 |
Wolcott Historical Society News - February 2026
By Florence Goodman
Last month's article referenced this year marking 250 years since our country declared its independence. Although Wolcott was not incorporated until 1796, the parish of Farmingbury contributed 102 militiamen between the ages of 15 to 50 serving in the American Revolution. Throughout this year, I will introduce you to many of these local patriots who helped in the fight for our country's freedom.
David Wakelee was born in Farmingbury in 1750 to Ebenezer and Elizabeth (Nichols) Wakelee. They owned a large tract of land called the "Big Plains" area located near the Waterbury line where Wakelee, Sharon and Grilley Roads are found today. David and his wife Mary lived on his father's property and farmed the lands.
In the fall of 1781, rather than enlisting as a soldier, David Wakelee joined the Continental Army, as a Wagoner in Captain Roswell Ransom's company. These wagon trains were the lifelines of the infantry bringing them much-needed supplies as they fought the Redcoats in the south. On numerous occasions the Wagoner's were harassed and attacked by British soldiers. The following story about Wakelee was substantiated by John J. Kenea, a Revolutionary soldier from our town. He stated that David Wakelee, a Yankee farmer was moving his supply wagon south when an enemy horseman with his saber flashing attacked him. David stood his ground and was enraged when the blade crossed his chin. He raised his bayoneted flintlock and fatally thrust it into the enemy. When David finally returned home from the war a deep scare ran across his chin, and he walked with a limp caused by a musket ball that was still embedded in his leg. Wakelee also possessed a horse, a British saddle and a dragoon's Saber. This was yet another indication to document the truth of this story. David Wakelee died in 1821 in Wolcott, but is buried in Montrose Cemetery in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania where two of his children lived. In 1840 when Mary Parker Wakelee, widow of David made application for a pension it included John J. Kenea's affidavit confirming her husband's service record and his encounter with that British soldier.
Another interesting story has to do with Nathaniel Lewis. In the small historic Southeast Cemetery hidden on the Southington Reservoir property, stands a repaired tombstone with the inscription, "NATHANIEL LEWIS... died Feb. 24, 1839, aged 90 years. He was one of the first Settlers of this Town. An Honest Man." This is how Nathaniel Lewis chose to be remembered.
Nathaniel was born in 1747 in Southington, which Farmingbury was a part of at that time. He was a farmer and one of the founders of the Farmingbury Society. He married Sarah Gridley in 1769. During wartime he did what he thought necessary to fight for freedom. He served in Hooker's Regiment, Connecticut Militia during the war from 1775-1783. His enlistment in the Continental Army spanned for three terms and he served in the rank of Lieutenant although all referred him to as "Captain." During that time, he participated in quick expeditions, which set out to thwart the British from ravaging New Haven, Fairfield and Norwalk. An excerpt from an article written by Katherine Washburne in 1989 paints a true picture of the kind of man he was. It states ...
"It was in June 1781 that opportunity was offered to Captain Lewis to render an outstanding service to his country and its French allies. Rochambeau and his 6000 troops, camped in the valley below the mountain were independent on the countryside for their sustenance. Stripping his farm of all edibles and livestock, he hauled it down the mountainside to the thankful French. When they departed, after a two-day stay, Nathaniel Lewis loaded a huge cart - drawn by four yokes of oxen- with provisions and he accompanied the visitors to their destination on the Hudson River. Well rewarded for his service and oxen, he returned home on foot."
In Nathaniel's eyes, this was just another way to serve his country. The present Meriden Road together with Pierpont Road was part of an important military highway extending from the Hudson Valley to Hartford and Newport. The mountainside referred to in this story is Southington Mountain. These 6000 French troops camped from Pierpont Road in Waterbury along Tame Buck Road in Wolcott and all the way down the mountain into Marion.
These two Patriots, David Wakelee and Nathaniel Lewis were a perfect example of the strong-minded men from Farmingbury Parish who served their town and country without hesitation.
(Information from this article was taken from: two brochures: one from the Wolcott Historical Society titled, "WOLCOTT In The French and Indian Wars, The Revolutionary War and The War Of The Rebellion," and an article by Katherine Washburne, "They Loved Our Town"; the "1986 Historic Resources Inventory," by J.P.Loether Associates;" History of the Town of Wolcott (Connecticut) from 1731 to 1874," by Samuel Orcutt; and hours of research by Deb DuBois on Ancestry.com, Newspapers.com and other online research sites; a talk given by Florence Goodman, 2010 for Patriots' Day 2019; DAR research from Ellie Packer's Ancestry page)
David Wakelee's tombstone at Montrose Cemetery in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania
David Wakelee's pension notification
Almus Wakelee house on Wakelee Road built between 1822-1835. It is the last of the Wakelee Houses still standing.
Captain Nathaniel Lewis Homestead was located on the property where Farmingbury Golf Course on East Street and County Road is located today. The house, cow and horse barns were built circa 1760-1765 and remained in the possession of the Lewis family until after his death in 1839.
Tombstone of Nathaniel Lewis located in the Southeast Cemetery.
To view past installments of the Historical Society News, click here.
|
