Milford in South Central Region, Connecticut — The American Northeast (New England)

A Connecticut Minuteman’s Homestead

Photographed by Michael Herrick, June 17, 2012

1. A Connecticut Minuteman’s Homestead Marker

Inscription. A Connecticut
Minuteman’s Homestead At 139 North Street lived Revolutionary War “Minuteman” John Downs (1745 – 1819). A “minuteman” was a patriot who, with the local militia, would respond quickly to an alarm. With musket in-hand they were ready “in a minute” to defend against attacks. From a diar he wrote in every day for 47 years (1763 to 1810), which still exists today, Downs recorded that he answered the call of duty several times during the war. He went to New Haven and Fairfield in 1779, to New London in 1778, to New York on Captain Stow’s sloop on May 16, 1776, and also with Captain Charles Pond on August 11, 1776. Duing the conflict in New York, under orders from General George Washington, he retreated with thousands of Patriots across the East River from Brooklyn before defeating the British Regulars at the heoic Battle of Harlem Heights.
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While living in the house he built at 139 North Street he was a teacher during the winter months and also wove clothing for most of Milford’s citizens. After Revolutionary War soldiers, who had been captured by the British,

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were put ashore in Milford infected with smallpox, Downs traveled to Salem, NY to become inoculated, presumably to assist with the victims.He almost died. On April 15, 1777 he writes “I broke out by thousands…thepox heavy upon me.” His daily weather recordings are some of the earliest in American history, and his other recordinga offer a rare glimpse into daily life in Colonial New England. He is buried in Milford Cemetery.
National Register Milford Historic District
River Park National Historic District
Milford Preservation Trust 2011

Erected 2011 by Milford Preservation Trust.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Patriots & Patriotism • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical month for this entry is April 2003.

Location. 41° 13.875′ N, 73° 3.364′ W. Marker is in Milford in South Central Region, Connecticut. It is on North Street 0.1 miles north of Bridge Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 139 North Street, Milford CT 06460, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker

Photographed by Michael Herrick, June 17, 2012

2. A Connecticut Minuteman’s Homestead Marker

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is in the Connecticut River Valley,

on the Connecticut Shoreline,

and in Greater New Haven.

It is also in the American Northeast,

in New England,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Haven County

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Home Site of Robert Treat (approx. 0.2 miles away); King’s Bridge (approx. 0.2 miles away); Milestone (approx. 0.2 miles away); Early Post Office Site (approx. 0.3 miles away); The First Meeting House (approx. 0.3 miles away); Memorial to Three Milford Men (approx. 0.4 miles away); Milford Remembers (approx. 0.4 miles away); Jefferson Bridge (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Milford.

John Down's Home and A Connecticut Minuteman’s Homestead Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael Herrick, June 17, 2012

3. John Down's Home and A Connecticut Minuteman’s Homestead Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on May 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 29, 2012, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 2,389 times since then and 178 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 29, 2012, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.