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Gc  M-  ^' 

974.6 

B23c 

1827718 


GENEALOGY   COLLECTION 


ALLEN  COUNTY  PUBLIC  LIBRARY 


3  1833  01150  4831 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 

in  2010  with  funding  from 

Allen  County  Public  Library  Genealogy  Center 


http://www.archive.org/details/connecticuthistoOOinbarb 


CONNECTICUT     - 

mSTORICAL   COLLECTIONS , 

CONTAINING    A 

GENERAL    COLLECTION    OF    INTEUESTING    FACTS,    TRADITIONS, 

BIOGIIAPHICAL  SKETCHES,  ANECDOTES,  &c. 

RELATING    T(3    THE 

HISTORY   AND   ANTIQUITIES 


EVERY    TOWN     IN     CONNECTICUT, 

WITH 

GEOGRAPHICAL    DESCRIPTIONS 

ILLUSTRATED  IJV   I 'JO  EMatAVLNCIS. 


13  Y    JOHN    WAUNEU    B  A  U  li  i:  R  . 


SECOND      EDITION. 


IThc  r^c'ul  of  tliu  Hlati;  .if  fonnocticut 


He  who  traiisiihintcJ  tjtill  sustains. 


NEW    If  A  YEN: 

PUULISIIED    BY 
DUUU  IE     .^     PECK     AM.    J.     W.     J;AU1JEU, 

Price— 'I'hree  .tollars. 

I'niNTEU     by     II        I..      IIAMI.KN. 


1827718 


Eiilureil  ;tccoi(liii!j  tu  llie  Act  of  Coiijrress,  in  the  3e;ir  1S"3(J 

l.y  Jmmn  \V.  Hauukr  and  A.  Wii,t,.u;n, 

in  llic  Cli;rlc's  uliicc,  of  the  l.Msiiicl  Couil  of  (Jonneciicnt. 


rUEFACE. 


Thr  power  by  which  we  recall  past  scenes,  ihe  rapidity  wiili  which  they  are  brought 
in  review  before  us,  the  faculty  by  which  we  can  "  rauj^e  u'er  creation, "  and  dwell 
upon  the  past  and  fulme,  demonslrales  that  man  was  indeed  formed  in  llie  image  of 
his  Creatoi-,  and  destined  lor  immortality.  By  the  contcmplalion  of  the  past,  \xc  feel 
our  span  of  existence  extended:  we  enter  into  the  tiiouyhts,  hopes,  and  aspirations  of 
generations  before  us,  and  in  siichmomenis  hold  communiun  with  the  dcjiajled  spirits 
of  antiquity. 

Every  thing  relating  to  the  history'  of  the  "  Pilgrim  Fathers,"  is  worthy  of  preser- 
vation.    "  The  Puritans,"  says  a  writer  m  no  wise  partial  to  them,  "  were  the  most 

remarkable  body  of  men,  perhaps,  which  the  world  has  ever  produced They 

were  men  wiiose  minds  had  derived  a  peculiar  character  Irom  the  daily  contemplation 
of  superior  beings  and  eternal  interests.  Not  content  with  acknowledging  in  general 
terms  an  over  ruling  providence,  they  habitually  ascribed  every  event  to  the  will  of 
the  Great  Being,  for  whose  power  nothing  was  too  vast,  for  whose  inspection  nothing 
was  loo  minute.  To  know  him,  to  serve  him,  to  enjoy  hiui,  was  with  them  the  great 
end  of  existence.     The}'  rejected  with  C(iniem|it,   the  ceieniunious  humage   which 

other  sects  substituted  for  the  homage  of  the  soul On  the  rich  and  the  eloquent, 

on  nobles  and  priests,  they  looked  down  with  contempt :  for  they  esteemed  lliemselves 
rich  in  a  more  precious  treasure,  and  eloquent  in  a  more  sublime  language;  nobles 
by  the  right  of  an  earlier  creation,  and  priests  Ly  the  im[>osilion  of  a  mightier  hand  I" 
These  were  the  men  to  whom  the  worlii  owes  the  preservation  of  civil  and  religious 
liberty,  their  eneniics  l.ieing  judges;  and  it  was  nien  ol'  tins  stamp  that  were  the  fa- 
thers of  Connectieut. 

Though  small  in  territorial  extent  and  poinilation,  Connecticut  is  second  to  none  of 
her  sister  states  m  the  virtue,  genius  and  enterprise  of  hei' sons.  Considering  the 
amounl  of  her  population,  she  has  furnished  a  large  proportion  of  disting^li^hed  men 
iu  almost  every  department  of  life,  and  some  of  the  most  powerful  stales  in  this  Union 
are  largely  indebted  to  her  for  the  elements  of  their  greatness  and  prosperity. 

The  early  history  of  Conneciieut,  in  its  various  parts,  has  been  ably  written  by  Dr. 
Trumbull,  the  venerable  historian  of  his  native  stale.  To  this  work  the  author  is 
deeply  indebted,  as  he  is  also  to  the  "Gazetteer  of  Connecticut  and  Rhode  Island,"  by 
Jolin  C.  Pease  and  John  M.  Niles,  Esqs.,  a  work  of  much  labor  and  merit.  For  the 
account  of  the  towns  in  Middlesex  County,  "Field's  Statistical  Account"  has  fur- 
nished much  valuable  information.  The  extracts  from  the  most  ancient  newspapers 
were  taken  from  files  of  the  New  Haven  journals,  the  earliest  and  only  copies,  it  is 
believed,  that  are  now  in  existence.  These  journals  are  in  the  valuable  library  left 
by  the  late  Col.  William  Lyon,  a  distinguished  antiquarian,  and  are  now  in  possession 
of  his  son,  William  Lyon,  Esq.  a  gentleman  to  whom  the  compiler  feels  himself  un- 
der lasting  obligations.  To  the  various  gentlemen  in  ditlercnt  parts  of  his  native  state, 
who  have  furnished  information  for  this  woi k,  the  author  would  heie  return  his  grate- 
ful acknowledgments. 

It  may  be  thought,  perhaps,  by  some,  that  an  apology  ought  to  be  made  for  inserting 
many  things  contained  in  this  book:  somethings  may  be  thought  loo  trivial,  others 
too  marvelous,  to  be  recorded.  With  regard  to  the  lirst,  it  ought  to  be  borne  in  mind, 
thai  many  things  which  at  the  first  sight  may  appear  to  us  to  be  of  little  moment,  may 
hereafter  be  deemed  of  much  importance.     With  regard  to  the  latter  objection,  it  may 


IV  P  K  E  F  A  C  E  . 

be  observeii,  that  ihe  history  of  any  people  maybe  considered  as  defective,  which 
doesnotgive  an  account  of  their  religious  belief  and  opinions,  &c.  however  erroneous. 
Although  ill  this  age  most  of  us  may  smile  at  what  we  consider  the  superstitions  and 
weaknesses  of  our  forefathers,  yet  it  may  be  well  to  rellect  that  Sir  Matthew  Hale, 
Dr.  Johnson,  and  others,  men  of  the  greatest  intellect  the  world  ever  produced,  lie 
under  the  same  imputations.  Comi)ajed  with  these  men,  many  of  those  who  aliect  to 
smile  at  their  opinions  are  but  mere  children  in  understanding. 

The  numerous  engravings  interspersed  through  this  work,  were  (with  five  or  six 
exceptions)  executed  from  drawings  taken  on  the  spot,  by  the  author  of  this  work. 
Before  deciding  upon  the  correctness  of  these  representations,  he  wishes  his  readers 
to  consider  that  the  appearance  of  any  place  will  vary  considerably  as  it  is  viewed 
from  different  points:  thus,  a  nurth  view  will  appear  quite  different  from  one  taken  at 
the  svutk.  A  person  not  being  used  to  see  a  place  from  the  point  from  which  the  draw- 
ing is  taken,  it  may  not  at  first  sight  be  readily  recogni^^ed.  Before  any  view  is  con- 
demned as  being  incoircct,  it  will  be  necessary,  in  ortlur  to  form  a  correct  judgment, 
to  stand  on  the  place  from  whence  the  drawing  was  maile. 

In  giving  the  notices  of  distinguished  individuals,  a  limited  number  only  could  be 
inserted.  In  some  instances,  perhaps,  the  information  obtaineil  resjjecting  some  towns 
may  have  been  defective.  The  history  of  some  impoitant  towns  may  apparently  not 
have  received  that  attention  to  which  they  are  entitled:  the  failure  of  obtaining  the 
desired  Information,  alter  the  attempt  was  made,  must  be  the  apology. 

-Vc!i;  Haven,  1837.  J.  W.  B. 


Amid  such  a  variety  of  facts,  names  and  dates,  it  is  not  to  be  expected  but  that  some 
mistakes  and  omivsious  iii:;y  occur.  The  follouiug  is  a  list  of  all  which  liave  as  yet 
been  discovered. 

G/rti.'(.'7iiiir//,  page  1)3,  lor  IlriDahLuke  read  Kanahbukc,  sometimes  spelt  Kanaw- 
buck:  Ilouksett  should  he  KouLsclt,  sometimes  s])elt  Conksett. 

Dcrbij,  page  iiUO,  for  '20  or  30  rods  below  the  bridge,  read  about  one  mile,  &c. 

Grotiin,,  page  3U1».  Sinnucl  Si'itbnry,  the  /Z/iV  bhkcp  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal 
rhiurh  111  the  Uniird  Si.iti-.,  \\:ulu.ni  ui  I'rquonmu',  a  small  vill;i:;e  iu  tliis  tow  n, 
about  i!nee  or  tour  luilr.  r,i>lward  of  New  London.  1  le  graduated  at  Yale  College 
in  1751.  He  studied  thrology  in  Scotiaiul  and  in  17;"J3  obtained  orders  in  London.  He 
was  eonsecratetl  a  bishop  ill  .Scotland,  by  three  non-juring  bishops  in  or  about  17H1 ; 
and  returned  to  New  London,  where  he  discharged  the  duties  of  his  ofllce  till  his  death. 
{See page  2H2.) 

Grot  on,  page  309,  for  brother  of,  read  nnclc  to. 

IFii^cr/'iJ/vL  for  Gardiner,  read  Oardineis. 


CONTENTS. 


( 

1 

A.l.ford,    .        . 

'Tn! 

Haddam,    . 

■'m> 

Poinfrel,     . 

PllEC. 

437 
342 
249 
391 
399 
184 
313 

1 

A  run, 

ti-2 

llainden,    . 

217 

Plevloll,       . 

Barkhamslod,    . 

-If.O 

llaui]Uon,  . 

''r! 

Pivispeet,    . 

Berlin, 

G5 

Harllbrd,    . 

.31 

Readinir,    . 

Bethany,    . 

185 

llaillord  County, 

30 

i^d-elield. 

Bethleni,     . 

-ibi 

llailland,  . 

97 

Rn\biiry,    . 

Bloomtiekl, 

<irf 

llarwinton. 

.109 

Salem, 

Bolton, 

51 -3 

Hebron,      . 

519 

Sali-~biirv, 

480 

Bozrah,      . 

301 

IJuhtuigton, 

383 

Savbiooif, 

532 
490 
401 

Bra  nib  id,   . 

18H 

Kent, 

•170 

Shaun,       . 

Bridgeport, 

371 

Killmglv, 

420 

Sherman,  . 

Bristol, 

fill    Killiiiicuortb,     . 

529 

Simsbuiv, 

100 

Brookfield, 

373 

Lubanun,    . 

318 

Someis,      . 

553 

Brooklyn, 

.     '113 

Ledyard,    . 

325 

Southbiiry, 

2j(t 

BarJinglon, 

.       70 

Lisbon, 

328 

Sonihinglon, 

105 

Canaan, 

4(i3 

LitchHeld, 

452 

Sialloid,     . 

555 

Canterbury, 
Canton,     ". 

.     '1'2() 
711 

Litchlield  County, 
Evme, 

452 

328 

Stamford,  . 
Sterling,     . 

402 
440 
313 

Chaplin,     .         .     '1-. 
Chatham,   . 

1,  :^',^ 

Aiudison,    . 

221 

Stonington, 

.      Ul8 

iVlaiicbester, 

98  ,  Stiallord,    . 

401 

Cheshiie,  . 

.     l'J3    Alanslicld, 

551 

Sniiield,      . 

l(t7 
441 

Chester, 

.     521  '  IMaiiburongh,    . 

99 

Thompson, 

Colchester, 

.     303  ,  Akiiden,    . 

220 

Tolland,     . 

540 

Colebrook, 

.     4G1    Ali.hllcbury, 

229 

Tolland  County, 

540 

Columbia, 

.     513 

Middlesex  County, 

500 

Toiringlon, 

495 

^. 

Cornwall, 

.     4  ('.5 

Middletown, 

5O0 

Trumbull, 

408 

Coventry, 

.     515 

Millord,     . 

229 

Unii.n, 

550 
557 
443 

: 

Danbnry,    . 
IJarien, 

.     3(i-3 

Monroe,     . 

384 

Vernon, 

.     37C. 

Montville, 

331 

Volimtown, 

I 

Derby, 
Durham,    . 

.    I'jd 

New  (;aiiaan,     . 

385 

Wallnigford, 

252 

■ 

INew  I'airlield,    . 

3ri7 

Wairen,     . 

497 

Eastlladdam,    . 

.     5-Jl 

Newllartb.id,   . 

472 

Washington,      . 

497 

[,-  ■ 

East  llartlord,   . 

.      7-i 

New  Haven, 

131 

Wateibuiy, 

257 
317 

East  riaven,       . 

.     20 1 

New  1  lH\-en  Cunni\', 

133 

AV.iteilord, 

I'last  "Windsor,   . 

7i) 

New  L.  aid  on,     . 

271 

"Wain  town. 

4!i9 

' 

Ellington, 

.     517 

New  London  County 

271 

WeMuii,      . 

409 

'•• 

En  held,      . 

.      83 

New  Miilbrd,     . 

471 

W.Moort, 

4  10 

1*. 

Fuirtield,    . 

.    319 

Newtown, 

3s7 

Weihersfield,     . 

112 

!, 

Eniiru-ld  Conniy, 

.     3UI 

N..rlblk,     . 

1,-1 

AVilhnirion, 

558 

' 

I'Vii  MiiiiLCton, 

.      h8 

North  Bran  ford. 

210 

Wilton,      . 

412 

b'ranklin,  . 

.     30t". 

North  Uiven,     . 

210 

Winchester, 

501 

Glasienbiiry, 
Goshen, 

.       91 

North  Stonnigton, 

.     310 

Windham, 

443 

.     '1G7 

Norwalk-,    . 

389 

Windiiam  County, 

.    413 

Granby,      . 

.       93 

Norwich,    . 

290 

Windsor,   . 

123 

.    208 

i 

Greenwich, 

.     379 

Orange, 

215 

Woleolt,    .         . 

Griswold,  . 

.     300 

U.xtord,      . 

217 

Woodbudge,      . 

209 

Groton, 

.    307 

Plaiulield, 

.     431 

Wondbuiy, 

503 

Guilford,    . 

.     209 

riymoulh. 

.     483 

Woodstock,        . 

.     449 

B  I  0  G  R  A 

PIIICAL   NOTICES 

AND    SKETCHES. 

Pasr-. 
.     332 

Allen,  Ethan, 

.     l.'iC 

Eaton,  Gen.  Wm. 

.     4.50 

Griswold,  Roger, 

Alsop,  Uichaid,  poet 

511 

I-Mwards,  Jonathan, 

.       80 

Hale,  Capt.  Nathan, 

515 

' 

]  >a  1  low  Joel   I.I..  n. 

.     397 

Ellb.t,  Iter.  Jared, 

.     530 

Hall,  Lyman,     . 

.     255 

B.ellamy,  Jose|)h,  D.  i 
i'.rainard,  John  G.  C 

>.     UV.\ 

b'.lNworth.Ulivei,  li. 

I).  1-9 

Hart,  jMajor  jonatha 

n,     07 

281 

Eaiislier,  Dr.  Sylvan 

IS,  484 

:  Hopkins,  Dr.  Lemue 

1,    207 

Brainerd,  Rev.  Dav 

d,   5 If. 

b'enwiek,  Lady, 

.     ,530 

Hoplvin.s,  Samuel,  d. 

u.  205 

Biiell,  Abel, 

.     531 

Eiteh,  It-ev.  James, 

.     323 

1  Hosinet,  Titus, 

39 

.  Carver,  Jonathan,. 

.     -122 

Eilcli,.rohn,        . 

.       81 

i  Hull,  Com.Isaae, 

.     2(J2 

Chittenden,  Ibui.Tl 

OS.  225 

Goodwin,  George, 

.       49 

'  Humi)hreys,  Gen.  D? 

V.  201 

Davenport,  Hon.  Al 

m.  103 

Granger,  Gideon, 

.     110 

1  Huntington,  Jededia 

1,  2m) 

Dow,  Loren/o,  . 

510 

Giiswold,  Matthew, 

.     331 

;  Johnson,  Samuel,  v. 

J.   400 

VI 


CONTENTS. 


Page. 
Knowlton,  Col.Thos.  411) 
Leiiyard,  John,  49,  3-Jti 
Lyman,  Gen.  Pliineas,  lOii 
McKinslry,  Rev.  John,  518 
Obookiah,  Henry,  .  4(i7 
Occura,  Rev.  Sampson,  '.VM 
Perkins,  Nalhan,  d.  d.  'M 
Phelps,  Oliver,  Esq.   .     Ill 


Piikin,  lion.  Wm. 
Putnam,  Lien.  Israel, 
Stiles,  Ezi  a,  d.  d. 
Smlilf,  John, 
Tallm;ulge,  Kenjamin, 
Triiinbiiil,  JoliM, 
'rnimball,  Jonathan, 
Webster,  Nuah,  i.i.. ». 


PaffC 


Page. 
Wheelock,Elca/cr,D.D.  544 


41i;  i  Wluic,  Hugh,  Esq 
2 i:ri  Whitney,  Eli,    . 
4S4  I  AVilliains,  John,  Esq 
4r)S  j  Woleott,  Oliver, 
500    Woleott,  l!o-er, 
3-^1     Woo.ler. 
4'J    YuiiiiicU 


11 
2-20 

41)4 

457 

1-J3 

OL^n.  David,    407 

liUoraDiul  ley  3-22 


P,-t?c. 
Andrew,  Rev.  Samuel,  23'.) 
Ashmun,  Jehudi,  .  183 
Backus,  Rev.  Dr.  .  555 
Barllit,  Rev.  Moses,  .  521 
Beach,  Clapt.  Einalhan,  lUtJ 


Beach,  Rev.  Jo 
Beaitie,  Lydia,  . 
Benedict,  Rev.  Joel,  d.d 
Bid  well,  Dea.  Thomas, 
Bostwick,  Mrs.  Ann, 
Bostwick,  Samuel,  . 
Braineid,  [lev.Chiliab 
Bruce,  David,  Mora-  i 
vian  Missionary,  } 
Bulkley,  ITon.  John,  . 
Cady,  Capt.  John, 
Camp,  Elias, 
Camp,  Capt.  Israel,  . 
Chaplin,  Dcac.  Benj. 
Cliester,  Leonaid, 
Church,  Rev.  Aaron, 
Clapp,  Pres.  Thomas, 
Cleveland,  Col.  Aaron,  123 
Cobb,  Samuel,  Es(i.  .  51 
Cogswell,  Rev.  Jas.  u.  i 
Cof,'swell,  Dr.  Mason  !• 
Coit,  Rev.  Joscijh, 
Cook,  Cajit.  Samuel, 
Curtiss,  Rev.  Jeremiah 
Davenport,  Rev.  Jolui, 
Duvies,  Rev.  Thomas, 
l)i.\well,('ol.  John,  . 
Dwij,'ht,  Timothy,  i.i.i 
Eaton,  Gov.Theophilus  1.S2 
Edwards, Rev. Timothy  S3 
Ellsworth,  Oliver,  i.L.n,  132 
Ely,  Mrs.  Desire, 
Estabrook,  Rev.Samue 
Fellows,  Capt.  Amos, 
Fenn,  Capt.  Benj. 
Fitch,  Maj.  James,  . 
Fitch,  Rev.  James,  . 
Fitch,  Gov.  Thomas, 
Frith,  Joseph,  . 
Gale,  Dr.  Benjamin,  . 
Gardiner,  David, 
Giddings,  Dea.  Tlios. 
Graham,  Andrew,  .  252 
Graham,  Rev.  John,  .  252 
Granger,  Gideon  .  HI 
Granger,  Tryphosa,  111 
Griffin,  Capt.  E.  .     225 

Griswold,  Roger,  ll,  d,  332 
Hale,  David,      .        .      1)3 


31)2 
122 

437 
71 

■\hO  i 

4h()  i 

1»3 

41)2 

30(5 
137 
521 
52 1 
51  iO 
122 
W 
1M2 


02 1 

ii)(i  I 

107 

101 

ISO 

I5H  i 

1S2 ; 


EPITAPHS. 

Pcl^'C.    I 

Hale,  Rev.  James,  .  419  i 
Hale,  Nathan  &  Rich.  547  1 
Hall,  Rev.  Samuel,  .  IHG  1 
Hall,  Samuel,  .  .  521  I 
Hamlin,  Giles,  .  .  513  1 
Hamlin,  Mai  V,  .     5)3 

Hariis,Jo>.epl,,  .  .  I.'.l 
Hart,  Mai  V  Ann,  .  5311 
Hart,  Maj.  Gen.  Wm.  539  ' 
Hartshorn,  Fisher,  .  505 
Heaton,  Uev.  Siejihen,  4(19 
llerpm,  Doct.  John,  .  239 
llillhouse,  Rev.James,  340 
Hobart,  Uev.  Noah,  .  3til 
Hooker,  Uev.  Thomas,  CO 
Hoskins,  Ezra,  .  .  123 
Hosmer,  Rev. Stephen,  52H 
llumphieys.  Rev.  Dan.  203 
llnmphrevs,  Geii.Dnv.  1S3 
Huntington,  Dea.Chr.  297 
lluntiiiginn.  Rev.  Jos.  .540 
Unit,  i:|ihiaim,  .     132 

Jewitt,  Kliczer,  .  .  307 
Johnson,  l!ev.  Sa ml.  D.D.  4tJ7 
Jones,  Wni.j;.M|.  .  I,s2 
Kellog,  Rev,  Eben'r,  .558 
Kilborn,  Jonathan,  .  30tj 
Kindierlv.'J'hos.  Esq.  t):i 
Kingsbuiy,  Dea.  Jos.  S.S 
Kinney,  Ji'^eph,  .     297 

l.ee,  H"ev.  Jonathan,  .  4!l.) 
Lineuln,  Simcuii,  .  (17 
Lonl,  Ciipl.  Uiehard,  282 
Lyman,  .Mose.>,  .     4(;9 

Lyman,  Dea.  Thos.    .     54  1 
Lyon,  Col.  Wm.        .     184 
Macdonough,  Cora.  T.  513 
Macdonoiigii,  Mrs.    .     513 
Marvin,  Capt.  Renold,  333 
McCurdy,  John,         .     333 
Meaciiam,  Mrs. Esther,  546 
:  i\leacham,  Rev.  Joseph,  ,547 
iSleriimaii,  Rev.  John,    107 
'  Miles,  Itev.  Smith,     .     519 
'  Miller,  John  Earnest,     437 
i  Mitchell,  Rev.  Justus,    38(5 
'  Moore,  Samuel,  .     490 

Moi.se,  LueretiaP.  .  181 
Moss,  Rev.  Joseph,  .  203 
Moulton,  Mrs.  Bula,  495 
;  Newell,  Rev.  Samuel,  70 
Newton,  Roger,  Esq.  239 
Obookiah,  Henry,      .     467 


P: 
Osborn,  Dr.  .John,  .  i 
Pierce,  Mis.  Thankful,  ' 

Plait,  Samuel,    . 
Pond,  Rev.  Eiiocli, 


Poll 


jNI; 


,d  (.11 


Thoma; 


,  and 


Putnam,  (icn.  Israel, 
l!;iViiuhK,  Uev.  Pelei, 
Uubl.ins,  R.T.  A-  R. 
Robiiisuii,  iM  i'>.  N;iom 
Roliiisoii,  Itcv.  Wm. 
Russell,  Mis  Abigail 
Ru.ssell,  lU:v.  Samuel, 
Sandeinaii,  Uobert,  . 
Sawyer,  Mis.  Louisa, 
Scabuiy,  Samuel, 
Shepiierd,  A 

others,     .         .  ) 

Shove,  Rev.  Seth,       . 
Silliman,Gold  Selleck, 
Smalley,  Rev.  John,  d.d. 
Smitli,  Rev.  Cotton  M. 
Slecl,UrV.  Stephen, 
Stiks,  Pres.  E/ra,      . 
Stiles,  Rev.  Isaac, 
Stone,  Rev.  Samuel, 
Strong,  Rev.  Nathan, 
Thaeher,  Partridge, 
Tliio(,pe,  Rl-v.  Amos, 
Tis.lal.',  N:ilhan, 
Ticai,  r.il.  Rwl.erl,    . 
'  Tiiimluill,  I'.etij.  P.  n. 
j  Trumbull,  M.ul.  I-ailli, 
j  Trumbull,  Ucv.  John, 
I  Trumbull,  Joiia.,  E.^q. 
Trumbull,  Jona.,  E.'^q. 
Trumbull,  Joseph, 
Tutile,  John  N. 
Uncas,  Samuel, 
AVelch,  Paul,     . 
Weller,  Lieut.  Thos. 
Welles,  Capt.  Gideon, 
Welles,  Wm.,  Esq.    . 
West,  Hon.  Zebulon, 
Wheeloek,  Mrs.  Sarah, 
Whitney,  Eli,     . 
Whittlesey,  Rev.  Saml. 
Williams,  Rev.Eleazer, 
Williams,  Hon.  Wm.  ' 
Winchester,   Rev.   El- 

hanan,     . 
Woleott,  Henry, 
Woleott,  Hon. "Roger. 


481 

420 

223 

lu; 

4^2 
107 
107 
193 
193 
3t;9 
513 


370 

3fil 

67 

495 

5 12 

ls2 

2  15 

60 

61 

4H1 

451 

211 
243 
325 
501 
324 


294 
480 
4.S6 
123 
93 
512 
'511 
184 
239 
553 


INDEX. 


Alexaiuler's  Lake,  origin  ol",  liadilion, 
Anarchiad  and  Eclio,  llaitluid, 
Ancient  House,  Guilt'unl, 
Anecdote,  freezuig  to  deaili, 
Anecdote  uCan  ill  natured  woman, 
Anecdote,  Revokiiionarv,  Bethel,     . 
Anecdote,  Walker  and  Reed,     . 
Apple  tree  at  Litchlielil,     . 
Arnold's  ollicial  account  of  expedition 

to  iS'ow  London,      .... 
Asj'lum  lor  Deal' and  Dumb,     . 

Banks  in  Hartford  am!  New  London, 
Barber,  lirst  white  woman  in  Conn. 
BeaiUe  ramil}^  murder  of, 
Bear  in  Harit'ord,      .... 
liear  stories,       ....     I'ST, 
Betliel,  Danbury,        .... 
Betts,  Capt.,  skirmish  at  Norwalk, 
Birmintxham,  Derby, 
Biri.a^iS'lrs.,  Iru/en'lo  death,      . 
l>ishop,  Sarah,  hermitos, 
Bis.sell,  Mr.  and  Indians, 
Black  Hall,  Lyme      .... 
Boston,  donation  sent  to,    . 
Boundary  between    Connecticut   ami 
Massachusells,       .         .         .     1IK», 
Brainerd,  David,  iiirlh-[)lace,     . 
Biitain,  New,  ]]eriii\,        . 
Buikley,  Rev.  I\Jr.,  anecdote  ol', 
Bull,  Capt.,  and  ALijor  Andioss, 
Bur;^'oyne's  deleat,  newsol',  ai  .Sharon, 
Burning  of  Danbury, 
Burning  of  Fairtield,  .■      .     S,")!, 

Canada  village,  CJushen,    . 
Cannon,  (oaken,)  liringof,  Hebron, 
Cannt)n  seen  in  the  air, 
Canterbury  Sehonl,  INliss  Crandall, 
Cat  Hole  pass,  RIeriden,    . 
Charter  of  Connecticut  granted, 
Charter  Oak,  Hartford,      . 
Chatliam  quarry  of  free  stone, 
Christ-ians,  account  of, 
Chuse,  Indian  sachem,  Derby, 
Clams,  Indian  method  of  preserving, 
Clifton,  Winchester,  .         .       ". 

■  Cobalt  mine  in  Chatham, 
Cogswell,  Dr.,  alleeling  anecdote  of. 
Coining  of  coppers  in  Conneeticui,  . 
College,  removal  of,  from  Saybruok, 
Connecticut,  derivation  of  the  name, 
Connecticut  River,  change  of  its  bed. 
Constitution  of  Connecticut,  ancient, 
Copper  mine,  Simsbuiy,    . 

Daggett,  President,  capture  of. 
Dark  day,  anecdote  respecting, 
Dark  Hollow,  Marlborough,     . 
Disease  among  (.aiile,  East  Haddam, 


Page. 
58 
336 
40 


431  Done,  Richard,  execution  of,     . 

50  Drought  at  Mohegan, 
211  Dutch  Point,  Hartford,      . 
lob 

111)  East  Haddam  Landing,     . 
371  Election  ceremonies,  Hartford, 
504  Elegy  on  the  burning  of  Fairfield, 
455  Elliot,  visit  to  the  Podunks, 

Emigrants  to  Nova  Scotia, 
275  Episcoi)al  society,  first  in  Connecticut,  405 

33  Essex,  borough  of,  Saybrook,    .         .     533 
lExecution  at  Reading,        .         .         •     39G 
287  Execution  of  Thomas  Goss, 
112  Extraordiuaiy  transactions,  Granby 
117 

55  Fair  Haven 

22.")  Fight  between  the  Narragansetts  and 
370     Nipmueks  iu  Killingly, 
3;t3  First  born  in  Connecticut,  (whites,) 
19b  Forests,  appearance  of, 

.')9  Fortune  telling 


525 
52 

355 
73 
79 


459 
9G 

158 

428 
59 
31 

80 


401)  Frog  Pond,  AVindham,  an  account  of,  447 


331  George  111.  proclaimed  k4ng,     . 

3G1  Greenludd  Hill,  Fairfield, 
Green  Woods,  Winchester, 

419Griswould,  Mr.,  taken  by  the  Indian 

517  Gun,  repcjii  of,  (tradition,) 
130 

305] Haddam  granite  quarries, 

53S  thiilsionn,  Simsbury, 

491  llcnman,  Mrs.,  remarkable  account  of 

300  lle>,sian  prisoners,  East  Windsor 

35 J  HiichcucUsville,  Baikhamsted, 
, I  looker,  Ilev.  Mr.,  speech  of,     . 

409  llumphieysville,  settlement  of, 

551  Huntington,  Dr.,  imposition  on, 

429| 

421  Indian,  killed  by  mistake, 

227'lndian  School,  Dr.  Wheelock's, 
19  Informer,  whipped  by  Arnold, 
13  Insciijition,  oldest  in  Connecticu 

519  Iron  works,  Norwich,  (ancient,) 

425| 

199  Judges'  Cave,  New  Haven, 

200j 

"  e  pirate. 


Ca 


501  K 

520J 
01 'La wes,  ca] 


ill,  of  Connecticut, 
to  Tobacco, 
lation  of  Gov.  Eaton, 
111,  anecdotes  of,     » 
113jLeesvill.',  East  Haddam,  . 
13  Letter  of  Rev.  John  Davenport  and 
Gov.  Eaton,  and  fac  simile,    . 
Levo,  Mrs.,  frozen  to  death,  Sliaron, 


532, Law  r 

539, Laws,  cum  pi 
9|Ledyard,  Jol 


164 
357 
502 
453 
102 

51G 
104 
,  409 

79 
4G() 

12 
199 
54C 

200 
544 
1G6 
132 

29-J:' 

151 


94 


2S 

IG 
17 

18 
49 
52& 

141 

494 


Main  Street,  Hartford,  plan  of, 
Mansfield,  Maj.  Moses, 


528iMap,  the  first  published, 


551 
532 


Marvin,  deacon,  anecdotes  of, 
Massacre  in  Fori  Giiiwold, 
Mather,  Rev.  Dr.,  capture  of,    . 
Mecliauicsville,  East  liaddam. 
Meeting,'  House,  fust  in  Connecticut, 
Meieoi,  fall  of,  m  AVes 
Met! 

ISlillenanans,     .... 
Mineral  Springs,  Stafibrd, 
Mission,  Moravian,  Kent, 
IMissiun  School,  Foreign,  Cornwall 
Mohei^ans,  present  slate  of, 
Mood  us  Noises,  East  liaddam, 
Mauler  at  Washington,     . 
Murder  of  Weaseopano,    . 


ooIJ  Sandcmaninns,  account  of, 
30')  Satan's  Kingiloni,  New  Hartford,      . 
37G  Saybrook  i'lalfoi  in,    .         .         .         . 
52(;jScataeook  Indians 

'1-2  Scpii  rales  at  Noith  Sionington, 
41(J^Sh;.kcrs,  in  Euhuld, 
list  Society,  llrst  m  N.  England,  401)  .Ship  seen  m  the  air, 

531  {sickness  at  Somers,   .         .         .         . 
555iSickness,  distressing,  at  Eetlilein, 
470:Si]k  manufacture,  Mansfield,    . 
4()'/:Silliinan,Ceneral,  capture  ()1,    . 
33H'Silvei  mine,  t)iange, 
5'JOjSun.sbury,  burning  of,  by  Indians,     . 
4i)b|Slave,  murder  bv  a,  .         .         . 

74|Slaves,  Mr.  Mal'bone's, 

iSiiow  storm,  account  of,  by  Winthroj 
lOOSunthport,  Fairlield, 
137;So\vhcag,  Sachem  at  I\Tiildleto\vn,    . 
KIHlSjialdinu',  J.  and  the  Indians,      . 
ir.DuSteamhuat,  Fifli's,    .         .         .         . 
ll.-);Stee|.  Ruck,  Washington, 
'27.'!  Stoningtuii,  attack  on, 
285  Storm  of  wind,  hail  and  rain,  Bozrah 
J 01  .Storm,  violent,  explosion,  &c.,  Derby 
ld7|S\vanip  light,  Narragansells, 


of, 


New  and  Old  Lights^ 
New  Haven  Conslitu 
New  Haven,  invasim 
Ne\\'  Haven  Planters 
Newinglon,  history  t)f, 
New  London,  burning  of. 
New  London,  queries  cuiicernin 
Newspaper,  first  in  New  Haven, 
Nicknames,       .... 

Nuble,  John,  first  settler.  New  Milford,  47(;j 

Noise,  remarkable,  heard  in  the  air,      4'2blTariirville,  Simsburv, 

iTendv-etMiamtain,  North  Branford 
Occum,  Sampson,  an  account  of,  339,  .'i44'Thanksi;i\  ing  defeiied,     . 
Oyster  Huts,  on  Milford  Point,  .     iJoSJTheafei-,  Jlartford,    . 

Theulogical  Jnstilute,  East  Wind 
Perfectionists,    ......     240 

Periodical  publications.  New  Haven, 
list  o|-,     .         .         .         .      ..-       .     180 

31 -J 

Jb) 

4fci4 
■ri 


Pe(juols,  expedition  agaiiLst, 

Plymouth  Hollow 

Pock,  Kine,  discovered,  &c. 
Podunk  Indians,  account  of,      .. 
Powder,  explosion,  Norwich,     . 
Printer,  (irst  in  Connecticut,     . 
Pristni,  Newgale,  CJranbv, 
Pi  isnu,S!:ue,  Weill. •rslirld,       . 
Pri.->on  ship,  Shelliehfs  aLCounl  uf,    . 
Punishment  of  the  wouden  horse, 
I'utiiam,  CJen. esca])e  of,  at  J  loise  Necli 
Putnam,  General,  monument,    . 
Putnam  and  the  wolf. 


Thom[JsoiiV'ille,  Enlield,    . 
Tin  ware,  first  mannlactured  in  Conn. 
Tryon's  Letter  to  Sir  Henry  Clinton, 
Type  fouiulery,  Buell's,     . 


% 


uack,  cancer,  epilajdi  on,  (poetry,) 
uackery  in  Willington,  • 


Records,  Hartford  town,  extracts, 
Ptccords,  New  Haven, 
Records,  Norwich,  town  of. 

Records,  Wetherslield,  do.         .  .  PJl 

Red  Hill  Indians,  Glasienbury,  .  55!! 

Regicides,  Golfe  and  Whalley,  150,  ^CI) 

Retreat  for  the  Insane,       .         .  .  3(i 

Robbery  at  Bethany,           .         .  .  18(1 

Robl.iery  at  Bethlem,           .         .  .  402 

Rocky  Hill,  Hartford,        .         .  .  3!) 

Ilogeriiies,          ....  271),  347 

Sachem's  Head,  origin  of  the  name,  21(; 
Salisbury,  Mr.,  account  of,  .  .  480 
Salisbury,  remarkable  occurrences  in,  489 
Samp  Mortar  rock,    ....    351 


Uncas  and  Miantonimoh, 
Uncas'  burial  ground,  Norwich, 
202' Uncas,  stratagem  of, 

283  j 
01  Vessel  built  by  Col.  Ha Isev,      • 
ill 
'jsr,  \Vad>\voiili,  Capl.  and  Col.  Flcteher, 

aliiW^adswoith  s  Tu\\  er, 
3Mi:Washingtoii  College, 
4101  Washington,  pioceedingson  the  death 
13a      of,  in  Hartlord,       .... 

Well,  ancieni.  East  Windsor,  . 
20H  Well,  caving  in  of,  Manchester, 
05is  Wellcr,  Lieut.  Thomas,  death  of, 

Weslevan  University,  Middletown, 

Westbruok,  in  Saybrook,  _ 
10-J!  Western  Reserve,      .... 
207!AVesimorelanil,  town  of,     . 


I'nf;c. 
301) 

47:j 

530 

471 

311 

84 

101 

554 

402 

552 

374 

247 

102 

548 

410 

,  281 

350 

507 

427 

81 

408 

315 

,  3U2 

,  203 


101 

210 

305 

50 

81 

,  o(; 

171 

532 

205 
204 


Whaling  Song,  bv  Doct.  Osborn,       . 
Wheeler,   Mis.   Mercy,   remarkable 
healing  of,       .         .         .         •         . 
Whitelield,  preaches  in  Sharon, 
Whitneyville,  Hamden,    . 
Wilkinson,  Jemima,  New  Mill'oid,^ 
Windsor  settlers,  names  of, 
Winsted,  111  Winchester, 
Witch  slojy.  East  Haven, 
Wolcuttville,  'I'orrington,  , 

Yale  College,  history  ol',    . 
Yellow  fever  in  New  London, 


38 

5H 

00 

510 
535 

28 
511 

435  ■ 
403 

2ro 

478 
127 


115 

2«8 


!('   i 


1:  ^ 


i     i 


I  '; 


nHHJf;j<jja«f»Jy<H*4.J».-J«e^lia 


!l     '-< 


rr  FH:-t::i 


—f:ff-^^^^ 


I  «■;■  r;:;^.,^ 


,    ^  -J-  / 


If    ^\A-7' 7''f    .   ,.    :-    V .r.,,  ; 


vx     v-'-^-A'  '         \         ■' 


L     iK'i  y'^"  rrv  Kv.r-"x/i 


V/^ 


-.    ■^' K'V 


W-i 


' 


ly^    h -. :„. 


•'.»    N    \>    •      ^ 


VJi  I 


41 


V 


f 


VI'  ^>  '•  ';  ^^  '-^'v'^-v': 


\  /ll 


s  '>   " 


:i-1-'1/f  :;';/:: 


j;.>':;-;. 


.    i' 


.%'    * 


,^' 


!■  >£Vf 


V.    " 


CONNECTICUT. 


OUTLINE     HISTORY. 

The  precise  time  when  the  country  now  comprising  Connecticut*  was 
first  visited  hy  lOuropeans,  cannot  now  be  ascertained.  It  is  probable, 
however,  it  was  (irst  visited  by  tlie  Dutch,  soon  after  ihey  began  their 
settlement  at  New  Amsterdam,  now  New  York,  in  16 15.  Whether 
tlie  Dutch  at  New  Netherlands,  or  the  people  at  New  Plymouth,  first 
discovered  the  river  Connecticut,  it  is  not  now  known.  Both  the  Dutch 
and  English  claimed  to  be  the  first  discoverers,  and  both  purchased  and 
made  a  settlement  of  the  lands  upon  it  nearly  at  the  same  time.  In 
16:J3,  William  Holmes  and  others  of  the  Plymouth  colonists,  having 
prepared  the  frame  and  other  materials  for  erecting  a  house,  put  them 
on  board  a  vessel  and  sailed  for  Connecticut.  When  he  came  into  the 
river,  he  found  that  the  Dutch  had  got  in  before  him,  proceeded  up  the 
river,  made  a  light  foit,  and  planted  two  pieces  of  cannon  on  Dutch 
Point  in  Hartford.  ^Vlthough  the  Dutch  threatened  to  fire  upon  him, 
Holmes  procecd(;d  up  the  river,  landed  on  the  west  side  of  the  Con- 
necticut, near  the  mouth  of  the  little  river  in  Windsor.  Here  he  erected 
his  house,  and  fortified  it,  being  it  is  said  (he  first  house  erected  in  Con- 
necticut. 

In  1G35,  a  number  of  people  from  Massachusetts  came  into  Con- 
necticut, and  made  preparations  for  settlements  at  Windsor,  Hartford, 
and  Wetherslitjld.  In  October  of  the  same  year,  about  sixty  men, 
women  and  children,  came  through  the  wilderness  from  Massachusetts 
to  Connecticut  river,  and  arrived  at  the  places  of  their  destination  on 
the  9th  of  Novcndier.f  after  a  journey  of  fourteen  days.  In  Novem- 
ber, Mv.  John  Winthrop,  who  had  a  commission  from  Lord  Say  ancjl* 
Seal,  Lord  Brook  and  others,  sent  a  party  of  twenty  men,  in  a  small  ves- 
sel of  about  30  tons,  from  Massachusetts,  took  possession  of  the  mouth  of 
the  Connecticut,  and  thus  prevented  the  Dutch  from  ascending  the  river. 

The  first  court  in  Connecticut  was  holden  at  Hartford,  April  26th, 
16-3G.  It  consisted  of  Roi^^er  Ludlow,  Esq.,  Mr.  John  Steel,  Mr.  Wm. 
Swaim,  Mr.  Wm.  Phelps,  Air.  Wm.  Wcstwood,  and  Mr.  Andrew  Ward. 
Mr.  Ludlow  hud,  in  1631,  been  chosen  lieutenant  "[overnor  of  Massa- 


♦  Conneclicut  diTives  ils  mime  iVom  tlie  river  by  which  it  is  intersected,  called  by 
the  nalives  (Jiiniiic/.f<;i  u/. ;  (riu3-l's  Indian  Wai's,  vV'c  p.  i'.T)  Tlu^  wiud,  accdrding  la 
sunie,  signilics  ///,•  /,>(/;•  rin  r  ;  it  has,  houover,  \u-x\\  si.iicd  by  nihci^,  ihal  ihe  mean- 
ing,'ci' Hie  word  is,  /.•,nriif  Putcs,  iuallusi.in  to  the  (uicsis  of  pines  lliat  lornici  ly  slood 

t  l^r.  llawes'  Centennial  Address,  1835. 

2 


10 


OUTLINE      HISTORY. 


chusetts  colony.  The  Connecticut  planters  at  first  settled  under  the 
general  government  of  Massachusetts,  but  they  lield  courts  of  their  own, 
which  consisted  of  two  principal  men  from  each  town.  On  great  occa- 
sions, these  were  joined  with  committees,  (as  they  were  called,)  con- 
sisting of  three  men  from  each  town.  These  courts  had  tlie  power  of 
transacting  the  connnon  affairs  of  the  colony  ;  they  also  had  the  power 
of  making  war  and  peace,  and  forming  alhances  with  the  natives  within 
the  colony.* 

There  were  three  courts  held  in  \Chi6  ;  the  principal  business  done 
in  them  related  principally  to  their  military  alTairs,  as  "  their  circum- 
stances were  such,  that  it  was  judged  necessary  for  every  man  to  be  a 
soldier."  The  first  court  was  held  in  Hartford,  as  has  been  related  ; 
the  second  was  holden  at  Windsor,  June  7th;  the  third  at  Weihersfield, 
on  the  1st  of  Se|)tember. 

In  the  month  of  June,  ]6'36,  IMessrs.  Hooker  and  Stone,  with  their 
company,  came  through  the  wilderness  to  Hartford.  'J'here  were,  at 
the  close  of  this  year,  says  Dr.  Trumbull,  about  two  hundred  and  fifty 
men  in  the  three  towns  on  the  river,  and  there  were  twenty  men  in  the 
garrison  at  the  entrance  of  it,  under  the  con)mand  of  Lieut.  Gardiner. 
The  whole  consisted,  probably,  of  about  800  ])ersons,  or  of  one  hundred 
and  sixty  or  seventy  families. 

Tiie  year  IG-'H  is  memorable  in  the  history  of  Connecticut,  on  ac- 
count of  the  Peijuot  war  and  the  destruction  of  that  warlike  tribe.  In 
the  year  163']  a  number  of  Indians,  in  confederacy  with  the  Pequots, 
murdered  Capt.  Stone  and  Capt.  Norton,  with  the  whole  of  their  crew, 
consisting  of  eight  men,  and  plundered  and  sunk  the  vessel.  Captain 
Stone  was  from  the  West  Indies,  and  came  into  Connecticut  river,  with 
a  view  of  trading  at  the  Dutch  House.  In  ]G:3G,  Capt.  Oldham  was 
killed  at  Block  Island,  where  he  w^ent  to  trade  :  several  of  the  murder- 
ers fled  to  the  Petpiots  and  were  protected  by  them,  and  were  there- 
fore considered  as  the  abettors  of  the  murdrr. 

The  murder  of  ('apt.  Oldham  induced  .M  a-acliused-  to  send  ninety 
men,  under  Capt.  Mudicott,  to  reduce  the  Indians  on  Block  Island,  and 
then  to  demand  of  the  l^njuols  the  murderers  of  Capt.  Stone  and  his 
crew,  and  a  tl)ousand  fathoms  of  wampnm  for  damages,  and  a  number 
.  of  their  children  as  hostages.  Capt.  Endicott  sailed  from  Boston  Aug. 
■*25th,  and  landed  on  the  island,  but  the  Indians  secreted  themselves  in 
swatnps  and  other  places,  where  they  could  not  he  found.  He  however 
destroyed  about  sixty  wigwams,  and  about  200  acres  of  corn.  Tlie 
party  then  sailed  to  Pequot,  now  New  London  harlior,  and  demanded 
satisfaction  for  the  murders  they  had  committed.  In  a  few  hours,  nearly 
three  hundred  Pequots  collocled  upon  the  shore,  but  nfiyr  having  fully 
learned  the  object  of  the  visit  they  withdiew,  and  instead  of  treating 
with  the  English,  they  shot  their  arrows  at  them.  He  landed  his  men 
on  both  sides  of  the  harbor,  burnt  their  wigwams,  and  killed  one  or  two 
Indians.  This  expedition  gave  great  dissatisfaction  to  the  ConncH-ticut 
settlers,  as  nothing  had  been  done  to  sidjckic,  but  enough  to  exasperate, 
a  hangiity  and  warlike  enemy. 


Dr,  TfambuII. 


OUTLINE       H  I  S  T  O  11  y  .  11 

The  Pequot  piince  Sassacus  and  liis  captains  were  men  of  hau(,flity 
and  independent  spirits  ;  they  had  conqnered  and  governed  the  Indian 
tribes  arountl  theni  witliont  control.  They  viewed  the  English  as  in- 
truders, and  they  were  determined  lo  extirpate,  or  drive  them  from  the 
country.  For  this  purpose  they  endeavored  to  unite  the  Indians  against 
ihem  :  they  spaied  no  pains  to  make  peace  with  the  Narraganseits,  and 
to  engage  them  against  the  Elngiish.  The  governor  of  AJassachusetts, 
to  prevent  a  union  between  these  tribes,  sent  for  Miantonimoh,  their 
child*  sachem,  with  some  other  chief  men  of  the  nation,  who  came  to 
Hoston,  and  niade  a  treaty  of  peace  willi  the  Engiisli. 

Tlie  l\'(juots  continued  l)Obtile  duiing  the  year  1636,  and  killed  a 
numlier  of  pcriona  in  various  places,  and  during  a  greater  part  of  the  win- 
ter following  k(,'j)t  the  furt  at  Sayhrook  in  a  state  of  siege.  When  the 
spring  catne  on,  ihey  became  still  more  troublesotne.  They  waylaid 
llie  roads  and  fields,  and  kept  the  whole  colony  in  a  state  of  alarm. 
Tlie  settlers  could  neither  hunt,  fish  or  cultivate  their  fields,  but  at  the 
peril  of  llieir  lives,  and  their  prospects  were  dark  and  gloomy  in  the 
extreme.  In  this  important  crisis,  a  court  was  summoned  at  Hartford, 
on  Monday  the  Jst  of  IMay.  As  they  were  to  deliberate  on  matters 
^vliich  concerned  the  very  existence  of  the  colony,  the  towns  for  the 
first  time  sent  committees.  The  mngisirates  were  Roger  I^udlow,  Esq. 
Messrs.  Wells,  Swaim,  Steel,  l-*liulps,  and  W^nrd.  The  committees  were 
Messrs,  Whiting,  Webbter,  Williams,  Hull,  Chaplin,  Talcott,  GeOords, 
.Mitchell,  and  .Sherman.  The  court,  considering  that  tlie  Pequots  had 
killed  nearly  thirty  of  the  English,  determined  that  olfensive  war  should 
l)C  immediately  carried  on  against  them.  For  this  [)urpose  they  voted 
that  1)0  men  should  be  raised  forthwith  ;  42  from  Hartford,  30  from 
Windsor,  and  JH  liom  Wethersfield. 

Tlio  rcpDilof  the  imirdeis  committed  by  the  Petjuots,  roused  the 
otfjer  colonics  in  spirited  exertions  against  the  common  enemy.  IVTas- 
gachiJiCtts  determined  to  send  200,  and  Plymouth  40  men,  to  aid  Con- 
necticut in  prosecuting  the  war.  Capl.  Patrick',  with  40  men,  was  sent 
forward  before  tlie  other  troops  from  jNTassachusetts  and  Plymouth 
could  be  ready  to  march,  in  order  to  make  a  junction  with  the  soldiers 
from  Connecticut. 

On  Wednesday  the  10th  of  May,  1637,  the  troops  of  Connecticut 
fell  down  the  river  to  Sayhrook,  on  board  a  pink,  a  pinnace,  and  a  shal- 
lop. Their  force  consisted  of  90  Englishmen,  commanded  by  Capt. 
•lolin  IMason,  and  accompanied  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Stone  as  chaplain. 
They  were  also  accompanied  by  Uncas,  sachem  of  the  Mohegans  with 
about  70  frieniily  Indians.  The  troops  arrived  at  Sayhrook  fort  on 
Monday  the  15th.  As  there  was  some  delay  in  passing  down  the  river, 
the  Indians  desired  to  be  set  on  shore,  promising  to  join  the  English  at 
Sayhrook.  On  their  way  they  fell  in  with  about  40  of  the  enemy,  near 
the  fort,  killed  seven  and  took  one  prisoner,  whom  they  put  to  death  in 
tlie  most  barbarous  manner.  On  the  lOtli  of  IMay,  Capt.  Mason  sailed 
for  the  Narragansett  country,  where  he  arrived  the  next  day.  Being 
joined  by  2i)i)  iXarragansetts,  he  proceeded  to  the  Pequot  country,  and 
on  the  '.26th  of  May  attacked  the  Pequot  fort  by  surprise.     This  fort 


12  O  U  T  L  I  N  i:       11  I  ST  (M(  Y. 

was  situated  in  the  present  town  of  Groion.  'J^'he  reader  is  referred  to 
the  history  of  that  town,  for  an  account  of  the  destruction  ul'  the  lijrt 
and  the  events  which  followed. 

The  following  address  to  the  soldiers  who  were  engaged  in  the  ex- 
pedition against  the  Pequots,  is  generally  ascribed  to  the  Rev.  INlr. 
Hooker.  Be  this  as  it  may,  it  is  a  valuable  specimen  of  the  eloquence 
of  the  times,  and  worthy  of  preservation.  It  is  found  in  the  "  Wonder- 
working Providence  of  Zion's  Saviour  in  New  JMigland,"  printed  in 
London,  in  1658:  the  following  is  copied  from  that  work,  the  orthog- 
raphy being  retained.  The  narrator  says — "  the  souldiers  arriving  in 
salety  at  the  towne  of  Hartford,  were  encouraged  by  the  reverend  min- 
isters there  with  some  such  speech  as  Ibllowes." 

"Felluvv-souldiers,  Conntry-mon,  ami  Companions  in  this  wiklcinfs.M'  woike,  uiio 
are  ^ailiereii  logether  this  day  by  the  inevitable  providence  of  the  ;,'iLat  Jehuvah,  nut 
in  a  tumultuous  manner,  liunied  on  tiy  the  tjoalinir  lancy  ofevciy  hi^'h  liol-headcil 
braiae,  whu!?e  actions  prove  abortive,  or  il'any  truit  brou'^'lit  Ibrih,  it  liaili  beene  rape, 
theft,  and  inujther,  tlungs  iiiconsislinf,'  with  nature's  light,  then  much  h'S'-e  with  a 
Souhiier's  valour;  but  you,  my  deare  hearts,  puiposely  pickt  out  by  the  godly  giave 
Fathers  of  this  government,  that  your  provvesse  may  carry  on  the  woi  I:,  where  liiure 
justice  in  her  righteous  course  is  ob^liaietcd,  you  need  not  question  your  amhoniy  lo 
execute  those  whom  God,  the  righteous  judge  of  all  the  world,  liath  eotideiiincd  l^.r 
blaspiieming  hissaered  Majesty,  and  rnurthering  liis  Servants:  every  common  Soul- 
dier  amtmg  you  is  now  installed  a  Magistrate;  then  shew  yourselves  men  of  cour- 
age: I  would  not  draw  low  the  height  of  your  enemies'  hatred  against  V"ii,  and  so 
debase  your  valour.  This  you  may  expecl,  thcii'  swelling  pride  huth  hi  id  the  foui.d- 
alion  of  large  conceplioni  against  you  and  all  the  people  ol  (Jhrisl  m  lliis  wihlerncsse, 
even  as  wide  as  Habel  s  bottome.  liut,  my  brave  rfouldiers,  it  linth  mounted  alreatly 
to  the  clouds,  and  therel'ore  it  is  ripe  for  confusion;  alsu  their  cruellie  is  tamously 
linowne,  yet  all  true  bred  Souldiers  reserve  this  as  a  comnu)n  maxime,  cruelly  and 
cowardice  are  unseparai)le  com|i;inioiis;  and  in  briefe,  theie  is  nothing  wanting  on 
your  enemies'  part,  that  mny  tieprive  you  of  a  compleat  victoiy,  oiicly  their  iiimble- 
ness  of  foot,  and  the  unaecessible  swamps  and  nut  tree  woods,  forth  of  which  your 
small  numbers  may  intice,  and  industry  compell  them.  And  now  to  you  I  put  the 
question,  who  would  not  fight  in  such  a  cause  with  au  agile  spirii,  aiid  uiid aunted 
boldnesse  ?  Yet  if  you  look  for  further  encouragement,  I  iiave  it  loi-  you  ;  rii;lits  ami 
honor  are  the  next  to  a  Li-ood  cau-^e  eved  li\-  e\eiy  SuhMi'm-,  Io  niuiii!;iin  yuur  cjwne, 
andsp.nle  vom  eiicmu's  of  iheiis;  :ililuMi-h   -uUi    ami  s,U  rr  be  w:niiing  I,,  eiiher   of 

and  new  purchased  freeiiumcs,  priviledges,  and  inn ilies  ol    the  mdcuied  servants 

of  oiu'  Lord  Christ  Jesus,  ami  of  your  second  selves,  even  your  allectioiialed  bosume 
mates,  together  with  the  chicle  pledges  of  your  love,  the  comfoiting  contents  of  harm- 
lesse  pratling  and  smiling  babes;  and  in  a  word,  all  the  riches  of  that  goodncsse  and 
mercy  that  attends  the  people  of  God  in  the  mjoyment  of  Christ,  in  his  ordiiuinees, 
even  in  this  life;  anil  as  for  Injiiour,  David  was  not  to  be  blamed  for  eiKpiiing  after 
it,  as  a  due  recompence  of  that  true  valour  the  Lord  had  bestowed  on  him  :  iiiul  now 
the  Lord  hath  prepared  this  honour  for  you,  oh  you  couragiou,-,  Souldiers  of  his,  to 
execute  vengeance  upon  the  he;iihen,  and  correciinn  amon.i,'  ihe  people,  in  binde  Ihcir 
Kings  in  chaines  antl  Nobles  in  tetters  o(  Iron,  that  ihev  may  execuie  upon  ihem  the 
judgments  that  are  written  !  this  honour  shall  be  to  all  his  Saints,  but  some  ol  you 
may  suppose  death's  stroke  may  cut  you  short  of  this:  let  every  failhlul  Souldier  of 
Christ  Jesus  know,  that  the  cause  why  some  of  his  endeared  Servants  are  lalcen  aw  ay 
by  death  in  a  just  warre  (as  this  assuredly  is)  it  is  not  because  ihey  should  fall  sluirL 
of  the  honoin's  accompanying  such  noble  designes,  but  rather  because  eaiih's  hoiinurs 
are  two  scant  for  them,  and  therel'ore  the  eveila>iiiig  Croun  must  be  set  upon  iheir 
heads  forthwith,  then  march  on  wilh  a  cheerliill  Chu.-'iian  coningc  in  the  slrennih  of 
the  Lord,  and  the  |)(iwer  of  his  might,  who  will  foi  iliwiih  inclose  your  enemies  m 
your  hands,  make  their  muliiiiide  lall  under  youi  uailike  weapons,  and  your  leei 
sliall  soon  be  set  on  iheir  pidiid  necks." 

The  Pef|uot  war,  though  so  signally  sufccssdil,  was  sevciely  fuk  Iiy 
the  ialiabitciut.s ;  the  consequence  was  a  scarcity  itnd  debt,  which  it  was 


O  i;  T  L  I  N  K      II  I  S  'i'  O  R  V  .  13 

extremely  diincult  to  pay.  The  Court  were  (jbli;i,e(l  to  impose  a  ta>i 
of  £550,  to  be  immediately  collected,  to  defray  tlie  expenses  of  the 
war.  This  appears  to  have  been  the  tirst  public  tax  in  Connecticut. 
As  the  inhabitants  were  much  distressed  by  the  want  of  corn,  a  com- 
mittee was  sent  to  an  Indian  settlement  called  Potomcock,  since  Deer- 
field,  where  they  purchased  such  quantities,  tliat  the  Indianscame  down 
to  Windsor  and  Hartford  with  fifty  canoes  at  one  time.'^^  This  \\as  con- 
sidered as  a  ^MX'at  deliverance  by  pious  people  at  lh;.t  period. 

Tlie  pursuit  of  the  Peipiots  to  the  westward  led  to  an  acijuainlance 
will)  (lu;  lands  du  the  sea-coast,  liom  Say  brook  to  Faiilield.  It  was 
reported  lo  be  a  veiy  fine  country.  'J'his  I'uvoirJjJe  report  iiuhiced  jMr. 
F.aloii,  Mr.  Hojikins,  tiio  Uev.  .Mr.  Davenport,  and  others,  who  emi- 
Rratt'd  fioin  London  lo  Massachusetts,  in  1037,  lo  think  of  this  part  of 
llic  coiinlry  as  ihe  jiku-e  of  tlieir  settlement.  Their  friends  in  Alassa- 
cliusc'ils,  extremely  unwillin;;  lo  jiait  with  acomjiany  of  such  respecta- 
bility, endeavored  lo  dissuade  them  from  their  purpo.=;e.  Influenced, 
however,  by  the  invitin^^  prospects  which  the  couniry  promised,  and 
flattering  themselves  that  they  should  he  out  of  tlie  jurisdiction  of  the 
other  colonies,  and  that  they  should  be  able  to  form  such  a  government 
as  woidd  be  most  aL^reeable  to  them,  they  determined  to  proceed.  Ac- 
{•ordin'jly,  on  the  30tli  of  March,  l(V38,  they  sailed  from  Boston  for 
(Juinnipiac,  now  New  Haven,  and  laid  the  f(jundation  of  a  tlourishing 
colony. 

The  inbabltanis  of  Hartford,  Windsor  and  Weihersfield,  finding  them- 
selves without  the  limits  of  the  Massachusetts  [)atent,  fuiincd  themselves 
inio  a  distinct  commonwealth.  On  the  Idth  of  January,  1039,  all  the 
frci;  planters  convened  at  Hartford,  and  adojiled  a  constilution  of  civil 
i;ovtTnment.  'l"he  fullowini^f  is  the  preand^le  and  constitution  adopted 
at  liiii  ii(ne. 

"  riora.Mu:i.:li  ;i.s  it  li:itli  plcas>>(l  iliu' Aliiii-I.ly  Cio.l,  l.y  l!ie  v,  i-j  i!i>po  .i:i'.ii  of  his 
iliviae  iMoviiicncf,  so  lv»  ouler  ami  iii>|>oM;  of  tliinf;*,  lli.ii  wi-  il.i.'  Ilihi^lllIiUll^  and  K•^i- 
licnts  uf  \Vintisi)r,  llnrirord  nnil  \VoiillH'i>reil(.l,  mo  nowculialiiiiiij,',  aini  ilwclliiig  in 
and  ii|)j)uii  llic  river  ol  ComieiictiU,  nml  ilie  lauds  ihciclo  adjuuiiiif^,  ami  well  kimw- 
iiif,'  when  a  pouplc  arc  >^uihoi\(l  iDgftlifr,  tiie  wurd  of  (Jod  requires,  iliai  lo  mciniL-ine 
Ilie  pt-acu  and  nnidn  ol'.siicii  a  iieopli.',  lliere  should  bee  an  ordtily  and  deceni,  tro\eine- 
incnt  eslablished  according  to  God,  lo  order  and  di.-po>e  of  the  all'aues  ol'  the  |ieo|ile 
ai  all  seasons  as  oecassnui  j-hall  rcqnii-e;  doe  ihercfuic  asscciiitc  and  ccjiijoinc  oui-- 
scU'es  lo  bee  as  oiii;  jiublHiui' S'r.vi'K  or  (.'oivimo.nwk u/j  u  ;  and  dec  lur  oniselvcs  anil 
our  snccessors,  and  suidi  a.^  shall  bee  adjoined  lo  us  al  any  lime  hercalier  eiilcr  mlo 
combinaii.in  and  cuiilei.!i:ration  toj^eihi.i',  to  nicinleiiie  and  pi  oei  vc  ihe  iildicrly  ami 
purity  of  the  Liospell  ol'  our  Loid  Jesus,  which  ue  now  prolc^s^  as  aho  the  discipline 
of  ih'e  churches,  which,  accoiding  to  the  Uuili  of  the  said  Go^pell,  is  now  pracii.-.ed 
amongst  us  ;  as  allso  in  our  civill  allaircs  to  lie  guided  and  govci  ncd  ;,ccoidiiig  to  sucli 
hiwes,  lules,  orders,  and  decrees,  as  shall  bee  made,  ordered,  and  dccuctl,  as  lollowetli: 

"  1.  U  isurcltrcl,  icnttaccd,  and  decried,  Thai  ihere  shall  bee  ycaily  tuoGeiierall 
Assembly's  or  Courts,  the  cjiie  the  second  I'lniisday  in  Aprill,  the  (jthcr  the  sccoiid 
Thursday  in  Seplcinber  following:  The  lirsl  shall  be  called  the  Couite  of  Election, 
wlierein  shall  bee  yearly  chosen,  I'rom  time  lu  lime,  so  many  magistiates  and  olher 
publique  ollicers,  as  shall  bee  found  requl^ite,  uiiereof  one  to  be  cliosen  Governor  for 
the  year  ensuing,  and  until  another  bee  chosen,  and  no  other  magistiaie  to  bee  cho- 
sen for  more  then  one  yeare;  provided  always,  there  bee  six  clmsen  besides  ihe  Gov- 
ernor, which  being  chosen  and  sworne,  according  to  an  oath  recordeii  for  that  pur- 
jiose,  shall  have  [Jower  to  administer  justice  according  to  the  laues  heie  establisiietl, 


Mason's  History. 


11  OUTLINK      HISTORY. 

and  for  want  thereof,  according  to  the  rule  of  ilie  word  of  G(h1;  which  choyce  shall 
bee  made  by  all  that  are  adinitleil  Freemen,  and  have  taken  the  oath  ol'  hdelily,  and 
do  cohabit  within  this  jiirissdicliun,  having  beene  adniuied  inliabitanis  by  the  major 
parte  of  the  town  where  ihey  live  or  tlie  major  pane  ol'such  as  shall  bee  then  present. 

"2.  It  is  urdcred,  sentenced,  and  decreed,  That  llie  Election  ot'  the  aforesaid  magis- 
trate shall  bee  on  this  manner;  every  person  pieseiii  and  ([ualificd  for  choyce,  shall 
bring  in  (lo  the  persons  deputed  to  receive  ihem)  one  single  paper,  with  the  name  of 
him  written  in  it  whom  he  desires  tu  have  GuveVnor,  and  hee  that  hath  the  greatest 
number  of  papers  shall  bee  Governor  for  that  yeare:  And  liie  rest  of  the  Magistrates 
or  pubiiqLie  officers,  lobe  chosen  in  this  manner;  the  Secretary  for  tlie  lime  being, 
shall  hrst  read  the  names  of  all  that  are  to  bee  juit  to  chovce,  and  then  shall  severally 
nominate  them  distinctly,  and  every  one  that  v\ould  havelhe  peison  nominated  to  bee 
chosen,  shall  bring  in  one  single  paper  written  u|)pon,  and  hee  that  would  nut  have 
him  chosen,  shall  bring  in  a  blanke,  and  every  one  that  hath  more  written  pajjcrs  ihan 
blanks,  shall  bee  a  magistiate  for  that  yeare,  which  papers  shall  bee  received  and  told 
by  one  or  more  that  shall  bee  then  chosen,  by  ihe  Courte,  and  sworn  lo  bee  laithfuU 
therein  ;  but  in  case  there  should  not  bee  six  persons  as  aforesaid,  besides  ihe  Gover- 
nor, out  of  those  which  are  nominated,  then  hee  or  they  which  have  the  rnu.st  written 
papers,  shall  bee  a  Magistrate  or  Magistrates  for  the  en.suing  \care,  to  make  up  the 
albresaid  number. 

"3.  //  is  ordered,  sentenced,  and  decreed.  That  the  .Secretary  shall  not  nominate  any 
person,  nor  shall  any  peison  bee  chosen  newly  into  ihe  Magistracy,  wIulIi  was  not 
propounded  in  some  General  Courte  belure,  to  bee  nominated  the  next  election  :  And 
to  thai  end,  it  shall  be  lawfull  fof  each  of  ihe  Towncs  aluresaid,  by  their  Dejuities, 
to  nominate  any  two  whoe  ihey  conceive  lilt  to  be  put  to  election,  and  the  Courte  may 
add  so  many  more  as  they  judge  rccjui.stle. 

"4.  It  is  ordered,  scnleitced,  and  decreed,  Thal'no  person  bee  chosen  Governor  above 
once  in  two  years,  and  that  the  Governor  bee  always  a  member  of  some  approved  con- 
gregation, and  formerly  ol  the  magistrac}^,  within  this  .Turissdiction.  and  all  the  Ma- 
gistrates, (freemen  of  this  Commonwealth  ;  and  that  no  Magistrate  or  other  publiipie 
Officer,  shall  execute  any  parte  ol'  his  ortheire  office  before  Uiey  are  severally  swoine, 
which  shall  bee  done  in  the  face  of  the  Coune,  if  they  bee  present,  and  in  case  of  ab- 
sence by  some  deputed  for  that  purpose. 

"5.  it  is  urdcred,  sentenced,  and  decreed,  That  lo  the  albresaid  Courle  of  Election, 
the  severall  Townes  shall  send  iheire  Deputies,  and  when  the  fllcciions  are  ended 
they  may  proceed  in  any  publique  service,  as  at  other  Courlcs  ;  allso,  the  other  Gen- 
erall  Courle  in  September,  shall  bee  lor  making  of  lawes  and  any  other  publique 
occassion,  which  concerns  ihe  good  of  the  Commonwealth. 

"  G.  It  IS  ordered,  sentenced,  and  decreed,  That  the  Governor  shall,  either  by  himselfe 
or  by  the  Secretary,  send  out  summons  to  the  Constables  of  every  Towiie,  for  the  call- 
ing of  these  two  standing  Courts,  one  month  at  h.Msi  before  iheire  seveiall  liine.-,:  And 
allso,  if  the  Governor  ami  the  greatest  parte  of  lUc  m  iLri^iiaies  see  cause,  uppon  any 
speciall  occassion,  lo  call  a  Generall  Courle,  th.y  m  iv  give  order  lo  the  Secretary  so 
to  doe,  withm  foiirlernc  dayes  warning,  and  if  urgi m  necessity  so  lequire,  uppon  a 
shorter  notice,  giving  sullicient  grounds  for  it,  to  The  Deputys,  when  they  meete,  or 
else,  bee  (juestioneil  for  the  same;  and  if  tlie  Olovenior  and  major  parte  of  the  Magis- 
trates, shall  either  neglect  or  refuse,  to  call  the  two  Generall  standing  Courts,  or  either 
of  them  ;  as  allso,  at  other  limes,  when  the  occassions  of  the  Commonwealth  require  ; 
the  Freemen  thereof,  or  the  major  parte  of  them,  shall  petition  to  ihem  so  to  doe,  if 
then  it  bee  either  denied  or  neglected,  the  said  Freemen  or  the  major  pane  of  them, 
shall  have  power  to  give  order  lo  the  Constables  of  the  severall  Towns  lo  doe  the 
same,  and  so  many  meele  together  and  choose  to  themselves  a  moderator,  and  may 
proceed  to  doe  any  act  of  power  which  any  other  Geneiall  Courle  may. 

"  7.  //  is  ordered,  sentenced,  and  decreed,  That  after  there  are  warrants  given  out  for 
any  of  the  said  Generall  Courts,  the  Constable  or  Constables  of  each  Towneshall  Ibrlh- 
with  give  nolice  distinctly  to  ihe  inhabilants  of  tlie  same,  in  some  publique  Assembly, 
or  by  going  or  sending  from  howse  lo  howse,  that  at  a  jilace  and  time,  by  hiin  or  them 
limited  and  sell,  ihey  ineele  and  a.ssemble  iheniseh  es  together,  lo  elect  and  choose  cer- 
laine  Deputies,  to  bee  at  llie  generall  Courle  then  following,  lo  agitate  the  allaires  of 
the  Commonwealth  ;  v.hichsaid  Deputies,  shall  bee  chosen  by  all  that  are  admitted 
inhabilants  in  the  severall  Towns  and  have  taken  the  oath  of  lideliiy  ;  provided,  that 
none  bee  chosen  a  Deputye  for  any  Generall  Courte  which  is  nol  a  Freeman  of  this 
Commonwealth:  The  aforesaid  De|)ntyes  shall  bee  chosen  in  manner  following:  Ev- 
ery person  that  is  piescnl  and  qualilied  as  before  expressed,  shall  bring  the  names  of 
such  wrilten  in  severall  papers,  as  ihey  desiie  to  have  chosen,  for  that  employment; 
and  these  three  or  Ibure,  more  or  less,  being  the  number  agreed  on  lo  bee  chosen,  lor 
kijr;         that  time,  that  have  greatest  number  of  papers  written  for  them,  shall  be  Depulyes 


OUTLINE     HISTORY.  15 

for  that  CoHrte;  whose  names  shall  be  indorsed  on  the  backside  of  the  warrant  and 
returned  into  the  Courle,  svith  the  Constable  or  Constables  hand  unto  the  same. 

"8.  It  is  ordered,  sentenced,  and  decreed,  That  Wyndsor,  Hartford  and  Wealhers- 
feild,  shall  liave  power,  each  Towne,  to  send  foure  of  theire  Freemen  as  iheire  Depu- 
tyes,  to  every  Geneiall  Courte,  and  whalsoe\'er  other  To\\'nes  shall  bee  herealter 
added  to  this  JurisMliction,  they  shall  send  so  many  Depulyes,  as  the  Courte  shall 
judf,'e  meete:  a  reasonable  proportion  to  tlie  number  of  Freemen,  that  are  in  the  said 
Towns,  being  to  bee  attended  therein;  which  Dejiutyes  shall  have  the  power  of  the 
whole  Towne,  to  give  iheire  voates  and  allowance  to  all  such  lawes  and  orders,  as 
may  bee  for  the  publique  good,  and  unto  which  the  said 'J'owns  are  to  bee  bound: 
And  it  is  allso  ordered,  that  if  any  Depulyes  shall  bee  absent  uppon  such  occassions, 
as  the  Governor  for  the  time  being,  shall  approve  of,  or  by  the  Providence  of  God, 
shall  decease  this  life  wiihin  the  adjoiirnmcni  of  any  Courte,  that  it  shall  bee  at  the 
hbberiye  of  the  Governor  to  send  forth  a  wairant,  in  such  case,  for  supi)ly  thereof  up- 
pon reasonable  warning. 

"  'J.  //  (5  iirden'd,  n: iitenced ,  and  decreed,  That  the  Depntyes  thus  chosen,  shall  have 
power  and  lib!"  ny,  lo  app.iini  a  lime  ami  [ilace  ul  mceiing  together,  befoie  any  Gen- 
eral! Courle,  tu  advibc  ami  ciinsullc  nl  all  such  ihingcs  as  may  concerne  the  good  of 
the  publii)ue;  as  allso  lo  examine  iheire  owne  Elections,  whether  according  lo  the 
order;  and  if  ihey  or  the  greatest  parte  of  ihein,  linde  any  electiuii  to  be  illegall,  they 
may  seclude  su(di  for  present,  from  theire  meclmge,  and  relume  the  same  and  iheire 
reasons  to  the  fUuirle;  and  if  it  proove  true,  the  Courte  may  fyne  the  party  or  pariyes 
so  intruding,  and  the  'I'owne  if  tiiey  see  cause,  and  give  out  a  warrant  to  goe  to  a  new 
election  in  a  legall  way,  either  in  parte  or  in  whole.  Allso  the  said  Dcputyes  shall 
liave  i)i)wer  to  I'yne  any  that  .shall  bee  disorderly  at  theiie  meeting,  or  for  not  coming 
in  due  lime  or  jilace,  according  lo  appointment,  ami  ihey  may  relurne  the  said  fyne 
inio  the  Courle,  if  it  bee  refused  lo  bee  pfiid,  and  the  'I'reasurer  to  lake  notice  of  it, 
and  to  eslreite  or  levye  as  hee  doth  other  lynes. 

"  10.  //  is  ordered,  sentenced,  and  decreed,  That  every  gcnerall  Courte,  (except  such 
as  through  neglect  of  the  Governor  and  the  greatest  parte  of  Magistrates,  the  Free- 
men themselves  doe  call,)  shall  cimsisle  of  the  (governor  or  some  one  chosen  lo  mode- 
rule  the  Cuurle,  and  Ibure  other  Alagisirales  at  least,  with  the  major  parte  of  the  JJepu- 
lyes  of  the  several  Towns  legally  chosen,  and  in  case  the  Freemen  or  the  major  parte 
of  lliein,  through  neglect  or  refusall  of  the  Governor  and  major  parte  ot  the  Magis- 
Iralcs,  shall  call  a  Courte,  it  shall  consisle  of  the  major  p-^rte  of  Freemen,  that  are 
present,  or  iheir  Depuiyes,  with  a  moderator  chosen  by  them,  in  which  said  Generali 
(/'imrii,  shall  consisle  the  Supninc  power  of  the  Connnon  wealth,  and  they  onely  shall 
have  power  tu  make  lawes  and  repcale  ihein,  to  graunt  levyes,  to  admilt  of  Freemen, 
dispose  Lif  hiiiils  niidi-p'isiil  (d',  to  sevei  all  Tow  lis  or  persons  ;  and  allso,  shall  have 
p«>ucr  M  call  ciiln'i  C.ume  or  .M.igi^-liale,  or  tiny  other  person  whatsoever  into  ques- 
liori  for  liny  misdeim.-anor,  and  may  fur  such  cause,  displace,  ordeale  otherwise,  ac- 
cordmi;  tut'lie  nainietd'ihe  oll'ent  c;  and  all.n)  may  tleale  in  any  olher  mailer  ihal  con- 
^crne^  the  j:""d  i>f  thi.s  Commonwealth,  except  eleriion  uf  Alagisiiaies,  which  shall 
<>ec  done  by  the  whole  body  (d'  Fireemcn  ;  in  which  (auirts  the  Governor  or  Modera- 
tor shall  ha\'e  the  ))ower  lo  (Uiler  the  Courle,  lo  give  libberiye  of  Speech,  and  silence 
unreasonable  ami  disonlerly  s(ie:iking,  to  put  all  ihings  lo  voate,  and  in  case  the  voale 
bee  eqiiall,  to  have  the  casting  voice:  Bui  none  of  these  Courts  shall  bee  adjourned  or 
dissolved  without  the  consent  of  tlie  major  parte  of  the  Courte.  Provided,  notwith- 
smnding,  that  the  Govern(n-  or  Deputy  Governor,  with  two  Magistrates,  shall  have 
power  to  ki.'e|)e  a  Periicular  Cuuile  according  lo  the  lawes  established  :  And  in  case 
tlie  Goveinor  or  De))nly  Governor  bee  absent,  or  some  way  or  other  incapable  either 
to  silt  or  lo  bee  present;  if  three  Magistrates  meete  and  chuse  one  of  Uiemselves  to 
bee  a  Moilerator,  they  may  keepe  a  Periicular  Courte,  which  to  all  ends  and  purposes 
shall  bee  deemed  as  legall  as  ihough  the  Governor  or  Deputy  did  silt  in  Courte. 

•'  11.  It  is  ordered,  sentenced,  inid  decreed,  That  when  any  Generali  Courte,  uppon 
the  occassions  of  the  Cominonweallh,  have  agreed  uppon  any  summ  or  summs  of 
monye,  to  be  Icvyed  upon  the  severall  Townes  wiihin  this  Juris.sdiciion,  thai  a  Co- 
niittei"  bee  chosen,  lo  sett  out  and  appoint,  what  shall  bee  the  proportion  of  every 
'I'owne  lo  pay  of  the  said  h-vye;  Provided  the  Comiliee  bee  made  up  of  an  cquail 
number  out  of  each  Towne."* 


♦  The  eleven  preceding  sections  were  "  voaled"  or  enacted  at  a  General  Court,  held 
.Ian.  1  lih,  lliiW;  and  ihe  iHovisu.n  following  was  added  at  the  revision  in  1(150.  This 
Coiisiitutioi)  was  c(.ipii'd  lioia  ihe  oiiginal  lecoids  m  ilic  Secretary  of  Stale's  ollice: 
the  ancient  oiihogiaphv  is  retained,  h'or  this,  the  aiiihor  is  indebted  to  a  compilation 
of  the  earliest  lawsj  ike',  m  Connecticut,  published  by  Mr.  Andrus  of  Hartford  in  1830. 


1  G  O  U  T  I-  I  N  K      It  I  S  T  O  R  Y  . 

"Flbiasmiicli  as  llie  free  fruilion  of  biK)i  libhurlios,  ininninities,  priviled'^es,  as  hn- 
manilv,  civility  and  Chri^iiaiiity  call  for,  us  (iiie  to  evciy  inau  in  his  place  and  pro- 
portion, witliDiit  inipciicliinent  and  infrinL'einent,  hall)  ever  heene  and  ever  uill  bee 
the  tran(pnlliiy  and  .subillity  of  Cluirche-i^ind  Coniinoiiwealthb;  and  the  denyall  or 
deprivall  thereof,  the  diMui  I'ance,  if  not  mine  of  both; 

'•  1-i.  II  is  tlicrcjiire  urdcicd  by  this  Cuu/lc,  and  autkufihi  thereof.  That  no  man's  life 
shall  bee  (alien  au'iiy;  no  man's  honor  or  f^'ood  name  shall  bee  stained;  no  man's  per- 
son shall  bee  arrested,  jestreined,  bannished,  dismembred,  nor  any  way  punnished  ; 
no  man  shall  bee  deprived  of  his  wife  or  children;  no  man's  goods  or  estates  shall  bee 
taken  away  from  htm  nor  any  ways  indatnmat(eil,  under  colour  of  law,  or  countenance 
of  aulhorilv;  unless  it  bee  by  Ihe  verlue  or  equity  of  some  express  law  of  the  Country 
warranting  the  same,  established  by  a  Lienerall  Courie  and  sufficiently  published,  ur 
in  case  of  the  delect  of  a  law,  in  any  pellicular  ease,  by  the  word  of  God." 

Agreeable  to  the  Constitution,  the  freemen  convened  at  Hartford  on 
the  second  Thursday  in  April,  1639,  and  elected  their  officers  for  the 
year  ensuing.  John  Hayni:s,  Esq.  was  chosen  Governor ;  Roger  Lud- 
low, George  Wyllys,  Edward  Hopkins,  Thomas  Welles,  John  Webster, 
and  \ViIliam  Phelps,  Esquires,  were  chosen  Magistrates.  Mr.  Ludlow, 
the  (irst  of  the  six  magistrates,  was  De|)uty  Governor.  ]\Ir.  Hopkins 
was  chosen  Secretary,  and  jMr.  Welles,  Treasurer.  The  names  of  the 
deputies  sent  to  this  first  gei^eral  assembly,  were  Mr.  John  Steele,  iMr. 
Spencer,  Mr,  John  Pratt,  Mr.  Edwanl  Stebbins,  Mr.  Gaylord,  .Air, 
Henry  Wolcott,  Mj'.  Stoughton,  ]Mr.  Ford,  iNIi-.  Thurston  ]-iayner,  ]Mr. 
James  Boosy,  INIr.  George  Hubbard,  and  iMr.  Richard  Crab. 

This  year,  an  adjourned  General  Assembly  incorporated  the  several 
towns  ill  the  colony,  and  vested  them  with  power  to  transact  their  own 
affairs.  It  was  enacted,  that  they  should  choose,  from  among  them- 
selves, three,  five,  or  seven  men,  to  be  a  court  for  each  town.  This 
court  was  appointed  to  sit  once  in  two  months,  and  determine  all  mat- 
ters of  trespass  or  del)t  not  exceeding  forty  shillings.  It  was  also  or- 
dained that  every  town  should  keep  a  public  ledger,  in  which  deeds, 
mortgages,  &:c.  should  be  put  on  recortl.  This  was  the  origin  of  town 
privileges  in  Connecticut.  JJesides  the  courts  in  each  town,  there  was 
a  coint  of  magistrates  which  hrUl  its  session  once  in  three  months.  This 
coiu-t  appeared  to  possess  :\11  the  authority  and  did  all  the  business, 
wliicli  is  now  performeil  by  the  Coimty  and  Superior  Courts. 

In  16  12,  the  capital  laws  of  Connecticut  were  nearly  completed  and 
put  on  record.  The  several  passages  on  which  they  were  founded,  were 
particularly  noticed  in  the  statute.  They  were  twelve  in  nmnber  ;  two 
more  were  added  at  a  subsequent  period.  The  follo\ving  is  a  copy  of 
these  laws,  excepting  four  which  relate  to  unchasiity. 

"UAinTALL  LAWI^S. 

'■  1.  If  any  man  afier  Irs-all  conviction,  shall  have  or  worship  any  other  God  but 
the  l.oid  Go.l,  hrc  shiill  bre  put  to  death.     Deui.  13.6.— 17.  '2.— K.x'odns 'J-2^  20. 

"2.  If  any  iii:in  ui  womin  bee  a  Witch,  that  is,  halh  or  consiilteth  with  a  familliar 
spirriit.ihey  Nhall  bi' put  lod.  aih.     ILxodus  22.  IS.-Levil.  20.  27.— Dent.  18.10,  II. 

":i.  If  ai)\'  [i.Tsdii  shall  bias), heme  ihe  name  of  God  the  flaiher,  Sonne  or  holy 
Gli.isi,  \Mi!, '.lirert,  ,N|ii,->,  iiieMihipnioiis  or  hi^hhandrd  blasphemv,  or  shall  cuise 
in  the  like  maimn,  l,r..  shall  !„■,■  |,iii  h,  ,l,.afh.      Lev.  21.  l,'),  If.. 

'•I.  It'  any  |)r|s,,ii  s||,,|i  r,,iuiiiiit  .any  willfull  innrther,  which  is  manslanjjliter  com- 
mitted Mppoii  malice,  hatred  or  iTiK-liv,  not  in  a  man's  neeessarv  and  jnsi  defema-.  nor 
by  in.Te  easiiahv  aeaii.st  his  will,   h.-'^  shall  be  put  to  death.      Kxodus21.  12,  Hi,  11  — 

Numb.  ;'.5.  ;!i),  :!i. 

"5.  If  any  pei'^on  shall  ;;lnv  another  through  guile,  either  by  poisonings  or  other 
such  nevellisli  practi'a',  hee  shall  bee  put  to  death.     Exo.  21.  11.'" 


O  U  T  L  I  N  K      H  I  S  T  O  Jl  Y  .  17 

"  10.  If  any  man  slealelh  a  man  oi  mankiiKle,  hee  liliull  bee  put  lu  death.     Exodus, 

21.  It;. 

"  11.  If  any  man  rise  up  by  false  wiiluess,  wittingly  and  of  purpose  to  take  away 
any  man's>  life,  hee  shall  bee  put  tu  death.     Deut.  I'J.  IG,  18,  I'J. 

"12.  If  any  man  shall  con^pi^e  or  attempt  any  invasion,  insurrection  or  rebellion 
against  the  Commonwealth,  hee  shall  bee  put  to  death. 

"13.  If  any  Childe  or  Children  above  sixteene  years  old  and  of  suffitient  under- 
standing, shall  Cuiso  or  smite  their  natural!  lather  or  mother,  hee  or  they  shall  bee 
put  to  death;  unless  it  can  bee  sulFiciemly  testihed  that  the  parents  have  beene  very 
unchristianly  negligent  in  the  education  of  such  children,  or  so  provoke  ttiem  by  ex- 
treme and  crucU  correction  that  they  have  been  forced  thereunto  to  preserve  theui- 
selves  from  death,  maiming.     Exo.  '21. 17. — Levit.  '20. — Ex.  21.  15. 

"11.  If  any  man  liavc  astubborne  and  rebellious  sonne  of  sutficient  yeares  and 
understanding,  viz.  Sixteene  yeares  of  age,  which  will  noi  obey  the  voice  of  his  father 
or  the  voice  of  his  mother,  and  that  when  they  liave  chastened  him  will  not  hearken 
unto  lliemj  then  may  liis  (falher  and  mother,  being  his  nalnrall  parents,  lay  hold  on 
liini  and  bring  hini  to  the  Magi'-tratis  assembled  in  Courle,  and  testitie  unio  lliem, 
thai  iheire  suiuie  is  siubburnc  and  icbellioiis  and  will  not  obey  ihcire  voice  and  Chas- 
tisement, but  lives  m  sundry  notorious  Crimes,  such  a  soiiue  shall  bee  jiut  to  death. 
Deut.  21.20,  21." 

In  1613,  tiie  colonics  of  Massachusetts,  Plymouth,  Connecticut,  and 
New  Ilavei),  united  into  a  conlbderacy,  for  their  own  mutual  safety  and 
welfare,  and  called  themselves  the  "  United  Colonics  of  New  Eng- 
landy  Each  colony  was  authorized  to  send  two  commissioners,  to 
meet  annually  in  Seplemher,  first  at  Boston,  then  at  Hartford,  New 
Haven,  and  Plymouth.  The  coiuinissioners  were  vested  with  plenary- 
powers  for  making  war  and  peace,  and  rules  of  general  concern  ;  espe- 
cially, to  regidate  the  conduct  of  the  inhabitants  towards  the  Indians, 
for  the  general  defense  of  the  country,  and  for  the  support  and  encour- 
af^eincnt  of  religion.  This  union  was  of  miiclijmportance  to  the  New 
England  colonies,  [t  made  them  formidable  to  the  Dutch  and  Inilian.s, 
and  it  was  one  of  the  principal  means  of  their  preservation  during  the 
unsettled  state  and  civil  wars  of  the  mother  country. 

At  the  Cieneral  Court  in  .'\prii,  K^  11,  a  committee  was  appointed, 
consisting  of  the  governor,  deputy  governor,  and  several  others,  to  treat 
with  George  FenwicU,  Esq.  relative  to  the  pmchase  of  Saybiook  fort, 
and  all  the  biiildings  and  lands  in  the  colony  which  he,  and  the  lords 
and  gentlemen  interested  in  the  patent  of  Connecticut,  might  claim. 
The  negociaiion  was  successful,  and  the  colony,  in  the  whole,  paid  Mr. 
Fenwick  £1,600  sterling,  merely  for  the  jurisdiction  right,  or  for  the 
old  patent  of  Connecticut. 

About  this  period,  tobacco  was  coming  into  use  in  the  colony  ;  the  fol- 
lowing curious  law  was  made  for  its  regulation  or  supi^ression. 
"  TOBAGKO. 

"Fforasmuch  as  it  is  observed,  that  many  abuses  are  crept  in,  and  committed,  by  fre- 
quent taking  of  lobarko ; 

"/<  is  ordered  by  the  authnrilij  of  this  Cintr/c,  That  no  person  under  the  age  of  twenty 
one  years,  nor  any  other,  that  hatli  not  already  accustomed  hiinselfe  to  the  use  thereof, 
k  .shall  take  any  tnbacko,  iintill  hee  hath  brought  a  en  tuicale  under  the  hands  of  some 

who  are  approved  for  knowledge  and  slcill  in  phisick,  that  it  is  useful!  ior  him,  and 
allso,  tliat  he  hath  received  a  lycense  from  tlie  courte,  for  the  same. — And  fur  the 
regulating  of  those,  who  either  by  Iheire  foimer  takine-  it,  have  to  theire  own  appre- 
hensions, made  it  necessary  to  them,  or  upon  due  advice,  arc  ])ersuadcd  to  the  use 
thereof: 

"It  is  ordered,  That  no  man  within  this  colonye,  aller  the  publication  hereof,  sh.ill 
y  take  any  tobacko,  publiquely,  in  the  streett,  highwaves,  or  any  barne.  yards,  or  uppon 

I  training  daycsj  m  any  open  places,  under  the  penalty  of  six  pence  for  each  offence 

o 


18  OUT  LINK     HISTOUY. 

against  this  order,  in  any  ihe  perliculars  thereof,  to  bee  pnul  without  gainesaying  up- 
pon  conviction,  by  the  icslimony  of  one  witness,  tliat  is  willioiit  jusl  exception,  belore 
any  one  magistrate.  And  the  constables  in  the  several!  townes,  are  required  to  make 
presentment  to  each  pertieuhir  courte,  of  such  as  they  doe  understand,  and  can  evict 
to  bee  transgressors  of  this  order." 

Until  the  year  1618,  the  governors  and  magistrates  appear  ^to  have 
served  the  people  Ibr  the  honor  of  it,  and  the  public  good.  The  gen- 
eral court  granted  the  governor  £30  annually.  The  same  sum  was 
granted  to  the  deputy  governoi-,  who  had  presided  the  preceding  year. 
These  appear  to  have  been  the  Hrst  salaries  given  to  any  civil  ollicers 
in  the  colony,  and  to  have  been  a  compensation  for  the  expense  of  the 
office,  rather  than  for  compensation  for  the  service  performed. 

Mr.  Ludlow  had  been  desired,  by  the  General  Court,  for  several  years 
successively,  to  make  a  collecti.ni  of  laws  which  had  been  enacted,  and 
to  revise  and  prepare  a  body  of  laws  for  the  colony.  lu  the  year  1649, 
he  finished  the  work,  and  a  code  was  established  at  the  session  of  the 
Assembly.  Until  this  period,  punishmenlSj  being  left  at  the  discretion 
of  the  courts,  in  many  instances  had  been  uncertain  and  arbitrary.  In 
194G,  one  Bartlclt,  for  defamation,  was  sentenced  to  stand  in  the  pillory 
during  the  public  lecture,  then  to  be  whipped,  pay  £5,  and  sulier  six 
months  imprisonment.  In  the  same  year,  one  Turner,  for  the  same 
crime,  was  sentenced  to  be  whipped,  and  then  imprisoned  a  month  ;  at 
the  month's  end  to  go  to  the  post  again,  and  then  to  be  bound  for  his 
good  behavior.  For  violation  of  the  Sabbath,  there  is  an  instance  ot 
imprisonment  during  the  pleasure  of  the  court.  Unchastity  between 
single  persons  was  sometimes  punished  by  setting  the  delinquent  in  the 
pillory,  and  by  whipping  him  fioni  one  town  to  anothel'.  ^ 

In'lG5;3,  such  were  the  injuries  which  had  been  sustained  from  the 
Dutch  at  New  Netherlands,  and  their  plotting  and  inciting  the  Ind^ians 
against  the  Eni^dish,  that  it  was  a  year  of  great  distress  and  alarin.  The 
colonies  of  Connecticut  and  New  Haven  provided  a  frigate  of  ten  or 
twelve  guns,  with  forl\  iiu'n,  lo  drfrml  the  coar^t  ag.iin^t  the  Dutch,  and 
to  prevent  Ninigratr  and  his  In.liaiis  from  c  tossing  the  Somid,  m  prose- 
cution of  his  hostile  designs  against  the  Indians  in  alliance  with  the  col- 
onies. In  the  following  year^  1651,  the  colony  having  received  an  or- 
der from  Parliament  to  treat  the  Dutch  as  declared  enemies,  the  Dutch 
house  and  lands  at  Hartford  were  seized  for  the  benefit  of  the  comtnon- 
wealth.  ,      r  1 

In  1655,  Governor  Katon  finished  the  compilation  of  a  code  ot  laws 
for  the  New  Haven  colony.  For  his  assistance,  he  was  re(|uested,  by 
the  General  Court,  to  consult  the  Rev.  jNIr.  Cotton's  discourse  on  civil 
government  in  a  new  plantation,  and  the  laws  of  IMassachusetts.  The 
faws  having  been  examined  and  ai)proved  by  the  elders  of  the  jurisdic- 
tion, they  were  presented  to  the  General  Court.  They  ordered  that 
five  hundred  copies  should  be  printed.  The  copy  was  sent  to  Eng- 
land to  be  printed,  under  the  inspection  of  Gov.  Hopkins.  "  He  pro- 
cured the  printing  of  the  laws  at  his  own  expense,  and  sent  the  number 
proposed,  with  some  other  valuable  books, _  as  a  present.  The  laws 
were  distributed  to  the  several  towns  in  the  jurisdiction." 


O  U  T  L  I  N  K      HISTORY.  19 

In  1661,  Governor  Winthrop  of  Gonnecllcut  was  appointed  agent  of 
tlie  colony,  lo  go  to  England  and  prescnl  a  petition  to  King  Charles  II. 
for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  a  patent.  The  governor  was  a  man  of 
address,  and  he  arrived  in  England  at  a  happy  time  for  Connecticut. 
Lord  Say  and  SeaJ,  the  great  iViend  of  the  colony,  had  been  particu- 
larly instrumental  in  restoring  Chailcs  to  the  throne  of  his  falliei',  and 
was  now  iu  high  favor  at  court.  The  earl  of  ]\lanches(er,  another  friend 
of  the  puritans,  was  chamberlain  of  his  majesiy's  household.  ]Mr.  Win- 
throp had  an  oxtraordinary  ring,  which  had  been  given  his  grandfather 
by  King  Charles  I.  which  he  precented  io  the  king.  This,  it  is  said, 
exceedingly  pleased  his  majesty,  as  it  had  been  once  the  properly  of  a 
father  most  dear  to  him.  Under  all  these  favorable  circumstances,  the 
|)etition  of  Coimecticut  was  prescnlefl,  and  was  received  with  uncommon 
grace  and  favor.  Upon  the  iiOth  of  Aiiril,  1662,  his  majesty  granted 
the  colony  his  letters  patent,  conveying  the  rnosl  ample  priviliges,  under 
the  great  seal  of  England. 

Tlie  colony  of  New  Haven  was  by  the  charter  included  within  the 
limits  of  Connecticut.  This  gave  great  dissatisfaction  to  most  of  the 
inhabitants  of  New  Haven  colony.  Their  ministers  and  churches  were 
universally  against  being  united  with  Connecticut.  Mr.  Davenport  and 
others  of  the  colony  were  strong  in  the  opinion,  that  all  government 
should  be  in  the  church.  No  person  in  this  colony  could  be  a  freeman 
unless  he  was  a  member  of  the  church  in  full  communion.  But  in  Con- 
necticut, all  orderly  persons,  possessing  a  freehold  to  a  certain  amount, 
might  be  free  of  the  corporation.  The  New  Haven  people  were  un- 
doubtedly fearful  that  an  unoin  with  Connecticut  would  mar  the  purity 
and  order  of  their  churches,  and  have  a  bad  effect  on  the  civil  adminis- 
trati(jns.  It  was  also  a  painful  reflection,  that  after  they  iiad  been  also 
r»»ucli  jiaius  ;uid  expense  to  form  a  ilislinct  conimonweallh,  that  their 
existence  as  a  separate  pefjple  hhould  cease,  and  their  name  be  obliter- 
ated. After  considerable  trouble  and  dillicnlty,  the  two  colonies  of 
(.'onneclicut  and  New  Haven,  at  the  general  election,  i\lay  1  Itli,  1655, 
united  in  one,  and  John  Winthrop,  Esq.  was  chosen  governor. 

On  March  i2th,  1664,  King  Charles  II.  gave  a  patent  to  his  brother, 
the  Duke  of  York  and  Albany,  of  several  extensive  tracts  of  land  in 
North  America,  in  which  the  lands  on  tlie  ivest  side  of  Connecticut 
river  were  included.  After  granting  the  patent,  an  armament  was  sent 
from  England,  under  Colonel  Richard  Nichols,  for  the  reduction  of  tha 
Dutch  possessions  in  America,  Col.  Nichols  had  a  commission,  not 
only  for  this  pur[)Ose,  but  also  for  heai'ing  and  detei-mining  all  matters 
of  comi)laint  and  controversy  between  the  New  England  colonies.  Af- 
ter Col,  Nichols  had  subdued  New  Netherlands,  and  given  it  its  pres- 
ent name,,iVt;jy  York,  he,  with  his  associates,  appointed  by  the  Crown, 
met  with  the  agents  a|)pointed  by  Connecticut,  and  on  the  80th  of  No- 
vember, 1661,  determined  that  the  western  boundary  of  Connecticut 
should  be  a  line  beginning  on  the  east  side  of  IMomoronock  creek  or 
river,  at  the  place  where  the  salt  water  meets  the  fresh,  at  high  water, 
and  thence  north  northwest  to  the  line  of  Massachusetts.  The  com- 
missioners also  determined  the  southern  bounds  of  the  colony  of  Con- 


20  O  U  T  1.  I  N  E      H  1  S 


C)  U  Y 


iiecticut  10  be  the  sea.  By  this  decision,  Connecticut  lost  all  her  pos- 
sessions on  Long  Island.  The  granting  of  such  extraordinary  powers 
10  Col.  Nichols  and  his  associates,  awakened  in  the  colonics  a  serious 
apprehension  lor  tlieir  liberties. 

Upon  the  pacification  of  the  Dutch,  the  Duke  of  York  took  out  a 
new  patent  from  the  king,  dated  June  29th,  1674,  granting  the  same 
territory  described  in  a  former  patent.  Immediately  after,  he  commis- 
sioned Major,  afterwards  Sir  Edmund  Andross,  to  be  governor  of  New 
York  and  all  his  territories  in  these  parts.  Andross  was  a  mere  tool  of 
the  Duke,  and  a  tyrant  of  the  people.  By  virtue  of  the  patent  to  the 
Duke  of  York,  he  laid  claim  to  the  lands  on  the  ivest  side  of  Connecti- 
cut river,  notvvithstanding  the  priority  of  the  patent  of  Connecticut, 
and  in  violation  of  the  agreement  of  1664.  To  enforce  his  claims,  he 
attempted  in  1(375  to  take  the  fort  at  Saybrook  ;  he  was  however  de- 
feated in  this  attempt,   by  the  firmness  and  resolution  of  Capt.   Bull. 

In  1G75,  Philip,  sachem  of  the  Wampanogas,  began  the  most  de- 
structive war  ever  waged  by  the  Indians  upon  the  infant  colonies.  Lest 
he  should  increase  his  power  by  an  alliance  with  the  JN'arragansetts,  the 
English  made  a  friendly  treaty  with  them  in  July,  1675.  But  notwith- 
standing this,  in  December  of  the  same  year,  it  was  discovered  that  they 
were  secretly  aiding  Phhilip's  party.  This  determined  the  P^nglish  to 
undertake  a  winter  expedition  against  them.  For  this  object  tlTe  colo- 
ny of  Massachusetts  furnished  five  hundred  and  twenty  seven  men, 
Plymouth  one  hundred  and  fifty  nine,  and  Connecticut  three  hundred  ; 
to  all  these  were  attached  one  hundred  and  fifty  Mohegan  Indians. 
After  electing  Josiah  Winslow,  governor  of  Plymouth  colony,  to  be 
their  commander,  the  whole  party  met  at  PettyqQamsquot.  About 
sixteen  miles  from  this  place,  it  was  found  that  the  Narragansetts  had 
built  a  strong  fort  in  the  midst  of  a  large  swamp,  upon  a  piece  of  dry 
land  of  about  five  or  six  acres.  The  'fort  was  a  circle  of  pallisadoes, 
surrounded  by  a  fence  of  trees,  which  was  about  one  rod  thick. 

On  the  19(h  of  Deceniber,  Kn."),  at  dawn  of  day,  the  English  took 
up  their  march  through  a  deej)  snow,  and  at  -I  o'clock  in  the  "afternoon 
attacked  th^!  Indians  in  their  fortress.  TJie  only  entrance  which  ap- 
peared practicable,  was  over  a  log  or  tree,  which  lay  up  five  or  six  feet 
fronj  the  ground,  and  this  opening  was  commanded  by  a  sort  of  block- 
bouse  in  front.  Tlie  Massachusetts  men,  led  on  by  their  captains,  first 
rushed  into  the  fort,  but  the  enemy,  from  the  block-house  and  other 
places  opened  so  furious  a  fire  upon  them,  that  they  were  obliged  to 
retreat.  Many  men  were  killed  in  this  assault,  and  among  theni' Cap- 
tains Johnson  and  Davenport.  The  whole  army  then  made  a  united 
onset.  Tlie  conflict  was  terrible,  some  of  the  bravest  captains  fell,  and 
victory  seemed  very  doubtful.  At  this  crisis,  some  of  the  Connecticut 
men  ran  to  the  opposite  side  of  the  fort,  where  there  were  no  pallisa- 
does ;  they  sprang  in,  and  opened  a  brisk  and  well  directed  fire  upon 
the  backs  of  the  enemy.  This  decided  the  contest.  The  Indians  were 
driven  from  the  block-house,  and  from  one  covert  to  another,  until  they 
were  wholly  destroyed  or  disperserl  in  the  wilderness.  As  they  retreat- 
ed,  the  soldiers  set  dw  to  their  wigwams,   (about  six  hundred  in  num- 


O  U  T  I,  I  N  E      H  I  S  T  0  U  V  .  '^1 

ber,)  which  were  consumed  by  the  (lames.  In  this  action  it  was  com- 
puted that  about  seven  hundred  f)ii,htinf,r  Indians  perished,  and  among 
ihem  twenty  of  their  chiefs.  Three  hundred  more  died  from  their 
wounds — to  lliese  numbers  may  be  added  many  old  men,  women  and 
children,  who  had  retired  to  tliis  fort  as  a  place  of  undoubted  security. 

"  Of  the  three  hundred  Englishmen  from  Connecticut,  eighty  were 
killed  and  wounded,  twenty  in  Captain  Seely's,  twenty  in  Captain  Gal- 
lop's seventeen  in  Captain  Watt's,  nine  in  Captain  jMason's,  and  four- 
teen in  Captain  jMarshall's  com|)any.  Of  these  about  forty  were  killed 
or  died  of  their  wounds.  About  half  the  loss,  in  this  bloody  action 
fell  upon  Connecticut.  The  legislature  of  the  colony,  in  a  representa- 
tion of  the  services  they  had  performed  in  the  war,  say  '  In  that  signal 
service,  the  fort  light, in  iVarraganseit,  as  we  had  our  ftdl  numb(M-,  in  pro- 
portion with  the  other  confederates,  so  all  say  they  did  their  ftdl  piopor- 
lion  of  service.  Three  noble  soldiers,  Seoly,  courageous  Marshall,  and 
bold  Gallop,  died  in  the  bed  of  honor ;  and  valiant  Mason,  a  fourth  cap- 
tain, had  his  death's  wounti.  There  died  many  brave  officers  and  sen- 
tinels, wliose  memory  is  blessed,  and  wiiose  death  redeemed  our  lives. 
The  bitter  cold,  the  tarled  swamp,  the  tedious  march,  the  stong  fort, 
the  numerous  and  stubborn  enemy  they  contended  with,  for  their  God, 
king,  and  country,  be  their  trophies  over  death,  lie  that  conmianded 
our  forces  then,  and  now  us,  made  no  less  than  seventeen  fair  shots  at 
the  enemy,  and  was  thereby  as  oft  a  fair  mark  for  them.  Our  mourn- 
ers, over  all  the  colony,  ^vitness  for  our  men,  that  they  were  not  un- 
faithful in  that  day.'  It  is  the  tradition,  that  Majoi',  afterwards  Gover- 
nor Treat,  received  a  balJ  through  the  brim  of  his  hat ;  that  he  was  the 
last  man  who  left  the  fort,  in  the  dusk  of  the  evening,  commanding  tho 
rear  of  the  army.  'I'lio  burning  of  the  wigwams,  the  shrieks  and  cries 
of  the  women  and  children,  and  the  yelling  of  the  warriors,  exliibited  a 
most  horrible  and  Jilleciing  scene,  so  that  it  greatly  moved  some  of  tho 
soldiers.  They  were  in  much  doubt  then,  and  afterwards  often  serious- 
ly enquired,  whether  burning  their  enemies  alive  coidd  be  consistent 
with  humanity,  and  the  benevolent  principles  of  the  gospel."* 

in  IG85,  Chailes  II.  died,  and  was  succeeded  by  the  Duke  of  York, 
who  took  tlie  title  of  James  II.  The  latter  part  of  the  reign  of  Charles 
liad  been  distinguished  by  an  oppression  of  his  subjects.  He  lightly 
regarded  the  charters  which  he  had  at  diflerent  times  granted,  and  tri- 
fled with  the  rights,  jjroperty  and  liberty  of  his  subjects.  Tiie  op- 
pression of  Charles  was  increased  rather  than  diminished  by  James, 
who  was  a  tyrant  and  a  bigoted  Catholic.  It  was  the  object  of  those 
in  power  at  that  time,  to  |)rocure  a  surrender  of  all  the  patents  of  the 
colonies,  and  form  the  whole  northern  part  of  America  into  twelve 
j)rovinces,  with  a  governor  general  over  the  whole. 

In  July,  1GS5,  a  quo  warranlo  was  issued  against  the  governor  and 
company  of  Connecticut,  requiring  their  appearance  before  him,  within 
eight  days  of  St.  INlarlin's,  to  show  by  what  warrant  they  exercised  cer- 
tain powers  and  privileges.     In  July,  1G36,  the  Assembly  of  the  colony 

*  Tnuiiltull's  Tlibiory  of  Coiinccliriit. 


22  O  U  T  L  I  N  E     TI  r  S  T  O  R  Y  , 

agreed  upon  an  acklross  to  his  mnjesty,  in  uliicli  lliey  in  the  most  siip- 
phant  terms  besought  hiui  to  recall  the  writ  against  them,  entreated  Ins 
pardon  for  any  fauhs  in  their  govertnnent,  and  humbly  requested  the 
continuance  of  their  charter.  On  the  21st  of  the  same  monti),  two 
writs  o['  (juo  loarranto  were  delivered  to  Governor  Treat.  They  were 
brought  over  by  Edward  Randolph,  a  noted  enemy  of  the  colonies. 
The  time  of  appearance  before  his  majesty  was  jjast  before  the  writs 
arrived.  On  the  ^S'lh  of  l>)ecember,  another  writ  of  quo  warranio  was 
served  on  the  governor  and  company,  bearing  date  Oct.  23d,  requiring 
their  a])pearance  before  his  majesty,  within  eight  days  of  the  Purifica- 
tion of  the  Blessed  Virgin.  Though  these  wiits  gave  no  proper  time 
for  the  a|)pearance  of  the  colony,  yet  they  declared  all  its  chartered 
rights  vacated,  upon  its  not  appearing  at  time  and  place. 

When  the  writs  of  </«o  warranto  arrived  in  1(JS(J,  the  governor  con- 
voked a  special  Assembly,  on  the  23th  of  Jidy,  :Mr.  AVhiting  was  ap- 
pointed the  agent  of  Coimecticut,  to  present  their  petition  and  use  every 
ellbrt  for  the  preservation  of  their  chartered  rights.  Mr.  "Whiting,  how- 
ever, found  his  utmost  efforts  to  be  in  vain  ;  tlu;  king  and  council  had 
determined  to  vacate  all  the  charters,  and  unite  all  the  colonics  to  the 
crown,  under  a  governor  of  royal  appointment.  Sir  Edmund  Andross 
was  appointed  the  first  governor  general  over  New  England,  and  arrived 
at  Boston,  Dec.  19th,  168G.  He  immediately  wrote  to  the  governor 
and  company  of  Connecticut,  to  resign  their  charter,  but  without  suc- 
cess. In  October,  1(J87,  Andross  with  a  company  of  soldiers  arrived 
at  Hartford,  while  the  Assendjly  was  in  session,  and  demanded  a  sur- 
render of  their  charter.  The  charter  was  produced,  and  while  the  otFi- 
cers  of  the  government  were  debating  whh  Andross  on  the  subject,  the 
lights  were  suddenly  extinguished,  and  the  charter  was  seized  and  se- 
creted in  a  iioUow  oak.  Andross,  liewever,  proceeded  to  take  formal 
possession  of  the  government,  annexed  it  to  INIassachusetts  and  ap- 
pointed othccrs,  civil  and  militar)-. 

Andross  began  his  go\crnment  with  the  most  llattering  professions  of 
regard  to  the  ha}qiiness  and  welfare  of  tlie  people.  JMit  he  soon  threw 
ofl'  the  mask,  and  exercised  arbitrary  antl  despotic  power,  in  the  most 
unlimited  maimer.  As  all  the  charter  governments  were  either  vacated 
or  suspended,  it  was  declared  that  the  title  of  the  colonists  to  tlier  lands 
was  of  no  value.  Andross  declared  that  Indian  deeds  were  no  better 
than  "  the  scratch  of  a  bear's  paw."  The  proprietors  of  lands,  after 
fifty  and  sixty  years'  improvement  of  the  soil,  were  obliged  in  many  in- 
stances to  take  out  new  ])atent3  for  their  estates,  for  which  a  heavy  fee 
was  demanded.  This,  with  numerous  other  proceedings,  e(|ually  arbi- 
trary, made  the  people  indeed  to  feel  the  weight  of  o])pression.  Hap- 
pily the  reign  of  the  "  tyrant  of  New  England,"  was  of  short  duration. 
King  James,  liis  royal  master,  had  rendered  himself  so  odious  in  Eng- 
land, that  he  was  obliged  to  tlee  from  the  kingdom.  William,  Prince 
of  Orange,  landed  in  England,  Nov.  5th,  ICSS,  and  delivered  the  na- 
tion. Upon  the  news  of  the  revolution,  on  the  IStli  of  April,  1G89, 
the  inhabitants  of  15oston  and  its  \'icinity  rose  in  arms,  made  themselves 
masters  of  the  Castle,  arrested  Sir  Edmund  Andross  aiul  his  council, 


O  U  T  r.  1  i\  K      H  I  S  T  O  li  V  .  23 

and  persuaded  the  old  governor  and  council  to  resume  the  governnient, 
Conneciicut  obtained,  Ironi  the  most  able  lawyers  in  England,  an  o))in- 
ion  that  the  colony,  not  having  surrendered  the  charter  under  seal,  and 
no  judgment  being  entered  on  record,  the  charter  was  not  invalidated; 
the  former  government  was,  therefore,  re-established. 

About  this  period,  great  comjdainls  were  made  in  England,  against 
the  colonies,  for  harboring  pirates;  and  that  no  laws  had  been  made 
against  them.  A  letter  had  been  written  to  the  governor  and  conijiany 
by  Lyonel  Jenkins,  Esq.  complaining  of  this  neglect,  and  demanding 
in  his  niajesty's  name  that  a  law  should  forthwith  be  made  against  pi- 
racy. A  special  Assembly  was  conscfjuenfjy  called,  on  the  5th  of  July, 
1G81,  and  a  law  enacteil  against  it,  and  a  copy  of  it  immediately  for- 
warded to  his  majesty's  secretary  of  state."** 

In  August,  1(){)2,  Col.  IJcnjamin  Fletcher,  governor  of  New  York, 
arrived  at  the  seat  of  his  appointment,  having  a  commission  authorizing 
liim  to  take  command  of  the  militia  of  Connecticut  and  the  neighboring 
colonies.     As  this  power  was  expressly  given  to  the  colony  of  Con- 


*  The  memory  of  tlint  noted  piiate,  Capt.  KukI,  is  slill  )ield  in  remembrance  in  all 
parts  of  Connecticut,  from  the  belief  by  ^ume  tli;U  he  buned  lar^'e  siinw  cif  money  ((n 
the  coast  or  near  llie  banks  of  riv'ers.  Tlie  following  cireumstaniial  aeconnt  of 
Kidd's  visit  lo  Gardiner's  Island  was  recentiv  communicated  to  the  anthor  of  this 
M'orlc,  by  John  G.  Gardiner,  Esq.  of  Gardiner's  Island. 

"We  have,"  says  Mr.  Gardiner,  "a  small  piece,  a  .sample  of  cli^th  if  s;iild,  which 
my  lather  received  irom  Mrs.  Wetmore,  mother  of  the  wife  of  Capt.  Mather,  fcom- 
mander  of  the  Revenue  Cutler,)  New  London.  I  send  you  an  extract  Irom  her  letter, 
giving  an  account  of  Capt.  Kidd's  living  on  this  inland.'" 

"  1  remember  vhen  very  young,  bearing  my  mother  say  that  her  grandmother  wa.s 
wife  to  Lord  Gardiner  when  the  piiate  (Kidd)  came  to  Gardiner's  Jsland.  The  Caj)- 
lain  wanted  Mrs.  Gardiner  to  roast  liim  a  jiig;  she  being  afiahl  to  relifse  him,  cooUeel 
it  very  nice,  and  he  was  much  pleased  witliTt;  he  then  made  her  a  present  of  this 
silk,  which  she  gave  to  her  two  daughters.  AVhere  the  other  went  or  whether  it  is  in 
being  I  know  not— but  this  was  handed  down  (o  me;  it  has  been  kept  \eiy  nice,  and 
I  believe  is  iiuw  as  good  as  when  first  given,  wliicli  must  be  npward.i  of  a  handled 
vears,"  &e.  &c.  I'lie  Ibllowing  is  an  extract  from  an  account  we  have  of  Tiionei  i  v 
helonymg  lo  Kidd. 

notion,  Xiir  J:n-lau<l,  Juli,  -J.'),  Um. 
"  A  true  aecoimt  of  all  such  gold,  silver,  jewels  ami  merchandize,  late  in  the  posses- 
sion of  Capt.  William  Ividd,  which  have  been  seized  and  secured  by  us,  under  writ- 
ten persuant  to  an  order  Irom  his  e.\cellency,  Richard  li^arl  of  Bellmr)nt,  Caplain 
General  and  Governor  in  Chief,  in  and  over  her  majesty's  pruvince  of  tlie  ^tassachtf- 
setls  Hay,  &e.  beaiing  date  July  7,  UVJ'J. 

"  Then  Ibllows  a  list  of  valuables  found  in  possession  of  Captain  Kidd  at  the  time 
of  his  capture,  and  others  with  wliom  lie  liad  ju'obably  deposited  goods  as  with  Mr. 
Gai  diner. 

Received  the  I7lh  instant,  of  Mi'.  John  Gardiner,  viz:  Omirrs. 

IVo.  1.     One  bag  dust  gold, bd:] 

"     2.     One  bag  coined  gold,     -  -  -  -  -  It 

And  in  sih'er,    ------  1-J/ 

"     .'?.     One  bag  dust  gold,        -  .  -  -  .  :^>|.-j 

"     4.     One  bag  silver  rings  and  sundry  precious  slone.s,         -  .IJ 

"     5.     One  bag  unjiolished  stones,       -  -  -  -  lo^ 

''     tj.     One  piece  ciystal.  Cornelian  rings,  lu'o  small  ngals,  two  am- 

aihisls,  all  in  the  same  bag. 
"     7.     One  bag  silver  buttons  and  lamps. 

"     «.     One  bag  bnd:eii  siher,  -  -  -  .  17:1^ 

"     1).     One  bag  gold  bars,         -----  S.'nJ.J 

"   10.     One  bag  gold  bars,         .  -  .  .  .  SAH^ 

"   IJ.     One  bag  dust  gold,         -----  :,[)i 

"  1','.     One  bag  silver  bars,      -  -  -  -  -  30U 


24  O  U  T  I.  1  N  i:      U  J  S  T  O  II  V  . 

necticut  by  iheir  cliarler,  the  Legislatme  would  not  submit  to  his  requi- 
sition, and  at  a  special  session  in  September,  1G93,  the  Court  appointed 
a  petition  to  be  drafted,  and  Major  General  Fitz  John  Winthrop  was 
appointed  to  present  it  to  his  majesty  King  Wilhani,  and  use  his  best 
endeavors  tor  the  preservation  of  their  chartered  rights.  The  colony 
also  sent  W^illiam  Pitkin,  Esq.  to  New  York,  to  endeavor  to  make  terms 
with  Governor  Fletcher  respecting  the  mihtia,  until  his  majesty's  pleas- 
ure should  be  further  known.  No  terms,  however,  could  be  made,  short 
of  an  entire  submission  of  the  militia  to  his  command. 

"  On  the  SGth  of  October,  he  came  to  Hartford,  while  the  Assembly 
were  sitting,  and,  in  his  majesty's  name  demanded  their  submission  of 
the  militia  to  his  command,  as  they  would  answer  it  to  his  majesty  ;  and 
that  they  would  give  him  a  speedy  answer  in  two  words,  yes,  or  no. 
lie  subscribed  himself  his  majesty's  lieutenant  and  commander  in  chief 
of  the  militia,  and  of  all  the  forces  by  sea  or  land,  and  of  all  the  forts 
and  i^laces  of  strength  in  the  colony  of  Connecticut.*  He  ordered  the 
militia  of  Hartford  under  arms,  that  he  might  beat  up  for  volunteers.  It 
was  judged  expedient  to  call  the  train  bands  in  Harif(Mfl  together;  but 
the  Assembly  insisted,  that  the  conniiand  of  the  militia  was  expressly 
vested,  by  charter,  in  the  go\ernor  and  company  ;  and  that  they  could 
by  no  means,  consistently  with  their  just  rights  anil  the  common  safety, 
resign  it  into  any  other  hands.  They  insinuated,  that  his  demands 
were  an  invasion  of  their  essential  privileges,  and  subversive  of  their 
constitution. 

"Upon  this.  Colonel  Bayaid,  by  liis  excellency's  command,  sent  a 
letter  into  the  Assembly,  declaring,  that  his  excellency  had  no  d(!sign 
upon  the  civil  rights  of  the  colony  ;  but  would  leave  th.em,  in  all  re- 
spects as  he  found  them.  In  the  name  of  his  excellency,  he  tendered 
a  conmiission  to  Gevernor  Treat,  empowering  him  to  command  the  mi- 
litia of  the  colony.  He  declared,  that  his  excellency  insisted,  that  they 
should  acknowledge  it  an  e-^scntial  right  inherent  in  \i\>  iiiaje--ly  to  com- 
mand the  militia;  and  that  ho  \\a>  diterininLM!  nut  io.-lI  his  foot  out  of 
the  colony  until  he  had  seen  his  majesl)'s  commission  obeyed  :  That 
he  would  issue  his  proclamation,  showing  the  means   he  had   taken  to 

"Cnpt.  IVillinm  (iiol  Robert,  as  the  song;  {^i;oes)  Kiild,  was  coininander  of  the  sloop 
Antonio;  leceivod  a  commission  to  cruise  as  a  privalt-cr,  turned  piiate,  was  guiliy  of 
jniirder — was  taken,  and  carried  into  Boston  ;  was  trietl,  condemned,  and  executcti — 
nnt  as  a  pirate — but  a.'j  a  murderer.  Ue  was  here  with  his  accomplices  a  sliurt  time 
before  he  was  taken;  how  lonj;  lie  remained  on  this  island  I  know  nnt.  Wliile  here, 
he  told  Mr.  Gardiner  where  he  had  deposited  the  iron  clusls  which  eoiilaincd  the 
treasure  above  described,  and  left  it  in  his  care,  with  the  injuaction,  ''that  he  mud  an- 
swcrjor  it  v:ith  his  head."  I'lie  chests  were  buried  in  a  swamj),  the  west  si'.le  of  this 
island. 

"After  Kidd's  capture,  the  governor  o(  iVIassachusetls  sent  and  claimed  the  property 
of  Mr.  Gardiner,  who  was  very  unwillincr  to  part  with  it — informed  the  Governor's 
rnessenj^ers  U))on  what  conditions  it  was  intrusted  to  his  care;  and  if  Kidd  should 
ever  call  for  it  his  life  must  be  the  forfeiture.  They  however  assured  him  that  there 
was  no  danger  from  tliat  source,  as  llidd  was  secureil,  and  he  delivered  it  «// up  to 
ihem. 

"  There  has  been  much  digging  here  upon  this  island  for  Kidd's  money,  even  within 
half  a  dozen  years,  all  along  the  coast.  Rut  I  think  it  doubtful  whether  there  was 
ever  any  buried  except  that  which  was  buried  here.' 

♦  Governor  Fletcher's  letlei  on  file. 


OUTLINE     HISTORY.  ^O 

give  ease  and  satisfaction  to  his  majesty's  subjects  of  Connecticut,  and 
tliat  he  would  distinguisli  the  (hsloyal  from  the  rest,* 

"The  Assembly,  nevertheless,  would  not  give  up  the  command  of 
llie  militia  ;  nor  would  Governor  Treat  receive  a  commission  from  Co- 
lonel Fletcher. 

"  The  train  bands  of  Hartford  assendjled,  and  as  the  tradition  is,  while 
Captain  ^Vads\vorth,  the  senior  ollicer,  was  walking  in  front  of  the 
companies,  and  exeicising  the  soldiers,  Colonel  Fletcher  ordered  his 
commission  and  instructions  to  be  read.  Captain  Wadsworth  instantly 
commanfled,  "  ]?eat  the  diums;"  and  there  was  such  a  roarini;  of  them 
that  nothinj^r  el>;e  could  be  heard.  Colonel  Fletcher  commanded  silence. 
But  no  sooner  had  Bayard  made  an  attempt  to  read  ai^'ain,  than  Wads- 
worth  commands,  "  ]3rum,  drum,  1  say."  The  druumiers  unilerslood 
their  business,  and  instantly  beat  up  with  all  the  art  and  life  of  which 
they  were  masters.  "  Silence,  silence,"  says  the  Colonel.  No  sooner 
was  there  a  pause,  than  Wadsworth  speaks  with  great  earnestness, 
"Drum,  drum,  I  say  ;"  and  luiiilni,^  to  his  excellency,  said,  "  If  I  am 
interruiited  aii;ain  I  will  make  the  sun  shine  throuij;h  you  in  a  tnoineni." 
lie  spoke  with  such  enerify  m  his  voice  and  meaniui;  in  liis  countenance, 
that  no  further  attempts  were  niarle  to  read  or  enlist  men.  Such  num- 
bers of  people  collected  tocjcther,  and  their  spirits  appeared  so  high, 
that  the  governor  and  his  suite  judged  it  expedient,  soon  to  leave  the 
town  and  return  to  New  York."| 

Gen.  Winllnop  having  arrived  in  f^ngland,  presented  the  petition  to 
bis  majesty.  "  liis  majesty's  attorney  anrl  solicitor-general  gave  their 
opinion  in  favor  of  Conncclicut's  comuianding  the  militia  ;  and  on  the 
19th  of  A[)ril,  IG'Jl,  his  ninjosty  in  council  detonuincd  according  to 
the  report  they  IkuI  made."  As  it  was  a  time  of  war  with  the  French, 
the  quota  of  CcjuiK.ilicut  was  (i\cd  at  <mi(}  hmidred  and  t\*cuiv  men,  to 
be  at  the  coimnand  of  Gov.  I'Mclchcr  (huing  the  war  ;  the  jest  of  the 
militia,  as  usual,  under  the  CJovernor  of  Connecticut. 

Until  the  session  in  October,  l()iJ8,  the  General  Asscnddy  consisted 
of  but  one  house,  and  the  magistrates  and  deputies  appear  to  have  acted 
together.  But  at  this  time  it  was  enacted  that  the  Assembly  should 
consist  of  two  houses.  The  governor,  or  in  his  absence,  the  deputy 
governor,  and  magistrates,  composed  the  u|)per  house.  The  lower 
house  consisted  of  deputies,  now  usually  called  representatives,  from 
the  several  towns  in  the  colony.  This  house  was  authorized  to  choose 
a  speakei"  to  preside.  From  this  time  no  public  act  could  be  passed 
into  a  law,  but  by  the  consent  of  both  houses.  In  1701,  it  was  enacted 
that  the  October  session  of  the  Assembly  shoidd  be  annually  held  in 
New  Haven.  Previous  to  this  time,  and  ever  since  the  union  of  the 
colonies,  the  Assembly  had  convened,  both  in  May  and  October,  at 
Hartford. 

About  this  time,  for  the  maintenance  of  good  morals,  and  the  sup- 
pression of  vicious  and  disorderly  practices,  the  Assembly  "  ordered, 
that  a  sober  and  religious  man   be  appointed,  by  the   county  court  in 


Colonel  Bayard'a  letter  on  tile.  +  TrumbLiU's  History  of  Connecticut. 


XO  O  U  T  L  I  N  K      H  1  S  'J'  O  II  y  . 

each  of  the  counties,  to  be  an  attorney  for  lier  majesty  to  prosecute  al! 
criminal  oftenders."  At  this  period  tlio  colony  was  in  a  critical  situa- 
tion. It  was  in  danger,  and  put  to  a  great  expense  on  account  of  the 
war  with  France  ;  it  was  also  continually  harassed  by  the  demands  of 
Dudley,  Governor  of  Massachusetts,  and  of  L.ord  Cornbury,  Governor 
of  iScw  Yoik  and  the  Jerseys,  for  men  and  money,  as  they  pretended, 
for  the  defense  of  their  respective  governments.  Dudley,  it  appears, 
wished  to  unite  all  New  England  under  his  own  government.  If  this 
could  be  ellected,  it  seems  Cornbury  expected  to  have  the  government 
of  the  southern  colonies.  These  men,  having  a  powerful  party  at 
court,  would  have  probably  succeeded  in  their  plans  liad  it  not  been  for 
■  the  efTorts  of  Sir  Henry  Ashurst,  who  was  an  agent  for  Connecticut, 
and  a  firm  friend  to  the  rights  of  the  colonies. 

The  expedition  for  the  reduction  of  the  Fiench  in  Canada,  in  1709, 
was  the  occasion  of  the  first  emission  of  |)aper  money  in  Connecticut. 
In  this  expedition  Connecticut  was  obliged  to  laise  350  men,  who  were 
placed  under  the  command  of  Col.  \Vhlting,  of  which  ninety  perished 
in  this  disastrous  campaign. 

On  tlie  8lh  of  June,  1700,  at  a  sj)ecial  Assembly,  it  was  enacted, 
"That  to  assist  in  the  expedition,  for  want  of  money  otherwise  to  carry 
it  on,  there  be  forthwith  imprinted  a  certain  number  of  bills  of  credit, 
on  the  colony,  in  suitable  sums,  from  two  shillings  to  five  pounds,  which, 
in  the  whole,  shall  amount  to  the  sum  of  8,000  pounds,  and  no  more." 
It  was  enacted  that  the  bills  should  be  issued  from  the  treasury  as 
money,  but  should  be  received  in  payments  at  one  shilling  on  the  pound 
better  than  money.  One  halfoidy  was  to  be  signed  and  issued  at  first, 
and  llie  other  was  to  remain  unsigned  until  it  should  be  found  necessary 
to  put  it  into  circulation.  Taxes  were  imposed  for  the  calling  in  of 
one  half  of  it  within  the  term  of  one  year,  and  the  other  at  the  expi- 
ration of  two  years. 

The  number  of  inhabilauls  in  Conncclieui  in  the  year  1713,  was 
about  17,000.  There  weio  four  LuunliLS,  (llaiiloiil,  Auw  London, 
New  Haven  and  i'airfield,)  and  lliiily  eight  taxable  towns,  who  sent 
forty  delegates  to  the  Assembly.  Tlie  militia  consisted  of  a  regiment 
to  each  county,  and  amounted  to  nearly  4,000  etlectlve  men.  At  this 
time  the  shipping  in  the  colony  consisted  of  two  small  brigs  and  twenty 
sloops  ;  the  number  of  seamen  did  not  exceed  one  hundred  and  twenty. 
There  was  but  a  single  clotliier  in  the  colon}',  "  and  the  most  he  could 
do  was  to  full  the  cloth  which  was  made  ;  most  of  the  cloth  manufac- 
tured was  worn  without  shearing  or  pressing."  The  trade  was  very 
limited.  The  only  articles  directly  exported  to  Great  Britain  were  tur- 
pentine, pitch,  tar,  and  fur.  The  principal  trade  was  with  Boston, 
New  York,  and  the  West  Indies.  To  the  two  former  places  they  traded 
in  the  produce  of  the  colony  :  wheat,  rye,  barley,  Indian  corn,  peas, 
pork,  beef,  and  fat  cattle.  To  the  West  Indies  the  merchants  exported 
horses,  staves,  hoops,  pork,  beef  and  cattle,  in  return  they  received 
rum,  sugar,  molasses,  cotton  wool,  bills  of  exchange,  and  sometimes 
small  sums  of  money. 


O  U  T  L  I  N  E      H  I  S  T  O  R  Y  .  ■'  27 

The  General  Assembly  met  twice  in  a  year,  but  their  sessions  did 
not  generally  exceed  ten  days.  The  annual  expense  of  the  two  ses- 
sions was  about  1,600  dollars.  The  salary  of  the  oovernor  was  about 
800,  and  that  of  the  deputy  goveinor  200  dollai's.  The  whole  expense 
of  government  did  not  probably  exceed  3,500  dollars.  This  amount 
was  usually  below  the  salary  annually  allowed  to  a  royal  governor  in 
the  colonies. 

Alihough  the  colony  had  been  able  to  maintain  their  charter  privile- 
ges against  the  intrigues  of  Dudley,  Conibury,   and  other  enemies,  yet 
they  were  under  many  appreliensions  that  their  chartered  privileges 
would  be  taken  from  them.     There  were  strong   ])arties  in   England, 
and   some   in  the  colonics,   who  were  unfiiendly  to  the  charter  govern- 
ments— deeming  them  loo  imlcpendriu  of  the  crown   and   government 
of  Great  IJritain.     In  addition    to  these  circumstances,  a  decision  in 
England  in  regard  to  one  of  the  laws  of  the  colony  respecting  intestate 
estates,  created  much  alarm.     John  Winthrop,  Esq.  son   of  the  last 
Governor  Winihrop,  became  disaffected  towards  the  government ;  he 
conceived  that  liis  family  had  been  injured,  and  that  his  ancestors 'had 
not  been  rewarded  according  to  the  public  services  which  they  had  ren- 
dered to  the  colony.     He  had  been  engaged  in  a  long  controversy  with 
Thomas  Lynchmere,  Esq.     The  court  oi'  probate,  as^he  imagined,  had 
niadc  an  unjust  and  illegal  settlement  of  his  i)aterna|  estate  m  favor  of 
iiis  sister,  l\Irs.  Lynchmere  ;  he  therefore,  after  going  through  the  courts 
of  the  colony,  in  which  he  was  unable  to  obtain  redress,  appealed  to  his 
majesty.      Upon  hearing  the  case  in  England,  the  law  of  Connecticut 
was  adjudged  repugnant  to  English  law,  as  not  securing  the  lands  to  male 
lieirs  aiul  admitting  daughteis  to  a  share  in  the  paternal  estate,  which  the 
Englisli   laws  did  not  warrant.      In  .Inly,  17;;J8,   the  colony  received   a 
letter   from   their  agent,  .lercmiah  Dmnmer,  Esq.  declarin'g  that  their 
law  a'spetting  the  settlement  of  intestate  estates  was  "nujf  and  void." 
The  [legislature,  deeming  that  tiie  consequences  of  annulling  ibis  law 
would  bo  disastrous  to  the  internal  peace  of  the  colonv,  determined  to 
sjiare  no  pains  or  expense  in  order  to   prevent  it.     They  employed 
another  agent,  Jonathan  ]3elcher,  Esq.  afterwards  Governor  of  JMassa- 
chusetts,  to  assist  agent  Dummer  in  his  defense  of  the  colony,  and  in 
pleading  for  the  continuance  of  the  law  respecting  intestate  estates. 
These  agents  conducted  the  affairs  of  the  colony  with  such  wisdom  and 
success  that  the  charier  was  preserved  and  the  law  retained. 

In  the  expedition  of  the  New  England  colonies  against  Louisburg, 
in  1745,  Connecticut  furnished  upwards  of  1000  men.  For  the  en- 
couragement of  the  men  to  enlist,  the  Assembly  voted  a  bounty  of  ten 
pounds  to  each  soldier  who  should  furnish  himself  with  arms,  knapsack 
and  blanket ;  and  three  pounds  to  every  soldier  who  should  not  be  able 
to  arm  himself.  Five  hundred  men  were  divided  into  eight  comjianies, 
and  Roger -Wolcott,  Esq.  lieutenant  governor,  was  appointed  the  com- 
mander. At  the  time  of  the  siege,  200  men  were  sent  on  in  addition, 
by  (Jonnecticut,  and  after  tlie  reduction  of  Louisburg,  the  colony  pro- 
vided 350  men  to  keep  garrison  during  the  winter.  A  sloop  was  also 
furnished,  manned  with  100  men. 


28  .       O  U  T  I.  1  N  E     II  I  S  T  O  11  y . 

While  the  war  continued  against  the  French  in  Canada,  Connecticut 
made  great  exertions,  and  did  more  most  of  the  time  tlian  double  her 
proportion,  compared  with  the  rest  of  the  colonies.  In  the  year  1759, 
she  liad  more  than  six  thousand  men  in  actual  service.  At  this  period 
the  militia  were  more  numerous  than  at  present,  according  to  the  popu- 
lation, as  all  from  the  age  of  sixteen  to  sixty,  were  obliged  to  hear  arms. 
In  the  year  17G'2,  the  New  England  colonies  reiuh;red  very  important 
services  in  the  reduction  of  Ilavanna  and  IMariinitjue.  It  was,  how- 
ever, a  fatal  enterprise  to  most  of  the  IN'ew  iMiglimd  troojis  ;  of  nearly 
1000  men,  who  were  engaged  in  the  expedition,  not  100  returned. 
Such  as  were  not  killed  in  the  service,  were  swept  away  by  the  bilious 
plague. 

After  the  definitive  treaty  of  peace,  signed  at  Paris,  Feb,  lOtli,  17G3, 
which  ended  the  Froich  irurs,  the  extunsion  of  SL'tlk'ments,  commerce, 
W'ealth  and  jiopulatiou  in  Coiuiecliciii,  wlm'c  exircinuly  rapid.  "After 
the  peace,  an  almost  boundless  scope  of  commcice  and  enterprise  was 
given  to  the  colonists.  In  these  lavoraijle  circumslances,  with  the  re- 
turn of  thousands  of  her  biave  and  industrious  inhabilaius  to  the  culti- 
vation of  their  fields,  and  the  various  arts  and  labors  of  peace,  the  colony- 
was  soon  able  to  exonerate  itself  from  the  debt  contracted  by  the  war." 
These  prosperous  circumstances  continued  till  the  beginning  of  the 
Revolution. 

Coimecticut,  by  her  charter,  granted  in  ]G()-2,  extended  from  Narra- 
gansett  river  on  the  east  to  the  JSoulh  Sea  on  the  west.  exce|)ting  such 
lands  as  were  then  ofcupied  i)y  prior  settlers.  Nearly  nineteen  years 
afterwards,  William  Pemi  obtained  a  grant  of  lands  on  the  west  side  of 
the  Delaware  river,  extending  northward  to  the  '13d  degree  of  latitude  ; 
this  covered  |)art  o(  the  territory  embraced  in  the  Connecticut  charter. 
For  nearly  a  centiuy  after  the  charter  was  obtained,  Connecticut  neg- 
lected to  claim  these  lands,  which  lay  westwaril  of  the  colony  of  New 
York.  But  after  she  had  granted  all  her  lands  ea'^tward  of  that  colony, 
a  eompany  was  formed  with  the  de-iL;!!  of  planliiig  (he  lands  wiiliin  her 
charter,  on  the  Susijuehannah.  This  company  was  lornieil  in  1753, 
and  the  next  year  a  purchase  was  maile  IVcmu  the  sachems  of  the  Six 
Nations  of  a  large  tract,  at  Wyoming.  In  1774,  the  setilement  was 
formed  into  a  town,  called  W^e.,imoieland,  which  sent  representatives  to 
the  Assembly  of  Connecticut. 

The  treaty  of  the  Connecticut  men  with  the  Indians,  and  their  pur- 
chase of  the  lands,  excited  the  jealousy  of  the  propiietarii.'S  of  Pennsyl- 
vania. They  proceeded  to  take  a  deed  of  the  same  lands  from  some  of 
the  chiefs,  who  declined  signing  the  deed  to  the  Connecticut  purcha- 
sers. Grants  of  land  were  made  by  Pennsylvania,  and  settlements  be- 
gun, which  excited  warm  disputes,  and  an  attempt  was  made  to  drive 
the  Connecticut  settlers  from  the  lands  by  force  of  arn)s.  In  1770,  the 
Legislature  of  Connecticut  sent  certain  questions  to  England  to  be  pro- 
posed to  the  most  able  lawyers  thei-e,  respecting  her  title  to  the  lands 
in  question.  The  answers  -were  favorable  to  her  claims,  and  she  de- 
termined to  support  them.  But  the  Revolutionary  war  suspended  the 
controversy,  until  17S1,  when  both  states  agreed  to  appoint  coinmis- 


OUTLINE     HISTORY.  29 

sioners  to  settle  the  dispute.  An  act  of  Congress  was  passed,  constitu- 
ting tliese  coiiiniissioners  a  court  to  hear  and  determine  the  controversy. 
In  IN'ovenilicr,  178:2,  tlie  coniuiissioners  met  at  Trenton,  N.  J.  This 
court  decided  tliat  Coiniecticut  had  no  right  to  the  hinds  in  question, 
and  that  the  territory  comprised  in  the  chartered  limits  of  Pennsylvania 
helonged  of  right  to  her.  Although  Connecticut  acfjuiesced  in  the  de- 
cision at  Trenton,  yet  she  maintained  her  claim  to  all  the  territory  within 
the  range  of  the  north  and  south  boundaries  of  the  state,  as  expressed 
in  the  charter,  lying  west  of  Pennsylvania,  and  extending  to  the  INIis- 
sissip|)i.  ^Villl  a  view  to  obtain  the  implied  sanction  of  their  charter 
claims,  Connecticut  in  17SG,  by  their  delegates  in  Congress,  ceded  to 
the  United  States  all  the  lands  witliiu  tlie  charter  limits,  west  of  Penn- 
sylvania, excepting  a  tract  li20  nulcs  in  length,  adjoining  that  state  on 
the  west.  This  cession  was  accepted.  A  jiart  of  the  reserved  lands, 
amounting  to  half  a  million  of  acres,  was  granted  by  the  state  to  the 
inhabitants  of  New  London,  Fairfield  and  Norwalk,  whose  property 
had  been  destroyed  by  the  enemy  during  the  Revolutionary  war.  The 
remainder  was  sold  in  1705,  and  the  money  arising  from  the  sale  con- 
stitutes the  School  FmuJ,  for  the  support  of  schools  throughout  the  state. 
The  title  of  Connecticut  to  the  reserved  lands,  was  conhrmed  by  Con- 
gress in  1800.  This  territory,  now  forming  part  of  the  state  of  Ohio, 
is  still  called  the  Connecticut  or  IVtstcrn  Reserve. 

Diu'ing  the  great  struggle  of  the  Revolution,  Coiniecticut  was  one  of 
the  foremost  in  the  confederacy  in  resisting  the  tyranny  of  Britain,  and 
was  lavish  of  her  blood  and  treasure  in  sustaining  the  conflict  against 
her  oppressions.  Her  soldiers  were  applauded  b}'  tlie  commander  in 
chief  of  the  American  armies  for  their  bravery  and  fidelity.  In  the 
last  war  with  (ireat  Rritain,  in  the  first  conflict  on  the  ocean,  the  first 
flag  was  struck  to  a  native  of  Connecticut:  on  the  land,  the  first  flag 
whlrji  was  taken,  was  also  burrendereil  to  one  of  her  sons. 

The  founders  of  Connecticut  were  men  of  intelligence,  virtue  and 
piety,  and  understood  the  great  principles  of  civil  and  religious  liberty; 
iicnce  they  laitl  the  foundations  of  those  institutions  which  distinguish 
her  among  her  sister  states  of  the  Union.  Ever  republican  in  her  form 
of  government,  she  has  in  effect,  ever  been  a  free  and  independent  com- 
monwealth ;  and  whilst  the  other  colonies  were  suflering  under  the  dom- 
ination q{  Hoyal  Governors,  she  has  from  the  beginning,  been  governed 
by  rulers  of  her  own  choice. 

After  the  declaration  of  indejiendence,  Connecticut  did  not  follow 
the  example  of  most  of  the  other  states,  and  ado|>t  a  written  constitu- 
tion, but  continued  the  government  according  to  the  ancient  form  ;  a 
statute  being  enacted,  the  session  following  the  declaration  of  American 
independence,  July  4th,  1776,  which  provided  that  the  government 
should  continue  to  be  organized  and  administered  according  to  the  pro- 
visions of  the  charter.  This  form  of  government  continued  without  any 
very  essential  alteration  till  181 S.  In  this  year,  a  convention  of  dele- 
gates fiom  the  several  towns,  elected  by  the  people,  convened  in  Hart- 
ford, and  after  a  session  of  about  three  weeks,  framed  a  constitution  of 
civil   government  for  the  state.     This  being  submitted  to  the  electors 


30  ir  A  r.  T  1'  o  11  n    cor  n  r  y  . 

on  the  5th  of  October,   1818,   was  ratified  by  them  by  a  majority  of 
fifteen  hundred  ami  fifty  four  \oto?. 

Ahhoii;:j,h  small  in  hur  lurrituiial  limits,  Cnmiccticut  can  boast  of  dis- 
tinguished men  in  almost  every  (lepartmenl  in  life.  For  patriotism  and 
love  of  country,  she  can  point  to  a  Sherman,  her  Trumbulls,  and  her 
martyrs  Hale,  Lcdyard  and  ^Vooster.  i-'or  bravery,  bold  and  daring 
enterprises,  she  can  point  to  an  Allen,  JvitDU,  Arnold  and  Lcdyard" 
"  In  theology,"  (says  the  Edinburgh  Review,)  "  Jonathan  Edwards  is 
the  very  Euclid  of  divines;  and  the  Americans  would  do  well,  in  claim- 
ing due  honor  for  their  geniuses,  to  put  him  at  the  head  of  the  list,  for  the 
country  never  produced  a  greater."  In  holy  zeal  and  devotion  to  the 
sacred  cause  of  Christianity,  as  a  missionary,  David  Brainerd  stands  con- 
fessedly the  first  in  modern  times.  For  men  of  genius  in  the  various  de- 
partments of  science,  the  mechanic  and  other  ails,  Connecticut  is  second 
to  none  of  her  sister  states.  Trumbidl,  J>;ulu\v,  Dwight,  and  others,  are 
among  the  first  of  Ameiican  poets;  and  Tiumliull,  in  every  thing  that 
constitutes  a  great  historical  ])ainier,  is  the  liist  among  his  countrymen. 


HARTFORD   COUNTY. 

Hartj-ord  County  was  constituted  such  in  1G6G.  Its  original  limits 
comprised  an  extensive  district  of  coimtry  on  both  sides  of  Connecticut 
river,  the  entire  county  of  Tolland,  most"  of  the  counties  of  Middlesex 
and  Windham,  and  a  [.art  of  the  counties  of  IJichfield  and  New  London. 
The  present  extent  of  the  county  is  about  ^0  miles  from  north  to  south, 
and  averages  25  miles  in  breadth  from  east  to  west.  It  is  bounded  n. 
by  Hampden  County  in  Massachusetts,  i:.  by  Tolland  County,  w.  by 
Litchfield,  and  s.  by  the  counties  of  .Middle-ex  anrl  x\ew  Haven.  This 
county  as  a  whole,  m  ivsouive^,  wealih  auA  population,  will  rank  before 
any  other  in  the  stale;  ami  in  many  respects,  bufore  any  in  Ps'ew  Eng- 
land. ^  The  valley  of  the  Conii(?cticufis  justly  celebrateil  for  the  extent 
anil  richness  of  its  meadows;  ami  there  is  no  section  throughout  its 
whole  course,  where  they  are  more  enlarged  or  fertile  than  in  this 
county.  The  soil  generally  is  rich,  various^and  fertile,  and  is  for  the 
most  part  highly  cultivated  ;  well  adapted  to  a  grain  culture,  particularly 
that  of  rye  and  Indian  corn,  of  which  large  quantities  are  annually- 
raised.  ^  The  county  is  intersected  nearly  in  the  center  by  Connecticut 
river;  in  its  western  part  by  a  range  of  gieenslono  mountains,  called  in 
some  parts  the  Talcoit  i\Ioimtaiiis.  It  is  watered  by  several  streams, 
among  which  are  the  Farmington,  Hockanum,  Scantic  and  Podunk 
rivers,  all  of  which  discharge  tlieir  waters  into  the  Connecticut. 

A  great  variety  of  manufactures  is  carried  on  in  the  county,  many 
of  which  are  extensive,  and  emph^y  a  considerable  amount  of  capital. 
They  will  be  noticed  in  the  account  of  the  several  towns.  The  follow- 
ing 13  a  list  of  the  3e\eial  towns  ui  the  county,  with  the  population  ac- 
cording to  the  census  of  1830. 


11  A  U  T  F  O  JM)  .  31 

Hartford,-  -  9,780 1  East  Hnrlfoixl,  2,237  j  IManchester,   -  1,576- 

Avon,        -  -  1,025 1  East  AN'iiicbor,  ;3,5:37  i  Marlborouol),  701 

Berlin,       -  -  3,037 .  Enlielcl,     -     -  2,12!)  I  Sinisbury,^     -  2,221 

Jiloonnfield,  -      Eariuiumon,   -  1  ,!)01  ;  Southington,  -  1,811 

Bristol,      -  -  1,707 1  Glastonbury,  2,9SO  Siiniehl,     -     -  2,690 

JJurlington,  -  1 ,301  j  Granl.y,     -     -  2,722l  Wethcrsfield,  3.853 

Canton,     -  -  1 /137 1  llariland,  -     -  1,22]  I  Windsor,         -  3,220 


IIARTEORD. 

The  first  Eni^dish  settlement  in  Ilarlford  was  con-iuicnccd  in  1635, 
by  Mr.  John  Steel  and  his  associates  from  JNewtown,  (now  Canihridsro,) 
in  IMassachusetts,  The  main  body  of  the  first  settlers,  with  iMr.  Hooker 
at  their  head,  did  not  arrive  till  the  following'  year. 

"About  the  beginning  of  June,  (says  Dr.  Trumbull,)  INIr.  Hooker, 
IMr.  Stone,  and  about  one  hundred  men,  women  and  children,  took  their 
departure  from  Cambridge,  and  traveled  more  than  a  hundred  uiiles, 
through  a  hideous  and  trackless  wilderness,  to  Hartford.  They  had  no 
guide  but  their  compass,  and  made  their  way  over  mountains,  through 
swamps,  thickets  and  rivers,  which  were  nol  passable  but  wilii  great 
didiculty.  They  had  no  cover  but  the  heavens,  nor  any  lodgings  but 
those  that  simple  nature  ailurded  them.  They  drove  with  them  a  liun- 
dred  and  sixty  head  of  cattle,  and  l)y  the  way  subsisted  on  the  milk  of 
their  cows.  iMrs.  Hooker  was  boi-ne  tliiough  the  wilderness  upon  a  lit- 
ter. The  peo|)le  carried  their  packs,  aims,  and  some  utensils.  They 
were  nearly  a  iortnight  on  their  journey."  "This  adventure  was  tho 
more  remarkable,  as  many  of  this  comjiaiiy  were  persons  of  figure,  who 
had  lived  in  I'^igland,  in  honor,  allluence  and  delicacy,  ami  were  entire 
strangers  to  fatigue  and  danger."* 

The  Indian  name  of  Hartford  was  Sitc/:iii<i-.  A  deed  appears  to  have 
been  given  by  ^Sunrkf/uasson,  the  sachem  of  the  place,  about  1636,  to 
Samuel  Stone  and  \ViHiam  Gooduin,  who  ajipear  to  have  acted  in  be- 
half of  the  first  settlers. 

The  town  of  Hartford  is  bounded  n.  by  Windsor  and  Bloomfield,  i:. 
by  Connecticut  river,  s.  by  AVethersfield,  and  w.  by  Farmington  and 
Avon.  It  is  about  six  miles  in  length  from  north  to  soulli,  and  aver- 
ages about  five  in  breadth.      The  western  part  of  the  town  has  a  soil  of 


*  At  llmt  lU'i-idd,  it  is  liclii'ved  ihal  the  Inrc^l.s  wore  niiieli  innrc  pa.ssnl)!^  tlinii  at 
pre.sLMit.  i.)|-.  Ilildicili.cil  Oliiii,  in  dosL-i  il.iii'_;  ilu'  new  lands  at  ll,,'  wcsi,  .sa)-;,:  "Wiiile 
iliL"  red  niL'ii  |X)-sf>-^cd  llir  rniniir\-,  and  cvi'vv  aiiliiinn  set  lire  m  liic  l.iilcii  leaves,  tlie 
turests  iire.,ented  a  i/nKst  n^lile  and  enelianlin-  appeai'anee.  'I'lie  annual  (irinj^rs  pre- 
vented thcKioulli  c)i  sliinhs  and  nndei  l,i  usli,  and  de^uu  iiiLMhe  Knver  hian.die.s  of 
the  trees,  the  eye  inved  will,  d,  iiL^lit,  iiuin  rid-e  lu  iu\-^<:  a'nd  luan  lull  to  lull;  wliicii, 
like  the  divisions  oC  an  iinnnaise  temple,  weie  ennwli-d  u  ill,  innnniei  able  pillars,  the 
branches  ut  \vlio.>e  shalis  jniei  loekm'.',  luiamd  the  ar(  li  ua.rk  nf  support  to  that  lealy 
lOuC  wliieh  covered  and  eiuu  ned  llie  w  hole.  IJni  Mnee  ihe  \\  lute  man  look  pvisses.sion, 
the  annual  lires  have  heen  idi.'c  ked,  and  the  wo.nllands  are  nov,'  lilled  with  shrubs  and 
young  trees,  obstruelin-  the  vr^ion  .ai  every  side,  and  .■unverlin^  ihe.-c  uiice  beauiiiiil 
lorcsis  into  a  rude  and  tasteiesa  uildeuiess." 


32 


II  A  U  T  F  O  11  D  , 


red  gravelly  earth,  very  rich  and  productive.  That  yiart  near  the  river 
is  covered  with  a  strong  clay,  or  a  rich  black  mold.  Tiie  latter  is  prin- 
cipally in  the  valuable  tract  of  meadow  adjacent  to  Connecticut  river. 

Hartford  City  was  incorporated  in  1784  ;  it  is  over  a  mile  in 
length  upon  the  river,  and  about  three  fourths  of  a  mile  in  breadth. 
The  alluvial  flat  upon  the  river  is  narrow,  being  from  40  to  100  rods, 
and  is  connected  with  the  upland  by  a  very  gradual  elevation.  It  is  sit- 
uated on  the  west  side  of  Connecticut  river,  50  miles  from  its  mouth, 
in  Lat,  41°  45'  and  Long.  4^  15'  e.  from  Wasliiiii^'ton.  It  is  128  miles 
N.  E.  New  York,  34  n.  n.  e.  New  Haven,  15  n.  Middletown,  44  n.  w. 
New  London,  74  w.  Providence,  100  w.  s.  w.  Boston,  and  97  s.  e.  Al- 
bany. The  legislature  of  the  state  assembles  alternately  at  Hartford 
and  New  Haven,  the  odd  years  at  Hartford.  The  city  is  rather  irregu- 
larly laid  out,   and  is  divided  at  the  south  part  by  jMill  or  Little  river. 


I'^iist  view  of  the  iStonv  .liridgc  in  llartj'urd. 

Across  this  stream  a  fine  bridge  of  free  stone  has  been  thrown,  which 
connects  the  two  parts  of  the  city.  This  structure  is  100  feet  wide, 
supported  by  a  single  arch,  7  feet  in  thickness  at  the  base,  and  3  feet 
3  inches  at  the  center,  the  chord  or  span  of  which  is  104  feet;  ele- 
vation from  the  bed  of  the  river  to  the  top  of  the  arch,  30  feet  9 
inches.  Another  bridge,  across  Connecticut  liver,  1,000  feet  long, 
and  which  cost  over  ,^100,000,  unites  the  city  with  East  Hartford, 
Hartford  is  very  advantageously  situated  for  business,  is  surrounded 
by  an  extensive  and  wealthy  district,  and  communicates  with  the 
towns  and  villages  on  the  Connecticut  above,  by  small  steamboats, 
(now  8  in  nimiber)  two  of  which,  for  passengers,  ply  daily  between 
Hartford  and  Springfield.  The  remainder  are  employed  in  towing 
flat  bottomed  boats  of  15  to  30  tons  burthen,  as  far  as  Wells'  river, 
220  miles  above  the  city.  The  coasting  trade  is  very  considerable,  and 
there  is  some  foreign  trade,  not  extensive,  carried  on.     Three  steam- 


HART  FORI).  33 

boals  foi'm  a  daily  line  between  here  and  New  York.  Tlie  nianufac-' 
lures  of  this  city,  by  a  late  return  made  to  the  secretary  of  the  treasury, 
exceed  JdiOOOjUOO  per  annum;  amony  these  are  various  manufactures 
of  till,  copper,  and  slieet  iron  ;  block  tin  and  pewter  ware  ;  printing 
presses  and  ink  ;  a  manufactory  of  iron  machinery  ;  iron  founderies, 
saddlery,  carriages,  joiners'  tools,  paper-hanginys,  looking-glasses,  um- 
brellas, stone  ware,  a  brewery,  a  web  manufactory,  cabinet  lurnitin-e, 
boots  and  shoes,  hats,  clothing  for  exportation,  soap  and  candles,  2  man- 
ufactories of  machine  and  other  wire  cards,  operaieil  by  dogs,  &ic.  &.c. 
INIore  than  twice  as  many  books  are  published  here,  annually,  as  are 
manufactured  in  any  other  place  of  equal  population  in  the  United 
States.     There  are  15  periodicals;  12  weekly  newspapers,  (5  sectarian,) 

2  semi-monthly  and  1  monthly.*  The  city  is  well  built,  and  contains 
many  elegant  public  and  private  edifices.  The  state  house,  in  which 
are  the  public  offices  of  the  state,  is  surmounted  by  a  cupola,  and  is  a 
very  handsome  and  spacious  building.  The  city  hall,  built  for  city 
purposes,  is  also  spacious  and  elegant;  it  has  two  fronts,  with  porticoes, 
supported  each  by  six  massy  columns.  In  the  city  are  12  |)lace3  of 
public  worship — 5  for  Congregationalists,  1  E[)iscopal,  2  Baptist,  1 
Metliodist,  1  Universalist,  1  Roman  Catholic,  and  1  African  ;  several 
of  these  are  very  handsome,  and  the  Episcopal,  a  Gothic  edifice,  is 
much  admired  for  its  elegance.     There  are  5  banks,  a  bank  for  savings ; 

3  fire  and  marine  insurance  offices,  an  arsenal,  museum,  2  markets,  5ic. 
The  American  Asylum  for  the  deaf  and  dumb,  the  Retreat  for  the 
insane,  and  Washuigton  College,  are  all  beautifully  located,  in  the  im- 
mediate vicinity  of  the  city.  The  population  within  the  city  limits  in 
Sej)teniber,  1835,  was  nine  thousand  and  eight  hundred. 

"  The  American  Asylum  for  the  education  and  instruction  of  deaf 
and  dumb  persons,  was  founded  by  an  association  of  gentlemen  in  Hart- 
ford, Conn,  in  1815.  Their  alteniion  was  called  to  this  important 
charity  by  a  case  of  deafness  in  the  family  of  one  of  their  number.  An 
interesting  child  of  the  late  Dr.  Cogswell,  who  had  lost  her  hearing  at 
the  age  of  two  years,  and  her  speech  soon  after,  was,  under  Providence, 
the  cause  of  its  establishment.  Her  father,  ever  ready  to  syn^paihize 
with  the  affiicted,  and  prompt  to  relieve  human  suflering,  embraced  in 
bis  plans  for  the  education  of  his  own  daughter,  all  who  might  be  simi- 
larly unfortunate.  The  co-operation  of  the  benevolent  was  easily  se- 
cured, and  measures  were  taken  to  obtain  from  Europe  a  knowledge  of 
the  difficult  art,  unknown  in  this  country,  of  teaching  written  language 
tlu-ough  the  medium  of  signs,  to  the  deaf  and  dumb.  Eor  this  purpose, 
the  Rev.  Thomas  H.  Gallaudet  visited  England  and  Scotland,  and  ap- 
plied at  the  institutions  in  those  countries  for  instruction  in  their  system; 
but  meeting  with  unexpected  difficulties,  he  repaired  to  France,  and 
obtained  at  the  Royal  Institution  at  Paris,  those  qualifications  for  an 
instructor  of  the  deaf  and  dumb,  which  a  selfish  and  mistaken  policy 
had  refused  him  in  Great  Britain.  Accompanied  by  IVIr.  Laurent  Clerc, 
himself  deaf  and  dumb,  and  for  several  years  a  successful  teacher  under 


Daiby  and  Dwight's  Gazetteer  ol'  the  United  Slates,  1833. 

5 


34 


n  A  H  T  F  O  R  D  . 


the  Abbe  Sicard,  IVFr.  Gallaudet  retmnecl  to  this  country  in  August, 
1816.  The  Asyhiin  had,  in  May  preceding',  been  incorporated  by  the 
state  legislature.  Some  months  were  spent  by  Messrs,  Gallaudet  and 
Clerc  in  obtaining  funds  for  the  benefit  of  the  institution,  and  in  the 
spring  of  18 17,  the  Asylum  was  opened  for  the  reception  of  those  for 
whom  it  was  designed,  and  the  course  of  instruction  con)menced  with 
seven  pupils. 


Vieio  of  the  American  Asylum  for  the  Deaf  and  Dumb. 

"  As  the  knowledge  of  the  institution  extended,  and  the  facilities  for 
obtaining  its  advantages  were  multiplied,  the  number  of  pu])ils  increased 
from  seven  to  one  hundred  and  forty,  which  for  several  years  past  has 
not  been  much  above  the  average  nundjer  ;  and  since  its  commence- 
ment in  1817,  instruction  has  been  imparted  to  four  hundred  and  sev- 
enty seven  deaf  and  dumb  persons,  includinn  its  present  inn)ates. 

"In  iSll),  Congress  granted  the  institution  a  township  of  land  in 
Alabama,  the  proceeds  of  which  iiave  been  invested  as  a  permanent 
fund.  The  principal  building,  of  which  the  above  is  a  front  view,  was 
erected  in  1320,  and  the  pupils  removed  to  it  in  the  spring  of  the  fol- 
lowing year.  It  is  one  hundred  and  thirty  feet  long,  fifty  feet  wide, 
and,  including  the  basement,  foiu*  stories  high.  Other  buildings  have 
been  subsequently  erected,  as  the  increasing  numt)er  of  pupils  made  it 
necessary  ;  the  principal  of  which  is  a  dining  l)all  and  workshops  for 
the  male  pupils.  Attached  to  the  institution  are  eight  or  ten  acres  of 
land,  which  atiord  ample  room  for  exercise  and  the  cultivation  of  vege- 
tables and  fiuits  for  the  pupils.     - 

"The  system  of  instruction  adopted  at  tliis  institution  is  substantially 
the  same  as  that  of  the  French  school  at  Paris.  It  has  however  been 
materially  improved  and  modified  by  Mr.  Gallaudet  and  his  associates. 
This  system,  and  indeed  every  other  rational  system  of  teaching  the 
deaf  and  dumb,  is  based  upon  the  natural  language  of  signs.  By  this 
we  mean  those  gestur(;s  wliich  a  tieaf  and  dumb  |)erson  will  naturally 
use  to  express  his  ideas,  and  to  make  known  his  wants  previous  to 


1827718 

HARTFORD.        -tSKBSI^^^^m  <^^ 


instruction.  These  gestures  and  sii;ns  are  rather  jnrtorial,  tliat  is,  an 
exact  outhne  of  the  ohject,  delinealed  by  the  hands  in  the  air;  or  de- 
scriptive, giviiit:  i\n  idea  of  an  ohject  by  presenting  some  of  its  promi- 
nent and  striking  features;  or  conventional,  such  as  may  have  been 
agreed  upon  by  a  deaf  and  dumb  person  and  his  associates.  As  there 
are  very  few  objects  which  can  be  expiessed  with  sufficient  clearness 
by  the  delineation  of  its  outhne  alone,  a  descriptive  sign  is  usually  con- 
nected with  it.  Thus,  in  making  the  sign  for  a  book,  the  outline  is  first 
delineated  by  the  ihve  finger  of  both  hands.  To  this  is  added  the  de- 
scriptive signs  of  opening  the  book,  placing  it  before  the  eyes,  and 
moving  the  lips  as  in  reading.  It  may  therefore  simplify  the  classifica- 
tion of  natural  signs  if  the  first  two  divisions  be  united  ;  and  it  will  be  suf- 
ficiently accurate  to  say  that  all  the  signs  used  by  the  deaf  and  dumb, 
are  either  descriptive  or  convcntiomd.  By  far  the  greater  part  of  these 
signs  belong  to  the  former  class  ;  as  it  includes  the  signs  for  most  com- 
mon objects,  actions  and  emotions.  A  deaf  and  dumb  child  constructs 
his  language  u[)on  the  same  principle  as  the  child  who  can  hear;  that 
of  imitation. 

"In  the  school-room,  tlie  instructor  makes  use  of  natural  signs  to 
communicate  ideas  to  his  pupils,  of  systematic  signs  to  enable  them 
to  translate  their  own  into  written  language  ;  of  the  manual  alphabet, 
or  signs  of  the  hand  corresponding  to  the  letters  of  the  alphabet ;  and 
of  written  symbols  to  express  the  grammatical  relations  of  words.  A 
more  particular  account  of  the  mode  of  instruction  would  be  inconsistent 
with  the  limits  assigned  to  this  article.  Indeed  it  can  hardly  be  neces- 
sary to  enlarge  on  this  topic,  as  visitors  can  at  all  times  have  access  to 
two  of  the  classes,  and  on  Wednesday  afternoon  to  all  the  classes, 
when  they  are  permitted  to  witness  the  process  of  imparting  instruction 
by  signs,  and  lo  make  such  inijuiries  as  will  enable  them  to  understand 
tlie  subject. 

"  The  pupiLs  usually  remain  at  the  Asylum  four  or  five  years,  in  which 
time  an  intelligeni  child  will  acijuire  a  knowledge  of  tlie  common  ope- 
rations of  arithmetic,  of  geography,  granmiar,  history,  biography,  and 
of  written  language,  so  as  to  enable  him  to  understand  the  Scriptures, 
and  books  written  in  a  familiar  style.  He  will  of  course  be  able  to 
converse  with  olliers  by  writing,  and  to  manage  his  own  affairs  as  a 
farmer  or  mechanic.  There  are  workshops  connected  with  the  institu- 
tion, in  which  the  boys  have  the  opportunity  of  learning  a  trade,  and 
many  of  them,  by  devoting  four  hours  each  day  to  this  object,  become 
skillful  workmen,  and  when  they  leave  the  Asylum,  find  no  difficulty  in 
supporting  themselves.  The  annual  charge  to  each  pupil  is  one  hun- 
dred dollars. 

'•  The  department  of  instruction  is  under  the  control  of  the  principal 
of  the  institution,  who  has  also  a  general  oversight  of  the  other  depart- 
ments. The  pupils  are  distributed  into  eight  or  nine  classes,  the  im- 
mediate care  of  which  is  committed  to  the  same  number  of  assistant 
instructors.  When  out  of  school,  the  pupils  are  under  the  care  of  a 
steward  and  matron. 


36 


II  A  K  T  F  O  U  I>  . 


"Five  or  six  similar  institutions  have  been  established  in  difTerent 
parts  of  the  country,  all  of  which  have  obtained  their  system  of  instruc- 
tion, and  some  of  their  teachers,  from  the  American  Asylum.  Nearly 
one  half  of  the  states  allbrd  the  means  of  obtaining  an  education  at 
some  one  of  these  schools,  to  their  own  indigent  deaf  and  dumb;  and 
it  is  greatly  to  be  desired  that  the  legislatures  of  all  the  other  states 
should  furnish  the  san)e  assistance  to  these  children  of  misfortune."* 


Eastern  view  of  the   iietreiit  for  the  Insane. 

"  l^his  institution  is  situated  on  a  commanding  eminence,  at  the  dis- 
tance of  a  mile  and  a  (juarter,  in  a  southwesterly  direction,  from  the 
State  House  in  Hartford.  The  elevation  overlooks  an  ample  range  of 
fertile  country,  presenting  on  every  side  a  most  interesting  landscape, 
adorned  with  every  beauty  of  rural  scenery,  that  can  be  found  in  rich 
and  cultivated  fields,  and  meadows  of  unrivalled  verdure  ;  in  extensive 
groves  and  picturesque  groups  of  forest,  fruit  and  ornamental  trees;  and 
above  nil,  in  the  charming  diversity  of  level,  slojiing  and  undulating 
surfaces,  terminating  by  distant  hills,  and  more  distant  mountains. 

"The  city  of  Hartford  is  conspicuously  seen  on  the  left,  and  in  dif- 
ferent directions,  five  flourishing  villages,  rendered  nearly  continuous 
by  numerous  intervening  farm-houses.  On  the  east,  the  prospect  is 
enlivened  by  the  perpetual  passing  and  repassing  of  carriages  and  trav- 
elers, on  the  two  principal  thoroughfares  of  the  country,  that  extend 
along  the  front  of  the  building,  one  at  the  distance  of  fifty  or  sixty  rods, 
the  other  within  three  fourths  of  a  mile.  Still  fartlier  eastward,  but 
within  a  mile  and  a  half,  the  prospect  is  frequently  enlivened  by  the 
splendid  show  of  passing  steamboats,  and  the  white  sails  of  various  wa- 
ter craft,  plying  up  and  down  the  Connecticut  river,  which  is  distinctly 
seen  in  many  long  windings. 

"  This  site  was  selected  as  one  pi'e-cminently  calculated  to  attract  and 
engage  the  attention,  and  soothe  and  appease  the  morbid  fancies  and  feel- 
ings of  the  patient,  whose  facidtles  are  not  sunk  below  or  raised  above  the 

♦  Anii-'iicaii  Magazine,  Vol.  I,  \Soj, 


II  A  R  T  F  O  R  IJ  .  37 

sphere  of  relations  that  originally  existed.  And  if  he  is  not  heyond  tlie 
reach  of  genial  sensations,  connected  with  external  objects,  he  will  un- 
doubtedly feel  the  conscious  evidence  that  this  situation  most  happily 
unites  the  tranquilizing  intluence  of  seclusion  and  retirement,  with  the 
cheering  eflect  of  an  animated  picture  of  active  life,  continually  passing 
in  review  before  his  eyes,  while  himself  is  remote,  and  secure  from  the 
annoyance  of  its  hustle  and  noise. 

'•'The  edifice  for  the  accommodation  of  the  patients,  and  those  who 
have  the  care  of  them,  is  constructed  of  unhewn  free  stone,  covered 
with  a  smooth  white  water-proof  cement.  Its  style  of  architecture  is 
perfectly  jilain  and  sim|)le,  and  interests  only  by  its  symmetrical  beauty, 
and  perha[)s  by  the  idea  it  impresses  of  durability  and  strength,  derived 
from  the  massy  solidity  of  its  materials — yet  notwithstanding  these,  its 
general  aspect  is  remarkably  airy  and  cheerful,  from  the  amplitude  of 
its  lights,  and  the  brilliant  whiteness  of  its  exterior.  The  whole  build- 
ing is  divided  into  commodious  and  spacious  apartments,  adapted  to 
various  descriptions  of  cases,  according  to  their  sex,  nature  and  disease, 
habits  of  life,  and  the  wishes  of  their  friends.  The  male  and  female 
apartments  are  entirely  separated,  and  either  sex  is  completely  seclu- 
ded from  the  view  of  the  other.  Rooms  are  provided  in  both  male  and 
female  apaitments  for  the  accommodation  of  the  sick,  where  they  are 
removed  iVom  any  annoyance,  nnd  can  continually  receive  the  kind  at- 
tentions of  their  immediate  relations  and  friends.  Attached  to  the  build- 
ing are  about  seventeen  acres  of  excellent  land,  the  principal  part  of 
wliich  is  laid  out  in  walks,  ornamental  grounds  and  extensive  gardens. 
^Vith  each  wing  and  block  of  the  building  is  connected  a  court-yard,  en- 
compassed by  high  fences,  and  handsomely  laid  out,  designed  to  afibru 
the  benelit  of  exercise,*pastime  and  fresh  air,  to  those  who  cannot  safely 
be  allowed  to  range  abroad. 

"  Coimecled  with  the  institution,  there  are  horses  and  carriages, 
which  are  appropriated  exclusively  to  the  benefit  of  the  patients,  and 
wliicli  afforii  them  much  pleasant  exercise  and  anuisemmit.  The  male 
patients  frcijuently  employ  themselves  in  the  garden,  and  amuse  them- 
selves at  the  backgammon  board,  draughts,  and  the  like.  Tlie  female 
patients  employ  themselves  in  sewing,  knitting,  drawing,  painting,  play- 
ing on  the  piano,  and  other  amusements.  The  various  exercises  and 
amusements  are  adapted  to  the  age,  sex,  and  former  habits  of  the  pa- 
tients, and  in  all  cases  the  two  sexes  are  kept  entirely  separate.  There 
is  a  library  in  the  Retreat,  coniposed  of  light  and  agreeable  works,  and 
several  periodicals  and  newspapers  are  constantly  taken,  for  tlie  perusal 
of  which  the  inmates  manifest  much  fondness.  On  the  Sabbath,  those 
that  are  in  a  jnoper  condition,  are  taken  to  church,  and  unite  in  reli- 
gious worship.  Every  thing  connecteil  with  the  institution,  is  ilesigned 
to  make  it  a  i:)leasant  and  agreeable  residence  for  all  the  inmates. 

"  This  institution  commenced  its  operations  on  the  1st  of  April,  1824, 
under  the  immediate  charge  of  the  late  Eli  Todd,  M.  D.  He  pursued 
a  course  of  ntedical  and  moral  treatment  which  has  been  crowned  with 
a  success,  second  to  no  other  similar  public  institution  of  which  we  have 
any  knowledge.    The  same  systeni  of  management  has  been  adopted  by 


38 


)I  A  H  T  V  O  11  U  , 


bis  successor,  Silas  Fuller,  M.  D.  recently  of  Columbia,  and  bas  also 
been  attended  witb  similar  success.  Dr.  Fuller  bas  for  many  years 
bad  tbe  cliarge  of  a  private  establislnnent  for  tlie  insane,  and  bas  been 
distinguisbed  for  bis  success  in  treating  this  alHictive  disease.  The 
general  system  of  moral  treatment  at  this  institution  is,  to  allow  tbe 
patients  all  the  liberty  and  indulgences  consistent  witb  their  own  safety 
and  that  of  others  ;  to  cherish  in  them  the  sentiment  of  self  respect ;  to 
excite  an  ambition  for  the  good  will  and  respect  of  others  ;  to  draw  out 
the  latent  sparks  of  natural  and  social  aftection  ;  and  to  occupy  their 
attention  witb  such  employments  and  amusements,  as  shall  exercise 
their  judgment,  and  withdraw  tbeir  minds  as  much  as  possible  from 
every  former  scene  and  every  former  con\panion  ;  and  give  an  entire 
change  to  tbe  current  of  tbeir  recollections  and  ideas.  By  pursuing  this 
course,  together  witb  a  judicious  system  of  medication,  many  'of  these 
once  miserable  beings,  cut  off  from  all  tbe  'linked  sweetness'  of  con- 
jugal, parental,  filial,  and  fraternal  enjoyment,  are  now  restored  to  the 
blessings  of  health,  to  tlie  felicities  of  affection,  and  to  the  capacity  of 
performing  tbe  relative  duties  of  domestic  and  social  life.'"* 


Eastern  view  of  IVashington  College. 

"  VVasbington  College  was  founded  in  1826.  It  bas  two  edifices  of 
free  stone  ;  one  148  feet  long  by  43  wide,  and  4  stories  high,  contain- 
ing 48  rooms  ;  tbe  other  87  feet  by  55,  and  3  stories  high,  containing 
the  chapel,  library,  mineralogical  cabinet,  philosophical  chamber,  labo- 
ratory and  recitation  rooms.  There  are  5,000  volumes  in  tbe  college 
library,  and  2,500  in  the  libraries  oftbe  different  societies.  A  complete 
philosophical  apparatus,  cabinet  of  minerals,  and  botanical  garden  and 
green  bouse,  belong  to  the  institution.  Tbe  faculty  consists  of  a  presi- 
dent, 6  professors,  and  2  tutors.  Students,  about  GO.  Commencement 
first  Thursday  in  August."! 

West  Hartford,  or,  as  it  was  formerly  called,  JVest  Division,  Is  a  fine 
tract  of  land.     Tbe  inhabitants  are  mostly  substantial  farmers,  and  tbe 


American  Mair.  Vol.  I. 


t  Darby  and  Dwight's  Gazetteer,  1833. 


HARTFORD, 


39 


general  appearance  of  the  place  denotes  an  unusual  share  of  equalized 
wealth  and  jirosperity.  The  venerable  IVathan  Perkins,  D.  1).  still 
continues  his  labors  in  the  ministry  in  West  Hartford.  In  1833;  his 
sixtieth  anniversary  sermon  was  published  in  the  National  Preacher. 
In  that  sermon  he  says,  "  I  am  now  the  oldest  officiating  minister  of 
the  gospel  in  this  state,  and,  as  far  as  I  can  learn,  in  the  United  States. 
And  I  cannot  learn,  from  the  history  of  churches  in  Connecticut,  that 
there  has  e\'er  before  been  an  instance  of  one  of  its  ministers  preaching 
for  sixty  years  uninterruptedly  to  the  same  congregation  ;  nor  during  a 
life  of  eighty  three  years,  have  1  ever  ujet  with  one  who  had  preached 
the  gospel  of  the  grace  of  God  to  one  and  the  same  people  for  the 
same  period." 

"  Titus  Ilosmer,  the  flither  of  the  late  Chief  Justice  Hosmer,  of 
Middletown,  was  a  native  of  West  Hartford.  He  was  one  of  the  most 
distinguished  scholars,  lawyers  and  statesmen  which  Connecticut  has 
produced.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Council,  and  of  Congress,  and 
Judge  of  the  Maritime  Court  of  Appeals  for  the  United  States.  He  was 
the  patron  of  Joel  Barlow,  in  encouraging  the  composition  of  his  Vision 
of  Columhns,  the  title  of  tlie  poem  first  published.  He  died  in  middle 
life,  and  Mr.  Barlow  wrote  an  elegant  poenj  as  an  elegy  on  his  death, 
and  inscribed  it  to  his  widow." 


Junction  of  Trap  Rock  and  SandstQnc,  at  RocJci/  Hill. 

The  above  engraving  was  made  from  a  large  lithographic  print  in 
the  I7th  vol.  of  Prof.  Silhman's  Journal  of  Science.  The  perpendic- 
ular strata  of  rocks  which  appear  in  the  engraving  are  termed  by  geolo- 
gists Trap  Rocks,  of  the  variety  called  greenstone.  This  ridge  is  one 
of  a  series  of  isolated  peaks  and  groups  tliat  divide  the  stales  of  Con- 
necticut and  Massachusetts  almost  centrally  in  two  ;  commencing  in 
the  East  and  West  Rocks  in  New  Haven  and  terniinating  on  the  bor- 
ders of  Veimont.  The  Pallisadoes  on  the  Hudson  are  comijosed  of 
trap  rocks,  and  it  is  known  that  tliey  cross  the  slate  of  New  Jersey, 
from  the  Hudson  to  the  Delaware.     The  Cave  of  Fingal,  in  the  island 


40 


H  A  R  T  I-  O  n  D  , 


of  Slatla,  and  the  Giant's  Causeway  in  the  north  of  Ireland,  are  still 
more  sin-^ular  examples,  on  account  of  the  regularity  and  lieii;lu  of  the 
columns,  and  of  their  curiously  jointed  structure.  The  rocks  in  the 
engraving  which  lie  in  a  horizontal  position  are  sandstone,  called  by  the 
masons  free  stone,  to  obtain  which  this  tjuarry  has  been  worked  for  more 
than  a  century.  This  quarry  is  about  three  miles  nearly  s.  s.  w.  from 
the  city  of  Hartford,  the  ridge  is  on  the  eastern  exposure  almost  covered 
with  soil.  "As  you  come  from  Hartford  on  the  old  Farmington  road, 
you  gently  rise  the  acclivity  of  a  hill,  for  perhaps  three  or  four  hundred 
yards,  and  as  you  reach  its  sunnnit  you  discover  the  trap  ridge,  breaking 
through  the  soil  on  your  right  and  left,  and  stretching  away  northeast 
and  southwest  like  a  line  of  fortification.  This  allusion  appears  still 
more  appropriate  when  you  discover,  on  coming  to  the  edge  of  the 
parapet,  that  the  vast  rampart  is  faced  with  a  deep  ditch,  just  such  an 
one  as  defense  would  rccjuirc,  were  the  ridge  covered  by  cannon  and 
bristling  with  bayonets.  This  ditch  is  ilie  excavation  wliicli  (as  its  ob- 
ject was  peaceful)  it  has  taken  a  century  to  make."  The  portion  of 
the  rocky  ridge  represented  in  the  engraving  is  about  eighty  feet,  in  the 
horizontal  direction  ;  the  trap  is  there  twenty  eight  feet  thick,  and  the 
sandstone  that  is  cut  through  is  sixteen  feet,  so  that  the  whole  height 
at  this  place  is  about  forty  feet.  The  water  in  the  hollow  is  an  accu- 
mulation of  rain,  in  the  bottom  of  the  quarry. 

"  Both  rocks,  as  thus  cut  througli  for  nearly  a  mile,  in  this  extensive 
quariy,  exhibit  a  magnificent  section  ;  such  as  a  geologist  wishing  to 
study  the  origin  of  the  trap  rocks,  would  be  most  anxious  to  see,  but 
would  hardly  exjiect  to  find.  To  others,  the  place  is  worth  visiting  on 
account  of  the  beauty  of  the  scenery.  In  the  retrospect  towards  Hart- 
ford, is  the  grand  and  rich  valley  of  the  Connecticut — before  you,  the 
vales  of  Newington  and  West  Hartford,  almost  equally  beautiful ;  and 
the  view  in  both  directions,  is  bounded  by  hills  and  mountains,  which, 
to  the  north  and  south,  appear  interminable." 

It  is  now  believed  by  all  geologists,  that  the  materials  composing  the 
trap  rocks  were  nielte(l  in  the  bowels  of  the  earth,  and  thrown  upward 
through  the  incumbent  strata  by  igneous  action,  and  that  the  peculiar 
formation  of  these  rocks,  presenting  solid  masses,  in  which,  in  general, 
the  appearance  of  fire  is  not  obvious,  was  caused  by  the  pressure  of 
water  from  above,  it  being  unquestionable  among  geologists,  that  our 
globe  was  once  covered  with  a  deep  ocean. 


The  cut  on  the  next  page  is  a  representation  of  the  point  of  land  in  the 
limits  of  the  city  of  Hartfoid,  now  called  Dutch  Point.  Tlie  entrance  of 
I\lill  river  into  the  Connecticut  is  seen  in  the  engraving.  In  1633,  the 
Dutch  erected  a  foit  and  trading  house  on  the  south  side  of  this  stream, 
which  they  called  the  Tlirsc  of  Good  Hope.  Tliirty  or  forty  yeais 
since,  some  of  the  I'emanis  of  the  fort  were  in  existence,  being  washed 
out  of  the  earth  Ijy  the  river.  Since  that  time,  the  river  has  worn 
away  the  site  of  the  fort.  The  large  building  seen  in  the  engraving  is  a 
steam  paper  mill  :  ship  building  is  also  carried  on  at  this  place.  The 
spire  seen  in  the  distance  is  that  of  the  South  Congregational  Church. 


II  A  n  T  F  o  n  D . 


41 


The  Dutch  maintained  a  distinct  and  independent  government  at  the 
Point  for  many  years,  and  resisted  the  Urws  of  the  colony.  They  in- 
veigled an  Indian  woman,  who,  being  liable  to  public  punishment,  fled 
from  her  master.  Though  her  master  demanded  her  as  his  property, 
and  the  magistrates  as  a  criminal,  on  whom  the  law  ought  to  take  its 
course,  yet  they  would  not  deliver  her  up.  Tlie  Dutch  agent,  in  the 
height  of  disorder,  resisteil  the  guard.  "  lie  drew  his  rapier  upon  the 
soldiers,  and  broke  it  upon  their  arms.  He  then  escaped  to  the  fort, 
and  there  defended  himself  with  impunity."  Considerable  didicully 
oftentimes  arose  between  them  and  llie  l^nglish  settlers,  till  the  year 
165-1,  when  an  order  from  the  Parliament  arrived,  recpiiring  that  the 
Dutch  should  in  all  respects  he  treated  as  the  declared  enemies  of  the 
commonwealth  of  England.  In  conformity  to  this  order,  the  General 
Court  convened,  and  an  act  was  passed  sequestering  the  Dutch  house, 
lands,  and  property  of  all  kinds  at  Hartford,  for  the  benefit  of  the  com- 
monwealth. 


Dutch  Foiitt,  in  Hartford. 

"The  Dutch,"  says  Dr.  Trumbull,  "were  always  mere  intruders. 
They  had  no  right  to  any  part  of  this  country.  The  English  ever  de- 
nied their  right,  and  when  the  Dutch  placed  a  governor  at  New  Neth- 
erlands, and  the  court  of  England  made  complaint  of  it  to  the  States 
General,  they  disowned  the  aJTair,  and  said  it  was  only  a  private  under- 
taking of  an  Amsterdam  West  India  cotnpany.  King  James  the  first 
commissioned  Edward  Laugdon  to  he  governor  at  New  Netherlands, 
and  named  the  country  New  Albion.  The  Dutch  submitted  to  the 
English  government,  until  the  troubles  in  England,  under  the  adminis- 
trations of  King  Charles  the  first  and  the  long  parliament." 

When  William  Holmes  came  up  the  river  in  1633,  to  establish  a  tra- 
ding house  at  Windsor,  he  found  that  the  Dutch  had  got  up  the  river 
before  him,  made  a  light  fort,  and  planted  two  pieces  on  Dutch  Point. 
"  The  Dutch  forbid  Holmes  going  up  the  river,  stood  by  their  cannon, 
and  ordered   him  to  strike  his  colors,  or  they  would  fire   upon  him." 

G 


42 


II  A  11  T  F  OKI). 


Holmes  being  a  bold  and  resolute  inan,.  inHji-mcd  tbcin  tbat  be  had  a 
commission  IVoni  the  frovernor  of  Pl}niuuih  to  go  up  the  river,  and  tbat 
he  must  obey  bis  orders.  Disregarding  their  threats,  be  proceeded  up 
the  river  and  established  the  tiadin^i  bouse."* 


First  Meeting  House  built  in  Connecticut. 

The  above  is  believed  to  be  a  correct  representation  of  the  first  bouse 
ever  erected  in  Connecticut  for  Christian  woisbij).  Tlie  drawing  was 
obtained  from  a  gentleman  now  deceased,  who  devoted  considerable 
time  and  attention  to  antiquarian  researches  in  Hartford  :  the  drawing 
of  JMr.  Hooker's  house  was  obtained  from  the  same  individual.  In  Dr. 
Strong's  consecration  sermon,  in  1807,  it  is  stated  that  the  first  bouse 
for  public  worship  was  built  in  16;38,  stood  ninety  nine  years,  and  was 
then  taken  down.  There  must  have  been  some  mistake  about  this,  as 
it  appears  by  a  reference  to  the  early  records  of  the  town,  that  there 
was  a  meeting  bouse  in  \i^^■^7^,  and  in  I (!.')(),  -^  it  was  ordered  that  the  oJd 
meeting  house  sh;dl  he  given  (o  Mr.  (or  Mrs.  ?)  Hooker.  _  Some  of  the 
timber  of  the  first  house  is  still  in  existence,  a  portion  of  it  being  used 
in  the  construction  of  the  Center  Congregational  Church, 


*  Gov.  Bradrord  of  Plymouth  gives  lli,Mullo\viii£;  nccuunt :  "The  Dutch,  with  whom 
we  hud  formerly  converse  :iiid  rauiiliarily,  seeiiij.'  us  stated  in  a  barren  qutirter,  told  us 
of  a  river  called  by  them  Frus-h  Rucr,  wlifh  they  olien  commended  to  us  for  a  fine 
place,  both  for  plantation  and  trade,  and  wished  us  to  make  use  of  it;  but  our  hands 
being  full  otherui.se,  we  let  it  pass.  But  afterwards  there  coming-  a  company  of  In- 
dians into  these  parts,  who  were  driven  iheiice  by  ihu  PeqU(mls,(l'equots,)  wJio  usurped 
upon  them,  they  often  solicited  us  to  go  thither,  and  we  should  have  much  trade,  espe- 
cially if  we  would  keep  a  house  there  ....  we  began  to  send  that  way  and  trade 
with  the  natives.  ]Jut  the  Dutch  begin  now  to  repent ;  and  hearing  of  our  purpose 
and  preparation,  endeavor  to  prevent  us,  get  in  a  little  before  us,  make  a  slight  fort, 
and  plant  two  pieces,  threatening  to  stop  our  pn.ssage.     But  wc  having  a  great  new 

bark,  and  a  frame  of  a  house,  lS^c reaily,  that  we  may  have  a  defense  against  the 

Indians,  who  a)'e  much  oflended  thai  w c  bi  ini;  home  and  restore  the  right  sachems  of 
the  place  callea  Salau-atinuL  ....  though  cliall(n'_;ed  by  the  Dutch,  who  stood  by  their 
ordnance,  ready  hlted,  ^c.  ....  pass  along,  and  the  Dutch  threaten  us  hard,  yet  they 
shoot  not.  And  this  was  our  first  entrance  iljLie:  we  did  the  Dutch  no  wrong:  for 
■we  took  not  a  foot  of  any  land  they  bought;  but  went  above  them,  and  bought  that 
tract  of  land  which  belonged  to  the  Indians  we  carried  with  ns,  and  our  friends,  with 
whom  the.Dutch  had  nothing  to  do."— //('Zwti'  Annals,  Vol.  I. 


11  A  n  T  r  o  u  D , 


43 


llcv.  Thomas  Hooker's  House. 

The  above  is  a  front  view  of  (lie  house  of  the  Rev.  Tliomas  Hooker, 
(the  first  minister  in  Connecticut.)  'l"hc  projection  in  front  (A)  was 
called  the  |)orch,  and  was  used  as  his  stLidy.  Tliis  building  stood  in 
School  street,  on  the  north  side  of  the  high  and  romantic  banks  of  Mill 
river.     The  drawing  was  taken  immediately  before  it  was  taken  down. 


Charier  Oak,  {March,  1836.) 

The  above  is  a  western  view  of  the  Charter  Oak,  and  shows  the  ap- 
pearance of  the  tree,  as  it  is  seen  from  near  ^lain  street.  It  stands  on 
the  beautiful  elevation  which  rises  ahove  the  south  meadovys,  a  \'q\\'  rods 
north  of  the  ancient  seat  of  the  VVyllys  family.  The  tree  is  still  in  a 
vigorous  state,  and  may  (lourish  for  anotlier  century.  The  engraving 
inserted  above,  was  executed  liorn  a  drawing  taken  in  March,  1836,  and 
of  course  is  seen  without  foliage.      In  reply  to  an  inquiry  respecting  tins 


44  II  A  R  T  F  0  U  I)  . 

tree,  (says  Dr.  Holmes,*)  a  daugliter  of  the  present  secretary  Wyllys, 
of  Connecticut,  wrote  tome  from  Hartford  :  "That  venerable  tree, 
which  concealed  the  charter  of  our  rights,  stands  at  the  foot  of  Wyllys 
hill.  The  first  inhabitant  of  that  name  found  it  standing  in  the  height 
of  its  glory.  Age  seems  to  have  curtailed  its  branches,  yet  it  is  not 
exceeded  in  the  height  of  its  coloring,  or  richness  of  its  foliage.  The 
trunk  measures  twenty  one  feet  in  circumference,  and  near  seven  in 
diameter.  The  cavity,  which  was  the  asylum  of  our  charter,  was  near 
the  roots,  and  large  enough  to  admit  a  child.  \Viihin  the  space  of  eight 
years,  that  cavity  has  closed,  as  if  it  had  fulfilled  the  divine  purpose  for 
which  it  had  been  reared." 

Sir  Edmund  Andross  being  appointed  the  first  governor  general  over 
New  England;  arrived  in  ]joston,  in  December.  IGSG.  Erom  this  place 
he  wrote  to  the  colony  of  Connecticut  to  resign  their  charter,  but  with- 
out success.  "  Tlie  Assend)ly  met  as  usual,  in  October,  and  tlie  govern- 
ment continued  according  to  charter,  until  the  last  of  the  month.  About 
this  time.  Sir  Edmund,  with  his  suite  and  more  than  sixty  regular  troops, 
came  to  Hartford  when  the  Assembly  wuie  sitling,  and  demanded  the 
charter,  and  declared  the  government  umler  it  to  be  dissoUcd.  The 
Assembly  were  extremely  reluctant  and  slow  with  lespeci  to  any  resolve 
to  surrender  the  charter,  or  with  respect  to  any  moiiuu  to  bring  it  forth. 
The  tradition  is,  that  Governor  Treat  strongly  represented  the  great 
expense  and  hardships  of  the  colonists  in  planting  the  country  ;  the 
blood  and  treasure  which  they  had  expended  in  defending  it,  both 
against  the  savages  and  foreigners;  to  what  hardships  he  himself  had 
been  exposed  for  that  purpose  ;  and  that  it  was  like  giving  up  his  life, 
now  to  surrender  the  patent  and  piivilcges  so  deaily  bought  and  so  long 
enjoyed.  The  im|)ortant  atlair  was  debated  and  kept  in  suspense  until 
the  evening,  when  the  charter  was  brought  and  laid  upon  the  table 
where  the  Assembly  were  sitting.  By  this  time  gieat  nmiiljcr.s  of  peo- 
ple were  assembleil,  and  men  siiUlcienlly  hold  to  enterprise  whatever 
might  he  necessary  ov  exiiL'dient.  The  hL:hts  were  instanth-  extin- 
guished, and  one  Captain  Wadsworth,  of  llarll'ord,  in  the  most  silent 
and  secret  manner,  carried  oft"  the  charier, f  anil  secreted  it  in  a  large 
hollow  tree,  fronting  the  house  of  Hon.  Samuel  Wyllys,  then  one  of 
the  magistrates  of  the  colony.  The  people  all  a])]K'ared  peaceable  and 
orderly.  The  candles  were  officiously  reliiihted,  but  the  patent  was 
gone,  and  no  discovery  could  be  n:iade  of  it,  or  the  )ierson  who  carried 
it  away.  Sir  Ednmnd  assumed  the  government,  and  the  records  of  the 
colony  were  closed  in  the  following  words: 

"At  a  General  Court  at  Hartford,  Oct.  31,  1G87,  his  excellency  Sir 
Edmund  Andross,  knight,  and  captain  general  and  governor  of  his  ma- 
jesty's territories  and  dominions  in  New  England,  by  order  of  his  majesty 
James  U.  king  of  England,  Scotland.  France,  and  Ireland,  the  31st  of 
October,  1687,  look  into  his  hands  the  government  of  the  colony  of 
Connecticut,  it  being  by  his  majesty  annexed  to  Massachusetts  and 
other  colonies  under  his  excellency's  government.  Fjnis."J 


♦  Holmes'  American  Annals,  published  in  ISOf).  t  This  charter  is  still  in  good 

preservation  in  the  Secretary  of  Stale's  oJlice,  Hartford,     t  Trumbiill's  Hist,  of  Conn. 


HARTFORD.  45 

EXTRACTS   FROM    THE    EARLY    RECGRDS    OF    THE    TOWN   OF   HARTFORD. 

1G35.— Itjs  ordered  that  tlieresliall  he  a  pfuaiil  of .  .  .  iricu  to  attend  with  their  arms 
fixed,  and  two  siioi  of  powder  and  shot,  at  least  ....  every  jtublic  meeting  for  reli- 
gious use,  with  two  ser^'eants  to  oveisee  tlie  same,  and  to  keep  out  one  of  tliem  senti- 
nel   and  the  .said  guard  to  be  Ireed  lioin  waidinj,',  and  to  have  scats  provided 

near  the  meeting  house  door,  and  the  seiyeanls  to  repair  to  the  inagiilrates  lor  a  war- 
rant for  the  due  execution  thereof. 

It  is  ordered,  that  every  inhabitant  wliieh  liath  not  freedom  from  the  whole  to  be 
absent,  shall  make  his  personal  appearance  at  every  general  meeting  of  the  whole 
town,  having  suliicient  warning ;  and  whosoever  fails  to  appear  at  the  time  and  place 
appointed,  shall  pay  six  pence  for  every  such  default;  but  if  he  shall  have  a  lawful  ex- 
cuse, it  shall  be  repaid  him  again;  oi-  whosoever  de|-.ails  awav  liom  ihe  meeting  be- 
fore it  be  ended,  without  libeiiy  Irom  the  whole,  .^hall  pav  the  likewise. 

It  is  ordered,  that  wliosoever  borrows  ihe  lou  n  chain,  shall  pav  two  pence  a  day  for 
everyday  they  keep  the  .same,  and  pa}-  fur  mending  it  if  it  be  hrtiken  in  their  use. 

It  is  ordered,  that  there  shall  be  a  set  meeliii:;  oi  all  the  townsmen  tugelher  the  first 
Thursday  in  every  month,  by  nine  of  the  clock  in  the  lorenoon,  that  so  il  anv  inhab- 
itant have  any  business  with  them,  he  may  repair  unlo  ihem  ;  and  whosoever'nf  them 
do  not  meet  at  the  place  anil  time  set,  to  forleit  two  shillings  and  six  pence  lor  every 
default. 

At  a  general  Town  IMeeting  in  April,  IGl.'; — It  was  oidcred,  that  IMr.  Andrews 
Bliould  teach  the  children  m  the  school  one  vear  next  ensuing,  liom  the  •2ljlh  of  March, 
lGi:i,  and  that  he  shall  have  loi  hi,  pains  Clti;  and  ilierefoie  the  townsmen  shall  go 
and  nKjuire  who  will  engage  thcmsclvLS  i(,  suul  their  children ;  and  all  that  ilo  so, 
shall  pay  for  one  quaiter  at  the  least,  and  Un-  moie  if  they  do  send  them,  after  the  pro- 
portion of  twenty  shillings  the  yeai  ;  and  if  they  go  any  weeks  more  than  an  even 
quarter,  they  shall  pay  six  pence  a  week":  and  if  any  would  send  their  children,  and 
are  not  able  to  pay  for  their  teaching,  lln^y  shall  give  notice  of  it  to  the  townsmen, 
and  they  shall  pay  it  at  the  town's  chaige;  and  Mr.  Andrews  shall  kee])  the  account 
between  the  children's  schooling  and  himstdf,  and  send  notice  of  the  times  of  payment 
and  demand  it;  and  if  his  wages  doth  nol  soci)mein,  then  the  townsmen  must  collect 
and  pay  it;  or  if  the  engagements  come  nol  to  sixteen  jiounds,  then  they  shall  pay  what 
is  wanting,  at  the  town's  charges. 

At  a  general  Town  Meeting,  Octobei  30th,  1GJ3.— It  was  ordered,  that  if  any  boy 
shall  be  taken  playing  or  misbehaving  hiui-ell',  m  the  time  of  piddic  services,  wJielher 

in  the  meeting  house  or  about  the  walls hv  iwo  witnesses,  foi-  ihe  fii'st  lime,  shall 

be  examined  and  punished  at  the  prcsinl,  pnl.lnlv,  before  the  assembly  depart ;  and  if 
any  shall  be  the  second  time  taken  fanliy,  on  wn'ness,  shall  be  accounted Fur- 
ther, It  is  ordered,  if  the  parents  or  masicr  shall  desire  lo  correct  his  boy,  he  shall  have 
libert}',  the  lust  lime,  to  tlo  ihe  same. 

It  was  further  orvlered,  in  the  same  gencMal  meelinL;,  that  theie  shouKi  beabcllrung 
by  Ihe  watch  every  morning  an  hourbefoie  day  lueak,  and  that  tliev  ihr.l  are  aiijioint- 
ed  by  the  constables  lor  ihat  purpose,  shall  begin  at  the  bridge,  and  s..  ring  the  bell  all 

the  way  forth  and  back  from  Master  JNIoody's  (AVylly&'liill)^o  John  Pratt's 

and  that  they  shall  be  in  eveiy  house,  (jne  up,  and  .  .  .  some  lights  within  one  quarter 

of  an  hour  after  the  end  of  the  bell  ringing  .  .  .  if  they  can the  bell  is  rung  before 

the  time  appointed,  then  to  be  up  with  lights  as  before  mentioned,  half  an  hour  before 
day  break,  ami  for  default  herein  is  to  forfeit  one  shilling  and  six  jience,  to  be  to  him 
that  finds  him  faulty,  and  aix  pence  to  the  town. 

1650.— It  is  further  ordered,  that  there  shall  be  a  porch  buill  at  the  meeting  house, 
with  stairs  through  the  chamber,  to  lie  ordered  bv  Mr.  Goodwin  and  the  townsmen- 
and  the  Governor,  Mr.  Wells,  Mr.  Webster,  .Tohn'Taylor  and  .John  Steele,  to  make  a 
rate  for  the  same,  or  any  other  tuwn  business,  as  they  shall  see  meet,  and     .     .     . 

It  is  ordered,  that  the  old  meeting  liuuse  shall  be  given  to  Mr.  (or  Mrs. .')  Hooker. 

The  17th  September,  IGJO.— It  is  ordered,  lliai  ....  "Woodward  shall  spend  his  time 
about  killing  of  wolves,  and  for  his  encouragement  he  shall  have  four  shillings  and 
six  pence  a  week  for  hi.s  board,  in  case  he  kill  not  a  wtjlf  or  a  deer  in  the  week;  but  if 
he  kill  a  wolf  or  a  deer,  he  is  lo  pay  for  his  board  himself;  and  if  he  kill  ....  to  have 
il  for  two  pence  a  pound.     This  order  is  made  for  a  monih  bcfoie  he  bei^'ins. 

It  is  further  ordered,  that  if  any  per.son  hath  lost  any  thing  that  he  dcsiieth  should 
be  cried  m  a  publick  meeting,  he  shall  pay  for  crying  ol'it  tuopciife  lo  Thomas  Wood- 
ford, to  be  paid  before  it  be  cried ;  and  ihe  crier  shall  have  a  book  of  Ihe  things  that 
he  crieth. 


46  II  A  R  T  F  O  11  D  .  - 

1G50. — At  tliesame  meeting  of  the  town  tlicre  is  a  rate  granted  to  the  townsmen  for 
forty  pounds,  vvheiuof  twenty  pounds  is  to  be  lent  to  Jeixnny  Adams  lor  one  }ear,  to 
be  repaid  baek  again,  in  wampum. 

I(j53.— Tliere  was  a  grant  (o  Jonathan  Gilberl,  that  he  should  set  up  a  warehouse 
at  the  common  landing  place  in  the  little  meaduw,  and  upon  that  land  without  Mrs. 
Hooker's  lot,  which  she  doth  challenge  to  be  her  land ;  piovided,  the  said  Jonathan  ' 
do  it  by  the  consent  of  Mrs.  Hooker. 

1654. — It  was  granted  by  the  vote  of  the  town,  that  old  Goodwife  "Walts  sliall  have 
that  land  that  formeily  she  had  ol'  the  town,  which  w  as  the  Indians,  for  this  year,  as 
she  had  it  before,  upon  the  same  terms. 

1G59. — For  the  preventing  future  evils  and  inconveniences  that  many  times  are 
ready  to  break  in  upon  us,  by  many  ])ersnns  ushering  in  themselves  among  us,  who 
are  strangers  to  us,  through  whuse  ])overly,  evil  manners  or  ojiinions,  the  town  is  sub- 
ject to  be  much  prejudiced  and  endangered  :  it  is  therefore  oidered,  at  the  same  town 
meeting,  tliat  no  person  or  persons  in  Hartford,  shall  give  entertainment,  or  receive 
any  family,  person  or  persons  that  is  not  an  inhabitant,  so  as  to  rent  any  ))ait  of  his  or 
their  house  to  him  or  them,  whereby  he  or  they  become  an  inmate,  without  it  be  lirst 
consented  to  by  the  ordeil\'  vole  of  the  inhabitants,  at  some  town  meeting,  under  the 
forfeiture  of  live  pounds  for  every  month,  to  be  rerovered  by  the  townsmen  in  being, 
by  a  course  of  law,  if  other  means  will  not  prevail,  and  this  for  the  use  of  the  town  ; 
and  also,  all  such  persons  as  break  this  order,  shall  be  liable  to  be  called  to  an  account 
by  the  town,  and  bear  all  just  damages  that  shall  accrue  to  the thereby. 

16Gt). — At  the  same  town  meeting,  the  town  by  their  vote  ordered,  that  whosoever 
for  the  luiure  shall  dig  oi  carry  away  earth  (iom  the  sentinel  hill,  shall  forfeit  two 
shillings  a  load,  and  so  for  every  proportion,  without  they  have  the  consent  of  ensign 
Talcott  and  John  Allyn. 

IGGl. — The  same  day,  the  Jews,  wliieh  at  present  live  in  John  Marsh  his  house, 
have  liberty  to  sojourn  in  the  town  seven  mouths. 

1083. — The  town  by  their  vote  appointed  the  present  townsmen  lo  provide  suitable 
supplies  of  wood  and  provisions,  lor  Goodman  Ivandall  and  Ins  wife,  who  are  at  pres- 
ent lame  and  ill,  and  not  able  to  jirovide  for  their  necessity  ;  and  also  lo  get  a  chirur- 
geon  to  cure  and  dress  him;  and  lliey  are  to  employ  the  furfeilures  due  fruin  llio.se 
that  have  refused  to  serve  as  constables  this  year  lu  the  sei vice;  and  the  rest  that  is 
necessary  the  town  inusi  sujiply. 

1G86. — The  town  by  their  vote  made  choice  of  Major  Talcott,  ensign  Nathaniel 
Stanley,  Mr.  Cyprian  Nichols  and  John  Bidvx'ejl,  to  consider  the  best  way  to  make  a 
channel  in  the  river  between  this  town  and  Wcihersliehl ;  and  lo  order  the  elfecting 
thereof,  in  the  best  way  and  manuer  they  can,  that  may  be  as  little  prejudice  as  may 
be,  without  charge  to  the  low  n. 

1GS7.— The  towiisincii  of  tint  y.'ar,  gave  an  a.'Cwunt  to  the  town,  ot  twu  ii.umds  twu 
shillings  and  eleven  jienee,  they  had  leceneJ  ul  the  seleeimeii  in  IGm'i,  e.v.peiided  on 
the  jioor. 

At  a  Town  Meeting,  February  £!8th,  1G81).— The  town  of  Hartford  voted,  that  Mr. 
Samuel  Wyllys'  house  should  be  fortified  on  the  south  side  of  the  river;  and  also 
Mr.  James  Steele's  house  for  the  defense  of  the  to\\ii. 

The  town  also  voted,  that  Mr.  John  Dlcoit's  liou.se  should  be  fortified  ftir  the  north 
side  of  the  river  ;  and  also  Mr.  Bartholomew  Barnard's  house  lor  the  said  use. 

1604. — In  compliance  with  the  recommendation  of  the  General  Court,  May  last, 
sundry  of  both  societies  being  met  together,  and  the  rest  being  warned  to  meet,  we 
have  considered  the  motion  of  our  neighbors  of  the  east  side,  and  that  in  reference  to 
their  desire  of  settling  of  a  minister  on  the  east  siiJe  of  the  liver,  we  do  declare  we 
prize  their  good  comjiany,  and  cannot,  without  their  help,  well  and  comfortably  carry 
on  or  maintain  the  ministry  in  the  two  societies  here  ;  yet,  upon  the  earnestness  of  our 
neighbors  lobe  disiinct,  because  of  the  trouble  and  danger  they  complain  they  are  ex- 
posed to,  by  coming  over  to  the  publick  worship  here  ;  which  d'ilhcully  they  should  not 
but  foresee  before  they  settled  where  the}' are,  and  iherefoie  is  ul  less  weight  to  us; 
and  upon  these  considerations  we  cannot  be  free  to  jjait  witli  good  neighbors  ;  yet,  if 
the  General  Court  see  cause,  we  must  submit.  But  we  desire,  if  so  it  ninst  be,  that 
then,  Iho.sc  of  the  good  ])eople  of  the  cast  siiie,  that  desire  lo  continue  with  us  of  the 
west  side,  should  so  do  ;  that  all  the  land  on  ihe  east  side,  that  belongs  to  any  of  the 
people  on  the  west  side  shall  pay  lo  the  miiustry  of  the  west  side  ;  and  that  all  ihe 
land  on  the  west  side  shall  pay  lo  the  minister  of  the  west  srde,  though  it  belongs  to 
the  people  of  the  easi  side. 


H  A  II  T  F  0  R  D  .  47 

Mrs.  "Wilson  is  allowed  by  the  town  to  rt'tail  drink  to  those  that  hnvo  occasion  .  .  . 
this  lime  twelve  months,  she  attending'  the  Jaw  therein. 

1G97.— Likewise  the  town  have  yraiitrd  to  Air.  John  Olcott,  for  the  standing  of  a 
cuter  house  already  erected  near  his  dwelling  house,  lur  such  time  as  he  shall  continue 
the  same  lor  that  use,  not  to  alter  the  property  of  the  land,  but  tlie  ritdii  thereof  to  be- 
long to  the  town. 

1704.— At  the  same  meeting  the  tou-n  voted,  that  there  shall  be  four  houses  fortified 
on  the  east  side  of  the  great  river,  at  their  cost  and  chaige. 

At  the  same  meeting,  the  town  made  choice  of  Mr.  William  Pitkin,  Lieutenant 
Jonathan  IJills,  Deacon  Joseph  Olrnsled,  Daniel  Bidwell,  Seigeanl  William  Will- 
iams, to  be  a  committee  to  appoint  those  houses  whieh  shall  be  lortilied,  and  also  to 
proportion  each  man's  share  that  he  is  to  do  of  said  fortification. 

1709.— Voted,  that  if  any  person  or  persons  shall  box  anv  pine  trees  within  the 
bounds  of  the  town  of  Hartford,  either  on  the  commons  or  undivided  land,  or  shall 
draw  any  turpentine  out  of  anv  pine  trees  that  are  alrcaci}-  boxed  within  the'afoiesaid 
bounds,  shall  lorfeit  to  the  town's  u.se  the  simi  of  live  shillin-s  (or  every  tree  so  im- 
proved, contrary  to  this  act,  excepting  only  wliat  turiieniine  may  be  draun  out  of  the 
pine  trees  that  are  already  boxed  for  the  town's  use. 

1711.— At  the  same  meeting  it  was  voted,  that  every  rateable  person  in  this"  town 
shall  be  obliged  in  the  months  of  March,  April,  May  and  June,  to  kill  one  dozen  of 
blackbirds,  or  else  pay  one  shilling  forthc  town's  use;  and  any  person  that  shall  kill  more 
than  ilicir  dozen  in  the  said  time,  shall  be  allowed  one  pennv  i>er  head  for  as  many  as 
they  shall  kill;  and  that  the  selectmen  take  care  that  this  vote  be  performed;  and'thrs 
order  to  remain  and  be  ol  full  force  and  viilue,  until  the  town  shall  see  cause 'to  alter  it. 

The  following,  (copied  fiom  Dr.  llawcs'  Centennial  Addfcss,)  is  a 
list  of  the  names  of  ail  persons  holding  land  in  Hartford,  in  February, 
1639.  At  that  time  it  appears  that  all  the  lands  of  the  inhabitants 
were  recorded  in  a  book,  and  we  have  every  reason  to  suppose  tliis  to 
be  a  perfect  list.     The  ancient  orthography  is  retained. 

John  fJayesfO  -Tnhn  Riddell  John  Haysee  William  Blumfield    ' 

tdward    lupkins  Ilobert  Day  Jeremy  Adams  Gregory  Witterton 

George  W.lles  Thomas  Birchwood   Thon,as  Hunee  Jos-^pji  Maggott 

Thonias  Wells  Richard  Lord  John  Alood.e  iXaihanicI  Ward 

w  I'l-        w\""  •  ^-TT  ^'"""^'  •''^^^■J^''  ^^>'^'^"  Tliomas  Hooker 

William  Whvlinge  ISiehola^  l)i>borow  John  Barnard  John  Peirce 

William  Goodwing  William  Kelsey  John  Willeoek  William  (Jibbins 

William  Wesiuuod  Matthew  Allen  .lames  Knsine  .lohn  Skinner 

Ihomasllont  Naihan.el  Lly  John  Hoplcm.s  iValhaniel  Kcllo-ge 

Nicholas  (.)lmslead  riiumas  Spenser,  Siephen  Post  James  Olm.stead 

John  Mamard  Sergt.  at  Armes.  Thomas  Bull  Thomas  Judd 

Nathame    Barden  John  Purehas  Franeis  Andrews  William  Coniwell 

IhomasUps.m  Robert  Wade  Andrew  Bacon  James  Wakeley 

Ralph  Keeler  Ozias  Goodwing  William  Hide  Richard  Church 

Richard  Webb  Richard  Seamor  Arthur  Smiih  Thomas  Stanton 

Jc.hnLrow  William  Phillips  George  Graves  Seih  Grant 

Nicholas  Clerk  Daniel  Garrad  John  Ulmslead  Robert  Bartlett 

William  Butler  Benjamin  Burr  Richard  Glmsted  Edward  Flnier 

Nathaniel  Richards  Thomas  Barns  Tliomas  Bliss,  sen.  George  Sioekin 

Ihomas  Lord,  sen.  John  Morns  Richard  Bmler  ^'homas  (Jridlev 

Benjamin  Munn  John  Gennings  AVilliain  iloliou  William  Westlev 

Andrew  Warner  John  AVarner  William  Mills  Richaid  Watts 

Thomas  Scott  William  Heaton  George  Hubbard  John  Stone 

Wi    lam  Pantry  Thomas  AVoodford  Richard  Risley  Samuel  Stone 

William  Rusco  William  Pratt  Giles  Smith  AVill.am  .Spencer 

John  Taylcoait  AVilliam  Lewis  Thomas  Seldcn  Geor-e  Steele 

Richard  Goodman  John  Brunson  Ru  hard  Lyman  Edward  Lay 

Matthew  Marvin  AVilliam  AVadsworth  John  AVhiie  John  Cullet 

lunothy  Siandly  Stephen  Hart  Thomas  Bliss,  jr.  Samuel  AVakeman 

E(  ward  Stebbm:-^  Zachariah  Field  Thomas  Osiner  AVidow  Richard-- 

John  Pratt  James  Cole  John  Arnold  Mrs.  DorotheChester 

AViUiam  Parker  John  Gierke  Paul  Peck  Clement  Chapling 

Total,  127. 


48 


11  A  RTF  0  n  1), 


A  PLAN  OF  MAIN  STRKKT,   HARTFOIH),   SIIO\VI\n  THE  niTII.PTXr.S  AND  OCCUPANTS 
AT  THE   I'lililOU  OF  Tin;   AMI-.HKAN    KEVOMITlUN. 


Burr  Sl.\^l   [a    J..st|'li  Talrolt,  '/"rea^'i^r 


Jonathan  Wailsworlli,"  .S'ea  Caf.tain.    g 

i^iuuucl  Talcclt,  Muichant.    y 

Col.  Talcutt's  Store,    a 

Cdtton  Mvirray's  Tuvcrn.    n 

Duiiiul  Oloull's  C'ouper's  shop.  ~v 

Dr.  Lcmuol  Hopkins.    »' 


Dr.  Eliakim  Fish.    ■ 

Zacheriah  Pratt,  Panner.  t 

Thuiuns  Sloaiir-'s  Blac/^miiitl^'s  shop. -a 

Win.  Pralt,  Farmer.  „ 

Jii.st'iih  I'rall,  I'liniicr.   a 

Samu(;l  Wuilsworth,  Fanner  an, I  .SV,(  Capt.  -q 

in.ivi'l  Hull'.-  '/\trcrn.  tl 

Juniis  Chur.li.  Mirrhanl.   J 

John  NfViK.s,  Cuuptrund  JJutc/.ir._m_ 

IfavnrsLord.^ 

OUT  Cove,  .\/,„t  inul.nr.    « 

Ebonezer  Au.stiri'.s  Uhlilsmith's  s/iup.-a 

r,,ni,',--.s  C.'anrl  shuij.    e 

}Jain.:s  .Mo(,kl,,|-,  Ilar/.cr.    m 

.Sr/iuul  house,    a 

First  Sociely  Meeting  house. -'^ 

Jirown,  Chair  maker.  -  Q 

Stoplicn  All:. till,  Tailor,  a 

Capt.  IIookiT.  D 

Watson's  Pi  uitini;  ojuc.  a 

William  SiaiiK-.    U 


"Pclatiah  Picrci^  Fai 


a-  Col.  SainmlT.ilcutt. 
q -William  Moscly,  Esqr. 
a-  Dr.  John  Eiidicolt. 

■  -  Tiiiiolhy  Phelps,  Cabinet  maker. 

■  •  l^ichard  f^hl■pllcrll,  Tailor. 

■  Dr.  J.'pson  anil  Jiulge  Root. 

■  --<',ipl    Cahl,  I!, 111. 

■  -I>,.    AlolTlSMli. 

.a^-i;,,.,^;r  .-niiil,,  ,V6fi  Captain. 

S     Court  House. 

n~\h.  i\h.-l.paji,,l 

a  ■  llr.  Hr/.,l;lah  Mcrrils.^T 

a      Su>v  liiill.;r's. 

■  Joio'i  Chiiii-vard,  S>a  Captain.-' 
a     ■J'l.oiiia.s  llupkiiiK,  i,'ea  Captain. 
a     /V./;S"  Tafcrn. 

B     Si.ph.n  Mi.Trs,  Various  Trades. 

■  ■  D.aniii  i:;'.ra  CoiiiiNi;,  SIioc  maker 
ffl     Col,  Wadswoiih. 

H      Uriijaiiiin  I'ayne,  Esijr.  Laxryer. 

■  Janu.s  Caldwi-ll,  Sea  Captain. 


Widow  nc]ipy  Scyiiioiir  or  Skiiinpr._  .^     ["■'"'Eli 

Litti.'jA  yj/^, 


iliL'id,  Shoe  jnaker. 


%Mnsc.-i  lUitler'.s  Tavern.- 
Sanmcl  Howard,  Farmer. 

Thomas  Seymour,  E.-.ir.  Lawi/er.- 

I'.K  ...•.   \\hll,u:in 

I.-aac  To.  I,.  1     l:.,i,;....,.uh. 

(ihl.ou  IIkiut's  house. 

Elislia  Ihuiihaiii's    lllaei.s-r.ilh's  shop. 

South  Meitiut;  house] 

Parson  Iluckiii^'haiii.. 

Dr.  Jepson.. 

Parsonage  house.. 

VVai.  Adams'  Shoe  maker's  shop. 
South  Green. 


Dr.  Ihill,  and  Rev.  Ahrnham  Hoacli,  Episcc^- 
pal  minister. 


Old  Will  Ho.k.r,  Jlutcheranii  lUacksrnilh. 
.  lliiiht...ia  h.H^r. 


l-C,,.  ,•  /i.u.^-. 

I  — .\aiou  Hull,  ,Sea  Captain  and  Shoe  maker. 


n\ 


-Caiit.  Daniel  Slieldon,  Fanner. 


r^Ainos  Hinsdale's  Taver 


was  called  the  "  Bunih.  of  Grapes  Tavern," 


'  Killfid  at  the  takim;  of  ISurnovnc. 

I  This  was  the  ino:,t  noted  t.a.'iu   in  Hartfoi 
.  from  tlie  carving  (jf  a  Ijiiinh  ol   L:ia|ii  s  ii.-.d  as 

}  Mooklar  was  an  Iii.slmMh  ;  iii.'  ru-.-,t  luuiiin^'  oilhe  in  llartlonl,  was  in  a  chamber  over  his  sliop. 

§  The  seven  copper  ehiO  met  at  tin.-,  t  uerii,  so  call.d,  noin  the  ainuuiit  which  each  member  spent 
on  the  evening  they  not,  viz.  i^ereji  eopjin.,-^  loi-  h,,||  a  inu';  ol'  Ili|i.  This  club  consisted  of  elderly 
ui-n,  who  met  to  leani  the  news,  Ae.  ;\lr.  Uuil.r  k.  pt  a  vi  rv  nspeeialde  lavern;  he  would  not  sulti-r 
any  of  his  customers  who  resided  m  lowii  lo  lemaiii  in  his  bouse  all.  r  <J  o'clock  at  nislit ;  if  they 
asked  lor  any  more  Inpior  all.r  ih,  y  hail  , hank  llieir  lull  mii-,  his  reply  was,  "No,  you  sha'nl  have 
another  drop!  g.j  home  to  your  lamilies." 

II  A  t^colchinan.  r  Fusi  Car,hier  of  the  Harlfoid  IJaiiU  "  A  Frenchman. 


H  A  11  T  F  (»  11  D  .  49 

In  forniiiif^  the  foiei:;nlii<;  plan  of  Main  street  llie  author  had  the 
assistance  of  FredL'iick  Biiller,  A.M.  of  >Vetl)ers(iel(l,  (fornierly  u 
resident  of  Hartford.)  iMr.  James  llosnier,  (now  in  the  85lh  year  of 
his  age,)  Mr.  Asa  Francis,  and  Mr.  Gijorj^^e  Goodwin,  the  senior  editor 
of  the  Connecticut  Courant,  one  of  the  oldest  and  most  resi^eciable 
journals  |)rii.ited  in  the  Stale.  Mr.  Goodwin  is  now  in  the  eightieth 
year  of  his  age,  and  has  been  engaged  in  printing  the  Courant  upwards 
of  seventy  years.  Jlc  conniienced  his  apprenticeship  with  Mr.  Gi'een, 
at  the  age  ol"  eight  or  nine  years,  in  his  ofllce  over  Mooklar's  barber's 
shop,  tlie  first  printing  oliice  in  llartf(jrd.  Mr.  G.  notwithstanding  his 
advanced  age,  still  continues  in  the  active  discharge  of  his  duties  as 
j)iinter  and  publisher  (jf  the  Cuinant,  and  in  him  is  seen  the  example 
of  a  long  ami  useful  lile,  and  the  lienelicial  eliect  of  acquiring,  when 
young,  correct  and  industrious  habits. 

The  first  new-year's  verses  [trinted  in  Hartford,  were  composed  by 
John  Ledyaid,  afterwards  the  celebrated  traveler.  Mi.  Goodwin,  then 
a  lad,  performed  the  duties  of  cari-ier  about  town.  Two  lines  only  of 
these  verses  are  recollected,  viz.  : 

"  As  is  innii's  liff,  so  is  ilic  fiisl  (jT  Jannnry, 
Siiurl,  llci'Uii.i,',  ;uj(l  cuinLik'tL-ly  niuiiichtaiy." 

Ijcdyard  is  described  by  Mr.  James  llosmer  (who  was  well  ac(|naintcd 
with  him)  as  a  short,  stout  man,  with  a  head  of  an  uncommon  size, 
large  gray  eyes,  had  a  fearless  indejiendent  way  wiiji  him,  and  taken  as 
a  whole,  was  singular  in  his  appearance.  Tiie  canoe  in  which  he  came 
down  h'om  Daitmoulli  Cullogi-',  was  a  large  log  hollowed  out,  and  about 
sixty  feet  in  length. 

"  When  llutrord  was  first  sellled,"  says  Dr.  AVebster,*  "the  main 
stied  was  laid  out  \'ei'y  wide,  and  nearl)  a  mile  in  length.  At  each 
end  a  fort  was  built  :  thai  al  tlie  noilh  eml  was  near  tin;  house  now  oc- 
cupied by  the  descendants  ol'  Col.  Talcott  ;  that  al  ilie  somli  was  on  or 
near  the  side  i<l"  the  late  south  scdiool  house,  at  the  forks  of  the  road — 
one  leading  lo  N\\-lherslie|il,  iIk;  oilier  to  l'\niningt()n.  The  garrison 
could  see  from  one  foit  lo  the  oiher.  The-  land  east  of  Front  stieet 
was  called  the  Little  jMrti/luic\  and  being  cleared  or  moi'e  valuable  than 
the  upland,  it  was  divided  amoni:  all  I  he  settlers,  each  !!a\'ing  a  small 
part.  The  |uincipal  men  hail  liom  three  to  four  acres  each,  and  others 
less. 

"  The  Dut(di  fort  was  erected  at  the  mouth  of  the  Little  river,  on  the 
south  side.  When  I  was  )'oung,  1  saw  somi,'  of  the  bricks  which  had 
been  brought  Iroin  Holland,  which  were  washed  out  of  the  banks  of 
the  (Jonneciicut.  'I'he  riser  has  since  worn  away  the  banks  beyond 
the  site  of  the  lort." 


♦  The  vpiifialili,'  Noah  Wclisiei',  U^.  IX,  new  in  the  7Hih  year  of  his  age,  is  a 
nnio'e  dl'  Wcsi  llaiiluiil,  and  nuw  a  lesnlcnt  ut'  New  Haven.  Fium  his  yinilh  his 
lile  liashiLMi  di'MiieJ  Ui  literal  v  |iui.siiils.  His  i-lementary  works  for  ihe  instrurlion 
of  yoiiih  are  of  ihefii.-i  cnh-i.  The  "Anieman  Diclionniy  of  ihe  En^^lish  Lan- 
i;nai,'e,''  is  a  nuMe  iimijiiiik-iii  uf  ihi'  imliisli  y  ami  reseaieh  ol  lis  anihur,  and  an  honor 
lo  his  counliy.  Aliluni-h  it  iimv  ha\  e  iiiei',  and  ma  v  slill  imcl  w  lih  some  ofi|ios)lion, 
yel  it  IS  lifiievd  ih.'  Will  U  is  drsimed  lu  survive  alj  lin;  atlacK'Sof  its  enemies,  and  ho 
received  by  posteiiiy  as  ii  rich  legacy. 

7       . 


50  H  A  U  T  F  ()  U  I)  . 

"  Tlie  main  street  was  narrowed  in  this  manner:  persons  petitioned 
the  town  for  license  to  erect  shops  on  the  highway,  and  their  requests 
being  granted,  shoj^s  were  built,  and  afterwards  other  buildings  were 
erected  on  the  same  line  in  front.  This  street  was  originally  wet  or 
swarnpy  land,  and  in  wet  weatlier  the  mud  was  very  deep.  This  con- 
tinued to  be  the  case  down  to  the  year  1790  or  '1)1,  when  the  town 
voted  to  cover  it  with  stone,  and  annually  api)ropiiated  a  tax  of  four 
pence  on  the  pound  for  that  purpose  for  several  years." 

After  the  Revolution,  Hartford  became  tlie  residence  of  a  number  of 
the  most  celebrated  poets  of  the  day.  Among  the  most  distinguished 
was  Trumbull,  (the  author  of  Mc  Fingal)  Barlow,  Hopkins  and  Dwigiil. 
The  vein  of  satire  and  wit  which  appeared  in  many  of  their  [)roduc- 
tions,  derived  for  them  the  api)ellation  of  "  the  Hartford  Hiis." 

The  Annrchiad  was  published  in  portions,  in  the  Connecticut  Mag- 
azine, during  the  years  1786  and  1787.  Dr.  Hopkins  was  the  projec- 
tor of  this  work,  and  had  considerable  share  in  writing  it.  "  It  was  a 
mock  critical  account  of  a  pretentled  ancient  e|)ic  poem,  interspersed 
with  a  ntmiber  of  extracts  from  tlie  supposed  work.  By  a  fable  con- 
trived with  some  ingenuity,  this  poem  is  represented  as  known  to  the 
ancients,  and  read  and  imitated  by  some  of  the  most  popular  modern 
poets.  J3y  this  supposition,  the  utmost  license  of  parody  and  imitation 
is  obtained,  and  l)y  the  usual  poetical  machinery  of  ejnsodes,  visions 
and  prophecies,  the  scene  is  shifted  backwards  and  forwards,  fiom  one 
country  to  another,  from  earth  to  heaven,  and  from  ancient  to  modern 
times.  This  plan  is  filled  up  with  great  spirit  ;  the  bumoious  is  indeed 
much  better  than  the  serious  part,  but  both  have  merit,  and  some  of  the 
parodies  are  extremely  ha|)py.  The  political  views  of  the  authors 
were  to  support  those  designs  which  were  then  forming  for  an  efficient 
federal  Constitution."*  This  poem  had  an  extensive  circulation  through 
the  country,  anil  had  considerable  inlluence  upon  the  public  mind. 

'I'he  Kclio  was  a  work  wlm'h  attiattcd  considciable  attention  at  the 
lime.  This  was  a  medley  of  burlcsijiic  and  satirical  pieces,  originally 
desii'ued  to  hold  up  to  derisioii  a  taste  for  the  bond)ast  and  the  bathos, 
very  prevalent  at  that  period  among  newspa|)er  writers.  'Y\\\s  work 
was  begun  about  the  year  1791,  "by  two  persons,  viz.  Richard  Alsop, 
of  Middlelown,  and  Theodore  Dwight,  and  with  the  exception  of  por- 
tions of  two  or  three  numbers,  was  written  exclusively  by  then).  \}v. 
M.  F.  Cogswell  wrote  a  few  lines  in  one  number,  and  Dr.  Lemuel 
Hopkins  and  Dr.  E,  H.  Smith  wrote  i)arts  of  one  or  two  others. f  1'he 
plan  of  the  work  was  soon  extended  ;  and  from  ridiculing  affectations 
of  style,  they  directed  their  satire  against  the  political  doctrines  and 
measures  of  their  opponents,  as  party  s|)irit  at  this  period  began  to  wax 
warm.  The  Echo  soon  became  principally  occupied  in  responding 
travesties  of  public  speeches,  and  writings  of  a  political  cast.  These 
pieces  were,   with  some   others    by  the  same  authors,   collected  into  a 


*  Aniilectic  Mngaziiie. 

t  'I'Ikmc  1i:is  hceii  a  t.iunl)crof  accounts  given  rcspcciinjr  llic  orifjin  niul  tlie  ;nitliof.s 
of  ilie  Echo  vvliicli  aie  iiicurrect ;  the  abuve  sialeiiieiil  lespectiiig  ilie  aiithi.ws  of  tin: 
work,  may  be  relied  upon  as  correct,  as  it  was  obtained  from  an  undoiibled  source. 


IfAHTFOKD.  51 

volume  which  was  published  in  1807,  illustrated  by  several  humorous 
designs  by  Mr.  Tisdal.  The  following  is  the  Boston  editor's  account 
ol  the  thunder  storm,  which  was  the  occasion  oi"  drawing  forth  the  fust 
Echo. 

"  On  Tuesday  last,  about  four  o'clock,  P.  M.  came  on  a  smart  shower  of  rain,  at- 
tended with  lighuiing  and  thunder,  no  ways  remarkable.  The  clouds  soon  dissipated, 
and  the  appearance  of  the  azure  vault,  left  trivial  hopes  ol  further  needful  supplies 
liom  the  uncor/.t:d  bultlts  of  heaven.  In  a  few  moments  the  horizon  was  asjain  over- 
shadowed, and  an  almost  impenetrable  f(looin  mantled  tlie  face  of  the  skies.  The 
wind  frequently  shifting  from  one  point  to  another,  wafted  the  clouds  in  various  di- 
rections, until  at  last  they  united  in  one  common  center,  and  shrouded  the  visible 
globe  in  thick  darkness.  The  attendant  lightning,  with  the  accompanying  thunder, 
brought  forth  from  the  treasures  that  embattled  elements  to  awful  contlict,  were  ex- 
tremely vivid  and  amazing  loud.  Those  buildings  that  were  delended  by  electiic 
rods,  appeared  to  be  wrapped  in  sheets  of  vivid  dame,  and  a  flood  of  the  pure  fire  roll- 
ed its  biu-ning  torrents  down  them  with  alarnring  violence.  The  majestic  roar  of  dis- 
ploding  thunders,  now  bursting  with  a  sudden  crash,  and  now  wasting  the  rumbling 
Echo  of  t^heir  sounds  in  other  lands,  added  indescribable  grandeur  to  the  sublime 
scene.  The  windows  of  the  upper  regions  appeared  as  thrown  wide  open,  and  the 
trembling  cataract  poured  impetuous  down.  More  salutary  showers,  and  more  need- 
ed, have  not  been  experienced  this  summer.  Several  previous  weeks  had  exhibited  a 
melancholy  sight :  the  verdure  of  fields  was  nearly  destroyed  ;  and  the  patient  hus- 
bandman alni()st  experienced  despair.  Two  beautiful  rainbows,  the  one  existing  in 
its  native  glories,  and  the  other  a  splendid  relleclion  of  primitive  colors,  closed  the 
magnificent  picture,  and  presented  to  the  contemplative  mind  the  angel  of  mercy, 
clothed  with  the  brilliance  of  this  irradiated  arch,  and  di.spensing  felicity  to  assembled 
worlds.  Ii  is  not  unnatural  to  expect  that  the  thunder  storm  would  be  attended  with 
some  damage.  We  hear  a  barn  belongujg  to  Mr.  Wytlie,  of  Cambridge,  caught  fire 
from  the  lightning,  which  entiiclv  consumed  the  same,  together  with  several  tons  of 
hay,  &c." 

This  is  echoed  in  the  following  manner: 

"  O.v  Tuesday  last  great  Sol,  with  piercing  eye, 
Pursued  his  journey  throui,'!!  tlie  vaulted  skv. 
And  in  his  car  ellulgent  ro'll'd  his  way 
Four  hours  bevond  the  burning  zone  of  day; 
When  lo!  a  cloud,  o'eishridowing  all  the  plain, 
Friim  countless  pores  pL-r>|)Ue(l  a  liijuiii  ram, 
While  from  Its  cracks  the  lightnings  made  a  peep, 
And  chit-chat  thunders  rock'd  our  fears  asleep. 
Put  soon  the  vapoiy  log  di->iier.sed  in  air. 
Ami  left  the  uzuic  blue  eye.l  concave  bare: 
Kveii  the  last  drop  of  hope,  which  dripping  skies 
Gave  for  a  moment  to  our  straining  eyes. 
Like  Bti.sl(i/i  nun,  iVoin  hcdvciVs  junk  bottles  broke, 
Lost  all  the  corks,  and  vanish'd  into  smoke. 

"  But  swift  from  worlds  unknown,  a  fresh  supply 
Of  vapor  dimm'd  the  gieat  horizon's  eye; 
The  crazy  cleuds,  by  siiiftmg  zephyrs  driven, 
Wafted  their  courses  through  the  high-arch'd  heaven. 
Till  piled  aloft  in  one  stupendous  heap. 

The  seen  and  unseen  worlds  grew  dark,  and  nature  'gan  to  weep. 
Attendant  lightnings  stieam'd  then  tails  afar, 
And  social  thunders  waked  ethereal  war, 
From  dark  deep  pockets  brought  liieir  treasured  store, 
Embattled  elements  increased  the  roar — 
Red  crinkling  fires  expended  all  their  force, 
And  tumbling  rumblings  steer'd  their  headlong  course. 
Those  guarded  frames  by  thunder  poles  secured. 
Though  wrapp'd  in  sheets  of  flame,  those  sheets  endured  ; 
O'er  their  broad  roofs  the  fiery  torrents  roll'd, 
And  every  shingle  scem'd  of  burning  gold. 
Majestic  thunders,  with  disploUing  roar. 
And  sudden  crashing,  bounced  along  the  shore, 
Till,  lost  ill  other  lands,  the  whispering  sound 
Fled  Irom  our  ears  and  fainted  on  the  groimd. 


52 


Rain's  house  on  liiijli  iis  windou-  sasln'.s  oped, 
And  out  ih^-  cUniaci  iiii|ictuoiis  lnip|.Vl, 
Wliile  the  ^^rand  ^(;L■ne  by  Uu  uk,!.;  -land  a)i|.ear'd, 
Willi  lishtnin^'SUfVLTsecn  and  tlimutcis  never  hen 

"  More  saiularv  showers  have  nol  I.een  knuu  n, 
To  wa.sh  dame  Naiiire's  ilirlv  houies|nni  ■,'oun— 
For  several  ueeUs  ihe  «ood  old  Joan's  been  seen, 
Willi  lillh  besj.aller'd  like  a  la/v  quean. 
The  husbandman  favt  IraveliriL^  to  despair, 
Laid  down  his  hoe  and  lock  his  roekm-  ehair : 
While  hislat  wile  Ihe  well  and  eislern  dind, 
Her  mop  ;,nc)wn  useless,  hun^  il  up  and  erii'd. 

"  Two  raiid)ow.s  (air  ihal  li  is  l)roni,'lii  aloni,', 
Pick'd  IVoai  ihe'choieest  ofhei  ccdoi'd  ihroiij^; 
The  fust  born  deck'd  in  pristine  huesol'lighi, 
In  all  its  native  j<lories  f,'lowing  bright, 
The  ne.xt  adorn'd  with  less  rehdgent  rays, 
But  boirowintf  luslei  Iroin  iis  brother's  blaze; 
Bhoin;  a  briLflit  rellex  of  tho.^e  eolnis -a\- 
That  deek'd  with  li-ht  ciealion  n  prun.il  dav, 
When  inlant  Valine  lisp.t  her  earliest  i,,,le,., 
And  viiniikt:/-  Aila  m  erepi  Ml  prllieoais: 
And  io  the  people  tn  rell.;eiion  ;,'iveii, 
'The  sons  ollJoston,  the  elrei  ul  heav.'ii,' 
Presented  Merey'.s  ani^'el  smil  iii;<  Ian, 
Irradiate  splendors  (ri/.zled  m  hi^  haii-, 
Uncork' itit:  deini-johns,  and  pouriiii,'  down 
ITeaveii's  Inpiid  bles.sin.:,'s  on  the  yajniiL',  town. 

"N.  B.    At  Cainbridi^e  town,  Ihe  self  .same  dav, 
A  barn  was  burnt  well  lill'd  with  liay. 
Some  say  the  lightning  luin'd  it  led, 
Some  say  the  thunder  struek  il  dead, 
Some  say  il  made  the  ealtle  siare, 
Atut  Slime  it  kiU'd  an  aged  mare; 
I'.iil  we  expeet  ihe  trnlh  to  leain, 
From  Air.  Wythe,  wlio  own'd  the  barn." 


The  followini^  account,  (]escri!)ing  the  transactions  of  l-'Ifclioii  day 
in  Ilarlford,  is  IVom  Kciulall's  travels  in  tlit!  noiihcin  |iarts  of  ihu  I'lii- 
Icil  Stales,  in  1,^07  and  IHOS;  it  is  iu  ihc  inaiii  a  laurict  diM'ripliun  of 
the  l''.leelitm  ceii'inoiiies,  as  they  were  annnally  perforined  I'loiii  oldtii 
time.  Since  the  adojilion  of  the  present  Conslitnlion,  J-'Jeclioii  ihays 
have  taken  place  ahernately  in  llartlbrd  and  IN'ew  lltiven.  Fioin  this 
jjeriod  ilie  progress  of  reform  has  heen  so  I'ar  extended,  that  nearly  the 
whole  of  the  ceremonies  here  dcscrihed,  have  heen  chspensed  with  ; 
first,  the  clergy  were  not  allowed  to  dine  at  the  puhlic  expense  ;  next, 
the  Governor's  Guards  were  restricted  in  the  same  manner.  'J'he  Le- 
gislature next  dispensed  with  the  Election  sermon,  tind  lastly,  for  two  or 
three  years  past  the  memhers  of  the  Assembly  foiiuetl  no  piticession, 

"  I  reaelicd  Hartford  at  noon,  on  Wednesday,  the  flHh  oI'May,  1807.  'I'he  city  is  on 
the  west  bank  of  the  Coiineciiciit,  Ibriy  tjve  miles  above  its  inoiiih.  'I'he  governor, 
whose  family  residence  is  on  the  east  side  of  the  rivet,  at  smne  distance  Iroin  llariiord, 
was  expected  to  arrive  in  the  evening.  'I'his  gi'nihinaii,  who.se  name  is  Jonathan 
Trumbull,  is  the  son  of  the  Ute  Uovernoi' Jcnaihan  Tinniliull;  and  though  tlieele( 
lion  i.s  annual,  he  has  himself  been  three  or  four  yeais  in  oliiee,  ami  will  almost  cer- 
tainly so  conlimie  duiing  the  reinainder  of  his  lite.  Jt  was  known  that  the  voles  wert; 
at  this  lime  in  his  favor. 

"The  governor  has  volnnleer  companies  df  guards,  both  horse  and  foot.  In  ilie 
aflern(jon  the  horse  were  drawn  up  on  ihe  banks  ol  the  river,  to  recene  Imn,  .iml  es- 
Corl  him  to  his  lodgings.     He  came  beloie  sunset,  and  tlie  fineness  of  the  evening,  tho 


H  A  R  T  F  O  U  IJ  .  53 

beauty  of  the  river,  the  respectable  upp-araiuu  nf  the  -overnor  and  of  the  in.op,  (he 
fli-iMlyol  the  occasion,  and  the  .lecurmu  ol)^ci  vol,  nulled  to  gratify  the  special. irs 
1  he  color  ol  the  clothes  of  liie  troop  U'as  blue.  The  -oveinor,  though  on  hoi.seback' 
vas  dressed  in  black;  but  he  wore  a  cockade,  in  a  hat  u  lucli  1  did  not  like  the  less' 
because  it  was  in  its  lorm  rather  ol' the  old  .school  than  of  the  new. 

"  Jn  the  nioniiiig,  the  foot  guards  weie  paradedin  Iront  ol  the  Stale  Hou.se,  where 
they  alierwards  remained  under  arms,  while  the  troop  of  hoi.se  occuiMed  the  street 
whieli  IS  on  the  south  side  of  the  building.  The  clothing  ol  the  loot  u  as  scarlet 
wiih  white  waistcoats  and  pantaloons;  and  their  appearance  and  demeanor  weie  mili- 

'•  The  day  was  tine,  and  the  apartments  and  galleries  ot  the  Stale  House  allbrded 
an  agieeable  j.lace  of  meelmg,  m  which  the  members  of  the  Assmiblv  and  others 
awaiied  the  coming  ol  the  governor.  At  aluuit  eleven  o'clock,  his  excellency  entered 
the  blaie  House,  and  shorily  afiei  took  his  pkice  ai  the  head  of  a  ).rocession,  which 
Avas  made  to  a  meelmg  hou.se  .ir  church,  at  .something  less  ihan  half  a  mile  disiant. 
1  tie  procession  was  on  loot,  and  was  composed  of  the  ])erson  of  the  governor  to- 
gether with  the  lieulenant  governor,  a.ssisiants,  hiuh  ^ilerllls,  membeis  of  ihe  lower 
hou.se  ol  assemhiy,  and  unless  with  accidental  e.xce|)iions,  all  the  cler-y  ot  the  Slate 
J  t  was  preceded  by  the  foot  guards,  and  followed  by  the  horse;  and  attended  by  ga- 
zers, that,  consuienng  the  si/e  and  population  of  the  city,  inav  be  said  to  have  been 
niimerons.  The  cluiich,  which  from  its  situation  is  called  the  South  Meeting  House, 
isasiuill  one,  and  was  lesi.iicd  lo  on  ihis  occasion,  only  because  that  more  ordinarily 
Us,.,i  was  at  Ihe  lime  lel.uildiiig.  The  edilice  is  of  wood,  alike  unornameiited  within 
niut  wuhoui;  and  when  Idled,  iheie  u:is  Mill  presented  lo  the  eve  nothing  l.ut  what 
h.nl  the  plain  .si  appearan-e.  The  mihlaiy  i.'imimed  inihesireri,  with  the  exception 
1^1  .;  leu-  olhr,,-,  ,„  vvh.nn  no  plac'  of  h,„.,.r  .„•  d,M„n-t..,n  wa.s  assigned;  neither  the 
g.e.t-inm  noi  .iiher  magisn  ;,!cs  u  ei  e  a<cump;mi.;d  wuh  an  y  insiL'iiia  ol'  ollice  ;  the 
clergy  had  im  canonical  cosiume,  and  ihn,-  u  ,.,•,■  nn  innalcs  iu  the  church,  except  a 
lew  (rather  more  than  twenty  in  nnmln-i  )  who  wnc  siaiion.d  by  themselves  in  a  gal- 
lery opposite  the  pulpit,  ill  (puility  of  singers.  A  decent  onler  was  the  highest  eliar- 
aeteristic  that  juesenled  itself. 

"  The  pulpit,  or,  as  It  is  here  called,  the  desk,  was  Idled  by  three,  if  not  four  clergy- 
men ;  a  number  which,  by  Us  foim  and  dimensions  il  wa.s  able  lo  accomniodaie  \n' 
these  one  opened  the  service  will,  a  prayer,  another  delivered  a  .sei  mon,  a  thiid  made  a 
concluding  prayer,  and  a  louiih  pionoimecd  a  benedietiun.  Several  hymns  weie 
sung;  and  among  others  an  oce-a.sional  one.  The  loial  number  of  sin^'cis  was  be- 
tween hnly  and  liliy, 

.u\TV'''T'\''  1"  ''■'"  '''■  .-^"I'lH-ed,  r.nehed  upon  maUeis  ui  ;.'overnmei,l.  When 
all  was  hnished,  tie  procession  iclurned  to  the  Slale  ilou.se.  'Ihe  cleigy  uho^^alked 
were  about  a  hundred  in  number. 

'•Ituas  in  the  two  bodies  of  guuids  alone,  llial  any  suitable  approa<-h  nnna-iii/i- 
cence  .li.scoveis  it.self  The  governor  was  full  die.ssed,  in  a  suit  of  bku  k ;  b,a  the 
lieutenant  g(,veriior  wore  ruling  boots.  All,  however,  was  e„,is..iemlv  I-lam,  and  in 
miison  Willi  iisell,  e.xc-pt  thedress  swords  which  weie  woin  by  hi-h"sl,erilis  ahni" 
wuh  then  village  l.abiliineius:  and  of  which  ihe  la.shu.n  and  the  materials  were  mai^- 
VcKuisly  diyeisUied,  Arrived  in  front  of  the  Stale  House,  the  militarv  formed  on 
eacli  side  ot  the  sircet ;  and  as  the  governor  passed  them,  presented  aim's.  The  .sev- 
ei  a)  parts  ol  the  proce.ssion  now  sepaiaied  ;  each  retiring  lo  a  dinner  prepared  for 
ilselt  at  an  adjoining  inn;  the  governor,  lieutenant  governor,  and  assistants  to  their 
table,  tlie  clergy  to  a  second,  and  the  representatives  to  a  llurd.  The  time  of  day 
was  about  two  111  the  afternoon. 

"  f)nly  a  short  lime  elapsed  before  business  was  resumed  ;  or  railicr,  at  length  com- 
•aeneed.  1  he  General  Assembly  met  in  the  council  i  oom,  and  ihe  written  votes  being 
cytmined  and  counted,  the  names  of  the  public  ollicers  elecie.l  were  formally  declar- 
ed, liey  \vtn;  in  every  mslaiice  the  .same  as  those  which  had  been  successful  the 
preceding  year,  and  for  several  years  before. 

'•  ThisdoiKv  Ihe  lieiiienani  governor  administered  ihe  oath  to  ihe  governor  elect,  who 
ueingsuorn,  luoeeeded  to  administer  their  lespeciive  oaths  to  the  lieulenant  governor 
.mu  ilie  lesi;  and  here  terminated  the  affairs  of  the  election  day.  Soon  after  six 
o  clock-,  Ihe  nuliiary  bred  thiee  /cii.r.  dc  iiuc.-.,  and  were  then  dismissed. 

"On  Ihe  evening  following  that  of  the  election  dav,  there  is  an  annual  ball  at  Hart- 
lord,  called  the  election  ball ;  and  on  ihe  succeeding  Mondav,  a  second,  whndi  is  more 
select.  1  he  election  day  i:,  a  holiday  thiuughoul  tlie  Stale  ;  and  even  ihe  whole  re- 
mainder ol  the  week  is  regarded  in  a  similar  li-hl.  Servants  and  oiheis  are  now  in- 
demniliedl.-rthe  loss  of  the  festivals  of  Chrism, as,  l^asier,  and  WhitsuniKle  which 
Ihe  ))rineiples  ol  iheir  church  deny  ihem.  fVonilies  e.\eh;iiige  visits,  and  treat  their 
giiesis  vMth  slices  ol  eleclioii  cake;  and  thus  preserve  some  portion  of  the  luxuries 


54  M  A  li  T  1-  OKI). 

oftlie  forgotten  feast  of  the  EpipliJiiy.  Tlie  uhule  itay,  like  the  inornin-!;,  and  like 
the  evening  wliich  preceiied  it,  was  line.  In  Ilaiil'urd,  ilie  degree  of  bustle  wassutti- 
cient  to  give  an  air  of  ini|)uitanee  to  the  scene;  a  scene  that  taken  altugetlier,  was 
nut  unlilted  to  leave  on  the  mind  a  pleasing  and  respecllul  impression.  I'lie  follow- 
ing are  the  words  of  the  occasumal  hymn,  wiiieh  as  1  have  said  was  sung: 
"  Hail,  happy  land  !  hail,  happy  Slate! 
Whose  free-bt)rn  sons  in  salciy  meet, 

To  bless  Ihe  Lord  Most  High! 
Willi  one  icin.^ent  nuw  lei  us  rui^e 
The  thankful  tribute  of  our  prai.>e 
To  hiin  who  rules  the  sky  ! 

"  The  mercies  He  to  us  hath  shown — 
The  wonders  He  for  us  hath  done, 

His  sovereign  hand  proclaim  ; 
Come,  and  with  grateful  heai  li  adore 
The  God  who  saves  us  by  His  power, 

And  bless  aloud  las  name  I 

"  Come,  let  us  kneel  before  His  face, 
Devoutly  supplicate  His  grace. 

And  His  higii  aid  imjdore  ; 
That  he,  our  nalion,  state,  and  land, 
May  sav-e  by  His  Almighty  Hand, 

Till  time  shall  be  no  more  !" 


EXTRACTS  FROM  NEWSPAPERS. 

Jfaj/f, '/■(!,  MiiijHIh,   17(;G. 

Last  Monday  evening  the  long  expected,  joyful  news  of  the  total  rei)eal  of  the 
Stamp  Act  arrived  in  town;  upon  which  hajipy  event,  the  tieneral  i\ssembly  of  this 
colony,  now  sitting  here,  aiipoinled  the  Friday  lullow  ing  as  a  day  of  general  rejoicing. 
The  morning  was  ushered  in  by  the  ringing  of  bells — the  shijiiiing  in  the  river  dis- 
playeil  their  colors — at  I'J  o'clock  twenty  one  cannon  were  dl^cllalged,  and  the  great- 
est preparations  in-ik'ing  for  a  general  illumination.  Joy  smiled  in  every  lace,  and 
universal  gladness  dillused  itself  through  all  lanks  and  degrees.  iJut  sudden  was  the 
transition  from  the  height  of  joy  to  extieine  .soriow  !  A  number  of  young  gentlemen 
were  preparing  lire  works  for  the  evening,  in  the  chamber  of  the  huge  brick  school 
house,*  under  which  a  quantity  of  powtler  gianled  by  the  Assembly  for  the  purposes 
of  the  day,  was  dejiusited.  Two  companies  of  militia  had  ju.it  received  a  p(nind  a 
man,  by  the  delivery  of  which  a  train  was  scattcicd  lioni  the  ])owder  cask  to  the  di.s- 
tance  of  three  ruds  frwin  the  luMiNr,  wIhtc  a  number  ol  boys  wure  collected,  who  unde- 
signedlv  and  unnoiiml,  .^.'i  lii  i'  to  the  M-aiLinl  powder,  w  I  irh  was  .^ooii  cuuiMiunica- 
l.-d  to  tlial  witlnii  (hiois,  and  in  an  la-iaiit  uduccd  the  building  to  a  heaji  ol  lubbish, 
and  buried  the  lollowing  p.iM.ii.s  in  il,-.  ruiiii,  vi/. 

Mr.  Levi  Jones,  John  Knowles,  (an  ap]>reiiiice  to  Mr.  I'hoinas  Sloan,  blacksmith,) 
and  Richard  Lord,  second  son  to  Mr.  Joiui  Hans.  Lord,  died  of  their  wounds  soon 
after  they  were  taken  from  under  the  luiiis  of  the  building.  Mr.  William  Gardiner, 
merchant,  had  both  his  h'g:^  broke.  Docl.  Nathaniel  Ledyard,  had  one  ol  his  thighs 
broke.  Mr.  Samuel  Talcotl,  Jun.  veiy  much  burnt  in  his  face  and  arms.  Mr.  James 
Siley,  goldsmith,  had  one  of  his  shouideis  dislocated  and  some  Inuises  in  the  other 
parts  of  his  body.  Mr.  John  Cook,  Jun.  had  his  back  and  neck  much  hurt.  Ephiaim 
Perry,  slightly  wounded.  Thomas  Forbes,  wounded  in  his  head.  Daniel  Lluiler, 
(the  tavern  keeper's  son,)  had  one  of  his  ankles  put  oulid'joint.  Richard  Huniham,  son 
to  Mr.  Elisha  Rurnham,  had  his  thigh,  kg  and  ankle  broke.  Eh  Wadsworih,  (Cnpt. 
Samuel's  son,)  is  much  wounded  and  burnt,  in  his  face,  hands,  and  other  parts  of  his 
body.  John  Cunee,  Jun.  (an  apprentice  to  Mr.  Church,  hatter,)  wounded  in  the  head. 
Normond  Morrison,  (a  lad  that  lives  witii  Capt.  Siley,)  a  good  deal  burnt  and  bruised. 
Roderick  Lawrence,  (Capt.  Lawrence's  son,)  slightly  wounded.  William  Skinner, 
(Capt.  Daniel's  son,)  had  both  his  thighs  bndce.  Timothy  Phelps  (.son  to  Mr.  Timo- 
thy Phelps,  shop  joiner,)  had  the  calf  toin  oif  one  of  his  legs.  Valentine  Vaughn, 
(son  to  Mr.  Vaughn,  baker,)  had  his  skull  terribly  broke.  Horace  Seymour,  (Mr. 
Jonathan  Seymour,  Jun.  son,)  two  sons  of  Mr.  John  Goodwin,  a  son  of  Mr.  John 
Walson,  and  a  son  of  Mr.  ivellogg,  hatter,  were  slightly  wounded.  Tuomulaiio 
and  two  negro  boys  were  also  wounded. — Cuan.  (iuzclle,  iMaij  'M,  HOG. 


*  This  building  stood  where  the  Hartford  Hotel  now  stands. 


n  A  U  T  F  ()  R  o .  55 

^  ,  II"  rt  ford,  September  22,1,  net].  ' 

IHKRE  are  the  greatest  number  of  bears  comednun  iutiong  ihe  towns  iliat  ever 
was  known;  they  destroy  great  quantities  ul'  Indian  corn,  and  make  great  havoc 
among  the  sheep  and  swine.  Last  Tuesday  mcnning  a  large  he  bear  was  discovered 
m  an  enclosure  opposite  the  Treasurer's,  and  being  pursued,  he  took  to  the  main  street 
winch  he  kept  till  lie  got  to  tlie  lane  that  turns  eastward  by  the  south  meetini^  housed 
(notwiihslaniling  his  being  pelted  from  every  part  ot  the  street,  with  stones,  clubs,  &c.j 
and  was  folK)wed  into  the  south  meadow,  where  he  was  shot.  The  number  ol'  peo- 
ple that  were  out  of  doors,  to  see  so  uncommon  an  animal  in  the  ti.wn  nuid.-  it  dan- 
gerous to  tire  at  him  in  the  street.  In  the  evcmiig  he  was  roastetl  winile,  and  a  lai-e 
company  supped  on  him.— iS'tw  Loiuhni  (la:.  Oct.  \Oth,  177ti.     .Vc.  Vsl.  ,        ° 


,,     „  ^         ,  II.ir/for,I,  June  21,  11G8. 

Mil.  L  aiNTKii,— I  wish  you  would  put  this  into  \-our  newspapei'  for  the  complainant 
S(/-,— I  was  at  Hartford  a  little   while  ago,  and  1  see   fulks  running  about  streets 
after  the  gentlemen  that  belonged  to  the  General  A.-.-.emb]y  ;  and  I  a^ked  what  it  was 
tor,  and  an  old  woman  told  me   that  they  come  a  great  way,  mater  of  forty  miles  eas- 
terly, to  find  (ault  with  what  the  A.ssembly  was  a  going  to  do.     And  what  I  want  of 
you  IS,  to  complain  of  it ;   for  it  does  not  seem  clever  to  have  them  gentlemen  pestered 
.so  by  cat.s-paws,   when  we  have  got  them  to  do  all  our  business  for  us  by  tlRuiselves 
And  you  know  when  folks  liave  folks  talking  to  them  all  the  while,  it  will  pester  them. 
1  wonder  people  will  act  so  ;  if  what  I  once  read  in  a  book  is  true, 
"  Know,  villains,  when  stich  paltry  slaves  presume 
To  mix  in  tieasou  ;   if  the  plot  succeeds, 
They'ie  ihiown  neglected  bv." 

-Vo(.  LoHdun  (iu  z.  June  21M,  17G8.     .V,..  2U. 


^      ^        ,  Ilir/f.u-d,  X.n-cml,crW,l';':8. 

On  Tuesday  last,  Avere  executed  on  Rocky  Ilill  in  this  town,  David  Farnsworlh 
and  John  Blair,  who  were  tried  and  found  guiliv  at  a  Division  Ccuirt  Martial  Ijeld 
at  Danbury  the  iHth  inst.,  for  being  found  about  the  enciimpment  of  the  armies  of  the 
United  States,  as  spies,  and  haviirg  a  large  sum  of  couiiierfeit  money  about  them, 
which  they  brought  from  New  York. 

.p        ,„       .       .  ,,  If,n-ff,.rd,  March  20,1181. 

I  UK  following  IS  an  extract  ot  his  cxcrjlenry  fleneiiil  Washington's  orders  of  the 
17lh  instant.  Alexander  Mc  D.,uall,  l.iif  li.MHriiaiii  ;miU  adjulant  of  Colonel  Welles' 
regimeni  of  the  stale  troops  of  ( 'nnuetiimi,  having  Ik^ui.  by  a  generni  couit  martial 
of  the  line,  held  at  Hartford  the  7lh  day  uf  Aburl,,  17,-s|,  whereol  Colonel  Heman 
Swift  was  President,  found  guilty  of  dr. e.  Hon  tn  il,e  ri,,-my,  ;ui. I  by  the  said  court 
martial  sentenced  to  sutler  dejith  fur  the  s-iine,  ;igi  r(;al,|e  ii,  the  -ixth  seeiiun  ol  the  lirst 
Ariieleof  Wai  ;  which  senienee  is  oubre,!  to  1  e  put  i,.  .  xeruiion  on  Wednesday,  the 
•Jlst  in.sianl,  at  llaiiloid,  between  the  h^uis  ..f  ten  in  the  Joieiioun  and  Ihiee  in  the 
atiernoon  ol   the  same  day. 


Ilartfnrd,  .Mai,  20,  1781. 
O.v  Saturday  the  I'Jth  mst.  his  excellency  General  "W^a.sliiiiirtoii,  accompanied  by 
Gen.  Knox,  Gen.  Du  Portail,  and  their  resjie'ctiye  suites,  ai  i  ived  at  Weiheislield  • 
being  eseoried  inti.  town  by  a  number  of  ;,^eutlemeii  ln.m  ]  laiinud  and  Weiheisfield' 
As  he  disuiounied  at  his  ([uariers  he  was  saluted  bv  the  diM'haige  (d'  thirteen  cannon' 
by  the  corps  o(  Artillery,  under  ihe  eou, maud  ..I  Capt  1m e.lei  lek  Bull.  Gn  Monday 
the  aist  instant,  Ins  e.xerUeney  ll.eCountdu  i;,.el,ainbea w,  cun.nianUmg  the  a. my  of 
Ins  most  Chiisliaii  Alajciy  at  Newfioil,  fien.  ('lialieleu,  ami  llii  ir  suites  arrived  at 
Wetherslield.  They  weie  met  at  Haitlord,  l.y  Ins  e.veeilene\  Geiieial  Washington, 
the  olheerscd-  the  army,  and  a  number  nf  genijemen,  ulu.  ae,  nmpained  them  to 
Wetherslield,  where  they  were  saluted  with  the  disediai  ge  ol  Cannon,  livery  mark  of 
attention  and  politeness  wer,'  shewn  their  ex-eelleuicies,  and  the  other  L'cnilemen  of 
the  allied  armies  whilst  attending  the  convention. 


■  ,.  ,,  I  hi  rl  ford,  Frbruarii  2b,  1182. 

To  his  excellency  the  Governor  of  the  Slate  ol   ( 'Mnneen.-iil. 

Phihtil'IplKa.  January  10,  1182. 
,St;-,— His  majesty  has  been  inluimed  ol   the  maik.s  ol    |oy,  which  the  Slate  of  Con- 
necticut has  shewn  on  the  ocasmi,  of  ihebnih  ..f  ihr  Ab-nsei-ner  the  Dauphin.     He 
views  with  a  great  deal  of  satisjuetion  ihe  pan  ihai  the  (in/ei,:-  of  \,,ur  slaie  have  ta- 
ken in  this  happy  event.     The  King  orders  ine  to  leslily'^his  sensibilily  on  tins  subject, 


ine  t(i  assure 

l.cc 

li/.i 

lis  ;iii(l 

iiitial.i 

a  11  Is-  ( 

r  llu 

Sin 

iiid  ul  lh(j  |)ai 

iL-ul; 

1  11 

ll'lC^l  \ 

vlncli 

„•  slm 

1  al\ 

ajs 

56  II  A  U  T  I'  O  K 

and  at  tlie  same  time  cliar;,'( 
Connecticut  (.»r  his  aUeuliui) 
in  tlieii  prosperiiy. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  with  re.sj)ectrul  attaclimciit,  your  excelh-riey's  vcrv  olifdieiit, 
humble  servant,  LF.  C]  li: VAl.lKIl  1)1-:  LA  UI'/llIlINi:. 

L'onnccticuL  Journal.,  .Vi/.  bUIJ. 

Jlnr/fonl,  Jaintanj  1,  1783. 

At  the  Supreme  Court,  now  silling  in  this  cily,  tlie  I'uilow  ini,'  jiersoii.'i  luive  been 
convicted  and  sentenced,  viz.  Moses  Parker,  I'ur  horse  -siealiug,  lo  .sit  un  a  wooden 
horse  iiall'  au  hour,  receive  (ilteen  stripes,  pay  a  line  ol'  £10,  be  cunrintd  in  j<aol  and 
the  worli-house  lliree  moiitiis,  and  eveiy  Monday  morning  lor  tlie  lirst  nioiuh  to  re- 
ceive ten  stripes  and  sit  on  the  woollen  horse  as  aiuresaid. 

Moses  I'isk,  of  Aliddielown,  I'or  counterfeiting  Treasurer's  certificate,  to  receive 
twenty  stripes,  pay  a  tine  ot'  £20,  and  be  confined  six  monllis. 

Judali  Benjamin,  for  polygamy,  (lie  having  married  a  wife  in  Symsbuiy,  wlien  lie 
had  another  living  in  Massachusetts,), to  receive  ten  stripes,  be  bianded  wiili  ihe  letter 
A,  and  wear  a  halter  abuut  liis  neck  during  his  conliiiuanee  in  tins  State  ;  and  if  ever 
fountl  with  it  oil'  to  receive  tiiiily  stripes, 

Tlie  Supreme  Court  at  their  present  .session,  has  tried  and  convicted  several  per- 
sons of  the  Climes  of  forgery,  horse  stealing  and  bigamy,  and  the  villains  leceivi-d 
their  respective  punishments.  One  of  the  rogues  w"as  sentenced  to  riiie  the  iroadcu 
hcnsc,  that  wonderl\il  relJnement  ol'  punishment  in  uiir  modein  siatiites.  Aecoidintrly 
on  Thursday  last,  the  terrible  mncliine  was  )nepared— consistnig  of  one  siin|ile  stiek 
of  wood,  supported  by  four  legs  ;  and  by  order  of  the  sherilf  placed  on  the  Slate  House 
square.  Hither  thepiisnnei  was  CDnducted,  and  being  pie\  ioiisly  w  ell  bn(,teil  and 
spurred  by  the  ollicer,  w.as  inciiiiicd  on  the  oalceii  stiul.  tleie  lie  ciailinued  for  half 
an  hour,  laugliini?  at  his  du  n  tale,  and  making  diversidu  fur  a  niiiiieruus  IkkIv  ol'spi'C- 
tator.s  who  honored  hiin  with  their  company,  lie  took  several  starts  loi  a  race  w  iili 
the  best  horses  in  the  city  ;  and  it  was  dillieult  to  determine  who  wen-  most  pleased 
with  the  exhibition,  the  criminal  or  the  siieetatois.  Alter  this  part  ol  the  sentenee 
had  been  legally  and  faithfully  executed,  the  culpnt  was  dismounted  and  led  to  tin: 
whipping  post,  where  Ihe  duties  made  him  mure  serious.  The  whole  was  i»'iJoimed 
with  great  order  and  rcgulaiity. —  Connccliciit  Coiirunl,  .\(i.  loll. 


TiiK  new  Theatre  in  this  city  was  opened  (jn  Monday  evening  last,  with  a  celebrated 
comedy,  entitled,  the  I  )riiinatisl,  jirceeded  by  a  handsome  and  pertineni  a.tdiess,  by 
Mr.  liodgkiiisun.  Fiuin  the  specimen  ihat  has  been  given  of  the  ainliiies  (,1  ihe  per- 
formers, and  the  assiirarc.'  of  the  managers,  ih.-it  they  will  socundml  the  Thetiiie, 
that  it  may  be  jiisil\-  styled  a  Mjhuul  uf  molality;  ,|  i>  piesi.nn-d  ihai  il  u  ill  !..■  a  gieal 
souiee  uf  iii,-li  ueliuii  aiid    auniMinelit   tu   lli,.-e\ei,u   \isi;  n;    ai,,i    w  ,■   u  i  II  li:i/a  i  d  ihe 

an  ainiiseliienl,  it   is  ihe  m.i-l  luhueeiii,   ami,    as  a  suiiii-.-  nl    iiiv|  i  n,  1 1,  ,n     n  ,,v  ih,-  musi 

amusing  of  any  that  We  have  (■',•.  I   yil    t  xpei  ieiir,d,      "W  I;  ile  the  l  he; is   veil    euli- 

ducted,  on  ehasle  ])i  iin'i|d.'^ — \^  hen  \-iee  is  diavui  in  euh'is  thai  will  di-~:;iisi,  nnd  vir- 
tue painted  with  all  its  alliiiing  ehanns  ii  u,  h(,)ir,l  n  will  meet  the  ap|)iuliai  luii  and 
encouragement  of  the  citizens,  and  of  the  iiei:.'hbui-ing  lowiis. —  Cunncclicul  Cuurant 
Aug.  101 /i,  171)3. 

Prologue  on  the  cstablishiiirut  (if  a  iirw  Theatre  in  Hartford.     ]]'ritl(.n  a nd  spalcn  bii 
Mr.  lL,di;kLnso,i. 

Here,  while  fair  peace  spreads  her  protecting  wing. 
Science  and  .Vii,  seeure  Irum  daiii;er  spi  inir,' 
Guarded  by  lieeduni— streiigihei.'d  by  ihe  laws^ 
Their  prugiess  must  eurnmaiul  ihe  u  uild's  .ijiplause. 

While  thruugh  all  Kurope  horrid  discord  lei-ns, 
And  the  destructive  sword  crimsuns  hei-  ]ilaiiis: 
U!  be  it  ours  to  shelter  the  opprest, 
Here  let  them  find  peace,  liberty  and  rest; 
Upheld  by  Washm-tun,  at  whose  dread  name 
Proud  Anarchy*  retires  w  ith  Jeai  and  shame-. 


Mie  Western  insurrection. 


HARTFORD.  57 


Among  the  liberal  arts,  behold  the  Stage, 

Rise,  tlio'  oppos'd  by  stern  fanatic  rage  ! 

Prejudice  shrinks,  and  as  the  cloud  gives  way, 

Reason  and  candor,  brighten  up  the  day. 

Is'o  ininjoialily  now  staiiis  oiu'  page, 

No  vile  obscenity — in  this  blest  age. 

Where  miiil  Rklioion  takes  her  heavenly  reign, 

The  Stage  the  purest  precepts  must  mainiain: 

11' from  this  rule  it  swerv'd  at  any  time. 

It  was  the  People's,  not  the  Stage's  crime. 

Let  lliem  spurn  aught  that's  out  of  virtue's  rule, 

The  Stage  will  ever  be  a  virtunus  school. 

And  though  'mong  players  some  there  may  be  found, 

Whose  conduct  is  not  altogether  sound, 

The  Stage  is  not  alone  in  this  to  ])lame, 

Ev'ry  profession  will  have  siill  the  same  : 

A  virtuous  seniinicnt  from  vice  may  come  ! 

The  libertine  may  praise  a  ha))i)y  home  ; 

Your  remedy  is  good  with  such  a  teacher; 

Imbibe  the  jn-ecepl,  but  condemn  the  preacher. 


Connecticut  Courant,  Xov.  VJth,  1795. 
When  the  Editors  of  the  Connecticut  Courant  and  American  Mercury  first  enlar- 
ged their  papers,  they  flattered  ihcmselves  lliat  they  ^hould  be  able  lo  conimue  ihcm  at 
the  original  puce  of  seven  shillings  per  annum,  wiihoui  subjccling  themselves  lo  loo 
great  a  loss.  But  Irom  the  very  great  rise  ol  every  article  of  family  consumpiiun, 
and  the  consequent  depreciation  ol  inoney,  they  hnd  it  no  longer  praciicajle.  In  do- 
ing it,  they  are  subjecting  themselves  to  a  loss  of  nearly  one  half  the  real  value  of 
their  labor.  Allowing  their  papers  to  have  been  asgooil  as  they  foimeily  were  belore 
their  enlargement,  ihey  presume  that  their  cuMumers  would  have  justified  them  for 
increasing  the  price  of  Ihem  in  proportion  to  the  increase  of  their  size.  And  since 
every  thing  else  has  risen  at  least  fiHy  per  cent  and  some  aiiiclcsmore  than  a  hun- 
dred, they  conceive  it  but  reasonable  that  they  should,  after  previously  notilying  their 
customers,  float  along  with  the  general  tide,  influenced  by  these  motives,  they  hereby 
inform  their  custoineis,  that  frnm  the  first  of  January  next,  the  price  of  the  Connec- 
ticut Courant  and  Americair  Mercury  will  be  nine  shillings  per  annum,  or  two  shil- 
lings and  three  pence  a  quarter,  which  is  only  abuut  half  the  advance  of  almost  every 
other  article.  At  tlie  same  time  that  they  acknowledge  with  grateful  sensations,  the 
liberal  encouragement  which  a  gi-nerous  public  have  given  them,  they  engage  that  no 
e.xerlion  on  their  part  sliall  be  wanting  lo  merit  a  coniinunnce  of  il ;  and  ihai  ihey 
will  endeavor  lo  render  their  papers  acceptafije  lo  their  customers,  by  embracing  every 
opporiuiiiiy  w  liich  may  ulier  lor  impioving  them. 

IJUD^^ON  &  GOODWIN, 
ELISllA  BABCOCK. 

P.  S.     Those  who  have  paid  for  their  papers  in  advance,  will  have  them  continued 
agreeable  tocontraci. 


Conncelicut  Courant,  Jim.  II,  1796. 
To  the  Towns  of  Hartford  and  East  llarlji.rd. — You  are  no  strangers  to  the  abuses 
practiced  at  your  ferry,  but  you  do  not  reform  them.  They  are  become  so  enormous 
that  lo  be  srient  longer,  wuuJd  bea  crime.  I  have  only  to  charge  the  lerrvmen  of  East 
Hartford  with  e.xlortion — they  are  obliging  and  ailenlive  :  but  ih(jse  of  Hartford  with 
drunkenness,  inaiienlion,  delay  and  e-'ctoiiion.  Wiiliin  a  few  days  jiast  the  ferrymen 
at  Hartford  refused  to  carry  over  two  travelers  unless  they  would  uait  half  an  hour, 
which  as  they  were  in  haste,  they  refused,  and  went  to  Welhersfield  lo  pass  the  ferry. 
I  often  cross  the  ferry,  and  have  complained  in  vain.  A  gentleman  advised  me  io 
prosecute  the  ferrymen — Ihave  neither  lime  nor  inc'inalion  to  do  so  ;  but  1  expect 
the  impartial  printers  in  Harifurd  will  publish  this,  and  I  promise  ihem  if  they  do  so, 
and  there  is  not  a  refonnation,  1  will  use  niy  intlnence  to  have  a  peiiiion  froin  a  very 
respectable  number  of  injured  citizens  lo  the  General  Assemblv,  piaving  for  redress, 
in  which  I  will  enumerate  facts  lo  show  that  1  have  not  lold  half  in  liiis  paper.  1  will 
prove  them  all  from  the  inhabitants  of  the  two  towns.  II  the  (iresent  fare  be  loo  low, 
I  have  no  objection  to  its  being  raised  by  law  ;  but  two,  three,  and  four  lold,  to  be  col- 
lected unlawfully,  is  too  much,  wilhoul  adding  delay  and  insult.  A  Travki.er. 

8 


58  H  A  R  T  F  0  n  I>  . 

Coiincclicut  Courant,  June  I'ith,  1707. 

On  Saturday  the  10th  inst.  the  sentence  of  ileaili  was  executed  in  this  town  upon 
Richard  Done,  a  native  of  Ireland,  lur  ihe  numier  ot Daniel  Melver,  on  the  4tli  of 
July,  A.D.  171)0.  As  thcie  liiid  not  been  an  exeeulinn  m  this  place  for  a  considerable 
niiuiber  of  years,  a  lar'j:e  conctMirse  of  people  collected  fruui  the  neighboring  towns  lo 
witness  this  tnelanchuly  spectacle.  It  is  generally  ihuuyht  there  were  from  six  lo  ten 
thousand  persons  present. 

