Stonington Borough, incorporated by the Legislature [of Connecticut,] in 1801, is situated on a narrow point of land about half a mile in length, at the eastern extremity of Long Island sound. On its eastern side lies Paucatuck bay, and on its west the harbour, terminating in Lambert's Cove. It has four [two] principal streets running north and south, intersected at right angles by nine cross streets, and contains about one hundred and twenty dwelling houses and stores. It has also two houses for public worship, an academy, where the languages are taught, and two common schools; two rope-walks, commodious wharves, and ware houses for storage.... In the census of 1810, the town contained 3043 inhabitants, and there are now [1819], 335 qualified electors.—Pease & Niles's Gazetteer of Connecticut.
[Note 2], page 9.
Sir Thomas Masterman Hardy, Bart.—afterwards Vice-Admiral, and G. C. B.,—was at this time not far from thirty-five years of age. He entered the British navy, as a midshipman, at twelve; and was promoted to the rank of commander in 1797, for distinguished gallantry in the capture of a French brig, under the walls of Vera Cruz. He commanded the Mutine brig, in the battle of the Nile,—became the favorite of Nelson, and was appointed to the command of his flag-ship, serving with him, successively, in the Vanguard, the Namur, the St. George, (at the battle of Copenhagen), the Iris and Amphitrion, and the Victory, on board which Nelson conquered and fell at Trafalgar. Capt. Hardy was created a baronet, in February, 1806; from which period, until 1824, he was almost constantly on active duty in the West Indies and on American stations. He was made a knight commander of the Bath, Jan. 1815, and knight grand cross, in 1831. In October, 1827, he retired from the service; was appointed a lord of the admiralty in 1830; and governor of Greenwich Hospital, in 1834, retaining that office until his death, Sept. 20th, 1839.—Annual Register, vol. lxxxi, p. 363. Dispatches & Letters of Nelson.
[Col. Green gave the substance of this note, from memory. A correct copy of it was published with the official account, in the Gazette of Sept. 7th. Commodore Hardy wrote from on board the Pactolus,—his own ship, the Ramilies, then lying at anchor off the west end of Fisher's Island.]
[Note 3], page 10.
Capt. Amos Palmer, and Dr. Wm. Lord. The former was the senior warden of the Borough, and chairman of the committee of citizens who had been entrusted, some months previously, with the preparations for defence. "He was distinguished for his integrity, his republican principles, and his patriotism."—Pease & Niles's Gazetteer, 1819. Capt. Palmer's own account of the attack (in a letter to the Secretary of War,) will be found on pages 33-36. He died at Stonington, March 1, 1816, æt. 69.
[Note 4], page 10.
Brigadier-General Thomas H. Cushing, who commanded at New London. After the ratification of peace, in 1815, General Cushing received the appointment of collector of the port of New London, and retained the office till his death, Oct. 19th, 1822, æt. 67.—Hist. of New London, p. 649.
[Note 5], page 12.
An account of the "Bombardment of Stonington" [by the Rev. Frederick Denison] printed in the Mystic Pioneer of July 2d, 1859, contains many interesting particulars, "gathered from the lips of prominent actors in the battle." This account says, "The first men, so far as remembered, that took stations in the battery, were four, William Lord, Asa Lee, George Fellows, and Amos Denison. Just before six o'clock, six volunteers from Mystic, Jeremiah Holmes, Jeremiah Haley, Ebenezer Denison, Isaac Denison, and Nathaniel Clift, reached the place, on foot, and ran immediately to help to operate the gun in the battery."...