Captain Thomas Nash – A Leader with Courage and Ingenuity

The Sarah Riggs Humphreys-Mary Silliman Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution celebrates America 250! In anticipation of the July 4, 2026, 250th Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence by the 13 Colonies, the DAR wishes to remind everyone of the sacrifices and heroism of everyday men and women who fought for our freedoms that we enjoy today.

The Nash family lived in the Greens Farms area since the early 1700’s and had extensive land holdings. As more people came into the area they petitioned to establish a West Parish of Fairfield which was approved by the CT General Court in 1711. In 1781 Thomas Nash gave the parish a site known as ‘meeting-house green’. Thomas Nash provided Civil Service, Patriotic Service, and Military Service during the Revolutionary War (DAR Ancestor # A081646). Captain Thomas Nash served under Col. Samuel Whiting’s Regiment (4th Militia) commanded by Lt-Col Jonathan Dimon. Nash was a member of several town committees; a fence viewer, horse brander, lister, and from Dec 1777 to 20 Dec 1782 was town Selectman. He and his family were inoculated for Small Pox at his home in Feb 1782.

Thomas Nash was born 21 May 1743 in Greens Farms and died 29 Jan 1815 in Greens Farms. He married his first wife Mary Burr in 1765 (1749-1784), and they had 5 children: Thomas, Charity, Rebecca, William Burr, and Joseph. After Mary’s death, Thomas Nash married Mary Nicholas in 1785 (1766-1826) and they had 4 children: William B, Harriet, Lewis Nicholas, and Delia.

Farmers, blacksmiths, fishermen were part of the Greens Farms thriving community. Their militia was recruited to protect and defend their West Fairfield Parish. Thomas Nash was the third generation of that name to command his company. His militia marched to Peekskill October 5-30, 1777; responded to the New Haven Alarm of July 5, 1779 and was Captain of the Sea Coast Guards in 1781.[1]

This was a time of turmoil for Connecticut’s Long Island Sound coast. Greens Farms and Compo Beach frequently witnessed British incursions from Long Island and New York. On a fateful day in the Spring of 1777, 2,500 British infantry and cavalry landed at Compo Beach (then called Cedar Point). They marched from Compo Beach to Danbury to burn the provisions intended for the Continental Army.

In July 1779, the British came ashore with over 3,000 troops and plundered and burned New Haven, Fairfield and ‘a great Part of the Parish of Green’s farms not sparing the sumptuous Houses dedicated to the Worship of God.’[2] Col. Whiting called for a captain and 30 men to reconnoiter the enemy in the north part of the village. Captain Thomas Nash volunteered and was followed by more than a hundred men. Col. Whiting allowed only 30 to accompany Captain Nash. Captain Nash ordered his men to lie behind the fence in the tall vegetation until the enemy were near the center of the street. Then he gave the order to rise and fire, load, fire and then run. This tactic was so unexpected that none of his men were injured. Afterwards a squad attempted to burn Captain Nash’s home in Greens Farms. He dragged a field piece near his house, loaded it with grape and fired. The British thought he had a company behind him and retreated without damage to his house.[3]

Captain Thomas Nash was Captain of the Sea Coast guards in Greens Farms in 1781. The British were continually crossing from Long Island and landing near Compo Beach to harass and plunder. One night, Captain Nash, with three of his men, discovered a whale boat secreted on the shore. He disabled the boat and saw a faint light in a cabin in a cornfield. His army of three passed rapidly around the cabin, hitting their muskets against the building and making as much noise as they could. Captain Nash approached the window and told those inside they were surrounded and to hand out their arms and their lives would be spared. He was handed sixteen muskets. He ordered them to lie down until morning. He and his three men had captured 15 Tories and one British soldier![4]

These are just a few of the stories told about Captain Thomas Nash. He was a true patriot who spent his life in service of his new nation using his intelligence, wits, and courage.

The DAR is a non-profit women’s service organization dedicated to historic preservation, education and patriotism. Any woman over 18 who can prove lineal descent to an ancestor who served in the American Revolution is a prospective member. For more information on the DAR visit http://www.sarahriggshumphreysDAR.org

The National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution asks everyone to celebrate the 250th Birthday of the United States of America and the Patriots that achieved American Independence. For more information visit https://honoringourpatriots.dar.org/

[1] Johnston, CT Men in the Am Rev, 1889, pp515, 516, 548, 629, 630

[2] https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-21-02-0331

[3] compiled by Rev Sylvester Nash; The Nash Family of Thomas Nash of New Haven Connecticut 1640, 1853, p116

[4] The Nash Family of Thomas Nash of New Haven Connecticut 1640 compiled by Rev Sylvester Nash, 1853, p116