degree without Going to Connecticut for it if I have it Certifyed that I am
in Regular Standing, for Doct' Langdon hath given me Encouragement that he will give me one if N Haven President refuses it if I
am denyed it only because of my tarry from College this Summer and my leaving it without Liberty in the Alarm Last April.*
I am Your Dutifull Son
EBENEZER HUNTINGTON.
1 Heath's Memoirs, pp. 22, 23; diary of Samuel Bixby, in Mass. Hist. Soc. Proc., 1875-1876, p. 288; diary of Ezekiel Price, ibid.,
1863-1864, p. 192; Heath, ibid., 1858-1860, p. 295.
2 See Frothingham, Siege of Boston, p. 213.
3The British official account, Remembrances, 1775, p. 99, gives 21 officers killed (or mortally wounded) in the battle of Bunker Hill.
Among them were Major Pitcairn of the marines and Major Williams of the 5 2d. Major Sheriff of the 47th was not killed.
4 The writer received his A.B. degree from Yale College and also, in the same year, an honorary degree of A.B. from Harvard.
III. To JABEZ HUNTINGTON.
Hon. Sir CAMP AT ROXBURY, June 2 0.,h 1775
I receivd your letter p' Mery Yesterday with a dozen of flints: you wonder why I want so many; the reason is this, My store is so
situated that in Case the regulars should Come out I cannot move any thing out of it; therefore I shall have no reason for not fighting
to defend it, which had I no other reason would be Sufficient to Induce me to be Prepared for Defence.
My Chest got safe to hand p' M' Morgan but was most grievously disapointed in not finding one or two Striped Jacketts in it, which I
much wanted and which might have been sent very Easily.
In my last to you I made mention about a degree, I informed you that there was a Chance of my having a degree Conferrd upon me
by Docf Langdon; Should be glad to have Liberty from you to purchase a suit of Clothes as my light Clothes were much dirtied for
want of a Change before my Chest Came, which Obliges Me to ask Liberty for a new suit to make me appear Properly Clothd at
such a time, should I succeed, but at the same time would not be over Desirous as I am disposed to be as frugal as Possible; I
understand the Assembly are Called together Concerning raising more troops. should it so happen that Chester1 should be
promoted and M' Webb should get the Command of that Com5 should be Extremely happy in having a first Lieu" Birth under him at
the same time would say that I would not Except of a Second Lieu' Birth under him nor any man in the world and Quit my business. I
find that three fourths of the Captains in the Province Pay are as unfit for their Station as I Should be for a Gen1 in Command, not
flattering myself would venture to say that I look upon myself fit for a Captaincy.
As to news have none but what you have heard I am in all Respects with proper Regards your Dutiful Son EBEN HUNTINGTON.
N B Should be Glad you would show the lines above to some member of the lower house'2 that would try to get me the birth above
mentiond
IV. To ANDREW HUNTINGTON.
Dear Brother ROXBURY CAMP, Octo: 3d 1775.
With Pleasure I fulfill my obligations to you in the Letter way. I should have wrote to you before but the great uneasiness which hath
been in the Reg! about my Commission hath taken up all my time. the matter is at Length in a measure Subsided though I can not
say the Officers like the matter so well as I could wish.1 You will be much Surprised to hear that our famous Docf Church that great
pretended Patriot is now under a Special guard of a Capt" and 40 Men for Corresponding with Gage and other of his Hellish Gang.
the Plot was discoverd by his Miss who is now with Child by him and he owns himself the father (for he has Dismissed his Wife) she
was the bearer of some of his Letters from this place to Newport to Cap' Wallace who hath the forwarding them to Boston. she left
them with a man she Supposed friendly to Docf Church but was mistaken who having a Curiosity to know the Contents open[ed]
Them but they were wrote in Characters so that he was not able to Understand them, but Guessing the contents brought the Letters
and Girl to Gen1 Washington who after an Examination and 4 Hours under guard Confessd she Carried them from Docf Church. his
tryal has not been yet, but Suppose it will be e'er long.
I wish that my Chest might be forwarded as I am in want of sundry things that are in the Chest. As to news more than I have wrote
have not anything. I am in all Respects Your Friendly Brother
EB HUNTINGTON.
P. S. Those Letters of Doct Church's and sundry others that were taken out of his Desk all of them wrote in Character are
Decyphering will give you the contents when I shall become knowing to them. Give my Love to your Wife and Other Sisters and
Brothers and also your Children.
1 John Chester, who had married Huntington's sister, was captain of the ninth company in the second Connecticut regiment.
Samuel B. Webb, a brother-in-law of Chester, was his first lieutenant. Colonial Records of Connecticut, XIV. 425; Correspondence
of Samuel B. Webb, I. 44.
2 Huntington's father, to whom the letter is addressed, was a member of the upper house.
3 The letter is addressed "To Mr. Andrew Huntington, Merchant, Norwich, fav of Cap' Trumbull." Andrew, the writer's brother, was
the second son of Hon. Jabez Huntington, the five sons being, in order of age, Jedidiah, Andrew, Joshua, libenezer, and Zachariah.
80

For the episode of Dr. Benjamin Church, see Washington's Writings, ed. Sparks, III. 115, 116, 502-506; Mats. Hist. Soc. Coll., I. 84-
94.
V. To JABEZ HUNTINGTON.
ROXBURY CAMP Nov' 23d 1775
Hon. Sir
This minute I recd your favour by post and Observe the Contents. Am very glad that I am clear of those difficulties as to the Reg' not
only as it easies me, but as it gives you Satisfaction to hear those difficulties subside. The universal determination of the Soldiers
from Connecticut seems to be for home at the Expiration of their Seven Months altho' they have been repeatedly Solicited in Gen1
Orders to tarry longer. We have great reason to fear that our Enemies knowing our Situation will Endeavour to take the Advantage
of it which if they do the Consequences will be worse than it is Generally thought.
I have inclosed you a List of the Officers only of Col" Wyllys Reg' upon the New Arrangement, but will Endeavour to give you a list of
the whole Brigade p' next post. Orders are now given out for one Officer
1 When the Continental commissions were announced in general orders, September 20, 1775, the appointment of Ebenezer
Huntington to a lieutenancy in Chester's company caused a remonstrance; it was signed by nearly all the officers in the regiment
and addressed to General Spencer. The grievance was that he did not rise by gradation or seniority. See a letter of Captain John
Chester, in the Correspondence of Samuel B. Webb, I. 104-106. Washington's letter of dignified rebuke is printed there and in
Sparks, III. 108, 109.
out of Each of the new Companies to go on the Recruiting Service. The 2d Lieu' of our Company is now out on that business. when
he returns, I expect to have an Opportunity to go on the same business.
As to news we have none. Family in usual Health, Brother Joshua was well Yesterday. I am your very dutiful Son,
VI. To JABEZ HUNTINGTON.
CAMP AT ROXHURV Jany 12"' 1776
Hon'' Sir
EBENEZER HUNTINGTON.
This day I recd your fav' p' M' Xevins in which you are pleasd to say that I have not acknowledged your fav' in which was inclosed a
letter from Cap' Chester. That letter I have recd dated Jany 2*. I thought I had acknowledged it or should have done it before this
time.
As to filling up the new Army, it is Carried on as well as could be expected considering how disgusted the Old Soldiers went home.
As for my own Part I have inlisted but a few, but the Company is as forward as some others. the other two Officers are now on the
recruiting service. the Ens" I hear has inlisted about 18 Men but do not know whether it may be relied upon. the other L' has been
gone but about 8 days. I made a Serg' belonging to Wethersfield who went home and inlisted twenty two men, came to Camp and
after he came to Camp was Encouraged by a Captain of the Reg' to an Ensigncy if he would join the 22 Men to his Company
accordingly the fellow left me. because I had not the Inlistment they had signed, I could not hold him nor his men. As to paying a
Visit to my friends at home I lay by all thoughts of it at Present and conclude to wait till we have opend intrenchments on Dorchester
hill. I am your ever dutiful son,
P S Inlisted into Cap' Hanchits Comp' certain thirty nine men besides Commissiond Officers.1
VII. To ANDREW HUNTINGTON.
CAMP AT ROXBURY 21" Jany 1776
Dear Brother
EBENEZER HUNTINGTON.
