Milton is situated in the northwest corner of Litchfield. It was incorporated in 1795, and the first minister was Mr. Benjamin Judd, who was installed in 1802. The parish embraces within its limits a part of Goshen, Cornwall, and Warren. The surface of the parish is uneven and stony, with many large primitive rocks, and though good grazing land, is hard for tillage. There is a mineral spring in the west part of Litchfield, near a place called Bradleysville," which is saturated with iron and sulphur. The water issues from the east side of the mountain in considerable quantities. The mud from the bottom of the spring burns with a blue flame, and the principal part of it consumes." An Indian relic was found in this town, about a half a mile east of the court house, near Bantam river. It is a rude sculpture of brown stone, nearly the size of life, representing a female with head and shoulders, extending down to the waist it is now deposited at Yale College, New Haven. Ethan Allen, a brigadier general in the American service, distinguished for his daring and intrepid spirit, was a native of this town. There has been a considerable diversity of statements respecting the place of his birth. Cornwall, Salisbury and Roxbury, have been named as places where he was born. By an examination of the Litchfield town records the present year, (1836,) it is recorded that he was the son of Joseph and Mary Allen, and was born Jan. 10th, 1737. The fact of the differing statements, mentioned above, seems to have originated from the circumstance of his residing for a while in those towns. The following sketch of his life is from Allen's Biographical Dictionary. "While he was young, his parents emigrated to Vermont. At the commencement of the disturbances in this territory, about the year 1770, he took a most active part in favor of the Green Mountain boys, as the settlers were then called, in opposition to the government of New York. An act of outlawry against him was passed by this state, and 500 guineas were offered for his apprehension: but his party was too numerous and faithful to permit him to be disturbed by any apprehensions for his safety: in all the struggles of the day he was successful; and he not only proved a valuable friend to those whose cause he had espoused, but he was humane and generous towards those with whom he had to contend. When called to take the field, he showed himself an able leader and an intrepid soldier. "The news of the battle of Lexington determined Col. Allen to engage on the side of his country, and inspired him with the desire of demonstrating his attachment to liberty by some bold exploit. While his mind was in this state, a plan for taking Ticonderoga and Crown Point by surprise, which was formed by several gentlemen in Connecticut, was communicated to him, and he readily engaged in the project. Receiving directions from the General Assembly of Connecticut to raise the Green Mountain boys, and conduct the enterprise, he collected 230 of the hardy settlers and proceeded to Castleton. Here he was unexpectedly joined by Col. Arnold, who had been commissioned by the Massachusetts committee to raise 400 men, and effect the same object, which was now about to be accomplished. As he had not raised the men, he was admitted to act as an assistant to Col. Allen. They reached the lake opposite Ticonderoga on the evening of the 9th of May, 1775. With the utmost difficulty boats were procured, and 83 men were landed near the garrison. The approach of day rendering it dangerous to wait for the rear, it was determined immediately to proceed. The commander in chief now addressed his men, representing that they had been for a number of years a scourge to arbitrary power, and famed for their valor, and concluded with saying, 'I now propose to advance before you, and in person conduct you through the wicket gate; and you, that will go with me voluntarily in this desperate attempt, poise your firelocks.' At the head of the center file he marched instantly to the gate, where a sentry snapped his gun at him, and retreated through the covered way: he pressed forward into the fort, and formed his men on the parade in such a manner as to face two opposite barracks. Three huzzas awaked the garrison. A sentry, who asked quarter, pointed out the apartments of the commanding officer; and Allen with a drawn sword over the head of Capt. De la Place, who was undressed, demanded the surrender of the fort. By what authority do you demand it?' inquired the astonished commander. 'I demand it (said Allen) in the name of the great Jehovah and of the continental Congress.' The summons could not be disobeyed, and the fort, with its very valuable stores and 49 prisoners, was immediately surrendered.. Crown Point was taken the same day, and the capture of a sloop of war, soon afterwards, made Allen and his brave party complete masters of Lake Champlain. "In the fall of 1775 he was sent twice into Canada to observe the dispositions of the people, and attach them, if possible, to the American cause. During this last tour Col. Brown met him, and proposed an attack upon Montreal in concert. The proposal was eagerly embraced, and Col. Allen, with 110 men, near 80 of whom were Canadians, crossed the river in the night of Sept. 24. In the morning he waited with impatience for the signal from Col. Brown, who agreed to cooperate with him, but he waited in vain. He made a resolute defense against an attack of 500 men, and it was not till his own party was reduced by desertions to the number of 31, and he had retreated near a mile, that he surrendered. A moment afterwards a furious savage rushed towards him, and presented his firelock, with the intent of killing him. It was only by making use of the body of the officer, to whom he had given his sword, as a shield, that he escaped destruction. "He was now kept for some time in irons, and treated with great cruelty. He was sent to England as a prisoner, being assured that the halter would be the reward of his rebellion, when he arrived there. After his arrival, about the middle of December, he was lodged for a short time in Pendennis Castle, near Falmouth. On the 8th of January, 1776, he was put on board a frigate, and by a circuitous route carried to Halifax. Here he remained confined in the gaol from June to October, when he was removed to New York. During the passage to this place, Capt. Burke, a daring prisoner, proposed to kill the British captain and seize the frigate; but Col. Allen refused to engage in the plot, and was probably the means of preserving the life of Capt. Smith, who had treated him very politely. He was kept at New York about a year and a half, sometimes imprisoned, and sometimes permitted to be on parole. * * * "Col. Allen