Prisoners Of Connecticut 1776-?

These men and women were prisoners of the British or of the county or of the state. They were captured by the British, or put in prison by the county or state for crimes against of the said same, or some other person. A few prisoners will be British. I picked these names as their information sounded interesting. This information comes from the Committee of safety and other records, and as they were copied right from the records there will be some misspellings.
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State of Connecticut.

William Livingston.

William Livingston, now a prisoner in the prison of New-Gate, who was sentenced to imprisonment there for the crime of horse-stealing, of which crime he has been duly convicted and is now held in safe custody in said prison for a time not yet expired: And whereas the said William since his imprisonment has behaved himself well and has refused to join with the other prisoners confined in said prison when they have behaved themselves ill, and when several prisoners made their escape from said prison and he had an opportunity to do the same wholly refusod and continued a voluntary prisoner, has shewn signs of penitence and remorse, and implores the mercy of this Assembly : Resolved by this Assembly, that the said William Livingston be and he is released from his said imprisonment during the pleasure of this Assembly. Always provided, that the said William for the term of three years from the rising of this Assembly doth pay annually to the Treasurer of this Colony the sum of five pounds, lawful money, for the cost of his prosecution, and also be of peacible and good behaviour towards all his Majesty's subjects, or in default thereof he shall be remanded to said prison and there confined during the residue of the terra for and during which he is sentenced to be held and confined in said prison ; anything in the aforesaid resolve notwithstanding.

Mary Savage.

Mary Savage, wife of Abijah Savage of Middletown, shewing that her said husband was taken prisoner at Quebeck the 31st December last, being a lieutenant in the service of this Colony, and hath ever since been detained a prisoner there ; praying for his wages from the first day of December last to the first day of June next, as per memorial on file: Resolved by this Assembly, that the Committee of Pay-Table make up an account of the wages due to said Abijah Savage as a lieutenant aforesaid from the first day of December last to the first day of June next, and draw an order on the Treasurer to pay the amount thereof to the said Mary Savage accordingly.

Prosper Wetmore.

Prosper Wetmore, Esq', sheriff of N. London county, forthwith transport to the town of Windham all the prisoners committed to him by order of Capt. Hezh Bissell and Mr. Jonathan Trumbull junV a committee appointed by his Honor the Governor and his Council of Safety to take care of the prisoners lately brought to New London by Admiral Hopkins, and that said sheriff deliver said prisoners in his custody at and within the county goal in Windham in the county of Windham to the sheriff of said Windham county. And said sheriff of Windham County is hereby ordered and directed to receive all said prisoners at the hands of said N. London county sheriff, and them hold and keep in safe custody and confinement in said Windham county goal until further orders from the General Assembly or his Honor the Governor and his Council of Safety.

Moses Gilbert .

Upon a representation made to this Board by Moses Gilbert of Fairfield, of his great loss and sufferings in his estate by the enemy, but more especially that by the hardship he. underwent while he was a prisoner with the enemy the last summer he endured a long sickness, was put to great charge, and at last necessitated to have his leg cut off, whereby he is put to great streights for a lively hood: The Governor and Council do grant and allow, that the said Moses Gil' crt (applying himself to the HonN' Nathan Gold, Esq', and Major Peter Burr, both of the said town of Fairfield, and more immediately knowing to the circumstances of the said Gilbert, (but both now absent from Council) for their consent hereunto, and obtaining the same) may have a collection made for his relief in the several towns of the county of Fairfield, in such manner and form as the said Nathan Gold and Peter Burr, Esq', shall direct. And that a copy of this grant, signed by the Secretary of this Colony, shall be sent to the said persons, which being subscribed by them, together with the needful direction abovementioned, shall be a sufficient lycense for the making of such collections in the several towns of the said county, and for the end therein mentioned.

Lawrence Sullivan.