Your favour of the 11t h Instant I this day Recd (I believe) by the hands of M' Prince. You must have heard different Accounts ere
now from Quebeck than what you mention in your letter. I wish it had been as you heard (that is it had not been worse). Brave
Montgomery is dead, but he dyed in defence of a glorious Cause, and I hope is happy. Poor Arnold escaped with a wound that
Splinter1 the bone of his leg; tho' his wound was not bad, yet he was Obliged to be out so long, to make a safe retreat for his men,
that he was much weakened with the loss of Blood, and very much fatigued. The Aid de Camp of Genl Montgomery's was killed. 1
Maj? Bigelow, and Meiggs are spoken highly of likewise Maj' Ogden who acted as Major of brigade, who received a ball through his
Shoulder. this young Gentleman and One Burr' who was Secretary to Col" Arnold both came Volunteers from N Jersey, and are
much spoken of as to Activity in the battle and great good Courage.
I wish to be able to give you the particulars of the whole battle but Imagine that you will be able to get it sooner through the GovTM
Hands,3 as I make no doubt he will have the particulars. I feel very anxious about Sister Lucy.' I hope you will be able to tell me that
she is better by next Letter. I wish to tell you something about Dorchester but cannot, tho' Expect to be able to, by the first of Feb'. I
have enclosed you the Strength of Gen1 Spencers Brigade for your Curiosity. I venture to send it to my friends but should it get into
the hands of our Enemies it might be of great damage, by showing our Weakness just at this time. you will see that it is not
Exposed. I conclude by subscribing myself your friendly Brother
EBENEZER HUNTINGTON.
81

P S a Paper came out of Boston last friday I intended to hive got it and inclosed it to you but T. Fanning first got it and has inclosed it
to Brother Joshua.
Oliver Hanchit, captain of the tenth company, second Connecticut regiment. See Collections of the Rhode Island Historical Society,
VI. 82.
vol. v.—46
VIII. To JABEZ HUNTINGTON.
CAMP AT ROXBURY March 4th 76.
Hon. Sir
This night our Orders are to take Possession of Dorchester Hill under the Command of Brig' Gen1 Thomas. Two thousand men
including proper Officers to Parade at 6 oClock at Dorchester—to be relieved at 3 "Clock to morrow morning by three thousand men
including Officers, among which are the Col? Maj' Chester, Maj' Trumbull and myself. we expect a warm Engagement but at the
same time think it uncertain as they must know that we shall go very strong and I hope strong enough to Repulse them should they
dare to show their heads there. But the God of Battle alone can determine—who is able to save us. You will no doubt hear before
this reaches you some flying Report about our taking Possession there. That you may think I am not unmindful about the danger I
am going into I can tell you that my Cloaths and Papers are properly secured In case that my maker should in his great good
Pleasure so ordain that I should not live to Come off the Hill.
I must beg your Prayers for us in every Difficult time and Pray that we may succeed as we trust that we are fighting the Lords Battle.
from Gen' Spencers Brigade there are going this night 9 Cap" 27 Subalterns 42 Serg'.' 42 Corp'.' 708 Rank and file. at 3 "Clock to
morrow morning 12 Cap" 36 Subalterns 57 Serg'.' 57 Corp" 863 Rank and file. I had like to have forgot to Acknowledge a Letter recd
the night before Brother went from this, the reason was because I was unwell but am better now. I have no news to write further but
remain your ever Dutiful Son
Respects to Mamma. Love to brothers, and Sisters.
1 Two aids were killed, Capts. McPherson and Chceseman.
2 Timothy Bigelow, Return J. Meigs (afterward postmaster-general), Matthias Ogden and Aaron Burr.
EBENEZER HUNTINGTON
3 Governor Jonathan Trumbull, whose daughter Faith (d. November 23, 1775) had been the wife of Jedidiah Huntington. See
Stuart's Trumbull, pp. 194-196.
4 Lucy Coit, first wife of Andrew Huntington, died May 9, 1776.
IX. To JABEZ HUNTINGTON.
ROXBURY CAMP 7"' March 1776
Hon. Parent
Dorchester Hills are at last taken Possession of by our People1 who went on in the Even* following the 4,h March in a Party of 2000
men including Proper Officers under the Command of Brigadier Gen1 Thomas who began two forts, one on each of the high hills,
and two small redoubts just as you Pass the neck which Redoubts were built to Play upon the floating Batteries that should attempt
to annoy our People Passing the Neck. This Party was relievd at 3 "Clock next morning by a larger Party of 3000 men Including
Proper Officers. The Party was increasd from 2 to 3000 in Expectation of an Attack as soon as they should discover us, but we were
unhappily mistaken—I say unhappily, because I believe it would have Put an End to the War in the N England Colonies, had an
Action taken Place. We went on so well Prepard that had they come out with a number suff.' to withstand us, the town would have
been in the hands of our great and brave Gen1 Putnam in a little time after they had come out.
I wrote you the 4.th March intended to have sent you p' M' Hyde but he has not taken it and I now send it p' Post.
I should Lengthen the letter but the Post is waiting.
I am your Dutiful Son,
X. To JABEZ HUNTINGTON.
CAMP AT ROXBURY March 21" 76.
Hon. Sir
EBEN. HUNTINGTON
Since we have taken Possession of Dorchester hill I have had the pleasure of receiving two letters from you the dates I have forgot
and as the letters are both out of my Pocket you will excuse my acknowledging them Otherways.
When Doctor Turner set out from this Place I was in Boston and Could not write to you but desird him to inform you that I wanted a
horse to be sent to me immediately as I then expected that the troops would march to N. York very soon and that I should march
with them,
82

1 Washington to the President of Congress, March 7; Heath, Memoirs, pp. 40, 41; diary of Ezekiel Price, in Mass. Hist. Soc. Proc,
1863-1864, p. 240; Correspondence of Samuel B. Webb. I. 134, 135.
but since he went away, the Comp5' which I had the Care of has been filld up and the Captaincy given to Jed'! Hyde 1 which has so
much disoblig'.1 me and all my friends that this morning By good advice I shall wait on his Excellency to resign my Commission
unless something can be done to Satisfaction, tho' at the same time I request a horse to be sent. Last Sunday our troops marched
in and took Possession of the town of Boston after the regulars had evacuated it which they did about four "Clock sunday morning
after Plundering every thing they wanted without respect to Persons. they were in so great fear of our following them as they quitted
the Neck that they had filled up the streets in several Places with Old Casks to stop our Progress and ran of with great Haste and all
the signs of fear Possible to be shewn. The town of Boston is not so much destroyd as I expected tho' it is destroyd more at the
North and at the south End than any where Else. M' Cutlers family are well I have dind there breakfasted and drank there in the
afternoon.
Maj' Chester and myself got Lodgings at M' Rowes2 the first night we enterd town and had an Offer of a bed there as long as we
Should Chuse to stay in town besides we had an Offer of a bed at two other Places at any time when Convenient for us.
I Expect to be with you before the next week is out and Can give you the particulars of three days adventures in town but at Present
shall only Subscribe myself your ever dutiful Son,
XI. To JABEZ HUNTINGTON.
CAMP AT ROXBURY March 24,h 1776.
Hon' ' Sir
EB HUNTINGTON
I wrote you p' post since which have recd a letter from you p' M' \Vm Gale and a horse. When I wrote you p' Post I informd you I was
that day going to Cambridge to resign my Commission which I thought I should do but when I waited on his Excellency he seemed
not a little Surprized that I should wait on him with such a request, and Gave me a very severe Reprimand. After a long talk with the
Gen1 he told me that If I could not think better by the time I should wait on him again he would give me a Dismission. Yesterday
Brother Jed3 went to Cambridge and saw the Gen1 and talked upon the Subject but did not take a Dismission for me but Obtaind
Liberty of the Gen1 for himself and me to have a furlough as soon as the fleet should sail out of this Harbour whose motion I now
await. as soon as they sail, we shall set out for Norwich. I expect to take your further Directions about Resignation, tho' am
determind for myself never to act as a Subaltern Officer again and Jed Hyde to have a Captaincy.
I am in all Respects Your Dutiful Son,
1 According to the returns printed in Force's Archives, Fourth Series, IV. 643, Jedidiah Hyde had been a captain in the 22d
Continental regiment since January I, and Ebenezer Huntington his first lieutenant.
