Ed Hynes, CFA was born and raised in Wilton, CT. He attended Wilton High School where he played both football and lacrosse. In 1977 Ed graduated from The George Washington University in Washington D.C. with a B.A. in Political Science. He subsequently spent most of his career in financial services. As an equity analyst, institutional salesperson and trader he worked with some of the premier investment banking firms in many of the world’s leading financial centers including New York, Tokyo, London, Chicago and San Francisco. In 2001 Ed became a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charter holder, and is currently a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch in Westport, CT. He lives in Norwalk.
Ed first became interested in the Revolutionary War as a child when he learned his neighbor’s house was partially burned by the British during the Danbury Raid in 1777. Fascinated by history, he and his late wife visited many important battlefields both here and abroad. Ed has spoken to the DMA before – 2013 on the Battle of Ridgefield, 2019, about the War on Long Island Sound and again in 2020 on the Origins of the Star Spangled Banner.
Warfare on Long Island Sound During the American Revolution
This exciting lecture, which has just been updated, reveals the action, intrigue and terror of the people living around Long Island Sound during America’s War for Independence. With the Connecticut and Long Island coasts less than 10 miles apart in many sections of the Sound, raiders crossed every fair night either to smuggle and/or steal goods, and kidnap or kill enemies. Spies, on both sides, rounded out this dangerous cast of characters. The economic blockade between British occupied Long Island and Patriot led Connecticut led to this violent conflict. But bitterness and desire for vengeance was fueled by the fighters’ familiarity with one another. Families and communities were ripped apart as Patriots in Connecticut expelled Loyalists and Loyalists on Long Island banished Patriots. Rabble-rousers on both coasts knew exactly where their enemies lived and it is not surprising that they started to violently attack each other. New research into the Privateers in CT and the British reaction tell a more vivid story. The Privateers (legalized Pirates) were very effective at hindering the British war effort. But the towns that supported their activities paid a terrible price due to the English’s scorched earth policy to destroy the inhabitants and their towns. One attack vessel of choice was the whaleboat. These boats were powered by up to 10 men and measured about 25 feet in length. Some had a sail and/or a swivel gun on the bow; they were very maneuverable and could operate quietly. These shallow boats were easily hidden in the many inlets and islands of the Sound.
