Moses Paul: A Tragic Figure in Colonial Connecticut
Moses Paul, a Native American man, of the Mohegan Tribe, born in 1742 in Barnstable, Massachusetts, became a central figure in a controversial murder case that highlighted the complex racial dynamics and social issues of 18th-century colonial America. While his primary connection to Waterbury, Connecticut, was through his victim, Moses S. Cook, Paul's story offers insights into the challenges faced by Native Americans in colonial society.
Early Life and Military Service
Orphaned at a young age, Paul was apprenticed to John Manning of Windham at age five. There, he received basic education and Christian instruction. As a young man, Paul followed in his father's footsteps by joining the army, serving in Colonel Putnam's company. It was during his military service that Paul reportedly "contracted many sinful Habits," which he had previously been "a Stranger to the Practice of."
Life in Waterbury and the Fateful Night
By September 1771, Paul had settled in Waterbury, Connecticut. He lived what was described as an "unsteady Way," often becoming intoxicated and engaging in "dissolute Practices." This lifestyle culminated in the events of December 7, 1771, at Clark's Tavern in nearby Bethany.
On that night, Paul was refused further service at the tavern, leading to a confrontation with Moses S. Cook, a cobbler from Waterbury. The exact details of the altercation remain disputed, but the outcome was tragic: Cook, son of Daniel Cook of the Pine Hole village of Waterbury, died from injuries sustained during the fight.
The Trial and Conviction
Paul was arrested and tried for murder in New Haven. The court accepted the prosecution's version of events, which claimed Paul had ambushed Cook outside the tavern and struck him with a flat iron. Paul was found guilty of willful murder and sentenced to death.
Appeal and Alternative Narrative
In his appeal, Paul presented a different account of the events. He claimed that Cook had severely beaten and humiliated him, and that he had struck Cook in self-defense with a club, not a flat iron. Paul also argued that his initial trial had occurred too soon after the incident when emotions were still high, and that he had not been given a fair opportunity to present his side of the story.
Despite these efforts, Paul's appeal was denied by the New Haven Superior Court.
Execution and Legacy
Moses Paul was executed in New Haven on September 2, 1772. At his request, the execution sermon was delivered by Samson Occom, a fellow Native American and prominent minister. The execution drew a large crowd, marking a shift towards disproportionate executions of Native Americans, African Americans, and foreign-born individuals in New England.
Impact on Waterbury and Beyond
While Paul's crime and execution did not occur in Waterbury, the case had significant implications for the town and the broader region:
It highlighted the complex relationship between Native Americans and colonial society, particularly regarding alcohol consumption and legal treatment.
The case drew attention to racial biases in the colonial justice system, a issue that continues to resonate today.
The execution sermon by Samson Occom became one of the first published works by a Native American, marking an important moment in American literary history.
The case served as a cautionary tale about the dangers of alcohol, particularly for Native Americans, reinforcing stereotypes that persisted for generations.
While Moses Paul's life ended tragically, his story continues to offer valuable insights into the social, legal, and racial dynamics of colonial America, with particular relevance to Waterbury and the surrounding Connecticut region.
written by Claude Sonnet
Moses was a Traitor; Moses was Executed
Moses Dunbar: A Connecticut Loyalist's Tragic Tale
Moses Dunbar, born on June 3, 1746, in Wallingford, Connecticut, lived a relatively short life that became entangled in the tumultuous events of the American Revolution. His story, while not centered in Waterbury, Connecticut, is a poignant example of the complex loyalties and tragic consequences that many colonists faced during this pivotal period in American history.
Early Life and Family
Dunbar was born into a large family, the second of sixteen children to John and Temperance Dunbar. In 1760, when Moses was 14, his family moved to Waterbury, Connecticut. This relocation would play a significant role in shaping his future. In 1764, at the age of 18, Moses married Phebe Jerome of Farmington, Connecticut. Together, they had seven children. Shortly after their marriage, Moses and Phebe joined the Church of England, a decision that caused a rift with Moses' Congregationalist father. This religious choice would later align with Dunbar's political leanings during the Revolutionary period.
The Revolutionary Period
As tensions between the colonies and Great Britain escalated, Dunbar found himself at odds with the growing revolutionary sentiment. He was outspoken in his opinion against taking up arms against Great Britain, a stance that would eventually lead to severe consequences.