EBEN' HUNTINGTON.
2 John Rowe, a prominent Boston merchant, whose diary was edited by the late Hon. Edward L. Pierce for the Massachusetts
Historical Society; see Pree, Second Series, X. 97, entry for March 18. The house, which stood on the north side of Pond Lane
(Bedford Street), was afterwards the home of Prescott the historian; there is a picture of it in the quarto edition of Ticknor's Life of
Prescott.
3Jedidiah Huntington, now colonel of the 17th Continental regiment of infantry.
XII. To JABEZ HUNTINGTON.
N YORK CAMP June 23d 1776.
Hon. Sir
Your favour of the 11'h Instant I have recd and several others since I left Norwich which I should have answerd had I not told my
mamma as I left home that I would not write a letter home untill I had the appointment to a Captaincy (unless in a Case of absolute
Necessity) which is the only reason.
I have now the pleasure to inform you that there is discoverd the most Hellish and Diabolical Plott1 that ever hath been plannd since
the Powder Plott, that of destroying our Gen1 Officers and Magazines also the City under the guidance of that Infamous Villain
Tryon, and we suppose the Mayor of this City1 as the Mayor and about thirty others are Confind on Suspicion and Suspicion .well
founded. they had determined to murder our Gen1 Officers when a Signal should be given from the Asia, burn the City blow up the
Magazines and attempt to destroy the Army, for which Purpose they had bribed some of the army that they might more Easily effect
the Purpose but kind heaven it seemed tho' he Sufferd them to lay a Plott has interferd in our behalf and Savd us from those
designing Children of the Devil who Plotted our destruction. The Gen1 deeply affected at such a plott has wisely and prudently
doubled his Guard in and about the City and ordered patrolling partys to be Patrolling all Night.
Every Precaution which a wise and prudent Gen1 could take, our Worthy Commander has used.
The Company I now Command is the one that I was in before and Cap' Hyde gone into the Company that was Maj' Wells. Your
Expressions of Fear as to my keeping too much Company, I fear arises from Information as I am Conscientious of doing it formerly,
viz on my first Arrival here, but since that have kept but very little. I was Obligd to get Seventy two Dollars of Brother when he was
here by reason of being obligd to board out in the City alth'o at a Private house only my board was ^13 15 Y Currency for about five
Weeks besides I was necesarily put to Considerable other Expence.
83

I am very sorry that our Assembly did not see fit to Promote some 01 our Officers here in the Army, upon several Accounts: in the
first Place, as I think they most deserve it, in the Next Place it is following the Example of Pensylvania, who promoted a number of
their Officers, who were in the Rifle Battalion at Cambridge, and besides those very men who are now in the army, will have men
Come from Connecticut higher in Commision than them who could not have got an Ensigncy last May is a year ago when some that
are here had Captaincys, but I can readily suppose they acted on good Principles.
Maj' Trumbull1 has recd the Appointment of Dept Adj' Genl', that is Adj' Genl for the Northward and sets out to morrow with Gen1
Gates for Quebeck or the Northern Army, and I believe has made a vacancy for my worthy Classmate, Peck,2 Adj' of Col"
Huntingtons Reg', or Else, for Keyes, or Charles Whiting, but rather think that Peck will get it. This from your dutiful Son
1 The Hickey Plot. See Minutes of t he Trial and Examination of Certain Persons etc. London, 1786.
2 David Matthews.
XIII. To ANDREW HUNTINGTON.
CAMP AT N YORK 10th August 1776
Dear Brother
EBEN' HUNTINGTON.
Yesterday, I wrote you a long letter, and going into the City last Evening, to Col" Chesters, I lost it in which I Endeavourd to Clear my
Character, for not Writing oftener but it seems I was not permitted to send it. I could wish that I had not lost it, as I think that I should
have fully Satisfied you, but never mind that says you, if it is material, give the reasons over again, and so I will part of them. Well
then— A regiment of Officers to Quarrel with, who were Continually exerting themselves, to Injure me, and my Character. Can you
believe that they went to Every Reg' on the Ground which is a fact I say and enquird the number of Officers from Norwich, then
Petitiond to the Gen1 setting forth the Number in s'' Petition, and most Scandalously abusing my Character, to prevent my Getting a
Captaincy. but the Gen1, that Justice might be done, desird Gen1' Green and Lord Sterling to decide the dispute, before which
Gentlemen M' Champion and myself, set forth our Pretensions, butt the Regiment hearing that the matter was like to be in my fav',
drew up another Petition and Presented to the Gentlemen Arbitrators (as soon as we had given our pretensions) unbeknown to me,
with every injurious and malicious insinuation against me, that they had ingenuity to invent, setting forth that unless the Captaincy
was given to M' Champion all the Officers in the Reg' would resign their Commissions, which had the Effect I could wish, for the
Gentlemen seeing how they interested themselves, took no notice of it, tho' I had wrote an answer as soon as I found out they had
Petitiond, but it was too late as they had determind in my fav', about as soon as they recd the Regimental Petition. After the dispute
was settled, I was to receive my Commission but Genl Washington being Oblige[d] to go to Philadelphia I did not receive it till June,
all which time I had but very little peace from the Officers; so little that I did not pretend to Walk out, without Sword and Pistols (and
well Loaded) as I expected to be Insulted, which had it been the Case, I should have done that which might have given my friends
uneasiness, for I was almost as a desperado, but matters are now easy, and I believe I am in a fair way to live unmolested.
Night before last about 1 "Clock all the Regiments in the Lines were orderd out under Arms, to receive orders to lye on their Arms,
as the Ships of War in the Edge of the Evening had all hauld without the Transports and they (the Transports) had orders to be
Clean ready to receive the troops on board who are now on Staten Island.1 We Expect an Attack Every high Water, and have the
Strictest orders to the Officers and Soldiers not to be absent from Camp without Leave from the Col" I am, after giving love and
Compliments to friends and Acquaintance, Your Friendly Brother
1 John Trumbull, the painter. See his Autobiography, p. 26.
EBEN' HUNTINGTON.
2Trumbull had been brigade-major to General Spencer. His place was filled, July 28, by the promotion of William Peck, Yale 1775,
adjutant of the 17th Continental regiment of infantry. Charles Whiting was adjutant of the 22d.
XIV. To JABEZ HUNTINGTON.
CAMP AT N. YORK 5th Sept 1776
Hon. Sir
Three days since I wrote a Letter for you and not knowing any immediate Conveyance I forwarded it to Kingsbridge desiring it might
be forwarded p' the first Opportunity. This will be forwarded as far as Colchester p' M' Norton who rides (as Camp Post) from that
Place. I believe it may be relied on that those who are missing2 from Col" Huntington's Reg' are 1 L Col", 6 Cap': 6 L'.' 6 Ens'" 1 Adj!
21 Serg" and 100 Rank and file 2 Drums and fifes. the L' Col":i Cap' Brewster and Cap' Bissell we have intelligence from who are
Prisoners and Maj' Wells of Col" Wyllys's Reg! Col" Clark and Maj' Wells have wrote p' flag. Every thing is at this time in a Critical
situation but we hope we are able to maintain our Present Post.
On the Even* following the 2'' Instant at 11 "Clock a Ship of War went up the East River and Came to an Anchor against Turtle Bay
where we had about 33 Hundred Bb' flour Stored. Our People removed all the (flour that Night and Next Morning paid her a
handsome Salute from two twelve Pounders which were drawn down to the Edge of the River about Day Break. they Hulled her
thirteen times which was so disagreeable to her that she Slipped her Cable and Pushed up behind Blackwells Island (an Island
which Extends from Hellgate towards N York about three Miles) Just as she Came to Anchor our People had the Good Fortune to
heave an Eight Inch Howit through her Side which burst in her Hole. Tho' her Hull was Secured from the Shott from our Cannon Her
Riggin and Yards were not and this Morning finding that She Could not lye safe at her Station has fell down towards N York about a
Mile, against a Spot of Marshy land in hopes we could not molest her. but I am in hopes we shall be Able to do it. Maj' Crane of the
Artillery is Endeavouring to get some Artillery placd so as to reach her.1
84

Docf Turner arrived here Yesterday and Doct' Lee. Our friends are as well as usual. Poor Militia! they desert, Numbers of them,
being very uneasy, their reasons no doubt you will have, as we are in hopes they will not go unaskd and unpunishd. We hear that
Gen1 Lee is on his March and is to be at Elizabethtown this Night (but not from Head Quarters). Col" Sam1 B. Webb Ad Cong to his
Excellent)' is so unwell as to be Obligd to Ride in to the Country.
