TerraSearch Geophysical recently conducted a ground penetrating radar survey, funded by the Connecticut State Historic Preservation Office, to assist the Town of West Haven in potentially locating the grave of a British military officer killed during the British attack on New Haven on July 5th, 1779.
The officer, Adjutant William Campbell, was a Scotsman who served in the British Army, and saved the life of Rev. Noah Williston of West Haven’s First Congregational Church from the ensuing chaos during the attack on New Haven. Campbell reportedly ordered the British men to cease the attack on the church, and had a surgeon set the minister's leg. Campbell was later killed during a skirmish with American forces at Allingtown Hill, on a farm near the outskirts of then New Haven. A farmer buried Adutant Campbell after the battle, and a small gravestone was erected in his honor in the 1831. The gravestone was reportedly lost or vandalized, and a much larger monument was erected in 1891. Peter Malia, a West Haven Historian, has written extensively on Campbell and the history of New Haven, has indicated that Campbell is the only enemy combatant recognized by a monument and a principal avenue named in his honor.
A three dimensional model of the current monument, which is not thought to mark Campbell's grave location, but to commemorate the general area of his burial, is shown below.
You can read more about our ongoing work and potential future plans with the City of West Haven at their website, or at the New Haven Register.
Happy July 4th!