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Many
e-mails have come in asking about characters and events in
My Brother Sam is Dead seeing the book takes place in Redding,
CT and this site is all about Redding. To make it easier I
have listed the information about some of the characters below.
I have also included information on Putnam Memorial park as
it relates to the encampment Sam Meeker was stationed at.
This page is updated frequently as new information about people
and events relating to my brother Sam is dead is found. Last
update: May 14, 2008. Photos
of Redding Ridge and the Annual Putnam Park history walk.
Photos of Redding's "Militia
Day" where students learn all about 18th Century
Life.
Quick
link to Characters | Putnam's
Encampment | The Executions at
Gallow's Hill | Other Topics
of Interest: Brown Bess, Loyalists, Militias | Photos
| Chapter by
Chapter Summary | Notes
about Real-Events | Colonial
Money, Commissary Notes, Financing the War and Inflation Issues
| Map | Camp
Life and Orders Relating to Redding's Encampment | Cowboys
and Skinners | Taverns
New:
Places
you can visit related to My Brother Sam is Dead
About
my brother Sam is dead:
My
Brother Sam Is Dead (1974) is a young adult novel by James
Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier. It was a Newbery
Honor book that was also named a Notable Children's Book by
the American Library Association and nominated for a National
Book Award in 1975. (from http://en.wikipedia.org)
Spoiler warning:
Plot and/or ending details follow.
The
novel recounts the tragedy that strikes Tim Meeker and his
family during the Revolutionary War when Tim's older brother
Sam joins the rebel forces while the rest of the family (especially
Tim and Sam's father), try to stay neutral. The novel opens
at the dawn of the revolution on April 20th, 1775. The problems
with trying to stay neutral while living in a Tory town was
that everyone outside of the town assumed Redding was a loyalist
settlement. Tim's family would have to endure conflicts &
tragedy for that reason. They owned a tavern, and keeping
it running was hard work. Even prior to the Revolution, to
make money, each year Tim's Father and brother Sam would go
to New York State and sell the cattle they received from people
who owed them money. Since Sam had sided with the rebels and
wasn't there, Tim's Father (Life) took Tim without his Brown
Bess (musket/gun used for protection), which Sam had recently
stolen, on his yearly cattle run to New York. Life is captured
on their way back to Redding by cowboys, leaving Tim to take
care of his mother and himself for the rest of the novel.
Tim is forced to grow up over night seeing he is now the man
of the house, with his father in prison and Sam fighting with
the patriots. The British march though Redding and capture
several Patriots there on their way to Danbury, CT to destroy
the rebels/Patriot's provisions of war which were being stored
there. The Patriot soldiers arrive in Redding in pursuit of
the British and Sam was with them so Sam gets to see his mother
and Tim again. Later Sam is arrested for being a cattle thief
(even though he wasn't guilty of the crime) while the Patriot
troops are encamped in Redding during the winter of 1778-79.
Sam is executed for the crime while Tim is watching. Tim's
Mother goes a little crazy due to the stress of losing her
husband and son to a war she doesn't support. Tim lives to
be very old. He had a wife, children, even grandchildren.
But his mother never recovers from Life and Sam's deaths.
Read
My Brother Sam
is Dead Summary and Analysis

Stone dedicated
in 2002 reads: "In memory of the Redding citizens captured
nearby April 26, 1777 & imprisoned in New York for ramsom
by British General William Tryon & his invading army."
The
Collier Brothers (James and Christopher) were personifying
the War of Independence in writing this novel and they did
a very good job of it. Their choice of characters, story line
and setting create a captivating saga, rich with courage,
drama, and intrigue. "my brother Sam is dead" is a classic,
well deserving of the awards and accolades it has received.

Map
of Redding that relates to My Brother Sam

1780
Map of West Chester and Fairfield County showing Redding,
Ridgebury, Salem, Verplanck Point. Click
here to view a larger version of this map.

1.
Meeker's Tavern
2.
Lt. Stephen Betts/Parsons' Headquarters
3.
Jerry Sanford
4.
Anglican Church
5.
William Heron
6.
Ned's house (where Ned lived)
7.
Presbyterian Church
8.
Col. John Read and Betsy Read's House
9.
Tom Warrups' Hut
10.
Putnam Park, main encampment
11.
Second Camp, Gen. Parsons' encampment
12.
Gallows Hill, site of Sam's execution
Because
of the novel's content, most notably an execution and a beheading,
it has been the frequent target of censors and appears on
the American Library Association list of the 100 Most Frequently
Challenged Books of 1990-2000 at number twelve.
Why
the Revolution Occurred- a very good timeline of events
that led to the colonist revolt, what happenned during it
and how our nation was formed.
Download
information on Redding Men in the Revolution(Word Document)
William
Heron
Squire William
Heron lived just south of the Anglican/Episcopal church on
Redding Ridge. He was a native of Cork, Ireland; a graduate
of Trinity College, Dublin. He has been described as: a man
of much ability and force of character. In appearance: short,
portly, and florid, with a deep bass voice and a countenance
well calculated to disguise the true sentiments of the owner.
Heron's pre-Redding
days are a bit enigmatic. He never spoke of them except to
say that he was a native of Cork, Ireland, and had been educated
at Trinity College, Dublin. It is said that Squire Heron taught
at the Academy in Greenfield Hill before coming to Redding,
and had also surveyed the old stage route from New York to
Boston.
The precise date
of his arrival in Redding is absent from record, but most
agree it was prior to the Revolution. A notation in Frank
B. Rosenau's Christ Church Parish: The first 250 years indicates
Heron acquired the property of John Lyon, when Lyon fled Redding
and joined British forces in Long Island, and the property
was confiscated by the state. Lyon had purchased the home
from Anglican Rev. John Beach in 1772.
Was William
Heron a spy?
Vague, ambiguous,
unclear…these words come to mind often when sorting out Squire
William Heron's biography: He was an Anglican, but then again
he was Irish; He had chosen to live on Redding Ridge, which
was known for it's loyalty to England, yet, his name is absent
from the list of Redding's Loyalist Association; Some historians
state: "At the time of Tryon's invasion he openly gave aid
and comfort to the enemy." But, others have claimed he also
met with Wooster, Silliman and Arnold. Why would a Tory hold
council with American Generals as they pursued Tryon and his
troops?; He was an elected member of the Connecticut General
Assembly but traveled to "loyalist-friendly" New York often
for "business".
A publication entitled
Sir Henry Clinton's Secret Service Record of Private Daily
Intelligence, which surfaced in 1882, revealed the truth about
William Heron's role in the Revolutionary War…he was a double-agent.
Heron provided
information to both American and British commanders during
the war. The British received information of little importance,
while the Americans received reports that were far more significant
and useful.
He most certainly
fit the profile of a double-agent. He arrived in Redding just
before the Revolution, at a time most residents were more
concerned with the threat of war than who their new neighbors
were; it appears local residents barely noticed his existence
until the war was underway. Even to those who actually spoke
to him, his past remained unknown, as he wouldn't discuss
it. He was conveniently situated across the street from the
residence/tavern of Patriot Stephen Betts and right next to
the Anglican/Episcopal Church. From the comfort of his very
own home, he was capable of monitoring the movements of either
side.
