Author: Scott George McMurry/Debbie McMurry
John Curtis: A Connecticut Patriot
John was born to Benjamin and Phebe Curtis abt 1755. John is the third great grandson of Lt Joseph Judson (1619-1690); noted in the Society of Colonial Wars and an officer in the Stratford Train Band. John was a farmer (the case for many men during the Colonial times). He lived in North Fairfield Parish where he met his wife Abigail Lacey, they were married prior to 1778. In August 1776, the 4th Regiment under the command of Lt Col Ichabod Lewis marched to New York. The 4th Regiment waited on the outskirts of Long Island, New York for George Washington’s command to join him. The command did not come; the Battle of Brooklyn Heights was lost. The 4th Regiment was told to return to Connecticut. If he signed on for more time as a soldier, I am not aware. It took four days for the men to return from New York.
By 1787 John and Abigail with four of their children lived in Weston, Connecticut. He continued to farm on this land until 1795 when he obtained land in New York called the Kayadrossera Patent. This land was located near Ballston Spa. John died in 1837. He is buried in a small cemetery not far from where his farm was located. His tombstone had an SAR medallion attached on 07/12/2015 and a commemorative service was held on 07/22/2015.