Killingworth’s Military History

Killingworth in Wars

The first Training Plain was a flat piece of land thought to lie between Route 81 and Green Hill Road and south of Stevens Road. In Colonial times, it was used for training by the “train band” or militia. In 1755, John Lane, a Captain of the infantry of the Connecticut militia, was killed during training exercises at the Training Plain. No one ever took responsibility for the shooting. In the nineteenth century, the flat area north of Route 80 and about midway between Route 81 and Roast Meat Hill Road was known as the “Plain” and was used as a training field for the militia. A “Training Day” was held in May and September and was a festive event with picnics in addition to training.

In the French and Indian War, Captain Peleg Redfield commanded a company in the Second Connecticut Regiment raised largely in the North Society. The company, which fought in Canada, consisted of the Captain, two Lieutenants, one ensign, five Sergeants, two drummers, and 81 rank and file. Captain Redfield died on his return from Canada in 1760.

Killingworth was active in the Revolutionary War from the beginning. Committees of Correspondence were formed throughout the colonies to maintain communication with other towns and colonies and coordinate action against Great Britain. “At a town Meeting Holden the 13th Day of September 1774 Martonn Lord Aaron Eliot Capt Samal Crane Caleb Baldwin Capt Nathan Griswold to be a Commetty of Corespondence to Corespond with Such Other Committy as Shall be Appointed by other Towns.” Besides those who fought in the war, the farmers of Killingworth supplied hay, grain, beef, and pork for the Continental Army. Women made contributions in supplying clothes, blankets, and provisions to the soldiers and caring for the sick and wounded.

In the Civil War on August 7, 1862, “Resolved, That for the purpose of encouraging enlistments under the call of the President of the United States bearing the date July 1st AD 1862 for three hundred thousand additional troops, the Town of Killingworth will pay in addition to all other bounties and compensations, the sum of one hundred Dollars to each resident of this Town who since July 1st has enlisted.” Twelve Killingworth men lost their lives in the Civil War.