Thomas WADSWORTH

In 1778, Thomas Wadsworth was a Sergeant in Capt. Ezekiel Olcott's company, Col. Chapman's regiment of militia (according to DAR). the DAR lineage identifies him as Thomas (5) and father of Elizabeth b. 1761, but it seems more likely that the sergeant in 1778 was Thomas (6), age 39, rather than Thomas (5) at age 62. It is also likely that Elizabeth was the daughter of Thomas (6), thereby explaining the confusion in the DAR lineage. Ezekiel Olcott was formerly the lieutenant of the 1st company of 1st regiment, from Bolton, and led a company of milita from Bolton in the Lexington Alarm, 1775. Col. Samuel Chapman's regiment served under General Sullivan at the attempt to dislodge the British at Newport, and were present at the battle of Rhode Island, 29 August 1778. "...at the time of the Battle of Rhode Island in August 1778, we find two regiments of Connecticut milita in service under Colonels Samuel Chapman and Samuel McClellan. During the same month, Colonel Roger Enos' regiment is found on the Hudson." (from Morgan) The Battle of Rhode Island, also known as the Battle of Quaker Hill, took place on August 29, 1778, when units of the Continental Army under the command of John Sullivan attempted to recapture Aquidneck Island, also known as Rhode Island (rather than the state of Rhode Island), from British forces. The battle ended inconclusively, but the Continental Army had to give up its goal of capturing the island and securing Narragansett Bay for American and French ship traffic.

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