The list details members of the Haddam Volunteers, including recruits and substitutes, with their service dates and outcomes using standard abbreviations. It includes information on discharges, promotions, injuries, and deaths among the volunteers.
Middlesex County, established in 1785, emerged as a significant hub for commerce and legal affairs in Connecticut, particularly due to the prominence of Middletown as a leading port. The county became a vital area for litigation, influencing early commercial law. Notable lawyers such as Titus Hosmer and his son Stephen shaped the legal landscape, with a legacy of influential attorneys practicing there. The Superior Court sessions were known for their eloquent legal arguments, contributing to the county’s rich legal history. Over the years, many distinguished figures emerged, bolstering Middlesex’s reputation in the state’s legal community.
The Middlesex County Medical Society was established in 1792, reflecting the evolving medical landscape of the area. Pioneering figures like Dr. Jared Eliot and Dr. Benjamin Gale laid crucial foundations for medical education and practice. As private teaching replaced formal education, physicians adapted to rising healthcare demands, notably through practices like inoculation. The region’s early physicians, primarily self-taught, played a vital role in establishing standards and progression in medicine during an era with minimal institutional support. This article provides brief biographical sketches of many of the pioneering doctors of Middlesex County.
Dr. Thomas Miner, born in Westfield, Connecticut, in 1777, graduated from Yale College in 1796. Initially studying law and teaching, he shifted to medicine at 25 under Dr. Osborn in Middletown. He began practicing in 1807 but faced health issues, notably heart disease, which curtailed his career in 1819. Despite this, he contributed significantly to medical literature, co-authoring influential works and earning an honorary M.D. from Yale. A respected linguist and leader in the medical community, he served as president of the Medical Society of Connecticut before his death in 1841 at age 64.
Middlesex County was established in 1785, originally comprising six towns from Hartford and New London counties, later expanding to fifteen towns, with Durham joining in 1799. The county features a varied landscape, including hills and the Connecticut River, which provides water power for mills. Historically rich in timber and fish, wildlife has significantly diminished due to human activity. The original forests, primarily oak and walnut, have mostly vanished, with only a small growth remaining. Various animals have also disappeared, leading to a dramatic change in the region’s ecology over time.
The early settlers of Middlesex County, primarily of English descent, began establishing towns in the mid-17th century under harsh conditions. Many were motivated by the desire for religious freedom, facing poverty and threats from Indigenous peoples. While slavery existed in the region, it was characterized by relatively humane treatment. These settlers demonstrated remarkable resilience, maintaining strict religious practices and communal bonds. They lived simply, valuing hard work, frugality, and education while fostering a culture that led to their children inheriting strength and adaptability, despite the challenging environment.