Lawrence Sullivan of Weathersfield, shewing to this Assembly that on the 17th of June last he was unfortunately made a prisoner of war and detained until the 24th of February last; that he has received his wages to the 10th of December last; praying for an allowance for the time he was prisoner aforesaid, as per memorial on file: Resolved by this Assembly,that the memorialist receive wages from said 10th of December unto the fourth of March last, the time of his return, according to the usual rate ; and the Committee of the Pay-Table are hereby directed to draw on the Treasurer of this Colony for the same.

Grace Meigs.

Upon the memorial of Grace Meigs of Middletown, praying for the wages of her husband Return Jonathan Meigs as a major in the service of this Colony from the first day of September last to the first day of June instant, he being detained a prisoner of war at Quebeck &c., as per memorial on file: Resolved by this Assembly, that the Committee of Pay-Table make up and adjust an account of the wages of the said Major Return Jona. Meigs until the first day of June instant and draw upon the Treasurer for the balance that shall be found due thereon, to be paid to the memorialist accordingly.

Lieut. Colonel Stephen Moulton.

Lieut. Colonel Stephen Moulton, representing to this Assembly that in September last he was taken a prisoner in the retreat from New York and detained as such untill some time in January last, that in order to support himself while a prisoner in New York he was necessitated to borrow some hard money of Major Wells, who is still a prisoner in New York, and now calls on the memorialist to repay him in hard money the sum so as aforesaid borrowed from him; praying this Assembly that orders may be given upon the Treasurer of this State to pay him said sum in hard money: Resolved by this Assembly, that the Treasurer of this State do procure and he is hereby directed to procure the sum of fifteen pounds in hard money, and that the same be paid to the memorialist by order from the Pay-Table in part of the wages due to the memorialist while in a state of captivity; and that to enable said Treasurer to procure said sum he be authorized to borrow the same on interest, giving his note therefor as Treasurer.

William McDermot.

William McDermot, a lieutenant in the 16'h regiment in King George's army, a prisoner in this State, is permitted to return to N. York on his parole to return back to this State in fourteen days unless he procure the exchange of Lt. Elisha Hopkins of Hartford to be made for himself, which said Hopkins is a prisoner to King George's army in N. York, and out on his parole.

James Parker.

On the representation of James Parker, a prisoner in this State, that he was forced into the service of King George : Voted, that his Excellency the Governor give him a discharge as follows, viz: State or Connecticut. By the Governor.

It being represented to me that James Parker of Barnstable, who lately was taken by Major Meigs on Long Island in the service of the King of Great Britain and brought into this State where he is held as a prisoner of war in the town of Willington, was forced into said service against his will, and that he is friendly to the United States, which appears probably true, and the said Parker, being destitute of clothes and having parents in said Barnstable who are also friendly to said States, requests that he may have liberty to return to his said parents. do, therefore, hereby discharge said James Parker from his present confinement, and permit him to return home to said Barnstable without any molestation, he behaving as becometh. And all persons concerned are to take notice hereof accordingly.
Given under my hand in Lebanon this 5th day of September, A. D. 1777.

John Ireland.

Mr. John Ireland, an inhabitant of Long Island in the State of New York and there taken prisoner in arms against the United States and now kept and residing within this State, be and he is hereby indulg'd and permitted to return to said Long Island and New York, for the purpose of procuring necessary cloathing &c., on giving his parole in common form, and to return a id deliver himself to the Deputy Commissary General of Prisoners in this State within thirty days from the 25, day of March, 1778.

John Fagan.

Liberty is granted to John Fagan, a sergeant in the 55th regiment, now a prisoner of war in Hartford, to go to Newyork in order to procure cloathing &c. for the prisoners of war belonging to sundry regiments, upon his proper parole not to say or do anything in any manner to the prejudice or detriment of this or any of the United States of America, and to return in .sixteen days from the date of his parole; and that he be furnished with a proper passport accordingly.

William Witter.

