Westport's Revolutionary Stories Archives - Westport Historical Society

Posted on January 9, 2026 by Jenny ONeill

In Search of Westport’s Revolutionary War soldiers

Are you a descendant of a Revolutionary War soldier from Westport? This year Westport Historical Society embarks on a year of highlighting Revolutionary War stories. The first hurdle is to identify Revolutionary War soldiers who came from Westport, or who were closely associated with Westport. Remember borders changed frequently and Westport was incorporated in 1787 […]

Posted on November 28, 2025 by Jenny ONeill

A tax on “those people called Quakers”

Beginning in 1780, the Militia Act (St. 1780, Ch. 21) allowed Quakers to be exempt from military service in the Revolutionary War on the grounds of their religious pacifism. However, because of their exemption, they were required to pay the expenses for raising men in their place for military service along with an additional 10% […]

Posted on November 25, 2025 by Jenny ONeill

A Letter to Samuel Adams from the Town of Dartmouth (at that time including Westport!)

Have you been watching Ken Burn’s documentary on the American Revolution? Has this sparked curiosity about how Westport responded to these tumultuous events? This winter, our community’s own revolutionary story will be explored through an effort to transcribe the town meeting records dating from 1760 – 1790. “In Our Own Words: The Path to Independence” […]