Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1850-12-05
The Last Of Aliens Mem,

The venerable AdORyoh Moruna de-
parted this life at his residence in Shar-
on. the Esd Of November. having nearly
completed his 9th year. He was born
in Sharon on the asih day Of December,
1853. His father came. in the early
settlement Of that town. from Barnstablc
county, Mass. and lived where Onin
Abel now resides, and there Adoniiah
Maxam was born. His youth was spent
in labor on farm. and at the age Of 90
he enlisted into the Revolutionary Army,
in company commanded by Major FL
more, in Colonel Humans regiment.
This company went to Canada in 1875,
and Mr.. Maxam, with several others from
Sharon, volunteered in an expedition I'M
der Colonel Ethan Allen, which made a
rash attack on Montreal in September
| Of tlsat Year, and which resulted in the
capture Of the whole party. He was
put on board ship, with SO others, in.
GLIDING Colonel Allen. They were hand.
cufftd, and thrust into small place in
the hold Of The We sci, where they were
confined for about forty days, at the end
of which time they we've landed at Fal>
mouth, IN England. 1t was the declar-
ed intention Of the British Government
to have punished these prisoners capi-
tally, for treason: but the vicissitudes Of
war had by this time placed many Bit
ish prisoners in the hands OF the Ameri.
cans, and the threat of retaliation produ.
ced change in the policy Of the enemy.
After confinement Off. few days in Pen.
dennis Castle. they were removed to a
ship of way, and their hand cuffs taken
off,. Having been detained for several
weeks in the harhor of Cork, Ireland, the
feet sailed for America, and, after te-
dious voyage Of nearly four months,
came to anchor off the coast of North
Carolina. There the prisoners were trans
fered to frigate and taken to Halifax,
N. S.. where they were confined on ship.
board and in the garrison until the fol-.
lowing October l776,) when they were
ordered TO New York. After lying sew
clal weeks in the haibor, they we're Ia.
ken on shore and confined in church.
During his second night in the church.
Mr.. Maxam made his escape, with four
Others. BY digging under the walls; and
after wandering several days on Long
Island, he crossed the Sound in an open
boat and landed near Say brook.
Having been prisoner for more than
year, he now found himself at home
and at liberty. but his patriotic ardor had
in no degree abated. He soon after en-
listed into regiment commanded by the
late Chief Justice Root, and performed
tour Of duty in the neghborhood Of New
York. He was in the battle OF Compo
Ridge, in Fairfield. soon after the burning
of Danbury, in l777, and in the battle of
Monmouth in l77Y. He was personally
acquainted with General Washington, &
always spoke ofhim with the mos: enthu-
siastic ad .niration.
After the war closed. Mr.. Maxam set
tied in his native town, and by industry
and economy acquired a large estate. He
was one Of the earliest members Of the
Methodist Church in tho town, and has
for several years been the sole survivor of
the first Glass Of that denomination which
was formed in Sharon. His christian
walk was always becoming. and he was
ever ready to bear testimony to the reli>
gion Of the Gospel. He was the last OF
that patriotic band. whose sufferings and
captivity have just been detailed, and he
has left behind him but very few of that
gallant army by whom our liberties were
achieved. 8