William Witter, belonging to Hackinsack in the Jersey, shewing to this Board that while he was going after a doctor for his wife, who was dangerously sick, he was taken by the adherents to the King of Great Britain and compell'd to stand upon guard where he was retaken by the troops belonging to the United States, and from thence brought to Weathersfield in this State, where he is now held as a prisoner of war and is in a very ill state of health; praying for liberty to return home &c.: Resolved by this Board, that the said Witter be and he is hereby permitted to return home to his family, and his Excellency the Governor is desired to grant him a passport for that purpose accordingly.

Joseph Porter.

Joseph Porter, of Farmington in the State of Connecticut, shewing to this Assembly that on or about the second day of January last his son, Lott Porter, entered into the public service in Capt. Curtiss' company, Colo. Hooker's regiment, and proceeded to West Chester in the State of New York; that on or about the 13th day of said January in a rencounter with the enemy he was wounded and taken prisoner, of which wounds he soon dyed; that when he was captivated he had by him 13 dollars which fell into the enemies hands; and praying for relief in the case, as per memorial on file: Resolved by this Assembly, that the Committee of Pay-Table, upon application to them made by the memorialist, be directed to draw on the Treasurer of this State in favour of the memorialist for the said sum of thirteen dollars, who is hereby directed to pay the same accordingly.

James Mansfield.

James Mansfield, an apprentice to said Capt. Thompson, now a prisoner here, be exchanged for some person belonging to this State who is a seaman now a prisoner in the hands of the enemy ; and that the aforesaid prisoners be committed to the care of Capt. David Mumford to be billeted out in Norwich upon the parole of Capt. Thompson for himself and this apprentice aforesaid, not to depart without license, and that they be supplied by said Capt. Mumford till said exchange can be effected : The expences accruing relative thereto to be paid by said Capt. Thompson when said exchange takes place.

Josiah Foster.

Josiah Foster, of Killingley in the county of Windham, shewing to this Assembly that his son George Foster, a soldier in Capt. Strowbridges company in the campaign of 1776, was taken by the enemy and retained a prisoner untill January, 1777, when he was landed at Milford, where he lay sick of the small-pox untill the month of March then next, and that he afterwards languished at said Killingley until the 28th day of April and then dyed; that the memorialist has been at considerable expence on account of his said son in journies and for physicians, nursing.


Amos Merchant.

Amos Merchant, of Sharon in the State of Connecticut, shewing to this Assembly that his son Amos Merchant junr, formerly a soldier in Capt. Mills company, Colo. Bradley's regiment, was captivated by the enemy at Fort Washington on the 16th day of November, 1776, and remained a prisoner until the latter end of January, 1777 ; that he returned home about the 15th of February following, in a languishing condition, and soon dyed ; that the capture, detention and sickness aforesaid occasioned to your memorialist a considerable expence for which he has received nothing; that no wages have been received for his son while a prisoner or after his capture ; and praying for relief, as per memorial on file : Resolved by this Assembly, that the Committee of Pay-Table be and they are hereby authorized and directed to receive and adjust the accounts of expences occasioned by the sickness and death of said soldier and draw on the Treasurer for payment of so much thereof as they shall find reasonable ; as also for the remainder of wages due said soldier as heretofore allowed to such captives as returned by the first day of said February, his longer detention notwithstanding.

Elijah Bingham.

Elijah Bingham, of Lyme in the county of New London, shewing to this Assembly that the memorialist was an officer in the late Colo. Selden's regiment in General Wadsworth's brigade on York Island on the 15th day of September, 1776, being attacked by the enemy was made prisoner and carried some distance but made his escape, but while in the possession of the enemy the memorialist lost his pack and all his cloaths and pocketbook and money Ac., which said money amounted to £29. 2. 0, which was in said book when taken from your memorialist, which the memorialist had with him by special orders from his colonel in order to inlist men to fill up his company from the militia agreeable to general orders a little time before said loss; praying that said sum of £29. 2, L. money, may be allowed the memorialist by the Committee of the PayTable in settlement of his accounts, as per memorial on file &c.: Resolved by this Assembly, that the Committee of the Pay-Table be and they are hereby ordered and directed to allow to the memorialist such sum as shall be made to appear to them to have been lost by the memorialist and draw on the Treasurer for the same.