Redding residents
clearly viewed Heron as a patriot, throughout the war they
honored him with office, and placed him on committees to advance
the patriot cause. For instance, April 2, 1777, he was placed
on a committee to hire recruits for the Continental army.
June 2, 1779, he was appointed delegate to a county convention
on monetary affairs; Dec. 27, 1780, on a committee to ascertain
the length of time certain citizens of the town had served
in the army; April 16, 1781, on Committee of Correspondence;
Feb. 28, 1782, on a committee to form citizens into classes
for recruiting purposes. For four sessions during the war
he served in the Connecticut General Assembly by vote of his
townsmen, viz.: May, 1778; October, 1779; January, 1780; May,
1781.
Other's outside
of Redding viewed him as a patriot too. Connecticut's Governor
Trumbull provided passes to Squire Heron that allowed him
to freely travel to and from New York for business. General
Samuel H. Parsons, in a letter to George Washington, dated
April 6, 1782, gave his approval of Heron:
"I forgot to mention
the name of Mr. William Heron of Redding, who has for several
years had opportunities of informing himself of the state
of the enemy, their designs and intentions, with more certainty
and precision than most men who have been employed. He is
a native of Ireland, a man of very large knowledge and a great
share of natural sagacity, united with a sound judgment, but
of as unmeaning a countenance as any person in my acquaintance.
With this appearance he is as little suspected as any man
can be. An officer in the department of the Adjutant General
is a countryman and a very intimate acquaintance of Mr. Heron,
through which channel he has been able frequently to obtain
important and very interesting intelligence. He has frequently
brought me the most accurate descriptions of the posts occupied
by the enemy, and more rational accounts of their numbers,
strength and design than I have been able to obtain in any
other way. As to his character, I know him to be a consistent
national Whig; he is always in the field in any alarm and
has in every trial proved himself a man of bravery. He has
a family and a considerable interest in the measures of the
country. In opposition to this his enemies suggest that he
carries on illicit trade with the enemy, but I have lived
two years next door to him and am fully convinced he has never
had a single article of any kind for sale during that time.
I know many persons of more exalted character are also accused;
none more than Governor Trumbull, nor with less reason. I
believe the Governor and Mr. Heron as clear of this business
as I am, and I know myself to be totally free from every thing
which has the least connection with that commerce."
From the winter
of 1778-9, when the American Troops encamped in Redding to
1781, Samuel H. Parsons' was headquartered at Esquire Stephen
Betts' on Redding Ridge. Heron's proximity to Parsons was
viewed a benefit on both sides of the war: for the Americans,
Heron and Parsons could secretly exchange information without
much difficulty; for the British, Heron was in perfect position
to monitor the American General's visitors and movements.
What the British
Commanders did not know was they were receiving dated Connecticut
General Assembly information and insubstantial troop position
reports from Heron. One of the ways Heron gained access to
the British lines was to ride to Fairfield, leave his horse
with a Tory there named "Bradley", cross the sound to Huntington
on Long Island, or an adjacent part, and thence make his way
into the enemy's lines at New York.
Some examples of
the letters Heron sent to British Commanders are as follows:
February 4th, 1781,
Heron wrote Sir Henry Clinton from Redding that he had hoped
to see General Oliver de Lancey, Clinton's Adjutant General
in New York, before that time, but had failed to obtain a
flag of truce. He added that he had been in Hartford and to
the camps in the Highlands; at the former to inform the British
of the Secret Convention (which had been held in Hartford
the November before) as to what had been done there; to the
latter to discover the feeling of the officers and soldiers
in the Continental camp, and had succeeded to his entire satisfaction,
and he proceeded to tell Clinton that the object of the Convention
was to form a closer union of the Eastern and Western colonies,
make Washington dictator, and raise money and supplies for
the army (all of which had, no doubt, been brought to Clinton
by his numerous spies months before). In the Highlands, he
added, he spent the night with Parsons and Stark, both of
whom were his friends, and gave a very gloomy picture of the
destitution and discontent of the soldiers (which was also
perfectly known to the British Commander).
In another letter
Heron cautioned his correspondent against paying any great
attention to the reports of those who only "take up on hearsay."
"Some of this class." he continues, "deceive persons in high
office with you. They have no access to those from whom perfect
knowledge can be obtained," "Believe me," he continues, "there
are but few who are let into secrets of the cabinet, nor could
I know them were it not for my intimacy with some of the principal
officers in the civil and military departments arising from
my having been a member of the Legislature and being still
continued one of a committee appointed by the Assembly to
examine into the staff department." While absent he would
"have made it a part of his business to acquire a perfect
knowledge of the state of the French at Rhode Island, but
finding a person charged with that duty, who he believed would
do it with tolerable accuracy, he had not done so." Again:
"Private dispatches are frequently sent from your city to
the chief here by some traitors. They come by way of Setauket
(Long Island) where a certain "Brewster" receives them at
or near a certain woman's house."
An admirable example
of the manner in which Heron informed the British Commander
of important events after they had occurred, was his account
of the attempt by Colonel Humphreys, Washington's aide-de-camp,
to seize the person of the British Commander-in-Chief by a
rush upon his headquarters at No. 1 Broadway. "A daring enterprise
was lately concerted at the quarters of the chief here," he
writes, and goes on to describe the attempt after it had failed.
So much was this the case that after a time Major Oliver de
Lancey began to grow suspicious and complained that Heron's
information was either stale or of no importance.
It is probable
that Heron quieted de Lancey's suspicions with promises of
winning over to the British cause his friend General Parsons.
Writing of Parsons' "Don't you judge him to be a gentleman
possessed of too much understanding and liberality of sentiment
to think that the welfare of his country consists in an unnatural
alliance with the enemies of the Protestant religion, a perfidious
nation with whom no faith can be kept, as all the nations
of Europe have experienced…"
Under date of July
8, 1781, he provided a deceptive report on the American and
French troops to Major de Lancey:
"The five regiments
of our states are more than 1,200 men deficient of their complement;
the other states (except Rhode Island and New York, who are
fuller) are nearly in the same condition. Our magazines are
few in number. Your fears for them are groundless. They are
principally at West Point, Fishkill, Wapping Creek, and Newburg,
which puts them out of the enemy's power, except they attempt
their destruction by a force sufficient to secure the Highlands,
which they cannot do, our guards being sufficient to secure
them from small parties. The French troops yesterday encamped
on our left, near the Tuckeyhoe Road. Their number I have
not had the opportunity to ascertain. Other matters of information
I shall be able to give you in a few days."
*When the allied
American and French armies marched to Virginia in the Fall
of 1781, they outnumbered the British 17,000 to 9,700.
Heron also wrote
that he had concerted measures with Parsons by which he would
receive every material article of intelligence from the American
camp. Heron's lure of winning over Parsons was an effective
means of retaining the confidence of the British and affording
him a pretext for visits to the British camp, where he used
his eyes and ears with the most excellent results for the
patriot cause.