At  one  o'clock,  P.  M.  the  people  congfregatcd  on  the  east  .side  of  the  State  House  in 
this  city,  from  the  jjoriico  of  which  the'  Rev.  Mr.  Strong  delivered  a  sermon  (by  par- 
ticular desire  of  the  unhappy  prisoner)  from  the  Ibllowing  words  of  the  prophet  Ho- 
sea,  chapter  vi.  verse  G.  "  For  I  desired  mercy  and  not  sacritiee  ;  and  the  knowledge 
of  God  more  than  burnt  offering."  About  three  o'clock  the  |M-isoner,  guarded  by  two 
companies  of  militia,  atlended'by  several  clergymen,  the  high  slieriU  ot  the  county 
of  Hartford,  and  his  deputies,  proceeded  to  the  place  of  execution  ;  and  at  hall  past 
four,  the  scaffold  was  dropped  Iroin  under  him.  A.s  he  had  from  the  fir.st,  so  he  to  the 
last  moment  of  his  existence,  persisted  in  denying  his  having  been  guilty  ot  willhu 
murder.  He  told  the  same  story  uniturmly.  On  this  occasion  every  pait  of  the  exer- 
cise was  performed  with  the  greatest  decency  and  j>roi>rieiy  ;  and  we  are  happy  to 
add,  that  amid  such  a  number  of  pe.iple,  no  nnfoitunate  accident  took  j-lace. 

Connecticut  Courant,  Hartford  Dec.  30/A,  1700. 
In  consequence  of  the  alllicting  intelligence  of  the  death  of  General  Washing:ton, 
divine  services  were  perfotuied  at  the  north  meetinghouse  in  this  town  on  Friday 
last.  The  town  never  exhibited  a  mine  solemn  and  interesting  appearance.  INotice 
having  been  given  to  the  inhabitants  of  this  and  the  neighboring  towns,  the  concoiuse 
of  people  was  greater,  than  almost  ever  was  known  on  any  former  occasion.  The 
stores  and  shops  were  shut  through  the  day— all  busine.vs  suspended— the  bells  were 
mullled,  and  tolled  at  intervals,  from  nine  in  the  morning  until  the  services  commen- 
ced. The  meeting  house  was  greatly  crowded,  and  ^lill  a  large  proportion  ol  the 
people  could  not  get  in  at  the  doors.  The  services  were  appropriate,  solemn  and  im- 
pressive. A  very  ehxjiient  and  pathetic  sermon  was  delivered  by  the  Rev.  Nathan 
Strong,  to  a  most  attentive,  devout,  and  mourning  audience,  trom  Exod.  xi.  3.  "  And 
the  man  Moses  was  very  great,"  &c.  The  music  was  solemn  and  sublime;  and  the 
whole  scene  exhibited  in  the  strongest  of  all  possible  colors,  the  deep  atiliction  of  the 
people  at  a  loss  utterly  irreparable.  The  Hoods  of  tears,  the  badges  of  mourning 
which  were  univeisally  worn,  the  church  hung  in  black,  a  procession  of  many  hun- 
dreds of  persons,  composed  of  men  of  all  classes,  and  the  solemn  grief  pictuied  on 
every  countenance,  made  impressions  on  the  minds  of  the  beholders,  which  many 
years  will  not  efTace.  We  presume  that  the  sentiments  and  feelings  which  inspired 
the  persons  present,  pervade  the  country,  on  the  distressing  event  which  called  ihera 
together.  However  divided  into  parties  on  political  subjects,  with  respect  to  the  char- 
acter of  this  great  mau,  we  trust  there  is  but  one  opin um  in  the  United  States.  As  he 
lived  beloved  and  admiied,  he  has  died  truly  lumented  ;  and  his  memory  will  be  hon- 
ored lis  long  as  wisdom,  viiliu-and  piciv  shall  he  esteemed  among  men.  "  The  beau- 
ty of  lsr>u'l  isslain  up.ni  the  high  places  ;  how  are  the  mighiy  fallen." 

I'ho  following  Hymn'  was  sung  on  the  melancholy  occasion — 

What  solemn  sounds  the  ear  invade  ! 
What  wraps  the  land  in  sorrow's  shade  ! 
From  Heaven  the  awful  inaiid.ate  Hies, 
The  Father  of  his  Country  dies. 

Let  every  heart  be  filled  with  woe, 
L,et  every  eye  with  tears  o'erilow, 
Each  form  oppressed  with  deepest  gloom, 
,         Be  clad  in  vestments  of  the  tomb. 

Behold  that  venerable  band  ! 
.    ,      The  rulers  of  our  mourning  land, 

AVith  grief  proclaim  from  shore  to  shore, 
''  Our  guide,  our  Washington's  no  more  !" 

■  Where  shall  our  country  turn  its  eye  ? 

What  help  remains  beneath  the  sky  1 
Our  Friend,  Protector,  Strength  and  Trust, 
Lies  low  and  mouldering  in  the  duit. 


Written  by  Theodore  Dwight,  Esq. 


11  A  11  T  F  O  R  D  .  59 


Almighty  God,  to  thee  we  fly — 
JJefore  thy  Throne  ;ibove  the  hky, 
In  tieej)  prostration  hunilily  buw, 
And  pour  the  penitential  vow. 

Hear,  O  Most  Hi^'h  !  our  Ciiruesi  prayer- 
"  Our  country  take  Ijeneaih  tli}-  caie, 
"  When  danycr5  piess,  nnd  Ibes  draw  neai 
"May  future  Wahhjnyiuns  appear." 


The  following  epitaphs  and  inscriptions  are  copied  from  monuments 
in  the  ancient  burying  ground,  back  of  the  Center  Church.* 

Here  LYK'rn  the  dody  of  Mk.  D.wid  G-ardi.nch  of  GAiiDiM-.R.s  Island  Decf.ased 

Ivt.Y   10.    1G39  IN  THE    FIFTY    FOViiTll    MIAU    itFHI.SAliE.       WflI.,    SlCK,    DeaD    IN    ONE 
UOVIIS  SI'AUE 

Engrave  the  nEME.MRitANc  e  of  ITIkatii  on  timne  Heart 

WllE.N    AS    TIIOV    DOST    SEE    HOW    SSMFl'LY    llUVIiS    UEPAKT 

The  above  inscription  is  on  a  plain  slab  of  red  sandstone,  a  little 
north  of  the  central  part  of  the  yard.  David  Gardiner,  wliose  death 
it  records,  was  the  first  white  child  born  in  Connecticut.  He  removed, 
it  appears,  with  his  father,  Lyon  Gardiner,  to  Gardiner's  Island,  and 
coming  to  Hartford,  probably  on  public  business,  died  suddenly.  The 
stone  is  placed  horizontally  over  his  grave,  and  (18o6)  partly  imbed- 
ded in  the  earth,  and  was  with  some  diiriculty  deciphered.  John  G. 
Gardiner,  Es(|.  the  gentleman  to  whom  the  author  is  indebted  lor  the 
account  of  Capt.  Kidd,  (().  ^3,)  menlious  that  his  father  erected  a  mon- 
ument to  the  memory  of  his  ancestors  on  Gardiner's  Island,  in  June, 
1806.  On  this  moiuunent  il  is  stated,  that  Lyon  Gardiner  died  in 
1063.  "David,  his  son,  born  at  Saybrook,  April  29,  1636,  the  first 
white  child  born  in  Connecticut,  died  1  (j — .  IMary,  his  wile,  whom  he 
married  at  W^estminster,  England,  dieil  \('> — ."  ll  appears  by  this  that 
Mr.  Gardiner  did  not  know  at  what  time  or  at  what  place  his  ancestor 
died;  it  was  stipposed  by  IJie  family,  (previous  to  the  discovery  of  the 
monument  at  Hartford,  by  the  author  of  this  wtJik,  in  1835,)  that  he 
Nvns  buried  somewhere  on  Ciardiner's  Island. 

"  Wc  have,"  says  JMr.  CJardiner,  *'  an  old  J3ible  in  the  house,  which 
belonged  to  Lyon  (nirdiner,  upon  a  blank  leaf  of  which  tlie  lollowing 
is  written. 

"  Jn  the  year  of  our  Lord,  1G35,  the  10th  of  July,  came  I,  Lion  Gar- 
diner and  ]\Iaiy  my  wife  from  Worden,  a  town  in  Holland,  where  my 
wife  was  born,  being  the  daughter  of  one  Diricke  \Villemson  detu-eant ; 
her  mother's  name  was  Hachir,  and  her  aunt,  sister  of  her  mother,  was 
the  wife  of  Wouter  Leanerdson,  old  burger  IMuster,  dwelling  in  the 
liostrade,  over  against  the  Brtiser  in  the  Un-icorne's  head;  her  brother's 
name  was  Punce  Garretson,  also  old  burger  IMuster.     ^Ve  came  from 

*  Tlie  citizens  of  Hartford  have  quite  recently  laised  L&OO  dollars  for  the  purpose 
of  iuiprovinf.' the  ancient  bui  yi'iy  j^iound  :  all  the  old  monuuienib  liave  been  replaced 
and  repaneif;  graveled  walks  have  been  n)ade,  nninerous  sliade  and  other  trees  liave 
been  set  out,  and  it  is  e.Kpeeled  iliat  during  the  piesentyear  (1837)  a  handsome  obelisk, 
inscribed  with  the  names  of  the  hrst  settlers  ol  the  town,  will  be  erected.  This  well 
merited  token  of  respect  to  the  memory  and  ashes  ol  the  venerated  dead,  is  in  accord- 
ance with  the  be^l  feelings  of  our  nature,  and  it  is  ho[)ed  thai  this  honoiable  example 
of  the  citizens  of  Hartford,  will  be  folluu-ed  in  other  places. 


60  HARTFORD. 

Worden  to  London,  and  from  thence  to  New  England,  and  dwelt  at 
Saybrook  foit  four  years — it  is  at  the  mouth  of  Connecticut  river — of 
which  I  was  commander,  and  tliere  was  born  unto  me  a  son,  named 
David,  16.J5,  the  29th  of  April,  the  first  born  in  that  place,  and  1638 
a  dau^hier  was  born,  named  Mary,  30ih  of  August,  and  then  I  went  to 
an  inland  of  my  own,  wliicli  I  had  bought  and  purchased  of  the  Indians, 
called  by  them  IMonchonack,  by  us  Isle  of  ^Vigl)t,  and  there  was  born 
another  daughter,  named  Elizabeth,  the  ]4ih  Septeinber,  1641,  she 
being  the  first  child  of  English  parents  that  was  born  there.'* 

R 

An  epitaph  on  M  Samuel  Stone,  Deceased  ye  61  - 

YEARE  OF  HIS   AGE  Ivi.Y   20   16(i3. 
NeWENGLANd's   glory  &  her   RADIANT   CROWNE, 

Was  he  who  now  on  softest  bed  of  downe. 
Til  Gi.oRious  resurrectioiv  morne  appeare, 
Doth  safely,  sweetly  sleepe  in  Jesus  here. 
In  nature's  solid  art,  &.   reasoning  well, 

TiS  KNOW.NE,  beyond  COMPARE,  HE  DID  EXCELL: 

Errors  corrupt,  by  sinnewous  dispuje. 
He  did  oppvgne,  &.  clearly  them  confute: 
Above  all  things  he  Christ  his  Lord  pref'errd, 
Hartford,  thy  richest  jewel's  here  interd. 

The  above  inscription  is  on  a  plain  slab  of  red  sandstone  or  freestone, 
about  five  inches  in  thickness,  raised  on  blocks  of  the  same,  a  short  dis- 
tance from  the  ground.  Another  slab  of  the  same  material  is  by  its  side, 
on  which  is  an  inscription  in  memory  of  Mr.  IIi)(jker,  styled  by  the  au- 
thor of  the  Magnalia  "  the  light  of  the  western  churches."  This  in- 
scription has  been  put  upon  the  stone  in  the  course  of  a  few  years  past ; 
the  engraving  is  in  imitation  of  the  ancient  method  of  making  letters. 

In  memory  of  ihe  Ilev.  Thomas  Hooker,  who,  in  If3;i6,  with  his  assistant  Mr.  Sto  .e, 
rennoved  to  Hartford  with  about  iOO  persons,  where  he  planted  ye  first  church  in  Con- 
necticut, an  eloquent,  able  and  faithful  Minister  of  Christ.    He  died  July  7lh,  iEt.  LXI. 

The  following  lines  respecting  iNIr.  Stone,  are  from  "  The  Wonder- 
workitig  Providetice,''  ^c.  said  to  ha\c  [jccn  written  by  ('apt.  Etiward 
Johnson,  the  (irst  .settler,  atul  for  man)-  years  representative  in  the  Gen- 
eral Court,  for  \V'^oburn,  Mass.  Capt.  Johnson  was  from  Kent  in  Eng- 
land ;   he  died  in  1672. 

"  Thou  well  .smooth'd  Slo-Ae  Clirisls  work-mansljip  to  be  ; 

In's  Church  new  laid  his  weake  ones  to  support, 
Wiih's  word  of  mij^ht  his  foes  are  fuil'd  by  thee; 

Thou  daily  dost  to  ifodlincss  e.xhort. 
The  Lordly  Pielaies  people  do  deny 

Chrisls  Kingly  jiower  Iltizauna  toprociaime. 
Mens  in£)uths  are  stopt,  but  Stone  poor  dust  dtiih  tr\',    • 

Throughout  liis  Churches  none  but  Christ  duth  raigne. 
Mourne  not  Oh  Man,  thy  youth  and  learning's  spent ; 

In  desai  t  Land,  my  Muse  is  bold  to  sa\', 
For  glorious  workes  Clirisi  hishaiii  hiilierscnl; 

Like  that  great  worke  of  Ressuriectioii  day." 

The  following  is  on  a  plain  upright  marble  slab,  in  the  western  part 
of  the  yard. 

The  General  Convention  of  the  Universal  Churches,  in  memory  of  their  dear  de- 
parted Brother,  the  Rev.  Klhanan  Winchester,  erected  this  monumental  stone.  He 
died  April  I8th,  1797,  agedlG  years. 


11  A  R  T  I"  O  11  D  . 

'Twastliine  to  preach  with  aniiTinled  Z(?al 

The  ghjrics  ol'  llie  I'l-.sliiiiiKni  moi  n, 
When  Sin,  Dealli,  Hell,  llie  power  of  ( 'hi  Lst  -I, nil  feel, 

And  Liijhl,  Lile,  Iniiuuilalii-,-,  lie  bum. 


CI 


The  following  are  copied  iVoni  moniuucuis  in  the  new  burying  ground, 
north  of  the  city,  on  the  Windsor  road. 


IIIPPgiiKu^  ^ 


T)r.   Strong^s  Momuiicnt. 

Beneath  this  nioniinient  are  .lepcisiied  ihe  leuiains  of  ihe  Ri'V.  Natiia;.  SmoNG,  D.D. 
Pastor  of  the  Church  in  ihe  Fii'.st  lOcele- inslical  Society-  in  IJaitlbrd.  En(lo\ied  willi 
rare  talents,  and  eminent  lor  learning  and  eloquence,  he  zealously  devoted  hiniself  to 
the  cause  orReligion  :  and,  alter  many  years  ol' (hilhlul  services,  approved  and  blessed 
by  ihe  Holy  Spirit,  he  I'eel  asleep  in  Jc>ns,  derjdy  lainenled  li\-  his  li  lends,  the  people 
of  his  charge,  and  the  ehuich  of  Christ.  "  J^lesscil  are  the  dead  who  die  in  the  Loid, 
for  they  rest  from  their  labois." 

On  Ihr  iij>l>.'::tl,   side. 

This  monument  is  erected  by  the  First  Eeeh-.siaslical  Sociel}-  in  Ilaitlbid,  in  mem- 
ory of  the  Rev.  Nathan  Strong',  D.  D.  Iiurn  IGlh  (Jclober,  171H,  oidumed  5lh'januai  v 
1774,  died  -Jjlh  December,  lbl(J.  "  ' 

In  memory  of  Mary  Ann  Dodd,  wlio  departed  this  life  March  2G,  1813,  aged  'J7 
years,  wife  of  l'.^lisha  Dodd. 

"  Pleasant  be  ihy  rest,  O  lovely  beam,  soon  hast  thou  set  on  our  hills." 

On  the  same  monument  are  recorded  the  deaths  of  three  young  chil- 
dren of  Mr.  Dodd.  Tiiis  is  accompanied  with  another  beautiful  and 
expressive  quotation  from  Ossian,  viz. 

"They  fell  like  three  young  Oaks  which  sioud  alone  on  theliill.  The  traveler  saw 
the  lovely  trees,  and  wondered  how  they  grew  so  lonely.  The  blast  of  the  desert  came 
by  night,  and  laid  their  green  heads  low.  Next  day  lie  retained,  but  they  were  wuii- 
ered,  and  the  lieath  w  as  bare." 


This  monument,  erected  as  a  tribute  ol  filial  aflection,  is  sacred  to  the  memory  of  the 
Rev.  James  Cogswell,  D,  D.*  1  le  was  born  .Ian.  (J,  17-JO,  and  died  Jan.  ii,  l.^^)7.  Si.xty 
years  a  faithful  laborer  m  the  vinevard  of  his  J.ord:  coiinentlv  distinguished  by  those 


♦  An  affecting  anecdote,  showing  the  "ruling  passion  strong  in  death,"  is  related 
respecting  Dr.  Cogswell.  Duiing  his  last  illness,  he  forgot  his  dearest  friends,  and 
even  his  own  name.  When  asked  if  he  remembered  his  son,  Mason  1  (a  son  with 
whom  he  lived,  and  to  m  hom  he  was  much  attached  ;)  he  replied,  "  1  do  not  recollect 
that  ever  I  had  a  son;"  but  when  asked  whether  he  remembered  the  Loid  Jesus  Christ, 
he  revived  at  once,  exclaiming,  "  O  yes,  I  do  remember  him;  he  is  my  CioD  and  Rk- 

DEEMEll." 


6-2 


AVON, 


mild  and  humble  virtues  which  ndorn  the  Chrislian  character,  as  he  lived,  so  he  died, 
a  shiiiin<?  example  ufl'aiUi.  When  hiii  dearest  friends  were  forj^ulten,  Ciiiust  siill  liv- 
ed in  his  reuieiiiljrance.  He  expired  triumphantly,  cxelnimiii!,'  "I  du  remember 
him  :  he  is  my  Cud  and  n)y  redeemer." 


United  in  death,  here  rest  the  remains  of  Mason  F.  CoLrswell,  ]\I.  D.  who  died  Dec. 
17th,  1S:51),  a-ed  (U)  years— ;uul  of  Alice  Co-swell,  who  died  Dec.  30,  1S:50,  aged  25 
years— the  Father,  ilistin-nishud  for  his  jnivute  virtues  and  public  spirit,  and  his  pro- 
fessional worth:  and  the'd.mi^'htei,  (though  deprived  of  hearing;  and  speech,)  for  her 
intellectual  attainments  and  loveliness  of  character.  The  Ameiican  Asylum  for  the 
Deaf  and  Dumb,  which  under  Providence,  owes  its  oiij^nn  to  the  father's  tenderness 
towards  his  child,  and  his  sympathy  for  her  fellow  suflercrs,  will  stand  an  enduring 
monument  to  their  memory,  wlien  this  shall  have  perished. 


AVON. 

This  town  was  orii^inally  a  parish  in  the  north  part  of  Farmington, 
by  the  name  of  Northington,  It  was  incoiporateci  as  a  distinct  town  in 
1830.  It  is  bounded  n.  by  Canton  and  Slmsbury,  e.  by  Hartford  and 
Bloomfield,  w.  by  Burlington,  and  s.  by  Farmington.  It  is  about  6 
miles  in  length,  and  upwards  of  5J  in  breadth.  This  township  is  for 
the  most  part  a  level  and  fertile  tract  of  land,  in  the  valley  of  the  Far- 
mington river,  between  two  mountainous  ridges,  on  the  east  and  west. 
The  population  of  the  town  in  1830,  was  1,025. 


J^astfrn  view  of  Avon. 

The  above  is  a  representation  of  the  central  part  of  Avon,  as  it  ap- 
pears to  the  observer  while  descending  Talcoit  nioiiniain  to  the  west- 
ward. This  place  is  9  miles  from  Hartford,  and  G  north  of  Fartiiington. 
Farmington  river  runs  nearly  at  the  base  of  this  mountain  at  this  ])lace. 
Its  course  is  seen  in  the  engraving,  by  the  tops  of  the  trees  and  bushes 
in  the  fore  ground,  inuncdiately  before  the  person  who  is  looking  to  the 
westward  :  immediately  above  the  head  of  the  person  represented,  is 
seen  the  Baptist  church,  without  a  spire,  having  eight  windows  on  the 


AVON.  G3 

east  side.  The  Congregational  cliurch  is  seen  beyond.  Tlie  New 
Haven  and  Northampiun  Canal  passes  between  these  churches.  The 
ancient  IVoi  thington  meeting  house  stood  a  few  rods  from  ih^  Farminglon 
river,  about  lA  miles  s.  e.  of  the  Congregational  church  seen  in  the  en- 
graving :  it  was  burnt  down  nearly  twenty  years  since.*  The  meeting 
houses  now  standing  in  the  town,  tliree  in  number,  2  Congregational  and 
1  Baptist,  were  built  immediately  after  the  okl  one  was  destroyed. 


m^i^--^ 


^iM&mSm&Mi 


View  of  Monte  Video  or  JVadstvorth's  Tower. 

In  the  north  eastern  corner  of  this  town,  about  two  miles  north  from  tho 
main  road  which  passes  over  Talcott  mountain,  is  "  Wadsworth's  Tow- 
er," so  called  from  Daniul  Wadsvvorth,  Esq.  of  Hartford,  who  erected 
it,  and  also  a  summer-house  and  other  buildiu'js  in  the  immediate  vicin- 


•  "I  once  nitendeil  public  worship  there,"  says  Prof.  Sillinian,  'on  a  pleasant  but 
warm  summer  sabbath.  The  house  was  almost  embowered  in  ancient  forest  trees : 
it  was  smaller  than  many  private  dwelling  houses — was  much  dilapidated  by  time, 
which  had  furrowed  the  f<ray  unpainted  shingles  and  clapboards,  with  many  walei- 
wotn  channels,  and  it  seeujcd  as  if  it  woukl  soon  fall.  It  was  an  interesting  remnant 
of  primeval  New  Englaiul  manners.  The  peojile,  evidently  agricultural,  had  scarcely 
departed  from  the  simplicity  of  our  early  rural  habits;  the  men  were  not  parading  in 
foreign  broadcloth,  nor  the  women  flaunting  in  foreign  sillcs  and  muslins;  but  they 
appeared  in  domestic  I'abrics,  and  both  men  and  women  were  dressed  with  simplicity. 
I  do  not  mean  that  there  were  no  excejitions,  hut  this  was  the  general  aspect  of  the  con- 
gregation, and,  from  the  smallness  of  the  house,  although  there  were  pews,  it  seemed 
rather  a  domestic  than  a  public  religious  meeting.  The  minister  corresponded  admi- 
rably with  the  ajipearance  ol'  the  house  and  congregation,  as  far  as  antiquity  and  pri- 
meval simplicity  were  concerned,  but  lie  was  highly  respectable  for  undeistanding, 
and  sustained  even  in  these  htimble  circumstances,  the  dignity  of  his  station.  He 
was  an  old  man,  with  hoary  locks,  and  a  venerable  aspect,  a  man  of  Gvd,  of  other 
times — a  patriarchal  teacher — not  caring  for  much  balanced  nicety  of  phrase,  but  giv- 
ing his  (luck  wholesome  food,  in  sound  doctrine  and  plain  speech.  His  prayers  had 
that  detail  of  petition — that  specific  application,  both  to  public  and  private  concerns, 
and  that  dueclness  of  allusion,  to  the  momentous  political  events  of  the  day,  and  their 
apparent  bearing  upon  this  people,  which  was  common  among  our  ancestors,  and 
especially  among  the  first  ministers,  who  brought  with  tlri^lu  the  fervor  of  the  times 
when  they  eiuigraled  from  England." 


64  A  V  (5  N  .  • 

ity.  This  place  is  also  called  Monte  Video,  and  is  remarkable  for  its 
beauty  in  natural  scenery  :  it  is  a  place  of  resort  for  parties  of  pleasure 
from  Hartford  and  otiier  places  in  the  vicinity.  Having  ascended  the 
summit  of  Talcott  mountain,  those  who  wish  to  visit  tliis  spot  mu|t  fol- 
low an  obscure  road  which  tiuiis  directly  to  tlie  noith.  "The  road  is 
rough,  and  the  view  bounded  on  the  east  by  tlie  ridge,  wdiich  in  many 
places  rises  in  pcrpendicuhu'  clills,  to  more  than  one  hundred  feet  above 
the  general  surface  of  the. mountain.  At  the  end  of  a  mile  and  a  half, 
the  road  terminates  at  a  tenant's  house,  built  in  the  Gothic  style,  and  at 
this  place  the  scene  is  immediately  changed.  At  the  right,  the  ridge, 
which  has  seemed  an  impassable  barrier,  suddenly  breaks  olFand  disap- 
pears, but  rises  again  at  the  distance  of  hali'a  mile,  in  bold  gray  masses, 
to  the  height  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  feet,  crowned  by  forest  trees; 
above  which  appears  a  tower  of  the  same  color  of  the  rocks.  The  space 
or  hollow  caused  by  the  absence  of  the  ridge,  is  occupied  by  a  tieep 
lake  of  the  |)uresl  of  water,  nearly  half  a  mih-  in  length,  and  somewhat 
less  than  half  that  in  width.  Directly  befoie  you  to  the  north,  and  ex- 
tending about  half  a  mile,  is  a  scene  of  cultivation,  intersjjersed  with  trees, 
in  the  center  of  which  stands  a  summer-house.  The  ground  is  gently 
undulating,  bounded  on  the  west  by  a  precipice  wdiich  overlooks  Far- 
mington  valley,  and  inclining  gently  to  the  east,  where  it  is  terminated 
by  the  margin  of  the  trees  that  skirt  the  lake." 

The  tower  is  situated  on  the  suminit  of  the  ridge,  standing  within  a 
{e\v  rods  of  the  edge  of  the  precipice.  "The  tower  is  a  hexagon,  of 
IG  feet  diameter,  and  fifty  five  feet  liigb  ;  the  ascent  of  about  eighty 
steps,  on  the  inside,  is  easy,  and  li'om  the  top,  which  is  nine  hundred 
and  sixty  feet  above  the  level  of  Connecticut  river, -you  have  at  one 
view,  all  those  objects  which  have  been  seen  separately  from  the  dif- 
ferent stations  below.  Tlic  diameter  of  the  view  in  two  directions,  is 
more  than  ninety  miles,  extending  into  the  neighboring  states  of  IMassa- 
•chusetts  and  New  ^'oik.  .  .  .  The  little  spot  of  cidtivation  surrounding 
the  house  and  the  lakc!  at  your  feil,  with  in  pieml^♦;que  appendages  of 
boat,  wineling  paths,  and  d'oihic  buildings,  shut  in  by  rocks  and  forests, 
compose  the  fore  ground  ol'  this  grand  [lanorama.  On  the  western  side, 
the  Farmington  valley  appears  in  still  gieater  beauty  than  even  from 
the  lower  brow,  and  is  seen  to  a  greater  extent,  jircseniing  many  objects 
which  w'ere  not  visible  fi-om  any  other  quarter.  On  the  east  is  spread 
before  you,  the  great  plain  through  which  the  Connecticut  river  winds 
its  course,  anil  ujjon  the  borders  of  which  the  towns  and  villages  are  tra- 
ced for  more  than  forty  miles.  The  most  considej-able  place  in  sight  is 
Hartford,  where,  although  at  the  distance  of  eight  miles  in  a  direct  line, 
you  see,  with  the  aid  of  a  glass,  the  carriages  jiassing  at  the  intersection 
of  the  streets,  and  distinctly  trace  the  motion  and  position  of  the  vessels, 
as  they  appear,  and  vatiish,  \\\Km  the  river,  whose  l;road  sweeps  are 
seen,  like  a  succession  of  lakes,  extending  through  the  valley.  Tiie 
whole  of  this  magnilicent  picture,  including  within  its  vast  extent  culti- 
vated plains  and  rugged  mountains,  rivers,  towns  and  villages,  is  encir- 
cled by  a  distant  outline  of  hlue  mountains,  rising  in  shapes  of  endless 
variety."  "^ 


U  E  U  L  I  N  . 


65 


B  E  Tx  L  I  N  . 

Berlin  was  incorporated  as  a  town  in  17S5.  Ti  was  previonsly  llie 
second  society  of  Farniini,Mon,  by  the  name  of  Kensln;ricm  ; — a  sec- 
tion of  the  towns  of  VVethersfJeld  anti  Middlelown  were  joined  to  it  ai 
its  incorporation.  Kensington  was  prohal)ly  set  off  lioni  Fannington 
as  a  society  about  the  year  1712,  as  the  first  minister,  tlie  Rev.  Mr. 
Biirnham,  was  ordained  in  tliat  year.  At  this  time  there  were  but  14 
families  in  tlie  ]dace,  and  the  cliurch  consisted  of  10  members,  seven 
males  and  three  females.  Previous  to  the  settlement  of  Mv.  Burnimm, 
these  fan)ilies  attended  meeting  at  Farmington,  and  the  women  walked 
from  10  to  J '2  miles  and  canied  their  infants  in  their  arms.  Kensing- 
ton was  divided  about  the  year  173."],  by  the  incorporation  of  the  soci- 
ety of  New  Britain  ;  and  Dr.  Smalley,  the  first  clergyman  in  this  soci- 
ety, was  ordained  in  1753.  In  n7''2,  the  society  of  Kensington  was 
again  divided,  by  the  formation  of  the  society  of  Wortliington  ;  its  name 
being  derived  fiom  one  of  the  committee  wlio  locatud  tlie  society.* 


Northern  view  of  JVorthington,  /n  Berlin. 


The  township  of  Berlin  is  bounded  north  by  Farmington,  east  by 
Middletown  and  Wethersfield,  west  by  Southington,  and  soutii  by  Mer- 
iden.  It  has  an  average  length  of  about  8  miles,  and  about  5  in 
breadth.     The  population  of  the  town  in  1S30  was  3,017. 

The  above  shows  the  general  appearance  and  situation  of  the  village 
of  Wortliington  in  Berlin.  The  southern  termination  of  Mount  Lamen- 
tation is  seen  on  the  left  in  the  distance.  This  place  was  incorporated 
as  a  borough  in  1831  ;  its  limits  extend  two  miles  from  north  to  south, 
and  about  one  mile  from  east  to  west,  containing  about  SO  dwelling 
bouses,  4  or  5  mercantile  stores,  3  churches  ;  1  Congregational,!  Metho- 
dist, and  1  Univcrsalist,  and  an  Academy.     The  makinj^of  tin  ware  is  the 


Pea.se  fuui  Nile^'s  Oa/.t 
i) 


66  BERLIN. 

most  important  mnniifacturinf;  business  done  in  the  place.  It  is  1 1 
miles  from  Hartford,  23  from  New  Haven,  and  8  from  Wethersfield. 

The  manufaciurinL;  of  tin  ware  on  this  side  of  the  Atlantic,  probably 
first  commenced  in  this  place.  About  the  year  17-10,  William  or  Edward 
Patterson,  a  native  of  Ireland,  came  to  this  country  and  settled  in  this 
place.  His  trade  was  that  of  a  tinner  ;  and  soon  after  his  arrival,  he 
commenced  manufacturing  tin  ware,  and  continued  in  the  business  till 
the  Revolution.  He  was  then  under  the  necessity  of  suspending  it,  as 
the  raw  material  could  not  be  obtained.  After  the  war,  this  manufac- 
ture was  carried  on  in  this  place,  by  those  young  men  who  bad  learned 
the  art  from  My.  Patterson  ;*  and  from  these  persons  the  art  has  been 
extended  over  a  number  of  the  neighboring  towns.  For  a  considerable 
time  Mr.  Patterson  carried  on  the  business  alone,  and  peddled  his  own 
ware  in  a  basket ;  but  the  value  of  the  article  becoming  known,  others 
engaged  in  the  business,  and  the  ware  was  soon  scattered  over  the  coun- 
try. At  first  others  as  well  as  l^atterson  pedtlled  in  baskets,  carried  by 
band  or  on  horses  ;  afterwards  two  wheeled  carts  were  introduced,  but 
tliose  being  found  inadefjuate  for  long  journeys,  were  succeeded  by  one 
liorse  wagons,  and  these  in  some  measure  by  very  large  carriages,  with 
two  and  four  horses.  The  wares  manufactured  of  tin  were  vended  at 
first  in  New  England  and  New  York,  and  then  gradually  in  the  south- 
ern and  western  states. 

The  first  families  who  settled  in  New  Brilain,  located  themselves 
about  half  a  mile  east  of  the  present  village.  The  first  meeting  house 
in  this  parish  was  aljout  half  a  mile  northeast  of  the  ]M-esent  Congrega- 
tional church.  The  eastern  part  of  New  Hritain  was  first  settled  by  3 
families  of  the  name  of  Judd,  3  of  the  name  of  Smith,  and  one  by  the 
name  of  Patterson  :  the  Lewises  settled  in  the  south  part  ;  the  western 
part  was  settled  by  3  families  of  Andrews  and  2  by  the  name  of  Hart : 
the  northeast  part  by  the  Stanleys,  Hart,  and  Smith.  Tbe  first  settlers 
in  the  village  were  of  the  names  of  Lee,  Judil,  IJootb  and  iVIother. 

The  cut  on  page  (>7  shows  the  central  part  of  the  llourishin  gvillagc 
of  New  JJritain.  The  jMethodist  church,  a  plain  building  with  4  win- 
dows on  the  west  end,  is  seen  nearly  in  the  central  part  of  the  engraving, 
eastward  of  which  is  seen  the  brass  fiictory  of  Messrs.  North  &t  Stan- 
ley, 4  stories  in  height.  The  farthermost  mountains  seen  in  the  dis- 
tance are  eastward  of  Connecticut  river,  being  the  eastern  boundary  of 
the  great  valley  of  the  Connecticut.  The  village,  which  has  been  built 
up  within  about  a  dozen  years  past,  is  situated  around  the  border  of  what 
was  formerly  a  kind  of  swamp,  which  by  draining  he.  is  now  become 
quite  valuable.  New  l>ritain  contains  about  1,500  inhabitants.  The 
village  contains  3  houses  of  worship  ;  1  Congregational,  I  Methodist  and 
1  Baptist.  There  are  45  factories  in  the  society,  principally  brass  facto- 
ries ;  upwards  of  700  hands  are  employed,  and  about  050,000  dollars 
capital  invested.  The  latitude  of  the  village,  as  ascertained  by  E.  H. 
Burritt,  Esq.  is  41°  40' ;  longitude,  72°  53'  \V.  Distance  from  Hart- 
ford 10  miles  s.  w.  and  28  irom  New  Haven. 


Dr.  Dwii^Iit. 


R  E  U  I,  I  N  . 


67 


N.  IV.  view  of  JS'civ  .Britain,  [ctuiral  [lurt.) 


"Major  JojintJian  Hart  was  a  native  of  this  town.  He  was  a  gal- 
lant and  distinguished  officer,  and  one  of  the  victims  of  the  unfortunate 
defeat  of  Gen.  St.  Chiir,  Nov.  4th,  1791.  His  life  and  those  of  his 
command,  were  literally  offered  a  sacrifice  for  the  safety  of  the  rest  of 
the  army.  When  all  were  in  confusion  and  dismay,  Major  Hart  was 
ordered  to  charge  the  enemy  with  the  bayonet,  with  a  view  to  facilitate 
a  retreat,  or  rather  a  fliglit,  to  the  shattered  remains  of  the  army.  This 
charge  was  made  with  gallantry  and  spirit,  under  circumstances  which 
language  is  too  feeble  to  describe  ;  the  desolation  of  the  place;  the  con- 
fusion of  the  scene  ;  the  whoops  and  yells  of  a  savage  foe,  flushed  with 
victory,  and  thirsting  for  blood  ;  the  general  consteiT.atFon  which  pre- 
vailed, and  the  groans  of  the  dying  in  every  direction.  -But  the  intre- 
pid I\Iajor,  and  almost  every  man  of  his  party,  were  killed  in  the  des- 
perate enterprise,  and  their  bones  were  left  to  bleach  upon  the  borders 
of  the  waters  of  the  Wabash,  the  dreary  abode  of  wild  beasts  and  *  sav- 
age men  more  wild  than  they.'  " 

The  following  are  copied  from  monuments  in  the  burying  ground, 
N.  E.  from  the  village  of  J\e\v  Britain. 

In  memory  of  the  Rev.  John-  S.mali.ky,  D.  D.  fust  pnstor  of  tlie  church  in  this  Soci- 
ety. Born  in  Lebanon,  Conn.  June  4th,  173-1,  ordained  April  lOtli,  175H.  Died  June 
1st,  1820,  JE.  8G.  Possessed  oTa  strouic  and  penetrating  mind,  improved  hy  laborious 
study;  he  zealously  devoted  liimseUtothe  cause  of  religion,  alter  many  years  of  faith- 
ful services,  he  lell  asleep  in  Jesus.  To  his  talents  and  Piety,  his  writings  have  erect- 
ed a  monument  more  durable  than  marble. 


Simeon  Lincoln,  by  profession  a  Printer,  died  Oct.  5th,  1823,  Aged  33. 

Why  then  iheir  loss  deplore  that  are  not  lost  ? 

Why  wanders  wretcheil  thought  their  tombs  around  in  infidel  distress  1 

What  though  short  his  date  1 

Virtue,  not  rolluig  Suns,  the  mind  matures, 

That  life  is  long  that  answers  life's  great  end. 

The  man  of  wisdom  is  tiie  mau  of  years. 


68 


li  L  0  0  M  F  I  E  I-  D 


B  L  O  O  ]\I  F  I  E  L  D . 


Bloomfield  was  incorporated  as  a  town  in  1S35.  It  was  formerly 
the  parish  of  Wintonhury  in  Windsor,  and  derived  its  name  it  i^s  said, 
from  the  circumstance  of  the  jiarisli  being  formeil  from  three  towiis,  viz. 
Windsor,  Farminglon,  and  Simshury  ;  the  name  Win-ton-bury  being 
derived  from  a  part  of  the  name  of  each  of  these  three  towns.  At  the 
period  of  the  first  settlements  on  Connecticut  river,  the  Windsor  peo- 
ple sent  out  a  number  of  men  to  explore  the  tract,  since  Wintonbury. 
These  men  returned,  and  reported  that  there  was  good  land  suflicient  for 
the  maintenance  of  tlu-ee  families.  Bloomfield  is  bounded  n.  by  Wind- 
sor, vv.  by  Simshury,  s.  by  Hartford,  and  k.  by  Windsor.  On  the 
eastern  bounds  of  the  town  there  is  a  forest  extending  the  whole  length 
of  the  township;  it  is  about  li  miles  in  width  from  east  to  west.  The 
town  averages  about  4  miles  in  length  and  breaihh,  and  contains  about 
1,400  inhabitants.  The  face  of  the  township  is  gently  undulating  ;  the 
soil  is  good,  and  produces  large  ci'ops  of  grass.  This  place  is  celebrated 
for  the  excellence  of  its  huit,  a  considerable  quaniity  of  which  is  annu- 
ally raised.  The  irdiabitants  are  generally  agriculturists,  and  remarka- 
bly free  from  the  e\ils  cjf  litigation. 


iSouth  view  oj'  the  Congngudoiuil  Church  in  Bloomfield. 

The  above  is  a  representation  of  the  Congregational  church,  and  some 
other  buildings  in  the  immediate  vicinity.  This  place,  which  is  consid- 
ered the  central  part  of  the  town,  is  about  6  miles  from  Hartford,  and 
about  4^  miles  in  a  direct  line  from  Connecticut  river.  ""J'here  are  three 
houses  of  worship  in  the  town  :  1  Congregational,  1  Baptist  and  1  Meth- 
odist. The  Baptist  church  is  situated  about  40  or  50  rods  eastward, 
and  the  Methodist  church  perhaps  twice  this  distance  westward  of  the 
Congregational  church  seen  in   the  engraving.     The   Congregational 

CI  O  O  O  O  O 

church  was  built  about  the  year  1800,  the  steeple  or  tower  is,  however, 
of  modern  construction  :  this  building,  which  is  the  second  house,  stands 
on  the  site  of  the  first  tneeting  house.  The  burying  giound  is  a  few- 
rods  north.  The  first  person  bmied  in  the  yard  was  a  young  woman,  the 
daughter  of  Isaac  Skinner,  one  of  the  first  settlers. 


C  K  I  S  T  O  L  . 


69 


BRISTOL 


Bristol  was  formerly  a  parish  in  the  town  of  Farniini^rton,  by  the 
name  of  New  Cambridge.  It  was  incorporated  as  an  independent  soci- 
ety in  1747,  and  as  a  town  in  17S5.  It  is  bounded  n.  by  Burlington, 
E.  by  Farmington,  w.  by  Plymouth,  and  s.  by  Wolcott  and  South- 
ington.  It  is  5^  miles  in  length  from  north  to  south,  and  5  in  breadth. 
The  surface  of  the  town  is  uneven  and  hilly,  and  the  soil  is  a  gravelly 
loam,  and  considerably  fertile,  producing  all  kinds  of  grain,  grass,  and 
fruit  common  to  this  region.  Iron  and  copper  ore  have  been  discovered 
in  some  places  in  the  limits  of  the  townsliip.  This  is  a  manufacturing 
town,  and  the  inhabitants  are  distinguished  for  their  enterprise -and  in- 
dustry. There  are  at  present  sixteen  clock  (iictories,  in  which  nearly 
100,000  brass  and  wooden  clocks  have  been  manufactured  in  a  single 
year.     The  manufacture  of  buttons  is  also  carried  on  in  this  place. 


IVc6tcni  view  of  Brhtol. 

The  principal  part  of  the  village  is  built  at  the  base  of  a  circular  hill, 
the  buildings  being  mostly  on  a  road  which  passes  round  the  hill,  in 
somewhat  the  sha[)e  of  a  semicircle.  The  most  conspicuous  building 
seen  in  the  engraving,  with  a  small  square  tower,  is  the  Methodist 
church,  erected  in  1335.  To  the  right  of  this  in  the  distance,  and  on 
the  summit  of  the  hill,  is  seen  the  Congregational  church.  The  Epis- 
copal churcli  is  situated  on  the  northern  descent  of  the  hill :  it  is  seen 
on  the  left,  near  the  forest.  The  Baptist  church  is  on  the  road  passing 
by  the  Methodist  church,  a  little  distance  to  the  south.  This  place  is 
IGJ  miles  from  Hartford,  28  from  New  Haven,  17  from  Litchfield,  and 
5  to  the  .nearest  point  on  the  New  Haven  and  Northampton  Canal. 
The  nuuiber  of  inhabitants  in  the  town  in  ISIO,  was  l,l-23;  the  num- 
ber at  present  is  estimated  to  be  2,500. 


70  BUnLINGTON. CANTON. 

The  Rev.  Samuel  IVcwell  a])pcars  to  have  hecn  the  first  minister 
settled  in  this  place.    The  follow ing  is  the  inscription  on  his  monument. 

"  Here  lyelli  iiilened  ihe  hmly  of  ye  Uev.  S.umiki,  Ni:\s  j:i.l,  A.  M.  lulcpaslor  oClhe 
Church  olChiisl  in  New  Caiiiluul-e.  AGenlleinan  urguod  Genius,  sulkl  juilj^ment, 
SDUiid  in  ihe  Failh,  A  lerveul  and  expeiiuK-nlal  Treacher,  ol' unall'ecled  Piety,  kinclebt 
otllusband.s,  leiideie.sl  ul' i-'iilheis,  the  lje.^l  of  Fiieiids,  and  an  oniaineut  of  I'he  Minis- 
try. And  liaviii^'  served  his  j^eneialion  faithfully,  by  the  will  of  God,  with  serenity 
and  calmness  he  fell  on  sleep  Feb.  ye  10,  ilb'J,  in  the  7iJtli  year  of  his  age,  and  the  l^d 
of  his  niiuistry. 

"Death!  Great  Projjrietor  (d' all !  'tis  thine 
To  ireatl  out  llnipires,  and  to  (iueiieh  ye  ^tais." 


]3URLINGT0N. 

Burlington  oiiginally  helonj^a-d  to  Farmington,  and  was  forijierly 
known  hy  the  name  of  West  Britain  ;  It  was  at  the  first  called  JVtst 
JVoods.  Previous  to  its  liicorporatiou  as  a  town  in  1806,  it  was  within 
the  limits  of  Bristol.  It  is  17  miles  west  fi-om  TIarllbrd,  and  about  36 
from  New  Haven,  bounded  n,  by  ]\ew  Hartford  and  Cantot),  k.  by 
Farinint^ton  and  Avon,  w.  by  Harwlnton,  and  s.  by  Bristol.  It  is  about 
six  miles  in  length  from  north  to  south,  and  five  in  breadth.  The 
township  is  diversified  with  hills  and  valleys  ;  the  soil  is  a  gravelly  loam, 
on  granite  rocks,  yielding  grain,  particularly  rye  and  oats.  The  itdiab- 
itants  are  principally  engaged  in  agriculture.  The  population  of  the 
town  In  1830  was  1,401.  The  Farmington  river  passes  through  the 
northeastern  part  of  the  town.  There  are  2  houses  for  public  worship, 
1  for  Congregationalists  and  1  for  Methodists. 

The  eastern  part  of  the  town  was  first  settled  by  a  family  of  the  name 
of  Strong,  who  were  froin  Farmington  ;  the  northern  part  by  a  family  of 
Pettibones  from  Simsbury  ;  the  western  part  by  persons  by  the  name  of 
Yale,  Lewis  and  Wlard  ;  the  south  part  by  families  by  the  name  of  Biinel 
and  Smith  from  Cheshire.  The  first  minister  in  the  place  was  the  ]lev. 
Jonathan  Miller  from  Torringfurd  ;  he  preached  in  this  place  about  forty 
years  ;  he  died  tlirce  or  fi)iu'  years  since.  About  thirty  years  since  there 
was  a  society  of  Seventh  day  Btipllsts  in  this  ])lace;  at  that  period  they 
consisted  of  about  twenty  i'lve  families,  who  were  mostly  from  Rhode 
Island  or  the  eastern  part  of  Connecticut ;  they  had  a  INIr.  Davis  for  their 
first  minister,  and  jMr.  Stlllman  for  their  last.  They  erected  a  house  of 
worship,  which  is  still  standing.  The  society  is  nearly  extinct,  there 
being  it  is  believed  but  one  member  now  living:  this  person  Is  an  aged 
woman.  The  Methodists  built  their  meeting  house  about  twenty  five 
years  since.  It  formerly  stood  about  2.}  miles  s.  w.  of  its  present  loca- 
tion ;  it  was  removed  to  where  it  now  stands  in  1835. 


CANTON. 

Canton  was  first  settled  in  1740,  and  was  incorporated  as  a  town  in 
1806.  The  town  was  formed  from  the  west  section  of  Simsbury  and 
the  eastern  part  of  New  Hartford.  It  is  bounded  N.  by  Granby,  s.  by 
Avon  and  Burlington,  w.  by  New  Hartford  and  Barkhamsted;  and  e.  by 


CANTON. 


Simsbury.  It  Is  about  eight  miles  In  length  from  north  to  south,  and  nearl 
•four  miles  in  breadth.  The  population  in  1830,  including  Collinsville 
was  1,437.  The  township  is  hilly  and  mountainous^and  the  prevaihn 
character  of  the  soil  is  a  coarse  gravel,  which  is  hard,  dry  and  stony. 

The  first  settlement  was  made  at  the  east  village.  This  place  vva 
formerly  called  Suffrage,  from  the  circumstance,  it  is  said,  of  one  of  th 
first  settlers  experiencing  an  unusiuU  share  of  sullering  at  the  commence 
ment  of  the  settlement. 


ff'tstcni  view  of  Collinsville,  in  iJanlon. 

The  above  is  a  view  taken  on  tiie  western  side  of  the  Farmington 
river,  and  shows  as  much  of  the  village  as  could  be  conveniently  given 
in  one  view.  The  bouses  of  the  workmen  are  principally  on  the  west 
side  of  the  stream,  a  part  of  which  are  seen  on  the  left  of  the  engraving. 
These  buildings,  which  are  built  precisely  of  the  same  form,  are  com- 
pactly set  together  on  the  side  of  a  hill  rising  with  considerable  abrupt- 
ness from  the  water.  These  houses  are  painted  white,  and  when  con- 
trasted with  the  deep  green  foliage  in  the  immediate  vicinity,  jiresent  a 
novel  and  beautiful  appearance.  Collinsville  is  IG  miles  from  Hartford 
and  16  from  Litchfield,  and  contains  upwards  of  500  inhabitants,  who 
are  principally  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  axes,  of  which  they  make 
from  700  to  800  daily,  and  of  a  superior  kind.  This  village  was  estab- 
lished by  Messrs.  Collins  h  Co.  in  18:26,  who  at  that  ])criod  set  up  an 
edge  tool  manufactory  at  this  place,  and  at  one  time  300  men  were 
employed  in  the  business. 

The  following  inscription  is  cojiied  from  a  monument  in  the  old  bu- 
rying ground  in  Canton. 

In  Miemoryor  l")i':u;".  Tlu.iiias  llidw dl,  uluHlcpaitrd  lliis  life  T'^ec.  3d,  180-2,  in  tlie 
Glthyearuf  liisai,'e.  Uiislinkx'ii  in  lii.- yrrai  iniihs  of  ij.c  (^.^|H■i,  in  ilii.s  he  was  as 
an  iron  pillar,  and  stcadl'asi  as  a  wall  .jlliiass.  [U-  livL-d  and  dud  in  llie  confidence  of 
hisbretluen.  Bill  though  dead,  Iw  yet  spuakcth  lo  the  Cliuieli,  to  his  liimily  and  to 
all  who  knew  hun. 

Thou  tomb  shall  sale  retain  thy  sacred  trust, 

Till  lile  divine  reanimate  his  dust. 


72 


EAST    ir  A  n  T  r  cud. 


EAST    HARTFORD. 

Tins  town  is  ])len.sa[itly  situated  on  the  east  side  of  Connecticut  river, 
bounded  n.  by  East  Windsor,  e.  by  ^lanchester,  s.  by  Glastenbury, 
and  w.  by  Coiineclicut  river,  separating  it  from  Hartford.  It  is  nearly 
6  miles  in  leuf^tli  from  north  to  south,  and  about  4  miles  in  breadth. 
]\Iost  of  the  inliabitaiits  in  this  town  live  on  one  street,  about  three 
fourths  ol"a  mile  from  and  paiallel  with  llie  river.  This  street  is  thickly 
settled  from  Glastenbury  to  East  Windsor. 


i\    VJ   vitit  of   iht  Lungugatiuiutl  (.hunh,  Liti.1  HailJunL 

The  above  is  a  northeastern  view  of  the  Congref,'ational  Churcli  in 
East  Hartford  street,  erected  in  1335.  It  is  beautifully  situated  at  the 
entrance  of  the  principal  avenue  to  Hartford  city.  Tlie  most  striking 
feature  in  the  appearance  of  Ea^i  Hartlord  street,  is  the  long  row  of 
large  spreading  elms  situated  in  the  center  of  the  street ;  these,  with 
the  shade  and  other  trees  on  both  sides,  afford  in  summer  a  delightful 
prospect  to  the  eye,  which  is  rarely  equalled. 

The  meadows  in  this  town,  adjoining  the  Connecticut,  contain  an 
extensive  range  of  some  of  the  best  land  in  the  State.  In  the  spring 
season  these  meadows  are  usually  overllowed  by  the  freshets  of  the 
river,  which  render  them  very  j^roductive.  The  causeway  connected 
with  the  bridge  over  the  Connecticut,  extends  about  a  mile  in  a  straight 
line,  across  the  meadows,  to  the  main  street  in  East  Hartford,  and  forms 
a  fine  and  jirospective  avenue  to  the  city.  Leaving  these  meadowSj 
you  rise  ratlier  a  sleep  acclivity  of  fifteen  or  twenty  feet,  into  a  level 
plain  country,  extending  across  the  entli'e  lengtli  of  the  township,  and 
nearly  three  miles  to  the  eastward.  The  soil  is  fertile,  and  a  large 
proportion  of  it  is  fitted  for  almost  every  kintl  of  cultivation  and  pro- 
duct. An  excellent  mill-stream,  called  the  Hockanum  river,  enters  this 
town  from  the  northeast,  and  winds  its  way  through  nearly  the  center 
of  the  town,  and  unites  with  the  Connecticut  about  a  mile  below  Hart- 


EAST      11  A  11  T  F  O  It  1) 


ford  bridge.  On  this  stream  are  many  valuable  mill  seats,  tliat  give  fa- 
cilities to  matiLifacturing  operations,  which  are  here  cairie;!  on  to  a  very- 
considerable  extent.  East  Hartford  was  for  many  years  distinguished 
beyond  any  other  town  in  the  Stale,  for  the  variety  and  amount  of  its 
manufactures.  In  1775,  a  gunpowder  mill  was  built  here,  under  the 
especial  patronage  of  the  colony.  It  is  believed  to  have  been  the  first 
mill  of  the  kind  erected  in  the  country.  Iron  works,  consisting  of  an 
anchor  shop,  a  forge  and  slitting  mill,  were  built  in  this  town  in  1782. 
Anchors,  mill  screws,  nail  rods,  gunpowder,  paper,  snulf,  glass,  &lc. 
were  among  the  manufactures  carried  on  here  in  1784,  with  spirit  and 
success.  The  making  of  paper,  at  present,  is  the  principal  manufactur- 
ing business  carried  on  within  the  limits  of  the  towt).  There  are  five 
large  paper  mills,  which  are  situated  in  a  village  called  Scotlatid,  about 
2^  miles  eastward  of  the  Congregational  church,  at  a  place  formerly- 
known  by  the  name  of  "  Pitkin's  falls."  From  one  establishment  in 
this  village,  the  U.  S.  Congress  is  furnished  with  paper  by  contract. 

This  town  was  formerly  included  in  the  limits  of  Hartford.  It  waS 
incorporated  as  a  distinct  town  in  1784.  The  fertility  of  the  soil,  af- 
fording an  easy  cultivation  of  Indian  corn,  and  the  multitude  of  fish 
with  which  the  rivers  in  this  vicinity  were  stored,  rendered  this  place 
a  favorite  residence  of  the  native  Indians. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  inhabitants  of  Hartford,  Jan.  1 1th,  1640,  it  was 
ordained,  "  that  all  the  upland  on  the  east  side  of  the  great  river,  from 
Podunk  river  to  Pewterpot  river,  shall  be  divided  to  the  three  miles' 
end  ;  that  is  to  say,  half  a  mile  of  it  to  be  measured  and  staked,  and 
each  man's  proportion  to  run  up  the  country  to  the  three  miles'  end." 
And  on  the  same  day  a  conmiittee  was  appointed  to  order  the  highway 
in  the  meadow,  on  the  east  side  of  the  great  river.  The  original  set- 
tlers generally  located  themselves  on  the  rising  ground  back  from  the 
meailow,  where  several  of  their  cellars  are  still  visible.  In  1G77,  a 
more  rapid  and  ex.tensive  settlement  of  this  town  appears  to  have  taken 
place.  Se\eral  new  highways  were  laid  out  in  the  course  of  that 
year.  In  1094,  an  ecclesiastical  society  was  constituted,  and  early  in 
1703,  the  Rev.  Samuel  Woodbridge,  their  first  settled  clergyman,  was 
ordained.  The  church  and  people  here  were  united  during  the  life  and 
ministry  of  I\Ir.  Woodbridge,  wlio  labored  with  them  forty  three  years. 
He  died  June  9th,  1746,  aged  63.  The  Rev.  Eliphalet  Williams,  D.D. 
his  successor,  was  ordained  JMarch  30Lh,  1748.  For  more  than  fifty 
years  he  was  a  settled  minister  in  this  town. 

The  Podunk  tribe,  which  dwelt  in  this  and  the  adjoining  town  of  East 
Windsor,  were  a  ferocious  and  warlike  people.  Tontonimo,  their  first 
sachem  with  whom  the  English  bad  any  acquaintance,  commanded  two 
liundred  bowmen. 

When  the  council  of  ministers  assembled  in  Hartford,  in  1657,  the 
famous  Mr.  Elliot,  hearing  of  the  Podunk  Indians,  desired  that  the  tribe 
might  be  assembled,  that  he  might  have  an  opportunity  of  offering 
Christ  to  them  for  their  Saviour.  By  the  influence  of  some  of  the 
principal  gentlemen,  they  were  persuaded  to  come  together  at  Hartford, 
and  J\Ir.  Elliot  preached  to  them  in  their  own  language,  and  labored  to 

10 


i 


74  r.  AST    iiAiiTroni). 

instruct  them  concerniiiL;  ilitir  Clicator  and  Uedecmcr.  When  ho  had 
finished  his  sermon,  and  explained  the  nialter  to  them,  he  desired  an 
answer  from  them  whether  they  wouhl  aecept  of  Jesus  Christ  for  their 
Saviour,  as  he  had  heen  oirered  to  them  ?  l)iit  their  chief  men,  with 
great  scorn  and  resentment,  utterly  rtfused.  They  said  the  En^hsli 
had  taken  away  their  hmd^,  and  were  now  altempiing  to  make  tliem 
servants.* 

"  In  the  year  1056,  a  Podunk  Indian,  named  \Vcaseapano,  murdered 
a  sactiem,  who  lived  near  iMattaheseck,  now  Middletown.  Seaquassin, 
th(!  existing  sachem  of  the  trihe,  complained  of  the  outrage  to  the  magis- 
tracy of  Connecticut ;  and  said  that  tlie  Podunk  Indians  entertained  the 
murderer,  and  protected  him  from  the  merited  punishment.  Seaquassin 
at  the  same  time  engaged  Uncas  in  his  cause  ;  who  also  conqilained, 
that  Tontonimo  enticed  away  many  of  his  men  ;  and  protected  an  ln(nan 
who  had  nmrdered  a  Molicagan.  Uptju  these  complainis  the  magis- 
li'ates  summoned  the  parlies  hefore  them.  Sea(juas-in  and  I'neas,  after 
ohserving  that  the  murderer  was  a  mean  fellow,  and  that  the  man  mm- 
dered  was  a  great  sachem,  insisted  that  ten  men,  friends  of  Wuaseapano, 
should  he  delivered  up,  to  he  put  to  death,  as  a  satisfaction  for  the  crime. 
Tontonimo  insisted  that  the  satisfaction  demanded  was  excessive;  par- 
ticularly as  the  murdered  sachem  luul  killed  Weaseapaiio's  uncle.  The 
Governor  endeavored  to  convince  the  complainants  that  the  demand 
was  excessive;  observing,  that  the  Eiigh,h  in  cases  (jf  murder,  iiunisli- 
ed  only  the  principal,  and  such  as  were  accessory  to  the  crime. 

"  Tontonimo  then  proposed  to  make  sati^factiijn  by  the  payment  of 
wampum  ;  hut  it  was  refused.  'J'hcy  fell  however  in  their  liemands  to 
six  men,  instead  often.  This  pro[iosition  was  rejected  by  Tontonimo. 
The  magistrates  then  urged  him  to  deliver  iij)  the  murderer.  This  he 
promised  to  do.  l>ut,  while  the  subject  was  in  agitation,  he  privately 
withdrew  from  the  court,  with  the  n.^t  of  the  Podunk  sachems;  anil 
retired  to  the  fortre-s  belonging  to  his  mition.  IJoth  the  mai^istrates 
and  the  comphiiiiants,  wer.;  ollendcd  b)  ibis  behavior  of  Tontonimo. 
However,  the  m,i!;i  tiale.s  appointee!  a  enminillee,  [o  persuade  the  Indi- 
ans i(j  c(jntinue  at  peace  \\\[\\  each  olher.  At  their  solici-..alion  Uncas 
at  length  consented  to  accept  the  murtierer,  and  promised  to  be  satisfied, 
if  he  sliould  be  delivered  up;  but  the  Podunk  Indians  told  the  Eni^lish 
that  tliey  could  not  comply  with  this  condition,  because  the  friends  of 
Weaseapano  were  numerous  and  powerful,  and  would  not  agree  to  the 
proposal.  '  The  Governor  then  addressed  them  in  form  ;  urging  them  to 
continue  in  peace,  and  endeavoring  to  persuade  the  complainants  to  ac- 
cept of  wampum.  This  they  again  refused,  and  withdrew  ;  after  it  had 
been  agreed  on  all  hands,  that  the  English  should  not  take  any  part  in 
the  controversy  ;  and  after  the  Indians  had  promised,  that  they  wouhl 
not  injure  either  the  persons  or  possessions  of  the  English,  on  either 
side  of  the  river. 

^  "  Soon  after,  Uncas  assendded  an  army  for  the  purpose  of  avenging 
his  wrongs.      JJut  being  met  near  lloccanum  river,  by  an  e([ual  number 


Trumbull's  Ili.stor 


E  A  ST      II  A  n  T  F  O  l\  T)  , 


of  the  Podunlcs,  and  considering  the  issue  ofa  battle  as  doubtful,  he  jiru- 
dently  retired,  aflei'  having  sent  a  iiiesi.age  to  Tontonimo,^in  which  he 
declared,  that  if  the  Podunk  sachem  persisted  in  withholding  the  mur- 
derer from  justice,  he  would  send  to  the  jNIohawks,  to  come  and  destroy 
both  him  and  his  |KH)ple. 

"  Not  long  after,  the  crafty  IMoheagan  accom])Hshcd  his  purpose  in 
the  following  manner.  He  sent  a  trusty  warrior,  furnished  with  some 
IMohauk  weapons,  to  Podunk  ;  directing  him  to  set  hre  in  the  night  to 
a  house  near  the  fort,  and  then  to  leave  the  weapons  on  the  ground  in 
the  vicinity,  and  immediately  return.  The  wariior  executed  his  com- 
mission. When  the  Podunks  came  in  the  morning  to  examine  the 
ruins,  they  found  the  weapons  ;  and,  knowing  them  lo  belong  to  the 
Mohawks,  were  so  alarmed  with  the  apprehension  thitt  Ihicas  u  as  about 
to  execute  his  threat,  that  they  delivered  up  the  mui'deiei-,  anil  siujd  for 
peace."* 

The  Hon.  JVilHctm  Pitlcin,  the  ancestor  of  the  Pitkin  fiimily  of  this 
town,  emigrated  frou)  the  county  of  Middlesex,  Eng.  and  settled  here 
in  1659.  He  was  by  profession  a  lawyer,  and  also  one  of  the  principal 
planters  of  the  town.  In  160  J,  he  received  the  appointment  of  king's- 
attorney  for  the  colony.  He  died  in  1(594,  after  having  filled  various 
and  important  ollices,  distinguished  for  his  viiiues  and  abihties.  He 
had  a  sister  who  emigrated  soon  after  him  to  this  country,  who  it  is  said 
possessed  uncommon  vigor  of  mind  and  many  fine  accomplishments. 
She  married  Simon,  the  youngest  son  of  Henry  Wolcott,  was  mother  of 
the  first  Governor  Wolcott,  and  grandmother  of  Oliver  Wolcott  and 
Roger  Gi'isuold,  governors  of  Connecticut,  and  also  great  grandmotlier 
of  llie  late  lion.  Oliver  Wulcoli,  of  Litchfield.  ^J^'here  have  been  a 
number  of  distinguished  individuals  of  the  name  of  William  Pitlcin  in 
this  town,  one  of  whom  was  governor  of  the  State,  who  was  distin- 
guished for  his  vigf)iou3  uuileist;mding  and  integrity;  he  died  in  17(i9, 
while  holding  the  ollice  of  governor.  His  son,  the  Hon.  nUliain  I'it- 
Liti,  was  in  Hod  appointed  major  of  the  Connecticut  forces,  raised  for 
the  expedition  against  Canada.  He  served  through  the  campaign  un- 
der General  Abercrombie.  and  acquired  the  reputation  ofa  faitliful  and 
gallant  officer.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Council  during  the  Revolu- 
tionary war,  and  for  the  greater  part  of  the  war  he  served  as  a  member 
of  the  Council  of  Safety.     He  died  in  1769. 


CinnccticuL  Conrunt,  Sept.  lOL't,  n77,  No.  518. 
On  llic  ITili  lilt,  at  ;•;</.</  If.u.'for,!,  sallied  from  llie  Lium  Tavern  and  its  ilepcmlen- 
cies,  a  cuijjs  oT  IciiialL'  iiilaiiiiv,  of  iwciily  rank  and  lile,  with  a  llaiik^uaid  of  three 
chosen  ^pirilb  of  the  male  line;  and  marching' westwanl  about  one  mile  in  mfiriial 
ariay  and  excellent  order,  savins,' stride  and  gabble.  These  aliaekeii  and  carried  wilh- 
ont  opposition  from  powder,  law  oieonscienee.  Air.  Pitkin's  store,  in  which  wa.s  lodged 
a  quantity  of  .Migai  desii^ned  lur  tlio  arniv,  of  which  they  plundered  and  bore  away  in 
triumph  CIS  Ibv  A  iraveliii;^'  <,'eiiiK man  I'allinj^  m  with  their  rear,  who  ihey  mistook 
lor  llie  owner  of  the  spoils,  was  aliarlce.1  and  drove  with  great  fury;  but  being  well 
mounted,  made  his  escape.  The  whole  was  completeil  in  two  houis,  ami  without  loss 
of  blood,  e-xcepl  fr.im  a  few  accidental  scratches  of  side  arms  nmleisltiiig  wn  bout  scab- 


bard 

*  l>r.  1) wight's  Tiavels,  Vol. '^ 


TG  V.  A  S  T     W  I  N  1)  S  O  II  , 

That  so  unexampled  a  spirjt  of  iierdisin  may  not  want  due  notice  and  encuiij-age- 
ment,  it  is  piupused  ihai  llns  lorps  be  au^^niLiiied  h)'  vohmtaiy  eiilisinicnl  to  a  Lailal- 
ion,  I'oi  llie.iant;iiif;  service  in  ihe  noriliein  (l(iiaiiin(  nt,  to  I  J  in  the  iiniloim  of  iille 
Jrorks,  and  the  snug  Scoicli  kill,  und  allowed,  besides  perquisites  and  plnndir,  a  ^'^nc- 
luus  bounty  un  SL-alps,  and  a  tine  new  standard  with  an  elet^ant  devieeul'a  Ilkiv  invert- 
ed, ai)d  to  be  eoiiunvl'ided  by  llie  eelebratcd  Maddcnuc  tic  la  ,Mtll  llohb  Cni;  Sciatch. 


EAST    WINDSOR 


East  VVindsor  was  originally  iiicliidud  uiiliin  the  tinoieiit  bounda- 
ries of  Windsor.  Fear  of  the  Indians  appears  to  have  prevented  any 
settlement  in  litis  town  on  the  east  side  of  the  Connecticut  till  ICSO.* 
By  this  time  the  Indian  power  in  New  England  was  eflectnally  broken, 
by  the  death  of .  King  l^hilip  in  1676.  Althongh  the  Windsor  and 
River  Indians  |)rofessed  themselves  neitter  in  Philip's  war,  yet  numbers 
of  their  young  men  stole  away  and  never  returned.  In  1G95,  the  set- 
tlers of  East  Windsor  formed  themselves  into  an  ecclesiastical  society, 
and  Mr.  Timothy  Edwards,  the  father  of  the  celebrated  divine,  was 
ordained  their  minister.  Previous  to  this,  the  inhabitants  for  fifteen 
years  passed  the  river  in  boats,  in  order  to  attend  worship  on  the  wasX 
side.  In  1768,  j'^^ast  Windsor  was  incorporated  as  a  town,  and  con- 
tained at  that  period  four  parishes,  viz.  1st  Society  or  East  AVindsor, 
ad  Society  or  Scantic,  Ellington  and  \Vapping. 

East  Windsor  is  bounded  n,  by  Enfield,  v..  by  Ellington  and  Ver- 
non, s.  by  East  Hartford  and  ftlanchestcr,  and  w.  by  Connecticut  river. 
It  is  abotit  10  miles  in  length,  and  ttverages  upwards  of  5  in  breadth, 
Tbe  face  of  the  town  is  generally  level.  \u  the  western  pari  of  the 
town  ibere  are  extensive  tracts  of  sandy  loatri,  which  are  light,  warm, 
and  fertile  ;  in  tbe  eastern  part  a  rich  gravelly  loam  getierally  prevails. 
Upon  the  borders  of  Connecticut  river  there  are  natural  meadows, 
whici)  comprise  more  than  2,000  acres  of  the  finest  of  land,  uncom-' 
monly  boaulifiil  and  leriile,  j)ro(luoing  gras,^,  Indian  corn,  potatoes,  he. 
iti  griMt  abundance,  Tht?  eastern  and  northern  parts  of  the  town  are 
best  ailapted  for  rye,  of  which  it  has  be(Mi  computeil  that  70,000  bush- 
els have  l)een  raised  in  one  .season.  Of  late  years  considerable  cjuaii- 
lities  of  tobacco  have  been  raised  and  nianulaotured  in  the  western  pait 
of  the  town.  The  principal  street  runs  parallel  with  Connecticut  river, 
on  the  border  of  tbe  first  elevation  of  ground  above  the  meadows,  gen- 
erally about  a  mile  back  from  the  river,  and  on  this  street,  through  the 
whole  length  of  the  town,  is  built  an  almost  continuous  village.  The 
Second  or  North  Society  was  made  a  parish  in  175-2;  the  Rev.  Thomas 
Potwine  was  ordained  their  first  pastor  in  1751.  Seantic  river,  a  mill 
stream,  passes  through  this  part  of  the  town,  and  gives  this  section  the 
name  of  Scantic.  The  village  of  Wapping  in  the  southeast  partof  tho 
town,  was  allowed  the  jirivileges  of  a  winter  parish  in  17G1.  Ware- 
house Point  is  a  considerable  village  on  the  Connecticut  river,  near  the 
northern  boundary  of  the  town,  at  the  head  of  sloop  navigation.  For^ 
nierly  the  manufacture  of  rye  gin  was  an  important  branch  of  business 

♦  Dr.  :JeClure's  accuupt  ulWuidsur,  Vol..''),  M;iss   Itisl.  Coll. 


R  A  S  T     WINDSOR, 


in  this  place  ;  of  late  years,  considerable  attention  has  been  i)aicl  to  the 
cultivation  of  tobacco.  The  place  derived  its  name  from  a  warehouse 
being  built  here  by  Mr.  Pyncheon,  of  Springfield,  about  tlie  time  of  the 
fust  settlement  of  that  place.  It  is  13  miles  from  Hartford.  There  are 
now  in  the  town  7  churches ;  3  Congregational,  2  INIethodist,  1  Episco- 
palian and  1  Baptist. 


'{'/(culu^ical  In^ntutc  m  J-lasl   11  iiu/sur. 

The  above  is  a  southeastern  view  of  the  "  Theological  Institute  of 
Connecticut,"  established  in  1831.  This  building,  con'structed  of  brick, 
contains  a  chapel,  reading  room,  recitation  room,  room  for  the  library' 
and  other  rooms  sufficient  for  the  accommodation  of  (ifty  two  studems  ' 
they  are  furnished  with  stoves  and  all  necessary  ariitdes  of  furniture^ 
e::cept  bod  clothing.  The  library  contains  rising  of  3,U00  volumes,' 
and  is  receiving  accessions  continually.  There  isa  farm  belon<nn"-  to 
the  Institution  of  about  sixty  acres,  and  a  workshop  furnisliod  with  tools 
affording  fiicilities  for  manual  labor  to  such  students  as  choose  to  avail 
themselves  of  the  privilege.  ''  No  charge  is  made  to  the  students  for 
tuition,  room  rent,  or  the  use  of  the  library." 

"Candidates  for  admission  to  this  seminary  must  produce  satisflictory 
lestimonials  that  they  possess  competent  talents,  and  are  members  of 
some  Christian  church  in  good  standing,  and  that  they  have  graduated 
at  some  college,  or  have  otherwise  made  literary  acquisitions,  which,  as. 
preparatory  to  thcologioal  studies,  are  substantially  equivalent  to  a  lib- 
eral education  ;  and  they  shall  be  examined  with  reference  to  their  per- 
sonal^ piety,  and  their  object  in  pursuing  theological  sturly. 

"The  course  of  study  occupies  three  years,'^  and  it  is  expected  that 
in  all  ordinary  cases,  students  will  enter  with  the  intention  of  comple- 
ting a  full  course.  The  diflerent  branches  of  study  will  be  pursued  si- 
multaneously, so  far  as  practicable;  but  Biblical  Interpretation  will  be 
the  most  prominent  branch  (or  the  first  year;  Systematic  Theology,  for 
\he  second  ;  and  Sacred  Rhetoric  and  Pastoral  Theologv,  for  the^'third. 


78  K  A  s  T    ^\■  I  X  d's  O  K  . 

Churcli  History  will  occupy  about  an  etiual  proportion  of  each  year. 
There  are  two  vacations  in  the  year,  of  (ive  weeks  duration  ;  the  first 
commencing  on  the  first  Thursday  in  September,  the  second  on  the 
second  Thursday  in  April." 

Tlie  institution  is  eii;ht  miles  from  Hartford,  and  about  two  miles  north 
of  the  lirst  Congrei^ational  chnrch;  a  slep-sione  belonginj^  to  the  house 
of  the  Jxev.  Timothy  l^lwards,  the  father  of  Jonathan  Edwards,  is  in- 
serted in  the  northeast  corner  of  the  building;. 

The  Podunk  tribe  of  Indians  resided  at  or  near  the  mouth  of  Podunk 
river  or  brook,  a  small  stream  entering  tlie  Connecticut  river  at  the  south- 
west corner  of  the  town.  A  part  of  the  same  tribe,  or  some  tribe  that 
were  in  alliance  with  them,  appear  to  have  resided  near  tlie  mouth  of 
Scantic  river.  The  following  tiaditions  respecting  the  Indians,  in  this 
town  are  preserved.  A  party  of  Mohawks  visited  the  tribe  who  resided 
at  the  mouth  of  Scantic  I'iver  :  as  one  of  the  Mohawk  women  was  cross- 
ing the  river  on  a  log  she  was  pushed  oil"  into  the  stream  ami  drowned; 
the  INlohawks  upon  this  withdrew,  determined  upon  re\enge.  In  the 
meanwhile  the  Scantic  Indians  sent  u  runner  to  the  Podunk  Indians  for 
assistance  ;  after  collecting  their  forces,  a  battle  took  place,  in  which  the 
Mohawks  were  defeated  and  fled  ;  they  remained  in  the  vicinity,  and 
whenever  they  found  a  straggler  from  either  tribe,  they  indicted  sunnnary 
vengeance.  As  one  of  the  settlers  by  the  name  of  Hissell  was  at  work 
at  hay  in  the  meadow,  a  Scantic  Indian  came  running  towards  him  and 
implored  his  protection  ;  he  directed  him  to  lie  down,  Mr.  Hissell  then 
rolled  a  cock  of  hay  ui)on  him,  and  lie  was  in  this  manner  elTeclnally 
concealed.  This  was  no  sooner  done  than  two  INlohawks  came  running 
furiously  in  pursuit;  they  wished  to  know  uf  Mr.  Bissell  if  he  bad  seen 
the  object  of  their  pursuit;  he  pointed  out  a  particular  direction  in  which 
he  gave  them  to  understand  he  had  seen  him  run,  which  they  eagerly 
followed,  and  by  this  means  tlie  Scaiuic  Indian  finally  escaped. 

The  Podunks,  who  were  a  small  tribe,*  had  two  places  of  residence, 
one  at  the  mouth  of  the  I'odnnk  liwr,  dining  ihe  summer;  the  other, 
where  they  I'esided  duiing  the  \'iiii[er,  was  a  mile  ui'  a  mile  and  a  half 
east  from  this,  over  the  high  lantl  ;  the  path  helween  these  two  jilaces 
still  retains  the  name  of  "  King's  path  ;"  their  burying  ground,  lately 
discovered,  was  about  half  way  between.  A  young  Indian  and  squaw 
of  this  tribe  having  been  to  gather  whortleberries,  it  was  so  late  before 
they  had  gathered  a  sulTicient  quantity,  that  they  were  afraid  to  cross 
the  meadows  after  dark,  on  account  of  the  Moliawks,  and  accordingly 
stayed  at  the  bouse  of  Mr.  Williams.  In  the  morning  early,  the  young 
Indian  woman  set  out  upon  her  return  ;  soon  after,  a  report  of  a  gun 
was  heard  by  the  inhabitants  in  the  vicinity,  who  immediately  turned 
out  to  see  the  cause.  They  found  the  young  woman  weltering  in  her 
blood,  having  been  shot  by  two  Mohawks.  The  Podunk;  were  aroused  ; 
they  mustered  sixteen  or  eighteen  warriors,  and  went  in  pursuit.  After 
being  out  several  days,  they   came  to  a  corn  'leld  and  began  plucking 


♦  Tlie  PuLlimk  ti'il)LV  in  Kin;,'  IMiilip'.s  war,  containcil  lulwecn  two  and  llnec  I 
dred  UK-n.  who  went  olFin  iliat  war  and  never  returned.— .U(o-.<.  /fif/.  (\!l.  IV/.  U 


K  A  S  T     W  I  N  D  S  OR.  70 

the  ears.  A  party  of  INIohawks,  who  it  seems  were  lying  in  ambuscade, 
rose  upon  them,  and  killed  ihe  whole  party,  with  the  exception  of  two 
who  made  their  escape.  Tliis  severe  blow  had  the  elFect  of  breaking 
u\)  the  Podunks  as  a  distinct  tribe  ;  they  scjiarated  into  two  parties,  one 
of  which  joined  the  Peqiiots  towards  New  JiOndon. 

In  the  south  part  of  the  town,  where  Podunk  river  crosses  the  road 
to  Hartford,  was  an  Indian  burying  ground.  A  few  years  since,  a  num- 
ber of  skeletons  were  discovered,  by  digging  from  one  to  four  feet. 
These  skeletons  were  found  l)ing  on  one  side,  knees  drawn  up  to  the 
breast,  arms  folded,  icifh  their  hvads  to  the  soitt/i.  A  covering  of  bark 
seems  to  hav(.'  been  laid  over  them,  with  some  few  remains  of  blankets; 
in  one  instance  a  small  brass  kettle  ami  hatchet  were  found  in  good 
preservation  ;  the  remains  of  a  gun  barrel  and  lock,  a  number  of  glass 
bottles,  one  of  which  was  found  nearly  half  iilled  with  some  sort  of 
liquid.  These  articles  weie  prubably  obtained  from  the  Dutch,  cither 
by  present  or  by  trade.  There  were  also  found  a  pair  of  shears,  a 
pistol,  leap  pipes,  strings  of  wampum,  small  brass  rings,  glass  beads;  a 
female  skeleton  with  a  brass  comb:  the  hair  was  in  a  state  of  preserva- 
tion wherever  it  came  in  contact  with  the  comb.  After  the  Podunks 
had  removed  from  tlie.-(;  parts,  in  one  instance  tliey  were  known  to 
have  brought  a  duad  child  Irom  towaitls  IVorwich  and  interred  it  in  this 
burying  place. 

At  Hissell's  ferry,  near  the  mouth  of  Scantic  ii\('r,  is  a  well  which 
is  supposed  to  have  been  made  licfon;  any  Jilnglish  settlements  were 
attempted  in  Connecticut.  The  low(jr  part  of  the  well  is  walled  by 
stones  hewn  in  a  circular  manner,  and  the  manner  in  wliich  they  are 
laid  together  is  hehe\ed  to  be  entire Iv  flillerent  from  that  in  which  any 
EnglislimiMi  would  lay  tlicm — iheio  remains  no  traditions  respecting  the 
time,  or  tin.'  persons  by  w  hum  this  wt.'II  was  constructed. 


In  the  t'xpedition  against  Louisburg,  in  the  island  of  Cape  IJreton, 
in  17-15,  iMajur  CJeneral  Uoger  W'olcott,  of  this  town,  (afterwarils  gov- 
ernor,) connuanded  the  Connecticut  troops  on  that  occasion.  After 
the  capture  ol"  that  place,  many  of  the  soldiers  from  this  town,  and 
other  places  on  the  river,  removed  with  their  families  and  settled  in  the 
towns  of  Windsor  anil  Annapolis,  in  ISova  Scotia. 


In  the  Revolutionary  war,  after  the  capture  of  Burgoyne,  a  conside- 
rable number  of  his  nicn,  British  and  Hessians,  were  quartered  in  this 
town.  The  Hessians  were  a  fine  looking  body  of  men:  many  of  them 
became  so  much  attached  to  the  country  and  its  inhabitants,  that  their 
ollicers  found  it  diliicult  to  collect  their  men  when  they  w-ent  olT,  and 
in  fact  some  secreted  tjicmselves  so  closely  that  they  could  not  be  found. 
Gov.  Franklin,  the  royal  governor  of  New  Jersey,  and  Gen.  Prescoit, 
who  was  surprised  and  taken  by  Col.  Barton,  of  Ivhode  Island,  were 
both  quartered,  while  prisoners,  at  the  house  of  Capt.  Isbenezer  Grant, 
which  is  now  standing,  a  few  rods  south  of  the  Theological  Seminary. 


80  K  A  S  T     AV  I  N  I)  S  O  It . 

The  following  relation  relative  to  the  art  of  "  fortune  telling,  (as  it  is 
generally  termed,)  was  given  to  the  compiler  of  this   work  some  years 

since,   by  Air.  E K ,  an  aged,  respectable,   and  conscientious 

inhabitant  of  this  town,  a  short  time  before  his  death.  In  giving  rela- 
tions of  this  kind,  the  author  merely  states  what  was  related  to  iiim  by 
persons  who  would  receive  full  credit  on  every  otlier  subject. 

It  ought  to  be  mentioned,  that  jMr.  11.  was  a  person  of  sound  sense, 
and  not  at  all  superstitious.  Mr.  R.  staled,  that  when  a  young  man,  he 
was  very  fond  of  company  and  jollity.  He  became  acquainted  with  a 
man  who  it  was  believed  possessed  the  art  of  fortune  telling.  This 
man  agreed  to  initiate  Mr.  R.  into  the  mystery  of  the  art  ;  this  was 
done  by  a  particular  method  of  handling  a  pack  of  playing  cards.  Mr. 
R.  however,  had  but  little  faith  in  the  efficacy  of  the  process,  but  for 
the  sake  of  amusing  himself  and  his  friends,  set  himself  up  as  a  kind  of 
conjuror.  After  practicing  a  short  time,  he  became  so  celebrated  that 
persons  came  from  a  considerable  distance  "  to  have  their  fortunes 
told."  Mr.  R.  said  he  could  describe  a  person  that  he  never  saw,  as 
comj)letely  as  he  could  if  the  person  stood  before  him,  as  to  the  size, 
color  of  the  hair  or  eyes,  or  any  thing  about  the  person,  with  a  minute- 
ness and  accuracy  which  astonished  tliose  that  heard  him.  When  asked 
how  he  attained  such  knowledge,  he  replied  that  while  he  was  shuffling 
over  his  cards,  it  would  be  suggested  to  iiis  mind  what  to  say,  or  as  he 
expressed  it,  "  the  words  came  to  him,"  and  he  spoke  them.  He  said, 
however,  he  did  not  know  that  he  described  things  accurately,  till  he 
was  so  informed  by  those  who  applied  to  him.  Mv.  R.  at  length  be- 
came so  well  satisfied  in  his  own  mind  that  he  was  assisted  by  some 
power  superior  to  his  ovv'n  in  these  transactions,  that  lie  broke  oil",  and 
refused  to  make  any  further  attempts  of  this  nature. 


Jonathan  Edu-ards,  who  is  considered  the  greatest  of  modern  divines, 
was  a  native  of  this  town.  He  was  born  Oct.  5ih,  1703,  about  one 
mile  north  of  the  first  Congregational  church,  and  a  few  rods  norih  of  a 
small  stream  crossing  the  road,  called  Sloughton's  biook.  His  lather's 
house  (the  Rev.  Timothy  lOdwards)  stood  on  the  east  side  of  the  road, 
and  resembled  very  much  the  appearance  of  Mr.  Hooker's,  (page  43.) 

"  He  was  ectuciiteJ  al  Yale  College,  ami  tool:  the  dejjree  of  bachelor  of  arts  in  17x;0, 
before  he  was  seventeen  years  of  age.  If  is  uncommon  genius  discovered  itself  early, 
and  while  he  was  yet  a  boy  he  read  Locke  on  the  human  understanding  with  a  keen 
relish.  Thougii  he  look  much  pleasure  in  examinmg  the  kingdom  of  nature,  yet 
moral  and  theological  researches  yielded  him  the  liighcsi  satislaction.  He  lived  al 
college  near  two  years  after  taking  his  first  degree,  jireparing  himself  for  the  office  of 
a  minister  of  the  gospel.  In  1722  he  went  to  New  York,  at  the  request  of  a  small 
society  of  iMrglish  Presbyterians,  and  preached  a  number  of  months.  In  1724  he  was 
appointed  a  tutor  in  Yale  College,  and  he  continued  in  that  office,  till  he  was  invited 
in  172G  topreacli  in  Northampton,  Massachusetts.  Here  he  was  ordained  as  colleague 
with  his  grandfather,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Stoddard,  February  15,  1727.  In  1735  his  benevo- 
lent labors  were  attended  with  uncommon  success;  a  general  impiession  was  made 
upon  the  minds  of  his  people  by  the  truths  which  he  proclaimed  ;  and  the  church  was 
much  enlarged.  He  continued  in  this  j^ace  more  than  twenty  three  years,  till  he  was 
dismissed  in  1750." 

"  In  August,  1751,  he  succeeded  the  Rev.  Mr.  Sergeant  as  missionary  to  the  Ilousa- 
tonnoc  Indians  at  Stockbridge,  in  Berkshire  county,  Massachusetts.  Here  he  con- 
tinued six  years,  preaching  to  the  Indians  and  the  white  peoj)le;  and  as  he  found  much 
leisure,  he  prosecuted  his  theological  and  metaphysical  studies,  and  produced  works 


JCAST     ^V1NDS0R. 


81 


which  rendered  his  name  famous  thron;j;hont  Europe.  In  January,  1758,  he  relnr- 
tantly  accepted  llie  ollice  of  pres-ideiit  ul'ttie  colK-ge  in  New  Jersey,  as  successor  ol'his 
son-in-law,  ihe  Rev.  Mr.  IJurr;  but  lie  had  not  eniered  lully  upoii  the  dulies  ol'  llii.s 
slalion,  bel'ore  llie  prevalence  ul  Ihe  sukiII  pox  iiuluced  him  to  be  inoculated,  and  this 
disease  was  the  cause  oT  his  death,  AJarch  "J-i,  17r>8,  in  the  fil'ty  fiph  year  ol'  his  age."* 
"The  (■ollowintf  is  a  catalogue  ol  Ins  pubiicaiiuns  :  a  sermon  prcacheil  at  Boston  on 
I  Cor.  i.  29,  30,  1731;  a  sertnon  preached  at  JXortliampiou  on  Matt  xvi.  17,  1734;  a 
narrative  of  the  work  of  God  in  the  conversion  ol  many  hundicds  ol  suuls  in  INorth- 
ampton,  173(J;  five  discourses  on  justilicatiun  by  faith  alone,  pressing:  into  the  kingdom 
of  God,  Ruth's  resolution,  the  justice  of  God  in  the  dainnaliuii  ol  sinneis,  and  the 
excellency  of  Jesus  Christ,  173H;  sinners  in  the  hands  of  an  angry  Gotl,  a  sermon 
preached  at  Enfield,  1711;  a  sermon  on  the  distin^uishiiif,'-  marks  uf  a  work  of  the 
Spirit  of  God,  1711;  tliom;hts  on  the  revival  ol  religion,  171-J;  a  sermon  at  tlie  ordi- 
nation of  the  reverend  Robert  Abercrombie,  1711  ;  at  the  instalment  of  the  reverend 
Samuel  Biiell,  171ti;  a  treatise  on  religions  alleclions,  17Ui;  an  attempt  to  promote 
agreement  in  prayer  for  the  revival  of  religion,  1710;  life  of  the  reverend  David 
Brainerd,  171'.l ;  an  iiujuiry  into  the  ipialilicaiiuns  for  full  communion  in  the  chuieli, 
17-11);  a  reply  to  the  revcieml  Solomon  Willianjs'  answer  to  the  iinjniry,  I7j-;  a  ser- 
mon [ueached  at  Newailv,  17j"2;  an  inquiry  into  the  modern  prevailing  notions  ol  that 
Ireedom  of  will  which  is  supposed  to  be  essi-nlial  to  moial  agency,  iS:c.,  17iJl;  the  gr(  at 
doctrine  of  oiiginal  sin  delended,  17jM.  Since  his  death  the  lollowing  works  have 
been  published  from  his  manuscripts  ;  eighteen  sermcms,  with  his  life,  written  by  the 
reverend  Dr.  Hoi)kins,  l7(ij  ;  the  history  of  redemption,  1771;  on  llie  naliiie  ol  true 
virtue,  116S;  (.iod's  last' end  in  the  eivMlion  ;  thii  ty  t  hi  c  sennons ;  twenty  sermons, 
178l.»;  miscellaneous  obseivaliuiib,  17D3  ;   miscellaneous  lemarks,  17'.H'>." 


Ltt^jw-i^i- 


i'V/fA'i'    iSlcainhont. 

John  Fitch  was  a  native  of  llils  town.  To  this  individual  belongs 
the  honor  of  havini;-  constructed  the  fiist  stetitnboat  in  this  country. 
Although  this  honor  has  so  generally  been  ascribed  to  Robert  Fulton, 
yet  it  is  a  well  known  fact,  that  twenty  years  before  the  gretit  experi- 
ment of  Fulton  and  Livingston  on  the  Hudson,  a  steamboat  was  con- 
structed and  put  in  operatit)n  in  Philadelphia,  under  the  sole  direction 
of  a  then  obscure  and  still  almost  unknown  individutil.  This  person 
was  John  Fitch.  He  was  born  in  the  south  part  of  East  Windsor, 
near  the  East  Hartford  line,  on  what  is  now  called  the  old  road.  He 
was  apprenticed  as  a  watch  and  clock  maker,  to  IMr.  Cheney,  who  car- 
ried on  the  business  in  the  eastern  part  of  East  Haitford,  now  Man- 
chester. He  married  in  early  life  and  had  two  children  ;  such  how- 
ever was  the  temper  and  unhappy  disposition  of  his  wife,  that  he  left 
her,  and  went  to  New  l3runswick,  (N.  J.)  where  he  set  up  the  busi- 
ness of  clock  making,  engraving,  and  repairing  muskets,  before  the 


Allen's  Biographical  Dictionary, 
11 


82  K  A  S  T      W  1  N  l»  S  U  II  . 

devolution.  When  New  Jersey  was  overrun  by  tlie  Brltisli  troops', 
Mr.  Fitch  removed  into  the  interior  of  Pennsylvania,  where  lie  eni- 
})loye(l  liinisellin  re[)uiring  arms  lor  the  Continental  army. 

In  the  year  \lSi>,  iMr.  Filch  conceived  the  pioject  of  propelling  a 
vessel  !)y  the  A^rcc  of  condensed  vapor.  "  When  the  idea  occurred  to 
him,  as  he  himself  tells  us,  he  did  not  know  there  was  such  a  thing  as 
a  steam  engine  in  existence."  In  178S  he  obtained  a  patent  for  the 
application  of  steam  to  navigation,  lly  unwearied  exertion  he  succeed- 
ed in  interesting  about  twenty  persons  in  his  plan,  and  inducing  them  to 
take  shares  of  50  dollars  each.  A  boat  was  built  in  1787.  A  mile 
was  measured  off  in  Frant  or  ^Vater  street,  and  the  boat  was  found  to 
go  at  the  rate  of  eight  mites  an  hour.  It  afterwaids  went  eighty  miles 
in  a  day.  The  Governor  and  Council  of  Pennsylvania  were  so  much 
gratifred  with  the  experiuient,  that  they  |)resenlc(l  them  with  a  superb 
silk  Hag.  7\bout  this  linie  the  company  sent  Mr.  Fitch  to  France,  at 
at  the  iLMpiest  ol  Mr.  \  ail,  our  Cuiisui  at  l/Orieni,  who  was  one  of  thu 
company,  and  wished  to  introduce  the  invention  into  I'^rance.  IJeing  in 
the  mjdst  of  r(;volutions  in  that  country,  and  as  no  men  could  be  ob- 
taineil  for  the  purpose  of  building  boats,  i\lr.  I'^itch  returned.  "  Mr. 
Vail  afl(.'r\vards  snijcctcd  to  the  examination  of  jMr.  Fitltoii,  when  in 
France,  the  papers  and  designs  of  the  steamboat  appeitaining  to  the 
company."  in  1790,  he  made  an  alteration  in  his  boat  and  she  pcr- 
lormed  tolerably  well,  but  still  it  required  further  alterations.  Mr. 
Fitch  however  was  not  able  to  obtain  the  necessary  means  in  order  to 
jjerfect  his  invention. 

The  conviction  of  Fitch  respecting  the  power  of  steam  continued 
firm.  In  June,  1792,  he  addressed  a  letter  to  Mr.  Rittenbouse,  one  of 
the  share-holders  ;  speaking  of  steam  power,  he  said  :  "This,  sir,  will 
be  the  mode  of  crossing  the  Atlantic  in  time,  whether  I  shall  bring  it 

to   perfection  or  not lie  complains  of  Ins  poverty,  and  to 

raise  funds,  he  ur^es  Mr.  Rittcnliousc  lo  l)ii}  his  land  in  Kentucky,  that 
bo  might  hav(;  llii-  liont)r  of  cnaMiiig  him  to  cdiiiijlcle  the  great  under- 
taking." U|)on  one  oi'casion  he  called  u|)()n  a  smith  who  had  worked 
Ujjon  his  boat,  and  al'ier  ilwelling  for  some  time  u))on  his  favorite  topic, 
concluded  with  these  words  :  "  Well  gentlemen,  although  I  shall  hot 
live  to  see  the  time,  you  will,  when  steanditxits  will  be  j)referix'd  to  all 
other  means  of  conveyance,  and  especially  I'or  jjassengers,  and  they 
will  be  particularly  useful  in  the  navigation  of  the  river  Mississippi." 
He  retired,  when  a  person  present  observed,  in  a  tone  of  deep  sympa- 
thy, "  l*oor  fellow,  what  a  pitij  it  is  he  is  crazy.'"  "  The  distress  of 
n)ind  and  mortification  he  sullbred  from  the  failure  of  his  protracted  ex- 
ertions and  bis  poverty  were  too  much  for  him,  and  to  drown  his  re- 
flections, he  had  recourse  to  the  comnion  but  ileceptive  renijedy,  strong 
driidc,  in  which  he  indulged  to  excess,  anil  retiring  to  Pittsburg,  he 
ended  bis  days  by  plunging  into  the  Alleghany."*  lie  bad  filled  sev- 
eral small  MS.  books  with  personal  and  general  narrative,  more  or  less 
connected  with  his  great  scheme,  and  which  he  bequeathed  to  tlie  Phil- 
arlelphia  L/ibrary,  with  the  proviso  that  they  were  to  remain  closed  for 


Aineiiciin  Ed.  Edinburgh  Encyclopedia. 


K  N  F  1 1:  L  n ,  83 

thirty  years.  Tlie  books  were  opened  in  due  time,  and  were  found  lo 
contain  a  ininuie  account  of  liis  perplexities  and  disappointments.  "  Of 
tlie  boldness  of  his  conceptions,"  (says  a  writer  in  the  Mechanics'  INlaj;- 
azine  Jan.  ld;3(),)  "  and'^he  [jcrseverance  with  which  he  followed  it  up, 
there  can  be  but  one  opinion  ;  and  had  fortune  attended  his  eiforts, 
and  bis  means  been  equal  to  the  acconiijlishnieni  of  bis  designs,  there 
can  be  no  doubt  that  he  would  now  hold  undisputed  the  honor  of  hav- 
ing given  to  the  country  this  most  noble  and  useful  invention."  The 
accompanying  engraving  conveys  a  correct  idea  of  IMr.  t'itcb's  boat  as 
originally  planned  ;  but  in  the  one  actually  constiucied,  he  so  far  modi- 
fied this  |)lan  as  to  place  the  paddles  ol'  the  boat  astern. 

Oliver  fVoIcott,  a  signer  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  was  the 
son  of  Gov.  Roger  Wolcott,  who  resided  in  this  town.  J  le  was  born  Nov. 
26,  1726,  and  died  at  Litchfielil  in  1797.      (See  account  of  Litchfield.) 

Erastus  IVolcott,  brother  of, the  preceding,  was  born  about  the  year 
1723.  Although  a  plain,  laboring  farmer,  with  inconsideraliie  advanta- 
ges as  to  education,  he  by  the  force  of  his  native  taleius,  acquired  great 
influence  in  public  aii'airs.  lie  was  appointed  a  brigadier  general  in 
1777^  and  went  on  an  ex|)edition  to  Peekskill.  lie  was  a  member  of 
Congress  and  Judge  of  the  Supreme  Court.      He  died  in  179-3. 

The  following  inscription  is  from  a  monument  in  the  ancient  burying 
grouod,  upwards  of  a  mile  north  of  the  present  Congregational  church  ; 
the  first  meeting  bouse  erected  in  East  Windsor,  was  on  the  north  side 
of  this  yard. 

In  mftiiory  of  tlie  Revd.  Mr.  Timothy  Eunvauds,  Pastor  ofllio  2ii  Society  of  Wind- 
sor, (whose  siiij,Mihir  Gills  and  Piuiy  rendered  liini  rui  exeelh.Mit,  find  in  liie  judgment 
of  Cliariiv,  a  snecessfiil  minister  of  llie  (Tuspel )  who  died  January  ye  *27,  A.  I>.  1758,^-wj 
in  tlie  80th  year  of  his  aj,'e,  uiid  tJltli  uf  Jiis  llllni^lly— And  lii>  reuiain.',  hiiiyed  LHider^p[| 
this  stone.  ^^^ 

AN'    KI'irAl'H. 

The  man  of  Guo,  who  nobly  pled, 
His  inasier'.>  eaii-c  alas  !  is  dead 
His  vgiee  no  more  ! — tmi  aw  fill  urn, 
811II  speak  lo  men  their  f,'ieai  eonoeni, 
His  praise  on  souls  will  loii^' outlast : 
Wlien  Grace  completes  the  work  began, 
J^righl  saints  will  sliiiie  las  living  crown. 


E  N  F  I  E  L  D . 


This  town  was  settled  by  emigrants  from  Salem,  Mass.  in  1681, 
being  at  that  time  a  part  of  the  town  of  Springfield,  in  that  state.  For 
about  seventy  years  after  the  settlement  of  the  town,  it  was  subject  to 
the  jurisdiction  of  the  colony  of  iMassachusetts,  not  being  annexed  to 
Connecticut  until  1752.  The  town  is  bounded  n.  by  i^ongmeadovv 
in  Massachusetts,  e.  by  Soiners,  s.  by  East  Windsor,  and  w.  by  Con- 
necticut river,  which  separates  it  from  Suilield.  It  is  about  six  miles  in 
length  from  north  to  south,  and  'iwe  and  a  half  in  breadth.  The 
township  is  generally  of  a  level  surfice,  and  the  soil  mostly  of  a  light 
sandy  loam,  and  generally  lertile.  The  first  bridge  ever  built  across 
the  Connecticut  in  this  state,    was  erected  in   1808,  connecting  this 


8-1 


F.  N  F  I  E  L  n  . 


town  with  Sufik'liJ.  It  was  supported  by  six  stone  piers,  resting  upon 
the  rocky  bed  of  the  river  ;  beiiii^  1000  feel  in  lengtli  and  ;30  in  width. 
The  whole  expense  of  its  construction  did  not  exceed  ,<5!'2(),000.  In 
1S32  a  new  biidge  was  built  hei'e,  70  feel  in  breadth,  upon  iNIr.  Town's 
j)lan,  at  an  (jxpense  of  about  ^15,000.  A  large  proportion  of  the 
dwelling  houses  in  this  town  are  situated  u[)on  one  street,  passing  through 
the  town,  and  running  parallel  with  the  river.  The  plougli-niaking 
business  is  prosecuted  to  a  considerable  extent  in  this  place. 


I  TiiompsonvUle,  in  Eiijicld. 

This  village  in  Enfield,  on  the  bank  of  Connecticut  river,  was  com- 
menced about  seven  }  ears  since,  for  the  purj)ose  of  nianuiacturing  carpet- 
ing. It  is  18  miles  north  of  llarlfonl,  ri  mih'S  south  of  Springfield, 
Mass.  and  upwards  of  a  mile  from  Knfuld  hrid^e.  The  villagt,-  con- 
tains about  t^OO  inliahilauH,  of  whom  about  ;k)0  uroun  persons  are  em- 
ployed in  the  f.ictories.  One  liuiidicd  and  twenty  looms  are  employed, 
and  eight  hundreil  yards  of  carpeting  m;umficluied  daily.  ^J'he  en- 
graving shows  tlie  greater  part  of  the  principal  street  in  the  village,  as 
you  come  u|)  from  the  river  and  pass  to  the  east. 

The  engraving  on  the  next  page  shows  a  south  view  of  the  Sha- 
ker house  of  worship,  on  the  right  of  the  print  ;  the  other  buildings 
represented  are  those  connected  with  the  central,  or  as  they  are  gener- 
ally called,  "The  Church  family."  This  family,  consisting  of  about 
one  hundred  persons,  occupy  the  central  part  of  the  Sliaker  settlement. 
The  whole  number  of  Shakers  in  this  jilace  is  upwards  of  two  hundred, 
who  are  divided  into  six  Aimilies.  The  village  is  about  five  miles  n.e. 
of  the  Congregational  church  in  Enfield.  The  religious  tenets  of  the 
Shakers  must  of  coui-se  necessarily  alVect  the  order  of  their  societies, 
by  producing  an  entire  separation  of  tlie  men  from  the  women,  and  in 
this  particular  exhibit  the  only  species  of  Protestant  monkery  in  this 
country.     Their  buildings  are  remarkably  neat  and  convenient,  and 


li  N  F  I  E  L  U  . 


.    i 


85 


every  thing  appears  a  motlel  of  neatness  and  economy.  They  are 
simple  and  phiin  in  their  manners  ;  sohor  and  industrious.  Tlie  socie- 
ty in  this  idace  was  -cstahlislied  in  1780.  There  are  perhaps  about 
fifty  buildings  in  the  settlement,  consislini,^  of  dwelling  houses,  work- 
shops, storehouses,  ike.  They  possess  upwards  of  one  thousand  acres 
of  a  fine  tract  of  land,  in  the  northeast  section  of  the  town,  which  is 
under  the  highest  degree  of  cultivation.  Their  improvements  and  at- 
tention to  horticulture  and  gardening  have  lendL-red  them  the  subjects  of 
much  commendation,  and  their  "  garden  seeds"  are  justly  celebrated. 
They  also  carry  on  various  kinds  of  mechanical  business,  and  their 
wares  are  much  esteemed,  being  good  and  liee  from  deception.  They 
aic,  foi  ihfn  nun\b(i,  \  u  c  dth\    nid  ll  nu  ishing  communilv 


I 


*bA^//  ti  /luust  b,  llnlulil 

"  About  the  year  noO,  a  few  of  those  persons  who  were  known  by 
the  appellation  of  French  prophets,  went  over  to  England  and  preached 
with  such  '/eal  and  effect,  that  in  a  short  time  they  became  numerous. 
They  however  formed  no  regular  societies,  nor  established  any  churches, 
consequently  they  were  not  known  as  a  distinct  and  visible  sect." 

In  the  year  1747,  a  number  of  persons  endowed  with  the  same  spirit 
united  themselves  into  a  small  society,  in  the  n(,'ighboi-hood  of  JNIan- 
chester,  England,  under  the  ministry  of  James  and  Jane  Wardley.  This 
society  practiced  no  forms  of  worshij),  and  adopted  no  creeds  as  rules 
of  faith,  but  gave  themselves  to  bo  guided,  as  they  believed,  entirely 
by  the  Spirit  of  God.  "  Sometimes,  after  silting  awdhle  in  silent  medi- 
tation, they  were  seized  with  a  mighty  treinbling,  with  violent  agitations 
of  the  body,  running  and  walking  on  the  floor,  with  singing,  shouting, 
and  leaping  for  joy.  From  these  exercises  of  tlie  body  they  received 
the  appellation  of  Shakers,  which  has  been  their  conmion  name  of  dis- 
tinction ever  since.  Although  this  name  was  originally  given  by  their 
enemies  in  derision,  yet  they  consider  it  as  descriptive  of  their  doctrine 
and  practice,  and  also  in  conformity  with  several  passages  of  the  scrip- 
tures, whieli  speak  of  a  shaking  of  the  *  lieavens  and  the  earth.' 


86  EN  1-  ri:  L  1). 

"This  small  society  continued  (o  increase  in  number  till  about  the 
year  1770,  when  by  a  special  manilestation  of  divine  light,  the  present 
testimony  of  salvation  and  eternal  lilb  was  lully  revealed  to  Ann  IjCC, 
and  by  her  to  the  society."    • 

"According  to  the  account  given  by  her  biographer,  she  passed 
through  great  tiial  and  distress  of  mind  fur  the  space  of  nine  years,  du- 
ring which  peiiod  the  most  astonishing  visions  and  divine  manifestations 
were  presented  to  her  view,  in  so  clear  and  striking  a  manner  that  the 
whole  spiritual  world  seemed  disi)layed  before  her, — she  had  a  full  and 
clear  view  of  the  mystery  of  iniquity,  of  the  root  and  foundation  of  hu- 
man depravity,  and  of  the  very  first  act  of  transgression  committed  by 
the  first  man  and  woman  in  the  garden  of  Eden.  Here  she  saw  whence 
and  wherein  all  mankind  were  lost  from  God,  and  clearly  realized  ti 
only  possible  way  of  recovery.  Tliis  revelation  slie  received  in  i,.. . 
summer  of  1770,  while  in  prison,  where  she  was  confined  on  account  of 
her  religious  principles,  under  the  i)reteuee  that  she  had  jtrol'aned  the 
Sabbath.  From  this  time,  the  liglit  and  power  of  God,  revealed  in 
Ann,  and  through  her  administered  to  those  who  received  her  testimony, 
had  such  sensible  elfect  in  giving  them  power  over  all  sin,  and  filling 
them  with  visions  and  revelations  and  other  gifts  of  God,  that  she  was 
readily  acknowledged  as  their  spiritual  mother  in  Christ,  from  which 
she  received  the  title  of  Mother  An)i.^^ 

This  woman,  with  a  few  of  her  Ibllowers,  emigrated  to  this  country 
in  1774.  In  Se])tember,  177G,  they  took  up  their  residence  in  the 
woods  of  Watervliet,  where  they  made  a  settlement,  near  Nisqueuna, 
about  seven  miles  northwest  from  Albany.  ■  She  died  at  this  place  in 
1784.  The  following  is  from  a  book  entitled  "Christ's  Second  Appear- 
ing ;"  it  is  extracted  from  a  poem,  called  "  A.  memorial  to  mother  Ann," 
and  will  serve  to  show  in  what  light  she  is  viewed  by  her  followers. 

Let  names,  aiitl  sects  and  parlies,  no  longer  lie  rever'il, 
Since  in  the  name  of  mother,  saivatiiHi  hatli  aiipeared: 
Appointed  h\   kind  Heaven  llir  S:i\  loni  lo  ie\iMl, 
llerdoclime  ls  cnlu  ineil  \Mlh  an  eleinal  mmI. 

At  Manchrsier  in  lai-land,  llii.',  binning'  Inilli  he-an, 
When  tdiiisi  niadi'  hi.s  appearance  in  blcr>>L-d  Mother  Ann; 
A  lew  at  first  receivetl  it  and  dul  their  Inst  lorsaKe, 
And  soon  llieir  testimony  bionyla  on  a  mighty  sliake. 

■/  For  Mother's  .safe  protection,  good  angels  Hew  before, 

Towards  the  land  ol' promise,  Colnmbia's  hapjiy  shore; 
/    .  Hail  ihoii  victorious  (;ios|5el,  and  that  auspicions  day, 

AVhen  Mother  safely  lauded  in  North  America. 

About  four  vears  she  labored  with  the  attenti\e  throng. 
While  all  their  sins  they  open'd  and  righted  ev'ry  wrong. 
At  lengili  she  closed  her  labors  and  vanish'd  out  of  sight, 
And  left  her  faithful  children  increasing  in  the  light. 

How  much  they  are  mistaken  who  think  that  Mother's  dead, 
When  through  her  ministrations  so  many  souls  are  fed  ! 
In  union  wjtli  the  Father,  she  is  the  second  Eve, 
Dispensing  full  salvation  to  all  who  do  believe. 

The  leading  characteristic  in  the  worship  of  this  people,  is  their  dan- 
cing.    This  they  describe  as  the  involuntary  result  of  the  exhilarating 


^:  N  F  1 1:  l  d  . 


87 


and  overpowering  delight  received  tlirough  the  outpouring  of  divine 
grace  upon  their  hearts.  The  evolutions  and  changes  in  the  dance,  by 
constant  practice,  become  as  precisely  correct  as  the  maneuvers  of  a 
regidient  of  experienced  soldicis  ;  it  hfcomes  in  fact  a  mechanical  move- 
ment. No  one  ever  makes  a  mistake,  or  throws  the  rank  in  disorder 
from  inattention  or  inexperience  ;  but  every  thing  is  conducted  in  the 
niost  exact  order,  as  if  every  step  and  n)ovement  of  the  body  was  di- 
rected by  a  gage  and  rule.  Dances  are  sometimes  held  in  private 
houses,  when  variations  are  fretpiently  introduced.  On  some  occasions 
it  is  said  their  movements  are  so  lapid,  that  the  e)'e  can  scarce  follow 
or  keej)  pace  with  their  swift  motions. 


"The  prin(n|)al  doctrines  of  the  Shakers  arc, — a  belief  in  the  second 
aypcarance.  vf  Christ,  in  the  person  of  the  holy  mother.  TlM?y  adnut 
of  but  two  persons  in  the  Godhead,  God  the  Father,  and  God  the  Moth- 
er, which  they  say  is  according  to  the  order  of  nature,  being  niale  and 
female.  To  redeem  the  depraved  I'ace  of  man,  they  believe  that  it  be- 
came necessary  for  Gofl  to  take  upon  him  the  real  character  of  human 
nature  as  it  is,  male  and  female,  and  tliat  his  fii'st  appearance  was  in  the 
person  of  man,  and  the  slm^oihI  in  the  person  of  w'oman,  whereby  the 
work  of  reilemption  was  finished  and  completed.  The  confusion  and 
wickedness  that  prevailed  in  the  Catholic  Church,  during  the  long  pe- 
riod which  pieceded  and  followed  tlie  reformation,  they  ascribe  to  the 
work  of  redemption  not  being  co/n|deted  in  Christ's  first  appeai'ance,  it 
being  the  necessary  period  that  must  intervene  between  the  making  and 
fulfillment  of  the  promise  of  Christ,  that  he  would  establish  his  law  of 
righteousness  on  earth.  Tliey  believe  in  perfect  holiness,  and  insist  that 
salvation  from  ain  here  is  necessary  to  siilvatiun  hom  misery  hereafter. 
They  regaril  the  Jiihie  as  a  testimony  of  Christ's  first  appearance,  but 
deny  that  it  contains  the  word  of  God,  or  of  life,  as  they  consider  a  be- 


88  F  A  R  SI  1  N  n  T  0  N  . 

lief  in  the  second  appearance  of  Christ,  or  in  the  spiritual  character  and 
mission  of  the  holy  mother,  ^s  indispensable  to  salvation." 

The  following  inscriptions  are  from  inonimients  in  the  burying  ground, 
a  little  north  of  the  Congregational  church. 

In  memory  of  that  pious,  cxcellL-nt  and  amiable  iir.in,  llie  Rev.  Mr.  Pktk.r  Raynoi.ps, 
who,  after  serving  Chrisl  in  llie  woik  o(  llie  gospel  jniuisli y  willi  great  fidelity  in  this 
town  more  tlian  forty  iwoyeais,  fell  asleep  in  May  lliii.  17118,  Anno.  ^•E.G8. 

Ravnolji.s,  lliy  name,  tliy  memory  shall  survive, 

The  failing  lujiiors  marble  Staines  1^1  ve, 

When  this  frail  stone'.sdecay'd,  foigot  this  verse, 

Posterity  tliy  virtues  sliall  rehearse; 

Thy  conjugal,  paternal,  social  love, 

Religious  zeal  with  charity  imoiive. 

Shall  sjieak  the  generous,  gentle  teinper'd,  kind, 

Blest  Willi  much  science  in  an  humble  mind. 

Thy  purity  of  morals,  sacred  fear 

C)l  God,  and  fervent  love  of  man  decliie; 

Tell  lion,  lluiic  halbiw'd  tongue  how  wisdom  llnw'd, 

1  low  Willi  iiispirM  discourse,  each  Iiomjiu  glow  'd, 

How  thy  sweet  converse  gladdcn'd  eveiy  licait, 

And  sentinienl  instructive  did  iin])ari. 

HIcss  God  that  here  ihy  bright  example's  giv'ii 

A  Guide  to  lead  mankind  to  llicc  in  lleav'u. 


Sacred  to  the  luemoiy  of  13ea.  Joski'h  Kinosiiliiv,  who  died  June  8lh,  1800,  aged  S:; 
and  2  months. 

Here  lies  a  man,  no  one  priz'd  Religion  more, 
The  same  our  Fathers  brouglii  iVom  i;iuo[ie 's  shore, 
A  sti  ict  sn|ii)orler  of  the  giMid  old  ways 
.         Uf  Puritans,  in  their  most  early  days. 


FARl\riNGTON. 


Thf,  first  settlers  of  Farmington  were  from  Hartford,  being  emigrants 
from  Boston,  Newtown  and  Koxbury.  in  Alassacliiisetls.  They  began 
the  settlement  in  Ki  10,  being  probalily  attracted  at  this  early  period  by 
the  fine  natural  meailows  upiui  the  Ttmxis  or  Farmiiigtun  river.  The 
town  was  incorporated  in  Hi  15.  The  land  was  luiiehased  of  the  Tunxis 
tribe  of  Indians,  which  was  a  numcrotis  aiul  warhke  tribe,  by  eighty  four 
proprietors,  and  divided  l)y  them  and  their  heirs  according  to  their  res- 
pective interests.  Tlie  township  at  the  time  of  its  incorporation  was 
about  fifteen  miles  square.*  Since  this  period  five  new  towns  have 
been  formed  from  it,  viz.  Southington,  IJerlin,  ]3ristol,  Burlington  and 
Avon.  The  present  length  of  Farmington  is  7!  miles  from  north  to 
south,  and  averages  upwards  of  four  in  breadth.  The  town  is  situated 
principally  between  two  mountainous  ridges  which  stretch  from  n.  n.  e. 
to  s.  s.  w.  indented  by  vallies  ;  the  mean  distance  between  the  moun- 
tains is  about  four  miles.  The  east  mountain,  on  the  base  of  which 
the  village  is  built,  presents  a  mural  front  to  the  west,  and  has  two  con- 
venient j)asses  through  it ;  the  road  to  Hartford  passing  through  the 
north,  and  the  road  to  INIiddletown  through  the  soutli  pass,  distant  from 
each  other  about  four  miles.     The   Farmington  river,  about  45  yards 

♦  Pease  and  Kiles's  Gazetteer. 


F  A  U  M  1  N  G  T  O  N 


89 


wide,  enters  through  the  west  mountain  fioni  the  northwest,  and  runs 
southt'asi  to  the  ccBtial  part  of  the  town,  where  meeting  the  east  moun- 
tain, it  turns  an  acute  angle  and  runs  northward  through  the  town,  par- 
aHel  with  the  mountain.  On  the  cast  side  of  tiic  east  mountain,  oppo- 
site a  peak  called  Rattlesnake  hill,  rises  the  Quinniplac  or  North  Haven 
river.  The  great  Hat  or  natural  meailow,  from  the  river  westward,  from 
1|  to  2  miles  broad,  is  alluvial,  a  rich  loam  and  sand,  and  is  one  of  the 
most  fertile  tracts  in  the  State, 


i\'.  IK    view  of  .Fitniiington,  from  Jioitnd  Hill. 

The  above  is  a  view  of  the  central  part  of  the  village,  showin"-  the 
Congregational  and  iMethodist  churches.  The  main  street,  on  which 
they  are  built,  extends  about  two  miles  from  north  to  south,  on  an  ele- 
vated plain  from  50  to  15  feet  above  the  level  of  the  river,  the  course  of 
which  is  seen  by  the  row  of  trees  standing  below  the  level  of  the  houses. 
The  JXew  Haven  and  JN'orihampton  canal  passes  between  the  river  and 
the  houses,  its  course  being  elevated  above  the  level  of  the  river. 
There  are  about  one  hundred  handsome  dwelling  houses  within  the 
limits  of  something  niore  than  a  mile,  some  of  which  are  elegant  edifices. 
The  Academy  in  the  village,  and  the  IMethodist  church,  (recently 
erected,)  both  stand  near  the  Congregational  church. — The  above  view 
was  taken  bom  Round  Hill,  a  singular  elevation  in  the  meadows,  abo'it 
half  a  mile  distant  from  the  main  street.  This  bill  is  a  natural  curios- 
ity ;  it  covers  about  12  acres;  it  rises  abruptly  to  the  height  of  about 
GO  leet,  and  is  nearly  circular  in  its  ioi.m.  It  was  once  probably  an 
island  in  the  center  of  a  lake,  which  covered  the  whole  of  the  present 
meadow.*     At  the  first  settlement  of  the  town,  Round  Hill  was  fixed 


♦  ThusL'  iiieadow.s  are  now  ocLnsioiinllvoverlluwed.     During  ihe  freshet,  Fi-b.  llih, 
1807,  a  cry  (>rdi>lrL'ss  was  heard  by  some  persuns  on  the  bank  of  the  river.     Ponieiov 


sufferers.    Tbev  proceeded  to  Round  Hill,  where  they  \ 
Bebe,  lo  the  northwest,  where  lhe\-  found  a  span  of  hoi 

12 


ird  the  eries  of  a  man  naineti 
i  and  pait  of u  wagon,  and  d 


90  r  A  R  .M  I  N  n  T  0  x . 

on  as  a  central  |)oinL  of  departure  in  all  inuasincments  in  laying  out  the 
divisions  of  land. 

The  town  is  hounded  n.  by  Avon,  e.  by  Hartford  and  Berlin,  w.  by 
Bristol  and  I^urlini;ton,  and  s.  by  Sonthini^ton.  The  central  part  is  10 
miles  west  from  Hartford.  "The  nmidier  of  inhabitants  is  '2000,  and 
has  not  varied  much  within  the  last  ihiity  years." 

The  first  minister  in  this  place  was  Roger  Newton,  settled  in  IGH-S, 
who  oliiciatetl  nine  years,  and  then  removed  to  Milford.  The  second 
was  Samuel  Hooker,  who  was  ordained  in  1G53,  and  died  in  1697. 
Samuel  Whitman  was  ordained  the  next  minister,  in  HOG.  He  ofli- 
ciated  -15  years,  and  died  in  1751.  Tlie  next  year  Timothy  Pitkin, 
from  East  Hartford,  was  ordained  ;  he  officiated  till  1785,  and  was  then 
dismissed  at  his  own  re(juest.  He  was  succeeded  by  Allen  Olcott,  in 
1787,  who  in  1795  was  succeeded  by  Josepii  Washburn. 

This  town  has  at  present  a  school  fund,  besides  what  is  received  from 
the  Slate,  amounting  to  nearly  ,'+>•  10,000,  the  annual  interest  of  which 
is  applied  to  the  ]Kiymcnt  of  teachers.  In  U)95-G  the  town  voted  a 
certain  sum  for  the  sujiport  of  a  teacher  for  half  the  year,  and  in  the  di- 
rections to  the  committee  for  procuring  one,  a  clause  was  added,  "  that 
he  should  be  so'gifted  as  to  be  able  occasionally  to  step  into  the  pulpit." 

"  The  native  Indians  must  have  been  very  numerous,  in  and  about 
the  town,  when  the  first  settlers  airived.  'J'he  hunting  grounds  and 
fishing  j)laces,  were  peculiarly  attractive.  Their  burying  grounds  were 
on  two  sandy  hills,  one  on  the  west  side  of  the  great  meadow,  and  one 
on  the  east,  and  near  the  center  of  the  present  village.  In  excavating 
the  canal,  many  of  their  bones  were  discovered,  and  some  domestic 
articles,  as  cups,  &:c.  In  1691  a  conimitiee  was  chosen  by  the  town 
to  designate  houses  to  be  fortified  against  them.  It  appears  that  seven 
such  houses  were  used  for  that  purpose.  The  doors  were  made  of 
double  plank,  united  by  nails  di'iven  closely  together,  so  as  to  prevent 
iheir  being  cut  through  with  hatchets.  In  17();5  the  number  of  Indians 
was  about  100,  a  eou-iderable  number  lKl\lu^  pii.'\  i^)u^l^'  renuned  in  a 
body  to  Sloekbriilge,  Mas.s.,  and  another  ih\ision  of  them  ha\e  sinee 
removed  to  the  same  [dace."     , 

man  by  the  name  of  Alwaler,  in  a  buncli  n|  willnws,  in  thf  middle  of  a  cm  rent,  about 
two  rods  from  the  shore  ;  wiih  a  good  deal  of  diliiciilly  ilicy  f('il  AlwaliM-  inlo  ilie  ca- 
noe. As  they  were  jiassinj,'  a  U'ee,  Atwaier  in  a  l'riL;lil  .siizJd  one  of  ihe  branches;  in 
doing  litis  he  orersel  liie  boat,  lie  snceeetled  in  elindiin,'.;  ihe  tree,  while  the  oihers 
swam  to  the  hill,  where  llicy  called  for  help.  About  •)  o-elock,  Dr.  Eli  Todd,  William 
Hill  and  Joel  Waiiier  maiiueil  a  eaiioe,  and  alternately  drawing  and  navigaling  it, 
reached  ihe  hill.  After  a  number  of  aitempis  tu  lelieve  Aiwaicr,  a  bridge  of  ice  was 
formed  fiom  ihe  tree  lo  llie  shore,  on  which  he  was  enabled  to  |)ass.  Todd,  Hill  and 
Warner  sailed  in  the  course  of  the  road  noiihuesi,  in  seaieh  of  Bebe;  lliey  fourat  the 
currenis  so  rapid  that  they  were  obliged  lo  leium  wilhont  ellcctuig  their  object,  though 
they  came  wilhin  ^peak"ing  di>taiicc,  and  exhorted  him  lo  be  silent  throui;h  the  iiight, 
except  w  lien  they  shouhl  call  lo  him  ;  his  cues  bef<u'e  bad  been  disiinclly  heaid  llirongh 
the  town  for  nearly  three  miles  in  leiigih;  he  leniauied  tm  a  cake  of  ice  about  two  rods 
in  length,  ilirough  the  night. 

At  ihe  first  dawn  of  day  ihe  people  as-^einbled;  a  llal  botlonied  beat  was  procured, 
and  inaiiiied  by  Erastus  fiay,  'i'lmoihy  [tool,  jr.  'J'iiiiolhy  ("owlcs,  Sidni'y  Wadsworih 
and  [ienry  Woodrulf,  who  relieved  liebe  iioiu  In-,  junlous  situation,  and  brought  the 
others  on  shore, 


U  I/A  S  T  E  N  I:  \:  R  Y.  91 


G  L  iV  S  T  E  N  B  U  R  Y 


Gr.ASTENiniRY  was  incorporated  as  a  town  in  1690  ;  it  was  previously 
included  within  the  limits  of  Wetlicrsfield.  It  is  bounded  n.  by  East 
Hartford  and  ^Manchester,  k.  by  Hebron  and  Bolton,  s.  by  Cliatham 
and  iMarlborough,  and  w.  by  Connecticut  river  and  Wethersfiuld.*  Its 
length  from  east  to  west  averages  about  nine  miles,  being  aijout  six  in 
breadth.  There  are  some  fine  meadows  upon  the  bordei-s  of  the  Con- 
necticut, back  of  which,  upon  the  I'ise  of  land,  the  soil  is  a  sandy  loam, 
generally  fertile  and  productive.  In  Enstbiiry,  the  cast  society  in  the 
town,  the  lands  to  a  considerable  extent  are  rough  and  stony.  There 
are  five  houses  of  worship,  2  Congregational,  2  JNIethodist  and  1  ]''pis- 
co])al.     The  po])ulation  in  1810  was  2,776  ;  in  1S30,  it  was  2,960. 

Glastenbury  was  originally  purchased  by  the  proprietors  from  the  In- 
dians. The  deed  from  the  cliief,  granted  a  certain  number  of  rods  in 
width  north  and  south,  "  hutting  on  the  Great  River,  and  rumiing  three 
miles  into  the  wilderness,"  These  lots  have  many  of  them  presented 
the  same  general  featuies  to  this  day,  although  subdiviiled  among  de- 
scendants and  purchasers,  until  some  of  them  ore  only  eight  rods  wide, 
though  three  miles  long.  The  principal  ]iroprietors  and  first  settlers 
were  of  the  names  of  NV'elles,  W^yllis,  Hale,  Kimberly,  Ilollister,  Smith 
and  Talcott.  Thaddeus  Welles,  Esq.  now  resides  uj)on  the  land  which 
liis  ancestor,  I'homas  Welles,  ])urchase(i  of  iSotvheag,  the  great  sachem 
at  INIiddlutowu.  These  lands  have  descended  from  father  to  son,  and 
liave  never  been  out  of  the  possession  of  the  family  for  almost  two  hun- 
dred years.  Sauuiel  AVelles,  the  celebrated  banker  of  Paris,  and  the 
late  Gen.  Arnold  AVelles,  son-in-law  of  Cicn.  ^Val'l•en,  who  full  on  I^m- 
ker  Hill,  were  of  the  same  I'amily,  and  \ery  recently  ownetl  aiiotlier 
tra<'t  pnrehastil  by  the  same  ancestor. 

About  the  year  1()9(),  the  Legislature  gave  permission  to  all  the  in- 
habitants of  that  part  of  AV'ethersfield,  1}  ing  cast  of  Connecticut  river, 
to  associate  together  and  be  invested  witti  town  privileges,  "  so  soon  as 
they  could  procure  and  settle  a  good  orthodox  minister."  The  Rev. 
Timothy  Stephens  was  ordained  their  first  minister  in  October,  1G93. 
Mr.  Stephens  appears  to  have  tlied  in  1725,  at  the  age  of  CO. — An 
old  bouse  is  now  standing  in  the  town,  upwards  of  half  a  mile  north  of 
the  Congregational  church,  called  the  "Talcott  house,"  and  is  believed 
to  be  one  of  the  oldest  in  the  State.  It  was  formerly  stockaded,  and  it 
is  said  to  have  been  once  attacked  by  the  Indians — marks  of  the  as- 
sault are  stated  to  be  still  seen.  This  house  belongs  to  Col.  Talcott, 
of  the  U.  S.  Army,  superintendent  of  the  U.  S.  Arsenal  at  Watervliet, 
N.  Y.,  and  has  been  in  possession  of  the  family  about  one  hundred  and 
fifty  years. 


*   A  sriiLill  tract  \nthiii  iht-  buuiid^  of  lilast.Tibniy  lies  on  tin;  u-fst  iide  vf  Ci.tiiifcli,- 
;ul  rivcr;  llie  ciuim'  iiltlnc.  will  be  exjiluiijeel  \]\  the  uccoiiut  of  Wetherblield. 


92 


C  I,  A  S  T  K  N  15  U  U  Y 


Cotton  Vactonj  ullage,  (!ltti,ttn'un  i/. 

The  al)ove  is  a  western  view  of  the  village  connected  with  the  Hart- 
ford Manufacturint^  Co.  This  site  is  admirably  situated  for  nianufactur- 
ing  purposes.  Konring  Brook  here  passes  lhrouL,di  a  very  narrow  de- 
file: the  first  datn  above  the  factories  has  a  fall  of  50  feet,  and  the  low- 
er dam  21  fi!i;t ;  taken  together  these  are  believed  to  be  the  highest  falls 
in  New  England  used  for  manufacturing  purposes.  This  establishment 
has  5,200  spindles  and  135  looms  in  o|)eration  ;  130  girls  and  40  men 
and  boys  are  employed.  The  village  is  situated  about  half  a  mile 
eastward  of  the  main  road  to  C'hatham,  8^  miles  from  Hartford,  about 
li  miles  from  Connecticut  river,  and  8  miles  from  Chatham  quarry. 
There  was  foruu'rly  a  powder  mill  in  this  place,  one  of  the  (iist  e\er 
built  in  this  coiuitry  :  this  was  blown  up  in  HIT  and  live  persons  killetl. 
The  first  appearance  of  this  village  siiikes  the  traveler  with  an  agreea- 
ble surprise:  considering  the  general  face  of  the  land  in  this  section  of 
the  town,  he  is  not  prepared  to  find  in  such  a  shoit  distance  fiom  xhe 
main  roacl,  such  a  romantic  and  beautiful  specimen  of  interesting  scene- 
ry.— From  some  of  the  eastern  hills  in  this  town,  are  some  of  the  most 
delightful  prospects  to  be  seen  in  the  State.  The  view  end)races  tho 
whole  valley  of  the  C'oimccticut — from  where  it  enters  the  highlands  in 
South  Glasienbury  to  i\lount  I'om  in  Massachusetts,  including  Hartford 
and  all  the  intervening  towns. 

'<  In  the  eastern  part  of  the  town,  there  is  a  pond  of  about  a  mile  in 
circumference,  called  '  Diamond  pond,'  from  the  circumstance  of  there 
being  small  pebbles  or  stones  around  its  margin,  having  a  peculiar  bril- 
liancy. Near  the  center  of  the  town,  there  is  a  mineral  sj)ring,  which 
though  it  has  acquired  no  celebrity  abroad,  has  been  thought  by  men 
of  science  who  have  examined  it,  to  possess  valuable  meilicinal  quali- 
ties ;  and  for  more  than  one  hundred  years  has  been  known  by  thy 
name  of  the  '  Pool  at  Neipseic,' 


G  n  A  N  li  Y  .  93 

There  were  several  seats  of  the  Indians  in  Glastenbury,  and  this  tract 
was  considered  fine  hunting  and  fishinLT  ground.  They  were  all  tribu- 
tary to  Sowlieag,  who  was  tributary  to  the  Pequots,  or  in  alliance  with 
iheni,  and  they  inuslered  their  warriors  in  aid  of  the  quarrels  of  that 
powerful  tiibe.  The  north  part  of  Glastonbury  was  called  the  plains 
of  JIanalibukc ;  the  south  part,  Naog  ;  and  on  the  line  of  Chatham 
and  Glastenbury  were  the  meadows  and  hills  of  JVongnng  ;  m  the 
southeastern  ])art  is  the  valley  of  If'asuc.  Near  the  center  of  the  town 
are  the  high  hills  and  the  celebrated  pool  at  Ncipseic;  still  farther  east 
and  to  the  northeast  are  the  higher  peaks  o(  lloiiksett  und  Mlnachaug, 

The  following  inscriptions  are  from  monumeiUs  in  the  ancient  bury- 
ing ground. 

Here  litnh  interred  Ihe  body  of  Tlioinns  K  imberly.  L'.sq.  une  of  l.is  Majostics  Jiislicrs 
of  ilie  Peace,  and  Uiioimn  S|)eakeriri  the  ILiuse  oi' llepresentiiiives,  >.Vc.  m  all  uliirli 
trusts  his  eniiiienl  abilities  distiiiguisiied  liim.  lie  was  the  son  of  Eleazer  Kiin- 
berly,  Ksq.  i\jjed  18  years,  and  4  months.  Boin  Sept.  1(JS1,  and  expired  Jan.  '2;»,  Ai. 
172!),— 3U. 


Here  lyes  the  Body  of  ye  Rev.  Mr.  Cliiliab  Rrainerd,  a  zealous  and  faiilifnl  minister 
of  Christ,  am!  (ir.st  Pastor  of  yeChineh  in  i:;i.sibnry,  who  deed.  Jan.  1,  \l\VJi,  in  ye  lit-,! 
year  of  his  a;,'e,  and  in  ye  13d  year  of  his  ininistr^'. 

Reader!  (jiie  moment  stand,  and  this  sione  uiii  remind  yon  tliat  Win.  Welles,  F.s([. 
on  the  l-3ih  of  April,  A\.  1.778,  in  ye  :>\\\\  yenrof  liis  ai,'e,  e-vclian-jed  iliis  workl  toran- 
ol.her;  after  bein:,'  honored  for  many  years  as  an  aeceiitable  servant  ol  tlie  iiubiic.wilh 
many  Inipnicmt  u|iirL-s  of  trnsi  ahd'euiifnh'iice. 

IJeic  lies  the  niurtal  [larts  of  Mr.  David  Hale,  wlio  p;iid  lo  nalnie  lis  last  demand 
June  17th,  ISDO,  m  the  lllh  year  of  his  a-e,  when  his  inmiuilal  ]iait  ].a.-,-ed  to  receive 
n  more  sublime  de-ree  unde'r  the  Great  Areh  above.— When  in  Life  he  was  resneeled, 
So  in  death  he  was  lamented. 


Gil  AN  BY. 


(iii.\N'nv  is  an  extensive  irregular  towubhip,  situated  in  the  northern 
scctif)!)  of  Hartford  County.  It  was  incorporated  as  a  town  in  178G, 
])revious  to  which  it  was  a  part  of  Simsbttry.  It  is  bounded  n.  by  the 
Massachusetts  line,  e,  by  Sulheld  and  Windsor,  s.  by  Simsbury  and 
Canton,  and  \\.  by  IJarkhanisied  and  llartland.  The  average  length 
of  the  township  from  east  to  west  is  Di  miles  :  the  breadth  from  north 
to  south  averages  more  than  6  miles.  There  are  two  societies  in  this 
town,  Turkey  Hills  and  Salmon  Brook.  Turkey  Hills  is  said  to  have 
derived  its  name  from  the  numerous  flocks  of  wilil  turkeys  which  for- 
merly used  to  range  this  part  of  the  town.  Salmon  Brook  (the  west- 
ern part  ol"  the  town)  derived  its  name  from  a  brook  of  that  name, 
jiassini^r  through  this  section,  in  which  salmon  formerly  used  to  betaken.' 
There  are  5  houses  of  worship  in  this  town  ;  2  (x)ngregational,  1  Epis- 
copal, I  Methodist,  and  1  Universalist.  Salmon  Brook,  which  is  14 
miles  Irom  Harifurd  and  3  from  the  old  prison  buildings,  is  perhaps  the 
largest  village.  In  this  place  is  the  Episcopal  church,  and  about  twenty 
or  thirty  dwelling  houses  in  the  vicinity. 


94 


(^  U  A  N  U  Y  , 


Di^erent  appearances  of  minerals  have  been  discovered  in  llie  green- 
stone mountains  and  iiills  of  this  town.  The  cavern,  which  was  once 
occupied  by  tlie  Slate  as  a  prison,  is  now  opened  and  worked  as  a  mine 
by  the  "  Phtunix  Mining  Company,"  incorporated  by  the  Legislature 
of  Connecticut  in  1830. 


South  view  of  Nc legate  Frisoii  Jiuildivgs. 

This  place,  formerly  the  State  Prison  of  Connecticut,  is  sixteen  miles 
from  llarilbrd  :  the  siiires  of  the  ciuirches  in  the  city  can  be  easily  seen 
from  the  jirison  buihhngs.  It  is  two  and  a  half  miles  east  of  the  New 
Haven  and  NorthamiMon  Canal,  and  four  or  five  miles  westward  of  Con- 
necticut river.  The  buildings  are  situated  on  the  western  declivity  of  a 
range  of  mountains  which  cKtend  southerly  to  ?Scw  Haven, .terminating  at 
the  Kast  Hock  near  lluit  place.  A  range  of  luftv,  precipitous  and  craggy 
rocks  rises  immedialcl}-  uasl  of  tlie  Prison;  o\\  the  west  extensive  val- 
leys are  seen,  with  mouiiluins  [jrcscntini;;  irregular  outlines  in  the  distance. 

The  appearance  of  tliis  j)lace  lijrcibly  reminds  the  observer  of  the 
walls,  castles  and  towers  erected  for  the  security  of  some  haughty  lord- 
ling  of  the  feudal  ages  ;  while  the  gloomy  dungeons  within  its  walls  call 
to  remembrance  a  Bastile,  the  prisons  of  the  ln(|uisition,  and  other  en- 
gines of  oppression  and  tyranny. 

The  lands  upon  which  this  jirison  stands,  and  in  the  vicinity,  were 
claimed  by  the  original  proprietors  of  the  town,  in  which  they  were 
once  situated  ;  but  on  arcoimt  of  their  supposed  value  from  the  copper 
ore  which  h;\,d  been  foimd,  and  as  gold  was  supposed  to  abound  in  the 
mine,  it  caused  a  contention  about  the  title,  which  was  long  contirmed. 
To  quiet  this,  the  General  Assembly  in  1753,  appointed  a  committee  to 
investigate  the  subject,  and  conllrmeil  the  right  and  title  of  the  original 
proprietors,  and  set  oJFto  them  the  land  or  mine.  At  this  time  copper 
ore  had  been  found  ;  the  ore  was  considered  very  rich,  and  it  \vas  also 
supposed  that  it  contained  gold.      Piom  these  circumstances,  the  fame 


ti  11  A  N  B  Y  .  95 

of  these  mines  soon  reached  Europe,  and  a  company  was  formed  in 
pjugland  ill  1760  for  the  ]uu'pose  of  working  them  ;  soon  after  a  numher 
of  persons  in  the  e^iiploy  of  ihis  company  arriverl  from  Enghmd  for 
this  purpose.  But  the  company  was  ohhged  principally  to  employ 
men  who  resided  in  the  neighborhood,  who  were  not  acquainted  with  the 
business  ;  from  wliich  circumstance  and  others,  the  work  proceeded 
slowly,  and  with  great  difiiculty.  The  company,  however,  was  ena- 
bled to  freiglu  two  vessels  with  ore,  (as  they  diti  not  calculate  to  work 
the  ore  here,  but  in  England;)  these  vessels  were  both  lost — one  was 
taken  by  the  French,  and  the  other  sunk  in  the  Channel.  These  losses 
were  so  great,  and  tlie  whole  business  having  hct-n  little  more  than  a 
continuation  of  disasters  and  sacritices,  the  company  became  discoura- 
ged and  abandoned  the  undertaking.  The  uiiners,  in  iligging  and  ex- 
ploring, sunk  numerous  wells  or  deep  excavations.  The  jirincipal  one 
was  upon  Copper  hill,  so  called,  and  is  now  remaining  within  the  walls 
of  the  prison.  These  caverns  were  first  occupied  as  a  place  of  confine- 
ment about  the  time  of  the  Revolutionary  war.  There  being  at  that 
time  no  prison  in  the  state  besides  the  county  gaols,  and  the  number  of 
convicts  increasing,  arrangements  were  made  for  occupying  these  cav- 
erns as  a  place  of  confinement,  but  no  permanent  buildings  were  at  this 
time  erected  ;  it  is  not  probable  that  at  first  it  was  contem[)latcd  to 
convert  these  caverns  into  a  state  prison  ;  their  occujiatlon  fur  this 
purpose  was  regardetl  as  a  temporary  thing.  The  confining  of  con- 
victs having  begun,  it  was  continued  ;  and  this  being  found  inconven- 
ient, the  General  Assembly  in  1700  passetl  ?n  act,  establishing  IXewgate 
prison  as  a  permanent  state  prison,  and  provided  fur  the  erection  of 
suitable  buildings. 

The  following  is  from  KendalTs  travels  in  the  norlhcj-n  parts  of  the 
United  States.      lie  visited  Aewgate  pii;on  in  1S07. 

"  On  bein;;  aiiiniiiiU  iiil.j  llK'i^^a>'l  3'iu>l,  I  ['..miiil  ;\  --cmryuhikr  a^^J^  uiiLia  iheg.iie, 
and  ei^hl  suldiors  liiawi)  iij'  in  a  line  in  (Vonl  ol'  (lie  gauior'a  liousc.  A  Ijcil  suunnuii- 
in^' ilio  jin^i'Ui'is  to  work  liail  nlrcaily  niii:^;  and  in  a  IVw  inomenrs  ihey  began  lo 
ijialce  iheir  apiicarance.  Tliey  came  in  irrcf,'"bii  numbers,  suiiulinics  two  ur  ihree 
together,  and  hoiiielinics  ii  single  one  alone  ;  luit  whenever  one  or  moie  were  abont  to 
cross  the  yard  to  tiie  .stnitlicry,  the  soMiers  wcTe  ordered  to  present,  in  rcatliness  to 
fire.  The  juisoners  were  heavily  ironed,  and  sreuied  both  by  handcnlJs  and  letters  ; 
and  being  iherelore  unable  to  walk,  coidd  only  make  their  way  by  a  soit  oljnmp  or  a 
hop.  On  entering  the  sinilhery,  some  went  to  ilie  sides  oC  the  Ibrges,  where  collars, 
dejiendent  by  iroaehains  rmm  llie  roof,  wei'e  lastened  round  their  iieelcs,  ami  otheis 
were  ciiained  in  |>aiis  to  wheelbarrows.  'I'he  ntimber  ol"  pri.soners  was  .a,boia  forty  ; 
ami  when  thev  weie  all  disponed  of  in  the  maniiei-  lieseiibed,  sentries  Ayere  placed 
within  the  bull(lmLr^  wliii;h  cunlainril  tliein.  jMier  viewing  thus  lar  iheeci^numy  of 
this  prison,  1  Idi  it,  piopuMii;;  \n  visii  the  cell.sat  a  later  hour. 

"  This  csiahlislimenl,  as  I  hasesaul,  redesigned  to  be,  from  all  ih;  ananL'-emenls,  an 
object  of  teiror  ;  ami  e\erv  thinj-  is  aci:ui'diir_;l\-  (amlri.  ed,  \n  i;ial>i_  the  lile  endured 
in  it  as  bnrdensc/ine  and  misi  ralilo  as  p,i.-,i!.h.v'  In  riiiilurmily  u  illi  llus  idea,  ilicidace 
chosen  for  the  prison  is  no  other  than  ilie  m.aiili  uTa  |nr-.a';iii  ri,|i|,i_a  niiiie,..!  s',  hieh  ihe 
exeavaliuiis  are  lanplnyi'd  as  cells.  They  are  descended  li\'  a  shall,  w  lii'  h  is  sronicd  by 
a  trap  door,  wiihiu  the  prison  Imus,,-,  or  gaoler's  house,  w  hich  slainl,^  ujnui  the  mine. 

"  The  liai)(b)or  being  lilied  ii|i,  1  went  down  aii  iron  ladder,  pe:  |jendieularly  li.Ke(tr 
lo  the  de|)th  of  about  hiiy  feet,  from  the  foot  of  the  ladder  a  rough,  narrow,  and  low 
passage  descends  still  deeper,  till  it  terminates  at  a  well  of  clear  water,  over  which  is 
an  air  shaft,  seventy  feet  iij  height,  and  guaiiled  at  its  mouth,  which  is  within  the  gaol 
yard,  by  a  hatch  of  iion.  The  cells  are^iear  the  well,  but  at  ditferent  depths  beneath 
the  surface,  none  perhaps  exceeding  sixty  feet.  They  are  .srrjall,  lUgged,  and  accom- 
modated with  wooden  berths,  and  some  straw.  The  straw  was  wet,  and  there  was 
much  hamidiiy  in  every  part  of  this  ob-caie  legion;  but  I  was  as-'ured  J  on,^ht  to  at- 


96  O  R  A  N  B  y . 

tribute  this  only  to  tlie  remarkable  wetness  of  the  season  ;  that  the  cells  were  iu  geuc- 
ral  dry,  and  that  they  were  nut  found  nnfavoiahle  lo  the  health  of  the  ]iri>oners. 

"  Into  these  cells  (he  prisoners  are  dismissed  at  four  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  every 
da}^  without  exeefiiion,  and  at  all  seasons  of  the  year.  They  desceiul  in  their  fetters 
and  handcutls,  and  at  four  o'clock  in  the  morning  they  ascend  the  iron  ladiier,  climl)- 
ing  It  as  well  as  they  can  by  the  i)id  of  their  fettered  limbs.  It  is  to  be  ob,''erved  that  no 
women  are  coahneil  heie  ;  the  law  providing  that  female  convicts,  guilty  of  ciime^  (d' 
whieli  men  are  to  he  conlined  in  Newgatejirison,  are  to  be  sent  only  to  liie  eountv  gnals. 

"  Going  again  inlu  the  workshop  or  smiihery,  1  fuund  the  aiiendanis  ol  the  pi  isuii 
delivering  jiickled  poi  Ic  for  the  dmner  of.the  prisoners.  Pieces  were  given  separately 
to  the  parties  at  each  forge.  They  were  thrown  upon  the  lloor,  and  lelt  to  be  washed 
and  boiletl  in  the  water  used  for  cooling  the  iron  wrought  at  the  lorges.  Meal  had 
been  distributed  iu  like  manner  for  breakfast.  The  food  of  tlie  prison  is  regulated 
for  each  day  in  the  week  ;  and  consists  in  an  alternation  of  pork,  beef',  and  peas,  -with 
which  last  no  flesh  meat  is  allowed.  Besides  the  caverns  or  excavations  below,  autl 
the  gaoler's  house  above,  there  are  other  apartments  prepared  for  the  prisoners,  and 
particularly  a  hospital,  of  which  the  neatness  and  airiness  atforil  a  strong  contra^t  lo 
the  other  parts  of  the  prison.  It  was  also  satisfactory  to  find  that  in  this  hospital  there 
■were  no  sick. 

"  Such  is  the  seat  and  the  scene  of  punishment  provided  by  (I'uimeciient  Air  crinun- 
als  not  gtiilty  of  murder,  treason,  or  either  of  a  few  ulher' capital  oircuees.  "What 
judgment  the  reader  v.'ill  pass  upon  it  1  do  not  venture  to  anticipate  ;  but  I'or  myscll', 
I  cannot  get  rid  of  the  impression,  that  without  any  extraordinary  cruelty  in  its  actual 
operati(Hi,  there  is  something  very  lilce  cruelly  iu  the  tleviee  and  design." 

Ill  the  southwestern  part  of  the  town  are  two  remarkable  hills,  called 
Barn  door  hills,  which  rise  to  an  elevation  of  four  or  five  huntlred  feet. 
Tliese  hills  have  the  appearance  of  having  been  separated  by  some  vi- 
olent convulsion  of  nature,  as  the  two  sides  correspond  with  each  other. 
A  road  about  half  a  mile  in  extent  passes  through  the  chasm  nowsejia- 
rating  these  two  hills.  AV^ere  this  chasm  closed  up  by  bringing  the  hills 
together,  the  hill  or  mountain  would  present  the  appearance  of  a  cone. 

If  we  were  to  credit  but  a  small  proportion  of  what  has  been  related  and 
believed  by  many  persons  to  be  true,  this  town  has  been  the  theater  of 
the  most  extraordinary  transactions.  It  is  stated  that  about  ten  or  twelve 
years  since,  in  the  west  part  of  the  town,  in  an  old  house  near  the  Ilartland 
line,  the  crying  of  a  child,  and  many  other  unusual  noises,  were  many 
times  distinctly  heard  by  persons  who  were  in  the  house,  although 
there  was  no  child  near,  nor  \sa3  there  any  apjiarent  cause  I'or  any  noise 
to  be  heard  in  the  vicinity.  Soiuetimes  the  crying  of  the  child  was 
very  loud  and  distinct,  and  appeared  to  be  but  a  lew  feet  from  the 
persons  who  heard  it.  (It  ought  to  be  mentioned,  that  in  this  house  a 
foul  crime  is  supposed  to  have  been  i^erpetrated.)  Two  young  men,  who 
were  possessed  of  the  usual  share  of  courage,  supposing  the  whole  to 
be  a  kind  of  "  ghost  story,"  determined  to  sleep  all  night  in  the  room 
where  these  noises  were  heard,  and  find  out,  if  possible,  the  cause. 
Some  time  after  they  had  gone  to  bed,  in  the  dead  of  the  night,  some- 
thing appeared  to  come  with  a  kind  of  gust  against  the  house  ;  then 
something  appeared  to  rush  through  the  window,  although  nothing  was 
seen  ;  next  the  chairs  were  thrown  about  in  great  disorder,  next  there 
was  a  noise  heard  at  the  fire-place  with  the  shovel  and  tongs,  although 
there  were  none  in  the  room,  and  finally  the  noise  appeared  to  go  olT 
down  the  ash-hole.  Some  forty  or  fifty  years  since  a  number  of  fami- 
lies in  the  West  society  were  affected  in  a  strange  and  unaccountable 
manner.  The  persons  composing  these  families  would  often  run  about 
like  persons  distracted  ;  and  according  to  their  statements,  heard  strange 
noises,  saw  sjiirits  in  the  air,  &:c. 


HARTLAND, 


H  ARTLAND. 


97 


Hartland  is  an  elevated  township,  22  miles  from  Hartford,  bounded 
N.  by  the  Massachusetts  line,  e.  by  Granby,  \v.  by  Colebrook  and  s.  by 
Barkhamsted,  and  is  about  7  miles  in  lent^th  and  5  in  breadth.  This 
town  is  hilly  and  mountainous,  being  embraced  within  the  extensive 
range  of  granite  in  this  part  of  the  State.  From  its  elevated  situation 
it  is  cold  and  frosty,  and  the  soil  rather  sterile,  producing  but  little 
grain  ;  it  however  affords  tolerable  grazing.  The  making  of  butter  and 
cheese,  beef  and  pork,  and  pasturing  of  cattle  are  the  principal  kinds  of 
business  done  in  the  town.  The  farmers  in  the  east  of  this  to  Connec- 
ticut river,  have  been  in  the  practice  of  sending  their  growing  or  young 
cuttle  and  sheep  into  this  and  other  grazing  towns,  to  be  kept  during 
several  months  in  the  spring  and  summer. 

The  town  is  divided  into  two  parts,  one  called  East,  the  other  West 
Hartland,  in  each  of  which  is  a  Congregational  church  ;  there  is  also  a 
INIethodist  church  in  the  limits  of  the  town.  The  town  is  centrally 
divided  by  the  east  branch  of  the  Farmington  river,  ou  which  are  sev- 
eral small  tiacts  of  alluvial,  and  excellent  mill  seats.  The  deep  ravine 
or  valley  through  which  this  streatn  passes  is  called  Ilarlland  hollow, 
and  is  cliaracterized  by  bold,  rough,  and  picturesque  scenery. 

Hartland  is  one  of  the  towns  sold  by  the  State  to  the  inhabitants  of 
Hartford  and  Windsor.  The  first  proprietors'  meeting  was  holden  in 
Hartford  in  M'-VS.  I'he  first  person  who  lived  in  the  town  was  John 
Kendall,  wlio  being  in  debt,.ne(i  fiom  Granby,  and  to  get  out  of  the  way 
of  his  creditors,  located  himself  in  Hartland  Hollow,  on  the  west  bank 
of  the  branch  of  the  Farmington  river  ;  here  he  made  himself  a  hut  with 
slabs  which  floated  down  the  stream  from  Granville,  INIass. — this  was  in 
1753.  While  hero  Kendall's  wile  bore  a  pair  of  twin  daughters,  the 
first  white  children  born  in  the  town.  Kenclall  stayed  in  the  town  about 
one  year.  In  1733,  Simon  Baxter  came  into  this  town.  He  was  con- 
sidered a  person  of  susjiicious  character.  In  the  Revolution  he  joined 
the  anny  of  Burgoyne,  and  finally  died  at  Halifax. 

Hartland  was  incor[)orated  as  a  town  in  1761,  at  which  time  it  belong- 
ed to  Litchfield  County.  In  1768,  the  Rev.  Sterling  Graves  was  or- 
dained, being  the  first  minister  in  the  town.  He  was  ordained  in  the 
open  air,  on  a  knoll  about  a  mile  south  of  the  present  Congregational 
church  in  East  Hartland.  The  first  meeting  house  was  erected  in  1770. 
In  West  Hartland,  the  first  minister  was  the  Rev.  Nathaniel  Gaylord, 
who  settled  there  about  1782.  IMr.  Gaylord  is  still  living,  and  preaches 
occasionally. 

Ilartlaml,  Litchfield  Counly,Jan.  19,  1796. 
There  is  now  living;  in  ihis  town,  one  Mr.  Jonas  Wilder,  in  the  97lh  year  of  his  a,e:e, 
and  is  a  steady-,  industrious  man,  seldom  losing  one  day  in  a  month  by  reason  of  infir- 
mity and  old  ajj;e  ;  he  was  one  of  the  first  settleis  in  said  town,  and  has  in  this  town 
lived  near  3G  years;  he  was  then  the  oldest  person  that  ever  lived  in  said  town  and 
ever  since  has  been,  and  still  remains,  the  oldest  person  by  several  years.  He  has  had 
two  wives  and  both  of  one  name,  both  clirislian  and  maiden,  tlie  last  of  which  he  hatli 
lived  with  about  (35  years ;  he  lias  had  12  children  and  never  lost  one ;  his  eldest  ^hild 
is  now  in  the7;5d  year  of  his  age,  the  youngest  in  his  'nth.  His  sons,  though  but  seven 
in  number,  have  sustained  the  following  honorable  oflices,  beside  town  and  society 

13 


98  M  A  N  C  II  E  S  T  E  K  . 

offices,  viz.  one  Colonel,  one  Major,  one  Captain,  two  Lieutenants,  lliree  Justioca  of 
the  Peace,  itiree  Representatives,  and  three  Deacons. 

His  posterity  was  ninnbcred  in  1773,  and  found  to  be  23:^,  of  which  he  had  lust  only 
16,  and  how  many  hath  increased  ^ince  then  is  unknown,  as  iwo  lived  near  Boston, 
two  at  Upper  Coos,  and  three  at  Genesee. —  Conn.   Courant. 

The  following  inscriptions  are  copied  from  monuments  in  the  burying 
ground  by  the  side  of  the  Congregational  church  in  East  Hartland. 

In  memory  of  Deacon  Thomas  Giddin^s,  the  lirst  residing  inhabitant  in  Hartland, 
he  came  into  town  June  l'2th,  1751.     Died  May  '21ih,  Aged  07  years. 

"  We  are  Strangers  and  Pilgrims  on  the  Earth  as  were  all  our  Fathers." 

In  memory  of  the  Rev.  Aaron  Church,  who  died  A\n'\\  19th,  1823,  in  the  78  year  of 
his  age,  and  50th  of  his  ministry. 

With  Abraham's  joy.  Thy  call  I  follow  to  the  land  unknown  : 
..  1 .  I  trtisl  in  thee,  and  know  in  whom  I  li  ust. 


MANCHESTER. 

Manchester  was  incor])oratc(l  as  a  township  in  18-23.  It  was  for- 
merly called  Orford,  the  East  piirish  in  East  Hartford.  It  is  nearly  six 
miles  in  length,  and  about  the  same  in  breadth,  bounded  n,  by  East 
Windsor  ancJ  Vernon,  e.  by  Bolton  and  Vernon,  w.  by  East  Hartford, 
and  s.  by  Glastenbury.  The  surface  of  the  town  is  soinewhat  broken 
and  hilly  ;  it  has  a  mixed  soil  of  sand,  loam  and  gravel,  and  is  generally 
fertile.  In  the  western  part  of  it,  there  is  a  i-ange  of  red  sandstone,  ex- 
tending through  the  town  ;  this  stone  generally  lies  under  the  surface, 
and  being  of  a  soft  texture  is  easily  worked,  and  is  valuable  for  under- 
pinning, hearth  and  step  stones.  The  township  is  watered  by  the  Hock- 
anum  and  its  branches,  upon  which  are  situated  numerous  mills  and 
manufactories,  among  which  are  six  or  seven  paper  mills,  one  woolen 
and  one  satinet  factory,  and  two  powder  mills. 

The  cut  on  the  next  page  is  an  ea-^ti'iii  wr.w  t)f  the  churches  in  Man- 
chester. They  staiul  on  a  light  sand)'  plain,  ahoni  8  miles  from  Hartford. 
The  Methodist  chmx-.h  is  the  first  btiildiii>;  seen  on  the  right,  the  one 
beyond  is  the  Congregational  clun-ch.  There  are  three  principal  set- 
tlements in  the  town,  in  each  of  which  is  a  post  office:  AVoodbridge's, 
near  the  centre,  Buckland's  corner,  and  a  collection  of  houses  in  the 
northeast  part  of  the  town,  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Union  Factory. 

**  The  first  cotton  mill  that  was  successfully  put  in  operation  in  Con- 
necticut, was  erected  within  the  present  limits  of  this  town  in  1794, 
and  owned  by  Messrs.  Samuel  Pitkin  fc  Co.  Velvets,  corduroys,  fus- 
tians, were  manufactured  at  this  establishment  in  considerable  quanti- 
ties, at  that  early  pmiod.  Tlie  machinery  was  made  by  a  native  of 
England,  and  upon  the  principles  introduced  by  Arkwright.  Efforts 
all  of  the  same  nature  had  been  before  attempted  in  the  State,  but  were 
unsuccessful.  The  business  was  regarded  as  a  mystery,  difficult  of  ac- 
quisition, and  as  an  experiment  hazardous  to  the  undertakers.  But  one 
cotton  mill  was  in  opciation  in  the  country  at  this  time,  and  that  at 
Providence,    and  owned    by   Messrs.    Ailing  U  Brown    and    Samuel 


M  A  n  L  H  O  R  0  U  G  H 


99 


Mtithodist  and  Congregational  Churches,  Manchtsler. 

Slater.  A  mill  was  soon  afteiwards  erected  at  Patterson,  N.  J.  Com- 
paratively litile  progress  was  made  in  extending  the  cotton  manufacture 
until  about  1804,  since  which  it  has  experienced  many  vicissitudes,  and 
had  to  encounter  great  dillicultics.  Tlie  business  was  flourishing  dur- 
ing the  war,  but  Irom  the  vast  and  alarming  influx  of  goods  after  the 
peace,  became  greatly  depressed.  J\e\v  companies,  however,  were 
formed  upon  the  passage  of  the  tarifl' of  1816,  and  additional  capital  in- 
vested in  the  business,  and  the  mills,  which  had  discontinued  their  ope- 
rations and  were  sufibred  to  decay,  were  repaired  ami  put  in  0[)eration, 
many  of  them  having  been  transfericd  to  other  hands." 


In  thu  viciiiiiy  of  ll 


Iwo  cluircliu.s,  (seen 
and  a  young  njaii  wcil'  luiiii'il  ulive  liy  ilie  ( 
Koniieilv,  v\'lii)  ilcsoeiuli'd  Irmu  iiiulivcs  til'  c 
Imn.     1  Liviii:,'  cilli'd  I'oi  hcln,  ii  rope  atuic 
ilni'clcd  to  lie  11  aiiiiMul   liis  body  nn 


love.)  in  ITf)!,  Mr.  Tliomas  Kennedy 

'in^  in  uf  a  widl  aLi  lei'i  in  df|)(li.     Mr, 

lo.Miy,  lunnd  ilic  caiili  caving  in  about 

htfd  U)  a  windlass  was  let  down,  and  lie  was 

his  anus.     Tins  UKiliud  ot  uxi 


g  liim 
iuIlhI  ibe  well 


wa.s  lound  incllcitual.  In  llie  huny  ol'tlio  luouient,  ii  ytnin^'  man  dv.^n.i..n-.i  ini.  y»lh 
in  order  tu  cut  iliti  rope.  A  lari,'e  slone  now  caved  in,  followed  by  a  mass  of  sand, 
wliieh  covered  bolli,  and  they  were  inslanlly  sntlbeatcd.  An  order  was  obtained  from 
Gov.  Law,  who  i esided  at  Millord,  to  laise  assi-^tance  to  disinter  the  bodies.  Ten  days 
had  elapsed  before  they  were  dug  out. 


MARLBOROUGH 


This  town  is  situated  in  the  southeastern  extremity  of  Hartford 
County.  It  was  incorporated  in  1803,  being  formed  from  Colchester, 
Glastenbury  and  Hebron,  three  towns  which  belonged  to  three  difTer- 
e%i  counties.  TQjie  township  is  irregular  in  its  form,  having  an  average 
length  of  five  and  a  half  miles,  and  an  average  breadth  of  four  miles, 
bounded  n.  by  Glastenbury,  e.  by  Hebron,  s.  by  Colchester,  and  w. 
by  Chatham.  The  surflice  of  the  town  is  hilly  and  stony,  and  the  lands 
best  adapted  for  grazing.     Marlborough  pond,  in  this  town,  is  a  con- 


100  siMSRunv. 

siderable  body  of  water,  being  one  mile  in  length  and  half  a  mile  in 
breadth.  Black  lead  has  been  found  in  this  town.  There  is  one  house 
of  worship  in  the  town,  which  is  of  the  Congregational  order. 

The  most  compact  settlement  in  the  town  is  around  the  Union  Cot- 
ton  Factory,   which  is  14  miles   from   Hartford  and  one  mile  northerly  Jb 
from  the  Congregational  church.     The  nimd)er  of  inhabitants  in  1810  'k 
was  720;  in  1830  the  population  was  704.                                                              '     i 

The  first  settlement  in  the  town  was  conmienced  in  the  south  part,  : 
by  persons  by  the  naiTie  of  Foot  and  Carrier,  who  were  from  Colches-  f 
ter:  these  settlers  located   themselves  between   two  and  three  miles  *. 
south  of  the  meeting  house.     The  tradition  is,  that  the  first  person  wiio  • 
located  himself  in  the  limits  of  the  town  was  Mr.  Carrier,  who  con-  -^ 
structed  a  kind  of  log  hut  on  the  land  now  owned   by  Mr.  Gelston.  , 
Carrier,  who  came  up  from  Colchester  to  make  a  clearing  for  a  settle- 
ment, having  got  detained  from  some  cause,  was  obliged  to  stay  in  his  < 
hut  over  night,  and  was  attacked  by  a  party  of  Indians,  eight  or  ten  in  • , 
number.     Carrier,   who  was  a  strong  atliletic  man,  defended   himself  ' 
with  such  effect  that  he  killed   nearly  the  whole  number  with  his  axe, 
as  they  attempted  to  force  themselves  into  his  cahin.  j 

The  New  London  and   Hartford  turnpike  passes  through  the  center  I 

of  this  town.     After  ascending  the  mountain  which  forms  the  eastern  t 

boundary  of  the  valley  of  the  Connecticut,  about  twelve  niiles  from  Hart-  j 

ford,  the  road  passes  through  what  is  called  "  tJie  darlc  /tollou\"     This  j 

place  is  on  the  mountain,  near  the  western  boundary  of  ftlarlborough.  I 

Large  masses  of  rocks  are  thrown  about  in  great  disorder,  giving  the  j 

place  a  wild  and  savage  aspect.     In  the  vicinity  of  this  place,  westerly  ■: 

from  the  turnpike,  an  English  gentleman,  It  is  said,  who  had  married  1 

the  daughter  of  one  of  the  governors  of  Connecticut,  resided  for  some  j 

time  with  his  family,  at  the  period  of  the  first  settlement  of  the  cr)untry,  j 


S  I  I\I  S  B  U  R  Y  . 

The  ancient  name  of  Simsbury  was  JSlassncoc.     The  land  was  pur- 
chased of  the  Indians,  and  settlements  began  under  the  town  of  Wind- 
sor, of  which  it  was  then  considered  as  part.     In  the  session  of  the 
General  Court,  May,  1()70,  it  was  enacted,  that  Massacoe  should  be  a 
distinct  town,   by  the  name  of  Simsbury;  the  limits  granted   were  ten 
miles  northward   from   the  north  boimds  of  Farminf;ton,  and  ten  miles 
westward  fiom  the  western  bounds  of  Windsor.     Ahout  six  years  after    , 
the  settlement,  the  inhabitants,  numbering  about  foity  families,  were  so    ^ 
alarmed  at  the  hostility  of  the  Indians,  that  they  buried  their  cftects  afld    . 
went   back  to  Windsor.     The  settlement  being  des«|-ted,  the  Indians   9 
destroyed  the  houses  which  had  been  erected,  by  burning  them,  and 
blotted  out  almost  every  vestige  of  improvement  which   distinguished 
the  new  born  settlement  from  the  surrounding  wilderness  ;  so  that  when 
the  settlers  returned,  they  could  not  find  the  place  where  their  goods 


s  I  M  s  B  u  n  y , 


101 


were  secreted.  This  was  in  the  spring  of  1G7G,  at  which  time  Sims- 
bury  wns  a  iVonlier  settlement,  althongh  but  about  ten  miles  from  Con- 
necticut river.  This  township  is  seven  miles  in  length,  and  about  five 
and  a  half  miles  in  breadlli,  upon  an  average  estimate.  It  is  bounded 
N.  by  Granby,  e.  by  Windsor  and  Bloon)field,  s.  by  Avon,  and  w.  by 
Canton.  It  is  stiikingly  diversified,  being  intersected  by  the  Farmington 
river,  and  embracing  the  ranu;L'  of  tlie  greenstone  mountain,  wliich  here 
is  elevated  and  lofty.  The  New  Haven  and  Northampton  Canal  passes- 
through  this  town,  running  parallel  with  the  river. 


South  IK  II  of    'Tat  il]  nlle,  m  Simslnu  i/. 


Tariffville,  a  flourishing  village,  is  situated  at  the  northeastern  ex- 
tremity of  this  town,  on  tlie  west  bank  of  the  Farmington  river,  which 
at  this  place  passes  south,  at  the  base  of  a  range  of  mountains,  which 
divides  this  part  of  the  State  from  the  great  valley  of  Connecticut  river. 
The  accompanying  view  shows  the  appearance  of  the  village  from  the 
heights  vvhlcl)  rise  immediately  south.  The  river  passes  between  the 
buildings  represented  and  the 'precipitous  heights  seen  on  the  right  in 
the  engraving.  Tliere  is  in  the  village  a  post  ofhce,  called  the  Tarifi- 
ville  post  oflice,  and  two  taverns,  both  of  which  are  seen  in  the  engrav- 
ing; one  is  seen  on  the  extreme  left,  the  other  south  of  the  Stone  Fac- 
tory, (the  buildingr  with  a  cupola,)  before  which  a  large  tree  is  standing 
in  the  street.  This  place  is  a  carpet  manufacturing  village,  owned  prin- 
cipally by  a  company  called  the  "  New  England  Carjiet  Company  ;" 
they  employ  175  hands,  and  manufiicture  yearly  about  132,000  yards 
of  carpeting.  This  flourishing  village  is  between  three  and  four  miles 
south  of  Newgate  or  Simsbury  mines,  near  the  New  Haven  and  North- 
ampton Canal,  and  twelve  miles  from  Hartford. 

The  following  extracts  are  from  a  publication  entitled  "the  History 
of  my  own  times,"  by  the  Rev.  Daniel  Barber,  A.  M.  printed  at  Wash- 
ington, 1827. 


1 02  S  I  M  S  B  U  Jl  V  , 

"In  the  commencement  of  Pliillji's  war  In  New  Englantl,  in  1675,? 
this  town  (Simsbiiiy)  was  bnint  by  the  Indians.  Connected  with  wlilch 
event,  cnrrent  tradition  lias  pieseived  and  handed  down  the  foUowing 
singular  and  extraordinary  fact:  that,  very  shortly  before  this  attack  by 
the  Indians,  early  one  Sunday  morning,  as  Lieut.  Robe's  father  was 
walking  over  the  plain  not  from  his  house,  he  very  plainly  and  dis- 
tinctly heard  the  report  of  a  small  arm,  which  much  surprised  him,  it 
being  the  Sabbath.  He  found  on  returning  to  Iiis  house,  that  his  fam- 
ily also  heard  it.  On  going  to  meeting,  at  which  the  inhabitants  from 
all  parts  of  the  town  were  assembled,  it  was  ascertained  that  the  rej)ort 
was  heard  at  the  same  hour  in  every  quarter.  It  was,  on  fiu-tlier  exam- 
ination, found  to  have  been  heard  as  far  south  as  Saybrook,  (fifty  miles,) 
and  as  far  north  as  Northfield,  at  that  time  the  extent  of  the  English 
settlements  to  the  north.  The  report  of  this  gun  alarmed  all  Connec- 
ticut. The  Governor  summoned  a  council  of  war  to  meet  at  Hartford  ; 
and  the  council  issued  an  order  fur  the  inhabitants  of  Simsbury,  one 
and  all,  immediately  to  withdraw  themselves  to  Hartford,  the  then  cap- 
ital. This  order  was  punctually  obeyed.  The  fearful  apprehension  of 
being  suddenly  murdered  by  savages,  put  in  motion,  and  hastened  along, 
whole  bands  of  women  and  children,  with  men  in  the  rear,  with  sheep, 
cattle,  and  such  utensils  and  conveniences  as  their  short  notice  and 
hasty  flight  would  permit.  Hartfoid  was  twelve  miles  distant.  Their 
heavy  articles,  such  as  pots,  kcliles,  and  plough  irons,  were  secreted  in 
the  bottoms  of  swamps  and  wells. 

"The  father  of  the  first  (Jovernor  "Wolcott  and  his  family,  were 
■among  those  who  fled  from  Simsbury.  Old  INIr.  ^Volcott  filled  up  a 
large  brass  kettle  with  his  pewter  cups,  basins,  platters,  &:c.  and  then 
«unk  the  kettle  with  its  contents  in  the  deep  mud  of  the  swamp,  but 
was  never  able  to  find  it  afterwards. 

•"  After  the  inhabitants  had  spent  a  day  or  two  in  their  retreat,  the 
men  under  arms  were  sent  back,  tor  the  purpose  of  looking  about  and 
making  discoveries.     They  came  to  the  bigbt'st  eiuinencee  in  the  road 
cast  of  Simsbury  river,  from  wliieh,  at  one  view,  they  could  take  a  sur- 
vey of  the  principal  part  of  their  liabitatiuns,   which,   to   their  surprise 
and  sorrow,  were  become  a  desolation,  and  every  house  burnt  to  ashes. 
They  saw  no  Indians,  but  plenty  of  Indian  tracks  and  trails  in  the  sand. 
"I  have  recorded  the  story  as  a  matter  of  fact,  having  very  often 
I        heard  it  related  as  such  in  my  infant  years,  and  also  from  the  children 
I        of  those  who  were  both  witnesses  and  personal  suHerers. 

"  My  father's  name  was  Daniel  Barber.  He  was  the  son  of  Sergeant 
Thomas  Barber,  who  was  the  grandson  of  Lieut.  Thomas  Barber,  who 
commanded  under  Captain  Westover,  in  the  first  militaiy  company  in 
said  Simsbury.  He  was  one  of  the  original  proprietors  of  that  town- 
ship, as  appears  from  his  name  being  still  on  the  original  charter.  It  is 
also  reported  of  him,  that  at  a  time  when  the  savages  were  surrounding 
the  town  with  a  determination  to  destroy  its  inhabitants  in  the  darkness 
of  the  night,  that  by  means  of  his  military  skill  and  sagacity,  he  pre- 
vented their  attack  ;  that  the  next  morning,  the  wind  being  fair,  he  as- 
cended the  roof  of  his  house,  in  the  place  called  Hop  Meadow,  and 


/•  SIMSBUllY.  103 

beat  an  alarm  on  bis  drum.  The  beat  was  beard  and  understood  at 
VVindsor,  seven  or  eiglit  miles  olF.  The  militia  took  the  alarm,  and  a 
company  under  arms  made  their  appearance  in  the  afternoon  at  Sims- 
bury." 

The  following  is  from  Mr.  Barber's  pamphlet  from  wbicli  the  prece- 
ding was  taken. 

"Immediatuly  after  the  batlle  of  Bunker's  llillj  in  1775,  orders  were  issued  fur  raising 
a  regiment  of  Oonnecucnt  iruups,  lor  the  term  of  five  months,  under  Colonel  Jede- 
diah  Huntington,  of  Norwich.  I  enlisted  under  Captain  Elihii  Humphrey,'  of  Sims- 
bury.  My  other  otheers  were  Lieut.  Andrew  Hilyer,  Lieut.  Ehenezer  Fitch  Bissel, 
and  Ensign  ytoughton;  all  of  whom  are  men  of  character  and  reputation.  Captain 
Elihu,  as  we  generally  called  him,  was  the  son  of  the  Hon.  John  Humphrey,  formerly 
one  of  the  Governor's  eoimeil,  and  a  Justice  of  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas  i'or  the 
County  of  Hartford.  Captain  Elihu  was  a  well  bred  gentleman  ;  liis  friendly  turn  of 
mind,  with  a  sweetness  of  disposition,  secured  him  the  love  of  all  good  men;  his 
confidence  and  esteem  procured  him  the  eommitsion  of  Major,  in  the  seconil  cam- 
paign. He  dying  about  the  close  of  the  year  177(5,  left,  as  a  legacy  to  his  family,  a 
name,  whose  reputation  will  not  be  forgotten  during  many  generaiions.  I  knew  him 
— I  revered  him — and  I  loved  him.  Lieut.  Hilyer,  (now  Col.  Hilyer,)  was  also  of 
Simsbury.  He  was  a  handsome  sprightly  young  gentleman,  who  had  in  early  life  re- 
ceived a  college  education.  As  an  otlicer,  his  manner  was  una.s.suming,  gentle  and 
persuasive.  Whenever  he  spoke,  the  soldiers  heard  him  with  pleasure,  and  whatever 
■was  his  will  was  cheerfully  complied  with.  E.  Fitch  Bissel,  of  Windsor,  was  second 
lieutenant.  He  was  a  gentleman,  though  not  of  the  most  easy  and  familiar  turn;  yet, 
for  his  steady,  correct  attention  to  the  duties  of  his  station,  was  well  respected.  1  think 
he  was  advanced  to  a  captainship  the  next  year.  He  died  many  years  ago.  Of  En- 
sign Stoughton,  1  remember  but  liltle.  Sickness  detained  him  long  out  ol  camp.  He 
was  a  tall  well  made  man,  and  jjossessed  a  good  military  a|)pcarance.  He  was  also 
from  Old  Windsor.  The  sergeants  in  this  coinjiaiiy  were,  Aaron  Pinney,  Jacob 
Tuller,  Daniel  Higley,  and  Thomas  Hayden;  Jonathan  Humiihrey,  Jr.  (afterwards 
Col.  Humphrey,)  was  Clerk  of  the  Roll;  uU  of  Simsbury  except  Sergeant  Hayden. 
Sergeant  Piiiney  was  a  man  of  a  fu.iee  and  fiery  countenance  and  commanding  air, 
well  becoming  a  .soldier  of  '75.  Sergeant  7'uller  was  a  man  from  wliom  we  did  not 
expect  much  (lattery;  his  brow  was  generally  knit  together  in  a  forbidding  Irown. 
Sergeant  Highy,  wlio  had  been  a  sohlier  in  the  old  French  war,  was  of  a  musical 
turn,  and  his  old  war  songs  made  the  time  pass  away  to  very  good  account.  Seigeant 
Thomas  Hayden  was,  no  doubt,  a  military  man  ;  but  I  should  guess  no  soldier  ever 
admired  him  for  his  pleasant  airs.  Jonathan  Hum]ihrey,  Clerk  of  the  ]{oll,  was  a 
most  charming  companion;  his  social  airs  and  pleasant  countenance  gamed  the  al- 
feetion  and  good  wishes  of  all.  He  is  long  since  dead,  and  lies  buried  near  Major 
Elihu,  in  Hop  i\leadow  burying  ground.  Our  company  being  suddenly  enlisted,  to 
the  number  ol  about  seventy-five,  rank  and  file,  orders  were  given  foi  all  to  meet  on  a 
certain  day  at  the  house  of  the  Captain,  well  equipped,  and  ready  to  begin  their  march. 

"  The  Rev.  Mr.  Pitkin,  of  Farmington,  was  requested  that  day  to  preach  the  I'are- 
well  sermon  to  the  soldiers.  At  the  hour  appointed,  we  marched  to  the  meeting 
house,  where  the  ofllcers  appeared  in  mililaiy  style,  with  their  appropriate  badges  ol' 
distinction,  and  the  soldiers  in  proper  order,'  with  their  arms  and  accoutrements,  as 
men  prepared  for  battle.  It  was  a  full  and  ovei  (lowing  audience,  all  in  high  expecta- 
tion of  hearing  something  new  and  charming  from  so  gifted  a  preacher.'  After  his 
warm  and  fervent  prayer  to  Heaven  for  the  success  and  prosperity  of  the  American 
armies,  and  the  liberties  and  freedom  of  our  country,  he  introduced  his  addiess,  if  I 
remember  right,  I'rom  these  woids:  "  Play  the  man  for  your  country,  and  lor  the  cit- 
ies of  your  God;  and  the  Lord  do  that  which  seemeth  him  gf)od."  His  seimon  was 
well  adapted  to  the  occasion,  and  the  spirit  of  the  day.  It  was  tender  and  pathetic- 
lively  and  animating.  .  It  was  like  martial  music;  while  it  touched  the  finer  feelings, 
it  roused  and  animated  for  the  dreadful  onset — the  shout  of  war  and  the  cry  of  victo- 
ry !  Dui  ing  the  tune  of  its  delivery,  abundance  of  tears  were  seen  to  How,  from  both 
old  and  young,  male  as  well  as  female.  The  sermon  being  ended,  the  drums  soon 
beat  to  arms.  Being  arranged  in  military  order,  we  were  again  conducted  to  the 
Captain's  house,  and  dismissea  for  a  short  time.  Ingoing  to  ami  from  the  meeting, 
we  were  followed  and  accompanied  by  a  mixed  multitude — fathers  and  mothers — 
wives  and  chiMren — sisters,  friends  and  strangers.  Now  each  soldier  had  the  oppor- 
tunity of  mingling  for  a  few  moments  with  his  dearest  friends  and  companions.  The 
tender  feelings  of  love — of  friendship — of  aflection — again  burst  ibrtfi.  While  the 
fond  lather  and  tender-hearted  mother  are  bidding  adieu  to  their  sons,  the  husband. 


104  SI  BIS  BURY. 

the  wife,  the  children — brothers,  sisters  and  besf  friends — are  exchanging,  hs  fur  the 
last  time,  tlie  token  of  their  love,  and  the  best  affeciious  of  the  heart. 

"  In  the  midst  of  this  mint^lini,'  scene  of  sorrow,  liie  drums  beat  to  arms.  Soldiers, 
take  your  places  is  the  word  ;  the  line  of  march  is  formed  ;  we  add  one  more  wishful, 
lingering  look,  while  nianv  a  silent  tear  bespeaks  the  real  feeling  of  the  heart. 

"  The  word  is  given.  "We  begin  our  march  wiili  silence,  downcast  looks,  and  pen- 
sive feelings  and  reflections.  We  were  now  leaving  our  homes,  our  friends,  and  all 
our  pleasant  places  behind,  and  wliicli  our  eyes  miglit  never  again  behold.  The  most 
of  us  hfid  not,  at  that  time,  i  believe,  been  twenty  miles  from  home.  After  marching 
awhile,  we  began  to  give  way  to  more  cheerful  ami  lively  feelings.  We  marched 
about  eight  miles  that  afternoon;  at  night  put  up  at  James  Marsh's  inn.  Here,  for  the 
first  lime,  I  slept  as  a  soldier  on  ihe  door,  with  a  cartridge-box  for  my  pillow.  At 
tliat  perioil,  horse  wagons  being  very  little  in  use,  an  ox  team  was  provided  to  carry 
our  provision  for  the  way,  and  a  barrel  of  rum.  Our  provision  was  salt  pork  and  peas. 
Wherever  we  stopped,  a  large  kettle  was  hung  over  the  fire  in  which  the  salt  meat 
was  put  without  freshening,  and  the  dry  peas  without  soaking.  Cooks  and  stewards 
were  appointed  who  took  charge  of  the  table  department.  When  all  was  ready,  a 
stroke  on  the  drum  was  the  signal  to  begin  to  eat;  and  we  were  gencially  hungry 
enough  to  stand  in  need  of  no  great  urging.  While  jjassing  through  Connecticut,  the 
females  were  very  polite,  in  lending  us  knives  and  forks;  but,  alter  entering  Massa- 
chusetts, we  were  not  allosved  the  like  favor,  without  jiledging  money,  or  some  other 
kind  of  security — the  people  saying  ihey  had  lost  many  of  their  spoons  by  the  soldiers 
who  had  gone  before  us.  Our  bread  was  hard  biseiiit,  in  which  there  was  a  small 
quantity  of  lime,  just  suliicient  to  make  the  month  sore.  They  were  so  hard  that  the 
soldiers  called  them  candlestick  bottoms. 

"  Now,  for  the  first  time,  we  ti'avelled  on  tlie  Lord's  dav,  under  arms,  and  past  meet- 
ing houses  in  the  lime  of  public  worship,  wilh  drums  and  lifi-.s  playing  martial  mirsic; 
all  which  was  calculated  t(j  afford  to  a  New  England  man  some  doulns  and  retlections, 
whether  God  would  be  as  well  jjleased  \vh\\  such  paiade  and  military  performance, 
as  if  we  had  stayed  at  home  to  read  our  Uibles,  or  went  to  meeting  to  hear  the  minis- 
ter. But  military  discipline  and  the  habits  of  u  soldier,  soon  eifected  a  degree  of  re- 
laxation in  most  of  us.  In  process  of  time,  many  once  jiious,  at  least  in  form  and 
appearance,  came  into  the  practice  of  treating  all  days  nearly  alike;  yet  there  were 
some  who  kept  up  the  practice  of  reading  Watts'  Psalms  and  Hymns,  as  a  book  of 
devotion. 

"  It  is  very  natural  to  expect,  that  soldiers  under  arms  are  not  generally  inclined  to 
the  same  degree  of  civility  as  others,  or  as  they  ought  to  be  ;  though  this  is  not  always 
the  case.  Yet,  at  the  period  at  which  I  am  speaking,  and  during  our  march,  it  was 
not  uncommon,  if  a  soldier  thought  himself  not  well  Iriiitted  by  the  inn-keeper,  ta 
shew  his  resentment  by  shooting  a  ball  through  his  sign. 

"In  our  march  through  Connectieut,  the  inhabilanis  scemctl  to  view  us  with  tokens 
of  joy  and  gladness,  anil  by  them  we  were  tiealeil  wall  louimon  civility,  and  a  re.-pect 
due  us  as  soldiers;  but  wlieu  we  came  uilo  M.i^-.o-hii  I'li-^.  and  advanced  ntMier  to 
Roston,  the  inhabilanis  wherever  we  ^lopprd,  sn  nicd  to  have  no  iu-ller  o|m.ion  of  us 
(eicept  the  oihcers)  than  if  we  had  been  a  bandilli  oi  ro-ncs  and  thieves.  This  served 
to  moriify  our  feelings,  and  someiimes  drew  iVom  iis  e.vpres.sions  of  angry  resentment. 

"  After  about  nine  or  ten  days'  marching,  in  company  wilh  our  ox  team,  loaded 
with  our  salt  pork,  peas,  and  candlestick  bottoms  lor  bread,  and  the  bai  rel  of  rum  to- 
cheer  our  spirits  and  wash  our  feet,  which  began  to  be  very  sore  by  travelling,  we 
came  to  Roxbury,  the  place  of  our  destinaiivm.  There  the  phice  of  our  encampment 
was  already  marked  out,  and  a  part  of  our  regiment  on  the  spot.  For  every  six  soN 
diers  there  was  a  tent  provided.  The  ground  it  covered  was  about  six  or  seven  feet 
square.  This  served  for  kitchen,  parlor  and  hall.  The  green  turf,  covered  with  a 
blanket,  was  our  bed  and  bedstead.     When  we  turned  in  lor  the  night,  we  had  to  lie 

Eerfectly  straight,  like  candles  in  a  box:  this  was  not  pleasant  to  our  hip  bones  and 
nee  joints,  which  often  in  the  night  would  walce  us,  and  bcLMo  turn  over.  Our  house- 
hold utensils,  allotrether,  vvere  an  iron  pot,  a  canteen,  (u- wooilen  bottle  liolding  two 
quarts,  a  pail,  and  wooden  bowl.  Each  had  to  do  his  own  washing,  and  lake  his  turn 
at  the  cookery." 


Slmsburij,  (  W/icctog,)  July  28lh,  17G8. 
L.vsT  Saturday  we  had  heiesuch  a  storm  of  hail  as  perhaps  has  not  been  known  in 
the  memory  of  man.  The  forenoon  of  that  day  was  extremely  hot;  about  noon  a  very 
black  cloud  began  to  rise,  which  in  about  two  hours  produced  a  heavy  rain,  atlended 
wilh  violent  thunder.  When  the  rain  abated,  theie  came  on  hail,  which  increased 
so  much  that  the  last  hail  stones  which  feU  were  supposed  to  be  full  the  bulk  of  goose- 


S  0  L'  T  n  1  N  G  T  O  N  . 


105 


eggs'— rather  bigger  tluin  less.  It  did-miiuh  damage  to  the  smaller  and  weakci  ani 
inals  and  vegeiahlos.  The  apple  trees,  gram,  and  gardens  were  considerably  d.imaged 
as  were  aLsu  the  sliingles  otsiime  bnilding.s — the  glass  suffered  le.ss  than  was  expected 
Cut  had  not  the  hail  fell  considerably  perfiendicular,  but  liille  glass  would  have  esca 
ped.  Several  of  ihe  hail  stones  were  weighed,  and  amounted  to  three  ounces  each 
so  long  after  they  fell  that  it  was  supposeii  one  third  of  their  magnitude  was  di.'-solved 
'Tis  iinpo.siible  to  comnuinicate  u  true  idea  (;f  a  phenomenon  so  rare,  unexpected  and 
terrible. 

Hartford,  July  2btk. 
I.N'  addition  to  the  account  in  our  last  of  the  hail  storm  at  Simsbury,  we  learn  that 
it  de>.troycd  great  quantilie.N  of  English  grain,  but  did  more  damage  to  rye  than 
wheal;  many  large  lields  of  the  former  haiing  been  since  mowed  for  lodder,  in  which 
Jonathan  Fetiiiione,  Esq.  Air.  Thomas  Case,  and  otheis  have  been  great  sufferers.  In 
the  park  of  the  above  Case,  a  deer  had  one  of  his  legs  broke,  and  was  otherwise  so 
much  wounded  that  he  soon  aficr  died.  Several  hogs  had  their  backs  bi  oke,  some 
of  which  died  some  days  alterwaids.  Some  horses,  and  other  large  animals,  were  cut 
through  the  skin  by  the  bi'/gest  ami  more  ragged  hail  stoin".  'Tis  also  to  be  noted, 
that  great  quantities  of  gla^s  wi-rc  broke,  which  the  compiler  of  the  former  particu- 
lars was  not  ap))rizeil  of  when  he  communicated  the  same  to  us. 


SOUTHINGTON. 


South  view  of  SoiUhington,  {central  part.) 


SouTiriNOTON  is  .situated  in  the  soulhwestorii  corner  of  Harirord 
County;  buuniled  N.  by  IJristol  iiiid  Fainiington,  w.  by  Wolcott,  s.  by 
Cheshifo,^  and  k.  by  a  fange  of  mountains,  separating  it  from  Berlin. 
The  soil  is  generally  good,  and  well  adapted  to  the  culture  of  rye  and 
Indian  corn.  The  town.sliip  is  about  six  miles  in  length,  and  about  the 
same  in  breadth.  The  central  part  of  the  touii  is  18  miles  from  Hart- 
ford and  21  from  New  Haven.  The  population  in  1810  was  1,807- 
in  1830,  it  was  1,844. 

Tile  above  is  a  south  view  of  the  three  churches  in  the  town,  and 
some  other  buildings  in  the  vicinity.  The  nearest  building  seen  on  the 
right  is  now  occupied  as  a  post  office;  the  next  building^ north  is  the 

14 


106  S  O  UT  II  I  N  G  'i' O  N  . 

Episcopal  church,  part  of  which  is  seen  in  tlie  engraving  ;  ihe  bnildiug 
with  a  spire,  in  the  center,  is  the  Congregational  churcli  ;  the  J3aptist 
church,  with  a  square  tower,  is  seen  a  little  to  the  nortii.  The  Epis- 
copal church  has  stood  about  50  years  ;  the  first  house  of  worship  used 
by  the  Baptists  stands  about  twenty  rods  w(>st,  and  is  now  used  as  an 
Academy;  this  buihling  is  about  as  old  as  the  Episcopal  church.  The 
first  Congregational  church  was  erected  about  one  mile  north  of  its 
present  location,  on  the  southeast  part  of  the  elevation,  on  which  is  the 
north  burying  ground.    The  first  clergyman  was  Rev.  Jeremiah  Curtiss. 

This  town  was  originally  included  in  the  limits  of  Farmington.  It 
was  laid  out  into  lots,  and  divided  among  the  eighty  four  proprietors  of 
Farmington,  in  1722.  Several  persons,  however,  had  settled  in  it  at 
that  time,  and  within  four  or  five  years  after  that  period,  it  was  incor- 
porated as  a  society,  by  the  name  of  Soutliington,  and  was  made  a  town 
in  1779.  Tlie  first  settlers  were  princi[)ally  from  Farmington  ;  a  few 
from  Wallingford  and  \Vaterbm'y  :  theii'  names  were  WoothulF,  Hart.. 
Andrews,  Gridley,  Newell,  licwis,  Langilon,  liooi,  Ijarnes,  Clark,  and 
others. 

The  inhabitants  are  generally  engaged  in  agriculture  ;  yet  several 
kinds  of  manufactures  receive  considerable  alttiuion.  Peck's  ))atent 
for  machines  for  making  tin  ware,  a  most  valuable  invention,  is  exclu- 
sively owned  in  this  town,  and  the  business  of  making  them  is  exten- 
sively carried  on,  by  Messrs.  Seth  Peck  &i  Co.  whose  manufactory  sup- 
plies almost  the  whole  of  the  United  Slates  and  the  Jiriiish  provinces. 
The  manufacture  of  water  cement  is  very  extensively  carried  on  in  this 
town,  and  furnishes  a  supply  for  the  wants  of  the  vicinity,  and  some  for 
distant  markets.  There  is  an  establishment  for  the  manufacture  of  lasts, 
which  are  turned  out  by  a  machine :  this  is  cflected  by  having  a  model 
of  the  shape  wanted,  inserted  into  the  apparatus  connected  with  the 
machinery.  Besides  the  above,  there  is  a  brass  ioundery  ;  and  several 
other  establishments,  for  luanufacturing  various  articles,  such  as  saws  of 
ditTereui  kiuils,  tin  ware,  combs,  sp(juns,  clocks,  brushes,  &:c.  are  in  ope- 
ration, more  or  less  extensively,  at  ililllrent  times,  according  to  the  de- 
mands of  the  market.  Copper  has  been  discovered,  in  several  places, 
in  the  range  of  mountains  on  the  eastern  bordei'  of  the  town. 

The  following  has  been  often  related  as  a  matter  of  fact.  It  is  stated, 
that  about  the  first  settlement  of  the  town,  one  of  the  inhabitants,  by 
the  name  of  Tufts,  a  singular  sort  of  a  man,  became  so  weary  of  life, 
that  he  determined  to 

"sliulile  oir  lliis  morlal  coil." 

Having  understood  that  those  who  perished  by  the  cold,  sufiered  but 
little  pain,  he  concluded  to  freeze  himself  to  death.  Going  out  in  the 
severity  of  winter,  he  seated  himself  down  where  a  cold  "northwester" 
blew  fair  upon  him,  and  awaited  the  accomplishment  of  his  purpose. 
After  sitting  awhile,  he  found  the  severity  of  the  weather  so  uncom- 
fortable that  he  was  induced  to  go  in  the  house,  declaring  that  it  was 
actually  too  cold  to  f^-eeze  to  death,  and  wished  for  a  great  coat  and 
mittens,  in  order  to  make  his  exit  in  a  more  comfortable  manner. 


NUFFIELD.  107 

The  following  inscriptions  are  from  monuments  in  the  burying  ground 
north  of  the  principal  village  in  Southington. 

This  monument  is  eiecled  in  memory  of  ihe  Ilcvd.  Jeremiah  CurtiKS,  he  early  devo- 
ted himself  to  llic  -ospel  ministiy.  Lie  was  .sealed  Nov.  1708,  in  the  23d  year  of  his 
a-c,  and  continueci  in  that  work,  till  he  was  iVLailarlj'  dismissed  Nov.  17C>'1.  Integrity, 
meekness  and  Imiialily,  were  conspicuous  and  aeknuwledged  parts  of  his  character, 
both  in  public  ami  private  lile.  He  died  March  L'lst,  171)5,  in  the  8'Jth  year  ot  his  age. 
The  memory  of  the  just  is  blessed. 

The  just  shall  live  by  Faith,  lleb.  10.  38. 
The  Rev.  William  Robinson  was  born  at  Lebanon,  Au-.  15th,  1754.  In  1780,  he 
was  ordained  Pastor  of  the  Church  in  Souihint.'ton,  and  continued  in  that  relation  41 
years.  He  died  Au^v  Llth  IH-J.'.,  on  his  birth  day,  aged  71  years— T-Iow  mild  to  the 
righteous  the  dawn  (jV  immortaliiy,  how  calm  the  sleep  of  death.  Venerable  Father! 
thy  head  silvered  by  age  and  bedewed  with  the  tears  of  ehildien  and  friends  is  laid  in 
the  dust,  thy  spirit  has  gone  to  the  land  where  the  wicked  cease  from  troubling  and  the 
weary  are  at  rest.  There  we  trust  to  receive  the  benediction  :  "  Well  done,  good  and 
faithful  .servant."  May  the  remembrance  of  thy  kind  counsels,  and  ihy  viitues  be  a 
strong  bond  to  bind  us  with  the  cords  of  peace,  of  harmony  and  love.— May  thy  loved 
Spirit  still  inlhience  us  to  seek  that  wisdom  whose  ways  are  ways  of  pleasantness  and 
whose  paths  are  peace. 

In  memory  of  Mis.  Naomi  Robinson,  wile  of  the  Rev.  William  Robinson.  She 
was  born  at  Fast  Windsor,  Sept.  'J8th  1751,  of  the  ancient  and  honorable  family  of  the 
WolcuUs.  She  was  peculi;iiiy  beloved  in  Life,  and  at  deaih  universally  lamented. 
She  died  of  the  Small  Pox  in  the  08111  year  of  her  age,  April  Itiih,  1782.  Her's  was 
the  character  so  strikingly  deseribeil  in  the  31st  Chap,  of  Proverbs,  and  to  none  could 
that  closing  ver>e  be  more  properly  a|i|ilied  than  to  lier,  "  Many  daughters  have  done 
virtuously  but  thou  excellest  them  all." 

The  following   is  from  a  monument   in  a  small   burying  ground  up- 
wards of  three  miles  westwaid  of  the  churches. 

The  Reverend  .Icdui  Merriman  died  (m  Feb.  17th,  1784,  in  the  89lh  year  of  his  age. 
He  was  a  Calvinisiic  Anii-pedo  IJapuss  nunisler, 

lleie  lirslhe  lioily  death  has  buimd, 

Whose  sunl  Willi  imiiisiei  ial  gilts  was  crowu'd, 

Mis  life  his  Miisirr's  d.Mtiine  did  adorn. 

And  uaiis  hii  last  lewuril  till  the  ati.s])icious  morn. 


S  U  F  F  I  E  I.  D  . 

This  town  was  originally  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  colony  of 
Massachusetts.  It  was  purchased  of  two  sachems  by  Mr.  Pyncheon, 
and  some  others,  for  about  one  hundred  dollars.  In  1670,  a  grant  of 
Suliield  was  made  to  IMtij.  John  l^yncheon  and  his  associates,  by  the 
general  cmirt  of  iMassachusetls,  as  a  conmiittee  to  lay  it  out  and  plant  a 
township.  It  was  settled  about  this  period,  and  incorporated  with  town 
privileges.  It  cotitinued  subject  to  the  jurisdiction  of  INIassachusetts, 
till  the  year  175-2,  being  then  annexed  to  Connecticut. 

Suliield  is  buundetl  n.  by  Massachusetts,  e.  by  Connecticut  river, 
septirating  it  from  Fnfield,  w.  by  Craiibv  and  the  Southwick  ponds  in 
IMassachuselts,  and  s.  by  Windsor  and  Ciranby.  The  township,  which 
is  somewhat  irregular  in  its  form,  averages  about  eight  miles  in  length 
from  east  to  west,  and  live  in  breadth.     This  town,  though  somewhat 


S  U  I'  FIELD, 


Conncciicut  Literanj  Listitui'wn,  at  Siij/ichJ. 


diversified  in  its  surface  nnd  soil,  is  considered  by  many  to  be  one  of 
the  best  townsiiips  of  land  in  tlie  Slate:  the  casK  rn  bccliun,  bordoiiny 
upon  Connecticut  river,  has  a  <^n-adiial  rise  for  about  two  miles  to  the 
public  road,  which  runs  nearly  in  a  parallel  direction  with  the  I'ivei". 
This  is  a  fine  tract,  the  soil  being  a  strong  and  deep  loam.  There  is  no 
alluvial  upon  the  border  of  the  river,  and  the  bank  is  generally  eleva- 
ted and  bold.  The  town  is  divided  into  two  parishes,  Suflield  and 
West  Suffield.  Tliere  are  four  houses  of  worship  in  the  town,  two  for 
Baptists  and  two  for  Congregationaiists.  The  population  of  SufTield 
has  not  varied  much  for  the  last  forty  years.  In  ISOO,  the  number  of 
inhabitants  was  2,666;  in  1810,  they  numbered  2,6:30;  in  1880,  their 
number  was  2,600.  The  principal  street  in  the  first  societ)',  which  is 
n  mile  or  more  in  length,  lies  on  beautiful  ground,  rising  graduall}-  li'om 
the  south  towards  the  norih.  It  is  well  scttleil,  and  contains  many  hand- 
some dweirmi:^  houses.  From  the  liigher  parts  there  is  a  fine  |)rosj)ect  ; 
the  peak  of  Moimt  Tom  is  seen  at  the  distance  of  twenty  miles,  form- 
ing a  prominent  object  in  the  landscape,  opening  to  the  northward. 
Upon  this  street  are  two  churches,  one  for  the  Congregationaiists  and 
one  for  the  Baptists,  a  post  office,  stores,  and  the  Connecticut  Literary 
Institution. 

The  above  is  a  northeastern  view  of  the  Institution,  which  is  pleas- 
i  aiUly  located  in  the  center  of  the  place,  16  miles  n.  of  Hartford  and  10 
s.  of  Springfield.  It  was  commenced  under  the  patronage  of  the  Con- 
necticut Baptist  Education  Society.  A  distinct  act  of  incorporation 
was  obtained  in  May,  J835.  The  edifice,  which  is  constructed  ol  brick", 
is  72  feet  long  and  34  wide,  four  stories  high,  containing  24  rooms,  well 
furnished  for  the  accommodation  (jf  students.  "Connected  with  the 
Institution,  and  owned  by  the  corporation,  ai'e  IG  acres  ol  valu;d)le  land, 
and  a  large  dwelling  house  for  the  use  of  a  steward,  who  furnishes 
board,  including  washing,  for  1  dol.  25  cts.   per  week.     The  average 


s  u  K  F  I  l:  m)  .  109 

miniber  of  siudents  tlius  far  has  Leon  about  60:  tlie  number  is  con- 
stantly incrcasiuii;,  and  the  seminary  i;i\('3  fair  ]-)i-omise  of  lising  to  an 
elevated  rank  aniong  insiitunons  of  similar  character  in  the  country. 

It  will  be  perceived,  in  all  coiicct  maps  of  Connecticut,  that  a  tract 
of  land,  about  two  miles  in  !eni;tli  and  breadth,  on  the  western  boun- 
dary of  this  town,  projects  into  what  would  seem  oui:;lil  to  belong  to 
Connecticut.  This  tract  has  been  left  to  the  juiisdiclion  of  INIassaclju- 
setts,  since  the  year  1 -'()().  it  appears  ihat  the  bounds  of  Si^ringfield 
and  AVindsor  were  not  delincd  with  much  accuiacy,  in  this  section  ;  the 
bounds  at  the  noithuest  puiiU  (jI"  ilie  [jrojection,  ho\\e\er,  appear  to 
have  been  clearly  defined.  The  \\L^IeJl)  hountis  of  Springfield,  in 
which  part  of  Suilield  was  included,  were  sujijioscd,  but  eironeously,  to 
extend  to  this  point.  A  INlr.  Mooie,  living  on  the  tract  in  question, 
was  knowing  to  the  facts  in  the  case.  Having  received  a  warning  to 
a  militia  training,  be  refused  to  a))pear,  denying  that  he  was  within  the 
jurisdiction  of  Connecticut.  The  case  was  carried  to  the  General  As- 
seudjly  of  Connecticut,  who,  u|)on  an  examination  of  the  facts  in  the 
case,  were  obliged  to  leave  this  iiact  to  the  jurisdiction  of  INIassachu- 
setts. 

"  Tlie  south  line  of  Massarliusclis,  accordiiii;  locliaitcr,  nin«  west  fium  a  point 
three  miles  soiuh  uf  the  most  bonlhei  ly  Luaiich  ol'  Chailes  i-i\'er,  ami  every  pari  of  it; 
and  the  north  line  of  Connecticut  is  the  souili  line  of  iSlassaehusetis.  When  Mr. 
Pynchoii  settled  Sjirinyfiehi,  and  (he  fust  planlaiions  were  made  in  Connecticut,  in 
l(j;]r),  it  was  not  known  whether  the  d-iuioiy  would  fall  within  the  limits  of  Massacliu- 
setls  or  not.  liut  Mr.  I'yneliuii  at  lirst  eun-ideri'd  himjcUas  heloiigin;:;  to  tlie  jurisdic- 
tion of  the  Connecticut  plantations.  In  IGl'J.  iMassaehiisetts  employed  two  .sui  veyors, 
Woodward  and  .Sall'ery,  to  inn  the  line  hetui'en  the  colonies.  These  pretended  to  a.s- 
cerlain  the  south  line  on  (  Miailes  i  i\  c  i ,  and  theii  sailiu;,'  round  and  goinjj  up  the  Con- 
necticut, thej  attenijitcd  to  lix  the  line  tlieie,  in  the  same  latitude.  But  either  through 
iiuittentiou  or  the  u^e  of  had  insiruinrnis,  they  ileiermined  the  line  to  fall  m  Windsor, 
many  miles  south  of  the  true  line. — Connecticut  was  dissativlied  with  the  determina- 
tion of  Woodwaid  anil  Safl'eiy,  iind  maile  rejiealed  pioposaL'^  to  Massachusetts  for  ;i 
i.vuiual  adiUvtUK'nl  of  the  controveisy,  wliich  were  inetlectual.  In  Ki'Jl,  a  committee 
apiunntcd  by  i.'onnecticul,  run  the  line  and  fouml  the  former  suivey  very  eiroiieous. 
In  this  situiitmn,  the  inhalutants  of  ymhcld  and  I'^nlield,  wh<j  seliled'nnder  the  claims 
and  jurisdiction  of  Massachnseiis,  continued  to  encroach  upon  Windsor  and  Sims- 
bury,  which  c-vciied  warm  animosiiies.  In  the  year  1700,  further  attempts  were  made 
to  procure  an  amicable  settlement  of  the  dispute;  the  line  was  run  by  commissioners 
of  both  colonies,  in  17U-2,  and  found  tofall  lar  north  of  the  I'oimer  line;  but  Massa- 
chusetts disa-j^reed  to  their  report.  In  171)8,  Connecticut  appointed  commissioners 
with  full  powers  to  run  tlie  line,  and  establish  the  boundary  ;  and  resolved,  that  unless 
Massachusetts  would  unite  In  coiii)dc-lc  ihe  business,  they  would  ajiply  to  the  crown. 
Massachusettsdid  nota^iee  at  nin  c  to  ihc  in-uiiosnl  of  Coiniccticut ;  but  in  1713,  com- 
jnissioners  were  ap|Hjii!Ud  on  [\\r  part  of  Ijuih  colonics,  who  came  to  an  agreement  on 
the  l.'hh  of  July,  i.tn  ruiininL;  ihe  line,  it  w  as  loniul  to  fall  north  of  iMilield,  Sullield, 
and  Woodstock,  which  id' course  c.iiiie  wiiliiu  the  juiisdiclion  of  Conneeliciit.  As  an 
ei|uivalcnl  for  the  l.ind  which  Icid  been  laki:ii  fidm  (_:oiinec-ticnt  by  encroachments, 
IMassachuselts  i,M:inlcd  a  tract  of  land  in  the  wesiein  pait  of  thai  colony,  which,  in 
171(!,  was  sold  lor  two  ihuuNainl  luo  hundred  and  se\ciil3'-ionr  dollars,  which  sum  was 
a|>|ilied  to  the  use  of  "iale  (_'ollc-c.  'J'lii->  a-reemcnt,  liMwever,  was  mU  considered  as 
c^inciusive  and  saiisliictoiv  :  nor  was  the  Ijoundary  lielween  llie  two  slates  delinitely 
settled  till  Ma3',  liiUl."* 

Gen.    Pliinras   TAjiaan,    distinguished    for   his    services    diu'ing    tlie 
French  war,  ;md  fur  many  public  em[)loymonts,  was  for  several  years  a 

*  Webster,  liisl.of  U.  W. 


110  S  U  F  F  I  E  L  D. 

resident  in  this  town.  lie  was  born  at  Durham,  about  tlie  year  17 J 6, 
and  educated  at  Yale  Colle;;;e,  He  devoted  himself  to  the  profession 
of  law,  and  comnienccd  practice  in  tliis  town.  "  He  look  a  distinguished 
part  in  the  dispute  between  this  state  and  Massachusetts,  relative  to  the 
right  of  jurisdiction  over  the  town  of  Suliield,  and  the  otlier  towns  upon 
that  boundary,  settled  by  Massachusetts,  lie  afterwards  became  a 
councillor,  then  called  a  magistrate,  which  ofiice  he  hehl  for  a  number 
of  years.  During  the  French  war,  he  had  a  distinguished  conmiand  in 
the  northern  army  for  several  years.  In  the  campaign  of  1755,  he 
served  as  major  general  in  the  provincial  troops.  At  or  soon  after  the 
close  of  the  war,  he  went  to  England  to  support  a  claim  of  the  olhcers 
of  the  provincial  troops,  having  been  authorised  to  act  as  general  agent. 
After  experiencing  great  dilliculties  and  delay,  (liavmg  returned  once 
for  an  extension  of  his  powers,)  he  succeedetl  in  obtaining  a  grant  of  an 
extensive  tract  of  land  upon  the  Mississippi,  in  the  vicinity  of  Natchez. 
He  accordingly  embarked,  and  sailed  directly  for  the  Mississippi,  where 
he  arrived  about  the  year  177d.  He  dispatched  one  of  his  sons  for 
bis  family,  which  during  this  period  had  remained  in  Suliield  ;  but  just 
before  their  arrival,  the  same  year.  Gen.  Lyman  died,  upon  the  tract 
of  land  of  which  he  obtained  a  grant.  His  wife  died  during  the  pas- 
sage, and  his  family  left  there  soon  after,  on  the  country  being  reclaimed 
by  the  Spaniards."* 

Gideon  Granger  was  born  in  this  town,  July  19,  17G7.  "He  was 
graduated  at  Yale  College  in  1787,  and  in  the  following  year  was  ad- 
mitted a  member  of  the  bar  of  the  supreme  court  of  Connecticut,  where 
he  practiced  law  with  great  celebrity  and  distinction.  In  1793  he  was 
elected  a  member  of  the  legislature  of  Connecticut,  and  was  continued 
in  that  body  for  several  years,  and  distinguislied  fur  energy,  talents,  and 
usefulness.  To  his  eidightened  exeitions,  this  slate  is  principally  in- 
debted for  its  school  fund,  so  justly  celebrated  as  the  foundation  of  its 
primary  schools,  and  the  fostering  parent  of  thai  useful  information 
which  prevails  so  generally  in  the  staU'.  in  1601,  he  was  appointed 
postmaster  general  of  the  Ihiiied  Stales,  and  ccjniinued  to  execute  the 
duties  of  that  imporlant  ofiice  with  great  ability,  (niiil  the  spring  of  1S14, 
wdien  be  removed  to  the  state  of  New  Yoik.  In  Apiil,  1819,  he  was 
elected  a  member  of  the  senate  of  that  state,  which  situation  he  re- 
signed in  18:21,  on  account  of  ill  health.  He  died  at  his  seat  in  Canan- 
daigua,  on  the  3Jst  of  December,  18:22.  iNlr.  Granger  was  a  man  of 
commanding  appearance,  of  a  striking  physiognomy,  of  talents  equally 
brilliant  and  profound,  of  a  kind  and  benevolent  heart,  and  unimpeach- 
able rectitude.  He  was  an  able  speaker  and  a  powerful  \yriter.  His  wri- 
tings were  confined  almost  entirely  to  political  subjects.  His  principal 
publications  were  written  under  the  signatures  of  Algernon  Sidney, 
and  Epaminondas,  in  favor  of  President  JetHnson's  and  Governor 
,  Clinton's  administrations,  and  of  Senectus  on  the  school  fund  of  Con- 
necticut."f 


♦  Pease  and  NiIl'^.'^,  Gazulteer. 

+  Lord's  Lcmpriere's  Univcrbal  Biograpliy. 


S  U  F  F  I  E  L  I)  .  Ill 

"  Oliver  riitJps,  Esq.  u  man  of  cxtraordinaiy  enterprise  and  exten- 
sive business,  was  for  many  years  a  resident  of  iliis  town.  Ilo  was  the 
*  maker  of  his  own  fortunes.'  He  was  a  native  of  Windsor,  but  was 
bred  in  this  town,  and  received  a  mercantile  education.  He  engaged  in 
business  in  Granville,  ]\Iass.,  and  soon  became  a  very  enterprising,  sa- 
gacious and  successful  trader.  During  the  Revolutionary  war,  he  was 
employed  by  the  state  of  Massachusetts,  in  the  commissary  department. 
Whilst  in  this  situation,  his  transactions  were  of  a  most  extensive  and 
responsible  nature,  and  his  own  paper  formed  a  kind  of  circulating  me- 
dium. Afterwards  he  purchased  a  large  estate,  and  returned  to  this 
town.  In  1789,  he,  in  connection  with  llie  Hon.  I\Ir.  Gorhum,  pur- 
chased of  the  commonwealth  of  Massachusetts,  a  tract  of  land  in  the 
western  part  of  the  state  of  ]\ew  York,  in  what  is  conunonly  called  the 
Genesee  country,  comprising  '2,-,'00,0()0  acres.  Tliis  is  probably  the 
greatest  land  purchase,  or  speculation,  ever  made  by  two  individuals  in 
the  United  States.  This  is  a  very  excellent  tract  of  land,  l)aving  a  mild 
climate,  a  fertile  soil,  and  an  abundance  of  waters,  and  is  now  compris- 
ed in  the  extensive  counties  of  Ontario  and  Steuben.  In  1795,  Oliver 
Phelps,  together  with  William  Hart  and  their  associates,  purchased  of 
this  state  the  tract  of  land  in  the  state  of  Ohio,  called  the  Western  Re- 
serve, comprising  3,300,000  acres.  Some  years  after  this,  he  removed 
to  Canandaigua,  situated  within  his  Genesee  purchase.  In  1802,  he 
was  elected  member  of  Congiuss  from  the  western  district  of  that  state."* 


The  following  inscriptions  are  copied  from  monuments  in  the  grave 
yard  by  the  fnst  Congregational  church. 

Post  Tenebias  speio  Lucuni  Foliciiatiij. Til  us  Yc^ni. 

JIopi'  is  my  Guard  and  ^Mude  tlin>'  this  dail;  iiiglil, 
To  juys  Cckblial  and  Elu'riial  Liglil. 

Underneath  ihis  stone  arc  rcposiKnl  llic  rcinains  of  Gidf.on  CJuANGrn,  V.^q.  who  de- 
pailcd  ihis  hie  su.ldenly  on  thu  IJOih  Ociui,  A.  I)   IStX),  m  thcf.dih  year  oi  hisa^-e. 

Mr.  Oiantji'i-  inhcnic.l  ( )ri;,Mimllv  t'uini  Naiiire,  ihe  I'.bSfiilials  of' n  ^irung  and^vigo- 
rmi>  luind;  u  Lilx'ial  ediicaiioji  in  tlie  circle  of  llie  arlh  and  sciences,  opened  his  Men- 
ial Faculties,  and  enlarged  his  iinder.sianding:  lie  possessed  a  fertile  Genius,  a  clear 
and  sonnd  Judgment,  liiese  Aecumplishmenis  qualified  him  to  tliink,  and  reason  as  a 
Philosopher,  and  fuiuished  him  with  Talents  to  discharge  the  duties  of  an  active  Cit- 
izen with  wisdom  and  discretion,  parlicnlarly  in  the  deparlmcnt  of  the  Law  which 
]ic  made  his  Professional  study,  wliich  he  practiecil  with  reputation  and  success:  Ke 
possessed  a  Generous,  fliimane,  and  Benevolent  disposition  of  mind,  and  a  tender 
sensiliility  of  heart;  he  was  the  Friend  of  man.  fie  was  firinlv  attached  to  the  Con- 
slitiUional  Liberty  of  his  country,  to  social  order  and  Government.  His  religion  was 
remote  frciin  superstition  and  eqiially  distant  from  enlliusiasm;  he  retuJered  to  his 
Maker  tlie  sincere  and  undissemlded  homage  of  his  heart. 

Tryphosa,  the  wife  of  Mr.  Granger,  lies  interred  by  his  side  ;  she  died 
July  21st,  1796;  the  following  lines  are  inscribed  on  her  monument. 

"  If  virtjious  deeds,  and  Love,  and  Charity, 
Fit  us,  Great  Gud,  to  die  and  dwell  with  ihec; 
If  tlieie's  a  resurrection  of  the  just 
To  realms  of  Peace  and  Joy,  this  sleeping  dust 
Shall  one  dav,  li.vi  in  I'ale,  awalce  and  rise; 
Mount  up,  A  l'(irm  cidcslial  to  the  Skies, 
Convoy'd  by  Angels,  thi\)'  the  airy  road, 
P.y  Angels  hail'd  to  that  divme  abode." 


Pease  and  IMiles's  Gazetteer. 


112 


w  E  T  II  i:  u  s  1'  1  i; 


w  i:Tin:iisFiKLi). 

WKTiiEnsFir.LT>  was  one  of  the  first  settled  towns  in  Connecticut. 
It  is  claimed  by  some,  to  be  the  oldest  seitlcmenl  in  the  state,  as  a  few 
men  from  Watertown  in  Massacluiseits,  came  to  Connecticut  in  I6'3i,* 
and  erected  a  few  liuts  at  Pyqua^^^  now  Wuiliersfield,  where  they  made 
out  to  subsist  during  the  winter.  The  next  year,  IGo5,  Dr.  Trumbul) 
says,  "  the  Watertown  people  gradualltj  removed  and  prosecuted  their 
settlement  at  Wetherslield."  The  probability  is,  thai  most  of  the 
Wethersfield  settlers  came  round  from  Boston  by  water,  and  arrived  be- 
fore the  Windsor  and  Hartford  settlers,  who  came  through  the  wilder- 
ness, and  did  not  reach  the  Connecticut  till  about  the  9ih  of  November. 
This  appears  probable  from  the  tradition  which  is  siill  preserved,  "that 
the  first  lohitc  ivoman  who  ever  set  foot  in  (.'utiiiccticiit,  was  a  woman 
by  the  name  of  Barber;"  the  tradition  is,  that  when  the  settlers  arriv- 
ed at  the  place  where  they  were  to  land,  some  contro\-ersy  arose  who 
should  first  set  foot  on  the  shore.  While  the  men  were  contending  with 
each  other  for  this  privilege,  a  woman  by  the  name  of  Barber,  taking 
advantage  of  the  contention,  de.\ti'ously  sprang  forward,  and  reaching 
the  shore,  had  the  honor  of  first  tieading  on  the  soil. 

Wethersfield  contains  three  parishes;  Jiocky  Hill  (;3d  society)  on 
the  south,  Newington  ()2d  society)  on  the  nortliwesl,  anti  ^Vuthersfleld 
proper,  on  the  northeast.  The  township  is  bounded  n.  by  Hartford,  w. 
by  Berlin,  s.  by  Middletown,  and  r..  by  Conneclicut  river,  which  sep- 
arates it  from  Glastenbury.  Extensive  and  fertile  Ujcadows  border  the 
Connecticut,  and  a  broad  and  higher  level  tract,  with  light  but  rich  soil, 
lies  immediately  west  of  the  uieadows.  It  is  on  this  tract  that  the 
pleasant  village  of  ^V^ethersfield  is  built,  four  miles  south  of  Hartford. 
Of  the  three  principal  streets  two  rim  li-om  north  to  south,  one  of  which 
is  very  broad  and  extensive  ;  tlie  oilier  rims  liom  souilieast  to  northwest, 
along  the  bank  of  a  large  (•o\e  which  sul.s  up  fiom  the  Connecticut  to 
the  north  of  the  village,  'i'hcre  arc  in  the  \illaL;e  thrcu  houses  ol' j)ub- 
lic  worship:  1  Congregational,  I  Baplist,  1  iMuthochst.  'J'here  is  a 
female  seminary  of  some  celebrity,  esiablisheil  some  years  since,  in  the 
village. 

It  is  said  that  Mr.  Hooker's  company  first  pitched  near  uliat  is  now 
called  "the  Folly;"  the  main  chamiel  of  the  river  at  that  time,  came 
round  by  the  Cove.  Here  they  found  meadows,  or  lands,  as  they  term- 
ed them,  on  both  sides,  but  no  mill  stream  ;  the  main  body  then  return- 
ed to  the  Little  or  INlill  river  in  Hartford,  and  located  themselves  on  both 
sides  of  that  stream.  Tlie  few  settlers  that  remained  near  the  "  Folly" 
afterwards  located  themselves  on  Wolcott  hill,  aljout  one  mile  westward 
of  the  main  village  in  Wethersfield,  and  nearly  in  a  range  with  JMain 
street  in  Hartfoixl,  which  is  in  fair  view.  Finding  this  place  too  far 
from  the  meadows,  the  most  of  the  settlers  removed  to  the  eastward,  to 
where  the  principal  village  is  now  built. 


♦  Historians  do  not  acjree  as  to  ihe  lime,  some  .•-laliiii^  it  to  be  ItilU,  otlicrs  1035 
is  believed,  however,  ihat  i)u-se  men  erected  then  hiits'iJi  the  fall  of  IGLil. 


W  K  T  11  E  11  S  F  1  E  L  D  . 


113 


E.HAKTFO  ]1J> 


A,  tract  of  land  over  whicli  llie  bed  of  the  river  has  passed,  now  good  meadow.  B, 
a  similar  tract  vn  the  western  .'side  of  the  jiresem  channel  ofilie  river,  c,  Hockanum 
river,  f/,  boiinilary  line  betu'ei'n  llarilbrd  and  Wcthersfield.  e,  landing,  /.siinaiioa 
of  an  ancient  Ivn.  ^',  yirescnt  C^mgrcL^iiional  clinrch.  h,  boundary  line  between 
Glasienbury  and  f'.a.si  Ilartfurd.     n,  old  road  to  the  ferry. 

Connecticut  river  has  altered  its  course  very  materially  since  the  first 
settlement  of  NVctliersfieh].  Tlic  diagriuii  annexed  slious  the  extent  of 
the  clian;4es  which  have  heen  made.  The  course  of  the  river  uhich  is 
shaiied,  shows  its  course  at  the  lime  when  the  first  settlers  arrived  :  the 
jiiesent  channel  is  seen  hy  the  dotted  lines.  From  the  west  bank  of 
the  cove  to  the  larihest  eastern  bank  of  the  old  channel,  \a  about  two 
miles.  The  tract  A  contains  a  number  of  hunrlred  acres  of  good  land, 
over  which  the  river  has  gradually  [)assed  to  its  present  course,  from 
the  old  channel  sern  in  the  diagram,  which  is  now  obliterated.  The 
town  of  VVelhersfiidd  retaining  its  old  hounds,  it  will  he  perceived  that 
the  tract  A,  although  on  the  east  side  of  the  river,  is  within  the  bouncLs 
of  Wethersfield.  At  Pratt's  ferry  the  present  channel  crosses  the  old 
bed  of  the  river,  and  the  river  is  now  constantly  advancing  eastward; 
and  it  will  be  pi.M-ceived  that  the  tract  B  is  within  the  limits  of  Glas- 
tenbiiry,  although  on  the  west  side  of  the  Connecticut.  The  new 
made  lands,  which  are  formed  as  the  water  recedes,  are  at  first  too  cold 
and  sandy  to  sustain  vegeiaticjn  :  in  a  short  time,  however,  a  growth 
of  willows  appears,  which  are  sticceeded  by  a  growth  of  poplars  ;  when 
these  are  cleared  off  the  land  will  |)roduce  corn,  and  from  this  period 
it  becomes  vahiable. 

The  changing  of  the  bed  of  the  river  has  been  the  occasion  of  much 
litigation  respectinij  the  title  to  the  soil.  Mr.  Builer,  who  owned  a 
15 


114  W  K  T  H  E  It  S  F  I  i:  I.  D  . 

tract  upon  which  the  river  was  encroacliing,  found  after  a  while  some 
of  liis  land  appearing  on  tlie  opj>osiie  side  of  ihe  river,  and  accordingly 
laid  claim  to  it.  His  claim  was  disputed,  as  he  never  owned  land  on 
t/int  side  of  the  river.  It  was  a  long  lime  before  this  case  was  decided. 
There  appeared  some  dillicnlty  in  making  the  jury  who  sat  on  the  case 
understand  the  merits  of  the  question.  Mr.  Ingcrsoll,  a  relative  of  the 
Ingersoll  family  in  New  Haven,  was  the  counsel  (Muployed  by  iMr.  But- 
ler. He  illustrated  the  case,  by  supposing  that  IMr.  H.  had  built  a  cas- 
tle on  the  land  in  question.  Although  tin.'  ground  on  which  it  stood 
might  be  overtlovved,  yet  still  it  was  his  castle,  and  also  the  groimd  on 
which  it  stood,  and  he  had  a  right  to  his  property  wherever  he  could  find 
it.  The  case  was  finally  decided  in  accordance  with  these  views. — The 
ancient  fort  referred  to  by  the  letter/",  stood  at  the  south  end  of  the  gar- 
den belonging  to  Frederick  Buller,  Esq, ;  some  of  the  foundation  stones 
are  still  reuiaining.  In  April,  1G37,  a  party  of  I'ecjuots  "waylaid  the 
))eo|)le  at  Welhersfield,  as  ihey  were  gcving  into  the  ti(;l(!s  to  labor,  and 
killed  six  men  and  I  luce  women.  'J\vo  maids  were  taken  ca[)live. 
Besides  this  ihey  killed  twenty  cows,  and  did  other  damage  to  the  in- 
habitants." Tiie  place  where  these  two  young  women  were  taken  cap- 
tive was  about  '10  rods  east  of  Mr.  liuller's  house :  one  of  the  young  wo- 
men tliat  were  taken  was  of  the  name  of  Swain. — It  will  be  ])erccived 
that  a  place  on  the  iliagram,  on  the  Hartford  road,  is  designated  by  the 
word  "  F'olly."  A  S(nall  stream  here  passes  the  road,  which  has  wash- 
ed down  a  considerable  depth  into  the  clayey  soil.  This  is  commonly 
called  "  JVttliersfitld  Folhj  ;''''  it  is  believed,  however,  the  projier  term 
would  be  "  f'Vcthersfitld  JVisdom.'"  It  was  occasioned  by  draining  a 
large  tract  of  land  (now  valuable,  which  extended  up  a  considerable  dis- 
tance towards  Hartford,)  of  water  accumulated  by  the  melting  of  snow 
and  ice,  and  rains,  which  rendered  it  of  little  or  no  value. 

This  place  has  long  been  celebrated  for  the  great  quantities  of  onions 
which  are  raised  here  annually,  and  exported  to  \arious  parts  of  the 
United  Slates  and  the  West  Indies.  The  cuhivalinp  of  this  root  re- 
quires hut  a  small  |)ortion  of  land,  ami  the  labor  is  iirincipally  pcrforr;ied 
by  females. 

The  State  Prison  of  Connecticut  was  erected  in  this  town  in  1826, 
and  the  prisoners  from  Newgate  Piison  in  Cranhy  were  removed  here 
the  next  year.  This  building  is  situated  on  the  south  margin  of  the 
Cove,  wd)ich  sets  back  from  Connecticut  river,  at  the  north  end  of  Welh- 
ersfield village.  The  buildings  of  the  prison  form  very  neaily  a  quad- 
rangle ;  on  the  south  side  of  which  stands  the  building  which  is  more 
properly  the  Prison.  The  apartments  of  the  warden  are  situated  in 
the  east  end  of  this  building;  the  center  surrounds  the  block  of  cells,  4 
stories  high,  in  uiiich  the  male  prisoners  are  locked  up.  This  hall  or 
center,  is  154  feet  long,  '13  feet  wide,  and  30  feet  high  ;  the  number  of 
cells  or  night  rooms  is  'JOO.  'I'he  west  end  is  used  as  the  female  de- 
partment, (superadded  in  1330,)  containing  cells,  rooms  for  labor,  kitchen 
and  apartments  for  the  (natron.  The  east,  north,  and  west  sides  of  this 
quadrangle,  are  formed  by  a  wall  i20  feet  high.  "Within  this  yard  are 
situated  two  ranges  of  shops;  one  on  the  east  side,  and  one  upon  the 


W  E  T  II  E  U  S  F  I  E  L  D  . 


115 


State  Prison,  at  TVethcrsfield. 

west,  in  wliicli  the  convicts  perform  their  daily  labor.  The  passage 
into  the  prison  is  through  the  warden's  apartment,  into  the  guard  room, 
thence  into  the  hall  surrounding  the  cells,  thence  into  the  yard.  This 
is  the  only  passage,  except  through  a  large  gate  on  the  north  side  of 
the  yard. 

Rocky  Hill,  (formerly  Stepney,)  the  south  parish  of  Wethersfield, 
lies  on  a  collection  of  hills,  which  are  a  continuation  of  the  Middletown 
range  :  one  of  these  eminences,  Rocky  Hill,  has  given  name  to  the  pa- 
rish. It  has  a  pleasant  little  village,  on  an  elevated  situation,  seven 
miles  from  Hartford,  with  a  landing  at  some  distance,  where  considera- 
ble commerce  and  ship  building  were  formerly  carried  on. 

Newington,  the  2d  society  in  Wethersfield,  was  formerly  called  Cow 
plain.  The  village  is  pleasantly  situated  in  a  fertile  valley,  west  of  Ce- 
llar mountain  ;  the  central  part  is  (J  miles  from  Hartford,  and  4  froin 
Wethersfield  village.  The  iidiabitants  (about  650  in  number)  are 
chiefly  engaged  in  agriculture,  and  are  distinguished  for  their  general 
intelligence,  and  attachment  to  the  institutions  of  morality  and  religion. 
There  are  two  houses  of  public  worship:  1  Congregational  and  1  iNIeth- 
odist.  Newington  was  settled  about  140  years  since,  by  five  men  from 
Wethersfield,  three  of  whom  were  of  the  name  of  And;ews,  who  erect- 
ed their  house  near  the  center  of  the  place.  The  two  others  were  ot 
the  names  of  Sled  and  Huun.  Sled  built  his  house  where  the  Academy 
now  stands,  and  Hunn  located  himself  in  the  north  part  of  the  place. 
One  of  the  Andrews  built  his  house  a  few  rods  south  of  the  Congrega- 
tional church.  This  house  was  used  for  some  'time  as  a  fort,  around 
which  they  built  a  high  wall  or  fence  to  defend  it  frotn  the  Indians. 
Here  they  all  lodged  at  night,  with  their  guns  in  their  hands.  The  In- 
dians were  very  nunierous,  and  lived  principally  around  a  pond  in  the 
center  of  the  place,  from  which  they  obtained  an  abundance  of  fish. 
Here  was  a  little  city  or  village  of  wigwams.  These  Indians  were  ever 
friends  to  the  whiles;  Sequin  was  their  sachem:  they  were  subject  to 
the  sachem  at  Middletown.— The  Rev.  Elisha  Williams  was  ordained 


116 


W  E  T  II  E  R  S  r  I  E  L  D  , 


the  first  minister  in  October,  1722,  who  removed  in  1726,  hein,!Z  chosen 
Rector  of  Yale  CoHej^e.  He  was  succeeded  by  the  Rev.  Simon  Back- 
us, who  died  at  Cape  Breton  in  17-15,  beini;  a  cliaphiin  in  tlie  army  in 
that  expedition. — The  followini,'  pleasant  and  unusnal  circnmsiance  is 

said  to  liave  taken  place  in  I\e\vin;^ton,  many  years  since.     jMr.  A ■ 

of  this  place,  who  was  a  very  religions  and  consciemious  man,  married 
for  a  wife  one  of  the  most  ill  naiured  and  troublesome  women  which 
could  be  found  in  the  vicinity.  This  occasioned  universal  surprise 
wherever  he  was  known,  and  one  of  his  neighbors  ventured  to  ask  hinri 
the  reasons  which  governed  his  choice.  Mr.  A re))lied,  that  hav- 
ing had  but  little  or  no  trouble  in  the  world,  he  was  fearful  of  becoming 
too  much  attached  to  things  of  time  and  sense.  And  he  thought  by  expe- 
riencing some  afflictions,  he  should  become  n)ore  weaned  bom  the  world, 
and  that  he  married  such  a  woman  as  he  thought  would  accomplish  the 
object.  The  best  part  of  the  story  is,  that  the  wife,  hearing  of  the  rea- 
sons why  he  married  her,  was  much  onbnded,  and  out  of  rtvc^igc,  be- 
came one  of  the  most  pleasant  and  duiifid  wives  in  the  town,  declaring 
that  she  was  not  going  to  be  made  a  ^^rtt/j  horse,  to  carry  her  husband 
lo  heaven. 


ii|  M, 

mm  kM 


mmm 


JVebb  House,  in  fVcihersficUl. 

The  above  is  a  view  of  the  ''  ^Vebb  House,''  formerly  so  called.  It 
is  now  occupird  by  Martin  Welles,  Esq.  It  is  situated  a  few  rods  south 
of  the  Contrregalional  cinirch,  in  the  central  part  of  the  village  of  Weth- 
ersficld,  and  is  distinguished  as  the  house  wliere  Gen.  Washington  made 
his  quarters  while  in  ^Vetbersfield,  durins:  the  council  of  general  ofTicerii 
of  the  American  and  French  armies.  Within  its  walls,  it  is  believed 
that  the  plan  was  matured,  which  resulted  in  the  capture  of  Cornwallis 
at  Yorktown,  and  the  establishment  of  American  independence. 


The  following  account  of  the  blnndy  tragedy  of  the  luurder  of  the 
Beadle  family  in  this  town,  is  annexed  to  a  sermon  preached  by  the 


WETHEHS  FIELD.  117 

Rev.  John  IMarsli  in  Wethersfield,  Dec.  13th  1782,  at  the  funeral  of 
'Mrs.  Beadle  and  her  children. 

^' A  letter  from  a  gentleman  in  Wethersfield  to  his  friend,  conlaininj^  a  narrative  of 
the  life  of  William  Beadle,  (so  far  as  it  is  known,)  and  ihe  piiriicular.',  of  the  mas- 
sacre of  himself  and  Family." 

"  Sir, — 'Tis  not  strange  iha't  reports  various  and  contradictory,  should  have  circula- 
•<ed  on  so  interesting  and  terrible  a  subject  as  thai  of  a  man's  consiyumg  to  the  giave 
himself  and  family,  in  a  moment  of  apparent  ease  and  tranquillity.  The  agitation  of 
mind  wliicli  must  be  the  conseijuence  oi'  being  near  such  a  scene  of  horror,  will  sulli- 
ciently  apologize  for  not  answering  your  request  for  the  pnriicnlars  ere  this.  C)iir 
ignorance  of  the  history  of  this  man,  at  first  precluded  a  possibility  of  giving  you  sat- 
isfaction on  this  head.  Perhaps  no  one  in  this  town  had  more  lavoiable  opjioi  tuni- 
lies  of  obtaining  the  particulars  of  hi.s  histoiy  :  yet  1  could  never  induce  him  to  men- 
tion a  single  syllable  relating  to  his  age,  parentage,  or  early  occupation.  To  have 
asked  him  directly  would  have  been  rud.e,  when  he  evidently  meant  to  be  .-ileut  on 
these  subjects.  My  conjecture  \vas,  that  he  was  the  natural  son  of  some  gentleman  in 
r.ngland,  and  that  he  had  been  brought  up  in  or  near  Lomton  and  had  been  about 
the  court.  Since  his  decease  I  have  been  able  to  learn  from  undoubted  authority,  that 
he  was  born  in  the  county  of  Essex,  in  a  village  not  very  far  from  London.  As  to  his 
business  in  youth,  I  am  still  left  in  the  dark,  but  find  he  has  once  meniioned  to  a  gentle- 
man, some  iitile  incidents  which  happened  to  him  while  in  company  with  Ins  laihcr, 
and  that  he  very  early  became  acquainted  with  a  club  in  London,  who  were  Deists, 
where  'tis  probable  he  received  the  first  rudiments  in  those  principles.  While  in  I-'.ng- 
land,  wheie  he  left  a  mother  and  sister,  he  had  a  fair  characier  lor  integrity  and  hon- 
esty. In  the  ye.ir  1755,  he  went  out  to  the  i>!aud  of  Barbadoes,  in  the  family  of 
Charles  Pinfold  Rsn.  Governor  of  that  Island,  where  he  tamed  six  years,  then  return- 
ed to  JMiglaiid,  purchased  some  meichandi/e,  and  from  thence  came  to  IS'ew  Yolk  in 
the  year  I7(j'2,  and  immediately  rejnoved  to  yiratfoid  in  this  Slate,  from  tlnMice  to  Der- 
by, and  then  to  Fairfield,  where  he  married  and  dwelt  lor  some  years.  By  this  lime, 
he  had  acquired  about  tvvelve  hundred  jiounds  property,  with  which  he  removed  to 
this  town,  about  ten  years  since,  where  he  lesukd  until  his  death.  His  business  was 
that  of  retailing  ;  he  l^ormerly  credited  his  goods,  but  since  his  residence  in  this  town 
he  has  refused  to  give  any  credii,  intending  to  keep  Ins  projicriy  wiihin  his  own  reach, 
believing  it  alu  ays  secure  while  his  eye  was  upon  it.  While  here  he  added  coii'-ider- 
able  to  his  stock,"  none  of  which  he  ever  vested  in  real  estate  :  the  Coiilinenlal  cui  len- 
cy  taught  him  thai  wealth  could  take  to  ilsi.lf  v.-ings  and  tly  away  :  nutw  itll^talJdulg 
all  his  vigilance. 

"  When  the  war  commenced,  he  had  on  hand  a  very  handsome  assortment  of  goods 
for  a  country  >toie,  which  he  sold  for  the  currency  of  the  counlrv,  wiihout  any  ail- 
vaiice  in  the  price ;  the  money  he  laid  by,  waiting  and  expecting  ihe  time  wouUl  soon 
anive  when  he  might  therewith  rephu-e  his  goods,  resolving  noi  to  jKiit  w  iih  it  unlil 
II  should  be  in  asgood  ilemand  as  when  received  by  liim,  IIis  expeclaiions  froiu 
this  (piarter  daily  lessening,  finally  lost  all  hope,  and  was  thrown  into  a  state  litile  bet- 
ter liian  despair,  as  ap|iear.s  from  Ills  writing;  he  adoiUed  a  plan  of  the  most  ligid 
family  economy,  but  still  kept  uj)  the  outward  appearance  of  his  I'ormer  alllucnce,  and 
ever  to  the  last  entertained  his  niend  with  his  usual  decent  hospitality  although  noth- 
ing appeared  ill  his  outward  deportment,  which  evinced  the  uncommon  jiride  of  his 
heart ;  his  writings  shew  clearly  that  he  was  determined  not  to  bear  the  mortification 
of  being  thought  by  his  friends  poor  and  dependent.  On  this  subject  he  expresses  him- 
self in  the  following  extraordinary  manner:  '  If  a  man,  who  has  once  lived  well, 
meant  well  and  done  well,  falls  by  unavoidable  accident  into  poverty,  and  then  sub- 
mits to  be  laughed  at,  despised  and  trampled  on,  by  a  set  of  mean  wretches  as  far  be- 
low him  as  tiie  moon  is  below  the  sun;  I  say  if  such  a  man  submits,  he  must  become 
meaner  than  meanness  itself,  and  I  sincerely  wish  he  might  have  ten  years  added  to 
bis  natural  life  to  punish  him  for  his  folly." 

"  lie  fixed  upon  the  night  succeeding  the  IStli  of  November  for  the  execution  of  his 
nefarious  purpose,  and  procured  a  su]>pcr  of  oysters,  of  which  the  family  eat'very 
plentifully;  that  evening  he  writes  as  follows:  '1  have  prepared  a  nohh- supper  of 
oysters,  that  my  dock  and  1  may  eat  and  drink  together,  tiiank  God  and  die.'  After 
supper  he  sent  the  maid  with  a  siudied  errand  to  a  friend's  house  at  some  distance,  di- 
recting her  to  stay  until  she  obtained  an  answer  to  an  insignificant  letter  he  wroie  his 
friend,  intending  she  should  not  return  that  evening — shedid  however  rclurn,  perhaps 
iier  return  disconcerted  him  and  prevented  him  for  that  time.  The  next  day  he  car- 
ried his  pistols  to  a  smith  for  repair;  it  may  be,  ihe  ill  condition  of  his  pistols  might 
be  an  additional  reason  for  the  delay. 

"  On  the  evening  of  the  10th  of  December  some  persons  were  with  him  at  his  house 
10  whom  he  appeared  as  cheerfid  and  serene  as  usual;  ha  attended  to  tlio  little  affairs 


118  WE  T  H  E  US  F  r  E  LD. 

of  his  family  as  if  nothing  uncommon  was  in  contemplation.  Tlie  company  left  him 
about  nine  o'clock  in  the  evening,  when  he  was  urgent  as  usual  lor  their  stay  ;  wheth- 
er he  slept  that  night  is  uncertain,  but  it  is  believed  he  went  to  bed.  The  children  and 
maid  slept  in  one  chamber;  in  the  gray  of  the  morning  of  the  11th  of  December  he 
went  to  their  bed  chamber,  awaked  the  maid  and  ordered  her  to  rise  gentlv,  without 
disturbing  the  children  when  she  came  down  staiis,  he  gave  her  a  line  to  tlie  famil)  phy- 
sician who  lived  at  the  distance  ot  a  quarter  of  a  mile,  ordered  her  to  carry  it  immedi- 
atelv,  at  the  same  time  declaring  that  Mrs.  Beadle  had  been  ill  all  night,  and  directing 
her  to  stay  until  the  physician  should  come  with  her;  this  he  repeated  sundry  times  with 
a  degree  of  ardor.  There  is  much  reason  to  believe  he  had  murdered  Mrs.  Beadle  be- 
fore he  awaked  the  maid.  Upon  the  maid's  leaving  tlie  house  he  immediately  pro- 
ceeded to  execute  his  purpose  on  the  children  and  himself,  it  appears  he  had  for  some 
time  before,  carried  to  the  bedside  every  night  an  ax  and  a  carving  knile;  he  smote 
his  wife  and  each  of  the  children  with  the  ax  on  the  side  of  the  head  as  they  lay  sleep- 
ing in  their  beds;  the  woman  had  two  wounds  in  the  head,  the  skull  of  each  of  them 
was  fractured  ;  he  then  with  the  carving  knife  cut  their  throats  from  ear  to  car ;  the 
woman  and  little  boy  were  drawn  partly  over  the  side  of  llieir  beds,  as  if  to  prevent  the 
bedding  Irom  being  besmeared  with  blood  ;  the  three  daugiiters  were  taken  from  the 
bed  and  laid  upon  the  tloor  side  by  side,  like  three  lambs,  belore  their  throats  were  cut; 
they  were  covered  with  a  blanket,  and  the  wumaii's  face  with  a  handkerchief.  lie 
then  proceeded  to  the  lower  lloor  of  the  house,  leaving  marks  of  his  foutstcjis  in  blood 
on  the  stairs,  carrying  with  him  the  ax  and  knife,  tlie  latter  he  laid  upon  the  table  in 
the  room  where  he  was  found,  reeking  with  the  blood  ol'  his  family.  Perhaps  he  had 
thoughts  he  might  use  it  against  himself  if  his  pistols  should  fail ;  it  appears  he  then 
seated  himself  in  a  Windsor  chair,  with  his  arms  supp(irted  by  the  arms  of  the  chair  ; 
he  fixed  the  muzzles  of  the  pistols  into  his  two  ears  and  fired  them  at  the  same  instant; 
the  balls  went  through  the  head  in  transverse  direeiioiis.  Ahhoiiyh  the  neighbors 
were  very  near  and  some  of  them  awake,  none  heard  the  report  of  the  pistols.  The 
capital  facts  of  the  ma.ssacre  you  have  aeen  in  the  puldic  papers,  a  minute  detail  was 
too  horrible  to  be  given  at  lirst,  until  the  mind  (especially  of  the  relatives  of  the  unhap- 
py woman)  had  been  prepared  for  it  by  a  summary  nan  alive,  and  even  now  'lis 
enough  to  give  feelings  to  apathy  itself  to  relate  the  horrid  tale. 

"  The  line  to  the  physician  oliscurely  announced  the  intentions  of  the  man;  the  house 
was  soon  ojiened,  but  alas,  too  late  I  The  bodies  were  pale  and  motionless,  swimming 
in  their  blood,  their  laces  white  as  mountain  snow,  yet  life  seemed  to  tremble  on  their 
lips;  description  can  do  no  more  than  faintly  ape  and  tride  with  the  real  figure. 

"  Such  a  tragical  scene  filled  every  mind  with  the  deepest  distress ;  nature  recoiled 
and  was  on  the  rack  with  distorting  passions ;  the  most  poignant  sorrow  and  tender 
pity  for  the  lady  and  her  innocent  babes,  who  were  the  hapless  victims  of  the  brutal 
studied  cruelty  of  an  husband  and  father,  in  whose  embraces  they  expected  to  find  se- 
curity, melted  every  heart.  iShocking  ellects  of  pride  and  false  notions  about  reli- 
gion ! 

"  To  paint  the  first  transports  this  afiecting  scene  orochK^ed,  when  the  house  was  open- 
ed is  beyond  my  reach. —  .Mnliiludes  of  all  ai,'es  ami  .se.\es  were  drawn  together  hv  the 
sad  tale. —  The  very  inluo^t  .-nouIs  >d' the  InhoKlers  were  wounded  at  ihe  sight,  and  torn 
by  conleiiding  passions:  Silent  grief,  willi  marks  of  astoni>hment  were  siieceeileO  by 
furious  indignation  against  the  author  ot  the  ali'ectingsjiectacle,  which  vented  itself  in 
incoherent  exclamations,  tjome  old  soldiers  accidentally  pa.ssing  thro'  the  town  that 
morning,  on  their  way  from  camp  to  visit  their  friends,  led  by  curiosity  turned  in,  to 
view  the  sad  remains;  on  sight  of  the  woman  and  her  tender ofl!spring,  notwithstand- 
ing all  their  firmness,  the  tender  sympathetic  tear  stealing  gently  down  their  furrowed 
cheeks,  betrayed  the  anguish  of  their  hearts;  on  being  shewed  the  body  of  the  sacrifi- 
cer  they  paused  a  moment,  then  muttering  forth  an  oath  or  two  of  execration,  with 
their  eyes  fixed  on  the  grounil  in  silent  sorrow,  they  slowly  went  their  way.  So  aw- 
ful and  terrible  a  disaster,  wrought  wonderfully  on  the  minds  of  the  neighborhood; 
nature  itself  seemed  rulUed,  and  refused  the  kindly  aid  of  balmy  sleep  for  a  time. 

"Near  the  close  of  the  day  on  the  l'2tii  of  December,  the  bodies  being  still  iinburied, 
the  people  who  had  collected  in  great  numbers,  grew  almo.-^t  I'rantic  with  rage,  and  in 
a  manner  demanded  the  body  of  the  murderer;  the  law  being  silent  on  the  subject,  it 
was  dilficult  to  determine  where  decency  required  the  body  should  be  placed,  many 
proposed  it  should  be  in  an  ignominious  manner  where  four  roads  met,  without  any 
cotfiu  or  insignia  of  respect,  and  perforated  by  a  stake.  Upon  which  a  question  arose, 
where  that  place  could  be  found  which  might  be  unexceptionable  to  the  neighborhood — 
but  no  one  would  consent  it  should  be  near  his  house  or  land.  After  some  consultation 
it  was  thought  best  to  place  it  on  the  bank  of  the  river  between  high  and  low  water 
mark;  the  body  was  handed  out  of  the  window  and  bound  with  cords  on  a  sled,  with 
the  clothes  on  as  it  was  found,  and  the  bloody  knife  lied  on  his  breast,  without  colfin  or 
box,  and  the  horse  he  usually  rode  was  made  fast  to  the  sled — the  hovse,  unaccustomed 


WETIIERSFIELD.  119 

to  the  drauglit,  proceeded  with  great  unsteadiness,  sometimes  running  full  speed,  then 
stopping,  followed  by  a  miiliitude,  until  arriving  at  the  water's  edge,  the  body  was 
tumbled  into  a  hole  dug  for  the  purj)ose,  like  the  carcase  of  a  beast.  Wot  many  days 
after  there  appeared  an  uneasiness  in  sundry  persons  at  placing  ihe  body  so  near  a  fer- 
ry much  frequented  ;  some  threatenings  were  given  out  liiat  the  body  should  be  taken 
up  and  a  secynd  time  exposed  to  view.  It  was  thought  prudent  it  should  be  removed, 
and  secretly  deposited  in  some  obscure  spot ;  it  was  accordingly  removed  with  the  ut- 
most secrecy  ;  notwithstanding  which  some  childien  accitlenially  discovered  the  place, 
and  the  early  fi-eshels  partly  washed  up  the  body,  and  it  has  had  a  second  remove  to  a 
place  where  it  is  hoped  mankind  will  have  no  further  ve.xalum  with  it. 

"  On  the  i;]ih  of  December  the  bodies  of  the  murdered  were  interred  in  a  manner 
much  unlike  that  of  the  unnatural  murderer.  The  remains  of  the  children  were  borne 
by  a  suitable  number  of  equal  age,  attended  by  a  sad  procession  of  youths  of  the  Jown, 
all  bathed  in  tears;  side  by  side  the  hapless  woman's  corpse  was  carried  in  solemn 
proceisiun  to  the  parish  church  yaid,  followed  by  a  great  concourse,  who  with  ailcc- 
tionate  concern  and  every  tuk(Mi  of  resju'ct  were  aiiiious  to  express  their  heartfelt  sor- 
row in  performing  the  last  niourntul  duiies. 

"  The  persiin  of  Mr.  Beadle  was  .small,  his  features  striking  and  full  of  expression, 
with  the  aspect  of  tiercenc^s  and  delernunuiion  ;  his  mind  was  conlem|)laiive,  when 
once  he  had  formed  an  opinion,  was  remarkably  tenacious  ;  as  a  merchant  or  trader, 
he  was  esteemed  a  man  of  strict  honor  and  integrity,  and  would  not  descend  to  any  low 
ormeanariilice  to  atlvance  his  fuitune.  He  was  turned  of  52  years  of  age  when  he  died. 

"Mrs.  Beadle  was  born  at  Plyuiuulh,  in  Massachusetts,  of  reputable  parents — a 
comely  persun,  of  good  address,  well  bred,  and  unusually  yerene,  sincere,  unaffected 
and  sensible;  died  in  the  middle  of  life,  aged  32  yeais. 

"  The  children,  (the  eldest  of  which  was  a  son,  aged  12  years,  the  other  three, 
daughters,  the  youngest  aged  6  years,)  were  such  as  cheered'the  hearts  of  their  pa- 
rents, who  were  uncuuimonly  fond  of  displaying  their  little  virtues  and  excellencies, 
and  seemed  to  anticipate  a  continuance  uf  glowing  parental  satislaction ;  alas,  like 
early  lender  buds  nipped  by  uiiiiiiiely  fiosts,  ihey  did  but  begin  to  live  ! 

"  It  is  more  than  probable,  that  this  iium  had  for  months  past  desired  that  some  or  all 
of  his  children  might  be  taken  out  ol'ihe  workl  bv  accident;  he  removed  all  means  of 
.security  from  a  well  near  his  liouse,  which  he  was  careful  heretofore  to  keep  covered. 
His  little  boy  he  often  sent  to  swiin  in  the  river,  and  has  been  heard  to  elude  the  child 
for  not  venturing  further  into  deep  water  than  his  feais  would  sulfer  him.  He  has  at 
limes  declared  rt  would  give  him  no  pain  or  uneasiness  to  follow  his  children  to  the 
grave:  his  acquaintance  knew  these  exjiressions  could  not  aiise  from  want  of  afl'ec- 
tiou  or  tendeine.>s  for  his  children,  but  rather  imagined  hun  speaking  rashly  in  jest. 
He  ever  spoke  lightly  of  denih  as  a  bugbear  the  world  causelessly  feaied.  It  aiipears 
from  his  wniings,  he  at  firsi  had  doubts  whether  it  was  just  and  reasonable  lor  him  to 
deprive  his  wile  of  life,  and  offers  against  it  only  this  reason,  that  he  had  no  hand  in 
bringing  her  iulo  existence,  and  consequently  had  no  power  over  her  lil'e.  She  set  out 
the  7lh  of  Xovemberon  a  journey  to  Fairfield,  uhieh  he  Ihoughl  was  by  direi  lion  of 
Heaven  to  clear  him  of  his  doiibi.s  and  remove  her  out  of  the  way,  at  the  lime  the  busi- 
ness was  lo  be  done  ;  and  his  inteniion  was  to  have  executed  his'desigii  on  himself  and 
children  in  her  absence.  She  proceeded  no  I'liriher  than  New  Haven,  and  by  reason 
of  some  disappointment,  returned  ten  days  earlier  than  expected;  he  appeared  cha- 
grined at  her  eaily  return,  and  soon  began  lo  invent  some  justifying  reasons  for  de- 
C riving  her  of  life  also.  He  finally  concludes  it  would  be  unmerciful  to  leave  her  be- 
ind  to  languish  out  a  life  in  misery  and  wretchedness,  which  must  be  the  consequence 
of  the  surprising  dealh  of  the  rest  of  the  family,  and  that  since  they  had  shared  the 
frowns  and  smiles  of  foitune  together,  it  would  be  cruelty  lo  her,  to  be  divided  from 
them  in  death. 

"  'Tis  very  natural  for  you  to  ask,  whether  it  was  possible  a  man  could  be  trans- 
formed from  an  all'ectionate  husband  and  an  indulgent  parent  lo  a  secret  murderer, 
without  some  previous  alteration,  which  must  have  been  noliced  by  (he  family  or  ac- 
quaintance. Yet  this  was  the  case  in  this  instance:  there  was  no  visible  alteration  m 
liis  conduct.  It  appears  by  his  writings  tkat  he  thought  he  had  a  right  to  deprive  him- 
self of  life,  and  intended  to  exercise  that  right  if  ever  he  should  think  himself  unfor- 
tunate: the  extension  of  this  right  lo  his  children  was  very  easj-.  'Tis  probable^  ihe 
principle  had  grown  uji  gradually  to  ihe  last  stage.  Since  his  death  I  have  seen  a  let- 
ter he  wrote  to  a  friend  as  early  as  1777,  in  which  he  has  an  expression  like  this — '  1  be- 
lieve 1  and  my  family  shall  not  live  tosee  the  end  of  the  war."  It  was  then  understood 
to  mean  nothing  more  than  his  expectation  that  the  war  would  continue  a  long  lime: 
his  late  conduct  has  explained  it  very  ditferently.  Whether  Mrs.  Beadle  had  any 
fears  of  his  eval  intentions  or  not,  is  nncenain  :  that  she  had  feaissoine  great  calamity 
would  befall  the  family  is  evident,  both  from  what  she  said,  and  what  he  has  lelt  in 
writing.     He  writes  on  the  13th  of  November,  that  on  the  morning  of  the  17th  she 


120 


WETHERSFIELD. 


told  him,  '  Slie  dreamed  he  had  wrote  many  papers,  and  was  earnestly  concerned  for 
her,  and  tluit  lliose  papers  were  spotted  with  bluod  ;  and  that  .she  also  saw  a  man 
wound  himself  past  recovery,  and  bluod  guggle,  (as  she  expressed  it,)  from  dilfereut 
parts  of  his  body.'  In  another  letter,  of  a  later  date,  he  writes  as  follows,  viz.  '  I  men- 
tioned before  that  my  wife  liad  a  dream  concerning  this  afi'air ;  she  has  since  had  two 
more,  one  of  them,  that  she  was  suddenly  seized  and  liable  to  great  punishment ;  thai 
it  created  great  confusion,  but  she  afterwards  got  free  and  was  hapjty  :  from  her  excel- 
lence of  heart,  I  have  no  doubt  but  this  will  be  ttie  case  with  her.  'On  tlie  thanksgiv- 
ing night  she  dreameil  thai  her  three  daughters  all  lay  dead,  and  tliat  they  even  Iroze 
in  that  situation  ;  and  even  yet  I  am  little  atfected,' 

"  The  afternoon  before  this  terrible  execution,  Mrs.  Beadle  wallced  abroad  to  visit 
an  acquaintance,  and  it  was  observed  by  the  lady  she  was  uncommonly  pensive;  she 
asked  the  reason.  Mrs. Beadle  with  much  concern  uM  her,  '  She  bad  for  inonthsbeen 
troubled  with  frightful  and  uncommon  dreams,  and  that  very  morning  she  dreamed 
violence  had  been  ottered  her  family,  and  her  children  destroyed;  she  said  those 
dreams  wrought  on  her  mind  to  a  very  great  degree  ;  to  divert  hefthoughis  from  iheni 
she  had  walked  abrcjad  that  afternoon;  and  that  she  verily  believed  Providence  had 
judgments  in  store  for  iheir  family,  which  he  was  about  to  inflict  on  them  b_y  some 
sweejiing  sickness,  or  in  some  other  a\\  I'ul  manner.'  Mr.  Beadle,  who,  as  appears  by 
his  writings,  was  alone  privy  to  his  malevolent  intentions,  put  a  very  dillerent  cuu- 
slruclion  upon  her  dreams.  He  doubtless  considered  them  as  premonitions  from 
Heaven,  and  convincing  proof  to  him  that  his  purpose  was  right,  of  whieh  he  says  he 
hail  sundry  intimatitms  he  really  thought  from  God  himself,  wliieh  he  does  not  describe. 

"  From  whence  those  dreams  oiigmated,  it  is  impossible  to  deterujine;  whether  the 
•weapons  he  carried  to  his  bedsiile  gave  her  uneasiness,  and  excited  a  jealousy  in  her 
mind  of  his  intentions,  or  whether  any  of  his  conduet  which  fell  under  her  observaiiun 
might  be  alarming  to  her,  which  might  trouble  her  sleep,  no  one  can  tell.  She  has  late- 
Iv  mentioned  sundry  dreams  of  a  similar  nature,  whnh  she  had  near  six  monilis  since. 
Some  great  and  good  characters  have  thought  such  iniimations  were  at  times  given 
from  on  high,  to  convince  mankind  of  the  reality  of  the  invisible  world  — to  hazaid 
such  a  conjecture  in  these  modern  days  would  [lerbaps  be  thougiil  by  the  learned  woild 
a  great  mark  of  fanaticism— every  man  must  think  for  himsell.no  one  can  pionoiinee 
with  satisfactory  certainly  with  respect  to  the  oiigin  and  cause  of  such  thoughts  ia 
sleep,  which  so  nearly  correspond  with  the  true  state  of  fads.  Her  last  dream  penned 
by  him  was  nearly  literally  verilied.  Although  the  weather  was  serene  and  pleasant 
on  the  10th  and  near  full  moon,  neiihvr  the  sun  or  moon  were  visible  from  the  time 
this  horrid  deed  was  done,  until  the  bod\'  of  this  man  was  laid  beneath  the  clods,  which 
redoubled  the  horror:  when  suddenly  the  wind  blew  from  the  northwest,  dispelled  the 
vapors  and  discovered  a  cloudless  sky.  The  air  giew  cold,  and  the  faces  of  the  other 
five  being  opened  to  view  in  their  coffins,  in  front  of  the  meeting  house,  the  concourse 
was  so  great  that  much  time  was  spent  to  give  opportunity  for  all  to  take  a  view ;  the 
Cold  still  increasing,  the  bodies  in  all  probability  were  stiffened  with  frost. 

"  Mr.  Beadle  left  sundry  letters  directed  to  his  acquainiance,  and  one  labored  trea- 
tise in  juslilication  of  his  condiut ;  they  coiiiam  many  inconsistencies.  He  professes 
hiiiiMdl  a  Pcisl.  but  reprobates  Atheism.  AVhile  in  lile  and  prosperity,  he  claimed  to 
be  a  Chiisti.in,  and  oth-red  two  of  his  children  in  bajnism.  Much  has' been  said  in  fa- 
vor of  publishing  his  wiiiing.s  by  those  who  have  not  seen  them  ;  those  who  have  pe- 
rused them  doubt  the  pro|)riety  of  such  a  measure  ;  not  because  his  reasonings  against 
revelation  were  in  any  degree  unaiiswemble,  but  lest  they  rni^hi  have  some  effect  on 
weak  and  melancholy  rninds.  He  atiemfits  to  attack  all  rulers  in  Church  and  Siale, 
treats  the  Christian  religion  with  a  great  degree  of  bitterness  and  bigotry  ;  and  yet  ab- 
surdly concludes  by  saying,  'ifitistrue  he  sliall  be  saved  by  it.'  He  is  very  unsettled, 
wavering  and  inconsisient  in  his  own  beloved  system  of  Deism.  Hellatteis  hispiide 
by  believing  that  it  was  ihe  height  of  heroism  to'dare  to  die  by  iiisown  hands,  and  that 
the  Deitv  would  not  willingly  punish  one,  who  was  impatient  to  visit  his  God  and  learn 
his  will  from  his  own  mouih,  face  to  face,  in  some  future  world  or  worlds,  (which  lie 
thinks  may  be  many,)  and  seems  to  think  there  is  as  great  probability  of  succeeding 
ndvantai.-.cou>ly,  in  removing  from  one  world  to  another  as  from  one  country  or  calling 
to  another;  and  seeing  all  men  must  be  lugged  off  at  last,  (as  he  expresses  it,)  he  was 
determineci  to  make  the  experiment  voluntarily  which  all  must  do  through  necessity. 
As  he  was  much  out  of  temper  with  the  world,  he  was  unwilling  any  of  his  family 
should  stay  behind  toencounter  its  troubles,  and  since  'tis  a  father'sduty  to  provide  for 
his  thick,  he  chose  to  consign  them  over  to  better  hands. 

"  'Tis  doubiful  whether  any  history  of  modern  times  can  afford  an  instance  of  simi- 
lar barbarity,  even  in  the  extreme  distress  of  war.    The  ancients  encouraged  bv  num-    ' 
beis  and  example,  did  in  hours  of  despair  destroy  themselves  and  lamilies,  to  avuid 
the  shame  of  becoming  captives  to  be  led  in  triumph,  and  the  cruelty  commonly  exer- 
cised in  those  barbarous  ages  «  Your  very  humble  Servaul." 

Weihcrsfieldf  February^  1783. 


I 


W  E  T  11  E  11  S  F  1  E  L  D  .  \'2l 

Extracts  from  the  JVcthersfield  ancient  town  rtcorJs. 
Feb.  1653.  The.  town.smen  have  hiieJ  llv^'h  AVells  to  beat  iheDivm  lor  one  whole 
yeare  frt>m  ihf  Sjth  of  Aprill  IVum  that  lime  twelve  month  every  night  and  morning  (or 
the  selling  oflhe  watch  and  Ihe  ....  oli' ilie  watch  in  ihe  morning,  and  lor  to  heate 
it  every  Lords  il;iy  .  .  .  .  the  Lectvrc  duie.s  ai](i  for  all  other  oo<'asioiis  ol  the  lowns-mea 
shall  stand  in  need  for  ....  and  for  the  town.-nien  liave  promised  to  pay  him  fovr 
p(wnd^. 

Tt  was  voted  (hat  ilie  bell  sho\'ld  be  rvn-  noo  more  to  call  the  Assembly  together  on 
the  Sabbath,  and  Lectvre  days,  bvl  thai  the  drvtn  sliovld  hencefoith  be  beaten  at  svch 
times -wJOih  day  IGGO. 

Jvne  I2ih,  lo(i3.  At  a  town  meeting  at  \Vether.-:,field  abovt  a  minister,  it  was  voted 
whether  the  townc  would  hire  Mr.  Cotton  for  another  yeare,  and  those  that  were  of 
that  mind  shovid  hold  vp  their  hnnds,  and  those  that  are  of  the  contrary  mind  hold 
vp  yovr  hands,  and  there  was  no  hands  hidden  vp  to  the  contrary. 

April  ihe  2d,  (UiG5-G.)  The  townsmen  agreed  with  Saigcant  John  Killbvrne,  to 
bvrne  the  woods  belonging  to  the  sovth  end  of  the  towne,  (viz.  the  woods  beiwene  vs 
and  Middletowne)  at  sveh  a  time  or  times  as  may  be  most  convenient  for  the  advan- 
tage of  the  towne,  and  they  are  to  allow  him  for  his  paiiies,  in  this  work  :  six  shillings. 
At  this  lime,  lliey  allso  agreed  vvith  Enoch  Bvck  to  bvrne  the  woods  belonging  to  the 
other  end  of  the  towne,  &:c 


Jvly  3d,  1G7G.  At  the  same  meeting'  Air.  Samll.  Talcoat,  Levt.  Jon.  Chester,  En- 
signe  Goodri(L'e,  Sarget.  Kilbvine  and  Sargt.  Deming,  together  with  the  townsmen 
in  being,  were  impoweied  to  order  the  sitting  of  all  persons  in  seals  and  places  in  the 
meeting  hovse. 

Oct.  IG.  It  was  voted  and  agreed  by  the  inhabitants  of  this  towne,  that  the  towno 
shal  allow  I-2i'.  to  every  person  ihat  stial  kill  a  wolfe  in  the  bovnds  of  this  towne,  wh. 
together  With,  b.s ihe  covniy  will  be  -JOs. 


At  a  towne  meeting  Lawfvllv  assembled  in  Wethersfieldon  the  6th  day  of  Jvly,  Anno 
Domini  1710;— At  this  meeting  Sergt.  Natlill.  Siadart  and  Jabez  Whittlesey,  were 
chosen  to  take  the  oversight  of  1  lie  yovth  that  sit  in  the  lower  part  of  the  meeting  hovse, 
viz.  all  the  vuvih  ihat  sit  bidow,  and  James  Bvtler  chosen  to  have  the  oversight  of  ihe 
yovth  that  sit  in  llie  galleries,  these  persons  to  have  the  rare  and  oversight  of  ym.  for 
cue  year  or  more,  to  endeavovr  the  kee|)ing  of  vm.  in  dve  order,  and  thai  they  lake 
especial  care  Ihat  said  yovih  sanctitie  the  Sabbath  and  that  they  make  no  distvi- 
bence  in  the  timeof  pvblio  worsiii|». 


December  the  8ih,  l(iG5.  At  a  town  meeting  at  Wethersfield,  it  was  voted  and 
agreed,  that  Josiah  Willard,  shovid  teach  school  lor  iheensving  yeare,  and  that  for  his 
encovragement  therein,  tiie  town  dDenga^je  to  allow  him  six  povnds  besides  what  will 
come  in,  in  particvlar  by  the  Scholars,  and  he  to  begin  the  work  the  Itiih  of  this  instant. 

Fvrlher  it  was  voted  and  agreed,  that  William  ?\Iorris  shovid  look  after  the  boys,  on 
the  Sabbalh  day.  to  keep  them  Irom  playing,  and  lor  encovragement,  the  towne  to  al- 
low him  tun  shillings,  IVrlher  lie  is  logive  an  aceovnt  of  the  names  of  the  yovng  men, 
that  are  disorderly. 


Dec.  13th,  A.  D.  171-1.  It  is  also  voated  at  this  meeting,  that  all  those  who  v.'ill  kill 
old  blackbirds  shall  have  one  penny  pr.  head  as  formerly,  and  that  they  are  to  bring 
them  to  ye  select  men  that  they  may  take  aceovnt  ofym.  ' 


I  Dec.  2Gth,  1G'J8.     The  minister's  (Mr.  Mix,)  Rate  to  be  paid  in  Corne  at  the  prices 

following:  viz.  the  best  sort  of  upland  winter  wheat  being  clean  from  all  trash  :  at  five 

i  shillings  pr.  bvshll.  wheat  of  a  meaner  sort,  at  fovr  shillings  pr.  bvsb.  Rye  al  three  shil- 

lings pr.  bvshll.  Indian  Corne  at  two  and  sixpence  per  bvshll. 

p.  16 


122 


W  E  T  H  E  II  S  F  1  F,  I,  1)  . 


The  following  inscriptions  are  upon  moninnents  in  the  yard  by  tlie 
first  Congregational  Cimrcli. 


Here  lyes  the  uody  or  Leonard  ('iiestkh,  Aiimu.kii,*  late  or  the  town  of  Br,A- 

BY,  AND  SEVEHAI.J.  OTIlKIl  LonDSll  ll'S  IN  LeU  KSTEIt.SU  111  E,  DEcEAbEl)  IN  Wk-IIIKUSEFI  I  D 

Anno  Domini   1618.     Etati^  'i!^. 

The  above  is  copied  from  one  of  the  oldest  monnments  in  the  State. 
The  tradition  is,  that  I\lr.  Chester,  wjio  was  one  of  the  first  settlers  of 
VVethersfield,  having  some  business  to  perform  in  the  south  part  of  the 
town,  which  was  tlien  a  wilderness,  became  lost  in  the  woods.  Being 
missed,  his  neighbors  went  in  search  of  him,  making  noises  in  the  woods, 
and  uttering  lamentations.  After  a  lapse  of  several  days,  his  neighbors 
had  the  good  fortune  to  meet  with  him  on  a  mountain  in  Berlin,  which 
has  ever  since  been  called  Mount  l.amLinalion.  The  device  which 
appears  at  the  head  of  the  inscription  on  his  monument,  has  been  the 
subject  of  much  speculation.  By  some  it  has  been  believed  to  be  a 
representation  of  some  demon  in  the  form  of  a  fieiy  (lying  serpent, 
which  according  to  the  legend  of  the  tin)cs,  appeared  to  Mr.  Chester 
while  in  the  wilderness.  Upon  examination,  liowever,  it  appears  to 
have  been  nothing  more  than  a  rude  attempt  to  engrave  the  family  coat 
of  arms. 

The  Beadle  family  are  buried  in  the  northeastern  part  of  the  yard. 
The  following  inscription,  said  to  have  been  written  by  the  Hon.  John 
Davis  of  Boston,  is  upon  a  slab  of  sandstone,  lying  horizontally,  being 
raised  about  three  feet  from  the  ground  by  brick  work  underneath. 

Here  lie  interred,  Mrs.  Lydia  Rkaut.e,  aged  32  j'ears.  Ansell,  Lolhrop,  Elizabeth, 
Lydiaand  Mary  Beadle,  her  cliildren.  Tlie  eldest  a^^ed  II  years,  the  youngest  (]  years. 
Who  on  the  morning  of  the  llih  of  Dec.  A.  D.  nS'2,  I'ell  by  the  hands  of  William 


This  is  a  I^alin  word,  equivalent  to  Esquire. 


WINDSOR 


123 


Beadle,  an  infurialed  man,  who  closed  the  horrid  sacrifice  of  his  wife  and  children 
with  his  own  destruction. 

Pale  round  their  grassy  tombs  bedcw'd  with  tears, 
Flu  the  thin  forms  of  sorrows  and  of  fears; 
Sul\  sighs  rcspunsive  swell  to  plaintive  chords, 
And  ladii/naliu/is  half  unsheath  their  swords. 


In  memory  of  Capt.  Gideon  Welles,  of  Wetherslield.  A  person  of  an  engaging 
deportment,— his  genius  naturally  good,  was  cultivated  by  reading  and  intercourse 
Hiih  niankiud;  he  had  a  happy  laeiliiy  in  the  dispatch  of  business— punclual  and 
faithful  in  all  his  dealings — wasexemplary  in  every  social,  civil  and  religious  dul;  - 
a  blessing  to  mankind.  He  rests  not  here,  but  in  reluming  from  the  West  Indies,  he 
suddenly  sickened  and  died,  Feb.  11th,  A.  D.  17:)5,  aged  39  years. 

The  bosom  of  devouring  seas,  entombs  my  mould'ring  dust, 

Tliere  life  and  all  my  active  powers,  are  in  a  moment  lost. 

In  kind  remembrance  of  my  love,  my  li  lends  will  not  refuse  to  weep — 

My  hand  would  once  have  dry'd  your  tears — but  now  lies  buried  in  the  deep. 

Yet  weep  in  hope,  my  bones  are  safe  wrapt  in  the  unchain'd  decree. 

The  trump  that  wakes  the  dead  on  earih,  shall  call  me  from  tlie  sea. 


This  stone,  erected  by  the  State,  is  in  memory  of  Ezra  Hoskins,  aged  6G,  whose  re- 
mains lie  beneath  it.  In  an  insurrection  ot  eonvicts,  he  was  inhumanly  killed  on  the 
ni;,'ht  following  the  30lh  of  April,  ISIili,  at  ninhiiglit  on  duly  as  a  patrole,  in  the  State 
Prison.     lie  ended  an  useful  anil  inollciisive  life,  by  a  most  tragical  death. 


^V  I  N  D  S  O  R 


Windsor  was  the  first  town  in  Connecticut  in  which  any  Enghsh  set- 
tlement was  made.  Tliis  was  in  1G;33,  when  William  Ilolnies  and 
otiiers  erected  a  house  at  the  luoiilh  of  I''armintrton  ilver.  The  town, 
which  originally  coin[)rised  an  extensive  tract,  is  now  bounded  n.  by 
Sutlield,  w.  by  Bloomfield,  Simsbury  and  Granby,  s.  by  Bloomfield 
and  Hartford,  and  e.  by  Connecticut  river.  It  is  8^  miles  in  length 
from  north  to  south  ;  at  the  north  part  the  town  is  6  miles  in  breadth,  at 
the  south  part  3- miles.  Farmington  river,  the  largest  tributary  stream 
of  the  Connecticut,  passes  through  the  central  part  of  the  town.  Wind- 
sor is  generally  of  a  level  surface,  having  some  extensive  tracts  of  plains, 
and  the  otlier  jiarts  are  of  an  undulating  character.  The  soil  is  various, 
but  generally  fertile,  and  free  from  stone.  There  are  two  societies, 
Windsor  proper,  and  Poquannoc.  There  are  three  houses  for  worship, 
2  for  Congregationalists,  and  I  for  ]\It;ihodists.  In  the  town  there 
are  4  paper  mills,  1  Kentucky  jean  factory,  2  for  cotton  batting,  1  wire 
and  I  satinet  factory.  Ship  plank  is  manufactured  at  a  village  of 
about  20  houses,  at  the  Windsor  Locks,  where  the  canal  conmiences 
which  runs  by  Enfield  falls.  This  place,  called  Pine  Meadow,  is  op- 
posite Warehouse  Point  in  East  Windsor.  Almost  all  the  inhabitants 
in  the  first  society  live  on  a  single  street,  which  runs  parallel  with  the 
river.  The  present  number  of  inhabitants  is  believed  to  be  about 
1,900. 


124 


w  1  N  o  3  o  n , 


South  vitiv  of  the  Cong) t^ationai  iliunh,  l\  i  uhor. 

The  above  is  a  south  view  of  the  Congregational  church,  and  the 
bridge,  upon  Mr.  Town's  phui,  wliich  crosses  the  Farniington  river  at 
this  place.  A  pleasant  grove  stands  upon  tlie  south  bank  of  the  river  ; 
a  few  of  the  trees  are  seen  in  the  engraxing.  The  north  hank,  on 
which  the  church  stands,  is  considerably  elevated.  In  time  of  freshet, 
vessels  of  considerahle  size  can  come  up  as  far  as  the  hridge. 

One  of  the  first  ships  which  came  over  to  IS'ew  E^ngland  in  163U, 
brought  over  the  Rev.  Mr.  Jolin  Wareham,  Mr.  John  Maverick,  Mr. 
Rossiter,  Mr.  Ludlow,  Mr.  Henry  Wolcott,  and  others  of  Mr.  Ware- 
ham's  church  and  congregation,  who  first  settled  the  town  of  Windsor. 
This  was  considered  an  honorahie  company.  Mr.  Rossiter  and  Mr. 
Ludlow  were  magistrates  ;  Mr.  ^V'olco^t  had  a  great  estate,  and  was  a 
man  of  superior  ahiiiiii's.  iMr.  Wiu-oham  iiad  bi;cii  a  ('(.'Khiatcd  minister 
in  Exeter,  the  capital  of  the  county  of  Dovonsli-ire.  I'he  people  who 
came  with  him  were  from  the  counties  of  Devonshire,  Dorsetshire  and 
Somersetshire. 

