Master Surname Index



Samuel Selden

Ancestry of
Samuel Selden

(1723–1776)

    Samuel Selden

    View famous kin of Samuel Selden

    • 1st Generation
    • Ahnentafel No:
    • 1 
    • Birth Date:
    • 11 Jan 1723 
    • Birth Location:
    • Hadlyme, New London, Connecticut 
    • Christening Date:
    •  
    • Christening Location:
    •  
    • Death Date:
    • 11 Oct 1776 
    • Death Location:
    • New York, New York 
    • Burial Date:
    •  
    • Burial Location:
    •  
    • Notes: 

    • Revolutionary War veteran

      Battle of Brooklyn Heights

      The Battle of Brooklyn Heights was the first major battle to take place after the United States declared its independence on July 4, 1776. The battle, also known as the Battle of Long Island, took place on August 27, 1776. It was General George Washington's attempt to defend the city of New York from British forces that had landed on Long Island a few days before on August 22, 1776.

      Among the defenders that day was Colonel Samuel Selden of Lyme, Connecticut. His regiment took part in building many of the earthworks that had been thrown up around New York prior to the British attack. However the battle proved disastrous for Washington's army. Most of the American troops who were not killed or captured retreated and took up fortified positions on Brooklyn Heights. Col. Selden's men took up positions across the East River, between where the Brooklyn Bridge stands today and Battery Park.

      Knowing that they could not defeat the British forces, Gen. Washington ordered a stealthy retreat during the night from Brooklyn to Manhattan. At this time Col. Selden's forces took up new positions at Kip's Bay, an area between 23rd and 34th Streets near where Bellevue Hospital is today. On September 15, 1776, British General William Howe landed at Kip's Bay and defeated about 500 American militiamen. Among those wounded that day and taken prisoner was Col. Samuel Selden. He had been wounded and captured during a skirmish with Hessian troops near what is now 23rd Street and 3rd Avenue.

      Col. Selden's body servant made his way home to Connecticut where he told the Colonel's family that he had nursed the Colonel until he was placed on board the prison ship Jersey. The family believed that the Colonel had died on board and his body dumped overboard. It wasn't until 72 years later when the diary of another prisoner was brought to light that the true story about Col. Selden's death was revealed

      After Col. Selden was captured, he and some other officers were “first confined for several days in ye City Hall in Wall Street in the debtors prison.” They were then sent to a large house “on the west side of Broadway, near Bridwell, on the corner south of Warren Street.” Col. Selden became ill with a fever and although he was attended by a British doctor, he died on October 11, 1776, and was buried the next day in “ye New Brick Church yard.” As an officer, his conditions and treatment were much better than those of his fellow militiamen who did get sent to the prison ship.

      Revolutionary War veteran

  • Marriages for Samuel Selden

    • Spouse:
    • Elizabeth Ely
    • Marriage Date:
    • 23 May 1745
    • Marriage Location:
    • Lyme, New London, Connecticut

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