January 31, 2025
Revolutionary War Letter (part II)
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Thank you to everyone who responded to last week's Musings from Main which showcased a Revolutionary War letter, dated July 25, 1776, written by Shem Stoughton to his father. I too was intrigued by what I found out about Shem and with your encouraging responses, decided to explore further. This Musings from Main features a little more about Shem and his family. |
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Shem Stoughton's father to whom he wrote the letter was named Oliver. Apparently Shem was not the only Stoughton to serve in the Revolutionary War, so did his father; along with several of Shem's other relatives. In Stiles History of Ancient Windsor Vol. I, Oliver Stoughton is listed as one of the men from the "South Parish" who "Marched from East Windsor for the Relief of Boston, etc., in the Lexington Alarm, April, 1775.(pg.635)
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An image of the original 1776 letter.
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It also appears that the father and son served together for a time in 1778. Stiles references Lieut. Alexander King's Note Book in recounting a march from East Windsor to the New London Tower. (pg.662) Both Stoughton men are listed as participating in the 5 weeks and 6 days term of service which apparently included a night sleeping "on Lawyers Green Cloth [i. e. they slept on the court-room tables of the New London Court House.]"
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Local historian Barney E. Daley in his book God's Acre, identifies the location of Oliver's headstone and notes that he served under Capt. Amasa Loomis. I am relieved to say that like his son Shem, Oliver returned from service ultimately living to the age of 87. Reverend Thomas Robbins remarks on the passing of Oliver Stoughton in his January 25,1815, diary entry. (pg.616) |
Headstone for Oliver Stoughton located in Old Burying Ground, God's Acre.
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Resources used for this Musing from Main are listed below.
Daley, Barney E., God's Acre, Published South Windsor CT, 1984. - Robbins, Thomas, Diary of Thomas Robbins, D. D., 1796-1854, Boston, Thomas Todd, printer, 1886-1887.
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Stiles, Henry, The History of Ancient Windsor Vol.I and Vol. II, New York : C. B. Norton Publishing, 1859.
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