This  company  sailed  from  Plymouth,  and  arri\'ed  at  N;mtnsket  on  the 
30th  of  May.  The  next  day  the  master  of  the  ship  left  them  and  their 
goods  on  Nantasket  point,  to  shift  for  themselves.  By  the  assistance 
of  the  old  planters,  they  proceeded  up  Cliarles  river  to  Watertown,  but 
as  liiey  iiad  many  cattle,  and  finchng  a  neck  of  land  at  Mattapan,  where 
there  were  good  accouHTiodations  for  them,  they  soon  removed  there, 
and  began  a  settlement,  which  they  named  Doichester. 

In  1631,  Waliquimacut,  an  Indian  sachem,  living  near  Connecticut 
river,  made  a  journey  to  Plymouth  and  Boston,  and  earnestly  entieated 
the  governors  of  each  of  the  colonies  to  send  men  to  make  settlements 
on  the  river.  He  represented  the  fiuitfulness  of  the  country,  and  prom- 
ised the  English,  that  if  they  would  make  a  settlement,  he  would  annu^ 
ally  supply  ihem  with  corn,  and  give  them  eighty  beaver  skins. 


WIND  son.  125 

The  governor  of  Massachusetts,  although  he  treated  the  sachem  and 
Ills  company  with  generosity,  paid  no  attention  to  his  proposals.  Mr. 
Winslow,  the  governor  of  Plymouth,  judged  it  worthy  of  attention.  It 
seems  that  soon  after  that,  he  went  into  Connecticut,  and  discovered 
the  river  and  the  adjacent  parts.  It  appeared  that  the  earnestness  with 
which  the  sachem  solicited  the  English  to  make  settlements  on  the 
river,  originated  from  the  distressed  state  of  the  river  Indians.  Pekoath, 
tlie  great  sachem  of  tlie  Pequots,  was  at  war  witii  them  and  driving 
them  from  tlie  country,  and  they  imagined  that  if  the  English  made  set- 
tlements on  the  river,  they  would  assist  them  in  defending  themselves 
against  their  too  powerful  enemies. 

Governor  ^Vinslow  heing  pleased  with  the  appearance  of  the  country, 
the  Plymouth  jieople  made  prei)arations  for  erecting  a  trading  house, 
and  estahlishing  a  small  company  upon  tlie  river.  In  1G33,  William 
Holmes,  with  his  associates,  having  prepared  the  frame  of  a  house,  with 
boards  and  materials  for  covering  it  immediately,  put  them  on  board  of 
a  vessel  and  sailed  for  Connecticut.  Holmes  landed  and  erected  his 
bouse  a  little  below  the  mouth  of  the  Little  or  Farinington  river,  in 
Windsor.  Tlie  house  was  covered  with  the  utmost  dis[)atch,  and  for- 
tified with  palisadoes.  The  sachems  who  were  the  original  owners  of 
the  soil  having  been  driven  away  by  the  Pequots  were  brought  back  by 
Holmes'  vessel.  The  Plymouth  people  purchased  of  them  the  land 
on  which  they  erected  their  house.  This,  Governor  Wolcott  says,  was 
the  first  house  erected  in  Connecticut.*  The  Dutch  about  the  same 
lime  built  their  trading  house  at  Hartford. 

In  June,  U)31,  the  Dutch  sent  Jacob  Van  Curtcr  to  purchase  lands 
on  the  Connecticut.  He  made  a  purchase  of  about  twenty  acres  at 
Hartford,  of  j\e|)uquash,  a  Pc(]uot  captain,  on  the  25th  of  October. 
Curter  protested  against  Holmes,  the  builder  of  tlie  Plymouth  house. 
Some  time  afterwards,  the  Dutcli  governor,  Van  Twiller,  of  Fort  Am- 
sterdam, sent  a  rcinforceiueui  to  Coimccticut,  in  order  to  drive  Holmes 
from  the  river.  A  party  of  seventy  men  under  arms,  with  banners 
displayed,  assaulted  tlie  Plymouth  bouse,  but  they  found  it  so  well  for- 
tified, and  the  men  who  kept  it  so  vigilant  and  determined,  that  it  could 
not  he  taken  without  bloodshed.  They  tlierefore  came  to  a  parley, 
and  finally  returned  in  jieacc. 

A  number  of  Mr.  "Wareham's  people  came,  in  the  summer  of  1635, 
to  Connecticut,  and  made  preparations  to  bring  their  families  and  make 
a  permanent  settlement.  After  having  made  such  preparations  as  they 
judged  necessary,  they  began  to  remove  their  families  and  property. 
"  On  the  15th  of  October,  about  sixty  men,  women  and  children,  with 
their  horses,  cattle  and  swine,  commenced  their  journey  from  INIassa- 

♦  Tliis  lionse  siooJ  about  two  miles  soullieast  of  the  lirsl  Conp;iegational  churcli, 
o|i  the  rivLT  bank,  abuut  tweiily  rods  lioin  a  point  of  land  extending  down  the  river, 
near  the  western  sliore.  It  was  at  this  place  that  the  Farniinglon  or  Windsor  river 
enieied  the  Ct)nneclient.  The  rnoiuli  of  the  river  is  now  about  sixty  Jt>ds  above. 
This  was  changed  by  Governor  "Wolcott's  culting  a  channel  for  a  ferry-boat  across 
the  j)oint  of  land  mentioned  above.  This  cliannel  has  beeor.e  so  much  enlarged  that 
it  is  now  the  main  channel  of  ihe  river.  'I'he  meadow  lying  in  the  vicinity  of  wlieio 
this  house  btood,  i^  lo  this  d;iv  c;illed  the  Plumvu/k  !M:atlini\  , 


126  W  I  M)  S  0  K  . 

cbusetts,  through  the  wilderness,  to  Connecticut  river.  After  a  tedious 
and  difficult  journey,  through  swamps  and  rivers,  over  mountains  and 
rough  grounds,  which  were  passed  with  great  difficulty  and  fatigue,  they 
arrived  safely  at  the  places  of  their  respective  destination.  They  were 
so  long  on  their  journey,  and  so  much  time  and  pains  were  spent  in 
passing  the  river,  and  in  getting  over  their  cattle,  that  after  all  their  ex- 
ertions, winter  came  upon  them  before  they  were  prepared." 

By  the  15th  of  November,  Connecticut  river  was  frozen  over,  and 
the  snow  was  so  deep,  and  the  weather  so  tempestuous,  that  a  conside- 
rable number  of  the  cattle  could  not  be  brought  across  the  river.  The 
severity  of  the  season  was  such,  and  so  little  time  to  prepare  their  huts 
and  shelters  for  their  cattle,  that  the  sufferings  of  man  and  beast  were 
extreme.  They  had  shipped  their  household  furniture,  and  most  of  their 
provisions  at  Boston,  but  by  reason  of  delays,  and  the  tempestuousness 
of  the  season,  were  either  cast  away  or  did  not  arrive  in  season. 

About  the  beginning  of  December,  provisions  generally  Aiiled  in  the 
settlements  on  the  river,  and  famine  and  death  looked  the  inhabitants  in 
the  face.  In  their  distress,  some  of  them  in  this  severe  season  attempt- 
ed to  go  through  the  wilderness,  to  the  nearest  settlement  in  ]Massachu- 
setts.  A  company  of  thirteen,  who  made  the  attempt,  lost  one  of  their 
number,  who,  in  passing  a  river,  fell  through  the  ice  and  was  drowned. 
The  other  twelve  were  ten  days  on  their  journey,  and  had  they  not  re- 
ceived assistance  from  the  Indians,  would  all  have  perished.  Such  was 
the  general  distress  by  the  3d  and  4th  of  December,  that  a  considerable 
part  of  the  settlers  were  obliged  to  leave  their  habitations.  Seventy 
persons,  men,  women  and  children,  were  obliged  in  the  severity  of  win- 
ter, to  go  down  to  the  mouth  of  the  river  to  meet  their  provisions,  as 
the  only  expedient  to  preserve  their  lives.  Not  meeting  the  vessels 
which  they  expected,  they  all  went  on  board  of  the  Rebecca,  a  vessel 
of  about  00  tons.  This  vessel,  two  days  before,  was  frozen  in,  twenty 
miles  up  the  river;  but  by  the  falling  of  a  sinall  rain,  and  the  influence 
of  the  tide,  the  ice  became  so  broktni,  that  she  made  a  shift  to  get  out. 
She  however  ran  upon  the  bar,  and  the  peojile  were  forced  to  unlade 
her  to  get  her  off.  She  was  reladed,  and  in  five  days  reached  Boston. 
Had  it  not  been  for  these  providential  circumstances,  the  people  must 
have  perished  from  famine. 

The  people  who  remained  and  kept  their  stations  on  the  river,  suf- 
fered in  an  extreme  degree.  After  all  the  help  they  were  able  to  ob- 
tain, by  hunting  and  from  the  Indians,  they  were  obliged  to  subsist  on 
acorns,  malt  and  gi'ains.  The  cattle,  which  couUl  not  be  got  over  the 
river  before  winter,  lived  by  browsing  in  the  woods  and  meadows.  They 
wintered  as  well,  or  better,  than  those  that  were  brouglit  over,  and  for 
which  all  the  provision  was  made,  and  care  taken,  of  which  the  settlers 
were  capable.  A  great  number  of  the  cattle,  however,  perished.  The 
Dorchester  or  Windsor  people  lost,  in  this  species  of  property,  about 
two  hundred  pounds  sterling.  Upon  the  breaking  up  of  winter,  and 
during  the  summer  following,  the  settlers  came  in  large  companies,  and 
the  settlements  at  Windsor,  Hartford  and  Wethersfield  were  firmly  es- 
tablished. 


-WINDSOR.  1-27 

The  original  boundaries  of  the  town  of  Windsor  were  very  extensive, 
being  about  forty  six  miles  in  circumference,  lying  on  both  sides  of 
Connecticut  river.  W^ithin  the  limits  of  the  town,  there  were  ten  dis- 
tinct tribes  or  sovereignties.  About  the  year  1G70,  it  was  estimated 
that  there  were  in  the  town  nineteen  Indians  to  one  Englishman.  They 
had  a  large  fort,  a  little  north  of  the  plat  on  which  the  first  meeting  house 
was  erected  ;  but,  in  the  language  of  Ossian, 

"  The  chiefs  of  otlier  limes  are  deparled.  They  have  gone  without  tlieir  fame." 
Another  race  has  arisen.  "The  people  are  like  the  waves  of  the  ocean  :  like  the 
leaves  of  woody  Morven,  they  pass  away  lu  the  rustling  blast,  and  other  leaves  lift 
iheir  green  heads  on  liigh." 

"  For  several  years  after  the  settlement  of  Windsor,  the  people  were 
harassed  with  wars.  Such  was  the  fear  which  agitated  the  minds  of 
the  inhabitants,  that  they  repaired  to  a  fortress  nights,  and  slept  with 
their  arms  by  their  side,  and  used  to  go  to  labor  in  the  fields  in  compa- 
nies, prepared  for  battle.  It  was  the  common  practice  on  the  Lord's 
day  to  go  to  meeting  armed." 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  names  of  the  settlers  of  Windsor,  which 
appear  on  the  records  of  the  town  in  1640. 

Henry  Wokott,  Emj.  George  Phelps,  Juhn  Taylor,  Jolm  Hillyer, 

William  Pheljis,         Thomas  Funl,  F.liwed  Pomeroy,  Thomas  Harher, 

John  Whitefiel.l,         Edward  Gnswold,  William  Hosford,  Nicolas  Palmer, 

Humphrey  Pinney,    John  Bissell,  Aaron  Cook,  Thomas  Buckland, 

Deacon  John  Moore,  Tht>mas  llolconih,  Klias  Paikman,  Isaac  Shelden, 

Deac.  Win.  Gaylord,  Daniel  Clark,  Thomas  Stoughton,  Robert  Watson, 

Lieut.  Walter  Filer,  Peter  Tilton,  Owen  Tudor,  .Stephen  Terry, 

Matthew  Giant,  Alessrs. — Newberry,  Ca[)t.  John  ISIa.^on,  Bray  Uosseier, 

Thomas  Oiblile,  Roger  Ludlow,  Fm|.  Malihew  .Allen,  Thomas  Dewey, 

►Samuel  Phelps,  Joseph  Loomis,  Rk  hnid  Oldage,  William  Ifurlburt, 

Nathan  GilUt,  John  Loomis,  IJenry  Stiles,  Roger  Williams, 

Richard  Vore,  John  Porter,  William  Mayden,  Thomas  Baseomb, 

Abraliam  P.andall,     William  Hill,  George  PliiJi'ps,  Nicolas  Denslow, 

Bigot  Eglestone,         James  Marshall,  Return  Strong,  Thomas  Thornton. 

The  Rev.  John  Wareham,  the  first  minister  at  Windsor,  died  April 
1st,  1670.  "  He  was  about  forty  years  minister  in  New  England;  6 
at  I)orchestcr,  and  31  at  Windsor.  He  was  distinguished  for  his  piety, 
and  the  strictest  morals  ;  yet  at  times  was  subject  to  great  gloominess 
and  religious  melancholy.  Such  were  his  doubts  and  fears,  at  some 
tiines,  that  when  he  administered  the  Lord's  supper  to  his  brethren,  he 
did  not  participate  with  them,  fearing  tliat  the  seals  of  the  covenant  did 
not  belong  to  him.  It  is  said  that  he  was  the  first  minister  in  New 
England  who  used  notes  in  j)reacl)ing,  yet  he  was  applauded  by  his 
hearers,  as  one  of  the  most  animated  and  energetic  preacliers  of  his  day. 
He  was  considered  as  one  of  the  principal  fathers  and  pillars  of  the 
church  of  Connecticut." — In  1639,  the  Rev.  Ephraim  Iluit  was  in- 
stalled as  Teacher  to  the  church  at  Windsor,  over  which  Mr.  Wareham 
was  pastor.  At  this  period,  it  was  the  opinion  of  the  principal  divines 
in  New  England,  that  in  every  church  completely  organized,  there  should 
be  a  pastor,  teacher,  ruling  elder,  and  deacons.     It  was  the  general  opin- 


128  U'INDSOK. 

ion,  that  the  pastor's  work  consisted  principally  In  exhortation  ;  but  the 
teacher's  business  was  to  teach,  explain  and  defend  the  doctrines  of 
Christianity. 

Roger  fVolcott,  governor  of  Connecticut,  was  born  in  this  town^ 
January  4th,  1679.  "  His  parents  lived  in  a  part  of  the  country  which 
suffered  much  from  the  Indians,  and  in  the  town  there  waa  neither  a 
schoolmaster  nor  minister,  so  that  INIr.  Wolcott  was  not  a  member  of  a 
common  school  for  a  single  day  in  his  life.  AVlien  he  was  twelve  years 
of  age,  he  was  bound  as  an  apprentice  to  a  mechanic.  At  the  age  of 
twenty  one,  when  the  laws  permitted  him  to  enjoy  the  fruits  of  his  la- 
bors, he  established  himself  on  the  east  side  of  Connecticut  river,  in  the' 
same  town  in  which  he  was  born,  where,  by  the  blessings  of  God  upon 
his  industry  and  frugality,  he  acquired  what  was  considered  as  a  plenti- 
ful fortune.  lie  is  an  eminent  proof  of  the  power  of  talents  and  integ- 
rity, in  a  free  country,  in  raising  one  to  distinction,  notwithstanding  the 
disadvantages  of  education  and  of  birth.  lie  lose  by  degrees  to  the 
highest  military  and  civil  honors.  In  the  expedition  against  Canada,  in 
1711,  he  was  commissary  of  the  Connecticut  forces,  and  at  tlie  capture 
of  Louisbourg,  in  1745,  he  bore  the  conunission  of  major  general.  He 
was  successively  a  member  of  the  assembly  and  of  the  council,  judge  of 
the  county  court,  deputy  governor,  chief  judge  of  the  superior  court, 
and  from  1751  to  1754,  governor.  He  died  May  17th,  1767,  in  the 
eighty  ninth  year  of  his  age.  In  all  his  exaltation  above  his  neighboi-s, 
he  exhibited  no  haughtiness  of  deportment,  but  was  easy  of  access,  free 
and  affable,  of  ready  wit  and  great  humor.  His  literary  attainments 
were  such,  that  in  conversation  with  the  learned  upon  most  subjects  he 
secured  respect.  He  was  much  attached  to  the  peculiar  doctrines  of 
the  gospel,  and  was  for  many  years  a  member  of  a  Christian  church.. 
From  the  year  1754,  when  his  life  was  more  retired,  he  de\'oted  him- 
self particularly  to  reading,  meditation  and  j)rayer.  He  was  very  care-, 
fill  in  searching  into  himself,  that  he  might  perceive  his  own  character, 
and  know  whether  he  was  rescued  from  that  depravity,  to  which  previ- 
ously to  the  renewing  agency  of  the  divine  Spirit  the  human  mind  is 
subjected,  and  whether  he  was  interested  in  the  salvation  of  the  gospel. 
In  his  last  moments  he  was  supported  by  the  hopes  of  the  Christian, 
and  he  entered  into  his  rest.  He  published  poetical  meditations,  with 
a  preface  by  Mr.  Bulkley  of  Colchester,  in  1725  ;  and  a  letter  to  Mr. 
Hobart  in  1761,  entitled  the  new  English  Congregational  chuiches  are 
and  always  have  been  consociated  churches,  and  their  liberties  greater 
and  better  founded  in  their  platform,  agreed  upon  at  Cambridge  in  1648, 
than  in  the  agreement  at  Saybrook  in  1708.  Along  poem,  written  by 
Governor  Wolcott,  entitled,  A  brief  Account  of  the  Agency  of  John 
Winthrop  in  the  Court  of  Charles  11.  in  1662,  in  procuring  the  Charter 
of  Connecticut,  is  preserved  in  the  Collections  of  the  Historical  Society.. 
It  describes  with  considerable  minuteness  the  Pequot  war."* 


Alten's  American  Biographical  and  Historical  Dictionary. 


I 


WINDSOR, 


1-29 


S.   Jf.  view  of  Judge  KUsworiJis  House,  fVhi'hor. 


The  above  is  a  soiulnvcstein  view  of  Judge  Ellswoifh'.s  house,  near 
tlie  spot  where  he  was  horn,  ahout  a  mile  north  of  thu  Con^fregaiional 
chmch.  The  ehiis  appearing  in  JVont  of  the  house  were  set  out  by 
his  hand.  An  ancient  cedar,  about  seven  feet  in  girth,  which  was 
standing  In  the  forest  at  the  time  AViiidsor  was  llrst  setik.'d,  is  still  stand- 
ing a  few  feet  north  of  the  house. 

'\0live7-  Ellsworth,  lA,.  D.,  Chief  Justice  of  the  United  Stales,  wag 
born  29lh  of  April,  1715,  and  was  graduated  at  New  .Jersey  college  in 
17GG.  Devoting  himself  to  tlni  practice  of  l.uv,  he  soon  rose  h)  the  ex- 
traordinary energy  of  his  mind  and  force  of  his  elo(jucnci\  to  di^iin- 
guished  eminence.  In  1777  he  was  elected  a  delegate  to  tht^  continen- 
tal congress,  and  in  1781  a])poinied  u  judge  of  the  superior  com  t  of 
Coimecticnt.  He  held  a  seat  in  the  convention  which  formed  the  con- 
stitution of  the  Ignited  Stales,  and  was  one  of  the  most  conspicuous  and 
useful  in  that  assembly,  illustrious  for  learning,  talents,  and  jjatriotism. 
On  the  organization  of  the  federal  government  in  1789,  he  was  elected 
a  meml)er  of  the  senate,  and  continued  in  the  olHce  till  he  was  appointed 
in  179G,  chief  judge  of  the  supreme  court  of  the  United  States.  After 
discharging  the  duties  of  that  station  with  great  credit  to  his  legal  sci- 
ence, integrity,  and  eloquence,  for  near  four  years,  he  was  a[)poinied,  to- 
wards the  close  of  1799,  envoy  extraordinary  to  France.  The  decline 
of  his  health  disqualifying  him  for  the  duties  of  his  oHice  as  judge,  he 
resigned  it  toward  the  end  of  the  year  1600.  After  his  return  to  Con- 
necticut, he  was  again  elected  into  the  council  of  that  state,  and  ap- 
pointed chief  justice  of  the  supreme  court.  lie  liowever  declined  the 
latter  ofBce,  and  soon  after  died,  November  2Gth,  1S07,  greatly  legret- 
ted,  as  in  his  life  he  had  been  admired  for  his  extraordinary  endowuumts, 
his  accomplishments  as  an  advocate,  his  integrity  as  a  judge,  his  patri- 

17 


130 


w  I  N  n  s  o  u , 


otism  as  a  legislator  and  ambassador,  and  iiis  exemplariness  as  a  Chris- 


tian. 


c 

Town- 
Itaiise 

o 

00 

Grant 

Capt. 

' 

lliW^Ty 

mile 

i 

Palezado 

T.Parsom 

A 

r/iiiiijjs 

< 

H 

W.Craylortl 

MTClark 

s 

Marshel 

BuPi'i/i.y 
pldice 

1        1 

2 

1 

l.\ 

■i7 

■'•en 

d 

Rnulrt.  CO 

Plan  of  the  ancient  Falisado  Plot  in  JVlndsor. 

The  above  plan  was  copied  from  a  larger  one  in  the  ancient  records 
of  the  town  of  Windsor.  The  book  from  which  it  is  taken,  entitled 
"  A  book  of  Townc  fVaijes  in  Hindsor,^'  appears  to  have  been  first 
written  in  1054.  The  present  first  Congregational  clinrch  in  Windsor, 
(a  view  of  which  is  given  at  ))age  124,)  is  situated,  it  is  believed,  near 
the  sonlheast  corner  of  the  ioi  marked  1).  WiNon.  Some  remains  oi' 
the  ditch,  which,  it  is  believed,  was  L'\ca\  ateti  eiilside  of  the  palisadoes, 
is  still  visible,  running  along  near  the  siunmit  ot  llie  hill  which  lorms 
the  nortli  bank  of  the  \Viiidsor  or  Fannington  river,  and  passing  within 
a  few  feet  of  the  church.  The  fullowing  is  extracted  fiom  the  recoi'd 
mentioned  above. 

"  26lli.  To  return  again  to  the  Common  wayes  from  the  ferry  at  the 
rivulet,  it  ascends  up  upon  the  side  of  tlie  bank  to  the  house  that  was 
Capt.  Mason's,  and  bounds  west  by  the  fence  that  was  John  Strong's — 
on  the  top  of  the  bank,  and  east  by  Samuel  MarshaH's  at  the  foot  of  the 
bank,  and  then  turns  to  the  gate,  and  is  to  be  three  rods  in  breadth  be- 
tvvixts  John  Strong's  garden  on  the  south,  and  Henry  Clark's  on  the 
north.  And  seeing  1  am  intered  into  the  pallasadow,  I  will  speak  a 
little  of  the  original  of  it :  about  1G37  years,  when  the  English  had  war 
with  the  Pequot  Indians  ;  our  inhabitants  on  Sandy  bank  gathered  them- 
selves nearer  toirether  from  their  remote  dwelling'^,  to  provide  for  their 
safety,  set  upon  forty fying,  and  uitli  palazado,  wliich  some  particular 


Lord's  Lempr 


Uiiiversal  Bio-uph 


VV  1  N  U  S  O  11 


131 


men  resigned  up  out  of  tlieir  propeilics  for  that  end,  and  was  laid  out 
into  small  parcells,  to  build  upon  ;  some  4  rods  in  breadth,  some  five, 
six,  seven,  some  eight — it  was  set  out  after  this  manner:  {llcrc  in  the 
record  the  foregoing  j)lan  is  inserted.)  Tliese  building  places  were  at 
first  laid  out  of  one  length,  that  was  sixteen  rods,  but  difler  as  afores'! 
Also  on  all  sides  within  the  outmost  fence,  there  was  left  two  rods  in 
breadth  for  a  common  way,  to  go  round  within  side  the  Palazado,  and 
when  divers  men  left  their  places  and  returned  to  their  lotts  for  their 
conveniences,  some  that  staid,  (by  consent  of  the  town,)  enlarged  their 
gardens.  Soine  had  '2,  some  3,  some  4  plats  to  their  propriety,  with 
the  use  of  the  two  rods  in  breadth  round  the  outside,  every  one  according 
to  his  breadth,  only  with  this  reserve  concerning  the  two  rods,  that  if  in 
future  time  there  be  need  of  former  fortification,  to  be  rej)aired,  that  then 
each  man  should  resign  up  the  two  afores'?  two  Rods  for  a  way  onley 
for  common  use. — Note,  that  in  the  west  corner  of  the  afores''  plott 
there  is  reserved  for  a  conmnon  Burying  Ground,  one  particular  par- 
cel that  is  six  rods  in  breadth,  all  the  length  on  one  side,  and  one  end 
lake  it  together,  it  is  eight  rod  in  breadth,  and  eighteen  in  length." 

"  There  goeth  out  of  the  palazado  towards  northwest  a  highway 
two  rods  wide  ;  when  past  the  house  ])lotts  it  is  larger.  Also  from  the 
Palazado,  runs  a  way  north  easterly,  called  the  common  street,  and  is 
to  be  four  rods  wide. 


The  following  are  extracts  from  ancient  newspapers. 

We  liear  tVom  Poquminuck,  a  pnrisli  iu  the  wcsiern  part  of  Windsor,  tliat  about 
lialt'  an  acre  of  ilic  iurface  of  llie  ^mouiuI  llieie  has  lately  sunk  or  fallen  tu  a  consid- 
erable depth  behiw  the  cuninion  surface  or  level;  not  unlike  to  what  is  frequently  oc- 
casioned by  earihquakes,  ihoii^li  attended  uiih  no  eruptions,  either  of  water  or  fire; 
for  which  event  mi  naiutal  caute  has  as  yet  been  assigned.  And  it  is  more  unaccount- 
able, as  the  [,'roi)nd  tliat  is  sunk  was  not  coruii,Mious  to,  or  borderinp  upon  any  precipice 
or  decliviiv,  nor  adjacent  to  luiy  colleoiinn  of  water  that  should  occasion  it  lu  sink. — 
( "c;i iHctiL  lit  Joii I  lull,  .lu nc  md'  1770. 


Hartford,  Feb.  21th,  17G7. 
One  night  last  week,  a  panllier  having  killed  nine  sheep  in  a  yaid  at  Wirutsor,  tlie 
owner  of  the  sheep,  one  Mr.  Phelps,  the  next  morning  followed  the  panther  by  his 
track  into  a  thicket  about  half  a  mile  froui  his  house,  and  sliot  him.  He  was  brought 
to  this  town,  and  the  bounty  of  live  pounds  allowed  by  law,  was  paid  for  his  head. — 
Neio  Lundun  (iazttle,  No.  172. 


The  following  singular  entry  appears  in  the  ancient  records  of  the 
town  of  Windsor. 

Aug.  llth,  It;')9  — Mr.  John  Drake,  Senr.  dyed  accidentally,  as  he  was  d living  a  cart 
loaded  with  corn  to  carry  from  his  house  to  his  son  Jacob's.  The  cattle  being  two 
oxen  and  his  mare,  in  the  highway  against  John  Gritlin's,  something  scared  the  cattle, 
and  they  set  a  running,  and  he  laboring  to  stop  them,  by  taking  hold  on  the  mare,  was 
thrown  upon  his  face,  and  itie  cart  wheele  v/ent  over  him,  and  broke  one  of  his  legs, 
and  bruised  his  body  so  that  he  was  taken  up  dead  ;  being  carried  into  his  daughter's 
house,  had  life  come  again,  but  dyed  in  a  short  time,  and  was  buried  on  the  18th  day 
of  August ;  59. 


132 


AV  1  N  n  b  ()  It  . 


The  following  inscriptions  are  froni  monurnenls  in  the  buryinpLjro  unci 
back  of  the  first  Con^n-ej^iitlonal  church,  the  first  of  uhicii  is  believed  to 
be  the  oldest  inscrii)iion  on  any  tnonunient  in  this  state. 

llucin;  LYi.Tii  Ei'iiiMi.M  IIviT,  fOMKTiMr-K  Tk.k.iiki;  to  yk  ciivi!(.ii  or  AVind^ou,  who 

DYED    SLPTKMUEn    -llll,   l(j-14. 

AVilO  WIIKS  Iir.E  f.lVf-D  WKC  DliRW  OVI!  VITALl.  IIRKaTII, 
"VVnO  WIIKN  IIKK  DYKU  IIIB  UVI.NG  WAS  OVK  DHAI'II, 

"Who  Was  ye  stay  of  state,  ye  cin'iiLiii;.s  siArt', 
.    Alas,  the  ti.mes  i'oiuud  an  ei'itai'H. 


TIr.uE  VNiiF.ii   t.Yirrii   Tiir.  iicjdy  oe  IIi:ni!y  Woi.c 
ii;i  IvuiM/M  TMx,  WHO  ijvi.u  VkIIOmi  uaY  of  AIav, 


KTI.MK.S   A    ^L^ 

\  saiviis  n;:. 


The  above  is  a  representation  of  the  nionumeiit  of  the  first  Henry 
Wolcott,  and  a  copy  of  the  yjscripiion  on  iis  side.  The  nionunient  was 
made  by  his  son-in-law,  Matthew  Grisw(;ld,  ancestor  of  the  Griswold 
family  in  l^yme.  He  was  a  stone-cutter  by  trade,  previous  to  his  leav- 
ini:  Eniiland.* 


Here  13'etli  llie  body  of  ihc  Hon.  Roi,'er  Wolcott,  Esq.  of  Windsor,  who  for  several 
years  \v;is  Governor  of  the  Cohjiiy  of  Conneciicut,  died  May  I7ih,  ,  <  yEiniis  81», 

^^"""    |.SaliU..sl7G7 
Eartli's  lii^jhest  sl;ition  ends  in  "  flere  he  lie^" 
And  "dust  lo  duil"  concludeb  lier  noblest  sm-r. 


To  the  Mieiiioi  V  of  Olifci  i:iliivi'ith,  LL.  D.,  nii  a.ssisiaiit  in  the  (.'oiincil,  and  a  judi^c 
of  llie  Supei-U)t  Couil  of  the  Stale  of  Conneciicnt.  A  nieinber  of  the  Convention 
whicli  foiined,  and  of  the  Slate  Convention  ol  Conneciicut,  whieh  adopted  the  Cun- 
siituiioii  of  llie  U.  Stales. — Si-nalor  and  Chief  Justice  of  the  United  Stales;  one  of  the 
Envoys  e.xtraordiriary  ami  JNlinisters  Plenipoientiary,  who  made  the  convenlion  of 
1800  between  the  United  States  and  the  French  Repiitilic.  Arniable  and  exemplary 
in  all  the  relations  of  the  doineslic,  social  and  christian  chaiacler.  Pre-eminently 
useful  in  all  the  otliees  he  sustained,  whose  great  talents  under  ihe  guidance  id' inflexi- 
ble integiity,  consnmniute  wisdom,  and  enlightened  zeal,  pla(7ed  hini  among  the  first 
of  the  illustrious  statesmen  who  achieved  the  independence,  and  established  the  inde- 
pendence of  the  Aineiicjn  Republic.— Born  at  Windsor  April  2'Jih,  1715,  and  died 
Nov.  2G,  1807. 


MSS.  iu  possessioii  of  Judge  Gnswold,  of  Lyi 


\S6 


NEW    HAVEN    COUNTY. 


New  IIavkn  County  is  bounded  n.  by  Litchfield  and  llaitford 
CoLimies,  K.  by  Middlesex  County,  s.  by  Long  Ishuul  Sound,  and  w. 
by  Litchfield  County  and  the  Ifousatonic  river,  which  se|)aial(.'S  it  lioni 
l'\iii'field  County.  Its  average  length  lioni  east  to  west  is  about  iiG  miles, 
and  its  width  from  north  to  south  21  miles;  containing  510  square  miles, 
or  345,600  acres.  This  county,  lying  on  Long  Island  Sound,  has  a 
very  extensive  maritime  border,  but  its  foreign  trade  is  (diicfly  confined 
to  New  Haven  harbor.  Its  fisheries  of  oysters  and  clams,  and  other 
fish,  are  valuable.  It  is  intersected  by  several  streams,  none  of  them 
of  very  large  size,  but  of  some  value  for  their  water  power  and  fish. 
Of  these  the  principal  are  the  Poniperaug  and  Naugatuc,  on  the  west  ; 
the  Quinnipiac,  Menunkatuc,  West  and  jMill  rivers,  on  the  east. 
The  Quinniiiiac  is  the  largest,  and  |)asses  through  extensi\  e  meadows. 
The  county  is  intersected  centrally  by  the  Neu  Haven  and  Noithamp- 
lon  Canal,  which  passes  through  this  county  from  north  to  south.  'I'herc 
isa  great  vaiiety  olsoil  in  this  county, as  well  as  of  nali\e  vegetable  and 
mineral  prodijctions.  The  range  of  secondary  countiy  which  extends 
along  Connecticut  river  as  far  as  Middletown,  there  leaves  that  stream, 
crosses  into  this  county,  and  terminates  at  New  Haven.  This  inter- 
section of  the  primitive  formation  by  a  secondary  ridge,  afibrds  a  great 
variety  of  minerals,  and  materials  for  diderent  soils.  Considerahle  tracts 
on  the  mountains  and  sandy  plains  are  of  little  value.  This  county  con- 
tains the  largest  city  in  the  state,  one  of  its  capitals,  a  seaport  with  pret- 
ty extensive  trade,  and  one  of  the  most  beautiful  towns  in  the  rnion. 
'hie  manufacturing  business  in  this  county  is  carried  on  to  a  cuusidera- 
ble  extent,  and  is  yearly  increasing. 


n  the  county,  with  th 


The  following  is  a  list  of  the  several  towns 
population  according  to  the  census  of  1830  : 

New  Haven  -  10,678  Madison    -     - 

Bethany  -  -  1 .049!  lAIeriden     -     - 

Branford  -  -  2,332 1  Middlebury     - 

Cheshire  -  -  1 ,780?  Milford      -     - 

l')erbv       -  -  2,253  j  North  Branfor( 

East  Haven  -  1,229  North  Haven 

Guilford     -  -  2,344,  Orange      -     - 

Hamden    -  -  1,669' 

Population  of  the  county  in  1820,  39,616  ;  in  1830,  43,847. 


Oxford      -     - 

1,763 

Prospect   -     - 

651 

Southbuiy 

1 ,557 

Wallingford    - 

2,418 

Waterbury 

3,070 

Wolcott     -     - 

843 

Woodbridge    - 

1,000 

131  N  E  W      11  A  V  E  N 


NKW   HAVEN. 

The  local  situation  of  New  Haven  appears  to  have  been  known  to 
the  Dutch  some  years  before  the  arrival  of  the  English  settlers  ;  they 
desi^niated  the  place  by  the  name  of"  Jied  Mount.''  It  was  doubtless 
so  called  from  the  appearance  of  the  East  and  West  Kocks  near  the 
place.  Its  Indian  name  was  Cluinnipidc,  which  name  was  given  to 
the  river  formin^^  the  eastern  boundary  of  the  township,  and  now  com- 
monly called  W^llingfurd  river;  to  the  adjacent  country,  and  to  the 
tribe  by  which  it  was  inhabited.  The  Quinnipiacs  have  long  since 
been  extinct :  they  dwelt  in  the  summer  on  the  shore,  for  the  conven- 
ience of  fishing  ;  and  in  tlje  winter,  in  the  forests,  for  the  convenience  of 
fuel. 

They  had  a  place  for  ])owwowing  in  East  Haven,  about  three  quar- 
ters ol'  a  niilc  east  of  the  harbor  bridge.  I'lie  spot  was  Ibrnierly  a 
svvam[),  and  is  now  a  meadow,  ' 

Charles,  the  last  sachem  of  this  tribe,  died  about  one  hundred  years 
ago.  He  was  frozen  to  death  near  a  spring,  about  one  mile  north  of 
the  Congregational  church  in  East  Haven. 

They  are  said  to  have  had  nei|her  marriages  nor  divorces. 

They  caught  round  clams  with  their  feet,  and  taught  the  ICnglish  to 
catch  them  in  this  manner. 

The  Indian  arrow-heads,  frequently  found  here,  are  exactly  like  some 
which  have  been  brought  from  Cape  Horn. 

At  Fort  Hill,  or,  as  it  is  now  called,  Beacon  Hill,  there  was  formerly 
an  Indian  fort,  and  an  Indian  burying  ground,  on  the  eastern  side  of  the 
hill.  The  name  of  this  spot  was  formerly  Indian  HUL — The  above  is 
about  all  the  account  we  have  of  the  original  inhal/itants. 

On  the  2Gth  of  July,  \Cy.M,  I\Ir.  John  Daven|)ort,  JMr.  Samuel  Eaton, 
Theophilus  Iviton,  anti  I'dward  Hopkins,  l^-^q.'s,  Mr.  'I'liomas  Cregson, 
and  many  others  of  goi);!  rli;n;u;leis  and  fortunes,  ni'rived  at  IJoston. 
JMr.  H.ivenport  had  been  a  celebrated  minister  in  the  city  of  liOndon, 
and  was  a  distinguished  character  for  piety,  learning  and  good  conduct. 
Many  of  his  congregation,  on  account  of  the  esteem  which  they  had  for 
his  person  and  ministry,  followed  him  into  New  England.  Rlr.  Eaton 
and  Mr.  Hopkins  had  been  merchants  in  London,  possessed  great  es- 
tates, and  were,  men  of  eminence  for  their  abilities  and  integrity.  The 
fame  of  Mr.  Davenport,  tlie  rejuitation  and  good  estatesof  the  principal 
gentlemen  of  this  company,  made  the  people  of'Massachusetts  exceed- 
ingly desirous  of  their  settlement  in  that  commonwealth.  Great  pains 
were  taken,  not  only  by  particular  persons  and  towns,  but  by  the  general 
court,  to  (ix  them  in  the  colony.  Chailestown  niade  them  large  oflers; 
and  Newbury  proposed  to  give  up  the  whole  town  to  them.  The  gen- 
eral court  ollered  them  any  place  which  they  should  choose.  But 
they  were  determined  to  plant  a  distinct  colony.  By  the  pmsuit  of 
the  Pequots  to  the  westward,  the  English  became  acquainted  with  that 
fine  tract  along  the  shore,  from  Saybrook  to  Fairfield,  and  with  its  sev- 
eral harbors.     It  was   represented  as  fruitful,  and  happily  situated  for 


NEW     IT  AVE  N.  135 

navigation  and  commerce.     They  therefore  projccteJ  a  settlement  in 
that  part  of  the  country. 

In  the  fall  of  1637,  Mr.  Eaton  and  others,  who  were  of  the  company, 
made  a  journey  to  Connecticut,  to  exi)lore  the  lands  and  harbors  on  the 
sea  coast.  They  pitched  upon  Quinnipiac  for  the  place  of  their  settle- 
ment. They  erected  a  poor  hut,  in  which  a  few  men  subsisted  through 
the  winter:   this  was  at  the  corner  of  Church  and  George  streets. 

On  the  30th  of  March,  163S,  IMr.  Davenport,  Mr.'' Prudden,  Mr. 
Samuel  Eaton,  and  Theopbilus  Eaton,  Esq.,  with  the  pcojile  of  their 
company,  sailed  from  Boston  for  Quinnipiac.  Jii  about  a  fortnight 
they  arrived  at  their  desired  port.  On  tlie  18th  of  April  they  kept 
their  first  Sabbath  in  the  place.  The  people  assembled  under  a  large 
spreading  oak,*  and  Mr.  Davenport  preached  to  them  from  Matthew 
vi.  1.  He  insisted  on  the  temptations  of  the  wilderness,  made  such  ob- 
servations, and  gave  such  directions  and  exhortations,  as  were  pertinent 
to  the  then  present  state  of  his  hearers.  He  left  this  remark,  that  he 
enjoyed  a  good  day.  The  settleis  first  began  to  build  on  George  street 
and  the  opjjosite  hill,  between  which  small  vessels  then  passed,  in  a 
creek  wdiicli  for  many  years  has  been  filled  up.  Their  first  houses  were 
commodious,  of  two  stories. 

One  of  the  princi[|;d  reasons  which  those  colonists  assigned  for  their 
removal  from  Massachusciis  was,  that  they  should  be  moie  luil  of  the 
way  and  trouble  of  a  general  goveinor  of  JNew  England,  who  at  this  time 
was  an  object  of  great  fear  in  all  the  [)lantations. 

Soon  after  they  arrived  at  Quinnipiac,  in  the  close  of  a  day  of  fast- 
ing and  prayer,  they  entered  into  what  they  teruK^d  a  plantation  co\c- 
nant.  In  tliis  they  solenndy  bound  themselves,  "  that  as  in  matteis  that 
concern  the  gathering  and  orikMing  of  a  church,  so  also  in  nil  pubHc 
offices  which  concern  civil  order,  as  the  choice  of  magistrates  and  oi'ri- 
cers,  making  and  re[)earnig  l.iws,  dividing  alloimeiits  of  inlieiitance,  and 
all  things  of  like  nature,  they  would  all  (yl'ihiMu  be  tiidi'ied  by  ilie  rides 
which  the  scripture  held  forth  to  them."  Tliis  was  adopted  as  a  gene- 
ral agreement,  until  there  should  be  time  for  the  peojile  to  become  more 
intimately  acquainted  with  each  other's  religious  views,  sentiments  and 
moral  conduct ;  which  was  supposed  to  be  necessary,  to  prepare  the  way 
for  covenanting  together  as  Clu'istians,  in  church  state. 

The  planters  of  Quinnipiac  determined  to  make  an  extensi\e  settle- 
ment ;  and,  if  possible,  to  mamtain  peri)etnal  peace  and  friendship  with 
the  Indians.  They  therefore  paid  an  eaily  attention  to  the  making  of 
such  purchases  and  amicable  treaties,  as  might  most  effectually  answer 
their  designs. 

On  the Mth  of  November,  1638,  Theopbilus  Eaton,  Esq.,  IMr.  Dav- 
enport, and  other  English  j)lantcrs,  entered  into  an  agreement  with 
Momauguin,  sachern  of  that  part  of  the  covmtry,  and  his  counsellors, 
respecting  the  lands.     The  artitdes  of  agreement  are  to  this  ellect : 

That  Momauguin  is  the  sole  sachem  of  Quinnipiac,  and  had  abso- 
lute power  to  aliene  and  dispose  of  the  same  :   that  in  consequence  of 

♦  Tliii  nx't-  \v;i>  .siiuaii'd  near  tlio.  roiinT  ul'  Georgi'  and  Cullc-^f  su'cels;  huih  New- 
Haven  and  Mill    id  L-hmches  v.-qv.;  Coim'-d  under  it.— /;?■.  DcnuV:  Srrmvn,  IHOI, 


13G 


N  K  \V     HAVEN, 


the  protection  lie  had  tasted,  by  the  English,  from  the  Pequots  and 
IMohawks,*  he  yielded  up  all  his  right,  title  and  interest,  to  all  the  land, 
rivers,  ponds  and  trees,  with  all  the  liberties  and  purtenances  belong- 
ing to  the  same,  unto  'Theophilus  Eaton,  John  Davenport  and  others, 
their  heirs  and  assigns  forever.  He  covenanted,  that  neither  he  nor 
liis  Indians  would  terrify  or  disturb  the  English,  or  injure  them  in  any 
of  iheir  interests  ;  but  that,  in  every  respect,  they  would  keep  true  faith 
with  them. 

The  English  covenanted  to  protect  Momauguin  and  liis  Iixlians, 
when  unreasonably  assaulted  and  terrified  by  either  of  the  other  In- 
dians ;  and  that  they  should  always  have  a  sufficient  (juantity  of  land  to 
plant  on,  upon  the  east  side  of  the  harbor,f  between  that  and  Saybrook 
fort.  They  also  covenanted,  that  by  way  of  free  and  thankful  retribu- 
tion, they  gave  unto  the  said  sachem  and  his  council  and  company, 
twelve  coats  of  English  clcjth,  twelve  alchymy  spoons,  twelve  hatchets, 
twelve  hoes,  two  dozen  of  knives,  twelve  porringers,  and  four  cases  of 
French  knives  and  scissors. 

This  agreement  was  signed  and  legally  executed,  by  Momanguin  and 
bis  council  on  the  one  part,  and  I'heophilus  Eaton  and  John  Davenport 
on  the  other.  Thomas  Stanton,  who  was  the  intrejjreter,  declared  in 
the  presence  of  God,  that  he  had  faithfully  acquainted  the  Indians  with 
the  said  articles,  and  returned  their  answers. 

The  following  signatures  are  marks  of  I\Iomauguin  and  his  counscllois 
to  the  above  agreement,  and  are  copied  from  the  ancient  records  of 
New  Haven,  nearly  in  the  position  they  stand  on  the  record. 


1. 

IMomauguin,  his  mark. 

o 

Sugcogisin. 

3. 

Quosa  quash. 

4. 

Carroughood. 

5. 

^^'oos;mruck. 

G. 

The     mark     of    Shaumpi 

shuh,  the  sister  ol"  Mo- 
mauguin,  called  in  the 
agreement  Sfjuaw  Sa- 
chem, who,  it  appears, 
had  some  interest  in  part 
of  the  lands. 


In  December  following,  they  made  another  purchase  of  a  large  tract, 
which  lay  princiiially  north  of  the  former.  This  was  of  Montowese,  son 
of  the  jireat  sachem  at    Mattabeseck.     This    tract  was  ten   miles  in 


*  The  Indians  iif  Clninni|iiac,  in  this  treat)-,  dccliircd,  that  they  still  rcmeinbeicd 
the  he;u'v. taxes  of  the  Peqnoisand  Alohawks;  ami  that,  hy  reason  oflhe  I'.'ar  nt  liicu), 
they  eoLild  not  stay  in  their  own  eonnlry,  but  had  been  obliged  to  /lee.  My  iliese  pow- 
erful enemies  they  had  been  ledueed  to  about  forty  men. 

t  Tins  was  in  the  present  town  of  East  Haven. 


N  K  W      II  A  V  lu  N.  137 

length,  north  and  soutli,  and  thirteen  in  breadth.  It  extended  eight 
miles  east  of  the  river  Quinnipiuc,  and  five  miles  west  of  it  towards 
Hudson's  river.  It  inchided  ail  the  lands  within  the  ancient  limits  of 
the  old  towns  of  New  Haven,  Branford  and  Wallingford,  and  almost  the 
whole  contained  in  the  present  limits  of  those  towns,  and  the  towns  of 
East  Haven,  VVoodbridge, Bethany,  INleriden,  JNorth  Branford,  Cheshire, 
Hamden,  North  Haven,  and  part  of  Orange.  These  liave  since  been 
made  out  of  the  three  oh]  towns.  For  this  last  tract  the  English  gave  13 
coats,  and  allowed  the  Indians  ground  to  i)lant,  and 
liberty  to  hunt  within  the  lands.  The  aimexed  is  a 
copy  of  the  signature  of  iMuntowese  and  Sawsounck, 
an  Indian  who  came  with  l;im  to  New  Haven.  JMon- 
towese's  signature  is  the  bow  and  arrow.  It  appears 
the  above  land  descended  to  him  from  his  deceased 
mother.  His  tribe  or  company  consisted  of  but 
ten  men,  with  their  women  and  children. 

The  New  Haven  adventurers  were  ihe  most  opu- 
lent company  which  came  into  New  England  ;  and 
they  designed  to  plant  a  capital  colony.  They  laid 
out  their  town  [ilat  in  squares,  designing  it  for  a  great 
and  elegant  city.  In  the  center  was  a  large  and 
beautiful  square.  This  was  compassed  with  others,  making  nine  in  the 
whole. 

The  first  principal  settlers  were,  Theo[)hilus  Eaton,  Esq.,  IMr.  Dav- 
enport, San)uel  Eaton,  Thomas  (^regson,  Robert  Newnian,  Matthew 
Gilbert,  Nathaniel  Turner,  Thomas  FugiJl,  Francis  Newman,  Stephen 
Goodyear,  and  .Joshua  Al\wik'r. 

There  appears  no  act  of  civil,  n)ilitary,  or  ecclesiastical  authority, 
during  the  first  year  ;  nor  is  there  any  appearance  that  this  colony  was 
ever  straitened  lor  bread,  as  the  other  colonies  had  been. 

I\Ieanwhile,  Mr.  Henry  Whitfiel.l,  Wui.  Leet,  E^q.,  Samuel  Desbor- 
ough,  Robert  Kitehel,  Willinni  Chittentlen,  anil  others,  who  were  part 
of  Mr.  Davenport's  and  Mr.  Eaton's  company,  arrived  to  assist  them  in 
their  new  settlement.  These  were  principally  from  Kent  and  Surry,  in 
the  vicinity  of  London.  IMr.  Whitfield's  people,  like  Mr.  Davenport's, 
followed  him  into  New  England.  There  were  now  three  ministers,  with 
many  of  the  members  of  their  former  churches  and  congregations,  col- 
lected in  this  infant  colony,  and  combined  in  the  same  general  agree- 
ment. 

On  the  4th  of  June,  1G39,  all  the  free  planters  at  Quinnipiac  con- 
vened in  a  large  barn  of  Mr.  Newman's,  and,  in  a  formal  and  very  sol- 
emn manner,  proceeded  to  lay  the  foundations  of  their  civil  and  reli- 
gious polity. 

J\Ir.  Davenport  introduced  the  business,  by  a  sermon  from  the  words 
of  the  royal  preacher,  "  Wisdom  hath  budded  her  house,  she  hath 
hewn  out  her  seven  pillars." 

The  following  is  the  most  ancient  record  of  this  event,  and  is  a  curi- 
osity in  the  history  of  civil  government. 

IS 


138  NEW     IIAVKN. 

The  4th  day  of  ihe  'llh  inonelh,  called  June  1039,  all  the  Tree  planters  assembled  la- 
gelher  in  a  general  mceiini^'e,  to  consiill  about  settling  civil  government  according  lo 
God,  and  about  the  nomiMiiiion  of  |icrs(His  that  may  be  found,  by  consent  of  all,  fittest 
in  all  re.speclij  for  the  fouudation  worlc  of  a  Chuich  which  was  intended  to  be  gathered 
in  Ciuinipiaclj.  After  sidlonme  invocation  of  the  name  of  CioD  in  prayer,  for  the  pres- 
ence and  help  of  bis  spirit  and  grace  in  these  weighty  businesses,  they  were  reminded 
of  the  business  whereabout  they  met,  (viz.)  for  the  esiahlishmcnt  of  such  civil  order  as 
might  be  most  pleasing  unto  CJod  and  for  the  chusuig  the  hlie.'>t  men  for  the  foundation 
■work  of  a  church  lo  be  gathered.  For  the  belter  enabling  tlieni  to  di^cerne  the  mindc 
of  God,  and  to  agree  accordingly  conceiiung  the  e.-,ialilislunent  of  civil  order,  Mr.  John 
JDavenport  propounded  divers  queries  lo  ihein,  publicly  praying  iheni  lo  consider  se- 
riously in  Ihe  presence  and  feare  of  God,  the  weight  o(  the  business  they  met  about, 
and  not  to  be  ra.'bh  or  sleight  in  giving  their  votes  to  things  they  understood  not,  but  to 
digest  fully  and  thoroughly  what  should  be  propounded  to  them,  and  Mithont  respect 
to  men,  as  they  should  be  satisfied  and  perswaded  in  their  own  minds  to  g^ive  their 
answers  in  such  sort  as  they  would  be  willing  they  should  stand  upon  record  for  pos- 
terity. 

This  being  earnestly  expiesseil  by  Mr.  Davenport,  Air.  Robert  Newman  was  untreat- 
ed to  write  in  characters,  and  to  read  dislincily  and  audibly  in  the  hearing  of  all  the 
people,  what  was  [uopounded  and  accorded  on,  that  it  might  appear  that  all  consented 
to  matters  propounded  according  to  words  wiiileu  by  hun. 

Cluu're  1.  Whether  the'  Sciipiuies  du  ImKle  luimli  a  [UTfect  rule  for  the  direcliou 
and  government  of  all  men  in  all  duieyi  s  \i  hull  ihey  are  lo  peilbnn  to  Gou  and  men, 
as  well  in  the  government  offamylj-esand  eeiiiinHni  wealihs  as  in  nuitlers  of  Ihe  church  ? 
This  was  asscnletl  unio  by  all,  no  man  dis,-,eniing.  as  was  expressed  by  holding  up  of 
hands.  Aliei  wards  it  was  rend  over  lo  lliein,  that  they  might  see  in  w  hat  wordes  their 
vote  was  expressed  :  they  againe  exjiressed  tlieir  consent  iheielo  by  holding  up  their 
hands,  no  man  dissenting. 

U,ua're  2.  ^Vhereas  there  was  a  covenant  soUeiniiedy  made  by  ilie  whole  a.ssembly  of 
free  planters  of  this  planlaluni,  the  fust  tlay  of  extrauidiiiary  hnmiliaiion  that  we  had 
hfter  we  came  together,  thai  as  m  mnJters  that  concern  the  galheiing  and  ordering  of  a 
church,  so  likewise  in  all  publique  olliees,  w  hieh  concein  civil  order,  as  choyce  of  ma- 
gistrates and  oihcers,  making  and  repealing  id'  laws,  divideing  allotments  of  niherii- 
nnces,  and  all  things  of  like  nature,  we  would  all  of  i»s  be  ordered  by  those  lules  wliieh 
the  scripture  holds  forth  to  us.  This  C(jvenant  was  called  a  plantation  covenant,  to 
distinguish  it  from  a  church  covenant,  which  could  not  at  that  time  be  made,  a  chuicli 
not  being  then  gathered,  but  was  deferred  till  a  church  might  be  gathered  according 
toGiiD.  It  was  ileiiKunled  whelher  all  the  free  planters  doe  holde  themselves  botujd 
by  that  covenant  in  all  business  of  that  nature  which  are  expressed  in  ihe  covenant,  lo 
submit  themselves  to  be  ordered  by  the  rules  which  are  held  forth  in  the  scripture. 

^I'liis  also  was  assented  unto  by  all,  and  no  man  gainsa3-e(t  it,  :ind  ihey  diil  leslify  Ihe 
same  by  holding  up  their  handes,  both  when  it  wa.s  I'lrst  propounded,  and  aflerwants 
ronlirmed  the  same  bv  iudding  up  their  Ir.iiuis  when  it  was  i^a,!  unlo  ihem  in  pii'.v- 
Inpie.  John  l.^lark  bem-  afseiil  u  hen  ihe  e>.\enaht  \^as  iii,.de,  dnih  n,,w  inanifeM  his 
consent  (o  It.  Also  IJieliard  lleach,  .\ndiev.-  l,(,u  ,  ( .'...nlnian  llauiMei ,  A  I  ihur  IJal- 
bidge,  John  Poller,  llichaid  Ilill.Johu  llrcekeil,  an.lJuliM  Jnlui-.^i,  ihese  persons  be- 
ing not  adiuilled  planters  when  the  covenant  was  made,  iIliIIi  now  expresse  their  con- 
sent lo  it. 

ausere  3.  Those  who  have  desired  lo  be  leccived  as  free  planters,  and  are  settled  in 
the  plantation  with  a  puiposed  resolution  and  desire  that  ihey  may  be  admiiied  nito 
church  fellowshi|),  according  lo  Christ,  as  soon  as  Gun  shall  lilt  ihem  Ihereunto,  were 
desiretl  to  expresse  it  by  lujlding  up  of  hands—aceordinglv  all  did  ex[)resse  this  to  be 
their  desire  and  purpose,  by  holding  uplheir  hands  iwiee,  (vi/,.)boih  at  the  proposal  of 
it,  and  after,  when  these  w  rilten  words  w  ere  read  unto  them. 

CluKre  -1.  All  Ihe  free  phmteis  weie  called  upon  lo  express  whether  they  held  them- 
selves bound  to  establish  such  civil  order  as  might  best  coinliice  to  the  .securing  the  [m- 
rity  and  peace  of  the  ordinances  to  llu.'inselves  and  iheir  posieiily,  aecoiiling  to  Gnn. 
In'answer  hereunio  they  expressed  bv  huldmg  uji  then  hands  twice,  as  befoie.  That 
Ihey  helde  iheuv.elves  bound  lo  establish  such  eivi!  t.rder  as  might  best  conduce  to  the 
ends  aforesaid. 

Then  Mr.  davenport  declared  unlo  them  by  Ihe  scriptures  what  kind  of  persons 
might  best  be  trusted  wiih  matters  of  goveiiimeiit,  and  by  sundry  arguments  from 
scripture  proved  that  .such  as  were  described,  Ex.  18,  1.  Deut.  1,  i;?.  with  Deul.  I'J,  l.^>. 
and  1  Cor.  (!,  1  lo  7,  ought  to  be  entrusted  bythciu,  seeing  they  were  free  to  cast  them- 
selves into  that  mould  and  forme  of  commoiuvealih  which  ajiiiearelh  best  for  them  la 
reference  to  the  securing  the  pure  and  peaceable  enjoyment  of  all  Christ  his  ordinan- 
ces in  the  church  according  lo  Gon,  whereunto  they  have  bound  themselves  as  hath 


NEW     HAVEN.  139 

been  acknowledgeil.  Ilavinj^  said  this,  lie  sal  down,  praying  Ihe  company  fiec]y  to 
consider  wlieliier  lliey  would  have  a  voted  at  this  tune  or  not.  After  some  siiace  of 
silence,  Mr.  Theopliikis  Eaton  answered  it  mii^'hl  be  voted,  and  some  otheis  also  spake 
to  the  same  purpose,  none  at  all  opposinj?  it.     Then  il  was  propounded  lo  vole. 

Quoire  5.  Whether  free  Biir;:^esses  shall  be  ehosen  out  of  Church  members,  ihey 
that  are  in  the  fouiidaiion  work  of  the  church  being-  actually  free  burgesse.s,  and  lo 
chuse  to  themselves  oul  of  the  like  estaie  of  cluirch  lellowship,  and  the  power  of  cha- 
sing magistrates  and  olticers  from  among  iheni'-elves,  and  the  power  of  making  and 
repealing  laws  accurding  to  the  word,  and  the  dividing  of  inheritances,  and  the  deci- 
ding dilferences  that  may  arise,  and  all  the  business  ot  like  nature,  are  to  be  transacted 
by  those  free  burgesses. 

This  (viz,  au;cre  5.)  was  put  to  vote,  and  agreed  unto  by  the  lifting  up  of  hands 
twice,  as  in  the  lormer  cases  it  was  done.  Then  one  man  stood  U|)  alter  the  vole  was 
past,  and  expressing  his  dissenting  from  the  rest,  in  liiat  yet  granting,  1.  'I'luit  magis- 
trates should  be  men  fearing  Goi>.  0.  That  the  Church  is  the  company  whence  ordi- 
narily such  men  may  be  expected.  ■^.  That  they  that  chuse  them  ought  to  be  men 
fearing  Gon,  onelye  at  this  he  slurke.  That  l]i,c  plaiileis  ought  nut  lo  give  the  power 
out  o(  their  hands. 

Another  stood  up  and  answered,  t'lat  in  this  case  iiothin<?  was  done  but  wiih  their 
consent.  The  former  answered,  that  all  the  free  planters  ought  to  lesume  this  power 
into  their  own  hands  again,  if  things  were  not  orderly  carried.  Mr.  Theophilus  Eaton 
answered,  thai  in  ail  cases  tliev  choose  commitiees.  In  like  manner  the  companys  of 
London  chuse  the  liverys  by  whom  the  publi(]ue  magistrates  are  chosen.  In  this  the 
rest  are  not  wronged;  because  lliev  e.xpect  to  be  of  ihe  livery  themselves,  ami  to  have 
the  same  power.  Some  others  intreaied  the  former  to  give  his  arguments  and  rea.sons 
-whereupon  he  disseiiKul.  lie  refu.sed  lo  doe  it,  and  said  they  might  not  rationally  de- 
maund  it,  seeing  he  let  the  vote  pass  on  freelv,  and  ilid  not  speak  until  after  it  was  past 
because  he  would  not  hinder  wliat  Ihey  agreed  ujion.  Then  INlr.  Davenpoil,  after  a 
shorl  relation  of  some  loi  mei-])iiss:iges  beiwccn  them  two  about  this  question,  prayed  the 
company  that  nothing  might  be  euii. ■hided  hy  ihem  in  this  weighty  qestion,  biit  what 
themselves  were  ]H-iMiaded  to  be  agieein-  with  the  minde  of  Goo,  and  ihey  had  heard 
what  had  been  sayd  since  the  vote,  mtreaied  them  agavne  to  eonsidci"  of  il  and 
agayne  to  put  il  lo  vote  as  before.  Agayne  all  of  them  by  holding  up  their  hands,  did 
shew  their  consent  as  befcu'e.  And  some  of  them  professed,  that  whereas  they  did 
waver  before  they  came  to  the  as^emblv,  they  were  now  fully  convinced,  thai  il  is  the 
minde  of  God.  (Jne  of  ihein  sai.l,  ihiit  in  ihe  morning  belbre  he  came,  reading  Deu- 
teronomy 17,  15.  he  was  convinced  at  home.  Another  said  that  he  came  doubling  to 
the  assembly,  but  he  blessed  Goo,  by  what  had  beene  said  he  was  now  fully  satisfied 
that  thechoyceol  buigesses  out  of  Church  members,  audio  intiust  these- with  the 
power  befoie  spoken  of,  is  accoiding  to  the  minde  of  Gon  revealed  in  the  scripture. 
All  having  spoken  their  aj.piehensions,  it  was  agiced  upon,  and  Mr.  Robert  IN'ewman 
was  desired  lo  write  it  as  an  order,  whereunuj  every  one  that  herealier  should  be  ad- 
mitted here  as  plaiiieis  should  submit,  and  testify  ihe  s.ime  by  subscribing  their  names 
It"  the  ordei,  namelv, 

That  church  Members  only  shall  be  free  llurtjesses,  and  that  they  only  shall  chuse 
magisiiaies  and  olhcers  among  thcmscdves,  to  have  the  power  o(  transacting  all  pub- 
lique  civil  allairs  of  this  phiniaiion,  of  making  and  repealing  laws,  devideing  of  inher- 
itances, decideing  ol  ditl'erences  that  may  arise ;  and  doing  all  things  or  businesses  of 
like  nature. 

This  being  sellled  as  a  fundamental  article  concerning  civil  government,  Mr.  Dav- 
enport propounded  and  proposed  some  things  to  consideration  abouie  the  gatheringe 
of  a  Church.  And  to  prevent  the  blemishing  of  the  (irst  beginnings  of  the  woik,  He 
advised  that  the  names  of  such  as  were  to  be  admitted  be  publiquely  propounded,  to  the 
end  that  they  who  were  most  approved  might  bechosen;  for  the  town  being  cast  into 
several  private  meetings,  wherein  they  that  dwelt  nearest  together  gave  their  accounLs 
one  to  another  of  Gon's  gracious  worlc  upon  them,  and  pr.iyed  together,  and  conferred 
to  their  mutual  edidcaiion,  sundry  of  them  had  knowledge  one  of  another,  and  in  ev- 
ery meeting  some  one  was  more  approved  of  all  than  any  other.  For  this  rea.son,  and 
to  prevent  scandalls,  the  whole  company  was  iiilieated"lo  consider  whom  they  found 
nttest  to  nominate  for  this  worke. 

Quaere  G.  Whether  are  yon  all  willing  and  do  agree  in  this,  that  twelve  men  be  cho- 
sen, thai  their  fitness  for  the  foundation  work  may  he  tried,  however  there  may  be  more 
named,  yet  it  may  be  in  their  power  who  are  chosen  to  reduce  them  to  twelve,  and  it 
be  in  the  power  of  those  twelve  to  chuse  oul  of  themselves  7,  that  shall  be  most  appro- 
ved of,  ihe  major  pan  to  begin  the  church. 

This  was  agreed  upon  by  consenl  of  all,  as  was  expre.-^sed  by  holding  up  of  hand,?, 
and  that  so  many  as  should  be  thought  lit  for  the  foundation  work  of  a  church,  shall 


140  NEW     HAVEN. 

be  propounded  by  ihe  plantation,  and  written  down  and  passe  without  exception,  \\i\- 
lesse  they  had  gi\'en  public  scandall  or  otTcnce,  yet  so  as  in  case  of  publiqiie  scaiulall 
and  otlence,  every  one  should  have  libeiiy  to  propound  their  exceptions  at  that  time 
publiquely  againsi  any  man  ihat  shoiihl  be  nominated  whtn  all  the  names  ahould  be 
writ  down,  but  if  the  olFcnce  were  private,  that  men's  names  miglit  be  leiidered,  so  ma- 
ny as  were  otfended,  were  intrented  to  deal  with  the  otTender  privately.  And  if  he 
frave  no  satislaclion,  to  brine  the  matter  lo  the  twelve,  that  ihey  might  considei  of  it 
impartially  and  in  the  I'eare  of  God.  The  names  of  the  persons  named  and  agreed 
upon,  were  Theophilus  Eaton,  John  D:ivenpori,  I-tobert  Newman,  Matthew  Gilbert, 
Richard  Malbon,  Nathaniel  Turner,  Ezekiel  Chevers,  Tliomas  Fugill,  Juhn  Pnnder- 
son,  William  Andrews,  and  Jeremiah  Dixon.  No  exception  was  biouglit  against  any 
of  these  in  public,  except  one  abonl  taking  an  excessive  rate  for  meal  liiat  he  had  sold 
to  one  of  Poquonnock  in  his  neede,  whicii  he  confessed  with  grief,  and  declared  that 
having  been  smitten  in  heart,  and  troubled  in  his  conscience,  he  offered  such  a  part  of 
the  price  back  again,  with  conlession  of  his  sin  t(j  the  parly,  as  he  thought  himself 
bound  to  do.  And  it  being  lea  red  that  the  report  of  tlie  sin  was  heard  funher  than  the 
report  of  his  satisfaction,  a  course  was  concluded  on  to  make  ilie  satislaclion  to  as  ma- 
ny as  heard  of  the  sin.  It  was  also  agreed  upon  at  the  .said  ineelinge,  that  if  the  per- 
sons above  named  did  find  themselves  sti^iitened  in  the  number  of  fit  ineu  for  the  sev- 
en, that  it  sliould  be  free  for  them  to  take  inio  liyal  of  lilnesse  such  other  as  they 
should  think  ineete.  Provided  that  it  slionld  he  sigriilied  to  ihe  town  upon  the  Lord's 
day  who  Ihey  so  take  in,  that  evei y  man  may  be  saiislied  of  them,  according  lo  the 
course  formerly  taken. 

[The  foregoing  was  subscribed  ai'd  signed  by  one  liiindied  and  eleven  persons.] 

"  After  a  proper  term  of  trial,  'J'heophilus  Iviton,  Esq.,  ]\Ir.  John 
Davenport,  Robert  Newman,  I\Iattlieu'  CJilbert,  Thomas  Fugill,  John 
Puiideison  and  Jeremiah  Dixon,  were  chosen  for  the  seven  pillars  of 
the  church. 

"October  25th,  1G39,  the  court,  as  it  is  termed,  consisting  of  these 
seven  persons  only,  convened,  and  after  a  solemn  address  to  the  Su- 
preme Majesty,  they  proceeded  to  form  the  body  of  freemen,  and  to 
elect  their  civil  officers.     Tlie  manner  was  indeed  singular  and  curious. 

•'  In  the  first  place,  all  former  trust,  for  managing  the  public  affairs 
of  the  plantation,  was  declared  to  cease,  and  be  utterly  abrogated.  Then 
all  those  who  had  been  admitted  to  the  church  after  the  gathering  of  it, 
in  the  choice  of  the  seven  |Mllars,  and  all  the  mendjers  of  other  appro- 
ved churches,  who  desired  it,  and  olTeretl  themselves,  were  admitted 
members  of  the  court.  A  solt'mn  chinge  was  then  ptdilicly  given  them, 
to  the  same  effect  as  the  freemen's  charge,  or  oath,  which  they  had  pre- 
viously adopted.  The  purjiort  of  (his  was  nearly  the  same,  with  the 
oath  of  fidelity,  and  with  the  freemen's  admini.^tered  at  the  present  lime. 
Mr.  Davenport  expounded  several  scriptiu'es  to  them,  describing  the 
character  of  civil  magistrates  given  in  the  sacred  oracles.  To  this  suc- 
ceeded the  election  of  officers.  Theophilus  Eaton,  Esq.  was  chosen 
f;overnor,  Mr.  Robert  Newman,  ]Mr.  Matthew  Gilbert,  Mr.  Nathaniel 
Turner,  and  Mr.  Thomas  Fugill,  were  chosen  magistrates.  Mr.  Fugill 
was  also  chosen  secretary  ;  and  Robert  Secly,  marshal. 

"  Mr.  Davenport  gave  Governor  Eaton  a  charge  in  open  court,  from 
Deut.  1  :  16,  17.  '  And  I  charged  your  judges  at  that  time,  saying. 
Hear  the  causes  between  your  brethren,  and  judge  rigiiteously  between 
every  man  and  his  brother,  and  the  stranger  that  is  with  him.  Ye  shall 
not  respect  persons  in  judgment,  but  ye  shall  hear  the  small  as  well  as 
the  great ;  ye  shall  not  be  afraid  of  the  face  of  man  ;  for  the  judgment 
is  God's  :  and  the  cause  that  is  too  hard  for  you,  bring  it  unto  me,  and 
I  will  hear  it." 


NEW     HAVEN.  141 

"  It  was  decreed  by  the  freemen,  llmt  there  should  be  a  general 
court  annually,  in  the  plantation,  on  the  last  week  in  October.  This 
was  ordained  a  court  of  election,  in  which  all  the  officers  of  the  colony 
were  to  be  chosen.  This  court  determined,  that  the  word  of  God 
should  be  the  only  rule  for  ordering  the  atlairs  of  government  in  that 
commonweakh. 

"This  was  the  original,  fundamental  constitution  of  the  governraent 
of  New  Haven.  All  government  was  originally  in  the  church,  and  the 
members  of  the  church  elected  tiie  governor,  magistrates  and  all  other 
officers.  Tlie  magistrates,  at  first,  were  no  more  than  assistants  of  the 
governor;  they  might  not  act  in  any  sentence  or  determination  of  the 
court.*  No  deputy  governor  was  cliosen,  nnr  were  any  laws  enacted, 
except  the  general  resolutions  which  have  been  noticed  ;  but,  as  the 
j)lantation  enlarged,  and  new  towns  were  settled,  new  orders  were  giv- 
en ;  the  general  court  received  a  new  form,  laws  were  enacted,  and  the 
civil  polity  of  this  jurisdiction  gradually  advanced,  in  its  essential  parts, 
to  a  near  resemblance  of  the  government  of  Connecticut."! 


Letter  from  the  Rev.  J.  Davenport  and  Gov.  l^laton,  "To  the  much 
honored  the  Governor,  Deputy  and  Assistants,  &ic."  of  Massachusetts. 

"It  may  jilcn-e  the  woiiliy  and  iniu'li  lionorcd  Governor,  Deputy  &  Assistants,  & 
with  them,  the  prest-iil  Coiute,  lo  liilvc  knuwludge  thai  ciur  desire  ol' slaying  wilhiii 
this  pHtent  was  Reall  and  strung',  if  llic  eye  of  God's  providenee  (to  whom  we  have 
committed  oiu  waies,  especially  in  so  iinpoilant  an  enterprise  as  this,  wlueh,  we  con- 
fess is  far  above  our  Capacityes)  had  j^uided  us  lo  a  place  convenient  for  onr  fainilyes, 
&  for  our  frii^nds.  Wliieh  as  our  W(jrds  have  often  expi'essed,so,  we  hope,  the  tiuetli 
thereof  is  sullicienlly  declared  by  onr  almo^t  nine  moneths  patient  wayiiiig  in  expecin- 
c"on  of  some  opportunity  to  be  ollcrcd  us,  for  lliat  end,  to  oui^reat  charge  ik  hin- 
drance, many  waies. 

"  In  ail  whic!)  lime  we  have,  in  many  pi'a\trs,  commended  the  guidance  of  our  ap- 
prehension'--, judgments,  hi)!ni>,  losdluc'ous  iS:  wayes,  into  the  ,i'oud  hand  of  tlie  onely 
wise  God,  Vihose  preru'^aiue  ii  i^  to  deieiniine  the  bounds  of  onr  habitac^ons  accord- 
ing 10  the  ends  for  whuh  he  hath  brought  Ui  into  these  counlryes,  and  we  have  eon- 
sjdered,  as  we  were  able,  by  l.is  heljie,  whalM.ever  place  hath  bene  juupounded  to  us, 
being  rendy  lo  have,  with  contenlnu  lit  aceciiied  (il  I'y  our  slay  any  ftublick  ijood  might 
lie  piomoved)  Miialler  aeec/iiunodac  ons,  &  ujion  dearer  termes  (if  ihey  miglit  be  mod- 
cjotely  coininudious)  then,  we  believe,  most  men,  in  liie  same  case  with  us,  in  all  res- 
pects, would  have  done.  And  whereas  a  jilace  for  an  Inland  planlac  on,  beyond  Wa- 
tertowne,  was  propounded  to  us,  &,  ])ressed  with  much  importunity  l)y  some,  whose 
words  have  the  jiower  of  a  law  with  us,  in  any  way  of  God,  we  did  speedily,  and  seii- 
ously  deliberate  iheieopon,  it  being  the  subjcci  of  the  greatest  |iart  o(  a  dayes  discourse. 
The  conclusion  was,  that,  if  llie  upland  should  answer  the  meddowgiound  in  goodnes 
<t  desirablenes  (whereof  yet  theie  is  some  ground  of  doubting)  yet,  considering  that  a 
Boate  cannot  pass  from  the  15ay  thither,  nearer  than  8  or  10  miles  distance,  and  that  it 
is  so  reniote  from  the  Bay,  &  IVuin  any  towne,  we  couhl  not  see  how  our  dwelling  there 
would  be  advaniagious  to  the.se  planlation.s,  or  compatible  with  ourcoiulitions,  or  com- 
modious for  our  familv-es,  or  I'or  our  friends. 

"  Nor  can  we  satisfye  ourselves  thra  it  is  expedient,  for  ourselves,  or  for  our  friends, 
that  we  cliuse  such  a  condition,  wherein  we  must  be  compelled  to  have  our  dwelling 
liouses  so  farr  distant  iiom  our  Fainies,  as  Boston,  or  CJiarle.stowne  is  Ifom  that  place, 
few  of  our  friends  being  able  to  beare  the  charge  thereof  (whose  cases  nevertheless  we 
are  bound  to  consider)  &  some  ol  tjiem  that  are  alilenot  being  persuaded  that  it  is  law- 
full  for  them  to  live  continually  I'rom  the  gieatest  part  of  theyre  fnmilyes,  as,  in  this 
case,  they  would  be  necessitated  to  doe.  The  season  of  the  yeare,  &,  other  weighty 
considerations,  compelled  us  to  haslen  to  a  full  (fcfinall  conclusion,  which  we  are,  at 


*  Records  of  ihe  Colony  of  New  Haven, 
t  Trumbiill'ii  History  of  Conncclicut. 


142 


NEW     HAVEN. 


last,  come  unto,  by  God's  appointment  and  diiL-ction,  m-q  hope  in  mercy,  nud  have  sent 
letters  tu  Connectacntt  lur  a  speedy  transaciinj,'  the  purchase  of  the  jKirts  about  Uuii- 
lypieck  from  the  Natives  uliich  may  pretend  title  thereuulu.  By  w  hich  Act  we  are 
Absolutely,  tV  irrevocably  in;;a^'ed  tliat  way,  &  we  are  persuaded  that  God  will  order 
it  for  good  unto  these  planlaiions,  wiiose  love  so  abundantly,  above  our  desarts,  or  ex- 
pectac''ons,  expressed,  in  your  desire  of  our  abode  in  these  parts,  as  we  shall  ever  re- 
taine  in  ihanclvfull  memory,  so  we  shall  account  ourselves  thereby  obliged  to  be  any 
way  instrumeniall,  &  serviccuide  foi-  ilie  common  good  of  these  plantac~ons  as  well  as 
of  those;  which  the  Divine  providence  hath  combined  together  in  as  strong  a  bund  of 
Brotherly  alleciiun,  hy  the  sameness  of  thevre  contlilion,  as  J(iab  and  Abishai  were, 
whose  severall  armyes  did  miUuallv  slrenglhcn  them  boalh  against  sevcial  enimyes — 
'J  Sam.  X.  !t,  10,  11,  or  ralherllicv  are  joynetl  together,  as  Hippocrates  his  Twinnes,  to 
stand  ,?;:  fall,  to  growe  &,  decay,  to  llourish  i  witiier,  to  live  and  dye  together.  Inwil- 
nes  ol  the  premises  we  subsciilie  our  names. 

John  Davenporte. 

Theoph:  Ealou. 
The  lOlh  dav  of  the  first  monelli, 
Anno  IG3S"  [=  12  March,  KJJ'JJ* 


^rcm^ 


The  above  is  a  fac  siinile  of  the  haiitl-writing  of  Mr.  Davenport  and 
Gov.  Eaton,  subscribed  to  tlie  preceding  letter. 


New  Haven  lies  at  the  head  of  a  harbor,  which  sets  up  four  miles 
from  Long  Island  Sound  ;  in  north  latitude  41°  IS',  and  in  west  longi- 
tude 72°  56' ;  seventy  six  miles  from  New  York,  thirty  four  from  Hart- 
ford, and  one  hundred  and  thirty  foiu-  from  Hostoti.  It  is  the  capital 
of  a  county  of  the  same  lumu;,  ;mil  the  semi-capital  of  Connecticut. 
The  site  of  iNew  Haven  is  a  plain,  l}'iiig  between  two  ranges  of  hills,  ou 
the  east  and  on  the  west  ;  and  limited,  partly,  on  the  northern  side,  by 
two  mountains,  called  the  East  and  West  Rocks  ;  a  spur  from  the  lat- 
ter, named  Pine  Rock,  and  another  from  the  former,  named  Mill  Rock, 
which  descends  in  the  form  of  a  handsome  hill  to  the  northern  skirt  of 
the  city.  Between  these  mountains  the  plain  opens  into  a  valley,  which 
extends  northward  seventy  six  miles,  to  Northampton  ;  and  between 
the  East  Rock,  and  the  eastern  range  of  hills,  into  another  valley,  ter- 
minating at  Wethersfield,  thirty  two  miles.  Both  these  valleys  coincide 
at  the  places  specified,  with  the  valleys  of  Connecticut  river.  The 
mountains  are  bold  blutls  of  greenstone  rocks,  with  suimnits  finely  fig- 
ured, and  form  a  delightful  j)art  of  the  New  Haven  landscape. 

The  harbor  of  New  Haven  is  created  by  the  conduence  of  three  riv- 
ers with  the  Sound  ;  Wallingford  or  Quinnipiac  river  on  the  east.  Mill 


*  Collections  of  the  Massachusetts  Historical  Society,  3d  vol.  3d  series. 


NEW     HAVEN 


M3 


river  on  the  norib,  and  West  river.  The  two  last  are  merely  mill 
streams.  Mill  river  is  a  very  fine  one,  being  plentifully  supplied  with 
water  during  tlie  year.  Wallingford  river,  originally  called  Quinni- 
piac,  rises  in  Farminglon,  and  alter  running  a  winding  course  of  thirty 


five  miles,  empties  its  waters  into  the  Sound. 
ornaments  of  the  landscape. 


These  streams  are  also 


iSouth  vicir  of  Sav  ILivcn  and  Fort  Jlalc. 


Fort  Ilale,  the  most  prominent  ohject  in  the  above  view,  is  silnateil  un  an  insulated 
rock,  two  Iniles  from  llie  eud  ul  Long  Wliarl".  It  is  so  named  Irom  Ca]ilaiii  Nailian 
Hale,  vvliu  saerilieed  his  life  fur  iiis  cuLiniry  ill  the  Revolutionary  war.  Tlie  ciiy  of 
New  Haven  is  seen  in  tlic  distance,  wilii  the  East  and  West  llueks,  as  they  appear  in 
sailing  up  liie  harhor. 

The  harbor  of  New  Haven,  from  the  cntiance  of  W^ilhngford  and 
Mill  rivers,  has  in  the  channel  fifteen  feet  of  water  to  its  mouih,  exeej)t 
on  Crane's  bar,  a  small  spit  of  sand,  formed  by  the  erection  of  a  pier, 
about  three  fourths  of  a  mile  from  tlie  shore.  Here  the  depth  is  only 
seven  and  a  half  feet ;  but  the  obstruction  might  be  removed  with  no 
great  difiiculty.  At  the  time  when  the  fu'st  settlers  arrived  in  this  town, 
there  was  in  the  northwestern  region  of  this  harbor,  a  stiflicient  depth 
of  water  lor  all  the  ordinary  pur[)oses  of  commerce.  Ships  were  built 
and  launched  where  now  there  are  iiieadows,  and  gardens  and  shops  : 
sloops  loaded  and  unloaded  where  the  market  now  stands.  So  late  as 
the  year  1765,  the  long  wharf  extended  only  twenty  rods  from  the 
shore.  It  extends  now  three  thousand  nine  hundred  and  forty  three 
feet.  Yet  there  is  less  water  a  few  rods  from  its  foot  now,  tlian  at  its 
termination  in  the  year  17G5.  The  substance  which  here  accumulates 
so  rapidly,  is  what  in  this  country  is  called  marsh  mitd ;  the  material  of 
which  its  salt  marshes  are  composed.  It  has  been  suspected  to  be  of  a 
vegetable  nature,  and  where  the  experiment  has  been  tried,  it  has  been 
found  to  be  peat,  and  yields  a  tolerably  good  fa-e. 

The  plain  on  which  New  Haven  is  built,  is  not  improbably  a  conge- 
ries of  particles,  floated  down  to  this  place  in  early  times  from  the  inie- 


144  N  K  W     HAVEN, 

rior.  Its  surface  is  sand,  mixed  wiiii  loam  and  gravel ;  beneath  this  is 
usually  found  a  stratum  of  yellow  loam.  Still  lower,  at  the  dej)th  of 
fifteen  or  eightcea  inches,  a  mass  of  coarse  sand  extends  about  six  feet. 
Beneath  this  is  anotlier,  composed  principally  of  pebbles,  rounded  and 
smoothed  like  stones  washed  by  the  ocean.  Still  further  down,  the 
materials,  generally  like  those  which  have  been  mentioned,  are  more 
mingled  and  confused.  Formerly  the  surface  was  covered  with  shrub 
oaks ;  and  wild  turkeys  and  partiidges  were  foimd  in  great  numbers.* 

The  soil  of  this  plain  is  dry,  warm,  and  naturally  unproductive,  but, 
by  cultivation,  is  capable  of  producing  every  vegetable  suited  to  the  cli- 
mate, and  in  any  quantity.  For  gardens,  except  in  dry  years,  it  is  re- 
markably well  suited.  The  original  town  was  laid  out  on  the  north- 
western side  of  the  harbor,  in  nine  squares,  each  fifty  three  rods  on  a 
side ;  separated  by  streets  about  four  rods  in  breadth ;  and  thus  formed 
a  quadrangular  area  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  rods  on  a  side.  The  cen- 
tral square  is  open,  and  is  styled  the  Green  ;  and  tlie  upjier,  or  north- 
western half,  is  a  beautiful  slope.  It  was  formerly  used  as  a  burying 
ground,  but  in  18-21  the  monua)ents  were  removed  to  the  new  burying 
ground,  and  the  ground  leveled.  The  lower  part  of  the  square  is  fifty 
:wo  rods  long,  and  twenty  five  rods  wide.  It  is  surrounded  on  all  sides 
by  rows  of  stately  elms,  and  is  considered  one  of  the  most  beautiful  in 
the  United  States.  The  surrounding  squares  are,  by  law,  divideil  each 
into  four,  by  streets  running  from  n.  w.  to  s.  e.,  and  from  n.  e.  to  s.  w., 
the  direction  of  the  original  streets.  Ijesides  these  thirty  two  squares, 
the  town  covers  several  considerable  tracts  bordering  upon  them,  and  is 
constantly  exteniling.  The  principal  of  these  is  on  the  southeast  side, 
and  is  called  the  IVew  Township,  a  beautiful  tract  bounded  by  the  East 
river  and  the  harbor.  The  town  of  New  Haven  contains  about  eight 
square  miles,  the  city  about  six  :  bounded  n.  I)y  Ifamden,  w.  by  Orange 
and  Woodbridge,  s.  by  the  waters  of  the  harbor,  and  e.  by  the  Quinni- 
piac,  dividing  it  from  East  Haven. 

New  HavL'U  coniaineil  in  ISoO,  lO.tHo  inhabitants.  In  Dec.  1833, 
the  population  was  l'J,"20l,  of  which  1  1,534  were  within  the  city  limits. 
The  area  occupied  by  the  city,  is  probably  as  large  as  that  which  usu- 
ally contains  a  city  of  six  times  the  number  of  inhabitants  in  Europe. 
INlany  of  the  houses  have  court-yards  in  fiont,  and  gardens  in  the  rear. 
The  former  are  ornamented  with  trees  and  shrubs ;  the  latter  are  filled 
with  fruit  trees,  (lowers  and  cuhnary  vegetables. 

The  houses  are  generally  two  stories  high,  Iniilt  of  wood,  in  a  neat, 
handsome,  but  not  expensive  style.  iMany  of  those  recently  erected, 
however,  are  good  and  substantial  edifices  of  brick  and  stone.  The  pub- 
lic edifices  are,  the  College  buiklings;  twelve  churches,  viz.,  six  Con- 
gregational, two  E[)iscopal,  two  IMethodist,  one  Baptist,  and  one  Roman 
Catholic ;  a  tontine,  a  state  house,  a  jail,  four  banks,  a  custom  house, 
and  a  state  hospital.  There  are  ten  printing  ofiices,  from  which  arc 
issued  one  daily,  and  three  weekly  newspapers  ;  and  two  weekly,  one 
monthly,  and  one  quarterly,  religious  publications  ;  and  the  American 
Journal  of  Science  and  Arts,  conducted  by  Professor  Silliman. 


Dr.  Dwi-?!!!, 


N  E  W      II  A  V  E  N  » 


145 


Yak  CoIUl^c. 


This  seminary  is  commonly  said  to  have  been  founded  in  the  year 
1700.  In  this  year,  ten  of  tiic  principal  ministers,  nominated  by  a  gen- 
eral consent,  both  of  the  clergy  and  the  inhabitants  of  Connecticut,  viz. 


The  Ticv .  Jamca  i\,njes,  Stuningioi 
"       "      Israel  Ckauii.r.ci/^  Siriiili 

"        "       Ahra'm  Pf'rs',ui.,  Jvilliir' 


The  Rev.  S.tmvcl  Avilrcw,  Milford, 

Timothy  Waodlndqc,  Hartford, 
"       "      James  ]^ic/;jii7it,]>iew  Haven, 
"       "      .V»«'//r<!A /'(/MfZ,  Middlctown,  and 
'•       "      y^w/zA  ICcW,  Fairfield, 


inet  at  New  Haven,  and  formed  iliemsclvcs  into  a  society,  which,  they 
tietcrmined,  slionld  consist  of  eleven  ministers,  including  a  lector;  and 
agreed  to  found  a  college  in  the  colony.  At  their  next  meeting,  which 
was  at  Hranfoni,  the  same  year,  eacii  of  ilirm  brought  a  number  of  books, 
and  presenting  them  to  the  society,  said,  "  I  give  these  hooks  for  the 
founding  a  College  in  this  colony.'^  Antecedently  to  this  event,  the 
subject  iiad  been  seriously  canvassed  by  the  clergy,  particularly  Messrs. 
Pierpont,  Andrew,  and  Russell  of  Branford,  and  by  the  people  at  large, 
during  the  two  preceding  years ;  and  had  come  thus  far  towards  matu- 
rity. 

The  act  of  the  Legislature  whicli  gave  birth  to  Harvard  College  was  passed  in 
1G3G.  Only  ten  3a'ars,  iheiefore,  elapsed  after  the  bep^inning  of  a  setllemeut  in  Mas- 
sachusetts, before  a  college  was  commeneed  in  earnest:  whereas  sixty  five  years  pass- 
ed away,  after  the  colonization  of  Connecticut  was  begun,  and  sixty  three  afier  that  of 
New  Haven,  before  any  serious  attempt  was  made  toward  the  (bunding  of  Yale  Col- 
lege. But  we  are  not  lience  lo  conclucie  that  the  colonists  of  Conneciicut  and  New 
Haven  were  less  friendly  to  learning  than  those  of  Massaehnseils.  The  project  of 
establishing  a  college  in  each  of  these  colonies  was  early  taken  up,  but  checked  by 
well  founded  remonstrances  fioin  the  people  of  Massachusetts,  v  ho  very  jusily  observ- 
ed that  the  whole  population  of  New  England  was  scarcely  sufficient  to  support  one 
institution  of  this  nature,  and  that  ihe  establishment  of  a  second  \vould,  in  the  end,  be 
a  sacrifice  of  both.  These  considerations  put  a  stop  to  the  design  for  a  considerable 
time. 

19 


146  NEW     HAVEN. 

or  the  serious  intention  of  the  New  Haven  colonists  to  estnblish  a  collcg-e,  the  fu\- 
lowing  document,  copied  I'loin  the  records  of  Guillurd,  liirnishes  decisive  evidence. 

"Al  a  General  Court,  held  at  Guilford,  June  28,  A.  D.  IGo^." 

"  Voted,  The  mntter  about  a  College  at  '^ew  Haven,  was  thought  to  be  too  great  u 
charge  tor  us  of  this  juri-^dielion  to  under^co  alone;  esjiecially  considering  (he  unset- 
tled stale  of  New  Haven  Town  ;  being  publicly  declared,  from  the  delilierute  juilg- 
ment  of  the  most  iindersianding  men,  to  be  a  place  of  no  comfortable  subsistence  for 
the  present  inhabitants  there.  IJut  il  Connecticut  do  join,  the  planters  are  generally 
willing  to  bear  their  just  projiortions  for  ereeiing  and  maintaining  of  a  College  there. 
However,  they  desire  thanks  to  Mr.  Coodyeai,  fur  his  kiiid  prull'er  lo  the  setting  for- 
ward of  such  a  work." 

In  October,  1701,  the  Legislature  granted  the  before  named  gentlemen  a  charter, 
constituting  them  "Trustees  of  a  Collegiate  School  in  his  Majesty's  Colony  of  Con- 
necticut;" and  invested  ihenr  with  all  the  povveis  which  were  sup])osed  to  be  neces- 
sary fur  the  complete  exeeiuion  of  their  trust.  The  following  November,  they  ch(j>e 
one  of  their  number,  Mr.  Pierson,  rector  of  the  school,  and  determined  that  it  should 
■  be  fixed  for  the  present  at  Saybrook. 

In  the  year  170-2,  the  tir.st  commencement  was  held  at  S;iybrook,  at  which  fiveyoun^' 
gentlemen  received  the  degree  of  A.  M. 

From  this  time  many  debates  arose  concerning  the  ]dace  where  the  school  should 
finally  be  esiablisheil,  and  continued  to  agiiaie  the  community,  until  the  year  1718. 
In  17U!,  a  majority  of  the  trustees  voted,  on  the  17t!i  cd'Oekibcr,  to  remove  the  scho(d  to 
New  Haven.  Four  of  their  number,  out  of  nine,  were  liowever  strongly  against  it; 
and  the  community  was  e(iually  disimited.  'I'he  trustees,  nevertheless,  proceeded  to 
hold  the  commencement,  the  lollcAving  )'ear,  at  New  Havi-n,  aral  to  order  a  college  to 
be  erected.  It  was  accordingly  raised  in  October,  1717,  and  hni.shed  the  following 
year.  This  building  they  were  enabled  to  erect  by  a  considerable  nuudjcr  of  dona- 
tions, which  they  liad  received  lor  this  purpose,  both  within  and  without  the  colony. 
Their  principal  benefactor,  both  during  this  period  and  all  which  have  succeeded, 
was  the  Legislatuie. 

Among  the  individuals  who  dislinguished  ihemsclvcs  by  their  beneficence  to  ihi.s 
infant  institution,  was  the  Hon.  Elihu  Yale,  Ksq  ,  cd'  Lnirdon.  This  gentleman  was 
descended  from  an  ancient  and  respectable  family  in  Wales.  His  father,  Thomas 
Yale,  lisq.,  came  from  England  with  the  first  colonists  o(  New  Haven.  In  this  town 
his  son  Elihu  was  burn,  Apiil  oili.  It!  IS.  He  went  to  England  at  ten  years  of  age,  and 
to  Hindoosian  at  thirty,  in  thai  country  he  re^idcd  about  twenty  years;  was  made 
governor  of  Marlras;  and  miuried  the  widow  of  Gmernur  Hinmeis,  his  predecessor. 
Having  acquii'cd  a  large  luriune,  he  returned  to  London  ;  was  chosen  governor  of  the 
East  India  Company;  and  died  at  Ile.xon,  July  Sth,  17-21. 

This  genlleman  sent,  in  several  donations,  to  the  collegiate  school,  jCoOO  slerlinir, 
between  171 1  and  1718 ;  and,  a  little  belore  his  death,  ordered  goods  to  be  sent  out  to 
the  value  o'i  £51)0  more,  bm  ihcy  \wu:  in-vcr  i revived. 

In  gratitude  to  this  bcnef.icioi ,  the  iiiisircs,  bv  a  solemn  art,  named  their  scminar\- 
Yale  College;  a  name  which,  it  is  bcluncd,  will  convey  the  memory  of  hi.s  bcneliceiice 
to  distant  geneiaiions.* 

The  college  which  was  erected  at  this  time,  was  built  of  wood,  one  hundred  and 
seventy  feet  long,  twenty  two  feet  wide,  and  three  stories  high;  contained  near  liliy 
studies,  besides  the  hall, "library  and  kitchen,  and  cost  about  £1000  sterling.  Belore 
it  was  erected,  the  students  were  scattered  in  varimis  places,  as  Milford,  Killingworth, 
Guilford,  Saybrook,  Wethersfield,  &c.  Soon  al'tcrwards,  they  all  removed  to  New 
Haven.  From  this  time  the  instituiion  began  to  Ihiuii.ih.  The  numberof  the  students 
Avas  about  40,  and  the  course  of  education  was  pursued  with  spirit.  The  benefac- 
tions, also,  which  it  received,  were  increased  in  number  and  value. 

In  the  list  of  its  prineijial  benefactors  was  the  liev.  Dr.  Eeikeley,  dean  of  Derry  in 
Ireland,  and  afterwards  bishop  of  Cloyne.  This  hiu'hly  respectable  man  carne  to 
America  in  the  year  173-2,  for  the  purpose  of  establishing  a  college  in  the  island  of 
Bermuda.  The  project  failed,  however,  for  want  of  assistance  from  England,  which 
was  promised  him.  While  he  was  in  America,  he  became  ac(iuainlcd  with  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Williams,  and  with  the  design  and  circumstances  of  the  seminary.  With  all 
these  he  vvas  so  well  pleased,  that  he  matlc  a  present  to  it  of  a  farm,  which  he  had 
purchased  at  Rhode  Island  ;  and  afiei  his  return  to  Europe,  sent  to  the  library  "  the 
finest  collection  of  books  that  ever  came  together  at  one  time  into  America. "t  Jere- 
miah Dummer,  Esq.  of  Boston,  and  the  Hon.  James  Fitch,  Esq.  of  Norwich,  deserve  to 


Dr.  Dwight  f  President  Clap. 


N  E  W      H  A  V  K  N.  147 

be  nienilonoJ  as  cli^tiiij^ui.shed  Lcno('nctui'.>  of  tliC  inslitiition.  Sir  Isaac  Ncwloii,  Sir 
Richurd  Sl^'ele,  Dociois  Burnel,  Wouilu  ard^  Ilallcy,  P.enlly,  Kcniici,  Cabiniy,  Ed- 
wards, llie  ]\ijv.  Mr.  Heniy,  iind  Mr.  AVhisfon,  picseiitcd  ilieir  own  works  lo  the 
library.     Many  ulher  re.sjiL-clablo  meii  alunvaids  uiadi.'  biinilar  presents. 

In  1745,  a  new  charter,  drawn  by  the  lion.  Thomas  Fitch,  Esq.  of 
Norwalk,  afterwards  governor,  was  ;;ivcn  to  the  trnstees,  in  \vliich  they 
were  named.  The  President  mid  Ftllows  of  Yale  College.  This  is  the 
present  charter  of  the  institution.  In  the  year  1750,  another  coHege 
was  huih,  and  named  Connecticut  Hall.  The  bnikhng,  as  originally 
constructed,  was  100  feel  long,  40  feet  wide,  and  three  stories  high,  with 
a  cellar  under  the  whole.  Jt  was  huilt  of  biick,  and  contained  thirty 
iwo  chambers,  and  sixty  two  studies.  This  is  the  only  college  ol"  that 
period  that  now  remains,  and  e\en  this  has  been  essentially  altered  and 
enlarged  by  the  addition  of  a  fourth  story.  It  is  known  in  the  language 
of  direction  now  used  by  the  students,  as  the  South  Middle  College. 
The  expense  of  this  building  was  dC  1,660  sterling.  In  April,  1761,  a 
chapel  was  begun,  and  finished  in  1763.  This  chapel,  in  modern 
limes,  has  undergone  much  alteration,  and  is  at  this  time  devoted  solely 
to  academic  purposes,  under  the  name  of  the  Athenieum.  In  1782,  a 
brick  dining  hall  was  erected,  sixty  I'eet  in  length,  and  thirty  in  breadth. 
This  hall  has  since  been  converted  into  a  chemical  laltoratory  and  lec- 
ture room,  and  is  now  used  for  these  purposes,  in  April,  1793,  the 
corner  stone  of  the  building  usually  designated  as  the  South  College  was 
laid.  This  building  is  of  brick,  one  ]iu\idred  and  four  feet  long,  thirty 
six  feet  wide,  and  four  stories  high,  anti  was  completed  on  the  17th  of 
July,  1794.  The  faculty,  to  whom  is  committed  the  government  and 
instruction  of  the  students,  consists  of  a  president;  a  professor  of  chem- 
istry, mineralogy,  and  geology  ;  a  professor  of  the  Latin  language  and 
literature  ;  a  professor  of  mathematics,  natural  philosophy  and  astrono- 
iny  ;  a  professor  of  divinity  ;  a  j)rofessor  of  rhetoric  and  oratory  ;  a  pro- 
fessor of  the  Greek  language  and  literature  ;  and  eight  tutors.  The 
whole  course  of  instruction  occupies  four  years.  In  each  year  there  are 
three  terms  or  sessions. 

The  general  library  of  Yale  College  consists  of  above  ten  thousand 
volumes,  exclusive  of  pam[)hlets.  The  libraries  of  the  Linonian 
Society,  and  of  the  Brothers  in  Unity,  comprise  each  rather  more 
than  five  thousand  volumes.  The  Calliopean  Society,  which  is  com- 
paratively of  recent  formation,  has  made  a  collection  of  three  thou- 
sand eight  hundred  volumes.  In  adfliiion  to  the  several  libraries, 
there  is  a  collection  of  books  belonging  to  the  IMoral  Society,  con- 
sisting of  five  or  six  hundred  volumes.  The  aggregate  of  books  in  the 
several  libraries,  is  about  twenty  five  thousand  volumes.  The  col- 
lege possesses  a  handsome  mineralogical  cabinet.  In  1811,  Col.  George 
Gibbs  deposited  in  this  seminary  two  cabinets,  one  consisting  of  more 
than  six  thousand  choice  specimens,  and  the  other  of  about  eighteen 
thousand,  the  two  best  collections  ever  opened  in  this  country.  In 
18-25,  this  collection  was  purchased  of  Colonel  Gibbs,  at  a  ]irice  of 
twenty  thousand  dollars  ;  of  which  sum  the  officers  of  Yale  College 
and  the  citizens  of  New  Haven  contributed  ten  thousand  dollars,  the 


148 


N  K  \V     HAVEN. 


citizens  of  New  York  three  thousand  dollars,  and  the  alumni  of  South 
Carolina  seven  hundred  dollars,  and  an  individual  tivc  hundred  dollars.* 

The  principal  edifices  of  Yale  College  face  the  western  boundary  of 
the  green,  and  present  an  imposing  front,  including  passage  ways,  of 
upwards  of  eight  hundred  feet.  The  buildings  are  chiefly  constructed 
of  brick,  and  consist  of  five  spacious  edifices,  each  four  stories  high, 
one  hundred  and  four  feet  by  forty,  containing  thirty  two  studies  ;  a 
chapel  for  religious  worship,  and  ordinary  public  exhibitions  ;  a  Ly- 
ceum, containing  the  library  and  recitation  rooms  ;  an  Athenaeum  ;  a 
chemical  laboratory;  an  extensive  stone  dining  hall,  containing  also, 
in  tlie  upper  story,  apartments  for  the  mineralogical  cabinet  ;  a  separate 
dining  hall  for  theological  students;  a  duelling  house  for  the  presi- 
dent ;  a  large  stone  building  occupied  by  the  medical  department ;  and 
the  Trumbull  Galleri/,  a  neat  and  appropriate  building,  erected  as  a 
repository  for  the  valuable  historical  and  other  paintings  of  Col.  Trumbull. 

In  the  cut,  the  first  building  with  a  tower,  on  the  left,  is  the  old  chap- 
el or  Athena3um  ;  that  on  the  right  is  the  new  chapel,  erected  in  1824. 
The  middle  building  is  the  Lyceum.  "J'hci'c  are  many  more  trees  in 
the  yard  in  front  of  the  college  building'^,  than  are  represented  in  the 
cut,  but  it  was  thought  advisable  not  to  insert  the  whole  number,  as  it 
would  much  obscure  the  view  of  the  buildings.  The  last  college  build- 
ing was  erected  in  1835  ;  it  stands  in  a  range  with  the  others,  north  of 
those  seen  in  the' engraving. 


General  Ilosjjital  of  Connecticut. 


"  The  General  Hospital  Society  of  Connecticut  was  chartered  in 
May,  1826,  no  similar  institution  having  previously  existed  in  this  state. 
To  aid  the  infant  undertaking  the  legislature  of  the  state  appropriated 
the  sum  of  five  thousand  dollars,  and  individuals  from  dillerent  parts  of 

♦  A  well  written  work,  b)' tbu  lile  Ebcnezer  IJ.ililwin,  Es(|.  entitled  "i\niials  of 
Yale  Collesre,"  has  been  publi'^heil  iulluscilv;  likewibe  a  luore  recent  lusloiy,  by 
Professor  Kingsley  of  Vale  Culles^'e. 


NEW     HAVEN.  Ml> 

the  stale  have  contributed  handsome  sums.  With  funds  obtained  fioin 
these  sources,  tlie  society  have  erected  a  neat  Ijuilding  on  an  eminence 
souti)  westerly  i'roin  the  densely  pcopleil  part  of  the  city  ;  commanding 
an  excellent  view  of  the  town  and  harbor,  and  Long  Island  sound,  to- 
gether with  the  distant  ridge  of  hills  which  appear  to  skirt  the  horizon 
on  every  side  except  that  bounded  by  the  water.  The  building  was 
completed  in  July,  1832.  It  consists  of  a  center  and  two  wings,  its 
whole  length  being  one  liundred  and  eighteen  feet  ;  its  breadth  in  the 
center  is  forty  eight  feet.  The  number  of  rooms  is  about  twenty,  be- 
sides those  in  the  basement,  and  a  large  room  for  operations  in  the  attic 
6tory.  The  building  is  of  stone,  stuccoed  on  the  outside.  In  front  of 
the  center  is  a  portico  with  four  columns,  constructed  after  the  best 
Grecian  models.  The  whole  expense  of  ilie  building  was  about  twelve 
thousand  dollars.  The  funds  of  the  society  being  limited,  it  was  not 
deemed  prudent  to  build  on  a  more  expensive  scale  at  present.  Should 
more  room  at  any  future  time  be  wanted,  additions  can  be  made  to  any 
extent  required,  without  injuring  the  aj)peaiance  of  the  edifice. 

"  The  design  of  this  institution  is  to  allbrd  medical  and  surgical  aid, 
and  other  necessaries  of  sickness,  to  such  as  cannot  command  such  ne- 
cessaries elsewhere.  The  poor,  whom  we  '  id  ways  have  with  us,'  if 
wounded  or  taken  sick,  wiiliout  jiossessing  the  means  of  procuring  ne- 
cessary aid,  will  here  fnul  an  as}lum,  infinitely  superior  to  that,  but  too 
often  resorted  to,  in  the  town  alms-houses.  The  stranger,  sojourning 
with  us,  taken  ill  at  a  public  boarding-house,  with  no  friend  or  relative 
to  care  for  him,  may  here  find  a  substitute  for  the  aiiectionate  attentions 
of  liome.  The  sick  mariner  will  here  find  a  '  snug  harbor.'  To  the 
poor  every  thing  will  be  gratuitously  furnislied,  board,  bed,  medicines, 
nursing,  and  medical  and  surgical  aid.  Such  as  are  wealthy,  and  may 
choose  to  become  inuiatcs  of  the  ho3|)ital,  will  be  expected  to  pay  for 
board  only.  All  medical  and  surgical  aid  is  to  be  in  all  cases  gratuitous. 
It  is  to  be  essentially  a  charitable  institution  ;  and,  should  more  a[)ply 
than  can  be  received,  the  poor  are  always  to  have  the  preference  o\er 
those  who  arc  able  to  pay  for  their  accommodations." 


The  cut  on  the  next  page  is  a  rejiresentation  of  the  southern  termina- 
tion of  West  Rock  and  a  part  of  the  village  of  AVestville,  (formerly  known 
by  the  name  of  llotchkisstown,)  about  two  miles  n.  w.  from  the  state 
house  in  New  Haven.  That  part  of  West  Rock  seen  in  the  engraving, 
is  about  400  feet  in  height,  and  is  similar  in  its  formation  and  general 
appearance  to  the  East  liock,  about  two  miles  n.  e.  from  New  IJaven. 
These  rocks  are  trap,  and  are  composed  of  hornblende  and  feldspar :  iron 
enters  considerably  into  their  com[)osition  ;  hence,  during  their  ilecompo- 
sition,  iron  rust  gradually  covers  tlie  exterior  of  the  stone,  thus  giving  it  a 
reddish  brown  appearance.  It  forms  an  excellent  building  stone,  and  is 
extensively  employed  for  that  purpose  in  New  Haven.  Tlieir  fronts  are 
composed  of  vast  assemblages  of  columns,  more  or  less  regular,  and  are 
full  of  cracks  and  fissures,  from  which  cause  it  jnoliably  arises  that  tliey 
are  liable  to  break  of}'  and  fall.  Hence  vast  masses  of  broken  rocks, 
from  the  smallest  size  to  that  of  the  largest  columns,  are  found  sloping 


150 


N  C  W     11  A  \'  i:  N 


Southeastern  view  of  }\'a>t  Liocic  (iiul  U'cstril/c. 

from  the  bases  of  llii'se  inoiiiitaius  u|)  their  fidiits,  for  nioic  than  half 
tlieir  height.  They  are  also  dislinL'iiished  by  their  backs  (iL-chning  so 
gradually  that  whilst  the  ascent  is  olten  easy,  in  front  it  is  iiii|)raelicaljle. 
The  above  view  was  taken  from  the  sandy  bluif  rising  at  the  east- 
ern extremity  of  the  village.  The  building  seen  on  the  exti'eme  left  in 
the  distance,  is  the  Congregational  church.  The  Methodist  house  of 
worship  is  seen  in  the  distance,  at  the  base  of  West  Rock,  in  the  cen- 
ter of  the  engraving.  There  are  three  paper  mills,  one  iron  foundery, 
and  some  other  manufacturing  establishmenls  in  the  village,  which  con- 
tains about  600  inhabitants. 


The  two  .hulges  of  King  ('harles  1.,  GoiTc  and  Whalley,  (commonly 
called  the  Regicides,)  on  the  restoration  of  Charles  11.  to  the  throne 
of  his  father,  in  order  to  save  their  lives  were  obliged  to  flee  the 
kingdom:  they  arrived  at  Boston  iiom  England,  the  27th  of  July, 
1660,  and  took  up  their  residence  in  Cambridge;  but  finding  it  un- 
safe to  remain  any  longer,  they  left  that  place  and  arrived  at  New 
Haven  the  7th  of  March,  1661.  They  were  well  treated  by  the  min- 
ister and  magistrates,  and  for  some  days  thought  themselves  entirely 
out  of  danger.  But  the  news  of  the  king's  proclamation  being  brought 
to  New  Haven,  they  were  obliged  to  abscond.  The  27th  of  March 
they  returned,  and  lay  concealed  in  the  house  of  I\Ir.  Davenport,  the 
minister,  until  the  30th  of  vXpril.  ]\Ir.  Daven})ort  was  threatened  with 
being  called  to  an  account,  for  concealing  and  comforting  traitors  ;  but 
the  Judges,  who  had  before  ivmoved  from  Mr.  D.'s  house,  ujjon  intima- 
tion of  his  danger,  generously  resolved  to  deliver  themselves  up  to  the 
authorities  of  New  Haven.  They  accordingly  let  the  deputy  governor, 
IMr.  Leete,  know  where  they  were  ;  but  he  took  no  measures  to  secure 
them ;  and  the  next  day,  some  of  their  friends  came  to  them  and  advised 


NKW      HAVEN.  151 

lliem  not  to  surrender.  Having  publicly  shown  themselves  at  New 
Haven,  they  had  cleared  Mr.  Davenport  iroui  the  suspicion  of  conceal- 
ing them  ;  after  which  they  returned  to  their  cave,  which  still  goes  hy 
the  name  of  the  Jailgcs'  Cave.  It.  is  situated  on  the  top  of  West  Rock, 
about  half  or  three  quarters  of  a  mile  from  the  southern  extremity.  It 
is  a  place  well  chosen  for  obser\ing  any  approacli  to  the  mountain  ; 
likewise  any  vessel  coming  into  the  harbor,  can  from  this  rock  be  easily 
seen.  The  cave  is  formed  on  a  base  of  jjcrhaps  forty  feet  square,  by 
huge  broad  pillars  of  stone,  fd'teen  or  twenty  feet  high,  standing  erect 
and  elevated  above  the  surrounding  suiierficies  of  the  mountain,  surroun- 
ded with  trees,  which  conceal  it  from  observation.  The  apertures  be- 
ing closed  with  branches  of  trees,  or  otlicrwise,  a  well  covered  and  con- 
venient lodgment  might  be  formed,  as  these  rocks,  being  contiguous  at 
the  top,  furnished  space  below  hn-gc  enough  to  contain  bediling  and 
two  or  three  persons.  J\lr.  Richard  Sperry,  who  lived  on  the  west  side 
of  the  Rock,  about  a  mile  from  this  cave,  supplied  thein  daily  with  food, 
sometimes  carrying  it  himself,  and  at  other  times  sending  it  by  his  boys, 
tied  up  in  a  clotli,  willi  directions  to  leave  it  on  a  certain  stump,  from 
which  the  JudLres  would  lake  it. 


South  vitw  oj  th 


The  incident  which  caused  them  to  leave  the  cave  was  this ;  the 
mountain  being  a  haunt  for  wild  animals,  one  night  as  the  Judges  lay  in 
bed,  a  panther  or  catamount,  putting  his  head  into  the  aperture  of  the 
cave,  blazed  his  eye-balls  in  such  a  frightful  manner  as  greatly  to  terrify 
them.  One  of  them  took  to  his  heels,  and  fled  down  to  S[)erry's  house 
for  safety.  Considering  this  situation  too  dnngerous  to  remain  any 
longer,  it  was  abandoned. 

Another  place  of  their  abode,  in  the  vicinity  of  New  Haven,  was  at 
a  spot  called  ilie  Ijoclge.  It  was  situated  at  a  spring,  in  a  valley,  about 
three  miles  west,  or  a  little  northwest,  iiom  the  last  mentioned  residence. 
North  of  it  was  an  eminence,  called  the  Fort  to  this  day,  from  which 


152  N  i;  W      IIAVKN. 

there  was  full  view  of  tlio  harbor,  to  the  southeast,  seven  miles  off. 
There  were  several  other  ):ilaees  on  and  about  the  West  Rock,  which 
were  used  by  thcni  for  jilaces  of  conceahnent.  The  two  nieiitioiied, 
however,  were  tlieir  principal  places. 

Among  the  many  tratlilionary  anecdotes  and  stories,  concerning  the 
events  which  took  place  at  and  about  the  time  the  Judges'  pursuers  were 
at  New  Haven,  are  the  following: — 

1.  Tlie  day  they  weie  exjiected,  the  Judges  walked  out  towards  the 
Neck  bridge,  the  road  the  puisuers  must  enter  the  town.  At  some  dis- 
tance from  the  bridge,  the  sheriff,  who  then  was  i\Ir.  Kimberly,  over- 
took them,  with  a  warrant  for  their  apprehension,  and  endeavored  to  take 
them.  The  Judges  stood  upon  their  defense,  and  planted  themselves 
behind  a  tree  ;  being  expert  at  fencing,  they  defended  themselves  with 
their  cudgels,  and  rei^elled  the  oflicer,  who  went  into  town  to  obtain 
assistance,  and  upon  his  return,  found  they  had  escaped  into  the  woods 
beyond  his  reach. 

2.  That  immediately  after  this,  during  the  same  day,  the  Judges  hid 
themselves  under  the  i\eck  bridge,  where  they  lay  concealed  while  the 
pursuivants  rode  over  it  ami  passed  into  town  ;  and  that  the  Judges  re-  . 
turned  to  New  Haven  that  night  and  lodged  at  tlie  house  of  Mr.  Jones. 
All  this  tradition  says,  was  a  preconcerted  and  contrived  business,  to 
show  that  the  magistrates  of  New  Haven  had  used  their  endeavors  to 
apprehend  them  before  the  arrival  of  the  pursuers. 

3.  That  when  the  pursuers  were  searching  the  town,  the  Judges  in 
shifting  their  situations,  ha|)])eneci,  by  accident  or  design,  at  the  house 
of  a  Mrs.  Eyers,  a  respectable  lady  ;  she  seeing  the  pursuivants  con)ing, 
ushered  her  guests  out  at  the  back  door,  who  after  walking  a  short  dis- 
tance, instantly  returned  to  the  house,  and  were  concealed  by  her  in  one 
of  the  aparlarents.  The  pursuers  coming  in,  inquired  whether  the  re- 
gicides were  at  her  house  ;  she  answered,  they  had  been  there,  but  were 
just  gone  away,  and  pointed  out  the  course  they  went  into  the  woods 
and  fields  ;  by  her  polite  and  artful  address,  she  diverted  their  attention 
from  the  house,  anti  [lutting  them  upon  a  false  scent,  thereby  secured 
her  friends. 

4.  That  while  the  Judges  were  at  the  house  of  I\Ir.  Richard  Sperry, 
they  were  surprised  by  an  unexpected  visit  from  their  pursuers,  whom 
they  espied  at  a  distance,  as  the  causeway  to  the  house  lay  through  a 
morass,  on  each  side  of  which  was  an  impassable  swamp.  They  were 
seen  by  the  Judges,  when  several  rods  from  the  house,  who  therefore 
had  time  to  make  their  escape  to  the  mountain. 

5.  At  or  about  the  time  tlie  pursuers  came  to  New  Haven,  and  per- 
haps a  little  before,  to  prepare  the  minds  of  the  people  for  their  recep- 
tion, the  Rev.  Mv.  Davenport  preached  publicly  from  this  text.  Isaiah, 
xvi.  3,  4. —  Take  counsel.,  execute  judgment,  viakc  thy  shadow  as  the 
night  in  the  viidst  of  the  noonday;  hide  the  outcasts,  betray  not  him 
that  wandercth.  Let  mine  outcasts  dwell  with  thee,  Moah  ;  be  thou  a 
covert  to  them  from  the  face  of  the  spoiler.  This  doubtless  had  its 
efiect,  and  put  the  whole  town  iipon  their  guard,  and  united  the  people 
in  caution  and  concealment. 


N  K  W     II  A  V  E  N  .  153 

6.  To  show  llic  duxteiily  of  the  JudL^csnt  fencinc;,  tlie  followiiig  story 
Is  toh!  :  thai  whilu  at  Bobtuii,  there  appeai'ed  a  lenc'mjr  nuiskr,  who, 
on  a  stage  erected  for  the  purpose,  walked  it  for  several  days,  challeng- 
ing and  defying  any  one  lo  play  with  him  at  swords  ;  at  lenglli,  one  of 
tlie  Jnilges  disgnised  in  a  ru-lie  dress,  holding  in  one  hand  a  cheese, 
wrapped  in  a  naj)kin,  for  a  shield,  with  a  hroonisiick,  the  nio])  of  which 
he  had  besmeared  witli  dirty  puddle  water  as  he  ])a^^sed  along — thus 
equipped,  mounted  the  stage.  The  fencing  master  railed  at  him  for  his 
inii)udence,  asked  him  what  business  he  had  theie,  and  bid  him  be- 
gone. The  Judge  stood  his  gromul,  upon  which  the  gladiator  made  a 
pass  at  him  with  his  sword  to  drive  him  off — a  rencounter  ensued — the 
Judge  received  the  sword  into  the  cheese,  and  held  it  until  he  drew  the 
inoj)  of  the  broom  gently  over  iiis  mouth  and  gave  the  gentleman  a  pair 
of  whiskers.  He  made  another  ))ass,  and  |)lunging  his  sworil  a  second 
time,  it  was  caught  and  lield  in  the  cheese,  whilst  the  mop  was  drawn 
gently  over  his  eyes.  At  a  third  lunge,  it  was  again  cauglit  and  held 
in  the  cheese,  until  the  Judge  had  rubbed  the  broom  all  over  his 
l\ice.  Upon  this  the  gentleman  let  fall  iiis  small  sword,  and  took  u[) 
the  broad  sword.  The  Judge  then  said,  "stop,  sir;  hitherto,  you  see, 
I  have  only  played  with  you,  and  not  attempted  lo  harm  you  ;  but  if 
you  come  at  me  now  with  the  Ijroad  sword,  know  that  I  will  certairdy 
take  your  life."  The  lirmness  with  wiiicli  lu,"  sijokc;  struck  the  ma>lei', 
who,  desisting,  exclaimi.'d,  "  \V'ho  can  )(ui  be  ?  You  must  be  either 
Gofle,  Whalley,  or  the  J^evil,  lor  tiiere  was  no  other  man  in  England 
that  could  beat  me." 

On  the  i;Jth  of  October,  KKM,  they  left  New  Haven,  and  arrived  at 
Hadlcy  the  latter  jvart  of  the  same  month.  During  their  abode  al  Had- 
ley,  the  famous  Indian  war,  called  "  h'iiii^  PhU'iiis  «((/•,"  took  place. 
The  pious  congrenation  ol  Hadley  were  observing  a  fast  (ju  the  occasion 
of  this  war,  ant!  being  at  public  wor.-.liip  in  the  meeting  houbc,  Sept. 
1st,  1()75,  Were  suddenly  siu'ronndeil  by  a  body  of  hulians.  It  was 
customary  in  the  frtintier  towns,  and  even  at  i\ew  Haven,  in  these  Indian 
wars,  for  a  select  number  of  the  congregation  to  go  armed  lo  jjublic 
worship.  It  was  so  at  Hadley  at  this  time.  The  people  immediately 
took  to  their  arms,  but  were  thrown  into  great  confusion.  Had  Hadley 
been  taken,  the  discovery  of  the  Judgc-s  would  have  been  unavoidable. 
Sudiletdy,  and  in  the  midst  of  the  people,  there  appeared  a  man  of  \Qiy 
venerable  aspect,  and  dillerent  from  the  iidiahitants  in  his  apparel,  who 
took  the  command,  arranged  and  ordered  them  in  the  best  n)ilitary 
manner.  Under  his  direction,  they  repelled  and  routed  the  enemy,  and 
thereby  saved  the  town.  He  inmiediately  vanished,  and  the  inhabit- 
ants could  account  for  the  phenomenon  in  no  other  w'ay,  but  by  consid- 
ering ihat  person  as  an  angel  sent  by  God,  upon  that  special  occasion  for 
their  deliverance  ;  and  for  some  time  after  said  and  believed,  that  they 
had  been  saved  by  an  angel.  Nor  did  tliey  know  otherwise,  till  fifteen 
or  twenty  years  after,  when  at  length  it  became. known  at  Hadley  that 
the  two  Judges  had  been  secreted  there.  The  angel  was  GoiXe,  for 
Whalley  was  superannuated  in  1G75.  The  last  account  of  GolFe  is  from 
a  letter  dated  '  Ebcnczer,  (the  name  they  gave  their  several  places  of 

20 


154 


N  i:  \V      H  A  V  K  N  , 


abode,]  April  2,  1769.'  ^\'llal!ey  liail  Iiceii  dead  some  lime  before. 
Tiie  iradiiiod  ai  IJadley  is,  tbai  ihey  were  l)iirieil  in  the  miiiistei's  eel- 
Jar,  and  it  is  jreiieially  supposed  that  tbeir  bodies  were  afterwards  se- 
eretly  conveyed  to  New  Haven,  and  placed  near  Dixwell's.  Tlie  sup- 
position is  strongly  confirmed,  I)y  thri.-e  stones  yet  remaining  in  the  old 
bLiryinL,^  ground,  al  I\'ew  Haven,  in  the  lear  of  the  Center  church,  which 
are  maVked  E.  \V.  for  \Vhalley,  M.  G.  for  CuAl'e,  and  J.  D.  Esi].  for 
Dixwell. 

The  following  is  a  correct  copy  of  each  of  the  E.  W.  stones.  The 
reader  will  observe  in  the  cut,  tliat  the  date  on  VVhalley's  head-stone 
may  be  read  1G58,  wdiicli  was  about  twenty  years  before  his  death.  The 
extension,  however,  of  the  line,  in  a  direct  course  beyond  the  curve  of 
the  5,  iias  the  aspect  of  design  for  concealment.  The  inscription  upon 
the  foot-stone  E.  VV.  and  the  three  (igures  1(J-S  are  plain  and  distinct, 
but  the  intei-mediate  figui'e  is  obscure.  In  the  dale  of  the  foot-stone, 
the  5  is  dist'ernible  ;  the  u\^\t^:v  line  of  the  7  is  also  ob\ious  ;  it  may  be 
read,  therefore,  J  GoS  or  l(J7H,  and  there  is  little  doubt  but  that  the  lat- 
ter was  iheclate  intended,  as,  according  to  (iolle's  Idler  to  iiis  wile, 
Whalley  died  about  this  time. 


iiE\D  PTONK,  'J  k'L-i  wiilc  ;ii.d  lii^'li,  .s  iiilIics  iliick.— Dark  blueslonc. 


vy 


N  E  \V     II  A  V  E  N 


1  55 


M. 


Upon  the  same  princi]ile  of  dcsi^Mied  iloccplion,  ih-ad  ;  thm.. 

llie  M.   on  the   i\l.  G.   stone    may  bo  taken   (or  an    Ifouthioad,  lUn 
inverted  W.  and  thus  W.  G.  read  for  \ViHiam  Goli'e,  '"^'■ 

whicli  seems  more  probable,  as  a  deep  stronLj  line  ^.^-^    """^ 

is  drawn  nnder  the  ]\I.  (see  cut,)  which  was  evi- 
dently intentional.  80,  over  these  initials,  may  be 
referred  to  tl)e  year  of  his  death,  for  his  last  letter 
was  dated  1679,  and  he  disappeared  soon  after.* 

The  object  of  these  inscriptions  bcini;  so  obscure,  \ 

was  doubtless  to  prevent  a  discovery  of  their  burial      " 
place,  by  their  enemies,  who,  it  was  justly  feared,  il'  in  theii'  power  lo 
have  obtained  the  bodies  of  the  regicides,  would  have  caiiicd  their  re- 
sentment lieyond  the  ;^rave. 

A  royalist  historian,  in  speakinj;  of  GoHe,  thus  remarks:  "In  1(500, 
a  httle  before  the  restoration  of  King  Charles  "^d,  he  betook  liimstlf  to 
l)is  heels  to  save  his  neck,  without  any  regard  had  to  his  majesty's  pro- 
clamation, wandered  about,  fearing  every  one  that  he  met  should  slay 
him;  and  was  living  at  Lausanna  in  IGGl,  with  luiward  Ludlow,  Ed- 
ward Whalley,  and  other  regicides,  when  John  Lisle,  another  of  that 
nundjer,  was  there,  by  certain  generous  royalists,  rlispatched.  lie  af- 
terwards lived  several  yeai's  in  vagabondship,  but  when  he  died,  or 
where  his  carcass  was  buried,  is  as  yet  unknown  to  me." 

Colonel  John  Dixwell  came  from  liadley  to  New  llavcn  before  the 
year  1G7-2,  and  was  kiiown  heie  by  tin;  name  of  Jan)cs  Davids.  During 
the  seventeen  years  or  more  in  which  lie  li\e(l  in  Acw  Ila\en,  noiliing 
extraordinary  occuried  concerning  him.  From  KiTI  lo  1()H5,  tht; 
church  had  no  settled  minister  with  whom  he  might  as-^ociate.  'J'lie 
l\ev,  iXicliolas  Street,  the  mini-^ter  at  his  (ii.-t  coming  hei'C,  soon  died. 
For  above  eleven  years,  the  church  was  deslitute  of  a  p;islor,  and  sup- 
plied by  occasional  and  temporar}'  jtieaching  only,  uiuil  .Mr.  Fierponi's 
settlement  in  IG.^5.  \Vith  him  the  Colonel  enteii'd  immediately  into 
an  o|)(!n  ami  unreserved  communication  ;  but  this  was  only  lor  tlie  short 
sjjace  of  three  or  four  of  the  last  years  of  his  exile.  During  this  short 
time,  however,  there  was  the  greatest  intimacy  between  them,  which 
appears  to  have  been  conccaleil  even  from  the  minister's  wife.  For 
tradition  says,  that  madam  Pierpont,  observing  their  remarkable  intima- 
cy, and  wondering  at  it,  used  to  ask  him  what  he  saw  in  tliat  old  gentle- 
man, who  was  so  'iiiW(\  of  leading  an  obscure,  unnoticed  life,  that  they 
should  be  so  intimate  and  take  such  pleasuie  in  being  together,  for  Mr. 
Dlxwell's  house  being  situated  on  the  cast  corner  of  College  and  Grove 
streets,  and  I\Ir.  Pierpont's  near  the  corner  of  JCIm  and  Temple  streets, 
and  their  house  lots  being  contiguous  and  cornering  upon  one  another, 
they  had  beaten  a  })ath  in  walking  across  their  lots  to  meet  and  con- 
verso  together  at  the  fence.  In  answer  to  his  wife's  question,  Mr. 
Pierpont  remarked,  that  the  old  gentleman  was  a  very  learned  man, 
and  understood  more  about  religion,  and  all  otlicr  subjects,  than  any 
other  person  in  the  place,  and  that  if  she  knew  the  value  of  him,  she 

*  See  Slilcs'  History  of  i!ie  Judges. 


(     ... 


156  N  E  \V      H  xV  YEN. 

would  not  wonder  at  tlieir  intimacy.  Among  other  tradiiionary  anec- 
dotes concerning];  him,  this  is  one. 

"  Sir  Eihnund  Andross  came  into  America,  and  became  governor  of 
New  Yoik  in  1G75  to  KiS'l,  and  of  Massachusetts  from  ICSG  to  1G39. 
In  one  of  liis  tours  through  the  colony  of  Connecticut,  about  168(),  at- 
tending public  worship  at  New  Haven,  he  observed  a  venerable  old 
gentleman  at  meeting,  and  noticing  him  closely,  discerned  something 
singular  in  him  and  suspected  him.  After  meeting  he  inquired  who 
that  person  was,  and  was  tohl  that  he  was  a  merchant  who  resided  in 
town.  Sir  Edmund  replied  that  he  knew  that  he  was  not  a  merchant, 
and  became  pariic^darly  inquisitive  about  him.  Probably  Colonel  D. 
was  notifietl  of  the  inijuisliiveness  of  the  stranger  concerning  his  person 
and  character,  for  the  Colonel  was  not  seen  at  meeting  in  the  after- 
noon." 

In  connection  with  this,  another  tradition  makes  mention  of  a  circum- 
stance indicating  how  obnoxious  Sir  Edmund  was  at  New  Haven,  as 
well  as  tlirough  New  England.  He  being  at  meeting  here,  and  proba- 
bly on  the  same  Lord's  day  as  the  above,  ilie  deacon  gave  out  the  5r-2d 
psalm  to  sing,  in  Sternhold  and  Hopkins'  version,  which  begins  thus; 

Whv  .Ki.l  ilion  Ivi-nntboasl.ibron.l, 

Thv  V.  1,-kc.l  uuiks  tu  |.i,n>.--! 
Du'^t  ih.n,  holkiiciu-il,,-!.- i.s.H.;,.,!,  , 

Whose  iiu-iucs  1,1^1  alu-ay-.'  ' 

Wliy  (lost  lliy  iiiiiMl  y.t.siill  devi^i 

yuch  wiclccil  wili-slo  \vai|i? 
'I'liv  Idiitciic  uiiirii.",  iti  riiryiiii,'  lies, 

Islikca  ia/.or:.liaii.. 

Thdii  il,j<;i  ileli-Iit  in  iVaii.!  mid  uiiilc, 

iuniiMljicl.  I.I.mkI,  ai,(l  wron-: 
'J'liv  li|.sl,;u-e  K-aM,,a  llnnlalUiiuy  stile, 

n  lal-,',  a_-rrUllli   |,,|.UMU,-! 

Cio\ernor  Andross  iMt  it  as  an  intended  insidl  upon  himself,  and  after 
meeting  rL'sentml  it  as  stich,  and  loprehendud  the  deticon  for  it.  Jnit 
being  told  that  it  wtis  the  usage  of  the  ciniicli  to  sing  the  psalms  in 
course,  he  excused  the  deacon  and  let  the  matter  drop.  But  it  is  not 
improbable,  that  though  this  might  l)e  the  general  custom,  yet  in  this 
instance  a  psalm  was  selected  for  Sir  Edmund's  contemplation. 

Colonel  Dixwell  carried  on  no  secular  business,  but  enq^loyed  his 
time  in  reading  and  walking  in  the  groves  and  woods  adjacent  to  his 
house.  Mr.  Pierpont  hail  a  large  library,  from  which,  as  well  as  from 
his  own  collection,  he  coidd  be  supplied  with  a  vtuiety  of  books.  He 
often  spent  his  evenings  at  JNIr.  Pierpont's,  and  when  they  were  by 
themselves,  retired  to  his  study,  where  tliey  indidged  themselves  with 
great  familiarity  and  humor,  and  had  free  and  unrestrained  conversation 
upon  all  matters,  whether  of  religion  or  politics.  But  when  in  coinitany, 
]\Ir.  Pierpont  behaved  towards  Colonel  D.  with  caution  and  reser\e. 
The  Colonel  spent  nuich  of  his  retirement  in  reading  history,  and  as  a 
token  of  his  frienflship  for  Mr.  Pieriiont,  he,  in  his  last  will,  presented 
him  with  Raleigh's  History  of  the  ^Vorld, 


NEW      HAVEN 


137 


After  a  pilgrimage  of  twenty  nine  years  in  exile  from  Lis  native 
country,  and  banishment  into  oblivion  from  the  world,  of  which  seven- 
teen yeais  at  least,  probably  more,  were  spent  in  New  Haven,  by  the 
name  of  James  Davids,  Esq.  Colonel  Dixwell  died  in  this  place. 

He  ai  d  all  the  other  Judij;es  lived  and  died  in  the  hrm  expectation  of 
a  revolmion  in  England.  This  had  actnally  taken  place  the  jXovem- 
ber  before  his  death,  but  the  news  not  having  arrived,  he  died  ignorant 
of  it,  alout  a  month  before  the  seizure  of  Sir  Edmund  Andross  at  Bos- 
ton. At  his  death,  he  discovered  his  true  character  to  the  people,  and 
owned  the  name  of  John  Dixwell,  but  requested  that  no  monument 
should  be  erected  at  his  grave,  giving  an  account  of  his  person,  name, 
and  character,  alledging  as  a  reason,  "  lest  his  enemies  might  dishonor 
his  ashes" — requesting  that  only  a  plain  stone  /night  be  set  up  at  his 
grave,  inscribed  with  his  initials,  J.  D.  Esq.,  with  his  age  and  lime  of  his 
death.  Accordingly,  a  plain  rough  stone  was  erected  at  his  grave,  closo 
by  the  graves  of  Governor  Eaton  and  Governor  Jones,  charged  with 
this  inscription,  as  at  first  put  up  and  engraved  by  his  friends.  The 
following  is  a  correct  copy,  both  of  the  shape  of  the  stone  and  the  in- 
scription upon  it. 


[la'^'wy  8  9f'^li5j,\M  OF 


2.]  led  hiyli  and  broa>r  :,  luchcb  ihiL-k  :— icd  ^tuno. 

Whilst  residing  at  New  Haven  ho  was  twice  married,  and  at  his  death 
he  left  a  wife  and  two  children.  His  will  was  afterwards  exhibited, 
approved  and  recorded  in  the  proljato  ollice. 

President  Stiles,  in  his  History  of  the  Judges,  says  :  "So  ];ito  as  the 
last  French  war,  1700,  some  J3riLi.^li  odicers  passing  through  fSew 
Haven,  and  heuring  of  Dixwell's  grave,  visited  it,  and  declared  with 
rancorous  anil  malicious  vengeance,  that  if  the  Hrliisji  mluisiry  knew  it, 
they  would  even  then  cause  their  bodies  lo  be  dug  up  and  vihfu.'d.  (Jfien 
have  we  heard  the  crown  ofiicers  aspersing  and  vililying  them  ;  and 
some,  so  late  as  1775,  visited  and  treated  the  graves  with  maiks  of  in- 
dignity too  indecent  to  be  mentioried."  It  was  especially  so  in  Queen 
Anne's  time,  and  even  in  that  of  the  Hanoverian  family,  there  has  been 
no  time  in  which  this  grave  has  not  been  threatened  by  numerous  syco- 
phantic cro^vn  dependents,  with  indignity  and  ministerial  vengeance. 


158 


NEW     HAVEN. 


South  vicir  of  l'\tir  ILiviii,  [ict^tcni  par(.) 


.  The  above  is  a  representation  of  lliat  part  of  Fair  Haven  which  lies 
within  the  present  city  hniits  of  New  Haven.  This  flourishing  village 
is  situated  about  two  miles  eastward  of  the  Court  House,  on  both  sides 
of  the  Quinnipiac,  and  contains  about  one  thousand  irdiabitants.  Tiie 
village,  which  is  nearly  c(|ually  divided,  is  connected  by  a  bridge,  which 
is  seen  in  the  distance,  on  the  right  of  the  engraving.  The  Methodist 
church,  erected  in  1835,  is  seen  on  the  left  ;  the  Congregational  church 
appears  in  the  central  part  of  the  engraving.  A  building  with  a  small 
tower  is  seen  a  little  to  the  left;  this  is  the  "  Collegiate  and  Practical 
Institute,"  which  bus  ju-^t  been  erected,  and  where  all  the  higher  branches 
of  education  are  intended  to  be  taught. 

The  oyster  trade  is  the  leading  business  of  the  inhabitants,  and  is 
steadily  increasing.  It  counnences  in  October  and  closes  in  April. 
"There  are  oysters  brought  here  from  difterent  places,  but  the  largest 
amount  is  from  Virginia.  The  last  season  (1835  and  1836)  there  were 
brought  from  the  North  river  12,000  bushels,  making  130,811  bushels 
brought  here  in  the  season."  Many  of  tliese  oysters  arc  laid  down 
in  beds.  The  quantity  taken  in  fair  Haven  varies  from  20,000  to 
40,000  bushels  yearly  :  fiom  300  to  400  boats  ai'e  engaged  in  taking 
ihern.  In  the  summer  of  1835  there  were  brought  into  the  village 
5,000  bushels  of  round  clams,  of  whicdi  2,000  W(ne  caught  in  the  vi- 
cinity. It  is  estimated  that  there  are  dug  on  our  shores,  every  season, 
4,000  bushels  of  long  clams.  There  are  twenty  vessels  owned  in  this 
village,  whose  whole  amount  of  tonnage  is  1,183  tons  :  six  of  these  are 
engaged  in  the  West  Iiulia  trade  a  part  of  the  season,  and  the  others  in 
the  coasting  business. 

There  is  a  large  amount  of  excellent  stone,  for  building  and  other 
purposes,  found  in  the  village  ;  and  the  getting  it  out  during  the  spring 


NEW     HAVEN. 


159 


and  summer  season  receives  considerable  and  increasing  attention.  In 
1835,  there  were  quarried  by  dilTerent  companies  270,000  solid  feet. 
"This  year  (1836)  there  is  going  into  operation  the  manufacture  of 
lime  from  oyster  shells  ;  and  the  person  wlio  is  engaged  in  the  business 
calculates  there  may  be  made  200,000  bushels  in  a  year."  "  The 
population  and  business  in  general  is  constantly  increasing,  and  there 
is  every  promise  of  this  being  one  of  the  most  prosperous  villages  in 
the  State." — This  place  was  formerly  called  Uragon,  from  a  sandy 
point  of  that  name,  about  forty  rods  below  the  bridge,  on  the  eastern 
side  of  the  river.  The  tradition  is,  that  at  the  time  of  the  first  settle- 
ment of  New  Haven  this  point  was  a  place  of  resort  for  seals,  whicli  lay 
here  and  basked  themselves  in  the  sun.  At  that  time  these  animals 
wei'e  called  drai^ons,  hence  the  name  Dragon  Point, 

That  part  of  New  Haven  which  lies  between  the  nine  original  squares 
and  IMill  River,  is  called  the  New  Township.  Wiihin  a  ^ew  years  this 
part  of  the  city  has  rapidly  increased,  and  contains  two  of  the  most  ex- 
tensive coach-making  establishments  in  this  country.  There  are  within 
the  city  limits  twelve  coach-making  establishments  ;  and  it  is  estimated 
that  the  value  of  the  carriages  manulaclured  at  present,  will  amount  to 
about  half  a  million  of  dollars  annually.  There  aie  also  four  coach- 
spring  and  step  manufactories,  and  five  plating  establishments.  The 
manufacture  of  boots  and  shoes,  ready  made  clothing,  cabinet  work, 
chairs,  &:c.,  are  important  branches  of  industry  in  this  place.  There 
has  been  put  in  operation  an  establishment  for  the  manufacture  of  car- 
peting of  a  superior  quality;  also,  three  iron  founderies.  There  are 
many  other  articles  l)esides  those  mentioned,  manufactured  in  the  place. 
It  is  believed  that  there  is  not  in  the  Union  a  body  of  working  men 
more  distinguished  for  their  general  intelligence  and  morality,  than  are 
the  mechanics  of  New  Haven. 


The  following  is  a  list  of  the  planier>,  and  the  persons  numbered  in 
their  fainilies,  with  an  estimate  of  their  estates,  in  1G13. 

It  was  ordered  that  every  planter  should  give  in  the  names  of  the 
heads  or  persons  in  his  family,  wherein  his  wife,  together  with  himself 
and  children  only  were  reckoned,  with  an  estimate  of  his  estate,  accor- 
ding to  which  he  will  pay  his  proportion  in  all  lates  and  j)ublic  charges, 
from  time  to  time  to  be  assessed  for  civil  uses,  and  expect  lands  in  all 
divisions  which  shall  generally  be  made  to  the  planters. 


Niimcsof  the 

rLTSriil.s 

Niiinrs  of  tlie 

Persons 

Nilinbricc 

Estatrs. 

I'lamiMS 

Niiiubca-, 

.       E.-iiUoi. 

Mr.  Tlieophiliis  Eaton 

G 

£3,0(10 

Joh.riiai.iiKin,      . 

2 

£300 

Mr.  Samuel  Eaton, 

.      2 

800 

Malice w  Ciilheil, 

2 

ceo 

David  Yale, 

1 

300 

Jasnur  Ci'aine 

".       3      - 

-la) 

William  Tuutllc, 

7 

■1,^)0 

Mr.  Roe, 

(3 

1,000 

Ezekiel  Clieevcrs, 

3      - 

'JO 

An  Elder,      . 

.       1       - 

500 

Caplaine  Turner, 

.      7 

800 

Gcorije  Larnberion, 

i'> 

1,000 

Richard  Perry, 

.      3      - 

200 

William  Wilks,   . 

o 

1.0O 

Mr.  Davenport, 

.      3 

LOOO 

Thomas  JetFrey, 

» 

100 

Richard  Malbon, 

7 

500 

Robert  Ceely, 

'.       4       - 

17<> 

Thomas  Nnsh,      . 

7 

110 

Nicholas  Elsey,    . 

2 

30 

John  Benham, 

5      - 

70 

Jonathan  Budd,    . 

.       G      - 

450 

Thomas  Kimbeily, 

7      - 

\-1 

Richard  Hull,,      . 

4      - 

19 

I(i0 

N  1'  W     1 

A  N'  li  N  . 

N:iiiiPS  of  Iho 

Vri;., 

l.S 

N, lines  of  the 

Pirsoiis 

I'laiiUM-a. 

Nujiil.L 

red.        K:il;jlis. 

I'luntL-rs. 

^lu.al»•nMl. 

EstntPS. 

William  Preston, 

.     lU 

X'lO 

William  Potter, 

.     1     - 

£10 

Bi'iijaiiiiii  l''lcniie, 

i> 

HO 

James  Clark, 

.    -1    - 

50 

AVilliaiii  Ji'iUics, 

f) 

150 

Edward  Patteson, 

1     - 

10 

Joli.  Hiockcit,       . 

1 

1l) 

Andrew  Hull,       . 

.     1    - 

•10 

R.'-e:  Allen, 

1 

40 

William  Ives,       . 

2 

25 

Mr:iiirk-(,ck.s,       . 

G 

1,0(10 

C-icory  Smylh, 

1       - 

50 

Mr.  .-Man.licM,      . 

I 

■100 

Widow  Sherman, 

2 

50 

'rii.HM.i^Cir-Non, 

(■) 

GOO 

Matthew  Muulthrop, 

Sic|)lu.'ii  (^MjiUear, 

.       i) 

1 ,000 

Thomas  James,  sen'r, 

5 

200 

AVilliani  liaiikins, 

2 

1,000 

Widow  Greene, 

.       3       - 

hO 

jLMoniiah  Whiinull, 

2 

50 

Thomas  Yale, 

.       1       - 

100 

SanniLl  Hayley,    . 

.       1 

250 

Thomas  FCugill, 

.       2      - 

100 

Tliunnas  Huclciiigliam 

•1 

GO 

Joh.  Punderson, 

2 

INO 

Richard  Miles,      . 

.      7 

■100 

Joh.Jolm.son, 

5 

150 

Thomas  Welch, 

1 

250 

Abraham  Bell,      . 

.       1       - 

10 

Nath.  Axlell, 

1 

500 

Joh.  Eva  nee. 

.       1       - 

500 

lleniy  yionell,      . 

1 

300 

Airs.  Mayres,        . 

2 

8(10 

William  Fuwlei', 

•      ;! 

800 

Mr.s.  Constable,     . 

.       3       - 

1.50 

Peter  Predon, 

.       4 

500 

Josuah  AtH'ater, 

2 

300 

Jnnies  Preden, 

.     :i 

JO 

Tlu.mias  Flii'^ill, 

'.       1       - 

■100 

Edmtjnd  Ta])|), 

7 

800 

Edward  Wi--le worth 

;           ^         - 

300 

Widdvv  DahUvin, 

5 

800 

Thomas  Puu'cll, 

.          1          - 

1(10 

An  Elder,      . 

.       G 

500 

Heiirv  P.rownm- 

8 

310 

Richard  Plait,       . 

.       1 

200 

Mrs.  HiL;ison,      '  . 

.       8       - 

250 

Zachariali  "Whit man. 

2 

8(10 

Ed  waul  Tench,    . 

.       .3       - 

■10(» 

Thomas  Osborne, 

.       G 

300 

Jeremiah  Di.^;on, 

.       1       - 

300 

Henry  RmUlerlurde, 

2 

100 

William  Thmj), 

.      3      - 

10 

Thomas  Trou-biid^'e, 

500 

Robert  Hill, 

1       - 

10 

Widow  Potter,     . 

30 

Widow  Williams, 

2 

GO 

Joh.  I'ulier, 

25 

Andrew  Low, 

.       3       - 

10 

Samuel  Whitehead, 

(iO 

l''lr.  Newman, 

.       2       - 

IGO 

Juh.  Clark, 

210 

Joh.  Caliins, 

2 

500 

Lid<e  Aik-inson,    . 

50 

David  Atwater,    . 

.       1       - 

500 

Arther  lialbrid-e, 

20 

Mr.  Lucas, 

.       G      - 

'im 

Edward  Hamsler, 

10 

Mr.  Dearmer, 

.       1       - 

300 

AViUiara  Peck,      . 

12 

Benjamin  Liiif,', 

2 

320 

Joli.  IMosse, 

10 

lloberi  Newman, 

2 

700 

Juh.  (Jharlos, 

50 

AVilliain  Andrews, 

.       8       - 

150 

Richard  Beach,    . 

20 

John  Cooper, 

.       3       - 

.30 

Timolhv  Florde, 

10 

Uiclrrrd  Bcckley, 

.       1       - 

20 

Peier  r.i,.unr, 

30 

Mr,  Marshall,    '    . 

5 

1,000 

IVmirll   I'.uilc,        . 

1(H) 

Mis.  {■'.Idled, 

.       5       - 

1,000 

Jonalh.iii  l.ivcimoure, 

100 

{■'lian.  Breu.ster, 

.       0       - 

1,000 

Anlliohv  'I'liompMin 

1 50 

Mark  Peal  ce. 

2 

150 

Joh.   ItceJer, 

110 

Jar  vis  l^.oykin. 

2 

■10 

Robell  ('(.-swell, 

GO 

James  Russell, 

2 

20 

M:UhJ.   Illlchcock, 

50 

Ceorge  Warde,     . 

.       G      - 

10 

Firancis  Hall,       . 

10 

Lau'rence  Ward, 

2 

30 

Richard  Osborne, 

10 

iMoscs  Wheeler, 

2 

58 

The  foreg:oinf,' planters,  likewise  those  who  omitted  to  return  their  names  to  the 
Secretary,  were  enteied  in  a  book,  and  the  quantity  of  land  which  each  owned,  and 
amount  of  taxes  assesscil,  were  annexed  to  their  respective  names.  This  boolc  an- 
s\\  ered  the  purpose  of  a  ,i^rand  list  for  many  years  in  succession.  Whenever  any  plan- 
ter dispo--ed  of  his  land,'  it  was  passed  to  his  cicdit  on  said  book,  and  diminished  his 
taxes  111  proi)oiiion  to  the  quantity  .sold ;  each  purchaser  was  made  debtor,  and  his 
taxes  were  increased  in  proportion  to  the  quantity  bought. 

That  commerce  may  the  belter  be  carried  on  betwixt  man  and  man  in  those  parts 
where  money  is  scarce,— It  is  ordered,  that  Spanish  money,  called  pieces  of  cij,'ht,  shall 
pass  here  as  they  do  in  .some  other  parts  of  the  country,  at  bs.  a  piece.  And  that  In- 
dian Wampom  shall  pass,  the  while  at  G  a  penny,  and  the  black  at  3  u  penny. 

And  forasmuch  as  the  public  occasions  require  that  a  Rate  should  be  levied  forth- 
with, it  \\as  ordered  that  all  the  rates  already  due,  and  the  rates  due  in  April  nexi, 
shall  be  paid  in  to  the  Treasurer  at  his  own  house  within  one  month  after  the  dale 
hereof,  in  Money,  Beaver,  Wampom  or  Corn,  in  good  Wheal  at  \s.  per  bushel,  in  Rye 
and  Pease  at  '6s.  4tl.  per  bushel;  and  if  any  pay  in  Indian  Com,  at  2^'.  8(/.  }icr  bushel — 
in  Batter,  CheesCj  and  great  Cattle,  moderately  appraised. 


N  K  W     11  ,VV  E  N  .  1  G  I 

New  Haven  having  Ijeen  excectiingly  disappointed  in  trade,  and  sus- 
tained great  damages  at  Delaware,  and  tlie  large  estates  wliicli  they 
brought  into  New  England  rapidly  declining,  this  year  made  uncommon 
exertion,  as  far  as  possible  to  retrieve  their  former  losses.  Comhininf 
ilieir  money  and  labors,  they  buih  a  ship  at  Rhode  Island,  ol'  150  tons; 
and  freighted  her  for  England,  with  the  best  part  of  their  commercial 
estates.  Mr.  Gregson,  Capt.  Turner,  ]Mr.  Lamberton,  and  five  or  six 
of  their  principal  men  embarked  on  board.  They  sailed  from  I\ew 
Haven  in  January,  16  17.  They  were  obliged  to  cut  through  the  ice 
to  get  out  of  the  harbor.  The  ship  foundered  at  sea,  and  was  never 
heard  of  after  she  sailed. 

According  to  the  belief  of  the  inhabitants  at  that  period,  this  ship  was 
seen  in  the  aii-  after  she  was  lost.  We  take  the  following  account  as  we 
find  it  in  J\lather's  JNIagnalia.  Mather,  hearing  of  the  circumstances, 
wrote  to  his  friend,  the  Kcv.  Mr.  Pierpont,  for  information,  and  received 
from  that  gentleman  the  following  answer : — 

Hevcrend  and  Dear  Sir — 

In  compliance  wilh  your  desires,  I  now  give  you  the  relaiion  of  iluil  apparUion  of 
a.  ship  ill  the  u'u\  which  I  have  received  from  theiiiost  credible,  judicious  nud  curious 
surviving  observeus  olit. 

In  the  year  1(317,  besides  much  otlier  lading,  a  far  more  rich  treasine  of  passengers, 
(five  or  SIX  of  which  were  persiins  ul'cliief  note  and  worth  in  New  Haven,)  put  theifi- 
selves  on  board  anew  sliip,  built  at  Rhode  Inland,  of  about  150  tuns;  but  so  v/aliy,  that 
Ihe  master  (Lamberton)  often  said  she  would  prove  their  grave.  In  the  mnntli  of  Jan- 
uary, cutting  their  way  through  much  ice,  on  which  tliey  were  accompanied  with  the 
Reverend  Air.  Davenport,  besides  many  other  friends,  wilh  many  tears,  as  well  as 
prayers  and  tears,  they  set  sail.  Mr.  Davenport,  in  |irayer,  with  an  observable  ernjiha- 
sib',  used  these  words :  Lord  if  it  be  thij  pleasure  to  bunj  i/icsc  our  friends  in  the  Ijoltuiii 
of  the  sea,  theij  arc  thine ;  suce  them!  Tlie  spring  following  no  tidings  of  these  friends 
arrived  with  the  ships  from  England;  New  Haven's  heart  began  to  lail  her.  this  put 
the  gondly  pe()))le  on  mucii  ])iaver,  both  publick  and  private,  that  the  Lord  voi/ld  (if  it 
vas  his  pleasure')  let  thriii  hear  'ichat  he  kail  dnne  with  their  dear  friends,  and.  prepare 
them  mith  a  siiitalAe  .sidnnission  to  his  IIuij  Will.  \\\  June  next  en-iiiiiL',  .1  -xto-m  thun- 
der storm  arLise  out  of  the  noflh  wc-«l ;  alte'r  which  (ihe  heini.^pher.-  tiniiL'  -■■icnc)  about 
an  hour  before  sun-set,  a  ship  ol'  like  ilinicn>inns  with  the  afoiesaid,  wiili  h-T  CLiinas;; 
and  colors  abroad,  (ihou:,'h  the  wind  iiorthei  niv,)  appeared  m  the  air  e.'ihiiiu'  u|i  Imm 
our  haibour's  inouili,  which  1\  es  .voiilliwaid  lioni  the  town,  .M'cminglv  \\\\\\  her  sails 
filled  under  u  fresh  gale,  holding  her  course  north,  and  conliiuiiiig  tiiider  observation, 
sailing  against  the  wind  for  the  .space  of  hall' an  hour. 

Many  were  drawn  to  behold  this  great  work  of  God;  yea,  the  very  children  cryed 
out,  There's  a  brave  ship!  At  length,  crouding  up  as  far  as  there  is  usually  watersuf- 
ficient  for  such  a  vessel,  and  so  near  some  of  the  spectators,  as  that  the)'  imagined  a 
man  might  hurl  a  stone  on  board  her,  her  main-top  seemed  to  be  blown  off,  but  left 
hanging  in  the  shrouds;  then  her  mizen-top;  then  all  her  nnisting  seemed  blown 
away  by  the  board:  quickly  after  Ihe  hulk  brought  unto  a  careen,  she  overset,  and  so 
vanished  into  a  sinoaky  cloud,  which  in  some  time  dissipated,  leaving,  as  every  where 
else,  a  clear  air.  The  admiring  spectators  could  distinguish  the  several  eolouis  of 
each  part,  the  princijial  rigging,  and  such  proportions  as  caused  not  only  the  general- 
ity of  persons  to  say,  77((.s  ints  the  rimuld  of  their  shiv,  and  this  iras  her  tra'.'iek  end : 
but  Mr.  Davenport  also  in  publiek  declared  to  this  ellect :  That  (lod  had  condescended, 
for  the  fju  Ittini:  of  thiir  aj/licled  spirits,  this  cctraordinanj  accou  nt  of  his  sovereign  dis- 
2>osal  oj  those  for  whuni  so  manij  feneiil  jiraiiers  were  made  coat  in  i:,illtj. 

Thus  I  am.  Sir,  your  buinli'le  servant, 

Ja.mi;s  Pii'hi'ONT. 

The  loss  of  this  ship,  with  the  former  losses  which  the  company  had 
sustained,  broke  u|)  all  their  expectation  with  respect  to  trade,  ami  as 
they  conceived  themselves  disadvantageously  situated  for  husbandry, 
they  adopted  the  design  of  leaving  the  country.  Accordingly  tbey  en- 
tered into  treaties  for  the  city  of  CJalloway  in  Iicland,  wliich  they  dc- 


162  NEW     HAVEN. 

signed  to  liave  settled,  as  a  small  province  for  themselves.  They  were 
however  chsappointed  with  respect  to  all  these  desi^ais,.and  their  pos- 
terity, who  they  feared  would  be  rechiced  to  hegyary,  made  respectable 
farmers,  and  flourished  no  less  tlian  their  neighbors. 

It  appears  that  the  fust  planters  had  no  written  code  of  laws.  The 
court  determined  all  dilferences,  fiic,  according  to  their  views  of  justice 
and  propriety,  as  occasion  required. 

The  following  extracts  are  taken  from  the  ancient  Records  of  New 
Haven  during  this  period. 

At  a  Court  held  at  \cw  Jfivcn,  A.  D.  1613. — Andrew  Low,  jiin.,  for  breaking  into 
Mr.  Laing'.s  house,  where  he  brake  open  a.  cupboard  and  look  from  thence  some  strong 
'\Valer,  and  Gr/.  in  money,  and  raiisackt  the  house  (roni  roome  lo  roome,  and  left  open 
the  doors,  for  which  fact  being  commiited  to  prison,  broke  lorlh  and  escaped,  and  still 
Temait)s  horrible  obstinate  and  rebellious  agrunsi  lus  parents,  and  incorrigible  under 
all  the  means  that  have  been  used  to  reclaim  him.  Whereuiion  it  was  orderd  tiia* 
lie  shall  be  as  severely  vvhipi  as  the  rule  will  bear,  and  work  with  his  lather  as  a  pris- 
oner, with  a  lock  upon  his  leg  so  that  he  may  not  escape. 

December 'M,  1G5I. — It  was  propounded  that  some  safer  way  mipht  be  foumi  out  to 
Coiineciicote,  that  the  danger  of  East  River  may  be  avoyded.  Tlie  uvx  waye  was 
desired  to  be  viewed  again,  as  William  Bradley  otfered  tolend  his  canuo\v  to  lie  lu  the 
East  River,  if  the  town  will  find  ropes  to  draw  it  to  and  agayne. 

A  Cinirt  htddcn  Zd  November,  IGI!!). — It  was  ordered  that  Mr.  Hopkins  sliall  liave 
two  hogsheads  of  lime  for  his  present  use,  and  as  much  mure  as  will  finish  Wi^  house 
as  he  now  intends  itt,  he  thinking  that  two  hogsheads  more  will  serve. 

It  is  ordered,  that  a  meeting-house  shall  be  built  forthwith,  fifty  foole  square;  and 
8hat  the  carpenters  shall  fall  timber  where  they  can  find  it,  till  allotment  be  layed  out, 
and  men  know  their  proprietyes. 

It  is  ordered  that  Mr.  Gregson  and  Mr.  Evance  shall  have  fowerdayes  liberty  after 
this  day  to  square  their  timber,  before  the  Ibrmer  order  shall  take  hold  of  theni. 

It  is  oideied,  that  Mr.  Eaton,  Mr.  Davenport,  Robert  Newman,  Mathew  Gilbert, 
Capt.  Turner  and  Thomas  Ffugill,  shall  from  henceforward  have  the  disposing  of  all 
house  lotts,  yeit  undisposed  ot  about  this  lowne,  to  such  persons  as  they  shall  judge 
meete  lor  the  gooct  of  the  plantation  ;  and  thatt  none  come  to  dwell  as  planters  here 
without  their  consent  and  allowance,  whether  they  come  in  by  purchase  or  otheiw  ise. 

It  is  ordereil,  that  every  one  that  bares  arines  shall  be  completely  furnished  wiih 
arms,  (viz  )  a  muskett,  a  sword,  bandaleers,  a  rest,  a  pound  of  powder ;  'JO  bullets  til- 
ted to  their  muskeu,  or  4  pound  of  pistoll  shott,  or  swan  sholi  at  least,  and  be  ready  to 
show  them  in  the  market  pi, ice  upon  Monday  ilie  Kiili  of  this  monthe,  before  Captaine 
'I'lirner  and  Lieutenant  Seeley,  under  the  penally  'JO.s-.  iiue  tor  every  default  ur  absence, 

Atk  of  December,  1G:!'.).— It  is  oidercd,  that  Thomas  Saiile  shall  agree  with  Goodman 
S|)innage  before  the  next  Court,  or  else  the  Court  will  delentiiiie  the  dill'erence  be- 
tween them. 

Roger  Diihursland  James  Stewart  are  cnjoyned  to  make  double  rcslitulion  lo  John 
Coekerill  for  five  pound  and  seventeen  shillings  which  they  stole  out  of  bis  chist  on 
the  Isold's  day  in  the  meeting  time,  and  they  being  servants  to  the  said  Coekerill,  for 
which  atcgravalion  they  were  whipped  also. 

Thomas  Manchester,  servant  to  Mr.  Perry,  being  accused  by  his  master  for  being 
drunclce.  and  for  giving  his  master  uncomely  language,  for  which  his  master  having 
given  him  some  correction,  the  Court  (onely)  caused  him  to  be  set  in  the  stocks  for  a 
certain  time. 

Nicholas  Tamer,  servant  to  the  said  Mr.  Perry,  for  drunkenness  and  abusing  his 
masierin  wordes  was  whipped. 

A  General  Court,  ALh  January,  1639. — It  is  agreed  by  the  towne  anil  accordingly 
ordered  by  the  Court,  that  the  Neck  shall  be  planted  ur  sow  en  for  the  tearme  ofsenvrn 
yeares,  and  thatt  John  Erockett  shall  goe  about  laying  it  out,  lor  which  and  all  dillcr- 
enees  betwixt  paity  and  party  aboule  ground  formerly  broke  up  aiid  planted  by  Eng- 
lish there,  shall  be  arbitrated  by  indifl'erent  rnen,  which  shall  be  chosen  to  that  end. 

It  is  ordered,  that  some  speedy  course  shall  be  taken  to  keepe  hogs  out  of  the  neck. 

It  is  ordered,  that  a  convenient  way  to  the  Hay-place  be  left  common  for  all  the 
towne. 

It  is  ordered,  that  no  cattell  belonging  to  this  towne  £hall  goe  without  a  keeper  after 
the  first  of  May  next. 


N  E  W     II  A  V  E  N  .  1  63 

A  Court,  kfllden  Fehniary  bth,  1C39. — It  is  ordered,  that  brother  Andrews,  bro. 
Kimberley,  Win.  Eves,  and  Seii^'eanl  Beckloy,  shall  assist  Mr.  Ling  lo  ripen  Good- 
man Trap's  busines.^  against  llie  next  Courte,  concerning  his  demaiinds  lor  cerinine 
moneyes  which  Jie  disbursed  lor  bringing  caliell  Iroia  tlie  l>ay,  appertaining  to  divers 
persons. 

It  is  ordered,  that  brother  AMrews  shall  delaine  so  much  of  Robert  Campion,  his 
wages  in  his  hands,  as  may  secure  a  debt  of  £'i  which  Mr.  Mouland  demands  of  the 
said  Robert. 

It  is  ordered,  thit  Mr.  Mouland  shall  pay  lo  Mr.  Perry  205.  which  he  owes  lo  him. 

It  is  oniered,  tiiat  Mr.  Wilks  shall  pay  five  busheils  and  a  half  of  Indian  corne  lo 
Thomas  Jiuckinghain,  for  corne  destroyed  by  iVlr.  Wilks  his  hugs. 

Isaiah,  Captain  Turner's  man,  fined  £5  lor  being  drunk  on  the  Lord's  day. 

"Win.  Bronilield,  Mr.  Malbon's  man,  was  sett  in  the  slocks  for  propiianing  the 
Lord's  day  and  stealing  wine  I'roin  his  master,  which  he  drunk  and  gave  to  others. 

Ellice,  JNIr.  Eaton's  boy,  was  whipped  for  stealing  a  sow  ar^d  a  goale  from  liis  master 
and  selling  ihein. 

David  Andcison  was  whipped  for  being  drunke. 

John  Fenner,  accused  for  being  drunke  with  strong  waters  was  acquitted,  itt  appear- 
ing 10  be  of  infirmity,  and  occasioned  by  the  extreniyiy  of  the  colde. 

Mr.  Mouland,  accused  of  being  drunke,  butt  notl  clearly  proved,  was  respited. 

Peter  Browne,  Licensed  to  bake  lo  sell,  so  long  as  he  gives  no  offence  in  it  justly. 

18/A  February,  1039. — John  Charles  forbidden  to  draw  wine,  because  there  hath 
been  much  disorder  by  it. 

Goodman  Love  was  whipped  and  sent  out  of  the  plantation,  being  not  onely  a  disor- 
derly person  hiniselfe,  but  an  encourager  of  others  to  disorderly  drinking  meetings. 

George  Spencer  being  pro'phane  and  disorderly  in  his  whole  conversation,  and  an 
abettor  of  others  to  sin,  and  drawing  on  others  mlo  a  consjjericre  lo  carry  away  the 
Cock  to  Virgenia  was  whipped,  and  sent  out  ol'the  plantation. 

John  Pronte,  Hen.  Brasier  and  Will.  Brooinfield,  was  whipped  for  joyning  in  the 
aforesaid  conspericie,  and  ike  said  Hen.  and  Win.  were  ordered  to  weare  irons  during 
the  magistrate's  pleasure. 

At  a  General  Court  held  the  \st  of  the  1th  month,  1610. — It  is  ordered,  that  none  ia 
this  plantatione  shall  eitlier  sell  or  lelt  a  loll  to  any  stranger,  furyeares,  without  allow- 
ance from  the  Courte. 

A  Courte  held  at  New  Haven  the  2d  of  the  1th  month,  1G42.— Mathew  Wilson,  for  kill- 
ing a  dog  of  Mr.  Perry's  willfully  and  disorderly,  fined  20s.  for  his  disorder,  and  order- 
ed to  pay  20:;.  damage  to  Mr.  Perry,  which  lOi.  Edward  Chipperfield  undertooke  to 
!>ee  pay'd  by  the  last  of  September  ne.\:t. 

8/A  Month,  1C12. — It  is  ordered,  thai  whosoever  findes  any  lhin<rslhatt  are  Lost  sliall 
deliver  them  to  the  Marshall,  to  be  kept  safe  lill  the  owners  challenge  them. 

Cii  Xovtinbt-r,  lt>12. — Jervas  Boykiii  is  ordered  to  pay  unto  George  Badcccke  the 
t.um  of  '20s.  for  taking  hi.'Ncannow  without  leave. 

It  is  ordered,  thai  those  who  have  ffirmes  att  the  River,  called  stony  River,  sliall 
have  liberty  to  make  a  since  in  the  River  (or  iheir  own  convenience. 

llh  Decciuher,  1G12. — Fforasmuch  as  John  Owen  hath  had  some  damage  done  in  his 
corne  by  hogs,  occasioned  through  the  neglect  of  Mr.  Lambcrton.  John  Bud  and  Will 
Preston,  in  not  making  up  their  fence  in  season.  It  is  therefore  ordered,  ihatt  the  said 
Mr.  Lambcrton,  John  Bud  and  Will  Preston  shall  make  saii.sfaclion  to  the  said  Joha 
Owen  for  the  damage  done  ;  (viz.)  Eight  days  worke  and  two  pecks  of  Come,  which 
is  to  be  pay'd  according  to  Ihe  several  apportions  of  ffence  unset  up  respectively. 

In  1610,  Robert  Feaks  and  Daniel  Patrick  brought  Greenwich,  in 
behalf  of  New  Haven.  Another  lart^e  purchase,  suflicient  for  a  number 
of  plantations,  was  made  by  Cai)t.  Turner,  agent  for  New  Haven,  on 
both  sides  of  Delaware  bay  or  river.  This  purchase  was  made  with  a 
view  to  trade,  and  for  tiio  settlement  of  churches  in  gospel  order  and 
purity.  The  colony  of  New  Haven  erected  trading  houses  upon  the 
lands,  and  sent  nearly  fifty  families  to  make  settlements  upon  them. 
The  settlements  were  made  under  the  jurisdiction  of  New  Haven,  and 
in  close  combination  with  that  colony,  in  all  fundamental  articles. 


1G4  N  E  W     II  A  V  E  N. 

The  first  Newspaper  issued  in  New  Haven  was  the  Connecticut  Ga- 
zette, pubhshed  at  its  coiuiiicnctjment  by  Jnmes  Parker,  near  llie  Hay- 
market  ;  afterwards  by  Jnmes  Parker  <^  Co.,  with  whom  it  is  said  Dr. 
Frankhn  was  coniuicted.  'J'hu  oarhest  number  before  us,  (perhaps  the 
oldest  one  in  existence,)  is  No.  28,  dated  (Saturday]  October  18,  1755, 
from  which  it  would  seem  that  it  first  appeared  in  April,  1755.  It  is 
a  sheet  of  4  pages,  each  containing  two  co!un)ns  ;  and  measures,  when 
opened,  10|  inches  in  length,  and  15^  in  breatlth.  It  gives  "  A  Tiisl  of 
the  l-vopresentatives  returned  in  the  General  x\ssend)ly,  now  met  at  New 
Haven  :''  their  number  is  103,  and  tlie  number  of  towns  by  them  repre- 
sented, 53.  The  following  advertisements,  notices,  &;c.  are  copied  I'rom 
various  numbers  of  this  paper. 

N'KW  iiavk.m: 
riinle(]  by  J.  Parkkh  &  Company,  at  llie  Post  OJiice,  near  Captain  Peck's  at  the  Long 
Wliarf,  ulicrc  tliis  jiaper  may  be  had  al  'J.s'.  t!(/.  Lawful  Mtntev,  pel'  quarter,  if  sent 
by  ihe  special  pobt ;  or  I.s.  10//.  Ifulf  Pcnnii,  wiihoiU  Pu.-iat;e  ;'liie  lirst  Quarter  lu  be 
paid  at  l^iitraiice.  X'h:. — Tbiricen  Papei-s  yo  to  a  Quarter,  nono  to  stop  but  at  the 
end  of  the  Quarter.     Sulmditi/,  Uclvbcr  \st,  1757. 


Sao  Ifn-iK,  June  IGM,  ITjH. 
Next  week  will  be  publish'd  proposals  for  .sending'  li\-  Sub^cripiion  a  post  to  Alba- 
ny, during  the  Suniniei,  aiul  for  paying  the  postai^e  of  all  Letieis  to  the  CoMneciicut 
Soldieis  Ml  the  Army.  Towards  which  the  Piinier.s  of  thii  i)aper  will  advance  i>'ii'* 
J'oundx  lawful  money.  'J'his  is  mentioned  now,  that  (Jcntlcnien  may  be  aa  expeditious 
as  possible  in  sending  iii  subscriptions. 


New  Haven,  Ja?iuari/  22d,  17GI. 

His  Honour  the  Governor,  having  received  Dispatches,  confirming  the  accounts  of 
the  death  of  our  late  most  Giacious  Sovereign,  King  George  the  Second,  on  the  25th 
day  of  (Jctober,  17t;0  :— and  other  Dispatches  also,  for  proclaiming  his  present  Majesty, 
In  puisiiance  iliereof,  yesteiday  issueil  orders  for  the  Militia  to  appear  under  arms. 

Whereupon  (though  many  ul  them  from  considerable  distances,}  two  troops  of  Horse, 
and  Four  companies  of  foot,  with  great  dis|>aich  atut  alertness,  were  this  day  before 
noon,  ilrawn  up  on  the  Great  Sipuire,  before  the  Town  House;  on  notice  whereof  his 
Honour,  the  Governor,  with  the  Gentlemen  of  the  Council,  (on  this  occasion  conven- 
ed,) with  many  other  Gentlemen  of  Character  and  Distmciicn,  were  escorted  by  Cnpt. 
I'eeli's  e.imiMtiy  of  loot,  inun  ihe  t'oiuieil  Chandiei  to  the  place  ol  Parade;  where  in 
the  uudieiue  of  a  nnmennis  Cuiuouise  (the  sevenl)  of  the  season  noiwilhsiaiiding,) 
icjl/i  iift\tl  iihuriti/  couvenud. 

His  Sacred  Majesty  was  i)roclaimed  by  reading  and  proclainiing  aloud  the  lollowing 
P  R  O  C  L  A  iM  A  T  I  G  N . 

"\Vhf,iu:as,  it  hath  pleased  Almighty  God  to  call  in  his  Mercy  our  late  Sovereign 
Lord  King  George  the  Second,  of  blessed  and  Glorious  memory,  by  whose  decease  the 
Imperial  Crown  of  Great  Hritain,  Prance,  and  Jreland,  as  also  the  supreme  dominion 
and  sovereign  right  of  the  Colony  of  Coniieclicut  in  JVew  England,  and  all  other  hia 
late  Majesty's  dominions  in  America,  are  solely  and  rightfully  come  to  the  Higli  and 
Mighty  Prince  George,  Prince  of  Wales;  We  therefore  the  Governor  and  Company, 
assisted  with  numbers  of  the  principal  Inhabitants  of  this  Colony,  do  now,  hereby  with 
one  full  voice  and  consent  of  tongue  and  heail,  publish  and  prciclaim,  that  the  high 
and  mighty  Prince  George,  Prince  of  Wales,  is  now  by  the  death  of  our  late  sovereign, 
of  hajipv  and  glorious  memory,  become  our  only  lawfid  and  rightful  Liege,  Lord 
George  the  Thu'l,  by  the  Grace  of  God,  King  of  Great  l^ritain,  France  and  Ireland, 
Defender  of  the  Faith,  Supreme  Lord  of  the  said  Colony  of  Connecticut  in  New  Eng- 
land, and  all  oilier  his  late  Majesty's  dominions  and  Territories  in  America,  to  whom 
we  do  acknov.'ledge  all  Faith  and  constant  obedience,  with  all  hearty  and  humble  af- 
iection  ;  beseeching  God,  by  whom  the  Kings  and  Queens  do  reign,  to  bless  tlie 
Royal  King  George  the  Third,  with  long  and  liappy  years  to  reigu  over  us. 

Given  at  the  Council  Chamber  at  New  Haven,  the  Twenty-second  day  of  January, 
in  the  first  year  of  llie  reign  of  our  Soveieign  Lord  Gcari^c,  The  third  King  qf 
Great  Britain,  France  and  Ireland,  Defender  of  the  Faith,  &c.  Anno(iue  Domini 
17G1.     QOD  SAVE   rillC  KL\(l 


N  E  W     H  A  V  E  N.  1G5 

Which  proclamation  was  subscribed  by  his  Elonoin-  the  Governor,  Deputy  Gover- 
nor and  the  Gentlemen  ol' the  Council,  and  many  otiier  Gentlemen  ofa  Civi],"lMiiilaiy 
and  Ecclesiaiiical  Character,  &c.  ^Vliich  wa.s  Ibllowed  by  three  genera!  liuzzas,  and 
a  Royal  salute  ot'  21  Cannon,  the  Governor,  Deputy  Governor,  and  Council  wiih 
numbers  of  Clergy,  and  other  Gentlemen  of  Distinction,  were  again  escorted  to  Mr. 
Bear's;  where  an  elegant  entertainment  was  piovided  on  the  occasion  ;  and  his  Majes- 
ty's, the  Royal  Family's,  the  King  of  Prnssia's,  and  other  loyal  healtlis  were  drank; 
and  the  Militia,  alter  proper  rel'reshment,  seasonably  discharged  ;  and  the  whole  con- 
ducted and  concluded  witii  great  Decency  and  Order,  and  great  demonstrations  ol'joy. 


Whereas  on  last  Tuesday  evening,  a  number  of  persons  gatliered  together  near  the 
College,  and  there,  and  round  the  town,  fired  a  great  number  ol  guns,  to  the  great  dis- 
turbance and  teiror  of  his  Majesty's  subjects,  and  brake  the  College  uiinluws  and  leii- 
ces,  and  several  of  them  had  gowns  on,  with  a  design  to  bring  a  scandal  upon  the 
College.  These  may  certily,  that  1  and  the  Tutors,  several  lime.'^  walkeil  among,  and 
near  the  riotera,  and  could  not  see  any  sidiolars  among  them  ;  bm  they  a]>peared  td  be 
principally,  the  people  of  the  town  u  ilh  a  lew  ::>lraiigeis.  T.  Ci..\i'. 

tii'ptcvibcr  1-J,  17G1. 

TO  TUE  rniNTr.Pi. 
Please  to  insert  the  following  in  your  next. 

I  have  now  the  pleasure  of  being  able  to  inform  the  1)uIjIic,  that  the  haws,  or  tlioin 
seeds,  which  I  sowed  last  Autumn,  after  having  been  buried  on  the  grouutl,  lay  the 
space  of  one  year  befoie  the  suwing  (as  mentioned  by  me,  in  a  late  newspaper,)  aie 
now  fairly  come  up,  and  growing,  so  that  'tis  no  longer  a  tloubt,  that  tlie  nature  of 
those  seeds  is  to  remain  one  year  and  a  half  after  gathering  belore  they  spiing  and 
grow.  Vouis,  &c.  J.  IINGEU.SOLL. 

May  St h,  17G'i. 


yew  Ilaccii,  March  5,  \-i&2. 
Last  Saturday  afternoon,  David  Slasher  and  James  Daley  u'eiccropi,  luanded  \\  ith 
the  letter  V>,  on  their  Fure-heads,  and  leceived  eacii  of  them  I'iiteen  Snipes  on  iheir 
naked  Bodies,  pursuant  to  their  scniences,  for  sometime  since  breaking  u])en,  and  rob- 
bing the  shop  uf  Mr.  I'kdu  Mills,  of  Derby. 

A  Lik-cly  Sfiiru  Wcncl 


Child  lobe  sold.— Inqi 

ire  of  the  Punier. 

aulurd,  a  likely  Negr 
A\'oi  k  ;  IS  sold  lor  no 

'J  Wench,  bS  years  of  age 
fault.          Jtiac  13,  \~,h'^. 

To  be  sold  by  the  Subsci  iber  ol'  B 
is  uequaintcLl  uiih  all  soits  of  Huusc 

New  JIurcn,  July  -1,  17113. 
We  the  subscribers,  Select  men  of  the  luwn  of  New  Haven,  do  hereby  give  notice  to 
the  Inhabitaijl>  td' said  town  thai  theie  will  be  a  \'cndue  on  llie  'Jd  Monday  ot' August 
next,  at  the  Siaie-house  in  said  Town,  at  lour  ol  the  Clock  in  the  aiteiuooii,  where 
those  peisoiis  u  hich  aie  inamlained  by  the  Town  will  be  set  up,  and  thuse  peisons 
who  will  keep  them  at  the  cheajiest  rate  may  have  them.  Also  a  nui.djer  of  (Jhihheu 
will  be  bound  out,  until  they  are  either  14  or  21  years  of  age  if  any  persons  ajipear  to 
take  ihein.  William  Ghkknouch,  \ 


Amos  HrrciicocK, 
JcunMix, 
Thomas  lb 


Sded-Mcn. 


A  year  is  past  since  the  printer  of  this  paper  published  jn-upusals  for  reviving  the 
Connecticut.  Gazette.  'Tis  needless  to  nieniion  the  reasons  why  it  did  not  appear 
sooner.  He  returns  thanks  lo  all  tlio.se  who  favored  liirn  at  ihat  lime,  and  hope  they 
ai'e  yet  willing  to  try  how  far  he  is  able  to  give  them  satislaction.  A  sam|de  of  it  is 
now  sent  abroad,  in  order  to  collect  a  suflicient  number  of  Subscribers  barely  to  pay 
the  charge  of  carrying  it  on.  When  such  a  number  appears— it  shall  be  printed 
weekly  and  delivered  to  subscribers  in  town  and  Country,  at  the  rate  ol'  tirn-pL/ice,  for 
each  paper,  which  is  Eight  Shillings  and  Eight  Pence,  hir  one  year.  And  no  addition 
shall  be  made  to  l!ie  price  when  the  Stamp  Act  takes  ellect,  if  it  is  then  eiicoiiiaged  so 
as  to  be  all'dided  ai  that  rate. — Siibscribeis  are  not  desired  to  engage  for  any  |iariicular 
time,  so  that  ihej-  can  mo|)  il  when  they  jilease. — A  sjieeial  post  is  afipoinied  to  carry 
it  out  of  tlie  eummon  Post-Ruads. — Adveilisc-menls  shall  be  prinied  at  a  niodeiate 
Price,  according  to  their  length.— All  kinds  of  Provision,  Fire  AVood,  and  other 
suitable  counliy  Produce  will  be  taken  as  pay,  of  those  who  cannot  sjxirc  money,  if  de- 
livered at  the  Printer's  Dwelling  House,  or  at  any  other  place  which  may  accidenially 
>»uit  him. 


166  NEW     HAVEN. 

Tlie  Printer  hereby  invites  the  benevolent  of  all  parties  to  send  him  an  account  of 
whatever  novelties  they  iliink  may  be  useful  to  tlieir  countrymen.  The  b-hortest  hints 
on  such  snbjccis,  however  written,  will  be  gratefully  received  and  lailhlully  cominu- 
uicated  to  the  Public  jf  convenient. 

Besides  the  help  he  hopes  to  receive  from  different  Correspondents  in  this  colony 
and  elsewhere,  the  Printer  has  sent  for  three  sorts  of  En^'lish  Magazines,  the  Monthly 
Review  of  New  Books,  and  one  of  the  best  London  News-papers;  these,  together 
with  American  Intelligence  iVom  Nova  Scotia  to  Geors:ia,  inclusive,  and  also  from 
Canada,  cannot  fail  to  furnish  him  with  a  constant  stock  of  momentous  inateuals  and 
fresh  advices  to  fill  ihii  Gazette.  Bknja.min  Mecom,  at  the 

July  5,  17G5.  Post  Office,  New  Haven. 

Just  Imported  from  Dublin,  in  the  brig  Darby, 
A  parcel  of  Irish  Servants  both  Men  and  Women,  and  to  be  sold  cheap,  by  Israel 
Boardinan,  at  Stanford.     5lh  January,  17(31. 


service  to  you,  and  really  thought  you  would  have  viewed  it  in  that  ligi 
come  to  understand  the  nature  of  the  stamp  act  and  that  ol'  the  ofiice ; 
gives  you  some  uneasiness,  you  may  be  assured  if  I  hnd  (after  the  act 
vhieli  is  the  first  of  November)  that  you  shall  not  incline  to  purchase  or 

O  llfl     .    I',   r.^  1^1      Oo  IA.i..       T     V    1.  o   II      .-.,.1      r,  ,»-^./:.     \t      11.  *,-..-.     ,-.-..»        1-1/1  r.     (  I.  .1,  1^     ;» I.      *.,  .r     ...1.. 


TO    THE    GOOD    PEOPLE    OP    CONNECTICUT. 

When  I  undertook  the  olhce  of  Distributor  of  Stamps  for  this  colony,  I  meant  a 

service  to  you,  and  really  thought  you  would  have  viewed  it  in  that  liglit  when  you 

■  '      ■      '  ■'  '  ''  "'       ■  ....     ■•  .1        ^-^^^ .  ^^j^(  since  it 

act  takes  jdace, 

^ J ,.. _  ._  , _e  or  make  use  of 

any  slampt  Paper,  I  shall  not  force  it  u|Jon  you,  nor  think  it  worth  my  while  to  trouble 
you  or  myself  with  any  exercise  of  my  olhce  ;  but  if,  by  that  time,  1  should  find  you 
generally  in  much  need  of  the  stampt  pajier,  and  very  anxious  to  obtain  it,  I  shall 
liope  you  will  be  willing  to  receive  it  of  me,  (if  1  shall  happen  to  have  any)  at  least 
until  another  person  more  agreeable  to  j'ou  can  be  appointed  in  my  room. 

I  cannot  but  wish  you  would  think  more  how  to  get  rid  (jf  the  siamp  act  than  of  the 
OlTicers  who  are  to  supply  you  uiih  the  Paper,  and  iliai  you  had  learnt  more  of  the 
nature  of  iny  office,  before  you  had  undertaken  to  be  so  very  angry  at  it. 

1  am  yours,  &c.  J.  Ingersoi.l. 

New  Haven,  2Uh  August,  1765. 

New  Haven,  Sept.  20,  1765. 
On  the  17th  inst.  the  Freemen  of  this  town  met  here.  Alterchoosing  Hogtr  Sher- 
Ttian,  Esq.  and  Mr.  Saviiicl  ISi&hop  to  re|)resent  them  in  the  General  Assembly  to  be 
holden  next  month,  they  unanimously  desired  those  Representatives  to  use  their  ut- 
most endeavors,  (at  the  assembly  now  sitting  at  Ilartford,  and  also  at  the  ensuing  Ses- 
sion here,)  to  obtain  a  lejieal  of  the  Statnj)  Act.  The  Stamp  Master  General  of  this 
Colony  was  at  the  said  meeting,  ivhcre  these  words  were  read  aloud,  '' Likcicisc  voted 
1/iat  the  Freemen  present  earne^lii/  desire  Mr.  In<;crsoll  to  resign  his  Stamp  Office  i'mvie- 
dialely."  Numerous  were  the  signs  of  consent  to  this  vole,  when  a  gentleman  con- 
demned it  as  needless  and  incousl^lent  afier  their  former  proceedings.  The  Stamp 
Oilicer  then  arose  and  dechneil  in  the  slrongcsi  terms,  that  lie  would  not  resign  till  he 
discovered  how  the  General  Assembly  were  in  iluit  respect.  'Tis  said  he  is  gone  to 
Ilarlford  in  order  to  make  that  important  discovery ;  and  that  he  has  wrote  to  New 
York,  requesting  that  the  Stamp  Paper  may  be  detained  there,  'till  they  arc  wanted 
here. 


Benedict  Arnold — Wants  to  buy  a  number  of  large  genteel  fat  Horses,  Pork,  Oats 
and  Ilay. — And  has  to  sell  choice  Cotton  and  Sail,  by  quantity  oi  retail;  and  other 
goods  as  usual. 

New  Haven,  January  21,  17GG. 


Mr.  Printer:  Sir — As  1  was  a  party  concerned  in  whipping  the  Informer,  the 
other  day,  and  unluckily  out  of  town  -when  the  Couit  set,  and  finding  the  aflair  mis- 
represented much  to  my  disadvantage  and  many  animadversions  thereon,  especially 
in  one  of  your  last  by  a  very  fair  candid  gentleman  indeed  as  he  pretends;  after  he 
liad  insinuated  all  that  malice  could  do,  adds,  that  he  will  say  nothing  to  jirejudice  the 
minds  of  the  people. —  Ffe  is  eleaily  .seen  through  the  Grass,  but  the  weather  is  too 
cold  for  him  to  bite. — To  satisfy  the  public,  and  in  justice  to  myself  and  those  con- 
cerned, I  beg  you'd  insert  in  your  next,   the  following  detail  of  the  afliiir. 

The  Informer  having  been  a  voyage  with  me,  in  which  he  was  used  with  the  great- 
est humanity,  on  our  retuiri  was  paid  his  wages  to  his  lull  .-.atisfaction  ;  and  inlormed 
me  of  his  intention  to  leave  the  town  that  day,  wished  me  well,  and  departed  the  town 
as  I  imagined. — But  he  two  days  after  endeavored  to  make  information  to  a  Custom 


NEW     HAVEN.  167 

House  Officer;  but  it  being  holy  time  was  desired  to  call  on  Monday,  early  on  which 
day  I  heard  of  his  intention,  and  gave  him  a  little  Cliastisemetit;  on  which  he  left  the 
town;  and  on  Wednesday  returned  to  Mr.  Beeciier'.s,  where  1  saw  the  fellow,  who 
agreed  to  and  signed  the  following  acknowledgment  and  Oaih. 

I,  Peter  Boole,  not  having  the  fear  of  God  before  iny  Eyes,  but  being  instigated  by 
the  Devil,  did  on  the  '21th  instant,  maUe  information,  or  endeavor  to  do  the  same,  to 
one  of  the  Custom  House  Olficers  for  the  Port  of  New  Haven,  against  Benedict  Ar- 
nold, for  importing  contraband  goods,  do  hereby  acknowledge  I  justly  deserve  a  Halter 
for  my  malicious  and  cruel  intentions. 

I  do  now  solemnly  swear  I  will  never  hereafter  make  information,  directly  or  indi- 
rectly, or  cause  the  same  to  be  done  against  any  person  or  persons,  whatever,  for  im- 
porting Contraband  or  any  oilier  goods  into  ibis  Colony,  oi  any  Port  of  America;  and 
that  1  will  ini mediately  leave  INew  Haven  and  never  enter  the  same  again.  So  help 
me  God.  New  Haven,  2il//t  January^  17l>t>. 

This  was  done  precisely  at  7  o'clock,  on  which  I  engaged  not  to  inform  the  sailors 
of  his  being  in  town,  provided  he  would  leave  it  immediately  according  to  our  agiee- 
ment.  Near  four  iKJiirs  after  I  heard  a  noise  in  the  street  and  a  person  informed  me 
the  sailors  were  at  Mr.  Beecher's.  On  enquiry,  I  found  the  felhnv  iiad  not  left  the 
town.  I  then  made  one  of  the  party  and  took  him  to  the  Whipping-Post,  wheie  he  re- 
ceived near  forty  lashes  with  a  small  cotd,  and  was  condueied  out  of  town;  since 
which  on  his  return,  the  affair  was  submitted  to  Col.  David  Wooster  and  Mr.  Enos 
Allen,  (Gentlemen  of  reputed  good  judgment  and  understanding,)  who  were  of  opin- 
ion that  the  fellow  was  not  whipped  too  much,  and  gave  him  b(h.  damages  only. 

Query. — Is  it  good  policy;  or  would  .so  great  a  number  of  People,  in  any  trading 
town  on  the  Coniinenl,  (New  Haven  excepted,)  vindicate,  protect  and  caiess  an  in- 
former— a  character  particularly  at  this  alarming  time  so  justly  odious  to  the  Public? 
Every  such  information  tends  to  suppress  our  tratle,  so  advantageous  to  the  Cokmy, 
and  to  almost  every  individual  both  here  and  in  Great  Britain,  and  which  is  nearly 
ruined  by  the  lite  detestable  stamp  and  other  oppressive  acts — acts  which  we  have  so 
severely  felt,  and  so  loudly  complained  of,  and  so  earnestly  remonstrated  against  that 
one  would  imagine  every  sensible  man  wmild  strive  to  encourage  trade  tmd  discoun- 
tenance such  useless,  such  infamous  Informers.       1  am  Sir,  Your  humble  servant, 

BiJXKDItT  Au.N'OLD. 

New  Haven,  May  23,  17GG. 
"Last  Monday  morning  early,  an  express  arrived  liere  with  the  charming  news; 
.soon  after  which'inany  of  ihe  Iiihabitanis  were  awakened  with  the  noise  of  small-arms 
from  the  dilfereni  quarters  of  the  town;  all  the  Bells  were  rung;  and  cannon  roared 
the  glad  tidings.  In  the  afternoon  the  Clergy  l^nblickly  relumed  thanks  for  ilie  bless- 
ing and  a  company  of  Militia  \\ere  (.■olIcLieei  under  the  priiici|ial  direction  of  Colonel 
Wooster.  la  the  evening  weie  Illuminaiion,  Bonhre  and  dances — all  wiihoul  any 
remarkable  indecency  i>r  disorder.  'I'he  arrival  of  the  regular  Post  troin  Boston  last 
night,  hascomplciod  our  joy  for  (he  wise  and  inicresiing  repeal  of  the  stam|i  at  t— Bu- 
siness will  soon  be  transacted  ns  usual  in  ihis  loyal  Colony. — In  short,  cvci y  ihing  m 
nature  seems  to  wear  a  more  cheerful  aspect  than  usual — to  a  great  majority. ' 


The  news  of  the  battle  of  Lexington  arrived  at  New  Haven  about 
noon,  and  Capt.  Benedict  Arnokl,*  afterward-s  Gcncfal  Arnold,  who 
was  at  the  time  commander  of  the  Governor's  Guards,  immediately 
called  out  his  company,  and  proposed  their  starting  for  Lexington,  to 
join  the  American  army  as  volunteers  ;  about  forty  of  thein  consented 
to  accoirjpany  their  commander.  Being  in  want  of  aminunition,  Arnold 
requesteti  the  town  authorities  to  furnish  the  company,  wliich  they 
refused  to  do.  The  next  day,  immediately  before  they  started,  Arnold 
marched  his  company  to  the  house  where  the  select  men  were  sitting,. 
and  after  forming  tiiem  in  front  of  tlie  building,  sent  in  word  that  if  the 
keys  of  tlie  powder  house  were  not  delivered  up  to  him  in  five  minutes, 
he  would  order  the  company  to  break  it  open  and  ftn-nish  themselves. 
This  threat  had  the  desired  effect,  and  the  keys  were  delivered  up- 


Arnold  lived  in  Water  street,  near  the  Ship-Yard.     His  house  is  slill  standing. 


1G8  NEW     HAVEN. 

They  stopped  nt  Wetliersfield  the  second  niglit,  wliere  the  inl)abitants 
vied  with  each  other  in  their  attentions  to  them.  They  took  the  niidrllo 
road,  through  Pom  (Vet,  at  wliich  place  tlicy  were  joined  by  General 
Putnam.  On  the  Guards'  arrival  at  Cambridge,  they  took  up  their 
quarters  at  a  splendid  mansion,  owned  by  Lieut.  Governor  Oliver,  who 
was  obliged  to  flee  on  account  of  his  attachment  to  the  British  cause. 
This  company  was  the  only  one  on  the  ground  that  was  complete  in 
their  uniform  and  equipments,  and,  owing  to  their  soldier-like  appear- 
ance, were  appointed  to  deliver  the  body  of  a  British  ofhcer,  who  had 
been  taken  prisoner  by  the  Americans,  and  had  died  in  consequence  of 
wounds  received  at  tlie  battle  of  Lexington.  Upon  this  occasion,  one 
of  the  British  officers  appointed  to  receive  the  body  from  the  Guards, 
expressed  his  surprise  at  seeing  an  American  company  appear  so  well 
in  every  respect,  observing  that  in  their  military  movements  and  equip- 
ments, "  they  were  not  excelled  by  any  of  his  ]\Lnjesty's  troops." 

Whilst  at  Cambridge,  Arnold  was  sent  by  Gen.  Washington,  with 
1000  men,  with  orders  to  penetrate  into  Canada,  which,  after  encoun- 
tering immense  obstacles,  was  finally  accom|)lished.  About  a  dozen  of 
the  Guards  accompanied  him  in  this  expedition.  The  remainder,  after 
remaining  nearly  three  weeks  at  Cambridge,  returned  to  New  Haven. 

During  the  Kevolutionary  war,  while  the  enemy  held  possession  of 
New  York,  the  towns  on  the  sea-board  were  continually  liable  to  their 
incursions.  In  the  canqiaign  of  1779,  the  British  seemed  to  have 
aimed  at  little  more  than  to  plunder,  distress,  and  consume.  The  attack 
on  this  town  took  place  on  Monday,  July  5th,  1779,  the  day  on  which 
the  citizens  were  to  assemble  for  the  purpose  of  commemorating  the 
Declaration  of  Indepenilencc.  The  following  account  of  this  event  is 
taken  from  the  Connecticut  Journal,  published  in  New  Haven,  July 
7th,  1779. 

Neiv  Haven,  July  1th. 

About  two  o'  clock  on  the  morning  of  the  5th  instant,  a  fleet  consist- 
ing of  lht>  (Camilla  and  Scorpion  mi;n  of  war,  \vith  tcntlers,  transjiorts, 
&ic.  to  tlie  nurnher  of  48,  commanded  by  Commodore  Sir  (icorge  Col- 
lier, anchored  oil'  AVcst  Haven.  They  had  on  board  about  3000  land 
forces,  commanded  by  Major  Cicn.  Tryon  ;  about  1500  of  whom,  under 
Brigadier  Gen.  Garth,  landed  about  sun-rise  on  'West  Haven  point. 
The  town  being  alarmed,  all  the  preparation  which  the  confusion  and 
distress  of  the  inhabitants,  and  a  necessary  care  of  their  families  would 
permit,  was  made  for  resistance.  The  ^Vest  bridge,  on  INIilford  road, 
was  taken  up,  several  field  pieces  were  carried  thither  and  some  slight 
works  thrown  up  for  the  defense  of  that  pass.  The  division  under 
Gen.  Garth  being  landed,  immediately  began  tlieir  march  towards  the 
town.  The  first  opposition  was  made  by  about  25  of  the  inhabitants, 
to  an  advanced  party  of  the  enemy  of  two  companies  of  light  infantr}^ 
These,  though  advancing  on  the  height  of  JMilford  hill,  were  attacked 
with  great  spirit  by  the  handful  of  our  people,  driven  back  almost  to 
West  Haven,  and  one  of  them  was  taken  jjrisoner.  The  enemy  then 
advanced  in  their  main  body,  with  strong  flanking  parties,  and  two  field 
pieces  :  and  finding  a  smart  fire  kept  up  from  our  field  pieces  at  the 


NEW     HAVEN.  169. 

bridge  aforesaid,  chose  not  to  force  an  entrance  to  the  town  by  that,  the 
usual  road,  but  to  make  a  circuitous  march  of  nine  miles,  in  order  to 
enter  by  the  Derby  road.  In  this  march  our  small  parly  on  Milford  hill, 
now  increased  to  perhaps  150,  promiscuously  collected  from  several 
companies  of  the  militia,  had  a  small  enc(Hmter  with  the  enemy's  left 
flank,  near  the  INIilford  road,  in  which  was  killed  their  adjutant  Cmwp- 
bcU,*  the  loss  of  whom  they  lamented  with  much  apparent  sensibility. 
Our  people  on  the  hill,  beini^  obliged  by  superior  numbers  to  give  way, 
kept  up  a  continual  fire  on  the  enemy,  and  galled  them  much,  tbrougfi 
all  their  march  to  Thomson's  bridge  on  the  Derby  road.  In  the  mean 
time,  those  who  were  posted  at  the  West  bridge,  perceiving  the  move- 
ments of  the  enemy,  and  also  that  another  large  body  of  them  bad 
landed  at  the  South  Eiiil,  on  the  east  side  of  the  Harbor,  quitted  the 
bridge  and  marched  thence  to  oppose  the  enemy  at  Tliomson's  bridge. 
But  by  the  time  they  had  reaclied  the  banks  of  the  river,  the  enemy 
were  in  possession  of  the  bridge,  and  the  places  at  which  the  river  is 
here  fordable  ;  yet  having  received  a  small  accession  of  strength  by  the 
coming  in  of  the  militia,  they  gave  the  enemy  a  smart  fire  from  two 
field  pieces  and  small  arms,  which  continued  with  little  abatement,  till 
the  enemy  were  in  possession  of  the  town.  Our.))eople  being  obliged 
to  retreat,  either  to  the  fields  north  and  west  of  the  town,  or  through 
the  town  across  the  Neck  bridge,  the  enemy  entered  the  town  between 
12  and  I  o'clock.  In  the  mean  time,  the  division  of  the  enemy,  before 
mentioned  to  have  landed  at  South  End,  which  was  imder  the  imme- 
diate command  of  Gen.  Tryon,  was  bravely  resisted  by  a  small  party 
of  men,,  with  one  field  piece,  who,  besides  other  execution,  killed  an 
officer  of  the  enemy,  in  one  of  their  boats  at  their  landing.  This  di- 
vision marched  up  by  land,  and  attacked  the  fort  at  Black  Rock  ;  at 
the  same  time  their  sliij)ping  drew  up  and  attacked  it  from  the  harbor. 
The  fort  had  only  19  men,  and  li  pieces  of  artillery,  yet  was  defended 
as  long  as  reason  or  vidor  dictateil,  and  then  the  men  made  good  their 
retreat. 

The  town  being  now  in  full  possession  of  the  enemy,  it  was,  not- 
withstanding the  subjoined  proclamation,  delivered  yp,  except  a  ftiw 
instances  of  protection,  to  promiscuous  plunder:  in  which,  besides  rob- 
bing the  inhabitants  of  their  watches,  money,  pifite,  buckles,  clothing, 
bedding  and  provisions,  they  broke  and  destroyed  iheir  household 
furniture  to  a  very  great  amount.  Some  [\miilies  lost  every  thing 
their  houses  contained  :  many  have  now  neither  food  nor  clothes  to 
shift. 

A  body  of  militia  sufilclent  to  penetrate  the  town,  could  not  be  col- 
lected that  evening  :  we  were  obliged  therefore  to  content  ourselves 
with  giving  the  enemy  every  annoyance  in  our  power,  which  was  done 
with  great  spirit  for  most  of  the  afternoon  at  and  about  the  Ditch- 
corner. 


*  His  grave  is  still  to  be  seen  on  the  summit  of  the  high  ground  on  the  Millord 
road,  near  the  iniuicbction  of  the  Orange  oi^  West  Haven  road.  After  lie  was  shot, 
he  was  carried  mlo  ii  small  house  then  standing  in  the  vicinity.  He  was  attended  by 
his  servant  till  lie  expired. 

oo 


170  N  r:  w    n  v  v  k  n. 

Early  on  Tuesday  morniii^^  the  enemy  unexpectedly,  and  with  the 
utmost  stillness  and  dispatch,  called  in  tlu.'ir  n;nar(ls  and  retreated  to 
their  boats,  carrying  wiih  iheni  a  number  of  the  inhabitants  captive, 
most,  if  not  all  of  whom,  were  taken  wiihont  arn)s,  and  a  few  wdio 
chose  to  accompany  them.  Part  of  them  went  on  board  their  fleet, 
and  part  crossed  over  to  General  Tr)  (jii  at  Jvir^t  Haven.  On  Tuesilay 
aliernoon  the  miliiia  collected  in  such  numbers,  and  crowded  so  close 
upon  Gen.  Tryon,  that  he  ihoughl  best  to  retreat  on  board  his  fleet, 
and  set  sail  to  the  westward. 

The  loss  of  the  enemy  is  unknown  ;  hut  for  many  reasons  it  is  sup- 
posed to  be  considerable,  and  includes  some  officers  whom  they  lament 
besides  Adjutant  Campbell,  Ours,  by  the  best  information  we  can  ob- 
tain, is  27  killer!,  and  19  womided.  As  many  of  our  dead  upon 
examlnalion  appeared  to  have  been  wcjunded  with  shot,  but  not  nior- 
liilly,  and  afterwards  to  have  been  killed  with  bayonets,  this  demon- 
straied  the  true  reason  why  the  number  of  the  dead  exceeded  that  of 
the  wounded  to  be,  that  being  wounded  and  falling  into  the  enemy's 
bands,  they  were  afterwards  killed.  A  lui-ther  confirtnation  of  this 
charge  is,  that  we  have  lidl  ;md  direct  testimony,  which  aliirms  that 
Gen.  Garth  declai(;d  lo  one  of  our  militia  v.  ho  was  wounded  and  taken, 
that  "  he  was  sorry  his  ujen  had  not  kdled  hiui,  instead  of  taking  him, 
and  that  he  would  not  ba\e  his  men  give  (juarter  to  one  militia  man, 
taken  in  arms." 

Although  in  this  expedition  it  must  be  confessed,  to  tlie  credit  of 
the  Brilons,  that  they  iiave  not  donii  all  the  mischief  in  their  power, 
yet,  the  brutal  ravishment  of  women,  the  wanton  and  malicious  destruc- 
tion of  property,  the  burning  of  the  stores  upon  the  wharf,  and  eight 
bouses  in  East  Haven  ;  the  beating,  stabbing,  and  insulting  of  the  Rev. 
Dr.  Daggett,  after  be  was  made  a  prisoner,  the  mortally  wounding  of 
]Mr.  13eeis,  senior,  in  his  own  door,  and  otherwise  abusing  him  ;  the 
murdering  the  very  agefl  and  helpless  Air.  English  in  his  own  house, 
and  the  l)eating  and  finally  cutting  out  tlie  tongue  of  and  then  killing  a 
distracttil  iiiuu,  are  suUieient  jiroofs  that  they  were  rcal/i/  Britons. 

They  were  conducietl  to  the  town  by  William  Chandler,  son  of 
Joshua  Chandler,  late  ol'  this  town,  who  with  his  family  went  off  with 
the  enemy  in  their  retreat. 

The  enemy  carried  ofl'  between  thirty  and  foity  of  the  iidiabitants 
of  the  town,  among  whom  was  John  \Vhiting,  Esq.  judge  of  probate, 
and  clerk  of  the  county  court. 

Names  of  the  j)crsons  kilted  and  wounded  by  the  British  li\<upi  at  Xciv  Ilavcn,  July  ^th 
and  (iih,  177t». 

Killed. — John  Hotclikiss,  Caleb  Hotclikiss,  jnur.  Ezckiel  Tlotchkiss,  Capt.  Jolm 
Gilbert,  Michael  Gilbert,  John  Kennedy,  Jusepli  iJorniaii,  Asa  Tudil,  Samuel  Woodiii, 
Silas  Woodin,  Benj.  English,  Isaac  Paidis,  Jfdiitluui  Thonison,  Aaron  Russell,  a  lacJ, 
Jacob  'JMiorp,  and  Pomp,  a  ncpcro,  all  of  New  tiav.  n,  Ehlat!  Parker,  Wallin<!;(brd, 
Bradley,  Dei  by,  Timolhy  Ludington,  Guilford,  John  Baldwin,  Gideon  Good- 
rich, Braufortl.  and  one  pcrsim  whose  name  is  unknown. 

Wounded — Rev.  Ov.  Da'i,!;rlt,  Nathan  Beers,  since  dead  of  his  wounds,  David 
Austin,  junr.  Elizur  Goodi  icii,  junr.  Jo-^eph  Basselt,  Capi.  Caleb  I\Iix,  Thomas  I\Ii.\, 
I.,r.^el  Woodin,  and  taken,  John  Austin,  Abraham  Pinio,  Nathan  Dninmei,  Jeremiah 
Austin,  Edmund  ^miih,  and  Elisha  Tuitle,  (since  dead  of  his  wounds,  \vhose  tongue 

wa?  cut  out  by  llie  enemv.)  all  of  New  Haven. Atwuier,  and  a  negro,  of  Wal- 

lingiord,  and  Bsnjamin  Howd  of  Branfurd. 


N  E  W     II  A  ^^  P.  N  .  171 

The  folio  WW  g  is  the  proclamation  alluded  to  in  the  foregoing  account. 

By  Commodore  Sir  George  Col/ici-,  coinmander-in-cliief  ol'  his  ma- 
jesty's ships  and  vessels  in  Norlli  America,  and  Major  Gen.  flilliaiu 
Tri/on,  commanding  his  majesty's  land  forces  on  a  separate  expe- 
dition. 

Atldrcxs  In  the  inhabilaiits  of  Connrctuid. 

The  ungenerous  and  wanton  iosiirruction  nyainsi  tlie  sovereignly  of  Great  Eriliiin, 
into  wliich  this  colony  has  been  iloludecl,  Ijy  ilie  ariifices  oldesij^ning  men,  lor  ptivaie 
purposes,  might  well  jusiily  in  yuii,  every  tear  which  conscious  guill  could  loini,  re- 
specting the  inieiilions  of  the  pie.-ent  arni'auieni. 

Your  towns,  your  |)r(i|k'iiy,  yourscK't-s  Ik-  \uiliin  the  giaspol'ihe  powei'  \\tio.'<e  for- 
bearance you  have  ungeneidU^ly  cDiisirucd  into  tear;  lait  whose  lenity  has  pei^isii.'d 
in  its  mild  and  nuhle  eilinis,  c\'en  though  hiauded  with  the  most  luiworihy  inipulaiion. 

The  existence  of  a  >ii]-f  •  hahiiaiion  on  your  dofeii;ieless  eoa-i,  on-ht  lobe  a  suf  e.t 
of  constant  repniuf  to  your  jngiauiude.  Can  the  strength  of  your  whole  province 
cope  with  the  force  whieii  might  at  any  lime  be  poured  ihr.  ngii  every  disliiei  in  your 
country  1  You  are  conscious  it  cannot.  ^Vhy  tiien  will  you  jjcrsist  in  a  ruinous  and 
ill  judged  resistance  !  We  hoped  that  you  would  recover  from  the  phienzy  which 
Iras  distracted  this  unhappy  Country ;  and  we  believe  the  day  to  be  near  come,  u  hen 
the  greater  part  of  this  continent  will  begin  to  blush  at  llieir  delusion.  You  who  lie 
so  much  in  our  power,  afford  that  most  striking  monument  of  our  mercy,  and  there- 
lore  ought  to  set  the  llrst  example  of  returning  lo  allegiance. 

Reflect  on  what  gratitude  lequires  of  you  ;  if  that  is  insulficient  to  move  you,  attend 
to  your  own  interest:  we  oiler  you  a  refuse  against  ihe  distress,  which  you  universally 
acknowledge,  broods  with  increasing  and  intolerable  weight  o\'er  all  your  country. 

Leaving  you  to  et)n.->ult  with  each  other  upon  this  invitation;  wo  do  now  declare 
that  whosoever  shall  be  Ibuud,  and  remain  in  peace,  at  his  usual  jilace  of  re^nience, 
shall  be  shielded  from  any  insult,  either  lo  his  jierson,  or  his  [imju'iiy,  excepting  such 
as  bear  oflices,  either  civil  or  military,  under  vour  present  usuiped  government,  of 
whom  it  will  be  furlher  reijuiied,  that  they  shall  give  proofs  of  their  penitence  and 
voluntary  submission  ;  and  they  shall  then  partake  of  the  like  immunity. 

Those   whose  folly  and   obstinacy  may  slight   this   laV(Hable   warning,   must  tal;e 
notice,  that  they  are  not  to  e.xpect  a'cuntinuanee  of  that  lenity  which  their  mveteiacy 
would  now  rendei  blamable. 
Given  on  board  his  Majesty's  ship  Camilla  on  the  Sound,  July  -J,  177;). 

Gi;oi;i.r;  Coi.i.iKn,    Wm.  Tryon". 

The  following  is  from  the  London  (ia^cllc,  of  Ijct.  G,  \"'.l 

Whit,  hall,  fict    (1    1770. 
Copy  of  a  hlttf  from  Mnjor  den.  Tnion   t.>  (!,  n    Sir  IL  i  m/  Clinlon,  dated  Ac!-   York, 
July  -JO,    177!>. 

Having  on  the  3d  iiuNint,  joined  the  troops  assembled  on  board  the  transports  at 
Wliiteslone,  Sir  George  Collier  got  the  lleet  under  way  the  same  eveninjj  ;  but  the 
winds  being  light,  we  did  not  reach  the  harbor  of  New" Haven  until  the  fifth,  in  ihe 
morning. 

The  first  division  consisting  of  the  flank  companies  of  the  Guaids,  the  Fuzilif  rs, 
51th  regiment,  and  a  detachment  of  the  Yagers,  with  4  field  pieces,  under  the  con, - 
mand  of  Brig.  Gen.  Garth,  landed  about  .'J  o'clock,  (A.  M.)  a  mile  south  of  W.  st 
Haven,  and  began  their  march,  making  a  circuit  of  upwaids  of  seven  miles,  to  head 
a  creek  on  the  west  side  ol  the  town. 

The  second  division  could  not  move  until  the  return  of  the  boat.s,  but-befoie  noon  I 
disembarked  with  the  2'id,  Ihe  Hessian,  J,andgrave,  King's  American  Regiments, 
and  2  pieces  of  cannon,  on  the  eastern  sitle  of  the  harbor,  and  instantly  began  the 
march  of  three  miles,  to  the  ferry  from  New  Haven,  east,  towards  lliantoid 

We  took  a  field  pieee,  which  'annoyed  us  on  our  landing,  aiul  possessed  (uirselves 
of  the  Rock  Battery,  of  three  guns,  commanding  the  channel  of  the  harbor,  abandoned 
by  the  rebels  on  our  approach.  The  anni.-d  vcs.>els  then  entcied  and  drew  near  the 
town. 

Gen.  Garth  got  into  the  town,  but  not  without  opposition,  loss,  and  fatigue,  and  re- 
ported to  meat  half  past  one,  that  he  should  begin  ihe  conllagraiion,  which  he  thought 
It  merited,  as  soon  as  he  had  secured  the  bridge  bL-tween  us,\iver  Neck  Creek. 

The  collection  of  ihe  enemy  in  I'uree,  mi  advaniageous  ground,  and  with  heavier 
cannon  than  his  own,  diverted  the  General  from  that  passag^e,  and  the  boats  that  were 
to  take  olfthe  trooji:,  being  not  up,  [  went  over  to  him,  and  the  result  of  our  conference 
was  a  resolution,  tliat,  with  the  fust  division,  he  should  cover  the  north  part  of  the 


172  N  i:  w    11  \  V  r.  n. 

towa  that  nii^ht,  while  with  the  sectimi,  I  sliuuld  keep  the  heights  above  the  Rock  Fort. 
In  ttie  morning  llie  fiist  division  einbarkotl,  ul  the  souilicasi  j)ail  of  llio  town,  and 
crossing  the  ferry,  joined  us  un  hJa-^t  JJaven  Mile,  excelling  llie  Dltli,  whicli  were  .'^ent 
on  board  thejr  transports. 

In  tlie  progress  of  the  preceding  day,  IVoni  West  Haven,  lliey  M'cre  nndera  continual 
fire;  bni  by  the  judicious  conduet  of  the  LJcneral,  and  llie  alertness  of  llie  Iruops,  the 
rebels  were  every  wheie  repulsed.  The  next  morning,  as  there  was  not  a  shot  fired 
to  molest  the  retreat,  Gen.  (Jaith  changed  his  design,  and  destroyed  only  the  public 
stores,  some  ve.ssels  and  ordnance,  excepting  six  field  pieces,  and  an  armed  privateer, 
whicli  were  biought  olf. 

The  troops  re-embarked  at  Rock  Fort,*  in  tho  afternoon,  with  little  molestation; 
and  the  fleet  leaving  the  harbor  that  evening,  anchored  the  morning  of  the  8ih  oft'  the 
village  of  Fairfield.  **♦»♦♦*♦*»*♦ 
♦  ♦  *  The  general  eflect  of  the  printed  address  from  SirGeorge  Collier  and 
myself,  to  the  inhabitants,  recommended  by  your  Exeellencv,  cannot  be  discovered 
(ill  there  are  some  further  operations  and  descents  upon  their  coasts,  Many  copies 
of  it  were  left  behind  at  New  Haven,  and  at  Fairfield.  ♦  +  ♦  ♦  ♦ 

I  have  the  honor  herewiih  to  transmit  to  your  Excellency  a  general  return  of  tho 
killed,  wounded,  and  missing,  on  this  expedition. 

At  \ciu  JIureii,  July  5. 

Guards,    1    olficer,    1   rank  and  file  killed;    1  oliicer,   1  sergeant,  9   rank  and  file 

woundetl  :   14  tank  ami  file   missing.— 7tli  or  Royal  Fu/.iliers,  1  sergeant,  7  rank  and 

file  wounded  ;  2  ranlc  and  file  missing. — 'JIM,  or  Royal  AV^elch   Fuziliers,  1  drummer, 

1  rank  and  file  wounded. — allh  Regiment  of  fi)Ot,  I  sergeant,  5  rank  and  file  killed  ; 

2  officers,  1  drummer,  5  tank  and  file  wounded  ;  1  sergeant,  7  raiilc  and  file  mis.sing. — 
Landgrave  regiment,  2  rank  and  file  wounded.— Del:ichmeiil  of  Yagers,  1  rank  and 
file  wounded;  1  rank  and  file  missing. —  King's  American  Regiment,  1  ofiicer  killed  ; 
1  sergeant,  tj  rank  and  file  wuunded. — Royal  Artillery,  1  driver  wounded. 

Names  of  Ike  ojficers  Killed  and  Wounded. 
Guards,  Adjutant  Campbell,  killed;  Captain  Parker,  wounded. — 54lh  Regiment  of 
foot',  Captain  Biekop,  Lieut.  Powell,  wounded. — King's  American   Regiment,  iOnsigii 
and  Adjutant  Watkins,  killed.  W.m.  Tiao.N,  M.  G. 


The  foUoiving  additional  particulars,  relative  to  the  invasion  of  New 
Haven  by  the  Briiish  Troops,  were  received  from  persons  who  were 
residents  of  the  town  at  the  time. 

"When  infoniKiiiou  iif  the  enemy's  Uindini;  at  ^Vcst  Haven  reached 
the  town,  ami  as  their  forces  a|)])ioaehe(l  the  place,  persons  of  every 
age  aiiti  sex  were  seen  lleein'^  in  all  direclions.  A  nuniber  of  the  in- 
habitants took  rijfiige  on  the  l"'ast  liock.  where  they  remained  until  the 
enemy  left  New  Haven.  Many,  however,  chose  to  remain,  hoping  that 
by  staying  (]tiietly  in  their  habitations,  they  should  be  secure  from  tho 
molestations  of  the  enemy  ;  but  a  large  number  of  the  more  patriotic 
inhabitants  made  instant  preparations  to  harass  tlie  Englisb  as  much  as 
possible.  Capt.  James  Ilillhouse,  with  a  small  band  of  brave  young 
men,  some  of  whom  were  students  of  Yale  College,  advanced  very 
near  the  royal  troops,  while  on  jiarade  ground  near  the  \Vest  Ha\'en 
cburcb  ;  and  when  tliey  commenced  their  march,  fired  on  the  advanced 
guards  and  drove  them  back  to  the  main  body  ;  but  owing  to  superior 
numbers,  this  little  band  was  soon  forced  to  retreat.  The  Re'\  Dr. 
Daggett,  at  that  time  president  of  Yale  College,  was  a  warm  friend  to 
the  American  cause  ; — armed  with  a  musket,  he  joined  bis  fellow  citi- 
zens and  went  out  to  oppose  the  enemy  ;  be  \Aas  wounded  and  taken 


Now  Fort  Halt:. 


NEW     IIAVr.  N.  173 

prisoner  near  the  West  bridge.  Dr.  Daggett  would  in  all  probability 
have  been  murdered  by  the  British,  but  for  the  interference  of  Chan- 
dler, their  guide,  who  was  formerly  his  pupil  at  the  College.  Whilst 
in  their  hands,  the  President  was  asked,  whether  if  released,  he  would 
again  take  up  arms  against  them  ? — to  which  he  answered,  "  I  rather 
believe  I  shall  if  I  get  an  opportunity." 

The  British  entered  New  Haven  on  the  old  Derby  road,  through 
Westville :  a  small  body  of  men,  under  Capt.  Phineas  Bradley,  with 
two  small  cannon,  made  a  stand  to  oppose  their  entrance  on  the  top 
of  the  hill,  on  the  east  side  of  the  Westville  bridge,  (formerly  called 
Thompson's  bridge,)  but  their  ammunition  failing,  they  were  obliged  to 
retreat.  The  embankments  thrown  up  on  this  occasion  by  the  Ameri- 
cans are  still  visible.  The  enemy  then  continued  their  course  towards 
New  Haven,  and  when  at  the  west  end  of  Chapel  street,  placed  a  large 
loaded  field  piece,  and  fired  it  ofFdown  the  street.  Our  informant,  INIr. 
Amos  Doolittle,  who  was  one  of  the  party  that  resisted  the  enemy  at 
Westville,  states,  that  when  obliged  to  leave  there,  his  wife  being  sick, 
he  returned  to  his  house,  which  was  near  the  College,  and  after  throw- 
ing his  gun  and  equipments  under  the  bed,  awaited  the  coming  of  the 
enemy  with  anxiety.  As  soon  as  they  arrived  in  front  of  his  house,  an 
English  lady  who  resided  with  him  stepped  to  the  door,  and  addressing 
one  of  the  ollicers,  requested  a  guard  for  the  house.  The  ofliccr  asked 
her,  with  an  oath,  who  she  was  ;  she  informed  him  that  she  was  an  Eng- 
lish woman  and  then  had  a  son  in  his  majesty's  service  ;  upon  which  the 
oflicer  addressing  a  Highlander,  ordered  him  to  guard  the  house,  and 
not  allow  the  least  injury  to  be  done  to  its  inaiates.  It  was  owing  to 
the  address  of  this  lady,  that  INIr.  D.  was  not  carried  to  New  York  by 
the  enemy  ;  for  some  of  the  soldiers  entering  the  house  by  the  back 
door,  and  discovering  the  gun  under  the  bed,  inquired  the  purpose  of  it. 
The  lady,  with  great  presence  of  mind,  answered  that  the  law  obliged 
every  man  to  have  a  gun  in  his  house,  adding  that  the  owner  of  it  was 
as  strong  a  friend  to  King  George  as  themselves.  A  store  near  his 
house  having  been  broken  open  by  the  soldiers,  one  of  them  advised 
Mr.  D.  to  go  and  provide  himself  with  whatever  he  wanted,  adding  that 
he  was  perfectly  welcome — but  not  wishing  to  take  advantage  of  bis 
neighbor's  distress,  the  olFer  was  of  course  declined. 

It  is  mentioned  in  the  preceding  account,  that  among  the  killed  and 
wounded  were  Mr.  Beers  and  Capt.  Gilbert.  The  circumstances  of 
the  death  of  these  persons  are  stated  to  be  as  follows: — 

As  the  British  entered  the  town,  Capt.  Parker,  a  British  oflicer,  over- 
taking Capt.  Gilbert,  ordered  him  to  surrender;  upon  which,  Capt.  G. 
turning  round  shot  the  oflicer  and  badly  wounded  him.  He  was  im- 
mediately pursued,  and  being  wounded  in  the  leg  whilst  endeavoring  to 
escape,  was  soon  overtaken  by  the  enemy  and  immediately  disinuched 
with  their  bayonets.  Mr.  Beers  lived  near  the  corner  of  York  and 
Chapel  streets:  a  shot  was  fired  at  the  enemy  near  his  premises;  they 
immediately  came  into  the  house,  charged  him  with  the  act,  and  mor- 
tally wounded  him,  while  he  declared  his  innocence. 


174  NEW     II  A  V  r.  N  . 

After  the  royal  troops  left  tlie  town,  thousands  of  country  people  and 
militia  flocked  in,  without  any  order:  soon  after  they  entered,  a  report 
havino;  been  circulated  that  the  British  army  was  surrounding  the  place, 
they  IJcd  for  the  country,  and  their  jirogress  could  be  traced  for  miles 
by  the  immense  clouds  of  dust  wliich  arose  in  all  directions.  It  is  said, 
that  some  of  the  country  people  were  base  enough  to  take  advantage 
of  the  i-eneral  confusion,  and  carried  off  goods  to  a  large  amount. 


The  following  is  a  copy  of  President  Daggett's  account  of  the  treat- 
ment he  received  from  the  enemy,  which  is  preserved  in  the  Secretary 
of  State's  ollice  at  Hartford. 

An  account  of  ihe  cruellies  ami  barbarities,  wliich  I  receiveil  frt^m  the  British  sol- 
diers, alter  I  had  ^urreluiere(l  niysell'  a  prisoner  into  theii  liands. — It  is  needless  to 
relate  all  the  leading' circuiii-.t;uices  u  Inch  tiiiew  aie  in  tlieir  wny.  It  rnay  be  suffi- 
cient just  to  observe,  iliat  on  Monday  niorninj,'  the  5lli  in^t.  the  town  of  Nevv  Haven 
was  justly  alarmed,  with  very  thrt  ateninj,' ap|iearaiices  of  a  speedy  invasion  from  the 
Enemv.  "  Numbers  weiil  oui  armed  to  oppose  them;  1  among  the  rest,  took  the  station 
assigned  me  upon  Millord  lull,  but  was  soon  directed  to  ijuit  it,  and  retire  further 
north,  as  the  motions  of  the  Ilnemy  re(]uired.  Having'  i:;one  as  far  as  I  supposed  was 
surticient,  I  turned  down  the  hill  to  g-ain  a  little  Covert  of  bushes  which  1  had  in  my 
eye;  but  to  my  great  surjirise,  i  saw  Uie  Enemy  much  nearer  than  I  expected,  their 
advanced  guards  being  little  more  than  *J(i  rods  di^tunt,  ['lain  ojien  ground  between  lis. 
They  instantly  lired  u[ion  me,  which  they  continued  liU  I  had  run  a  dozen  rods,  dis- 
charging not  less  than  15  or  'JO  balls  at  me  alone;  however  ituo'  the  preserving  provi- 
dence of  God,  1  escaped  them  all  unhurt,  and  gainetl  the  liiile  covert  at  which  I  aimed, 
which  concealed  me  from  liieir  view,  while  I  could  plainly  see  them  thro'  the  weeds 
and  bushes,  advancing  towards  me  within  about  12  rods.  I  singled  out  one  of  them, 
look  aim,  and  fired  upon  him  ;  I  loaded  my  rnuslvet  again,  but  determined  not  to  dis- 
charge it  any  more,  and  as  I  saw  I  could  not  escape  from  them,  I  determined  to  sur- 
render myself  a  iirisoner.  I  begged  for  Cluarter,  and  that  they  would  spare  iny  life. 
They  drew  near  to  me,  I  think  two  only  in  number,  one  on  my  right  hand,  the  other 
on  my  left,  the  fury  of  infernals  glowing  in  their  faces,  they  called  me  a  drunned  old 
Rebel  and  swore  they  whould  kill  me  instantly.  They  demanded,  what  did  you  fire 
upon  us  for]  I  replied,  because  it  is  the  exercise  of  war.  Then  one  made  a  pass  at 
me  with  his  bayonet,  as  if  he  designed  to  thrust  it  thro'  my  body.  With  my  hand  I 
tossed  It  u])  fiuin  its  direction  and  sprung  in  so  near  to  him  that  he  could  not  hurt  me 
with  his  bayonet.  I  siill  coulinucd  jileading  and  begging  for  my  life,  wiih  the  inmost 
importunity,  using  every  ai  :,'uiiient  in  my  [>o\\er  to  inullify  them,  and  iruluee  ihein  to 
desist  from  llieir  muiderous  pin|)u.se,  l.)iie  of  them  gave  me  four  gashes  on  my  head 
with  the  edge  of  his  I'.ayonet,  to  the  skull  bmie,  which  caused  a  I'llenliful  effusion  of 
blooil.  The  other  g  ive  me  ihiee  slight  prieKs  with  the  jioint  of  his  bayonet  on  (he 
trunk  of  my  body,  but  they  weie  no  more  than  skin  deep.  But  what  is  a  thousand 
limes  worse  than  all  that  has  been  related,  is  the  blow.s  ami  bruises  they  gave  me  with 
the  heavy  barrels  of  their  guns  on  my  Bowels,  by  which  I  was  knocked  down  once,  or 
more,  and  almost  deprived  of  life;  by  which  bruises,  I  have  been  almost  confined  to 
my  bell  ever  since.  'I'hese  scenes  rnighl  talce  up  about  two  minutes  of  time.  They 
seemed  to  desist  ;l  little  ifoni  their  design  of  murder,  after  w  hich  they  stript  me  of  my 
shoe  and  knee  buckles,  and  also  my  stock  buckle.  Their  avarice  furiher  led  them  to 
loh  me  of  my  Pcjckel  handkerchief,  and  a  lillle  old  tobacco  box.  I'hey  then  bade  me 
march  towards  the  main  body,  which  was  about  twelve  rods  distant ;  where  some  offi- 
ceissomi  iiu|uired  of  me  who  1  was,  1  gave  them  my  name,  .siaiion  and  Character,  and 
begged  their  protection,  that  I  might  not  be  a.ny  more  abused  or  hurt  by  the  soldiers. 
They  promised  me  their  protection.  But  1  was  robbed  of  mv  shoes  .-ind  was  commit- 
ted to  one  of  the  most  unfeeling  sa\  ages  that  evei  breathed,  i'hey  ihen  drove  me  w  ith 
ihe  main  body,  a  hasty  march  of  five  miles  or  more.  I  was  insulted  in  the  most  shock- 
ing manner  by  the  rutlian  soldiers,  many  of  which  came  at  me  wiih  fixed  bayonets 
and  swore  that  thev  would  kill  me  on  the  spot.  Thev  damned  me,  those  thai  took  me, 
because  they  spared  my  life.  Thus  amidst  a  thousand  insults,  my  infernal  driver 
liastened  me  along  faster  than  my  strength  would  admit  in  the  extreme  heat  of  the  day, 
weakened  as  1  was  by  my  wounds  and  the  loss  of  blood,  which  at  a  inoilerate  conniuta- 
tion  could  not  be  less  than  one  quart.  Antl  when  I  failed  in  some  degree,  thro'  laint- 
ness,  lie  would  strike  me  on  the  back  with  a  heavy  walking  stalT  and  kick  me  behind 


NEW     HAVEN.  175 

■with  liis  foot.  At  len;?th,  by  the  supporting  power  of  God,  I  arrived  at  the  green  in 
New  Haven.  Bin  my  lile  was  almost  spent,  the  wcjrid  around  me  .several  times  ap- 
pearing as  dark-  as  midnight.  I  obtained  Ilmvl-  ol  an  olhcer  to  be  carried  into  tiie  wid- 
ow Lyman's  and  laid  upon  a  bed,  wliere  I  lay  tlie  rest  oC  the  day  and  succeeding  night, 
in  such  acute  and  exeiuciaiing  [iain  as  I  never  lelt  hcluie.  jXai'Utali  Dauuett. 

Atw  Haven,  Jidij  2Gl/i,  177'J. 

yrw  Haven,  Juhj  26M,  1779. 

Personally  appeared  the  Rev.  Doctr.  Naphtali  Dacrgctl,  and  made  oalli  to  the  lore- 
going  account  as  true  and  genuine  bel'ore  me.  Daviu  Austin,  Jus.  ol  Peace. 


The  followitif^  advertisements,  notices,  &ic.  are  copied  fiom  the  Con- 
necticut Journal  and  New  Haven  Post  Boyj  publislied  during  the  Rev- 
olutionary war. 

New  Haven,  April  V2th,  1775. 
"We  are  informed  from  the  parish  of  East  Haven,  that  last  week,  llie  women  of 
that  parish,  in  imitation  of  the  generous  and  laudable  example  of  the  societies  in  the 
town  of  New  Haven,  piesenied  the  Rev.  Mr.  Street,  of  said  parish,  with  ujuvaids  of 
one  hundred  and  ihiriy  run  of  well  spun  linen  yam;  which  was  gralefidly  received 
by  the  family;  and  the  ^'enerous  guests  after  some  refreshment,  and  taking  a  lew 
dishes  of  coffee,  av'reeable  to  the  plan  of  the  Continental  Congress,  to  which  that 
society  unanimously  and  li.xcdiy  adheres,  dispersed  with  a  cheerlulues  that  bespoke 
that  they  could  be  well  pleased  without  a  sip  from  that  baneful  and  e.xotic  herb,*  which 
ought  not  so  much  as  to  be  once  more  named  among  the  friends  of  American  liberty. 


I,  AiiHAH.AM  HnjK(Jx,  having  bv  my  conduct  for  some  time  past,  given  great  offense 
to  my  cuuntrymen,  ilo  lake  this  public  occasion  to  acknowledge  ihnt  my  conduct  has 
been  such  as  justly  tu  alarm  the  li  iend.s  of  this  distressed  and  injured  ci.imliy,— m  lijat 
I  have  ridiculed  the  doings  of  the  Hon.  Continental  (Jongress;  the  Cummitiees  cho- 
sen in  conseipieijce  (if  their  resoluiions;  and  in  lun  complying  Milh  their  advice.  I 
confess  that  1  have  not  only  treated  the  Cuntinenial  Congicss  wilii  disrespect  and 
abuse,  but  f  have  also  greatly  abused  the  General  Assembly  of  this  Colony,  in  saying 
that  they  spent  their  money  for  nolhing,  which  appears  by  evidence,  though  1  don't 
myself  recollect  it,  and  have  also  tried  to  ridicule  the  soldiers  which  liave  been  rai.sed 
for  the  defense  of  the  Colony,  bv  asking  the  (juestion  whether  they  iiiUMided  lo  hglit 
Gage  with  their  fealluMs,  and  at"the  same  time  told  them  that  they  wouhi  go  to  ligiit 
New  England  Rum,  mure  than  any  thing  else ;  and  that  the  soldiers  enlisted  for  no 
other  motive,  but  lu  get  the  goveiiimeni's  monev,  and  to  live  a  lazy  life.  I  further 
have  said  ihat  the  full  charaeier  of  a  Wliig  is  a  iiar  or  words  lo  thai  eileel,  and  ihat 
Gage  is  nn  honest  inai*.,  wilh  inanv  idher  lellections  upon  the  character  and  ikuiigs  of 
Ihuse,  who  in  this  day  of  disiress,'  stand  foilii  for  the  defense  of  the  libeiiies  ol  this 
couniiy.  iMv  conduct  lieicin  I  acknowledge  to  be  im])!  udent  and  iiniu-^iiliable,  and 
for  which  1  liiii  sincerely  sorry,  and  1  do  prmnisc  lor  the  I'ulure,  so  tar  as  1  am  able,  lo 
behave  in\  >elf  in  such  a'  maimer  as  lo  give  no  olleiice  to  the  eomuiuniiv. 

DaLid  Sew  Haven,  May  '^\st,  1770.  Aiiii.\uam  Hk  kox. 

Messrs.  Prniters, — Please  to  give  the  following  lines  a  place  in  your  next,  and  you 
will  oblige  your  humble  servant.  Z. 

Wednesday  evening  last,  a  numlier  of  ladies  and  gentlemen,  belonging  to  this 
town,  collected  at  a  place  called  East  Farms,  where  they  had  a  needless  entertainment, 
and  made  them--,elves  extremely  merry  with  a  good  glass  of  wine; — such  enlerlain- 
ments  and  diversi(jns  can  hartlly  be  justified  ujion  any  occasion;  but  at  such  a  ilay  as 
this,  when  every  thing  arcnmd  iis  has  a  threalenintr  aspect,  they  ought  to  be  discoun- 
tenanced, and  every  good  man  should  use  his  intliience  tei  suppress  them.  And  are 
not  such  diversions  and  entertainments  a  violaiioii  of  the  eiglilh  article  of  the  Asso- 
ciation of  the  Coiilinental  Congress  \  And  is  it  not  expected  thai  the  Ccunmiltce  of 
in.spcction  will  examine  into  such  matters,  and  if  they  find  any  persons  guilly  of  vio- 
lating said  Association,  that  they  treat  them  according  as  the  rules  of  it  pi  escribe  1 

Jtdij  \mh,  1775. 


New  Haven,  July  5,  1775,  No.  403. 
Last  Wednesday,  his  excellencv  General  ^Vashinglon,  Major  General  Lee,  Major 
Thomas  MitUin,  General  Washington's  aidde-camp,  and  Samuel  Grillin,  Esq.  Gene- 
ral Lee  s  aid-de-camp,  arrived  in  town,  and  early  next  morning  they  set  out  lor  the 

*  Tea. 


17G  NEW     HAVEN. 

Provincial  Camp,  near  Boston,  atlenJcJ  by  great  numbers  of  the  inliabiiants  of  the 
town.  They  were  escorted  out  of  town  by  two  companies  dressed  in  their  uniform, 
and  by  a  company  of  young  gentlemen  belonging  to  the  Seminary  in  this  place,  wlio 
made  a  handsome  appearance,  and  whose  expertness  in  tlie  military  exercises  gained 
ihem  the  approbation  of  the  Generals. 

I,  AniATirAU  Camp  of  New  Haven,  in  the  county  of  New  Haven,  in  the  colony  of, 
Conneciicut,  do  confess,  although  1  well  knew  that  it  was  the  opinion  of  a  number  of 
inhabitams  of  said  town,  that  vessels  ought  not  to  clear  out  under  the  IfcstrainiitL; 
Act,  which  o))inion  they  had,  for  ray  satislaction,  exjuessed  by  a  vote  when  1  was  pres- 
ent; and  although  1  had  assured  that  I  would  not  clear  out  my  vessel  under  said  Re- 
straining Act,  did  nevertheless  afterwards  cause  my  vessel  to  be  cleared  out  agreeable 
to  said  Restraining  Act;  and  did,  after  I  knew  that  the  Committee  of  Insiieclion  had 
given  it  as  their  opinion  that  it  was  most  advisable  that  vessels  should  not  clear  out 
under  said  Restraining  Act,  send  my  vessel  otl'to  sea  with  such  clearance  ;  tor  which  I 
am  heartily  sorry;  and  now  publicly  ask  the  forgiveness  of  all  the  friends  of  America, 
and  hope  that  they  will  restore  me  to  charity;  and  I  do  now  most  solemnly  assure  the 
public,  though  I  own  that  I  have  by  my  said  conduct  given  them  too  much  reason  to 
question  my  veracity,  thai  I  will  strictly  comply  with  the  directions,  and  fully  lend  my 
utmost  assistance  to  carry  into  execution  all  such  measures  as  the  Continental  Con- 
gress have  or  may  advise  to.  AmiruAR  Camp. 

Scic  Haven,  Octubcr  2d,  1775. 

^\ltcd,  That  tliis  Confession  be  published  in  Messrs.  Greens'  paper. 

A  tiue  copy  of  the  oiigmal.  'I'est,         John  Lai'Uiioi>,  I  Jacou  Pinti>, 

ISUAKL     Bl.V110e,    I    LSAAC     BlSUOl'. 

Re:aco\'. — The  town  of  At;/!  Jlavcn,  having  this  day  erecletl  a /?6(2co/i  on  Indian 
Hill,  at  East  Haven,  now  Beacon  Hill,  about  a  mile  a  half  southeast  of  the  town; 
aiul  ordered  us,  their  Committee,  to  give  public  notice  thereof.  AV^e  now  inform  the 
public  in  general,  and  the  neighboring  towns  in  particular,  that  the  Beacon  will  lie 
fired  on  Monday  evening  next,  the  "JUth  instant,  at  six  o'clock  ;  all  persons  are  then 
desired  to  look  out  tor  the  Beacon,  and  take  the  bearings  of  it  from  their  respective 
places  of  abode,  that  they  may  know  where  to  look  out  for  it,  in  case  of  an  alarm, 
which  will  be  announced  by  the  firing  of  three  cannon.  If  our  enemv  should  attack 
us,  and  we  be  under  the  necessity  of  making  use  of  this  method  to  call  in  the  assist- 
ance of  our  brethren,  we  request  that  all  persons  who  come  into  the  town,  will  take 
care  to  be  well  armed  with  a  good  musket,  bayonet  and  cartridge  box,  well  filled  with 
cartridges,*  under  their  proper  olficers,  and  repair  to  the  Stale  House,  where  they  will 
receive  orders  from  Col.  Fitch,  what  post  to  take. 

The  ministersof  the  several  parishes  of  this  and  the  neighboring  towns  are  request- 
ed to  mention  to  their  respective  congregations  the  time  when  the  Beacon  will  be  lired. 

P111NEA.S  Bkadley,  " 
Isaac   Dooi.iTTi.f;,    >      C\ 

AVicJ  Haven,  ll/'i  Sownbcr,  177J.  Jamks  Uiei;, 


Fkancis  Yanpai.k,  from  Old  /■'/■(//icc,— Intends  to  open  a  Dancing  School  m  this 
town,  and  also  teach  the  French  Language,  on  very  reasonable  terms;  as  lie  gave  en- 
tire satislaction  to  las  pupils  of  both  sexes  at  Cambridge,  Boston,  and  Neu  port,  (Rhode 
Island,)  in  these  necessary  arts,  he  will  acquit  himself  of  his  duty  in  the  same  manner. 
He  is  a  Protestant,  and  jirovided  with  good  certificates.  For  further  particulars,  en- 
quire at  Mr.  Gould  Sherman's,  where  he  lives,  in  New  Haven. 

December  I3th,  1775. 


jVew  Haven,  Jpril  10. 

In  Committee  Meeting,  New  Haven,  March  7th,  177G. 

A  complaint  being  made  against  Williain  Glen,  Merchant,  for  a  breach  of  the  as- 
sociation, by  buying  Tea  and  selling  it  at  an  extortionous  price,  and  also  refusing  pa- 
per currency  therefor: — said  Glen  was  cited  to  appear  betbre  the  Committee,  and 
make  answer  to  the  foregoing  charge; — he  appeared  and  plead  not  guilty, — wherefore 
the  evidences  against  him  were  called  iu  and  sworn:  and  on  motion,  voted  that  the 
evidence  is  suflicient  to  convict  William, Glen  of  buying  and  selling  tea,  contrary  to 
the  association, — and  ordered  that  he  be  advertised  accordingly,  that  no  person  here- 
after have  any  dealing  or  intercourse  with  him.  Also  Freeman  Huse,  jun'r,  being 
complained  of  for  buying  and  selling  Tea,  contrary  to  association,  was  cited  to  appear 


*  Those  who  are  deficient  in  any  respect,  of  being  thus  armed,  are  earnestly 
quesled  to  exert  themselves  to  be  imnicduitely  furnished  tlierewith. 


N  E  W     11  A  V  K  N  .  177 

before  the  Committee — he  neglectinq;  to  appear  or  make  his  defense,  the  evidences 
were  called  in  and  sworn  : — On  muiiun,  voted  tliai  tiie  evidence  issuflieienl  to  convict 
Freeman  Hiise,  jun'r,  tjf  a  breach  of  ilie  a^^ocl;ition  \>y  buying  and  selling  Tea, — and 
ordered  that  he  be  advertised  aceordini,'ly,  thai  no  person  have  any  further  dealing  or 
intercourse  with  him. 

iSigued  per  order  of  C'ummitiee,  Jon'i'h  Fitch,  Chairman. 

A  copy  of  the  minute-s,  Test,     I'lrrKK  Cm/r,   Cicrk. 


I,  WiUiavi  Glen,  merchant,  being  advertised  hy  (he  Committee  of  Inspection  in  this 
town,  as  a  violaler  of  the  Contineirial  Association  for  buying  tea  and  selling  it  at  an 
exorbitant  price,  confess  my  sell'  guilty  of  the  same,  for  which  I  humbly  ask  their  and 
the  public's  pardon,  and  promise  for  the  l^ituie  my  cunducl  shall  be  such  as  shall  give 
110  occasion  of  oifeiisr,  professing  myself  lit  ni  for  the  libeities  of  America.  I  desire 
the  committee  and  the  public  to  restore  me  to  my  wuiiled  lavor.  I  am  with  sincerity 
their  most  humble  and  obrilient  srivant,  Wm.  Gi.kn. 

1'he  confession  of  William  Glen  being  lead,  vutcd  salisfieloi\-,  and  ordered  to  bo 
published.  Jon.  i'l  nu,  (Jhauiiian. 

A  true  cnj)y  of  the  minutes,  examined  by 

Muij  lit,  177G.  Mark  l.KAVHNwofrrn,  Cleik  pro  leiu. 

The  .subscribers  having  creeled  a  Powder  Mill  near  this  town,  would  hereby  inform  ■ 
the  public  that  they  are  ready  to  leceive  any  quantity  of  Sail  Peire  lor  nianutactunng 
into  Powder.  Isaac  Doolittle, 

jERk;.MiAH  Atwateii. 

■\Vho  want  to  purchase  a  (luanlitv  of  Sulphur,  lor  which  they  will  give  a  generous 
price. 

Jidi/  10th,  1776. 

To  WHOM  IT  MAV  (ONiKjiN-. — All  ex  pi  CSS  liaviiig  arrived  in  this  town,  on  Monday 
evening  last,  I'rom  (Irmrai  ]Vasli'ni^lon,  on  liis  way  to  rrovidcnce,  wilh  Itispalche.s  to 
Governor  Cooke  and  General  Speiieer :  and  bi.-ing  m  great  want  ol  a  hoise  to  proceed, 
application  was  made  to  a  Justice  ol  Peace,  for  a  wariant  to  impress  one,  which  he 
absidiiiclv  refused  LMauting. 

J\'ew  Ilaoen,  SlhJlpril,  1777. 

N.  H.  The  Printers  are  at  libeitv  to  nvniiuii  llic  author's  name  whenever  llie  Jus- 
tice jileases  t(j  call  upon  them — likewise  the  iiiimes  of  the  persons  ready  to  testify  to 
the  above  charge. 

.A'ew  Ihivcn,  July  Voth,  1778. 
Om  Wediiesdav  the  Hth  inst.  the  AV  r.  Kzru  Slilrs,  1).  I),  was  indueted  and  inaugu- 
laleil  into  the  Presidency  of  Yale  College,  m  this  town. 

The  foiinalilies  ol'  this  installation  were  etuiduetcil  in  the  following  manner: — 
At  half  after  ten  in  the  forerioon,  the  students  were  assembled  iiitu  the  Cliapel, 
where  the  procession  was  formed,  consisting  of  the  Undergraduates  and  Bachelors. 
At  the  tolling  of  the  Pell,  they  moved  forward  to  the  President's  House  to  receive 
and  escort  the  llev'd  Corporation,  and  President  Elect;  by  whom  being  joined,  the 
Procession  returned  to  the  chapel  in  the  i'oUowing  order. 

The  four  classes  of  Undergraduates, 

consisting  of  1 IG  stmlents  present, 

l]aclielois  of  Ails, 

The  Peadle  and  Butler, 

carrying 

The  College  Charter,  Uecoixis,  Key  and  Seal, 

The  Senior  presiding  Fellow, 

One  of  the  lion.  Council  and  the  President  Elect, 

I'he  Reverend  Coipcuation, 

The  Professors  of  Divinity  and  Natural  Philosophy, 

The  'Putors, 

The  Reverend  Ministers, 

Masters  of  Arts, 
Respectable  Gentlemen. 
The  Rcv'd  Eliphalet  Williams,  Senior  and  Presiding  Fellow,  began  the  solemnity 
with  prayer;  The  Oath  of  fidelity  to  this  state  was  then  administered  to  the  Presi- 
dent Elect,  by  the  lion.  Jabez  Hamlin,  Esq.  one  ol  the  Council  of  the  State;  which 

23 


178  N  K  W      11  A  V  i:  N  . 

being  done,  the  President  elect  publickly  gave  Lis  assent  to  ilie  Eeclesiastical  Co/isli- 
tiUion  of  this  Governtiienl,  and  liiereupon  (he  Presiding:;  Fellow  delivered  a  Lulm 
Oration  well  adapted  to  ihe  occasion;  in  which  he  eouiiniiled  the  Care,  JnblruelioJi 
and  Government  of  the  College  to  the  President  Elect:  and  in  the  name,  and  bv  the 
authority  of  the  Rev'd  Corporation,  eonsiiuiled  hiTu  President  of  Yule  Cvlhue  in  I\'ew 
Haven,  and  Professor  of  Kcdesindieal  Ilislonj,  and  delivered  to  him  the  (.'harler,  Rec- 
ords, Key  and  Seal  of  the  College. — 'i'he  Pre-ident  being  scaled  in  the  chair,  Sir 
Dana,  one  of  the  Senior  bachelors,  addiessed  him  in  ihe  Audilory  in  a  beautilul 
Latin  Oration,  delivered  in  a  gracelnl  manner.  Then  the  President  arose  and  po- 
litely addressed  the  audience,  in  an  elegant,  learned,  and  animated  Oraiion  in  Latin, 
Upon  the  Cijclvpadia,  or  general  system  of  universal  literal ure;  wliieh  for  the  beauty 
of  classical  diction,  elevation  of  ihoiiglu  and  imiJorlance  to  the  cause  of  learning  la 
general  was  worthy  its  auihor.— AJter  which  an  anthem,  the  PJ2  Psalm  set  to  music, 
M'as  sung  by  tliestudenis;  and  the  President  closed  the  solemnity  with  a  blessing. 

The  Rev'd  Corporation,  ollieers  of  Institution,  Ministers,  and  other  respectable 
Gentlemen,  after  a  short  Pvccess  m  the  Library,  dined  together  in  the  College  Hall; 
an  Enlertainment  having  been  provided  I'ur  the  oceusion." 


Messi.  Printers — By  inserting  the  following  in  your  next  Paper,  you'll  oblige  one  of 
your  constant  readers.  A.  B. 

.Vcw  Haven,  Jan.  30,  1778. 

Last  evening,  a  number  of  persons  in  this  Iomii,  piesenled  a  very  short  Dialogue, 
with  a  short  Farce,  to  a  very  Luge  numln-r  of  sjicctaiors,  u  ho  j'aid  the  veiy  reasonable 
price  of  one  dollar  each  fur  th'Mr  M'als.  Coiisidi  ring  the  sericjiis  state  of  mu  public 
affairs,  the  absolute  necesMiy  of  industry,  and  liiii,';ilii\  anion- all  ranks  of  people, 
and  more  especially  among  the  cominon'iiadc  siom,  luieliiinnks,  ^c.  (who  almost  in- 
variably have  the  vanity  of  aping  their  Miperiois  in  cviy  la-hion,ible  extravagaiiee,) 
I  conceive  an  enlertainment  of  this  kind  veiy  improper,  both  on  accoiml  ol  the  ex- 
pense, and  the  time  taken  u|)  m  preparation  fui  aiii-ndanee  at  the  exhiliiioii.  And 
as  the  Hon.  Copiinental  (Congress  have  strongly  injoined  on  all  the  good  people  ol'  the 
United  States,  to  abstain  Irom  all  expensive  diversions,  .^uch  as  Thealiical  Enteiiaiii- 
ments,  Gaming,  Ike.  1  believe  no  good  Whig,  who  duly  coiisideis  the  respict  due  to 
that  venerable  body,  (were  there  no  other  objection,)  can  approve  of  this  tiansaclion. 
1  am  far  from  supposing  the  persona  concerned  had  any  criminal  design;  but  believe 
they  engaged  without  deliberating  on  the  consequences  that  naturally  attend  a  per- 
formance of  this  kind,  at  the  present  day ;  but  if  the  sentiments  here  held  forth  are 
just,  I  presume  they  will  be  kindly  received,  and  any  thing  of  this  sort  not  attempted 
hereafter. 

The  students  of  Yale  College  are  hereby  notified,  tliat  the  present  winter  vacation 
is  extended  a  (brtnight  from  the  llh  of  next  month.  As  this  is  occasioned  by  the  dif- 
ficulty which  the  Steward  finds  in  procuring  tlour  or  bread,  it  is  earnestly  leqiiesled 
of  the  parents,  ihal  thcv  would  a>Msi  in  lui  ni>liin!r  the  necessary  supjdies. 

Yale  Colle-e,  Januarii  •,".),'.'(,  177'.».  ^  Eziu  Stills,  PrcMdent. 


Wanted  to  pnrehuse  iuunediatthj. 
Two  Negro  or  Mulatto  Boys  or  men,  from  14  to  'Jl  years  of  age.     Also  wanted  a 
second  hand  Sulkeij.     Impure  of  the  iirinters. 
JVew  Haven,  May  9,  1771). 

T/ie  Steward  of  Y^ale  College  wants  to  pundiase  a  ipiantiiy  of  Butler  and  Cheese, 
for  which  he  will  pay  the  best  Kind  of  Rock  salt,  ^b^la.^ses,  Conlinenial  or  Slate's 
money,  or  part  in  hard  money. 

JS^'ovember  2d,  1780. 


Thursday  night  last,  a  small  schooner,  belonging  to  this  place,  having  on  board  a 
valuable  cargo,  was  taken  Irom  the  Long-wharf,  and  carried  to  the  enemy. 
jYoveinberlii,  1780. 

A'ew  Hav^n,  June  28,  1781. 
Yesterday  passed  through  this  town  on  their  way  to  join  the  American  army,  the 
Duke  Laeuzon  with  his  Legion,  consisting  of  about'OOO.     The  strictest  order  and  di.s- 
cipline  was  observed  among  them. 


j\''ew  flaven,  JVuvemherS,  1781. 
There  has  been  public  rejoicings  in  this  and  the  iieighltoi mg  towns,  on  aeromit  of 
the  signal  and  important  victory  oblamed  by  his  Excellency  GeneralWashingion, 


N  l:  VV     II  A  V  E  N  .  179 

over  General  Earl  Coinwallis.  In  tliis  town  on  Monday  last,  a  immcroiis  assembly 
convened  at  the  Uriek  Rleetin^-IJonse,  where  the  audience  were  highly  enlerlained 
with  an  animuiing,  pathetic  and  ingenious  oration,  delivered  by  one  of  ihe  Tutors  of 
the  College,  and  a  iniiniphant  Hymn  sung  by  the  Students  : — the  Clergy  and  a  num- 
ber of  other  genilemen  dined  in  the  State- Hmise  ; — in  the  evening,  the  Stale-House, 
('ollege,  anti  all  ilie  Houses  round  the  Market-place,  were  beautifully  illuminated  : — 
The  whole  was  eonducted  with  tlje  gic-aiest  re-ulaiity,  good  nature,  iestivity  and  joy. 

"We  the  subscribers  being  (by  the  Coiiit  of  Probate  for  the  District  of  New  Haven, 
Conn.)  appointed  (,'oniinisvioneis  to  ri?een'e  and  examine  the  claims  of  ihe  several 
creditors  uf  BcnnUtt  Arnold,  laie  of  New  Haven,  in  New  Haven  County,  now  joined 
with  the  eneinii's  uf  thi'  United  Stales  of  AiiK-riea,  wliose  estate  hath  been  m  due 
form  of  law  conli'-cated,  give  notice  to  all  concerned,  thai  we  shall  attend  to  the  busi- 
ness of  our  said  ap()uintment,  at  the  clHclling  house  of  Pierpnnt  Edwaids,  Esq.  in 
said  New  Haven,  on  the  second  Mnnday  of  December  next  at  tuo  oV  lo<'k  in  the  after- 
noon, on  the  seciind  AK)nday  of  Janiiai  v  next  at  ihe  sarnelime  uf  day  ;  and  on  the 
third  Monday  u{  February  next,  also  at  flic  same  time  of  day. 

Ncu,naccn,yovcmbcr^2^},\lS\.  Mu'nA"^E?ToDi.,  j     Commissioners. 

All  persons  that  were  indebted  to  said  Arnold  at  the  lime  he  joined  said  enemies, 
are  requested  by  the  Subscriber,  who  is,  by  said  court  of  Probate,  appointed  Admin- 
istrator on  said  Arnold's  estate,  that  was  the  property  of  said  Arnold  at  the  time  he 
joined  as  aforesaid,  are  requested  to  deliver  the  same  to  the  subsciiber,  or  account 
with  him  therefor.  Pikupont  Edwards. 

A''tio  Haven,  A'uvember  29,  178E 


To  HE  Soi.n, — At  the  Subscriber's  in  Goslien,  a  young,  lusty,  and  very  likely  Negro 
))'<  iich,  that  can  cook,  u  ash,  and  spin  either  llax  or  wool. 
Jiilii  21,  1781.1.  HcGH   Hughes. 

To  be  sold  a  Mulatto  Slave,  about  21  years  (jld,  is  healthy,  strong  and  active  ;  well 
■■iicipiuinted  with  all  Icinds  uf  farming  business,  and  can  work  at  the  Shoe  Maker's 
tiade.  For  fuuliei  paiticiilars,  enquire  ui Fdvard  Barker,  of  Pianloid,  or  the  Prin- 
ters hereof. 

A'oveinbcr  25,  1778. 

AnyGemh'iiieii,  Farmeisur  others,  that  have  anv  juice  extracted  from  Corn-Stalks, 
which  ihcyaie  deMioiis  of  having  di.-,tilb  .1  inio  Rum  ;  aie  heieby  notified,  that  the 
subscribers,  Distlller.^  in  the  town  of  New  Haven,  will  distill  the. same  on  shares,  or 
otherwise,  as  they  can  agree.  And  those  w  ho  jdease  to  favor  them  with  their  employ, 
may  depend  on  having  the  strK•te^l  justice  done  them,  and  their  liquor  distilled  lo  the 
tullest  proof  Or  any  Person  that  would  lallici  ilisno.>e  of  said  juice  or  Corn-stalk.'^, 
on  delivering  it  at  the  Distillery,  will  receive  the  l^iarkel  Price;  and  every  favor  will 
be  most  gratefully  acknowledged,  by  the  Public's  very  obedient  servants, 

i^epleinber  'Z\,  1777.  Jacobs  &.  Israel. 

N.  H. — Private  Families  may  have  Cider  distilled  for  their  own  use  by  Jacobs  & 
I:srael. 


Ill  the  ConiK'Ctietit  Journal,  from  which  the  foregoing  advertisements 
and  notices  aio  taken,  we  find  the  following  notice. 

♦**  We  are  very  sorry  that  we  cannot  procure  a  sufficiency  of  paper  to  publish  a 
whole  sheet: — but  as  there  is  now  a  paper-mill  erecting  in  this  town,  we  expect  after 
a  icw  weeks,  to  be  supjilied  with  such  a  (piantily  as  lo  publish  the  Journal  regularly 
on  a  uniform  sized  paper,  and  to  be  able  to  make  ample  amends  for  past  deficiencies. 

July  3,   177G. 

The  average  size  of  this  paper  was  fourteen  inches  long,  and  sixteen 
wide  ;  occasionally  there  was  a  su|iplenient,  which  varied  from  six  to 
eight  inches  square.  It  contained  three  columns  lo  a  side,  and  was 
printed  by  Thomas  and  Sdinud  Green,  near  the  College. 

The  following  is  an  account  of  the  manner  in  which  the  news  of 
peace  between  ilie  United  States  and  Great  Britain,  at  the  close  of  the 
Revolutionary  war,  was  celebrated  in  New  Haven. 


1 80  N  1^,  \V      II  A  V  K  N  . 

A'cw  Ilavcn,  May  Is/,  1783. 

Thursday  last  was  observnd  as  a  day  of  festivity  and  rejoicinj^  in  this  town,  on  leccipt 
of  indubitable  tesiimony  of  ilie  inosi  iin|inrtaiii,  ^'laud  and  ever  iii(?iJioialiie  event — 
the  total  cessation  of  huNiiluit.s  bciu'fen  tiieat  Hiilain  and  iliesc  Uuiicil  Stales,  and 
the  full  acknowledgment  ol  ilieif  soverei^jnty  and  independence.  Accordingly  the 
day,  with  the  risiiii^  snn,  was  ushered  in  by  the  discharge  of  llmlecn  cannon,  paraded 
on  the  Green  for  that  purpose,  under  elef,'ant  sillc  colors,  with  the  Coal  of  Aims  of 
the  Uniied. States  most  niijeniou^ly  rejuesenled  thereon,  which  was  fjenerously  contri- 
buted upon  the  occasion  by  the  ladies  of  the  town.  At  i)  o'clock  in'the  foienoon,  the 
inhabitants  met  iu  the  biicl;  Alceiinf,'-house  for  divine  service,  where  were  convened 
a  very  crowded  assembly  :  the  j>ervice  was  o(itned  with  an  anllicin,  then  a  very  perii- 
nenl  prayer,  together  with  thanksgiving,  was  made  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  SiiUs,  Prcsideni 
of  Yale  College  ;  after  was  sung  some  lines  piirpiosely  comjiosed  for  the  occasion,  by 
the  singers  of  all  the  congregations  in  concert :  'J'hen' followed  a  very  ingenious  Oia- 
lion,  spoken  by  Mr.  Klizur  Goodrich,  one  of  the  I'uiors  of  the  Ccdlege  ;  after  w  hich 
a  very  liberal  collection  was  marie  1(U'  the  poor  of  the  town,  to  elevate  their  hearts  for 
rejoicing.     'The  service  concluded  with  an  anthem. 

A  nuint;er  of  resiicclable  gentlemen  of  the  town  dined  together  at  ilie  Cofl'ec- 
Ilouse  :  after  dinner  sevcial  patriotic  ioa>is  weic  diiink. 

At  3  o'clock  weie  dl^charg.■d  lliiricen  cannon— al  1  lucnlyone  dillo— at  b  seven 
ditto — at  G  thirteen  ditto — at  7  were  di>-pl.iy<  d  the  liie-w  oi  !>.•<',  with  rockei-,  Mrp<  Ms, 
&.C.. — at  nine  o'clock  a  bonfiie  on  the  green  concluded  llie  diversons  ol'  the  day.  'I'hc 
whole  atT.iir  was  conduct. -d  with  a  decorum  and  deci-ncv  iincoinrnon  lor  .smh  (m(  a 
sions,  without  any  unfoilnn.iie  accident,  a  ino.st  jiacilir  diNposilion  and  hean-lcli  joy 
was  universally  cou-piciioii-  and  uionI  nuphatieully  e.Xj.ics-.,d  by  the  icaiiiiri  of  every 
countenance. 


Api-il  13th,  1735,  the  "  ConiK.'cticut  Silk  Stiriety"  was  estahlished 
by  a  mmiber  of  tlie  jjriiicipal  inhabitants  ofiXew  Haven,  whicli  liatl  lor 
its  object  the  "  cuhiire  and  niamifactiue  of  silk,  throiii^hotit  the  state 
of  Connecticut."  A  lari;;e  number  of  mulberry  trees  for  this  purpose 
were  |)lanted  on  the  outskirts  of  the  city,  many  of  which  are  still  re- 
niaininii-. 


The  following  list  of  newspapers  and  other  periodical  woiks,  pub- 
lished in  New  Haven,  Conn,  is  furnished  by  a  gentleman  of  the  place, 
who  has  drawn  it  from  a  detailed  mantiscript  catalogue  by  him  prepar- 
ed.    It  is  believed  to  be  nearly  complete. 

The  Connecticut  Gazette,  printed  hv  .bmn-,  r.uk.r,  n>'tr  the  Hay  Market.  'Weekly. 
Begun  in  x\pril  ?  1755;  suspended  .April  11.  ITiJl  ;  n  \i\iil  July  .'S,  I7(i.''i,  by  licnjamin 
Mecom,  and  ended  with  No.  5'JtJ,  bVb.  I'.t,  17ilH  — Tlii'  ( 'onneeHciit  Juiirnal  and  New 
Haven  Post  Boy.  negiin  October  23,  171)7.  by  'I'hi.mas  and  Samuel  Green.  It  pa.s.sed 
through  the  hands  of  manv  publishers,  and  endiMJ  «  iih  No.  :ir)l7,  A|iril  7,  K^35. — Tho 
New  Haven  Gazette,  by  Meig.s,  Boweii  &  Dana;  bc-ui:  Alav  13,  17HI;  ended  Feb- 
ruary 9,  178G.     Weekly.— The  New  lliven  (ia/.ettr  and   the  Coiinecticiii  xMagazine, 

by  Meigs  &:  Dana.     Begun  February  Hi,  I'M;  ended .     AVeekly.— i^nlel  ican 

Musical  Magazine,  monthly,  llo.  published  by  Ainos  Doolitile  and  Daniel  Read.  11) 
numbers;  atioiit  17drt. — The  New  Haven  Gazelle',  begun  .hinnary  f),  1790;  ended 
June  29,   1791.     AVeekly. —  t'ederal  Gazetteer,    bLgnli    in  I'ebruar'v,  179(5;  weekly; 

ended .     The    Messenger,    begun   January    1,   ISOO;  ended"  August  9,    18U2. 

Weekly. — The  San  of  Liberty,  begun  in   1800;  ended .     The  Vi.■^itor,  begun 

October  30,  1802,  and  Nov.  3,  1303,  became  the  (''onnecticul  Post  and  New  Haven 
Visitor.  Supposed  to  have  ended  November  S,  1801.  AV.'.ddy.— The  Churchman's 
Monthly  Magazine,  8vo.  inoiiihlv,  begun  Jannnry,  ISOl.  Four  volumes  published. — 
Connecticut  Herald,  began  1801,  by  Comsiock,  Griswold  &  Co.  Weekly.— The 
Literaiy  Cabinet,  begun  November  15,  18l}(;;  ended  October  31,  181)7:  edited  by 
members  of  the  Senior  Class  in  Yale  College.  8vo.  pp.  IGO. — Belles-Letlres  Reposi- 
tory, edited  and  published  by  Samuel  Woodworth  ;  begun  and  ended  in  1808. — 
Memoirs  of  the  Connecticut  Academy  of  Arts  and  Sciences.  8vo.,  begun  1810;  ended 
1813.  pp.  412.— CoUimbian  Register,  begun  December  1,  1812.  Weekly.— The' 
Alhenseum,  begun  February  12,  IHll;  ended  August  (1,  181'1 :  edited  by  Students  of 
Yale  College.  Bvo.  pp.  120 —Religious  Intelligencer,  begun  June  J,  IdlG.  «vo.— The 


N  E  \V     II  A  V  K  N  .  1  d  1 

Guardian,  monthly,  commonceJ  1818,  ended  Dec.  18-28;  10  vols,  published.— Tlu' 
Cliristiau  Sijoctator,  8vo.  niontliiy.  bfj^Miu  January,  181'J;  eiuled  lu  ilii:>  Imm,  Dec. 
18'Jy.  It  lias  bcL'ii  continued  since  as  a  Unnrleily. — The  American  Jotiuial  u!  Science 
and  Arts,  eoudiicled  by  liciijainin  tJiUiuian  ;  begun  1S18.  Uuarterly.  Vohune  lil 
vas  published  in  Jan.,  Ib:i7.— Tlie  Miciu^cope,  edited  bv  a  Fraternilv  of  Gentlemen, 
begun  Maich  21,  1«-JU;  ended  September  8,  la-2().  8vu.  jip.  200.  Senli-u-eeklv.— 'Die 
National  Pilot,  began  October,  1821  ;  ended  in  1621.— United  Stales  Law'joni  r,al 
and  Civiliairs  Mngazine.  8vo.  quarlerlv,  begun  June,  1822 ;  ended  lb2L!  ?— American 

Eagle,  begun  lb20;  ended .     New  Haven  ChVuidcle,  begun  February,  lH27 ; 

endeii  about  June,  1832.— New  Haven  Adverti.-er,  l)egun  May  1,  1821);  ended  October 
:'.0,  18:J2.  Semi-weekly.— New  Haven  Palladinni;  weekly;' begun  Nov.  7,  1829.— 
The  Sitiiiig  Room,  edited  by  members  ol  ^'ale  College,  IbliO.- New  Haven  City 
Ga/ette,  begun   April    1,   1830;  ended    May  7,    1^:!!.      Weekly.— The    Mi.-,eelhiny, 

semi-moiithlv,  begun  Novcndier   12,1830;   ended .   The  Student's  Companion, 

by  the  Kniglds  ol  the  Round  Table,  8vo.  ;  b.'gun  Januarv,  1831  ;  ended  May,  1N31. 
Monthly.— The  Lattle  Genlb'man,  begun  Januniy  1,  I8:il  ;  cjuJed  Apiil  2;t,  1^31. 
18mo.— National  Republicaii,U'egun  July  2(J,  1^31;  ended  M.irch,  lrt32— Tjie  IJoy's 
Saturday  Journal,  begun  December  3,  l.s3l,  ended  Febrnaiy  IH,  1S32:  in  12  numbers, 
48rno.— The  Literary 'J'ablet,  semi-monlhly  ;  begun  March  3,  lH32;  ended  March 
'29,  1831.— The  Sabbalh  School  Record,  Pimo.  monthly  ;  begun  Januarv,  1832,  ended 

December,  1833.— The  Child's  Cabinet,  monlhly,  begun   April,  1832, 'ended 

Daily  Herald,  begun  November  2G,  1832.— Watehtower  of  Fieedom,  begun  (.»etober 

20,1832;  ended .    Morning  Register,  (daily,)  begun   November,   1833,  ended 

Morning  Palladium,  (daily  and  thrice  a  week,)  begun  Nov.  1;'.,  1H33,  ended 

Jan.  1831.  The  Medley,  conducted  by  an  As.sucialion  ol'the  Siudenis  ol  Yale  College  ; 
begun  March,  endetlJiine,  1m33.  8vo.  pji.  Itlii— Journal  td'  Freedom,  weekly;  l/egun 
in  M:iy,  1831,  ended  about  May,  183.3 -Jcncrsoiiian  Demc.crat,  l>egun  June  7,  1831, 
and  continued  about  six  weeks.  Weekly.— The  MuioC(;Mn  or  the  Litlle  World  of 
Home,  8vo.  monthly;  begun  July,  1H31.— 'I'he  Pel  leciioni^,  moniidy;  begun  August 
20,  la31;  ended  March  Iji  I83(i.  The  last  lour  iiuiidjei.>  bore  the  name  of  the  .\,  ,o 
Covenant  AVcry/(/.— Literary  Lmponum,  'lio,  lieu'im  June  1(1,  1835.— Religious  Intelli- 
gencer and  New  Haven  Journal,  begun  J.iniiaiy  2,  183G.— The  American  liistoiira] 
Magazine  and  Literary  Recoiel,  begun  January;  I83G:  monthly,  8vo.— Yale  Literary 
Magazine,  conducted  by  the  Siudeiiis  ol  Y.,lc  College  ;  beyiin  Feb.  183(i.  bvo.  3  nun). 
bers  ])er  term.— Chronicle  ol'the  Chuich,  lio.  begun  Friday,  Jan.  G,  1837. 

Previous  to  about  the  year  ISOO,  that  part  of  tlie  puhHc  square  now 
denominated  the  ilppci-  Ci recn  was  u.^ecl  a.s  a  public  biuyiiii^  LMound.  In 
179G,  the  honorable  James  IIillli(juse  piircliased,  near  ilic;  noitliucst 
corner  of  the  ori<;inal  town  plot,  a  (iuld  of  ten  aeies  ;  whicli,  aitletl  hy 
several  gentlemen,  lie  leveled  and  inclo.sed.  The  ficlil  was  ihcn  divi- 
ded into  parallelo^M-ams,  raileil  and  separated  by  alleys  ;  the  whole  field, 
except  four  lots  t;iven  to  the  several  congregations  and  the  College, 
and  a  lot  destined  for  the  reception  of  the  poor,  was  distributed  into 
family  burying  |)laces  ;  purchased  at  the  expense  actually  incurred,  and 
secured  hy  law  from  civil  |)rocess.  Each  family  bmying  lot  is  3i2  feet 
in  length  and  eighteen  in  breadth.  In  18:.21,  the  monuments  in  the  old 
burying  ground  were  removed  to  the  new.  There  are,  however,  some 
of  the  old  monuments  which  still  remain  standing  under  the  Center 
church,  that  building  being  erected  over  part  of  die  ancient  burying 
place.  The  following  inscription  is  on  a  marble  slab  allixed  on  the 
west  end  of  the  Center  church. 

"  From  the  settlement  (d'New  Haven,  u;38,  to  17f>G,  the  adjoining  ground  was  occu- 
pied as  a  common  place  of  burial.  Then  a  new  burying  ground  was  opened  and  divi- 
ded into  family  luts  and  city  squares.— In  1813  this  church  was  placeil  over  the  monii- 
menls  of  several  whose  names  are  engraved  on  tablets  in  the  vestibule.  ]n  1821  the 
remaining  monumeiils  were  by  the  consent  of  siirvivois,  and  under  the  direction  ol 
»he  city,  removed  to  the  new  ground. 

In  a  moment,  in  the  twinkling  of  an  eye. 
At  the  la.,t  iruni).  ilie  ,lc;ui  shall  be  mi  ed." 


182  NEAV      HAVEN. 

The  following  is  engraved  on  the  nioniunent  of  Gov.  Eaton,  which 
has  heen  removed  to  the  new  ground. 

Theopliilub  Eaton,  Esijr.  Guvr.  dec'd.  Jau'y  7,  IGbl,  A-^lal.  C7. 

I'.alon  so  I'aiu'd,  so  wise,  su  just, 

The  Plio'nix  of  our  woikl,  liere  liides  Lis  dust, 

'IMiis  name  I'orgct,  N.  Englainl  ui'Ver  iiiusi. 
AVm.  Jones,  Esqr.  D.  Govr.  dec'd.  Oct.  17,  I70G,  /i:t;it  bJ.    Hannah  Jones,  daiigluer 
ofG.Jvr.  Ealon,  died  May -1,  1707,  ^tat.  71 

The  last  part  of  the  ahove,  from  the  poetic  lines,  is  a  modern  addi- 
tion ;  the  following  lines  heing  taken  out  in  order  to  give  place  for  it. 
T'  attend  yuii,  sir,  under  llicse  framed  stones, 
Are  eome  your  honored  Sim  and  daughter  Juiics, 
On  each  hand  to  repose  tlieir  weary  bones. 

"Here  lyctli  int.nred  tliebudy  of  the  reverend  and  learned  Mr.  Tiiomas  Chip,  the 
late  President  ol' Vale  Colle{,'e,  m  Neu-  Haven  ;  a  ti  uly  -leat  ujan,  a  -gentleman  of  su- 
perior natural  j,'eniiis,  most  a'^snltious  apiiliraiion,  aijerimlrlaii-able  industry.  In  the 
various  branrhcs  of  leainin-  Ije^^icatly  exi'dlcd;  an  ai;einnii|i>hed  in.struelor;  a  pat- 
ron of  the  College;  a  ^reat  divim-,  boM  ini  the  tin  lb  ;  a  /t  aluii>  pi  uniuler  ami  defender 
of  the  doctrines  of  grace;  ol  ui.alleeled  pi(i\-,  and  a  |iaili;i-n  ol'  e\'ei\'  \irtLie;  the  teii- 
derest  of  fathers  and  the  best  I'lli  n;n  1  ,,  tin.'  gloi  y  uf  b.Minui;^  and  itie  oinamenl  of  re- 
ligion; for  ilui  teen  years  the  l.ulblul  and  mmdi  respeetrd  paslor  of  the  cliuieh  in 
AVindhain;  and  near  twenty-seven  years,  the  laborious  and  jiiincijial  President  of  the 
College,  and  served  his  own  geneiaiion  by  the  will  of  God,  with  serenity  and  calmness, 
he  fell  on  slcp,  the  7th  day  ol' January,  17t>7,  in  his  sixty-louilli  year. 
"  Death,  great  pro|)rieloi  of  all, 

'Tis  thine  to  tread  out  empini, 

And  to  ijneneh  the  stars." 


The  two  following  inscriptions  are  on  monuments  erected  hy  the 
corporation  of  'if^ale  College. 

Hie  jacet  sepultus  Iv/.u.*  Srii.i.s,  s.  t.  d.  li.  d.  Gui  Alta  Mcnle  pra-dilus,  Eruditione 
oranigena  imbutus,  Urbaniiale  suavissima,  Wonbus  probis,  Charitate,  Fide,  Pietate 
evangelica;  Oilieiis  Putris,  Amiei,  Pra;ceptoiis,  Ecelesia  ininistri,  hominis,  Eniicns; 
suis  percarus,  In  Ecelesia  magno  eiiltu  dignatus,  Per  teuas  honore  habitus,  Vixit. 
Lacrymis  Omnium  Obiil;  Maii  xiimo  mdci  x(  vto.  yEtat,  i.wiirvo.  Eeclesi;e  lula', 
Nov.  l^rt.  Rhod.  Ins.  Pastor  annos  xx/i ;  Collegii  Yaknsis  Tutor  vi,  Piajses  xviii. 
Senatus  Academicus  Coll.  Yal.  hoc  saxutn  po-uil. 

