By Jim Latimer, for Main Street Media. Published July 2, 2026.
The rich tapestry of Sumner County history is woven from threads left by many remarkable individuals and events. Approaching the 250th anniversary of our Republic, we are learning more about those who fought for and settled our western frontier.
Many of these men had previously served on the battlefields of the French and Indian War and the American Revolution. These individuals are often remembered by familiar location names in our community, but many have become shrouded by the passage of time. Colonel Jonathan Latimer is one such individual. His record of service bears remembrance.
Jonathan Latimer was born in New London, Conn., on May 27, 1724. He was the fourth generation of his family to reside in the New World after his great-grandfather Robert arrived in Boston aboard the Hopewell in 1636. Through his mother, Borodell Denison, he could trace his roots to Elder William Brewster, who arrived aboard the Mayflower in 1620.
Jonathan would follow his father Jonathan Sr. into service with the Connecticut militia. He would first serve during the Seven Years’ War, which we know as the French and Indian War. This service was for king and country. While records from that period are scarce, we can get glimpses of his path.
Jonathan’s service is first noted in the Campaign of 1755. He is listed as a private in the 1st Company, 2nd Regiment, of the Connecticut militia. This regiment took part in the Battle of Lake George. Recorded as one of the fiercest battles in colonial history, they faced French regulars who had attacked Fort Edward.
On Sept. 8, 1755, the 2nd Regiment, along with a Massachusetts regiment, was marching between Lake George and Fort Edward. The column was ambushed by a combined force of French and Indian allies. After a struggle, the survivors retreated to Sir William Johnson’s camp at Lake George. The French followed and pressed their attack. The Colonial Army held out until men from New Hampshire attacked the French rear and turned the tide of battle.
In 1756, the British and French formally declared war on each other. Jonathan is noted to have boarded a sloop at Gardiner’s Wharf on June 10, 1756. These men were supposed to descend onto the French at Fort Carillion. However, the Earl of Loudon chose to go into winter camp early and missed a chance to press the attack. Many troops would sicken or die before being dismissed. Jonathan was among those listed as sick.
In 1757, Jonathan was promoted to the rank of captain, 5th Company, of the Connecticut militia. Along with his troops, he would be sent to relieve the survivors of the massacre at Fort William Henry. During this time, the British sought to remove colonial commanders and replace them with British officers. The Connecticut troops would have none of it, insisting on fighting under their own officers. The desire for independence had begun to show among the colonials.
In March 1758, Jonathan was commissioned a second time as captain, 5th Company, of the Connecticut militia. The troops were part of an army raised to invade Canada that fall. At this time, he commanded alongside Israel Putnam and Richard Rogers. These troops were stationed at Fort Edward, but there is no record of Jonathan ever going into Canada. Hostilities ended in 1759, but a peace treaty was not signed until 1763.
There are a few more glimpses of service during this period. Signatures on payrolls turn up, but no military actions are noted. Jonathan would return home and settle in Chesterfield, near New London.
Preparing for revolution
In 1774, Nathan Hale arrived in New London and boarded with the Latimer family. Hale was a teacher and taught 32 students, 10 of whom were Latimer children. He would go on to serve as a lieutenant under Jonathan in the opening years of the American Revolution.
Following the actions at Lexington and Concord in April 1775, a call for arms was raised throughout the colonies. Riders were sent to gather volunteers to confront the British at Boston. Seventy men responded from New London; among them were Jonathan and his brother Daniel.
In September 1775, General George Washington wrote to the Connecticut Council asking for troops to be sent back to Boston. Jonathan Latimer’s troops arrived on Oct. 1 and were placed under the command of General Sullivan’s brigade at Winter Hill. By this time, winter had set in and some troops began to desert. Evidently one of them left with Jonathan’s prized horse. He offered a reward of $10 for the return of the horse in the Connecticut Gazette on Oct. 27, 1775.
During the years of the American Revolution, Jonathan’s sons – Jonathan III, Witheral, Charles and George – would join him in serving the new country. His younger son, Robert, would also participate as a fifer.
In March 1776, the British abandoned Boston and headed for New York. Washington would follow. Jonathan was made lieutenant colonel of the 4th Battalion, Samuel Selden’s regiment, Wadsworth’s brigade. These troops were sent to New York to reinforce Washington. They were stationed on the Brooklyn Front during the Battle of Long Island on Aug. 27. Washington was forced to retreat to avoid being trapped by two British forces.
Jonathan would see action at Long Island, White Plains and Harlem Heights. During the forced retreat from Manhattan, the Connecticut militia was caught at a crossroads by advancing Hessian troops. They had to fight their way clear. Jonathan’s friend and commander, Colonel Samuel Selden, was taken prisoner. He died weeks later in a British prison. Jonathan was elevated to colonel of the regiment.
