Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1885-01-27
HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
Paper BY Henry HOwe-The Life
And Experiences of Captain ThOma s
Painter OF West Haven.

| Paper BY Henry HOwe-The Life
| And Experiences of Captain ThOmas
Painter Of West Haven.
The Historical society met last evening to
hear the reading by Mr.. Henry Howe, of this
city, of paper upon "The Life and Elk
periences of Captain Thomas Painter, of
West Haven, Soldier, Sailor and Prisoner
| of the American Revolution" The rooms
were filled with the usual assemblage of the
old citizens of New Haven, among whom
| were Governor and Charles English, Cover
nor and Colin Ingersoll, Ex-Governor Bowers,
| Andrew L. Kidston, Charles Peterson, FL. T.
Blake, Rev S. w. Merwin, Peck Sperry, j.
| D. Dewell, Charles Farnam, Judge Miller, D.
| G. Collins, etc.
Mr. Howe opened with a sketch of Captain
Painter, who, it seems, was native of West
Haven, born there in 1850, died in 1913,
aged lightweight years. When in his seven
ty-ffth year Captain Painter wrote a sketch
of his life for the benefit of his posterity.
From his autobiography Mr.. Howe made an
abstract in regard to the history of West
Haven. From this it seems that
some of the first settlers in New
Haven in its beginning located in West Haven
then part of the town. Among these was
the noted Captain Lamberton, who soon after
the settlement of New Haven was lost in ''the
phantom ship" SO called. From an early day
it was a place of shipbui1ding, timber being
plenty then. Mr.. Howe also stated that the
first church was established in West Haven
in 1719; but the first minister the Rev. Mr..
johnson, went over to Episcopacy
of
Episcopacy in Connecticut. He described
two old houses in West Haven, one of
which, the Painter mansion, now standing,
was built about 1896, and another now
there about 1886. In the first named was |
born Captain Painter, who was left an Or |
phan at an early age and when the Revolu- |
tionary war broke out, being stout plucky |
lad of sixteen years, enlisted as a soldier was |
with Washington in the retreat from Long /
Island. Later, being tired, as he said "of |
carrying his furniture on his back, he en-
listed as sailor board of a prlvateer. |
In rash, foolhardy attempt to capture
vessel from almost under the guns of a Brit
ish fleet himself and companions were taken
prisoners and placed on board the Good Hope,
a prison ship at New York. From this YES
sci Painter, by stratagem, saving his own
liquor and getting the sentinels drunk, escap-
ed in the night, swan ashore to New York
island, then in the possession of the British,
self On the fourth night, in
the meanwhile not having had
particle of food, hesentered the Hudson river
and after about four hours of swimming
gained the Jersey shore. But he was still in
he midst of enemies. Providence, however,
seems to have favored him and with variety
If adventures which Mr.. Howe detailed he
to finally get beyond the British
ines and made his way home to West Haven,
lis friends looking upon his return as one
'isen from the dead. This finished the read
ng for the evening. The remainder of Capt.
Painters experiences in the war will be given
wo weeks from last night. It seems he was
vice afterwards prisoner to the British, at
me time on board of the old Jersey prison
hip, and acted heroic part in the invasion
# New Haven. He was efter the war mas |
er of the first American ship which sailed
round the world, and extensively en-
aged in commerce.
At the close of the reading last night
Governor English arose and expressed his
ratification He had known Captain Paint g
= in his early manhood and from him had
OF some grand business ideas, especially
pom the topic of accommodating property. 1
ainter was a born money! maker, as well as {
kindly. lust and honorable man.