41 
 
 BE 
 
 Townshend 
 
 British Invasion of 
 New Haven, Connecticut
 
 THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 LOS ANGELES
 
 THE 
 
 BRITISH INVASION 
 
 OF 
 
 New Haven, Connecticut, 
 
 TOGETHER WITH SO.ME ACCOUNT OF THEIR LANDING 
 
 AND UURNING THE TOWNS OF FAIRFIELD 
 
 AND NORWALK, JULY, 1779. 
 
 CHARLES HERVEY TOWNSHEND. 
 
 1879: 
 NEW HAVEN, CONN
 
 THE 
 
 BRITISH INVASION 
 
 New Haven, Connecticut, 
 
 TOGETHER WITH SOME ACCOUNT OF THEIR LANDING 
 
 AND BURNING THE TOWNS OF FAIRFIELD 
 
 AND NORWALK, JULY, 1779. 
 
 BY 
 
 CHARLES HERVEY TOWNSHEND. 
 
 1879: 
 NEW HAVEN, CONN.
 
 Copyright, 1878, 
 BY CHARLES HERVEY TOWNSHEND. 
 
 NEW HAVEN : 
 
 TUTTLE, MOREHOUSE & TAYLOR, PRINTERS. 
 l8 79 .
 
 E 
 
 an 
 
 NEW HAVEN, CONN., JUNE 26, 1879. 
 
 CHAS. HERVEY TOWNSEND, ESQ. 
 
 Dear Sir: We have read with great interest your recent 
 communications to the Morning Journal and Courier relating to the " Invasion of 
 New Haven by the British forces in 1779." They comprise a fuller account of 
 the incidents of that event than has yet appeared in print. For the benefit of 
 those who are to come after us, we request you now to collect and publish this 
 account in a form more accessible and permanent than the columns of a daily 
 newspaper. 
 
 Yours very sincerely, 
 
 HENRY WHITE, 
 JAMES E. ENGLISH, 
 LEVI IVES, 
 LEONARD BACON, 
 THOMAS R. TROWBRIDGE, 
 W. G-. ANDREWS, 
 
 H. B. BlGELOW, 
 
 NOAH PORTER, 
 CHAS. PETERSON, 
 ELI W. BLAKE, 
 
 THEODORE D. WOOLSEY, 
 W. L. KINGSLEY, 
 N. D. SPERRY, 
 S. E. BALDWIN, 
 E. E. BEARDSLEY, 
 CHAS. R. INGERSOLL, 
 AMOS TOWNSEND, 
 HORACE DAY, 
 LUCIUS HOTCHKISS, 
 SAMUEL HEMINGWAY, 
 
 HENRY Gr. LEWIS. 
 
 During the boyhood of the compiler it was with the greatest delight that he 
 listened to the traditional account of the invasion and evacuation of New Haven 
 by British troops, JuVy, 1779, as related by old citizens ; and as he grew older, he 
 began to note down their stories, and subsequently to verify them. Without 
 realizing it, he found the mass of material collected was sufficiently interesting to 
 himself to induce him to prepare the manuscript which from time to time has 
 appeared (by request) in print. It was his intention to let it rest in the files of a 
 morning daily paper, but having been requested by a number of gentlemen of 
 this city to reproduce the newspaper account in pamphlet form "for the benefit 
 of those who are to come after us," he has, in compliance with their wishes, 
 decided to do so. He will here say that it makes no claim as a literary produc- 
 tion ; the sole object has been to bring forward and preserve existing traditions 
 which are nearly all supported by documentary evidence obtained from official 
 sources (on both sides of the Atlantic) relating to this epoch in New Haven's 
 history. 
 
 The brief time allowed for publication will, he trusts, be a sufficient excuse for 
 repetitions and other errors. 
 
 C. H. T. 
 
 NEW HAVEN, JUNE 25, 1879.
 
 ACTION TAKEN BY NEW HA.VEN HISTORICAL SOCIETY FOR CEN- 
 TENNIAL ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION, JULY 4ra, 1879. 
 
 LETTER FROM THE RRV. DR. BACON. 
 
 Feb. 10th, 1879. 
 To the Honorable the Mayor, Aldermen and Common Council of the City of New 
 
 Haven. 
 
 Gentlemen The fourth day of July in the current year will complete the 100th 
 year since the day when New Haven was invaded by a British arrny then rav- 
 aging our coast, and by the valor of the citizen defenders was saven from the 
 intended destruction. 
 
 In behalf of the committee representing the New Haven Colony Historical 
 Society, I beg leave to submit for your consideration the question whether the 
 coming anniversary of that day might not be observed with public commem- 
 .oration. 
 
 If to you it shall seem fit and desirable thus to commemorate the fifth of July, 
 1779, we respectfully request of your honorable body the appointment of a com- 
 mittee to confer with the Historical Society, or with any other citizens concerning 
 the arrangements for such a celebration. 
 
 The committee of the Historical Society are Henry Bronson, M. D., and John- 
 son T. Platt with the subscriber, your obedient servant, 
 
 LEONARD BACON. 
 
 In response to the communication the following committee was appointed no 
 the subject by the city government : 
 
 Aldermen Fuller and Greeley, Councilmen Merrels, Doershuck, Studley, Mache- 
 leidt, Lum, Chase and O'Connor. 
 
 April 5th the following committee was nominated to act with the committee of 
 the Court of Common Council : 
 
 
 Reception Committee. 
 
 
 His Honor the Mayor, 
 
 E. S. Greeley, 
 
 Rutherford Trowbridge, 
 
 T. R. Trowbridge,, 
 
 Levi Ives, 
 
 Henry Farnam, 
 
 Noah Porter, 
 
 H. L. Hotchkiss, 
 
 S. R. Smith, 
 
 N. D. Sperry, 
 
 C. R. Ingersoll, 
 
 H. B. Harrison, 
 
 E. E. Beardsley, 
 
 L. W. Sperry, 
 
 J. M. Bacon, 
 
 H. G-. Lewis, 
 
 A. C. Hendrick, 
 
 Maier Zunder, 
 
 Dr. Bacon, 
 
 T. A. Tuttle, 
 
 J. G. Healey, 
 
 R. S. Ives, 
 
 G. M. Harmon, 
 
 G. H. Ford, 
 
 Frank Hooker, 
 
 Chas. H. Townsend, 
 
 W. J. Atwater, 
 
 Jerome B. Lucke, 
 
 J. D. Dewell, 
 
 Cyrus Northrop, 
 
 Fred. Botsford, 
 
 Patrick O'Connor. 
 
 Herbert E. Benton, 
 
 C. K. 
 
 Dunn, J. G. 
 
 Phile. 
 
 A sub-committee, consisting of Rev. Dr. Bacon, Colonel John E. Earle, Capt. 
 Charles H. Townseud, George A. Harmon, General S. R. Smith, Chief A. C. 
 Hendrick, Rutherford Trowbridge, William J. Atwater, and M. Frank Tyler, was 
 appointed to prepare a plan for a celebration. 
 
 Early in June the city government appropriated $1,500 to be expended for the 
 celebration, and $3,500 additional was subscribed by citizens. 
 
 Many meetings of the general and sub-committees followed, and the work 
 of preparation was entered into with great zeal and spirit, and a general public 
 interest was manifested. Other committees were appointed. 
 
 The following Citizens' Committee was appointed : 
 
 ON INVITATIONS. His Honor H. B. Bigelow, General S. R. Smith, Chief A. C. 
 Hendrick, Chief Charles Webster, Capt. Thomas K. Dunn, Charles E. Fowler, 
 Frederick Botsford, Fred. H. Waldron, A. H. Hurlburt, Patrick O'Connor, F. H. 
 Hooker, Capt. Geo. M. Harmon, Jerome B. Lucke, Herbert E. Benton, William 
 Rodman, Henry D. Walker, Rutherford Trowbridge, George R. Cooley, A. Hea- 
 ton Robertson, John P. Studley, and William A. Beers.
 
 ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO. 
 
 As historians have told us, the Colony of Connecticut made 
 itself very obnoxious to the British, Hessian and Tory troops 
 stationed in and around the neighborhood of New York, by having 
 manufactured largely for the Continentals munitions of war, 
 army and navy supplies, besides fitting out frequent expeditions 
 by land and water, causing great annoyance to the invaders 
 and their Tory sympathizers, and seriously interfering with all 
 plans laid down by the British Government and the commanding- 
 general of the army, Sir Henry Clinton, Kt., who, in the spring of 
 1779, had his headquarters at the city of New York. 
 
 Sir Henry, therefore, considering the great assistance this 
 Colony had rendered to the rebellion, it having furnished more 
 troops than any other except Massachusetts, and as more than 
 three-fourths of its inhabitants were disloyal, conceived a plan to 
 inflict on it a severe punishment as soon as his successful expedi- 
 tion up the Hudson should return, after it had captured Stony 
 Point and other strong works held by the Americans on both 
 sides of the river below 'West Point. He accordingly organized 
 a plan for a summer's campaign into Connecticut, the approach to 
 be made from New York via East River and Long Island Sound. 
 The land forces for this expedition, 3,000 well disciplined and 
 perfectly equipped troops, were placed under the command of 
 Major General William Try on, who was then Colonial Governor 
 of New York. They were embarked on board a fleet just 
 returned from an expedition to the Chesapeake which had 
 been commanded by Commodore Sir George Collier, Kt., who 
 was then the senior officer on the North American station and 
 acting Commander-in-chief of all the British naval forces in 
 American waters. The fleet was manned by a crew of sailors 
 and marines estimated at 2,000 men, and was the largest 
 that had ever entered Long Island Sound.* The ships se- 
 
 * The fleet, afterwards employed to transport the British from Newport to New 
 York, consisting of 110 sail, passed New Haven by daylight, making a fine display. 
 2
 
 lected were of light draught, and the largest was the Camilla 
 frigate, Captain Collins, on which Sir George hoisted his pennant 
 as flagship. The others were the Greyhound, Captain Dickson ; 
 the Scorpion, Captain - ; and probably the Virginia. These 
 and other men-of-war, with transports and tenders to the number 
 of 48 sail, dropped down the East river, passing Hell Gate, to the 
 
 entrance of the Sound, and rendezvoused off Whitestone, where 
 
 ' . 
 
 they were joined by the commanding general and staff. About 
 
 the 1st of July they got under way, with light southwest gales 
 and fine weather, and arrived off Huntington, L. I., July 3. There 
 they were joined by the Commodore, Sir George, who then made 
 known to the expedition that New Haven was their port of 
 debarkation. 
 
 The sea and land forces are estimated at 5,000 men. Besides 
 the commanding officers already mentioned there we.re Brigadier- 
 General Garth, Colonel William Fanning, Colonel Parker, 
 Adjt. Campbell, and two brothers, William and Thomas Chandler 
 (sons of Joshua Chandler, of New Haven, barrister-at-law), the 
 last of whom acted as guides to the expedition, the former to the 
 west and the latter to the east division as they marched on the 
 town. The movement of this fleet was watched from the north 
 shore while its rendezvous was at Whitestone, and its approach 
 announced by signals made from the principal headlands by day 
 and beacon fires at night. It was hardly known to the people 
 of New Haven that their town was the enemy's destination (it 
 having been rumored that a fleet was preparing for the eastward, 
 and Newport or New London were supposed to be its first place of 
 rendezvous) until they had passed Stratford and nearly reached 
 our harbor, which was late on the evening of July 4th. 
 
 That night about 10 o'clock, the signal gun aroused the people of 
 this neighborhood, and about midnight the whole fleet was at 
 anchor, the large ships about one mile southwest of the reef of rocks 
 known as Southwest Ledge, on which the new light-house now 
 stands. The small vessels came into the mouth of the harbor, and 
 at 5 o'clock, July 5th (which was at about high tide), the First 
 division of 1,500 men and four field pieces had landed at Savin 
 Rock, under the protection of the guns of the small vessels and 
 galleys, which had come well into the harbor. This division of 
 1,500 perfectly disciplined and equipped troops, the flower of the 
 expedition, was under the command of Brig. -Gen. Garth, and con- 
 sisted of the flank companies of the Guards, the Fiisileers, the
 
 Fifty-fourth regiment, and a detachment of the Yagers, and it im- 
 mediately marched to West Haven Green, where they seemed to 
 have arrived without much annoyance or delay. We will turn our 
 attention to the fleet at anchor in the offing with the Second division, 
 which, on return of the boats after landing the First division, 
 entered the boats at about 8 P. M., and were pulling for the shore 
 with their commander, General Tryon. This body, of about 
 1,500 men, was composed of the Twenty-third regiment, the Hes- 
 sian Landgrave, King's American regiment, and two pieces 
 of cannon. An eye-witness mentions standing on the site at 
 Morris Point, where the old light-house stands, and thus describes 
 the imposing scene : " Before, looking seaward, were the broad 
 waters of Long Island Sound, and north and westward New 
 Haven's beautiful bay, both studded with the ships of the enemy's 
 fleet, the shore fringed with summer green forest and meadow, 
 and in the back-ground the ' Old Sentinels,' the ' Red Mounts ' 
 (East and West Rocks), standing forth in bold relief, seeming to 
 say, ' Thus far arid no farther shalt thou come, for all before us is 
 under our care. One step farther and we will arouse the " Sleep- 
 ing Giant" (Mt. Carmel), who will dash thee back from whence 
 thou earnest ; leave us in peace is all we ask.' " 
 
 As soon as the boats got within range, the field piece, which a 
 company of East Haven patriots had hauled to the beach at 
 Morris Point and masked, opened fire, and when half a mile 
 distant the line of boats divided, one division putting into Morris 
 Cove; but on account of the well-served battery of three guns 
 on Black Rock they were compelled to land near where the Grove 
 House wharf is built. The other landed on the beach east of the 
 outer rocky point, and as it landed an officer hailed the shore, 
 saying, "Disperse, ye rebels," and the next moment fell back into 
 the boat, dead, from the fire of this detachment, who were armed 
 with rifles. This was the first of the enemy killed on the east 
 shore, and it was probably Ensign and Adjutant Walkins of the 
 King's American regiment, which was commanded by Colonel 
 Edmund Fanning, a graduate of Yale College and son-in-law of 
 Major General Tryon. The influence of this officer, it is said, con- 
 tributed to save the town in the latter part of the day from being 
 consigned to the flames. 
 
 It is probable that the firing on this division while landing, 
 by the small company of the patriots, consisting of not more 
 than fifty men, was the occasion of the wholesale destruction of
 
 the houses and barns and fields of grain, with one or two excep- 
 tions, on the road leading from Morris Point to both ferries. 
 This company was probably under the direction of Captain Josiah 
 Bradley and Captain Amos Morris, the owner of the Morris 
 estate, and said to be a near relative of the Morrises of Morrisana, 
 in Westchester county, New York. His commission, which he 
 had probably resigned, as captain of the 3d company of Train 
 band of New Haven, still in the possession of the family, bears 
 date Oct. 31st, 1748, signed by Thomas Fitch, Esq., general and 
 commander-in-chief of His Majesty's Colony of Connecticut, and 
 witnessed by his secretary, George Wyllys. His son, Thomas 
 Morris, was town clerk of East Haven. 
 
 Before proceeding farther with the second division, an outline 
 description of the topography of the west part of East Haven 
 town and a description of some of its roads, as they then existed, 
 may be useful as a guide to follow the invaders on their march. 
 
 The patriots fell back on their main body, who were entrenched 
 on Beacon Hill (now the site of Fort Wooster), but were driven 
 out after considerable slaughter of the enemy, and made a final 
 stand on the Heights, east of Fair Haven, Foxon and Saltonstall 
 mountains, with outposts on East Haven green. 
 
 The main body, after forming on the beach and thi-owing out 
 skirmishers, one party going along the Fowler Creek meadows, 
 east side, and the other along the beach, protected by a section of 
 marines and sailors in boats in Morris Cove, took up its march. 
 The road led from the town of New Haven over the bridge 
 across Mill river to the Neck, which bore at the time and lias ever 
 since, the name " Neck Bridge," and is noted as being the place 
 where Goffe and Whalley, the Regicide Judges, concealed them- 
 selves by standing under it, in water chin deep, while the 
 officers sent by Charles II. to arrest them rode over the bridge. 
 This road forked to the south-east, meeting the river at Pardee 
 Ferry, near the present west end of Quinnipiac bridge. The 
 other fork of the road followed along the foot of East Rock, across 
 Lewis' bridge and meadows, eastward toward Middletown and 
 Connecticut river, branching southward through the Davenport 
 Farm and east of Fair Haven Heights until it came to the resi- 
 dence of the late George Landcraft, Avhere a short path joined the 
 Pardee Ferry, east side, at Red Rock. It then went south- 
 ward from Landcraft's, by a circuitous route, past Mr. Roswell 
 Landcraft's to Woodwardtown, then forking eastward to East
 
 9 
 
 Haven Center, and southward to Morris Cove and Fowler Creek. 
 There were two roads leading from Woodwardtown to the two 
 ferries, both of which were in continual -use during the evening's 
 sojourn of the troops in this vicinity. The lower ferry crossing 
 from Stable Point a few rods north of the east end of Tomlinson's 
 Bridge, connected with a street from the town through the Oyster 
 Shell Fields, to about the head of Bridge street. On this site was 
 a bluff with trees on it similar to the cedars below Hallock Place. 
 On this bluff was an earthwork, armed with guns taken from a 
 vessel that had been hauled up the Mill and Quinnipiac rivers out 
 of harm's way. The earthwork with those on Beacon Hill and at 
 the West river and Black Rock Fort, poorly manned, were the 
 only obstacles that this powerful land and sea force had to oppose 
 them. I will here add that the shores of the town at this date 
 faced the harbor and Mill river, with bluffs from Neck Bridge to 
 the Dyke, the other side of which was Mt. Pleasant, quite an 
 important rise within the memory of the writer. Here and there 
 was a gully, letting off the surface water which had collected on 
 the plateau east of the town, and from parts not drained by the 
 two creeks. 
 
 As the advance guard of this division approached the Morris 
 mansion, it is probable that they were frequently fired upon, and 
 this grand old manor house, built of stone (but now sheathed 
 with pine), was consigned to the flames, as well as all barns and 
 outbuildings and several fields of grain ; also the cattle and other 
 animals were slaughtered and sent on board the fleet as rations for 
 the crews. Captain Morris and some friends barely escaped cap- 
 ture, and in less than one hour nothing remained but the black 
 walls and towering chimneys of one of Connecticut's finest man- 
 sions. The march from the Point to the Palisades opposite the 
 residence of the late Admiral Gregory's family was very rapid, 
 and three houses belonging to the Pardees, and one to a brother 
 of Captain Morris, were destroyed. One of the Pardee houses, 
 (Jacob Pardee's, father of Capt. Chandler Pardee), was held, how- 
 ever, for a short time as Tryon's headquarters. General Tryon ,it 
 appears, landed here, and from the top of the Palisades he prob- 
 ably directed the storming of the Rock Fort, which resulted in the 
 slaughter of several of its brave defenders, besides numbers of the 
 enemy, while the captain and others were made prisoners of war 
 and carried away on the fleet. Among them were Joseph Tuttle 
 and son, whose house, which stood on the west side of the road a
 
 10 
 
 few rods north of the Townsend house, was at that moment in 
 flames. 
 
 The enemy did not get possession of the Rock Fort until its 
 brave defenders had expended all their ammunition. The brave 
 patriots then spiked and dismounted the guns, and those that were 
 able when the landing party took possession retreated along the 
 beach northward, but were captured when not far distant by the 
 skirmishers. The advance guard of the main body had by this 
 time arrived at about the site of the residence of the Hon. Charles 
 L. Mitchell, and were marching in columns at a double quick, with 
 fixed bayonets, drums beating and colors flying, carrying all 
 before them like the whirlwind. 
 
 Mr. Joseph Pardee's home was now a smoking mass of ruins. 
 The family had barely time to throw into an ox cart valuables 
 which they buried in Bridge swamp, a few rods north-east of 
 Jeddy Andrews' house. The enemy destroyed everything there, 
 and several of them had bit the dust and were buried in the thick 
 woods just off the road. Our troops were forced back, step by 
 step, but were being now largely reinforced from North Haven, 
 Hamden, Cheshire and Wallingford. Some of the East Haven 
 patriots had fallen back on the road east of Prospect Hill ; others 
 remained with the main body, fighting and disputing every inch 
 of the way and keeping up a galling fire upon the British from 
 bushes and hedges in front and flank; and from this point was a 
 continual slaughter, until the earthworks on Beacon Hill were 
 
 ~ * 
 
 carried. They had now reached a more open country than the 
 Morris and Gregson grants just passed over, and were on the 
 Tuttle grant, which had its northern boundary at the second ferry 
 at Red Rock. 
 
 The tide having turned flood, during the afternoon and toward 
 high water Sir George detailed a squadron of light draught ves- 
 sels, galleys and fleet boats to assist the land force on the east 
 side, who seem to have met with a check. Leaving the "Camilla" 
 and fleet in charge of Captain Collins, and taking command of 
 this squadron in person, the Commodore sailed up the bay, anchor- 
 ing his vessels according to their draught, the last one, a gun boat, 
 athwart the first ferry opposite the earthworks on the bluff' (now 
 Bridge street), which was then occupied by His Majesty's troops 
 as well as the Pier, now a part of Union or Long Wharf. 
 
 The condition of affairs in the harbor at 2 o'clock was about 
 this : A line of the enemy's ships lay anchored the whole length
 
 11 
 
 of the bay, with springs on their cables and guns run out on both 
 sides ready to belch forth fire and destruction as soon as the 
 expected order should be given to fire the town. 
 
 I have often heard described the appearance of this divis- 
 ion marching in column (on the road since named Townsend 
 avenue) by those whose fathers were eye-witnesses of the 
 scene. On each side of the road, two rods wide, was fencing, 
 composed of bushes, stone, and, in some instances a Virginia 
 fence. The patriot fojces were about equally divided, some in the 
 road, and some in the fields, keeping back the skirmishers, and 
 getting an occasional volley into the advance guard, always with 
 effect. 
 
 There were also two field pieces in the street, which would open 
 a raking fire, and then be rapidly hauled back by the brave 
 patriots and then moved to a new position, each shot making a 
 swath through the ranks of the invaders. On the left, and just 
 north of the Townsend house, stood the quiet home of Mr. 
 Joseph Tuttle, surrounded with gardens, orchards and meadow, 
 and his golden field of grain, just ripe for the harvest, but not yet 
 cut. Before, looking westward, a landscape of remarkable and 
 diversified beauty, and at the time said to be second to none in 
 New England ; the pointed spires of the "old" churches (Trinity 
 and Red Brick), with Yale College just peeping through the trees, 
 marking the spot of future wealth and increasing knowledge. To 
 the north-east, Beacon Hill, then often called Grave and Tuttle 
 Hill, on which was marshalled the flower of New Haven's yeo- 
 manry. Eastward, and directly back of the Townsend house, is 
 Prospect Hill, on which next day, when the enemy were retiring 
 to their ships, one of the signal corps was stationed (by the chief- 
 tain's grave, a red sandstone boulder), out of whose number the 
 commander and two of his men (whose remains were buried at the 
 foot of the hill) were picked off by Captain Jedediah Andrews and 
 some of his neighbors. Andrews and party had crawled up in a 
 louse fog then prevailing, under cover of the hedges and bushes, 
 and picked off their men with their Queen Anne arms, or long 
 ducking guns, while the party was cooking a sheep for breakfast. 
 Evergreens, o'errun with bittersweet and greenbrier, now mark 
 the spot. 
 
 Mr. Joseph Tnttle, before mentioned, had gone forth the morn- 
 ing of the 5th, with his eldest son, then a lad of 1 7, to meet the 
 invader and fight for his home and fireside. They were of the
 
 tt 
 
 little garrison of 19 men under the command (supposed) of Capt. 
 Moulthrop in the Rock Fort, and were among the number cap- 
 tured and carried away by the fleet to New York. His wile with 
 six children (one an infant) yoked the oxen, threw a few useful 
 things into the cart, buried the silver plate in an iron pot among 
 some weeds in the garden, and went to the north part of the 
 town, looking behind at their home in flames. They were the 
 parents of the Rev. Timothy Tuttle, of Ledyard, Connecticut, a 
 graduate of Yale College. 
 
 The enemy had now nearly i-eached the object of their march, 
 but here met with a severe check. To the north-east of the Tuttle 
 house, on the site of the residence of the Hon. A. L. Fabrique, 
 was a clump of bushes, and toward the road a brush hedge. Some 
 40 of the patriots masked themselves behind this hedge. Below, 
 our troops were hard pressed, as the enemy's cannon were better 
 served, and it was decided to make one more stand, fire and fall 
 back up the road to the entrenchment on Beacon Hill where they 
 had sent their cannon. As the enemy followed, the party behind 
 the fence were to welcome them with a shower of leaden hail and 
 then fall back to the hill. 
 
 The stand was made when the enemy were about half way 
 s between the site of the Mitchell and Townsend houses. The 
 order was given to fire, which was accomplished with consider- 
 able effect. A general stampede was then started as agreed upon, 
 but Mr. Adam Thorp, of Cheshire, did not believe in running. 
 So when he had reached about the site of the north gate at Town- 
 send house, he turned and declared he would not run another step 
 for all Great Britain, loaded and fired his piece and soon fell 
 pierced with -many bullets. He was the first man of the patriots, 
 killed on the east side, that we have any record of, and his 
 grave was marked with a stone bearing this inscription, " Here 
 fell Adam Thorp, July 5th, I'Z'ZQ." I will here diverge by saying 
 Honor our illustrious and patriotic dead with suitable monu- 
 ments, as England always has done. No stone now marks the < spot 
 where this brave man was buried. 
 
 This check brought the whole division to a halt, and after 
 the smoke had cleared the scene, and the rebels were found 
 to be actually retreating toward the hill, the division again 
 advanced at the double quick and the advance guard had 
 quite passed the party of patriots in the bushes, when Capt. 
 Bradley said to them, " Wait until you can see their eyes
 
 13 
 
 and then fire and run," which was done with tremendous 
 effect. The street was strewn with killed and wounded. The 
 Tuttle house, barns and outhouses and fields of waving grain 
 were all fired at once. The booming guns from the ships in 
 the bay, the awful heat and great excitement of the day must 
 have suggested to the invaders that direful place which the 
 good Dr. Dodd taught the existence of, to the descendants of 
 these brave patriots. 
 
 The small party that fell back to the hill and were pursued by 
 the British in hot haste, had lost one of their field pieces, but the 
 other was now opened upon the enemy from that point and was 
 served with good effect, causing them to halt under the depres- 
 sion of the hill out of range, at a spot a few rods north of the 
 new residence of Mr. H. H. Benedict and that of E. J. Upson, 
 Esq. There, lying flat on the ground and out of harm's way, 
 they rested, waiting for reinforcements, which having come up, 
 the hill was stormed, the patriots falling back, some northward 
 towards the Ferry, others to the heights about Saltonstall, and 
 another party, of which Chandler Pardee was one, toward the 
 fresh meadow, where Mr. Pardee was shot through the lungs by 
 a ball from the party in pursuit and left for dead. Soon after, he 
 was taken to the Gov. Saltonstall house, and the next day Dr. 
 Hubbard, of New Haven, extracted the ball and he recovered to 
 tell the story, while a prisoner at New York, to the same party of 
 soldiers, who had left him, as they had supposed, dying on the 
 field. Near the spot where Chandler Pardee fell, just north of 
 the road, and west of Tuttle Brook, lived Samuel Tuttle, father 
 of the late Frederick William Tuttle, Esq., a lineal descendant 
 of William Tuttle, the original grantee, who was of the family 
 of Tuttle, or Tuthill, which gave several Lord Mayors to the 
 City of Exeter, County Devon, England. Mr. Tuttle had with 
 his neighbors in the morning marched to meet the foe, but being 
 satisfied the day was lost returned home and started with a cart 
 load of household effects for the quarry east of the upper ferry, 
 where lived an Englishman, William Day, who had lately married 
 Abigail Woodward, grand-niece of Rev. John Woodward, who 
 on his coming here purchased 600 acres of the Tuttle grant and 
 was ancestor of the Woodwards, of Woodwardtown. 
 
 While Messrs. Tuttle and Day were storing away their goods 
 in the quarry the Chandler Pardee party and their pursuers 
 passed near his house, which was set on fire. Mrs. T. rushed out 
 3
 
 14 
 
 with her children into the uncut grass and rested there. Some 
 one called out to her to look out, and she saw the regulars 
 aiming their muskets. She called to the children to lie down in 
 the grass and say their prayers as they had but one minute to 
 live, and the next moment the whole volley went over their 
 heads. The pursuers passed on but lost their game, and the 
 neighbors put the fire out with water from the brook. This 
 party seems to have made the circuit of the peat meadow, and 
 coming back found Day and Tuttle and made them prisoners. 
 Their cattle were afterward slaughtered. Day made his escape 
 by showing them the spring of water in the rear of Mr. W. S. 
 Landcraft's house, one of them saying to him, " When I'm 
 drinking I cannot see all that passes." Tuttle was carried to 
 New York where he was detained six months. Immediately on 
 occupying Beacon Hill, Gen. Tryon made it his headquarters and 
 sent a detachment to occupy the village of East Haven, but the 
 enemy's advance got only as far as the "Stone Meeting House," 
 which they ransacked for plate and then fell back to the knoll 
 west of the church, near the present residence ol Edward Granniss, 
 Esq. From the knoll, shots were constantly exchanged between 
 the patriots and the British, and when the old Bradley House 
 was pulled down, many bullet-holes were found in its timbers, 
 thus serving to sustain the tradition. As Gen. Tryon in his 
 dispatch to Sir Henry Clinton mentions meeting Garth in town 
 during the afternoon, it is probable he met there also Sir George 
 Collier, when a council of war was called which resulted in a 
 speedy and immediate evacuation. 
 
 Besides occupying the western outskirts of East Haven village, 
 one detachment was sent to Ferry Hill, another to the hill north 
 of Captain Stephen Thompson's, and here in the evening was 
 roasted an ox which was distributed to the soldiers of the several 
 corps ; also forty head of cattle which had been driven in by 
 the foraging expedition, and sheep, pigs and poultry in great 
 numbers, were slaughtered and sent on board of the fleet. 
 
 The field piece used on Beacon Hill was brought here on the 
 retreat and fired a number of times, but at last abandoned, 
 spiked and rolled down the hill into the bushes near Mr. Koswell 
 Landcraft's house, where it was found and sent on board the fleet. 
 After the enemy had left, Mr. Isaac Pardee took from this hill 
 many sheep and cattle skins and tanned them. While widening 
 Townsend Avenue, June, lS7o, a tradition of the slaughter of the
 
 15 
 
 enemy near the Tuttle house was well sustained by the discovery 
 of human bones found while moving stumps of trees planted by 
 the late William Kneeland Townsend, Esq., forty years before. 
 These bones were proved not to be Indian by Dr. T. Beers 
 Townsend, who was on the spot when the graves were opened, 
 and he made a most careful examination. These dead were all 
 probably buried in the ryelands, on the west side of the road and 
 just north of the Tuttle mansion, and the spot being burned over, 
 the locality of the graves was not discovered ; and as many 
 wounded soldiers were seen taken to the boat and carried on 
 board the fleet, it was supposed that the dead were also removed 
 in order to hide their great loss. While the doctor was making 
 a careful examination of the bones, the writer, with a spade, 
 thoroughly searched the graves, and besides bones found a 
 number of German silver buttons, and some of lead and com- 
 position (white metal), about the size of a dime. A copper coin 
 was also found, which has excited much interest. It was the size 
 of an English half-penny and known as a stiver. It had a hole in 
 the circumference and was probably held by means of a string 
 attached to the neck of the wearer. On the face side is the 
 following motto: "Dominus Auxit Nomen" ("the Lord increased 
 our glory ") ; in its center the figure of a man with a mantle about 
 his loins, in a sitting position, left hand on his hip and in his right 
 hand a sword drawn over the head as if to strike ; to the right a 
 laurel branch. The figure is represented sitting inside a circular 
 fence with gate in front. The other side is a laurel wreath with 
 the word in center, " HOLLANLIA." The date looks beaten 
 out as with a hammer; but Dr. Jonathan Edwards, of Yale 
 College, who has kindly looked the matter up for me, being an 
 expert and the best authority, says this coin was struck off 
 between the years 1648 and 1795 in Holland, a province (sic) of 
 the Netherlands. A pompon socket of brass, bell shaped, was 
 also found. It had also upon it a No. 8 or 5, with the following 
 letters, D. M. A. U. X., as traced by Dr. E.'s powerful micro- 
 scope. The above relics satisfy me that these were the graves 
 of soldiers belonging to Tryon's division, killed while marching 
 on the town of New Haven.* 
 
 i 
 
 * The writer, during a visit to Europe, substantiated this impression fully, dis- 
 covering and obtaining in an old print store in Paris some colored engravings of 
 the uniforms worn by the Hessian Landgraves, a regiment of which WHS a 
 part of the Second division of Tryon's army, which participated in the different 
 engagements on East Haven shore.
 
 16 
 
 Immediately on the capture of Beacon Hill, General Tryon 
 crossed over the lower ferry to the town, where he met in council 
 of war Sir George Collier and General Garth and other officers 
 of the expedition. At the same time a detachment of his 
 division marched through Woodwardtown for both ferries and 
 encamped on the Neck and opened communication with the town. 
 
