American Revolution in Danbury

Dodd Hat Shop

In the latter part of the year 1776, the commissioners of the American army chose Danbury for a place of deposit for military stores. A large quantity having been collected, Gov. [of New York] Tryon with a detachment of 2,000 men from New York, sailed to Compo Point in Fairfield, and proceeded directly to Danbury, to destroy the continental stores. There were in the town a small number of continental troops from the town as the enemy approached. The enemy entered the town on Saturday the 26th of April, 1777, at about three o'clock in the afternoon. They soon began those cruelties and excesses which characterize an unprincipled and exasperated enemy
, upon the inhabitants who remained in the town, excepting the persons and property of the tories. The enemy, fearful that their retreat might be cut off, rallied early in the morning of the 27th, set fire to several stores and buildings, and immediately marched out of town.


"Nineteen dwelling houses, the meeting house of the New Danbury society, and twenty two stores and barns, with all their contents were consumed. The quantity of continental stores which were consumed cannot now be accurately ascertained: accounts vary considerably. From the best information which can be obtained, there were about 3,000 barrels of pork, more than 1,000 barrels of flour, several hundred barrels of beef, 1,600 tents, 2,000 bushels of grain, besides many other valuable articles, such as rum, rice, army carriages, etc."


Col. Cook appears to have been in the command at Danbury, at the time it was burnt. Receiving some notice of the landing or approach of the enemy, he immediately dispatched a messenger by the name of Lamber Lockwood, with a letter to Gen. Silliman, informing him that there was no ammunition in the place, and requesting orders. The messenger, before he was aware of it, came up with the British troops in the vicinity of Reading church, about 8 miles below Danbury; he attempted to flee, but was fired upon, wounded, and taken prisoner.

Three of four men in or near Capt. Starr's house, which was situated on the west side of the street, about 40 rods above the present court house, had the temerity to fire upon their bodies into the house, and set it on fire. The present Episcopal church was filled up to the galleries with barrels of pork and flour; these were rolled out into the street by the enemy and burnt. It is said that it was over one's shoes in the street near by, with pork fat, after the conflagration.

Major General Wooster, who was mortally wounded at Ridgefield, in an action with the enemy after they had left Danbury, was brought to Danbury, where he expired.



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