Litchfield County CT Archives History - Books .....The Revolution 1882 *********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ct/ctfiles.htm *********************************************** ************************************************************************ The USGenWeb Project makes no claims or estimates of the validity of the information submitted and reminds you that each new piece of information must be researched and proved or disproved by weight of evidence. It is always best to consult the original material for verification. ************************************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com May 23, 2005, 6:55 pm Book Title: HISTORY OF THE TOWNS OF NEW MILFORD AND BRIDGEWATER, CONNECTICUT, 1703-1882 CHAPTER XIV. THE REVOLUTION. 1774—1781. LONG was the struggle for American liberty, but glorious was the victory. The beginning of the conflict in New Milford witnessed the most perfect loyalty to the king, as was the fact everywhere in the colonies; but by the arbitrary course of the British ministry, the tide soon turned in favor of entire independence. "At a town meeting legally warned and holden at New Milford, in Connecticut, on the 20th day of September, A. D. 1774: "1st. Samuel Canfield, Esqr., was chosen moderator for said meeting. "2d. Preamble, &c. This meeting with hearts full of loyalty and duty to our rightful sovereign, King George the III, and with the warmest desires to hold, enjoy, and transmit inviolable to the latest posterity our sacred and inestimable charter rights and privileges, and moved with the most poignant grief at the present truly alarming and dangerous situation of the American colonies in consequence of the unconstitutional measures lately adopted by the British Parliament, and now actually carrying on against our brethren at Boston, in the province of Massachusetts Bay, whereby duties and taxes are imposed on the Americans without their consent: Do think it our duty to make public our sentiment in those matters, to the intent that a firm union may be preserved through the American colonies, which union we apprehend necessary to our common safety; wherefore we do unanimously and firmly resolve and declare: "I. That we look upon the cause of Boston, in its consequences and essential connections with, to be the common cause of all North America. II. That the measures now pursuing against Boston and the Massachusetts Bay are manifest infractions of their rights as English subjects, and in their consequence and nature oppressive, and totally subversive of American Liberty. III. That all legal and constitutional means ought to be used by all Americans to remove those unconstitutional measures now carrying on against the American Colonies. IV. Therefore we will join with the Towns in this and the sister Colonies in all reasonable and lawful measures that shall be thought best by the Hon. General Congress now sitting, to assert, maintain, and defend our common rights and privileges. V. That we fully acquiesce in the Resolutions come into by the Hon. House of Representatives at their session at Hartford, in May last, and order the same to be entered at large in the records of this town as being fully expressive of the sense of this meeting on the important subject to which they refer, that future generations may have access to them on every proper occasion. VI. That we think it friendly and humane to contribute for the relief of the poor of Boston in their present distress. VII. That Samuel Canfield, William Cogswell, and Daniel Everitt, Esqrs., Dea. Abraham Camp, Capt. Sherman Boardman, and Messrs. Abel Hine and Josiah Starr be a committee to receive and answer all letters, and to collect and communicate all necessary intelligence, and to receive and forward such contributions that may be made in this town for the abovementioned purposes, and order these resolves to be printed in the Hartford paper, or Connecticut Courant, and that any four of the members have power to act. VIII. That we disapprove of all riots, tumultuous and unwarrantable meetings, mobs and combinations among ourselves, under color of defending our privileges." On the 12th of the next December (1774), a committee of Inspection was appointed "according to the General Congress advice, and also according to the concurrence thereto by the Hon. General Assembly holden at New Haven in October last past:" Amos Northrop, Samuel Canfield, Isaac Hitchcock, Reuben Booth, Bushnell Bostwick, Sherman Boardman, Nathaniel Bozworth, Eleazer Warner, Epenetus Platt, George Smith, Isaac Bostwick, Gilead Sperry. The committee of Inspection and Correspondence appointed in December, 1776, were: Mr. Samuel Comstock, William Cogswell, Esqr., Mr. Israel Baldwin, Abel Hine, Esqr., Capt. Abram Camp, Mr. Amos Northrop, Daniel Everitt, Esqr.. Capt. Sherman Boardman, Capt. James Terrill, Mr. Reuben Booth, Mr. John Comstock, Mr. Asahel Noble, Mr. George Smith, Dea. Benjamin Gaylord, Doct. Jonah Todd, Mr. Oliver Warner, Joseph Ruggles, Esqr., Mr. Caleb Bennett, Col. Bushnell Bostwick, Mr. Samuel Warner, Samuel Bostwick, Esqr., Dea. Ebenezer Hotchkiss. Col. Samuel Canfield, All the above titles are given the same as in the records of the town, and reveal the standing of these men, and hence the dignity and commanding influence of the cause they were to represent, in the estimation of the people of this town. The battle at Concord, Mass., on the 19th of April, 1775, was the opening of the war, and troops were called from all parts of the country, but hostilities were not pressed by the British during that summer. Capt. Isaac Bostwick was sent with a company of soldiers from New Milford to Boston in the autumn or winter of 1775, and remained there during January and February. A book containing the weekly report of his company for six or eight weeks is still preserved in the possession of Mr. John R. Bostwick, which informs that the company belonged to Col. Webb's Regiment, and were at "Winter Hill," near Boston, during January (1776), and in Roxbury during the next February. The names of the men are not on this book, very much to our regret, but the number of officers and men was sixty-five, several of them being without arms. Isaac Bostwick was Captain of the militia company of the "South End;" that is, south of an east and west line crossing the town at the Congregational meeting-house. Captain Bostwick's Company had not returned home when another company was ordered to New York; this is called "Captain Couch's Company, in Col. Andrew Ward's Regiment;" most of the officers and men being of New Milford. The book of accounts kept by Benjamin Bostwick, Jr., as Clerk in this company, is still preserved, and is in the keeping of Col. Wm. J. Starr. The company was in the service two months and twenty-three days,—from Feb. 1, 1776. Names of officers and privates. Lt. Ebenezer Couch, Lt. Elizur Warner, Ens. Noble Hine, Benjamin Bostwick; Jr., Clerk, Sergt. David Whittlesey, Sergt. Benjamin Weller, Sergt. Matthew Brownson, Sergt. Oliver Bostwick, Corpl. Gideon Morgan, Corpl. Uri Jackson., Corpl. Nathaniel Cole, Corpl. William Nichols, Corpl. Lemuel Thayer, Drumr., Eleazer Hendrix, Fifer, David Ruggles, Fifer, John Couch, Nathaniel Averill, Benjamin Adams, Salmon Bostwick, John