Capt. Joseph Wadsworth

Joseph Wadsworth

• Sex: M
• Birth: 1647/1650 in Hartford, Connecticut
• Death: 1729 in Hartford, Connecticut
• Father: William Wadsworth b: 1600 in Long Beckley, Norfolk, England
• Mother: Elizabeth Stone b: 21 OCT

Notable for

• Samuel Colt (inventor of the Colt Revolver) is a descendant.
• Freeman, 1676
• King Philip's War veteran
• Captain of the Hartford Train Band
• The man who hid the Colonial Charter in the "Charter Oak," 1687
  • Joseph is remembered in history as the man who, when the British came to seize Connecticut's Royal Charter in 1687, hid the precious document in the Charter Oak, thereby securing the rights of the colonists. The Charter Oak subsequently was named as Connecticut's official State Tree and stood for another 150 years before it was toppled in 1856. It now appears on Connecticut's state quarter.
• Mary Talcott calls Joseph, "a man of prominence, and some turbulence of character."

Family

Marriage

1. about 1682 to Elizabeth Talcott (1656-1710) in Hartford, Connecticut. She was the daughter of Lt. Col. John (Immigrant) Talcott b: 18 DEC 1630 in Braintree, Essex, England & Helena Wakeman
2. between April 1712 and May 6, 1722 to Mary Blackleach (1656-Aft 1629), widow of John Olcutt. She was the daughter of John Blackleach & Elizabeth Harbert. Children all by first wife, all born in Hartford:
3. Elizabeth. Married Jonathan Marsh.
4. Hannah. Married Aaron Cook.
5. Joseph b: 1682.
6. Jonathan b: 20 FEB 1686/87. Married Hepzibah Marsh. Married Abigail Camp.
7. Ichabod b: 1688. Married Sarah Smith.

Will

Manwaring, III, p. 121 - Will Capt. Joseph Wadsworth dated 6 July 1723

"I, Joseph Wadsworth, do make this my last will and testament. And having given a jointure in full satisfaction to my wife Mary, I proceed to bequeath my estate to my children. And I give to my son Joseph the upper Neck lott of land where his dwelling house stands, with all the buildings, orchards, priviledges and appurtenances, to him and his heirs forever. Also I give to my son Joseph my upper lott in the long meadow, and the 5-acre lott that I bought of Capt. Nathan Gold, and the 4 acres of land at Brother Talcott's upper lott, which I have by agreement with Brother Talcott: and also give to my son Joseph all my land in Coventry. This I give to him besides what he hath formerly had or improved of my estate. I give to my son Jonathan and his heirs forever a woodlott butting east on the road to Windsor, with all the buildings thereon, with all the priviledges and appurtenances thereunto belonging. Also I give him my Neck lott of land lying over against the aforesd. woodlott, butting west on the road leading to Windsor, that was bought of Thomas Thomlinson. Also I do give him the lott of land which the half-way tree stands on, in the long meadow. I do give to my son Ichabod the lower houselott, so called, that butteth west on a hightway and north of Joseph Barnard's land, with the mansion house, bar, and all the priviledges and appurtenances thereunto belonging. Also my 4 acres in the south meadow and 6 acres in the Soldier's Field, bounding south of Richard Goodman's land. Also my 3 acres at the lower end of thelong meadow, and the acre lott nigh the lower end of sd. meadow. Also my woodlott of 60 acres lying on the west side of Mill River, night the road leading to Simsbury. And on the west side of Mill River, nigh the road leading to Simsbury. And I order Ichabod to pay to Jonathan 40 shillings yearly so long as my wife continues my widow. And my will is that if I dye before my present wife, that my sons aforenamed do allow to her the improvement of all such lands as by joynture I have given her to use, according to the true intent of sd. instrument, without any leet or hindrance whatsoever. I do give to my three grandchildrn, children of my daughter Elizabeth Marsh, viz., Jonathan Marsh, Joseph Marsh and Elizabeth Marsh, L10, to be paid to them as they come to lawful age, each of them L3-06-08, to be paid them by my three sons, Joseph, Jonathan and Ichabod, in equal parts. This I give to them besides what I gave to their mother and what she hath had of my estate formerly. I do give unto my daughter Hannah Cook L10 besides what she hath formerly had. I appint my son Joseph Wadsworth my executor." Pvd 2 Mar. 1730/1

• http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=:92332&id...
  • Title: ludden1.FTW Repository: Media: Other Text: Date of Import: Nov 7, 1999

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Biography

Joseph Wadsworth was the third child of William and Elizabeth (Stone) Wadsworth. Joseph was born in 1647 at Harford, Connecticut. Even though his father was 52 years old when Joseph was born, Joseph and his father had 28 years together before William died. Certainly, during the time spent with his father weeding the family crops, putting improvements on the family lands, and the myriad of other duties performed together Joseph took the opportunity to learn from his father the merits of worshiping God, living honestly, and the need to serve in the community.

