The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1876-06-05

Ii GhhiEth CphhtJt SOulst Juub
where the State borders on New York,
is situated the beautiful village OF
Greenwich, called in "ye olden time,"
Horse Neck, taking this name from n
neck Of land iutting out into Long
Island sound, ou which the Indians pms.
tured their horses. Like most New
England towns, Greenwich has n
graphic colonial history OF times
when tho Mohegns skulked through
the forests, waging unrelenting
wars. Aud later, during the Revolution,
the town comes into notice aS Il point OF
Gov. Tryon'5 attack, and tho bold es.
capo OF Putnam down the precipitous
lillian incident which will be remem.
bered to the end Of time. From the
top OF this hill tho view OF tho scenery
is grand. On the south is the sound,
ever dotted with craft, and Long island
itself in the distance, with its bald sand
banks. The appearance Of the village
from the sound is particularly fine, and
always attracts the attention OF passen
gers by boats. The first house in the
village, approaching it from the west,
by the old mail route from New York to
Boston, was the house OF Col. Richard
Mead, whose father-Dr. Amos Mead
was surgeon of Ye Third Connecticut
regiment, at Ticonderoga, in 1853, aS
his powder horn informs us. A short
distance further on waSthe residence Of
Gen. john Mead, tho subject Of this
sketch.
This hero OF tho Revolutionary war
was born in Greenwich in the year 172j,
and was tho son Of John and Elizabeth
(Lockwooa) Mead. In personal appear
ance he was short Of stature aud very
Aeshy so much so that the story is told
TINT his tailor, having mnde vest for
him, by way Of experiment buttoned it
around himself and four other men. In
character, he WAS firm and decided,
sometimes Looked upon as severe, but
withul extremely Just.
Gen. John Meal was member OF tho
Connecticut Legislature for nine years
before the Revolutionary war, md after
the war till he died, making in all nine.
teen consecutive years. King George
sent him II commission as captain, which
he declined. When he entered the
American army he was made major, and
three weeks afterwArd was promoted to
be lieutenant colonel. Three years be-
fore the war closed he was made gen.
cral. At home ho also held tho office of
probate judge. His captains commits
siOu was at ono time found among his
papers, by the British and Tories, when
they surrounded and plundered his
house during tho war, mud by them car
ried of US evidence against him, should
he, by any chances Of war, fall into their
hands.
During three years OF tho war ho had
command Of the American lines ut Horse
Neck, and for u long distance either
way. He saw somo active service, and
was with the army Mt New York when
that city was taken by tho British, hav-
iug command OF the last detachment Of
our troops that left tho city. The
then Col. Mead, rs related above, was
short OF stature and very heshy. The
day on which tho army evacuated New
York was n remarkably hot one, aud our
troops suffered severely from heat md
fatigue during tho retreat. At night.
50 sooG ny 4 place Of safety had been
reached, every one sought rest. The
officers fouud accommodations on the
floor of tho hotel, md everywhere, until
not II place remained. Col. Mead came
in last, aud carefully sought n place
living down, he thoughtlesSly npprOpri.
ated M officers feet for a pillow. The
officer awoke, and in rough tone de-
maudcd who was lying on his feet. Col.
Mead politely apologized, but the eoilicer,
recognizing his voice, cried ont "Col.
Mead, is that you? l never expected
to SEQ you again alive, after tho dread
full heat aud struggle OF the day; ake
pillow and welcome, if you can find
any rest here.
His farm and resilence ut Horse
Neck were below tho American lines,
which, with his position as officer, made
ii "a place especially exposed. His house
was repeatedly plundered, his cattle
driven oil, aud his life and tho lives OF
his family greatly endangered by tho
Tories and Cowboys; his buildings torn
to pieces, his fcncesbnrned. aud eyentu-
ally he Was compelled to remove his
family to the adjoining townof NorTalk,
afterward New Canaan. For his losses
the State aftcrward gave him large
track of land in Ohio, then considered
Of little value, md Mt his death it was
divided among his children.
General John Mead was married, in
1855, to Mary Brush, daughter Of Ben
iamiu Brush, OF Scotch extraction. by