Baldwin, John Beach, Israel Bostwick, David Buel, Jared Baldwin, David Bosworth, Caleb Barns, Matthias Beeman, Stiles Bardsley, Joel Bostwick, John Canfield, Jesse Camp, Jonathan Critenden, Elijah Cary, Jonah Todd, Israel Camp, Samuel Copley, Ezra Dunning, Jedediah Durkee, Caswell Dean, Thomas Drinkwater, Stephen Evitts, Asa Farrand, William Foot, Jonathan Gray, Epenetus Gunn, Elnathan Gregory, Liverius Hawley, Asahel Hotchkiss, Richard Johnson, John Keeler, David Keeler, Nathan Keeler, Jonathan Lum, Joseph Mygatt, Lyman Noble, Ephraim Minor, David Porter, Samuel Prince, Amos Prime, Reuben Phillips, William Peet, John Rood, Isaac M. Ruggles, Aziah Robards, Nathan Rowley, Liffe Sanford, Asa Starkweather, John Turrill, Ebenezer Trowbridge, Stephen Turrell, Ebeneser Williams, William Whitely, Nathan Wildman, Cooley Weller, Abel Wilkinson, Lewis Hunt. The campaign opened the next year in New Milford., by the following proceedings in town meeting: Mar. 31, 1777. "Voted, that a committee be appointed according to the advice of His Honr. the Governor, &c., for the purpose of furnishing the quota of soldiers in the Continental service for said New Milford. "Lt. Zadoc Noble, Capt. Joseph Ruggles, Jr., Ens. Jeremiah Canfield, Mr. Ithiel Stone, Dea. Israel Baldwin, Mr. Thomas Brownson, and Mr. Zachariah Sanford, were chosen the committee. "Voted, that the town of New Milford will give twelve pounds lawful money, bounty, for the first year's service in addition to all encouragement already given to such inhabitants of this town as shall enlist into the Continental service for three years, or during the present war, within ten days from this time, including those who belong to this town who have already enlisted, subducting only their wages from the time they enlisted to this day, and such private donations as they have received. "That for the second and third years, said soldiers who shall so enlist shall have six pounds lawful money pr. year to be paid out of the town treasury." After making provisions by which to supply the money to pay these engagements, the committee entered upon their work; and, the tax collectors, Joseph Mygatt and Daniel Hine, upon theirs; but these were only the beginning of troubles, expenses, and privations. "Sep. 30, 1777. That the town will proceed to transport some salt which belongs to said town. "William Cogswell, Esqr., and Capt. Ebenezer Couch to be a committee to procure said salt and fetch to New Milford, and that the said committee shall apply to the Selectmen for money to bear the expense of transporting said salt from Boston to said town." The only safe way of conveying salt or mercantile articles from Boston to this place at that time was by carts drawn by oxen or horses, by which means it is probable it was secured in this case. It is said in the record, "to transport some salt which belongs to this town," that is, salt which had been apportioned to this town by the Colonial government, since it was so scarce that the government took charge of the distribution to keep it out of the hands of rapacious speculators. Such was only one of the straits into which the Colonies were thrown in the early part of the great struggle for liberty. Another department of work is revealed in the following record, and which was one of great importance through the continuance of the war. "Capt. Sherman Boardman, Mr. Samuel Warner, Mr. Simeon Baldwin, Capt. Benjamin Brownson, Capt. Ebenezer Couch, Mr. Ithiel Stone, and Dea. Ebenezer Hotchkiss shall be a committee to procure clothing for the soldiers in the Continental service." The committee of inspection and correspondence, which was a kind of home police of patriotism, in 1778, were: Capt. Elizur Warner, Lt. Isaac De Forest, Lt. Benjamin Seelye, Capt. Reuben Bostwick, Capt. Paul Yates, Mr. Daniel Everett, Capt. James Terrill, Mr. Amos Northrop, Mr. John Porter, Mr. Nathan Gaylord, Mr. Samuel Merwin, Jr. The committee to procure supplies for the soldiers in the Continental army were: Capt. James Terrill, Mr. Reuben Booth, Lt. David Smith, Mr. Simeon Baldwin, Capt. Benjamin Brownson. To provide clothing for the soldiers in the Continental array: Ens. Jeremiah Canfield, Mr. Ebenezer Hotchkiss, Mr. Simeon Baldwin, Mr. Asahel Noble. At the annual town meeting in December, 1779, a new method was adopted for furnishing clothing: "Voted, that the inhabitants of New Milford shall be divided into twelve districts . . . and that the said districts shall furnish their respective quotas as shall be assigned to them as aforesaid; and, on the failure of each or either of said districts in furnishing the clothing allotted to them as aforesaid, then in case a warrant for impressing clothing be granted it shall be divided to the districts that are deficient in proportion to the deficiencies." The extreme measures which seemed necessary at the time are revealed in two votes, one being for three shillings tax on the pound of money, and the other "that the selectmen shall be and are impowered to deliver back those guns to such disaffected persons of this town as have been disarmed, according to their discretion." Several persons went, from this town and joined the British army to fight against their own kindred and country; and worse, some joined in bands or companies as Tory "roughs," and passed from place to place as bandits, having secret hiding-places; and hence, out of self-preservation of life and goods, the precaution was wise and right to take the arms of certain persons from them. For holding sentiments of loyalty to the King no one was ever disturbed, so far as yet learned; but when they threatened the burning of dwellings, and the destruction of property and life, it was proper to defeat their intentions in such designs. Two brothers by the name of Fairchild joined the British army, and after some months returned to their sister's house in New Milford, on furlough. While visiting, the sister called their attention to some new window-curtains as very nice. They remarked, "Only so much more finery to be burned." The sister asked, "Are you going back to the British army? " They said, "Certainly; we are only off on a furlough." "Well," said she, "such being your sentiments, I do not wish ever to see you again. Do not ever come back to this town." March 13, 1780. A committee of inspection on provisions, agreeable to a late act of Assembly, was chosen as follows: Mr. Simeon Baldwin, Capt. Noble Hine, Mr. Daniel Everitt, Capt. Paul Yates, Mr. Ebenezer Hotchkiss, Mr. George Smith, Capt. Sherman Boardman, Mr. Ithiel Stone, Mr. Thomas Lewis, Capt. Benjamin Brownson, Capt. Reuben Bostwick, Mr. Israel Baldwin, Joseph Hartwell, Doct. Reuben Warner, Benjamin Gaylord, Ebenezer Gaylord, Asahel Noble, Capt. Elizur Warner, Israel Camp, Lemuel Warner, Capt. Joseph Ruggles, Dea. Abram Camp, Ephraim Buck, Samuel Merwin, Martin Warner, Uri Jackson, Robert Bostwick, Nehemiah Hawley. In June, 1780, upon the call from Congress for more soldiers, the town voted that "every soldier who shall voluntarily enlist to serve in the Continental Battalions for the space of six months, or until the first day of January next (unless sooner discharged) shall be paid out of the town treasury of said New Milford by the first day of January for every month they