Go

About CHS Visiting Information Events Calendar Museum Exhibits Museum Shop CHS Library The Connecticut Historical Society Research & Collections Education Genealogy Online Exhibits
amrev1776.xml

American Revolution Collection

American Revolution Collection of the Connecticut Historical Society

Compiled by NHPRC Project Staff

EAD conversion sponsored by grant funding from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission. Grant # 98-101



Connecticut Historical Society, March, 1999

1 Elizabeth Street Hartford, CT 06105



Collection Overview

Creator: Connecticut Historical Society
Title: American Revolution Collection
Date: 1776-1786
Abstract: Collection consists of records of the Council of Safety, whose function it was to handle the day to day affairs of Connecticut's wartime government; records of the Commissary department which was responsible for providing food and equipment for the soldiers; records of the Committee of Paytable which paid for supplies and services; payroll records of Col. Sheldon's Light Dragoons; the commissary and paymaster records of the Third Regiment, Connecticut Line; orderly books, journals and correspondence describing activities of Connecticut persons during the Revolution.
Extent: 11 boxes; 204 folders; 2191 items
Location: Manuscript Stacks


Related Material

An index of catalog cards is available to access related material in other collections at the item level. Access is through writer, recipient and date. The card catalog is located in the library reading room.



Scope and Content

Collection consists of records of the Council of Safety, the Commissary, the Committee of Paytable, Sheldon's Light Dragoons, the Third Regiment, Connecticut Line and journals, orderly books and correspondence describing activities of Connecticut persons during the Revolution.

The records have been organized into nine series:
  1. Records of the Council of Safety: 1774-1783
  2. Commissary Records: 1774-1783
  3. Pay Table Records: 1774-1783
  4. Colonel Sheldon's Light Dragoons: 1770-1783
  5. Third Regiment, Connecticut Line: 1779-1780
  6. ccount Books: 1775-1783
  7. Naval Affairs: 1773-1789
  8. Correspondence: 1774-1853



History

American colonists in the mid eighteenth century felt that the economic policies of Great Britain were unfair and that they did not have a sufficient voice in making decisions regarding these policies. Colonial boycotts of British goods did sufficient damage to force the repeal of the Stamp Act in 1766 and the Townshend Acts in 1770. When Parliament punished Massachusetts for destroying thousands of pounds of tea in Boston Harbor, the organized groups that had introduced these boycotts rebelled. The colonists had not intended to wage a war and were totally unprepared to provide soldiers with the weapons, training, clothing and food needed.

Return to top of page

Series 1: Records of the Council of Safety

Title: Series 1: Records of the Council of Safety
Date: [1774 - 1783?]
Extent: 1 box; 135 items
Location: US/CTH/AMREV/1776 - I
Abstract: Series consists of muster rolls, returns, exemptions, substitutes, deserters, prisoners and soldiers missing in action.
Folder 0 Archives control file
Folder IA Muster Roll of Colonel Return Jonathan Meigs. 1779 (1 item)
Folder 1B Muster Rolls of Captain Abel Pettibone. 1774 (3 items)
Folder 1C Muster Rolls 1775 - 1781 (18 items)
Folder 1D Muster Rolls: Transcripts and photocopies. 1777-1782 (7 items)
Folder 1E Military Exemptions. 1771-1777 (35 items)
Folder 1F Substitutes 1777-1781 (6 items)
Folder 1G Deserters 1781 (1 item)
Folder 1H List of Men Killed at Fort Groton. 1781 (1 item)
Folder 1I Miscellaneous 1774-1781 (7 items)
Folder 1J Returns for 1775. 1775 (1 item)
Folder 1K Returns for 1776. 1776 (1 item)
Folder 1L Returns: Prisoners and Soldiers Missing in Action. 1777 (2 items)
Folder 1M Returns: Rhode Island Expedition. 1777 (1 item)
Folder 1N Returns for 1777. 1777 (8 items)
Folder 1O Returns: 4th Brigade Militia. 1778 (1 item)
Folder 1P Returns for 1778. 1778 (8 items)
Folder 1Q Returns: Resolution by the General Assembly. 1779 (1 item)
Folder 1R Returns: 21st Regiment of Militia. 1779 (1 item)
Folder 1S Returns for 1779. 1779 (3 items)
Folder 1T Returns for 1780. 1780 (5 items)
Folder 1U Returns: Recruits for the Continental Army, as reported by James Hyde, 1781. 1781 (5 items)
Folder 1V Returns: 1781 and undated. [177? - 178?] (16 items)
Folder 1W Returns: Transcripts and Photocopies. 1781 (1 item)

