Collection Highlights

The Thomas F. Burpee Collection

Thomas Burpee was born in 1836 in Stafford, Connecticut. He was educated in Ellington, Connecticut. In 1857, he married Adeline Harmon of Stafford and by 1861 they had two sons, Lucien and Charles. Before the Civil War, he was a foreman or manager in several of the mills in Rockville. He was also the captain of the local militia in town.

When the war broke out he voluntered his militia to the Union, but his offer was refused because it was believed to be a short war. In 1862 when President Lincoln requested more troops from Connecticut, Thomas' militia became Company D of the 14th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry, later know for its valience as the "Fighting Fourteenth."

In early July of 1862, Gov. Buckingham repeatedly asked Capt. Burpee to accept a majorship in the 21st CVI but Thomas refused. Finally after many requests, Thomas Burpee was appointed as a major in the 21st Conn. Vol. Inf., in late August of 1862. He rose through the ranks and eventually was promoted to a full colonel. Thomas was very well liked and respected by his men and many others who knew or served around him.

In June of 1864, the 21st was engaged against Confederate forces at Cold Harbor, Virginia. On the 7th of June, Col. Dutton, the regiment's commander was killed, and Lt. Col. Burpee took command. On June 9th, while riding along the battle line in the early morning, he was shot in the chest by a Confederate sharpshooter.

Thomas F. Burpee died of his wounds on June 11, 1864, in White House, Virginia. He left behind a beautiful wife and two small sons. He was buried in Grove Hill Cemetery in Rockville. He never knew that he had been promoted to full colonel and regimental commander.

The Alden Skinner Camp #45/SUV maintains and decorates his final resting place to this day and into the future. In 1992, Col. Burpee's great niece auctioned many of his possessions. The Camp was able to acquire his promotion to Lt. Col., a letter from a Rev. Brown to Burpee's wife Adeline concerning the Colonel's death, a beautifully painted escutcheon outlining his military career, and an ink portrait in a gold frame. Since then, the Camp has acquired other items of the Colonel's, including his sword and sash, his belt, cap box and holster, and the bullet that took his life.

Col. Thomas F. Burpee exemplifies all young soldiers of all wars. With the future before him, a beautiful wife and children, the horizon looked so bright. Then by acts of others, his plans and future were forever changed; the life that seemed so sure was ended and the light that flickered so brightly was snuffed out.

In May of 1884, the Grand Army Post #71 was chartered in Rockville, Connecticut. They took the name of Burpee Post in the memory of Col. Thomas F. Burpee, Commander of the 21st Connecticut Volunteer Infantry.

The Hirst Brothers Collection

During the Civil War, three brothers from Rockville, Connecticut, served together in the 14th Connecticut Infantry, Company D. They were Benjamin, John and Joseph Hirst, farmers all. They served from July 1862 until May 1865 and during these years Benjamin and John wrote home often, describing many aspects of their life at camp and in battle.

There are 167 Hirst letters, all of which are housed in the Thomas O'Connell Historical Library. These remarkable artifacts give amazing insight into the common soldiers trials and tribulations during the war. Recently Dr. Robert Bee, a member of Alden Skinner Camp #45, published a book based on the Hirst letters. It is titled The Boys From Rockville and is available for $25 at the museum.

Between 1898 and 1901, the brothers donated all of their personal items carried in the war to the Burpee Post including: pistols, belts, cartridge box, cap box, stencils, and photographs. The Alden Skinner Camp proudly cares for and displays these identified items through the museum. For over a century, the Camp has marked and honored the Hirst brothers' final resting places each Memorial Day.

The Weston Collection

James Weston was from Ellington, Connecticut, and at the outbreak of the Civil War he enlisted in the 5th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry. He must have had some musical background because he played trumpet in the Regimental Band. He survived the war and was buried in Ellington. Records do not show him being a member of the Burpee Post, GAR, but many of his personal items are in the museum's collection. They consist of his forage cap, music pouch, belt with buckle, and a trumpet that is inscribed to him from the members of the 5th CVI. He must have been very well-liked and respected. It is not known how or when his belongings were donated to the Post, but the Camp and the New England Civil War museum are fortunate to have them.