are in said service, four bushels of wheat, or an equivalent thereto in money in addition to the bounty and encouragement already given by the State." In addition to this they voted to give three bushels of wheat or an equivalent in money to all militia-men who might be called to serve one month, in addition to all other pay, and when they should serve more than a month, then three bushels of wheat for every month. The same was also granted to the detachment which was then under marching orders from New Milford to West Point for an unlimited time. Two months later the town offered ten bushels of wheat per month for every soldier who should enlist for four months, and in the next November a committee was appointed to classify the inhabitants of the town "in order to raise recruits for three years or during the war." In December of the same year (1780) the town placed the whole matter of raising recruits in the hands of a committee to do the best they could, and the town would pay the bills and carry out the engagements they should make. Under this arrangement the work was performed so well that in January, 1781, they voted "that this town entertain the highest sense of gratitude to the officers and soldiers who have served in the Continental army, for their patriotic spirit in entering the service, for their soldier-like behavior, for their patience and fortitude in suffering many hardships and discouragements which nothing but an ardent love of liberty and their country could inspire, and that this vote of thanks be recorded as a testimony of our gratitude." Having passed this most just and proper expression of appreciation, they proceeded to make further arrangements for filling the ranks for the next summer's campaign, which proved to be their last act of the kind, since the war ended, with the surrender of Cornwallis, in October, 1781; and we have seen the day of the celebration of the centennial anniversary of that surrender, but can scarcely realize how vast the changes in that one hundred years. But the conflicts and consequences of the war were not past, if the fighting by the armies was, for the town found reason, in the irresistible remembrance of the past, to record the following action: "It is supposed that many of the people of this town who have left their country's cause and joined the enemies of these states, are now desirous of returning to their usual homes:—this meeting, after fully debating upon the subject, and considering those men who have thus in a critical season voluntarily left their own country's cause and thereby deprived it of their help and assistance which might be expected from them, are of the mind that all those persons under the above description, cannot, agreeable to the feelings and opinions of the people of this town, be accepted and received again as inhabitants of this town. Unanimously voted. "Voted, that none of those persons who have voluntarily gone over and joined the enemy, shall be suffered to abide and continue in the town during the present situation of our public affairs." To carry out these resolutions, a committee was appointed of those men who knew what the terrible struggle had been, and the consequence was that several never came back, and never obtained any benefit of the possessions they once owned in the town. In February, 1782, fifteen acres of land belonging to Samuel Miles, having been confiscated by the state, was sold at auction for seventy pounds money. A Neighborly Contribution. The following receipt is on the town records: "Received, Litchfield, 28th Sept, 1779, of the First Society in New Milford, by the hand of Col. Samuel Canfield, ninety-four pounds, sixteen shillings money, which was contributed by said society for the relief of the suffering and distressed inhabitants of the towns of New Haven, Fairfield, and Norwalk. £94-16. Per REUBEN SMITH, County Treasurer." "March, 1780. Voted, that the society's committee receive either the principal or interest of the donation notes at the rate of twenty-five shillings in continental money, for one shilling lawful money, or old way, as is due upon said notes, until the time of the next adjournment of this meeting." Revolutionary Soldiers. Elijah Boardman enlisted when 16 years of age, in 1776, and served some months. Capt. Reuben Bostwick, born in 1758, son of Capt. Isaac, served in the Revolution. He removed to Hinesburg, Vt., about 1790. Lt. Oliver Bostwick was in the Revolutionary War; returned home and lived years after. Ebenezer Bostwick was Orderly Sergeant during the Revolution, and in 1788 removed to Hinesburg, Vt.; from there afterwards to Elizabethtown, N. Y., and thence to Rootstown, Ohio, in 1803, where he died. Stephen Crane, Sen., was commissary of an artillery company in the Revolution. Orange Ferriss, son of David, died in the army at Crown Point, Sept. 13, 1775. Isaac Baldwin, son of Theophilus 1st, was in the battle of Danbury, in the Revolution. Lt. Israel Baldwin was lieutenant in the Revolution in Col. Silliman's regiment,—appointed June 14, 1776, to be marched directly to New York. "Ichabod Wilkinson, a soldier of the 7th Connecticut regiment, having served with reputation three years, the full term for which he enlisted, is discharged the service of the United States. Camp, 12th Feb., 1780. PHIL. B. BRADLEY, Col. Com'd." Col. Josiah Starr, served in the Revolution, and for a time was keeper of the military stores in Danbury. In May, 1776, he was appointed captain in one of the regiments, being raised for the defence of this and other united colonies. In June, 1776, he was appointed Lieut.-Col. of 2d Battalion then to be raised, —his commission, dated Jan. 9, 1777, signed by John Hancock, being now in possession of his grandson, Col. Wm. J. Starr. He went north, was at the siege of St. John's, and on his return received a commission as colonel, Aug. 10, 1780; was at Monmouth, Germantown, and with the army during that terrible winter of suffering when it was short of supplies. He died Oct. 15, 1813. Joseph Wheaton, Jr., was a soldier, and was taken prisoner and suffered all the horrors of imprisonment in New York, where he died. Benjamin Wheaton was taken prisoner with his brother Joseph, — suffered with him, and died from the effects of the imprisonment. His brother Sylvester went to bring them home; finding them, he carried one out of the city in his arms, then went back for the other, and on his return, found the first one dead, and the other did not live to reach home. The above is not a complete list of the Revolutionary soldiers, but only such as have been obtained from reliable record. Soldiers in the French War, Robert Bostwick, Jr., returned home sick with the smallpox, and died Nov. 11, 1759. Daniel Dayton, son of Josiah, died in camp at Oswego, Oct. 5, 1760. Thomas Drinkwater, son of William, died Nov. 3, 1755, at the camp at Fort Edward, being under the command of Capt Samuel Dimmick. John Drinkwater, son of William, died Sep. 8, 1755, at the camp at Lake George, being a soldier under Capt. Benjamin Hinman [of Woodbury]. Joel Hamlin, son of Nathaniel, died Sep. 21, 1755, at Albany, being a soldier under Capt. Benjamin Hinman. Silas Hill enlisted in 1756; served one year, and afterwards settled in New Milford. Abraham Taylor, son