Hie  sepultus  jacet  Vir  ille  admodum  revereiidus  TiMoi  nn  >  Dwiuiir,  s.  t.  d.  i.l.  p. 
Coihgii  Valenvis  Pi;rses,  et  ejus>lem  Sacro-ancla'  Theologue  Prolessoi  :  Gui  De  Lit- 
tens,  de  Ueligioiie,  de  Patria  opiime  meritus  ;  Maximo  Mhjrum  ct  bonorum  omnium 
desiderio,  mortem  obiit,  i)ie  xi.  Januar.  Anno  Domini  .mdi  i  i  xvm.     /Eiatis  sua'  r.xv. 

Ecelesia;  Greenlieldicnsis  Pastor  Annos  XII.  Collegii  "VuIclms  Tutor  vi.  Pia-ses 
xxii.     Senatus  Collegii  Yalensis  Hoc  Saxum  Ponendum  <jLua\  il. 


Sacred  lo  the  memory  of  Joseph,  eldest  son  oiHozekiah  ami  Mehitabel  Frith  of  the 

Island  of  Bermuda,  a  member  ot  the  Senior  class  in  Yale  Colk'ge He  survived 

ills  wound  but  21  hours,  and  lelt  this  world  for  a  better,  on  the  Loid's  day,  October  fjth, 
180G,  aged  Itj  years,  9  months  and  11  days. — His  virtues  had  gained  the  iove  of  all  who 
knew  him,  and  his  remembrance  to  his  bereaved  friends,  who  have  experienced  a  loss 
which  Time  will  never  repair. 

Cropp'tl  like  a  rose,  before  'lis  fully  blown. 

Or  half  lis  woilh  disclosed. 

This  young  man  was  killed,  it  is  said,  in  a  hunting  excursion,  by  an 
ill  directed  discharge  of  a  gun  hy  one  of  his  comj^anions,  who  was 
hunting  partridges  in  the  bushes.  It  ap])ears  that  the  friends  of  young 
Frith  had  the  impression  that  he  was  shot  by  design,  and  in  accordance 
mih  this  belief  inserted  something  on  his  monument  which  gave  this 
rapression.  His  companions,  feeling  that  this  was  an  unjust  and  inju- 
•jous  reflection,  demolished  the  slab  on  which  the  oflensive  words  were 


NEW      HAVEN. 


133 


inserled,  and  placed  another  in  its  room,  without  any  inscription.  This 
accounts  for  the  apparently  disconnected  mention  of  a  wound. 

The  monument  of  Col.  Humphreys  stands  near  the  southwestern  part 
of  the  yard.  It  is  composed  of  granite,  and  is  about  twelve  feet  in 
lieigiu.  Tlie  followinti;  inscription  is  upon  two  tablets  of  copper,  which 
are  inserted  into  the  sides  of  the  pedestal. 

David  Humphreys,  LL.  D.  Acad.  Scieiit.  Pliilad.  Mass.  et 
Connect,  et  in  Anj^^lia  AiiuiE  Si)lis,  et  Rei,'ia'  Socielat.  sucius. 
Patricia  et  liberiati^  amore  aceeiisiis,  jm'eiiis  \'ituni  rcipiib. 
inte^irram  cuiisecia\it.  Patriam  ■jnni-^  tui^haliir,  curjsilus 
auxil,  literis  rxorna\'it,  apud  e.Meras  penics  coiicordia   .sta- 

bilivit. In   bcllu  gerendo  niaxiini  ilueis  WasliingiLHi 

administer  et  a.ljnior;  in  exL-rcilii  pauio  Chiiiandui-^  ;  in 
republica  Cunneciicnteni.i,  inilitnm  evocaloruni  iin])eraiur; 
ad  anlana  Lusitan.  et  lli>i>aii.  li'^'atns.  Iberia  reveisus  iia- 
tale  solum  vcllere  veic  aureo  dUavit.  In  Ili-tuiiaet  Poc-^i 
scrifitor  exiniius;  in  ariibus  et  seientiis  excokrulis,  qiue  vel 
decori  vel  usui  inseiviunt,  opiiinus  ijise  et  patronui;  et  exem- 
plar. Omnibus  demuui  ollieiis  expletis,  cuisiiq;  vitaj  I'elici- 
ter  peraclo,  falo  cessit,  Die  xxi  Februar.  Anno  Domini 
MDLCcxvni,  cum  annos  vixi-^set  lxv. 

The  above  may  be  rendered  into  English  in  the 
following  manner. 

David  HrMi'UKKV.-^,  Doctor  of  Laws,  Alember  of  the  Acad- 
emy of  Sciences  of  Philadcliiliia,  Massachusetts  and   Con- 
necticut;   ol'  the   Uath    [Agricultural]    Society,  and  of  the 
Itoyal  Socii'iy  of  London.— Fired  wiih  the  lo'vc  of  countiy 
and  of  liberty,  he  consecrated  his  youth  w  holly  in  the  service 
of  the  Rc|)ublic,  vviucli  he  defended  by  his  aims,  aided  b}'  his  .-•  I— __!* 
counsels,  adorned  liy  \\[>  learning,  and  preserved  in  harmony  ^^u-  '^ ^''~~''T~^§M^ 
wiih  foreign   natiuns.     In  the  Held,  he  was   the  companion         ' -—^-'2";  •-";  •'-=5^ — 
and  aid  of  the  ureal  "Washington,  a  Colonel  in  the  army  of  j/u /inj/ini/s'  Monwmcul. 
liis  country,  and  commaiulei'  ol'  the  Veteian   Volunleeis  of  '  "   * 

Connecticut,  ile  went  Finbassador  to  ihecnints  ot  Poilimal  and  Spain,  and  return- 
ing, eniiched  hi->  native  land  with  the  true  golden  lleece.  IJe  uas  a  disiii, -niched  His- 
torian and  Poet;--a  inoilel  and  pulron  of  Science,  and  of  the  oinanicnl:il  and  useful 
arts.  After  a  full  discharge  of  every  duty,  and  a  life  well  spent,  he  di^-d  on  the  'Jlbl 
day  of  Februnrv,  1818,  aged  O")  years. 


Ashmun's  Tonib. 

The  above  is  a  representation  of  the  monuinent  erected  to  the  me- 
mory of  Jehudi  Ashmun,  Esq.  the  fir^st  Colonial  Agent  at  IMonrovia, 
Africa  ;  it  is  formed  after  the  model  of  the  tomb  of  Scipio,  at  Rome. 


184  NKW      11  .WEN. 

The  monuments  of  Mr.  Whitney,  (the  inventor  of  the  Cotton  Gin,) 
and  the  late  Dr.  Nathan  Smith  are  of  the  same  form.  The  following 
is  the  inscilption  on  ^Ir.  Ashniun's  monument. 

AsnMiiN.  Fiisl  Coh^nial  Agent  at  Lini-iUA,  Afkica.  Born  at  Champlain,  N.  Y. 
Ap.  21st,  1791.  LandLil  in  Aliic:i,  Aug.  8, 18-22.  Died  at  IsVw  Haven,  Aug.  25,  182H. 
Erected  by  the  Am.  Coluu.  Soc.  1«2!). 

]Mr.  Ashmun  arrived  in  New  Haven  about  a  fortnight  before  his 
death,  laboring  under  severe  hodily  infirmities,  brought  on  by  his  labors 
and  exposures,  in  a  tropical  climate,  for  the  benefit  of  the  African  co- 
lony. His  constitution  was  so  broken  down  by  the  hardships  which  he 
had  endured,  that  the  best  medical  skill  could  not  save  him  from  an 
early  grave. 

His  funeral  was  attended  by  a  large  concourse  of  citizens,  the  ficulty 
and  members  of  Vale  College,  a  munber  of  the  neighboring  clergy, 
and  the  governor  of  the  State.  His  remains  were  carried  to  the  Cen- 
ter church,  where  nu  ap|)ropriate  and  eloquent  sermon  was  delivered 
by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Hacon.  Juit  as  the  services  commenced,  an  alfect- 
ing  scene  took  place, — the  mother  of  ^Ir.  Ashuum,  in  her  traveling 
dress,  came  into  the  congregation,  supported  by  two  persons,  who  con- 
ducted her  to  a  scat.  She  had  just  arrived  from  the  shores  of  Lake 
Champlain,  to  visit  her  son  in  his  last  illness,  whom  she  had  not  seen 
for  twelve  years.  But  she  was  too  late  ;  she  could  only  reach  forth  her 
aged  hand  and  touch  his  coflin. 

Eli  Wliilney.tlie  inventor  of  tlie  Cotton  Gin.  Of  useful  Science  and  Arts,  the  efTi- 
cicnt  patron  and  improver.  Horn  Dec'r  8ih,  1705.  Dieil  Jan.  6th,  1825.  In  the  social 
relations  of  life,  a  model  of  cai  ellence.  "VVliile  private  all'eclion  ^veeps  at  his  tomb, 
his  country  honorb  his  memory. 

In  memory  of  Lucrctia  Pi(  Keiing,  wife  of  Samuel  P.  E.  Moise,  who  died  Feb.  7iii, 
A.  D.  1825,  aged  25  years.  She  coinLined  in  hti  character  and  peison  a  rate  assem- 
blage of  excellence.  Beautiful  in  form,  features,  and  e.xpicssion,  peculiarly  bland  in 
her  manners,  highlv  cultiv.ited  in  her  mind,  she  irrcMsiiMy  drew  attention,  love,  and 
ivspeel.  l)iL;nifi.d'\\iil,>'iil  h.i.i:'htines>,  ,uni;d'le  without  iamenes.s,  tirm  wulnuit  se- 
vonlv.and  eheerful  sviHu'iil  Kuiv,  her  uiiilonn  s\\  e.  iiu-s  of  temper  spiead  a  i.eri>et- 
lUil  slmshme  arouiui  eveiy  nrele  in  u  huh  she  moved.  "  When  the  ear  heard  her  it 
blessed  her;  when  the  eye  saw  her  it  i^ave  witness  to  hei."  lu  sulferings  the  most 
keen  her  serenity  of  mind  never  failed  her,  tleath  to  her  had  no  terror,  the  grave  no 
gloom ;  though  suddenly  called  from  eaiih,  eiernity  was  no  stranger  lo  her  thoughts, 
but  a  welcome  theme  of  contemplation.  lUdigioti  was  the  sun  that  illumined  every 
varied  virtue,  and  united  all  in  one  bow  of  beauty,  iter's  was  the  religion  ot  the 
gospel,  Jesus  Christ  her  foundation,  the  author  and  finisher  of  her  laith.  In  Hun  she 
rests  in  sure  e.Kpeetatiou  of  a  glorious  resurrection. 


Col.  William  Lyon,  born  March  G,  1718,  died  Oct.  12,  1830.  He  was  the  first 
Cashier  of  the  hrst  Bank  e,-.tal)lished  in  this  city.  Scniimlously  exact  in  his  inter- 
course with  others,  he  was  ligidly  laiihful  in  the  disehaige  o(  every  trust  commiitea 
to  him.  Anient  in  the  ].iiisiiu  uf  literature,  Ins  acquaintance  Avith  the  biography, 
manners  and  customs  of  his  native  State  was  minute  and  extensive;  and  history,  an- 
cient and  modern,  especiativ  that  relating  to  the  land  of  liis  forefathers,  M'as  to  him 
peculiarly  familiar;  unshaken  in  the  principles  of  civil  liberty  he  abhorred  tyranny 
in  every  form.     "  He  loved  mercy  and  walked  humbly  with  his  God." 

In  the  yeai'  1667,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Davenport  of  New  Haven,  having 
been  invited  to  take  charge  of  the  first  church  in  Boston,  accepted  the 
invitation,  and  next  year  removed  lo  that  capital.     He  had  been  about 


BETHANY.  1  bo 

thirty  years  minister  at  New  Haven,  and  was  greatly  esteemed  and 
beloved  by  bis  congregation.  His  ciiurcb  were  very  imwillinif  that  be 
siiould  leave  them,  and  never  formally  gave  their  consent.  Ouing  to 
his  removal,  the  church  and  congregation  at  New  Haven  were  for  many 
years  unable  to  unite  in  the  choice  of  a  person  to  take  the  pasto- 
ral charge  of  them.  Mr.  Davenport  died  at  Boston,  of  an  apoj)lexy, 
IMarch  15tb,  1G70,  in  the  73d  year  of  bis  age. 

In  Sir  Fernando  Gorges'  "  Wonder-working  Providence,"  he.  a' re- 
lation of  the  planting  of  the  New  Haven  colony  is  given.  Speaking  of 
IMr.  Davenport,  it  mentions  the  judicious  and  godly  Mr.  John  Daven- 
port, of  whom  the  author  is  bold  to  say  as  follovveib  : 

WhiM)  men  and  Devils  '.i,'airisi  Christ's  llock  conspire, 

I'or  ihfii)  prepni'it  a  deadly  iraiipint,'-  net; 
Then  Cluist  to  make  all  men  his  wuik  admire, 

Davcnpnrt,  he  dolh  ihee  IVum  ihy  coaniry  let 
To  sit  in  Synod,  and  his;  folk  as.sisi: 

The  flllhy  \'omit  uf  Hels  Dragon,  deepe 
In  Earth's  womb  drawn,  blest  they  this  poison  mist, 

And  blest  the  meanes  doth  us  from  error  keep. 
Thy  f^rave  advice  and  arj<nments  of  sirenj^th 

Did  much  prevail,  the  errorist  confound. 
Well  hast  thou  warr'd,  Christ  draws  thy  dayes  in  length, 

That  ihou  in  learn'd  experience  niays't  abound: 
What  though  thou  leave  a  city  stor'd  with  pleasure, 

Spend  ihy  prime  days  in  heailien  desert  land. 
Thy  joy's  iii  Chi  ist,  and  not  in  earthly  treasure, 
'v  Dnrcn/iorl  rejoice,  Christ's  kiuKdoine  is  at  hand  ; 

Didst  ever  deem  lo  see  such  t,'l(;rions  itayesl 

Though  thou  decrease  with  age  and  earth's  content, 
Tliiiii  liv'st  ill  Christ,  needs  then  must  thy  joy  raise; 

His  kiiigdoiue's  thine,  and  that  ne'er  be  sjienl. 


RET  H  A  N  Y . 

Brthany  was  incorporated  as  a  town  in  1832.  It  was  previously  a 
parish  in  the  town  of  Woodbridge,  by  the  jiame  of  Bethany.  It  is  up- 
wards of  five  miles  in  length  and  four  iti  breadth,  bounded  n.  by  Pros- 
pect and  Waterbury,  w.  by  Oxford,  s.  by  Woodbridge,  and  e.  by  Ham- 
den.  The  central  part  of  the  town  is  ten  miles  from  New  Haven.  The 
inhabitants  are  principally  farmers,  and  the  population  of  the  town  has 
not  perhaps  varied  much  during  the  last  twenty  or  thirty  years.  The 
township  is  hilly  and  in  some  parts  mountainotis,  and  some  portions  of 
the  town  arc  not  calculated  for  cultivation,  and  have  been  suffered  to  re- 
main for  wood  and  timber,  which  is  of  an  excellent  quality. 

About  14  miles  from  New  Haven,  the  main  road  to  Waterbury  pass- 
es by  Beacon  mountain,  a  rude  ridge  of  almost  naked  rock,  stretching 
southwest;  at  this  place  is  "Collins'  tavern,"  long  known  as  an  excel- 
lent public  house,  and  the  "  Straitsville  post  office."  About  half  a  mile 
south  of  Mr.  Collins',  the  road  passes  through  a  narrow  defile,  formed 
by  a  gap  in  the  mountain,  and  is  barely  sufficient  in  width  for  a  road 
and  a  small  but  sprightly  brook,  which  winds  through  the  narrow  pas- 


186  BETHANY. 

sage.  On  both  sides,  the  clifTs  are  lol'ty,  particularly  on  the  west ;  on 
the  east,  at  a  little  distance  from  the  road,  they  overhang  in  a  threaten- 
ing manner. — "  The  ridges  of  the  Beacon  mountain  juesent  fjne  geo- 
logical and  picturesque  features,  and  are  much  more  abrupt  and  grand 
than  most  of  the  mica  slate  rei^ions  of  Connecticut." 


On  the  night  following  the  Mth  of  JNIarch,  1780,  the  house  of  Capt. 
Ebenezer  Dayton,  then  residing  in  this  place,  was  broken  into  and  rob- 
bed by  seven  men,  who  were  tories,  and  headed  by  a  British  officer, 
from  Long  Island.  Mr.  Dayton's  house  was  situated  nearly  opposite 
where  the  first  meeting  house  in  Bethany  was  erected,  about  half  a  mile 
south  of  the  present  Congregational  church,  and  about  ten  miles  n.  w. 
of  IN'ew  Haven.  The  particulars  of  this  robbery  were  obtained  from 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Dayton,  son  of  Capt.  Dayton  mentioned  above.  ]\lr. 
Dayton,  who  belonged  to  Long  Island,  was,  on  account  of  his  attach- 
ment to  the  American  cause,  obliged  to  leave  that  ishuid,  and  bring  his 
elfects  with  him  to  iJethany.  A  number  of  men,  some  of  his  neigh- 
bors, were  obliged  to  leave  the  island  Jbr  the  same  cause,  and  brought 
a  considerable  quantity  of  money  with  them,  and  for  a  while  resided  in 
Mr.  Dayton's  bouse.  With  these  facts,  the  robbers  appear  to  have  be- 
come acquainted.  At  the  time  of  the  robbery,  jMr.  Dayton  was  absent 
on  business  at  Boston,  and  the  men  who  had  been  staying  in  the  house, 
had  left  the  day  before,  so  that  there  was  no  one  in  llie  house  but  his 
wife,  Mrs.  Phebe  Dayton,  three  small  children  and  two  servant  color- 
ed children.  About  midnight,  while  they  were  all  asleep,  the  window 
in  the  bedroom  where  Mrs.  Dayton  was  sleeping,  was  burst  in  at  once  ; 
seven  armed  men  rushed  in,  passed  through  tlie  room,  and  immediately 
rushed  into  the  chambers,  expecting  (it  is  supposed)  to  find  tlie  men 
who  had  left  the  day  before.  While  they  were  uj)  stairs.  Mis.  Dayton  ' 
went  to  the  front  part  of  the  house,  raised  the  window,  and  endeavored 
to  alarm  the  neighbors.  Mr.  Uawley,  the  minister  of  the  parish,  and 
Dr.  Hooker,  the  physician  of  the  place,  hoih  lived  within  20  rods  dis- 
tance, both  had  lights  in  their  houses  at  the  lime,  and  both  heard  the 
alarm,  but  did  not  know  from  whence  it  proceeded.  The  robbers,  iiear- 
ing  Mrs.  Dayton,  came  down,  and  tearing  a  sheet  into  strips,  tied  her 
bands  behind  her,  made  her  sit  in  a  chair,  and  j)laced  her  infant,  (about 
six  months  old,)  in  her  lap,  while  one  of  the  robbers,  placing  the  muz- 
zle of  his  gun  near  her  head,  kept  her  in  this  position  for  about  two 
hours,  while  the  house  was  thoroughly  ransacked  fiom  top  to  bottom. 
Tiiey  found  about  450  pounds  in  gold  and  silver,  whicli  belonged  to 
Mr.  Dayton,  besides  other  valuable  articles;  what  they  could  not  con- 
veniently carry  off  they  wantonly  destroyed,  breaking  in  pieces  all  the 
crockery,  furniture,  &tc.  The  whole  amount  of  property  carried  off 
and  destroyed,  including  bonds,  notes,  &.c.  amounted  to  five  thousand 
pounds.  The  robbers  left  the  house  about  2  o'clock,  and  went  to  a 
place  in  Middlebury  called  Gunn-toxon,  where  they  were  secreted  in  a 
cellar  by  a  family  who  were  friendly  to  the  British  cause.  While  they 
were  on  their  way  to  Gunn-town,  they  met  a  young  man  by  the  name 
of  Chauncey  Judd,  of  Watcrbury,  on  a  bridge,  who  had  been  to  sec 


B  E  T  H  A  N  r .  1  87 

the  young  hdy  he  afterwards  married.  Fearing  he  niight  discover 
them,  they  took  him  along  with  them.  In  the  cellar  Uitciicn  where 
they  were  all  secreted,  there  was  a  well.  Into  this  well  ihey  talked  of 
putting  Mr.  Judd  ;  hut  the  old  lady  of  the  house  begged  they  would 
not  think  of  it,  as  it  would  spoil  the  water.  They  stayed  in  this  house 
a  number  of  days  :  afterwards  they  went  to  Oxfo'rd,  where  they  wero 
secreted  for  several  days  longer  in  a  barn  ;  from  thence  they  went  to 
Stratford,  took  a  whale  boat,  and  crossed  over  to  Long  Island.  The 
people  at  Derby,  having  received  information  of  their  passing  through 
that  place,  two  whale  boats  and  crews,  commanded  by  Capt.  William 
Clarke  and  Capt.  James  Harvey,  pursued  them  tothe  Island,  and  were 
fortunate  enough  to  catch  them  all  but  one,  just  within  the  British  lines. 
They  were  brought  back,  tried,  condetnned,  and  sent  to  Newgate;  they 
however  broke  prison,  and  finally  lied  to  Nova  Scotia. 


It  was  customary  in  this,  as  in  many  others  places,  in  ancient  times,  to 
have  nicknames  for  many  of  the  inhabitants.  Tliese  names  originated 
from  various  circumstances.  The  following  may  answer  as  specmiens  : 
Teachim,  Hiccups,  'road-mounter,  Satan's  kingdom,  ^'C.  were  names 
by  which  some  of  the  most  respectable  inhabitants  of  Bethany  were  de- 
signated. Teachum  was  the  schoolmaster  of  the  place, — he  derived  his 
name  from  his  occupation  :  Hiccups  was  the  name  of  an  Indian, — it 
was  apjjlied  to  a  person  of  VGvy  dark  complexion.  7'oad-mounter  de- 
rived iiis  name  from  the  following  occurrence — this  person,  to  show 
what  could  be  done,  took  a  jjiece  of  board  and  placed  the  central  part 
on  a  stick  of  timber  ;  he  then  put  a  toad  on  one  end,  and  struck  the 
other  with  considerable  force,  with  an  axe  or  club, — the  consequence 
was,  that  the  toad  was  mounted  to  a  considerable  height;  in  allusion  to 
this  feat,  he  ever  afterwards  went  by  the  name  of  Toud-mouiiter.  The 
person  who  went  by  the  name  of  Satan's  kingdom  was  a  deacon  and 
jUbtice  of  the  peace.  This  ungracious  name  was  given  in  consequence 
of  an  unfortunate  mistake.  The  minister  of  the  place  being  sick,  the 
deacon  was  called  upon  to  officiate  in  bis  stead,  it  being  the"custom  in 
liiose  days,  in  the  absence  of  the  minister,  for  the  deacon  or  some  other 
principal  person  to  make  a  prayer  in  the  pulpit  and  read  some  approved 
sermon.  The  time,  place,  and  occasion,  all  probably  tended  to  disturb 
that  collection  of  thought  in  the  mind  of  the  deacon,  which  would  be 
desirable  on  such  occasions.  Instead,  therefore,  of  praying  that  Satan's 
kmgdom  might  be  destroyed,  as  he  intended,  he  prayed  that  Satan's 
kingdom  might  be  estaldis/ied.  A  mistake  of  this  kind,  and  on  such  an 
occasion,  of  course  could  not  be  easily  forgotten. 

The  following  account  of  the  industry  of  a  Bear,  (copied  from  the 
Connecticut  Journal  of  July  5th,  176G,)  was  taken  from  a  nian  who 
was  an  active  and  eye  witness  to  part  of  the  scene,  which  happened  at 
Bethany,  about  twelve  miles  from  this  town,  [New  Haven.] 

He  says  that  on  the  morning  of  the  8ih  of  April  (17CG)  Inst,  his  brother  missed  a 
three  weeks  old  calf,  which  was  housed  the  night  before,  in  a  small  biiikiing.  Jt  ap- 
peared that  the  Hear  tried  to  get  under  the  sill  of  the  door  by  removing  two  oi  ihreo 


188  13  U  A  N  F  O  U  D  . 

bushels  of  dirt,  but  some  stone  hindered  his  passage  that  way  ;  upon  this  disappoinf- 
menl,  he  changed  his  measures,  and  woikcd  against  the  dour  with  so  much  sirenglh 
tiiat  he  dreu'  six  teiipeuny  nails oui  oC  the  wooden  (iirjgesand  keich  ol'ilie  iaicli.  'Tis 
supposed  he  did  ihis  by  pulling  his  paws  under  the  door  and  prying  and  pushing,  by 
wliich  means  he  got  in"  and  earned  olf  tlie  best  of  two  calves,  a  great  pan  ol  which 
was  loiind  in  a  swamp  about  half  a  mile  from  the  house.  'Twas  observed  ihat  the 
track  ol  the  Bear  was  plain,  bui  no  ap|:)earaine  of  liis  ilragging  ihe  call  along  tlie 
ground,  so  thai  he  must  iiave  carried  it  on  his  back.  While  [leople  weie  looking  for 
the  calf,  a  favorite  old  dog,  called  Beaver,  suddenly  left  his  master  and  soon  alter  re- 
turned wounded,  supposed  in  an  engagement  with  the  Bear.  On  a  moining  about 
a  fortnight  afterwards,  the  Bear  was  discovered  eating  a  lamb  about  a  mile  and  a  half 
from  ihe  other  place.  After  he  was  scared  from  ihence  by  dogs  who  lugged  him,  'lis 
said  ihai  he  was  three  limes  driven  from  a  Hock  of  sheep  aboui  tour  miles  Irom  the  last 
place.  He  ihen  destroyed  a  hive  of  bees  at  another  [dace.  About  four  days  after 
this  performance  he  reiurned  to  the  dwelling  house  near  which  he  seized  the  calf,  and 
at  night  unnailed  the  wooden  bars  which  defended  Ihe  window  ol  a  milk  room,  got 
in  and  feasted  on  a  tray  of  milk',  turned  another  over  and  spill  it,  then  took  up  a  punch 
bowl  containing  about  three  quarts  of  cream,  carefullv  carried  it  ihiough  the  window, 
near  fifteen  feet  from  the  house,  without  spilling  ;  and  after  he  had  drunk  or  lapped  it, 
genieelly  turned  the  bowl  bottom  upu'ar.ls  (as  if  he  had  drank  a  dish  of  lea  for  break- 
fast) anil  left  it  whole.  The  noise  occasioned  by  the  B(  ar's  letiiiniiig  out  ol  the  win- 
dow (which  to  be  sure  mu-^i  have  bi'en  greater  than  the  noise  occasioned  by  getting  in) 
disturbed  the  man  and  his  wife,  who  got  up  to  discover  the  cause.  They  soon  lounj 
where  the  robher  got  in  ;  and  hulh  together  pulling  their  heads  out  at  a  window  under 
which  the  bear  happened  to  he,  he  rose  up,  like  a  lion  ramjiant,  and  struck  at  ihem 
with  his  paws.     The  woman  screamed,  the  man  shuddeieil,  giit  his  gun  and  loaded  it. 

(f  'J'he  Bear  was  then  mounted  mi  the  rails  ol  a  leiice.  The  iiian  shot,  the  Bear  roared, 
and  made  otf.  The  man  then  sent  an  express  for  his  brother  (the  authorot  ihisslory) 
who  soi.n  appeared  wiih  a  gooil  gun  and  his  young  dog  Drover.  After  hunting 
awhile,  they  discovered  the  Bear  lying  in  a  swamp.  Dioverfw  ho  had  never  beforeseeu 
a  Bear)  made  towards  him  with  a'  kind  of  half  courage,  as  if  unwilling  to  be  thought 
a  coward,  at  the  same  lime  prudently  deteimining  to  do  nothing  rashly.  'Twas  now 
remarked  that  brave  old  Beaver  instead  of  running  at  the  Bear,  attacked  Drover  and 
prevented  him  showing  how  much  he  dared  to  do.  This  uncommon  and  seemingly 
strange  behaviot  of  Beaver  (since  it  allowed  their  actions  to  speak  louder  than  words) 

I  was  reasonably  imputed  lo  a  natural  jealousy,  lest  Drover  should  have  the  htmor  of 
disabling  Bruin,  which  Beaver  seemed  sensible  he  had  done  bctbre,  and  therefore 
claimed  and  strove  lo  maintain  ihe  respect  due  to  his  meiit.  Drover's  niasier  then 
shot,  the  Bear  groaned  hideously,  and  both  dugs  fell  on  him,  who  at  last  forced  him 
to  take  shelter  in  a  tree.  'J'liere  he  was  sullered  to  remain  till  daylight,  when  another 
shot  brought  him  lo'lhe  ground.  His  carcass  weighed  l(i'2  lbs.  and  it  appeared  that 
six  bullets  had  been  shot  ihiough  at  three  ehaiges.  Let  it  here  be  supjiosed  that  he 
was  wounded  uiice  fur  killing  ihe  calf,  once  lor  t  aliiig  the  lamh,  and  once  for  destroy- 
ing the  bei-  hive.  I'or  la|i|iing  the  milk,  oveisclting  ilie  icst,  stetilingihe  cieani,  aiid 
da'rnaging  a  maiden,  he  was  worried  by  the  duL's.  Several  piinishmenis  for  ditiercnt 
crimes,  all  oi  which  the  same  Bear  wa.^  Judged  guilty  u\ .  and  thus  sulleied  for.  His 
body  was  quartered,  autl  partly  eaten  at  Bethany,  and  the  remainder  brought  to  th^s 
town  as  a  rarity. 


B  R  A  N  F  O  R  D  . 

Branford  was  purclmsed  by  tlie  New  TIaven  colonists  in  Decem- 
ber, 1G;3S,  n  few  days  alter  lliey  hail  bou;,dii  INew  IIa\en,  oriMoniaiigiiin, 
sachem  of  Qiiiiitii|)iac.  The  occasion  of  its  hrst  seiilenient  was  owinj^^ 
to  a  division  among  the  people  at  Wethersfield.  The  members  of  the 
cburc.li  at  this  place  removed  to  Connecticut  without  their  pastor,  and 
h  avin-.;  no  settled  minister  at  first,  full  into  unhappy  contentions  and  ani- 
mosities. These  continued  for  a  numlier  of  years,  and  divided  the  in- 
habitants of  the  town,  as  well  as  the  brethren  of  the  church.  They 
were  the  means  of  scalterinj^  the  inhabitants,  and  of  the  formation  of 
new  settlements  and  churches  in  other  placps.     Great  pains  were  taken 


R  A  N  F  O  R  D  . 


18 


to  compose  their  differences,  but  all  attempts  to  effect  this  object  wcr 
unsuccessful.  ]\lr.  Davenport  and  some  of  the  brethren  of  the  churci 
at  New  Haven  were  sent  for,  in  order  to  effect  a  reconciliation.  Tli. 
advice  which  Mr.  Davenport  and  his  brethren  gave  was,  that  if  thei 
could  not  be  united  among  themselves,  it  would  be  expedient  for  on* 
of  the  parties  to  remove  and  commence  another  settlement.  This  ad 
vice  was  ultimately  followed. 

In  1611,  a  tract  of  land  was  sold  by  New  Haven  to  IMr.  Wllllan 
Swaim  and  others,  for  the  accommodation  of  those  persons  in  WetherS' 
field  who  wished  to  remove.  The  settlement  of  the  town  was  imme- 
diately commenced.*  At  the  same  time,  Mr.  Abraham  Plerson,  with 
part  of  his  church  and  congregation,  from  Southampton,  on  Long  Island; 
removed  and  united  with  the  people  of  Wethersfield  in  the  settlement 
of  the  town.  A  regular  church  was  soon  formed,  and  Mr.  Plerson  was 
chosen  pastor.     The  town  was  named  Branford. 


Branford,   (^centred  -part.^ 

The  above  shows  the  appearance  of  the  Congregational  and  Episco^ 
pal  churches  and  the  academy,  from  the  west,  as  you  pass  the  main  road 
towards  Guilford,  7  miles  from  New  Haven.  The  Congregational 
church  is  seen  on  the  right;  the  next  building,  with  a  cupola,  is  the 
academy.     The  Episcopal  church  is  the  building  with  three  windows 


♦  Sept.  5,  IGIO.— The  General  Court,  at  New  Ilaven,  made  a  grant  df  IVitoketi  to 
Mr.  Samuel  Eaton,  brother  of  Gov.  Eaton,  upun  the  condition  of  iiis  procuring  a  num- 
ber of  his  friends  from  England,  to  make  a  settlement  in  that  tract  of  country.  Mr. 
Eaton  failed  in  fullilling  the  conditions.— Ahout  three  yeais  after,  the  suhjecl  u'as 
acted  upon  thus  :  "  Tutokett,  a  place  fit  for  a  small  planiation,  betwixt  New  Haven  and 
Guilford,  and  purchased  from  the  Indians,  wasgrantrd  to  Mr.  Swayne  and  some  oth- 
ers in  Wetherslield,  they  repaying  the  charges,  whicii  are  betwixt  £12  and  £13,  and 
joining  in  one  jurisdiction  with  New  Haven  and  tlie  forenamed  plantations,  upon  the 
same  fuudameiiial  agreement  settled  in  October,  1G13,  which  they  duly  considering 
accepted." — .Y.  Ifaven  records. 


1  90  B  R  A  N  F  O  U  D  . 

in  front.  These  buildings  stand  upon  a  large  and  open  area,  irregular 
in  its  form  and  uneven  on  its  surface.  The  burying  ground  is  situated 
a  short  distance  eastward  of  the  house  seen  on  the  extreme  right. 

At  tlie  time  of  the  union  of  the  colony  of  JNew  Haven  with  Connect- 
icut, all  the  towns  uniler  the  jurisdiction  of  New^  Haven  were  satisfied 
with  the  union,  except  J5ranl"ord.  Mr.  Pieison  and  almost  liis  whole 
church  and  congregation  were  so  disj)leased,  that  they  soon  removed  to 
Newark,  in  New  Jersey.  They  carried  oil"  the  records  of  the  church 
and  tow^n,  and  after  it  had  been  settled  about  five  and  twenty  years,  left 
it  almost  without  inhabitants.  For  more  than  twenty  years  from  that 
time,  there  was  not  a  church  formed  in  the  town.  Peoj)le  from  various 
parts  of  the  colony  gradually  moved  into  it,  and  purchased  lanils  of  the 
first  planters,  so  that  in  about  twenty  years  it  became  resettled.  In 
1685,  it  was  reinvested  witli  town  i)rivilegcs.* 

Tlie  townsliip  is  bounded  n.  by  North  JJranford,  w.  by  East  Haven, 
E.  by  Guilford,  and  s,  by  Long  IslanrI  somiil.  Its  average  length  from 
east  to  west  is  about  7  miles,  and  its  Ineadih  1.  The  surface  of  the 
town  is  uneven,  being  composetl  of  hills  and  valleys;  the  soil  is  strong, 
but  cold.  When  quickened  with  manure,  it  \  iehls  rich  crops.  The 
inhabitants  are  principally  farmers.  Tliere  is  no  considerable  river  in 
the  town  ;  the  largest  stream  discharges  ilseli'  into  the  harbor,  which  is 
small  but  convenient,  admitting  vessels  from  10  to  G(J  tons.  '^I'hcre  is 
a  cluster  of  small  islands  belonging  to  this  town,  called  Thin)ble  Isl- 
ands, and  another  cluster  called  Indian  Islands.  Various  kinds  of 
salt  water  fish  are  taken  plentifully  in  almost  every  mouth  in  the  year. 
There  are  8  vessels  belonging  to  this  town,  manned  by  about  fifty 
bands,  which  are  engaged  in  taking  salmon  in  the  river  Kennebeck,  in 
the  slate  of  Maine.  Tliis  business  is  commenced  about  the  Isl  of  April, 
and  continued  till  the  1st  of  July.  The  inlrabiiants  of  l^ranford  arc 
generally  industrious,  and  pro[)erty  is  very  much  equalized.  In  1835, 
they  had  but  one  town  pauper. 

About  the  year  17^10  was  a  lime  of  great  attention  to  the  subject  of 
religion  in  almost  every  pan  of  the  country.  'J'lic  religious  part  of  the 
community  were  niosily  divideil  in  two  parties,  the  JS'civ  Lights  and 
the  Old  Lii^hts.  The  New  Lights  were  active  and  zealous,  in  the 
discharge  of  every  thing  which  they  conceived  to  be  their  religious  du- 
ty, and  were  in  favor  oi'  ^Ir.  Whitiield  and  others,  itinerating  through 
the  country  and  stirring  up  the  people  to  reform,  foe.  The  Old  Lights 
considered  much  of  their  zeal  as  wild-lire,  and  endeavored  to  suiipress 
it.  In  the  year  1741,  when  the  grand  council  met  at  Guilford,  the 
association  drew  up  several  resolutions  to  be  laid  befjre  tliat  council  ; 
among  which  was  the  following  :  "  That,  ibr  a  minister,  to  enter  into 
■  another  minister's  parish,  and  preach,  or  administer  the  seals  of  the  cov- 
enant, without  the  consent  of,  or  in  opposition  to  the  settled  minister  of 
the  parish  is  disorderly,  ls:c."  A  majoi'ily  of  the  ministers  being  of  the 
Old  Light  stamp,  "  they  exi)elled  liom  the  association,  all  the  zealous 
Calvinistic  preachers,  or  enthusiasts  as  they  esteemed  them,  except  J\Ir. 


Dr.  T  ruin  bill 


BRANFORD.  191 

Robbins  of  Branford,  a  young  preacher,  who  had  been  ordained  about 
eight  or  tea  years."  Iliin  they  disciphncd,  &:c.  for  some  time.  His 
first  olfense  seems  to  have  been  his  preaching  for  the  Baptists,  who 
had  estabhsl)ed  themselves  in  the  first  society  of  Walhngford  about  1735. 
Mr.  John  Merriman,  their  pastor,  hud  requested  some  of  the  standiu"- 
ministers  to  preach  occasionally  for  them.  There  was  a  complaint  made 
against  Air.  Bobbins  for  his  irregular  preaching,  and  he  was  required 
to  make  a  confession.  As  he  could  not  conscientiously  acknowledge 
that  his  preaching  to  the  Baptists  was  contrary  to  the  word  of  Gud,  or 
the  Saybiook  platform,  he  refused  to  make  the  confessioil  they  desired, 
although  it  was  evident  he  wished  to  live  in  harmony  witli  his  brethren 
in  the  ministry. 

After  a  variety  of  proceedings  against  i\Ir.   Bobbins,  he   (.AFr.   B.) 
laid  the  case  before  tlie  society  meeting  at  Bianford.     The  meeting 


"  I.  That  this  society  is  of  opinion,  that  wliat  our  pastor  lias  ofl'ered  to  tlie  associa- 
tion of  New  llavun  coiuiiy,  rckitiuj,'  to  Lis  ])i<.'acliing  to  the  Baptists  in  Wallinglurd, 
is  sufiicient." 

"2.  Tliat  this  society  desire  ihe  Rev.  i\Ir.  Ruhbins  to  continue  in  the  ministry 
arnoni,'  us,  notwilhstanciinL;  his  preaeiiiiiy;  to  ilie  Baptists,  and  wiiatlhe  coiisociatJun  of 
New  ITavea  cminiy  have  done  thereon.''' 

'•  'A.  Th;il  v.-e  desiie  liie  Rev.  cons(jeiati(in  and  association  not  to  send  any  councils 
or  ctimmitlecs  amon;^  us,  unle.--s  tiie  soci'jy  desire  it." 

"  4;  Tliat  a  |iariicular  people  ha\e  a  li'^lit  to  clioose  tlicir  own  minister;  and  as  no 
ecclesiastical  authority  lias  rij,'iil  to  iin|io,se  one  iipun  tiiein  uithuul  tiieir  vote  and  con- 
sent, so  no  auiiiority  has  iiichi  to  cen^tire,  .-aispend  or  depose  a  minister  lej^ulaily  or- 
dained, without  the  vote  and  eonseiilof  his  jK'ople." 

"5.  That  we  cannot  sutimil  to  the  act  or  conclusions  of  nny  councils  respecting  the 
ministry  ainont,^  us,  ihat  are  made  wilhont  the  vole  and  consent  of  this  sucicly." 

Votes  in  the  alfirmative,  b'i — in  the  neL;au\-e,  15. 

At  a  church  meeting  in  Biaufoul,  Nov.  lih,  171.5,  tlie  church  passed  the  following 
votes : 

"1.  That  we  renounce  the  Sayhioolc  |ilail'onii,  and  cannot  receive  it  as  a  i  ule  of 
government  and  discipline  in  the  cluiic-li." 

"  '2.  That  we  declare  this  church  to  be  a  con'.ive'.,'alional  cluuch." 

'•  I|.  Thai  we  receive  the  scii|)tuies  uf  the  C)ld  and  New  Testament  as  the  onlv  per- 
fect iule  and  plaUoiiii  of  chnrcli  government  and  discipline." 

"  1.  That  though  we  receive  the  .scrijuures  as  the  only  perfect  rule;  yet  as  we  know 
of  no  human  composure  that  comes  nearer  to  the  scriptures  in  mutteis  oi'  church  go- 
vernment and  discipline,  than  theCambiidge  platform;  so  M'e  approve  of  that  for 
substance,  and  take  it  for  our  platform,  agreeably  to  the  word  of  Goo." 

"  5.  That  we  arenot  hereby  straightened  in  ourchariiy,  but  free  to  hold  communion, 
not  only  with  congregaiional  churches,  and  church  members  that  are  in  good  standing, 
but  with  those  called  Presbyterian,  and  also  with  those  under  the  Saybrook  jilatloim 
regimen." 

"  Voted,  That  in  testimonv  of  our  respect  to  oilier  churches,  and  iVeeness  to  com- 
mune wiih  ihem;  we  are  willing  []\dl  our  Rev.  pastm  shoiiM  e.Kchringe  latxjis  wiih  or- 
dained minisieis  in  New  Ilaveii  county,  or  invile  any  of  them  to  preach  wiih  us,  as 
opportunity  [i resents." 

In  174G,  IMr.  Bobbins  was  cited  to  appear  before  the  consociation. 
With  the  citation,  the  articles  of  complaint  were  delivered.  Tliey  are 
introduced  bore,  to  give  some  light  on  the  nature  of  the  religious  con- 
troversies at  that  period.     Those  which  respected  his  doctrine  were — 

"  1.  That  he,  the  said  Mr.  Robbins,  has  in  piil)lic  talcen  it  upon  him  to  determine 
the  state  of  mtants,  dying  in  inl'aney,  declaring  that  they  were  as  odious  in  the  sight 
of  God,  as  snalces  and  vipers  were  to  us  ;  andleft  it  wliolly  in  the  dark  wheiher  there 
were  any  saved  or  ii'jt. 


192 


BRANFORD. 


"  2.  That  he  had  assumed  to  himself  the  prerogative  of  God,  the  risfhteoiis  judge,  in 
judging  the  condilion  of  ihe  dead,  in  a  funeral  sermon,  saying  that  ihev  were  in  hell, 
to  the  great  grief  of  mourning  friends  and  others. 

"3.  That  in  his  public  preaching  lie  had  been  guilty  of  speaking  evil  of  dignities; 
declaring  tliat  the  leaders  or  rulers  of  llie  people  were  op|)osers  of  the  glorioiis  woik 
of  God  in  the  land;  and  comparing  our  civil  authority  to  and  with  Daruis,  who  cast 
Daniel  in  the  lion's  den. 

"4.  In  judging  and  declaring  those  persons  carnal  and  unconverted,  that  did  not 
approve  of  the  late  religious  stir  that  has  been  made  in  the  land;  and  in  the  improve- 
ment of  liis  sermon  dividing  them,  and  calling  one  part,  that  is,  the  approvers,  the 
children  of  God,  and  branding  the  other  part  with  tiie  name  and  character  of  opposers. 
"5.  Tiie  said  Mr.  Robbins  has  also  publicly  and  censoriously  judged  those  that  did 
not  fall  in  with  and  impute  the  religious  stir  in  the  land  (which  he  calls  a  glorious 
worlc  of  God)  to  be  the  work  of  God's  spirit,  declaring  such  were  guilty  of  the  unpar- 
donable sin. 

"G.  He  has  publicly  asserted,  and  taught  and  laid  down,  that  a  man  might  be  sin- 
cere in  religion,  and  a  strict  observer  of  the  sabbath,  and  yet  be  a  hypocrite. 

"  7.  Said  Mr.  Robbins  has  publicly  reflected  upon  and  reviled  the  standing  ministers 
of  this  land,  calling  them  Arminians,  and  comparing  them  with  and  to  false  prophei.-i, 
putting  himself  in  the  place  of  Miciijah." 

With  respect  to  his  Antinomian  doctrines,  they  complained, 

"  1.  That  he  has  publicly  langiit  us,  that  there  is  no  promise  in  all  tlie  bible  that  be- 
longs to  sinners;  thereby  frustiaiing  tlie  covenant  of  God's  free  grace,  and  ihc  conde- 
scension and  compassion  of  God,  and  his  Son,  our  Saviour,  to  poor,  lost  and  perishing 
sinners. 

"2.  That  there  is  no  direction  in  all  the  bible  how  men  should  come  to  Christ,  nor 
could  he  direct  any  persons  how  they  should  come  to  him:  thereby  rendering  the  study 
and  seareli  of  the  holy  scriptures,  at  least  an  unsafe  and  insuflicient  way  of  finding 
Chri^t  and  the  preaching  thereof  useless. 

"  3.  lie  has  publicly  taught  that  it  is  as  easy  for  persons  to  know  vhen  they  are  con- 
verted, as  it  is  to  know  noonday  light  from  midnight  darkness;  making  the  only  sure 
evidence  of  conversion  to  consist  in  inward  feeling,  and  a  sense  of  iheir  love  to  God. 
"1.  He  has  declared  in  public,  that  believers  never  doubt  of  their  interest  in  Christ, 
after  conversion;  and  if  ihey  do,  it  is  the  sign  of  an  hypocrite;  rendering  sanctilica- 
tion  no  evidence  of  conversion  or  justification,  and  that  believers  are  never  in  the  dark. 
"5.  He  has  also  taught  that  God  could  easier  convert  the  ."feat  a  man  sits  on  than 
convert  a  moral  man  ;  and  that  the  most  vicious  or  vile  person  stands  as  fair  for  con- 
viction and  conversion  as  the  strictest  moral  man  ;  thereby  making  holiness  and  obe- 
dience to  the  moral  law,  no  way  necessary  to  be  found  in  men  for  their  salvation. 

"6.  Mr.  Robbins  has  taught  that  there  are  some  sinners  that  Christ  never  died  for, 
nor  did  he  come  to  save  them;  thereby  perverting  the  great  doctrines  of  redemption 
in  the  gospel,  and  rendering  all  endeavors  in  men  to  obtain  salvation,  useless;  Armi- 
ninniMii  and  blending  the  covenant  of  works  and  covenant  of  grace  together." 

\Viili  relation  to  his  eiiiliu.siasm,  which  they  complained  of  as  exceedingly  grievous 
to  them,  these  arlielcs  weie  cliaiged  against  him; 

"  That  bitter  atid  censuiious  spirit  discovered  by  the  said  Mr.  Robbins,  aguinst  all, 
even  civil  magistrates,  as  well  as  ministers,  who  tlo  not  think  the  commotions  in  the 
land  which  bear  the  name  of  religion,  a  glorious  work  of  God,  and  the  effect  of  the 
agency  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  declaring  all  such  to  be  guilty  of  the  unpardonable  sin. 

"  2.  In  that  strange  heat  of  spirit,  under  which  the  said  Mr.  Robbins  has  acted;  dis- 
covered iu  a  perpetual  uneasiness,  or  craving  to  be  preaching;  going  into  those  many 
unscriptural  night  meetings,  and  frequent  public  preaching  under  a  religious  pre- 
tence; consorting  with  and  improving  those  to  preach  and  carry  on  in  public,  as  well 
as  in  those  private  meeting.s,  that  have  been  most  forward  and  famous  for  their  enthu- 
siasm in  the  present  day. 

"3.  In  the  spirit  of  pride  and  conceitedness,  and  expectation  (o  be  believed  only 
upon  positive  and  bold  assertion,  discovered  by  said  Robbins;  among  other  instances 
thereof,  by  publicly  declaring,  in  a  sermon,  that  the  standing  ministers  in  this  land 
were  AVminians,  and  calling  them  false  prophets,  while  he  put  himself  in  the  place  of 
Micajali  before  Ahab,  in  1  Kings,  xxii.  pronouncing  these  words  upon  it.  That  if  the 
body  of  the  people  were  in  the  way  to  eternal  life,  the  Lord  had  not  spoken  by  him. 

"4.  Mr.  Robbins  has  publicly  taught,  that  unconverted  persons  have  no  right  to 
praise  God." 
With  respect  to  his  conduct,  these  articles  were  charged : 

"1.  Mr.  Ilolibins'  earnestness  in  promoting  and  imfiroving  strolling  or  tiavelling 
preachers;  and  improving  those  that  were  most  disorderly,  to  preach  and  e.xhort  in 
the  society;  more  especially  at  one  such  meeting  carried  on  at  his  own  house,  by 
Messrs.  Brainard  and  Buel;  and  another  at  the  same  place,  carried  on  by  Messrs. 


c  II  K  s  n  I  R  E .  193 

Wheelock  and  Munson;  to  the  dishonor  of  relitrion,  to  the  just  offence  of  many  of  the 
church  and  people,  and  to  the  rie.stiuclion  of  pence  and  gospel  order,  in  church  and 
societ}-. 

"  2.  His  introducing  Mr.  Davenport  to  preach  and  exhort,  and  also  his  man  to  pray 
and  sing,  at  the  lime  when  he  went  lhroiij(h  ihe  euiuUry,  sinj^Mn^'  alonf<  the  streets;  at- 
tended u'iih  this  a,:,'t.Ma\'aling  eircuinslance,  thai  it  was  on  sacrament  day;  to  the  f^reat 
confiisiiiii  and  disiiirliance  of  the  church,  and  prtilanina;  of  the  snhbaili  in  this  society. 

'■'J.  His  preaching  in  Wallmjjfoul,  in  iln;  mc-UhLC-house  of  llie  aiiabapiisls  there ; 
and  that  contrary  to  the  desire  of  a  j^M'eat  numbi'iuf  the  people  at  Wallin^'loid,  re- 
questing him  iJiat  he  would  not,  and  to  the  advice  of  neighboring  ministers  to  llie  con- 
trary."* 

These  complaints  were  evidently  got  up  in  a  spirit  of  exaggeration. 
"  ]Mr.  Robbiiis,"  says  Dr.  TrLiinbulI,  "was  a  most  inoffensive  gentle- 
man; mild,  peaceable  and  a  |)eace  maker :  was  uncommonly  gifted  in 
prayer:  a  sound  and  seaicliing  jireaclier,  and  greatly  beloved  by  liis 
people.  He  was  popular  in  the  neighboring  towns  and  societies,  and 
gradually  grew  in  esteem  among  his  brethren  in  the  ministry.  In  the 
year  1755,  about  seven  years  after,  he  was  invited  to  sit  with  the  con- 
sociation, at  the  ordination  of  Mr.  Street,  at  East  Haven  ;  and  no  ob- 
jections were  made  on  account  of  any  thing  which  had  passed  in  the 
times  of  his  trouble. 

The  following  is  copied  from  an  inscription  on  one  of  the  monuments 
in  the  burying  ground. 

The  Revd.  Mr.  Samll.  Russol,  Deed,  ye  '25th  dav  of  .Tune,  1731,  in  ye  71st  year  of  his 
age,  and 'llih  of  hisMinistiv.  Mrs.  Abagail  Ilussel,  liis  virtuous  consort,  Deed,  ye 
7th  day  of  May,  1733,  in  ye  (J7  year  of  her  age. 


I'roii)  vulfrar  diLst  (listin^uisiril  lii-s 
Tli«  active  irLntlds  of  tin-  skif.'i, 
WIkisc  voice  SalViitioii  itiil  attLMKi, 
Could  roriifoil  to  IliL-  iii.-ekcr  KCiul, 
Ami  iii;ik.'  tin.'  slul/ljorii  lii-artud  Ih-ikI  ; 

And  nr'fr  UirSft  iju'  silver  aoiind, 
Till  TruiMp-U  Ijid  ihc-  final  day. 
And  lubuniiL'  .\iinrb  muoc  liii  clay,  I  T1kiui;Ii  belli  aru  dead. 


I!y  Heaven  disniissM  yon'll  sliine  his  crown, 
And  l)OW  liis  head  Willi  glory  down. 

Ill  fliiinbtr  bound  fast  by  his  side, 
The  tender  part,  liis  pions  bride, 
Reclines  her  head. 
So  round  thf;  oak  the  ivy  twines,  '. 

Willi  faithlnl  bands  in  hjii     '  ' 


CHESHIRE. 

Cheshire  was  originally  a  parish  in  the  town  of  Wallingford,  by  the 
name  of  New  Cheshire.  It  was  made  a  society  in  1723  ;  it  consisted 
then  of  about  thirty  five  families.  The  Rev.  Samuel  Hall  was  their 
first  minister;  he  was  ordained  their  pastor  in  December,  1724.  A 
church  was  Ibrmed,  and  the  first  meeting  house  erecterl  the  same  year. 
The  number  of  male  members  in  the  church  at  its  formation  was  eleven. 
In  the  year -1770,  the  number  of  members  was  about  dOO.  The  Rev. 
Mr.  Foot  was  ordained  colleague  pastor  with  Mr.  Hall  in  March,  1767. 

In  the  center  of  the  town  there  is  a  pleasant  village  of  40  or  50 
dwelliiig  houses,  three  chinches,  and  an  Academy.  The  engraving  on 
tlie  succeeding  page  shows  the  central  part  of  the  village  ;  the' Congre- 
gational church  is  seen  on  the  left ;  the  spiie  of  the  Episcopal  church  is 
seen  on  the  right ;  the  next  building  seen  westward  of  this  is  the  Meth- 


TrumbuH's  Hist.  Conn.  Vol.  2. 


191 


c  u  i;  s  11  1  u  [• . 


dist  church,  a  plain  brick  edifice  without  a  spire  ;  the  Academy  stands 
eastward  of  these  hnihliiiL's,  on  the  opposite  sith-  of  the  sireut.  This 
place  is  13i  miles  from  New  Haven,  25  from  Hartford,  i)i  southeast 
from  Waterbury,  and  one  n)ile  from  Beachport,  a  small  cluster  of  build- 
ings on  the  New  Haven  and  Northampton  canal. 


iSoui/l  viciv  of  Cheshire,  (^ceiilral  'p(trt-) 

Cheshire  was  incor|)orated  as  a  town  in  1780.  It  is  bounded  n.  by 
Southington,  w.  by  Waterbury  and  Prospect,  e,  hy  iVIeriden  and  Wal- 
lingford,  and  s.  by  Hamden.  It  is  about  7  miles  in  length  from  north 
to  south,  and  4  miles  in  breadth.  The  northeast  section  of  the  town 
is  watered  by  the  Quinnipiac.  The  New  Haven  and  IN'oriiiampton 
canal  passes  through  the  whole  length  of  the  town.  The  township  is 
pleasantly  diversifud  by  hills  and  valleys,  and  the  jircvailing  soil  is  a 
gravelly  loam,  generally  rich  ami  ferlile.  /Vgricullure  is  the  principal 
business  of  the  inhabitants. 

In  INIarch,  173-2,  (a  little  more  than  eight  years  after  the  society  of 
New  Cheshire  was  formed,)  the  Si/ui/I  Par  "  broke  out  in  the  center 
of  the  society."  How  it  came  tliere  is  to  this  day  a  secret.  Being  an 
unusual  disease,  and  many  opinions  about  it,  people  wentuj)on  the  Sab- 
bath and  other  public  days,  to  see  the  sick.  After  some  time,  when  it 
began  to  S|jread,  some  were  afraid  it  was  the  small  pox,  and  sent  for 
those  who  had  had  "  the  distemper,  to  know  whether  it  was  the  small 
pox,"  who  "all  agreed  it  was  not;  which  made  people  careless,  till  Dr. 
Harpin  came  and  told  'em  it  was.  Thus  the  inl'ection  was  spread  in 
many  families,  and  they  were  brought  into  the  gicatest  distress,  for 
want  of  experienced  nurses — yea,  had  scarcely  help  to  bury  the  dead." 
It  appears  from  llie  Rev.  ]Mr.  Hall's  discourse  on  the  occasion,  that 
124  persons,  probably  about  one  third  of  the  whole  population  in  the 
society,  had  the  disorder,  and  it  is  somewhat  remarkable,  considering 
the  circumstances,  that  but  seventeen  persons  died. 


19: 


Episcopal  Academy  at  Cheshire. 


The  above  is  a  western  view  of  the  Episcopal  Academy.  It  is  a 
substantial  biick  edifice,  54  feet  by  31,  and  was  erected  by  the  town  in 
1796  ;  it  is  surrounded  by  a  spacious  coiu't  yard,  and  stands  a  little  back 
from  the  main  street.*'  This  institution  was  incorporated  in  ISOl,  and 
was  called  the  I'.'piscopal  Academy  of  Connecticut. 


Cheshire,  April  2^,  17:)G. 
Yesterday  vvas  laid  iLo  lirsi  siniie  c.f  ihe  ]".|iKc.)pnl  Academy,  (nou-  biiildiiif,'  iii  ihis 
liju'11,3  by  the  iii.i^ter  oi'  'J'emple  Loilj,a>,  assi-leil  by  the  IJrellii  eis— liiider  the  ^.toue  was; 
laid  a  .slate,  wiih  ibe  lullowin^-  iii>cii|ilii)ii  : 

April  rJo,  ITDi;. 

The  Conjcr  Siuhe 

of  the  l^pi^eojial  Aeadeiny, 

creeled  by  piopiielors. 
was  l.\id  by  the  I'lalcrnilv 
uirrce  and  areepled  Mumjiis. 
The  dav  heinj:  line,  a  proces.vjoti  was  luinied  Iroin  the  hidi^e  room  to  the  Epi.scopal 
chiueli,  where  a  well  adapted  diseoiirse  was  delieered  by  "the   Knv.  Mr.  Ives— from 
thence  to  ihe  <,M(nind,  and  alier  laying  the  stone,  the  Kev.  Mr.  liriiii.soii  addressed  the 
brethren  and  crowd  ul' speeiatois  asst-nibled  on  iIjc  occasion,  with  a  few  peiiinent  ob- 
servations.    The  procession  then  reluincd,  and   t(igether  with  the  proprietors  of  the 
buildin;^  partook   of  a  fesiive  enlmlainmenl.     I'he  whole  was  conducted  with  order 
and  rej^'ulariiy  to  the  satisfaction  of  all  piesent. 


Extract  from    Cheshire    Town  Records. 

June  2Gth,  17S0. — At  a  special  town  mi'eiinpr  heUl  at  Cheshire,  major  Reuben  At- 
waier  was  chosen  niodeiaior.  Voted,  that  the  scleclinen  shall  see  that  the  soldiers 
wliich  are  drafted  and  to  march  to-morrciw  iiioiiiniir,  h.;  provided  each  man  wiih  a 
liorse.  Voted,  that  Miles  Hull,  Naihanirl  Hunn.dl,  P.obeit  Martin  and  David  Hilch- 
coclc,  be  a  caiqnnitee  for  hiiin.i,'  the  soldiers  to  lill  iij)  the  continental  army  for  the  lerm 
of  three  years,  oj-  diirinj^  the  present  war. 

Voted,  that  the  town  would  f<ive  lu  each  soldier  which  shall  enlist  into  the  conti- 
nental army  for  three  years,  or  durinj,'  the  present  war,  to  be  paid  equivalent  to  silver 
at  6s.  HiL  per  ounce,  tlie  sum  of  twenty  shillinj,'s  per  inoiilh,  duiing  the  time  of  their 
continuance  in  the  service,  to  be  paid  annually. 


*  Since  the  above  drawing  was  taken,  the  ])oi)lars  seen  standing  around  the  Acad- 
emy have  been  cut  olf,  and  tiie  building  has  been  somewhat  improved  in  its  general 
appearance. 


The  following  are  copied  from  nionumeiits  in  the  old  burying  ground, 
eastward  from  the  Congregational  church. 

In  memory  of  ye  Rev.  Samuel  Hall,  Pastor  of  ye  clrh  in  Cheshire,  died  Feb.  2()ih, 
A.  D.  1776,  M.  81,  and  yc  l-2d  year  of  his  ministry.  Al.so  of  Mrs.  Ann  Hall,  died 
1775,  aged  74. 

A  friend  to  God,  a  ^'iiide  in  Christ, 

Do  here  repose  ihuir  ppacefnl  dust, 
To  rest  in  darkness  m  the  tomb, 

Till  Galjriel'.s  trumpet  wake  the  jii.st. 


Here  lies  the  body  of  Capt.  Elnathan  Eeaeli.n  j^entleinan  who  from  a  small  forltuip, 
by  an  honest  industry  and  diligent  application  to  business,  laixd  a  very  fonsideiablc 
estate.  His  liberal  benelaeiimis  to  the  Parish  of  (Jlicshiie  will  prifieiuale  liis  name: 
And  as  he  was  perhaps  the  first  m  Connecticut,  who  beuan  a  fund  for  the  lelief  of  the 
poor,  so  he  deserves  a  pailiciilar  place  in  the  mcniury  oi  all  w  ho  wish  well  to  mankind. 
He  departed  this  life,  Aug.  loili,  1710,  in  ye  -Jjih  ytin  ol  Ins  a^e. 


Here  lies  the  body  of  Capt.  Samuel  Cooke,  who  died  Nov.  7tli,  Hlfj,  jn  his  5Ist 
year.  His  indefatigable  indiisliy  and  success  in  business  weie  equally  admirable; 
liis  views  of  trade  were  laige,  and  as  his  estate  was  snllicient  for  the  imrpose,  so  he 
generously  designed  to  deliver  his  country  Irom  the  slavery  it  had  been  so  long  in  to 
the  neighboring  colonies,  by  opening  a  new  scene  of  commerce  with  Europe.  His  de- 
sign herein,  as  also  his  benefaciions  to  the  church,  imd  poor  of  the  parish  of  Cheshire, 
ivre  worthy  the  imitation  of  all  whom  Providence  has  so  remarkably  blessed. 


DERBY. 

The  orii^inal  name'of  this  town  was  Paugasset.  It  a]tpear.^,  that  about 
the  year  1053,  Gov.  Goodyear,  and  others  in  New  Haven,  made  a  pur- 
chase of  a  considerable  tract  at  this  place.  In  16.51,  it  seems  some  few 
settlements  were  made.  The  next  year  the  planters  presented  a  peti- 
tion to  the  General  Court  of  New  Haven,  to  he  made  into  a  distinct 
town.  The  Court  granted  their  petition,  anrl  gave  them  liberty  to  pur- 
chase lands  sufBcient  for  a  township.  The  INIilford  ))cople,  however, 
at  the  next  Court  made  such  strong  remonstrances  against  the  act,  that 
the  Court  determineti  that  the  pco|)le  at  Paugasset  should  continue  as 
they  had  been,  under  the  town  of  INIilford,  mdess  the  parties  should 
come  to  an  agreement,  respecting  the  incorporation  of  the  inhabitants 
there  into  a  distinct  township.  In  1G57  and  1659,  a  purchase  was 
made  of  the  lands,  of  the  chief  sagamores,  AVetanamow  and  Raslcenute. 
This  purchase  appears  to  have  been  confirmed  afterwards  by  Okenuck, 
the  chief  sachein.  Some  of  the  first  planters  were  Ed.  Wooster,  Ed. 
Riggs,  Ricliard  Baldwin, .  Samuel  Hopkins,  Thomas  Langdon,  and 
Francis  French.  In  October,  1675,  the  planters  renewed  their  appli- 
cation for  town  privileges.     They  represented  that  they  then  consisted 


n  K  u  B  V .  1 1)7 

of  twelve  families,  and  that  eleven  more  were  about  movinn;  into  the 
plantation  ;  tliey  had  proeured  a  minister,  built  him  a  house,  and  made 
provision  for  the  supjjort  of  the  ministry.  Upon  these  representations, 
the  Assembly  made  them  into  a  town,  by  the  name  of  J)crby. 

Derby  is  bounded  north  by  Oxfoid,  southwest  by  the  liousatonic, 
separating  it  from  Huntington,  on  the  east  by  ^Voodbridge,  and  south 
by  Orange.  Its  mean  length  is  about  b^  miles,  and  its  mean  breadth 
di  miles.  The  face  of  the  town  is  diversified  with  hills  and  valleys, 
and  with  some  fine  tracts  of  alluvial  upon  the  borders  of  the  liousatonic 
and  Naugatuc.  There  are  two  societies  or  parishes,  Derby  jjioper,  and 
the  parish  of  Great  I  lill,  in  tlie  northern  section  of  the  town,  Tliere  are 
six  houses  of  worship  in  the  town,  o  Congregational,  2  Jilpiscopal,  and  2 
for  jMelhodists. 


iSoiiihciist  ciciv  of  Derby  hnmling. 


The  above  engraving  show^  the  appearance  of  the  village  at  Derby 
Landing,  or  Narrows,  (as  it  is  sometimes  called,)  as  you  enter  it  on  the 
New  Haven  road,  descending  the  hill,  looking  towards  the  northwest. 
The  village  is  on  the  east  side  of  the  liousatonic,  immediately  below  its 
junction  with  the  Naugatuc  or  VVaterhury  river.  It  consists  of  about  50 
dwelling  houses,  A  or  5  mercantile  stores,  and  a  nundier  of  mechanics' 
shops.  These  buildings  are  mostly  built  on  three  short  streets  running 
parallel  with  the  river,  and  on  the  side  of  a  high  hill,  which  from  its 
summit  descends  with  considerable  abruptness  to  the  water,  and  of 
course  ihe  easternmost  street  is  considerably  elevated  above  the  others. 
There  are  two  churches  in  Derby  proper  ;  1  for  Congregationalists  and 
one  for  I'^piscopalians  ;  both  situated  aljout  a  mile  noi'tli  of  the  Landing. 
On  the  leit  of  the  engraving,  in  the  distance,  is  seen  the  Leavenworth 
bridge,  leading  to 'Huntington,  crossing  the  Honsatonic  river.  The 
present  bridge  was  erected  in  1831,  at  an  expense  of  about  l^  or 
14,000  dollars.     Part  of  Birmingham  is  seen  in  the  distance^  situated  on 


198  I)  i;  H 15  Y . 

the  elevated  point  of  land  between  the  Naugatuc  and  Ilousatonlc  rivers. 
There  are  two  packets  which  ply  weekly  between  this  i)lace  and  New 
York.  Considerable  (juantitics  of  wood  and  ship  tin;bcr  arc  exported, 
and  sliip  buildini,',  to  sonie  extent,  is  carried  on  at  tiie  Landing.  Derby 
Landing  is  about  11  or  15  miles  from  the  month  of  the  river,  where  it 
empties  into  Long  Island  sound,  and  SA  miles  northwest  from  New 
Haven.  The  river  is  navigable  to  the  Landing,  for  vessels  of  about  80 
tons,  there  being  about  lU  fi.'et  of  water. 


e 


im 


=^^^^^^^^^«&^' "aK^s^W 


■--  ^- . 


'-  —-^^=z:^smi^^^j'rr^J£  ■  ■'v ';>  ^-""  -•^'-^"'^^"  v'"^^-^ 


Sontlicusteni  view  of  Jiirmiiighaut,  Derby,   (IS3G.) 

The  first  settlers  at  the  Landing  were  Thomas  Parsons,  Samuel 
Plumb,  Joseph  Hull,  Ebenezer  Chatfield,  Ebenezer  Johnson,  and  two 
families  of  Weeds.  Thomas  Parsons'  house  stood  on  the  ground  where 
the  Episcopal  church  now  stands;  Plumb  located  himself  about  half  a 
mile  north  ;  Joseph  Hull,  llu.'gruat  ^randfalhcr  of  Commodore  Hull,  had 
liis  house  about  half  a  mile  north  of  IMuiiib  ;  Challield  settled  a  little 
north  of  Hull;  Johnson  huih  his  house  about  a  mile  s.  k.  of  the  Landing; 
he  was  a  captain,  afterwards  a  colonel.  TiiQ  Weeds  located  themselves 
about  a  mile  n.  e.  of  the  Landing,  at  a  place  since  called  S<jHabbh 
hole.  This  place  is  said  to  have  derived  its  name  from  the  circum- 
stance of  the  two  first  lamilies  who  lived  here  having  much  contention 
with  each  other.  Capt.  Ethel  Keeney,  now  living,  was  the  first  whhe 
child  born  at  the  Landing.     He  was  born  jNIarch  17ih,  1755. 

The  engraving  above  shows  the  appearance  of  Birmingham,  from 
the  shore  at  Derby  Landing.  This  village  was  commenced  in  1834. 
There  are  at  present,  (July  1st,  18.3G,)  about  'iO  dwelling  houses,  and  3 
mercantile  stores  :  there  is  in,  and  about  to  be  put  in  operation,  1  factory 
for  making  sheet  copper  and  copper  wire  ;  1  for  making  augers  ;  1 
for  making  carriage  springs  and  axles;  1  for  making  nails  or  tacks  ;  1 
for  flannels  and  satinets,  with  some  other  minor  manufacturing  es- 
tablishments. The  water  by  which  the  mills  and  factories  arc  put  in 
operation  is  taken  from  the  Naugatuc,  by  a  canal  which  extends  upwards 


D  E  u  r.  Y .  1 99 

of  a  mile  and  a  half  norihward  of  the  village.  A  steamboat  is  about 
to  commence  running  between  this  jilace  and  New  York.  Pari  of  the 
Leavenworth  bridge,  over  the  Ilousatunic,  is  seen  on  the  extreme  left.'* 
The  iiouse  of  SheKlon  Smith,  Es([.  is  seen  a  lililo  eastward  of  this,  on 
the  elevated  ground  above  the  copper  factory.  This  edifice  is  elegantly 
situated,  and  commands  a  most  beautiful  and  interesting  prospect  to 
the  southward,  particularly  of  the  vihage  at  the  Landing,  and  the  pas- 
sage of  the  Ilousatonic  through  what  is  called  the  Narrows.  A  small 
round  structure  is  seen  on  the  right :  this  is  the  llcscrvoir,  trom  which 
water  is  supplied  to  the  inhabitants  of  the  village.  It  is  raised  fifty  feet, 
from  a  w^ell  under  the  grist  mill,  on  the  canal  Ijelow. 

The  village  of  llumphreysville,  about  four  and  a  half  miles  nortii  of 
Derby  Lantling,  owes  its  rise  and  name  to  the  lion,  l^avid  lluuiplireys. 
The  original  name  of  this  place  was  N(tu-]:o-(uiil:,  \vliicli  signifies  in  the 
Indian  ianguuge  one  lari(e  tree,  so  named  hom  a  large  tree  which  for- 
merly stood  near  Rock  llimmon,  about  three  fourths  of  a  mile  north  of 
the  falls.  Naiigatuc,  the  I:mglisli  pronunciation  of  the  above  word,  was 
the  name  given  to  the  stream  passing  througli  the  village.  For  a  long 
period  after  the  settlement  of  this  place,  it  was  called  Chusc-town,  so 
named  from  Chuse,  the  last  sachem  of  the  Derby  Indians,  who  is  said 
to  have  derived  this  name  from  his  manner  of  jironouncing  the  word 
"choose."  Mis  proper  name  was  Joe  JMau-wc-hn  :  he  was  the  son  of 
Gideon  INIauwehu,  a  Pequot  Indian,  who  was  the  king  or  sachem  of  the 
Scatacook  tribe  of  Indians  in  Kent.  It  appears  that  Gideon,  previous 
to  his  collecting  the  Indians  at  Kent,  lived  in  the  vicinity  of  Derby, 
and  wishing  tu  have  his  son  broui^ht  np  lunong  the  white  ])eople,  sent 
Joe  to  Mr.  Agar  Toudinson  of  Deih)  ,  wllh  whom  he  lived  during  his 
minority.  Chirse  ])referring  to  live  at  I  )i  rhy,  his  liitlier  gave  him  a 
tract  of  land  at  the  lalls,  called  llie  Imliitn  J'n  liI.  lleie  he  erected  his 
wigwam,  about  six  or  eight  rods  norlli  ol'  where  the  cotton  factory  now 
stands,  on  the  south  bonier  of  the  flat.  It  was  beautifull)'  situated, 
among  the  white  oak  trees,  and  I'aced  the  south,  lie  niarrieil  an  Indian 
woman  of  the  East  Haven  tribe.  At  the  time  Chuse  removed  here, 
there  were  but  one  or  two  white  families  in  the  place,  who  had  settled 
on  Indian  hill,  the  height  of  land  east  of  the  river,  and  southeast  of 
the  cotton  factory,  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Methodist  and  Congregational 
churches.  These  settlers  wishing  Chuse  for  a  neighbor,  persuaded  him 
to  remove  to  the  place  where  the  house  of  the  late  INIrs.  Phebe  Stiles 
now  stands,  a  few  rods  north  of  the  Congregational  church.  ^Vhen  Mv. 
Whitimore  built  on  the  spot,  Ciiuse  removed  back  again  to  the  fidls, 
where  a  consitlerahic  nundjer  of  the  Indians  collected,  and  built  tlieir 
wigwams  in  a  row,  a  few  rods  east  of  the  facloi'y,  on  the  top  of  the 
bank,  extending  to  Indian  hill.  Near  the  river,  in  the  Indian  field,  was 
a  large  Indian  burying  ground  ;  each  grave  was  covered  with  a  small 
lieap  of  stones.  iMr.  Stiles,  of  this  place,  purchased  this  field  about 
forty  six  years  since,  of  the  Indian  proprietors,  and  in  plowing  it  over, 
destroyed  these  relics  of  antiquity.  The  land  on  the  west  side  of  the 
river  from  this  ])lace,  wliere  the  Episcopal  church  stands,  was  formerly 
called  Shrub  oak.     Both  the  Indians  and  the  whites  went  to  meeting 


200  DERBY. 

on  foot  at  Derby.  Those  of  the  whites  who  died  here,  wei'e  conveyed 
on  horse  litters  to  be  buried  at  Derby  ;  these  litters  were  made  by  liav- 
ing  two  long  poles  attached  to  two  horses,  one  of  which  was  placed 
before  the  other ;  the  ends  of  the  poles  were  fastened,  one  on  each 
side  of  the  forward  horse,  and  the  other  ends  were  fastened  to  the  horse 
behind.  A  space  was  left  between  the  horses,  and  the  poles  at  this 
place  were  fastened  together  by  cross  pieces,  and  on  these  was  placed 
whatever  was  to  be  carried. 

Chuse  lived  at  this  place  forty  eight  years,  and  then  removed  with 
most  of  the  Derby  Indians  to  Scatacook,  in  Kent,  where  he  died,  at 
the  age  of  about  eighty  years.  He  was  a  large,  athletic  man,  and  a  very 
spry  and  active  hunter.  He  had  ten  childre'n.*  Chuse  and  his  family 
were  in  the  habit  of  going  down  once  in  a  year  to  Milford  "  to  salt,"  as 
it  was  termed.  They  usually  went  down  in  a  boat  from  Derby  Nar- 
rows ;  when  they  arrived  at  Milford'  beach,  they  set  up  a  tent  made  of 
the  sail  of  their  boat,  and  stayed  about  a  fortnight,  living  upon  oysters 
and  clanis.  They  also  collected  a  considerable  quantity  oT  clams,  which 
they  boiled,  dried  them  in  the  sun,  and  strung  them  in  the  same  manner 
as  we  do  apples  which  arc  to  be  dried.  Clams  cured  by  this  method 
were  formerly  fjuile  an  article  of  tra/lic. 

The  Indians  in  tlie  interior  used  to  bring  down  dried  venison,  which 
they  exchanged  with  the  Indians  who  lived  cm  the  sea  coast  fur  their  dried 
clams.  Chuse  used  to  kill  many  deer  while  watching  the  wheat  fields; 
also  great  numbers  of  wild  turkies,  and  occasionally  a  bear.  Some  of 
the  whites  also  were  great  hunters;  the  most  famous  were  Gideon  Wasii- 
burn  and  Alexander  Johnson.  Rattlesnakes  were  formerly  very  nu- 
merous nhoui  Niuuiph,  near  Rock  Rimmon,  and  occasionally  have  been 
known  to  crawl  into  the  houses  in  the  vicinity. 

About  the  time  of  the  first  settlement  at  Humphrcysville,  a  white 
man  by  the  name  of  Noah  Durand,  killed  an  Indian  named  John  Sunk, 
by  mistake.  They  were  hunting  deer  on  opposite  sides  of  the  river — 
Durand  on  the  west  side,  ant!  the  Indian  on  the  east;  it  was  in  the  dusk 
of  the  evening,  in  ihe  warm  season,  at  the  lime  the  deer  went  into  the 
river  to  cool  tliemselves.  DurantI  ]KM'ceived  something  moving  among 
the  bushes  on  the  east  side,  and  supjjosing  it  to  be  a  deer,  aimed  his 
gun  at  the  place  and  fired.  Sunk,  mortally  wounded,  immediately  cried 
out,  "  you  have  killed  me,"  Durand  sprang  through  the  river  to  the 
assistance  of  the  dying  Indian,  who  begged  for  water;  Durand  took  off 
bis  shoe,  filled  it  from  the  river,  and  gave  it  to  Sunk,  who  after  drinking, 
died  immediately.  This  took  place  perhaps  twenty  or  thirty  rods  be- 
low the  bridge  at  Ilimiphreysville,  just  below  where  Henry  Wooster 
lived.  A  kind  of  arbitration  was  afterwards  held  upon  this  case  by  the 
white  people  and  the  Indians.  One  of  the  Indian  witnesses  remarked, 
that  he  never  knew  of  deer  wearing  red  stockings  before,  alluding  to  the 
conmion  Indian  dress.  The  Indians,  however,  aj^peared  satisfied  that 
their  countryman  was  killed  by  mistake,  and  ever  afterwards  made  Mr. 
Durand's  house  tlieir  stopping  place. 

*  Eunice  Mawwchw,  ajjed  7-2  yours,  the  youngest  daughter  of  Chuse,  is  still  living 
(1836)  at  Scatacook,  in  Kent,  ;uid  it  i.s  from  her  tliat  luo^st  of  the  jiarliculurs  resjiect- 
ing  Chuse  and  the  Indians  are  derived. 


X)  K  11  IJ  Y  . 


201 


^S.  E.  view  of  Ilumphnysville,  in  Derby. 

The  above  cut  shows  the  appearance  of  Ilumphreysville,  as  it  is  en- 
tereJ  upon  the  New  Haven  roatl.  The  llumphieysville  Manufacturing 
Company  was  incorporated  in  1810.  Tlie  viHa^e  is  sluiated  in  a  small 
valley  on  the  Naugatuc.  four  and  a  half  miles  from  its  junction  with  the 
Housatonic  river  at  Derby  Landini;.  It  is  surrounded  with  lofty  hills, 
excepting  the  narrow  valley  through  which  the  ISaugaiuc  passes.  The 
heights  south  of  the  village,  on  the  western  side  of  the  river,  are  lofty, 
rocky  and  precipitous.  The  building  seen  in  the  central  part  of  the 
engraving  is  the  ilunipbreysville  CoticMi  Manufactory  ;  it  is  four  stories 
in  height,  and  about  100  feet  long.  On  the  left  of  the  print,  on  eleva- 
ted ground,  is  seen  the  Episcopal  church  :  there  are  two  other  houses 
of  worship  in  this  place,  one  lor  Congregationalisls,  and  one  for  Meth- 
odists; the  last  two  are  situated  on  the  heights  a  few  rods  s.  K.  from 
the  central  part  of  the  village.  Directly  underneath  the  Episcopal 
church  is  seen,  in  the  engraving,  a  part  of  Naugaiuc  river,  with  the 
falls.  At  this  place  a  ledge  of  rocks,  about  twenty  feet  in  height, 
crosses  the  river,  and  forms  a  perfect  dam  about  two  thirds  the  distance: 
the  remaining  third  is  closed  by  an  artificial  dam.  This  place  was  for- 
merly known  by  the  name  of  Jihiunnii  Falls.  There  are  about  50  or 
60  dwelling  houses  in  the  vicinity  of  the  factories,  3  or  4  mercantile 
stores,  &ic.  Most  of  the  dwelling  houses  are  south  of  the  cotton  fac- 
tory;  only  a  few  of  them  appear  in  the  engraving.  A  small  but  beau- 
tiful grove  of  pines  is  situated  at  the  southern  extremity  of  the  village, 
through  which  the  buildings,  which  are  mostly  painted  white,  appear 
uncommonly  beautiful,  as  the  village  is  approached  from  the  south  upon 
the  river  roads. 


"Gen.  David  Humphreys  was  a  native  of  this  town.  He  was  a 
son  of  the  Rev.  Daniel  Humphreys,  and  was  born  in  .July,  1752.  la 
1767  he  entered  Yale  College,  and  received  his  first  degree  in  1771. 


202 


DERBY. 


Whilst  In  college,  lie  cultivated  an  attachment  to  the  muses,  and  dis- 
closed early  evidences  of  poetical  talent.  During  the  Revolutionary 
war,  he  entered  the  army  as  a  captain  ;  but  at  what  tinie  we  are  not 
informed. 

"In  1778,  however,  lie  was  aid  lo  Gen.  Pulnain,  wiili  llie  rank  of  major.  Two  years 
afterlhis,  he  was  a|ipointed  aid  to  Ihe  coniniander  in  eliief;  iiavinj,'  been  the  .suceess- 
Ail  candidate  of  loiii  wlio  soliciied  tiie  oliiee.  Mis  coinpeiiiois  were  Col.  Tallmadge, 
Gen.  William  Hull,  and  Iloger  Alden.  lie  continued  in  ihis  situation  during'  the  war, 
having  the  ranlc  of  colonel,  and  vyas  paiiicnlarly  disiingiiished  at  the  memorable 
siege  of  York;  and  Congress  as  a  re.spectable  testimony  of  liicir  high  estimation  of 
his  valor,  fidelity,  and  signal  .services  on  this  occasion, "voted  hiin  an  elegant  sword. 
At  the  close  of  the  war,  he  accompanied  Gen.  Washington  to  Virginia.  In  178-1,  he 
embarked  for  France,  in  company  with  the  brave,  but  unfortunate  Kosciusko;  hav- 
ing, on  the  appointment  of  Mr.  JefTerson  as  ambassador  to  France,  been  nominated 
as  his  secretary.  In  1786,  he  returned  to  America  and  revisited  the  scenes  of  his 
youth  in  his  native  town.  Soon  after  his  rciiiin,  he  was  elected  by  his  fellow  citizens 
to  be  their  represenlalive  in  the  lLgi-,lature  of  the  State,  and  continued  lo  be  elected 
lor  two  years,  when  he  was  ajipoinleil  lo  the  command  of  a  regiment  raised  for  the 
western  service.  During  Ihe  peimd  thai  he  held  his  ofhce,  he  remained  most  of  tiie 
time  in  Hartford;  and,  with  Moi.kins,  Bailow  aiul  Trumbull,  assisted  in  the  publica- 
tion of  the  Anaichiad.  Gn  the  reduction  of  his  re-inirut,  he  repaired  lo  Mount  "Ver- 
non, and  continued  w  iiii  Cien.  Washiiigiou  uiiiil  17:iU,  m  hen  he  received  an  appoint- 
ment to  the  court  of  Portugal.  In  17II-1,  he  visiied  America,  but  soon  returncil  to  Lis- 
bon. Soon  afterlhis,  he  received  an  appoiniinent  lo  the  court  (jf  S|)ain,  where  he 
continued  until  IHOJ,  when  he  again  returned  to  his  native  counliy.  This  was  the 
end  of  his  public  life.  After  his  relurn  to  Amerii  a,  he  was,  unlil  his  death,  exten- 
sively engaged  ill  various  obj.'cls  of  public  uiiliiy,  particularly  mannlaeiures  ;ind  agri- 
culture. He  is  well  known  to  hare  been  one  of'ihe  liist  who'inlrodiiectl  nieiino  sheep 
into  this  country,  which  has  greatly  improved  the  (jiiality  of  wool,  and  given  a  strong 
impetus  to  dorncslic  manufaeiuies.  Tne  extensive  woolen  and  cotton  factory,  which 
he  established  in  this  town  has  already  been  not  iced.  He  also  did  much  for  ihe  pro- 
motion of  agriculture;  and  just  previous  to  his  death  M'as  making  exertions  to  I'oim  a 
society  for  the  purpose  of  procuring  a  laini  for  agiieiiltuial  experiments. 

"Gen.  Humphreys  possessed  consideralde  lileiuiy  acipiircmenis,  although  he  pnl> 
lished  no  work  of  magnitude;  his  writings  consist  i)rincipally  of  various  poetical  pio- 
puctions.  Of  these,  the  most  important  are  an  address  to  the  armies  of  the  United 
States;  a  poem  on  the  hajipiness  of  America;  a  jKiem  on  the  I'ulure  glory  of  the  Uni- 
ted States;  a  poem  on  the  industry  of  the  Ignited  Slates;  a  poem  on  the  love  of  coun- 
try; and  a  poem  on  the  death  of  General  ^Vashinglon.  He  wrote  also  a  memoir  of 
Gen.  Putnam,  various  political  tiacts,  &c.  He  died  in  New  Haven,  21st  Feb.  1818, 
aged  66  years."* 

Isaac  Hull  is  a  native  of  this  town,  and  was  born  near  Derby  land- 
ing. It  was  to  this  oflicer  that  the  (iist  Uritish  ilag  was  struck  on  the 
ocean,  during  the  last  war  with  Great  i>iitain.  Commodore  Hull,  in 
early  life,  adojUed  the  profession  of  a  seaman,  and  soon  became  master 
of  a  vessel.  He  was  in  this  situation  at  the  fust  establishment  of  the 
navy,  and  at  that  time  received  the  appointment  of  a  lieutenant.  The 
first  exploit  wliich  brought  him  into  notice,  was  the  admirable  seaman- 
ship displayed  in  his  escape  in  Jtdy,  1812,  when  in  conimand  of  the 
Constitution  of  44  guns,  from  a  British  squadron,  consisting  of  one  ship 
of  the  line,  four  fiigates,  a  brig  and  a  schooner.  The  chase  continued 
for  sixty  hours.  On  the  19tli  of  August,  1812,  Capt.  Hull,  with  the 
same  vessel  and  crew,  fell  in  with  a  large  frigate,  wliich  struck  to  him 
after  a  close  action  of  thirty  itiinutes.  She  proved  to  be  his  majesty's 
ship  the  Gurriere,  rated  at  thirty  eight  guns,  and  carrying  fifty  ;  com- 
manded by  Capt.  J.  R.  Dacres.  At  the  time  the  Gurriere  surrendered 
she  had  not  a  spar  standing,  and  her  hull  below  and  above  water  was 

•  Pease  and  Niles's  Gazetteer. 


n  E  R  R  Y .  203 

so  shattered,  that  a  few  more  broadsides  must  have  carried  her  down. 
The  Constitution  had  six  killed  and  seven  wounded.  The  loss  of  the 
Gurriere  was  15  killed,  02  wounded,  and  twenty-four  missing. 


[Fi-Lnn  thr  Connect  kill  Gazcdc]  Derby,  Feb.  \Qtk,  1764. 

On  tlie  evening,'  of  the  seventh  of  this  instant,  Feb.  17C1,  there  was  a  violent  storm 
of  hail  and  rain  ;  the  next  mornin^^  after  wa.s  observed  a  large  breach  in  a  hill  on  the 
west  side  of  the  old  river,*  sufiposed  to  be  occ;isioned  by  some  subterraneous  wind  or 
fire;  the  breach  is  about  twenty  feel  deep,  though  much  caved  in,  in  length  one  hun- 
dred and  thirteen  feel;  about  .s'i.Kty  rods  of  land\vas  covered  with  the  gravel  and  sand 
cast  out  of  the  caviiv,  some  of  which  was  carried  two  hundied  and  lilly  nine  feet  to 
the  brink  of  the  river;  four  trees  of  about  a  fool  diameter  were  carried  one  hundred 
and  seventy  three  feet  distance,  and  'tis  supposed  by  their  situation  that  they  must 
have  been  forced  up  forty  feet  higli ;  some  small  stones  about  the  bigness  of  walnuts, 
■were  carried  with  such  velocity  that  they  stuck  fast  in  a  green  iiee  that  stooti  near  the 
cavity ;  a  large  dry  log  belter  than  two  leet  iliameicr  was  carried  up  so  far  in  the  air, 
that  by  the  force  of  the  fall  one  end  of  it  stuck  so  fast  in  the  ground  that  it  kept  the 
other  end  up.  The  narrowest  part  of  the  breach  is  about  thirty  feet  at  the  surlace  of 
the  ground,  and  the  bottom  of  the  breach  is  crooking,  winding  much  like  the  streaks 
of  lighlning.t 

The  above  account  was  taken  by  exact  rule  by  us.  Silas  Baldwin, 

Nkiikmiah  Fisher, 
David  Wooster. 

The  ancient  burying  ground  in  Derby  is  upon  a  small  and  beautiful 
knoll,  which  rises  a  ^q\v  rotis  north  of  the  Episcopal  church  in  Derby- 
proper.  The  following  inscription  is  on  the  monument  of  one  of  the 
ancient  ministers  of  the  place. 

Here  lyes  interrM  yc  body  t)f  y«  Rev.  Mr.  Joseph  Moss,  yc  faithful  and  alfectionate 
Pastor  of  ye  dock  in  this  town,  '25  years;  a  learned  man,  a  good  Christian,  who  de- 
parted this  Life  Jany.  i2:Jd,  Anno  llum.  17:!1,  A:i:iii>  Su.e  oJ. 
Wiih  holy  ardur  of  Seraphic  Love 
He  drupi  his  clay  and  sullied  to  Christ  above. 

The  Rev.  John  ]?owers  appears  to  have  been  the  first  minister  in 
this  town.  He  removed  from  Derby  and  settled  at  Rye,  about  the  year 
1()SS.  Mr.  ^Vobb  then  pivached  at  Dt^rhy  about  twelve  years,  but  was 
not  ordained.  The  Rev.  Daniel  llimiphieys,  llie  father  of  Gen.  Hum- 
phreys, was  ordained  in  this  place  about  the  year  1733.  The  follow- 
ing is  the  inscription  on  his  monument  in  the  old  burying  ground. 

The  RevJ.  Daniel  Humphreys  died  Sept.  2.1,  1787,  in  the  Slst  year  his  age,     For 
more  than  half  a  century  he  was  the  established  minister  of  the  firtt  Society  in  this 
town.     Mrs.  Sarah  Tluinphreys,  the  alfectitinaie  wife  of  his  youth,  and  the  tender 
companion  of  hii  advanced  age,  died  July  2;)ili,  1787,  just  live  weeks  belore  him. 
The  sea.sons  thus 

As  ceaseless  round  a  jarring  world  they  roll, 

Still  find  thein  happy ;  and  consenting  spring 

Sheds  her  own  rosy  garhinds  on  their  heads: 

Till  evening  comes  at  last  serene  and  mild, 

"When  after  the  long  vernal  day  of  Life 

Enamour'd  more  as  more  remembrance  swells 

With  many  a  jiroof  of  recollected  love, 

To;,'ethcr  down  they  sink  in  s.jcial  sleep. 

Together  Ireed  then- gentle  spirits  flv, 

To  scenes  where  love  and  bliss  immortal  rei^rn. 


♦  This  was  a  little  north  of  Birmingliarn,  jierhafis  80  or  100  lods. 

t  "  A  light  was  seen  on  the  spot  in  the  evening  before  the  explosion.  It  was  ac- 
companied by  a  loud  report,  and  some  fossil  substances  were  ejected,  which  were 
analyzed  by  Dr.  Munson,  of  New  Haven,  and  found  to  contain  arsenic  and  sul« 
phur." — WebiUr  <  i  Pestilence,    Vol.  I,  p.  2G2. 


204  EAST      HA  V  F,  N 


EAST    HAVEN. 


East  Havln  was  originally  a  part  of  IVew  Haven.  In  June,  1639, 
the  free  planters  of  (^ulnnipiac  convened  in  ]\lr.  Newman's  barn,  and 
formed  their  constitution  of  government.  Among  the  sidjsciibers  to 
thai  instrument  who  settled  in  East  Haven,  or  were  concerned  in  that 
settlement,  were  \\'ilham  Edwards,  Jas|)(^r  Crayne,  Thomas  Cregson, 
Wm.  Tuttle,  Garvis  Boykim,  John  Potter,  Matthew  Moulilirop,  Mat- 
thias IlitclicocU  and  Edward  Patterson.  To  these  were  added  Thomas 
Morris  and  John  Thompson.  After  the  first  division  of  lands  had  been 
made  at  New  Haven,  several  enterprising  farmers  began  to  settle  on  the 
eastern  side  of  the  Quiimipiac,  when  a  second  division  was  made.  In 
16-39,  Thomas  Gregson  petitioned  for  his  second  division  at  Solitary 
(now  Morris')  Cove,  and  on  the  5th  of  August,  1644,  133  acres  were 
allotted  to  him  at  that  place.  There  he  placed  his  family,  the  first  in 
East  Haven.  In  1647,  Mr.  Gregson  and  a  number  of  tiie  principal 
planters  of  New  Ha\'en  were  lost  at  sea  on  a  voyage  to  England. 

The  first  iron  works  in  Connecticut  were  established  in  this  town  and 
continued  about  twenty  five  years.  This  business  was  introduced  in 
the  following  manner. 

"  General  Court,  .V.  //.  I2th  Nov.  U)bb. 

"The  Towne  was  acquainted  ihai  there  is  a  pui pose,  that  an  Iran  W'orke  shall  be 
set  up  beyond  the  (armes  at  Sluney  River,  which  is  consiiicred  will  be  Ibr  the  publique 
good  ;  and  Mr.  Goodyear  declared  lliat  Mr.  Winslone  and  himself  did  intend  to  carry 
it  on;  only  he  desired  now  to  know  what  the  Town  desiieil  in  it;  much  debate  was 
about  it ;  but  no  man  engaged  in  it  at  present;  but  divers  .spolce  that  they  would  give 
some  worke  towards  making  the  Uamm,  whose  names  and  number  ol' days  worke 
were  taken,  which  amounted  to  about  140  days:  so  il  issued  lor  that  time." 

"20th  Nov.  1G55. — The  (uivernor  inlormed  the  Towne  that  tliis  meeting  was  called 
to  consider  something  lunher  about  the  Iron  "Worke,  sundry  who  engaged  to  worke 
last  Court,  have  not  ye-l  perlormed,  iho'  all  oihers  have  :  and  it  was  now  concluded 
that  those  who  are  now  beliinde,  should  be  called  upon  toperCovm  wliat  they  promised, 
It  was  also  now  desiied  iIkU  men  woulit  ileclaie,  who  will  engage  in  the  worke,  aud 
what  estate  they  will  put  ill.  IJut  lew  .-[leaking  to  it,  it  was  de.siitd  thai  those  wlio 
are  willing  would  meet  at  the  Governor's  this  alienioon  at  'J  o'clock,  to  declare  them- 
selves llu-rein,  and  it  was  now  propounded  wIkmIrt  tlie  Towne  will  give  up  their 
right  in  the  place,  and  w  hat  acccjinmodatiuii  is  nece.'-sary  lor  tlie  tiest  convenienry  of 
the  said  Iron  Wurke ;  in  this  case  all  the  Towne  voied  to  give  a  lull  libertie  lor  the 
Iron  Worke  to  go  on,  and  also  for  wood,  water-,  ironplace,  oares,  shells  loi'  lime,  or 
■what  else  is  necessary  for  that  worke,  njion  the  Tow  ne  lands  upon  the  side  of  the 
great  river,  called  the' East  River;  provided  that  no  man's  properlie,  laid  out,  or  to 
be  laid  out,  be  entered  upon,  nor  no  planter  piohibited,  from  cuiting  wood,  or  other 
conveniency  upon  the  said  common,  in  an  orderly  way;  and  that  Bianfoiil  doe  make 
the  like  giant,  according  to  their  proportion  they  liave  in  the  worke,  that  future  ques- 
tions about  this  thing  miiy  be-  prevented. 

"  I'M/i  Mill/,  ICk)G — Upon  motion  of  Mr.  Goodyear  and  John  Cooper  in  behalf  of 
the  Collier  that  comes  to  burn  coal  for  the  Iron  workes ;  he  bad  12  acres  of  land 
granted  him  as  bis  own,  if  the  Iron  Woi  kes  goon,  and  he  stay  three  years  in  the 
worke.  Provided  that  all  minerals  there  be  roerved,  and  that  he  attend  all  orders 
of  the  Towne  for  the  procnt,  and  in  disposing  of  said  lands  hciealier,  if  it  shall  so 
fall  out,  to  have  it.  The  place  propounded  for  is  a  piece  of  land  lying  betwixt  the 
■  Great  Pond,  and  the  Beavei  Meadows,  a  lUOor  "2  acres,  about  two  miles  fiom  the  Iron 
worke.     Against  which  grant  or  place  none  otijected,  so  as  to  hinder  the  same." 

Business  was  carried  on  here  both  fiom  New  Haven  and  Uranford. 
It  continued  until  about  16S0.  "Why  the  business  was  relinquished 
cannot  be  now  satisfactorily  ascertained.     The  tradition  is,  that  it  was 


EAST     HAVEN 


20: 


occasioned  by  tlie  death  of  tlie  principal  workmen,  durina  a  season  of 
great  mortality  in  1679.  The  furnace  was  supplied  with  bog  ore  from 
Nprth  Haven.  It  was  chiefly  carted,  but  sometimes  brought°from  Boo- 
mme  wharf  by  water,  round  to  the  point  below  the  furnace  ;  and  from 
that  cn-cimistance  the  point  to  this  day  is  called  Bog  mine. 

East  Haven  was  incorporated  as  a  distinct  town  in  1785.  It  is 
bounded  n.  by  North  Haven,  e.  by  Branford,  s.  by  Long  Island  sound, 
and  w.  by  the  harbor  and  Quinnipiac  river,  dividing  it  from  New  Haven. 
It  IS  about  G  miles  long  and  3  wide.  Central  part,  3*  miles  from  New 
Haven.  Agriculture  and  fishing  constitute  the  principal  business  of  the 
mhabitants.     Considcrahle  uu  icantile  hiL^iness  is  done  in  Fair  Haven. 


Cungrcgational  and  Ejnscuinil  Churches,  Ea^t  lluvtn. 

The  above  is  a  western  view  of  the  Congregaticftial  and  Episcopal 
churches.  The  Congregational  church  is  seen  on  the  left,  the  Episco- 
pal is  on  the  right,  a  small  building  with  three  windows  on  the  west 
side.  The  Congregational  church  is  constructed  of  stone,  and  is  70 
feet  by  50.  The  walls  were  raised  and  covered  in  1773-4;  the 
finishing  of  the  house  was  suspended  for  several'  years.  Public  worship 
commence(lir^i.t»in  September,  1774.  Considering  the  time  this  edifice 
was  built,  f  IS  a  "great  and  honorable  work,  and  stands  as  a  lastin^y 
monument  of  the  enterprise,  public  spirit,  wisdom  and  perseverance  o°f 
ihe^mhabitants."     The  Episcopal  church  was  erected  in  1789. 

"  The  village  bore  their  proportion  of  town  and  colony  char<^es,  and 
endured  great  iiardships  and  dangers,  in  attending  public  worship  at 
r^ew  Haven.  After  the  termination  of  King  Philip's  war,  the  power- 
ful tribes  that  were  under  the  influence  of  the  French  in  Canada,  fre- 
quently assumed  a  hostile  attitude.  In  1689,  the  town  prepared  a 
Hyuig  army,  which  stood  ready  to  march  at  a  moment's  warning.  A 
patrol_  of  lour  horsemen  was  continually  scouring  the  woods.  A°id  all 
the  mihtia  were  obliged  to  carry  their  arms  with  them  to  public  worship, 


206  EAST     HAVEN. 

prepared  for  battle.  The  Indians  near  the  village  were  sometimes  em- 
ployed as  scouting  parlies,  and  in  other  respects  as  useful  auxiliaries. 
The  following-  anecdote  received  from  tiie  oldest  man  now  living  in  tlie 
town,  and  received  by  him  from  his  father,  may  be  worth  preserving  : 

"  A  friendly  Indian  warrior  was  requested  to  act  as  sentinel  in  the  Gap, 
north  of  Mullen  hill.  He  consented,  and  for  this  purpose  borrowed 
Mr.  Heminway's  gun,  and  was  assured  it  was  well  loaded.  Without 
examination,  he  took  the  gun  and  repaired  to  his  post.  He  soon  per- 
ceived two  enemy  Indians  descending  into  the  valley  from  the  Pond 
Rock,  and  advancing  towards  the  Gap.  They  passed  him,  and  when 
he  had  them  in  range,  intending  to  kill  both  at  one  shot,  he  attempted 
to  fire,  but  bis  gun  only  flashed,  for  it  was  not  charged.  The  spies, 
without  observing  it,  passed  on  across  the  fresh  meadows,  and  mingled 
with  the  friendly  Indians  about  Grave  Hill.  The  disappointed  warrior 
was  enraged,  and  threatened  to  kill  INIr.  II.  for  deceiving  him  in  order 
that  he  might  be  killed.  ]\Ir.  II.  was  Innocent  of  the  charge;  for  he 
had  charged  the  gun  himself,  but  some  other  person  had  discharged  it 
without  his  knowledge,  and  priming,  left  it  in  the  usual  jilace  in  that 
condition.  With  the  discovery  of  this  fact,  the  warrior  was  finally  paci- 
fied. But  in  a  day  or  two,  one  of  these  sj/ics  was  found  dead  on  the 
Indian  land, — and  supposed  to  have  been  killed  by  the  enraged  warrior." 

The  following  account  of  the  first  settlement  of  Mr.  Hemlnway,  their 
first  minister,  is  from  the  Rev.  Mr.  Dodd's  History  of  East  Haven. 

Jacob,  the  youngest  son  of  Samuel  Hcniinway,  and  born  in  the  village,  graduated 
at  the  college  at  Sayhrook,  umler  the  i're.sidency  ol'  the  Rev.  Abinhau)  Pierson,  17U3, 
and  was  then  about  20  years  ol'age. — To  him  the  peojile  turned  their  attention. 

"  At  a  meeting  of  the  village,  20th  Nov.  1710,  Voted  to  look  out  for  a  minister  to 
carry  on  the  public  worship  of  God  amongst  us;  it  M'as  voted — 1.  To  seek  to  Sir 
Heininway  that  he  would  give  them  a  taste  of  his  gilts  in  order  to  settlement  in  the 
worke  of  the  ministry.  And — 2.  Voted  lo  desire  John  Poller,  Sen.  Caleb  Chedsey, 
and  Ebenezer  Chedsey,  lo  treat  with  Sir  lleminway,  to  gel  him,  if  they  could,  to  give 
them  a  taste  of  his  gifts  in  preaching  the  Word." 

At  anoiher  meeting  of  the  N'lllage,  I'.lih  Uee.  lollowing— "  Tiiey  having  had  some 
taste  of  Sir  llcminway  in  jUiMcliiiig  the  Word,  did  deilaie  their  desire  \o  have  him 
go  on  in  the  worke  of  the  Minisiry  alnollg^t  us,  in  order  to  SL-lllemenl ;  and  towards 
liis  encomageuient  they  eiigiige  to  allow  him  alicr  the  rale  of  £10  by  the  3ear  in  pay. 
And,  Voted  that  George  Pardee  and  Caleb  Chedsey  signify  our  dtsiics  and  proposi- 
tions to  Sir  Heminway,  and  lalce  his  answer  and  make  reiurne." 

The  Committee  immediately  consulted  Mr.  Heminway,  and  reportctl  at  the  same 
meeting,  "  That  Sir  lleniinway  does  comply  wiih  their  motion,  God's  giace  assisting, 
and  does  accept  the  propusiiion,  and  desue  some  consiilcrali<jn  with  respect  to  wood." 

The  next  month  they  voted  lo  give  him  JC50  a  year.  They  continued  in  this  state 
until  the  close  of  the  yi-ar  170(5,  when,  at  a  meiHing,  the  villageapp'^nted  "  William 
Ludington  and  John  Poller  lo  treat  with  Sir  Jacob  Heminway,  to  see  \\ilKnher  he  will 
goe  on  in  the  work  td'  the  jVlinistry  amongst  us."  And  the  same  day  reported  Mr. 
Heminway's  answer  in  writing. 

"  Gentlemen,  Whereas  you  liavc  given  me  notice  bv  two  men,  that  you  desire  me 
to  carry  on  the  work  of  the  Ministry  in  order  lo  settlement  among  you.  I  do,  there- 
fore, hereby  give  you  notice  that  so  far  asGoil  shall  enable  me  thereunto,  lam  heartily 
ready  and  willing  to  gratify  these  your  desires  ujion  these  condition.s— 1.  That  you 
give  me  £50  yearly,  and  my  wood.  2.  That  you  build  me  a  good  convenient  dwelling 
house,  within  2  years  lime,  or  give  me  money  sulhcient  to  do  the  same,  one  half  this 
year  ensuing,  aiid  one  half  the  next.  3  Tiiat  when  it  is  in  your  pou  er,  yuu  give  ine 
a  good  and  sufficient  poriion  ol  land.     Yours  lo  serve, 

From  my  sludij,  ■2d  l.kcr.  170i;.  JACOB  HEMINWAY." 

On  tlie  2Gth  of  the  same  month,  the  village  met  and  voted,  "  We  do  promise  Mr. 
Heminway,  if  he  will  carry  on  the  worke  of  the  ministry  in  said  village,  to  bnild  him 
a  house,  if  we  can,  in  two  years  after  this  date,  and  give  him  £50  pay,  and  his  wood. 


EAST    HAVEN.  207 

And  in  the  mean  time,  if  he  wants  a  house  to  hire  him  cue."  To  accomiilish  these 
objects  they  laid  a  tax  of  four-pence  farihing. 

In  the  year  17U7,  the  village  bujli  a  house  for  Mr.  Ilcminway,  40  feet  long  and  20 
feet  wide,"  ou  a  hve  acre  lot,  on  liie  soulheasi  corner  of  the  Green.  One  half  acre 
was  allowed  to  set  the  house  upon,  adjoining;  to  Mr.  Hurainway's  home  lot.  The 
w.v^Qs  iu  working  at  the  house  were  three  shillings  a  day  for  a  man,  and  six  for  a 
team. 

The  terms  proposed  were  adjusted  and  ratified  in  1709.  They  gave  to  him  the  house 
and  lot  it  stood  on — also  twelve  acres  on  the  cove  road,  twelve  acres  in  the  bridge 
swamp,  30  acres  in  the  half  mile,  £50  per  annum,  and  sulhcient  wood,  "  if  he  perlorms 
the  worlv  of  the  Ministry  so  long  as  he  is  able  ;  or  if  it  be  our  fault  that  he  is  forced 
to  leive  us,  it  sliall  be  his.  ikit  if  it  be  liis  fault,  or  he  leaves  the  place,  or  is  hindered 
in  the  worke,  then  the  property  ik  to  return  to  the  village.  And  he  is  to  have  the  use 
of  the  Parsonage  land."  The  same  year,  "  3d  May,  170'j,  vuied  to  ['Ctilion  the  Gene- 
ral Assembly  that  we  may  embody  into  a  Cliurch  slate." 

"  The  great  burying  place  of  the  Indian  tribes  in  this  town  and  vici- 
nity, is  on  the  north  end  of  the  hill  on  which  the  Fort  stands,  which, 
anciently,  in  allusion  to  this  place,  was  called  Grave  llilL  Some  of 
the  graves  have  been  leveled  by  the  plow,  but  many  of  them  are  yet 
visible.  In  the  year  18-22.  I  examined  three  of  these  graves.  At  the 
depth  of  about  three  feet  and  a  half  the  sandstone  appears,  on  which 
the  bodies  were  laid,  without  any  appearance  of  a  wrapper  or  enclosure. 
They  all  lay  in  the  direction  of  southwest  and  northeast — the  head 
towards  the  west.  Of  two  of  ihetn,  the  arms  lay  by  the  side  ;  the 
other  had  the  arms  across  the  body,  after  the  manner  of  the  white  peo- 
ple. The  large  bones  and  teeth  were  in  a  sound  state.  The  thigh 
bones  of  one  measured  19  inches  in  length,  the  leg  bone  18,  and  the 
artn  from  the  elbow  to  the  shoulder  [Z.  By  measuring  the  skeleton  as 
it  lay,  it  was  concluded  to  be  that  of  a  man  six  and  a  half  feet  high. 
No  article  of  any  description  appeared  with  the  bones.  It  is  said,  that 
about  fifty  or  sixty  years  ago  some  of  these  graves  were  opened,  and  a 
number  of  Intlian  impleuients,  of  the  kitchen  and  of  war,  were  found 
in  them.     Few  Indians  have  been  buried  there  within  a  century  past. 

"The  Indians  hud  u  fort  on  the  hill  in  the  burying  ground,  and  liom 
thtit  circimistaijco  it  was  calletl  Fort  Hill.  It  is  also  a  tradition,  that 
they  had  another  on  the  hill  north  of  Daniel  Hughes'  house,  and  near 
the  old  ferry  road.  The  appearance  of  shells  shows  that  they  had  a 
village  on  that  spot.  The  same  indications  appear  in  the  woods  of 
Southend  Neck,  west  of  the  sluice.  Great  quantities  of  oyster  shells 
are  collectcti  among  the  rocks  and  in  the  little  valleys,  on  the  banks  of 
the  river,  showing  the  places  where  their  weekwams  stood."* 


East  Haven,  April  2G,  1781. 
Early  on  Thursday  morning  last,  the  Guard  House  on  the  East  side  of  our  Har- 
bor, near  the  Ballerv,  was  discovered  to  be  nearly  destroyed  by  lire,  and  John  Howe 
lying  dead  near  the  House;  the  rest  of  the  Guard  (eleven  in  number)  who  were  sta- 
tioned there  the  evening  before  missing,  supposed  to  be  talcen  off  by  a  Party  from 
Long  Island  in  Whale  Boats,  who  set  the  building  on  Eire,  and  that  Howe  being  on 
Gentry,  was  shot  dead  ;  but  whether  any  others  were  killed  or  wounded,  is  not  known, 
as  the  party  who  did  tlie  mischief  got  o/l" undiscovered,  and  no  accounts  have  been 
received  of  them  since. 


Rev.  Mr.  Dodd's  History  of  East  Haven. 


SOS  E  A  S  T     II  A  V  K  N  . 

The  following  incidents  were  related  by  an  aged  lady,  ulio  is  now 
living  in  the  town  of  East  Haven.  They  are  said  to  have  taken  place 
at  the  time  of  the  great  excitement  about  witchcraft.  These  events 
were  related  to  the  lady  by  her  father,  who  is  now  dead,  and  was  an 
eye-witness  of  these  occurrences.  The  relation  may  be  considered  as 
a  fair  sample  of  flitch  atorics,  which  in  ancient  times  were  generally 
believed. 

"  The  old  gentlein:in  referred  to  above,  Avas  ritling  on  one  bright  moonlight  evening 
in  a  ver}'  lonely  place  called  the  Duik-  HolUnv, {ahy-ivdd  which  leads  Irom  East  Haven 
to  Fair  Haven,)  when  he  baw  two  leniales  at  tlie  head  of  his  horse,  very  earnestly 
(apparenily)  engaged  in  conversation,  and  keeping  pace  with  his  horse.  He  was  con- 
siderably excited,  and  his  feelings  of  fear  were  aroused,  as  he  had  no  doubt  that  these 
■were  the  famous  hags  that  were  disturbing  the  peace  of  the  land.  He  had,  however, 
courage  enough  to  speak  to  ihein  in  these  words, — "In  Ihe  name  of  O'i'd,  I  beseech 
you  to  tell  VIC  who  you  are."  When  wonderful  to  behold,  they  imniediately  vanished. 
He  got  otrfrom  his  horse  to  look  for  them,  but  could  tind  nothing  but  a  riding  hood, 
■which  lay  where  they  disappeared 

"  A  short  tinie  alter  this  event,  the  same  gentleman  was  riding,  as  lie  says,  past  one 
of  his  orchards,  and  there  appeared  to  him  to  be  some  one  shacking  one  of  his  apple 
trees  :  a  considerable  quantity  were  falling  to  the  ground.  He  wentup  to  the  tree,  and 
the  ground  was  covered  with  ajiples  which  had  just  fallen  from  this  tree  ;  but  there 
was  no  one  to  be  seen — all  was  siill  as  the  grave.' 

"The  following  is  still  more  mysterious, — there  was  an  old  woman  that  lived 
not  far  from  the  neighljorhood  of  this  gentleman,  who  wassuspecteil  by  the  neighbors 
of  being  one  of  these  tormentors  of  manlcind.  'I'heir  hogs  would  run  about  un  their 
hind  legs,  and  sijueal  as  though  they  were  possessed  bylegions  of  unclean  spirits; 
iheir  children  would  be  taken  sick  ami  crying  out  "  that  some  one  was  slicking  pins 
in  them."  A  member  of  one  of  the  lamilies,  would  roll  about  the  lloor  with  great 
rapidity,  as  though  urged  forward  by  some  inviMhle  power;  and  the  members  of  the 
family  had  to  keep  an  Eagle's  eye  on'the  rolling  gentleman,  lest  he  should  roll  into  the 
fire.  When  the  neighbors  made  their  bread  it  v\  as  lull  of  hairs,  and  their  soap  would 
run  over  their  kettles,  and  (ly  about  tlie  (loor  like  buiiiing  lava,  from  the  crater  of  Ml. 
Etna.  In  the  night  large  stones  would  liimble  tluwn  their  chimneys  and  break  their 
cooking  utensils,  setting  the  whole  family  in  an  uproar.  It  appeared  as  though  the 
powers  of  darkness  had  been  let  loose  from  I'andemonium  to  torment  these  neighbors. 
But  not  long  after  these  dilticuliies  all  ceased  in  a  singular  manner,  i.  c.  One  of  ihe 
neighbors'  pi^rs  was  running  about  on  its  hind  legs  as  described,  ami  the  man  who 
was  noticing  it,  jumped  over  into  the  pen  and  cut  off  one  of  its  ears,  and  the  old  wo- 
man mentioned,  always  afterwards  had  one  of  her  cars  mudled.  The  neighbors  \\ere 
now  satisfied  that  this  wt/mun  was  the  cau--e  of  all  their  troubles.  However  they 
thought  they  would  say  noilung  or  do  nothing  lor  the  piesent,  but  see  how  these  things 
coulinueil;  unil  a  slioil  tune  after  this  one  ol  the  neighbors  was  making  potash  beside 
the  river,  and  it  began  to  lly  out  and  run  ab.)ut  so  that  they  could  do  nothing  with  it. 
They  held  a  consulialiiin  and  concluded  that  they  would  shoot  into  it  with  a"  rille,  ac- 
cordingly they  did;  and  immediately  there  was  a  calm,  and  they  were  enabled  to  go 
on  with  their  work  and  finish  it.  In  the  inorning  the  neighbors  went  to  the  place 
where  this  woman  resided,  and  they  found  her  dead,  and  tiius  their  troubles  ended.* 
But  it  appears  this  woman  was  not  the  only  suspected  witch  in  the  place;  for  in  an 
old  lonely  house  which  stood  on  the  road  leading  to  New  Haven,  lights  were  seen  in 
the  night;  the  sound  of  the  violin,  and  the  noise  of  persons  dancing,  was  heard  by 
the  inhabitants  of  the  place,  around  it,  until  they  went  to  work  day  after  day,  pulling 
its  clapboards  off,  umil  tlie  house  was  completely  destroyed,  to  the  joy  of  the  inhabi- 
tants of  the  town,  and  nothing  more  of  any  coiiscc|ueiice  was  heard  of  witches  from 
tliat  iime."t 


*  A  granddaughter  of  this  old  woman  is  now  living  in  East  Haven.  She  is  noted 
for  her  eccentricities,  her  singular  life,  &c. 

t  The  house  which  stands  on  the  east  side  of  the  Episcopal  church  in  East  Haven, 
was  built  on  the  foundations  of  this  house. 


G  U  I  1.  F  O  11  D  .  209 


GUILFORD. 


The  Tnclian  name  for  Guilford  was  Mtnunhadic.  It  is  an  ancient 
town,  its  settlement  having  commenced  in  1639,  the  year  after  that  in 
New  Haven.  "The  principal  planters  were  Meniy  \Vhiifield,  Robert 
Kitcher,  William  Leet,  Samuel  JJ)esborouL5h,  ^Vil^lum  Chittenden,  John 
Risho[),  and  John  Cassinge.  The  lands  in  Milford  and  Guilford,  as 
well  as  in  New  Haven,  were  purchased  by  the  principal  men,  in  trust 
for  all  the  inliahitants  of  the  respective  towns.  LCvery  planter,  after 
paying  his  proportional  part  of  tlie  expenses,  arising  from  laying  out 
and  settling  the  plantation,  drew  a  lot  or  lots  of  land,  in  proportion  to 
the  money  or  estate  which  he  had  expended  in  the  general  purchase, 
and  to  the  number  of  heads  in  his  family.  These  principal  men  were 
judges  in  the  respective  towns,  composing  a  court,  to  judge  between 
man  and  man,  divide  inheritances  and  punish  offenses  according  to  the 
written  word,  until  a  body  of  laws  should  be  established.  Tlie  pur- 
chasers of  Guilford  agreed  with  the  Indians,  that  they  should  move  off 
the  lands  which  they  had  purchased.  According  to  the  agreement  they 
soon  all  removed  from  the  plantation.  Tlie  nuniber  ot'  the  fu'st  free 
l)lanters  appears  to  have  been  about  forty."* 

The  following  extract  is  from  a  history  of  Guilford,  by  Rev.  Thomas 
Rug'des,  in  the  -lih  vol.  of  the  Massachusetts  Historical  Collections. 


CO 


"  II  Cully  apiH-ni-i  ilial  the  piircli;ise  from  llie  iialivi's  was  full,  clt^ar,  ami  sati^factol■y: 
That  the  puiclia>c  was  niadu  lur,  and  the  [lurcliaseis  acted  in  behalf  of,  the  plaiiteis 
as  well  as  theiiiseh'es;  That  ail  divisiuiks  of  the  puicliased  land  were  made  to  the  re.s- 
peciive  planieis,  in  an  e.vact  prupurtion  to  the  .sums  they  advanced  in  the  purcha>in_;,' 
and  seltlinjr  ni  ihe  town  :  And  ihai  (he  Imlians,  inhaljiimg  the  (own,  were  to,  ami  ae- 
eordiii,^l>  dhl  i.inuve  from  .said  lamL  Where  ihey  wenf  to  i.s  m-l  ceriam  :  Tlie  iia- 
diliun  IS,  thai  tin  v  reuiuved  to  the  wewlward,  where  tSranfurd  and  F.a.st  Haven  nuw 
are  :  So  ihai  iliere  is  noi  une  of  llie  oi  ii,'iijal  Jndiau--  belcinf,Mnf,'  lo  ilie  louiiship.  Fioiu 
Ai^ieomoelc  oi  I-a-,t  river  to  Tu.xi^.^h()a,:,',  (a  puiii  C0IiliJuuu^  lo  f-'ast  LJnillord  meel- 
inq:  liinise,)  wa-i  imrehased  of  Unea.s,  saeheiu  of  the  Molie^'an  In(lian>.:  lioni  which  it 
appears  that  the  il.i.-l  i  iver  wa,^  the  we-tcrii  limits  of  Unca.s's  jiu  l^dleU.m.  The  re- 
in,iinin:,'  p.irl  oiihi;  lown,  to  1 1  uiimoiiasset  river,  Mr.  Fenwich,  of  Sayhroolc,  ^ave  to 
llie  town  on  thi>  condiliun,  thai  the  planteis  should  accoinmudaie  Mr.  Whiifield  I  who 
was  his  pariiciilar  friend)  with  land  in  the  town,  agreeable  to  his  miml.  There  were 
some  small  purchases  made  of  particular  Indians,  within  the  liiuils  of  the  lown.-<liip, 
who  claimed  a  right  lo  particular  parts. 

"  As  soon  as  the  purchase  was  completed,  the.  planters  removed  from  New  Haven, 
though  it  was  almost  winter,  and  settled  them.-^elves  at  Guillbid.  [low  the  planters 
coniiucled  themselves  until  the  year  IGI3,  docs  not  ap|)ear  upon  record  ;  only  this,  the 
lands  were  ielt  in  the  hands  of  their  si.\  puii;ha^eis,  to  whom  ihe  lii<liaiis  gave  the 
deed,  as  Iruslees,  until  a  church  should  be  gathered,  into  who^e  hands  ihey  might 
commit  the  fee  of  ilie  lam.!,  to  be  pioperly  divided  amongst  the  |ilanlers.  And  \iliile 
they  remained  in  this  unsettled  state,  they  cho^e  four  of  the  principal  planters,  to 
W'hom  they  gave  the  full  e.xerci:^e  ol'all  civil  power  Ibr  administering  justice,  and  pre- 
serving the  peace  among  the  planters;  whose  j'ower  was  also  to  continue  till  the 
cliureh  appeared  in  Ibim,  when  their  power  was  to  end. 

"  As,  therefore,  so  miieh  depended  on  this,  as  soon  as  their  w  iklerness  slate  would 
admit,  they  did,  in  the  month  of  Ajiril,  1U13,  form  themselves  into  a  congregational 
cliuich,  into  whose  hands  llie  purchasers  of  the  land,  and  the  persons  invested  with 
civil  power,  did  actually,  in  a  ibrmal  manner,  in  writing,  resign  all  their  rights  and 
authority  unto  the  chui'cli  gathered  on  ihatday.  Presently  alter  this,  the  jdaniers, 
who  were  chielly  church  members,  made  regular  divisions  of  all  the  lands,  accord- 
ing to  their  respective  shares,  agreeably  to  their  original  covenant,  and  accoiding  lo 


Dr.  Trumbull. 
27 


210  GUILFORD. 

Iheir  expenses  and  number  in  each  family,  (servants  excepted.)  But  their  divisions 
o(  land  were  under  two  restrictions:  Fiisi,  that  no  one  should  put  into  stock  more  than 
£r)Ol),  without  liberty:  And,  2.  That  no  person  should  sell  or  alien,  in  any  manner, 
or  purchase  the  share,  or  any  part  thcreol',  allotted  to  another,  without  express  liberty 
from  the  community.  The  last  article  was  sti icily  observed,  which  proved  highly 
beneficial  to  the  town,  by  preventing  persons  engrossing  too  much  land;  and  sundry 
persons  who  presumed  to  violate  this  agreement  were  punisheii  by  fines  and  whipping. 
As  this  jilaiiiaiion  was  connected  with  iVew  Haven,  the  inhabitants  carefully  adhered 
to  tlie^  agreement  made  in  Mr.  Newman's  barn,  in  all  their  affairs,  religious  and  civil. 

"  The  jilauiers,  finding  civil  government  absolutely  necessary  for  their  subsistence, 
eslalilishrd  a  systein,  as  nearly  as  they  could,  conformed  to  the  grants  from  the  lords 
Sav  and  Broolc  to  Mr.  Eaton  and  company.  Their  form  of  government  was  some- 
thing singular.  Like  that  at  New  Haven,  it  was  a  pure  aristocracy,  yet  modeled  and 
exercised  in  a  peculiar  way.  They  had  one  mafristrate,  who  was  Mr.  Samuel  Desbo- 
rt)w,  allowed  them  as  a  part  of  New  Haven  colony,  of  which  he  was  one  of  the  assist- 
ants and  council,  who  was  their  head,  and  invested  with  the  whole  executive  and  ju- 
dicial power.  But  the  planters  were  allowed  to  choose,  annually,  tliree  or  four  depu- 
ties to  sit  with  liim,  in  judging  and  awarding  punishments  in  all  civil  causes,  in  courts 
held  by  him,  called  General  Courts.  The  inhabitants  were  divided  into  classes,  or 
orders,  by  ihe  names  of  freemen  and  planters.  1'he  freemen  consisted  of  all  the 
church  members  who  partook  of  the  sacrament,  and  no  others  were  admitterl.  They 
were  all  under  oath  agreeably  to  their  plan  of  government.  Out  of  this  number  were 
those  deputies,  and  all  public  officers,  chosen;  and  by  them  was  managed  all  public 
business  that  was  vvas  regarded  either  interesting  or  honoral)le.  Tlie  second  class  in- 
cluded all  the  inhabitants  of  the  town,  who  composed  their  tnwn-meetings,  .which 
were  stvled,  einphatically,  General  Courts.  It  is  however  required,  that  they  should 
be  of  age,  (twenty  one  years,)  and  have  a  certain  estate,  to  qualify  them  to  act  in  said 
meetings.  In  these  town  meetings,  or  general  courts,  all  divisiuns  of  land  were  lim- 
ited and  established,  and  all  the  bye  r)r  peculiar  laws,  for  the  well  ordering  the  planta- 
tion, were  made  And,  in  general,  all  tran.sgressions  of  the  town  laws,  relating  to  the 
buying  or  selling  land,  were  punished,  and  fines  and  stripes  were  imposed  and  execu- 
ted, according  to  the  nature  of  the  offense,  by  the  judgment  of  the  said  judicial  court. 
Besides  these  general  assemblies  of  the  planters,  and  the  said  magistraics'  court,  they 
appointed  paiticular  courts  for  the  administration  of  justice,  much  like  our  justices' 
courts  at  present.  These  were  held  (piarterly  through  the  year.  The  magistrate 
presided  in  these  courts,  and  deputies  were  annually  chosen  to  sit  in  council  with  him, 
in  these  courts  also,  by  the  freemen,  l.ike  New  Haven,  tliev  had  no  juries  in  any 
trial;  their  deputies,  in  some  measure,  supjtlied  that  defect.  From  this  court  lay  ap- 
peals, in  allowed  ca.ses,  to  the  court  of  assistants  nt  New  Haven.  The  said  Mr.  Sam- 
uel Desboirnv  was  the  first  magistrate  who  held  the  courts.  In  general,  their  judge- 
ment was  final  and  decisive.  Town  ofiicers  were  annually  chosen,  viz.  marshals, "a 
secretary,  surveyors  of  highways,  &c.  much  in  the  jiresent  manner.  Military  order 
and  discipline  were  soon  established,  and  waich  and  ward  were  kept,  dav  and  night, 
under  a  very  strict  charge;  and  the  punishmenls  lurdefanlis,  in  Ihisduty,  were  very 
severe  and  exactly  executed.  Many  of  the  hiutses  were  foriilied  with  palisadoes,  set 
deep  in  the  ground.  And  a  guaid  of  soldiers,  under  a  projier  ollicer,  was  appointed 
every  sabbath,  in  time  of  public  worship,  that  no  enemy  might  surprise  Ihem,  and  this 
was  continued  manyyeais.  All  the  laws,  orders,  and  regulations  were  entered  at 
large  upon  the  town  records. 

"  The  Rev.  Mr.  Henry  Whitfield,  who  led  forth  this  little  flock  into  the  wilderness, 
was  their  lirst  pastor  and  minister.  He  had  been  episcopally  ordained  in  England. 
No  mention  is  made  on  record,  or  by  tradition,  of  any  ordination  of  him  here.  As 
Ihe  members  of  his  church  came  with  him,  and  were  his  cure  in  England,  gathering 
the  church  here  seems  to  have  been  only  matter  of  form,  arising  from  place  and  local 
distance,  on  their  removal;  but  he  exercised  his  ministerial  autluuily  in  the  same 
manner,  and  by  the  same  authority,  he  had  done  in  England.  Neither  minister, 
church,  or  people,  were  ever  dissenters  or  separater.s  from  the  church  of  England, 
only  bv  local  remove  from  the  realm.  The  minister  and  church  were  as  truly  such 
in  Guilford  as  in  England;  All  Avhich  rights,  powers,  and  privileges  remain  to  this 
day;  and  to  depart  from  its  communion,  from  any  pleas  of  the  professors  of  the 
church  of  England,  are  unreasonable,  and  without  good  foundatidn.  Like  the  church 
in  New  Haven,  they  required  a  relation  of  experiences  of  members  on  their  admission 
info  the  church. 

"  Mr.  Whitfield,  their  pastor,  was  a  well  bred  gentleman,  a  good  scholar,  a  great 
divine,  and  an  excellent  pieacher.  He  was  jiroperly  the  father  of  the  plantation.  H"; 
loved  his  flock  tenderly,  and  was  extremely  Icjved  by  them.  He  was  possessed  of  a 
large  estate,  and  by  far  the  richest  of  any  of  the  planters;  all  of  which  he  laid  out 


GUILFORD.  21  1 

and  spent  in  the  plantation,  for  tlie  benefit  of  it.  At  his  own  expense  he  built  a  lartjc, 
film,  (and  fur  Ihusi;  days,)  handsome  stone  house,  which  served  as  a  fori  for  himself 
and  many  of  the  inhabilanls,  upon  tlie  laiui  allotted  to  him  by  the  planters,  in  a  \c'ry 
conspicuous  and  delightful  place,  having  an  extensive  view  of  ilie  sea  in  front ;  auS, 
with  a  comparatively  small  expense,  might  now  be  made  the  mosi  duiable  and  best 
house  in  the  town :  [That  house  has  since  been  handsomely  repaired  :]  A  lasting  me- 
morial of  his  greatness  and  benefactions  lo  the  town.  In  the  change  of  limes  in  Eng- 
land, under  the  commonwealth,  he  returned  thither.  Several  ol  the  planters  returned 
with  him ;  among  whom  was  Mr.  Desborow,  (who  was  near  relation  of  Colonel  Des- 
borow,)  Mr.  Joidan,  &c.  It  was  then  the  general  opinion  that  the  whole  plantation 
woulil  be  deserted,  as  they  had  opportunity  to  transport  tliem  and  families. 

"  In  consequence  of  his  own  expenses  in  purchasing  the  plantation,  and  Mr.  Fen- 
wick's  gift  of  the  eastern  part  of  tlie  town,  Mr.  Whillield  had  a  large  and  very  valua- 
ble allotment  of  suine  of  tlie  best  lands  in  the  township  allotted  to  him. 

"  Upon  his  return  to  Eni;land,  he  offered  all  his  estate  to  the  planters  upon  very  low 
terms;  but  jiarily  from  poverty,  bui  cliielly  Irom  a  persuasion  that  ihey  should  all  lol- 
low  him,  they  did  not  make  the  |nii  chase;  but  when  it  was  toci  late,  they  rejiented  their 
refusal.  After  his  return  home,  he  sold  his  estate  to  major  Thompson,  to  whose  heirs 
it  descended.  No  mention  is  made  on  record  of  ihe  lime  of  Mr.  Whitfield's  removal ; 
the  tradition  is,  that  he  lived  in  the  plantaiion  about  twelve  years.  When  he  lelt  them, 
lie  left  Mr.  John  lligginson,  his  son-in-law,  their  teacher.  He  was  son  to  Mr.  11  ig- 
ginson,  first  pastor  of  Salem  church.  He  preached  first  at  Saybrook  fort,  as  chaplain, 
about  the  year  1013;  after  which  he  removed  to  Guilford,  was  one  of  the  seven  pil- 
lars, and  assisted  Mr.  Whitfield  in  preaching  until  his  removal.  He  was  never  or- 
dained in  Guilford;  but  Mr.  Wliiitield  left  hiin  to  take  care  of  the  flock,  as  their 
teacher.  In  this  work  he  continued  about  twelve  years,  and  then  determined  to  go 
to  England.  After  iNIr.  Hiuginsun's  removal,  the  town  was  in  a  very  unsettled  state 
for  about  twenty  years.  'I'here  were  several  who  ministered  to  them,  particularly 
Mr.  Bowers,  u  ho  had  a  house  and  land  in  the  town,  but  afterwards  reinuved  to  IS'ew 
Haven  and  Derby.  In  this  headless  state  of  the  church,  they  fell  into  great  conliision, 
by  diversity  of  opinions;  many  removed  to  Killmgworth,  (about  ten  miles  east,)  whieh 
was  then  settling;  some  of  them  returned  a/terwards,  of  whom  was  Doctor  Kosseier. 
Afier  they  had  waded  through  those  troublesome  times,  about  the  year Mr.  Jo- 
seph Elliott,  son  of  the  famous  and  pious  Mr.  John  Elliott,  of  Roxbury,  the  Indian 
New  England  a[)oslle,  was  ordained  over  the  church  here.  Alter  he  iiad  preached 
about  thirty  years  he  died,  May  ;21,  l(j'J-l.  Some  time  after,  in  the  summer  of  this 
year,  Mr.  Thomas  Ruggles,  of  Roxbury,  came  anil  preached  as  a  candidate;  and  in 
the  fall  of  the  year  1G'J3  was  ordained  piistor  of  the  church,  under  whose  ministry 
the  church  enjoyed  great  peace,  and  religion  nourished,  though  the  seeds  of  division 
were  then  sowed.  He  deceased  June  1,  ITv-'ri.  His  eldest  son,  Thomas  Ruggles,  who 
was  the  author  of  this  manuscript,  succeeded  him  March  2G,  1729." 

Tlii3  following  is  a  west  view  of  the  old  Stone  House  in  GuilforJ, 
wliicli  is  believed  lo  be  the  oldest  hou.se  now  standing  in  the  U.  States. 
This  building  was  erected  by  the  company  who  first  settled  the  town, 
about  the  year  IG-^IO.  The  leader  or  head  of  the  company  was  Ileiuy 
Whitfield,  a  tninister  of  the  church  of  England,  and  one  of  the  nimiber 
of  those  who  were  called  Non-Conformists.  This  house  was  built  for 
him.  The  stone  of  which  the  building  is  constructed  was  brought  on 
band-barrows,  from  a  ledge  some  considerable  distance  from  the  place 
where  the  house  stands.  The  cement  used  in  building  the  walls  is  said 
now  to  be  harder  than  the  stone  itself.  The  walls  were  plastered  15 
or  20  years  since.  Mr.  Whitfield,  and  several  others  of  the  company 
who  came  to  this  place  in  1(^39,  returned  to  England  in  1649.  This 
bouse  was  usetl  by  the  first  settlers  as  a  kind  of  fort  for  some  lime,  to 
defend  themselves  against  the  hostile  savages.  The  first  marriage  which 
took  place  in  this  town  was  solemnized  in  this  building.  The  sii|)per 
which  was  provided  for  the  occasion  consisted  of  pork  and  pease.* 

♦  MSS.  from  Guilford.     This  house  is  now  occupied,  and  in  good  repair. 


2\) 


G  U  I  I.  K  O  R  D  , 


Ancitiit  House  at  Giiiljurd ^  Conn. 

Guilford  is  IG  miles  cast  of  New  liavcn,  nnd  .'3()  south  from  Hart- 
ford-, bounded  n.  by  Durliam,  w.  by  liiardbrd,  k.  by  Madison,  and  s. 
by  liOng  Island  sound.  Its  lenj^th  fiom  nuitli  to  south  is  about  eleven 
miles,  and  its  breadth  averages  about  four.  The  township  is  divided 
into  two  parishes  or  societies,  Guilford  ami  North  Guilford.  In  the  fust 
society  is  the  borough  of  Guilford,  which  was  incorporated  in  1815; 
it  is  handsomely  situated  upon  a  tract  of  alluvial  or  maritime  plain,  about 
two  miles  back  from  the  sea,  and  near  a  small  stream,  called  the  Me- 
nunkatuc.  Its  limits  embrace  the  ancient  town  plot,  which  is  laid  out 
with  considerable  regulaiily.  In  the  center  there  is  an  extensive  open 
pul)lic  s(iuare.  The  borough  is  compactly  built,  consi>ting  of  about  150 
dwelling  houses,  'J  cliiuidies,  I  ('ongregatioual  and  1  lOiilscopal,  and  a 
tdwn  honsi'.  Many  of  the  houses  are  ancii'ut  in  their  appearance,  and 
the  people  have  retained,  more  than  most  others  in  the  Slate,  the  an- 
cient manners  of  the  New  England  colonists. 

Tlie  following  is  a  view  of  the  Congregational  chmch,  situated  on  the 
north  side  of  the  j)ul)lic  square.  The  first  building  north  of  the  church 
is  the  academy,  the  next  is  the  town  house  ;  the  last  two  buildings 
formerly  stood  on  the  stjuare.  About  sixty  rods  west  of  the  church,  the 
cellar  in  which  Gofi'e  and  Whalley  were  secreted  for  a  time,  is  still  to 
lie  SL'cn  ;  (Jovernor  Lcele's  stoi'c  formerly  stood  i,\v.v  it.  The  tradition 
is  that  they  remained  in  this  cellar  three  days  and  nights.  "A  .iaui^li- 
ter  of  Governor  Leele  afterwards  married  in  New  Haven  to  Mr.  'I'row- 
bridije.  It  is  an  anecdote  still  preserved  in  that  family,  that  she  often 
used  to  say  that  when  she  was  a  little  giil  these  good  men  lay  cont:ealcd 
under  her  father's  store,  but  that  she  did  not  know  of  it  till  afterwards: 
that  she  well  remembered,  that  at  the  time  of  it,  she  and  the  rest  of  the 
children  W(?re  strictly  prohibited  i'rom  going  near  that  store  for  several 
days,  and  that  they  woiulered  at  it,  and  could  not  conceive  the  reason 


GUILFORD. 


'J  1 3 


of  it  at  the  time,  lliougli  tliey  knew  it  afterwards.  Tradition  says  that 
they  were  however  constantly  supplied  with  victuals  from  the  gover- 
nor's tahle,  sent  to  them  by  the  maid,  who  long  after  was  wont  to  glory 
in  it,  that  she  liad  fed  those  heavenly  men." 


Congregational  Church  at  tiailjord. 

Guilford  is  a  place  of  considerable  resort  during  the  warm  season  of 
the  year,  for  the  benefit  of  the  sea  air,  &ic.  There  are  two  establish- 
nienls  for  this  pur|)ose  ;  one  about  a  mile  and  a  half  below  the  Congre- 
gational church  ;  the  other  at  Sachem's  Head,  about  three  and  a  half 
miles  to  the  southwest.  J3oth  these  places  are  accessible  to  steamboats. 
The  scenery  in  the  vicinity  of  Sachem's  Head  is  wild  and  picturesque. 
Agricultvue  is  the  principal  business  of  the  inhabitants. 

The  following  is  from  Ku;:gles'  IMS.  history  of  Ciuilfoiil,  in  the  10th 
vol.  of  the  iMassuchusetts  Historical  Collections. 

"  S.)  iMily  as  KIlll,  II  i;<)ii;,'rc'j,'rtnuh;il  cliurcli  was  gnilicred,  or  rallicrthfy  lln-n  coni- 
MikmI  into  a  visiblecliuiclKslait'.  They  iulupli'd  ]\lr.  Davenporl's  noiiuiis  ;  and  Aniiied 
the  chiML'ii  by  covenant  ii('uii  fcvin  jjHIhis,  as  thi.-y  leiiiu'd  it.  7'lic  uanics  of  llie 
.seven  piHars  were 

Ml-,  rti-nrv  Whitfield,  Mr.  William  Lcctc,  Mr.  Julm  IVIipbam,  and 

"    John  Hiu^'inson,  "    Jacob  Shcele,  "    John  lloailly  j 

"    Sauuicl  Desbor.iw, 
and  on  the  iiineleenth   day  of  the   niutiih  of  Apiil  (indbably  the  very  day  tlie  church 
was  ilius  SL'illcd)  the  records  .say,  the  feodccs  in  tiiisl  I'ornia'lly  in  uiitine  resigned  tlio 
lanil  purelus.'d  by  them  to  the  ehnrcli,  &e. 

"  The  manner  of  j^'atiicrin^  or  lonnm^'  the  chnrcli  was  this,  viz.  a  doctrine  of  f;iiih 
M'as  dia\i  n  lip  and  a^scnled  to  as  liie  foundation  of  their  coiiiie.xioii.  i\iitl  then  ilicy 
inuliially  euicred  into  covenant,  fust  with  God  to  be  his  jieople  in  Jesn.^  Chusi  ;  ijicn 
one  u  itii  anoiiier,  to  waih'  loijclher  in  attending  all  the  dnlies  of  the  clirisiian  reli,:.;ioii, 
and  enjoyment  of  all  the  ordinances  that  belong  lu  a  particular  visible  clmrch.  Their 
doririne  of  faith  was  judicion^ly  drawn.  It  is  short,  comprehensive,  and  lalioiial, 
ii|).- I  iriie  jiiimilive,  < 'alvinisiical,  and  ("Congregational  pi  iiiciple.s.  This  doclrineof 
fiiit/i  with  ihi'  c.nciiaiit  is  eonlinned  and  made  nse  td"  con.-.tantlv  in  admitting  church 
members  to  this  day  by  the  first  <linicb." 

*  '  *         »  Mr.  llig'^m^dii  ronlinued  in  the  iiiiiiiNirv  at  Ci'iiiWoid  about 

twelve  veais,  "and  then  deiermined  t..g,,  lu  luigland  lo  Mr.  ^Vhulicld.  iUcortlingjy 
he  shipjied  himself  and  family,  and  ^all(■d.  l!ut  meeting  with  liiid  weaihcr,  the  ves"cl 
pnt  into  Salem  for  harbor.  Going  a^l]llre  i.i  his  lather's  people,  thev  u  anting  a  pastor, 
j)revailed  with  him  to  preach,  and  then  nn^hip  his  family  and  gocids,  and  settle  wiih 
them.     lie  aceejited  then-  call;  was  ordained  their  jiastor;  and  left  a  niuncroiis  pos- 


.y 


214.  GUILFORD. 

lerity,  wliicli  liave  been  in  renown  in  their  several  generations.  TLis  is  the  account 
lie  giv'e.s  ol  liiniseirin  a  book  of  sermons  prinle^l  by  liini  in  lus  old  a^c,  and  dedicated 
by  him  to  the  eliurch  and  people  of  God  at  S;ileni,  Gnill'oiJ  and  Saybrook,  where  he 
preached  at  first  in  the  lime  of  the  Peciuod  war." 

After  Mr.  lligginson's  removal,  "while  they  had  no  ordained  pastor,"  and  ''fell 
into  great  eonfuMon  by  tli\ersiiy  of  religions  opiiiions,  many  of  the  planters  removed, 
especially  to  Killinguorih,  wliieh  was  then  .-ic-uling,  pailieularly  Dr.  Rosseler,  Meigs, 
the  SievL-ns  family,  and  Chatlicld,  &c.  wlio  were  useliil  in  that  town,  and  continue  to 
be  respeciable  in  ehnich  and  slate  there.  Some  of  these  returned,  especially  Rosseler 
and  Meigs,  alter  the  louii  was  restored  to  a  peaceable  seltlemeni  of  a  pastor." 

"  After  they  liad  waded  through  these  troublesome  times,  providence  provided  for 
them  a  pastor  after  God's  own  heart,  lo  feed  ihem  with  knowledge  and  understanding. 
For  abuut  the  year  1GG4  or  l(i(j5,  the  renowned  Mr.  Joseph  Eliot,  son  of  the  famous 
and  pious  Mr.  John  Eliot  of  lloxbuiy,  (the  Indian  New  England  apostle)  was  called 
and  iniiodnced,  and  by  the  laying  on  of  the  hands  of  the  pi'csbylery,  was  ortlained  to 
the  pastoral  oJiice  in  the  cluueh.  Mr.  Mather  of  Northampton,  withvvhom  Mr.  Eliot 
had  lived  soine  lime  before  became  to  Guilford,  being  the  ehiel  in  tiie  ordination. 
The  church  and  town  greatly  llouii>hed  under  his  succcsslnl  ministry. 

"  After  this  burning  and  shining  light  had  iiiini.itered  lothis  good  people  about  thirty 
years,  he  deceased  Alay  '21,  ltj',11,  to  the  inexpressible  giief  of  his  beloved  flock,  whose 
memory  is  not  forgotten  to  this  day.  .Some  time  in  tiie  summer  of  this  year,  the  Rev. 
and  pious  Mr.  Thomas  Ruggles,  likewi.^e  from  Roxbury,  was  persuaded  to  come  and 
jireach  to  tiiem  as  a  candidate  for  the  ministry,  and  in  the  fall  of  tiie  year,  IG'Jo,  was 
ordained  pastor  of  this  church,  by  the  laying  on  of  the  hands  of  the  pri'sbyteiy." 

•         *         *         "  Afier  he  had  faitlifnlly  led  the  tluck,   he  deceased  June'l,  1728, 
in  the  thirty  fourth  yenr  ol'  his  ministiy.  ai.d  liliy-eigih  year  of  his  age." 

"  His  eklest  son,  Thomas  Ruggks,*  was  called  lo  succeed  him,  and  was  ordained 
by  the  laying  on  of  the  hands  of  the  prc-sbytcry,  March  "JG,  ll'l'J. 

"  Out  of  the  first  or  \\esicin  society  the  (Ji'iicial  Assembly,  ujion  the  desire  of  the 
inhalniantsanil  eon.sent  of  the  society,  mad.;  aiiL.thcr  society,  calling  it  North-tJuilford; 
and  in  June,  17-.'),  the  Rev.  Mr.  Samuel  Russell  from  Bianford,  was  by  the  laying  on 
of  the  hanils  of  the  prcsliylery  ordained  ilie  lli^t  pastor  of  the  new  church  gathered 
there.  He  proved  a  worihy  and  faiihliil  nimister.  lie  deceased  January  li),  I71G  : 
and  Rev.  Mr.  John  RichaicU  from  ^V'alerl)lIl)■,  was  ordained  by  the  laying  on  of  the 
'    ■  asior  of  ilie  church,  in  ll;e  month  of  November,  17-18." 


<lained  their  pa.-.. „.  ,  „.,.  „ .,.,...-,  ....^ ,  

dain  Mr.  James  Sprout,  of  Muliilclionuigli,  their  jMsior;  who  being  dismissed  Irum 
iluMii  m  iJeluber,  17i;--^,t  they  now  aic  d'siiti.ie  ula  -^/iticd  pasiui." 

'•  In  Ihe  year  17  i:!,  a  nun'iber  of  the  inh.ilniants  vi  ilu  I'ust  Society  decl;ire<l  ihem- 
selvcs  of  the  Chnich  of  l-ji-l.ind,  and  built  a  hou:,e  l,.r  ihcir  pul)lic  worship.  They 
have  no  curate,  their  number  small,  but  meet  every  saltlialh  lo  attend  church  service. 
And  in  1718  a  number  al  Noiih  Giiilloid  aNo  derjarcd  foi  the  church,  having  built  a 
bouse,  and  meet  on  sabbaths  for  worship.  Perhaps  there  may  be  about  sixty  or 
seventy  m  all,  young  and  old,  belonging  lo  the  whole  [o\\  n  ol  that  communion." 

"  It  is  uncertain  who  were  the  first  or  oiiginal  planlets.  The  first  account  of  names 
upon  record  is  so  laie  down  as  1G50.  These  loity-six  peisons  following  are  entered 
and  named  as  such,  viz. 

Henry  Whitfield  Thomas  Jones  Richard  Bristow 

Samuel  Desborow  AVilliam  Dudley  John  Parmelin,  jiin. 

John  Higginsun  Thomas  (Jook  Jasper  Stilwell 

William  L.eete  1  lenry  Kingsnoth  George  Bartlet 

Robert  Kilchil  John  Slom;  John  Scranloui 

William  L'hiltenden  William  Hall  John  Fowler 

Thomas  Jordan  John  Pai  melin,  sen.  Edward  Benton 

George  Hubbard  Thomas  Bells  Abraham  Cruttenden 

John  Hodley  Richard  Gultiidge  John  Evarts 


♦  The  author  of  this  history,  who  died  November  "20,1770.     Rev.  Amos  Fowler 
was  ordained  his  colleague,  June  8,  17r)7. 
t  He  was  resettled  in  Philadelphia,  and  afterwards  became  D.  D. 


GUILFOllD.  215 

John  Bishop,  jun.  John  Siepliens  Stephen  Eishop 

Francis  Bushiiell  Bt-njaniiii  Wiiglit  Thomas  Hiophen.s 

Henry  Dowd  Jolm Wiiliain  Burenum 

Richard John  Sheder  F.dwaid 

George  Chatlield  Samuel  Blalchley  George  IJipj^iland 

William  Slone  Tliomas  French  Abraham  Criilienden,  jr. 

"It  is  a  thing  evident  by  this  list  of  planters,  that  the  account  of  all  the  original 
names  is  not  ascertained;  for  some  of  the  fust  planters  are  not  snentioned  in  it,  partic- 
ularly Mr.  Coliinge,  who  was  one  of  the  purchasers  from  the  Indians.  Tradition 
concerning  is,  that  he  soon  died,  leaving  no  other  inenn>rial  of  his  name  but  a  small 
island  in  the  salt  meadow  near  the  sea,  called  to  this  day  Coding's  island.  And  some 
thai  are  named  it  is  certain  were  not  original  planters  or  jiUichasers,  particularly 
Hubbard  and  Fowler;  they  came  from  llartlbrd  or  Wetherslield,  and  as  many 
others  were,  who  came  into  the  town  afterwards,  ai.lmiited  planteis  in  it,  and  had  land 
laid  out  and  assigned  to  them.  Among  such  was  Dr.  Bryan  Uosseler.  One  of  this 
Dr.  Rosseter's  daughtuis  married  a  C'ottoii,  aiul  his  posterity  continue  to  this  lime  in 
town.  Dr.  Rossutcr  purchased  Dr.  Desborow's  house  and  lands  of  him  when  lie  left 
the  town  with  Mr.  Wiiilheld,  and  returned  to  England. ' 

"  As  this  plantation  was  connected  with  New  Haven,  so  ihcy  carefully  conformed 
to  the  agreement  in  Mr.  Newman's  barn  in  all  their  aflairs  religious  and  civil.  Like 
their  brethren  at  New  Haven,  they  adopted  and  acted  ujion  that  unhappy  mistake,  that 
it  is  a  thing  of  more  importance  to  save  ami  be  governed  by  the  steeple  than  the  slate. 
"  Besides  [having  meniinned  the  Magistrates' Court,  and  Town  Meetings,  or  Ge- 
neral Courts,  as  in  Coll.  Hist.  Soc.  iv.  18j.]  ihey  held  a  Court  of  Probate.  By  which 
court,  as  often  as  there  was  occasion,  wills  as  well  as  intestate  estates  were  settled. 
The  whole  lands  belonged  tu  the  community.  And  the  title  to  any  particular  lands 
was  by  order  cd'  the  town  in  their  meetings.  So  upon  this  principle  that  the  fee  was 
really  in  the  community,  they  in  settling  estates  someliines  depajied  from  the  rule  of 
East-Greenwich  tenure  :  And  sometimes  seltleil  the  intestate  esialL-s  ujiou  the  widow, 
sometimes  on  one  of  the  children  ;  or  sometimes  on  a  stranger  called  tu  the  lamily,  as 
best  served  the  general  good  of  the  family,  and  the  prosperity  of  the  iufanl  plantation, 
in  its  minority. 

"  But  neither  this  courtjior  this  practice  continued  long.  As  soon  as  New  Ha- 
ven colony  government  became  belter  sealed  ami  mure  fi.Kcd,  settling  estates  was 
transferred  and  determined  by  the  court  ol  assiritants  at  New  Haven,  agreeable  to  the 
present  rules  of  the  court  of  ])robate." 

"  As  the  town  was  an  immediate  part  of  New  Haven  government,  ihey  were  from 
the  early  times  allowed  an  assistant  or  magistrate.  Mr.  Samuel  Desboiow,  who  next 
to  Mr.  Whitfield  was  esteemed  the  iirst  and  richest  of  the  planieis,  was  the  lirst  as- 
sistant. The  next  assistant  in  the  town  was  Mr.  William  Leete.  He  came  from 
England  a  young  but  a  very  hopelul  nrau,  as  he  proved  to  be  afterwards  both  in  New 
Haven,  ami,  ulier  the  union,  m  Conneeiieul  ei)loiiy.  The  lamily  tradition  is,  that 
in  England  he  \wisaclerk  in  the  (piaiiei  sessions  of  the  county,  bred  for  the  law.  He 
vas  ail  excellent  writer,  and  lor  many  years  served  as  secrelaiy  or  clerk  of  the  town, 
all  the  ancient  records  being  written  in  his  hand;  and  had  a  good  underslanding  in 
the  law.  His  eldest  son,  Joliii  Leele,  it  is  said,  was  the  first  eiiild  born  in  the  town  ; 
and  has  left  a  numerous  posterity.  He  was  deputy  governor  of  New  Haven  colony, 
and  after  the  union  was  governor  of  the  colony.  He  removed  to  Hartforil,  and  there 
died  and  was  buried. 

"  The  ne.xt  magistrate  in  town  was  his  second  son  Mr.  Andrew  Leete.  He  married 
a  daughter  of  Mr.  Jordan,  one  of  the  original  planters.  Like  his  father  he  j>roved  au 
excellent  man,  who,  it  is  said  and  believed,  was  the  principal  hand  in  securing  and 
preserving  the  Charter,  when  it  wns  just  upon  the  point  of  being  given  uji  lo  Sir  Ed- 
mond  Andross.  In  his  hou'^e  it  foniul  a  :  ife  retirement  until  belter  times.  Ne.xt  after 
Mr.  Leete  was  Mr.  Josiah  Ilossetei.  son  of  Dr.  Rosseler,  and  since  him  j\Ir.  Abraham 
Fowler,  son  of  John  Fowler. 

"The  first  jilanters  who  came  to  the  town  were  of  two  ranks,  viz.  such  who  in 
England  are  called  gentlemen  and  cnrnmonaliiy.  None  were  poor  men,  and  few  oy 
no  servants.  The  gentlemen  were  all  men  of  wealth,  and  they  bear  the  appellation 
of  iVIr.  as  Mr.  Desborow,  &e.  while  according  to  the  ])lain  customs  of  those  times  thtv 
commonality  were  named  only  Giuulinaa  or  Ncii'/ibor,  such  or  such  an  one.  How 
greatly  arc  times  now  changed  !  Every  man  almost  is  called  Mr.,  every  woman  Miss, 
Mada7ii  or  Ladi/.     Popularity  desi.oys  all  civil  distinction. 

"The  first  planters,  whether  Gentle  men  or  Yeotnc/L,  were  almost  all  of  them  hiis- 
bandm^'n  by  profession:  few  tradesmen;  not  one  blacksmith  among  them;  it  Mas 
with  great  cost  the  town  obtained  one  to  live  among  them.     In  lhl^3  respect  ihey  were 


216  CUILFOUD. 

quite  dill'erent  from  tlie  fust  settlers  of  New  Ilaveu,  altlioii^'h  tliey  came  -with  theiiJ. 
The  good  people  who  came  with  Mr.  Davenport  were  Londoners,  bred  to  merchan- 
dise, and  fixed  upon  a  place  proper  for  trading,',  which  was  their  design.  But  Mr. 
Whitfield's  people  were  quite  the  reverse,  country  people,  and  therefoie  chose  llieir 
lands  for  different  ends.  Milford  and  Guillord  were  some  time  under  considerulion  ; 
but  at  length  they  i\xed  iheir  choice  upon  Guilford.     As  they  came  from  Kent^  &c.  so 

they  chose  for  their  plantation  land  as  near  like  those  as  they  couM."- "  And  what 

justly  deserves  to  be  remembered  is,  that  the  ancient  slcill  and  spirit  of  ihti  lirst  plant- 
ers in  husbandry  has  descended,  and  still  continues  among  their  posterity.  There  is 
a  certain  nieeness  and  delicacy,  wherein  the  perfection  ol'  husbandry  cui'isisls.  Thi.s 
is  conspicuously  to  be  found  among  them.  It  would  be  looked  upon  as  a  piece  of  van- 
ity unsutferable,  to  say  all  the  good  husbandry  in  the  country  has  been  learnt  from 
these  skillful  people.  But  it  is  no  vanity  to  say,  there  is  no  wliere  better  to  be  found. 
All  strangers  and  Europeans  agree  to  say,  there  is  no  place  in  the  country  to  be  found 
where  the  husbandry  .so  nearly  resembles  the  husbandry  in  England,  especially  in  the 
fine  piece  of  land  called  the  Great  Plain. 

"A.S  the  first  planters  of  the  town  were,  like  Jacob,  plain  men,  bred  to  tillage  and 
keeping  cattle:  .so  a  great  deal  of  the  same  temper,  and  spirit,  and  manners,  remains 
among  their  descendants  to  this  day,  as  it  was  in  Israel  among  ihe  Rachabitcs.  Indus- 
try, labor,  and  frugality,  are  in  general  the  reigning  spirit  of  the  inhabiianls.  There 
is  no  such  thing  as  tavern  haunting,  and  little  wasting  of  time  in  thinking  and  fruit- 
less diversions,  the  inhabitants  are  perhaps  a.s  little  in  debt  as  any  town,  and  posscs.sed 
of  as  much  solid  estate:  yet  with  grief  it  must  be  said,  that  of  late  yeais  fashionable 
vices,  by  a  flowing  in  of  strangers,  and  a  great  inciease  of  sailors,  and  some  other  in- 
cidents, ate  too  sadly  predominant.  Thus  evil  communication  will  ever  corrupt  good 
manners.  It  is  a  tlisease,  as  catching,  as  deadly  as  the  plague  itself.  Alas,  what  a  pity 
is  it,  that  the  country  in  general  is  so  much  overspread  with  and  polluted  by  luxury 
and  its  attendants;  and  these  recommended  by  the  fair  character  of  politeness  and 
good  breeding! 

."  The  harbor  lies  south  of  the  town  [of  Guilford.]  We  go  through  tlie  great  plains 
to  it.  It  IS  a  very  poor  thing,  shallow,  and  encumbered  with  many  rocks.  But  then 
about  two  miles  westward  from  it  is  an  excellent  though  small  harbor.  It  is  land- 
locked on  all  sides,  but  the  southwest;  the  entrance  or  mouth  narrow.  It  is  well  known 
by  coasters.  It  i.s  called  Sachem's  Head.  It  may  not  be  unentertaining  to  mention  the 
occasion  of  its  taking  this  extraordinary  name.  After  the-Pequod  Indians  were  driv- 
en from  their  forts  at  Mystick  river,  they  fled  to  the  westward  towards  Fairfield,  the 
English  pursued  them,  antl  though  most  of  the  forces  went  from  the  fort  at  Saybrook 
by  water,  a  number  of  soldiers  with  Uncas  and  his  Indians  scoured  the  shores  near  the 
sea,  lest  any  of  the  Pequods  should  lurk  there.  Not  a  great  way  from  this  harbor, 
they  came  across  a  Pequoil  sachem  with  a  few  Indians,  whom  they  pursued.  As  the 
south  side  of  the  harbor  is  formed  by  a  long  narrow  point  of  land,  the  Peijuodswent 
on  to  this  point,  hoping  their  pursuers  would  have  j)assed  by  them.  But  Uneas  linew 
Indian's  craft,  and  ordered  some  of  his  men  to  search  that  point.  The  Petpiods,  per- 
ceiving that  they  were  jiursued,  swam  over  ilie  uumih  of  the  harbor,  which  is  nai  low. 
liut  Ihey  were  way-laid,  and  taken  as  they  landed.  'I'he  sachem  was  sentenced  to  he 
sliot  to  death.  Uncus  shut  him  with  an  arrow,  cut  ort"his  head,  and  stuck  it  up  in  the 
crotch  ol'a  large  oak  tree  near  the  haibor,  where  the  skull  remained  for  a  great  many 
years.     Thus  from  this  e.xliaorduiary  ineidentj  the  name  \ias  adopted  to  the  haibor." 


[From  Ike  CunnectlcuL  Juurnai]  Guilfurd,  Aug.  18,  17G9. 

In  the  town  of  G d,  an  under  shepherd  lately  deserted  or  run  away  from  liis 

flock  without  leave  or  license,  either  from  his  own  or  the  flocks  of  the  circuit  with 
which  he  was  consociated,  having  nothing  to  keep  him  in  countenance  but  the  advice 
of  seven  of  his  brethren,  and  the  concurring  yelps  of  four  ut  their  spaniels.  When 
he  come  to  them,  he  had  neither  crook,  shoes  nor  scrip,  nor  two  coats;  but  soon 
clothed  and  warmed  himself  with  their  fleeces,  and  very  soon  became  a  listener  to 
the  bleatmgs  of  other  ilocks,  and  nothing  would  stop  their  din  from  his  ears,  but  to 
slulfthem  with  the  fleeces  of  his  own  purchase.  He  may  be  found  in  the  cool  of  the 
evening  rolling  in  his  chaise,  with  his  charming  shejiherdess, — had  on  when  he  went 
away,  a  large  presbyterian  cloak'  somewhat  soiled,  with  a  full  boUomed  wig,  and  five 
or  six  hundred  pounds  of  llecce  from  his  flock.  Whoever  shall  secure  him,  or  set 
him  over  a  herd  of  goats,  till  his  master's  will  shall  be  known,  no  doubt  when  the 
flocks  are  gathered  together,  will  meet  with  an  ample  reward. 

P.  S.  The  reason  why  no  inquiry  has  been  made  aftei  him  any  sooner,  was  because 
he  has  made  several  rambles  before,  of  a  month  or  six  weeks;  it  was  not  known  but 
he  would  have  returned  again,  and  as  there  is  no  signs  of  it  at  present,  it  is  likely 
there  will  be  monthly  some  such  inquiry  made. 


H  AMD  EN.  217 


The  following  appears  in  the  next  pape 


This  may  cenify  a]l  whom  it  may  concern,  that  the  arl  ot  harking  is  taught  by 
Tobij  Ramshorn,  Bell  wether  uC  the  Hock  uf  (.' — / — d.  It  is  iinnecessarv  lo  cxijuiiaie 
on  the  benefit  arising  Irom  the  nolile  art,  let  it  sulhce  that  the  tiuck  in  ti— 1— d  under 
the  instructions  and  directions  of  old  Tubij,  iiave  ri'gained  tlieir  liljeri\^  di  iving  away 
their  shepherd,  and  are  now  barking  ai  hini  alier  he  is  gone.  OKI  Tuby  insirncls  at 
the  lowest  price,  in  all  the  various  ways  ol  b.irking — leaches  to  bark  by  note  both  tre- 
ble, tenor,  and  bass,  and  is  preparing  a  treaiise  upon  the  subject  of  bailing.  He  pro- 
poses for  ready  money,  to  bark  either  lor  religion  or  libei  ly,  or  against  them  ;  and  will 
bark  gratis,  monihly,  for  public  good.  He  at  ])resent  bears  the  bell  in  the  liock  at 
G — / — d,  which  is  a  fine  flock,  though  we  must  confess  very  much  hide-bound.  A 
specimen  of  his  skill  ui  barkingjiiay  be  seen  in  the  last  paper.'  If  any  man,  dog,  wolf, 
sheep,  or  any  other  kind  of  ammal,  ib>sires  lo  be  instnicied  in  this  nolile  art,  let  iiini 
repair  to  aforesiiid  T.'bn,  who  with  all  possible  cheapness  and  diligence  will  teach  him 
the  exercise  of  the  tviiidjiipc. 


Guilford,  Mail  2i)//(,  1777.  So.  502. 
General  Parsons  having  received  intelligeiu'e  that  the  enemy  had  collected,  and 
were  collecting  large  quanliiies  of  foiage  at  Sagbarbor,  on  Long  Island— last  Fri- 
day about  200  of  the  conlinentai  tioops  who  had  previously  rendesvous'd  at  Sachem's 
Head,  in  Guilford,  embarked  on  boaid  a  number  of -whale  boats,  commanded  by 
Lieut.  Col.  Meigs,  to  destroy  it;  at  about  six  o'clock,  afternoon,  they  ariived  ai  the 
beach,  this  side  of  Plumgut,  and  transporied  their  boats  about  50  rods,  over  the  beach, 
when  they  again  embarked,  and  landrd  several  miles  from  !Sag  Haibor,  where,  (alter 
leaving  a  suitable  guard  to  protecl\lie  Ixjals,)  ihey  inarched  wiih  such  secrecy,  as  not 
to  be  discovered  till  within  a  few  rods  uf  the  sentry;  ihey  soon  set  about  destroying  the 
forage,  &c.  As  the  enemy  stationed  there  were  eniircly  olf  their  guard,  our  troops 
met  with  little  opposition  ;  an  armed  schooner  of  12  guns,  which  lay  not  far  from  the 
shore,  kept  an  incessiint  fire  on  them,  but  happily  <lid  them  no  damage.  Our  people 
returned  the  lire,  with  their  small  arms,  but  whether  with  elleci  is  not  known;  five  or 
six  of  the  enemy  on  shore,  were  destroyed,  and  three  (jriour  made  their  escajie;  the 
others  were  made  prisoners.  Our  people  set  fire  to  the  hay  (about  100  tons)  which 
M'as  on  board  transports,  and  on  the  wharves,  which  was  entirely  destroyed,  with  ten 
transport  vessels,  mostly  sloops  and  schuoners,  and  one  armed  vessel  of  six  or  eight 
guns,  two  or  three  hogsheads  of  rum,  &c.  (Jiir  troops  are  all  relumed,  having  per- 
formed their  expedition  in  21  hours. 

Rrtuni  of  iiiisonrrs  tahi  II  ,it  Sa:;  Harbor. 
1  Captain,  2  Commissaries,  3  Serg.anis,  ;'>:!  Rank  and  file,  10  Masters  of  transports, 
27  Seamen;  in  the  whole,  !)0.     Our  peojilr  brought  oil  jO  muskets.     One  of  the  com- 
missaries above  meniioned,  is  Mr.  Joseph  Chew,  formerly  of  Is'ew  London. 

(luiiford.June'iUt,  1781. 
Last  Monday  morning,  two  armed  brigs  and  a  schooner  of  the  enemy's  came  to  off 
Leete's  Island,  near  Guilford  harbor,  where  they  landed  about  150  men,  who  immedi- 
ately proceeded  to  the  dwelling  house  of  Mr.  Leete,  which  they  set  on  fire,  together 
with  two  barns,  which  were  entirely  consumed.  They  also  set  lire  to  another  dwell- 
ing house,  but  the  inhabitants  of  the  town  being  alarnied  at  their  first  approach,  ar- 
rived soon  enoui.'h  to  extinguish  the  fiames.  The  enemy  continued  on  the  island 
about  an  hour  and  a  half,  in  which  lime  a  large  body  of  the  miliiia  having  collected, 
very  spiritedly  attacked  them,  and,  it  is  supposed,  killed  and  wounded  six  or  seven,  as 
about  the  same  number  of  muskets  were  lelt  by  ihem  in  their  llighi.  Our  loss  was  five 
wounded,  two  of  which  are  since  dead.     The  others  are  in  a  liiir  way  of  recovery. 


H  A  M  D  E  N . 


Hamden  was  originally  incliit^ed  within  the  limits  of  New  Haven. 
It  was  made  a  distinct  town  in  1786.  There  are  two  societies,  Mount 
Carmel,  the  northern  section  of  the  town,  and  East  Plains,  the  south- 
ern. The  church  at  Mount  Carmel  was  formed  Jan.  2Gth,  1764.  It 
consisted  of  members  from  New  Haven  and  North  Haven.     The  Rev. 

23 


218 


II  A  M  D  E  N  , 


Nathaniel  Sherman  was  installed  ^lay  ISth,  17G3,  dismissed  August; 
1771,  and  died  at  lilast  Windsor.  The  liev.  Joshua  Peny  was  or- 
dained Oct.  15tli,  1783,  and  dismissed  1790.  "The  church  at  Kast 
Plains  was  embodied  1795,  and  the  llev.  Abraham  Allen  ordhineJ 
179G."  There  are  now  four  houses  of  woisbip  within  the  limits  of  this 
town  ;  2  Congregational,  1  Methodist,  and  1  E|)iscopal. 

Hamden  is  centrally  situated  in  the  county,  and  is  bounded  n.  by 
Cheshire  and  VVallingford,  e.  by  North  Haven,  s.  by  J\ew  Haven,  and 
w.  by  the  West  Rock  range  of  mountains,  separating  it  from  Wood- 
bridge  and  Bethany.  "  Its  average  length  is  seven  and  a  half  miles, 
and  its  average  breadth  about  three  and  a  half,  making  about  26  square 
miles.  A  considerable  section  of  the  township  is  level ;  the  western 
border  of  it  is  mountainous,  and  the  eastern  considerably  hilly.  The 
township  is  situated  between  the  West  Rock  range  of  mountains  and 
the  East  Rock  range.  East  Rock  is  the  termination  of  an  extensive 
greenstone  range  of  mountains,  which  extends  lar  into  the  interior  of 
New  England,  leading  through  Cheshire,  Southington,  Farmington, 
Simsbury  and  Grauby,  into  Massachusetts.  It  consists  of  a  broken 
ridge,  or  a  succession  of  hills,  which  become  njore  elevated  as  you  pro- 
ceed from  East  Rock.  At  Farmington,  Simsbury  and  Granby,  tlie  ridge 
is  more  continuous  and  lofiy,  and  bold  in  its  features.  "West  Rock  is  the 
tenuination  of  the  west  range  of  the  same  mountain  ;  it  extends  as  far 
into  the  interior  as  the  western  section  of  Southington,  where  it  sub- 
sides, or  more  properly  unites  with  the  East  Rock  range,  of  which  it 
is  properly  a  branch.  This  range  consists  also  of  greenstone,  and  is  a 
succession  of  eminences,  and  exhibits  similar  features  to  the  other. 
Hamden  is  situated  between  these  two  ranges ;  the  one  being  upon  its 
western,  and  the  other  upon  its  eastern  border.  IMount  Caiinel,  which 
is  in  some  measure  an  insulated  eminence,  and  appears  to  be  a  spur  of 
the  East  Rock  range,  lies  wholly  within  this  town.  This  is  one  of  the 
most  elevated  gr(;enstone  eminences  in  the  State.  The  greenstone  of 
these  mountains  Ibi'uis  an  excellent  building  stone,  and  is  extensively 
used  for  tliat  |)urpose  in  New  Haven.  In  the  greenstone  hills  of  this 
town,  various  minerals  have  been  discovered.  Iron  pyrites,  in  minute 
pieces,  and  sometimes  imperfectly  crystallized,  is  found  disseminated  ; 
and  sulphuret  of  copper  is  sometimes  found,  connected  with  crystallized 
quartz.  At  a  distant  period,  a  large  mass  of  native  copper,  weighing 
about  90  lbs.  was  accidentally  discovered  upon  one  of  the  greenstone 
hills  of  this  town.  It  was  preserved  for  a  long  time,  and  the  remains 
of  it  were  used,  not  more  than  15  or  20  yeai's  since,  in  New  Haven  ;  it 
was  said  to  be  very  pure,  and  free  from  alloy.  It  is  not  known  |)re- 
cisely  upon  what  spot  this  mass  of  native  copper  was  found  ;  but  copper 
is  now  known  to  exist  in  various  places,  in  tlie  greenstone  hills  of  this 
town.     Lead,  in  small  quantities,  has  also  been  found."* 

The  following  is  a  south  view  of  the  central  part  of  the  town,  5i  miles 
from  New  Haven.  The  building  on  the  extreme  left  with  a  sjiire  is 
the  Episcopal  church  :  that  on  the  right  is  the  new  hotel,  erected  the 


Pease  and  Niles'  Gazeueer. 


219 


Central  part  of  JLtmdcn. 

present  year,  (1836.)  Tlie  road  seen  passini;  to  the  north  is  the  turn- 
pike from  New  Haven  to  Hartford,  on  the  Farniington  route.  The 
building  seen  in  the  extreme  distance  stands  by  the  i\e\v  Haven  and 
Northampton  canal ;  the  elevation  beyond  is  Mount  Carmel,  which  is 
8  miles  from  New  Haven.  This  mountain  is  one  of  tiie  most  striking 
objects  seen  when  oil"  the  harbor  of  New  Haven.  Its  western  descent 
ia  lofty  and  |)recipitous.  The  dufile  at  the  foot  of  llie  inuuntain  is  but 
barely  sudicient  in  width  to  admit  Mill  ri\er,  the  turnpike  and  the 
canal,  which  at  this  place  is  cut  through  a  solid  rock.  This  place  is 
called  the  Steps.  The  town  is  wateied  by  Mill  ri\er,  a  fine  mill 
stream,  airording  numerous  sites  for  water  works.  There  is  1  manu- 
factory, called  the  Carmel  \\'orks,  ()A  miles  from  New  Haven,  for  man- 
ufacturing coach  and  elliptic  sjjrings,  steps  and  axletrees  :  1  carriage  and 
1  brass  factory,  1  paper  mill,  and  some  minor  establishments  for  manu- 
facturing purposes  in  other  parts  of  the  town.  About  three  miles  north 
from  New  Haven,  upwards  of  101)  acres  of  land  are  now  (183(5)  in  a 
state  of  preparation  for  raising  mulberry  trees,  and  extensive  ])repara- 
tions  are  making  for  the  silk  business. 

The  engraving  on  the  next  page  shows  the  appeaiance  of  the  little 
village  of  Whitneyville,  as  seen  liom  the  rise  of  ground  a  few  rods 
south,  on  the  New  Haven  road.  This  spot,  which  is  two  miles  from 
New  Haven,  is  admirably  adapted  for  manufacturing  purposes,  and 
justly  admired  for  the  romantic  beauty  of  its  scenery.  The  village 
owes  its  rise  and  name  to  Eli  Whitney,  Esq.  the  inventor  of  the  cotton 
gin.  East  Rock,  (the  northern  descent  of  which  is  seen  in  the  en- 
graving,) a  little  distance  s.  k.  of  the  village,  I'ises  to  the  j)erpendieular 
lieight  of  three  hundred  and  seventy  feet,  and  is  a  majestic  feature  in 
the  landscape.  A  small  but  handsome  Congregational  church  has 
been  recently  erected  a  little  distance  north  of  this  village,  and  is  beau- 
tifully situated  among  the  cedars. 


.220 


H  A  M  n  F.  N  . 


South  view  of  Jl'hii/it  i/L'i/lc,  in  ILiindcn. 

Mr,  Whitney  was  born  at  Westborough,  i\Iass.  Due.  8th,  17G5.  He 
was  educated  at  Yale  College,  and  soon  alter  he  graduated  went  into 
the  state  of  Georgia. 

"  He  had  been  but  a  sliort  lime  iii  Georgia,  befure  be  had  an  oppurlunity  of  conver- 
sing: with  several  respectable  piaiiieis  ol'  thai  Male,  and  of  I'ie(|uently  hcarinn:  their 
conversations  with  each  other.  In  these  casual  iiieetinRS,  iiujiiiries  relaiin^j  to  the 
most  productive  kinds  of  crops,  were  topics  upon  vvliich  the  planters  dwell  with  pecu- 
liar interest.  Here  he  learned,  that  no  crop  then  produced  in  Georgia,  yielded  much 
profit ;  that  several  attempts  iiatl  been  made  to  laise  a  species  of  Cotton,  known  by  the 
name  of  Green  Seed  Cotton  ,-  but  which  had  never  liccn  cultivated  for  the  purposes  of 
commerce  in  any  country.  'The  planter.s  informed  him,  tiial  the  shrub,  which  yielded 
this  cotton,  grew  well  in  Georgia,  aiul  was  ;ibiiiidaiilly  pioitiutive  ;  but  that  its  fibres 
adhered  so  closely  to  the  seed,  as  \u  be  dclaehed  with  great  ililliculty ;  that  no  conven- 
ient and  efficacious  method  of  se|)araiing  them  jiad  hiiherlu  been  discovered  ;  and 
that,  if  this  diflieiiliv  could  be  surmouuied,  thi^  coilon  would  be  a  more  profitable  crop 
than  any  which  had  hiiheiUi  been  inir<'du(  cd  iiitu  the  souihein  M'ciion  of  the  United 
Stales.  On  these  and  oihei  (Vcasions  the  wi.sli  wasoUeii  andaidently  exjiressed,  ihot 
a  machine  might  be  invenied  lor  this  pur(lo^e  ;  and  the  declaration  made,  that  such  an 
invention  would  insure  an  independent  fortune  to  its  author. 

"  A  mind  always  awake  and  attentive  lo  every  thing  passing  before  it,  could  not 
easily  suffer  an  object,  on  which  so  much  stress  was  laid,  to  escape  without  examina- 
tion. IVIr.  Whitney  immetliaiely  set  himself  lo  iiivesiigaie  the  structure  ol  this  pro- 
duct, and  to  devise  means  for  rendering  it  \aluable  to  manlcind.  Alicr  puisuing  liis 
inquiries  duiing  a  few  nuiuihs,  he  connived  and  e.xeculed,  under  the  [lalronage  of 
Phineas  Miller,  l"Nq.  a  respectable  jdanler  in  Georgia,  a  niaetiine  enliicly  new,  both 
in  its  form  and  principle,  which  elleelually  answeied  the  puijiuse;  and  the  utility  of 
which  has  greatly  e.xcecdeil  every  aiitici|iation. 

For  this  machine  he  obtained  a  patent:  but,  like  many  olhcr  benefactors  of  the 
lie,  had  the  mortification  to  see  himself  plundered  of  the  benefits  of  his  invention. 
The  law,  originally  made  to  protect  ihis  sjieeies  of  properly,  was  imperfect :  and  al- 
most all  the  individuals,  composing  the  courts  and  juries  of  Georgia,  were  personally 
interested.  The  machine  was  convened  into  a  pidiiical  engine :  and  demagogues 
rose  into  popularity  by  unfounded  and  vociferous  declamaiion  against  lhiss])ecies  of 
right,  and  the  law  which  was  made  for  its  ]iiolection. 

"  To  give  a  detailed  nccnuni  of  the  expedients,  to  which  recourse  was  had,  in  order 
to  defeat  the  claims  of  Mr.  Whitney,  would  carry  me  beyond  my  limits.  Sutiice  it  to 
observe,  that  thirteen  years  of  his  patent  term  had  expired,  during  which  more  than 
sixty  suits  were  instituted  in  that  state,  before  any  decision  on  the  vierits  of  his  claim 
was  obtained;  and  that,  although  every  such  decision  has  been  in  his  favor,  the  ex- 
penses of  prosecution  have  far  exceeded  what  he  has  received  from  the  citizens  of 
Georgia. 


publi 


H  A  M  T)  F.  N.  221 

"  The  Legislature  of  South  Carolina  voted  him  $50,000  at;  a  purchase  of  the  patent 
right  for  thai  state.  Tlie  succeeding  Lc^Mslaliue  rescinded  the  vote,  and  ordered  a 
suit  to  be  instituted  against  liiin  for  the  recovery  of  S-0,(l()0  of  the  purchase  money, 
which  had  been  paid.  To  the  honor  of  many  citizens  of  that  state  it  ouglil  to  be  ob- 
served, that  this  act  was  regarded  by  thcni  with  tiie  detestaiion  which  K  merited  ;  and 
that  to  their  zealous  and  honorable  exertions  it  was  owing,  that  Mr.  Whitney,  after 
much  delay  and  expense,  was  enabled  to  obtain  a  re-eslablishment  of  the  contract. 

'■  The  Legislature  of  North  Carolina  laid  and  collected  a  tax  on  such  of  his  cotton 
machines  as  were  then  in  use  in  that  slate,  and  after  deducting  the  expense  of  collec- 
tion, paid  over  the  avails  of  the  tax  to  Mr.  Whitney.  Though  tiie  cullivaiion  of  col- 
tou  m  the  state  uC  North  Carolina  was  then  quite  limited,  and  tiie  amount  which  he 
received  was  small,  yet  tiie  renuineraium  from  that  siate,  was  ct)nsideied  by  him  as 
more  liberal,  in  pio))orlion  to  the  use  of  his  machines  ihere,  llian  tlie  amuuiii  he  re- 
ceived from  Souih  Carolina. 

"  The  only  method  of  separating  the  hbrcs  of  this  colion  from  the  seed  so  as  to  leave 
it  At  for  spinning,  wliich  was  known,  anlcri.ir  lo  this  discovery,  was  to  idrk  out  the 
seeds,  one  by  one  with  the  fingers;  and  it  was  tbouglu  a  jiioof  of  great  dexterity,  skill 
and  industry,  for  one  person  to  clean  one  |)ouiid  in  a  day.  Willi  the  aid  of  this  ma- 
chine, a  single  person  will,  in  one  day,  clean  wiiii  ease  a  thousand  pounds.  Asa 
labor  saving  machine,  therefore,  it  has,  perhaps  never  been  rivalled. 

"  Before  the  invention  of  this  machine,  it  w  ill  be  remembered,  that  this  species  of 
cotton  was  not  known  in  commerce;  the  expense  of  cleaning  it  being  .such,  as  abso- 
lutely to  forbid  its  cultivation  for  market.  Ifweaildto  these  considerations  the  im- 
mense increase  of  wealth  derived  from  it  to  the  southern  stales,  the  incomprehensible 
increase  of  cheap,  comfortable,  and  even  haniUume  clothing,  especially  for  the  poor 
and  middle  classes  of  mankind,  the  value  cd  this  inveution  can  hardly  be  exaggerated, 
Of  its  benefits  too  highly  apjirecialed."* 

Notwithstanding  the  immense  importance  of  this  invention  to  the 
southern  states,  "an  invention,"  says  Judge  Johnson,  of  South  Caro- 
lina, "  hy  which  their  lands  trebled  in  value,"  Mv.  Whitney  declared 
to  a  friend,  near  the  close  of  his  Wlh,  "  that  all  he  had  received  for  the 
invention  of  the  cotton  gin.  hail  not  more  than  compensated  him  for  the 
enormous  expenses  which  he  had  incurred,  and  for  the  time  which  he 
had  devoted  during  many  of  the  hest  years  of  his  life,  in  the  prosecution 
of  this  suhjcct.  He  therefore  felt  that  his  just  claims  on  the  cotton 
growing  states,  esjiecially  on  those  that  had  made  him  no  returns  for  his 
invention,  so  importatit  to  his  country,  were  still  unsatisfied,  and  that 
both  justice  and  honor  required  that  compensation  shoulii  be  made." 

In  1798,  Mr.  Whitney  became  deejily  impressed  with  the  uncer- 
tainty of  all  his  hopes  founded  on  the  cotton  gin,  and  of  the  necessity 
of  devoting  himself  to  some  business  in  order  to  sustain  himself  and 
family.  The  enterprise  which  he  selected  in  accordance  with  these 
views,  was  the  manufacture  of  arms  for  the  United  States.  Through 
the  influence  of  the  lion.  Oliver  AVolcott,  Secretary  of  the  Treasury, 
he  obtained  a  contract  for  ten  thousand  stand  of  arms.  The  contract 
was  concluded  Jan.  14th,  1798,  upon  which  he  purchased  the  site  in 
Haniden  and  erected  his  works. 

"Several  other  persons  made  contracts  wiih  the  government  at  about  the  same 
^iine,  and  atieinpied  the  manufacture  of  muskets,  following,  siibslanlially  so  far  as 
they  understood  it,  the  meiluni  pursued  in  England.  The  result  of  their  etforts  was 
a  complete  failure  to'manufaclure  muskets  of  the  quality  required,  at  the  price  agreed 
to  be  paid  by  the  government :  and  in  some  instances  ihey  expended  in  the  execution 
of  their  contracts  a  considerable  fortune  in  addition  to  the  whole  amount  received  for 
their  work. 

"  The  low  state  to  which  the  arts  had  been  depressed  in  this  country  by  the  policy 
of  England,  under  the  colonial  system,  and  from  which  they  had  then  scarcely  begun 
to  recover,  together  with  the  high  price  of  labor,  ami  other  causes,  conspired  to  render 

♦  Dr.  Dwight. 


222  II  A  M  ij  i:  N . 

it  impracticable  at  iliat  time  even  for  tlmse  most  competent  to  llie  iimlertaling,  to 
iiiamilactiiic  nuiskiMs  lieit-  in  the  Ei\;<lisli  iiietliod.  And  doubtless  Mr,  ■\Vliiinev' 
uiuild  have  shared  the  late  of  his  enieiprisint,'  but  mi.Miceesslul  eompelilois,  had  lie 
adiiptetl  the  course  which  they  puisued  ;  but  hi^  ^'enius  slrucL  out  lur  lam  a  course 
entirely  new.  ^ 

"  in  maturing  his  system  he  had  many  obstacles  to  combat,  and  a  mucli  lon^'cr  time 
was  occupied,  than  he  had  antici[>ated  ;  but  with  his  characleiislic  iirmness  he  pur- 
sued his  object,  in  the  lace  of  the  obloqu}' and  ridicule  oC  his  competitors,  the  evil 
predictions  of  his  enemies,  and  the  still  more  di^ciiurayin^;,'  and  disheartening;  mi.s- 
givings,  doubis,  and  apprfhensions  of  his  Iriends.  His  cllbris  were  at  last  crowned 
uilh  success,  and  he  had  the  satislaction  to  lind,  that  the  business  which  had  proved 
so  ruinous  to  others,  was  likely  to  prove  not  nllogether  unpruliiable  to  liimself. 

"  (_>ur  limits  do  not  pi.-rmil  us  to  give  a  minute  and  detailed  account  oT  the  system; 
and  we  shall  only  glance  at  two  or  ihree  of  its  more  jiruminenl  features,  lor  the  pur- 
pose of  illustrating  its  gmieral  character. 

"  The  several  parts  ol  the  inuskcl  were,  under/this  system,  carried  along  through 
the  various  processes  of  manul'acture,  in  lots  of  some  hundreds  or  thousands  of  each. 
In  their  various  sia^-es  of  progress,  they  were  made  to  undergo  successive  operations 
by  machinery,  which  not  only  vasily  abridged  iho  labor,  but  at  the  same  time  so  lixed 
and  determined  their  loiin  and  diincnsKin.-.,  as  lo  make  com])arali vely  lillle  skill  ne- 
cessary in  the  manual  opciMlions.  Such  was  the  constriiciioii  and  arrai:gciiient  of  this 
machinery,  that  it  could  be  workei.1  by  persons  of  little  or  no  experience  ;  and  yet  it 
j)erformed  the  work  with  so  much  precision,  that  when,  iu  the  later  stages  ot'ihe  pro- 
cess, the  several  parts  of  the  musket  came  to  be  put  together,  they  were  as  readily 
adajited  to  each  other,  as  if  each  had  been  made  for  its  respective  fellow.  A  lot  of 
these  parts  passed  through  the  haiuls  of  sitveral  (.lilferent  workmen  successively,  (and 
in  some  cases  several  times  relDrncd,  at  intervals  more  or  less  lemote,  to  the  hands  of 
the  same  workman,)  each  perlorming  upon  them  every  lime  some  single  and  simple 
operation,  by  machinery  or  by  hand,  until  they  were  completed.  Thus  Mr.  Whitney 
vediiceil  a  complex  business,  embiaeing  many  ramifications,  almost  to  a  mere  succes- 
sion of  simple  processes,  and  was  thereby  enabled  to  make  a  division  of  the  labor 
among  his  workmen,  on  a  princi[)le  which  was  not  only  more  extensive,  but  altogether 
more  philosophical,  than  that  pursued  in  the  English  method,  lu  England,  the  labor 
of  making  a  musket  was  divided  by  making  the  diflerent  workmen  the  manufacturers 
of  didiirent  limbs,  while  in  Mr.  Whitney's  system  the  work  was  divided  with  reference 
10  its  nature,  and  several  workmen  performed  dilicrenl  operations  on  the  same  limb. 

"  It  will  be  readily  seen  that  under  such  an  arrangement  any  person  of  ordinary  ca- 
pacity would  soon  acipiire  sullicient  dexterity  lo  perform  a  branch  of  the  uork.  In- 
deed, so  easy  did  Mr.  "Whilney  find  it  to  instruct  new  and  inexperienced  workmen, 
that  lie  uniformly  preferied  to  ilo  so,  rather  than  lo  allempt  to  combat  the  prejudices 
of  those  who  bail  learned  ihe  business  under  a  diflerent  sy.-,lem. 

"  When  Mr.  Whitney's  mode  of  conduciing  the  bii-^ine-^s  was  brought  into  success- 
ful operation,  and  the  uiiliiv  of  hi>  m.u  hiiieiy  \vas  fullv  deiiKiiisiialed,  the  clouds  of 
prejudice  which  lowered  over  hi^  fiiM  ellori.>,  u  ere  .soon  di.ssipaled,  and  he  had  the  sat- 
isfaction ol' seeing  not  only  his  sy.>ieiii,  but  most  ol'hi.s  machinery,  introduced  iniei  ev- 
ery other  consideiable  establishment  for  the  manufacture  ol'arms,  both  public  and  pri- 
vate, ill  the  United  Stales,''* 


The  following  is  from  the  muster  roll  of  the  first  company  organized 
in  the  East  Plains  society,  in  llamden.  It  is  statetl  to  be  "  A  true  Roll 
of  the  17th  company,  or  train  band,  of  the  second  regiment  in  the  col- 
ony of  Connecticut,  under  the  command  of  Colonel  Edward  Ailing, 
Esq.  Test,  Charles  Ailing,  clerk  of  said  company."  This  roll  was 
previous  to  the  Revolution,  and  from  sonic  entries  thereon,  it  is  believed 
that  the  company  was  formed  about  the  year  i-770.  Tlie  names  of  the 
five  sergeants  were  torn  off. 

Stephen  Ford,  Captain;  John  GiWi^,  Llculcnanl ;  Elislia  Booth, /';«i!>?4;  Charles 
Ailing,  CZe/7. ;  Samuel  Cooper,  Mezekiali  Tuttle,  Dnimviers;  Caleb  Ailing,  Moses 
Gilbert,  JosephGilbert,  Moses  Ford,  Cmiionds.    Zadock  Ailing,  Amos  Ailing,  Medad 

Alwater,  Abraham  Allin?,  Ebenczer  A ,  Bassctt,  Ball, Bradley, 

Bassett,  Timothy   Coopei,   Dan  Carrington,  Ilezekiah  Dickerman,  Jonathan 


Silliman's  Journal  of  Science,  Vol.  xxi.— Memoir  of  Whitney. 


II  A  M  D  E  N  .  '•2>'.l 

Ford,  Stephen  Fonl,  Nathaniel  Ford,  Daniel  Ford,  Michael  Gilbert,  Gregson  (?)  Gil- 
bert, Lemuel  Gilbert,  Daniel  Gilbert,  Ebenezer  M.  Gilbert,  John  Gorhani,  Aino^  Gil- 
bert, iSackit  Gilbert,  Nathaniel  litaton,  jr.  John  Hubbard,  jr. Homberslon,  John 

Munson,  Daviit  JSIunson,  Nathaniel  Alunsoii,  John  JNlanser,  Jabez  Miinson,  John 
Munson,  jr.  Job  Potter,  Abel  Potter,  'J'iniothy  Poller,  Levi  Polteiv  Steidien  Potter, 
Thomas  Potter,  Amos  Potter,  jr.  John  Roe,  Ahel  iStockwell,  Thos.  ^Vm.  Tallmage, 
Daniel  Tallmaj,'e, jr.  Gordain Turner,  JaiihetTuiile,  Josiah  Tallinage,  Israel  Woodin, 
Silas  Woodin,  P^nvtto. 

jNIr.  John  Gilbert,  it  is  believeil,  was  one  of  tlie  sergeants  whose 
names  were  lost ;  he  was  aftei'wards  a  captain,  and  was  killed,  with  five 
othei's  of  the  Ilaniden  company,  at  the  time  the  British  etttered  New 
Haven,  July  5th,  1779  :  their  names  were  JMichael  Gilbert,  Samuel 
Woodin,  Silas  Woodin,  Joseph  Dorman,  and  Asa  Todd.  IMost  of  these 
were  killed  outright,  at  the  west  end  of  B)'oadway,  by  a  discharge  of 
grape  shot  from  the  enemy.  Capt.  Stephen  Ford,  who  was  a  member 
of  the  Hamden  company,  and  from  whom  the  foregoing  roll  was  ob- 
tained, is  still  living  in  Hamden.  He  sta/es  that  Capt.  Gilbert  was 
wounded  in  the  leg  at  the  discharge  mentioned  above :  he  (led  for  his 
horse,  which  was  tied  near  the  College,  and  as  he  was  not  able  to  go 
very  fast,  he  was  overtaken  by  Capt.  Parker:  Cajit.  Gilbert  offered  to 

surrender,  if  his  life  could  be  spared.     Parker,  calling  him  a  d d 

rebel,  ordered  a  soldier  to  shoot  him  down.  Upon  this,  Capt.  Gilbert 
discharged  his  gun  at  Parker,  who  fell  from  his  horse,  badly  wounded  ; 
of  course  Capt.  Gilbert  was  immediately  killed. 


Connecticut.  Ga-ctle,  {Xnv  Li-mlun,)  Jiihj  12,  1782.     So.  071. 

New  Haven,  June  2G,  1782. 

Last  Monday  morning  about  9  o'clock,  Mrs.  Mary  Edwards,  ijie  consort  ol'the  Rev. 
Mr.  Jonathan  Jvlwanls  ol'thi.s  town,  was  droumed  in  iMr.  .Sahinu's  mill  pond.* 

She  rode  out  in  a  chair,  with  a  view  to  transact  some  doun-stic  all'aiis  with  a  laniily 
about  two  miles  from  town,  am!  coming-  to  the  jiond,  appealed  to  have  turned  the  horse- 
with  a  view  to  water  hiin  at  a  [)|ace  which  appeared  smooth  and  convenient  for  the 
purpose;  but  the  shore  a  few  I'eet  Irom  the  eilge  of  the  pond  wa.s  uncommonly  steep, 
descending?  at  once,  and  the  horse,  probably  e.itrer  to  drink,  and  prcssini,'  forward  too 
far,  plunged  iiisianlly  into  eij^hl  or  ten  leet  water.  No  person  saw  Mrs.  Edwards 
Allien  she  was  drowning,  but  a  lad  on  horseback  just  behind  her,  hearing  a  person 
scream,  rode  forward,  and  seeing  the  horse  and  chair  in  the  pund,  immediately 
alarmed  the  neighborhood.  The  waleis  were  so  deepand  muddy,  that  it  was  an  hour 
and  a  half  before  she  was  found,  though  the  utmost  exertions  were  made.  The  physi- 
cian tried  every  probable  expedient  for  more  than  an  hour  to  recover  her,  but  in  vain. 
The  jury  gave  their  verdict  that  she  wasacciilentally  drowned.      ♦         ♦         ♦         * 

Her  funeral  was  attended  yesterday,  when  an  aniinaied  and  exceedingly  tender  ser- 
mon was  preaclied  from  Phil.  i.  21,  to  a  very  numerous  and  solemn  audience,  by  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Stiles.  Her  remains  were  followed  to  the  grave  by  the  most  numerous  pro- 
cession ever  seen  in  this  town  ;  which  gave  an  ocular  denioiistialion,  that  as  she  lived 
desired,  so  she  departed  universally  lamented.      ****♦♦♦ 

The  following  inscription  is  copied  from  a  monument  in  a  small  grave 
yard  in  this  town. 

In  memory  of  Mr.  John  Potter,  who  died  Nov.  10,  178.1,  JE.  78.  Also  Mrs.  Estlier, 
his  wife,  who  died  Dec.  21st,  1773,  ^E.  Gl ;  and  of  Maj.  Thomas  Potter  and  family, 
who  are  removed  to  Meadville,  Pennsylvania. 

♦  This  was  about  GO  rods  north  oi  tiie  bridge  at  "Whitney  ville. 


224 


MADISON 


Lee^s  Academy  and  Congregational  Church  in  Madiaon. 

This  town  was  incorporated  in  182G.  Its  limits  embrace  what  was 
formerly  the  second  and  fourth  ecclesiastical  societies  in  Guilford. 
There  are  now  two  parishes  ;  Madison,  formerly  called  East  Guilford, 
and  North  Madison,  formerly  North  Bristol.  The  town  is  about  nine 
miles  in  lenii;th,  and  may  average  perhaps  about  four  in  breadth.  The 
lands  in  Madison,  the  south  parish,  by  the  use  of  white  fish  as  a  ma- 
nure, have  become  quite  productive.  These  fish  were  first  used  here 
for  this  purpose  in  the  summer  of  1798.  It  is  believed  they  were  first 
used  as  a  manure  in  this  country  on  Long  Island.  This  fishery  com- 
mences about  the  first  of  June,  and  continues  lor  three  or  four  months. 
From  10  to  15,000  fish  are  considoretl  as  a  sufiicient  dressing  for  an  acre 
of  ground.  The  best  method  of  using  them  is  thought  to  be  to  plow 
them  in  :  a  great  proportion  are  left  on  the  top  of  the  ground, — a  fish 
thrown  on  a  hill  of  corn  or  potatoes  makes  a  material  dillerence  in 
the  produce.  These  fish  are  now  extensively  used  in  the  maritime 
towns  in  the  state.  Madison  produces  considerable  quantities  of  pota- 
toes for  exportation,  rye,  Indian  corn,  &ic.  Tliere  are  a  number  of 
quarries  near  the  shore,  from  which  considerable  quantities  of  paving 
stone  are  taken  for  exportation.  Ship  building  is  the  leading  mechan- 
ical business  done  in  the  ])lace.  North  Madison  is  rocky  and  hilly,  and 
it  is  believed  that  full  one  half  of  the  land  is  unfit  for  cultivation,  and  is 
left  for  the  growth  of  wood.  Great  quantities  of  excellent  charcoal  are 
made  in  this  parish,  which  is  carried  to  New  Haven  and  Middletown 
for  a  market. 

The  above  is  a  western  view  of  Lee's  Academy  and  the  Congrega- 
tional church  in  Madison.  Tlie  Academy,  which  is  a  rcsj)ectable  in- 
stitution, derived  its  name  from  the  late  Capt.  Frederick  Lee,  com- 


MADISON. 


mander  of  a  revenue  cutler,  who  was  one  of  its  benefeictors.  This  place 
is  five  miles  iVoni  Guilford,  and  twenty  one  fron)  JN'ew  Haven.  The 
principal  part  of  the  buildings  in  this  society  are  situated  on  one  street, 
passing  through  the  town,  and  running  a  short  distance  frq/n  and  paral- 
lel with  the  sea  coast. 

The  Rev.  John  Hart  was  the  first  minister  in  Madison.  In  INIay, 
1703,  the  General  Assembly  formed  the  society  of  East  Guilford.  Mr. 
Hart  was  ordained  the  first  pastor  of  the  newly  gathered  church,  in 
November,  1707.  He  was  from  Farmington,  and  was  a  preacher  of 
the  fiist  eminence  in  his  day.  He  died  ]\Iarch  4th,  1732,  aged  49. 
Their  next  minister  was  the  Rev.  Jonathan  Todd,  from  New  Haven, 
who  was  ordained  in  1733.  The  first  minister  in  North  Madison,  was 
the  Rev.  Richard  Ely,  from  Lyme,  who- was  ordained  here  June  Sth, 
1757. 

JNIr.  Nathan  Bradley*  was  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  this  town.  He 
built  his  house  about  two  and  a  half  miles  eastward  of  Madison  church, 
and  near  the  Killingworth  line.  He  was  but  a  lad  when  he  came  fioni 
England.  He  intended  to  have  landed  at  New  Haven,  but  was  obliged 
to  land  at  Saybrook,  and  come  across  the  wilderness  to  New  Haven, 
there  being  no  settlement  at  that  time  between  that  place  and  Sayi)iook. 
Mr.  Bradley,  who  was  quite  a  hunter,  was  the  first  v,  bite  person  who  dis- 
covered the  source  of  Hammonasset  river,  which  originates  in  a  pond  still 
called  Nathan's  pond.  Mr.  B.  lived  to  an  advanced  age,  and  it  is  said 
that  he  killed  several  hunched  deer  while  he  resided  iii  this  town.  In 
the  winter  season,  bears,  wolves,  and  other  wild  animals,  would  resort  to 
the  sea  coast  in  considerable  numbers.  Mr.  B.  in  his  old  age  went  to 
see  a  friend  who  lived  about  a  mile  northerly  from  the  present  meeting 
bouse  in  Madison.  On  his  way  he  was  met  by  a  bear  and  her  cubs. 
He  endeavored  to  ride  round  her,  but  as  he  moved,  the  bear  moved  ; 
when  he  sio|)ped,  she  stopped,  and  sitting  on  her  haunches,  presented 
an  undauniiil  front,  and  seemed  deienuined  to  ol)|lo^e  his  farther  pro- 
gress. Mr.  B.  was  obliged  to  turn  back,  and  being  somewhat  childish 
in  his  old  age,  shed  tears,  that  be  who  had  killed  so  many  of  these 
creatures,  should  be  obliged  at  last  to  turn  his  back  upon  one  of  them. 


Some  of  the  inhabitants  of  !\Iadison  follow  the  sea-faring  business. 
In  accordance  with  this  occupation,  some  of  the  inscriptions  on  the 
monuments  in  the  grave  yard  west  of  the  Academy,  correspond.  The 
following  is  from  a  tabular  monument  in  memory  of  Capt.  E.  Griffin. 

Thoufih  nureas'  blasts  iinil  Ncplunc's  waves  I  Whore  I  do  iit  anchor  ride 

Have  toss'd  ine  to  and  fro,  With  many  of  our  IIpcI  ; 

In  soite  of  b,)lh  by  God's  decrL-u  V,i  once  asnin  I  musi  set  sail 

I  liarbor  horu  Ijt- low,  |  Our  Admiral,  Clirist,  to  meet. 


The  Hon.  Thomas  C/iittendcn,  for  many  years  governor  of  the  state 
of  Vermont,  was  a  native  of  this  town.     He  was  born  Gth  January, 

*  Mr.  Zebul  Bradley  of  New  Haven,  now  56  years  of  age,  is  his  great  grandson. 
Mr.  Bradley  liad  five  or  six  brothers,  who  came  over  about  the  period  he  anived. 
They  were  all  Ciumweirs  men,  and  staunch  dissenter.?. 

29 


226  M  K  U  I  D  E  NT  . 

1730 ;  and  at  the  age  of  twenty  one  years  (1751)  he  removed  to  Sahs- 
bury  in  this  state,  where  he  continued  until  1773,  wlien  he  the  second 
time  encountered  the  privations  and  liardships  of  a  new  country,  by 
emit^^-ating  into  the  state  of  Vermont..  But  ho  was  amply  rewa«led 
for  liis  cnter[)rise,  iiavin;^  made  a  valuable  location  of  laiul,  upon  the 
beautiful  alluvial  of  the  Onion  river,  which  soon  became  valuable,  and 
enableil  him  lo  leave  a  large  estate  to  his  posterity.  He  was  also  hon- 
ored with  the  confidence  of  the  public,  and  attained  to  distinguished 
public  employments,  having  been  elected  the  first  governor  of  that 
stale,  in  March;  1778.     He  died  August  '25lh,  1797.* 

FJjenezcr  Chittenden,  brother  to  the  preceding,  was  possessed  of  a 
great  mechanical  genius,  and  was  the  inventor  of  a  machine  for  cutting 
and  bending  card  teeth.  This  was  before  the  I^evolution.  Being  of 
an  open  and  communicative  disposition,  some  person,  taking  advantage 
of  this  trait  in  his  character,  obtained  a  knowledge  of  liis  invention, 
went  to  England  and  took  out  a  patent,  claiming  himself  to  have  been 
the  original  inventor. 


M  E  R  1 1)  E  N . 

Meriukn  was  originally  a  society  in  (he  town  of  WflilWig-foftl,  and 
was  incorporated  as  a  town  in  1?()().  The  society  was  formed  in  1725, 
"  It  consisted  at  (irst  of  between  30  and  '10  families.  Tliey  had  preach- 
ing only  in  the  winter  season,  for  the  (irst  three  years,  and  met  in  a  pri- 
vate house  two  winters.  Their  first  meeting  house  was  built  in  1727. 
The  Rev.  TheophHusHall  went  to  preach  to  them  in  December,  172S. 
The  next  year  a  church  was  gathered,  and  Mr.  Hall  was  ordained  their 
pastor.  Their  second  meeting  house  was  built  in  1755.  Mr.  ifall  died 
in  17G7,  in  the  60lli  year  of  liis  age  and  38th  of  his  ministry.  He  was 
nuich  esteemed  as  a  preacher  of  great  firmness  and  stability,  and  a  zeal- 
ous advocate  for  civil  and  religious  liberty. "f 

The  following  view  is  rather  east  of  soutli  ;  the  first  buihling  on  the 
left,  belijre  which  a  stage  is  passing,  is  the  Episcopal,  the  next  the  Bap- 
tist, the  other  is  the  Congregational  church,  which  is  the  largest  of  the 
three.  The  building  in  the  distance,  on  the  right,  has  been  long  known 
as  an  excellent  tavern,  and  is  the  half-way  house  from  Hartford  to  New 
Haven,  it  being  seventeen  miles  from  each  place.  The  elevated  peak 
seen  in  the  distance  above  the  half-way  house  is  Mount  Lamentation, 
about  3  miles  distant,  and  is  by  far  the  most  elevated  point  of  the  INIid- 
dletown  and  VVallingford  range  of  mountains.  It  is  the  most  prominent 
object  which  meets  the  eye  for  many  miles,  as  you  pass  either  north  or 
south  from  Meriden. 

Meriden  is  bounded  n.  by  Berlin,  e.  by  IMiddletown,  s.  by  Walling- 
ford,  and  w.  by  Cheshire  and  Southington.  Its  average  length  from 
east  to  west  is  5  miles,  and  its  average  breadth  4i  miles.  The  town- 
ship is  hilly,  qind  some  sections  of  it  are  mountainous.     The  Middle- 


*  Pease  and  Niles'  Gazelteer.  t  Dr.  Dana's  Century  Seimon. 


M  F.  U  1  D  F.  N 


'^27 


s'a^^^^m^ffi^^^^jfS^^nnl^^g 


Southern  view  of  (he  Churches  in  JShriden. 

town  and  WuHinoford  range  of  mountains  or  bills  passes  through  the 
eastern  bortler  of  tlie  town.  Of  this  raivue,  ]Mount  Lamentation,  which 
is  in  the  northeastern  part  of  the  township,  is  the  most  elevated.  The 
soil  in  the  town  is  a  gravelly  and  sandy  loam,  and  is  consideruhly  fer- 
tile, producing  grass,  grain,  Sic.  The  Quinnipiac  river  passes  through 
liie  southwe.'^tern  part  of  the  town,  and  several  of  its  branches  run 
through  the  interior. 

This  is  one  of  the  most  nourishing  and  enterprising  numufacturing 
towns  in  the  Slate.  There  is  a  considerable  variety  of  manufactures 
liere,  forming  the  chief  emjiloyment  of  the  inhabilants.  The  follow- 
ing is  a  list  of  the  manuficiories,  viz.  2  for  patunt  augers  and  auger  bits, 
3  for  ivory  combs,  G  for  tin  ware,  -1  for  Britannia  ware,  2  iron  founde- 
ries,  1  manufactory  for  colFee  mills,  1  for  clocks,  1  for  Norfolk  door- 
latches,  3  for  block-tin  spoons,  1  for  wood  coud)s,  1  for  skates  and  iron 
rakes,  and  I  for  gridirons.  The  value  of  articles  manufactured  yearly, 
has  been  estimated  from  300,000  to  1,000.000  of  dollars.  The  Meri- 
den  Bank  is  located  in  the  village. 

About  thirty  years  since  a  road  was  constructed  from  the  northwest- 
ern' part  of  Meriden  to  Berlin,  through  a  narrow  and  romantic  glen,  be- 
tween two  ridges  of  the  Blue  Mountains;  this  pass,  which  is  more  than 
a  mile  in  extent,  is  called  the  Cat  Hole.  In  some  parts  of  this  glen 
there  is  but  barely  room  for  a  path  ;  small  angular  fragments  of  rocks 
rise  on  each  side,  at  about  an  angle  of  forty  five  degrees  ;  these  rocks 
have  been  beaten  down  and  covered  with  earth,  which  must  have  been 
brought  here  for  the  purpose.  The  engraving  shows  the  narrowest 
part  of  the  passage,  as  you  go  to  the  south.  A  few  yards  south  of  this 
place,  elevated  perpendicular  rocks  appear  on  the  left,  one  of  which 
has  very  much  the  ai)pearauce  of  a  |:)ro(ile  of  the  human  face,  and  ii  is 
thought  by  some  to  resemble  in  a  slight  degree  the  prolile  of  Washing- 


228 


Jr  E  R  I  1)  K  N  , 


Noith  view  of  the  Cat  ILulc  pass,  in  Mcridtn. 

ton,  the  Father  of  his  country  ;  there  was,  however,  at  the  time  this 
drawin^r  was  taken,  a  defect  in  the  under  lip,  wliich  it  will  be  necessary 
for  the  imagination  to  remedy.  Following  the  foot  of  the  mountain  on 
the  right,  for  about  a  mile,  you  will  fmd  large  pieces  of  rocks  l)'ing  up- 
on each  other  in  groat  disorder,  which  have  evidently  fallen  from  the 
precipitous  heights  above.  Underneath  these  rocks  ice  may  be  found 
in  almost  every  month  in  the  year.  A  spring  issues  from  between  them, 
called  the  Cold  Spring,  and  is  a  place  of  resort  on  the  fourth  of  July. 

The  tradition  is,  tha  the  regicides,  in  their  wanderings,  came  to  Mer- 
iden,  and  made  a  stopping  place  on  the  bank  of  a  stream  west  of  the 
churches,  and  gave  it  the  name  of  "  Fi/grim^s  ILirbor."  "  It  is  now 
spoken  of  as  the  "  harbor,"  as  much  or  as  familiarly  as  that  at  j\e\v 
Haven." 

The  first  stage  in  Connecticut  ran  through  IMeriden,  on  the  old  country 
road  west  of  the  central  village,  where  the  rail  road  is  now  located  ;  this 
was  in  17S4.  At  or  before  the  union  of  the  colonies  of  Connecticut 
and  New  Haven,  there  was  a  grant  made  to  a  IMr.  Belcher  of  a  tract  of 
land  containing  five  hundred  acres,  upon  condition  of  his  building  a  stone 
house  or  fort  \viih  port  holes,  and  to  keep  arms  and  ammunition.  With 
the  land,  he  was  to  have  the  right  of  keeping  tavciii  forever.  13elcher 
did  not  come  himself,  but  it  appears  lie  sent  some  one  to  take  his  ])lace. 
The  bouse  or  fort  was  erected  between  the  years  i(iGO  and  16G7.  This 
building  proving  too  small,  another  was  erected  about  H^DO.  This  le- 
niained  and  was  occupied  till  after  the  close  of  the  Revolutionary  war, 
with  the  addition  of  a  wooden  building,  and  whoever  Iiv(;d  tlieie  kept 
tavern  if  they  pleased,  until  the  turnpike  was  made  in  1799.  It  was 
situated  in  quite  the  upper  part  of  the  town,  on  the  old  road,  and  was  a 
noted  place  durihg  the  French  and  Revolutionaiy  wars.  The  village 
where  the  half-way  tavern  now  is,  has  all  been  built  during  the  lust  fifty 
years,  with  the  exception  of  two  or  three  houses. 


JI  I  D  D  L  E  B  IT  II  Y  . M  I  L  F  O  R  P  .  GvJO 


MIDDLEBURY. 

IMiDDLF.BURY  was  incorporated  as  a  town  in  1807.  h  was  formed 
from  a  section  of  the  towns  of  Waterbury,  Woodbury  and  Southbury. 
It  derived  its  name  from  the  fact  of  its  occupyini^^  a  viidJle  position  in 
reference  to  these  towns.  It  is  22  utiles  from  l\ew  Haven,  and  36 
from  Hartford,  boundeil  n.  by  ^Valertown  and  AVoodbury,  \v.  by  Wood- 
bury, s.  by  Oxford,  and  e.  by  Wateibury.  It  is  about  five  miles  in 
leni^th  from  north  to  fouth,  and  has  an  average  breadth  of  about  four. 

The  surface  of  the  town  is  hilly  and  rocky,  and  its  a])pearance  ratiier 
rougli  and  sterile.  The  rocks  are  principally  granite,  and  the  soil  is  a 
liard,  coarse,  gravelly  loam,  aflbrding  tolerable  grazing  ;  rye  is  cultiva- 
ted with  some  success.  The  town  forms  one  Congregational  society, 
and  a  society  of  Methodists,  each  of  which  has  a  house  of  worship 
in  the  center  of  the  town.  The  number  of  inhabitants  in  1830  was 
Sl(),  being  31  less  than  there  were  in  1810.  Agriculture  is  the  prin- 
cipal business  of  the  inhabitants.  A  satinet  factory  has,  however, 
been  recently  erected  at  the  outlet  of  (^iiasipaug  pond  or  lake,  a  body 
of  water  on  the  western  bortler  of  the  town,  which  tlischarges  its  waters 
into  the  Housatonic.  This  pond,  in  some  places,  is  of  great  depth,  and 
furnishes  at  its  outlet  very  su])erior  water  privileges.  There  is  in  the 
place  a  pm/)p  manufactory  upon  a  new  plan,  recently  invented  by  JMr. 
Daniel  Abbot. 

About  a  mile  north  of  the  meeting  houses  in  this  town,  is  a  hill  of 
considerable  elevation,  called  Break  neck  hill.  It  derives  its  name 
from  the  ciicumsianc-e  of  one  of  the  cattle  falling  and  breaking  its  neck 
in  descending  thehill,  while  employed  in  transporting  the  baggage  of  the 
troops  under  the  command  of  (Jen.  La  Fayette.  I'he  army,  w  liich  was 
passing  fiom  the  eastward  to  Hudson  river,  encamped  one  night  on  the 
suuuuit  of  this  hill.  I/a  Fayette  and  some  of  his  oliicers  lodged  in  a 
tavern  in  the  valley  eastward,  then  kept  by  ]\Ir.  Isaac  Bronson.  A 
new  house  has  been  recently  erected  on  the  site  by  his  grandson. 


I\I  I  L  F  O  R  D  . 


INIrLFOTii)  is  one  of  the  oldest  towns  in  Connecticut.  It  was  one  of 
the  six  plantaiions  which  composed  the  "Old  Jurisdiction  of  iN'ew  Ha- 
ven." The  seiiletnent  was  commenced  in  1639.  The  first  purchase 
of  land  was  made  of  the  Indians  on  the  12th  of  February,  which  com- 
piehended  about  two  miles  of  what  is  now  the  center  of  the  town.  I'lie 
deed  was  given  to  Mr.  William  Fowler,  Edmond  Tapp,  Zaclieriah 
Whitman  and  Alexander  Bryan,  in  trust  for  the  body  of  planters.  The 
consideration  was  "6  coats,  10  blankets,  1  kettle,  besides  a  number  of 
hoes,  [viiives,  hatchets  and  glasses."  The  instrument  was  signed  by 
Ansantavvae,  the  sagamore,  by  Arracowset,  Anshuta,  Manamatijue  and 
others.     Afterwards  at  different  times  other  purchases  were  made.    The 


230 


M  I  L  F  O  U  D  . 


tract  lying  west  of  the  settlement,  on  the  Ilousatonic  river,  was  bought 
on  the  20th  of  December,  1G59,  lor  the  siiin  of  £26,  to  be  paid^'in 
goods.  The  Indian  Neck,  lying  between  the  East  river  and  the  Sound, 
was  purchased  on  the  2d  of  January,  1G59-G0,  for  the  consideration  of 
£25.  A  reservation  of  20  acres  was  made  by  the  Indians  in  this  tract 
for  planting  ground,  which  reservation  they  sold  on  the  12th  of  Decem- 
ber, 16GI,  for  six  coats,  two  blankets  and  two  jjair  of  breeches.  By 
this  last  agreement,  "  Ansantawae,  and  wife,  and  his  sons  Tountone- 
moe  and  Ankeanach,  in  case  of  danger,"  were  granted  "  liberty  to  sit 
down  for  shelter  in  some  place  near  the  town,  where  the  townsmen 
should  think  most  fit."  A  tract  of  land  lying  above  the  path  that  goetli 
from  Derby  to  New  Haven,  a  mile  and  six  score  rods  in  breadth,  was 
bought  on  the  17th  of  June,  16S5.  A  tract,  commonly  called  the  two- 
bit  pm-chase,  '*  lying  north  of  J^laden's  brook,  and  extending  to  Lebanon 
brook,  a  mile  and  six  score  rods  in  breadth,"  was  bought  on  the  29th  of 
February,  1700,  for  the  consideration  of  £15  in  pay,  and  155.  in  sil- 
ver; and  that  tract  commonly  denominated  the  one-Lit  purchase  lying 
north  of  Lebanon  brook,  and  running  upward  to  Beacon  hill  river,  a 
mile  and  six  score  rods  in  breadth,  was  purchased  on  the  23d  day  of 
February,  1702,  for  £5  in  money,  or  otherwise  £7  10*.  in  pay.  I'bus 
it  appears  that  the  town  once  extended  20  miles  north  to  Waterbury 
line,  but  its  territory  has  been  ceded  to  helji  form  other  towns,  till  it  is 
now  contracted  into  a  little  triangle  of  about  G  miles  in  length  on  each 
side.  Parts  of  these  ancient  purchases  are  now  contained  in  the  towns 
of  Waterbury,  Derby,  Woodbrldge  and  Orange. 

The  town  is  (now)  bounded  west  by  the  Ilousatonic  river,  southeast 
by  Long  island  sound,  and  northeast  by  Orange.  The  Indian  name 
of  the  place  was  Wcjiawaug.  The  original  settlers  were  mostly  from 
the  counties  of  Essex  and  York.  A  number  of  them  came  lo  New 
P^ngland  with  Messrs.  Eaton  and  Davenport's  company,  and  remained 
\\'ith  them  at  New  Haven  during  the  year  of  IGoS.  Their  pastor,  IMr. 
IV'ti-r  Ihudden,  (from  l^dgi-ton,  Yorkshire,)  i)reached  with  the  people 
of  VVethersfield,  who  at  that  lime  hati  no  minister,  while  iiis  congrega- 
tion were  making  preparation  to  commence  the  settlement.  While  he 
oniclated  there,  a  number  became  so  attached  to  him,  that  when  he  left, 
they  accompanied  him,  and  incorporated  with  his  church.  These  were 
before  from  Watertown,  JNIassacbusetts,  and  were  part  of  Sir  Richard 
Saltonstall's  company. 

The  first  planters  of  the  town  stand  enrolled  in  the  following  order 
on  the  first  page  of  lilb.  I.  of  jMilford  Records. 

Niu-cDibcr  •2{)lh,  IfioO. — "  'I'liosf  persons  whose  names  are  hereunder  written,  are  al- 
lowed to  he  Fioe  Pluiilers.  hiiviii^  Ibr  the  prrscnl,  liberiy  t(j  net  in  tiie  ehoyce  of  public 
oliioers,  Cor  the  carrying  on  of  public  alFaires  in  this  jilanlation. 

Zechariah  Whitman  Mr.  Peter  Prudden  Nathaniel  Baldwin 

Thomas  AVolch  William  Fouler  .lames  Prnddcn 

Thomas  Wheeler  John  Astwoud  Thomas  Baker 

Edmond  Tapp  rtiehard  Baldwin  George  Clark,  senior 

Thomas  Buckingham  Beujamin  Feiin  George  Pliibbard  , 

Biehard  Miles   '  Samuel  Coky  Jasper  Guiin 

Richaid  Piatt  John  Peacoclts  John  Fletcher 

Thomas  Tapping  lleniy  StonluU  Alexander  Bryan 


I 


M  I  L  F  O  U  D  .  23  1 

Frances  Bolt  Tliomas  Sandford  Nicholas  Camp 

INIicah  Tuiiikins  Tiinoihy  Baliiwiii  John  Ro^'ers 

John  Birdsey  Geurii:c'Claik,  junior  Thomas  Utrol 

Edmond  Harvey  John  BnrwuU  Nallianiel  Biisco 

John  Lane  Henry  Bol^^urd  Thumas 'i'lWials 

William  East  Joseph  Baldu  in  John  Shciiuau 

Thomas  Lawience  Philip  Huiler 

The  following  persons  are  recorded  immediately  after,  but  not  as  free 
planters,  they  not  being  in  church  fellowship,  which  was  a  requisite 
qualification  in  the  view  of  these  colonists,  before  a  person  could  be  ad- 
mitted a  "  free  planter." 

Robert  Plum  William  Sloni^'h  Robori  Treat 

Roger  Tcrrill  Andrew  I'.eiiiun  llenrv  Lyon 

Joseph  Northrnp  William  Crookc  John  Fuwler 

John  Baldwin 

By  this  list  it   appears  there  were  54  heads  of  families,  (admitting 

them  all  married,)  and  if  we  allow  only  four  individuals  to  a   fimily,  it 
would  make  upwards  of  200  persons  who  first  came  to  IMilford.     From 

some  data  on  the  Record,  there  is  reason  to  suppose  this  calculation  not 
too  large. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  principal  after  planters : 
Henry  Allen  Steplieii  Erecmau  Jolm  Prindle 
Edward  Adams  John  Fisk  Joseph  Peek- 
Joshua  Alwaler  Nathaniel  Gonld  Hwy^r  Piiii-hard 
Joseph  Ashb\irn  Joseph  Guernsey  Daviil  I'hillips 
Hants  Albers  Tluvinas  J  line  lidw  aid  Ri;_';,'s 
Thomas  Andrew    '  Riehaid  1  laii-hton  William  Roberts 
Thomas  Bayley  Thomas  Haves  Thomas  Read 
Thomas  Beardsley  Ri.haid  llolbidok  Josejih  Sill 
John  Brown  Riehard  Hollim,Mvorlh  RichanI  Shule 
Roger  Belts  Waller  Jove  John  Sinilh 
Thomas  Belts  Simon  Lobdell  John  Stream 
Thomas  Beaeh  Jonathan  Law  John  Sione 
Thomas  Camplield  Jesse  Lambert.  Vineint  Siilson 
Robert  Denibuii  Miles  Meruiii  Peter  Simpsuii 
"  Gilbert  Dalison  -Miles  Mu..ie  Edward  'I'mi.er 
(^'liarles  Deal  Jonathan  Marsh  Hem  v  Tondii.soii 
Robert  I"»owns  'I'hoiiias  iMee.iek  William  Tyler 
SamaelEells  Samuel  Nellleton  Edward  Wooster 
r  Thomas  Fannan  P>oger  Newton  Edward  "Wilkinson 
Nathaniel  Farrand  Francis  Norton  Thomas  Ward 
John  Ford  Abraham  Piersou  Joseph  Waters 
Thomas  Ford  James  Prime 

Twelve  of  the  first  settlers  afterwards  removed,  viz.  Richard  Miles  to 
New  Haven  ;  Thomas  Tap|jing  to  Southampton,  L.  I.,  but  returned  in 
1773.  John  Astwood  went  to  England  as  agent  for  the  Coin't  of  Com- 
missioners of  the  United  Colonics,  and  died  in  London  in  1G5L  Hen- 
ry Stonhill  (in  1648)  and  Philip  Hatly  (in  1G'19)  returned  to  London. 
John  Peacocke  removed  in  1G51  to  JNewpori,  (R.  I.);  Thomas  leaker 
in  1650  to  East  Hampton;  Edward  Harvey  and  Henry  Tjyon  in  165  I 
to  Fairfield;  George  Hubbard  in  1650;  John  Fowler  in  1660;  Andrew 
Benton  in  1666  to  Guilford;  John  Birdsey  in  1619  to  Stratford. 

The  body  of  planters  moved  fi'om  New  Haven  to  IMilford  by  land, 
following  the  devious  Indian  foot  path,  driving  ther  cattle  and  other 
domestic  animals  before  them,  while  their  household  utensils  and  the 
materials  for  "  the  common  house"  (which  was  fitted  at  New  Haven) 


232  M  I  L  F  O  R  D  . 

were  taken  rouiul  by  water.  Thomas  Tibbals  piloted  the  coinpany 
through  the  woods  to  the  place.  "  he  having  been  there  a  number  of 
times  before;  for  which  service  the  town,  in  1070,  "  made  him  two 
grants  of  land  lying  in  Westfield  as  a  free  gift."  All  saftdy  arrived  ; 
they  erected  their  common'house  at  the  head  of  the  harbor  on  the  west 
side,  and  a  few  rude  huts  for  temporary  residences.  They  then  pro- 
ceeded to  form  their  civil  polity.  Considering  themselves  as  without 
the  pale  of  jurisdiction,  (as  in  fact  they  were  until  they  united  W'illi 
New  Haven  in  164d,)  they  combined  into  a  little  republic.  At  their 
first  general  meeting,  Nov.  '20th,  1639,  it  was  voted  "  that  the  power  of 
electing  oflicers  and  persons  to  divide  the  land  into  lots,  to  take  order 
for  the  timber,  and  to  manage  the  common  interests  of  the  plantation, 
should  be  in  the  church  only.  It  was  also  voted  that  they  would  guide 
themselves  in  all  their  doings  by  the  rule  of  the  written  ^Vord  of  God, 
till  such  time  as  a  body  of  laws  should  be  established." 

William  Fowler,  Edmond  Tapp,  Zechariah  Wbitman,  John  Astwood 
and  Richard  ]Miles,  were  then  chosen  forjudges  in  all  civil  allairs,  to 
try  all  causes  between  man  and  man;  and  as  a  court  to  j)unish  any  of- 
fense and  misdemeanor. 

It  was  "voted  that  the  persons  invested  with  magistracy  should  have 
power  to  call  a  general  court  (or  town  meeting)  whenever  they  might 
see  cause,  or  the  public  good  require  it." 

It  was  also  voted  that  they  should  hold  particular  courts  once  in  sIk 
weeks,  wherein  should  be  tried  such  causes  as  might  be  brought  before 
them,  they  to  examine  witnesses  ujion  oath  as  need  should  require. 

It  was  further  voted  and  agreed,  that  according  to  the  sum  of  money 
which  each  person  paid  toward  the  public  charges,  in  such  proportion 
should  he  receive  or  be  repaid  in  lands,  and  that  all  i)lanters  who  might 
come  after  should  pay  their  share  equally  for  some  other  public  use. 

The  first  settlers  located  themseh'cs  on  each  side  of  the  Mill  river 
and  the  \Vest  End  brook,  probably  for  the  convenience  of  water  for 
themselves  ixnd  cattle.  i\lost  of  them  soon  erected  frame  houses,  cov- 
ered with  rent  oak  clapboards,  in  the  old  leanto  style.  Their  house 
lots  were  laid  out  in  parallel  narrow  slips,  containing  each  about  three 
acres.  They  thus  kept  near  together  for  their  better  secuiity  in  case  of 
an  attack  from  the  Indians.  They  immediately  fenced  in  common 
three  tracts  of  land,  in  which  each  individual  received  by  lot  his  portion 
of  "upland."  Westfield,  which  was  the  land  that  lies  south  of  the 
town  between  the  turnpike  and  great  meadow,  was  laid  out  to  those 
who  settled  at  the  west  end.  Eastfield,  which  enclosed  the  Gulf  Neck, 
was  possessed  by  those  located  on  the  river.  Mill  Neck,  the  tract  ly- 
ing between  Wharf  street  and  Bear  Neck  lane,  was  owned  by  a  part  of 
both.  Each  person  was  further  allotted  a  piece  of  meadow  land  lying 
either  in  the  great  or  the  harbor  meadows.  As  the  population  increas- 
ed and  the  danger  from  the  Indians  became  less,  the  land  further  from 
the  center  was  gradually  laid  out  and  settled. 

At  the  secpnd  General  Court,  held  March  9th,  1640,  "It  was  agreed 
^between  William  Fowler  and  the  brethren  that  he  should  build  a  mill 
*and  have  her  going  by  the  last  of  September."     For  his  encourage- 


M  I  L  F  0  n  D 


mcnt  the  town  made  lilin  a  grant  of  30  acres  of  land,  which  lony  here 
the  name  of  the  mill  lot.  This  agreement  had  reference  only  to  a  grist 
mill,  hnt  he  soon  added  a  saw  mill.  This  mill  establishment  is  yet  re- 
tained in  the  family.  At  the  next  General  Court  lield  Novembert  24thj 
1640,  "  With  common  consent  and  general  vote  of  the  freemen,  the 
plantation  was  named  INfilford,"  in  commemoration  of  the  town  of  this 
name  in  their  native  England.  The  Court  oi'  five  Judges  at  this  meet- 
ing; were  directed  "to  build  a  bridge  over  the  AIlll  river  with  all  expe- 
dition," and  also  "  to  set  out  a  meeting  house  thirl  v  feet  s(|uare,  after 
such  manner  as  they  should  judge  the  most  convtMileiit  for  the  jiublic 
good."  The  site  of  the  buihhng  was  the  same  of  the  present  meeling 
house  of  the  first  society.  In  170*J,  this  house  hatl  become  so  much 
crowded  that  it  was  voted  in  town  meeting  that  •'  whosoe\-er  should 
needlessly  set  out  of  his  seat,  should  forfeit  the  sum  of  five  shillings  to 
the  town  treasury."     It  stood  until  1727. 

The  Ihst  settlers  being  of  those  people  who  left  England  that  they 
might  enjoy  their  religious  sentiments  unmolested,  they  took  an  early 
oppoi-tunity  to  form  themselves  into  a  church  constituted  according  to 
their  particular  views.  It  was  organized  at  New  IJaven  at  the  same 
time  with  the  church  in  that  place  on  the  2d  of  August,  1639.  The 
method  of  forming  their  churches  was  similar  to  that  of  I\ew  Haven. 
Seven  persons  were  first  chosen,  who  joined  in  covenant  to  be  the 
church,  and  were  called  "  the  pillars."  To  these  the  rest  were  added. 
They  took  their  plan  from  the  text,  "  Wisdom  hath  builded  her  house, 
she  hath  hewn  outlier  seven  pillars."  IMilfurd  church  pillars  were 
l-*eter  Prudden,  pastor,  "William  Powler,  Edmond  Tapji,  Zechariali 
AVhitman,  John  Astwood,  Thomas  Inickingham,  Thomas  Welch.  I\Ir. 
Prudden  was  installed  at  New  Haven  on  the  18th  of  April,  IGIO.  John 
Sherman  was  chosen  teacher,  (but  declined  the  oflicc.)  Zechaiiali 
WMiitman  \viis  ordained  ruling  eUler  June  20,  1015. 

'I'ho  ministers  of  this  church  since  Mr.  Prudden,  have  been  Roger 
Newton,  installed  August  22d,  16(J0.  Samuel  Andrew,  ordained  Nov. 
18,  1685.  Samuel  Whittlesey,  ordained  Nov.  9, 1737.  Samuel  ^Vales, 
ordained  Dec.  19,  1770.  In  1776  he  went  into  the  army  as  chaplain. 
William  Lockwood,  ordained  March  17,  1784,  and  Bezaleel  Pinneo, 
the  present  pastor,  who  was  ordained  on  the  2(3tli  of  October,  1796- 
This  church,  for  more  than  a  century,  was  the  only  one  in  the  town — 
their  present  meeting  house  was  built  in  1324. 

In  1741,  some  persons  (47  in  number)  being  dissatisfied  with  Mr. 
Whittlesey's  more  moderate  religious  opinions,  "  declared  their  sober 
dissent  from  the  established  church,  and  professed  themselves  to  be 
Presbyterians  according  to  the  church  of  Scotland."  They  were  soon 
joined  by  twelve  others,  and  the  society  continued  gradually  to  increase. 
They  had  to  encounter  much  violent  opjtosition  I'rom  the  first  church, 
and  were  not  invested  with  full  privileges  as  an  ecclesiastical  society 
till  the  session  of  the  Legislature  in  JVlay,  1760.  They  erected  their 
meeting  house  in  November,  1742'.  Their  first  settled  minister  was 
Job  Prudden,  a  native  of  this  town,  (great  grandson  of  Peter  Prudden.) 
He  was  ordained  at  New  Brunswick,  in  IMay,  1747.  The  succeeding 
30 


231 


JI  1  L  V  b  It 


ni'mistc'is  havo  l)ccn  Josiah  Shcrinan,  D.ivlil  Tnlly,  Slicrman  Johnson, 
Caleb  l^iikiii,  Juliu  Clark,  and  llie  presLMii,  Asa  iM.  IVain.  Tlio  incui- 
ini;'  lionsu  at  piu-ent  uccupieil  by  the  society,  was  built  chiiiiii^f  the  suni- 
luci  of  JHol.      It  is  seen  on  the  ri^ht,  with  six.  pihars  in  hont. 


Congregational  Churches  in  iMi/J'ord. 

The  above  is  a  south  view  of  the  two  Congrcjj;ational  cliurches  in 
Miirord  ;  they  are  but  a  few  rods  apart,  separated  by  the  Wepawani^, 
a  mill  stream  passing  through  the  center  of  the  vihage.  A  small  but 
beautiful  mill  pond  is  directly  south  of  these  churches,  and  adds  very 
much  to'lhe  variegated,  pleasant,  and  interesting  scenery  in  the  imme- 
diate vicinity.  Tlio  Episcopal  and  IJapiist  churches,  and  the  town 
house,  are  about  forty  rods  south  of  the  churches  seen  in  tlie  engraving. 
The  fust  canst;  ol  thm;  being  two  societies  in  ibis  place  was  owing  to 
the  selllement  of  ihe  Jicv.  Mr.  Wliilllc^ey  as  [laslor,  about  the  year 
1710.  The  Uev.  Samuel  Andrew  (wiio  lur  a  long  period  was  the 
minister  in  this  town)  became  through  age  and  many  inljrmities  imablo 
to  perform  the  labor  of  the  ministry  ;  i\lr.  ^Vliittlesey  was  invited  to 
preach  and  settle  in  the  place  as  colleague  pastor;  this  occasioned  a 
division  among  the  people.  Although  there  was  a  muiority  for  Mv. 
Whittlesey,  yet  there  was  a  strong  and  respectable  minority  in  opposi- 
tion to  his  settlement  ;  it  arose  on  account  of  his  arlopting  in  some 
measure  Arminian  sentiments.  An  ecclesiastical  council  was  held,  in 
which  Dr.  Trumbull  says  he  was  informed  "  bv  one  of  the  elders,  who 
was  one  of  the  council,  that  the  debate  w as  with  so  much  passion,  that 
fists  were  doubled  on  the  occasion.^'  All  attempts  at  union  having 
failed,  the  disaftected  \)avt  of  the  society  withdrew  and  erected  a  house 
of  worship  for  themselves  in  1712,  and  placed  themselves  under  the 
presbytery  of  New  Brunswick. 

The  Episcopal  society  was  formed  in  January,  17G  I.  The  church 
was  raised  in  1771,  anil  consecrated  by  llie  name  ol'  St.  (Jeorge's  chm-cli, 
in  March,  1775.      They  also  suffered  mncli  opiit,  ;iiifin,    and  uere  con- 


M  1 1,  F  n  u  n  .  2^7} 

sidorcd  by  many  as  akin  to  the  rliuirli  of  Rome.  Rut  old  prcjudiees 
have  in  a  measure  sulisidod,  and  ihe  church  at  present  is  in  a  (lourishiiii; 
state.  There  is  a  small  but  respectable  Raplist  church  in  the  town, 
which  owes  its  orii^dn  to  the  Rev.  James  11.  J^insley,  of  Stratford. 

In  IGl'l,  IMilford  united  with  the  New  Haven  jurisdiction,  wdiich  then 
consisted  of  New  Haven,  Slamford,  Cniilford  and  Southold,  L.  1.  They 
met  w  ith  some  dilliculty  in  ^^ainini^r  admission,  on  account  of  having  "  for- 
merly taken  in  as  free  hur<,f(sses,  six  |)Ianters  who  were  not  in  church 
fellowship,"  but  were  received  on  coiiLJition  that  these  six  men  should 
"  never  be  chosen  deputies,  or  into  any  public  tiust  for  the  combination, 
nor  be  allowed  to  vole  at  any  time  in  the  election  of  man;isirates,  and 
that  none  shoidd  afterwards  be  admitted  fieemcn  butcliurch  members." 
The  town,  under  this  jurisdiction,  bad  two  magistrates,  and  sent  two 
deputies  to  the  general  court  at  ^■ew  Haven.  William  Fowler  and 
Edmond  Tapp,  were  the  fust  magistrates,  after  the  union,  and  John 
Astwood  and  John  Sherman,  first  deputies. 

In  JMay,  1685,  the  town  received  a  patent  from  the  general  court; 
afterwards,  making  further  purchases  of  the  Indians,  they  petitioned  for 
a  new  one,  which  might  comprehend  all  their  territory.  Accordingly 
the  governor  and  company  granted  them  another,  which  is  dated  the 
i2-2d  day  of  iMay,  A.  1^.  17];{.  It  appears  by  this  patent,  that  at  that 
time  there  were  235  lieeliolders  in  tlie  town. 

The  Indians,  at  the  settlement  of  the  town,  were  numerous.  They 
bad  four  considerable  villages,  viz.  one  on  the  side  of  the  Wepawaug 
river,  ne;u'  the  church;  one  at  thc])oint;  another  aljout  half  a  mile 
north  of  ^Vashington  bridge,  and  another  at  Tmkey  Hill.  Here  they 
bad  a  strong  fortress,  with  flankers  at  the  fum*  coriieis,  which  was  de- 
signed as  a  defense  against  the  Mohawks. 

At  the  settlement  of  the  lOnglish,  the  Indians  in  the  center  of  the 
place  retired  to  Indian  point,  lying  between  East  river  and  the  S(jmiil. 
Here  they  lived  for  20  \-ears.  l-'or  secunity  against  the  Indians,  the 
planters  enclosed  the  town  jdot  with  palisadoes,  so  thickly  set  that  a 
n)an  could  not  crowd  between  them.  This  enclosure  was  nearly  a 
mile  square,  and  was  on  both  sides  of  the  We])awaug  river.  It  even- 
tually proved  fortunate  for  the  English  that  this  was  done.  For  in  the 
years  1615  and  'dG,  the  Indians  were  hostile  and  very  troublesome,  so 
much  so  that  the  planleis,  for  their  nmtual  safety,  kept  guard  night  and 
day.  i^ach  soldier  stood  as  sentinel  every  lifth  day,  and  was  relieved 
at  sunset  by  dium  beat.  On  their  "  Sabbath  ami  lecture  days,"  they 
went  armed  to  meeting,  and  when  in  the  fields,  their  muskets  were  kept 
near  at  band. 

About  this  time  the  Indians  set  the  adjacent  country  on  fire,  and  it 
was  supposed  they  meant  to  bmn  the  to\\'n  ;  but  the  planters  were  so 
fortunate  as  to  arrest  the  jiro'iress  of  the  flames  at  the  swamj)  on  the 
west  and  nonh  ol"  the  setileuient,  before  they  reached  the  palisadoes, 
and  thus  saved  their  buildings.  Rut  the  fire  did  much  damage;  most 
of  the  limber  was  destrojed,  and  a  number  of  ])ieces  of  good  natural 
meadow  was  so  burnt  that  they  became  sunken  swamps. 


236  i\i  1 1,  F  o  11  n . 

Tlie  Iiulians  were  agn'm  troublesome  in  1G53,  and  the  people  were 
under  tlie  appreliension  of  a  sudden  and  general  massacre.  Tiiey  were 
greatly  hindered  in  their  fanning  avocations,  and  worn  down  with  inces- 
sant watching.  In  the  sj)ring  of  1700,  so  much  danger  was  apprehen- 
ded I'roni  the  natives,  that  two  houses  were  ordered  to  be  fortified,  (one 
on  the  east  side  of  the  river,  and  one  at  the  west  end,)  for  the  security 
of  women  and  children,  the  aged  and  decrepid,  in  case  of  surprise.  All 
])ersons  over  IG  years  of  age  were  ordered  forthwith  to  work  until  the 
lorlifications  were  completed.  This  was  a  time  of  general  alaiin,  for  4 
or  5  years,  throughout  the  country.  But  there  is  nothing  on  I'ccord  to 
show  that  any  English  person  was  ever  killed  by  the  Indians  in  JNlilford. 

About  1648,  there  was  a  famous  battle  fought  between  the  Milford 
Indians  and  the  Mohawks.  .  The  latter  had  secreted  themselves  in  a 
swamj),  nearly  a  mile  east  of  the  lijriy,  intending  to  surpiise  the  In- 
dians in  the  foit  that  night.  The  English  accidentally  discovering  them, 
notified  the  Millbrd  Indians,  who,  setting  np  the  war  whoo[),  soon  raised 
.such  numbers,  that  they  ventured  to  attack  the  invaders.  The  iMo- 
liawks  were  defeated,  and  several  of  them  taken.  One  of  their  lidlen 
chiefs  they  buried  on  a  hillock  in  the  swamp.  A  stout  captive  was 
stripped  and  tied  by  the  IMilford  Indians  in  the  gieat  meadows,  for  the 
musquiloes  to  eat  and  torment  to  death.  Jjut  he  was  discovered  and 
relieved  by  one  Thomas  Mine. 

I\Iany  of  the  Wepawaug  Indians  eventually  went  off  to  the  west  and 
joined  with  the  Six  Nations,  wdiile  some  few  rdmained  about  the  town; 
hut  they  have  now  all  disappeareil. 

Ill  all  ilie  vvaiij  in  wliicli  llic  country  lias  been  <'ngnKCii,  Milford  lias  I'tunislieJ  its 
prupujiiun  ufmoney  and  suliliers.  lu  Kini^  l^hilipV  war,  and  in  the  two  French  wars, 
the  tuu'u  \i^l  a  good  number  of  men,  who  died  ui'  sicklK■^.s  in  the  camp  or  tell  in  Ijai- 
tle.  In  the  l^'reiich  and  Indian  war,  conipanie.i  of  ihe  IJiiuMi  tioops  (jiiniieieil  in  the 
place  during  llie  winlers  of  1757  and  1758  al  the  tow  n's  expense.  The  last  winter,  in 
a  revel,  ihey  burnt  ihe  town  house,  upon  which  the  ^'nvei  nnienl  sent  over  jCot)  towards 
the  erection  of  a  new  one.  In— — a  number  of  men  (luia  the  tuwn  aii-umpanied 
ticn.  I'ninain  in  llic  expediiidu  in  Cwba. 

At  the  eommenreineni  uf  the  KfMiliiiinii,  the  mhabiiiuiiv  wcie  llllaninl^n^h■  opjic^s- 
cd  to  the  (lppres^ive  meiisures  of  the  l!i  itish  man.sii  \',  and  u|>eni  d  ;i  >ub-ii  i|jIimii  ■■  lor 
the  relief  and  support  of  su(di  pool  iiihabit;inls  of  Jloitun  as  were  imniediiae  siilfeiers 
by  the  Port  Dill/' 

In  1770,  a  battery  was  built  at  West  P(jiiit,  on  the  west  side  of  the  lunlior,  for  ihe 
defense  of  the  town;  men  were  stationed  at  BurweU's  linm,  and  at  thi'  roint,  and  a 
Minute  Post  kept  in  readiness  in  ease  of  emergency.  The  .town  liiini-hrd  a  liiU 
(p.iotu  of  men  for  tlie  army,  who  marched  under  the  eoinmand  of  ('apt.  SuiihilI  t'cck. 
'J'he  select  men  were  directed  to  "  furnish  guns,  bayuneis  and  provisions  Jor  such  as 
were  called  tbrtli  ibrthe  defense  of  the  Liukktv  or  Amkiu.,  \."  A  premium  of  £l(iw;is 
otlered  per  head  for  men  to  enlist  during  the  war.  This  town  sulfercd  eompar;iiively 
little  (luring  the  war  from  the  incursions  of  llie  British.  There  were  in.  buildings 
burnt  and  but  one  house  pluiulered,  (that  of  iNliKs  Merwin  at  I'ond  romt.)  lint 
much  jiroperty  was  h.-t  by  biirving,  and  bye.\|niMiie  to  the  weather  in  the  wood^. 
The  inhabitants  contributed  liberally  for  the  leli.'f  of  t'Lnrfield,  Danbury  and  .Nor- 
wallc.  There  were  but  lew  tones  in  the  town  durum-  tle-.^c  nines,  and  those  f.-w  weic 
eomi.elled  tojceep  close  to  their  houses.  Of  the  soldieis  of  the  revi-lulioii,  there  aie 
but  a  few  renmining  m  the  town.  This  town  has  givi  n  to  (.'oiiiiei  ticut  i\>  o  i-oveinois, 
VIZ.  Robert  'I'reai,  and  Jonathan  Law,  f.sq.-,.,  both  ol  whom  were  eino,eni  MiiLaiien. 

Robert  Tieat  and  his  brother  Richard  came  to  IS'ew  l-aighind  with  Sir  Rirhaid 
Raltoiistall,  and  were  among  the  hrst  .--eitleis  of  Wethcrsfield.  Robeii  bit  thai  settle- 
ment and  came  to  Millbrd  with  Mr.  I'ruddeii.  At  the  lii-t  meeting;  of  the  I'lanters, 
he  was  chosen  to  ai>sist  in  surveying  and  laying  out  the  township,  lie  w  ;is  soon  cho- 
sen one  of  the  live  Judges,  and  in  iLiGl  was  elected  a  ruagi-lrale  uf  the  colony,  in 


61  I  L  F  O  U  D  .  '■M  t 

wlilfli  ofl'icc  lio  was  continued  four  years,  until  lie  refused  to  take  the  oath  piesei  ilit-d 
by  la\i',  he  being  in  I'avur  ul'  the  union  ul'  the  eokiny  wiili  Conneclieul.  In  IGdl,  the 
l<'\vn,  l.y  his  inlhienee/antl  that  of  Mr.  lienjaniin  Penn,  was  induced  tu  break  olf  fiuin 
INew  Haven  eohiny;  and  it  was  by  his  inllnenee  parliculaily,  that  the  iniiim  \\as  .id 
.soon  elleeleii.  ile  was  appointed  Major  of  the  Connecticut  troop.s  in  1(J7().  In  Phil- 
ip's war,  at  ilie  attack  of  Spiingtield  by  the  Indians  in  1G75,  he  marched  to  its  relief, 
and  drove  lluiii  Inmi  the  town  •"anil  in  their  assault  upon  Hadley,  lie  put  them  cooi- 
idetely  to  iliuhi.  The  same  year,  in  l>eceml)er,  he  performed  a  distinguished  part  in 
the  deMrnclioii  of  the  Indians  at  fort  Narragaiisett.  In  [GIG,  he  was  elected  Deputy 
Covernor,  mul  in  IHSG,  Governor  of  (yonneeticut,  to  which  last  ollice  he  wa.s  annually 
re-elected  fur  fifieen  years,  till  he  declined  serving.  Ilis  wife  was  Jane,  only  ilaughier 
<>i'  Kdmoiid  'i'a]ip,  Km|.  Concerning  this  inaich  there  is  ihe  Jollowing  tiailiiioiiary 
anecdote. —  iJcing  in  at  iXlr.  Tapp's,  he  look  the  girl  upon  his  knee  and  coininencccl 
trotting  her.  Robert,  said  she,  be  .still  that,  1  had  rather  be  Tixalcd  than  trottcil,  npun 
'.vliich  he  proposed  marriage,  which  was  inimediately  consented  to  bv.all  conceriieil. 
lie  died  July  J-Jih,  in  the  ft'Jth  year  of  his  age,  and  lelf  four  sons  and  njiir  tlaii-htcis. 

Gov.  I, aw  was  the  only  son  of  Jonathan  and  Saral)  Law,  (the  daugh- 
ter of  Geoige  Clark,  sen.,  planter,)  and  giandson  of  Jlichaid  Law,  one 
of  the  first  settlers  of  Stamford,  lie  was  horn  August  G,  iG71,  and 
was  educated  at  Harvard  College,  where  he  graduated  in  1G05.  Ho 
connuenced  the  practice  of  law  in  his  native  town  in  IGOS,  and  actjui- 
ted  great  reputation  as  a  counsellor.  In  1706,  he  was  made  a  justice 
of  the  peace — in  1710,  a  justice  of  the  quorum — in  1714,  chief  judge, 
and  in  1717,  he  was  chosen  an  assistant,  wliich  office  he  filled  until  ho 
was  chosen  deputy  governor.  In  May,  1741,  he  was  elected  governor, 
and  annually  re-elected,  till  his  death.  He  died  Nov.  Gth,  1750,  and 
iefi  7  sons  and  a  widow,  his  fifth  wife. 

The  ancestors  of  Governors  John  Cotton  Smith  and  Gideon  Tomlinsoii  were  from 
Milloi.i,  likewivj  Abraham  Clark,  of  New  Jeisey,  one  of  the  Mgners  of  the  Declara- 
nmi  of  Indcpciidencc.  The  eailv  inhabitants  of  the  town  look'  a  particular  inleresl  in 
Ihe  siib|.:;i  oicdiication.  In  \G\)1,  it  was  voted  "  there  should  be  ihiiiy  live  poiindsal- 
lowcd  oni  of  ihr  lowu  Ireasurv,  to  maintain  a  Laiiii  school;  thel  loiiorabh'  Governor, 
Olid  ill.'  \lr\'.  .-'.iiini.d  Andrew,  to  be  a  commillee  to  attend  totlie  business."  'I'hisMr. 
Aiidic  w  ua  .  i.iiL-  of  the  piineipal  projeeU,n>,  nnd  early  patrons  of  Yale  College.  Alil- 
biid  lias  sent  iiiit  many  eolonisls  towards  the  selllenienl  of  oilier  towns.  Wean- 
tiiMupie  was  I'lircliascd  of  ihe  Indians  on  the  Mh  of  F'cbruaiv,  17o-2-!!,  bv  the  [a^'ple  of 
ihe  loun,  ami  MUhd  b\'  the  mmi.-  of  .New  MiUord.  Newark,  in  .N.-^v  J.  is,  y,  Hiii- 
hain  III  Connceiicni,  and  T.'ilmadge  in  t)luo,  received  mosi  of  their  early  seiilcjs  iVom 
Milfoul. 

There  are  no  mountains,  and  very  little  broken  land,  in  the  town. 
The  soil  is  generally  good  and  productive;  but  the  culture  is  not  man- 
aged on  the  scientific  principles  that  might  be  wished.  There  is  a 
tjiiany  of  boautiJLil  serpentine  marble  in  the  east  part  of  the  town,  \yhich 
was  vyroiight  about  eighteen  yetirs  since,  but  is  now  neglected. 

The  hailior  of  the  town  is  not  deep.  It  has  been  gradually  filling  tij) 
since  the  fiist  settlement,  at  which  time  there  was  water  enough  to  ad- 
mit a  large  sea  brig  ii[)  to  Fowler's  mills.  A  breakwater  h;is  lieen  pro- 
po.sed  lobe  built  from  Indian  point  toward  the  i.slaiul,  by  which  a  capa- 
cious harbor  would  be  Ibrmed. 

jMilford  Island  lies  about  three  fomths  of  a  mile  from  the  shore,  and 
contains  about  ten  acres  of  land.  It  was  calleil  Putjuahaug  by  the  Iii- 
<lians,  and  was  a  favorite  stimmcr  resort  of  those  people.  Ansantawae, 
tlie  sachem,  had  a  "big  wigwam"  upon  it,  for  his  acconnnodaiion. 
After  the  settlement  of  the  English,  it  was  laid  out  to  George  Hidibard, 
who  sold  it  to  Richard  Bryan.  At  a  town  meeting  heltl  on  tlie  17th 
of  ]\Iarch,  1657,  Charles  Deal,  tobacco  planter,  was  granted  liberi)'  to 


238 


M  1 1, 1'  o  n  n 


purchase  and  enjoy  the  Island  for  a  tobacco  plantation,  provided  he  use 
the  buildings  for  no  other  use  than  a  tobacco  house,  and  that  he  do  not 
trade  with  tlie  Dutch  or  Indians,  or  suffer  any  disorderly  resort  of  sea- 
men or  others  there.  In  1S35,  it  was  purchased  by  John  Harris,  Esq. 
of  New  York,  who  erected  a  seat,  and  (iited  it  up  for  a  summer  resi- 
dence. Between  the  Island  and  sliore  there  is  a  bar,  whicli  is  bare  half 
the  time.     Good  clams  grow  on  this  bar. 

FoconocJc  or  JMilford  point,  at  the  southwest  extremity  of  the  town, 
is  somewhat  noted.  There  are  a  number  of  huts  on  the  beach,  which 
are  occupied  by  persons  engaged  in  the  chun  and  oyster  business. 
This  point  was  formed  and  is  preserved  by  the  opposite  action  of  the 
waters  of  Long  Island  sound,  and  of  the  Ilousatonic  river. 


Oijslcr  lluis  on  JMi/furd  Point. 


The  aV)Ove  shows  the  appearance  of  the  oyhior  huts  on  INIilford  point. 
There  is  a  street  containing  about  15  or  '20  huts  of  this  descj'iption,  cov- 
ered wiih  sea  weed,  &c.  which  are  quite  novel  in  their  appearance. 
About  50  or  GO  persons,  engaged  in  the  oyster  business,  reside  in  these 
habitations  during  the  winter  months,  and  four  or  five. have  their  fami- 
lies with  them. 

Tlie  rivers  in  this  town  are  small.  The  We]iawaug,  the  largest, 
takes  its  rise  in  Woodbridge,  15  miles  from  its  mouth,  and  runs  through 
the  center  of  the  town.  It  furnishes  a  number  of  good  mill  scats. 
The  others  are  the  Indian  river,  IJeaver  river,  the  \Vest  End  brook, 
and  Stubby  Plain  brook,  a  branch  of  the  Indian  ri\'er. 

Milford  is  now  on  the  rise.  Tlieie  are  many  improvements  making 
in  this  ))lace,  and  others  in  contemplation.  The  number  of  inhabitants 
in  the  town,  when  the  last  census  was  taken,  was  2,25(5,  and  has  prob- 
aljly  since  increased  lo  2,800.  There  are  at  present  in  the  town  '100 
houses,  480  freeholders,  and  500  electors.'* 


*  For  iLc  piecedjng  aci.niiiu  td' iVUIIuid,  tlie  aiiilior  is  iiulebted  almost  ctitiiely  to 
Mr.  Edward  It.  Lambert,  oC  tliat  place.  INIr.  Lambert  coiiicmplates  publi.sliing  aYiill 
and  complete  history  of  the  town  of  Milfoid,  from  the  llr.st  selilemeiil  to  the  present 
lime.  He  liai  already  ninde  a  cuii-^idevable  number  ol'  valuable  and  iuleresimg  col- 
lections in  reterence  to  this  ii'mcci. 


M  I  L  F  o  n  D  .  239 

[Prom  the  ConnccticuL  Journal,  No.  482.]  Milford,  Jan.  8,  1777. 

Last  Wecincsday  a,  flag  of  trace  vessel  ariived  at  Milford,  from  New  York,  after  a 
tedioiii:  passage  of  several  days,  having  on  board  upwards  of  200  American  prisuners, 
whose  ruefiirevHuUenances  too  well  discover  llie  ill  treatment  tliey  received  while 
prisoners  in  New  York;  twenty  of  these  unfortunate  people  died  on  the  passage,  and 
twenty  have  died  since  they  landed  at  Milford. 

The  following  inscriptions  are  copied  from  mouunicnls  in  the  grave 
yard  near  the  center  of  the  place. 

Here  lyetu  intei;i;eo  the  ihidy  or  Cor,.  Rddkrt  The.vt,  Esa.  wno  I'AixHKUr.LY 

SEllVEO    TniS    C(iLO.\y    IK    TUK    1''J;>'1'    OF  GiiVKUNOU,    i\E.\U    YK    .Sl'.W  E    Olr'    'I'H  lUT  V  YE.UiS, 
.♦ND  ATT  YK  AllE  OK  FOUR  seoilE  AM)  ElC.llT   VKAK.S,    EXcnANOEU  TniS  LIFE  FOK  A  nETTEK, 

iVLY  12tu,  Anno  poMi-so  1710. 

Here  lies  ye  body  of  ye  Rev.  and  learned  Mr.  Sanuicl  Andrew,  Pastor  df  ye  Chtncli 
of  Christ  in  this  [ijaee  lorabuve  00  years.  l'\niner!y  Fellow  of  1  larvaid  Onllege,  and 
more  lately  Rector  uf  Yale  College, — a  singular  ornament  and  ble^Mng  in  every  cajia- 
citi'  and  relation, — of  unwearied  labors,  mcxlesi,  couiteous,  and  benelieent, — never 
fond  oi iMs  world,  carucsily  )uirsuing  and  recommending  a  bcilcr, — greatly  csieemeil 
in  life,  and  lamented  at  death,  which  was  January  21,  17:}7— H,  lacking  five  days  tu 
complete  82  years  of  life. 


MemoriiK  Sacrum  Reverendi  Samuelis  Whittlesey,  V.  D.  M.  Collcgii  Yalcnsis,  et 
llarvanlini  llouoiibus  exoniali,  cnjiis  virtules,  Pietas,  et  Res  gesuuproprio  splendorc 
ubii|:  enitescuni;  eujus  labor  perennis,  fiduxj:  de  sacris  per  Aniios  triginta  el  supra 
inter  incolas  Milfordicnses,  lionorem  jure  vendicai.  Denique  ab  omnibus  terrendis 
Amicis,  oliiciis,  ac  honoi  ibiis  morle  abreptUi  est,  Anno  iEtatis  5Gto,  die  Oelobris  22to. 
et  Anno  Domini  .mocci.xviii. 

Which  may  be  transhttcd  in  tlie  follow  iiig  maimer: 

Sacred  to  the  memory  (jfihe  Ueverend  Samuel  AViniilescy,  Master  of  Arls  at  Yale 
and  atUarvaiil;  u  huNC  viMiU'>,  piety  and  good  deed.-,  evciy  wjiere  shone  wiiii  pecu- 
liar lustre,  and  wlm-L- unccasinL,' .oid  faithlul  labois  in  sai  i cd  things,  J'or  more  tiiaii 
thirty  years  among  the  in)iabila]ii;,  ol  Alillcnd,  jn.Mly  entitle  him  to  honor.  He  wa^at 
length  removed  by  death  from  all  eartlily  Irieiah,  diilies  and  Ihhhhs,  on  the  2-.M  Ucto- 
ber,  1708,  in  the  OOth  year  of  liis  age. 


'Here  lies  the  Imdy  of  Capl.  P.eiij'imin  Pciui,  for  many  years  a  ruling  elder  of  the 
second  church  in  tins  tuwn,  who  depaited  tln^  life  Januarv  lOlh,  Aiuio  i>umiui  I77l>, 
aged  80  years. 

The  truly  honorable  and  pious  Rooer  Newton,  Esq.  an  olhcer  of  distinguished  note 
ill  ye  expeditions  of  17t>'.)  and  1710,  for  many  years  one  of  ye  Council,  and  Colonel  of 
the  Second  Regiment  of  Militia— Judge  of  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas  33years,  until 
he  departed  this  life,  January  15lh,  1771,  in  the  87th  year  of  his  age. 
His  mind  returned  to  God,  intombed  here  lies 
Tin;  part  the  Ikra  left  beneath  the  skies, 
Newlon  as  steel,  inliexible  from  right, 
III  Faith,  in  Law,  in  Eijuity,  iu  Fight. 


The  following  is  copied  from  an  epitajih,  in  memory  of  a  yomig 
woman  who  died  in  1792,  aged  24.  The  impression  wliich  iter  friends 
meant  to  convey  was  doubtless  correct,  bnt  the  words  made  use  of, 
when  applied  to  a  human  i^eing,  arc  rather  unrelined,  according  to  ihc 
taste  of  the  present  age. 

Molly,  the'  pleasant  in  lier  day. 
Was  sudd'nly  sei/.'d  and  sent  aM'ay. 
How  soon  she's  ripe,  how  suun  site's  rotten, 
Laid  iu  the  grave  and  soon  loi'irott'n. 


In  memory  of  Doctr.  Jon\  Heupin,  who  was  born  and  educated  at  Hikhcfori  m 
F/avice,  practised  phvsic  and  Surgerv  in  this  [dace  iJO  years  with  mtu-h  reimtatlon  aiuf 
success,  and  diet!  No\-.  Illli,  17l!'j,  /Et.  71 


240  NORTH     13  n  A  N  F  O  R  D  . NORTH      HAVEN. 


NORTH    CRANFORD, 

Was  incorporated  as  a  town  in  1831.  It  was  formed  from  tlic  so- 
cieties of  North  Branford  and  Nortliford,  in  the  town  of  Jjranford.  It 
is  boLinilcd  north  by  Wallingford,  east  by  Guihbrd,  soulli  by  JJranlurd, 
and  west  by  Kast  Haven  and  North  Haven.  It  is  about  five  miles  loni; 
irom  north  to  south,  and  averages  upwards  of  lour  miles  in  width.  A 
range  of  mountains  from  southwest  to  northeast  passes  through  the  cen- 
tral part  of  tiie  town.  The  inhabitants  are  generally  substantial  farm- 
ers, and  property  is  ve;:y  equally  distributed.  The  face  of  the  town- 
ship is  generally  hilly,  but  the  soil  is  strong  and  fertile.  There  are,  it 
is  believed,  about  1000  or  1100  inhabitants.  There  are  five  houses  of 
worsliip  in  this  town,  three  for  Congregationallsts,  and  two  for  Epis- 
copalians. 

The  society  of  North  Branford,  the  soutliern  division  of  the  town, 
was  formerly  called  the  village.  The  central  part  is  five  miles  north 
of  Branford  church,  and  nine  from  New  Haven.  The  Rev.  Jonatlian 
]Merrick,  the  first  minister  in  this  parish,  was  ordained  in  17"J7, 

Norihford  society  takes  in  a  small  part  of  ^N'allingford.  The  Imlian 
name  of  the  place  appears  to  have  been  Fang.  Tiie  Congregational 
church  is  nine  miles  from  New  Haven.  The  ])ost  oflice  is  kept  about  a 
mile  north,  and  may  be  considered  as  the  center.  Tlie  first  clerL^yman 
was  the  Rev.  Warham  AV^illiams,  a  grandson  of  the  Rev.  I\Ir.  \Villi;inis 
of  Deerfield,  Massachusetts,  who  was  carried  captive  by  tiie  Indians 
into  Canada.  The  church  here  was  called  the  third  church  in  Bran- 
ford. The  first  house  of  worship  erected  in  this  society  is  still  standing, 
as  is  likewise  the  house  of  the  first  clergyman,  (Mr.  AVilliains,)  which 
is  now  occupied  by  the  Rev.  i\Ir.  Noyes,  for  a  long  jieriod  the  minister 
of  this  parish,  and  who  is  considered  to  be  one  of  the  weaUhiest  cler- 
gyman in  the  state.  It  is  believed  that  Noilhford,  according  to  iis 
population,  has  furnished  more  young  men  who  have  rccei\'ed  a  liberal 
ctlncation  than  any  other  town  in  the  state. 

About  a  mile  southeast  of  the  Northford  church,  on  TcioJcct  moun- 
tain, there  is  the  appearance  of  having  been,  at  some  remote  period, 
some  violent  convulsion  in  nature  ;  the  rocks  appear  to  have  been  rent 
asunder,  and  are  tlirown  about  in  great  disorder.  Lead  is  said  to  have 
been  found  near  this  sjiot,  a  mass  of  it  being  discovered  by  a  person 
who  was  hunting,  at  the  time  of  the  first  settlement  of  the  parish  :  lie 
liung  up  a  pair  of  buck's  horns  to  designate  the  spot,  but  the  place 
could  not  be  foijnd  afterwards. 


NORTH    HAVEN 


North  Haven  was  incorporated  as  a  town  in  October,  17SG,  being 
originally  a  part  of  the  town  of  New  Haven.  It  is  bounded  n.  by 
VValliiigford,  w.  by  Hamden,  e.  by  Wallingford  and  North  Branford, 
and  s.  by  East  Haven.     Its  length  from  north  to  south  is  about  six 


N  O  R  T  II      H  A  V  E  N 


241 


miles,  and  its  medium  breadth  three.  The  town  lies  on  both  sides  of 
the  Wallingford  or  Quinnipiac  river,  and  comprises  the  valley,  and  a 
part  of  the  bordering  hills.  The  valley  is  partly  rich  interval  land, 
and  more  extensively  sand  ;  covered  with  a  thin  stratum  of  loam  ;  light 
but  warm.  Near  the  northern  line  of  the  town  it  is  so  light  as,  in  two 
or  three  places  of  small  extent,  to  be  blown  into  drifts.  The  soil  of 
the  hills  is  good,  being  a  reddish  loam. 

From  the  vicinity  of  this  town  to  New  Haven,  and  from  its  light  and 
warm  soil,  which  is  favorable  for  early  vegetation,  there  are  various 
culinary  vegetables,  particularly  peas,  cultivated  for  the  New  Haven 
market.  13at  the  most  striking  feature  in  the  township,  is  the  large 
and  beautiful  tract  of  salt  meadows  on  both  sides  of  the  Quinnipiac. 
These  meadows  produce  large  quantities  of  grass,  which  is  mowed  and 
stacked  upon  the  land,  from  whence,  when  the  ground  is  frozen  sufli- 
ciently  solid  in  the  winter,  it  is  removed.  Upon  the  salt  marsh  the  hay 
is  salt;  but  on  those  meadows  which  are  protected  from  the  salt  water 
by  means  of  dikes,  the  grass  is  fresh  and  of  a  better  quality.  These 
are  called  dike  marshes  or  meadows.  The  making  of  brick  receives 
considerable  attention  in  this  town.  Four  and  a  half  millions  of  brick 
are  manufactured  annually,  and  principally  sold  in  New  Haven. 

The  first  settler  in  North  Haven  appears  to  have  been  William  Brad- 
ley, who  had  been  an  officer  iu  Cromwell's  army.  He  lived  here  soon 
after  the  year  1G50,  on  the  land  belonging  to  Gov,  Eaton,  who  owned 
a  large  tract  on  the  west  side  of  the  river.  The  next  settlers  were 
Thomas  and  Nathaniel  Yale,  who  came  here  about  the  year  1660. 
The  settlement  of  Wallingfurd,  or  New  Haven  village,  about  the  year 
1670,  encouraged  the  settlement  of  North  Haven.  Jonathan  Tuttle 
began  a  settlement  near  the  river  ;  Nathaniel  Thorpe,  Ebenezer  Blaks- 
iee  and  John  Humiston  soon  after  settled  on  the  eastern  bank  ot  the 
river,  near  the  center  of  the  town.  Daniel  and  Thomas  Barnes,  Thom- 
as Jacobs,  and  Moses  Brockett,  made  settlements  near  the  river,  on  the 
east  side  of  it,  about  a  mile  north  of  the  south  line  of  the  town.  After 
this  there  came  into  the  place  families  by  the  names  of  Clarke,  Todd, 
Ives,  Bishop,  Cooper,  Grannis,  and  Brockett.  The  settlement  was 
very  slow,  and  it  seems  that  for  nearly  forty  years  some  of  the  first 
planters  attended  public  worship  and  buried  their  dead  at  New  Haven. 
The  women  usually  went  on  foot  to  New  Haven,  on  the  Lord's  .day, 
attended  two  long  exercises,  and  returned.  In  some  instances  they  did 
this  with  a  child  in  their  arms. — The  Indians,  (says  Dr.  Trumbull,) 
were  sometimes  very  numerous  in  this  place,  and  gave  much  alarm  to 
the  inhabitants,  especially  to  the  women  and  children.  The  Indians 
at  Maitabeseck  (IMiddletown)  were  connected  with  the  Indians  in  this 
part  of  the  state,  and  the  extent  of  the  river  into  the  southern  part  of 
Farmington,  and  the  fine  fishing  and  fowling  u|)on  it,  formed  a  connex- 
ion with  the  Farmim^ton  Indians.  The  combination  of  these  circum- 
stances sometimes  filled  the  parish  with  Indians.  At  particular  times 
they  seemed  to  swarm  upon  the  river,  and  the  groves  and  swamps  ap- 
peared alive  with  them.  Once  after  the  settlement  commenced,  they 
made  a  grand  powivow,  on  the  road  between  the  corner  of  the  market 
31 


242 


N  o  n  T  II    11  A  \  i:  N  , 


place  and  Mr.  John  llumiston's  ;  people  were  in  great  fear  that  their 
fields  of  com  would  be  niiiieil  l)y  thein,  hut  by  the  iiiliiience  of  ihe 
chief  sachem,  they  were  i-csirained  from  doiiii^^  any  dainai;e. 


iSurl/i  Haven,   {ccnlial  pan.) 


North  Haven  was  made  a  parish  in  1716,  and  the  next  year  the 
General  Assembly  <iave  the  iqiiabitants  liberty  to  form  into  a  church  ; 
the  same  year  the  Rev.  James  Wetmore  was  ordained  their  minister. 
At  tliis  time  the  limits  of  the  parish  extended  considerably  north  and 
west  of  the  meelin<r  house  in  iMouiit  CarmL-l  parish  in  Hamden,  and 
contained  about  forty  limiilius,  "  JMr.  \\  etmore  was  greatly  beloved 
and  est&emed  by  his  poopif  ;  but  afu  r  he  had  labored  wlih  them  for 
nearly  four  years,  he  ahcrt-d  his  seiuimenis,  and  in  September,  1722, 
declared  lor  ICpiscopaiy.  The  con^i/ipiciice  was  a  dlsmissiou,  soon  af- 
ter, from  his  pa.storal  ichitlon.  IK;  wtiil  ui  I'ai^laiid,  and  took  orders  in 
172^}.  He  was  rector  of  the  church  at  J?ye,  where  he  died  in  16(30. 
He  was  educated  at  the  collegiate  school  at  Saybrook,  wliere  he  re- 
ceived the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Arts,  in  September,  1714.  The  Rev. 
Isaac  Stiles  succeeded  JMr.  AVetmore.  He  was  ordained  in  November, 
1724,  and  died  May  Mth,  ]7(J0,  on  the  same  day  and  nearly  the  same 
hour  in  which  his  predecessor,  JMr.  Wetmore,  died.  Mr.  Stiles  was 
succeeded,  in  1760,  by  Dr.  Trumbull,  the  historian  of  Connecticut. 
The  Episcopalians  in  this  place  erected  their  first  church  in  1760. 
From  1762,  till  about  the  year  1783,  they  woe  under  the  j)astoral  care 
of  the  Rev.  INIr.  Andrews  of.WaHinglbrd."* 

The  above  is  a  representation  of  the  central  |iart  of  North  Haven; 
the  Episcojjal  church  with  a  Gothic,  tower  is  seen  on  the  left.  The 
first  house  south,  seen  in  the  center  of  the  engraving,  is  the  house 
where  Dr.  Trumbull,  the  historian  of  Connecticut,  resided  for  more 
than  half  a  century.     The  building  on  the  extreme  right  is  the  Con- 


Dr.  Tiumbull's  CeiHennial  Mermen. 


N  O  III"  II     11  A  V  K  N 


243 


gi-egational  cliincli,  erected  in  1739,  and  finished  In  1741.  The  first 
meeting  house  in  the  town,  thirt}'  ei^ht  A'et  by  forty,  was  erected  on 
the  same  spot,  ubont  1718.  The  lie  v.  James  Pieipont  r;ave  the  phit  of 
ground  on  which  it  stood,  u])on  condition  that  ilie  people  wonld  erect 
a  house  of  worship  upon  it.  Tlie  drawing  of  the  engraving  was  made 
a  short  time  previous  to  the  taking  down  of  the  Congregational  church. 
The  steeple  liowever  was  renjoved  hLfure  the  drawing  was  takeji. 


;  -•  ■       ■  Congregational  Church,  North  Haven. 

A  handsome  Congregational  church  now  stands  a  few  rods  westward 
of  the  old  meeting  liouse.  This  church,  and  likewise  that  of  the  Epis- 
copal denomination,  was  eroctetl  in  183-3;  both  are  I-uilt  of  brick,  of 
which  consideralile  fjuantilies  are  made  in  the  town.  The  burying 
gronnil  is  seen  in  front  of  the  Episcopal  cliuuh.  Hr.  Trumbull  was 
buried  in  this  yard,  nearly  in  front  of  his  house.  The  lullowing  is  the 
inscription  on  his  monument. 

'  Here  rest  the  rciuaiiis  of  iho  Rev.  Eciijnniiii  Ti  umluill,  D.  D.  who  was  born  at 
•Hebron,  Connecliciii,  A.  11.  17:i'),  an, I  dir,|  h'.'hmaiy  Gd,  A.  D.  ISiiO,  aged  n5.  He 
,was  graduaied  at   ^'  '    '*  "  '     "^    •--- 

A.  D.  ITtJO,  in  wh 
years.     Fie  coinpuM'd  di 

liisiiiraiion  ()/  ilii"  Si']  iniiir,'-.    -.,  I  I, ,,>,,_,  ,^.   v_,^.,.,v,v.>..,u.,   ..  i....^vv.._,  v.^ 

ujs  honuied   by  his  Almu  Mater, 

I  an  accurate  Historian.     Firm, 


A.  D.  17.')7,  jiiid  oid;iiijed   pnsinr  in   North  Haven, 
I  I'lll   his  diMih;  a  period  ot"  almost  sixty 
years.     He  coinpu^'d  diinu-  his  niinisii  v  iiumlv  four  ihnusaud  seririon.s,  and  publish- 
ed essays  on  the  inspiration  of  the  Srnptiires,  ;i  ilisiorv  of  Connecticut,  a  History  of 

the  United  States,  and  other  u■(H■k^  lur    uhn-h  ' ■'  ' -i   ''■"  ''■-  '^'■""  ^^-""^ 

and  esteemed  bv  his  conntrvin-n  .'IS  iin  alile  l)i\'L.    _ , 

humble,  and  devout,  he  siisMmrd  wnh  di-imv  i,ll  his  leh.li.ins  in  lile,  and  died  a  firni 
and  joyful  believer  in  hisCiod  and  ."savuHir;  aniiei[):itin-  wiili  expiessions  of  praise, 
the  corning  of  ilie  Lonl. 


