Elihu Moulthrop

Elihu Moulthrop was named as a son in his father's will written in January 1771. (1) He had just married Mary Hotchkiss two months before on November 21, 1770. (2) He was about 23 at the time of his marriage.
Five years later the American Revolution was beginning. The battle of Concord and Lexington took place on April 18,1775. Days later when news of the battle reached New Haven, the leading selectmen gathered at Beers Tavern to decide what to do about it. They decided to take no action. But Benedict Arnold, the local pharmacist, merchant, bookseller and Captain of the 2nd Company of the Governor’s Foot Guard disagreed. On April 22, 1775 he led about 60 men in full uniform down to Beers Tavern and demanded that Colonel David Wooster turn over the keys to the powder House so they could secure ammunition and march to Boston. This became known as the Powder House Incident. Arnold's men followed their captain on a three day journey to Cambridge to join forces with the Patriots there. On May 8, 1775 Elihu Moulthrop signed up with the 1st Regiment of Connecticut Forces. He served for 20 days.
During the next four years, Elihu is not found on any War Payroll, but then in 1779 British Major General William Tryon and 2600 men started raiding the Connecticut ports of New Haven, Fairfield and Norwalk. On Feb 5, 1779 Elihu Moulthrop signed up again as Sergeant with Captain Bradley for the defense of New Haven, to serve as a matross whose duty it was to assist gunners in the loading, firing and sponging the guns. He served for 12 months, getting discharged on Feb 4, 1780 only to signed up again two months later on April 3, 1780 serving this time until January 1781. He turned around and signed up again on January 1, 1781 in Captain Van Deusen's Company. This time he was on the payroll of State Guards Stationed at New Haven. He served till August 1, 1781. (3)
He had been married a little over one decade at this point. He and Mary had four children with the fifth, Esther, being born sometime in 1782. Elihu Moulthrop was only 35 years old. He was listed in The East Haven Register (pg 93) as dying of India Fever. He is supposed to have died "at sea." (4) His widow Mary was left with five children ranging from the the oldest, Jerry, aged 11 to Esther a newborn. The estate distribution was made in 1786. His land seems to have been valued at about Ł23. (5)

Sources

(1) CT Wills and Probate Records 1609-1999
New Haven Vol 11-12 1769-1781

Will of Joseph Moulthrop

In the Name of God Amen. I Joseph Molthrop of East Haven in the county of New Haven being in the 63'd year of my age, etc.
Item. I give and bequeath to my well beloved wife Mary Molthrop one third part of my house and barn and a third part of my Lands in the Homestead with the Meadow, during her natural Life, together with a third part of my removable estate.
Item. I give and bequeath to my sons Joseph Molthrop, Elihu and Jude Molthrop, the other two thirds of my buildings, land in my Homestead; Joseph and Elihu having an acre a piece more than Jude, they paying all my just Debts and my will is that my three sons above mentioned shall have the other third of my Buildings and land in the Homestead, equally divided between them, after my wife's decease.
Item. My Will is that my five daughters (Viz) Rhoda, Hannah, Mary, Abigail and Lucretia Molthrop shall have my Bradfords five lot, containing about 3 1/2 acres, equally divided between them, with Liberty to Mary, Abigail and Lucretia to make my House their home till married; My will is that my son Jude shall have my third part of the small sloop and the other two thirds of my moveable Estate, to be equally divided amongst all my Daughters.
Lastly. I do make and constitute my son Joseph Molthrop Ex'or this my last Will and Testament dated this 23 day of January A. D 1771. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal.
Witnesses: Amos Morris, Benjamin Smith, Daniel Smith

(2) Married 21 Nov 1770 East Haven, New Haven, CT
Eliju Moltrhop to Mary Hotchkiss
FHL film 4084 image 25

(3) Revolutionary War Payrolls

6th Company of 1st Regiment of Connecticut Forces raised in May 1775.	May 8, 1775 to May 28, 1775	Elihu Moltroup May 8, 1775 to May 28, 1775 Wages due Ł0 10 0