of Thomas, died Sep. 8, 1755, at camp at Lake George, being one of Capt. Benjamin Hinman's company. Stephen Turrill, at the age of 15, joined the army under Gen. Abercrombie, in the campaign of 1758, against the French and Indians. At the commencement of the Revolution, he again became a soldier, and continued through the war. He died at Charlotte in Vermont, Feb. 28, 1848, aged 101 years and 4 months. One record says, he died in 1844, aged 97 years. Solomon Warner died at Montreal, in the English camp, Sept. 20, 1760. Hezekiah Baldwin was lieutenant in the French War, and went to Crown Point and Ticonderoga. He shot an Indian and obtained his powder-horn, a large one, which was treasured carefully many years by his nephew Noble. He removed from New Milford, but to what place it is not known. Capt. Joseph Canfield's Company. The following papers were sent to the Gazette of New Milford for publication in June, 1882. In sending them, Mr. Isaac Huntting of Pine Plains, Dutchess Co., N. Y., says: "Some old papers in the possession of the descendants of James W. Smith, who fifty years ago was a resident of this town, have a musty tint, and yet in many respects are interesting for what is written and printed thereon. Among these are some military papers, having an especial local interest in New Milford and Western Connecticut, and also to some extent a general national interest. They date back to the French and English war in this country in 1758, and were accumulated and used by Capt. Joseph Canfield, the paternal grandfather of Sarah Canfield, the wife of James W. Smith, heretofore mentioned. He appears to have been a man of thorough method and system in his business, and died possessed of a large landed estate in New Milford." All of the above that refers to Capt. Canfield as a citizen of New Milford was most fully true. The earliest date of these papers is from Governor Fitch: "Whereas it is proposed to raise some independent companies at their own charge and expense to assist the army in the expedition to Crown Point, this may certify then that if such companies appear and desire commissions for proper officers, I shall be ready to give them. This I thought proper to signifie for encouragement of such as are inclined to serve as aforesaid. Norwalk ye 12 September 1755. Thos. FITCH." This letter was found among Capt. Canfield's papers, but whether he engaged in the war at that time is not known. Several young men went in that year (1755) as soldiers as far as Fort Edward, where they died, and it is probable that there were more than those who died. In the spring of 1758, Capt. Joseph Canfield raised a company which served in the campaign under Col. David Wooster (afterwards General), and many of the original enlistment papers have been preserved. The form of enlistment was thus: "Ephraim Guthrie, of New Milford, in Litchfield county: I do acknowledge to have voluntarily inlisted myself a soldier to serve his Majesty King George the Second in a Regiment of Foot raised by the Colony of Connecticut to be commanded by Col. David Wooster of New Haven, for invading Canada, and carrying War into the Heart of the Enemy's Possessions. As Witness my Hand in Kent the 2d day of April in the year of our Lord 1758. EPHRAIM GUTHRIE." Accompanying this enlistment is a certificate of a justice of the peace as follows: " These certify that Ephraim Guthrie, ye above signer, came before me, one of his Majesty's Justices of the Peace for the County of Litchfield, and acknowledged to have voluntarily enlisted to serve his Majesty King George the Second in the above Regiment. He also acknowledged he had heard the Second and Sixth Sections of the Articles of War against Mutiny and Desertion read unto him, and taken the Oath of Fidelity mentioned in the Articles of War. INCREASE MOSELEY, Justice of the peace," In the enlistments preserved, in some cases the blanks for the Colonels commanding are not filled,—those filled have "John Read, Esq.," "David Wooster," and "Colonel of the fourth regiment." The following is a list of the names of these soldiers, their residence, date of enlistment, the regiment and the Justice certifying, as they appear upon the papers: Canaan, in Litchfield County, regiment of Colonel John Read, Esq., certified by John Beebe, Justice of the Peace. Augustine Brian, Jr., April 10. Thomas Latimer, " 7. John Bunce, " 10. Elijah Kellogg, " 10. Thomas North, " 10. Robert Vine, " 18. Jesse Sawyer, April 10. Roger Clark, " 5. John Dean, " 10. Jonathan Devereux, from Goshen, " 10. New Milford Fourth Regiment, Bushnell Bostwick, Justice. Benjamin Hinman, April 8. Benjamin Stone, " 5. Zadok Hawkins, " 5. Israel Baldwin, " 5. Robert Bell, " 5. Silas Hill, no date. Jeptha Hawley, April 25. Daniel Buck, April 25. Benjamin Brownson, " 25. Elnathan Botchford, " 8. David Downs, " 21. John Murrey, " 2. Amos Daton, " 8. The following from New Milford, Col. David Wooster's Regiment—Increase Moseley, Justice. Ephraim Guthrie, April 2. Jacob Parish, April 7. From Woodbury, Col. David Wooster's Regiment—Bushnell Bostwick, Justice. Aaron Hurlburt, April 21. Solomon Squier, Jehiel Bradley, " 10. Fourth Regiment, April 11. Joseph Burch, " 15. The following are certified to by Daniel Sherman, Justice of the Peace, but the residence and Regiment are left blank: Jehiel Peet, April 3. Gideon Munn, April 13. David Foot, " 19. Benjamin Warner, certi- John Watson, " 19. fied from Woodbury, " 17. David Colhoon, " 19. David Durkee, " 19. Gershorn Lake, " 13. Gideon Walker, " 3. Zechariah Walker-. " 13. Lowell Htird, " 13. Thomas Barker, " 17. John Brownson, " 10. Daniel Manvell, " 3. John Burrall, Elijah Hurlburt, " 19. from Woodbury, April 10. Nathaniel Sanford, " 6. From Farmington, for Col. David Wooster's regiment, certified by David Whitney, Justice: Justus Ashman, (Canaan), April 10. Daniel Pike, April 25, Dover, Dutchess Co., 4th regiment. Certified to by Paul Welch, [New Milford] Justice of the Peace in Litchfield county. From Kent, for Col. Wooster's regiment, certified by Justice Moseley: Amos Palmer, April 3. Henry Fisher, certified Timothy Divine, " 7. by Timo. Collins, April 24. In addition to the above, the following have not a certificate of a Justice: Edward Cogswell of Kent, March 31. Caleb Hurlbut of Litchfield, May 8. Moses Fisher of New Milford, April 2. These are all the enlistments on these papers, but may not comprise all of Captain Joseph Canfield's company, neither is it certain that all these were in his company. A much mutilated fragment of his muster-roll for 1758 contains the officers of his company. Capt. Joseph Canfield, Clerk. Abel Hine. Lieuts. Phineas Castle, Corporals. Zadok Hawkins, Elnathan Ashmun, David Calhoon, Ensign, Nathan Tibbals, Solomon Wright, Sergeants, Israel Baldwin, Elezer Curtiss. Abraham Brownson, Drummers. Jeremiah Canfield, Joseph Prindle, Edward Cogswell. John Murry. The enlistments were made in April, and the next month Capt. Canfield received the following orders: "New HAVEN, 22d May, 1758. Sir: Pursuant to the orders I have received from Governor Fitch, I do hereby order and direct you to march with the company under your command to Albany, after you are furnished with arms and other necessaries for the march, in order to be there ready for