Joseph married Elizabeth Talcott at Hartford, Connecticut. Elizabeth was the daughter of John and Dorothy Talcott who had traveled with William Wadsworth from Braintree, England, to Massachusetts, on the ship Lyon in 1632.9 Six children were born to Joseph and Elizabeth. Jonathan's father (who was also named Jonathan) was born in 1686/7 at Hartford, Connecticut.10

He died in the year 1729, being about eighty years of age, sound in mind, morals and estate. His second wife, three sons and two daughters survived him, and quite a number of his direct descendants are now living in Hartford. He made his will in 1723, appointing his son Joseph executor. A jointure was made for his widow, Mary. He gave Joseph, Jr., his Upper Neck land, where he (Joseph, Jr.) then lived, the upper lot in Long Meadow, four acres of land which joined his brother Talcott's, and his lands in Coventry. To Jonathan, he gave lands on the Windsor road, buildings, &c. To Ichabod, he gave land in Soldiers' Field, lower house-lot, with house and barn, four acres South Meadow, and sixty acres west of Windsor road. He gave his three grand-children, the children of his daughter Elizabeth, viz: Jonathan, Joseph and Elizabeth Marsh, .£10 cach; and to his daughter Hannah, (wife of John Cook,) an estate of over £900 sterling. His will and inventory may be found in Nos. 11 and 12 of the Probate Records of Hartford.

From The Life and Legacy of Jonathan Wadsworth (1729 - 1777) by Erick Wadsworth

Joseph Wadsworth of Charter Oak Fame (1647 - 1729)

An important event took place on October 31, 1687 that is still taught in the schools of Connecticut today.

Taking the charter and the resulting backlash may have been the first act of civil disobedience against the Crown by the Colonies.

From Unexpected Super Hero!

"My 8th ggf saved the colony of Connecticut!  Single-handedly!  Well, sort of.  Here's the story...

"Joseph Wadsworth was born March 17, 1650, in Hartford, Connecticut.  (I know, a Yankee.  But we had to start somewhere, right?  Stay with me...)  He was the son of William Wadsworth (1594-1675) and Elizabeth Stone (1621-1682). 

In 1662, King Charles II of England granted a charter to those who lived in the Connecticut Colony.  It basically assured the citizens the right to self government, including a governor, deputy governor, twelve assistants and other officials elected as needed by the colony "freeman".  They were to meet twice a year.  The charter also guaranteed the full rights and privileges of the British citizenry to all those born is said colony.  Full rights and self-government.  Sounds great, doesn't it?  It was.  Until a new king came into power.

James II, grandson of King James I (of KJV Bible fame), didn't think so.  He appointed Sir Edmond Andrus as governor of ALL of New England, and instructed him to pull Connecticut's charter.  Happy to oblige, Andrus marched into Hartford on October 31, 1687, with his plastic pumpkin-shaped basket on his arm, planning to snatch the charter from Connecticut as if he were taking candy from a baby, thus making him the first Trick or Treater in U.S. history.  OK - so I made that up.  Some of it.  He did arrive on October 31st, and he did mean business, but, boy, did he have another thing coming.

Everyone knew why Andrus was there, including Joseph Wadsworth, who was a captain in the train-band (local militia).  Andrus met with colony officials at Moses Butler's tavern.  It was night and the room was lit with candles.  Andrus demanded the charter amidst pleas from officials, including Governor Treat.  At some point in the argument and confusion, the candles were extinguished.  When they were relit, the charter, which had been placed on a table, was missing!  Joseph had grabbed the charter in the chaos and fled the building.  He went directly to the home of Samuel Wyllys, a colony magistrate, and hid the charter in the hollow of a large oak tree.

Some believe that the charter used that night was just a copy, because the colonists didn't dare lose the original to Andrus.  Regardless, Andrus asserted his power, even without the charter, but his government was overthrown a couple of years later in Boston.

