Christopher Leffingwell was on the cutting edge when it came to figuring out new and better ways to make money . Take , for example , the fact that he was part of what was called the “ Committee of Correspondence ” during the Revolutionary War . This meant that he got a heads-up on what kinds of supplies people were ordering . What might be surprising to us today is that one of the “ hottest” items on the lists was cocoa .

Leffingwell responded by adding a cocoa-nut grinding mill to his list of enterprises , between the yearsof 1766 and 1770 , said Beryl Fishbone , program manager for the Leffingwell House Museum .

“ Col . Christopher Leffingwell and his brother , Elisha , started a full mill , a dye house , a grist mill and a chocolate mill , ” she said .

Cocoa was big business . By 1773 , the English colonists were importing cocoa from Central and South America to the tune of more than 320 tons a year.

And during the Revolutionary War , cocoa was considered such a “ necessity ” for the troops that in 1777 , it was against the law to export chocolate from Massachusetts , because it was reserved for the military .

Back in those days , people drank cocoa with breakfast , lunch and dinner . They even claimed it has medicinal qualities , such as alleviating asthma , noted Fishbone – who began researching cocoa’s history with a couple of projects in mind .

One project has to do with the fact that Norwich is celebrating the 350 th anniversary of its founding this year. Recently , the city unveiled a wine specifically commemorating this banner year. “ But the wine is from California , ” Fishbone noted .

Cocoa , however , played an actual role in the city’s history – so , what if it could be named the city’s official beverage ? That’s the idea that some members of the Leffingwell House Museum’s volunteer staff are pursuing .

Of course , Norwich would have to have a “ signature” hot cocoa recipe . “ Maybe a bit of vanilla , a dash of cinnamon – because they were very common then , and these are flavors that go together well – and just a dash of nutmeg , because we are the ‘ Nutmeg State . ’ This would give us a little bit of uniqueness , ” Fishbone said .

She added , “ We made that proposal to the City Council , but we haven’t heard back from them yet. ”

Another reason for her interest in the history of cocoa has to do with preserving a significant piece of the history of Norwich .

The Leffingwell House Museum is maintained solely through donations . Therefore , the volunteers who oversee the care of the museum – and The Society of the Founders of Norwich , Conn . – are looking for a civic group , organization or some other generous individuals willing to sponsor and organize a cocoa-related fundraising program .

This could be anything from a social event – with cocoa as the centerpiece – to creating a cookbook of cocoa-based recipes .

“ People have this idea that youcan only enjoy a cup of cocoa in the winter months , but in New York , I’ve been served something they call ‘ frozen hot cocoa , ’ and it was delicious , ” Fishbone said .

Anyone interested in creating a cocoabased event or some other fundraising project , or who would like to promote hot cocoa as the official beverage of the City of Norwich , is asked to call Beryl Fishbone at 887-9000 , send her an e-mail at berylfishbone@yahoo . com , or write to : Society of the Founders of Norwich , CT - P . O . Box 13 , Norwich , CT 06360 .

More information about the museum is available at the Web site www . leffingwellhousemuseum . org .