Return to top of page

Series 2: Commissary Records

Title: Series 2: Commissary Records
Date: 1774 - 1783
Extent: 14 folders
Location: US/CTH/AMREV/1776/I-II
Abstract: Series consists of records relating to the organization and deployment of supplies and ordnance for the military.
Folder 1X Clothing. 1775-1782 (42 items)
Folder 1Y Forage. 1777-1779 (4 items)
Folder 1Z General Hospital, Hartford. 1778-1779 (6 items)
Folder 1AA Ordnance. 1775-1782 (25 items)
Folder 1BB Ordnance : Receipts for lead. 1777 (10 items)
Folder 1CC Provision Returns from Robert Blair. 1782 (1 item)
Folder 1DD Provision Returns from Elijah Hubbard. 1779-1781 (6 items)
Folder 1EE Provision Returns from Elijah Lewis. 1776-1777 (1 item)
Folder 1FF Provision Returns from James Robinson. 1781 (21 items)
Folder 1GG Provision Returns from Asa Waterman. 1777 (51 items)
Folder 2A Return of Provisions Destroyed in a British Raid 1777 (3 items)
Folder 2B Provision Returns: Flour 1775-1776 (31 items)
Folder 2C Provision Returns: Survey of Grain Supply. 1779 (18 items)
Folder 2D Provision Returns and Receipts (including records for the French Army). 1773-1787 (61 items)

Return to top of page

Series 3: Pay Table Records

Title: Series 3: Pay Table Records
Date: 1774-1783
Extent: 1 box; 347 items
Location: US/CTH/AMREV/1776/II
Abstract: The Committee of the Pay Table was set up to authorize disbursements and examine and settle accounts for supplies and services needed for the revolutionary war. It was succeeded by the office of the Comptroller in 1786. The series consists of accounts, returns and receipts concerning the payment of soldiers.
Folder 2E Training Accounts. 1774 - 1776 (6 items)
Folder 2F Lexington Alarm (Includes statement of soldier who returned on foot). 1775-1777 (57 items)
Folder 2G Lexington Alarm,(continued). 1775 (45 items)
Folder 2H Lexington Alarm: Accounts of Captain James Clark 1775 (10 items)
Folder 2I Ticonderoga, 1777. 1777 (2 items)
Folder 2J Bounties. 1777-1782 (5 items)
Folder 2K Mileage Rolls. 1776-1777 (4 items)
Folder 2L Pay rolls: Captain Elijah Babcock's Company 1775-1776 (2 items)
Folder 2M Pay rolls: Colonel Charles Burral's Regiment 1776 (6 items)
Folder 2N Pay rolls: Colonel John Douglas' Regiment 1776-1777 (15 items)
Folder 2O Pay rolls: Colonel J. Dugan's Regiment 1776-1777 (7 items)
Folder 2P Pay rolls: Colonel Samuel Elmore's Regiment 1776 (6 items)
Folder 2Q Pay rolls: Colonel John Ely's Regiment 1776 (1 item)
Folder 2R Pay rolls: Colonel James Livingston's Regiment 1776-1777 (3 items)
Folder 2S Pay rolls: Colonel Samuel McClellan's Regiment 1777-1778 (2 items)
Folder 2T Pay rolls: horse teams: conductors Broadhurst - Garvin 1782 (9 items)
Folder 2U Pay rolls: horse teams: conductors Holmes - McDonald 1775-1782 (17 items)
Folder 2V Pay rolls: horse teams: conductors Milton - Moore 1782 (12 items)
Folder 2W Pay rolls: horse teams: conductors Nichols - Pannill 1782 (6 items)
Folder 2X Pay rolls: horse teams: conductors Ray - Smith (9 items)
Folder 2Y Pay rolls: General 1776 (19 items)
Folder 3A Confiscated estates (includes statement that Continental Army soldiers were paid from the proceeds). 1781-1792 (9 items)
Folder 3B Accounts and Receipts (includes two from African -American soldiers). 1775-1792 (43 items)
Folder 3C Records: Monies Due. 1773-1784 (5 items)
Folder 3D Comptrollers: Disability Certificates. 1783-1789 (2 items)
Folder 3E Comptrollers: Claims and Settlements for Military Service 1792-1852 (32 items)
Folder 3F Troops Furnished by Each State and Claims Therefor. 1776-1783 (7 items)
Folder 3G Selectman's Reports on Quotas and Soldiers' Families. 1775-1783 (6 items)

