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June 30, 1776

The Plot to Kill George Washington

In June, 1776, details about the conspiracy to poison George Washington and decimate the leadership of the rebellion came to be known. The plot rested on convincing members of Washington’s most trusted retinue to turn against him.

“General Washington was among the first that were to be sacrificed,” wrote Army Surgeon (and future Massachusetts governor) William Eustus in horror. After, “every General Officer [including next-in-command General Israel Putnam] and every other who was active in serving his country in the field was to have been assassinated.”  He noted that the conspirators also planned to set fire to New York, destroy warehouses of powder, jam the cannons, and destroy King’s Bridge so no aid could travel along the Boston Post Road.  

British Governor William Tryon coordinated the plot from a warship in New York Harbor, where Loyalist visitors regularly rowed out to meet him in the spring of 1776. Although Washington knew nothing of the conspiracy, he was troubled by this open communication and urged the Committee of Safety and Congress to increase patrols. Efforts to disrupt contact between Tryon and the plotters were half-hearted; in May, Israel Putnam reported that jailed Tories were receiving frequent visitors. “The bad women confined in jail are constantly visited by men of as bad characters.”

The plot began to unravel when Thomas Hickey, an Irish-born Connecticut soldier, was arrested on charges of counterfeiting. Hickey had initially joined the patriot cause and was actually a member of Washington’s trusted Life Guard, but at some point had switched loyalties. While in jail, he bragged about his knowledge of the plot and his success at recruiting others. But as so often happens, he bragged to the wrong person, the plot was revealed, and Hickey was charged with sedition.  On June 28, 1776, he was hanged in New York in front of a crowd of 20,000, thus becoming the first person executed for treason in the (future) United States.

Plotting the ‘Sacricide’ of George Washington, Gary Shattuck,

Journal of the American Revolution.

Image: Getty Images

Posted on by joelarch

June 19, 1776

The Burlington County, NJ Courthouse built in 1796 still stands today. The courthouse bell, removed from the earlier courthouse where support for independence was authorized, was placed in the belfry and rang for liberty after the Declaration of Independence was signed.
https://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/nj0353.photos.111245p

Just days after Connecticut endorsed independence, the Fourth Provincial Congress of New Jersey convened on June 19, 1776 in Burlington County and authorized the drafting of a new state constitution. This decisive step effectively dissolved royal authority in the colony and paved the way for New Jersey’s delegates to the Continental Congress to formally support independence.

While the people of Connecticut awaited word on whether the Continental Congress would take the final leap toward independence, towns and ports across the colony were already preparing for war.

With its long coastline and deep maritime tradition, naval defense had become a pressing priority for Connecticut. The colony had already established the Connecticut State Navy, a small but resolute force tasked with protecting coastal commerce and challenging British shipping along New England’s waters.

Rendering of the Connecticut Navy Brig Defence

One of the Connecticut State Navy’s most important vessels was the brigantine-of-war Defence. Purchased, outfitted, and armed by Connecticut, the ship entered service in the spring of 1776 under the command of Captain Seth Harding. By mid-June 1776, Defence had already proven her value, participating in the capture of two British transport vessels, the George and the Annabella—off the coast of Boston.

The Defence would later come under the command of Samuel Smedley of Fairfield, who used the vessel to pursue Loyalists attempting to cross Long Island Sound carrying intelligence and supplies that could aid British forces.

Sources:

https://www.facebook.com/61577395126628/posts/june-19-1776-new-jersey-breaks-with-the-crownby-mid-june-1776-the-colony-of-new-/122173670780913170/

https://www.americanrevolution.org/naval-history-1776-events/

https://allthingsliberty.com/

https://iconicnorwich.org/ocean-vessels/

https://www.co.burlington.nj.us/m/newsflash/home/detail/2770

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June 14, 1776

On this day in 1776, Connecticut chose independence!

