WITH BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF ITS PROMINENT MEN
New York:
J. B. Beers & Co.,
36 Vesey Street
1884
East Haddam in the Revolution
Few if any towns in Connecticut have a brighter Revolutionary record. Nothing in the history of the town is more worthy of mention; nothing, probably, will be more highly appreciated than the following extracts from the records of the town, which illustrate the sublime patriotism of its early settlers;
“At a Town Meeting Legally Warned and held in East Haddam March 26, 1770.
“At the same meeting, Mr. Ebenezer Cone Jr. was chosen Moderator for said Meeting. East Haddam, 26 March 1770. The Inhabitants of the Town of East Haddam in Town meeting Legally Assembled taking into consideration the Weighty Dangerous controversy Subsisting between Great Britain and these Colonies in Point of Right a Controversy big With Consequences of the Utmost Importance to the Welfare of Both Countries & may Prove the Ruin of Both unless Some happy Means are Devised to prevent it, and amongst the Various Plans proposed & Means Devised None appear More likely to bring the affair to a happy Issue than the Late Virtuous Agreement of the Merchants on the Continent in Regard to the Non Importation of English Goods, almost Universally entered into (except by a growling few Who Justly De serve the Contempt of Every Honest Man) Which agreement We Heartily approve of and Do great fully ‘thank each Virtuous Merchant who has Subscribed the same and Indeed we look upon it as our Sheet Anchor in the present Storm Which seems to hover over us, and therefore are Jealous of every thing that has the least appearance of prostrating said agreement and Lately Some reports have been spread of Some of the Merchants in this Town to their on that score Whether time or false we know not and in order to Set that affair in its true Light we think it best to appoint a Com’tt Carefully to Inspect into the Conduct of all Sellers and Buyers of English goods and More especially Critically to Examine those Merchants Suspected as aforesaid (if they see cause to Submit to an Examination; and that the Same bee a Standing Com’tt for said purpose and that they ‘Hake Report to this Meeting—Voted that Doctor Thomas Mostly, Jabez Chapman 2nd, and Dan’l Brainard be a Com’tt for said purpose.
“And Whereas there has been a late Meeting of Many Principle Merchants of this Colony at Middletown in Which a Plan Was begun Which we Most Heartily approve, and apprehend may be of the Happiest Consequence and in Order to promote & further said Plan We are Unanimously agreed and Do heartily recommend it to two or three from amongst the Merchants and Farmers in this town to attend their Next meeting at Hartford.
“Unanimously recommended that Saml Worthington Esq and Mr. Humphrey Lyon of Said Town be Desired to attend on Said Meeting, &, also be a Com’tt to take in Subscriptions for the Purpose proposed by said company.”
It appears from the record that the above named meeting was adjourned till the “9th day of April at 4 of the Clock afternoon,” when “Gibbon Jewet was Chosen a Com’tt with Doctor Thomas Mostly, Dan’l Brainerd, and Jabez Chapman to Examine the Traders and take Care to Inquire if there be any Goods Come into this Town Contrary to the agreement of the Merchants.”
On the same page it is recorded:
“The inhabitants of the Town of East Haddam Legally and in full meeting convened having a Long Time and with the greatest Concern and Attention Observed the Unhappy Dispute Subsisting Between Great Britain and the Colonies relative to the Right of Taxation and with Carefulness and Impartiality harkened to the many Arguments and Reasons offered the Public on the Subject by the most able & Eminent Men in Great Britain and America which Reasons and Arguments on both Sides bring Duly Weighed the argument against Taxation appearing so greatly to preponderate That we had not the least Doubt in our Mind but that the Oppressive Taxation Would be Countermanded Especially after Several Petitions & Remonstrances from the Different Colonies in America should have been heard. But to our Great Surprise we find the Authority not only determined to continue those Taxes but to treat humble Remonstrances and Petitions Coming from the most faithful and loyal! Subjects as Seditious Mutinous and Enemitous to Good Government therefore think it needless for us to enter on a further Discussion of the Rights and privileges of those Colonies Since they have been so Judicially Canvassed by the Most Wise and Sensible Men in the Nation Shall Content Our Selves by saying No more than that we fund our Rights Privileges and Money Wrested from us & we unjustly oppressed by those Whom the Ties of Nature & Trade urge to be one United and happy People.