service of the campaign. You will take care to provide one team for the baggage of your company. You will also direct that one officer of your company remain behind to fill up the number of your company, and to do that as soon as possible; and then direct him to march and join you at Albany. Upon your arrival at Albany you will wait on the Commander-in-chief, and attend his orders, &c. I am your humble servant, DAVID WOOSTER." To Captain Canfield. Not the least entertaining among these scraps of paper are those pertaining to the impressment of guns for this company. To this end the Justice issued a warrant, and the gun was taken and appraised and paid for, or returned. Capt. Canfield's memorandum of these reads: "WOODBURY, June 10, 1758. An account of guns, &c., impressed and delivered to the soldiers going into ye expedition under Capt. Joseph Canfield. One gun and bayonet impressed from Garwobd Cunningham, appraised at £2 5s.; also belt and cartridge, 5s. 6d.; also one cutlass, 12s. marked G. C., delivered unto John Brownson. A gun and cutlass, impressed from Elisha Stoddard, was delivered unto Abraham Brownson. One impressed from Abijah Mitchell was delivered to Daniel Read. One from Eldad Spencer was delivered to John Walton, Jr. One impressed from Peter Walker was delivered to Daniel Manville." These were all from Woodbury, and "all appraised by appraisers under oath. Thus certified Daniel Sherman, Justice of the peace." The bill of the Justice for this service is recorded by himself: " A writ of impressing, £0 1 0 For the appraisers, 0 4 0 Officers' fees thereon, 0 4 0 For my own trouble, 0 3 0 _______ 0 12 0 Taxed by me, Daniel Sherman, Justice of the peace " For these impressments Lieut Castle gave a receipt, of which this is a copy: " WOODBURY, June 10, 1758. I, the subscriber, Lieut. Phineas Castle, have received of Daniel Sherman, Esqr., all the within arms, &c., by whose warrant the same were impressed for the soldiers in the company under ye command of Capt. Joseph Canfield, at the prizes within set to each. I say received by me, PHINEAS CASTLE, Lieut." On January 3d, the next year, the guns thus impressed were receipted for as returned, by the respective owners, which was done at Woodbury. The bayonet and belt accompanying the gun, impressed from Peter Walker, marked P. W., and delivered unto Daniel Manvell, has this significant notice: "N. B. That night the fight was at Ticonderoga, the above-mentioned belt and bayonet was left, and never been found since, which was appraised 6s. by the appraisers aforesaid. DANIEL MANVELL." This careful preservation of all his papers by Capt. Joseph Canfield, indicates his correct business habits, and the preservation of these papers 120 years by his descendants, signifies the perpetuation of the same. The Militia of the Town. The historical sermon of the Rev. Stanley Griswold, delivered in 1800, gives the following account of military matters: "There have been eight military field officers in this town as follows, viz.: Major John Bostwick, Col. Bushnell Bostwick, Col. Samuel Canfield, Col. Josiah Starr (in ye army), Col. Elisha Bostwick, Maj. Daniel Boardman, Maj. Reuben Warner, Maj. William Taylor. "For several years, viz.: till the year 1744, there was but one military company in the town,—which was formed and organized somewhere between the years 1715 and 1720. The officers were as follows: Capt. Stephen Noble (served 20 years), Lieut. John Bostwick, Ens. William Gaylord, Capt. Theophilus Baldwin, Lieut. Joseph Bostwick, Ens. Samuel Canfield. [The second set above were appointed in October, 1738, and hence if Stephen Noble served twenty years, as is probable, then the company was first organized in 1718.] " The aforesaid company was divided, and two companies were established and organized in the year 1744; since which there have been thirteen captains in each,of the companies as follows, viz.: [1] First Company. Second Company. Joseph Bostwick, Nathaniel Bostwick, Nathan Botsford, John Warner, Theophilus Baldwin, John Hitchcock, Sherman Boardman, Jehiel Hawley, 'Epenetus Platt, Samuel Canfield, Benjamin Stone, Isaac Bostwick, William Gaylord, Elizur Warner, Daniel Camp, Noble Hine, Abel Gunn, Elisha Bostwick, Abner Gunn, John Merwin, Eli Todd, Amasa Ferris, Benjamin R. Bostwick, Reuben Warner, Beebe Hine. Elizur Warner, Jr. [1] This list is a little erroneous compared with the Colonial Records. "A troop of horse was formed of New Milford, Woodbury, and Litchfield, so long ago as the year 1744, which continued about 10 or 12 years, but there was not any captain in this town. Another troop of horse belonging to New Milford, Washington, and Warren, was formed in the year 1790, of which the captains belonging to this town have been as follows, viz.: William Taylor, Stephen Chittenden, Jr., Herman Canfield. "A company of Light Infantry was formed in this town in 1792, of which the captains have been as follows, viz.: Daniel Boardman, Briggs Ingersoll, Nicholas S. Masters, Abraham Hayes. "Another company of militia was formed out of those already mentioned, in the year 1793, belonging to that part of the town called the Neck [now Bridgewater], of which the captains have been as follows, viz.: Joseph Squire, Ebenezer Trowbridge, Abijah Treat." The dividing line between the two military companies running east and west, was one passing at the first meeting-house, and this was what gave the names "North End" and "South End." Indenture of Negro York. "Whereas Mr. Noah Smith, of New Fairfield hath a Negro named York, who is a slave for his lifetime, who has for his lawful wife an Indian woman, who was free-born, named Lavina; which Indian woman being extremely uneasy, almost to a degree of desperation with her situation, being wife to a slave, hath practiced of late to rove about from place to place, away from her husband's master's, thereby making her husband uneasy and less serviceable to his master," therefore the said Noah Smith agreed Jan. 19, 1769, to liberate said York, upon the condition that the wife of York, Lavina, should work for John Cannon, "late of New Milford," for five years from date, to earn fifteen pounds money, and she pay for her own clothing, sickness, and medicine if any, until the five years should be fully completed, during all which time the slave York was to work for his master Noah Smith. The fifteen pounds money was to pay Mr. Smith for his property, York. Some of the stipulations were: "The goods of her said master she shall not embezzle, waste, nor them lend without his consent. She shall not frequent, nor play at games at taverns or ale-houses. From the service of her master she shall not at any time depart, nor absent herself without her said master's leave, but in all things as a good and faithful servant shall demean herself." her " Lavina + Indian woman, Mark his York + Negro man, mark Noah Smith." The Liberation of Slaves. So far as the records which have been seen show, it was a woman who first liberated a slave in New Milford. The record is: "Mary Roburds, Sen. . . . in consideration of the goodwill and respect I have for my Negro servant named Dan . . . . do grant unto the said Dan Negro his time and freedom after my decease, upon his procuring a sufficient bondsman for his security, if