I am in Health Dear Parent Your
Dutiful Son
P S Since I wrote the above I have got the other letter I wrote you 3 days ago and now inclose it.
1 The passage did not in fact take place till August 22.
Eb' HUNTINGTON.
2 As a result of the battle of Long Island, August 27. The return for the 17th Regiment, printed in Force's Archives, Fifth Series, III.
717, gives 63 more of the rank and file as missing, but otherwise agrees with the statement made above.
3 Joel Clark.
XV. To JABEZ HUNTINGTON.
CAMP AT WEST CHESTER, 6th Octo' 1776
Hon'' and dear Sir
Several of yours have come to hand since which I have not wrote before this, the date of my last I am not able to mention. One of
Yours p' Cap' Perkins, one p' Erastus, and one p' M' John Leffingwell I have recd. the others (if any have come) I do not recollect.
The Resolves of Congress relative to raising of 88 battalions, you have undoubtedly paid attention to before this time.2 As the
matter is to be under the direction of the Assembly, I hope they will be informd as to the Characters of some Particular Officers.
Among the Officers, that will be Provided for, I hope that Robert Warner 1" L', Elias Stillwell 2d Lieut, Jonth Hart 2d Lieut, Sam'
Richards Ensign, and Thomas Hender Ensign, will meet with good Success. several others of my Acquaintance in the Army I might
with Propriety mention, but as It would make the matter tedious, I would not do it. I hope, Should I have the Offer of a Captaincy
(and nothing better) that I might have the Good Luck to have Warner, Stillwell or Hart and Ensign Richards in my Company.
I have wrote a line to Esq' Benj" Huntington3 and inclosed it unseald hope you will deliver it if it meets with your Approbation. I am
dear and Hond Sir your dutiful Son
1 See Washington's Writings, ed. Sparks, IV. 74.
EBEN HUNTINGTON
2 See Journals of Congress, September 16, 1776. These resolves left the appointment of officers, general officers excepted, to the
several stales.
3 A member of the Connecticut Council of Safety.
XVI. To ANDREW HUNTINGTON.
CAMP AT WESTCHESTER II'" October 1776
Dear Brother.
Whether it is through your Negligence, or mine, that so few Letters pass between us, I will not say, but this I can say, that, If it is
mine, it has happen'1 by reason of duty, in paying attention to the Reg! as you will readily Imagine, there being not but Nine Officers
of my Rank, in the Whole Brigade to do duty. Eleven days of the Nineteen last past I have been on Guard, and not a Letter of yours
for a Comforter
I hope that you will be so good, as to write pr Every Opportunity, and I can Assure you I will Endeavour, that no Opportunity shall
Escape me. The Phoenix and two other Ships of War, have Passed our Chevaux de Frize and gone up the North River, and have
taken two of our Row Gallies,1 Fisher in the Crane, and Baker in the Indepen[den]ce are the dallies that have fell into their hands
besides some small Craft, the Ships with their Prizes now lie against Tarry Town, in Toppon Bay, about 10 Miles above Kingsbridge.
Two Ships yesterday Came to Anchor in Harlem River, nigh the Ship, that has been there some time since. When the Ships went up
the River on Wednesday there was as Brisk Firing of Cannon as need be, but never a Man hurt as I have yet heard of. I am dear Sir
your Friendly Brother
XVII. To JABEZ HUNTINGTON.
PEEKS KILL 2$a Novr 1776
Hon. Sir
EB HUNTINGTON.
This comes pr Mr Grover, who can better tell you News from this Post than myself. The Anxiety I am in for the raising of a new Army
is not small but to parents I think I have an undoubted right to write freely, the present appearance is very Gloomy, the British troops
making head wherever they attempt, our people instead of behaving like brave men, behave like Rascalls, and to add to that, it
seems that the British Troops had gone into the Jersies, only to receive the Submission of the whole Country. People Join them
85

almost in Captains Companies to take the oath of allegiance, besides those of the Militia who have been sent for our Assistance,
leave us the minute their times are out and would not stay tho' their eternal Salvation was to be forfeited if they went home; The
Perswasion of a Cicero would not any more Effect their tarry than the Niagara falls would the Kindling of a Fire, besides the slow
Progress of a new army, seems as though the few that remain till the first of January, are to fall a Sacrifice to the British Savages.
Dear Father, no Man unless on the Spott can have a tolerable Idea of it. Our Stores lost without an Exchange of a Shott. A Hell itself
could not furnish worse beings than Subsist in the world where our army are now posted. I am dear Sir in Great fear for our Political
Salvation while I subscribe myself your Dutiful Son
1 Heath's Afemoirs, pp. 68, 69.
XVIII. To JABEZ HUNTINGTON.
PEEKSKILL 2D Dec', 1776
Dear Father
EBENr HUNTINGTON.
As the Gen1 has this day orderd an Express to the Gov. I thought it my duty to inform you that I am well. as to acknowledging the
receipt of your favours, it is not in my Power for I do not receive any. two days ago I forwarded some letters from Col" Huntington to
Col" Trumbull to be forwarded. hope you will receive them by the time this reaches you.
Gen1 Lee and Sullivan with their Division are this day Crossing the Ferry nigh this Place going to the Jersies.1 Col" Chester is with
them and very well. Brother Joshua was well Yesterday. About twenty Reg" from the Northward who were dismissed were Returning
and hearing our Situation in the Jersies, were by Order of Gen1 Gates Embodied, and are marching to Join Gen' Washington ; by
this time we have reason to believe, are Join'!, Gen1 Gates, and Arnold at their head. Rogers who Commanded the Rangers in the
british Service is Disgraced.2
A flag which went in two days ago to the Enemy were (by being Obligd to wait an answer) Spectators of a Scene which is pleasing.
The Persons who went in with the flag were sitting in Company with a Col" M'Donald and some other Officers and in comes Rogers,
with his hatt on, says, how do you do Gentlemen (meaning our flag of truce) but no reply was made, except by Col M'Donald, who
says, you Damd Rascal, why do you Presume to wear your hatt, among Gentlemen. if you are not out of the Room immediately I will
kick you out, accordingly he went out. Col" M'Donald followed him and not shutting the door after them Col" M'Donald was heard to
say, that you are an Insolent Rascal and if you Ever come into Gentlemans Company again, Where I am, I will Cane You as long as
I can feel You. Rogers's Reg' is taken from him and given to another Officer.3
I am dear Sir Your Dutiful Son
XIX. To JABEZ HUNTINGTON.
PEEKS KILL 3d December 1776
Dear Father
EB. HUNTINGTON.
Yesterday I wrote you p' Express which was going to the Governour, since which nothing material has turnd up. The Divisions under
the Command of Gen'' Lee and Sullivan, which were at this place when I wrote you before, have not Entirely passed the Ferry.
Chester Passed Yesterday. M' Carpenter is now at this place. he left Col" Huntington Yesterday at his Station ' he was hearty and
well. The slow progress of enlisting men makes me feel Anxious for the 1" of January, for sad Experience teaches me that Troops
will not tarry after the time of Enlistment expires, tho' death stares them in the Face returning to their Homes. I am Informed that
Majr Wells who was taken prisoner at Long Island,2 came Yesterday to Gen' Spencer's Quarters at White Plains on Parole. what
news he brings out do not Learn. I am dear Sir Your Dutiful Son
1 Heath to Washington, December 2. Force's Archives, Fifth Series, III. 1041.
EB. HUNTINGTON.
1 The celebrated Robert Rogers, who had broken his parole and accepted the command of the "Queen's Rangers." Washington's
Writings, ed. Sparks, IV. 521. See also Trumbull to Cooke, Force, Fifth Series, III. 1077.
