Sgt. Nathan Darrow, POW

Defender of Fort Griswold - taken prisoner.

Nathan enlisted as a Private 9 May 1775 in the 10th Co., 6th Regiment for Connecticut. He later appears on Capt. John Williams' Co. rolls as of 11 Jul 1779, serving under Brif. Gens. Selah Hart and Andrew Ward, during the New Haven Alarm. Nathan again enlisted 11 May 1780 and served under Capt. William Latham's Artillery Co., stationed at Groton, CT. Another source indicates Nathan served as a Corporal and Sergeant under Capt. Abel Spicer, and Cols. Parsons, Latimer and Ledyard's Regiment of the Connecticut Line. Nathan was in the battles of Harlem, White Plains, and Fort Griswold. He was placed on the pension rolls in 1832. One source indicates in 1781, Nathan was taken prisoner at the Battle of Ft. Griswold and another indicates he was on the list of prisoners carried off by the British after Arnold's attack on New London, 6 Sep 1781.

Nathan's name appears, as residing in New London Co., CT, on a list from the CT Pensioners Act of 1832 of those who served two or more years (Sen. Doc., 1st Session, 23re Congress, 1833-34). On his application for pension (S15075), dated 6 Aug 1832, Nathan based his claim on his service with Connecticut Line. His name appears on the pension rolls as of 4 Mar 1834 to receive $112 per year.

Gravestone Inscription: "In memory of NATHAN DARROW who died Aug 2, 1837 in the 78th year of his age.

In his will, he bequeathed the following: -- Ursula - "my desk," a feather bed with bedding, including curtains -- Betsey L Bailey - my largest looking glass -- John Herman Shane - my great coat -- Gurdon Darrow and Betsey Wood - all the remainder of my wearing apparel to be equally divided among them. -- To my true and loving wife, Sally Darrow - all the remainder of my personal property of every kind and description to be to her for her own use and disposal. -- Also to my wife Sally "the use and improvement of my house and garden during her natural life. After her death, my will is that the said house and garden go to daughter Betsey Wood and to heirs." At the inventory of Nathan's estate, his personal property was valued at $662.16 and debts paid totalled $44.42.