Spalding, Simon
Spalding, Simon
SPALDING, SIMON. (1742–1814). Continental officer. Connecticut-Pennsylvania. Born in Plainfield, Connecticut, on 16 January 1742, Spalding moved to the Wyoming Valley in 1772. On 26 August 1776 he became a second lieutenant of Ransom's Wyoming Valley company. Promoted to first lieutenant on 1 January 1777, he saw action at Bound Brook, New Jersey, on 13 April 1777, where he was given credit for effecting the successful retreat of the American forces. Promoted to captain on 24 June 1778, he led Connecticut troops to reinforce the Wyoming Valley but was nearly fifty miles away when the Wyoming Valley massacre took place on 3-4 July 1778. He commanded his company with distinction in Sullivan's expedition against the Iroquois in 1779. Transferred to the First Connecticut on 1 January 1781, he retired two years later. On 30 May 1783 he moved up the Wyoming Valley to settle at Shesequin, where he eventually became brigadier general of militia. He died there on 24 January 1814.
SEE ALSO Wyoming Valley Massacre, Pennsylvania.
revised by Michael Bellesiles