3 It was not until the autumn of 1777 that the command of the "Queen's Rangers" was given to Simcoe.
XX. To JABEZ HUNTINGTON.
PARARMUS 19th Dec' 1776
Hon" Sir
I have the pleasure to inform you that last sunday We had the Satisfaction of Marching into Hackinsack, in which Place we found
many Arms &C and warlike stores a few. Rum, sugars, and a Great plenty of Wine, about 60 disafected persons were taken up in a
few hours, but the Gen' finding so great a number of these People, that it would take all his division to guard them, we took about 8
Prisoners of War in and about that Place.3
The Brave Gen' Lee was made Prisoner about Six days since by a Party of the Enemies light Horse (on his march to Join Gen
Washington) about 70 Miles in the Rear of his Division. There has been several Skirmishes If we may believe Report between some
Militia Reg'." and the Regulars one Skirmish Certain, not very unfavourable to the Militia, the Militia took a large drove of Cattle and
Sheep from the Regulars, 317 Sheep and the Rest were Cattle they had Collected for the use of their Army. Last Night we had
86

intelligence that the Enemy were marching to Hackinsack from New York, and had got to a bridge within about 5 Mile of Hackinsack,
called Acquaconack Bridge. We have no reason to doubt the truth of it, and without doubt I may be able in my next to give you some
account of an Action between the Division of Gen' Heath and their party under Col" Leslie.'
1 had like to have forgot to acknowledge the Receipt of two of your favor of the 8th and 11th instant, am very sorry that you could
not have favd me with news that the Enemy had landed at Newport and that they were dislodged by the Militia. Our troops or rather
the troops under Genl Heath have this day been Reinforced by about 1200 Militia under the Command of Gen' George Clinton one
of the best of Men. Genl Washingtons Army lye on the other side of the Delaware-but his head Quarters 12 Miles beyond at Bristol.
Do not let the Matter about Gen' Lee be mention'1 as from me unless you have heard it some other way, as it will rather discourage
the Country than otherwise. Col" Huntington is well at this Place where we live happily. Good Living and in the best Country in the
World.
Tell Mamma that I have two Pounds of good green tea which I will send her pr first Opportunity. Compliments to all friends while I
subscribe myself your Dutiful Son
1 Col. Jedidiah Huntington was at this time encamped at Ramapo in Orange County, Force, III. 1039, 1072.
2 Major Levi Wells of the 22d Continental infantry.
3 See Heath's Memoirs, pp. 99, 100, and Heath to Washington, December 15, in Force, III. 1234.
4 Heath, p. 102.
XXI. To ANDREW HUNTINGTON.
WETHERS FIELD 27th April 1777
Dear Brother
EB HUNTINGTON
Col" Huntington informs me that the present week is the time fixed on for you to be married.1 I am sorry to inform you that the
Prospect of my being with you at that time is small, by reason of my Col" being absent, and of Course much business is on my
hands which requires attention to, yet not despairing of my paying one Nights Visit at Norwich this Week. Should I be disapointed of
seeing a brother (whose affections I ever had the good fortune to share) engage under the Sacred Bands of marriage it will not in
the least diminish my Affections for him or his dear Partner, but tho' absent and not the Pleasure but of a small acquaintance with
the Person engaged to, yet that small acquaintance very agreeable, I shall wish them to enjoy every Happiness this world affords. I
wish she may prove a kind and Affectionate Mother to the tender Offspring of a former and most agreeable Parent (of which I do nor
will not, entertain the least doubt) and a Partner to you whom you will ever love, and in whose Company you will ever be happy, had
you never known the happiness of a Married State I as a Brother might have said many things to you, which now would be very
improper.
Was I not engaged in the Military line a few weeks would let me know the happiness attending the Married state, which I doubt not is
great as I think the Satisfaction of unbosoming oneself to a Partner who could and would share the Good and ill Fortune attending
us in this world is far beyond what a Single Life affords or can do. after wishing Miss Phelps and Yourself Happiness I subscribe
myself your Friendly Brother
XXII. To ANDREW HUNTINGTON.
KING STREET 9"' November 1777.
Dear Brother
EB HUNTINGTON
I wrote you the 2* of this Month from Fish Kills, and would have acknowledged the Rec' of your last, did I not believe I had done it 3
Weeks ago. It would be Conferring a great favour on me if you would as often as once a Week give me the Domestick News, and
not neglect me because you dont receive my letters. you shall not have reason to blame me for Neglect, for I assure you I will write
(as I ever have done) p' every Opportunity If time can be got. In one of my former letters, I begd the favour of you to desire Col"
Abbott to make me a Pair of Elegant Leather Breeches (White) and don't recollect you have ever acknowledged the Receipt of the
same. . I wish that the Breeches might be Procured, let the price be what it will, it matters not. I wish to hear what becomes of the
Privateer whether you have heard from her, since she left Boston, as You in your last favour informd me, that she was Repair1 and
would soon leave Boston for a Cruize. Hath any Prise ever arrivd that she hath taken? What is the Value? Should there arrive any
Articles in any of the Prizes, which we want in the Army, wish you to procure them for the Use of this Regiment. Although I expect to
leave this Regiment and the Army, before the Opening of another Years Campaign, still I have a desire to procure every article
which the Reg' may stand in Need of. I wish you to present my love to Sister H, and the rest of the Good people, whom I am
determind to pay a Visit to in the Course of this Winter. I am dear Brother, Yours Affectionately
EBEN' HUNTINGTON.
Deserters say that the Inhabitants in N York are putting their Effects on board Ship (very uncertain). Rivington has publishd
Burgoynes Capitulation at Large and not a Comment on them, in his Paper Acknowledges the Destruction of two ships at the
Chevaux de frize one a 64 the other I forget.1
Since friend Leonard hath been at the Northward, he hath fought a Duel, no person hurt on either side.
1 Andrew Huntington was married on May I, 1777, to his second wife, Hannah Phelps, of Stonington.
87

XXIII. To ANDREW HUNTINGTON.
CAMP WARREN 21' Sept 1778.
My Dear Brother
Your favour of the 12th instant was handed me this day, indorsd on the back as forwarded by two DifP Gentleman, one at
Pomphrett, and the other a Cap' Wallace at Providence, by which you may Judge, how direct Letters Come to me. this is the first I
have recd from you, notwithstanding that, had it been in my power to have wrote you, I would have done it with the Utmost pleasure.
As to the particulars on the Island, I was (for want of time when Opportunity Offered) Oblige[d] to Refer my Father to a letter of Col"
Trumbulls to the Governour,2 without giving him any of the particulars, which I could have wished to have done. As to the Bills you
gave me, against M' Whittlesey, I have Collected them and will inclose you the Money, the first Opportunity. I am very glad to hear
so much Credit given the Militia for the Readiness they shew to prevent the Landing of the Enemy at N London (or rather I am
happy to think they deserve it). I have heard that Father took his Head Quarters at Mr Shaws. It would have Afforded me much
Satisfaction to have been in his family, on such an Occasion. I am very happy to hear that the Reports which have been Circulated,
of the Action of the 2

it is not done, nor will it be done. Not a Day Passes my head, but some Soldier with Tears in his Eyes, hands me a letter to read
from his Wife Painting forth the Distresses of his family in such strains as these, "lam without bread, and Cannot get any, the
Committee will not Supply me, my Children will Starve, or if they do not, they must freeze, we have no wood, neither Can we get
any. Pray Come homey These Applications Affect me, my Ears are not, neither shall they be shutt to such Complaints. they are
Injurious, they wound my feelings, and while I have Tongue or Pen I will busy myself to stir up my Countrymen to act like men, who
have all at Stake, and not think to enrich themselves, by the Distresses of their brave Countrymen, in the Field. It hath been Practizd
too long. Dont drive us to Despair, we are now on the Brink. Depend upon it we cannot put up with such treatment any Longer.
Spare yourselves, by Rewarding the brave.
Your Affectionate Son
'See Public Records of the S ate of Connecticut, II. 134, 135.
XXV. To JOSHUA HUNTINGTON.
Dear Brother TIVERTON 3* May 1779
E HUNTINGTON
Your favour pr Serg1 Williams came safe to hand, as did Seven of the Eight Hams mention"1 to be sent Cap' Waterman and the
bundle of Cloth; I have Settled the matter with Comnv" Southwick, and 'shall Inclose you his receipt p' next Opportunity in favr of Mr
Fanning.
