Lt. William Smith (1748–1824) of Haddam, Connecticut, embodied the patriotic service of a multi-generational New England family that helped build the colonies and secure American independence. As our 6th great-grandfather, his story ties early settlement to Revolutionary heroism.
Family Roots in Colonial Connecticut
William descended from sturdy pioneer stock. His great-grandfather Simon Smith (c. 1628–1687), an immigrant from Stratford-upon-Avon, England, was among the first settlers of Haddam (originally the Thirty Mile Island plantation) in the early 1660s. Simon and his wife Elizabeth Bateman helped purchase land from the Wangunk Indians and established a homestead. Their son Benjamin Smith (c. 1664–1763) lived to nearly 100, marrying Hannah Benton and continuing as a Haddam farmer. Benjamin’s son Daniel Smith (1716–1793) served as a Corporal in the 7th Connecticut Militia during the Revolution.
William, born 14 October 1748 to Daniel and Martha, grew up in this river town amid farming, community life, and growing colonial tensions. He married Esther Brainerd (1747–1816) and raised a family, including daughter Esther (who married Thomas Bailey). Like his forebears, he was rooted in Haddam’s agricultural world before war called him to service.
Service in the 6th Connecticut Regiment
In May 1777, William received a commission as Lieutenant in the 6th Connecticut Regiment, Continental Line. This unit, reorganized for longer-term federal service, drew men from towns like Haddam and participated in the grueling Middle Department campaigns. It fought in the New York–New Jersey theater and at the Battle of Monmouth (1778), enduring harsh winters, supply shortages, and the steady attrition of war. William rose to Captain-Lieutenant, reflecting leadership among reliable New England troops who formed a backbone of Washington’s army.
On 1 January 1781, he transferred with select comrades into the Corps of Light Infantry—elite, mobile battalions prized for discipline, marksmanship, and bayonet prowess. These units operated under Lafayette and saw high-tempo action.
Climax at the Siege of Yorktown
By fall 1781, the allied Franco-American army trapped British forces under Cornwallis at Yorktown, Virginia. To tighten the noose, Washington needed to capture two forward British redoubts blocking the second siege parallel. On the night of 14 October 1781, ~400 American light infantrymen assaulted Redoubt 10 while the French attacked Redoubt 9.
Lt. Col. Alexander Hamilton led the American attack (after asserting seniority). The troops advanced with unloaded muskets and fixed bayonets for surprise and shock. They crossed open ground under fire, pushed through abatis and fraises (some impatiently climbing over obstacles rather than waiting for sappers), and stormed the parapet in fierce hand-to-hand combat. Despite British musketry and grenades, the redoubt fell in about 10 minutes, with most defenders captured. American casualties were relatively light given the intensity.
This bold nighttime action—exemplifying the Light Infantry’s elite status—allowed completion of the siege lines and intensified bombardment. Cornwallis surrendered on 19 October 1781, effectively ending major hostilities. Connecticut men, including those from William’s circles, were well represented in the Light Infantry battalions at Yorktown.
Post-War Life and Legacy
William survived the war and returned to Haddam as a farmer and community figure, often remembered with his military rank (Lieutenant or Captain-Lieutenant). Esther died in 1816; he followed on 20 May 1824. They rest in the Old Burying Ground in Haddam.
From Simon Smith’s founding of Haddam in the 1660s through Daniel’s militia service and William’s Continental and Light Infantry contributions, this family exemplified the arc of early America: immigration and settlement, endurance on the land, and commitment to liberty. Lt. William Smith’s path—from Connecticut farmer to officer in the 6th Regiment and participant in the decisive Yorktown assault—highlights the ordinary citizens who turned the tide of the Revolution. His descendants, including through Esther and the Bailey line, carry forward this patriotic heritage in a town still tied to its colonial roots.
This narrative draws together the family’s deep Connecticut foundations with William’s specific military record.
Thank you Gemini AI for your wisdom and research assistance. -- Drifting Cowboy
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