 On their line of march, the dwelling houses of John Wood- 
 ward, Sen., and John Woodward, Ji\, were burned. The former 
 stood on the site of the present Woodward mansion ; the latter 
 of stone, sheathed with pine, is now part of the residence of 
 Collis Granniss, Esq. All cattle, sheep, swine and poultry, and 
 everything else of value, was appropriated by the enemy and 
 carried off. The next places destroyed were the residences of 
 Jehiel Forbes and Mr. Tuttle at Waterside. Mr. Hughes' house 
 was left standing, being used as officers' quarters. The house was 
 taken down shortly after the war and a portion of the frame used 
 in the construction of the house now occupied by Mr. Henry 
 Burr (his wife being a granddaughter of Mr. Hughes), for many 
 years agent of the New Haven, Hartford and Springfield Rail- 
 road Company at Meriden, Conn. I cannot allow his name to 
 pass without more than ordinary mention. One of "Nature's 
 noblemen," he at the first roar of the guns of the late great 
 rebellion left his lucrative occupation and threw aside the com- 
 forts of home, family and friends, and marched forth to defend 
 his country's flag, her constitution and laws, and after weary 
 marches and many battles we find him wounded on the battle- 
 field of Antietam, where he had lain for hours among the dead. 
 After the amputation of one of his limbs he remained for months 
 in the hospital, returning to his home crippled in his country's 
 service, but with the same honest name and reputation that he 
 had always borne. Pensioned, 'tis true, but on a paltry pittance ; 
 small compensation for all his sacrifice. Having destroyed the 
 Tuttle and Forbes places and the new house just built by Mr. Elam 
 Ludington, at Waterside, this detachment either fell back on Ferry 
 Hill or crossed over by the lower, or Hughes ferry, on the Neck 
 and joined the other which had crossed at the upper, leaving only 
 a corporal's guard at this ferry. After the war Mr. Forbes, with 
 the energy of his race, restored this beautiful residence, which is 
 to-day the finest stone house in the town, showing not only the 
 excellent taste of the builder, but the good quality of its mate- 
 rial. Its date is 1767. There was one other bouse not destroyed
 
 17 
 
 besides the Hughes house, which stood near the upper ferry, and 
 belonged to Mr. Pardee, the ferryman,* and was for many years 
 the residence of William B. Goodyear, Esq.. of this city, a lineal 
 descendant of Gov. Stephen Goodyear of the New Haven Colony, 
 and who, a short time since, erected a beautiful monument in 
 Centerville Cemetery to the memory of this honored Deputy 
 Governor of the old Colony. This Gov. Goodyear was the first 
 in New Haven to offer material aid tendering his house for the 
 purpose for a college, and a vote of thanks for the same appears 
 in the old town records of Guilford. 
 
 The council of war was probably held in the old State House, 
 which stood near the site of Trinity Church. Of this council 
 were, Sir George Collier, Kt., Maj. Gen. Tryon, Brig. Gen. Garth, 
 and other officers of the British army and navy, and probably 
 several loyal gentlemen of the town, whose earnest petitions, with 
 Col. Fanning's efforts, saved a conflagration. After the council 
 was over the principal officers made a tour of inspection of the 
 place, and it is said that from the top of the old Admiral Foote 
 house, corner of Temple and Chapel streets, a bird's-eye view was 
 taken; the officers being exceedingly delighted with the beautiful 
 surroundings, and Gen. Garth made the remark, " 'Tis too pretty 
 a place to burn." The abusive and cruel treatment of the 
 inhabitants, the wanton and malicious destruction of property 
 that could not be carried away, sufficiently proves that it was not 
 owing to good will that the town was saved. It is not the writer's 
 intention to enlarge on the depredations of the drunken and hos- 
 tile soldiery, but I will here recite an incident which will illustrate 
 how the towns-people, after being turned over to the soldiery, 
 were treated. Capt. Abraham Bradley and wife, Amy Heming- 
 way, resided on the corner of State and Chapel streets. The 
 remains of Mrs. Bradley lie in the beautiful crypt under Center 
 Church recently opened through the public spirit and most efficient 
 aid of Thomas 11. Trowbridge, Jr., Esq. This lady was sister of 
 Mary Hemingway, wife of Ezekiel Hayes, Esq., great uncle of the 
 President of the United States. The captain had been out all the 
 morning trying to prevent the enemy getting into the town, and 
 had returned, hid his musket and become a quiet citizen, deciding 
 to keep in the house the rest of the day. Soon after the corporal's 
 
 * Mr. Pardee was descended from Geo. Pardee, first Principal of the Hopkins 
 Grammar School, 1660. This family bought the Ferry from the Browns, it 
 belonging to their grant of land.
 
 18 
 
 squad came in and demanded rum. Not having any he took 
 them, they leaving a guard in the house, to Mr. Thaddeus 
 Beecher's, corner of Chapel and Church streets, but was made to 
 go through the hot sun without his hat. The wife, almost dis- 
 tracted at the absence of her husband, was soon unexpectedly 
 relieved by his return. The rum had done its part, but in the 
 meantime the soldiers left at the house had broken or destroyed 
 everything they could ; crockery, looking glasses, windows, pic- 
 tures torn from the frames and bedding ripped up with bayonets 
 and short swords. Mrs. B. kept busy about the house and said 
 nothing. Finally one of them espied her string of gold beads 
 and tore it from her neck, but was at that moment stopped by an 
 elegantly dressed officer, who entered the house and seeing the 
 robbery, ordered the beads placed on her little daughter's neck 
 and thus they were saved, and in the shape of a gold chain re- 
 main in the family to this day. This little daughter was after- 
 ward Mrs. Hervey Mulford, and the officer was General Garth. 
 
 A sentinel was then placed in the house, and another outside, and 
 the rest of the soldiers ordered away. Soon after, the one in the 
 house cut his buttons off his coat for little Nancy Bradley to play 
 with, and while so doing a corporal came along and seeing him 
 on the floor playing with the little girl, knocked him over the 
 head with his musket and left him bleeding on the floor. Mrs. B. 
 stopped work, dressed the fellow's wound, and soon after he was 
 relieved. 
 
 Among the patriots that went forth to meet the invaders were 
 Caleb and Jona Hotchkiss (cousins), paternal and maternal great 
 grandfathers of Henry L. Hotchkiss, Esq., of this city. Mr. 
 Caleb Hotchkiss was shot dead by the enemy just as they entered 
 the town. Mr. Jona Hotchkiss escaped, having captured a Hes- 
 sian* in Hotchkisstown woods, taking from him a fine musket and 
 box filled with cartridges, Mr. H. having only one charge left and 
 that was in his gun. The weapon is now deposited in the Museum 
 of the New Haven Colony Historical Society. The way that Mr. 
 H. captured his man was by " surrounding " him. It seems that, 
 passing a clump of bushes, Mr. H. heard a rustling sound and 
 called, "Who's there?" and from the reply he knew it was a 
 foreign soldier. He at once ordered a halt, sent (imaginary) Jirn 
 
 * The enemy intended to destroy the Powder and Paper Mills and actually 
 entered the latter, but were driven off and 14 of their number captured.
 
 19 
 
 to right and Joe to left, and David was sent for reinforcements. 
 He then commanded the man to come forth and surrender, which 
 was done without resistance. 
 
 The council of war now found that their losses in officers and 
 men had been very heavy and that the rebels were better armed 
 than they expected, and had made a very stubborn resistance ; that 
 the country around New Haven being very hilly it was not safe 
 to go far inland for forage ; that large reinforcements with heavy 
 cannon were actually occupying high ground about the north 
 part of the city, and that the militia commanded by Generals 
 Ward and Hart were coming in from all directions. The harbor 
 was shoal and many of the vessels at this moment (8 P. M., July 
 5th) were touching the bottom, and one large vessel did actually 
 lay on her broadside, guns just out of water, during this low tide. 
 It was therefore agreed to hold the north and west part of the 
 town over night with a part of the first division and the balance 
 of the tired and drunken soldiers were collected on the Green or 
 Market Place and commanded to lay on their arms all night 
 ready if attacked, while sentinels were placed the whole length 
 of York, George, State and Grove streets. Gen. Tryon then 
 went to his camp on the Neck, or on the East Haven Heights, and 
 Sir George Collier on board his vessel at the pier. The pier was 
 then that part of Long Wharf in the channel and not connected 
 with the land end. Commodore Collier was fired on from a 
 chamber window as he passed down the street ; he also had two 
 very narrow escapes while landing his marines and sailors. Gen. 
 Garth remained with his division, and by daylight (about high 
 water) the whole division had embarked in boats sent from the 
 fleet, some crossing over the ferries and marching to Black Rock 
 Fort with the second division, where they embarked after firing the 
 barracks. As the last boat shoved off from the East Haven shore, 
 the Pardee house in Morris Cove, in which officers had been posted, 
 was standing. This boat was ordered back and the house burned, 
 making the eleventh house besides as many barns destroyed by the 
 enemy.* After the war, to meet these losses and others of a 
 similar nature, in May, 1 792, the General Assembly of Connecticut 
 passed an act appropriating 500,000 acres of land west of Pennsyl- 
 
 * The next winter Mr. Pardee drew on the ice across the harbor, on sledges, a 
 house from the foot of Olive street (Old ship yard), and placed it on the same 
 foundation and there lived.
 
 20 
 
 vania, for the relief of the sufferers by fire. The damage and 
 
 amount of each person's loss in East Haven was estimated by 
 commissioners appointed for the purpose, as follows: 
 
 . s. (1. 
 
 Amos Morris 1,235 15 4 
 
 John Woodward, 838 17 3 
 
 John Woodward, Jr., 740 19 11 
 
 Elam Luddington, 408 6 7 
 
 Joseph Tuttle, . 79 9 5 
 
 Jacob and Abijah Pardee, 402 8 2 
 
 Jehiel Forbes, 173 13 1 
 
 Mary Pardee, 134 14 
 
 Mary and Lydia Pardee, 40 8 4 
 
 Noah Tucker, 99 17 4 
 
 Total 4,154 9 5 
 
 Equal in dollars at the time, $23,843.24 
 
 Gurdon Bradley lost 66 in a sloop which was burned. The 
 enemy plundered the inhabitants of all they could carry off. The 
 whole loss to East Haven by the invasion was at least $25,000. 
 The land given the East Haven sufferers was located in Itfew Con- 
 necticut, Ohio, bordering on Lake Erie and called the Fire land. 
 These sufferers not caring, as they said, to own lands beyond 
 where the moon sets, threw their grants into market, and Kuee- 
 land and Isaac Townsend bought their land warrants soon after 
 1 800, and finally, with other lands they had bought, located their 
 whole tract, 22,000 acres, in Huron County, Ohio, naming their 
 township, Townsend. Here Kneeland Townsend built a block 
 house in which to trade with the Indians and early settlers, which 
 was constructed with loop holes for defensive purposes if necessary. 
 
 So sudden and unexpected was the evacuation of the town to its 
 inhabitants and the surrounding militia that it was broad daylight 
 before the militia marched in, and then (about 6 A. M., July 6th) 
 took quiet possession. The enemy fired the buildings on Long 
 Wharf as the last boat load pushed off. 
 
 The last vessel of the enemy's fleet sailed from the harbor on 
 the afternoon of July 6th, and as she was passing Black Rock 
 Fort, which had been re-occupied by the patriots, as well as the 
 earthworks on Beacon Hill, she rounded to, and fired a whole 
 broadside at the fort and many of the balls bounded as far as 
 Beacon Hill, one of which struck Isaac Pardee, severing his head 
 clean from the body. He was just ascending the hill on the street 
 side with Mr. Smith, of South End, they having gone to a spring 
 to fetch water. Smith says they " heard the report of the firing ;
 
 21 
 
 he turned with Pardee to look, saw the ball, he dodged, and it 
 carried away Pardee's head." Some estimates make the enemy's 
 losses during the invasion sum up two hundred in killed, wounded 
 and missing, which is not far from right. As for the missing it is 
 known that many Hessians deserted and remained at New Haven, 
 choosing good trades and occupations and becoming useful citizens. 
 There were certainly several killed and wounded while landing, 
 also others in the woods north of Morris Cove and back of Prospect 
 Hill. Old farmers mentioned the loss as heavy after Thorp fell. 
 We also hear of numbers being buried at Waterside and on the 
 Neck (Grapevine Point). May not the bones recently found there 
 have been those of British soldiers rather than the Hospital dead ? 
 
 There are very many relics of this invasion in possession of 
 New Haven residents, such as cannon shot, musket balls, old mus- 
 kets and cutlasses, which ought to be deposited in the museum of 
 the New Haven Colony Historical Society. Many of the old can- 
 non standing on the corners of the streets were used probably in 
 the invasion, and therefore have a historic interest. Judging from 
 the great numbers of cannon shot that have been picked up on 
 the East Haven side of our harbor, it is natural enough to believe 
 the tradition that this section, as well as the town, was at times 
 under heavy fire from the fleet in the bay. 
 
 Among many revolutionary relics in possession of the writer's 
 family is one of more than ordinary interest a bureau or chest 
 of drawers with a cannon shot through it. This old piece of 
 furniture, on the morning of July 6th, 1779, stood in a house 
 belonging to Theophilus Munson in Chapel street, known as the 
 old Nathaniel Lyon house, and was given to the writer's great 
 great great grandfather by Abigail, a daughter of Mr. Munson. 
 It seems when the last ship left the pier, which was probably the 
 one that gave Black Rock Fort a broadside or parting salute, she 
 fired several shots on the town as she sailed down the bay, one of 
 them going through a chamber in this house in which one of the 
 family was sitting, passing out of the house into a pile of rubbish 
 where it turned up many years after, and was found to fit the 
 hole in the bureau, and is now also in the custody of the writer. 
 
 The enemy certainly fared harder on the east than the west 
 shore, the East Haven men being all armed with long range 
 Queen Anne muskets and being most excellent marksmen, keep- 
 ing just out of the enemy's longest range, and knowing every 
 tree and fence, and fighting with a sense of right and duty for 
 home and fireside. 
 4
 
 LIST OP KILLED, WOUNDED AND TAKEN AWAY BY THE FLEET. 
 
 Killed. 
 
 John Hotchkiss. 
 Caleb Hotchkiss. 
 Ezekiel Hotchkiss. 
 Capt. John Gilbert. 
 Michael Gilbert. 
 John Kennedy. 
 Jeduthan Thompson. 
 Aaron Russel. 
 Aaron Bradley. 
 John Baldwin. 
 Pomp, a negro. 
 Elisha Tuttle (whose tongue 
 
 the enemy cut out). 
 Joseph Dorman. 
 Asa Todd. 
 Samuel Woodin. 
 Silas Woodin. 
 Benjamin English. 
 Isaac Pardee. 
 Adam Thorpe. 
 Eldad Parker. 
 Timothy Luddington. 
 Gideon Goodrich. 
 Nathan Beers. 
 
 Wounded. 
 
 Rev. Dr. Daggett, Pres. of Y. Col. 
 Elizur Goodrich. 
 Capt. Caleb Mix. 
 Israel Wooding. 
 John Austin. 
 Nathaniel Dummer. 
 Edmund Smith. 
 Benjamin Howard. 
 Chandler Pardee. 
 David Austin. 
 Joseph Bassett. 
 Thomas Mix. 
 Abraham Pinto. 
 Jeremiah Austin. 
 Atwater, a negro slave. 
 
 Taken away Prisoners of War. 
 
 Captain John Mix, 
 
 Mr. Whitney, 
 
 Isaac Towusend, went in place 
 
 of negro slave, Lark, 
 John Townsend, 
 Joseph Tuttle, 
 Josiah Tuttle, 
 
 Samuel Tuttle, 
 Hezekiah Sabin, Lieut. 
 Thomas Burrell, 
 Captain Elijah Forbes, 
 Adonijah Sherman, 
 Israel Wooding. 
 
 There were also several loyal gentlemen and their families who left with the 
 fleet, never to return, as their property was confiscated by the United States 
 Government after the war. 
 
 Many of the wounded died on account of being bayoneted 
 after being shot. The patriots also took several prisoners, who 
 were exchanged and sent away by a cartel ship which sailed from 
 New Haven, August 8, 1779. 
 
 As a list of the names of East Haven residents who went forth 
 to meet the invader and who were more or less active at the time, 
 may be of interest, I have added it to the account.
 
 23 
 
 Rev. Nicholas Street, Captain Amos Morris. 
 Josiah Bradley, Captain Jedediah Andrews. 
 Elam Luddington, 
 John Morris, 
 Dan Bradley, 
 Moses Thompson, 
 Jesse Luddington, 
 Isaac Hotchkiss, 
 Elihu Bradley, 
 Dan Tuttlo. 
 John Dennisonf 
 Edward Russel, Jr., 
 Isaac Chidsey, 1st, 
 Joshua Austin, 
 Israel Bishop, 
 Abram Bradley, 
 Phineas Curtis, 
 Jacob Goodsell, 
 Nathan Luddington, 
 Ambrose Smith, 
 Joseph Russell, 
 Stephen Sheppard, 
 Timothy Bradley, 
 David Grannis, 
 Joseph Tuttle, 
 Matthew Rowe, 
 John Woodward, Jr., 
 John Hughes, 
 Elisha Andrews, 
 Patterson Smith, 
 Stephen Smith, 
 Samuel Holt, 
 John Fillet, 
 Samuel Townsend, 
 Stephen Pardee, 
 Samuel Smith, Jr., 
 Thomas Grannis, 
 Samuel Crumb, 
 Samuel Holt, 
 
 Elias Townsend. 
 
 Captain John Moulthrop, Captain 
 
 Abram Chidsey, 
 James Adkin Broton, 
 Isaac Forbes, 
 Moses Hemingway, 
 James Thompson, 
 Asa Mallory, 
 Caleb Smith, 
 Samuel Hemingway, 
 Samuel Sheppard, 
 Eben Roberts, 
 Daniel Wheden, 
 Samuel Thompson, 
 Simeon Bradley, 
 John Hemingway, 
 Syria Field, 
 Stephen Tuttle, 
 John Barnes, 
 Levi Chidsey, 
 Israel Potter, 
 Joseph Mallory, 
 Jared Bradley, 
 John Goodsell, 
 Stephen Woodward, 
 John Woodward, Sen., 
 Isaac Pardee, 
 Jehiel Forbes, 
 Levi Pardee, 
 Isaac Chidsey, 2d, 
 Gurdon Bradley, 
 Dan Holt, 
 Abijah Bradley, 
 George Landcraft, 
 Asa Bradley. 
 David Eggleston. 
 Ezra Rowe, 
 Amos Morris, Jr., 
 Henry Freeman Hughes, 
 
 There were many others which I have no means now of knowing. 
 The surrounding towns all contributed largely in men and sup- 
 plies, and before night, July 5, there were not less than 1,000 
 men within the limits of East Haven and Branford ready to 
 attack the enemy. Before sunset on the afternoon of July 6th 
 the rear division of the enemy's fleet was observed from Beacon
 
 24 
 
 Hill, off Stratford, hull down and steering westward. We heard 
 of them off Fairfield at 4 o'clock next morning, where they landed 
 in the afternoon, having the same commanding officers as at New 
 Haven, Sir George Collier by sea, and Generals Tryon and Garth 
 by land. 
 
 The following address to the inhabitants was read to a few 
 citizens of the town on arrival of the enemy, July 5th, 1779. It 
 was also printed in the London Gazette of October 6th, 1779. 
 
 By Commodore Sir George Collier, Commander-in-chief of His 
 Majesty's ships and vessels in North America, and Major Gen- 
 eral Tryon, commanding His Majesty's land forces on a 
 separate expedition. 
 
 ADDRESS TO THE INHABITANTS OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 The ungenerous and wanton insurrection against the sovereignty 
 of Great Britain, into which this colony has been deluded by the 
 artifices of designing men, for private purposes, might well justify 
 in you every fear which conscious guilt could form, respecting 
 the intentions of the present armament. 
 
 Your town, your property, yourselves, lie within the grasp of 
 the power whose forbearance you have ungenerously construed 
 into fear; but whose lenity has persisted in its mild and noble 
 efforts, even though branded with the most unworthy imputation. 
 
 The existence of a single habitation on your defenceless coast 
 ought to be a subject of constant reproof to your ingratitude. 
 Can the strength of your whole province cope with the force 
 which might at any time be poured through every district in 
 your country? You are conscious it cannot. Why, then, will 
 you persist in a ruinous and ill-judged resistance ? We hoped 
 that you would recover from the frenzy which has distracted this 
 unhappy country; and we believe the day to be near come when 
 the greater part of this continent will begin to blush at their 
 delusion. You who lie so much in our power afford that most 
 striking monument of our mercy, and therefore ought to set the 
 first example of returning to our allegiance. 
 
 Reflect on what gratitude requires of you; if that is insufficient 
 to move you, attend to your own interest: we offer you a refuge 
 against the distress which, you universally acknowledge, broods 
 with increasing and intolerable weight over all your country. 
 
 Leaving you to consult with each other upon this invitation,
 
 25 
 
 we do now declare that whosoever shall be found, and remain in 
 peace, at his usual place of residence, shall be shielded from any 
 insult, either to his person or his property, excepting such as bear 
 offices, either civil or military, under your present usurped gov- 
 ernment, of whom it will be further required, that they shall give 
 proofs of their penitence and voluntary submission; and they 
 shall then partake of the like immunity. 
 
 Those whose folly and obstinacy may slight this favorable 
 warning must take notice that they are not to expect a continu- 
 ance of that lenity which their inveteracy would now render 
 unblamable. 
 
 Given on board His Majesty's ship Camilla, on the Sound, July 
 4, 1779. 
 
 GEORGE COLLIER, 
 WILLIAM TRYON. 
 
 The writer would append at this point the following account of 
 the invasion, taken from the Connecticut Journal, July 7th, 
 1779, which paper is at the present time the weekly edition of the 
 Journal and Courier, and would add a letter taken from " A 
 Sketch of the Life and Character of Deacon Nathan Beers," by 
 
 the late Rev. S. W. S. Dutton. 
 
 i 
 
 [From the Connecticut Journal, July 7th, 1779.] 
 
 About 2 o'clock on the morning of the 5th inst., a fleet, consist- 
 ing of the Camilla and Scorpion, men-of-war, with tenders, trans- 
 ports, etc., to the number of forty-eight, commanded by Commo- 
 dore Sir George Collier, anchored off West Haven. They had on 
 board about three thousand land forces, commanded by Major- 
 General Tryon; about 1,500 of whom under Brigadier-General 
 Garth landed about sunrise on West Haven point. The town 
 being alarmed, all the preparations which the confusion and dis- 
 tress of the inhabitants and a necessary care of their families 
 would permit was made for resistance. The West Bridge, on 
 Milford road, was taken up, several field pieces carried thither 
 and some slight works thrown up for the defence of that pass. 
 The division under General Garth being landed, immediately 
 began their march toward the town. The first opposition was 
 made by about twenty-five of the inhabitants to an advance party 
 of the enemy of two companies of light infantry. These, though 
 advancing on the height of Milford hill, were attacked with great 
 spirit by the handful of our people, driven back almost to West 
 Haven and one of them was taken prisoner. The enemy then 
 advanced in their main body, with strong flanking parties, and
 
 26 
 
 two field pieces ; and finding a smart fire kept up from our field 
 pieces at the bridge aforesaid, chose not to force an entrance to 
 the town by that, the usual road, but to make a circuitous march 
 of nine miles, in order to enter by the Derby road. In this 
 march, our small party on Milford Hill, now increased to perhaps 
 150, promiscuously collected from several companies of the mili- 
 tia, had a small encounter with the enemy's left flank, near the 
 Milford road, in which was killed their adjutant (Campbell), the 
 loss of whom was lamented, with much apparent sensibility. Our 
 people, on the hill, being obliged by superior numbers to give 
 way, kept up a continual fire on the enemy, and galled them 
 much, through all their march to Thomson's bridge, on Derby 
 road. In the meantime, those posted at the West bridge, per- 
 ceiving the movements of the enemy, and also that another large 
 body of them had landed at South End, on the east side of the 
 harbor, quitted the bridge and marched thence to oppose the 
 enemy at Thomson's bridge. But by the time they had reached 
 the banks of the river the enemy were in possession of the bridge, 
 and the places at which the river is here fordable ; yet having 
 received a small accession of strength by the coming in of the 
 militia, they gave the enemy a smart fire from two field pieces and 
 small arms, which continued with little abatement till the enemy 
 were in possession of the town. Our people being obliged to 
 retreat, either to the fields north and west of the town, or through 
 the town across the Neck bridge, the enemy entered the town 
 between 12 and 1 o'clock. In the meantime the division of the 
 enemy/ before mentioned to have landed at South End, which was 
 under the command of General Tryon, was bravely resisted by a 
 small party of men, with one field piece, who, besides other execu- 
 tion, killed an officer of the enemy in one of their boats at the 
 landing. This division marched up by land and attacked the fort 
 at Black Rock ; at the same time their shipping drew up and 
 attacked it from the harbor. The fort had only nineteen men and 
 three pieces of artillery, yet was defended as long as reason or 
 valor dictated, and then the men made good their retreat. 
 
 The town now being in full possession of the enemy, it was, 
 notwithstanding the enemy's proclamation, delivered up, except 
 a few instances of protection, to promiscuous plunder ; in which, 
 besides robbing the inhabitants of their watches^ plate, buckles, 
 clothing, bedding, and provisions, they broke and destroyed 
 household furniture to a very great amount. Some families lost 
 everything their houses contained ; many have now neither food 
 nor clothes to shift. 
 
 A body of militia, sufficient to penetrate the town, could not be 
 collected that evening ; we were obliged, therefore, to content 
 ourselves with giving the enemy every annoyance in our power, 
 which was done with great spirit, for most of the afternoon, at or 
 about the Ditch Corner. 
 
 Early on Thursday morning the enemy, unexpectedly and with 
 the utmost stillness and dispatch, called in their guards and
 
 27 
 
 retreated to their boats, carrying with them a number of the 
 inhabitants captive, most, if not all of whom, were taken without 
 arms, and a few who chose to accompany them. Part of them 
 went on board their fleet, and part of them crossed over to 
 General Tryon at East Haven. On Tuesday afternoon the militia 
 collected in such numbers and crowded so close upon General 
 Tryon that he thought best to retreat on board his fleet and set 
 sail to the westward. 
 
 The loss of the enemy is unknown, but, for many reasons, it is 
 supposed to be considerable, and includes some officers, whom 
 they lament, besides Adjutant Campbell. Ours, by the best 
 information we can obtain, is 27 killed and 19 wounded. As 
 many of our dead, upon examination, appeared to have been 
 wounded with shot, but not mortally, and afterward to have been 
 killed with bayonets, this demonstrated the true reason why the 
 number of the dead exceeded that of the wounded to be, that 
 being wounded and falling into the enemy's hands, they were 
 afterward killed. A further confirmation of this charge is, that 
 we have full and direct testimony, which affirms that General 
 Garth declared to one of our militia who was taken that " he was 
 sorry his men had not killed him instead of taking him, and that 
 he would not have his men give quarter to one militia man taken 
 in arms." 
 
 Although in this expedition it must be confessed, to the credit 
 of the Britons, that they have not done all the mischief in their 
 power, yet the brutal ravishment of the women, the wanton and 
 malicious destruction of property, the burning of the stores upon 
 the wharf and eight houses in East Haven ; the beating, stabbing 
 and insulting of Rev. Dr. Daggett, after he was made a prisoner; 
 the mortally wounding of Mr. Beers, Senior, in his own door and 
 and other ways abusing him ; the murdering of the very aged and 
 helpless Mr. English* in his own house, and the beating and finally 
 cutting out the tongue of, and then killing, a distracted man, are 
 sufficient proof that they were really Britons. 
 
 * The old gentleman lived on the corner of Brown and Water street, and was 
 father of Benjamin English, Jr.. Esq., and great grandfather of Ex-Senator James 
 E. English of Connecticut. It seems that a squad of the enemy had occupied his 
 house and compelled his daughter to provide refreshments for them, arid on 
 account of his reproving them for bad behavior, his utterance being in the most 
 inoffensive manner, they murdered him by running him through the body several 
 times with bayonets; and as he lay on his back, bleeding on the floor, in the ago- 
 nies of death, his daughter coming in exclaimed, " Oh ! how could you murder my 
 poor old father so cruelly?" One of them asking, " Is he your father?" to which 
 she answered, " Oh 1 yes, he is my father," the inhuman villain immediately stood 
 and stamped upon his breast, and then upon his face, crushing down his nose. 
 Mr. Kennedy, a noted Loyalist, who rejoiced at their coming, they plundered of 
 his silver buckles, etc., and on his expressing some resentment, they stabbed 
 him to death.
 
 28 
 
 LETTER FROM ISAAC BEERS. 
 
 NEW HAVEN, 16th July, 1779. 
 
 DEAR BROTHER I suppose that long before this, you have- 
 heard of the great misfortune that has befallen this town, in being 
 plundered by the enemy. As I was so taken up in attending on 
 father, and was in such confusion other 'ways, I desired Mr. 
 Hazard, who was then here, to inform you of our situation and 
 that our dear father was then near his end, by a wound he 
 received from those bloody savages (which letter was sent last 
 post and I hope came to hand). Our father was wounded in his 
 own house some time after the enemy had been in town. The 
 shot was aimed at his breast, but he pushed the gun so. far one 
 side that it passed through his hip. It was thought at first the 
 wound was not dangerous, but he had lost so much blood before 
 he could have relief, that the wound proved fatal. He lived from 
 Monday afternoon, the time he received the wound, till the Satur- 
 day following, the most of the time in great distress, and then 
 left this troublesome world, I hope for one far better. Thus we 
 have lost a kind parent by the hand of those merciless wretches, 
 at a time which added greatly to the distress we have already 
 had to bear with. 
 
 As I suppose you will learn by the papers the particulars of the 
 action while they were here, I shall omit them, and only just inform 
 you of some of their behavior in town. They landed at West 
 Haven about sunrise, but were kept from gettinginto town till about 
 noon on Monday, the 5th of July. I was made a prisoner, but 
 had the good luck to be released soon. No sooner had the enemy 
 got into town than they began to plunder without any distinction 
 of Whig or Tory, carrying off all the valuable articles they could, 
 breaking and destroying the remainder. In many houses they 
 broke the doors, windows, wainscotwork, and demolished every- 
 thing inside the house they possibly could. Some few houses 
 escaped by mere accident, Joel Atwater's, Michael Baldwin's 
 and five or six others in that neighborhood, although the families 
 have all fled. I had the good fortune to be plundered but little. 
 Elias was not plundered a great deal. Father's house was plun- 
 dered considerably but not damaged any. Old Mrs. Wooster 
 stayed in her house, and was most shockingly abused; everything 
 in the house was destroyed or carried off by them not a bed 
 left, nor the smallest article in the kitchen. Deacon Lyman's 
 house shared as bad, also William Lyon's and several others in 
 different parts of the town. They left early Tuesday morning. 
 They have carried off several inhabitants prisoners ; amongst 
 them are John Mix, Hezekiah Sabin, Sr., Esq., Whitney Thomas 
 Burrell, Isaac Townsend, Capt. Elijah Forbes, Adonijah Sherman, 
 etc. There were killed belonging to the town, Constable Hotch- 
 kiss, John Hotchkiss, Ezekicl Hotchkiss, Elisha Tuttle, a crazy
 
 29 
 
 man, Capt. John Gilbert, Joseph Dorman, Asa Todd, and several 
 others from the farms and country round. 
 
 Since the enemy left this place they have burned the towns of 
 Fairfield and Nor walk, and we were again alarmed that they 
 were returning to burn this town. A person who made his escape 
 from them when at Xorwalk, says the officers found much fault 
 with the general for not burning this town when they were here, 
 and they swore it should be done yet. This alarms us so much 
 that we have moved all our effects from this town back into the 
 country, and a great many families have gone out, so that we are 
 almost destitute already indeed, it is the most prevailing opinion 
 among the most judicious that they intend to burn all the seaport. 
 
 As it will be interesting to know the state of the moon and the 
 time of high water on the several days of the invasion, Professor 
 Lyman, of Yale College, has made the following computation. 
 Dr. Bacon informs me the thermometer, according to Dr. Stiles' 
 record, was 90 the 4th, Sunday, and it is very probable the next 
 day was still warmer. 
 
 HIGH WATER. 
 
 Sunday, July 4th, 1779, 2:58 p. m. 
 
 Monday, " 5th, " .. 3:40 " 
 
 Tuesday, " 6th, " 4:30 " 
 
 Wednesday, " 7th, " 5:25 " 
 
 Thursday, " 8th, " 6:26 " 
 
 MOON PHASES. 
 
 Third quarter. .July 6th, 1779, .. 3:34 p. m. 
 
 New moon, " 13th, " . 11:03 a. m. 
 
 First quarter,. . " 20th, " 4:16 a. m. 
 
 Full moon, ' 28th, " 6:08 a, m. 
 
 From the above we find it was high water at Savin Rock when 
 the First division, under General Garth, landed with artillery, 
 about 3:40 A. M. ; and as the sun arose at about 4:30 A. M., 
 it is probable that the whole division was landed before sunrise. 
 On account of ebb tide and the Rock Fort, the fleet did not get 
 into the harbor until the next change of tide, which was probably 
 after 12 M. The condition of affairs must have been very bad 
 about 9 P. M., evening of July 5th, as the British soldiers were 
 mostly all dead drunk and lying in open air on the Green, sur- 
 rounded by a few sober ones who stood guard to keep them from 
 getting more rum. The officers were at dinner with the loyal 
 gentlemen of the town. We understand that a banquet was given 
 in the Chandler house, which then stood on Church street facing 
 5
 
 30 
 
 the Green, and is now the residence of Rev. Dr. Bacon. General 
 Garth's headquarters were at the Totten house (still standing 
 corner of Meadow and West Water streets), in sight of General 
 Tryon's headquarters on Beacon hill ; and Commodore Sir George 
 Collier's were -on board one of his vessels which was moored at 
 the pier. 
 
 Every vessel in the harbor was aground and boats could not be 
 used to advantage on account of the mud flats, and on account of 
 the militia keeping up a fire on the outposts at Ditch Corner (out 
 Broadway) and Prospect street, where stood the Mansfield house, 
 which was occupied by British officers and soldiers, and was rid- 
 dled with bullets by the patriots while thus in possession of the 
 enemy. The enemy were in such a constant state of alarm that 
 orders were given to march at 1:30 A. M. The sentinels were 
 doubled on George, State, Grove and York streets, so that the 
 whole division was thus, as it were, in a hollow square of sentinels 
 for the night, and it was believed afterward that had the militia 
 known the state of things, they could have come into town about 
 midnight and made the whole division prisoners. 
 