Governor Jonathan Trumbull called an emergency session, and the CT General Assembly officially instructed its delegates at the Second Continental Congress to push for freedom from Great Britain:

Resolved unanimously by this Assembly, That the Delegates of this Colony in General Congress be, and they are hereby, instructed to propose to that respectable body to declare the United American Colonies free and independent States, absolved from all allegiance to the King of Great Britain, and to give the assent of this Colony to such Declaration, when they shall judge it expedient and best, and to whatever measures may be thought proper and necessary by the Congress for forming foreign alliances, or any plan of operations for necessary and mutual defence; and, also, that they move and promote, as fast as may be convenient, a regular and permanent plan of Union and Confederation of the Colonies, for the security and preservation of their just rights and liberties, and for mutual defence and security, saving that the administration of Government and the power of forming Governments for, and the regulation of the internal concerns and police of each Colony, ought to be left and remain to the respective Colonial Legislatures, and also that such plan of Confederation be laid before such respective Legislatures for their previous consideration and assent.

Meanwhile, in Philadelphia, President of the Second Continental Congress John Hancock writes to George Washington to provide an update on the latest actions of Congress. Hancock’s correspondence informed Washington of Congress’s efforts to strengthen the colonies’ military readiness and create a more organized structure for directing the war effort, reflecting the increasing realization that the struggle for independence would require not only brave soldiers in the field but also effective leadership and administration behind the lines. With that goal in mind, the Department of War was created on June 12th; a critical step taken to improve the administration, supply, and coordination of the growing Continental Army.

Connecticut General Assembly formal resolution instructing their delegates to support independence
https://www.ccsu.edu/event/ct-1776-revolutionary-event
John Hancock (1737-1793) Signer of the Declaration of Independence, President of the Continental Congress (1775-77), Governor of Mass. (1780-85)
Yale University Art Gallery

Sources:

Pembroke College Oxford
https://www.quillproject.net/resource_collections/411/resource_item/36198

Ashbrook Center
https://americanfounding.org/entries/second-continental-congress-june-14-1776/

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May 22, 1776

The Continental Congress opened in Philadelphia on Wednesday, May 22nd with a review of a privateering issue involving the sale (without Congress’approval) of the sloop Sally. They then proceeded to address a host of other military matters ranging from supplying the army in Canada to fortifying the Hudson River. And, of course, the continuing problem of finding hard currency to fund these military needs was once again discussed.

But by mid-May, the political landscape was shifting in Philadelphia as sides were drawn between the radical factions (those seeking complete independence) and the moderate factions (those still believing that reconciliation with the Mother Country was possible) with both sides jockeying for influence and control of this historic moment. So, while their focus this day was on military matters, this ongoing political debate lurked in the background, always present in the minds of the delegates.

Earlier this month, on May 15th, “Virginia’s Fifth Revolutionary Convention  instructed its delegates in the Continental Congress to propose American independence.” (McMillan, pg. 113)

“Speaking on behalf of all the colonies, Virginia resolved that the delegates appointed to represent this colony in General Congress (Continental) be instructed to propose to that respectable body to declare the United Colonies free and independent states, absolved from all allegiance to, or dependence upon, the Crown or Parliament of Great Britain.” (McMillan, pg. 108)

Although this represented a seismic change, with Virginia being the most powerful colony, Congress still remained focused on matters of war as more reports of British troop movements and intended use of hired foreign troops poured into Philadelphia. Within days, General Washington would arrive in the city to meet with members of the Continental Congress. 

Meanwhile, back in Black Rock on this same day, military matters were being pursued as well. According to Joseph Knapp, of Stratford, “this night the brig Defense sailed from Black Rock Harbor to the eastward”.   Patricia Q Wall writes in her book, “the Defense was sailing under orders from Governor Trumbull…to intercept and arrest Tories escaping to join British forces or seeking to join Long Island cohorts in plotting raids against Connecticut.” (Wall, pp. 50-51). In a very short period of time, the Defense, at this point under the command of Seth Harding, would be commanded by young Samuel Smedley, a Fairfield resident who spent much of his childhood in and around Black Rock Harbor.

