‘Portraits of Patriots’: Not your everyday history lesson

by Sarah Barr

Staff Writer

Mark Twain once said that “actions speak louder than words.” When one applies this quote to history, it is the actions of some unsung heroes that speak volumes.

In this case, a book by Wethersfield resident Damien Cregeau will speaks two volumes, with volume one already out and with him already on tour speaking about it. His next appearance is 7 p.m. Aug. 20 at the Webb-Deane-Stevens Museum.

When asked what inspired him to write about the contributions of patriotic officers who helped Gen. George Washington and his Continental Army not only win the war, but establish a new nation, Cregeau just looks around.

“Sitting in the house I live in,” the award-winning historian, author and lecturer said in his home once owned by Private Samuel Hanmer, Sr.

But it’s not this 1765 abode that got him thinking about a revolutionary story. It is the one he purchased back in 2015 in Norwich that was once owned by Gen. Jedediah Huntington. The narrative just led to a “holy cow” moment.

“Once I realized that his [Jedediah’s] wife Faith was [the elder sister of] related to John Trumbull the [prominent Revolutionary War] painter, I had it [all mapped out],” he said of “Portraits of Patriots: Colonel John Trumbull and Five Fellow Patriots From Connecticut in the American Revolution.”

The title is more than a clever pun on paintings. It brings to life an ensemble cast that Cregeau calls supporting players who risked their lives, livelihoods and social status to birth a nation. This band of brothers includes the Huntingtons, Jedediah’s brother Lt. Colonel Ebenezer Huntington, Trumbull’s brother Jonathan, Jr., and Col. Samuel Blackly Webb.

He even includes a family tree in the book so that people can follow not only the story, but the family interconnections.

Wethersfield LIFE first learned about this book in 2022, shortly after Cregeau received the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution History Award. Back then, he shared how he was writing three pages a day, five days a week.

In this most recent conversation, the Hillsdale College and Colorado State University graduate added more detail about the research, the timing and the luck involved that went into this literary effort.

“I started [the research] in March 2020. I already had an appointment in Philly with the historical society. It was Friday the 13th of March 2020, mind you. COVID breaks out. Can I even get in?

Damien Cregeau has lived in Old Wethersfield for more than 20 years. (submitted)

“They said ‘we are open today.’ It was the last day open to the public. I go to the archives. I needed paystubs for people of color who helped build the ship, the U.S. Navy frigate called the USS Confederacy,” he recalled.

Then it was off to Valley Forge. He pointed out the irony.

“Valley Forge was the center of disease during the American Revolution. And here we are there during COVID. How ominous and interesting to have this opportunity,” he said as the pandemic shutdown occurred and he would have a built-in writer’s retreat.

He surfaced two and half years later with 200,000 words, enough for two self-published books.

“I cut it half-way in 1779,” Cregeau said of the scene where a sealed letter with sailing orders is opened. “It’s a good cliffhanger.”

Now, one would think the America 250 celebration would be prime time for a book like this. But Cregeau targeted the release date for a year prior to coincide with the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Bunker Hill.

Author Damien Cregeau said it was easy to depict the heroes of this story, as they were painted by John Trumbull. (submitted)

Since the launch of the book, the whirlwind tour has taken him from Chicago to New Jersey to Rhode Island to crisscrossing Connecticut, with America 250 being part of the branding. He received a five-star rating on Amazon as well as another prize, the Sir Henry Knox Medal from the Sons of the American Revolution for writing and publishing this 300-page book, complete with 600 endnotes, that’s also available at the Old Wethersfield Country Store.

Before the next volume comes out, perhaps in 2028, he is looking forward to sharing what he calls a fun time travel.

“Living and breathing history is a powerful experience,” he said.

However, he said the big take-away of this book is to see Connecticut’s leadership in action and earning its rightful place in history. WL

For more information go to amazon.com/Portraits-Patriots-Trumbull-Connecticut-Revolution. Cregeau and his wife Dr. Pamela Hall are also the co-authors of a children’s book, “Kevin the Turkey: A Tale of Thanksgiving.”