 The withdrawal of this division from the Green and town has 
 been described by eye-witnesses as perfectly ridiculous, with the 
 drunken and reeling soldiers trying to keep in line, and carts and 
 wagons and even wheel-barrows in use to get them down to 
 the boats. 
 
 It appears that Adjutant Campbell, of the Guards, was killed 
 while in the road on Orange hill reconnoitering the small company 
 under command of Captain James Hillhouse, and students under 
 President Daggett of Yale College, which had marched forth and 
 met the enemy's advance guard at Allingtown, about one mile 
 north of West Haven. He was shot by a young man, by name 
 Johnson, and carried into the house which stood on the south side 
 of the road. The family were very kind to him, and before he 
 died he gave them some articles of clothing. A handkerchief 
 with his initials remains in the family, I understand, to this day. 
 He made a particular request that his plume, sash and watch 
 should be sent to his family, and they were sent to his regiment 
 soon after their return to New York. It is said of Adjutant 
 Campbell that he was near when the Rev. Mr. Williston, of West 
 Haven, broke his leg getting over a fence to escape from the 
 enemy. This officer ordered the surgeon of his regiment to set 
 Mr. Williston's limb, and treated him with great humanity.
 
 31 
 
 Campbell was buried on the iiortb side of tbe road, where a rough 
 stone now marks the spot. 
 
 I find in possession of Mr. Frank Kent an account book, made 
 in the old style and bound in parchment. It was kept by the 
 before mentioned Benjamin English, Jr., and has been used for a 
 scrap-book, and much interesting matter is covered up with cut- 
 tings pasted therein. A few of the entries I have copied 
 enough to show the doings of this powder mill : 
 
 Xov. 20, 17*74-5 Mentions as received at mill Nov. 20, 1774, several lots of 
 saltpetre from Mr. Stephen Gorham and Mr. Isaac Doolittle. 
 
 Dec. 1, 1776 Account of powder brought from the mill as private property 
 charged to Benjamin English, Isaac Doolittle and Stephen Hine, and 334 Ibs. by 
 John Pierpont for the Privateer, per Doolittle. 
 
 Dec. 24, 1776 Long account of powder carried to owners. 
 Feb. 5, 1777 Sale of powder to Haledy Bradley. Total'29, 14s., lid. 
 May 1, 1777 Sale of powder delivered to Isaac Doolittle as private property. 
 May 5. 1777, to 500 Ibs. powder, by Mix. 
 " 7, " 100 " " " Church 
 " 12, " 500 " " " Osborne. 
 " 13, " 66 " " " Mix. 
 
 " 15, i; 16 " " " yourself (sic). 
 
 (t 1 ij ) (( 46 a it a it 
 
 " 19, " 100 " " " Mix. 
 " 23, " 16 " " " yourself. 
 " 27, " 30 " " " " 
 
 " 28, " 100 " " " Joseph Mix. 
 " 29, " 100 " " " " 
 
 June 9, " 17 " " " Bill. 
 " 14, " 100 " " " Mix. 
 July 2, " 40i " " " " 
 
 " 3, " 400 " " " " 
 " 16, " 15^ " " " self. 
 
 " 20, l^ ' 10 " " " " 
 About 2,180 Ibs. were sold. 
 
 Sept. 22, 1777 This day began to sell powder for eight shillings by the barrel 
 to Mr. Brown, and nine shillings by retail. 
 
 March 9, 1778 This day began to sell powder for eleven shillings by the barrel, 
 and when the act took place sold for ten shillings. 
 
 Account with Stephen Gorham from Dec. 23, 1776, to Jan. 27, 1778, when all 
 accounts with him are settled. It seems to have been cooperage. 
 
 The following was found on one of the leaves of the powder 
 book, and illustrates how powers of attorney were drawn in this 
 colony prior to the Declaration of Independence :
 
 32 
 
 I, Robert Upham, in the County of New Haven and Colony of Connecticut, in 
 New England, do constitute Mr. Benjamin English, Junior, of said New Haven, 
 my lawful attorney in all causes moved or to be moved for me or against me in my 
 name to appear, plead, persue, finish judgment and executors. 
 
 Witness my hand and seal, 8th day of January, in Sixteenth year of His 
 Majesty's Reign, Anno Domini, 1776. 
 
 New Haven, in the County of New Haven, Jan. 8, 1776. Personally appears 
 Robert Upham, and acknowledges the above to be his act and deed before me. 
 
 DAVID PHIPPS, Master of ship i: Alfred." 
 
 Soon after having penned the previous papers, the writer sailed 
 from New York per steamer Germania (March 22, 1879), for 
 Europe, and while in London obtained access to the British war 
 records through the assistance of friends, members of the Houses 
 of Lords and Commons, who kindly offered every courtesy in their 
 power, and to whom the writer would express his grateful acknowl- 
 edgments. He desires to thank, also, the keeper of the Records 
 at the Roll Office, Mr. Kingsford, and also W. W. Woods, Esq., 
 librarian at the Colonial Office, for assistance rendered. By 
 the aid of these gentlemen the writer obtained information and 
 letters regarding the invasion never before printed this side of the 
 water; among them a letter of instruction from Sir Henry Clinton* 
 commander-in- chief of His Majesty's forces in America, to Major 
 General Try on, commander of the expedition into Connecticut ; 
 the full report from Gen. Tryon to Sir Henry Clinton regarding 
 the attack upon New Haven, Norwalk and Fairfield, and a report 
 from Brig. -Gen. Garth to Sir Henry Clinton, dated at " New Ha- 
 ven, half-past 1 o'clock, July 5th, 1779," and dispatched to Major 
 General Tryon, whose headquarters were on Beacon Hill, the 
 present site of Fort Wooster ; also an abstract of dispatches from 
 Sir Henry Clinton, dated " Headquarters, Dobbs Ferry, 25th July, 
 1779, to the Right Honorable Lord George Germane," the head 
 of the American department of the British war office, to whom 
 all dispatches relative to the war in the rebellious provinces were 
 sent. Sir Henry Clinton gives his reason for the invasion of Con- 
 necticut and recites as follows : 
 
 (America Military, 1779. Sir Henry Clinton.) 
 
 HEADQUARTERS, DOBBS FERRY, 25th July, 1779. 
 (Duplicate.) 
 My Lord: 
 
 * 
 
 The expedition of Major General Tryon in the Sound was a measure subservient 
 to my main design. To secure him in his operations and at the same time be at
 
 33 
 
 hand to take advantage of his success, I withdrew from Verplanck's all the troops 
 which were not destined for the Garrison, and took Post with them at Byram and 
 Marnaroneck on the 9th. 
 
 ************* * 
 
 I have the honor to be with the greatest respect, 
 
 Your Lordship's Most Obedient and Humble Servant, 
 
 H. CLINTON. 
 Right Hon'ble Lord Geo. Germane, 
 
 (endorsed) Headquarters, Dobbs Ferry, 25th July, 1779. 
 Sir Henry Clinton, by Major General Gaughan. 
 
 This brief note is the only mention to the Home Government to 
 be found in the records (after a diligent search by skilled attaches 
 of the department), giving the commanding general's reasons for 
 his expedition into Connecticut. The parts eliminated refer to 
 invasions into New Jersey and other places. 
 
 The following is a copy of the official instructions to Major 
 Gen. Tryon by Sir Henry Clinton, which have probably never 
 before been published in America. They were obtained by the 
 writer, as before remarked, among the archives of the British 
 Government. The paper has a local interest as showing the plan 
 of the British general, who, as already indicated, was one of the 
 leading British officers in this country and a man of power and 
 influence at home, and its minute details indicate a thorough prep- 
 aration for the attack upon New Haven and a familiarity with 
 well known points hereabouts, which there is no doubt was derived 
 from New Haven. These instructions let us into the secret plan 
 of the commanding general, Sir Henry Clinton. They disclose 
 that these marauding expeditions to New Haven, Fairfield and 
 Norwalk were intended to affect the plans and movements of the 
 Father of his Country, whose name Sir Henry gave a limited 
 attention to in this letter, giving only the first and last letters. 
 The writer is pleased to note that this and other documents in his 
 possession sufficiently attest the correctness of tradition in its gen- 
 eral and important features regarding the mode and manner of 
 the attack. The document is as follows : 
 
 (Military America, 1779, Sir Henry Clinton.) 
 (Instructions to Maj. Gen. Tryon.) 
 
 Sir As New Haven is the only port in which the rebels have 
 any vessels (except New London) it is, in my opinion, better to 
 begin there. The lauding seems good on the east side (1) or 
 tongue, nor can you be insulted on your retreat. You must, when
 
 34 
 
 landed, by a rapid march get possession of the rebel work, two 
 miles to the northward, on a bluff (2) commanding the harbor, 
 and then your ships, &c., may enter it. The troops may afterward, 
 if they cannot ford the creek (3), be landed on the other side (4), 
 or being landed on New Haven beacli (5) proceed at proper time 
 of tide to New Haven. The country is populous and there are 
 many friends (6), but 'tis not advisable to stay any time in the 
 force you will be. I should suppose your business must be done 
 in 24 or 48 hours, at each place you will think an object, and being 
 done, the sooner you embark the better (7). The cattle may be 
 embarked from the New Haven beach. 
 
 Your next object seems to be Fairfield. Once in possession of 
 the Black Rock battery (8), at the head of the harbor, all becomes 
 easy, and you can always retire by Fair Weather Island, which 
 has deep water on the south side, but not above six feet within. 
 You may likewise land at Stratford Point, drive the cattle of that 
 district and embark them from thence at your leisure from C. 
 Island (9). You may do the same with those you find at or near 
 Milford. By these desultory expeditions you will, particularly at 
 this season, annoy the rebels much, deter their militia from assem- 
 bling, and having cruisers off New London, you will know what 
 there is in that harbor and keep it there ; but, in my opinion, it 
 must not be attempted without there are vessels to make it an 
 object, and to do it you must be reinforced. I expect from this 
 
 move W n (10) will either pass the North river with his 
 
 whole army or strong detachments, and I wish you to be always 
 within 24 or 48 hours of joining me. With every wish for your 
 success, believe me, sir, yours, &c., 
 
 (Signed) SIK HEN BY CLINTON. 
 
 July 2, 1779. 
 
 The following foot notes refer to the figures in parentheses in 
 the above : 
 
 1. Morris Point, where the old light house stands. 
 
 2. Now Fort Hale, (which was named after Capt. Nathan Hale of Connecticut, 
 the American Martyr, a graduate of Yale College, 1775), and the earthworks on 
 Beacon Hill, now site of the ruins of Fort Wooster. 
 
 3. West river. 
 
 4. Savin Eock. 
 
 5. Oyster, or City Point. 
 
 6. The Loyalists. 
 
 7. As was fully demonstrated by the events alluded to in a former paper. 
 
 8. Near Bridgeport. 
 
 9. Charles Island, Milford. 
 10. Washington. 
 
 The following is the entire official report of Major General 
 Tryon to Sir Henry Clinton regarding the expedition against New 
 Haven, Fairtield and Norwalk, never before, we believe, pub-
 
 .85 
 
 lished in this country, except a small part, that relative to the 
 N T e\v Haven attack. The paper throws light upon the character 
 of General Tryon and the manner of man he was, especially those 
 portions of the report, as the reader will perceivj, apologizing for 
 the burning of two churches in Fairfield, in which we will credit 
 him trusting to his " official utterances," as they say in Pinafore 
 with having uttered the truth in asserting that the burning was 
 accidental. These expeditions were intended, as before said, to 
 affect the plans of Washington. This is indirectly again referred 
 to in General Tryon's mention of orders he received from Sir 
 Henry to return. The sharp firing kept up by "the rebels" on 
 Tryon's forces, which he " resented," and his displeasure at the 
 handful of rebels for not coming out in open battle with the Brit- 
 ish army, and other matters, hints of which are afforded in the 
 paper, are interesting in the light they cast upon events of those 
 days of one hundred years ago. It will be observed that the fleet, 
 after the attack on Fairfield, sailed over to Huutington, probably 
 for rest and provisions, the troops being exhausted with their 
 labors and the extreme heat of the weather. Then on the llth 
 the fleet re-crossed the Sound and made the attack on Norwalk. 
 It then recrossed to Huntingdon, and soon after sailed back to the 
 starting point at Whitestone, the rendezvous of the British fleet. 
 Sir Henry Clinton with his army lay, according to his dispatch, 
 at By ram river (the dividing line between Connecticut and New 
 York) and Mamaroneck, and within twenty-six or forty-eight 
 hours' march from Norwalk. The report of General Tryon is as 
 follows : 
 
 (MILITARY, AMERICA,) 
 NEW YORK, 20th July, 1779. 
 
 Sir Having on the 3d instant joined the transports at White- 
 stone, Sir Geo. Collier got the fleet under way the same evening, 
 but the winds being light he did not reach the Harbour of New 
 Haven until the oth in the morning. 
 
 The Fifth Division, consisting of the flank companies of the 
 Guards, the Fusileers, Fifty-fourth regiment, and a detachment of 
 the Jagers, with four field pieces, under Brigadier General Garth, 
 landed about 5 o'clock (a. m.) a mile south of West Haven, and 
 began their march, making a circuit of upwards of seven miles to 
 head a creek on the western side of the town. 
 
 The Second Division could not move until the return of the 
 boats, but before noon I disembarked with the Twenty-third, the 
 Hessian, Landgrave and King's American regiments and two
 
 36 
 
 pieces of cannon on the western side of the Harbour, and instantly 
 began the march of three miles to the Ferry from New Haven, east 
 toward Branford. 
 
 We took a field piece, which annoyed us at the landing, and 
 possessed ourself of the Rock Battery of three guns, commanding 
 the channel of the Harbour, abandoned by the Rebels on our 
 approach. The armed vessels then entered and drew near the 
 Town. 
 
 General Garth got into the Town, but not without opposition, 
 loss and fatigue, and reported to me at half-past 1, that he should 
 begin the conflagration, which he thought it merited, as soon as 
 he had secured the bridge between us over Neck Creek. 
 
 The collection of the enemy in force on advantageous 
 ground and with heavier cannon than his own, diverted 
 the General from that passage and the boats that were to 
 take off the troops being not up, I went over to him ; and 
 the result of our conference was a resolution that with the first 
 division, he should cover the north part of the town that night, 
 while with the second I should keep the Heights above the Rock 
 Fort. In the morning the first division embarked at the south- 
 east part of the town and crossing the Ferry, joined us on the East 
 Haven side, excepting the 54th, which were sent on board their 
 transports. 
 
 In their progress of the preceding day from West Haven, they 
 were under a continuous fire, but by the judicious conduct of the 
 General and the alertness of the troops, the Rebels were every- 
 where repulsed. The next morning, as there was not a shot fired 
 to molest the retreat, General Garth changed his design and 
 destroyed only the public stores, some vessels and ordnance, 
 excepting six field pieces and an armed privateer which were 
 brought off. 
 
 The troops re-embarked at Rock Fort in the afternoon with lit- 
 tle molestation ; and the fleet leaving the Harbour that evening, 
 anchored the morning of the 8th off the village of F airfield. 
 
 The boats being not sufficient for the whole of the First divis- 
 ion, I landed only with the flank companies of the Guards, one 
 company of the Landgraves and the King's American Regiment 
 with two field pieces, east of the village and southwest of the 
 Black Rock battery, which commands the Harbour. 
 
 We pursued our march (under a cannonade without effect) 
 toward the village, but on our approach received a smart fire 
 of musketry. The rebels fled before the rapid advance of the 
 Guards and left us in possession of it, and of the Heights in the 
 West, until General Garth, who landed two miles in the south, 
 joined us with the remainder of the troops in the evening. 
 
 Having laid under arms that night and in the morning burnt 
 the greatest part of the village, to resent the fire of the Rebels 
 from their houses and to mark our retreat, we took boat where 
 the Second Division had landed, the enemy throwing only a weak,
 
 37 
 
 scattered fire on our flank, the Regiment De Landgrave by a 
 very proper disposition having very effectually covered our rear. 
 Wanting some supplies we crossed the Sound to Huntingdon 
 and there continued till the eleventh, and repassing that day, 
 anchored five miles from the Bay of Norwalk. The sun being 
 nearly set before the 54th, the Landgraves' Regiment, and the 
 Jagers were in the boats, it was near nine in the evening when I 
 landed with them at the Cow Pasture, a Peninsula on the east of 
 the Harbour within a mile and a half of the bridge, which formed 
 a communication between the east and west parts of the village, 
 nearly equally divided, by a salt creek 
 
 The King's American Regiment being unable to join us before 
 three next morning, we lay that night on our arms. In our march 
 at the first dawn of day, the 54th led the column and soon fell in 
 with the rebel outposts, and driving the enemy with great alac- 
 rity and spirit, dispossessed them of Drummond Hill, the Heights 
 at the end of the village, east from and commanding the bridge. 
 
 It being now but four o'clock in the morning and the rebels 
 having taken post within random cannon shot upon the hills on 
 the north, I resolved to halt until the Second Division landed at 
 the Old Wells, on the west side of the harbour, had advanced 
 and formed the junction. Gen. Garth's division passed the bridge 
 by nine, and at my desire, proceeded to the north end of the 
 village, from whence, and especially from the houses, there had 
 been a fire for five hours upon our advanced guards. The Fuzil- 
 leers supported by the Light Infantry of the Guards began the 
 attack, and soon cleared that quarter, pushing the main body, and 
 an hundred cavalry, from the northern heights, and taking one 
 piece of their cannon. 
 
 After many salt pans were destroyed, whale boats carried on 
 board the fleet, and the magazines, stores and vessels set in flames, 
 with the greatest part of the dwelling houses, the advanced corps 
 were drawn back, and the troops relieved in two columns, to the 
 place of our first debarkation, and unassaulted took ship and 
 returned to Huntingdon Bay. 
 
 We were waiting only for fresh supplies of artillery and force 
 adequate to the probable increase of the rebels by the decrease of 
 the objects of their care, and the alarm of the interior country, 
 when I was honored on the 13th with your command of the 12th 
 for the return of the troops with the fleet to Whitestone. 
 
 The rebels in arms at New Haven were considerable, more 
 numerous at Fairfield, and still more so at Norwalk. 
 
 Two hundred and fifty Continental troops had now joined their 
 militia, under Gen. Parsons, and together were said to be upwards 
 of two thousand. The accounts of their loss are vague. It could 
 not be trifling. 
 
 The general effect of the printed address from Sir George Col- 
 lier and myself to the inhabitants recommended by your Excel- 
 lency, cannot be discovered till there are some further operations, 
 and descents upon their coast. Many copies of it are left behind 
 at New Haven and at Fairfield. I sent one by the Rev. Mr. 
 6
 
 38 
 
 Sayre, their Episcopal missionary, under flag to a party in arms ; 
 and received the answer of defiance already transmitted.* 
 
 I regret the loss of two places of public worship at Fail-field, 
 which took fire unintentionally by the flakes from other buildings; 
 and I gave strict orders and set guards for the preservation of 
 that burnt at Norwalk; but it is very difficult when the houses 
 are close, and of very combustible materials of boards and shin- 
 gles to prevent the spreading of the flames. 
 
 I should be very sorry if the destruction of these two villages 
 would be thought less reconcilable with humanity than with the 
 love of my country, my duty to the king, and the law of arms to 
 which America has been led to make the awful appeal. The 
 usurpers have professedly placed their hopes of severing the 
 empire, in avoiding decisive actions, upon the waste of the British 
 Treasures, and the escape of their own property during the pro- 
 traction of the war. 
 
 Their power is supported by the general dread of their tyranny, 
 and the arts practiced to inspire a credulous multitude with a 
 presumptuous confidence in our forbearance. 
 
 I wish to detect this delusion and if possible without injury to 
 the Loyalist. 
 
 I confess myself in the sentiments of those who apprehend no 
 mischief to the public from the irritation of a few in the rebellion 
 if a general terror and despondency can be awakened among a 
 people already divided, and settled on a coast everywhere thinly in- 
 habited and easily impressible, and to which their property is prin- 
 cipally confined. [I should do injustice if I closed this Repoi't with- 
 out giving every praise to the troops I had the honor to command.] 
 
 Sir George Collier cooperated with us in the direction of the 
 armed vessels employed in the descents, and I have the pleasure to 
 add that we had a perfect concert of opinion in the main operation. 
 
 The Loyal refugees possess a zeal, which with their intimate 
 and minute knowledge of the country will always render them 
 useful in such services. 
 
 I need not withhold my commendations even from the mariners 
 of the transports, who were generally employed in manning the 
 flatboats and batteries, and who were as alert as if they had been 
 entitled to the National Reward. 
 
 I have the honor herewith to transmit your Excellency a gen- 
 eral return of the killed, wounded and missing on this expedition, 
 and am with all possible respect, 
 
 Your Excellency's Most Obedient 
 
 and Very Humble Servant, 
 
 WM. TRYON, M. G. 
 
 P. S. I have the honor to transmit your Excellency herewith 
 a copy of Gen. Garth's report from New Haven, with the return 
 of the ordnance and stores taken and destroyed on the Expedition. 
 
 (Copy of a letter from Major Gen. Tryon to Sir Henry Clinton, 
 New York, July 20th, 1779.) 
 
 * See Pres. Stiles' Diary.
 
 39 
 
 The following is a copy of a letter from Gen. Garth to Gen. 
 Try on, written at New Haven (while he was in possession of the 
 town), dated " New Haven, half-past one o'clock," and an expla- 
 nation of the circumstances is necessary. The letter has never 
 before been printed in this country. Gen. Garth, when he wrote 
 this letter was clearly of the opinion that New Havea " merited 
 the flames," as he himself said. This was July 5th, 1779. Gen. 
 Tryon was then at Beacon Hill with his staff and a part of the 
 Second Division. Ge.n. Garth clearly intended securing Neck 
 Bridge (referred to as " the Bridge "), and making his retreat 
 through what is now Fair Haven to Grapevine Point, called 
 in those days the Neck, and then crossing the Pardee " Ferry " 
 to East Haven, following the same route through Woodward- 
 town to Gen. Tryon's headquarters. But first, as the letter 
 shows, Gen. Garth intended a destruction of New Haven, 
 by a conflagration, and the inhabitants momentarily expected to 
 see the lurid flames with forked tongues bursting forth and 
 wrapping the town in their embrace. Gen. Garth says he in- 
 tended to break up Neck Bridge (after having wrapped the town 
 in flames) to make his departure easy, or "with less moles- 
 tation. 
 
 But something happened to change the General's plans just 
 before night. This was after the council of war at the old State 
 House. As stated in a previous article, the General, just before 
 his departure, expressed the sentiment that the town was too 
 pretty to burn. Tradition attributes generosity to the General as 
 the motive for not consigning the town to the flames, and the 
 intercession of influential loyalists, and this seems to be the ex- 
 planation for the change of programme. The General had 
 not had an easy time in New Haven, but, coming as sud- 
 denly and unexpectedly as he did met with a warm reception 
 and a constantly increasing harrassing from the Patriots. The 
 hard work of July 5th, the intense heat and the abundance of 
 liquor had reduced the British forces to a state which warranted a 
 speedy exit from the town, especially as the Patriot forces were 
 hourly being augmented. Gen. Garth, as has been stated, moved 
 his army over to Tryon's headquarters, a large part by the way 
 of the Ferry at the toot of what is now Bridge street, and the 
 rest embarking from Long Wharf after setting the store- 
 houses on the wharf on fire. The following is Gen. Garth's 
 letter :
 
 40 
 
 (Despatches.) MILITARY, AMERICA, 1779, ) 
 
 SIR HENRY CLINTON. \ 
 NEW HAVEN, past One O'clock. 
 
 Dear Sir We have had a little difficulty with the rebels in 
 coming hither, but I hope the loss is not much. The troops are 
 greatly fatigued through heat, and every kind of cattle is driven 
 from the country, and this place is almost entirely deserted, and 
 therefore merits the flames. The enemy are following us with 
 cannon and heavier than what we have. I shall therefore, as 
 the Bridge is secured that communicates to you, begin the con- 
 flagration and retire over it and then break it up, as we may 
 either lay there a few hours or embark with less molestation than 
 from any other place I have seen. 
 
 I have the honor to be with great respect, your most obedient 
 servant, (Signed) G. GARTH. 
 
 I shall send this when the Bridge is passed by us. 
 To Maj. Gen. Tryon, &c., &c. Endorsed. 
 
 The above letter was " endorsed " in the records of the British 
 war office as a copy of Brigadier General Garth's report to Major 
 General Tryon, New Haven, " in Sir Henry Clinton's dispatches, 
 &c., &c." 
 
 The full list of killed and wounded at New Haven, as ap- 
 pended in Tryon's report, is as follows: 
 
 " Names of the Officers Killed and Wounded." 
 
 Guards, Adjutant Campbell, killed ; Captain Parker, wounded. 
 54th Regiment of Foot, Captain Bickop, Lieut. Powell, wounded. 
 King's American Regiment, Ensign and Adjutant Walkins, killed. 
 
 Guards, 1 officer, one rank and file killed ; 1 officer, 1 sergeant, 9 rank and file 
 wounded; 14 rank and file missing. 
 
 7th, or Royal Fuziliers, 1 sergeant, 7 rank and file wounded ; 2 rank and file 
 missing. 
 
 23d, or Royal Welch Fuziliers, 1 drummer, 1 rank and file wounded. 
 
 54th Regiment of Foot, 1 sergeant, 6 rank and file killed ; 2 officers, 1 drum- 
 mer, 5 rank and file wounded ; 1 sergeant, 7 rank and file missing. 
 
 Landgrave Regiment, 2 rank and file wounded. 
 
 Detachment of Jagers, 1 rank and file wounded; 1 rank and file missing. 
 
 King's American Regiment, 1 officer killed ; 1 sergeant, 6 rank and file wounded. 
 
 Royal Artillery, 1 driver wounded. WM. TRYON, M. G. 
 
 NOTE. It was fully believed at the time of the war by the Patriots that the 
 British loss was as much as double that reported by Tryon. The writer during 
 his late visit to England endeavored to obtain a list of the stores, war material, 
 etc., captured at New Haven, but no light was thrown upon the matter in the 
 records. It will be noticed the Hessian loss reported is small, which was usual, 
 as the Government, we are told, had to pay for every one killed, according to rank.
 
 41 
 
 The writer having been given access to the diary of President 
 Ezra Stiles, of Yale College, by President Porter, with permission 
 to use the same in this account of the invasion, takes this oppor- 
 tunity to thank President Porter for the great kindness ; also 
 Professors Fisher, Van Name, Dexter, Brewer, and Mr. Wm. L. 
 Kiugsley, the able editor of the New Englander, for lending a 
 hand to assist with advice and otherwise. 
 
 The abstracts from the diary may seem a repetition, the first 
 being kept on separate sheets of paper and afterwards compiled 
 and copied into the aforesaid diary. As both are most important 
 revolutionary documents I have copied them verbatim, leaving 
 each to tell its own story. 
 
 Old Diary kept on slip of paper. 
 
 DIARY OP PRESIDENT EZRA STILES OF YALE COLLEGE. VOL. IX, 
 
 PAGE 66. 
 
 1779, July 4th, Lord's day, 10 o'clock evening, advices received 
 in town. Fleet off Westfield (Bridgeport) when our sentries gave 
 alarm and we, here, fired the alarm of three cannons. I earnestly 
 pleaded to send for militia immediately. But would not believe 
 the enemy intended landing. 
 
 July 5th, Monday morning about l A. M. Alarm guns again. 
 Rang bells and beat to arms in earnest received advices, fleet 
 had anchored. At daylight saw the ships distinctly from steeple 
 of College Chapel. Began to remove all property, &c. Militia 
 meeting. Tories calm. With telescope from the tower or steeple 
 clearly saw the boats putting off from the ship and landing a 
 little after sunrise. Immediately I sent off College records and 
 papers and my plate three miles out of town and a bag of my 
 own things. Sent my daughter off on foot for Carmel (Mt. 
 Carruel) about VI. Our artillery and militia moved to West 
 bridge, pulled it up and planted artillery to make a stand. Our 
 people crossed, however, and went forward to Milford hill, where 
 they received the enemy in a marching column. Here Mr. John 
 Hotchkiss* was killed, and soon after Dr. Daggett wounded and 
 taken. The enemy turned and avoided the bridge, marched 
 through the Westfield to the bridge on Derby Road, about half 
 a mile from town. One corps of about 100 volunteers; militia 
 harrassed them on their march, hanging on their left flank. They 
 crossed Derby Road bridge and came into town at xii. 40 (12:40 
 p. M.) The action became general at entrance of town, on corner 
 (Ditch corner) when several were killed. We retreated to Neck 
 bridge and made stand. The militia rushed in and formed into 
 
 * He was a graduate of Yale College, class 1748, and his wife was a grand- 
 daughter of Gov. Eaton, first Colonial Governor of New Haven Colony.
 
 42 
 
 4 divisions, at East Haven, at Neck bridge, at Mill Lane and 
 Ditch corner and fought all day. At VIII o'clock firing ceased. 
 Enemy plundering the town from entrance till VIII evening. 
 
 July, 6th, A. M., 1^ morning. Enemy paraded. Sailors came 
 on shore and took their turn at plunder. About sunrise began 
 (enemy) to march. Crossed Ferry to East Haven. Last about 
 sun one hour high or half hour high. Gen. Ward entered VII 
 morning, 4 stores, 7 vessels fired ; Gen. Tryon and Gen. Garth. 
 Enemy 3,000. All day engaged at East Haven at Beacon Hill, &c. 
 Gen. Ward there and Gen. Hart in town ; 4 regiments in East 
 
 Haven, Col. Russel, Col. Cook, Col. Worthington, Col. . 
 
 Sunset, enemy embarked and sailed. I went into town a few 
 hours after evacuation, 10 A. M. 
 
 July 7th. About 11 p. M. enemy landed and burnt Fairtield, 
 leaving only 15 houses in two miles around. Town composed 80 
 or 90 dwelling houses. About 70 were burnt, also meeting house 
 and church. 
 
 July 8th. Removing my furniture broke my Fahrenheit Ther- 
 mometer which I have had since 1762. 
 
 July 9th. British army at Byratn river. 
 
 July 10th. Fleet anchored off Norwalk. Burnt. Inhabitants 
 New Haven removing, expect return of enemy. 
 
 British army at Byram river. 6 Regiments Green Light 
 Infantry; Queen's Rangers, 300 men; Emerick Corps (sic), 150 
 men; British Legion, Cathcart's, 200 men; 22d Reg't., 300 ; 23d 
 Reg't., 37th Reg't., Horse (total 800). Total 3,000." Infantry say 
 6,000. Total British Army, New York, 12,000 men. 
 
 July llth. Lord's day. Heard, 1:11 p. M., Stamford in flames. 
 (Later, crossed out.) 
 
 July 12th. The whole town moving. Mr. Baldwin came in 
 (town supposed). Enemy left Norwalk this morning. Mr. 
 Baldwin entered upon enemy's departure, all but few houses, 
 burnt church. Clergymen of both places fled with enemy. 
 
 July 27th. Went to East Haven to recover some of President 
 Clapp's MSS.* 
 
 July 28th. Returned to Yale College. 
 
 Diary of President Ezra Stiles compiled probably from a brief found in his diary, 
 
 vol. 14, p. 66. 
 
 NEW HAVEN TAKEN BY THE ENEMY. 
 
 The next morning after this was written (refer to former entry) 
 we were thrown into great distress by the approach of the enemy 
 in a fleet of about 40 sail. I sent my children and the college 
 
 * In a subsequent paper an account will be given of the ill treatment of Mrs. 
 Maj. Gen. Wooster (Lady Wooster), daughter of President Clapp, of Yale College 
 and the plundering of her house in Wooster street of valuable papers, known as 
 the Olapp MSS., which were, after the British sailed, thrown overboard. Some 
 of them were recovered in a damaged condition.
 
 43 
 
 records and papers and my own MSS. and papers out of town 
 before the enemy reached the town. I did not bring back this 
 diary till Aug. 9th. I propose to catch a few leisure moments 
 to note some occurrences of the time elapsed from July 5, the day 
 of the enemy landing, to this time. 
 
 About one o'clock, morning July 5th, the fleet of about 40 sail 
 under command of Sir George Collier, anchored off West Haven. 
 Alarm guns were fired and Lieut. Col. Sabin of the militia 
 ordered to beat to arms. A lethargy seemed to have seized the 
 inhabitants, who would believe the fleet would pass by us in the 
 morning. However, s.ome of us set about putting up and remov- 
 ing furniture. But all was confusion. At daylight we descried 
 the fleet, and with a telescope on the top of the tower of the 
 college steeple we plainly saw the boats putting off from the 
 shipping for shore at 5 o'clock, or a little after sunrise. All then 
 knew our fate. Perhaps one-third of the adult male inhabitants 
 flew to arms and went out to meet them. A quarter moved out 
 of town doing nothing, the rest remained unmoved, partly Tories 
 partly timid Whigs. Sundry of the Tories went armed and went 
 forth. About 90 or 100 men finally stayed in town. 
 
 The numbers are very differently estimated, more generally 
 considered as 3,000 troops commanded by Maj. Gen. Tryon. 
 There were but two Generals, Tryon and Garth. They had but 
 20 square-rigged vessels, ships, scows and brigs, of which 15 were 
 ships, others were tenders, galleys, etc. Gen. Glover marched 
 next Lord's day with his Continental brigade, which was judged 
 by the staying inhabitants larger than Gen. Garth's division, and 
 yet I was assured by a knowing officer that this corps did not 
 exceed a thousand privates. I judge Garth's division 600 or 800 
 in column and 250 on each flank 1,200 at most; Tryon's division 
 larger and yet excluding marines the total of both divisions 
 might be more truly estimated at 2,000. Sir George Collier says 
 2,600. 
 