Charles Straborn.

Charles Straborn, a native of Berlin, setting forth that he was taken on board an English ship &c., and is now a prisoner at Norwich &c., praying that he may be released and allowed to take the oath of fidelity to the State, designing to spend his days here &o. &c. Said petition referred to M. G. Huntington to inquire into the truth of the facts, and finding them he may administer said oath and discharge him.

John Mix.

John Mix of New Haven, representing that he with a number of other persons was taken prisoner by the British troops when they entered the town of New Haven on the fifth day of July last; that they were carried to New York and confined about two months; that their friends procured a flag of truce and sent thirteen prisoners, by which means they were redeemed ; that the cost of said flag.

Sarah Lebanon.

Sarah, the wife of James Abbott of Lebanon, shewing to this Assembly that in the month of May, 1777, the said James was appointed an ensign in Colo. Ely's regiment raised for the defence of this State, and sometime in the fall of the year 1777, the said James m passing the Sound on an expedition to Long Island where he was ordered, was taken by a British ship of war and carried to New York, where he hath ever since continued a prisoner in the hands of the enemy and hath never received any part of his wages, and that said memorialist has been obliged to expend the whole interest of the said James since his absence for the support of herself and family and is now reduced to great want and distress ; praying this Assembly that she may be enabled to receive the wages due to the said James and be supplied by the committee for supplying the families of soldiers in the continental army belonging to Lebanon in the same manner as they ought to do if the said James was a soldier in the continental army, as per memorial on lile ; the prayer of which said memorial is granted: And thereupon this Assembly do order and direct the Committee of Pay-Table to draw on the Treasurer of this State to pay to the said Sarah the wages that shall appear to be now due to the said James or that may hereafter become due to him while he shall remain in captivity, and that the Treasurer pay the same accordingly; and that the committee of the town of Lebanon appointed to supply the families of soldiers in the continental army belonging to said town furnish and supply the said Sarah from time to time with provisions &c. during the captivity of the said James in the same manner as if he was actually serving in the continental army, and place the same to the account of this State.

Ashbel Kilburn.

Ashbel Kilborn of East Windsor, shewing to this Assembly that he was taken prisoner by the British troops in December, 1777, was by them imprisoned in Philadelphia, where he was frose almost to death, and that he was obliged to advance and pay £37 10 0 to a waggoner for transporting him from said Philadelphia to Hartford, and after his return home was obliged to put himself under the care of Doctr Tudor, untill his bill hath arisen to £o7 10 0; praying for relief.


John Collins & Mary Wooster.

Before Saml Bishop J" Just, of the Peace.

I John Collins, formerly an officer in the continental navy but for about nine months last past, sick and unable to help myself, at the house of Capt. Thomas Wooster in New Haven, testify and say —

That on the 5th day of instant July soon after the British army took possession of sA New Haven a number of the British soldiers entered the house and demanded of Mrs. Mary Wooster relict of the late General David Wooster her silver and plate, she replied she had none in the house. They then demanded her pockets which she refused to deliver them. One of the soldiers seised her by the shoulder, swore she had plate, and that he would kill her unless she delivered it to him. Mrs. Wooster then took a watch out of her pocket and gave them, and some other trifles which she laid on the table, and attempted to make her escape out at the door. They cried Damn her, stop her, laid violent hands upon her, and one o,f them levelled his gun at her breast, dam'ed her, and swore if she moved a step he would shoot her dead. They then demanded her earrings, and her handkerchief from her neck. She asked them if they were not ashamed to treat a women in such a manner, one of them replied Damn you, do you think you must wear a silk handkerchief when I have none. They were about to use violence to obtain them, upon which Mrs. Wooster delivered them up.