I am not much disapointed in hearing of the Fate of our Privateer Trumbull, as it is my hard fate to be Unlucky in Privateering. It shall
not give me a moments uneasiness, as I am in a fair way of making a fortune, If I only can Continue in the Army two Years longer,
as I receive Eighty dollars in Wages and Subsistance, Monthly, and since at this post have spent it weekly. We have been without
bread or Rice more than five days out of seven, for these three Weeks past, and the Prospect remains as fair as it hath been.
Excuse me in giving you a list of Prices, or Account Courant. Potatoes 24 Dollars pr Bushel, Eggs 18*/ pr Doz", Veal 5'/ pr lb, and
that to be bought but Seldom, Butter 18'/ p' lb and that more Seldom than Veal. Oysters nor fish to be Purchased at Present, nor
have been for this fortnight past. Rum 2 Dollars pr Jill. The Provisions we draw hath been Chiefly Salt Beef, and that alone without
bread or Potatoes is tedious. It appears to me that unless the Army is better Supplied, you had better disband them now, rather than
fill the Regiments. I have been as unwilling to hear trifling Complaints as any person, but had my feelings been harden'' with Steel,
they would have been soften'1, by the too Just and Repeated Complaints of those who seldom Murmur. If the Fault lies at the door
of any Individual, deliver him to us for a Sacrifice, as it would be more acceptable to us, if we must be starved, first to imbrue our
hands in the Blood of him who brought us to it. If it is the Depreciation of the Money you are all alike Guilty, and ought to be Slaves
to all Eternity to those who dare Contend for freedom. Notwithstanding the Currency is as bad or worse than nothing, the Whole
department are in Arrears for Six Months and one Brigade for Seven. Hitherto the Regiment have been kept together but I dare not
be answerable till tomorrow Morng.
This whole part of the Country are Starving for want of bread, they have been drove to the necessity of Grinding Flaxseed and oats
together for bread. Is it not Possible for the State to do something else besides Promises. Promises can not feed or Clothe a Man
always, Performance is sometimes necessary to make a man believe you intend to Perform. Let us await if Possible the Event of the
next Session, and Possibly Hatters and Wiredrawers Can effect what wise men Cannot.
Your affectionate Brother,
E. HUNTINGTON
I got into such a Passion that I Closed my letter before I thought of it. —I wish to know about a Horse, can you get me one at any
price, nothing less than 1500 Dollars will purchase one fit to ride in this part of the World. The Evening of the 2d Instant Eight of the
Enemies Boats attempted to land about Six Miles up Taunton River, but were discoverd on which they pushed off and Returned.
Nothing further worth mentioning. Love to the Circle. Yours Sincerely
XXVI. To ANDREW HUNTINGTON.
MORRIS TOWN8th Feb' 1780
Dear Sir
Your favors of the 4th and 10th Ult" came safe to hand, tho recd only three days since. at the time I recd them I was on the lines, but
have since been relieved.
As I have been on duty so much for four Weeks past, I have not been able to get my Hutt Compleated but am now paying my
utmost attention to it and am in hopes to get it Compleated by the first of next Month, if the Weather is favorable.1 at present I have
taken Quarters in one of the Officers Hutts, where I expect to remain till my own is so far finish1 as to move into it. I observe that in
your letter you mention about being Continued in the 3d Class of the Lottery. I wish it by all means, beg you would pay attention to it
for me.
I have not been able to hear a line from my good father since I left Norwich, and as I left him much unwell am very. Anxious, he
used to write me and as I have recd no line from him have Supposed that his Indisposition is greater than when I left him. I wish you
would write to me particularly about him. We have nothing new in this part of the World. as to the Excursion the Enemy made at
Elizabethtown, you must have had the Particulars in the Newspapers, as it hath been Published and very Exactly. Congress are
now deliberating about the Reduction of some of the Reg'.". what Reg" or what number will be reducd, I know not but suppose and
wish the Greater part, as I think it very unnecessary and Expensive to keep so great a Number of Officers in Service and so few
EB.
89

Men. Possibly I shall be one of the Number, wish it may be the Case, as I think it would be very agreeable to live at Ease, and
Quietness, once more (free from the Noise and Din of Arms) and restore an Injured Constitution, too much worn in the Service of an
Ungrateful Country. I think this Winter must have been a very agreeable one with you; Horses in plenty and good Sleighing, a happy
Circle, plenty of the Necessaries and Comforts of life, and so free from Business as to have nothing Interfere with your Pleasures,
except the 111 health of our good father should damp them.
You ask me what Number of Troops have gone from N York, who Commanded them and where bound. The Number is uncertain,
Sir Henry is gone in Person, and I believe without any doubt bound to the Southward. 1
I wish my love and Respects to those with you and to whom due.
I am dear Brother
Yours Affectionately,
EBENE HUNTINGTON
1 Cf. Ebenezer Huntington's letters of January 22 and February 16 in the Correspondence of Samuel B. Webb, II. 242, 247. VOL.-
v.—47
XXVIII. To
MOUNT PLEASANT, HUTTS 11'" May 1780
Dear Sir
By a letter from Mamma recd some days since I find that you suppose me indebted to you for several letters, I may be for letters
wrote but not for letters recd. I have recd but few letters from my friends since I left Connecticut and a very few of them from
Norwich. I understand by a line from Brother Jedh that his Waggon is to move towards Camp as soon as the Grass hath grown suff'
to subsist the Horses. I wish it maybe soon, as I expect some stores in it. With an Expectation that I may have an Opportunity of
getting a Hatt when made, I wish you to get me an Elegant beaver one made, by Kinsman or such other person as you may think
proper, I wish it very large and well made, the Size of the Crown is rather smaller than Brother Joshuas, more than Commonly deep,
and not Cockd, that part I will do myself. I wish it may be done by the 1st of June. I am not entirely without Expectation of a Visit into
Connecticutt, if I should do it I shall spare a day for my Norwich friends. Col" Grovernor waiting Obliges me to Close by saying that I
am dear
Sir
Yours Sincerely,
XXVIII. To ANDREW HUNTINGTON.
BUSH HUTTS N. Jersey, 4 Miles from Posaick falls, July 7th 1780
Dear Sir
EBEN' HUNTINGTON
I must Acknowledge some letters from my Norwich friends, among which one from you, which should have been acknowledgd
before this, but our very rascally Situation will not admit of any Conveniency for writing, this I write on my knee. We took the field the
7th of last Month, not from Inclination but from Necessity, as the Enemy moved so near our Hutts as Obligd us to send our Baggage
into the Rear, and for want of tents, and teams to Carry them, we have lain in the Woods without any Covering but what the
Almighty gives the Brute Creation to which State we verge fast. Our whole Army when Collected amounted to about 2/3°' of the
force of the Enemy. When the Enemy first landed and advanced they were much harrasd by the Militia, which or some other reason
induced the Enemy to burn wherever they went. after lying in N Jersey some time they Manoeuvered as tho' they intended a move
up the N River, in Consequence of which his Excellency marchd toward W Point, with 5 Brigades, leaving behind Maxwells and
Starks Brigades. the 23d the Enemy movd from Elizabethtown (to which Place they had Previously retird.) towards Springfield
where our troops lay except Parties advancd, our People fought them as they advancd, but when they had got to Springfield they
endeavourd to turn our left flank at the same time pushing a heavy Column towards our Centre. our troops Repulsd them on the left,
tho' the Enemy gaind the Pass in the Centre after about 40 Minutes very heavy firing. Col" Angells Reg' with some small
detachments from the line fought their main force during the 40 minutes. Col" Angells Reg' lost 41 killed and Wounded out of about
160, Officers Included. the Enemy sufferd much by th^ir own accounts. our troops behavd well and receivd the thanks of Gen1
Green, and the Commander in Chief. about 3 "Clock P M they retird, our people harassing their Rear, untill they had got within their
lines which they had hove up on Elizabeth town Point. the night following they Retreated to Statten Island, and the 25"' we began
our March to join the Main Army which lay at Ramapaugh, except the Connecticutt line which had moved on to W Point. We lie in
the Woods as dated in the beginning of the letter, hoping to be able to have tents in a few days. The Rascally Stupidity which now
prevails in the Country at large is beyond all description. they Patiently see our Illustrious Commander at the Head of 2,500 or 3,000
Ragged, tho' Virtuous and good Men, be obligd to put up with what no troops ever did before. Why don't you Reinforce your Army,
feed them Clothe and pay them, why do you Suffer the Enemy to have a foot hold on the Continent? You Can prevent it, send your
Men to the field, believe you are Americans, not suffer yourselves to be dupd into the thought that the french will relieve you and
fight your Battles, it is your own Supineness that Inducd Congress to ask foreign Aid, it is a Reflection too much for a Soldier. You
dont deserve to be freemen unless you can obtain it yourselves. when they arrive they will not put up with such treatment as your
Army have done they will not serve Week after Week, without Meat without Cloathing, and paid in filthy rags. I despise my
Countrymen, I wish I could say I was not born in America. I once gloried in it but am now ashamed of it. If you do your duty, tho' late,
you may finish the War this Campaign, you must Immediately fill your Regiments, and pay your troops in Hard Money, they cannot
exist as Soldiers otherwise.
