The People of Fairfield

William Wheeler (1762-1845)

William Wheeler of Black Rock was 16 years old when he enlisted as a soldier in the Guard (Upper Wharf) from May 16 -July 7, 1779. His journal provides many details about the Burning of Fairfield. William studied privately with Rev. Andrew Eliot before attending Yale. After graduation, he taught school in Norfield (now Weston) for a while. Then he returned to Black Rock (Bridgeport), where he lived the rest of his life.

(Silhouette of a male. There are no known images of William Wheeler.)

Christopher Maltbie (c. 1767-c. 1850)

Christopher “Kit” was an enslaved Black child in Jonathan Maltbie’s household in 1779. The British attempted to burn the Maltbie house, and although Jonathan was not home when the British attacked, someone kept the house from burning down. Local oral history suggests that Christopher may have been the one to put the fire out.

(Silhouette of a male. There are no known images of Christopher Maltbie.)

Gold Selleck Silliman (1732-1790)

Gold Selleck Silliman lived on Jennings Road with his wife Mary and their family. A Patriot military commander, Gold was kidnapped in May 1779 and held as a prisoner on Long Island. With his wife Mary’s help, Gold’s freedom was exchanged for a British loyalist. Gold returned home to a damaged Fairfield on April 27, 1780, having missed the burning while he was held captive.

(Silhouette of a male. There are no known images of Gold Selleck Silliman.)

Mary (Fish Noyes) Silliman (1736-1818)

Mary Silliman negotiated to free her husband Gold Selleck Silliman, who was kidnapped by the British. She traded his freedom in exchange for a British loyalist supporter named Thomas Jones. She wrote many letters which described her life and the hardships which were caused by the war.

Reverend Andrew Eliot (1743-1805)

Reverend Andrew Eliot was an outspoken supporter of American independence. He was invited to oversee The First Church of Fairfield, where he became the ordained minister on June 22, 1774.

Eunice (Dennie) Burr (1732-1805)

Eunice Dennie Burr (and Thaddeus Burr) hosted many military and government leaders at their home. George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Marquis de Lafayette, John Adams, and Aaron Burr visited their estate on Old Post Road in Fairfield, which was destroyed during the Burning of Fairfield.

Priscilla Lothrop Burr (1747-1810)

Priscilla Lothrop of Plymouth, Massachusetts, married Gershom Burr (1744-1774) of Fairfield on December 12, 1765. She had 4 young children (ages 4 to 10) at time of the Burning of Fairfield. Their names were Gershom, Isaac, Abigail, and Eunice.

(Silhouette of a female. There are no known images of Priscilla Lothrop Burr.)

Jack Bulkley (c. 1733-unknown)

Jack was an enslaved 45-year old man in Johnathan Bulkley’s household during the Burning of Fairfield. In 1779, Jack enlisted as a British soldier. During the war, by policy the British promised freedom and protection if enslaved men fought for England. In 1783, at 50 years old, Jack received a conditional pardon from the British government for his military service as a British soldier. He sailed on a ship called Two Sisters bound for Canada with his wife Dorcas and five-year old son Prince. Jack’s wife and son were previously enslaved by Dr. Francis Forgue of Fairfield.

(Silhouette of a male. There are no known images of Jack Bulkley.)

Reverend John Sayre (1738-1784)

Reverend John Sayre, Fairfield’s Anglican Church minister and the local surgeon, supported the British. In 1777, Sayre was imprisoned at Connecticut’s Old Newgate Prison for his Loyalist support, but people from Fairfield still secured his release.

(Silhouette of a male. There are no known images of Rev. John Sayre.)