New London and Groton

Where the Thames River meets the Long Island Sound, two historic towns stand: New London and Groton. New London, originally named Pequot, was established in 1646 by Massachusetts Bay Colony Governor John Winthrop. Groton, initially known as Groton Bank, emerged in the early 1700s as New London's population and territory expanded.

In the 18th century, New London encompassed much of present-day Waterford, and portions of East Lyme and Montville. Its borders stretched westward to the Niantic River, where a rope ferry had operated since the early 1700s. Neighboring towns included Lyme to the west and Norwich to the north. Groton was bordered by Ledyard (Gales Ferry) to the north, and Preston and Stonington to the east.

By 1775, New London, a major shipbuilding and trade port, boasted a population of approximately 6,000. During the Revolutionary War (1775-1783), the town became a hub of privateering activity. Dozens of privateers, known as "serpents," sailed from its harbor, disrupting British shipping in the Long Island Sound and the Atlantic Ocean, capturing hundreds of "prizes," estimated between 400 and 800. New London also contributed hundreds of soldiers who fought in pivotal battles, from Bunker Hill to Yorktown.

The allure of adventure and fortune drew many young men from Lyme and surrounding towns to New London, with many joining the lucrative privateering ventures. The town was home to some of the wealthiest families in the colonies, including the Shaws, Richards, Saltonstalls, Parsons, and McCurdys, solidifying New London's prominence in Southeastern Connecticut.

New London, originally named Pequot after the indigenous inhabitants, grew on the western bank of the Thames River (pronounced "Thay-ms"). Its strategic deep-water port, protected from Atlantic storms by Long Island, Fisher's Island, and Block Island, fueled its early development. During the colonial era, New London became a regular port of call for ships from the West Indies and Europe. The town's population expanded significantly, from a few hundred in the late 1680s to nearly five times that number by 1730.

The town's core consisted of two main thoroughfares: "The Bank" (modern Bank Street), running along the riverfront, and Main Street (modern State Street), extending westward from the waterfront. Settlement clustered along these streets. Bank Street was a bustling hub of wharf houses, warehouses, piers, ship chandleries, and taverns, catering to the needs of international shipping. Stately homes also lined the waterfront. Main Street featured a variety of businesses, including printing shops, residences, supply stores, blacksmiths, stables, and government offices, such as a jail and courthouse. Notably, a house of "ill repute" provided entertainment for sailors and other visitors.

"The Bank" street continued westward, passing the ca. 1750 Shaw Mansion (modern Blinman Street), the Coit Shipyard (Beam Cove, now Coit Street), and the historic Hempstead House and Hugenot House, before becoming the Lyme-New London road.

The Shaw Mansion, built by Nathaniel Shaw and later managed by his son Thomas, played a pivotal role in the American Revolution. Thomas Shaw, a successful trader, shipbuilder, farmer, and merchant, amassed considerable wealth through shipping. At the onset of hostilities in 1775, he, with the permission of Governor Jonathan Trumbull, outfitted privateers to disrupt British supply lines. This "legal piracy" proved highly effective, as the colonies lacked a formal navy. Ship owners and investors shared in the profits from captured goods, which were often resold at inflated prices on New London's docks, with a portion going to the state. New London became a leading center for privateering, and the Shaw Mansion served as the Naval Office for the State of Connecticut, marking a significant step towards the formation of the U.S. Navy.
 

Groton, originally known as East New London or Groton Bank, was settled in 1656 by Nehemiah Smith and Captain James Avery. This settlement occurred nearly 20 years after the devastating attack on the Pequot Fort at Mystic, located east of Groton Bank, the homeland of the once-powerful Pequot Nation. In the late 1690s, residents of Groton petitioned for their own church, or "society," due to the difficulties and dangers of crossing the Thames River. With the establishment of their own town in the early 1700s, Groton Bank consisted primarily of modern-day Thames Street, which ran along the river. Here, a small number of homes were situated along the riverbank, interspersed with piers and wharf houses. While maritime and West Indies trade was also present in Groton, New London's accessible coves and deep-water port made it better suited for larger vessels. Groton Bank focused more on local trade and fishing.

Groton extended northward through the small village of Gales Ferry, which featured a few homes and a wharf, and then on towards Norwich. Eastward, the town encompassed primarily farm plantations and small villages near Poquonnock, the location of the Captain Avery House.
 

ca. 1656 Capt.James Avery House
 

Groton's eastern boundary reached the Mystic River and the town of Stonington. At the head of the Mystic River was the shipbuilding and fishing village of Portersville (Old Mystic). Other sparsely populated areas included the fishing village of Noank and settlements northeastward into modern-day Ledyard, near the Pequot reservation lands and the Denison and Lester homesteads.
 

ca. 1717 Denison House
 

Fort Griswold, named after Governor Matthew Griswold of Lyme, was constructed to protect Groton Bank and the Thames River. This relatively impressive fort, built in the European star fort style with "V" shaped earthworks, defended the river's entrance. Barracks could accommodate up to 300 men. The fort's stone and earth walls, nearly 9 feet tall, presented a formidable sight, deterring potential raiders. Its cannons could reach ships in Long Island Sound, and its elevated position provided a strategic advantage against land attacks from the river. However, as early as 1776, the fort was already showing signs of disrepair, as noted by several men stationed there. Following observations by Colonel Ledyard, Captain Shapley, and Coit of New London, funds were requested, and the fort was partially repaired.