STRATFORD — Washington’s defeat at Brooklyn Heights was brought about by his lack of cavalry to patrol and guard the vulnerable left bank. He also turned away 400 men of the Connecticut Light Horse commanded by Elisha Sheldon. Realizing this vulnerability, Washington placed Sheldon in command of a regiment of dragoons as part of his regular force on October 30, 1776.
Sheldon enlisted the best horsemen he could find. Some of them lived in Ripton Parish in Stratford. Some were weavers, some were tailors, some were merchants, some were shoemakers, some were farmers, and most learned to be seamen.
Benjamin Tallmadge was a Major in Colonel Sheldon’s Light Dragoons. Tallmadge was a spymaster in the Culper Spy Ring. He used the horse men in Sheldon’s Light Horse as ‘expresses’. The ‘expresses’ were used to receive and deliver to Washington and his operatives daily updates on British movements. This system improved the delivery time by half. A number of the men in Sheldon’s Light Horse were from Ripton Parish, and they were used as ‘expresses’. They also helped Caleb Brewster in the whale boat skirmishes on Long Island Sound. Many marched from September to November 1776; others marched from October to December 1776.
Ephraim Wooster was one of the Ripton Parish men listed in the roster of Captain Moses Seymour’s Company of Light Horse commanded by Elisha Sheldon of the Continental Army of 1776. Another, Samuel DeForest, enlisted at Black Rock Battery in Stratford which was a dangerous channel for enemy vessels. Eventually, Sheldon’s horsemen were stationed at Greens Farms, Fairfield. Other men from Ripton Parish were Nathan Lewis, Ebenezer Beard, David Beard, Ephraim Bennett, Eli Blackman. Elisha Blackman, James Hawley, John Wheeler and Nathan Wooster who served with Elnathan Nichols, Moses Seymour and John Skinner under the command of Elisha Sheldon.
The members of the Ripton Parish Chapter of the Daughters of the Revolution are proud to recognize these men who believed in freedom for the colonies, which were controlled by the British, and were willing to follow Washington.
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/
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