Proof of Heron's
loyalty to Parsons and the American cause was best exhibited
in 1780. In July of that year, Benedict Arnold was promoted
to Major General in command of West Point, New York. By August,
he had already initiated secret correspondence with British
General Sir Henry Clinton in New York City through British
Major John André. Arnold offered to hand the West Point Fort
and the Hudson River over to the British for £20,000 and a
brigadier's commission. On August 28, William Heron was called
on to deliver a letter from Arnold to André. Even though Arnold's
promotion placed Samuel H. Parsons under him in command, Heron
did not deliver the letter to its intended receiver, instead
he passed it to Parsons on September 10. Unfortunately, Parsons
was unable to comprehend the significance of the letter. Luckily
for the Americans, Major André was captured on September 23
with dispatches from Arnold, who promptly fled to the British
when he learned of André's capture (Arnold was scheduled to
meet with Washington that day). It wasn't until after Andre's
trial that Parsons realized the significance of the letter
Heron had delivered weeks earlier and immediately forwarded
the letter to Washington. André was denied his request of
a soldier's death by a firing squad and instead was convicted
of being a spy and hanged.
After the war William
Heron remained in Redding and represented the town in the
legislature through seventeen sessions, covering a period
of eighteen years. He is said to have exercised a great deal
of influence in public affairs, especially at town meetings.
"We must keep down
the underbrush" was a favorite remark of his in speaking of
the common people. The following story, illustrating in a
marked manner the customs of the day, is related of him:
At one of the annual
town meetings Mr. Hezekiah Morgan, a somewhat illiterate man,
was nominated for grand juror. Squire Heron, in laced waistcoat,
ruffles, and velvet breeches, and aiding himself with his
gold-headed cane, arose to oppose the motion.
"Mr. Moderator,"
said he, "who is this Hezekiah Morgan? Why, a man brought
up in Hopewell woods: he fears neither God, man, nor the devil.
If elected, who will be responsible for his acts? Will you,
Mr. Moderator? or I? Why, sir, he can arrest anybody: he can
arrest you, your Honor, or even myself;" and with like cogent
reasons succeeded in defeating the obnoxious candidate.
His children were:
William, Maurice, Elizabeth, Lucy, Elosia, Margaret, Mary
and Susan. William Heron Jr. never married. He lived on the
old homestead in Redding all his days, and was a man much
respected in the community. His brother, Maurice graduated
at Yale College, and shortly after was killed in a steamboat
explosion on the Connecticut River, near Essex. Mary Heron
wed Lemuel Sanford #3, a man of much ability, and quite prominent
in town affairs.
Heron died on Redding
Ridge, Jan. 8, 1819, at the ripe old age of 77 years, and
was buried in Christ Church graveyard. His tombstone bears
this inscription:
In Memory of William
Heron, Esq.
Who was born in the City of Cork, Ireland, 1742, and died
Jan. 8, 1819.
I know that my Redeemer liveth and that He shall stand at
the latter day upon the earth.
Revolutionary
War Spies- William Heron's Role in the Revolution.
The
Meeker Family:
The
Meeker's of my brother Sam is dead were fictional, however,
there is a real-life similarity via John Meeker's son-in-law
Jacob Patchen. Jacob Patchen married Abigail Meeker in 1787.
Jacob was only 12 years old when he was captured by the British
Army during their march to Danbury. He escaped and joined
the Continental Army in 1781, serving until the end war. Jacob's
family were Loyalists/Tories, his father fled to Western New
York and his uncle Andrew fled with his family too. The other
real-life similarity to Sam Meeker in my brother Sam is dead
was, James Sanford, who enlisted with the teamsters for General
Enoch Poor's New Hampshire brigade while they encamped at
Redding. James' enlistment was contrary to the political loyalties
of his family. His younger brother John, who is said to have
visited him at camp everyday, is a good candidate for the
real life Tim Meeker.
Below
are definitions and meanings of the character names in my
brother Sam is dead, that may explain why the name(s) were
selected by the Collier brothers. *keep in mind this is my
own presumption, I do not know this to be factual.
Meeker:
meek (mek) adj., meek·er, meek·est [Middle English meke, of
Scandinavian origin]
1.
Showing patience and humility; gentle.
2.
Easily imposed on; submissive.
Eliphalet
(Life): Hebrew. Meaning: God delivers me.
Susannah:
Hebrew. Meaning: Lily. In the apocryphal Book of Tobit Susannah
courageously defended herself against wrongful accusation.
White lilies grew in the Biblical city of Susa in Persia.
In
the New Testament, Susannah was a woman who ministered to
Jesus.
She
does defend herself for working on Sunday (a sin), after Eliphalet
disappeared in New York State: "God will forgive us, Tim,
Don't worry about it, I'm sure of that."
Sam:
Hebrew. Meaning: The literal translation of Hebrew Samuel
(Shemu'el in Hebrew) is Name of God (from Shem, meaning name).
However, in some contexts Shem can also mean son, and hence
Samuel would mean son of El or son of God.
Uncle
Sam, a personification of the United States government is
fitting as well.
Timothy:
Greek. Meaning: To fear or to honor God. Tim's fear of God
was noted in Chapter 2:
"I
knew that God could shoot bolts of lightning if He wanted
to, but I didn't believe that He ever did. What worried me
was that maybe God would punish him (Sam) by getting him bayonetted
by a Lobsterback. I knew that God did things like that because
I saw it happen once…"
As
for the real-life Meekers:
Fittingly
for the town of Redding there were two sets of Meeker's: Episcopalian
and Congregational (Redding has a long history of rivalry
between Episcopalians and Congregationalists.)
Information
on the Episcopalian Meeker's comes from Frank B. Rosenau's
Christ Church Parish: The first 250 years history booklet
which notes: The early Meeker's were members of the Christ
Church on Redding Ridge. They must have been messy writers
because none of their first names are listed- Frank B. Rosenau
only refers to them as "the early Meeker's". John Meeker is
the first Meeker named. In 1833 after the fire at the church
John Meeker and his family formally withdrew from the Christ
Church for reasons unknown. John was the treasurer and clerk
for the church and left on bad terms- he didn't return the
church money nor documents after he withdrew. He's called
a "villain" in the history booklet.
The
Congregational Church Meeker's were:
Benjamin
Meeker and wife Catherine Burr were admitted church-members
June 4, 1747. Their children were: Witely, baptized June 7,
1747. Esther and Eunice, baptized August 13, 1755. Azariah,
baptized February 5, 1769.
Daniel
Meeker was married by Rev. Nathanial Hunn on July 10, 1744
to Sarah Johnson. Their children were: Elnathan baptized July
26, 1747. Jared, baptized January 29, 1749. Rebecca, baptized
January 20, 1751. Lois, baptized March 28, 1753. Josiah, baptized
July 17, 1757.
David
Meeker was married by Rev. Nathanial Hunn on October 31, 1744
to Hannah Hill.
Joseph
Meeker appears as early as May 4, 1735, when his son Isaac
was baptized. A Gristmill on the Saugatuck River, off Diamond
Hill Rd. was willed to Joseph's wife in 1752, suggesting he
operated the mill at some point between 1735 and 1752.
Robert
Meeker was married by Rev. Nathanial Hunn on September 19,
1746 to Rebecca Morehouse.