need be; and I also give him one bed and covering known by the name of Dan's bed, and one certain horse-colt coming two years old of a bright bay . . . . her May 10, 1756. MARY + ROBBURDS." mark. In 1757, Mary Robburds gave Dan his freedom upon his paying her £3 2s. 5d. "annually, on the first of December during my natural life," and added to the horse a saddle and bridle. The next year Dan bought of James Bradshaw a tract of land, twenty-five acres, adjoining the southwest corner of Wood Creek meadow lots, and so soon began to show himself a man and an industrious citizen. All honor to Mary Robburds, Sen. Partridge Thatcher's Liberation of his Slaves. "NEW MILFORD, May 28, 1774. This is to certify all persons whom it may concern or that have the curiosity to enquire, that I Partridge Thatcher, upon the special request of Amos Lewis, a negro man and my then negro girl, did, on the 23d day of August, 1773, desire the Rev. Mr. Richard Clarke, minister of the Church of England at New Milford, to marry them, and on the same 23d day of August, 1773, he, the said Mr. Richard Clarke, at my house in said New Milford, did, according to the form of solemnization of matrimony appointed by the Church of England, marry the said Sibyl, and the said Partridge Thatcher did, in said marriage then and there, give the said Sibyl (who was then my negro-girl) to be married to said Amos, designing thereby to give her her freedom from that day forward, and accordingly they were then married; and I do further, by these presents, bona-fide declare that the said Sibyl, ever since the time of said marriage, hath been wholly free according to the common freedom of English women, and is so now and shall forever hereafter enjoy the same freedom that free-born women, natives of this country, commonly do, both by law and custom, without any let, hindrance, or molestation, either from or by me or my heirs. Certified by me, PARTRIDGE THATCHER. Recorded Feb. 27, 1784, by Elisha Bostwick, Reg'r." Heber. and Peleg Gratis. Two other persons were made free by him, both papers bearing the same date,—Dec. 30, 1780; in one of which he says: "I, Partridge Thatcher, of New Milford, in favor of freedom, do declare that from the day of the date hereof my negro man Heber, Jacob's son, shall be forever free;" and in the other he says: " I Partridge Thatcher, of New Milford, in favor of freedom, do declare that my negro man Peleg, Jacob's son, when he shall arrive at the full age of twenty-five years, which will be on the 4th day of December, in the year of our Lord 1782, shall be forever free, and shall enjoy the same freedom that other men of this country commonly enjoy." These papers were evidently drawn by Mr. Thatcher himself, and were held by the parties two years before they were recorded The first of the three was retained ten years before being recorded; and these facts show the individuality of these acts; that Mr. Thatcher being "in favour of freedom" as the sole reason why he made these persons free, was moved by his personal sense of right, justice, righteousness and Christianity, to execute these papers and secure freedom to these persons. Let it then be remembered that Connecticut men did not free their slaves for the sole reason that it did not "pay to keep them" as has been so many thousands of times alleged. All these slaves were young, and in market in that day would have brought from three to five hundred dollars each; and to retain on a farm, such as Mr. Thatcher had, were worth in clear gain annually, at a small estimate, each of them from fifty to one hundred dollars. But besides the above three Mr. Thatcher liberated two others. Jacob and Dinah Gratis. "These may certify all that it may concern, that I, Partridge Thatcher, of New Milford, in favour of Freedom, do declare that from the day of the date hereof my negro man Jacob Gratis and my negro woman Dinah, Jacob's wife, shall both of them forever be free and shall both of them enjoy the same freedom that other men and their wives, that were free-born of this country, commonly enjoy, so that neither I nor my heirs nor assigns shall ever have any demands for the future on them or either of them but shall esteem the said Jacob and Dinah free as abovesaid: Provided, that the abovesaid Jacob and Dinah take my youngest negro boy Cyrus to live with them, and take a fatherly and motherly care of him from the day of the date hereof until he shall arrive at the full age of five years, which will be in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty-three, on the 28th day of April in said year, and at their own expense and cost during said term, provide for him, the said Cyrus, in sickness and health with sufficient meats, drinks, washing and lodging, and also complete clothing suitable to his age and condition, and when he shall arrive at the full age of five years, said Jacob and Dinah shall return said Cyrus to me sufficiently clothed as abovesaid, all at their own expense and cost, as witness my hand and dated this 3Oth day of March A.D. 1781. PARTRIDGE THATCHER. Witnesses: L. M. Hitchcock, Abigail Thomas." Sherman Boardman’s Negro Nehemiah, "These Certify; That Capt. Sherman Boardman, of New Milford, in the county of Litchfield and state of Connecticut, having applied to us the subscribers, being a major part of the selectmen in and for said town of New Milford for this present year, for liberty and license to emancipate and make free, his Negro Slave named Nehemiah, and we having enquired into the age, ability and circumstances and character of said Negro Slave, are of opinion that it is likely to be consistent with the real advantage of said Negro Slave to be set free, and that it is probable that said Nehemiah will be able to support his own person, and that he is of good and peaceable life and conversation, and the said Sherman Boardman hath liberty to emancipate and set at liberty his said Negro Slave Nehemiah as above requested, according to a certain state law of this state entitled An Act in addition to and alteration of an Act entitled An Act concerning Indian, Mulattoes and Negro servants and slaves:—and if the said Sherman shall on receiving this certificate emancipate and set free said Negro Slave, Nehemiah, he the said Sherman Board-man, his heirs, executors and administrators shall be and hereby are forever discharged from any and all charges or cost which may "be occasioned by maintaining and supporting the said Negro Slave Nehemiah, after his being so made free as above-said. In testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hand this 19th day of September, A. D. 1780, and in the fifth year of the Independence of the United States of America. THOMAS THAYRE, ETHIEL STONE, MARTIN WARNER, ELISHA BOSTWICK, NOBLE HINE, Majority of the Selectmen of the town of New Milford, for the year 1780." "New Milford, Sept. 19, 1780. These may certify all concerned that I have and do hereby emancipate and set free my Negro servant Nehemiah, agreeable to the liberty granted by the Selectmen of the town of New Milford as above written, as witness my hand in presence of Thomas Hayes, Noble Hine. SHERMAN BOARDMAN." John Treat of New Milford, liberated his " Negroman named Mingo by virtue of the laws of this State," July 3, 1781, and the