The charter oak even made it to the back of the Connecticut quarter in 1999.

comments

wife confusion

From CAPT. JOSEPH WADSWORTH THE HERO OF THE CHARTER OAK IN ANCIENT HARTFORD, CT

From the foregoing it will be seen that Elizabeth, daughter of Bartholomew Barnard, evidently became the wife of Thomas Wadsworth before December 6, 1677, and was still his wife in April 1698; that Joseph Wadsworth was married in 1682 or earlier, that in May 1691 he was a brother-in-law of Joseph Talcott, and that his wife Elizabeth, evidently Talcott's sister and the mother of his children, died in October 1710. Thus, for at least sixteen years from 1682 to 1698, both Thomas Wadsworth and Joseph Wadsworth were living in Hartford, each of them with a wife Elizabeth. The wife of the former being the daughter of Bartholomew Barnard, and the wife of the latter being the daughter of Lt. Col. John Talcott.

There is no evidence that Joseph Wadsworth was married more than twice, first, before 1683, to Elizabeth Talcott, who was the mother of his children, and who died October 26, 1710; and secondly, between April 1712 and May 6, 1722, to Widow Mary Olcott. --- Frank Farnsworth Stark ®136

therefore, incorrect parents for wife

From Wadsworth, or the Charter Oak

1Bartholomew Barnard lived on Sentinel Hill. Joseph Wadsworth married his daughter Elizabeth, who was the mother of his children, Joseph, Jonathan, who died in infancy, Ichabod, Elizabeth, Hannah and Jonathan. After her death, which occurred October 26, 1710, Joseph Wadsworth married Elizabeth Talcott, and upon her death he made his third venture by marrying Thomas Welles' widow Mary, whose maiden name was Blackleach. She survived him.

From page 87 of Two Hundred and Fifty Years of the Wadsworth Family in America: Containing ...

Capt. Joseph was son of Hon. William, Sen., and was born in 1650. He married for his first wife Elizabeth, daughter of Bartholomew Barnard, of Hartford. For his second wife he married Mary, the widow of John Olcott. She was also the widow of Thomas Welles, a grandson of Gov. Welles. Her maiden name was Mary Blackleach. daughter of John Blackleach, Jr. His first wife died Oct. 26, 1710. His second wife, Mary, survived him. His children were all by his first wife.

CAPT. JOSEPH WADSWORTH, OF HARTFORD, CONN. & The Charter Oak

Capt. Joseph it was who, on the night of the 31st of October, 1687, seized and secreted the charter of Connecticut, when Sir Edmund Andros came to Hartford in order to wrest it by force from the freemen of this colony. "The important affair," says Trumbull, "was debated and kept in suspense until evening, when the charter was brought and laid upon the table, where the Assembly were sitting. Bv this time great numbers of people were assembled, and were sufficiently bold to enterprise whatever might be necessary or expedient. The lights were instantly extinguished, and one Capt. Wadsworth. of Hartford, in the most silent and secret manner, carried offi the charter and secreted it in a large hollow tree fronting the house of the Hon. Samuel Wyllys, then one of the magistrates of the colony. The people appeared peaceable and orderlv. The candles were officiously relighted, but the Patent was gone; and no discovery could be made of it or of the person who conveved it awav."* His brother, Hon. John, was sitting at the council board when Capt. Joseph took the charter.

The charter oak tree stood in the southeast part of the city, on land owned at that time by Governor Wvllys. The tree stood until the year 1856, when on August 12th of that year it fell with a tremendous crash. It was supposed to have been standing four hundred years.

• page 615 of Families of Early Hartford, Connecticut By Lucius Barnes Barbour
• page 83 of Genealogies of Connecticut Families: From the New England Historical and ...
• Hiding the Charter: Images of Joseph Wadsworth’s Legendary Action
• Charter Oak image search
• http://ctstatelibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/12connector12v... Hiding the Charter: Images of Joseph Wadsworth’s Legendary Action] by Museum Curator Dave Corrigan. Connecticut State Library The CONNector, Vol 14, Number 4. 2012.

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Joseph Wadsworth of Charter Oak Fame (1647 – 1729) Joseph Wadsworth was the third child of William and Elizabeth (Stone) Wadsworth. Joseph was born in 1647 at Harford, Connecticut. Even though his father was 52 years old when Joseph was born, Joseph and his father had 28 years together before William died. Certainly, during the time spent with his father weeding the family crops, putting improvements on the family lands, and the myriad of other duties performed together Joseph took the opportunity to learn from his father the merits of worshiping God, living honestly, and the need to serve in the community.

