A cursory glance at the Litchfield community during the Revolution reveals a fervor of patriotic zeal. At the Litchfield County Centennial Celebration in 1851, Frederick A. Tallmadge relayed the Reverend Judah Champion's words, as told him by his father, Colonel Tallmadge, "...the reverend divine addressed the God of battles thus: 'Oh Lord, we view with terror and dismay, the approach of the enemies of thy holy religion;

Reverend Judah Champion From a portrait by Ralph Earl 1970-04-11

A closer look at the town reveals the reality of hardships faced by women left behind to care for families and businesses and the men who left home to fight, as well as the difficulties presented by impressment, the forcible talking of goods, by the army. Inflation and scarcity of goods meant that people were reluctant to part with necessities. Resident David Buel had a violent reaction to the impressment of his blanket:

"...the sd [said] Buel at sd Litchfield on or about the same 7th Day of Decr [December] aforesd [aforesaid] did with force and arms oppose the sd Constable & the sd Gibbs from going into another room, and from impressing sd Blanket; by stepping between sd Gibbs and the door of sd other room & by violently wrestling the Candle out of the hands of the sd Gibbs who had the same in his hand, in order to light them into sd other room (it then being Evening) and the sd Buel did also hold up his Fist in a menacing manner and threatened to charge his Guns & Pistols in case he could not otherwise prevent sd Blanket from being impressed and immediately took hold of sd Gibbs in an angry manner and him did assault and commanded him forthwith to leave & go out of his sd house and by means thereof the sd Buel did totally hinder and prevent them from impressing sd Blanket."
Litchfield Historical Society, Revolutionary War Summonses, December 31, 1778

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Devaluation of currency and inflation presented problems for the army and citizens. Oliver Wolcott, who was a delegate to the Second Continental Congress, wrote to his wife Laura, who remained home in Litchfield caring for the family estate comparing the situation in Philadelphia to home, "The Expence of living at the same Rate or Manner We do at Litchfield is I believe at least six Times as dear. I am in a House hospitable and kind, Neat and Virtuous, accommidations comfortable, but not in the high Way of Life-but am well Suited" Connecticut Historical Society, Wolcott Papers, Oliver Wolcott to Laura Collins Wolcott, March 8, 1776

Elisha Mills wrote to Colonel Henry Champion about the continuing problem of money later in the war, "The Money affaire grows daily more & more alarming and a Considerable number of People with us there are that Decline Taking of it.___The Towns in the county have Called Meetings, and Desired to have a County Convention, which was attended on the 10th day of this month__ among other things the Convention Recommended that the Several Towns in the County without loss of time should Chuse Large Comm.tees to prevent any further Depretiation Taking place and thereby make a full Stand until it could be known what other counties in this State wood do…should you be of Opinion that it is Duty to attempt any method to prevent the moneys Running Out aske leave to Request your Influence amongst the People may be Extended in favour of similar measures_in my Opinion the Soul power of Appretiation of the

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The impact of scarcity was felt even by the wealthy and well connected. When Laura Wolcott requested her husband find her linen, she received the following response, "You Wrote to me for a piece of Linnen...it is scarcly to be had...but shall endeavour to procure some for you...the scarcity and Dearness of those Articles are in the extreme. Other Articles at least Many are in more Plenty but every Thing bears an extravigant Price. I hope next Winter when our Coast cannot be so infested by Pirates Goods may be had in more plenty."
Connecticut Historical Society, Wolcott Papers, Oliver Wolcott to Laura Collins Wolcott, June 11, 1776

Several months later he demonstrated perspective on the sacrifices being made, "I am not able to give you the least Advice in the Conduct of any Business, your own Prudence in the Direction of it I have no doubt of. I can only Wish that the cares which must oppress you were less, but if the present Troubles shall terminate in the future Peace and Security of this Country (which I trust will be the Case) the present Evils and Inconveniences of Life ought to be borne with Cheerfullness."
Connecticut Historical Society, Wolcott Papers, Oliver Wolcott to Laura Collins Wolcott, January 21, 1777