act was duly accepted by the Selectmen, on the 23d of July, 1781, and recorded. A Narrative Written by Davis Baldwin. Davis Baldwin was born in New Milford Aug. 8, 1777, where he resided until a short time before his marriage, the home of his father, Isaac Baldwin, being in the vicinity of Northville. His father was in the battle of Danbury in the Revolution; was a carpenter and farmer. Davis Baldwin married Ann Richards, of Tyringham, Mass., Dec. 3, 1809, where he resided until May, 1831, when he removed to Great Barrington, Mass., where he died Mar. 7, 1842, in the village of Van Dusenville. He educated one of his sons at Williams College, which shows his value of education. The narration is remarkable for the exhibition of memory and the faculty of observation, since there is but little, doubt of the faithfulness and accuracy of the dates and statements. The record is here made because of the many facts it reveals of the actual life in those times. All that he wrote is not given; but those things which are given—being all that would be of interest —are presented with only slight variations from his manuscript. He was accustomed to write as a town clerk in Tyringham, and hence this production is remarkably correct in a literary sense. The Narrative. "TYRINGHAM, August 8, 1811. As I have been told, I was born in New Milford, in the county of Litchfield, and State of Connecticut, Aug. 8th, in the year A.D. 1777; I being the third son and eighth child in the family, all living except the first. This year will be remembered by all those who took an active part in the Revolutionary War so long as they shall live, better than can be described on paper; several battles were fought in the United States. The battle of Bennington took place when I was about eight days old. Gen. Burgoyne was taken when I was about ten weeks old. The year 1778 was a year of trouble and affliction, particularly to many of the inhabitants of New Milford. Mr. Sherwood's house was burnt, with himself, and mother, and Mr. Moses Camp, his son-in-law, who had been married about six months. This family consisted of thirteen persons; but three escaped without injury—one a son about 14, his mother, and an infant daughter born Dec. 7th, before. Mrs. Sherwood sat up late in the night the house took fire, to prepare her family to attend a lecture that had been appointed to be held at their house. The Rev. Mr. Taylor was to preach, and baptize their children. Mr. Sherwood and one daughter lived a short time after the fire. Mrs. Sherwood, her son Wells, and infant, Sarah, were all that were saved. Those who had intended to be at the lecture attended at the same time, but their meeting was of a different one—a melancholy sight. The remains of those who lived a few hours were buried in separate coffins. The parts of those that could be found that the fire could not consume were all put into a large box made for that purpose, and buried in New Milford town. The place where the box was laid is known at this day by a round hollow, the same bigness of the grave. This unhappy event took place Feb. 24, 1778. In March the small-pox raged in New Milford, and several died; among the number was my uncle, Israel Baldwin, in the 4ist year of his age. He died March, 16th day. In the year 1779 the war continued, and this winter was called the Hard Winter. In the year 1780 many remarkable events might be mentioned; a few only will be noticed. The winter of 1779-80 is the first of my remembrance. On the night of the 2d-3d of February a murder was committed in or near New Milford, by Barnard Davenport. He killed Mr. Mallery and Mrs. Mallery with a swingle, plundered and burnt the house, with several children in it. A few days after, he was taken and committed to gaol for trial in the town and county of Litchfield. About the 29th of April his trial came on before the Superior Court; he plead guilty, and was condemned to be executed on the 8th day of May following; and the execution took place on that day at Litchfield. He had not arrived at the age of twenty years when he was hung. [1] After he left the house on fire, he went home to his father's, and acquainted one of his brothers, Nicholas, by name, with so much of this deed, and he taking a share of the plunder, that he was punished by being compelled to sit on the gallows while his brother was hanging, and then taken down and whipped thirty-nine lashes, and sentenced to prison during life. After this, he behaving so well, and being young (about 17), the latter part of his punishment was set aside by his being bound to his good behavior, and keeping in the bounds of New Milford for ten years. This he complied with, and the term ended in 1790. In this time I became acquainted with him, and have never heard anything against his morals; he has since deceased. The 19th of May was a dark day in New England. I remember that our people were something terrified at the scene, and the appearance of the sky and the grass. [2] [1] This account is undoubtedly true, and that given in the Conn. Historical Collections is very erroneous as to the young man's early education and his father's family. [2] This was called "The Dark Day" for many years, it being caused by an eclipse of the sun. In the year 1782, in the spring, uncle S. Comstock moved out of our house to Chestnut Land, and I went with father and mother to see them raise a shoe-shop. This summer I went to school to Miss Mercy Baldwin, to learn my letters. The school was kept in Capt. Gunn's, in the chamber. I believe I made but little progress in learning. The Friend, Jemima Wilkinson, preached at New Milford, and gained some proselytes. In the year 1783 I was sent to school to Mr. Israel Baldwin, Jr., which school was kept at the new school-house, and was the first school I ever attended under the care of a master. The kind attention which I here received from my teacher made such an impression on my mind that my attachment to him was much stronger than to any one else out of my family, and which continued during life. In the year 1784 I attended school in the winter most of the time, and. learned to read in spellings. Doct. Samuel Farrand was the teacher. I also went to school a few days this summer to Miss Anne Todd Noble. The year 1785 I attended school in the winter; Mr. Elias Kinne was our teacher. In the spring Mr. Edmund Clark's house was raised; I went to the raising. Father was the master workman. As Col. Hymes was assisting in taking shad in the river at New Milford, he was entangled in the seine and was drowned, aged 21. This year my father built a forge for Mr. Davenport. I and a number of boys and girls went and paid them a visit (about two miles), and we paid close attention to our employment; perhaps on account of the unfortunate affair of his son, as mentioned heretofore. In the year 1787, I attended school in the winter. Timothy Farrand kept the school two months. In the year 1788, Mr. Kinne was employed the third time to teach our school, and I attended most part of the time. On the 2Oth of March, Mr. Israel Baldwin, Jr., died, aged 27. A terrible wind happened in August, the corn was much broken, and many trees were blown down. A meteor was seen in the air October 17th, and a report followed with a great rumbling