“Viewing ourselves under these Disfavorable Circumstances our Petitions and Complaint treated with Contempt Insulted by petty officers appointed to Extort what little Cash we have Circulating among us under a pretext of Defraying American Charges (which no Doubt of Late are Greatly Increased) by Which Means we are disenabled to Carry on a foreign Trade to any Advantage. In this Miserable Condition we are led to put in Practice that first Law of Nature, Self Preservation, which can be effected in a Constitutional way only by a Disuse of British and Encouragement of American Manufactories. It is with Pleasure we hear the Laudable Attempts and Resolutions of Several principal Towns in the Several Colonies on the Continent & some in this Colony for the Encouraging American Manufactories more of which we hoped to have Seen that we might have appeared in a more proper Succession but having Earnestly engaged in this affair could not any longer conceal our intentions & Desires for the accomplishing Projections so Beneficial. The Conduct of the Reputable Merchants lately convened at Middletown is Very agreeable to us and have Desired Samuel Huntington Esq. and Mr. Humphrey Lyon to join the Merchants at their adjourned meeting and to obtain what subscriptions they can in the Interium for the Purposes Mentioned at this last meeting also Voted Daniel Brainerd Esqr., Doctor Thos. Mosely, Mr. Jabez Chapman 2d, and Doctor Gibbon Jewet, to be a Com’tt of Inspection to see that no Importation is made contrary to the Spirit and Meaning of the non Importation agreement.
“Voted and resolved that we will have no Commercial Connections or Friendly Communications With Such as shall act Contrary to the Non Importation Agree. ment and that the Inspectors do give Due Notice of any that shall be guilty of S’d Breach Directly or Indirectly in the most public Places in the Town and in the New London Gazette Voted in the affirmative Test.
“Daniel Brainard, Town Clerk.”
“At a Town Meeting Legally Warned and held in East Haddam July the 9th 1770; at the Same Meeting Mr. William Selby Was Chosen Moderator for Said Meeting; at the Same Meeting it Was Voted that the present Selectmen should erect & Build Some Suitable House in Some Suitable place in order to store the Town Stock of Powder Lead &c. in at the expense of the Town.”
At the meeting held September 6th 1770,
“Daniel Brainard, Land Holder, and Mr. Humphrey Lyon Merchant were chosen to Represent Said Town at New Haven on the Next Day after Commencement at a meeting of the Merchants & Land Holders of this Colony Relating to the Non Importation agreement and make Report of this meeting.
“At the Same Meeting it was voted to color the Ponder House Lately Built White upon the cost of the Town.”
The meeting at which the above vote was passed was adjourned to the “18th day of Instant September,” when the above named committee made their report, and it was voted: “That the Selectmen Should pay the Expenses of Slut.’ Huntington Esq. Mr. Humphrey Lyon to Hartford at the Meeting there in May last & also pay the expenses of Mr. Humphrey Lyon and Dan Brainard to New Haven on the Day after Commencement according to the above Vote.”
“At a Town Meeting Legally Warned and held in East Haddam January 5th, 1775 for Which Meeting Mr. Israel Champion was Chosen Moderator at Which Meeting the Committee of Inspection Chosen November 17th, 1774 Made Report Relating to a Complaint that Had been Exhibited to them by Sundry Inhabitants of Said Town against Doctor Abner Beebee of Said Town for being Inimical to the Liberty of these American Colonies Which Report Being Read—Voted at the Same Meeting that We accept & approve of the Report of the Com’tt Respecting Doctor Abner Beebee and that we shall hold him to be inimical to these Colonies & will Break off all Connections by way of Trade &c. With said Beebee & all those that shall have any Connection With him as aforesaid until Said Beebee Shall Comply & sign the Confession S’d Com’tt Drew for him to sign & then we Will Restore him to his former favor and We Desire S’d Com’tt to Advertise What is Done in the New London Gazette.