90

1 The allusion is to Sir Henry Clinton's expedition against Charleston.
The Insults and Neglects which the Army have met with from the Country, Beggars all description. it must Go no farther, they can
endure . it no longer. I have wrote in a Passion, Indeed I am scarce ever free from it. I am in Rags, have lain in the Rain on the
Ground for 48 hours past, and only a Junk of fresh Beef and that without Salt to dine on this day, recd no pay since last December,
Constitution complaining, and all this for my Cowardly Countrymen who flinch at the very time when their Exertions are wanted, and
hold their Purse Strings as tho' they would Damn the World, rather than part with a Dollar to their Army.
I will leave this page and ask your attention to the next. Inclosed you will receive an Order on Elijah Hubbard Esq' Middletown for
^3,000 which I wish to be provd and laid out for me in Cloathing, agreeable to following invoice. 3 and Yards Superfine Blue Bd
Cloth, 7 doz° best white C Buttons for the same, 3 Yards Superfine White Bd Cloth, Lining for two Coats, Lining for two Jackets,
indeed everything to make up the Cloth for Coats and the Under dress, also white Linning, proper for 4 Vests and 4 breeches, 3 pr
boot Stockings thread, the Hatt I wrote for some time since. If I have Credit or can possibly'obtain it for these Articles I wish them
immediately, the sooner the better, my Red Coats I Cannot wear. Pray exert yourself for them, I stand in great need of everything
mentioned.
Yours &c.
EB HUNTINGTON
Make my love, Compliments &c to my friends and believe that I much wish to see them and have for five Weeks expected it, but am
now indued to believe I shall not see you soon.—Adieu.
XXIX. To ANDREW HUNTINGTON.1
WETHERSFIELD 27th November 1780
Dear Sir
By a letter from Major Talmadge, we are informd that last Week he went over to Long Island with a Party of 80 Men, that he
marched to a place called Coram about 16 Miles from where he landed, indeed twas almost across the Island, where he attackd
Fort S' George Garrisond with 60 Men, Carried it and took about 40 Prisoners; on his Return to his boats, he burnt a Magazine of
Forage of about 300 tons of Hay and returnd safe. in taking the Fort he had one man Wounded, tho' Slightly.2
Let me tell you this Town are about Procuring two fine Shirts for each of their Officers in the Line of the Army. Pray dont be behind
hand (I want a Couple) in doing good.
Congress have given, or rather resolved to give each of the Lads who took Andre, 200 dollars Annually in Specie for Life, and have
orderd a Silver Medal to be given each of them, with a Copy of the Resolve in their favor. By letters from Camp, I find that I am
Arranged on the New Establishment, which is by no means pleasing; I have wrote my friends in hopes to get it Altered but fear I
shall not be able.
After wishing my love to you I Subscribe myself, Yours Sincerely,
1 Cf. letter of the same day to Webb, in Correspondence of Samuel B. Webb, II. !See Thompson's Long Island, II. 4S4.
XXX. To ANDREW HUNTINGTON.
HARTFORD 2d March 81
Dear Brother
EBEN HUNTINGTON
Your favor respecting the State Notes was duly recd. at present the treasurer will not do anything about them. he says he can not
untill some other business is Compleated, nor can he tell how soon it will be in his power. I recd a line from Brother Joshua
respecting a small Bill for Paper supplied the Forts at N London, the Committee of Pay table will give no orders in Conti: for that
reason I have returnd the Bill by Doctor Turner that it may be properly made in State Money as that is the only Currency which the
pay table will give orders in. I have also enclosed three setts of Bills for 12 dollars each in favor of Brother Jedh also his Certificate,
which beg you to deliver him, his other Matters which he wrote me about I shall attend to. (One letter to the family must excuse me
at jthis time). I wish Brother Joshua to raise me ^50 Solid. if it can be done no other way he must sell one of, my State Notes, for as
much as it will fetch if it is not above ^50 State 'Money. I must raise that sum in hand at all Hazards.
With the most Affectionate feelings to the families I Subscribe myself
Your very Humble Servt
State Money at Hartford is two and a half for one Conti: 75.
XXXI. To ANDREW HUNTINGTON.
LIGHT INFANTRY CAMP DOBBS FERRY Dear Sir August 2d 1781.
EBEN. HUNTINGTON.
Since I left Norwich, I have not been favored with a line from you, but by letters lately recd from Sister Nancy1 by Brother Jedh, am
informd my friends are in Usual health, and that no material Alteration has taken place in respect to our good Father. hope you will
be able to inform me he has recoverd his Usual Health and Spirits. Nothing has happend lately worthy your information. Our
Kingsbridge Expedition you must have long since had the Particulars of. hope soon to give you some intelligence of Consequence,
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altho at Present we remain very peaceable in Camp. The Enemy have no post without Kingsbridge except a small Garrison in Fort
N 8, which is on (or rather near) Harlem Creek about a mile below Kingsbridge towards Morissania. they very seldom venture out
more than a Mile this side Kingsbridge towards our Camp, except the Horse Thieves of Delancys.
From the Repeated Promises of his Excellency the Governor and Council to the Committee previous to their leaving Connecticut,
we have from time encouraged the Officers and Soldiers to wait with Patience, and that they would without any Doubt receive some
Money soon; they have waited with earnestness, but are now almost outrageous. They Complain of the 111 Usage they receive
from the State. the More they Surfer the More the State insults them by their Neglect, you have no right to expect their Services a
Moment Longer. they have served you from the 1st of Jany 77 and have recd but just their Wages for 77. the rest is due. you
Obliged them to Loan you two Years, and now withhold the Interest; They have since the Loaning of those two Years served you 18
Months, and have recd three months Nominal Pay in Old Continental Money (at 75 for one). we have born till we can bear no
longer. you must pay us in Solids, or find other Servants, and those who ask no Wages. If we meet with such Treatment from you
when our services are so much wanted, what can we expect at the Close of the Campaign (should it be Glorious) when you have no
further need of our Services, but Insult and Injury, in a triplicate Proportion from what we have already recd should it be in your
power, to inflict so great an Allowance from a Store which ought to be exhausted. We are serving with the French Army where the
Officers dine in Luxury and give us frequent invitations to their tables, we can't go to them, because we can not return the
Compliment. Cloath feed and Pay us and you may have any Services you wish, but you must not expect nor shall you receive but
little more without. I do not aim at you personally, I can excuse you and many more, but the State at large, don't deserve freedom,
nor no other People on Earth, who are neither willing to Contend for Freedom Personally, or pay those who will defend their
Cowardly Souls. Think one Moment at the very time you ought to have had your troops all in the field Cloathd and Disciplined (will
say no more about pay) you are just forwarding your three Months Men, and these to be the Subject of the Drill during their Service.
1 Ann Moore, second wife of General Jedidiah Huntington.
Excuse me I am warm, and angry at the State, but still am yours Sincerely.
This letter will not be signed nor will you need any signature to know the Writer.
My Love to your good Lady and the rest of the Circle.
Joshua was to have forwarded some Salt fish and a Cag of Wine, I have heard nothing about them since I left Norwich tho' should
be very happy to, or even to know whether they have been forwarded and are safe.
XXXII. To ANDREW HUNTINGTON.1
CAMP BEFORE YORK 10TH October 1781
Dear Sir
Ten days since I wrote you by some Seamen bound to N London and Norwich who had been Captured at Sea by the Enemy and
recaptured by our good Allies and Landed in this State, that they might return to their friends. at the time I wrote we had but just
Disembarked in James River after coming down the Bay from the Head of Elk, since which I think I wrote, but by what Conveyance
or when am not able to say. this will be forwarded to Gen1 Huntington, who takes Charge of all my letters bound farther Eastward.
