Milford Officially Joins the Revolution: May 1, 1775

Milford, CT – May 1, 2025 — Today marks the 250th anniversary of a pivotal moment in Milford’s history—May 1, 1775—the day the community officially joined the American Revolution. On this day, the Milford Selectmen voted to support the colonial cause, authorizing provisions for local militia members and affirming the town’s commitment to liberty.

“Voted that the Select Men provide guns, bayonets & provisions for such as are called forth for the defense of the liberty of America & are unable to provide for themselves,” reads a line from the town’s original records—just one of many documents City Clerk Pete Smith is working to make accessible to the public.

“Milford has a proud patriotic tradition that began at the birth of our nation,” said Smith. “We are fortunate to have so many original historic documents in our vault that tell the amazing stories of those who came before us—many of whom fought and died for the freedoms we enjoy today.”

Since taking office, Smith has been working on the digitization and public sharing of Milford’s vast historical archive—over two million pages of documents stored in the City Clerk’s vault. “As the sixth-oldest community in Connecticut, founded in 1639, Milford possesses an incredible number of original historic records,” he noted.

To commemorate America’s upcoming 250th anniversary, Smith has partnered with volunteers from the Milford Historical Society and City Historian, Arthur Stowe, to digitize and translate key documents from the Revolutionary period. These materials are now becoming available online under the City Clerk’s “History – From the Vault” section.

This week, Volume 2 of Milford’s Town Meeting Minutes (1751–1827)—a 256-page handwritten record—has been digitized and made accessible. Originally transferred to the Connecticut State Library in 1962 by then-City Clerk Kent Newton, the document has returned to Milford in digital form thanks to a coordinated effort between Smith and the library.

Excerpt from Milford Town Meeting Minutes, May 1, 1775

(Original text excerpted and translated from Volume 2, Page 80-81)

At a Town Meeting regularly convened in Milford at the Town House, May 1st, 1775:

Deacon Nathaniel Buckingham chosen Moderator

Samuel Whittlesey appointed Clerk

• Voted that the great guns be mounted –
• Voted that the guns be mounted on trucks –
• Voted that the select men be a committee to take care & provide for the mounting the mounting the guns –
• Voted that the Select Men provide powder & everything need full respecting the great guns at the expense of the town.
• Voted that the Select Men provide guns, bayonets & provisions for such as are called forth for the defense of the liberty of America & are unable to provide for themselves.
• Voted that a Minute Post be supported in this Town & at the expense of the Town, to be continued until next Monday under the directions of Lt. Issac Miles.

The meeting was adjourned until Monday, May 8 at 5:00 p.m.

Attest: Samuel Whittlesey, Town Clerk

For more information and to view the original documents, visit the City Clerk’s website under the “History – From the Vault” tab.

For questions or more information, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at 203-783-3210 or via email at psmith@milfordct.gov.