“and also Voted that Said Com’tt Shall Judge & Determine every Matter referred to them Without making Report to the Town and When Said Com’tt Shall any Ways Publish that they find any Person inimical as afore Said or bath any Dealings With any Body that is Judged to be inimical that then We Will Break of all Connection and Dealings with every such Person or Persons.”
“At a Town Meeting Legally Warned and Held in East Haddam November the 17th, 1774. Mr. Israel Champion was Chosen Moderator for said Meeting This Meeting Taking into Consideration the Association of the General Congress held at Philadelphia on September Past Which is Recommended by the Honorable Representatives of this Colony Do fully Approve of said Association and Voted and Agreed Unanimously that we will Comport therewith and that Col. Joseph Spencer, Daniel Brainerd, Jabez Chapman, and Samuel Huntington Esq. Doctor Thomas Moseley, Mr. Israel Champion, Capt. Ichabod Olmstead, Mr. Daniel Olmstead, Capt. William Cone, Doctor Gibbon Jewett, Capt. Christopher Holmes, Capt. Ebenezer Spencer, and Mr. James Shaw be a Committee to Inspect Agreeable to the 11th Article in Said Association And also Voted that said Committee Examine & Bear all Complaints Against Any Person or persons that are inimical to the English Constitution and Desire to introduce a more Arbitrary & tyrannical form of Government Different from What Hath Been Generally Enjoyed since the Revolution Brought about under God by King William and Queen Mary A. D. 1688 Until the Present Reign and have or shall try to Undermine the Privileges of this Colony; And that said Committee publish to said Town What they Shall find.
“At a Town Meeting held in East Haddam on the 24th day of March, 1777 it was Voted that Samuel Huntington Esq. Timothy Gates, Israel Spencer, Mathias Fuller, Capt. Jonah Cone Be a Committee to Provide Such Necessaries as the Families of any Such Soldier Belonging to the Town of East Haddam as have or shall Enlist in the Continental Service Shall want During the absence of Such Soldier in the Public Service S’d Necessaries to be Delivered to S’d Soldiers’ Families at the prices Stated by Law Provided Said Soldiers Do or Shall from time to time Lodge with S’d Committee Money Sufficient for S’d Purpose and the Necessary Cost of S’d Committee In Procuring Such Necessaries Shall Re paid By this Town and the Select Men arc Directed and Ordered from Time to Time to Give Orders on the Treasurer for Such Necessary Cost.
“At the Same Meeting it was Resolved and agreed and we Do Mutually Pledge our Faith Each to the Other Strictly to adhere to the Law of this State Regarding Prices and that we will Use our joint and Several Influences to Support and Maintain the Same; in our General Spheres and Capacities. We are Sensible we Cannot Vote out a Law of this State But all we Mean is to Shew our Actual Hearty Compliance with the Before one mentioned act, and pledge our Faith Each to the other to see the same faithfully executed.”
On the 7th of April 1777, it was ” Voted to give to Every Soldier Belonging to this Town That have or Shall Voluntarily Enlist himself into any of the Eight Battalions to be raised By this State the Sum of Six Shillings pr. Calendar month During the time he Shall Continue in S’d Service; Said Sum to be paid to S’d Soldier or his attorney annually.”
“At a Town Meeting Legally warned and held in East Haddam, the 16th of September: 1777.
