Tuesday, May 25, 2010

They Took The Oath Of Fidelity, Connecticut, 1777.

Here is a list of men that took the ( Oath of fidelity), but what is the oath and what did it mean? Taking the Oath of fidelity, is a promise that one will obey the laws of their state and those of the United States and promising not to give aid to the enemy of any kind. Who took the oath?, all state and county official and those in prison of the state or county who whish to be set free were required to take the oath. By taking the oath did that make them a “Patriot,” yes, but one didn’t have to take the oath to be a “Patriot”. Most all the common people were a “Patriot.” I have been ask and I have seen the question, that some one had a g-g-grandfather who singed a piece paper that said they had taken the oath of fidelity, and was he a “patriot,”? Yes of course, as I have stated all state and county official and those in prison of the state or county who whish to be set free were required to take the oath. Men of the United States Army, Navy and Militia also had to take the oath.

Patriots came from all walks of live. If you would like to learn more on just who were the “Patriots,” take this link. http://www.clontzancestry.net/faqs/52-patriot-definition.html
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Joshua Stone, Connecticut.

Upon the memorial of Joshua Stone, a person now confined in Hartford county goal, shewing to this Assembly that in the beginning of the war between Great Britain and the United States of America he was a hearty friend to his bleeding country, but by the crafty insinuation and perswasive arguments of his near relations to the contrary, and the perswasion of his unfortunate father, he was influenced to go to New York, where he was confined as a spy but soon after made his escape and got to Stamford, where he was taken up by the authority and bound over to the honbu superior court at Fail-field, for having joined the enemy at New York, and upon tryal was found guilty and sentenced to suffer three months imprisonment and pay a fine of twenty pounds and pay costs, which confinement he has peaceably indured, and when the time of his confinement was expired the sheriff suffered him to go to work for one Elisha Wads worth, who being an enemy to the United States and perswaded him to run away, but was apprehended and brought back to Hartford county goal, and by the powerful arguments of a worthy member of the General Assembly on the justice of the American cause he is fully sensible of his error and convinced of the justice of the American cause, and that he will to the uttermost of his power and ability defend the United States and go forth into the service when called upon ; praying that he may be released from his confinement, as per memorial on file &c.: Resolved by this Assembly, that upon the said Joshua Stones taking the oath of fidelity to this State and paying to the Treasurer of this State thirty pounds, L. money, he be released from his confinement and discharged from said fine and all costs, and may enlist into the continental army in any regiment raised by this State to serve during the present war or for three years that he, the said Joshua Stone, shall choose to enlist into.

Ralph Isaacs, Connecticut.

Upon the memorial of Ralph Isaacs, preferred to this Assembly, shewing that he is executor of his father and brother's wills, that those estates as well as his own affairs suffer greatly by reason of his confinement, that he has taken the oath of fidelity to this State, has done much to promote the good of the United States and is desirous to continue his friendly endeavours for the safety of the country in a more extensive manner than he is able to in his present circumstances; praying to be set at liberty, as per memorial on file: Resolved, that said Ralph Isaacs be and he is hereby enlarged and set at liberty to pursue his business and concerns ; any former resolve of Assembly notwithstanding.

George Folliot, Connecticut.

Upon application of George Folliot of Ridgfield, representing that he had been committed to Fairfield goal as a person inimical to the rights of America &c. in order for his tryal before the superior court; that before the sitting of said court he procured bail for his appearance and return'd home, soon after; and that before the session of said court he was bro't before the Assembly's committee as a dangerous person and by them recommitted to Fairfield goal, where he was confined till after the session of said superior court, when nothing appearing against him he was informed by his council that he was dismiss'd from said prosecution before said court but must be held in custody by virtue of the mittimus of said committee until regularly dismissed, and declaring his friendliness to the American cause and his willingness to take the oath of fidelity, to take up arms &c.; praying for a liberation from his imprisonment in Hartford goal where he is now confined, having been removed from Fairfield : Resolved by this Board, that the said George Foliot (upon his paying all the cost of his prosecution and confinement and taking the oath of fidelity prescribed by law) be liberated and discharged from his present imprisonment by virtue of the mittimus granted by said Assembly's committee.