Ezra  Stiles,  D.  D.  was  a  native  of  this  to\^n.  lie  was  the  son  of 
the  Rev.  Isaac  Stiles,  and  was  bdrn  November  29th,  1727.  He  was 
graduated  at  the  seminary  over  which  he  was  destined  to  preside,  in 
I74G,  and  in  1749  was  cliosen  tutor,  in  which  station  he  remained  six 
years.  .  After  having  preached  occasionally,  his  im]jaired  health,  and 
some  doubt  respecting  the  truth  of  Christianity,  induced  him  to  pursue 
the  study  of  the  law.     In  1753,  he  took  the  attorney's  oath  at  New 


y 


244  N  0  R  T  H     H  A  V  E  N  . 

Haven,  and  practiced  at  the  bar  till  1755.  But  having  resumed  preach- 
ing, on  the  22d  of  October  in  this  latter  year  he  was  ordained  minister 
of  the  second  Congregational  church  in  Newport,  Rhode  Island.  In 
March,  1776,  tlie  events  of  the  war  dispersed  liis  congregation,  and  In- 
duced him  to  remove  to  Dighton.  He  afterwards  jireached  for  some 
time  at  Portsmouth.  In  1777,  he  was  chosen  president  of  Yale  Col- 
lege, as  successor  to  Mr.  Clap.  He  was  not  desirous  of  this  honor, 
for  he  loved  retirement  ;  but  he  was  persuaded  to  accept  it.  He  was 
installed  July  8,  1778,  and  he  continued  in  this  station  till  his  death, 
May  12,  1795,  in  the  sixty  eighth  year  of  his  age. 

Dr.  Stiles  was  one  of  ihe  mosi  learned  men,  of  whom  this  country  can  boast.  He 
had  a  thorough  kiiowk-dge  of  the  Hcbiew,  Greek,  and  Latin  iangiiajrcs,  the  former 
of  which  he  learned  when  lie  was  about  foity  years  of  age;  he  had  made  considerable 
progress  in  the  Samaritan,  C'haklee,  Syriac,  and  Arabic  ;  on  the  Persic  and  Coptic  he 
had  bestowed  some  atienliDH  ;  and  the  l''rench  he  read  with  great  facility,  lie  wa.s 
also  well  versed  in  must  branches  of  niaihcmaiical  know  ledge.  Next  to  sacred  litera- 
ture, astronomy  was  his  favorite  science.  He  had  read  the  works  of  divines  in  various 
languages,  and  very  lew  have  had  so  tliorough  an  acquaintance  with  the  father.s  of 
the  Christian  church.  He  possessetl  an  intiinale  acquainiance  with  the  Kabbiniual 
writings.  He  was  a  most  impressive  and  elocpient  preacher,  for  he  spoke  with  that  zeal 
and  energy  which  the  deepest  interest  in  the  mo^l  imiioilant  subjects  cannot  fail  to  in- 
spire. His  earlydiscoiirses  were  philosophical  and  moral  ;  but  he  gradually  became  a 
serious  and  powerful  preacher  of  the  inomenloiis  truths  of  the  guspt-l.  In  the  room  of 
labored  disquisitions  addressed  rather  to  reason  than  to  the  conscience  and  heart,  he 
employed  his  lime  in  preaching  repentance  and  faith,  the  great  truths  respecting  our 
disease  and  cure,  the  physician  of  souls  and  our  remedy  in  him,  the  manner  in  winch 
the  sinner  is  brought  home  to  God  in  regeneration,  jusiiticalion,  sanctiticatiun,  and 
eternal  glory,  the  terrors  and  blessings  of  the  world  to  come,  the  influence  of  the  Holy 
Spirit  and  the  cfiicacy  of  the  truth  in  the  great  change  of  the  cliaracler,  preparatory 
for  Heaven.  The  doctrines  of  the  triiiiiy  in  unity,  o(  the  divinilj'  and  atonement  of 
Christ,  with  the  capital  principles  of  the  great  theological  system  of  the  doctrines  of 
grace,  he  believed  to  have  been  the  uninterrupted  I'aith  of  eight  tenths  of  Christendom 
from  the  ascension  of  Jesus  Christ  to  the  present  day.  This  system,  he  observed  to 
his  Hock,  1  have  received  from  God  in  the  scriptures  of  truth,  and  on  the  review  of  my 
ministryl  hope  you  will  find,  that  I  have  preached  the  unsearchable  riches  of  Clirist. 
He  delighted  in  preaciiing  the  gospel  to  the  poor.  Among  the  members  of  liis  church 
at  Newport  were  seven  negroes.  These  occasionallv  uiet  in  his  study,  when  he  in- 
structed them,  and  fulliii-  .ai  their  knees  tugnher  he'iuiidored  for  them  and  for  him- 
self the  blessing  of  that  Ci.ul,  with  \\hu\ii  all  di.-,iiiiction  excepting  llr.il  ul'  (I'hriMian 
excellence  is  as  noiliing.  in  the  cause  of  civil  and  religious  liberty,  Dr.  Siiles  was 
an  enthusiast.  He  contended,  that  the  right  of  conscience  and  private  judgment  was 
unalienable,  and  that  no  exigencies  of  the  Christian  church  could  render  it  lawful 
to  erect  any  body  ol'  men  into  a  standing  judicaioiy  over  the  churches.  He  engaged 
with  zeal  in  the  cause  of  his  country.  He  thought,  that  ilic  thirtieth  of  January, 
which  was  observed  by  the  Epi.scopalians  in  cdinnH-nioralion  of  the  martrydom  of 
Charles  I,  "  ought  to  be  celebrated  as  an  anniversary  thank.-giving,  that  one  nation  on 
earth  had  so  nuich  fortitude  and  public  justice,  as  to  make  a  royal  tyiant  bow  to  the 
sovereignty  of  the  neu|ile."  He  was  catholic  in  his  sentiments,  for  his  heart  was  open 
to  receive  all  who  loved  tlie  Lord  Jesus  in  sincerity.  He  was  conspicuous  for  his  be- 
nevolence, as  well  as  for  his  learning  and  piety. 

"  The  I'ollowing  exiiarts  fioin  his  diary  furnish  evidence  of  his  Christian  good- 
ness. '  The  review  of  my  life  astonishes  me  with  asense  of  my  sins.  May  1  be  washed 
in  the  tdood  of  Jesus,  which  cleanseth  from  all  sin.  Purify  and  sanctify  me,  O  blessed 
Spirit  ! — I  hope  I  love  my  Saviour  for  his  divine  excellencies,  as  well  as  for  his  love 
lo  sinners  ;  1  glory  in  his  divine  righteousness  ;  and  earnestly  beseech  the  God  of  all 
grace  lo  endue  me  wuli  true  and  real  lioliness,  and  to  make  me  like  himself.  I 
have  earnestly  importuned  the  youth  of  this  'university  to  devote  themselves  to  thai 
divine  Jesus,  who  hath  loved  them  to  the  death.  And  praised  be  God,  I  have  reason 
to  hope  that  the  ble.Stied  spirit  hath  wrought  effectually  on  the  hearts  of  sundry,  who 
have,  I  think,  been  brought  lunne  to  God,  and  experienced  what  liesh  ami  blood  can- 
not impart  to  the  human  mind.  "Wheiher  1  shall  ever  get  to  heaven,  and  through 
many  tribulations  enter  into  rest,  God  only  knows.  This  I  know,  that  I  am  one  of  the 
most  unworthy  of  all  the  works  of  God.'    Though  in  the  first  .stage  of  Iils  last  sickness 


o  n  A  N  G  E  .  ^45 

he  expressed  nwful  apprehension  of  standing  at  the  divine  tribunal ;  yet  his  hopes  of 
heaven  brightened  as  he  approaehed  llic  grave,  and  he  ilepaited  hi  great  ealnniess 
and  peace. 

"  He  was  a  man  of  low  stature,  and  of  a  small  though  well  proportioned  furm.  His 
voice  was  clear  and  energetic.  His  cuunienanee,  e.'ipi;eially  in  conversation,  was  ex- 
pressive of  benignity  and  mildness;  but  if  occasion  required,  it  became  the  index  of 
majesty  and  auihoriiy.  He  publi.>hed  a  I'uneral  uration  in  Latin  on  Governor  Law, 
1751;  a  discourse  un  the  Christian  union,  preached  before  the  Congregational  minis- 
ters of  Rhode  Island,  17C0;  in  this  work  h(/ recommends  harmony  among  ditlering 
Christians,  and  shows  an  intimate  acqiiainianci-  wiih  the  ecclesiasiical  allairs  of  this 
country;  a  sermon  at  the  installation  oJ  reveiend  Samuel  lloiikins,  177(1;  a  Latin 
oration  on  liis  induction  into  his  oilice  of  juesideiit,  177,S;  the  United  Siaies  ele- 
vated to  glory  and  honor,  an  election  .'-ermon,  jMcached  i\hiy  S.  17^:),  which  exhi- 
bits the  eloquence,  and  iiatrioiiMii,  and  jjlowing  seimmenis  of  lii.riiy,  u  ah  which 
the  august  occasion  could  not  fail  lo  in-piie  him  ;  a  sermon  :it  the  ordmalion  of  the 
reverend  Henry  Chaniiiiig,  at  New  London,  1787;  hisioiy  of  ilie  three  judges  of  King 
Charles  I,  Whalley,  Golfe,  and  Dixwell,  I'Jmo.  17;i;') ;  in  this  worlc  he  dis'closes  veiy^ 
fully  his  sentiments  on  civil  liberiv,  and  predicts  "  a  republican  reiiovaiion,''  in  Eng- 
land. He  left  an  unfinished  eccicsiaslnal  hisiory  of  New  llngLuut,  and  m.uelhan 
forty  volumes  of  manuscripts.  An  iiiterrsiing  account  of  his  hie  was  published  by 
his  son-in-law,  tlie  Rev.  Dr.  Holmes,  m  17i)>S.  '* 


The  following  is  copied  from  the  nioiiuinent  of  Mr.  Stiles,  the  father 
of  President  Stiles,  in  the  grave  yaid  in  the  center  of  the  place. 

This  monument  is  erected  to  the  memory  of  the  Rev.  Iwaac  Stii.ks,  A.  M,  who 
was  born  in  Wimlsor,  July  30ih,  1G'J7,  received  a  liberal  educaiioii  at  \'ale  College; 
ordained  to  the  pastoral  oilice  hi  ihe  chineh  ol  Norlli  Haven,  November  Hth,  17'21,' 
where  he  served  in  tlie  ministry  3l)  yeais,  and  died  May  llih,  I7t;(l,  aL;ed  iVA.  Having 
n  mind  ennobie<l  with  sublime  and  venerable  coiicc|Uion.s  ol  the  glories  of  ihe  Mo.sr 
Hmjh,  and  the  jierfeet  oider  and  lia|ipiiiess  vl'  the  uiuveise;  illunVinaied  with  Divine 
views  of  the  economy  ol  that  f)ait  of  it  under  the  inediatonal  iloininion  of  Jesus 
CiiKisT.  Also  being  iniimaiely  acquainted  with  the  .^ucrcd  oracles,  and  iiaving  a 
natural  gift  oiElomtuni,  he  preacheii  ihe  go-pel  with  fervor  and  Jidelily. 

A  friend  to  puie  and  imdeliled  religion,  with  a  charitable  benevolence  lo  all  viaa- 
kiad.     Mors  Mihi  vila  Lst. 


This  town  lies  between  AV'w  ila\eii  and  MiHbrd,  being  bonndcd  on 
the  north  by  Derby  and  Woodbiidge,  on  ilie  east  by  INuw  Haven,  on 
the  south  by  Long  Island  sdund,  and  on  the  west  by  iMiUord,  It  is 
about  6  miles  in  length,  and  about  iU  nillus  in  breaclili.  The  face  of 
the  township  is  hilly,  and  tlie  soil  pioihictive.  'J'he  inhabitants  are 
generally  farnters.  It  was  incorporalud  by  the  (jcneral  Assembly 
holden  at  New  Haven  in  May,  \S-Z:l^  and  was  formed  by  the  union  of 
North  Milford,  a  parish  which  belonged  to  jMillbrd,  with  West  Haven, 
a  parish  from  New  Haven.  The  first  town  meeting  was  held  at  the 
meeting  house  in  the  parish  of  North  Milford,  on  the  second  Monday 
in  June,  of  which  meeting  Charles  H.  Pond,  Esq.  of  jMiUbrd,  was  pre- 
viously appointed  moderator  by  the  Legislature.  At  ihls  meeting  Ben- 
jamin L.  Lambert,  Est},  was  appointeil  town  clerk. 

The  committee  appointed  by  the  two  parishes  to  obtain  the  act  of 
incorporation  for  a  town,  after  having  a  variety  of  names  under  consid- 
eration, finally  adopted  that  of  Oruno-c,  in  commemoratlun  of  the  lu'iie- 
fits  received  from  ^ViHiam,  Prince  of  Orange,  by  Connecticut,  when  a 

*  Allen's  Biographical  Dictiouary, 


215  O  J{  A  N  G  F.  . 

colony  ;  particularly  in  the  restoration  of  their  charter  privileges,  after 
the  tyranny  and  usur|)aii()ii  ol"  Sir  Ednuiud  Anili'oss. 

The  central  part  t)f  West  Haven  is  three  and  a  half  miles  fiom  the 
court  house  in  New  llaven.  The  fust  clergyman  in  this  parish  was  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Samuel  Johnson,  who  was  ordained  in  1130.  "  In  Octoher, 
1722,  he  professed  himself  an  Episcopalian,  and  left  his  people.  lie 
was  missionary  at  Stnitford  many  years  ;  afterwards  president  of  Ne\v 
York  College."  "  The  Rev.  Jonathan  Arnold  was  the  second  minis- 
ter at  West  Haven,  ordained  1725  or  172G.  About  the  year  17.'34,  he 
declared  for  Episcopacy.  Having  oliiciated  as  missionary  at  Derby 
and  West  Haven  tliree  or  four  years,  he  removed  to  Staten  Island. 
The  Rev.  Timotliy  Allen,  the  third  niinister  of  ^Vest  Haven,  was  or- 
dained 1738,  and  dismissed  1742."*  The  Kev.  Natlian  liirdseye,  the 
next  pastor,  was  ordained  in  1742  :  he  was  succeeded  by  the.  Rev. 
INoah  Williston,  the  (iflli  pastor,  who  was  ordained  in  17G0.  The 
Connecticut  Missionartj  Socicti/,  an  institution  which  has  been  of  great 
and  lasting  advantage  in  a  religions  and  moral  point  of  view,  had  its  ori- 
gin in  this  society.  A  lady  of  this  jjarisli,  (Miss  Kimberly,)  having 
liad  four  or  five  dollars  presented  to  lier  by  iicr  brothers,  wlio  were 
seamen,  gave  it  into  the  hands  of  her  pastor,  the  Rev.  I'lr.  Williston 
mentioned  above,  wlih  a  request  that  he  uoukl  apj)ly  it  for  the  purpose 
of  supplying  those  that  were  destitute,  with  the  ])reached  gos|)el.  INIr. 
Williston  soon  after  attending  the  General  Association,  mentioned  the 
gift  and  the  object  to  his  brethren,  who,  taking  the  subject  into  consid- 
eration, formed  the  society  above  mentioned. 

West  Haven  green,  the  spot  on  which  the  Congregational  and  Epis- 
copal churches  are  situated,  is  said  formerly  to  have  been  marshy 
ground,  and  covered  with  abler  bushes.  It  is  now  uncommonly  plea- 
sant in  iCs  appearance  ;  and,  although  the  churches  are  rather  antifjuated 
in  their  appeaiance,  there  is  an  air  of  neatness  and  retirement  about 
this  spot  that  is  sehlian  ctjualled.  About  a  mile  south  of  the  green 
is  Savin  Rock,  a  [)laci.'  of  some  resort  during  the  warm  season  of  the 
year.  It  was  at  this  place  the  Rritish  forces  landed  when  they  invaded 
New  Haven  in  July,  1779.  Adjutant  Ca!ni)bell  was  killed  about  one 
mile  and  a  half  north  of  the  churches  ;  (see  page  169.)  A  white  hand- 
kerchief, marked  with  his  name,  was  long  preserved  as  a  relic  of  this 
officer,  and  it  is  believed  to  be  still  in  existence.  He  was  possessed  of 
an  uncommonly  line  personal  appearance,  and  his  death  was  much  re- 
gretted by  the  enemy  ;  but  in  the  hurry  and  confusion  of  war,  he  was 
left  behind,  and  his  bloody  remains  were  born  to  the  grave  on  a  sheep 
rack.  Some  of  our  people  who  were  killed,  were  buried  in  the  vicinity. 
Their  bodies,  however,  were  taken  up  by  their  friends,  and  re-interred 
in  the  places  where  they  belongetl. 

The  land  of  North  Milford  part  of  the  town  was  surveyed  and  laid 
out  in  1GS7,  but  was  not  settled  till  forty  years  afterwards.  One 
Richard  Bryan  was  the  first  who  settled  in  that  part  of  the  town,  and 
for  many  yeai:s  it  was  called  Bryan's  Farm.     At  a  town  meeting  in 


Dr.  Dana's  Century  Serniuii 


o  X  r  0  11  ]> .  247 

Milford,  held  on  the  10th  of  December,  1750,  It  was  "  voted  that 
money  should  be  appropriated  to  the  inliabitants  o(  Bryan's  farm,  for 
the  purpose  of  setting  up  a  school  in  winter,  it  being  so  well  settled  that 
cue  is  deemed  necessary." 

The  inhabitants  of  North  IMilford  attended  meeting  in  Milford  until 
1805.  They  were  incorporated  as  a  society  by  the  General  Assembly, 
at  their  session  in  October,  1804.  The  number  of  })eiiiioner<j  for  this 
incorporation  was  fifty.  Their  fust  regular  society  meeting  was  held 
December  3,  1801.  The  clnu'ch  was  organized  on  ^Vednesday,  March 
13,  1805,  and  was  begun  by  (ive  persons  dismissed  bom  the  churches 
in  IMilford.  Their  (irst  pastor,  Eraslus  Scranton,  A.  ]M.,  a  native  of 
Madison,  was  ordained  July  4th,  1805.  lie  preached  with  them  for 
about  twenty  five  years,  when  he  a>kefl  chsmission,  and  removed  to 
Burlington.  While  he  continued  with  them,  the  society  greatly  pros- 
pered. The  inhabitants  of  this  parish,  fourteen  years  before  this, 
erected  a  meeting  house,  thirty  six  feet  by  thirty,  on  the  green,  where 
they  had  preaching  in  the  winter  season,  by  the  alternate  labors  of  tho 
ministers  of  Milford.  The  present  meeting  house  of  this  society  was 
raised  June  27th,  1810,  and  dedicated  April  17,  1811. 

There  is  a  silver  mine  in  this  parish,  on  land  owned  by  John  Lam- 
bert, Esq.,  lying  on  the  old  country  road.  It  was  opened  about  twenty 
years  ago,  by  xMr.  David  Lambert,  the  father  of  the  present  owner, 
who  obtained  a  considerable  (juatitity  of  ore,  but  having  a  large  farm 
which  required  his  attention,  he  did  not  long  continue  to  work  it.  A 
valuable  copper  mine  has  lately  been  o[)ened  in  the  same  range  of 
rocks,  by  the  J\e\v  York  INIining  Company.  It  is  said  there  are  indi- 
cations of  coal  in  the  north  part  of  the  town.  Asbestos  is  abundant  in 
the  serpentine  rocks,  which  abound  in  the  southern  section  of  the 
township. 


O  X  F  O  R  D  . 


OxFOUD  was  incorporated  as- a  town  in  October,  1798,  previously 
to  which  time,  it  belonged  to  the  town  of  Derby.  The  Rev.  Jonathan 
Lyman  appears  to  have  been  the  first  clergyman  in  the  j)lace.  He  was 
ordained  in  October,  1745.  It  is  fourteen  miles  northwest  from  New 
Haven,  and  forty  southwest  from  Hartford  ;  bounded  north  by  Middle- 
bury  and  Waterbury,  on  the  southwest  by  the  Housatonic,  separating 
it  from  Newtown,  on  the  west  by  Southbury,  on  the  east  by  Rethany, 
and  on  the  south  by  Derby.  Its  length  from  northeast  to  soutluvest  is 
about  eight  miles,  and  its  breadth  nearly  five.  The  surface  of  the 
township  is  uneven,  being  diversified  with  hills  and  valleys.  The  pre- 
vailing soil  is  a  giavelly  loam  ;  the  eastern  and  western  ])arlsof  the  town 
are  generally  fertile  and  productive.  The  central  part,  through  which 
the  main  road  |)asse3,  is  considered  to  be  the  poorest  land  in  tho  town. 
There  are  in  the  town  three  satinet  factories,  and  an  extensive  hat 
manufactory,  owned  by  JMessrs.  Hunt  Sc  Crosby.  A  number  of  ex- 
tensive manufacturing  establishments  are  about  being  erected  on  the 
Naugatuc. 


248 


O  X  1-  O  1{  D  . 


'U. 


O-iJunl,  [cciitnil  lutrt.) 


Tlie  above  eri[i;raviiig  is  a  soiitlicastein  view  of  the  central  part  of 
Oxford,  The  biiihhiiL,^  with  a  (.'othic  tower  is  the  E))iscoj)al  church  ; 
part  of  the  Congrcgaiioual  church  is  seen  on  the  extreme  right.  The 
elevation  seen  in  the  hack-grounJ  is  called'  "' Governor's"  hill,"  so 
named,  it  is  said,  from  its  being  principally  owned,  many  years  since, 
b/a  Mr.  Bunnell,  who  was  considered  by  his  neighbors  as  a  lordly 
kind  of  a  personage,  and  had  considerable  to  do  with  the  law,  being 
engaged  i^n  many  law-suits  for  the  support  of  his  real  or  imaginary 
rights.  From  the  important  and  consequential  airs  he  assumed  aniong 
his  neighbors,  he  probably  received  the  designation  of  "  Governor." 

f^uu!ccr  Fanna  is  a  jjlcasant  part  of  Oxford.  It  contains  an  Episco- 
pal cliurch,  which  is  about  two  miles  from  the  center  of  the  town. 
About  one  mile  and  a  half  south  from  tlx;  center  is  the  "  Park,"  former- 
ly a  place  for  deer.  About  eighty  or  ninety  years  since,  a  Mr.  AVooster 
owned  and  enclosed  about  one  hundred  acres  of  land  for  the  purj)ose 
of  keeping  deer.  It  is  said  that  he  had  the.  exclusive  privilege  by  law 
of  restraining  any  [)erson  from  hunting  deer  in  the  limits  of"  the  Park." 
Upon  the  outside  of  part  of  the  enclosure  there  was  a  kind  of  pre- 
cipice, from  which  the  deer  when  pursued  would  sometimes  leap  into 
the  enclosure,  much  to  the  mortification  and  disappointment  of  unpri- 
vileged hunters. 

About  one  mile  south  of  the  central  part  of  the  town  is  a  remarkable 
mineral  spring  ;  called  "  the  l\)ol,"  from  the  circumstance  of  its  waters- 
being  efficacious,  and  much  used  for  the  cure  of  the  salt  rheum  and 
other  complaints.  "  Once  in  a  month  a  yellowish  scum  will  collect 
upon  the  surface  of  the  water,  which  in  a  few  days  will  run  off,  and 
leave  the  pool  perfectly  clear.  In  the  coldest  weather  this  spring  never 
freezes;  in  the  dryest  season  it  is  as  full  as  at  other  times." 


PROSPECT.  249 


PROSPECT. 

Prospect  was  incorporated  as  a  town  in  1S57.  It  was  formerly 
the  parish  of  CoKunbia,  and  was  foriui-'d  fVoni  the  towns  of  Cheshire 
and  Waterbnry.  It  isjjounded  north  by  Waterbury  and  Cheshire,  east 
by  Cheshire,  south  by  Bethany,  and  west  by  Waterbnry,  It  averages 
about  (ive  miles  in  length,  and  four  in  breadth.  Tiie  central  part  is 
about  seventeen  miles  from  New  Haven,  and  about  four  west  of  Chesli- 
ire.  The  townshiji  is  elevated  and  comnjands  an  extensive  j^'oxpect, 
from  which  circumstance  its  name  is  derived.  The  surface  of  the 
town  is  hilly,  mountainous,  and  stony.  The  inhabitants  are  principally 
farmers.  There  are  two  houses  of  worship,  one  Congregational  and 
one  Methodist. 

Some  three  or  four  years  since,  the  Congregational  clergyman  and 
some  of  tlie  most  influential  members  of  tlio  church  and  society  adopted 
the  sentiments  of  the  Ferfcciionists,  which  caused  some  excitement  in 
this  and  some  of  the  neighboring  towns.  In  New  Haven  county  this 
doctrine  appears  to  have  originated  with  a  student  belonging  to  the  the- 
ological class  in  Yale  College  ;  several  of  his  associates  in  the  institu- 
tion also  en)braced  the  same  sentiments,  and  from  them  it  spread  to 
some  extent  in  several  towns  in  Connecticut.  A  large  proportion,  how- 
ever, of  those  who  embraced  tlie  doctrines  of  the  Perfectionists,  have 
since  altered  their  0|)inions,  and  have  returned  to  their  former  belief. 
The  following  is  believed  to  be  a  correct  summary  of  the  doctrines  and 
opinions  iield  by  the  Perfectionists. 

They  divide  mankind  into  three  classes;  first,  those  who  are  entirely 
without  a  preparation  of  heart  for  the  new  birth,  i.  e.  the  unconverted  ; 
second,  those  wlio  are  in  a  state  of  jtrejjaration,  /.  e.  the  converted  ; 
and  third,  those  who  have  experienced  the  new  birth,  who  are  the  only 
true  children  of  (Jod.  For  they  say  that  "  conversion  is  merely  re- 
pentance towards  Cod, — a  niere  change  of  the  mind  of  the  man." 
The  new  birth  is  a  change  in  his  moral  nature — it  gives  him  the  nature 
of  God;  mere  conversion  gives  no  security  of  salvation  from  either  sin 
or  hell ;  but  the  new  birth  saves  from-  both.  "  For  he  that  is  born 
of  God  doth  not  commit  sin,  for  his  seed  [the  divine  nature]  remainelh 
in  him  and  he  cannot  sin."     This  is  the  foundation  on  which  they  build. 

They  believe  that  none  are  Christians,  "  who  are  not  entirely  freed 
from  sin,  and  who  do  not  possess  the  faith,  righteousness,  liberty  and 
glory  of  the  risen  Son  of  God.  Tliey  believe  that  they  are  infallible, 
being  under  the  peculiar  guidance  of  the  Spirit,  and  give  themselves  up 
to  be  guided  by  him  in  tlie  ivay  of  all  truth,  having,  as  they  say, 
the  will  of  the  Lord  made  known  to  them  by  an  immediate  revela- 
tion. They  set  aside  all  ordinances  and  holy  days,  such  as  baptism, 
the  sacrament,  with  the  Lord's  prayer,  and  the  observance  of  the  Sab- 
bath, he.  ;  saying  that  they  are  but  the  mere  traditions  of  men,  being 
no  belter  than  the  forms  and  ceremonies  of  the  Popish  church.  Besides, 
they  contend  that  all  days  are  lioly  to  them,  "  having  entered  a  Sab- 
bath of  eternal  rest."  They  believe  they  are  as  secure  in  their  stats 
32 


250^ 


S  O  U  T  II  H  V  n  Y 


of  perfection  as  tlie  angels  of  Cod,  and  that  a  man  once  having  hia 
feet  firmly  fixed  upon  this  foundation  is  eternally  secure,  and  may  not 
give  himself  any  more  anxiety  about  his  future  destiny.  They  also 
believe  that  "  the  history  which  the  Bihlc  contains  of  the  church  after 
Cfirist's  ascension,  conunonly  called  the  primitive  cimrch,  is  a  history  of 
the  latter-day  glory  of  Judaism,  and  not  the  commencement  of  Chris- 
tianity, and  that  Christianity  or  the  kingdom  of  heaven  did  not  com- 
mence until  after  the  destruction  of  Jerusalem  ;"  and  that  was  the  pe- 
riod of  Christ's  second  coming;  and  the  resurrection,  (the  only  one,) 
of  the  spiritual  man  from  the  power  of  sin  and  death,  to  endless  glory 
and  bliss.  Therefore  they  say  that  the  day  of  judgment  is  gone  by  in 
one  sense,  and  in  another  is  now  going  on  and  will  be  completed  at  the 
end  of  time.  In  the  first  view  of  the  day  of  judgment  as  already 
passed,  they  say  that  this  day,  when  spoken  of  in  scripture,  refers  to  the 
destruction  of  Jerusalem.  In  the  second  view  of  the  subject,  they 
contend  that  this  day  conmiences  with  the  life  of  man,  and  ends  with 
that  life  ;  that  immediately  after  death,  the  soul  receives  its  final  sen- 
tence from  the  judge,  and  is  never  to  be  again  summoned  to  appear  be- 
fore his  bar. 

"  The  salvation  given  to  all  men  in  Jesus  Christ,"  say  they,  "  Inclu- 
ded nothing  less  than  a  perfect  and  eternal  salvation  from  sin  ;  a  perfect 
redemption  from  the  law;  a  jierfect  resiuTection  of  the  spiritual  body; 
and  the  standing  on  the  plain  of  eternity,  beyond  judgment."  They  be- 
lieve that  the  disciples  of  Christ,  during  his  ministry  in  the  flesh,  wero 
not  Christians.  "  They  call  no  man  master,  teacher,  or  chief,  and  will 
not  be  taught  of  each  other,  as  they  are  all  taught  of  God."  They 
do  not  all  hold  to  the  same  views.  In  the  words  of  one  of  their  num- 
ber, "  they  ditTer  among  themselves  on  almost  all  points,  except  the 
great  distinguishing  one,  viz.  perfection  in  holiness, — and  these  dif- 
ferences they  believe  generally  arise  from  the  fact,  that  some  are  in 
advance  of  others  in  their  Father's  kinmlom. 


SOUTH  BURY. 

SouTHBUHY  was  formerly  a  part  of  the  town  of  Woodbury,  and  was 
settled  about  the  year  1672.  It  was  incorporated  as  a  distinct  town 
in  1786,  and  at  that  period  belonged  to  the  county  of  Litchfield.  It  is 
bounded  n.  by  Woodbury  and  Roxbury,  s.  w.  by  the  Housatonic 
river,  separating  it  from  JN'ewtown,  e.  by  IMiddlebury,  and  s.  e.  by- 
Oxford.  Its  average  length  from  east  to  west  is  eight  miles,  and  its 
average  breadth  about  four.  The  prevailing  soil  is  a  sandy  loam,  gen- 
erally warm  and  fertile.  The  Pomperaug,  a  considerable  mill  stream, 
passes  through  the  center  of  the  town,  and  it  is  on  the  eastern  side  of 
this  stream,  that  the  principal  village  is  situated  :  there  is  a  fine  tract  of 
level  land  on  its  banks,  though  of  small  extent,  as  the  ground  rises  at  a 
short  distance  on  both  sides  of  the  river  :  on  the  west  side,  nearly  op- 
posite the  Congregational  church,  some  traces  of  coal  have  been  dis- 


S  0  U  T  IT  n  U  R  Y 


251 


covered.  A  shaft  was  sunk  a  few  years  since,  to  the  depth  of  about 
100  feel :  sonne  veins  of  coal  were  found,  but  in  such  small  quantities 
that  it  was  deemed  inexpedient  to  continue  the  search. 


DlitchclPs  JMausiun  House,  Southburij. 


The  above  engraving  is  a  south  view  of  the  Mansion  House  of  M. 
S.  Mitchell,  Esq.  recently  erected,  and  designed  as  a  house  of  public 
entertainment.  It  is  about  three  quarters  of  a  mile  north  of  the  Con- 
gregational church.  For  beauty  of  situation  and  superior  accommoda- 
tions, it  is  not  exceeded  by  any  establishment  of  the  kind  in  any  country 
village  in  the  State.  This  edifice  stands  on  the  spot  where  the  house 
of  the  first  minister  of  the  place,  Mr.  Graham,  formerly  stood.  The 
first  meeting  house  ever  built  in  the  town  was  situated  about  40  or  50 
rods  south.  The  central  part  of  the  village  is  20  miles  n.  w.  from 
New  Haven,  and  40  s.  w.  from  Hartford, , 

The  village  of  South  Britain,  a  parish  in  this  town,  is  situated  about 
four  miles  southwest  from  the  central  part  of  the  main  village  of  South- 
bury.  It  is  nearly  surrounded  by  higli  hills  and  ledges,  and  the.  place 
viewed'  from  the  south  has  a  romantic  appearance.  It  is  a  thriving  set- 
tlement, containing  upwards  of  20  dwelhng  houses,  2  churches,  (1  Con- 
gregational and  I  Methodist,)  3  mercantile  stores,  1  carpet  manufactory 
and  two  or  three  hat  manufactories.  Some  traces  of  coal  have  been 
f(Hmd,  near  tlie  foot  of  a  ledge,  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  the  village. 

The  northern  part  of  Soulhbury  is  called  JVhite  Oak.  This  name 
was  derived  from  an  oak  tree  which  formerly  stood  about  half  a  mile 
west  from  the  Congregational  church,  under  which  the  first  persons 
who  explored  the  town  encaniped.  There  are  two  pieces  of  tliis  tree 
remaining,  one  of  which  is  in  j)ossession  of  Mr.  Mitchell,  the  proprietor 
of  the  -Mansion  House  in  the  yillage.  These  pieces  were  taken  from 
the  tree  by  Shadrach  Osborn,  Esq.  an  aged  and  respectable  inhabitant  of 
the  town,  on  which  is  written  by  his  hand  the  following  : 


252  WALLING  FOUD. 

"  This  is  a  piece  of  tlie  ancient  wliite  oak  tree,  taken  from  the  trunk 
after  it  fell  down,  Aug.  lOtli,  1803,  by  Sliadrach  Osborn. 

"  The  sturd}'  Oak,  the  bonst  of  every  clime, 
Musi  bow  to  the  relentless  hiind  of  lime." 

"  The  tree  of  which  this  is  a  part,  stood  about  SO  rods  cast  of  the 
river,  by  the  old  field  road,  in  a  corner  of  the  Mitchell  land.  The  set- 
tlers of  the  ancient  town  of  Woodbury  encamped  under  it  when  they 
first  explored  the  town.  It  gave  the  name  of  JJ'hite  Oak  to  the  north- 
ern part  of  Souihbury,  and  remained  in  a  slate  of  vegetation  for  a  num- 
ber of  years  after  the  limbs  were  broken  off,  and  the  body  was  in  part 
decayed,  and  fell  down  in  the  year  1808.  This  piece  was  taken  from 
the  trunk  Aug.  19th,  the  same  year,  by  me. 

SllADRACH   OsiJURN." 

After  the  destruction  of  the  continental  stores  at  Danbury  dming  the 
Revolution,  and  while  ]Mr.  Osborn,  mentioned  above,  was  commissary, 
Southbury  was  made  a  i)lace  of  deposit.  Six  or  seven  himdred  barrels 
of  pork  were  stored  away  in  a  jilace  called  Foe  IIulloic,  and  50  men 
under  the  command  of  Capt.  Parsons,  of  Dt-rby,  were  ajifjointed  to 
guard  it.  A  large  group  of  chestnut  trees  ha\e  grown  up  since  on  the 
spot,  which  is  about  one  mile  southeast  from  the  C'ongregational  chinch. 
About  a  mile  southwest,  one  or  two  hundred  barrels  of  beef  were  stored, 
near  the  river. 

The  first  settlers  located  themselves  back  of  the  ancient  burying 
ground,  near  the  brook.  The  names  of  some  of  the  first  were  Judson  ; 
Hinman,  Curtis,  Minor,  Johnson  and  Strong.  John  Minor,  it  is  said, 
was  from  Massachusetts,  and  acted  as  an  interpreter  with  the  Indians  in 
the  vicinity.  In  1727,  a  great  sickness  prevailed  here,  and  swejjt  otV 
almost  all  the  old  people  :  it  is  said  to  have  been  a  kind  of  fever,  and 
very  fatal. 

The  following  inscriptions  are  on  monuments  in  the  old  burying 
grounil. 

IntiLisl  iit  besi,— luT.-  lirs  ihr  Itrv'l  Mr.  J, mis  (^imii.im,  u  h,,  .Iojki  i  Ir.l  llns  life  i  )e- 
cembei  the  Uth,  A.  D.  1771,  in  the  SIm  ycai  iWhi.-,  a-v  ai,a  r)llh  year  ul  lus  miiii.sii)'. 

Andrew  Giuiiam,  M.  D.  mid  a  desceiidani  of  ihe  Ouke  of  Momiii--e,  (le|iarte(l  tiiis 
for  another  and  a  beiier  world,  in  June,  1785,  aj^ed  .07  years.  (.)nl  ol  re.s|icet  lo  the 
memory  of  an  honest  man,  this  marble  is  nlaeed  by  his  sion,  John  A.  Graham  LL.  D. 

Ncw'York,  J805.     S\  OubUe. 


W  A  T.  L  1  N  G  F  O  R  D  . 

Wallingford  Oiii;inally  belonged  to^^ew  Hav£n,  and  hef(jre  it  was 
incorporated  as  a  town  was  called  New  Haven  village.  The  purchase 
of  the  town  was  made  by  Governor  Eaton,  Mr.  Davenport,  and  other 
planters  of  New  Haven,  in  December,  16;J8.  "  The  settlement  was 
projected  in  j_669,  A  committee  was  appointed  by  the  town  of  New 
Haven,  vested  with  powers  to  manage  the  whole  atlairs  of  the  settle- 
ment.    Tills  committee  held  the  land  in  trust,  and  acted  in  all  the  af- 


W  A  L  L  I  N  O  F  O  R  D  .  i2  53 

fairs  of  the  town  as  trustees,  until  I\Iay,  1G72,  when  they  resigned  their 
trust  to  the  town. 

The  Rev.  Samuel  Street  was  tlie  first  minister  of  the  place.  He 
commenced  his  labors  here  in  1G72,  and  continued  in  the  ministry  in  this 
town  forty  two  years.  The  tradition  is,  that  the  liev  Mr.  Davenport 
of  New  Haven,  preached  the  first  sermon  in  AVallin^ford,  at  the  bottom 
of  tlie  hill  on  which  the  town  stands,  from  these  words  in  Isaiah  v.  1.. 
^^  My  beloved  hath  a  vineyard  in  a  very  fruitful  hill."  JMr.  Street 
moved  here  with  his  family  in  April,  iCu'S  ;  on  the  15lh  of  February, 
1675,  the  town  voted,  "  that  there  had  been  consent  about  establishing 
a  church  of  Christ  in  the  aforesaid  town,  and  a  solemn  day  set  apart 
and  observed  by  tlie  town  unanimously,  to  seek  God's  guidance  in  so 
great  a  work  ;  they  have  now  also  actually  and  unanimously  concluded, 
if  it  be  the  will  of  God,  that  there  shall  be  a  church  gathered,  and  to 
walk  according  to  the  Congregational  ivay ;  and  have  also  unani- 
mously left  the  management  of  the  same  in  the  hands  of  Mr.  Moss,  Mr. 
Samuel  Street,  INIr.  Brocket,  Eliasaph  Preston,  J.ohn_Ha]lj,jen.  Joihn 
UaH,  jun,  Thomas  Yale,  Nehemiah  lioyce,  Nathan  Andrews,  Benja- 
irnirLewis,  Lieutenant  Merriman,  Sergeant  Doolittle,  John  lieach  ;  that, 
if  it  be  the  will  of  God  to  incline  their  licarts,  so  many  of  them  as  may 
be  a  com])elent  number  for  that  work  may,  in  his  time,  lay  the  founda- 
tion."    The  church  was,  without  much  doubt,  formed  soon  after. 

The  first  settlers  assembled  in  a  private  dwelling,  (the  house  of 
Lieut.  Nathaniel  Merriman,)  for  religious  worship.  In  1679,  .it  was 
agreed  to  build  a  house  23  by  2-1  feet,  and  ten  feet  post.  In  1681, 
a  further  rale  was  laid  to  finish  the  house,  which  however  was  not  com- 
pleted. In  1690,  an  addition  of  sixteen  feet  was  made  to  the  breadth 
of  it;  and  the  following  year  "concluded  to  seal  the  whole  inside  from 
sell  to  plate." 

The  inhabitants  had  repeated  apprehensions  from  the  incursions  of 
the  Indians.  On  the  breaking  out  uf  Philip's  war  in  1675,  Mr.  Street's 
and  Lieut.  Merriman's  houses  were  ordered  to  be  fortified,  August 
27th  :  the  whole  town  engaged  in  the  work  till  it  was  contpleted.  Every 
man  also  was  required  to  bring  arms  and  ammunition  on  the  Sabbath. 
The  following  October,  Sergt.  Doolittle's  house  at  the  lower  end  of  the 
town,  was  fortified.  Persons  were  appointed  to  keep  garrison  at  each 
of  the  above  places.*  In  February,  1690,  there  was  an  order  of  the 
town '.to  fort  in  the  meeting  house.  "  In  1702,  the  apprehensions  from 
the  savages  were  revived,  and  the  inhabitants  brought  arms  on  the 
Lord's  day."  In  1690,  the  number  of  the  inhabitants  was  400,  fami- 
lies 73.  Mr.  Street  died  January,  1717,  being  82  years  old  ;  the  Rev. 
Samuel  Whittelsey,  after  preaching  about  a  year,  was  ordained  col- 
league pastor  with  Mr.  Street  in  1710.  At  this  time  the  number  of  in- 
habitants was  about  700.  Mr.  Whittelsey  died  in  1752,  having  almost 
completed  the  42d  year  of  his  ministry.  He  was  considered  one  of  the 
most  eminent  preachers  in  the  colony. 

Wallinglbrd  is  bounded  north  by  Meriden,  west  by  Cheshire,  east  by 
Durham  and  Middletown,  and  south  by  North  Branford  and  North  Ha- 

*  Dr.  Dana's  Century  Sermon. 


251 


W  A  L  I.  I  N  G  F  O  U  I)  . 


Jl'allingjonl,  {central  purl 


ven.  lis  leni^lli  from  east  to  west  is  neaily  seven  miles,  ai)d  its  breadth 
about  six.  The  central  part  of  Wallin^fford  is  thirteen  miles  north  from 
New  Haven,  twenty  three  south  from  Hartford,  and  between  eleven  and 
twelve  miles  southwest  from  Middletown.  Tlie  prevailing  surface  is 
pleasantly  diversified  with  moderate  hills  and  dales;  the  eastern  extre- 
mity of  the  townshi|)  is  mountainous.  The  soil  is  generally  excellent, 
excepting  a  tract  called  the  Walliiigford  Plain,  consisting  of  coarse  sand, 
situated  on  the  eastern  bank  of  the  Quiimipiac.  It  is  nearly  four  miles 
in  length,  and  about  three  fourths  of  a  mile  in  breadth.  It  is  the  most 
extensive  tract  of  level  land  in  the  state,  and  one  of  the  most  sterile 
and  barren.  The  town-is  watered  by  tlie  Quinnipiac,  a  valuable  mill 
stream,  which  passes  through  the  extent  of  the  town,  upon  which  are 
several  n)ills  and  manufactories.  Yaleville  is  a  little  manufacturing 
village  in  the  northern  section  of  the  town,  where  britannla  and  tin  ware 
is  manufactured  to  scjine  extent.  There  is  an  esiablisliment  westward 
of  the  main  street,  on  the  Quinni|)iac,  for  the  manufacture  of  wood 
screws,  of  which  there  are  about  1,OUO  groce  manufactured  daily.  The 
principal  village  of  Wallingford  is  beautifully  situated  on  a  fine  eleva- 
tion upwards  of  a  iiille  east  of  the  river,  on  two  parallel  streets  extend- 
ing along  the  ridge  of  the  hill.  The  western  street,  on  which  the  prin- 
cipal part  of  the  village  is  situated,  is  upwards  of  a  mile  in  length. 

The  above  is  a  re[)resentation  of  the  central  part  of  Wallingford 
street.  The  view  was  taken  looking  north  from  the  residence  of  Jared 
P.  Wliittelsey.  Esq.  a  few  rods  south  of  the  Congregational  church. 
The  buihling  on  the  left  is  tlie  Congregational  church  ;  a  short  distance 
northward  is  seen  the  l>aptlst  church,  having  a  few  poplars  standing  be- 
fore it;  the  large  building  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  street,  without  a 
steeple  or  chimney,  is  now  occupied  as  an  Episcopal  church.  These 
three  churches  are  all  the  houses  for  public  worship  in  the  town. 


W  A  L  I.  1  N  G  F  O  R  I)  .  '400 

The  house  now  occupied  hy  the  Episcopal  society  was  built  by  h 
Congregational  society  in  this  town,  known  by  the  name  of  "  the 
"  Wells."  Tliis  society  owes  its  origin  to  the  controversy  which  took 
place  respecting  the  onhnation  of  Dr.  Dana,  in  1758.  After  the  death 
of  INIr.  Whittelsey,  in  1752,  the  first  society  in  Wallingford  were  desli- 
-tute  of  a  settled  minister  for  about  six  years.  At  length  jNIr.  James 
Dana,  of  Cambridge,  Massachusetts  became  a  candidate,  and  gave  the 
majority  of  the  society  such  satisfaction  that  they  agreed  to  settle  him. 
Some,  however,  were  not  satisfied  with  regard  to  his  doctrines.  A 
number  of  persons  waited  on  Mv.  Dana  in  order  to  ascertain  his  "sen- 
timents with  regard  to  original  sin,  the  saints'  perseverance,  free  will, 
and  falling  from  grace."  lie  made  them  very  short  answers,  and  said 
he  should  not  tell.  They  asked  him  how  he  liked  the  platform.  He 
said  he  had  never  seen  it,  but  supposed  if  he  settled,  he  should  settle 
upon  it.  They  enquired  if  ho  had  seen  the  doctrines  of  faith  which 
Mr.  Whittelsey  had  used  ?  He  told  them  he  had.  They  enquired 
how  he  liked  them  ?  In  reply  he  asked  them,  why  they  did  not  ask 
him  how  he  liked  John  Bunyan's  Pilgrim's  Progress,  and  TEsop's 
Fables? 

This  treatment,  and  his  refusing  to  give  an  account  of  his  doctrines, 
gave  much  dissatisfaction,  and  increased  the  party  against  him.  A 
complaint  was  made  against  him  to  the  consociation,  which  assembled  in 
Wallingford  ;  the  ordaining  council  met  at  the  same  time.  Mr.  Dana 
and  his  adherents  denied  the  jurisdiction  of  the  consociation.  The  or- 
daining council,  who  were  in  favor  of  Mr.  Dana,  sei)arated  from  the 
consociation,  and  ordained  him.  The  consociation  adjourned,  and  in- 
vited the  neighboring  consociation  of  the  southern  district  of  the  county 
of  Hartford  to  unite  with  them  in  council.  This  united  council  de- 
clared Mr.  Dana  and  his  chuich  guilty  of  scandalous  contempt,  and  it 
voted  that  "  the  sentence  of  non-communion  be  declared  against  them." 
The  minor  part  of  the  church,  who  were  opposed  to  .Mr.  Dana,  were 
owned  as  a  distinct  churSh  by  the  consociation.  They  were  released 
from  taxes  to  the  support  of  Mr.  Dana,  by  the  General  Assembly,  in 
1759,  and  allowed  to  worship  by  themselves.  The  He  v.  Simon  Wa- 
terman was  ordained  pastor  over  them  in  October,  1761.  The  ])eople 
were  made  a  distinct  society,  by  the  name  of  Wells,  in  I\Iay,  1763. 
The  number  of  church  members  in  this  society  at  the  ordination  of 
Mr.  Waterman  was  sixty  one.  "  This  controversy,"  says  Dr.  Trum- 
bull, "  divided  the  town,  alienated  brethren,  and  eflected  divisions  in 
the  commonwealth  and  churches." 

At  the  time  of  the  erection  of  the  Wells  meeting  house,  the  parties 
came  to  blows,  an  attempt  was  made  to  stop  the  building,  the  bell  was 
rung  to  call  the  party  together,  and  the  inhabitants,  for  a  number  of 
miles  round,  hastened  to  the  scene  of  action  and  joined  in  the  conflict. 


Lyman  Hall,  one  of  the  signers  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence, 
was  a  native  of  this  town.  He  was  graduated  at  Yale  College  in  1747. 
He  at  first  made  theology  his  study  and  profession  ;  but  he  afterwards 
studied  medicine,  went  to  Georgia,  and  estabhshed  himself  as  a  physi- 


256  '  WALLINGFORD. 

cian  at  Midway.  He  took  an  early  and  decided  part  in  defense  of  colo- 
nial rights,  and  was  chosen  a  delegate  to  the  general  congress  in  1775. 
Dr.  Hall  was  afterwards  governor  of  Georgia.  During  several  of  tho 
late  years  of  his  life,  he  resided  at  his  plantation  near  Savannah  ;  but 
towards  the  close  of  it  he  removed  into  one  of  the  upper  couniies  of  the 
state,  where  he  died  in  1790.* 


EXTRACTS    i'ROM    NEWSPAPKRS. 

I^rom  the  Coiincclicut  Journal,  A}>ril'29,  1708. 

As  I  have  never  burthened  the  public  to  read  or  you  to  publish  any  of  my  produc- 
tions; I  tlulter  myself  the. subsequent  ^^llc•cinct  suggestions  will  be  foiy;iv'en.  As  econ- 
omy is  the  watchword  of  the  reign,  as  candor  «as  ol  the  former,  in  the  couitly  and 
ministerial  style,  it  has  cru>sed  the  Atlantic,  and  is  in  high  vogne  in  America  as  well 
as  Westminster,  the  ciiy  of  the  great  Iving.  The  storv  is  this,— A  few  days  since,  a 
strolling  mail  in  soldier's  regimental  garb,  calling  himself  .lames  McCannon,  with 
a  blazing  woman,  came  into  my  house  in  early  murn,  hegged  for  cider,  then  three 
mugs  deep,  as  I  was  informed;  alter  some  admoniliuns  given  him,  iny  affairs  pressing 
my  immediate  departure,  I  left  him  in  the  house,  on  which  he  soon  became  very  bois- 
terous, attempted  to  pilfer  suine  things  which  my  domestic  discovered  ;  finally  carried 
ofl'  a  brass  save-all,  of  a  stand  of  candlesticks,"  (then  undiscovered;)  -what  else  is  at 
present  unknown.  This,  though  trilling  in  its  value,  intrinsically,  but  as  an  ancient 
patrimonial  legacy  of  high  estimation,  not  only  as  a  standing  eviilence  of  iheir  jiru- 
clent  economy,  but  ex  vi  termini  a  memento  to  ect)iiomy  sive-ali.  And  hereby  I  beg 
leave  to  give  warning  to  all  families  to  beware  of  such  strolling  pilferers,  if  they  would 
.save  all.  I  beg  leave  also  to  ask  the  ])ubiic,  whether  it  wouUI  nut  be  of  public  utility, 
to  have  task  masters  in  every  town  to  ctnnjiel  iliem  lo  labor,  as  they  are  passing  every 
day  in  our  streets,  and  will  be  probably  more  and  more;  or  some  other  similar  saluta- 
ry measure. 

I  ask  pardon  for  one  more  hint  which  pops  into  my  head,  while  my  pen  is  moving, 
as  a  supplemental  suggestion  to  economy  antl  save-all.  A  respectable  physician  of 
the  city  of  London,  ot  high  renown  in  the  faculty,  told  the  subscriber  that  he  required 
his  servants  to  save  all  the  rags,  not  that  it  was  of  the  least  avail  to  him,  but  only  a  spe- 
cimen of  economy — save-all;  and  williall  added,  the  rags  in  this  city  are  worth  sixty- 
thousand  pounds  sterling  a  year.  I  hojie  the  jiaper  mill  manufaciurers,  will  not  es- 
teem the  foregoing  hint  luuthensome,  though  the  public  may  what  i)recedcs.  Gentle- 
men, if  it  appear  more  eligible  to  save  your  pains  ;iiul  jiaper  than  print  this,  remember 
and  save  all.     I  am  vour  most  humble  servant, 

jr.i//i/i-/w/-./,  :>  c'j.-r'.,  A^:rii  •J:^^  e.  Hali.. 

rrovi  (he  Connecticut  Gazrttr. 

At  a  meeting  of  a  number  of  the  true  sons  of  libcrly  in  "VVallinglbrd,  in  New  Haven 
county,  on  the  evening  of  the  13th  day  of  January,  iTtifi,  after  duly  ibrmed  by  choos- 
ing a  moderator  and  a  clerk,  the  iblluwing  resolves  were  come  into,  viz  : 

Rcstdved,  I.  That  the  late  act  of  Parliament,  called  the  Stamp  Act,  is  uncoustitu-' 
lional,  and  intended  to  enslave  the  true  subjects  of  America. 

Resolved,  C.  That  we  will  oppose  the  same  to  the  last  extremity,  even  to  take  the 
field. 

Resolved,  3.  That  we  will  meet  at  the  Court  House  in  New  Haven,  on  the  third 
Tuesday  of  Febiuary  next;  and  we  desire  all  the  sons  of  liberty  in  each  town  in  the 
county  would  meet  then  by  themselves  or  representatives;  there  to  consult  what  is 
best  lo  be  done  in  order  to  defend  our  liberties  and  properties,  and  break  up  the  stop 
to  jmblic  alfairs. 

licioLvcd,  -1.  That  this  meeting  be  adjouriied  to  the  lirst  Tuesday  of  February  next, 
then  to  choose  our  representatives  to  ailcnd  the  aloresaul  meeting. 

A  true  copy,  examined,  P.  P.  Clauk. 


*  Holmes'  Annals. 


WATKIlliUKY.  i257 


WATEllBURY. 


Wateubury  is  bounded  n.  oii  Plyiuoutli  and  Watertown,  k.  on  Wol- 
cott  and  Prospect,  s.  on  Bethany  and  Oxford,  and  w.  on  Middlcbury. 
It  is  8  miles  iioni  north  to  soutli,  and  4  from  east  to  west.  The  town 
center  is  20  miles  from  New  Haven,  and  28  from  llariford.  With  the 
exception  of  the  alluvial  lands  upon  the  streams,  the  surface  of  the  soil 
is  hilly,  rouL,di,  and  of  laborious  cultivation.  But  altliough  nature  has 
been  sparing  of  lier  gifts  to  constitute  its  inhabitants  a  great  agricultural 
people,  she  has  been  profuse  in  the  abundance  of  her  water-lalls ;  and 
experience  has  proved  that  where  these  two  interests  are  made  to  bear 
upon  each  other,  enterprise  alone  is  wanting  to  produce  magnificent  re- 
sults. For  tliirty  years  previous  to  the  introduction  of  manufaclurcs 
into  the  community,  the  population  rather  decreased.  The  census  of 
1800,  gave  the  number  of  3,25G— in  1810,  of  2,784— In  1820,  of 
2,822 — in  1830,  of  3,070  exclusive  of  about  350,  which  about  that 
time  were  ceded  to  Prospect,  when  the  parish  of  Columbia  was  added 
to  form  that  townsliip.     The  society  of  Salem  yet  remains  a  parish. 

The  site  upon  which  the  borough  of  Waterbury  stands,  is  situated  in 
a  valley  which  is  washed  by  the  Mud  river  on  the  east,  and  the  JNau- 
gatuc  on  the  west;  and  in  its  central  part  is  about  a  mile  in  breadth. 
The  main  street  runs  east  and  west ;  but  since  the  increase  of  the  man- 
ufacturing establishments  within  the  last  twelve  years,  a  large  share  of 
the  new  buildings  have  been  erected  in  their  vicinity,  which  is  in  the 
southeast  part  of  the  village.  On  either  side  of  the  village,  hills  gradu- 
ally rise  to  a  considerable  elevation,  presenting  to  the  eye  the  galleries 
of  an  ampitheater,  the  village  forming  the  area.  The  number  of  hou- 
ses is  about  one  hundred  and  fifty,  and  the  population  fifteen  hundred; 
u'hich  it  is  calculated  has  doubled  itself  during  the  last  twelve  years; 
most  of  the  factories  having  been  established  within  that  time.  Some 
of  the  private  dwellings  may  be  called  splendid,  and  a  majority  of  them 
are  neat  and  convenient,  with  handsome  court  yards  in  front.  There 
arc  four  churches  In  the  place  ;  1  for  Congregationalists,  1  for  Ei)isco- 
palians,  1  for  Methodists,  and  1  for  the  Baptist  society.  The  last  two 
have  been  recently  built ;  and  are  highly  creditable  to  the  congregations, 
considering  the  weakness  of  their  numbers.  The  former  two,  as  the 
societies  are  more  numerous  and  able,  will  soon  give  place  to  edifices 
corresponding  \\ith  the  growth  and  prosperity  of  the  place. 

The  cut  on  the  following  page  is  a  southeastern  view  of  the  central 
j)art  of  the  village,  and  shows  its  appearance  from  the  summit  of  a  gen- 
tle elevation,  about  five  or  six  rods  east  from  the  road  to  New  Haven. 
The  l^aplist  church,  with  a  square  tower,  is  seen  in  the  central  part  of 
the  engraving  ;  the  spire  of  the  Episcopal  church  a])pears  on  the  left, 
that  of  the  Congregational  church  on  the  right. 

Of  the  articles  manufactured  in  the  village,  those  of  gilt  buttons,  and 
the  rolling  of  brass  and  copper  metals  for  a  great  variety  of  uses,  con- 
stitute the  greatest  business.  There  are  three  factories  of  this  kind 
upon  an  extensive  scale,  two  in  the  village,  and  one  about  two  miles 

33 


253* 


AV  A  T  E  II  n  u  n  Y  , 


iSuut/u(i-,ttni  Lieu  oj    It  (tlubiinj,  (^(  cndal  pait  ) 
nunli,  i-,oiiiiL-t;iLil  wiili   wliiuli  ib  a  yulJ  luliiiuiy.      Tliuit;  aiu  likuwisu  l\>0 

factoiies  of  gilt  bullous,  upon  a  considerable  scale,  unconnected  with 
rolling'  mills;  one  extensive  rolling  n)ill,  connected  with  the  brass  wire 
and  tubing  manufacture  ;  two  satinet  factories,  and  one  woolen  factory  ; 
besides  a  great  number  of  minor  establishments,  in  which  buttons  of  va- 
rious kinds,  and  other  articles,  are  mauuHictured  to  a  considerable  ex- 
tent. Tiie  number  of  persons  in  the  village  of  both  sexes,  who  are 
employed  in  the  manufiicturing  establishments,  is  between  six  and  seven 
hundred.  It  is  not  known  precisely  what  amount  is  manufactured  yearly, 
but  it  has  been  estimated  by  good  judges  to  exceed  a  million  of  dollars, 
and  is  upon  the  increase.  The  route  has  been  surveyed  by  a  practical 
engineer,  for  constructing  a  canal  to  bring  the  Naugatuc  on  to  the  bank 
ai  the  west  end  of  the  town,  which  will,  when  completed,  allbrd  a  sup- 
ply of  water  power,  capable  of  employing  as  much  or  moie  capital  than 
lias  been  already  invested. 

In  consequence  of  the  favorable  reports  relative  to  the  interval  lands 
bordering  upon  the  river  Naugatuc,  in  this  vicinity,  a  numljerof  the  in- 
habitants of  Farmington,  in  the  autumn  of  1G73,  petitioned  the  As- 
setpbly  for  a  committee  to  view  INIaltaluck,  (the  aboriginal  name  of 
Waterbury,)  and  report  upon  the  expediency  of  locating  a  plantation 
at  that  place.  A  committee,  consisting  of  Lieut.  Thon)as  Bull,  Lieut. 
Robert  Webster,  and  Daniel  Pratt,  was  ap[)ointed,  who  reported  to  the 
Assembly  in  May,  1074,  tliat  IMattatuck  would  probably  alTord  suifi- 
cient  means  to  sustain  a  population  of  thirty  families.  Upon  the  re- 
ception of  this  report,  a  committee  of  five,  consisting  of  John  Talcat, 
Robert  Webster,  Nicholas  Olmsted,  Samuel  Steele,  nnd  John  Wads- 
worth,  were  appointed  to  manage  and  order  the  affairs  of  the  settle- 
ment. This  committee  entered  Imniediately  upon  their  duties,  and 
drew  up  a  plan  to  regulate  and  establish  the  settlement,  which  docu- 
ment consisted  of  eight  articles,  bearing  date  the  30th  day  of  IMay, 
1674,  in  the  foUowi'  g  words  : 


^y  A  T  E  n  n  u  n  Y .  i*5i) 

Aiiiclc  I. — Every  pel  son  lli^l  is  acceplL-d  lor  an  iiiliabitant  shall  have  eight  acres  for 
a  home  lot. 

Article  II. — The  dislrihuiion  of  meadows  shall  be  proportioned  to  each  person  ac- 
cording' lo  estate — no  person  to  have  exceeding  £  100  allotment,  excepting  two  or 
three  allolinenis,  which  the  comniiitee  ma)'  make  according  to  their  best  discretion. 

Article  III. — Taxes  lor  public  charges  to  be  according  to  meadow  allotments,  this 
article  to  be  in  force  five  years — at  the  end  ol  five  years  rales  to  be  on  polls  and  estate, 
according  to  the  law  of  the  cohmy. 

Article  IV. — Every  person  that  takes  np  an  alloiinent,  shall,  within  four  years  after 
the  date  hereof,  build  a  good  and  fashionable  ilwelliiig  house,  18  by  10,  and  'J  feet  be- 
tween joints,  with  a  good  chimney. 

Article  V. — In  case  any  peisonshall  fail  of  Iniilding  as  aforesaid,  he  shall  forfeit  all 
his  allotments  at  Mattatuclc,  ami  all  his  rit;ht  and  title,  buildings  only  excepted,  to  be 
dis|)osed  of  by  the  commiitee  to  oiheis,  who  shall  be  accepted  according  to  the  cojidi- 
tion  of  these  articles. 

Article  VI. —  All  who  have  allotments,  sliall  personally  dwell  as  inliabitants  of  Mat- 
tat(i(;k,  or  forfeit  as  aforesaid. 

Article  YU. —  Each  per.son  who  has  an  allotment  at  Mattatuclc,  shall  dwell  there 
four  years  from  the  time  he  enters  upuii  dwelling  there,  or  forfeit  as  afoiesaid. 

Article  VllI, — All  who  shall  have  allotments  shall  sign  these  articles. 

The  articles  were  subscribecl  to  by  tlie  persons  wliose  names  are  an- 
nexed. 


*  John  Laughtfui,   . 

. 

£100 

John  Carrington, 

.        .       £G0 

♦  .lohn  Andrews,    . 

100 

♦  William  Higason, 

70 

Thomas  Judd,     . 

100 

()badiah  Richards,       . 

80 

Edmund  Scott,     . 

100 

Thomas  Newell, 

100 

John  Welton,       . 

80 

1    John  Stanley,  senr. 

!)3 

Abraham  Andross, 

80 

Daniel  Warner, 

tiO 

Isaac  Hronson,     . 

110 

♦  Samuel  Gridley, 

yo 

John  Stanley, 

100 

John  Warner,  jun. 

100 

Samuel  Ilic'kox, 

. 

85 

JtdmJudd, 

100 

*  Richard  Seymour, 

100 

Joseph  Hickoi, 

til) 

♦  Abraham  Bronson, 

80 

John  Bronson,  senr.     . 

80 

♦  John  Porter, 

80  i 

*  Thomas  Gridley, 

80 

Thomas  Handcox, 

100 

Daniel  Porter,  '  . 

<.)0 

John  Warner,      . 

00 

*  Samuel  Judd,       . 

81) 

U'homas  llichason. 

r)0 1 

♦William  Judd,     . 

100 

AWf.— The  names 

of  those 

designated  by  a  star,*  afterwaids  decliii 

leil  joining  the 

settlement,   ami  ihe  ii 

ames  of 

the  lo 

llowmg  individiuils  wuie  added  to 

the  list  ol    .sub- 

scribe rs  ti.i  supply  the 

vacancy 

,  to  w 

it:  John  Scovil,  Benjamin  Barnes, 

John  Stanley, 

jr.  IMmund  Scott,  jr. 

Joseph  tJaylor 

d,  John  Moiikins,  Timoihy  Stanle\ 

■,.uid  Thomas 

Warner, 

Thus,  the  propriety  or  ownership  of  the  town,  was  by  the  commit- 
tee divitJed  into  an  indefinite  number  of  shares,  leaving  it  optional  with 
the  settler  to  subscribe  for  any  portion,  not  exceeding  one  hundred 
pounds — the  committee  reserving  to  themselves  the  right  to  make  two 
or  three  special  allotments  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  pounds  each.  These 
reserved  rights  were  subsequently  appropriated — one  of  £150  value  for 
the  benefit  of  the  ministry,  and  another  of  equal  amount  for  the  use  of 
schools. 

In  the  summer  of  1674,  the  committee  purchased  of  the  native  In- 
dians (in  trust  for  the  settlement)  by  deed,  bearing  date  August  21st, 
for  the  consideration  of  divers  good  causes,  and  thirty  eight  ))ounds,  a 
tract  of  land  at  Mattatuck,  bordering  upon  both  sides  of  the  Naugatuc 
river,  ten  miles  long  from  north  to  south,  and  six  miles  wide  from  east 
to  west;  butting  east  on  F'arniington,  south  on  Paugasset,  (now  Der- 
by,) west  on  Paugasset,  Pomperaug  and  Potatunk,  (now  Woodbury  and 
Southbury,)  and  north  on  wilderness.  The  breaking  out  of  what  was 
called  King  Philip's  war,  in  1675,  and  the  distresses  attendant  upon  it, 


2G0  WATEKBUIIY. 

for  a  time  retarded  the  designs  of  the  settlers ;  little  else  being  done 
than  exploring  the  country.  After  peace  was  established  with  the  In- 
dians, the  subscribers  to  the  articles  determined  upon  settling  JNIattatuck 
without  delay.  Accordingly,  in  1G77,  the  State's  committee  assigned 
their  purchase  of  the  Indians  to  Thomas  Judd,  John  Stanley,  and  oth- 
ers, inhabitants  of  Mattatuck,  and  in  the  January  following,  made  reg- 
ulations about  the  fences  around  the  meadows  on  the  east  side  of  the 
river,  and  ordered  the  work  to  be  finished  by  the  last  of  May  succeed- 
ing. It  was  at  this  time  that  those  signers  designated  in  the  preceding 
note  declined  joining  the  settlement,  and  the  other  individuals  were  ad- 
mitted in  their  stead.  The  committee  likewise  extended  to  the  sub- 
scribers one  year  more  than  the  articles  originally  allowed,  in  which  to 
erect  their  dwellings  in  Mattatuck. 

In  1684,  the  Indian  owners  of  the  town,  for  the  consideration  of  di- 
vers good  causes,  and  £9,  conveyed  to  the  English  j)roprietors  a  parcel 
of  land  to  run  eight  miles  north  from  Mount  'I'aylor,  to  extend  west  to 
a  north  and  south  line  eighty  rods  east  of  Quassapaug  pond,  butted 
north  on  wilderness,  east  on  Farmington  bounds,  south  on  the  former 
grant,  and  west  on  the  aforementioned  north  and  south  line.  In  De- 
cember of  the  san)e  year,  a  number  of  Indians  conveyed  to  said  pro- 
jirietors  a  number  of  pieces  of  land  l}ing  within  the  bounds  described 
within  the  iloed  of  l(i74,  probably  other  claimants  to  the  same  lands. 
Thus  the  anciejit  limits  to  the  town  of  Walerbnry,  as  deeded  by  the 
Indians,  and  patented  by  the  State  to  the  proprietors,  extended  about 
eighteen  miles  from  north  to  south,  and  about  ten  from  east  to  west — 
now  comprehending  the  towns  of  ^Vaterbury,  Watertown,  and  Ply- 
mouth, most  of  Middlebury,  half  of  Wolcott,  and  a  small  part  of  Ox- 
ford and  Prospect.  This  extent  of  territory,  which  was  estimated  by 
a  committee  of  the  Assembly  as  capable  of  accommodating  thirttj  fam- 
ilies, now  contains  a  population  of  about  ei^ht  thousand  souls. 

In  the  summer  of  1()77,  the  proprietors,  without  their  families,  came 
on  to  their  purchase  to  lay  out  the  fomulalion  of  the  future  capital  of 
their  little  colony.  The  site  first  [)itched  upon  was  on  the  ridge  of  a 
considerable  eminence,  which  ascends  from  the  western  bank  of  the 
Naugatuc,  about  a  mile  from  the  present  location  of  Waterbury  village, 
and  which  to  this  day  is  called  "  Town  Plot."  Streets  were  laid  out, 
(nearly  as  they  now  remain,)  and  building  lots  of  eight  acres  each  were 
apportioned  to  each  s(;tiler,  agreeable  to  the  original  articles  of  agree- 
ment. But  before  any  buildings  were  erected  on  the  spot,  considera- 
tions both  of  expedience  and  safety  induced  a  change  from  their  primi- 
tive design.  The  disastrous  events  of  King  Philip's  war  admonished 
them  of  the  necessity  of  maintaining  a  ready  conununication  with  their 
friends  and  allies  at  Farniington,  and  other  eastern  settlements  ;  and  as 
the  Naugatuc  was  subject  to  frequent  inundations,  this  intercourse  would 
consequently  be  cut  oil;  should  they  be  attacked  by  a  savage  foe  during 
flood  time.  And  as  the  produce  from  the  meadow,  which  wiis  (;hie(ly 
to  constitute  their  future  means  of  support,  must  be  attended  with  great 
labor  and  inconvenience  in  its  transportation  up  so  long  and  steep  an 
ascent^  this  consideration  likewise  had  no  slight  influence  in  turning  the 


WATERBURY.  OQl 

scale  in  favor  of  a  location  in  tlie  valley.  A  few  temporary  huts  were 
therefore  erected  for  the  season,  on  the  east  bank  of  the  Naugatiic,  near 
"  Sled  Hail ;"  and  the  following  year  (1C7S)  streets  were  hnd  out,  and 
dwelhngs  erected  upon  the  present  site,  with  a  view  to  a  permanent  set- 
tlement. ^  House  lots  of  from  one  and  a  half  to  four  acres  were  set  oil" 
to  each  inchvidual,  according  to  eligibility  of  situation,  and  extent  of 
proprietors'  rights.  In  the  latter  part  of  the  year  some  of  the  settlers 
moved  their  wives  and  families  into  their  new  liabitations.  The  first 
English  child  born  in  Waterbury  was  Rebecca,  daughter  of  Thomas 
and  I\Iary  Richardson,  April  27,  1679,  in  a  house  which  stood  upon  the 
site  ol  the  old  "  Judd  House,"  well  known  as  a  tavern  stand  for  more 
than  half  a  century,  having  been  kept  by  Capt.  Samuel  Judd,  previous 
to  the  J^evolutionary  war,  until  his  death,  in  Septendjer,  18:25,  in  the 
J)  1st  year  of  his  age.  The  house  was  destroyed  by  fire  on  the  25ih 
day  of  February,  1833,  in  which  a  young  man  named  John  N.  Tuttle, 
and  two  daughters  of  Mr.  Israel  Holmes,  perished  in  the  flames.*  An- 
other house  has  been  erected  over  the  ruins,  and  is  now  occupied  by 
Mr.  Samuel  J.  Holmes,  an  elder  brother  of  the  aforementioned— grand- 
son of  Captain  Judd,  and  lineal  descendant  from  Thomas  Judd,  one  of 
the  original  settlers.  The  first  English  male  child  born  in  the  settle- 
ment, was  Richard,  son  of  John  and  Mary  Welton,  Sept.  27,  1679,  in 
a  house  nearly  opposite  the  old  Judd  house,  upon  the  spot  where  now 
Blands  the  house  of  Mr.  Giles  Ives. 

Among  their  early  i)rivations,  the  settlers  sufiered  greatly  for  want  of 
a^grist  mill.  Their  only  resource  was  by  carrying  their  bread  corn  to 
Farmington  to  be  ground,  a  distance  of  twenty  miles,  and  through  a 
patjdess  wilderness.  Tiie  State's  committee,  as  early  as  NovcndDcr, 
1679,  took  the  subject  into  consideration,  and  not  only  recommended 
its  erection,  but  granted  30  acres  of  land  to  whoever  should  build  and 
keep  up  the  mill.  In  1680,  Stephen  Hopkins,  of  Hartford,  built  a  mill 
on  iMiU  river,  (now  Mad  river,)  where  a  mill  has  stood  to  the  jiresent 
lime.  Some  other  aliotmenls  were  afierwards  made  by  the  proprie- 
tors ;  but  like  many  grants  for  public  purposes,  made  witli  laudable  in- 
tentions, posterity  are  prone  to  disregard. 

Antecedent  to  February,  1681,  the  concerns  of  the  town  were  di- 
rected by  the  State's  committee,  at  which  time  they  ordered  that  the 
inhabitants  might  elect  their  own  townsmen  constables,  haywards,  sur- 

*  To  evince  the  deep  sympalhy  wliicli  was  felt  upon  this  nielancliuly  oceiisiun,  a 
Jiamisome  obeh.sk  nionunicnl  lia«  been  erected  over  the  ashes  of  ilie  victims,  with  tiie 
iollowing  inscriptions: 

On  the  west  front— '^  Beneath  this  stone  rests  the  remains  of  John  N.  Tuttle,  who 
perished  Feljruary '25,  1833,  in  an  attempt  to  rescue  two  chiUlieii  from  a  burning 
Jiouse.     His  (cllow  ciu/eus.  have  erected  this  mtjnumcnt  to  his  memory." 

( )ii  tiie  east  Irc.nt— "  To  the  memory  of  Ilaimah  Ardelia,  aged  7,  and  Olive  Marga- 
ret, aged  5  years,  children  of  Ardelia  C.  and  Israel  Holmes,  who  were  consumed  bv 
/ire,  l-'cbruary  'J:>,  IHXi.  •' 

"  The  midnight  fire  was  fierce  and  red. 
Sweet  babes  that  wrapt  your  sleeping  bed- 
But  he  who  oft  with  favoring  ear 
Hath  bow'd,  your  eaily  prayers  to  hear, 
Received  beyomt  this  iimrtal  shore, 
The  sister  souls  to  part  no  more." 


2G2  AV  A  T  n  RI!  11  R  Y  . 

veyoi'S,  fence  viewers,  and  otlier  ofllcers.  In  1CS2,  the  committee  fnr- 
tlier  extended  to  the  settlers  tlic  power  to  regulate  the  impounding  of 
cattle.  From  that  period  to  168G,  at  which  date  Mattatuck  was  incor- 
porated under  tlie  name  of  Waterijury,  the  committee  appear  to  have 
had  little  to  do  with  its  concerns. 

AVaterhury  was  represented  for  the  first  time,  by  Ensign  Thomas 
Judd,  in  jMay,  1689.  Lieut.  John  Stanley  was  chosen  the  second 
representative,  the  May  following.  At  that  time  the  taxable  polls  of 
the  town,  including  all  males  from  16  to  70  years  of  age,  were  thirty 
seven.     The  town  list  was  £1,893,  nor  did  it  increase  until  1701. 

During  the  first  ten  years  after  their  settlement,  the  inhabitants  were 
deprived  from  hearing  the  gospel  regularly  preached.  In  1689,  the 
Rev.  Jeremiah  Peck,  senr.  of  Greenwich,  was  unanimously  invited  by 
the  residents  to  settle  with  them  in  the  ministry  ;  and  as  inducements, 
they  voted  him  the  house  and  lot  which  they  had  already  provided  for 
a  minister,  a  propriety  of  £150,  and  the  full  benefit  of  all  the  divisions 
which  had  been  granted  therein.  A  salary  of  £60  per  annum  was 
also  voted  him,  fifty  of  which  was  to  be  paid  in  provisions  and  ten  in 
wood.  INIr.  Peck  accepted  the  call,  anil  coniiiuiod  his  ofilcial  duties 
until  a  short  period  before  his  death,  which  occuned  in  June,  1699,  at 
the  age  of  77  years.  Mr.  John  Jones  ofilciated  for  a  short  time  during 
his  decline,  and  subsequently  IMr.  John  Reed  preaclied  occasionally — 
was  invited  to  settle,  but  declined.  In  the  latter  part  of  the  year  1699, 
Mr.  John  Southmayd,  of  IMiddletown,  was  invited  to  take  charge  of 
the  congregation,  but  on  account  of  the  Indian  disturbances  at  this  pe- 
riod, and  tlie  deranged  condition  of  the  town,  he  was  not  ordained  until 
May,  1705.  At  tlie  time  of  the  settlement  of  Mr.  Peck,  the  number- 
of  families  was  thirty,  and  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  inhabitants,  7 
of  whom  (males)  were  members  of  the  church.  The  number  of  mem- 
bers had  now  increased  to  12,  but  the  number  of  inhabitants  remained 
about  the  same.  The  salary  granted  to  Mr.  Southmayd  was  £60  a 
year,  fifiy  payable  in  provisions  and  ten  in  wood,  at  the  following  rates; 
wheat  5s.,  rye  3s.,  corn  '2s.  6d.  ])er  bushel,  and  pork  3d.  per  pound  ; 
Avlth  this  pioviso,  that  those  who  })aid  in  money  should  have  a  deduc- 
tion of  one  third — this  reducing  the  salary  to  £40.  Rev.  Mark  Leav- 
enworth, succeeded  Mr.  Southmayd.  He  was  ordained  in  1740,  and 
died  in  1797,  at  the  age  of  86  years,  and  in  the  58th  year  of  his  minis- 
try. When  the  simplicity  of  manners  which  prevailed  at  that  period  is 
taken  into  consideration,  the  gloomy  circumstances  of  the  country,  and 
the  number  and  abilities  of  the  inhabitants,  the  salaries  of  the  two  first 
clergymen  in  Walerbury  were  much  larger  than  those  paid  at  the  pres- 
ent day. 

The  first  house  for  jjublic  worship  erected  in  Waterbury,  stood  upon 
the  site  recently  occupied  !)y  the  Congregational  meeting  house.  It  was 
a  small  building,  and  continued  without  gallery  or  glazing  until  1716, 
when  the  siun  of  £15  was  appropriated  for  its  completion.  The  con- 
gregation assembled  there  until  1726,  when  tlie  town  voted  to  build  a 
new  house,  50  feet  by  40.  Lieut.  John  Hopkins,  Sergt.  John  Scovil, 
Isaac  Bronson,  deacon  Thomas  Hickox,  and  Thomas  Clark,  were  ap- 


W  A  T  K  K  B  U  R  Y  .  263 

pointed  a  committee  to  superintenii  its  erection.  This  was  indeed  a 
great  undertaking  ;  for  tradition  says  that  at  the  time  the  house  was 
commenced,  all  the  inhabitants  of  the  town,  men,  women  and  children, 
might  have  been  seated  upon  its  sills.  By  extraordinary  exertions  funds 
were  raised  by  donations,  contributions,  he.  so  that  the  house  was  in 
such  a  state  of  forwardness  that  the  congregation  were  seated  in  17'29 — 
the  gallery  was  finished  the  following  year,  which  completed  an  object 
so  dear  to  the  hearts  of  our  worthy  forefathers. 

Liberal  grants  in  lands  were  from  time  to  time  made  by  the  State's 
committee,  in  conjunction  with  the  original  proprietors  of  the  town,  to 
provide  for  the  preaching  of  the  gospel  and  the  establishment  and  main- 
tenance of  elementary  schools,  amply  adequate,  it  is  believed,  had  iho 
property  been  discreetly  managed  by  their  descendants,  to  have  defray- 
ed to  this  day  the  salaries  of  the  ministers,  and  the  expenses  of  the 
common  schools  throughout  the  town.  But  after  the  town  was  cut  u[) 
into  different  societies,*  a  diversity  of  interests  was  created  ;  the  lands 
were  mostly  sold,  the  payments  became  the  sources  of  wearisome  liti- 
gation, and  a  change  of  times,  added  to  occasional  bankruptcies  of 
debtors,  swallowed  up  the  avails,  thereby  defeating  the  praiseworthy  in- 
tentions of  our  ancestors.  As  an  example  of  the  solicitude  entertained 
by  the  original  settlers  upon  the  subject  of  education,  and  which  like- 
wise lays  open  their  embarrassed  circumstances,  the  town,  in  1698, 
"  Votcd^  to  set  uj)  a  school  four  months  or  more,  and  the  committee  ai'e 
to  endeavor  to  get  a  schoolmaster  to  teach  writing  as  well  as  reading." 

Until  the  peace  with  the  French  and  Indians  in  1713,  the  dwellings 
of  the  inhabitants  were  restricted  to  the  town  center ;  the  men  going 
into  the  meadows  and  places  adjacent  to  labor  during  the  day,  and  re- 
turning to  their  families  at  night.  The  menacing  attitude  of  the  Indians 
kept  the  settlement  in  a  perpetual  stale  of  alarm.  Two  or  more  of  the 
citizens  were  ordered  by  the  government  of  the  State  to  act  in  rotation 
daily,  as  scouts  to  make  discoveries  and  prevent  surprise.  Sentinels 
were  also  placed  ui)on  the  high  grounds  in  the  vicinity  to  watch  for  the 
safety  of  the  people.  About  the  year  1707,  a  small  party  of  Indians 
made  a  descent  from  the  north  to  make  reprisals  from  the  English.  As- 
cending a  high  hill  opposite  ]Mount  Taylor  to  make  discoveries,  they 
espied  one  Jonathan  Scott  and  his  two  sons  in  Handcock's  IMeadow. 
The  old  gentleman  was  seated  under  an  oak  tree  near  the  bank  of  the 
river,  eating  his  dinner,  his  sons  a  little  distance  from  him.  The  In- 
dians approached  the  whole  imperceived,  and  took  IMr.  Scott  by  sur- 
prise ;  the  boys  got  oiF  out  of  the  way.  But  by  threatening  the  life 
of  the  father  unless  he  recalled  his  sons,  he  reluctantly  obeyed,  when 
they  were  all  three  secured  and  taken  to  Canada.  IMr.  Scott  and  his 
eldest  son,  Jonathan,  were  afterwards  redeemed  and  returned  home  ; 
but  the  youngest  became  attached  to  the  Indians  and  refused  to  return. 
To  prevent  Mr.  Scott  from  escaping  or  offering  resistance,  they  took 
off  his  right  thumb.     Another  attack  was  made  by  the  Indians,  in  1710, 


*  The  socieiy  uT  Westbiny  (now  'VVatertouii)  was  made  a  separate  .suciely  iifllT^l) ; 
Norllibury  (now  J    ymoulli)  in  1740;  Middlebury,  aboiU  17'JO.  ' 


/ 


264  W  A  T  E  R  B  u  n  V  . 

upon  the  inhabitants  of  AVaterhiu-y  and  Simsbury,  in  which  an  inhabit- 
ant of  the  former  by  the  name  of  llolt,  was  killeil  on  Mount  Toby,  and 
several  people  of  the  latter.  As  early  as  April,  1700,  the  town  \oteJ 
,to  fortify  Ensiijn  Timothy  Stanley's  hoase,  which  stood  a  little  west  ol 
the  academy  ;  men  and  boys,  with  teams — all  who  were  able  to  work, 
to  go  about  it  the  next  day.  And  in  June,  1707,  the  town,  considering 
the  troubles  and  fears  arising  from  the  liostile  disposition  of  the  enemy, 
agreed  to  lay  aside  cutting  bushes  till  after  Michaelmas,  and  go  aboni 
finishing  and  repairing  the  forts.  In  1703,  the  State  gave  the  town  £  15 
towards  aiding  in  the  construction  of  forts ;  and  the  town  agreed  to 
build  three  forts,  two  at  the  expense  of  the  State,  and  one  at  its  own. 
The  houses  of  Lieut.  Timothy  Stanley,  John  Hopkins  and  INIr.  South- 
mayd  were  desij^nated  for  that  purpose.  They  were  accordingly  forti- 
fied by  stockades,  or  timbers  set  up  endwise  firmly  in  the  ground,  with- 
an  opening  for  a  gate,  to  pass  and  repass.  Frail  as  was  this  defense  to 
any  enemy  but  a  savage,  the  inliabitants  for  years  were  glad  to  avail 
themselves  of  the  nightly  protection  which  these  feeble  fortifications 
afforded.  These  perpetual  troubles,  and  the  necessity  of  a  constant 
system  of  military  discipline,  made  our  forefathers  a  martial  people, 
and  even  the  humblest  of  military  honors  were  held  in  high  estima- 
tion. The  highest  military  dignitary  known  among  them,  was  that  ol 
lieutenant;  but  great  ileference  was  paid  to  sergeants — hence  the  early 
records  abound  witli  titles  of  that  grade.  Their  descendants  may  smile 
at  the  simplicity  of  their  ancestors,  but  the  same  circumstances  combin- 
ed would  probably  produce  precisely  the  same  effects  upon  their  own 
minds.  In  times  of  war,  danger  and  distress,  honors  are  awarded  by 
the  people  to  those  whom  they  think  possess  ability  and  integrity,  and 
honors  which  are  conferred  with  such  motives,  carry  with  them  some- 
thing more  than  empty  names.  The  drum  was  then  an  important  in- 
strument;  it  sounded  the  alarm  in  time  of  danger;  it  summoned  the 
inhabitants  to  the  fortified  houses  at  night,  and  roused  them  from  their 
slumbirs  in  the  morning.  It  also  gave  the  signal  for  firing  the  woods 
to  increase  the  food  for  the  cattle,  and  to  call  the  inhabitants  to  their  de- 
votions upon  the  Sabbath. 

Besides  the  Indian  wars,  and  the  ordinary  difficulties  which  attend 
all  new  settlements,  the  inhabitants  were  visited  by  two  calamities  du- 
ring the  first  thirty  five  years,  unparalleled  in  the  subsequent  history  of 
the  town.  In  February,  1691,  the  alluvial  lands  bordering  upon  the 
Naugatuc,  upon  which  was  their  chief  dependence,  were  almost  ruined 
by  a  Hood.  The  river,  by  rains  and  melting  of  the  snows,  rose  to  a 
prodigious  height,  far  beyond  any  instance  of  the  kind  since  known, 
washing  away  the  soil  in  many  places,  and  covering  the  remainder 
with  gravel  and  stones  to  a  degree  whicli  rendered  it  unfit  for  inmie- 
diaie  use.  The  weather  had  been  previously  warm,  the  frost  came  out 
of  the  ground,  leaving  the  arable  part  an  easy  prey  to  the  raging  cle- 
ment. This  imtovvard  misfortune  had  so  depressing  an  eflect  upon  the 
inliabitants  that  many  were  discouraged,  and  abandoned  their  posses- 
sions forever.  The  consequence  was,  that  in  1709,  the  population  va- 
ried but  little  from  that  of  1691,  eighteen  years  before.     The  Wads- 


W  A  T  E  R  li  u  n  Y  .  2G5 

worth  manuscript  says,  that  in  1694  "  Watcrbury  was  a  small  town, 
though  very  compact.  It  contained  twenty  five  faaiilies."  In  October, 
1712,  the  town  was  visited  by  a  great  and  mortal  sickness,  which  raged 
without  abatement,  until  September,  1713.  During  its  prevalence,  the 
number  of  well  persons  was  insuflicient  to  provide  foiand  attend  the  sick, 
and  to  bury  the  dead.  About  thirty  individuals  died  of  the  fever,  and 
this  out  of  a  population  of  about  two  hundred. 

To  the  research  of  a  gentleman  who  is  himself  a  descendant  by  both 
parents  froni  two  of  the  original  families,  we  are  indebted  lor  the 
data  wliich  form  the  basis  of  the  foregoing  history  of  the  I'ise  and  })ro- 
gress  of  the  town  of  AVaterbury  during  the  first  foity  years.  The  popu- 
lation at  that  period  was  probably  about  three  hundred.  In  the  notes 
before  us,  this  antiquarian  observes  :  "  During  the  last  thirty  years,  the 
inhabitants  maintained  among  thein  a  constantly  preached  gospel  ;  and 
although  surrounded  with  difficulties,  dangers,  and  niisforiunes,  and 
deprived  of  all  the  conveniences  and  most  of  the  comforts  of  life, 
(agreeable  to  our  present  ideas,)  yet  they  persevered,  and  we  are  now 
reaping  the  harvest  of  their  labors.  To  their  honor  be  it  said  that  our 
ancestors  would  not  suffer  in  a  comparison  drawn  between  them  and 
their  posterity.  They  were  moral,  religious,  industrious  and  resolute. 
Under  their  circumstances  little  progress  could  be  made  in  literature  ; 
but  they  were  calculated  to  elicit  more  thought,  and  more  exertion, 
both  of  body  and  mind,  and  those  qualities  combined  make  the  man." 

Samuel  Hopkins^  D.  D.  an  eminent  divine,  was  born  in  this  town 
Sept.  17th,  1721.  "  He  lived  with  his  parents,  emjiloyed  in  the  labors 
of  agriculture,  until  he  entered  his  fd'teenth  year ;  and  such  was  the 
purity  of  manners  among  the  youth  of  this  place,  that  he  never  hearil 
irom  any  of  them  a  profane  exjiression.  After  having  been  jilaced  for 
a  short  time  under  the  tuition  of  the  Rev.  John  Graham  ofAN'oodbmy, 
ho  entered  Vale  College  in  September,  1737,  antl  was  graduated  in 
1741.  While  a  member  of  this  institution  he  made  a  public  profession 
of  religion." 

"  After  he  was  graduated  iu  September,  1741,  he  retired  to  his  father's  house,  and 
lived  a  recluse  for  a  number  of  months,  except  when  he  could  hold  intercourse  with 
persons  zealous  in  religion.  In  December  he  went  to  Northampton,  Massachnsetls, 
to  pursue  the  study  of  divinity  with  Mr.  Edwards,  and  while  with  him  was  led  to  con- 
sider the  proper  effects  and  evidences  of  tliat  renovation  of  soul,  which  he  believed  to 
be  necessary  in  order  to  receive  the  blessings  of  the  gospel,  and  for  the  first  lime  be- 
came satisfied  that  he  was  a  Christian.  Alter  he  was  licensed  to  preach  in  May, 
1743,  he  still  continued  at  Northampton,  engaged  in  his  theological  studies,  preaching 
occasionally,  without  any  pecuniary  compensation,  in  the  neighboring  towns.  From 
December  of  this  year  till  May,  1743,  he  preached  to  a  new  society  in  Simsbtiry,  Con- 
necticut. In  July  he  went  to  llousatonnoc,  now  Great  Harrington,  Mass.,  where  he 
was  ordained  Dec.  28,  1743.  At  this  time  there  were  only  liiirty  families  in  ihe  place. 
Here  he  continued  till  Jan.  18,  176'.),  when  he  was  dismissed  by  an  ecclesiastical  coun- 
cil. This  event  was  occasioned  by  the  diminution  of  his  society  and  the  want  of  sup- 
port. An  Episcopal  church  had  been  established  in  the  town  in  order  to  escape  the 
tax  for  the  maintenance  of  a  minister  of  the  gospel.  Mr.  Hopkins  was  again  settled 
in  the  ministry  at  Newport,  Rhode  Island,  April  11,  1770." 

"Thewarofthe  devolution  interrupted  his  benevolent  labors.  In  Dec.  177G,  when  the 
British  took  possession  of  Newport,  he  left  the  town,  and  retired  to  his  family,  which 
he  had  before  sent  to  Great  Barring'ton.  During  the  summer  of  1777  he  preached 
at  Nswburyport,  to  a  congregation  which  was  thought  to  be  ihc  largest  in  America, 

34 


266  WATERUUllY. 

Its  pastor,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Parsons,  died  a  short  lime  before.  lie  afterwards  labored  in 
tlie  fjospei  of  Jesus  Christ  in  Canterbury  aud  Siainl'ord,  Connecticut.  In  llie  .spring  of 
1781)  lie  returned  to  Newpurl,  which  had  lieea  evacuated  by  llic  Hrilisli  in  the  fall  of 
the  preceding  year.  He  Ibund  his  churcii  and  coutrregalion  much  diniinislied.  The 
town  had  been  so  long  in  the  hands  of  the  enemy,  thai  many,  who  had  rennjved,  had 
become  established  in  other  places,  and  were  llais  prevented  Irom  reluming.  The 
meeting  house  liad  been  made  a  bairacU  for  soldiers,  and  had  been  mucli  injured,  and 
the  bell  had  been  carried  away.  Thai  porlioii  of  liis  I'ornier  society,  which  had  re- 
mained in  the  town,  had  become  so  impoverished,  that  he  had  no  prospect  of  a  main- 
tenance. Yet  such  was  his  benevolence,  that  he  preachetl  to  them  a  year,  supported 
entirely  by  a  (tiw  generous  friends,  and  when  he  received  a  pressing  invitation  to  set- 
tle at  Aliddleborough,  the  request  of  his  people  induced  him  to  decline  il.  From  thi.s 
lime  till  his  death  his  maintenance  was  derived  entirely  from  a  weekly  conlribiitioi* 
find  the  donations  of  his  friends.  But  he  was  contented  with  his  humble  circumstan- 
ces, and  in  a  situation,  whicii  would  have  tilled  most  minds  with  the  greatest  anxiety, 
he  cast  him.self  upon  the  providence  of  God,  and  experienced  through  acouise  of  years 
many  remarkable  interpositions  in  his  favor.  Hi.s  wants  were  alway.s  snpjdied.  On 
the  10th  of  January,  17'J0,  a  paralytic  allection  deprived  him  of  ihe  use  of  liis  limbs,, 
although  his  mental  powers  were  lui injured.  Hul  he  afterwards  lecovered  fr(Jin  this 
attack^  .so  as  to  be  able  to  preach.  He  died  December  20,  ItiOIJ,  in  the  eighty  third 
year  of  his  age." 

"  Dr.  Hopkins  was  a  di.stinguishcd  divine.  His  mind  was  discerning,  and  his  ap- 
plicalion  was  almost  uneijualled.  He  sometimes  devoted  to  hisstudies  ej;.;htecn  hours 
in  a  day.  With  respect  to  his  views  of  divine  truth,  he  end)raced  ihe  Calvinistic  doc- 
trines; and  it  is  principally  by  the  consc(|ucnees  which  lie  drew  from  these  doctrines, 
that  his  name  has  been  rendered  famou.s.  He  fully  ailniitted  the  (Jalvinislic  doctrine 
of  the  entire  dcfiravity  of  the  human  heart  and  the  sinliiliiess  of  all  the  doiugs  of  the 
iinregeneratc;  but  his  discerning  mind  perceived  liie  discordance  between  ihisdoctrine 
and  the  preaching  of  some  of  the  Calvinistic  divines,  who  exhorted  the  unregenerate 
as  such  to  perform  certain  acts  as  the  appointed  way  to  obtain  that  grace,  which  should 
renew  their  hearts  and  make  tliem  holy.  If  men  before  conversion  could  ilo  nothing 
that  was  pleasing  to  God,  he  concluded  they  could  do  nothing  to  procure  the  inllu- 
ences  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  Instead  therefore  of  exhorting  sinners  to  use  ihe  means  of 
grace  in  order  to  obtain  the  divine  assistance  to  enable  them  to  repent,  when  it  was  ac- 
knowledged that  in  the  use  of  the  means  of  grace  they  would  be  entirely  sinful,  he 
thought  It  a  sacred  duty,  incumbent  on  the  ministers  of  the  gospel,  to  imitate  the 
preaching  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  their  Master,  and  to  call  upon  men  immediately  to  re- 
pent and  yield  themselves  to  the  love  of  God.  He  thought  that  religious  advantages, 
if  ill  the  use  of  them  the  unregenerate  were  not  convertt'd,  would  but  increase  guilt, 
as  it)  this  case  there  would  be  a  greater  resistance  to  the  truth.  i\nolher  sentiment, 
wliicli  is  considered  as  one  of  the  peculiar  sentiments  of  Dr.  Hopkins,  is  ihat  the  ina- 
bilitv  of  sinners  is  moral  and  not  natural ;  but  this  is  only  saying,  that  their  inability 
consi^ts  in  disinclination  of  heart  or  opposition  of  will  to  what  i.s  good.  Combining 
the  Calvinistic  doctrine,  that  God  ha.s  foreordaineil  whatsoever  comes  to  pass,  with  his 
views  of  the  nature  of  sin  as  consisting  entirely  in  the  iniention  or  disposilion  of  ihe 
mind,  he  inferred,  that  it  was  no  impeachment  upon  the  character  of  the  most  right- 
eous Disposer  of  all  events  to  say,  not  merely  that  he  decreed  the  existence  of  sin,  but 
that  he  exerted  his  own  power  to  produce  it.  The  design  being  benevolent,  he  con- 
tended that  no  more  iniquity  could  be  attached  to  this  act,  than  to  the  bare  permission 
of  sin.  This  is  another  of  his  peculiarities.  From  his  views  of  the  nature^of  holi- 
ness, as  consisting  in  disinterested  benevolence,  he  also  inferied,  that  a  Christian 
should  be  willing  to  perish  for  ever,  to  be  for  ever  miserable,  if  it  should  be  necessary 
for  the  glory  of  God  and  th«  good  of  the  universe,  ihat  he  should  encounter  this  destruc- 
tion. Instead  of  the  Calvinistic  doctrine  of  the  strict  imputation  of  Adam's  sin  and  of 
the  righteousness  of  Chri.st,  he  chose  rather  to  adopt  the  language  of  scripture  in  say- 
ing, that  on  account  of  the  first  transgression  men  were  made  or  constituted  sinners, 
and  that  men  are  justified  on  account  of  the  righteousness  of  Clirist,  or  through  the  re- 
dempiion,  which  there  is  in  him. 

"  Dr.  Hopkins  published  three  sermons,  entitled.  Sin  through  divine  interposition  an 
advantage  to  the  universe,  and  yet  this  no  excuse  for  sin  or  encouragement  to  it,  1751), 
the  second  edition  of  which  was  published  in  Boston  in  1773,  and  anolher  edition  about 
the  same  time  in  Edinburgh;  an  inquiry  concerning  the  promises  ol' ihe  gospel,  wheth- 
er any  of  them  are  made^  to  the  exercises  and  doings  of  per.sons  in  an  unregenerate 
state,  coniaining  remarks  on  two  sermons  bv  Dr.  Mayhew,  17(55;  a  sermon  on  the  di- 
vinity of  Christ,  preached  in  Boston,  HCH;  two  sermons  on  Ilomans  vii.  7,  and  John  i. 
13,  1768,  republished  17'J3  ;  the  true  state  and  character  of  the  unregenerate,  slnppeil 
of  all  misrepresentation  ami  disguise,  being  an  answer  to  tiie  reverend  Mr.  Mills, 
17GD;  aiiimadversions  on  Mr.  Hart's  late  dialogue,  1770  ;  an  inquiry  into  the  nature 


\V  A  T  E  U  li  U  U  Y  . 


2G7 


Dr.  Lemuel  Hopkins,  a  jihysician  and  poet,  was  born  In  this  town 
June  19tli,  1750.  "  His  father  was  a  farmer  in  easy  circumstances, 
and  while  he  reared  all  his  children  to  the  labor  of  the  field,  took  caru 
to  bestow  upon  them  a  good  education.  Dr.  Hopkins  is  said  to  have 
been  determined  to  the  study  of  physic  when  young,  by  observing  the 
gradual  decline  of  some  of  his  connexions,  who  were  sinking  under  a 
consumption.  This  inclination  to  medical  pursuits  was  strengthened  by 
the  circumstance  of  an  hereditary  predisposition  to  the  same  disorder 
which  existed  in  the  family.  His  education,  it  seems,  had  not  been 
classical,  and  having  resolved  upon  the  medical  profession,  he  applied 
himself  to  Latin  and  other  preliuiinary  studies,  and  after  proper  qualifi- 
cation, placed  himself  under  the  care  of  a  physician  in  Wallingford. 
He  began  regular  practice  in  Litchfield,  about  the  year  177G,  and  was 
for  a  short  time  in  the  American  army  as  a  volunteer.  About  178'1, 
be  removed  to  Hartford.  Here  he  [)assed  the  rest  of  his  life,  devoted 
to  the  labors  of  a  physician  and  man  of  letters.  He  fell  a  victim,  we 
are  told,  to  the  exercise  of  an  improper  remedy  in  his  own  case,  occa- 
sioned by  his  dread  of  a  pulmonary  complaint.  He  died  on  the  Mtli 
of  April,  180L 

"Dr.  Hopkins  was  a  physician  of  great  skill  and  reputation.  His 
nuMuuiy  was  so  retentive,  that  he  would  quote  every  writer  he  had  read, 
whether  medical  or  literary,  witli  the  same  readiness  that  a  clergyman 
quotes  the  Bible.  In  his  labors  for  scientific  purposes,  he  was  indefati- 
gable. The  IMedical  Society  of  Connecticut  is  indebted  to  him  as  one 
of  its  founders.  In  his  person,  he  was  tall,  lean,  stooping  and  long- 
limbed,  with  large  features  and  light  eyes,  and  this  uncouth  appearance, 
added  to  a  great  eccentricity  of  manner,  rendered  him  at  first  sight  a 
very  striking  spectacle. "f 

In  his  literary  character  he  was  eminent  among  the  distinguished 
writers  of  the  place  where  the  most  of  his  life  was  spent.  Trumbull, 
Barlow,  Huiuphreys,  Dwiglit,  and  others,  were  his  associates,  and  the 
first  two,  with  Hopkins,  wrote  the  Anarchiad.  He  also  bad  a  hand  in 
The  Echo,  The  Political  Greenhouse,  and  many  satirical  poems  of 
that  description,  in  wliich  he  had  for  his  associates,  Richard  Alsop, 
Theodore  Dwight,  and  a  number  of  others.  Besides  these,  there  are 
a  few  short  pieces  which  were  written  by  him  exclusively  ;  among 
which  is  his  Epitaph  on  a  patient  killed  by  a  cancer  quack. 

*  Alien's  Amoricau  Biographical  Diciionaiy.  t  Keltell's  American  Poetry. 


26S 


o  r^  c  o  T  T  . 


ON    A    PATIENT    RTLLED    DY    A    CANCER    QUACK. 


Here  Vies  a  fool  flat  on  his  back, 
The  victim  of  a  cancer  nimck  ; 
Wlio  lust  tiis  money  uixl  his  lile, 
Ily  plaster,  caustic,  and  by  knife. 
The  case  was  this— a  innii)le  rose, 
Kontlifastalitlleof  his  nose; 
Which  daily  redden'd  and  t;rew  bigger. 
As  too  much  drinkint'  gave  it  vigor; 
A  score  of  gnssijis  soon  ensure 
Full  threescore  diU'erent  mudis  of  cure; 
Jllit  vet  the  full  f(  d  pimple  still 
Delled  all  iietlic(.aled  skill; 
When  iortuiii-  jfd  liini  to  peruse 
A  liandbill  in  the  weekly  news  ; 
^;isn'd  by  six  fools  of  dillerenl  sorts, 
All  cured  of  cancers  made  of  warts  ; 
Who  recommend  with  due  submission, 
This  cancer-monper  us  ma^'ician  ; 
Fear  vving'd  Ids  tlij,'ht  to  find  tlie  quack, 
And  prove  hii  cancer-cnring  knack  ; 
llutoii  bis  way  he  found  another,— 
A  siroml  advertising  brother  : 
Ihiiasiiiuch  like  hiin  us  an  owl 
Is  unlike  every  handsome  fowl  : 
Whos,'  lame  had  raised  him  i.s  broad  a  fog. 
And  <d   the  two  the  greater  hog; 
Who  used  a  still  more  magic  plaster. 
That  swi'at  forsooth,  and  cured  the  faster. 
This  doctor  view'd  wilh  iiiociney  eyes 
Andsrowl'd-up  face,  tie-  piiiiplr's  size  ; 
'I'hi  n  i-hn.-lrird  11  ill  .'^..IriNii  an.-wer, 
And  .  rird,  "lliiK  plinph's  naiiie  is  cancer, 

My  sweating  plasters  never  fail: 
I've  sweated  hundreds  out  with  ease, 
Wilh  roots  aa  long  as  maple  trees ; 


And  never  fail'd  in  all  my  trials— 
liehold  these  samples  here  in  vinls! 
Preserved  to  show  my  wondrous  merits, 
.lust  as  my  liver  is— in  spirits. 
For  twenty  joes  the  cure  is  done—" 
The  bargain  struck,  the  plaster  on, 
Which  gnaw'd  the  cancer  at  its  leisure, 
And  pain'd  his  face  above  all  measure. 
But  still  the  pimple  spread  the  faster. 
And  BwclI'd  like  toad  that  meets  disaster. 
Thus  foii'd  the  doctor  gravely  swore, 
It  was  a  right-rose  cancer  sore ; 
Then  stuck  his  probe  beneath  the  beard, 
And  show'd  him  where  the  leaves  appeared ; 
And  raised  the  jialient's  drooping  spirits, 
Ity  praising  up  llie  plaster's  merits. 
Quoth  he,  "the  roots  now  scarcely  stick— 
1  'II  fetch  her  out  like  crab  or  tick  ; 
And  make  it  rendezvous,  next  trial, 
With  six  more  plagues  in  my  old  vial." 
Then  purged  him  pale  with  jalap  drastic. 
And  next  applied  the  infernal  causlic. 
Dut  yet,  this  semblance  bright  of  hell 
?<crved  but  III  maki;  the  pall. 'lit  yell ; 
And,  gnawing  on  with  llery  jiace, 
Devuiir'd  one  broadside  of  his  face  — 
"Cnurage,  'lis  done,"  the  docl.ircri.-d, 
And  (piick  ihe  incision  knife  iijijilied  : 
'Dial  u  Mb  ihii  I.:  nils  made  iiicli  a  hole. 
Out  llew  tin:  patient's  tortured  soul  I 

Oo,  read,  is,  gentle,  eke  and  simple, 
If  you  hai  e  wari,  or  corn,  or  pimple  ; 
'I'o  ipia.k  inlullibl.;  ajiply  ; 
Here's  r.Kjm  enough  lor  you  to  lie. 
Ilis  skill  triumphant  still  prevails, 
For  death's  u  cure  that  never  fails. 


WOLCOTT. 

WoLCOTT  is  a  small  elevated  township,  situated  in  the  northern  ex- 
tremity of  the  county,  bounded  n.  by  Plymouth  and  Brisftl,  e.  by 
Stxithiii^lun,  s.  by  Cheshire  and  Waterbiiry,  and  w.  by  Wateibury 
niul  I  My  month.  It  averaj^es  about  six  miles  in  length,  and  has  an  ave- 
rai^e  breadth  of  about  three  miles.  "The  township  is  hilly  and  moun- 
tainous, and  is  situated  in  the  vicinity  of  the  commencement  of  the 
granitic  district,  which  extends  through  the  western  section  of  the  state, 
and  comprises  a  considerable  portion  of  Tjitchfield  County.  About  li 
miles  N.  E.  of  the  meeting  house,  there  is  a  hill,  which  is  the  most  ele- 
vated land  in  this  part  of  the  state  ;  Long  Island  sound,  the  mountain 
east  of  Somers,  and  some  part  of  the  state  of  Ma-ssachusetts,  can  be 
seen  from  this  spot.  The  soil  is  a  hard,  coarse,  gravelly  loam,  and 
rather  sterile  :  the  lands  however  afibrd  tolerable  grazing,  but  are  rough 
and  stony.  There  are  two  houses  of  worship,  1  for  Congregationalists, 
and  1  for  Episcopalians.  The  number  of  inhabitants  in  IS  10  was  952; 
in  1330,  it  was  reduced  to  843. 

VVolcott  was  incorporated  as  a  town  in  1796.  It  was  formed  from 
a  part  of  the  original  town  of  Farmington  and  a  part  of  Waterhury.  It 
was  from  this  circumstance  that  the  place  was  formerly  callcfl  Farming- 
bury.  The  first  clergyman  was  the  Rev.  Alexander  Gillei:  he  was 
succeodod  by  the  Rev.  Israel  R.  Woodward.     INIr.  Woodward,  though 


WOODBniDGK.  2G9 

somewhat  eccentric  in  some  part  of  his  conduct,  was  a  person  of  supe- 
rior intelhgence  and  esteemed  by  his  parishioners.  A  thanksgiving 
sermon  of  his  is  recollected, ^in  which  he  compares  the  state  of  Connec- 
ticut to  the  land  of  Canaan.  In  one  respect,  he  mentioned,  there  was 
a  striking  similarity  ;  the  land  of  Canaan  was  rocky,  this  was  very  much 
the  case  with  Connecticut,  at  least  with  that  part  of  it  in  which  Wolcott 
was  situated. 


WOODBRIDGE. 


WooDimiDGE  was  incorporated  as  a  town  in  1784.  It  was  original- 
ly a  parish  by  the  name  of  Amity,  which  was  formed  from  the  towns 
of  INew  Haven  and  Milford.  It  is  bounded  n.  by  Bethany,  e.  by 
Hamden,  s.  by  New  Haven  and  Orange,  and  w.  by  Derby.  Its  ave- 
rage length  is  about  five  miles,  and  its  breadth  about  four.  The  soil  is 
a  hard  gravelly  loam,  and  affords  good  grazing;  and  large  cpiantities  of 
butter  are  made  in  this  town  for  the  New  Haven  market.  The  princi- 
pal stream  is  the  West  river,  which  runs  on  the  west  side  of  the  West 
Bock,  a  range  of  mountains  on  the  eastern  border  of  this  town.  Tho 
central  part  of  the  town  is  about  six  miles  fiom'New  Haven. 

Amity  was  constituted  a  parish  in  1731).  The  town  was  named  from 
the  Rev.  Benjamin  Woodbridge,  the  fust  clergyman,  who  was  ordained 
here  in  1742.  The  house  in  which  he  lived  is  still  standing,  and  is 
about  100  rods  southeast  from  tho  Congregational  church,  now  occupied 
by  the  widow  and  children  of  lAlr.  Daniel  T.  Smith.  ]\Ir.  Woodbridge 
presented  the  town  with  a  copy  of  Whitby's  Commentary  on  the  New 
Testenient,  in  gratitude  for  the  honor  done  him  in  naming  the  town. 
It  is  said  that  Mrs.  Woodbridge,  his  wife,  was  the  firsl^person  who  in- 
troduced the  use  of  tea  into  the  place.  This  town  has  a  fund  of  about 
five  ihousaml  dollars,  given  by  IMr.  Stephen  Sanford,  who  it  aj)pcars  was 
a  firm  friend  to  the  American  cause  during  the  Revolulion.  His  will 
reads  thus  ;  "  I  also  give  to  the  society  of  Amity,  in  the  town  of  New 
Haven,  for  the  sup|)ort  of  a  Presbyterian  or  Congregational  minister,  in 
said  society,  he  being  a  friend  to  this,  and  the  United  States  of  Ame- 
rica, after  my  wife's  estate  tln.'rein  shall  be  ended,"  he. 

The  regicides,  ColFe  and  Whalley,  bad  a  number  of  places  of 'con- 
cealment in  the  limits  of  this  town,  the  most  noted  of  which  is  called 
the  Lodge  or  Hatchet  Jlarbor,  about  seven  miles  from  New  Haven, 
It  was  situated  (says  Dr.  Siiles,  in  his  history  of  the  .ludges)  at  a  sprint 
in  a  valley.  "  A  little  northward  of  it  was  an  eminence,  called  the  Fort 
to  this  day,  from  whence  there  was  an  extensive  and  commanding  pros- 
pect, and  a  full  view  of  New  Haven  harbor  to  the  southeast,  seven 
miles  off.  From  this  they  could  see  the  vessels  passing  in  and  out  of 
the  harbor.  When  they  came  to  this  abode  is  uncertain  ; — it  was  in 
the  summer,  and  they  left  it  and  removed  to  Milford,  August,  IGGl, 
after  having  resided  in  and  about  New  Haven  for  near  half  a  year,  from 
the  7th  of  INIarch  to  the  19th  of  August,  16G1."  "  On  a  tract  about 
a  mile  square,  and  lying  four  miles  northwest  of  Sperry's  [farm,]  there 


y  V 


270  WOODURIDGE. 

are  four  hills  or  eminences,  between  which  are  valleys  and  intercurrent 

brooks On  the  northern  declivity  of  one  of  these  hills,  issues  a  small 

perennial  spring,  between  two  trees,  a  walnut  and  chestnut,  now  three  and 
four  feet  in  diameter,  and  judged  to  be  two  huntlred  years  old,  standing 
twenty-two  feet  apart.  This  fountain  is  stoned  as  if  with  design,  and 
probably  remaining  as  the  Judges  left  it.  Tradition  says  that  when  they 
came  to  this  spring,  one  of  them  said,  "  Would  to  God  we  had  a 
hatchet ;"  and  immediately  finding  a  hatchet,  left  there  probably  by  the 
Indian  hunters,  they  cut  down  boughs  and  built  a  temporary  harbor,  from 

this  circumstance  called  Hatchet  Harbor  to  this  day." "  On  an 

eminence  west  of  this,  by  the  side  of  a  ledge  of  rocks  twenty  feet  high, 
was  built  a  cave,  or  convenient  lodgment,  ten  feet  long  and  seven  wide, 
regularly  stoned.  1  find  the  walls  (says  Dr.  Stiles)  now  remaining, 
though  somewhat  broken  down.  It  was  covered  with  trunks  of  trees, 
which  remained,  though  much  rotten  and  decayed,  till  within  forty  years 
ago  ;  indeed  I  saw  some  of  the  rudera,  rafiers,  or  broken  relics,  limbs 
and  trunks  of  trees,  still  lying  in  the  cavity.  This  was  undoubtedly 
their  great  and  principal  lodge,  and  in  a  very  recluse  and  secreted  place. 

There  is  a  beautiful  spring  six  rods  from  it." About  100  rods  north, 

"  on  Deacon  Peck's  farm,  lies  another  hillock  or  eminence,  called  to 
,  this  day,  and  in  the  records  so  early  as  1675,  '  Providence  Hill  ;  be- 
tween which  and  Fort  Rock's  Hill,  is  a  valley  and  brook.  Between 
these  two  hills  runs  the  dividing  line  of  the  towns  of  IMilford  and  New 
Haven.  The  tradition  is,  that  it  acquired  its  name  thus.  While  the 
Judges  resided  at  the  lodge  on  the  southern  hill,  they  apprehended 
themselves  discovered  and  pursued,  while  walking  on  the  tops  of  the 
hillsj — and  the  Indians  always  burned  rings  or  tracts  on  those  summits, 
to  give  a  clear  view  for  hunting  deer.  Supposing  themselves  discover- 
ed, they  took  to  the  bush,  and  to  deceive  their  pursuers,  ranged  a  north 
course  between  the  hills,  and  giving  them  a  false  scent,  turned  off  to 
the  westward,  and  came  round  the  hill  to  their  old  place  in  security. 
On  account  of  this  ddiverance,  they  called  this  northwest  hill,  Provi- 
dence Hill." 

During  the  time  they  were  in  the  vicinity  of  New  Haven,  the  Judges 
had  "  two  other  occasional  lodgments  in  the  woods  ;  one  at  the  house  of 
Mr.  Kiggs,  newly  set  up  in  the  wilderness,  at  Faugassct  or  Derby  ;  an- 
other between  that  and  IMilford.  They  were  sometimes  at  Toto'kct  or 
Branford." — '•'  From  their  lodgments  in  the  woods  the  Judges  removed 
and  took  up  an  asylum  in  the  house  of  INIr.  Tomkins,  in  the  center  of 
Milford,  thirty  or  forty  rods  from  the  meeting  house."  It  is  stated,  that 
there  was  a  house  built  for  them  on  Tornkins's  lot,  about  twenty  feet 
square,  and  of  two  stories.  The  lower  room  was  built  with  a  stone  wall 
and  considered  as  a  store  ;  the  room  above  was  built  of  wood,  and  was 
used  by  the  Tomkins  family  as  a  working  or  spinning  room.  The  family 
used  to  spin  in  the  room  above,  ignorant  of  the  Judges  being  below, 
where  they  resided  for  two  years,  without  going  abroad  so  much  as  into 
the  orchard. 


271 


NEW    LONDON    COUNTY. 

New  London  County  is  bounded  n.  by  Windljam,  Tolland  and 
Hartford  Counties,  e.  by  Windham  County  and  the  state  of  Rhode 
Island,  s.  by  Long  Island  sound,  and  w.  by  the  county  of  Middlesex. 
Its  average  length  from  east  to  west  averages  about  20  miles,  and  it  has 
a  medium  breadth  of  about  20  miles.  This  county  possesses  superior 
maritime  advantages,  having  an  extensive  border  on  Long  Island  sound, 
which  ailbrds  numerous  bays,  inlets  and  harbors.  Excepting  a  small 
section,  principally  in  the  town  of  Lyme,  no  portion  of  the  county  can 
be  considered  as  mountainous,  but  it  is  generally  hilly  and  elevated,  and 
comprises  a  small  proportion  of  alluvial.  The  hills  and  elevated  tracia 
are  considerably  rough  and  stony.  The  lands  in  general  are  not  adapted 
to  grain  culture,  although  upon  the  intervals  and  other  tracts,  Indian 
corn  is  raised  to  advantage,  and  to  a  considerable  extent.  The  princi- 
pal agricultural  interests  depend  very  much  upon  grazing.  The  waters 
of  the  county  are  abundant  and  valuable.  On  the  south  it  is  washed 
more  than  thirty  miles  by  Long  Island  sound,  part  of  its  western  bor- 
der by  Connecticut  river,  and  the  interior  of  the  county  is  watered  and 
fertilized  by  the  Thames  and  its  branches.  The  fisliing  business  is  more 
extensively  carried  on  in  this  county  than  in  any  other  section  of  the 
state,  and  is  an  important  branch  of  industry.  The  manufacturing  busi- 
ness is  carried  on  to  a  considerable  extent  in  the  northern  part  of  the 
county,  and  is  increasing. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  several  towns  in  the  county,  with  the 
population  in  1830. 


New  London 

4,35t) 

Groton 

4,S05 

N.  Stonington 

2,810 

Norwich 

5,179 

Lebanon 

2,555 

Prellon 

1,935 

Bozrah 

1,079 

f-edyard 

Salem 

959 

Colchester 

2,073 

Lisbon 

1,1  GG 

Stonington 

3,401 

Franklin 

1,191 

Lyme 

4,092 

Watcyford 

2,477 

Griswold 

2,212 

Montville 

1,972 

Population  of  the  county  in  1820,  35,943;  in  1830,  42,295. 


NEW    LONDON. 

The  first  Isnglisli  settlement  in  New  London  was  made  by  several 
persons  in  1G4G.  Lots  were  laid  out  to  them,  but  it  appears  that  some 
of  the  settlers  were  discouraged  and  left  the  place.  The  next  year  Mr. 
Richard  Blinman,  who  had  been  a  clergyman  in  England,  removed  from 
Gloucester  to  this  new  settlement :  in  consequence  of  which  consider- 
able accession  was  made  to  the  number  who  had  kept  their  station.  In 
1648,  more  than  forty  families  had  joined  the  settlement.  Some  of  the 
principal  persons  were  John  Winthrop,  Esq.,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Blinman, 
Thomas  ^linot,  Samuel  Lathrop,  Robert  Allyn,   and  James   Avery. 


. !    v"  .,i  r. 


272  NEW     LONDON. 

The  Indian  name  of  the  place  was  N^nrnenug,  alias  Toicaivofr*  The 
tract  of  country  now  comprised  in  the  limits  of  New  London,  Montville, 
Waterford  and  Groton,  was  called  Pequot  for  a  number  of  years,  from 
the  name  of  the  harbor  and  original  inhabitants.  In  INIarch,  1G5S,  the 
Assembly  passed  the  following  act  respecting  its  name. 

''■  Whereas  it  hath  been  the  commendable  practice  of  the  inhabitants 
of  all  the  colonies  of  these  parts,  that  as  this  country  hath  its  denomina- 
tion from  our  dear  native  country  of  England,  and  thence  is  called  New 
England,  so  that  planters,  in  their  first  settling  of  most  new  plantations, 
have  given  names  to  those  plantations  of  some  cities  and  towns  in  Eng- 
land, thereby  intending  to  keep  up,  and  leave  to  posterity  the  memorial 
of  several  places  of  note  there,  as  Boston,  Hartford,  Windsor,  ^ork, 
Ipswich,  Braintree,  Exeter ;  this  court  considering,  that  there  hath  yet 
no  place  in  any  of  the  colonies,  been  named  in  memory  of  the  city  of 
London,  there  being  a  new  plantation  within  this  jurisdiction  of  Con- 
necticut, settled  upon  that  fair  river  Mohegan,  in  the  Pecjuot  country, 
being  an  excellent  harbor  and  a  fit  and  convenient  place  for  future  trade, 
it  being  also  the  only  place  which  the  English  in  these  parts  have  ))os- 
sessed  by  conquest,  and  that  upon  a  very  just  war,  upon  that  great  and 
warlike  people,  the  Pequots,  that  therefore  they  might  thereby  leave  to 
posterity  the  memory  of  that  renowned  city  of  London,  from  whence 
we  had  our  transportation,  have  thought  fit,  in  honor  to  that  ilunou.s 
city,  to  call  the  said  plantation  New  London."  The  name  of  the  river 
was  also  changed  and  called  Thames. f 

The  town  of  New  London  is  situated  on  the  west  bank  of  the  river 
Thames.  In  its  territorial  limits  it  is  much  the  smallest  of  any  town  in 
the  state,  being  about  four  miles  in  length  from  north  to  south,  and 
averaging  about  three  fourths  of  a  mile  in  breadth.  The  city  of  New 
London  is  situated  3  miles  from  Long  Island  sound  ;  it  is  the  semi-seat 
of  justice  for  the  county,  and  a  poil  of  entry.  It  is  42  mil*  southeast 
from  Hartford,  13  miles  south  of  Norwich,  and  53  miles  east  from  New 
Haven.  Lon.  -l-  0'  Irf  '  ea^t  from  \\'ashiMgion,  Lat.  4L^0'  25"  north. 
The  city  is  i)rincii)ally  built  on  a  declivity,  which  descenils  to  the  east 
and  south.  On  the  summit  of  the  high  ground,  back  of  the  most  jiop- 
ulous  part  of  the  city,  the  observer  has  a  fine  prospect  of  the  surrounding 
country.  The  city  is  irregularly  laid  out,  owing  to  the  nature  of  the 
ground  on  which  it  is  built,  being  much  incumbered  with  granite  rocks. 
The  houses  are  not  so  handsome  in  their  outward  appearance  as  might 
be  reasonably  exi)ected,  considering  the  wealth  of  the  inhabitants.  In 
the  course  of  a  few  years  past,  however,  a  spirit  of  improvement  in  this 
respect  has  taken  place,  and  many  buildings  have  been  erected  which 
are  elegant  in  their  appearance.  Some  of  the  streets  have  been  strait- 
ened and  leveled,  by  blasting  the  granite  locks  with  which  they  were 
disfigured.  These  rocks  afford  an  excellent  material  for  the  construc- 
tion of  buildings,  and  it  is  believed  that  no  city  in  this  country  has  the 
advantages  of  New  Ijondon,  in  this  particular,  where  the  materials  for 
erectinn;  houses  can  be  found  in  their  streets.     The  harbor  is  one  of 


Dr.  Trumbull.  +  R,ecords  ofConneciicul  and  New  Loudon 


I? 


.'«?>' 


NEW      LONDON 


273 


the  best  in  the  United  Stales,  being  I;iige,  safe,  and  commodious,  hav- 
ing five  fathoms  of  water.  It  is  three  miles  long,  and  rarely  obstructed 
with  ice.  During  the  extreme  cold  in  January,  1&35,  while  the  navi- 
gation of  the  harbor  of  New  York  was  closed  by  the  ice,  the  harbor  of 
New  London  remained  open  and  unobstructed. 


N.  vine  of  Fort  Truinhtill  from  iS'civ  London,   (IrfJO.^     • 

New  London  contains  five  places  for  public  worship;  2  Congrega- 
tional, 1  Baptist,  1  Episcopal,  1  IMethodist.  There  are  three  banks, 
the  Union,  incorporated  in  179:2,  die  New  Tjondon,  incorporated  ia 
1807,  and  the  \Vl)arm:;-  bunk,  rocenlly  incorporated.  There  are  two 
insurance  olhces,  the  Union  Marine  and  the  New  l^ondon  Fire  and 
Marine  Insurance  companies:  the  latter  company  has  a  capital  stock  of 
250,000  dollars.  From  the  excellent  maritinnj  location  of  New  Lon- 
don, the  navigation,  commercial  and  fishing  business,  has  ever  been  the 
principal  pursuit  of  the  inliabilants.  Their  line  harbor  has  served  in  a 
great  degree  as  the  port  of  Connecticut  river,  the  impediments  in  wliicli 
frequently  prevent  its  being  navigable  for  large  vessels  fully  laden.  Tbe.« 
whale  fishery  and  sealing  business  is  an  important  branch  of  .commerce'. 
About  a  million  of  dollars  is  devoted  to  its  prosecution.'  -In  1834,  up- 
wards of  thirty  ships,  and  900  men  and  boys  were  employed  in  -this 
business. 

The  city  is  defended  by  two  forts,  Fort  Trumbull  and  Fort  Griswold. 
Fort  Trumbull  stands  on  the  New  I^ondon  siile  of  the  Tliaiues,  about 
a  mile  below  the  city.  It  is  situated  on  the  locky  extremity  of  a  pe- 
ninsula extending  eastward  into  the  river.  This  fort  is  a  station  for 
United  States  soldiers.  Fort  Griswold  is  on  the  east  side  of  the  Thames, 
on  a  commanding  eminence  opposite  the  city,  in  the  town  of  Grolou. 
Il  is  not  at  present  occupied  as  a  military  post,  and  is  considerably  out 
of  repair. 

New  London  has  been  rendered  conspicuous  for  its  sufferings  during 
the  Revolutionary  war,  and  the  theater  of  hostile  operations.  On  the 
6th  of  September,  1781,  a  large  proportion  of  this  town  was  laid  in 
ashes  by  Benedict  Arnold.     The  following  account  of  this  transaction 

35 


274  NEW     r.  O  N  D  O  N  . 

is  taken  from  the  Connecticut  Gazette,  printed  at  New  London,  Sept. 
7,  1781. 

"About  daybreak  on  Thursday  morning  last,  21  sail  of  the  enemy's 
shipping  appeared  to  the  westward  of  this  harbor,  which  by  many  were 
supposed  to  be  a  plundering  party  after  stock;  alarm  guns  were  imme- 
diately fired,  but  the  discharge  ol'  cannon  in  the  harbor  has  become  so 
frequent  of  late,  that  they  answered  little  or  no  purpose.  The  defense- 
less state  of  the  fortifications  and  the  town  are  obvious  to  our  readers ; 
a  k\v  of  the  inhabitants  who  were  equi|)ped,  advanced  towards  the  jdace 
where  the  enemy  were  thought  likely  to  make  their  landing,  and  ma- 
noeuvred on  the  heights  adjacent,  until  the  enemy  about  9  o'clock  lantled 
in  two  divisions,  and  about  800  men  each,  one  of  them  at  Brown's  farm 
near  the  light-house,  the  other  at  Groton  Point:  the  division  that  landed 
near  the  light-house  marched  up  the  road,  keeping  up  laige  flanking 
parties,  who  were  attacked  in  difiercnt  i)laces  on  their  march  by  the  in- 
habitants, who  had  spirit  and  resolution  to  op|)ose  their  progress.  The 
main  body  of  the  enemy  proceeded  to  the  town,  and  set  fire  to  the 
stores  on  the  beach,  and  inunediately  after  to  the  dwelling  houses  lying 
on  the  Mill  Cove.  The  scattered  fne  of  our  little  parties,  unsujiported 
by  our  neighbors  more  distant,  galletl  them  so  that  they  soon  began  to 
retire,  setting  fire  promiscuously  on  theli-  way.  The  fire  from  the  stores 
communicated  to  the  shipping  that  la)'  at  the  wharves,  and  a  nundjer 
were  burnt;  others  swung  to  single  fast,  ami  remained  unhurt. 

"  At  4  o'clock,  they  began  to  quit  the  tow  n  with  great  precii)itation, 
and  were  pursued  by  our  brave  citizens  with  the  spirit  and  ardor  of  vet- 
erans, and  driven  on  board  their  boats.  Five  of  the  enemy  were  killed, 
and  about  twenty  wounded  ;  among  the  latter  is  a  Hessian  cajnain,  who 
is  a  prisoner,  as  are  seven  others.  ^Ve  lost  four  killed  and  ten  or  twelve 
wounded,  some  mortally. 

"  The  most  valuable  part  of  ihc  town  is  reduced  to  ashes,  and  all 
the  stores.  Fort  Trunihull,  not  being  tenable  on  the  land  side,  was 
evacuatcil  as  the  em-my  advanced,  nml  the  feu  men  in  it  crossed  the 
river-to  Fort  Crisuold,  on  tJroion  Hill,  which  was  soon  afier  iia(!sted 
by  the  division  that  landed  at  the  point:  the  ft)rt  having  in  it  only 
about  120  men,  chiefly  militia  hastily  collected,  they  defended  it  with 
the  greatest  resolution  and  bravery,  and  once  repulsed  the  enemy  : 
but  the  fort  being  out  of  lepair,  could  not  be  defended  by  such  a 
handful  of  men,  though  brave  and  determined,  against  so  superior  a 
number;  and  after  having  a  number  of  their  party  killed  and  wounded, 
they  found  that  further  resistance  would  be  in  vain,  and  resigned  the 
fort.  Immediately  on  the  surrendry,  the  valiant  Col.  Ledyard,  wdiose 
fate  in  a  particular  manner  is  much  lamented,  and  70  other  otlicers 
and  men  were  murdered,  most  of  whom  were  heads  of  families.  The 
enemy  lost  a  Major  JMontgomery  and  fc^rty  ofiicers  and  men  in  the 
attack,  who  were  Ibund  buried  near  the  fort :  their  wounded  were  car- 
ried ofl". 

"  Soon  after  the  enemy  got  possession  of  the  fort,  they  set  fire  to  and 
burnt  a  considerable  number  of  dwelling  houses  and  stores  on  Croton 
bank,  and  embarked  about  sunset,  taking  with  them  sundry  inhabitants 


NEW      LONDON.  275 

of  New  London  and  Groton.  A  Col.  Eyre,  who  commanded  the  di- 
vision at  Groton,  was  wounded,  and  it  is  said  died  on  board  the  fleet 
the  night  they  embarked.  Ahont  15  sail  of  vessels,  with  the  eliects  of 
the  inhabitants,  retreated  np  the  livur  on  tiie  appearance  of  the  enemy, 
and  were  saved,  and  four  others  remained  in  the  harbor  unhurt.  The 
troops  were  commanded  by  that  infamous  traitor  Bene(hct  Arnold,  who 
headed  the  division  which  marched  up  to  the  town.  By  this  calamity 
it  is  judged  that  more  than  one  hundi'ed  families  are  deprived  of  their 
habitations,  and  most  of  their  all.  This  neighborhood  feel  sensibly  the 
loss  of  so  many  deserving  citizens,  and  though  deceased,  cannot  but  be 
highly  indebted  to  them  I'or  their  spirit  and  bravery  in  their  exertions 
and  manly  oiipositioii  to  the  merciless  enemies  of  our  country  in  their 
last  moments." 

"  The  following  savage  action,  committed  by  the  troops  who  subdued 
Fort  Griswold,  on  Groton  Hill,  on  Thursday  last,  ought  to  be  recorded 
to  their  eternal  infamy.  Soon  after  the  surrender  of  the  fort,  they 
loaded  a  wagon  with  our  wounded  men,  by  order  of  their  officers,  and 
set  the  wagon  olf  from  the  top  of  the  hill,  which  is  long  and  very 
steep.  The  wagon  went  a  considerable  distance  with  great  force,  till 
it  was  suddenly  stopped  by  a  tree ;  the  shock  was  so  great  to  those 
faint  and  bleeding  men,  that  some  of  them  died  instantly.  The  offi- 
cers ordered  their  men  to  Qre  on  the  wagon  while  it  was  running." 

The  buildings  burnt  at  New  London  in  this  expedition  by  the  Biitish 
troops,  were  05  dwelling  houses  containing  97  families,  31  stores,  18 
shops,  20  barns,  and  0  public  and  other  buildings,  among  which  were 
the  court  house,  jail  and  church — in  all  143. 

"  In  many  instances  where  houses  were  situated  at  a  great  distance 
from  any  stores,  and  contained  nothing  but  household  furniture,  they 
were  set  on  fire,  notwithstanding  the  earnest  cries  and  entreaties  of  the 
women  and  cliildren  in  them,  who  were  threatened  with  being  burnt  in 
them  if  they  did  not  instantly  leave  them.  Indeed  two  houses  were 
bought  od"  for  10/.  each,  of  an  officer  who  appeared  to  be  ^  captain, 
upon  condition,  however,  that  he  should  not  be  made  known  ;  and 
where  the  houses  were  not  burnt  they  were  chiefly  plundered  of  all 
that  could  be  carried  off.  At  the  harbor's  mouth,  the  houses  of  poor 
fishermen  were  stripi)ed  of  all  their  fiu'niture  of  every  kind,  the  poor 
people  having  nothing  but  the  clothes  they  had  on." 

The  following  is  Arnold's  official  account  of  his  expedition  to  New 
London : 

Sound,  off  Plumb  Island,  8th  Sept.  1781. 

Sir, — I  have  the  lioiior  to  iiit'orin  your  Excellency,  thai  the  transports  with  tiie  de- 
laclunenl  of  troops  umlcr  my  onlri.-,,  anchored  on  the  Long  Island  shore  on  tlie  5lh 
instant,  at  2  o'chjck,  P.M.  about  ten  leagues  I'roni  New  Londun  ;  and  having  made 
some  necessary  arrangements,  weighed  anchor  at  7  o'clock,  P.  iVl.  and  stood  lor  New 
London  with  a  lair  wind.  At  1  o'clock  ihe  nc.\t  morning,  we  airived  oil  the  liarbor, 
when  the  wmd  suddenly  shifted  to  the  northward,  and  it  was  9  o'clock  before  the  trans- 
ports could  beat  in.  Ac  10  o'clock  the  troops  in  two  divisions,  and  in  four  debarka- 
tions, were  landed,  one  on  each  side  of  the  liarbor,  about  three  miles  from  New  Lon- 
don; that  on  the  Groton  side,  consisting  of  the  '10th  and  51th  reg'is,  and  the  3d  batt. 
of  New  Jersey  volunteers,  with  a  detachment  of  Yagers  and  Artillery,  were  under 
the  command  of  Lieut.  Col.  Eyre.  The  division  on  the  New  London  side  consisted 
of  the  38th  regiinciii,  the  Loyal  Ainciicans,  the  American  Legion,  Refugees,  and  a 


'276  N  E  w    L  n  N  n  o  N  . 

detQchraenl  of  CO  Yagurs,  who  were  iminediaiely  on  llieir  landing  pnl  in  motion  ;  and 

at  1 1  o'clock,  beintj  ujiliin   half  n  nnle  of  l'\)it '^J'nitnbnli,  which  commands  New 

London  harbor,  1  detached  Capt.  Millett,  with  fonr  companies  of  the  38lli  regiment, 

to  attack  the  fort,  who  was  joined  on  his  march  by  Capl.  Friiik,  with  one  company  of 

the  American  Legion.     At  the  same  lime  I  advanced  uitli  the  remainder  of  the  divis-  j 

ion,  west  of  Fort  Trumbull,  on  the  road  to  the  town,  to  attack  a  redoubt  which  had 

kept  lip  a  brisk  fire  upon  us  for  some  time;  l)iit  which  the  enemy  eviicuated  on  our  ! 

approach.    In  this  work  we  found  six  pieces  of  cannon  mounted,  aiid  two  dismounted.  j 

Soon  at'ier  I  had  the  pleasure  to  see  Capt.  Millett  marcli  into  Fort  Trninbuil,  under  j 

a  shower  of  grape  shot  from  a  number  of  cannon  which  tlie  enemy  had  Itiined  upon 

him;  and  I  have  the  pleasure  to  inform  your   Excellency,  that  by  the  .sudden  attack  j 

and  determined  bravery  of  ttie  troops,  the  i'ort  was  carried  with  the  loss  of  only  four  ■ 

or  five  men  killed  and  wounded.     IJapt.  Millett  had  orders  to  leave  one  company  in  | 

Fort  Trumbull,  to  detach  one  to  the  redoubt  we  had  taken,  and  to  join  me  with  the  | 

other  companies.     No  time  on  iny  jiari  uas  lost  in  gaining  the  town  of  New  London.  ] 

We  were  opposed  by  a  small  bddy  ol   the  enemy,    v^itli  one  tield   piece,  who  were  so  | 

hard  pre.s.sed  that  thcv  were  obli'^'ed   to  leave  ti.e  jiicee,  whieli  being  irun  was  spiked 

and  left. 

As  soon  as  the  enemy  were  alarmed  in  the  niuriiin^',  we  could  perceive  tliey  were 
busily  employed  in  beiuliiiu-  sails,  and  eiidc.:\iii  iii-  tu  get  ibeir  privateers  and  other 
ships'  up  Norwich  river  out  of  our  rencli ;  lui!  il.cvviiid  being  small,  ami  the  tide 
against  ibem,  they  were  ofligi'd  tu  aiieliiir  .iL^aiii.  I'loin  iiilui  niatioii  1  itceived  be- 
foie  and  al'ter  my  landing,  1  had  reason  to  IhIk.  ve  ihai  I'm  t  t.i  i^w()ld,  uu  (lioloii  side, 
was  very  incomplete ;  and  1  u  as  a-snud  ii\'  I'l  i.-i,.!s  w  ( iii\  iMhiiicnt,  alicr  my  landing, 
that  there  were  only  twrnity  or  ihiii)'  men  in  the  fell,  ihe  iiilu.biiants  in  general  being 
on  board  their  ships,  and  biisv  in  saving  theii  prciperty. 

On  taking  posse.ssion  of  f'\)it  Tiumlnill,  I  I'uund  liie  (iiri:r, 's  ships  would  escape 
unless  we  could  possess  (Uirselves  ol'  Fort  CiisUnM;  I  i  l,,iii,.i  r  dispatched  an  otiicer 
to  Lieut  Col.  Eyre  with  the  intelligence  1  bad  u'.aiveil  ai,d  it(juestril  him  to  make, 
an  attack  upon  the  fort  as  soon  as  possible;  at  whicli  time  1  expected  the  howitzer 
\eas  up,  and  would  have  been  made  use  of.  On  my  gainini,'  a  height  ulgrmind  in  the 
rear  of  Nevv  London,  from  whicli  1  had  a  good  |)rospe(t  of  Fort  Griswold,  1  found  it 
much  more  lormidable  than  I  e.xpected,  or  than  I  had  foimed  an  idea  ol,  from  the  in- 
formation I  had  before  received;  I  observed  at  the  same  time,  that  the  men  who  had 
escaped  from  Fort  Trumbull,  had  crossed  in  boats  and  thrown  themselves  into  Fori 
Griswold,  and  a  favorable  wind  springing'  up  about  this  time,  the  enemy's  ships  were 
escaping  up  the  river  notwithstanding  the  fire  fmm  Fort  TriiinbuH,  and  a  .six  pounder 
xvhich  I  had  with  me.  I  immediately  dispatched  a  boat  with  an  olhcer  to  Lieut.  Col. 
Eyre,  to  countermand  my  (iist  order  to  attack  the  fort,  but  Ihe  olHcer  arrived  at  a  few 
minutes  too  late.  Lieul!  Col.  Fvre  ha<l  sciii  Capt.  Ibckwith  with  a  Hag,  to  demand  a 
.surrender  of  the  fort,  wbicli  was  pereinpioi  ily  reliised,  and  ilie  attack  had  commen- 
ced. After  a  most  obstinate  defense  of  near  fort \'  minutes,  thefoitwas  carried  by 
the  superior  braverv  and  p.'isrverance  oT  the  assailants.  The  attack  was  judicious 
and  spirited,  and  rellecis  tl,,'  luglicsi  honor  on  ilic  oliiccis  of  the  troops  engaged^vho 
seemed  to  vie  with  each  other  in  beim,'  first  mdangei.  The  troops  ap[uoaeh?ll  on 
three  sides  of  the  work,  which  was  a  square  with  llanks,  made  a  lodgment  in  the 
ditch,  and  under  a  heavy  lire,  which  they  kept  upon  the  works,  ellected  a  second 
lodgment  upon  the  fraizing,  which  was  attendeil  with  great  dilhciilly,  as  only  a  few 
pickets  could  be  forced  out  or  broken  in  a  place,  and  was  so  high  that  the  soldiers 
could  not  ascend  without  assisting  each  other.  Here  the  coidncss  and  bravery  of  the 
troops  were  very  conspicuous,  as  the  liist  who  ascended  the  fiaize  were  obliged  to 
silence  a  nine  pounder  which  enfiladed  the  place  on  which  they  .stood,  until  a  suffi- 
cient body  had  collected  to  enter  the  works,  wliich  was  done  with  fixed  bayonets, 
through  liie  embrazures,  where  they  were  opposed  willi  great  obstinacy  by  the  garri- 
son with  long  spears.  On  tin's  occasion  1  have  to  regret  the  loss  of  Major  Montgom- 
ery, who  was  killed  by  a  spear  in  entering  tlie  enemy's  works;  also  of  Ensign  Whit- 
lock,  of  the  40th  regiment,  who  was  killed  in  the  attack.  'I'hree  other  oflTicers  of  the 
same  regiment  were  wounded  ;  Lieut.  Ccd.  Eyie,  and  lliree  other  olliceis  (if  the  5-lth 
regiment,  were  also  wounded;  but  I  have  the  satisfaction  to  inform  your  Excellency, 
that  they  are  all  in  a  fair  wav  to  recover. 

Lieutenant  Colonel  Eyre, "who  behaved  with  great  gallantry,  having  received  his 
wound  near  the  works,  and  Major  Montgomery  being  killed  immediately  after,  the 
command  devolved  on  Major  Bromfield,  whose  behavior  on  this  ocrason  does  him 
great  honor.  Lieut.  Col.  P.uskirk,  with  the  New  Jersey  volunteers  and  artillery,  being 
the  second  debarkation,  came  up  soon  after  the  work  was  carried,  having  been  retard- 
ed by  the  roughness  of  the  country;  I  am  much  obliged  to  this  gentleman  for  his  ex- 
ertions, although  the  artillery  did  not  arrive  in  time. 


N  E  AV     L  O  N  D  O  N  .  X  tl 

I  have  enclosed  a  return  of  the  killed  and  wounded,  b}'  which  your  Excellency  will 
observe  that  our  loss,  though  very  coil^5iderable,  is  short  of"  the  enemy's,  who  lost  most 
of  their  ollicers,  among  whom  was  their  commander,  Col.  Ledyard.  Eighty-live  men 
were  found  dead  in  Foil  Gnswold,  and  sixty  wounded,  most  of  them  mortally;  their 
loss  on  the  opposite  side  must  have  been  considerable,  but  cannot  be  ascertained.  I 
believe  we  have  about  70  jiiisoners,  besides  the  wounded  who  were  leli  paroled. 

Ten  or  twelve  ships  weie  buiued,  among  them  three  or  four  armed  vessels,  and  one 
loaded  with  naval  stores;  an  immeiise  quantity  of  European  and  West  India  goods 
were  found  in  the  stores — among  the  fornjer  the  cargo  of  the  Hannah,  Capt.  Watson, 
from  Loudon,  lately  captured  by  the  enemy.  The  whole  of  which  was  burnt  witli 
the  stores,  which  pioved  to  contain  a  large  (juantity  of  powder,  imlcnown  to  us;  the 
explosion  of  the  powder,  ami  change  of  wind,  soon  alter  the  stores  were  tired,  commu- 
nicated the  Ilames  to  part  (.>f  the  town,  which  was,  notwitJisiaiiding  eveiy  elioit  to  pre- 
vent it,  uiifiu-iunalely  destroyed. 

U|)WanN  of  fifty  pi.-ecs  uf  iron  cnntiou  vrere  destroyed  in  the  did'erent  works,  (ex- 
clusive of  the  guns  of  the  ships.)  a  particular  return  of  which  1  cannot  do  myself  the 
honor  to  transmit  to  your  E.xcelleiuy  at  this  time. 

A  very  considerable  magnzine  ol  powdci',  and  barracks  to  contain  tijrce  hundred 
men,  were  found  in  Fort  Giiswold,  whicii  Capt.  Lemoine  ot  tlie  Royal  Artillery  had 
my  positive  directions  to  destroy;  an  aiienipi  was  made  b\' him,  hut  unfortunaiely 
failed,  lie  had  my  orilers  to  make  a  second  altemiU:  the  reasons  why  it  was  not 
done,  Capt.  Lcinoine  will  have  the  honor  to  explain  to  your  Excellency. 

I  should  be  wanting  in  justice  to  the  gentlemen  of  the  navy,  did  1  omit  to  acknowl- 
edge that  ujion  this  exjiedition  I  have  received  every  possible  aid  from  them.  Cap- 
tain IJeasley  has  made  eveiy  exertion  lo  assist  our  operations,  and  not  only  gave  up 
his  cabin  to  the  sick  and  wounded  oHicers,  but  furnished  them  with  every  assistance 
and  relreshment  that  his  ship  alforded. 

Lord  Dalrymple  will  have  the  honor  to  deliver  my  dispatches';  1  beg  leave  to  refer 
your  (Lxcellenev  to  his  LonWiip  lor  the  particulars  of  our  operations  on  the  New 
LiOndon  side.  1  feed  myself  under  gicnt  obligations  to  him  for  his  exertions  upon  the 
occasion.  Captain  lieckwiih,  who  was  extremely  serviceable  to  me,  returns  with  his 
Lonisliip.  His  spirited  conduct  in  the  atlack  of  T'ort  C<iis\rold  does  him  great  honor, 
being  one  of  the  first  ollicers  who  entered  the  work's.  1  beg  leave  lo  refer  your  Excel- 
lency to  him  for  the  particulars  of  oiir  opeialions  on  that  side,  and  to  say  I  have  tho 
highest  opinion  of  his  aliilities  as  an  ollicer. 

1  am  greatly  iiulebtetl  to  Capt.  Siapleloii,  (who  acted  as  Major  of  Brigade,')  for  his 
spiiiiL-d  conduct  and  assistance;  in  particular,  on  the  attack  upon  Fort 'I'rumbull,  and 
his  endeaviu's  to  prevent  plundering,  (when  the  iiublic  .stores  weie  biiint,)  and  the  de- 
slrnclion  of  pi  ivale  buildings.  'I'he  ollicers  and  troops  in  general  behaved  uilh  the 
greatest  intrepidity  and  fumne.^s. 

1  have  the  honor  to  be,  with  the  trreatest  rc'~pcct. 

Your  Excelleiicv's  luo^t  obi  Jieiit  and  most  humble  servant, 

15.  ARNOLD. 

Return  of  the  killed  and  wounded:—!  Major,  1  Ensign,  2  Sergeants,  44  Rank  and 
File,  killed. 

I  Lieut.  Colonel,  3  Captains,  2  Lieutenants,  2  Ensigns,  8  Sergeants,  2  Drummers, 
127  Rank  and  File,  wounded. 

Of  the  wounded  oiiieers,  one  Captain,  one  Lieutenant,  and  one  Ensign,  are  since 
dead.  Jou.n  Stapleton. 

From  the  ConnccJicul  Gazette,  No.  93J,  {.\cur  London,)  October  5,  178L 

Extract  of  a  Letter  from  Lieut.  Colonel  Upham,  to  his  Excellency 
Governor  Franklin,  dated  Fort  Franklin,  Sept.  13,  1781 : 

"  Immediately  on  the  receipt  of  yours  by  Capt.  Camp,  I  made  every  preparation  con- 
.sistent  with  the  necessary  secrecy,  to  furnish  as  many  Refugees  for  the  projiosed  ex- 
pedition as  could  be  spared  from  the  garrison.  My  first  care  was  to  put  a  supply  of 
provisons  on  board  the  vessels.  1  talked  of  an  expedition  and  proposed  to  go  my- 
self, nor  could  I  do  more  until  the  lleet  appeared  in  sight.  Major  Ilubbel  was  too  un- 
well to  go  with  me;  I  therefore  left  him  lo  take  charge  of  the  Fort,  and,  with  as  much 
dispatch  as  possible,  embarked  one  hunilred  Loyalists,  exclusive  of  a  sufficient  nuno- 
ber  to  man  the  two  armed  sloops.  With  these  we  joined  the  lleet  in  season  to  prevent 
the  least  delay.  By  the  enclosed  arrangement,  you  will  see  we  had  the  honor  lo  be 
included  in  the  lirst  division,  and  I  have  the  pleasure  to  add  we  were  first  on  shore. 
We  advanced  on  the  right  of  the  whole  to  a  height  at  a  small  distance  from  the  shore, 


278  NEW      LONDON. 

where  we  were  ordered  to  cover  the  IJ'^lh  Regiment  from  a  wood  on  our  rii^ht,  until 
the  second  division  Ciinie  up.  We  weie  then  onlered  to  ehaii^'e  our  po.iiiion  Jioni  llie 
right  to  the  left,  at  the  distance  of  two  hundred  3  ards  iVoni  ilie  main  bud3'.  Tliis  al- 
teration derived  its  piopiiely  from  the  circum^tanee  of  the  Rebels  havini,'  gone  over 
to  the  le(t,  (roin  an  aiiprehension  of  being  too  niiieh  eroudeii  between  our  troops  and 
tiie  liver  on  blieir  riglii.  'I'lius  arrangetl  we  pioeeeilcd  to  the  town  of  New  London, 
constanily  skirmishing  with  rebels,  who  lied  I'rom  hill  to  hill,  and  stone  fences  which 
intersected  the  country  ai  small  distances.  Having  reacheil  the  southerly  part  of  the 
town,  the  General  requested  uie  to  take  possession  of  the  hill  north  of  the  Meeting 
House,  where  the  rebels  had  collected,  and  which  they  seemed  resolved  to  hold.  We 
made  a  circle  to  the  left,  ami  soon  gained  the  ground  in  contest.  Here  we  had  one 
man  killed  and  one  wounded.  Tliis  height  being  the  outpost,  was  left  to  us  and  the 
Yagers.  Here  we  remained  exposed  to  a  constant  lire  liom  the  rebels  on  the  neigh- 
boring hills,  and  IVom  tlieloitou  the  Grotuii  side,  until  the  last  was  carried  by  the  Brit- 
ish iroops. 

"  We  took  the  same  route  in  our  return  as  in  going  up,  equally  exposed  though  not 
so  much  annoyed.  Every  thing  required  was  cheerfully  undertaken,  and  spiritedly 
eliecied,  by  the  party  1  hail  the  honor  to  command.  A  small  p.irty  fiom  Vanalstine's 
post  joined  ns,  which  incica^cil  my  command  to  I'JO.  They  landed  and  returned 
with  us,  and  behaved  exceciliiigly  well.  The  armed  vessels  Association  and  Colonel 
Martin,  went  close  into  the  shoie,  and  covered  ihe  landing  on  llie  Is'ew  London  side. 
At  the  request  oltlie  General,  I  i'urnished  boats  to  land  forty  of  ihe  troops  on  the  Gro- 
ton  side.  Captains  Gardner  and  'I'homas  would  gladly  have  gone  up  to  the  town,  but 
were  not  permitted.'' 

The  following  is  fiom  the  New  London  Gazette,  Januaiy  -1,  ]7S-2. 

"  Last  Friday  died  at  Groton,  Mr.  Carey  Leeds,  of  fever,  which  he 
took  from  JMr.  Daniel  Eldridyo.  a  neighbor  and  friend  of  his,  that  died 
the  1st  instant,  who  with  one  hundred  and  thirty  men  were  landed  here 
on  the  3d  ult.  from  New  York,  in  a  most  deplorable  situation  ;  a  great 
part  of  them  have  since  died,  and  those  of  them  that  have  survived, 
are  in  such  a  debilitated  state  that  they  will  drag  out  a  miserable  exist- 
ence. Numbers  in  tliis  unhappy  town  and  Groton  have  lost  their  lives 
by  taking  them  in,  and  great  numbers  of  others  have  been  brought  to 
the  gates  of  death,  and  still  lie  in  a  languishing  condition.  It  is  enough 
10  melt  the  most  obdurate  heart  of  any  one,  (except  a  Briton,)  to  see 
these  miserable  objects  continually  landing  here  from  every  ihig  that 
comes;  see  them  poured  out  upon  desolated  wharves,  sick  and  dying, 
aiul  the  few  rags  tliL'V  hu\e  on  co\(Mcd  with  vermin  and  their  own  ex- 
crements  In  shuri,  if  their  is  no  reilress  for  tuis 

intolerable  evil,  this  town  and  Groton  must  be  dcpopidaled." 

After  the  close  of  the  llevolutionary  war  in  1783,  the  General  Assem- 
bly appointed  a  committee  to  estimate  the  damages  sustained  by  the 
several  towns  in  the  state  that  had  been  ravaged  by  the  enemy  during 
the  war.  The  damages  sustained  by  New  London  were  estimated  by 
the  committee  at  ,^185,980.  To  compensate  the  sufferers  in  this, 
and  the  other  towns,  the  General  Assembly,  in  May,  1793,  granted 
them  500,000  acres  of  the  tract  of  land  reserved  by  Connecticut,  at 
their  cession  of  lands  to  the  United  States,  lying  south  of  the  western 
part  of  Lake  Erie,  being  what  are  now  called  "  the  Fire  lands,"  in  the 
western  part  of  the  \Vestern  Reserve,  in  the  state  of  Ohio. 

During  the  late  war  New  London  was  the  theater  of  hostile  indica- 
tions. A  squadron  under  the  command  of  Commodore  Hardy  having 
driven  two  of  our  frigates  under  tlie  command  of  Cotfimodore  Decatur 
into  the  harbor,  blockaded  it  for  a  considerable  time.  The  concentra- 
tion of  a  consitJerable  force  of  the  enemy  at  this  place,  produced  con- 


lui  name  fi'oni 

one 

tiiuon,  ami  wis 

•  Ued 

ik.s.  uvo  luwcl  Ji 

iK-n, 

i.'iiiic,  accompai 

licd 

;  and  L--|i(.-ciall 

V  to 

in|ianv  u  illi  Ji 

dm, 

t'li  dc-rec  iiiibi 

du'tl 

iiy  alk-r,  Ijclon 

^  lie 

NEW     LONDON.  279 

siderable  alarm,  and  a  large  body  of  militia,  drafted  from  different  parts 
of  the  stale,  were  kept  here  to  repel  any  attack  from  the  enemy.  Be- 
sides the  militia,  a  considerable  body  oi'  United  Slates  troops  were  sta- 
tioned here.  The  forts  were  strongly  garrisoned,  and  the  British  made 
no  attempt  upon  the  place. 

Abont  the  year  1720,  a  sect  arose  in  New  London,  called,  from  their 
leader,  Rogerenes.  The  following  account  of  this  people  is  fronrDr. 
Trumbull's  History  of  Connecticut,  second  volume. 

"  Tlie  Rogerenes  wei'c  a  sort  of  Qualicis,  \\|io  had  their  oii^n'n  ; 
John  llogers  of  New  London,  tie  was  a  man  of  unhonnded  am 
to  be  something;  more  than  common  men.  One  Case  and  (me  Ha 
called  singing  Uiialcers,  coming  thiongli  the  colony  >iiignig  and  dai 
with  a  numbei-  of  women  to  assist  them  in  their  musical  exeieis^'s 
proclaim  how  their  lips  dropped  with  myrrh  and  honey,  fell  in  c( 
and  at  once  made  a  convert  of  him  lo  their  leligion.  lie,  in  a  h 
their  spirit,  and  ever  reiaineil  it.  IS'oiu'ithstanding,  it  was  not  h 
commenced  a  seventh  day  Baptist.  After  maintaining  the  opinion  of  tliis  sect  for 
a  short  time,  he  returned  again  to  Gluakerism.  To  gratify  his  pride,  and  that  he 
might  appear  as  the  head  of  a  peculiar  sect,  he  dilfered  in  several  {luini.s  from  the 
Cluakers.  Parliculaily  he  maintained  lliai  tJiere  weie  three  ordinances  of  leligioiis 
use,  baptism,  the  Lord's  sujiper,  and  imposition  ol  hands.  To  make  himself  more 
eminent,  as  the  iieail  ot  a  new  sect,  he  commenced  preacher  of  his  peculiar  scheme, 
and  without  any  kind  of  ordination,  admmistcred  baptism  lo  his  folloueis.  'I'he 
jnadiiess,  immodesty,  and  tnmulluoas  conduct  of  Uogers  and  those  who  (olluwed  him, 
at  Ibis  day,  is  liardl'y  conceivable.  It  seemed  to  be  their  study  and  delight  in  violate 
the  Sabbaili,  insult  magistrates  and  minisieis,  ami  to  trample  on  all  law  and  authority, 
human  and  divine,  'i'hey  would  come  uu  the;  Lortl's  (hiy,  into  the  most  public  as- 
.sendjlies  nearly  or  quite  naked,  and  in  the  lime  of  public  worship,  behave  in  a  wild 
^and  tumultuous  manner,  crying  out,  and  charging  the  most  venerable  ininiNiers  with 
lies  and  false  doctrine.  They  would  labor  np(Hi  the  Lord's  day,  drive  cans  by  places 
of  public  worship,  and  from  town  lo  town,  ajiparcntly  on  jmrpuse  to  ilistmb  Clmslians 
and  Christian  as^cmblies.  They  seemed  to  take  pains  lo  violate  ilie  laws  in  the  pre- 
i,ence  of  ollicers,  ihal  they  might  be  comjilained  of,  and  liave  an  uiijiortunity  to  insult 
the  laws,  the  courts,  and  all  civil  autburiiy. 

A  jiarlicular  instance  of  their  conduct  on  a  certain  occasion,  when  Ilogers  was  in- 
dicted lor  a  high  misdemeanor,  may  seive  as  a  specimen  ol  their  spirit  and  conduct 
ju  geiicKil.  'l"he  crime  lor  which  he  was  indicted,  and  llu'  mai.ner  .i|'  hi-  own  and 
his  followers' conduct,  will  appear  friiii  the  lollowing  e.Mracl  liom  I'laii'^  lli--iurical 
Account  of  Ciuakerisni.  * 

'  It  was  his  manner  lo  rush  into  the  assembly  on  the  Lord's  day,  in  the  lime  of  God's 
■worship,  in  a  very  boisterous  way,  and  to  charge  the  minister  with  lies  and  false  doc- 
trine ;  and  tu  scicam,  shout,  stamp,  &c.  by  which  he  olfercd  iiisuQerable  molestations 
to  the  worship  and  people  of  Giut.  And'lhis  was  his  maimci  in  i he-court  also,  when 
he  pleased,  or  had  a  mind  to  make  liimsclf  spoil,  and  he  would  l.mgli  at  it  when  he 
Jiad  done  until  his  sides  slioolc. 

'  I  saw  him  once  brought  lo  court  for  such  a  disturbance,  comrnitled  on  the  Sabbath. 
He  had  connived  the  matter  so  as  to  be  just  without  the  door  when  he  was  called  to 
answer;  upon  which  h'.'  rushed  into  court  with  a  prodigious  noise ;  his  fcalnics  and 
gestures  expressed  inori;  fury  ihan  1  i:\er  saw  in  a  disiiai-unl  person  of  any  s(.it,  and  I 
soberly  think,  iliai  if  a  legion  of  devils  Irul  pushed  hiin  in  headlong,  his  eiilrance  had 
not  been  more  hoi  rid  and  ghastly,  nor  have  seemed  more  preternatural. 

'  When  he  came  to  the  bar,  he  demanded  9!  the  court  what  their  business  was  with 
him  1  The  indictmenl  was  ordered  to  be  read.  To  this  he  pleaded  not  guilly,  alier  a 
new  mode  ;  for  as  the  clerk  read,  sometimes  at  the  end  of  a  sentence,  and  someiiines 
at  the  beginning,  he  would  cry  out,  Thafs  a  cursed  Lie  ;  and  anon,  T/ia/'s  a  deiilish. 
lie;  till  at  length  a  number  of  his  followers,  of  both  sexes,  tuned  their  pipes,  and 
screamed,  roared,  shouted  and  stamped  lo  that  tlegree  of  noise,  that  it  was  impo.ssible 
to  hear  the  clerk  read.' 

He  professed  to  be  a  most  holy  man,  guided  in  all  his  conversation  In' llie  IIolv 
Ghost,  so  thai,  for  the  course  of  twenty  years,  he  had  lived  wiihoiit  the  coinmissiun  oY 
one  sin.  Yet  he  was  almost  constantly  ccjinmiuing  such  gross  o^en^.es.  He  was 
flivorced  from  an  amiable  wife  for  fornication  and  supposed  beastiality.     T)ie  latter 


280  N  E  w     r  0  N  D  O  N  . 

he  often  confessed  out  of  court.  Wlicii  he  had  occasion,  he  took  to  his  bed  a  maid 
■whom  lie  had  purcliased,  and  after  ^he  iiad  boiiie  him  two  cliildreii,  he  put  her  away. 
He  suHereda  hnig  imprisuiiineiit,  u[)un  a  strong  suspicion  that  he  was  an  accomplice 
in  burning  the  meeting-house  in  New  London.  He  once  sal  upon  the  gallows  upon  a 
conviction  of  blasphemy.  For  these  and  the  like  instances,  he  and  his  followers  suf- 
fered the  penalties  of  the  law;  but  for  his  religion,  neither  he  nor  his  followers  suU'ered 
any  thing,  any  further  than  it  led  ihem  to  such  misdemeanors  as  are  punishable  by  the 
laws  of  all  Christian  nations." 

Many  anecdotes  are  related  concerning  this  singular  people,  one  of 
whicli  is  the  following.  Among  other  violations  of  law  and  order  by 
the  Rogerenes,  they  took  to  themselves  wives  without  complying  with 
the  requirements  of  law  and  decency.  "  One  day  as  Gov.  Saltonstall 
was  sitting  in  his  room  smoking  his  pipe,  a  man  by  tlie  name  of  Gorton, 
with  a  woman,  came  in,  and  addressing  the  Governor,  said,  'sir.  I  have 
married  this  woman,  and  that  too,  without  the  authority  of  your  magis- 
trates and  ministers.'  The  Governor  turned  round,  took  the  pipe  out 
of  his  mouth,  and  in  a  stern  voice  said,  'Gorton,  have  you  taken  this 
woman  for  your  wife  ?'  Gorton  replied,  '  yes,  I  have.'  Tiie  Gov- 
ernor turned  to  the  woman,  and  enr|uire(l,  '  madam,  have  you  taken  this 
man  for  your  husband?'  Slie  rephed,  '  Indeed,  sir,  1  have.'  '  \Vell, 
then,'  said  the  Governor,  *  by  authority  of,  and  according  to  the  laws 
of  Connecticut,  I  pronounce  you  lawfully  wedded,  husband  and  wife.' 
Gorton  was  astonislied,  and  after  a  pause  replied,  '  Thou  art  a  cunning 
creature.^  " 

It  is  said  to  be  contrary  to  the  tenets  of  the  Rogerenes  to  employ 
physicians,  or  to  use  medicines  in  case  of  sickness.  The  following 
method  of  preserving  a  clear  conscience  in  this  respect,  is  related  upon 
good  authority.  "  A  number  of  these  people  were  afllicted  with  a  cer- 
tain cutaneous  disorder,  and  their  principles  forbidding  liiem  the  use  of 
medicines,  they  were  at  a  loss  what  to  do.  After  deliberating  tipon  the 
subject,  they  came  to  the  conclusion  tliat  this  disorder,  (or  wliatevcr 
else  it  might  be  called,)  could  not  come  under  the  head  of  bodily  in- 
firmity. It  was  determined  that  the  Itch  might  be  considered  as  a 
noxious  animal,  which  they  might  imioeently  destroy.  They  accort^ 
ingly  made  use  of  the  usual  remedies  foutid  eflicacious  for  this  disoider." 

A  considerable  number  of  the  descendants  of  the  Rogerenes  still 
reside  in  Groton,  New  London  and  its  vicinity.  ]\Iany  years  since,  a 
person  by  the  narne  of  Watrous,  one  of  this  sect,  wrote  and  published 
a  book,  called  "  The  Battle  Axx.'^  Such  was  the  nature  of  tliis  publi- 
cation, that  he  could  find  no  printer  who  was  willing  to  i)rint  it.  De- 
termined however  that  his  book  should  be  published,  Watrous  procured 
a  printing  press  and  types,  and  printed  the  work  himself.  This  book 
is  said  to  be  a  curiosity,  from  the  nature  of  the  work,  and  from  the 
typographical  execution.  So  little  faith  have  this  people  in  other  de- 
nominations of  Christians  around  them,  that  quite  recently  they  would 
not  suiTer  any  of  their  people  to  assist,  as  carpenters,  or  otherwise,  in 
the  construction  of  a  new  church,  lately  erected  in  New  London. 


Jedcdiah  Tluntinf(ton,  a  general  in  the  army  of  the  Revolution,  al- 
though a  native  of  Norwich,  was  long  a  resident  of  Now  London.     He 


N  K  W     LONDON. 


281 


died  in  1818,  in  his  76tl)  year,  having  survived  every  general  of]lcer  of 
the  Revolution,  except  Gen.  Stark,  the  hero  of  Beunini^ton.  He  was 
educated  at  Harvard  University,  where  lie  was  gradiiaied"in  1763.  He 
settled  in  liis  native  town  as  a  merciiant,  but  at  tlie  commencement  of 
the  Revohition  he  entered  the  American  army  as  colonel  of  a  regiment. 
His  inteihgencc,  bravery  and  fjdehty  as  an  officer,  secured  lo  liim  the 
respect  and  gratitude  of  his  country,  and  the  attachment  and  lasting 
confidence  of  Washington.  He  continued  in  the  service  through  the 
war,  and  attained  to  the  rank  of  a  general  officer.  In  1788,  he  was 
appointed  treasurer  of  Connecticut,  and  was  a  member  of  the  convention 
of  the  state  which  ratified  the  federal  constitution.  On  the  organization 
of  the  general  government,  he  was  appointed  by  Washington" collector 
of  the  port  of  New  London,  the  duties  of  which  office  he  discharged  to 
the  entire  satisfaction  of  the  public  and  the  government,  during  a  period 
embracing  four  successive  administrations.  General  Huntington  be- 
came a  professor  of  religion  when  yomig,  and  was  distinguished  for  the 
excellence  of  his  private  character.  He  was  one  of  the  first  members 
of  the  American  Board  of  Connnissioners  for  Foreign  Missions,  and  held 
the  office  till  his  death. 


Judge  BralnanVs  Monument. 

The  Hon.  Jeremiah  G.  lirainard,  a  judge  of  the  superior  court,  was 
a  resident  of  this  town.  He  was  born  at  East  Haddam,  educated  at 
Yale  College,  and  connncnced  the  practice  of  law  in  i\ew  London  in 
early  life.  He  was  esteemed  an  able  and  faithful  lawyer,  a  worthy 
man,  and  good  judge.  He  died  at  New  Loudon,  January  14th,  1830, 
in  the  70th  year  of  his  age.  His  son,  John  G.  C.  IJrainord,  was  dis- 
tinguished for  his  poetic  genius.  He  was  educated  for  the  bar,  but  not 
finding  the  success  he  wislicd,  he  went  to  Haitford  in  1622,  and  took 
the  editorial  charge  of  the  Connecticut  Mirror;  he  was  tiius  occupied 
until  about  a  year  before  his  death,  when  marked  by  evident  symptoms 
as  a  victim  to  the  consumption,  he  returned  to  the  paternal  roof,  where, 
sensible  of  his  approaching  dissolution,  he  embraced  the  Christian  hope, 
and  died  September  26th,  1828,  aged  32  years. 

The  above  is  a  representation  ol'  the  monument  of  Judge  Bralnard 
and  his  son  John  G.  C.  Brainaid.  Judge  Brainard's  monument  is  con- 
36 


282 


NEW     1.  O  N  I)  O  N  . 


structed  of  granite,  and  is  perhaps  one  of  the  best  models  for  a  monu- 
ment that  could  be  devised,  combining-  sirnplieity  with  durability.  It  is 
situated  in  the  new  burying  ground,  wliicli  is  on  elevated  ground,  de- 
scending towards  the  city,  the  central  part  of  which  is  but  a  few  rods 
distant.  It  commands  a  fine  view  of  tlie  harbor  and  the  surrounding 
scenery. 


Biihop  Stdbiiri/'b  Monnuitnt. 

The  following  is  the  inscription  on  IJishop  Seabury's  monument. 

Hi'ie  lyeih  llie  boily  of  Samltj,  Si.u!liiy,  D.  D.  Bi.>liop  of  ConiiuLlicut  aiul  Rhode 
Island,  who  depuried  Iroin  iliis  ir:ui-ii(Jiy  scene,  Filjriiaiy  -Jaili,  Anno  Domini  iV.)6,  in 
the  (J8lh  year  of  his  agi',  antl  ihe  I'Jih  o(  his  Epi>copal  consecration. 

InjjL'ni'oiiN  withoui  piule,  I'-anicd  u  iihoiit  poflanuy,  good  wiilioiit  severity,  he  was 
duly  qualified  to  di>charge  ihe  ituiiesof  liie  Chii>iian  and  the  Bishop.  In  the  pulpit 
he  enforced  Religion  ;  in  his  conducl  he  exeinjililied  it.  The  poor  he  as>isic(l  with 
his  charily;  the  ignorant  he  blessed  with  his  instruction.  The  triend  of  men,  heever 
designed  their  good;  the  enemy  of  vice,  he  ever  opposed  it.  Cluistian!  dost  thou  as- 
pire to  happiness  1     Seabury  has  shown  the  way  that  leads  to  it. 

The  ancient  bitrying  ground  in  New  London  is  situated  in  the  north 
part  of  the  city,  a  short  distance  from  the  river,  on  elevated  ground, 
immediately  back  of  the  hotises.  The  first  meeting  house  and  court 
house  erected  in  New  London  were  near  this  spot.  Among  the  inscrip- 
tions on  the  ancient  monutnenls  is  the  following. 


rd  l.o^ 


di 


i  Alav  17,  IG(3-2.     yElatis  .sva- 51. 


"  Aa  epitaph  on  Captaine  R 

....  uniGUT  KTAiiHK  or  OVR  cniVAi.r.itii-:  lyes  hkre 

To    THE    STATE    A    COVNSILLOVn    EVI.L    IJEAIiE 

And  to  ye  trvth  a  friend  ot"  sweete  conte.nt 
To  Harteoud  to\v.ne  a  silver  ornament 
Who  can  deny  to  poore  he  was  ueleiee 
And  in  comhosing  pauoxyies  he  was  ciieiee 
To  marciiantes  as  a  patterns  he  micuit  stand 
anvenrring  dancers  new  uy  sea  am)  land." 

This  inscription  is  on  a  slab  of  red  sandstone  upwards  of  five  feet  long 
and  three  wide,  probably  obtained  near  INIiddletown  and  transported 
here  by  water ;  it  is  now  broken  in  two  and  nearly  imbedded  in  the 
earth,  in  the  northern  part  of  the  burying  ground,  near  the  tomb  of  the 


♦  In  Dr.  Trumbull's  History  of  Connecticut,  Vol.  i.  the  name  of  Richard  Lord  ap- 
pears as  one  ol  the  body  corp(irale,  to  whom  king  Charles  granted  the  charter  of  Con- 
necticut. The  charter  was  given  April  liO,  lG{J-2,  about  a  month  pievious  to  the  death 
of  Capt.  Lord.  "At  a  general  court  in  Hartlurd,  Maich  llth,  lb58,  a  troop  of  thirty 
horsemen  was  established  in  Connecticut,  ami  Richard  Lord  was  appointed  captain. 
This  was  the  first  in  the  colony." 


\  „ 


NEW     LONDON. 


283 


Winthrops.  The  letterint;  on  this  stone  has  suffered  so  much  from  the 
hand  of  time,  tljat  it  is  wiih  difficulty  that  some  parts  of  it  can  now  be 
deciphered. 


Mf^Pll^B- 


South  view  of  the  JItmysttad  House,  New  London. 

This  house  is  48  feet  in  front  by  iiO,  It  is  one  of  the  three  ancient 
houses  which  slil!  remain.  It  was  built  and  first  occupied  by  Sir  Rob- 
ert Hempstead,  and  being  entailed  property  has  ever  remained  in  pos- 
session of  his  descendants  :  it  is  now  in  possession  of  Mr.  Joshua  Hemp- 
stead, the  seventh  genei'ation  from  Sir  Ivobert.  This  house  was  for- 
merly fortified  for  defense  against  the  Indians.  It  is  about  forty  rods 
west  of  the  present  court  house.  The  first  vessel  that  sailed  for  the 
West  Indies  fiom  New  London,  sailed  from  the  cove  within  twenty 
rods  of  this  house. 

The  first  settlement  of  the  town  appears  to  have  been  oemmenced  on 
what  was  called  Cape  Ann  street.  'I'be  last  house  built  by  tlie  first 
settlers  stood  on  this  street;  it  was  taken  down  about  twudve  years 
since  :  it  was  about  half  a  mile  west  of  the  present  court  house.  The 
first  meeting  house  in  New  London  was  erected  very  near  the  present 
alms  house.  Gov.  Wiuthrop's  residence  was  at  the  head  of  the  cove, 
at  the  north  end  of  the  city. 

The  first  printing  press  in  Connecticut  was  established  in  New  Lon- 
don, forty  Cwo  years  before  printing  was  executed  in  any  other  place  in 
the  colony.  The  first  printer  was  Thomas  Short,  who  came  to  New 
London  about  the  year  1709.  He  printed  the  Say  brook  I^latform 
(which  is  said  to  be  the  first  book  printed  in  Connecticut)  in  1710,  and 
soon  after  died.  In  1713,  there  was  no  printer  in  the  colony;  and  a 
great  proportion  of  the  laws  were' only  in  manuscript.  The  Assembly 
determined  on  revising  and  printing  the  laws,  and  desired  the  governor 
and  council  to  procure  a  piinter  to  settle  in  the  colony.  The  council  ob- 
tained Mr.  Timothy  Green,  a  descendant  of  Mr.  Sairiuel  Green  of  Cam- 
bridge in  Massachusetts,  the  first  printer  in  North  America.  The  Assem- 
bly, for  his  encuuragemerit,  agreed  that  he  should  be  printer  to  the  gov- 
ernorand  company,  and  lliat  he  should  have  fifty  pounds,  the  salary  of 


284  N  K  AV     I,  I)  N  n  O  N  . 

the  deputy  governor,  annually,  lie  was  obliged  to  print  tlie  election 
sermon,  tlie  proclamations  for  fasis  and  thanksgivings,  and  the  laws 
which  were  enacted  at  the  seveial  sessions  of  the  assembly.  In  1714, 
he  came  into  Connecticut,  and  fixed  his  residence  at  New  London.  He 
and  his  descendants  were  printers  to  the  state  till  after  the  Revolution- 
ary war. 

The  second  newspaper  printed  in  Connecticut,  the  "  New  London 
Summary,"  was  commenced  at  New  London,  on  the  8th  of  August, 
1758,  by  Timothy  Gieen,  and  discontinued  in  consequence  of  the  death 
of  Mr.  Green,  in  1763.  The  "Summary"  was  succeeded  Nov.  1st, 
1763,  by  the  "  New  London  Gazette,"  (altered  in  1773,  to  the  "  Con- 
necticut Gazette,")  which  is  still  continued,  and  is  the  oldest  newspaper 
in  the  stale.  The  Gazette  is  printed  and  published  at  the  present  time  by 
Col.  Samuel  Green,  a  descendant  from  the  ancient  printers  of  the  colony. 

The  following  copy  of  a  letter  from  the  Hon.  John  Winthrnp,  Esq. 
of  New  London,  to  the  Rev.  Dr.  Mather  of  Boston,  is  taken  fro]n  the 
second  \'olume  of  ^lassachusells  Historical  Collections. 

Xcir  London,  S,j'lr,ii/jcr  lii,  1717. 

Sir — TieinK  from  lioine  tlie  last  post  dny,  wln-ii  \uui  Uik-i  ainvid  lit'ie,  1  uiii  now 
to  tlianic  you  for  it,  ami  to  make  answer  lu  «  Lai  wai  ili  luaml  of  nie.  I'lie  observations 
I  made  of  ilie  pndi{;ious  sioims  of  siiuw,  in  the  iloleliil  winter  jiaM,  are  many.  But 
I  shall  mention  but  two  at  tins  time,  and  they  ore  these.  That  the  snow  spangles 
which  fell  on  the  earth,  appeared  in  lar^'c  sexangiilar  loims.  ,*^'<  k  iiivem  se.c  nidia- 
tam ;  el  Stellas  has  niveus  cbscrvavi  prunl  uatroirgi  vulifu  ndf/icclit/n  dcpingunt  sexli- 
lem.  The  other  is,  that,  iiinong  the  small  ilock  of  sheep,  that  1  daily  fold  in  this  dis- 
tant pan  of  the  wildenie.'vs,  (for  I  am  a  ))oor  shepherd,)  to  secuie  them  from  the  wile! 
rapacious  quadrupeds  of  the  foiest;  alter  the  unusual  and  unheard  of  snows,  the 
aforesaid  animals  from  the  upland  parts  of  the  countiy,  weie,  in  j;realniind)eis  forced 
down  to  the  sea  side  among  us,  lor  substance,  «  here  tlicy  nestled,  kenneled  and  bur- 
rou<,'hed  m  the  thick  swamps  of  these  ample  pasuires,  nit;hlly  visiiinj^  the  jieiis  and 
yards  for  their  necessity.  *  *  *  *  I'he  stoini  coiitiiuud  , so  lonij  and  severe, 
that  multitudes  of  all  sorts  of  crealuie.s  )icri.-.hed  in  the  snow  diilts.  We  lost  at  the 
island  and  farms,  above  eleven  huiuiied  sheep,  besides  s(.nie  cattle  and  hoises,  iiTTerred 
in  the  snow.  And  it  was  verv  stian^e  that  i\u my  eiL,-lii  d;iys  after  the  sloim,  the 
leiiiuiis  ut  J'lsher's  Island,  pulliii.u'  oiii  iIm-  iiiiiis  ul  niie  liiiii<lii'd  sheep  out  lif  one 
snowbank  in  a  v.Tlley,  ( u  here  the  snow  h;id  drill,  d  .ner  iliein  si.xieen  leel,)  found 
two  of  them  alive  in  the  di  ill,  which  had  lain  on  ihem  all  that  time,  and  kept  them- 
selves alive  by  eating  llie  wool  olf  the  others,  that  lay  dead  by  tliein.  As  soon  as  they 
were  taken  out  of  the  drift  lliey  shed  their  own  lleeces  and  are  now  alive  and  fat ;  and 
I  saw  ihern  at  the  island  the  last  wcelc,  and  they  are  at  your  service. 

The  storm  had  its  effect  also  on  the  ocean  :  The  sea  was  in  a  mighty  ferment,  and 
after  it  was  over,  vast  heaps  of  the  enclosed  shells  came  ashore,  in  places  where  there 
had  never  been  any  of  the  sort  befoie.  Ni|>iiine  with  his  iiident,  also,  drove  in  great 
schools  of  porpoises,  so  ilial  the  harbor  and  river  seemed  to  be  full  of  them  ;  but  none 
of  these  came  on  shore,  but  kept  a  [ilay  day  among  the  disturbed  waves.  As  for  the 
golden  fleece— the  hider  and  hispanner  mleiideil  to  settle  in  your  town  after  they  had 
made  a  i'iw  more  wreck  voya^'es,  and  have  come  ba/-k  undiscoveied  like  trading  men, 
as  I  was  told  by  my  aiiihor.  And  as  to  mv  iiilorinei ,  he  w  as  always  idoUing  and  con- 
tnving  how  to  accomplish  your  business  wiiliuiii  disov.'i  ing  jt  to  any  more;  bin  hewas 
so  needy  that  I  believe  he  had  never  so  inmdi  jiioney  together  to  cany  him  down,  and 
keep  hirn  there  any  time  for  the  purpose;  and  a  li-w  weeks  befoie  he  died,  hewas 
proposing  to  me  for  a  new  trial  and  disnA'cry  of  iIil'  thing.  Sir,  what  I  know  about 
it  I  have  truly,  faithfully,  and  ingeiiiouslv  cuininunicated  to  you,  and  hope,  by  some 
meansor  other,  you  may  in  time  be  the  better  for  it.  1  thank  yjn  for  your  publications. 
1  have  mentioned  to  my  honest  neighbor  Timothy  the  rcpi  lining  them,  without  men- 
tioning your  name  in  tlie  matter,  encouraging  him  to  the  woiic,  by  the  quick  vent  of  so 
large  a  number  of  the  fust  impression. 

I  have  given  a  dose  of  your  fehrilugium  to  one  of  the  town,  which  I  hope,  has 
cured  him  of  a  malignant  fever,  and  is  an  excellenl  remedy  ob  dalorcM  licnis.     I  am 


NEW     LONDON.  285 

indebted  for  your  mentioning  my  name  inter  F.  R.  S.*  at  Gresliam;  I  fim  a«  obscure 
person,  less  tlian  ihe  poorest  of  vonr  servants,  and  not  fit  to  stand  before  princes,  but 
am  contented  to  He  liui  among  the  retired  pliilosopliers. 

I  am  &c.  John  Wintuuop. 

To  the  Rev.  Doctor  Cotton  jMatuer. 


Answers  to  several  of  the  queries  proposed  by  tlie  ofllcers  of  the 
British  government,  (1774,)  relative  to  New  London. 

An^iuer  1.  The  latitude  of  New  London,  the  best  harbor  in  Connecticut,  is,  by  ob- 
rvation,  41°  25'  norili,  and  longitude  4°  45'  w  est  trcjin  London,  that  is,  Tl'^  15'  west 


ser 


from  London,  by  observation  of  the  eclipses  of  the  moon,  calcul.iled  by  ILilley' 
tables.  ^ 

5.  New  London,  as  above,  is  one  of  tlie  principal  harbors,  and  opens  to  Ihe  south  ; 
and  from  the  light-house  at  the  mouth  of  the  harbor  to  the  town  is  about  three  miles,, 
and  a  breadth  of  three  fourths  of  a  mile  and  more  in  sume  places,  from  live  to  six 
lathoms  water,  a  clear  bottom,  lough  coze,  and  entirely  secure  and  commodious- 
one  mile  above  the  town  for  large  ships. 

7.  The  principal  trade  of  this  government  is  to  the  West  India  Islands,  excepting 
now  and  then  a  vessel  to  Ireland  with  flax-seed,  and  to  England  with  lumber  and  pot 
ashes,  and  a  few  to  Gibraltar  and  Barbary.  There  are  72  sail  of  vessels  now  belonging 
to  this  district,  amounting  to  3,247  tons,  in  which  there  are  400  seafaring  men  employed^ 
besides  upwards  of  twenty  sail  of  coasting  vessels,  that  employ  about  ninety  seamen. 
On  comparing,  the  trade  is  on  the  decrease  ;  lor  in  the  year  171)3,  there  were  seventy 
nine  sail  of  vessels  belonging  to  this  district,  a  dilference  of  seven  sail. 

8.  It  is  impossible  to  enumeiate  the  various  sorts  of  British  manufactures  that  are- 
here  imported  ;  but  in  general  almost  every  sort  is  consumed  here;  which  we  have- 
principally  from  New  York,  and  Boston,  to  the  amount,  upon  a  medium,  from  the  best 
mformation  I  can  ;,'et,  of  150,000/.  or  IbO.OUO/.  sterling  per  annum. 

9.  Besides  the  English  islands,  (which  supply  this  goveriiinenl  with  more  than  its 
home  consumption  of  rum  and  sugar,)  it  has'a  trade  with  the  French  and  Duicli 
West  Indies,  Gibraltar  and  Barbary.  'I'hose  vessels  that  go  to  the  French  and  Dutch 
plantations  carry  horses,  cattle,  sheep,  hogs,  provisions  and  lumber ;  those  for  Gibral- 
tar and  Barbary  carry  Hour,  lumber.  New  En^^'land  rum,  and  stores  for  muling,  the 
whole  annual  amount  of  which,  (1  should  think,)  about  50,000/.  steiling;  for  which 
■we  receive  molasses,  cocoa,  cotton,  and  some  sugar,  and  from  the  Duich  plantations 
bills  of  exchange;  and  the  mules  from  Barbary  are  generally  sold  in  the  West  Imlies 
lor  bills  of  exchaii;.;e,  the  nui^l  of  which  importalion  and  bills  gi)es  to  New  York  and 
Bostoii  to  pay  for  the  British  goods  this  government  receives  from  those  places. 

10.  The  custom  house  oliiccrs  here  are  atteniive  to  their  duty,  besides  which,  this 
luirbor  is  so  situaied,  that  the  Coming  in  Irom  the  sea  is  between  the  east  end  ol  Long 
l.sland  and  Block  Island,  and  by  the  west  end  of  Fisher's  Island,  where  the  king's 
cruisers  are  generally  upon  the  look  out,  and  very  critical  in  examining  the  vessels 
they  meet  v\'ith. 

11.  The  natural  produce  of  this  country  is  timber,  iron  and  copper  ore,  myrtle  war, 
&c.  The  produce  and  staple  commodities  are  Indian  corn,  wheat,  rye,  beef,  pork, 
llax,  tlax-seed,  oats,  beans,  peas,  potatoes,  cheese,  cider,  apples,  &c.  which  articles  are 
carried  in  the  coa.sting  vessels  to  New  York,  Boston,  Pliiladelphia,  Virginia  and  Caro- 
lina, to  what  value  is  very  diliicult  to  iletermine  ;  but  1  should  think  to  at  least  20,000i. 
sterling,  which,  with  the  50,000/.  sterling  in  the  forcii,'n  trade,  makes,  on  this  estima- 
tion, the  annual  amount  of  exportation  lium  this  dislrfct  70,000/.  sterling.  It  is  evident 
the  whole  falls  short  of  paying  tor  the  British  manulactures  we  receive,  as  many  of 
our  traders  have  failed,  and  the  New  Yorkers  have  taken  their  landed  interest  in  this 
colony  in  payments  to  a  very  considerable  amount.  The  chief  manulactures  are  pot 
and  pearl  ashes,  bar  iron,  and  necessary  implements  for  husbandry,  &.c. 


EXTRACTS  FROM  NEWSPAPERS. 

From  the  Connecticid  Gazette,  July  10/A,  I7G2. 

We  hear  from  New  London,  that  on  Thursday  se'nnight  died  there  Mr.  Ebenezer 

Bolles  of  that  town,  trader,  esteemed  a  very  honest  and  hospitable  man.     He  has  left 

one  child,  a  daughter,  of  about  seventeen  years  of  age  ;  and  an  estate  of  about  live 

thousand  pounds  lawful  money.     The  occasion  of  his  death  was  as  follows,— a  few 


This  appointment  afterwards  took  place. 


286  NEW     LONDON. 

days  beforo,  he  had  been  cuuiiif,'  some  vines  or  bushes  which  were  of  a  nox  (luaiity, 
whereby  he  was  poisoned,  and  his  body  swelled  to  a  great  degree ;  but  being  of  the 
sect  called  by  the  name  of  Rogcrenes,  wlio  forbid  the  use  of  means  in  sickness,  he 
would  neither  allow  a  physician  to  be  near  him,  nor  the  most  simple  medicine  admin- 
istered. Just  before  he  expired,  wlien  iu  great  pain,  he  seemed  desirous  of  some  help, 
but  the  brethren  and  sisters  of  that  profession  would  not  allow  it,  lesl  he  should  deny 
the  faith. 

New  London  Gazette,  Nu.  1,  ^'ov.  ISth,  17l".3. 
Printed  by  Timothy  Green,  at  the  Printing  olhce,  late  in  the  occupation  of  Mr. 

Timothy  Green  deceased N.  B.     The  business  of  Copper  plate  printing 

and  Book  binding  is  performed  by  said  Green. 


Nev)  London  Gazette,  No.  IGl,  December  12,  17G6. 
The  paper  on  which  this  Gazelle  is  printed,  was  manulactuied  at  Norwich — a  proof 
thai  this  colony  can  furnish  itself  with  one  very  considerable  article  which  has  here- 
tofore carried  thousands  of  pounds  uut  uf  it.  This  should  e.xcite  every  lover  of  his 
country,  to  promote  as  n)ueh  as  possible  this  laudable  undeitaking,  by  saving  all  tlieir 
linen  rags. 


New  London  Gazette,  No.  IGO,  Dec.  5,  17G6. 
We  hear  from  Middlelown,  that  on  the  21st  insl.  the  Hartftprd  Heel  arrived  there, 
consisting  of  two  sloops  and  a  scow,  conveyed  by  a  batleau  from  Spnngtield.  The 
fleet  was  separated  in  the  night  of  the  18th,  by  a  sudden  squall,  which  luok  them  as 
they  opened  a  small  brook,  and  occasioned  much  damage  ;  one  man  bruised  his  finger 
cuttinLT  away  a  ihowl  pin  on  board  the  convoy,  but  is  likely  to  recover.  The  convoy 
was  obliged  to  bear  away  for  Wingham,  and  by  the  help  of  jury  masts,  reached  her 
port,  where  she  is  refilling  ;  and  it  is  thought  she  will  be  able  to  put  to  sea  in  a  fort- 
night. One  of  the  fleet  struck  upon  a  mud  turtle,  but  happily  no  lives  were  lost.  The 
scow  came  to  anclior  and  rode  out  the  storm.  The  same  day  arrived  two  scows  frono 
the  other  side  of  the  rivei,  with  sand,  after  a  fine  passage  of  half  an  hour,  the  people 
all  well  on  board. 


Nciv  London,  Con.  Jour,  Sept.  21lh,  1771. 
About  three  or  four  years  ago  a  few  Mackerel  were  discovered  to  be  in  New  Lon- 
don Harbor  and  River,  thu'  chidly  very  small,  which  have  every  year  since  been  in- 
creasing, both  in  size  and  in  ([iiantity  :— and  such  a  plenty  has  theie  been  of  Ihose  val- 
uable fish  the  present  year,  as  that  fiom  forty  to  seventy  boats  have  been  daily  em- 
ployed below  the  town  in  catching  them.  And  by  the  best  computation  thrit  can  be 
made  about  IJOO  barrels  have  alieady  been  caught  in  this  s'-ason,  Irom  the  fi^t  of  Au- 
gust to  the  pievent  liiui',  m.Mrlv  equal  in  si/e  to  tho^e  of  Boston  Bay.  Last  Tuesday 
sii  b.irrels  of  ihoie  lish  wcie  drawn  in  a  srine  at  Noi  wkIi  Landing. 


/V(i/«  the  ConnedLCiU  Gazette,  No.  7t');'>,  Julii  10,  1778. 
About  three  weeks  ago,  Mr.  Robert  Shetheld  of  Sioningioii,  made  his  c>cape  irom 
New  York,  after  a  shoit  confineinent  on  board  a  prison  ship.  Alier  this  young  gen- 
tleman was  taken,  he  with  his  crew,  10  in  number,  were  put  into  irons  and  thrust  into 
the  forepeak  ;  on  their  arrival  at  New  York,  they  were  carried  on  board  a  prison  ship 
and  to  the  hatchways,  on  opening  of  which  tell  not  of  Pandora's  box,  for  that  mu.st 
be  compared  to  this,  an  alabaster  box,  in  comparison  to  the  opening  of  these  hatches. 
True  there  were  gratings,  but  they  kept  their  boat  upon  them.  The  steam  of  the 
hold  was  enough  to  scald  the  skin,  and  take  away  tl^e  breath — the  stench  enough  to 
poison  ihe  air  all  around.  On  his  descending  these  dreary  mansions  of  woe,  and 
beholding  the  numerous  spectacles  of  wretchedness  and  despair,  his  soul  fainted 
within  hiiu.  A  little  epitome  of  hell — about  S.^O  men  confined  between  deck,  of 
which  about  one  half  were  Frenchmen  :  and  he  informed  that  there  were  three  more 
of  these  vehicles  of  contagion,  which  contained  the  like  number  of  miserable  French- 
men also,  who  are  treated  if  possible  worse  than  Americans.  The  heal  so  intense, 
(the  hot  sun  shining  all  day  on  deck,)  that  they  were  all  naked,  which  also  served 
the  well  to  get  rid  of  the  vermin,  but  the  sick  were  eaten  up  alive.  Their  sickly 
countenances  and  ghastly  looks  were  truly  horrible;  some  swearing  and  blaspheming; 
some  crying,  praying,  and  wringing  their  hands,  and  stalking  about  like  ghosts  and 
apparitions;  others  delirious  and  void  of  reason,  raving  and  storming;  some  groaning 
and  dying — all  panting  for  breath  ;  some  dead  and  corrupting.  The  air  was  .so  foul 
at  times  that  a  lamp  could  not  be  kept  burning,  by  reason  of  which  the  boys  were  not 
missed  till  they  had  been  dead  10  days.     One  person  only  is  admitted  on  deck  at  a 


NEW     LONDON.  287 

time  after  sun-set,  which  necessarily  occasions  much  filth  to  run  into  ihe  hohi,  and 
mingle  with  the  bilge  water,  which  to  his  ceiiain  knowledge  iiail  not  been  pumped 
out  while  he  continued  on  board;  notwithstanding  the  decks  were  leaky,  and  the 
prisoners  begged  for  permission  to  let  ui  fresh  water  and  pump  it  out  again  ;  but  all 
in  vain,  their  hearts  are  callous  and  dead  to  their  cries,  prayers  and  entreaties;  five 
or  six  died  every  day  Mr.  SheHield  was  on  board.  He  was  only  six  days  on  board, 
and  three  of  his  people  died  in  that  short  time.  He  was  sent  for  on  shore  to  attend  as 
evidence  at  the  Court  of  Admiralty  for  condemnation  of  his  vessel,  and  happily  made 
liis  escape  from  the  horridest  of  deaths.  He  was  informed  in  New  York,  that  the 
fresh  meat  sent  in  to  the  piisoners  by  our  commissary,  was  taken  by  the  men  of  war  for 
their  own  use.  This  he  can  say,  that  he  did  not  see  any  on  board  the  siiip  he  was  in  ; 
but  acknowledged  that  they  were  well  supplied  with  soft  bread  /roin  our  commissary 
on  shore.  But  the  provision,  (be  what  it  will,)  is  not  the  complaint.  Fresh  air  and 
fresh  water,  Gou's  free  gift,  is  all  their  cry. 

.\cio  London,  August.  ISih,  1779. 
We  hear  from  Saybrook,  tliat  a  boat  lately  returning  into  (..'onnectieiit  river,  from 
Long  Island,  where  she  had  been  on  an  illicit  trade,  was  stopped  by  the  fort  at  Say- 
brook,  when  a  ijuantily  of  goods  were  taken  out  of  the  boat,  and  loilgud  in  the  custody 
of  one  Mr.  Tiilly,  an  oliicer  of  the  fort,  who  stored  them  inhisdwellinghou.se;  and 
on  Sunday  night,  8th  instant,  eight  men  broke  into  the  house  with  a  view  of  carry- 
ing off  the  goods;  on  which  the  oliicer  fired  on  them,  killed  two  at  the  tirsl  shot,  and 
wounded  another  with  a  bayonet.  On  this  the  others  made  off,  carrying  the  wounded 
man  with  them. — A  warnin>s  to  this  kind  of  ^cnlnj. 


Nev}  London,  November  lllh,  1781. 

Last  Saturday  evening  a  flag  of  truce  returned  here  from  New  York,  and  bro'l  132 
American  priMiners,  among  them  are  Ebene/er  Ledyard,  Esij.  and  Lieut  Jabez  Stow, 
on  parole,  with  the  remainder  of  the  prisoners  who  were  captivated  and  carried  off 
from  New  London  and  Groton  by  Benedict  Arnold's  burning  party :  But  the  prisoners 
are  chiefly  from  the  prison  sliip,  and  are  mostly  sick. 

Captain  Jonathan  Budington,  jun.  late  of  the  Brig  Favorite,  Mr.  George  Worthj'- 
lake,  and  Daniel  Slianlcy,  (son  of  Cant.  Adam  Shapley,)  all  (jf  this  town,  lately  died 
on  board  the  prison  ship;  and  Mr.  John  Monroe,  of  this  town  died  on  board  the  flag 
the  night  it  arrived. 


.\cw  London,  Julij  I,  178.3,  (923.) 
Tuesday  evening  was  tried  before  the  Court  of  Coininon  Pleas,  now  sitting  here,  a 
cause  brouglit  by  a  Mrs.  Eggle.iion  of  Stdinngion,  against  one  Reuben  Ralhbnn,  an 
exhorter  among  the  people  called  the  Shaking  Cluakers,  for  defamtag  her,  by  uttering 
sundry  expressiuns  of  and  concerning  her,  at  a  miblic  meeting  in  Stonington.  After 
n  I'ull  hearing,  the  Jury  retired,  and  lu  about  an  hour  reiunied  w  ith  a  verdict  ui  favor 
of  the  pluinlifl"  lor  £-10  damage,  and  her  cost. 

Connecticut  Gazette,  No.  1787.     New  London,  Pehrnartj  7,  1798. 

John  Kunkapot,  a  chief  of  the  tribe  of  Oneida  Indians,  arrived  here  last  week.  "We 
were  informed  by  him,  that  he  had  been  on  a  mission  to  the  Mohegan  tribe,  being  au- 
thorized to  invite  them  to  sell  their  lands  in  Montville,  and  move  among  the  Oneidas, 
where  they  would  be  received  as  members  of  their  tribe,  without  any  reward.  The 
Mohegans,  excepting  one  or  two  who  are  very  old,  have  determined  to  remove  if  they 
can  obtain  permission  from  the  Legislature  to  sell  their  lands. 

The  remnant  of  this  once  powerful  tribe  is  reduced  to  about  200  souls.  They  pos- 
sess upwards  of  5000  acres  of  land,  the  most  of  which  is  of  an  excellent  quality,  and 
cannot  be  alienated  without  permission  from  the  State  Legislature. 


ProjR  the  Connecticut  Gazette,  No.  1501,  {New  London,)  September  G,  1792. 

Tlie  trade  and  manufactures  of  this  state,  (says  a  correspondent,)  have  long  strug- 
gled under  the  want  of  a  capital  proportioned  to  the  industry  and  enterprise  of  its  citi- 
zens;— that  want  may  now  be  supplied  by  means  of  the  banks  established  at  New  Lon- 
don and  Hartford.  Every  useful  occupation  and  every  industrious  citizen  maybe 
assisted  with  money,  as  circumstances  may  require  and  justify:  but  in  order  to  carry 
the  means  of  the  bank  into  the  fullest  elTect,  their  bills  must  circulate  among  all  ranks 
of  people  freely  as  money:  it  behoves,  therefore,  every  well  vvi^ller  to  the  prosperity 
of  the  community,  to  give  credit  to  the  notes  of  the  bank.  Although  trade  may  moie 
immediately,  and  in  a  more  considerable  degree,  be  benefitted  by  these  instiiuijons, 
yet  every  other  branch  of  business  will  come  in  for  a  proportionable  share;  a  flourish- 


/ 


28S  NEW     LONDON. 

ing  commerce  dispenses  blessinj,'s  to  all  wiihin  the  sphere  of  its  operations,  and  adds 
to  the  value  of  the  landed  interests,  as  well  as  the  arlicles  in  which  it  principally  deals. 
The  notes  of  the  hanks  will  he  foiiiul  more  convenient  for  a  circulaiing  medium,  and 
raay  be  kept  by  the  owners  in  greater  safety,  than  hard  money,  and  none  need  be  ap- 
prehensive of  any  deception  in  them,  as  the  jiromise  on  the  face  of  them  will  be  care- 
fully and  punctually  fullllled. 


New  London,  Dec.  20,  1797. 
On  Saturday  last,  at  1  o'clock,  P.  M.  a  smart  shock  of  an  earthquake  was  felt  in 
this  city,  accompanied  with  a  report  that  broke  upon  the  ear  like  the  explosion  of  a 
heavy  cannon  at  a  short  distance.  The  sound  and  motion  continued  but  a  i&w  mo- 
ments. Jn  the  street  near  the  meeting  house  in  Norwich,  two  fis.su les,  one  or  two 
inches  wide,  and  several  rods  long,  were  made  in  the  earth,  within  twenty  rods  of 
each  other. 


New  London,  Sept.  5,  1798. 
At  length  our  city,  for  so  many  years  remarkable  for  salubrity  of  air  and  the  health- 
iness of  its  inhabitants,  is  dressed  in  shrouds  and  sackcloth.  A  deleterious  fever  has. 
prevailed  here  for  abuut  ten  days;  the  lirsi  vicliui  to  it  was  Capt.  Klijah  Bingham,, 
whose  death  we  inenliuiied  in  our  last,  together  with  three  eluldreii— since  which 
there  have  died  twenty-one,  sixteen  of  whom  died  by  the  lever.  The  cuntagiou,  if 
there  be  any,  appears  confined  to  Bank  street,  Ifoni  the  Market  to  Golden  Jlill  street ; 
those  who  have  died  either  lived  in,  kept  store,  or  were  particularly  connected  in  that 
street. 


Yellow  Fever  in  New  London. 

The  following  account  of  the  yellow  fever  in  this  place,  in  179S,  is 
extracted  from  a  pamphlet,  written  and  printed  at  New  London,  by 
Charles  Holt,  immediately  after  the  fever  had  subsided. 

On  the  26th  of  August,  (1793,)  the  inhaliitants  of  New  London  were 
somewhat  alartned  by  the  death  of  Capt.  Elijah  Bingham,  keeper  of 
the  Union  Coffee  House,  after  an  illness  of  but  two  or  three  days.  His 
funeral  was  immediately  attended,  it  being  Sunday,  by  the  Union  Lodge 
of  Free  Masons,  of  which  he  was  a  member,  and  an  unusual  number  of 
people,  whom  the  solemnity  of  the  ceremony  and  esteem  for  th^deceas- 
ed  drew  together.  It  was,  however,  remarkeil  at  the  time,  thai  if  the 
extreme  hot  weather  continued,  it  would  not  be  long  before  the  burying 
ground  would  be  so  thronged  again  :  and  the  remark  was  too  fully  veri- 
fied. Two  days  after,  three  persons  in  the  neighborhood  died  of  the 
same  disease,  which  was  soon  ascertained  to  be  tiie  dreadful  Yellow  Fe- 
ver. The  citizens  now  perceived  their  danger  and  removed  from  tho 
infected  part ;  the  corporation  and  civil  authority  left  their  posts,  and 
a  health  committee,  consisting  of  John  Woodward,  John  Ingraham, 
James  Baxter,  and  Ebenezer  Holt,  Jr.  were  appointed  to  attend  the 
burial  of  the  dead,  the  care  of  the  sick,  and  relief  of  the  indigent.  The 
sickness  rapidly  increasing,  the  next  week  witnessed  no  less  than  twenty 
five  deaths,  among  whom  were  some  of  the  most  respectable  cltaracters 
belonging  to  the  city  or  state,  and  the  wife,  a  son,  and  a  daughter  of 
the  late  Capt.  Bingham,  in  the  vicinity  of  whose  house  the  contagion 
was  yet  principally  confined.  This  very  great  mortality  among  so 
small  a  number  of  people,  filled  the  citizens  with  consternation  :  the 
dead  were  interred  with  all  possible  speed,  and  without  the  least  formal- 
ity, the  hearse  being  commonly  attended  only  by  the  sexton  and  two. 
or  three  black  assistants,  one  of  whom  died  of  the  prevailing  disease^ 


NEW     LONDON.  O39 

Laying  out  the  corpse,  ornamentiiii;  the  coffin  and  covering  it  with  a 
pall,  he.  were  generally  dispensed  with,  every  consideration  giving 
way  to  the  important  duly  of  consulting  the  safety  and  convenience  0I" 
the  survivors.  The  country  people  naturally  shunned  the  pestilential 
air  of  the  devoted  city,  and  the  adjoining  towns  toolc  measures  for  pre- 
venting our  flying  inhahitants  from  spreading  the  infection. 

From  this  period  the  progress  of  the  disease  was  varied  according  to 
the  favorable  or  unllivorable  changes  in  the  air,  the  efleots  of  which 
were  visibly  perceived  on  the  persons  of  the  sick,  and  the  number  of 
new  cases  which  occurred.  That  portion  of  the  city  where  it  first  ap- 
peared being  almost  entirely  abandoned,  it  gradually  extended  into  most 
of  the  compact  parts  within  the  distance  of  an  hundred  rods;  but  de- 
creased in  the  violence  of  its  symptoms  and  frequencv  of  its  attacks,  as 
the  season  advanced,  and  by  the  14lh  of  October,  it'  had  so  far  abated 
that  the  citizens  began  to  return  to  their  dwellings  and  resume  their 
usual  occupations. 

The  n)ortality  within  the  aforesaid  limits,  (viz.  one  hundred  rods 
north  and  south  from  the  market,)  was  equal  to  that  among  the  same 
number  of  inhabitants,  in  any  part  of  Philadelphia  in  the  same  length 
o(  time.  In  ]>ank  street  below  the  market,  to  the  south  corner  of  Gol- 
den-hill street,  of  those  who  did  not  remove  from  the  spot,  but  two  per- 
sons over  twelve  years  of  age  escaped  the  infection.  In  this  space,  ex- 
cluding the  buildings  which  were  evamated  and  the  people  who  fled,  are 
15  houses,  shops  and  stores,  in  which  lived  or  were  em|)loyed  92  per- 
sons, of  which  90  had  the  fever,  'S.i  died,  and  2  esca|)ed  entirely.  The 
deaths  above  the  maikfl  were  iu)t  In  so  great  proportion.  By  October 
2Sth,  the  fever  had  nearly  disappeared  after  havlii^r  j,,  about  eight  weeks 
cut  olF  SI  persons. 

"  The  weather  Im  some  weeks  previous  to  the  fever,  was  uncom- 
monly dryand  warm,  light  breezes  and  calms  had  long  i^)revalled,  no 
rain  had  fallen  for  two  months,  vegetation  was  parched,  wells  were 
dried,  and  the  crops  within  a  few  miles  distance,  were  cut  otW  The 
mercury  in  Fahrenheit's  thermometer  frequently  stood  in  the  shade  at 
96  degrees,  and  several  times  at  98,  a  height  never  before  witnessed 
here;  and  sea  captains  complained  that  they  never  felt  so  much  incon- 
venience from  the  warmth  in  the  West  Indies." 

Dr.  Webster,  in  his  history  of  epidemic  and  pestilential  diseases, 
(Vol.  1,  333,  says,  "considerable  quantities  of  salted  fish,  which  lay  in 
certain  stores,  wliich  had  not  been  well  cured  with  the  usual  quantity 
of  salt,  became  fetid  and  oilensive."  This  was  opened  and  spread  in 
the  street  where  the  disease  first  appeared.  "  It  is  probably  true,  (says 
he,)  that  the  bad  state  of  the  fish  was  partly  owing  to  a  previous  bad 
state  of  the  air:  although  it  afterwards  became  a  cause  of  a  icorse  state 
of  air.  What  seems  to  put  this  beyond  doubt,  is  the  unusual  number 
of  musketoes,  in  the  adjacent  country,  and  multitudes  of  flies  of  un- 
common size,  exceeding  what  had  been  before  observed." 

''  Early  in  the  sickness  all  the  |)hysiclans,  but  one  who  was  too  much 
indisposed  to  practice,  and  another,  Dr.  Rawson,  who  was  violently 
attacked  with  the  fever,  deserted  the  city,  excepting  Dr.  Samuel  H. 

37 


290  N  O  11  W  I  C  H  . 

F.  Lee,  to  wliose  lot  it  fell  alone  and  unassistetl,  to  combat  the  fury  of 

this  (Jreailfiil  pestilence such  was  the  diliiculty  in  procuring  nursey 

and  watchers,  that  some  of  our  most  opulent  citizens  were  seen  going 
from  house  to  house  with  money  in  their  hands,  oliering  any  price  for 
assistance  even  for  a  sinirle  niiiht  in  vain." 


AVio  LontUni,  April  10,  179'J. 
Su  long  and  severe  a  winter  ajs  the  one  hardly  now  fi:iM,  has  not  beiMi  known  in  the 
memory  of  the  oldest  man  living.  Its  rnjurious  eri'ecis  have  been  Iclt  in  u  parlicidar 
manner  by  the  inhabitants  of  some  of  our  nc.'ighboiing  towns.  Pinched  liy  liie  scar- 
city of  fodder  and  the  uneomrnoii  coldness  of  the  ueuiher,  the  cattle  have  died  in 
abundance.  Some  fanners  lost  twenty  iiead  in  a  very  bliorl  time.  In  Lyme  it  is  sup- 
posed one  fourth  of  the  stock  perished.  Sioningtoii  iias  suffered  in  an  equal  degree, 
and  Moiitville  and  Colchester  considerably,  with  tlie  prospect  of  a  still  further  loss. 

I'ram  the  Connecticut  (iuntlc,  \i>.  18G:»,  (yew  Ijnulon)  .^cpL.  4,  17'J'J. 
This  city  dLiring  the  Mimmer  mnv  cKim/iI  lia>  enjuyed  ils  usual  iniKl  ami  salubiioiis 
atmosphere;  and  in  many  re.-<peels  li;i>  the  sims.hi  I.een  ilisiingnished  Irom  the  pesti- 
lential summer  of  171)H.  'in  thai  summer,  lidm  ilie  -J^th  of  Jidy  to  the  1st  of  Septem- 
ber, the  heat  was  intense;  the  meieuiv  m  fain  enheit's  llici  mcimeter,  placed  in  the 
open  air,  stood  at  mid-day  Irom  81)°  to  '.Ki"^,  wiih  ilie  e,\c(|itinu  (dli\c  dav.';  in  which  it 
stood  at  8-2°,  and  one  day  at  7H°,  wliich  was  lis  L;rcair-i  dcprt-sum.  'I'iiere  vvas  only 
one  thunder  shower  during  this  period.  Thf  riiMh  being  jKuehed  luuier  excessive 
droughts,  vegetati(in  faih-d  eai  ly  m  Au'/nsi,  aiid  ujany  trees  shed  their  k-aves.  It  wa.-j 
noticed  thai  the  air  was  remaikably  unrlasiic,  t-|iiiially  in  that  pait  of  the  city  \ihere 
the  desolating  sielcness  juevailed.  Our  u^ual  liesh  siuilhwesieis  left  us,  and  We  haii 
only  very  light  winds  in  the  da}'.  Scarcely  a  day  occurred  for  seven  weeks,  in  which 
a  person  micht  not  have  carried  a  liglited  candle  through  the  streets.  The  nights,  in 
gloomy  succession,  brought  a  deadly  calm,  ailended  with  sultry  heat.  Such  a  seasou 
as  that  of  1798,  is  not  in  the  recollection  of  the  oldest  citizen. 


NORWICH. 


NouwiCH  was  tirst  settled  in  KUiO.  Durinii;  the  wars  between  Un- 
cas  and  the  rVarrti^aiisetls,  I'ncas  was  closi'ly- bcbiegod  in  his  lort  near 
the  Thatiies,  until  his  provisions  biM^ame  nearly  exhaustetl  and  he  with 
his  men  were  on  the  point  ol'  perishing  by  famitie  or  sword.  Fortu- 
nately he  found  means  of  giving  intelligetice  to  the  scouts  who  liad  been 
sent  out  frotn  Saybrouk  fort.  \\y  his  messengers,  he  representetl  the 
great  danger  the  English  would  be  in,  were  the  Narragansetts  sullered 
to  overpower  the  i\b)hegans. 

"  Upon  this  intelligence,  one  Thomas  Ijeflingwell,  an  ensign  at  Say- 
brook,  an  enterprising,  bohl  man,  loaded  a  canoe  with  beef,  corn  and 
peas,  and  under  the  cover  of  night  paddled  from  Saybrook  into  the 
Thames,  and  had  the  address  to  get  ilie  whole  into  the  fort.  The  en- 
emy soon  perceiving  that  Uncas  was  relieved,  raised  the  siege.  For 
this  service,  Uncas  gave  Leflimiiwell  a  deed  of  a  great  part,  if  not  the 
whole  town  of  Norwich.  In  June,  1G59,  Uncas,  with  his  two  sons, 
Owaneko  and  Aliawanhood,  by  a  more  formal  and  authentic  deed,  matle 
over  to  said  Lellingwoll,  John  Mason,  Esq.,  the  liev.  James  Fitch  and 
others,  consisting  of  thirty  five  proprietors,  the  whole  of  Norwich,  wliicli 
is  about  nine  miles  square.    The  company  al  this  time  gave  Uncas  and 


NORWICH.  291 

his  sons  about  £70,  as  a  further  compensation,  for  so  large  and  fine  a 
tract."* 

In  the  sprinjj;  of  KJCO,  the  Rev.  James  Fitch,  with  the  principal  part 
of  his  congregation,  removed  from  Saybrook  to  Norwich,  and  began  the 
settlement  of  the  town.  Three  or  four  planters  joined  them  from  New 
London,  and  two  or  three  from  the  towns  of  Plymouth  and  Marshfield, 
in  Massachusetts.  In  1GG3,  the  general  court  ordered  that  the  deed 
should  be  recorded.  The  limits  were  afterwards  ascertained,  and  the 
town  received  a  patent  of  the  w  lu)le.  The  southern  boundary  of  Nor- 
wich did  not  meet  LJneas'  deed,  the  northern  boundary  of  New  London, 
by  nearly  three  miles.  This  stiip  of  land  became  a  bone  of  contention 
between  individual  whites,  and  between  the  English  and  TNIohegans,  in- 
stigated by  some  of  tlie  disaifected  English,  in  after  years.  It  is  now 
included  in  the  lirst  society  in  IMontville,  in  the  eastern  part  of  what  is 
now  called  Mohegan. 

"In  1697,  the  Rev.  Gurdon  Saltonstall,  of  New  London,  preached 
an  election  sermon  at  Hartford,  and  for  his  reward,  the  Legislature 
ceded  to  him  some  hundred  acies  at  the  west  end  of  this  strip.  An- 
cient deeds  mention  being  bounded  by,  or  being  a  part  of  the  Salton- 
stall land  ;  and  some  of  the  oldest  men  pretend  to  point  out  some  of  the 
old  bounds,  ^c.  The  first  I'^nglish  house  erected  on  this  strip  was  in 
the  days  of  (Juoige  (?)  AN'inthrop,  after  the  Charier.  It  was  of  stone. 
The  site  is  still  visible,  as  also  the  well  and  old  pear  trees,  said  to  be 
the  descendants  of  the  orliiinal  bUx-k,  but  Ijy  their  aniicjue  appearance, 
they  are  very  original,  'i'iie  house  is  said  to  have  been  the  first  Eng- 
lish house  erected  on  the  route,  by  land,  thrc^ugh  the  wilflerness  from 
New  London  to  Wetlierslield.  It  was  in  the  vicinity  of  Uncas'  chief 
fortress,  on  Von  Hill,  in  Mohegan,  abuiil  one  mile  and  a  half  westerly. 
Many  wonderful  stories  aie  related  to  this  day  about  what  happened  to 
and  near  this  house  in  days  of  old."  The  tiact  is  now%vithin  the  lim- 
its of  Montville. 

"  The  Mohegans  were  a  great  defense,  and  of  essential  service  to  the 
town,  for  many  years.  They  kept  out  their  scouts  and  spies,  and  so 
constantly  watched  their  enemies,  that  they  gave  the  earliest  notice  of 
their  approach,  and  were  a  continual  defense  against  them.  For  this 
purpose,  in  times  of  danger  they  often  moved  and  pitched  their  wig- 
wams near  the  town,  and  were  a  great  terror  to  the  enemy.  Once  the 
hostile  Indians  came  near  to  the  town  upon  the  Sabbath,  with  a  design 
to  make  a  descent  upon  it;  but  viewing  it  from  an  eminence,  and  see- 
ing the  Mohegan  huts,  they  were  intimidated,  and  went  off  without  do- 
ing the  least  damage." 

Norwich  is  now  bounded  n.  by  Franklin,  e.  by  the  Shetucket  and 
Thames  rivers,  which  separate  it  from  Lisbon  and  Preston,  s.  by  Mont- 
ville, and  w.  by  Franklin  and  Bozrah.  The  township  has  an  average 
length  from  north  to  south  of  7  miles,  with  a  medium  breadth  of  about 
three  miles.  The  surface  of  the  town  is  diversified  by  hills  and  valleys  ; 
the  prevailing  soil  is  a  dark  colored  gravelly  loam,  generally  strong  and 
fertile. 


Truiubull's  History  of  Coiinecticiit. 


292 


NORWICH. 


Eastern  viciv  of  the  central  part  vf  the  tutni  of  i\uriricli. 

Tlie  above  is  a  representnlion  of  the  Coni:,ne!;;ition;iI  cliuich,  the  old 
Court  House  and  Union  Hotel,  in  the  central  |)cUt  of  tiie  town  of  Nor- 
wich, about  two  miles  northwest  of  Norwich  city.  There  are  perhaps 
about  200  houses,  situated  on  a  nuniher  of  pleasant  rural  streets,  within 
a  short  distance  from  the  church.  This  part  of  Norwich  is  called  the 
town.  The  old  court  house  is  the  fiist  buildin^f  seen  on  the  left  of  the 
engravini; ;  it  formerly  stood  on  the  f^reen,  in  front  of  the  meeting  house. 
Within  a  year  or  two  past,  the  courts  have  been  held  at  Norwich  city, 
and  it  is  intended  to  use  this  building  for  a  high  school.  Inunediately 
back  of  the  cliurch  rises  a  rocky  eminence,  from  which  is  a  line  pros- 
pect of  the  surrouniling  scenery.  During  the  Revolutionaiy  war,  a 
powilor  house  stouil  on  the  siiniinit  oi'  \\u<  t'le\ation,  which  contained  a 
nund)er  of  tons  of  guii[i(nvder.  The  builJlng,  which  was  of  wood,  was 
set  on  hre  ;  the  whole  (piantity  ol"  powiler  exploded  at  once,  and  ditl 
considerable  damage  to  the  houses  in  the  vicinity.  The  fning  of  this 
building  was  supposed  to  be  the  act  of  some  person  unfriendly  to  the 
American  cause  ;  when  first  discovered,  it  was  about  the  size  of  a  hat 
crown.  To  attempt  to  put  it  out  was  deemed  too  hazardous  an  under- 
taking, until  a  colored  man,  induced  by  the  ofier  of  a  considerable  re- 
ward, made  the  attempt.  As  he  was  carrying  up  water  to  extinguish 
the  flames,  having  gone  about  half  way  up  the  hill,  the  building  blew 
up,  leaving  scarcely  a  single  vestige  to  show  where  it  stood  ;  the  col- 
ored man,  however,  was  entirely  unhurt.  "Westville,  (formerly  called 
Bean  Hill,)  is  that  section  of  Norwich,  lying  westward  of  the  center, 
and  is  built  principally  on  one  street,  the  central  part  of  which  is  about 
one  mile  westward  of  the  Congregational  church  in  the  center.  In  this 
part  of  the  town,  about  two  miles  west  from  the  Congregational  church, 
on  tlie  Yantic,  where  there  is  now  a  woolen  factory,  was  formerly  the 
site  for  iron  works,  at  which  ]\Ir.  Elijah  Backus,  a  very  ingenious  me- 
chanic, manufactured  a  number  of  cannon  for  the  Revolutionary  army ; 
this  he  ellected  by  weld'ng  together  pieces  of  iron. 


NORWICH.  293 

Norwich  City  is  situated  at  the  head  of  navigation  of  Thames  river, 
at  the  point  of  land  formed  hy  the  junction  of  the  Shetuckel  and  Yan- 
tic  rivers,  whose  united  waters  constitute  the  Tiiames.  The  main  part 
of  the  city  is  buik  on  the  southern  declivity  of  a  high  and  rocky  hill: 
the  houses  are  built  in  tiers,  rising  one  above  another.  Tiie  city,  as 
it  is  approached  from  the  south,  presents  one  of  the  most  beautiful,  in- 
teresting and  romantic  prospects  in  the  state.  The  buildings,  which 
are  mostly  painted  white,  appear  in  full  view  for  a  considerable  dis- 
tance down  the  river;  these  contrasted  uith  the  deep  green  foliage 
covering  the  rocky  and  elevated  banks  of  the  river,  give  a  picturesque 
variety  to  the  scene,  forming  on  the  water  a  delightful  avenue  to  the 
city.  There  are  in  this  city,  (or,  as  it  was  formerly  called,  Chelsea  or 
Norwich  Landing,)  4  banks,  a  court  house,  and  town  hall.  A  iiigh 
school  for  boys,  and  a  female  academy,  in  which  the  higher  branches 
of  education  are  taught,  have  been  in  operation  for  a  considerable  time, 
and  are  in  flourishing  circumstances.  About  a  mile  eastward  of  the 
Landing,  is  situaietl  the  flourishing  village  of  Greenville,  at  the  eastern 
extremity  of  which  a  tlam  has  been  constructed  across  the  Shetuckct, 
which  will  it  is  calculated  furnish  sufficient  water  power  to  carry  C0,000 
spindles  :  four  or  live  large  factories,  and  perhaps  10  or  50  dwelling 
houses,  are,  or  are  about  to  be  built.  Among  tlie  factories  there  is 
perhaps  the  most  extensive  paper  mill  in  the  slate,  owned  by  the  Chel- 
'sea  Manufacturing  (Jom[umy.  'J'liere  are  also  two  other  paper  mills 
near  the  falls,  which  do  an  extensive  business;  one  of  which  is  owned 
by  I\lr.  A.  II.  Hubbard,  the  other  by  i\lr.  Russell  Hubbard.  Large 
quantities  of  paper  are  maiuifacinrud  i'ur  the  New  York  market.  The 
first  paper  manufactured  in  Connecticut  was  made  in  this  town,  by  Col. 
Christopher  Leihngwell.  There  are,  at  and  near  the  falls,  9  or  10  es- 
tablishments lor  manufacturing  puriKjs(!s. 

Besides  these,  and  those  at  Greenville,  tlierc  are  some  others  in  oth- 
er parts  of  the  town.  The  principal  maiudactures  are  those  of  cotton, 
paper  and  woolens.  It  is  belie\ed  that  in  respect  to  its  water  privi- 
leges, Norwich  is  considered  to  be  the  second  town  in  New  England. 
There  are  8  houses  of  worship  in  the  town — 3  for  Congregationalists, 
2  for  IMelhodists,  1  Ejiiscopal,  1  Baptist,  and  I  for  LTnlversalists.  Nor- 
wicli  City  is  13  miles  n.  of  New  London,  38  s.  e.  from  Hartford,  38 
s.  w.  from  Providence,  and  50  n.  e.  from  New  Haven.  Lat.  41°  34'; 
long.  4°  55'  east  fi'om  Washington.  The  population  of  Norwich  in 
1830  was  5,179;  of  which  3,144  were  in  the  city  limits. 

The  following  engraving  shows  the  appearance  of  some  of  the  principal 
manufacturing  establishments  at  the  falls  of  the  Yantic,  at  the  head  of  a 
cove  which  sets  up  about  one  mile  from  the  Thames.  Above  the  cove, 
"  the  bed  of  the  river  consists  of  a  solid  rock,  having  a  perpendicular 
height  of  ten  or  twelve  feet,  over  which  the  whole  body  of  water  falls 
in  an  entire  sheet  upon  a  bed  of  rocks  below.  The  river  here  is  com- 
pressed into  a  very  narrow  channel,  the  banks  consisting  of  solid  rocks, 
and  being  bold  and  elevated.  For  a  distance  of  15  or  20  rods,  the 
channel  or  bed  of  the  river  has  a  gradual  descent,  and  is  crooked  and 
covered  with  pointec"  rocks.     The  rock,  forming  the  bed  of  the  river  at 


291 


N  o  n  w  I  c  n . 


S.  K.  view  of  t/ic  l'\ictorics  (it   Yandc  trulls,  JS'oru-ic/i. 

the  bottom  of  the  pcrjieiidicular  fulls,  is  curiously  excavated,  some  of 
tiie  cavities  being  five  or  si\  feet  deep,  from  the  constant  jiominf^  of 
the  sheet  of  water  for  a  succession  of  ages."  At  the  bottom  of  the 
falls  there  is  the  broad  basin  of  the  cove,  where  the  enraged  and  agita- 
ted element  resumes  its  usual  snioothness  and  placidity,  and  the  whole 
scenery  about  these  falls  is  uncommonly  beaiuiful  and  jMcluresque.  A 
short  distance  north  of  the  building  I'eprescnted  in  the  engraving,  on  an 
elevated  bank,  on  the  norlhern  edge  of  a  grove,  is  the  royal  burying 
ground  of  the  Uncases.  It  is  in  contemplation  to  erect  a  monument 
to  the  memory  of  Uncus  at  this  place.  The  foundation  stone  is  already 
laid.  President  Jackson  in  his  tour  to  the  J\e\v  l-lngland  states,  assisted 
in  the  CfU'monv  i)ria)iiiL:  it.  A  number  nf  the  moiuiments  of  the  royal 
lino  ol"  ibi'  Uncases  arr  ^iill  ri'uiaining.  The  lollow  ing  are  copied  from 
those  lliat  remain  : 

"  Here  li.;s  v.;  b.Hly  vf  PcMiiin  Ihicas,  son  of  llrhjauun  nu,\  Ann  tJncas,  ami  of  ye 
royal  blood,  wlio  died  May  ye  iirsl,  1740,  in  ye  aihl  year  ol'liis  aj^e.'' 

"  Here  lies  Sam  Uiicas,  llie  'Jd  and  beloveii  son  ot  his  lather,  John  Uneas,  who  Mas 
the  grandson  ul'  Uncas,  fj;rand  .sachem  of  Mohcgan,  the  darlinjjol'  his  mother,  heinj,' 
daughter  oi'saiil  Uucas,  gland  sachem,  lie  died  July  31.->t,  1711,  in  the  i2Hth  year  ul 
his  age." 

"  In  memory  of  Elizabeth  Joquib,  the  daughter  of  Mahomet,  groat  grand  child  to 
ye  first  Uncus,  great  sachem  of  Mohegan,  who  died  July  ye  5ih,  1750,  aged  33  years." 

The  following  inscription  is  said  to  have  been  on  a  monument  for- 
merly staniiing  here  in  memory  of  Samuel  Uncas  : 
For  beauty,  wil,  for  sterling  sense, 
For  temper  mikl,  for  eloquence, 
For  couiau'c  bold,  for  things  waurecgan,* 
He  was  the  glory  of  Moheagan — 
Whose  death  has  caused  great  lamentation 
Both  lu  ye  English  and  ye  Indian  nation. 


*  These  lines  are  said  to  hare  been  written  by  Dr.  Tracy  o'' Norwich.     Wat 
signifies  clothes,  household  luniiiuie,  &c.  of  a  costly  dcscrip  lou. 


NORWICH.  295 

"  In  1826,  a  descendant  of  Uncas,  by  ibe  name  of  Ezekiel  IMaijeon, 
aged  27,  was  buried  in  Norwich  in  the  Indian  burying  ground.  Tlie 
funeral  was  attended  by  the  Rev.  Williaui  Pahner,  who  made  a  short 
but  appropriate  address  to  the  remnant  of  the  tribe  assendjled  on  that 
occasion.  After  the  funeral  rites  were  performed,  INIrs..  Goddard,  the 
wife  of  the  Hon.  Calvin  Goddai'd,  in  whose  immediate  vicinity  the  bu- 
rial yard  lies,  (he  being  absent,)  invited  the  tribe,  a  score  or  two,  to 
partake  of  a  collation." 

In  tlie  following  year,  1827,  (says  Dr.  Holmes,)  a  discovery  was 
made  of  Indian  relics,  too  illustrative  of  Indian  customs  to  be  left  un- 
noticed. A  note  of  Mrs.  Huntington,  of  Norwich,  accompanying  one 
of  these  relics,  presented  to  me  this  year,  (1828,)  illustrates  the  entire 
subject.  "  If  we  admit  Indian  cemeteries  as  proofs  of  local  |)arliaHtles, 
we  should  judge  that  Norwich  was  a  favorite  residence  of  the  ancient 
Mohegan  tribe  ;  for  their  royal  burying  ground  is  in  the  center  of  the 
city.  In  the  eastern  border  of  their  reserve  is  a  fine  stream,  called 
Trading  Cove  brook,  on  which  is  the  '  Shantup  burying  ground.'  the 
largest  of  their  nation.  On  the  16th  of  October,  1827,  the  Rev.  ]Mr. 
Palmer  of  this  city  was  invited  to  attend  the  funeral  of  an  Indian  child, 
which  was  to  be  deposited  in  that  spot.  In  appioachlng  the  ground, 
the  relics  of  two  Indians,  and  also  two  spoons,  were  seen  lying  beside 
it.  Exj)ressing  a  wish  to  obtain  them,  ]\Ir.  P.  received  no  immediate 
answer,  until  a  youth  of  their  company  had  whispered  something  in 
every  ear,  from  the  oldest  to  the  youngest.  At  the  close  of  the  exer- 
cises, with  great  formality,  the  young  Indian  rejilied,  '  Your  request  is 
granted.'  In  answer  to  the  inquiry  why  two  skeletons  were  found  in 
the  ground,  an  old  woman  replied,  it  was  an  Indian  and  Squaw  ;  and 
informed  him  iarther,  that  according  to  their  custom,  the  bodies  were 
deposited  in  an  upright  ])osition,  within  a  circular  grave,  and  a  pot  of. 
succotash  between  them,  the  fragments  of  which  were  found.  The 
decayed  stump  of  a  large  tree  covering  the  relics,  iiullcated  the  an- 
tiquity of  the  grave." 

In  the  eastern  part  of  this  town  is  a  place  called  Sachents  riain. 
This  spot  is  rendered  memorable  by  the  battle  between  Uncas  and 
Miantonimoh,  the  sachem  of  the  Narragansetts.  The  army  of  Mlan- 
tonimoh  was  routed,  he  taken  prisoner  and  afterwards  executed  and 
buried  here.  "  He  was  buried  on  tlie  spot  where  he  was  slain.  Rut 
a  few  years  since  a  large  heap  of  stones,  thrown  together  by  the  wan- 
dering Indians  according  to  the  custom  of  their  country,  and  as  a  mel- 
ancholy mark  of  the  love  the  Narragansetts  had  for  their  Allien  chief, 
lay  on  his  grave  ;  but  the  despicable  cupidity  of  some  people  in  that 
vicinity,  has  removed  them  to  make  common  stone  wall,  as  it  saved 
them  the  trouble  of  gathering  stones  for  that  purpose.  The  spot  of 
his  sepulture  is,  however,  yet  known."* 

The  following  account  is  taken  from  Dr.  Trumbidl's  History  of  Con- 
necticut. 


Third  volume,  third  ^eiic?  Massacluis-nis  Historical  Collections,  y.  13r>. 


296  N  o  11  w  1  c  n . 

"Miantonimoli,  without  consultiiij^  the  Elli;li^h.  according  to  ngreement,  without 
proclaiming  war,  or  giving  Uncns  lliu  lea.si  inloriiuition,  raised  an  ai  iny  of  nine  hun- 
dred or  a  thousand  men,,  and  niarelicd  agaiusi  him.  Uncas"s  spies  discovered  the 
army  at  some  distance  and  gave  liim  intelligence.  He  was  uiipiepared,  but  rallying 
betvveen  lour  and  live  hundred  of  his  bravest  men,  he  told  them  they  must  by  no  means 
suffer  IVIiantonimoh  to  come  into  their  town  ;  but  must  go  and  fight  him  on  iiis  way. 
Having  marched  three  or  lour  miles,  the  armies  met  u|)on  a  large  plain.  When  they 
had  advanced  within  I'air  bow  shot  of  each  other,  Uncas  had  recourse  to  a  stratagem, 
with  which  he  had  previously  acquainted  his  warriors.  He  desired  a  parley,  and 
both  armies  halted  in  the  tace  of  each  other.  Uncas  gallantly  advancing  in  the  front 
of  his  men,  addressed  Miantonimoh  to  this  effect,  "  You  have  a  number  of  stout  men 
with  you,  and  so  have  1  with  me.  It  is  a  great  jiiiy  that  such  brave  warriors  should 
be  killed  in  a  private  quarrel  between  us  only.  Come  like  a  man,  as  you  profess  to 
be,  and  let  us  fight  it  out.  If  you  kill  me,  my  men  shall  be  yours  ;  but  if  1  kill  you, 
your  men  shall  be  mine."  Miantonimoh  replied,  "  My  men  came  to  fight,  and  ihey 
shall  fight."  Uncas  falling  instantly  upon  the  ground,  his  men  discharged  a  shower 
of  arrows  upon  the  Narragansetts  ;  and,  without  a  moment's  interval,  rushing  upon 
them  in  a  furious  manner,  with  their  hideous  Indian  yell,  put  them  immediately  to 
flight.  The  Mohegaiis  jnirsued  the  enemy  with  the  same  fury  and  eagerness  with 
which  they  commenced  the  action.  The  Narragansetts  were  driven  down  rocks  and 
precipices,  and  chased  like  a  due  by  the  liuntMnan.  Among  others  Miantonimoh  was 
exceedingly  pressed.  Some  of  Uncas's  bravest  men,  who  were  most  light  ol'  loot, 
coming  up  with  him,  twitched  him  back,  impeding  his  iliglit,  and  passed  him,  that 
Uncas  might  take  him.  Uncas  was  a  stout  man,  and  rushing  furwaid,  like  a  lion 
greedy  of  his  prey,  seized  him  by  his  shoiihler.  He  knew  Uncas,  and  saw  that  he 
was  now  in  the  power  of  the  man  whom  he  had  haled,  and  by  all  means  attempted  to 
destroy  ;  but  he  sal  ilown  sullen  and  spake  not  a  word.  Uncas  gave  the  Indian  whoop 
and  called  up  his  men,  who  were  behind,  to  his  assisiance.  The  victory  was  complete. 
About  thirty  of  the  NarragansQlts  were  slam,  and  a  much  greater  number  wounded. 
Among  the  latter  was  a  biuther  of  IMiantonimoh  and  two  sons  of  Canonicus,  a  chief 
sachem  of  the  Narraganselt  Indians.  The  brother  of  Miantonimoh  was  not  only 
woundedj  but  armed  with  a  coat  of  mail,  boih  which  letarded  his  Ilight.  Two  of 
Miantonimoh's  captains,  who  formerly  were  Uncas's  men,  luit  had  treacherously  de- 
serted him,  discovering  his  situation,  took  him,  and  carried  him  to  Uncas,  expecting 
in  this  way  to  reconcile  themselves  to  their  sachem.  ]:tut  Uncas  and  his  men  slew 
them.  Miantonimoh  made  no  request  cither  for  himself  or  his  men  ;  but  continued 
in  the  same  sullen,  speechless  mood.  Uncas  therefore  demamled  of  him  why  he 
would  not  speak.  Said  he,  "  Had  you  taken  inc,  I  should  have  besought  you  for  my 
life."  Uncas,  for  the  present,  spareil  his  life,  though  he  would  not  ask  it,  and  returned 
with  great  triumph  lu  Aluhegan,  carrying  the  Narragaiisett  sachem,  as  an  illustrious 
trophy  of  his  vietoiy."* 

Uncas  conducted  IMiantonimoh  to  Ilailfoid.  Ilere  liis  month  was 
opened,  and  he  plead  niost  earnestly  to  he  left  in  the  custody  of  the  Enj;- 
lish,  prohably  expectitig  hetter  trealineni  fioin  ihcni  than  front  Uncas. 
He  was  accoixlini^ly  kein  under  guard  at  Ilartfoid,  till  the  meeting  of 
the  commissioners  at  Boston.  After  an  examination  of  the  case,  the 
commissioners  resolved,  "  that  as  it  was  evident  that  Uncas  could  not 
be  safe  while  IMiantonimoh  lived  ;  hut  that,  either  hy  secret  treachery 
or  open  force,  his  life  would  be  continually  in  danger,  he  might  justly- 
put  such  a  false  and  hloodthirsty  enemy  to  death."  They  determined 
it  should  be  done  out  of  the  English  jurisdiction.  They  advised  Uncas 
that  no  torture  or  cruelty,  but  "  all  mercy  and  moderation  be  exer- 
cised in  the  manner  of  his  execution." 

"  Immediately  upon  the  return  of  the  commissioners  of  Connecticut 
and  New  Haven,   Uncas  with  a  competent  number  of  his  most  trusty 

♦  This  account  is  taken  from  a  manuscript  of  Mr.  Hide  of  Norwich,  from  Governor 
Winthrop's  journal,  and  from  the  records  of  the  United  colonies,  in  one  or  othei  of 
which,  all  the  facts  are  ascertained.  The  manuscript  represents  Miantonimoh  as 
having  1)00,  and  Uncas  (iOO  men.  The  records  of  the  United  cohjuies  rcjiresent,  that 
Miantonimoh  had  900  or  100()  men,  and  that  Uncas  hud  not  half  so  many.  Governor 
"VVinthrop's  account  is  essentially  the  same. 


I  ^ 


«£1'\       j 


ii. 


N  o  11  \v  I  c  H  .  297 

men,  was  ordered  to  repair  Ibrtliwitli  to  ITariford.  lie  was  made  ac- 
quainted with  the  determination  of  the  commissioners,  and  receiving 
his  prisoner,  marched  with  him  to  the  spot  where  he  had  been  taken. 
At  the  instant  they  arrived  on  the  ground,  one  of  Uncas's  men,  wlio 
marched  behind  IMiantonimoh,  split  his  liead  with  a  hatchet,  killing  him 
at  a  single  stroke.  He  was  probably  unacquainted  with  his  HUe,  and 
knew  not  by  what  means  he  fell.  Uncas  cut  out  a  large  piece  of  his 
shoulder  and  ate  it  in  savage  triumph.  .  He  said,  '  It  was  the  sweetesU 
meat  he  ever  ate,  it  made  his  heart  strong.' 

"  Tlic  Mohegans,  by  the  order  of  Uncas,  buried  him  at  the  place  of 
his  execution,  and  erected  a  great  heapoi-  ]iillar  upon  his  grave.  This 
memorable  event  gave  the  place  the  name  of  Sacliem's  Plain. f  Two 
Knglishmen  were  sent  with  Uncas,  to  witness  that  the  execution  was 
done,  and  to  prevent  all  torture  and  cruelty  in  the  manner  of  its  per- 
formance. Connecticut  and  New  Haven,  agreeably  to  the  direction  ol" 
the  commissioners,  sent  a  party  of  soldiers  to  Mohegan,  to  defend 
Uncas  against  any  assault  which  might  be  made  upon  him,  by  the  Nar* 
ragansetts,  in  consequence  of  the  execution  of  their  sachem." 


The  following  is  copied  from  a  monument  in  tho  ancient  burying 
ground  in  Norwich  town. 

Hero  lyes  mtei'd  vc  it  in  a  ins  of  Dcacn.  Christoplier  Huntington  u[  Norwich,  No- 
vember Ist,  ItitJO,  and  yc  first  lioin  ni  males  in  ye  tosvn.  llu  si-rved  near -10  years  iu 
ye  office  of  a  deacon,  ami  died  April  ye  21th,  1735,  in  ye  75th  yr.  of  his  age.  Merneii- 
to  mori. 

The  following  are  from  the  new  yard  in  Norwich  city* 

Jiiscph  Kinney,  son  of  Newcomb  and  Sally  Kinney,  entered  the  U.  S'.  arfny  a  Lied- 
tenaat  at  the  commencement  of  tlie  war  with  Great  Hrilain,  IHl'J.  lie  was  enga^'cif 
in  various  skirmi^hes.  besides  six  sanguinary  battles;  tije  last  of  which  was.d  I.iindy't 
Lane,  Brid^'ewater,  July  'ifith,  IHI  t,  where  he  was  lulled,  commaiiLlim,'  ihe2tl  division 
■  of  ihe  :5:)th  lU-iment  H.  S.  Infaniry  a-ed  27  years.     Uuricd  at  nnllalo,  N.  V. 

Ill  meiimry  of  RTrs.  Tliankfiil,  relict  of  ( 'apt.  Moses  Pierce,  who  ilied  Feb.  o,  I82I. 
aged  'J2.  yfie  was  a  mother  in  Israel,  and  the  fiist  member  of  the  IVlelluHfi^t  Kpisco))al 
church  iu  this  city,  who  like  Lydia  lirst  heard  the  preachers,  and  then  received  ihera 
into  her  house. 


Pnim  the  Survick  town  Records. 
WiirnKAS  Owancko,  the  Indian  Sachem  hnd  Soane  of  Ttncas,  h;1th  desired  of  the 
town  of  Norwich  a  yerll  of  lande  lyinge  near  Showtucket  rivere,  the  to\vu  hatli  ap- 
pointed and  ordered  Thomas  Tracy,  TlKjnias  Ledingu'ell  and  .Tohn  Post  to  layout 
three  hundred  acres  of  land,  and  they  have  accordinglv  attended  their  order,  one  end 
(d'the  land  ahiiiiiiig  westerly  upon  the  land  of  James  f-'filch,  and  the  otherend  easterly 
abnits  upon  the  commun.',,  and  the  one  side  soiulierly  abutts  on  Uiii;enebaug  Rivere, 
and  the  other  side  iioitherlv  on  the  commons,  the  said  men  have  meastued  and  mark- 
ed out  the  said  land,  and  the  towne  dotli  give  unto  Owancko  this  lami  on  condition.s 
as  followeth  ;— first,  the  lowne  doth  freely  give  unto  Owancko  and  to  his  h(Mrea  but  so 
as  y't  Owancko  nor  any  of  his  heires,  have  power  or  any  liberty  to  sell  it,  or  by  any 
other  mean,s  to  allienaie  to  any  others,  onely  if  OU'aneko  ha(h  no  naiuial  heire  to  suc- 
ceed him,  and  tli(!  Indians  wiio  were  his  or  her  heires  .subjects  shall  desire  to  ahidcf 
and  inhabite  npon  the  land,  ihey  shall  then  have  sucli  a  Sachinn  placed  and  set  over 
(hem  as  the  towne  of  Norwich  and  the  Showtuck  Indians  shall  agree,  and  if  these  par- 


t  Manuscript  of  Mr.  Hide. 
83 


298  NORWICH. 

ties  cannot  a^ree,  the  court  of  Connecticut  shall  determine  whoshall  be  their  Sachem, 
the  townc  orNorwich,  and  the  said  Indians  bein^j  bound  commit  it  to  the—.  ...  Its 
further  ingaged  said  court  by  Owaneko  that  the  lands  which  the  Indians  sliall  .  .  .  by 
piantin"  of  corn  or  otherwise  they  must  secure  themselves  by  fencing  and  that  if  any 
daina-e  be  done  by  the  English  of  the  town  of  Norwich,  the- English  are  not  bound  to 
make"  atisfaction  for  the  said  damages.  lis  further  ingaged  by  Owaneko,  that  he  nor 
his  Indians  have  any  liberty  to  keep  hogs  but  what  they  do  keep  in  their  own  lands, 
but  no  liberty  to  go  upon  the  lands  common  to  the  English.  Its  further  ingaged  by 
Owaneko  that  if  any  of  his  subjects,  his  Indians,  do  any  wrong  to  the  town  ot  Norwich, 
or  -inv  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  said  town,  by  killing  their  cattle  or  trespassing  upon 
Ihem'in  any  such  way,  or  acting  as  in  accordance  to  the  laws  of  the  English  judged  to 
be  a  trespass  or  wrong,  the  said  Owaneko  doth  ingage  to  make  legall  satisfaction  il 
there  be  Ic^all  proofeof  Ihesaid  wrong:  and  that  if  upon  suflicient  experience  its  man- 
ifest that  the  said  Owaneko  will  not  be  responsible  according  to  wholesome  order,  but 
he  or  his  men  doe  become  refractory,  and  will  not  reform  such  notorious  disorderly 
practices  specified,  nor  make  salislaction  for  the  said  damages  and  wiongs,  this— 
Owaneko  shall  then  forfait  the  said  lands  into  the  hands  of  the  towne  ol  Norwich:— Its 
further  en'^adged  by  Owaneko  that  whereas  as  he  hath  received  these  lands  by  gilt  from 
the  town  oTNorridg,  the  towne  does  order  y't  he  shall  forbeare  on  the  Sabbath  day  from 
workino',  hunting,  fishing  or  any  servile  labour,  and  if  any  ofhissubjeck  be  lound  guil- 
ty of  this  violation,  they  shall  be  lyable  to  be  punished,  and  to  these  said  and  above- 
specified  particulars  the  said  Owaneko  doth  bind  and  ingagde  hiinsell,  his  heirs,  and 
lawful  successours,  this  two  and  twentieth  of  March,  Annd  IGO'J. 

OWA  NKKO, 

Witnesses— il/r.  James  Ffitch,  Mr.  John  Mason,  Junior.  his  mark. 


The  above  is  a  fac  simile  of  the  signatures  or  marks  of  Uncas,  great  sachem  of  ihc 
Moheagaus,  and  of  his  son  Owaneko.  They  are  copied  from  the  ancient  Records  ol 
the  town  of  Norwich.     No.  1,  is  that  of  Uncas.     No.  2,  is  thai  ol  Owaneko. 


Extracts  from  the  Records  of  Acts  and  Grants,  he.  of  the  Town 
of  Norwich. 

Vuled,  At  a  Towne  Meeting,  July  1st,  IGSO.  Granted  to  Cnptnin  Fitch  twohundrcd 
acres  of  Land  for  his  liu-our.i-cmeiit  to  set  iin  a  Saw  mill,  and  to  have  the  benelit  ol 
the  .sireame  and  timber  ai  the  place,  and  no  others  to  set  up  a  Saw  mill  upon  the  same 
streanieto  his  Damage. 

An  Inferioe  Court  held  at  Norwich  ye  I9th  of  Sept.  17-20.  Present  R.  Bushnell, 
Justice  ofyc  peace,  Saml.  ffox.jur.  pi  pr  complaint,  Letles  Minor  and  Hannah  Minor 
Pis.  for  Illegally  or  feloniously,  about  yc  6th  of  September,  inst.  take  about  oO  wa  ei 
milions  which  is  contrary  to  Law,  and  is  to  his  damage,  as  he  sailh  y^^  sum  ot  ^Us. 
and  prays  for  Justice.  This  court  having  examined  the  case,  consul,  r  ye  evulence 
dont  find  matter  of  fact  proved.  Do  therefore  acquit  the  Dis.  and  consider  ye  PI.  pay 
the  charge  of  presentar.  I^-  ^•>  ^''''""• 

July  2Gt/i,ll-20.-Samue\  Sabin  appeareth  before  R.  P.u.shnell  Justice,  and  com- 
plain/ih  agiinst  him.self  that  the  last  Sabbnih  day  at  night,  on  the  ^77.  ^^^^f"^,/^?''' 
Olmbis  went  on  to  Wawewas  hill  to  visit  their  relations,  and  were  late  home,  did  no 
harm,  and  he  fears  may  be  a  transgiession  of  ye  Law,  and  if  it  be  he  is  very  sorry  lor 
it  and  dont  allow  himself  in  unreasonable  night  walking. 

'  H.  B.,  Justice  flj  [icacc. 

At  Justices  Court  held  at  Norwich,  ye  27th  of  May,  1721,  present  R.  Ba.hnell  Jus- 
tice of  y^  peace.     Henry  Holland  of  Plainfield,  being  presented  by  the  Constable  ot 
Plainfield  lor  breach  of  Law,  title  Peace  breaking,  by  saying  on  '/-^  1-5.  day  "f 
this  instant  May,  in  a  tumultuous,  violenl,  threatening  uuuiner  yi  he  ^'•^   '^  '^^  -    " 
ofJonait.  Tracy  oti- his  shoulders.  .  i    .  .  wai  brought  belore  this  cuuil  to  be  dealt 


NORWICH.  299 

with  according  to  Law,  the  prisoner  pleads  not  guilty  to  ye  fact — tlic  ninltur  fact  being 
suliicienlly  prov'd  ngainst  the  said  Henry  Hollanii  according  to  ye  preseniineni— iln.s 
court  do  tlierelbre  consider  yt  llie  said  Henry  Holland  shall  provide  sullicient  surety 
lor  liis  peaceable  and  good  behaving  until  ye  next  County  Court  in  New  London,  or  it' 
he  refuse  or  committed  to  the  County  Goal,  there  to  remain  until  he  be  delivered  ac- 
cording to  cover  of  law,  and  to  pay  the  charge  of  his  prosecution. 

Cost  allowed  is  iu  money.  R.  B.,  Justice  of  the  peace. 

Henry  Holland  of  Plainfield,  being  presented  by  ye  constable  of  Plainfield  for  pro- 
fane swearing,  was  brought  before  this  court,  pleads  not  guilty  of  yo  fact,  the  fact 
being  sutiiciently  proved  against  him,  this  court  consider  that  the  said  Henry  Holland 
]>ay  a  line  for  his  transgression  of  ye  huv  to  y^  county  treasurer  of  this  county,  the  sum 
of  ten  shillings,  or  to  sit  in  y  Stocks  two  hours,  and  pay  ye  charge  of  prosecution. 

Cost  alhjwed  'Js.  and  Ud.  jinjiiey.  "         R.  B.,  Justice  of  Peace. 


ytinric/t  yc  7/A  doij  of  fcli.  17'22-3. —  Apenanncsuck  being  drunk  was  by  y^'  Constn- 
ble  brought  before  me  R.  Bushnell^  Justice  of  ye  peace  to  be  dealt  with  so  as  the  law  di- 
rects.—  I  do  sentence  y>^  sJ  Apenuchsuck  for  his  transgression  of  ye  Law,  to  pay  a 
line  of  ten  shillings,  or  to  be  whipi  ten  Lashes  on  ye  naked  body,  and  to  pay  the  cost 
(d"  his  prosecution,  and  to  continue  in  ye  constable's  custody  till  this  sentence  be  |ier- 
formed.     Cost  allowed  is  Gs.  :ind  6d.  R.  Bushnell,  Justice  of  ye  Peace. 

John  Waterman  promises  to  pay  lis.  'Id. 


Apeanuchsuch  having  accused  Samuel  Bliss  for  selling  ye  sd  Indian  2  pots  of  cider 
this  afternoon.  Mr.  Samuel  Bliss  appeared  before  me  ye  subscriber,  and  acknowl- 
edged he  let  sJ  Indian  have  some  cider,  and  do  therefore  sentence  yo  said  Samuel 
Bliss  to  pay  a  hne  ul'  twenty  shillings  lor  the  transgression  of  ye  l,aw  to  be  disposed  of 
as  V  Law  ilirects.  'R.  Bushnell  Justice. 

Jfebe.  yo  7th  day,  IT22~2. 


June  lilt,  Ifid'J.— Ci-dered  by  the  Town  that  if  any  Indian  shall  be  found  drunk  in 
lliis  Towne  he  shall  li(>  forihwiih  appreheiulcil  by  him  or  them  that  so  finds  him,  and 
he  shall  either  pav  t(Mi  shillings  or  be  uhipt,  the  one  half  of  the  fine  is  for  those  that 
find  him  drunk  and  the  other  half  lor  the  'f'owiie.— Voted. 

Nurwich,  ye  -3ii  clay  of  March,  172"J-;!. — At  a  Justices  Court,  Present  R.  Bushnell, 
■Justice  of  the  Peace,  upon  the  complaint  of  Pattria  Tayller  of  New  London,  Servt. 
to  Tliomas  Willey,  of  sj  N.  London,  being  freed  from  her  master's  cruelty,  being  veiy 
much  pinched  fur.  want  of  food  and  alsofor  want  of  clothing,  both  linen  and  woolens, 
MO  shoes  and  stoelciiigs,  &c.,  sJ  Thomas  Willey  was  summoned  to  appear  before  me, 
Richard  Bushnell  Justice  of  the  Peace,  for  examination  concerning  ye  pienu>es,  and 
to  be  dealt  with  as  the  Luwiliiecls.  The  com[>laiiu\nt  np|)eared  belore  this  court; 
having  he.ird  and  considered  the  case,  and  finding  the  complainant  inn  miseiuble 
condition,  all  yt  clothes  she  had  on  excepting  a  Riding  hood  and  a  pair  of  shoes  and 
stockings  she  had  borrowed,  all  the  rest  of  her  cloathiug  was  scarce  worth  a  shilling; 
they  woud  not  cover  her  nakedness.  This  Court  do  therefore  consider  the  complain- 
ant shall  become  bound  in  10s.  Cd.  to  recognize,  with  a  suHicient  security  to  prosecute 
lier  complaint  at  ye  county  court  to  be  holdeii  at  New  London  yc  first  Tuesday  in  June 
next,  and  to  be  under  ye  care  of  her  uncle,  Saml.  Fox,  yo  Ta'xe  to  pay  ye  cost.  Cost 
allowed  is  19s.  Cd.  Ricimud  Blsiini:!,!,,  Justice  of  yt  peace. 

We,  the  Subscribers,  being  appointed  by  yc  Towne,  to  searcli  for  the  ToWne  Amies 
and  with  their  Magazines  of  A  monition  and  other  accolremenis  of  war  Injoyned  by 
Law,  accordingly  went  upon  that  servis,  March  ve  lUst,  17'20,  and  found  as  followeth  ; 
to  Monday  night,  and  two  pair  Snow  shoes,  at  Lieut.  Tracy's  two  Guns,  at  Samuel 
Fales'  one  Gun,  and  at  Lieut.  Bushnell's  one  Gun,  and  77  pounds  of  Led  at  Lieut. 
Bachus's,  344  pounds  of  Bullets  at  Ens.  Le/hngwell's,  one  barrel  of  powder  at  Deacon 
Simon  Huntington's,  one  barrel  of  powder  and  31  pounds  of  bullets,  and  400  flints  at 
Simon  Tracy's,  one  pair  of  Snoe  shoes  anil  4  pair  inaugossins.  We  were  al.-.o  inform- 
ed yi  was  formerly  lent  to  Mr.  John  Leffingwell  and  Lieut.  Bushnell  71  pound  of  Led, 
vhicli  said  Leflingwell  was  obliged  to  pay  iu  bullets  ye  same  quantity  ;  all  the  Led  and 
bullets  5123  pound.  '  John  Tiucy. 

Simon  Tuacy. 


Know  all  men  by  these  presents  that  wee  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  of  Norwich, 
having  made  choice  of  Hugh  Calkins,  Ensign  Thomas  Tracy,  Ensign  Thomds  Lef- 
fingwell, Simon  Huntington  and  William  Bachus,  as  a  committee,  investing  them 


300  N  0  ]!  \v  I  c  II . 

with  full  power  (o  contract  antl  bargain  with  Jolin  Eldcrkin  and  Sanincl  Lathrop,  con. 
cerning  the  building  of  a  nicelmg  house,  the  s''  conimitiec  having  agreed  witli  ilie  sil 
workmen  with  respect  to  price  ami  paynieni,  both  fur  in  specie,  wee  the  said  Inhab- 
itants of  Norwich  joinily  and  severally  do  lieieby  iiigage  and  bind  ourselves  and  our 
successors  to  make  the  seveial  payments  according  to  llie  obligation  of  aiid  in  specie, 
and  in  case  any  peglect  bhall  be  hereof  to  seeuie  the  sil  conmiiitee  trom  any  detnment 
or  daiuage  that  may  tiiereby  accrue.     Acted  and  Vuicd,  lIDlli  April,  llJ73. 


January  the  10/A,  17(18-9.— Att  a  Town  Meeting,  The  Inhabitants  grant  Liberty 
to  ilie  present  Townsmen  to  purchase  and  procure  at  their  discretion,  so  many  drum?, 
liolbards,  (and  one  pair  collours,)  as  is  necessary  for  the  Train  bands  in  the  "^I'own, 
and  lo  gather  so  mueh  of  the  money  now  due  to  the  Town,  and  therewith  to  pay  for 
fhe  above  mentioned  lliings. 


EXTUAl^rS    I'Un.M    NKWsi'APKRS. 

Xorwich,  Nuvanhcr  Ulk,  1773. 
Thescason  hat;  been  so  remarkably  mild  that  about  a  fortnight  since  a  mess  of  green 
peas  were  jdckt  at  Norwich,  inoduceil  fiom  seed  of  this  years  growth  ;  and  at  J'^air- 
/ield,  aliuut  the  iiame  time,  near  a  ])int  of  strawberries  were  gathered  in  a  held  (liom 
i'ines  which  had  pruduccd  a  crop  at  the  usual  season)  equal  in  color,  and  of  as  agreea- 
ble a  taste  and  tlavor,  as  those  that  arc  galhered  in  JunL-.-.-CijitiLccticHt  (iiizctlc. 


Xiru-ir.hJJcccmhcrlh,  1771. 

We  hear  that  Mr.  Samuel  Gagcr  of  this  town,  from  a  laudable  sense  ol'  Freedom, 
and  a  conscientious  regard  to  justice,  has  lately  Ijbeiaied  three  faithful  slavrs;  and  as 
H  eom|iensalion  for  their  paiil  services,  leased  them  a  valuable  l-'arm  upon  very  niude- 
late  lerms. 

We  also  liear  that  Mf.  Jonathan  Avery  of  ibis  town,  has  madu  free  an  able  and 
jndusiiuuis  negro  mi^P,  upon  the  same  noble  pi  inciples. 


Soi-ioich,  Januani  1st,  177H. 
Last  Sabballi  there  was  a  contribution  in  the  several  pari:.hes  in  the  Town  for  tho 
non-commissioped  < Xlicers  and  Soldiers  in  the  (Juntinentnl  aimythat  bclon;^  here. 
When  there  was  collected  310  pair  of  Stockings,  •J-j7  pair  of  Shoes,  118  Shirts,  7H 
Jackets,  -IH  pail  Hreeches,  IX'oals,  'J>.>  Ui lie  1  rocks,  I'.)  I  lainlkerchiefs,  and  jC-.ThS  in 
money;  all  of  wbndi  is  forwardeil  on  to  llie  aiiiiv:  Also  a  ipiantnv  of  Pork,  (,:he#se. 
Wheat.  Rye,  Indian  C.irn,  Sugar,  Rice,  Flax,  Wood,  \c.  ^t^e.,  engfi'-ed  to  receive  and 
disinbuic  the  same  to  tiic  nccdv  Familie- of  the  ddicersaml  Suldieis,  The  whulo 
value  of  this  douaiion,al  a  low  eslimalc,  will  e\ciod  X  [  UKt. 


Nuririrli,  Srp/fmhrr  12,  17S7. 

Lately  died  at  his  wigwam  in  Powachaug,  (New  Norwich,)  ohl  y.achariuh,  Regei 

of  the  Mohcgan  tribe  ol'  Indians,  in  the  IdOili  year  ol   hi.-,  age.     Jt  is  .said,  that  in   h 

younger  years  lie  was  greatly  addicted  to  ili  niiKcnness,  l)ut  that  for  near  -lOyears  pa: 

he  has  entirely  abijlained  from  the  use  ol  all  s|)iiiiuous  iK^iiors. 


.\,rrwir/t,  December 'U/t,  170-2. 
On  Thursday  evening  last,  a  young  man  by  tlie  name  of  Cook,  aged  19,  was  in- 
stantly killed  in  this  town  by  the  discharge  of  a  swivel.  The  circumslances  u.s  near 
as  we  can  recollect,  were  as  follows: — In  ceh.'bration  of  the  day,  (being  Thanksgiv- 
ing,) a  large  number  of  boys  had  assembled,  and  by  pillaging  dry  casks  from  the 
store.<,  wharves,  &c.  had  erected  a  bonhre  on  the  hill  backuf  the  Landing,  and  to  iiiakn 
iheir  lejoicings  more  soiiorious,  fired  a  swivel  several  tiiiies;  at  last  a  Ibulisli  fomlness 
for  a  luud  rejiort  induced  them  lo  lie  pretty  lavish  of  their  powder — ilie  explosion 
burst  the  swivel  into  a  muliiiude  of  pieces,  the  largest  of  which,  weighing  about  seven 
pounds,  passed  through  the  body  ol  the  deceased,  carrying  with  it  his  heart,  and  was 
afterwards  found  in  the  street  30  or  10  rods  from  llie  place  wdiere  it  was  (ired.  While 
the  serious  lament  ihu  unhappy  accident,  they  entertain  a  hope  that  good  may  come 
of  evil,  that  the  savage  practice  of  making  boulires  on  the  evening  ol'  Thanksgiving, 
may  be  exchanged  lor  so^e  other  mode  of  rejoicing,  more  consistent  with  the  geiuiine 
spirit  of  Chfisljaniiy. 


B  O  Z  H  A  Tl 


301 


B  O  Z  R  A  1 1 . 

BozKAH,  runnerly  New  Concord,  oiigliially  in  the  bounds  of  Nor- 
wich, was  incorporated  a  town  in  J7SG.  Some  of  the  tirst  settlers  in 
this  town  were  of  the  names  of  Waterman,  Fox,  Hough,  and  Crocker, 
Fox  and  llouL;h  located  themselves  about  the  center  of  the  ))lace,  and 
Waterman  in  the  eastern  part.  Its  average  length  is  four  and  a  half 
miles,  and  its  average  breadth  four.  It  is  bounded  n.  by  Franklin,  e. 
by  Norwich,  s.  by  iMontville,  and  w.  by  Lebanon  and  Salem.  The 
township  is  uneven,  consisting  of  hills  and  valleys;  "its  geological  char- 
acter is  granitic,  and  the  soil  is  a  gravelly  loam,  wliich  is  generally  rich, 
warm,  and  fertile."  There  are  three  houses  of  worship  in  the  town  ; 
1^  Congregational,  1  Baptist,  and  I  iMethodist.  There  is  also  a  Bap- 
tist meeting  house  which  stands  on  the  dividing  line  between  this  town 
and  Colchester.  The  central  part  of  the  town  is  14  miles  from  New 
London,  and  33  from  Hartford. 


East  view  of  Fhchvillc,  Bozrah. 

There  are  two  cotton  manufacturing  villages  in  the  limits  of  this  town, 
Bozrahville  and  Fitchville,  both  situated  on  Yantic  river.  Bo^rahville 
is  situated  on  and  near  the  dividing  line  between  this  town  and  Lebanon, 
and  is  about  eight  miles  from  Norwich  city. 

The  above  is  an  eastern  view  of  Fitchville,  a  little  more  than  five 
miles  from  the  Landing  in  Norwich  city,  on  ilie  Hartford  turnpike.  The 
principal  part  of  the  village  was  built  by  Nehemiah  II.  Fitch,  Esq.  and 
his  brothers  in  183-2.     The  Bozrah  post  office  is  in  this  village. 

The  name  of  this  town,  (Bozrah,)  is  said  to  be  derived  from-the  follow- 
ing occurrence.  In  ancient  times,  an  aged,  plain  sort  of  a  man  lived 
where  Fitchville  is  now  built:  though  a  respectable  inhabitant,  he  was 
not  very  remarkable  for  quoting  scripture  correctly.     On  one  occasion, 


302  II  O  Z-'H  A  H  . 

in  quoting  from  Isaiah  the  passage  "  Who  is  this  that  cometh  from 
Edom,  with  dyed  garments  from  Bozrah  ?"  &ic.  he  stated  that  the 
prophet  Bozrah  said  thus  and'  so.  Mistakes  of  this  kind  are  not  easily 
forgotten  :  the  old  gentleman  was  ever  afterwards  called  the  Frophet, 
and  the  place  of  his  residence  Bozrah ;  and  when  the  town  was  incor- 
porated, it  was  thought  advisable  to  retain  the  name  by  which  the  place 
was  generally  known. 

The  following  account  of  a  remarkable  hail  storm  which  took  place 
In  this  town,  in  July,  1799,  is  taken  from  the  Connecticut  Journal, 
copied  from  the  Connecticut  Gazette. 

Bozrah,  Monday,  JuUj  \b,  1799. 
On  Mondn}',  July  15ili,  the  inhabitaiils  of  ilie  b.(iiitlRMn  jiait  of  Lclinmm,  and  of 
the  towns  of  Bozrah  and  Franklin  adjuinin;^',  cxpeneucrd  the  niostawiiil  and  devas- 
tating storm  of  wind,  attended  with  iiail  and  lain,  ihiinder  and  Jigiitning,  probably 
ever  known  in  our  county.  Ahont  live  o'clock,  1\  iNl.  a  dark  angiy  cloud  giadiially 
arose  from  tlie  south;  it  conlinneil  iucrcasinj;-  and  ;^athcriiii,r  Macknes.s  and  rapidily  of 
motion  as  it  rose.  In  about  half  an  iionr  after,  a  clmu!  ol  a  brass  or  tlame  color, 
seemed  to  roll  ii|i  in  front  (d'  it,  lik"e  a  colnnm  of  snmke,  u  liich  presenily  overspread 
it,  growini^  bricfhtcrand  appearing  more  wild  anil  a^Mlattd.  i\\.  dus  time  an  (•xieiisi\-e 
black  cloud  before  nn|M-iceivcd,  rose  alon^'  from  the  N.  W.  lo  S.  W.  similar  to  ihe 
tirst,  and  in  a  litlle  time  formed  a  juiiclion  willi  it,  \\\u:i\  they  directly  shot  iheir 
united  summits  high  in  the  air,  and  the  whole  liemi^jdiere  by  six  o'clock  was  covered 
with  almost  the  darkness  of  night,  emitting  sharp  forked' lighlning,  followed  wiili 
heavy  thunder.  A  calm  of  a  few  miniucs  succeeded,  while  ihe  birds  and  beasis 
guided  by  instinct,  fled  for  rcl'uge,  as  porlending  iome  great  calamity.  Tiic  wind 
with  a  distinct  roar  soon  began  to  blow  with  great  violence,  and  iucieased  almost  lo  a 
hurricane:  when  astonishing  to  behold,  liail  stones  of  a  jirodigious  size,  two  and  thiee 
inches  in  diameter,  were  driven  with  almost  the  lorce  of  grape  slidt,  iijion  every  thing 
in  its  course ;  they  were  at  first  scattering,  but  in  a  moment  I'.ame  thicker  and  larger, 
until  tliey  fell  in  a  complete  shower  of  ici',  so  great  as  to  i)reveni  an  object  Irom  being 
dislinguislied  at  the  distance  of  two  or  three  lods.  Directly,  scarce  an  inch  of  glass 
wa.s  left  in  the  windows  next  the  storm,  and  in  some  instances  liie  sashes  were  broken ; 
shingles  were  split  and  beat  off  the  roofs  of  liouscs  and  barns,  ami  vegetation  almost 
wholly  laid  waste  by  the  fury  of  the  hail  ;  while  the  wind  oveiturncd  irees,  unroofed, 
removed,  or  destroyed  barns  and  fences.  Every  thing  seemed  in  confusion  and  uproai, 
and  men  and  beasis  weie  siknt  with  astonishment.  This  scene  lasted  according  todii- 
ferent  jndginenls,  ten,  t'llict-n,  ami  lu  cniy  mnuiies,  ihom;h  mu--l  agree  that  itu-  greatest 
diM'hui:;<-'ol  hailfcll  in  a  shoricr  iim.'.  When  llu-  h.urcrastd,  a  shower  of  ram  more 
iilnmdaut  if  possible,  immcdialely  fallowed  ;  and  cullccling,  ran  Willi  vndence,  swept 
the  hail  into  large  waves,  and  ihe  nuns  iiili)  lieajis,  ami  bme  ihem  away  promiscuously 
lo  the  torrents  and  low  ^numds,  presiMiimg  a  most  singular  and  melancholy  sight. 
After  an  hour  had  abated,  and  the  sun  just  setting,  broke  through  the  clouds  and  al- 
forded  a  prospect  dreary  and  gloomy  beyond  deseiiption.  Tlie  earth  seemed  almost 
desolate  and  a  waste.  Tlie  poor  beasis  were  objects  of  the  lirst  attention;  the  cattle 
were  found  alive,  though  sadly  bruised  and  woiimled,  tin'  bacd^s  of  cows  were  bloody, 
legs  of  horses  cut  and  swollen!  when  the  smaller  animals  sutfered  much  more:  some 
pigs  of  four  months  old,  with  sheep,  were  killed,  numbers  of  geese,  turkies,  &c.  e.v- 
posed,  wei-e  beat  to  death  :  birds  are  daily  found  in  large  numbers,  in  the  fields  and 
gardens,  dead  and  maimed :  buildings  and  fences  are  seen  bruised  to  such  a  degree 
that  they  will  long  remain  standing  proofs  of  the  violence  and  size  of  the  hail.  *  * 
*  *  ♦  *  ♦  The  horrors  of  the  scene  and  the  ravages  of  the  storm  are  truly 
indescribable.  Many  of  the  sulferers  can  only  compare  them  with  their  ideas  of  the 
day  of  judgment.  The  hail  stones  were  so  laige  as  to  be  taken  for  the  falling  of 
bricks  liom  the  chimney  upon  the  roofs  of  the  houses.  After  the  rain,  which  must 
liave  washed  them,  they  were  carefully  examined  in  dilleient  places,  and  found  to 
measure,  some  four  and  a  half  inches  by  live  and  a  half  in  circumference,  others  six 
inches,  some  six  inches  by  nearly  seven  ;  they  are  generally  compared  by  spectators 
to  the  full  size  of  hen's  and  geese  eggs.  Banks  of  hail  five  or  six  inches  deep  remained 
on  the  Saturday  and  Sunday  ibllowing,  and  some  measured  then  three  and.  a  half 
inches  round  ;  they  were  generally  moie  llal  than  round,  with  ragged  edges.  T'lie 
course  of  the  storm  was  ehietly  froia  the  S.  W.  to  the  N.  E.  though  sometimes  the  hail 
came  from  the  south,  and  ihen  again  nearly  from  the  west;  windows  were  broken  on. 


COLCHESTER.  303 

three  sides  of  liouses.  It  run  much  in  veins,  danxaging  only  some  fields,  and  totally 
destroying  oliiers  adjoining.  The  hail  extended  nearly  lour  miles  in  wullh,  where  it 
was  dreadful ;  it  grew  wider  in  Franklin,  which  is  to  the  east,  and  seemed  to  sjiend 
itself  there,  ending  in  rain  beyond  that  place.  It  was  doubtless  the  same  cloud  which 
passed  over  Litchfield  county,  &c.  scattering  its  hail  through  the  State,  even  to  the 
mouth  of  the  Connecticut  River,  wliich  luiited  with  the  other  in  the  south,  took  this  di- 
rection, and  here  spread  its  most  distinguishing  horrors.  'Tis  considered  almost 
miraculous  by  the  people,  that  amidst  all  this  distress,  the  lives  of  men  and  beasts  have 
been  wonderi'iilly  preserved.  Only  two  or  three  men  have  been  knocked  down,  and 
one  or  two  children,  one  of  which,  M  years  old,  was  so  beaten  as  to  be  deprived  of 
reason  for  two  days." 


COLCHESTER. 


The  settlement  of  Colchester  began  about  1701.  In  1698  the  Le- 
gislature enacted  that  a  new  plantation  should  be  made  at  Jeremy's 
farm.  It  was  determined  that  it  should  be  bounded  southerly  on 
Lyme,  westerly  on  ]\Iiddletown,  and  easterly  on  Norwich  and  I^eba- 
non.  This  was  most  commonly  called  the  plantation  at  Twenty-mile 
river,  and  was  originally  within  the  limits  of  the  county  of  Hartford. 
Some  of  tlie  principal  planters  were  the  Rev.  John  Rulkley,  Samuel 
Gilbert,  Michael  Taintor,  Samuel  Northam,  John  Adams,  Joseph  Pom- 
eroy,  and  John  Loomis. 

Colchester  is  bounded  n.  by  Hebron  and  Marlborough,  w.  by  Chat- 
ham, E.  by  Lebanon,  and  s.  by  Ivist  Haddam  and  Salem.  Its  aver- 
age length  from  east  to  west  is  about  1)  miles,  and  its  breadth  about  4, 
comprising  an  area  of  about  43  stjuare  miles.  The  face  of  the  town- 
ship is  generally  uneven,  being  hilly,  and  in  some  places  somewhat  rough 
and  stony.  The  prevailing  soil  is  a  gravelly  loam,  tolerably  strong 
and  fertile.  Iron  ore  of  the  best  quality  has  been  recently  found  in  this 
town  ;  the  beds  apparently  are  inexhaustible  ;  the  best  bed  is  about  one 
mile  N.  \v.  of  the  Congregational  church.  There  are  three  houses  of 
worship,  -J  for  Congregalionalists  and  one  for  Baptists.  Westchester 
society  is  possessed  of  a  fimd  suflicieni  for  the  support  of  the  ministry, 
and  also  a  free  grammar  school  for  two  thirds  of  the  year. 