Seth
Meeker was a Private, in the 4th Connecticut Militia, Fishkill
Campaign, 1777.
Stephen
Meeker was a member of the Continental Army and later joined
French commander Marquis de Lafayette's elite Light Infantry
Battalion. His service is as follows: 5th Regiment Connecticut
Line, Northern Campaign, 1775. Does not appear on the rolls
of May, 1778. Appears on a list of deserters previous to January,
1780. Appears on rolls of Captain Parsons' Company, 2nd Regiment,
Connecticut Continental Line, June 1780, as Sergeant. His
Regiment was consolidated with the 9th in 1781 as the 3rd
Regiment, and Stephen Meeker was drafted from this Regiment
into the Light Infantry Battalion, commanded by Marquis de
Lafayette, when he was promoted to be Sergeant. His company
formed part of the column of Major Girnat which stormed a
redoubt at Yorktown, Virginia.
Daniel
Starr:
The
home of Major Daniel Starr, which was located on what
is now South Main Street, Danbury, CT was burned to the ground
when Tryon and his British troops marched on Danbury in 1777.
The British troops killed all inside and burned the house
down.
Ned
is a slave killed in a similar incident in my brother Sam
is dead. Ned was the property of Redding resident, Samuel
Smith, and was killed by British soldiers during the 1777
raid of Danbury. Apparently, Ned was among seven patriot defenders
who stayed behind and opened fire on British troops from a
house in Danbury owned by Major Daniel Starr. The house was
set ablaze and all inside were killed. There are no official
accounts of Ned being beheaded before the house was put to
flame. That resulted from an investigation after the raid
had taken place, at the request of Samuel Smith. Mr. Smith
was required to provide a report of Ned's death with witnesses
in order to be compensated for his lost "property". It is
in this petition that the accounts of Ned's decapitation surface
and provide the view point and events that Tim witnesses in
my brother Sam is dead.
Very
little is known about Daniel Starr. His headstone is all that
remains, it reads: "In Memory of Maj. Daniel Starr who died
April 26th, 1777, aged 33 years and 6 months."
Tom
Warrup:
Tom
Warrup, was a Native American Indian, and is said to have
been one of General Israel Putnam's most valued scouts and
messengers in the Revolution. He was the grandson of chief
Chicken Warrup, whose tribe resided in Redding at the time
of first settlement. It was Chicken Warrup's name that appeared
first on land deeds to John Read in 1714, indicating he was
a Chief or leader of the tribe at Redding.
Tom's
House: Tom had a house on the high ridge. It was
built, it is said, in primitive Indian style, of poles set
firmly in the ground, then bent and fastened together at the
top. This framework was covered with bark, and roofed with
reeds and rushes. Its furniture consisted of framework bedsteads,
with bedding of skins, wooden bowls fashioned from pepperage
knots, huge wooden spoons, baskets made of rushes or long
grass, pails of birch bark, and an iron pot and skillet begged
or borrowed from the settlers. His sister Eunice was his housekeeper.
Master
of Revels: Except in war he was a worthless, shiftless
fellow, and lived chiefly by begging; hunting and trapping
were his recreations. He would often absent himself from his
hut for weeks at a time, sleeping in barns or in the forest.
A huge overhanging rock about a mile north of Georgetown often
sheltered him on these occasions, and is still known as Warrup's
rock. Tom's neighbor and landlord before the war was Colonel
John Read, son of the early settler of that name. On one occasion
the colonel had a company of gentlemen from Boston to visit
him, and planned a grand hunt in their honor. Tom was always
master of the revels at such times, and piloted the party
on this occasion. In their rambles through the forests they
came to a spring, and beings thirsty one of the party lamented
that they had left their hunting cups behind. Tom at once
slipped off his shoe, and filling it with water offered it
to the guest to drink; whereupon Colonel Read reproved him
sharply for his ill-breeding. Tom drank from the vessel while
the homily was being delivered and then replaced the shoe,
observing with the haughtiness of a king, " Good enough
for Indian, good enough for white man too."
Life
with Zalmon: After the war Captain Zalmon Read and
Tom were near neighbors, and the former had a cornfield in
dangerous proximity to Tom's cabin; he missed the corn and
suspected Tom, and watching, not only discovered him to be
the thief, but also his ingenious plan of procedure. About
midnight the Indian would come, basket in hand, and seated
on the top mil of the fence would thus address the field:
"Lot, can Tom have some corn? Tom," the lot
would reply, " take all you want ;" whereupon Tom
would fill his basket with ears and march off. The next night,
as the story goes, the Captain armed himself with a grievous
hickory club, and lay in wait behind the fence. Presently
Tom came, repeated his formula, and proceeded to fill his
basket, but when he returned with it to the fence, it was
occupied by the captain, who proceeded to re peat Tom's formula
with a, variation. " Lot, can I beat Tom ?'' " Yes,"
the lot replied," beat him all he deserves; whereupon
the fun-loving captain fell upon the culprit and gave him
the thorough beating which his roguery deserved.
Thomas
Warrups, appears on the "Roll Call" of The Armed Forces of
Kent, 1775-1783, so it is possible that his return to Redding
occurred during Putnam's encampment in 1778-79, as stories
told in Kent and New Milford echo the tales of Redding historian
Charles Burr Todd. Stories relating to Kent publications are
as follows:
"Tom
belonged to a cavalry company, and while on scout was met
by a superior force of the enemy and had to fly to safety,
and being pursued was overtaken just as he reached a fence.
The red-coat aimed a blow with his sabre, which grazed his
head, and Tom fell from his horse as if dead. Tom, in telling
the story, used to say: 'I did not stir nor breathe as big
as a mouse till the trooper was out of sight.' The red-coat
remarked, as he wheeled, 'One d--d Indian has got it.' But
when Tom came soon after, riding into camp, his comrades,
who had seen the performance, greeted him with cheers of welcome."
"Tom
Warrups was long known in the vicinity of what is now Northville,
on the east side of Mount Tom, where he settled not long after
the Revolution and remained many years, but what became of
him is not known. He most probably removed to Scatacock. He
is said to have a wife and several children."
The Warrups'
Family of Redding: There is much we do not know about
the Warrups' of Redding due to a lack of recorded history
on them…a common problem with Native American Indian history.
Charles Burr Todd
states in his History of Redding, that before settlers arrived
the unoccupied lands were: "claimed by a petty tribe of Indians,
whose fortified village was on the high ridge a short distance
southwest of the residence of Mr. John Read (where Lonetown
Rd. meets Putnam Park Rd.). This tribe consisted of disaffected
members of the Potatucks of Newtown and the Paugussetts of
Milford, with a few stragglers from the Mohawks on the west."
By "disaffected"
I take it that Charles Burr Todd was saying the "tribe of
Indians" residing in what we call the "Lonetown" section of
Redding was made up of Native Americans from multiple tribes
displaced from their homelands by English settlers making
their way into the interior of Connecticut. The "oblong" or
vacant lands between the northern boundary of the Fairfield
Long Lots and what is now the border of Danbury and Bethel
was one of the few available tracts of open space available
in the area to Native American Indians at this timeframe.
