Reminiscences of a Young Girl During the Revolutionary War

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 following is a story about a young girl who grew up in the Black Rock section of Fairfield during the American Revolution. Sarah Silliman was about 9 years old when the Revolution began. Her parents and neighbors were active patriots. Her father, Joseph Silliman, was the sailing master on the sloop Broome in 1776. Her mother, Christian (Hubbell) Silliman, baked and gave the food to the soldiers guarding the coast on Long Island Sound at Fort Black Rock and the Battery.

The Silliman family lived in a home Joseph built on Grovers Hill. It was described as “a quaint little home with a sloping roof across which sprawled a trumpet vine, accenting with bright flowers the silver-gray weathered shingles. Lilacs clustered at the door.” Because of its location near the Sound it was very near to several defensive fortifications - Fort Black Rock, the Battery and the Upper Wharf (also known as the Landing).

The Silliman’s neighbors and relations were involved in the defense of the Fairfield/Stratford coast. Some of the soldiers stationed at the fort and battery were frequent visitors to her home, and some artillery officers boarded at her father’s home. One of the soldiers, Stephen Lyon, a shoemaker by trade, promised to make Sarah a pair of pumps, and she recalls having to wait quite a while before the shoes were finished and delivered.

Sarah’s cousin, James Silliman, in his pension application, said that his father, Ensign Samuel Silliman, commanded the guard at the Upper Wharf and was also a farmer. James frequently brought flax from his farm to Sarah’s home for her and her younger sisters - Mary, Rhoda, and Phebe - to spin. It was “fashionable in those days for girls to spin and manufacture different kinds of cloth”. Flax was a lucrative crop and Fairfield was the largest producer of flax in Connecticut. It was made into linen and traded for war materials.

Sarah described her father as a “seafaring man”. It is not known how often Joseph Silliman was away from home and at sea. We do know, however, that Joseph Silliman served as a sailing master on board the Sloop Broome commanded by Capt. William Nott in the summer of 1776, serving for four months. During this service they took four prizes and about 70 prisoners.

Events took a turn for the worse when the British fleet landed at Fairfield Beach the early morning hours of July 7, 1779 and burnt the town. The Fairfield coast guard spotted the British fleet just before 4 a.m. and Isaac Jarvis, the commander of the fort at Black Rock, ordered a gun fired to warn town residents. A British landing force of 2,000 men commanded by General William Tryon came ashore at Fairfield Beach. The British came under heavy fire from the solders at the fort and from militia that were hidden between the town and shore. Black Rock Fort held. After a two-day siege, the British forces and the rear guard of German mercenaries burnt nearly all the buildings in the four squares of the town. Only six houses remained.

William Wheeler recorded the following observation of that day in his journal: “Black Rock people soon assembled on Grovers Hill among whom were several females, where we can see the enemy marching up.” He reported the town burnt all night, as they were able to see the fire from their vantage point. Sarah remembered seeing the fire when Fairfield was burnt and went with Nathaniel, her 16-year old brother, on horseback into the country until the British left Fairfield. Like many residents, they took shelter inland during the British attack. Once the British were gone Sarah and her brother returned to see the ruins.

We can only marvel at the resiliency of youth during the war. Sarah’s future husband, Aaron Hubbell, was a private and joined as a substitute at the age of 15. Throughout the war he served much of his time guarding the coast in Black Rock. Sarah and Aaron were married on September 9, 1787. They had 11 children and, when Aaron died of dropsy in 1848, Sarah applied for a widow’s pension. Sarah died three years later. Both are buried at the Old Stratfield Cemetery in Bridgeport.

Thanks to the affidavits provided by Sarah in support of several pension applications, we can see how family life went on and supported the cause despite the disruptions of War. We can only imagine how unsettling it was to witness first-hand the burning of their town. We can compare it to the distress, anguish, and sorrow we see on the news when catastrophic events occur today. We know from history the townspeople did not give up – they rebuilt and continued to fight for their freedom – and ultimately ours.

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/