noise, between the hours of six and seven in the evening. I saw the light at the window, and heard the report. Two other reports were heard in the day-time the same fall, similar to the others. In 1789, the school was kept by Mr. Kinne for the fourth and last time. I attended steady. On the 6th of April, Nathan [Baldwin] set off for the Westward, and went as far as Freehold, on the west side of Hudson river, and on the 20th of May, Hannah set off with A. Dayton's family for the Genesee, and on the 30th Nathan returned. On the 12th of November, father hired a wagon of Mr. Bristol, and took our grandmother Nobles from uncle A. Baldwin's to live with us during the winter. On the next day, I went with father as far as the top of the hill by Mr. Garlick's, and rode in the wagon, and there I left him, and went to Mr. Josiah Lockwood's and got me a hat, and stayed awhile to see him bow. This was the first time I ever rode in a wagon, arid the first time that I ever was in a hatter's shop. In December our school was set up. Mr. Swift Chamberlin was employed as our teacher. In 1790, I attended in the school as long as it continued, and the school underwent quite a revolution in regard to the pronunciation of words; a number of scholars learned pieces, and dialogues, and on Wednesday, March 15th, the school assembled at the school-house, and walked in procession to Mr. E. Clark's, (a place prepared for our reception); a sermon was delivered on the occasion by Elder Roots. The day was pleasant, the performance good, and the assembly large and respectable. The day will not be soon forgotten by many of the scholars who took an active part on the occasion. On the 27th and 28th of April, a terrible cold storm, and snow two or three inches deep. The moon rose the 28th in total eclipse, but cloudy. On the 29th, uncle A. Baldwin raised his barn, father being the master workman. On the first Monday of May I attended training in town. Mr. Barnabas Lathrop was moved from Nine Partners this fall, to New Milford, and preached among the Separates. In the month of January or February, 1791, an attempt was made by the Separate Church to ordain Mr. B. Lathrop. The people assembled at the Presbyterian meeting-house, and Mr. J. Marshall preached two sermons; but, for want of ministers or some other cause, the contemplated ordination failed, and perhaps it was best it did, considering the difficulty between him and the said church that soon after happened. On Thursday, Mar. 24th, Mr. S. Chamberlin and Sarah Sherwood were married by the Rev. Joel Bordwell of Kent; he being 26 years of age, and she 13. I was at this wedding, it being the first I ever attended. Mr. Bordwell preached a sermon. Sarah Sherwood was the infant mentioned as saved at the burning of Mr. Sherwood's house. Sunday, April 3d, being of clear air and without a cloud, a very remarkable eclipse of the sun occurred, which began about sun half an hour high in the morning. - The moon came on the sun's centre, but "being less than the sun, he appeared like a great ring; the air was darkened, and a gloom spread for a time over this holy morning. Nehemiah Strong, Esq., [3] wrote more than two pages in his almanac calculated at Hartford, and then printed by Hudson and Goodwin. In this calculation he found that the centre of the eclipse passed through Connecticut, through the towns of New Fairfield, New Milford, Woodbury, Wallingford, &c., to the Atlantic Ocean. Such an eclipse had not happened at the same place since August the 14th, 1757. [3] A professor in Yale College, but residing here. Our people and Mr. E. Clark fitted a new limekiln, from 8th of November to December. In 1792, on Monday the 7th of May, the First Company 29th Regiment, Light Infantry, met in New Milford in their uniforms for the first time, under the command of Capt. Daniel Board-man. The company made a good appearance and were much admired. On the 13th of July, Mr. Amos Collins, with two children, James F. Griswold, son of Rev. Stanley Griswold, and a daughter of widow Trowbridge, ascended the steeple in New Milford, (he being rendered blind by the small-pox). All fell. Mr, Collins was found dead on the tower floor; the children were not killed, but much injured. They fell about fifty-four feet. On Thursday, Nov. 1st, Mr. Cyrene Stilson began his singing at our house. Patience had the small-pox by inoculation, under the care of Doctor Lemuel Thomas, of New Milford. 1793, on the 13th of June, the Rev. Gideon Bostwick, of Gt. Barrington, died at Sherman Boardman, Esqrs., Mrs. Boardman being his sister. His funeral was attended on Saturday, June 15, in New Milford; a sermon was preached by the Rev. Truman Marsh, of said New Milford. On the 16th of September, Mrs. Sarah, wife of Swift Chamberlin, died at Kent. She left a babe about a week old which soon followed her, both being buried in one coffin. Mrs. Cham-berlin was saved from fire in 1778, was married, lived to see two of her own children, and died in the sixteenth year of her age. On the 29th of November this year, died at the Friends' settlement, in the Genesee country, Sarah Richards, steward or overseer of the Friend Jemima Wilkinson, a person well known to many of the people of New Milford. On the 8th of February, in passing the Separate meetinghouse with a load of wood, Doct. L. Thomas called to me and wished to have the wood. I asked what was the occasion of so many people being present, and he informed me that they had been digging up the Rev. Gideon Bostwick, and were about to set out for Great Barrington with his remains to be there re-interred. On Thursday, June 19, 1794, a destructive tornado crossed New Milford; blew over houses, barns, apple-trees, destroyed timber, killed a child of Mr. Cole; some others were wounded, and much grain was destroyed. [This tornado is still talked about in that vicinity.] The 19th day of February, 1795, was appointed by the President of the United States, a day of thanksgiving throughout said United States. On Monday, June 15th, I went to J. Lockwood's, and began to work at the hatting business, and continued as we agreed till September 15th, and then my indenture was made. The regiment met in New Milford this fall. I was in town and took my station on the walk above the bell, and saw them march under me by platoons, and had a fair prospect in viewing the regiment as they passed the steeple. On the 2d of January, 1796, I took, with the help of one other person, a canoe up the Housatonic river three miles; the water not being cold, and no ice in the river, but remarkably warm, and many places did not freeze over all winter. February 11th, Nathan moved to Monkton, Vt. About the 8th of March Mr. Asahel Noble died. I attended the funeral the next day. The Rev. N. Taylor made a prayer at the house, but preached no sermon. In September, Mr. Lockwood moved to White Hall, and discharged me from my indenture. Additional Comments: Extracted from: HISTORY OF THE TOWNS OF NEW MILFORD AND BRIDGEWATER, CONNECTICUT, 1703-1882, BY SAMUEL ORCUTT AUTHOR OF THE HISTORIES OF TORRINGTON, WOLCOTT, AND DERBY, AND THE INDIANS OF THE HOUSATONIC AND NAUGATUCK VALLEYS, CONNECTICUT. HARTFORD, CONN.: PRESS OF THE CASE, LOCKWOOD AND BRAINARD COMPANY. 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