He goes on to say:
" Their chief was Chickens Warrups or Sam Mohawk, as he was
sometimes called. Describing "Chickens", President Stiles
says in his "Itinerary" that he was a Mohawk sagamore, or
under-chief, who fled from his tribe and settled at Greenfield
Hill, but having killed an Indian there he was again obliged
to flee, and then settled in Redding. All the Indian deeds
to the early settlers were given by Chickens, and Naseco,
who seems to have been a sort of sub-chief. The chief, Chickens,
figures quite prominently in the early history of Redding;
he seems to have been a strange mixture of Indian shrewdness,
rascality, and cunning, and was in continual difficulty with
the settlers concerning the deeds which he gave them."
Chickens name does
not appear on all Indian deeds to the early settlers but he
does appear on the deeds of John Read in 1714 and Samuel Couch
in 1724, two very important land deeds in Redding's history.
He was in "continual difficulty with the settlers" because
the settlers continually ignored Chickens' portion of the
deeds:
"Reserving in the
whole of the same, liberty for myself and my heirs to hunt,
fish, and fowl upon the land and in the waters, and further
reserving for myself, my children, and grand children and
their posterity the use of so much land by my present dwelling
house or wigwam as the General Assembly of the Colony by themselves
or a Committee indifferently appointed shall judge necessary
for my or their personal improvement, that is to say my children,
children's children and posterity, furthermore, I the said
Chickens do covenant, promise, and agree, to and with the
said Samuel Couch, that I said Chickens, my heirs, executors
and administrators, the said described lands and bargained
premises, unto the said Samuel Couch his heirs etc. against
the claims and demands of all manner of persons whatever,
to warrant and forever by these presents defend."
The above is text
from Chickens' land deed to Samuel Couch, Feb. 18, 1724. Chickens,
like a majority of Indians that agreed to land deeds in Colonial
times, made a point to reserve the right to hunt, fish, and
exist on the lands they were "selling". In 1686, Indians in
the Umpawaug section of Redding noted similar stipulations
in their land deed to Nathan Gold:
"we have laid out
ye said land to Nathan [Gold] and bounded it as above by said
brook and river and in ye pond and we have marked trees as
bounds...for the 2 square miles of land...it is to be noted
said Indian proprietors do hereby reserve the liberty of hunting
upon said land for themselves in witness of all which
we said rightful proprietors have set to our hands and seals
this 29th day of December, 1686."
Indians did not
understand land ownership the way the English and their future
generations viewed it: in their culture, no tribe nor Indian
had exclusive, permanent rights to specific parcels of land,
"different groups of people could have different claims on
the same tract of land depending on how they used it." Chickens
was viewed as a nuisance to Redding's settlers because he
was strong willed enough to "call them out" for ignoring the
Indians "bargained provisions" of the deeds and thus exceeding
the usage rights the Indians perceived to be granting in them.
According to Charles
Burr Todd: "No less than three petitions of Chickens, complaining
of the injustice of the settlers, are preserved in the Colonial
Records. The first, presented to the General Court of May,
1738, asked that in accordance with the provisions of his
deed to Samuel Couch in 1725, the Assembly would appoint a
committee to lay out to him, his children, children's children,
and their posterity, so much land near his wigwam as they
should deem necessary for his and their personal improvement;
and the Assembly appointed such a committee."
"No report of the
action of this committee is preserved in the archives; but
ten years later, in 1745, Chickens again petitioned the Assembly
to appoint a committee to view his lands for the same purpose,
and the Assembly appointed such a committee 'to repair to
and deed of conveyance, with the savings and reservations
therein contained, to survey and by proper meets and bounds
set out for, and to the use of the petitioner and his children,
such and so much of said lands as they shall be of opinion-(on
hearing all parties or persons therein concerned) ought to
be allowed and set out to said petitioner and his children.'"
The text of the
third and last memorial, is given in full.
"The memorial of
Capt. Chickens alias Sam Mohawk of Reading in Fairfield County,
showing to this Assembly that in his deed formerly made to
Capt. Samuel Couch, late of Fairfield, deceased, of his land
lying between the township of said Fairfield, and Danbury,
Ridgefield, and Newtown, he had reserved to himself so much
of said land as a committee, appointed by this Assembly, should
judge be sufficient for himself, his children and posterity,
for their personal improvement, which said reserve has since
been set out by proper meets and bounds in two pieces, containing
in the whole about one hundred acres as per the surveys thereof
may appear, reference thereunto being had:
And showing also
that John Read, Esq. Late of Boston deceased, had surveyed,
and laid out to him two hundred acres of land by the appointment
of this Assembly, at a place called Schaghticoke (Kent, Connecticut;
Scatacook is another spelling used in the time-period) bounded
as in the survey thereof on record:
And also showing
that the land aforesaid, laid out to the said John Read. Esq.,
is much more convenient and advantageous for him, the said
Chickens, being well situated for fishing and hunting, and
that he had made and executed a deed of exchange of his aforesaid
hundred acres, lying in two pieces as aforesaid in the parish
of Reading to the said John Read, Esq. and his heirs, which
said deed bears date October 11th, A.D. 1748, and in consideration
thereof did receive of the said John Read, Esq.
A deed bearing
date the day aforesaid well executed to him the said Chickens
and his heirs by his heirs by his attorney John Read, Esq.
of said Reading, being fully authorized thereunto, of the
aforesaid two hundred acres; praying this Assembly that said
deeds, executed as aforesaid, may be allowed of ratified,
and be admitted as good evidence in the law for conveying
and fixing the title to the several pieces of land aforesaid."
This petition the
Assembly granted, and Chickens soon after removed to the reservation
at Schaghticoke. Chickens Warrup died in 1762-63, and his
son Thomas is said to have died in 1769.
In 1775, the Connecticut
General Assembly ordered that the lands of the Schaghticoke
should be leased to pay their debts and defray their expenses.
Thomas Warrups,
(Chickens Warrups' grandson) was allowed to sell thirty acres
of land to pay his debts and provide for his family. Three
years after, another tract of ten acres was sold for the purpose
of relieving the indigent circumstances of the Warrups family.
Thomas Warrups, (Chickens Warrups' grandson) appears on the
"Roll Call" of The Armed Forces of Kent, 1775-1783, so it
is possible that his return to Redding occurred during Putnam's
encampment in 1778-79, as stories told in Kent and New Milford
echo the tales of Redding historian Charles Burr Todd.
Stories relating
to Kent publications are as follows:
"Tom belonged to
a cavalry company, and while on scout was met by a superior
force of the enemy and had to fly to safety, and being pursued
was overtaken just as he reached a fence. The red-coat aimed
a blow with his sabre, which grazed his head, and Tom fell
from his horse as if dead. Tom, in telling the story, used
to say: 'I did not stir nor breathe as big as a mouse till
the trooper was out of sight.' The red-coat remarked, as he
wheeled, 'One d--d Indian has got it.' But when Tom came soon
after, riding into camp, his comrades, who had seen the performance,
greeted him with cheers of welcome."