So, as the political tide was clearly turning in Philadelphia, the reality of war continued to consume the efforts of leaders from Hartford to Philadelphia. But there can be no doubt that also consuming the minds of these leaders was the looming question of complete separation from the Mother Country as more and more calls for independence were heard and these leaders were quickly reaching the point of no return. 

Colonial WIlliamsburg

Of Life & The American Revolution- The Journals of Joseph Knapp of Stratford, Connecticut 1761-1808  Wall, Patricia Q  , The Stratford Historical Society, Stratford, CT 06615

The Year that Made America  McMillan,Tom Lyons Press, Essex CT. 2025

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May 8, 1776

Momentum toward a complete separation from the British Crown was moving swiftly by the beginning of May quickly leaving behind any thoughts of reconciliation with the Mother Country. A few days before this date, Rhode Island, originally settled by fiercely independent refugees from Massachusetts Bay, boldly declared its own independence from Great Britain.

“The colony’s general assembly passed a resolution charging King George III with forgetting his dignity and entirely departing from the duties and character of a good king…endeavoring to destroy the good people of the colony, and of all the United Colonies, by sending fleets and armies to America”. (McMillan, pg 107)

And on this day in 1776, “Richard Henry Lee, the great statesman from Virginia, received alarming news that thousands of foreign mercenaries were heading to America to reinforce the British army… including Hessians, Hanoverians and Scotch Hollanders” (McMillan, pg 107)

Within days, eight of the thirteen colonies had pledged their support for pursuing independence. Though there were still five colonies that were withholding outright support for this cause, by the middle of May, the tide was clearly moving in the direction of independence.

A local reflection of this shift could be seen in the town of Fairfield where tolerance for loyalists (those who wished to remain loyal to the crown) was clearly waning as the patriot cause was growing (Connecticut was one of those eight colonies pledging support for independence). “In May of 1776, Benjamin Huntington informed his wife that thirty-nine loyalists were currently imprisoned in the Fairfield jail”. (Farnham, pg. 82)

A few years later, in 1779, Fairfield would pay a very high price for their support of independence at the hands of General Tryon and British and Hessian troops.

The Year that Made America McMillan,Tom Lyons Press, Essex CT. 2025

Fairfield- the Biography of a Community 1639 -1989 Farnam, Thomas J, Fairfield Historical Society, 1988

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April 15, 1776

The British evacuation of Boston began on Sunday, March 17th sailing their forces to their naval base on Nova Scotia. General Washington made the decision to move his newly formed army to fortify New York City and, particularly, to establish control of the Hudson River. He correctly predicted that this would also be the goal of the British forces. The colonial exodus from Boston began in April of 1776.

Lacking the ships that the British had (Abigail Adams counted 170), Washington was forced to move his army over one of the branches of what were then known as the Post Roads. According to Patricia Q. Wall, in her book, Of Life & The American Revolution- The Journals of Joseph Knap of Stratford, CT 1761-1808, Governor Trumbull (the only colonial governor loyal to the patriot cause), requested that the troops follow the coastal road so that they may protect the colony should the enemy make any attempt to attack Connecticut.

The march would have been difficult and slow. Quill writes that in perfect weather, they could have expected to cover about twenty miles. But conditions were never this good as rain, and even snow, would have slowed their progress. For Fairfield (and Black Rock), the troops would have marched along what is today King’s Highway past where today we find Stop and Shop and then through the center of Fairfield on their way to Norwalk, and ultimately Brooklyn and Manhattan.

Residents living in this area in April of 1776 would surely have been busy supplying these troops with a host of provisions including food, shelter for some, firewood, hay for their horses, repairs for their wagons and much more. This must have been a very busy and tense time for these residents as the war, which had begun a year earlier, was quickly moving to their doorstep.