 At 5 morning, Gen. Garth's division landed at West Haven 
 and marched to the meeting house, one mile, and formed upon a 
 green, where they halted two hours. About ix or x o'clock Gen. 
 Tryon lauded his division at 5 Mile Point. Both divisions 
 became engaged in their respective operations at the same time. 
 CoL Sabin, with 2 pieces of artillery, went to West bridge. 
 Capt. Hillhouse, with 20 or 30 brave young men, together with 
 many others, crossed the bridge over the Milford hill, and within 
 100 rods or a quarter of a mile of the meeting house, where the 
 enemy were paraded. Upon their beginning the march, Capt. 
 Hillhouse fired upon the advance guard so as to drive them into 
 the main body. But coming in force the enemy perceived others 
 besides Hillhouse's party had by this time passed the bridge and 
 reached the hill to perhaps the number of 150 men. These kept 
 up a galling fire on especially their outguards, extending perhaps 
 to 40 or 50 rods each side of the column, and yet the column
 
 44 
 
 marched in a huddled confusion in about 30 companies and three 
 divisions thus : 
 
 Advance Guard. 
 
 00 f> . g 
 
 i 40 Rods. Ha* 40 Rods - '3 
 
 a OQ 
 
 M od 
 
 Q "o 
 
 Gen. bq Garth. 
 
 S o 
 
 ~ * 
 
 3 t/j 
 
 Is 40 Rods. Q 40 Rods. .2 
 
 - a 
 
 The above is the order in whirh the enemy marched in column from West 
 Haven Green, where they formed. The line of march of the "West Division 
 under Brig. Gen. Garth and the East under Maj. Gen. Tryon, will be shown in 
 several engravings which have been executed, to accompany this work. 
 
 The enemy were not so much attending to their street order as 
 a general vigorous march. 
 
 On Milford hill Adjutant Gen. Campbell, of the enemy, was slain 
 and left behind. Sundry more were wounded, near 2d mile stone. 
 Dr. Daggett, Professor of Divinity (ex-President of Yale College) 
 was captured. He discharged his piece and then submitted as 
 prisoner. They after this pierced and beat him with bayonets 
 and otherwise abused him so that his life was in danger for a 
 month afterwards. Also on our side John Hotchkiss, A.M., was 
 slain by the enemy. Our artillery at the bridge was well served 
 by Capt. Bradley and threw shot successfully across to Milford
 
 45 
 
 hill and prevented the enemy passing the causeway and so into 
 town that way. Thereupon they turned off and continued their 
 route round to Derby bridge. As they came along, our people 
 divided, some crossed the bridge ; others kept to the enemy's left 
 and under command of Col. Burr* (son of President Burr) 
 
 harrassed the enemy's march. At the bridge Major and 
 
 some militia repulsed an expedition of the enemy towards the 
 powder mill. The light troops of the right flank forded the river 
 perhaps twenty rods below the bridge while the main body 
 crossed the bridge. Upon their passing the second mile stone 
 and it appearing evidant that they aimed round, Col. Sabin and 
 the field piece, Capt. Hillhouse, &c., &c., crossed the field with 
 two pieces to meet them at Derby bridge. Then at the enemy's 
 rising a hill and taking the road to town we gave them a hearty 
 fire and took a number of prisoners ; also on the other side near 
 the mill we took a number. 
 
 The northern militia and those from Derby by this time 
 crowded in and passed on all sides and some behaved with 
 amazing intrepidity. One captain drew up and threw his whole 
 company (the Derby Company, probably), directly before the 
 enemy's column and gave and received their fire. We fought upon 
 a retreat into the town. Just at the northwest (Ditch corner) 
 entrance the battle became very severe and bloody for a short 
 time, when a number were killed on both sides. The enemy, 
 however, proceeded along in force and entered the town at 40 
 minutes after 12 or a little before 1 o'clock p. M. From their 
 first entrance till 8 in the evening the town was given up to 
 ravage and plunder, from which only a few houses were protected. 
 Besides what was carried off, great damage was done to furniture, 
 etc., left behind. 
 
 While these things were transacting on this side of the harbor, 
 Gen. Tryon was pursuing his desolation on the East side. Upon 
 landing he set fire to Mr. Morris' elegant seat. He was molested by 
 the Fort on Black Hock, 3 miles from town, under the command 
 of Lieut. Bishop, and also by a field piece under the gallant 
 Lieut. Pierpont. At length the fort was evacuated and the 
 enemy reached Beacon hill in the afternoon. The enemy pushed 
 out almost to East Haven meeting house. But the militia col- 
 lecting in from every part pressed upon them. The enemy drew 
 nearer on to water on the west or town side. The confluence of 
 militia accumulated chiefly at three places, at Neck bridge (which 
 the enemy had pulled up and retired), Mill lane and Ditch 
 corner. At the last place was incessant firing on both sides all 
 
 * See Drake's Dictionary of American Biography. Aaron Burr, A r ice Pres't of 
 U. S., born New Jersey, Feb. 6th, 1756, died Staten Island Sept. 14th, 1836, son 
 of President Burr and grandson of President Edwards. Colonel Burr had that 
 morning taken a daughter of President Edwards to a place of safety in North 
 Haven, and hurrying back took part in the several engagements that followed. 
 
 7
 
 46 
 
 the afternoon, and sundry were slain, and at length the firing on 
 both sides ceased in the evening. 
 
 In the afternoon of Monday, 28 large boats came ashore from 
 the shipping with about one thousand seamen to share in the 
 plundering. But General Garth absolutely forbid them landing 
 and sent them back, all but six boats which landed, alleging that 
 it would be dangerous should the boats be left on the flats at low 
 water. Gen. Tryon kept chiefly on the east side of the harbor 
 (Beacon Hill). He was, however, over on this side in the course 
 of the afternoon. (Met at council of war.) Garth feared lest his 
 men would become too drunk to remain safe on shore, and pro- 
 posed to Tryon going on board that night, but Tryon refused it. 
 The troops were ordered to parade at 1 o'clock next morning, and 
 the tories were notified of the departure. Four families (Messrs. 
 
 Chandler, Camp, Botsford and ) accordingly prepared and 
 
 went off with them next morning. 
 
 Though they began to call in their outposts, etc., and march the 
 main body a little before sunrise of the morning of the 6th of 
 July, yet they left 150 men to set fire to several stores on the 
 wharf and the vessels. These (troops) resumed plundering while 
 their galleys kept up a fire. The ships and stores were fired 
 between vi and vii morning. At the distance of three miles north 
 of the town I espied this conflagration, when we supposed the 
 whole town was destined to the flames. But a merciful God 
 ordered it otherwise.* 
 
 A few of the troops went directly to their shipping. Those fit 
 for duty (for they had been very drunk) crossed the ferry and 
 joined General Tryon's corps or division on Beacon Hill, half a 
 mile from the water. General Ward, of the militia, had command 
 at Ditch corner, and indeed all around on Mondav. On Tuesday 
 morning he entered the town after it was evacuated and then pro- 
 ceeded round to East Haven, where he took command of four 
 militia regiments now arrived, viz : Colonel Cook's, Colonel Rus- 
 sell's, Colonel Worthington's and Colonel Sage's, forming a corps 
 of 1,000 men, besides as many more spectators and volunteers not 
 under command. This body, together with the field pieces, 
 greatly disturbed the enemy till at length they quitted the hill 
 about noon on Tuesday. We immediately took it and brought a 
 field piece there, between which and the galleys at Black Rock 
 there was kept up an enlivening, incessant and animating fire all 
 the afternoon.f 
 
 Our militia grew bold and adventurous, and approached so 
 
 * I am informed that Mr. C. S. Maltby's grandfather, Colonel Eussell, had a 
 horse shot under him at this time. General Maltby, of Washington's staff, who 
 compiled the first army tactics of those days for the United States army, was a 
 brother-in-law of the aforesaid Colonel Russell. 
 
 f This accounts for the many cannon shot found on the Town send property in 
 East Haven, and agrees with tradition.
 
 47 
 
 close to the enemy as to become very troublesome. Brig. Gen. 
 Hart, of the militia, had entered the town and took the necessary 
 measures there. The galleys fired at the militia on the wharves 
 and shore. In a word, a vigorous, incessant and heavy fire was 
 kept up till sunset, when the enemy fired the barracks in the fort, 
 and embarked and sailed Tuesday evening. On Tuesday morn- 
 ing, upon their crossing over the ferry, the enemy displayed their 
 vengeance by setting fire to houses, barns and stores in East 
 Haven. On both sides of the river or harbor the amount of their 
 conflagrations was burning eight dwelling houses, six stores, five 
 or six barns, eight vessels. The total damage to the town, accord- 
 ing to an account rendered unto the selectmen, is about 21,000. 
 L. M. Oldway (sic.) When they came into town the dead and 
 wounded were carried down to the ships and through the Green 
 in seven chairs and five wagons, in one of which wagons were ten 
 men, as I had it from one that lived at the water side and counted 
 them. They killed of our people in action twenty-one besides 
 some that died of their wounds, and besides two aged men, Mr. 
 English and Mr. Beers, whom they bayoneted in their houses, 
 making no resistance. Their barbarity was savage and cruel, if 
 not without a parallel, yet to the degree of the highest and most 
 brutal rigor of war. 
 
 At the entrance of the town they, the British, dispersed a few 
 printed proclamations issued by Commodore Sir George Collier 
 and Gen. Try on jointly, offering protection to all that either sub- 
 mitted or kept peaceably in their houses. This they violated in 
 most instances. They also read on the Long Wharf a proclama- 
 tion of freedom to negroes who should join them. But few, and I 
 think none, of the negroes, went off with them. They carried off* 
 between 20 and 30 prisoners, among the rest Jonathan Whiting, 
 Esq., judge of probate, Capt. Mix and Mr. Sabin. Notwithstand- 
 ing they burned no dwelling houses in town on the west side of 
 the water, yet they damaged the windows, doors, wainscots, etc., 
 of many, but they did not the least damage to the President's 
 house or college edifices, and very little to the meeting houses, 
 State House, etc. 
 
 Upon their landing I sent off my four daughters in town, one 
 being absent in Hartford, who walked on foot for Mount Carmel. 
 I sent the college records and a quantity of colonial papers three 
 miles off by my youngest son. I sent off a horse load of bags of 
 clothes another way ; then sent Isaac with a carriage to overtake 
 his sisters ; and then ray oldest son Ezra went to West Bridge, 
 and was in all the actions of both the days on both sides of the 
 harbor. At length I was ready to depart and set off on horseback 
 to get a few miles out of town, and sent in a cart which happily 
 brought off four beds, etc., and trunks from my house. The rest 
 of my furniture was left, yet they neither took nor damaged any 
 except one large looking glass, into which they fired a ball which 
 demolished it. I retired a few miles (2 or 3), but spent the day
 
 48 
 
 in riding around among our confluence of militia from Neck Rock 
 to Ditch corner, and next morning soon after the evacuation I 
 returned to town and visited the desolation, dead corpses and con- 
 flagration. It was with a sense of mixed joy and sorrow, plun- 
 der, rape, murder, bayoneting, indelicacies towards the sex, inso- 
 lence and abuse and insult toward the inhabitants in general, 
 dwellings and stores just setting on tire in East Haven in full 
 view, etc., etc., etc.; joy and rejoicing that the buildings had 
 escaped the flames in the compact part of the town, yet mixed 
 with fear of re-landing and future conflagration of which they had 
 left vigorous threatening. The fleet left the evening or night of 
 Tuesday, the 6th inst. 
 
 On Wednesday morning, July 9th, they anchored off Fairfield, 
 and landing here, took possession of the town of about one hun- 
 dred dwelling houses. They sent out Parson Sayre and a flag 
 with the proclamation to the military, at the same time setting 
 the town afire. Colonel Whiting of the militia sent back this 
 answer : 
 
 "Connecticut having nobly dared to take up arms against the cruel despotism of 
 Britain, and the flames having preceded their answer to your flag, they will persist 
 to oppose to their utmost the power exerted against injured innocence. 
 
 SAMUEL WHITING, Col. Commanding. 
 
 July 7th, sunset. 
 
 MAJOR GEN. TRYON." 
 
 At New Haven we heard the heavy cannonading at their land- 
 ing at Fairfield, being 3 p. M. of Wednesday, 7th. They burned 
 the most of the town that night, with the village of Green's Farms. 
 The public buildings were spared until next morning, when they 
 were burned. Gen. Tryon in person at Mrs. Burr's (lady of Thad. 
 Burr, Esq.,) had given her a written protection for her person, 
 house and property. The English embarked next morning. Their 
 rear guard at departure finished the conflagration and burned 
 Mrs. Burr's house, though she showed the written protection, they 
 damning Tryon's protection and paying no attention to it. Thus 
 Gen. Tryon laid in ashes all the town, except perhaps a dozen 
 buildings, but even these were set fire to, but extinguished by our 
 people; and among the rest not only the meeting house and State 
 House, but the Episcopal church, were laid in ashes by a member 
 of the Society for Propagating the Gospel. 
 
 On Thursday morning they departed for Fairfield and crossed 
 over to Huntingdon on Long Island to refit. While at Fairfield 
 they made an excursion five or six miles to Green's Farms, which 
 they burned and plundered, also the meeting house and dwelling 
 of the minister, Rev. Mr. Ripley. A large body of militia assem- 
 bled around and annoyed and shortened their stay. 
 
 Lord's day, evening. The fleet crossed over from Huntingdon 
 and anchored five miles off the town of Norwalk, and about sun- 
 set landed in about twenty boats. At six, Monday morning,
 
 49 
 
 12th July, they marched for town. Major General Wolcott and 
 Brigadier General Parsons witli militia and Continentals, from 900 
 to 1,000 opposed them. Our men gave way. The enemy entered 
 the town about nine or ten A. M., and immediately laid the town 
 in ashes, which was completed by noon of 12th instant. Gen. 
 Parsons judged the enemy 2,000 at Nor walk. They burned the 
 meeting house and Episcopal church at Norwalk with this 
 blasphemous and heaven-daring expression at setting fire to the 
 latter, " Now God Almighty come and defend your own house." 
 The enemy ascribed the burning of this place of worship to 
 accident and as unavoidable from the vicinity to other buildings. 
 But here at Norwalk the Episcopal minister's house, the nearest 
 to the church, was indeed set on fire just at departure, but extin- 
 guished by our people, though the church could not be saved. 
 They embarked immediately, having in seven days, from Monday 
 morning, 5th, to Monday, 12th, or in one week, visited three cap- 
 ital towns on the Connecticut sea coast, burnt three meeting 
 houses and two Episcopal churches, eighty or ninety dwellings in 
 Fairfield, one hundred and thirty in Norwalk, and plundered and 
 desolated to an amount of damage rendered in to Gov. Trumbull 
 of about one hundred thousand pounds sterling. This is a taste 
 of British clemency. The same week the main body of the 
 army, under Sir Henry Clinton, of 6,000 or 8,000 men with 
 twelve field pieces and perhaps five hundred horses, had advanced 
 to the heights on the west at Byrara River, and within a mile of 
 Horse Neck, whence they sent a detachment and burned Bed- 
 ford. Here they burned the meeting house as a little before 
 
 they burned the meeting house at . So they have burned 
 
 seven places of public worship within a few days. Arise, O 
 God ! Soon after these operations all retreated and drew in 
 towards King's Bridge. 
 
 Sir George Collier in his letter to the ministry, July 27th, says 
 " the land forces under Maj. Gen. Tryon in this expedition were 
 2,600 men. The number of killed, wounded and missing on our 
 (King) side amount to 56." Assigns our firing from windows as 
 cause of burning. Not a fact. 
 
 Account of conflagrations of New Haven, East Haven, Fair- 
 field, Green's Farm and Norwalk ascertained by order of Gov. 
 Trumbull : 
 
 
 Dwellings. 
 
 Barns. 
 
 Stores. 
 
 Shops. 
 
 Vessels. 
 
 Mills. 
 
 New Haven, . 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 
 7 
 
 
 East Haven, 
 
 8 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 
 
 Fairfield, 
 
 82 
 
 55 
 
 15 
 
 15 
 
 
 
 Green's Farm, 
 
 15 
 
 11 
 
 
 
 
 
 Norwalk, 
 
 135 
 
 89 
 
 15 
 
 25 
 
 5 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 240 
 
 158 
 
 36 
 
 40 
 
 12 
 
 4 
 
 and 2,000 bushels of wheat.
 
 50 
 
 July llth, 1779. Lord's day. So many had left the town that 
 two congregations agreed to meet together in forenoon at Mr. 
 Edwards' meeting, p. M., Mr. Whittlesey. I was to preach A. 
 M., but was interrupted in middle of sermon with news of burn- 
 ing of Norwalk on enemy's landing. Congregation broke up and 
 spent the day moving furniture and effects. 
 
 July 13th. Mr. Tutor Baldwin came yesterday morning from 
 Norwalk. Place in ruins. 
 
 July 14th. I went to Carmel and Cheshire and put my chil- 
 dren to board. 
 
 July 17th. Writing the Sieur Gerard diploma. 
 
 July 18th. Lord's day. News of the taking of Stony Point 
 Fort Friday morning, 16th inst., and garrison of 500 men. I 
 preached for Mr. Whittlesey, p. M., Rev. xii-11. At seven this 
 evening Gen. Glover's Continental Brigade came into town. He 
 told me Dr. Johnson would be for encouraging an application to 
 Gen. Tryon by town of Stratford offering neutrality. 
 
 July 20th. Town meeting held in New Haven and sent to 
 Gov. Trumbull for troops to be sent here. 
 
 July 21st. Enemy left Byram River last Lord's day, 18th inst. 
 
 July 22d. Most vigorous operations of the war everywhere. 
 
 July 23d. Copying diplomas on parchment. Gov. Trumbull 
 sent for our sufferings (sic), but 160 troops here. Col. Sage 
 2,000 at New London under Gen. Tylei*. 
 
 July 25th. Loi-d's day. I preached at West Haven for Rev. 
 Mr. Williston, who broke his leg in escaping from the enemy at 
 landing there. 
 
 July 26th. Gen. Ward came to town ; stationed here militia ; 
 ordered down to the sea coast. Maj. Gen. Wolcott commands from 
 Byram River to Stratford particularly and generally through the 
 State ; Brig. Gen. Ward for Stratford from Stratford to Saybrook ; 
 Brig. Gen. Tyler thence to Paucatuck; perhaps 4,000 militia 
 actually in this division at this time. 
 
 July 27th. Mr. Tutor Atwater set off with diplomas to be signed 
 by the corporation. Went to East Haven with Gen. Ward and Col. 
 Sage to reconnoiter Beacon Hill, etc., for fortifications. At Mor- 
 ris's recovered some of President Clapp's College MSS., took up 
 by a boat at sea off against Fairfield the night of enemy's land- 
 ing there. The enemy threw overboard a large chest of his MSS., 
 now lamentably and irrecoverably lost. A treasure of great 
 value. [See President Stiles' and General Tryon's Correspondence 
 in Clapp MSS. 
 
 July 29th. Visited Rev. Messrs. Arms and Goodrich (sic) in 
 consultation of College affairs. The morning of the enemy's 
 landing I dismissed the students till further orders. 
 
 Aug. 1st. Lord's day. I preached for Mr. Edwards; sick A. M. 
 
 Aug. 3d. New Haven militia received half want arms. Forti- 
 fying the town. 
 
 Aug. 8th. I preached at Carmel and admitted five persons in 
 full communion.
 
 51 
 
 Aug. 9th. I find all the parishes agree to a fast. 
 
 Aug. 1 Oth. Bro't home this MSS. yesterday. This day fin- 
 ished the Sieur Gerard diploma and sent it by the post to the 
 care of Hon. Henry Merchant, Esq., Delegate to Rhode Island to 
 Congress, Philadelphia. 
 
 Aug. 27th. Flag returned with nine New Haven prisoners. 
 
 The following is the letter of President Stiles of Yale College, 
 (found in his diary) to General Tryon, making enquiry for the 
 manuscripts of President Clapp* of Yale, which were carried 
 away in the British fleet from N e w Haven : 
 
 [Copy.] 
 
 NEW HAVEN, July 14th, 1779. 
 
 Sir : The troops of the separate expedition under your Excel- 
 lency's command, when they left New Haven, on the 6th inst., 
 carried away with them among other things, the papers MSS. of 
 the Rev. President Clapp, the late head of this seat of learning. 
 They were in the hands of his daughter Mrs. Wooster, lady of 
 the late General Wooster, and lodged in the general's house. 
 Among them, besides some compositions, were letters and papers 
 of consequence respecting the college which can be of no service 
 to the present possessor. This waits upon you, sir, to request this 
 box of MSS., which can have no respect to the present times, as 
 Mr. Clapp died in 1767. A war against science has been repro- 
 bated for ages by the wisest and most powerful generals. The 
 irreparable loss sustained by the of letters by the destruc- 
 tion of the Alexandrian Library and other ancient monuments of 
 literature have generously prompted the victorious commander of 
 modern ages to exempt these monuments from ravages and deso- 
 lation inseparable from the highest rigour of war. I beg leave 
 upon this occasion to address myself only to the principles of 
 politeness and honor, humbly asking the return of those MSS., 
 which to others will be useless to us valuable. I am, sir, Your 
 Excellency's most obedient and very humble servant. 
 
 EZRA STILES, President. 
 
 His Excellency Major General Tryon. 
 
 Sent by Captain Sabin, August 17, 1779. 
 
 GOVERNOR TRYON'S LETTER IN ANSWER. 
 [Copy.] 
 
 NEW YORK, 25th Sept., 1779. 
 
 Sir : Disposed by principle as well as inclination to prevent the 
 violence of war from injuring the right of the republic of learn- 
 ing, I very much approve of your solicitude for the preservation 
 
 * Spelled with two Ps in the Stiles Diary.
 
 52 
 
 of Mr. Clapp's MSS. Had they been found here they should 
 most certainly have been restored as you desire, but after dili- 
 gent inquiry I can learn nothing concerning them. The officer of 
 the party at the house where the box is supposed to have been 
 deposited has been examined, and does not remember to have seen 
 it, nor apprehends that any such papers fell into the hands of the 
 soldiery. I Avould therefore indulge a hope that better care has 
 been taken of the collection than you were led to imagine at the 
 date of your letter. This, however, will not abate my attention 
 and inquiry, nor shall I, if I succeed, omit the gratification of your 
 wishes. 
 
 I am, sir, your very obedient servant, 
 
 WM. TRYON. 
 
 To the Rev. Mr. Ezra Stiles, President of Yale College 
 at New Haven. 
 
 Received Oct. 21, 1779. 
 
 PRESIDENT STILES' ANSWER. 
 [Copy.] 
 
 YALE COLLEGE, Dec. 14, 1779. 
 
 Sir : The latter end of October last I received your letter of 
 25th September. It is unnecessary for you to make any further 
 inquiry respecting President Clapp's manuscript. Capt. Boss- 
 well of the Guard, while here on the fatal 5th of July last, 
 showed some of them in town, which he said he had taken from 
 Gen. Wooster's house, and it is presumed that he well knows the 
 accident which befell the rest. Your troops carried away from 
 Mrs. Wooster's a box and two large trunks of paper. One of 
 them was a trunk of papers which the General took to Canada, 
 the others were his own and the President's. On the night of the 
 the conflagration of Fail-field three whale boats of our people on 
 their way from Norwalk to the eastward passed by your fleet at 
 anchor off Fairfield (then in flames), sailed through a little ocean 
 of floating papers, not far from your shipping. They took up 
 some of them as they passed. 1 have since separated and reduced 
 them all to three sorts and no more, viz : Gen. Wooster's own 
 papers, Gen. Carlton's French Commissions and orders to the 
 Canadian Milita, and Mr. Clapp's, a few of which last belong to 
 this College. This specimen, sir, shows us that the rest are un- 
 happily and irrevocably lost, tinless perhaps Capt. Bosswell might 
 have selected some before the rest were thrown overboard. If so, 
 your polite attention to my request convinces me that I shall be 
 so fortunate as to recover such as may have been saved. 
 I am, sir, your very humble servant, 
 
 EZRA STILES. 
 
 To His Excellency, Gen. Tryon, New York. 
 
 Sent by Major Harnage of the Saratoga Convention Troops.
 
 53 
 
 The history of New Haven never can be properly written with- 
 out mention of the illustrious name of Hillhouse, and as we turn 
 over the pages of a sketch of his life and public services, by the 
 Rev. Leonard Bacon, D.D., LL.D., and from which we make 
 copious extracts, this most appropriate inscription meets the eye : 
 
 " JAMES HILLHOUSE " 
 
 THE STATESMAN, THE PATRIOT, THE CHRISTIAN, 
 
 Born Oct. 21st, 1754. Died Dec. 29th, 1832. 
 He lives in the affection of his countrymen, and his deeds are his monuments." 
 
 We will not .enlarge on this gentleman's ancestry, which was 
 second to none in New England, and the part he took in 
 the various engagements of July 5th and 6th has been often 
 referred to in former papers. We will therefore only make brief 
 mention of fragments of facts and anecdotes collected from 
 tradition and otherwise, which tie him most firmly to the affection 
 of his townsmen and bestow on his memory the highest respect 
 his countrymen are able to give him. 
 
 His efforts and stirring appeal inviting enlistment under Gover- 
 nor TrumbulPs proclamation, published in New Haven papers of 
 June 23d, 17*79" To all friends of American freedom" had their 
 weight. His brave conduct as captain of the Second Company 
 of Governor's Foot Guards* of Connecticut, and the part he took 
 in the resistance to the British, as well as the services of this 
 highly honorable corps, which history tells us was the finest 
 body of troops in America, both shall stand forth and forever 
 adorn the pages of New Haven's history. 
 
 Captain Hillhouse was entrusted by Governor Trumbull with 
 the duty of promoting enlistments in one of the brigades. The 
 appeal above mentioned was published in the Connecticut Jour- 
 nal of June 23, 1779. 
 
 * It will be remembered that this splendid corps, composed of some of the first 
 citizens of New Haven, on receipt of the news of the battle of Lexington, marched 
 to Cambridge under the command of Captain Benedict Arnold, arriving just before 
 the battle of Bunker Hill, and were detailed to deliver the dead body of an officer 
 to an officer appointed by the British general to receive it. This officer paid the 
 corps this compliment, that he was astounded to find such a splendidly equipped 
 body of men, and that their superior was not to be found in His Majesty's service. 
 A portion of this Company went with Gen. Arnold to Canada and marched through 
 Maine on their route.
 
 54 
 
 (From the Connecticut Journal of June 23d, 1779.) 
 
 To all Friends of American Freedom : 
 
 The period is now come, when, in all probability, we may, with 
 proper exertions, put a speedy termination to the war. And 
 nothing is more necessary to bring about so desirable an event 
 than furnishing a competent number of men for the field. The 
 encouragement for soldiers to enlist is truly great, and the offers 
 generous. The time of service will most likely be short ; they are 
 to suffer nothing by the depreciation of currency ; their families 
 are to be supplied with the substantial of life at the old price; 
 the army are well clothed, and provided with everything neces- 
 sary and convenient ; and at the end of the war they are to 
 receive a handsome reward for their services. I am sensible our 
 internal foes, our worst enemies, will throw every discouragement 
 in the way, will tell you that our money is almost run out and 
 that we must inevitably submit. But you may be assured that 
 no exertions will be wanting on the part of the United States to 
 disappoint their expectations. And 1 am confident that should it 
 ever be our misfortune to experience such a calamity, the free 
 born sons of America would arm themselves and go forth, without 
 hire or reward, against our enemies, and never lay down their 
 arms till they had driven every invader from our land. Never 
 have the Americans been animated with a beaming spirit but they 
 have been successful. No sooner were our Southern brethren 
 roused to proper exertions than they defeated the troops sent 
 upon an expedition, from the success of which our enemies have 
 made such pompous boasts, and have driven them off loaded with 
 infamy and disgrace. 
 
 His Excellency the Governor has directed me to enlist all within 
 this brigade who shall be so nobly and virtuously inclined. It 
 being a matter of public concern, I beg every individual will use 
 his influence to encourage a competent number to enlist, as it 
 will save the disagreeable necessity of a draft. And voluntary 
 enlistment is certainly the most eligible, as it will convince our 
 enemies we have not yet lost our spirits, and will fill our brethren, 
 already in the field, with new life and courage to find us ready 
 with cheerfulness to lend them our aid. 
 
 Lest there should be any who cannot engage upon the above 
 terms, for fear the war may continue longer than they think they 
 can possibly absent themselves from their families and farms, I 
 am authorized by His Excellency to offer those who will engage 
 to serve in said army until the 15th day of January next, twenty 
 pounds bounty, a new regimental coat, and the same pay, refresh- 
 ment and family support, during the term of their services respect- 
 ively, as other soldiers in the Continental army, with liberty to 
 choose the company in which they will be joined. And who is 
 there that will deprive himself of the pleasure and satisfaction he 
 would derive through his whole life, from reflecting upon his hav-
 
 55 
 
 ing served a campaign in so important a period of the war. I 
 hereby invite all, and shall make the offer to as many as possible, 
 to engage before the 10th day of July next, when I am to make 
 return to His Excellency. Those who incline to accept will, by 
 making application, receive their bounty in bills and be kindly 
 treated by their most obedient and humble servant, 
 
 JAMES HILLHOUSE. 
 New Haven, June 21, 1779. 
 
 James Hillhouse at the time was a member of the family of 
 the widow of James Abraham Hillhouse, Esq., to whom he was a 
 near relative. Madam Hillhouse was a member of the Church of 
 England, and her political sympathies were with the British. 
 Hers was therefore one of the few houses to be protected from 
 pillage. Some of the British officers were quartered there, and 
 were received with the courtesy due to men who bore His Maj- 
 esty's commission. Yet the loyal lady was in great danger from 
 the imputation of her nephew's patriotism. It happened that the 
 newspaper containing Captain Hillhouse's patriotic call for 
 recruits came under the notice of the officers almost as soon as 
 they entered the house which was to be protected for its loyalty. 
 The house and its contents would have been immediately given 
 up to the plundering soldiers had not the lady, with a dignified 
 frankness which repelled suspicion, informed her guests that 
 though the young man whose name was subscribed to that call 
 was a near and valued relative of hers, and was actually resident 
 under that roof, the property was entirely her own ; and that the 
 part which he had taken in the conflict with Great Britain was 
 taken, not only on his own responsibility, but in opposition to 
 her judgment and sympathies. 
 
 New Haven's leafy, arched streets are known to every one, and 
 most of the old magnificent elms around the Green and colleges, 
 and through Temple street and Hillhouse avenue, were trans- 
 planted by the Hon. James Hillhouse from his beautiful estate, 
 which was on the northern outskirts of the town. While Mr. H. 
 and his men were thus employed, a neighbor passed and remarked, 
 " Hillhouse, you will never live to see these trees large enough for 
 shade." Mr. Hillhouse replied, "But some one else will," and 
 this little incident gives his character. He lived for others. 
 
 The following incident will be of interest : " In connection with 
 Mr. Hillhouse's superintendence of the Hartford and New Haven 
 turnpike, a story is extant which, if it is only a myth, is never-
 
 56 
 
 theless worth repeating. The tradition is that while Mr. H. was 
 working the road, he was visited by Gen. Wade Hampton, of 
 South Carolina, one of his associates in the House of Representa- 
 tives. Of course it was a part of the ' Sachem's ' hospitality to 
 show his Southern friend the great work that was in progress. 
 The well-trained oxen, as well as other things that he saw, were 
 much admired by the stranger. ' See,' said he to the negro ser- 
 vant who attended him, 'how those oxen work! Tom! they 
 know more than you do.' ' Oh ! mas'r,' said the negro in reply, 
 'dem. ar oxen has had a Yankee bringing up.' '' 
 
 The following is one of the incidents of the invasion, also hap- 
 pily preserved : "It was 'at the second mile stone,' just where 
 the road to West Haven diverges from the Milford road, that the 
 Rev. Dr. Daggett, Professor of Divinity in Yale College (and the 
 acting president for nine years before the accession of Dr. Stiles) 
 encountered the enemy. He had come from the town, riding 
 furiously on his old black mare, with his long fowling piece in his 
 hand. At the bridge he had addressed a few 'patriotic and earn- 
 est' words to the little company that was to serve the artillery. 
 Rushing by the company of young men under Capt. Hillhouse, 
 several of them students, he was greeted with cheers. As they 
 turned southward toward West Haven, they saw him ascending 
 a little to the west, and taking his station deliberately in a little 
 copse of woods. When the young men, having driven back the 
 advanced guard and encountered the main body of the enemy, 
 were making their hasty retreat to regain the other side of the 
 river, the professor, who had never learned to ' advance back- 
 ward,' kept his station with characteristic fearlessness and tenac- 
 ity, waiting for the enemy. As the British column came up, 
 several successive shots from the hillside arrested their attention, 
 and the sturdy form of the professor in his clei'ical costume was 
 easily discerned by the party sent to the spot whence the firing 
 proceeded. ' What are you doing there, you old fool, firing on 
 His Majesty's troops?' was the exclamation of the officer. 'Exer- 
 cising the rights of war,' replied the professor. The oddity of 
 such an answer, proceeding from such a person, probably arrested 
 the shot or the bayonet that might have killed him on the instant ; 
 and the question was put whether, if his life was spared, he would 
 be likely to do such a thing again. 'Nothing more likely,' said 
 he, 'I rather think I should.' He was permitted to surrender 
 himself, but was cruelly pierced with* bayonets and driven at the
 
 57 
 
 head of the column until they reached the town. For a month 
 afterward his life was in danger from the wounds and injuries 
 which he had received, and indeed, his death which took place 
 in the following year, was hastened by those sufferings. See the 
 article on Prof. Daggett in Sprague's Annals of the American 
 Pulpit, Vol. 1. 
 
