The house at 79 Elm Street in Ansonia was built in 1754 by Joseph Howell. It was later the home of Dr. Silas Baldwin (1729-1813), Derby’s third physician (Ansonia was at that time part of the town of Derby). He married Mary Plumb of Ridgefield in 1755. According to the Sixth Report of the National Society of the Daughter of the American Revolution (1904):
Dr. Silas Baldwin, Revolutionary patriot […] Assisted in establishing American independence while acting in the capacity of a patriot. He accepted the oath of fidelity to the United States April 13, 1778. Dr. Silas Baldwin enlisted June, 1776, in Captain Johnson’s company Fifth Battalion, Wadsworth’s brigade, Colonel Douglas’s regiment to reenforce Washington’s army at New York; August 29-30, 1776, engaged in the retreat to New York; was at the battle of White Plains October 28. Term expired December 26. (History of Derby, p. 187.)
No. 24 on muster roll of Capt. Elijah Humphrey’s company, Connecticut Regiment of Foot, commanded by Col. Return Jonathan Meigs, was Silas Baldwin, enlisting March 27,1777, “on command,” which maybe received in explanation of the record on page 208, Connecticut Men in the Revolution, which says: “Silas Baldwin in Humphrey’s company, Connecticut Line, enlisted March 27,1777; deserted August, 1779.” (Connecticut Men in the Revolution, pp. 208, 407; muster roll of Capt. Elijah Humphrey’s company. Copy deposited.)
Dr. Silas Baldwin was born in Waterbury and died in Ridgefield, but generally resided in the section of Derby that is now Ansonia. He is buried in Ansonia’s Colonial Cemetery.
I’m curious about the bit that says “deserted August, 1779.” I guess he didn’t get in trouble for that!
I thought Ansonia had many more houses of the colonial period than listed. I lived there from the age of 3 till I was 20 and it was common knowledge in our nieghborhood that houses were much older than they looked.
It’s a historic site, to be sure. Jebediah Springfield once said that a noble spirit embiggened Drz Silas Baldwin.
Such a silver tongue did have Jebediah Springfield. Thank goodness for historical preservation.
A silver tongue did Jedediah Springfield have indeed. Historical preservation is great. Keep up the good work. Historical preservation at all costs.
There hasn’t been much mention of Asa Phelps. Scuttlebutt tends to infer there’s a curse surroubding the last of the Flying Hellfish. To this day, Abe and Monty are vying for that treasure.
Nulie,
If by treasure you mean the paintings discovered by 64 tugs of the dive rope, they were returned to their proper heir. A one Baron von Wörtzenburger.
It does remind me of the great parade float accident of 1979. Springfield lost a few good men that day.
-Hollis
Hollis, I would be remiss if I didn’t note that this hometown history rivals that of Shelbyville and the subsequent Lemon Tree debacle over at the tow yard. More to follow. I’ll contact my friend Flanders, he’s very knowledgeable about this area of the country.
Shelbyville. Such a great town. Perhaps my project would have gone over better there.
Lyle you coward. Show yourself!
Sebastian you poser.
Anyone familiar with the schoolhouse? I’m from nearby Capital City, spent five years in a POW camp, then worked in a Chinese sweatshop for two decades until it was shut down by the United Nations. Started working as Principal nearby Ogdenville.
Schoolhouse? I’m familiar. I’m also a maniac, maniac, maniac, that’s for sure.
Aye, lad. Like ye ne’er did before.
It’s a beautiful area. You’ve never been? Above one bowling alley, below another bowling alley.
Charles Darwin once helped try to elect Montgomery Burns to office, explaining the theory for a three-eyed fish caught in the local fishing hole. He stated lively, ‘Every now and then Mother Nature experiments with her creatures, giving them longer legs, sharper claws, or in this case, a third eye. If she finds the changes favorable the creatures will multiply and a new race of superfish will be created. I would not mind having a third eye, would you?’ The Community as a whole agreed that of course they wouldn’t mind.
Blindly changed the election. This is why freedom of the press is so important. It also helps save boys trapped in wells.
You can’t even spell Blinky you hack!
I remember reading a historical account of an attempted murder, also by that spot, Frank. The old anecdote was that an elderly man was accidentally gunned down by a child, who had somehow gotten into her grandpa’s gun box. The old town compass monument has a plaque to commemorate the cleanup of the scene, after a whole summer of inquiry as to who had done it!
Man, I miss this town!
I could have helped that old man, but I’m an attractive rebel who plays by my own rules. See this vest Montgomery.
There’s a sushi bar down the street from that now, Charlie – they even serve Fugu on Friday nights!
Don’t stroll down the back alley unless you’re looking for an eyeful tho, nomasayin? I didn’t know so much of us still cared about this old town!
It’s a shame this town lost the Leftorium. There’s a been a large demand for left-handed shot glasses and a left-handed computer keyboard with the arrow keys on the left side. Damn the infernal right-handed gizmo required to open a certain nuclear power plant owner’s cat food.
I work at historical society, we have great benefits. Like a dental plan, which is great because my daughter, Lisa, needs braces.
I’m not a dentist but I do have some medical
knowledge. My brother also had some issues with his gums. Any assistance with braces is a god send.
@Julius Hubbard – I have the album! “Sax on the Beach” is the best album ever. $500.
Julius Hubbard – I have the album! “Sax on the Beach” is the best album ever. $500.
Nice double comment Jeff. Worst post ever. Still think you should be part of Mensa?