Nathan Baton or Daton, Connecticut.

Upon the petition of Nathan Baton, of New Milford in Litchfield county in the State of Connecticut, representing to this Assembly that although at the commencement of the present war waged by the King of Great Britain to establish tyranny over the American States he, the said Daton, took an active part on the side of his country, yet in the month of November, 1776, having his mind from some disastrous incidents of the war filled with gloomy apprehensions for the fate of his country, sundry of his acquaintance by the stratagem of magnifying the dangers of his country and by the strongest assurances of the safety and peace he might enjoy under the protection of the regulars on Long Island in the State of New York, deluded and seduced him, the said Daton, then to retire to said island then in possession of said enemies, in order so far to join them as to put himself under their protection, and that upon his arrival at the enemies head quarters on said island for that purpose only Colo. Delancy, their commander, tyrannically forced him to bear arms with said enemy under pain of military execution; that however the latter part of November last lie happily effected his escape from said military bondage, and on arriving at said New Milford was upon the ninth day of December last legally arraigned before Samuel Canfield, Esqr, a lawful justice of peace in this State, on a complaint exhibited against him by Thomas Hays, a grand jury man, for his criminal conduct in the premises, and by said justice on mittimus dated the same ninth day of December aforesaid committed to Litchfield county goal, there to be kept till delivered by due course of law, in which goal he still remains accordingly. And the said Daton expressing a great sensibility of his folly in seeking for protection under tyranny, and deep contrition for his criminal conduct in the premises, humbly imploring the pardon of this Assembly therefor, also expressing his desire of taking the oath of fidelity to this State : Resolved by this Assembly, that the said Nathan Daton shall be no further prosecuted or proceeded against on said complaint exhibited against him by said grandjury-man Hays, nor be any otherwise indicted, prosecuted or proceeded against, before any court-martial or executive courts of civil law, and no otherwise molested or troubled for or on account of the facts mentioned in said complaint of said Hays relative to his, the said Daton's, joining the enemies of this State on said Long Island. And that upon the said Daton's taking the oath of fidelity to this State he shall be intituled to the enjoyment of the common rights of the subjects of this State; and also on paying and depositing in the hands of the keeper of Litchfield county goal the whole costs occasioned by and arisen consequent upon the complaint of said grand juryman Hays he, the said Daton, shall by said keeper be released and freed from his present confinement aforesaid in said prison.

Michael Ames & James Benham , Connecticut.

Upon the memorial of Michael Ames of New Haven and James Benham of Wallingford, shewing that they by the influence of designing men were induced to go over to Long Island, and after their arrival there were induced, partly by threats and partly by necessity, to enter into the service of the enemy, in which they continued until hearing of a proclamation extending pardon to such persons as should leave that service and return to their allegiance to this State, upon which they determined and endeavoured to find means to return, but were detained by sickness till after the first day of August instant, the time limited in said proclamation, but about the seventh instant they effected their escape and come home with a determination to become good subjects of this State; praying this Assembly to grant them a pardon &c.: Resolved by this Assembly, that a pardon be granted to the said Michael Ames and James Benham upon their taking the oath of fidelity to this State, and that thereupon they be discharged from imprisonment on their paying the cost of apprehending and confining them to the time of their discharge.

Abiather Camp, Connecticut.

Upon the memorial of Abiather Camp, of New Haven in the county of New Haven, shewing to this Assembly that he has long been confined by act of Assembly as a dangerous person, and that he has taken the oath of fidelity, and that the inhabitants of New Haven are willing he should return to his family: Resolved, that said Gamp be permitted to return to New Haven, and that he be released from his confinement and all restraint by said act.

Samuel Hawley, Connecticut.