“For which meeting Col. Dyer Throop was Chosen moderator. At the Same meeting Voted that Capt. Samuel Gates: Mr. Silvanus Tinker: Samuel Huntington Esq. Doctor Gibbon Jewett: Capt. Christopher Holmes: Capt. William Cone: Mr. Job Spencer: Capt. Matthew Smith: Lieut. David 13. Spencer: Dea’n Thomas Fuller: Capt. Ebenezer Spencer: Mr. George Cone Jr.: Capt. Ichabod Olmstead: Ens. Increase Crosby: Capt. John Willey: Mr. Nathan Gates: Mr. Levi Palmer: and Lieut. Nathan Jewett: Be a Committee to provide the following Articles for every non Commissioned Officer and Soldier in the Continental army Belonging to this Town: (viz) one Shirt or more Either Linen or flannel one hunting Shirt or frock, one pair of woolen over-halls one or two pair of stockings, and one pair of shoes to be transmitted to Capt. Eliphalet Holmes, as soon as may be, taking his receipt therefore, which Said Holmes is Desired to Dispose of Said articles, to his Said Soldiers at the prices following (viz.) Shoes at Es. 6d. pr. pair: Stockings at 6s. pr. pair: Shirts Hunting frock and over-halls according to their quality and in proportion to Good yard wide tow Cloth at 2s. 9d. pr. yard and good yard wide Checked or Striped flannel at 3s, 6d. pr. yard: and that Capt. Holmes be Desired To transmit the money arising on the Sale of Said articles to Samuel Huntington Esq. one of S’d Committee: and that this Town Pay the Cost of Said articles and Transportation.”
“At a Town Meeting held in East Haddam January the 6th, 1778 For which meeting Israel Champion was Chosen Moderator-
“At the Same Meeting The Article Proposed by Congress of Confederation and Perpetual Union between States of New Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay. Rhode Island and Providence Plantation: Connecticut: New York: New Jersey: Pennsylvania Delaware: Maryland: Virginia: North Carolina: South Carolina and Georgia: Being Repeatedly read and Explained to This Meeting and After due and Mature Consideration—Voted Unanimously That this Meeting does highly approve: of: and Consent To Said Articles: and that this Vote be re- corded: and a True Copy thereof: Properly Attested: he Delivered by the Town Clerk to the Representatives of this Town.
“At the Same meeting: Capt. Samuel Gates: Mr. Silvanus Tinker: Samuel: Huntington Esq.: Doet. Gibbon Jewett: Capt. Mathew Smith: Lieut. David B. Spencer: Deac’n Thomas Fuller: Capt. Ebenezer Spencer: Mr. George Cone ad: Capt. lcbabod Olmstead: Ens. Increase Crosby: Capt. John Willey: Mr. Nathan Gates: Mr. Levi Palmer: and Lieut. Nathan Jewett Were Chosen a Com. mince to Provide Blankets: Shoes and Other Articles as Pointed out By an Act of Assembly at Their Late Session for the Benefit of the Soldiers in the Continental Army.
“At the Same Meeting Voted the above S’d Com’tt Should Purchase and Send to the Soldiers in the Continental Army That went from this Town Sole Leather for eighty Pair of Taps for Shoes with Shoe thread answerable.”
“At a Town Meeting held the 7th day of December 1778 Mr. James Olmstead, Messrs. Lemuel Griffin junior, Mathias Fuller and Abraham Willey were chosen a Com’tt to Provide for the Soldiers families for the year ensuing.
“At the Same Meeting Mr. Thomas Fuller: Mr. Timothy Chapman: Capt. Jonathan Olmstead: Mr. Bazaleel Gates: Mr. William Selby: Mr. Mathew Scars: Mr. Samuel P. Lord: Mr. Abner Hall: Mr. Samuel Emons: Mr. Amasa Dutton: Capt. Ebenezer Dutton: Mr. Silvanus Cone, Mr. Asa flinty: Mr. George Griffin: Deac’n Ben jamin Fuller, Capt. Zechariah Hungerford: Mr. Elijah Cone and Mr. James Dickson, were Chosen a Committee to provide Such Clothing for the Soldiers in Continental Service as they are or shall be enabled to: by Resolve of the Assembly or of this Town.”
“At an adjourned session of the same meeting it was Voted that the Select men Shall have Liberty to Draw out of the Town Treasury: five Hundred pound: Money to Purchase Grain with: for the Support of the Poor of the Town that need: and also for the Soldiers’ Families which are to be provided for: agreeably to an Act of Assembly.