"Tom Warrups was
long known in the vicinity of what is now Northville, on the
east side of Mount Tom, where he settled not long after the
Revolution and remained many years, but what became of him
is not known. He most probably removed to Scatacock. He is
said to have a wife and several children."
In any case, his
descendents continued to resurface at Schaghticoke. In 1801,
the Schaghticokes were reduced to thirty-five tribe members,
cultivating only six acres of land, although their territory
amounted to twelve hundred acres and extended from the Housatonic
River to the New York line. At this time Benjamin Warrups,
a descendant of Thomas, was described as a careful and industrious
farmer at this place.
Maryanne Cogswell,
who moved from Schaghticoke to New Haven and had two children-Nancy
and Milton Cogswell was a Warrups descendent reported in 1900.
Her daughter, Nancy Cogswell Moody was full-blooded Schaghticoke
Indian, living between 1850 & 1934. Wells Offutt and family
are the only living descendents of Chickens & Thomas Warrups
known as of 2007, Maryanne Cogswell was his great, great grandmother.
Putnam's
Encampment(Putnam Park):
After
their departure (British marching through Redding to burn
Danbury in 1777) nothing further of a warlike nature occurred
in the town, until the encampment in Redding in the winter
of 1778-9 of General Putnam's division of the Continental
Army.
General
Israel Putnam's division of the Continental Army encamped
in Redding in the winter of 1778-1779. This division was comprised
of General Poor's brigade of New Hampshire troops under Brig.
General Enoch Poor, a Canadian Regiment led by Col. Moses
Hazen, and two brigades of Connecticut troops: 2nd Brigade
Connecticut Line regiments commanded by Brig. General Jedediah
Huntington, and the 1st Brigade Connecticut Line regiments
commanded by Brig. General Samuel H. Parsons. This division
had been operating along the Hudson (Eastern New York) during
the fall, and as winter approached it was decided that it
should go into winter quarters at Redding, as from this position
it could support the important fortress of West Point in case
of attack, intimidate the Cowboys and Skinners of Westchester
County, and cover lands adjacent to Long Island Sound. Another
major reason was to protect the Danbury supply depot, which
had been burned by the British the year before but resurrected
to keep supplies going to Washington's army.
Colonel
Aaron Burr, one of General Putnam's aides and a frequent visitor
to Redding, had suggested that Putnam look over the area for
a future winter encampment during a summer visit to General
Heath's Brigade in Danbury. Putnam found the topography and
location ideal. Three camp locations were marked and later
prepped by artificers and surveyors under the direction of
the Quartermaster staff: the first in the northeast part of
Lonetown, near the Bethel line, on land owned by John Read,
2nd (now Putnam Park). The second was about a mile and a half
west of the first camp, between Limekiln Rd. and Gallows Hill
in the vicinity of present day Whortleberry Rd. & Costa Lane.
The third camp was in West Redding, on a ridge about a quarter
of a mile north of West Redding Station (vicinity of present
day Deer Spring Drive & Old Lantern Road).
Article
about General Parson's camp (Second
Camp)
The
main camp, which is now known as Putnam Memorial State Park,
was laid out with admirable judgement, at the foot of rocky
bluffs which fenced in the western valley of the Little River.
116 huts were erected to form an avenue nearly a quarter mile
in length, and several yards in width. At the west end of
the camp was a mountain brook, which furnished a plentiful
supply of water; near the brook a forge was said to have been
erected. The second and third camps, were both laid out on
the southerly slopes of hills with streams of running water
at their base. Each of the camps were strategically positioned
to defend main highways in and out of town: Danbury to Fairfield;
Danbury to Norwalk; Redding to Danbury and points north (stage
coach route).
As
to the exact location of Putnam's headquarters, authorities
differ, but all agree in placing it on Umpawaug Hill. Some
of Putnam's officers were quartered in a house later owned
by *Samuel Gold (Limekiln Rd.); others in a house later occupied
by *Sherlock Todd (also on Limekiln Rd). General Parsons'
headquarters were at Stephen Betts Tavern on Redding Ridge.
*Samuel
Gold's and Sherlock Todd's house locations can be found on
Beers 1867 map of Redding. They
were not the owners during the winter of 1778-79. I use their
names because it gives readers an opportunity to view the
locations on a published map.
While
the army lay at Redding several events of importance occurred,
which are worthy of narrating with some degree of particularity.
The troops went into winter quarters this year in no pleasant
humor, and almost in the spirit of insubordination. This was
peculiarly the case with the Connecticut troops. They had
endured privations that many men would have sunk under-the
horrors of battle, the weariness of the march, cold, hunger,
and nakedness. What was worse, they had been paid in the depreciated
currency of the times, which had scarcely any purchasing power,
and their families at home were reduced to the lowest extremity
of want and wretchedness.
[**"It
has been represented to me that the troops of Connecticut
are in great want of Shirts, Stockings and Shoes. This leads
me to inquire of you whether they have not received their
proportion of these Articles in common with the rest of the
Army. The troops in general have obtained orders for a Shirt
and pair of Stockings per man and a pair of Shoes to each
that wanted. If the Connecticut Troops have not been furnished
… you will on receiving proper Returns for that purpose supply
them in conformity to this Rule." -- George Washington to
Deputy Clothier Gen. George Measam, Jan. 8, 1779]
The
forced inactivity of the camp gave them time to brood over
their wrongs, until at length they formed the bold resolve
of marching to Hartford, and their grievances in person to
the Legislature then sitting. The two brigades were under
arms for the purpose before news of the revolution was brought
to Putnam. He, with his usual intrepidity and decision of
character, threw himself upon his horse and dashed down the
road leading to his camps, never slacking rein until he drew
up in the presence of the disaffected troops.
"My
brave lads," he cried, "whither are you going? Do
you intend to desert your officers, and invite the enemy to
follow you into the country? Whose cause have you been fighting
and suffering so long in-is it not your own? Have you no property,
no parents, wives, children? You have behaved like men so
far-all the world is full of your praises, and posterity will
stand astonished at your deeds; but not if you spoil it all
at last. Don't you consider how much the country is distressed
by the war, and that your officers have not been any better
paid than yourselves? But we all expect better times, and
that the country will do us ample justice. Let us all stand
by one another then, and fight it out like brave soldiers.
Think what a shame it would be for Connecticut men to run
away from their officers."
When
he had finished this stirring speech, he directed the
acting major of brigades to give the word for them to march
to their regimental parades, and lodge arms, which was done;
one soldier only, a ringleader in he affair, was confined
to the guard house, from which he attempted to escape, but
was shot dead by the sentinel on duty- himself one of the
mutineers. Thus ended the affair, and no further trouble was
experienced with the Connecticut troops.
Living
Conditions
Soldiers:
One room hut (14' X 16'), One Fireplace, Dirt Floors, 12 Men
to a hut, Soldiers
received rations and salaries only when available.
Officers:
Two room hut (14' X 22'), Two Fireplaces, Dirt Floors (sometimes
wooden, if available), No more than 2 to 4 men in each hut,
Officers were one of the first to receive available rations.
Commanding
Officers: Housed in-town in real houses with families,
Did not suffer the harsh conditions of cramped living spaces
and winter weather, First to receive salaries and rations.
