Lieutenant Joseph Hull

A Patriot of the American Revolution for CONNECTICUT with the rank of LIEUTENANT. DAR Ancestor # A059528

Lieut. Joseph, born in Derby in 1750; married for his second wife, widow Nichols, mother of Rev. Charles Nichols; Joseph entered the army in 1776, as Lieut, of Artillery; was taken prisoner at Fort Washington; is said to have shown great gallantry in the defense of this fort; he was not exchanged until 1778; after his exchange he again entered the army. In 1779 he was given command of a flotilla on Long Island Sound, consisting of several old whale boats, fitted out to annoy the enemy as opportunity offered. On one occasion a British armed schooner was lying in the sound; Joseph proposed to go out and take the schooner; that evening 20 men, under his command, embarked in a boat similar to those used in carrying wood the boat had the appearance of being loaded with wood- as they approached the schooner, the sentry on deck hailed Hull, who was steering; he answered the call but continued his course 'till quite near the schooner, when by a sudden movement, he ran close alongside; all hands sprang aboard the schooner; the British capt. aroused by the firing of the sentries, came on deck and was shot dead. The hatches were fastened down and the schooner conducted in triumph to jDerby. "This gallant soldier was the father of Commodore Isaac Hull. He engaged early in life in the West India trade and became familiar with a seaman's life as well as that of a farmer. During his most active career, the whale fishery was carried on in the Sound in open boats, manned by four or six oarsmen, a steersman and a harpooner. This was a most dangerous calling, requiring a high degree of skill and perfect drill and unity of action. In this school his son Isaac took his first lessons in seamanship. One day Isaac was enter- taining a party of ladies with a sail on the river, in one of his father's whale boats, when a sudden squall capsized the boat. By almost superhuman effort Isaac succeeded in saving the whole party of eight or ten ladies."

Joseph's coolness and presence of mind as well as fearlessness is shown in the following anecdote: While on his way to New Haven, just as he came to the top of the hill in West Haven, he saw some British officers advancing towards him; turning in his saddle he motioned as if for his company to hasten, and riding forward, commanded the British to surrender, they supposing the enemy to be near at hand, delivered up their swords.

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Revolutionary War veteran.

Husband of Sally Bennett, Lucy Smith and Mrs. Freelove Nichols; widow of Silas Nichols.

Son of Joseph Hull and Elizabeth Clark.

Father of: Joseph Hull (1771-1810) m. Susan Barton Levi Hull Commodore Isaac Hull m. Anna Hart William Hull Daniel Hull Henry Hull Charles Hull (b. 1792)

Joseph was appointed Lieutenant of the Artillery in Washington's Army in 1776. 

Capt Joseph Hull Memorial Photos Flowers Edit Share Learn about upgrading this memorial... Birth: Oct. 27, 1750 Death: Jan. 27, 1826

Revolutionary War veteran.

Husband of Sally Bennett, Lucy Smith and Mrs. Freelove Nichols; widow of Silas Nichols.

Son of Joseph Hull and Elizabeth Clark.

Father of: Joseph Hull (1771-1810) m. Susan Barton Levi Hull Commodore Isaac Hull m. Anna Hart William Hull Daniel Hull Henry Hull Charles Hull (b. 1792)

Joseph was appointed Lieutenant of the Artillery in Washington's Army in 1776.

Family links:

Parents:

 Joseph Hull (1728 - 1775)

Spouses:

 Sarah Bennett Hull (____ - 1803)

 Lucy Smith Hull (1754 - 1817)*

Children:

 Isaac Hull (1773 - 1843)*

 Levi Hull (1775 - 1848)*

 William Hull (1781 - 1812)*

 Daniel Hull (1784 - 1817)*

 Henry Hull (1788 - 1833)*

*Calculated relationship

Inscription: This monument is erected by Isaac Hull in sacred remembrance of his father Capt. Joseph Hull, who died Jan. 27, 1826. AE 75.

Burial: Long Hill Burial Ground Shelton Fairfield County Connecticut, USA