Since I wrote you we have removed as you see by the date of this. on our Approach the Enemy evacuated their outworks and
began Strengthening their more interior ones. we have alterd their abandoned out works, and turnd them against York and since
then run our first Parallel and built our Batteries on it and opend them Yesterday. at present we have about 30 heavy pieces opend
on the town, but in 6 Days more unless his Lordship Complains of our fire, we shall have upwards of Ninety including Mortars to
tieze him with, which must Inevitably from his Situation oblige him to Surrender.
Yours sincerely without Signature
1 Four subsequent letters (to Webb, 1782) are printed in the latter's correspondence, II. 387, 393, 401, 404.
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Relationship of American Union Lodge with the Ohio Company
The records of the original proceedings of the Ohio Company ..., by Ohio Company (1786-1796), p. xxxiv.
http://books.google.com/books?id=3x8mAAAAMAAJ&pg=PR42&dq=%22WASHINGTON+LODGE+NO.+10%22&hl=en&sa=X&ei=1
3EET-iQFOf30gG9m9i8Ag&ved=0CIABEOgBMA04FA#v=onepage&q=%22WASHINGTON%20LODGE%20NO.%2010%22&f=false
. . . General Tupper returned to Massachusetts probably late in the fall of 1785. In January, 1786, we find him at the Rutland home
of General Putnam, who, meantime, had returned from Maine.
We may never know the details of discussion and investigation that led to this important meeting at General Putnam's home early in
1786. We have seen that, early in 1784, Putnam had written Washington that three men—and he names General Tupper first—had
agreed to accompany him to the Ohio "the moment the way is opened." The kernel of the idea of forming an association of
neighbors and comrades-in-arms and making a purchase of lands on the Ohio is glimpsed, as has been remarked, as early as
Putnam's letter to Washington forwarded with the Newburgh Petition. As early as April 5, 1784, Putnam in a letter to Washington
refers to the fact that the offering of lands at a cheap price by Massachusetts will tend to lessen "the number of Ohio associates."
It is plain that General Tupper's report was all that was needed to settle the question of where the "associates" should settle. It is
common report that the two men spent the winter's night of January 9-10 before the generous fire-place in the kitchen of General
Putnam's home outlining a plan that must have been evolved in its main particulars in the months preceding. Were the records
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extant it would probably prove that the real springs of action which resulted in the formation of the Ohio Company would be found to
be in the military and Masonic associations which bound these Revolutionary officers together; these ties extending beyond State
boundaries included officers from nearly all adjacent commonwealths. Of these the Society of the Cincinnati was of great
importance. This order was organized at Newburgh May 13, 1783, "to perpetuate ... as well the remembrance of this vast event
[independence] as the mutual friend-ships which have been formed under the present common danger, and in many instances
cemented by the blood of the parties."" A comparison of names shows that ninety per cent of the two hundred and eighty-eight
officers who signed the Newburgh Petition were members of the Cincinnati from Massachusetts and Connecticut.26 The leaders in
both movements were identical. Of the men who finally were most active in the affairs of the Ohio Company, Dr. Manasseh Cutler
alone was not a member of this military order; that three years' service in the army was a requirement of membership doubtless
explains this fact. While it is easy to over-estimate the fraternal influences of the Cincinnati in this episode it is unquestionably true
that it tended to break down State barriers; the Ohio Company very probably would have been a purely local association of
Massachusetts men but for the interlocking friendships promoted by the Cincinnati; this being true. it is probable that the Ohio
Company would not have ignored making a purchase of land from Massachusetts in Maine; doubtless its cosmopolitan
membership, made up of strong men from Connecticut and Rhode Island, determined the question in favor of a purchase from the
United States. Friends of this famous order, which is still patriotically perpetuated, have certain justification for the claim that the
Cincinnati is directly responsible for the making of the first settlements under the Constitution northwest of the Ohio River at Marietta
and Cincinnati. The influence of this cosmopolitan military brotherhood probably kept the Ohio Company from being purely a
Massachusetts organization making a purchase of Maine lands.
25 Sparks, Writings of Washington, ix, 23, note.
28 Mrs. L. A. Alderman, The Identification of the Society of the Cincinnati with the First Authorized Settlement of the Northwest
Territory, 6-14.
A further welding influence was exerted by another kind of brotherhood. In February, 1776, a number of Masonic officers in
Washington's army surrounding Boston received from a representative of Masonry in England the authority to form the historic
American Union Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, now American Union No. 1 of Marietta, Ohio. The membership consisted of
Masons from various New England lodges. Although the lodge was erected in Roxbury its charter proves its peculiar character by
declaring that it might be erected "in Roxbury or wherever your body shall remove on the Continent of America.""
As a result American Union Lodge has, with Washington Lodge No. 10, a history that is unusual in the annals of Masonic fellowship.
The record of its migration is the story of the marches of the Continental Army; where it went they . . . builded Him an altar in the
evening dews and damps.
The roll of its members and visiting brothers shows the names of leading officers of the Revolution including that of Washington.28
From Massachusetts, the lodge migrated to New York State; from there it traveled to New Jersey and Connecticut, returning at last
again to New York and Massachusetts. A singular incident in its history was the capture in the savage attack on Stony Point
(probably by Return J. Meigs) of property belonging to a lodge in the First Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment; this was returned to its
owners soon after, an act which elicited from the "brethren" among the enemy a handsome tribute of thanks.29
"Mss. Minutes of American Union Lodge, no. 1, 9. zs Second Meeting, June 24, 1779.
29 Lieut.-Col. E. A. H. Webb, History of the Services of the Seventh Regiment, 1688-1912.
Just what influence the American Union Lodge may properly be said to have had on the formation of the Ohio Company cannot be
determined with great accuracy. It is certain the rule of friendship and fellowship was strong among these men and that every plan
and hope for the future was talked over in their periodic meetings and in their daily conversation. We have noted that the tendency
of the Cincinnati was to keep the newly planned organization from being a local or merely a Massachusetts affair. The American
Union had the same influence — made up as it was of officers from practically all the northern States. When it came to circulating
the advertisement "Information" by Putnam and Tupper there can be no possible doubt that the way had been paved for it by their
conversation in their own lodges and in both American Union and Washington No. 10. In one sense, and a real one, the
establishment of the Ohio Company settlement on the banks of the Ohio was the migration of American Union Lodge; as, in not a
few instances, pioneer communities were founded by a migrating church. The four leaders of the movement, Putnam, Tupper,
Parsons, and Sargent had been prominent figures in the American Union Lodge as well as in the Order of the Cincinnati; added to
these names should be those of Major Heart, commander of Fort Harmar (who had been Master of American Union practically
throughout the War) and Colonels Sproat, Stacy, Meigs, and Oliver. Of the thirty four men named by Hildreth as prominent
figures in the Ohio Company settlement, twenty two were members of American Union Lodge; this included such a
percentage of the leaders that a list of officers of American Union Lodge and a list of Agents and Directors of the Ohio Company can
almost be substituted one for the other.
It is an easy matter to exaggerate the influence of such associations as these in the formation of the Ohio Company. It would be
wrong to suppose that the latter Company was formed with any thought of preserving any fraternal order; it was formed for the very
material purpose of bettering the fortunes of its associates; it offered the ex-soldier of the Revolution, its friends said, the best return
for his depreciated currency that existed—a return in fertile lands in the West. On the other hand, any search for the methods by
which the Ohio Company was called into existence, the means by which its membership was secured, the explanation why certain
parts of New England became particularly interested in the Ohio Valley and why an influential part of Ohio was for so long a period a
bulwark of conservative Federalism, leads one at once to the council halls of the Cincinnati and the American Union Lodge. That
these influences were most important in aiding the Company to carry through its legislative program cannot be doubted. In the end
the Company consisted of 817 shareholders less than a third of whom migrated to Ohio. That such a condition was not forseen is
plain from all records and correspondence of the originators. Their original purposes and plans must be judged without reference to
the fact that absenteeism metamorphosed the organization in a way never thought of by them.
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