The battle for independence has just begun. July 4, 1776 was a turning point in the thinking of many of the colonists. They wanted to consolidate this idea of independence from their ‘mother country’. And the ‘mother country’ did not want to let go. America 250! continues as we celebrate more milestones on the road to victory and the men and women of Ripton Parish who helped achieve independence that culminated with the signing of the Treaty of Paris in 1783.
Connecticut was known as the Provision State because the people of Connecticut provided food, clothing, and personnel to General Washington and his Continental Army. The families of Ripton Parish supported the cause for independence over the eight years of war and after independence was gained. The women helped in providing food and clothing; the men enlisted in the Continental Army or were active in the Ripton Parish Militia and were sent to various towns to help when needed; the older men were on committees to procure clothing, food, provisions, and pay for those fighting; the young boys enlisted when they turned 16 or went with their fathers on military missions. As John Paul Jones said “We have only begun to fight!”
When the war began, Eben Blackman was only 14 years old. He watched his father, Samuel Blackman, who was around 50 years old, participate in the Stratford Town Meetings Committees to find the best ways to provide for the families of the Continental soldiers, barter and exchange for necessary provisions, receive all stray sheep that may come into the committee’s hands. Eben’s brother, Elijah was old enough to enlist and went ‘for a short campaign at the Fish Kill in October 1777.’ Eben, at the age of 19, served in Captain Mallory’s company guarding the coast of Stratford.
During that time, the British occupied Long Island and continually harassed the coast of Connecticut. They would row over in whale boats and steal farm animals and crops and the militia men on guard duty defended their coastal towns from these marauders. One of those places was New Pasture Point, a strategic maritime stretch of land in Stratford situated between the Pequonnock River and Yellow Mill Pond. It served as a vital loading area for merchant vessels and a launching point for local privateers attacking British shipping lanes in Long Island Sound.
Eben Blackman was in Captain David Nichols’ Company guarding the coast at New Pasture Point near what is now Bridgeport, Connecticut. Philip Nichols, in his Revolutionary War Pension Record, W1404, said the “guard occupied the under room of a Mr. Wilcoxson, a boat maker, who lived on the point where the guard was kept” for six months. He said, “I well remember it got to be cold and frosty nights before the time we were dismissed.” He mentioned that “Eben Blackman was also in the guard and is dead more than thirty years.”
Eben died on March 13, 1797, at the age of 37. He is buried at the Center Cemetery in Monroe. He married Samatha Johnson (1765-1831) around 1790. They had one daughter named Hepsa.
The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution is dedicated to promoting Historic Preservation, Education and Patriotism. DAR members are women who come from diverse backgrounds and have a variety of interests. Any woman 18 years old or older, regardless of race, religion or ethnic background, who can prove direct lineage to a Revolutionary War ancestor is eligible to join. For more information, visit https://www.dar.org/ For information on Ripton Parish Chapter, NSDAR, Inc. visit https://riptonparishchapter.org/ To learn more about America250! Visit https://www.dar.org/national-society/america-250/america250-foundation-partner