More
on Camp Life
The Executions at Gallow's
Hill (these are the executions the Collier's use
in the book):
Putnam was no stranger to deserters and spies. Nothing had
so much annoyed Putnam and his officers during the campaigns
of the preceding summer on the Hudson than the desertions
which had thinned his ranks, and the Tory spies, who frequented
his camps, under every variety of pretext, and forthwith conveyed
the information thus gathered on the enemy.
To
put a stop to this it had been determined that the next offender
of either sort (deserter or spy) captured should suffer death
as an example. The opportunity to implement this determination
soon arrived. Scouts from Putnam's outposts in Westchester
County captured a man lurking within their lines, and as he
could give no satisfactory account of himself, he was at once
hauled over the borders and into the presence of the Commander-in-Chief.
In answer to the commanders queries, the prisoner said that
his name was Jones, that he was a Welshman by birth, and had
settled in Ridgefield a few years before the war commenced;
that he had never faltered in his allegiance to the King,
and that at the outbreak of the hostilities he had fled to
the British army, and had been made a butcher in the camp;
a few weeks before, he had been sent into Westchester County
to buy beef for the army, and was in the process of carrying
out those orders at the present. He was remanded to the guard
house, court-martialed and at once ordered for trial. Putnam
had his first example.
On
Feb. 4, 1779, Edward Jones was tried at a General Court Martial
for going to and serving the enemy, and coming out as a spy.
He was found guilty of each and every charge exhibited against
him, and according to Law and the Usage's of Nations was sentenced
to suffer Death:
"The
General approves the sentence and orders it to be put in execution
between the hours of ten and eleven A.M. by hanging him by
the neck till he be dead."
Two
days after another General Court Martial was held for a similar
offence: on Feb. 6, 1779, John Smith of the 1st Connecticut
Regiment, was tried at a General Court Martial for desertion
and attempting to go to the enemy, found guilty, and further
persisting in saying that he will go to the enemy if ever
he has an opportunity.
"The
General approves the sentence and orders that it be put in
execution between the hours of ten and twelve A.M. for him
to be shot to death"
General
Putnam having two prisoners under the sentence of death determined
to execute them both at once, or as he expressed it, "to make
a double job of it," and at the same time make the spectacle
as terrible and impressive as the circumstances demanded.
The
scene which took place at the execution of these men on February
16 was described as shocking and bloody, it occurred on a
lofty hill (known to this day as Gallows Hill) dominating
the valley between the three camps. The instrument of Edward
Jones' death was erected approximately twenty feet from the
ground atop the hill's highest pinnacle. Jones was ordered
to ascend the ladder, with the rope around his neck and attached
to the cross beam of the gallows. When he had reached the
top rung General Putnam ordered him to jump from the ladder.
'No
General Putnam,' said Jones, 'I am innocent of the crime laid
to my charge; I shall not do it.'
Putnam
drawing his sword, compelled the hangmen at sword's point,
that his orders be obeyed and if Jones would not jump, that
the ladder be over-turned to complete the act. It was and
he perished.
The
soldier that was to be shot for desertion was but a youth
of sixteen or seventeen years of age. The Rev. Nathaniel Bartlett,
who was pastor of the Congregational Church in Redding for
a period of fifty years, officiated as chaplain to the encampment
during that winter, and was present at the execution. He interceded
with General Putnam to defer the execution of Smith until
Washington could be consulted- for reason the offender was
a youth; but the commander assured him that a reprieve could
not be granted.
John
Smith was described as "extremely weak and fainting" as he
was led by Poor's Brigade Chaplain, the Rev. Dr. Evans, approximately
200 yards from the gallows to the place he was to be shot.
Putnam
gave the order and three balls were shot through his breast:
he fell on his face, but immediately turned over on his back;
a soldier then advanced, and putting the muzzle of his gun
near the convulsive body of the youth, discharged its contents
into his forehead. The body was then placed in a coffin; the
final discharge had been fired so near to the body that it
had set the boy's clothing on fire, and continued burning
while each and every soldier present was ordered to march
past the coffin and observe Smith's mangled remains; an officer
with a drawn sword stood by to ensure they complied. [This
was all standard military procedure of the time period]
It
was indeed a grisly scene, and many have questioned the accuracy
of the accounts published about it because it seems almost
too ghastly. But it should be said that: boldness, firmness,
promptness, decisiveness- were the chief elements of General
Israel Putnam's character, and at this particular crisis all
were needed. There was disaffection and insubordination in
the army, as has been noted. Desertions were frequent, and
spying by the Tories was almost openly practiced. To put a
stop to these practices it was vitally necessary to the safety
of the army, to see that these sentences were carried into
effect. If the executions were bungling done, the fault was
with the executioners, and not with the General.
Theft
of Cattle & Livestock
The
journals of private Joseph Plumb Martin (stationed with the
8th Connecticut in Parsons' middle camp) shows the desperate
lack of food and poor weather conditions endured by the troops
throughout January:
"We
settled in our winter quarters at the commencement of the
new year and went on in our old Continental Line of starving
and freezing. We now and then got a little bad bread and salt
beef (I believe chiefly horse-beef for it was generally thought
to be such at the time). The month of January was very stormy,
a good deal of snow fell, and in such weather it was mere
chance if we got anything at all to eat."
Below
are several reports and one journal entry that highlight the
conditions endured by the troops.
In a report out
of the New Hampshire division:
162 men in Hazen's
regiment were "unfit for duty for want of shoes".
Brigade
orders out of Parsons' command on December 27th reveal a desperate
lack of food:
The General of
the brigade informs the officers and soldiers that he has
used every possible method to supply flour or bread to the
brigade. Although a sufficiency of every article necessary
is at Danbury, the weather had been so extreme that it is
impossible for teams to pass to that place. Every measure
is taken to supply flour, rum, salt and every necessary
tomorrow, at which time, if a quantity sufficient comes
in, all past allowances shall be made up. The General, therefore,
desires for the honor of this corps and their own personal
reputation, the soldiery, under the special circumstances
caused by the severity of the season, will make themselves
contented to that time.
The
journal of Lt. Col. Henry Dearborn, 3rd New Hampshire Regiment
at the main camp (Putnam Park) indicates a mixture of snow
& rain in December:
Dec. 10th: the
weather very Cold, the Snow about 6 inches.
Dec. 13th: a
very heavy storm of Rain and no bread for two days.
Dec. 17th: a
heavy Rain…
Dec. 22nd : a
severe Snow storm…
Dec. 24th: we
had Snow last night & very severe Cold today. Our men are
well…Clothed and well hutted.
Dec. 26th: we
have a very severe Snow storm.
Dec. 27th: the
weather seems more like Canada, then Connecticut…
Given
the conditions, it is difficult to blame the soldiers that
took matters into their own hands and ventured out of camp
in search of provisions. The citizens of Redding, did not
see things this way, those who initially felt quite honored
by the selection of their town for the army's winter quarters,
soon grew tired of soldiers looting their livestock. The soldiers
position was that they were the one's fighting the country's
battles and plundering the neighboring farms was within their
rights as men of war. To them a well-stocked poultry yard,
a pen of fat porkers or field of healthy heifers offered irresistible
cuisine when compared to the horse-beef they were being offered
back at camp. After a time, however, the wary farmers foiled
the looters by storing their livestock over night in the cellars
of their houses and in other secure places.