 The following episode may also be of interest. It will be remem- 
 bered that it was customary in all New England towns to keep Sat- 
 urday nights with great strictness, but Sunday night was treated 
 for business purposes the same as any other evening of the week. 
 It was now the third anniversary of American independence. 
 New Haven had never celebrated this great event, as other cities 
 and towns of importance had done. The patriots of New Haven, 
 had decided to have a celebration this time. The Fourth of July 
 came on Sunday. A meeting was therefore held in the "old mid- 
 dle brick church" at sundown Sunday, to make arrangements and a 
 programme for the intended celebration. When everything was all 
 arranged it was decided about nine o'clock in the evening, for the 
 Second Company Governor's Foot Guards, which was made up 
 of both patriots and loyalists, to escort or lead the grand proces- 
 sion on their march to the Green, where orations and proper 
 ceremonies befitting such an anniversary would take place. 
 Delegations from the adjoining towns were expected and the 
 whole programme was successfully arranged. The Guards were 
 under the command of Captain Hillhouse, and the militia which 
 were to participate, were under the command of Lieutenant Colo- 
 nel Sabin, the recognized commander of the militia of this district. 
 The inhabitants had quietly retired, when at about ten o'clock the 
 booming of a signal gun announced the approach of the enemy. 
 It was then supposed that a fleet which had been observed in the 
 Sound a day or two before, and was supposed bound to Newport or 
 New London was merely passing. Daylight came and imagine the 
 surprise and consternation of everybody, and especially the loy- 
 alist members of the Foot Guards when it was discovered by 
 parties with spy glasses on the tower of Yale College, that the 
 enemy had landed. The loyalists were compelled by pride to 
 march forth to assist in the defence, which they did without 
 flinching. 
 
 Thos. R. Trowbridge, Esq., senior partner of the house of Messrs. 
 H. Trowbridge's Sons, shipping merchants, and President of the 
 Chamber of Commerce, gives me the following reminiscences:
 
 58 
 
 When it was found that the enemy were surely making a descent 
 upon the town, Mr. Rutherford Trowbridge, grandfather of Mr. 
 Trowbridge, who lived in a fine brick mansion across the Dyke 
 (corner of Columbus and West Water street, still to be seen), 
 hurried his family, which consisted of his wife and several young 
 children, most of them daughters, into a boat and sent them up 
 the Quinnipiac River to North Haven, to the house of a friend, 
 where they remained until the enemy left town. As soon as his fam- 
 ily were out of harm's way, Mr. T. started with his musket (now in 
 the Historical Society Museum) and joined the company under 
 the brave Capt. Hillhouse, and with other patriots met the enemy 
 at 2d mile stone and disputed every step of their advance into 
 town. Mr. Trowbridge's family left in such a hurry that they 
 did not take the bread from the oven, which was found "well 
 done" on their return, and everything in the house was intact, just 
 as it was left. The reason their house was not plundered was that 
 Capt. Rice, a gentleman loyal to the King and crown, and a par- 
 ticular friend of Mr. Trowbridge, interceded for his neighbor's 
 property and saved it. Mr. Thomas R. TroAvbridge is the seventh 
 in descent from "Thomas Trowbridge," one of the first settlers 
 of New Haven Colony under Gov. Eaton, 1638-9. 
 
 Some new facts have been lately elicited from members of the 
 Tuttle family in regard to the diabolical murder of Mr. Elisha 
 Tuttle in Broadway on the afternoon of July 5th, 1779. Mr. T. 
 was a lineal descendant of Wm. Tuttle, who came out with Gov. 
 Eaton from Somerset county in 1638-9. His family owned the 
 site of Christ church, and it was here that he was spending his 
 time while on a visit to New Haven. His mind had been im- 
 paired by a shock occasioned by the burning and destruction of 
 his home on the frontiers of New York and Canada by the British 
 and Indians, and the murder of his wife and children while he was 
 on a visit the year before to his friends in New Haven. A daughter 
 alone remained, and she was a captive in the hands of the savages. 
 Mr. T., after fruitless search for his child, returned to his native 
 town, a discouraged and ruined man. While the enemy were 
 advancing, and as they passed down Broadway, he was kept 
 quiet by one of the family and had been left for only a moment, 
 when he espied a party of British soldiers out of the window, 
 and thus inspired by revenge, his crazed brain prompted him to 
 seize an old rusty and unloaded musket and rushing into the 
 street, he pointed the musket at the party. The neighbors tried
 
 59 
 
 to stop him and called to the soldiers that the poor man was 
 deranged, but they all, more or less under the influence of rum, 
 heeded not, and as he could not speak they pried open his mouth 
 with a bayonet while on the ground where he had fallen in a 
 scuffle, and then one of them was brute enough to cut out his 
 tongue. The late Stephen D. Pardee, Esq., for many years the 
 honored treasurer of the New Haven Savings Bank, was a grand- 
 nephew of Mr. Tuttle. Charles Dickerman, Esq., of Howe street, 
 is also a grandnephew. 
 
 The following interesting reminiscences are given by Dr. Levi 
 Ives. His grandfather, Dr. Levi Ives, was a surgeon during the 
 Revolution and attached to a Connecticut regiment, and was 
 with it during the attack on Quebec under General Montgomery, 
 where the latter was slain. Dr. Ives lived at the time of the 
 invasion in Broadway, second house east of Mr. Eleazar Fitch's. 
 The old "lean-to" house is now standing and in it Dr. Levi's 
 father, the late Prof. Eli Ives of Yale College, was born, and in 
 1779 was one year old. About ten o'clock on the evening of the 
 4th of July, Dr. Ives had retired and was sound asleep when the 
 first alarm gun was fired announcing the approach of the enemy. 
 Mrs. Ives called him and soon a second and third gun followed. 
 Dr. Ives at once ordered his servant to take his wife and child in 
 the gig to the house of a relative in North Haven, and at day- 
 light, the doctor and Mr. Mansfield, father of Major Benjamin 
 Mansfield, joined others and went with Captain Hillhouse to 
 meet the invaders at Allingtowu, where they both commenced 
 flighting on their own hook behind a stone wall. Gen. Garth 
 sent a detachment to cut this party off. One of them (Mansfield) 
 happened to look around, and saw the foe before and behind. 
 They ran behind a large chestnut tree, just as a whole volley 
 was fired at them, the bullets cutting the limbs of the tree and 
 showering them with leaves and twigs. They then ran and 
 joined their comrades without receiving a wound. 
 
 Mr. Beers, who was murdered as before noticed, was a great 
 grandfather of Dr. Levi Ives. His son was Captain Nathan 
 Beers, an old Governor's Foot Guard, who was guard over Andre 
 the night before the execution of that officer, and to whom Andre 
 presented a sketch of himself drawn in pen and ink before a glass, 
 which was presented by Captain Beers to Yale College. The 
 said Captain Nathan Beers was father of the late Isaac Beers, 
 Esq., and Prof. Timothy Beers of Yale College, of this city.
 
 60 
 
 Dr. Ives mentions the fact (more fully related hereafter), that 
 Squire Painter, of West Haven, went with some of his neigh- 
 bors at daylight, July 5th, to Savin Rock to meet the enemy, 
 and as they landed he lay flat on the ground and fired upon 
 them. Dr. Ives says the season was so far advanced that 
 Indian corn was high enough for the Patriots to mask themselve 8 
 in and fire on the regulars as they marched from West Haven to 
 Hotchkisstown (now Westville).* He also tells of a little discus- 
 sion which the Hon. Eleazar Goodrich, father of Prof. Goodrich, 
 had with a British soldier concerning a certain musket the soldier 
 was armed with while on duty in the town, the afternoon of its 
 capture. Mr. G. lay wounded in his uncle Charles Chauncey's 
 house. The soldier seeing him, stabbed him with his bayonet. 
 Goodrich being a very powerful man wrenched the loaded mus- 
 ket from the soldier, throwing him on the floor and there held 
 him, expecting assistance from some of his neighbors. Just 
 at that moment several British soldiers entered and rushed upon 
 Goodrich, who at once called out, " I surrender !" and they were 
 about dispatching him when the soldier from whom he had taken 
 the musket called out, "You have saved my life and I will 
 yours," and Mr. G. was told he could go, much to his surprise and 
 satisfaction. 
 
 I am indebted to Mr. George B. Bassett, of Orange street, for 
 the following : His great-grandfather was James Bassett, son of 
 John Bassett, who moved out of town to his estate on Hamden 
 Plains, and built the fine old residence known as the Bassett 
 House, where his son James was born in 1724, and which was 
 pulled down about three years since. The house was built in the 
 year 1720, and was a fine two-story lean-to house, situated on the 
 right-hand side as one drives toward Centerville. The aforesaid 
 James Bassett was a lineal descendant of William Bassett of the 
 New Haven colony, and is supposed to have been the one of that 
 name who came to New Plymouth in New England in 1621. Mr. 
 James Bassett had three sons, viz : James, Timothy and John. 
 James and Timothy served in the Continental army during the 
 revolution, and, just previous to the invasion of New Haven, we 
 find James serving in a Connecticut regiment in New York state, 
 
 * Mr. Charles Dicker-man says his father was in the engagement at Alliugtown, 
 and when the enemy had passed the bridge, he went on West Rock, and looking 
 down on the scene, lie observed the patriots masked in the corn and firing on the 
 enemy.
 
 61 
 
 where two years before he had witnessed the surrender of Lieu- 
 tenant General Burgoyne and his army to the fortunate Major- 
 General Gates. I say fortunate, because it was the opinion of 
 many who were present and were eye-witnesses of the several 
 engagements preceding the surrender, that nothing but the great 
 energy and daring of General Benedict Arnold (the Captain 
 Arnold of the old Governor's Foot Guards of New Haven), 
 brought about the capture of this army of between 5,000 and 
 6,000 men, which frustrated the well laid plans of Sir Henry Clin- 
 ton to march an army from Canada via North river to New York 
 and thus, sever New England from the other colonies. This 
 James Bassett and his brother Timothy happened both to be at 
 home on a furlough, and when the alarm guns were fired, which 
 at daylight (morning of July 5) announced the actual landing of 
 the enemy at Savin Rock and East Haven, they took down their 
 muskets from the hooks over the fire-place in the kitchen, and 
 went forth to join their townsmen, who were mustering on the 
 Green before the middle brick meeting-house. They were in all 
 the engagements from West Haven to the Ditch Corner, where 
 both were wounded. James had his arm broken with a ball, and 
 was carried home behind a neighbor on horseback. He reported 
 to his father that Timothy was shot dead in the same battle, as 
 he had seen him fall. It seems that at the Ditch Corner the 
 patriots made a stand. James was wounded as before mentioned, 
 and Timothy, grandfather of Mr. George B. Bassett, was shot 
 through the body, the ball lodging in the back of his waistcoat 
 which he kept until his death. As he lay wounded, a British sol- 
 dier stripped him of his silver shoe-buckles, and was about knock- 
 ing out his brains with his musket when Chandler came up and 
 said, " That man has his death wound ; let him alone. I have 
 hunted foxes with him many a time." And so they passed on into 
 the town. He was soon taken from the road where he had fallen 
 to a house near, and a friend reported to his father that he was 
 dead. The next day, the British having evacuated the town, his 
 father took his chaise and drove to the house for his son's body 
 and found him living. He was at once put into the chaise and 
 carried home, his father leading the horse, and two friends accom- 
 panying him, one on each side to lift the chaise over the rough 
 places on the road. He was laid up with his wound for more 
 than a year, but lived many years, dying aged 60. 
 
 This Timothy Bassett was stationed at West Point and assisted 
 9
 
 62 
 
 in building Fort Putnam. It was commenced in the winter; 
 the weather was very severe and the soldiers picked dry cat-tails 
 and stuffed their blankets with them to keep out the cold. 
 
 Among the brave defenders of New Haven was David Atwater, 
 of Cedar Hill, Hamden, whose wife Elizabeth, was a cousin of the 
 Bassetts of Hamden Plains. These two families had their grants 
 of land north of the town, several hundred acres each, between 
 Quinnipiac and Mill rivers and East Rock, at one time; and the 
 Neck (Fair Haven West), was on the Atwater grant. This David 
 Atwater was a lineal descendant of Joshua Atwater, from County 
 Kent, England, the first treasurer of New Haven Colony under 
 Governor Eaton. On the morning of the invasion this David 
 Atwater took his Dutch horse and whiffletree, and with some of his 
 friends went to an armed vessel which was laying at the wharf, 
 and dismounted one of its six-pound brass guns (an old Spanish 
 piece), and hitching his horse to it, drew it out to West Bridge, 
 and there mounted it with stone and rails from the fence and fired 
 several shots on the approach of the enemy. On account of this 
 and the bridge being taken up, the enemy decided to cross the 
 West river higher up on the Derby road, and the gun was drawn 
 across the fields and fired several times with good effect, and 
 finally abandoned about the Ditch Corner after having been 
 spiked. 
 
 The citizens of the towns of Woodbridge and Bethany seem to 
 have been exceedingly patriotic, but none more so than the fami- 
 lies of Sperry of Woodbridge. Mr. Simeon Sperry was grand- 
 father of two ol our most honored citizens, ex-Mayor Sperry and 
 the Hon. N. D. Sperry. The latter for the past eighteen years has 
 been postmaster of this city, and now the longest in office in the 
 United States, whose accounts the United States Auditor tells us 
 have never been short one cent. Simeon Sperry was descended 
 from Richard Sperry, of the New Haven Colony, whose grant of 
 land was at or near Hatchet harbor and the Judge's Cave on 
 West Rock, and who was made famous in Colonial history for 
 supplying food to the Regicides, Goffe and Whalley.* The pioneer, 
 
 * It is a noticeable fact that two of the finest streets radiating from Broad- 
 way (old Ditch Corner) towards the Sperry estates where the Regicides found 
 refuge, are named Goflfe and Whalley avenues, and they are now banded together, 
 (as the Regicides were by friendship, more than 200 years ago), by a street, 
 bearing the name of their protector and provider, Richard Sperry, the first white 
 man living within the beautiful and picturesque town of Woodbridge.
 
 63 
 
 Mr. Richard Sperry, resided in the famous old moated manor 
 house in Woodbridge, which was approached in colonial times by 
 a long causeway leading across his estate from the river. On 
 these estates is the celebrated " Ravine " noted for its former 
 woolen manufactories successfully conducted by the Sperrys, and 
 forming a part of one of the wildest and most romantic bits 
 of scenery in New England. 
 
 On the morning of the invasion Mr. Sperry, with his neighbors, 
 the Lines', Perkins' and Merwins, shouldered their muskets and 
 marched to Allingtown, and there joined Captain Hillhouse's and 
 ex-President Daggett's companies in disputing the enemy's ad- 
 vance into town, and it was this detachment, tradition informs us, 
 that saved the powder mills and captured a large body of the 
 enemy, mostly Hessians. 
 
 The father of these gentlemen also assisted in erecting the 
 earthworks on Beacon hill, then called Fort Treadwell and after- 
 wards Fort Wooster, after the lamented Major General Wooster, 
 killed by the British at Danbury. 
 
 Captain C. H. Town send, Dear Sir: Thinking that it might be of some interest, 
 and perhaps also of some use to you, I have made some extracts from an unpub- 
 lished history of West Haven, and life of my grandfather, Captain Thomas Pain- 
 ter, giving some account of the landing of the British in this place, as seen by 
 himself when a youth of nineteen years. 
 
 Respectfully yours, D. C. COLLINS. 
 
 West Haven, May 27th, '79. 
 
 EXTRACTS FROM THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF THOMAS PAINTER, ESQ. 
 
 "About the first of March, in the year 1779, I enlisted in a 
 company of artillery under the command of Captain Bradley, 
 which had been raised and stationed in and about New Haven for 
 the defence of the town. The company was divided into three 
 portions one for the East Haven side of the harbor, one for the 
 West Haven side and one for New Haven itself. My place of 
 service was my native village (West Haven) under the immediate 
 command of Lieutenant Azil Kimberly. 
 
 While I was serving in this company, the enemy paid us a visit 
 early in the month of July, landing at the " Old Field " shore. 
 The night that they came I was upon guard (as it was my tour of 
 duty) at the house then owned by Deacon Josiah Platt, now the 
 property and residence of Mr. Wilmot. Not far from midnight 
 the news came that a large fleet of the enemy's ships were in the 
 Sound, and it was feared that they were destined for New Haven.
 
 64 
 
 Soon I, with some others of the guard extended our walk to Clark's 
 Point. As it was a starlight night, we soon discovered the fleet 
 standing in to the eastward with a slight breeze on the land. We 
 watched their maneuvres until they came to anchor off the " Old 
 Field" shore a little before day. I then hastened up to my 
 Uncle Steven's to inform them of the impending danger, but they 
 were extremely incredulous and unwilling to believe there was 
 really any danger, for they had become accustomed to frequent 
 and unnecessary alarms. 
 
 I told them that they must be up immediately and get their 
 breakfast if they intended to have it at home and in peace ; and 
 I also advised them to hide their valuables and handy articles of 
 clothing, for fear of the worst. Then mustering up what ammu- 
 nition I had, and crossing into the other street, I, with three 
 others of the guard obtained permission of an officer to go down 
 to the shore and watch the enemy's landing. 
 
 We then went to the " Old Field " shore, where we waited 
 until sunrise, when a gun was fired from the Commodore 
 as a signal for landing, and instantly a string of boats was seen 
 dropping astern of every transport ship, full of soldiers, and pull- 
 ing directly for the shore. It was near high water, and a full 
 tide, so the boats could come plump up to the beach. As soon as 
 they came within point-blank shot we fired into them, and con- 
 tinued the fire until they began to land within a few yards of us. 
 Then I thought it was time either to retreat or, on the other hand, 
 resign and beg for quarters, rather than run the risk of crossing 
 the open field under the shower of shot which I well knew would 
 be hurled after me. It was an emergency in which I knew not 
 what to do ; for after we had been so.foolish and impudent as to 
 fire into an army of men all huddled into their boats, with no 
 opportunity of returning our well-aimed shots, I knew they 
 would soon make short work of us if they once had us in their 
 power. So there was really no alternative but to run and abide 
 the consequences. I therefore instantly started across the fields 
 at the top of my speed, and the bullets after me like a shower of 
 hail, which seemed to prostrate all the grass around me. But 
 fortunately I escaped unhurt, and retreating to another good 
 stand on the Rock pasture, waited the approach of the flank 
 guard. Then I would fire a few shots and retreat to another am- 
 bush, and fire a few more and again retreat, and so I continued to 
 do until I got nearly up to the Milfbrd turnpike road, where there 
 was an adjutant of the enemy killed and left behind. 
 
 By this time the main body of the British had passed up 
 through Allingtown, on their way to Thomson's bridge on the 
 Derby road. Our people had planted some field pieces on the east 
 side of the West bridge in order (if necessary), to rake the cause- 
 way, but it being supposed by the enemy that the bridge had 
 been blown up (which was attempted), was the reason of their 
 taking the upper route to the Derby road.
 
 65 
 
 The company to which I belonged had passed into New Haven 
 and up to Neck bridge, and I thought it not best to pursue after 
 them to join them, and therefore returned back to West Haven. 
 The enemy staid over night in New Haven, doing much damage 
 by plundering ; then early the next day crossed over to East 
 Haven, where they burned several houses ; then marched down to 
 Morris' Cove, burnt his house, then embarked once more onboard 
 their fleet, and getting under way proceeded to the westward. 
 They landed at Fairfield and Nor walk, burned both those places 
 and then returned to New York. 
 
 As the roll of the Grand Army of the American Revolution is 
 called, we notice the name of Major-General David Wooster, 
 husband of Madam Wooster, from whose house the before men- 
 tioned Clap MSS. and other papers belonging to Yale College 
 were taken; also that Connecticut contributed more troops for 
 the cause of freedom in proportion to her population than any 
 of the colonies except Massachusetts, and on almost every battle- 
 field her sons were found paying tribute to the cause of liberty 
 with their blood. Such was the case at New Haven, and the 
 great effort made by a handful of our townsmen against tre- 
 mendous odds, taken unawares as they were, and meeting the 
 enemy as they landed on both sides of the harbor, as the Saxons 
 met the conqueror, disputing step by step their march on the 
 town, shall stand forth on the pages of New Haven's history as 
 an illustration of the great valor of those 
 
 " Whose good swords are rust, 
 Whose bones are dust, 
 Whose souls are with the saints we trust." 
 
 Such also was the case at Ridgefield a short time before, where 
 the gallant Major-General David Wooster, of this town, fell 
 mortally wounded on the 27th of April, 1777, dying of his wounds 
 on the 2d of May following; and it may not be out of place here 
 to make mention of his brilliant service to his country, not only 
 in the Revolution, but in the old colonial wars, which gave a drill 
 and preparation to our yeomanry for the struggle that followed, 
 and assisted much in finally crowning their herculean efforts with 
 the laurel branch of liberty. 
 
 Colonial records, traditions and copious extracts from the well- 
 prepared oration of the Hon. Henry Champion Deming, delivered 
 at Danbury, Conn., April 27th, 1854, at the completion of the 
 Wooster monument, have furnished me with material for a
 
 66 
 
 brief account of this good man's brilliant career. The son of 
 Abraham and Sarah (Walker) Wooster, born at Stratford, 
 then Colony of Connecticut, March 2d, 1710-11 old style 
 the youngest of six children, reared in Puritan principles, 
 member of the Congregational Church of Stratford, 1732, grad- 
 uated at Yale College 1738, appointed Lieutenant (under Captain 
 George Phillipses by the Connecticut Assembly, at its May ses- 
 sion, 1744), to the sloop "Defense," which was built at Middle- 
 town, Conn., fitted out and armed to cruise against Spanish 
 pirates by order of the same Assembly at its May session the 
 year before ; these events epitomize his early career. The 
 "Defense" was the first war vessel built by Connecticut. We 
 find him captain of the "Defense" October, 1742, when he is 
 ordered to discharge his men and lay his vessel up at New London, 
 and he seems to have held command until May, 1746, when we 
 find a petition of David Wooster, late commander of the 
 " Defense," asking for remuneration for services, etc. His cruises 
 seem to have been from Cape Cod to the capes of Virginia, run- 
 ning into New Haven " on a stolen visit " to Mary, the daughter 
 of Rev. Thomas Clapp, president of Yale College, whom he 
 married March 6th, 1745, "a wife who, from the date of her 
 nuptials till she followed him to the grave, clung to his fortunes 
 with all a woman's unfaltering constancy and devotion." It was 
 then he bought the old homestead in this town,f as proved by a 
 search of our records made about 1854 for Mr. Deming by 
 Alfred H. Terry, Esq., of this city, now Major-General Terry, 
 U. S. A., whose many brilliant achievements during the late War 
 of the Rebellion, and whose successful plan and capture of Fort 
 Fisher rank him with those noble commanders whose deeds can 
 never be obliterated from the history of our country.* 
 
 We will not linger on the part which Captain Wooster took in 
 preparing the Connecticut fleet for the invasion of Cape Breton 
 (then a French colony at war with New England), the fleet con- 
 sisting of eight transports under the convoy of the Connecticut 
 sloop-of-war "Defense," which sailed from New London April 
 llth, 1745, meeting the united armament of the Northern colonies, 
 consisting of one hundred sail, and anchoring off Louisbourg (the 
 stronghold of the French and the strongest fortress north of the 
 
 * The deed conveying the old "Wooster Place to David Wooster, dated January 
 18, 1744-5, consideration 800. 
 
 f Site standing in George street, near the foot of College street.
 
 67 
 
 Gulf of Mexico), on the 30th of the same month, when His 
 Majesty's squadron from the West India station, Admirals 
 Warren and Townsend (afterwards Governor Isaac Townsend 
 of Greenwich), joined them. Of the colonists, William Pepper- 
 ell (Sir William afterwards), of Maine, was in command. Roger 
 Wolcott, of Connecticut, was second, and after a siege of 
 forty-eight days, during which time the part performed was of a 
 herculean order, Duchambeau, its governor, on the 19th of June 
 sent out his flag of truce with an offer to surrender. 'Tis said 
 the strong heart of General Roger Wolcott (also of Yale College, 
 class of 1747 and a signer of the Declaration of Independence), 
 sank within him when he saw the great guns on the towers 
 of the fortress forty feet high, and a moat twenty yards 
 wide, but step by step they were led on to victory. In consider- 
 ation of the gallantry and gentlemanly deportment of Captain 
 Wooster, he was entrusted with the command of a cartel ship 
 that was to convey the trophies and prisoners to England, and 
 .was received in London with extraordinary exultation. His 
 portrait adorned the pages of magazines and walls of the principal 
 taverns and the chief places of entertainment, and as he seemed 
 to be the only victorious hero in town he was feted, presented at 
 court and gladdened with the sunshine of royal smiles. He was 
 rewarded with a captaincy in His Majesty's service, and with the 
 single exception of the lieutenant-general of the expedition he 
 was the only one engaged in it that received any mark of minis- 
 terial honor. While abroad he became impressed with the neces- 
 sity of some tie which should unite all mankind in a universal 
 brotherhood, and on his return home, which was soon after by 
 packet to Boston, he procured from the Provincial Grand Lodge 
 of Massachusetts a charter under which Hiram Lodge of New 
 Haven was organized in 1750 and Wooster appointed its first 
 Master, and thus with the Father of our Country these two 
 brothers pursued the same straight path which will forever be to 
 their honor and glory. 
 
 The fourth intercolonial war, called the French and Indian war, 
 was approaching; the school in which Washington, Wooster, 
 Prescott, Putnam, Arnold, Allen, Montgomery, Lyman and Wol- 
 cott were educated for the Revolution, and during its seven 
 years' war New England sent forth 13,000 men, more than one- 
 fifth of her male population. Mr. Bancroft says: "No State in 
 the world has such motive for publishing its historical record,
 
 68 
 
 partly because the modesty of those who have gone before you 
 has left unclaimed much of the glory due to her, and partly that 
 it is only in the past that you find the Connecticut people an 
 undivided whole. Since then her increase in numbers has been 
 so disproportional to her original territory that her citizens or 
 their descendants are scattered all the way from Wyoming to the 
 mouth of the Oregon." 
 
 In 1756 was organized the finest army ever then seen in America, 
 designed to be under the guidance of the Earl of Loudon to cap- 
 ture Ticonderoga and Crown Point and drive the French out of 
 Canada. Wooster was appointed Colonel of the Third regiment 
 of Connecticut, and joined at Albany with his regiment this fine 
 body of regulars and provincials more than 10,000 strong. The 
 season was lost in waiting the movement of their sluggish com- 
 mander, the Earl of Loudon, and so the Connecticut troops 
 returned home. 
 
 It is from the lips of an eye witness, Captain Nathan Beers, a 
 venerable citizen of New Haven, now no more, himself an officer 
 of the Revolution, that the following account of Colonel 
 Wooster's leaving New Haven for this campaign is recorded: 
 " He was at the head of his regiment, which was then embodied 
 on the Green in front of where the Center Church now stands. 
 They were ready for the march, with their arms glistening and 
 their knapsacks on their backs. Colonel Wooster had dispatched 
 a messenger for his minister, the Rev. Jonathan Edwards, with a 
 request that he would meet the regiment and pray with them 
 before their departure. He then conducted his men in military 
 order into the meeting house, and seating himself in his own pew 
 awaited the return of the messenger. He was speedily informed 
 that the clergyman was absent from home. Colonel Wooster 
 immediately stepped into the deacon's seat in front of the pulpit 
 and prayed with the zeal of an apostle ; then leaving the house 
 with his men in the same good order they had entered it, the 
 regiment at once taking up its line of march for Northern New 
 York. 
 
 Next year, 1757, a third levy of 5,000 men was made in Con- 
 necticut, and Wooster marched his regiment again from New 
 Haven to the head waters of the Hudson. It was this season that 
 Abercrombie recklessly rushed his troops into the cannon's mouth, 
 behind which lay the gallant Montcalm with three thousand six 
 hundred French and Canadians. The carnage was terrible,
 
 69 
 
 resulting in the loss of Lord Howe, Col. Towrishend and several 
 hundred officers and men.* 
 
 Wooster led his regiment into the thickest of the fight, but the 
 battle was lost. Then followed inactivity, and winter coming on, 
 the troops went into barracks. In 1759 Wooster led his regiment 
 to Fort George to join the memorable expedition under Gen. 
 Amherst, which completed the conquest of Canada. It may be 
 interesting to know that the morning the regiment left New 
 Haven they mustered on our historic Green, and then after 
 stacking arms. Col. Wooster marched his whole regiment into 
 the "White Haven" or North church, and there a sermon was 
 preached to them (now extant) by the Rev. Samuel Bird, V. D. M., 
 subject, " The importance of the Divine presence with our 
 hosts," text, Ex. xxxiii. 15. The sermon closed with an address 
 to Col. Wooster and the officers and soldiers of his command. In 
 this spirited address, Madame Wooster is beautifully alluded to. 
 Upon the advance of Gen. Amherst's forces, Ticonderoga and 
 Crown Point were abandoned by their garrison. Meanwhile 
 Wolfe fell in the arms of victory on the Heights of Abraham, 
 and this successful army marched into Quebec, which had capit- 
 ulated to Brig. Gen. (afterwards George 1st Marquis) Town- 
 send. Montreal was the last foothold of the French in Canada. 
 Early in the spring following, Gen. Amherst divided his forces 
 into two columns. One, led by Gen. Haviland, of 5,000 men, 
 inarched by the way of Lake Champlain, and the other, under 
 Amherst, 10,000 strong, to which Col. Wooster's regiment was 
 attached, went by one of the longest and most fatiguing marches 
 recorded in our military annals. Arriving at Oswego the army 
 crossed Lake Ontario in open galleys and thence down through 
 the Thousand Islands, capturing all French vessels and military 
 posts and reached Montreal early in September, which town 
 surrendered without a battle to a combined army of regular and 
 provincial troops of 20,000 men ; thus the French, with the excep- 
 tion of a chain of small and feeble settlements stretching from the 
 Lake to the Mississippi, were driven from the continent of North 
 America. Wooster returned with the regiment to New Haven at 
 the close of this war and being engaged in mercantile pursuits, 
 was appointed Collector of Customs, which office he held for 
 
 * Col. Roger Townshend was buried at Albany and his tomb is in Westminster 
 Abbey, next Major Andre's. He was the youngest son of Charles. 3d Viscount 
 Townshend of Raynham and brother of the 1st Marquis. 
 10
 
 70 
 
 twelve years afterwards, being he longest period of his life, in which 
 he was allowed to enjoy happiness and repose among his friends. 
 His fortune was ample. His wife, in addition to other claims upon 
 his admiration, possessed also those solid charms which were not; 
 entirely despised even in the heroic ages of our ancestors. He 
 continued to draw his half-pay as Captain of His Majesty's 51st 
 Regiment of foot, and from various sources he derived an 
 income which enabled him to surround himself with all the 
 comfort and luxuries of wealth. His style of living was in the 
 highest elegance of olden times. He spread a bountiful table, 
 kept his horses and phseton and a troupe of black domestics. 
 The old mansion house in Wooster street, then fairly isolated in 
 the country with an unobstructed prospect of the Sound, opened 
 wide its doors in genuine hospitality. It was the resort of 
 learning, the talent and polish of that era the dawn of the 
 Revolution. Madam Wooster was herself a heroine of the 
 Revolutionary type, strong in mind and bold and earnest in 
 character, and witli a presence and manner so dignified and 
 imposing as to awe into reverence the drunken British soldiery 
 who subsequently sacked her mansion under the command of 
 Captain Bos well of the Guards, who were stationed for the 
 protection of her house and property by order of the command- 
 ing general, Garth. 
 
 When news of the bloody fight at Lexington forever closed 
 the doors of reconciliation, Gen. Wooster resigned his com- 
 mission in the army, also his collectorship of the port of New 
 Haven, spurning the temptation of a high commission in the 
 British army, which was earnestly pressed upon his acceptance, 
 and at once, when it became apparent that war was inevitable, 
 enrolled himself on the side of his country, not waiting even 
 for official position, but with other private Connecticut gentlemen 
 planned the seizure of Fort Ticonderoga, pledging their own 
 personal security for the loan which defrayed the expense of 
 the expedition, thus participating in the first aggressive act 
 against the Crown. 
 
 The General Assembly of Connecticut in its May session, 1775, 
 threw off all disguise respecting their warlike preparations, 
 and in plain terms ordered one-fourth part of our militia to be 
 armed and equipped for immediate service. The forces thus 
 organized were divided into six regiments and David Wooster 
 was appointed Major General and Commander-in-Chief, with
 
 71 
 
 Joseph Spencer and Israel Putnam as his Brigadiers. Active 
 service immediately followed this appointment. At the solicita- 
 tion of the Committee of Safety of New York, Wooster was 
 ordered with the troops of his command to defend its metropolis 
 against a threatened demonstration of the enemy. He was then 
 sixty-five years of age and his long experience had prepared him 
 in every way for the war. During July and August, 1775, he 
 was encamped at Harlem, and while there his enthusiasm met 
 with a cruel rebuff, he having the mortification to see General 
 Putnam, his junior, raised by Congress to the rank of Major 
 General while he was made only a Brigadier, although he still 
 held his commission in the service of the colony of Connecticut 
 as major general of her militia. This slight on the part of 
 Congress of course brought forth a long correspondence, but 
 Wooster nobly accepted the brigadiership in the Continental 
 service, and was soon ordered to Ticonderoga with Connecticut 
 troops, this department being then placed under command of 
 Major General Schuyler, whose headquarters were at Albany. 
 History gives abundant proof of the disagreement of these 
 officers. Wooster was sent to Canada, second in command 
 under the unfortunate Montgomery, with whom he heartily 
 co-operated, and to their joint exertions the capitulation of St. 
 John was due, dispersing the forces under Sir Guy Carlton, 
 for which meritorious achievement they received the thanks of 
 Congress. Together they marched on Montreal, and when Mont- 
 gomery started thence for Quebec, Wooster was left there 
 (Montreal) in command of its garrison, and on the ill-fated 
 desperate assault of December 31st, when the brave Montgomery 
 was slain, he entered on his duties as commander-in-chief. But 
 his command was brief, and on account of a new misunderstand- 
 ing with General Schuyler he asked to be recalled, and within 
 one month of his departure the American Army withdrew to 
 the New York frontier. Impartial history has ratified the verdict 
 and charged our misfortune in Canada, not to the officers in 
 command, but to the poor means put at their disposal. Wooster 
 returned to Connecticut with the undiminished respect and con- 
 fidence of his fellow-citizens, and as the Assembly had recently 
 raised six brigades for home defense, he was again appointed 
 by it Major General and Commander-in-chief. With zeal unchilled 
 either by age or misfortune, he again entered the service of the 
 Commonwealth.
 
