The later half of 1776 was an active period for the patriots. The signing of the Declaration of Independence, tearing down the statue of King George in New York City, the great fire in New York City, and the crossing of the Delaware River on Christmas Eve.

Meanwhile, prior to these events, the Governor of the Colony of Connecticut called a meeting among his dignitaries at his war office in Lebanon. On June 18, 1776, Gov. Jonathan Trumbull officially declared Connecticut no longer a colony, but a state and urged all inhabitants to take a stand against the enemy.

"I do THEREFORE, by and with the Advice of the Council, and at the Desire of the Representatives in General Court assembled, issue this PROCLAMATION, and make the solemn Appeal of said Assembly to the Virtue and public Spirit of the good People of this Colony. Affairs are hastening fast to a Crisis, and the approaching Campaign will, in all Probability, determine forever the Fate of America. If this should be successful on our Side, there is little to fear on Account of any other. Be exhorted to rise, therefore, to superior Exertions on this great Occasion; and let all that are able and necessary, shew themselves ready in behalf of their injured and oppressed Country, and come forth to the Help of the LORD against the Mighty, and convince the unrelenting Tyrant of Britain, that they are resolved to be FREE."

The Trumbull family traces back to England where John Trumbull immigrated from the mother country to Rowley, Massachusetts in 1640. The family eventually settled in Simsbury, Connecticut where John's grandson, Capt. Joseph Trumbull married Hannah Higley. The young couple moved to Lebanon, where Joseph became a successful merchant and farmer, raising cattle. He also purchased property throughout the state. The marriage produced eight children.

Joseph became Captain of the Troop for Windham County in 1728 and later, Quartermaster. His eldest son, Joseph, Jr., ventured into business with his father doing trade in the West Indies and owned several vessels. On December 31, 1731, Joseph, Jr., set sail from New London to Barbados with a cargo of trade goods. The vessel and crew were lost at sea. This devastated the family.

Joseph's second son, Jonathan now assisted his father with his business as a leading merchant. Jonathan was born on October 12, 1710 and studied for the ministry at an early age prior to attending Harvard where he mastered Greek, Latin and Hebrew before graduating in 1727. After graduation he returned to Lebanon, but three years later went back to Harvard for his M.A. His thesis was: there were no contradictions in Scripture which could not be solved by reason.

In 1731, Jonathan once again returned to Lebanon and began preaching at Lebanon and neighboring towns. He married Faith Robinson, daughter of John and Hannah (Wiswall) Robinson (family descendants of the Pilgrims John and Pricilla Alden) on December 9, 1735. They had six children: Joseph (1736), Jonathan, Jr. (1740), Faith (1742), Mary (1745), David (1751) and John (1756). By 1738, Jonathan became a leading merchant and remained active in business for the next 30 years, trading with the West Indies and England.

Besides being active in business, Jonathan also became involved in politics and the military. He was elected as Deputy to the General Assembly from Lebanon in 1733, Speaker of the House in 1739, and Assistant and Member of the Council in 1740. For the military he kept busy raising, provisioning and deploying the troops of the Colony, and promoted from Lieutenant in the Troop of Horse of Windham County in 1735 to Colonel of the Twelfth Connecticut Regiment in 1753. In 1759, during the French and Indian War, Trumbull, a lieutenant-colonel with the regiment, led an expedition to Canada. Once the people of Lebanon heard of the French surrendering, the townspeople celebrated. Jonathan was also appointed Chief Judge of the Superior Court in 1766.

When Gov. William Pitkin died in 1769, Jonathan succeeded him, holding the title of Governor for 14 years. At the outset of the Revolutionary War, Gov. Trumbull doubled the munitions of the Colony before the coast could be blockaded. He immediately called on the Council "to procure three hundred barrels of gunpowder, fifteen tons of lead, and sixty thousand good flints." A Council of Safety was appointed to assist the Governor and he converted his merchant store into the War Office to conduct official business.

From the war office, Gov. Trumbull supplied men with muskets and supplies, and the location served as a communication center between Boston and southern colonies. Gov. Trumbull is recorded as the only colonial governor at the outbreak of the war, who retained his office after the war.

Gov. Trumbull's four sons rose to the call for men and fought in the war. Joseph served from 1775 to 1777 as the Commissary General of the Army, resigning from this position in 1777.

David served as his father's aid and counsel at the onset of the war. He was responsible for furnishing weapons and supplies to both the land and naval forces of the Northern Army.

Jonathan, Jr., served in the Continental Army as a paymaster; comptroller of the treasury 1778-1779; appointed secretary and aide-de-camp to General George Washington in 1781.

It was Gov. Trumbull's youngest son, John, who saw most of the action. After the Lexington alarm in April 1775, he marched from Lebanon to the defense of Boston. In June, 1776, he was appointed deputy adjutant-general with rank of colonel. When the young Trumbull got his commission forwarded, it was dated incorrectly making his term of service shorter than what he was active for. Having tried to correct the date with no results, he resigned ending his military career.

Gov. Trumbull received two honorary Doctor of Laws during his life, one from Yale University in 1775, and one from the University of Edinburgh in 1787.

Throughout the war, Gov. Trumbull remained loyal to Gen. Washington, earning his respect and friendship. Upon Gov. Trumbull's death in 1785, Washington wrote of him, "A long and well spent life in the service of his country, places Governor Trumbull among the first of patriots."

Today the Trumbull house serves as the Governor Jonathan Trumbull House Museum, owned and operated by the Daughters of the American Revolution since 1935. The house is listed on the National Historic Register as the birthplace of John Trumbull, Patriot Artist. Generals George Washington, Marquis de Lafayette and Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Bimeur, comte de Rochambeau all were visitors to the Trumbull house during the war.

Special event weekends, programs, exhibits and tours are offered from May 15 through October 15. Contact www.governortrumbullmuseum.net or call (860) 642-7558 for more information. Be sure to also visit the Wadsworth Stable and the Dr. William Beaumont House Museum, both located on the Trumbull property.

On June 18, 2006, the Connecticut Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, the Connecticut Line Color Guard, SAR members and DAR members commemorated the 230th anniversary of Connecticut Independence Day. Current Governor of Connecticut, M. Jodi Rell stated that "it is fitting that we in Connecticut render due honor to this historical proclamation, as a prelude to our Nation's Declaration of Independence, on it's 230th Anniversary; now therefore, I, M. Jodi Rell, Governor of the State of Connecticut, in accordance with the Statues of this state, do hereby officially proclaim June 18, 2006 as Connecticut Independence Day."

The Connecticut Society SAR plans to mark the 250th Anniversary of the Birth of the Marquis de Lafayette (September 6, 1757 - September 6, 2007) with a commemoration at Gov. Jonathan Trumbull's War Office in Lebanon, Connecticut. The weekend of September 8 & 9, 2007, the weekend closest to his birthday is scheduled. September 6, 2007 will also mark the 226th Anniversary of the Battle of Groton Heights and Burning of New London at Fort Griswold Battlefield State Park in Groton, CT. Annual ceremonies being held on Labor Day Weekend. For more information contact Todd Gerlander at

Sources:
Brouchere on the Gov. Jonathan Trumbull House Museum.
The Scarlet Standard Historical Series, #7, January 1999.
"Dreamy Lebanon was Center of Revolutionary War Council." New Haven Register August 18, 1935, Griswold Scrapbooks, Vol. 9, Guilford Public Library, Guilford, CT.
Brouchere for Connecticut Independence Day, June 18, 2006.
"Revolutionary Characters of New Haven." General David Humphrey's Branch #1, CTSSAR, 1911.