was kidnapped, others who were involved in the escapade, and public records. It presents a full book length story of the incident. A good summary of the tale is found in William C. Sharpe's history, Seymour Past and Present. The following account is quoted from that source:
    "The Whittemore Tavern was the place where the great robbery was planned by a British officer in March, 1780. At that time two strangers came to remain over night, and soon they were in conversation with a company of young men who frequented the place during the long winter evenings. The name of one stranger was Alexander Graham, who had a commission from General Howe to enlist soldiers for the British army. He was a leader in the robbery of the house of Capt. Ebenezer Dayton, a brave American patriot who had carried on privateering against the enemy on Long Island Sound. At this time Dayton lived in Bethany six miles away from the tavern mentioned.... Graham succeeded snaring several young men into the plan to rob the captain, on the ground that it would be paying him in his own coin; he robbed the British, and the British officer Graham was going to return the compliment.
    "But it was a sad beginning for all concerned as will be seen. The young men had relatives in Gunntown, a district west of Naugatuck, who were also drawn into the scheme., making a company of about eight. On a bright moonlight night they went to Bethany, and as it happened, Capt. Dayton was in Boston and other occupants of the house had moved out the day before, leaving only Mrs. Dayton, the children and servants, which made the task more simple and free from bloodshed. After ransacking the house, they carried off  450 pounds in gold and silver, and large bundles of silk goods.
    "Making all secure, and leaving the family and servants bound, they hastened away to their acquaintances in Gunntown, meeting on the way a young man about 16 years of age who had been home with a young lady, the night before, though the hour of meeting was 3 o'clock in the morning. This was Chauncey Judd, who knew the party.
    "This meeting was another sad incident in the affair, and Graham sought several times to kill the innocent youth, that he might not betray him. But his friends each time succeeded in deferring the deed. After hiding, undergoing many vicissitudes