Born November 25, 1742, in Wallingford, Connecticut, James Peck came of age in one of New England's most strategically vulnerable regions—the Connecticut coast along Long Island Sound. When war came, it came by sea: British fleets appearing offshore, landing parties burning towns, and constant alarms that pulled farmers from their fields to defend their homes. James answered every call as part of New Haven County's "minutemen"—militia ready to respond at a moment's notice.
Connecticut's Coastal Frontier
Connecticut's geography made it uniquely vulnerable. Long Island Sound separated Connecticut from British-occupied New York and Long Island. British ships could sail up the Sound at will, land troops anywhere along dozens of miles of coastline, and retreat before substantial American forces could respond. This forced Connecticut to maintain constant militia readiness along the entire coast—an exhausting commitment that kept men like James Peck on perpetual alert.
The strain was immense. Militia service meant leaving farms at critical planting and harvest seasons, spending days or weeks on coastal watch, and living with the knowledge that the next sail on the horizon might herald destruction for your town.
Service in the New Haven County Militia
Connecticut's minutemen lived with constant vigilance—the enemy was just across the Sound, and every fishing boat might bring news of British ships approaching.
James mustered with the New Haven County Militia, a unit that bore the brunt of coastal defense throughout the war. His service spanned 1776 through 1779— the most intense years of British coastal operations.
Confirmed/Probable Engagements
- •Danbury Raid Response (April 1777): British forces burned Danbury's supply depot. Connecticut militia converged from across the state, harassing the British retreat
- •Tryon's Raids (July 1779): Governor William Tryon led devastating raids on Fairfield and Norwalk, burning both towns. Connecticut militia fought desperate rearguard actions to evacuate civilians
- •Coastal Alarms & Westchester Skirmishes: Constant call-ups for coastal watch and border patrols along the disputed Westchester County line
The Tryon raids of 1779 marked the nadir of Connecticut's war. British forces landed 2,600 troops at Fairfield on July 7, burning the town to the ground (except for four houses and the Anglican church). Two days later, they did the same to Norwalk. Militia resistance was fierce but ultimately futile against superior numbers supported by naval gunfire. James and his fellow militiamen could do little but help evacuate families and watch their neighbors' homes burn.
Post-War Life in Connecticut
James remained in Connecticut after the war, continuing the farming life that war had so frequently interrupted. Like many Connecticut veterans, he would have witnessed the slow rebuilding of burned coastal towns and the gradual return of prosperity to a region that had endured years of raids and alarms.
His descendants spread west into New York State during the early 19th century migration that saw thousands of Connecticut families seeking cheaper land beyond the crowded Connecticut River valley.
Sons of the American Revolution Recognition
James Peck's service has been verified and recognized by the Sons of the American Revolution under membership number SAR #16812. His documented militia service in New Haven County confirms his status as a proven Patriot who answered repeated calls to defend Connecticut's vulnerable coastline.
Connecticut's Minuteman Tradition
Connecticut maintained one of the most efficient militia systems in the colonies. The state's "minuteman" companies—men designated for rapid response—could mobilize within hours of an alarm. This system, born from King Philip's War and refined during the French and Indian War, made Connecticut militia among the most effective in the Revolution, despite fighting a largely defensive war on their own territory.