Return to top of page

Series 4: Colonel Sheldon's Light Dragoons

Title: Series 4: Colonel Sheldon's Light Dragoons
Date: 1779 - 1822
Extent: 12 folders
Location: US/CTH/AMREV/1776/1V
Abstract: Series consists of payroll records of this cavalry regiment.
Folder 4A Records of Paymasters E. Janes and W. Stanton. Feb. 1779 - Apr. 9, 1783 (49 items)
Folder 4B Records of Paymasters E. Janes and W. Stanton. Apr. 10 - Jun. 5, 1783 (54 items)
Folder 4C Records of Paymasters E. Janes and W. Stanton. Jun. 6 - Jun. 12, 1783 (71 items)
Folder 4D Records of Paymasters E. Janes and W. Stanton. Jun. 13 - Aug. 5, 1783 (52 items)
Folder 4E Records of Paymasters E. Janes and W. Stanton. Aug. 6 - Sep. 30, 1783 (56 items)
Folder 4F Records of Paymasters E. Janes and W. Stanton. Oct. - Dec., 1783 (62 items)
Folder 4G Records of Paymasters E. Janes and W. Stanton. Jan. - Mar., 1784 (57 items)
Folder 4H Records of Paymasters E. Janes and W. Stanton. Apr. 1784 - Jul. 5, 1786 (52 items)
Folder 4I Records of Paymasters E. Janes and W. Stanton. Jul. 5, 1786 - Jul. 30, 1787 (52 items)
Folder 4J Records of Paymasters E. Janes and W. Stanton. Aug., 1787 - 1822 & undated (30 items)
Folder 4K Payroll. 1780-1783 (1 item)
Folder 4L Other General Records (16 items)

Return to top of page

Series 5: Third Regiment, Connecticut Line

Title: Series 5: Third Regiment, Connecticut Line
Date: 1779 - 1822
Extent: 17 folders
Location: US/CTH/AMREV/1776/V
Abstract: Series consists of payroll and commissary records of the regiment.
Folder 5A Muster rolls: 1779 - 1780. 1779-1780 (18 items)
Folder 5B Pay Master's record book: 1779 - 1780. 1779-1780 (1 item)
Folder 5C Pay Master's records (includes information on sick, deceased and deserted). 1779-1780 (42 items)
Folder 5D Pay Master's records. 1779-1780 (11 items)
Folder 5E Pay Master's records: substitutes. 1779 (1 item)
Folder 5F Commissary records: arms. 1777-1779 (4 items)
Folder 5G Commissary records: clothing. 1777 (9 items)
Folder 5H Commissary records: clothing. 1778 (33 items)
Folder 5I Commissary records: clothing. 1778 (14 items)
Folder 5J Commissary records: clothing. 1779 (18 items)
Folder 5K Commissary records: clothing. 1779 (20 items)
Folder 5L Commissary records: clothing. 1779 (21 items)
Folder 5M Commissary records: clothing. 1779 (48 items)
Folder 5N Commissary records: clothing. 1780 (43 items)
Folder 5O Commissary records: clothing. 1780 (57 items)
Folder 5P Commissary records: provisions. 1779-1780 (75 items)
Folder 5Q Commission to Joshua king. 1779 (1 item)

Return to top of page

Series 6: Journals and Orderly Books

Title: Series 6: Journals and Orderly Books
Date: 1775 - 1782
Extent: 50 volumes
Location: US/CTH/AMREV/1776/VI-IX
Abstract: Series consists of journals and orderly books arranged alphabetically by name. They describe the siege of Boston in 1775, the expedition against Canada in 1775, the campaign around New York in 1776 and 1777 and the Burgoyne campaign in 1777.
Volume 6A Sanford Billings: journal. 1776
Volume 6B Benjamin Boardman: journal. 1775
Volume 6C Oliver Boardman: journal. 1777
Volume 6D Obadiah Brown: journal (photoprinted copy). 1776
Volume 6E Zebulon Butler: orderly book. 1782
Volume 6F Zebulon Butler: orderly book. 1782
Volume 6G Samuel Chapman: orderly book. 1782
Volume 6H William Chapman: journal. 1775
Volume 6I John Chester: orderly book. 1776
Volume 6J Elihu Clark: journal. 1775
Volume 6K Continental Regiments: orderly book. 1775
Volume 6L Continental Regiments: orderly book. 1776
Volume 6M David Culver: orderly book. 1778
Volume 6N Giles Curtis: orderly book. 1782
Volume 60 John Douglass: orderly book. 1776
Volume 6P Moses Fargo: orderly book (transcription). 1775
Volume 6Q Christopher French: orderly book. 1776
Volume 6R John Hart: orderly book. 178l
Volume 6S Timothy Hart: orderly book. 1780
Volume 7A John Hempsted: orderly book. 1776
Volume 7B Andrew Hillyer: orderly book (typed transcription). 1775
Volume 7C Roger Hooker: orderly book (typed transcription). 1775
Volume 7D Roger Hooker: orderly book (photostat) 1775
Volume 7E Simeon Lyman: journal (manuscript excerpt) 1775
Volume 7F Joseph Morgan: orderly book. 1782
Volume 7G Nathaniel Morgan: journal. 1775
Volume 7H Calvin Pease: journal. 1775
Volume 7I John Pierce, Jr.: orderly book. 1777
Volume 7J Elijah Porter: journal (transcription). 1780
Volume 7K Samuel Richards: orderly book. 1780
Volume 7L Ashbel Riley: orderly book. 1780
Volume 8A Isaac Sherman: orderly book. 1778
Volume 8B David Smith: orderly book. 1778
Volume 8C David Smith: orderly book. 1779
Volume 8D David Smith: orderly book. 1779
Volume 8E David Smith: orderly book. 1779-1780