In Joseph Perkins Beach's History of Cheshire, Connecticut (1912)
For All About Cheshire Connecticut
Richard Reggie Smith Research/Editor Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) 4.0
American Revolution. Page 159 falls within a section that explores the complex social and political dynamics of the late 18th century.
According to Beach’s research, the following were key aspects of life in Cheshire during the Revolution:
1. Patriotic Response and Governance
Beach notes that Cheshire (at the time still a "parish" of Wallingford) was deeply involved in the revolutionary cause from the outset.
Committees of Inspection: Following the Boston Tea Party and the mandates of the Continental Congress, Cheshire established local committees to enforce non-importation and non-consumption agreements.
Town Meetings: The records cited by Beach show frequent town meetings focused on raising bounties to encourage men to enlist in the Continental Army and providing for the families of soldiers who were away at war.
Incorporation (1780): In the midst of the conflict, the New Cheshire Parish officially separated from Wallingford to become the independent town of Cheshire in May 1780.
2. Slavery in Cheshire (Page 159)
One of the more specific details Beach includes on page 159 is a discussion regarding Slave
Owners in the town. Despite the era’s focus on liberty, Beach documents that many prominent families held slaves.
The Case of Prince: On this page, Beach provides a transcript of a bill of sale dated July 13, 1789. It records the sale of an African American man named Prince to the Rev. John Foot, who was the pastor of the Congregational Church during the Revolutionary years.
This inclusion serves to highlight the contradictions of the era, showing that even the town's religious leadership participated in the institution of slavery during and immediately after the war.
3. Religious and Political Tensions
Beach discusses the friction between the "Whigs" (Patriots) and the "Tories" (Loyalists).
Tory Sympathies: Cheshire had a notable population of Loyalists. Beach describes how some residents were required to take an Oath of Fidelity to the State of Connecticut.
Persecution of Anglicans: The local Anglican community (later St. Peter's) often found themselves under suspicion because of their denomination's ties to the Church of England. Beach records instances where some were fined or jailed for failing to support the Congregational "Meeting House" taxes, a tension that was exacerbated by the political divide of the Revolution.
4. Economic Hardships
The research details the logistical struggles the town faced:
Salt and Food: Salt was a vital necessity that became scarce. Beach mentions the town’s efforts to manage and distribute salt supplies.
Inflation: He touches upon the challenges of "State Money" and the rising cost of food, documenting how the town government attempted to regulate prices and manage the local economy during wartime inflation.
5. Records of Soldiers
Beach concludes his narrative of the era by utilizing the extensive records of Parson Hall and Parson Foot. He includes lists of names and service records, noting that families like the Ives, Hulls, and Doolittle's were heavily represented in the military ranks.
Historical records beyond Beach confirm that Cheshire (then the New Cheshire Parish of Wallingford) was a vital military and logistical hub for the Connecticut militia. Your information about New Haven and Ridgefield is accurate; the town’s geographical position made it a primary "responder" during British coastal raids.
The Defense of New Haven (July 1779)
When the British, under General Tyron, invaded New Haven on July 5, 1779, the alarm spread through the inland parishes.
The Response: Cheshire’s militia companies, specifically those under the command of
Captain Lucius Tuttle and Captain Edward Russell, were among the first to march. Records show they reached the outskirts of New Haven as the British were occupying the town.
The Action: They participated in the skirmishing at Milford Hill and along the West River. Because Cheshire was on a direct northern route, many residents who fled New Haven actually sought refuge in Cheshire homes during the two-day occupation.
Names in the Fray: Local accounts mention men like Israel Bunnell and Amos Doolittle (the famous engraver who later created the first prints of the Battle of Lexington) were involved in the defense or the immediate aftermath of this raid.
The Battle of Ridgefield (April 1777)
The participation in the "Danbury Raid" and the subsequent Battle of Ridgefield is a point of pride in local military history.
The March: When the British landed at Compo Point to destroy the Continental supplies at Danbury, militia units from all over New Haven County were called up.
Cheshire Men: A contingent of Cheshire men served under Colonel William Douglas and General David Wooster.
Key Detail: Captain Lucius Tuttle is again frequently cited in pension records for his service during this specific campaign. The Cheshire men were part of the force that harassed the British retreat from Danbury through Ridgefield, fighting in the barricade battles where General Wooster was mortally wounded.
