Page 14 - Wallingford Magazine Issue 47 Spring 2024

Moses Dunbar:Dunbar:
Mo Mo ses by Bobbie Borne was words of advice to his children. The
ses Dunbar:
Moses Dunbar:

autobiography provided many of the
found nothing in my research about his
Honorable Tory 1746-1777 details outlined in this piece. Though I
schooling, Dunbar must have been an
educated man as the writing was clear
St. Matthew's Episcopal Church in and well-written. Without these letters
n 1875, an old document was discovered in a dark recess of an attic in Harwinton, Connecticut. The colonial era house East Plymouth, CT it is doubtful the world would have re- Tory Den
Iwas being raised, and a small booklet fell out as the workmen removed boards from the attic walls. This historic docu- a debate among historians as to the na- membered this small piece of American
ment turned out to be the long-lost final words of a man condemned to death by hanging: Moses Dunbar, a confessed Tory ture of the punishment for the crime of history. The advice to his children rein- holed up with his mistress on Long Is-
and Wallingford native son. This is his story. treason at that time. Some feel that the forced the idea of maintaining a strong land and wallowing in the piles of cash
he supposedly had acquired.
clause requiring death was “slipped” into belief in God, attending church often,
Dunbar Family Early yEars: made a decision that totally changed the To ensure his family’s safety, Moses de- the legislation retrospectively in order to and that “the pleasures of a good con- The gallows was erected in an apple
science, and the happiness of the near
1746-1763 direction of their lives. He and his fam- cided to retreat to his farm, “live peace- execute Dunbar as a powerful example tree on a hill south of Hartford where
Descended on his mother’s side from ily left the Congregational Church and ably and give no offense, neither by word for other Connecticut Tories. prospect of Heaven, infinitely outweighs Trinity College is today. In a seemingly
Thomas Hall, one of the original found- joined the Church of England (Episcopal nor deed.” This voluntary confinement all the Riches, Pleasure, and Honor of barbarous act on the day of the execu-
ers of Wallingford, Moses Dunbar was Church) for “sufficient and rational mo- as he called it didn’t last long. Within A summary of the indictment is as follows: this mean, sinful world.” In his treatise tion, the authorities placed Dunbar and
born in Wallingford on June 14, 1746. tives”. Though this occurred some years months, he was arrested by the author- “The jurors for the Governor and Com- Dunbar took full responsibility for all his his pregnant wife in a donkey cart and
His parents, John Dunbar and Temper- before the lead up to the Revolution, it ities in New Haven (Waterbury was in pany of the State of Connecticut present beliefs and actions throughout his life, drove them to the execution site, where
ance Hall were also born here (she of a signaled an allegiance to King George New Haven County at that time), but that one Moses Dunbar of Farmington, and never repudiated his decision to re- Dunbar’s wife was forced to witness the
long line of Halls in town, including Ly- contrary to currents of independence ra- was released after two weeks. By 1776, not having the fear of God before his main loyal to Britain. hanging of her husband. [An alterna-
man Hall). Married in 1743, they had 16 diating through the colonies at the time. things continued to get worse for Moses. eyes and being seduced by the instiga- tive explanation is that Esther Dunbar
children. I have not been able to discover This move shocked and angered Moses Phebe died following the birth of a baby tion of the Devil, on or about the 10th requested to remain with her husband
the site of their house. Moses, the sec- Dunbar’s patriotic father, who imme- who lived only a few days. And the per- day of November last past, and also on or until the end.]
ond oldest, and his siblings worked on diately severed relations with his son. secution of Torys was increasing. about the 1st day of January, instant, did
the family farm, assuming they would From then on, he “never assisted me . . go from said Farmington to the city of Two official sermons were preached
continue this occupation as adults. In . in gaining a livelihood . . . And treated Fleeing to Long Island in fear of his life, New York to hold traitorous correspon- on the occasion of Dunbar’s execution.
1760 John Dunbar relocated to Water- me very harshly in many instances, for he made contact with a group of Tories dence with the British troops and navy, Rev. Abraham Jarvis, an Episcopal pas-
bury with his wife and children. Moses which I heartily forgive him.” In cleaving located in the area, and found a place and did join himself to the British Army tor from Middletown who later became
was 16 at the time. John Dunbar’s history to the Church of England, Moses was where his family could live without fear and enter their service and pay, and did Bishop of Connecticut, gave his sermon
reflects his fervent patriotism for Amer- only following his true beliefs and values, of persecution. Somehow during all this engage to levy war against this State, and directly to Dunbar in his jail cell. Rev.
ica. In 1755 he fought in the French and “I never could reconcile my opinion to upheaval, Moses Dunbar had met Esther did procure and persuade one John Ad- Nathan Strong from Hartford preached
Indian War as a sergeant in the 2nd Regi- the necessity or lawfulness of taking up Adams in Bristol and become engaged. ams only to his congregation as Moses Dun-