Joseph married Elizabeth Talcott at Hartford, Connecticut. Elizabeth was the daughter of John and Dorothy Talcott who had traveled with William Wadsworth from Braintree, England, to Massachusetts, on the ship Lyon in 1632.9 Six children were born to Joseph and Elizabeth. Jonathan’s father (who was also named Jonathan) was born in 1686/7 at Hartford, Connecticut.10 An important event took place on October 31, 1687 that is still taught in the schools of Connecticut today.

Fact mixed with fiction, history combined with legend, the story of the Charter Oak is a part of Connecticut history. Circumstances leading up to the charter incident began in 1662. Connecticut received from Charles II, King of England, a charter of government. The charter contained the rights to self-govern within the existing geographic area of Connecticut. The charter decreed that two general assemblies should be held annually; and that the assembly would consist of a governor, deputy governor, twelve assistants, and other officers as needed. The officers were chosen by the “freemen” of the colony, which allowed for a form of self-government. Additionally, the people born under the charter were granted all the privileges of a person born in England.11

Unfortunately a new king in England (James II) appointed Sir Edmond Andrus as governor over all New England, and the King instructed Andrus to retrieve the charter from the citizens of Hartford. Following the King’s directive Andros came to Hartford the night of October 31, 1687, to meet with the local leaders. His mission was to retrieve the charter from the people of Connecticut, and enforce his rule as governor over the entire New England area.

Sir Edmond Andrus entered the town of Hartford, on Monday, October 31, 1687. Two trumpeters preceded Mr. Andrus, the sounds of their horns piercing the silence of the cold autumn air. The townspeople knew the reason for Andrus’ visit, and they were not happy with his intent. He was coming to take their government charter away, and enforce his own rule. The streets were lined with members of the train-band (the local militia) who watched as Andrus passed by, and rode to the front of the Moses Butler tavern to meet the local leaders. Joseph Wadsworth was a lieutenant in the train-band, and was present at the meeting house when Andrus arrived.

The appointed hour for the meeting came, and all the invited guests had arrived, so the meeting began. Andrus demanded the charter, and followed that with an order that Connecticut would be annexed to his (Mr. Andrus’) government.12

The local leadership, including Governor Treat, responded with impassioned pleas to allow the charter and government to remain intact. Andrus was not convinced. His duty was to collect that charter, take control of the government, and he would not be deterred. The meeting was held in the evening, and darkness enveloped the area except for the candles that provided light for the room. During a moment of confusion the candles were extinguished, and the room was pitch black. The charter (which was placed on the table) was grabbed by Captain Joseph Wadsworth, and he fled the room. Joseph ran out of the tavern to the home of Samuel Wyllys, then one of the magistrates of the colony. A large oak tree stood in front of the home of Mr. Wyllys where Joseph secreted the charter.13

Newspapers, TV cameras, reporters, or direct quotes from participants in this history altering event did not exist, so what is fact or what is fiction cannot be completely known. However, Joseph did receive money from the colonial assembly in 1715, for “securing the duplicate charter of this Colony in a very troublesome season when our constitution was struck at, and in safely keeping and preserving the same ever since to this day.”14 Taking the charter and the resulting backlash may have been the first act of civil disobedience against the Crown by the Colonies.

Jonathan Wadsworth and his Life before Saratoga Into this freedom loving family Jonathan Wadsworth was born May 9, 1729, at Hartford, Connecticut, to Jonathan Wadsworth and Abigail (Camp) Wadsworth.15 His early years were spent with a family of nine brothers and sisters, although five of Jonathan’s siblings were the children of his father’s first wife, Hephzibah Marsh, who died in 1724.16 Jonathan’s father died on July 23, 1739, leaving him without the guidance of the man he surely admired. According to the Reverend Daniel Wadsworth the death occurred “in a very sudden manor in y woods.”17 Jonathan’s mother married Jacob Kellogg January 27, 1741/42, and Jacob helped raise the children.18

Little is known of Jonathan’s early years, although some insights into the challenges of early colonial life are described as follows:

Boys learned by helping men with chores on the farm. They cleared land, built fences, butchered animals, and split wood. They also planted, cared for and harvested crops like flax, corn, oats, and barley. Most boys grew up to farm land and work at skills like weaving and shoe making.19