 72 
 
 Madam Wooster was frequently heard to say that when the 
 General was called to lead the Connecticut troops he would say, 
 "I cannot go with these men without money," and drew from 
 
 O ' ' 
 
 his own funds to pay officers and men, taking their receipt for 
 the same. The papers and vouchers for these disbursements 
 were destroyed when the British pillaged the Wooster house, 
 and this venerable and accomplished lady was, in her declining 
 years, actually imprisoned for debt and the keys of the jail turned 
 upon her from the impossibility of recovering the money her 
 husband had advanced to his suffering country. On the morning 
 of April 25th, 1777, the British fleet landed two thousand men 
 at Cedar Point, on the Connecticut shore, and having formed 
 in close column passed through the little village of Compo, 
 guided by Eli Benedict and Stephen Jarvis of Danbury. camping 
 over night at Weston. The expedition was under the command 
 of Gov. Tryon,of N"ew York, whose operations afterwards in New 
 Haven, Fail-field and Norwalk have been mentioned in former 
 articles, and it was this same Governor who was driven on board 
 the "Asia" frigate, lying in North river, by Wooster and his 
 Connecticut Continentals, when the American army took pos- 
 session of New York previous to their arrival after the evacuation 
 of Boston in 1776. News of the enemy's landing was received 
 by Wooster at New Haven early on the morning of the 26th of 
 April, 1777. General Arnold was also home (New Haven) on a 
 furlough and at once both Generals proceeded to the scene of 
 operations. On their way through Fairfield news was received 
 that General Silliman (a graduate of Yale, class of 1752, father 
 of the late Prof. Benjamin Silliman and grandfather of the 
 present Prof. Silliman of Yale College) had ordered the militia 
 to rendezvous at Reading. Passing on, they arrived at General 
 Silliman's headquarters, when Wooster took command, and with 
 his troops followed the enemy to Bethel, arriving there about 
 midnight with a small force of 700 men. On the 27th General 
 Wooster ordered Silliman and Arnold out with 500 men to 
 intercept Tryon, in front, while Wooster with about 200 followed 
 in Tryon's rear and captured about 40 prisoners. A few miles from 
 Ridgetield, Wooster again attacked their rear guard, which was 
 supported with artillery, which wheeled to receive him. A 
 severe skirmish followed, and the undisciplined militia staggered. 
 The brave old man rushed forward into the thickest of the fight, 
 and waving his sword, he called aloud, " Come on my boys, never
 
 73 
 
 mind such random shots," and the next moment he was struck 
 by a shot, breaking his spine and burying itself in his body. 
 
 Thus fell the gallant and noble Wooster fainting and mortally 
 wounded, and was carried from the field by his soldiers on a sash 
 worn by him during the battle, the same which was presented, 
 with his sword and portrait, to Yale College by Admiral 
 Wooster in 1837.* 
 
 The surgeon, Dr. Turner, was at once by his side. Wooster 
 was told he could not survive, which tidings he received with the 
 most serene composure. He was removed to Danbury and 
 Madame Wooster summoned to his side, but she arrived too late 
 to see him in his right mind. For three days he lingered in 
 extreme agony aggravated by the further search of the surgeon's 
 probe for the fatal bullet. During his delirium he imagined him- 
 self making long marches, at sieges and in battle, at the home of 
 his childhood, beautiful Stratford, street and green before him 
 and neighbors around many of whom were not in sympathy 
 with his views, but as neighbors and old friends were always glad 
 to see David Wooster the cabin of his ship and his own mansion 
 looking out on New Haven's beautiful bay. Thus on the 2d of 
 May, 1777, in the service of his country, died Major General 
 David Wooster. He was buried at Danbury with military hon- 
 ors befitting his rank, a few days after. 
 
 The following is a copy of President Daggett's account of the 
 treatment he received from the enemy, with his affidavit, which 
 is preserved in the Secretary of State's office, Hartford, a copy of 
 which may be seen in Barber's Connecticut Historical Collections, 
 page 174-5 : 
 
 An account of the cruelties and barbarities which I received 
 from British soldiers after I had surrendered myself a prisoner 
 
 * REV. J. DAY, President of Yale University : 
 
 DEAR SIR: As I shall soon leave this my native place and there is much uncer- 
 tainty as to my ever returning to it again, I beg you to receive in behalf of the col- 
 lege these relics of my much respected grandfather, whose memory is still cher- 
 ished by every American patriot. His portrait I found by mere chance in the city 
 of Santa Yago, the capital of Chili, in the year 1822. The sword is the same 
 which he had drawn at the time when he fell in repelling the inroads of the enemy 
 of our country, and the sash is that on which he was carried from the field after 
 receiving the wound which caused his death. 
 
 With feelings of high respect and esteem, I remain, reverend sir, 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 A. D. 1837. CHAS. W. WOOSTER.
 
 74 
 
 into their hands. It is needless to relate all the leading circum- 
 stances which threw me in their way. It may be sufficient first 
 to observe that on Monday morning the 5th inst. the town of New 
 Haven was justly alarmed with the threatening appearance of a 
 speedy invasion from the enemy. Numbers went out armed to 
 oppose them. I among the rest took the station assigned me on 
 Milford hill, but very soon was directed to quit it and retire fur- 
 ther north, as the motion of the enemy required it. Having gone 
 as far as I supposed was sufficient, I turned down the hill to gain 
 a little covert of bushes which I had in my eye, but to my great 
 surprise I saw the enemy much nearer than I expected, their 
 advance guard being a little more than twenty rods distant, with 
 plain, open ground between us. They instantly fired upon me, 
 which they continued till I had run a dozen rods, discharging not 
 less than fifteen or twenty balls at me alone. However, through 
 the preserving providence of God I escaped from them all unhurt 
 and gained the little covert at which I aimed, which concealed 
 me from their view, while I could plainly see them through the 
 woods and bushes advancing towards me within twelve rods. I 
 singled out one of them, took aim and fired upon him. I loaded 
 my musket again, but determined not to discharge it any more, 
 and as I saw I could not escape from them I determined to sur- 
 render myself a prisoner. I begged for quarter and that they 
 would spare my life. They drew near to me, I think two only in 
 number, one on my right hand, the other on my left, the fury of 
 inf ernals glowing in their faces. They called me a damned old 
 rebel, and swore they would kill me instantly. They demanded, 
 "What did you fire upon us for ?" I replied, " Because it is the 
 exercise of war." Then one made a pass at me with his bayonet 
 as if he designed to thrust it through my body. With my hand 
 I tossed it up from its direction and sprang in so near to him that 
 he could not hurt me with his bayonet. I still continued plead- 
 ing and begging for my life with the utmost importunity, using 
 every argument in my power to mollify them and induce them to 
 desist from their murderous purpose. One of them gave me four 
 gashes on my head with the edge of his bayonet to the skull and 
 bone, which caused a painful effusion of blood. The other gave 
 me three slight pricks with the point of his bayonet on the trunk 
 of my body, but they were no more than skin deep. But what is 
 a thousand times worse than all that has been related is the blows 
 and bruises they gave me with the heavy barrels of their guns in 
 the bowels by which I was knocked down once or more and 
 almost deprived of life, by which bruises I have been almost con- 
 fined to my bed ever since. These scenes might have taken up 
 two minutes of time. They seemed to desist a little from their 
 design of murder, after which they stripped me of my shoes and 
 knee buckles and also my stock buckle. Their avarice further led 
 them to rob me of my pocket handkerchief and a little old tobacco 
 box. They then bade me to march towards the main body, which
 
 75 
 
 was about twelve rods distant, when some officers soon inquired 
 of me who I was. I gave them my name, station and character, 
 and begged their protection that I might not be any more abused 
 and hurt by the soldiers. They promised me their protection, 
 but I was robbed of my shoes and was committed to one of the 
 most unfeeling savages that ever breathed. They then drove me 
 before the main body, a hasty march of five miles or more. I 
 was insulted in the most shocking manner by the ruffian soldiers, 
 many of whom came at me with fixed bayonets and swore they 
 would kill me on the spot. They damned me and those that took 
 me because they spared my life. Thus, amid a thousand insults, 
 my infernal driver hastened me along faster than my strength 
 would admit in the extreme heat of the day, weakened as I was 
 by my wounds and the loss of blood, which at moderate computa- 
 tion could not be less than one quart. And when failing in 
 some degree through faintness he would strike me on the back 
 with a heavy walking staff and kick me behind with his foot. 
 At length by the supporting power of God I arrived at the 
 Green in New Haven, but my life was almost spent ; the world 
 around me several times appeared dark as midnight. I obtained 
 leave of an officer to be carried into Widow Lyman's and laid on 
 a bed, where I lay the rest of the day and succeeding night in such 
 acute and excruciating pain as I never felt before. 
 
 NAPHTALI DAGGETT. 
 New Haven, July 26th, 1779. 
 
 NEW HAVEN, July 26, 1779. 
 [Affidavit.] 
 
 Personally appeared the Rev. Dr. Naphtali Daggett and made oath to the afore- 
 said account as true and genuine before me. DAVID AUSTIN, 
 
 Justice of the Peace. 
 
 The following with reference to President Daggett is copied 
 from " Sprague's Annals of the American Pulpit " and was written 
 by Hon. Elizur Goodrich, LL.D., member of Congress and Pro- 
 fessor of Law in Yale College, and who, as will be seen, was in 
 the various engagements from West Haven to Ditch Corner. 
 
 On the evening of the 4th of July, 1779, a force of 2,500, 
 which had previously sailed from New York, landed in the south 
 part of West Haven, a part of New Haven, about five miles from 
 the center of the town. College was of course broken up and the 
 students, with many of the inhabitants, prepared to flee on the 
 morrow into the neighboring country. To give more time for 
 preparation and especially for the removal of goods, a volunteer 
 company of about one hundred young men was formed, not with 
 the expectation of making any serious stand against such a force, 
 but simply of retarding or diverting its march. In common with 
 other of the students I was one of the number, and I well remember
 
 76 
 
 the surprise we felt next morning (July 5th) as we were march- 
 ing over West Bridge towards the enemy, to see Dr. Daggett 
 riding furiously by us on his old black mare with his long fowling 
 piece in his hand ready for action. We knew the old gentleman 
 had studied the matter thoroughly and satisfied his own mind as 
 to the right and propriety of fighting it out, but we were not 
 quite prepared to see him come forth in so gallant a style to carry 
 his principles into practice. Giving him a cheer as he passed, we 
 turned down toward West Haven at the foot of Milf ord hill, while 
 he ascended a little to the west and took his station in a copse of 
 wood where he seemed to be reconnoitering the enemy like one 
 who was determined "to bide his time." As he passed on 
 towards the south we met an advanced guard of the British, and 
 taking our stand at a line of fence we fired upon them several 
 times and then chased them the length of three or four fields as 
 they retreated, until we suddenly found ourselves involved with 
 the main body and in danger of being surrounded. It was now 
 our turn to run, and we did for our lives. Passing by Dr. Dag- 
 get in his station on the hill we retreated rapidly across West 
 Bridge, which was instantly taken down by persons who stood 
 ready for the purpose, to prevent them entering the town by that 
 road. In the meantime, Dr. Daggett, as we heard the story 
 afterwards, stood his ground manfully, while the British column 
 advanced along the foot of the hill, determined to have the battle 
 to himself, as we had left him in the lurch, and using his fowling 
 piece now, and to excellent effect, as occasion offered, under cover 
 of the bushes. But this could not last long. A detachment was 
 sent up the hillside to look into this matter, and the commanding 
 officer coming suddenly, to his great surprise, on a single individ- 
 ual in a black coat blazing away in this style, cried out, "What 
 are you doing there, you old fool, firing on His Majesty's troops?" 
 "Exercising the rights of war" says the old gentleman. The very 
 audacity of the reply and the mixture of drollery it contained 
 seemed to amuse the officer. "If I let you go this time, you 
 rascal," said he, " will you ever fire again on the troops of His 
 Majesty ?" "Nothing more likely" said the old gentleman in his 
 dry way. This was too much for flesh and blood to bear, and it 
 is a wonder they did not put a bullet through him on the spot. 
 However they dragged him down to the head of the column and 
 as they were necessitated by the destruction of West Bridge to 
 turn their course two miles further north to the next bridge 
 above, they placed him at the head and compelled him to lead 
 the way. I had gone into the meadow in the meantime on the 
 opposite side of the river, half a mile distant, and kept pace with 
 the march as they advanced toward the north. It was, I think, 
 the hottest day I ever knew. The stoutest men were almost 
 melted with heat. In their way they drove the old gentlemnn 
 before them at mid-day under a burning sun rovmd through 
 Westville about, five miles into the town, pricking him forward 
 with their bayonets when his strength failed, and when he was
 
 77 
 
 ready to sink to the ground with utter exhaustion. Thus they 
 marched him into New Haven, shooting down one and another 
 of the unoffending citizens as they passed through the streets, 
 and keeping him in utter uncertainty whether they had not been 
 reserving him for the same fate. When they reached the Green 
 he was recognized by one of the loyal citizens of the town, who 
 had come forward to welcome the troops, and at his request was 
 finally dismissed. His life was for some time in danger from 
 extreme exhaustion and from the wounds he had received. He 
 did, however, so far recover as to preach regularly in the chapel 
 a part of the next yea,r, but his death was no doubt hastened by 
 his suffering on that occasion. He died about sixteen months 
 afterward. 
 
 We find in the New Haven Journal & Courier the following ad- 
 ditional, from a correspondent, F. H. T. H., regarding Dr. Daggett: 
 
 Rev. Naphtali Daggett entered Yale College in 1744 and 
 graduated in 1748. He was settled as minister of Smithtown on 
 Long Island in 1751. In 1755 he was elected Professor of Divin- 
 ity in Yale College, which he accepted, and removed to New 
 Haven. After the resignation of Mr. Clapp in 1766, he officiated 
 as president till 1777. During the barbarous attack on New 
 Haven, July, 1779, he distinguished himself for the part he took 
 in the defence of the country. He had made himself obnoxious 
 by his bold opposition to the British cause. In the pulpit and in 
 the lecture room he inculcated upon the students the duty of 
 resisting Biitish oppression, consequently he incurred the marked 
 displeasure of the invaders. What he preached, that he prac- 
 ticed. When the enemy landed he shouldered his musket to 
 repel them. He was taken prisoner and treated with all possible 
 indignity. His clerical character did not exempt him from their 
 most outrageous abuse. When asked by them who he was, he 
 immediately replied, "My name is Naphtali Daggett: I am one 
 of the officers of Yale College. I require you to release me." 
 "But we understand that you have been praying against our 
 cause." " Yes, and I never made more sincere prayers in my life." 
 
 He was saved by the courage of the lady into whose house he 
 had been conveyed. The enemy having retired, they sent back 
 an officer and tile of soldiers to convey him as prisoner on board 
 their fleet. They came to the house and were refused admittance 
 by the lady, who pleaded the excuse that he was so badly 
 wounded that it would be impossible to convey him on board 
 alive. "My orders," said the officer, "are positive to take him 
 with me." But she pleaded that he was in the agonies of death. 
 After continual demands and refusals, the officer left to report the 
 case and never returned. 
 
 He died in 1780 in consequence of the wounds he had received 
 in his engagement with the British. He held the office of Pro- 
 fessor of Divinity twenty-five years, and presided over the uni- 
 versity eleven years, 
 n
 
 REMINISCENCES. 
 
 I am informed by Mrs. Grace Wheeler, widow of the late 
 Capt. Stephen Wheeler, and her daughter Mrs. Grace (Wheeler) 
 Glenny, of 55 Wooster street, this city, that during the invasion 
 of the 5th of July, 1779, her great grandmother, Mrs. Abiah. 
 (McCumber) Hall, wife of Mr. John Hall, whose residence was 
 on the northeast corner of Fair and State streets, while crossing 
 the street was met by a party of British soldiers. One of them 
 espied her gold beads, and cut them from her neck with the 
 point of his bayonet ; the others took fi % om her shoes the silver 
 buckles. It was this house that a cannon ball passed through 
 and lodged in the chimney over the fire-place. Mr. Hall's daugh- 
 ter married Major Win. Munson, of this city, an officer in the 
 Continental army, also a member of the Society of Cincinnati, 
 and Surveyor of Customs of the port of New Haven, appointed 
 by Gen. Washington, which office he held until his death, a period 
 of thirty-three years. The major was first cousin to Benedict 
 Arnold's first wife, Margaret Mansfield, and accompanied him to 
 Canada. He was then a lieutenant in Col. Elmore's regiment, as is 
 proved by his papers, dated May 6th, 1776, now in possession of 
 the family. Major Munson was also commanding officer at Dobb's 
 Ferry at the time of Andre's execution. His son, Wm. Munson, 
 Jr., died there soon after of small-pox, aged about ten years. 
 This young gentleman, aged eight years and nine months, left 
 New Haven with his father, as an officer (perhaps clerk) on half 
 pay, dressed in a full suit of Continental. His father's desire was 
 to educate him for the army. The lad was exceedingly promising 
 and became the pet of the army. He breathed his last in Gen- 
 eral Hazen's arms just as his father was returning from a short 
 absence, the youth having been suddenly taken ill. Mrs. Captain 
 Wheeler is now eighty-seven years of age, and a lady of wonder- 
 ful spirit, and energy, and gifted with fine conversational powers. 
 Mrs. Wheeler's father, Major Munson, paid a visit of condolence 
 to Lady Washington soon after the General's death. He spent 
 some time at Mt. Vernon, and Mrs. Wheeler well remembers the 
 lemons brought by Major Munson from Mt. Vernon, which were 
 kept for many years in a dried condition. Major Munson's com- 
 missions are in the possession of Mrs. Wheeler, and she has another '
 
 79 
 
 relic, one of two punch bowls ordered by Captain Daniel Green 
 of the ship Neptune, while on one of his voyages to China, for 
 Major Munson, one of which was given to General Washington. 
 They weie both beautifully decorated with Masonic emblems. 
 Two letters written to Major Munson by General Washington 
 are in the possession of Mrs. Wheeler and the commissions 
 signed by Washington and Hancock respectively are still in the 
 family. 
 
 Mr. A. C. Raymond, stationer, of Center street, was told the 
 following by Frederick Lines : 
 
 Old Mr, Pinto, living in State street, at the time of the inva- 
 sion, remained at home all day. He told this story to Mr. 
 Frederick Lines, that while sitting in his door, a finely-dressed 
 officer in red uniform came riding down Elm street and turned up 
 State toward Grove street. Just then a Mr. Bradley, from East 
 Haven, came from a direction which is now Grand street, on 
 horseback, with musket loaded and primed, and seeing this officer, 
 he leveled his piece and fired. The officer dropped off his horse, 
 and Bradley at the same time rode up to him, took the officer's 
 sword and gave him several cuts over the head. He then took the 
 officer's, horse and on his own rode out of town. The officer 
 crawled into Mr. Bishop's garden (Mr. Bishop was Abraham 
 Bishop, afterward collector of the port), and there lay until found 
 by some of his comrades. The Bishop house is still standing, 
 on State street, north of Elm. 
 
 Mr. Raymond also gives me the following interesting reminis- 
 cence : During the afternoon of July 5, Mrs. Attwater was sitting 
 in her parlor window (in the old house once occupied by George 
 Rowland, Esq., and now the site of the Attwater block on Fleet 
 street), with her little child Elnathan, afterward Captain Elnathan 
 Attwater, a noted shipmaster of New Haven, when General Tryon 
 (described as a short, thick-set man) with his staff passed with an 
 umbrella over his head, it being an exceedingly hot day, and see- 
 ing Mrs. Attwater, he stopped and took little Elnathan in his arms. 
 After a short conversation with the lady he gave up the little boy 
 and ordered a guard placed at the house. She at that time had 
 the gold beads and jewelry of many of her neighbors on her 
 person. On the next afternoon while the last of the fleet were 
 sailing out of the harbor, Mrs. Attwater went to the garden to get 
 some vegetables to boil in the pot and a cannon shot struck near 
 her, covering her with soil and weeds from the garden.
 
 80 
 
 The following from the genealogical work on the " Hughes and 
 Allied Families " is an incident worth repeating. We are indebted 
 to Miss Sarah E. Hughes, principal of the Dixwell avenue school 
 in this city, who herself largely assisted in the compilation of the 
 Hughes book and contributed much to its success, for the infor- 
 mation. She says : "When in 1779 the town was invaded by the 
 British troops, under command of Major General William Tryon, 
 great consternation and fear filled the inhabitants, as the roaring 
 of cannon and the sharp crack of musketry were heard, and the 
 smoke of burning dwellings marked the line of march. Many 
 fled with their families, while others sent their wives and children 
 with such valuables as they could most speedily collect, to the 
 woods, and other places of supposed safety, while they staid to 
 resist and harass the enemy. 
 
 It happened at this time that two of Henry Freeman Hughes' 
 sons, John and Daniel, had gone into the country to Simsbury to 
 visit their brother Henry, who had removed thither a year previ- 
 ous, on a farm he had purchased. Their object was to see the 
 country, with the intent to buy also each a farm if sufficiently 
 pleased. His daughter Abigail and John's wife filled bags with 
 the valuables of the house, and, placing them on a horse, fled 
 to the woods where they remained over night. His son Freeman, 
 with his wife and two children, joined the British. This left him 
 alone with his wife, who was a cripple and had not walked for 
 years. She was greatly alarmed feared that she would be taken 
 and killed and persuaded him to desist from his purpose of 
 fleeing. The enemy came in to the Ferry. Reaching the house, 
 the advance guard turned their horses into his fields of rye and 
 corn, broke open and scattered his flour, pitched his pork about 
 with their bayonets, and let out his molasses and rum till his cel- 
 lar was shoe deep with the mixture. When the officers came up, 
 he went out and asked protection. They said : "Are you a friend 
 to King George ?" He replied : " I am." Then they told him 
 no further violence would be done, and placed a guard around his 
 house. From this circumstance he was often called a Tory, which 
 the family justly resented and denied. 
 
 The British encamped for the night on the heights north of 
 his house, known as Tuttle's Hill. Early on the morning of the 
 6th, seeing the inhabitants collecting in force, those on the west 
 side of the river called in their guards ; the first division crossed 
 the ferry and joined Gen. Tryon on the East Haven side ; thus
 
 81 
 
 making his homestead the place where one of the historical events 
 of the times occurred. They retreated to their boats, carrying 
 with them a number of the inhabitants captive, who were taken 
 without arms, and a few who chose to accompany them. 
 
 Henry Freeman Hughes came from Wales and married Lydia, 
 a daughter of Noah Tuttle, whose interest in her father's property 
 fell to her. It seems Mr. Hughes owned and kept the lower, or 
 Hughes Ferry, the boat of which was propelled by means of horse 
 power. Their mother not having been able to walk, her husband 
 remained with her, which accounts for their being home when the 
 enemy arrived. Their two sons gone, taking with them the 
 horses so that the enemy were not able to use the scow ferryboat 
 when the evening arrived, they weie very much enraged and 
 abused Mr. Hughes, but he being a Welchman and this com- 
 pany belonging to the Welch Fusileers all was made right, 
 and of the four houses at Waterside his was the only one 
 left standing. The positions of these houses were as follows : 
 The Tuttle house stood a few rods south of the road on the shore ; 
 the Elam Luddington house was a new house on the site of the 
 house now owned by Capt. David Forbes, and the stone house 
 mentioned in a former paper, is now the residence of Mrs. Captain 
 Bradley, built 1767. Directly opposite was the house of Henry 
 Freeman Hughes, which was used as office quarters not the 
 Henry Burr house before mentioned, which was built partly of 
 the timber of the Henry Freeman Hughes house, which was 
 demolished soon after the war. 
 
 There were also sheds at Stable Point, which is a few rods 
 north of the now east end of Tomlinson's Bridge, also a ferry 
 house and others on the west side for ferry purposes, just under 
 the earthworks or battery, which was standing in 1781 when the 
 late Beriah Bradley, Esq., came to New Haven. Mr. Bradley 
 informed the writer that the earthworks in his day were on a 
 bluff with trees around and had mounted on them ship guns, and 
 one day a strange vessel was observed lying in the harbor, and 
 the next day she was gone and these guns also. 
 
 We are informed by Major Benjamin F. Mansfield, town agent, 
 of this city, that his father was in all the engagements with the 
 Gen. Garth columns on their march from West Haven to the 
 town, and that several prisoners were taken at Hotchkisstown by 
 the patriots, and were marched to the Green, where they were 
 held for some time ; and when it was found the enemy would
 
 82 
 
 surely occupy the place they were marched off to North Haven 
 and there confined until the enemy had been driven off. Major 
 Mansfield's father was with Gen. Wooster when mortally wounded 
 at Ridgefield, Connecticut. One of these soldiers wore a bright 
 green nmf orm. Miss Sarah E. Hughes also informs us that during 
 the enemy's stay at Norwalk a detachment of the Welch Fusileers 
 deserted and came to New Haven and called at the house of Mr. 
 Henry Freeman Hughes, at Waterside, where they remained 
 some time, and finally settled in the neighborhood after the war, 
 marrying Connecticut wives. 
 
 SECOND COMPANY GOVERNOR'S FOOT GUARD. 
 
 Having made former mention of New Haven's Centennial 
 Corps, the writer cannot allow the Fourth of July to pass without 
 making more than ordinary mention of the splendid and brilliant 
 record of the Second Company of Governor's Foot Guard of 
 Connecticut, to-day, as it always has been, an honor to our town ; 
 and where is the New Havener, at home or abroad, who can trace 
 to ancestor or relation who was one of the original members of 
 this company without being proud to point to him and say, " He 
 was of the Old Guards," and with the same fraternal feeling that 
 Wellington (second only to our Washington), had when he hailed 
 his old Guards at Waterloo. And we hope that this highly dis- 
 tinguished and honorable corps will, on the coming centennial 
 celebration, be given its true place of honor, the right of the line, 
 which, with one hundred years of faithful service, it has so nobly 
 earned. The first entry in the record book of the company is the 
 following article of association : 
 
 NEW HAVEN, Dec. 28, 1774. 
 
 As we, the subscribers, are desirous to encourage the military 
 art in the town of New Haven, and in order to have a well disci- 
 plined company in said town, have agreed with Edward Burke to 
 teach us the military exercise for the consideration of three pounds 
 lawful money per month, till such time as we shall think ourselves 
 expert therein. 
 
 We then propose to form ourselves into a company, choose offi- 
 cers and agree upon some uniform dress, such as a red coat, white
 
 83 
 
 vest, white breeches and stockings, black half legging, or any 
 other dress that may be thought proper. 
 
 We also agree that we will endeavor to furnish ourselves with 
 guns and bayonets as near uniform as possible, and other accoutre- 
 ments as may then be thought necessary. (But no person shall 
 be obliged to equip himself as above by signing this agreement 
 if he desires dismission before he signs other articles.) 
 
 This agreement only obliges every signer to pay his propor- 
 tional part of expenses of instruction, etc. 
 
 Hezekiah Sabin, Jr., 
 Samuel Greenough, 
 Elias Stillwell, 
 Thaddeus Beecher, 
 Aner Bradley, 
 Gold Sherman, 
 Ezekiel Hayspin, 
 William Noyes, 
 Abraham Tuttle, Jr., 
 Isaiah Burr, 
 Jonathan Mix, 
 Jeremiah Parmelee, 
 Joshua Newhall, 
 Russel Clark, 
 William Lyon, 
 Jabez Smith, 
 Seabury Champlin, 
 James Hillhouse, 
 William Larman, 
 Hezekiah Augur, 
 Pierpont Edwards, 
 James Warren, 
 Nathan Oakes, 
 Daniel Ingall, 
 Elias Shipman, 
 Jonas Prentice, 
 Francis Sage, 
 Archibald Austin, 
 Eleakim Hitchcock, 
 William Atwater, 
 James Higgins, 
 John Beckwith, 
 
 Amos Doolittle, 
 John Townsend, 
 Ezra Ford, 
 Nathan Beers, Jr., 
 Nathaniel Fitch, 
 Barnabas Mulford, 
 Parsons Clark, 
 James Prescott, 
 Hanover Barney, 
 Stephen Herrick, 
 Jonathan Austin, 
 David Burbank, 
 Daniel Bishop. 
 Elijah Austin, 
 Samuel Nevins, 
 Amos Morrison, 
 Rossiter Griffin, 
 Eleazer Oswald, 
 John Thatcher, 
 Benoni Shipman, 
 Hezekiah Bailey, 
 Samuel Willard, 
 Jesse Leavenworth, 
 Timothy Jones, Jr., 
 John Sherman, Jr., 
 Elisha Painter, 
 Benedict Arnold, 
 Hezekiah Beecher, 
 Amos Gilbert, 
 Kiersted Mansfield, 
 Elias Townsend, 
 Joseph Peck, 
 Caleb Trowbridge. 
 
 At a meeting of the military company at the State House in 
 New Haven, Thursday evening, January 5th. 1775, Jonas Prentice 
 moderator, the following votes passed, viz :
 
 84 
 
 That Hezekiah Sabin, Jr., be the company clerk for the month 
 ending Jan. 25th. 
 
 That any person who is desirous of joining this company shall 
 attend the general meetings, which are appointed every Thursday 
 evening, and be received by vote of the company or refused. 
 
 At said company meeting Thursday evening, January 26, 1775, 
 Nathaniel Fitch moderator, voted as follows, viz : 
 
 That Thaddeus Beecher be the company's clerk for one month, 
 ending Feb. 22. 
 
 That Edward Burke be the company's instructor, to be employed 
 for four weeks from this date, and allowed for his services four 
 pounds. 
 
 That Messrs. Parmelee, Burbank, Prentice and Sabin be a 
 committee to get fifers and drummers ; that instructors be pro- 
 vided to teach the drummers and fifers, and their wages paid by 
 an equal tax on the members of the company. 
 
 Thursday Evening, Feb. 2, 1775. 
 
 Voted, That the dress for the company be as follows, viz: A 
 scarlet coat of a common length, the lappets, cuffs and collar buff 
 and trimmed with plain silver-wash buttons; white linen vest, 
 breeches and stockings, black half legging, a small fashionable 
 and narrow ruffled shirt. 
 
 Adjourned to Thursday evening next. 
 
 Thursday, February 9, 1775. 
 
 Voted, That the company supply themselves with a stand of 
 arms if they are to be had. 
 
 That Captain Jonas Prentice be desired to make a journey to 
 Stratford to inquire how a stand of arms can be procured, and 
 make return to the next meeting. 
 
 Thursday Evening, July (sic) 6. 
 
 Timothy Jones, Jr., Moderator. 
 
 Voted, That Messrs. Benedict Arnold, Jesse Leavenworth and 
 Hezekiah Sabin, Jr., be a committee to make inquiry how a stand 
 of arms can be procured in the best way. 
 
 That Hezekiah Sabin's cartridge box be a pattern for this 
 company. 
 
 That the company uniform coat be made with a side pocket 
 and noplags. 
 
 That this company on Monday next be trained by their own 
 instructor provided Captain Thomson will allow such of the 
 company as are on his rolls to exercise with us. 
 
 That Messrs. Jonas Prentice, Benedict Arnold and Samuel 
 Greenough be a committee to wait on Captain Thomson and 
 inform the company what answer he gives to the above desire. 
 
 That application be made to the General Assembly at their 
 session in March next by this company to be established a distinct 
 military company.
 
 85 
 Thursday Evening, Feb. 23, 1775. 
 
 Moderator. 
 
 Voted, That Elias Stillwell be the company's clerk for one 
 month, ending the 22d of March next. 
 
 That Messrs. Jones, Arnold, Leavenworth and Prentice be a 
 committee to draw a petition and wait on the Assembly. 
 
 That the company's instructor, Edward Burke, be employed 
 four weeks from the present date, and allowed for his services 
 four pounds. 
 
 That Elijah Austin import twelve pieces of colored broadcloth 
 for company use. 
 
 Wednesday, March 1st, 1775. 
 
 Col. Leveret Hubbard, Moderator. 
 
 Voted, That Pierpont Edwards, Esq., is appointed our agent 
 to prepare a petition to the General Assembly. That a memorial 
 drawn up by Timothy Jones, Jr., is approved of by this company, 
 and ordered to be presented to the Assembly. 
 
 [Copy of the memorial preferred to the General Assembly, March 2d, 1775.] 
 
 To the Honorable General Assembly of the Colony of Connect- 
 icut, now sitting at New Haven in New Haven County : 
 
 The memorial of us, the subscribers, inhabitants of New Haven, 
 many of us independent of any military company, humbly show- 
 eth ; that your memorialists, anxious for the safety of our country 
 and desirous of contributing all in their power to the support of 
 our just rights and liberties, have formed themselves into a mili- 
 tary company, have hired a person to instruct them in the military 
 art which they are daily practicing, and have been at much 
 expense in providing a uniform dress, etc. Your memorialists 
 therefore humbly pray Your Honors to construct them a district 
 military company by the name of the Governor's Second Com- 
 pany of Guards, with power to choose their proper officer to be 
 commissioned by Your Honors, and that they may be under the 
 same regulation and enjoy the same privileges and exemption as 
 the military company in Hartford called the Governor's Guards or 
 under such regulations as to Your Honors shall seem meet and 
 your memorialists as in duty bound shall ever pray (58 members). 
 
 NEW HAVEN, March 2d, 1775. 
 
 The above is signed by all the original members, except Ezekal 
 Hayspin, Russel Clark, Barnabus Mulford, Samuel Nevins, Elias 
 Shipman, Francis Sage, William Atwater, John Beckwith, John 
 Thatcher, Samuel Willard.
 