In  the  first  located  society,  there  is  a  pleasant  village  of  perhaps  40  or 
50  houses,  having  an  elevated  and  healthful  situation.  The  following  en- 
graving shows  the  Congregational  clim-ch  and  Bacon  Academy,  situated 
on  the  western  side  of  the  open  green,  in  the  center  of  the  village.  The 
small  one  story  building  with  a  cupola,  seen  on  the  left,  is  the  conl'er- 
ence  house,  used  for  holding  religious  meetings.  The  school  for  colored 
children  is  seen  nortli  of  the  church,  under  the  trees;  the  hill  seen  in  the 
distance,  is  called  Bulkley  Hill,  between  which  and  the  village  is  a  deep 
valley.  Bacon  Academy  is  so  called  from  Mr.  Pierpont  Bacon,  its  liene- 
factor  and  founder.  It  was  established  in  18U0,  and  possesses  {jj, 35,000 
in  funds.  Tlie  Academy  is  built  of  brick,  75  feet  by  34,  three  stories 
high,  spacious  and  commodious.  It  is  a  free  school  for  the  inhabitants 
of  the  society,  and  is  open  for  scholars  from  abroad  upon  very  accom- 
modating and  moderate  terms.  All  the  higher  branches  of  an  English 
education  are  taught,  and  the  institution  is  accommodated  with  philosoph- 
ical apparatus  of  various  kinds.     There  are  usually  about  !<i00  scholars, 


304 


COLCHESTER. 


with  four  01"  five  instructors.  This  institution  has  ever  been  considered 
one  of  the  most  respectable  and  flourishing  academies  in  the  state.  It 
is  20  miles  from  ]\e\v  London,  23  iVom  Hartford,  15  from  Norwich,  and 
10  from  East  Iladdam  Landint 


Bacon  Academy  and  Congrtgatiunal  Church,  Colchester. 

John  Bulkley,  the  first  minister  in  this  town,  was  the  son  of  the 
Rev.  Gershom  fiulkley.  "  His  mother  was  the  daughter  of  President 
Chauncy.  He  was  graduated  at  Harvard  College  in  1699,  and  was 
ordained  December  20,  1703.     His  death  took  place  in  June,  1731. 

"  Mr.  Bulkley  was  very  distinguished  as  a  scholar.  While  a  mem- 
ber of  college,  he  and  Mr.  Dunnner,  who  was  a  member  of  the  same 
class,  were  considered  as  preeminent  in  genius  and  talents.  The  palm 
was  given  lo  the  lalier  for  (piicknoss,  brillianry,  and  wit;  but  i\Ir.  IJuik- 
Icy  was  regarded  as  his  superior  in  solidity  of  judgment  and  strength  of 
argument.  He  cariied  his  researches  into  the  various  de])artments  ol 
the  law,  of  medicine,  and  theology.  His  son,  John  Bulkley,  who  was 
also  eminent  for  his  learning,  possessed  a  high  reputation  as  a  physician 
and  lawyer,  and  when  very  young  was  appointed  a  judge  of  the  supe- 
rior court  of  Connecticut. 

"IMr.  Bulkley  was  classed  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Chauncy,  in  1768,  among 
the  three  most  eminent  for  strength  of  genius  and  powers  of  mind, 
which  New  England  had  produced.  The  other  two  were  Mr.  Jere- 
miah Dummer  and  Mr.  Thomas  Walter.  He  published  an  election  ser- 
mon in  1713,  entitled  '  the  necessity  of  religion  in  societies.'  In  1721 
he  published  an  inquiry  into  the  right  of  the  aboriginal  natives  to  the 
lands  in  America.  This  curious  treatise  has  within  a  few  years  bee/) 
reprinted  in  the  collection  of  the  Historical  Society  of  Massachusetts. 
The  author  contendsj  that  the  Indians  had  no  just  claims  to  any  bnds, 
but  such  as  they  had  subdued  and  improved  by  their  own  labor,  and 
that  the  English  had  a  perfect  right  to  occupy  all  other  lands  wiiiioul 


COLCHESTER. 


305 


compensation  to  the  natives.  He  published  one  other  tract,  entitled  'an 
impartial  account  of  the  late  debate  at  Lyme  u])on  the  following  points; 
whether  it  be  the  will  of  God,  that  the  infants  of  visible  believers  should 
be  baptised  ;  whether  sprinkling  be  lawful  and  sulhcient ;  and  whether 
the  present  way  of  maintaining  ministers  by  a  public  rate  or  tax  be  law- 
ful,' 1729.  In  this  he  gives  some  account  of  the  rise  of  the  antipedo- 
baptist  persuasion."* 


The  following  humorous  story,  in  which  Mr.  Bulkley,  the  first  min- 
ister in  this  town,  was  concerned,  is  from  an  ancient  publication. 

"The  Rev.  Mr.  IJnllvlcy  of  Colclifsier,  Con.,  wn.s  fauKui.s  in  his  tl;iy  as  a  casuist 
and  sage  coutisflui-.  Acliurcli  m  his  ru-if^'liliuiluKiJ  iiinl  fallen  jnto  unhappy  divisions 
and  contentions,  whicli  iliuy  weie  tmixlile  lo  adjust  atmrnj?  ihemsidrcs.  They  deputed 
one  of  liieir  number  to  the  veneriilde  Huiklcy,  lor  ins  services;  with  a  reqne.st  that  ho 
would  send  it  to  liieni  in  wrilini,'.  'l"he  inauers  were  taken  into  serious  consideration, 
and  tiie  advice  Willi  much  dehberatiuii  eommilitd  to  uriiing.  It  su  happened,  that 
Mr.  Bulkley  had  a  (uriu  in  an  exneuie  part  of  the  town,  upon  which  lie  entrusted  a 
tenant;  in  superseribin;^  the  two  letters,  the  one  lor  I  he  church  was  directed  lo  the 
tenant,  and  the  one  lor  the  tenant  to  the  church.  The  church  was  convened  to  hear 
the  advice  which  was  lo  settle  all  their  disputes.  The  moderator  read  as  follows:  You 
will  sec  tu  the  repair  nf  the  fences,  that  tkeij  tic  Intilt  hJiih  and  strung,  and  yau  -unll  take 
speriul  care  uf  the  oldtjluc/:  butt.  This  my.slical  advice  [lu/zletl  the  church  at  first,  but 
an  interpreter  aiuonj.,'  the  mnie  discerning  ones  was  soon  f(Hind,  who  .said,  Breihren, 
this  is  the  very  advice  we  most  need;  the  direction  to  repair  the  I'ences  is  to  admon- 
ish us  to  take  t,'ood  heed  in  ihe  ailiiii-sion  and  j^'ovei  iiineiit  of  onr  members:  we  must 
guard  the  eluireh  by  our  masiei  >  law  -.,  and  keep  out  siian;;e  cattle  (rom  the  fold.  And 
we  mnsi  in  a  [lariicuiar  manner  set  a  u.iichful  fjuard  over  the  Dcvit,  the  old  black 
bull,  who  has  dune  s(]  much  huil  ol  lair.  All  perceived  the  wisdom  and  fiincss  of  Mr. 
Bulkley's  advicf,  and  iesulvi;d  lo  be  ^ovei  ncil  by  it.  The  eonseijuence  was,  nil  ihe 
aniiiiosiues  siiliMiIrd,  and  harmony  was  resU/red  In  the  long  alllicied  church.  What 
tlie  siilijcL-i  of  iIk;  Idler  sent  lo  ihe  tenant  was,  and  wliai  l;ooi1  ell'eet  jt  liad  upon  him, 
the  .^lory  doe^  not  lell.^' 

In  this  town,  Westchester  society,  is  the  monument  of  Col.  Henry 
Chiunpion,  a  native  of  h'ast  Iladdam,  deputy  commissary  general  of 
the  armies  o\'  the  United  States,  in  the  Uevolution,  and  in  that  station 
eminently  useful.  To  this  gentleman,  Washington,  iu  his  distress  for 
provisions  at  Valley  Forge,  applied  for  relief,  and  the  first  relief  to  the 
starving  army,  came  from  his  land.     He  died  in  179G. 


The  following  is  from  the  Colchester  Town  Records;  the  tradition  is, 
that  this  thanksgiving  was  put  olFon  accoimt  of  there  being  a  deficiency 
of  molasses,  an  article  much  used  on  these  occasions. 

"  At  a  IcL'al  Town  meeting  held  in  Colchester,  Oct.  20ih,  1705.  It 
was  voted,  that  whereas  there  was  a  thanksgi\'ing  apiiointed  to  be  held 
on  the  first  Thursday  in  ]\o\ember,  and  our  present  circumstances  be- 
ing such,  that  it  cannot  with  convenience  be  attended  on  that  day;  it  is 
therefore  votetl  and  agreed  by  the  inhabitants,  as  aforesaid,  (concluding' 
the  thing  will  not  be  otherwise  than  well  resented,)  that  the  secondl 
Thursday  of  iSovcmber  aforesaid,  shall  be  set  apart  for  that  service." 


AUeii'a  Biograidiical  Diclionary. 

39 


306  FRANKLIN. Ci  II  1  S  W  O  M)  . 

The  following  inscriptions  are  from  monumenls  in  the  grave  yard  on 
the  west  side  of  the  Congregational  church. 

The  Honble.  John  Bulkley,  E.sqr.  of  Colchester,  who  for  a  mimber  of  years,  was  a 
great  honor  to  aa  uncommon  variety  of  exalted  stations  jn  life.     Morte  Subitajiea 
Corriptiil  Julii  21  A.  D.  1753.     Anno  ^Elatis  ytiae  49. 
Beloved  and  fear'd  for  verlue'ssake, 
'   Such  vertue  as  the  great  doth  make. 


In  memory  of  Jonathan  Kilborn  Esq.  who  departed  this  life  Oclobr.  14th,  A.  D. 
1785,  in  the  79  year  of  his  age. 

He  was  a  man  of  invention  great. 

Above  all  that  lived  nigh. 
But  he  could  not  invent  to  live, 
When  God  called  him  to  die. 
Mr.  Kilborn  lived  about  one  mile  south  of  the  Academy.     He  was  an  uncommonly 
ingenious  mechanic,  and  it  is  said  he  was  the  inventor  of  tlie  iron  screw.     It  is  also  sla- 
ted, that  he  admitted  an  Englishman  into  his  shop,  who  observing  his  invention,  look 
the  proper  dimensions,  &c.  went  to  England,  and  claimed  lo  be  the  original  inventor. 


FRANKLIN. 


This  town  originally  belonged  to  Norwich,  and  was  incor|iorated  as 
a  town  in  1786.  Its  length  from  north  to  south  is  five  miles,  and  its 
average  breadth  four  miles.  It  is  bounded  on  the  n.  e.  by  ^Vindhani 
and  the  Shetucket  river,  wdiich  separates  it  from  liisbon,  w.  by  Leba- 
non, s.  by  Bozrah,  and  s.  e.  by  Norwich.  The  town  is  diversified 
with  hills  and  valleys,  and  the  geological  structure  and  soil  are  of  a  gra- 
nitic character,  the  latter  being  generally  a  gravelly  loam.  The  lands 
are  best  adapted  to  grazing. 

The  population  of  the  town  in  1810  was  1,161  ;  in  1830  itwasl,U)4. 
There  are  2  houses  of  worship  in  the  town,  1  for  Congregationalists  and 
one  for  iMethodists.  Agriculture  is  the  principal  business  of  the  inhab- 
itants, who  live  scattered  about  on  their  farms,  there  being  no  jilace 
which  may  bi>  considered  as  a  vilhti^c!  in  the  town.  There  is  a  woolen 
factory  on  Beaver  brook,  near  the  Shetucket  river,  on  the  eastern  bor- 
der of  the  town.  The  central  {)art  of  Franklin  is  thirty  four  miles  from 
Hartford,  and  about  seven  miles  from  Norwich  city. 


GRISWOLD. 

Griswold  was  originally  a  part  of  Preston,  and  was  incorporated  as 
a  town  in  1815,  lis  average  length  is  8  miles,  and  its  breadth  about  4. 
It  is  bounded  n.  by  Plainfield.  w.  by  Quinnebaug  river,  separating  it 
from  Lisbon,  e.  by  Voluntown,  s.  by  Preston  and  North  Stoninglon. 
The  surface  of  the  township  is  uneven  ;  the  prevailing  soil  is  a  gravelly 
loam,  with  sotne  sections  of  sandy  loam.  Tliere  are  some  low  marsh 
lands  upon  the  Pochaug  river,  a  sluggish  stream,  which  passes  through 
the  central  part  of  the  town.  There  are  two  Congregational  churches 
in  the  town,  1  at  Jewell's  City,  the  other  in  the  central  part  of  the  town. 
The  population  in  ISIO  was  1,520;  in  1830,  it  was  2,212. 


G  R  U  T  O  N  . 


307 


South  view  of  JeiottCs  City,  Griswold. 

The  above  shows  the  appearance  of  Jewell's  City,  the  principal  place 
in  Griswoltl,  about  a  mile  south  from  the  village  on  the  Norwich  road. 
This  is  a  flourishing  village,  on  the  east  side  of  tlie  Quinnebaug,  contain- 
ing 800  or  900  inhabitants,  3  extensive  cotton  factories,  5  mercantile 
stores,  a  Congregational  church,  and  a  bank,  with  a  capital  of  100,000 
dollars,  called  the  Jewett  City  bank.  It  is  stated,  that  there  is  water 
power  in  this  place  sufficient  to  keep  40  or  50,000  spindles  in  operation. 
It  is  8  miles  n.  k.  from  Norwich,  and  14  fron)  Brooklyn. 

rio|)eville  is  a  little  manufacturing  village,  about  2^  miles  east  of 
Jewell's  City,  containing  one  or  two  saiinei  factories  and  about  twenty 
houses.  There  are  in  the  eastern  part  of  this  town  two  cotton  facto- 
ries, situated  on  the  line  between  this  town  and  Voluntown. 


The  following  is  copied  from  a  monument  in  the  grave  yard  in  the 
village  of  Jewell's  City. 

In  memory  of  Mr.  Eliezer  Jt-wcti,  whu  died  Doer.  7ili,  1817,  in  the  87ih  year  of  hi.s 
age. — In  April,  1771,  lie  beg.an  itie  seltleiiicnt  dftliis  village,  and  from  hi.s  persevering 
industry  and  ariive  benevolence,  ii  lias  derived  its  present  unportance:  its  name  will 
perpetuate  his  memory. 


GROTON. 

Gkoton  was  incorporated  as  a  town  in  1705,  having  unlil  that  period 
belonged  to  New  London.  It  is  bounded  north  by  Ledyard,  west  by 
the  river  Tliames,  separating  it  from  ^aw  London,  ]\Iontvilie,  and 
Walerford,  east  by  North  Stonington  and  the  Mystic,  which  separates 
it  from  Stonington,  and  south  by  Fisher's  Island  sound.  It  is  about 
six  miles  in  length  from  north  to  south,  and  has  an  average  breadth  of 
nearly  six  miles. 


308 


u  II  o  'r  o  N 


4ki 


Soiith  view  of  Poitcrsi-'iUc  and  Lower  IShjsiic. 

The  townsliip  is  uneven,  being  lillly  ;nul  stony,  and  abonndini,^  wllli 
granite  and  other  primitive  rf)eks.  A  tract  cxlendinj^r  alon^,'  the  Sound, 
and  another,  about  a  luih;  wide,  extciuhn'j;  on  ihe  'Thames  the  len<;th  ol 
the  township,  are  rich  and  ph  a^aiil  ;  the  lemaindci-  is  jicnc  rally  vciy 
stony  and  didicult  of  cnhivalion,  and  ahonndini;  with  forests.  The 
town  is  watered  by  the  JMystic  and  the  l\)(|noii()ck,  which  discharge 
their  waters  into  the  Sounch  There  are  several  \illai,fes  ;  (Iroton  JJank 
opposite  New  liOndon,  Portersville  on  Mystic  river,  and  Penuoimuc. 

The  village  etnbracing  Portersville  and  flower  iNIystic,  is  sejiarated 
by  the  river  JNIystic,  and  connected  by  a  toll  bridge.  'J'he  river  is  the 
boundary  line  between  Groton  and  Stoningtmi  ;  the  vilhige  is  situated 
about  two  miles  from  its  mouth,  and  about  seven  miles  eabt  bcjm  New 
London,  Poi-ters\'ille  is  on  the  wt.'st  side,  and  Mystic  on  the  east  side 
of  the  river.  The  two  places  contain  about  ont>  hundrcil  and  (ilty 
dwelling  houses,  liii  siuies,  and  a  po>t  olhee,  and  a  ta\ern  in  each 
phice.  A  neat  cluuch  is  creeled  in  l\)rlcrs\  ille,  called  the  Maiinei's 
church,  and  is  open  to  all  denominatii)ns.  iM)stic  river  is  navigable  ]ur 
vessels  of  about  four  hundred  tons  burlhen  to  tlie  liridge,  connecting  the 
villages  of  Portersville  and  Mystic.  A  niunber  of  whale  shi|)s  and  coast- 
ing vessels  are  owned  here.  Several  of  the  coasting  vessels  are  con- 
stantly employed  as  ivrecJccrs,  in  cruising  along  the  coast  as  far  as  the 
West  Indies,  for  the  purpose  of  saving  those  vessels  and  cargoes  wdiich 
have  been  wrecked.  In  some  instances  it  has  been  Ibund  a  very  lucra- 
tive employment.  A  considerable  quantity  of  country  produce  is  ship- 
ped from  this  place  lor  the  New  York  market.  A  number  of  fishing 
smacks  go  from  this  place  to  Cuba  to  (ish  for  the  Spaniards.  It  is  sta- 
ted that  about  three  hundrei]  men  and  boys  from  both  villages  are 
employed  in  navigation.  Ship  building  is  carried  on  to  some  extent  at- 
the  head  of  Mystic. 


Groton  will  ever  be  memorable  as  the  theater  of  the  most  in)portant 
and  interesting  military  transactions  w  hich  liave  taken  place  in  the  state. 


G  n  o  T  o  N .  301) 

In  the  early  settlement  of  the  country,  the  fate  of  Connecticut  was  de- 
cided by  the  swoid  on  Peqiiot  hill,  within  the  limits  of  this  town,  and 
the  Peqnots,  the  most  haughty  and  warlike  tribe  of  savages  in  New 
England,  eiieciually  cruslied  by  a  single  blow,  and  their  existence  as  a 
nation  :innihilal(.d.  In  the  war  of  the  Revolution,  another  of  the  '•  high 
places"  of  Ciroton  became  an  Aceldama,  and  the  flower  of  her  sons  were 
saeriliced  lo  the  vengeance  of  an  infuriated  enemy. 

On  the  (3th  of  Seinember,  1781,  a  body  of  British  troops,  about  800 
in  number,  under  the  command  of  [iieut.  Col.  Kyre,  landed  on  the  Gro- 
ton  side,  opjx^siie  the  light-house,  and  having  founti  a  lame  boy  collect- 
ing cattle,  compelled  him  to  show  them  the  cart  path  to  the  furt.  They 
landed  about  nine  o'clock  in  the  morning  of  a  most  delightful  day,  clear 
and  still.  Fort  Griswold  was  under  the  connnand  of  Lieut.  Col.  "William 
Ledyard,  brother  of  the  celebrated  traveler  of  the  same  name,  lie  re- 
sided oa  Groton  bank,  opposite  New  London,  and  was  nmch  beloved 
and  respected  by  bis  neigi)bors.  On  the  advance  of  the  enemy.  Col. 
Ledyard,  having  but  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  men  with  him  in  the 
fort,  sent  out  an  ofHcer  to  get  assistance,  as  there  were  a  number  of 
hundreds  of  peoj-jle  collected  in  the  vicinity  ;  this  oflicer,  by  drinking 
tooiiutch,  became  intoxicated,  and  no  reinforcement  was  obtained.  On 
the  rejection  of  a  summons  to  surrender,  the  British  extended  their  lines, 
so  that  iln.^y  were  scattered  over  the  fields,  and  rushed  on  to  the  attack 
with  trailed  arms,  under  the  fire  of  the  Americans,  to  the  assault  of  the 
fort  on  three  sides.  Having  etlected  a  lodgment  in  the  ditch,  they  cut 
away  the  jiickets,  and  having  scaling  ladders,  they  entered  the  fort  and 
knocked  away  the  gate  on  the  in-^ide.  While  the  l-)iitish  were  in  the 
ditch,  they  had  cold  shut  lliiuun  on  them,  and  as  the)'  were  entering 
the  embra'/urcs,  the  garrison  (dianged  llicir  weapons  and  fuught  desper- 
ately with  spi.'ars  ur  pikes  (ifleen  or  sixteen  feet  in  length,  which  did 
considerable  execution,  rnfortunately  they  had  lent  the  greater  part 
of  the  pikes  belonging  to  the  fort  to  a  privateer  a  few  da)S  bel'ore. 
Major  Montgomery  was  hoisted  up  on  the  walls  of  the  fort  by  his  sol- 
diers ;  as  he  was  llourishing  his  sword  on  his  entrance,  he  was  mortally 
wounded  by  Jordan  Freeman,*  a  colored  man,  who  jjierced  him  through 
with  a  spear.  Another  olTicer  was  killed  by  a  musket  ball,  while  in  tlie 
fort.  As  he  fell,  he  exclaimeil,  " j;h<  ciHry  one  to  dtaih,  doiCt  spare 
one.^'  Col.  Ledyard,  hnding  further  resistance  useless,  presented  his 
sword  to  an  ollicer,  who  asked  him  who  commanded  the  fort.  "1  did," 
said  Col.  Ledyard,  "'  but  you  do  now;"  the  oflicer  (Capt.  Bloomfield) 
look  his  sword  and  plunged  it  into  his  bosom.  Col.  Ledyard  fell  on 
his  face  and  instantly  expired.     An  indiscriminate  massacre  now  took 


•  Most  of  llie  t'aris  inciiliuiiL-il  in  (his  account  were  rcliued  tu  the  compiler  of  lliis 
woik  by  ail  eye  wiiiiess,  Air.  Joshua  Baker,  of  Groton,  who  was  in  ilie  fort  at  iRe  lime 
it  was  ilorineCt.  He  was  woinuied,  carried  off  prisoner  lu  Nevv  York,  and  confined 
in  tlie  "  Sugar  Jl.iitse."  He  mentioned  that  when  the  enemy  arrived  at  New  York, 
they  reported  a  loss  of  five  hundred  men  in  killed,  wounded,  and  missing,  in  this  ex- 
pedition. Mr.  Baker  was  under  the  command  o(  Col.  Ledyard  upwards  of  two  years, 
and  was  the  fii.st  man  who  .stood  sentry  at  Fort  Griswold.  Some  particulars  were  also 
obtained  I'rom  Caiit  Elijah  Bailey,  the  post  master  at  Groton  Bank,  who  was  one  of 
iho  defenders  of  tlie  'oit  at  the  time  of  the  massacre. 


310 


G  R  O  T  O  N  , 


i  ^' 


^jsmsm:, 


-^4f     >,,. 


Groton  Monument  and  Fori  (iriswold. 

place,  till  a  British  ofiicer  exclaimed,  "my  soul  cannot  bear  such  de- 
struction," and  ordered  a  parley  to  be  beat.  Such  had  been  the  butch- 
ery in  the  fort,  that  it  was  over  shoes  in  blood  in  some  parts  of  the 
parade  ground.  Soon  after  the  surrender,  a  wagon  was  loaded  with 
wounded  Americans  and  set  off  down  the  Jilll ;  it  struck  an  apple  tree 
with  great  force,  and  knocked  several  of  these  bleeding  men  out,  and 
caused  their  instant  death.  One  of  these  ilistressed  men  having  been 
thrown  out  of  the  wagon,  and  while  crawling  towards  (he  fence  on  his 
hands  and  knees,  was  brutally  knocked  on  the  head  by  the  butt  end  of 
a  musket,  by  one  of  the  refugees  who  were  attached  to  the  British 
army.  The  British  embarked  at  the  foot  of  the  hill,  near  the  ferry, 
and  took  olT  a  number  of  prisoners  with  them.  As  they  left  the  fort, 
they  set  fire  to  a  train,  intending  to  blow  up  the  magizine,  in  which 
were  about  one  hundred  barrels  of  powder.  Fortunately  it  was  extin- 
guished by  our  people,  who  entered  the  fort  soon  after  the  enemy  left  it. 
It  is  stated  that  the  enemy  lost  in  the  attack  on  the  fort  54  killed  and 
143  wounded,  several  of  whom  afterwards  died  of  their  wounds.  The 
killed  of  the  enemy  were  buried  by  their  comrades  at  the  gate  of  the 
fort,  and  were  so  slightly  covered  that  many  of  their  legs  and  arms  re- 
mained above  ground  ;  our  people  who  weie  killed  at  the  fort,  were 
stripped,  and  so  disfigured,  covered  with  blood  and  dust,  that  with  the 
exception  of  two  or  three,  they  could  not  be  recognized  by  their  friends, 
except  by  some  particular  marks  on  their  persons. 

The  above  is  a  west  view,  from  New  London,  of  Groton  Monument 
and  Fort  Griswold,  on  ]\Iount  Ledyard.     This  monument  has  its  foun- 


/'' 


GROT  ON.  311 

datlon  stone  at  an  elevation  of  about  130  feet  above  tide  water;  the 
monument  itself  is  one  hundred  and  twenty  seven  feet  in  height.  The 
pedestal  rises  about  eighteen  or  twenty  feet,  and  is  twenty  three  feet 
square  ;  on  the  pedestal  rises  an  obelisk  square,  ninety  two  feet  in 
height,  twenty  two  feet  square  at  its  base,  and  eleven  feet  at  the  top. 
It  is  ascended  by  one  hundred  and  sixty  five  stone  steps  inserted  into 
the  outer  wall,  rising  in  a  circular  form,  their  inner  ends  supported  by 
an  iron  rail  and  banister.  The  monument  is  constructed  of  granite,  of 
which  there  is  an  abundance  in  the  vicinity.  The  expense  of  its  erec- 
tion was  eleven  thousand  dollars;  this  amount  was  raised  by  a  lottery, 
granted  by  the  state  for  this  purpose. 


The  following  is  the  inscription,  on  marble,  placed  over  the  entrance 
of  the  monument. 

This  Monument 

•was  erected  under  the  patronaj;;e  of  the  fcitale  of  Connecticut,  A.  D.  1830, 

and  in  the  55th  year  of  the  Independence  of  the  U.  S.  A. 

In  inL'inory  of  the  brave  Patriots, 
who  fell  in  tlie  massatre  at  Fori  Griswold,  near  this  spot, 
■  on  llie  Gtli  of  September,  A.  D.  1781, 

when  the  Hritish,  under  the  command  of 

the  traiior  Benedict  Arnold, 

burnt  the  town.s  of  New  Lomiun  and  Groton,  and  spread 

desulaiion  and  woe  ihrouj-lioiU  this  region. 

On  the  south  side  of  the  pedestal,  opposite  the  fort,  is  the  following 
inscription. 

"Zcbulon  and  Naplitali  were  a  pcojile  iliat  jeoparded  their  lives  unlo  the  death,  in 
the  hi^'h  places  uf  ihc  ficUl."— ./»</^'(.s-,  5  C/iap.  18  rcrsr. 

List  of  men  who  fell  at  t-'ort  Griswold,  Sept.  C.  1781. 

Here  follows  a  list  of  eighty  five  names,  on  a  marble  tablet. 


Groton  was  the  seat  of  the  Pcquot  power.  The  royal  residence  or 
fort  of  Sassacus,  the  chief  sacheui,  was  situated  on  a  commanding  emi- 
nence, a  little  southeast  of  Fort  Friswold.  Here  was  the  principal  fort. 
He  had  another  to  the  northwest  of  this,  near  Mystic  river.  The  Pe- 
quot  country  is  described  as  extending  from  the  Nehantic  on  the  west, 
to  Rhode  Island  line  on  the  east,  including  the  present  towns  of  Water- 
ford,  New  London  and  Rlontville,  west  of  the  Thames ;  and  Groton, 
Stonington  and  North  Stonington  on  the  east.  All  the  country  north 
of  this,  including  the  county  of  Windham,  and  part  of  Tolland  county, 
has  been  represented  as  the  IMohegan  county.  Historians  have  treated 
the  Pequots  and  JMoliegans  as  two  distinct  tribes.  They  appear  how- 
ever to  have  been  parts  of  the  same  nation,  named  from  the  place  of 
their  situation.  Uncas  was  evidently  of  the  royal  line  of  the  Pequots, 
both  by  his  father  and  mother,  and  his  wife  was  the  daughter  of  Tato- 
bain,  one  of  the  Pequot  sachems.  Uncas  appears  to  have  been  a  petty 
sachem  under  Sassacus,  the  great  prince  of  the  Pequot  nation.  When 
the  English  came  to  Connecticut,  he  was  in  rebellion  against  Sassacus, 
and  therefore  readily  joined  with  the  English,  to  save  himself,  and  be 
avenged  on  his  adversary. 

V 


312 


G  n  0  T  0  N  . 


^-  ^^^.t-^?K#^^^^i<H3.. 


JSorth  itcw  of  l't<iuul  JlilL  (Iroton. 

The  above  is  a  north  view  of  Pequot  Hill  in  (iioton,  about  8  miles 
northeast  from  New  T>.ondon.  Tliis  spot  will  ever  be  memorable,  on 
account  of  its  beinLj  the  place  where  the  first  regular  conflict  between 
the  English  and  the  natives  of  New  England  took  place.  Here  the 
blow  was  struck  by  which  the  salvation  of  tlie  infant  colony  of  Con- 
necticut was  effected,  and  the  ruin  of  the  haughty,  warlike,  and  pow- 
erful Pequot  tribe  of  Indians  accomplished.  The  con(jilest  of  the  Pe- 
quots  struck  such  tenor  to  the  Indian  tribes  in  New  England,  that  they 
had  no  open  war  with  the  colonists  for  nearly  forty  years  afterwards. 
The  hill  represented  above  is  commanding  and  beautiful,  though  not 
steep.  The  land  on  which  the  fort  stood  is  now  owned  by  Koswcli 
Fish,  FiS(j. ;  his  house  is  seen  in  the  engraving,  standing  on  the  sinnniit 
of  the  hill  ;  the  fort  is  supjiosed  to  ha\e  ^lood  a  fi;w  rods  south  of  his 
house.  Arrows,  beads,  arrow  heads,  anti  other  Indian  implements,, 
have  been  found  on  this  spot.  This  place  is  about  ]i20  or  J  30  rods 
west  of  IMystic  river,  and  about  one  mile  north  oi'  the  church  in  Por- 
tersville,  which  is  seen  on  the  left  of  the  engraving. 

The  following  account  of  the  destruction  of  the  Pequots  is  princi- 
pally taken  from  the  account  written  by  Capt.  IMason,  the  conunander 
of  the  expedition,  entitled  "  A  Brief  History  of  the  Pequot  War."  ike. 
published  in  Boston  in  1736.  The  soldiers  from  Connecticut,  ninety 
in  number,  arrived  at  Saybrook  on  W^ednesday,  where  they  lay  wind- 
bound  till  Friday,  Pith  of  lAlay,  1637.  There  was  a  dilference  of 
opinion  between  Capt.  IMason  and  his  o/Iicers,  whether  to  sail  directly 
to  Pequot  (now  Thames)  river,  or  go  on  beyond  and  land  his  men  at 
Narragansett.     The  instructions  were  to  land  the  men  at  Pequot  river. 

"  But  Capt.  Mason,  appieliL'iuliiig-  an  exceediiit,'  <,Mi'at  lia/anl  in  so  doini,',  Cor  the 
reasons  fore  meulioned,  as  also  some  oilier  wliicli  1  shall  lurbear  to  tionbie  you  with, 
dirt  therelbre  earnestly  dcsiio  j\'lr.  .Stone  that  he  would  commend  our  condition  to  tiie 
Lord  that  night,  to  direct  how,  and  in  what  manuer  we  should  demean  ourselves  iit 
thai  Respect;  he  being  our  Chaplin  and  lying  aboard  our  Pnik,  the  Cuptaiu  on  bhoar. 


<;  11  O  T  O  N  , 


313 


In  the  mornii)g  very  early  Mr.  Stone  came  ashoar  to  the  Captain's  chamber,  and  told 
liim  he  had  done  as  he  desired,  and  was  fnliy  satisfied  to  sail  for  Narrnganseit :  onr 
council  was  then  called,  and  the  several  reasons  alledj^ed;  in  fine  we  all  airreed  with 
one  accord  to  sail  for  Narraganselt,  which  the  next  morning,  (May  i-Jih,)  we  put  iii 
execution. " 

[The  little  army  arrived  at  Narragansett  bay  on  Saturday  towards  evening,  where 
ihey  kept  tlie  Salibaih.  On  account  of  the  wind  they  were  not  able  to  go  on  shore  till 
sunset  on  Tuesday,  when  Capi  Mason  landed  and' went  to  the  chief  sachem's  resi- 
dence and  desired  a  free  passage  througli  his  country,  which  was  granted.  The  next 
day,  Wednesday,  they  arrived  at  a  place  called  ymjantic,  eighteen  or  twenty  miles 
distant,  where  resided  another  IVairagansett  sachem,  who  lived  in  a  fort.  As  they 
would  not  sutler  any  of  the  English  to  go  into  their  fori,  C.-ipt.  Wasc)n  set  a  guard 
aroimd  it,  and  would  not  suffer  any  of  the  Indians  to  go  out  ami  give  mlurmalioii  to 
the  Pequots  of  their  approach.) 

"  On  Thursday,  about  eight  of  the  clock  in  the  morning,  we  marched  thence  to- 
wards Pequot,  with  about  live  hundred  Indians;  but  througli  the  heat  of  the  weather, 
and  want  of  provisions,  some  of  our  men  fainted,  and  alter  having  marched  about 
twelve  miles  we  came  Xo  Pawcatnck  v'wkt,  at  a  Ford  where  our  Indians  told  us  the 
Pequots  did  usually  fish;  there  making  an  Alta,  we  stayed  some  small  time;  the  Nar- 
ragansctt  Indians  manifesting  great  fear,  insomuch  that  many  of  them  returned, 
although  they  had  frequently  despised  us  saying,  7'Aa/  u^e  durst  not  Ionic  vpon  a  I-'cqun/, 
but  themselves  would  perform  great  things;  though  we  had  often  told  them  that  we 
came  on  purpose  and  were  resolved,  God  assisting,  to  .see  the  Pequots,  and  to  fight 
with  them  before  we  returned,  though  we  perished.  I  then  enquired  ol  Onkos,  (Un- 
cas,)  what  bethought  the  Indians  would  do?  who  said  the  Narragansctis  would  all 
leave  us,  but  as  for  himself,  he  would  never  leave  us;  and  so  it  proved ;  for  which  ex- 
pression, and  some  other  speeches  of  his,  I  shall  nevtr  forget  him.  Indeed  he  was  ii 
great  friend,  and  did  great  service." 


South  vitw  of  ror(er''s  Rocks,  Groion. 

[The  above  is  a  southern  view  of  Porter's  Rocks,  on  the  shore  of 
Mystic  river,  in  Groton,  where  Ciipt.  Mason  and  his  little  army  lay 
on  the  niuht  previous  to  l)is  attackin-;^  the  Pequot  fort,  which  was 
about  two  miles  to  the  southwest.  These  rocks  are  situated  about 
half  a  mile  south  of  the  house  of  Daniel  Eldrid^^^c,  Esq.  and  about  the 
same  distance  from  the  village  in  Stonini^ton  at  the  head  of  Mystic. 
From  the  top  of  the  ledge,  Fortersville  and  the  ocean  can  be  seen.] 

"  And  after  we  had  refreslied  ourselves  with  our  mean  commons,  we  marched  about 
three  miles,  and  came  to  u  tichi  which  had  lately  been  planted  with  Indian  corn:  there 
we  made  another  Alf,  and  calh-d  uiu-  council,  supposing  we  drew  near  to  tlie  enemy: 
and  being  inb.iincd  by  the  Indians  that  the  enemy  had  two  forts  almost  impregnable; 
but  we  were  noi  at  all  discouraged,  but  rather  animated,  in.somuch  that  we  were  re- 
solved to  assault  both  tiieir  forts  at  once.     But  undeisianding  that  one  olthem  was  so 

40 


314  G  11  O  T  0  N  . 

remote  lli:U  we  could  not  come  up  with  it  befure  midnight,  thougli  we  marched  hard  : 
whereat  we  were  miicli  grieved,  chieriy  because  the  greatest  and  bloodiest  sacheni 
there  resided,  whose  name  was  Sassacous:  We  weie  then  constrained,  being  exceed- 
ingly spent  in  our.  march  with  extreme  heat  and  want  ol"  necessaries,  to  accept  the 
nearest." 

"  We  then  marching  on  in  a  silent  manner,  tlie  Indians  that  remained  fell  all  into 
the  rear,  who  formerly  kept  the  van,  (being  possfssetl  with  great  fear;)  wc  continued 
our  march  till  about  one  hour  in  the  night:  and  coming  lo  a  little  sicawp  between 
tionki/ts,  we  pitched  our  litilecamp;  much  v/earied  with  hard  travel,  Iceeping  great 
MJiMc,  supposing  we  were  very  near  the  fort  as  our  Indians  informed  us,  which 
proved  otherwise.  The  rocks  were  our  pillow;;;  yet  rest  was  pleasant.  The  night 
pio'/ed  comfortable,  being  clear  and  moonlight.  We  appointed  our  guards,  and  pla- 
c'.' I  our  sentinels  at  some  distance;  who  heard  the  enemy  singing  ut  the  fort,  who 
cjiilmucd  their  .strain  till  midnight,  with  great  exulting  and  rejoicing  as  we  were  af- 
terwards informed.  They  seeing  our  piaiKLrcsu'ddby  ihem  some  days  before,  conclu- 
ded u'c  were  afraid  of  them,  aud  durst  not  come  near  ihem,  the  burthen  of  their  song 
tending  to  that  purpo>e." 

"  In  the  morning,  (b'riday,  2lllh  of  May,)  we  awaking  and  seeing  it  very  light,  sup- 
ptjsing  it  had  been  day,  ami  so  we  might  iiave  lost  our  opportunity,  having  i)iirposeil 
to  make  our  assault  hei'ore  day,  roused  ihe  men  w  iih  all  expedition,  and  brie/ly  com- 
memled  ourselves  ami  design  to  God,  thinking  immediately  to  go  lo  the  assault.  The 
Indians  showed  us  a  path,  and  told  us  ihat  it  led  directly  to  the  fori.  AVe  held  on  our 
maich  about  two  miles,  wondering  that  we  came  not  to  the  fort,  and  fearing  we  might 
he  tleluded;  but  seeing  corn  newly  planted  at  the  toot  of  a  great  hill,  su|)posing  the 
iort  wa.^  not  far  oil',  a  champion  counlry  being  round  about  us;  then  making  a  stand, 
gave  the  word  for  some  of  the  Indians  to  come  uji;  at  length  Unkcs  and  one  WnjuosU 
appeared.  We  demanded  of  them.  Where  was  the  fort  ?  They  answered  on  the  lop 
of  thai  hill.  Then  we  demanded,  Where  were  llie  rest  of  the  Indians?  'I'hey  an- 
swered behind,  exceedingly  afraid.  We  wished  them  to  tell  the  rest  of  their  fellows, 
that  they  should  by  no  means  llv  Ijul  stand  ut  what  distance  they  jdeased,  and  see 
whether  Englishuieu  would  now  fight  or  not.  Then  Captain  Underbill  came  up,  who 
marched  in  the  rear;  and  commending  ourselves  lo  God,  we  divided  our  men,  there 
l)^•ing  two  entrances  into  the  fori,  intending  to  enter  both  at  once — Captain  Mason 
leading  up  to  that  on  the  northca.st  side,  who  approached  within  one  rod,  lieard  a 
dog  hark,  and  an  Indian  crying  Owaauxl  Owoiiux!  which  is  Englishmen  !  Eng- 
lishmen !  We  called  up  our  forces  with  all  expedition,  gave  fire  upon  them  through 
III.'  pallizado,  ihe  Indians  being  in  a  dead,  indeed  their  last  sleep.  Then  we  wheeling 
oil',  lell  upon  the  main  entrance,  which  was  blocked  up  with  bushes  about  breast  high, 
over  which  the  Captain  passeil,  intending  to  make  good  th(?  entrance,  encouraging  the 
rest  to  follow.  Lieuienant  Seeley  endeavored  lo  enter ;  but  being  somewhat  cumber- 
ed, stepped  back  and  pulled  out  ihe  bushc's  and  so  entered,  and  with  him  about  sixteen 
men.  We  had  formerly  concluded  to  destroy  them  by  the  swoul  and  save  the  plun- 
der." 

''  Whereupon  r:i|)iuiii  Mason  seeing  no  Indians,  entered  a  wigwam,  where  he  was 
liijsei  with  many  Iiuii.ins,  waiting  all  oppiirtuniiics  to  lay  hamls  on  hiin,  but  could  nut 
prevail.  At  leiigih  MV///rtw ////(/i^/i,  espying  ihe  breach  in  the  wigwam,  supposing 
some  English  might  be  there,  entered;  but  iii  his  entrance  fell  over  a  dead  Indian; 
but  speedily  recovering  himself,  ihe  Indians  some  lied,  others  crept  untier  iheir  beds. 
The  Caplaiii  going  out  of  the  wigwam,  saw  many  Indians  in  the  lane  or  street;  he 
making  towards  them,  they  lied,  were  pursued  lo  the  end  of  the  lane,  where  they  were 
meihy  I'^dward  PaHhiin,'  Vhoinan  /if/Arr,  with  some  others;  where  seven  oi'  them 
were  slain  as  they  said.  The  Captain  faciiigahoul,  marched  a  slow  pace  up  the  lane; 
he  came  down,  perceiving  himself  very  much  out  of  breath,  and  coming  lo  the  other 
end,  near  the  place  where  he  first  entered,  saw  two  sohlieis  standing  close  lo  Ihe  pali- 
sado,  with  their  swords  pointcil  to  the  giound  ;  ihe  Captain  told  them  that  we  should 
never  kill  them  after  this  manner.  The  Cafitain  also  said,  We  must  burn,  them  ;  and 
immediately  stepping  into  the  wigwam,  where  he  had  been  before,  brought  out  a  fire 
brand,  and  putting  it  into  the  mat^  wiih  which  they  were  covered,  set  the  wigwams 
on  lire.  Lieutenant  'J'lwmit^i  JJuil  aud  yicha/ns  Omstal  beholding,  came  up;  and 
when  il  was  tlioroimhiv  Icindled,  the  Indians  ran  as  men  most  dreadliilly  amazed." 

"  And  md.'cd  such  a'dieadful  terror  did  the  Almighty  let  fall  upon  their  spirits,  that 
they  would  llv  funn  us  ;ind  run  into  the  very  llanies,  where  many  of  ihem  perished. 
And  when  the  fort  was  thoroughly  fired,  command  was  given  that  all  should  fall  off 
ami  surround  the  fort ;  wlii(di  was  readily  attended  by  all,  only  one,  Arthur  Smith,  be- 
ing so  wounded  thnt  he  could  not  move  out  of  the  place,  who  was  happily  espied  by 
Lieutenant  Bull,  and  by  him  rescued.  The  fire  was  kindled  on  the  nnriheast  side 
to  the  windward  ;  which  did  swiftly  overrun  the  furt,  lo  the  extreme  amazement  of 
the  enemy,  and  great  lejoicing  of  ourselves.     Some  of  ihcm  climbing  lo  ilie  top  of 


(;  U  O  T  O  N 


315 


the  palizado:  others  of  them  running,'  into  llie  very  flames;  many  of  ihcni  phlheiing 
to  the  windward,  lay  pelting  at  us  with  tlieir  arrows;  and  we  repaid  them  witli  onr 
small  shot ;  otlicrs  of  the  stoutest  issued  lorlh,  as  we  did  guess,  to  the  number  ol  lorty, 
who  perished  by  the  sword." 

"  Wlial  J  have  formerly  said,  is  according  to  my  own  knowledge,  ti:eir  being  sull'i- 
cient  living  testimony  to  every  particular.  Hut  in  lelerence  to  Cayi.  UiiderhiU  and_ 
liis  panic's  acting  in'ihis  as.-<auit,  I  can  only  intimate  as  we  are  iiitoriried  by  some  of 
themselves  immediately  alter  the  light,  that  they  marched  up  in  the  eniianceiai  the 
southwest  siile  ;  there  they  made  some  pause  ;  a  valiant,  resolute  gentleman,  one  Mr. 
Hedge,  stepping  towards  the  giUe,  saying,  '  If  we  may  not  enter,  whereloie  came  we 
here'l'  and  immediately  endeavored  to  enter;  but  was  opposed  by  a  sturdy  Indian, 
which  dill  impede  his  eiiliauce  ;  but  the  Indian  being  slain  by  liimself  ami  yergeani 
Davis,  Mr.  Hedge  entered  the  ibrt  with  some  others  ;  but  the  fort  being  (Ui  hre,  the 

smoke  and  llames  were  so  violent  that  they  were  constrained  to  desert  the  fort 

Thus  were  they  now  at  tlieir  wit's  end,  who  not  many  hours  before  exalted  themselves 
in  their  great  pride,  threatening  and  resulviug  the  utter  ruin  and  desiiiiciioii  of  all  the 
Knglish,  exulting  and  rejoicing  willi  songs  and  dances  :  but  God  was  above  them,  who 
laughed  his  enemies  and  the  enemies  ui  his  people  to  scorn,  making  them  as  a  (iery 
oven.  Thus  were  the  stout-hearted  spoiled,  having  slept  their  last  sleep,  and  none  of 
their  men  could  find  their  hands.  Thus  did  the  Lmd  judge  among  the  lie.'ilhen,  lin- 
ing the  place  with  dead  bodies!  And  here  we  may  see  the  just  ju.lgment  of  Gu.l, 
in  sending  even  the  very  night  before  the  assault  one  hundred  and  fifty  men  from  tin; 
other  fort,  to  join  with  them  of  that  place,  who  were  designed  ns  suine  o(  themselves 
reported  to  go  Ibrih  against  the  English,  at  that  very  instant  when  this  heavy  stroke 
came  upon  them,  wheie  they  perished  with  their  fellows.  So  that  the  mischief  they 
intended  to  us,  came  upon  their  own  pate.  They  wt^fe  taken  in  their  own  snare,  and 
we  through  mercy  espaped.  And  thus  in  liltlc  more  than  uve  htvr's  fjjccr,  was  their 
impregnable  fort  with  themselves  utterly  destroyed,  to  the  number  of  six  or  seven 
hundred  as  some  of  them.selves  confessed.  There  were  only  seven  taken  captive,  and 
about  seven  escapeil.  Of  the  English  there  were  two  slain  outright,  and  alxnit  twenty 
wounded;  some  fainted  by  reason  of  the  sharpness  of  the  weather,  it  being  a  cool 
morning,  and  the  want  of  such  comforts  and  necessaries  as  are  needful  in  such  a  ras.-; 
especially  our  C/iirui\^coH  was  much  wanting,  whom  we  left  with  our  barks  in  JN'ai- 
raganseit  Hay,  who  had  orders  to  remain  until  the  night  belore  our  intended  assault. 
And  thereupon  grew  many  dilliculties ;  our  provision  and  munition  near  spent  ;  Wi- 
in  the  enemy's  country,  who  did  far  exceed  us  in  number,  being  much  enraged,  all  onr 
Indians  except  (JiiLns  deserting  ns;  our  pinnaces  at  a  great  distance  liniii  us,  and 
when  they  would  come  we  were  uncertain.  Hut  as  we  w  ere  eonsultiiig  u  h;ii  coin.- e 
to  take,  it  pleased  God  to  discover  our  vessels  to  us  before  a  fair  gale  ol  w  ii.d,  s.nliiig 
into  Peqiiot  Harbor,  to  our  great  rejoicing." 

"  We  had  no  sooner  discovered  our  vessels  but  immediatelv  came  up  il.t-  .;kuiv  fri^m 
the  e//i<T /arf—iliice  hundred  or  more  as  we  conceived.  Tlie  C'api.iin  hsl  i/iii  a  lllc 
or  two  of  men  to  skirmish  with  thcin,  chielly  to  try  what  temper  they  ueie  oI,  wlio 
put  them  to  a  stand  ;  we  being  much  encouraged  thereat,  presently  prcpaud  to  iLUudi 
towards  our  vessels.  Four  or  live  of  our  men  were  .so  wounded  that  they  must  Le 
carried  with  the  arms  of  twenty  more.  We  also  being  faint,  were  con.vtraiiied  to  put 
four  to  one  man,  with  the  arms  of  the  rest  that  were  wounded  to  others ;  so  that  we 
had  but  forty  men  free.  At  length  we  hired  several  Indians,  who  e;ised  us  of  that 
burthen,  in  carrying  ofT  our  wounded  men.  And  marching  about  one  quaiterof  a 
mile,  the  enemy  coming  U|»  to  the  place  where  the  fort  was,  and  beholding  what  wa.s 
done,  stamped  and  lore  the  hair  from  tlieir  heads;  and  after  a  little  space,  came 
mounting  down  tin- hill  upon  us,  in  a  full  career,  as  if  they  would  overrun  lis:  but 
when  they  came  within  shot,  the  rear  faced  about,  giving  lire  upon  ila-m  :  some  c/f 
them  being  shot,  made  the  rest  more  wary  ;  yet  they  held  on  running  to  and  fro,  and 
shooting  their  arrows  at  random.  There  was  at  the  foot  of  the  hill  a  small  brook, 
where  we  rested  and  refreshed  ourselves,  having  by  that  lime  taught  them  a  Huh- 
more  manners  than  to  disturb  us.  AVe  then  marched  on  towards  PeciUwl  Harbor,  and 
falling  upon  several  wigwams  burnt  them,  the  enemy  still  folluwing  us  in  ihc  rear, 
which  was  to  the  windward,  though  to  little  purpose  ;  yet  some  of  tin  in  lay  in  ambush, 
behind  rocks  and  trees,  often  shooting  at  us,  yet  through  mercy  touched  not  one  of  us; 
and  as  we  catrie  to  any  swamp  or  thicket,  we  made  some  shot  to  clear  the  passage. 
Some  of  them  fell  with  our  shot,  and  probably  more  might,  but  for  want  of  rnnuitiun  ; 
but  when  any  of  them  fell,  our  Indians  would  give  a  great  shout,  and  then  they  woiiKI 
take  so  much  cuurage  as  to  letch  theii  heads.  And  thus  we  continued  until  vse  came 
within  two  miles  of  Pequot  Flarbor  ;  where  the  enemy  gathered  togeihei  and  lelt  us, 
we  marching  lo  the  top  of  an  hill  adjoining  the  harbor,  with  our  colors  living,  having 
left  our  drum  at  the  place  of  our  rendezvous  the  night  before  ;  we  seeing  our  vessels 
there  riding  at  anchor,  to  our  great  rejoicing,  and  came  to  the  water  side;  we  sat  down 
in  quiet." 


/■ 


3  1(5  C  R  0  T  O  N  . 

Captain  Mason  and  tlie  Narragansett  Indians,  continued  their  march 
by  land  to  Connecticut  river,  where  tliey  arrived  on  Saturday  about 
sunset,  "  being  nobly  entertained  by  Lieutenant  Gardner  with  many 
great  guns." 

"  And  when  we  had  taken  order  for  the  safe  conduct  of  llic  Narra^'aiisrlt  Indi- 
ans, u'c  repaired  lo  the  place  of  oiir  alwde  ;  where  we  were  entertained  with  ^^nat 
triumph  and  rejoicing,',  and  praisinjc  God  for  his  goodness  lo  us,  in  succeedjn;,'  uiir 
Weak  endeav'ors,  in  crowning  ns  with  success,  and  restoring  of  iis  with  so  liiile  loss. 
Thus  was  God  seen  in  the  Mount,  crushing  his  pioud  enemies,  and  the  enemies  of  ]iis 
people  :  they  who  were  erewhile  a  terror  to  all  that  were  round  about  thern,  who  re- 
>;</lved  todestroy  all  the  Englisli  and  to  root  their  very  name  out  of  this  country,  should 
hy  such  weak  means,  even  scvenly-sevcn,  there  being  no  more  at  the  fort,  biing  the 
mischief  they  plotted,  and  the  violence  they  olfered  and  exercised,  upon  their  own 
lieads  in  a  moment ;  buriung  them  up  in  the  fiie  of  his  wralli,  and  dunging  the  ground 
wilh  their  Ik'sii." 

In  the  addition  given  by  Capt.  Mason  to  his  account,  "  bj'  way  of  comment,"  lie 
says,  "  our  commons  vi'ere  very  short,  there  being  a  general  scarcity  througliout  the 
Colony  of  all  sons  of  provisions,  it  being  upon  our  lirst  arrival  at  the  place.  We  had 
but  one  pint  af  stni/ii;  lii/nurs  among  us  in  our  whole  march,  but  what  the  wilderness 
aiforded,  (the  bottle  of  liquor  being  in  my  hand,)  and  when  it  Aras  empty  the  very 
Hmelling  to  the  bottle  would  presently  recover  such  as  had  fainted  away,  Avhich  hap- 
pened by  the  extremity  of  the  heat." "  I  still  remember  a  >-prc(h.  oj  Mr.  JLnikir, 

at  our  going  abroad,  that  they  'should  be  bread  for  ns.'  " "  1  shall  mention  two  or 

three  special  piovidences  that  God  was  pleaded  lo  vouchsafe  to  particular  men,  viz. 
two  men,  being  one  man's  servants,  namely  John  Dicr  and  'riunnus  S/i/cs,  were  both 
of  them  sh(ji  m  ihe  knots  ol'  their  handkerchiel's,  being  about  their  neck^,  and  receiv- 
ed no  huit,  Lienieiiant  Scelci/  was  shot  in  the  eyebrow  with  a  flat  headed  ariow,  the 
point  turning  downu  ards ;  I  nulled  it  out  myself  Lieutenant  Bull  hiid  an  arrow  shot 
into  a  hard  piece  ot  cheese,  having  no  oihe)-  defense  ;  which  may  verily  the  old  say- 
ing, '  A  little  armor  would  serve  if  u  man  knew  whcie  to  place  it.'  Many  such  pro- 
vidences happened;  some  respecting  myself,  but  since  there  is  nt/ne  that  witness  lo 
them,  1  shall  forbear  to  mention  them." 

Several  circumstances  (says  Dr.  Trumbull)  attending  this  enterprise 
were  much  noticed  by  the  soldiers  themselves,  -and  esjiecially  by  all 
tlui  |)ious  people.  It  was  considered  very  providential  that  the  army 
shoidd  march  nearly  forty  miles,  and  a  considerable  part  of  it  in  the  ene- 
my's country,  and  not  lie  discovered,  until  the  moment  they  were  ready 
to  commence  the  attack.  It  was  judged  remarkable,  that  the  vessels 
should  come  itito  the  harbor  at  the  very  hour  they  were  most  needed. 
Tlie  life  of  Capt.  Mason  was  very  singularly  preserved.  As  he  enter- 
ed a  wigwam  lor  (ire  to  burn  the  fort,  an  Indian  was  drawing  an  arrow 
to  the  very  head  and  would  have  killed  him  immediately,  but  Davis, 
one  of  his  sergeants,  cut  the  bow-string  with  his  cutlass,  and  prevented 
the  fatal  shot. 

"  Few  enterprises  have  been  achieved  with  more  personal  bravery  or 
good  conduct.  In  few  have  so  great  a  proportion  of  the  eflective  men 
of  a  whole  colony,  state,  or  nation,  been  put  to  so  great  and  immediate 
danger.  In  few  have  a  people  been  so  deeply  and  immediately  inter- 
ested, as  the  whole  colony  of  Connecticut  was  in  this,  in  that  uncommon 
crisis.  In  these  respects  even  the  great  armaments  and  battles  of  Eu- 
rope are  comparatively  of  little  importance.  In  this,  under  the  divine 
conduct,  by  seventy  seven  brave  men,  Connecticut  was  saved,  and  the 
most  warlike  and  terrible  nation  in  New  England  defeated  and  ruined. 

"  There  is  a  remnant  of  the  Pequots  still  existing.  They  live  in  the 
town  of  Groton,  and  amount  lo  forty  souls  in  all,  or  perhaps  a  few  more 
or  less;  but  do  not  vary  much   from  that  amount.     They  have  about 


C  R  O  T  O  N  , 


'M 


1100  acres  of  poor  land  reserved  to  tliem  in  Grolon,  on  wliich  lliey 
live.  They  are  more  mixed  than  the  INIoheagans  with  negro  and  white 
blood,  yet  are  a  distinct  tribe  and  still  retain  a  hatred  to  the  Moheagans. 
A  short  time  since,  I  had  an  opportunity  ol"  seeing  most  of  the  tribe  to- 
gether. They  are  more  vicious,  and  not  so  decent  or  so  good  looking 
a  jjcojile  as  the  Moheagans.  This  however  may  be  owing  to  their  be- 
ing more  mixed  with  other  blood.  It  is  very  rare  that  there  are  any 
intermarriages  with  either  of  the  tribes  to  each  other;  they  still,  as  far 
as  ciicumstances  admit,  letain  their  old  grudge.  The  most  common 
name  amongst  them  is  J)lutzcn  :  nearly  half  call  thui))selves  by  that 
surname."* 


jSuichtu^tcJii  View  oj    i'ui i  IJill,  iiroton. 


l'\)rt  Hill  is  situated  four  miles  east  from  Now  Lontlon,  ami  is  ron- 
d(;rcd  men)orabIe  on  account  o{  its  being  the  seat  of  the  roval  fortress 
of  Sassacus,  the  haughty  chieftain  of  the  Pequots.  The  buikling  seen 
on  the  summit  of  the  hill  is  the  Baptist  church  ;  the  other  building  seen 
to  the  south  is  the  residence  of  the  Rev.  IMr.  Burrows,  an  aged  ]>aptist 
clergyman,  who  has  resided  on  this  spot  from  his  childhood.  The  fort 
of  Sassacus  is  sup|)osed  to  have  stood  between  the  house  of  Mr.  B.  and 
the  church.  This  supposition  is  strongly  confirmed,  by  the  remains  of 
human  bones,  shells,  fish  bones  and  paiched  corn,  being  found  eighteen 
inches  below  the  surface,  JNIr.  l^urrows  states  that  he  found  a  quantity 
of  com  in  a  coal  state,  some  of  which  he  preserved  many  years  ;  he 
also  found  a  pipe  of  soft  stone,  with  abundance  of  arrow  heads,  is^c. 

"The  body  of  the  Petjuots,"  (says  Dr.  Trumbull,)  "returning  from 
the  pursuit  of  Cajjt.  Mason,  repaired  to  Sassacus,  at  the  royal  forti'css, 
and  related  the  doleful  story  of  tlieir  misli^rtunes.  They  charged  them 
all  to  his  haughtiness  and  misconduct,  and  threatened  him  and  his,  with 


•»  Cummnnicaiion  of  Wia.  1'.  Williams,  Esq.  in  1832. 
3d  series,  p.  134. 


IfiM.  Coll.  3d  vol. 


3. 13  LEBANON, 

immediate  destruction.  His  fiiends  and  chief  counselors  iiitei'ceded  for 
him  ;  and,  at  their  entreaty,  his  men  s()ared  his  hie.  Then,  upon  con- 
suUalion,  tiiey  concluded  that  they  could  not,  with  safety,  remain  any 
longer  in  the  country.  They  were  indeed  so  panic-struck,  that  burn- 
ing their  wigwams  and  desCroi/ing  their  J'urt,  they  fled  and  scattered 
into  various  parts  of  the  country.  Sassacus,  ]\Iononotto,  and  seventy 
or  eighty  of  their  chief  counselors  and  cliief  wairiors  look  iheir  route 
towards  Hudson  river," 

The  prospect  from  ]\Ir.  Burrows'  house  is  one  of  the  most  command- 
ing, beautiful  and  extensive  on  the  coast.  Among  the  various  objects 
to  be  viewed  from  this  site,  are  15  towns,  4  counties,  3  states,  :20  isl- 
ands, part  of  the  city  of  New  London,  the  whole  of  Stoningion  borough, 
Fort  Griswold  and  the  Monument,  and  7  light-houses,  with  rivers,  bays, 
&:c.  At  the  storming  of  Fort  Griswold  in  the  Revolutionary  war,  the 
women  and  children  in  the  vicinity  lied  to  this  place,  their  husbands  and 
fathers  having  hastened  to  the  fort  on  the  landing  of  the  enemy.  From 
I\Ir.  Burrows'  house  the  firing  of  each  gun  could  be  distinctly  seen.  It 
must  have  been  an  awful  moment  with  such  spectators,  one  of  fearful 
and  agonizing  suspense,  when  they  saw  those  whom  they  held  most  dear 
surrounded  by  an  infuriated  enemy,  amid  the  "roar  of  death,"  engaged 
in  murderous  strife  :  added  to  this,  the  conflagralion-of  New  London  be- 
yond, sending  upward  majestic  columns  of  smoke  and  flame,  must  have 
rendered  this  a  scene  of  indescribable  interest  and  fearful  sublimity. 


LEBANON 


LiiBANoN  is  bouniled  n.  by  Columbia,  k.  by  Wiiulhain  and  Franklin, 
w.  by  Colchester  and  Hebron,  and  southeast  by  Bozrah  antl  Fraiddin. 
The  average  length  irom  northeast  to  south we-^L  is  upwartis  of  7  miles, 
and  it  a\cragcs  about  the  same  distance  in  brcadlh.  The  surface  is  un- 
fVLMi,  bi'ini^  modt'iauily  iiilly.  The  soil  is  gtMierally  a  ricii,  deep,  mie- 
luous  mould,  nearly  ol"  a  chocolate  color,  i'erlile,  and  well  adapted  for 
grass.  Agriculture  is  almost  universally  the  business  ol"ihe  inhabitants. 
Theie  are  three  societies  in  the  town,  Lebanon,  Fxeier  and  Goshen,  in 
each  of  which  there  is  a  Congregational  church  ;  there  is  also  a  Baptist 
church  in  Lebanon,  or  the  first  society.  The  central  part. of  Lebanon, 
(seen  in  this  view,)  is  10  utiles  n.  w.  of  Norwich  city,  and  30  s.  e.  from 
Hart  lord. 

The  follow  ing  is  a  stnilh  view  of  the  Congregational  church,*  and  other 
buildings  in  the  vicinity,  in  the    first  society  in  Lebanon.     The  village 


♦  This  biiiUliiVL,^  w  liicli  i.s  uf  biiek,  stands  on  the  site  of  the  old  ineelinjj  liouse;  at 
the  ei'cctiDn  ol'  ihis  liousc  theie  was  a  great  controversy  and  division  ol'  the  society. 
It  appears  that  the  inajorily  ol"  tlie  society  wislied  to  liave  the  churcli  erected  3,00 
rods  north  of  its  preseni  hicaticin,  and  accordingly  it  was  decided  by  a  vote  oC  about 
two  thirds  of  the  society  to  take  down  the  old  house,  and  erect  a  new  one  at  t-lie  dis- 
tance mentioned.  The  workujen  having  assenibleti  to  lulvC  down  the  old  building,  the 
minority,  about  eighteen  in  number,  lesisted  the  aiiempl.  For  this  proceeding,  liiey 
were  lined  to  the  extent  of  the  law,  as  rioters;  this  was  in  1604.     This  added  fuel  to 


L  E  J;  A  N  0  N 


310 


Soiith  Ditto  of  the  Congrc''iUiuiuil  Church,  Ltbanon. 


is  prinnipally  s'iIlkiKmI  on  a  street  about  30  rods  broad  and  upwards  of 
a  mile  in  length.  Tlicre  were  formerly  more  bouses  on  this  street  than 
there  are  at  the  present  time,  there  having  been  a  tide  of  emigration 
■kept  up  frotn  this  town  since  the  llevolutionnry  war.  The  house,  a 
part  of  which  is  seen  on  the  extreme  left  of  the  engraving,  is  the  resi- 
dence of  \Vm.  T.  Williams,  J'ls(j.  a  son  of  the  signer  of  the  Declaration 
of  Independence.  This  house  is  situated  on  the  spot  where  Jonathan 
Trumbull,  the  patriotic  governor  of  Connecticut,  was  born.  The  house 
in  which  the  Governor  resided,  was  situated  on  the  spot  where  the  lirst 
bouse  north  of  i\Ir.  Williams's  now  stands.  The  house  of  the  (Gov- 
ernor is  still  in  existence,  being  removed  a  few  rods  north,  and  is  the 
bouse  seen  in  the  distance,  nearest  the  church. 

The  following  is  a  representation  of  (lov.  Trumbull's  house  and  (he 
old  "  War  Oj/ice,''^  so  called  ;  this  latter  building  is  seen  on  the  left, 
and  is  now  occupied  as  a  post  oflice  ;  the  projection  in  bont  is  a  modern 
addition.  This  was  the  building  in  which  Gov.  Trumbull  transacted 
his  public  business  during  the  Revolution.  In  those  days  traveling 
was  generally  perfoi'med  on  horseback  ;  the  marks  of  the  spurs  of  the 
horsemen,  expresses,  he.  are  still  seen  on  the  side  of  the  counter  on 
which  they  sat,  while  waiting  the  Governor's  orders.  The  Trumbull 
bouse  is  quite  an  ancient  building,  it  is  the  bouse  in  which  Colonel 
Trumbull,  the   painter,  was  born,  and  many  distinguished  personages 


ll\e  llama;  ihe  iiinjiiriiv  nimli'  ilwce  nld-uipls  before  ibey  were  nhlc  to  £;et  ilic  biiiliiinc. 
Al  tlii^  pciiiiil  paiiv  spirit  in-uil  to  a  i^u-.n  o.xtrut.  Cu\.  TiKlcii.  niu/ol'  the  ui:i|.uily, 
vns  reinov-e.l  liuni  ilie  ]>n]>]:r  ni',\.:v>  wliu-li  lie  li.'M,  on  acconni  ol  ilic  pa;i  l;e  \i<nk  in 
llie  conhdversy.  The  iii.^joi  iiv  erected  thepieNent  Baptist  chiii  eh,  al.oiit  iJiiO  loils 
north  of  lln;  hiiek  rhiireli.  IJ  ipli.-,t  cleri;-yinen  were  invited  into  the  phi^e  to  pu-ach 
for  (hem,  and  the  l!a|itis'.  soeiei\-  is  now  ilse  lar;,'esl  m  tlie  phue.  'i'he  J.e,;,'isl:;iure, 
who  favored  ihe  views  of  thi'  ininoiity,  t;i  niited  iliein  a  iolieiv,  m  ordei  to  eie.  t  a 
church.  Tlie  opposite  paitv  were  fully  oiihe  opinion  that  ti;e  Lc-islutitie  iinpiupeilj 
interfered  in  the  eonccrns  ul  the  society. 


'.m) 


I.  r:  H  A  N  o  i\  . 


"  JVar  Oj/lcc'"  and  Gov.  TmmbuWs  House,  Lebanon. 

Imve  been  within  its  walls.  Gen.  Washington,  Dr.  Franklin,  Jeficr- 
son,  Rochambeaii  and  La  Fayette,  have  all,  it  is  helieveci,  been  lodged 
ill  this  house.  The  Governor  generally  had  a  guard  of  about  hall  a 
do/en  men  to  protect  his  ]K'rson,  as  ther(3  was  some  danger  at  that  pe- 
riod of  being  seized  in  the  night  season  and  carried  off  to  the  enemy. 
Some  alarm  was  caused  at  one  time  by  a  tra\'eler  coming  into  the  iiouse, 
in  the  garb  of  a  beggar,  and  insisting  upon  seeing  the  Governor,  who 
at  that  time  was  unwell.  JMrs.  Hyde,  his  housekeeper,  not  liking  his 
appearance  and  actions,  seizing  the  shovel  and  tongs,  drove  him  out  of 
the  house,  and  called  the  guard,  who  cau)e  to  her  assistance,  but  the 
beggar  was  no  where  to  be  found. 

This  town  rendered  most  eliicient  aid  to  the  American  cause  during 
the  Revolution  ;  upwards  ol' 500  men  from  this  town  alone  (which  then 
included  Columbia  and  a  small  part  of  Hebron)  were  in  the  army  at 
one  time. — De.  Lauzun's  legion,  consisting  of  about  500  horsemen,  win- 
tered here  ;  their  encampment  was  a  little  west  of  the  church.  Jiocham- 
bi'au  with  five  regiments  stayed  here  about  thrt.'e  weeks,  and  while  here 
Gen.  Washington  arrived,  stayed  three  days,  and  revieweil  the  French 
troops,  who  were  under  the  most  peifect  disci[)line.  AVhile  the  I''rench 
were  here  one  of  their  numbej-  was  shot  lor  desertion.  The  court  mar- 
tial was  held  in  the  guard  house,  after  9  o'clock  at  night,  and  the  soldier 
executed  before  day.  It  is  supposed  that  they  were  fearful,  that  if  Gov. 
Trumbull  came  to  the  knowledge  of  the  soldier's  being  condemned  to 
death,  he  would  endeavor  to  save  his  life. 

The  town  of  L(;banon  originally  consisted  of  a  number  of  pieces  of 
land,  purchased  by  diirerent  persons  at  dilferent  times,  but  afterwards 
united  into  one  town.  There  were  four  proprieties  ;  the  first  was  a  pur- 
chase of  five  miles  in  length  and  three  in  width,  extending  froin  Wind- 
ham line  on  the  northeast  part,  southwesterly  to  the  bounds  of  Hebron 
and  Colchester.  This  tract  was  purchased  of  Owanecho,  sachem  of 
the  IMohegans.  The  grant  was  dated  1G98,  and  is  called  the  five  mile 
purchase.  The  second  [)ropriety  was  a  tract  of  five  miles  in  length 
and  one  in  breadth,  l\ing  south  and  adjoining  the  five  mile  i)urcl)ase. 
It  was  a  grant  made  by  Owanecho  to  the  Rev.  ]\Ir.  Fitch   and  the  fa- 


I.  K  B  A  N  0  N.  3-2  1 

mous  Major  John  Mason.  This  grant  was  made  in  1G95.  The  third 
propi'iety  was  called  the  Clark  and  Dewey  purchase,  from  the  names 
of  the  first  owners  and  settlers.  This  tract  was  obtained  in  1106}  it 
was  of  a  triangular  form,  leaving  a  small  gore  between  the  five  mile 
purchase  and  the  Windham  bounds.  This  gore  was  the  fourth  pro- 
priety. It  was  about  half  a  mile  in  length,  and  from  ten  to  two  hun- 
dred rods  in  width,  and  called  the  Whiting  purchase. 

These  different  tracts  of  land  were  united  by  agreement  among  the 
planters,  about  the  year  1700.  The  settlers  on  the  one  mile  propriety 
wished,  for  the  convenience  of  public  worship,  to  join  those  of  the  five 
mile  purchase,  and  it  was  agreed  that  the  meeting  house  shouhJ  be  pla- 
ced on  the  center  line  of  the  two  tracts,  north  and  south  ;  other  parts 
of  the  town  also  united  with  them.  The  first  clergyman  ordained  in 
the  town  was  the  Rev.  Joseph  Parsons,  who  was  ordained  or  installed 
here  in  November,  1700. 


"  Jonathan  Tnimhull,  governor  of  Connecticut,  was  a  descendant 
from  the  early  settlers  of  New  England.  Two  brothers  of  the  name 
came  from  the  west  of  England  into  the  IMassachusetts  colony.  The 
one  fixed  at  Charlestown,  the  other  at  Ipswich.  The  father  of  Gov, 
Trumbull  was  a  substantial  farmer,  in  the  town  of  Lebanon,  Conn. 
When  he  was  a  young  man  he  went  to  this  j-)lace,  and  was  one  of  the 
■first  settlers,  in  tlie  year  1700.  He  emigrated  fiom  Westfield  in  the 
county  of  Hampshire,  where  his  father  had  removed  from  Ipswich,  who 
was  among  the  most  respectable  of  the  yeomanry.  The  Governor  was 
born  at  Lebanon,  in  1710.  In  the  year  1723,  he  entered  Harvard  Col- 
lege. He  early  discovered  fine  talents  and  a  most  amiable  disposition. 
He  was  a  modest,  ingenuous  youth,  very  bashful  when  he  first  entered 
college,  owing  to  his  tender  years,  as  well  as  retired  situation  ;  but  he 
was  much  beloved  by  his  classmates,  and  when  he  took  his  degree,  one 
of  the  finest  scholars,  with  such  accomi)lishment3  as  qualified  iiim  to  be 
useful,  as  well  as  to  make  the  most  conspicuous  figure.  He  was  fond 
of  the  study  of  divinity,  and  for  some  years  was  a  preacher  of  the  gospel ; 
he  then  turned  his  attention  to  jurisprudence,  and  soon  became  an  emi- 
nent civilian.  It  is  an  observation  of  Mr.  Hutchinson,  '  that  many  of 
the  first  characters  in  Massachusetts,  were  at  first  probationers  for  the 
ministry,  and  afterwards  made  a  figure  at  the  bar,  or  in  the  legislative  or 
executive  courts  of  the  province.'  We  recollect  the  names  of  Stougli- 
ton,  Read,  (iridley,  and  judge  Stephen  Sewall.  That  gentleman  adds, 
when  persons  have  been  ordained,  they  ought  '  to  have  very  special 
reasons  to  leave  the  profession  for  a  civil  employment.'  We  have  seen 
an  instance  of  this  in  Gov.  Saltonstall,  wliere  the  public  was  much  bene- 
fitted. 

"  Gov.  Trumbull  was  employed  in  many  civil  ofBces,  all  of  which  he 
executed  with  great  fidelity,  and  grew  in  the  esteem  of  the  people  as 
he  advanced  in  years.  He  was  an  active  man  in  public  life  51  years, 
15  of  which  he  was  governor  of  Connecticut  colony.  When  he  first 
went  into  this  office  it  required  a  man  of  prudence,  firmness,  consistency 
and  ability  to  manage  affairs.     A  good  pilot  is  necessary  for  every  bark 

41 


322  L  K  U  A  N  O  N  . 

which  sails  on  the  tempestuous  sea.  In  Connecticut  the  appearance 
was  more  tranquil  than  the  neighboring  province,  but  the  clouds  were 
gathering  which  soon  darkened  the  face  of  the  country.  Gov.  Trum- 
bull saw  the  storm  hurst  upon  INIassachusetts  in  1775  ;  he  lived  to  see 
the  auspicious  day,  also,  when  his  country  enjoyed  the  blessings  of 
peace,  and  the  glory  of  her  independence.  No  man  could  guide  tlie 
vessel  of  state  with  more  care.  No  man  ever  loved  his  country  more. 
During  the  whole  American  war,  he  showed  himself  the  honest  and  un- 
shaken patriot,  the  wise  and  able  n)aglstrale.  In  an  excellent  speech 
he  made  to  the  General  Assembly,  October,  1783,  he  thus  expressed 
himself,  '  I  have  to  request  the  favor  of  you,  gentlemen,  and  through 
you  of  all  the  freemen  of  the  state,  that  after  May  next,  I  may  be  ex- 
cused from  any  further  service  in  public  lii'e,  and  from  this  lime  I  may 
no  longer  be  considered  as  an  object  for  your  suffrages  for  any  public 
employment.  The  reasonableness  of  the  request  1  am  persuaded  will 
be  questioned  by  no  one.  The  length  of  time  I  have  devoted  to  their 
service,  with  my  declining  state  of  vigor  and  activity,  will  I  please  my- 
self form  forme  a  sufficient  and  unfailing  excuse  with  my  fellow  citizens.' 

"This  excellent  nvan  cle|)arted  this  life  on  the  17lh  (?)  of  August, 
1785,  at  his  seat  in  Lebanon,  in  the  75ih  }ear  of  his  age.  His  father 
had  lived  the  same  number  of  years. 

"  Gov.  Trumbull  made  a  great  collection  of  papers,  manuscripts,  he. 
which  were  ])resented  by  tlie  family  to  the  iNlassachusetls  Historical  So- 
ciety ;  several  of  them  have  been  printed  in  the  volumes  of  their  col- 
lecti 


ions. 


'# 


Jonathan  Trumbull,  LL.  D.,  a  son  of  the  preceding  governor,  was 
educated  at  Harvard  College,  "  where  he  graduated,  having  gone 
through  with  the  usual  course  of  collegiate  studies  with  unusual  repu- 
tation. In  1775,  at  the  commencement  of  the  Revolutionary  war,  he 
was  appointed  by  Congress  paymaster  in  the  northern  department,  and 
soon  after  secretary  and  aid  to  General  Washington.  He  was  for  sev- 
eral years  a  member  of  the  State  legislature,  and  Speaker  of  the  House. 
In  1790,  he  was  chosen  a  representative  in  Congress  from  this  State; 
and  in  1791,  he  was  appointed  Speaker  of  the  House  of  Representa- 
tives, in  which  situation  ho  continued  until  1791,  when  he  was  elected 
a  Senator  in  the  Senate  of  the  United  States.  In  179G,  hewaschosen 
by  the  freemen  lieutenant  governor  of  the  Slate,  and  in  1798,  governor. 
He  was  annually  re-elected  to  this  office  for  eleven  years  in  succession, 
and  until  his  death,  in  1809.  He  was  69  years  of  age.  Governor 
Trumbull  was  a  man  of  handsome  talents,  of  very  respectable  acquire- 
ments, of  amiable  manners,  and  was  distinguishecl  for  his  social  virtues. 
The  confidence  of  his  fellow  citizens,  which  he  so  long  enjoyed  in  a 
very  eminent  degree,  affords  the  most  satisfactory  evidence  of  his  talents 
and  virtues."! 

Guilford  Dudley  Young  was  a  native  of  this  town.  In  the  last  war 
with  Great  Britain,  he  was  a  major,  and  afterwards  a  colonel  in  the 
U.  S.  army.     On  the  23d  of  October,  1812,  with  a  small  detachment 


Elliot's  Biographical  Dictionary.  t  Pease  and  Niles'  Gazclleei 


LEBANON.  323 

of  militia,  Major  Young  surprised  a  party  of  the  enemy  at  St.  Regis, 
captured  the  two  captains,  1  lieutenant,  2  sergeants,  35  privates,  and 
brought  off  one  stand  of  colors,  the  first  taken  from  the  enemy  during 
the  war.  This  officer,  after  the  war,  entered  the  Patriot  service,  under 
Cen.  Mina,  and  lost  his  life  in  the  struggle  for  Mexican  independence, 
in  1817.  The  Patriots,  269  in  numher,  had  possession  of  a  sniall  fort, 
which  was  invested  by  a  Royalist  force  of  3500  men.  The  supplies 
of  provision  and  water  being  cut  oft^  tlie  sufferings  of  the  garrison,  and 
women  and  cliildren  in  the  fort,  became  intolerable;  many  of  the 
soldiers  deserted,  so  that  not  more  than  150  effective  men  remained. 
Colonel  Young,  however,  knowing  the  perfidy  of  the  enen)y,  determined 
to  defend  tlie  fort  to  the  last.  After  having  bravely  defeated  the  enemy 
in  a  number  of  their  endeavors  to  carry  the  fort  by  storm.  Col.  Young 
was  killed  by  a  cannon  shot  from  the  battery  raised  against  the  fort. 

'I  On  the  enemy's  last  retreat,  the  Colonel,  anxious  to  observe  all 
tbeir  movements,  fearlessly  exposed  his  person,  by  stepping  on  a  large 
stone  on  the  ramparts;  and,  while  conversing  with  Dr.  Hennessey  on 
the  successes  of  the  day,  and  on  the  dastardly  conduct  of  the  enemy, 
the  last  shot  that  was  fired  from  their  battery  carried  off  his  head. 
Colonel  Young  was  an  officer  whom,  next  to  Mina,  the  American  part 
of  the  division  had  been  accustomed  to  respect  and  admire.  In  every 
action,  he  had  been  conspicuous  for  his  daring  courage  and  skill.  Mina 
reposed  unbounded  confidence  in  him.  In  the  hour  of  danger  be  was 
collected,  gave  his  orders  with  precision,  and,  sword  in  hand,  was  always 
in  the  hottest  of  the  combat.  Honor  and  firmness  marked  all  his  actions. 
He  was  generous  in  the  extreme,  and  endured  privations  with  a  cheer- 
fulness superior  to  that  of  any  other  officer  in  the  division.  He  had 
been  in  the  United  States'  service,  as  lieutenant  colonel  of  the  twenty 
ninth  regiment  of  infantry.  His  body  was  interred  by  the  few  Ameri- 
cans who  could  be  spared  from  duty,  with  every  possible  mark  of  honor 
and  respect ;  and  the  general  gloom  which  pervaded  the  division  on 
this  occasion,  was  the  sincerest  tribute  that  could  be  offered  by  them  to 
tlie  memory  of  their  brave  chief."* 


The  Rev.  James  Fitch,  the  first  minister  in  Norwich,  died  at  Leba- 
non, in  the  80th  year  of  bis  age.  It  appears  that  there  were  two 
brothers,  Thomas  and  James  Fitch,  or,  in  the  ancient  way  of  writing 
the  name,  Fytche,  who  came  from  Rocking  in  the  county  of  Essex, 
England,  to  America,  in  1638.  Thomas  settled  at  Norwalk,  and  was 
father  of  Thomas  Fitch,  governor  of  the  colony  of  Connecticut.  Tlie 
Rev.  James  Fitch  married  for  his  first  wife  a  daughter  of  the  Rev. 
Henry  Whitfield,  of  Guilford.  His  second  wife  was  Priscilla  Mason, 
daughter  of  Major  John  Mason,  the  celebrated  commander  of  the  expe- 
dition against  the  Pequots.f  By  his  two  wives  he  had  fourteen  chil- 
dren ;  all  except  one  lived  to  have  families  of  children.  His  history  and 
character  are  given  in  the  inscription  on  his  monument,  in  the  Lebanon 
burying  ground,  viz. 

*  Robinson's  Mexican  Revolution. 

t  Aldeii's  Co'leciion  of  Epiiaiihs,  >Scc.  -Itli  vohime. 


324 


L  E  15  A  N  O  N 


In  hoc  Sepulcliro  ileposiia-!  sunt  Rcliquia-  Viri  vere  Reverendi  D.  Jacodi  Fitch;  na- 
tus  fuit  apiui  Boking:,  in  Comiialu  Essexia;,  in  Anj,'lia,  Anno  Domini  1<)'J2,  Decern.  ii4. 
Q.ui,  postquam  Linguis  literaiis  opiiine  instrucius  luissei,  in  Nov-Angliam  venit,  jEtale 
l(j;  el  deinde  Vitain  degrit,  Ha  it  lord  in?,  per  Septennium,  sub  Insiniclione  Viiornm 
celeberriinoruni  D.  ILkiklu  Ot  D.  Stonk.  Postea  Mnnere  paslurali  i'liiicliis  esl  apud 
Say-Brook  per  Anno.s  14.  Jllinc  cum  Ecclesiae  majon  Parte  Norvictini  migravit;  el 
ibi  caMeros  Vila3  Annos  iransegit  in  Opere  Evangelico.  In  Seneciuie,  vero  piaj  Toi- 
poris  infirmitate  necessarie  tes^abit  ab  Opere  publico;  landemque  reccssit  Liberis, 
apud  Lebanon;  ubi  Seinianno  lere  exacio  obdormivjt  in  Jesu,  Anno  1702,  Novembris 
18,  /Elat.  HI). 

Vir  Ingenii  Acnmine,  Pondere  Judicii,  Prudentia,  Chariiate,  Sanctis  Laboribus,  et 
omni  moda  Vitae  .sanclilate,  Peritia  quoque  et  Vi  concionandi  nulii  secundus. 

Which  may  be  rendered  into  English  in  the  following  manner. 

In  this  grave  are  deposited  the  remains  of  that  trul}-  reverend  man,  Mr.  James 
FiTcn.  He  was  born  at  Buking,  in  the  connly  of  Essex,  in  England,  the  21lh  of 
December,  in  liie  year  of  our  Lonrj  IG22.  Who,  after  he  had  been  most  cxcelleniiy 
taught  the  learned  languages,  came  into  New  England,  at  the  age  of  sixteen  ;  and 
then  spent  seven  years  under  the  instruction  of  those  very  famous  men,  Mr.  Hooker 
and  Mr.  Stone.  Afterwanls,  he  discharged  tlie  pastoral  oilice,  I'ourtccn  years  at  Say- 
brook.  Thence  he  removed,  witli  the  major  part  of  his  church,  to  Norwich;  where 
he  spent  the  other  years  of  his  liie  in  the  work  of  the  gospel.  In  his  old  age,  indeed, 
he  was  obliged  to  cease  from  his  public  labors,  by  rea.son  of  bodily  indisposition  ;  and 
at  length  retired  to  his  children  at  Lebanon  ;  where,  after  spending  neaily  half  a  year, 
Jie  slept  in  Jesus,  in  the  year  1702,  on  the  iBtli  day  of  November,  in  the  SOih  year  of 
liis  age. 

He  was  a  man,  as  to  the  smartness  of  his  genius,  the  soliililv  of  his  judgment,  his 
charity,  holy  labors,  and  every  kind  of  jnuity  ol  life,  and  also  as  lo  hi-  sl<ill  and  energy 
of  preaching,  inferior  tu  none. 


Tomb  of  the  Trumbull  famihj,  Lebanon. 

It  is  believed  that  no  cemetery  in  this  country  contains  the  ashes 
of  moi'e  Revolutionary  worthies  tlian  the  above.  The  reinains  of  two 
governors,  one  commissary  general,  and  a  signer  of  the  Declaration  of 
Independence,  are  deposited  within  its  walls.  The  following  inscrip- 
tions are  on  the  pedestal  standing  on  the  tomb. 

Sacred  to  the  memory  of  Jonathan  Trumbull,  Esq.  who  unaided  by  birth  or  power- 
ful connexions,  but  blessed  with  a  noble  and  virtuous  mind,  armed  lo  the  highest  sta- 
tion in  government.     His  pairioiism  and  firmness  during  50  years  employment  in 


L  E  D  y  A  R  D  .  023 

public  life,  and  particularly  in  the  very  imoprtant  part  he  acted  in  the  American  Rev- 
olution, as  Governor  of  Connecticut;  the  faithful  page  of  History  will  recoid. 

Full  of  years  and  honors,  rich  in  benevolence,  and  hrni  in  the  luith  and  hopes  of 
Christianity,  he  died  August  9th,  1785,  iEiatis  75. 


Sacred  to  the  memory  of  Madam  Faith  Trumbull,  the  amiable  lady  of  Gov.  Trum- 
bull, born  at  Duxbury,  Mass.  A.  D.  1718.  Happy  and  beloved  in  her  connubial  stale, 
she  lived  a  virtuous,  charitable,  and  Christian  lile  at  Lebanon,  in  Connecticut;  and 
died  lamented  Liy  numeious  friends,  A.  D.  17siO,  aged  G'2  years. 

Sacred  to  the  memory  of  Joseph  Trumbull,  eldest  son  of  Governor  Trumbull,  and 
first  Commissary  Geiil.  of  the  United  States  of  America.  A  service  to  whose  jierpet- 
iial  cares  and  fatigues  he  fell  a  sacrifice,  A.  D.  177H,  All.  42.  Full  soon  iiidecd  may 
his  person,  his  virtues,  and  even  his  extensive  Benevolence  be  forgotten  by  his  friends 
and  fellow  men.  But  blessed  be  God!  lor  the  Hope  that  in  his  presence  lie  shall  be 
remembered  forever. 

To  the  memory  of  Jonathan  Trumbull,  Esq.  late  Governor  o1  the  State  of  Connec- 
ticut. He  was  born  March  QOlh,  ITIO,  and  died  Aug.  7ili,  lb09,  aged  til)  years.  His 
remains  were  deposited  with  those  of  his  Father. 


This  in.scriptioii  i.s  on  a  mai'ble  nionument,  standing  in  front  of  llie 
tomb. 

The  remains  of  the  Hoiio.  William  Williams  are  deposited  in  this  Tomb:  b(jrn 
April  8th,  1731:  died  the  2(1  of  Aug.  iHii,  in  the  Hist  year  of  his  age,  a  man  eminent 
lor  his  virtues  ami  Piety, — for  more  tlian  50  years  he  was  constantly  employed  in 
Public  Life,  and  served  in  many  ol'  the  most  important  offices  in  the  gift  ol  liis  fellow 
citizens.  During  the  whole  period  of  the  Revolutionary  war,  he  was  a  linn,  steady, 
and  ardent  liicnd  of  his  countiy,  and  in  the  darkest  times  risked  his  lile  and  wealth 
in  her  ilefense.  In  177(j  and  1777,  he  was  a  member  of  the  American  Congress,  and 
as  such  signed  the  Declaration  of  Iniiepenileiice.  His  public  ami  private'  virtues,  his 
piety  and  benevolence,  will  long  eiideai  his  memory  to  his  surviving  liiends, — above 
all,  he  was  a  sincere  Chiisiian,  and  in  his  lust  momcijts  placed  his  hojic  with  humble 
confidence  in  hi^  Redeemer.  He  had  the  inexpressible  saiislactiun  to  look  Lack-  ujiuii 
a  long,  honoiable,  and  well  spent  lile. 


nea.ler, 
as  thou  iias.spv.l,  drop  a  tear  to  the  memory  of  the  once  eminent  Academic  Instructor 
yiUhaa  Tisilalc,  a  lover  of  Science.  He  mai  kcd  the  road  to  useful  knou  ledge.  A 
friend  to  his  country,  he  inspired  the  llamc  of  Palri(<lism.  A  lover  of  lib.ityand 
Religion,  he  tnuLdii  others  lo  love  Liberty  and  aspire  to  a  happy  immorialii}'.  f  laving 
tievotcil  his  whole  lile  fr*iin  the  KSih  year  of  his  ag<',  lo  llie  duties  of  hisjuoli'ssmn, 
u  hicli  he  lollowed  with  lll.^tillgulshed  Usefulness  lo  Society,  he  died  Jan'y  5th,  17^7,  in 
the  5tJih  year  of  Ins  age. 


LEDYARD. 


IjEdyard,  formerly  North  Groton,  the  north  part  of  Groton,  was  in- 
corporated as  a  town  in  1836.  .It  is  about  six  miles  square,  bomided 
N.  by  Preston,  e.  by  North  Stonington  and  Stonington,  s.  by  Groton, 
and  w.  by  Thames  river,  separating  it  from  JMontville.  The  central 
part  of  the  town  is  7^  miles  from  New  London,  and  7i  from  Norwich. 
It  is  estimated  that  the  population  is  about  2,000.  The  inhabitants  are 
principally  farmers.  The  principal  village  in  the  town,  is  at  Gale's  ferry, 
which  may  consist  of  about  thirty  dwelling  houses,  and  is  about  7  miles 
from  New  London.  Aremnant  of  the  Pequot  tribe,  consisting  of  about 
twenty  persons,  still  remain  in  the  northeast  section  of  the  town. 

This  town  derived  its  name  from  Col.  Lcdyard,and  his  relative,  John 
Ledyard,  the  celebrated  traveler,  who  was  a  native  of  Groton,  which  at 


326  L  E  D  Y  A  R  r> . 

that  time  included  this  town  witliin  its  limits.     The  following  account 
of  his  life  is  from  Allen's  American  Biographical  Dictionary. 

"  John  Ledijard,  a  distinguished  traveler,  was  a  native  of  Groton  in 
Connecticut.  His  father  died  while  he  was  yet  a  child,  and  he  was 
left  under  the  care  of  a  relative  in  Hartford.  Here  he  enjoyed  the  ad- 
vantages of  a  grammar  school.  After  the  death  of  his  patron,  when  he 
was  eighteen  years  of  age,  he  was  left  to  follow  his  own  inclinations. 
With  a  view  to  the  study  of  divinity  he  now  passed  a  short  lime  in 
Dartmouth  College  in  New  Hampshire,  where  he  had  an  opportunity 
of  learning  the  manners  of  the  Indians,  as  there  was  a  number  of  Indian 
pupils  in  the  seminary.  His  acquaintance  with  the  savage  character 
gained  in  this  place,  was  of  no  little  advantage  to  him  in  the  future  pe- 
riods of  his  life.  His  poverty  obliging  him  to  withdraw  fiom  the  Col- 
lege before  he  had  completed  his  education,  and  not  having  a  shilling 
in  his  pocket  to  defray  the  expense  of  a  journey  to  Hartford,  he  built 
him  a  canoe,  fifty  feet  in  length,  and  three  in  breadth,  and  being  gen- 
erously supplied  with  some  dried  venison  for  his  sea  stores,  he  em- 
barked upon  the  Connecticut,  and  going  down  that  river,  which  is  in 
many  places  rapid,  and  with  which  he  was  totally  unacquainted,  he  ar- 
rived safely  at  Hartford,  at  the  distance  of  one  hundred  and  forty  miles. 

"  He  soon  went  to  New  York,  and  suiled  for  Loiulori  in  1771,  as  a  common  sailor. 
When  Captain  Cook  saileel  on  his  third  voyage  of  discing  ry,  Ledyard,  who  Cell  an 
irresislible  deaire  lo  e.\'|)iore  ihose  rej^'ions  of  Ihe  j,'lobe  uliich  were  yet  undiscc^vered 
or  irnperleclly  known,  accejued  the  humble  station  of  corporal  of  marines,  rather  than 
forego  an  o|)poriiinily  so  inviting  lo  his  inc|iiisiiive  and  adventurous  sfdrii.  lie  was 
a  favorite  of  the  illustrious  navigator,  and  was  one  of  the  witnesses  of  his  tragical  end 
in  1778.  He  surprised  iiis  friends  in  America,  who  had  iieard  nothing  of  him  for  ten 
years,  by  a  visit  in  1781.  Having  otTered  his  services  lo  several  merchants  lo  conduct 
a  tr.'iding  voyage  to  the  northwot  coast  and  meeting  with  no  encouragement,  he 
again  embarked  for  England  in  1782.  He  now  resolved  to  traverse  the  continent  of 
America  from  the  northwesl  coast,  which  Cook  had  partly  exploied,  to  the  eastern 
coast,  with  which  he  was  already  perfectly  familiar.  Disappointed  in  his  intention  of 
hailing  on  a  voyage  of  commercial  adventure  lo  iS'ootka  sound,  he  passed  the  British 
channel  to  0.^tend,  with  only  ten  guineas  in  hi.s  jiurse,  determined  to  travel  civer  land 
to  Kamsthaika,  whenceilu-  passage  is  short  to  the  western  coast  of  America.  AVhen  he 
came  to  the  gulf  of  liothnia,  he  atieinptcd  lo  cro.ss  the  ice,  that  he  might  reach  Kam- 
schatka  by  the  shortest  way  ;  but  tindiiig  that  the  water  was  not  frozen  in  the  middle, 
he  returned  to  Stockholm.  He  then  traveled  northward  into  the  arctic  circle;  and 
passing  round  the  head  of  the  gulf,  descended  on  its  eastern  side  to  Peter.sbnigh. 
There  his  e.Nlraordinary  api)earance  attracted  general  notice.  Without  stockings  or 
shoes,  and  too  poor  to  provide  himself  with  either,  he  was  invited  to  dine  with  the 
Portuguese  ambassador,  wlio  su[iplied  him  with  twenty  guineas  on  the  credit  of  Sir 
Joseph  Banks.  Through  his  interest,  he  also  obtained  permission  lo  accompany  a 
detachment  of  stores,  which  was  to  be  sent  to  Yakutz  for  the  use  of  Mr.  Billings,  an 
Englishman,  who  was  intrusted  with  the  schemes  of  northern  discovery,  in  which 
the  Empress  was  then  engaged.  From  Yakutz,  which  is  situated  in  Siberia,  six  thou- 
sand miles  east  of  Petersbiirgh,  he  proceeded  to  Oczakow,  or  Ochoisk,  on  the  Kam- 
schaikan  sea;  but  as  the  navigation  was  completely  obstructed  by  ice,  he  returned  to 
Yakutz,  intending  to  wait  lor  the  conclusion  of  the  winter.  Here,  in  consequence  of 
some  unaccountalJle  suspicion,  he  was  seized  in  the  name  of  the  Empress  by  two  Rus- 
sian soldiers,  wlio  conveyed  him,  in  the  depth  of  winter,  through  the  north  of  Tarlary 
to  the  frontier  of  the  Polish  dominions,  assuring  him  at  their  departure,  that  if  he  re- 
turned to  Prussia,  he  shoukl  certainly  be  hanged,  but  if  he  chose  lo  return  lo  England, 
thev  wished  him  a  pleasant  journey.  Poor,  forlorn,  and  friendless,  covered  with  rags, 
and  exhausted  by  fatigue,  disease  and  misery,  he  proceeded  to  Konigsberg,  where  the 
interest  of  Sir  Joseph  iianks  enabled  him  to  procure  tlie  sum  of  hve  guineas,  by  means 
of  which  he  arrived  in  England. 

"  He  immediately  waited  on  Sir  Joseph,  who  recommended  him  to  an  adventure  as 
perilous  as  that  fro.m  which  he  had  just  returned.     He  now  was  informed  of  the  views 


L  E  D  Y  A  R  D  .  327 

of  the  association,  which  had  been  lately  formeJ  for  promoting  the  discoverj'  of  the 
interior  iiarts  of  Africa,  which  weie  then  little  known.  Sparrman.Paterson  and  Vail- 
lani  had  traveled  into  Calliaria,  and  Norden  and  Bruce  had  enlarged  the  acquaint- 
ance of  Europeans  uilh  Egypt,  Nubia  and  Abyssinia.  In  regard  toother  parts  of 
this  quarter  of  the  gh^be,  its  geography,  excepting  in  relation  to  its  coasts,  wa>  in- 
volved in  darkness  Ledyard  engaged  with  enthusiasm  in  nn  enterprise  which  lie 
had  already  prujccled  for  himself:  and  receiving  from  Sir  Joseph  a  letter  of  intro- 
duction to  one  of  the  members  of  the  committee  appointed  to  direct  the  business,  and 
promote  the  object  of  the  association,  he  went  to  him  without  delay.  The  descrip- 
tion which  that  gentleman  lias  given  of  his  first  interview,  strongly  marks  the  charac- 
ter of  this  hardy  traveler.  '  Before  I  had  learned,'  says  he,  '  from  the  note  tlie  name 
and  business  of  my  visitor,  I  was  struck  with  the  manliness  of  his  person,  the  breadth 
of  his  chest,  the  openness  of  his  countenance,  and  the  inquietude  of  his  eye.  I  spread 
the  map  of  Africa  belbre  him,  and  tracing  a  line  from  Cairo  to  Sennaar,  and  from 
ihence  westward  in  the  latitude  ami  supposed  direction  of  the  JN'iger,  I  told  liiin  that 
was  the  route,  by  which  I  was  an.xious  ihat  Alrica  might,  if  possible  be  explored.  He 
said,  he  should  iliiiik  himself  singularly  iDrluiiatc  to  be  entrusted  with  the  adventure. 
I  asked  him  when  he  would  set  out  ?     To-morrow  morning,  was  his  answer.' 

"From  such  zeal,  decision  and  intrepidity,  the  society  naturally  formed  the  most 
sanguine  expectations.  He  sailed  from  London,  June  ',iO,  17S8,  and  in  thirty  six  days, 
seven  of  which  were  spent  in  Paris,  and  two  at  Marseilles,  arrived  in  the  ciiy  of  Al- 
exandria; and  having  there  assumed  the  dress  of  an  Egyptian  traveler,  proceeded  to 
Cairo,  which  he  reached  on  the  nineteenth  of  August.  He  traveled  with  peculiar 
advantages.  Endowed  with  an  original  and  comprehensive  genius,  he  beheld  with 
interest,  and  desciibed  with  energy,  the  scenes  and  objects  around  him  ;  and  by  com- 
paring them  with  what  he  had  seen  in  other  regions  of  the  globe,  he  was  enabled  to 
give  his  narrative  all  the  varied  effect  of  contrast  and  resemblance.  His  remaiks  on 
Lower  Egypt,  had  that  counliy  been  less  generally  known,  might  have  ranked  with  ihe 
most  valuableof  geographical  records.  Theygreatly  heightened  the  opinion  which  his 
employers  already  entertained,  of  his  singular  (jualiticationsfor  the  task  wliich  he  had 
undertaken.  Nor  was  his  residence  at  Cairo  altogether  useless  to  the  association. 
By  visiting  the  slave  markets,  and  by  conversing  with  the  Jelabs,  or  traveling  mer- 
chants of  the  caravans,  he  obtained,  without  any  expense,  a  belter  idea  of  the  jieopje 
of  Africa,  of  its  trade,  of  the  position  of  places,  (he  nature  oi  the  country,  and  the  man- 
ner of  traveling,  than  he  could  by  any  other  means  have  acquired  ;  and  the  communi- 
cations on  these  suiijects,  wliich  he  transinitled  to  England,  interesting  and  instructive 
us  they  were,  alforded  the  society  tlie  most  gratifying  proofs  of  the  ardent  spiiit  of 
enquiry,  the  unwearied  attention,  the  persevering  research,  and  the  hiboriuus,  inde- 
fatigable, anxious  zeal,  with  which  their  author  pursued  the  object  of  his  mission. 

"  He  had  announced  to  iiis  employers,  that  he  had  received  letters  of  earnest  re- 
commendation from  the  Aga  ;  that  the  day  of  his  departure  was  appointed  ;  that  his 
next  dispatch  Would  be  datml  Irom  Sennaar;  and  the  coinimttee  expecied  with  iin- 
]iaiience  the  resuh  uf  his  juurney.  Bui  ihat  jourr.ey  was  never  to  be  perfoimed.  The 
vexation  occasioned  by  repealed  delays  iii  the  departure  of  the  caravan,  brought  on  a 
bilious  complaint,  which  being  increased  at  first  by  incautious  treatment,  batJled  the 
skill  of  the  most  approved  physicians  of  (Jairo,  and  terminated  his  caillily  existence, 
January  17,   17HI). 

"The  society  heard  with  deep  concern  the  death  of  a  man,  whosehigh  sense  of  honor, 
magnanimous  contempt  of  danger,  and  earnest  zeal  lor  the  extension  of  knowledge, 
had  been  so  conspicuously  displayed  in  their  service  ;  whose  ardor,  tempered  by  calm 
deliberation,  whose  daringspiiit,  seconded  by  the  most  prudent  caution,  and  whose  im- 
patience of  control,  united  with  the  power  of  supporting  any  fatigue,  seemed  to  have 
qualified  hiin  above  all  other  men,  for  the  very  arduous  task  of  traversing  the  wildest 
and  most  dangerous  part  of  the  continent  of  Africa.  Despising  the  accidental  dis- 
tinctions of  society,  lie  seemed  to  regard  no  man  as  his  superior;  but  his  manners, 
though  unpolished,  were  not  disagreeable.  His  uncultivated  genius  was  peculiar  aiicl 
capacious.  The  hardships  to  which  lie  submitted  in  the  prosecution  of  his  enterprises 
and  in  the  indulgence  of  his  curiosity,  are  almost  incredible.  He  was  sometimes 
glad  to  receive  food  as  in  charity  to  a  madman,  for  that  character  he  had  been  obliged 
to  assume  in  order  to  avoid  a  heavier  calamity.  His  judgment  of  the  female  charac- 
ter is  very  honorable  to  the  sex.  '  I  have  always  remarked,'  says  he,  '  that  women  in 
all  countries  are  civil  and  obliging,  tender  and  liumane:  that  they  are  ever  inclined 
to  be  gay  and  cheerful,  timorous  and  modest;  and  that  they  do  not  hesiiate,  like  men, 
to  perform  a  generous  iiction.  Not  haughty,  nor  arrogant,  nor  supercilious,  lliey  are 
full  of  courtesy,  and  fond  of  society  ;  more  liable  in  general  to  err  than  man,  but  in 
general  also  more  virtuous,  and  performing  more  good  actions,  than  he.  To  a  woman, 
whether  civili"ed  or  savage,  I  never  addressed  myself,  in  the  language  of  decency 


328 


LISBON 


and  friendship,  ■williont  receiving,'  a  decent  and  friendly  answer.  With  inan  it  Las 
often  been  otherwise.  In  wandering?  over  the  barren  phiins  of  mhospilabie  Denmark, 
through  lione.st  Sweden  and  frozen  Lapland,  rude  ami  churlish  Finlaiul,  unprincipled 
Russia,  and  the  wide  spread  regions  of  the  wandering  Tartar ;  if  hungiy,  dry,  cold, 
wet,  or  sick,  the  women  have  ever  been  friendly  to  nie,  and  uniformly  so.  And  adtl 
to  this  virtue,  so  worthy  the  appellation  of  benevolence,  tlieir  actions  have  been  per- 
formed in  so  free  and  kind  a  manner,  that  if  I  was  dry,  I  drank  the  sweetest  draught, 
and  if  hungry,  I  ate  the  coarsest  morsel,  with  a  double  relish.'  " 


LISBON 


Lisbon  was  formerly  included  within  the  limits  of  Norwich.  It  was 
incorporated  as  a  distinct  town  in  1786.  It  is  a  small  irregular  town- 
ship, being  the  point  of  land  hetween  the  Quinnebaug  and  Shetucket 
rivers,  which  unite  at  the  southern  point  of  the  town.  It  is  bounded 
north  by  Windham  and  Canterbmy,  westwardly  by  the  Shetucket,  sep- 
arating it  froin  Norwich  and  Franklin,  and  eastwardly  by  the  Quinne- 
baug, dividing  it  from  Griswold  and  Preston. 

The  township  is  uneven  and  hilly.  The  prevailing  character  of  the 
soil  is  a  gravelly  loam,  occasionally  interspersed  with  a  sandy  loam,  espe- 
cially in  the  valleys,  and  it  is  considerably  fertile  and  productive.  There 
are  small  intervals  or  tracts  of  alluvial  soil  upon  the  borders  of  the  riv- 
er. Tlio  inhabitants  are  generally  farmers,  who  are  mostly  in  good 
circumstances.  Tiie  township  is  divided  into  two  parishes,  Newent  antl 
Hanover,  having  a  Congregational  church  in  each  place.  There  is  a 
woolen  and  silk  factory  in  the  society  of  Hanover,  the  north  part  of 
the  town. 

Lisbon  appears  to  have  remained  stationary  in  regard  to  the  number 
of  its  inhabitants,  for  a  considerable  period.  In  1800  the  population 
was  1,158;  in  1810,  it  was  reduced  to  1,128.  In  1S30,  the  number 
was  1,161.  The  central  part  of  the  town  is  seven  miles  from  Norwich, 
and  forty  five  s.  e.  from  Hartford. 


L  Y  IM  E  . 

Lyme  was  first  settled  about  1664.  Its  first  English  name  was  East 
Saybrook,  being  tlien  a  part  of  the  town  of  Saybrook.  It  was  incor- 
porated as  a  distinct  town,  by  the  name  of  Lyme,  in  1667.  The  In- 
dian name  for  the  eastern  part  of  the  town  was  Nehanlic.  It  is  bounded 
north  by  East  lladdam  and  Salem,  west  by  Connecticut  river,  dividing 
it  from  Saybrook,  east  by  Waterford  and  INIontville,  and  south  by  Long 
Island  sound.  The  township  comprises  an  area  of  about  80  square 
miles,  being  10  miles  long  from  north  to  south,  and  8  broad. 

"  From  Nehantic  river,  four  miles  westward,  a  tract  extending  from 
the  Sound  to  the  northern  boundary  of  Lyme  and  New  London  was  re- 
served for  the  Indians,  when  those  townships  were  incorporated.  Some 
time  afterward,  the  inhabitants  of  both  united  in  a  petition  to  the  Le- 
gislature, to  include  these  lands  within  their  limits.  The  Legislature 
granted  the  petition,  without  determining  upon  the  dividing  line.    New 


329 


TiOndon  proposed  to  take  tliree  miles  in  widtfi,  and  leave  one  to  Lyme. 

]jyine  made  a  similar  proposal  to  New  Ijondon.  The  distance  to  the 
seat  of  government  was  fifty  miles.  The  journey  lay  through  a  wil- 
derness inhabited  by  savages,  and  crossed  by  numerous  streams,  over 
which  no  bridges  were  erected.  The  land,  though  now  of  considerable 
value,  was  then  regarded  as  a  trifling  object.  The  expense  of  appoint- 
ing agents  to  manage  the  cause  before  the  Legislature  was  consiilerable, 
and  the  hazard  of  the  journey  not  small.  In  iliis  situation,  the  inhabi- 
tants of  both  townships  agreed  to  settle  their  respective  titles  to  the 
land  in  controversy,  by  a  combat  between  two  champions  to  be  chosen 
by  each  for  that  purpose.  New  London  selected  two  men  by  the  names 
of  Picket  and  Latimer.  liyme  committed  its  cause  to  two  others,  na- 
med Griswold  and  Ely.  On  a  day  mutually  appointed,  the  champions 
appeared  in  the  field,  and  fought  with  their  fists,  till  victory  declared 
in  favor  of  each  of  the  Lyme  condjatants.  Lyme  then  quietly  took 
])OSsession  of  the  controverted  tract,  and  has  held  it  imdlsputed  to  the 
present  day."* 


West  view  of  Jjijiiic. 

The  above  shows  tlio  appearance  of  the  Congregational  church  in 
Tiyme,  and  the  buildings  in  the  vicinity.  The  village  is  situated  on  a 
plain,  about  half  a  mile  or  more  back  from  Connecticut  river,  on  a 
street  running  parallel  to  it.  The  elevated  ground  seen  in  the  distance 
is  one  of  the  Church  Hills,  so  called  probably  from  the  circumstance 
of  the  first  church  having  been  built  near  the  summit  of  one  of  these 
elevations,  upwards  of  half  a  mile  eastwaid  of  the  present  church.  This 
part  of  Lyme  is  15  miles  from  New  London,  and  40  from  Hartford. 
There  are'6  houses  of  worship,  4  Congregational,  and  2  Baptist.  There 
are  4  post  ofliccs  in  the  town,  viz.  Lyme,  Hamburg,  North  Lyme,  and 
East  Lyme.     There  are  1  cotton  and  2  woolen  factories. 


Dr.  Dwighi's  Travels,  Vol.  2. 

42 


330 


The  surface  ol'  the  town  is  strikingly  diversified.  About  one  half  of 
it  is  level,  or  nioderat(;ly  hilly,  (-'oniprising  llie  borders  of  tlie  Sound,  its 
bays  and  inlets,  the  large  tracts  of  salt  marsh,  the  numerous  and  ex- 
tensive intervals  on  the  rivers  and  other  sections.  The  other  division 
of  the  township  is  stony  and  mountainous.  Near  the  mouth  of  Four 
mile  river,  several  distinct  ridges  conunenee,  consisting  of  a  succession 
of  hills,  which  range  northwardly,  and  become  more  elevated  as  ihey 
extend  into  tiie  interior.  Within  this  town,  north  of  Eight  mile  river, 
near  tl)e  Connecticut  river,  conmiences  one  of  the  branches  of  granitic 
mountains,  which  extends  northwardly  through  the  state  into  Massa- 
chusetts, and  constitutes  the  height  of  land  which  divides  the  waters 
that  run  westwardly  into  the  Comiecticut,  from  those  that  run  into  the 
Thames  and  other  streams.  The  bodies  of  salt  marsh  and  meadows 
upon  the  rivers  are  extensive  and  productive,  the  former  affording  large 
quantities  of  salt  hay,  and  the  latter  producing  fresh  hay,  grain,  &c. 
The  hilly  and  mountainous  parts  of  the  town  do  not  admit  of  a  general 
cultivation  of  urain,  but  afford  good  urazing. 


South  vieiv  of  the  Gov.  GrisivoJd  House,  in  Lijvic. 

The  above  is  a  representation  of  the  house  erected  by  Roger  CJris- 
wold,  the  last  governor  of  the  name,  now  in  possession  of  Mr.  Matthew 
Griswold.  Being  near  the  sea  shore,  it  conmiands  an  extensive  and 
delightful  prospect  of  the  Sound.  It  is  about  three  miles  s.  e.  of  the 
Congregational  church  in  Lyme,  in  Blade  Hall,  a  ]ilace  which  ever 
has  been  in  the  possession  of  the  Griswold  family,  since  the  first  settle- 
ment of  Lyme.  Matthew  Griswold,  the  ancestor  of  the  present  Gris- 
wolds,  appears  to  have  been  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  Lyme  ;  he  had 
also  three  brothers,  who  came  over  from  England,  Thomas,  John,  and 
George.  Tliomas  settled  at  ^Vindsor,  Jolm  at  Wethersfield,  and  George 
at  Saybrook.  The  following  wa;?  extracted  liom  a  manuscript  in  the 
family  Bible  of  Judge  Griswold.  "Matthew  first  went  to  Windsor, 
married  Annah  Wolcott,  daughter  of  the  first  Henry  Wolcott,  and  was 


LYME.  331 

by  trade  a  stone  cutter ;  lie  made  a  stone  taljle  now  standing  over  the 
grave  of  bis  father-in-law,  the  letters  of  which  were  cut  deep,  are  now 
wholly  obliterated.*  Before  INIajor  Fenwick  left  Saybrook,  he,  (Fen- 
wick.)  committed  all  his  public  as  welj  as  his  private  concerns  to  said 
JMatthew  Gi-iswold.  Matthew  Griswold  was  the  first  Commissioner,  or 
Justice  of  the  Peace,  in  Saybrook.  The  town  of  Saybrook  formerly 
contained  the  kmds  now  lying  in  Lyme.  Soon  aftei-  the  settlement  of 
all  the  concerns  of  said  Fciiwick,  Matthew  Griswold  removed  to  Black 
Mali,  lying  on  the  east  side  of  Connecticut  river,  in  the  town  of  Lyme, 
(that  being  named  after  the  native  town  of  said  Griswold,  viz.  Li/me 
Jicgis.)  Bhick  Hall  took  its  name  from  the  circumstance  of  said  Gris- 
wold's  building  a  log  hut  on  his  fniii  in  Lyme,  where  he  had  an  old 
negro,  who  used  to  sleep  there  before  any  white  person  had  dared  to 
spend  a  night  on  the  east  side  of  Connecticut  river,  fur  fear  of  the  In- 
dians. It  was  called  the  Blade's  Hall,  and  from  that  took  the  name 
of  Black  Hull.  ]\ear  tlie  door  of  saiil  Griswold's  he  dug  a  well  ;  two 
other  houses  have  been  built  since  the  first,  and  the  said  well  is  now 
used,  and  ever  has  been  used,  by  some  of  his  descendants." 

"  Matthew  Griswold,  the  first  governor  of  that  name,  descended  from 
a  reputable  family,  and  was  born  in  Lyme,  March  25ih,  1714.  As  he 
was  not  favored  with  a  ])ublic  erlucation,  he  spent  his  earliest  days  in  the 
more  retired  walks  in  life.  [Jut  possessing  naturally  a  strong  and  in- 
quisitive rnind,  accompanied  with  a  desire  to  be  useful  to  n)ankind,  at 
the  age  of  about  twenty  live  he  counuenced  the  study  of  the  law,  and 
by  his  intense  application,  without  the  aid  of  an  instructor,  acquired  that 
knowledge  of  the  science  of  the  law  which  was  necessary  to  enter  on 
bis  professional  employment,  and  was  soon  admitted  to  the  bar.  In  his 
profession  ht-  soon  distinguished  himself,  as  an  able,  upright,  and  faithful 
advocate.  He  served  many  years  as  counselor,  antl  also  as  king's  attor- 
ney, with  integrity  and  reputation.  On  the  11th  of  Aovember,  1743, 
be  married  .Miss  Ursula  Wolcott,  daughter  of  the  Hon,  Roger  Wolcott, 
formerly  governor  of  Connecticut.  In  the  year  1751,  he  was  first 
elected  a  representative  to  the  General  Assembly,  and  was  chosen  a 
number  of  years  successively.  In  1755,  he  was  put  into  nomination 
for,  and  in  1759  was  elected  into  the  council  of  the  state.  In  1766, 
be  was  appointed  one  of  the  judges  of  the  siqjerior  court,  and  in  1769 
was  elected  lieutenant  governor,  with  which  ofiice  was  connected  that 
of  chief  justice  of  the  State.  In  1784,  he  was  chosen  governor,  and 
in  1786  he  retired  from  public  life,  until  the  adoption  of  the  Constitu- 
tion of  the  Lhiited  States,  by  the  convention  of  this  stale,  in  1788,  when 
be  was  called  to  officiate  as  president  of  that  body.  In  all  these  various 
offices,  he  distinguished  himself  as  a  faithful  servant  of  the  public. 

"But  if  we  descend  to  the  more  private  walks  of  life,  and   view  bis 
character  as  a  private  citizen,    we  sludl  find  the  social  sweetly  blen(k4,^ 
with  the  christian  virtues.     He  possessed  a  benevolent  disposition,  which 
rendered  his  deportment  truly  engaging,  in  all  the  domestic  relations. 


*  This  must  be  a  mistake,  or  thu  letters  mtist  huve  been  le-ciit,  as  they  are  very 
distinct  ;~see  account  ol'  Windsor,  y.  132. 


w 


332  I-  Y  M  K  . 

"  Having  a  frank  and  an  open  heart,  he  was  sincere  in  all  his  profes- 
sions of  friendship,  and  consequently  enjoyed  the  confulence  and  esteem 
of  a  numerous  and  extensive  ac(juninlance.  He  was  truly  hospitable, 
and  abounded  in  acts  of  charity.  The  children  of  want  he  nev(;r  sent 
empty  from  his  door,  but  guided  by  a  real  sympathy,  he  i'iid  ilie  hun- 
gry, clothed  the  naked,  and  relieved  the  distressed.  He  died  A[)ril 
28th,  1799,  in  the  85th  year  of  his  age. 

"  Roger  Grisivohl,  the  second  governor  of  that  name,  was  the  son  of 
the  fornier  governor.  He  was  horn  at  Lyme,  jNlay  21,  1762,  and  edu- 
cated at  Yale  College,  where  he  graduated  in  1780.  In  1783,  he 
commenced  the  practice  of  the  law,  and  soon  became  extensively  en- 
gaged in  professional  business,  and  acijuired  a  high  reputation  as  a  pro- 
found lawyer  and  advocate.  In  17.^9,  when  he  was  but  thirty  two 
years  of  age,  he  was  ren.oved  from  a  hicrative  and  extensive  practice 
to  the  councils  of  the  nation,  being  elected  a  re[)resenlalive  Irom  this 
State  to  the  Congress  of  the  United  Slates. 

"  In  1801,  at  the  close  of  Tresident  Adams'  administration,  he  was 
nominated  to  be  secretary  of  war,  but  declined  to  ;icc(  pi  the  olilre.  In 
1807,  he  was  appointed  a  judge  of  the  superior  conn;  and  in  lc-()9,  he 
was  elected  lieutenant  governor,  wbich  oflice  he  held  until  the  sjiring  ol 
1811,  when  the  freemen  elected  him  governor.  This  |)eriud,  eml)ra- 
cing  the  hrst  five  months  after  the  declaration  of  the  late  war  with 
Great  Britain,  was  one  of  peculiar  excitement  and  difliculty,  and  during 
which  he  was  subject  to  an  occasional  severe  intlisjiosition. 

"He  was  a  member  of  Congress  for  ten  years,  embracing  a  part  of 
the  administration  of  Washington,  the  whole  of  that  of  the  elder  Adams, 
and  a  part  of  that  of  Jefferson.  This  was  a  very  important  and  inter- 
esting period,  not  only  front  the  political  events  of  this  country,  but  from 
the  great  convulsions  which  agitated  all  Europe;  and  it  was  during  this 
period,  while  in  Congres'^,  that  l^oger  Griswold  was  most  distinguished. 
During  a  considerable  part  of  ibis  tin\e,  he  ranked  among  the  fust  of  his 
party,  and  was  ecpially  tlistinguished  fir  his  |tmverful  lalenls  in  debate, 
and  the  independence  and  decision  of  his  coniiuct.  He  remained  but  a 
short  time  on  the  bench  of  the  superior  court,  and  still  shorter  in  the 
seat  of  chief  magistrate. 

"Few  men  in  Connecticut  have  heen  more  distinguished  as  lawyers 
and  statesmen  than  lioger  Griswold;  and  few  have  been  more  univer- 
sally esteemed  and  beloved.  He  lived  in  a  critical  and  eventful  period 
of  our  political  existence,  and  pre-eminenily  '  acted  well  his  part,'  de- 
serving and  receiving  the  highest  honors  his  native  state  could  confer 
upon  iiirn.  He  died  at  Norwich,  in  October,  1812,  and  his  remains 
were  conveyed  to  Lyme  for  interment.  An  eulogy  upon  his  character 
was  delivered  before  both  houses  of  the  legislature,  at  New  Haven,  by 
Hon.  David  Daggett."* 

The  following  is  from  a  monument  in  a  kind  of  family  burying  ground, 
in  the  vicinity  of  Black  Hall. 

This  monument  is  erected  lo  tlic  memory  of  his  Excellency  Pvoser  Griswold,  LIj.  D. 
late  Governor  of  this  Siale.     He  was  born  at  Lyme,  May  ^r)ili,   17tJ'J,  and  died  at 

New  England  Review. 


333 


Norwicli,  Oct.  IGtli,  181Q.  lie  was  ilic  mhi  of  his  Excellency  Matlhuw  GtiswolJ, 
who  had  been  Cliiel'  Justice  u\'  the  Su|)eiiiir  Court,  Lieut.  Governor  an<l  Governor. 
His  mother  wa.s  daughter  of  Rot.':er  Wolcolt,  F-aq.  of  Windsor,  wlio  was  lor  many 
years  (Governor  of  tiiis  State.  Gov.  Griswold  ^naduated  at  Yale  College  in  17hO,  and 
in  1783  entered  upon  the  jiiofession  of  law.  At  tlie  ay;e  of  31,  he  was  elected  into  the 
Council  of  the  United  States.  Jn  1807  he  was  niipointed  a  Judge  of  the  Superior 
Court.     In  180'.»  he  was  appointed  Lieutenant  Governor,  and  in  1811  was  elected  Gov- 

*>i'nrif  TTridji     nil     lliiit.;!-*     I'mitiont     wl '» I  Imiiw    1i*»    /'r  hi  ((>  rri^H     iti<rn»J\r     n  rwt     llMtwir      ni^it     1ij^.< 


-ityandpr^, , ^...  _„ ■•■n- ,•  

viewetl  liitn  \\  iih  virtuous  pi  iilr,  hi>  na(i\'e  state  \\  iih  honest  iriuinji-       _   _    

iionors  were  the  just  leu  am,-,  ol Hdtile  actions,  and  of  a  lite  devuieu  tn  his  coiintr)-. 
He  w;ls  endcareil  to  his  family  hy  lidiiiiy  mid  alli'Clion.  to  his  neighbors  by  fiankness 
iiiid  benev(den<.-e.  His  memory  isembalmid  in  ihe  hearts  of  surviving  relatives  and 
of  a  grateful  people.  Wlieii  this  tiidiuuncnt  ^llnll  have  decayed,  his  name  will  be  en- 
rolled with  honor  among  the  great,  the  wise,  and  the  good. 

The  following  are  from  monuments  in  the  grave  yard  east  from  the 
church  in  South  Lyme. 

Sacred  to  the  memory  ui  Mr.  John  McCurdy,  the  younger,  who  died  21st  Decemr. 
1700,  in  the  21ih  yeai-  of  his  age. 

fond  man,  the  vision  of  a  moment  made, 
Hreain  of  a  dream  and  shadtiw  df  a  shade, 
This  tiiith  how  ceilam,  n  hen  this  lil,/ IS  o'er, 
Man  dies  to  live,  and  lives  td  die  no  more. 


The  following  singular  inscripiioii  is  on  Deacon  Marvin's  monument. 

This  Deacon  aged  b8 :     Is  free.l  on  eaiih  iioiii  serving 

May  for  a  croun  no  lonjer  wait:     Lyme's  Captain  IIkmh.o  M.ihvin. 

On  the  foot  stone, 

R.  M.   Oct.  IS,  1737. 

Deacon  ^Marvin  ajipcars  (o  have  been  remarkable  for  his  eccentricity 
In  ahnost  all  his  transactions  in  life.  His  courtship,  it  is  said,  was  as 
follows  : — Having  one  dtty  mounlcil  his  horse,  with  only  a  sheep-skin  for 
u  saddle,  he  rotle  in  front  of  the  house  where  Sarah  or  Betty  Ja'C  liveil, 
and  without  dismounting,  requested  Betty  to  come  to  him  ;  on  her  com- 
ing, he  told  her  that  the  Lord  had  sent  him  there  to  marry  her.  With- 
out much  hesitation,  she  replied,  the  Lord's  will  be  done.  J)uring  his 
whole  life,  he  profe.ssed  to  be  governed  nmch  by  divine  communications 
that  were  maile  to  him.  Once  he  said,  that  the  Lord  had  directed  him 
to  distribute  his  cows  among  liis  poor  neighbors.  After  the  distribution 
liad  been  going  on  for  some  time,  a  certain  man,  fearing  that  none  might 
fiiU  to  himself,  went  to  the  deacon,  and  told  him  that  he  had  received 
a  communication  from  the  Lord,  saying  that  the  Lord  had  directed  him 
to  the  deacon  for  a  cow.  Well,  says  the  deacon,  you  shall  receive  it. 
AVhat  cow  did  the  Lord  say  should  be  given  you,  a  new  milch  or  fay 
row  ?  Anew  milch  cow,  was  the  reply.  Well,  says  the  deacon,  yo)flr 
conmiunication  could  not  be  from  the  Lord,  for  1  have  already  given 
away  all  my  new  milch  cows.  He  was,  it  is  said,  the  greatest  land  pro- 
prietor of  any  man  in  the  vicinity,  and  ofregular  standing  in  the  church, 
being  remarkably  exemplary.  He  was  also  a  military  captain,  as  stated 
in  his  epitaph. 


K 


334  M  0  N  T  V  I  L  I.  I-  . 

Lijinc,  M.irch  17,  IT7I. 
Yesterday,  one  William  Larnson,  of  Martha's  Vineyard,  came  to  this  town  with  a 
bag  of  tea,  (about  li»0  \vt.)  un  horseback,  wiiich  he  was  peddlin?  about  the  couulry. 
It  appeared  that  he  was  about  business  wliich  he  i^upposed  would  render  him  obnox- 
ious to  the  people,  which  gave  reason  to  suspect  that  he  had  some  of  the  detestable  tea 
lately  landed  at  Cape  Cod  ;  and  upon  examination  it  appeared  to  the  saii^faciion  of 
all  present,  to  be  part  of  tiiat  very  tea,  (though  he  declared  tiiathe  i)ujT.ha.sed  it  of  two 
gentlemen  in  Newport;  one  of  them  'tis  said  is  a  custom  hou>e  oriicer,  and  the  other 
Captain  of  the  fort.)  Whereupon  a  number  of  the  sons  of  liberty  assembled  in  the 
eveninj^,  kindled  a  fire,  and  committed  its  contents  to  the  llames,  where  it  was  all  con- 
sumed and  the  ashes  buried  on  the  spot,  in  testimony  of  their  utter  abhorrence  of  all 
tea  subject  to  a  duty  loi  the  purpose  ui'  raising  a  revenue  in  America— a  laudable  ex- 
ample for  our  brethren  in  Coniieelicut.— d/ni.  J.mr.  .\Jii,ck  Jj,  177-1. 


Lijmc,  Ike.  G,  1781. 
Last  Friday,  a  guard  under  the  command  of  Ensign  Andrew  Griswold,  stationed  at 
Lyme,  discovered  a  whale  boat  in  a  tresh  pond  near  Black  Point;  and  suspecting  it 
came  from  Long  Islainl,  they  set  a  guard  of  live  men  over,  tlie  boat;  and  the  night  alter 
four  others  of  the  guard  with  luisign  Ciiswold,  went  towards  the  h<juse  of  the  noted 
Elisha  Beckwiih  ;  one  of  the  party  named  Noah  Lester,  advanced  faster  than  the  rest, 
and  was  challenged  by  lieckwith's  wile,  who  was  near  the  house;  this  alarmed  ten 
men  who  were  in  the  house,  well  armetl,  and  thcv  immediately  seized  upon  and  made 
prisoner  of  Lester,  ami  carried  liim  into  the  iiousc.  fcoon  alter  the  other  four  of  the 
guard  came  to  the  lioiise,  (not  kntnving  Lester  was  a  prisoner.)  and  went  directly  in  ; 
where  they  discovered  the  ten  persons  in  arms :  a  sculile  immeiiialely  ensued  between 
litem;  and  after  some  lime  the  gutird  secured  six  ol'  tlie  party,  ainonu'  whom  uas  Eli- 
sha Beckwiih:  tlic  other  four  made  their  escai>e  iiilo  the  woods,  but  tiiey  all  except 
one  were  taken  the  next  day.  Tliey  came  in  the  above  boat  from  Long'  Island,  and 
were  under  the  commaiid  of  Thomas  Smith,  formerly  of  Middletown,  who  had  a 
Captain's  commission  under  the  British  king,  lillisha  Beckwiih  went  oil'  with  the 
enemy  the  6th  Sept.  last,  wlien  they  made  their  descent  on  this  place.  Tlie  above  cul- 
prits are  secured  iti  INoi  wieh  gard. 


M  O  N  T  V  1  L  L  E . 

MoNTViLLE  oiii^inally  belon^cil  to  New  London.  It  was  incor- 
porated as  a  distinct  town  in  173G.  It  is  bounded  noitli  by  Bo/,rah 
ami  INoru'ich,  we.st  by  Salem  and  Lyme,  ea^i  by  the  river  Thames, 
and  south  by  Waterford.  Its  length  Irom  east  to  west  is  about  eii,du 
miles,  and  itsbreaiith  averages  about  five  miles.  This  townshij)  is  em- 
braced within  the  granitic  district,  bordering  on  the  sea  coast,  and  is 
uneven,  being  hilly  and  stony.  *  The  soil  is  a  coarse,  dry,  gravelly  loanj, 
considerably  strong  and  fertile,  ailbrding  good  grazing. 

The  road  from  JNew  London  to  Norwich  passes  through  this  town  ; 
it  is  a  turnpike,  and  is  said  to  be  the  first  wliich  was  ever  made  in  the 
United  States.  "  The  former  road  was  perfectly  fitted  to  force  ui)on 
the  public  mind  the  utility  of  turnpike  roads.  As  New  London  is  the 
port  of  entry  for  Norwich,  the  merchants  of  Norwich  must  often  visit 
it  upon  business  ;  and  the  convenience  of  dis]iatch  in  cases  of  business 
I  need  not  explain.  Yet  few  persons  formerly  attempted  to  go  from 
one  of  these  places  to  the  other,  and  return  the  same  day.  Pleasure 
carriages  on  this  road  were  scarcely  used  at  all.  The  new  road  is 
smooth  and  good  ;  and  the  journey  is  now  easily  performed  in  little  more 
than  two  hours.  These  towns,  therefore,  may  be  regarded  as  having 
been  brought  nearer  to  each  other  more  than  half  a  day's  journey." 


M  O  N  T  V  1  I.  L  E  .  335 

There  are  2  post  offices  in  this  town,  tlie  Montville  and  Uncasville 
post  offices.  Uncasville  post  office  is  in  the  southern  section  of  the 
town.  The  central  part  of  the  town  is  ahout  8  miles  from  New  Lon- 
don. Chesterfield  is  a  parish  in  the  southeastern  section  of  the  town. 
Tiiere  are  3  cotton,  2  woolen  factories,  and  an  oil  mill,  in  the  limits  of 
llie  town.  There  are  five  houses  for  puhlic  worshi])  within  the  limits 
of  the  township,  2  for  Congregaiionalists,  2  for  Baptists,  and  one  in  the 
IMohegan  reservation  ;  a  tract  of  land  reserved  by  the  state  for  the 
maintenance  of  this  tribe  of  Indians,  a  remnant  of  which  still  remain 
in  this  town,  "  on  the  land  of  their  fathers." 

It  appears  from  the  most  authentic  information  which  can  now  be 
obtained,  that,  at  the  time  of  the  first  settlement  of  Connecticut,  Uncas, 
the  Mohegan  sagamore,  had  under  him  between  four  and  five  hundred 
warriors.  Allowing  the  pro[)ortion  of  the  warriors  to  the  whole  number 
of  inhabitants  to  have  been  as  three  to  ten,  the  Mohegan  tribe  must 
have  consisted  of  nearly  1700  people. 

The  Pequot  and  Mohegan  country  lay  to  the  south  and  east  of  the 
Nehantic,  (in  Lyme,)  from  Connecticut  river  to  the  Rhode  Island  line 
on  the  east,  and  extended  northward  to  near  the  northern  boundary  of 
the  state.  This  tract  was  nearly  thirty  miles  square,  and  included  the 
counties  of  New  London,  Windham,  and  the  principal  part  of  the 
county  of  Tolland,  Historians,  (says  Dr.  Holmes,)  have  treated  the 
Pequots  and  IMohegans  as  two  dilFerent  tribes;  and  have  described  the 
Pequot  country  as  lying  princi[)ally  within  the  three  towns  of  New  Lon- 
don, Groton,  and  Stonington.  All  thetiact  north  and  east,  as  has  been 
described,  they  have  represented  as  the  Mohegan  country.  Most  if  not 
all  the  towns  in  this  tract  hold  their  lands  by  virtue  of  deeds  from  Uncas, 
or  his  successors,  the  Mohegan  sachems.  Dr.  Trumbull,  however,  thinks 
it  doubtful  whether  the  Mohegans  were  a  distinct  nation  from  the  Pe- 
quots. "They  appear  to  have  been  a  part  of  the  same  nation,  named 
from  the  place  of  their  situation.  Uncas  was  a  Peijuot  by  birih,  and 
of  the  royal  line,  both  by  his  father  and  mother ;  and  his  wife  was  a 
daughter  of  Tatobam,  one  of  the  Pequot  sachems.  He  appears  to 
have  been  a  captain,  or  petty  sachem,  under  Sassacus,  the  great  prince 
of  the  nation.  When  the  English  first  came  into  Connecticut,  he  was 
in  a  state  of  rebellion  against  him,  in  consequence  of  some  misunder- 
standing between  them  ;  and  his  power  and  influence  among  the  Indi- 
ans were  inconsiderable.  Having  revolted  from  his  tribe,  he  was  ex- 
pelled his  country. 

"In  1G37,  wluMi  the  English  conquered  llie  Peqnols,  Uncas  readily  joined  them  to 
save  hiinsell',  and  be  av.en;;'ed  on  his  warlike  adveisary.  Alter  tlii.s  period,  Uncas 
was  the  most  poweri'til  sacliem  in  the  state.  Part  of  the  miserable  remnant  of  the  Pe- 
quots  i'eil  to  tlie  lot  of  llie  Moheyans,  and  became  subject  to  thej^'ovcrnment  of  Uncas. 
He  seems,  however,  to  have  swayed  the  scepter  wnh  a  heavy  hand;  for  the  Pequots 
withdrew  themselves  from  his  dominion,  and  the  commissioners  found  it  necessary  to 
fine  him,  and  repeatedly  lo  admonish  him  fur  his  tyranny.  He  M-as  however  a  brave 
warrior,  and  formidable  to  his  enemies  ;  on  the  murder  of  one  of  his  principal  Indians, 
by  some  of  the  men  of  Sequassen,  a  sachem  on  Connecticut  river,  he  demanded  satis- 
faction of  him.  It  was  refused.  Uncas  and  Sequassen  fought.  Sequassen  was  over- 
come. Uncas  killed  a  number  of  his  men,  and  burned  his  wigwams.  Sequassen 
appears  to  have  been  a  sachem  under  the  inlluenceof  Miantonimoh,  the  chief  sachem 
of  the  Narragansetts.     After  the  destruction  of  the  Pequots,  Miantonimoh  attempted 


33G  JI  0  N  T  V  I  L  L  E. 

to  set  up  as  a  kind  of  universal  sachem  ovei-  all  the  IinHans  in  New  England.  The 
old  grudge  anil  hatred  which  had  siibbi.-,ted  brtweeii  hini  and  the  I'equols,  he  now 
transferred  tu  Uncas  and  the  Muliegans.  Without  any  regard  to  ihe  league  made  be- 
tween him,  the  English,  and  the  Muhegans,  at  IJaitlord,  in  IboS,  when  the  Pcquots 
were  divided  between  hiu)  ami  Uncas,  he  praetieetl  uuiider  and  war  against  him. 
Alter  the  defeat  of  Seqiuij-sen,  Miantunimuh,  with  900  or  1000  men,  marched  against 
Uncas.  These  hostile  chiefs  met  on  Sac/icnt's  Plain,  in  the  east  pan  of  the  town  of 
Norwich;  MianloniiiKih  was  tiefeated,  lakeii  jinsuner,  and  some  time  alter  was  put 
to  death.  Uncas  appears  to  liave  pushed  his  conquesis,  in  dillerent  direetions,  beyond 
Connecticut  river.  About  1U51,  he  h;id  a  quairel  with  Arihamamet,  sacliem  of  Alus- 
.saueo,  or  Massacoe,  (Simsbury,)  which  brought  on  a  war.  Uiu:as  sent  one  of  his 
warriors  to  talce  and  burn  an  out  wigwam  lu'the  niu'ht,  loll  and  burn,  and  leave  the 
marks  of  the  Mohawks.  His  orders  were  executed.  Arrhamamet,  supposing  the 
Mohawks  had  done  the  mischief,  went  in  search  of  ihein  to  the  northwest.  Uncas 
gained  time  to  equip  his  men,  and  afterwards  subjugated  Arrhamamet,  Poduak, 
near  Hartford,  was  ever  afterwards  li  ibiilary  to  Uncas."* 

On  the  conquest  of  the  Pequots,  the  Mohegans  claimed  most  of  the  Pequot  country 
as  their  hereditary  right ;  they  also  laid  claim  to  the  Wabbequasset  territory  by  virtue 
of  conquest.  This  last  named  territory  was  coiKjucred  from  the  Nipmuck  Indi;ins, 
whose  principal  seat  was  about  the  great  ponds  in  (Jxlonl,  in  Massachusetts,  but  their 
territory  e-^Ltended  southward  into  Connecticut,  more  than  twenty  miles.  This  was 
called  the  Wabbequa.sset  and  Whetstone  countn/.  The  original  Mohcgan  country 
was  surveyed  in  1705,  and  a  map  of  it  dra\^  n.  The  occasion  of  this  survey  was  a 
claim,  brought  forward  in  1701,  by  Owaneeo,  the  son  ol'  Uncas,  to  certain  lands  in 
Connecticut.  The  Masons  and  i/ihers  preferred  a  petition  and  complaint  to  Uueea 
Anne,  in  favor  of  the  Mohegan  Indians.  The  Masons  claimed  the  lands  ]iurchased 
by  their  ancestor,  deputy  governor  John  Mason,  in  virtue  of  a  deed  given  to  him  by 
Uncas  in  105!»,  while  he  acted  as  agent  of  ihe  eoluiiv  ;  and  denied  the  legality  of  hi.s 
surrender  of  them  to  the  colony,  in  the  GeiiL-iMl  Assembly,  the  iie.\l  year!  'I'hey 
insisted  that  it  respected  nothing  more  than  the  jui  jsdiction  right,  and  that  the  title  to 
the  soil  was  vested  in  their  family  as  guardians  and  overseeis  of  the  Indians.  This 
celebrated  "  Mohet^an  case"  was  kept  in  agitation  for  nearly  tweiUy  years.  It  was  al- 
ways, on  a  legal  hearing,  determined  in  favor  of  the  eol.,nv.  The  hnal  decision  w;is 
by  king  George  III.  in  council,  just  beloie  the  Uevoluiiunary  war. 

Uncas  appeared  at  tlie  first  very  unfiiendly  to  the  Christian  religion. 
The  commissioners  of  the  colonies  endeavored  to  reclaim  him.  In 
1612,  they  wrote  a  letter  to  him  "to  inciirra!j;e  him  to  aiteiid  on  iho 
ministry."  Whatever  effect  this  letter  may  have  had  on  his  outwiird 
deportment  it  seems  not  to  have  reached  his  heart.  In  ]Gll,  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Filch,  of  Norwich,  mentioni'il  him  a--  iiiaiiifL'stini^  some  respect  to 
the  (■hilstiaii  minislry,  but  with  an  ciiiirc  iliMiiist  ul"  his  sincerity.' 
About  two  years  afterwartis,  however,  a  jjiovidenlial  event  made  snch 
an  impression  on  the  mind  of  this  pagan  chieftain,  as  gave  this  pions 
minister  some  hopes  of  his  real  conversion  to  Christianity.  "  In  the 
summer  of  1676,  there  was  a  great  drought  in  New  England,  which 
was  extremely  severe  at  Mohegan,  and  in  the  neighboring  country.  In 
August  the  corn  dried  up;  the  fruit  and  leaves  fell  off  as  in  autumn; 
and  some  trees  appeared  to  be  dead.  The  Indians  came  from  Mohe- 
gan to  Norwich,  and  lamented  that  they  had  no  rain,  and  that  their 
powwows  could  get  none  in  tlieir  way  of  worship  ;  they  desired  Mr. 
Fitch  that  he  wotdd  seek  Ciod  for  rain.  He  ajipointed  a  fast  day  for 
that  purpose.  The  day  proved  clear,  but  at  sunset,  at  the  close  of  the 
service,  sotiie  clouds  arose.  The  next  day  was  cloudy.  Uncas  went  to 
the  house  of  Mr.  Fitch,  with  many  Intlians,  and  lamented  the  great  want 
of  rain.  If  God  shall  send  you  rain,  said  JMr.  Fitch,  will  you  not  at- 
tribute it  to  your  powwows  ?     He  answered,  no  ;  for  we  have  done  our 


President  Stiles'  Itinerary, 


M  u  N  T  V  J  I,  L  i: ,  337 

utiDost  but  all  in  vain,  if  3011  will  declare  it  before  all  these  Indians, 
replied  the  minlstor,  you  sliall  yeo  what  (lod  will  do  for  us  ;  remarking 
at  the  same  time,  their  repeated  and  urjfaihn^r  rece|ition  of  rain,  in  an- 
swer to  fastiiii;  ant!  prayer.  Uiieas  ilien  •  made  a  great  speech'  to  the 
Indians,  confessing  that  if  Goil  slie.idd  ilien  send  i:.iin,  it  could  not  be 
ascribed  to  their  powwowing,  hut  must  he  acknowledged  to  be  an  answer 
to  the  Englishman's  prayer.  i)n  that  very  day  the  clouds  became 
more  extended;  and  the  day  following,  there  was  such  a  copious  rain, 
that  their  river  rose  more  than  two  feet  in  height."*  Whether  Uncas 
died  in  the  faith  of  Christianity,  caniiot  now  be  ascertained.  It  is 
agreeable  however  to  find  him  acknowledging  the  God  who  is  above, 
and  paying  homage  to  the  religion  of  his  Son.  "  The  same  year  (1G7G) 
Oneco,  a  son  of  Uncas,  commanded  a  party  of  Mohegans,  in  an  expe- 
dition with  Captains  Dennison  and  Avery,  against  the  Narragansetts." 

Ben  or  Benjamin  Uncas  appears  to  have  been  the  last  of  The  Mohe- 
gans dignified  with  the  title  of  king,  lie  died  suddenly,  in  iNIay,  1769. 
He  was  buried  about  half  a  mile  south  of  the  present  IMohegan  chapel. 
His  son,  Isaiah  Uncas,  was  a  pupil  in  Dr.  Wheelock's  school,  at  Leba- 
non. He  is  represented  as  a  corpulent  person,  of  dull  intellectual  parts, 
as  was  his  father  before  him.  "  Isaiah  died  about  one  year  after  his 
father,  and  the  royal  line  b.eame  extinct.  The  body  of  king  Ben  was 
dug  up,  and  was  carried  with  that  ol' his  son,  and  buried  at  Norwich. "f 

vVliliough  there  seems  to  have  been  considerable  pains  taken  to  induce 
the  Mohegans  to  embrace  the  gospel,  yet  these  eftbrts  appear  to  ha 
been  attended  with  but  little  or  no  success  till  about  the  year  1G44 
when  the  zealous  Mr.  Davenport  at  that  time  directed  his  efforts  to- 
wards their  conversion.  He  is  said  to  have  been  very  successful.  To 
the  converts  gained  at  this  time,  Dr.  Trumbull  probably  refers,  when 
he  says,  "some  few  of  the  iMohegans  have  professed  Christianity,  and 
have  been,  many  years  since,  admitted  to  full  communion  in  the  north 
church  in  New  London. 

About  the  year  J7S(),  a  few  Indians  went  from  IMohegan,  with  Mr. 
Sampson  Occum,  the  celebrated  minister,  to  the  country  of  the  Oneidas. 
A  considerable  number  of  their  brethren  emigrated  to  that  country,  at 
the  same  time,  from  Farmington,  Slonington,  Groton,  and  Nehantic, 
in  the  eastern  part  of  Lyme  ;  and  from  Charlestown,  in  Rhode  Island. 
The  inducement  to  this  removal,  was  a  tract  of  excellent  wild  land 
given  to  them  by  the  Oneidas.  These  emigrants,  being  most  of  the 
scanty  remnant  of  the.  Muhhekaneok  Indians,  formerly  called  "  the 
seven  tribes  on  the  sea  coast,"  constitute  what  are  called  "  the  Bro- 
therton  Indians,"  whose  entire  number,  in  179L  was  250,  and  in  1796, 
150  only.  On  their  (irsi  emigration,  they  were  under  the  pastoral  care 
of  the  Rev.  iMr.  Occum.:]: 

The  Mohegan  reservation  consists  of  about  2700  acres.  It  was 
liolden  by  them  in  common  till  the  year  1790,  when  it  was  divided  to 


ve 


*  Hubbard's  Induui  Wars. 

t  The  abuve  iiiluruuuioii  was  obtainc.l  at  ISIohrgan,  in  1831,  of  Lydia  Fowler,  an 
Indian  woman,  7:)  years  ol'a;,'L!,  ilie  uldt.-st  person  belonging  to  the  tribe. 
t  Hoi  UK's'  Memoir  of  the  iMohcyans. 

43 


338  51  O  N  T  V  1  L  1,  K  . 

each  family  by  the  legislature  of  Connecticut.  The  I\roliei:i;ans  are 
under  the  care  of  guardians,  or  overseers,  appointed  by  the  Legislature. 
A  part  of  the  lands  are  occupied  by  the  Indians  themselves,  and  a  part 
by  while  tenants,  of  which  there  are  as  many  as  Mohegans  living  on 
tlie  reservation.  The  rents  go  into  a  common  fund,  from  which  the 
Mohegnns  derive  individually  a  small  sum  annually. 

In  1774,  when  a  census  of  the  inhabltanls  of  Connecticut  was  taken, 
there  were  in  the  colony  1,363  Indians.  The  number  in  the  township 
of  New  London  was  staled  to  be  "206.  ]\Iohogan  was  then  included 
in  the  limits  of  that  town.  At  the  same  lime  ttrere  were  in  Stonington 
237;  in  Groton  186;  in  Lyme  104;  in  Norwich  61  ;  and  in  Preston 
30:  in  all,  824.  Most  of  these  may  be  considered  as  descended  from 
those  wdio  once  owed  some  kind  of  allegiance  to  LIncas.  Dr.  Holmes, 
who  visited  Mohegan  in  1803,  says  that  "  there  were  not  more  than 
80  persons  of  this  tribe  remaining,  and  iliat  John  Cooper,  the  richest 
man  in  the  tribe,  possessing  a  yoke  of  oxen  and  two  cows,  was  then 
their  religious  teacher."  Four  years  after  they  were  reduced  in  number 
to  sixty  nine,  these  being  for  the  most  part  aged  persons,  ^vidows,  and 
fatherless  children. 

Within  the  course  of  a  few  years  past,  an  ellbrt  'has  been  made  to 
elevate  and  lescue  llie  ronmaiit  of  this  tribe  from  extinction.  A  small 
house  for  divine  woi'sliip  liab  been  erected,  and  also  a  house  for  a  teach- 
er;  towards  creeling  lliis  last  building  the  United  States  government 
appropriated  500  dollars  ;  ihey  have  also  allowed,  recently,  400  dollars 
amuially  for  the  support  of  a  teacher.  The  school,  consisting  of  up- 
wards of  20  scholars,  at  this  time  is  under  the  care  of  INIr.  Anson  Glea- 
son,  who  also  olFiciates  as  a  religious  teacher  at  the  Mohegan  Chapel. 
Mr.  Gleason  commenced  liis  labors  among  this  peo[)le  in  1832,  and  it 
is  firmly  believed  that  his  efforts  to  promote  the  welfare  of  this  people 
will  be  attended  with  lasting  and  beneficial  cHects.  I\lr.  Gleason  says, 
"that  he  can  say  for  a  certaint)',  that  llie  n:ni\(.'  children  are  as  apt  to 
loarn  as  any  children  he  cvcv  taught,  and  bid  fair  fur  intLillgout  men' 
and  women."  He  also  says,  "This  tribe  had  well  nigh  run  out  by  in- 
dulging in  the  use  of  ardent  spirits  ;  but  of  late  there  is  a  change  for  the 
better,  a  nundjer  of  reformations  having  taken  place.  Most  of  the  youtli 
are  o|)posed  to  strong  drink,  and  are  mendjcrs  of  the  temperance  reform. 
The  greater  part  of  the  working  men  follow  the  whale  trade,  and  come 

home  oidy  now  and  then ^Ve  are  on  the  increase,  and  hope  in  the 

course  of  a  few  years,  through  the  mercy  of  God,  to  rise  in  point  of  vir- 
tue and  respectability." 

The  Mohegan  church  is  between  three  and  four  miles  from  Norwich 
city,  a  few  rods  east  of  the  public  road  from  Norwich  to  New  London. 
It  is  beautifully  situated  on  an  eminence  commanding  a  fair  view  of 
Norwich  at  the  north,  and  New  London  at  the  south.  It  was  built  in 
1831,  at  an  expense  of  between  six  and  seven  hundred  dollars,  con- 
tributed for  the  purpose  mostly  by  benevolent  ladies  in  the  cities  of 
Norwich,  Hartford  and  New  London.  This  house  is  designed  for  the 
use  of  the  IVIohegans,  and  the  white  inhabitants  who  reside  on  the  re- 
servation. The  Mohegan  school  house  is  40  or  50  rods  south  of  the 
chapel,  at  the  foot  of  t'  e  hill,  near  by  which  is  the  house  for  the  teaclier. 


M  O  N  T  V  I  I.  L  E  , 


339 


About  100  rods  west  of  the  chapel,  on  the  summit  of  a  commanding 
eminence,  was  situated  a  j\lohcij;an  Ibit,  some  traces  of  which  remain  ; 
they  also  had  another  fort  near  the  river. 


South  view  of  the  Moheguii  Chapel,  iMontvillc. 

The  accompanyini^  lines,  in  reference  to  this  churcli,  are  from  the 
pen  of  JNIrs.  SIgourney, 


H<'|]ol(l,  yon  liills 

Whfi-u  .MHllUc  r 

ilhiuwM  hiiiilii'  s 

And  iiMiklh.isc  > 

InaiiiUds  sh<i-ii  ai 

Whrr.-tlidiiiusp 

.1  lhrsh-hti-aiu)f, 

WlHl.-lhn.u-l,  11 

r   h.;T-l.s,  su-ilt  as 

rUr   U-il,l  .IcTl-  «1, 

iim'il  (h.'  ari(nv'.s 

Ask  VI-  Uiv  hi, ml. 

's  1 i>lr,l  l.onn.l, 

Wilhcan.-  ninlV 

rnr.-|ii.Ml:ni.  p>.' 

i:ll-h,i-|iOi.ry  sir. 

,hiiMivi- 

\,'\,j  s.-i-ii  llu-sl 

aiKiw  qijil  ihe  vale 

'J'lir-  f,„uu  upon  I 

..•  u  ,>l.r..  I.ul- 

1  111-    llrt  lllli:   \  «|>. 

1    lra\  <■  11,1  llMif  : 

f-.i.-h  \va^  (Ih  li  ), 

ilh      thill  Jaded  n. 

!Iark!   liaikl   iVu 

11  ).iuilei-  darksdii, 

M.-lliouf;lil  Ihcir 

huiiihTMi;,'  war  ish. 

IMrlluHiMht  1  saw 

u  llickeriim  spiru 

Th.'  ll^•lltlliM•,'  of 

h.-ircouuril-lire: 

Ah,  l.o!   Ih.Mlii.sl 

halh  clu'ck'il  llifir 

Ana  clIniMiM  tl 

■ir  nloi-ioiisrav— 

Hut  halh  II  slauii 

h'cl  Ih.'lr  hlfiiliii- 

Oi-  qiirU'd  ri'liicii 

hiaiiLC,  ll(-n;carni 

Jd'Cfiraiiig  aiiyi 

l-.ay! 

ay 'J, 
lid  blue, 


IH-uK-d- 


(.,•,.  ;i  sa 

v.a'.- 

for 

In\-5s  frnwi 

'd 

vcd  doi 
ai  till'  1 

i.H-k 

R. 

,1  gi-uiind, 
|ir-a,-.-iiil  cl 
l.'i-ini-r'ri  n 

liiii, 
lllr  ; 

ins  llkr 

thus. 

Ih 

It  linu'i-riii;; 

stayed 

n'd 

v's 
Ih. 

awlul  shad 

lum 

.111.-  lor 
.ilh'd,  a 

lis  1 

s  1 
d.- 

iWlv  l.illll)- 
idiail's  lii- 
that  dcMii.'  1 

sjiiri'. 

V.  whci 

■  r.js 

•  tl 

.-llllildrrci 

s  y.  11 

rlul    h) 

mi  li 

Ik 

.1  -shall  sw. 

11— 

C-  SI 

|-|- 

J  a  laial  m 

.jftf, 

,-allio  ll 

«'  n- 

1  11 

ail's  tdiun 

'•  ^r^i"' 

nu-,-!- 

s,i  loiiE  condemned 

tl)  moan 

--rillud 

■III 

SB  and  lim 

Si-orird--r 

I'lDfii  hoatln-ii  rites— from  sorrow's  maze, 
'rurii  to  Ihcsi;  t('iri|)le-gales  with  pruise  ! 
'\'i-s,  come  mid  bless  th'  usurping  hand 
'J'hal  n-iit  away  your  fathers'  land— 
l'.iii;ivi-  the  wroijt;— suppress  thfi  hlanie — 
And  vii-w  y.Jiir  linpc—your  heaven— the  same ! 
L.  11.  S. 
Uaitford,  Nov.  1830 


Tlie  engraving  on  the  next  jia'io  is  a  s.  w.  view  of  the  house  formerly 
owned  and  occupied  by  the  l\ev.  Sampson  Occum.  li  is  situated  about 
half  a  mile  north  of  the  chapel.  The  aildition  seen  at  the  west  end, 
((7,)  is  said  to  have  been  useil  by  him  as  a  study. 

"Mr.  Sam])son  Occum  was  the  fust  Indian  pupil  educnted  by  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Wlieelock,  and  the  first  Indian  preacher  of  the  Gospel  ever 
in  Great  Britain.  Soon  after  he  emerged  from  pagan  darkness  he  went 
to  live  at  Lebanon,  with  Mr.  VVheelock,  afterwards  president  of  Dart- 
mouth College  ;  in  whose  fimily  and  under  whose  instruction  he  con- 
tinued for  several  years.  He  afterwards  kept  a  school  on  Long  Island, 
during  some  years,  and  at  the  same  time  otliciated  as  public  teacher  of 
the  Indian  tribe  at  IVlontauk  on  that  island,  till  he  received  ordination 
by  the  hand^'  i  f  the  Suffolk  presbytery.     He  was  afterwards  employed 


340 


NORTH       S  T  0  N  I  N  (i  'J'  0  N 


-■'  _-i^x^ 

V  •'- 

-" 



,■..-.' 

mzzj- 

i 

J: 

i 

i 

1 

».#** 


Sampson  Occuiii's  Innisc  in  ]\Iu/icgati,  Muniville. 

on  sevorul  missions,  to  various  trilies  of  Indiums,  and  lils  services  wcie 
well  received  and  approved.  At  his  (irst  eiuiaiicc  on  the  ministry,  and 
for  a  considerable  time  after,  he  was  c'steemc;d  and  res]:)eeied  in  his 
Christian  and  ministeiial  cliaraetcr.  He  was  jinhcd  to  be  'well  ac- 
complisheil,  and  peculiarly  turned  to  teach  anti  edify  his  savaj^e  breth- 
ren.' Nor  was  he  neglected  by  the  inhal)ilaiits  of  the  capital  towns. 
'Though  for  many  years  ho  was  without  polite  conversation,  and  desti- 
tute of  a  library,  yet  he  preached  to  good  acceptance  in  New  York, 
Boston,  and  otiier  populous  places.'  He  was  said  to  be  an  excellent 
preacher  in  his  own  language,  and  his  influence  among  the  Indians  was 
for  a  long  tinie  great.  In  1765  or  1760,  he  accompanied  Kev.  INlr. 
Whitaker  to  London,  for  the  purpose  of  soliciting  benefactions  for  the 
support  of  Mr.  Wheelock's  school,  insliliiled  at  Lebanon  for  the  edu- 
cation of  Indian  youth,  to  be  missionaries  and  schoolmasters  for  the  na- 
tions of  North  x\merica.  For  the  la-t  ycaisof  his  lile,  .Mr.  Occum  re- 
sided with  the  Indians  at  ^ew  Slockhrid^c,  state  oi'  New  York,  and' 
died  July,  179!^.  The  Kev.  Mr.  Kirkland,  missionary  to  the  Oueidas, 
preacheil  his  funeral  sermon."* 

The  Rev.  James  Ilillhouse,  the  first  minister  In  this  town,  was  installed 
in  October,  1722.     The  following  is  the  inscription  on  his  monument. 


fust  pTSlor  of  llio  second 
I,  lle.^celult:ci  fiuin  lioiioru- 
iiiiif,',  ol'  a  true  ningnanmi- 
11)  to  Ilie  will  (if  God  ;  still 
disposiiion.  The  (leli-ht  lie  had  in  liis  Rta.sier'^ 
suspension,  declaiini,'  his  dependence  on  the  veici- 


Here  lyeth  the  body  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  James  Tiillhouse, 
church  of  Christ  in  New  London.  lie  was  horn  in  IieUiiu 
ble  prof^enilors,  a  great  prcjfieient  in  luunan  aiid  divine  leu 
ily,  bearing,'  all  the  troubles  of  life  with  a  patient  icsiL,'uaii^ 
discovering  a  Christian  foij^ivinj; 
worif  increased  his  grief  under  hi: 

city  of  Christ's  promises,  that  he  had'expei  ieuced,  and  so,  comiuending  his  soul  to 
God,  he  fell  asleep,  lb  December,  ITli),  a;t.  'SA. 


NORTH    STONINGTON. 

This  town  was  originally  a  part  of  Stonington,  but  was  made  a  dis- 
tinct town  in  1803.  Its  average  length  from  east  to  west  is  eight  miles, 
and  its  breadth  about  six.     It  is  bounded  n.  by  Preston,  Griswold  and 

♦  Ho   aes'  Memoirs  of  the  MohoL'ans. 


/  ' 


NORTH       STONINGTON.  .'Ml 

Voliintown,  w.  by  Tiedyard  and  Preston,  k.  by  Rhode  Island,  and  s. 
by  Slonington.  Tlio  townsliip  is  loii^di,  billy,  and  abounds  with  "la- 
nitic  rocks.  The  s(jil  is  a  L;;ra\el!\'  loam,  and  allbuls  Li;oo(i  gra'/in'.';.  It 
is  watered  by  the  l*a\vcatnck  and  iis  branches,  uliioh  alVord  sites  (or 
mills  and  other  water  works.  ALiilcnhurc  is  the  |iilnci|ial  business  of 
the  inhabitants.  The  only  \illa2:e  in  the  town  is  called  iMlUtcwn.  It 
consists  of  between  '20  and  30  dwellini^^  houses,  fixe  mercantile  stores, 
and  two  houses  of  worship  ;  1  Tor  (/-unLiregaiionalists,  tlie  (jiher  Tor  bap- 
tists. There  aie  al.^o  two  other  liaplist  churches  in  the  limits  of  the 
town.  I\IiIltown  is  13  miles  from  IN'ew  tSondon,  ILM  fioni  A'orwich,  7 
from  Stonin;j,lon  borough,  and  5  from  Pawcatuck  brid'je. 

The  Rev.  Joseph  Fish  appears  to  have  been  the  fust  minisiei-  in  this 
town;  he  was  ordained  in  \T6-l,  it  bi.'inL;  about  this  time  that  the  town 
of  Stonington  was  divided  into  two  societies.  About  the  year  17  10 
was  a  period  of  great  religious  excitement,  and  Scpariiic  churc/us  were 
established  in  the  eastern  part  of  Connecticut.  In  17-1:2,  there  was  a 
separation  in  Sionington,  especially  from  the  church  under  the  pastoral 
care  of  Mr.  Fish. 

"  Perceivinj^  llie  errors  of  liis  people,  and  sen^iMe  tliai  many  ofilioin,  not  exceptiii? 
some  ul'  the  nieinljcrs  ul'  his  cliui  eli,  weie  veiy  iL,''iiorarit,  lie  loulc  ^^reat  pains  lo  in^liiaa 
Ihem,  in  private  as  well  as  pnlilic,  and  to  convince  iliein  ol'  tlieir  errors.  But  liiey 
appeared  liaii,t;liiy  and  sell'-snliieient,  and  in  ilieir  own  opinion  ueie  nuicli  wiser  than 
tlieir  teacher,  wiioni  they  tieated  with  'jwnt  aljnse.  'I'hev  toolc  great  otiense  at  a  ser- 
mon he  preached  IVoin  Ephes.  v.  I,  'Be  ye  therefore  foiloivers  of  God,  as  dear  chil- 
dren.' The  |)rincii)al  desi,i,'n  of  the  senmm  u  as  to  show  what  it  was  to  t'oUow  God,  or 
in  what  true  re!i!j;ion  consisted,  which  was  the  same  thinj,'.  It  was  observed,  that  i'ol- 
lowing  God,  as  dear  children,  implied  men's -^Mviny:  themselves  wholly  lo  him,  to  he 
troverned  by  his  commands;  thai  it  implied  an  imilaiioii  ol'  him  in  his  moral  perfec- 
tions, &c.  It  was  iuMsicd,  ihai  true  ivli/ioii  consisird  in  thus  IcdliAvin-  God;  and 
that  111  this  we  had  an  inlallil.le  iiile  of  liial,  whrihcr  we  were  Lu.ifs  children  or  iiol. 
It  was  inferred,  thai  Ina;  icii-imi  did  iiui  eunsi-l  in  ctslasics,  in  eiyingoiil  in  the  lime 
of  public  worsliiji,  in  poweilnl  iinpic-ssiuns,  in  lively  ima-iiialioiis,  orvj-ions  of  ;i 
bleetiing  Savior,  ,.*Lc.;  that  thom,'h  the  saints  miijhl  have  these  tliinf,'s,  yd  ihai  iluv 
were  no  evidences  of  a  ■,'iacioiis  state.  On  tiiis,  the  house  was  tilled  uiih  oiiici  us 
at^-aiiist  the  preacher,  lie  was  declared  to  he  an  opposcr  to  llie  work  of  ti.xl,  makii,- 
the  hearts  of  his  children  sad,  and  slren(;theimiL'  ihe  hands  of  the  wicked  from  this 
time,  divisions  and  [>rejudices  sprang  ii|),  im  icaM'd  and  became  t-ettled.  '^hsrc-aul- 
ing  their  covenant  vows,  which  they  had  so  lately  cnteietl  into  with  ihcir  past(jr  and 
brcthien  ;  without  taking  any  pains  to  reform  the  church,  with  resjiect  to  those  things 
Ihey  conceived  to  be  amiss,  or  without  regarding  the  pains  and  remonstrances  of  tht-^r 
pustor  and  brethren  to  dissuade  them;  a  large  number  finally  separated  themselves 
from  this  and  all  the  staiuling  churches. 

"  They  alledgi'il  as  reasons  for  their  separation,  that  the  standing  churches  were  not 
true  churches,  but  of  anii-chi  isi:  That  hypociisy  was  encouraged  bv  them,  and  they 
could  have  no  cnmmunion  with  hypociilcs.  They  mainlained  that  llie  church  should 
be  pure,  uikh.diled  with  liy|)OCi  isy,  .and  that  no  h\-pocrite  should  abide  with  them.  IIjioii 
this  princi|)le  llie  separate  chniches  >et  out.  They  |inblicly  pKd.'.^-ed  tlM.ln^(■lvls  to 
be  elected  ol  God,  given  toGhrisi,  and  ellcctuallv  called,  and  as  such,  ihey  einenauieil 
together.  They  maintained  that  the  \i  hole  p(.u  er  ol'  nidinalmn  was  jii  llie  chin  eh. 
They  objected  against  their  |iasior  for  using  iii>l.s,  and  at  the  same  lime  jna)  iiig  lor 
assistance  in  pi  caching.  They  mainiaiiud  that  God  had  redeemed  their  Mml.^,''aiid 
that  they  were  not  bound  ti)  iiies  ami  forms,  but  had  libei  ty  to  worship  whi'ie  ihcy 
thought  (it.  They  objected,  tiiat  lliere  was  iiiii  ihai  libeiiv  in  the  siamlin.;  churches, 
and  that  food  loi"  tlieir  souls  which  they  fumei  in  the  meeting  of  lln' hi  eriiren.  Be- 
cause ministers  studied  their  sermons,  thev  called  their  exercises,  pleaching-  out  cdthe 
liead,  and  declared  that  they  conlil  nol  be  edilied  by  it.  'i'hev  maintained,  thai  thcie 
■was  no  need  of  any  thing  more  tli;in  common  learniiii,'.  to  (jnalify  im  n  for  the  minis- 
try; thai  if  a  man  had  the  spirit  of  God,  it  was  no  mailer  whether  he  had  any  learn- 
ing at  all.  Indeed,  the  first  sepaiates  at  Sionington,  held  lo  a  s|iecial  icvelaii(;n  of 
some  facts,  or  future  events,  not  revealed  in  the\scripiures.  Tliev  elected  then  (iisi 
minister  by  revelation.  In  less  than  one  year,  they  chose,  ordained',  sileneeil,  cast  Inm 
out  of  the  chu  i  .  and  delivered  him  up  lo  Sa\vi.n.~ 'JVunibuH's  lint.  Cvn.  ]'al.  2,  p.  171. 


342 


I'  u  l:  S  T  O  N  . 


PRESTON. 


This  town  was  soliled  in  17SG.  The  first  clergyman  in  the  town, 
It  appears,  was  the  Rev.  Salmon  Treat,  who  was  ordained  Nov.  IGili, 
1698.  The  township  is  irregular  in  its  form,  bounded  w.  and  n.  by 
the  Thames  and  Quinnebang  livers,  e.  by  Griswold  and  North  Ston- 
ington,  and  s.  by  liedyard.  Its  average  length  is  about  7  miles,  and 
4^  in  breadth.  The  face  of  the  town  is  uneven,  consisting  of  hills  and 
valleys:  it  is  stony  and  rocky,  and  the  soil  is  a>gravelly  loam,  consider- 
ably fertile  and  productive.  It  is  better  adapted  to  grazing  tlian  tillage, 
though  considerable  quantities  of  Indian  corn  are  raised.  There  are 
three  houses  of  worship,  2  Coni;regational  and  1  Baptist.  Population 
in  1810,  was  1,701;  in  ]8;30,  it  was  1,935. 


Wcsti  rii  view  of  VuijUtiannuclc,  Prestuu. 

The  above  is  a  western  view  of  l\3(|uelannuck,  an  ancient  village 
near  the  line  between  Ledyard  and  Preston  ;  most  of  the  village  is  in 
Preston.  The  village  consists  of  about  30  or  40  dwelling  houses  and 
4  mercantile  stores.  A  large  cotton  factory  was  burnt  here  in  1835. 
The  building  seen  on  the  extreme  right  is  the  Episcoiial  church,- and  is 
within  the  limits  of  the  town  of  Ledyard.  The  village  is  situated  about 
two  miles  from  the  Thames,  at  the  head  of  a  cove,  and  nearly  4  miles 
from  Norwich  city.  Sloops  can,  at  high  water,  get  within  half  a  mile 
of  the  village  ;  considerable  quantiiies  ot  ship  timber  and  plank  are  ex- 
ported from  this  place,  and  many  of  the  Inhabitants  are  engaged  in  the 
seafaring  business,  rnaton  City  is  a  village  in  the  eastern  i)art  of  the 
town,  about  the  size  of  Poquetannuck,  in  which  there  is  a  Baptist  and 
a  Congregational  church.  This  village  is  six  miles  east  from  Norwich 
city,  and  five  northeast  from  Poquetannuck.  There  is  a  lake  south  of 
the  village,  called  Amos  lake,  which  is  a  place  of  some  resort  for  par- 
ties of  pleasure. 


S  A  L  F.  M  . S  T  0  N'  I  N  (;  T  0  N  .  313 

Col.  Jeremiah  ILdscij,  of  this  town,  was  a  lawyer  of  eminence,  and 
distinguished  for  his  ingenuity  and  enterprise.  The  present  state  house 
at  Hartford  was  erected  by  him.  He  was  engaged  in  ship  building,  as 
will  appear  from  the  following  notice,  copied  Ironi  one  of  the  newspa- 
pers of  the  day. 

Sew  London,  JrUi  13,  ITSC.  (951.) 
Lately  arrived  here  from  Poqiiaianmick  Riv-er,  wlieie  .she  was  built  under  the  ilirec- 
tion  olCul.  Jeremiah  Halbe_v,  llie  lueseul  uuucr,  a  leiiiarkalih."  duuble  deckid  Bri^'an- 
line,  burthen  1 10  tons,  cniisiiuetcd  and  built  witti  jdank  <.'iil\-,  hivini,'  no  limber  what- 
ever belon^iiii,'  to  her,  except  her  keel,  >ti;in  and  stem  ])ust.  .She  l^5  ^aul  to  be  very 
birontr,  and  is  a  well  moulded  vessel. 


SALEIM. 

Salem,  formerly  the  society  of  New  Salem,  the  principal  part  of 
which  was  in  the  bounds  of  Colchestei',  was  incorporated  a  town  in 
1819.  It  was  composed  of  the  south  seciion  of  Col(;liesier,  the  north- 
east section  of  Lyme,  and  the  northern  sectioti  of  IMontville.  It  is 
bounded  n.  by  Colcliester,  v..  by  Hozrah  and  Montville,  s.  by  iNlont- 
ville  and  Lyme,  and  w.  by  Ea.st  lladdam.  It  is  about  six  miles  long 
from  north  to  soulji,  and  about  five  broad  from  ea.'^t  to  west.  The  cen- 
ter of  the  town  is  about  twenty  nine  miles  sf)utlieast  from  Hartfoid,  and 
about  thirteen  miles  from  New  London.  The  iniiabitants  are  substan- 
tial farmers,  who  live  scattered  about  on  their  farms,  which  are  tolerably 
fertile  and  jiioductive.  'I'here  is  no  place  in  the  town  which  m;iy  be 
considered  as  a  village.  There  are  three  hotises  of  \\oi\^iri[)  in  the  town, 
1  Congregational,  1  jNIelhodist,  and  1  Episcopal. 


STONING  TON. 

The  first  person  who  settled  in  Stonington  was  William  Cheesebo- 
rough,  who  removed  here  from  Reholjoth,  in  jMassachuselts,  in  1G49. 
It  appears  that  complaints  were  made  against  him  for  trading  with  the 
Indians,  repaliing  their  arms,  fee.  which  practices  endangered  the  pub- 
lic safety.  He  was  summoned  before  the  General  Court  of  Connecti- 
cut, who,  declaring  they  had  a  clear  title  to  those  lands,  reprimanded 
him  for  settling  on  them  without  their  authority,  and  for  his  unlawful 
trading  with  the  Indians.  After  giving  bonds  for  his  good  conduct,  he 
was  allowed  to  continue  upon  the  lands.  The  court  promised  liim, 
that  if  he  would  procure  a  sullicient  number  of  planters,  they  would 
give  them  all  proper  encouragement  in  making  a  permanent  settlement. 
About  10  or  12  tamilies,  in  1G58,  made  settlements  in  this  quarter;  and 
finding  there  was  a  controversy  between  Connecticut  and  Massachu- 
setts with  respect  to  the  title  and  jurisdiction,  they,  on  the  30th  of 
June,  entered  into  a  voluntary  compact  to  govern  themselves,  and  con- 
duct their  alTairs  in  peace,  until  it  should  be  determined  to  whose  juris- 


344 


S  T  0  N  I  N  G  T  O  N  , 


diction  they  should  submit.  The  principal  planters  were  George  Dcn- 
nison,  Thomas  Slauion,  Thomas  Shaw,  William,  Elisha,  and  Samuel 
Cheeseborough,  Moses  and  \V^dter  Palmer.  These,  with  some  others, 
were  signers  of  the  vokmlary  compact.*  The  (irst  settlement  was  made 
at  IVtquctcqaock  cove,  a  little  more  than  two  miles  n.e.  of  Stonincton 
borough.  Cheescborough,  or  Cheesebro,  and  Palmer,  located  them- 
selves, one  on  each  side  of  the  cove:  the  cellars  of  their  houses  are 
still  to  be  seen. 


IVtst  view  of  the  Borough  of  Slonlngton. 


Massachusetts  claimed  this  tract  of  country,  by  virtue  of  the  assist- 
ance they  rendered  to  Connecticut,  in  the  conquest  of  the  Pequots. 
This  claim  was  allowed  by  tlio  commissioners  of  the  colonies,  and  Mys- 
tic river  was  adjudged  to  be  the  easiein  boundary  of  Connecticut. 
UjUMi  the  pelition  of  the  phmicrs,  Oct,  IDth,  the  (lencral  Court^of 
i\lassarhnsclts  made  them  a  grant  of  eight  miles  eastward  of  the  mouth 
of  llic  Mystic,  and  eight  miles  northward  into  the  country,  and  named 
the  plantation  Southcrton.  It  continued  under  the  government  of 
jMassachusetts,  until  after  Connecticut  obtained  a  royal  charter. 

Slonington  is  bounded  north  by  North  Stonington,  west  by  Mystic 
river,  separatin;,^  it  from  Groton,  east  by  Pawcatuck  river,  which  sepa- 
rates it  from  Westerly,  in  the  state  of  Rhode  Island,  and  south  by 
Fisher's  Island  soimd  and  Narragansett  bay.  It  averages  about  seven 
rniles  in  length  from  I'ast  to  west,  and  upwards  of  six  in  breadth,  con- 
taining foi'ty  [\\'G  squaie  miles. 

The  townshij)  is  uneven,  and  abounds  with  rocks;  the  soil  is,  how- 
ever, generally  fertile,  being  well  adapted  for  grazing.  Within  the 
limits  of  the  town,  in  many  places,  are  single,  large  rocks,  lying  loose 
upon  the  surface  of  other  rocks  imbedded  in  the  earth.  The  three 
principal  settlements,  or  \illagcs,  are  Stonington  borough.  Lower  Mys- 
tic, o])posito   Porlersville  in  Groton,   and   the   village   at  the  head  of 


Dr,  Tnnnbull. 


STONINGTON.  015 

Mystic.  There  is  also  a  settlement  of  about  fifteen  or  twenty  houses 
on  the  Connecticut  side  of  the  Pavvcatuck  river,  at  Pawcatuck  brifl;;e, 
Tliere  are  three  houses  of  worship,  two  Contrregational,  and  one  Bap- 
tist. There  are  one  or  two  cotton  factories,  and  one  woolen  factory, 
in  the  town.  The  marine  situation  and  interests  of  Stonington  have 
rendered  it  a  conspicuous  nursery  for  seamen,  who  are  distinguished  for 
their  enterpiise,  perseverance,  and  courage.  There  are  two  banks ; 
the  Stonington,  and  the  Mystic. 

Stonington  borough  was  incorporated  in  1801.  It  is  situated  on  a 
narrow,  rocky  point  of  land,  of  about  half  a  mile  in  length,  at  the  east- 
ern extremity  of  Long  Island  sound,  "^'he  borough  consists  of  about 
150  dwelling  houses  and  stores,  and  upwards  of  1 ,000  inhabitants,  2 
churciies,  1  Congregational,  and  1  Baptist;  'i  Acadeniies,  where  the 
higher  branches  of  education  are  taught,  and  1  Bank.  Sealing  and 
whaling  is  the  principal  business.  In  some  years  100,000  seal  skins 
have  been  brought  into  this  place.  The.  breakwater  at  tliis  ])lace  was 
erected  by  the  United  States,  at  an  expense  of  about  50,000  dollars. 
In  the  severest  seasons,  ships  can  get  up  to  the  breakwater,  without 
being  obstructed  by  ice.  Since  the  location  of  the  New  York,  Provi-^ 
dence  and  Boston  rail  road  through  this  place,  real  estate  has  more 
than  doubled  in  value,  Stonington  borough  is  12  miles  east  from  New 
L/ondon,  and  45  from  Providence. 

This  town  has  become  celebrated  for  the  spirited  and  successful  re- 
sistance which  it  made  to  the  attack  and  bombardment  of  Sir  Thomas 
Hardy,  during  the  late  war.  '^Phe  following  account  is  taken  from 
"  iY-rkins'  IJistoiy  of  the  Late  ^Var." 

"  On  the  Dill  ol'  August,  (IHl  1,)  a  (letacliincnt  from  the  .sqdnilioii  off  New  London, 
Con.--islin;^ollhe  ihij,'.-,hip  lLun)ilic.->  71,  I'.icluUis  iirt,  a  bomb  sliip,  and  tlic  Des|>atcli  brig 
o(-i'2  jjuns,  appeared  oil' Slonin;;litn  point.  At  live  o'cioeic  a  note  was  addies.sed  lu  the 
magistrates  of  the  viila;?e  by  tlie  commodore,  informin>(  tiiem  that  one  hour  li(jm  the 
receipt  of  the  note  was  allowed  them  I'or  the  removal  of  the  unolfending  inhabitants  and 
ttleels.  The  oiiieer  who  brought  the  note  was  inquired  of  whether  a  tlair  would  be 
reeeived  IVoiii  the  mai,'istrates ;  his  reply  was,  that  no  at  rangeinenl  could  be  made. 
On  being  asked  wiiether  Commodore  Hardy  had  determined'to  destroy  the  town,  he 
replied  that  sneli  were  his  orders  from  Admiral  Cochrane;  and  thai  It  would  be  done 
most  elfectually.  On  receiving  the  communication,  the  village  was  thrown  into  the 
utmost  consternation-  The  most  Valuable  articles  were  hastily  removed  or  concealed. 
The  sick  and  aged  were  removed,  the  women,  children,  and  inhabitants  incapable  of 
bearing  arms,  lied  to  the  neighboring  farm  houses.  A  few  militia,  stationed  at  tlie 
point,  under  the  command  of  Lieutenant  Hough,  were  placed  in  the  best  positions  to 
give  notice  of  any  attempt  to  land.  A  number  of  volunteers  hastened  to  the  battery 
on  the  point,  which  consisted  of  two  eighteens,  and  one  four  pounder  mounted  ou 
field  carriages,  protected  by  a  slight  breastwork.  An  express  was  immediately  di.s- 
patched  to  General  Cushing  at  New  London,  the  United  States  commanding  general 
ol'  the  district,  wiili  a  request  for  immediate  assistance.  The  general  considered  this 
as  a  feint,  intended  to  mask  a  real  attack  on  fort  Griswold,  which  commanded  the  har- 
bor ol'  New  London  ;  thai  the  object  of  the  enemy  was  to  draw  the  regular  troops 
and  militia  from  that  jiosl,  and  in  the  mean  time  land  a  considerable  force  at  the  head 
of  Mystic,  four  miles  in  ihe  rear  of  the  fori,  and  take  it  by  storm.  Having  accom- 
plished this  objeel,  they  could  destroy  or  lay  under  contribution  the  town  of  New  Lon- 
don, and  proceed  up  the  river  and  capture  the  frigates.*  This  opinion  of  the  gene- 
ral's was  confirmed  in  consequence  of  the  squadron  having  lately  been  leinforced; 
and  a  number  of  ships  taking  stations  near  Mystic.  Having  these  views  of  the  de- 
signs of  ihe  enemy.  General  Cushing  made  correspondent  arrangements  with  Major 


General  Ciishing's  letter  to  the  secretary  of  war. 

44 


346  STONING  TON. 

General  Williams,  commander  of  the  divi.>ioii  uf  mililiain  that  district ;  and  orders 
were  immediately  given  for  the  asseinblinf,'  of  one  rej.;uneiit  at  the  point  of  altaek  at 
Stonington  ;  one  at  the  head  of  Mystic  river,  to  prevent  a  landing'  ior  the  pnrpose  of 
altackins  fort  Griswold  ;  one  company  of  arlillery  and  one  ref,Mment  of  infantry  at 
Norwich  port,  a  few  miles  in  the  rear  of  the  iri^nte.s  ;  and  one  company  of  artillery 
and  regiment  of  infanirv  fur  the  protection  of  fort  Trnmbull  and  the  city  of  New 
London.     These  dispositions  were  ])rompily  and  zealously  carried  into  clleet. 

"  The  village  of  Stonington  point  consists  of  about  one  hundred  dwelling  houses, 
and  a  number  of  stores,  compactly  built  on  a  narrow  peninsula,  extending  half  a  mile, 
and  forming  a  convenient  harbor.  The  attack  commenced  on  this  village  at  8  o'clock 
in  the  evening  by  a  discharge  of  shells  from  ihe  bomb  ship,  and  rockei.s  and  carcasses 
from  several  barges  and  launches,  which  had  taken  their  stations  at  dillerenl  jioints. 
The  first  continued  without  intermission  until  inidniu'hl,  and  was  occasionally  an- 
swered from  the  battery,  as  the  light  of  the  rockets  presented  a  view  of  the  object. 
During  this  period,  the  non-combalant  inhabitants  of  iTic  village,  having  taken  shel-- 
tor  in  the  neighboring  houses  and  barns,  were  waiting  the  eveiitin  trembling  anxiely  ; 
expecting  every  moment  to  witness  the  conllagraiion  of  their  dwellings.  At  twelve 
o'clock  the  firing  ceased  ;  no  building  was  consumed,  or  person  injured."  In  the  course 
of  the  night  the  militia  and  volunteers  assembled  in  considerable  numbeis.  At  day- 
light on  the  10th,  the  appioach  of  the  British  was  annouueeil  by  a  discharge  of  rock- 
ets from  several  barges  and  a  launch,  which  had  taken  their  stations  un  ihe  east  side 
of  the  village,  and  out  of  the  reach  of  the  battery.  A  luiinber  of  volunieers  with 
musketry  and  one  four  pouiuier  hastened  across  the  point  to  meet  the  encmv,  supposing 
they  would  attempt  a  landing  from  the  barges.  Colonel  Randall  of  the  KJih  regiment, 
who  was  at  this  time  approaching  the  battery  with  a  delachinent  of  mililia,  ordered 
his  men  to  assist  the  volunteers  in  drawing  over  one  of  the  eighteen  p(nmders  tu  the 
extreme  end  of  the  point,  the  tire  from  which  soon  comficlkd  tlie  barges  to  seek  their 
safety  by  (light :  during  this  time  the  brig  was  woiking  up  towards  the  point,  and  at 
sunrise  dropped  anchor  within  half  a  milecd'  the  battery.  This  was  now  manned  by 
only  about  twenty  men  ;  and  their  ammunition  being  expended,  they  spiked  the  guns 
and  retired.  The  brig  now  continued  delibeiately  to  pour  into  Ihe  village  her  ihiiiy 
two  pound  and  grape  shot,  and  the  bomb  ship  to  throw  her  shells  for  an  hour  without 
a  shot  being  returned. 

"  At  eight  o'clock,  a  supply  of  ammunition  having  arrived,  the  eighteen  pounder 
was  drilled,  and  such  an  animated  and  well  direeled  lire  opened  on  ihe  brig,  that  at 
three  o'clock,  having  received  several  shot  below  her  water  mark,  and  much  damage 
in  her  spars  and  rigging,  she  slipped  her  cables  and  hauled  o/f  out  of  the  reach  of  Ihe 
battery.  In  this  contest  two  Americans  only  were  slightly  wounded.  The  Hag,  which 
was  nailed  to  the  staff  on  the  battery,  was  pierced  with  seven  shot;  the  breast-work 
■was  considerably  damaged,  aad  six  or  eight  dwelling  houses  much  injured.  Consid- 
erable bodies  of  militia  arrived  in  the  course  iif  the  clay;  and  Brigadier  General 
Ishain  took  the  command.  The  inhabitants  had  recovered  Irom  the  cousternaiion  of 
the  first  momenis  ;  things  asMimed  a  more  regular  and  oideily  a.^pccl.  Eveiy  one 
capable  of  bearing  arms  was  at  the  jiost  of  danger,  and  the  others  emjiloyed  in  re- 
moving their  ellecis. 

"  The  Ramilies  and  Paclohis  now  hauled  up  and  toolc  stations  withm  two  miles  of 
the  village;  and  threatened  it  with  in.^lanl  desiriictioii.  The  magistiates  sent  a  depu- 
tation on  board  the  Ramilies  with  a  note  addressed  lo  Commodore  Hardy,  informing 
him,  that  the  town  was  now  cleared  of  unoircnding  inhahilants,  in  conseijuence  of  his 
note  of  yesterday,  and  wishing  to  kiK)W  his  determination  respecting  the  fate  of  the 
village.  The  dejuitation,  consistingof  C'olonel  Williainsand  Mr.  Lord,  were  detained 
on  board  an  hour,  their  own  boat  sent  back  ;  and  at  tlie  ex|)iration  of  the  time,  they 
were  conveyed  in  a  flag  from  the  ship,  with  a  note  to  the  magistrates,  stating  that  the 
deputation  having  give  assurance  that  no  torpedoes  had  been  fitted  out  from  that 
port,  and  having  engaged  that  none  should  be  in  future,  or  receive  any  aid  from  the 
town;  that  further  hostilities  should  cease,  and  the  village  be  spared,  in  case  they 
sent  on  board  his  ship,  by  eight  o'clock  in  ihe  morning  of  the  11th,  Mi's.  Stewart,  a 
lady  then  resident  at  New  London,  wife  of  the  late  British  consul  at  that  place,  and 
her  family.  But  in  case  of  failure,  he  should  proceed  to  destroy  the  village  eli'eeinally  ; 
for  which  he  slated  that  he  possessed  ample  means.  The  magistrates  and  ciii/ens  cd' 
the  borough  were  in  a  singular  stale  of  embarrassment  on  receiving  this  demand; 
being  required  to  procure  and  send  on  board  the  commodore's  ship,  a  lady  over  whom 
they  had  no  control.  Mrs.  Stewart  was  under  the  protection  of  the  government  ol 
the  United  States;  had  ever  been  treated  with  respect  at  New  London,  where  she  had 
long  resided  ;  her  personal  safely  was  never  in  the  least  at  hazard  ;  and  her  husband'.s 
application  to  have  his  family  sent  on  board  the  squadron  had  been  leceived  by  Ihe 
commanding  general  and  transmitted  to  the  executive,  and  no  duubl  would  be  granted  ; 
but  the  borough  of  Stonington  had  no  coacern  or  authoiity  on  the  subject,  and  pos- 


W  A  T  F,  U  F  O  K  D  . 


347 


sessed  no  powers  to  comply  with  the  required  coudilion.  At  ci-bt  o  olock  in  the 
mornins  of  the  Uth,  the  niniiisi rates;,  under  the  direction  ol  the  commanding  general, 
.sent  a  lla-  oa  ponrd  the  Ramilies  with  the  foregoing  representation.  The  commodore 
replied  that  he  shouhl  wait  nniil  twelve  o'clock,  and  if  the  lady  was  net  then  sent  on 
board  hostilities  would  recommence.  At  this  period,  three  regiments  ot  mi  uia  had 
arrived  and  the  town  was  well  secured  against  a  landing.  At  three  o  clock,  ilie  bomt) 
ship,  having  taken  a  station  out  of  the  reach  of  the  guns  of  the  battery,  commenced 
throwin"  shells  into  the  village  and  continued  until  evening.  At  sunrise  on  the  luh, 
the  boird)  ship  renewed  her  operations,  while  the  Ramilies  and  Pactolus  were  warp- 
ing in  ;  at  eight  o'clock  these  ships  opened  their  fire.  This  iieavy  bombardment  con- 
tinued until  noon,  when  the  ships  ceased  firing.  At  four  in  the  alternoon  they  hiiuieit 
ofl  to  their  former  anchorage,  and  the  conli^si  ended.  The  vice  consul  was  obliged 
to  resort  to  other  and  more  appropriate  measures  to  obtain  his  wile  and  lamiiy,  than 
Ihat  of  desolating  an  unotlendmg  village.  The  slnps  taking  a  station  out  ot  the 
reach  of  cannon 'shot  from  the  battery,  the  citizens  \V-ere  obliged  to  witness  the  scene 
without  the  power  of  resistance.  The  troops  withdrew  from  the  point  excepting  a 
guard  of  fifty  men,  who  were  kept  to  jiatrule  the  streets  and  e.vtmguish  hies.  1  he 
cannon  from"  the  ballery  were  ordered  up  to  tlie  north  end  o(  the  point,  to  he  in  reaui- 
ne.ss  in  case  of  an  attempt  at  landing:  this  hazardous  service  was  performed  by  vol- 
unteers of  the  Norwich  artillery,  who  instantly  oflered  themselves,  under  the  com- 
mand of  Lieutenant  Lathrop.  This  party,  though  exposed  the  whole  time  to  the  ene- 
jiiy's  (ire,  accomplished  the  enterprise  without  loss.  J)uring  the  whole  scene  no  lives 
were  lost,  and  but  two  or  three  wounded.  The  houses  were  several  times  set  oil  tire 
by  the  rockets  and  shells,  but  were  soon  extinguished  by  the  patiole  Many  o  the 
buildings  were  much  damaged,  and  few  remain  without  some  marks  ot  the  bom- 
bardment. The  judicious  arrangements  of  General  Gushing,  and  the  spirit  aiid  alac- 
rity with  which  the  mililia  turned  out  to  defend  Stonington,  and  guard  the  other  ex- 
posed points,  prevented  those  ulterior  operalions  of  the  British,  which  were  appre- 
hended hy  that  general,  and  which  no  douhl  were  designed  as  the  ultimate  object  of 
the  expedition.  The  citizens  of  Connecticut,  when  called  upon  to  delend  their  dwell- 
ings from  conllagraiion,  manifested  a  zeal  and  bravery  worthy  of  freemen  in  defense 
ot  their  soil.  'J'he  reei'ption  which  the  P,rili>h  met  with  at  Stonington,  deterred  lliem 
from  any  further  ailemjUs  on  the  cuast  of  Connecticut." 


^V  A  T  i:  n  FOR  1) . 

Waterfokd  was  formerly  included  wiiliin  the  limits  of  NewLondon. 
It  was  iiicorpor;iitHl  as  a  distinct  town  in  1801.  It  is  hounded  n.  by 
IMontviiie,  w.  hy  Lyme,  e.  hy  New  J^ondon  and  the  Thames,  and  s. 
by  ]^ong  Island  sound.  Its  averafre  length  is  7  miles,  and  its  average 
breadth  about  five  miles.  Its  surface  is  uneven,  and  the  soil  a  gravelly 
loam,  better  adapted  to  grazing  than  grain,  of  which  there  is  little  cul- 
tivated, excepting  Indian  corn.  There  are  two  woolen  factories  in  the 
town.  In  the  southwestern  part  of  the  town  is  a  valuable  granite 
quarry,  owned  by  the  Messrs.  Gardiner,  at  which  many  workmen  are 
employed. 

There  are  three  houses  for  public  worship  in  this  town,  all  of  which 
are  for  the  Baptist  denomination  ;  one  of  which  is  for  the  Scveyith  Jay 
Baptists,  so  called  from  their  observing  Saturday,  the  Jewish  sabbath, 
Instead  of  the  first  day. 

The  following  is  from  Backus'  history  of  the  Baptists,  vol.  1,  pub- 
lished'in  Boston  in  1777. 

"  A  new  sect  came  out  Iroin  among  the  Bapiisis  about  this  lime,  who  have  caused  not 
a  little  trouble  to  theiiibelves  and  others,  of  whum  I  liave  collected  the  following  brief 
account,  chielly  from  ihe  letters  preserved  by  Mr.  Samuel  Hubbard.  In  the  close  of 
the  year  107-1,  "the  lamily  of  Mr.  James  Rogers  of  New  London,  called  Mr.  Ciandal 
over  from  Westerlv,  who  preached  among  them,  and  baptized  his  sons  John  tmd  James, 


3'18  WATEUFORD. 

nncl  an  Indian  named  Japliet.  Tliis  alarmed  the  other  denomination,  and  Mr.  Brad- 
i^tieet,  minister  at  IN'ew  Londun,  said  lie  hoped  the  next  court  would  talie  a  course  with 
them.  Tliey  sent  to  Newport,  and  ekler  Hickox,  Mr.  Hubbard,  and  his  bon  Clarke, 
were  sent  to  visit  them  in  Alarch,  1G75,  wlien  Jonathan  Rogers  was  also  baptized,  and 
all  lour  of  them  were  received  as  members  of  their  church  by  prayer  and  laj-ing  on  of 
hands.  Hereupon  John  Rogers'  father-in-law,  took  his  wife  and  children  trom  him  ; 
and  upon  her  complaints  against  him,  he  was  carried  before  their  deputy  governor,  and 
committed  to  Hartford  gaol,  from  whence  he  wrote  to  Mr.  Hubbard,  April  6ih,  1705. 
How  long  he  continued  there  I  do  not  find,  only  he  visited  the  churcii  at  Newport  tho 
next  Se|)ti'mber,  On  September  18th,  107(5,  those  four  members  went  with  a  boat  and 
lirought  elder  Hickox  and  Mr.  Hubbard  to  New  London  again,  when  old  Mr.  Rogers, 
liis  wife,  and  daughter,  were  all  baptized  and  received  into  thai  church  ;  whereupon 
they  were  called  before  the  magistrate,  but  were  soon  released  ;  though  from  that  time 
Ihey  began  to  imprison  the  Rogerses  for  working  on  the  fiqst  day  of  the  week.  And 
when  Mr.  Hickox  and  Mr.  Hubbard  visited  them  again,  and  held  worship  with  them 
two  miles  out  of  town,  on  their  sabbath,  Nov.  23,  1G77,  and  Joseph  Rogers'  wife  had 
next  morning  given  them  a  satislying  account  of  her  experiences,  John  must  needs 
liave  them  go  up  to  town  to  baptize  her  there.  Mr.  Hubbard  opposed  it,  but  John 
carried  the  day  ;  and  while  Mr.  Hickox  was  preaching  at  town,  the  constable  came 
and  took  him,  and  they  all  went  before  the  magistrate  ;  where  also  was  the  minister, 
Mr.  Bradstreet,  who  had  much  to  say  about  ihe  i^ nod  way  (heir  fathers  had  set  'up. 
Upon  which  Mr.  Hubbard,  obtaining  leave  to  speak,  said,  '  you  are  a  young  man,  but 
I  am  an  old  planter  of  about  forty  yeai.s,  a  beginner  of  Connecticut,  and  have  been 
persecuted  for  my  conscience  from  this  colony,  and  I  can  a.ssure  you,  that  the  old  begin- 
ners were  not  for  persecution,  but  we  had  liberty  at  first.'  After  further  discourse,  thu 
magistrate  said  couid  yuu  not  do  it  elsewhere  ?  '  A  good  answer,'  says  Mr.  Hubbard  ; 
and  so  they  were  released  and  went  to  Samuel  Rogers'  house,  where  his  brother  John 
put  himself  forward,  prayed,  and  then  went  out  to  the  water  and  baptized  his  sister: 
upon  which  Mr.  Hickox  was  seized  again,  as  supposing  he  had  done  it,  but  Joliii  camo 
before  the  magistrate,  and  was  forward  to  make  known  his  act  therein  ;  so  the  others 
were  released  and  returned  home.'' 

"Jonathan  Rogers,  liad  married  Naomi  Burdick,  granddaughter  to  Mr.  Hubbard, 
and  on  March  -2,  1678,  elder  Hickox,  baptized  her  at  Westerly,  together  with  James 
Babciick,  George  Lamphere,  and  two  others,  and  on  the  5lli  of  May  following,  Joseph 
Clarke  wrote  Irom  thence  to  his  lather  Hubbard,  that  John  and  James  Rogers  with 
their  father  were  in  prison  ;  having  previously  excommunicated  Jonathan,  chietly 
because  he  did  not  retain  their  judgment  of  the  unlawfulness  of  using  medicine,  nor 
accuse  himself  before  authority,  for  working  on  the  first  day  of  the  week."  Hereupon 
the  church  at  Newport  sent  messengers  to  New  London  about  this  matter,  who  re- 
ported on  their  return  thai,  "  a  practice  was  started  up  (out  of  conscience,)  that  because 
the  world,  yea,  most  professors,  pray  in  their  families  mornings  and  nights,  and  before 
meats  and  after,  in  a  customary  way,  therefore  to  forbear  i)rayer  in  their  families, 
or  at  meals  publicklv  exceut  some  are  led  forth  uiiou  stune  special  occasion  ;  saying 

they  llnd  no  command  in  the  wor.l  of  God  for  it.'' "  The  church  lepeatedly 

sent  and  labored  with  them  but  to  no  etfect." "  From  this  beginning  proceeiled 

a  sect  which  has  continued  to  tliis  day,  whtim  from  their  chief  leader  have  been  called 
Roi^erenes.  In  their  dialect,  and  many  other  things,  they  have  been  like  the  iirst 
Gluakers  in  this  country  (.■')  though  they  have  retained  the  external  useof  bapti.sm  and 
the  supper,  and  have  been  singular  in  refusing  the  use  of  means  and  medicines  for 
their  bodies.  Their  greatest  zeal  has  been  discovered  going  Iroin  meeting  to  meeting, 
and  from  town  to  town,  as  far  as  Norwich  and  Lebanon,  (the  one  11,  the  other  21 
miles,)  to  testify  against  hireling  teachers,  and  against  keeping  the  first  day  of  the 
week  as  a  sabbath, -which  they  call  the  idol  sabbath.  And  when  the  authority  havo 
taken  them  up,  and  fined  them  therefor,  and  have  sometimes  whipt  them  for  refusing 
to  pay  it,  thev  have  soon  published  accounts  of  all  such  persecutions,  which  has  been 
the  very  means  of  keeping  their  sect  alive.  When  tlie  Small  Pox  was  very  terrible 
in  Boston,  in  17"21,  and  great  fear  of  it  was  discovered  in  the  country,  John  Rogers 
their  founder,  was  confident  he  could  go  in  where  it  was  and  not  catch  it :  and  to  prove 
his  faith,  went  100  miles  to  Boston,  but  catched  the  distemper,  came  home  and  died 
with  it,  and  scattered  it  in  his  family  :  yet  his  successors  still  kept  on  in  their  way, 
6o  late  down  as  1703,  some  of  them  iepeatedly  came  and  clapped  shingles  and  pieces 
of  boards  around  the  meeting  house  in  Norwich  town,  as  well  as  delivered  messages  to 

the  woishippeis  against  their  keeping  of  the  Lord's  day Besides  these  there 

have  been  some  Sabbatarian  Baptists  in  that  place,  fr'ojn  the  beguining  to  the  present 
time,  though  not  a  distinct  church." 


r  A  I  n  F  I  F,  I.  n . 


319 


FAIRFIELD    COUNTY. 

Fairfield  County  is  bounded  n.  by  Litchfield  Connty,  n.  k.  and 
E.  by  the  Ilousaionic  river,  which  separates  it  from  the  county  of  INevv 
Haven,  on  the  s.  e.  and  s.  by  Long  Island  Sound,  and  w.  by  the  state 
of  New  York.  Tlie  county  is  of  a  triangular  form,  and  has  an  average 
length  from  east  to  west  of  about  30  miles,  and  a  mean  breadth  from 
iiortli  to  south  of  about  21  miles.  It  extends  about  ^JO  miles  on  Long 
Island  sound,  and  abounds  with  bays,  points,  and  harbors,  alFurding 
many  interesting  and  beautiful  landscapes.  Proceeding  from  the  Sound 
into  the  interior,  there  is  a  veiy  gradual  rise  to  the  most  elevated  sec- 
tions of  the  county,  which  oveiluok  the  intervening  tract.  The  face 
of  the  country  is  generally  agreeably  diveislficd  with  hills  and  valleys. 
The  soil,  which  in  general  is  a  prin)ltive  gravelly  loam,  is,  \vith  few 
exceptions,  strong  and  fertile,  and  this  county  may  be  considered  as  a 
rich  farming  district,  containing  abundant  natural  resources  of  agricul- 
tural wealth.  Manufactures  of  various  kinds  receiVe  considerable  atten- 
tion in  some  parts  of  the  county,  and  the  business  is  increasing. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  several  towns  in  the  county,  with  their 
population  in  1830. 

Monroe,     . 

New  Canaan, 

New  Fairlieki 

Newtown,  . 

Norwalk,    . 

l{eading,     . 

Kidgeficid, 

Po])ulation  of  the  county  in  1820,  d2,731);  in  1630,    10,950, 


Fairfield,  . 

4  222 

13a n bury, 

4,311 

Bridgeport, 

2,800 

Krookfield, 

1 ,255 

Darien, 

1,212 

Gieenwich, 

3,801 

Huntington, 

1,371 

1,522 

Sherman, 

947 

1 ,830 

Stamluril, 

.     3,707 

939 

St  rat  fold, 

.     1,814 

3,096 

Trumbull, 

.     1,212 

3,792 

Weston,   . 

.     2,997 

1 ,080 

^Vestport, 

2,305 

Wilton,     . 

.     2,097 

FAIRFIELD. 


Fairfiei-d  was  discovered  by  the  pursuit  of  the  Pequots,  in  1637. 
Mr.  liudlow,  who  went  with  the  troops  to  the  Sasco,  the  great  swamp 
in  this  town,  was  so  well  pleased  with  the  fine  tract  of  land  in  the  vi- 
cinity, that  he  soon  projected  a  settlement.  In  1639,  he,  with  a  num- 
ber of  others,  began  a  plantation  at  Unquowa,  the  Indian  name  of  the 
place.  At  first  there  were  but  eight  or  ten  families.  These,  it  appears, 
removed  from  \Vinilsor  with  Mr.  Ludlow,*  the  principal  planter.  They 
were  shortly  after  joined  by  another  company  from  AVatertown.  A 
third  company  removed  into  the  plantation  from  Concord;  so  that  the 


♦  Mr.  Ludlow  came  from  the  west  of  England,  with  Warhain  and  his  company. 
In  1G34,  he  was  chosen  deputy-  governor  of  Massachuselts  colony;  the  next  year  he 
came  into  Connecticut,  and  was  twice  elected  depuiy  governor  of  tiie  colony,  and  was 
compiler  of  the  first  Connecticut  code,  piinted  at  Cambridge  in  1G9'2.  lie  icnidVed 
with  his  family  to  Viiginia,  in  IG54.  Being  town  clerk  of  Fairlieki,  he  carricii  oH-> 
their  records  and  other  public  writings. 


V-. 


350  FAIRFIELD. 

inhabitants  soon  became  numerous,  and  formed  themselves  into  a  town- 
ship under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  colony  of  Connecticut.  The  first 
adventurers  purchased  a  large  tract  of  the  natives,  and  soon  alter  Con- 
necticut obtained  charter  privileges,  the  General  Assembly  gave  them  a 
patent.  The  purchase  comprised  the  parishes  of  Fairfield,  Greenfield, 
Green's  Farms,  and  that  part  of  Stratfield  lying  within  the  town  ol 
Fairfield,  all  the  town  of  ^Veston,  and  a  considerable  part  of  Reading. 

"Having  obtained  this  patent,  the  proprietoi's  soon  after  divided  the 
territory  purchased  into  lots,  which  run  from  near  the  shore  of  the 
Sound,  back  about  ten  miles,  reserving  suitable  highways^rimnlng  par- 
allel to,  and  at  right  angles  with  these  lots,  the  course  of  which  was 
north,  28  degrees  west.  These  highways  were  laid  entirely  straight 
for  ten  miles,  but  have  since  been  altered  in  many  places." 

"  As  but  a  small  part  of  this  extensive  tract  of  land  had  been  occu- 
pied, previously  to  the  time  when  Sir  Edmund  Andross  made  his  ap- 
pearance in  Connecticut,  the  inhabitants  of  this  town  adopted  this  plan 
of  dividing  their  purchase,  to  jjrevent  their  wild  lands  back  liom  being 
taken  from  them  ;  supposing,  that  as  they  were  actually  in  the  occupa- 
tion of  the  front  of  tlieir  lots,  they  might  be  considered  as  |)Ossessing 
the  whole,  so  far  as  to  render  it  private  ))roperty,  and  not  subject  to  the 
disposal  of  the  Bi'itish  government.  The  lots  were  of  (hllerent  widths  ; 
some  being  about  ten  rods  wide,  while  others  were  (illy  rods  in  width. 
Each  proprietor  had  set  to  him  a  lot,  the  width  of  which  was  probably 
regulated  by  the  amount  of  the  money  paid  by  such  proprietor;  and  in 
the  measuring  of  these  lots,  regard  was  had  to  inches,  which  shows  a 
precise  arithmetical  calculation,  l^ach  of  these  lots  has  to  this  day 
been  called  by  the  name  of  the  first  ])rop)ietor,  although  a  very  con- 
siderable proportion  of  them  are  owned  by  persons  of  dillerent  names. 
Nearly  in  the  center  of  this  town  was  reserved  a  tract,  one  mile  in  ex- 
tent, which  was  not  divided,  and  was  called  the  mile  of  conunon. 
Greenfield  Hill  is  within  the  limits  o(  this  tract. " 

l''airli('ld  is  bouniled  northerly  by  AVc^lon,  uortheaMerly  by  Hridgc- 
poit,  westerly  by  \V  est  port,  and  southerly  by  Long  island  sound.  It 
lias  a  mran  length  of  ujnvards  of  six  miles  from  northeast  to  southwest, 
and  a  breadth  of  six  miles.  It  is  a  rich  agricultural  township,  and  in 
general  in  a  high  state  of  cultivation.  1'he  original  growth  of  timber 
was,  at  an  early  period,  from  a  common  but  lamentable  improvidence, 
entirely  destroyed,  so  that  the  forests  now  existing  are  of  recent  growth, 
and  comprise  but  little  limber  fit  for  building.  A\'ood  and  timber,  there- 
fore, conunand  a  high  price.  The  surface  of  the  town  is  undulating, 
presenting  an  agreeable  succession  of  moderate  eminences  and  gentle 
declivities.  Upon  the  Sound  aie  some  tracts  of  salt  marsh  ;  proceeding 
back,  the  surface  has  a  gradual  elevation  ;  but  no  portion  of  the  town 
is  mountainous,  and  it  is  in  general  free  from  stone. 

Black  Rock  harbor,  about  1  i  miles  from  Fairfield  court  house,  is, 
with  the  exception  of  New  London,  one  of  the  best  harbors  in  the 
Sound,  being  safe  and  connnodious,  and  having  19  feet  of  water  at  sum- 
mer tides,  below  what  is  called  the  miildle  ground.  There  is  a  lighi- 
house  on  Fairvs'eather's   Island,   which   forms  the  easterly  chop  of  the 


FAIRFIELD.  351 

harbor.  Vessels  can  enter  and  depart  from  this  harbor  at  any  time  of 
the  tide.  During  the  h\st  war  with  Great  Britain,  a  small  Ibrt  was 
erected  on  an  eminence  commanding  the  entrance  of  the  harbor,  in 
which  the  state  of  Connecticut  maintained  a  small  body  of  niilitia  a 
short  time  as  a  ganison.  This  fort  was  useful,  in  protecting  the  coast- 
ing trade  in  the  Sound  from  tlie  cruisers  of  the  enemy. 

About  two  or  three  miles  from  Fairfield,  in  a  nortliern  direction,  is  a 
precipice  about  70  feet  in  height,  being  the  termination  of  a  granitic 
ridge.  This  precipice  is  called  Samp  Mortar  Jiock,  from  the  circum- 
stance of  tlieie  being  on  its  summit  an  excavation  in  the  form  of  a 
mortar,  and  ofsuliicient  dimensions  to  contain  upwards  of  half  a  bushel 
of  corn  or  other  grain.  The  tradition  is,  that  it  was  used  by  the  native 
Indians  for  the  purpose  of  pounding  their  corn.  In  the  valley  south 
of  the  rock  is  believed  to  have  been  the  site  of  a  large  Indian  village 
and  burying  ground.  The  rock  above  mentioned,  has  sometimes  been 
called  Owen's  Hack,  from  the  circumstance  of  a  man  by  the  name  of 
Owen,  who  had  lost  his  way,  walking  off  this  precipice  in  a  diirk  night. 
His  body  was  found  the  next  morning.  ])v.  Dwight,  who  was  at  that 
time  the  minister  at  Greenfield,  preached  his  funeral  sern)on. 

^'airfield  is  divided  it)to  three  parishes,  Fairfield,  Green's  Farms,  and 
(Mcenfield.  I'airnehl,  the  auciimt  village,  is  situated  upon  the;  great 
stage  road  tofSew  York,  -1  miles  from  Hridgcport,  -21  from  New  Haven, 
and  53  liom  JN'ew  York,  li  is  built  principally  upon  one  sireet,  and 
round  an  interesting  green  ors(iuare.  The  village  consists  of  about  100 
dwelling  houses,  a  court  house  and  jail,  a  Congregational  church,  and  an 
academy.  It  is  the  sliirc  town  o("tlie  county.  -Half  of  the  courts,  liow- 
evei',  sit  at  Danbury,  about  twenty  miles  disiaiit. 

This  place  was  laid  in  ashes,  by  (iov.  Tryon,  in  177i),  dming  the 
Revolutiouaiy  war.  Eighty  five  dwclliuL^s  were  consumed  in  Fairfield, 
two  churches,  an  elegant  court  house,  fifty  five  barns,  fifteen  stores,  fif- 
teen shops,  Sec.  The  distress  occasioned  by  this  event  was  extreme. 
The  followiu'^'  '^Maphic  deserlpiion  of  the  burning  of  Fairfield  is  from 
Dr.   Dwight's  Travels,  volume  ;5il,  page  512. 

"  Oil  llie  7ih  July,  1770, Gm'.  Tryim,  wiili  the  array  which  I  l)avo  alifady  iiiuiitioncd, 
sailed  I'rotii  ]Ne\v'Havcii  loPaiiliLdd:  and  ihe  next  morning  disembarked  upon,  ihe 
beach.  A  lew  niililia  assembleil  to  oppose  ihein  ;  and  in  a  desultory,  scattered  man- 
ner, tbiig-ht  wiih  ^'reat  inlrepidily  through  most  ol'  the  day.  They  killed  some;  look 
.several  prisoners  ;  and  wounded'more.  I3in  the  e.xi)edition  was  so  sudden  and  unex- 
pected, that  ihe  ellorts,  made  in  this  manner,  were  necessarily  finilless.  The  town 
was  iilimdercd  ;  a  great  part  of  Ihe  houses,  toy;etlier  with  the  two  chnrches,  the  court 
house.  Jail,  and  school  houses,  were  burnt.  The  barns  had  been  ju-^t  filled  with  wheal, 
and  other  produce.  The  inhabiiunts,  therefore,  were  turned  out  into  the  world,  almost 
lilerally  dcsliiuie. 

"  Mrs.  Burr,  the  wife  of  Thadileus  Burr,  E.sq.  high  sherilTof  the  county,  resolved 
to  eoniiiiiie  in  the  uiaiisii)ii  house  of  ilie  family,  and  inalce  an  atleinpl  to  save  it  fioni 
the  coiidagration.  'J'he  liou.se  stood  at  a  suliicieiU  distance  from  other  buildings. 
Mrs.  Burr  was  adorneil  wiih  all  the  qualilies,  which  gave  distinction  to  her  sex  ;  pos- 
sessed of  line  accomplisliiaents,  and  a  dignity  of  character,  scarcely  rivalled;  and 
|irobably  iiad  never  known  what  it  was  to  be  treated  with  disresiiect,  or  even  with  in- 
attention. She  made  a  personal  application  to  Gov.  Tryon,  in  terms,  wliich,  from  a 
lady  of  her  liiich  respectability,  could  hardly  have  failed  of  a  satisfactory  answer  from 
any  ))erson,  who  claimed  the  title  of  a  gentleman.  The  answer  whieli  shtl  actually 
received,  was,  howeviM,  rude  and  briilal  ;  and  spoke  the  want,  not  only  of  fiolitene.ss 
and  humanity,  but  even  of  vulgar  civility.     The  hou.se  was  sentenced  to  the  tlanies, 


352  FAIRFIELD. 

and  was  speedily  set  on  fire.  An  attempt  was  made,  in  the  mean  time,  by  some  of  the 
soldiery,  to  rub  her  of  a  valuable  watch,  with  rich  furniture  :  for  Gov.  Tryon  refused 
to  protect  her,  as  well  as  to  i)reserve  the  house.  The  waich  had  been  already  con- 
veyed out  of  their  reach  ;  but  the  house,  filled  with  every  ihing  which  contributes 
either  to  comfort  or  elegance  of  living,  was  laid  in  ashes. 

"While  the  town  was  in  flames,  a  thunder  storm  overspread  the  heavens,  just  as 
night  came  on.  The  conflagration  of  near  two  hundred  houses  illumined  the  earth, 
the  slcirts  of  the  clouds,  and  the  waves  of  the  Sound,  with  an  union  of  gloom  and 
grandeur,  at  once  inexpressibly  awful  and  magnificent.  The  sky  speedily  was  hung 
Avith  the  deepest  darkness,  wljerever  the  clouds  were  not  tinged  by  the  melancholy 
lustre  of  the  flames.  At  intervals,  the  lightnings  blazed  with  a  livid  and  terrible 
splendor.  The  thunder  rolled  above.  Beneath,  "the  roaring  of  the  fires  tilled  up  the 
intervals,  with  a  deep  and  hollow  sound,  which  scemetl  to  be  the  protracted  murmur 
of  the  thunder,  reverberated  trom  one  end  of  heaven  to  the  other.  Adl3"to  this  con- 
vulsion of  the  elements,  and  these  dreadful  effects  of  vindictive  and  wanton  devasta- 
tion, the  trembling  of  the  earth  ;  the  sharp  sound  of  muskets,  occasionally  discharged; 
the  groans,  here  and  there,  of  the  wounded  and  dying;  and  the  shuuts  of  triumph: 
then  place  belbre  your  eyes  crowds  of  the  miserable  sufferers,  mingled  with  bodies 
of  the  militia,  and  from  the  neighboring  hills  talcing  a  farewell  pro^pect  of  their  prop- 
erly and  their  dwellings,  their  happiness  and  their  hopes:  and  you  will  Ibrm  a  ju^t 
but  imperfect  picture  of  the  burning  of  Fairfield.  It  needed  no  great  elfori  of  imagin- 
ation to  believe,  that  the  final  day  had  arrived  ;  and  that  amid  this  funereal  darkness, 
the  morning  wouM  speedily  dawn,  to  which  no  night  woulii  ever  succeed  ;  the  graves 
yield  up  their  inhabitants;  and  the  trial  commence,  at  which  was  to  be  finally  settled 
the  destiny  of  man. 

"  The  apology  made  by  Gov.  Tryon  for  this  Indian  elfoil,  was  conveyed  in  the  fol- 
lowing sentence.  'The  village  was  burnt,  to  resent  the  fire  of  the  rebels  from  their 
houses,  and  to  mask  our  retreat.'  This  declaration  une(|uivocally  proves,  that  the 
rebels  were  troublesome  to  their  invaders;  and  at  the  same  time  is  to  be  considered  as 
the  best  a|)ology,  \^hich  they  were  able  to  make.  But  ii  contains  a  palpable  falsehood, 
intended  to  justify  conduct  which  admits  of  no  excuse,  aud  rejects  with  disdain  every 
attempt  at  iialliation.  Why  did  this  body  of  men  land  at  Fairfield  at  all?  There 
were  here  no  stores;  no  fortress;  no  enemy;  except  such  as  were  to  be  found  in  every 
village  throughout  the  United  States.  It  was  undoubtedly  the  original  object  of  the 
expedition  to  set  fire  to  this  town,  and  the  aj)ology  was  created  after  the  work  was 
done.  It  was  perfectly  unnecessary  to  mask  the  retreat.  The  townsmen,  and  the 
little  collection  of  farmers,  assembled  to  aid  them,  had  no  power  to  disturb  it.  No 
British  olficer,  no  British  soldier,  would  coiitess,  that  in  these  circumstances  he  felt 
the  least  anxiety  concerning  any  molestation  from  such  oppoters. 

"The  injuries  done  to  a  single  family,  were  an  immense  overbalance  for  all  the 
good  acquired  in  this  expedition,  either  by  tlie  individuals  engaged  in  it,  or  the  nation 
in  whose  service  ihey  acted.  Particularly,  that  highly  respectable  pair,  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Burr,  in  the  loss  of  the  mansion  of  their  aiiceslois,  and  the  tre.Tsnres  witii  which  it  had 
been  stored  through  a  long  siiei'osiou  of  ye.ir.s;  when-  the  elegant  hospitality,  which 
had  reigned  in  it;  the  refined  enjoyments,' which  were  ihiily  fell,  and  daily  distributed 
to  the  friend,  and  the  stranger;  the  works  of  charily,  which  were  there  multiplied; 
and  the  rational  piety,  which  was  at  once  the  animating  and  controlling  jniuciple; 
difl'used  a  brilliancy,  marked  even  by  the  passing  eye;  lost  more  than  the  whole  Brit- 
ish nation  gaineil  b\' this  devastation. 

"  The  next  morning  the  troops  re-embarked  ;  and,  proceeding  to  Green's  Farms,  set 
fire  to  the  church,  and  consumed  it;  together  with  filteen  dwelling  houses,  eleven 
barns,  and  several  stores.  Among  the  houses  was  that  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Ripley,  the 
respectable  clergyman  of  this  parish.  Here,  also,  was  another  proof,  that  biirning 
was  the  object  of  the  expedition.  The  number  of  dwelling  houses  consumed  in  Fair- 
field was  eighty  five;  of  barns,  fifty  five;  of  stores,  fifteen  ;  of  shops,  fifteen;  &c." 


The  building  seen  in  the  center  of  the  print  is  the  court  house  ;  the 
church  is  on  tlie  right,  and  the  jail  on  the  left.  All  these  buildings 
are  erected  on  the  very  same  foundations  on  which  similar  buildings 
stood  in  1779,  when  Tryon  laid  them  in  ashes.  The  church  is  built 
precisely  in  the  same  form  as  the  one  burnt,  it  being  the  wish  of  the  el- 
derly people,  that  the  house  should  have  the  same  appearance  as  for- 
merly;  the  same  Aict  is  believed  to  be  true  of  the  form  of  the  court 
house  and  jail.     The  stotie  steps  of  the  church  remain  in  their  former-^ 


F  A  I  1!  r  1  i;  1,  n 


;]53 


East  view  of  the  Court  ilonse,  Church  and  Jail,  Fairjldd. 

position,  thouL^h  somowliat  broken  hy  the  fulling  of  timbers,  &:c.  at  the 
time  the  liouse  was  buiiit.  'J'akiiiu;  these  facts  into  consideration,  it  may 
be  fairly  presumecJ,  thai  thi-;  jihice,  the  green,  houses,  &:c.  have  the 
same  appearance  as  they  (hJ  in  177i).  At  the  time  of  the  burning  of 
the  town,  there  weie  five  hun(he(l  barrels  of  rice,  which  had  been  smug- 
gled, storerl  in  the  cellar  of  the  court  Ikjliso  ;  it  was  all  destroyed  by 
the  fire.  As  a  IJritish  olhccr  was  coining  out  of  this  cellar,  a  24  lb. 
shot  came  so  near  him,  tlial  Ik;  baiely  savcil  himself  by  springing  up- 
wards, and  \\\v  Itall  pav-cd  l.rtwccn  his  h'g>.  The  hou^e  of  iNIr.  Burr, 
mentioned  by  \)\-.  Dwight,  wa>  about  ten  rods  distant  liom  the  jail,  on 
the  eastern  side  of  \\\v  road.  Mr.  ,\o\M^i  huu-^c,  one  of  the  handsomest 
in  the  place,  i^  built  upon  its  foimdation?.  One  of  the  Hessians  who 
was  killed,  was  buried  at  the  western  side  of  the  church. 


•it. 


t 


nil      III] 

III"!  iiiiij 

filli]  [iiiil 


i  i'li 


P 


■111  Vi^Ki 

■til  liiii 

■III  iiiiii 

I'ii'l  I'  li'ii] 


Il'cstcrn  view  of  the  JJucLitij  house,  Fairfield. 

This  building  is  one  of  the  oldest  in  the  town,  having  stood  one  hun- 
dred and  fifty  years,  and  has  been  used  as  a  tavern  ever  since  the  year 
1740,  till  vi'ithin  one  or  two  years  past.     Jt  stands  on  the  easTern  side 
45 


351  r  ,v  1  u  V  I  \:  l  i»  . 

of  the  green,  fronting  the  church,  which  is  ahout  thirty  roils  dislant. 
"When  this  house  was  erecteil,  it  was  necessary  to  clear  away  tlie  forest 
trees.  It  was  huilt  hy  Mr.  J3uckley,  and  has  ever  remained  in  possess- 
ion of  his  descendants  of  that  name  to  the  present  time.  Tiiere  has 
been  however  two  modern  additions  ;  one  is  seen  at  the  south  end,  the 
other  on  the  west  side  of  the  house.  At  the  time  of  the  invasion  of  the 
British,  a  24  pound  shot,  which  was  fired  from  Black  Rock,  entered  the 
chimney.  In  the  entrance  at  the  door,  are  still  to  be  seen  the  marks  of 
twenty  seven  bullets,  on  the  stair-way.  The  heat  was  so  great  during 
the  conflagration,  that  all  the  window  glass  in  front  oC^this  house  were 
broken.  This  house  was  Tryon's  head-quarters  while  in  the  place;  lie 
lodged  in  the  chamber  in  the  south  part  of  the  house,  shewn  in  ihe  en- 
graving by  the  letter  a.  It  was  also  the  head-ciuarlers  of  Col.  Tal- 
madge,  who  arrived  from  While  Plains  the  day  after  Tryon  left.  His 
army  encamped  before  the  house,  and  their  tents  covered  the  green. 
Soon  after  the  army  had  departed,  Capt.  Sturges,  who  commanded  a 
company  of  militia,  came  into  the  street,  placed  a  field  ]iicce  in  front  of 
where  the  churc!)  now  stands,  and  pointing  it  at  the  Jiuckley  house,  in- 
formed l\Irs.  Buckley  that  he  would  allow  hur  a  short  time  to  clear  the 
liouse,  and  unless  she  left  it,  woidd  blow  her  to  atoms.  Mrs.  Buckley 
found  means  to  let  Gen.  Silliman  (who  li\cd  a!)oiit  two  miles  distant) 
know  her  situation,  lie  itmnediately  came,  and  found  about  150  men 
by  the  cannon.  He  ordered  them  to  dispeise,  and  unless  they  obeyed 
him,  he  would  put  them  under  guard.  This  threat  had  the  desired 
effect. 

The  naval  ofllcer  who  had  charge  of  the  lleet,  which  conveyed  the 
British  forces  under  Tryon  to  this  place,  and  acted  as  pilot,  was  brother 
to  Mrs,  Buckley.  Before  Tryon  landed  his  Ibrces,  he  re(|uested  that  the 
house  of  his  sister  mii:ht  be  saved,  and  its  inmates  protected.  Tryon, 
after  his  ariival,  informed  iMrs.  Buckley  that  if  she  wished  any  other 
houses  spared,  it  should  he  done  ;  acconliiigly  the  four  neighboring 
houses  were  saved  by  her  means.  Tr}oii  li;i\iiig  (ireasion  to  leave  the 
house  for  a  short  lime,  a  Hessian  soldier,  taking  advantaue  of  his  ab- 
sence, came  into  the  house,  and  seeing  a  gold  ring  on  the  finger  of  Mrs. 
Buckley,  demanded  it  of  her,  with  the  threat  that  if  she  refused  he 
would  cut  olF  her  linger:  she  refusing,  he  seized  her  hand,  and  tore  oft' 
the  ring  with  such  violence  that  part  of  the  llesh  was  stripped  from  her 
finger.  When  Tryon  returned,  being  informed  of  this  transaction,  he 
ordered  the  Hessian  to  be  severely  punished. 

The  British  landed  in  the  morning,  and  stn)ed  during  the  day  and 
night.  The  town  was  (ired  very  early  next  morning.  As  they  left  the 
place,  the  Hessians  remainetl  behind  and  set  fire  to  the  buildings.  It 
seems  to  have  been  the  policy  of  the  l^iitish  commanders,  to  en)ploy  this 
part  of  their  forces  to  perform  all  acts  of  a  barbarous  and  savage  kind, 
which  they  wished  to  inflict.  The  inhabitants  generally  (led,  but  not 
expecting  to  have  their  houses  burnt,  left  most  of  their  furniture.  There 
was  but  little  opposition,  there  being  but  few  militia  and  no  regular  troops 
in  the  vicinity,  at  the  time  of  the  landing.  Among  the  barbarous  trans- 
actions of  the  enemy  was  the  following,  which  was  related  by  Capt. 
Levi  Burr,  an  eye  witness,  who  was  then  a  lad,  ten  years  oi  age.    _„ 


F  A  I  U  F  I  i:  L  D  . 


355 


A  shot  was  fired  from  one  of  the  houses,  which  killed  a  Britisli  sol- 
dier; his  comrades  rushed  into  the  house,  seized  the  man  who  they 
supposed  had  fired  the  shot,  wrapped  him  up  in  a  sheet,  which  had 
been  dipped  in  rum,  and  set  it  on  lire.  An  aged  colored  man,  it  is  said, 
also  suli'eied  death  in  the  same  manner. 

The  following  elegy  on  the  burning  of  Fairfield  was  written  by  Col. 
Humphreys,  in  1779,  on  the  spot  where  the  town  stood. 


Ami  t'ivt; 
lluwplc^ 
liose  tliy 
How  ,,111 
At  ycMidi' 
JIullhou 
A  siloiil  .- 


,Mthy; 


lis: 


Suve  ui.rrc  sioicli'il   elms  lU'   uiUiniLly  lull; 

BhevI, 
Whicli  rustling,  liovcrs  lounj  the  failiil  grcfn 
«iive  where,  at  Iwilislii,  iiioariK'rs  frtiiin'iit tn 
Mill  recent  finives,  e'er  ilcsolaticm's  sciio. 
Fh.w  chiiii^'M  thr  hiis.slul  |in)si.,>i-t  wl,<-n  ci.iiipi 

'J'h.s,'  ul,,„i„s  I leul,  with  lliy  luruirr  hhn'u 

'riiy  hcispiiulile  rifrhts  whni  'I'ryuii  sliiirM 


■ri 
n. 

Ml  ii 

■Irss  'll(,li 

hehi 

Wilhsll, 

Ai 

a  sii 

\'; 

ill  u 

IS  the  Wl 

tdlK 

h  his  (,■<■ 

\'.l 

11  th 

■  r.iirihv 

^'il 

111  It 

•  iliilhb  tl 

Ri'si.-t.iiirr  grow'iiiu  ;is  Ihi:  il,iii;;rr  f,'ri'ws. 

J{.  a  ill  Ilieir  wouiiTs,  ,iih1  |M,iiiliii-  tn  the  plain, 


hluini- 
baltle  hums  IV. 
iiiis.ni  nil  the  St 


111  Ih  T)  taai, 


n  spleiulor 
M  streams  i 
s,  rouna  ih 
Ivs,  the  li^l, 
1  crash  the- 
years  i.i  gl 
1  ihy  saiiKu 

WlthdRS  i, 

iaeas'd  the 
ruin  yhit  II 


no  Ilaiiies  as 
iiul.-rahly  hr 
lilhifie  wrapl 


M  With  the  J 
•,  aiul  the  Cii 


_  Southport  is  situated  at  the  mouth  of  I\lill  river,  and  is  a  nourishing 
village,  about  l\so  miles  s.  w.  of  Fiiirlield  court  house.  Ten  years  since 
it  c^ontained  only  about  l\\  enty  buildings  ;  at  this  lime  there  are  from  (JO 
to  70  dwelling  houses,  S  stores,  an  academy,  jiost  ollice,  a  bank,  and 
an  Episcopal  church.  Forty  years  since  there  were  but  eight  build- 
ings m  this  i)lacc,  and  but  one  sloop  owned,  which  run  to  ]>os^lon  ;  now 
more  shipping  is  owned  in  this  place  in  proportion  to  its  size,  than  in 
any  other  phice  between  New  York  and  IJoston.  It  has  the  advantage 
of  a  considerably  extensive  and  fertile  back  country.  The  produce  fro'in 
Greenfield,  and  the  country  adjacent,  is  brought  here,  to  be  shipped  for 
New  York  and  the  southern  ports.  The  harbor  is  small,  but  of  suffi- 
cient depth  to  fioat  vessels  of  about  100  tons  burthen.  It  has  an  ad- 
vantage over  most  other  harbors  on  the  coast,  in  its  being  rarely  frozen 
sufficiently  to  obstruct  navigation.  Ten  thousand  dollars  have  been 
granted  by  the  IJ.  S.  government  for  the  improvement  of  the  harbor, 
and  an  extensive  breakwater  was  erected  at  its  entrance,  in  1831.  Im- 
mediately opposite  the  village  there  are  very  extensive  tlats,  which 
sometimes  are  ovurllowed  by  freshets. 

One  of  the  most  prominent  objects  in  the  following  view,  is  the  Episco- 
palc  hurch,  which  stands  on  elevated  ground  ;  the  small  spire  on  the  left 
stands  on  the  Academy,  near  which  is  seen  the  Southport  Ixmk,  with 
pillars  in  front.     The  building  in  the  distance  on  the  extreme  right  is  a 


356 


F  A  1  R  F  I  E  t.  n 


'it-}  ■ 


South  view  of  the  Borough  of  Suiithjjurt,  l\iirfitlJ. 

flour  mill,  situated  on  tlie  ?ie\v  York  turnpike,  uhont  one  fourth  of  a 
mile  from  the  vilhiye.  Tlie  spire  of  the  {episcopal  church  in  Fairlieki, 
is  seen  above  the  mill.  Immediately  back  of  the  village  is  the  celebra- 
ted Pequol  swamp,*  where  this  once  powerful  and  warlike  tribe  of  sav- 
ages, in  July,  1637,  made  their  last  stand  against  the  forces  of  Connec- 
ticut and  IMassachuselts,  under  the  command  ol  Capt.  I\Iason.  In  this, 
their  last  conflict  with  the  English,  the  Pe(]uots  received  their  final 
overthrow,  and  their  existence  as  a  distinct  tribe  was  annihilated.  Dr. 
Dvvight,  in  his  poem  entitled  "  Greenfield  Hill,"  says,  after  the  Pequot 
fort  at  Mystic  was  destroyed  by  Capt.  iMason,  a  large  body  of  the  Pe- 
quots  found  refuge  in  this  swamp.  '-One  ol"  lliiir  number  loitering  be- 
hinil  the  rest,  was  discovered  by  the  Ijigh.^h  troops,  then  eoumianded 
by  Capt.  Stoughton,  of  iMassachusells  ;  and  was  com])clled  to  disclose 
their  retreat.  One  hundred  of  them,  it  is  saiil,  surienclered.  The  rest, 
bravely  resolving  to  live  and  die  together,  were  attacked  and  chiefly 
destroyed."  Tlie  following  is  extracted  from  the  fourth  part  of  the 
poem.     This  part  is  entitled,  "The  Destruction  of  the  Pequots." 


"  Amid  a  circling  maisli,  c.xpamlrd  wide, 
'J'o  a  ioMc!  liiil  Ihe  Pcqiiols  wcJiind  ilicii'  Viay; 
And  none,  but  Heaven,  llie  uian.si(jn  had  deseiied 
Clu.se-lan;^Med,  wild,  iinpiM\'ioiis  lo  the  i\.iy; 
But  one  poor  wanderer,  l(iiterini(  loni;  a.-lia\'^ 
Wilder'il  in  Iah3'nnili8  orpalldess  w.jud, 
In  a  tall  Uee  eruhowpr'd  oliseiirely  lay: 
Sliaight  .suninioii'd  down,  the  ireniblinLr  suppliant 
Where  lurkM  his  vanisiied  liiends,  wuliin  iheir  d: 


ow'd 


*  A  new  road  was  made  two  or  three  years  since  thi'ou'^'h  the  Peqiiot  swamp,  pass- 
ing over  some  remains  of  an  Indian  fort,  which  it  ajipears  foiincrly  stood  on  an  ele- 
vated piece  of  ground  in  the  nudsl  of  the  swamp.  In  order  to  lower  the  ground  where 
the  fort  stood,  (the  surface  of  the  ground  being  liozeii,)  an  e.\ca\atiou  was  made,  in 
doing  which  the  earth  above  fell,  and  one  man  was  inManily  killed. 


FAIRFIELD, 


35"; 


Academy  and  Cungregational  Church  on  Greenfield  UiU,  Fairfield, 

The  building  on  the  right  is  the  Congregational  church,  in  which 
President  Dvvight,  of  Yale  College,  preached  a  number  of  years.  He 
resided  a  few  rods  south  of  the  church,  in  a  house  which  he  built,  now 
the  mansion  of  Isaac  Bronson,  Esq.,  a  gentleman  of  great  wealth  and 
respectability.  The  Academy*  is  seen  on  the  left  ;  it  is  a  small  build- 
ing, about  the  ordinary  size  of  a  school-house.  It  was  established  and 
its  reputation  maintained  by  Dr.  Dwiijht  for  twelve  years.  It  is  still  a 
respectable  seminary,  where  young  ladies  are  taught  the  higher  branches 
of  female  education.  On  the  extreme  left  is  seen  the  spire  of  the  Con- 
gregational  church  in  Fairlield,  about  three  miles  distant,  beyond  which 
the  Sound  and  Long  Island  ap|)ear.  This  place  is  most  justly  celebrated 
for  the  prospect  which  is  obtained  from  the  belfry  of  the  cliurch.  No 
other  spot  in  Connecticut  can  show  such  a  commanding,  extensive,  and 
beautiful  prospect.  Seventeen  churches  can  be  seen,  viz.  two  in  Fair- 
field, three  in  Bridgeport,  two  in  Stratford,  two  in  Milford,  two  on  Long 
Island,  and  one  in  each  of  the  following  places,  viz.  New  Canaan,  Rea- 
ding, Northfield,  Green's  Farms,  Southport,  and  Canaan.     Five  light- 


*  Tins  academic  school  and  its  preceptor,  (Dr.  Dwiglit,)  are  thus  referred  to  in  the 
poem  "Greenfield  Ilill." 

"  Wiieie  yonder  humble  spire  salutes  the  eye, 

Iii  vane  slow  turning;  in  the  liquitl  sky, 

Where,  in  light  gambols,  heallliy  striplings  sport, 

Ambitious  learning  builds  his  outer  court ; 

A  grave  preceptor,  there,  her  ii.iher  stands. 

And  rujes,  without  a  rod,  her  little  bands, 

Some  half-grown  sprigs  of  learning  graced  his  brow; 

Little  he  knew,  though  much  he  wish'd  to  know, 

Enchanted  hung  o'er  Virgil's  honey'd  lay, 

And  smil'd,  to  see  desipient  Horace  play  ; 

Glean'd  scraps  of  Greek;  and,  curious,  trac'd  afar. 

Through  Pope's  clear  glass,  the  bright  Ma;onian  star, 

Yet  oft  his  students  at  his  wisdom  star'd. 

For  many  a  student  to  his  side  re])air'd, 

Sur[)rised  they  heard  him  Dilworth's  knots  untie, 

And  tell,  what  lands  beyond  the  Atlantic  lie." 


358  F  A  1  R  F  I  E  I,  n . 

houses  are  also  seen  from  this  place,  viz.  one  on  Norwalk  Island,  Ea- 
ton's Neck,  Black  Rock,  Slratibrd  Point,  and  New  Pasture  light.  In  a 
clear  day,  the  East  Hock  near  New  Haven  is  distinctly  seen.  The 
society  or  parish  of  Greenfield  is  about  four  miles  square,  and  contains 
about  1200  inhabitants.  It  is  believed  that  some  of  the  best  farmers 
in  the  state  are  in  this  place  and  its  vicinity  ;  they  live  scattered  about 
on  their  farms.  Tlie  average  amount  of  land  improved  by  each  farmer 
is  about  150  acres  of  fine  soil,  the  average  price  of  which  Is  about  one 
hundred  dollars  per  acre. 

Dr.  Dwight,  while  the  minister  of  Greenfield,  wrote  t]je  poem  enti- 
tled Greenfield  Hill.  "  On  this  height,"  he  says,  "  the  writer  is  sup- 
posed to  stand.  The  first  object  there  offering  itself  to  his  view,  is  the 
Landscape;  which  is  accordingly  made  the  governing  subject  of  the 
first  part  of  the  poem.f  The  following  is  an  extract. 

"  Heavens,  Vhat  a  inatclilcys  group  ol' beauties  rare 
Southward  t'^iands!  where  crowu'd  with  yon  tall  oak, 
Round-hill  thlciicliiig  land  and  sea  o'erlooks; 
Or,  smoothly  sloping,  Grover's  beauteous  ri.-^e. 
Spreads  its  green  sides,  and  lilts  its  single  tree, 
Glad  Miaik  lor  seamen;  or,  with  ruder  lace, 
Orehards,  and  fields,  and  groves,  and  houses  rare, 
And  scatter'd  eedars,  l\Iill-hill  meets  the  eye: 
Or  where,  beyond,  witii  every  beauty  chul. 
More  distant  heights  in  vernal  pride  asceiid. 
On  either  side,  a  long,  eontinued  range, 
In  all  the  eharnis  ol' rural  nature  drt-ss'd 
Slopes  gently  to  the  main.     Ere  'I'njun  sunk 
To  infamy  unCathoin'd,  thro'  yoii  groves 
Once  glisien'd  Norwalk's  white-aseending  spires, 
.  ^v-  -,    And  soon,  it'  Heaven  peiniit,  shall  shine  again. 
■-,      ■    ';-■   '    Here,  sky-encircled,  Stratford's  churches  beam;     j- 
'     ■      V."<.''      ■^'^^  Stratfield's  turrets  greet  the  roving  eye. 
J-  ">  In  clear,  full  view,  with  every  varied  charm 

Thai  forms  the  finish'd  landsca|)e,  blending  soft 
In  matcliless  union,  Fairfield  and  Green's  Farms 
Give  lustre  to  the  day.     Here,  ciown'd  with  pines 
And  skirting  u'roves,  with  creek-;  and  iiaven-,  lair 
Embellisli'd,  led  with  many  a  beauteous  stieain, 
Prince  of  the  waves,  and  ocean's  I'avorile  child. 
Far  westward  fading  in  ccjulusioii  blue, 
And  eastward  stretch'd  beyond  the  human  ken, 
And  mingled  with  the  sky;  there  Loiiga's  Sound 
Gli.fiuus  expands." 


The  following  is  from  the  3d  volume  of  the  INIassachusetts  Historical 
Collections;  it  is  entitled  "A  letter  from  the  Rev.  Andrew  Eliot,  to 
Rev.  John  Eliot,  of  Boston  ;  concerning  the  burning  of  Fairfield,  in 
July,  1779." 

Fairfield,  July  15,  177'J. 

Dear  Brother, — I  sit  down  to  write  you  some  account  of  the  sad  and  awful  scenes 
which  have  been  exhibited  in  this  once'pleasant  and  delightl'ul  town,  now,  alas!  a  heap 
of  ruins,  a  sad  spectacle  of  desolation  and  wo. 

It  was  in  the  beginning  of  wheat  harvest,  a  season  of  extraordinary  labor  and  fes- 
tivity; a  season  which  promised  the  greatest  plenty  that  has  been  known  lur  many 
years,  if  within  the  memory  of  man.  Never  did  our  fields  bear  so  ponderous  a  load, 
never  were  our  pro.-5pects,  with  regard  to  sustenance,  so  blight. 

The  Britisli  Heel  and  army,  with  the  American  refugees  that  had  possessed  and 
plundered  New  Haven,  set  sail  from  thai  distressed  place  on  the  Oih  instant. 


FAIRFIELD.  359 

About  four  o'clock  the  next  morning,  the  approach  of  the  fleet  was  announceil  by  the 
firing  of  a  gun  tiom  a  small  fort  we  have  on  Grover's  hill,  contiguous  to  the  Sound. 
They  seeincLt  liuwever  to  be  passing  by.  And  about  seven  o'clock  we,  with  pleasure, 
beheld  them  all  to  the  westward  of  us,  steering,  as  we  thought  to  ISew  York.  A  very 
thick  log  came  on,  which  entirely  deprived  us  of  the  sight  of  them  till  between  the 
hours  of  nine  and  ten,  when  the  inist  clearing  awav,  we  beheld  the  whole  fleet  under 
our  western  shore,  and  some  of  them  close  in  wuli  Kensie's  Point.  They  presently 
came  to  anchor,  and  lay  till  about  four  in  the  afiernoon,  when  they  began  to  land  their 
Jroops  a  little  to  the  east  of  Kensie's  Point,  at  a  place  called  the  Pines.  From  thence 
the  iroops  marched  along  the  beach  until  they  came  lo  a  lane  opposite  the  center  of 
the  town,  through  which  tliey  proceeded,  and  in  about  an  hour  paraded  in  their  divis- 
ions on  the  green,  between  the  meeting  house  and  court  house.  From  thence  they 
detached  their  guards,  and  dividing  into  small  parties,  proceeded  lo  their  infernal 
business.  Their  commanding  otilcers  were  Sir  George  GCllier  by  sea.  Generals 
Tryon  and  Garth  by  land.  The  approach  of  the  fleet  was  so  sudden,  that  but  few 
men  could  be  collected,  though  the  alarm  guns  were  lired  immediately  on  the  di.ssipa- 
tion  of  the  fog.  There  was  no  thought  of  opposing  their  landing,  as  our  Ibrce  was 
nothing  to  their|  Our  little  party,  however,  posted  themselves  j,o  as  to  annoy  them 
to  the  best  advlritage,  expecting  they  would  land  at  the  Point.  When  our  people 
found  them  lamlVfig  on  the  lett  and  marching  in  the  rear  to  take  possession  of  the 
town,  they  iminedniiely  retreated  to  the  court  house;  and  as  the  enemy  advanced  from 
the  beach  lane,  tliey\'ive  them  such  a  warm  recepiioii  with  a  field  piece,  which  threw 
both  round  and  grape  shot,  and  with  their  musketry,  as  quite  disconcerted  them  for 
some  time.  The  column,  however,  quickly  recovered  its  solidity,  and  advancing 
rapidly,  forced  our  small  body  to  retreat  lo  the  heights,  back  of  the  town,  where  they 
■were  joined  by  numbers  coming  in  from  ihe  coumry.  The  enemy  were  likewise  gall- 
ed very  much,  as  they  turned  Ifom  the  beach  to  the  lane,  by  the  cannon  which  played 
Ifoin  Grover's  hill. 

The  town  was  almost  cleared  of  inhabitants.  A  few  vvomen,  some  of  whom  were 
of  the  most  respectable  families  and  chaiacters,  tnriied  with  a  view  of  saving  their 
property.  They  imagined  their  .sex  and  character  would  avail  to  such  a  purpose. 
They  put  some  conlidence  in  the  generosity  of  an  enemy,  who  were  once  famed  for 
generosity  and  politeness;  and  thought  thai  kind  treatni'ent  and  submissive  behavior 
Would  secure  Iheiii  against  harsh  tiealment  and  rough  usage.  Alas!  they  were  mis- 
erably mistaken,  and  bilterly  repented  their  confidence  and  presumption. 

The  Hessians  were  first  let  loose  for  rapine  and  plunder.  They  entered  houses, 
attacked  the  peisoHs  of  whig  and  tory  indisciiminately  ;  breaking  open  desks,  trunks, 
closets,  and  taking  away  every  thing  of  value.  They  robbed  women  of  their  buckles, 
rings,  bonnets,  aprons,  and  liandkeichicls.  Thev  abused  them  wiih  the  loulcit  and 
most  jirolane  language,  threatened  then  lives  without  ihe  least  legard  lo  the  most 
earnest  ciies  ami  eniiealies.  Looking  glasses,  china,  and  all  kinds  of  lurnilure  were 
soon  dashed  to  pieces. 

Another  party  ih.ii  came  on  were  the  American  refugees,  ^vho,  in  revenge  for  their 
cunfiscaied  estates,  carried  on  the  same  direful  business.  They  were  not,  however, 
so  abusive  to  the  women  as  the  tormer,  but  ap[)eared  very  furious  against  the  town 
and  country.  The  llritons,  by  what  1  could  learn,  were  the  least  inveterate  :  some  of 
the  orticers  seemed  to  pity  the  mislbrtunes  of  ihe  country,  but  in  excuse  said,  that  they 
liad  no  other  way  to  gain  their  aulhority  over  us.  Individuals  among  the  Brilish 
troops,  were,  however  exceedingly  abusive,  especially  to  women.  Some  were  foiced 
to  submit  to  the  most  indelicate  and  rough  treatment,  in  delense  of  their  virtue,  and 
now  bear  the  bruises  of  horrid  conflict. 

About  an  hour  befoie  sunset,  the  conflagration  began  at  I  he  house  of  Mr.  Isaac  Jen- 
nings, which  was  consumed,  with  the  neighboring  buildings.  In  the  evening,  the 
house  of  Elijah  Abel,  Esq.  sherilf  of  the  county,  was  consumed  with  a  few  others. 
In  the  night  several  buildings  in  the  main  street.  Gen.  Tryon  was  in  various  parts 
of  ihe  town  plot;  with  the  good  women  begging  and  entreating  him  to  spaie  their 
houses.  Mr.  Sayre,  the  Church  of  England  missionary,  a  gentleman  firmly  and  zeal- 
ously engaged  in  the  British  interest,  and  who  has  suffered  considerably  in  their  cause, 
joined  with  them  in  these  entreaties  ;  he  begged  the  general  to  spare  the  town,  but 
was  denied.  He  then  begged  that  some  few  houses  might  be  spared  as  a  shelter  for 
those  who  could  provide  habitations  no  where  else;  this  was  denied  also.  At  length 
Mr.  Tryon  consented  to  save  the  buildings  of  Mr.  Burr  and  the  writer  of  lliis  epistle. 
Both  had  been  plundered  ere  this.  He  said,  likewise,  that  the  hon.ses  for  public  wor- 
ship should  be  spared.  He  was  far  from  being  in  a  good  temper,  during  the  whole 
affiin.  General  Garth,  at  the  other  end  of  the  town,  treated  the  inliabitanis  with  as 
much  humanity,  as  his  errand  would  admit. 

At  sunrise  some  considerable  part  of  the  town  was  standing:  but  in  about  two 
hours  the  flames  became  general.     The  burning  parlies  carried  on  their  business  with 


w 


360  *•  A  I  K  F  I  E  L  I)  . 

horrible  alacrity,  headed  by  one  or  iwo  persohs  who  were  born  and  bred  in  the  neigh- 
boring towns.  All  the  town,  from  the  bridge  by  Colonel  Gold's  to  the  Mill  river,  a 
few  houses  excepted,  was  a  heap  of  ruin. 

About  eight  o'clock,  the  enemy  sounded  a  retreat.  We  had  some  satisfaction, 
amidst  our  sorrow  and  distress,  to  see  that  tbe  meeting  house  and  a  few  other  buildings 
remained.  But  the  rearguard,  consisting  of  a  banditti,  the  vilest  that  was  ever  let  loose 
among  men,  set  fire  to  every  thing  which  General  Tryon  had  left,  the  large  and  ele- 
gant meeting  house,  the  minister's  houses,  Mr.  Burr's,  and  several  other  houses  which 
had  received  protection.  They  toie  the  proteciiou  to  pieces,  damned  Tryon,  abused 
the  women  most  shamefully,  and  then  ran  otl  in  a  nmsi  disgraceful  manner.  Hap- 
pily, our  people  came  in  and  extinguished  the  llamcs  in  several  houses  ;  so  that  we  are 
not  entirely  destitute. 

The  rear  guard,  which  behaved  in  so  scandalous  a  manner,  were  chiefly  German 
troops,  called  Yaugers.  They  carry  a  small  rifle  gun,  and  fight  ii*-a  skulking  manner, 
like  our  Indians.     They  may  be  pro|ierly  called  sous  of  plunder  and  devaslaiioD. 

Our  people  on  the  heights,  back  of  the  town,  were  joined  by  numbers,  but  not  equal 
to  the  numbers  of  the  enemy.  They  were  skirnii.shiiig  all  the  evening,  part  ol  the 
night,  and  the  next  morning.  The  enemy  were  several  tunes  disconcerted  and  driven 
from  their  outposts.  Had  they  continued  longer  in  town,  it  must  have  been  fatal  to 
them  ;  for  the  militia  were  collecting  from  all  pans. 

Our  fort  yet  stands.     The  enemy  sent  a  row  galley  to  .^^ilence  it,  and  there  was  con- 
stant firing  between  them  all  night.     One  or  two  attempts  were  inade  to  take  it  by 
5arties  of  troops,  but  it  was  most  bravely  and  obsiiriaiely  defended  by  Lieut.  Isaac 
arvisof  this  town,  who  had  but  twenty  three  men  besides  himself 

The  militia  followed  these  bloody  incendiaries  to  ihe  place  of  embarkation,  and 
galled  them  considerably.  The  emhaikalion  look  place  about  twelve  o'clock,  and 
they  set  sail  for  Long  Island  about  two  or  three  in  the  afternoon. 

Many  were  killed  on  both  sides.  The  iiuiuber  cannot  be  ascertained.  They  car- 
ried olf  some  prisoners,  but  no  person  of  di^lincIlon. 

One  particular  I  would  ineniion.  After  Tryon  had  begun  to  burn,  he  sent  out  the 
proclamation  which  you  have  in  tht:  Hartford  papiT.  In  the  midst  of  hostilities, 
while  the  flames  were  raging  and  bullets  (lying,  who  should  come  out  with  the  flag, 
but  Mr.  Sayre  I  A  spirited  answer  was  sent  in  ;  and  Ihe  people  were  so  enragad  that 
hostilities  should  be  going  on  in  the  lime  of  negociaiioii ;  and  that  Mr.  Sayre  should 
be  the  bearer  of  such  an  insulting  proclamation,  ami  at  such  a  time,  that  the  said  gen- 
tleman was  obliged  to  quit  the  town  when  the  enemy  left  it.  His  whole  family  weie 
obliged  to  go  with  him,  leaving  the  greatest  part  of  their  substance  behind,  which  be- 
came fuel  for  the  flames,  indiscriminately  scattered  by  the  rear  guard.  The  reply 
■which  general  Tryon  made  to  Mr.  Sayre,  when  he  asked  to  go  with  him  was,  "Yon 
may  go  on  board  the  ships,  sir,  but  I  cannot  promise  you  any  help  or  assistance." 

The  Church  of  England  building  was  consumed,  but  by  whom,  or  at  what  lime,  I 
am  unable  to  say. 

Uncoiinecluit  with  ihein,  unsolicited  on  my  p:iit,  il.u.M-h  the  iniirciN-ion  of  Mr. 
Sayre,  my  house  and  pri>perly  received  a  proicci ion  in  Cencial  Tll|(.lll'.^  own  hand- 
writing. A  sentinel  was  placed  there  some  part  o(  the  lime.  But  sad  e.V()erience 
convinces  me  lo  how  liille  purpose  all  this  was.  My  )>ro]ierty  was  plundered,  my  house 
and  furniture  all  consumed,  though  a  lady  was  so  kind  as  to  show  thein  the  protec- 
tion, which  like  others,  was  torn  in  pieces  by  the  Yaugers. 

Our  friend,  Joseph  Bertram,  was  shot  through  the  breast;  old  Mr.  Solomon  Sturgis, 
an  Irish  servant  of  Mr.  Penlield,  and  a  negro  man  belonging  to  Mr.  Lewis,  were  put 
to  death  by  the  bayonet. 

The  distress  of  this  poor  people  is  inexpressible.  A  most  pleasant  and  delightful 
town  in  flames!     What  a  scene  did  theSlh  of  July  present. 

But  I  must  forbear ! Every  thing  1  have  written  you  may  depend  upon  as  a  fact : 

my  pen  has  not  been  guided  by  prejudice,  whatever  my  feelings  are  ;  and  should  you 
publish  the  letter,  every  reader  may  be  assure<l  that  thcie  is  not  the  least  deviation 
I'roin  what  actually  took  [ilace  u[)on  this  melancholy  occasion. 

Yours,  k!Lc.  Anduew  Ei.iot. 


EXTRACTS    FROM    NEWSPAPERS. 

From  the  Connecticul  Journal,  Feb.  20,  17GS. 
Last  Friday,  pursuant  to  the  sentence  of  the  Superior  Court,  then  sitting  at  Fair- 
field, Archibald  Fippeny,  Lewis  Bennet,  John  Mallelt,  and  Nathaniel  Bunnell,  Avere 
crop't,  and  branded  wiih  the  letter  C  on  iheir  Foreheads,  for  counterfeiting  the  lawful 
money  bills  of  this  colony,  New  York  bills,  dollars,  &c.  Several  others  were  try'd  at 
the  same  court,  on  suspicion  of  being  accomplices  with  them  in  the  same  crimes,  but 


r  A  I  RF  I  E  LI).  3GI 

tlie  fvidcncn  not  heiiis:  ?ufllrieiit  to  cunvicl  tliein,  tlicy  were  (Hsclmrgcl.     Selli  Poi  i.'i- 

;iiid Stmges,  not  ehusing  to  be  ti y'd  Ibileiled  their  bunils  I'ur  appeariuiee,  M.c 

Ibnner  one  llunisanit  pounds,  and  ilie  ulher  live  Imiulred. 

Tliey  were  in  parlnership  with  thai  tjang  who  are  taken  up  at  IMew  Voik,  as  uien- 
tioned  under  Ihe  New  York  iiead. 


From  the  Connecticut  Journal,  Juli/5th,  1771. 
We  hear  from  Fairfield,  that  on  the  I'Jlh  nil.  a  nnniber  ofnien,  at  low  water,  walked 
ont  to  get  ekinis,  iip(jn  the  Heach  in  that  harlior,  where 'they  continued  so  long  thai 
they  were  .sui  rounded  by  the  tide,  and  in  wading  ashore  seveial  of  thern  were  in  lui- 
ininenl  danger  of  losiiig  their  lives;  however,  they  all  eMMped  e.xeept  one  David 
Keele-r  ol' Ridgeliehl,  who  being  a  good  swimmer,  attei/i|>led  the  passage  willi  a  bagot 
clams  lasteiied  to  the  waisiband  of  his  breeches,  wlien  n\  crossing  a  hole  oldeep  waier 
he  sunk,  and  was  drownfd  before  any  assistance  could  be  given  him.  His  body  wa;; 
found  within  three  hours,  and  several  experiments  tried  fo  restore  him  to  lite,  but  in 
vain.  Il  is  remarkable  that  the  same  day  I'J  months,  and  about  the  same  hour  of  the- 
day,  lieiit.  Abraham  Camji  of  thai  luwn  was  drowned  in  attempting  to  s\\im  a  horse 
across  the  same  deep  hole,  and  soon  alter  one  Benjamin  Whitney  w^s  drouncd  in  ui 
near  the  same  jilaee. 


The  following  letter  is  copied  froit)  the  town  Records  of  Fairdeld. 

Boston,  yoi-cvil)cr2l,  1774. 

(Icntlcincn, — The  testimony  wliich  the  patriotic  inhabitants  of  the  town  ofFairlieid 
have  given  of  their  aliaehment  to  thecominon  and  gloiious  cause  of  Liberty,  by  the 
libi-ral  donation  of  seven  hundred  and  hity  imshels  of  grain,  by  Capt.  Thorp,  has 
niforded  much  eomfort  as  well  as  .-jcasonable  reliello  their  friends  inHoston,  who  are 
now  sulfeiing  under  the  cruel  rod  ol'  tyranny  ami  oppression.  The  sympathy  of  our 
friends  is  a  great  suppoit  under  our  trials,  noiwiihsiandmg  the  greatness  and  severily 
of  them,  and  we  trust,  through  the  favor  cd'our  God,  we  shull  be  enabled  to  persevere 
in  our  opposition  to  the  enemies  of  America,  ami  so  aivswer  the  hopes  aiul  c.xpeeia- 
lions  of  our  li  lends,  of  whose  geiieious  donatiuiri  we  trust  we  shall  ever  retain  agrate- 
Jul  stns.-, 

We  are  pnriimlarly  obliged  by  the  assurances  you  give  ns,  "  that  yon  are  not  in- 
seijsiljh>  ol  oni  sutlerings,  and  the  hope  you  e.\|iress,  that  you  shall  consider  yoursclvc; 
lunind  to  II Hold  us  such  succor  and  lelief,  as  yonr  circumstances  and  our  uanis  may 
demand." 

Maya  kind  prcjvidence  bountifully  reward  your  Ulieralrly  and  kindness,  and  iIjo 
blessings  ol'  ]]im  that  was  Xk^.uU'  to  perish,  come  down  and  rest  on  the  iicads  of  the 
generous  inhabiiants  of  the  town  of  ruirlitdd. 

We  hope  the  inclosed  account  of  the  maiifiei  in  which  rherommittee  are  disiributing 
the  donations  of  oui  friends  and  beiielaclors,  i-n  whos^  cause  (as  w.dl  as  our  own)  this 
town  is  suir.Ming,  will  meet  with  your  approbation,  as  il  \\'\\\  all'ord  great  saiislactiou 
to  your  obliged  friend,  ami  humble  servants. 

■    ,    ^  IIkmiv  Uim., 

f.34  Tlushels  of  Uvc.  By  order  of  the  Commutee  of  Donations. 

IK;  ]]ushels  of  Wheal. 

7o0  P,ushels. 

Ileceived  3  i)air  Shoes  of  fJapt.  Thorp. 
To  Mr.  Jon.  Stkroks  and  others,  Committee  for  C(jllecti>ng  donations  in  the  town  of 

Fuirlield,  fJonnecticul. 


The  following  inscrljjtions  are  from  nionuiiieirts  in  the  burying  ground 
a  short  distance  eastward  from  the  court  house  in  Fairfield. 

In  memory  of  the  Itev.  Noui  Houaut,  A.M.  ordained  pastor  of  the  first  Church 
of  Christ  in  Fairheld,  Feb  7th,  173-J.  In  which  station  he  served  God  and  his  gene- 
ration wiih  Fidelity,  and  Usefulness,  until  December  (jih,  177;!,  when  he  was  taken 
from  the  approaching  troubles  to  receive  the  Mercy  of  God  thro'  CiiKibT.  "  Remem- 
ber them  who  have  spoken  unto  you  the  word  of  God,  whose  Faith  follow." 

Gold  SKM.KtK  Silliman-,  Atlornev  at  Law,  Justfce  of  the  Peace,  and  during  the 
late  War,  Colonel  of  Horse,  and  Brigadier  General  of  Militia  ;  died  July  21st,  171)0, 

'10 


36^  DANUURY. 

aged  58  years.  Haviii;,'  discharged  these  and  other  public  ollices  with  reputation  and 
di;s'"i'yi  ''"d  ill  ))i"i\'ate  lil'e  sIioul-  ihe  aflectiunate  Hubband,  tender  Paienl,  exemplary 
Chriblian,  and  Man  of  lervent  Piety. 


In  ihe  Episcopal  Church,  IMill  Plain,  Fairfield,  within  tlie  altar,  and 
iminediaiely  fronting  the  desk,  on  a  beautiful  marble  tablet,  is  the  fol- 
lowing inscription. 

Under  the  Altar  at  wliich  he  served  more  tlian  forty  years,  are  the  remains  of  the 
Rev.  PiiiLO  SiiKi/roN,  A.  M.  reclor  of  Trinity  Church,  Fairlield.  Born  at  1  lunlington, 
May  5tli,  17Jl.  Graduated  at  Yale  College,  Scpi.  Dili,  1778:  Admitted  Aug.  3d, 
17^5,  lo  the  Holy  order  of  Deacons,  by  the  tlight  Reverend  .Samuel  Seabury,  D.D. 
(fnsl  American  Bishop)  and  SeiU.  Ihih,  1785,  by  the  .same  jjreLate,  to  the  Noly  order  of 
Priests,  being  the  first  Clergyman  Episcopally  ordained  in  the  United  States.  Died 
February  27iii,  18'J5. 


D  A  N  B  U  R  Y . 


The  original  Indian  name  of  Daiibnry  was  Pah(juio(/uc.  The  first 
settlement  in  the  town  was  begun  in  the  stimnier  of  l(ivSl.  'I'lie  set- 
tlers came  that  year  and  begun  some  improvements  in  buildings,  sowing 
grain,  he.  Some  of  the  families  continued  through  the  winter,  others 
did  not  move  till  the  spring  following.  It  may  therefore  be  said  that 
the  first  permanent  settlement  was  made  in  the  spring  of  the  year  1685, 
by  eight  families.*  The  names  of  the  men  were  Thomas  Taylor,  Fran- 
cis Bushnel,  Thomas  JJarnum,  John  Iloyt,  James  Benedict,  Samuel 
Benedict,  James  I3eebe,  and  Judah  Gregory.  They  settled  near  to- 
gether, at  the  south  entl  of  the  town  street.  They  all  came  from  Nor- 
walk,  except  James  Beebe,  who  was  from  Stratford  :  one  of  the  first 
settlers  after  the  first  eight  families,  was  Dr.  Samuel  Wood,  an  able 
jihysician,  born  and  educated  in  England  ;  Josiah  Starr  from  Long  Islantl^ 
Joseph  Mygatt  from  Hartford,  and  the  families  of  Picket,  Knap)),  and 
\Vil(lman,  were  all  ancient  settlers  of  the  town.  The  town  was  survey- 
ed in  February,  !()<);},  by  John  Plait  and  Samuel  Hayes,  of  Norwalk  : 
the  survey  bill  declares  the  length  to  be  8  miles  from  north  to  souths 
and  the  breutlth  G.     The  lands  were  purchased  of  the  Indian  proprietors. 

"  The  time  when  a  church  was  first  organized  in  town,  cannot  be  exactly  delenniu- 
ed  ;  it  was  probably  at  the  ordinatton  of  the  first  minister.  'J'he  first  minister  in  ihi.s 
town  was  the  Rev.  Seth  Shove,  n  \evy  pious  and  woi  thy  man,  who  was  very  success- 
ful in  his  exertions  for  the  promotion  of  peace,  virtue  and  true  religion:  so  that  the 
general  peace  and  union  in  his  time,  are  proverbial  to  lliis  day.  lie  was  ordained  in 
the  year  HWG,  and  died  October  3d,  1735,  aged  OS.  Tlie  town  was  destitute  of  a  settled 
minister  but  a  short  time.  In  a  few  iiiontiis  the  church  ami  |)eople  in  great  harmony 
invited  Mr.  Ebenezer  White  to  settle  with  ihein  in  the  ministry.  He  was  accordingly 
ordained,  March  lUih,  ITM].  Universal  iuirmuny  prevailed  between  the  people  and 
their  minister,  for  moie  than  23  years.  'Die  peojile  of  this  town  were  considered  by 
all  the  neighboring  towns,  as  eminent  for  morality  and  religion,  for  regularity  of  con- 
duet,  and  for  constant  attendance  on  the  in.stitutions  of  Christianity.  It  is  supposed  on 
^ood  grounds,  that  the  first  meeting  liouse  was  built  prior  to  Mr.  Shove's  ordination  ; 
lis  dimensions  were  about  ID  feet  in  leiigtli  and  30  in  breadth.  It  is  remarkable,  that 
after  the  frame  was  raised,  every  person  iliat  belong(.'d  to  the  town  was  present,  and  set 
on  the  sills  at  once.  The  second  meeting  house  was  built  about  the  year  17iy  ;  its  di- 
mensions were  50  feet  in  length  and  35  m  breadth.  In  1745,  an  addition  of  15  feet  wa.i 
made  to  the  wiiole  front  of  tJie  house.  About  tlie  year  17G3,  religioius  controversy  be- 
gan in  this  town,  and  was  carried  to  a  great  extent  for  many  years.     It  is  presumed. 


Rubbins'  Century  Sennoii,  1801. 


D  A  N  B  U  R  Y 


CG3 


that  in  no  town  in  the  state,  has  there  been  more  religions  contention  than  in  this.  It 
is  hoped  the  (In me  is  now  mostly  buried,  never  lo  break  forth  again.  Al  tlie  time 
above  mentioned,  Mr.  White,  having  altered  lijs  scniimenis  and  prcaclnng,  in  several 
particulars,  some  uneasiness  arose  among  his  people.  'J'he  eiiorts  of  several  ecclesi- 
astical councils  to  heal  the  division  proving  incirecliinl,  ii  linally  is.sued  in  the  dismis- 
sion ofMr.  Wliiie  from  his  pastoral  charge,  March,  17(J1.  A  innjdr  part  of  the  mem- 
bers of  Mr.  While's  church,  joined  with  him  in  denying  the  juriMliction  of  ecclesiasti- 
cal councils,  and  renouncing  the  form  of  church  goveriimenl  established  by  ihe 
churches  in  thi^  state.  The  remaining  part,  wlio  signiheti  their  adherence  to  the  ec- 
clesiastical government,  Avere  established  and  acknowledged  by  the  two  consociations 
of  Fairfield  county,  convened  in  council,  as  the  hrst  church  in  Danbury.  Soon  alter 
this,  Mr.  While  and  his  adherents  separated  Irom  the  churcli  and  society,  and  formed 
a  separate  church:  they  were  generally  denominated  '  Mr. 'Wlhiie's  adherents.'  In 
October,  1T7U,  a  number  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  town,  indiviilualiy  named  in  the  act, 
principally  those  who  composed  this  separate  church,  weie  incorporated  a  society  by 
name  of  '  New  Danbuiy.'  Prior  to  this,  they  built  a  good  meeting  hcnise,  its  dimen- 
sions about  50  feet  by  40,  in  the  year  17t)8,  which  was  consumed  in  the  general  ccjnria- 
gralion  of  the  town.  In  the  same  year,  Air.  Ebenezer  Uussel  While  was  ortlained  a 
colleague  with  hi^  father,  over  that  chuich  " — K  bl ins'  Ctnlury  Si  m  >i 


>^uu(/Lcastern  view  of  the  JJoroiigh  of  Vanbunj. 

Danbury  is  hounded  n.  by  New  Fairfield,  e.  by  Biookfield  and  New- 
town, w.  by  Ridi^efield,  and  s.  by  Reading.  Its  len-^th  is  about  S^ 
miles,  and  its  brtjadlh  iiioio  tlian  G.  It  lias  a  fertile  soii,  |)lea.santiy  di- 
vefsified  with  bills  and  valleys,  and  some  moderate  ritlj^es,  running  in 
a  norilierly  and  .sotitlieily  direction.  ]>y  an  act  oftlie  General  Asseii°bly 
in  IVfay,  1781,  this  town  was  made  a  lialf-shire  of  the  county  of  Paii- 
(ielfb  ^  From  that  time  to  the  present,  the  courts  have  set  alteniately 
in  Fairfield  and  Danbury. 

The  above  shows  the  appearance  of  the  borough  of  Danbm-y,  as  it  is 
seen  from  the  south,  upon  the  Norwalk  road.  "The  main  s'tieet,  on 
which  the  boroii<-b  is  princijially  built,  is  one  mile  and  a  quarter  in  ex- 
tent, thickly  settled  on  both  sides  for  that  distance.  The  villai;e  is  situ- 
ated in  a  narrow  but  pleasant  valley :  a  gentle  eminence  rises  immediaielv 
westward  of  the  main  street,  called  Deer  hill;  a  much  smaller  one  rise's 
eastward,  called  (he  Town  hill.  The  village  contains  six  houses  (if  wor- 
ship ;  1  Congregational,  1  Episcopal,  I  Baptist,  1  Meihodibt,  1  L'niver- 

\ 


w 


3G4 


D  A  N  B  U  11  Y  . 


salist,  and  I  SandcmQiiian.  The  Baptist  church  is  seen  in  the  engra- 
ving on  the  extreme  left,  situated  on  Deer  Hill.  Tiie  Episcopal  church 
is  at  the  south  end  of  the  village,  and  is  one  of  the  naost  prominent  build- 
ings in  the  view.  This  building  is  one  of  the  oldest  in  the  town  ;  it  was 
built  in  17(>3,  and  is  one  of  the  few  which  escaped  the  general  confla- 
gration by  the  llritisli  troops  in  1777.  The  next  spire  seen  eastward  of 
this,  is  that  of  the  Universalist  church,  near  whicli  is  seen  that  of  tho 
court  house  ;  the  Congregational  church  is  seen  in  the  distance,  on  the 
extreme  right.  The  village  is  22  njiles  north  from  Nortvalk,  36  from 
New  Haven,  36  from  Litchfield,  55  from  Hartford,  65  n.  k.  from  the 
city  of  New  York,  and  5  miles  from  the  New  York  state  line.  Tlio 
borough  contains  nearly  200  dwelling  houses,  besides  numerous  other 
buildings  ;  1)  mercantile  stores,  1  printing  oflice,  an  academy,  he.  In 
the  first  society  of  Danbury,  there  are  24  hatting  shops  or  factories. 
Two  hundred  and  eighty  nine  persons  are  employed,  who  manufacture 
131,000  hats  annualiy,  the  estimated  value  of  which  is  £-102,000. 


South  view  of  (he  central  part  of  the  Borough  of  Danhury. 

It  is  in  contemplation  to  construct  a  rail  road  to  Norwalk,  or  some 
other  place  in  that  vicinity  ;  the  route  is  quite  feasible,  and  it  is  believed 
will  add  much  to  the  prosperity  of  Danbury. 

The  above  is  a  southern  view  of  the  central  part  of  the  borough  of 
Danbury,  as  seen  from  Deer  hill,  the  elevated  ground  which  rises  im- 
mediately westwaril  of  the  street.  The  building  a  little  to  the  left  of 
the  central  part  of  the  engraving,  having  the  most  elevated  spire,  is  the 
Universalist  church,  the  first  building  to  the  left  of  which  is  the  Acad- 
emy. The  jail  is  the  first  building  to  the  right  of  the  church,  back  of 
which  is  seen  tlie  ancient  burying  jiround  of  Danbury,  in  which  are  tho 
graves  of  Gen.  Wooster  and  Mr.  Sandemun.  The  cc^t  house  is  seen 
on  the  opposite  side  of  the  street,  with  a  cupola;  back  of  the  court 
house  is  seen  a  gentle  elevation,  called  Town  hill. 

In  the  latter  part  of  the  year  1776,  the  commissioners  of  the  Ameri- 
can army  chose  Danbury  for  a  place  of  deposit  for  military  stores.  A 
large  quantity  having  been  collected,  Gov.  Tryon,  with  a  dtftachmeut 


D  A  N  n  u  n 


3Ci 


of  2,000  men  from  New  York,  sailed  lo  Compo  Point  InFalrfieKI,  and 
proceeded  dlrecily  to  Danbury,  to  destroy  the  continental  stores.  There 
were  in  the  town  a  small  number  of  continental  troojis,  but'without  arms; 
they  with  the  inhabitants  generally  withdrew  from  the  town  as  the  en- 
emy approached.  The  enemy  entered  the  town  on  Saturday  the  2Gth 
of  April,  1777,  at  about  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon.  They  soon 
began  those  cruelties  and  excesses  which  characterize  an  unprincipled 
and  exasperated  enemy,  upon  the  inhabitants  who  remained  in  the  town, 
excepting  the  persons  and  property  of  the  tories.  Tlie  enemy,  learlul 
that  their  retreat  might  be  cut  otT,  rallied  early  in  the  morning  of  the 
i<!7th,  set  fire  to  several  stores  and  buildings,  and  immediately  marched 
out  of  town.  "  Nineteen  dwelling  houses,  the  meeting  liouse  of  the 
New  Danbury  society,  and  twenty  two  stores  and  barns,  witli  all  their 
contents  were  consumed.  The  (|uantity  of  continental  stores  which 
were  consumed,  cannot  now  be  accurately  ascertained:  accounts  vary 
considerably.  Fiom  the  best  information  which  can  be  obtained,  there 
were  about  3,000  barrels  of  pork,  more  than  1,000  barrels  of  Hour, 
several  hundred  barrels  of  beef,  1,600  tents,  2,000  bushels  of  grain, 
besides  many  other  valuable  articles,  such  as  rum,  wine,  rice,  army  car- 
riages, 8iC."* 

The  following  is  an  account  of  the  private  losses  sustained  by  indi- 
viduals ii\  the  town  of  Danbury,  in  consequence  of  the  enemy's  incur- 
sion in  that  place  ;  according  lo  an  estimate  made  thereof  by  a  com- 
mittee appointed  lo  ap[)rize  the  same  ;  with  the  names  o-f  those  who 
were  principal  losers. 