Jonathan’s most notable service took place at Saratoga in 1777. The Connecticut battalion served under General Enoch Poor’s brigade. They held the line and counterattacked during the Battles of Freeman’s Farm and Bemis Heights. They would later be complimented by Washington as “two especially fine groups of militia.”
Jonathan carried his recent promotion papers bundled in the pocket of his long coat. A fellow soldier would recall seeing Jonathan slap his hand to his leg during the battle. When they returned to quarters afterwards, a spent ball had dropped into his boot. It had lodged in his folded papers during the heat of battle.
Had Benedict Arnold been killed at the Battle of Saratoga, he would have been remembered among the pantheon of American heroes. After arguing with his superiors, Arnold was sent back to his tent. When he heard the sound of battle, he jumped on a horse and headed toward the front.
Passing a group of troops, he inquired as to who they served under. They responded, “Colonel Jonathan Latimer!” Arnold galloped away, saying, “Tell my old friend I will see him at the front!” Arnold helped lead the Connecticut troops to victory that day. This battle would show the French that the Americans could win and brought them into the war against the British.
War comes to soldier’s home
Jonathan would later be placed in command for the defense of New London. The harbor was a haven for Revolutionary privateers. The British, tired of this annoyance and wanting to draw attention from the southern front, decided to put an end to it. In September 1781, they sent their new general, the traitor Benedict Arnold, to accomplish this.
Arnold was from the area. He had grown up there, had friends and served with soldiers from the town. He also knew the signals to allow safe passage into the harbor. After giving those signals, he landed without opposition. He massacred the defenders at Fort Griswold and set the town of New London ablaze.
Latimer’s second in command, Major Harris, evidently had some type of breakdown when confronted with the invading force. He told his men that he had a terrible headache and must go home. Harris never sent word to Latimer advising him of the advancing British troops.
As the attack progressed, Arnold made his way through the town. He rode to the cemetery and observed the graves of those he was familiar with, noting the final resting place of Jonathan Latimer Sr., “The father of my good friend.”
When Col. Latimer finally became aware of the situation, he immediately came to the front. He did not have the troops to directly confront the superior British force. All he could do was harass the invaders as they retreated to their ships. Meanwhile, the town of New London and many Latimer properties were burning.
As can be imagined, many citizens had hard feelings against the defenders for allowing the attack to occur. How could this have happened? The commanding officers were censured and went to trial before a military tribunal. Jonathan would be acquitted with honor.
Coming to Tennessee
There are several thoughts as to why a prominent and well-to-do family would relocate to the Tennessee frontier. Hard feelings over the burning of New London could be one. Another concern was the size of Latimer’s family. He had nine sons and two daughters. Even though the family held a large amount of land, it would be difficult to pass it among so many. The frontier offered vast amounts of available land. That land, however, was not without hazards.
Two sons and a son-in-law came in advance of the family. They arrived in what is now Sumner County in the late 1780s to get a feel for the land. The bulk of the family would follow by ox cart in 1790. Some family would remain behind in Connecticut. Col. Latimer purchased 640 acres along Station Camp Creek for 200 pounds. They also owned land in Robertson, Rutherford and Davidson counties.
Having passed through the fire of revolution, these men were not afraid to step forward when called on to defend their community. At this time the Tennessee frontier was very unsettled. Many early settlers lost their lives at a moment’s notice.
Latimer’s sons would participate in the defense of the settlements. Nathaniel, his youngest son, took part in a militia unit led by Lt. Samuel Snoddy. They were pursuing raiding braves. During the pursuit, it was noted Nathaniel had killed a bear. This probably added to the ardor of the pursuing men.
At Rock Island, Nathaniel and David Scoby were killed in ambush. Some accounts state the ball passed through Nathaniel and struck his brother. Being spent, the ball had no effect on him. Another son, Robert, passed suddenly. It is thought that he might have succumbed to wounds suffered in an engagement.
Witheral Latimer would find himself inside the walls of Buchannan’s Station on Sept. 30, 1792, as a small group of men and women took shelter there from a combined force of Cherokee, Shawnee and Creek. The attackers, numbering 300, had been sent to destroy the frontier settlement of Nashville. A night of hard fighting saw this force turned away from its mission.
Jonathan Latimer passed away in 1806 at 82 years old. He left a legacy of family and service. Never seeking recognition, only doing his duty when called on.
Latimer would give land to his son Charles. A frontier cabin constructed of massive logs (sourced from the property) was built between 1797-1820. Today, this house still stands on what is now called Wolf Pack Way in Gallatin.
For more information about the raid on New London, see “The Traitor’s Homecoming: Benedict Arnold’s Raid on New London, Connecticut, September 4-13, 1781” by Matthew Reardon. More information about Jonathan Latimer can be found in John Wilson’s book “Colonel Jonathan: An American Story.”
Jim Latimer is a descendant of Col. Jonathan Latimer.
Source: Jim Latimer, “One Patriot’s story: the tale of Jonathan Latimer,”, opens in a new tab Main Street Media, July 2, 2026.