Sarah MOULTON
Biography

In Oakwood Cemetery, Troy, N. Y. there is a monument on which is inscribed:

This stone is erected to
Major John Ellis Wool,
the gallant soldier,
the able commander,
and patriotic citizen ;
distinguished in many battles;
and to Sarah Moulton,
his excellent and worthy consort.

This fitting inscription was written by William C. Bryant. General Wool was born at Newburg, Orange County, New York, February 29, 1784. Sarah Moulton was born at Stafford, Tolland County, Connecticut, July 4, 1787. They were married in Troy, N. Y., September 27, 1810. They had no children. General Wool died in Troy, N. Y., November 10, 1869. Mrs. Wool died in Troy, N. Y., May 7, 1873.

Mrs. Wool's father was Howard Moulton, son of Colonel Stephen Moulton, whose father was a clergyman of financial if not of professional ability, as he built a church in Stafford, Conn., and preached in it without pay.

Colonel Stephen Moulton's home was near Stafford Springs, a fashionable watering place before the revolution. He was a man of liberal education and high social position. Among those who visited the "Spa" in pursuit of health or recreation was General Hallowel, an English Army officer, who enjoyed the hospitality of Colonel Moulton. Colonel Moulton commanded a Connecticut regiment, and when the war broke out, he led it, with his three sons in the ranks, into active service. They were in the battle of Long Island, and after the defeat of our forces, Colonel Moulton and two of his sons were taken prisoners and paroled. Howard Moulton concealed himself in some bushes, and for three days had nothing to eat but berries, and no drink but a little water which he caught in his hat during a shower. He was then captured by some Hessian soldiers, one of whom struck him across the forehead with a sabre ; he carried the mark of this blow to the grave. The Hessians were about to hang him, when an English officer happened to come to his rescue and sent him to the Jersey Prison Ship, where death came to the relief of many a brave fellow.

Howard's father tried in vain to find him and was almost in despair, when he chanced to meet, in New York, his guest and friend, General Hallowel, who immediately interested himself in the pursuit. The hatches of the Jersey Prison Ship were raised to the question, "Is there a man here named Howard Moulton ?" There was no response. The question was repeated again and again. At last the wretched semblance of a man appeared. At sight of the miserable creature, General Hallowel wept like a child. The poor prisoner was wrapped in a blanket and carried away to be washed, clothed and placed in the "Sugar House," where he remained in comparative com fort till paroled. Being a paroled prisoner, the young man could do no better than to fall in love, captivate and capture Mary White. They were married in 1779. When Mary White was an infant her mother died ; when she was twelve years old her father took her to a "pest-house," an institution of that day, when vaccination was unknown, and she was there inoculated for small pox, her father remaining to watch over her. On the termination of their quarantine, he went into a large stream to bathe, and being an expert swimmer, the men watching his movements from the shore were not alarmed when he went beneath the surface of the water. He never rose again. It was supposed that cramps seized him. Thus was his only child left an orphan, rich in personal charms as well as in "broad acres." The wife of the parish minister took care of her, and performed the duties of a mother with rare discretion and heartfelt devotion. Every possible advantage of education was afforded her, and when old enough to make the journey, on horseback, that being the sole method of travel, she was indulged in annual pilgrimages to Boston, even then "the Hub of the universe." To grandchildren her accounts of these journeys far exceeded the Arabian Nights entertainment. There was something real in a dark green cloth riding habit, a hat with ostrich feathers and gold mounted whip!

She always carried home a new dress, made by the reigning queen of the craft. The silks of that day were made to stand alone, and to descend from generation to generation, as hers did. She must have been beautiful ; as an old woman she was lovely. A perfect gentlewoman in mind and character. She had five handsome daughters. When she died, at the age of seventy-three, her pastor, Dr. Butler, of St. Paul's Church, Troy, said she was the soundest person of her age in mind and body that he had ever known. Her daughter, Sarah, Mrs. Wool, was a very elegant woman. Intelligent and affable, dignified yet courteous, she commanded the respect and esteem of the highest in the land, making friends everywhere, and never an enemy.

At the close of the war 1812-15, her husband was appointed one of two Inspectors General of the United States Army, with the rank of Colonel. His duties involved much travel, and, wherever practicable, Mrs. Wool accompanied him. She often contrasted the journeys of those days and these days. Think of consuming twenty-five days in going from Buffalo to Detroit and back ! Then there was but one house in Buffalo; the British had burned all the rest. Mrs. Wool spent most of her winters in Washington, where she was a favorite with all who knew her. Ladies as well as gentlemen esteemed and admired her. Few have ranked among their friends so many distinguished people. She was wonder fully discreet. Some one said, when there was a schism among ladies of high positions, "How does Mrs. Wool keep out of these quarrels?" "By her discretion" said Senator Silas Wright, "her rare discretion." — From a letter to the author.

Title Moulton Annals
Author Henry William Moulton
Editor Claribel Moulton
Publisher Edward A. Claypool, 1906




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