Upon the memorial of Samuel Hawley, of Redding in the county of Fairfield, shewing to this Assembly that he is now a prisoner in said county, held to answer for crimes against the State, and that under the influence of a belief that the country would be subdued he, in April last, left the country and went to the enemy, but being afterwards perswaded that his conduct was unjustifyable and on or about the 19th of November last he was induced by the proclamation of the Honable Gen1 Putnam, issued the 17th of November, offering a pardon to such as should return to their habitation to return home, and thereupon he did return home and resign himself up to authority and took the oath of fidelity, and praying for a pardon of his offence, as per memorial on file : Resolved by this Assembly, that said Samuel Hawley be released from his present confinement on his paying the costs of his prosecution, and that he be discharged, and he is hereby pardoned and discharged from any further prosecution for said offence.

Hanford Fairweather, Connecticut.

Upon the memorial of Hanford Fairweather of Norwalk, shewing to this Assembly that by a judgment of the superior court held at Fairfield in February, 1777, he was sentenced to be confined in Windham county goal for two years, for being inimical to the United States of America, and was committed accordingly and there held untill some little time passed he was permitted to go at large in said town of Windham to labour, on condition of returning to said goal at night, which condition greatly hinders his labour, and that he has a family at Norwalk which depends on his labour to prevent their being a public expence, and that he has so conducted as to give satisfaction of his repentance and friendship to said States; praying for liberty to go at large to labour in said town of Windham without the inconvenience of returning to said goal at night, and that he may have liberty to remove his family to said town of Windham and to go to said Norwalk and settle his affairs and help them remove, on his giving security to the sheriff of Windham county for his good behaviour in his absence and safe return, as per said memorial on file: Resolved by this Assembly, that the memorialist have liberty, and liberty is hereby granted to him, to go at large in said town of Windham to labour for his support during the time he was sentenced to be confined in said goal, without the inconvenience of returning to said goal on condition of his good behaviour said term, he taking the oath of fidelity by law provided; and the memorialist has liberty hereby granted to him to go to Xorwalk and to have a reasonable time to remove his family to said town of Windham if he see cause: on condition that he give security to the sheriff of said Windham county for his good behaviour in his absence and for his safe return. Provided that the memorialist shall first obtain liberty of the selectmen of said town of Windham to remove his family into said town of Windham and there abide during the time of his confinement as aforesaid.

John Morehouse, Connecticut.

Upon the memorial of John Morehouse, of Danbury in the county of Fairfield, shewing to this Assembly that when the British troops marched to Danbury he, through inconsideration and surprise, joined to and went off with them, but being afterwards sensible of his crime took the first opportunity of leaving them and returned home, and voluntarily resigned himself up to justice and was committed to goal for tryal, where he now remains; praying for pardon of his offence &c., as per memorial on file : Resolved by this Assembly, that the memorialist, upon his taking the oath of fidelity to this State and paying the costs of his prosecution and confinement, be and he is hereby pardoned of his crime, acquitted from any further prosecution on account thereof, and liberated from his confinement.

Gurdon Wetmore, Connecticut.

Upon the memorial of Gurdon Wetmore, now a prisoner in the common goal in the county of Hartford by sentence of the superior court; praying for enlargement from his imprisonment, as per memorial on file: Resolved by this Assembly, that upon the said Gurdon Wetmore taking the oath of fidelity to this State and also becoming bound with sufficient surety to the Governor and Company of this State in the sum of £500 0 0, L. money, that he will be of peaceable and good behaviour and will not do or say any thing against this State or the United States of America during the term that he was sentenced to imprisonment by said superior court, and that he will not depart without the limits of said town of Middletown but remain and continue therein during the term aforesaid ; that he thereupon be and he is hereby released and discharged from said goal, upon his paying or securing to be paid all the costs of his prosecution and imprisonment.

Christopher Reed, Prosper Wetmore, and Azariah Lathrop, Connecticut.