“At the Same meeting: Mr. James Olmstead was Chosen a Com’tt man to Lay out Said Money: for S’d Purpose Taking the Advice and Direction of the Select Men therein.
“At the Same Meeting Mr. Johiel Fuller was Chosen a Com’tt man to provide for the Soldiers Families according to Act of Assembly in yt Case.”
January 11th, 1770, it was “Voted to Raise by Rate or Tax The Sum of three Hundred pounds Money, to purchase Cheese and Butter for the Soldiers in the Continental Army that Belong to this Town, and for the Transportation of the Same to Said Soldiers.”
“Also that Samuel Gates Mr. Thomas Fuller Capt. Daniel Cone: Capt. Ebenezer Dutton: Capt Israel Spencer: Capt. John Willey: Mr. Nathaniel Sparrow and Capt Zechariah Hungerford: were chosen a Committee to Lay out the Said three Hundred pounds in Cheese and Butter for S’d Soldiers use and to Transport the Same to them as soon as may be.
” At the same meeting: Voted that the Select men Shall have Liberty to hire 800 pounds money for a Short time to purchase S’d Bitter and Cheese with and a Quantity of Grain for S’d Towns ‘nor Sec.”
At a town meeting held July 26th A. D. 1779, it was ” Voted: that if any two able Bodied men Belonging to the Town of East Haddam that Shall Enlist into the Continental army within twelve Days to Serve During the war Shall receive as a bounty the Sum of Two hundred pounds money Each out of the Treasury of the S’d Town: the one haft to be paid at the end of three months: and the other half at the end of Six months. At the Same meeting voted that if any of the present Clothing Committee Shall apply to the Select men for money to purchase Clothing for the Continental Sob diets they Shall Give orders on the Town Treasurer for Such Sums as they Shall Judge necessary for that purpose.
“At the Same meeting voted: that the committee that was appointed to purchase Butter and Cheese for the Soldiers in the Continental army Last Winter Shall have Six pounds Eight Shillings money paid them out of the Town Treasury for the Like Sum Sent to S’d Soldiers.
“At a Town Meeting held Dec. 6, 1779 Messrs. Thomas Hall end. Thomas Smith and Joseph Emons: Simeon Ackley and: and Asael Andrews: were Chosen a Committee to provide for the Soldiers Families for the year Ensuing.”
At a town meeting held the 26th of June, 1780 it was “Voted to give (in addition to the Wages and bounty already given by this State) the sum of forty Shillings, pr month Lawful! Silver money or the new emitted of this State which Shall be kept equivalent to Silver money: to any able Bodied Effective Man that Shall and does Enlist at or before the first day of July next to serve as a Soldier in the Continental Line& Continental Troops: to fill up the quota of this Town for and during time Such Soldier Shall serve as aforesaid which Tour of Service shall be Either until the Last of December next: for three years: or during the war: which Said Sums of money Shall be paid to Said Soldier or Soldiers or their order or orders by the Treasurer of this Town or an order drawn by the Select Men of this Town on said Treasurer for Said Purpose in the following manner first to those that Shall enlist and Serve until the Last of December next at the expiration of Said Term: and to those that Shall enlist for three years, or during the war to be Paid Annually: and if not Punctually paid: with Lawful! Interest until Paid: And it is to be understood that the Troop of Horse is not to hire any person out of the foot Companies nor the foot Companies out of the Troop of Horse.
“At the Same meeting: Voted that the Several Commission Officers of the Several Military Companies in Said Town Be a Committee to procure by enlistment the said quota of men for said town for the continental service agreeable to the above vote.
At a town meeting held the 16th day of November, 1780 It was voted that Col. Jabez Chapman: Capt. Samuel Gates: Doct. Gibbons Jewett: Capt. Enoch Brainard Capt. Eliphalet Holmes: Capt. Israel Spencer and Capt. Jonathan Kilborn Be a Committee for the Purpose .0f Dividing and classing all the Inhabitants of this Town who either give in Lists or are included in any Militia Rolls: either of the Trainband alarm List or Companies of Horse—Into as many Classes as this Town Shall be found deficient in number of men Required to complete their quota of the Continental Army (and make Return to the Town Clerk) agreeable to a Late Act of the General Assembly of this State.