Mr.  John  IMcI.ean, 

Capt.  E/ra  Suiir, 

Cii|it.  t)aiiu'l  'I'avlor, 

Col.  Joseph  F.  Cook,     . 

Major  Eli  Ma'..;!<all, 

Capt.. Tamo  (Marl;,      '  . 

Major 'I'avloi, 

Cauiil'ort  llo\  I,  Jim. 

'IMia.liieiis  Uniudict,  Esij. 

David  Wood,  ... 

Which  with  a  miinhcr  of  smaller  losses  ascertained  by  said  committee,  amotint  in 
llie  whole  to  jCl.''),fSt3-.j,  '.)s.  Id.  lawl'nl  money,  lost  by  individuals  in  consequence  of  that 
(own  beinj;  made  the  repository  of  public  stores.  'I'here  is  therefore  tlie  greatest  rea- 
son that  the  public  should  not  only  pranl  speedy  relicl'toihe  sulleiers,  (many  of  whom 
are  reduced  lo  extreme  want,)  but  also  that  they  .should  have  the  public  faith  pledged 
(or  the  amount  of  those  losses;  which  were  e>limated  not  according'  to  ihe  exorbiiant 
prices  at  ihe  pie^'Ut  time,  but  in  most  instances  as  ilie  aitiglescosi  bcfoie  this  war 
commenced. 

Col.  Cook  appears  lo  have  been  in  the  command  at  Danbury,  at  the 
time  it  was  burnt.  Receiving  some  notice  of  the  landing  or  approach^ 
(d"  the  eiiL'my,  he  immediately  dispatched  a  messenger  by  the  name  of 
Lambert  Lockwood,  with  a  letter  to  Gen.  Silliman,  informing  him  that 
there  was  no  ammunition  in  the  place,  and  refftcsting  orders.  The 
messenger,  before  he  was  aware  of  it,  came  up  with  the  Biiiish  troops 
in  the  vicinity  of  Heading  church,  about  8  miles  below  Danbury;  he 
attempted  to  llee,  but  was  fired  upon,  wounded,  and  taken  prisoner. 


£. 

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Dr.  John  Wood,     . 

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Robbiiis'  Century  Sei'iaou. 


366  1)  A  N  n  u  n  Y . 

Tryon,  it  appears,  had,  a  few  years  previous,  broke  down  liis  carriage 
while  passing  through  Norwalk.  I\Tr.  Lockwood,  being  then  a  clerk  in 
a  store  in  that  place,  rendered  Tryon  some  assistance,  and  being  recog- 
nized by  him,  on  account  of  his  services  on  that  occasion,  Tryon,  on  his 
leaving  Danbury,  intended  to  give  him  a  furlough  ;  while  he  was  wri- 
ting it,  one  of  Tryon's  oflicers  came  in,  exclaiming,  "  the  d — d  rebels 
are  upon  us,  we  must  be  ofi';"  Tryon  threw  down  his  pen,  and  left  his 
prisoner  to  take  care  of  himself. 

As  the  British  were  entering  Danbury,  a  Mv.  Hamilton,  who  had  a 
roll  of  cloth  in  some  building  near  the  Episcopal  church,  was  deter- 
mined at  much  hazard  to  secure  it;  he  accordingly  went  to  the  place 
where  it  was,  took  it,  and  being  on  horseback  rode  oft'.  The  enemy's 
light  horsemen  followed  hard  after,  exclaiming,  we'll  have  you,  old 
daddy  !  we'll  have  you  !  Not  yet !  replied  the  old  gentleman.  The 
light  horsemen  rode  up  and  endeavored  to  cut  him  down,  but  the  old 
gentleman's  cloth  began  to  unroll  and  fly  out  behind;  this  so  frightened 
their  horses,  that  they  could  not  get  within  striking  distance  :  they  how- 
ever chased  him  through  nearly  the  whole  extent  of  the  street.  Mr. 
Hamilton  turning  a  short  corner  near  the  north  end  of  tlie  street,  the 
horsemen  gave  up  the  ])ursuit.  Three  or  four  men  in  or  near  Capt. 
Starr's  house,  which  was  situated  on  the  west  side  of  the  street,  about 
40  rods  above  the  present  court  house,  had  the  temerity  to  fire  upon 
the  enemy  ;  the  light  horsemen  rode  up  and  cut  them  down,  threw 
their  bodies  into  the  house,  and  set  it  on  fire.  The  present  Episcoj)al 
church  was  filled  up  to  the  galleries  with  barrels  of  pork  and  (lour; 
these  were  rolled  out  into  the  street  by  the  enemy  and  burnt.  It  is  said 
that  it  was  over  one's  shoes  in  the  street  near  by,  with  pork  fat,  after 
jlhe  conflagration. 


The  following  account  of  the  expedition  of  the  l>ritish  to  Danbury,  &ic. 
in  April,  1777,  is  from  the  Connecticut  Journal. 

"  Oil  i-'iiday,  tlic  'J5ili  iii.vlant,  twenty  six  sail  uf  tlie  ei»ein)''sship>  apponicL!  oiVNor- 
walk  Islaiuls,  slaiuliug  in  lor  Cedar  Puiiit,  wlicrct  liey  anuhoivd  at  -1  uVluck,  P.M. 
audsoiiii  began  landing  troops;  by  10  o'cKnk-  ihey  liad  laiideil  two  brijradcs,  cmsi^iinj^ 
of  upwards  oi'two  thousaml  inen,  and  marched  iiumediaiely  lor  Danbury,  wlierclliey 
arrived  liie  next  day  at '2  o'clock,  P.  M. 

"  The  handlul  of  conlinenial  lrooi)s  there  were  obliged  to  evacuate  the  town,  hav- 
inj^  previously  .■secured  a  part  of  the  stores,  provi.sions,  i^cc.  The  enemy  on  their  arri- 
val be;,'aii  burning-  and  destroying  the  stores,  houses,  provisions,  A;e. 

"  On  the  appearance  of  the  enemy,  tlie  country  was  alarmed.  Early  the  next  morn- 
ing, Brigadier  Liciieral  Silliman,  wiiii  about  five  hundred  militia,  (all  that  witc  col- 
lected,) pursued  the  enemy;  at  Reading,  he  was  joined  by  Major  General  Woosler, 
and  Brigadier  General  Arnold.  The  heavy  rain  all  the  afienioon,  retarded  the  march 
of  our  troops  so  much  that  they  did  not  reach  Bethel,  (a  village  two  miles  from  Dan- 
bury,) till  11  o'clock  at  night,  much  fatigued,  and  their  arms  rendered  useless  by  being 
vet.  It  was  thought  prudent  to  refresh  the  men,  and  attack  the  enemy  on  their  return. 
Early  lhe~iiiext  morning,  (which  proved  rainy,)  the  wliole  were  in  motion,  two  hun- 
dred men  remained  with  Gen.  Wooster,  and  about  four  hundred  were  detached  under 
General  Arnold  and  General  Silliman,  on  the  road  leading  to  Norwalk.  At  'J  o'clock, 
A.  M.  intellitretice  was  received  thai  (he  enemy  had  taken  the  road  leading  to  Nor- 
walk, of  which  G(.Mieral  Woosler  was  atlvised,  and  pursued  iheii"\^vith  wlu/in  he 
came  up  about  11  o'clock,  when  a  smart  skirmishing  ensued,  in  which  General  Woos- 
ter, who  behaved  witli  great  intrepidity,  unlbrtunately  received  a  wound  by  a  inuskel 
ball,  thro'  the  groin,  which  it  is  teared  will  prove  mortal.  Gen.  Arnold,  by  a  forced 
march  across  the  country,  reached  Rulgehcld  at  11  o'clock,  and  having  posted  his 


D  A  N  B  u  n  Y  .  367 

small  party,  (being  joined  by  about  100  men,)  of  500  men,  waited  the  approach  of  the 
enemy,  who  were  soon  discovered  advancing  in  a  column  with  three  field  pieces  in 
front,  and  three  in  rear,  and  large  tlank  guards  of  near  two  hundred  men  in  each. 
At  noon  they  began  discharging  their  artillery,  and  were  soon  within  musket  shot, 
when  a  smart  action  ensued  between  the  whole,  which  continued  about  an  hour,  in 
whicb  our  men  beliaved  with  great  spirit,  but  being  overpowered  by  numbers,  were 
obliged  to  give  way,  though  not  uniil  ihe  enemy  were  raising  a  small  breastwork, 
thrown  across  the  way,  at  which  Gen.  Arnold  had  taken  post  with  about  200  men, 
(the  rest  of  our  small  body  were  posted  on  the  flanks,)  who  acted  with  great  spirit; 
the  general  had  his  horse  shot  under  him,  when  the  enemy  were  within  about  ten  yards 
of  him,  but  luckily  received  no  hurt;  recovering  iiimself,  he  drew  his  pistol  and  shot 
the  soldier,  who  was  advancing  with  his  fixed  bayonet.  He  then  ordered  his  troops 
to  retreat  through  a  shower  of  small  and  grape  shot.  In  the  actron  the  enemy  suffered 
very  considerably,  leaving  about  thirty  dead  and  wounded  on  the  ground,  beside  a 
number  unknown  buried.  Here  we  had  the  mi.^lbrtime  of  losing  Lieut.  Col.  Gold, 
one  subaltern,  and  several  privates  killed  and  wounded.  It  was  found  impossible  to 
rally  our  troops,  and  Gen.  Arnold  ordered  a  slanil  to  be  made  at  Saiigatuck  bridge, 
where  it  wa.s  expected  tiie  enemy  would  pass. 

"  At  9  o'clock  A.M.  the  '28lh,  about  500  men  were  collected  at  Saugatnck  bridge, 
including  part  of  the  companies  of  Col.  Lamb's  battalion  of  artillery,  with  three  Held 
pieces,  uniier  command  of  Lieut.  Col.  Oswald,  a  field  piece  with  part  cd'  the  artillery 
company  from  Fairfield,  sixty  continental  troops,  and  three  companies  of  volunteers 
from  New  Haven,  with  whom  Generals  Arnold  and  Siilim'an  took  post  about  two  miles 
above  the  bridge.  Soon  after  the  enemy  appeared  in  sight,  their  rear  was  attacked 
by  Col.  Huntington  (qommandinga  party  of  about  500  men,)  who  sent  to  Gen.  Arnold 
for  instructions,  and  for  some  oliicers  to  a.ssist  him.  Gen.  Silliman  was  ordered  to 
his  assistance;  the  enemy  finding  our  troops  advantageously  posted  made  a  halt,  and 
after  .some  little  lime,  wheeled  olf  to  the  left  and  forded  Saugatuck  river,  three  miles 
above  the  bridge.  Gen.  Arnold  observing  this  motion,  ordered  the  whole  to  march 
dicectly  for  the  bridge,  in  order  to  attack  the  enemy  in  the  flank.  Gen.  Silliman  at 
the  same  time  to  attack  their  rear:  the  enemy,  by  running  full  yjieed,  had  parsed  the 
bridge  on  Fairfield  side  with  their  main  body,  before  our  troops  could  cross  it.  Gen. 
Silliman  finding  it  impossible  to  overtake  the  enemy  on  their  route,  prwceeiled  to  the 
bridge,  where  the  whole  were  fbrmeil ;  they  marched  in  two  columns,  with  two  field 
pieces  on  the  right,  the  other  on  ihe  left  of  tiie  enemy,  when  a  smart  skirmishing,  and 
firing  of  field  pieces  ensued,  which  continued  about  three  hours.  The  enemy  having 
gained  the  high  hill  of  Compo,  several  attempts  were  made  to  dislodge  them,  but 
without  effect.  Theenemy  landed  a  number  of  fresh  troops  to  cover  their  cmharka- 
lion,  which  they  ellected  a  little  l)L-foie  .sunset,  weighed  anchor  immediately,  and  stood 
across  the  Sound,  for  lluiuington  on  Long  Island.  Our  loss  cannot  be  exactly  ascer- 
tained, no  retinn  being  made.  It  is  judged  to  be  about  sixty  killed  and  wounded. 
Among  the  killed  are  1  Lieut.  Colonel,  1  (.'aptaiii,  1  Subalterns,  and  Doct.  David  Al- 
water,  of  this  town,  whose  ileaili  is  greatly  lamented  by  his  acquaintance.  Among 
the  number  wounded,  are  Col.  John  Lamb,  (oi'  artillery,)  Arnah  Bradley  and  Timo- 
thy Gurham,  volunleeis  from  New  Haven,  though  not  mortally. 

"  The  enemy's  loss  is  judged  to  be  more  than  double  our  number,  and  about  20  pri- 
•soners.  The  enemy  on  this  occasion  behaved  with  their  usual  barbarity,  wantonly 
and  cruelly  murdering  the  wounded  prisoners  who  fell  into  iheir  hands,  and  plunder- 
ing the  inhabitants,  burning  and  destroying  every  thing  in  their  way.  The  enemy, 
the  day  before  they  left  Fairfield,  were  joined  by  ten  sail,  chiefly  small  vessels." 


Dtii'Ing  the  Revoltitionj  a  lios])ital  for  tlie  American  army  was  kept 
for  some  time  at  Daiibiiiy .  Two  biiiltlings,  each  about  GO  feet  in  length, 
were  built  for  that  pur|)ose;  ti)ey  were  situated  about  three  fourths  of 
a  mile  northwest  from  the  court  house,  on  land  now  owned  by  Samuel 
Wildman,  Esq.  Mr.  Wildman  lived  in  Danbury  at  the  time  it  was 
burnt,  and  from  him  many  of  the  foregoing  particulars  are  derived. 
Many  of  tlie  sick  were  brought  from  White  Plains ;  about  200  soldiers 
were  buried  near  the  hospital.  A  large  proportion  of  the  sick  were 
soldiers  from  the  south,  who  were  not  used  to  lite  rigors  of  a  northern 
climate. 

"  In  1775,  a  dysentery  raged  In  all  parts  of  the  town.     The  number 
of  deaths  in  the  town,  during  the  year,  was  about   130,  of  which  6:t 

\ 


368 


1)  A  N  B  u  n  V  , 


were  in  the  limits  of  the  first  society.  Says  Mi\  Baldwin,  in  his 
Tliaiiksgivint,^  seriDon  of  that  year,  '  no  less  than  6-2  have  been  swept 
awiiy  from  within  the  limits  of  the  society  in  less  than  eleven  weeks, 
the  summer  past;  and  not  far  from  50  in  other  parts  of  the  town. 
Much  the  greater  part  of  this  number  were  children,'  A  reuiarhable 
fact  occurred  that  year.  A  military  company  of  about  100  men  was 
raised  in  the  town,  and  ordered  to  the  northern  army  on  Lake  Cham- 
plain.  When  they  went,  it  was  viewed  by  their  friends  as  next  to  a 
final  departure.  At  the  conclusion  of  the  campaign,  they  all  returned 
safely,  and  found  that  great  numbers  of  their  friends  had  suiKc  in  death. 
The  disorder  had  subsided  before  their  return," 


Saiuhinanian  Church,  Daiibunj. 

The  above  is  a  north  view  of  the  Sandemanian  church,  situated  neafr 
the  norlliern  part  of  the  village  of  l)anl)ury.  It  is  a  small,  unostenta- 
tious building,  placed  a  little  back  of  the  other  buildings  on  the  mail) 
street,  and  very  much  resembles  a  common  school  house.  It  is  he- 
lievetl  10  be  the  only  house  of  worship  now  used  by  that  denominatit)ii 
in  this  country. 

In  17G4,  Mr.  Robert  Sandeman,  a  native  of  Perth,  in  Scotland,  a 
man  of  learning,  and  superior  abilities,  who  had  some  correspondence 
with  INIr,  White,  and  some  other  ministers  in  this  country,  came  from  liis 
native  land,  landed  at  Boston,  and  came  to  Danbury  near  the  close  of 
the  year.  After  tarrying  several  weeks,  he  returned  to  Boston,  where 
he  soon  organized  a  church,  lie  returned  to  Danbury  and  gathered  a 
church,  in  July,  17G3.  "  The  principal  doctrines  which  he  taught  were 
similar  to  those  of  Calvin  and  Athanasius,  which  have  been  received 
in  all  ages  of  the  Christian  church.  His  distinguishing  tenet  was,  that 
faith  is  a  mere  intellectual  belief:  his  favorite  expression  was,  'a  hare 
belief  of  the  hare  truth.'  He  maintained  that  his  church  was  the  only 
true  church,  then  arisen  from  the  ruins  of  Antichrist,  his  reign  being 
near  a  close.     Tlie  use  of  means,  for  mankind  in  a  natural  state,  he 


U  A  N  U  U  U  Y  .  369 

pretty  much  exploded."  Mv.  Sandeman  died  in  1771.  The  next  year 
his  church  moved  to  New  Haven.  There  it  appears  ihey  were  in  a 
flourishing  condition  for  three  or  four  years."  The  house  in  which  they 
assenihled  for  worship  is  still  standing  in  Gregson  street.  ^Vhen  the 
Revolutionary  war  hroke  out,  the  Sandenianians,  who  were  royalists, 
became  ohjects  of  suspicion.  They  were  brought  before  the  civil  au- 
thority on  several  occasions,  and  at  one  lime  were  imprisoned.  These 
proceedings  had  the  eflect  to  break  up  their  church  in  this  place;  nearly, 
if  not  quite  ail  their  people  moved  away.  "  In  Jul^,  1774,  several 
persons  wlio  had  been  memhers  of  that  church,  together  with  a  number 
who  belonged  to  the  society  at  JXew  Danbury,  united  and  formed  a  new 
Sandemanian  church.  That  coniinued  antHncrcased  for  many  years, 
till  March,  1796,  when  they  divided  into  two  churcl)es." 

The  following  is  from  a  recent  account  given  of  the  Sandemanians  in 
this  place.  "They  meet  on  the  Sabbath,  and  the  Thursday  afternoon 
of  each  week,  to  exhort  and  to  explain  the  sacred  word.  Their  church 
is  provided  with  a  large  circular  table,  which  occupies  nearly  half  of 
the  area  of  the  building,  at  which  the  several  members  seat  themselves, 
each  one  provided  with  a  copy  of  the  scriptures,  and  as  they  individ- 
ually feel  disposed,  they  read  and  comment  thereon,  the  females  ex- 
cepted. They  appear  to  worship  by  themselves,  the  congregation  not 
]iartaking  therein,  being  but  indiilerent  spectators  of  the  proceedings. 
They  also  add  to  their  former  exercises  prayer  and  singing ;  and  after 
which,  they  assendjle  at  one  or  the  oilier  of  the   brothers'  or  sisters' 

bouses,  where  they  partake  of  a  feast There  are  probably, 

at  present,  about  twenty  primiiive  fohowers,  of  strict  morals  and  chaste 
deportment,  even  to  a  proverb.  It  appears  that  none  have  joinetl  them 
latterly.  Tliis  sect,  like  most  others,  have  had  divisions  among  thetti 
one  j)arty  of  which  now  go  by  the  name  of  the  Oabornites^  from  MpI 
Levi  Osborn,  their  present  teacher.  These  are  very  few  in  nuiTjber,  re- 
duced by  ilealhs,  and  from  the  clrcumsiance  of  none  uniting  wilh  them. 
The  other  jjarty  go  by  the  name  of  Baj)tist  iSanilamaniuns,  from  their 
belief  in  and  practice  of  baptism.  The  Osbornites  appear  to  have  been 
the  most  numerous  of  the  two  classes,  having  had  formerly  a  consider- 
able number  of  members,  consisting  of  some  respectable  people  of  in- 
fluence." There  are  said  to  be  but  about  400  persons  of  this  denomi- 
nation in  the  world,  40  of  whom  are  in  ihe  United  Stales.  Those  of 
this  belief  in  Great  Britain,  are  known  by  llie  name  of  Glassites. 

The  following  is  copied  from  the  monument  of  Air.  Sandeman,  in  the 
burying  ground  opposite  the  court  house. 

Here  lies,  iiiuil  ilie  rosuneclioii,  the  body  of  IIobkrt  Sandeman,  a  native  of  Perth, 
ISorlh  Britain,  Wliu  in  liie  fnce  of  coiUiiuial  oppusiiion  from  all  sorts  of  rnen  long 
boldly  contended  for  the  ancient  Faith,  that  the  bate  work  of  Jesus  Christ,  uilhout  a 
deed  or  thought  on  the  part  of  man,  is  sufficient  to  present  the  chief  of  sinners  spotless 
before  God.  To  declare  this  blessed  Truth,  as  testified  in  the  Holy  Scriptures,.  He 
■  left  his  country,  he  left  his  Friends,  and  alter  much  palieiU  sufienng,  finished  his  la- 
bors at  Danbury,  Apiil  '-i,  1771,  j\i..  53  years. 


Deign'd  Christ  to  come  so  nigh  to  us, 

As  not  to  eouiit  ii  shame, 
To  call  us  Brethren,  should  we  bUish 

At  aughl  that  bears  his  name  1 


Nay,  let  us  boast  in  his  reproach, 

And  glory  iu  his  Cross; 
When  he  appears  one  smile  from  him  ; 

Would  fur  o'crptfy  our  loss. 

47 


370 


D  AN  B  U  R  Y, 


I\Iajoi"  General  Wooster,  who  was  mortally  wounded  at  Ridgeficid, 
in  an  action  with  the  enemy  after  they  had  left  Dunlnny,  was  hrou<^ht 
to  Danhury,  where  he  expiretl.  He  was  buried,  it  is  staled,  at  the 
distance  of  twenty  feet,  in  a  northeast  course.  Iroin  the  grave  of  iMr. 
Sandeman. 

The  following  inscription  is  from  the  monument,  in  this  yard,  of  Mr. 
Shove,  the  first  minister  in  Danbury. 

ri'Tc  lyrs  Iniried  ye  body'df  ye  Revd.  Mr.  Selh  Shove,  ye  Pious  and  Fnillifnl  Pristor 
of  ye  Church  in  Darlbuiy  3!)  year's,  who  ilied  Oci.  3lI,'  Anno  Domini  1735,  iElaiis 
sine  tJ8.  » 


Congregational  Church  in  Btlhcl,  DanLunj. 

The  nourishing  village  of  Bethel,  in  the  town  of  Danbury,  is  situate-^ 
about  three  miles  souiluasi  from  l),inl)ur)'.  The  view  shows  the  a|)- 
pearance  of  the  Congregational  church,  and  some  other  buildings  in 
the  vicinity.  This  church  was  erected  in  17G0,  being  the  first  meeting 
house  erected  here;  the  Rev.  Noah  Wetniore  was  the  first  minister;  he 
was  regularly  tllsmissed  from  his  pastoral  charge  in  1734. 

i^ethel  was  incorpoiated  as  a  society  in  October,  1759.  There  are 
at  this  lime,  (lS;i5,)  about  fifty  dwelling  houses  in  the  village  ;  the  lead- 
ing branches  of  manufacturing  business,  at  present,  are  hat  and  comb 
making.  An  Episcopal  church,  about  fifty  rods  s.  w.  of  the  Congre- 
gational church,  has  been  erected  the  present  year,  besides  many  other 
buildings.  There  are  in  Jiethel,  15  hatting  shops  or  factories,  which 
employ,  (including  females,)  200  persons  ;  they  manufacture  about 
1'25,000  hats  annually,  which  are  valued,  at  wholesale  prices,  at  about 
^':200,000.  Tliei'e  are  about  12  principal  comb  maiud'acturers,  who 
employ  about  180  |)ersons  in  the  business.  The  '•  Hatter's  circular 
Dye  Kettle  and  Wheel,"  was  invented  in  Danbury  in  18:23,  by  Mr. 
Joel  Taylor.  It  is  a  most  important  invention  for  hatters,  and  lias  come 
into  general  use  both  in  this  country  and  Europe. 


BRIDGEPORT. 


371 


The  British  troops,  in  their  expedition  to  Danbury,  passed  through 
this  village  ;  the  following  incident  is  said  to  have  occuned  here  at  that 
time.  As  the  British  were  descending  the  hill,  a  short  distance  fron\ 
the  village,  on  the  old  Beading  road,  one  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  town, 
Mr.  Luther  llolcoinb,  rode  his  horse  up  to  tlie  summit  of  an  eminence 
in  front  of  the  enemy.  Although  entirely  alone,  Mr,  Holeoinb,  (judging 
from  the  words  he  used,)  evidently  intended  to  make  an  impression. 
Waving  his  hat  or  sword,  and  turning  his  face  as  though  he  was  ad- 
dressing an  army  behind  him,  lie  exclaimed  in  a  voice  of  thunder, 
"//«//  the  ivhok  Universe!  break  ojf  Inj  l-ingdoms !''  Tiiis,  it  must 
be  confessed,  was  a  formidable  force  to  encounter.  The  British  army 
came  to  a  halt,  their  cannon  were  brought  forward  and  made  to  bear 
upon  their  supposed  opponents,  and  flanWng  parties  sent  out  to  make 
discoveries.  Air.  Ilolcomb,  on  the  point  of  being  surrounded,  and  deem- 
ing "discretion  the  better  part  of  valor,"  thought  it  advisable  to  make 
good  his  retreat  in  a  rapid  manner  towards  Danbury. 


BRIDGF.PORT. 


East  view  of  Bridgeport,  (183'1.) 

Bridgeport  was  incorporated  as  a  town  in  1821.  It  was  formerly 
that  part  of  the  parish  of  Stratfield  lying  in  the  town  of  Stratford.  It 
is  of  a  triangular  shape,  averaging  4  miles  in  length  from  north  to  south, 
and  over  two  miles  in  breadth,  containing  perhaps  about  ten  square 
miles.  It  is  bounded  n.  by  Trumbull,  e.  by  Stratford,  s.  by  the  wa- 
ters of  Long  Island  sound,  and  w.  by  Fairfield.  The  township  is  gen- 
erally level,  and  has  a  strong  and  fertile  soil. 


372 


B  R  I  D  G  K  P  O  H  T 


A  PLAN  OP  MAIN  STREET,  BRIDGEPORT,  6H0\VtNG  THE  BUILDINGS  AND  OCCUPANTS 

IN  1821. 


Widow  Lucy  Hawley. 


Samuel  Hawley,  Jr.  Halter. 

David  Slerling,  Merchant. 

GOLDEN    HILL   STREET. 


Zlba  Northrop,  Joiner. 


Isaac  Sherman,  Merchant. 
GOLD    STREET. 

H-  -Nathaniel  Wade,  Merchant. 
—Samuel  Porter,  Farmer. 

Robert  Gregory,  Saddle-Tree  Maimer. 
N.  L.  Skinner,  Publisher  of  the  Courier. 
Henry  Coty,  Hatter,  and  Josepli  P.  Sturges, 


iiry  Lot 
Joinei 


Levi  Lyon,  Merchant. 
—.Charles  L.  Nichols,  Merchant. 


William  Deforest,  Merchant.--^     |j^— Reuben  Tweedy,  Hatter. 
BEAVER 
Smith  Tweedy,  i/u^er.ZH 


Thaddeus  Hubbell,  Sea  Caplair 
Lemuel  Coleman,  Saddlei 
Richard  Atwell,  Comb  Maker,  and 
Epliraim  Muldlehrooks,  Jouier. 

Samuel  lUirr,  Mcrchan 
JOHN    STREET 
Isaac  Burroughs,  jMerchan 
Rev.  Heni7  R.  Judah,  Episcopal  Mini 

B  A  N  1\ 

Monson  Hinnian,  Sea  Captain.  .  q| 

L.  C.  Sfegee,   Tavern  keeper.  .   J 

S  T  A  T  E 

Andrew  CurtiBs'  Carriage  Maker  Shop. 


TREET. 

Thomas  Goiige,  Hatter. 


:;:3 


-Joseph  Claik,  Cooper 
..Stephen  Hull,  Blacksmith. 
'WALL   STREET. 
'\Ii-s.  Ifubb.ll. 
.Mrs   Wuolsty. 

Bridgeport  Dank. 

'.S  T  R  E  E  T. 
Sr~^'.M]ss  L.  Shepherd  and  Dr.  Holman. 

IM Post  Office  and  Dry  Uoud  Stores. 

S  T  R  E  E  T 

j\Ierchant. 


Jesse  Sterling,  Merchant.-   ai     \ 
GILBERT    STREET.        ' 
David  B.  Nichols,  Merchant"'^ 
Ira  Sherman  ... 
George  Hawley,  Merchant  _ 
Richard  Hyde,  Merchant... 
Abijah  Hawley,  Sea  Captain  ^ 


Jnbez  Norman,  Sail  Maker 
Baker'. 


'      1      I      SSleplien  Hawley, 
^ UNION   STRl 


^      .:Mt^'^ 


U^ — Nichols  Nortlinip,  Joiner. 

— 'THOMAS    STREET. 

Josiah  B.  Hall,  Merchant. 


ALLEN'S    LANE 

Francis  V  Allen,  Marii 


Tallman  Perry. 
Ihiri  Perry. 


The  above  plan  was  taken  from  a  map  of  Bridgeport,  surveyed  by 
Mr.  H.^.'Barnum,  and  published  in  18-24.  It  is  now  accompanied 
by  som:§? additions  and  corrections  by  Isaac  Sherman,  Esq.  the  present 
town  clerk  of  Brid^c'ijort. 

The  city  of  Bridgei)ort  was  incorporated  in  1836.  It  is  mostly  built 
on  the  west  side  of  an  arm  of  the  sea,  17  miles  s.w.  from  New  Haven, 
62  miles  from  New  York,  and  4  from  Fairfield.  The  harbor  extends 
about  three  miles  inland  to  the  head  of  tide  water,  where  it  meets  Pe- 
quanock  river,  a  considerable  mill  stream.  The  average  width  of  the 
harbor,  at  high  water,  is  eighty  rods.  At  low  water  most  of  it  is  bare, 
leaving  a  channel  about  a  dozen  rods  wide ;  common  tides  rise  seven 
feet,  spring  tides  nine.  The  depth  of  water  on  the  bar,  at  high  water, 
is  about  thirteen  feet  ;  within  the  bar  the  water  is  much  deeper,  having 
a  muddy  bottom.     'I'l  e  bridge  across  the  harbor  is  about  one  mile  and 


BRIDCIEPOKT, 


373 


a  half  from  its  mouth,  seventy  five  rods  in  length,  built  on  trestles,  with 
a  draw  for  vessels  to  proceeii  above.  The  surface  on  which  the  town 
is  principally  built,  is  a  plain  about  12  feet  above  high  water  mark. 
There  is  however  a  rise  called  Golden  hill,*  commencing  about  100 
rods  northwest  of  the  center  of  the  present  buildings,  which,  after  a 
gradual  ascent  of  about  '-20  rods,  in  which  the  perpendicular  elevation  is 
50  feet,  presents  a  surface  of  half  a  mile  square,  forming  a  delightful 
situation  for  an  upper  town  :  from  this  elevation  is  a  fine  prospect  of  the 
Sound  and  surrounding  scenery.  Though  situated  within  tl)ree  miles 
of  Stratford,  and  four  of  Fairfield,  both  among  the  earliest  settlements 
In  the  state,  at  the  close  of  the  Revolutionary  war  there  were  but  10 
or  12  houses  on  the  site  where  Bridgeport  is  now  built.  In  1790, 
there  were  but  110  inhabitants;  in  1830,  there  were  upwards  of  1,800 
in  the  borough.  The  number  of  inhabitants  at  this  time,  (1837,)  in 
the  city,  is  3,416, 


South  view  of  the  Churches  in  Jiritlgcport. 

The  original  name  of  the  village,  (now  city,)  was  Newfield,  which 
in  1800  was  incorjjorated  as  a  borough,  and  called  Bridgeport.  There 
are  live  churches  in  the  limits  oi'the  city;  1  Episcopal,  erected  in  1801, 
now  (1837)  used  by  the  Baptists ;  2  Congregational — the  first  Congre- 
gational church  was  erecterl  in  1803,  by  the  society  formerly  worship- 
ing in  Stratfiuld,  the  other  in  1830;  the  JMethodist  church,  erected  in 
1822;  and  the  present  Episcopal  church,  now  building.  The  ancient 
meeting  house  of  the  parish  of  Stralfield  stood  about  one  mile  and  a  half 
northwest  of  the  central  part  of  the  city,  on  the  line  road  between  Fair- 
field and  Bridgeport;  it  was  taken  down  a  year  or  two  since. 

The  above  is  a  representation  of  tlie  churches  in  this  place,  all  stand- 
ing in  a  direct  line.     The  nearest  building  in  the  view,  which  is  seen  on 


*  This  hill  is  piully  a  rocky  eminence.  In  the  stone  is  found  ising-glass  uC  a  i^old 
color,  lience  the  name  Gulden  hill.  A  numerous  tribe  of  Indians  formerly  lived  on 
this  hill,  and  wii'o  called  "  the  Golden  hill  tribe."  Their  skeletons  are  frequently 
du,!j  up  on  the  b,   iks  of  the  Peqiionnoc  river. 


374  BRIDGEPOUT. 

the  right,  is  the  second  Congregational  church ;  the  next  north  is  the 
Baptist,  (formerly  the  Episcopal  church  ;)  the  next  huilding  is  the  first 
Congregational  church  ;  the  new  Kpiscopal  church  is  the  next ;  the 
Methodist  church  is  seen  in  the  distance  on  the  right,  and  is  without  a 
spire:  Golden  hill  rises  immediately  beyond  this  building. 

The  first  newspaper  printed  in  the  village  was  in  1795,  and  edited 
by  Lazarus  Beach.  Tlie  first  bridge  was  erected  across  tlie  harbor  in 
1783.  There  are  two  banks  in  this  place,  the  Bridgeport  and  Connec- 
ticut banks,  the  former  incorporated  in  1806,  the  latter  in  1831.  The 
number  of  inhabitants  within  the  limits  of  the  town,  at  this  time,  is  es- 
timated at  upwards  of  four  thousand.  A  daily  line  of  steamboats,  to  ply 
between  Bridgeport  and  New  York,  was  established  in  July,  1834. 

Among  the  principal  articles  manufactured  in  this  place,  are  saddlery 
and  carriages.  The  whale  fishery,  of  late,  has  received  considerable 
attention.  Bridgeport,  at  this  time,  is  rapidly  increasing  in  wealth  and 
population.  A  charter  was  granted  in  183G  for  a  rail  road,  called  the 
"  Housatonic  Rail  Road,"  following  the  valley  of  the  Housatonic,  about 
eighty  five  miles,  to  West  Stockbridge,  Mass. 


Frovi  the  Conncclicut  Journal,  Dec.  15,  1779. 
On  the  4th  ult.  about  25  volunteers,  under  tlie  command  of  Captains  Lockwood, 
Hawley,  Jones,  and  Lieulenanls  Jaclfson  and  Bisliop,  set  olF  from  Newfield  liarbor 
on  an  expedition  to  Long  Inland,  to  feicli  ol!"  Thomas  Jones,  Esq.,  one  of  tlie  judges  of 
their  Supreme  Court,  and  a  warm  Loyalist ;  they  crossed  tlie  Sound  that  evening,  ar- 
rived at  Stony  Brook  near  Smith  To«n,  and  then  marched  to  Fort  Nick,  (said  Jones' 
place  of  residence,)  where  they  arrived  llie  Gth,  about  9  o'clock  in  the  evening,  being 
52  miles,  and  after  surprising  llie  house,  took  said  Jones  prisoner  ;  in  consequence  of 
which  an  alarm  arose  ;  which  obliged  our  men  to  retreat,  traveling  50  miles  the  same 
night,  and  secreting  themselves  the  next  day  ;  (by  wliich  lime  the  enemy's  light  horse 
-were  near,)  the  following  evening  they  retreated  to  their  boats,  having  taken  two  pris- 
oners more,  crossed  the  Sound  and  arrived  safe  at  Black  Rock,  in  Fairfield,  on  the 
Sth  ;  excejit  six  men,  who  being  in  the  rear,  wore  taken  by  the  light  horse. 

The  object  of  the  above  expedition  appears  to  have  been  the  capture 
of  some  person  of  sullicient  rank  to  excliange  for  Gen,  Silliman,  who 
was  captured  by  the  enemy  a  short  time  previous.  The  following  is 
from  the  3d  vol.  of  Dwighl's  Travels. 

In  1779,  RLijor  General  Silliman  was  appointed  by  the  governor  and  council  of 
safety,  superintendant  of  the  coast  of  the  county  ol'  Fairfield.  In  the  month  of  May, 
Sir  Henry  Clinton  directed  a  small  company  of  refugees  to  cross  the  Sound  in  a  whale 
boat  from  Lloyd's  Neck,  and  if  possible  to  take  him  a  prisoner.  One  of  them  was  an 
inhabitant  of  Newtown  nametl  Glover,  a  carpenter;  who  had  been  employed  by  General 
Silliman  not  long  before;  and  having  been  some  time  at  the  house  -was  i)erfectly  ac- 
quainted with  the  safest  and  easiest  modes  of  access  to  it.  The  crew  consisted  of  nine. 
One  was  left  in  the  boat.  Eight  came  to  the  house  about  midnight.  The  family  Mere 
awakened  by  a  violent  assault  upon  the  door.  General  Silliman  sprang  out  of  bed, 
seized  a  musket,  and  ran  to  the  door.  As  he  pa.ssed  by  the  window  he  saw  the  men, 
and  at  once  comprehended  their  design.  He  then  attempted  to  lire  his  mnskel ;  but  it 
only  flashed.  At  that  instant  the  assailants  broke  through  the  window  and  laid  their 
hands  upon  him,  exclaiming  that  he  was  their  prisoner,  and  that  he  must  go  with 
them.  At  his  request  they  permitted  him  to  dress  himself,  and  having  plundered  him 
of  a  fusee,  a  pair  of  pistolsja  sword  and  some  other  articles  of  no  great  value,  proceetl- 
ed  with  expedition  to  the  shore.  They  reached  it  about  two  o'clock,  and  immediately 
embarked  for  Long  Island.  As  they  approached  the  shore  of  Lloyd's  Neck,  Colonel 
Simcoe,  the  commanding  officer,  who  was  waiting  for  them  exclaimed, '  Have  you  got 
him,'  They  answered  Yes, '  Have  you  lost  any  men,'  No,  '  That  is  well,  your  Siilimans 
are  not  worth  a  man,  nor  your  Washinglons.'  General  Silliman's  eldest  son  was  taken 
with  him.     The  prisoners  were  ordered  to  the  guard-house.    The  General  asked  the 


BROOKFIELU.  375 

Adjutant  whether  this  was  the  manner  they  treated  prisoners  of  his  rank.  The  Ad- 
jutant replied,  '  We  do  not  consider  you  in  the  same  lii;ht  as  we  should  a  continental 
General,  ilovv,  said  General  Silliinan,  will  you  view  nie  when  an  exchange  shall  be 
proposed!  'I  understand  you,'  said  the  Adjutant,  and  withdrew.  These  questions 
proliably  preserved  General  Silliman  I'rom  the  indignity  of  being  confined  in  a  guard- 
house. Soon  after,  he  and  his  son  were  conducted  m  a  carriage  to  New  York,  under 
an  escort  of  Dragooii.s.  On  his  arrival  a  numerous  body  of  people  gathered  to  see 
him.  A  gentleman  who  was  a  friend  to  him,  advised  him  to  withdraw  lest  he  should 
be  insulted,  and  very  kindly  conducted  him  to  good  lodgings.  Here  he  remained  for 
some  time  and  was  at  length  ordered  to  Flatbush. 

At  that  time  there  was  no  piisoner  in  the  possession  of  the  Americans,  whom  the 
British  would  accept  in  exchange  for  General  Silliman  ;  and  after  some  consideration, 
it  was  determined  to  piocure  one.  The  person  pitched  upon  was  the  Hon.  Mr.  Jones, 
one  of  the  justices  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  province  of  New  York.  Capt.  Daniel 
Hawley  of  Newfield  (now  Britlguport,)  uoderlook  to  accomplish  the  design.  Having 
selected  a  proper  crew,  he  proceeded  in  a  whale  boat  to  Long  Island,  and  liaving  land- 
ed his  men,  concealed  his  boat  in  some  bushes  near  the  shore.  Of  the  place  where  they 
lantied  I  am  ignorant;  but  it  is  said  to  have  been  at  least  fitly  miles  IVom  the  place  of 
their  destination.  The  hou.se  of  Judge  Jones  stood,  and  probably  now  stands,  on  the 
north  side  of  Hempstead  plain,  in  a  solitude  rather  pleasant,  and  certainly  very  favor- 
able to  their  enterprise.  The  Americans  arrived  about  nine  o'clock  in  the  evening. 
There  was  a  ball  in  the  house,  and  the  noise  of  music  and  dancing  prevented  the  ap- 
proach of  the  adventurers  from  being  heard.  Captain  Hawley  knocked  ai  the  door, 
and  perceiving  that  noboily  heard  him,  forced  it,  and  found  Judge  Jones  standing  in 
the  entry.  He  insiunily  told  liiin  he  was  his  prisoner,  and  immedialely  conducted 
him  olf,  together  with  a  young  gentleman  whose  name  was  Hewlett.  A  guard  of  sol- 
diers were  posted  at  a  small  distance  from  their  road.  When  they  came  near  the  sjiot, 
Judge  Jones  hemmed  very  loud,  and  was  forbidden  by  Captain  Hawley  to  repeat  the 
sound.  He  however  did  repeat  it,  but,  being  told  by  his  conductor  that  another  repe- 
tition would  be  followed  by  fatal  con.sequcnces,  he  desisted.  On  their  way  they  were 
obliged  to  lodge  in  a  forest  through  the  day.  The  third  night  they  reached  their  boat, 
and  proceeded  immeiliately  to  Newfield. 

Mrs.  Silliman,  hearing  of  Judge  Jones'  arrival,  sent  him  an  invitation  to  breakfast. 
He  came.  During  several  days  while  he  was  at  her  house,  she  took  all  the  measures 
in  her  power  to  make  his  sitiiation  agreeable.  But  although  few  ladies  could  contrib- 
ute more  elliictually  to  such  a  purpose,  the  Judge  was  distant,  reserved  and  sullen. 
From  this  place  he  was  ordered  to  Middletown. 

It  was  a  long  time  before  the  British  would  consent  to  an  exchange;  but  in  the  month 
of  May,  1780,  they  agreed  that  if  one  Washburn,  a  refugee  of  a  notoriously  bad  char- 
acter, could  be  included  in  the  exchange  as  a  kind  of  make- weight,  they  would  release 
General  Silliman  for  Judge  Jones,  and  his  son  for  Mr.  Hewlett.  The  vessel  which 
conveyed  him  met  another,  employed  to  trans[iort  General  Silliman  to  his  own  house, 
on  the  Sound.  The  two  gentlemen  having  dined  together,  proceeded  immediately  to 
the  n■.^pective  places  ot'  tiair  deslinalioii.  The  General's  return  was  welcomed  with 
itemoustratioiis  of  joy  by  all  the  surrounding  coimtry. 


B  R  O  O  K  F  I  E  L  D 


Brookfield  was  incorporated  as  a  town  in  1788  ;  it  was  formed  from 
parts  of  New  MiKord,  Danbury  and  Newtown.  It  was  formerly  called 
the  society  of  Newbury.  The  Rev.  Thomas  Brooks  was  the  first 
minister  in  the  place,  and  was  ordained  Sept.  28th,  1758,  a  church 
being  gathered  at  tlie  same  time.  Brookfield  is  said  to  have  been 
named  from  the  first  minister.  The  town  is  bounded  n.  by  New  IVIil- 
ford,  N.  E.  by  the  IJousaionic  river,  s.  e.  by  Newtown,  w.  by  Danbury 
and  New  Fairfield.  Tiie  township  is  e(|iiivalent  to  about  17  square 
miles,  containing  about  11,000  acres.  The  surface  is  diversified  with 
hills  and  valleys,  and  the  soil  is  generally  a  dry,  hard,  gravelly  loam, 
particularly  upon  the  hills ;  the  lands  generally  are  well  adapted  to  a 
grain  culture.  In  some  sections  of  the  town  there  is  limestone,  and 
several  beds  of  marble. 


376 


L>  A  11  1  K  N 


Northern  i'Ilw  oJ'  Uruukjlvld,  [ctntral  yart.) 

The  above  is  a  representation  of  llie  central  part  of  Brookfiold. 
There  are  about  20  (Iwellini,^  liouses  at  this  place  ;  ri  churches,  1  Con- 
gregational and  1  Episcojjal,  and  a  town  huusc.  The  Congregational 
church  is  the  first  building  on  the  right  with  a  spire;  the  Episcopal 
church  is  tlie  next  building  seen  eastward,  with  four  windows  on  the 
north  side.  The  town  house  is  seen  on  the  east  side  of  the  street,  with 
a  small  spire.  These  buildings  stand  on  elevated  ground,  on  the  sum- 
mit of  a  rocky  ridge  running  north  and  south.  About  one  mile  and 
a  half  to  the  northwest  there  are  iron  works,  and  some  other  manufac- 
turing business  is  carried  on,  with  a  village  about  the  size  of  the  one  at 
the  town  center.  There  has  been  lead  discovered  about  40  rods  south 
of  the  Episcopal  church.  The  central  part  of  the  town  is  about  six 
miles  N.  E.  from  Danbury,  and  twenty  four  from  Fairfield. 


D  A  R  I  E  N . 

This  is  a  small  township,  formerly  the  j)arish  of  Middlesex,  in  the 
town  of  Stamford.  It  is  bounded  n.  by  I\ew  Canaan,  e.  by  ISiorwalk, 
w.  by  Stamford,  and  s.  by  l^ong  Island  sound.  It  was  incorporated  as 
a  towp  in  18'20.  The  soil  is  generally  a  rich  gravelly  loam,  fertile,  and 
well  adapted  to  tillage  and  grazing. 

The  following  is  a  representation  of  the  Congregational  church  in  Da- 
rien,  5  miles  southwest  of  Norwalk.  It  stands  a  few  rods  to  the  left,  as 
you  pass  the  main  road  to  Stamford:  this  church  was  erected  in  1740. 
During  the  Revolutionary  war,  a  considerable  number  of  persons  dis- 
affected to  the  American  cause  resided  in  this  vicinity.  On  Sunday, 
the  22d  day  of  July,  1781,  a  party  of  British  troops,  consisting  chielly 
of  refugees,  surrounded  this  church  and  took  the  congregation  prisoners. 
The  Rev.  Moses  Mather,  D.  D.  was  at  this  time  pastor  of  the  churchy 


r>  A  u  I E  N.  "  "  377 


Southwell  urn  vietv  oj' the  Congregational  Cfnirch,  Darien. 

a  divine  distin'^uislied  for  his  y)iety,  learninc^,  mid  most  exemplary  life. 
It  was  the  intention  of  the  refugees,  or  tories,  to  have  taken  the  con- 
j^'regation  prisoners  during  the  morning  services,  hut  some  menihcrs  of 
the  congregation  who  were  pecuharly  ohnoxious  to  them,  not  attending 
church  in  the  forenoon,  they  kept  concealed  till  the  afternoon  services 
commenced.  While  the  congregation  were  singing  the  first  time,  the 
refugees,  connnLinded  hy  a  Capt.  Frost,  sprung  over  the  fence  and  sud- 
flenly  surrounded  the  house.  Two  or  three  young  men,  who  happened 
to  discover  them  in  season,  jumped  out  of  the  windows  and  etlected 
their  escape.  Two  guns  were  fired  at  them  by  the  refitgees,  who  did 
not  think  it  prudent  to  fire  any  more,  as  the  firit7g  of  three  gnns  would 
have  been  the  signal  of  alarm  agreed  upon  by  the  inhabitants  of  this 
place,  to  give  notice  of  any  invasion  of  the  enemy.  The  men  of  (he 
congregation  were  taken  out  of  the  church,  tied  two  and  two,,  and  Dr.-. 
JMaliier  was  placed  at  their  head.  The  refugees  then  took  about  fort/- 
liorses  belonging  to  the  congregation,  mounted  them,  and  marched  their 
prisoners  to  the  shore  ;  and  thence  conveyed  them  to  IJoyd's  INeck  on 
Ijong  Island.  From  this  place  they  were  soon  after  marched  to  New 
York,  and  confined  in  prison. 

Some  of  the  C(~)ngregation  who  were  taken  off,  never  returned  ;  these 
))rohably  perished  in  prison,  others  were  ])aroled,  and  some  returned 
after  having  snifcred  severely  by  the  small  pox.  A  writer  in  one  of 
the  J3ritish  j)ublications  of  the  day,  in  giving  an  account  of  this  e\[(edi- 
tion,  niaile  himself  merry  in  describing  the  outcry  which  the  womerr 
and  children  made  at  the  time  the  men  were  taken  prisoners,  as  though 
it  were  nothing  to  have  husbands,  lathers,  and  brothers,  separated  from 
them  by  an  armed  enemy,  and  taken  oil"  to  a  distant  prison.  Tlie  son 
of  Dr.  Mather  was  more  fortunate  than  the  rest ;  as  the  refiigees  entered 
tlie  church,  he  sprung  under  the  seat,  and  tlie  women  sitting  before  h'un, 
their  clothes  hid  him  from  observation. 

4S 


378 


U  A  U  1  E  N  , 


"  Dr.  IMatlici-  Inving  been  taken  into  New  York,  was  confined  in  tlic 
Provost  prison.  Here  his  food  was  stinted,  and  wretched  to  a  degree 
not  easily  imaginable.  IJis  lodging  corresponded  with  his  food.  His 
coni|)any,  to  a  considerable  extent,  was  made  up  of  mere  rabble  ;  and 
their  conversation,  from  which  he  could  not  retreat,  composed  of  pro- 
faneiiess  and  ribaldry.  Here  also  he  was  insulied  daily  by  the  provost 
marshal,  whose  name  was  Cunningham,  a  wretch,  remembered  in  this 
country  only  with  detestation.  This  wretch,  with  other  kinds  of  abuse, 
took  a  jjarticular  satisfaction  in  annoiuicing,  from  lime  to  time,  to  Dr. 
Mather,  tljat  on  that  day,  tl)e  morrow,  or  some  other  time  at  a  little 
distance,  he  was  to  be  executed." 

"  But  Dr.  Mather  was  not  without  his  friends  ;  friends,  however,  who 
knew  nothing  of  him,  except  his  character.  A  lady  of  distinction,*  hav- 
ing learned  his  circumstances,  and  having  obtained  the  "necessary  |)er- 
mission,  sent  to  him  clothes  and  food,  and  comforts,  with  a  very  liberal 
hand." — Dr.  Mather  died  Sept.  '21st,  IbOG,  venerated  by  all  who  knew 
him,  in  the  SS'th  year  of  his  age.  He  was  educated  at  Vale  College, 
of  which  he  was  a  fellow  thirteen  years. 


Tlie  Rev.  Mr.  Mall 
cainiviiy  at  New  Voil 
since,  Willi  Ibur  ulln- 
rislioner.s.     Tlie  uiliei 


7V,y//t  t/ic  Ci'H/iaticul  Juuraal,  Scjd.  Olh,  1770. 
of  Siamloid,  and  two  of  liis  sons,  are  lati'ly  retm  ned  I'rom 
iMi.  Matin  r  was  taken  lloni  his  own  house  ationt  five  weeks 

ns,   by  a  ^mm;,'  oI'  eight  KJiies,  hve  ot  wlioin  had  been  liis  ])a- 

.o  .sons  are  n(/l  e.velianL'ed. 


JhIi/2G,  1781. 

Sunday  last,  in  the  afternoon,  a  parly  of  the  enemy  surprised  the  cong]eg;ttion  of 
the  i)arish  of  Middlesex,  between  Norwalk  and  Siamiord,  wtnle  aitendii)^'' divine  ser- 
vice m  the  meeting  house,  and  niade  iiii^cmers  of  about  foil}',  incliulinj^  ihe  Rev.  Mr. 
•Matiier,  minister  of  the  parish.  Tiie  surprise  was  so  complete  tliat  only-l  or  0  e.stapecl, 
one  of  tlieni  a  son  of  Mr.  Mallier,  who  was  ^liirhily  wounded  in  the  le-.;,  as  he  was  nm- 
niu'^  oil'.  'I'hey  were  earned  to  the  water  side  and  put  on  boaid  iwo  armed  vessels, 
which  at  that  instant  came  to,  su|iposcd  b}'  previous  a|ipointment.  The  enemy  also 
lu(jk  away  a  number  o(  horses,  with  satldles,  &c.  A  few  of  the  inlinbitants  collecled, 
who  e\ehaii-eil  some  sliol  with  the  enemy,  and  one  or  two  were  seen  lu  fill,  but  wheth- 
er mortally  wcmiuled  i.--  not  kiiouii:  one  prisoner  was  lakeii. 

The  enemy's  pariy  eoii-isied  ol  about  1(1,  who  came  over  the  night  before  from 
Lloyd's  Neck",  in  seven  boats,  which  they  carricil  into  a  tliick  sw;imp  near  the  meeting 
lioiise,  where  lliey  concealeil  themselves,  imlil  they  rusheil  out  and  surpi  ised  the  con- 
gregation as  above.  Tins  is  ihe  second  lime  that  Mr.  Mather  has  been  a  prisqner 
with  the  enemy. 


The  following  is  extracted  from  a  "  Poetical  Relation  of  the  capture 
of  the  Congregation  at  Middlesex  .  .  .  with  an  Account  of  their  suffer- 
ings, ^c.  while  in  captivity,  by  Peter  St.  John." 


"Now  to  relate  'lis  my  intent, 
A  sud  and  Ivajiiciil  event. 
On  wlial  I  write  you  niuy  rely 
As  I've  the  liislory  lying  Ijy. 
July  tlie  twenty-sei-ond  dny, 
Where  christians  met  to  siu^  and  j 
Insi^venleen  hundred  eighty-one, 
An  horrid  action  was  begun  ; 
While  to  the  Lord  they  siiig  ;ind  [t 
The  lories  who  in  anihnsh  hiy 
Beset  the  liouse  witli  hrazeu  race, 


At  Middlese.x  it  was  I 
A  guard  wa.^plaecd  1 1 
Likewise  heliindand 
Then  void  of  shame,  1 
The  siiered  teiniile  en 
The  revnend-MATUEi 
Ifowdid  the  rnn-n-i, 
'J'iien-ver.-nd  luir.st,  l 
r<evrrely  fi.dl  ihe  Sliiai 
N.it  by  a  \vhip  do  I  \n 
lint  hy  abuses  lioin  1 1 


<jd, 
riends 


*  According  to  the  i 
Washington  Irving,  tin 


irormatioi 
Amei  icai 


iblanied  in  Darien,   thi.^  lady  was  the  mother   of 


O  R  E  r,  N  AV  I  C  11 


379 


How  must  he  feel  to  sne  his  slipcp, 

Ttnis  worried  whilst  they  silence  keep. 

Tliosc  demons  pliiiukred  what  they  could, 

Either  in  silver  or  in  gold. 

The  silver  buckles  wliich  we  use 

Both  at  the  knees  and  on  the  shoes, 

These  caitid's  took  lliiiii  in  tlieirnigo, 

Had  no  respect  to  sex  or  at'e. 

And  lis  they  all  were  searching'  loiiiid, 

They  several  silver  u,.i.Ihs  f id. 

'I'hey  who  were  jilaiTil  as  guards  willuiiil, 

I.ike  ruling  devils  raiiy'd  alioiil. 

Took  forty  horses  to  the  shore, 

^ot  many  either  less  or  more, 

With  bridles,  saddles,  pillimis  on, 

In  a  few  niimites  all  was  dene. 

The  men  which  hrm-e  liny  took  awriy, 

Upon  this  sacred  awliil  day 

VVas  forty-ei^'lit,  hesides  two  more 

When  to  the  shore  they  were  coiiv.'y'd. 


obey, 


Oil  board  the  shi| 

iiiia 

the 

y  were  sent, 

lint  iireatly  feared  iIk 

s;id 

■vent, 

^s  well  they  miijl 

I,  111 

e  they  knew, 

Their  captors  wi'i 

elll 

;de' 

il's  crew. 

They  hoisted  sail, 

llie 

SOUl 

d  they  cross'd, 

And  near  Lloyd's 

■Nee 

i  th 

V  ancliored  llrs 
liis  name, 

Then  every  man 

ims 

tell 

A  list  they  took  ai 

d  k 

'pt  t 

le  same. 

Now  twenty  four 

if  11 

ty  men, 

Were  ordered  home  u 

^ain 

The  tvveiity-si.x  \v 

lo  s 

ay'd 

behind, 

Most  cruelly  they 

wer 

ilhiM, 

Oil  board  the  hri^' 

Uri 

1'  III' 

lered  iinick 

And  were  conllne 

1    l,r 

,1.(11 

1  llie  deck  ;' 

A  nasty  hole  wit! 

lilli 

bl■^ 

iiiear'd, 

Itiit  'twas  no  niori 

tha 

1  \\ 

lal  tliey  fenr'd. 

Itnl  to  return  whenei:  I  left  oil', 
'I'hey  at  nur  misery  make  a  siulP, 
I.ike  raving  devils  l. in;  about, 
jSwearinn  Un-y'd  Iraroiir  vilal.s  m; 

N.i'r  let  a  cursed  rebel  live; 


I      lint  Would  their  joints  in  pieces  cut, 
I      Then  round  the  deck  like  devils  strut. 

Oh,  human  nature,  how  deprav'd  ! 
I      I 'ail  any  mortal  e're  be  sav'd  ) 
fio  \old  of  good,  and  lull  of  evil. 
And  wholly  bent  to  serve  the  dovil. 
.Inly  I  he  bmraiid  twentieth  day, 
We  all  were  sent  to  Oysler-)lay. 

We  to  the  ferry  came  at  Inst, 

Vu-wM  by  spectators  as  we  past : 
TLcna/.iii^'  rablile,  Tory  Ihroiig, 


As  Ibid'  the  streeUi  we  past  aloiij,', 
'I'ln  ihiaisand  curses  round  iis  rung; 
Ibil  Slime  would  laush  and  smiie  would  s 
And  .some  would  grm,  and  some  would  li 
A  niiMd  mob,  amedlfv  crew, 
I  niiess  ase'erthedivii  knew. 
To  llie  (irovost  we  were  tluli  hal'd, 
Tbongli  we  of  war  were  pri.-,oners  eall'd  ; 
Our  Irniis  now  were  ordered  otl'. 
Till  slanders  by  would  swear  and  scoll". 
Hut  O  what  company  we  found; 
With  great  suriirise  wi'  luok'd  around  I 
I  must  ciinclude  that  in  this  place. 
We  loniid  the  worst  of  .^daui's  race; 
Thieves,  murderers,  and  |iii-liiinckets  loi 
And  every  lliiiig  that's  bad  Ibiv'd  do: 
One  of  our  men  found  to  his  cnst, 
Three  (louiids  York  money  he  had  lost; 
Mis  pockets  pick'd,  1  guess  bidore 
We  had  been  there  one  single  hour. 

Full  eighteen  days  or  sometliing  more, 
We  fairly  were  I'.xchaliu'd  beluri', 
or  the  ixchamze  tliev  b'l  us  know, 
Or  In.iii  that  pkice  of  bonda-e  go, 


Hut  IIIKl 


GREENWICH. 


The  setllemeut  of  Giecnuicli  wiis  begun,  after  it  liad  been  pur- 
cbasctl  of  the  Indians,  in  KMO,  under  ibo  Dutch  government  at  INew 
York,  then  New  Amsterdam.  In  1065,  it  was  incorporated  by  Gov. 
Stuyvesant.  It  was,  however,  originally  purchased  for  the  colony  of 
New  Haven,  by  Robert  Feaks  and  Daniel  Patrick.  But  the  purcha- 
sers violated  their  engagements  to  tluit  colony,  and  together  with  the 
few  inhabitants,  placed  themselves  under  the  government  of  New  Am- 
sterdam. The  settlement  went  on  heavily,  until  the  people  returned 
to  the  jurisdiction  of  Connecticut,  then  including  the  colony  of  New 
Haven.  The  Indians  were  hostile  to  the  Dutch,  and  were  not  very 
favorably  inclined  towards  the  inhabitants.  "  The  war  between  the 
Dutch  and  Indians  continuing,"  says  Dr.  Trumbull,  "  a  great  and  gen- 
eral battle  was  fought  between  them,  in  that  part  of  Horse  neck  com- 
monly known  by  the  name  of  Strickland's  plain.  The  action  was  long 
and  severe,  both  parlies  fighting  with  much  obstinacy.  The  Dutcii 
with  much  dilliculty  kept  the  field,  and  the  Indians  withdrew.  Great 
numbers  were  slain  on  both  sides,  and  the  graves  of  the  dead,  for  a 
century  or  more,  appeared  like  a  number  of  small  hills."  This  battle 
took  place  in  16 16. 


390  G  n  F.  r,  n  w  i  c  ti  . 

Grceinvicli  Is  bounded  on  the  nortli  and  west  by  the  county  of  West- 
chester in  the  sl:ite  of  i\e\v  York,  on  the  east  by  Stamford,  and  on  the 
south  by  Long  Ishmd  sonnd.  Its  average  length  is  8^  miles,  and  its 
breadth  nearly  six.  The  town  is  divided  into  three  parishes,  AVest 
OreiMuvich  on  the  west,  Greenwich  on  the  east,  and  Stanwich,  a  part  of 
which  is  taken  I'roni  Stamford,  on  the  north.  West  Greenwich  is  often 
called  Ilorsc  neck,  fiom  a  peninsula  on  the  sound,  formerly  used  as  a 
pasture  for  horses.  This  parish  is  the  largest,  richest,  and  most  popu- 
lous pari  of  the  town.  The  township  is  hilly,  and  broken,  and  ledgy, 
ir)  many  places.  After  passing  Uyram  river,  the  boundary  between 
Conneclicut  and  New  York,  the  road  passes  thiough  a  tract  of  country 
unusually  wild  and  savage  in  its  asiiect,  large  masses  of  rocks  being  scat- 
tered about  in  great  disorder.  But  the  grounds  at  a  short  distance,  both 
above  and  below  the  road,  are  smoother,  and  the  soil  is  of  the  best  (|ual- 
ity,  and  (ilted  for  every  production  of  the  climate.  There  are  several 
small  sti'eams  which  discharge  their  waters  into  the  Sound  on  the  south- 
ern border  of  the  town,  of  which  I^yram  river  and  IMiannus  creek  are 
the  larsiest.  Tliere  are  also  several  landing  ))laces.  Sairpitts  landing 
is  on  the  New  York  side  of  Byram  river,  where  tlie  steamboats  stop  to 
land  and  r(>ceive  passengers. 

Putnam's  Hill  is  situated  in  West  Greenwich,  about  five  miles  west 
from  Staudord,  on  the  main  road  to  New  Y^ork.  This  place  is  celebrated 
for  the  daring  ex|)loit  of  Gen.  Putnam,  who  descentled  this  precipice 
when  pursued  by  the  British  dragoons.  The  place  is  considerably  al- 
tered in  its  appearance  since  the  Revolutionary  war,  by  a  road  being 
blasted  through  the  rocks  at  the  summit  of  the  bill,  and  continued  by  a 
causeway  to  the  valley  below.  A  small  lOpiscopal  church  formerly 
stood  on  the  brow  of  the  hill,  a  few  feet  south  of  where  the  road  is  now 
cut  through  ;  and  the  road  ])assed  north  by  the  house*  seen  in  the  en- 
graving, and  after  proceeding  to  a  considerable  distance,  bent  again  with 
a  sharp  angle  to  the  south.  The  members  of  the  congregation  who 
lived  [)L'low  the  hill,  in  order  to  save  the  tedious  circuit  of  going  round 
in  the  road,  when  walking  to  the  church,  placed  stepping  stones,  in 
number  about  seventy,  at  suitable  distances,  so  that  loot  passengers 
could  ascend  the  precipice,  directly  up  to  the  church.  On  the  lelt  of 
the  [)rint  is  seen  a  range  of  small  trees,  extending  bom  the  bottom  to 
the  top  of  the  bill  ;  these  trees  now  occupy  the  place  where  the  s.teps 
or  stairs  were  situated,  few  or  no  traces  of  which  now  remain. 

On  the  approach  of  Gov.  Tryon  to  this  place,  with  a  force  of  about 
fifteen  hundred  men,  (ien.  Putnam  planted  two  iron  field  pieces  by  the 
meeting  bouse,  without  horses  or  drag  ropes.  Having  fired  his  cannon 
several  times,  Putnam  perceiving  the  dragoons,  (supported  Ijy  the  in- 
fantry,) about  to  charge,  ordered  his  men,  about  one  hundred  and  fifty 
in  number,  to  provide  for  their  safety,  and  secured  his  own  by  plunging 
down  the  precipice  at  full  trot.  The  dragoons,  who  were  but  a  sword's 
length  from  him,  stopped  short;  for  the  declivity  was  so  abrupt  that 

♦  This  luitise  was  siiindiiifr  duriiifj  the  RevuliUioiiary  w.ir,  aucl  is  now  occupied  by 
oneol'the  physicians  of  ihc  place.  Tlie  r."oni,negauonal  churcii  is  about  80  rods  west. 
A  uiisv  Episcopal  churcli  h;is  been  recently  erected,  which  is  still  nearer. 


0  n  K  r.  N  w  I  c  n  . 


331 


^^t  sill  t 
'  fir'  ■'^1  M  • 


ai&.2i<&i:^. 


Son(hcu6(eni  viciu  of  Vatnuiii^s  JIt/l,  G ixuuncli. 

ihoy  diircfl  not  lolhjw,  and  Ijclbie  tliey  could  i,';iiii  llie  \  alley,  1j}'  ^:oin^ 
round  the  brow  of  the  Iiill  in  llie  ordinary  way,  lie  was  far  beyond  ilieii- 
reach.  One  shot,  however,  of  the  many  fired  at  bin),  went  throui^h  iiis 
hat  as  he  was  jiassing  down  the  hill.  It  has  been  g(Mierall}'  slated,  that 
Putnam  rode  directly  down  tlie  steps  ;  but  ihose  who  saw  hinj  pass  down 
the  hill,  say  that  he  look  a  zi|;7.ag  course,  connnencinj^  at  the  barn  seen 
in  the  ciiLjravini,',  north  ofilie  lionse,  and  continninfi,  south  till  he  luached 
the  steps,  the  lower  ones  of  which  he  mi^ht  have  descended.  This 
course  woidd  be  snlliciently  hazardous,  and  it  is  believed  but  very  few 
men  could  be  found  who  would  dare  make  the  attempt. 


The  followin^r  is  Gen.  Putnian's  official  account  of  the  skirmish  at 
Horse  Week. 

Camp  at.  ULudluii,  M„ick  2r/,  1779. 
X    "  A  ileiachiiK-iii  from  the  enemy  at  K'lnij's  brid^e,  consisliiig  ol'llu;  17lli,  -l-ltli,  and 
r)7lli   i'.riiisli  re'/iinciiis,  one  ul'  tlu'  IJl■^^iu^s,  and  two  ol'  new  levies,  inarched  I'loni 
lliL'ir  lines  lor   llor.se  neelc  on  llie  eveniiijr  ul'  ilie  25tli   nk.,  with  nn  intention  of  i>n\- 
IM'isinf;-  llie  troops  at  that  place,  and  desiruyin^'  the  salt  works. 

"  A  captain  ami  thirty  men  were  sent  lioni  our  advanced  lines  from  Horse  neelc, 
who  discovered  the  enemy  at  New  Rochelle,  in  advance.  They  retired  hclore  them 
undiscovered,  as  far  as  Rye  neck,  where  it  growing  light,  the  enemy  observed  and  at- 
tacked them.  They  defended  themselves  as  well  as  possible,  and  made  theii-  wa}'  good 
to  Sawpitts,  where  they  took  advantage  of  a  commanding  piece  of  gioumi  timl  made 
some  liUle  stand,  hut  the  superior  force  of  the  enemy  obliged  them  to  retiie  over  lly- 
ram  bridge,  which  they  took  up,  and  by  that  means  hail  an  oppoilunity  of  leaching 
Horse  neck  in  safety. 

■•  As  I  was  there  myself  to  see  the  situation  of  the  guards,  1  liad  the  iioops  I'ormed 
on  a  hill  by  the  nieeiing  house,  ready  to  receive  the  enemy  as  tlu-y  advanced.     They 


.382  G  n  E  E  N  w  I  c  II . 

came  on  briskly,  and  I  soon  (liscovcreil  tliat  their  design  was  to  turn  our  flanks  and 
possess  themselves  of  a  tlelile  in  our  rear,  whicli  would  etTectiially  prevent  our  retreat. 
I  therefore  ordered  pailies  out  on  both  flanks,  with  directions  to  give  me  inft)rmalion 
of  their  approach,  that  we  might  lelire  in  season.  In  the  mean  lime  a  column  ad- 
vanced up  the  main  road,  where  the  remainder  of  the  troops  (amounting  only  to  about 
sixty,)  were  posted.  We  discharged  some  old  field  pieces  which  were  there,  a  few 
times,  and  gave  them  a  small  fire  of  musketry,  but  without  any  considerable  efl'ect; 
the  superior  force  of  the  enemy  soon  obliged  our  small  detachment  to  abandon  the 
place. 

"  I  therefore  directed  the  troops  to  retire  and  form  on  a  hill  a  little  distance  from 
Iloise  neck,  while  I  proceeded  to  Stanford  and  collected  a  body  of  militia  and  a  few 
coniuiental  troops  which  were  theie,  with  which  I  returned  immediately,  and  found 
that  the  enemy,  (after  plundering  the  inhabitants  of  the  principal  part  of  their  eflects, 
and  destroying  a  few  salt  works,  a  small  sloop  and  store,)  were  on  their  return.  The 
ollicer  commanding  the  continental  troops  stationed  at  Horse  neck,  mistook  my  orders, 
and  went  much  farther  than  1  intended,  so  that  he  could  not  come  up  with  them  to 
any  advantage.  I  however  ordered  the  few  troops  that  came  from  Stanford  to  pursue 
them,  thinking  they  might  have  an  opportunity  to  pick  up  some  stragglers.  In  this 
]  was  not  mistaken,  as  your  Excellency  will  see  by  the  enclosed  list  of  prisoners.  I'.e- 
sides  these,  eight  or  nine  more  were  taken  and  sent  off,  so  that  I  cannot  tell  to  which 
particular  regiments  they  belonged,  one  ammmiition  and  one  b.iggage  wagon  were 
taken.  In  the  former  there  were  about  two  hundred  rounds  of  canister,  grape  and 
round  shot,  suited  to  three  pounders,  some  slow  matches,  and  about  two  hiuidred 
lubes;  the  latter  was  filled  with  plunder,  which  1  had  the  satisfaction  of  restoring  to 
the  inhabitants  from  whom  it  wns  taken.  As  I  have  not  yet  got  a  return,  I  cannot  tell 
exactly  the  number  we  lost,  though  1  ilon't  think  more  than  ten  soldiers,  and  abuut 
that  number  of  inhabitants,  but  a  lew  of  which  were  in  arms. 

lAst,  nf  prisinirrs  taken  at  Horse  neck,  the  M/h  nil. —  ITih  Regiment,  15  privates  ;  'Mih 
do.  5  privates,  57th  do.  3  privates.  Loyal  American  Uegimeul  5,  Emmerick  corps  d. 
First  battalion  of  Artillery  1,  Pioneeis,  1  — 'J'olul  38. 

N.  B.  Seven  deserters  (runi  Eiiimerick's  corps. 


The  following  account  of  Gen.  Tryon's  expedition  to  Horse  neck, 
1779,  is  from  the  New  Haven  Journal. 

"  Extracts  from  luw  letters  from  Fairfield  county,  dated  March  \st. 

"  The  enemy  have  made  an  excursion  within  four  miles  of  Stamford,  by  the  best 
flccounis  of  about  llUUor  1500,  under  the  command  ot  Gov.  Tryon  ;  they  reached 
Horse  neck  on  Friday  morning  about  9  o'clock;  at  Stainfotd  they  were  not  alarmcil 
till  10  o'.-luek,  notwilhsiamling  the  enemy  were  di>covei<'d  at  1)  ociock  the  preceding 
evening  bv  a  small  guanl  nf  e(iiitiiuMii;il  troo|)S  at  East  Chester,  iiiuier  the  comm.ind 
of  I'apl.  Titus  Walsuii,  who  were  uidiged  to  give  way,  ihough  they  fought  on  their 
retreat,  and  some  of  them  were  wnunded  aiui  laiu'U  jirisoners.  Capt.  Watson  was 
closely  pursued  by  a  light  horseman,  whom  he  had  the  good  fortune  to  kill,  and  by  the 

made  his  escape.     Cien.  Putnam  was  accidentally  at  Statnfoid,  but  ihe  coii- 

j,  tinental  troops  were  too  much  seattereil  to  be  collected  in  season  to  oppose  the  enemy. 

',  About  200  militia  and  a  lew  continental  troops,  full  in  with  the  enemy's  rear,  just  us 

i  .    they  were  leaving  Hoise  neck,  about  the  middle  of  the  afternoon,  who  killed  K  oi  10 

I  of  them,  and  look  about  fitly  prisoners,  who  had  made  too  fiee  with  the  strong  li(]Uor 

;  they  had  plundered.     They  destroyed  a  small  salt  work,  and  burnt  a  schooner  which 

j  lay  at  Miauos  creek.     'I'hey  plundered  the  inhabitants  of  e\'ery  thing  they  could  lay 

(  their  hands  on,  broke  windows,  &c._and  many  I'ainilies  are  strip't  of  every  thing  but 

t  the  cliithes  they  had  on  ;  even  the  house  where  Gov.  Tryon  had  his  head  quarters  was 

}  not  spared.     They  retreated  to  Rye  on  Friday  evening,  and  next  day  to  King's  bridge. 

•  Their  ictreat  was  so  precipitate,  that  they  left  behind  two  wagons  loaded  with  plun- 

der.    We  had  not  a  man  killed." 


New  Haven,  January  2Slh,  1118. 
On  the  25th  ult.  Lieut.  Burlier,  of  Grotoii,  in  company  with  another  oOicer,  walked 
out  a  few  miles  from  our  camp  near  the  Sawpitts,  and  on  their  return  a  party  of 
Tories  concealed,  rose  and  fired  on  them  with  buck  shot,  wlien  Lieut.  Barber  was  shot 
through  the  body,  and  died  iininediatei} . 


I     ,„ 


11  U  N  T  I  N  O  T  0  N  . 


383 


HUNTINGTON. 

Huntington  was  incorporated  as  a  town  in  1789  ;  and  at  that  time 
included  two  parishes,  Kipton  and  New  Stratford.  Since  the  forma- 
tion of  Monroe,  llipton  constitutes  the  town  of  Huntington.  It  is 
bounded  northwest  by  Monroe,  east  by  the  Housatonic,  separating  it 
from  Derby  and  Orange,  south  by  Stratford,  and  west  by  Trumbull. 
It  averages  about  five  miles  in  length  and  breadth.  The  surface  is  un- 
even, being  diversified  with  hills  and  valleys  ;  the  soil  is  generally  fer- 
tile, being  adapted  to  a  grain  culture.  Agriculture  is  the  principal 
business  of  the  inhabitants. 


^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 


S.  view  of  the  Episcojinl  and  Coiigrci!;ationa[  Churi/ua,  Jluidiii^tun. 

The  above  is  a  south  view  of  the  Episcopal  and  Congregational 
churches,  in  the  central  j)art  of  the  town.  The  Episcopal  church  is 
seen  on  the  right,  and  the  Congregational  church,  recently  erected,  is 
seen  on  the  left.  The  Rev.  Jedediah  INIills  appears  to  have  been  the 
first  minister  in  this  place  ;  he  was  ordained  in  February,  172-1.  The 
first  meeting  house  was  erected  on  Fanton  hill,  an  elevation  SO  rods  or 
more  northeast  of  the  churches  represented  in  the  engraving.  The 
ancient  burying  ground  is  near  the  jilace.  The  second  Congregational 
church  stood  about  25  rods  n.  e.  of  the  present  building,  which  is  the 
third.  The  first  Ejiiscopal  church  was  erected  in  1740.  The  church 
or  society  was  under  the  care  of  Dr.  Johnson  until  the  year  1755,  when 
the  Rev.  Christopher  Newton  was  api)ointed  their  missionary.  About 
20  years  since  the  Episcopal  church,  which  stood  on  the  foundations 
of  the  present  building,  was  burnt  down.  It  was  set  on  fire  by  a  gun, 
which  was  discharged  at  some  doves  on  the  building.  Tliis  place  is 
four  miles  west  from  Derby  Landing,  and  twelve  fi'om  Fairfield.    ■ 


K 


381 


M  ()  N  ROE, 


MONROE 


Was  incorporated  as  a  town  in  1823.  It  was  formerly  the  parish  of 
New  Stratford,  in  the  town  of  Huntington.  It  is  bounded  north  by 
JN'ewtown,  east  by  the  Ilonsatonic,  south  by  Huntington  and  Trundjull, 
and  west  by  Weston.  The  town  is  about  six  miles  in  length  from  east 
to  west,  and  four  and  a  half  in  breadth.  The  surface  ol"  tlie  township 
is  uneven,  and  in  many  parts  stony  and  rough.  The  soil  is  good,  anil 
generally  adapted  to  grazing.  Orchards  tlourish  well,  and  there  is  gen- 
erally a  profusion  of  the  common  fruits  of  the  country.  Agriculture  is 
the  principal  business  of  the  inhabitants. 


laailiiiaiiiiiiiBaiiginiiiiiiiiiiilmiwml 


iSuuth  view  of  (he  cent  ml  part  of  Monroe. 

There  arc  two  post  ofiices  in  this  town,  one  at  the  center,  and  one 
called  the  Stepney  post  ollice,  in  the  western  part  of  the  town,  about 
11  miles  north  of  Jiiidgeport.  The  principal  part  of  the  mechanical 
business  of  Monroe  is  performed  in  this  vicinity. 

In  the  central  part  of  the  town,  there  is  a  small  village,  consisting  of 
a  dozen  or  more  dwelling  houses,  two  churches,  one  Congregational  and 
1  E|)iscopal,  and  an  Academy  or  classical  school.  These  buildings  arc 
situated  around  a  small,  open  square  or  green.  The  building  seen  in 
the  central  part  of  the  engraving,  on  the  north  side  of  the  square,  is  the 
Congregational  church  ;  the  first  building  seen  east  of  the  church  is  the 
Academy  ;  part  of  the  Episcopal  church  is  seen  on  the  left.  The 
classical  school  mentioned  above  was  connnenced  in  1828,  by  I\]r.  Sam- 
uel Beardslee,  a  graduate  of  Yale  College,  and  has  been  sustained  by 
a  respectable  number  of  pupils,  from  various  places.  This  |)hice  is  on 
an  elevated  situation,  and  the  air  is  generally  pure  and  salubrious.  The 
township  abounds  in  good  springs  of  water,  and  is  considered  unusually 
healthy.  There  are  4  houses  of  worship  ;  1  Congregational,  1  Ej)is- 
copal,  1  Baptist,  and  1  Methodist. 


N  K  \V     C  A  N  A  A  N  .  385 

Monroe  is  much  celebrated  for  its  extensive  deposit  of  minerals. 
jMore  than  (ifteen  years  since,  a  shaft  was  sunk  a  few  feet,  on  the  farm 
of  Mr.  Ephraim  Lane.  This  revealed  a  ricli  variety  of  interesting  min- 
eral suhstanees.  Among  them  were  tungsten,  telhirium,  native  bismuth, 
native  silver,  n)agnetic  and  conuiion  iron  pyrites,  copper  pyrites,  galena, 
blende,  tourmaline,  &,c.  It  is  greatly  to  be  desired,  that  this  locality 
should  be  farther  explored.  Four  miles  south  of  this  spot,  is  a  vein  of 
fluor  spar,  about  two  feet  in  width. 

"The  vein  is  nnicli  peiielialed  by  quartz,  mica,  feliispar  and  talc,  but  it  lias  been 
hitherto  examined  only  on  the  Mirface.  It  i.s  principally  massive,  and  il.s  structure  fo- 
liated or  coarsely  j^ranular,  but  it  presents  uell  delined  cubical  crystals.  Its  colors 
vary  from  while  to  deep  violet  and  purple,  and  are  principally  various  shades  of  the 
two  latter.  But  the  inosl  miereslinj,'  circnmsiance  relaling  lo  it,  is  its  splendid  phos- 
phorescence. 'J'he  li^ihi  emiued  when  it  is  ihiown,  in  a  dark  place,  upon  a  hot  shovel, 
/.•;  l/ic punal  cmcrul,! green;  pieces  of  an  incii  in  dianieier  becunie  in  a  few  seconds  fully 
illuminated,  and  the  Vv^hi  is  so  siron^  and  endurinfr,  that  when  carrieil  into  a  room 
lii,'hted  by  canUles,  or  by  the  dill'irse  (not  direct)  light  of  the  sun,  they  still  continuo 
distinctly  luminous,  and  the  light  dies  away  very  gradually  as  the  mineral  cools." 

Mr.  Lane  has  also  discovered  on  his  land  a  locality  of  beryls,  some 
of  which  are  very  large.  Native  sulphur  has  been  found,  near  the  sur- 
face of  the  earth. 


N  i:  \V   CANAAN. 

New  Canaan  was  incorporaK.'d  as  a  town  in  ISOl,  This  town  was 
formerly  Canaan  parish,  lying  in  tin;  tcnvnships  of  Norwalk  and  Stam- 
ford, incorporated  as  a  parish  in  l7o!.  The  first  society  meeting  was 
held  .luly  Isl,  1731.  Tin;  next  year  liiere  were  '17  menihers  of  the 
society — 30  on  the  Norwalk  .side,  and  17  on  the  Slandord  side.  Ponus 
street  was  annexed  to  Noilh  Standord  in  Mtiy,  1788.  The  Rev.  John 
Eells  of  iMillord,  was  the  lust  minister ;  he  was  ordaineil  in  .hme,  1733  ; 
he  resigned  his  pastoral  charge  in  17-11.  He  died  in  New  Canaan  in 
1765.  in  his  85tli  year.  The  Uev.  Robert  Sillinian,  the  next  pastor, 
was  ordained  in  171-2,  anil  contituied  in  the  ministry  in  this  place  till 
1771.  William  Drunnnond,  born  and  educated  in  Scotland,  and  or- 
dained there  by  the  presbytery  of  (JchtLTarder,  in  the  synod  of  Perth 
and  Sterling,  was  installed  pastor  in  this  place  in  177^2.  lie  was  dis- 
missed and  deposed  lioni  the  minisli-y  in  1777.  The  Rev.  Justus 
]\Iitchell,  of  \\'oodhury,  was  ortlained  liere  in  1783;  he  died  suddenly 
in  18()(). 

New  Canaan  is  bounded  n.  by  the  state  of  New  York,  w.  by  Stam- 
ford, s.  by  Stamford  and  Norwalk,  and  e.  by  Wilton.  It  is  6  miles  in 
length,  and  4  in  breadth.  Tlic  surface  of  the  township  is  mountainous, 
containing  spines  or  ridges,  composed  of  rock  and  stone,  which  extend 
from  north  to  south  llndiiudi  the  town.  The  soil  is  a  hard  gravelly  loam, 
being  stony,  but  tolerably  well  timbered,  and  generally  good  for  culti- 
vation. The  manufacture  of  shoes  and  leather  is  the  principal  manu- 
facturing bnsini?ss  done  in  the  town,  the  yearly  value  of  wdiich  is  esti- 
mated at  400,000  dollars. 

49 


/. 


386 


N  E  W      C  A  N  A  A  N 


East  view  of  tilt  ctntral  part  of  New  Cciiuuul. 

The  above  is  an  eastern  view  i)f  the  eciitiiil  part  of  New  Canaan. 
The  buihiing  on  ihe  extreme  li^ht,  with  a  s(jnaie  lower,  is  the  Episco- 
pal chiireh,  recently  erected  ;  the  buililiii^f  seen  standing  nearest  to  ii, 
is  the  town  honse.  '^rhi;  (.'onLne^ational  chnrch,  witli  a  spire,  is  seen 
on  the  left.  This  .bniidin^;  was  t-icrti/d  in  Ho^,  and  is  the  second 
bouse  of  worship  ;  the  first  stoorl  a  little  south.  1'he  IMetliodisl  cburcb 
is  about  half  a  mile  south  of  this  place.  The  building  with  a  small 
steeple  or  tower,  in  the  central  part  of  the  engraving,  is  the  New  Ca- 
naan Academy,  e.siablished  in  1815.  ''J'his  respectable  institution  is 
now  under  the  sup(.'riniendence  of  Mr.  Sdas  Davenport,  who  is  both 
piinci|)al  and  proprie-tor.  It  stands  on  an  elevated  and  commanding 
situation,  having  a  fine  inospect  nf  I.oni^  Kland  sound  and  the  inter- 
vening coimtry.  This  place  is  .">  miles  n.  w.  fiom  Noiualk,  37  from 
New  llaviMi,  and  50  I'rom  New  York.  About  two  miles  north  of  the 
Congregational  church,  in  a  tiaet  ol'  wootis,  was  a  place  of  resort  for  all 
the  Indians  in  the  vicinity.  There  are  three  excavations  out  of  the 
solid  rock,  the  largest  of  which  will  contain  about  S  gallons,  and  ano- 
ther about  5;  the  third  will  contain  about  1  quart.  These  cavities  arc 
on  the  side  of  a  rock,  one  above  another,  the  largest  being  at  the  top. 
Pestles,  stone  axes,  and  other  Indian  implen)ents,  have  been  found 
about  this  sjK^t ;  the  rocks  bear  the  appearance  of  fire.  The  cavities 
above  mentioned  were  doubtless  formcLl  by  the  Indians,  for  the  purpose 
of  pounding  or  grinding  their  corn. 


The  following  inscription  is  from  a  monument  in  the  old  grave  yard, 
seen  in  front  of  the  Congregational  church. 

In  memnrv  of  the  I'.ev  Justus  Miichell,  A.  M,  V.  I).  M.,  pastor  of  ihe  eluircli  of 
Clirist  in  New  Canaan,  who  liiud  sinldfiily  in  the  hoiu"  ol  sIimj]),  i2-lili  Sept.  A.  D.  IbUO, 
in  the  52il  year  of  hit;  n^e,  and  'Jjtli  of  his  ministry.  In  \Ai>  ilcatli  was  lust  to  liis  con- 
jsorl  an  aiieciioaaie  and  beloved  huiband  ;  to  his  children  a  kind  revered  parent,  coini- 


v^ 


NEW      FAIRFIELD. N  E  W  T  0  AV  N  .  387 

seller  and  guMe;  to  his  flock  a  faithful,  learned  and  venerated  pastor;  to  the  Church 
of  Christ  a  britrht  orriament  and  example;  to  the  poor  a  liberal  beiiulactor ;  to  the  dis- 
consolate a  ciiiulurier  and  liit-nd. 

In  doctrine  uncori-upt,  in  language  plain, 

And  plain  in  inannLT,  deceni,  ^ulL■Hlll,  chaste, 

Afiectionaie  in  loolc,  and  ninch  iinpres-^'d, 

Ry  liini  the  viohiled  law  sj)i<ke  out  .«. 

Its  thunders;  and  liy  him  m  strains  as  sweet 

As  angels  use,  the  goopcl  wlii.NpL-rVl  pe;ice.  '  !./■ 


NEW    FAIRFIELD. 

New  Fairfield  was  ,ti;raiiio(l  l»y  llic  General  Assembly  in  1707,  to 
a  number  of  the  inhabitants  of  b'aiiti(.'l(l.  The  town  was  orii^inally  Ibiir- 
teen  miles  in  extent  iVoni  north  to  sonih.  The  first  seiilemeiit  appears 
to  have  been  in  the  year  1730,  in  that  [)ari  of  the  town  called  tlie  lower 
seven  miles.  Several  circmnstances  retarded  the  settlement  of  the 
town,  for  nearly  thirty  years  after  it  was  i^ranterl  by  the  legislature.  The 
Indians  in  this  part  of  the  colony  were  judged  to  be  less  friendly  than 
usual,  and  there  were  reports  of  a  desiifned  attack  fron.  a  large  body  of 
French  and  Indians  from  Canada.  The  line  between  Connecticut  and 
New  York  was  not  settled  till  1731.  The  grant  by  Connecticut  of  the 
tract  called  the  Oblong,  to  New  York,  as  a  compensation  for  lands  set- 
tled on  the  Sound,  disappointed  the  pioprietors,  and  narrowed  the  town- 
ship several  miles,  as  to  its  western  extent.  It  was  incorporated  as  a 
town  in  1740.  The  first  minister  in  the  present  lowushi|)  was  the  liev. 
15enajah  Case,  uho  was  oidaineil  in  17  1-2. 

New  Fairfield  is  now  but  about  live  miles  in  extent  from  north  to 
south,  with  an  average  broadih  ofabout  four  and  a  luilfiuiles.  It  i-;  boun- 
ded N.  by  Sherman,  w.  hy  tlu;  stale  of  i\e\v  Yoik,  E.  by  New  Mdford, 
and  s.  by  Danbury.  Tlie  township  is  biokcn,  ha\ing  several  granite 
ridges  exieudiug  through  it  ;  the  soil  is  hard  ami  gravelly.  It  is  watered 
by  Rocky  river,  a  mill  stream  which  runs  in  a  northerly  direction,  and 
discharges  itself  into  the  Ilousatonic.  The  central  part  of  the  town  is 
64  miles  southwest  from  Hartford,  and  7  miles  north  of  Danbury. 


NEWTOWN. 

The  ancient  Indian  name  of  this  lownshij)  was  Pohtatuck,  being  the 
name  of  a  stream  which  intersects  the  town.  In  170S,  the  General 
Assembly  made  a  grant  of  the  tract  of  country  comprising  the  township, 
and  incorporated  it  as  a  town  the  same  year,  by  the  name  of  Newtown. 
The  principal  seat  of  the  Indians  in  this  town  appears  to  have  been  at 
the  mouth  of  the  Pohtaiuck,  a  mill  stream  which  enters  the  Housatonic. 

The  township  is  rather  irregular  in  its  form,  being  nearly  a  triangle 
in  its  shape.  Its  length  from  northwest  to  southeast  averages  about 
eight  miles,  with  an  average  breadth  of  more  than  six.  It  is  "bounded 
N.  w.  by  Brookfield,  n.  e.  and  e.  by  the  Housatonic  river,  which   se- 


383 


N  I',  \V  T  0  \V  N 


parates  It  from  Southbury,  av.  by  Danbiuy  and  Roacling;,  and  s.  w.  by 
Monroe.  Tlie  surface  of  die  town  is  liilly  ;  many  of  the  eminences  are 
extensive  and  coniinnous.  Tbe  soil  is  principally  a  gravelly  loam, 
with  some  sections  of  sandy  loam,  generally  fertile  and  productive.  Jt 
is  well  adapted  to  the  culture  of  grain,  and  is  also  favorable  for  fruit, 
there  being  many  valuable  orchards  in  tlie  town.  There  are  5  churches 
in  the  town  ;  2  Episcopal,  1  Congregational,  1  Baptist,  and  1  iMetho- 
dist. 


South  viciv  of  Ncictuwn. 


The  borough  of  Newtown  is  situated  on  the  southern  termination  of 
a  ridge  of  elevated  land.  After  ascending  the  hill,  from  the  south, 
there  is  u  i)road  and  K'vi'l  street,  about  eighty  rods  in  extent.  'J'he 
borough  is  mostly  built  on  this  street  :  there  aie  about  '10  oi-  50  (hvell- 
ing  houses,  3  churches,  1  Congregational,  1  JOpiscopal,  and  1  ^letli- 
odist ;  and  4  mercantile  stores.  .  This  place  is  10  miles  I'rom  Danbury, 
25  from  New  Haven,  and  2:2  from  Fairfield.  The  above  engraving 
shows  the  ap|)earance  of  the  village  as  it  is  entered  bom  the  south. 
The  Episcopal  and  Congregational  churches  are  seen  at  the  south  end 
of  the  principal  street,  near  the  southern  descent  of  the  bill,  'i'he 
houses  are  not  distinctly  seen,  on  account  of  the  trees  standing  before 
them. 

Tbe  flourishing  village  of  Sandy,  Hook  is  situated  about  li  miles  n. 
E.  of  the  central  part  of  Newtown,  at  the  foot  of  a  rocky  eminence  or 
bluff,  from  the  top  of  which  is  a  fine  pros|iect  of  the  surrounding 
country.  A  fine  mill  stream  (the  Pohtatuck)  runs  in  a  northerly 
course  through  the  village,  at  the  base  of  the  bluft',  which  rises  almost 
perpendicularly  to  the  height  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  feet.  Near 
Mr.  Sanford's  cotton  factory,  at  the  northern  extremity  of  the  village, 
some  tracer  of  coal  have  been  discovered.  The  village  contained  in 
1834,  I  cotton,  I  hat,  1  comb  and  2  woolen  /Victories.     There  was 


N  0  n  W  A  L  K  . 


asD 


also  1  machlno  shop,  and  1  esUiblishment  for  working  brass.  Tlie  vil- 
lage contained  about  50  laniilies  in  1634  ;  it  is  at  the  present  time  rap- 
idly increasing. 

The  following  inscriptions  are  from  monuments  in  the  burying  ground, 
nearly  a  mile  south  of  the  village  of  Newtown. 

Here  lyetli  iiilerred  the  earthly  remains  of  the  Rev.  John  Beach,  A.  M,  late  mission- 
ary t'ldtn  ye  vi'Merabh;  society  for  the  piopai^'aiion  of  the  gos\M'\  in  Corei'^n  parts,  who 
exchanu'cd  tins  lilV  lui-  liiiuiui  laliiy  on  ihc  I'.tih  day  oI'Mal-cli,  I7SJ,  in  the  b'-.'d  year  of 
his  ajje  and  51st  )  ear  ul  lii.s  nuLi-iiy. 

The  .sucLl  rcUR'inljrauce  oflhe  just 

Shall  lluiiiish  when  he  .sicup.s  in  duit. 

Reader  let  this  Tahlet  ahide. 


The  following  Inscriptions  are  from  five  monuments  which  stanil 
near  each  other,  separated  in  some  measure  from  other  monuments  in 
the  yard. 


Ill  memory  of  Anna,  wife  of  Amos  Shep- 
ard,  died  in  1821,  ajrod  G3. 


Behold  the  orient  star  ap|)earing, 
Harbinger  of  endless  day  ; 

Hark  !  a  voice  the  dai  hness  cheering, 
Calls  my  Heeling  soul  away. 


Rise,  may  every  grace  attend  tliee, 
RibC  and  seek  lu  meet  me  there. 


Sylvia  Ann,  wife  of  Henry  Judson,  who' 
died  Feb.  6th,  IB-JG,  aged  23. 
O  happy,  ha[ipy  place 

'  AVheie  saints  and  angels  liieel, 

Elam  Shepaid  died  Jan.  Im,  H'Jt'.,  aged  Cj;      Where  >ve  .-^hali  .see  each  other's  face 
years.  |  And  all  our  burthen  greet. 

Soon  my  cries  .shall  cease  to  grieve  thee,]  

Soon  my  trembling  heait  find  resi,       jAViUiam   T.  Shcpani  died    March    2Gih, 
Kinder  arms  th.in  th'ine  n'ceive  me,  |  IH'^li,  aged  '27  ye;irs. 

riolier  pillow  than  thy  breast.  \     Through  this  calm  and  holy  dawning, 

I  Silent  glides  my  jiarling  breath, 

Albert  Sheiiard  died  at  Ihi.lgcpi.rt,  Feb.       To  an  e\-erlasiing  uiorniiig, 

5ili,  Ih-Jt;,  aged  L!2.  |         Gently  close  my  eyes  in  death. 

Yei  to  leave  thee  surrowint.''  nnds  me,     | 
Though  again  his  voice  1  hear, 


NOinVALK. 

The  eastern  and  middle  parts  of  Norwalk  appear  to  have  been  pur- 
chased of  the  natives  about  the  year  1G40  ;*  yet,  for  ten  years,  there 
were  but  a  few  scattering  inhabitants  within  its  limits.  In  1()49,  upon 
the  petition  of  Nathan  I'-^ly  and  Richartl  Ohiistead,  the  Court  gave  liber- 
ty for  its  settlement,  and  ordained  that  it  should  be  a  town  by  the  name 
of  Norwalk,     At  this  period,  the  inhabitants  consisted  of  about  twenty 

*  Norwalk  originally  included  part  of  the  present  towns  of  New  Canaan  and  Wil- 
ton, and  part  of  SVesl|iort.  In  the  ancient  records,  the  bound.s  are  stated  to  be  "  frora 
Norw  alk  river  to  Saahauick  i  iver,  from  sea,  Indian  one  day  walk  inlo  the  country." 
For  this  tract  the  following  ai tides  were  f^iven,  viz.  "  8  fathom  wampum,  G  coats,  10 
hatchets,  10  hoes,  10  knives,  10  scizers,  10  juseharps,  10  fathom  tobacco,  3  kettles,  3 
hands-about,  and  10  looking  glasses."  The  I'ollowing  articles  were  given  to  the  In- 
dians for  the  tract,  "  from  Nuiwulk  river  to  F'lve  mile  river,  from  sea,  Indian  one  day 
in  country,"  vi/..  "  10  fathom  wampum,  3  hatchets,  3  hoes  when  ships  come,  6  glasses, 
12  tobacco  pipes,  3  knives,  10  drillers,  10  needles."  The  name  of  Norwalk  is  derived 
from  the  above  bargain,  viz.  the  northern  bounds  of  the  lands  purchased  were  to  ex- 
tend from  the  sea  one  day's  "  north  walk"  into  the  country. 


390 


N  U  11  W  .V  L  K 


families.     About  four  years  after,  the  General  Court  vested  them  wiili 
town  privileges. 

The  town  is  bounded  northwest  by  New  Canaan  and  Wilton,  west 
by  Darieii,  ea^t  by  Westport,  and  south  by  Long  Island  sound.  Its 
length  from  north  to  south  is  about  five  miles;  its  breadth  may  average 
about  four.  The  soil  is  excellent.  The  surface  of  the  town  is  une- 
ven, being  pleasantly  diversified  with  hills  and  valleys.  On  the  border 
of  the  Sound  the  hills  are  generally  moderate,  and  in  the  interior  more 
elevated. 


SoutJi  view  of  the  Borougli  of  JS'orwalk. 

"The  valley  which  lies  along  JXorwalk  river,  and  in  which  the  town 
is  built,  is  beautiful,  h'ow  richer  |irospcc(s  of  ihc  same  extent  can  be 
found,  than  that  which  i^  prc^tiiltHJ  rmiii  the  iii'i'j,hl)i)ring  eminences  of 
this  grounil  ;  the  t(jwn  bmlt  in  its  hosom,  wiih  its  cheerful  spires;  the 
river  llowing  through  the  middle  ;  the  (arms  on  the  bordering  hills  ; 
the  ricl)  plain  that  skirts  the  Sound,  and  a  train  of  islands  fronting  the 
mouth  of  the  river,  and  extending  eastward  five  or  six  miles;  together 
with  an  mdimited  view  of  the  Sound,  and  the  Long  Island  shore." 

Norwalk  contains  two  consideraijle  and  fiourishing  villages,  Norwalk 
borough,  and  the  village  of  Old  Well.  Norwalk  borough,  (constituted 
as  such  in  1S3G,)  is  a  village  of  upwards  of  100  houses,  ^IG  mercantile 
stores,  2  churches,  1  Congregational  and  I  Episcopal,  1  bank,  (the  Fair- 
field County  bank,)  and  1  extensive  pottery.  There  are  two  newspa- 
pers printed  in  the  borough.  Norwalk  is  a  place  of  considerable  activ- 
ity and  business,  being  a  commercial  depot  and  market  for  the  northern 
part  of  the  county  ;  a  considerable  proportion  of  the  staple  products 
being  brought  here  for  sale,  or  to  be  freighted  for  New  York.  This 
place  is  32  miles  from  New  Haven,  48  n.  e.  from  New  York,  and  22 
south  of  Danbury. 


N  O  R  AV  A  L 


391 


The  village  is  built  on  both  sides  of  a  small  river  or  creek,  which  is 
much  contracted  in  width  at  the  bridge  which  connects  the  two  parts 
of  the  village,  and  the  buildings  on  each  side  of  the  stream  are  so  near 
each  other,  that  the  passage  of  the  river  from  the  north  is  not  readily 
j)erceived  at  a  short  distance.  Vessels  drawing  six  feet  of  water  can 
get  up  to  the  bridge,  in  the  most  compact  part  of  the  village.  On  the 
extreme  right  of  the  engraving  is  seen  a  small  conical  hill  or  elevation, 
on  which  are  a  number  of  poplars,  perliaps  10  or  15  rods  east  of  the 
road  which  passes  on  the  east  side  of  the  creek.  This  elevation  is 
called  Grnmiiioit^s  Hill ;  it  is  celebrated  as  being  the  head-(juarters  of 
Gov.  Tr)'on,  who,  sealed  in  a  chair  on  its  summit,  beheld  tlie  confla- 
gration of  this  ])lace  in  1779,  it  is  believed,  uith  pleasure.  Tlie  build- 
ing before  which  a  flag-stall'  is  standing,  is  the  old  town  house,  north- 
east from  which  are  seen  the  spires  of  the  Congregational  and  Episco- 
pal churches. 


Southern  vit w  of  Xunrall:  'L'otrn  Iluttsc. 

The  above  is  a  representation  of  the  new  town  house,  which  is  con- 
structed of  brick,  erected  in  183G.  The  old  town  house  was  pulled 
down  in  July,  1835.  It  had  been  long  in  a  ruinous  state,  and  nmch 
disfigured  the  appearance  of  the  place.  Some  persons  in  the  town, 
who  took  upon  themselves  the  responsibility  of  regulating  things  of  this 
nature  about  the  town,  being  impatient  of  the  "  law's  delay,"  took  ad- 
vantage of  the  daikness  of  night,  pulled  down  the  obnoxious  building, 
and  piled  up  the  lubbish  by  tlie  side  of  the  road. 

On  the  11th  of  July,  1779,  Norwalk  was  burnt  by  the  British  and 
tories,  under  Gov.  Tryon.  Eighty  dwelling  houses,  '2  churches,  87 
barns,  17  shops,  4  mills,  and  5  vessels,  were  consumed.  The  loss  of 
property  sustained  by  the  inhabitants,  was  estimated  by  a  connniltee, 
a|)pointed  by  the  General  Assembly  for  the  purpose,  at  <^'11G,'238  66. 
The  following  account  of  the  burning  of  this  place  was  obtainetl  from 
Mr.  Betts,  an  aged  and  respectable  inhabitant  of  this  town,  who  was 
an  eye  witness  to  most  of  the  facts  related  : — 

Gov.  Tryon  and  Brigadier  General  Garth  having  laid  Eairfield  in 
ashes,  crossed  the  Sound  to  Huntington  bay,  where  they  remained  till 


39'2  N  o  n  \V  A  L  K. 

the  11th  of  July.  They  then  sailed  over  to  Nonvalk,  and  landed  in 
the  nij^ht,  between  8  and  9  o'clock,  on  the  plain  which  lies  on  the  east 
side  of  the  river.  On  learning  tliis  fact,  the  inhabitants  generally  lied, 
during  the  night;  many  of  them  went  to  Beklen's  hill,  about  five  miles 
distant.  Next  morning,  between  7  and  8  o'clock,  Tryon  arrived  at 
Grummon's  hill,  which  he  made  his  head-quarters.  Little  opposition 
was  made  to  the  British  troops,  excepting  by  a  company  of  continen- 
tal soldiers,  about  fifty  in  number,  commanded  by  Captain  Stephen 
Belts,  who  was  soon,  however,  obliged  to  llee  from  the  overwhelming 
force  of  Tryon,  with  the  loss  of  four  of  his  men  killed.  These  men 
were  buried  in  a  lot  in  the  northwestern  part  of  the  |)lace,  then  owned 
by  Mrs.  Cannon.  The  first  building  was  buint  about  sunrise  ;  it  stood 
near  where  the  steand)oat  wharf  is  now  constructed.  Both  the  churches 
in  the  place,  one  the  Congregational,  the  other  the  Episcopal,  were 
consumed.  The  Congregational  church  was  seventy  feet  by  fifty  three, 
and  three  stories  in  height,  and  had  just  been  put  in  good  repair ;  it 
was  situated  thirty  or  forty  rods  south  of  Grummon's  hill.  The  Epis- 
copal church  stood  on  the  same  foundation  on  which  the  present  church 
is  built.  The  present  building  is  built  in  the  same  form  of  the  one 
burnt. 

Six  houses  only  were  left  uudcstroyed  by  the  enemy;  four  on  the 
east,  and  two  on  the  west  side  of  the  river.  One  of  these  was  saved 
by  the  intercession  of  a  maiden  lady,  who  j)ersonally  applied  to  Tryon, 
in  order  to  save  the  house.  Tiie  argument  which  she  made  use  of  was, 
"  that  the  owner  of  the  house  was  a  friend  to  his  majesty  king  Geoi'ge." 
The  other  five  houses  were  probably  spared  from  the  same  considera- 
tions. The  British  began  their  retreat  about  noon  ;  the  Episcopal  cler- 
gyman, and  several  other  persons  disallected  to  the  American  cause, 
went  oil'  with  them. 

The  fiourishing  village  of  Old  Well*  is  situated  about  lA  miles  south 
of  the  central  |)arl  of  rsOrwalk  boinuLih,  on  the  ue^t  sitle  of  the  creek, 
JNorwalk  river  being  so  called  up  as  I'ar  as  the  bridge.  The  view  shows 
the  ap])earance  of  the  village  from  the  eastern  side  of  the  creek,  ou  the 
elevated  bank  which  rises  above  the  flats,  opposite  the  village.  There 
are  at  present  in  the  village  0  or  7  hat  factories,  3  potteries,  and  a  car- 
riage making  establishment.  This  is  the  princi|)al  landing  place  for 
steamboats,  for  IVorwalk  and  the  vicinity,  there  being  a  daily  line  from 
and  to  New  York.  A  boat  leaves  Norwalk  bridge  every  other  day  for 
New  York.  There  are  two  churches  in  Old  AVell,  a  Congregational  in 
the  center,  and  a  Methodist  in  the  northern  part  of  the  place. 

There  is  a  cotton  factory,  and  a  factory  for  manufacturing  carpets,  in 
the  town.  This  establishment,  called  the  "  Patent  Carpet  Company," 
was  commenced  in  1834.  Their  carpeting,  of  which  they  manufacture 
at  this  time  about  200  yards  daily,  is  made  without  spinning  or  weav- 
ing, being  made  of  felting,  the  material  of  which  hats  are  composed. 
Messrs.  Arnold  &t  liishop  are  the  proprietors  of  this  eslahlishmont, 
which  promises  to  be  one  of  nuich  importance. 


♦  This  place,  il  is  believi.-d,  received  ils  name  fioin  an  eld  veil,  I'loin  which,  in  au- 
cieni  times,  vessels  engaged  'u  the  West  India  trade,  took  their  supplies  ot  water. 


N  0  U  W  A  I.  K  . 


31)3 


J^astcriL  view  of  the  village  of  Old  Jl'cll,  Nonvalk. 

Tlic  following  is  Cnpt.  Belts'  account  of  the  skirmish  with  the  enc 
ly  at  JXorwalk,  (in  the  secretary  of  state's  oflice,  Hartford.) 

Fiiirjkld  county,  Nurxcalk,  Juli/  ^Oth,  1771). 


The  following  is  from  Gen.  Tryon's  onicinl  account,  piiblislietl  in  the 
London  Gazette,  relative  to  the  bnrning  of  Norwalk. 

"  Wantiiis  some  supplies,  \vc  cruised  tlie  Soiiiui  to  Hunlingdon,  and  tlicre  continn- 
ed  till  the  Uth,  and  repassing  that  day,  anchored  live  miles  I'roni  tjie  bay  of  Norwallc. 
The  sun  being  nearly  set  bel'oie  the  5ith,  the  Landgrave's  regimen!,  and  the  Jagers 
were  in  the  boats,  it  was  near  nine  in  the  evening  when  I  landed  them  in  the  Cow 
jiasture,  a  peninsnla  on  the  east  side  of  the  harbor,  witliin  a  mile  and  a  hall'  of  the 
briilge,  which  I'oi  nied  the  comnriinication  between  the  east  and  ivcst  parts  of  the  vil- 
lage, nearly  equally  divided  by  a  salt  creek. 

Tlie  king's  American  regiment  being  unable  to  join  us  before  three  next  morning, 
we  lay  that  night  on  our  arms.     In  our  match  at  the  first  dawn  of  the  day,  the  MtJi 
led  the  column,  and  soon  fell  in  with  the  rebel  outpost,  and  driving  the  enemy  with 
great  alacrity  and  spirit,  disp(jssessed  them  ol'  Dnunmond  hill,  and  the  heights  at  that  , 
end  of  the  village,  east  and  commanding  the  bridge. 

It  being  now  but  4  o'clock  in  the  morning,  and  the  rebels  having  taken  post  within 
random  cannon  shot  upon  the  hills  oh  the  north,  I  resolved  to  lialt  until  the  second 
division,  landed  at  the  Old  IMlls,  had  advanced  and  formed  the  jitnction. 

50 


394 


N  0  R  AV  A  I.  K 


Gen.  Garth's  division  passed  llie  biiil^-c  by  0,  and  at  mj^  desire  proceeded  to  the  north 
end  of  the  village,  from  whence,  especiallj'  I'roni  the  houses,  there  had  been  a  fire  for 
five  liOLirs,  ii))oa  our  advance  guards. 

The  fuziliers,  supporteii  by  tlie  light  infantry  of  the  guards,  began  the  attack,  and 
soon  cleared  the  quarters,  pu.->hing  the  main  body  and  100  cavalry  from  the  northern 
heights,  and  taking  one  piece  oi'  their  cannon. 

After  many  salt  pans  were  destroyed,  whale  boats  carried  on  board  the  lleel,  and  the 
mnga/iines,  stores,  and  vessels  .set  in  flames,  witli  the  greater  part  of  the  dwelling 
houses,  the  advanced  corps  were  drawn  back,  and  the  troops  retired  in  two  columns- 
to  the  place  of  our  first  debarkation,  and,  u^;l,■^saulte^l,  look  ship  and  returned  to  Hun- 
tingdon bay." 

The  loss  of  the  Brilisli  forces  at  Norwalk,  according  to  Tryon's  ofil- 
cial  account,  was  20  killed,  i)6  wontided,  and  l}-2  missing. 


I'rovi  the.  Wijllh 

Names  of  the  freemen  of  IS'oiwal 


Mantifniits. 

i,  taken  October  lOth,  1GG9. 


tlaiidlbrdc 

Lieut.  Ulmstede, 
Richard  floines, 
Thomas  Benedict 
John  Benton, 
Joseph  Pfenn, 
Daniel  l\elloL'e, 


Maliliew  Atarvi 
AUiltliew  Marviu,  jiu 
Thomas  Kfiich, 

Richaids, 

George  ALI.cl, 
llailc, 


Mark  Winiiion,  sen. 
Fourteen  names  illeiiible  and  omillec 


,•11,  I  .M,.iK  Sent 
Sanuicl  II; 
llrinv  \V1 
John  Hail! 
Thomas  B 

Midi.  l.M.k 


lod, 


S:niiue!  Seiilioii, 
ll(jberl  Steward, 
Thomas  l.'iich,  jr. 

.Seiiliun, 

Cliarley  riouistuck, 
Tiioinas  Seamer, 
Thomas  Benedict,  jr. 


The  following  Is  copied  from  the  inscriplioii  on  the  monument  of 
Gov.  Fitch,  in  Norwalk.  According  to  infurmalion  recently  received 
from  Norwalk,  from  three  grandchildren  of  the  (Governor,  viz.  Mrs. 
Belden,  (now  over  70  years  of  age,)  Airs.  P'itch,  Mrs.  Raymond,  all 
intelligent  and  respectable  ladies,  there  were  three  brothers  who  came 
to  this  country,  viz.  Elijah,  who  settled  in  Norwich,  Hooker  in  Stam- 
ford, and  Samuel  in  Norwalk,  who  was  the  falher  of  the  Governor. 


luny.of  (" 


The  Hon'ble  Thomas  Fiti  ii,  K.su.  Govr.  ul  the 
and  distinguished  among  moiials  for  great  ubiliiies, 
character;  a  clear,  strong,  sedate  mind;  nu  areii 
hiw,  and  civil  guvernmciil ;  a  liappv  talent  ol  pif,ii 
fidelity  in  the  discharge  of  im|ioiiaitl  iruihs  ;  nu  Um 

voice  of  the  people,  in  the  chiel  olhces  ol'siaie,  and  at  the  head  of  the  colony,  flav 
ing  served  his  generation,  by  the  will  of  God,  fell  asleep,  July  Ibih,  Ann.  Dommi, 
1771,  in  the  75th  year  of  his  age. 


•luM.appl. 


.(ticut.  Eminent 
nts  and  a  virtuous 
ic(|uaintaiice  m  ith 
ion,  and  stiict 
oyiiieiils,  by  the 


READING. 


Readincj  was  Incorporated  in  May,  1767.  The  township  is  said  to 
have  derived  its  name  from  Col.  John  liead,*  one  of  its  early  and 
principal  settlers.  It  is  bounded  north  by  Danbury,  east  by  Newtown 
and  Weston,  south  by  AVeslon,  and  west  by  Ridgefield.  Its  length 
averages  from  east  to  west  nearly  6J  miles,  its  breadth  about  5  miles. 
The  face  of  the  township  is  characteristically  diversified  with  hills  and 


•  His  monument  is  in  a  small  burying  ground  a  little  west  of  the  town  house.  He 
died  in  1780,  aged  85.  He  had  a  park  of  10  or  15  acres,  in  which  he  kept  deer,  up- 
wards of  a  mile  noith  of  the  town  house. 


i;  K  A  n  I  N  n  . 


39c 


valleys,  with  a  soil  frenerally  f^rood.  Agriciihure  is  almost  exclusively 
the  husiness  of  the  inhahitants,  who  live  scatterefl  ahoiit  on  their  farms. 
The  two  principal  roaris  throu^Mi  the  town  pass,  one  through  the  west- 
ern part,  the  other  through  the  eastern  jiart.  There  are  four  houses  of 
worsl)ip,  1  Episcopal,  1  Methodist,  1  Congrei^uitional,  and  I  Baptist. 
The  Episcopal  church  is  situated  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  town,  on 
what  is  called  Reading  ridge.  Perhajis  the  most  compactly  settled 
part  is  in  the  vicinity  of  this  church,  which,  is  15  miles  n.  w.  from 
]>ridgeport,  and  8i  n)iles  from  Danhury  court  house.  The  town  house, 
jMethodist  and  Congregational  churches,  are  on  a  cross  road,  upwards  of 
two  miles  westerly  fiom  the  Episcopal  church. 


House  in  licailiiii(,  (Joniurli/  (Jen.  rutiiani''s  (Quarters.) 

During  the  IJexoIutionary  \var,  in  the  winter  of  1770,  in  order  to 
cover  the  counir}^  atljoining  the  Sounil,  and  to  support  the  garrison  at 
^Vest  Point  in  case  ol'  an  attack,  Waj.  Gen.  l*utnam  was  stationed  in 
Reading.  The  engraving  ahove  is  a  repi'esentation  of  the  house  used 
for  his  head-quarters.  It  is  situated  on  the  Norwalk  and  Danhury 
road,  ahout  15  miles  north  of  Norwalk,  and  3  west  Irom  the  Congrega- 
tional church.  I'uinam  had  under  his  orders  Cen.  Poor's  hrigade  of 
New  Hampshire,  the  two  hrigatles  of  Connecticut,  the  corps  of  infan- 
try commanded  hy  IIazen,and  that  of  cavalry  hy  Sheldon. 

"  The  troops,  who  had  been  liadly  fed,  badly  clothed,  and  worse  paid,  by  brooding 
over  iheii  giievances  in  the  Icisiuc  and  inactivity  of  winler-quarlers,  began  to  think 
them  inlolerable.  The  ConneciiciU  brigades  foimed  a  design  of  marching  to  Hart- 
ford, where  the  General  Assembly  was  then  in  session,  and  of  demanding  redress  at  the 
point  of  the  baynnct.  Word  having  been  bronght  to  General  Putnam,  that  the  second 
Liigade  was  umlfr  aims  for  this  jiurpose,  he  mounted  his  horse,  galloped  to  Ihe  can- 
tonment, and  thus  addressed  them;  '  My  brave  huls,  whither  are  you  going?  Do 
3'ou  inlenij  lodc.■^ert  youi'  olliceis,  and  to  invite  the  enemy  to  follow  you  into  the  coun- 
try ?  AVhose  cause  have  you  been  tighiing  and  sutfering  so  long  in — is  it  not  your 
own?  Have  you  no  property,  no  |)aienis,  wivesor  children  ?  You  liave  behaved  lilfe 
men  so  far — all  the  world  is  full  of  your  praises — and  posterity  will  stand  astonished 
al  your  deeda :  but  not  if  you  sjioil  all  at  last.     Don't  you  consider  how  jnuch  the 


396  n  E  A  p  I  N  0  . 

country  is  Jistressed  by  the  war,  nm)  that  your  oHlcers  liave  not  been  belter  pnid  than 
yourselves!  But  we  all  expect  better  times,  and  that  the  country  \vili  do  us  ample 
justice.  Let  us  all  stand  by  one  another,  then,  and  tight  it  out  like  brave  soldiers.- 
Think"  what  a  shame  it  would  be  lor  Connecticut  men  to  run  away  I'rom  their  otlicers.' 
After  the  several  regiments  had  received  theGeneral,  as  he  rode  along  the  line,  witk 
drums  bc<tti)ii(,  and  presented  arvts,  the  sergeants  who  had  then  the  command, 
brought  the  men  to  un  order,  in  which  position  they  continued  while  he  wasspeuliing. 
When  he  had  done,  Ue  directed  the  acting  major  of  lirigade  to  give  the  word  lor  them 
to  shoulder,  march  to  their  regimental  parades,  and  lodge  arms  ;  all  which  they  ex- 
ecuted with  promptitude  and  apparent  good  humor.  One  soldier,  only,  who  had 
been  the  most  active,  was  confined  in  the  quarter-guard;  from  whence,  at  night,  he 
aiiempted  lo  make  his  escape.  But  the  sentinel,  who  had  also  been  in  the  mutiny, 
sihoi  him  dead  on  the  spot,  and  thus  the  aH'air  subsided." 

While  the  troops  lay  at  Reading,  two  executions  took  place  ;  one 
was  a  soldier,  who  was  shot  for  desertion — the  other  was  a  Mr.  Jones, 
of  Ridi^efieUi,  a  royalist,  who  was  hung  as  a  spy;  both  suffered  on  the 
same  day.  These  exccuiions  look  place  on  Gallows  Hill,  a  mile  or 
more  from  Putnam's  head-quarters.  The  scene  which  took  place 
at  the  execution  of  these  men,  is  described  as  shocking  and  bloody. 
The  man  on  whom  the  duty  of  hangtnan  devolved  left  the  camp,  and 
on  the  day  of  execution  could  not  be  found.  A  couple  of  boys,  about 
the  age  of  twelve  years,  were  ordered  by  Gen.  Putnam  to  perform  the 
duties  of  the  absconding  hangman.  Tlie  gallows  was  about  twenty 
feet  from  the  ground.  Jones  was  compelled  to  ttscend  the  ladder,  and 
the  rope  arotmd  his  neck  was  attached  to  the  cross  beam.  Gen.  Put- 
nam tlien  ordered  Jones  to  jumj)  from  the  ladder.  "  No,  Gen.  Put- 
nam," said  Jones,  "  1  am  innocent  of  the  crime  laid  to  my  charge  ;  I 
shall  not  do  it."  Pulnam  then  ortlered  the  boys  before  mentioned  to 
turn  the  ladder  over.  These  boys  were  deeply  alTected  with  the  try- 
ing scene  ;  they  cried  and  sobbed  loudly,  and  earnestly  entreated  to  be 
excused  from  doing  any  thing  on  this  distressing  occasion.  Ptitnam, 
drawing  his  sword,  ordered  them  forward,  and  compelled  thetii  at  the 
sword's  point  to  obey  his  orders.  The  soldier  that  was  shot  for  deser- 
tion, was  but  a  youth  of  U)  or  17  years  of  age.  Three  balls  were 
shot  through  his  breast  ;  he  fell  on  his  face,  but  itmnediately  turned 
over  on  his  back  ;  a  soldier  then  advanced,  and  putting  the  muzzle  of 
his  gun  near  the  convulsive  body  of  the  youth,  discharged  its  contents 
into  his  forehead.  The  body  was  then  taken  up  and  put  into  a  coflin  ; 
the  soldiers  had  fired  their  pieces  so  near  that  they  set  the  boy's  clothes 
on  fire,  which  contintied  burning.  An  officer  with  a  drawn  sword  stood 
by,  while  every  soldier  of  the  three  brigades,  who  were  out  on  the  occa- 
sion, was  ordered  to  march  by  and  look  at  the  mangled  remains.*  The 
bones  of  this  young  man  were  dug  up  a  few  years  since  for  anatomical 
puri)oses.  They  were  known  to  be  his  from  the  fracture  of  the  skull  ; 
the  bones  however  were  of  little  or  no  use,  for  on  exposure  to  the  air 
they  soon  fell  to  pieces. 


♦  The  particulars  of  the  execution  of  these  two  persons,  were  derived  from  an  aged 
inhabitant  of  Reading,  who  vvas  present  on  the  occasion,  and  stood  but  a  few  feet  from 
Jones  when  he  was  executed. 


READING.  397 

Joel  Barlow,  LL.  D.  was  a  native  of  this  town.  The  following 
biographical  sketch  of  his  life  is  horn  Pease  and  Niles'  Gazetteer  ol' 
Connecticut : 

"  He  was  born  ia  or  about  the  year  1755.  His  father,  who  was  an  independent  far- 
mer, but  in  moderate  circumstances,  died  whilst  he  was  a  youth,  leaving  him  a  small 
patrimony,  scarcely  snllicient  to  defray  the  expenses  of  a  liberal  education,  which  he 
liad  contemplated.  Having  been  placed  in  Dartmouth  College  in  1774.  he  was  soon 
after  removed  from  thence  to  Yale  College,  at  New  Haven,  where  he  graduated  in 
177S.  The  class  into  which  he  entered  was  remarkable  for  the  great  promise  of  tal- 
ent which  many  of  its  members  disclosed,  among  whom  Barlow  always  ranlcetl  con- 
spicuous. The  laie  Asa  Spalding  and  Uriah  Tracv,  his  Excellency  Oliver  Wol- 
cott,  Alexander  Wolcott,  Abraham  Bishop  and  Josiah  Meigs,  were  members  of  this 
class.  He  passed  through  the  usual  course  of  academic  studies  with  great  leputa- 
lion,  and  at  the  public  commencement  in  1778,  delivered  or  recited  an  urii^inal  poem 
which  was  the  first  time  he  had  appeared  before  the  public  in  his  p(jetical  chaiacier! 
This  edusion  of  his  muse  was  soon  after  printed,  and  has  been  preserved  in  a  collec- 
tion entitled  'American  Poems.'  Previously  to  this  period,  and  whilst  Barlow  was 
in  college,  the  Revolutionary  war  commenced,  and  the  natural  ardor  and  enthusia.sui 
of  his  mind,  stimulated  by  the  pervading  spirit  of  liberty  which  chaiactenzed  the 
times,  led  him  to  lalce  a  deep  interest  in  a  contest  in  which  both  the  cause  of  civil  lib- 
erty and  the  dearest  interests  of  his  country  were  so  intimately  concerned.  During 
Ihe  early  period  of  the  war,  the  militia  of  Connecticut  constituted  an  impoitani  pail 
ol  the  army.  Barlow  had  four  brothers  in  the  service  ;  and  more  than  once  during 
vacations,  he  armed  himself  with  a  musket,  and  joined  them  in  the  '  bloody  strife  ' 
as^a  volunteer.     It  is  said  he  was  in  the  battle  at  White  Plains.  ' 

Upon  his  leaving  college,  he  commenced  the  study  of  law  ;  but,  at  the  urgent  soli- 
citation and  recommendation  of  some  of  his  friends,  he  was  induced  to  abandon  this 
.situation,  and  to  (jualily  himself  for,  and  accept  the  appointment  of  chaplain  to  tlie 
army.  Whilst  in  this  situatiun,  he  wrote  .several  poetical  allusions,  sirongly  marked 
with  patriotic  and  liberal  sentiments,  and  calculated  to  encourage  and  animate  the  ar- 
my, in  various  hardships,  privations  and  diliiculties  with  which  ihev  iiad  to  contend. 
And  whil.st  in  the  army,  he  conceived,  planned,  and  in  part  composed,  the  celebrated 
j)oem  which  he  alterwards  published,  entitled  the  '  Vi.mou  of  Columbus,'  and  which 
wa-,  subsequently  enlarged  into  iiis  great  national  poem,  the 'Colimibiad.'"  In  1761,  he 
look  the  degree  of  A.  M.  at  New  Haven,  on  wliich  occasion  he  delivered  a  piMin  't-n- 
mled  the  '  Prospect  of  Peace,'  which  was  principally  embodied  in  the  Vinonol  (Jul'iiin- 
biis.  About  the  same  time,  he  married  Miss  Baldwin,  of  New  Haven,  a  sister  of 
Abraham  Baldwin,  for  many  years  a  distinguished  member  of  Congress  from  (Jeor- 
gia.  After  |he  peace  in  1783,  Barlow  being  out  of  emplovnient,  resolved  to  resume 
the  study  of  law,  for  which  ])nrpi/se  he  removed  tu  Harifoid,  witli  the  expeclaiion 
luobahly,  oi  making  it  his  residence  /ur  lite.  Whilst  in  this  silnation,  to  aid  hnn  iii 
his  liiuinces,  he,  in  conned  ion  with  Elishu  Babcock,  established  a  weekly  newsiiapcr 
called  the  '  Ameiic.an  Mercury.'  '    t     > 

"  In  1787,  whilst  engaged  in  this  business,  lie  published  his  '  Vision  of  Columbus  ' 
n  patriotic  and  popular  poem.  It  was  dedicated  to  Louis  XVI.  and  met  with  very 
flattering  success,  being  reprinted  in  London  within  a  few  months  ;  it  has  since  gone 
through  a  second  edition  in  America,  and  one  in  Paris.  About  this  period,  in  pursu- 
ance o(  the  request  of  the  General  Association  of  the  clergy  of  this  Slate,  he  un- 
<lertook  the  revision  of  Dr.  Watts'  version  of  the  Psalms.  His  edition  was  published 
in  178(),  and  compri.sed  several  devotional  pieces  of  his  own  compo.sing. 

"  About  the  time  of  these  publications,  he  di.sposed  of  his  interest  in  the  paper  to 
Mr.  Labcock,  and  o|)ened  a  bookstore,  the  piincipal  object  of  which  was  to  eiiec't  the 
Kale  ot  his  poem  and  edition  of  the  Psalms.  About  this  time,  the  Anarcliiad  was 
published  at  this  ])lace,  in  which  Mr.  Barlow  is  said  to  have  taken  a  conspicuous  pait. 
On  the  4th  of  July,  1787,  and  whilst  the  Convention  which  framed  the  Constitution  of 
the  United  States  was  in  session  at  Philadelphia,  he  delivered  an  oration  to  the  Ccm- 
necticui  Cincinnati.  Not  being  satisfied  with  his  prospects  in  his  profession,  the  next 
year  he  embarked  for  England,  as  the  agent  of  a  land  company,  called  the  Ohio 
Company,  Irom  whence  he  soon  proceeded  to  France.  Whilst  in  France  the  Revo- 
lution commenced,  which  led  Barlow  to  an  intimate  acquaintance  with  ino.^t  of  the 
leaders  ol  the  Republican  party,  and  particularly  with  those  which  weie  afterwards 
denominated  Ginmdisls.  His  philanthro|jliy  and  enthusiasm  in  the  cause  of  liberty 
led  him  to  enter  warmly  into  their  plans,  which  received  the  support  of  his  genius 
and  political  intelligence  and  experience.  In  1791,  he  returned  to  England,  and  near 
the  close  of  that  year,  published  his  '  Advice  to  Privileged  Orders,'  a  work  of  .solid 
merit,  exposing  m  a  forcible  manner,  the  abuses  and  evils  of  the  feudal  governinciiTs 


3.93  READING. 

of  Europe.  In  1792,  he  published  a  small  poem,  entitled  the  '  Conspiracy  of  Kings.' 
From  these  publicalion.s,  being  of  a  political  nature,  and  from  his  intimacy  with  ihe 
leaders  of  oppo.sition,  or  friends  of  reform,  in  England,  he  had  become  very  obnox- 
ious to  ihe  ministerial  party.  Near  the  close  of  the  year  179*2,  he  returned  to  France, 
as  one  of  a  committee  of  the  London  Constitutional  Society,  with  an  address  from 
the  society  to  tlie  National  Convention.  He  was  received  in  France  with  great  re- 
sipect :  and,  soon  after  his  arrival,  had  conferred  upon  him  the  rights  of  a  French  cit- 
izen. The  year  following,  he  was  employed,  in  connection  with  a  deputation  of  the 
National  Convention,  to  assist  in  organizing  the  territory  of  Savoy,  as  a  department 
of  the  Republic.  Whilst  at  Chamberry,  in  this  territory,  he  wrote  a  political  address 
to  the  people  of  Piedmont.  In  this  place  he  amused  himself  in  writing  a  mock  didac- 
tic poem,  called  '  Hasty  Pudding.'  From  Savoy  he  returned  to  Paris,  where  he  resi- 
ded for  about  three  years.  During  this  period,  he  translated  Volney's  Ruins;  being 
shocked  at  the  atrocities  of  the  Revolution,  he  withdrew  from  political  atl'aiis. 

"  In  1795,  he  was  appointed  by  President  Washington  consul  at  Algiers,  with  pow- 
ers to  negotiate  a  treaty  with  the  Dey,  and  to  redeem  all  American  pri.soncrs  held  in 
slavery  by  any  of  the  Barbary  powers.  He  immediately  set  out  upon  this  mission,  and, 
crossing  through  Spain,  arrived  at  Algiers,  where  he  soon  su(:ceeded  in  negotiating  a 
treaty  with  the  Dey,  although  surrounded  with  numerous  (iilticulties.  Early  the  .suc- 
ceeding year,  he  negotiated  a  similar  treaty  with  Tripoli,  and  liberated  all  the  Amer- 
ican prisoners  held  in  captivity.  In  1797,  he  resigncil  liis  consulship  and  returned  to 
Paris;  and  having  engaged  in  some  commercial  pursuits  or  speculations,  was  very 
successful,  and  accumulated  a  handsome  fortune.  In  the  rupture  which  took  place 
between  France  and  the  United  States,  Barlow  exerted  his  iniluencc  and  talents  to 
promote  an  amicable  adjustment ;  for  which  entl  he  addressed  a  letter  to  the  people  of 
the  Uniied  States,  upon  the  measures  of  the  ))arly  then  in  )iower.  I'liis  was  soon  fol- 
lowed by  another,  which  was  more  abstract,  ami  examined,  in  that  clear  and  forcible 
uianner  peculiar  to  its  author,  various  political  topics,  and  |)arti(ularly  certain  esliib- 
lished  piiiicioles  of  maritime  law  and  the  rights  of  neutrals,  liis  views  were  novel 
and  bold,  and  founded  upon  the  principles  of  abstract  right,  which  he  regarded  as  the 
only  true  policy.  In  1805,  after  an  absence  of  seventeen  years  I'mm  his  native  coun- 
try, Barlow  resolved  upon  revisiting  the  scenes  of  his  youth.  He  accordingly  sold 
his  real  estate  in  France,  which  he  had  regarded  as  his  adopted  country,  as  long  as  it 
continued  the  country  of  liberty.  After  visiting  dillerent  parts  of  the  country,  he 
purchased  hiin  a  delightful  situation  in  the  vicinity  of  Georgetown,  within  the  limits 
of  the  district  of  Columbia.  Whilst  in  this  situation,  he  enjoyed  the  society,  friend- 
ship and  esteem  of  Mr.  Jetferson,  then  President  of  the  Uniied  Slates;  and  of  the 
other  important  functionaries,  and  characters  of  distinction,  who  were  residents,  or 
engaged  in  public  employments  at  the  seat  of  government.  In  1806,  he  published  a 
prospectus  of  a  national  institulion,  or  university  :  to  establish  which,  a  bill  was  in- 
troduced into  the  Senate;  it  met  with  considerable  opposition  ;  was  referre<l  to  a  select 
committee,  who  never  reported,  and  thus  this  great  national  object  ended.  He  now 
devoted  his  attention  to  the  revrsion  and  iuipioveineut  of  his  lavoiiie  poem  ;  and  in 
18l»8,  the  C'ohimbiad  made  lis  ;i)ipcarance,  in  the  inosl  magnificent  volume  which  ever 
issued  Irom  an  American  ))ress.  The  high  price  of  this  edition  prevented  its  ciicu- 
lation ;  and  the  subsequent  year,  it  was  reprinted  in  two  volumes.  The  same  year, 
it  was  republished  in  London,  in  an  elegant  royal  8vo.  The  Columbiad  has  been  at- 
tacked in  the  severest  manner,  by  critics  of  every  rank ;  but  Barlow,  relying  upon  the 
solid  merits  of  the  poem,  and  the  impartial  reward  of  posterity,  either  treated  them 
wiih  neglect  or  contempt.  The  Columbiad  is  an  epic  poem,  abounding  in  philosophi- 
cal discussion,  ami  in  enlarged  political  and  national  views.  It  was  expanded  from 
the  Vision  of  Columbu.";,  which  it  comprises,  and  is  the  oflspring  of  the  labor  of  half 
a  life.  It  is  a  great  national  work,  and  cannot  fail  of  going  down  to  posterity,  to  the 
latest  generation.  The  name  of  Barlow  will  long  be  known  and  revered,  wlien  all 
those  who  have  attempted  to  asperse  it  will  be  forgotten.  Afier  the  publication  of  his 
Columbiad,  he  was  employed  in  collecting  materials  for  fi  general  history  of  the  Uni- 
ted States,  a  work  which  he  had  long  meditated;  but  whilst  thus  occupied,  in  1811,  he 
was  appointed  minister  plenipotentiary  to  the  French  government;  whereupon  he 
soon  embarked  again  for  France,  clothed  with  authority  and  distinguished  honors. 
He  applied  himself  with  great  diligence  to  the  duties  of  his  new  station,  and  made 
every  exertion  to  effect  the  negotiation  of  a  treaty  of  commerce,  and  indemnity  for 
spoliation.  In  October,  1812,  he  was  invited  to  a  conference  with  the  Emperor  at 
Wilna.  He  immediately  set  olf  upon  this  mission,  and  traveled  day  and  night,  ex- 
posed to  the  severe  weather  of  a  northern  climate;  subject  to  great  fatigue,  and  ac- 
commodations at  the  public  inns  being  the  most  wretched,  scarcely  being  able  to  obtain 
a  wholesome  meal,  his  constitution  was  unable  to  withstand  these  severe  trials;  he 
sunk  into  a  state  of  debility,  from  which  he  never  recovered.  He  died  Deceniber 
'22d,  1812,  at  Zarnawica,  au  obscure  village  of  Poland,  in  the  neighborhood  of  Cra- 


niDGEFIELD.  399 

COW.  America  has  produced  few  men,  more  jiusUy  deserving  of  immortality  tlmn 
Barlow  ;  and  none,  it  is  believed,  who  have  made  their  title  to  it  more  sure,  lie  lived 
in  an  eventful  period,  and  acted  a  conspicuous  part  in  both  hemispheres;  and  as  a 

fioet,  a  man  of  science,  a  politician,  a  philosopher  and  phiianthrophist,  his  name  will 
ong  be  revered  by  the  friends  of  civil  liberty  and  of  science,  throughout  the  civili/.ed 
world." 


RIDGEFIELD. 


Tpie  tract  of  land  now  Ridgefield,  was  called  by  the  Indians  Cau- 
datowa,  a  word  signifying  high  land,  from  its  elevated  situation  alibrd- 
ing  a  prospect  of  Long  Island  for  forty  miles.  In  170S,  John  Belden, 
Samuel  Keeler,  Matthew  Seymour,  Matthias  St.  John,  and  other  in- 
habitants of  Norwalk,  to  the  number  of  twenty  five,  purchased  a  large 
tract  between  that  town  and  Danbury.  The  purchase  was  made  of 
Catoonah,  the  chief  sachem,  and  other  Indians.  The  deed  is  dated  the 
30th  of  September,  170S,  and  at  the  ensuing  session  of  the  General 
Assembly,  it  was  incorpoaated  as  a  town,  by  the  name  of  Ridgefield. 

This  township  is  of  an  oblong  shape,  about  13  miles  in  length  from 
north  to  south,  with  an  average  hreadth  of  about  three  miles.  It  is  boun- 
ded north  by  New  Fairfield,  west  by  the  state  of  New  York,  east  by 
Danbury  and  Reading,  and  south  by  Wilton.  The  face  of  the  town- 
ship is  characterized  by  a  succession  of  ridges  and  valleys,  I'unning  north- 
erly and  southerly  towards  Long  Island  sound.  On  some  of  these  ridges 
the  observer  has  a  fine  prospect  of  the  Sound,  although  situated  at  a 
distance  of  fourteen  miles;  likewise  the  East  and  West  Rocks,  in  New 
Haven,  and  the  Highlands  on  the  Hudson.  The  soil  of  the  township  is 
good  for  grain  and  grass.  There  are  two  societies  or  parishes,  Ridge- 
field and  Ridgebury.  Ridgebttry  comprises  the  north  part  of  the  town. 
In  the  first  society,  (Ridgefield,)  there  is  a  pleasant  village  on  one  street, 
within  the  limits  of  about  a  mile,  of  about  GO  dwelling  houses,  3 
churches,  1  Congregational,  1  Episcopal,  and  1  Methodist.  There  is 
an  extensive  carriage  factory  in  the  village  ;  also  one  for  manufacturing 
cabinet  furniture.  There  are  some  beds  of  limestone  in  the  town. 
Ridgebury  society  is  a  very  long  but  narrow  tract  of  land,  gradually  di- 
minishing in  width  to  the  north,  the  extreme  end  of  which  is  but  about 
.half  a  mile  in  width.  The  Rev.  Samuel  Camp,  the  first  minister  in 
Ridgebury,  was  ordained  in  January,  1769,  the  church  being  organized 
at  the  same  time. 

The  place  represented  in  the  view  on  the  next  page  is  perhaps  80  rods 
north  of  the  Episcopal  church  in  Ridgefield,  at  the  north  end  of  the  vil- 
lage, on  the  road  to  Danbury.  It  was  at  this  spot  that  the  Americans, 
under  Gen.  Arnold,  made  a  stand  against  the  British  forces,  as  they  came 
down  from  Danbury.  The  house  standing  on  the  right,  and  fronting  the 
south,  is  upwards  of  one  hundred  years  old.  At  the  settlement  of  the 
town,  the  proprietors  gave  Mr.  Stebbins,  the  ancestor  of  the  late  Mr, 
Stebbins,  who  occupied  the  house,  half  an  acre  of  land,  in  order  to  in- 
duce him  to  build  upon  it.  This  house  has  remained  in  possession  of 
the  family  ever  since. 


400 


RIDGEFIEI.  D. 


View  in  llidgrfield. 

In  order  to  stop  the  advance  of  the  British,  a  barricade  was  thrown 
across  tlie  street  Iroin  Mr.  Slebbins'  house,  extending  to  the  place 
where  tlie  house  opposite  is  now  built.  The  place  where  G'en.  Ar- 
nold's horse  was  shot,  and  where  he  killed  the  Jiritish  soldier  who  was 
advancing  towards  him,  is  seen  on  the  left  of  the  engraving;  the  man 
and  boy  are  seen  standing  on  the  precise  spot.  Many  of  the  dead  and 
wounded  were  carried  into  the  house  of  Mr.  Stebbins,  and  the  floors 
were  literally  covered  with  blood  ;  a  number  of  the  wounded  died  in 
the  house.  Fifteen  of  the  British  and  tifteen  Americans  were  buried 
near  the  first  house  now  standing  south  of  i\lr.  Stebbins'.  Gen.  Woos- 
ter  received  his  mortal  wound  about  one  mile  and  a  half  north,  and 
Col.  Gould  was  killed  about  eighty  rods  east  of  the  house  ;  his  body 
was  carried  to  Fairfield.  The  British  encamped  over  night  on  the 
high  ground,  nearly  a  mile  south  of  the  Congregational  church,  and 
when  they  left  the  place  in  the  morning,  they  fired  a  house  near  by, 
which  was  supposed  to  be  a  signal  for  their  shipping,  lying  on  the  coast 
near  the  Norwalk  islands. 

Sarah  Bishop,  the  hermitess,  resided  just  over  the  boundary  line  of 
Ridgefield,  in  the  state  of  New  York.  She  lived  ou  Long  Island  at 
the  time  of  the  Revolutionary  war.  Iler  father's  house  was  burnt  by 
the  British,  and  she  was  cruelly  treated  by  a  British  officer.  She  then 
left  society  and  wandered  among  the  mountains  near  this  part  of  the 
state;  she  found  a  kind  of  cave  near  Ridgefield,  where  she  resided  till 
about  the  time  of  her  death,  which  took  place  in  1810.  She  some- 
times came  down  to  Ridgefield  to  attend  public  worship  on  the  Sab- 
bath. It  is  said  that  the  wild  animals  were  so  accustomed  to  sec  her, 
that  they  were  not  afraid  of  her  presence.  The  following  account  of 
a  visit  to  this  hermitess,  is  taken  from  a  newspaper  printed  at  Pough- 
keepsie,  in  1804. 


S  H  E  R  M  A  N  .  401 

"  Yeistenlay  I  went  in  the  coinpans'  of  two  Capt.  Smiths  of  this  town,  (N.  Y.)  to  the 
mountain,  to  visit  the  herniilage.  As  you  pass  llie  souihern  and  elevated  ridge  of  the 
mountain,  and  bej^'in  to  descend  the  southern  steep,  you  meet  with  a  perpendicular  de- 
scent of  a  rock,  in  the  front  of  u-jiich  is  this  cave.  At  the  foot  of  ttiis  rock  is  a  gentle 
descent  of  rich  and  feriiie  ground,  extendinj,'  about  ten  rods,  when  it  instantly  forms  a 
frightful  precipice,  descending  half  a  mile  to  the  pond  called  Lonj^  Pond.  In  the  front 
of  the  rock',  on  the  north,  where  the  cave  is,  and  level  with  the  ground,  there  appears 
a  large  frustruin  of  the  rock,  of  a  double  fjrthoni  in  size,  thrown  out  by  some  uiiknowa 
convulsion  of  nature,  and  lyini,'  in  the  Iront  of  the  cavity  from  which  it  was  rent, 
partly  enclosing  tlie  mouth,  and  forming  a  room:  the  rock  is  left  entire  above,  and 
forms  the  roof  of  this  humble  inansion.  Tliis  cavity  is  the  liabitalion  of  the  hermitess, 
in  which  she  has  passed  the  best  of  her  years,  excluded  from  all  society;  she  keeps 
no  domestic  animal,  not  even  I'owl,  cat,  or  i\o'^.  Her  little  plantaiion,  consisting  of 
half  an  acre,  is  cleared  of  its  wood,  and  redueeil  to  grass,  where  site  has  raised  a  few 
peach  trees,  and  yeaily  plants,  a  lew  hills  of  beans,  cucumbers,  and  potatoes;  the 
whole  issuriounded  with  a  luxuiiant  grape  vine,  which  over.spreads  the  surrounding 
wood,  and  is  very  productive.  On  the  ojiposile  side  of  litis  little  tenement,  is  a  fine 
fountain  of  excellent  water;  at  this  I'ouniain  we  found  llie  wonderful  woman,  whose 
appearance  it  is  a  little  ditlicull  to  dosciihe:  indeed,  like  nature  in  its  fust  state,  she 
was  without  form.  Tier  dress  appeared  liille  else  than  one  confused  and  shapeless 
ma.ss  of  rags,  patched  loirether  wilhout  any  order,  which  obscured  all  human  shape, 
excepting  her  head,  which  was  dollied  wiiii  a  luxuriancy  of  lank  grey  hair  depending 
on  every  side,  as  time  had  formed  it,  without  any  coveting  or  umament.  When  she 
discovered  our  approach,  she  exhibited  the  appearance  of  a  wild  and  liinid  animal; 
she  started  and  hastened  to  her  cave,  which  slie  entered,  and  ban  leaded  the  entrance 
with  old  shells,  pulled  from  the  ilecayed  trees.  We  approached  this  humble  habita- 
tion, and  aftei  some  conversation  wiifi  ils  inmate,  obtained  liberty  to  remove  the  palli- 
sadoes  and  loolc  in  ;  for  we  were  not  able  to  enler,  the  room  being  only  sullicnnt  to  ac- 
commodate one  [lerxiti.  We  saw  no  ulensil,  eiihei  for  labor  or  cookery,  save  an  old 
pewter  basin  and  a  goiitd  shell,  no  bed  but  the  solid  Kjck,  unless  it  were  a  few  old  rags, 
scatlered  here  and  there;  no  bed  clolhesof  any  kind,  not  the  least  appearance  of  lood 
or  lire.  She  had,  inileed,  a  jihice  in  one  coiner  of  her  I'ell,  wheie  a  fire  had  at  some 
time  been  kindled,  bill  il  did  not  apjiear  there  had  been  one  liu-  some  months.  To  con- 
iirtn  this,  a  gentleman  says  he  passeil  her  cell  live  or  six  days  alter  the  great  fall  of 
snow  in  the  bcirinning. of  March,  that  she  had  no  fire  then,  and  had  not  been  out  of 
her  cave  since  the  snow  had  iallrn.  Ibiu  she  subsists  iluring  the  severe  season,  is 
yet  a  mystery  ;  she  .^ays  she  enis  biii  Inile  iK«h  id'  any  kind  ;  in  the  Minimer  she  lives 
on  berries,  nuts,  iuid  lools.  We  eoiueiM-d  vi  iih  hei'  foi  suiiie  time,  found  her  to  be  of 
a  sound  mind,  a  relii,'ion.>  tiiiu  of  thoiighi,  and  enlinly  happy  in  lier  situation  ;  of  this 
she  has  given  repealed  proofs  by  ii'Insiiig  to  fpiil  this  dreary  abode.  She  keeps  a. 
Bible  wiih  her,  and  says  siie  lakes  much  salisluelion,  and  spent  much  lime  in  read- 


SIIERMA  N. 

Sheuman,  ori<j;inally  the  north  part  of  New  Fairfield,  \v;is  incorpora- 
ted as  a  town  in  lSU-2.  it  is  liotiiidod  tiorili  by  Kent,  west  by  the  state 
of  New  York,  east  by  New  iMllford,  and  sotith  by  New  Fairfield.  It 
exceeds  nine  miles  in  letij^tli  from  nurili  to  south,  and  lias  an  average 
breadth  of  only  between  two  and  ihreo  miK^s.  "Ils  surface  is  uneven, 
being  characterized  by  elevated  anil  lofiy  hills,  and  deep  and  extensive 
valleys.  Tlie  soil  is  various,  according  to  the  local  situation  of  the 
lands,  but  is  generally  a  gravelly  loam.  The  hills,  which  are  not  suf- 
fered to  remain  for  the  growth  of  timber,  afford  grazing;  and  the  vales 
(most  of  which  are  warm  and  fertile,)  are  well  adapted  to  the  cultiva- 
tion of  wheat,  rye,  and  Indian  corn,  consirlerable  quantities  of  which 
are  annually  raised.  Iron  ore,  to  some  extent,  has  been  discovered  in 
this  town.  The  central  part  of  the  town  is  60  miles  s.  w.  from  Hart- 
ford, and  about  13  miles  north  of  Danbury. 

The  population  of  the  town  in  1810  was  949;  in  1830  it  was  947. 
51 


402 


S  T  A  I\I  F  O  R  I)  . 

The  Indian  nnme  of  Stamford  was  Bippoivams.  It  was  piucliased 
of  the  Indians  hy  Capt.  Watliaiiiel  Turner,  agent  for  New  Haven,  of 
Fonus,  sagamore  of  Toriuamshe,  and' of  fl'ascussue,  sagamore  of  .S'/(/- 
pa7i.  A  reservation  of  planting  ground  was  made  for  the  Indians. 
Turner  gave  for  the  purchase  "twelve  coats,  twelve  hoes,  twelve  liatcli- 
ets,  twelve  knives,  two  kettles,  and  four  fathom  of  white  wampum."  A 
part  or  the  whole  of  this  tract  was  purchased  of  New  Haven  by  some 
of  the  inhabitants  of  Wethersfield,  for  thirty  pounds  sterling.  The  pur- 
chasers agreed  to  join  the  New  Haven  colony,  in  their  form  of  govern- 
ment. Twenty  men'  agreed  to  settle  here  by  the  last  of  Noven)ber, 
1(341  ;  but  before  the  end  of  the  year,  there  were  thirty  or  forty  fami- 
lies established.  "The  inhabitants  were,  however,  freijuenily  alarmed 
by  the  threatenings  of  invasion,  both  from  the  Indians  and  the  Dutch  ; 
and  for  a  considerable  time  were  at  great  expense  in  fortifying  and 
guarding  themselves;  and  once,  in  1653,  their  troubles  became  so 
great,  that  they  were  on  the  point  of  a  revolt,  but  were  quieted  by  the 
prudent  measures  of  the  colony." 

Stanjford  is  bounded  on  the  northwest  by  the  state  of  New  York,  on 
the  west  by  Greenwich,  on  the  east  by  Darien  and  New  Canaan,  and 
on  the  south  by  Long  Island  sound.  Its  mean  length  from  north  to 
south  is  upwards  of  mne  and  a  half  miles,  and  its  average  breadth  be- 
tween three  and  four.  This  is  a  pleasant  and  fertile  township,  rich  in 
the  resources  of  agricultural  ojudeiice,  abounding  in  the  means  of  sub- 
sistence, with  the  advantages  of  a  ready  and  convenient  market.  The 
surface  of  the  town  is  undulating,  exhibiting  a  pleasant  diversity  of  mod- 
erate hills  and  valleys.  The  soil  is  a  ricll^4ravelly  loam,  adapted  both 
to  tillage  and  grazing. 

The  view  of  Staiidord,  (-^ee  the  next  pam'.)  was  taken  from  a  rocky 
eminence  to  the  ^olll!l\\(■^I,  wliirh  ri^c  ahiu.-i  ininiedialfly  I'mni  the  mill 
stream  seen  in  the  engraving,  pa^.Vmg  to  the  south.  The"iiun  foimdery, 
Avhicli  is  very  extensive,  is  seen  on  the  leit.  Tlie  spire  seen  ntnir  the  cen- 
ter of  the  print  is  that  of  the  Congregational  church  ;  that  seen  on  the 
extreme  right  is  that  of  the  Episcopal  churcli.  Besides  these  churches, 
there  are  two  others  in  the  borough,  one  for  the  Baptists,  the  other  for 
the  IMethodists.  Between  the  Congregational  and  Episcopal  churchse, 
is  seen  the  mast  of  a  sloop.  A  canal  from  the  sea  was  excavated  to  this 
point  in  1831.  This  canal  is  ISO  rods  in  length,  thirty  feet  in  width, 
and  seven  in  depth;  the  expense  of  its  construction,  including  three 
buildings  for  stores,  was  7,000  dollars.  There  are  in  the  limits  of  the 
borough  10  or  12  stores,  1  iron  foundery,  one  rolling  mill,  one  wire  Hic- 
tory,  and  two  large  boot  and  shoe  manufactories  ;  a  bank,  with  aca|)ital 
of  100,000  dollars,  chartered  in  1S34.  The  post  oflice  in  this  place  is 
a  distributing  ofllce.  It  is  8  miles  westward  of  Norwalk,  8  from  Saw- 
pitts,  and  5  from  Horseneck  church  in  Greenwich.  The  number  of  in- 
habitants in  the  borough  is  about  seven  hundred. 


S  T  A  M  F  O  II  1)  . 


Ao:] 


iSntu/iiVL^iUfn  etc IV  oj'  the  Borough  of  Stamford. 

The  harbor  at  the  month  of^Mill  river  has,  at  ordinary  tides,  upwards 
of  eii^lit  I'eet  of  water.  Tliere  are  two  uncoininonly  interestin;^  spots 
bordering  the  harbor;  that  on  the  western  side  is  called  the  South 
Field,  a  rich  and  beaiuiful  I'arni  ;  the  otiier  is  Shipan  Point.  This  is 
an  elegant  and  fertile  piece  of  LM'onnd.  The  suiface  slopes  in  every  di- 
reetion,  and  ib  encircled  by  a  collection  of  fine  scenery. 

The  Hon.  Ahrahnin  Davenport,  for  a  long  period  one  of  the  Coun- 
cillors of  the  colony,  and  afteiwards  of  the  stale  of  Connecticut,  was  a 
resident  of  this  town.  He  was  the  son  of  the  ilev,  John  Davenport, 
the  second  minister  of  .Stauiford,  and  grandson  of  the  Ivcv.  John  Dav- 
enport, the  father  of  New  Haven  colony.  He  was  distinguished  lor  a 
vigorous  understanding,  unconnuon  firmness  of  mind,  and  Christian  in- 
tegrity of  character.  Two  instances  (says  Dr.  Dwight)  of  Colonel  Dav- 
enport's firuHiess  of  mind  deserve  to  be  mentioned. 

"  Tlie  I'Jih  ul'  Ma)',  17riO,  was  a  remarkable  dark  day.  Candles  were  liglucd  in  ma- 
ny houses;  the  birds  were  silent  and  disappeared,  and  the  fowls  retired  to  roost.  The 
legislature  oT  Conneeiieut  was  then  in  session  at  HMrn'ord.  A  very  general  ojiinion 
prevailed,  that  the  day  orjudj,'ineni  was  at  hand.  The  llunse  of  Representatives,  be- 
ing unable  to  liansact  their  business,  atljumned.  A  proposal  to  adjourn  the  Council 
was  under  consideration.  When  the  opinion  of  Colonel  Daveupoit  was  asked,  he  an- 
swered, '  I  am  against  an  atijouinment.  Tiie  day  of  judgment  is  either  approaching, 
or  it  is  not.  Jl  it  is  not,  iheie  is  no  cause  lor  an  adjournment:  if  it  is,  1  choose  to  lie 
I'ouud  doing  my  duty.     1  wish  therefore  tliat  caiulles  may  be  brought.' 

"The  other  instance  look  place  at  Danbuiy,  at  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas,  of 
which  he  was  chief  justice.  "I'his  venerable  man,  alter  he  was  .struck  with  death, 
heard  a  considerable  pari  of  a  trial,  gave  the  charge  to  the  jury,  and  took  notice  of  an 
article  in  the  testimony  which  had  escaped  the  attention  of  the  counsel  on  both  sides. 
He  then  retired  from  the  bench,  and  was  soon  after  found  dead  in  his  bed." 


[From  the  Cimncclicul  Conrcnit,  No.  1;')%  ]  Hartford,  May  '2Uk,  1708. 

As  a  report  unfavorable  to  the  citizens  of  Stamford  has  for  some  days  past  been  in 
circulation,  we  juiblisli  the  following  e.Mrac 


letter  from  a  respectable  gentleman 


404 


S  T  II  A  T  K  O  11  I) 


in  that  town,  to  amcinbLMof  (lie  legislature,  now  in  session  in  tiiis  city,  dated  the  I8ih 
inst.,  in  order  that  the  public  inaj'  have  a  true  statement  ol'  the  nelanou.s  husiness. 

"  The  present  fermeijl  in  Siainlbrd,  caused  by  some  unlucky  boys  firing  a  cannon, 
and  making  a  bonfire,  in  North  Stamford,  I  suppose  will  reach  Harilout;  and  that, 
perhaps  in  an  aggravated  point  of  light.  The  tiuih  of  the  matter  is  ihis:  some  young 
chaps,  on  fast-day  morning,  collected,  and  burnt  the  Presulen;  in  efligy,  as  some  say  ; 
but  as  the  fracas  took  place  about  sunrise,  no  onocan  tell  what  was  burnt :  the  perpe- 
trations, however,  were  committed  by  persons  not  inhabitants  of  Staml'ord." 


The  ancient  burying  ground  in  Stamford  was  formerly  in  the  center 
of  the  place.  The  monuments  are  now  removed  to  a  yard  northward 
of  the  village.  The  following  is  copied  from  a  tabular  monument,  one 
of  those  that  were  removed. 


The  Rev.  Ioiin  Davcnport, 

A.D.  1730-1,  and  in  ll 


1  ihis  life  on  the  oih  February, 
nunistiy. 


distance  kecj), 
the  peaceful  sleep 


Wisdom 


Religion,  while  he  dwelt  below, 

lis  sacred  iullueiice  on  him  shed; 
Learning  and  Giace  adorned  his  brow, 

And  round  their  balmy  odors  spread. 
ITnfading  liuiiors  shall  his  inud)  surround, 

To  guard  ami  wan  ihe  I'loiihel's  sleei'ing  cl.iy, 
Till  ihe  last  irumjiet  rai.>e  hmi  Irom  the  ground, 

To  join  the  liinmphs  of  ih'  iinpui  lant  Day. 


STRATFORD 


The  original  Indian  name  of  Stratford  was  Cupheag.  It  was  pur- 
chased by  Mr.  Fairchild  in  1G39,  and  settlements  were  commenced 
at  the  same  lime.  Mr.  Fairchild  came  directly  from  England,  and  was 
the  first  person  vested  with  civil  authority  in  the  town.  The  (Jrst  prin- 
cipal persons  in  the  town  were  John  atid  William  Eustice,  and  Samuel 
Hawley,  who  were  fiom  Roxbnry,  and  Joseph  Judson  and  Timothy 
Wilcoxson,  who  were  from  Concord,  Massachusetts,  A  few  years 
from  the  commencement  of  the  settlernent,  Mr.  John  Birdsey  removed 
from  Milford,  and  became  a  man  of  eminence,  both  in  the  town  and 
church.  There  were  also  several  of  the  chief  planters  from  Boston, 
and  a  number  by  the  name  of  Welles,  from  W^ethersfield,  "  Mr. 
Adam  Blackman,  who  had  been  Episcopally  ordained  in  England,  and 


STRATFORD.  405 

a  preacher  of  some  note,  first  at  Leicester  and  afterwards  at  Derby- 
shire, was  their  minister,  and  one  of  the  first  planters.  It  is  said  tliat 
he  was  Ibllowed'by  a  number  of  the  faithfid,  into  this  connlry,  to  whom 
he  was  so  dear  tliat  they  said  unto  him,  in  the  language  of  lluih,  '  In- 
Ireat  us  not  to  leave  tiiee,  for  whither  thou  goest  we  will  go;  thy  peo- 
ple shall  be  our  people,  and  thy  God  our  God.'  " 

The  first  settlers  appear  to  liave  located  themselves  about  150  rods 
south  of  the  Episcopal  church,  the  first  chimney  being  erected  near 
this  spot;  it  was  taken  down  about  two  years  since.  The  first  burying 
ground  was  near  this  spot.  IMr.  AVilliam  Judson,  one  of  the  first  set- 
tlers, cameinto  Stratford  in  1633.  lie  lived  at  the  southwest  corner  of 
INleeting-liouse  hill  or  green,  in  a  house  constructed  of  stone.  Mr.  Ab- 
ner  Judson,  his  descendant,  lives  on  the  same  spot,  in  a  house  which  has 
stood  113  years,  and  is  still  in  good  repair. 

The  whole  township,  which  formerly  was  quite  extensive,  wqs  pur- 
chased of  the  natives.  The  purchase  was  however  not  completed  till 
1672.  There  was  a  reservation  of  good  lands  for  the  improvement  of 
the  Indians,  at  Pughquonnuck  or  Pequannock,  Golden  hill,  and  at  a 
place  called  Coram,  in  Huntington. 

Stratford  is  now  much  circumscribed  in  limits.  Its  average  length 
is  about  six  miles  from  north  to  south,  and  its  breachh  from  east  to 
west  is  between  two  and  three  miles.  It  is  bounded  north  by  Hunting- 
ton, west  by  Trund)ull  and  Bridgeport,  east  by  the  Ilousatonic,  dividing 
it  from  MiUbrd,  and  south  by  Long  Island  sound.  The  central  part 
of  the  town  is  1.'3  miles  s.  w.  fiom  JNew  Haven.  The  township  is 
mostly  level  and  free  from  stone,  anil  there  is  a  \'ery  rich  alluvial  ti'act 
of  meadows  on  the  river  and  harljor.  The  principal  street  in  the  town 
is  one  mile  in  length,  running  north  and  south,  parallel  to  the  Housa- 
tonic  ;  it  is  level,  |)leasant,  and  ornamented  with  shade  trees.  On  this 
street,  and  others,  in  the  immediate  vicinity,  there  are  about  '200  dwell- 
ing houses,  and  four  houses  for  public  worship,  viz.  1  Congregational, 
1  Episcopal,  I  JMethodist,  1  Baptist,  and  I  Lhiiversalist  now  erecting. 
The  latitude  of  the  place,  as  detei'mined  by  the  Rev.  James  H.  Linsley, 
is  41°  IV  1";  longitude,  73°  8'  45''. 

The  following  is  a  southwest  view  of  the  Episcopal  church  and  the 
Academy,  situated  in  the  central  part  of  the  village.  Tliis  church  was 
erected  more  than  90  years  since,  and  is  the  oldest  Episcopal  church 
now  standing  in  the  stale.  The  Academy  is  seen  on  the  right  of  the 
print,  in  the  distance.  It  stands  on  a  gentle  elevation  of  ground,  called 
Meeting-house  hill,*  and  is  surrounded  by  a  row  of  poplars.  The 
Episcopal  society  in  this  town  is  the  oldest  in  the  state.  The  follow- 
ing account  of  its  establishment  is  fiom  Dr.  Trumbull's  History  of 
Connecticut. 

"  During  the  term  of  about  seventy  years  frnm  the  settlement  of  Connecliciit,  the 
Congregalioniil  had  been  the  only  nilnle  of  vvorship,  in  tlie  colony.  But  liie  sucieiy 
for  propagMtin;?  tlje  gospel  in  (ureign  parts,  in  1701,  lixed  the  Reverend  Mr.  Muirson 
as  a  missionary  at  Rye.     Some  of  the  people  at  Siratlord  had  been  educated  in  the 


*  The  Congregational  church  s^ood  on  this  elevation  till  it  was  struck  by  lighinin-j, 
and  burnt  down. 


406 


S  T  U  A  '1-  f  O  11 


Suitlhivcxt  i-iciv  of  the   Rpiscopul  C/ntrc/i,  Slnitjord. 

church  of  RiiL,'hinil  in-jih.'  of  wm  ^hip  ami  ;Mliiiiiiisiri  inu:  of  ilir  (iidinancrs,  ami  utliiTS 
WL'icnoi  phriNcJ  Wilh  the  ii,-id  duni  m,..  aii.l  diMaplim.- of  ihc  .\c\v  I'li.i^laud  cliuu'lics, 
and  they  made  an  camc-,1  aiiplicaliuii  tu  Mr.  .\Iuiim)ii  lo  make  a  visit  at  tJiratlnrd,  aiul 
preach  and  bapiizc  amuu.u'  lliem.  About  ihe  year  1700,  iip.ji)  llieir  iiivitaijon,  lie  cainu 
lo  Stratford,  aecompanicd  with  Colonel  lleatheote,  a  ^'enileman  zealou.sly  eiigajjed 
in  proinoliiij(  liie  Epi.scopal  church.  Tlje  ministers  and  people,  in  that  ami  liie  adja- 
cent towns,  il  seeins,  were  alarmed  at  his  coining,  and  took  pains  lo  prevent  their 
neighbors  and  families  from  hearing  him.  However  the  iioveliy  of  tiie  alfair,  and 
other  circumstances,  brought  logeliier  a  considerable  assembly:  and  Mr.  IMuirson 
baptized  five  and  twenty  peisons,  principally  adults.  This  was  the  first  step  towards 
introducing  the  church  woiship  into  this  colony.  In  April,  1707,  he  niaile  anoiher 
visit  to  Stratford.  Colonel  lleatheote  was  pleased  to  honor  him  with  his- company, 
as  he  had  done  before.  lie  preached,  at  this  time,  at  P'airlield  as  well  as  Stratford ; 
and  in  both  towns  baptized  a  number  of  children  and  adult  persons.  Both  the  iiingi.s- 
iratesand  ministers  opposed  the  introdiieiiun  of  I'.inseopaey,  and  advised  the  people 
not  lo  attend  the  preaehiiig  of  the  church  mis.sionaries;  but  the  ojiposition  only  in- 
creased the  zeal  of  the  eliiiieh  people.  Mr.  Muir.>oii,  alter  this,  iiuulc  several  joiiinevs 
to  Connecticut,  and  itiiiciaicd  among  the  people.  Hut  there  was  no  missionary,  from 
the  society,  fixed  in  Coniie.iiciii,  until  the  year  17'J"2,  when  Mr.  Pigot  was  appointed 
mi.ssionarv  at  Stratford.  "^I'lie  churchmen  at  Inst,  in  that  town,  consisted  of  about  h(- 
teeii  faiiiilies,  among  whom  were  a  few  husljandmen,  but  much  the  greatest  number 
were  tradesmen,  who  had  bet-n  born  in  England,  and  came  and  settled  there.  Some  of 
their  neighbors  joined  ihein,  so  that  Mr.  Pigot  had  tweiily  communicants,  and  about  a 
liundred  and  fifty  hearers.  In  17~'3,  CtiuisT  Chuich  in  Stratford  was  founded,  and  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Johnson,  afterwards  Dr.  .Iohn.son,  was  appointed  lo  succeed  Mr.  Pigot." 

"The  Rev.  Dr.  Johnson,"  says  Dr.  Dwii^ht,  "may  be  consideied 
as  the  father  of  Episcopacy  in  Connecticut,  and  jierhaps,  as  the  most 
distint;nished  cler^fyman  of  that  description,  who  has  been  settled  within 
its  limits.  This  i^entlcman  was  born  at  Guilford  in  1()96  ;  was  educa- 
ted at  Yale  Colleii;e,  and  received  the  degree  of  A.  B.  in  \1\A.  In 
17 1 G  he  was  chosen  tutor,  and  continueH  in  that  ollice  three  years.  In 
17^0,  he  was  ordained  minister  of  the  Presbyterian  cluirch  in  West 
Haven.  In  1723,  he  was  Episcopally  ordained  in  London;  and  was 
afterwards  settled  at  Stratford.  In  1754,  he  was  chosen  president  of 
King's  College  in  tlie  city  of  New  York,  and  continued  in  this  office 


S  T  11  A  T  F  O  it  n  .  4U7 

for  nine  years.  In  1763,  he  resiL^nicd  ilie  presidency,  and  retiMnini^  to 
Stratford,  resumed  the  cliai'no  of  his  congregation,  lie  died  in  1772, 
at  the  age  of  seventy  six.  Dr.  Johnson  was  a  man  of  talents  and  learn- 
ing, of  dignified  manners  and  high  reputation.  He  published  a  He- 
brew grammar,  a  compendium  of  logic,  and  another  of  ethics.  The 
University  of  Oxford  conferred  oh  him  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Di- 
vinity. His  life  was  written  by  Dr.  Chandler,  the  Episcopal  minister 
of  Elizabethtoun." 

Tlie  following  is  the  inscription  on  his  monument  in  the  l\piscopal 
burying  ground,  a  few  rods  nortlieast  of  the  church. 

M.  S.   Samiielis  Jolirisun,  D.  D.  C()lki,Mi  lle^'ali.s  Novi  Ebornci  PuvKsidis  primi  cl 
luijiis  Ecclebiiu  niipcr  Rucioiis.     NaiUb-  Die  l-Uo.  f^ciub.  lOM,  Ohii.  Glo.  Jan.  177:2. 
iriieceiii  diifiiUij  ixnd  mode.-,!  inein, 
Tlie  clieeiiiil  hciul,  ami  ijoiiniuuaijL-e serene; 
ir  pure  n7/^'i((?t  and  uiisiilliecl  iriiili, 
His  aj^c's  solace,  and  liis  .-searcli  in  youth; 
Il'/z/t/?/ in  all  llie  pallis  lie  trod, 
Slili  rising  vij^'orous  to  his  Loud  and  God; 
ICcharity  thro' all  the  race  he  ran, 
Still  willing  well,  and  doin^' good  to  man  ; 
If  Lkauninc,  free  from  pedaiurv  and  pride; 
If  Faith  and  virtue,  walking  side  by  side; 
If  well  to  mark  his  being's  aim  and  end, 
To  shine  thro'  life  a  iii;si!.\M),  fathki!,  nuKNo; 
If  ^/tt'.sc  ambition  in  thy  .-joLil  can  raise, 
Excite  thy  reverence  or  demand  lliy  praise; 
Reader,  ere  yet  thou  (uiil  this  earthly  scene, 
Revere  his  name,  and  be  what  he  has  been. 

Mvi.F.S   CoOi'KR. 

The  house  in  which  Dr.  Johnson  i-esldud  is  siill  standing,  about  40 
rods  northwest  of  the  E|)lscopai  chmch.  Mr.  \\'iiis!ow  succeeded  Dr. 
Johnson  in  the  ministry,  then  Mr.  Iviicelaiid,  who  was  succeeded  by 
Mr.  Sayre.  The  Jlev.  Ashbel  lialduin  was  the  next  minister:  ho 
connnenced  his  labors  here  in  1792,  and  continued  ix'Ctor  of  this  cdiurch 
thirty  nine  years.  Mr.  Baldwin,  who  is  still  living,  was  born  in  I. itch- 
field,  in  1757,  and  was  educated  at  Vale  College.  He  was  onlaiiied 
deacon  at  IMiddletown,  August  3d,  1785,  by  Hishop  Sealniry.  He, 
with  fotir  others,  were  ordained  at  the  same  time,  being  tlie  first  l^ot- 
estant  Episcopal  ordination  in  this  country. 


Gen.  David  JVoostcr  was  a  native  of  this  town,  and  was  born  in 
1711.  He  was  a  brave  and  good  ofllcer,  an  ardent  patriot,  and  in  his 
variotis  public  and  private  relations,  sustained  a  character  distinguished 
for  integrity,  benevolence,  and  virtue.  He  was  mortally  woutided  in  a 
skirmish  with  the  liritish  troops,  at  the  time  of  their  incursion  to  Dan- 
bury,  in  1777.  The  following  notice  of  Gen.  AVooster,  is  from  the 
Connecticut  Journal  of  May  14lh,  1777, 

"  Major  General  Woosler  was  born  in  Stratford,  in  this  slate,  on  llic  'Jd  of  Mar.]), 
A.  D.  1710— 11  ;  was  e.liicat.'d  at  Yafe  College,  where  he  was  giadii.iicd  in  ilic  year 
1738.  Soon  after  the  Spanish  war  broke  out  in  173f),  he  was  eni|!l(ivcil,  hist  as  iicii- 
tenant,  and  iheii  as  captain,  of  the  armed  vessel  laiilt  by  this  rokiny  fur  a  (iii.irila 
Coasta.  Aftei  I  Ins,  he  engaged  in  the  military  service  of  tins  coi)iiiiy,"aiid  was  a  cap- 
tain in  Col.  Burr's  regiment,  in  the  expedition  against  Louishiirg,  in  1715.  Ki'\i:v  ihe 
reduction  of  that  place,  he  was  sent  to  France,  with  a  part  of  the  prisoners  taken  there, 
and  from  thence  went  to  England,"  where  he  received  tJie  honor  of  a  captaincy  on  the 


V. 


403  T  R  U  M  H  U  L  I-  . 

establishment,  in  Sir  "William  Peppeiell's  regiment.  During  llie  peace  wliich  soon 
followed,  he  received  his  half  pay,  antl  was  chiefly  employed  ia  his  jirivate  aflairs. 
When  the  war  with  Fiance  was  .renewed  in  1755,  he  was  soon  thought  ol'  as  a  gen- 
tleman qualified  for  a  higher  sphere  of  command,  and  served  his  country  as  colonel, 
and  commandant  of  a  brigade  to  the  end  of  the  war. 

"Fiom  the  first  rise  of  ihe  present  controversy  with  Great  Britain,  in  17Gt,  though 
his  interest  as  a  half  pay  oliicer,  might  have  apo!ogi<ied  lor  liim,  if  he  had  observed  a 
perfect  neutrality  ;  yet  so  fully  convinced  was  he  of  the  ruinous  measures  of  the  Brit- 
ish court,  and  so  jealous  was  he  for  his  country's  rights,  that  regardless  of  his  private 
interests,  he  took  an  open  and  decisive  part,  and  avowedly  espuused  the  cau-^e  of  Ame- 
rica, and  persisted  in  that  line  of  conduct  to  the  day  of  his  death.  As  soon  as  hostili- 
ties were  commenced  in  the  Lexington  battle,  the  General  Assembly  of  this  colony 
set  about  raising  an  army,  and  Col.  Wooster,  from  his  apprt)ve(l  abilities,  well  known 
courage,  and  great  experience,  was  appointed  to  the  chicfcommand.  The  same  sum- 
mer he  was  appointed  a  brigadier  general  in  the  continental  service.  Llonoied  with 
these  commissions,  he  first  commandeil  the  troops  sent  to  guard  New  York,  where  il 
was  expected  that  a  part  of  the  British  army  which  came  over  in  1775  would  land. 
In  the  latter  part  of  that  campaign,  he,  with  his  troops,  went  intoCanada,  and  assisted 
much  in  the  reiluetion  ol  St.  John's,  Abmtreal,  &c.  ami  after  Gen.  Alontgomery's 
death,  had  the  chief  command  in  that  |)iiiviiice.  He  rclurned  home  in  the  summer 
of  177b,  and  not  long  alter  was  appointed  fust  major  general  of  the  militia  of  this 
state.  He  had  been  out  the  whole  of  the  last  winter,  at  the  head  of  a  body  of  men 
raised  by  this  state  I'or  its  own  security,  and  was  but  lately  returned  ;  when  on  Satur- 
day, the  :;2()th  ult.  he  received  the  news  that  the  enemy,  in  a  laige  budy,  had  landed  at 
Compo.  He  immediately  set  off  lor  Faiilield;  leaving  ordeis  for  the  militia  to  be 
mustered  and  sent  forward  as  fast  as  possible.  When  he  arrived  at  Fairfield,  lindiiig 
Gen.  Silliman  had  marched  in  jjursuit  of  the  enemy  with  the  troops  then  collected,  he 
followed  on  with  all  I'xpcilition,  and  at  Heading  overtook  Gen.  Silliman,  with  the 
small  body  of  militia  with  him,  of  which  he  of  course  look  the  command,  and  pro- 
ceeded that  same  eveiuiig  to  the  village  of  Ccthel.  Here  it  was  determined  to  divide 
the  troops,  and  part  wric  sent  oil'  under  Geneials  Arnold  and  Silliman,  the  rest 
remained  with  General  Wooster,  and  them  he  led  by  the  route  of  Danbury,  in  pursuit 
of  the  enemy,  whom  he  overtook  on  the  Sabbath,  about  '1  o'clock,  neai  Ridgefield. 
Observing  a  jiart  of  the  enemy  who  seemed  to  be  delaelied  from  the  luain  body,  he 
determined  to  attack  them,  though  the  number  of  his  men  was  less  than  two  hundred; 
he  accordingly  led  them  on  himself  with  great  spirit  and  resolution,  ordering  them  to 
follow  him.  But  being  unL'Xperience<l  militia,  and  the  enemy  having  several  held 
pieces,  our  men,  after  doing  considerable  execution,  were  broken  and  gave  way. 
The  General  was  rallying  them  to  renew  the  atlarlc,  when  he  received  the  fata! 
wound.  A  musket  ball,  fr(jm  the  distance  of  50  rods,  look  him  obli(juely  in  the  back, 
broke  his  back  bone.  Iodised  within  him,  and  never  could  he  found.  He  was  removed 
from  the  field,  had  his  woimd  dressed  by  Docl.  Turner,  and  was  then  conveyed  back 
to  Danburv,  where  all  posMfb-  caie  was  taken  of  him.  The  snu-eons  were  from  the 
fust  sensible  nf  the  danger  ot  the  case,  and  infuinicd  the  Llciicial  of  their  apprchcn- 
Mons,  which  he  lieaid  with  the  greatest  eonipoMire. 

"  The  dani;er  soon  became  more  appareni,  his  w  hole  lower  parts  became  insensible, 
and  a  moitification,  it  is  though!,  be;,'aii  very  early.  However,  he  lived  till  Friday, 
the  2(1  of  May,  and  then  with  gieat  composure  and  resignation,  exju'reil.  It  was  de- 
signed to  bring  his  remains  to  New  Haven,  to  be  interred  lieie,  but  this  was  found  im- 
possible, and  therefore  they  were  interred  at  Danbury." 


TRUMBULL. 

Trumbull,  forifiierly  North  Stratford,  originally  belonged  to  Strat- 
ford. It  was  incorporated  as  a  town  in  1793.  It  is  bounded  north  by 
Monroe,  east  by  Iluiitingtoti  and  Stratford,  soiitli  by  Bridgeport,  and 
west  by  Weston.  Its  averttgo  length*  is  aliout  five  miles,  and  its 
breadth  may  average  four  and  a  half  miles.  '^I'lie  central  par^  of  the 
town  is  about  five  miles  north  from  the  city  tjf  Bridgeport. 

The  township  is  uneven,  diversified  with  hills  and  valleys,  and  the 
prevailing  character  of  the  soil  is  a  gravelly  loam,  which  is  considerably 


WESTON.  .  409 

productive.  The  lands  are  tolerably  well  adapted  to  the  culture  of 
grass,  and  to  grazing.  The  township  is  centrally  intersected  by  the  Pe- 
quannock,  a  small  stream,  which  discharges  its  waters  into  Bridgeport 
harbor.  There  are  4  houses  of  worship  in  the  town,  2  Episcopal,  1 
Congregational,  and  1  Methodist.  The  inhabitants  are  generally  far- 
mers.    The  population  in  1810  was  1,241  ;  in  1830,  it  was  1,242. 

In  the  north  part  of  Trumbull,  there  is  an  elevated  hill,  called  Tam- 
tashua  Hill:  it  is  the  first  land  seen  from  the  ocean  when  on  this  part 
of  the  coast. 

[Fro7)i  the  Cunnecticid  Journal,  No.  517.]  North  Stratford,  Aug.  28th,  1777. 

On  the  25th  instant  died  in  this  place,  Mrs.  Hannah  Henman,  aged  1)9  years.  JShe 
was  a  person  of  good  understanding,  strict  religion,  solid  piety,  and  maintained  a 
firm  and  unshaken  hope  in  the  merits  of  Christ  to  the  end.  And  what  is  reinarUable 
concerning  her  exit  out  of  the  world,  she  died  the  very  day  on  which  she  was  99  years 
of  age,  of  which  she  had  a  premonition  near  20  years  before  her  death,  in  a  dream  or 
vision  ;  a  venerable  comely  person,  whom  she  afterwards  used  to  call  her  guardian  an- 
gel, and  whom  she  had  seen  once  before,  appeared  to  her,  and  asked  her  age;  she  told 
liim  :  upon  which  he  replied,  you  will  not  live  to  an  hundred  years,  but  almost ;  you 
M'lll  live  to  be  99,  and  then  die.  She  often  mentioned  this  to  her  friends  and  neigh- 
bois,  and  was  so  confidently  persuaded  of  the  truth  of  it,  that  she  would  frequently 
count  upon  it  how  many  years  she  had  to  live.  And  there  are  scores  of  persons  now 
living  in  the  parish,  who  have  often  heard  her  say,  that  she  should  die  at  99,  on  her 
biilh  day,  old  style.  About  a  fortnight  before  her  decease,  she  enquired  of  her  son, 
landlord  John  Henman,  at  whose  house  she  died,  the  day  of  the  month  ;  and  again 
repeated  lo  the  family  tlial  she  had  just  so  many  days  to  live,  which  accordingly  liap- 
pcned  on  her  very  birili  day,  as  it  is  called.  The  great  age  this  person  arrived  to,  to- 
gether with  those  circumstances  respecting  the  time  of  her  death,  are  so  very  extraor- 
dinary, that  it  was  thought  jiroper  to  communicate  them  to  the  public. 


VV  E  S  T  O  N . 


Weston,  originally  the  parishes  of  Norfield  and  North  Fairfield  in 
the  town  of  Fairfield,  was  incorporated  as  a  town  in  1787.  The  town 
appears  to  have  been  first  settled  in  1738.  It  is  bounded  n.  by  Read- 
ing, E.  by  Trumbull  and  JMonroe,  s.  by  Fairfield  and  Westport,  and  w. 
by  Wilton.  It  averages  upwards  of  8  miles  in  length  from  east  to 
west,  and  5  in  breadth.  The  surface  of  the  township  is  tmeven  and 
hilly,  and  the  soil  a  gravelly  loam.  Agriculture  is  the  principal  busi- 
ness of  the  inhabitants. 

The  following  is  a  southwestern  view  of  the  Congregational  church, 
(erected  in  1835,)  and  the  Academy,  which  is  possessed  of  a  fund  that 
renders  it  a  free  school.  For  this  the  town  is  indebted  to  Mv.  Samuel 
Staples,  who  also  gave  a  nutnber  of  acres  of  land  in  the  vicinity  for  the 
benefit  of  the  school.  This  place  is  the  eastern  part  of  Weston,  nine 
miles  from  Bridgeport.  There  are  5  houses  of  worship  in  the  town,  2 
Congregational,  I  Baptist,  1  Episcopal,  and  1  Methodist.  The  first 
Methodist  church  built  in  New  England  was  erected  in'this  town.  The 
first  Methodist  society  in  New  England  was  formed  by  the  Rev.  Jesse 
Lee,  Sept.  26th,  1789,  it  is  believed  at  Bridgeport.  The  church  men- 
tioned above,  uas  known  by  the  name  of  "  I^ee's  Chapel." 
52 


410 


W  E  S  T  P  O  U  T  . 


CongngiUionul  Clturc/t  anil  the  Acudc/zii/,   U'talun. 

Prnm  the  Conntcticut  Journal,  December  2\tk,  1807. 
Tif.marknhlc  Phcnmncnon. — On  Monda)'  llic  llili  inst.,  at  about  tliL-  break  of  day,  or 
a  liiile  after,  the  weailicr  beiii;,'  nioderaie,  calm,  aud  ilic  aiiiiosphcre  soiucw  bat  cluudy 
and  foggy,  n  meteor  or  Jire  ball,  passing  from  a  northern  point,  disnlodud  over  the  west- 
ern pan  of  this  State,  with  a  tremendous  report.  At  the  same  time  several  pieces  of 
stony  substance  fell  to  the  earth  in  Fairfield  county.  One  mass  was  driven  ai^ainst  a 
rock  and  dasiied  in  small  pieces,  a  peck  of  whicli  remained  on  the  spot.  About  three 
miles  distant,  in  the  town  of  Weston,  another  larj^e  piece  fell  upciii  the  earth,  of  which 
a  mass  of  about  thirty  pounds  weight  remains  entire,  and  was  e.thibited  the  same  day 
nt  town  meeting.  A  small  mass  lias  been  sent  to  Yale  College,  ami  examined  by  a 
number  of  gentlemen.  It  was  immediately  perceived  by  Professor  Silliman  to  con- 
lain  a  metal,  and  on  presenting  it  to  a  magnet  a  powerful  attraction  proved  it  to  be 
iron.  This  is,  we  believe,  the  (irst  instance  in  the  United  Slates,  in  uiiich  the  sub- 
.stance  of  this  speci'.'s  of  meteor  has  been  found  on  the  earth,  iliougli  it  has  often  been 
found  in  Kuropc.  Foiiuntiiely  the  fads  respciing  this  wonderful  phenomenon,  are 
c!«p-\ble  of  being  ascertained  and  verified  by  iHeeision,  and  an  invesiigation  will,  wo 
understand,  be  commenced  lor  the  purpose.  \Vc  rcipiest  genilemen  wlio  may  have 
observed  il  in  distant  parts  of  the  Stale,  lo  favor  the  public  with  their  observations.  It 
is  desirable  to  ascertain  the  course  or  diieclioii  of  the  rneleor  j  tlie  point  ofroinpass  in 
which  it  appeared  in  ditfereni  places ;  the  general  ajipearance  and  velocity;  the  mau- 
ner  of  its  explosion,  and  the  time  between  the  c.xpioiiuii  and  the  report. 


WESTPORT. 

Wkstpokt  was  incorporated  as  a  town  in  1S35.  It  was  formed  front 
the  towns  of  Fairfield,  Norwalk  and  Weston.  Sauyutuck  river  jiasses 
ihrotiyh  this  town  from  north  to  south,  dividing  it  into  two  nearly  e(|ual 
parts.  The  .soil  is  |:,fenerally  of  an  excellent  quality.  The  towiVship  is 
bounded  n.  by  Weston  and  Wilton,  e.  by  Fairfield,  s.  by  the  waters 
of  Lonj(  Island  sound,  .'|;id  w,  by  Norwalk.  It  is  about  five  miles  in 
length  from  north  to  south,  and  u\'era!j;es  about  three  and  u  half  miles 
in  width.     Tlie  population  at  this  time  is  estimated  to  be  1,800. 


\v  r:  s  T  r  o  u  T . 


411 


i'icw  in  fi'tatjiurt,  [rcntntl  part.) 

The  above  shows  the  uppearniice  of  the  central  part  of  Westport,  ns 
it  is  seen  10  or  12  rods  cast  from  the  brldj^e  over  the  San«j;atiK;k  river. 
'J'lie  villai,'e  is  built  on  both  sides  of  the  river,  and  was  formerly  called 
Saugatuck.  It  is  connected  by  the  bridge  seen  in  the  engraving,  which 
is  about  40  rods  in  length,  and  between  two  and  three  miles  from  the 
sea.  The  building  seen  in  the  distance  with  a  tower,  on  a  rocky  emi- 
nence, is  the  ICpiscopal  chnrch,  recently  erected.  The  Congregational 
church  is  on  the  elevated  ground  on  the  eastern  side  of  the  Saugaiuck  ; 
the  two  churches  are  about  half  a  n)ile  apart.  There  is  a  Methodist 
church  about  two  miles  above  the  hridge.  These  three;  are  all  the 
churches  which  are  in  the  town.  There  are  iu  ^Vcstport  two  carriage 
and  two  or  three  cotton  factories.  Shoes,  hats,  and  other  articles,  are 
manufactured  to  some  extent.  There  are  10  or  12  mercantile  stores  in 
the  place.  Saugaiuck  river  is  navigable  for  sloo|)s  and  schooners  as  far 
as  the  village.  At  common  tides  there  are  about  7  feet  of  water  by  the 
bridge.  This  place  is  fij  miles  west  from  Fairfield,  3i  from  Norwalk, 
21  from  Danbury,  and  27 i  from  New  Haven. 

In  17St),  there  were  but  five  houses  on  both  sides  of  the  river,  in  the 
limits  of  the  present  village,  of  which  only  two  now  remain.  In  con- 
se([uence  of  having  the  surplus  money  distrihuted  i^roperly,  a  committee 
was  recently  appointed  to  ascertain  how  many  persons  were  in  the  limits 
of  wdiat  is  now  Westport,  when  the  census  of  1830  was  taken.  It  was 
found  that  811  were  in  Fairfield,  725  from  Norwalk,  and  167  from 
Weston,  making  in  the  wbole  1,706  persons. 

About  two  and  a  half  miles  souili  of  the  vrllage  of  Westport,  is  a 
smooth  and  beautiful  elevation,  called  Compo.  'It  was  at  this  place 
that  the  British  troops  landed  in  April,  1777,  wdien  on  their  expedition 
lo  Danbury.  The/also  returned  to  this  place  when  they  embarked  on 
board  of  their  sliipjiing.  Seven  or  eight  men  were  killed  in  the  vicin- 
ity of  the  Congregational  church  in  Westport.     "  When  the  British 


/  ■ ' 


412  WILTON, 

reached  Compo,"  says  Dr.  Dwight,  "  they  were  hard  pressed  by  the 
Americans ;  and  probably  would  not  have  escaped  from  complete  de- 
struction, but  by  the  following  expedient,  said  to  have  been  j)roposed 
by  Sir  William  Erskine.  They  landed  a  body  of  marines,  and  moving 
them  into  the  van  of  their  army,  charged  the  Americans  with  so  mucli 
vigor,  that  they  were  driven  from  the  ground.  The  British  then  em- 
barked in  their  boats,  with  the  utmost  expedition,  and  reached  their 
ships  in  safety,  but  so  fatigued  with  their  march,  that  many  of  the  sol- 
diers fell,  it  was  said,  upon  the  decks  of  the  vessels,  and  there  lay  for  a 
considerable  time  immovable  and  torpid.  The  Americans,  also,  were 
most  of  them  exceedingly  weary.  The  marines  being  fresh,  took  the 
place  of  their  exhausted  countrymen,  and  were  an  overmatch  for  the 
fatigued  Americans."  Ball  Mountain^  a  conical  eminence,  covered 
with  large  trees  from  its  base  to  its  summit,  is  situated  a  little  south  of 
the  village,  and  is  a  striking  feature  in  the  landscape. 


WILTON. 


Wilton  was  incorporated  as  a  town  in  1902.  It  was  previously  a 
society  in  the  town  of  Norwalk,  organized  as  such  in  172G.  The  town 
is  about  65  miles  in  length,  and  4  in  breadth  ;  bounded  n.  by  Ridge- 
field,  E.  by  Reading  and  Weston,  s.  by  Norwalk,  and  w.  by  New  Cti- 
naan  and  Salem  in  the  state  of  New  York.  The  surface  of  the  town- 
ship is  broken,  there  being  two  ridges  running  northerly  and  southerly 
through  the  town.  The  soil  is  a  gravelly  loam,  considerably  produc- 
tive, and  best  adapted  to  a  grain  culture.  The  lands  are  also  well 
adapted  for  fruits  of  various  kinds.  Agriculture  is  the  principal  business 
of  tlie  inhabitants.  There  is  a  satinet  factory  in  the  town.  There  are 
four  churches,  1  Kpisc'opal,  1  Congregational,  and  2  Methodist.  'J'lie 
central  part  of  the  town  is  seven  miles  north  of  Norwalk 

Wilton  Academy  is  a  classical  school  of  high  repute.  The  students 
are  generally  from  the  different  states  of  the  Union.  It  was  instituted 
about  the  year  1818,  by  Havvley  Olmstead,  Esq.,  and  is  still  under  his 
direction.  The  number  of  students  is  limited  at  about  forty. — Profes- 
sor Stuart,  of  the  Andover  Theological  Seminary,  is  a  native  of  this 
town. 

A  silver  mine  has  been  discovered  in  this  town.  It  was  worked  by 
some  Englishmen  during  the  Revolutionary  war.  After  having  work- 
ed in  the  mine  for  some  time,  they  suddenly  absconded,  and  took  off 
their  treasure  with  them.  Since  this  period  the  mine  has  been  neg- 
lected. 


15  R  O  O  K  I,  Y  N  . 


413 


WINDHAM    COUNTY 


Windham  County  is  bounded  n.  by  Worcester  County  in  Massa- 
cbusetts,  K.  by  the  state  of  Rhode  Island,  s.  by  New  London  County, 
and  w.  by  Tolland  County,  It  averages  about  26  miles  in  length 
from  north  to  south,  and  is  about  19  miles  in  width.  This  county  is 
uniformly  hilly,  yet  no  part  of  it  is  mountainous  or  very  elevated.  The 
prevailing  soil  is  a  primitive  gravelly  loam.  The  greatest  portion  of  the 
county  is  stony  and  considerably  rough,  and  the  lands  generally  best 
adapted  for  grazing,  and  many  sections  allbrd  some  of  the  richest  iluiry 
farms  in  the  State.  The  Quinnebaug  and  Shetucket,  with  their  branch- 
es, intersect  this  county,  and  afford  many  valuable  water  privileges  lor 
mills  and  manufacturing  purposes.  The  valley  of  the  Quinnebaug  riv- 
er comprises  the  best  land  in  the  county.  The  inhabitants  of  this 
county  are  more  extensively  engaged  in  the  manufacturing  business  than 
in  any  other  county  in  the  Slate.  Cotton  and  woolen  goods  are  the 
principal  articles  manufactured.  Windham  County  originally  belonged 
to  the  counties  of  Hartford  and  New  London.  It  was  incorporated  as  a 
county  in  ]May,  172G. 


The  followi 

ig  is  a  list  of  the  severa 

towns 

n  the  county, 

with  their 

population  in 

830. 

Brooklyn,     . 

1,415 

Killiugly,      . 

3,257 

Thom|)son, 

.     3,380 

Ashford,        . 

L>,GGl 

Pom  fret, 

1 ,078 

Vohmtown, 

.  '  1,304 

Canterbury, 

1 ,880 

Plainfield,     . 

2,280 

Windham, 

.     2,812 

Chaplin, 

807 

Sterling, 

1  /2  10 

Woodstock, 

.     2,917 

Hampton,      . 

1,101 

J^opulalion  of  the  comity  in  1820,  31,()84;  in  1830,  27,077. 


BROOKLYN. 

The  town  of  Brooklyn  was  incorporated  in  the  year  17SG,  previous 
to  which  period  it  was  included  within  the  limits  of  Pomfret  and  Can- 
terbury. 'J'he  boundary  line  between  these  two  towns,  ran  about  half 
a  mile  south  of  the  present  village  of  Brooklyn,  extending  from  the 
Quinnebaug  river  in  the  east,  to  a  small  stream  nearly  a  mile  cast  of 
the  village  of  Hampton,  which  was  then  called  Kennedy  or  Wind- 
ham village. 

"  In  the  year  1703,  Richard  Adams,  Esq.  then  residing  in  that  part  of 
Norwich  which  now  constitutes  the  town  of  Lisbon,  purchased  of 
James  Fitch  3,000  acres  of  land,  lying  in  the  south  part  of  Pomfret, 
where  the  village  of  Brooklyn  now  stands.  This  land  he  divided  into 
five  narrow  lots,  which  he  deeded  to  his  five  sons.  The  first  lot  was 
bounded  south  by  the  line  between  the  two  towns,  extending  in  length 
from  Quinnebaug  rive\  on  the   east,  to  land  owned   by  Daniel  Cady, 


./'•'' 


414  .BROOKLYN.  « 

about  a  mile  west  of  the  village.  Directly  north  of  this  was  situated  a 
tract  of  land  owned  by  a  Mr.  John  Blackwell,  comprising  5,750  acres, 
who  willed  it  to  his  son  John.  It  was  afterwards  sold  to  Governor 
Belcher  of  IMassachusetts,  \yho  divided  it.  into  farms  and  sold  them  to 
different  individuals,  among  whom  was  the  well  known  Gen.  Putman. 
This  tract  of  land  went  by  the  name  "  MortJahc ;"  it  extended  further 
west  tiian  the  Adams  purchase.  A  beautiful  stream,  which  rises  in  the 
western  part  of  this  tract,  received  its  name  from  the  proprietor,  viz. 
"  Blackvvell's  ;"  it  empties  into  the  Quinnebaug.  In  the  year  1747,  the 
inhabitants  of  Morilake  sent  a  petition  to  the  General  Assembly,  to  be 
made  a  town.  But  the  petition  was  slighted,  and  it  was  then  resolved 
that  it  should  be  afterwards  called  Pomfret.  In  tlie  north  part  of  Canter- 
bury, (that  part  of  it  which  is  now  included  within  the  limits  of  Brook- 
lyn,) tlie  land  was  owned  by  Edward  Spalding  ;  on  the  west  of  the 
Adams  and  north  of  the  Spalding  ])urchase,  the  land  was  owned  by 
Daniel  Cady.  All  of  these  tracts  together  were  called  the  "  Two  Ad- 
ditions.''^ There  was,  at  that  period,  no  particular  village.  In  the  year 
WZ\,  Daniel  Cady  deeded  to  the  Two  Additions  1  acre  of  land  for  a 
burying  ground  ;  it  lies  nearly  half  a  mile  south  of  the  village  of  Brook- 
lyn. 

"In  the  year  1731,  the  first  society  meeting  was  holden,  and  in  the 
succeeding  year  the  (irst  Ecclesiastical  society  was  formed,  having  the 
same  limits  with  the  [)resent  town  of  Brooklyn.  From  1732  till 
1754,  this  society  went  by  the  title  of  Mortlake  ;  it  was  then  changed 
to  Brooklyn,  and  was  called  Brooklyn  society  until  1786,  when  it  was 
made  a  town.  The  first  church  was  built  in  1731,  about  10  rods  north- 
west of  the  site  of  the  present  one  ;  the  second  was  built  in  177 1 .  The 
first  minister  was  ordained  in  1735,  whosp  name  was  Rev.  Ephriain 
Avery.  He  died  in  1754,  and  was  succeeded  by  the  memorable  Dr. 
Whitney,  who  continued  his  ministerial  duties  until  1824,  during  a 
period  of  OS  years.  The  society  divided  in  1817;  and  in  1820  a 
chapel  was  built  by  the  Congregationalists :  the  Unitarians  held  the  old 
church.  The  court  house  was  removed  from  Windham  to  Brooklyn 
in  1820.  The  principal  streams  in  Brooklyn  are  the  Quinnebaug  river 
and  Blackvvell's  brook.  The  liills  are  the  Gray  Mare,  which  is  situa- 
ted about  one  fourth  of  mile  north  west  of  Brooklyn  ;  (it  derives  its 
name  from  the  circumstance  of  an  old  mare  and  colt  having  been 
caught  among  the  ledges,  and  confined  there  until  the  colt  had  eaten 
off  the  old  mare's  mane  ;)  and  Tetnuck  hill,  which  is  situated  in  the 
south  part  of  the  town.  On  the  southeast  side  of  this  hill,  there  is  quite 
a  celebrated  cave,  called  Lyon's  Den ;  it  derives  its  name  from  this 
circumstance,  viz.  during  the  Revolutionary  war,  a  man  by  tlie  name 
of  Lyon  deserted  his  post,  and  concealed  himself  in  this  cave  until  the 
pursuit  was  over.  There  is  a  mineral  spring  in  the  northeast  part  of 
the  town,  which  is  often  resorted  to  in  the  summer  season  for  medical 
purposes." 

Brooklyn  is  bounded  n.  by  Pomfret,  e.  by  the  Quinnebaug,  separa- 
ting it  from  Killingly  and  Plainfield,  s.  by  Canterbury,  and  w.  by 
Hampton.     The  town  is  nearly  six  miles  in  length  from  north  to  south, 


BROOKLYN. 


415 


and  five  in  breadth.  It  is  uneven,  consisting  of  hills  and  valleys,  and 
sonieuhat  stony  ;  but  it  is  fertile,  and  admirably  adapted  to  grazinj^f. 
The  dairy  business,  and  the  raising  of  sheep  and  swine,  are  the  leading 
agricultural  interests  of  the  town.-  There  is  a  cotton  factory  in  tlie 
town,  on  the  Quinncbaug,  near  the  village  of  DanielsonviUe  in  Killingly. 


1 1  i  11 


North  view  of  ]Srookli/)i,    {central  part.) 

The  above  is  a  northern  view  of  the  central  part  of  the  village  of 
l^rooklyn.  The  village  consists  of  about  40  or  50  dwelling  houses,  3 
houses  for  public  worship,  a  court  house,  and  4  or  5  mercantile  stores ; 
it  is  about  '20  miles  from  Norwich,  40  from  Hartford,  and  30  from 
Providence.  The  building  which  is  seen  on  the  right  is  the  court 
house.  The  Unitarian  church  is  seen  in  the  central  part  of  the  en- 
graving. The  Congregational  church,  recently  erected,  is  seen  farther 
to  the  south.  The  Baptist  church  is  the  small  building  with  a  steejdc, 
seen  a  little  west  of  the  Unitarian  church.  Tiie  Brooklyn  bank  is  the 
building  seen  on  the  extreme  left,  under  the  trees.  A  k\v  paces  north 
of  this,  and  opposite  the  Unitarian  church,  was  the  residence  of  Gen. 
Putnam :  the  house  in  which  he  lived  has  been  taken  down  within 
three  or  four  years  past.  The  field  in  whicli  he  was  plowing  when  he 
first  heard  of  the  Lexington  battle,  is  in  full  view,  about  100  rods  dis- 
tant. He  left  his  plow  in  the  middle  of  the  field,  unyoked  his  team, 
and  without  waiting  to  change  his  clothes,  mounted  his  horse  and  set 
out  for  the  theater  of  war.  His  first  place  of  residence  in  these  parts, 
was  about  two  miles  north,  where  he  had  a  farm  ;  at  the  time  of  his 
noted  wolf  exploit,  his  house  here  was  very  near  the  boundary  line  be- 
tween Brooklyn  and  Pomfret.  Gen.  Putnam,  in  the  decline  of  life, 
publicly  professed  the  religion  of  the  gospel,  and  in  the  opinion  of  the 
respectable  clergyman  of  Brooklyn,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Whitney,  died  hope- 
fully a  Christian.  "  During  the  gayest  and  most  thoughtless  period  of 
his  life,'-  says  Dr.  Dwight,  "  he  regarded  religion  with  profound  reve- 
rence, and  read  the  scriptures  with  the  deepest  attention." 


416 


BROOKLYN 


The  Episcopal  church  in  this  town  is  situated  about  IJ  miles  cast  of 
the  court  house.  This  was  the  first  church  erected,  and  ibr  a  long  pe- 
riod the  only  church  for  that  denomination  in  this  county.  It  was 
erected  before  the  Jlevolutionary  war,  by  Mr.  Godfrey  Malbone,  a  gen- 
tleman from  Rhode  Island,  who  had  been  educated  at  Oxford,  Eng- 
land. He  married  a  lady  from  the  south,  who  for  part  of  her  patrimony 
brought  50  or  60  slaves  on  to  the  large  estate  on  which  he  resided  in 
this  town.  The  state  of  Connecticut,  after  the  Revolution,  having 
abolished  slavery  within  her  borders,  Mr.  INIalbone's  servants  became 
dispersed,  and  a  great  proportion  of  the  colored  people  in  this  part  of 
the  state  are  their  descendants. 


Gen,  Futnam's  Monument. 

The  above  is  a  representation  of  the  monument  in  the  grave  yard 
soutii  of  the  village  of  ]3rooklyn.  The  following  is  the  inscription  on 
the  marble  slab  forming  the  top  : — 

"  This  Monument  is  erected  to  the  memory  of  tlie  Honorable  Israki,  riTNAM,  Es(j., 
Major  General  in  the  Arnues  of  the  United  States  of  America  ;  wlio  was  born  at  Sa- 
lem, in  the  Province  of  Massacluiselts,  on  llie  7lh  day  of  January,  171H  ;  and  dii.d  at 
Brooklyn,  in  the  state  of  Connecticut,  on  the  'J'.nii  day  of  xMay,  A.D.  17M. Passen- 
ger, if  thou  art  a  Soldier,  go  not  away  til!  ihoii  hast  dropped  a  ti-ar  over  the  dust  ui  a 
Hero,  uho,  ever  tenderly  attentive  to  the  lues  and  haiiiuness  of  hisinen,  dated  lo  lead 
wtiere  any  one  dared  lo  follow.  Ifthoii  art  a  Patiiol,  ri'meiid)er  with  gratiiuile  how 
much  thou  luul  thy  country  owe  to  the  disintere.->led  and  gallant  exeriionsol'  the  Patriot 
who  slecjis  beneath  this  marble.  If  thou  art  an  honest,  generous  and  worthy  man,  ren- 
der a  sincere  and  cheerful  tribute  of  respect  to  a  man  whose  generosity  was  .singular  ; 
whose  honesty  was  provei'bial ;  and  who,  with  a  slender  educaiiuii,  wilh  small  advan- 
tages, and  without  poweiful  friends,  raised  himself  to  universal  esteem,  and  to  olliccs 
of  eminent  distinction,  by  personal  worth,  and  by  tlic  diligent  services  of  a  useful  life." 

The  following  sketch  of  the  life  of  General  Putnam,  is  from  Allen's 
American  Biographical  Dictionary  : — 

"  hracl  Putnam,  a  major  general  in  the  army  of  the  United  Slates,  was  born  at  Sa- 
lem, Massachusetts,  .lanuary  7,  1718.  His  mind  wasvigorous,  but  it  was  never  culti- 
vated by  education.  When  he  lor  the  fust  time  went  to  Boston,  he  was  insulted  fiu 
his  rusticity  by  a  boy  of  twice  his  size.  After  bearing  his  sarcasms  until  his  good  na- 
ture was  exhausted,  he  attacked  and  vanquished  the  unmannerly  fellow,  to  the  great 
diversion  of  a  crowd  of  spectators.  In  running,  leaping  and  wrestling,  he  almost  al- 
ways bore  away  the  prize.  In  1739  he  removed  toPomfretin  Connecticut,  where  he  cul- 
tivated a  considerable  tract  of  land.  *  *  *  During  the  French  war,  lie  was  appointed 
to  command  a  company  of  the  first  troops  which  were  raised  in  Connecticut,  in  1753. 
He  rendered  much  service  lo  the  army  in  the  neighborhood  of  Crown  Point.  In  175<), 
while  near  Ticonderosa,  he  was  repeatedly  in  the  most  imminent  danger.  He  esca- 
ped in  an  adventure  of  one  night,  with  twelve  bullet  holes  in  his  blanket.  In  August, 
lie  was  sent  out  with  several  hundred  men  to  watch  the  motions  of  the  enemy.  Being 
ambu.scaded  by  a  party  of  equal  numbers,  a  general  but  irregular  action  took  place. 


ASllFOKD.  417 

Putnam  had  discharged  his  h\-ice  several  limes,  but  at  length  it  missed  lire  while  its 
muzzle  was  presented  to  the  breast  of  a  savage.  Tlie  warrior  with  his  lifted  hatchet 
and  a  tremendous  war  whoop,  compelled  him  to  surrender,  and  then  bound  him  to  a 
tree.  In  the  course  of  the  action  the  parties  chunged  their  position,  so  as  to  bring  this 
tree  directly  between  them.  •  The  balls  il^tw  by  him  incessantly:  many  struck  the  tree, 
and  some  passed  through  his  clothes.  The  enemy  now  gained  posse.ssion  of  the 
ground,  but  being  afterwards  driven  from  the  field,  they  carried  their  prisoner  with 
them.  At  night  he  was  stripped,  and  a  fire  was  kindled  to  roast  him  alive;  but  a 
French  ollicer  saved  him.  The  next  day  lie  arrived  at  Ticonderoga,  and  thence  he 
was  carried  to  Montreal.  About  the  year  175'J  he  was  exchanged  through  the  ingenu- 
ity of  his  fellow  prisoner.  Colonel  Schuyler.  When  peace  took  place  he  returned  to 
his  farm.  He  was  plowing  in  his  field  in  1773,  when  heard  the  news  of  the  battle 
of  Lexington,  lie  immediately  unyoked  his  team,  left  his  plow  un  the  spot,  and 
without  changing  his  clothes  set  olf  kir  Cambridge.  lie  soon  went  back  to  Connecti- 
cut, levied  a  regiment,  and  repaired  again  to  the  camp.  In  a  liiile  lime  he  was  pro- 
moted to  the  ranif  of  major  geneial.  In  the  battle  of  Bunker's  hill  he  exhibilcd  his 
usual  intrepidity.  He  directed  ihe  men  lo  reserve  their  fire,  till  the  enemy  was  very 
near,  reminded  them  of  their  skill,  and  told  them  to  lake  good  aim.  They  did  so,  and 
the  execution  was  terrible.  Alier  the  retreat  he  made  a  siand  at  Winter  hill,  and 
drove  back  the  enemy  under  cover  of  their  shi[)s.  When  the  ai  my  was  organized  by 
General  Washington  at  Cambridge,  Putnam  was  appointed  to  command  the  reserve. 
In  August,  177tj,  he  was  stationed  at  Bmoklyn,  on  Long  Island.  After  the  defeat  of 
our  army  on  the27ih  of  that  month,  he  went  tu  New  York,  and  was  very  serviceable  in 
the  city  and  neighborhood.  In  October  or  November,  he  was  sent  to  Philadelphia,  to 
fortify  that  city.  In  January,  1777,  he  was  directed  to  lake.post  at  Princeton,  where  he 
continued  until  spring.  At  this  place  a  sick  prisoner,  a  captain,  requested  that  a  friend 
in  the  British  army  at  Brunswick  might  be  sent  for  to  assist  him  in  making  his  will. 
Putnam  was  perplexed.  He  had  but  fil'ty  men  under  his  command,  and  he  did  not 
wish  to  have  his  weakness  known  ;  yet  he  was  unwilling  to  deny  the  request.  He 
howeversenta  llagof  truce,  and  directed  the  ollicer  to  be  brought  in  the  night.  In  the 
evening,  lights  were  placed  in  all  the  college  windows,  and  in  every  apartment  of  the 
vacant  houses  throughout  the  town.  The  ollicer  on  his  return  reported  that  Gen.  Put- 
nam's army  could  not  consist  of  less  than  four  or  five  thousand  men.  In  the.^pling,  he 
was  appointed  to  the  command  of  a  separate  army  in  the  highlands  of  New  York.  One 
Palmer,  a  lieutenant  in  the  tory  new  levies,  was  delected  in  the  camp:  Governor  Try- 
on  reclaimerl  him  as  a  British  olfieer,  threatening  vengeance  if  he  was  not  restored. 
Gen.  Putnam  wrote  the  following  piihy  reply  :  '  riir,  Nathan  Palmer,  a  lieutenant  in 
your  king's  service,  was  taken  in  my  camp  as  a  spy;  he  was  tried  as  a  spy;  he  was 
condemned  as  a  spy  ;  and  he  shall  be  hanged  as  a  spy.  P.  S.  Afternoon.  He  is  hang- 
ed.' At  the  loss  of  Fort  Monlgumery,  the  commaniler  in  chief  determined  to  build 
another  fortification,  and  he  directed  Putnam  to  fix  upon  the  spnt.  To  him  belongs 
the  praise  of  having  cho,>en  West  Point.  The  campaign  of  1779,  which  was  prin- 
cipally spent  in  sirengihening  iliewoik.N  at  this  place,  nni>hed  the  military  career  of 
Putnam.  A  paralytic  all'eclion  impaired  the  aeiiviiy  of  his  body,  and  he  passed  the 
remainder  of  his  days  in  retirement,  retaining  his  relish  tor  enjoyment,  his  love  of 
pleasantry,  his  strength  of  memory,  and  all  the  faculties  of  his  mind." 


AS  II  FORD. 

'•  The  settlement  of  the  lands  granted  by  the  royal  charter,  was  an 
object  constantly  kept  in  view  by  the  Ic^islattire,  and  which  they  were 
anxiously  enya^^ed  to  elTect.  They  selected  convenient  tracts  of  lands, 
and  laid  them  out  in  townships,  and  gave  all  proper  encouragemenis  to 
adventurers  who  were  willing  to  encounter  the  hardships  and  dangers  of 
new  settlements.  As  there  was  a  good  tract  of  land  lying  west  of  Pom- 
fret,  and  north  of  IMansfield,  arljoining  Crystal  Pond,  they  in  170G, 
granted  a  township,  six.  (?)  miles  scjuare,  by  the  name  of  Ashibrd.  The 
settlement  of  the  town,  however,  did  not  commence  till  1710,  when  two 
families  moved  on  to  the  lands.  In  about  four  years,  the  inhabitants 
were  so  increased,  that  upon  their  petition,  in  1714,  the  Assembly  vest- 

53  ' 


418 


A  S  H  F  O  11  I)  . 


edj^^em  with  the  privileges  of  a  distinct  town.     Their  first  iniiiister  was 
the^Rev.  James  Hale,  ordained  Nov.  -iCuh,  1718." 

Asldbrd  is  bounded  n.  by  Union  and  Woodstock,  e.  by  Ponifiet,  w. 
by  Willington,  and  s.  by  Hampton,  Clia|)rm  and  Mansfield.  The  south 
part  of  tl)e  town  is  about  9  miles  lon;^,  and  the  west  part  about  8  in 
width.  The  surface  of  the  land  is  hilly  and  stony,  the  soil  being  hard 
and  gravelly,  yet  considerably  fertile,  and  well  adapted  to  grazing. 
There  are  three  societies  in  the  town,  /\sliford,  VVesiford  and  Easiford  ; 
8  houses  for  public  worship,  3  for  Congregaiionalists,  4  for  Baptists,  and 
1  for  Methodists.  Agriculture  is  the  principal  business  of  the  inhabit- 
ants.    There  are  3  woolen  factories  and  1  cotton  factory  in  the  town. 


i!:b(ju(hut'itti II  luu  vj  Ab/ijoid,  [itnluil  pait  ) 

The  above  is  a  southwestern  view  of  the  Congregational  churcl), 
Academy,  and  the  two  public  houses,  in  the  central  part  of  Ashford. 
This  place  is  31  miles  from  Hartford,  39  from  Providence,  and  G5 
from  Boston.  The  ancient  Congregational  church  stood  nearly  on  the 
spot  where  the  church  seen  in  the  engraving  is  situated. 

The  Ibllowing  tradition  has  been  handed  down  from  father  to  son  in 
Ashford  :  it  is  said  to  have  taken  place  on  this  spot,  and  is  illustrative 
of  the  matmers  and  customs  of  ancient  times: — 

"  A  concourse  of  people  were  assembled  on  the  hill  in  front  of  the 
meeting  bouse,  to  witness  the  |)unishment  of  a  man  who  had  been  con- 
victed of  neglecting  to  go  to  meeting  on  the  Sabbath  for  a  period  of 
three  months.  According  to  the  existing  law  for  such  delinquency,  the 
culprit  was  to  be  publicly  whipped  at  the  post.  Just  as  the  whip  was 
about  to  be  applied,  a  stranger  on  horseback  appeared,  rode  up  to  the 
crowd  of  spectators,  and  enquired  for  what  pur|)ose  they  were  assem- 
bled. Being  informed  of  the  state  of  the  case,  the  strange  gentleman 
rose  upright  in  his  stirrups,  and  with  emphasis  addressed  the  astonished 
multitude  as  follows:  "  You  men  of  Ashford,  serve  God  as  if  the  D...I 


A  S  H  F  O  RD.  419 

Do  you  think  you  can  7rhip  the  grace  of  God  into  men? 
Clirist  will  have  none  but  voluiucers."  The  people  stared,  while  the 
speaker,  [Jiohahly  not  caring  to  he  arraigned  for  comempt  of  court,  put 
spurs  to  his  horse,  and  was  soon  out  ol  sight ;  nor  was  he  ever  more 
seen  or  heard  of  by  the  good  people  of  Ashford." 

The  following,  which  is  descriptive  of  the  scenery,  &ic.,  of  Ashford, 
is  furnished  by  a  native  of  the  })Iace : — 

"  The  travelLT,  on  arriving  at  Ashford,  is  greeted  by  no  imposing  spectacle.  From 
the  distant  liill,  as  he  approaches,  he  sees  no  ancient  lowers,  nor,  as  he  enters  the  cen- 
ter of  the  old  town,  does  he  meet  with  walled  environs  and  a  grated  entry.  Even  in 
Spartan  days,  or  in  feudal  limes,  the  virtue  and  the  hospitality  which  characterize 
such  inhabitants,  would  have  di'«pen>ed  wiih  walls  and  bulwarks.  The  simple  vievv  of 
a  meeting  Iioum',  an  academy,  two  taverns,  a  cluster  of  neat  dwellings,  ai,d  suironnd- 
ing  scenery  not  (lariicularly  attractive,  leaves  no  enduring  impression  upon  the  mind 
.  of  the  indilTerent  sojourner,  wtio,  alter  a  night's  repose,  or  a  well  prepared  meal,  len- 
ders a  sincere  farewell  to  his  obliging  hosi,  and  resumes  his  seat  in  the  post  coach. 
But  he  who  would  enjoy  the  native  attractions  of  the  place,  must  be  at  leisure,  and  not 
wholly  disinterested.  Some  strong  lie,  lilce  that  ol  consanguinity,  should  be  thrown 
around  him.  Inline,  he  must  be  a  good  pedestiian.  If  he  have  ihese  preiequisites, 
he  may  leave  the  turnpike  and  traverse  a  northern  ^ection  of  the  township,  where  he 
shall  find  a  region  worthy  to  have  been  the  nursery  of  the  eagle  spirit  ol  a  Knowlton. 
He  shall  stroll  complacently  among  the  pines  which  embower  (he  locky  upland,  and 
his  eye  shall  dilate  upon  ihe  landscape,  as  viewed  from  the  topmost  shelf  of  the  storm- 
beaten  crag.  He  shall  turn  from  thi>  species  of  scenery,  to  another  not  less  enchant- 
ing. He  shall  leave  the  mountain  for  the  plain,  and  make  his  way  through  the  thickly 
vooded  valley,  where  also  wanders  ihe  murmuring  iivulet,  which  is  destined,  ere  its 
waters  reach  the  sea,  to  bear  a  navy  upon  its  hostim.  Among  these  solitudes,  he  may 
perchance  identify  the  'banks  and  braes'  among  which,  while  a  stripling,  he  angled 
for  dace  and  trout.  And  here,  where  the  shade  of  the  overspreading  beech  falls  upon 
the  stream,  if  a  corresponding  shade  of  melancholy  fall  upon  liis  heart,  as  memory  re- 
curs to  his  early  friends  and  associates,  that  .^hadc  shall  be  but  momentary.  For  when 
he  shall  arrive  at  the  skirt  ol  the  wood,  he  may  hear  ihe  careless  whistle  of  the  indus- 
trious farmer,  and  be  cheered  by  the  smile  and  lueriy  song  oi'  his  more  than  Roman 
daughters."  '' 

Col,  Thomas  Knowlton,  who  fell  in  the  battle  near  Haerlem  Heights, 
in  September,  177G,  was  a  native  of  this  town.  He  was  an  intrepid 
soldier,  a  true  patriot,  and  a  worthy  citizen.  He  was  among  the  first 
who  rallied  aroimd  the  standard  of  independence.  He  distinguished 
himself  at  the  battle  of  Bmiker  Hill.  The  day  after  the  retreat  of  the 
Americans  from  Long  Islat)d,  being  followed  by  the  enemy.  Gen.  Wash- 
ington detached  a  force  under  (,^ol.  Knowlton  to  oppose  them,  who 
charged  them  with  great  intrepidity,  gained  considerable  advantage,  and 
raised  the  depressed  spirits  of  the  army.  He  fell  mortally  wounded,  at 
the  head  of  his  men,  during  the  heat  ol"  the  action.  Gen.  Washington, 
in  his  orders  the  day  after  he  fell,  styled  him  "  the  gallant  and  brave 
Colonel  Knowlton,  who  would  have  been  an  honor  to  any  country." 

The  following  inscriptions  are  from  monuments  in  the  yard  on  the 
north  side  of  the  church  represented  in  the  engraving: — 

Is.M..MI,lv.  3. 

Memento  Mori — flere  lies  the  remains  cjf  ye  Itev.  Mr.  James  Hale,  the  first  Pastor 
of  ye  Church  of  Chiist   m  AshfurtI,  and  husbaiui  of  Madam  S.irah  Hale.     He  left 
Earth  lor  Heaven,  as  we  trust,  m  ye  58th  year  of  his  age,  November  ye  'J-J,  17J'J. 
[f)n  the  foot  stone.] 

Here  lies  a  Friend  of  Christ  and  of  his  People's  ...  ye  Rev.  Mr.  James  Hale.  Let 
all  that  loved  tlie  man  these  lines  present,  Follow  his  Faith  in  Chnsl  and  of  all  sin  re- 
pent. 


4'20  C  A  N  T  E  U  B  11  K  V  , 

The  Rev.  Enoch  Poiui,  and  Mrs.  Peg^jy  Pond  his  wife.     Mr.  Pond  died  Aug.  Cih, 

/ISO?,  yE.  50.    Mrs,  Pond  died  Jan.  2Uh,  IbOO,  M.  40.— Generous  in  lenijier, correct  in 

-'science,  and  liberal  in  senlimeni,  the  CIcnileman,  the  Scholar,  and  the  Minister  o)  the 

Sanctuary,  appeared  wiih  advantage  in   Mr.  Pond.     The  Church  and  fust  society  in 

Ashford  were  lavored  with  his  Gospel  Ministry  18  years. 

i:;^     In  yonder  sacred  house  he  spent  his  breath, 
Now  silent,  senseless,  here  he  lies  in  death. 
Those  lips  again  shall  speak,  and  then  declare 
A  dread  Ame.s'  to  truths  they  published  there. 
Amiable  in  manners,  kind  in  aflection,  and  devout  in  Religion,  Mrs.  Pond  enjoyed 
the  friendship  and  confidence  of  a  numerous  acquaintance. 
She  lived  a  lite  of  usefulness  below, 
She  lives  we  trust  a  lil'e  of  glory  now. 


CANTERBURY. 

Canterbuhy  originally  belonged  to  VVindham,  afterwards  to  Plain- 
field.  The  General  Assembly,  in  1703,  enacted  that  the  town  of  Plain- 
field  should  be  divided,  and  that  the  inhabitants  on  the  west  side  of  the 
river  should  be  a  distinct  town  by  the  name  of  Canterbury.  "  it  seems, 
that  the  settlement  of  this  tract  commenced  about  the  year  1690.  The 
principal  settlers  from  Connecticut,  were  Major  James  Fitch  and  IMr. 
Solomon  Tracy,  from  JNorwich;  Mr.  I'ixhall  Ellsworth  and  IMr.  Samuel 
Ashley,  from  Hartford  ;  but  mucli  tlie  ^'rcatest  ntimber  were  from  iSew- 
town,  Woburn,  Dorchester,  Barnstal)Ie  and  Medfield.  in  Massachusetts. 
Among  these  were  John,  Richard,  and  Joseph  Woodward,  William, 
Obadiah  and  Joseph  Johnson,  Josiah  and  Samuel  Cleveland,  Elisha 
Pain,  Paul  Davenport,  and  Henry  Atlams."* 

Canterbury  is  hounded  n.  by  Brooklyn,  av.  by  Windham,  e.  by  Plain- 
field,  and  s.  by  Lisbon  and  PJainfield.  It  is  eight  miles  long,  and  about 
four  and  a  half  broarl.  The  surface  of  the  town  is  uneven,  though  it 
can  scarcely  be  called  hilly,  and  some  sections  are  level.  The  soil  is 
a  gra\elly  loam,  ami  generally  fertile  ami  productive.  The  town  is 
wateied  by  the  Quinnebaug,  which  is  heie  a  lar^^e  and  bcautifid  stream. 
It  annually  overtlows  its  banks,  and  fertilizes  the  fine  tract  of  alluvial 
soil  upon  its  borders.  These  natural  meadows  are  very  fertile^  and  af- 
ford the  largest  crops,  and  at  the  same  time  are.  cultivatea  with  the 
greatest  facility.  The  town  is  divided  into  two  societies,  Canterbury, 
and  Westminster,  wliicli  embraces  the  western  section  of  the  town.  In 
each  society  there  is  a  Congregational  church  :  there  is  also  a  Baptist 
church  in  the  north  part  of  the  town.  There  are  three  cotton  factories, 
two  of  which  are  in  Packersville,  a  small  manufacturing  village,  partly 
in  the  limits  of  this  town,  and  partly  in  the  limits  of  Plainfield,  near 
the  eastern  bank  of  the  Quinnebaug. 

The  principal  village  in  Canterbury  is  pleasantly  situated,  on  eleva- 
ted ground,  about  half  a  mile  west  of  the  Quinnebaug.  The  engra- 
ving shows  a  south  view  of  the  Congregational  church,  the  green,  and 
some  of  the  houses  in  the  vicinity  ;  from  this  spot  the  ground  descends 
OQ  every  side  except  to  the  west.     This  place  is  15  miles  from  Nor- 

»  Dr.  Trtiinbull. 


C  A  N  T  K  R  n  r  R  Y  . 


\-2i 


wicli,  6  south  of  Brooklyn,  33  from  Providence,  and  40  from  Hartford. 
On  the  left  of  the  engraving  is  seen  the  house  formerly  occupied  as  a 
school  by  Miss  Prudence  Crandali.  for  colored  girls,  which  at  the  time 
it  was  kept  caused  considerable  excitement  in  this  vicinity. 


South  view  of  the  central  ptirt  of  Cantcrhunj. 

In  November,  1831,  Miss  Crandall,  who  had  gained  a  high  reputa- 
tion as  a  female  instructress,  pioposed  to  some  of  the  leading  individ- 
uals in  Cantinbury,  to  open  a  "  boarding,  school"  in  their  village,  for 
the  education  of  young  ladies.  Her  |)ro|)osal  was  very  favorably  re- 
ceived, and  by  the  jjalronage  of  the  inhabitants  the  school  was  imme- 
diately opened,  and  continued  rising  in  respectability. 

In  Septembi'r,  \S\V2,  a  rospoctable  pious  colored  girl,  a  resident  in 
Canterbury,  and  a  member  of  the  Congregational  church,  wisbing  to 
qualify  herself  to  become  a  teacher  among  j)ersons  of  her  own  color, 
requested  admission  into  Miss  Crandall's  scliool.  Miss  C,  at  first  hesi- 
tated, but  at  lengtb,  on  a  repetition  of  tlie  request,  urged  with  more 
earnestness  than  before,  "  slie  was  admitted  as  one  of  her  pupils."  It 
was  however  soon  intimated  to  Miss  C.  tbat  unless  she  removed  this 
scholar,  the  sch(jol  would  be  greatly  injured.  Miss  Crandall,  who  ap- 
pears to  have  been  governed  in  this  allair  by  what  she  conceived  to  be 
her  religious  duty,  in  opposition  to  "  pul)lic  opinion,"  retained  her  col- 
ored pupil.  In  her  view  it  appeared  unjust  and  oppressive  to  expel  a 
worthy  scholar,  wbo  was  guilty  of  no  crime,  merely  on  account  of  color. 
According  to  her  view,  tbe  precepts  of  Christianity  inculcated  the  du- 
ties of  justice  and  benevolence  to  all,  without  respect  to  persons,  and 
a  spirit  ready  to  make  sacrifices  for  the  good  of  others.  After  consult- 
ing with  a  number  of  peojjle  in  different  ])laces,  who  professed  to  be 
friends  of  the  improvement  and  education  of  colored  persons,  and  also 
considering  the  deep  prejudices  existing  against  an  unforiimate  and  in- 
jured race,  the  difficulties  which  those  of  them  who  are  desirous  of  an 


422  CANTERRIJRV. 

education  lie  under,  in  not  being  admitted  to  the  higher  seminaries  of 
learning,  IMiss  C.  (letermined  to  ojien  a  school  for  their  benefit,  and  ac- 
cordingly dismissed  her  white  scholars,  and  gave  public  notice  that  on 
the  1st  of  A|)ril  her  school  would  be  opened  for  "  young  ladies  and 
little  misses  of  color." 

The  people  of  Canterbury,  considering  that  this  school  would  have 
a  tendency  to  draw  a  despised  class  of  persons  to  their  village,  and 
possessing  their  share  of  the  feelings  so  common  against  the  race,  en- 
deavored to  break  up  the  school.  For  this  purpose  they  appointed  a 
number  of  committees  to  wail  on  Miss  C.  in  order  to  dissuade  her  from 
the  design.  All  their  attempts  were  unsuccessful.  At  this  peiiod,  there 
being  no  law  in  Connecticut  to  prevent  the  education  of  colored  per- 
sons coming  from  other  states,  a  petition  was  drawn  up,  signed  by  a 
considerable  number  of  petitioners,  and  sent  to  the  Legislature,  who 
granted  the  prayer  of  the  petitioners,  by  passing  an  act  prohibiting  the 
instruction  of  colored  persons  from  other  states,  in  any  schools  except 
the  common  free  schools  and  incorporated  academies,  w  ithout  the  con- 
sent of  the  town  in  which  such  schools  should  be  situated.  The  passage 
of  this  law,  (May,  18;J:3,)  was  celebrated  in  Canterbury  by  ringing  the 
bell  and  firing  of  cannon.  About  six  weeks  after  the  passage  of  the 
law,  a  suit  was  conunenced  against  Miss  C.  which  resulted  in  her  con- 
finement in  the  county  jail  at  Brooklyn  about  a  day,  when  bonds  were 
given  fur  her  appearance  before  the  CouiUy  Court.  The  case  came 
finally  before  the  Superior  Court,  where  the  constitutionality  of  the 
law  which  Miss  C.  had  broken,  was  argued.  The  counsel  on  the  part 
of  Miss  C.  contendetl  that  the  law  was  unconstitutional,  for  the  con- 
stitution of  the  United  States  declares,  "  The  citizens  of  each  state 
shall  be  entitled  to  all  privileges  and  immunities  of  citizens  in  the  sev- 
eral states."  The  judge  on  this  case  decided  that  colored  persons  were 
not  citizens. 

"From  the  commencement  of  her  school  for  colored  girls,  iMiss  C. 
was  subjected  to  a  variety  of  insults  and  injuries,  which,  if  not  approved 
and  countenanced  by  the  more  respectable  inhabitants,  were  at  least 
suffered  to  pass  witli  an  impunity  that  would  have  hardly  attended 
them,  bad  any  other  person  been  the  injured  party."  Miss  Crandall 
continued  her  school  till  after  the  decision  above  referred  to,  when  she 
became  united  in  marriage  with  a  Baptist  clergyman,  and  soon  after  the 
school  was  discontinued. 


Jonathan  Carver,  a  celebrated  traveler,  was  (it  is  believed)  a  native 
of  this  town.  The  following  is  from  Allen's  American  Biographical 
Dictionary. 

"Jonathan  C.iuvER,  an  enterpri.sing  traveler,  was  a  native  of  Connecticut,  and 
■was  born  in  1732.  He  lost  his  lather,  who  was  a  justice  of  the  peace,  when  he  was 
only  five  years  of  age.  He  was  intended  for  the  profession  of  medicine,  which  lie 
quitted  for  a  military  life.  In  the  I'rench  war  he  commanded  an  independent  com- 
pany of  provincials,  m  the  expedition  carried  on  acro.ss  the  lakes  against  Canada. 
He  served  with  repiitalion  till  the  peace  of  17G3.  After  this  he  formed  the  resolution 
of  exploring  the  most  inieriur  parts  of  Norili  America,  and  of  even  penetrating  to 
the  Pacific  Ocean,  over  thai  broad  part  of  the  continent,  which  lies  between  the  forty 
third  and  the  forty  sixth  degrees  of  north  latitude.     As  the  English  had  come  in  pes- 


CANTERBURY.  4:23 

session  of  a  vast  territory  b_vthe  conquest  of  Canndn,  be  wi.-,hecl  to  reiuler  this  acqui- 
silioii  profitable  to  his  couiilr)',  while  he  ;^ratilied  his  tasie  for  adveiiluies.  He  be- 
lieved, that  the  French  had  inientionally  kept  other  nations  ignorant  of  tiie  interior 
j)arts  of  North  America,  lie  hoped  to  facilitate  the  discovery  of  a  northwest  passage 
or  of  a  conimunicaiion  between  Hudson's  bay  and  tlie  Pacific  Ocean.  If  he  conici 
effect  the  establislnnent  of  a  post  on  tlie  Straits  of  Annian,  he  supposed  he  shoukl  thus 
open  a  channel  for  conveying  intelligence  to  China  and  the  English  settlements  in 
the  East  Indies  with  greater  expediiiou,  than  by  a  tedious  voyage  by  the  cape  of 
Good  Htipe,  or  the  sli  aits  of  IMngellan. 

"  With  these  views  he  set  out  Iroin  Coston,  in  17GG,  and  in  September  of  that  year 
arrived  at  Michilliinakinac,  llie  most  interior  English  post.  He  applied  to  the  go- 
vernor, Mr.  Rogers,  to  furnish  him  with  a  proper  assortnieiit  of  goods,  as  a  present 
lor  the  Indians  living  in  the  iract,  which  he  intended  to  pursue.  Receiving  a  supply 
in  part,  it  was  promised  that  the  remainder  sliould  be  sent  to  him,  wlieii  he  reached 
the  falls  of  St.  Anthony  in  the  rirer  Mississippi.  In  consequence  of  the  failure  of  the 
goods,  he  found  it  necessary  to  return  to  la  Prairie  la  Chieii  in  the  spiing  of  17G7. 
Being  thus  retarded  in  his  pn)grcss  westward,  he  determined  to  direct  his  course  north- 
ward, that  by  finding  a  comnuinicaiiou  between  ihe  Mississippi  and  Lake  Superior 
lie  might  meet  the  tiaders  at  the  grand  portage  at  the  northwest  side  id' the  lake.  Of 
them  he  intended  to  purchase  the  goods,  which  he  needed,  and  then  to  pursue  his 
journey  by  the  way  dIiIic  lakes  La  Pluye,  Dubois,  and  Ouinipiqiie  to  the  heads  of  the 
river  west.  He  reached  lake  Superior  belore  the  traders  had  returned  to  Michilli- 
inakinac, but  they  could  not  furnish  him  with  goods.  Thus  dUsappoinied  a  second 
time,  he  continued  some  months  on  the  north  and  east  borders  of  Lake  Superior,  ex- 
ploring the  bays  and  rivers,  which  empty  themselves  into  the  large  body  of  water,'  and 
carefully  observing  the  natural  productions  of  the  country,  and  the  customs  and  man- 
ners of  the  inhabitants.  He  arrived  at  Boston  in  October,  17G8,  having  been  absent 
on  this  expedition  two  years  and  hve  monilis,  and  during  that  lime  traveled  near 
seven  thousand  miles. 

"  As  soon  a.s  he  had  properly  digi'sied  his  journal  and  charts,  he  went  to  England 
to  publish  them.  (.)n  his  ainval,  he  presenied  a  petition  to  his  majesty  in  council  tor 
a^reimbursement  of  the  sums,  which  he  had  expended  in  the  servi(;e  of  government. 
This  was  referretl  to  the  lords  commissioners  of  trade  and  planlalions,  by  whom  he 
was  examined  in  regard  to  his  discoveries.  Having  obtained  permission  to  publish 
his  papers,  he  disposed  of  them  to  a  book.seller.  AViien  they  were  almost  ready  for 
press,  an  or'der  was  i.ssued  frum  the  council  board,  requiring'him  to  deliver  into  the 
jilantalion  ofliceall  his  charts  and  journals,  with  every  paj/er  relating  to  the  discoveries, 
wliich  he  had  maile.  In  order  to  obey  this  eomm.and  he  was  obliged  to  purchase  tliem 
fi-orn  the  bookseller.  It  was  not  until  ten  years  alter,  that  he  published  an  account  of 
his  travels.  Being  disappointed  in  his  hopes  of  prefeiment,  he  became  clerk  of  the 
loitery.  As  he  sold  his  name  to  a  historical  compilaiion,  which  was  published  in 
177i),  in  tolio,  entitled  the  '•  New  Universal  Traveler,"  containing  an  account  of  all 
the  emnires,  kingdoms,  and  stall's  in  (he  Icnoun  wurhi,  he  was  abandoned  by  those, 
whose  duty  it  was  t,,  support  him,  and  he  died  iu  want  of  common  necessaries  of  life 
in  1780,  aged  forty  eight  years. 

"  Captain  Carver  published  a  tract  on  the  culture  of  tobacco  ;  and  travels  through 
the  interior  parts  of  North  America  in  the  years  17GG,  17G7,  and  17G8,  London,  8vo, 
1778.     An  edition  of  this  work  was  published  at  Boston  in  1797." 


The  following  afe  copied  from  monuments  in  the  grave  yard  north 
of  the  Congregational  church. 

Here  lyes  ye  body  of  ye  Reverend  and  Pious  and  Learned  Mr.  Sarnuel  EasfabrnoJi; 
ye  3d  son  of  ye  Reverend  Mr.  Joseph  Eastabrook,late  pastor  of  ye  church  in  Concord, 
who  was  ye  first  pa.sior  of  ye  church  in  Cantarbury,  who  departed  this  life  to  ye  euer- 
lasting  mercy  of  God,  June  23d,  1727,  in  the  53d  year  of  his  age. 


A 


In  the  memni-y  of  Col.  Aaron  Cleveland,  who  died  in  a  fit  of  apople.xy,  11th  Api-il, 
...  D.  1785.  Born  7th  (d'Decr.  17-^;  on  the  17!h  of  June,  A.  D.  1782,  when  in  the 
blooin  of  health  and  prime  of  life,  was  struck  with  the  numb  palsy  ;  from  that  time  to 
his  death,  had  upwards  of  sixty  fits  of  the  pal.sy  and  apople.xy.  He  was  employed  in 
sundry  honorable  ofhces  both  civil  and  military. 

Calm  and  composed  my  soul  her  journey  takes, 
No  guilt  that  troubles,  and  no  heart  that  aches. 
Adieu!  thou  Sun,  all  bright  like  her  arise, 
Adieu  !  dear-friends,  and  all  that's  good  and  wise. 


424  CHAPLIN. U  A  M  1'  T  0  N  . 

Here  lies  the  body  of  Maj.  James  Filcli,  ICsi].,  son  of  yc  Reverend  Mr.  James  Fileli, 
pastor,  first  of  Saybrook,  ilien  of  Norwicli.  He  was  born  at  Saybrook,  1(1-17.  He 
was  very  uscl'ul  in"  his  military  ami  in  his  mai;isiracy  to  which  he  was  chosen,  served 
successively  to  ye  great  aecepiaiion  ami  advania.i^^e  of  his  country,  beiiiir  a  tjentlemaii 
of  good  pails,  ami  very  forward  to  promote  ye  civil  and  icligious  interests  of  it.  Died 
Nov.  10,  1727,  aged  80  years. 


CHAPLIN. 

Chaplin  was  incorporated  as  a  town  in  1822.  It  was  formed  from 
the  towns  of  JMansfield,  Hampton,  and  a  small  section  of  the  town  of 
Windham.  It  is  bounded  n.  by  Ashford,  e.  by  Hampton  ami  Wind- 
ham, s.  by  Windham  and  IManslield,  and  w.  by  iMansiield.  The  prin- 
cipal part  of  the  township,  however,  was  inchuled  in  the  liniils  of 
JMansfield,  being  a  parish  in  that  town,  by  the  name  of  Chaplin.  This 
parish  was  formed  in  October,  1809,  and  received  its  name  from  Dea- 
con Benjamin  Chaplin,  who  left  a  donation  ff)r  the  benefit  of  the  so- 
ciety. The  township  is  live  miles  afld  a  hall"  in  lungih  from  north  to 
south,  and  averages  about  three  and  a  half  in  width,  containing  about 
nineteen  square  miles. 

The  town  is  intersected  by  the  Nachaug,  which  passes  through  it 
from  the  northeast  to  the  southwest.  The  inhabitants  are  princi pally- 
farmers.  There  is  but  one  house  of  worshij)  in  the  town,  which  is  for 
Congregationalists.  A  [)aper  mill,  on  the  Nachaug,  has  been  recently 
erected,  near  the  center  of  the  town.  The  central  part  of  the  town  is 
about  ten  miles  west  from  Brooklyn. 


H  A  I\I  P  TON. 


Hampton  was  incorporated  as  a  town  in  178(5.  It  was  mostly  form- 
ed from  the  sccontl  society  of  \Vinilham,  which  was  formed  as  a  society 
in  1720,  and  was  called  Koincdi/  or  IViniUiam  village.  The  place 
appears  to  have  been  so  named  from  a  JMr.  Kennedy,  who  with  his 
family  were  the  first  settlers  in  the  society.  They  located  themselves 
about  two  utiles  south  of  the  Congregational  church.  It  is  believed 
that  the  first  settlers  came  into  this  town  about  the  year  1703.  Jolm 
Clark,  the  fourth  settler,  located  himself  nearly  two  miles  northwest 
from  the  center;  Nathaniel  Flint,  one  mile  and  a  half  to  the  southeast ; 
William  and  John  Diukee,  and  George  IMariin,  near  tlie  center;  Na- 
thaniel Kingsbury  located  himself  about  three  miles  to  the  northwest. 
Daniel  Denison,  two  miles  north  ;  James  Utiey,  two  miles  and  a  half, 
and  Ebenczer  Griffin,  one  mile  and  a  half  to  the  northeast.  Benjamin 
Bedlock,  John  Preston  and  John  Holt,  were  also  among  the  first  set- 
tlers. The  first  meeting  house  lasted  till  1754,  when  it  was  removed 
and  a  new  one  erected,  which  is  the  church  now  standing. 

"  The  Congregational  church  in  Hampton  was  organized  June  5th 
1723,  consisting  of  17  members,  the  descendants  of  many  of  which  are 
yet  inhabitants  of  the  town.     Upon  the  same  day,  Rev.  William  Bil- 


/ 


HAMPTON.  425 

lings  was  ordained  tlieir  pastor.  Ife  died  May  22d,  1733,  aged  36 
years.  His  successor,  Rev.  Samuel  Mosely,  was  ordained  May  15ili, 
1734,  and  died  July  26,  1791,  in  the  83d  year  of  his  age,  and  57th  of 
his  ministry.  Rev.  Ludovicus  Weld,  the  next  pastor,  was  ordained  . 
Oct.  27th,  1792,  and  at  his  request,  in  consequence  of  ill  health,  was 
dismissed  IMarch  2d,  1S24."  The  present  pastor.  Rev.  Daniel  G. 
Sprague,  from  wliom  the  above  statement  was  obtained,  was  installed 
May  26th,  1824. 

Hampton  is  bounded  n.  by  Asbford  and  Pomfret,  e.  by  Pomfret, 
Brooklyn  and  Canterbury,  s.  by  Canterbury  and  AVindham,  and  w.  by 
Windham  and  Chaplin.  Its  length  from  north  to  south  is  about  six 
miles,  its  breadtli,  upwards  of  three,  containing  about  21-^  square  miles. 

The  surface  of  the  town  is  uneven,  being  considerably  hilly.  The 
soil  is  a  gravelly  loam,  considerably  strong  and  fertile,  and  is  well 
adapted  for  grazing.  Agriculture  is  the  iirincipal  business  of  the  in- 
habitants. There  is,  in  the  south  part  of  the  town,  1  woolen  and  1 
cotton  factory,  and  in  the  center  there  is  an  cstablisJimeMt  for  the  manu- 
facture of  spectacles,  carried  on  by  Mr.  Joseph  S.  Curtiss,  who  manu- 
factures at  present  between  2,000  and  3,000  pairs  yearly. 

The  principal  and  central  village  in  the  town  is  situated  on  the  sum- 
mit of  a  considerably  elevated  hill,  35  n)ilos  from  Hartford  and  6  from 
Brooklyn.  It  consists  of  upwards  of  thirty  dwelling  houses,  5  stores,  a 
town  house,  and  a  Congregational  church,  on  a  single  street,  of  perhaps 
about  half  a  mile  in  extent.  There  are  two  other  houses  of  worship 
in  the  town,  one  for  Baptists,  in  the  northeast  part,  and  one  (a  small 
building,  for  Christ-ians)  in  the  western  part.  There  are  two  post  oftices 
in  the  limits  of  the  town,  one  at  the  center  and  the  other  at  Howard's 
valley.     The  lirst  mail  opened  in  Hampton  was  on  Jan.  31st,  1S20- 

About  twenty  years  since,  a  sect  of  reformers,  calling  themselves 
Christ-ians,  caused  considerable  excitement  in  this  and  some  of  the 
ailjoining  towns.  They  had  a  house  of  worship  in  this  town,  called 
the  Goshen  meeting  house,  (from  a  neighborhood  by  that  name,) 
about  two  miles  westerly  from  the  center  of  the  town.  They  ap- 
pear to  have  been  rather  extravagant  in  their  manner  of  conducting 
their  meetings  :  it  is  stated  that  they  were  so  noisy  as  to  be  heard  at 
the  distance  of  two  miles.  It  is  also  stated,  that  in  order  to  luimhie 
themselves,  and  become  UtcraUy  like  little  children,  they  have  been 
known  to  crawl  or  creep  on  the  floor,  roll  over  one  another,  &:c.  In 
some  instances  they  would  so  far  neglect  their  worldly  business  as  to 
leave  their  cows  unmilked,  &ic.     A  Mr.  Smith  and  Mr.  Varnum,*  ap- 


*  A  correspondent  from  Hamplon  states,  that  the  first  Christ-ians  czmQ  to  Hampton 
in  1816;  they  were  also  called  Smithites,  from  one  Elias  Smith,  who  appears  to  have 
been  one  of  the  fonnders  of  this  sect.  "  Varnum  pretended  to  have  special  revela- 
tions from  God,  that  such  and  such  persons  must  give  him  some  particular  article,  or 
a  sum  of  money.  In  one  instance,  he  went  to  a  man  who  was  then  a  justice  of  the 
peace,  and  told  him  thai  it  was  revealed  to  him,  that  he  mast  ^ive  him  his  horse.  The 
justice,  thinking  this  rather  a  hard  requisiiron,  as  he  had  already  given  hrm  consider- 
able in  this  way,  asked  if  one  half  would  not  do,  as  the  horse  was  a  valuable  one. 
Varnum  reluctantly  consented,  on  the  ground  that  the  revelatron  went  for  the  whole  ; 
he  however  promised  the  owner  of  the  horse,  that  he  wotild  p.iy  him  back  one  half  its 
value.     Varnum  took  the  horse  and  went  off,  but  never  fulfilled  his  promise."     Var- 

54 


426  K  1  L  L  1  N  G  L  Y  . 

pear  to  Iiave  been  tlielr  principal  preachers-,  or  leaders.  Varnum  in- 
duced some  of  tlie  people,  over  whom  he  had  great  intUience,  to  move 
with  him  to  Ohio,  and  there  establish  a  pure  and  holy  church,  and  en- 
joy a  kind  of  Paradise  on  earth.  The  people,  however,  that  went  with 
him,  were  generally  miserably  disappointed  ;  Varnum  turned  Shaker, 
and  advised  those  over  whom  he  had  inlluence  to  follow  his  example, 
which  was  to  some  extent  followed. 


KILLINGLY, 


KiLMNGLY  was  (Irst  settled  about  the  year  1700.*  An  act  was 
passed  in  1708,  grantini,'  the  inhabitants  the  privileges  and  immunities 
of  a  township,  which  then  included  in  its  limits  the  town  of  Thompson. 
The  land  was  purchased  of  the  colony,  and  the  grant  was  signed  by 
Gov.  .Salstonslall  at  New  Haven,  Oct.  13tli,  1709. 

Among  the  early  settlers,  whose  descendants  inhabit  the  same  spot, 
were  Messrs.  Joseph  Cady,  James  Danlelson,  Sampson  Howe,  and 
Ei)hraim  Warren.  The  first  white  person  buried  here,  was  a  female  of 
JNIr.  Cady's  family,  great  grandmother  to  Mr.  Nell  Alexander,  an  aged 
man  still  living.  The  precise  year  of  her  death  is  forgotten.  Her 
grave  is  still  to  be  seen  ;  but  as  it  always  happens  in  early  settlements, 
the  graves  of  that  period  were  left  without  any  inscription.  The  old- 
est date  to  be  found  is  1720,  and  marks  the  time  of  burial  of  an  indi- 
vidual of  the  same  family. 

The  first  settlers  were  all  athletic  men,  and  inured  to  hardships;  yet  they  made  but 
little  imi)rovement,  on  account  of  the  roii},'hness  ofthe  t-oil  and  tiie  depredations  of  the 
Indians.  The  aborigines  of  this  part  of  the  country,  were  a  brancli  of  the  .\i}/mii</c 
tribe,  who  were  acknowledged  lobe  less  fierce  and  warlike  than  the  l^equols:  but 
though  the  lives  of  the  settlers  were  not  often  endangered,  yet  they  sutl'ered  great  an- 
noyance from  their  savage  neighbors,  who,  being  deprived  of  most  ol  their  game  by 
the  progress  ofthe  setlleinenl,  thought  themseh'es  juslilic'd  in  reci^iiiing  the  balance  in 
the  foim  of  provisions,  whirli  the  whiles  dared  not  refuse,  noiwillisi.iudiiig  the  daily 
calls  ol'  (heir  red  friends.  'J'hese  sons  of  the  forest  somel  lines  traveled  in  companies 
of  fifty  or  sixtj',  we  are  credibly  informed,  and  took  up  iheir  quarters  at  one  liouse ! 
They  seldom  showed  violence  to  the  inmates  to  obtain  admission,  yet  they  often  em- 
ployed artifice  with  womierful  success.  For  after  they  had  been  kept  over  night, 
eight  or  nine  more  would  be  found  the  next  morning,  whom  they  had  contrived  lo 
conceal  with  their  Puppooses,  thus  making  their  inimber  ai)parently  smaller  than  it 
really  was,  in  order  to  gain  admission  more  readily.  While  the  whiles  and  Indians 
in  this  manner  had  constant  communication,  and  were  on  friendly  terms  with  each 
other,  they  used  to  engage  in  favorite  sports,  by  which  ihey  tested  their  comparative 
strength  and  agility.  In  this  respect  the  whites  were  in  no  degree  inferior  lo  the  red 
men.  The  savage  is  capable  of  enduring  great  hardships,  but  his  strength  is  not  great 
in  proportion  to  his  power  of  endurance.  Indeed  in  most  of  the  contests,  the  well  clad 
and  civilized  European  showed  himself  far  superior  to  the  almost  naked  and  wild 
American,  even  in  respect  to  bodily  vigor.  As  an  example  we  introduce  only  the  two 
following  circumstances. 

Mr.  Cady,  soon  after  his  arrival,  was  one  day  mowing  brush  at  the  foot  of  Mashen- 
Inck  hill,  wlien  an  Indian  came  from  an  adjoining  wood,  and  expiessed  an  earnest 
desire  to  try  the  skill  of  a  white  man  at  wrestling.     Cady,  without  hesitating,  dropped 

num  induced  his  followers,  both  male  and  female,  old  and  young,  to  make  a  full  con- 
fession of  all  their  sins  in  public,  without  regard  to  any  of  the  generally  received 
opinions  of  propriety  or  decency. 

*  For  the  following  account  of  Killingly,  its  history,  traditions,  ic.  the  author  is 
indebted  to  Asa  G.  Ale.xander,  A.  B.  of  East  Killingly. 


KILLINGLY.  4Q7 

his  sythe  and  grappled  with  liis  savage  friend,  who  struggled  long  and  hnrd  to  throw 
hinr  down.  But  the  former  knowine:  that  by  a  display  of  strength  and  skill  he  might 
lender  the  Indians  less  prone  to  hostility,  was  determined  not  to  be  worsted  in  this  en- 
counter: he  made  a  desperate  effort,  and  finally  succeeded  in  flinging  his  antagonist. 
But  unexpectedly  the  head  of  the  Indian  struck  upon  the  sharp  ptunis  of  the  stubs  of 
the  brush  just  mown,  which,  on  account  of  the  violence  of  the  fall,  perforated  the  skull 
and  killed  him  instantly. 

Subsequently  to  this,  in  1720,  Mr.  Jacob  Spalding,  who  had  emigra- 
ted in  1715  with  the  first  settlers  to  the  south  parish,  had  a  similar  ad- 
venture. The  particulars  are  related  by  his  descendants  of  the  fourth 
generation  as  follows : 

"Jacob  one  day  purciiased  of  an  Indian  a  deer  skin,  for  which  he  paid  him  a  teiinr 
bill.  The  latter,  somewhat  intoxicated,  forgot  soon  alter  that  he  had  received  it,  and 
asked  for  the  money  a  second  time.  Jacob  of  course  paid  no  atteniion  to  such  an  un- 
■warrantable  demand,  and  the  Indian  went  away  muuering  revenge.  The  next  day 
while  shingling  a  barn,  Jacob  saw  him  returning  with  two  companions.  He  leaped 
from  the  roof,  met  them,  and  was  again  asked  to  pay  the  price  of  the  deer  skin.  He 
refused  to  comply,  till  one  of  the  company,  who  appeared  to  be  the  sachem  of  his  tribe, 
said  he  had  come  to  see  'fair  play,'  aiul  avowed  it  to  be  honorable  for  two  Indians  to 
contend  with  one  white  man.  Jacob  therefore  imagined  he  would  have  a  rather  dif- 
ficult task  to  accomplish,  but  plucking  up  courage,  he  exerted  himself  to  the  utmost, 
and  on  the  very  first  encounter,  laidtkem  bulk  upon  the  ground  and  gave  them  a 
'sound  drubbing.'  The  other,  who  was  looking  on,  was  not.at  all  disposed  to  assist 
his  brethren,  and  gave  them  no  other  encouragement  than  '  Poor  dogs,  poor  dogs!  me 
hope  he  kill  you  both!!'  However,  Jacob  after  '  pounding  them'  a  short  lime,  suffered 
them  to  escape.  But  the  next  day  he  saw  them  coming  again,  and  the  individual 
who  imagined  himself  his  creditor,  bearing  a  rifle,  which  he  was  in  the  act  of  loading. 
Bnt  in  thrusting  his  hand  into  his  pocket  to  find  the  ball,  he  drew  out  the  identical  bill 
which  he  had  received  two  days  before!  Conscience-struck,  he  said  to  Jacob,  who 
was  coming  to  meet  him,  '  Me  believe  now,  Jacob,  you  paid  me  de  tenor  bill!'  After 
this  confession,  Jacob  addressed  the  person  who  had  come  to  see  'fair  play.'  'You,' 
said  he,  'that  liave  come  to  see  fair  play,  what  do  you  advi.se  us  to  do  with  him?' 
'  Tie  him  to  de  tree  and  whip  him,"  was  the  reply,  which  was  done  accordingly.  And 
liere  a  circumstance  occurred,  which  shows  to  what  extent  the  Indians  carried  tlieir 
principle  of  honor.  The  individual  in  (luesiion,  after  this  humiliating  treatment,  be- 
came so  dejected  that  he  fled  from  his  tribe,  and  was  never  heard  of  afterwards." 

Many  of  these  Indians  embraced  Christianity,  and  became  partially 
civilized.  The  celebrated  Sampson  Occum,  of  the  Mohegan  tribe, 
jireached  among  thetn  a  few  times,  l^ut  the  continual  wars  they  had 
with  other  tribes,  made  it  impossible  to  persuade  them  all  to  conform 
to  the  precepts  of  the  Gos})el.  As  already  intimated,  the  aborigines 
of  this  quarter  were  less  fierce  and  warlike  than  the  Pequots  ;  yet  the 
settlers  were  not  entirely  unprotected  in  case  of  any  sudden  emergency, 
which  had  some  influence  in  keeping  their  savage  neighbors  at  peace. 
Two  forts  were  built  at  the  north  parish,  and  another  at  Danielsonville, 
the  ruins  of  which  latter  are  still  visible. 

On  one  occasion  only  were  the  whites  in  danger.  A  warlike  tribe  came  from  the 
country  south  of  Killiiigly,  with  the  intention  of^  murdering  the  whole  white  popula- 
tion. They  arrived  at  a  plain  a  quarter  of  a  mile  north  of  Alexander's  Lake,  and 
encamped  beneaih  an  old  white  oak  tree.  But  the  settlers  being  apprised  of  their  ar- 
rival, were  busy  in  preparation  for  defense.  One  of  them  in  the  mean  time  sallied 
forth  alone  to  the  spot  where  the  red  men  were  assembled.  At  the  same  moment  the 
sachem  was  seen  climbing  the  oak  to  reconnoitre  the  country.  He  had  scarcely  lime 
to  look,  when  he  felt  the  bullet  of  the  above  mentioned  settler,  who  knowing  him  to 
be  the  chief,  had  deliberately  raised  his  musket  and  given  him  a  fatal  wound.  Though 
the  individual  who  did  this  bold  act  was  atone,  yet  the  Indians,  fearing  that  more  lay 
concealed,  and  being  without  a  leader,  gave  up  the  expedition.  The  same  day  troop.s 
arrived  from  Massachusetts,  and  encamped  over  night  on  the  plain  which  the  Indians 
had  abandoned.  The  next  day  they  proceeded  in  pursuit  of  the  enemy,  after  having 
buried  one  of  their  number  who  had  died  of  sickness. 


428  K  I  I.  L  I  N  0  I,  Y  . 

Though  the  Indians  of  this  quarter  did  not  greatly  annoy  the  whites, 
yet  they  had  frequent  quarrels  with  other  tribes.  To  illustrate  this  we 
will  relate  a  remarkable  event  which  is  received  from  tradition. 

The  Narragansetis  residing  near  Stonington  by  the  sea  shore,  invited  the  Nipmucks 
about  Daniclsonville,  to  "  come  dowii"  and  attend  a  least  of  "  shell  fish."  The  invi- 
tation was  accepted,  the  latter  partook;  of  the  fish,  were  highly  pleased,  and  in  return 
invited  the  former  to  "come  up"  and  attend  a  feast  of"  lamprey  eels,"  which  was  to  be 
ready  after  the  lapse  of  two  moons.  The  Nipmucks  returned  home  and  immediately 
busied  themselves  in  catching  fish  for  the  occasion.  At  the  appointed  time,  a  consid- 
erable portion  of  the  ineti  belonging  to  the  Narragansetl  tribe,  leaving  iheir  squaws  at 
home  to  cultivate  the  ground  ami  prepare  food  for  those  of  the  warriors  left  behind  to 
guard  their  possessions,  proceeded  on  a  journey  of  lliiity  miles  through  a  wilderness, 
10  share  the  hospitality  of  their  friends  in  Killingly.  They  arrived  in  safety  and  found 
the  feast  all  prepared.  Both  parties  seated  themselves  on  logs.  The  squaws  were  ' 
then  ordered  to  bring  forward  the  fish,  iu  the  kettles  in  which  they  had  been  cooked. 
A  convenient  supply  was  then  provided  for  each  of  the  guests,  who  perceiving  that 
they  were  cooked  without  dressing,  were  disgusted  and  refused  to  partake.  As  it  was 
too  late  lo  remedy  the  matter,  there  was  a  pause.  Ashamed  and  vexed  to  think  they 
had  spent  so  much  trouble  in  inviting  the  Narragansetis  to  travel  a  distance  of  thirty 
miles  to  attend  a  feast  which  they  could  not  relisli,  the  Nipmucks  proceeded  to  "  hard 
words,"  which  their  guests  retorted  with  too  much  sjiirit  to  be  borne.  The  Nipmucks 
seized  their  weapons  and  attacked  their  guests,  who  were  unaiincd.  Many  .\i}/mucks 
fell:  but  of  the  Narragansetts  all  perished  hoi  two,  who  cio.sscd  the  Uuinnebaug  and 
iled  to  their  tribe,  bearing  the  news  of  the  massacre. 

Not  long  after,  the  remaining  portion  of  the  tribe  came  up,  armed  with  their  bows 
and  arrows,  lo  avenge  the  slaughter  of  their  countrymen.  Their  march  was  on  the 
western  side  of  the  Ciuinnebaug  in  Brooklyn,  till  lliey  arriveit  about  half  a  mile  below 
Panielsonville,  where  the  Nipmucks  were  seen  encamjied  on  the  east  side  in  Killing- 
ly. The  latter  saw  them  coming,  and  hastened  to  give  ihcm  battle:  being  warmly  re- 
ceived, however,  they  ilug  a  trench  in  the  sandy  soil  on  the  bank  of  the  river,  and  re- 
pelled tlie  Narragansetts,  who  being  unable  to  cross,  entrenched  themselves  in  the 
same  manner  on  the  opposite  side.  Both  parties  being  greatly  exasperated,  continued 
fighting  three  days.  The  surviving  Narragansetts  at  the  end  of  the  third  day  retreat- 
ed, and  left  the  Nipmucks  to  bury  their  dead.  The  entrenchments  are  still  visible,  as 
well  as  the  skeletons  of  the  Indians  who  perished.  Both  those  who  were  slain  at  the 
massacre,  and  those  who  fell  in  battle,  were  buried  in  ()its,  which  were  filled  with  bod- 
ies almost  to  the  surface  of  the  ground.  The  space  thus  occupied  is  about  a  quarter 
of  an  acre.  Many  of  their  bones  have  been  dug  up  and  carried  away  by  the  curious. 
'I'he  tradition  ailds,  that  on  account  of  the  wickeiuiess  of  this  transaction,  the  earth 
around  this  spot  was  blasted  by  a  curse,  so  that  to  this  day  not  a  blade  of  giass  will 
grow  over  the  bodies  of  those  murdereil  Narragaiiicils! 

By  such  petty  contests  and  the  treachery  of  the  whites,  the  Indians 
of  this  part  of  the  country  gradually  disappeared.  ^Vilhin  fifteen  years 
an  aged  and  pious  female,  named  Martha,  the  last  lineal  descendant  of 
the  tribe  residing  here,  has  gone  to  repose  in  the  burial  place  of  her 
fathers,  and  no  red  people  have  been  seen  here  since,  except  occa- 
sionally in  small  bands  for  the  purpose  of  fishing.  Thus  much  of  the 
Indians.  VVe  might  entertain  our  readers  with  stories  of  witches,  gob- 
lins and  hobgoblins,  if  we  had  nothing  of  more  consequence  to  place 
before  them.  There  are  however  two  remarkable  circumstances,  prob- 
ably connected  with  natural  phenomena,  which  we  will  relate.  The 
first,  which  we  gather  from  the  lips  of  aged  individuals  still  living,  is 
as  follows : 

"The  autumn  before  the  American  Revolution,  the  people  of  this  town,  who  had 
long  been  expecting  hostilities  to  commence,  were  one  day  alarmed  by  what  they  look 
to  be  the  continued  discharge  of  cannon  and  small  arms  to  the  northeast,  in  the  di- 
rection of  Boston.  The  noise  continued  all  day  and  night,  with  scarcely  any  inter- 
mission. The  sounds  heard,  it  is  said,  exactly  resembled  those  of  musketry  and  field 
pieces.  First  would  be  heard  a  loud  report  and  then  smaller  ones,  "slam  bang,  slam 
bung,"  to  use  the  language  of  those  who  relate  the  circumstance.    The  impression 


KILLINGLY.  ,  429 

that  the  British  were  coming  was  so  strong,  that  most  of  the  inhabitants  mustered  in 
a  body  to  await  orders  for  marching  to  Boston.  In  a  few  days,  however,  contrary  to 
expectation,  they  learned  that  no  battle  had  taken  place,  and  that  no  discharge  of  can- 
non or  small  arms  had  been  made  between  this  town  and  Boston.  Whether  the  sounds 
proceeded  from  the  explosion  of  meteors  or  not,  we  are  unable  to  say;  but  the  per- 
sons who  heard  them,  considered  them  as  forerunners  of  the  war,  which  actually  be- 
gan six  months  from  that  time. 

The  second  circumstance  was  told  us  by  an  aged  and  respected  man, 
IMr.  Nell  Alexander,  who  remembers  it  perfectly  well,  as  also  the  re- 
markable sounds  alluded  to  above.     We  give  it  in  his  own  words : 

"  In  the  American  Revolution,  just  before  the  surrender  of  Lord  Cornwallis,  I  was 
returning  from  a  visit  to  Providence,  R.  I.  I  had  arrived  in  Killingly,  and  was  with- 
in four  miles  of  my  residence  at  Alexander's  Lake.  It  was  a  bright  and  clear  night, 
without  any  moon.  I  think  it  was  half  past  ten,  when  I  accidentally  looked  up  and 
saw  a  most'brilliant  sight.  A  very  little  south  of  the  zenith,  extending  east  and  west 
in  the  sky,  lay  an  arch  composed  of  mounted  cannon,  with  their  muzzles  pointed  to- 
wards the  south.  Their  color  was  that  of  the  Aurora  Borealis.  I  viewed  thein  a 
long  while  and  attempted  to  number  them,  but  being  in  a  wood,  I  was  unable  to  dis- 
cern those  which  lay  near  the  horizon.  I  then  hurried  on  to  overtake  a  friend,  whose 
attention  I  wished  to  direct  to  the  phenomenon.  My  horse  being  fatigued,  however, 
1  did  not  reach  him  till  the  remarkable  sight  had  disappeared.  I  related  the  event  to 
every  person  I  saw  for  a  long  period  afterwards,  but  could  find  no  one  who  had  seen 
it  besides  myself,  until  I  happened  one  day  to  be  on  a  visit  to  my  uncle,  Mr.  Levens, 
who  is  no  longer  living.  In  the  course  of  conversation,  without  knowing  that  I  had 
Keen  it,  he  related  precisely  the  same  circumstances  which  I  have  just  related  myself. 
He  was  in  Killingly  at  the  time,  and  but  a  lew  miles  from  the  place  where  I  was.  He 
informed  me  that  he  took  the  trouble  of  counting  the  cannon,  and  as  he  was  in  a  con- 
venient situation  for  the  purpose,  he  doubted  not  that  he  had  numbered  them  all. 
The  whole  number  was  Gl.  They  were  removed  at  a  small  di.stance  from  each  other, 
M'ell  mounted  and  in  a  regular  line." 

The  first  meeting  house  erected  in  Killingly,  stood  on  a  plain  a  quar- 
ter of  a  mile  south  of  the  present  builiiing  at  the  north  parish.  It  was 
subsequently  removed  to  the  spot  on  Breakneck  hill,  given  to  the  town 
as  a  burial  ground  by  Mr.  Eliezer  Warren.  Afterwards  it  occupied  the 
ground  where  the  town  house  now  stands,  at  the  "  Center,"  at  which 
j)hice  one  of  its  pastors  was  Mr.  Burroughs,  father  of  the  celebrated 
rogue.  The  present  buiUling,  which  stands  at  tiie  north  parish,  is  placed 
on  the  highest  ground  in  Kilhngly,  in  view  of  Thompson  and  Pomfret 
jiieeiing  houses  ;  it  is  very  neatly  constructed,  and  was  erected  in  1818. 
It  belongs  to  the  Congregational  denomination.  The  first  pastor  of  the 
Congregational  church  in  this  town  was  the  Rev.  John  Fisk.  It  con- 
tained at  its  organization,  Oct.  19th,  1715,  eleven  members.  Besides 
this  church,  two  others  were  subsequently  organized,  one  at  Westfield, 
and  another  at  the  south  parish,  both  of  the  same  denomination  with 
the  one  already  mentioned. 

A  curious  fact  is  related  of  one  of  the  first  pastors  of  the  north  parish  church,  who 
was  accustomed  to  keep  credit  of  the  presents  made  him  by  his  parishioners.  In 
reading  the  credits  for  one  week,  it  was  found  they  consisted  ot  fcmr  lines,  making  an 
harmonious  couplet  with  perfect  rhyme  and  measure.  It  is  curious,  as  illustrating 
the  state  of  things  in  those  days,  and  certainly  deserves  to  be  snatched  from  oblivion. 
We  give  it  in  the  form  current  at  the  present  day. 

"  Nell  Alexander        ...        a  few  little  fishes 
David  Copp        ....        a  goose 
Sampson  Howe-        -        -        -        a  junk  of  beef 
J.  Dean a  pair  of  shoes  !" 

As  connected  with  this  denomination,  one  individual  pastor  of  the 
north  parish  church  deserves  particular  notice. 


430  KILLINGLY. 

The  Rev.  Elisha  Atkins,  who  was  ordained  pastor  of  this  church 
in  1783,  is  still  Hviiig,  at  the  advanced  age  of  86  years.  This  individ- 
ual's name  deserves  remembrance,  inasmuch  as  he  has  spent  a  long 
.life  in  unwearied  diligence  in  the  service  of  God  and  his  country.  He 
graduated  at  Yale  College  in  1773,  and  immediately  entered  upon  his 
studies  for  the  ministry.  When  the  Revolution  broke  out,  he  entered 
the  U.  S.  army,  and  served  during  the  war  as  chaplain  ;  was  present 
at  the  taking  of  Burgoyne,  and  witnessed  various  other  important  oc- 
currences where  the  division  which  he  joined  was  engaged.  He  com- 
menced his  ministry  here,  as  already  intimated,  at  the  close  of  the 
American  Revolution,  and  remained  constant  in  his  duties  of  pastor 
till  within  about  four  years  of  the  present  time.  Since  then,  his  strength 
failing,  he  has  officiated  only  occasionally.  In  spite  of  his  advanced  age, 
he  even  now  possesses  considerable  energy  both  of  body  and  mind,  and 
a  health  for  which  he  is  indebted  to  the  severe  exercise  taken  in  youth. 
He  is  universally  beloved  by  the  members  of  his  church. 

The  Baptist  meeting  house  was  erected  in  1807,  and  placed  under 
the  pastoral  care  of  Elder  Cooper.  The  old  building  siill  stands  on 
Chesnut  hill.  The  new  one,  which  is  just  completed,  (1836,)  stands 
about  a  mile  south  of  the  old  one,  at  that  part  of  the  hill  where  it  is 
in  full  view  of  the  villages  along  "  Pleasant  Valley." 


Killingly  contains  an  area  of  57i  square  miles.  The  surface  of  the 
country  is  much  broken.  The  principal  streams  are  the  Quiimcbaug  or 
Assavvoggo  Quinnebaug,  the  Five  Mile,  which  joins  the  Quinnebaug  at 
Danielsonvllle,  and  the  White-stone  brook,  which  empties  into  the  Five 
Mile.  These  are  all  excellent  mill  streams.  The  \Vhite-stone  brook 
has  its  origin  in  Killingly  pond,  formerly  called  Mashentuck  pond,  a 
jiiece  of  water  partly  in  Connecticut  and  ()arlly  in  Rhode  Island,  which 
has  lately  been  increased  by  building  a  dam  at  the  outlet,  in  order  to 
nllow  the  water  to  accumulate  in  wet  weather.  In  this  manner  it  has 
become  one  of  the  niost  valuable  streams  possessed  by  any  manufac- 
turing company  in  the  state.  The  other  streams  are  the  Quanduck 
and  Ivies  branch,  the  latter  issuing  from  a  pretty  piece  of  water,  sur- 
rounded by  forests,  and  called  the  Quinnebaug  pond. 

The  most  (leli<i:litrul  portion  of  Killinj^'ly,  in  respect  to  scenery,  is  around  a  small 
sheelof  water,  with  an  outlet  to  the  Ciuinnebauy:,  lying  in  the  u-estern  pait  of  the  town, 
lounerly  known  to  the  Imliaiis;  as  Lake  Mashapaug,  but  now  called  Alexander's  Lake. 
It  received  its  present  appellation  I'roin  an  individual  ol'ilie  name  of  iNell  Alexander, 
■who  settled  at  that  spot  in  17-21),  and  was  himself  pioprielor  of  a  {rreat  portion  of  the 
town.  As  this  person  gained  his  wealtli  in  a  manner  which  illustrates  the  antiquity 
of  the  propensily  of  the  iahabilanis  of  this  state  to  the  once  honored,  yet  now  despis.ed 
employment  of  peddling,  we  will  trouble  you  with  a  short  notice  of  "his  history.  He 
came  ['mm  Scotland,  with  a  great  number  of  other  emigrants,  in  a  ship  which  was  to 
land  them  at  Boston.  Just  before  leaving  the  ship  he  discovered  a.  gald  ring  upon 
deck,  for  which  he  could  find  no  owner.  Thus  fortunately  provided,  after  his  arrival 
he  pawned  the  gold  ring  for  small  articles  of  trade,  which  he  peddled  in  Boston  and 
lloxbury.  He  was  very  prosperous,  and  finally  became  able  to  redeem  the  author  of 
his  success,  and  pursue  liis  business  without  embarrassment.  After  a  few  years  of 
constant  activity,  he  acquired  sufficient  property  to  purchase  a  plantation  of  3,500 
acres  in  Killingly.  The  gold  ring  was  transmitted  as  a  sort  of  lalisviari,  to  his  only 
son  Nell,  who  transferred  it  to  his  only  son  Nell;  who  is  now  living  at  an  advanced  age, 
and  lias  already  placed  it  in  the  hands  of  his  grandson  Nell;  and  so  it  will  doubtless 


KILLING  LY.  431 

continue  from  Nell  to  Nell,  agreeably  to  the  request  of  the  ftrst  Nell,  until  Ihe  "  Inst 
knell  of  the  race  is  tolled  !" 

In  order  to  view  the  scenery  to  advantage,  the  observer  should  station  himself  on  an 
eminence  north  of  the  lake  in  question.  The  eye  first  meets  a  broadly  extended  sur- 
face of  water,  with  a  beautiful  margin  of  sand  and  pebbles,  skirted  by  woods  of  tall 
trees.  A  little  further  south  appears  a  part  of  the  lake 
smaller  than  the  first,  containing  a  beautiful  little  island,  call- 
ed Loon's  island,  frequented  by  all  kinds  of  birds  of  passage 
at  different  seasons  of  the  year.  Eagles  not  unfrequently 
alight  here  in  their  passage  north  and  south.  The  fullest 
extent  of  the  lake  is  one. mile.  Its  form  is  very  accu- 
rately represented  in  the  annexed  sketch.  Want  of  space 
will  not  allow  us  to  be  very  minute  in  .describing  it.  lis 
beauties  ^eem  to  have  struck  even  the  rude  early  settlers 
with  admiration.  We  have  been  favored  wiih  the  remains 
of  a  poem,  written  in  a  moment  of  inspiration.  It  was  dis- 
covered in  an  old  garret,  and  bears  upon  it  the  marks  of 
time.  We  could  recover  only  the  following  fragment,  not 
remarkable  for  preserving  very  correct  rliynie  and  measure, 
yet  valuable  as  aifording  a  specimen  of  the  quaint  style  of 
those  limes. 