Jonathan married Abigail Flagg in Hartford, Connecticut, on July 17, 1763. Into this union nine children were born. Of the nine children born to Jonathan and Abigail, two died before reaching adulthood; and the last child, Mary, was probably born after Jonathan’s death at Saratoga. Abigail died in 1814 at the age of 76.20

Jonathan was a sea captain in his early years, and his love of the ocean transferred to his children, as three of his sons worked on ocean going vessels. Unfortunately, the ocean claimed the lives of two of his sons, Samuel and Jared, who had followed Jonathan into this profession. Both sons’ deaths occurred after Jonathan was killed at Saratoga. A third son, Charles, was aided by Colonel James Wadsworth early in his life, and became a purser in the U.S. Navy.21 Life changed, for this little family, during the summer of 1777.

The Battle of Saratoga Jonathan Wadsworth was pressed into military service in the summer of 1777. The Connecticut Legislature held an emergency session ordering two battalions of 728 men for two months service to join the northern army at once.22 The legislature did offer a ten-pound incentive to join, but also issued a blunt directive that came very close to compulsion.23 The commanders of the two legions were Colonel Jonathan Latimer of New London, and Colonel Thaddeus Cook of Wallingford.24 Jonathan served as a captain under the command of Colonel Cook. Jonathan’s company consisted of 69 men.25 On August 26, 1777, the militia began their march to Saratoga. The distance from Hartford, Connecticut, to Saratoga, New York, is about 140 miles, and can be covered today in about three hours over beautifully landscaped highways. However, the march in 1777 was over rough trails winding through the mountains of western Connecticut and eastern New York. The journey took several days to complete and ended with Colonel Cook’s regiment arriving at the battlefield during the first part of September.

The Battle of Saratoga pitted the British army of General John Burgoyne against the American forces of General Horatio Gates. General Burgoyne was moving his army of over 9,000 men from Canada with the intent of reaching Albany, New York, by the early fall of 1777. Meanwhile, the American forces were “digging in” at Saratoga, New York, to stop the advance of the British. If the British were to reach Albany, the war could be all but over. The seriousness of the situation weighed heavily on the minds of the leaders of both opposing forces.

Jonathan and his company of men spent their time during the first part of September preparing to meet the British Army. The American encampment was located on Bemis Heights. A line of entrenchments was established, running from west to east about half a mile in length.26 The site of the battlefield is bordered on the east by the Hudson River and on the west by a line of mountains. The men built up the fortifications for one reason-stop the advance of the British troops. Saratoga, New York, was the location chosen by General Gates to stop the British advance.

General Burgoyne’s army was encamped approximately three miles north of the American forces, and the General had two choices: avoid an engagement by trying to get to the road that ran between the river and the entrenchments, or go to battle against the Americans. He chose the latter. The first battle took place on September 19, 1777.

September 19 was an unusually warm fall day, and the sun must have felt good on Jonathan’s face. He and his men had prepared for this day, and they were ready to meet the enemy. A fog hung over the Hudson that morning, and perhaps the lush beauty of the area reminded Jonathan of the beauty of his home. Unfortunately, he must have seen the mustering of the British troops in the distance and known a battle was looming.

The battle began around 12:30 p.m. when Colonel Daniel Morgan’s riflemen surprised the British in a clearing known as the Freeman farm. Jonathan’s company, under the command of General Benedict Arnold’s division engaged the enemy in an area known as the Middle Ravine. The battle swayed back and forth throughout the afternoon, and except for a timely arrival of German reinforcements and the lack of ammunition for the Americans, Burgoyne might have been defeated that day.27 Jonathan Wadsworth was killed sometime in the afternoon of September 19, 1777.

Jonathan’s body was buried somewhere on the battlefield, perhaps beside a person he had just been fighting. The two armies did not exchange bodies, and the men from both armies were simply buried in common graves. Approximately 350 Americans and 600 British were killed or wounded during this first day of battle.28

Following the first battle, General Burgoyne expected reinforcements for his beleaguered army, so he decided to wait for assistance before engaging the Americans again. However supplies began to run low, hunger stalked the soldiers, and his army became weaker each day. The General determined to engage the Americans or see his situation worsen. The second Battle of Saratoga took place October 7, 1777 with the American forces inflicting heavy casualties on the British causing General Burgoyne to withdraw his troops. The British had suffered 1,000 casualties during the three weeks of fighting, and hunger was now an obsticle. A Hessian officer wrote a letter about the events, while a prisoner, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, November 15, 1777. A portion of his letter reads as follows:

On the 8th of October we danced a minuet backward, and merely showed the enemy our teeth and claws. In the night we began our retreat, and arrived at Saratoga in the evening. . . During the 11th, 12th, and 13th the cannonading never ceased, while the fire of musketry between the outposts of the army was incessant. Hunger stared us in the face. . . . We therefore preferred an honorable capitulation to an ignominious death. On the evening of the 16th both Generals agreed on the articles of capitulation.29

The terms of the Convention of Saratoga allowed General Burgoyne and his army of 6,000 men to march out of their camp “with the honors of war.”30

The Meaning of Jonathan Wadsworth’s Sacrifice Jonathan Wadsworth gave the ultimate sacrifice for his family, his country, and his associates-his life. He was killed on a battlefield, at the age of 48, far from his wife and family. Never again would he feel the caress of his children’s hugs. Never again could he hold his dear wife, and tell her he loved her. Never again would he feel the spray of the ocean on his face. The warmth of a beautiful summer day could never be enjoyed by him. Jonathan was a husband, father, bread winner, and friend to those around him. Jonathan had something in common with so many others who have given their lives. He was an ordinary man. He wasn’t known beyond his community. He hasn’t had a book written about his life. The location of his burial place isn’t even known. Nevertheless, he lived and died with dignity and, by his example, taught us how to live.

On that fateful day over 225 years ago, orders were given for Jonathan to march to the battle site, with his company of men. What thoughts passed through his mind? As he marched forward toward the cannon and gunfire, he must have contemplated about how his wife and children were faring. Concern for the welfare of his brothers and sisters, his house, the beautiful Hartford area, and the ocean ships he so dearly loved must have entered his thoughts.

He is marching to the front line and is close to the battle-now terror starts to creep in. Perhaps he thinks to himself, “What am I doing here? Why did I leave everything I love to come to this spot?” Jonathan marches to within 300 yards of the front line, he breaks out in a cold sweat and his hands begin shaking. Fear overwhelms him. He looks around and sees men falling from cannon and musket fire. He trudges forward, toward the front lines, saying the most sincere prayer of his life. The noise is deafening, with cannons exploding and the screams of the wounded and dying piercing the afternoon air.

Jonathan finds himself in the midst of the battle, and fear is replaced by determination. Thoughts race through his mind. Didn’t his ancestors come to the colonies seeking a better life? His own grandfather committed one of the first acts of civil disobedience against the crown, by taking the charter. Surely, he can find the determination to fight. Yes, his mind says. Fight! Fight with courage and determination! Do not retreat for this cause is just! He will fight alongside other brave men. Volley after volley of musket fire surrounds Jonathan and his men. He is now marching forward, firing his musket, encouraging his men, and his resolve is firm. Suddenly, and without warning Jonathan finds himself on the ground writhing in pain. He is awake, but can’t move. People are running all around him. He wants to cry for help, but nothing comes out of his mouth. He looks up at the afternoon sky and realizes-he is dying.

Without eyewitness accounts, exactly how Jonathan’s last few hours transpired can’t be known. Nonetheless, he is a true hero in every sense of the word. He lived an honorable life. He had a worthy profession. He married and raised a family. He was true to the call of his country’s cause. In short, Jonathan Wadsworth is an example to follow. He showed how to live, with purpose, a meaningful life. A meaningful life is living the best one can, and facing life’s challenges with courage.

Death is life’s most challenging event, and Jonathan’s untimely death brought pain and heartache for his family. How many tears did his wife and children cry? How many months did his family feel the overwhelming emptiness that the death of a loved one brings? He left on a hot August afternoon never to return. However, through Jonathan’s death a new nation was forged. The blood of all who died in the Revolutionary War bought our freedom. Jonathan was one small part of that great effort. One ordinary man from Hartford, Connecticut, left home and gave his life that others might live in freedom.

The title of this paper contains the word legacy. Legacy is defined as “something handed down by a predecessor.” Jonathan Wadsworth passed on a legacy of valor in the face of death, and the legacy of resolve in how he lived his life. He chose to engage in a cause. He chose to look beyond his life for the benefit of others. His choices are a model to follow. What legacy will we leave? Will someone look back at our life, two hundred years from now, and acknowledge our legacy? Our lot in life may not be to die on a battlefield; however, we can so live that others may look at our example, and recognize our legacy. The choice is ours.