The "Black Soldier" and the Price of Freedom
While Beach mentions Prince in a domestic context, other military records for Cheshire highlight a man named Jack Little.
Jack Little: He is often cited as a "Black soldier of the Revolution" from Cheshire. He served in the 7th Connecticut Regiment.
The Arrangement: It was common for Cheshire’s wealthy farmers to offer their enslaved men as "substitutes" for the draft. In Jack Little’s case, he was credited to the town’s quota, and like many others, his "pay" was essentially his manumission. He survived the war and is listed in post-war census records as a free man living in the region.
Other Vital Contributions
The Farmington Canal Path: While the canal wasn't built until later, the path through Cheshire was a primary supply route for moving cattle and grain from the "Breadbasket" of the Farmington Valley down to the troops stationed along the coast.
The "Committee of Safety": Beyond inspection, this committee was tasked with hunting down deserters and identifying "Internal Enemies." Cheshire was particularly aggressive in this, as the high population of Anglicans (Loyalists) made the town a "hot zone" for political surveillance.
Let's take a look at the individuals who defined Cheshire’s involvement in the American Revolution. These figures offer a perfect cross-section of town life: from the established leadership of the Doolittle's and Tuttle's to the often-overlooked sacrifice of Jack Little.
1. The Tuttle Brothers:
The Military Backbone The Tuttle family was synonymous with the Cheshire militia. While many Tuttle's served, Lucius and Clement are the most prominent in the records of the 1770s.Captain Lucius Tuttle: A standout leader of the Cheshire company. He was a veteran of the "Danbury Alarm" (1777), where he led men to intercept the British retreat at the Battle of Ridgefield. He was known for being a disciplinarian who held the Cheshire militia together during the chaotic British raid on New Haven in 1779.
Clement Tuttle: Often served alongside his brother. The Tuttle's were quintessential "Minute Men"—farmers who could be in the field one day and marching toward the coast the next.
Historical Detail: After the war, Lucius became a fixture in Cheshire’s civil development. His house (the Lucius Tuttle House) still stands as a testament to the family's status and serves as a physical link to the town’s revolutionary past.
2. Jack Little: The Price of Liberty
The story of Jack Little is one of the most compelling narratives for a modern local history archive, as it highlights the intersection of the Revolution and the institution of slavery in Cheshire. The Soldier: Jack Little was a Black man who served in the 7th Connecticut Regiment and the 2nd Connecticut Line. The Substitution: Records indicate he likely served as a substitute. In Cheshire, as in much of New England, wealthy families could avoid the draft by paying for a substitute or sending an enslaved person in their place. Post-War Life: Unlike many who remained in obscurity, Jack Little is notable because he survived the war and appears in post-Revolutionary records. His service granted him a level of social standing that was rare for Black men in the late 18th century, and he is a primary example of the "Black Patriots" who helped fill the town's enlistment quotas.
3. The Doolittle's: Artisans and Officer's
The Doolittle family was perhaps the most influential name in 18th-century Cheshire. They were leaders in industry, religion, and the military. Ensign John Doolittle: A key officer in the local militia. He was deeply involved in the logistical side of the war—procuring "bounties" and salt for the town. Amos Doolittle (The Artisan Patriot): While he moved to New Haven, Amos was born in Cheshire and remained connected to the town. He is most famous for arriving at the Battle of Lexington and Concord shortly after the fighting ended and creating four copperplate engravings of the battle. These became the most famous contemporary visual records of the war’s beginning.
Reuben Doolittle: A "boots-on-the-ground" soldier who served in the coastal defense units. The Doolittle's were often the ones responsible for tracking "Internal Enemies" (Tories) within the parish, ensuring that local dissent didn't undermine the Continental cause.
These stories move the narrative away from dry dates and toward the actual people who walked the streets of Cheshire. Highlighting Jack Little provides a necessary look at the town’s diversity during the war, while the Tuttle's and Doolittle's provide the classic "founding father" perspective.
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| Sesquicentennial Cheshire Historical Society |
 Doolittle Family  America 250 Celebration and Steering Committee |
 Cheshire’s annual “Declaration Celebration” has taken place every 4th of July https://declarationcelebration.com/on the green in Cheshire for 10+ years and will move to Bartlem Park in 2026 for broader festivities. Make plans now to join us for the celebration! |
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