ment, 3rd Company under Captain Isaac arms against Great Britain.” He returned to Connecticut to settle his . . . of said Farmington and divers others bar did not wish to hear the words of a
Foot. Twenty-six years later in 1781, aged estate, sell his 30 acre farm, reunite with to enlist for the purpose of levying war Congregationalist minister; and there-
56, he enlisted as a private in the 5th CT rEtrEat From PErsEcutors: his children, and marry Esther. With against this State.” fore, instead of words to comfort the
Regiment of the Continental Army and 1770-1777 his business in Connecticut resolved, he condemned man, he tried to help his pa-
served on the Committee of Correspon- This was an agonizing time for Mo- returned to Long Island to prepare for briEF EscaPE rishioners understand this tragic event
dence to gather and share political infor- ses. His father had rejected him; and his family’s move to live alongside oth- While in prison awaiting his execution, DEath anD burial in the context of their own lives.
mation among the Colonists. He was a then his mother died in 1770, probably er British sympathizers. While in Long Dunbar was visited by a friend, Elisha Up until the very end, there was a chance
devoted member of the Congregational caused by complications from recently Island he met with British Colonel Da- Wadsworth, who smuggled a knife into that General Howe would intercede in Just before the noose was placed around
Church in both Wallingford and later birthing twins and 14 previous children vid Fanning and accepted a commission his cell with which Dunbar extricated this case and offer an exchange of pris- his neck, as the crowd murmured and
Waterbury. Along with Temperance and since her marriage. The heartache over as Captain in the King’s Service under himself from his manacles, then knocked oners, thus saving Dunbar’s life. At this surged, Dunbar read the words he had
the children, he attended church regular- her son’s estrangement could also have Fanning. In addition, at the behest of down the guard and escaped his impris- time there were about 400 rebel officers composed about his life, beliefs, and
ly. been a contributing factor to her demise. General Howe, Dunbar recruited sever- onment. It is possible that Dunbar fled to and 5,000 American soldiers held pris- family.
She was just 43. According to Moses, his al people for the British Army including Tory Den, a cave near his home known oner within British lines in New York.
mosEs Dunbar marriagE anD mother never wavered in her support of Esther’s brother John Adams. only to local loyalists. It was composed The justices in Hartford were not against “A prodigious concourse of people were
allEgiancE to britain: him and his decision to remain loyal to of a 35 foot long hideout created when this potential solution. But Howe was spectators on the occasion” reported the
condemned at the time for ignoring the
1764-1770 Britain. This may have resulted in a frac- arrEst anD trial: 1777 two massive slabs of rock fell from above, pleas from Tory groups (at least four Hartford Courant at the time. In a sad
Four years after the family moved to tious marriage since her husband was Upon his return to Connecticut to col- two entrances, and a place to build a fire. applications on behalf of Dunbar were note, it has been reported that Moses
Waterbury, Moses married Phebe Je- so adamant in his disapproval of Moses. lect his family, he was apprehended by [Much has been written about Tory Den made to Howe), and instead staying Dunbar’s patriotic father John Dunbar
rome (aka Jearman) of Farmington. Soon Moses Dunbar’s domestic woes the authorities who found in his pocket and you can hike there today. Sadly, for provided the hemp rope with which to
They established a home and family in took second place to the public humil- his military commission with authori- Dunbar and Wadsworth, they were soon hang his own son.
Chippeny Hill (an area where Harwin- iation he was forced to endure. Moses zation to enlist men and horses for the captured and Wadsworth was fined 40
ton, Plymouth, Bristol, and Burlington spoke out about his beliefs and encoun- British. Caught red-handed, betrayed by pounds and a year in jail for his deeds. Just 30 years old leaving four children
merge). Seven children were born to tered plenty of opposition. At one point a supposed friend named Joseph Smith, and a pregnant widow, Moses Dunbar
them over the years. According to Dun- “I was attacked by a mob of about forty Dunbar was brought before the Hart- last WorDs anD aDvicE to never regretted nor retracted his politi-
bar, “Phebe was a woman of much virtue men, very much abused, my life threat- ford Superior Court where on Thursday, chilDrEn cal beliefs and faced “the terrible crisis of
and good reputation, whom I remember ened and nearly taken away.” Tories were January 23, 1777 he was tried for high The document discovered in the old at- my earthly fate” with dignity, grace, and
with the most honor and gratitude for frequently beaten, whipped with hickory treason against the State of Connecticut. tic referenced in the introduction to this peace in his heart. Moses Dunbar, Wall-
the good care and affection she continu- switches, tarred, and shot. He also en- Found guilty on the following Saturday, story contained letters written by Moses ingford born and true of heart was the
ally showed me.” At the time of his mar- countered verbal assaults from his neigh- he received the sentence of death to be Dunbar on the eve of his death. One was only man to be executed in Connecticut
riage Moses, with the approval of Phebe, bors and former friends. carried out on March 19, 1777. There is a short autobiography and the second during the Revolutionary War.

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