Source:
History of Litchfield County, Connecticut with Illustrations and 
Biographical Sketches of its Prominent Men and Pioneers……
Published: Philadelphia: J.W. Lewis & Co.,  1881.


GEN. DANIEL B. BRINSMADE,  son of Hon. Daniel N. Brinsmade, 
was born in Washington, Conn., Oct. 15, 1782.  He was twice married, - 
first to Irene Merwin, by whom he had one son.  His second wife was 
Mary W. Gold, of Cornwall, Conn.  Their family consisted of four 
children, - two sons and two daughters, - Thomas F., William B., Abigail 
Irene, and Mary M.  Thomas F. married for his first wife Silence, 
daughter of Samuel Leavitt, and for his second Elizabeth Leavitt, sister 
of Silence.  William B. married Charlotte Chapin, of Springfield, Mass., 
who is still living in Washington.  Abigail Irene married F.W. Gunn, of 
Washington, where they reside; and Mary M. married George L. Brown, 
and resides in the city of Brooklyn.

Gen. Brinsmade was one of the leading spirits of his day.  He succeeded 
his father, Daniel N., as town clerk, and officiated in that capacity over 
forty years.  He also represented the town in the General Assembly for 
the years 1816, 1817, 1828, 1837, and 1848, and was a faithful and 
efficient official.  He manifested an interest in military matters, and in 
1817 was made colonel of the Fifth Regiment of Connecticut Cavalry, 
and subsequently promoted to be general in the State cavalry.  He was 
president of the day at the Litchfield centennial, held at Litchfield, Aug. 
13 and 14, 1851, on which occasion he exhibited the epaulets and scarf 
which were worn by Gen. La Fayette during the war of the Revolution.  
These historic souvenirs of the gallant Frenchman, who risked his life in 
the defense of American liberty, are heirlooms in the possession of the 
Brinsmade family.

Gen. Brinsmade was a man of sterling integrity and sound judgement, 
and was a recognized power in the councils of the town, county, and 
State.  He died Nov. 8, 1862.


Submitted by:  Linda Pingel  (LPingel@worldnet.att.net)