Notes - In Connecticut (British Incursions)
John M. McDonald interview — 1846
John Macdonald records information relating to the British incursions into Connecticut during 1777, 1779 and 1781. In the first paragraph, he states that he expects to correspond with Reuben Booth, who served as Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut from 1844 to 1846. However, no letters from Booth are included with the McDonald Interviews. Macdonald then notes that the State of Connecticut was allowed to keep the Western Reserve, a large portion of land in northeastern Ohio, due to the suffering its inhabitants had endured during these incursions. In the second paragraph, he details American General Benedict Arnold’s original plans for the Battle of Compo Hill. Finally, he notes the fate of the armed men who were taken prisoner by the British during these incursions.
Manuscript page facsimiles
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Transcription
- Hufeland Index Page 478 -
Reuben Booth. Esqr. of Danbury will correspond with me or his son. – Western Reserve. – Part of the Western Reserve appropriated to indemnify the sufferers in Connecticut in consequence of the British incursions in 1777, ’79, & ’81. Arnold intended to make a stand at Old Hill west of Saugatuck river which commanded the bridge; but the British marched north, crossed the river, passed down on the east side and planted two field pieces on Couch’s hill, opposite Old Hill. (?) [Hinman.] Messrs. [Meeker] and Lyon, &c say that the British made prisoners of all who were armed – taking them first to Danbury and then to New York where they paroled them.