 86 
 
 THE FIRST FORMATION OF THE SECOND COMPANY GOVERNOR'S ^ 
 FOOT GUARDS THEIR EARLY HISTORY MARCH UNDER BENE- 
 DICT ARNOLD TO BOSTON BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF THE 
 
 ORIGINAL MEMBERS. 
 
 The following is a copy of the act incorporating the Second 
 Company Governor's Foot Guard : 
 
 Copy of an act of the Honorable General Assembly of the Colony of Connecti- 
 cut for Constituting the Military Company called the Second Company of the 
 Governor's Foot Guard. 
 
 At a General Assembly of the Governor and Company of the 
 Colony of Connecticut, holden at New Haven by special order of 
 the Governor of said Colony on the 2d of March, A. D. 1775, 
 upon the memorial of Hezekiah Sabin, Jr., and others of New 
 Haven, living within the limits of New Haven, showing that 
 they have formed themselves into a military company and have 
 with great pains and expense endeavored to advance military 
 skill and exercise, and praying that they may be made a distinct 
 military company by the name of the Second Company of the 
 Governor's Foot Guards, as per memorial on file 
 
 Resolved by the General Assembly, That the memorialists be 
 and they are hereby constituted a distinct military company, by 
 the name of the Governor's Guards, consisting of sixty-four in 
 number, rank and file, to attend upon and guard the Governor 
 and General Assembly at all times as occasion shall require, 
 equipped with proper arms and uniformly dressed, with power 
 under the direction of the field officer to elect and choose their 
 own officers, viz: captain, lieutenant and ensign, and other sub- 
 ordinate officers that shall be necessary. And that the chief in 
 said company shall have power in case of death, dismission, or 
 removal of any of said company to enlist, receive and enroll 
 others in the room of those so dismissed or removed, provided 
 the number of men in the several companies in the town of New 
 Haven be not thereby reduced below the number by law estab- 
 lished. And said company shall be subject to the general law as 
 to day and time of training and mustering, and are hereby 
 exempt from being called upon and from doing any military 
 duty in any other company. And the Colonel of the Second 
 regiment of militia in this colony shall cause them to be duly 
 warned and lead them to the choice of the captain s lieutenant 
 and ensign. And that the commission officers of the said, or a 
 major part of them, shall have full power to dismiss any member 
 of said company upon application by them made and sufficient 
 reason shown ; provided, nevertheless, that the person so dismissed, 
 if liable to train before his enlistment into said company, be 
 still liable to train according to the law of this Colony. And 
 that the said Second Company of Guards shall have power, by 
 their major vote, to nominate and appoint days and times of
 
 87 
 
 meeting, and training, and military exercises over and above the 
 day and times already limited and appointed by law for that 
 purpose, and to appoint and set fines for and penalties on such 
 soldiers as shall neglect to attend at such days and times of train- 
 ing and exercise, and the same by warrant from the commission 
 officer of said company to levy and collect ; provided such fines 
 and penalties do not exceed the sum by law inflicted for like 
 offenses in the other military companies in this Colony. 
 Transcribed from the Secretary. 
 
 Attest copy of Colony Record. 
 
 Thursday, March 7, 1775. 
 Benedict Arnold, Moderator. 
 
 Voted, That the company be uniformly dressed before the offi- 
 cers are chosen. 
 
 That this company appear uniformly dressed on the loth of 
 April next. 
 
 Friday, March 10, 1775. 
 Elisha Painter, Moderator. 
 
 Voted, That Mr. Eleazer Oswald is appointed to make a journey 
 to Merideu to engage a tifer and to employ Mr. Penfield to make 
 two drums for the company. 
 
 Monday, March 13, 1775. 
 
 Voted, That we reconsider a former vote with respect to choos- 
 ing officers, and appoint for that purpose Thursday, 16th March, 
 at 2 o'clock P. M. 
 
 March 16th, 1775. 
 
 Col. Leverett Hubbard in the chair Voted, That a petition be 
 presented to the General Assembly in October next for liberty to 
 choose our non-commissioned officers every year. 
 
 The following gentlemen were elected officers by vote of the 
 company, viz: Benedict Arnold, Captain; Jesse Leaven worth, 
 Lieutenant ; Hezekiah Sabin, Jr., Ensign ; Samuel Greenough, 
 Eliakim Hitchcock, Nathaniel Fitch, Jeremiah Parmelee, William 
 Lyon, Clerk. The choice of corporals was postponed. 
 
 March 23d, 1775. 
 
 Jesse Leavenworth, Moderator Voted, That Edward, Burke, 
 the company instructor, be employed four weeks from present 
 date and allowed for his services four pounds; that the company 
 attend the military exercises at 5 o'clock, morning and evening. 
 Adjourned to Thursday evening next. 
 
 MONDAY, April 3d, 1775. 
 
 Elias Stillwell, Moderator Voted, That this company for the 
 present delay purchasing a stand of arms and repair their old 
 ones ; that the Norfolk plan of exercise be taught this company ; 
 that Elijah Austin's bill for buff broad cloth is accepted, and that 
 said cloth is to remain in his hands to be dealt out to the com- 
 pany in suit for regimental coats at 6s. per man, he accounting 
 with the company therefor.
 
 88 
 
 TUESDAY, April 4th, 1775. 
 
 Amos Morrison, Moderator Voted, That Mr. Greenough has 
 presented to the company as a pattern is approved of as to cut, 
 color and cost ; that Mr. Burr is to purchase blank ribbons for 
 the cockades that may be wanted in his company; that the uni- 
 form for head dress be a club behind the side locks, braided and 
 powdered ; that black garters fastened with black buttons be 
 worn by the company ; that for the future the following is 
 established for the method of admitting members into this 
 company, viz: the candidate not admitted unless every mem- 
 ber present be in his favor, but if there is a majority for his 
 admission it shall be postponed to the next general meet- 
 ing and a majority in the meantime apply to the commission 
 officer with objections, who shall hear the same and endeavor to 
 have the matter settled, but if it cannot be done then the affair is 
 to be laid before the company. 
 
 THURSDAY EVENING, April 6. 
 
 James Hillhouse, Moderator Voted, That the drummers be 
 dressed in buff, faced with scarlet. 
 
 That the fifers be dressed in plain scarlet coats, with buff collars 
 and cuffs. 
 
 That the company's clerk draw up a subscription paper to 
 procure money to defray the expenses of said clothing. 
 
 THURSDAY EVENING, April 13, 1775. 
 
 Thaddeus Beecher, Moderator Voted, That the company 
 attend military exercises at five o'clock A. M., and six o'clock p. M., 
 and those members that do not attend once a day be fined 4d., 
 and the officers if absent as above be fined 8d. each, to be applied 
 towards defraying the company's expenses. 
 
 That half a day in each week until the general muster be set 
 apart for training, and that a fine of one shilling be imposed on 
 absent members, and that Sunday in the afternoon is appointed as 
 muster for this week. 
 
 THURSDAY EVENING, April 20th, 1775. 
 
 Nathan Beers, Moderator Voted, That Mr. Edward Burke, 
 the company instructor, be dismissed from the company with a 
 character of good instructor, and that the clerk is ordered to give 
 Mr. Burke a written dismission to that effect. 
 
 That the second vote of the 6th of April respecting the dress 
 of the drummers be rescinded, and instead of buff be substituted 
 any light color, lapelled with scarlet. 
 
 That the clergy of New Haven, viz : those living in the town 
 plot, be invited to dine with this company the 2d day of May 
 next.
 
 89 
 
 THE MARCH TO CAMBRIDGE. 
 
 The news of the battle of Lexington arrived at New Haven on 
 Friday, the 21st of April, about noon, and Captain Arnold imme- 
 diately called out his company and proposed their starting for 
 Lexington to join the American army. About forty of them con- 
 sented to accompany their commander. Being in want of ammu- 
 nition, Arnold requested the town authorities to furnish the 
 company, which they refused to do. The next day, immediately 
 before they started, Arnold marched his company to the house 
 where the Selectmen were sitting, and after forming them in front 
 of the building sent in word that if the keys of the powder house 
 were not delivered up in five minutes he would order the company 
 to break it open and furnish themselves. This had the desired 
 effect and the keys were delivered up. They stopped at Wethers- 
 field the second night, where the inhabitants vied with each other 
 in their \attention to them. They took the middle road through 
 Pomfret, at which place they were joined by General Putnam. 
 On the Guards' arrival at Cambridge they took up their quarters 
 at a splendid mansion owned by Lieutenant Governor Oliver, 
 who was obliged to flee on account of his attachment to the 
 British cause. The company was the only one on the ground 
 complete in their uniform and equipment, and owing to their 
 soldierlike appearance were appointed to deliver the body of a 
 British officer who had been taken prisoner by the Americans and 
 had died in consequence of his wounds received at the battle of 
 Lexington. Upon this occasion one of the British officers, 
 appointed to receive the body from the guards, expressed his sur- 
 prise at seeing an American company appear so well in every 
 respect, observing that in their military movements and equip- 
 ments " they were not excelled by any of His Majesty's troops. 
 
 After remaining nearly three weeks at Cambridge the Guards 
 (except those who remained in the army) returned to New Haven. 
 
 The company, for certain reasons, went to Cambridge under 
 the name of the New Haven Cadets. 
 
 The following is a copy of the agreement subscribed to by 
 Captain Arnold and his company of fifty men when they set out 
 from Connecticut and went as volunteers to the assistance of the 
 Provincials at Cambridge :
 
 90 
 
 To all Christian people believing in and relying on that God to whom our 
 enemies have at last forced us to appeal. 
 
 Be it known, That we, the subscribers, having taken up arms 
 for the relief of our brethren and defence of theirs as well as our 
 just rights and privileges, declare to the world that we from our 
 hearts disavow every thought of rebellion to His Majesty as 
 supreme head of the British Empire or of opposition to the legal 
 authority, and shall on every occasion manifest to the world bj r 
 our conduct this to be our fixed principle. Driven to the last 
 necessity and obliged to have recourse to arms in defense of our 
 lives and liberties, and from the suddenness of the occasion 
 deprived of that legal authority the dictates of which we ever 
 with pleasure obey, find it necessary for preventing disorder, 
 irregularities and misunderstandings in the course of our march 
 and service, solemnly agree to and with each other on the follow- 
 ing regulations and orders, binding ourselves by all that is dear 
 and sacred carefully and constantly to observe and keep them. 
 In the first place we will conduct ourselves decently and inoffen- 
 sively as we march, both to our countrymen and one another, 
 paying that regard to the advice, admonition and reproof of our 
 officers which their station justly entitles them to expect, ever 
 considering the dignity of our character, and that we are not 
 mercenaries whose views extend no farther than pay and plunder, 
 but men acquainted with and feeling the most generous fondness 
 for the liberties and inalienable rights of mankind, and who are 
 in the course of divine providence called to the honorable service 
 of hazarding our lives in their defense. 
 
 Secondly Drunkenness, gaming, profaneness and every vice 
 of that nature, will be avoided by ourselves and discountenanced 
 by us in others. 
 
 Thirdly So long as we continue in our present situation of a 
 voluntary independent company, we engage to submit on all 
 occasions to such decisions as shall be made and given by a major- 
 ity of the officers we have chosen, and when any difference arises 
 between man and man it shall be laid before the officers, the cap- 
 tain, lieutenant, ensign, sergeant, clerk and corporal, the captain, 
 or in his absence the commanding officer, to be moderator and 
 have a turning or casting vote in all the debates, from whom all 
 orders shall from time to time issue, scorning all ignoble motives 
 and superior to the low and slavish practice of enforcing on men 
 their duty by blows. It is agreed that when private admonition 
 for any offense by any of our body committed, will not reform, 
 public notice shall be made, and if that should not have the 
 desired effect, after proper pains taken, and the same repeated, 
 such incorrigible person shall be turned out of the company as 
 totally unworthy of serving in so great and glorious a cause, and 
 be delivered over to suffer the contempt of his countrymen. 
 
 As to particular orders, it shall from time to time be in the 
 power of the officers to make and vary them, as occasion may
 
 91 
 
 require, as to delivering out provisions, ammunitions, rules and 
 orders for marching, etc. 
 
 The annexed order for the present we think pertinent and 
 agreeable to our mind, to which with the additions or variations 
 that may be made by our said officers, we bind ourselves by the 
 ties above mentioned, to submit. In witness whereof we have 
 hereunto set our hands, this 24th day of April, 1 775. 
 
 THURSDAY EVENING, May 25th, 1775. 
 
 Gold Sherman, Moderator Voted, That for the future any 
 member that is admitted into the company be obliged to dress 
 himself uniformly in three weeks unless he gives sufficient reason 
 to the contrary. 
 
 JUNE 15, 1775. 
 
 Thaddeus Beecher, Moderator Voted, That twelve men be 
 chosen from the company to act as grenadiers. 
 
 JUNE 22d, 1 775. 
 
 Voted, That Messrs. Thatcher, Sabin and Shipman be a com- 
 mittee to provide caps for the grenadiers as soon as possible, and 
 that this motto be engraved upon the plate : 
 
 " For Religion and Liberty." 
 
 Note copied as it appeared in record : 
 
 " Last Wednesday, His Excellency General Washington, Major 
 General Lee, Major Thomas Mifflin, General Washington's aid- 
 de-camp, and Samuel Griffin, Esq., General Lee's aid-de-camp, 
 arrived in town and early next morning set out for the provincial 
 camp near Boston, attended by numbers of the inhabitants. 
 They were escorted by two companies (one of them the guards, 
 probably), and a company of youug gentlemen from the sem- 
 inary." 
 
 SEMINARY (Yale College, probably), ) 
 October 2d, 1775. ) 
 
 Voted, That the company on the 2d Thursday of this mouth 
 escort His Honor the Governor and the Council to the Council 
 Chamber at 8 o'clock A. M. 
 
 OCTOBER 16th, 1775. 
 
 That for the future when any officer is absent his place shall be 
 filled by a man chosen out of the ranks and not be the next in 
 command unless the company orders otherwise; nevertheless, 
 provided that the vote shall not extend to the commissioned 
 officer, but that they rise by succession.
 
 92 
 
 WARNED FOR THE DEFENSE OF NEW HAVEN, ETC. 
 
 STATE OP CONNECTICUT, 
 By the Captain General. 
 To the present Commanding Officer of the Governor's Guard, at 
 New Haven, Greeting : 
 
 You are directed to see that your said Guard is duly armed 
 and equipped, and held in readiness to march for the defense of 
 said town of New Haven and others on the sea coast. 
 
 And your are further ordered upon information of the approach 
 or appearance of an enemy, at the request of the civil authority 
 or Selectmen of said New Haven, to muster, array and equip 
 your said company, and do your utmost to defeat, repel and 
 destroy them. 
 
 Given under my hand in Lebanon the llth day of September, 
 Anno Dom. 1776. 
 
 JONATHAN TRUMBULL. 
 The above is a true Copy. 
 Attest. JOHN SHERMAN, 
 
 Juror and Clerk. 
 
 THURSDAY, October, , 1777. 
 
 Nathaniel Fitch, Moderator Voted, That fines, hereafter shall 
 be applied for purchasing powder ; that this company will wear 
 their uniform the first Sunday in October after the meeting of 
 the Assembly. 
 
 Monday, October 12th, 1778, the following order from His 
 Excellency, the Governor, was read : 
 
 STATE OF CONNECTICUT. 
 By the Captain General. 
 To the Commander of the Governor's Guards at Neio Haven : 
 
 You are hereby ordered and directed to furnish and order a 
 guard of two sentinels to attend at the door of His Excellency 
 the Governor's lodgings, from eight of ye clock in the evening 
 through the night during the sessions of this Assembly, as per 
 advice of my council. 
 
 Given under my hand at New Haven, the 9th of October, 1778. 
 
 JONATHAN TKUMBULL. 
 
 June 2Uh, 1783. 
 
 Voted, That Messrs. Jacob Daggett and Isaac Doolittle be a 
 committee to procure the loan of arms from the selectmen for the 
 use of the Company. 
 
 October 23d, 1788. 
 
 Voted, That a memorial to the General Assembly, asking the 
 loan of a number of arms for the Company use, read this evening 
 by Captain Hillhouse, be presented this session. At which session 
 the use of said arms was granted to Second Company of Gov- 
 ernor's Guard.
 
 93 
 
 May 1st, 1786. 
 
 Voted, That the present clerk shall receive twenty per cent., 
 for doing the business of the Company. 
 
 Jacob Daggett was then clerk. 
 
 In the list of deaths we find the following entry : 
 
 "David Moulthrope, July 22d, 1788, aged 28, murdered by the 
 enemy in New York prison." 
 
 The temperance reform is of later date than the following vote : 
 
 May 1st, 1789. 
 
 Voted, That the committee appointed to procure an entertain- 
 ment for the Company on the first Monday in this month, be 
 empowered to contract for liquor to the amount of Is. for each 
 man, and that they be directed to invite the Rev. James Dana, to 
 dine with the Company on said day mentioned above. 
 
 October 25th, 1793. 
 
 Benjamin Beecher, Elihu Spencer, Samuel Ward, Luther 
 Bradley and Wm. Lyon, Jr., were admitted as members of the 
 Company. 
 
 May 15th, 1795. 
 
 Captain Wm. Lyon resigned his office, and his successor was 
 appointed. 
 
 Upon taking leave of the Company, Captain Lyon made the 
 following remarks. They are not upon record, but were found 
 among some old papers, in the possession of a gentleman of this 
 city, a descendant of his. 
 
 "GENTLEMEN OF THE GOVERNOR'S GUARD: I presume the 
 present occasion is the last time I shall have the pleasure of 
 meeting with you as a member. I therefore crave your patience 
 to a short address. 
 
 As a considerable number before whom I now speak, are not 
 fully acquainted with the rise and progress of the company, it 
 may not be improper to give a concise account thereof on the 
 present occasion. In the fall of the year 1774, my very dear and 
 honored friend, Samuel Greenougb, now of Boston, proposed to 
 myself and a few others of his friends, the raising an inde- 
 pendent Company. Fifty-eight gentlemen soon associated, and 
 obtained from the General Assembly of the State, in January, 
 1775, an act constituting them a Military Company. At their 
 first election of officers, in March following, Benedict Arnold, 
 Esq. was appointed Captain, he entering into the American Army, 
 rose to the rank of Major General. His knowledge, activity and 
 bravery, for several years, and his final infamous defection at 
 West Point, are too well known to need any comment. In 1779, 
 Hezekiah Sabin, Esq. was elected Captain, and being promoted to 
 
 13
 
 94 
 
 the command of a regiment in 1780, the Hon. James Hillhouse 
 was chosen to fill the vacancy. In 1783 he was appointed Major 
 of a regiment, but resigning both that and the command of his 
 company, he was succeeded by Daniel Bishop, Esq. who resigning 
 his commission in 1786, was followed by Nathaniel Fitch, Esq., he 
 procuring a dismission in October, 1788, you were pleased to 
 appoint for the Captain, the man who now has the honor of 
 addressing you. This mark of your esteem was gratifying my 
 ambition to the utmost, but I accepted the office with diffidence 
 from a full conviction that I was placed over a number of gentle- 
 men, on many accounts, my superiors. 
 
 I have ever aimed at the greatest impartiality in the discharge 
 of my duty, and to the utmost of my power, promoted the welfare, 
 the honor, and the privileges of the company. If my conduct on 
 the whole has given satisfaction I rejoice, and trust that your 
 candor will excuse my errors. 
 
 In May last, the Hon. General Assembly were pleased to give 
 me the command of a regiment, a task to which, in my present 
 low state of health, I feel myself very unequal. I consider the 
 appointment a compliment paid this Company, as it sanctions 
 their choice, and promotes a man whom they had first distin- 
 guished. Twenty years have elapsed since raising this Company. 
 In that time nineteen persons have died belonging to it, and two 
 others, who had been members, were dismissed. 
 
 His Excellencey the Governor, at my fourth application, has 
 granted me a dismission from the command of the Guards which I. 
 have held more than six years, double the time I determined or 
 expected, on my accepting the commission. I leave behind me 
 but two of the original members. I should be guilty of black 
 ingratitude if I did not, in the most explicit manner, return to 
 you my thanks for all the obliging marks of esteem and friendship 
 that I have received from you, for your prompt obedience when 
 under arms, and for that general orderly conduct which on many 
 occasions, and particularly in October, 1793, attracted the notice 
 and received the approbation of the most dignified members of 
 the Legislature. These things, while they give the camp any 
 respectability, are peculiarly grateful to the officer commanding. 
 I cannot suppress my feelings, as a man, nor take my leave with 
 cold indifference. 
 
 Believe me, gentlemen, from the long intimate acquaintance and 
 mutual exchange of kind offices, you are become dear to me, and 
 I shall ever retain a pleasing remembrance of the many days we 
 have passed together in great sociability, a pleasure that has 
 never been alloyed by any altercation between me and my re- 
 spected Company. In every situation of my future life, my "best 
 wishes, and on every proper occasion my best services attend you. 
 Suffer me to hope that this affection is mutual, and that the mem- 
 bers of this Company will not at once forget a man who is 
 warmly attached to them.
 
 95 
 
 I have no doubt that your conduct under your new Captain 
 will be such as will do you and him honor, nor do I feel at all 
 abashed in delivering over to any gentleman, the Company I have 
 lately had the honor to command. 
 
 Gentlemen, I bid you an affectionate farewell. 
 
 WILLIAM LYON." 
 
 Lieutenant Hanover Barney and Parsons Clarke, are probably 
 the persons alluded to as the two remaining original members. 
 
 At the same meeting of the Company, the following vote, 
 together with several others, was passed, viz : 
 
 Voted, That the knapsacks be deposited with the Captain on 
 or before the first day of September next. 
 
 We infer from this that the Company had knapsacks at that 
 time, although this is the first allusion made to them in the records. 
 
 August 25th, 1796. 
 
 Voted, That Captain Dyer White, Lieutenant Hanover Barney, 
 and Ensign James Merriman, be appointed agents to prefer a 
 memorial to the General Assembly at their next session, to obtain 
 an alteration in our charter, so far as to enable the commanding 
 ofiicer to enlist men to the number of sixty-four, out of the militia 
 companies in the town of New Haven, notwithstanding there 
 may not be sixty-four rank and file in each of said militia 
 companies. 
 
 May 1th, 1798. 
 
 Voted, That no person be admitted to this Company, unless he 
 be five feet five inches high. 
 
 That the Guards meet at the usual place of parade on the 4th 
 day of July next, at half past 8 o'clock A. M. in order to celebrate 
 Independence. 
 
 This appears to be the first parade of the Company for that 
 purpose, at least as far as we can learn by any record. 
 
 September 26th, 1803. 
 
 Voted, That those soldiers who have long hair shall have it 
 plaited and turned up, to conform to those that have short. 
 
 May 1th, 1804. 
 
 Voted, That there be a committee appointed to petition the 
 Assembly for an enlargement of the powers in the charter of said 
 Company. 
 
 The three commissioned officers appointed such committee. 
 The first band in New Haven, attached to any military company, 
 was that for this corps formed in 1806.
 
 96 
 
 May 4th, 1807. 
 
 Voted, That the sample coat now presented by Lucius Atwater, 
 viz: red, turned up with black velvet trimmed with gilt cord, be 
 adopted as a uniform for the Company, excepting the length, the 
 length to come within two inches of the knee. 
 
 That the Company appear on parade complete, in the above 
 uniform, on the first Monday of September next. That the facings 
 on the skirts of the coats be white kerseymere. 
 
 That the belts of the Company be all white webbing. 
 
 June 2d, 1809. 
 
 Voted, That every new member pay seventy-five cents for the 
 benefit of the ammunition chest. 
 
 That any member leaving the Company, forfeit his right to the 
 ammunition chest. 
 
 August 22d, 1809. 
 
 Voted, That as a tribute of respect to the memory of our 
 highly popular chief magistrate, his Excellency the Governor, 
 Jonathan Trumbull, Esq.,* the Company wear crape every parade 
 day this fall. 
 
 Copy of the Resolve of the Honorable, the General Assembly 
 of the State of Connecticut, enlarging the privileges of the 
 Second Company of Governor's Foot Guards. 
 
 At a General Assembly of the State of Connecticut, holden at 
 New Haven, on the second Thursday of October, 1809. 
 
 Upon the petition of Jeremiah Attwater, 3d, of New Haven, 
 showing this Assembly that by the existing charter of the Second 
 Company of Governor's Foot Guards, which the petitioner com- 
 mands ; said company consists of one captain, one lieutenant, one 
 ensign and sixty-four rank and file; that the said company is 
 under the necessity of chosing non-commissioned officers to serve 
 for one year only; and that being desirous of promoting the 
 respectability and good discipline of said Company, and in pur- 
 suance of a vote of the same, the petitioner prays the Assembly 
 to make certain alterations in the charter of said Company, as 
 per petition on file. 
 
 Resolved by this Assembly, that said Company may hereafter 
 consist of one captain, four lieutenants, one ensign, eight sergeants, 
 eight corporals and ninety-six privates, and that said Company 
 shall hereafter have liberty to choose their non-commissioned 
 officers to serve for an indefinite length of time ; and that the 
 captain of said Company is hereby authorized to enlist men from 
 the companies of New Haven, East Haven, North Haven, Ham- 
 den and Woodbridge, to augment said Company to said number. 
 Provided, that in consequence of such enlistment, the other mil- 
 
 * Died at his seat at Lebanon, August 7, 1809.
 
 97 
 
 itary companies in said towns, out of which he shall enlist, shall 
 not be reduced below the number of sixty-four rank and file. 
 A true copy of Record, examined by 
 
 THOMAS DAY. 
 
 Assistant Secretary. 
 
 Transcribed from the Assistant Secretary's attested copy. 
 Attest : T. BISHOP, Clerk. 
 
 The company, until this year, dined together twice yearly. A 
 motion was made to the effect that the company dine together on 
 the first Monday of May, which was negatived; but the practice 
 of dining together once a year was kept up until within a few 
 
 years. 
 
 Resolve of the General Assembly, passed October 30, 1811. 
 
 Resolved by this Assembly, That one dollar and fifty cents be 
 allowed in future for each man of the Second Company of Gov- 
 ernor's Foot Guards, including hired music, actually on duty, on 
 the day of meeting of the General Assembly at October session, 
 and that the comptroller is directed to allow the account of the 
 commander of said Company, and to draw an order on the Treas- 
 urer for the amount thereof accordingly. 
 
 General Assembly, October Session, 1811, Passed. 
 
 Attest : W. J. WILLIAMS, 
 
 Clerk of H. R. 
 
 Concurred in the Upper House. 
 
 Attest : THOMAS DAY, 
 
 Secretary. 
 
 This year the company completed its organization in regard to 
 the non-commissioned officers, in conformity to the late amend- 
 ment of its charter. 
 
 MAY 7th, 1813. 
 
 Major Bradley, Chairman Voted, That the Second Company 
 of Governor's Foot Guards in New Haven, deeming it highly 
 important that some measures should be adopted for the safety of 
 our city in case of any sudden attack, severally engage to volun- 
 teer our services for its defense, and do consider ourselves in 
 honor bound, upon an alarm being given, to repair with all pos- 
 sible speed, with our arms to the place of rendezvous which shall 
 be agreed, and to act in as strict obedience to the commands of 
 our superior officers present as when on parade duty. The place 
 of rendezvous shall be the center of the lower Green. The sig- 
 nal agreed upon is the ringing of the church bell, accompanied 
 by the discharge of two cannon in succession. 
 
 Signed, LUTHER BRADLEY, Chairman. 
 
 Attest : W. SHERMAX, Clerk.
 
 98 
 
 NEW HAVEN, April 9th, 1814. 
 
 Information having been received that a British frigate and 
 man-of-war brig (same which sent seven barges up Connecticut 
 river and burnt twenty-six vessels at Pettipaug*) were ofl 
 Guilford, and standing towards this port. By request of General 
 Howe, and other military officers, with the recommendation of 
 the mayor, the Second Company of Governor's Foot Guards 
 were ordered out under arms, after nine o'clock in the evening 
 and stood guard on the Long Wharf until morning. 
 
 The following members were on duty during the night, viz: 
 
 Major Bradley, Corp. At water, S. Chatterton, 
 
 Lieut. Bishop, B. Bassett, P. Lexton, 
 
 " Doolittle, J. Barnes, D. Brown, 1st, 
 
 " Platt, G-. Mansfield, S. Woodward, 
 
 Ensign Beach, H. Mix, L. Griswold, 
 
 Sergt. Hotchkiss, Eli B. Austin, G. Morse, 
 
 " Mattoon, B. Thompson, J. G. law, 
 
 " Fenn, B. Resraison, D. Brown, 2d, 
 
 " Sherman, J. Tnttle, L. Albrecht, 
 
 Corp. Tuttle, F. Laforges, J. English, 
 
 " Bradley, D. M. Walbridge, Bela Peck. 
 
 WEDNESDAY, April 13, 1814. 
 
 A British frigate and man-of-war brig and tender maneuvered off 
 the harbor this day, and came to anchor a few miles to the west- 
 ward of this port at evening. 
 
 The Company were warned to appear at S. Bishop's Hotel at 
 seven o'clock p. M., where they met and then marched to the 
 State House, where arms and ammunition (12 rounds ball cart- 
 ridges) were distributed and the Company ordered to hold them- 
 selves in readiness and repair to the flag-staff on the lower Green 
 in case of alarm. Alarm to be given by guns from the Fort, 
 firing on Prospect Hill, and ringing of bells. 
 
 AUGUST 25, 1814. 
 
 Voted, That the Guards appear with knapsacks and canteens 
 on Wednesday morning next, at seven o'clock for the purpose 
 of placing themselves under the direction of the Committee 
 appointed to fortify Beacon Hill, in East Haven. 
 
 TUESDAY, August 30, 1814. 
 
 In conformity to the above vote, the Company met on the 
 parade ground, at seven o'clock in the morning, equipped 
 with knapsacks, canteens, shovels, picks, hoes, crow-bars, etc., and 
 after being formed, marched, with music and colors, to Beacon 
 Hill, where they diligently labored until half past five o'clock in 
 the afternoon, when they again formed and marched with a quick 
 step, and halted at the store of Lieut. Doolittle, received some 
 refreshments, and dismissed. 
 
 * Now Essex.
 
 99 
 
 In the course of the afternoon his Excellency the Governor 
 visited the works and on his approval a salute from the music, 
 and three hearty cheers from the Company were given. 
 
 TUESDAY, September 6, 1814. 
 
 Express Information was received this morning by express 
 to Gen. Howe, that the enemy in considerable numbers were land- 
 ing near Branford. The alarm was soon given by the discharge 
 of cannon and ringing of bells, whereupon the members of the 
 Company immediately assembled and took up their march for the 
 place of rendezvous, to wait for orders where they continued 
 until nearly night, when advice was received that the enemy had 
 withdrawn, and the Company returned to the place of parade and 
 and were dismissed. 
 
 JANUARY 12, 1824. 
 
 Pursuant to an order from the sheriff, Maj. Granniss, called out a 
 detachment of the Guards, consisting of twenty-six members, to 
 suppress a riot, whice had been created through improper con- 
 duct on the part of some members of the Medical Institute, and 
 remained on duty until seven o'clock next morning. The follow- 
 ing night (Jan. 13), another detachment of twenty men, were 
 ordered out, and remained on duty all night. 
 
 AUGUST 21, 1824. 
 
 Orders having been issued on the 20th inst. by the major com- 
 mandant of the Guards to pay a tribute of respect to that distin- 
 guished benefactor of the American Republic, LAFAYETTE, the 
 Guards mustered to the number of fifty. 
 
 The General arrived in the city about ten o'clock in the morn- 
 ing, and was hailed with joy by as large a concourse of people as 
 was ever assembled in this city. 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 1. Hezekiah Sabin, Jr., the second commandant of the corps, 
 kept a crockery store in State street, on ground now occupied by 
 the stone house of H. Mullbrd, Esq., next to corner of Chapel 
 street; afterwards' removed to Providence, where he died. 
 
 2. Samuel Greenough lived in the Herrick house, where Divin- 
 ity College now stands ; afterwards removed to Boston. 
 
 3. Elias Stillwell, school master, lived in house where Booth & 
 Bromham's store stands. 
 
 4. Thaddeus Beecher, grocer merchant, etc., store on the corner 
 of Church and Chapel streets, where Exchange Building now 
 stands.
 
 100 
 
 5. John Townseud, trader, lived corner of College and Elm 
 streets, house still standing opposite the Methodist Church. 
 
 6. Ezra Ford, on opposite corner, house yet standing ; kept 
 tavern there for a time. 
 
 7. Nathan Beers, Jr., only survivor of the company, 94 years 
 of age, became a captain, etc., in the Revolutionary army ; lives 
 in Elm street, a few doors above College street. 
 
 The information in these brief notes was obtained in part from 
 him, July 14th, 1846, by a gentleman,* who, when he called upon 
 him, found him in his garden, tying up his shrubbery, and appar- 
 ently yet in good health, and bearing the infirmities of age won- 
 derfully well, for one of his years. He says : " To talk face to 
 face with so venerable a man, and he a busy and somewhat dis- 
 tinguished actor in the scenes of the Revolution, and feeling that 
 he stood almost alone (and quite alone so far as his old military 
 company was concerned), between the living and the dead, was 
 indeed a privilege. He stated a fact in regard to Major Andre's 
 execution, which he witnessed, that we do not remember to have 
 heard before, or if heard, we had forgotten. He stated that 
 Major Andre was dressed in his full uniform, except his sword, 
 and that Washington allowed him to walk to the place of execu- 
 tion, unbound, between two officers. He took the arm of each, 
 and as he passed along and caught the eye of any officer with 
 whom he was acquainted, he bowed slightly, and gave to each a 
 pleasant smile of recognition. 
 
 " Deacon Beers, we believe, served through the war of the 
 Revolution, and came out with a captain's commission. He was 
 also a paymaster in the army. He is an excellent specimen of 
 some of the best of the Revolutionary worthies." 
 
 8. Nathaniel Fitch, the fifth commandant of the corps, a select- 
 man in 1794, lived in College street, house yet standing, next 
 south of the new house of Ransom Burritt, Esq. 
 
