Litchfield enquirer., 1879-07-24
A Revolutionary Relic.

Stone, who lived the latter part of his life in Bantam Falls on Prospect mountain, near the Buck Nickel mine. He died there, Sept 10th, 1S43, aged SS years, leaving large posterity. He was the grandfather of Rev. Hiram Stone, and of Leonard and Edward Stone of this vil- lage. He was pensioner of the Revolution ary war and drew a Sergeant's pension, S$120 per year.
 This statement was found among his papers at his decease, and is now in the possession of Rev Hiram Stone of Bantam Falls, and pos- sesses vivid interest to us, now, when the Centennial celebrations alongour Connecticut coast recall all the incidents and stones of our patriotic forefathers. D. c. K.
 STATEMENT OF SERVICES PERFORMED IN THE
 REVOLUTIONARY WAR.
 ''I was born in Connecticut; went into the State of New York in 1774. The war con- menced and in 1775 was out as a volunteer, about three months at Ticonderoga and Crown Point under Capt Cobb. In May 1776 I en- listed under Capt. Collins of Col. Vandyke's Regiment for six months at the expiration of which time the Northern posts, Ticonderoga, Crown Point and Fort Independence must be left defenceless unless our small number of ef- fective men would consent to stay until other troops arivedg I was dismissed, I think, on the 18th of December, making seven months. In March, TIT, l enlisted under Capt. Phineas Merrill, team conductor, and was employed ab0ut i've months in procuring teams and harness.
 rsAt this time our bleeding .country's cause denanded something more for our defence than drafted men, and short enlistments. Ashamed of my OK -goad, was determined to exchange it for weapons of steel, and on the 11th of April TIT. | enlisted under Capt. James Watson, in Col Samuel Webbs Regt, Connecticut Line Spent the following cam paign at and near the Hudson River The 9th of Dec. following Gen. Parsons embarked on board some small vessels at Norwalk, Conn., ecticut, with view to take small fort on Long Island. We left the shore about 6 o'clock p. m, the night was very dark the slOOp which was aboard of parted from the other vessels. and at daybreak, found our selves close alongside British frigate. think her name was Frankyn. Our sloop grounded, we struck our colors fatal hour 1! We were conducted to New York, introduced 10 the Jersey Prison Ship. We were all desti- tute of any clothing except what we had on i; we now begun to taste the vials of monarchi- al tender mercy. About the 25th of Jan 177S we were taken from the ship to the SrnAR HnF-GD .xwhsofa fbo ;colo season w..s more intolerable than the ship.
 ''We left the floating Hell with joy, but alas, our joy was of short duration. Cold and famine were now our destiny. Not pane of giass nor even 8 board to single window in the house, and no fire but once in three days, and that to cook our small allowance of pro- vision Here was a scene that truly tried body and soul Old shoes were bought and eaten with as good a relish as fig or turkey. beef bone of four or five ounces, after it was picked clean, was sold by the British guard for ss many cOppers- In the Spring our misery increased; frozen feet began to mortify; by the first of April death took from our number and hope form their misery, from seven to ten day and by the 1st of May, out of sixty five taken with me only fifteen were alive and eight of that number unable to walk.
 Death starred the living in the face we are now attacked with fever which threaten ed to clear our walls of its miserable nhab- tAnts- About the 2Oth of May made my escape from the prison yard. Just before the lamps were lighted got out of the city, pass cd all the guards. was often fired at, but still safe as tO any injury done me, arrived near Harlem River eastward of Kings Bridge Hope and fear were now in full exercise The alarm was struck by the sentinels keeping fir ing at me l arrived at the bank of the Har- len, i've men met me with their bayonets at my breast; to resist was instant death, and to give up. little better.
 Was conducted to the main guard, kept there until morning, then started for New Yxk- with walters, with Bayonets at my back arrived al my old habitation about 1 o'clock. P m. was introduced to the prison keeper, EhO threatened with instant death, gave me two heavy blows with his cane. caught his arm and the guard interfered. Was driven to the provost, thrust into the dungeon, a stone fox, 3Os blanket, not board, not a straw to rest on Next day was visited by a Refugee Lieut., offered to enlist me- offered a bounty. declined Next day renewed the visit, made further offers. told me the General was deter miaed should starve to death where was, unless would enter their service told him his General dare not do it. q shall here omit the inPrecations gave him in change). The third day I was visited by two British officers, they offered me Sergeant's post. threatened me with death as before in case I refused rrPEied Death If the Dare In about ten minutes the door was opened, guard took me io my old habitation. the Sugar Honse, it being AbOut the alne time of the day left my cell that sasered it. being three days and nights withous a Hossel of food or drop of water, all this for the crime of gezing out of prison. When in the dungeon, refecting upon my situ- aIio1, thought if ever mortal could be justi- hed in praying for the destruction of his ene- mies. an the man. After my escape the gazrd was augmented. and about this time a uew prison kepu vas appointed, our situation became more tolerabie. The 18th, of July I was exchanged, Language xAnld failnle to desczibe the joy of that hour, but it was tram satO<y-- On the morning of the 18th some friends. OC what is still more odious some Ref 0seeS c@st into the prison yard quantity of warm bread. and it was devoured with greed ines& The prison gate was opened, we marched out, about the number of 250.
 Those belonging to the North and Eastern States. were conducted to the North River and driven ca board sf the Flag ship. and landed al Elizabethtown, New Jersey. Those who ate of the bread soon sickened; there wa. death in the bread they had eaten. Some be gan ss complain in about half an hour afte eating the bread one was taken sick aftel anOthes in qaick succession, and the cry wal