Home	About the Wilton Militia	History of Militias	Contact Information & Other Links	Member Information	Wilton Historical Society

Wilton Militia History

An Early Beginning

As early as 1636, the colonial laws of Connecticut required every town and parish to conduct military training and to maintain a “Train Band” primarily for defense against Indians.

Only a year after its establishment in 1726, the Wilton Parish authorized a Militia and set its first Training Day for October 9, 1727. Training Days were held six times a year, in March, April, May, September, October and November, usually on a Saturday and lasting the entire day. The men practiced marksmanship and military drills. Training days were festive events that involved the entire family and provided ample food and drink for all. Initially, the law required all males between the ages of 16 and 60 to serve in the Militia and to be outfitted with a musket, sword, bandolier, powder, and bullets. Later, only younger men were required to serve.

Local militia officers were among the most respected citizens in the community. Wilton’s roster of officers included names still familiar today: St. John, Marvin, Betts, Olmstead, Mead, Raymond, DeForest, Westcott, Grumman, Belden, and Comstock.

Dedicated Service

Men from the Wilton Militia served in King George’s War (1744-48), the French & Indian War (1756-63), and, of course, the American Revolution. Amazingly, 85 Wilton Militiamen (out of a population of 900) served in the French & Indian War.

During the Revolutionary War more than 330 men served in either the local militia, the 7th Company of the 9th Connecticut Military Regional commanded by Samuel Comstock or the Connecticut 5th Regiment of the Continental Army, with 18 dying in service. During the War of 1812, 46 Wiltonians served in the 34th Connecticut Militia for brief periods for shore line defense.

Additional Information of Interest

To read the account of a brief invasion of Wilton as British troops returned to the coast after a raid on Danbury, written by former First Selectman, Bob Russell, click here.