Col. Giles RUSSELL

Notes:

Name:
Col. Giles Russell was graduated at Yale College and was admitted to the bar in Hartford, Conn., after which he came to Stonington about 1760. he commanded a company of Rhode Island and Connecticut men in the expedition against Havana in the early part of the year 1762, under Admiral Pococke and Lord Albemarle. The company of which he was the captain consisted of 55 men, of whom 37 were either killed or died of wounds and disease, so that only 18 reached home to die with friends.

Capt. russell purchased the John Denison house, now owned and occupied by Mrs. Eliza P. Noyes and son, Joseph Noyes. he built a lean-to on the east side of the house for an office, which was subsequently enlarged and was used as the town clerk and probate office by John D. Noyes during his service as town clerk and until the office was removed to Stonington borough. Giles Russell was nominated and appointed a tavern keeper or inn keeper there as early as 1763, which position he held by subsequent yearly appointments at the old place until he entered the army of the American Revolution as lieutenant colonel in the third battalion, Wadsworth brigade, which was raised in June 1776, to reinforce Washington at New York; served there and on Long Island; suffered in the retreat from the city and engaged in battle at White Plains. He re-entered the fourth regiment Connecticut line, Jan. 1, 1777, went into camp at Peekskill in the spring and in September ordered to Washington's army in Pennsylvania; engaged in battle of Germantown, was assigned later to Varnum's brigade and continued the brave defence of Fort Mifflin on the Delaware. At this time he is reported by Varnum as a 'veteran of four campaigns in the French and Indian wars, in one of which he was sounded. Is now a sensible and excellent officer, but totally destitute of health, and had requested to be relieved, but was promoted to colonel of the Eighth regiment March 5, 1778, which was that winter at Valley Forge and the next June was at the battle of Monmouth.' Col. russell d. at Danbury, Conn., Oct. 28, 1779, from effects of service, and is buried in Stonington in the cemetery near the Rad Church.

Giles married Prudence STANTON on 8 Dec 1762 in Stonington, New London County, Connecticut. Prudence (daughter of Thomas STANTON and Thankful DENISON) was born on 22 Apr 1726 in Stonington, New London, Connecticut, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]