“At the Same Meeting Voted that a Rate or Tax of One Shilling on the pound (State Money) on the List Given in the year 1779 Be laid on the Polls and salable estate of the Inhabitants of this Town to he Collected and paid to the Treasurer of this Town By the first Day of February next—always provided and it is to be understood that all Such Inhabitants of this Town who Shall and do pay their Ratable proportion of Provisions to the Committee appointed by this Town to Receive the Same: all agreeable to a Late Act of the Assembly: Shall be Discharged from his or their proportion of Said Tax.”
The Same Meeting Voted: “That Mr. Samuel P. Lord: Capt. Ebenezer Dutton: and Capt. Eliphalet Holmes: Be a Committee to Receive the Governments Salt: To Procure Barrels: faithfully To Receive: Inspect: and put up: ail Such Provisions as Shall Be raised Collected and Delivered to them by a rate or tax on the List of the Inhabitants of this Town for the year 1779 and a true account thereof to Keep: and that they be Sworn faith: fully to Discharge Said Trust: all agreeable to a Late Act of the Assembly.”
December 4th 1780 -“Messrs. Thomas Fuller: George Griffin and Phineas Parmeley were Chosen a Clothing Committee to provide Clothing for the Soldiers in the Continental Army for the year ensuing.”
“At the same Meeting Messrs David West, Nathan Goodspeed. Increase Crosby and Stephen Scovel were chosen a Count of Supply for the Soldiers Families for year ensuing.
“The Same Meeting Voted to give the Second Division of Soldiers: that was called for and that went into the Continental Service for Said Town Last July the Same addition Bounty and wages: as those that Enlisted by the first of July as by their Vote at a Town Meeting held on the 26th Day of June Last. The Same Meeting Voted that Joseph Willey 2d Detached Soldier for the Continental Service: Should have the same additional Bounty as the above Soldiers are entitled to by s’d Vote.”
At an adjourned session of the same meeting, December 19th 1780, it was “Voted that the Report and doings of the Committee: appointed by S’d Town for classing the Inhabitants of said Town (in order to Raise S’d Town’s quota of Continental Soldiers Agreeable to a Late Act of Assembly) be approved and excepted of And that Said Report and doings he Lodged on file with the Clerk of said Town.”
At an adjourned session of the same meeting, December 26th 1780, it was “Voted that the Inhabitants of S’d Town Shall be Classed in order to Raise Said Town’s quota of State soldiers (Being 8 in number) Agreeably to a Late Act of Assembly.”
The same meeting “Voted that the Same Committee That was appointed to Divide and Class the Inhabitants of Said Town (in order to Raise S’d Town’s quota of Continental Soldiers) Shall be a Com’tt to Class the Inhabitants of S’d Town In order to Raise S’d Town’s quota of State Soldiers.”
At an adjourned session of the same Meeting held January 91h 1782, it was “Voted that the former Com’tt appointed at a Town Meeting held Nov. 16, 1780 (To Receive the Government Salt &c. Shall be a Com’tt with the addition of Mr. Noadiah Gates to receive in and put up Said Town’s quota of flour and grain for the State agreeable to a Late Act of Assembly.”
At the same “Voted that a Kate or tax of four pence on the pound (to be made on the List of 1779) Be Laid on the Inhabitants of S’d Town And be Collected and paid into the Town Treasury by the first of March next. Provided and it is to be understood that Those persons that do pay one penny half penny on the pound on S’d List in Wheat flour or rte Do. or Indian Corn and Deliver it to the above S’d Com’tt (Agreeable to a Late Act of Assembly) Shall be exempted from said four penny tax.
“At the same meeting Voted that the doings of the Classing Com’tt for raising the eight Soldiers for Defense of this State be accepted and approved of and that it be lodged on file with ye Town Clerk.”
