Maj. Christopher4 DARROW (80) (Christopher3, Christopher2, George1); born circa 1725 at Montville, CT. The about 1725 is only speculation by this researcher. He married Sarah Gorton of CT and they had at least three known children, two sons and one daughter.
Henry A. Baker in his "History of Montville, CT" writes: "He was a major in the Army of the Revolution, and a brave soldier in both the French and Revolutionary wars. Major Christopher Darrow (of the North Parish) fought bravely at Monmouth and on other battlefields during the war."
Frances Caulkins in her "History of New London" writes: " Christopher was a major in the Army of the Revolution. His residence in the North Parish was a short distance west of the Harry Vincent Mill Pond."
He began his military service in 1775 in CT. In June, one of the six newly raised regiments, under the command of Col. Parsons, was reviewed in New London. ... Two companies of this regiment, the fourth and fifth, were raised in New London, and of these William Coit and James Chapman were Captains. These two companies marched immediately to Boston, and took part in the battle of Bunker Hill. Of Capt. Chapman's company, the corresponding officers were Christopher Darrow, John Raymond and George Latimer.
In "The Public Records of the State of Connecticut" , ".......at a General Assembly of the Governor and Company of the State of Connecticut in New England in America, holden at New Haven on the second Thursday of October, and continued by several adjournments to the seventh day of November following, Annoque Domini, 1776…. It then proceeds with various business and on page 13 of the record the Governor and his party appointed Christopher Darrow, amongst others, to be Captains in the eight battalions now ordered to be raised in this State."
Christopher served at various ranks while in the military. He was a Lieutenant with the 5th Co., 6th Regiment under Col. Parsons, a Captain with the 1st Regiment of Connecticut while it was at Camp Valley Forge serving under General George Washington, and a Major with the Connecticut Line.
An application submitted by Mrs Helen Whaley Mack, 2nd great granddaughter of Christopher Darrow, Linage Certificate 147890, Vol 148, page 185 stated that he served as Lieutenant, 5th company, 6th regiment, under Colonel Parsons; also captain, 1st regiment, Connecticut, and major, Connecticut line.
The following notes and letter are from the Library of Congress. They all involve Christopher Darrow in some way during his military service in Camp Valley Forge, PA under General George Washington.
George Washington, July 12, 1776, General Orders
The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources, 1745-1799. John C. Fitzpatrick, Editor.--vol. 05
Head Quarters, New York, July 12, 1776.
"Thomas Blunfield of Capt. Darrow's Company, Col. Parson's Regiment, tried by a General Court Martial whereof Colonel Read was President, was found guilty of "Desertion" and sentenced to receive Thirty-nine Lashes. The General approves the Sentence and orders it to be executed at the usual time and place.
The following letter, which was written by Capt. Christopher Darrow to General George Washington, 31 March, 1788, and can be found in the Library of Congress records. It is image 369 of "George Washington Papers, 1741-1799 Series 4, which is a part of General Correspondence 1697-1799.
To His Excellency Geo. Washington, Esq.
General & Commander in Chief of the Army of the United States of America.
The Petition of the commissioned Officers of the first Connecticut Regiment.
Humbly Sheweth.
That your Petitioners, since they took the field the last campaign to the present time, have been destitute of a chief Colonel to the Regiment. Our Lieut. Colonel, daily expecting some other gentleman would be put over him to command the Regiment, did not exert himself, for the honor & benefit of the same, as he probably would have done had his situation been otherwise. The necessary inconvenience then, we have laboured under on this account, are to obvious to be particularized to your Excellency. To avoid which in future, are that the regiments may make that respectable & martial appearance which was intended by the first worthy Colonel of it.
Your Petitioners humbly beg leave to the said regiment before the opening of the approaching campaign. And your Petitioners further beg leave to petition you Excellency, that we maybe indulged in having Lieut. Colonel Sherman, [whose accomplishments as an officer & a gentleman, we highly value,] appointed to the command of said regiment, which we humbly conceive would greatly add to the peace & honour of the same. And your Petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray.
Signed in behalf of the commissioned Officers of the (unreadable) Regiment.
Camp Valley Forge, 3 March, 1778
S/ Christo. Darrow, Capt. Com’ds.
The following is from image 165 and 166 of George Washington papers at the Library of Congress. 1741- 1799 Series 3g,Variels Transcripts – General Orders, George Washington’s Headquarters, dated April 17, 1778.
The following may have been a consequence of the letter written by Christopher Darrow to General Washington on 3 March 1778.
"At a division Court Martial whereof Col. Swift was president (April 12th, 1778) Capt. Darrow of Col Prentices Regiment try’d for abusing the (unknown word but may be loyalty) of General Varning (?sp) Brigade & honourably acquitted.
At the same court, by adjournment April 13th, Lieut. Hill tried for the same crime and likewise acquitted. Also Adjutant Rogers of Col Bradley’s Regiment tried for the same crime. The court having fully considered the evidence on both sides, unanimously acquit Mr. Rogers of the charge and in justice to Mr. Rogers think themselves under obligation to declare it as their opinion that in the whole of the dispute he acted no more than the part of a good officer and a gentleman.
The Commander in Chief approves the foregoing sentences and orders the aforementioned officers immediately discharged from their arrests.
Christopher served as an Army Major in the French and Revolutionary Wars. He was discharged or resigned on 27 Aug 1780.
Maj. Christopher Darrow (80) died Feb 1783.