LOYALISTS OF RIDGEFIELD, CONNECTICUT

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Keith Marshall Jones III, founding President of the Ridgefield Historical Society, has authored a particularly interesting account of a Loyalist town in Connecticut. In recognition of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, in 2025, his book God Save the King describes the experience of the town of Ridgefield, Connecticut, including profiles of its Loyalist residents.

Book about Ridgefield Loyalists 

The book is 153 pages long and available in paperback format. It is very well researched and has a bibliography as well as end notes.

At a town meeting in Ridgefield on 30 January 1775 it was resolved:

We do acknowledge his Most Sacred Majesty King George the Third to be our rightful Sovereign and do publicly avow our allegiance to him and his lawful successors.  And that we will do to the utmost in our power,  Support his throne & Dignity against every combination in the universe. 

One of the Loyalists profiled is Joseph Smith who settled in Nova Scotia after the conflict ended and the community of Smiths Cove in Digby County was named for him. He joined the Prince of Wales American Volunteer Regiment and was mustered in Captain Lyman's Company as of August 1777. It was pleasing to see an article which I authored entitled The Loyalist Smiths of Smith's Cove, Nova Scotia included in the notes.

Gravestone of Joseph Smith 

Joseph Smith (1742 - 1827) was buried in the Thomas Cemetery at Smith's Cove.  His gravestone is inscribed:

JOSEPH SMITH
UNITED EMPIRE LOYALIST
1783
FOUNDER OF
SMITHS COVE
DONOR OF THIS
CEMETERY

ALSO HIS WIFE
SARAH WARNE

Other Loyalists of Ridgefield mentioned in the book who after the conflict settled in present day Canada include:

Benjamin Burt, born in 1741 in Ridgefield, who married Rebecca Folliot, joined the Queens Rangers and after American Revolution, settled in New Brunswick. His brothers David and Theophilus, also son Joseph, as well discussed.

Rachal Crawford (Benedict), born in 1745 in Ridgefield, who came to New Brunskick.  Her husband James joined the British Army in New York.

Isaac Gilbert, born in Ridgefield in 1742, who joined the Queen's Rangers, becoming a Sergeant.  He, with family, sailed to Nova Scotia and New Brunswick then later settling in Upper Canada.

James Morehouse, born in 1734, who left after the conflict with wife Abigail and three children for New Brunswick.

Mary Morehouse (Burt), born in 1746 in Ridgefield, wife of Daniel Morehouse,  born in 1726 in Ridgefield sailed to Canada.  The nephew of Daniel, also called Daniel, served as an officer with Queens Rangers and settled in New Brunswick.

Sarah Wood, born in 1730 in Ridgefield, married Jonas Wood in New Hampshire.  Two oldest sons enlisted in British Army. The family settled in Upper Canada.



Further Reference:

Author / Historian Keith Marshall Jones III accessed on March 22, 2026

The Loyalist Smiths of Smith''s Cove, Nova Scotia by Brian McConnell, UE, published by UELAC in 2022

Historian & Author; Member of United Empire Loyalists ' Association of Canada, Genealogical Association of Nova Scotia, Ontario Genealogical Society, Ulster Historical & Genealogical Guild (Life)

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