In May 1776, tragedy struck when Phebe died after months of illness. Later that year, Dunbar married Esther Adams. It was during this tumultuous time that Dunbar's loyalist activities began to take shape. Loyalist Activities and ArrestIn September 1776, Dunbar traveled to Long Island, which was under British control. In October, he accepted a commission as a Captain in the King's American Regiment, a British provincial regiment raised for Loyalist service. This decision would prove fatal.
Upon returning to Connecticut, Dunbar attempted to recruit other young men to enlist in the British army. However, he was arrested, and incriminating evidence - his royal commission and a list of Loyalist recruits - was found in his possession.
Trial and Execution
Dunbar was indicted for high treason and tried in the superior court in Hartford, Connecticut. On January 23, 1777, he was found guilty. Despite managing a brief escape from prison, he was quickly recaptured.
On March 19, 1777, at the age of 30, Moses Dunbar was executed by hanging near the present site of Trinity College in Hartford. His execution was a public affair, and tragically, his pregnant wife Esther was compelled to attend.
Legacy
Moses Dunbar's story is a stark reminder of the personal tragedies that occurred during the American Revolution. He was one of the few men in Connecticut to be convicted of high treason and executed for his loyalist activities.
Dunbar's posthumous son, Moses Dunbar Jr., was born later in 1777 and baptized in December of that year. Esther later remarried Chauncy Jerome, brother of Moses' first wife Phebe. They raised the Dunbar children, including young Moses, along with their own. While Dunbar's primary activities were not centered in Waterbury, his family's connection to the town and his tragic fate make him a notable figure in Connecticut's Revolutionary history. His story serves as a powerful example of the complex choices and dire consequences faced by individuals during this pivotal period in American history.
written by Claude Sonnet
Moses Comes to Waterbury ... to play baseball
White is Black, Walker was a Hitter; Robinson came later
Moses Fleetwood Walker: Pioneering Baseball Player in Waterbury
Moses Fleetwood Walker made history as the first openly Black player in major league baseball when he debuted for the Toledo Blue Stockings in 1884. While his time in the majors was brief, Walker went on to have a notable minor league career that included a stint with the Waterbury team in Connecticut. His time in Waterbury represents an important chapter in both Walker's career and the early history of integrated professional baseball.
Walker joined the Waterbury club in 1885 after brief stints with other teams following his release from Toledo. At the time, Waterbury was playing in multiple minor leagues as the landscape of professional baseball was still evolving. Walker appeared in 39 games for Waterbury across three different leagues in 1885.
The following year, in 1886, Walker returned to Waterbury for a full season as the team joined the more competitive Eastern League. Walker served as Waterbury's primary catcher that season, playing in about half of the team's games. While his offensive statistics were unimpressive, Walker's defensive skills and game management as a catcher were highly valued.
Walker's presence on the Waterbury team was significant, as he was one of very few Black players in the predominantly white minor leagues of the time. His ability to secure a roster spot and regular playing time in Waterbury demonstrated his talent and perseverance in the face of racial prejudice that was pervasive in baseball and society.
The fact that Waterbury was willing to sign Walker for multiple seasons also reflects positively on the team's and the city's relative openness to integration during this era. At a time when many teams and leagues were beginning to implement color barriers, Waterbury provided Walker with an opportunity to continue his professional career. Walker's time in Waterbury helped him stay active in high-level professional baseball and likely contributed to his ability to later join the Newark Little Giants in the International League in 1887. There, he formed part of an all-Black battery with pitcher George Stovey that garnered significant attention.
While Walker's overall statistics and team success in Waterbury were limited, his presence on the team was historically important. He helped pave the way for future Black players in professional baseball both through his talent on the field and his perseverance in the face of discrimination. Walker's career in Waterbury serves as an example of the gradual integration attempts in baseball in the late 19th century before the color line became firmly entrenched for decades. Moses Fleetwood Walker's legacy extends far beyond the baseball diamond. After his playing career, he became a businessman, inventor, and author who explored ideas of Black nationalism. But his time as a pioneering Black ballplayer in places like Waterbury helped write an important early chapter in baseball's integration story - one that would not fully be realized until Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier again over 60 years later. Walker's determination to play professional baseball in Waterbury and elsewhere in the face of immense challenges stands as an inspiring example of courage and perseverance.