At a meeting held on the 16th day of April, 1871, it was “Voted that the Report and doings of the late Classing Com’tt (for raising the Six State Soldiers) Be excepted and lodged on file with the Town Clerk.”
At the Same ” Voted that the class No. 1 should have Liberty to Draw out of the Town treasury the Extra Sum that it shall cost to procure the Light Horse man over and above what it costs to procure a footman (Provided S’d Class does procure S’d Horseman a for the State Service agreeable to a Late Act of I Assembly.”
At a meeting held June 25th 1781 Messrs. Silvanus Tinker, Noadiah Gates Capt. Ebenezer Dutton and Capt. Eliphalet Holmes was Chosen a committee to Receive and put up for S’d Town their quota of Beef Pork Flour &c.: for the use of the army. (Agreeable to a Late Act of Assembly.)”
At the Same “Mr. Jedediah Higgins was chosen Surveyor of Highways for the present year in the root of Mr. Edward Chapman going into Continental Service.
“At the Same Meeting Voted that the Town will make good to the Suppliers and Purchasers of Clothing now, procured and to Be Sent to the Continental Army the full Sum which S’d Town Has Directed Said Purchaser to Buy at: So far as the State shall not make payment and S’d Town will make Good any Discount in the Money which may happen Before the Said Purchasing Committee Can Receive the pay of the Public: and alloy the Interest if not paid within one month after the Delivery of the Clothing.”
At a meeting held on the 13th day of November 1781 “Whereas the General Assembly at their Session it October 1780 Resolved or Enacted that the Several Towns in this State Should collect and put up (for the use of the Continental Army) as much Beef, Pork and wheat flour as will amount to six pence on the pound on the Lists for the year 1779 Stated at certain prices as P act. In Compliance with Said Act This Town at a meeting held on the 6th Day of November 1780 Voted that a Rate or Tax of one Shilling on the pound (State money) on the Lists given in the year 1779 Be Laid on the polls and ratable estate of the Inhabitants of This Town to be Collected and Paid To the Treasurer of S’d Town by the first Day of February next for the Purpose of Collecting Said provision also at a Town meeting held by adjournment on Tuesday the 9th Day of January 1781 Voted that a Kate or Tax of four pence on the pound on the List of 1779 Be Laid on the Inhabitants of Said Town and be Collected and paid to the Treasurer of Said Town Icy the first of March next for the Purpose of Collecting quantity of wheat flour and rie Do. and Indian Corn or the use of the Army (Agreeable to a Late Act of Assembly) which Said Taxes proves to be Ineffectual for he Purpose above S’d Therefore upon Reconsidering aid Votes for Taxing in State Money—Voted that a Kate 21. Tax of Six pence on the pound Lawful Money Be Laid m the polls and Ratable estate of the Inhabitants of Said Town to be made on the Lists in the year 1779 and to be collected and paid to the Treasurer of Said Town by the 24th Day of November Instant: for the Purpose of Collecting S’d Town’s quota of provision in Beef, Pork &c. or the army—and one penny 34 penny on the pound for his Town’s quota of wheat and rie &c.: to be paid by he 24th of November Instant—Provided and it is to be understood that all such Inhabitants of this Town that have or Shall pay their Ratable Proportion of provisions Agreeably to S’d Acts of Assembly) to the Committee appointed by this Town to Receive the Same By the 22d day of Instant November: Shall be Discharged from his or their Proportion of Said 6 penny and penny half penny taxes.
“At the Same Meeting Mr. Joseph Emons and Capt. Eliphalet Holmes were chosen Purchasers & Receivers of Beef and flour: and Capt. Ebenezer Dutton was Chosen a Purchaser and Receiver of Beef: and Messrs. Noadiah Gates and Daniel Lord jr. were Chosen Receivers of flour all for said Town’s quota of provision for the army.
“At the same meeting Capt. Eliphalet Holmes was Chosen a Committee to procure Salt for S’d Town to put up S’d Beef & c
“At the same meeting: Voted that the Com’tt appointed to procure Barrels to put up the Town’s quota of Beef: Shall have Liberty to Draw the Extra Cost of Barrels (if any there be of what is not allowed by the Com’tt of pay Table) out of the Town Treasury.”