was exchanged for Col. Campbell, May 6, 1778, and after having repaired to head quarters, and offered his services to Gen. Washington, in case his health should be restored, he returned to Vermont. His arrival, on the evening of the last of May, gave his friends great joy, and it was announced by the discharge of cannon. As an expression of confidence in his patriotism and military talents, he was soon appointed to the command of the state militia. It does not appear, however, that his intrepidity was ever again brought to the test, though his patriotism was tried by an unsuccessful attempt of the British to bribe him to attempt a union of Vermont with Canada. He died suddenly at his estate in Colchester, Feb. 13, 1789. "Gen. Allen possessed strong powers of mind, but they never felt the influence of education. Though he was brave, humane and generous, yet his conduct does not seem to have been much influenced by considerations respecting that holy and merciful Being, whose character and whose commands are disclosed to us in the scriptures. His notions with regard to religion were such, as to prove, that those, who rather confide in their own wisdom than seek instruction from heaven, may embrace absurdities, which would disgrace the understanding of a child. He believed, with Pythagoras, that man after death would transmigrate into beasts, birds, fishes, reptiles, &c., and often informed his friends, that he himself expected to live again in the form of a large white horse. Besides a number of pamphlets in the controversy with New York, he published in 1779 a narrative of his observations during his captivity, which has been lately reprinted; a vindication of the opposition of the inhabitants of Vermont to the government of New York, and their right to form an independent state, 1779; and Allen's theology, or the oracles of reason, 1786. This last work was intended to ridicule the doctrine of Moses and the prophets. It would be unjust to bring against it the charge of having effected great mischief in the world, for few have had the patience to read it.” Oliver Wolcott, signer of the Declaration of Independence, was for many years a resident of this town: he was a native of East Windsor, born Dec. 1st, 1726, and was the son of the Hon. Roger Wolcott, governor of the colony of Connecticut. He was graduated at Yale College in 1747. "He commanded a company of soldiers in 1748, in the war against the French, in Canada. After one campaign, he retired from military service, studied the profession of physic, and commenced the practice in Goshen. In the year 1751, he was appoint ed high sheriff of Litchfield county, removed to this town, and continued in the office of sheriff till the year 1772. He represented this town in the General Assembly, in the year 1770. In the year 1772, he was chosen a member of the council. In 1772 he was appointed judge of probate for the district of Litchfield. In the year 1774 he was appointed judge of the court of common pleas. In the year 1775, he was chosen a representative in Congress, and was present at the declaration of independence. He continued a member of the council till the year 1786, and was then chosen lieut. governor of this state. In this office he continued till the year 1796, and was then chosen governor; and in this office he died, Dec. 1st, 1797. The duties of all these stations he discharged with unshaken integrity and firmness; courted favors from no man; and neither sought nor obtained any end by intrigue, or from interested motives. He was singularly modest, and even diffident, in his intercourse with men, in the common walks of life. Those who best knew this gentleman, well knew that the highest trust was never improperly placed in him. Two questions only were asked by him, while discharging the duties of the several offices of high responsibility, which he held, viz. What is right? and, What is my duty? He possessed a benevolent heart, and was warm in his friendships; a firm friend to order; a promoter of peace; a lover of religion; and a tried, unshaken friend to the institutions of the gospel. He was an indefatigable student; and neither wasted his time nor his words. His mind was clear and penetrating; his views of political subjects, just and comprehensive; his discernment of the wisest means to promote the best ends, ready and exact; and his acquaintance with science, particularly with theology, extensive. He had a remarkable talent at investigation; and 'nothing satisfied him but proof.' He has left a name, which is a sweet savor to his surviving friends; and a lively hope, that he is enjoying the rewards of the faithful in immortal bliss.”—Morris' Hist. of Litchfield. Oliver Wolcott, son of the preceding, was born in 1760. When a lad of 17, he lent his aid to the cause of his country: he was present in the engagement with the British at the time of their invasion of Danbury. On the formation of the U. S. government in 1789, he was appointed first auditor of the treasury; and in 1794 he succeeded Gen. Hamilton as secretary of the treasury. In 1817 he was elected governor of Connecticut, which office he held till 1827. He was the last survivor of the administration of Washington. He died in New York, June 2d, 1833. Benjamin Tallmadge, a major, and afterwards a colonel in the Revolutionary army, was a resident of this town. He was born at Brookhaven, (L. I.) Feb. 25th, 1754. His father was the clergyman of that place. He was graduated at Yale College in 1773. In 1776 he entered the Revolutionary army, and soon received a major's commission from Washington, who honored him with his confidence, and entrusted him with several hazardous and important services. He was present in most of the general battles which took place with the main army in the northern states, at Long Island, White Plains, Brandywine, Germantown, Monmouth, &c., besides many smaller engagements, with the command of his own detachment. He removed to Litchfield in 1784. In 1800 he was chosen a representative to Congress. He was an ardent patriot and sincere Christian. He died at Litchfield, March 7th, 1835. EXTRACTS FROM NEWSPAPERS. Litchfield, Oct. 6, 1761. Notice is hereby given, that there is now in Litchfield gaol, a mulatto fellow, who calls himself Cæsar Sambo, about 5 feet 10 inches high, speaks good English, well made and sprightly, and is about 25 years old: he says he is free, and that he formerly belonged to Capt. Benjamin Green of Greenwich, (Rhode Island.) He was lately taken up in Norfolk, for traveling without a pass, and by order of authority committed. It is suspected the fellow has been in company with a gang of negroes who have lately infested this part of the country. His master, if he has any, may have him upon pay |