Norwich bulletin., 1909-07-03

on East Town street (No. SD.
 "The ancestors of the Nevins family emigrated from England or Scotland. about the year 17Se. David Nev- ins came to Ncrwich; wnere he mar ried Martha, daughter of Lieut.. Col. Simon Lathrop, and finally fixed his residence in Canterbury Conn. Here he was accidentally killed by falling rom a bridge during a freshst, in the Cpring of 1757.
 The oldest son of the deceased. the late Capt. Dcvid Nevins of NorNiCh. then about years of age vas aGOpi ed by his grandfather. Colonel a throp, and from that period became d resident of Norwich. When the ket0 lutiofary contest commenced, he Ca tered with characteristic zeal and G. 'rgy into the ranks of the Sons 0 L. arty. Being a skiful norsemaL. ana peculiarly Irompt in business. h. was selected as a confidential lnesseiI ger by the patriots on various interes, ing occasions. He w1ald ride iron Norwich to New Haven. the post roau then measuring about 65 mics, with out pausing, except on the top of steep hill to breathe his horse. Or o,n occasion. as we learn from the ole newspapers of the day, being chargeG with some important commission ne started for Providence 45 miles dis. tant, after s o'clock in the evening. despatched his business in that place and was met or kis return only sevei miles from home before II o'clock 'thc next morning.
 He enlisted in the army upon the news of the battle Of Bunker Hill served at the siege of. Boston, went from thence to New York. was engaged in various skirmishes with the enemy. and shared in all the h9rdships and perils of the retreat from that city. -. He retired from the army with the rank of captain. and having mar rled Mary. daughter of Russell Hub bard of New London. returned to his old home at NorN ich. where the next 30 years of his life were spent His latter days-days of a fresh and green old age-foT he was hale and joy ous almost to the last. were passed with his children in New Yark. where he died January 21 1888. aged 91 years" Norwich Courier March % 1855.
 Capt. Christopher Vail revolution any sodicr, died in this city in 1S45 aged S1. He was the oldest living member at the time of his death of the Protestant Episcopal church in this piSce, having been a communicant for i-tAiA e tNAtAA Ilf tllAFAtu ullOl tUt struggle of the revolution at IT years Gf age; and land and by sea. by action dnG by suffering, he served his coun- try through the whole war. He was in the famous attack upon the Tories\and British on Long Island. when a few Americans crossed in whale boats from New Haven and recaptured much rluBder and took many prisoners. TTc vas in the expedition tc old Fort ri { fs. CTS from that place-at it's apture Ha was a prisoner in the Old Jersey pris- on ship. at one time. and at anO;llar he was a prisoner in Antigua jail Gin tlis West Indies) for '13 months Also fer a long period he was prisoner iu the British feet from which he final ly escaped by running away with great risk. and travelling on loot through Portugal and Spain. Indeed his diary rich we once bsd the >loasurr of cooking through (and which he kept. of the whole revolution. and now fn possession of his family) is full in- teresting incidents ccnnecttl with .h,s Io' ton of his life. AS one of our old Ct and formerly most aetivve citizer-. hz is well known in this section of the statC. Many years a resident of Rieil- i-cad, Va. where he was engaged il tie drug and medicine business, Capt vail VII be remembered with affec- or by the old inha 5itants of thas ace We shall at some future tim. e, tract extensively from the journal keut by hEn of his adventures and air breadth escapes Coy permissio-. of himself during life iifetimc). for the purpose of inter estin~ oiIr readers. ard of leaving behind him recorded evi- cence of his patriotism and moral worth. h.''-Norwich News, June 1, 1Si5. 
 In Norwich and some other towns in the eastern part of Connecticut were often quartered tories and other L'isoners of war. Here. too. were kept srores of grain. molasses. tents, pow 6ei and other supplies for the army. The city was also well situated to serve as port of refuge for vessels, where they could safely retire and dis charge their cargoes.
 The people were never in fear of a direct invasion of tlie enemy. except at the time of the burning of New london. in September. 1TSl. It was tfen feared that Arnold with hatred toward his native town. might proceed up the river and bring destruction to the homes of his former neighbors. Preparations were even made to re- ca.Ve him: goods were packed and ", men and children made ready for t ght. but Arnold. if he had the. will. va Is too prudent to venture so far from the coast, and Norwich was left in Itace