 9. James Warren, particulars not known. 
 
 10. Nathan Oaks, chair maker, lived on George St., near 
 Meadow, nearly opposite the stone house. 
 
 11. Daniel Ingalls. particulars not known. 
 
 12. Jonas Prentice, afterwards a Colonel, lived in the wood 
 house opposite Assembly House ; well remembered by the present 
 generation. 
 
 13. Francis Sage, particulars not known. 
 
 * The editor of the Palladium.
 
 :XK\V I1AVI-:X aiirt \\t VIC IX IT Y 
 
 /; T n 
 
 Dr.wn ,?: r.!rrT-tl i "In- -T.U'.Harber 
 
 r o 
 
 . fft? tfu 
 
 it Mffl-Tiase o of ISfowHawen Ccnio 
 
 " , East .t-llv>t EcA-j.-XetirHaven, seeriinthf distance.
 
 101 
 
 14. Archibald Austin, merchant and mechanic, lived in 
 Crown st., north side, second house east from Orange ; house now 
 standing. 
 
 15. Eliakim Hitchcock, silver smith, lived in Union near 
 Fair street. 
 
 16. James Hugging, particulars not known. 
 
 17. Parsons Clarke, saddler, from Colchester, store in Chapel 
 st. where Mitchell's building now stands ; lived in Union st. 
 second house south from the new city market ; house now stand- 
 ing. 
 
 18. James Prescott, died recently, a merchant, lived corner 
 of Chapel and High sts. ; house standing. 
 
 19. Hanover Barney, the eighth commandant of the com- 
 pany, saddler, ship owner, etc., died a few years since ; father of 
 the lady of Dr. Beers. 
 
 20. Stephen Herrick, joiner, lived in Crown St., on the north- 
 east corner of Orange and Crown ; house yet standing, and occu- 
 pied by James S. Arnold, grocer. 
 
 21. Jonathan Austin, joiner, lived on opposite corner of 
 Orange and Crown sts. ; house standing. 
 
 22. David Burbank, not known. 
 
 23. Daniel Bishop, firm of Bishop & Hotchkiss, kept an 
 extensive hat store in Chapel st. where the New Haven Bank 
 now stands ; the pump near the bank formerly their well. He 
 lived in State st. next the brick house of the late Stephen Bishop, 
 Esq. 
 
 24. Elijah Austin, brother of Archibald Austin above named, 
 store on the wharf; concerned in navigation, etc.; lived in the 
 house now occupied by E. A. Prescott, Esq., in Whiting st. 
 
 25. Amos Morrison, barber, rather eccentric person, lived on 
 the corner of State and Grand sts., opposite A. & F. Lines. 
 
 26. Rossiter Griffing, grocer, lived in State St., about where 
 James T. Mix's hardware store now stands. 
 
 27. Gold Sherman, tailor, in rather extensive business. 
 
 28. Wm. Noyes, leather dresser, business in George st. south 
 side near College st. 
 
 29. Abraham Tuttle, shoemaker, lived in Fleet St., on the 
 north corner of Prout St., shop in Fleet st. just below the pump, 
 and in front of the premises now occupied by Charles B. Whit- 
 tlesey, Esq. ; the street was upon either side of it. 
 
 14
 
 102 
 
 30. Jabez Smith, not certain ; believes he kept the Ogden Tav- 
 ern, where Tontine now stands. 
 
 31. Jonathan Mix, Jr., variety store, where New Haven County 
 Bank stands ; lived in Elm st., house now occupied by Dr. N. B. 
 Ives ; afterward removed to New York where he died. 
 
 32. Jeremiah Parmele, lived in Chapel st., house now occu- 
 pied by Benjamin Beecher, Esq., which he b'uilt. He served in 
 the war of the Revolution ; was in the battle of Brandywine, 
 where he was wounded, and while suffering from the effects was 
 attacked with the small pox, from which he died. The ball by 
 which he received his wound, is yet in the possession of his 
 daughter, Mrs. Beecher. 
 
 33. Joshua Newhall, shoemaker, lived in High st. When the 
 British, in the Revolution, landed at West Haven, Mr. N. touched 
 the train by which the West Bridge was blown up, thereby pre- 
 venting the enemy entering the city from that quarter, and com- 
 pelling them to march up the west side of the river, as far as 
 Westville, and enter the city by Broadway. His shop was in 
 Chapel st. near the present residence of Nathaniel A. Bacon, Esq. 
 
 34. Josiah Burr, merchant, lived corner of Broadway and 
 York sts. ; lot now occupied by store of George D. English. 
 
 35. William Lyon, cashier of New Haven Bank, an enthusiastic 
 antiquarian, etc., lived in Chapel st. opposite Central Row, in a 
 wood house, yet standing, and occupied by Miss Ford, milliner. 
 At the time of his election as Colonel of the infantry regiment, 
 he was unacquainted with horsemanship, but to prepare himself 
 for the duties of that office, would take his horse into the yard, in 
 order to be unobserved, and there practice riding. 
 
 36. Eleazer Oswald, an accomplished foreigner and strong 
 friend of liberty ; man of leisure. 
 
 37. Benoni Shipman, a mechanic. 
 
 38. Hezekiah Bailey, a seaman. 
 
 39. Jesse Leavenworth, the first lieutenant of the corps, trader, 
 lived in College St., second house south from Crown st. ; after- 
 ward removed to Waterbury. 
 
 40. Timothy Jones, Jr. ; an acting Justice of the Peace, etc. ; 
 lived in State st,, house kept as a boarding school, north of the 
 residence of the late William McCrackan, Esq. 
 
 41. John Thomas, particulars not known. 
 
 42. Elisha Painter, supposed to have belonged to West Haven. 
 
 43. Benedict Arnold, druggist, sea captain, etc., well known to
 
 103 
 
 the world as " the Traitor Arnold" ; lived in a large white house 
 now standing in Water st., and occupied by the family of the 
 late Captain James Hunt; same house was once occupied by the 
 late Dr. Noah Webster. 
 
 A celebrated historian, in speaking of Arnold, says he was " a 
 man even more rash than audacious, of a genus fertile in resources, 
 and of a firmness not to be shaken." Immediately upon the 
 breaking out of hostilities between the Americans and British, 
 and the formation of the siege of Boston, Arnold, with a com- 
 pany of fiity men, repaired to the scene of action, and soon after 
 received the appointment of Colonel. Possessed by nature of an 
 extraordinary force of genius, a restless character, and an intre- 
 pidity bordering on prodigy, this officer had, about this time, con- 
 ceived the plan of taking Ticonderoga and Crown Point, and 
 thus secure to the Americans this important pass to the Canadas. 
 To this end he had consulted with the committee of safety of 
 Massachusetts, who had appointed him colonel, with authority to 
 levy troops for the above purpose. His surprise was extreme, 
 when upon arriving at Castleton, the point of rendezvous, he 
 found himself anticipated by Cols. Allen and Eaton, so rapid and 
 yet silent had been their enterprise for the same end. But he 
 was a man not to be baffled by trifles, and as nothing could 
 delight him more than the occasion for combat, he concerted with 
 the other leaders, and consented, however hard he must have 
 thought the sacrifice, to put himself under the command of Col. 
 Allen. After taking these important fortresses, their plan would 
 not have been completely accomplished, except they secured to 
 themselves the exclusive control ol' the lake, which they could not 
 hope to obtain without seizing a corvette of war, which the Eng- 
 lish kept at anchor near fort St. John. They therefore fitted out 
 a schooner, the command of which was given to Arnold. So 
 well did he perform the duty intrusted to him, that he took the 
 corvette without the least resistance, and in a few hours returned 
 sound and safe to Ticonderoga. After having taken the fortress 
 and garrison at Sckeensborough, Allen put sufficient garrisons 
 into all of the conquered fortresses, deputed Arnold to command 
 them in cjiief, and returned to Connecticut. 
 
 Washington, in his camp near Boston, had conceived an enter- 
 prise as surprising for its novelty, as terrific for the obstacles and 
 dangers which it presented in the execution, but if it was hazard- 
 ous, it was no less useful.
 
 104 
 
 The plan was an attack upon Quebec, through the upper parts 
 of Maine and New Hampshire. The command of this adventur- 
 ous enterprise was confided to Col. Arnold. The force selected 
 to follow him was ten companies of fusileers, three of riflemen, 
 and one of artillery, under the orders of Capt. Lamb. A few 
 volunteers joined them, among whom was Col. Aaron Burr, who 
 afterwards became Vice President of the United States. The 
 State of Maine is traversed by a river called the Kennebec, 
 which takes its source among the mountains that separate this 
 State from Canada, and running north and south, falls into the 
 sea, not far from Casco Bay. Opposite the sources of the Kenne- 
 bec on the other side of the mountains, rises another river, named 
 the Chaudiere which empties itself in the St. Lawrence a little 
 above Quebec. In going from one of these sources to the other 
 it is necessary to pass steep mountains, interspersed by frequent 
 torrents and marshes. No living being was to be found at that 
 time in all this space. Such was the route Col. Arnold was to 
 take in order to arrive at Quebec. He took his departure from 
 the camp of Boston about the middle of September, 1775, but 
 six months after his election as Captain of the Guards. 
 
 In the assault upon Quebec, which followed, Arnold received a 
 musket ball in the leg which wounded him severely, splintering 
 the bone, and from which he suffered much during the winter. 
 Shortly after, early in 1776, he was raised to the rank of Briga- 
 dier-General. After the retreat of the Americans from Canada 
 and the capture of New York by the British who overran New 
 Jersey, the situation of Philadelphia became somewhat critical, 
 and the Congress in order to preserve it in the power of the 
 United States, ordained the formation of a camp upon the west- 
 ern bank of the Delaware, with the double object of receiving all 
 the troops that arrived from the south and west, and of serving, 
 in case of need, as a reserve. Here also were to assemble all the 
 recruits of Pennsylvania, reinforced by several regiments of regu- 
 lar troops. This army was placed under the command of General 
 Arnold, who was then at Philadelphia. 
 
 In the spring of 1777, Arnold, who happened to be in the 
 vicinity, engaged in the business of recruiting for the army had 
 an engagement with a detachment of British, under Tryon, at 
 Ridgefield in this State, who were out destroying stores and pro- 
 visions, which the Americans had gathered during the winter at 
 Danbury and other places. The Congress testified their satisf'ac-
 
 105 
 
 tion towards Arnold by the gift of a horse, richly caparisoned. 
 These events transpired in the early part of 1777, about the time 
 of Arnold's visit to this city, where he was received and escorted 
 to his quarters by the guards, and at the same time resigned the 
 office of captain of the company. 
 
 Arnold was the commander in the first naval engagement 
 between the Americans and British, in which the fleets of the two 
 nations were engaged. This action was fought upon Lake Cham- 
 plain, in the summer oJf 1776 ; the American forces consisting of 
 fifteen vessels, viz : two brigs, one corvette, one sloop, three gal- 
 leys and eight gondolas. The largest vessels mounted only 
 twelve, six, and four pounders. Though Arnold had been unsuc- 
 cessful on this occasion, the disparity of strength duly considered, 
 he lost no reputation, but rose on the contrary, in the estimation 
 of his countrymen. He had, in their opinion acquitted himself 
 with no less ability in this naval encounter, than he had done on 
 land before. 
 
 At the battle of Bemis' Height, immediately preceding the sur- 
 render of Burgoyne, Arnold received a severe wound in the same 
 leg which had been already shattered at Quebec, while leading on 
 an attack against a part of the intrenchments occupied by the 
 light infantry, under Lord Balcarres. This day he appeared per- 
 fectly intoxicated with the thirst of battle and carnage. Numer- 
 ous wounds, and especially those which had almost deprived him 
 ot the use of one leg, had forced him to take repose at his seat in 
 the country. The Congress, with the concurrence of Washing- 
 ton, in recompense for his services, appointed him commandant of 
 Philadelphia, immediately after that city was evacuated by the 
 British and was repossessed by the Americans. 
 
 In 1780, while the season had caused the suspension of hostil- 
 ities in the two Carolinas, and while in the State of New York 
 the superiority of the Americans by land and the British by the 
 sea, had caused a similar cessation of arms, an unexpected event 
 arrested general attention. But a moment more, and the work of 
 so many years, cemented at the cost of so much gold and blood, 
 might have been demolished ; the army of Washington, and per- 
 haps the independence of America, involved in total ruin ; and 
 the English arrived at the object, which, with five years of in- 
 trigues and of combats, they had not been able to attain ; and it 
 was at the hands of one they least suspected that the Americans 
 were to receive this fatal blow. The name of Arnold was deserv-
 
 106 
 
 edly dear to all Americans, for he was one of their most intrepid 
 defenders. If fortune does not always favor the brave, neither do 
 the brave always to know how to use fortune. 
 
 Arnold established himself in the house of Penn, at Philadel- 
 phia, and lived in a style sumptuous in the extreme, and to sup- 
 port which his own fortune and the emoluments of his office 
 being far from sufficient, he betook himself to commerce and 
 privateering. His speculations proved unfortunate; his debts 
 accumulated, and his creditors tormented him. Under these cir- 
 cumstances he conceived the shameful idea of reimbursing him- 
 self from the public treasury, for all he had squandered in riotous 
 living. Accordingly he presented accounts more worthy of a 
 shameless usurer than a brave general. The government, aston- 
 ished and indignant, appointed commissioners to investigate 
 them. They not only refused to approve them, but reduced the 
 claims of Arnold one-half. Enraged at their decision he loaded 
 them with reproaches and insults, and appealed from them to 
 Congress. Several of its members were charged to examine 
 these accounts anew and to make report. They declared that 
 the commissioners had allowed Arnold more than he had any 
 right to demand. His wrath no longer observed measure ; the 
 Congress itself became the object of the most indecent invective 
 that ever fell from a man in high station. But this conduct, 
 far from restoring tranquility, produced quite a contrary effect. 
 He was accused of peculation by the State of Pennsylvania, and 
 brought before a court martial to take his trial. Among the 
 charges laid against him he was accused of having converted to 
 his own use the British merchandise he had found and confiscated 
 at Philadelphia in 1778. The court sentenced him to be repri- 
 manded by Washington. His pride could not brook so public a 
 disgrace. In the blindness of his vengeance, and in the hope 
 that he might still glut his passions with British gold, since he 
 no longer could with American, he resolved to add perfidity to 
 avidity, and treason to pillage. Determined that his country 
 should resume the yoke of England, he developed his projects hi 
 a letter to Col. Robinson, and General Clinton was immediately 
 made acquainted with them. In order to carry them out more 
 fully and with more decided success, he pretended to have taken 
 an aversion to the residence of Philadelphia, and that he wished 
 to resume active service in the army, he requested and obtained 
 from Washington, whose confidence he yet retained, the command
 
 107 
 
 of West Point and all the American troops cantoned in that 
 quarter. The latter part of September, while Washington was 
 absent upon business at Hartford, was the time hit upon for the 
 execution of these designs. But they were detected. Washing- 
 ton and his army were yet safe. 
 
 About one month previous to the discovery of his perfidity, he 
 was traveling through this State in his coach, attended by one 
 servant only (which circumstance was noticed at the time), upon 
 business, as since supposed, connected with his treachery, and 
 took breakfast at the house of Mr. Amos Bostwick, in New Mil- 
 ford. Mr. B. was the father of Chas. Bostwick, Esq., of this 
 city, who well remembers the above circumstance. 
 
 Arnold was created a brigadier general in the British armies, 
 and in the spring of 1Y81 was dispatched with an army to the 
 Chesapeake Bay, to discourage the Virginians from sending any 
 reinforcements to General Green, and thereby aid Cornwallis in 
 his design of reducing North Carolina and Virginia. But this 
 piratical expedition, for it deserves no milder name, produced but 
 very imperfectly the effect which the British generals had hoped 
 from it. It delayed, it is true, those succors which the Virginians 
 destined for the Carolinas ; but not one of them joined Arnold. 
 Devastations, plunder, conflagrations, murder, virtue despoiled, 
 had no such fascinations as could gain him partisans. 
 
 When Cornwallis became confined to Yorktown, by an army 
 of twenty thousand men, and a fleet of near thirty sail of the 
 line, and a multitude of lighter vessels, which a concurrence of 
 well concerted operations and of circumstances, most auspicious 
 to his adversaries, had drawn around him, General Clinton 
 adopted every expedient to extricate him from his perilous sit- 
 uation, and in consequence had meditated a diversion into Con- 
 necticut, hoping thereby to draw thither a part of the American 
 forces which were besieging Yorktown. The object was to seize 
 New London, and the command was given to Arnold, who had 
 just returned to New York from his inroad into Virginia. But 
 this movement had no effect upon Washington, who, instead of 
 sending troops to Connecticut, drew them all into Virginia. 
 Arnold took New London, massacred alike those of the inhabi- 
 tants who resisted and those who surrendered, laid the place in 
 ashes, and retreated, marking his steps with most horrible devas- 
 tations. 
 
 Subsequent to the termination of the war, and after the perpe-
 
 108 
 
 tration of various atrocities against his countrymen, Arnold went 
 to England, and received a commission in the British army. He 
 was frowned upon by the officers, and everywhere received with 
 contempt, if not indignation. Various public insults were offered 
 him, and in private life he was the object of perpetual scorn. 
 
 Soon after Arnold threw up his commission in the army in 
 disgust, and removed to St. Johns. He there engaged in the 
 West India trade, becoming as notorious for his depravity in 
 business as he had been before false to his country. His integ- 
 rity was suspected at various times, and on one occasion during 
 his sudden absence, his store was consumed, upon which an enor- 
 mous insurance had been effected. The company suspected foul 
 play, and a legal contest was the result. During the trial, popu- 
 lar odium against Arnold increased and manifested itself by a 
 succession of mobs, and burning of him in effigy. 
 
 The pi'oof was not enough to condemn Arnold, but there was 
 enough detected of foul play to vitiate his policy. From that 
 time the situation of Arnold, at St. Johns, became even more 
 uncomfortable, and that of his family distressing. Mrs. A. was 
 treated with great kindness, but he was both shunned and des- 
 pised. She was a lady of great delicacy and refinement, with a 
 mind cultivated by more than ordinary care, and, of course, her 
 sufferings were rendered acute by the imputations against her 
 husband's integrity, aside from his treason. They shortly left St. 
 Johns and went to England, where Arnold became lost to the 
 public eye, and died in degradation and obscurity in 1801. 
 
 Arnold is said to have been agreeable, but a man of ungov- 
 ernable passions, and very bad moral character. His first wife 
 was Margaret Mansfield, whom he married in this city ; she died 
 June 21, 1775. His second wife was a Miss Shippen, of Phila- 
 delphia, youngest daughter of Edwai'd Shippen, afterwards 
 Chief Justice of Pennsylvenia, whom he married while a resident 
 of Philadelphia. 
 
 44. Hezekiah Beecher, one of the youngest members, was an 
 uncle of Rev. Dr. Beecher. the celebrated clergyman. His 
 brother was a blacksmith, as was Hezekiah, who lived on the 
 corner of George and College streets. 
 
 45. Amos Gilbert, farmer, lived in George street, on the low 
 lot now occupied by leather store of J. Gilbert & Sons, who are 
 another family. The west part of the store was his house. 
 
 46. Seabury Champliu, particulars not known.
 
 109 
 
 47. James Hillhouse, a name dear to New Haven, was the 
 third captain of the company, a United States Senator, &c. 
 
 48. William Larman, particulars not known. 
 
 49. Caleb Trowbridge, sea captain, etc., lived in Water street, 
 at the corner of Meadow, where the house of Henry Trowbridge, 
 Jr., now stands. He aided Arnold in raising a volunteer com- 
 pany, with which they repaired to the American camp near Bos- 
 ton, and of which Mr. T. was a lieutenant. Soon after he received 
 a captain's commission, returned to New Haven, and in a few 
 days raised a fine company of volunteers with which he repaired 
 to New York. Prior to their departure they employed a man by 
 the name of Fitzgerald to teach them the manual exercise, etc., 
 met for that purpose in Mr. Trowbridge's house, and his parlor 
 was for a time changed into a drill room. He was at the battle 
 of Brooklyn, where he and most of his company were taken 
 prisoners. He was a prisoner near two years, a part of the time 
 upon Long Island, and the remainder in the old Sugur House in 
 Liberty street, which was removed but a few years since. It was 
 his unwillingness to yield to the wishes of his captors that caused 
 him to be detained so long a prisoner, as an officer of equal rank 
 was frequently offered in exchange, but the British demanded 
 that he should not again take up arms against them, a consid- 
 eration he would not agree to ; on the contrary, he told them 
 that as soon as he should get his liberty he " would be at them 
 again." His imprisonment was much easier than it would have 
 been, had not his wife sold her plate, and found means to forward 
 him money to Long Island, with which he purchased many priv- 
 ileges denied to other prisoners. 
 
 Upon his release he returned to New Haven, and after waiting 
 some time for a major's commission which had been promised 
 him, he became impatient, repaired to Boston, and taking out 
 letters of marque, commenced the warrior's life upon the sea. 
 After remaining in this calling a while, he again returned to New 
 Haven, 
 
 A company of citizens had fitted out a vessel for the West 
 Indies, which was upon the point of sailing when the British 
 cruisers made their appearance. The vessel was taken above the 
 bridge and shot fired at her in order to sink her, and thereby save 
 her from the enemy, when by some accident she took fire and 
 was burned to the water's edge. The hull was soon after raised, 
 built into a brig, fitted out for a trading voyage to Holland, and 
 15
 
 110 
 
 Mr. Trowbridge put in command. She was very well armed, and 
 took several prizes. She made two voyages to Amsterdam 
 the most exciting period of the war, when the ocean was covered 
 with British cruisers in search of French, Spanish, Dutch and 
 American vessels. The name of this little vessel was the Fire- 
 Brand, from the circumstance of her having been built from a 
 burnt hull. 
 
 Before the war Arnold and Trowbridge had some account 
 together, the settlement of which led to a dispute. They parted, 
 
 Arnold saying, " You meet me to-morrow morning at 
 
 o'clock," naming the hour, " and we will settle it." Trowbridge 
 supposed him to be joking and thought no more of it. Early 
 next morning he was called from his bed by two gentlemen, who 
 requested to see him on particular business, and when informed 
 that Arnold had repaired to the spot designated by him the day 
 previous, he was much surprised, but expressed his determination 
 to meet him, nor were entreaties to dissuade him from it of any 
 avail. Upon repairing to the swamp just west of the pi'esent 
 residence of Dr. Totteu, he found Arnold waiting for him. He 
 advanced towards him when Arnold drew two pistols, and told 
 Trowbridge to choose one of them. He was much surprised, 
 but not frightened, and without giving Arnold time to guard 
 himself, rushed upon and wrenched both pistols from him, threw 
 them both into the creek, and told Arnold to go home, a bidding 
 which he was not long in performing. 
 
 50. Pierpont Edwards, a distinguished lawyer, lived in Elm 
 street, in house now occupied by Rev. Mr. Brewster's school ; his 
 office was in Elm street, near his residence, but was afterwards 
 removed to the corner of Court and Orange streets, where it now 
 stands. He became United States District Judge, and removed 
 to Stratford, where he died. 
 
 51. Kiersted Mansfield, mason, lived in Church street opposite 
 Judge Baldwin. 
 
 52. Elias Townsend, joiner, lived in Meadow street, east side, 
 first house south from Whiting street. 
 
 53. Hezekiah Augur, joiner, lived upper part of Broadway, at 
 junction of Whaley and Goffe avenues, in the large house recently 
 removed into Samaritan, above Howe street, was the father of 
 Hezekiah Augur, the sculptor. 
 
 54. Joseph Peck, formerly jailor ; jail then kept in present 
 college yard, was the father of the late Bela T. Peck, recently a 
 major of the corps.
 
 Ill 
 
 55. Wm. Jones, school teacher, lived in State street nearly 
 opposite the residence of the late William McCrackan, Esq. 
 
 56. Ebenazer Huggins, a wealthy merchant, lived in Crown 
 street, house now standing nearly opposite the residence of Joel 
 Root, Esq. ; store was in Chapel street, where the store of Messrs. 
 Sanford & Allen now stands. He was the father of Henry Hug- 
 gins, Esq. 
 
 57. Aner Bradley, aftei-ward a militia colonel in Watertown, 
 and a town clerk there for many years. 
 
 58. Amos Doolittle, engraver of many historical prints of Rev- 
 olutionary scenes, well remembered by many of our citizens ; 
 lived in College street, house next north of the livery stable of 
 Abiud Tuttle. 
 
 LIST OF MAJOR COMMANDANTS, WITH THE DATES OF THEIR 
 
 ELECTION. 
 
 Luther Bradley, - . Oct. 24, 1810 
 
 Timothy Bishop, May 22, 1815 
 
 Ezekiel Hotchkiss, Oct. 23, 1817 
 
 Bela T. Peck, May 21, 1821 
 
 Chas. B. Grannis, May 27, 1823 
 
 Wm. "W. Boardman, May 18, 1826 
 
 Leverett Candee, Sept. 11, 1828 
 
 Jas. E. Hotchkiss, .May 12, 1830 
 
 John Merriman, May 7, 1832 
 
 Lucius K. Dowd, May 27, 1834 
 
 Allen X. Smith, May 9, 1836 
 
 Gardner Morse, -May 22, 1839 
 
 Benj. M. Prescott, Mar. 2, 1844 
 
 Present Major. 
 
 LIST OF CAPTAINS BEFORE THE APPOINTMENT OF MAJOR. 
 
 Benedict Arnold, Mar. 16, 1775 
 
 Hezekiah Sabin, Jr., May 8, 1777 
 
 James Hillhouse, May 3, 1779 
 
 Daniel Bishop,... ...Oct. 3, 1783 
 
 Nathaniel Fitch, Oct. 30, 1786 
 
 William Lyon, -.. Oct. 23, 1788 
 
 Dyer White, Oct. 18, 1 793 
 
 Hanover Barney, Oct. 14, 1796 
 
 James Merriman, -May 5, 1800 
 
 Jeremiah Atwater, Oct. 31, 1805 
 
 LIST OF FIRST LIEUTENANTS, WHO RANK AS BREVET CAPTAIN. 
 
 Henry Eld Oct. 24, 1810 
 
 Timothy Bishop, Nov. 1, 1813 
 
 Jared Doolittle, May 22, 1815 
 
 Ezekiel Hotchkiss, Sept., 1816 
 
 Wm. B. Wallace, Oct. 23, 1817 
 
 Wm. C. Atwater, Oct. 21, 1819 
 
 Joel Mattoon Sept. 15, 1820 
 
 Chas. B. Grannis, May 6, 1822 
 
 Wm. W. Boardman, May 27. 1823 
 
 Leverett Candee May 18. 1 826 
 
 James E. Hotchkiss, Sept. 18, 1828 
 
 Jno. Merriman, May, 18, 1830 
 
 Matthew H. Read, ..May 7, 1832 
 
 Wm. B. Peck, May 13, 1835 
 
 Noble Catlin, -May 19, 1836 
 
 Silas Pardee,-.. May 22, 1839 
 
 Joshua Miller, 1840 
 
 Elias S. Main. 1842 
 
 John M. Hendrick, Aug. 28, 1845 
 
 Russell W. Norton,... Dec., 1845
 
 112 
 
 LIST OF LIEUTENANTS. 
 
 Jesse Leavenworth, Mar. 16, 1775 
 
 James Hillhouse, May 8, 1777 
 
 Major Lines May 3, 1779 
 
 Nathaniel Fitch, Oct. 23, 1783 
 
 Wm. Lyon, Oct. 30, 1786 
 
 Jacob Daggett, Oct. 28, 1788 
 
 Dyer White, Oct. 18, 1 793 
 
 Hanover Barney. May 15, 1795 
 
 James Merriman. Oct. 24, 1 96 
 
 Jer. Attwater, 3d., May 4, 1801 
 
 Timothy Chittenden, Oct. 31, 1805 
 
 Luther Bradley May 19, 1808 
 
 Timothy Bishop, Oct. 24, 1810 
 
 Eleazer Foster, ...Oct. 24, 1810 
 
 Jared Doolittle, Nov. 1, 1813 
 
 Timothy Plant, Nov. 1, 1813 
 
 Hezekiah Hotchkiss, May 22, 1815 
 
 Ezekiel Hotchkiss, May 22, 1815 
 
 Wm. B. Wallace. ...Sept., 1816 
 
 Wm. 0. Atwater, Oct. 23, 1817 
 
 Daniel Brown, 2d., Oct. 21, 1819 
 
 Silas Ford, Oct. 21, 18)9 
 
 Joel Mattoon, May 26, 1820 
 
 Bela T. Peck, Sept. 15, 1820 
 
 Charles B. Grannis, May 21. 1821 
 
 James Augur, May 6, 1822 
 
 \\*m. W. Boardman, Aug. 7, 1822 
 
 Eli W. Blake, ...May 27, 182S 
 
 Elisha Dickerman, Jr.,.. .May 22. 1823 
 
 Rodney Burton, May 27, 1823 
 
 James E. Hotchkiss, May 18, 1826 
 
 Samuel H. Drake, _ Sept v 1 828 
 
 Jno. Merriman,... May 19, 1829 
 
 Andrew Benton, May, 1 830 
 
 Matthew H. Read May, 1 830 
 
 Lucius K. Dow, May 7, 1 832 
 
 Everard Benjamin, May 7 , 1832 
 
 Edwin J. Peck .May 7, 1832 
 
 Wm. B. Beck, May 27, 1834 
 
 Noble Catlin, May 13, 1835 
 
 Elisha M. Gorham, May 19, 1836 
 
 Joshua Miller ..May 22, 1839 
 
 Edward McNeil, May 22, 1839 
 
 Ellas S. Main, May, 1840 
 
 Frederick Dodd,... -.May, 1840 
 
 Geo. A. Smith, May, 1842 
 
 Jno. M. Hendrick, May, 1842 
 
 Russell W. Norton, Aug. 28, 1845 
 
 Elihu Myers, Dec., 1845 
 
 Walter Stickney, Dec., 1845 
 
 LIST OF ENSIGNS. 
 
 Hezekiah Sabin, Jr., Mar. 16, 1775 
 
 Major Lines May 8, 1777 
 
 Daniel Bishop, May 3, 1779 
 
 Wm. Lyon, Oct. 23, 1783 
 
 Jacob Daggett, Oct. 30, 1786 
 
 Elihu Lyman, Oct. 28, 1788 
 
 James Merriman. May 15, 1795 
 
 David Btmce,-- Oct. 24, 1796 
 
 Jeremiah Atwater, 3d.,-. .Oct. 29, 1799 
 
 Timothy Chittenden, May 4, 1801 
 
 Luther Bradley, Oct. 31,1805 
 
 Henry Eld, May 19. 1808 
 
 Timothy Plant, .Oct. 24, 1810 
 
 Horace Beach, Nov. 1, 1813 
 
 Wm. B. Wallace, Nov. 4, 1814 
 
 Wm. C. Atwater, May 22, 1815 
 
 Daniel Brown, 2d., Sept., 1816 
 
 Joel Mattoon. ... Oct. 23, 1817 
 
 Chauncey Bradley Oct. 21, 1819 
 
 Eli W. Blake, May 21. 1821 
 
 Klisha Dickerman, Jr., May 6, 1822 
 
 Rodney Burton, .Aug. 7. 1822 
 
 Eli Dickerman, May 27,1 823 
 
 Leverett Candee, May 2, 1825 
 
 Joseph Fairchild, .May 18, 1826 
 
 Andrew Benton, May 7, 1827 
 
 L. K. Dow, May 19, 1829 
 
 Everard Benjamin, May, 1830 
 
 Wm. B. Peck, May 7, 1832 
 
 Noble Catlin, May 27, 1834 
 
 Elisha M. Gorham, May 13, 1835 
 
 Wm. E. Waterbury, May 19, 1836 
 
 Vacant,.. 1837 
 
 Nathan M. Smith, 1840 
 
 Jas. M. Vader, 1841 
 
 Vacant since .,, . . 1 842 
 
 NOTE. The compiler cannot close this account without thanking his friends. 
 Horace Day, Esq., and Mr. Jerome B. Lucke (the latter author of the very 
 interesting work, "The History of the Xew Haven Grays," who has for 
 many years been connected with the press of this city,) for their assistance and 
 advice in the arrangement of this hasty compilation ; also other citizens of this 
 city and surrounding towns, for their reminiscences of this important event in New 
 Haven history.
 
 ERRATA. 
 
 Page 2, for 1878, read 1879. 
 
 4, line 6, ' "saven," read saved. 
 
 ' 4, 22, " 'no," read on. 
 
 1 6, " 27, " 'were," read was. 
 
 " 7, " 6, " 'p. M.," read A. M. 
 
 8, ' 5, " 'Morrisana," read Morrisania. 
 
 " 17, 24, " 'proves," read prove. 
 
 " 29, 12, " 'seaport," read seaports. 
 
 " 3i. 8, " 'this powder mill," read his powder mill. 
 
 " 33, ' 12, " 'attaches," read attaches. 
 
 " 3. " I, " 'western," read eastern. 
 
 " 60, 12, " 'wounded," read asleep. 
 
 " 88, ' 2, " 'has," read hat was. 
 
 " no, " 27, " 'Rev. Mr. Brewster," read Mr. Reynolds.
 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY 
 
 Los Angeles 
 This book is DUE on the last date stamped below. 
 
 JKL 
 
 18196$ 
 
 URL 
 
 27 
 
 ., 
 
 INTERLIBRARY 
 
 JAN 1 3 W* 
 
 Thrw w*aks from date o* 
 Non-Renewable 
 
 JAN 2 8 1981 
 
 MAR 
 
 MAR 2 ' 
 
 Form L9-32m-8,'58(5876s4)444 
 
 
 THE ' '* 
 
 TTNTVEI' FORNU
 
 PAMPHLET BINDER 
 
 Syracuse. N. Y. 
 Stockton, ColH. 
 
 3 115800597 2376 
 
 UC SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY 
 
 AA 000795213 8