Chapter 12 - So What’s the Real Story?

When I started this project I thought it would result in five or so double spaced pages of clear-cut prose telling the story of one of Wethersfield's dark little historical secrets. Now, several months later, I find myself on page twenty-eight without a definite conclusion in sight and fresh out of places to look for one.

It's time for me to put this particular exploration to rest.

The much repeated story of Thomas Hickey seems to have five basic components:

1) He was a British deserter

2) After which he lived in Wethersfield Connecticut

3) And became a member of Knowlton's Rangers

4) From which he was selected to serve in the Commander-In-Chief's Guard

5) While a member of which he was tried, convicted, and executed for a plot to either (a) kidnap said Commander-in-Chief - or possibly (b) to culinarily kill him.

Oh, and 6) "He was a dark-complexioned Irishman" (I'm finding these continual references to Hickey's swarthy complexion almost amusing. It seems to be a piece of information that could only be provided by someone who actually had known Hickey - or at least had seen him. But nowhere in my research did I come across any such firsthand observations. Was this a technique to make the story appear to be more solid than it really was by providing a tidbit that seems to be a part of an eyewitness description?)

On items #1) and #2) I have not been able to find any first hand sources to prove their truth. There is the signature of a Thomas Hickey in a Samuel Hanmer's account book at the historical society but no additional evidence to suggest that this was the Thomas Hickey.

I did find information that #3) could not be true because Knowlton's Rangers were founded three months after Thomas Hickey was hanged, and Hickey is not listed in the roster of that unit. This, in my mind at least, casts some doubt on the whole Wethersfield connection.

Hickey's name is listed in the roster of the Commander-In-Chief’s Guard (#4) but there is nothing about either his hometown or the unit from which he was transferred.

The transcripts of the Court Martial of Thomas Hickey clearly pinpoints him as the sole person executed in the June 1776 plot to kidnap General George Washington (#5a). These court documents do not mention any attempt to poison the general (#5b).

Does this mean that Thomas Hickey had no connection with Wethersfield? Not necessarily.

The inclusion of the Knowlton's Rangers tie-in (even though it has proven to be untrue) shows that a good deal of thought and a certain amount of logic went into the creation of the story.

The Hanmer Accounts Book signature proves that someone named Thomas Hickey transacted at least one piece of business in the town of Wethersfield.

And the fact that the Hickey-Wethersfield link has, for such a long time, been a consistent part of the story that professional historians have told does give it a certain amount of believability.

It is not however, by itself, a guarantee of authenticity.

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