December 3rd 1781—Mr. Thomas Fuller “was chosen a Com’tt to provide Clothing for the Soldiers in the Continental Army (if called for by the State) for the year ensuing.”
At a meeting held February 8th, 1782.—” Voted to Divide or Class the Inhabitants of said Town into as many Classes as there are Soldiers Required for said Town’s quota of men for the part of Horse neck or western frontiers.
“Capt. James Green Major Daniel Cone: Capt. Ichabod Olmstead, Capt. William Cone and Capt. Ithamer Harvey were Chosen a Com’tt for the Purpose of Classing the Inhabitants of S’d Town as aforesaid and make Report of their Doings.
“At the same Voted that the Inhabitants of S’d Town shall be Divided or Classed upon the Lists given in the year 1781.
“At the Same Meeting Capt. Eliphalet Holmes and Isreal Spencer Esqs. were Chosen Agents to Represent S’d Town at Hartford Before the Committee appointed by the General Assembly to ascertain the Deficiency of Continental and State Soldiers in the Several Towns in the County of Hartford.
At the Same Meeting “Messrs. Thomas Fuller and Silvanus Cone 2nd, were Chosen a Committee to supply the Soldiers families for the present year.
“At the same Doctor Zachariah Chapman, Doct. Daniel Southmayd, and Mr. Robert Hungerford 2d were chosen a Com’tt to Class the Inhabitants of S’d Town into as many Classes as said Town shall be found Deficient of their quota of Soldiers to fill up the Continental army (said Classing to be made on the Lists 1781 and to make Report to this meeting.”)
At an adjourned meeting held on the 26th day of March 1782, it was: “Voted that Doct. Gibbon Jewett, and Capt. Eliphalet Holmes be a Com’tt to examine into the affair and the Class No. 1 that Neglected Raising their State Soldiers for the last year; and also to examine into the affair of that Class that hired a Horseman for the State Service the year past and neglected Sending said Horseman into service, and to See if they Judge proper To Recover Such Sum of money as shall average with other classes that hired State Soldiers the same year.
“Together with a reasonable part of S’d Horseman’s Bounty to he by him returned S’d Sums to be paid into the Town Treasury for the use of said Town.
“At the same Mr. George Cone and Mr. Amos Randal were chosen Committee of Supplies for Soldier- Families for the present year.
“At the Same meeting Voted that Capt. Eliphalet Holmes He a Committee (or superintendent) To Inspect Take Care and See that Soldiers in the army Belonging to this Town That come home on furlough or otherwise) Be Sent on to camp at a proper time to return as he shall Judge most fit and also to take up Deserted Soldiers that Belong To this Town and Send such Deserters on to Camp when ever they may be found.”
“At the Same meeting Voted that the Inhabitants of Said Town Be Divided into five classes in order to Raise five Recruits or Soldiers for the Continental army to fill up Said towns Quota of men as pr Act of Assembly.
“At the Same—Voted that Capt. Eliphalet Holmes s’d Towns Com’tt man for to Look up Deserted Soldiers & C. to send them on to the army, Shall have Liberty By prompt orders from the Selectmen to Draw his first Cost of the Town Treasury for Said Service.”
“At the Same meeting Voted that the first and 2d Classes for Raising the State Soldiers the present year He included in one Class for Raising a Continental Recruit: and the 3d and 4th Included in one for Raising the second Continental Soldiers and the 5th and 6th in one for raising a third: and the :oh and the 8th for raising a 4th Continental Recruit and that the 9th class Raise the 5th Continental Recruit.”
“Dec. d, 1782, Capt. Eliphalet Holmes, Messrs. Noadiah Gates and Joseph Fowler were empowered to inspect the accounts of the several Clothing Cum mittecs and Committees of Supplies ‘ with full power to sue for and Recover all Balances they Shall find Due Said Town.”
