Editor’s note: the Ripton Parish Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, Inc. have been writing columns to mark America 250. Here is the latest:

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. Ripton Parish Chapter, NSDAR, Inc. is committed to those men and women who helped achieve independence, whose fight on the ground and on the sea, culminated with the signing of the Treaty of Paris in 1783.

Privateers roamed the Atlantic Ocean and Long Island Sound causing havoc to the British Fleet. Continental Frigates named Trumbull and Confederacy were commissioned and built in Connecticut. They saw action along the coast. A flotilla of gondolas and galleys were built on Lake Champlain in the summer and fall of 1776. These were commanded by Generals Arnold and Waterbury. Other privateers patrolled Long Island Sound and engaged in both sea and land battles.

In 1779, the Americans brought the sea battles to the shores of England. We have all heard about the epic battle of the frigate Bonhomme Richard which engaged in a battle lasting over three hours against the British frigate Serapis off Flamborough Head, England. Of course, when the British Captain asks “Have you struck? Do you ask for quarter?” Captain John Paul Jones replies “I have not yet begun to fight”.

Many young men found the lure of the sea an exciting adventure. When ships were being built and outfitted with cannon, many of these fearless men enlisted to sail to unknown foreign places. The sailors endured the looming threat of storms and enemy warships while living aboard a wooden boat in damp quarters being tossed by the wind and sea and eating salted rations. Despite these hardships, the adventure of sailing persisted for many.

One young man from Fairfield, Connecticut, 22-year-old Ebenezer Annabil, enlisted on January 1, 1778 and served as a marine for seven months on the Connecticut ship Defence. He enlisted under the command of Captain Samuel Smedley who also lived in Fairfield. Captain Smedley was well trained in the art of seamanship and was known as the scourge of the British Empire during the American Revolution. The idea of capturing British ships appealed to Ebenezer, and by serving under Captain Smedley, he could be assured of many adventures.

Ebenezer Annible said the Defence was “fitted out for cruising the high seas against the British and mounted with 18 guns”.  While cruising near Antigua on April 20, 1778, the Defence, under the command of Captain Samuel Smedley, captured the British Letter of Marque Cyrus after a one-and-a-half-hour naval battle. The captured ship was sent to Boston with its valuable cargo and prisoners.

Captain Smedley then sailed south to Barbados to repair his leaky ship and rigging and inoculate his men from smallpox as about 50 of his men contacted the disease. He sailed from Barbados to Charleston, South Carolina at the end of May 1778 to stock up on water, food and supplies. On June 21st they met three British privateers and engaged two of the ships off Charleston – Tonyn’s Revenge which had 12 guns and Ranger which had 8 guns. These sloops were captured and taken to Charleston. When Ebenezer’s term of service expired he “left the ship and the service as a Marine”.  

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