Upon the petition of Christopher Reed, Prosper Wetmore, and Azariah Lathrop, all of Norwich in the county of New London, and the rest of the subscribers inhabitants of said Norwich, shewing to this Assembly that Pardon Tillinghast Taber, of New London, was in March last by his own confession convicted of going on board a ship belonging to the enemies of these United States, and was sentenced to twelve months imprisonment in said Norwich which he has suffered hitherto, and that he hath behaved as well as a man under his circumstances could do, and that he is sensible of his misconduct, and that he was perswaded by a person who had the care of his education to think favorable of the measures of the King of Great Britain, and that the said Taber is very infirm and troubled with a pain in his breast and is in a very declining state, and that the goal is small and full of prisoners and very unwholesome, and that Capt. Jeremiah Harriss, a fast friend to these United States, is willing to take the whole charge of said Taber, and is willing to give bond for said Taber's good behaviour untill the time of his confinement shall expire; praying that said Taber may be released from his confinement, and be putunderthe care and government of Capt. Harrissforthe remainder of the time for which he is sentenced to be imprisoned, upon giving bond for his good behaviour during the time aforesaid, as per memorial on file &c.: Resolved by this Assembly, that upon the said Pardon Tillinghast Taber's taking the oath of fidelity to this State, and the said Capt. Jeremiah Harriss giving a bond of five hun-. dred pounds, lawfull money, to the Treasurer of this State, for the use of this State, conditioned that the said Taber shall be of good behaviour during the term that he is sentenced to confinement and do nothing injurious to this or any of the United States of America or the liberties of the same, that on the sheriffs receiving said bond for the use aforesaid and the fine and cost being paid and satisfied, he is hereby ordered and directed to discharge the said Taber from prison and put him under the care and government of the said Capt. Jeremiah Harriss for the term of his confinement.

John Marsh, Connecticut.

Upon the information of the State Attorney for the county of Litchfield against John Marsh the 3d of Litchfield, who is cornet of a troop of horse under the command of Capt. Moses Seymour of said Litchfield, for disobedience of orders, on which information a committee have been appointed who have made their report in which they find the truth of said complaint, and also find that lately the said Marsh has taken the oath of fidelity to this State and declares his willingness to risque his life and fortune in defense of the rights of America and upon the whole circumstances said committee give it as their opinion that, upon the said Marsh's paying all cost arisen in the premises, it would be advisable to dismiss said complaint, which report being accepted &c., as per complaint and report on file: Whereupon it is resolved by this Assembly, that the said Marsh pay the cost arisen in the premises, allowed by this Assembly to be .£8 14 5, and that the Secretary be directed to issue execution for the same accordingly, and that thereupon said complaint be dismissed.

Elisha Wadsworth, Connecticut.

Upon the memorial of Elisha Wadsworth of Hartford, shewing to this Assembly that he hath been for some time past and now is confined in goal, pursuant to a sentence or judgment of the superior court, who also rendered judgment against him that he should pay a fine of forty pounds and costs.

Richard Miles, Connecticut.

Upon the memorial of Richard Miles, of Waterbury in the county of New Haven, to the Hon1,1' General Assembly of the State of Connecticut, representing that through ill advice and mistaken apprehensions he had been induced to repair to New York and Long Island and join the enemies of the United States of America, and that being afterwards sensible of his great error and crime he did on or about the 10th day of November last past escape from the army of the enemies of said States, return into this State and take an oath of fidelity to said States; praying for a pardon of his said treasonable practises, as per memorial on file: It is thereupon resolved by said Assembly, that Richard Miles do receive a free and full pardon of his said treasonable conduct in joining, aiding and assisting the enemies of this State and of said United States, be free from all prosecutions on that account and be restored to all the rights, privileges, possessions and immunities of which by his said treasonable conduct he had incurred a forfeiture, he paying the cost of prosecution already arisen.

Benjamin Betts, Connecticut.

Upon the memorial of Benjamin Betts of Stanford, shewing to this Assembly that he was taken from his house by the enemy on the 14th of February, 1777, and carried to Long Island, where he was kept confined and in danger of starving and his life threat'ned untill he was thereby induced to inlist, which he did and continued under the power of the enemy until he found means to escape, when he returned to Stamford and took the oath of fidelity to this State, since which he has been apprehended without any warrant or order of the civil authority, and is now confined in Hartford goal ; praying for relief

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