Broadside Soliciting Recruits for the Continental Army, ca. 1775 – Connecticut Historical Society

Revolutionary War (1775-1783)

As one of the thirteen colonies, Connecticut and its people played instrumental roles during the American Revolution. Connecticut provided food, cannon, and other supplies to the Continental army. For these contributions, Connecticut earned its nickname, “The Provision State.” Connecticut’s Governor, Jonathan Trumbull, was the only colonial governor to initially and openly support the Revolution. Consequently, Connecticut supplied tens of thousands of troops to the Continental army. While largely spared from British occupation and major battles, Connecticut still experienced British raids and town burnings—most notably in Danbury, Fairfield, Norwalk, and New London.

Off the battlefield, others supported the American Revolution by capitalizing on the opportunities the war created, including through acts of espionage committed by spies such as the Culper Ring, Nathan Hale, and Deborah Champion. Enslaved individuals in Connecticut used the chaos of battles and disruption of daily life to escape and seek freedom. Women such as Hannah Bunce Watson of the Connecticut Courant ensured continuous access to news while others like Abigail Hinman actively defended their homes during British raids. Not all Connecticut residents, however, supported the Revolution. Facing legislation and harassment from patriot-supporting neighbors, many loyal to Britain (called Loyalists or Tories) fled the Colonies or suffered imprisonment (largely at New-Gate Prison).

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During the Revolutionary War, American privateers utilized armed whaling boats to keep the British from the colonies' shores and prevent illicit trade in British goods. …[more]

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