the Revolutionary War

Living In Connecticut During the American Revolution

• Prior to the Revolutionary War, colonists in New England expressed their grievances of being taxed without fair representation on the British Parliament. The colonists believed the Acts of Parlament were unconstitutional and a denial of their rights as Englishmen.

• The 1765 Stamp Act became a tax imposed on the colonists by the British Parliament to help pay for British troops stationed in North America.

• The 1767-68 Townshend Acts imposed a series of taxes to raise revenue in the colonies to pay the salaries of governors and judges so that they would remain loyal to the British Crown.

• In 1774, the Intolerable Acts were passed by Parliament to punish colonists after protests, including the Boston Tea Party. The colonists were demonstrating their defiance of new tax laws imposed by the British Government.

• In 1775, the first outbreak of armed conflict between British forces and colonists occurred in Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts. The confrontation became known as the Lexington Alarm.

• As the Revolutionary War unfolded in Massachusetts, neighboring Connecticut became known as the “Provisions State”, for supplying Continental troops with such things as beef, salt, flour, cannons, and gunpowder.

• In addition to their reputation for logistical support, several notable battles occurred in Connecticut, including a 1775 naval skirmish at Stonington Point, and the 1781 Battle of Groton Heights.

• This is where several Adams family ancestors appear to have served in the Connecticut Militia, defending their communities in New London County.