[This
was an issue throughout the war and the letter below shows
that George Washington was aware of it. It also highlights
why looting was difficult to stop, as looters could claim
they confiscated the provisions because they were intended
to be sold to the British.
To
Major General Israel Putnam, From George Washington, Philadelphia,
December 26, 1778.
"I
have not a Copy of your instructions with me, but if my memory
serves me, I was as full in my directions respecting the conduct
of Officers who shall be sent upon the lines as I possibly
can be. The Officer must determine from all circumstances,
whether Cattle or any species of provision found near the
lines are in danger of falling into the hands of the Enemy,
or are carried there with an intent to supply them. If it
is thought necessary to bring them off, they must be reported
and disposed of as directed by your instructions. I was very
particular upon that Head, because I know that great Acts
of Injustice have been committed by Officers, under pretence
that provision and other kinds of property were intended for
the Use of the Enemy. I would recommend the bringing off as
much Forage as possible but I would not advise the destruction
of what we cannot remove. I think your plan of sending out
a large party under the command of a Field Officer and making
detachments from thence, a good one; and if you and General
McDougall can agree upon a cooperation of your parties I think
many advantages will result from the measure. You may agree
upon the mode of effecting this, between yourselves." ]
Farmer's
livestock was not the only object of the soldier's desires,
below are some entries in the parish records that prove that
"amid the horrors of war sly cupid found a chance to inflict
his wounds". They are given as entered by the Rev. Nathaniel
Bartlett:
Feb.
7, 1779. I joined together in marriage James Gibbons, a soldier
in the army, and Ann Sullivan.
March 18, 1779. I joined together in marriage John Lines,
a soldier in the army, and Mary Hendrick.
March 30, 1779. I joined together in marriage Daniel Evarts,
a soldier in the army, and Mary Rowland.
April 15, 1779. I joined together in marriage Isaac Olmsted,
a soldier in the army, and Mary Parsons.
April 28, 1779. I joined together in marriage Jesse Belknap,
an artificer in the army, and Eunice Hall.
May 4, 1779. I joined together in marriage William Little,
steward to Gen. Parsons, and Phebe Merchant.
May 23, 1779. I joined together in marriage Giles Gilbert,
an artificer in the army, and Deborah Hall.
March 9, 1780. I joined together in marriage William Darrow,
a soldier in the army, and Ruth Bartram.
During
the winter encampment, James Sanford, enlisted with the teamsters
for General Enoch Poor's New Hampshire brigade. The teamsters
were responsible for bringing daily supplies to camp from
the military stores in Danbury, Connecticut. James' enlistment
was contrary to the loyalties of his family, which is similar
to Sam Meeker in my brother Sam is dead. His younger brother
John, who is said to have visited him at camp everyday, is
a good candidate for the real life Tim Meeker.
The
troops left Putnam's encampment in stages, Colonel Hazen's
Canadian regiment were detached from the New Hampshire brigade
and ordered to Springfield, MA; they left on March 27th. The
New Hampshire regiments also left on March 27th for their
new assignments in the Hudson Highlands. Huntington's 2nd
Connecticut Brigade left for Peekskill right after May 1st
, and Parsons' 1st Connecticut Brigade was the last to depart
on or about May 27th … also bound for duty at the Highlands.
.
More
on Putnam Park
Period
Slang: Used in Camp or in the Field
Adjutant:
an officer who acts as military assistant to a more senior
officer.
Beetle-Headed:
Dull, Stupid.
Brown
Bess: A soldier's fire-lock (musket). "To hug Brown Bess"
is to carry a fire-lock, or serve as a private soldier.
Chicken-Hearted:
Fearful, cowardly.
Cur:
A cut or curtailed dog, disabled from chasing game. Figuratively
used to signify a surly fellow.
English
Burgundy: Porter (wine).
Flip:
Small beer, brandy, and sugar.
Fusillade:
A discharge from a number of firearms, fired simultaneously
or in rapid succession. A rapid outburst or barrage: a fusillade
of insults.
Gill:
One gill is equal to 1/2 cup of liquid. Soldiers were allowed
a gill of Rum per day when on fatigue, and at no other time.
Grog:
Rum and water. "Groggy" or "Groggified" is to be drunk.
Ground
Arms: To stack firearms on the ground.
Hook:
To steal. "My shirt was worn so I headed out of camp to hook
one."
Huzza:
Said to have been originally the cry of the huzzars or Hungarian
light horse; but now the national shout of the English, both
civil and military; to give three cheers being to huzza thrice.
Jack
Tar: A sailor.
Lobster(Back):
A British soldier, from the color of his clothes (Red).
Loggerhead:
A blockhead or stupid fellow, also a double-headed, or bar-shot
of iron.
Neck
Weed: Hemp. Used as rope in the time period.
Pottage:
A thick soup. Rod: A measurement of width, 16.5 feet is a
rod.
Sallied:
Usually means to breakout or depart.
Scaly:
Mean, sordid.
Surly:
Unfriendly, crabby, grumpy. Used to describe someone of that
nature: "Major Williams was a surly fellow."
Sutler:
A sutler or victualer is a civilian who sells provisions to
an army in the field, in camp or in quarters.
Tattoo:
A beat of the drum, or signal for soldiers to go to their
quarters, and a direction to the *sutlers to close the tap.
* A sutler or victualer is a civilian who sells provisions
to an army in the field, in camp or in quarters.
Trainband:
Local Militia. Volunteer soldiers formed to protect townships.
Vanguard:
The foremost position in an army or fleet advancing into battle.
Period
Slang: Used in Everyday Life
Anvil:
A heavy steel faced iron block.
Breeches:
Trousers ending above the knee.
Ciphering:
Transforming a message into secret code via math.
18-21-14 = R-U-N
Cholera:
An acute infectious disease of the small intestine, caused
by the bacterium Vibrio Cholerae.
Commissary
Notes: A Commissary is a store or market for military personnel,
so a Commissary Note is a certificate given in lieu of currency
for use in the store.
Drover:
One that drives cattle or sheep to market.
Forage:
The act of looking or searching for food or provisions.
Fusillade:
A rapid outburst or barrage: a fusillade of insults.
Hardtack:
A hard biscuit or bread made with only flour and water.
Hogshead:
Any of various units of volume or capacity ranging from 63
to 140 gallons.
Hundredweight:
100 pounds.
Jerked
Beef: Long slices or strips of beef dried in the sun or near
a fire.
Johnny
Cake: Cornmeal bread usually shaped into a flat cake and baked
or fried on a griddle.
Leggings:
Tight, form-fitting trousers that extend from the waist to
the ankles.
Loft:
Unpartitioned room overlooking another room.
Pallet:
1. A fire shovel; 2. A bed of straw
Papist:
A Roman Catholic
Plowshare:
The cutting blade of a plow.
Populace:
The general public; the masses. A population.
Pound:
Unit of money- equivalent to twenty shillings sterling
Powder
Horn: W |