Captain Bradley's Company of Matrosses (Artillery), (This company, raised for the defense of New Haven, was stationed partly in the town and partly at East Haven and West Haven, at the time of Tryon's invasion.) Elihu Molthrup, Sergt Time of Enlistment Feb 5, 1779, Discharged Feb. 4, 1780.	Phineas Bradley Capt. Daniel Bishop Lieut. Evelyn Pierpont Lieut. Daniel Wilmot Sergt. Ephraim Chicery Sergt. Elihu Molthrop Sergt.	Feb 5, 1779 to Feb 4, 1780	Feb 5, 1779-Feb 4, 1780 12 months service Ł28 16 0 wages per month Wages Due Ł345 12 0 Premium for enlisting and equipping Ł8 Sum total Ł353 12 0
20th Reg. Johnson's Regiment of Militia 1778 Folder 216 Pay Role of Capt. Phineas Bradley company of artillery Sergt. Elihu Molthrop April 3, 1780 to Jan 1, 1781	Serg. Elihu Mothrop		Elihu Molthrop, Sergt. April 3, 1780-Jan 1, 1781 Wages per month Ł2 8 0 Sum total Ł 21 8 10 Loads of Wood 3
Captain Van Deusen's Company 1781 Sergeants:: Jan 1, 1781 to Aug. 1, 1781 (Payroll of State Guards Stationed at New Haven, 1781)	Wm Van Deusen Capt. resigned Aug 1 John Warner Promoted to Captain Lamberton Painter Promoted to 1st Lieut Joseph Peck Promoted to 2nd Lieut. Josiah Bradley Ensign John Shepard Ensign John Clause Ensign Elihu Molthrop Sergt.
(4) East Haven Register pg 93 deaths for 1782. Elihu Moultrhop, West India fever. age 35 Families of Ancient New Haven Vol V pg 1236 Died 1782 (at Sea)	East Haven Register At sea at the age of 35. Jacobus book lists as source Congregational Society, East Haven.

(5) The estate of Elihu Moulthrop
probated in Oct 1785 when Charles Upson was appointed administrator on the estate of Elihu Moulthrop in request of his wife who was the widow of Elihu Moulthrop.

Among the things listed in the estate inventory: one beaver hat Ł1 4 0 (worth considerable more than any other clothing. i.e. a strait coat was only 15 shillings 4 towels 0 3 6 1 Ditto better 0 1 6 6 chares priced at 0 16 0 2 old chares 0 3 0 1 grate chare 0 3 0 one Bibble 0 3 0 one psalm book 0 1 0 2 thirds of ye house 6 0 0	Inventory of estate of Elihu Moulthrop. pg 1	Inventory of estate of Eliju Moulthrop pg 2

Distribution of Estate of Elihu Moulthrop

Set out to Mrs. Mary Upson
Her thirds of the Real
Estate of her first Husband
Elihue Moulthrop Late of
East Haven Deceased. 134 Rods
of English meadow Lying South
of the house bound North on
the highway East on Benjamin Smith's
Land West on Joseph Smith's heirs
Coms - - - 10 0 0

Set out to Jarey Moulthrop oldest Son
90 Rods of Land in the Home
Lot bounded south on the heirs
of Joseph Smith, Dec'd. East on
HighWay West on the widow
Hannah Smith's thirds Ł6 12 8

Set out to Adonijah 2'd Son
in Said homelot 58 rods of
Land South on Jarys part East
on Highway West on to Widow
Hannah Smith's thirds 3 6 4

Set out to Mary Moulthrop
oldest Daughter 60 rods of Land
in Lot bounded South on
Adonijahs part East on high
Way West on Widow Hannah
Smith's thirds Ł3 6 4

Set out to Elihue and
Easther Moulthrop their
parts in 26 rods of Land
in the South End of the
English Meadow Set out to
their mother and three
quarter of an acres & 13
rods of Salt meadow ajoining
partly to the above to
English meadow Said
Salt meadow Lying undivided
with / heirs of Joseph Smith
Dec'd the above Said Land
& meadow to be Equally
Divided between these children
above Sd. 6 12 8

A Distribution of the Estate of Elihue Moulthrop of East Haven Dec'd
on March 21, 1786
us being Chosen
and Sworn Ann Morris, Timothy Thomson, free holders

Distribution of estate of Elihu Moulthrop