Joseph Spencer, born at East Haddam, Connecticut, in 1714, was an
officer of militia, with the rank of colonel, during the French and
Indian War. He was appointed brigadier-general on the 22d of June,
1775, by the Continental Congress, and major-general on the 9th of
August, 1776. When the British fleet appeared off the coast of New
England, in December of that year, he was sent with Arnold to take
charge of the militia in that section. Spencer was in command at Rhode
Island in 1778. Admiral Sir Peter Parker having taken possession of
Newport, Spencer had assembled his forces at Providence to dislodge
him. After spending some weeks in marching and counter-marching, the
enterprise had to be abandoned, as the Americans were too weak to
attempt such an assault. General Spencer resigned his commission on
the 13th of January, 1778, and though an earnest advocate of American
independence, took but little part in public affairs during the
remainder of his life. He died at his native place, East Haddam, in
January, 1789.