DAR Ancestor #: A110930

Stephen Stowe, Martyr of Milford, A Hero of the American Revolutionary War

Stephen Stowe May 22, 1726-February 8, 1777

Parents: Samuel Stowe 1681-1740 and Esther Mould

Wife Freelove Baldwin 1728-1805

Children:

1. John 1761-1839
2. Phineas 1771-1811

Lived in the Eells-Stowe House built c.1700, believed to be the oldest house in Milford, CT Sources:

• http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=26439
• http://www.damnedct.com/milford-historical-society-milford/

Known as the Martyr of Milford. He was called 'The Martyr' because of his voluntary service to nurse the sick and dying American prisoners of war who landed in Milford by boat. They all had smallpox which Stephen caught and met his untimely death with. ("Families of Early Milford, Connecticut" by Susan Woodruff Abott, 1979).

At the southwest corner of Milford Cemetery, near the train tracks, is a large monument in honor of forty six soldiers who sacrificed their lives for their country. It includes the following memorial:

"In memory of Capt. Stephen Stowe of Milford, who died Feb 8, 1777, aged 51 years. To administer to the wants and soothe the miseries of these sick and dying soldiers, was a work of extreme self denial and danger, as many of them were suffering from loathsome and contagious maladies. Stephen Stow voluntarily left his family to relieve these suffering men. He contracted disease from them, died and was buried with them. He had already given four sons to serve in the war of independence. To commemorate his self sacrificing devotion to his country, and to humanity, the legislature of Connecticut resolved that his name should be inscribed in this monument.>