References

• 1The Parish Register of Long Buckby, Northamptonshire, 1558-1689, (FHL BRITISH Film, 883910 Items 32).
• 2Mary Jane (Fry) Wadsworth, the Wadsworth Family in America, (Mary Jane (Fry) Wadsworth, 1978), p. 6.
• 3 F.C. Emmison, Early Essex Town Meetings, (Phillmore & Co. LTD Shopwyke Hall, Chichester, Sussex, 1970), p. v-xii.
• 4 (Ibid).
• 5 English-America, the Voyage, Vessels, People, and Places [accessed 30 December 2004]
• 6 Alden Hatch, the Wadsworth’s of the Genesee, (Coward-McCann, Inc. New York, 1959), p. 16.
• 7 NEHG Register, Volume 13, January 1859, New England Historic Genealogical Society & Broderbund Software, Inc., Banner Blue Division, June 12, 2005.
• 8Family Tree Maker, CD515 Local and Family Histories: CT, 1600s-1800s, Disk 2, Families of Early Hartford, CT, Surnames, V-Z, November 15, 2005
• 9English-America, the Voyage, Vessels, People, and Places, [accessed 30 December 2004]
• 10 Mary Jane (Fry) Wadsworth, the Wadsworth Family in America, (Mary Jane (Fry) Wadsworth, 1978), p. 14.
• 11History of the Colonies, available at http://www.constitution.org/js/js_107.htm [accessed 2 October 2005].
• 12W. H. Gocher, Wadsworth and the Charter Oak, (W. H. Gocher, Hartford, Connecticut, 1904) p. 314-320.
• 13 (ibid) p. 321-337
• 14 Colonial Connecticut Records, available from http://www.colonialct.uconn.edu [accessed 12 November 2005]
• 15Family Tree Maker, CD515 Local Family Histories: CT, 1600s-1800s, Disk 2, Families of Early Hartford, CT, Surnames, V-Z, November 15, 2005
• 16Mary Jane (Fry) Wadsworth, the Wadsworth Family in America, (Mary Jane (Fry) Wadsworth, 1978), p. 15-16.
• 17 Daniel Wadsworth, 1737-1747 Diary of Rev. Daniel Wadsworth Seventh Pastor of the First Church of Christ in Hartford, (Hartford, Connecticut: Press of the Case, Lockwood and Brainard Company, 1894), p. 40.
• 18Mary Jane (Fry) Wadsworth, the Wadsworth Family in America, (Mary Jane (Fry) Wadsworth, 1978), p. 16.
• 19 Connecticut Life in the 1770s, available from http://www.noahwebsterhouse.org/lifein1770.html [accessed 25 December 2004] 20 Family Tree Maker, CD515 Local and Family Histories: CT, 1600s-1800s, Disk 2, Families of Early Hartford, CT, Surnames, V-Z, November 15, 2005.
• 21Catalogue of Names of First Puritan Settlers of Connecticut, (R.R. Hinman, 1846), 328-329
• 22Richard Buel, Dear Liberty: Connecticut’s mobilization for the Revolutionary War, (Middletown, Connecticut: Wesleyan Press, 1980), p. 127
• 23(ibid).
• 24(ibid).
• 25Henry P. Johnson, the Record of Connecticut Men in the Military and Navel Service during the War of the Revolution 1775-1783, US/Can 974.6 M2CA FHL, (Hartford, 1889)p. 511
• 26An Original, compiled and corrected account of Burgoyne’s campaign, (Albany, New York: J. Munsell, 1844), 4 microfiches (1926 reprint), FHL US/CAN [6078309], p. 251.
• 27The Battle of Saratoga, available from http://www.saratoga.org/battle1777/history.html [accessed 29 December 2005].
• 28 An Original, compiled and corrected account of Burgoyne’s campaign, (Albany, New York: J. Munsell, 1844), 4 microfiches (1926 reprint), FHL US/CAN [6078309]. P. 251.
• 29Ellen Hardin Wallworth, Battle of Saratoga, 1777; the Saratoga Monument Association, (Ann Arbor, Michigan: University Microfilms, 1987), FHL US/CAN [6071013].
• 30 (ibid).

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Additional sources

• https://sites.rootsweb.com/~genepool/wadsjosp.htm