THE REVOLUTION. - It is not definitely known just how many took part in the war. On hearing of the first conflict, Captain Emory Pease and fifty men marched to Boston and were mustered into the service of the colonies. The town contributed liberally of men and money and provisions to carry on the war; and taxes imposed on the town were oftentimes severely felt by the people. It was voted in 1774 to raise one penny and a half on the pont to purchase town stock of powder and lead and to pay town debts and charges. On the 9th of December, 1776, it was voted to raise tow pence on the pound to support the poor, and to procure tents, pots, bowls and bottles for the use of the militia, according to the act of the assembly.
On the 27th of March, 1777, it was voted that "we the Inhabitants of the town of Somers, being now legally assembled to agree to and with his Honor the Governor, desire and do firmly unite among ourselves, strictly adhere to the law respecting regulating prices, etc., and that we will use our joint interests and several influence to support and maintain the same, as a very important and necessary regulation, and that we will strictly adhere to the same. At the same meeting a committee was appointed to provide for the families that should be left by soldiers going to the continental army. At a meeting held in September of that same year it was voted to "purchase clothing for the Continental soldiers agreeable to the Governor and the Committee of Safety’s orders and then choose a Committee to purchase said clothing."
In 1780, a number of able bodied and effective men were called for from this town by the governor and council of safety of this state as "we are informed to serve in the Connecticut line in the Continental Armies till the last day of December next, unless sooner discharged." To encourage voluntary enlistments the town voted to allow each man that enlisted "40 shillings a month in bills of the late emetion of this state." On the 15th of November it was voted to hire a number of able bodied men to serve in the army for three years or during the war. It was also voted to lay a tax of one shilling "this states money on the pound, on the list of 79 to purchase flour and meat for the Continental Army." All those that furnished flour and meat had their tax abated by paying six cents on the poind in provisions. A committee was appointed "to receive the salt, to put up said meat, purchase casks and receive said meat and flour agreeably to said act."" It was also voted that ""akd committee attend said business and those that carry any of said articles of provisions to said committees shall attend the same on the Tuesdays of every week between this and said 15th of December." Lieutenant Levi Pease was appointed ot put up the providions required of the town and was paid nine pence half penny on the poind for his services.
In 1781 it was voted to hire the town’s quota of continental soldiers for three, years and six state soldiers for the defence of Horseneck and places adjacent. February 25th, 1782, Major Pease was appointed to go to Hartford and ascertain the number of men which "we are to fill up." The records of the town show abundant evidence of the patriotism of the people.
It is said that the British soldiers (Hessians) who were prisoners of war at the old hotel kept by Lieutenant Peter Kibbe found a lead mine in the vicinity of Soapstone mountain, and that they used to resort thither for their supply for the manufacture of bullets. It is related also that an Indian took one of the citizens of the town to a certain paoint in the Gulf woods requesting him ot stay there until his return. This he did and after a time the Indian returned with a supply of the metal.
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