Redding Revolutionary War Winter Encampment

Thanks to a National Park Service grant, CRIS Radio convened a team of approximately 40 individuals to research and record transcripts of historical documents about the unacknowledged roles of women, African Americans, and Indigenous people during the Revolutionary War while encamped in Redding during the harsh winter of 1778 -1779. The team of archaeologists, historians, anthropologists, voice talent, audio engineers, and master’s level history students worked for 18 months on the project, which included creating an accessible audio tour of the Revolutionary War Winter Encampment site.

It is important to note that the Redding site is designated as Connecticut’s first State Archaeological Preserve due to its importance, having played an indispensable strategic role for the Continental Army that protected the Hudson River Valley and Long Island Sound, archivists, historians, and Connecticut.

Emeritus state archaeologist Dr. Nicholas Bellantoni characterized the Redding encampment as among the most important undisturbed Revolutionary War sites in the country, as construction and development pressures have significantly impacted other Revolutionary War encampment sites in the U.S., making the relatively undisturbed 53-acre Redding site so rare.

About

Court / Government Documents

Pension Records

Letters

Newspapers

Continental Army

Narrative

1. Judith Lines, Camp Follower and Widow of Two Revolutionary War Soldiers
LISTEN
Read the Transcript

2. Hawkins Diary (Excerpt)
LISTEN
Read the Transcript

1. General Assembly Resolution – Requiring towns to provide supplies to Redding Encampment
LISTEN
Read the Transcript

2. Juba’s Court Order
LISTEN
Read the Transcript

3. Jack Arabus – Fighter and Minter Colonial Newsletter
LISTEN
Read the Transcript

3a. Jack Arabus – court doc #1
LISTEN
Read the Transcript

3b. Jack Arabus – court doc #2
Read the Transcript

3c. Jack Arabus – court doc #3
Read the Transcript

1. “Denied! The Story of the Duplex Family Through Pension Records”
LISTEN
Read the Transcript

2. Paging Doctor Cuff Wells
LISTEN
Read the Transcript

3. Doct. Cuff Wells Pension/Land Application
LISTEN
Read the Transcript

4. John Henry’s Petition for Pension
LISTEN
Read the Transcript

1. Letter to Gov. Trumbull Re: Compensation
LISTEN
Read the Transcript

2. Letter TO George Washington FROM General Israel Putnam
LISTEN
Read the Transcript

3. Eliphalet Dyer letter to John Lawrence, 1786 April 7
LISTEN
Read the Transcript

4. Camp at Redding Jan Putnam To Trumbull
LISTEN
Read the Transcript

1. Runaway Slave Newspaper Ads
LISTEN
Read the Transcript

1. Abimelech Uncas: On Command with Indians
LISTEN
Read the Transcript

2. Aaron, Edward and Esaw Carter: Brothers in Arms, Fighting for Freedom
LISTEN
Read the Transcript

2a. Aaron Carter’s Pension Application
LISTEN
Read the Transcript

3. The Urge to Enlist
LISTEN
Read the Transcript

4. Jeffrey Sills – NH Register article
LISTEN
Read the Transcript

4a. Jeffrey Sill – Samuel Henenway, master, certification
LISTEN
Read the Transcript

5. Jeff Liberty
LISTEN
Read the Transcript

6. Josias Poheague (receipts of war pay)
LISTEN
Read the Transcript

7. Chatham Freeman
LISTEN
Read the Transcript

8. Prince Simbo and his horn
LISTEN
Read the Transcript

9. Backus Fox purchased to fight in place of Beriah Bill
LISTEN
Read the Transcript

1. Asher Gad Primus, Hopes Expectations
LISTEN
Read the Transcript

2. Jabez Pottage
LISTEN
Read the Transcript

3. Post War Poverty
LISTEN
Read the Transcript