Professional Genealogists Specializing in Lineage Society Applications
Thanks to the Connecticut Historical Society, a collection of Revolutionary War era manuscripts are now available for viewing on the Connecticut Digital Archive. This diverse collection includes images of several orderly books, hospital records, correspondence, muster and pay rolls, and more. Of particular interest is a document attesting that Backus Fox, a man held in… Continue reading A digital collection covering Connecticut in the American Revolution
At it's most basic level, privateering could be considered legalized piracy. Privateers were given a commission by the state government or Continental Congress to search for and attack merchant ships. This action benefited both the authorizing government, as it weakened the enemy's supply chain, and the privateer, who received a portion of the proceeds from… Continue reading How do I find a Connecticut privateer’s commission?
Short answer: no. The integration of military units during the American Revolution is a question that has largely yet to be touched by scholarship. Many accounts mention only that Washington banned recruitment of African American soldiers in 1775; that British Commander Lord Dunmore offered freedom to those who joined his "Ethiopian" unit in November of… Continue reading Was the Connecticut Continental Line Segregated?
Owned by William Griswold, the Minerva served first in the Revolutionary Navy.[1] In August of 1775, it received a commission from the colony of Connecticut: […] that a certain brig, called the Minerva, belonging to Capt. Griswold and now lying in Connecticut River at Rocky Hill, is one proper vessel to be employed for the… Continue reading What’s the Minerva?
It's often forgotten today, but in 1775 and 1776, most American colonists didn't start out with the goal of gaining independence. They wanted concessions from Britain about how the colonies were run. When they didn't get them, many moved towards declaring independence. For others, it was just too far. "Loyalist" is a term used to… Continue reading Was my Connecticut ancestor a Loyalist?
We've talked about military records, the Connecticut Archives, office holding, and more. Where else can you find sources of service? In one place many people think they've already checked... town meeting records. Town meeting records don't just record who was elected to hold what office. They also can include who has donated money or purchased… Continue reading Where else can I find sources of service in Connecticut records?
The Daughters of the American Revolution GRS System lists an unusual death entry for Benjamin Graves of Connecticut. It reads: "Death: 9-6- 1781 WOUND REC IN BATTLE." In other words, according to previous applications to the Daughters of the American Revolution, Benjamin Graves died 6 September 1781 of wounds received in battle. 6 September 1781… Continue reading Did Benjamin Graves die as a result of wounds sustained at the Battle of Groton Heights?
"Connecticut Men in the Revolution" is the shorthand used by many lineage society researchers for a publication authorized by the State of Connecticut in 1889 entitled The Record of Connecticut Men in the Military and Naval Service during the War of the Revolution. A derivative source, it draws from a number of original sources, including:… Continue reading What’s “Connecticut Men in the Revolution”?
For a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, documenting a female patriot can offer a special satisfaction. Not only are you putting a new ancestor on file, but you are documenting one whose history is little covered. What sources can help you complete her line? Due to coverture, it can be extremely difficult… Continue reading What sources are available to document service for a female patriot from Connecticut?
The simple answer: yes. "And be it further enacted That a tax of two shillings and six pence on the pound be and the same is hereby laid upon the polls and rateable estate of the inhabitants of this State upon the list aforesaid to be paid by the first day of December next in… Continue reading Did Connecticut pay the 1780 beef tax?
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