They then turned their attention upon me and made me their prisoner, (at which time Mrs. Wooster made her escape) but finding me unable to go with them, they took from me my hat, stock and buckle, shoe and knee buckles. They then seised me by the shoulder, threw me upon the floor, presented a bayonet, then wreaking with the blood, as 1 suppose, of the aged Capt. English, who had just before been murdered, at my breast, and swore they would kill me if I did not immediately tell them where my money was. I told them I had none, and that I was not the owner of the house. They damned me swore I lyed and that they would run me through if I did not tell them where it was. They then searched my pockets, found a letter which they swore was my commission and swore I was a damn'd officer in the rebel service and that they would kill me instantly and further saith not.
John Collins.
New Ha.ven July 26th, 1779 Personally appeared Mr. John Collins the above deponant and made solemn oath unto the truth of the foregoing deposition.
Before Saml Bishop J* Just of the Peace.

Mary Beers.

The testimony of Mary Beers wife to Reuben Beers of Fairfield of lawful age is as follows viz.

That about one of the clock succeeding the 7th inst. a picket of Hessians in Gen1 Gaths division broke into our house and thereupon I came out of the cellar with two small children and a negro child, and on opening the cellar door, they cried out, Kill her, kill her, and came at me with a number of fixed bayonets: 1 begged and intreated, implored and prayed, to spare my life and run back down cellar and opened the out cellar door and went into the door yard, with the aforesaid three children, and I found there a number of enemy with an officer: I expostulated with them, I told the officer that my husband was sick, and had not been out for two days then past that he was a sick man and in bed, when they came to the house, that he was not in arms, and begged his life and property whereupon the capt. said he was not killed but was a prisoner: whereupon I applied to the gen" as I supposed, who was a Hessian called: I asked protection for myself, children, and property, and release of my husband. Said Hessian general and a colonel said my husband should be used well, that my person, children, house and property should be safe, but said he (the gen1 laying his hand on the head of my little babe) Poor child I pity you, I cannot spare your house it must be burnt: thereupon up came the officer of those who first broke into the house, and he said, Go woman in haste you may perhaps put the fire out of your house: and I went protected by a guard who behaved decently, and I found my house effectually plundered of linnen by them, and great destruction of moveables in the house, and I extinguish'd the fire. Whereupon I went to the house of David Beers who to my knowledge was in peace at home with his wife and family, and they enter'd the sd house with violence, and took Mr. Beers prisoner and plunder'd his house, and pretended that he had fired out of his house but it was groundless; and in the morning, without distinction, they burnt his house and shop, and all moveables left in them. Their behaviour was like distracted or mad men, and pretended many of them not to speak English. And further saith not.
Mary Beers.
Fairfield July 24th 1779, Personally appeared Mary Beers above named and made oath to the truth of the above
Before me Andrew Rowland Jus. P.



Elisha Mansfield.

Elisha Mansfield of New Haven Shewing to this Assembly that in August 1780 he was taken up tryed and convicted before the Superior Court of passing Counterfeit Continental Bills principally on the Testimony of Thomas Osborn a Person of an infamously bad Character, and that he was not then able to Shew the true Character of said Osborn, and that said Mansfield was sentenced to three Years confinement in NewGate, where he has lain a Prisoner for a long Time and Praying this Assembly to grant him a Pardon — Resolved by this Assembly that on said Mansfield paying the Cost which has arisen on his prosecution and confinement and procuring a Sufficient Surety to give Bond in the Sum of £ 150 LMoney for his good Behaviour during the present War, and confining himself within the Limits of the Town of Wallingford, during the pleasure of this Assembly said Mansfield be fully pardoned for his said Offence and discharged from said Judgment and all disabilities arising there from.