"  Betweene  Five  Mile  and  Quinebaug, 

Whicii  sounding  through  rockye  Vales  loud  and  hoarse. 

From  every  Hill  and  Meadow  Bog 
■    .  Receive  Supplies,  and  onward  bende  theire  Course  ; 

F.nclosed  around  by  Groves  and  various  Trees, 

With  Shore  of  Sand  and  Skye  of  Blue, 

With  Water  gently  rullled  by  the  Breeze,        '•.> 

Lake  Mushapaug  douthe  meele  oure  View  1" 

To  account  for  the  origin  of  this  lake,  a  singular  tradition  has  been 
handed  down  to  us  by  the  aborigines.     It  is  as  follows  : 

"  In  ancient  times,  when  the  red  men  of  this  quarter  )jad  long  enjoyed  prosperity, 
that  is,  when  they  had  found  plenty  uf  game  in  the  woods,  and  lish  in  the  puiiils  and 
rivers,  they  at  length  (i.xed  a  lime  for  a  general  powwow,  a  sort  of  festival  lor  eating, 
drinking,  smoking,  singing  and  dancing.  The  spul  chosen  for  this  |UH|)o.se  was  ;i 
sandy  hill,  or  mountain,  covered  with  tall  pines,  uccupying  the  siliiaiion  wheie  the 
lake  now  lies.  The  powwow  lasted  four  days  in  succession,  and  was  to  continue  longer 
had  not  the  Great  Spirit,  enraged  at  the  licentiousness  which  prevailed  there,  resolved 
to  punish  them.  Accordingly,  while  the  red  people  in  ilnmen^e  mimliers  were  cajier- 
ing  iihout  upon  the  summit  of  the  mouutain,  it  suddenly  "gave  way"  beneath  them, 
anil  sunk  to  a  great  ile|nh,  when  the  water  from  below  rushed  up  and  cohered  them 
all  except  one  ^ood  vld  squaw,  who  occupied  one  of  the  |)eaks,  which  now  bears  the 
name  o(  Loon's  Island.  Whether  the  tradition  is  entitled  to  credit  or  not  we  will 
do  it  justice  by  allirming  that  in  a  clear  day,  when  there  is  no  wind  and  the  sur- 
face of  the  lake  is  smooth,  the  huge  trunks  and  leafless  branches  of  ^'^/'n'«7i//c  pines 
maybe  occasionally  seen  in  the  deepest  part  of  the  water,  some  of  them  reaching 
almost  to  the  surface,  lu  such  liuge  and  fantastic  forms  as  to  cause  the  beholder  to 
startle  ! 

As  regards  the  other  portions  of  tlie  scenery  there  is  nothing  remark- 
able. The  hills  are  still  covered  with  forests ;  but  the  vales,  through 
whicli  flow  the  principal  rivers,  are  lined  with  factory  villages.  The 
population  of  the  town  is  now  about  4,000.  The  ancient  forests  are 
last  yielding  to  the  axe  of  the  farmer,  who  supplies  the  villages  with 
wood.  The  game  in  the  woods,  and  fish  in  the  ponds  and  rivers,  are 
not  as  plenty  as  formerly,  to  the  regret  of  the  old  inhabitants,  who  look 
upon  factories  and  other  improvements  as  an  evil.  The  soil  is  hard, 
but  productive  under  proper  cultivation.  The  animals  reared  upon  it 
are  robust  and  healthy.  The  same  may  be  said  of  the  inhabitants. 
This  town,  however,  has  possessed  no  very  distinguished  men  "  wlio 
have  gone  off  the  stage." 


432 


K  I  L  L  I  N  G  L  Y . 


Yet  it  were  injustice  not  to  mention  the  name  of  one  no  longer  living,  who  became 
celebrated  in  ike  chase.  1  mean  Mr.  Prosper  Lejingwcll,  a  respected  resident  of  this 
place,  who,  though  he  followed  the  humble  occupation  of  hunting,  yet  became  so  ex- 
pert, and  enjoyed  a  reputation  so  widely  extended,  that  I  might  deeply  wound  the 
feelings  of  all  his  now  aged  companions  in  the  same  profession,  who  revere  him  as  a 
superior  spirit,  were  I  to  omit  to  notice  him  in  speaking  of  this  town.  It  were  useless 
to  attempt  to  detail  all  the  events  which  marked  the  career  of  this  famous  sportsman. 
He  was  the  terror  of  the  foxes  and  rabbits  for  ten  miles  around.  Many  instances  I 
might  relate  to  illustrate  the  degree  of  skill  to  which  he  attained,  but  let  one  sutiice. 
It  is  said  that  on  one  occasion,  while  returning  home  from  hunting,  he  met  three  foxes 
advancing  towards  him  "  all  in  a  row."  As  his  gun  was  not  loaded,  he  seized  a  stone 
and  directed  it  as  well  as  he  was  able,  in  a  straight  line  towards  their  heads.  Won- 
derful to  tell,  he  brought  them  all  down!  He  gazed  a  moment  in  astonishment.  He 
found  he  had  struck  the  first  in  the  nose,  the  second  in  the  hip,  and  the  third  in  the 
forehead — all  with  the  same  stone!  The  first  was  not  quite  dead,  the  second  was 
badly  lamed,  but  the  third  showed  no  signs  of  life  whatever.  While  chasing  the 
second,  the  first  recoveied  and  scampered  away.  Had  he  sprung  upon  them  the 
moment  he  saw  them  fall,  he  might  have  secured  the  three. 

Killingly  is  the  greatest  cotton  mnnufacturing  town  In  the  state. 
Of  the  cotton  factories  we  give  the  following  recent  statement. 


On  the  White-Stone  nrook. 

Spindles. 

Hon.  Ebenezer  Young's, 

-  2,500 

Richard  Bartlett's,      - 

-      400 

LeOingwell's, 

-  3,000 

Valley  Mills,      -        - 

-  1,200 

A.F.  Alexander's, 

-  1,200 

Thomas  Pray  h  Co., 

-  1,200 

Hutchins,      -     -        - 

-  1,500 

On  the  Five  Mile. 

Ppindlcs. 

Killingly  Factory, 
Ballou's, 
Amesbury's,  - 
Ruggles's, 

-  1,628 

-  1,500 

-  1,500 

-  2,000 

Dayville, 
Danielson, 
Williams's,  on  Qu 

-  1,500 

-  2,800 
nnebaug,  2,500 

Total,         -         -      11,000  Total,     -  -       -  13,428 

Total  for  the  whole  town, — 24,428  spindles,  with  looms  in  propor- 
tion. The  trade  is  carried  on  mostly  with  Providence,  R.  I.  Besides 
these  cotton  factories,  there  are  3  woolen  mills,  1  furnace,  and  1  axe 
factory.     There  are  but  few  otlier  manufactories  of  much  consequence. 

"  i'leasant  Valley"  contains  the  first  six  cotton  factories  enumerated 
in  the  list.  The  villages  are  all  in  sight  of  each  other,  and  make  a 
beautiful  view  from  the  top  of  Chesnut  hill. 

Dayville  is  a  thriving  little  village.  It  is  attractive  for  its  neat  ap- 
pearance, and  for  a  bridge  composed  of  two  finely  constructed  stone 
arches,  each  25  feet  broad  and  twelve  feet  high. 

Danielsonville  is  an  important  village  at  the  junction  of  the  Quinne- 
baug  and  Five  Mile  rivers,  3  miles  east  of  Brooklyn,  25  miles  north 
of  Norwich  city,  43  miles  east  of  Hartford,  and  37  miles  south  of 
Worcester. 

The  following  view  shows  the  appearance  of  Danielsonville  as  it  is 
entered  from  the  west,  upon  the  Brooklyn  road.  The  four  story  build- 
ing with  a  steeple,  is  the  Danielsonville  cotton  factory,  containing 
1,800  spindles  ;  between  this  building  and  the  observer,  the  bridge  over 
the  Quinnebaug  is  seen. 

As  regards  natural  resources,  Killingly  abounds  in  them.  Breack- 
neck  hill,  a  considerable  eminence  between  the  While  Stone  brook  and 
Five  Mile  river,  bears  on  its  elevated  surface  numerous  quarries  of  free 
stone.     These  quarries  rise  above  the  general  surface,  presenting  ah- 


K  IL.L1  NG  LY. 


433 


fVcsteni  view  of  iJanielsonville,  KilUtigli/. 

nipt,  and  in  some  cases  lofty  precipices  to  the  east,  and  gentle  slopes 
to  the  west.  The  stone  is  of  a  hi^h  order.  It  is  obtained  in  slabs  of 
almost  every  dimension,  and  is  nearly  perfectly  even  in  structure,  pre- 
senting, if  any,  at  least  very  slight  inequalities.  It  is  very  hard,  and 
therefore  little  liable  to  break  in  removing  it  from  the  quarry.  It  has  a 
uniform  color,  approaching  to  white.  As  the  slabs  of  this  rock  lie  in 
an  inclined  position,  they  can  be  detached  with  the  most  perfect  facil- 
ity. There  are  other  kinds  of  slate  rock  in  Killingly,  which  have  the 
appearance  of  granite,  but  are  (juiie  soft,  and  conseipicntly  more  easily 
wrought  for  the  purpose  of  building.  The  latter  kind  lies  most  abun- 
dant about  Kilhngly  pond.  There  is  still  another  kind  of  slate  rock  sit- 
uated at  the  south  piuish.  Its  composition  is  granular  (piariz,  and  it 
possesses  a  color  nearly  or  entirely  white.  It  is  a  very  valuable  stone 
for  walks,  inasmuch  as  it  is  quite  soft  and  yielding.  It  is  obtained  in 
slabs,  but  is  mostly  below  the  general  surface  of  the  ground,  and  is  not 
so  regular  in  its  structure  as  the  other  kinds  mentioned.  When  the 
Norwich  and  Worcester  rail  road  shall  have  been  completed,  these 
stones  will  become  a  source  of  gain  to  the  owners,  who  could  easily 
transport  them  to  New  York.  Under  present  circumstances,  however, 
being  at  the  distance  of  2-2  miles  from  Piovidence,  which  is  the  near- 
est seaport,  the  profit  of  traffic  in  this  article  is  inconsiderable,  and  con- 
sequently but  few  stones  have  been  taken  away. 

jMashentuck  hill  next  deserves  mention.  It  is  a  considerable  emi- 
nence, comprising  a  circuit  of  two  or  three  miles,  terminating  in  an  ab- 
rupt steep  at  the  southern  extremity  of  "Pleasant  Valley,"  and  "bear- 
ing on  its  back"  a  rich  bed  of  porcelain  clay,  which  has  been  pro- 
nounced by  competent  judges  to  equal  the  best  French  or  Chinese  clay. 
The  feldspar,  too,  accompanies  it  in  a  solid  form,  and  is  abundant.  It 
was  discovered  while  digging  a  well.  For  a  few  feet  below  the  surface 
of  the  ground,  the  clay  was  mixed  somewhat  with  vegetable  matter ; 


434  P  L  A  I  N  F  I  E  L  D  . 

but  at  the  depth  of  10  feet  it  became  perfectly  white  and  pure.  In  fine, 
it  became,  in  the  yrnphic  language  of  those  who  dug  the  well,  "like 
lard!"  The  well  was  dug  twcniyfcti  larlher,  when  the  project  of 
))erfurating  the  whole  bed  was  abandoned.  The  clay  was  then  care- 
fully exainine(f^  and  found  perfectly  free  from  grit.  The  sides  of  the 
well  presented  to  the  eye  alternate  layers  of  clay  and  feldspar.  The 
latter  substance  had  a  brilliant  appearance  like  ice. 


PLAIN  FIELD. 


"  In  June,  1659,  Gov.  Winthrop  obtained  liberty  of  the  Assembly, 
to  purchase  a  large  tract  at  Quinnebaug.  Soon  after,  he  made  a  pur- 
chase of  Allups,  alias  Ilyemps,  and  Mashaushawit,  the  native  proprie- 
tors of  the  lands  comprisisd  in  the  townships  of  Plainfield  and  Canter- 
bury, lying  on  both  sides  of  Quinnebaug  river.  There  was  a  small 
number  of  families  on  the  lands  at  the  time  of  the  purchase,  but  the 
planters  were  few  until  the  year  1689,  when  a  number  of  people, 
chiefly  from  Massachusetts,  made  a  purchase  of  the  heirs  ol  Gov.  Win- 
throp, and  began  seiilements  in  the  norihern  part  of  the  tract.  At  their 
session  in  May,  101)9,  the  General  Assembly  vested  the  inhabitants  with 
town  privileges.     The  next  year  it.  was  named  Flainfield."* 

Plainfield  is  bounded  n.  by  Killingly,  E.  by  Sterling,  w.  by  Canter- 
bury, and  s.  by  Griswold  and  Voluntown.  It  is  about  8  miles  long  from 
north  to  south,  and  about  5  wide.  The  eastern  section  of  the  town  is 
rough  and  broken,  being  hilly  and  stony.  The  hills  are  considerably 
elevated  and  eoniiiuious,  forming  ridges,  extending  in  a  northerly  and 
southerly  direction.  The  western  section  is  an  extensive  plain,  the 
surface  being  level,  and  the  soil  a  light  sandy  loam,  which  is  cultivated 
with  facility,  being  fertile  and  well  adapted  lo  a  grain  culture.  When 
this  town  was  first  settled  !))■  the  whiles,  these  plains  were  free  from 
timber,  and  admitted  of  immediate  cidtivation.  From  the  great  quan- 
tities of  corn  raiseil  here,  this  |)Iace  was  called  the  Ei(i/2^t  of  the  sur- 
rounding settlements.  There  is  at  present  considerable  manudicturing 
business  carried  on  in  this  town,  princijially  coiton  and  woolen  lactories, 
the  most  of  which  are  in  the  little  manufacturing  villages  called  Union- 
ville  and  Centerville,  situated  on  Moosup  river,  a  fine  mill  stream  which 
discharges  its  waters  into  the  Quinnebaug.  There  are  four  houses  of 
worship  in  the  town,  2  for  Baptists,  1  for  Congregationalists,  and  1  for 
Friends  or  Quakers. 

The  Indians  were  numerous  at  the  time  the  town  was  first  settled, 
amounting  to  400  or  500.  They  continued  for  many  years  with  the 
English,  living  in  the  most  friendly  manner.  "The  Gospel  (says  Dr. 
Trumbull)  hath  had  by  far  the  most  happy  effect  upon  the  Quinnebaug 
or  Plainfield  Indians,  of  any  in  Connecticut.  They  ever  lived  peacea- 
bly with  the  English,  and  about  the  year  1745,  in  tlie  time  of  the  great 


Dr.  Trumbull. 


P  L  A  I  N  F  I  E  L  I)  . 


4[il 


awakening  and  reformation  in  New  England,  they  became  greatly  af- 
fected with  the  truths  of  the  Gosiiel,  professed  Christianity,  and  gave 
the  strongest  evitJetice  of  a  real  conversion  to  God.  They  were  filled 
with  the  knowledge  of  salvation,  and  expressed  it  to  admiration.  They 
were  entirely  reformed  as  to  the  manner  of  their  living.  They  became 
temperate^and  ahstained  from  drinking  to  excess,  which  it  had  before 
been  fonnd  utterly  impossibU;  toelFect  by  any  other  means.  They  held 
religious  meetings,  and  munbers  of  them  fortned  into  church  state,  and 
had  the  sacraments  administered  to  them." 


I  Vest  cm  view  of  riaiiiJ'uUL 

The  above  is  a  representation  of  the  Congregational  church.  Plain- 
field  Academy,  and  some  of  the  adjacent  buildings,  as  seen  from  the 
burying  ground,  about  half  a  mile  westward  from  the  church.  Plain- 
field  Academy  (seen  eastward  from  the  church  in  the  engraving)  is  one 
of  the  most  respectable  institutions  of  the  kind  in  the  state.  It  was  in- 
cor|)orated  in  17S3.  The  higher  brandies  of  education  are  taught,  and 
there  are  generally  3  or  4  instructors  attached  to  the  institution.  The 
Academy  stands  on  a  commanding  eminence,  from  which  there  is  a  fine 
and  extensive  prospect  in  almost  every  direction.  This  place  is  41 
miles  east  from  Hartford,  30  west  from  Providence,  15  from  Norwich, 
and  8  from  Brooklyn.  It  is  said  that  the  first  settlers  located  them- 
selves on  the  banks  of  a  small  stream,  about  80  rods  west  of  the  Con- 
gregational church,  and  also  on  Black  Hill,*  situated  between  two  and 
three  miles  to  the  northwest,  near  the  Quinncbaug. 

A  remarkable  instance  of  healing  took  place  in  this  town  in  1743,  in 
the  case  of  Mrs.  Mercy  IVheclcr.  The  account  was  drawn  up  by  the 
Rev.  Benjamin  Lord,  A.  JM.,  evidently  with  a  great  deal  of  care  find 

*  So  called  (it  is  saitl)  from  ils  black  appear.ince  at  the  fust  settlement  of  the  town  : 
the  Indians  were  accustomed  to  burn  it  over  every  yeur,  in  order  to  make  good  pastur- 
age for  deer. 


436 


p  1.  A  I  N  F  I  K  r,  n 


accuracy.  The  pamphlet  contains  the  deposition  of  the  physician  (Dr. 
James  Giraukl)  and  a  number  of  respectable  people,  given  under  oath, 
certifying  to  the  fact  of  her  immediate  healing.  At  the  time,  it  was 
considered  as  an  evident  interposition  of  divine  providence.  Mrs. 
Wheeler  was  favored  with  good  health  till  her  twentieth  year,  in  17i*6, 
when  she  was  seized  with  ti  nervous  fever,  and  was  reduced  to  almost 
unexampled  weakness  of  body,  so  that  for  about  five  years  she  could 
not  turn  her  head  on  her  pillow  ;  her  speech  failed,  and  her  sight  was 
very  much  impaired.  After  this  she  recovered  in  some  little  degree, 
though  for  sixteen  years  she  was  not  able  to  lift  up  a  foot  to  take  a  step. 
The  account  states,  "  that  her  ankle  bones  were  exceedingly  loose  and 
separate,  by  reason  of  the  long  and  great  relaxation  of  the  nerves  and 
tendons,  that  she  could  in  no  wise  lilt  them  up  and  use  them,  as  per- 
sons are  want  to  do,  that  yet  have  no  strength  to  walk  without  help  : 
yea,  so  loose  and  separate  were  they,  that  a  string  must  sometimes  he 
used  about  her  feet  and  ankles,  to  keep  her  feet  in  any  proper  i)ositioii, 
as  she  lay  in  the  bed.  And  also,  her  knee  bones  were  so  weak  and 
loose,  that  after  she  was  able  to  turn  herself  in  bed,  she  sometimes  put 
them  out  in  doing  this."  I\Irs.  Wheeler  being  of  a  pious  disposition  of 
mind,  a  sermon,  at  her  retjuest,  was  occasionally  preached  at  her  la- 
ther's house.  It  was  on  one  of  these  occasions,  (.May  i23th,  17'l.j,) 
that  she  experienced  her  great  deliverance.  i\Ir.  Lord  was  the  minis- 
ter who  preached  the  sermon  at  the  time  she  was  healed.  The  ac- 
count states  : — 

"  Antl  no  sooner  was  lie  [Mr.  Lord]  gone  from  her,  but  it  mrncd  in  lier  miutl — The 
Lecture  is  ended,  and  the  service  all  ouer,  and  I  am  nut  licukd  ;  lo/iat  is  becuvic  of  intj 
faith,  nolo?  Won't  ii  be  with  me  as  it  used  to  be!  \ViiL-ifU|ion  a  cloud  ol'j;renl  iliiik- 
ness  came  over  her,  for  a  minute  or  two;  in  which  lime  ^-he  was  led  again  into  Iierself, 
to  see  what  a  poor  unworthy  ciealnre  she  was,  and  had  some  such  thoughts  ol  the  wis- 
dom and  goodness  of  God's  will,  thai  she  felt  a  disposition  lo  be  as  God  would  have  her 
be.  Then  those  words  were  rejieated  to  her — //  thou  irilt  btliccc,  thou  shalt  sec  the 
glory  of  God.  By  which  her  darkness  was  carried  oft',  and  nndcrlhe  influence  of  this 
word  n,iii\  she  seemed  (;is  she  expiessed  it)  tu  be  w  ln'liy  iiiki  ti  out  ui  herself,  into  the 
hands  of  God,  and  enabled  to  believe  thai  he  could  and  wi.uld  laal  her.  hnniedialely 
upon  which,  she  fell  a  strange  irre^i.^Illllc  iiioliun  and  shaking,  wiiich  began  liistuilh 
her  hands,  and  quickly  spieading  over  her  whole  I'lume  ;  in  which  time  she  leli  a  kind 
of  weight  upon  her;  a  soil  of  racking  of  her  Irame  ;  everv  joini,  as  it  were  wtjrking  ; 
and  as  if  she  was  with  hands  squeezed  logeiher  in  her  weak'  places.  As  this  trembling 
went  oir,  her  pains  weni  with  it,  and  she  fell  strung,  especially  in  the  seal  cd  lile,  where 
she  had  been  most  remarkably  weak;  and  from  ihence  strenglii  ditlused  itself  all  over 
her  animal  frame,  into  her  hips,  knees,  ankles,  »S:c.  .She  fell  siroiig  and  well,  as  if  she 
had  no  disease  upon  her,  and  was  under  no  dilliculty.  And  as  she  had  this  sensation 
of  new  strength  and  freedom,  she  felt  as  if  she  was  a  raising  up,  and  niusi  rise;  and 
immediately  r«i'(?  i^;^  and  walked  away  Simons;  the  people,  with  evideni  spriglilliness 
and  vigor,  10  the  astonishment  of  herself  and  those  about  her.  She  weni  this  time  near 
16  feel,  crying  out,  '  Bless  the  Lord  Jesus,  ichu  has  healed  me!'  But  was  soon  damped 
■wilh  this  ihonght,  thai  she  was  only  in  a  phrenzy,  and  not  healed  ;  and  the  more  so 
when  Mr.  Lord  (surprised  at  seeing  her  walk  thus,  whom  he  had  just  before  lel't  im- 
potent and  overcome  loo,  so  that  she  could  hartlly  talk)  did  observe  to  her  that  she  was 
in  a  phrenzy,  and  accordingly  took  hold  of  her  and  led  her  to  tlie  bed,  and  bid  her  sit 
down  ;  yea,  even  thrust  her  down.  But  she  eould  not  be  confined  there  ;  feeling  yet 
fitrongand  at  liberty,  she  quickly  rose  up  again,  with  those  words  in  her  mind,  1  have 
laved  thee  with  everlasting  love,  and  with  the  high  praises  of  God  in  her  moiiih.  Her 
soul  being  filled  with  such  admiration  and  love,  as  she  declared  was  inexpressible. 
Now  she  walked  several  times  across  the  room  with  strength  and  steadiness;  which 
even  constrained  the  people  lo  think  and  say,  verily,  this  js  the  power  of  (.iod  !  And 
they  wondered,  and  praised  the  same.  And  it  was  about  six  o'clock  in  the  afternoon, 
when  the  thing  was  aone,  at  which  they  all  marvelled,  and  having  united  in  a  prayer, 


i»  0  M  F  11  r.  T  .  437 

and  in  praise,  on  lliis  remarkable  occasion,  ihcy  were  dismissed  to  theirseveral  liomes, 
iiiiTi  wondering  and  rejoicing  al  \vl);ii  ihi-ir  oyes  had  beheld,  and  their  ears  had  heard 
that  day." 

The  following  Inscriptions  are  from  monuments  in  the  grave  yard 
west  of  the  Con^a-egaiional  church. 

In  memory  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Joseph  Coil,  V.  D.  M.  first  pastor  of  ye  chli.  of  Christ 
in  Plainlield,  who  continued  in  his  ulliie  '11  yenis.     Ubiit.  July  ye  1,  1*50,  JE.  77  years. 

#  

The  good  man  needs  no  eulogy,  his  nienioiial  is  in  heaven.  The  Rev.  Jncl  licnc- 
dirt,  D.  D.,  born  al  Salem,  state  of  New  York,  Jan.  17-15,  dieil  at  Plninlield,  Feb.  13lh, 
18l().  Religion  that  cheers  the  death  scene,  endears  tiie  se|iulcher.  Filial  allecliou 
reai'ed  this  monument,  to  indicate  the  s)h)I  vvhcre  the  du.>l  of  a  Father  jejiose.s. 


In  memory  of  Capt.  John  Cady,  of  Plainfudd.  lie  uas  of  an  engaging  aspect  and 
deportment :  his  genius,  natinally  i-levaied,  waN  cultivated  by  reading  aijcl  iiiiercourse 
with  mankind,  lie  had  a  happy  facilily  in  llie  disjtaich  of  business;  was  e.xeinplaiy 
in  the  discharge  of  every  social  duty,  civil  or  domesiic.  A  prulessor  of  the  christian 
faith,  a  blessing  to  mankind.  He  rests  not  here;  he  was  drowned  returuiug  from 
New  York,  Nov.  'JSth,  1783,  in  the  40th  year  of  his  age. 

The  glory  of  man  is  as  ilie  llower  of  the  Field. 


To  the  memory  of  .(ohn  l^arnesi  .Milk'i.  This  stone  is  erected  by  the  family  of  the 
late  Anthony  nraillunl,  Fsq.  1  lc  was  a  niuive  o|  (lermany,  and  belonged  to  the  troops 
under  Uen.  ningo\iie,  Imt  lIk-sc  iIilmi-  home  for  the  rest  ol  his  davs,  and  alter  a  long 
course  of  kind  ami  laiihlul  scrvicu.,  died  fVlj.  1  l;!i,  171(J,  aged  til)  years. 


poMFU  i:t. 

PoMFUET  was  fii'St  sellled  in  IGSO,  and  incorporated  as  a  town  in 
1713.  "  In  October,  1()S7,  a  grant  of  hinds,  coiinuonly  called  the  Ma- 
shmnor/uet  purchase,  was  made  by  the  (j'cneral  Assembly,  to  Major 
.lames  Fitch,  Lieutenant  AVilJiain  Ivuggles,  Mr.  John  (lore,  Mr,  John 
Pierpont,  iMr.  Juhn  Cliandler,  Mr.  J^'iijaiuin  Sabin,  Mr.  Samuel  Craft, 
Mr.  John  (Jiosvenor,  Mr.  Jose[)h  Grillin,  Mr.' Samuel  and  John  Kug- 
gles,  antJ  Mr.  Nathan  W^ilson.  The  most  of  these  planters  were  from 
Roxbury  in  Massachusetts.  Some  of  tlumi  moved  on  to  the  lands  be- 
fore the  grant  was  made.  At  the  session  in  May,  1713,  the  inhabitants 
were  incorporated  with  town  ]>rivileges.  The  name  was  changed  from 
Mashamotjtiet  to  Pom  fret. 

Pomfret  is  bounded  n.  by  AVoodstock  and  Thompson,  e.  by  the 
(^uintiebaug,  separating  it  from  Killingly,  s.  by  Brooklyn  and  Ilamp- 
ton,  and  w.  by  Ashford.  Its  length  from  east  to  west  is  about  seven 
miles,  and  its  breadth  about  five.  It  is  divided  into  two  societies  or 
parishes,  Pomfret  and  Abington.  The  surface  of  the  township  is  un- 
even, and  diversified  by  hills  and  vales.  The  lands,  though  somewhat 
stony,  are  rich  and  jjroduclive.  The  soil  is  deep,  strong  and  fertile, 
and  admirably  adapted  to  grazing.  Butter,  cheese  and  pork  are  ^tlie 
staple  productions  of  the  town.  There  is  an  extensive  cotton  factory 
at  Pomfretville,  a  little  village  on  the  Quinnebaug,  at  the  northeastern 
corner  of  the  town. 


438 


P  O  M  V  a  K  T  . 


South  view  of  (he  Fricnda'  Meeting  lluuac,  Vomfret. 

The  above  is  a  south  view  of  the  Friends'  meeting  house,  situated 
upwards  of  a  mile  south  of  the  central  part  of  the  town,  a  little  off  the 
main,  and  on  a  cross  road.  It  is  encircled  by  forest  trees,  within  the 
edge  of  which  it  is  situated,  and  has  an  air  of  seclusion  from  the  world  ; 
both  the  situation  and  form  of  the  building  are  novel  in  their  appear- 
ance. The  two  doors,  in  a  kind  of  porch  seen  in  front  of  the  building, 
are  the  entrances  into  the  meeting  house,  the  men  taking  one,  and  the 
women  the  other.  Tiie  house  inside  is  partly  divided  by  a  partition, 
the  men  occupying  one  part  of  the  house,  and  the  women  the  other. 
There  are  four  otiier  houses  of  worship  in  the  town,  2  Congregational, 
1  Baptist,  and  1  EjMscopal.  The  most  populous  ]v,irt  of  the  township  is 
in  the  vicinity  of  (lie  Kapiisi  tdiurcli,  which  is  7  miles  iiom  Brooklyn, 
40  from  llarttbrd,  30  li(MU  Providence,  i27  from  INorwich,  and  (iO  from 
Boston.  There  are  o  post  o/hces  in  this  town,  one  in  the  central  part 
of  the  town,  one  in  Abington,  and  one  about  3  miles  s.  e.  of  the  Con- 
gregational church  in  PomAet,  in  a  place  called  Pomjrct  Landing. 
This' last  place  is  said  to  have  derived  its  name  from  the  circumstance, 
that  in  ancient  times  a  tavern  used  to  be  kept  here,  atvvhich  young 
men  from  Woodstock,  Piovidence,  and  other  places,  used  to  stop,  or 
land^  and  in  some  instances  remain  two  or  three  days,  carousing,  &lc. 

The  following  is  a  representation  of  the  entrance  of  the  celebrated 
"Wolf  Den,"  rendered  so  famous  for  the  exploit  of  Gen.  Putnam. 
It  is  in  llie  society  of  Abington,  about  two  miles  southwest  from  tlio 
Congregational  church.  The  following  is  from  Gen.  Humphreys'  Life 
of  Putnam. 

"In  the  year  1739,  lie  [Gen.  Putnam,]  removed  from  Salem  to  Pomfret,  an  inland 
fertile  town  in  ConnecliciU,  Ibriy  miles  east  of  Hartford:  having- here  purchased  a 
considerable  tract  of  land,  he  applied  himself  successfully  toagiiculture. 

"  The  first  years  on  a  new  farm,  are  not  however  exempt  from  disasters  and  disap- 
pointments, which  can  only  be  remedied  by  stubborn  and  patient  industry.    Our  farm- 


P  O  M  F  R  E  T  . 


439 


rntnaiiis  H'olf  JJcn,  romfret. 


er,  sufliciently  occupied  in  building  an  house  and  barn,  ffUing  woods,  making  fences, 
sowinf^  t^iain,  |ilautiii;^M)rcli;irds  and  lakinj,'  caic  ol' his  slock,  had  to  encounter,  in  turn, 
the  cahiniities  occasioned  by  a  drought  in  suniiner,  bkisl  in  harvest,  loss  of  cattle  in 
winter,  and  the  dcst)laiiun  of  his  sheep-fold  by  wolves.  Jn  one  night  he  had  seventy 
fine  sheep  and  goats  killed,  bcsitles  many  lambs  and  kids  wounded.  Tliis  havoc  was 
Committed  by  a  she  wolf,  which  with  her  annual  whelps,  had  for  several  years  infested 
the  vicinity.  The  young  were  commonly  de^trclyed  by  the  vigilance  of  the  hunters, 
but  the  old  one  was  too  sagacious  to  come  within  reach  of  gun  shot;  upon  being  closely 
pursued  she  would  generally  fly  to  the  western  woods,  and  return  the  ne."tl  winter  wiih 
another  Inter  of  whelps. 

"This  wolf  at  length  became  such  an  intolerable  nuisance,  lliat  Mr.  Putnanr  enter- 
ed into  a  combination  with  five  of  his  neighbors  to  hunt  uliernately  until  they  could 
destroy  her.  Two  by  rotation,  were  to  be  constantly  m  jiursuit.  It  was  kuuwn,  that 
having  lost  the  toes  from  one  foot,  by  a  steel  trap,  she  made  one  track  sh(jrter  than 
the  oilier.  By  tliii  vestige,  the  pursuers  recognized  in  a  light  snow,  tlie  roiiie  of  this 
pernieujiis  uiumiil.  Having  fullowed  her  to  (,\innecticut  river  and  found  she  had 
turned  back  in  ii  direct  course  towards  Pomlret,  they  iinmediaiely  reiurned,  and  by 
ten  o'clock  the  next  morning,  the  blood-hounds  had  driven  her  into  a  den,  about  three 
miles  distant  from  the  house  of  Mr.  Putnam.  The  peoplesoon  collected  with  dogs,, 
guns,  straw,  fire  and  sulphur,  to  attack  the  common  enemy.  With  this  apparatus  sev- 
eral unsuccessful  elforls  were  made  to  force  her  from  the  den.  The  hounds  came 
back  badly  wounded  and  refused  to  return.  The  smoke  of  blazing  straw  had  no  ef- 
fect. Nor  did  the  fumes  of  burnt  brimstone,  with  which  the  cavern  was  tilled,  compelj 
her  to  quit  the  retirement.  Wearied  with  such  fiuiiless  attempts,  (w  hicli  had  brought 
the  time  to  ten  o'clock  al  night,)  JVIr.  Puinam  tried  once  more  to  make  his  dog  enter, 
but  in  vain;  he  proposed  to  his  negro  man  to  go  down  into  the  cavern  and  shoot  the 
■wolf:  the  negro  declined  the  hazardous  service.  Then  it  was  that  the  master,  angry 
at  the  disappointuient,  and  declaring  that  he  was  ashamed  to  have  a  coward  in  his 
lamily,  resolved  himself  to  destroy  the  ferocious  beast,  lest  she  should  escape  through 
some  unknown  fissure  of  the  rock.  His  neighbors  strongly  remonstrated  against  the 
perilous  enterprise:  but  he,  knowing  that  wild  animals  were  intiiniilated  by  lire,  and 
having  provided  several  strips  of  birch  liark,  the  only  combustible  material  which  he 
could  obtain,  that  would  aflbrd  light  in  this  tieep  and  darksome  cave,  prepared  for  his 
descent.  Having  aceiudingly  divested  himself  of  his  coat  and  waisieoat,  and  having 
a  loni:  rope  lasiened  around  his  legs,  by  which  he  might  be  pulled  back,  at  a  concerted 
signal,  he  entered  head  foremost  with  the  blazing  torch  in  his  hand. 

"  The  aperture  of  the  den,  on  the  east  side  of  a  very  high  ledge  of  rocks,  is  about 
two  feet  .square;  from  thence  it  proceeds  obliquely  fil'lecn  feet,  then  running  horizon- 
tally about  ten  more,  it  ascemls  gradually  sixteen  feet  towards  its  termination.  The 
sides  of  this  subterraneous  cavity  are  composed  of  smooth  and  solid  rocks,  which  seem 
to  have  been  divided  from  each  other  by  some  former  earthquake.     The  top  and  bot- 


K 


440  s  T  e:  11  l  I  n  f; . 

^"■^i^-^om  are  also  ofstone,  and  ihe  entrance  in  wintur,  being  covered  with  ice,  is  cxccediiif^- 
'    ly.slippery.     It  is  in  no  place  high  enough  lor  a  man  to  raise  himsell' upright,  nor  lu 
any  part  more  than  thiee  feet  in  width. 

"  Having  groped  his  passage  to  the  horizontal  part  of  the  den,  the  most  terrifying 
•darkness  appeared  in  front  of  the  dim  circle  of  light  afforded  by  his  torch.  It  was 
silent  as  the  house  of  death.  None  but  monsters  of  the  desert  had  ever  before  explored 
this  solitary  mansion  of  horror.  He  cautiously  proceeding  onward  came  to  the  ascent; 
which  he  slowly  mounted  on  his  hands  and  Iciiees  until  he  discovered  the  glaring  eye- 
balls of  the  wolf,  who  was  sitting  at  the  exiremity  of  the  cavern.  Started  at  the  sight 
of  hre,  she  gnashed  her  teeth,  and  gave  a  sudden  giowl.  As  soon  as  he  had  made  the 
necessary  discovery,  he  kicked  (he  rope  as  a  signal  for  pulling  him  out.  The  people 
at  the  mouth  of  the  den,  who  iiad  listened  with  painful  anxiety,  hearing  the  growl  of 
the  vvolf,  and  supposing  their  friend  to  be  in  the  most  imminent  danger,  drew  him 
forth  with  such  celerity  that  his  shirt  was  stripped  over  his  head  and  his  skin  severely 
Jacerated.  Alter  he  had  adjusted  his  clothes,  and  loaded  his  gun  with  nine  buck-shot, 
Tiolding  a  torch  in  one  hand  and  the  musket  irii<tli>  other,  he  descended  the  second 
time.  When  lie  drew  nearer  than  before,  ihe'wolf^as^uming  a  still  more  tierce  and 
terrible  appearance,  howling,  rolling  her  eyes, 'snapping  her  teeth,  and  dropping  her 
Jiead  between  her  legs,  was  evidently  in  the  attituile  and  on  the  point  of  springing  at 
liim.  At  this  critical  instant  he  leveled  ami  fned  at  her  head.  Stunned  by  the  shock, 
and  suflbeated  with  the  smoke,  he  immediately  found  him^^elf  drawn  out  of  the  cave. 
Hut  having  refreshed  himself,  and  permuted  tin;  smoke  to  di'^sipate,  he  went  liown 
the  third  time.  Once  more  became  within  sight  of  the  woll,  who  appearing  veiy 
passive,  he  applied  the  tnich  to  her  nose,  and  perceiving  her  tlead,  he  look  hold  of  hei 
cars,  and  then  kicking  the  rofie,  (still  tied  round  hi^  h'gs,)  the  pcojile  aliove,  with  no 
small  e.xullation,  tlraggeil  them  both  out  together." 


STERLING. 

Strrling,  formerly  a  pari  of  Voluntown,  was  incorporated  as  a  town 
in  1794.  The  town  is  of  an  oblonj;  shape,  8  miles  in  length  from  north 
to  south,  and  has  an  avera^^e  breadth  of  tlirce.  It  is  bounded  n.  by  Kil- 
lingly,  K.  by  the  Rhode  Ishmd  liiie^  s.  by  Voluntown,  and  w.  by  Plain- 
field.  The  face  of  the  township  is  generally  uneven,  but  there  are  some 
sections  of  pine  plaitis.  Tlte  soil  is  a  light  gravelly  and  sandy  loam.  The 
land  is  best  adapted  to  a  grain  culture.  The  town  is  watered  by  two 
branches  of  the  iNloosup  river,  on  which  are  four  cotton  fictories.  There 
is  ot)e  house  of  worshi|)  in  Sterling,  which  is  Itjr  the  Raptist  denomina- 
tion, and  is  situated  iti  the  eastern  part  of  the  town.  This  house  is  up- 
wards of  3  miles  east  of  Plainfteld,  and  about  10  s.E.  from  Rrooklyn. 

"  Near  the  center  of  this  town,  there  is  a  cavern,  called  the  Devil's 
Den,  possessing  very  singular  and  cm'ious  features.  It  is  situated  with- 
in a  ledge  of  rocks,  and  has  a  circular  area  of  about  100  feet  in  ditune- 
ter.  The  rock  is  cleft  in  two  places,  forming  at  each  a  chasm  or  fis- 
sure about  fifty  fe(!t  in  depth,  through  one  of  which  there  runs  a  small 
stream  of  water ;  the  other  conmiunicates  with  a  room  about  1'2  feet 
square,  at  the  interior  part  of  which  there  is  a  fire  place,  and  a  chim- 
ney extending  through  the  rock  above,  forming  an  aperture  of  about 
3  feet  square.  In  another  part  of  the  rock  there  is  a  natural  stair-case, 
winding  around  it  from  the  bottom  to  the  top.  In  the  cold  season  of 
tlie  year,  a  large  mass  of  ice  is  formed  in  the  room  above  described, 
by  the  dashing  of  water  ilown  the  chimney,  which  continues  there 
through  nearly  the  whole  of  the  warm  months ;  the  sun  being  almost 
excluded  from  this  subterranean  recess."* 


Pease  and  Niles'  Gazetteer 


T  II  O  .M  I'  S  O  N  .  441 


THOMPSON. 


Thompson  was  formerly  a  part  of  Killin<,'ly,  and  was  settled  about 
1715.  It  was  incorporated  as  a  distinct  town  in  1785.  It  is  said  to 
have  derived  its  name  from  the  circumstance  of  a  considerable  part  of 
the  township  beinir  owned  by  a  INlr.  Thompson,  of  England.  A  part 
of  the  land  was  held  in  his  name  till  about  tiie  year  1800.  "  It  is  diffi- 
cult to  ascertain  who  were  the  first  settlers  of  the  town.  It  was  mostly 
covered  by  royal  |)atents  to  Thompson,  Saltonstall,  Wolcotts,  Hum- 
]ihry  Davy,  and  others.  The  first  old  parchment  deed  is  now  in  the 
museum*  in  Thompsouj  (bted  April  lOih,  17IG,  and  is  from  Josiali 
Wolcott,  and  Mary  his  wife,  of  Salem,  Mass.  to  John  Sabin,  and  is  for 
400  or  500  acres  in  the  center  of  the  town,  and  bounded  on  the  above 
old  royal  yranis."  The  eastern  part  of  the  town  was  formerly  called 
(^iiailuc  or  (-^iKtiuhick.  Thompson  forms  the  northeastern  corner  of 
the  county  and  state  :  it  is  bounded  n.  by  Massachusetts,  e.  by  Rhode 
Island,  s.  by  Killin;^ly.  and  w,  by  Woodstock  and  Pomfret.  The 
township  is  nearly  eiii;ht  miles  square,  and  con)prises  an  area  of  59 
s(juare  miles.  The  (^uinneljam^  passes  throuLdi  the  eastern  part  of  the 
town  ;  in  its  course  it  ret.'<:;ives  the  French  river.  Thompson  is  a  rich 
agricultural  and  manuliirluriiig  town,  and  the  inhabitants  are  dis- 
tingnislied  for  tlieir  spirit  of  enterprise.  The  surface  of  the  township 
exiiibits  an  interesting  variety  of  hills  and  valleys  ;  many  of  the  hills 
are  quite  elevated,  hut  no  iioiiion  of  it  can  be  called  mountainous. 
The  prevailing  soil  is  a  gravelly  loam,  strofig  and  dry,  well  adapted  to 
the  culture  of  Indian  corn,  wi'icat  and  clover,  and  generally  excellent 
for  grazing,  'i'liere  is  a  great  supply  of  \aluable  stone  for  walls  and 
buildings.  There  are  4  houses  of  worship  in  the  town,  2  for  Baptists, 
1  Congregational,  and  I  Methodist . 

The  following  is  a  southern  view  of  the  Congregational  church  and 
other  buildings  in  the  vicinity,  in  the  central  |)art  of  the  town.  The 
village,  which  is  situated  on  a  commanding  eminence,  consists  of  about 
30  well  built  dwelling  houses,  4  mercantile  stores,  1  bank,  (tlie  Thomp- 
son bank,)  and  a  printing  office.  At  the  time  the  following  drawing 
was  taken,  a  new  Baptist  church  was  erecting.  It  is  situated  a  few 
rods  north  of  the  Congregational  church.  This  place  is  14  miles  from 
Brooklyn,  34  from  ]Nor\vich,47  from  Hartford,  27  from  Providence  and 
53  from  Boston.  There  are  in  the  town  6  or  7  cotton  factories,  which 
do  an  extensive  business.     There  are  also  two  or  three  woolen  factories. 

31asonvil[e,  on  French  river,  is  perhaps  the  largest  manufacturing 
village  in  the  town,  and  is  about  a  mile  and  a  half  from  the  center. 
The  factory  at  this  place  was  formerly  called  the  "  Swamp  Factory," 
from  its  being  situated  in  a  marshy  spot.  Vishersville  is  about  a  mile 
north,  on  the  same  stream.  Tlie  village  of  Ntw  Boston  is  situated  in 
the  northwest  corner  of  the  town,  about  six  miles  from  the  center;  the 
village  is  built  on  both  sides  of  the  Quinnebaug. 


*  The  niusetiin  of  Mr.  Davis,  contains  tlie  Irugest  and  best  collection  in  Geology  of 
iny  in  the  count v 

56 


41-2 


THOMPSON 


iSuut/t  view  of  'iliuinpson,  [ca  iiiriil  [Kin.) 

Thompson  was  a  I'avorile  residenre  ofilie  Nipniiick  Indians.  Quinua- 
iiA'ifci,  one  of  their  chiefs,  had  a  Sj)leruiid  \\i;j;uam  near  where  the  present 
Congrei^alional  cluHch  now  stands  ;  iheir  strong  hold,  however,  was  on 
Fort  hill,  about  three  fourths  of  a  mile  easterly  ;  the  foundations  of 
their  fortress  can  now  be  traced.  The  adjoining  forests,  now  covered 
with  ancient  trees,  still  display  their  corn  fields,  in  rows  and  hills,  as  re- 
gular as  the  best  farmer  would  now  have  them.  The  neighboring 
streams  and  |)onds  afforded  theri;i  great  supplies  of  fish.  The  Char- 
gogtragogirmanchognggoiTg  Pond,  situaicti  partly  in  this  town,  and 
partly  in  Webster,  Mass.  is  said  to  be  sixty  miles  in  circumference,  if- 
follovved  in  all  its  inilentations.  It  is  studded  with  beautiful  islands,  and 
was  considered  the  paradise  of  the  iMpmurks  ami  their  women.  There 
lisli  and  game  were  in  aliimdaiuH\  and  ihcrr,  tiny  hclleveil,  were  the 
enchanted  islands  and  l'll)siau  [''ielils,  the  abode  of  departed  suuls,  and 
the  residence  of  the  Great  Spirit. 

Tliom[)son  was  made  a  society,  for  ecclesiastical  purposes,  by  the 
General  Assembly,  in  their  session  in  May,  17'2S.  It  was  called 
Thompson  parish,  being  then  a  part  of  the  town  of  KlUlngly.  The 
first  sermon  ever  preached  in  the  place  was  by  a  ]\Ir.  Wales,  on  the 
first  Sunday  in  August  of  that  year.  On  Feb.  25tb,  1730,  a  church 
consisting  of  27  members  was  organized,  and  on  the  same  day  the 
Rev.  Marston  Cab(jt,  from  Salem,  JNlass.  was  ordained  their  first  minis- 
ter. The  attending  cler<;y  on  this  occasion  were  Mr.  Coil  from  Plain- 
field,  Mr.  Throope  of  Woodstock,  Mr.  Fisk  of  Killingly,  Mr.  Hale  of 
Ashford,  and  Mr.  Williams  of  Pomfret.  "Mr.  Cabot  was  a  man  of 
great  piety,  and  of  most  amiable  and  engaging  manners,  and  a  descen- 
dant of  the  famous  Sebastian  Cabot.  He  died  in  the  midst  of  his  labors, 
in  his  pulpit,  from  a  fit,  in  1755.^' 

The  next  minister  was  the  Uev.  Noadiah  Russell,  from  ]Middletown, 
who  was  ordained  Nov.   19th,   1757.     The  clergymen  present  were 


V  O  L  U  N  T  0  W  N  . WINDHAM.  443 

Mr.  Putnam  of  Pomfret,  IMr.  Russell's  father  from  Midclletown,  his 
brother  from  Windsor,  and  Air.  Gleason  from  Dudley.  Mr.  Russell 
also  died  in  a  fit  of  aploplexy,  at  iMendon,  on  a  journey  for  his  health, 
in  October,  1795.  The  Rev.  Daniel  Dow,  the  present  minister,  suc- 
ceeded Mr.  Russell,  and  was  ordained  in  April,  1796  ;  making  but 
three  ministers  in  107  years. 


VOL  UN  TOWN. 

VoLUNTOWN  was  incorporated  in  1719.  The  greater  part  of  the 
tract  now  cou)prising  the  town,  was  granted  in  1G9G  to  the  vuluiitters 
in  the  Narragansett  war,  from  which  circumstance  the  town  derives  its 
name.  "  From  the  first  seitlement  of  the  colony,"  says  Dr.  Trum- 
bull, "  it  had  been  customary  to  make  grants  of  lands  to  oflicers,  sol- 
diers and  others,  who  had  been  especially  serviceable  to  the  colony. 
Grants  had  been  made  to  Major  INIason,  to  iiis  ofiicers  and  soldiers  in 
the  Pequot  war.  This  encouraged  the  volunteers,  who  had  j)erform- 
ed  such  signal  feats  in  the  Narragansett  war,  to  make  application  to 
the  Assembly  for  the  grant  of  a  new  township,  as  an  acknowledgment 
of  their  services." 

Voluntown  is  boimded  n.  by  Sterling  and  Plainfield,  e.  by  Rhode 
Island,  s.  by  North  Sionington,  and  w.  by  Griswold.  It  is  about  9 
miles  in  length,  and  averages  more  than  4  in  breadth.  The  surface  is 
generally  diversified  by  hills  and  valleys,  but  there  are  some  sections  of 
pine  plains  which  are  level.  >  The  prevailing  character  of  the  soil  is 
that  of  a  light,  sandy  and  gravelly  loam.  There  are  2  houses  of  wor- 
ship in  the  town,  1  Congregational  and  1  Baptist.  A  Congregational 
church  stands  on  the  dividing  line  between  ibis  town  and  Sterling,  and 
is  called  the  "  Line  JMf.etimr  IJousc."  In  the  western  part  of  the 
town,  there  are  1  woolen  and  2  cotton  factories.  The  central  part 
of  the  town  is  about  14  miles  from  Norwich. 


^V  1  N  D  H  A  M . 

In  February,  1675,  Joshua,  son  of  Uncas,  the  Mohegan  sachem,  by 
his  last  will,  gave  unto  Capt.  John  Mason,  James  Fitch,  and  fourteen 
others,  commonly  called  Joshua's  legatees,  the  tract  containing  the 
town  of  \Vininiam,  which  originally  included  the  present  towns  of 
]\lansfield  and  Canterbury.  In  May,  1636,  the  main  street  in  Wind- 
ham was  laid  out,  and  fourteen  lots  for  the  legatees  were  surveyed. 
Other  roads  were  made,  lots  sui'veyed,  and  purchases  made  for  settle- 
Eueut  ill  the  two  following  years.     "  Lieut.  JuJni  Catts*  a  pious  puri- 


*  His  monument  is  still  remaining  in  Uie  bnrying  ground  south  of  ll)eVillage :  the 
following  is  a  copy  of  the  inscription,  viz.  "In  memory  of  Mr.  John  Gates.  He  was 
a  gentleman  born  in  England,  ami  the  fust  setleljer  in  the  Town  of  Windham.  By 
Ills  last  Will  and  Testament,  he  gave  a  generous  Legacy  to  ye  first  church  of  Chrisc 


444 


W  I  N  I)  H  A  ^5 


tan,  who  served  in  the  wars  in  England,  holding  his  commission  under 
Cromwell,  when  Charles  II.  came  to  the  throne,  (led  to  this  country 
for  safety.  He  landed  first  in  Virginia,  where  he  procwred  a  negro 
servant  to  attend  him.  But  when  advertisements  and  pursuers  were 
spread  through  this  country,  to  appreiiend  the  adherents  of  the  Protec- 
tor, he  left  Virginia,  came  to  New  York,  and  from  thence  to  Norwich. 
Still  feeling  that  he  should  he  securer  in  a  more  retired  place,  he  came 
to  the  new  plantation,  dug  the  first  cellar,  and  with  his  servant,  raised 
in  Windham  the  first  English  iiahiiaiion,  in  the  spring  of  l(jS9.  The 
settlers,  rapidly  increasing,  petitioned  the  (jeneral  Court,  and  obtained 
a  grant  of  town  privileges  in  ^lay,  169:2. "f  It  was  made  a  county 
town  in  May,  1725  ;  the  grand  list  in  17G8  was  about  £30,000,  and 
the  number  of  mhahiianis  3,500, 


Kd.^lirn  cicw  uf  llindhain. 

The  present  town  of  AVindliam  is  buuiided  iiorili  by  the  towns  of 
Hampton,  Chaplin  and  iMansfield,  cast  l)y  CantL-rhury,  south  by  Frank- 
lin and  Lisbon,  and  west  by  Et-banou  and  Columbia.  The  lowuship 
has  a  mean  length  from  east  to  west  of  about  eight  miles,  with  a  me- 
dium breadth  of  nearly  six  miles.  The  sinface  of  the  town  is  gen- 
erally hilly,  particularly  the  eabtern  part,  comprising  the  parish  of  Scot- 
land. The  soil  in  the  western  ))art,  bordering  on  the  Slietucket.  is 
rather  light  and  dry  ;  there  is,  however,  a  considerable  tract  of  fertile 
land  in  this  section  of  the  town. 

The  above  is  a  view  of  the  central  part  of  the  ancient  village  of 
Windham.  The  houses  are  more  clustcM'ed  together  than  in  most  New 
England  villages  which  were  built  at  the  same  period,  and  it  has  been 


in  Windham,  in  plate,  and  a  generous  Legacy  in  Land  I'm-  ye  support  of  ye  Poor,  and 
another  Legacy  for  ye  ^upijort  oi'  ye  School  in  said  'Town  for  ever,  lie  died  in 
Wiudham,  July  ye  IGih,  A.  D.  1097."  Jo.siah  Mannino. 

t  Mr.  Waterman's  Ccn'.ury  Seiino!!. 


WIND  II  AM.  -115 

remarked  by  travelers,  that  Windham,  in  its  general  appearance,  very 
much  resembles  an  English  village.  The  Congregational  church  is 
seen  nearly  ii\  the  center  of  the  engraving.  Dr.  Dwight,  in  the  third 
volume  of  his  travels,  in  noticing  this  building,  j)leasantly  remarks,  "  that 
the  spot  where  it  is  posited,  bears  not  a  little  resemblance  to  a  pound  ; 
and  it  appears  as  if  those  who  pitched  upon  it,  intended  to  shut  the 
church  out  of  the  town,  and  the  inhabitants  out  of  the  church."  Wind- 
ham village  is  30  miles  east  of  Hartford,  11  from  Norwich  city,  and 
44  west  of  Providence.  Since  the  removal  of  the  seat  of  justice  for 
the  county  to  Brooklyn,  and  the  establishtnent  of  the  (lourisbing  village 
of  Willifuantic,  on  the  western  border  of  the  town,  the  ancient  village 
of  Windham  has  souiewhat  declined.  It  is  said  that  there  were  more 
buildings  in  'Windliam  village  previous  to  the  Revolution,  than  there 
has  been  at  any  time  since.  There  are  now  in  the  jjlace  six  mercantile 
stores,  and  about  GO  d\\-elling  houses.  There  are  two  houses  of  wor- 
ship, one  Congregational  and  one  Episcopal.  There  is  one  bank  in 
the  town. 

It  is  said  there  was  originally  a  handsome  square  laid  out  in  the  cen- 
ter of  the  village.  While  some  of  the  principal  men  were  absent,  and 
at  a  time  when  party  spirit  was  prevailing,  a  vote  of  the  town  was  ob- 
tained for  selling  ofF  the  principal  part  of  the  square  for  building  lots, 
and  it  was  accordingly  used  for  that  purpose.  This  is  stated  to  be  the 
cause  of  the  singular  situation  of  the  church,  and  the  clustered  appear- 
ance of  the  vilhigo. 

The  Rev.  Samuel  Whiting^was  the  first  minister  in  Windham  ;  be 
was  born  in  l(i70,  and  was  the  son  of  the  Rev.  John  Whiting,  minis- 
ter of  Hartford.  He  received  his  early  education  from  his  father,  and 
afterwards  linished  his  education  for  the  ministry  under  the  direction  of 
the  Rev.  James  Fitch  of  Norwich,  there  being  no  college  in  Connecti- 
cut at  that  time.  At  the  first  town  meeting  in  Windham,  June  11th, 
lGl):i,  it  was  voted  to  apply  to  i\lr.  Whiting  to  carry  ou  the  work  of  the 
ministry.  Previous  to  this,  those  whose  circumstances  would  admit, 
used  to  attend  meeting  at  Norwich,  the  distance  of  twelve  miles,  in  a 
rough  and  unsubdued  road.  "  Tradition  says,  and  from  the  records  it  ap- 
pears it  may  say  correctly,  that  the  first  sermon  Mr.  Whiting  preached 
at  Windham,  was-on  the  first  day  of  the  week,  and  the  first  day  of  the 
year,  from  the  first  chapter  of  the  Bible,  and  from  the  first  verse."  In 
INIay,  1G93,  as  an  inducement  to  tarry  with  them  four  years,  they  of- 
fered him  £50  a  year,  an  allotment  through  all  the  division  lots,  and 
to  build  him  a  house  two  stories  high  and  18  feet  square.  The  land 
was  laid  out  to  hiui,  and  for  the  first  year,  instead  of  a  house,  they 
added  XIO  to  his  salary.  In  1G9G,  they  built  him  a  house;  in  1G97, 
they  gave  him  a  call  to  ordination.  In  1699,  it  was  repeated,  and  80 
loads  of  wood  added  to  his  salary.  In  December,  1700,  he  was  or- 
dained, and  the  first  church  was  gathered.  His  salary  was  afterwards 
raised  to  £lOO,  and  his  wood.  In  1725,  being  on  a  visit  to  his  friends, 
he  was  suddenly  seized  with  the  pleurisy,  and  died  at  the  house  of  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Collins,  of  Enfield.  He  was  the  father  of  13  children,  8 
sons  and  5  daughters. 


446 


\V  1  N  U  11  A  M 


The  Rev.  Tiioinas  Clap,  afterwards  president  of  Yale  College,  was 
the  second  minister  in  Windliain.  He  was  ordained  in  17-26,  and 
preached  in  ilie  place  till  1740.  Mr.  Chip  received  £000  settlement, 
£100  annual  salary,  and  £10  yearly  for  his  wood.  I'he  i\ev.  Stephen 
White  was  their  next  ])astor,  and  was  ordained  in  1740.  He  continued 
in  the  ministry  53  years,  till  his  death,  January  9th,  1693.  Mr.  White, 
in  his  half  century  sermon,  preached  Januaiy  1st,  1790,  says, — "AVhen 
I  came  to  this  town,  there  were  some  of  the  hrst  settlers  livinf,^  They 
are  now  dead,  and  almost  all  the  next  generation,  in  those  days  there 
were  scarce  any  that  were  not  professors  of  religion,  and  hut  few  in- 
fants not  haptized.  No  families  that  ware  praijcrUss.  Profane  swear- 
ing was  little  known  ;  and  o))en  violations  of  the  Sahhath  not  practiced 
as  is  common  now,  and  there  were  no  Deists  among  us.  The  people, 
as  a  hody,  were  fearers  of  .the  Lord,  and  ohservers  of  the  Sahhath  and 
its  duties.  J3ut  the  present  day  is  peculiar  for  men's  tin-owing  olF  the 
fear  of  the  Lord.  Declensions  in  religion  have  heen  increasing  for 
ahout  30  years  [jast.  Such  as  profanencss,  disregard  of  the  Sabbath, 
neglect  of  family  religion,  unrighteousness  and  intemperance,  the  im- 
bibing of  modern  eriors  and  heresies,  and  thu  cr)-ing  prevalence  of  in- 
fidelity against  the  clearest  light. 


Southwest  view  of  U'illijnanlic,    IVindhatn. 

The  borough  of  Willimantic  is  a  flourishing  village,  26  miles  east 
from  Hartford,  3  west  from  ^Vindham,  44  from  Providence,  16  from 
INorwich  city,  and  16  from  Brooklyn.  It  contains  at  this  time  nearly 
2,000  inhabitants.  The  village  is  built  principally  on  one  street,  on  the 
northern  side  of  the  Willimantic,  and  extends  from  west  to  east  neaily 
a  mile,  and  contains  three  houses  of  worship,  1  Congregational,  1  Meth- 
odist, and  1  X3aptist. 

The  engravini^  shows  the  appearance  of  the  western  part  of  the  vil- 
lage, as  it  is  entered  upon  the  Hartford  road.  The  buildings  seen  on 
the  left  are  those  of  the  ^Villdhum  Co.  cotton  factory. 


WINDHAM. 


417 


There  are  G  cotton  factories,  in  all  of  which  upwards  of  13,000  spin- 
dles are  run.     Tliere  is  also  a  satinet  factory  and  a  paper  mill. 

This  village  has  been  built  in  the  course  of  \2  years  past.  There 
was  a  kind  of  "State  Armory"  erected  during  the  Revolutionary  war, 
at  the  southern  extremity  of  the  village,  for  the  purpose  of  manufac- 
turine:  Ore  arms  for  the  state. 


SoutJi  wester  a  view  of  Frog  Pond,  JVinJham. 

Much  pleasantry  has  been  indulged  at  the  expense  of  the  inhabitants 
of  Windham,  on  account  oi'  a  singular  occurrence  which  happened  in 
the  year  1758,  by  which  the  inhabitants  were  very  much  frightened. 
The  following  is  from  a  sheet  recently  jjrinted  in  the  comity,  entitled 
"Lawyers  and  Bull-frogs,"  and  will  show  the  cause  of  the  fright. 
There  is  probably  considerable  exaggeration  in  the  hUrotluclion,  as 
well  as  in  the  song,  though  the  founilation  of  the  story  is  believed  to  be 
a  matter  of  fact.     It  is  inserted  as  an  amusing  relic  of  the  times. 

"  On  a  dark  clouily  dismal  iiiglii  iu  the  month  of  July,  A.  D.  1758,  the  inhabitants  of 
Windham,  a  small  town  in  the  eastern  pait  of  (lonnef-licnt,  had  retired  to  rest,  and 
for  several  hours,  all  were  wrapped  in  prolbiind  repose — when  suddenly,  soon  after 
midnii^lit,  the  slumbeis  uf  the  jieaeeful  iiihabilants  were  disturbed  by  a  most  terrilic 
noise  in  the  sky  right  over  theii  lieads,  which  to  many,  seemed  the  yells  and  screech- 
es ol'  infuriated  Indians,  and  othejs  had  no  other  way  of  aeeminting  fur  tlie  awful 
sounds,  which  still  kepi  increasing,  but-by  supposing  the  day  ol  judgment  liad  certain- 
ly come,  and  10  their  lerrilied  imaginations,  the  awful  uproar  in  the  air  seemed  the 
innnediate  precursor  of  the  clangor  of  the  last  trumpet.  At  intervals,  many  supposed 
they  could  disiingni-ih  the  calling  out  of  the  iiariicular  names,  as  of  Cols.  Dyku  and 

Eldeukin,  two  eminent  lawyers,  and  this  increasid  the  general  terror IJutsoon 

there  was  a  rush  from  every  house,  the  tumult  in  the  air  still  increasing — old  and 
young,  male  and  female,  poured  forth  into  the  streets,  "  in  jmiis  naturalUius,"  entiie- 
ly  forgetful,  in  ilieir  hurry  and  consternalion,  of  their  nether  habilinu-nis,  and  with 
eyes  upturned  tried  to  pierce  the  almo.st  pal|)alile  darkness.  My  venerable  informant, 
Avho  well  recidlects  the  event,  says  that  some  daring  '^spirits,"  conchaling  there  was 
nothing  supernatural  in  the  hubbub  and  ujiroar  over  head,  but  rather,  that  they  heard 
the  yells  of  Indians  commencing  a  midnight  attack,  loaded  their  guns  and  sallied  forth 
to  meet  the  invading  foes.  These  valiant  heroes,  on  ascending  the  hill  that  bounds 
the  village  on  the  east,  perceived  that  the  sounds  came  from  that  quarter,  and  not 
from  the  skies,  as  first  believed,  but  their  courage  would  not  permit  iheni  to  proceed  to 


448 


w  I  N  D  H  A  ar . 


the  daring  extremity  of  advancing  eastward,  until  they  had  discovered  the  real  cause 
of  alarm  and  distress,  which  pervaded  the  whole  village.     Towards  morning  the 

sounds  in  the  air  seemed  to  die  away In  the  murning,  the  whole  cause  ot  alarm, 

which  produced  such  distressing  apprehensions  among  the  good  people  of  the  town, 
-was  apparent  to  ail  who  took  the  trouble  to  go  to  a  certain  mill  pond,  situated  about 
three  lourlhs  of  a  mile  eastward  of  the  village.  This  pond,  hereafter,  in  the  annuh 
^f  Fame,  forever  to  be  called  the  Frog  Pimd,  in  coiiseciuence  of  a  severe  drought, 
which  iiad  prevailed  many  weeks,  had  become  nearly  dry,  and  the  Bull  Frogs  (with 
which  it  was  densely  populated)  at  the  mill  (ought  a  pitched  battle  on  tlie  sides  ot  the 
ditch  which  ran  through  it,  tor  tlie  possession  ami  enjoyment  of  the  fluid  which  re- 
mained. Long  and  obsiinutely  was  the  coniest  mauitiiineil ;  and  many  tliousands  of 
the  combatants  were  found  defunct,  on  both  sides  of  itie  iliich,  the  next  morning.  It 
liad  been  uncommonly  still,  lor  several  liours  before  the  hallle  commenced,  but  sud- 
denly, as  if  by  a  preconcerted  agreement,  every  frog  on  one  side  of  the  ditch,  raised 
the  war  cry.  Col.  Dyer,  Col.  Dijcr,  and  at  the  snine  instant,  from  the  opposite  side,  re- 
sounded tlie  adverse  ^Uuul  oi  Eldcrkiii  too,  Elitcr/ciii  too.  Owing  to  some  peculiar 
stale  of  the  atmosphere,  the  awful  noises  and  cries  appeared  to  the  distressed  Wmd- 
hamites  to  be  directly  over  their  heads 


CfOoJ  people  all,  both  great  and  small, 

Of  every  OLCiijialion, 
I  pray  draw  noar,  unci  IfiiJ  an  cur 

To  this  our  true  lolutioii. 

'Twns  of  a  friglit,  happen'd  orir.  night, 
CaiLsed  by  Uiu  buli-lnig  nalicm, 

As  strange"  an  one  as  evtr  vva.s  kiiuwii, 
111  all  our  gL'rieralicjn. 

Thu  frogs  we  hear,  in  hullfrng  nljirf, 

Their  cliiirister  had  hiirncl, 
The  saddi'st  loss,  and  grratubl  cross, 

Tliat  ever  they  eiidui'id. 

Thus  being  deprived,  tlicy  soon  (-oiitrivcd 
Their  friemls  to  stnd  to,  gr(!itiMg, 

Even  to  all,  both  great  and  siiiuU, 
To  hold  u  general  meeting. 

Subject  and  lord,  with  one  accord, 
Now  came  Willi  liowrl.s  yearning, 

Fortostijiiilj'  and  iiiialily, 
And  lit  a  Iru^'  lur  I 


laniing. 
Jiat.-ly, 


For  to  supply, 

The  p);.rr„r   Ihrir  d..r,,sc(l, 

Tliei-e  didlhry  llud  on.;  In  ih.i 

Wlucli  soon  their  sorrciUB  ea 

Thisbeiiii;  done,  the  glonou.s  s 
ll.'ihu  down  and  night  iu\\iau 

With  gr.-al  d, 'light,  th.'y  spent  i 
III  iiuisie  and  in  dancing. 


And  when  they  broke  in  hiiiglittr. 
It  did  surprise  both  learned  and  wise. 
As  you  shall  llnd  hereafter. 

A  negro  man,  we  understand, 
Awoke  iiiid  heard  the  shouting, 

lie  ne'er  went  abroad,  but  aw.ik'd  his  lord, 
Which  lill'd  their  hearts  with  doubting. 

With  one  accord,  they  went  abroad. 


od 


I'hile 


■d  no  doubt. 


e  jiidgnioiit  day, 


The  bullfrog  bhout  apj 
To  them  like  claps  ol 

Which  made  them  say. 
Without  a  doubt  was  C(jiiiiiig, 

For  in  tin:  air,  they  did  decUue, 
Was  very  awful  dramming. 

Those  lawyer's  fees  would  give  no  case 
Tho'  well  they're  worth  indiling; 

To  pray  they  kneel— alas,  Ihev  feel 
The  worm  of  conscience  biting. 

Being  thus  dlBmayed,  one  of  them  said, 

He  would  make  restitution, 
lie  Would  restore  one  half  or  iiime'. 

This  was  his  resolution. 


Another's  heart  was  loiicli'd  in  part, 
liut  not  luick'd  to  the  ceiiltr; 

Uatiier  than  pay  one  half  away, 
ills  soul  he  said  he'd  venture. 


T!i 


ate 


1  will 


And  a.s  I 
llepeii 


sjieed, 
'  «'ay 


led  Still,  unto  the  hill, 
.s.-  men  they  did  rally. 


I'Ut  of  the  valley, 
they  went,  with  one  ccuseii 


:  great  nun,  returned  then, 

lb  wnitliaud  malice, 

Md  all,  holh  great  and  jmal 


jth  .iudji'  and  Jury, 


Ti. 

Ih 

e  lH.g=' 

I  J. rove 

1. 

This 
III 

1' 
iji 

npl.'  ,ll 

\\  null 
iile  a  m 

H..>i  in  despai 
isl  wonderful 

did  fright 

I'g  lilt  ben  11  i>ol 
irayer. 

Law 

,„::>. 

in- 

•ei 
er 

'ol 

l.ucifer  called 

aiidKlderkin,  v 
Dyer,  you  kno 
d  an  (dd  negio. 

-u  uiust  coine  loo; 
w  well  enough, 
his  name  was  (;nir. 

Now 

I'u 

I  ma 

No 

massn,  says  Pnti; 

what  httle  comlu 

ke  it  no  doubt,  my 

longer  Khali  I  be  a 

I'm  no 
rt  I  ha 
time  IS 
slave. 

V  glad  enough, 
jilst  out, 

Asf, 
I). 

The 
Ai 

r  1 

di 

UK 

.arable, 

rguiUv 
lere  lay 

lir  uut  ( 
as  still 

^usl 
ptiut, 
as  a  m 

lie, 
oiise, 
his  hole. 

As  ft 

e,u\y, 

^liiit,  he 

began 

to  repent, 

l\u  a  Uible  he  ne'er  had  known, 
His  Iile  was, so  bad,  he'd  give  half  he  had, 
'I'o  old  father  Stougbton  for  one. 

Tliose  armed  men,  they  killed  then, 
And  scaljj'd  about  two  hundred. 

Taking  1  say  their  lives  away, 
Ai^l  then  their  camj)  they  plundered. 

Those  lusty  frogs,  they  fought  like  dogs, 
Tor  which  I  do  commend  tliem, 

Hut  lost  the  day,  for  want,  I  .say. 
Of  «eajinns  to  defend  them. 


WOODSTOCK.  449 


I  liad  tills  story  set  before  iiip, 

JuNt  as  1  have  \vi  il  il, 
It  being  so  new,  so  stiyiige  aiul  true, 

I  could  not  well  omit  it. 

Lawyers,  I  say,  now  froin  this  day, 
Be  honest  in  your  dealing;. 

Anil  never  more  inrrrii.se  .vmir  store, 
Willie  you  the  iioor  arc  killing. 


For  if  you  do  ill,  I'll  have  you  know, 
Conscience  again  will  smite  you, 

Tilt:  luill  frog  shout  will  ne'er  give  out, 
l!ut  rise  again  and  tight  yon. 

Now  I.iiwycrs,  Parson,  Bull  I'rogsall, 

Ibid  you  all  farewell, 
And  unto  vun  I  loudly  call, 

A  lieltLT  Idle  lo  tell. 


W  O  O  D  S  T  O  C  ]v  . 

In  1686,  many  of  the  inhabitants  of  Roxbiiry,  in  IMassachusclts,  ri,-- 
ceivcd  Iroin  the  government  of  that  colony,  a  grant  of  a  tract  of  land 
ill  the  southern  part  of  the  colony,  for  a  settlement,  which  was  nanietl 
Woodstock.*  'I'his  town  was  bounded  by  Woodward  and  Sallery's 
line,  and  was  afterwards  found  to  be  within  the  limits  of  Conneclicut. 
It  was  tiist  called  INew  Koxhury. 

In  1713,  the  line  between  Connecticut  and  IMassachusetts  was  sur- 
veyed, and  upon  certain  conditions,  it  was  agreed  by  Connecticut,  that 
the  towns  settled  by  INIassachusetts  should  remain  under  its  jurisdiction. 
This  compromise  produced  general  uneasiness  and  dissatisfaction  with 
the  inhabitants  at  the  time,  which  instead  of  subsiding,  as  was  expected, 
continued  to  increase,  so  that  in  May,  1747,  they  presented  a  memorial 
to  the  General  Assembly  of  Connecticut,  praying  to  be  annexed  to,  or 
taken  under  the  juristfiction  thereof,  whereby  they  might  be  restored 
to  the  chartered  privileges  granted  to  them,  in  common  with  the  oilier 
citizens  of  this  state.  The  General  Assembly,  afier  iiaving  appointed 
commissioners  to  attempt  to  settle  this  dispute,  with  others  that  might 
be  appointed  by  Massachusetts,  without  effect,  adopted  a  resolution, 
that  as  the  agreement  of  1713  had  never  received  the  royal  conlivma- 
tion,  it  was  not  binding  ;  and  that  all  the  inhabitants  who  lived  south  of 
IMassachusetts,  as  ilefined  by  the  charter,  were  entilleii  to  the  privi- 
leges anil  ought  to  be  subject  to  the  jurisdiction  of  the  government  of 
this  state. 

In  1752,  an  act  was  passed,  securing  to  the  several  religious  societies 
of  the  aforesaid  towns,  all  the  rights  and  privileges  of  religious  societies 
according  to  the  laws  of  this  colony.  These  proceedings  on  the  part 
of  Connecticut,  produced  a  remonstrance  to  his  majesty.  This  was  op- 
posed by  the  agent  of  Connecticut,  then  in  England,  and  the  claims  of 
the  latter  supported,  which  were  finally  recognized,  and  the  boundary 
established  accordingly  in  1755. 

Wootlstock  is  bounded  n.  by  the  INIi^sachusetts  line,  e.  by  Thomp- 
son, w.  by  Union  and  Ashford,  and  s.  by  Pomhet  and  Ashford.  It  is 
8  miles  long,  and  u])wards  of  7  in  breadth.  The  surface  of  the  town 
is  characteristically  hilly,  but  not  mountainous  or  broken,  and  comprises 
very  little  waste  laud,  most  or  all  of  the  eminences  being  capable  of  cul- 


♦  Holmes' Annals,  Vol.  1..  Dr.  Holmes  .states:  "In  .Tudge  Sewalj's  MS.  Di;:ry  I 
find  this  entry. — '  Iti'JO,  Maich  18,  I  i,'ave  New  Ro.Ybnry  the  name  ol'  Wood.stuck',  be- 
cause of  its  nearness  to  Oxford,  for  the  sake  of  Cliieen  lilizabetli,  and  the  notable  nitet- 
injjs  thai  have  been  held  al  the  plaee  bearing  the  name  in  England.'  " 

57 


y 


450 


WOODSTOCK 


livation.  The  prevailin^f  soil  is  a  deep  gravelly  loam,  which  is  stroiir; 
and  fertile.  It  is  best  adapted  to  /^razinjr,  but  generally  admits  of  til- 
laije;  and  considerable  quantities  ol' grain  are  annually  raised,  consisting 
principally  of  rye  and  corn,  and  it  may  be  considered  one  of  the  richest 
agricultural  towns  in  this  part  of  the  state.  There  are  4  woolen  and  4 
cotton  iiictories  in  ibe  limits  oi"  the  town.  There  are  also  about  DOO 
persons  engaged  in  the  shoe  making  business,  principally  in  the  western 
part  of  tlie  town.  The  town  is  divided  into  three  parts,  \'vi.  the  ohi 
society  of  Woodstock,  West  Woodstock  or  New  lloxbury,  and  jNIuddy 
Brook  society  or  JNoiih  Woodstock.  There  are  six  houses  of  worshi[) 
in  the  town,  4  C()nL:^(>^atiol1nI,  1  Jjapli>t,  and  1  iMelliodisl, 


So\i(h  view  (if  the   Cdiii^r.'^^yiliuiuil  C/.iirc/i,   il'ooJ^tocl'. 

The  altovo  is  a  souih  view  of  tlie  ( \)nL:rt\^;iti(Mi:d  church  in  the  old 
soc-ieiy  of  Woodstock  ;  the  At\uli'my  is  seen  in  the  distance,  in  the  cen- 
tral part  of  the  engraving.  'J'his  spot  is  elevated  ground,  rising  consid- 
erably above  the  valley  of  the  Quinnebaug.  'J'he  villages  of  Thom)-)- 
son,  North  Killlngly,  and  Dudley  in  Massachusetts,  on  corresponding 
ehivations,  are  in  fair  view  ;  this  |)lace  is  41  miles  from  Hartford,  ^vJ 
from  Norwich,  3-2  fiom  Providence,  12  from  Brooklyn,  and  G  from 
Thomi)son.  The  village  of  I\luddy  Brook,  or  North  \V,oodstock,  is 
about  three  miles  distant,  situated  in  a  beautiful  valley,  thiough  which 
IMiiddy  Brook,  a  fine  mill  stream,  passes.  The  village  is  in  two  jjaris, 
in  each  of  which  is  a  Congregational  chur(?^,  upwards  of  one  mile  dis- 
tant from  each  other.  Tiie  houses  in  this  village  are  more  clustered 
than  in  any  other  part  of  the  town,  and  viewed  from  the  suirounding 
hills  present  an  uncommonly  beautiful  appearance.     I'he  west  part  is 


laire  corner 


''  Gen.  William  Eaton  was  a  native  of  this  town,  and  was  born  Feb- 
ruary 23d,  1764.  At  a  very  early  period  lie  disclosed  strong  indica- 
tions of  intellectual  vigor,  and  of  menial  eccentricity.     At  the  age  of 


WOODSTOCK.  451 

about  16  years,  without  the  knoulcilge  or  consent  of  his  parents,  he 
went  from  home,  ;iiul  enhsted  into  the  army.  This  was  in  1780,  near 
the  close  of  the  Revohitionary  war;  and  young  Eaton  continued  in  tlie 
army  until  the  close  of  the  war,  a  considerable  part  of  the  time  in  the 
limnble  station  of  a  private  soldier;  but  he  attained  the  rank  of  a  ser- 
geant. After  the  peace,  in  1784,  he  conmienced  the  study  of  the  Latin 
language,  and  the  year  after,  was  adn)itted  a  member  of  Dartmouth 
College,  where  he  graduated  in  1790,  the  period  of  his  collegiate  life 
having  been  protracted,  from  the  circumstance  of  his  having  devoted  a 
portion  of  his  time  to  school  keeping,  which  iiis  want  of  pecuniary  re- 
sources rendered  necessary. 

"  III  OctdbLT,  I7t»l.  he  was  chosen  clerk  of  the  Tlouse  of  Deloijales  ol'  Vcrinont,  re- 
sit! in  f,' at  llirit  lime  in  liie  luwu  of  Wiiuisor,  wlieiehe  liad  been  eiigajjed  in  school 
keeping.  In  iMiiich,  17i)'2,  lie  was  appointed  a  caplain  in  ihe  aiiny  of  the  Uniied 
Stales;  and  whilst  in  this  situation,  he  performed  various  services  upon  the  western 
and  southern  fmnliers.  Pie  continued  in  the  ainiy  until  17'J7,  when  he  was  appointed 
consul  to  Tunis.  lie  continued  in  this  dillicull  (and  it  may  be  achled,  pel  ilous)  situa- 
tion imtil  1S0:5,  during  which  period,  he  discharged  the  consular  lunclions  with  great 
linnness  and  ability.  In  1801,  Gen.  l^alon  letuined  to  America  and  visited  Washing- 
ton, where  he  disclosed  the  fauKJUS  enterpris(!  which  he  had  planned  to  restore  the  ex- 
bashaw  of  Tripoli,  and  having  obtained  the  sanction  of  government,  he  embarked  in 
July  of  the  .same  year,  in  the  Argus  sloop  of  war,  with  the  intention  of  engaging  in 
this  bold  and  hazardous  undertaking,  and  ariived  at  Alexandria  in  Egypt,  on  the  '25th 
of  Novemlier  following.  From  Alexandria  he  proceeded  tii  (^airo,  where  he  found 
the  ex-bashaw,  who  approved  of  the  enteipri-e,  and  after  having  made  suitable  ar- 
rangements, and  recruited  ahtuit  5(10  men,  (11)0  of  which  only  were  ('hrislians,)  it  wa.s 
determined  by  Ivitoii  and  the  e.v-bashaw  to  cr(jss  the  desert  and  seize  the  piovince  and 
city  of  Derne.  Afiei'a  dillicull  and  faliguing  journey,  through  a  dreary  desert,  pre- 
-senting  inniimeraljle  obstacles,  ihey  arrived  within  the  province  of  Derne,  and  soon 
attacked  and  captuied  the  city,  having  the  as.sistance  of  the  Flornet  sloop  of  war. 
The  hohlness  and  de>i)erate  bravery  of  Gen.  l-:alnn  and  his  little  parly,  alarmed  the 
reigning  bashaw  and  his  baibarian  subjVcis,  who.almost  thought  ihey  were  something 
more  ihan  liunian  being.s;  but  the  prtcMcss  of  Gen.  l^aton  was  arrested  by  a  peace 
which  the  American  consul  concluded  with  the  bashaw.  Alter  this,  Gen.  Eaton  re- 
turned to  his  native  counlry,  and  was  every  where  received  with  the  most  di^tinguish- 
ed  applause,  the  "laieful  tribute  id'  palrinlie  and  heroic  achievements.  Alter  some 
lime  lie  fixed  his  esidcnce  in  Biimfiehl,  Massachusetts,  where  he  continued  until  his 
death  in  K^H.  WhilM  lieie  he  u.i.-,  elected  a  representative  of  the  town,  m  the  legis- 
lature t>l' tht  state. 

'•Gen.  Ealon  was  a  veiv  e.vtraordinary  character;  he  possessed  much  original 
genius,  was  bold  in  his  coiiceplnms,  ardent  in  his  passions,  determined  in  his  resolu- 
tions, and  indelatigably  persevering  m  his  conduct.  He  possessed  considerable  liter- 
ary acquirements,"and  Ihe  stvle  of  his  writings  was  characteristic  of  his  mind;  bold, 
energetic  and  decisive.  His  courage  was  equalled  only  by  his  resolution,  and  the 
boldness  of  his  enterprises,  by  his  ability  and  peiseveranc'e  to  execute  them."* 


The  following  inscription   is  from  a  monument  in  the  yard  on  the 
north  side  of  the  church  represented  in  the  engraving. 

Memejao  Mori. 
Here  lies  the  body  of  the  Reverend  Mr.  Amos  Throope,  late  pastor  of  llie  church 
ill  Woodstock,  who  died  Septemr.  the  7th,  Anno  1735,  in  the  3-lth  year  of  his  age  and 
the 'Jill  of  his  pastorate. 

O  cruel  Death  to  snatch  from  us  below, 

One  fit  to  live  within  the  spheres  on  high, 
But  since  the  great  Creator  orders  so, 
Hear  at  his  feet  he  doth  submissive  lie. 

*  Pease  and  Nile.'s's  Gazetleer. 


w 


452 


L  I  T  C  II  F  I  F.  I-  n  . 


LITCHFIELD    COUNTY. 

TjItchfield  County  was  incorporated  as  such  in  1751,  and  a  con- 
siderable j)art  of  it  was  more  recently  settled  than  any  other  part  of 
the  state.  It  is  bounded  n.  by  Jjerkshire  county  in  Massachusetts,  e. 
by  Hartford  and  New  Haven  counties,  s.  by  the  counties  of  New 
Haven  and  Falrlield,  and  w.  by  the  stale  of  New  York.  It  has  an 
average  length  from  north  to  south  of  about  33  miles,  and  a  breadth  of 
about  27  miles,  comjjrislng  about  885  st]uare  miles,  being  the  largest 
county  in  the  state.  The  ])rinclpal  part  of  the  county  is  elevated  and 
mountainous.  The  prevailing  soil  is  a  gravelly  loam,  generally  deep, 
and  in  many  sections  strong  and  fertile,  and  admirably  adapted  to  gra- 
zing. The  agricultural  interests  of  the  county  are  very  respectable. 
The  staple  productions  consist  of  cheese,  butter,  pork  and  beef.  Con- 
siderable attention  is  -also  jjaid  to  the  raising  of  neat  cattle  and  sheep. 
The  manufacture  of  iron  is  carried  on  more  extensively  in  this  county 
than  in  any  other  section  of  the  state. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  towns  in  the  county,  \vith  their  |iopu- 
laliou  in  1830. 


Litchfield,  - 

-  '1,1  r,G 

Kent, 

2,001 

Sharon, 

-  2,G15 

Barkhamsled, 

-   1,715 

New  Hartford, 

1,7  6  G 

Torrington, 

-  1,(;51 

Bethlem,     ^ 

-      90G 

New  Millbrd,- 

3,979 

AVarren,     - 

-      98G 

Canaan, 

-  2,301 

Norlblk,     -     - 

1 ,485 

Washington, 

-  1,G2L 

Cole  brook  - 

-   1,332 

Plymouth, 

2,0G1 

Watertown, 

-   1,500 

Cornwall,    - 

-  1,714 

Roxbury, 

1,122 

Winchester 

-   1,7GG 

Coslien, 

-   1,734 

Salisbury, 

2,580 

Woodbury, 

-  2,045 

Harwinlon, 

-   1,51() 

Population  of  the  county  in  1820,  41,2G7;  in  1830,  42,855. 


LITCHFIELD. 


The  tract  of  land  now  comprised  in  the  township  of  Litchfield,  was 
called  by  the  native  Imlrdns  Jumtam.  In  1718,  it  was  purchased  of 
the  colony  of  Connecticut  by  a  company,  who  divided  their  purchase, 
(which  was  intended  to  cover  ten  miles  square,)  into  sixty  shares,  under 
the  name  of  "  proprietors'  rights,"  which  w^'re  valued  at  X5  per  right. 
The  proprietors  who  made  the  purchase  and  first  settlement,  were  jirin- 
cipally  horn  Hartford,  Windsor  and  Lebanon.  In  1720  and  1721,  sev- 
eral families  began  to  settle  on  the  tract.  "  Nothing  appears  on  record 
to  show  that  the  proprietors  purchased  any  of  the  lands  in  this  town  of 
the  Indians  :  the  title  having  been  previously  extinguished  by  the  colo- 
ny. The  lands  in  this  town  allbrded  better  hunting  ground  for  the  In- 
dians, than  extensive  intervals.     ^lany  of  the  hills  were  nearly  cleared 


LITCHFIELD.  453 

of  trees  by  fires,  kindled  for  the  purpose  of  hunting.  To  this  remark, 
however,  many  valuable  tracts,  containing  excellent  pine  and  other 
forest  trees,  were  an  imjjortant  exception." 

In  172 1,  Bantam  was  incorporated  as  a  town  by  the  name  of  Litch- 
field. "  By  the  act  of  incorporation,  the  grant  was  made  to  John  Marsh 
of  Hartford,  to  John  Bnel  of  Lebanon,  and  their  associates;  amounting 
to  fifty  seven.  The  first  founders  built  log  houses.  The  settlement 
proceeded  as  fist  as  could  be  reasonably  expected,  considering  the  cir- 
cumstances of  the  times.  During  the  wars  between  England  and  France, 
the  Canadians  and  Indians  ofien  harassed  our  borders  ;  and  Litchfield, 
being  a  frontier  town,  was  exposed  to  their  ravages.  Between  the 
year  1720  and  1730,  five  houses  were  snrroundeil  with  palisadoes. 
One  of  these  stood  on  the  ground  near  the  present  court  house  ;  ano- 
ther about  half  a  mile  south  ;  one  east,  and  one  west  of  the  center  ; 
and  one  in  South  Farms.  SoUIiers  were  then  stationed  here  to  guard 
the  inhabitants,  both  while  they  were  at  work  in  the  field,  and  while 
they  were  attending  public  worship  on  the  Sabbath. 

"  In  JMay,  1722,  Capt.  Jacob  Grisvvould,  being  at  work  alone  in  the 
field,  about  one  mile  west  of  the  present  court  house,  two  Indians  sud- 
denly rushed  upon  him  from  the  woods,  look  liim  and  pinioned  his  arms, 
and  carried  him  ofi'.  Tlioy  traveled  in  a  northerly  direction,  and  the 
same  day  arrived  in  some  part  of  the  townsliip  called  Canaan,  then  a 
wilderness.  Thcj  Indians  kindled  a  fire,  and  afier  binding  their  prisoner 
hand  and  foot,  lay  down  to  sleep.  Griswould  fortunately  disengaging 
his  hands  and  feet,  \vhile  his  arms  were  yet  pinioned,  seized  their  guns, 
and  made  his  escape  into  the  woods.  After  traveling  a  small  distance, 
he  sat  down  and  waited  till  the  dawn  of  day  ;  and,  although  his  arms 
were  still  pinionefl,  he  carried  both  the  guns.  The  savages  awoke  in 
the  morning,  and  finding  their  prisoner  gone,  they  immediately  pursued 
him  ;  they  soon  overtook  him,  and  kept  in  sight  of  him  the  greater  part 
of  the  day,  while  he  was  nuiking  his  way  homeward.  AVlien  tiiey 
came  near,  he  turned  and  pointed  one  of  his  pieces  at  them  ;  they  then 
iv.W  back.  In  this  manner  he  traveled  till  near  sunset,  when  he  reached 
an  eminence  in  an  open  field,  about  one  mile  northwest  of  the  present 
court  house,  lie  then  discharged  one  of  his  guns,  which  immediately 
summoned  the  people  to  his  assistance.  The  Indians  fied,  and  Gris- 
would safely  returned  to  his  family." 

"  The  capture  of  Griswould  made  the  inhabitants  more  cautious  for 
a  while,  but  tlieir  fears  soon  subsided.  In  the  month  of  August  fol- 
lowing, j\Ir.  Joseph  Harris,  a  respectable  inhabitant,  was  at  work  in  the 
woods  alone,  not  Air  from  the  pla^e  were  Griswould  was  taken  ;  and 
being  attacked  by  a  party  of  Indians,  attempted  to  make  his  escape. 
The  Indians  pursued  him,  and  finding  they  could  not  overtake  him, 
they  shot  him  dead  and  scalped  him.  As  Harris  did  not  return,  the 
inhabitants  were  alarmed,  and  some  search  was  made  for  him  ;  but  the 
darkness  of  the  night  checked  their  exertions.  The  next  morning  they 
found  his  body,  and  gave  it  a  decent  burial.  Harris  was  killed  near 
the  north  end  of  the  plain,  where  the  road  turns  towards  Milton,  a  lit- 


454  1. 1  T  c  II  K I  E  L  n  . 

lie  east  of  the  school  house  now  standing  ;  and  for  a  long  time  aftci", 
tills  plain  was  called  Harris'  plain."* 

The  first  white  male  person  born  in  this  town,  was  Gershoni  Gibbs, 
in  the  month  of  July,  1721.  The  first  minister  in  the  j)lace  was  the 
Re#.  Timothy  Collins,  a  native  of  Guilford,  who  graduated  at  Yale 
College  in  1718.  INIr.  Collins  accej)ted  the  call  of  the  inhabitants  to 
be  their  minister,  in  December,  17i2l,  and  was  ordained  in  June,  1723  ; 
the  following  salary  was  voted,  viz.  £57  for  the  first  four  years  ;  for 
the  fifth  year  £60  ;  for  the  next  year,  £70 ;  and  for  the  seventh  year, 
and  so  long  as  he  should  continue  with  them  in  the  work  of  the  minis- 
try, £80.  I:[is  fire  wood  was  voted  him  in  addition  to  his  salary.  Mr. 
Collins  continued  in  the  ministry  till  1752,  when  he  was  dismissed  at 
liis  own  request.  In  the  following  year  lie  was  appointed  a  justice  of 
the  peace.      He  also  practiced  y)liysic.      He  died  in  Ijitchfield,  in  1776. 

In  April,  1723,  the  inhabitants  voted  to  build  their  first  church,  which 
was  finished  within  three  years.  Its  dimensions  were  45  feet  in  length, 
and  35  in  breadth  ;  it  was  built  in  a  plain  manner,  without  a  steeple. 
Jt  stood  within  a  few  feet  of  the  j)resent  Congregational  churcli.  At 
the  raising  of  this  building  all  the  adult  males  in  the  town  were  ])resent, 
and  sat  on  the  sills  at  once.  The  second  house  of  worslii[)  was  finished 
in  1762  ;  this  also  has  been  taken  down,  and  a  new  building  has  been 
recently  erected.  The  first  Episcopal  society  was  formed  in  this  town 
about  the  year  1746,  but  they  had  only  occasional  preaching  till  the 
year  1754.  At  this  time  Mr.  Solomon  Palmer,  who  had  just  been  dis- 
missed from  the  church  in  Cornwall,  took  the  charge  of  the  Episcopal 
congregation  in  this  town,  and  that  of  New  Milford  at  tlie  same  time, 
and  preached  to  them  alternately.  Mr.  Palmer  continued  here  until 
1763,  when  he  removed  to  the  Episcopal  congregation  in  New  Haven. 
In  1766,  he  resumed  his  charge  in  Litchfield,  and  continued  it  till  his 
death,  in  1770. f 

LitchneKI,  the  scat  of  justice  for  the  county,  is  situated  in  north  lati- 
tude 1  P'  50',  being  30  milos  west  from  Hartford,  36  northwest  from 
New  Haven,  and  100  Irom  New  York  ;  houndi.'d  ncn'th  by  Goslien 
and  Torrington,  west  by  Washington  and  Warren,  east  by  Nauga- 
tuc  river,  separating  it  from  Harwinton,  and  south  by  Watertown, 
Bethlem  and  Plymouth.  It  is  about  9  miles  in  length  from  east  to 
west,  and  its  breadth  is  nearly  8  miles.  It  is  an  elevated  township,  and 
its  surface  presents  a  diversity  of  hills  and  valleys.  The  hills  are  gen- 
erally of  considerable  elevation,  and  their  prevailing  course  is  from 
north  to  south.  In  the  western  part  of  the  town  there  are  some  moun- 
tainous tracts,  which  comprise  several  considerable  eminences,  of  which 
Mount  Tom  is  the  most  elevated.     Great  Pond,  situated  to  the  soulli- 


f  Tlie  following  inscription  is  on  liis  monument  in  tlic  west  btiryinjj  ground. — "In 
memnrvot'Joseph  ILirris,  who  was  murdered  by  the  Indians  in  ilu;  year  17'21.  Wliilti 
ploMji-hing  ill  his  field,  aiiout  three  fourihs  of  a  mile  iiorlhwesi  of  tiie  grave  yard, 
lie  w'as  bliot  by  ihe  Indians  concealed  m  ainbiiNli.  lie  was  found  dead,  silting  on  the 
groimd,  Ins  iicad  and  body  reehning  agamsi  the  trunk  ol  a  tree.  To  record  the  lirsi 
death  among  the  original  settlers,  and  to  per|ietiiale  the  memory  of  a  worthy  but  un- 
fortunate citizen,  this  uaoniimeni  is  erected,  1830,  by  the  voUmlary  benefaction  of  in- 
dividual subscriber^." 

t  Morris' Statistical  Account  of  Litchfield. 


LITCHFIELD.  '155 

west  of  Litchfield  village,  is  a  beautifiil  sheet  of  vvatci',  comprising  an 
area  of  about  900  acres,  and  is  the  largest  pond  or  lake  in  the  state. 
Ijitchfield  abounds  in  good  springs  of  water,  and  from  its  elevated  situ- 
ation, the  air  is  generally  pure  and  salubrious,  and  the  town  has  the 
reputation  of  being  remarkably  healtliy.  The  soil  is  generally  strong 
and  fertile,  and,  for  an  elevated  tract,  is  warm  and  favorable  for  vegeta- 
tion.* Litchfield  is  divided  into  four  societies,  Litchfield  proper.  South 
Farms,  Northficld,  and  Milton.  Litchfield  village  was  incorporated 
in  1818.  It  is  delightfidly  situated,  upon  an  elevated  plain  in  tlie  cen- 
ter of  the  first  society,  affurding  the  most  extensive  prospects,  surround- 
ed by  interesting  scenery,  and  from  its  situation  enjoying  a  salubrious 
atmo3j)here.  The  corporate  limits  of  the  village  are  about  one  mile 
and  a  half  in  length,  and  about  one  mile  in  breadth.  The  principal 
street,  running  from  n.  w.  to  s.  E.  is  well  built,  comprising  numerous 
handsome  dwelling  houses,  some  of  which  are  elegant  edifices.  This 
street  is  intersected  by  another,  forming  a  pleasant  square  in  the  center. 
There  are  in  the  village  upwards  of  80  dwelling  houses,  2  printing 
offices,  a  bank,  being  a  branch  of  the  Phamix  Bank,  Hartford  ;  court 
house,  jail,  jjrofessional  ofiices,  mercantile  and  mechanic  shops.  In 
17S'1,  a  law  school  was  established  liere  by  the  Hon.  Tapping  Reeve. 
In  1798,  the  Hon.  James  (Jould  was  associated  as  a  joint  instructor 
w'itli  Judge  Reeve.  This  school  was  considered  as  the  most  respecta- 
ble and  systematic  law  school  in  the  United  Slates..  It  was  discontin- 
ued a  few  years  since.  Tlnn-o  is  a  high  school  for  young  ladies,  which 
is  of  considerable  celebrity.  There  is  an  infirmary  in  this  town,  under 
the  diieclion  of  Dr.  Ahmson  Abbe,  established  for  the  purpose  of 
curing  and  relieving  diseases  of  the  spine. 

South  Farms  was  incorporated  into  an  ecclesiastical  society,  in  1767. 
In  the  year  1753,  when  iMr.  Champion  was  settled  in  Litchfield,  there 
were  but  30  families  in  the  parish  ;  when  it  was  incorporated,  it  con- 
taineil  seventy.  In  1701,  the  inhabitants  agreed  to  build  their  first 
church.  It  was  only  one  story  high,  34  feci  by  32 :  the  second  house 
of  worship  was  erected  in  1785.  An  academy  was  begun  in  South 
Farms,  in  1790,  by  James  Morris,  Esq.  in  which  the  higher  branches 
of  education  were  taught.  This  school  is  still  kept  up,  and  is  a  re- 
spectable institution. 

Northjicld  parish  was  incoi|)orated  in  1791.  It  is  situated  in  the 
southeast  corner  of  Litchfield,  and  includes  within  its  limits  part  of  the 
township  of  Plymouth.  The  surface  of  this  parish  is  uneven,  and 
many  parts  are  stony,  rougli,  and  hard  for  tilhii^e.  The  soil  is  generally 
good,  and  produces  good  grass  and  ^rain.  There  are  two  houses  for 
worsliip  in  this  jjlace,  1  Congregational  and  1  Episcopal.  The  first 
Congregational  minister,  the  Rev.  Josej)h  E.  Camp,  was  settled  here 
in  1795. 


*  There  is  an  npple  tree  now  standing;  on  tlie  larm  of  Mr.  Solomon  Marsh,  in  Litch- 
field, supposed  U)  lie  abiHii  IIG  years  olci,  and  is  now  in  a  vi^'oruus  stale.  Its  trunk, 
two  feel  from  ihe  ^rronnd,  measures  eleven  feet  five  inches  in  cirennifeiciice.  The eir- 
ruml'erenpe  of  its  liranches  is  nearly  eleven  rods  in  extent.  It  bore  in  1833,  one  hun- 
dred bushels  of  apples  of  a  fine  quality. 


456  LITCHFIELD. 

Milton  is  situated  in  the  northwest  corner  of  Litchfield.  It  was  in- 
corporated in  1795,  and  the  first  minister  was  Mr.  Benjamin  Jiidd,  who 
was  installed  in  180:2.  The  parish  embraces  within  its  limits  a  part  of 
Goshen,  Cornwall,  and  Warren.  The  surface  of  the  parish  is  uneven 
and  stony,  with  many  large  primitive  rocks,  and  though  good  grazing 
land,  is  hard  for  tillage. 

Tliere  is  a  mineral  spring  in  the  west  part  of  Litchfield,  near  a  place 
called  Bradleysville,  "which  is  saturated  with  iron  and  sulphur.  The 
water  issues  from  the  east  side  of  the  mountain  in  considerable  quanti- 
ties. The  mud  from  the  bottom  of  the  spring  burns  with  a  blue  tlame, 
and  the  principal  part  of  it  consumes."  An  Indian  relic  was  found  in 
this  town,  about  a  half  a  mile  east  of  the  court  house,  near  Bantam 
river.  It  is  a  rude  sculpture  of  brown  stone,  neatly  the  size  of  life,  rep- 
resenting a  female  with  head  and  shoulders,  extending  down  to  the 
waist :  it  is  now  deposited  at  Yale  College,  New  Haven. 

Etkan  Allen,  a  brigadier  general  in  the  American  service,  distin- 
guished for  his  daring  and  intrepid  spirit,  was  a  native  of  this  town. 
Tliere  has  been  a  considerable  diversity  of  statements  respecting  the 
place  of  his  birth.  Cornwall,  Salisbury  and  lloxbury,  have  been  named 
as  places  where  he  was  born.  By  an  examination  of  the  Litchfield 
town  records  the  present  year,  (1836,)  it  is  recorded  that  he  was  the 
son  of  Joseph  and  Mary  Allen,  and  was  born  Jan.  10th,  1737.  The 
fact  of  the  differing  statements,  mentioned  above,  seems  to  have  origi- 
nated from  the  circumstance  of  his  residing  for  a  while  in  those  towns. 
The  following  sketch  of  his  life  is  from  Allen's  Biographical  Dictionary. 

"  While  he  was  young,  his  parents  emigrated  to  Vermont.  At|^e  cominenceinent 
of  (he  disturbances  in  this  territory,  about  the  year  1770,  he  took  a  rnosl  aciive  part  in 
favor  of  the  Green  Mouniain  boysj  as  the  settlers  were  then  called,  in  opposiiioji  to  the 
govermuent  of  New  York.  An  act  of  outlawry  against  him  was  passed  by  this  state, 
and  5l)n  guineas  were  olTered  for  his  a|i|)rehensiun :  but  his  party  was  lou  luunerdiis 
and  faithl'ul  to  permit  him  to  be  distuibcd  by  any  apprehensions  for  hi.':  .safety:  in  all 
the  struggles  ol  the  day  he  was  successful;  and  he  not  only  proved  a  valuable  friend 
to  tllll^e  wiiosecaii.>c  he  had  espoused,  tuil  he  w,is  hiiinane  aiui  generous  touaiils  ihnse 
wall  wlKun  he  h;ul  tu  eonlcud.  When  called  lo  lake  ilic  field/  he  shuwcd  himself  an 
able  leader  and  an  intrepid  soldier. 

"The  news  of  the  battle  of  Lexington  delermined  Col.  Allen  to  engage  on  the  side 
of  his  country,  and  inspired  liiiii  with  the  desire  of  deiiKinsiraling  his  aliacliinciu  lu 
liberty  by  some  bold  exploit.  While  his  mind  was  in  this  state,  a  plan  lor  taking  'J'i- 
conderogaand  Crown  Point  by  surprise,  which  was  formed  by  several  getitlemen  in 
Connecticut,  was  communicated  to  him,  and  he  readily  engaged  in  the  prujeci.  J'e- 
eciving  directions  from  the  Cleneral  A.ssembly  of  Connecticut  to  raise  theGieeii  Moun- 
tain b(jys,  and  conduct  the  enterprise,  he  collected  230  of  the  hardy  settlers  and  pro- 
ceeded to  Castlelon.  Mere  lie  was  unexpectedly  joined  by  Col.  Arnold,  who  had  been 
commissioned  by  the  Massachusetts  committee  lo  laise  -lUOmen,  and  elleet  the  same 
object,  which  was  now  abuut  to  be  accomplished.  As  he  had  not  raised  the  men,  he 
was  admitted  to  act  as  an  assistant  to  Col.  Allen.  They  reached  the  lake  opposite  'I'l- 
conderoga  on  the  evening  of  the  i}lh  of  May,  1775.  With  the  utmost  diliiculty  boais 
were  pun.ured,  and  K\  inea  Were  lauded  near  the  garrison.  The  approach  uf  day  len- 
dcring  it  dangerous  to  wail  for  the  rear,  it  was  delermined  immediately  to  proceed. 
The  commander  in  chief  ncnv  addressed  his  men,  representing  that  they  had  been  for 
a  number  of  years  a  scourge  lo  arbitrary  power,  and  famed  for  their  valor,  and  cun- 
cluded  with  saying,  '  I  now  propose  to  advance  before  you,  and  in.  jierson  conduct  you 
through  the  wicket  gate;  and  you,  that  will  go  with  me  voluntarily  in  this  desperate 
attempt,  poise  your  lirelocks.'  At  the  head  oi'  the  center  file  he  marched  instantly  ii/ 
the  gale,  where  a  scniry  snapped  his  gun  at  him,  and  retreated  through  the  covered 
way:  he  pressed  forward  into  the  fort,  and  formed  his  men  on  the  parade  in  such  n 
manner  as  to  face  two  opposite  barracks.     Three  huzzas  awaked  the  garrison.     A 


■'1 


^ia 


L  I  Tc  H  F  I  F.  r, n.  •  457 


sentry,  who  askeil  quarter,  pointed  out  the  apartments  of  the  commanding  officer ;  and 
Allen  with  a  drawn  sword  over  tlic  head  of  Capt.De  la  Place,  who  was  undressed,  de- 
manded the  surrender  of  llie  fort.  '  By  what  authority  do  you  demand  it.''  inquired 
the  astonished  commander.  '  I  demand  it  (said  Allen)  in  the  name  of  the  great  Jeho- 
vah and  of  the  continental  Congress.'  The  summons  could  not  be  disobeyed,  and  the 
fort,  with  its  very  valuable'^toies  and  4'J  prisoners,  was  immediately  surrendered. 
Crown  Point  was  taken  the  same  day,  and  the  capture  of  a  sloop  of  war,  soon  after- 
wards, made  Allen  and  his  brave  party  complete  masters  of  Lake  Champlain. 

"  In  the  fall  of  1775  he  was  sent  twice  into  Canada  to  observe  the  dispositions  of  the 
people,  and  attach  them,  if  possible,  to  the  American  cause.  During  this  last  tour  Col. 
Brown  met  him,  and  proposed  an  attack  upcm  Montreal  in  concert.  The  proposal  was 
eagerly  embraced,  and  ('ol.  Allen,  wiili  110  men,  near  80  of  whom  were  Canadia^, 
crossed  the  river  in  the  night  of  Sept.  21.  In  liie  morning  he  waited  with  impatience 
•  lor  the  signal  from  Col.  Brown,  who  agreed  to  cooperate  with  him,  but  he  wailed  in 
vain.  He  made  a  resolute  defense  against  an  attack  of  500  men,  and  it  was  not  till  his 
own  parly  was  reduced  by  desertions  to  the  number  of  31,  and  he  had  retieated  near  a 
mile,  that  he  surrendered.  A  moment  afterwards  a  furious  savage  rushed  towards 
'.  "  him,  and  presented  liis  lii  clock,  with  the  intent  of  killing  him.    It  was  only  by  making 

use  of  tlie  body  of  the  officer,  to  wliom  he  liad  given  his  sword,  as  a  shield,  that  he  es- 
caped destruction. 

"  He  was  now  kept  for  .some  time  in  irons,  and  treated  with  great  cruelty.  He  was 
sent  to  England  as  a  prisoner,  being  assured  tliat  the  halter  would  be  the  reward  of  his 

■  '■'  rebellion,  when  he  arrived  there.   After  his  arrival,  about  the  middle  of  December,  lie 
'•    ,-          was  lodged  for  asliort  lime  in  Pendennis  Castle,  near  Falmouth.     On  the  8lh  of  .Tanu- 

ary,  1770,  he  was  put  on  board  a  frigate,  and  by  a  circuitous  route  carried  to  Halifa.x. 
/.    .  ,  Here  he  remained  confined  in  the  gaol  from  June  to  October,  when  he  was  removed 

'  .'         to  New  York.    During  the  passage  to  this  place,  Capt.  Burke,  a  daring  prisoner,  pro- 
'  posed  to  kill  the  Biitish  captain  and  seize  the  frigate;  but  Col.  Allen  refused  to  engage 

,'        ■  in  the  plot,  and  was  probably  the  means  of  preserving  the  life  of  Capt.  Smith,  who  hud 

treated  him  very  politely.  He  was  kept  at  New  York  about  a  year  and  a  half,  some- 
times imprisoned,  and  .sometimes  permitted  to  be  on  parole.       ♦        ♦        ♦        • 

"Col.  Allen  wasexchangedfor  Col.  Campbell,  May  (5,  1778,  and  after  having  repair- 
ed to  head  quarters,  and  ottered  liis  services  to  Gen.  Washington,  in  case  his  health 
sliould  be  restored,  he  returned  to  Vermont.    His  arrival,  on  the  evening  of  the  last  of 
May,  gave  his  friendsgreat  joy,  audit  was  announced  by  the  discharge  of  cannon.     As 
'     ^   -  '.',     an  expression  of  confidence  in  his  patriotism  andmililary  talents,  he  was  soon  appoint- 
C  .  ■'         »     ed  to  the  command  of  ihe  slate  mililia.     It  does  not  appear,  however,  that  his  intrepid- 
'  ■'.       .  r     jiy  was  ever  again  brought  to  the  test,  though  his  patriotism  was  tried  by  an  unsucce.ss- 
.;  .     h'     iVil  altemi)t  of  ihe  British  to  bribe  him  to  attempt  a  union  of  Vermont  witli  Canada. 
He  died  suddenly  at  his  estate  in  Colchester,  Feb.  13,  1789. 
*       "Gen.  Allen  posses.scd  strong  powers  of  mind,  but  they  never  felt  the  influence  of 
'  education.  Though  he  was  brave,  humane  and  generous,  yet  his  conduct  does  not 

.  -     .  •     ,     seem  to  have  been  much  intluenced  by  considerations  respecting  that  holy  and  merci- 
.;  ful  Being,  whose  character  and  whose  commands  are  disclosed  to  us  in  the  scriptures. 

,  '   -■   .     His  notions  with  regard  to  religion  were  such,  as  to  prove,  that  those,  who  rather  con- 
•         ' '       fide  in  their  own  wisduui  than  seek  instruction  from  heaven,  may  embrace  absurdities, 
•  •  •"        -which  would  di.sgrace  the  understanding  of  a  child.     He  believed,  with  Pythagoras, 
1  that  man  after  death  would  transmigrate  into  beasts,  birds,  fishes,  reptiles,  &c.,  and  of- 

I  :•: '  ■^  ten  informed  his  friends,  that  he  himself  expected  to  live  again  in  the  form  o(  a  large 
!•  ■  ,  white  horse.  Besides  a  number  of  pamphleis  in  the  controversy  with  New  York,  he 
j     •    '  published  in  1770  a  iKiriaiive  of  his  ubservalions  during  his  captivity,  wJiich  has  been 

;  •  >■  1  ,  lately  reprinted;  a  vindication  of  the  opposition  of  the  inhabitants  of  Vermont  to  the 
i  .  government  of  New  York,  and  their  right  to  form  an  independentstale,  1770;  and  Al- 

■  ■■        leu's  theology,  or  the  oracles  of  reason,  ]7S(;.     This  last  work  was  intended  to  ridicule 
t  the  doctrine  of  Moses  and  the  prophets.    It  would  be  unjust  to  bring  against  it  the  charge 

of  having  elfccted  great  mischief  in  the  world,  for  few  have  had  the  patience  to  read  it." 

Oliver  Wolcoti,  signer  of  the  Dcclaiation  of  Imlependence,  was  for 
I  ..  ,  many  years  a  resident  of  this  town  :  he  was  a  native  of  East  Windsor, 
I  .,'■'■  f*  born  Dec.  1st,  11)16,  and  was  the  son  of  the  Hon.  Roger  Wolcott,  pov- 
t  "'•.  ernor  of  the  colony  of  Conncctictit.  He  was  graduated  at  Yale  Col- 
■  lege  in  1747. 

i     .  "He  comiiianded  a  company  of  soldiers  in  1748,  in  the  war  against  the  French,  in 

,  Canada.  .  After  one  camjuugn,  he  rclircd  lioni  military  service,  studied  the  profe.s.^icni 

of  physic,  aud  commenced  the  practice  m  Goshen.     In  the  year  1751,  he  was  appoiat- 

'  /'■■■..  ,         58 


458  I.  I  T  C  II  F  I  E  I.  D  . 

ed  high  sheriff  of  Litchfield  county,  removed  to  this  town,  and  continued  in  (he  office 
of  sheriff  111!  the  year  177-2.  He  repieseiiled  this  town  in  the  General  AsMinMv,  m  the 
year  1770.  In  tiie  year  177"3,  he  was  chosen  a  member  of  the  council.  In  177"J  iieua.s 
appointed  judge  ol  probate  for  the  district  of  Litchlield.  In  the  year  1771  he  was  ap- 
jKiinted  judge  of  the  court  of  common  plea.s.  In  the  year  1775,  Jie  wa.s  chosen  a  repre- 
sentative in  Congress,  and  was  present  at  the  declaration  of  independence.  lie  cim 
imued  a  member  of  the  council  till  the  year  176(3,  and  was  then  chosen  lieiu.  governor 
of  this  state.  In  this  office  he  coniinued  till  the  year  17'.HI,  ami  was  then  chosen  govei- 
nor;  and  in  this  office  he  died,  Dec.  l>t,  17D7.  The  duties  ol'all  these  stations  he  dis- 
charged with  unshaken  integrity  and  firmness  ;  courted  favors  from  no  man  ;  and  nei- 
ther sought  nor  obtained  any  end  by  intrigue, or  from  interested  motives.  Me  was.sin- 
gularly  modest,  and  even  diffident,  in  his  intercouise  witii  men,  in  the  common  wall;s 
of  life.  Those  whn  best  knew  this  gentleman,  well  knew  that  the  highest  trust  was 
never  improperly  placed  in  him.  Two  questions  only  were  asked  liy  liini,  while  di.s-, 
charging  the  duties  of  the  several  offices  of  high  responsibility,  which  he  helil,  viz. 
What  is  right ■]  and,  What  is  my  duty  ?  He  possessed  a  benevolent  heart,  and  was 
warm  in  his  friendships;  a  lirrn  I'liend  to  order;  a  promoter  of  ]ieace;  a  lover  of  reli- 
gion; and  a  tried,  unshaken  IViend  to  the  institutions  of  the  gospel.  He  was  an  inde- 
I'atigable  student;  and  neither  wasted  his  lime  nor  liis  words.  His  mind  was  clear 
and  penetrating;  his  views  of  political  subjects,  just  and  coniprehensivc;  his  discern- 
ment of  the  wisest  means  to  promote  the  be.it  end^,  ready  and  exact ;  anrl  his  ac(pKiinl- 
ance  with  science,  particularly  with  theology,  extensive.  He  had  a  remarkable  talent 
at  investigation  ;  and  'nothing  satisfied  him  but  proof.'  He  has  lelt  a  name,  which  is 
a  sweet  savor  to  his  surviving  frn-nds  ;  and  a  livelv  hope,  that  he  is  enjoying  IJu:  re- 
wards of  the  faithful  in  immortal  bliss."— J/t>///i'  IlisL  u/  Litchjidd. 

Oliver  Wolcott,  son  of  the  preccdiii^f,  was  boni  in  17G0.  When  ii 
lad  of  17,  he  lent  his  aid  to  the  cause  of  his  couiitiy  :  ho  was  present  in 
the  engagement  with  the  British  at  the  time  of  theii  invasion  of  Dan- 
hury.  On  the  formation  of  the  IJ.  S.  governnient  in  1789,  he  was  ap- 
pointed (irst  auditor  of  the  treasury;  and  in  1791  he  succeeded  Gen. 
Hamikon  as  secretary  of  the  treasury.  In  1817  he  was  elected  gover- 
nor of  Connecticut,  which  office  he  held  till  1827.  lie  was  the  last 
survivor  of  liie  administration  of  Washington.  He  died  in  IN'cvv  York, 
June  2d,  1833. 

Benjamin  Tallmadi!;e,  a  major,  and  afterwards  a  colonel  in  the  Revo- 
lutionary army,  was  a  resideiu.  of  this  town.  lie  was  horn  at  IJrookha- 
ven,  (L.  I.)  Peb.  25ih,  175  I.  His  fatlu-r  was  the  clergyman  of  that 
place,  lie  was  gradiiau.'d  at  \'alc.'  C'i)llege  in  1773.  In  177G  he  en- 
tered the  llevolutionary  army,  ami  soon  received  a  majur's  C()mmis.->ion 
from  Washington,  who  honored  liim  \\\\.\\  his  confidence,  and  entrusted 
him  with  several  hazardous  and  important  services.  lie  was  present  in 
most  of  the  general  battles  whicli  took  place  with  the  main  army  in  the 
northern  states,  at  Long  Island,  White  Plains,  Jji-andywiiie,  German- 
town,  Monmouth,  &ic.,  besides  many  smaller  engagements,  with  the 
command  of  his  own  detachment.  lie  removed  to  liitchfield  in  1781. 
In  1800  he  was  chosen  a  representative  to  Congress,  lie  was  an  ardent 
patriot  and  sincere  Christian,      lie  dieil  at  Litchlield,  JMarch  7th,  1S35. 


EXTR.4CTS    KltoM    NtVVSr.APEIiS. 

Lildijcld,  Oct.  G,  1761. 
Notice  is  hereby  given,  that  there  is  now  m  Litchfield  gaol,  a  mulatto  fellow,  who 
calls  himself  Caesar  Sambo,  about  .[>  feet  10  inches  high,  speaks  good  English,  M'ell 
made  and  sprightly,  and  is  about  25 years  old:  he  says  he  is  Irec,  and  that  hcfoimcrly 
belonged  to  Oapt.  Benjamin  Green  of  Greenwich,  (IMiode  Island.)  He  was  lately  la- 
ken  up  in  Norfolk,  for  traveling  without  a  pass,  ami  by  order  of  authority  cnmniilted. 
It  is  suspected  the  fellow  has  been  m  company  with  a  gang  of  negroes  who  have  lately 
infested  this  part  of  the  countiy.     His  mastei-,  if  he  has  any,  may  have  him  iijion  j'ay- 


1  LITCHFIELD.  459 

in<^  diaries,  and  if  no  owner  appear,  ho  Will  soon  be  di-pospil  of  in  service,  \o  answer 
tlie  c:oJ.l  accorJinL;  lu  law.  John  jNkwbui  k,  lJ,io)L-r. 

TAlihfidJ,  May  lO^A,  17S1. 
I'.very  species  oT  deception  and  villainy  .s.-ems  al  present  to  he  practiced:  :^onle  by 
dress  anil  uil\;s  ini|iosc  npon  the  unwary;  othcr<-,  ninJer  ilie  plain  mask  of  itineranis, 
aeeonlpli^ll  their  deiesialile  schemes.  (Jne  of  tlie  last  description,  on  the  night  of  the. 
ith  ol  May,  came  into  Capt.  Vaille's  tavern  of  thi.',  place,  called  forenteriainiiQeiU,  and 
soon  went  lo  his  lod^an^:  but  alter  the  family  were  retired  to  re.st,  he  thought  it  time, 
after  rilling  the  house  of  a  calico  gown,  a  camlet  shin,  and  three  pair  of  shins,  with  six 
dollars  from  a  /'ellnw  traveler,  to  take  up  his  bed  with  all  its  furniture,  and  depart,  and 
]ias  since  eluded  the  diligent  search  of  those  who  liave  endeavored  to  detect  him.  It  is 
to  be  iioped  for  the  honor  of  liumari  nature,  that  })eople  will  be  vigilant  in  ejcposing  this 
crime,  as  well  as  detecting  future  villainies;  and  that  tavern  Iveepers,  in  tins  western 
jiarl  of  the. stale  especially,  would  not  put  too  implicit  conlidencein  strangers,  for  '■  they 
know  nut  at  what  liour  of  the  night  their  ellects  and  beds  may,  by  the  thief  be  taken 

Connecticut  Juunuil,  \o.  9I'i.  Lilchfidd,  Nov.  15,  17S5. 
Last  Wediie.sday  Tlioinas  Goss,  late  of  Harkhamsted,  was  executed  at  this  place, 
)>uisuant  to  the  sentence  of  tlie  Superior  t.'ourt,  lot  liie  murder  of  his  wife.  His  de- 
fense, upon  trial,  was  insanity;  and  for  the  space  of  several  davs  after  his  trial  and 
condemnation,  he  appeared  regular,  and  recpiested  his  allorney  to  make  application  to 
the  General  Assembly  of  the  State,  for  a  reprieve ;  likewise  desired  the  clercyman  of 
this  town  to  preach  a  sermon  at  Ins  e.vecuiion,  (if  lie  were  not  repiieved.)  Viut  very 
soon  he  resumed  his  former  notions,  that  wizards  and  witches  haunted  him  ;  which 
ideas  itseems  he  had  ado|)ted,  some  time  in  October,  178-1 ;  and  under  pretence  that  his 
wile  was  a  witch,  he  al  first  justilictl  his  conduct  in  depriving  her  of  life.  Under  such 
infatuation,  he  ordc^red  his  attorney,  iii  most  jjeremptory  language,  not  lo  apply  for  a 
reprieve  to  any  human  tribunal;  alleging,  that  his  heavenly  Father  had  forbidden  all 
.such  proceeiiings.  He  called  himsell  the  second  Lamb  of  God;  said  he  was  brother 
of  Jesus  Christ;  and  sometimes  said  he  wa.-<  tin-  child,  born  of  the  woman,  mentioned 
in  the  Revelation  of  Si.  John,  before  whom  ihe  dragon  .stood,  ready  to  devour  Iheclnld, 
&c.  To  such  extravagant  ideas,  he  added,  tliat  the  sheriff  could  not  hang  him;  that 
his  heavenly  Father  would  interposi>  if  the  atienifit  was  made,  and  he  be  liberated  ;  and 
that  Ihirly  thousand  males  above  liftciTi  ye.irs  would  be  instantly  killed  by  theshock-,in 
North  America.  1  \  :  pertinaciously  adhere. I  losuch  wild  opinions  to  the  last  moment 
of  iiis  life.  The  niL,Hit  pieceding  his  execution  he  slept  well.  In  the  forenoon  of  ilie 
same  day,  sleptcalmly  a  consideiable  length  of  lime: — at  dinner,  ate  heartily.  On  his 
waylo  the  gallows,  auil  while  there,  he  appeared  calm  and  unmoved;  n(')t  the  least 
emotion  could  be  discovered  in  his  countenance;  nor  the  leasl  perturbation  in  his 
speech.  On  being  told  that  he  bad  but  twenty  minutes  to  live,  lie  kneeled  dovva  u;,d 
ui;ido  a  short  prayer,  and  consented  that  a  elergyiu;ia  piesent  should  pr:iy  with  lum, 
(although  be  had  ret'used  his  allenlion  to  cither  preaching  or  praying,  and  would  not 
fVfii  hear  the  .serinou  preached  on  the  day  of  his  execution,  pretending  that  God  tor- 
bade  him.)  AVheii  on  the  gallows,  he  said  a  (yiW  words  to  the  speciaiors,  inculcating 
the  general  principles  of  morality  ;  such  as  that  they  had  ought  to  bring  up  their  fami- 
lies well,  and  obey  the  pieceptsof  his  heavenly  Father,  or  they  must  be  miserable.  He 
declared  he  never  murdered  any  person  in  his  life  excepting  his  wife;  and  the  last 
word  he  said  was,  that  he  believed  tlicslieriircould  not  hang  him. 


Likhfield,  Dec.  I2th,  1786. 
In  the  storm  on  Saturday  evening  last,  the  wife  of  Mr.  Elisha  Eirge  unfortunately 
perished.  The  fury  of  Ihe  tempest  seemed  to  threaten  an  immediate  dismemberment 
of  the  long  erected  ;ind  decayed  mansinu  of  their  residence:  a  naturally  timid  disposi- 
tion induced  Mrs.  IJirgc  fatally  to  deicrmine  on  leaving  if  and  seek  an  asylum  in  a 
neighboring  house;  from  which  resoKiiion  she  could  iiot'be  persuaded  lo  recede,  liow- 
ever  hazardous  the  attempt.  She  had  not  ))roceeded  far,  when  Mr.  Eirge  followed, 
and  imineiliately  overtook  her:  having  wandered  about  tlie  dreary  waste  some  time, 
in  fruitless  search  of  the  friendly  cottage,  her  helpless  survivor  suggested  that  thev  liad 
mi.siook  the  road,  and  urged  their  return;  but  alas!  too  late — she  was  falling  asleep; 
the  chilling  winds  and  hoary  Irost  had  deprived  her  of  speech  and  sense,  and  beside  the 
bending  chest  of  an  aged  tree  she  expired  in  his  arms.  Those  who  knew  her  worth, 
cannot  restrain  the  sympathetic  tear.  She  was  hospitable  and  good ;  indulgent  to  her 
children;  a  comfort  to  the  partner  of  her  bed;  a  blessing  lo  her  neighbors;  and  an  ir- 
reparable loss  to  the  stranger  and  distressed.  Mr.  Birge  was  exposed  to  the  storm 
about  five  hoars  before  lie  found  a  shelter.  His  hands  and  eajs  are  mucli  froren,  but 
it  is  hoped  he  will  recover. 


460  B  A  U  K  II  A  M  S  T  E  1) 


BAllKIIAMSTED. 

Barkhamstei)  was  granted  to  Capt.  Thomas  IMooie  and  Lieut.  Jon- 
athan Ellsworth,  and  otlier  persons  ol' Windsor,  in  1732.  The  first  per- 
son who  made  a  permanent  settlement  in  the  town,  was  Pelatiah  Allyn 
from  Windsor.  He  removed  here  about  the  year  1746,  and  remained 
the  only  inhabitant  of  the  town  for  10  or  12  years.  In  the  summer  he 
employed  his  time  in  clearing  and  cultivating  his  lands,  and  in  the  win- 
ter in  hunting.  His  plantation  was  toward  the  south  part  of  the  town, 
near  the  dividing  line  between  this  town  and  New  Hartford.  As  there 
were  frequent  alarms  on  account  of  the  Indians,  he  used,  when  danger 
was  apprehended,  to  repair  to  a  fortified  post  in  the  northern  part  of 
New  llartford.  He  took  special  care  to  guard  himself  against  a  sur- 
prise at  his  own  house.  The  next  man  who  made  a  settlement  in  the 
town,  was  Israel  Jones,  from  Enfield,  about  the  year  1759.  Besides 
these,  the  first  principal  settlers  were,  William  Austin,  Jonathan  King, 
and  a  INIr.  Norton,  from  Sudield  ;  Amos  Case  from  Simsbury,  John 
Ives  from  Hamden,  Joseph  Shepherd  from  Hartford,  and  Josc})h  ^V'il- 
der  from  East  Haddam.  Mv.  "\Vilder  was  the  first  magistrate,  and  for 
several  years  the  only  one.  The  progress  of  the  settlement  was  slow. 
In  1771  there  were  but  20  families  in  the  limits  of  the  town,  and  the 
inhabitants  were  so  few  that  they  were  not  called  upon  to  do  military 
duty  until  1774.  The  town  was  incorporated  in  1779.  The  Rev. 
Ozias  Eels,  the  first  minister  of  the  town,  was  ordained  January,  1787. 
He  died  in  1813. 

Barkhamsted  is  bounded  north  by  Hartland,  west  by  Winchester, 
east  by  Canton  and  Granby,  and  south  by  New  Hartford.  It  is  6i 
miles  in  length  from  east  to  west,  and  5  miles  in  breadth.  The  central 
part  is  situated  23  miles  northwest  from  Hartiord.  The  township  is 
rough,  stony  and  ujountainous,  and  is  intersected  by  two  high  granite 
ridges  of  mountains,  running  north  and  south.  Upon  the  declivities  of 
these  ridges,  and  u|)t)n  their  summits,  there  is  much  broken  land,  some 
of  which  is  inaccessible.  Jn  some  places  these  ridges  exhibit  very  lofty 
and  sublime  features.  Iron  ore  has  been  discovered  in  small  quantities 
in  difierent  parts  of  the  town,  likewise  some  strata  of  limestone.  The 
soil  is  hard  and  dry,  and  not  generally  good  for  tillage,  except  along  the 
streams.  The  mountains  and  hills  were  formerly  covered  with  excel- 
lent timber,  consisting  of  oak,  chestnut,  sugar  maple,  beech,  pine  and 
hemlock  ;  a  considerable  portion  of  which  has  been  destroyed  by  wind 
and  fire,  and  by  the  axe,  under  a  system  of  improvidence,  at  a  time 
when  timber  was  considered  of  no  value. 

The  following  is  a  representation  of  the  principal  part  of  the  village  of 
Hitchcocksville,  in  Barkhamsted  ;  it  is  situated  on  the  west  branch  of 
the  Farmington  river,  near  the  corner  of  four  towns,  Hartland,  Cole- 
brook,  Winchester  and  Barkhamsted.  The  village  contains  upwards  of 
20  dwelling  houses,  1  chair  factory,  2  mercantile  stores,  and  an  Episco- 
pal church,  wh'ch  was  founded  July  4lh,  1829,  and  called  the  Union 
church.     Part  of  the  chair  factory  is  seen  on  the  left,  and  the  church 


n  F.  T  II  r.  E  M . 


4G1 


J  Vest  view  of  IlitchcoclcsvUle,  Barkhamsted. 

on  the  riglit  of  the  engravint;.  The  village  was  commenced  about  fif- 
teen years  since  :  it  is  20  miles  from  Litchfield,  and  26  from  Hartford. 
Tiiere  are  superior  water  privileges  for  extensive  manufactories  in  the 
innnediate  vicinity.  A  little  more  than  a  mile  south  of  this  place,  a 
few  of  the  last  remnants  of  the  Narragansett  Indians  have  a  location  ; 
they  came  here  about  the  year  1779,  and  purchased  about  200  or  more 
acres  of  land.  Their  houses,  or  rather  cabins,  are  along  side  of  the 
road :  there  are  about  20  souls  that  make  their  constant  residence  here, 
though  at  times  they  number  as  many  as  30  persons. 


BETltLEM.      i 

Bethlem  was  formerly  a  part  of  Woodbury.  It  was  incorporated 
as  a  distinct  town  in  1787.  It  is  bounded  n.  by  Litchfield,  e.  by  Wa- 
tertovvn,  w.  by  Washington,  and  s.  by  Woodbury.  Its  average  length 
is  4^,  and  its  breadth  4  miles.  The  township  is  considerably  hilly, 
and  the  soil  generally  a  gravelly  loam,  and  is  best  adapted  to  grazing; 
there  are,  however,  considerable  (piantities  of  rye  raised  in  the  limits  of 
the  town.  The  number  of  inhabitants  in  1810  was  1,118;  In  1830 
the  number  was  reduced  to  906. 

The  following  is  a  represeutation  of  the  central  part  of  Bethlem.  The 
church  seen  on  the  left  is  the  Episcopal  ;  the  Congregational  church  is 
seen  a  little  to  the  right  of  the  center  of  the  engraving.  The  first 
building  seen  to  the  left  of  the  Congregational  church,  is  the  residence 
of  Joseph  H.  Bellamy,  Esq.  grandson  of  Joseph  Bellamy,  D.D.  the  cel- 
ebrated divine.  The  next  house  seen  westward  of  the  church  was  for- 
merly the  residence  of  the  Rev.  Azel  Backus,  who  was  the  successor 
of  Dr.  Bellamy,  and  afterwards  the  first  president  of  Hamilton  College, 


4G'2 


K  T  11  r.  i:  Ai 


South  vicAu  of  lictldcm,   {central  ■iiart.) 

in  llic  slate  of  New  York,     l^'liis  ])laco  is  32  miles  from  New  Haven, 
.'38  IVom  l[ai-tford,  I'k  south  from  Litchlieklj  and  G  from  Wateriown. 


nclhlcm,  Dec.  20,  17C0. 
We  learn  from  Pjcthlein,  ilint  sucli  a  distressing  sickness  lias  prevailed  there  of  late, 
that  in  the  inuntli  ofNuvemlicr  31  persons  died  in  tliat  small  town,  but  the  distemper 
is  somewhat  mitigated.  They  are  lalcen  first  M'ith  a  eold,  and  then  a  malignant  pleu- 
risy sets  in,  and  carries  them  off.  Among  others  lliat  died  was  Doct.  Hull,  his  wife 
and  two  children,  and  a  young  man,  all  out  of  one  house;  the  doctor  and  liis  wife 
■were  buried  in  one  grave.  Soon  after  their  deaths,  and  while  others  were  sick  in  the 
liousc,  one  Deacon  Strong  coming  by,  raised  a  dock  of  eleven  quails,  which  Hew  over 
the  befoie-meiilioned  house,  and  dropjied  in  the  garden  ;  immediately  after  three  rose 
and  dew  into  the  bushes,  biil  the  other  eight  were  picked  up  dead,  and  in  an  hour  after 
titunk  and  were  buried.  The  air  in  the  parish  is  said  by  doctors  and  others  of  judg- 
ment, to  be  aiiparently  diiltMcut  ficjiu  the  air  in  towns  and  parishes  round  about  it. 
Some  do..•liU•.^  ihcie,  have  been  rc:uly  to  call  ihu  disieiiijter  ilie  I'lague,  or  something 
imieh  like  it. 


A  robbery,  which  at  the  time  caused  eonsideridile  excitement  in  this  place,  took 
jdace  in  the  east  part  of  the  ))arish  of  Ijethlem,  called  Gurnsey  'J'own,  in  the  sjiring  o( 
the  year  177H  or  177i^  at  the  house  of  Ebenezer  Gurnsey,  a  weallhy  farmer.  Mr. 
Gurnsey  had  sold  his  farm  some  lime  before,  to  Isaac  Bahlwin  of  AVoodbridge,  who 
had  moved  in  with  Mr.  Gurnsey,  and  had  paid  him  a  large  sum  of  money.  Mr. 
Gurnsey  had  a  niimberof  men  m  his  em])loy  in  building  a  house  on  an  adjoining  farm. 
All  in  the  hou.se  had  retired  to  rest,  it  being  late  at  night,  except  Mr.  i>aldwin  and 
wife,  and  two  young  men  who  weie  in  another  room.  I'wo  of  the  robbers  came  in, 
their  faces  lieiiig  blacked,  one  being  armed  with  a  gun,  the  other  with  a  pistol,  and  or- 
dered Mr.  and  Mrs.  Baldwin  into  the  room  where  the  young  men  were,  to  be  bound, 
threatening  them  with  immedialc  dealh  if  they  made  any  resistance.  One  of  the 
young  men  made  his  escape — lliey  bound  the  other,  and  while  attempting  to  bind  Mr. 
Baldwin,  who  was  a  very  active  man,  he  wrenched  the  pistol  from  one  of  the  robl)ers, 
at  which  the  other  attempted  to  shoot  liim,  but  he  managed  to  keep  behind  the  other 
robber  till  another  from  without  came  in  and  knocked  Mr.  Baldwin  down  with  the 
breech  of  a  gnu,  and  wounded  him  badly.  Mr.  Gurnsey,  although  somewhat  deaf, 
was  awakened  by  the  uncommon  noise,  and  coming  into  the  room  was  knocked  down 
and  had  his  skull  fractured — the  rest  of  the  Jamily  made  their  escape  or  hid  them- 
selves. The  robbeis  rilled  the  house  of  many  valuable  things,  but  in  retiring,  drojtped 
Mr.  (inrnsejj's  poehet  Ixudc,  which  contained  a  large  amount  of  continental  monev. 
One  of  the  yi^img  nnjTi  mIki  e'ia[>ed  ran  ihree  miles  to  Bethlein  uiuelmg  house,  with- 
out slopping  to  give  any  alai  m. 


CANAAN.  ([(jli 

Josejjh  Bdhtmy,  D.  D,  a  cclehralod  divine,  was  born  in  Clicsliirc. 
He  graduated  at  Yale  College  in  17;>5,  being  tlien  sixteen  years  old. 
Wlien  be  was  eigbteen  years  old,  be  became  a  pieacber.  He  was  or- 
dained in  Beibleni  in  1740.  He  died  in  1790,  in  tbe  72d  year  of  bis" 
age,  and  GOtli  of  bis  ministry.  "  He  possessed  a  vigorous  mind,  and 
was  well  versed  in  ibeology.  His  style  was  ])lain  and  bis  manner  im- 
])rcssive.  He  beld  a  liigb  rank  among  bis  coniempoiaries  as  a  preacb- 
er.  During  tbe  great  religious  revival  wiili  wblcb  ilie  eburclies  were 
visited  in  1742,  lie  devoted  mucb  of  bis  time  to  itinerant  labor,  and 
was  tbe  instrument  of  mucb  gooil  in  many  congregations.  He  was  al- 
so distinguisbed  as  a  tbeological  instrucloi',  botli  by  a  bappy  meibod  ol* 
teacbing,  and  by  tbe  great  number  of  young  men  wbo  studied  ibr  tbe 
ministry  under  bis  care.  Tbe  most  important  of  bis  |)ublicati()ns  is  bis 
'  True  Religion  Hclineated.'  His  woiLs  liave  been  republlslicd  in  tliree 
octavo  volumes." 


C  A  N  A  A  N 


fja^:*^.:]^-^  ^. 


t> 


m  ^t!  ,' vl  km 


v." 


SoutliiUbt  iiLU  of  (he  JJ  lUuitunu   l\iHs,  (  (iiuKtn 
Canaan  was  sold  at  auction  in  IVew  jiondon,  in  January,  17;>> 


Til 


settlement  began  in  June  u['  tbe  same  year.  Tbe  (iisl  inbabitanls  were 
Daniel  and  Isaac  Jiawience,  Jobn  l''raidJin,  ami  otbcrs  wbo  joined  tiie 
settlement  about  tbe  same  time.  Tbe  town  was  incorporateil  in  lllVJ. 
Tbe  first  clergyman  in  tbe  town  was  tbe  liev.  Elisba  \Vebsiei-,  wbo  was 
ordained  in  ()ctober,  1740. 

Canaan  is  41  miles  nortbwest  from  Hartford,  bounded  nortb  by  ilie 
•JMassacbusctts  line,  east  by  IXorfolk,  west  by  tbe  Jlousatonie,  dividing 
it  from  Salisbury,  and  soutb  by  Cornwall.  It  is  about  J)  miles  in  Icuglii 
from  norfb  to  soutb,  and  its  average  breadtb  about  si\. 

Tbe  (alls  represented  in  tbe  above  cii'Maviiig,  are  liunicd  by  a 
ledge'of  limesi  jiie  rocks,  ci'ossin'i  tbe  Hou^alonic  rl\cr  obbiinclv  from 


v^ 


4G4  COLEBllOOK'. 

nortluvest  to  southeast :  the  length  of  the  ledge  is  about  30  rods,  its 
per|)endicular  height  perhaps  60  feet,  and  its  front  irregular  and  broken. 
Here,  in  a  formidable  mass  on  the  western  side,  and  on  the  eastern,  the 
water  rushes  from  the  rapid  torrent  above,  and  descending  in  every  va- 
riety of  form,  with  the  mass  of  foam  at  the  bottom  rising  in  a  misty 
cloud,  and  the  surrounding  scenery  presents  a  scene  of  remarkably  j)ic- 
turesque  beauty.  There  are  falls  and  rapids  both  above  and  below  ihe 
main  cataract,  but  of  much  smaller  scale.  "  The  whole  descent,"  says 
Dr.  Dwight,  "is  about  130  feet,  nobly  arranged  and  distributed,  and 
comprehending  a  remarkable  variety  of  beauty  and  grandeur." 

The  buildings  connected  with  the  "Salisbury  Iron  jManufacturing 
Co."  are  situated  a  short  distance  above  the  main  fall,  on  the  Salisbury 
side  of  the  Ilousatonic  ;  there  are  also  iron  works  below  the  falls,  a 
forge  and  anchor  shop  are  on  the  Canaan  side.  This  place  is  18  miles 
from  Litchfield,  45  from  Hartford,  and  4  li-om  Salisbury  center. 

The  face  of  the  township  is  broken  and  mountainous.  Considerable 
quantities  of  limestone  have  been  quarried. 


COLEBROOK. 

CoLKBROOK  is  ail  elevated  township,  the  central  part  of  which  is  31 
miles  northwest  from  Hartford,  and  18  miles  northeast  from  Litchfield, 
bounded  north  by  the  Massachusetts  line,  east  by  Hariland,  west  by 
Norfolk,  and  south  by  Winchester.  Its  length  from  east  to  west  is  six 
miles,  and  its  average  breadth  five.  The  township  is  hilly  and  moun- 
tainous, and  the  soil  a  hard  gravelly  loam,  and  generally  stony.  It  is 
in  general  rather  cold  and  wet,  but  aftbrds  tolerable  good  grazing.  The 
main  branch  of  the  Farmington  river  inii.^rsccts  the  eastern  part  of  the 
town,  and  aObrds  excellent  mill  seats.  The  population  of  the  town  in 
1810  was  1,^243;  in  1830,  it  was  1,33L>. 

Jt  is  said  that  in  the  year  179(5,  some  laborers  in  this  town,  digging 
to  the  depth  of  nine  or  ten  feet,  found  three  large  tusks,  and  two  thigh 
bones,  the  latter  of  which  measured  each  about  four  feet  and  four  inches 
in  length,  and  twelve  inches  and  a  half  in  circumference.  It  is  added 
that  when  first  discovered  they  were  entire  ;  but  that  as  soon  as  they 
were  exposed  to  the  air,  they  mouldered  into  ilust.* 

The  following  is  a  representation  of  the  Congregational  church,  situ- 
ated in  the  central  part  of  the  town,  and  some  of  the  buildings  in  the  vi- 
cinity. The  hill  seen  back  of  the  church  is  sometimes  denominated 
Mount  Pisgah.  The  first  settler  in  the  town,  JJenjamin  Horton,  loca- 
ted himself  about  three  fourths  of  a  mile  south  from  this  place,  on  the 
Norfolk  road,  in  December,  1765;  Joseph  Rockwell  came  in  January, 
1766  ;  Joseph  Seymour  and  Nathan  Bass,  in  the  following  April  anil 
May,  and  Samuel  Rockwell  in  1767.  The  common  method  of  clear- 
ing land  was  to  girdle  the  timber;  on  the  third  year  after  girdling,  it 
was  sown  'with  rye  and  seeded  down  to  grass :  the  average  crop  was 

♦  Aineric.-iu  Cuizelleur. 


C  ()  R  N  \V  A  I,  L 


A61 


,-A.a. 


^r^SM^f'mZ 


iSouthicestern  view  of  Cultbruok,  {central part.) 

from  20  to  25  bushels  to  the  acre.  The  kind  thus  partially  cleared,  pro- 
duced good  pasturage  for  7  or  8  years,  when  the  remaining  timber  on 
the  land  having  principally  fallen,  it  became  necessary  to  clear  it;  be- 
ing fallowed  down,  it  produced  good  wheat  and  rye.  When  the  land 
was  new,  ii  prixkicctl  good  oats  and  turnl[)^.  Apple  trees,  at  the  first 
settlement  ol' ilie  town,  did  not  lloiui^li.  The  toun  was  organized  into 
an  ecclesiastical  society  in  178(5,  and  the  first  meeting  liouse  was  built 
about  the  same  lime.  Jlev.  l)i-.  Jonathan  Kduards,  of  JN'ew  Haven, 
son  of  the  celebrated  di\ine  of  the  sami;  name,  was  Installed  the  first 
pastor,  in  1795.  He  howe\er  continued  here  but  3  or  4  years,  being 
appointed  President  of  Union  College,  in  Schenectady.  The  Rev. 
Chauncey  Lee,  I).  D.  was  the  next  minister.  There  are  at  present  five 
houses  of  worship  in  the  limits  of  the  town,  1  Congregational,  2  Bap- 
tist, 1  Methodist,  and  1  fur  various  denominations. 


CORNAV  ALL 


This  township  was  laid  out  in  fifty  three  allotments,  and  sold  by  the 
colony  at  Fairfield  in  1733,  at  fifty  pounds  per  riglit.  The  first  per- 
manent settlement  was  made  about  1710,  there  being  this  year  13  fam- 
ilies in  the  town.  The  first  irdiabitants  were  from  various  pans  of  the 
colony,  the  greatest  number  being  from  Plalnfield.  Tliese  were  per- 
sons by  tlie  name  of  Jewett,  Spaulding,  Barret,  Squires,  and  others. 
Those  by  the  name  of  Allen  and  Griffin,  were  from  Litchfield;  the 
Fullers  and  Robertses  from  Colchester.  There  were  other  persons 
from  Tolland,  Norwalk,  and  some  from  Massachusetts.  Such  a  num- 
ber'of  persons  planted  themselves  in  the  town  at  once,  that  they  were 
able  to  support  a  minister  from  the  commencement  of  the  settlement, 

59 


466 


C  O  It  N  AV  A  L  L  , 


In  August,  1741,  tlie  Rev.  Solomon  Palmer  was  ordained  their  pastor. 
"  He  continued  with  tlieiii  in  peace  until  INlarcli,  1754,  when  on  the 
Sabhuth,  to  tlie  great  sur[)nse  of  the  people,  he  declared  himself  an 
Episco|)alian  in  sentiment.  He  soon  afier  went  to  England,  and  ob- 
tained orders.  He  was  originally  of  Branford,  and  had  his  education 
at  Yale  College."* 

___ .  —   -_  I 


.^^\- y,'^-^;^ 


^ortlieasttrn  view  of  ibuulh  Curnwull. 


Cornwall  is  situated  38  miles  west  from  Hartford,  and  48  northwest 
from  New  Haven  ;  bounded  north  by  Canaan,  west  by  the  Housatonic, 
separating  it  from  Sharon,  east  by  Goshen,  and  south  l)y  Warren  and 
Kent.  Its  average  length  from  north  to  south  is  more  than  nine  miles, 
and  its  breadth  about  five;,  "^riie  face  of  the  township  is  iiilly  ami 
nuHuitainous,  but  ibc  soil  is  f(Tiilc  ami  pioduciive,  being  well  adapted 
both  to  grain  and  giiizing.  Stveial  minerals  have  been  discovered  in 
this  town  ;  in  the  western  seciion,  in  w  hat  is  called  Aline  JMountain, 
near  the  Housatonic,  veins  of  black  lead  have  been  discovered  in  vari- 
ous places;  about  two  miles  south  of  the  princi|)al  settlement,  a  bed 
of  porcelain  clay  has  been  discovered  ;  there  are  also  various  indica- 
tions of  iron  ore. 

The  above  shows  the  appearance  of  the  village  of  South  Cornwall, 
as  seen  from  the  road  which  passes  from  Goshen  to  Sharon.  The 
drawing  was  taken  from  the  house  of  George  Wheaton,  Esq.  on  the 
elevated  ground  about  one  mile  n.  e.  from  the  Congregational  church. 
There  are  two  mercantile  stores,  and  about  twenty  dwelling  houses, 
within  half  a  mile  of  the  church.  The  appearance  of  this  \'illage  and 
the  surrounding  objecis,  as  seen  from  the  road  above  mentioned,  con- 
stitutes one  of  the  most  interesting  and  striking  scenes  to  be  met  with 
in  the  state.     The  cheerful  appearance  of  the  church  and  the  little 


Pr.  Trumbull. 


/ 


COSH  K  N .  467 

cluster  of  white  painted  buildings  surrounding  it,  at  the  bottom  of  a 
deep  valley,  is  unconunonly  pleasing.  Tlie  mountains  and  lofty  bills 
which  rise  immediately  on  almost  every  side,  shutting  out  in  a  sense 
the  rest  of  the  world  from  this  apparently  retired  spot,  present  a  hold 
and  most  striking  feature  in  the  landscape.  The  mountain  seen  south 
of  the  village  is  Cult^s  Foot  Mountain,  so  called  it  is  said  from  the 
circumstance  of  a  colt's  foot  being  found  on  its  summit,  which  was 
probably  carried  there  by  some  wild  animal,  as  tlie  mountain  is  almost 
inaccessible.  This  village  is  the  place  where  the  Foreign  Mission 
School  was  established  in  1818.  The  building  in  which  the  school 
was 'kept  is  the  westernmost  in  the  cluster  seen  around  tlie  church. 
This  sciiool  had  its  rise  from  the  attem|)t  to  qualify  Obookiah,  a  pious 
Owyheean  youth,  and  others,  for  missionaries  to  their  native  lands. 
Obookiah  was  brought  to  this  country  in  1808,  and  came  to  New  Ha- 
ven. While  here,  Samuel  J.  Mills,  a  student  in  Yale  College,  and 
other  pious  persons,  commiserating  his  condition,  instructed  him  in  the 
Christian  religion.  Obookiah  soon  became  hopefully  pious,  and  strong- 
ly advocated  a  mission  to  his  counirytnen.  Other  natives  of  his  island 
were  found,  and  a  school  was  established  for  their  benefit  at  Cornwall. 
In  1820,  tlie  number  of  pupils  in  this  school  was  29,  of  whom  19  were 
American  Indians,  and  G  from  the  islands  of  the  Pacific  Ocean.  Oboo- 
kiah sickened  and  died  in  Cornwall  in  1818.  The  following  is  the  in- 
scription on  his  monument  in  the  village  grave  yard. 

In  memory  ol'  Henry  Obookiah.,  a  native  of  Owyhee.  His  arrival  in  this  conntry 
gave  rise  to  ihe  Foreign  Mi.ssif>n  Schoiil,  of  wliicli  lie  was  a  worthy  member.  He 
was  once  an  Idohuer,  and  was  (lesignLi!  fur  a  Piieriin  Priest;  but  bv  the  grace  of  God, 
and  by  the  |)rayeisund  msu  iictii/iis  ot  f)i(in>  liiendy,  he  became  a' Christian.  He  was 
eminent  lor  piuiy  and  misSMnaiy  zeal.  When  alrnosi  prepared  to  return  to  liis  native 
isle  to  preacii  the  Gospel,  God  lotik'  him  lo  hinisell  In  his  hist  sickness,  he  wejn  and 
prayed  for  Owyfice,  but  was  submissive.  He  died  without  fear,  wiih  a  heavenly  smile 
on  Ins  countenance  and  glory  in  his  soul,  Feb.  I7th,  1816,  aged  CG. 


GOSHEN. 

The  township  of  Goshen  was  sold  at  New  Haven,  in  December, 
1737,  and  its  settlement  commenced  in  one  or  two  years  afterwards. 
The  first  inhabitants  were  principally  from  New  Maven,  Wallingford, 
and  Farmington.  It  is  stated  that  the  houses  of  Gideon  Thompson  and 
John  Beach,  who  were  among  the  first  settlers,  were  palisadoed  in,  for  a 
defense  against  the  Indians.  Rlr.  Beach's  house  was  situated  on  East 
street,  about  i2i  miles  frotn  the  present  South  Congregational  church  ; 
the  house  of  Mr.  Thompson,  stood  on  West  street,  near  a  mile  to  the 
southwest.  Goshen  was  incorporated  as  a  town  in  1749,  It  is  bound- 
ed N.  by  Norlolk,  r:.  by  Torrlngton  and  Winchester,  w.  by  Cornwall, 
and  s.  by  LiichiicKl ;  it  is  9  miles  in  leniith  and  Ah  in  breadih.  The 
central  part  is  G  miles  h-om  Litchfifld,  o'2  west  from  Hartford  and  42 
from  New  Haven.  It  is  the  most  elevated  township  in  the  state,  but  not 
generally  mountainous;  the  surface  being  undulating,  afibrding  an  in- 
teresting diversity  of  hills  and  vales.     The  soil  is  a  gravelly  loam,  deep, 


468 


GOSHEN 


Strong  and  fertile,  admirably  adapted  for  grazing.  This  is  one  of  llie  best 
towns  for  the  dairy  business  in  the  state.  Large  quantities  of  cheese 
are  annually  made,  the  fame  of  which  is  widely  and  justly  celebrated, 
and  the  inhabitants  are  generally  in  pros[)erous  circumstances.  In  neat- 
ness, in  and  about  their  dwellings,  and  in  the  appearance  of  general 
comfort  and  ))rosperity,  they  are  not  exceeded,  if  equalled,  by  any  town 
in  the  state. 


iSuiuh  view  of  Ciuihcn,  [cciiintl  jxut.) 

The  above  is  a  representation  of  the  Congregational  church  and  some 
other  buildings  in  the  central  part  of  the  town.  The  building  seen  on 
the  right,  with  a  small  spire,  is  the  Academy,  w  here  the  higher  l)ranches 
of  education  are  tauglir.  '^I'lic  cominou  (ii>iii(.t  school-house  is  of  brick, 
the  (irsl  building  seen  in  the  engiavitig  Mniih  of  the  church.  I'he  other 
Congregational  chnich  in  the  lowii,  is  l\n\v  miles  nortlit;a.'^t  from  this. 
There  was  formerly  an  Efjiscopal  church,  siimiicfl  ;il)out  "2  miles  to  the 
northeast.  About  the  time  of  the  yVmerican  iievolution,  the  E|)iscopal 
society,  becoming  very  much  reduced  in  iiurnhLis,  sold  tlieir  house  to  the 
north  Congregational  society  ;  hut  while  they  were  endeavoring  to  draw 
it  towards  their  section  of  the  town,  it  was  blown  down  by  the  wind.  The 
first  meeting  house  in  the  town  was  built  of  loi^s  ;  it  stood  about  80  rods 
below  the  church  seen  in  the  engraving.  The  elevated  ground  seen 
beyond  the  houses  in  the  engraving,  is  called  Ivy  mountain.  This  is 
considered  the  most  elevated  point  of  land  in  the  state.  It  afibi-ds  a 
most  extensive  and  interesting  prospect,  in  almost  every  direction  ;  to 
the  west  is  a  view  of  the  Catskill  niountains  for  a  considerable  extent, 
their  rugged  features,  and  high  and  disorderly  hills  ;  and  to  the  east  is  a 
view  of  tiie  elevated  country  east  of  Connecticut  river.  There  is  this 
rare  and  peculiar  circumstance,  with  respect  to  what  is  called  the  East 
street,  in  Goshen  ;  that  the  rain  which  falls  on  the  front  of  the  houses, 
descends  into  the  Housatonic  river,  and  that  which  falls  on  the  back 


11  A  R  \V  I  N  T  O  N  , 


AG'J 


side  into  the  Waterbury  river.  About  one  mile  and  a  half  west  from 
the  central  part,  is  a  collection  of  several  mills,  and  some  mannlacturing 
establishments,  around  which  is  collected  a  cluster  of  houses  ;  this  place 
is  called  Canada  village.*  The  Meihodist  church  is  built  in  this  place. 
The  stream  which  passes  this  village  is  fed  from  a  large  |)ond  in  the  vi- 
cinity, and  is  admirably  calculated  for  water  works,  having  an  adequate 
supply  of  water,  characterized  by  great  uniformity,  being  neither  alfected 
by  droughts  nor  heavy  rains. 

The  first  minister  in  the  town,  was  the  Rev.  Stephen  Ileaton.  He 
was  buried  about  a  mile  south  of  the  Congregational  church.  His  mon- 
ument, with  a  few  others,  stands  at  present  in  an  open  field,  near  the 
Litchfield  road  ;  the  following  is  the  inscription. 

In  memory  of  the  Rev.  Stki'hkn  ITka'ihin,  Y.  I^.  M.  primus  de  Goshen,  who  was 
born  at  New'llaven,  30th  ofNorr.  1710, ordained  Nov.  1710,  deprirled  ihisliCe  llicSDlh 
of  Deer.  1788,  JE.  7i>.  In  his  cluuaiei-  appeared  Friendsliip,  I'auioiism,  SociaLilily, 
Kindness  and  Charily,  Benevolence,  Viitue  and  Religion. 

Pallida  Mors  aquo  pulsal  Pede  pauperum  Tabernas  Regumque  Turres.t 

This  is  a  copy  of  another  in  the  same  place. 

In  memory  of  Mosks  Lyman,  Esq,  who  died  Gih  of  Jany.  1708,  in  his  55ih  year. 
Lyman  so  farn'd,  so  meek,  so  just,  and  wise  ; 
He  sleeps  !  in  hope,  Thencease  fiom  tears,  when  Christ  appears,  his  dust  shall  rise. 


H  A  R  ^V  I  N  TON. 

Harwinton  originally  consisted  of  two  half  townships,  one  i)art  be- 
longing to  Hartford,  and  the  other  to  the  Windsor  pro|)rietors.  The 
first  settlers  were  also  from  Hartford  and  Winilsor.  'J'he  town  is  said 
to  have  derived  its  name  from  the  names  of  the  towns  Hartford,  W^ind- 
sor,  and  Farmington,  Har-win-ton.  "  The  six  first  settlers  were  Mes- 
senger, Brace,  Hopkins,  Webster,  Phelps  and  Wilson.  These  were 
on  the  lands  before  the  division  and  sale  of  them  in  1732.  The  set- 
tlement of  the  town  is  considered  as  having  been  made  in  1731.  It 
was  incorporated  in  October,  1737.  The  first  minister  was  the  Rev. 
Andrew  Bartholomew,  ordained  about  the  year  173G." 

Harwinton  is  boimded  n.  by  J\ew  Hartford  and  Torrlnglon,  w.  by 
the  Naugatuc  river,  separating  it  from  Litchfield,  e.  liy  13urlington,  and 
s.  by  Plymouth.  It  is  G  miles  in  length,  and  upwards  of  5  in  width. 
The  township  is  elevated  and  hilly,  with  granite  rocks.  The  lands  are 
best  adapted  for  grazing,  and  the  making  of  butter  and  cheese  is  a 
leading  agricultm'al  interest.  There  is  one  house  for  public  worship  in 
the  town,  which  is  for  Congregationallsts.  The  central  part  of  the 
town  is  8  miles  from  Litchfield,  23  from  Hartford,  and  40  from  New 
Haven.  The  number  of  inhabitants  in  ISIO  was  1,713  ;  in  1S30,  the 
number  was  reduced  to  1,516. 

♦  This  village  is  said  to  liavc  deiived  its  name  in  the  following  manner:  A  man 
by  the  name  of  Frisbie,  who  was  liie  lirsl  miller  in  this  pkice,  was  frequently  saying 
from  year  to  year,  that  he  intended  the  next  year  lo  move  to  Cdnndn,  and  still  cuntin- 
vied  to  stay  where  he  was.  The  people  finally  agreed  to  bring  Canada  to  liiin,by  call- 
ing the  place  where  he  lived  bv  that  name. 

+  Pale  death  mrades  with  the  same  step,  tlie  liovels  of  beggais  and  the  ])alaces  of 
kings. 


470 


KENT. 

The  tract  now  comprising  the  towns  of  Kent  and  Warren  was  sold  at 
auction  at  the  court  house  in  Windham,  in  INIarch,  1738.  Tlie  settle- 
ment commenced  the  same  year.  The  town  was  laid  out  in  fifty  three 
shares.  The  principal  settlers  were  from  Colchester,  Fairfield  and  INor- 
walk.  Payne,  Washhurn,  Wrii^ht,  Hansom  and  Piatt,  were  from  Col- 
chester ;  the  Comstocks  were  from  Fairfield  ;  and  the  Slausons,  Can- 
fields  and  Bassetts,  were  from  Norwalk.  Tlie  town  was  incorporated, 
and  vested  witJi  town  privileges  at  the  session  of  the  Legislature  in  Oc- 
toher,  1739.  The  first  minister  was  the  Rev.  Cyrus  INIarsh,  ordained  in 
May,  1741.  The  settlement  of  the  town  was  rapid.  In  May,  when 
]\Ir.  ]\Tarsh  was  ordained,  the  church  consisted  of  ten  males  only  ;  but 
before  llie  end  of  the  year,  there  was  an  addition  of  fifty  three  persons, 
male  and  female,  principally  by  recommendations  from  other  churches. 


Nuithtabt  xitw  of  the.  J^piscaiml  (  /luu/i,  Kent. 

Kent  IS  characteristically  mountamous;  it  is  bounded  n.  by  Sharon, 
E.  by  Warren,  s.  by  New  JMilford,  and  w.  by  the  stale  of  New  York. 
It  is  nearly  8  miles  in  length,  and  6  in  breadili  from  east  to  west.  The 
manu(\icture  of  iron  was  formerly  carried  on  to  a  considerable  extent 
in  this  town  ;  there  are  at  present  three  furnaces  in  operation.  There 
are  3  houses  of  worship  in  the  town  ;  1  E[)iscopal,  1  Congregational, 
and  1  Methodist. 

The  above  is  a  representation  of  the  Episcopal  churcli  in  Kent,  50 
miles  from  Hartford,  and  the  same  distance  from  New  Haven.  The 
Housatonic  river  passes  at  the  foot  of  the  mountain  seen  in  the  back 
ground.  About  a  mile  and  a  half  below  this  building,  on  the  opposite 
side  of  the  river,  the  Moravian  church  or  mission  house  was  standing  30 
or  40  years  since,  near  the  house  of  Mr.  Raymond,  which  is  just  dis- 
cernible in  the  distance  on  the  extreme  left.     The  JMoravians  left  this 


KENT.  471 

place  about  lialf  a  century  since.  Tlie  Scatacook  tribe,  for  wbose  bene- 
fit this  mission  was  established,  occupied  the  interval  on  the  west  side  of 
the  river  for  about  three  miles.  Tiie  scenery  in  this  place  has  a  pecu- 
liar charm,  bein^i;  unconnnonly  beautiful  and  interesting;.  The  river, 
calm  and  still,  winds  with  grace  and  beauty  through  this  fertile  spot, 
while  the  mountain  rises  abruptly,  high,  rugged  and  precipitous,  forming 
a  back  ground  and  finish  to  the  picture.  During  the  llevolutionary  war 
this  tribe  fiu-nished  100  warriors.  It  is  said  that  they  were  able  to  com- 
municate intelligence  from  the  sea  coast  to  Stockbridge,  IMass.  the  dis- 
tance of  100  miles,  in  two  hours.  Tliis  was  ellected  by  Indian  yells, 
or  whoops,  from  their  men,  who  were  stationed  at  proper  places  along 
the  borders  of  the  Housatonic,  from  its  mouth  up  to  Stockbridge.  Dr. 
Dwight,  who  passed  tln'ough  this  place  in  1798,  says  that  there  were 
sixteen  wigwams  remaining. 

Gideon  ISlmncehu,  the  king  or  sachem  of  the  Scatacook  tribe,  was 
a  Pequot  Indian.  The  last  place  of  his  residence,  previous  to  his 
comin<i:  to  Kent,  was  in  the  town  of  Dover,  N.  Y.  on  Ten  mile  river,  a 
few  miles  west  of  Scatacook.  JNlauwehu,  in  one  of  his  hunting  ex- 
cursions, came  to  the  summit  of  the  mountain  whicli  rises  almost  pre- 
cipitously west  of  Scatacook,  and  beholding  the  beautiful  valley  and 
river  below,  determined  to  make  it  the  place  of  his  future  residence. 
It  was  indeed  a  lovely  and  desirable  place  ;  there  were  several  hun- 
dred acres  of  excellent  land,  covered  with  grass  like  a  prairie,  with 
some  few  scattering  trees  inter3[)ersed.  The  river  was  well  supplied 
with  fish,  and  on  the  mountains,  on  both  sides,  was  fotmd  an  abundance 
of  deer,  and  other  wild  game.  At  this  place  Blauwehu  collected  the 
Indians,  and  l)ecame  their  sachem,  and  here  the  Moravians  had  a  nour- 
ishing mission. 

A  granddaugiiter  of  the  sachem,  Eunice  l\Iauwehu,  and  two  or  three 
families,  are  all  that  novv  (1836)  remain  of  the  tribe  at  Scatacook. 
The  place  where  Mauwehu  resided  was  sold  by  the  state  for  about 
3,000  dollars,  the  interest  of  which  is  annually  appropriated  for  their 
benefit.  This  farm  has  been  recently  sold  by  IVlr.  Raymond  for  18,000 
dollars.  The  tribe  still  possesses  about  300  acres  of  land,- lying  south 
of  this  farm  ;  the  greater  part  of  which,  however,  lies  on  the  mountain 
west  of  the  valley,  and  is  valued  from  1,500  to  2,000  dollars. 

"  Tlicre  is  in  this  town,  (says  Dr.  Tiiimbiill,)  convincing^  evidence,  that  it  was  a 
prand  seat  of  the  native  inhabitants  of  ihis  counlry,  liefore  Indians,  wlio  more  lately 
inhabited  it,  had  any  residence  in  it.  There  are  ai  row  heads,  sione  pots,  and  a  sort  of 
knives,  and  vaiioiis  kinds  of  ntensils,  treqiienlly  found  by  the  Enj(lish,  of  such  curious 
workmanship,  as  exceeds  all  the  skill  of  any  Indians  since  the  English  came  into  this 
counlry,  and  became  acquainted  with  them.  These  were  not  only  found  when  the 
town  was  first  settled,  but  they  are  still  found  on  the  sides  of  Hou.'^atonic  river.  The 
history  of  the  Indians  in  the  town  when  tlie  seltleinenl  of  it  commenced,  is  well  known. 
Mowehue,  a  sachem,  who  a  few  years  before  had  removed  with  his  Indians  li  om  New- 
town to  New  Milford,  about  the  year  1728  built  him  a  hunting  house  at  yealacook,  in 
the  northwest  part  of  Kent,  on  the  west  bank  of  the  Housatonic  river.  He  invited 
the  Indians  at  New  Mill'ord,  from  the  Oblong,  in  the  province  of  New  York,  and  from 
various  other  places,  to  settle  with  him  at  Scatacook;  and  it  appears  that  he  was  a 
man  of  so  much  art  and  popularity  among  the  Indians,  that  in  about  ten  or  eleven 
years,  about  the  lime  when  the  town  was  settled,  he  could  muster  an  hundred  war- 
riors. The  whole  number,  piobably,  was  about  tive  or  six  hundred.  These,  like  the 
other  Indians  in  this  state,  and  in  most  other  states,  hftve  been  greatly  diminished. 


472  N  K  W      II  A  R  T  F  O  H  D  . 

Their  whole  number,  nt  iliis  linie,  is  imt  more  than  forty.  The  Moravian  missiona- 
ries visited  these  Indians  ubuiit  the  liiii«  ol' ihe  great  relit^ions  concern  in  tliis  country. 
They  came  lirsl  in  the  3ear  ITK),  and  visited  the  Indian  village  called  Cliekameka, 
in  the  Oblong',  in  the  province  of  New  York.  They,  about  the  same  time,  came  and 
preached  to  the  Scatacoolc  Indians,  and  in  1743,  according  to  their  account,  the  Scala- 
cook  saciiem  was  bapii/.ed  by  them.  In  this  place  they  formed  a  church,  and  hatl  a 
flourishing  congregation.  They  baptized  150  of  the  Kent  Indians.  It  is  universally 
testified,  tiiat  these  missionaries  were  very  inollimsive  people;  that  they  were  well  es- 
teemed and  kindly  treated  by  the  people  of  the  town  while  they  tarried.  They,  how- 
ever, complain  of  themselves  as  ill  treated,  persecuted  and  imprisoned;  but  it  could  not 
be  by  the  people  of  Connecticut.  Wliat  became  of  the  In'dians  who  were  first  on  the 
ground,  before  the  English  had  any  si.'tllements  there  is  not  known.  When  they  mov- 
ed away,  or  to  what  place,  cannot  be  ascertained.  The  probability  however  is,  that 
they  were  connected  with  Philip's  Indians  in  the  war  against  New  England  ;  and  that 
in  the  slaughter  which  the  Connecticut  troops  made  of  the  Indians  on  the  Housatonic, 
at  the  close  of  that  war,  numbers  of  them  were  slain,  and  that  the  rest  were  so  alarm- 
ed, that  they  removed  into  Canada,  as  many  other  Iiulians  did  about  the  same  lime." 


<  J\EW    HARTFORD. 

The  township  of  New  Hartford  was  liTanted  to  tl)e  Hartford  paten- 
tees. Tlie  settlement  cotnnienced  about  the  year  1733,  and  it  appears 
to  have  been  incorporated  soon  after.  The  first  settlers  were  from 
Hartford.  Their  names  were  John,  Cyprian  and  Zachariah  Watson, 
Joseph  Gillet,  Noah  IMcrril,  deacon  Martin  Smith,  I'homas  Olcott, 
Stephen  Kelsey,  l\latthew  Gillet,  John  Andrus,  Jonathan  Marsh,  Dan- 
iel Shepherd,  Samuel  Douglass,  Eleazar  Goodwin,  and  others.  The 
first  minister  in  the  town  was  the  Rev.  Jonathan  Marsh,  son  of  the 
Rev.  Jonathan- Marsli  of  Windsor,  ordained  October,  1739.  He  con- 
tinued in  the  ministry  between  fifty  four  and  fifty  five  years.  As  this 
was  a  frontier  town,  some  fortifications  were  erected  for  the  defense  of 
the  inhabitants.* 

New  Hartford  is  20  miles  northwest  from  Hartford.  It  is  bounded 
north  by  RarkhamstiMl,  east  by  Canton,  west  by  Torrington,  and  south 
by  luirlington  and  Harwinton.  It  is  six  miles  in  lengtli,  and  averages 
about  the  same  distance  in  breadth.  The  township  is  hilly  and  moun- 
tainous, containing  a  range  of  ujouiitains  of  considerable  elevation,  con- 
sisting of  granite  and  other  primitive  formations. 

In  the  northern  part  of  the  town,  the  ])erennial  or  evergreen  region 
of  Connecticut  commences.  Here  several  years  since  was  an  exten- 
sive tract  of  forests,  called  "  Green  Woods,"  but  they  are  now  reduced, 
roads  having  been  openetl  through  them,  and  considerable  portions 
cleared.  The  Farmingion  river  passes  through  the  northeastern  sec- 
lion  of  the  town,  affording  good  sites  for  mills,  k,c.  The  town  is  also 
watered  by  numerous  stnall  streams,  rtinning  in  various  directions.  Tiie 
lands  are  best  adapted  for  grazing. 

The  following  engraving  shows  the  appearance  of  the  village,  as  it  is 
entered  from  the  north,  upon  the  Albany  road.  It  consists  of  about  30 
dwelling  houses,  1  cotton  factory,  I  machine  shop,  and  4  mercantile 
stores.     The  village  is  mostly  on  the  west  side  of  the  Farmington  river, 

♦  Dr.  Trumbull. 


N  K  \V      II  A  11  T  F  0  it  D  . 


413 


Nortlitrn  vicio  of  JSeiv  Hartford,  {North  village.) 

situated  in  a  deep  valley,  the  hills  and  mountains  rlsinf^  immediately  on 
every  side,  excepting  the  valley  through  which  the  river  and  turnpike 
passes.  The  Congregational  church  is  seen  on  the  extreme  right  of  the 
engraving.  The  mountain  is  sometimes  called  Bare  Spot  Mountain, 
from  the  circumstance  of  a  bare  spot,  destitute  of  trees  and  shrubbery, 
being  found  on  its  summit.  This  village  is  about  2A  miles  north  of  the 
old  Congregational  church  and  town  house,  20  miles  from  Harfford,  16 
from  Litchfield,  45  from  New  Haven,  and  75  from  Albany.  About 
three  fourths  of  a  mile  to  the  southeast  is  another  village,  afjout  the  size 
of  the  one  described,  which  has  been  built  up  in  the  course  of  (ive  or 
six  years  past,  called  Kellogg,  or  lower  village  ;  it  has  a  woolen  factory, 
and  an  establishment  for  manufactiu-lng  machinery  for  making  woolen 
cloth.  Besiiles  the  two  Congregational  churches,  there  is  one  for  the 
13aptist  denomination,  situated  in  the  southwest  [wrt  of  the  town. 

Ill  the  eastern  part  of  this  town  there  is  a  ronp:h  and  mountainous  rlislrict,  formerly 
designated  Sa/aih\i  Klngduvi,  and  the  few  inhabiiants  who  lived  hero  were  in  a  meas- 
ure shut  out  from  the  rest  of  mankind.  An  inhuhiiant  of  the  town  invited  one  of  his 
rieis:tibors,  who  lived  within  the  limits  of  this  disirier,  to  go  and  hear  Air.  Marsh,  the 
first  minister  who  was  settled  in  the  town.  Ife  was  prevailed  upou  to  e;-o  to  church 
in  the  forenoon.  In  the  course  of  his  prayer,  Mr.  Marsh, ainong  other  thinijs,  praj'ed 
that  Sataii's  kiui^doni.  miL'/tl.  be  (leslrpijcd.  It  apfiears  that  the  inhahitant  of  this  dis- 
trict, took  the  expression  in  a  literal  and  tan^jible  sense,  having  probably  never  heard 
the  expression  used  but  in  relerence  to  tiic  disiiiel  wherein  he  resided.  Being  asked 
logo  to  meeting  in  the  afternoon,  he  refused,  stating  thai  Mr.  Marsh  had  insulted  him; 
"  for  blast  him,"  s;iid  he,  "  when  lie  prayed  for  the  destruction  of  Satan's  kingdom,  he 
very  well  knew  all  my  interests  lay  there." 

The  following  are  extitiets  fi'om  the  town  records,  * 

At  a  town  meeting,  Dec,  10th  17.")fl. — Cornniiltee  a)ipoin«ed  tc/ make  application  to 
Mr.  Baulden  to  come  and  settle  in  the  ministry,  and  if  he  refuse,  then  to  Mr.  Rohords, 
and  if  he  refuse  to  accept  of  the  caul,  then  to  ISfr,  Marsh,  .smi  to  Rev.  Mr.  Marsh  of 
Windsor,  and  if  he  refuse,  then  to  Mr.  Timo.  Woodbridge.  'Adjourned  to  May  22, 
1739,  when  il  was  voted  and  unanir/iously  agreed,  that  it  is  needlul  to  proceed,  and 
that  we  will  proceed  to  built  a  meeting  house,  &.c.    Mr.  Stephen  Kelsey  appointed 

60 


V-. 


474 


NEW     JI  I  I-  F  O  n  D  . 


agent  to  solicit  a  coniiiiillcc  from  liie  CiLMi.  Assenibl}',  (o  dt'lermine  upon  liie  silo  for 
the  meeting  house.  Maiiiiew  Ciilet  and  Sauil.  Jicuhaui,  (juoiistois,  to  tune  or  set  the 
psalms. 

Jime  2G,  1739— Voted  lo  give  Mr.  Marsh  a  ^salary  of  £100  yearly  for  i  years,  and 
after  that  to  adtl  five  jHunuls  a  year  till  it  anu)Lini  lo  £110.  Voted  lo  give  Mr.  Marsh 
£2  5.S.  for  each  Sabljath  he  shall  preach  till  he  is  seliled,  he  lo  board  himself. 

July  21,  173'J. — Voted  to  give  Mr.  Marsh  £100  a  year  lor  three  years,  and  after  that 
lo  add  £10  a  year  till  it  amount  lo  £150.  Voted,  that  ve  will  proceed  to  build  a  meet- 
ing house,  &c.  and  the  length  shall  be  50  foot.s,  and  the  bredth  40  foots. 

Sept.  II,  173!). — Voted  lo  add  5  fools  lo  the  length  of  the  meeting  house.  Voted, 
that  ihe  ordmalion  of  Mr.  Marsh  be  on  the  2d  Wednesday  of  Oelober  next.  Voted, 
that  the  time  lo  begin  to  raise  the  meeting  house  be  the  20th  May,  17-10.  Commillce 
may  hire  a.ssislance  to  rai.se  ihe  house,  il'it  cannot  be  done  (Jlherwise.  Voted,  that  ihe 
commillce  make  a  sutabel  preparation  of  Uquer  for  the  raising  of  the  meeting  house. 

flth  March,  n-ll-,  a  committee  apiioinieil  lo  cousnli  wuh,  some  of  the  neighboring 
ministers,  and  wiih  their  advice  appoint  a  day  of  lasiing  and  piaycr,  and  notify  the 
mhabitanis  thereof. 

Sept.  21,  17-19.— Voted,  I  hat  the  llcv.  Mr.  Marsh  have  his  choice  of  any  pew  in  the 
meeting  house,  for  to  accouiinodate  his  lainily  to  sit  in  uu  ihc  Loid's  day,  and  at  other 
times. 


N  E  W    INI  1  L  F  ORD. 

New  iMiLFORT),  tlie  largest  town  in  teniloii;il  exlcnl  in  Conncclicut, 
is  ill  the  southwestern  extremity  uf  the  county.  It  is  bounded  n.  by 
Kent,  F..  by  W^asbinifton,  Roxbury  ami  Soiithbury,  s.  by  Newtown  and 
Brookfield,  and  w.  by  New  Fairtield  and  Sherman.  It  has  an  avera<.,'e 
len!,ah  of  13  miles,  and  an  avera^^e  breadth  of  (j.h  miles,  com  prising  an 
area  of  84  square  miles.  The  townsbii)  is  hilly  and  broken,  several 
mountainous  ridges  extending  through  it.  "  The  soil  is  much  diversi- 
fied, and  where  susceptible  of  cultivation,  it  is  generally  good;  but  on 
the  whole  more  distinguished  for  grain  than  grass.  There  are,  bowever, 
large  (juantilies  of  excellent  meatlow  groiiiul,  but  the  pasturage  is,  on 
the  whole,  not  abundant.  It  is  esseiilitilly  a  fiirming  town.  Large 
quantities  of  grain  are  annually  raised.  'I'ho  township  is  centrally  in- 
lerseclt'd  by  the  llousatonic  :  two  liiaiulies  ul"  the  Ashpctuck,  Rocky 
and  Still  rivers,  with  other  streams,  enter  the  Housaionic  in  this  town, 
alFording  numerous  excellent  mill  seats.  On  Second  hill,  in  the  eastern 
part  of  the  town,  fiom  two  to  ibree  miles  from  the  central  village,  are 
inexhaustible  quantities  of  granite  of  a  superior  quality.  There  are  also 
a  number  of  extensive  marble  quarries  in  the  town.  The  batting  bu- 
siness is  carried  on  to  some  extent  in  Bridgewatcr  society.  There  are 
9  bouses  of  worship  in  the  town,  2  Congregational,  2  Episcopal,  2  Bap- 
tist, 2  Methodist,  and  1  for  Friends  or  (Quakers. 

■  The  following  ancient  bistory  of  the  town  of  New  ]\Iilford,  is  ex- 
tracted from  Rev.  Stanley  Griswold's  sermon,  delivered  at  New  j\lil- 
ford,  January  lib,  1801,  which  was  by  a  vote  of  the  town  entered  on 
their  records.  For  these  extracts,  with  some  additional  notes  and  other 
valuable  information,  the  author  is  indebted  to  the  Hon.  David  S. 
Boardman,  of  New  ftlilfoid.  * 

"The  town  of  New  JMilford  was  purcbascd  of  the  colony  of  Con- 
necticut, by  a  company  of  individuals,  chiefly  belonging  to  IMilford,  in 

this  state:  lience  the  name  it  received,  New  IMilford.     Tins  purchase 


N  K  \V     M  I  L  F  0  R  D  .  475 

was  made  in  the  j-oar  1703,  about  93  years  ago.*  Afterwards  an  ad- 
ditional purcliaie  was  nuuie,  which  luriDs  the  northern  extremity  of  (he 
town,  and  was  called  the  north  purchase.  This  was  made  in  the  }'ear 
\l-2-2.  This  town  is  now,  ]  believe,  the  largest  in  territorial  limits  of 
any  town  in  the  state,  and  formerly  was  somewhat  longer  than  it  is  at 
present.  A  part  of  it  was  set  off  on  the  south  end,  west  of  the  river, 
to  help  form  the  town  of  Brookfield.  Another  part  was  set  off  on  the 
northeast  corner,  to  help  form  the  town  of  Washington.  Still,  as  it  now 
remains,  the  longest  right  line  through  it  from  northeast  to  southwest  is 
not  far  from  20  miles. f 

"  The  first  settlement  that  was  made  in  .this  town  by  civilized  ]ieo- 
ple,  was  in  the  year  1707  ;  so  that  New  Milford  has  now  been  settled 
about  93  years.  At  that  time  a  considerable  number  of  the  natives 
inhabited  here,  of  whom  there  were  reckoned  about  200  warriors. 
They  dwelt  chiefly  along  the  intervale  l)y  the  river,  a  part  of  which 
intervale  is  to  this  day  called  Indian  Field  ;J  and  several  of  their  bu- 
rial grounds  are  yet  to  be  seen  in  various  parts  of  the  town. ,  Their 
graves  are  of  a  circular  form,  and  the  persons  were  buried  sitting  up, 
as  in  a  natural  position,  on  tlie  ground.  For  some  time  after  the  white 
people  came  here,  an  Indian  chief  or  sachem,  named  JVerauhainaug,\\ 
had  a  palace  standing  near  the  Great  falls,  where  he  resided.  On  the 
inner  walls  of  this  j)alace,  (whicli  were  of  bark  with  the  smooth  side 
inwards,)  were  pictured  every  known  species  of  beast,  bird,  fish  and 
insect,  from  the  largest  down  to  the  smallest.  This  was  said  to  have 
been  done  by  artists  whom  a  friendly  prince  at  a  great  distance  sent  to 
him  for  that  purpose,  as  Hiram  to  Solomon.  In  this  jjalace.  the  fore- 
mentioned  chief  was  visited  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Boardman,  first  n):nister 
of  this  town,  during  his  last  sickness,  and  at  his  death.  Mr.  Boardman 
})as  left  in  manuscript,  a  minute  and  circumstantial  account  of  his  labors 
with  the  sachem  to  enlighten  him  in  right  Christian  doctrines,  as  also 
the  singular,  rude,  and  abusive  behavior  of  the  other  natives  on  the  oc- 


*  This  tract  w^is  cnlled  fVeanlinngne.  The  original  purchasers  and  proprietors 
were  lOD  in  number,  '.)'.)  of  whom  were  purchasers  of  whole  rights,  and  10  of  half 
rights:  24  shillings  was  the  purchase  of  a  whole,  and  IC  shillings  of  a  half  right.  No 
individual  had  originally  more  than  one  riy'ht.  The  first  division  of  land  was  granted 
in  December,  1700,  and  was  a  home  lot  of  7  and  a  half  acres  and  10  acres  for  pasture. 
Tiie  2d  division  was  in  May,  1712,  of  two  lots  of '10  acres  each  upon  a  right;  ten  other 
divisions  were  granted  before  17G0.  New  Milford  first  sent  representatives  to  the 
General  Assemiily  iu  172,'j.  It  was  the  second  town  settled  in  the  county.  Woudbury 
was  the  first. 

t  About  18  miles. 

t  On  the  west  bank  of  the  river,  opposite  the  village. 

II  He  was  so  considerable  a  personage  as  to  liave  reserved,  as  his  hunting  ground,  a 
considerable  part  of  the  present  society  of  New  Preston,  wliich  always,  until  the  in- 
corporation of  the  town  of  Washington,  of  which  ii  is  a  part,  was  called  Rnumaug, 
after  the  original  proprietor,  dropping  for  convenience  sake,  the  prefix  vc.  I  jiave 
often  seen  the  grave  o(  this  chief  in  the  Indian  burying  ground,  at  no  gieat  distance 
from  his  place  of  residence  ;  distinguished,  however,  only  by  its  more  ample  dimen- 
sions, from  the  surrounding  graves,  out  of  many  of  which  large  trees  are  now  gi-(jwing. 
There  is  a  similar  burving  ground  on  the  west  side  of  the  river,  opposite  to  and  in 
sight  of  our  village,  (New  Milford,)  on  the  bluff,  bounding  the  Indian  field,  so  called, 
and  contiguous  to  Fort  Hill,  the  site  of  the  last  Indian  fortress  known  to  have  e.xistcd 
in  this  town. 


,    / 


476  N  r  w    M  1 1,  F  o  n  D  . 

casion  ;  from  whence  it  appears  that  few  or  none  of  those  people,  (the 
sachem  excepted,)  were  dispQsed  at  that  lime  to  emhrace  Cyhristluiiity : 
and  so  far  as  those  people  in  this  town  and  its  neiyhhorhood  were  ever 
converted  to  the  Clirisiian  religion,  it  was  a  consideiable  time  after- 
wards, by  the  Moravian  missionaries.  Count  J^//ic:c7u/o/y  himself  came 
to  tliis  town  and  preached  here.  After  the  conversion  of  the  natives 
by  the  Moravians,  they  quitted  their  settlements  here  on  religious  ac- 
counts, and  removed  to  Bethlem,  in  Pennsylvania,  where  the  brethren 
of  that  communion  chiefly  resided.  But  finding  it  very  unhealthy  for 
ihem  there,  and  a  large  number  dying,  the  remnant  removed  back 
again,  where  they  have  lived  and  gradually  dwindled  ever  since,* 
The  natives  had  stmdry  fortresses,  or  military  stations,  in  and  al)out 
this  town,  to  guard  against  attacks  from  distant  tribes.  Some  spots  in 
the  town  bear  an 
J\lou!itc(in,\  ^i-c. 

"  It  has  been  saiil  that  nil  the  tribes  along  by  lliis  river,  (Vum  its  source  to  ihe  sea, 
were  in  striel  alliance  and  fiiendbliip;  and  iliat  liy  means  of  certain  sounds  made  oa 
their  guarding  heij^his,  an  alaini  might  bespread  in  the  space  of  three  liours,  through 
tiie  whole  line  uf  tribes,  a  disiance  of  near  -JOl)  miles.  The  natives  were  generally 
very  liiendly,  and  serviceable  to  the  lust  settlers  of  this  town,  by  defending  them  from 
iKi^tile  attacks,  and  by  supplying  lliem  with  such  provisions  as  they  could  furnish. 
They  hail  several  reserves  ul  land  made  for  Iheir  accommodation  in  and  aboui  the 
town,  as  lor  a  considerable  lime  the  Indian  fuld,  so  called,  the  place  once  called  Rau- 
maijg,  (from  the  name  ol'  the  sachem  before  niciiiioned,)  now  in  the  parish  of  New 
Presioii ;  the  Great  J'aU.<,  which  they  reserved  for  the  fisiiing  of  lampreys  ;  and  la.->ily, 
the  place  uhere  they  now  reside,  called  Scaiacook.  The  two  former  they  sold  many 
years  since,  the  two  latter  they  still  own.  But  their  number  has  ever  been  diminish- 
ing since  the  neighborhood  of  the  white  people,  and  at  this  time  they  are  reduced  to  a 
mere  hindl'ul.     So  much  for  the  natives. 

"  The  first  white  settler  who  came  to  this  town  was  John  Noble, 
from  VVestfield,  state  of  Massachusetts,  who  came  here  in  the  year 
1707.  He  brought  with  him  at  first  one  of  his  daughters,  then  about 
eight  years  old.  He  first  built  him  a  hut  under  wliat  is  called  Fort 
hill,  but  afterwards  removed  and  pitched  here,  in  the  present  center  of 
the  town.  His  house  here  was  for  some  lime  the  last  house  on  this 
side  of  Albany,  ami  Gen.  Nicholson  once  lodged  in  it,  in  the  wars  un- 
der the  reign  of  Queen  Anne.  It  deserves  to  be  mentioned,  to  the 
credit  of  the  natives,  that  Mr.  Noble  once  left  his  litthi  daiighier  here, 
8  years  old,  alone  with  them,  for  the  space  of  three  or  four  weeks, 
while  he  was  necessarily  absent  from  the  town,  and  on  his  return  he 
found  she  had  been  well  treated,  and  taken  exceedingly  good  care  of. 

*  When  the  Indians  returned  from  Pennsylvania,  as  mentioned  by  Mr.  Griswold, 
few  of  ihem  took  tip  their  permanent  residence  in  this  town.  They  joined  Ihe  Scata- 
cook  tribe,  but  used  lor  a  long  time  in  the  season  of  fishing,  annually  to  revisit  their 
tjshing  grouml  at  the  Great  Palls,  two  and  a  half  miles  below  the  village,  for  the  pur- 
pose ot'  taking  lampreys,  their  favoiite  fish,  which  aie  iiot  found  above  these  I'alls. 
This  stand  they  never  would  part  with,  and,  though  occupied  by  the  whiles  also  for 
the  same  purpose,  the  Indians'  rights  were  alwa\'s  recognized,  and  even  to  this  day, 
when  a  str;iggler  eornes  there,  the  whites  allow  ihein  iheir  turn.  The  Scatacook  tribe 
are  not  quite  extinct,  and  the  few  who  remain,  are  under  ihe  care  of  an  overseer  ap- 
pointed by  the  state,  and  who  annually  reports  the  state  of  their  allaiis  to  the  county 
court  of  this  county.  Scatacook  is  situated  in  the  town  of  Kent.^and  the  account  of 
It  belongs  to  that  town,  and  not  to  New  Alilford  ;  and  I  only  add  this  note  to  guard 
against  a  possible  misconception  of  Mr.  G.'s  meaning  in  the  place  noted. 

t  Oli  the  bUiiT  adjoining  the  mountain  back  of  the  ludiau  field. 


NEW     JJ  I  L  F  0  R  D  .  477 

"  It  is  impossible  at  this  iHstance  of  time  to  ascertain  the  exact  order  in  w  hicli  the 
subsequent  seillers  came  to  this  town,  or  the  identical  years  in  which  ihey  came  li 
is  presumed,  however,  that  we  have  obtained  by  diligent  search  and  enquiry  of  liie 
ajfed,  somewhere  near  the  order  of  their  coming,  as  also  the  places  from  whence  ihcy 
came.  We  shall  lirsl  mention  the  names  of  those  who  came  more  than  GO  years  ayo, 
(whom  we  may  consider  the  fust  settlers,)  together  with  the  places  whence  iliey  emi- 
grated, selling  them  down  in  the  order  in  which  it  is  supposed  they  caine,  viz.  John 
Noble,  Wesllield;  John  Bostwick,  Slratford  ;  Zechariuh  Ferriss,  Stratford ;  Samuel 
Iliichcock,  Springfield,  Mass.;  Samuel  Brownsoi],  Farmingion ;  Roger  Drowuson, 
Farminston  ;  John  Weller,  Springtield  ;  Jeremiah  Canfield,  Milford  ;  Daniel  Board- 
man,  Weihersheld;  Samuel  Camp,  Milford;  Theophilus  Eaklwin,  Milluid ;  Ebene- 
vx-v  Baldwin,  Milford;  William  Gaylord,  Windsor ;  James  Hine,  Millbrd  ;  Daniel 
lliue,  Milford;  Joseph  AVarner,  Hadley,  Mass.;  Jolin  Warner,  liadley,  Mass.; 
James  .Prime,  Milford;  John  Welch,  Milford;  Paul  Welch,  Milford;  Thomas 
Piekell,  Danbuiy  ;  Jonathan  Buck,  Weiheislicid  ;  Enoch  Buck,  Wetherslield;  Eze- 
kiel  Buck,  Wethersfitdd;  Henry  Garlick.  England;  Elea^er  Beechcr,  Milfoid; 
Jdwph  Kuggles,  New  Haven  ;  Nathan  Collins,  Milford;  Joseph  Collins,  Milford; 
Amos  Collins,  Mili'ord;  Ezekiel  Poine,  Rhoile  Island;  Samuel  Peel,  Stratford; 
John  Peel,  Stratlortl;  Thaddeus  Peel,  Stratford  ;  Thomas  Oviatt,  Milford;  Gamaliel 
Terrill,  Milford;  Nathan  Terrill,  Milford;  Job  Terrill,  Milford;  James  Terrill, 
Milford  ;  Caleb  Terrill,  Milford  ;  Joseph  Murray,  Westchester,  N.  Y. ;  Josiah  Smith, 
Danbury.     [A  long  list  follows,  but  ii  will  be  quite  useless  to  pursue  it.] 

"The  first  white  male  child  born  in  this  town  was  the  late  Lieut. 
Daniel  Bostwick  ;*  and  the  first  female  was  I\Irs.  Sarah  Noble,  for- 
merly Ferris,  now  living.  And  it  is  worthy  of  remark,  that  three  per- 
sons have  lived  in  this  town  to  be  more  than  100  years  of  age,  two  of 
whom  are  now  living. 

*'  The  early  part  of  the  settlement  here  was  somewhat  retarded  by  a 
tedious  lawsuit,  regarding  the  title  to  a  considerable  tract  in  the  center 
oi"  the  town.  Col.  John  Read  claimed  it,  under  a  title  from  tlie  natives, 
and  removed  here  to  gain  a  residence  and  defend  his  title.  This  dis- 
couraged settlers  under  the  company's  title  from  coming  on,  and  but 
a  small  number  came  the  few  first  years.  These  few,  like  all  other 
first  settlers,  saw  troublous  times  ;  and  their  names  are  worthy  the  af- 
fectionate remembrance  and  praise  of  their  posterity.  It  was  common 
for  them  to  carry  their  fire  arms  into  the  field  to  labor,  and  they  were 
obliged  to  provide  a  fortified  house  to  resort  to  in  time  of  danger ;  and 
they  were  sometimes  reduced  to  distress,  through  the  failure  of  provis- 
ions and  the  difficulty  of  supplying  themselves. 

"  The  town  plot  or  center  was  first  laid  out  on  the  hill  next  east  of 
the  present  center,  whence  that  hill  is  to  this  day  called  Tvirn  Hill. 
Afterwards  it  was  concluded  to  remove  the  center  to  the  top  of  the  hill 
next  north  of  the  present  center,  for  which  the  first  minister  built  and 
lived  on  that  hill.  But  ultimately  it  was  thought  more  convenient  to 
place  the  center  where  it  now  is, 

"  New  Milford  for  a  considerable  time  belonged  to  the  County  of  New  Haven  ;  but 
after  Litchfield  County  was  erected,  it  was  set  off  to  the  latter.  It  is  ascertained  from 
the  papers  of  the  first  minister,  that  in  the  year  17P2,  there  were  but  12  i'amilies  in 
this  town.  Col.  John  Read,  who  is  mentioned  before  as  having  been  once  a  candidate 
for  the  ministry,  preached  the  first  sermon  that  ever  was  preached  here.  After  he 
left  the  place,  his  house,  which  stood  near  where  the  present  town  house  stands,  was 
used  as  a  place  of  worahip  lor  some  years.  The  first  meeting  house  w  as  built  in  the 
year  1720.  It  stood  near  the  foot  of  the  hill,  a  few  rods  to  the  northeast  of  the  present 
town  house.  There  the  first  minister,  Mr.  Boardman,  oilicialed  during  his  life  ;  and 
the  second  minister,  Mr.  Taylor  during  some  of  ihe  first  4'ears  of  his  ministry.    It  is 

*  This  Daniel  Boatwick  was  the  youngest  son  of  John  Bostwick,  the  second  settler 
who  caine  here. 


478  NEW     1\1  I  L  F  O  R  D  . 

said  by  the  nged  that  when  they  first  began  to  meet  in  that  lioiise,  though  it  was  small, 
yet  eveiy  ])ersun  in  ilie  town  could  sit  around  upon  the  outer  .sills,  side  by  side. 

"  Tiie  house  in  winch  we  are  now  assembled,  being  the  second  meeting  house,  was 
built  m  the  year  1751,  about  -17  years  ago.  The  lust  Episcopal  church  was  built  in  the 
year  17-1 G  ;  the  secoinl,  wliicli  is  the  one  now  standing,  began  to  be  built  17G5,  was 
raised  in  17GC,  about  :j5  years  ago.  It  was  finished  and  consiecraied  1793.  The 
Slricl  Cungrci^ationalisls,  usually  called  Separates,  erected  their  house  ol'M'orship  in 
the  year  1701,  40  years  ago,  which  is  now  standing.  Tlie  Friends,,  commonly  called 
Quakers,  built  their  meeting  house  not  far  Iroin  the  year  17-12,  now  standing,  though 
in  another  place  than  where  it  was  first  set.  Anijlher  communion  o^  Friends,  follow- 
ers of  Jemima  Wilkinson,  built  a  house  of  worship  in  the  north  end  of  the  town  about 
15  or  20  years  ago,  but  it  is  now  owned  and  occupied  by  the  Episcopalians  of  New 
Preston.  The  Baptisis  erected  a  house  of  worship  in  the  .south  end  ol  the  town,  called 
the  Neck,  (now  Bridgewater  society,)  abmit  11  or  12  years  ago;  but  it  is  sold  and 
now  used  for  another  purpose. 

"  This  naturally  leads  us  to  consider  more  particularly  the  several  Christian  persua- 
sions, denominations  or  societies,  contained  in  this  town.  The  eldest  bete  is  the  Pres- 
byterian, or  more  properly  the  Congregaiionalisis.  Most  or  all  of  the  earliest  settlers 
were  of  that  denomination.  This  socieiy  may  therefore  be  considered  as  old  as  the 
town  ;  but  the  professing  members  were  not  gaiheied  into  a  church  until  the  year  1716. 
It  then  consisted  of  8  men  and  5  women.  There  have  been  three  ministers  ordained 
in  this  society.  The  first  was  the  Rev.  Daniel  Boardinan  iVom  Welhersfield.  He 
came  inio  this  town  first  to  preach  as  a  candidate,  in  the  vear  1712.  He  vvas  ordained 
on  the  21st  Nov.  171G.  He  died  Aug.  25th,  1711,  in  llie  58tli  year  of  his  age,  having 
served  here  37  years  and  D  months.  It  apjiears  from  his  records,  that  he  baptized  521 
jiersons,  and  married  G7  couple. — The  second  minister  was  tlie  Rev.  Nathaniel  Taylor 
from  Danbury.  He  came  liist  to  preach  as  a  candulale  in  January,  1718:  vvas  or- 
dained the  29th  day  of  June  fallowing,  lie  died  Dec.  9ili,  1800,  aged  78  years  and  3 
months,  having  been  orilainetl  52  years  and  5  months.  According  to  his'  record,  he 
baptized  927  persons,  and  married  :{19  couple.— Aly.-elf,  who  am  the  third  minister, 
came  hist  to  preach  as  a  candidate  June  1  iih,  17b9  :  was  ordained  colleague  pastor 
with  the  Rev.  Mr.  Taylor  on  the  20th  day  of  Jaiinaiy,  1790.  I  liave  baptized  232  per- 
sons, and  married  103  couple.  Many  have  been  married  l)y  the  civil  authority,  whose 
number  I  have  not  asceitained. 

"  Tlie  next  religious  society  in  the  order  of  time  is  the  Friends,  usually  called  Qua- 
kers. Their  origin  in  this  town  was  about  the  year  1731.  Then  19  church  members 
left  the  Presbyterian  communion,  and  set  up  that  society.  About  10  years  alierwards, 
they  built  their  house  of  worsliip,  which  was  set  on  a  jHece  of  ground  which  was  given 
for  that  purpose,  aiul  also  for  the  purpose  of  a  burying  jilacc,  by  Zechariah  Ferris,  op- 
posite the  dwelling  house  of  Mr.  David  Fen  is.  Since  that  time  it  has  been  removed 
to  the  place  where  it  now  stands,  lor  the  greater  accommodation  of  the  members; 
where  they  now  hold  their  regular  meetings,  thougli  the  number  is  but  small, 

"  The  mxt  religious  siuieiy  in  ihe  ordeTof  lime  is  ihe  Kpi^copalian.  Some  individ- 
uals ,if  ihai  prole.ssion  came  inio  this  town  at  an  eailiei  period,  but  no  slated  worship 
was  held  here  till  somewhere  between  the  years  1710  and  1715.  Worship  was  then 
carried  on  liere  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Beach  of  Newtuwn.  One  Mr.  Bar/illai  Dean  read 
service  here  for  several  years,  then  went  to  England  for  orders,  with  a  view  to  settle 
here  on  his  return,  but  died  on  his  passage. — Tlie  first  Episcopal  minister  who  came 
and  resided  in  this  town,  was  the  Rev.  Solomon  Palmer  from  Cornwall.  He  came  in 
the  year  1751,  and  removed  to  Litchfield  about  the  year  17G0  ;  was  minister  here  about 
six  years. — The  second  was  the  Rev.  Tiioinas  Davis  from  Washington.  He  came 
here  about  the  year  17G1,  and  died  in  this  town  May  12th,  1766,  in  the  30th  year  of  his 
age,  and  the  sixth  of  his  ministiy. 

"The  third  Episcopal  minister  was  Ihe  Rev.  Richard  Clark  from  Milford.  He  was 
settled  here  in  June,  17G7,  and  left  the  town  in  1787.  The  society  was  then  vacant 
for  a  few  years.  The  foiinh  b.piscopal  minister  was  the  Rev.  Truman  Marsh  from 
Litchfield.  He  was  sellle.l  here  in  November,  1790,  and  lel't  the  town  9ih  of  Nov. 
1799,  and  rernovetl  to  Litehlield.  He  was  minister  here  just  9  years.  Since  then  the 
society  has  been  vacant. — The  next  religious  socieiy  in  the  order  of  time,  is  the  Strict 
Congregaiionalist,  commonly  called  Separates.  This  sprung  out  of  the  other  societies 
in  conse()uence  of  what  is  called  the  great  reviiuil  of  religion,  or  by  others  the  New 
Light  lime,  between  the  years  1710  and  1750.  Their  first  elder  who  preached  statedly 
here,  though  he  never  was  ordained  over  them,  was  Mr.  Elihu  Marsh.  Their  second 
was  Mr.  Robert  Campbell,  wlio  vi'as  ihe  first  that  was  ordained  over  them.  He  was 
ordained  here  29  years  ago,  continued  about  12  years,  and  was  then  dismissed  and  left 
the  town.  Their  third  elder  was  Mr.  Barnabus  Lathrop,  who  came  here  about  10 
years  ago,  and  preached  to  them  about  two  years.  He  afterwards  joined  the  Presby- 
terian society,  and  died  in  lliis  town  April  lOth,  1796,  aged  57  years.     Their  fourth 


NEW     M  I  I,  F  0  H  D  , 


479 


and  now  olTiciating  elder,  is  Mr.  Daniel  Iline.  lie  has  been  ordained  over  ihem  1 
years.  [This  society  continued  to  maintain  a  sepaiate  woishi))  till  about  llie  year 
1812,  when  liavmg  become  very  .small,  the  niembeis,  un  the  lecommendatinn  (a.s  it  is 
understood)  of  elder  Iline,  dissolved  the  society,  and  the  juineipal  part  of  them  joined 
either  the  Presbyterian  society  or  the  Baptisis.]— The  next  reii^'ious  denomination 
that  may  be  mentioned  are  the  Baptists.  It  is  but  quite  lately  that  communion  as- 
sumed the  appearance  of  a  regular  society  here.  A  small  eluirch  was  loimed,  and  a 
house  of  worship  built  in  the  lower  end  of  the  town,  called  the  IN'eek,  [now  Bndge- 
valer  society,]  about  11  or  12  years  ago;  but  they  never  had  an  elder  settled  over 
them,  and  within  a  few  years  past  they  sold  their  house  and  chielly  removed  out  ot 
the  town.     A  few  scattered  individuals  remain,  but  no  stated  worship  is  perlormed. 


South  view  of  Neiv  Miljhrd,  {central  part.) 


incwhidi  is 
eis,  'J'hevi 
ison.  Betw 
the  town,  Jul 


iuctfiouilhe  town, 
ihv  J''ricu<h,  called  Jf- 
1:')  and  20  }ears  ago,  a 
'd  in  thai  ct)inmuniun, 


"  The  last  deninnination  we  shall  mention  is 
but  not  many  years  since  existed  in  some  nnml 
Mi)/(rt!/fi-,  gathered  here  by  one  Jemima  WilK'i 

number  of  families  m  the  northeastern  part  ol   .... j----    ■  -  ^ 

and  built  a  hou,e  of  worship,  but  shortly  alterward>  they  sold  their  house  and  pi  iv.. 
estates  and  moved  away  m  u  body  uilh  iluir  leader,  into  the  western  part  ol  the  st.rie 
of  New  York,  called  the  Genesee,  in  Ontario  County.  Their  settlement  was  un  or 
near  the  western  shore  of  the  Geneva  Lake,  about  20  miles  south  ol  the  town  ot  Ge- 
neva where  though  occasionally  abandoned  by  some  of  her  followers,  Jemima  con- 
tinued for  many  years  to  maintain  her  ascendancy  over  her  remaining  loloweis,  ami 
even  it  is  said  until  her  death,  since  which  nothing  has  liere  been  heard  ol  them,  and 
it  is  suppo.sed  that  the  society  as  such  has  become  extmcl^-A  lew  individuals  ot  oihc 
persuasions  have  been  or  still  are  in  the  town,  such  as  Seventh  Day  baptists,  fecolch 
Presbyterians,  Glassiies  and  Methodists,  but  no  society  of  these  has  been  lormed 

"Tiius  have  I  endeavored  to  sketch  something  of  the  ecclesiastical  Jiislory  ol  ihe 

^'■'(Vlere  follows  what  the  preacher  sti'les  the  civil  and  mililary  history  of  the  town 
but  containing  nothing  peculiar,  and  consisting  priueipally  ..I  the  names  ol  the  civil 
and  military  olHeeis  of  the  town,  m  eluonolugi.al  ordei,  this  part  ol  the  cxuact  is 
omitted  in  this  copy.] 

"The  first  bridge  that  was  ever  built  over  the  Housatonic  river  from 
the  sea  to  its  source,  was  built  in  this  town,  and  was  finished  in  July, 
1737.  The  first  .school  that  was  set  up  in  this  town,  was  in  the  year 
1721 :  it  was  to  be  kept  four  months  in  the  year,  and  the  town  to  pay 
one  half  of  the  expense.  At  this  time  there  are  2-2  school  districts  m 
this  town,  exclusive  of  those  in  the  parish  of  New  Preston  ;  and  it  is 
computed  that  about  700  children  attend  in  them  through  the  winter 
season." 


480  N  t:  v.-    m  1 1,  k  0  k  [1 . 

The  village  of  New  Mllford  consists  of  about  60  dwcllinf;;  liouscs  and 
5  mercantile  stores.  Tlie  enc^raving  shows  the  appearance  ol"  the  cen- 
tral street,  as  it  is  seen  from  the  south  end.  It  is  wide,  and  about  60 
rods  in  length.  The  building  which  is  seen  on  the  right  is  the  ancient 
Episcopal  church,  which  was  taken  down  tlie  present  year,  and  a  new 
church  is  now  erecting.  The  Congregational  church,  erected  in  183-'J, 
is  seen  to  the  north  :  the  old  church  stood  in  the  street,  about  30  rods 
southerly  from  the  one  seen  in  the  engraving.  This  place  is  18  miles 
s.  w.  of  Litchfield,  36  n.  w.  from  New  Haven,  and  48  from  Hartford. 


Prcmi  the  Connecticut  Journal,  March  ISth,  1708. 
We  hear  from  New  Milford,  that  a  maiuifacloiy  has  lately  been  opened  there, 
wherein  were  wrought,  or  rather  imitated.  New  York  40:>.  bills  ol'ciurency,  and  Span- 
ish milled  dollars,  to  a  great  degree  ol'  imperfection;  but  tliat,  notwiihsianding  the 
present  prevailing  scarcity  of  money,  and  loud  call  lor  industry,  it  is  ihoiight  that 
branch  of  business  may  prove  prejudicial  to  the  public,  and  therefore  the  artilicers 
already  labor  under  great  discouragements  J'rom  every  quarter,  and  near  one  dozen 
of  them  embarrassed  with  a  close  confinement  in  a  distant  cage,  where  a  liill  is  prf- 
pared  upon  some  obvious  specimens  of  iheir  ingenuity,  to  assert  their  title  to  the  Royal 
Bounty.  Strange!  how  variously  mankind  distinguish  themselves !  no  less  by  tlicii 
;ictions  than  features. 


\cw  Milford,  Anrr.Bt/t,  177:'.. 
The  Riflemen  on  their  way  from  the  southern  colonies  through  the  couniiy,  admin- 
ister the  new  fashioned  discipline  of  tar  and  featheis  to  the  obstinate  and  reliactory  lo- 
ries that  they  meet  on  their  road,  which  has  had  a  v>My  good  etfeel  heie.  Those  whose 
crimes  are  of  a  more  atrocious  nature,  they  punish  by  sending  them  to  General  Gage. 
They  took  a  man  in  this  town,  a  mosl  incorrigible  tory,  who  called  them  d — d  rebuls, 
&.C.,  and  made  him  walk  before  them  to  Litchfield,  which  is  '20  miles,  and  carry  one 
of  his  own  geese  all  the  way  in  his  hand  :  when  lliey  arrived  there,  they  tarred  liini, 
and  made  liim  pluck  his  goose,  and  then  bestowed  the  feathers  on  liirn,  drnnimed  him 
out  of  the  company,  and  obliged  him  to  kneel  down  and  thank  them  for  their  lenity. 


The  following  inscriptions  are  from  monuments  in  the  grave  yard  in 
the  central  village. 

In  memory  of  the  Rev.  Thomas  Davies,  a  laithful  servant  of  Jesi>s  Christ,  an  active 
woilhv  niissionarv  frmu  the  venerable  soi-ietv  in  l'nL,'hind,  who  departed  this  life  May 
l-Jlh,  17lit!,  in  the  :{()ili  year  of  his  nuc.     lie  met  dealli  with  the  greatest  Christian  for- 
tiiiulc,  being  supported  by  the  rational  luii)e  of  a  blessed  immortality. 
The  sweet  remembrance  of  the  just 
k  Does  flourish  now  he  sleeps  in  dust. 

■  '  Vita  bene  actsejucundissima  est  recordatio. 


Mrs.  Ann  Bostwick,  the  consort  of  Samuel  Bostwick,  Esq.,  died  Sept.  21st,  178.'^,  in 
the  59th  year  of  her  age. 

Death's  strong  assault  enervates  the  failing  frame, 

The  vault  receives  the  pittance  of  an  hour, 
The  rising  soul  to  God  extends  her  claim. 
Brightens  in  bliss,  and  triumphs  in  his  power. 


Samuel  Bostwick,  Esq.  died  Sept,  23d,  1789,  aged  6G  ycais.  He  was  the  bih  son  of 
Major  John  Bostwick,  who  was  the  son  of  John  Bostwick,  who  was  the  son  of  Arthur 
Bostwick,  M'ho  migrated  from  ye  town  of  Cheshire  in  England. — In  death  the  rational 
mind  cca.^es  to  commmiicate'to  the  living;  a  marble  genealogy  succeeds,  and  the 
grave  becomes  a  monitor. 


In  memory  of  Paul  Welch,  Esq.,  one  of  the  first  principal  settlers  of  this  town,  and 
an  original  proprietor  of  the  same,  departed  this  life  Aug.  26lh,  1778,  in  the  82d  year 
of  his  age. — In  his  day  he  served  the  town  in  most  oflices  of  trust  and  honor,  gave  good 
satisfaction,  and  died  possessed  of  a  large  estate. 


N  O  II  V  O  I<  K  .  •  481 

In  memory  uf  Samuel  Platl,  ilit'  liiM  o!  iliis  inwii.and  one  of  iis  oiiginal  proprietors, 
departed  this  lil'e  i3"J(l  Jiil\',  IIM,  in  the  Hist  \L'ar  of  his  age. — An  honest  uian,  tliat 
ieared  God  ami  hated  wieketliic.-^s. 


Sacred  to  the  Jiiemory  of  rarliid,t,'e  Tliaclior,  Esq.,  who  ilopaitcd  this  life  Jan.  0th, 
1786,  in  the  7-2i.l  year  of  his  a,t,'e  — Composed  by  tJie  deceased  1'.  Thaeher,  Esij. :  Rest 
here,  my  body,  till  the  Archangel's  voice,  more  soiioioiis  far  lliau  nine  Ibid  thunder, 
wakes  the  sleeping  dead  ;  then  rise  to  thy  just  sphere,  and  be  my  house  iminonal. 


NORFOLK. 


Norfolk  is  an  elevated  towushii),  the  ccnti-al  part  of  winch  is  35 
miles  northwest  from  Ilartforci  ;  hoiinJed  iiortli  hy  the  IMassachusetts 
line,  west  by  Canaan,  east  by  Colebrook  and  W^inchc.ster,  and  south  by 
Goshen.  It  is  nine  miles  in  length  from  north  to  south,  and  four  and 
a  half  in  breadth. 

"The  settlement  of  Norfulk  began  in  1711.  This  township,  and 
several  of  (he  adjacent  ones,  were  owned  by  the  ihtni  colony  of  Con- 
necticut ;  and  they  were  severally  sold  at  public  vendue  at  IVliddle- 
town,  in  I74'2.  Timothy  lloisfonl  uf  AV'indsor  took  a  deed  of  one 
right  of  400  ticres,  which  he  retained.  All  the  other  proprietors  re- 
linquished their  rights,  and  forleited  their  first  payment,  which  was  40 
shillings  on  a  right.  The  town  was  oiiginally  laid  out  in  53  rights,  of 
which  one  was  reserved  for  a  parsonage,  one  for  the  benefit  of  schools, 
and  one  for  the  first  minister.  Timothy  Jjorsford  sold  his  I'ight  to 
Titus  Brown,  who  aftei'wards  rcniDVcil  to  tliis  town  and  died  here." 
The  names  of  the  first  settlers  were  Titus  and  Cornelius  Brown,  from 
Windsor;  John  Turner  and  Jedediah  J\ic!iards,  from  Hartford.  They 
lived  on  Brown's  right.  They  were  pious  and  exemplary  families,  and 
attended  public  worship  in  Caiuian. 

In  1754,  Norfolk  was  sold  at  public  vendue  at  ^Middletown,  the 
second  time,  cKcepiing  Brown's  right.  Soon  after,  a  number  of  fami- 
lies moved  into  the  town,  and  the  settlement  made  considerable  pro- 
gress. The  town  was  incorporateil  in  175S;  at  this  time  there  were 
21  families.  In  17G1,  the  Rev.  Ammi  R.  Bobbins  was  ordained  as 
the  first  minister.  At  the  lime  of  his  settlement  the  number  of  fami- 
lies in  the  place  had  increased  to  sixty,  i^'rom  this  time  there  was  a 
gradual  increase  of  inhabitams,  till  abotit  the  year  1M)0,  when  the 
number  of  families  had  increased  to  about  two  iumdred  and  ninety, 
comprising  a  population  of  1,049.  Since  this  jjcriod  the  spirit  of  emi- 
gration to  the  west  has  retarded  and  reduced  the  ])opulation.  In 
1810,  the  population  was  1,441  ;  in  1830,  the  population  was  1,485, 
being  an  increase  of  44  in  twenty  years. 

Tliis  town  is  elevated  and  mountainous.  The  soil  is  a  primitive 
gravelly  loam,  generally  cold  and  stony,  but  has  considerable  depth, 
and  affords  good  grazing.  Formerly  large  quantities  of  sugar  were 
made  from  the  maple  :  more  than  20,000  lbs.  have  been  manufactured 
in  a  single  season  ;  but  since  the  hmd  has  been  cleared  by  proizrcssive 
settlements,  and  in  consequence  of  the  dustruction  of  the  maple  trees 
by  some  tornadoes,  the  business  has  greatly  declined.     The  tiairy  busi- 

61 


482 


NORFOLK. 


ness  compi'iscs  the  principal  interests  of  tlic  town.  A  stream,  called 
Blackberry  river,  runs  near  the  center  of  the  place,  and  a  little  west- 
ward of  the  Congregational  church  falls  over  a  ledge  of  rocks  30  feet 
in  height.  This  is  an  excellent  site  for  mills,  of  which  there  are  sev- 
eral near  this  spot. 


East  view  of  jS'orJb/k,  [central  'part.) 

■  The  above  is  a  representation  of  the  Congregational  church,  and 
most  of  the  buildings  in  the  immediate  vicinity.  This  little  village  has 
a  small  open  square,  or  green,  in  front  of  the  church,  and  is  uncom- 
monly neat  and  beautiful  in  its  general  appearance.  About  half  a  mile 
north  is  another  village,  in  which  arc  2  wuolen  and  3  sythe  Victories. 
There  are,  perhaps,  in  both  places,  about  30  dwelling  houses,  and  four 
or  five  mercantile  stores.  The  central  part  is  35  miles  from  Hartford, 
17  from  Litchfiekl,  I'Z  from  Hudson,  and  GO  from  Albany. 


Llkhjkld,  Ihaiiihr  5,  178C.  (.V.;.  D[)S.) 
We  learn  from  Norfolk,  lliat  on  the  23d  ult.  lour  wolves  appeared  in  iluit  neighbor- 
hood, immediately  afler  the  good  people  had  assembled  to  prefer  their  annual  adora- 
tions, and  as  it  was  iina^'ineil  tho:^e  voracions  animals  intended  an  attack  on  thehaiin- 
less  tenants  ot  the  fold,  information  of  their  visit  was  ^ent  to  the  place  of  worshiji, 
Avhen  about  80  men  turned  out  to  go  in  pursuit  of,  and  destroy  them.  I'iie  whole  of 
this  formidable  body,  well  armed,  moved  in  a  circulai'  I'oi'm,  to  an  adjacent  monnlain, 
the  supposed  retreat  of  these  carnivorous  unwelcome  guests,  and  having  by  this  judi- 
cious movement  had  the  good  luck  to  surround  them,  the  whole  were  made  prisoners; 
three  surrendered  at  discreticm  ;  the  other,  havmg  bioken  through  their  ranks,  was 
shot  in  making  his  escape.  The  whole  party  then  retiretl  to  an  inn,  and  spent  the  day 
in  joy  and  festivity.  The  coldness  of  the  weather  at  the  northward,  must  certainly 
have  compelled  these  createres  to  lake  shelter  in  our  woods. 


The  following  inscription  is  from  a  monument  in  the  burying  ground, 
upwards  of  half  a  mile  north  of  the  Congregational  church. 

Rev.  Ammi  Ruham  Rubbins,  a  I'aiihful  minister  of  his  blessed  Lord.  He  was  born 
in  Branfurd,  August  'Jj,  1710,  ( ).  S.,  and  giaduated  at  Yale  ("oil.  17(^0.  At  the  age  of 
twenty  one,  he  was  ordained  llie  lirst  ^iistor  of  Noilolk-,  IJe  lived  to  bury  all  thai 
called  him  to  the  charge,  and  with  the  anxious  fcehngs  ol  a  father,  addressee!  his  flock 


1'  L  Y  M  O  ir  T  11 . 


483 


as  children.  He  was  humble,  yet  zealous  ;  peaceable,  yet  bold,  in  his  master's  cause. 
In  the  duties  of  his  olhce,  he  was  sincere,  lender,  and  aOectionale.  His  doctrine,  and 
his  life  reflected  credit  on  each  oilier.  And  in  his  dcalh,  he  strikingly  exemplified 
Ijiat  resignation  to  the  divine  will,  which  he  steadily  jn  cached  toothers.  "SVhcn  called 
for,  he  said,  "  let  ineg:o  and  receive  mercy."  He  died  on  the  .'Ust  day  of  October,  1813, 
a"ed  73. 


PLYMOUTH. 

Plymouth  became  an  independent  society  in  llie  town  of  Waterbury, 
in  1739,  by  the  name  of  Noiilibiuy.  At  this  time  ^Vcstbiu-y  ])elonged 
to  this  society,  btit  was  afterwards  incorporated  as  a  distinct  society,  re- 
taining its  name.  Afterwards  both  of  these  societies  were  incorporated 
as  towns.  INorthbury  was  incor[)oratctl  as  a  town,  by  the  name  of  Ply- 
mouth, in  1795. 


i^^fufftrt  -**¥^la 


l^axt  view  of  ihe  central  part  of  Flyniouth. 

Tl  is  bounded  n.  by  Ilarwiiiton  and  Litchfield,  e.  by  Bristol,  w.  by 
Watertown,  and  s.  by  Waterbury  and  Wolcott.  Its  average  length  from 
north  to  south  is  51  miles;  its  breadth  nearly  5.  The  townsliip  is  qtiite 
uneven  and  hilly;  the  soil  is  a  gravelly  loam,  abounding  with  jirimitive 
or  granite  rocks.  The  town  is  watered  by  the  Naugatuc,  which  passes 
through  its  western  section  from  north  to  south,  and  is  a  fine  mill  stream. 
The  manufiicturc  of  clocks  is  an  important  branch  of  business  in  this 
town,  there  being  seven  clock  factories,  two  of  which  are  very  extensive. 

The  above  is  a  representation  of  the  Congregational  and  l-'.piscopal 
churches,  in  the  central  part  of  Plymouth.  Tiic  village  immediately 
around  the  churches  consists  of  about  30  dwelling  houses,  3  mercantile 
stores,  and  a  number  of  mechanic  shops,  and  is  on  an  elevated  situation, 
commanding  an  extensive  prospect  to  the  westward  ;  it  is  22  miles  from 
Hartford,  and  about  31  miles  from  New  Haven.  The  Episcopal  church 
is  seen  on  the  right ;  above  this  building  in  the  distance  is  seen  the  Con- 
gregational cluuch  in  Koithficld,  standing  on  the  summit  of  a  high  hill, 


484  R  0  \  ij  u  ii  V . 

4. J  miles  distant.  Tho  road  seen  in  the  engraving  is  the  Hartford  turn- 
pike ;  it  passes  the  Congregational  church,  and  descends  for  nearly  a 
mile  into  a  deep  valley,  extending  from  north  to  south  about  one  mile 
and  a  half:  this  place  is  called  Fhjmonth  Hollow.  Here  is  a  flourish- 
ing little  village,  containing  1  cotton  and  3  clock  factories.  The  clock 
factories  belonging  to  Mr.  Terry  and  j\Ir.  Thomas  are  extensive.  The 
manufacture  of  small  wooden  clocks,  it  is  believed,  first  originated  with 
Mr.  Terry,  about  twenty  years  ago;  since  this  period,  the  manufacture 
of  this  kind  of  clocks  has  been  widely  extended,  and  forms  a  very  im- 
portant branch  of  manufactuies  in  this  part  of  the  state. 

In  the  soirth  part  of  ilii.stowu,  near  ihe  Natigaluc  river,  lived  Mr.  John  Sutliff,  a 
rcspeclable  miller,  who  died  [iciliaps  10  or  1-J  yea  is  si  nee.  Mr.  Siuliff,  wiien  a  young 
man,  became  possessed  wiih  tlie  idea,  ihat  by  di^'ging;  into  llie  mouniain  near  his 
lioiise  he  siionki  be  able  to  liud  silver,  gold,  and  other  jMecious  metals,  lie  expected 
to  lind  the  silver  and  gold  in  a  state  of  fusion,  so  tliat  he  could  dip  it  up  with  a  ladle, 
fie  commenced  diggmj,'  by  the  Waierbury  road,  near  the  Walertown  inrnpike.  In 
digging  into  the  mountain,  in  order  to  avoid  the  roclcs,  stones  aiid  other  obstructions, 
liis  course  became  veiy  eirciutous,  and  while  digging  as  he  siip)H)Scd  into  the  moun- 
tain, lie  ill  fact  gut  round  under  the  turnpike  road.  'J'his  '.vas  lound  to  be  the  case  in 
the  following  manner.  Some  person  traveling  on  the  road,  hearing  a  noise  under 
ground,  beneath  his  feet,  conjectured  that  it  must  be  Suilill'digging.  Having  obtained 
assistance,  he  accordingly  dug  down  and  I'ound  Mr.  Sntliif,  who  was  (inile  angry  in 
being  interrupted  in  this  inanner.  Allhougli  perfi;etl\- sane  on  all  otlier  subjects,  he 
continued  digiring  a  liltlc  almost  every  day  for  the  grcaiei-  jKirt  of  his  hie,  for  a  period 
of  perhaps  30  or -10  yea  is,  till  the  inlirmiiies  of  old  age  roinpeUed  him  to  desist. 

Dr.  Si/Ivnnus  Fansher,  a  native  of  this  town,  and  now  a  resident  of 
Southbury,  has  devoted  nearly  forty  years  of  his  life  to  the  extension 
of  the  vaccine  or  Icint  •pock  inoculation,  as  a  remedy  against  that  scourge 
of  the  human  race,  the  small  pox.  For  his  discoveries  in  expediting 
the  kine  pock,  he  has  recently  received  a  diploma  from  the  "  Royal 
Jcnnerian  Society  of  London."  About  the  year  1S02,  when  the  kine 
pock  had  become  appareiuly  extinct  in  this  cotmtry,  it  was  ftnnid  that 
a  number  of  persons  in  Danbury  and  Goshen  had  taken  the  infection 
or  vints^  from  milking  cows.  Dr.  Fanshcr  stales,  that  he  took  the 
virus  from  the  pustule  (in  the  milk  nuiid's  hand,  and  inocidated  an  in- 
fant with  it,  and  it  proved  to  bo  the  genuine  kine  pock.  Dr.  l'\  also 
states,  that  he  has  known  several  instances  where  the  infection  has  been 
taken,  without  any  apparent  connection  with  the  cow;  and  it  is  his  be- 
lief, that  the  infection  is  taken  from  some  shrub  or  plant,  from  which, 
when  discovered,  we  shall  know  something  of  the  origin  of  the  small 
pox,  and  have  a  sovereign  remedy  against  it,  at  hand.  JJesides  Danbury 
and  Goshen,  the  genuine  kine  pock,  or  cow-pox,  has  been  found  exist- 
ing in  Plymouth,  Newtown,  Southbury,  Oxford,  Woodbury,  Meriden, 
Middletown  and  New  Hartford. 


ROXBURY. 

RoxBUUY  was  originally  a  part  of  Woodbury,  and  was  incorporated 
in  1801.  It  is  liounded  n.  by  Washington,  e.  by  Woodbury,  s.  by 
Southbury,  and  w.  by  New  IMilford.  It  is  about  six  miles  and  a  half 
in  length  from  north  to  south,  and  nearly  four  in  breadth.     The  town- 


U  0  X  U  U  1{  V 


■1S5 


ship  is  diversified  with  hills  and  valleys.  The  soil  is  a  {gravelly  loam, 
interspersed  with  some  small  tracts  of  sandy  loam.  The  lands  are  well 
adapted  to  grazing,  hut  afford  considerahle  grain.  The  town  is  watered 
on  its  western  horder  hy  the  Shepaug,  a  considerahle  hranch  of  the  Hou- 
satonic.  Ahout  two  miles  northwest  of  the  center  of  the  town,  in  Mine 
hill,  a  silver  mine  was  wrought  to  some  extent  hefore  the  Revolution- 
ary war,  hy  some  foreign  miners.  A  shaft  was  sunk  to  a  considerahle 
depth.  In  digging  for  silver,  a  species  of  iron  ore,  called  "  steel  ore," 
was  discovered. 


Nuithcastern  view  of  Uoxburi/,  [voiiral jxn't-) 

The  ahove  is  an  eastern  view  of  the  central  part  of  Roxhury,  which 
is  32  miles  northwest  from  New  Haven,  -K)  from  Hartford,  and  15 
from  Litchfield.  The  Congregational  church  is  seen  on  the  right;  the 
Episcopal  church  is  seen  farther  westward,  in  the  center  of  the  engra- 
ving. Jt  appears  that  some  of  the  first  settlers  were  three  families  hy 
the  name  of  Baker,  who  located  themselves  ahout  half  a  mile  ahove 
the  Episcopal  church.  Ahout  '2i  miles  helow  the  church,  a  iiimily  hy 
the  name  of  Castle  were  the  fast  settlers.  The  (irst  meeting  house 
was  huilt  ahout  one  mile  south  of  the  present  churches. 

Col.  iScth  IVnnwr,  distinguished  for  his  military  services  in  the  Amer- 
ican army  which  captured  Burgoyne,  was  a  native  of  this  town.  Hon. 
Nathan  Smith,  a  Senator  of  Congress  from  this  state,  Gen.  Ephraim 
Himnan,  distinguished  for  his  humor  and  originality  of  character,  and 
lioyal  R.  llinman,  Esq.  the  present  secretary  of  this  state,  were  all 
residents  of  this  town.  Secretary  Hinman  is  the  author  and  compiler 
of  a  work,  consisting  of  letters  from  tlie  kings  and  queens  of  J^iigland, 
with  answers  thereto;  with  other  ancient  and  curious  documents;  a 
valuable  publication,  compiled  from  the  ancient  files  in  the  department 
of  state;  and  it  is  hoped  that  this  laudable  example  will  be  followed  in 
other  states. 


4SG  S  A  I-  I  S  1!  U  R  Y  . 

The  following  is  cniijed  rroni  a  iiiniiunuMit  in  a  grave  yard  north  of  llie  Episcopal 
church :. 

In  memory  of  Lieui.  Thomas  Weller,  an  officer  in  the  United  States  army,  who 
was  murdered  bv  Aicliihald  AV.  Kiiapp,  May  IGlli,  181i,  aged  25 years  and  I)  mo.  son 
of  Thomas  and  Polly  Weller. 

The  circumstances  respecting  the  death  of  Lieut.  Weller,  appear  to  be  these.  In 
the  last  war  with  Great  IJritum,  Ivnapp  enlisted  as  a  soldier.  The  time  having  arri- 
ved for  him  to  march  on  to  the  lines,  he  refused  logo;  Weller,  with  three  or  four  sol- 
diers, went  to  Knajip's  residence  in  the  lower  part  of  New  Milford,  in  order  to  take 
him  by  lorce.  ivnapp  meeting  him  at  the  door,  told  him  lie  had  no  ill  will  against 
him,  but  if  he  advanced  any  farther  lowartls  him  he  was  a  dead  man.  Weller  disre- 
garding his  threats,  advanced  to  lake  him.  Kntipji  then  shot  him  in  the  groin,  which 
caused  his  death  in  about  fifteen  uiiniites.  Knapp  made  his  ebcape  into  the  stale  of 
New  York,  where  it  is  believed  he  now  resides.  It  is  stated  that  Knajip  was  arrested 
a  i'ew  yeahs  since  on  arcoiuit  of  the  above,  but  was  rescued  out  of  the  hands  of  the 
olTicer  by  some  sohlieis  of  an  independent  militia  compan)',  of  which  lie  was  a  mem- 
ber, who  were  out  on  a  miliiary  review. 


S  A  L  I  S  B  U  R  Y . 

The  principal  part  of  the  township  of  Sahsbury  was  sold  by  the  gov- 
ernor and  conijjany  of  the  colony  of  Connecticut,  in  1737,  at  Hartford. 
It  had  been  surveyed  and  divided  into  25  ri;^dits  in  1732,  being  at  that 
time  known  by  the  goverinnent  only  as  wild,  unlocated  land.  Three 
of  the  rights  were  appropriated  to  public  purposes;  one  for  the  support 
of  schools,  one  for  the  lirst  settled  minister,  and  one  for  the  support  of 
the  ministry.  The  charter  of  the  town  was  given  in  1745.  "After  it 
was  located,  and  before  the  charter  was  given,  it  was  known  to  the  gov- 
ernment by  town  JM.  ]kfore  this,  it  was  known  by  no  other  than  the 
Indian  names  JVcatog  and  Ousatonic.  It  took  its  name  from  a  Mr. 
Salisbury,  who  livetl  not  far  iVom  the  center  of  the  town."* 

It  appears  that  about  the  year  17'30,  three  lam  dies  came  and  settled  in  that  part  of 
the  town  called  Weatoi:.  These  were,  one  family  of  Dutchers,  one  of  Whiles,  and 
one  of  V. in  Dozens.  While  \s.is  an  JMii'lisliiiuin,  but  had  lived  with  and  become 
connected  in  niaiiiag(,'  widi  ihe  Dutch.  The  oilier  tvuj  w.'re  wholly  of  Dutch  origin. 
About  ihe  year  1710,  there  were  eleven  iMigli.sh  uiul  live  Uiitch  families,  whicli  were 
settled  in  dill'erent  jiarls  of  the  town.  There  were  four  families  of  Whites  in  Wea- 
log;  I'ebees,  not  lar  from  the  falls;  Lambs,  at  the  forge  in  the  hollow;  Ilerveys,  in 
the  hollow;  Newcombs,  on  the  side  (jf  the  mountain,  east  of  the  road  that  now  leads 
from  the  hollow  to  Tuw  a  lull ;  Woodworihs,  at  the  ore  bed;  Aliens,  on  the  road  from 
the  h.dlow  to  the  meeting  house  ;  and  Baylies,  at  the  meeting  house.  These  were  the 
English  lamilics.  The'Dutch  were,  two  Dutchers,  and  one  Van  Do/en,  at  Wealog; 
Knickerbackers,  at  ihe  stone  house,  on  the  Cornwall  load;  Cornelius  Knickerbacker, 
at  the  furnace;  and  Jaecib  Van  Dozen,  between  the  punds,  in  the  north  part  of  the  town. 

The  face  of  the  township,  at  the  jieriod  of  its  iirsi  settlement,  wore  rather  an  un- 
pleasant aspect.  Ill  every  fall  of  the  year,  it  was  burnt  over,  to  destroy  the  old  grass 
and  other  vegetation,  ami  that  there  might  be  a  fresh  and  tender  crop  the  ensuing 

+  Rev.  J.  W.  Crossinaii's  New  Year's  discourse,  1803.  The  facts  respecting  the  first 
setllemeiil  of  this  town  weie  derived  from  this  source.  "  It  is  currently  reported,  and 
by  good  authority,  (says  IMr.  Crossman,)  that  this  Mr.  Salisbury,  after  moving  from 
here,  had  an  unruly  scr\aiit  irirl  who  had  run  away  from  liiin;  that  he  went  after  her, 
bound  her  wiih  a  rop-,  and  lied  hei  to  his  horse,  then  rocie  so  as  to  pull  her  down,  and 
drawed  her  in  such  a  ei  nel  manner  that  she  died  in  consequence  of  the  abuse.  The 
matter  was  taken  up  in  ihe  state  of  iNew  York,  anil  he,  then  in  old  age,  was  sentenced 
by  the  court  to  be  hung  when  le'  should  be  a  hundred  years  old.  About  four  years 
ago,  he  arrived  to  this  ige.  A  reprieve  was  granted  him  for  a  certain  time;  and  if 
he  has  not  died  latelv,  hf  is  living  lo  ihis  day." 


s  A  1. 1  s  «  u  u  y .  4d7 

year.  Fires  also  were  often  mai.le  to  ring  deer.  Those  iircs  were  matlc  in  a  circular 
I'orm,  and  all  the  deer  included  were  diiven  by  the  lire  to  une  place,  where  the  hnnls- 
inen  could  easily  kill  them.  A  ring:,  lor  this  |iurj)o.se,  was  made  iii  the  northea.st  part 
of  the  town,  and  the  fire  ran  with  such  rapidity,  that  an  Indian  lad  was^hul  within  the 
ring,  overtaken  by  the  fire,  and  burnt  to  drath.  These  buinings,  with  the  ponds, 
mountains  and  clefts  of  rocks,  made  the  face  of  nature  appear  foi  bidding  to  tiio^e  who 
were  not  apprised  of  the  excellence  of  the  s(,il. 

Salisbury  is  situatetJ  in  the  norlliu'cst  corner  of  the  state ;  bounded 
N.  by  the  towns  of  INFount  Wasliiniiton  and  Shellield  in  Massachusetts, 
E.  by  the  Housatonic.  separatinL,^  it  frotii  Canaan,  s.  by  Sharon,  and  w. 
by  the  slate  of  New  York.  Its  average  length  is  9  miles,  and  its  breadth 
about  GJ,  comprising  an  area  of  about  58  stjuare  miles.  The  face  of 
the  township  is  broken,  consisting  of  elevated  hills,  ami  deep  and  exten- 
sive valleys.  ■  The  valleys  are  generally  limestone,  and  the  hills  granite. 
It  is  one  of  the  best  towns  for  grain  in  the  state.  It  is  also  excellent 
land  for  grazing. 

Salisbury,  in  addition  to  its  being  one  of  the  best  agricultural  towns 
in  the  state,  is  also  much  celebrated  for  its  very  rich  and  productive 
iron  mines.  Of  these,  the  one  known  as  the  "  Old  Ore  Mill,"  located 
two  miles  west  of  the  fVcmscopommuc  T^ake,  has  been  worked  since  the 
year  1732.  At  that  time,  and  for  years  afterwards,  the  ore  was  found 
lying  near  the  surface  of  the  eartli,  and  was  carried  off  in  considerable 
quantities  by  those  who  desired  to  make  use  of  it.  The  site  of  the 
"  Old  Ore  Hill"  was  owned  by  one  Bissell,  who  obtained  the  grant 
several  years  before  the  town  was  incorporated.  About  the  year  173^2, 
one  Thomas  Lamb  obtained  a  grtmt  ol'lilty  acres  of  land,  and  erected 
the  first  forge  built  in  Salisbuiy.  ills  grant  w;is  situated  in  the  south- 
east part  of  the  town,  on  Salmoti  River,  now  called  Lime  liock.  From 
that  period  until  the  present  time,  the  demands  upoti  the  "  (JId  Ore 
Hill"  have  been  constant.  AVithin  the  last  ten  or  twelve  years,  from 
five  to  six  thousand  tons  of  ore  have  been  dug  annually.  The  ore  is 
sold  at  the  mine  for  ^'^  a  ton.  One  dollar  and  tv.-enty  five  cents  of 
this  money  is  paid  to  the  proprietors  of  the  ore  betl  as  a  duty.  The 
other  dollar  and  seventy  five  cents  belongs  to  the  digger,  from  whose 
pit  the  ore  is  taken.  The  first  fiu'nace  erected  at  Salisbury  was  built 
about  the  year  17G''2,  upon  tlie  outlet  of  the  Wanscopommuc  I^ake,  two 
miles  east  of  the  "  Old  Ore  Hill."  It  is  one  of  the  oldest  establish- 
ments in  the  county,  and  was  erected  by  IMessrs.  Saintiel  and  l^lisha 
Forbes,  Ethan  Allen,*  and  a  Mr.  Hazeltlne.  Dtirliig  the  llevolu- 
tionary  war,  caimon  were  manufactured  at  this  furnace,  fur  government  ; 
also  cannon  balls  and  bomb  shells. f  Col.  Joshua  Porter  was  at  that 
time  agent  for  the  state  of  Connecticut,  and  stiperintended  the  castings. 

The  large  and  inexhaustible  quantities  of  iron  ore  found  in  Salisbury,  and  the 
abundant  supply  of  wood  for  charcoal,  and  other  matcuals  nectssaiy  for  smelling  the 
ore,  together  with  the  superior  (luality  of  u'on,  iniroilueed  other  manufactures;  and 


*  The  hero  of  Ticonderoga.  The  articles  of  agreement  entered  into  by  tlioe  gen- 
tlemen are  still  extant  upon  the  records  of  the  town. 

t  The  guns  on  board  the  U.  S.  frigate  Constitution,  nscd  by  Com.  Truxton,  in  the 
capture  of  the  French  frigate  L'insurgenle,  were  manulactured  at  the  ok!  fninace  in 
Salisbury.  The  Salisbury  iron  has  been,  and  is  still  used  extensively  in  the  U.  States' 
and  private  armories. 


488 


S  A  I.  I  S  15  U  U  Y 


iron  has  conlinuecl  from  that  lime  the  staple  commodity  of  tlie  town.     I'hcre  are  al 
prebent  in  Salisbiiiy, 


4  blast  furnaces, 

5  forf,'es,  with  20  fii 
2  puddling  eslablisi 
1  screw  siiop, 
1  aaclair  shop, 


2  sythe  manufactories, 

1  hoe  inaniUactory, 
ments,                 2  trip  hammers, 

2  cupola  or  pocket  furnaces,  for  small 
..... ,,,  castings. 

From  5  to  000,000  bushels  of  charcoal  are  annually  consumed  at  the  different  estab- 
lishments. The  puddling  furnaces  require  liom  2  to  3,000  cords  of  wood  annually. 
The  number  of  workmen  employed  in  the  different  processes  of  preparing  the  materi- 
al and  manufacturing  the  iron,  amount  in  all  to  about  500  men.  The  furnaces  pro- 
duce annually  from  2,000  to  2,500  tons  of  pig  iron.  The  forges  and  puddling  estab- 
lish    •  ^ ' 

for  anc 

Salisbury 

is  well  known  to  manufacturers,  and  stands  a 

the  country. 


e  annually  from  2,000  to  2,500  tons  of  pig  iron.  The  forges  and  puddling  estub- 
ments  annually  produce  Ironi  1,200  to  1,500  tuns  of  wrought  iron,  which  is  used 
anchors,  car  a.xletrees,  musket  boirds,  and  various  other  kinds  of  drafts.  The 
isbury  iron'ore  is  the  brown  hematite,  and  yields  about  10  per  cent  of  pig  iron.     It 


naiket  as  any  other  iron  in 


>Sou(hu'fst  iicir  of  the  dmrclns  in  Siili^bunj  Ciiiitr. 

Tliu  above  is  a  representation  of  the  churches  and  some  other  build- 
ings, in  that  ))art  ol"  Sahsbury  called  "  Salisbury  Center."  The  Con- 
gregational church  is  seen  on  the  right  ;  the  next  building  eastward, 
with  a  small  cupola,  is  the  academy  ;  and  still  further  to  the  east  is  seen 
the  Episcopal  chui-ch.  The  public  house  seen  opposite  was  construct- 
ed upon  the  frame  of  the  old  meeting  house.  This  place  is  50  miles 
from  Hartford,  53  from  New  Haven,  8  from  Sharon,  and  34  from  Hud- 
son. Tlie  [)rincipal  part  of  the  iron  ore  obtained  in  this  town,  is  about 
24^  miles  s.  \v.  of  this  place.  There  are  four  churches,  viz.,  2  Meth- 
odist, 1  Congregational,  and  I  E|)iscopal ;  and  five  post  offices,  Salis- 
bury Center,  Lime  Kock,  Furnace  Village,  Falls  Village,  and  Chapin- 
ville. 

The  people  first  met  for  public  worship  in  a  house  near  where  the  furnace  now  is, 
(in  Furnace  Village,)  consisting  of  one  room,  only  20  feet  by  15.  This  contained  all 
the  worshiping  congregation  in  the  town.  After  this,  they  met  in  the  house  of  Mr. 
.  Lee,  the  first  settled  minister  in  the  town  :  here  they  continued  to  worship  till  a  meet- 
ing house  was  erected,  about  the  year  1718.  The  ])lace  on  which  it  stood  was  given 
by  Col.  Robert  Walker  lur  a  lueeliiig  house,  bniyiiig  giound  and  gieeii,  upon  the  con- 


S  A  L  1  S  B  U  U  Y.  1^9 

ditioi)  that  tlie  burying  yard  be  inclosed  with  a  decent  fence,  lnil'l,  :i  .;  •■.;•[>  (I, ..-y 
worshiped,  there  were  two  watchtowers  made,  and  sentries  pla.-iil  m  (!,■  in  i  i.  ihe 
Sabbalh,  to  guard  Irorn  the  Indians.  So  late  in  the  .seillemeni  oi  ilio  luwn  us  ihi.s,  an 
alarm  was  made  ol'  an  Indian  invasion.  On  this  alarm,  this  preparation  ol  delense 
was  made.  On  liie  same  occasion,  a  tort  was  bnill  on  tlie  wcsi  side  of  the  Furnace 
Pond,  and  another  in  ihe  soiitheasi  part  ot'the  town.  There  were  two  other  lorls  in 
Weatog,  built,  however,  before  this  :  these  two  were  biiili  in  the  form  of  block-house. 
One  was  the  ducllin<;  Jiouse  of  Mr.  Duicher,  one  of  the  Jirsi  settleis,  built  in  17^0,  and 
■was  [lie  first  framed  Jionse  in  the  town.  The  tirst  white  person  born  in  the  town  was 
llarlman  Van  Dozen.  The  first  buried,  by  the  Congregational  meeting  house,  was 
Jehiel  Moore.  The  first  buiied  on  Town  Hill  was  a  Mr.  Cory,  who  was  killed  at  the 
raising  of  a  house,  as  neatly  as  can  be  known,  at  (he  same  instant  the  town  establish- 
ed that  as  a  public  burying  ground. 

At  the  time  of  the  first  settlement  in  the  town,  there  was  then  an  Indian  settlement 
at  Weatog,  consisting  of  seventy  wigwams,  all  in  a  cluster.  They  were  friendly  and 
hospitable,  especially  to  the  whites,  and  encouraged  their  setllenieni.  It  is  unknown 
how  long  they  had  made  a  stand  at  that  place.  Doubtless,  in  theii'  most  savage  slate, 
they  had  encamped  in  ditierent  places  on  the  river,  where  they  ccuild  hunt  and  fish. 
Long  before  there  was  any  settlement  of  white  people  in  the  t<Mvn,  a  Col.  Whiimg, 
with  his  regiment,  pursued  a  band  of  Indians  as  far  as  the  northeast  part  of  the  town, 
and  there,  on  the  banks  of  the  Housalonic,  defeated  them  with  a  dieadful  slaughier. 
They  lay  at  their  ease,  sporting  and  fishing,  on  both  sides  of  the  river.  He,  biM^orning 
acquainted  with  their  situation,  came  upon  them  unawares,  killed  some,  and  put  the 
rest  to  flight.  About  seventy  Indian  graves  are  visible  there  to  this  day.  In  Ihe  battle, 
hut  one  of  the  whites  was  killed.  When  Col.  Whiting  drew  near  the  place  of  baitle, 
he  commanded  every  man  to  throw  away  the  priming  in  his  gun,  and  to  prime  anew. 
All,  except  one,  obeyed.  He  boldly  declared  himself  willing  to  venture  his  life  vvith 
the  priming  he  then  had.  When  they  came  ii|)on  the  Indians,  he  leveled  at  one, 
snapped,  and  his  gun  failed  to  go  oJi".  The  Indian  instantly  clapped  up  his  piece,  and 
shot  liim  dead.* 

Tlie  following  singular  occurrences  are  said  to  have  taken  place  in 
this  town,  near  the  boundary  between  Connecticut  and  Massachusetts. 
The  relation  of  these  circumstances  was  obtained  lioiii  Mr.  S.  Sage 
and  his  family,  who  are  still  living  on  tlie  spot,  (June,  1836',)  and  could 
be  corroborated  by  great  numbers  of  people  now  living. 

"  The.se  occurrences  commenced  Nov.Blh,  1802,  at  a  clothier's  shop:  A  man  and  two 
boys  were  in  the  shop  ;  the  boys  had  retired  to  rest,  it  being  between'  10  and  11  o'clock 
at  night.  A  bliick  of  wood  was  thrown  through  the  wimlow  ;  after  that,  pieces  ol  hard 
inoiiar,  tilhlie  man  and  boys  became  alarmed,  and  went  to  the  house lo  call  Mr.  Sai,»e, 
who  arose  fri>in  bed  and  went  to  the  shop,  and  could  hear  the  gla.ss  break  often,  but 
euuld  not  discover  from  whence  it  came,  notwithstanding  the  night  was  very  light. 
He  exerted  himself  to  discover  the  cause  without  success.  It  continued  conslanily  till 
day  light,  and  th(.-n  ceased  till  the  next  evening  at  8  o'clock,  when  it  commenced  again, 
and  continued  till  midnight  ;  then  ceased  till  the  next  evening  at  dusk,  and  coniinned 
till  some  time  in  the  evening,  and  then  ceased.  The  next  day  it  commenced  about  aa 
hour  before  sun-down,  and  continued  about  an  hour,  and  then  it  left  the  shop  and  be- 
gan at  the  dwelling  hou.^e  of  Mr.  Ezekiel  Landon,  100  rods  north,  in  the  town  of  Shef- 
lield.  It  continued  several  hours,  and  ceased  till  the  next  morning  :  when  the  family 
were  at  breakfast  it  began  again,  and  continued  two  or  three  hours,  and  ceased  till 
evening,  when  it  began  again  and  continued  several  honrs,  and  ceased  till  the  next 
muniing,  when  it  began  again  and  continued  all  the  lorenoon,  and  ihcn  ceased  alio- 
getlier.  The  articles  thrown  into  the  shop  were  pieces  of  wood,  charcoal,  stone,  but 
pi  incipally  pieces  of  hard  mortar,  such  as  eonld  not  be  found  in  the  neighborhood. 
Nothing  but  stones  were  thrown  into  the  house  of  Mr.  Landon,  the  first  of  which  were 
thrown  into  the  door.  There  were  38  panes  of  glass  broke  out  of  the  shop,  and  18  out 
of  the  dwelling  houses:  in  two  or  three  instances  persons  were  hit  by  the  things  that 
were  thrown.  What  was  remarkable,  ricithing  could  be  seen  coming  till  the  glass 
broke,  and  whatever  passed  through,  fell  directly  down  on  the  window  still,  as  if  it  had 
been  put  through  with  a  person's  fingers,  and  many  pieces  of  mortar  and  coal  were 


*  Dr.  Trumbull  thinks  thiere  must  have  been  some  mistake  about  the  name  of  the 
commanding  officer  in  this  expedition.  He  thinks  it  must  have  been  Major  Talcott 
•who  pursued  and  defeated  the  Indians  in  this  region  in  1G76.  Tliis  however  is  uncer- 
tain.    The  account  given  by  Mr.  Grossman  is  the  one  which  is  followed  above. 

62 


490  SHARON. 

thrown  throuj^h  ihe  snrnc  Lole  in  llie  f,'las.s  in  succession.  Many  hundreds  of  people 
assembled  to  witness  tlit-  scene,  ainoni;-  \vhf)in  were  clergymen  and  other  gentlemen, 
but  none  were  able  lo  delect  the  source  ol  tlie  misebief.  "The  more  crcditUuis  readily 
believed  it  to  be  wilcbcralt,  but  it  was  generally  thought  to  be  somesligbi  ol  hand,  ef- 
I'ecieil  by  a  conibinniion  ot' individuals,  as  tlie  windows:  were  broken  on  d-ilTerent  sides 
of  the  buildings  nearly  ai  ilie  saiue  lime." 


The  following  inscriptions  were  copied  froni  monuments  in  the  yard 
in  Salisbury  center. 

In  memory  of  the  llev.  Jonathan  Lee,  this  stone,  the  fruit  of  conjugal  alTection  and 
filial  graiiuide,  is  erected.  He  was  born  July  -Ith,  A.D.  1718;  graduated  at  Yale  Col- 
lege, 17-1'J;  was  a  settled  minister  in  this  town  -1:)  years  ;  and  ilied  Oct.  8th,  17H8,  in  the 
71st  year  of  his;ige.  To  the  faithful  discharge  of  ihe  pastoral  office  he  united  the  ]iri- 
vate  virtues  of  the  husbanti,  the  parent  and  the  lYiend,  and  expired  in  tlic  bk--scd  hope 
of  that  Gospel  to  which  he  had  freely  devoted  his  lite. 

My  flesh  shall  slumber  in  the  groinid 

Till  the  hist  Trumpet's  joyful  soiniil. 

Then  burst  the  chains  in  sweet  siiijirise, 

And  in  niy  Savior's  image  rise.  '  ■. 


The  man  is  gone  ! 
Mr.  Samuel  Mooue,  Ihe  eminent  Mathematician,  died  Feb.  20ih,  1810,  JE.  75.  His 
Life  and  Services'!  !!  t/icsi:  the  Monument,  this  nun  lilc  but  the  Tablet.     Say  llien,  He 
liv'd  to  benefit  JMankind.     Sway'd  not  by  Trilles,  But  by  Science  led,  as  Land-Sur- 
veyor.    So  like  in  all  things,  Like  correct,  M'his  the  best  ini.i tie  of  the  man. 
Uur  Fathers  lest  I'loin  their  Toils. 


SHARON. 


The  township  of  Sharon  was  surveyed  by  a  committee,  appointed 
by  the  Cieneral  Assembly,  in  1732.  The  committee  were  Edmund 
Lewis,  Esrp  Capt.  Stephen  Noble,  and  Mr.  Wilham  Gaylord.  Tito 
sale  of  tlie  township  was  ordered  in  October,  1737,  and  a  committee, 
consisting  of  Samuel  Eels,  Esq.  Joseph  Whiting  Esq.  and  Capt.  Isaac 
Dickerman,  was  appointed  to  give  deeds  to  the  jiiuchasers. 

The  opinion  of  ilie  commiltee  who  laid  otit  the  town,  6f  the  feasi- 
bility and  character  of  the  lands  in  this  town,  is  expressed  in  the  fol- 
lowing words.  "In  the  second  township,  we  find  two  pieces,  which 
may  contain  500  acres.  There  is  laid  out  in  it  of  county  grants  400 
acres,  and  a  considerable  quantity  of  rougii  land,  yet  we  find  such  a 
(|uantity  of  feasible  land  in  it,  and  not  so  scattering  as  in  the  tnst  town- 
ship, (Salisbury,)  as  will  in  our  judgment  accommodate  a  suilicienl 
number  of  inhabitants  for  a  town." 

Settlements  commenced  in  the  year  1739.  The  fiist  white  man  who 
lived  in  Sharon  was  one  Daniel  Jiickson.  He  was  originally  from  New 
Milford,  and  probably  came  to  this  town  by  the  way  of  the  Oblong  set- 
tlements in  the  state  of  New  York.  He  jiurchased  of  the  state  about 
400  acres  of  land,  which  lay  in  the  southwestern  part  of  the  town,  at  a 
place  now  called  Hitchcock's  corner,  and  for  which  he  obtained  a  patent. 
He  stayed  in  town  but  a  short  time,  and  in  February,  1739,  sold  his 
patent  to  Gnrritt  JVinegar,  a  Dutchman,  and  himself  removed  to  Great 
Barrington,  Mass.  Mr.  Winogar  built  the  first  grist  mill  in  Sharon. 
The  road  which  the  fuil  settlers  traveled  when  tliey  came  to  Sharon, 


SHARON. 


491 


crossed  the  Ifousatonic  river  al  Chiddesttrs  ferry,  near  the  prescMit 
site  of  Lewis'  bridge. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  first  settlers,  and  the  places  from  whence 
they  removed. 


Samuel  nalchiiisoii,  Ivsc 

[.    ,     Lebanon. 

JViitlKuiicI  .Skinner,  \\>^[ 

,     ColclieMcr. 

J(iliii  Spra^Lie,      . 

.     Lebanon. 

Jolm  Panlee, 

.     Nor\vallc. 

'riimnas  SkiinuM', 

.     (.'oleheMec. 

Samuel  ('alkiii,    . 

(,\ilelii'^ler. 

.Suiuiiel  Ciilleti,     . 

.     Ooleliesler. 

Johii  Gould, 

.     Hebron. 

JN^iles  Coleinar),    . 

.     Colehesier. 

JVathaiiiel  Skinner,  jr. 

.     Ciileliester. 

JSteptien  (Jalkiii,  . 

.     Hebion. 

James  Smilli, 

.     1 '.oil  on. 

Kbenezer  Miiilge, 

.     Colehesier. 

.labez  Crippen,     . 

.     (,'olcliesier. 

William  Good rieh,      . 

.     Colehe.-,ter 

N.  B.  Mr.  Gay  was  the  man  win 
for  assistanee,  when  Harris  was  k 


Ncimcs.  Where  from. 

Jonathan  Peiitt,  .  .  Stainlord. 

Joseph  Park,      .  .  .  Middletown. 

.loseph  Hahsev,  .  .  Siainloid. 

Joseph  Monroe,^   .  .  .  ^mualk. 

James  Talinailge,  .  .  ^.-u  Haven. 

Daniel  Hunt,    \  .  .  l.-laiu.n. 

'T'homns  SpniKird,  .  .  I.r'l.auon. 

Samuel  Comsfoek,  .  .  l.yine. 

Jonathan  Danhain,  .  ('ohlnsier. 

Daniel  Hamilion,  .  .  l.rbanun. 

Barlliolomew  lleaih,  .  Lrbanon. 

Samuel  llurlbiirl,  .  .  Lebaimn. 

'I'liumas  Heath,  .  .  Libanoii. 

Georj,'eWay,     .  .  .  i-yme. 

John  Gay,           .  .  .  I.iiehiield. 

IS  sent  as  an  express  from  Lilehfield  to  Harllbrd 
1  bv  Indians  in  17-21. 


South  view  of  Gov.  Sinith''s  house,  Sharon. 

The  above  is  a  south  view  of  the  residence  of  the  Hon.  John  Cotton 
Smith,  about  one  mile  south  of  the  Congregational  church.  The  vil- 
lage of  Sliaron,  which  nray  consist  of  about  50  or  (!0  dwelling  houses, 
in  the  vicinity  of  the  churches,  is  situated  principally  oti  one  street,  on 
the  eastern  side  of  a  beautiful  valley,  16  miles  from  Litchfield,  anfl  17 
from  llariford.  The  central  street  runs  about  1^  miles  from  ilie  boun- 
dary line  of  the  state  of  JNew  York.  There  is  a  pleasant  anil  interest- 
ing village  at  "Hitchcock's  corner,"  situated  partly  in  New  Yiuk  and 
partly  in  Connecticut,  in  a  beautiful  and  populous  valley,  and  ilcli  in 
the  resources  of  agricultural  wealth.  Lllsworlh  society,  in  the  south 
part  of  the  town,  was  established  in  1800. 


49-2  SHARON'. 

Sharon  is  boiinded  n.  by  Salisbury,  e.  by  the  Ilousatonic  river,  sepa- 
rating it  from  Corn  wall,  s.  by  Kent,  and  w.  by  the  slate  of  l\e\v  York. 
Its  ien(,rth  is  about  9  miles,  and  its  breadtli  nearly  six.  The  surface  and 
sod  of  the  township  are  siriiiingly  diversified.  The  eastern  part  of  the 
town  abounds  with  elevated  hills,  and  some  mountainous  rant^es.  This 
district  aflbrds  good  grazing;  the  soil  is  a  gravelly  loam,  and  consider- 
ably stony.  The  western  part  of  the  township,  which  borders  on  the 
state  of  New  York,  is  part  of  an  extensive  valley,  having  a  level  or  un- 
dulating surface,  and  a  ricii  and  fertile  soil,  and  is  considered  one  of  the 
best  tracts  in  the  slate  for  raising  grain.  Agriculture  is  the  principal 
business  of -the  inhabitants.  Raising  of  sheep  is  followed  to  a  consid- 
erable extent. 

There  were  some  Indian  settlements  in  the  northwestern  part  of  the 
town,  which  had  been  visited  by  a  IMoravian  missionary.  The  name 
of  the  missionary  was  David  Bruce,  who  died  and  was  buried  on  the 
Indian  lands  in  Sharon,  in  the  year  1724.  His  monument  is  still  re- 
maining.    The  Indians  left  the  town  soon  after  the  settlers  came  on.* 

The  town  was  incorporated  in  October,  1739,  The  first  town  meet- 
ing was  holden  December  11,  1739.  Capt.  Dunham  was  moderator, 
Lieut.  Jabez  CriiJpen,  Mr.  Jolm  S(jrague,  Capt.  Jonathan  Dunham, 
selectmen.  James  Smith,  fo/iii(z///e.  ijeovgeW'^xy,  grand  juror .  Na- 
thaniel Skinner,  town  clerk. 

The  first  tavern  was  kept  by  Jonathan  Dunham.  The  first  minister 
was  Peter  Pratt,  who  was  ordained  on  the  last  Wednesday  of  A])ril, 
1740;  he  was  dismissed  in  1745,  for  intemperance.  The  first  meeting 
house  was  built  of  logs,  in  1741.  Another  meeting  house  was  com- 
menced in  1742,  which  stood  about  25  years. 

The  second  minister  was  Rev,  John  Searle.  He  was  from  Sims- 
bury,  and  was  ordained  on  the  first  Wednesday  of  August,  1749.  Ha 
was  dismissed  in  1754,  on  account  of  feeble  health.  He  recovered 
bis  health,  however,  and  was  afterwards  settleil  at  Stonehain,  IMassa- 

•  "  (.•uiisiderable  numbers  of  (lie  liuljans  resided  in  ihe  ■western  and  nurih.U(  ^icin 
parts  ot'ilie  town,  whieli  are  watered  by  two  bir^'e  ponds,  and  b\'  the  'I'lil  MUc  /icl/-, 
which  touches  the  western  borders  of  the  iuwn.  Their  principal  vilhi^n;  was  on  the 
east  side  of  the  Indian  pond,  so  called,  wiiicli  is  a  body  of  water  lymj^  panly  in  the 
stale  of  New  York,  and  partly  in  Connecticut.  On  a  romantic  and  tieaiiiiliil  plain, 
lying-  between  llus  pond  on  the  v/esit,  and  the  Jndian  ilu-dnldin,  a  spur  of  ilie  Tui^h- 
haniiucl:  [huge,  on  the  east,  was  a  numerous  village,  where  the  natives  eunuiincil  to 
reside  for  many  years  after  the  whites  came  into  the  town.  This  tribe  was  visited  by 
the  Moravian  missionaries,  and  one  of  Ihem  died  and  was  buiied  there.  lie  died  in 
174'J,  and  a  plain  stone  was  placed  over  his  jjrave,  with  the  follov/ing  inscription  : 

'  David  Bruce  of  Edinburgh  in  Scotland,  Minister  of  The  Brethren's  church  among 
the  Indians.     Deparl'd  1749.' 

"N.  B.  The  grave  stone  is  broken  into  several  fragments,  and  has  long  since  been 
removed  from  the  grave.  By  putting  the  several  parts  of  the  stone  together,  tjie  Ibie- 
going  inscription  can  be  easily  detected. 

"The  letters  are  Ho  man  characters,  and  are  become  nearly  illegible.  Tradition 
says  very  litlle  of  the  man,  ami  he  had  probably  been  in  the  jjlace  but  a  short  time 
when  he  died.  It  is  hoped  that-  a  more  suitable  monument  may  soon  be  erected  to  the 
memory  of  tiiis  self  denyiiig  and  elevated  missionary.  The  deed  from  the  Indians, 
by  which  they  sold  their  lands  to  I'homas  Barnes,  was  signed  by  .\cij ait ivuiiig  and 
tiariholoview,  two  of  the  piincipal  men  of  the  tribe." — For  this  and  other  commtinic;i- 
tions  respecting  the  history  o^  sharon,  the  author  would  here  express  his  ackuuwledg- 
raenls  to  Charles  F.  Hedgwick,  Esq.  of  Sharon. 


SHARON.  493 

diusetts,  arid  lived  lo  a  great  age.  Ii  is  said  by  the  late  Dr.  Dwiglit, 
in  liis  Travels,  that  Mr.  Searle  and  the  late  Judge  IN'oble  of  Williams- 
town,  I\Iass.,  were  the  first  persons  who  ever  went  to  the  top  of  Sad- 
dle Mountain,  the  highest  mountain  in  Massachusetts.  He  is  repre- 
sented as  a  man  of  mild  and  unassuming  deportment,  much  given  to 
metaphysical  investigation,  and  he  left  Sharon,  carrying  with  him  the 
adectionate  regards  of  his  people. 

The  third  minister  was  Rev.  Cotton  Mather  Smith,  who  was  settled 
in  August,  1755.  He  was  from  Suflield,  and  spent  a  lung  life  in  the 
ministry  in  Sharon.  Probably  no  minister  ever  had  in  a  greater  degree 
the  confidence  and  aflection  ef  his  jjcople,  than  JNFr.  Smith.  He  is 
never  spoken  of  at  this  day,  by  those  who  knew  him,  but  witli  the 
most  unqualified  respect  and  veneration,  and  the  memory  of  his  virtues 
and  his  excellence  is  now,  at  the  distance  of  more  than  thirty  years 
from  his  death,  cherished  with  the  most  unfeigned  satisfaction.  He 
was  the  father  of  Hon.  J.  C.  Smith,  late  governor  of  this  state. 

The  Episcopal  society  was  establislied  in  1754.  Mr.  Ebenezer 
Dibble  was  the  first  minister  of  that  order  in  the  town.  He  was  suc- 
ceeded by  a  ]Mr.  Davies,  who  died  in  early  life.  For  a  number  of  years 
the  worship  of  this  denomination  was  suspended,  but  within  a  few 
years  they  have  erected  a  handsome  church,  and  now  maintain  regu- 
lar worship. 

A  new  Congregational  meeting  house  was  erected  in  1767  ;  this  was 
used  by  the  society  until  18-24,  when  the  present  brick  church  was 
erected.  In  the  latter  part  of  July,  1770,  Rev.  Geo.  Whitfield  passed 
through  this  town  on  a  preaching  tour.  Tliere  was  consideiahle  oppo- 
•silion  to  his  being  admitted  into  the  meeting  house,  and  arrangements 
liad  been  made  to  hold  the  service  in  an  orchard,  still  standing  near  the 
■meeting  house.  In  case  he  should  be  refused.  ]\Ir.  Smith  however  in- 
vited him  into  the  pulpit,  though  strongly  opposed  by  a  considerable 
number  of  inlbiential  men.  An  immense  congregation  from  this  and 
the  neighboring  towns  filled  the  meeting  house  to  overflowing.  His 
text  was,  "]Marvel  not  that  I  said  unto  you,"  &ic.  Having  announced 
his  text,  he  ))roceeded  to  discourse  on  the  doctrine  of  the  new  birth 
with  astonishing  power  and  eloquence,  and  the  congregation  were  much 
moved  by  the  power  of  the  truth  and  spirit  of  God.  The  concluding 
words  of  his  discourse  were  a  quotation,  with  a  little  variation,  from  the 
lust  verse  of  the  4th  chapter  oi'  Solomon's  Song:  "Awake,  O  north 
wind,  and  come,  thou  south  ;  blow  upon  this  garden,  thai  the  spices 
thereof  may  How  out.  Let  my  beloved  come  into  tlils  garden,  and  cat 
bis  pleasant  fruits."  Many  of  the  inhabitants  of  Sharon  followed  him 
for  several  successive  days,  to  hear  the  word  of  life  from  this  devoted 
minister  of  the  cross. 

The  first  preaching  in  this  town  by  clergymen  in  the  IMelhodlst  con- 
nection, was  in  1787.  In  the  following  year  a  society  was  formed. 
Camp  meetings  were  holden  in  this  town  in  1S05  and  1806.  Their 
first  meeting  house  was  erected  in  1807.  In  consequence  of  the  in- 
crease of  the  congregation,  a  large  and  beautiful  house  is  now  being 
erected  by  the  society. 


494  SHARON. 

Among  the  early  settlers  of  the  town  was  John  Williams,  Esq.,  who  spent  his  life 
here,  and  who  was  a  man  of  mnch  respeciabilily  ami  influence  in  this  town  and  coun- 
ty. He  was  from  Lebanon,  and  came  into  the  town  in  1744.  He  was  educated  at 
Yale  College,  and  studied  medicine,  but  it  was  not  known  that  he  ever  engaged  in  pro- 
fcs.sional  bu-iincss.  He  was  soon  appointed  town  clerk,  which  office  he  held  for  more 
than  3t)  years.  He  was  the  first  judge  of  probate  for  the  district  of  Sharon,  and  one  of 
the  judges  of  the  lirst  county  court  for  Litchfield  county,  of  which  court  he  was  for  a 
number  of  years  the  chief  judge.  So  gieat  was  the  estimation  in  which  he  was  held 
by  his  fellow  citizens,  that  he  was  elected  a  representative  liom  the  town  of  Sharon 
27  times.  He  also  commanded  a  regiment  of  colonial  militia.  There  are  those 
now  living,  who  jiave  a  distinct  recollection  of  his  jieisonal  appearance,  ami  of  the 
very  inlluenlial  character  which  he  sustained  in  tlie  alliiirs  ol  the  town.  He  is  repre- 
sented as  a  man  of  tall  and  slender  frame,  but  of  great  gravity,  and  of  very  dignilied 
deportment.  His  word  was  law,  and  it  was  in  his  presence  that  evil  doers  lelt  terror. 
He  died  JNIaroh  14,  1774,  in  the  60th  year  of  his  age. 

This  town  took  an  active  part  in  favor  of  the  countiy  in  the  Revohi- 
tionaiy  struggle.  Mr.  Sinitli,  tl)e  minister,  was  an  ardent  patriot,  and 
in  his  piibhc  ministrations  there  was  mingled  much  of  the  stirring  patri- 
otism of  the  times.*  A  large  number  of  men  from  this  town  were  con- 
stantly on  duty;  four  of  whom,  to  wit,  Adonijah  Maxim,  Daniel  Cioss, 
^Vm.  Gray,  and  Samuel  Lewis,  were  taken  prisoners  with  Ethan  Allen, 
in  his  rash  attack  on  Montreal  in  1775,  and  with  him  were  carried  to 
England  in  the  fall  of  that  year.  They  were  Ijrought  back  to  New 
York  in  the  following  s[)ring,  from  which  place  the  prisoners  above  na- 
med matlo  their  escape.  Of  this  number  Mr.  Maxim  is  still  living.  \\\ 
the  campaign  of  177(i,  Parson  Smith  went  with  the  army  lo  the  north 
as  chajjjain. 

One  soldier,  Alexander  Spencer,  -went  with  Colonel  Arnold  in  the  expedition  to 
Quebec,  through  the  wilderness  of  Kennebeck,  but  he  died  on  the  march.  Chailes 
Gillet  was  killed  near  the  (.edars,  in  the  campaign  of  177G,  in  a  skirmish  at  that  place. 
Daniel  Wood,  Nathaniel  IJiiul,  Josiah  Coleman,  .labe/ Jennings,  As.ihel  Soineis,  John 
Itandiill,  jr.  and  Thomas  Ackley,  were  taken  pi  isoiurs  at  i'ori  Washington,  of  whom 
Wood  and  Colem;in  diml  duiing  their  captivity.  William  Uoodiich  was  killed  al 
■ihe  battle  of  Hrandywine.  Samuel  Elinar,  jr.  wns  killed  at  the  skirmish  of  Comp(j 
jjridge,  and  John  Hollisicr  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Stillwater,  Oct.  7,  1777. 

In  November,  1784,  the  town  was  visited  with  the  small  pox,  and  a  large  number 
,of  iicison.N,  as  many  as  HO,  died  in  the  course  of  two  laonihs. 


r.KTKALTS    FliOM    KKWSl'APHny. 

Priiiii  the  Connecticut  Journal.     Sharon,  Fch.  lo,  1781. 
This  morning,  the  wife  of  William  Ilendrick  Levo,  was  found  dead  in  the  sired,  a 
.sucking  child,  about  three  months  old,  lying  dead  by  her  side  :  being  nnder  straiiemd 
circumstances,  she  went  to  town,  about  three  miles,  in  order  to  procure  something  for 


*  The  approach  of  a  large  British  army  from  Canada,  under  Gen.  Bnrgoyne,  and 
the  expedition  up  the  North  River,  under  General  Vaughan,  in  1777,  filled  the  whole 
.country  with  terror  and  despondency,  and  created  stiong  fears  and  doubts  as  to  the 
issue  of  the  controversy;  the  firmness  and  confidence  of  Parson  Smith,  however,  re- 
mained unbroken,  and  his  efl'orls  to  revive  the  drooping  spirits  of  liis  people  were  un- 
remitted. In  the  month  of  (k'tober,  he  preached  a  sermon  from  these  words:  "  Watch- 
man, what  of  the  night  %  The  Watchman  saith,  the  morning  coineth,''  In  this  dis- 
course he  dealt  much  upon  the  indications,  which  the  dealings  of  Providence  afforded, 
that  a  bright  and  glorious  morning  was  about  to  dawn  upon  a  long  night  of  defeat  and 
disaster.  He  told  the  congregation,  that  he  believed  they  would  soon  hear  of  a  signal 
victory  crowning  the  arms  of  America  ;  and  he  exhorted  them  to  trust  wiih  an  unsha- 
ken and  fearless  confidence  in  that  God,  who,  he  believed,  would  yet  crown  with  suc- 
cess the  efforts  of  the  frieiiiis  uf  liberty  in  this  country.  Before  the  congregation  was 
dismissed,  a  messenger  arrived,  with  the  intelligence  of  the  surrender  of  Burgoyne's 
army.  Parson  Smith  read  (he  letter,  conveying  the  intelligence,  from  the  pulpit,  and 
a  Hood  of  joy  and  gratitude  burst  from  the  congregation. 


TORRINGTON.  495 

the  comfort  of  the  family,  and  carried  the  little  infant  in  her  arms.  On  her  return 
the  evening  betnre,  siie  went  into  a  house  to  warm:  the  weather  being  extreme  cold' 
she  was  prevailed  to  tarry,  though  very  much  against  her  inclination;  being  greatly- 
exercised  for  her  children  she  had  lelt  at  home,  the  ekle>t  noi  being  above  len^jears 
her  husband  gone  to  mill,  and  she  was  doubllul  of  his  return.  In  the  night  she  arose' 
unknown  to  any  in  the  family.  She  had  traveled  homewards  about  three  quarteis  of 
a  mile,  and  was  found  dead  in  the  manner  already  described,  within  about  ten  rods  of 
an  house.  Some  were  ready  to  conclude  she  had  made  too  free  use  of  strong  drinlc, 
which  occasioned  her  perishing  in  this  manner;  but  upon  a  careful  enquiry  it  appears 
to  be  without  foundation,  and  that  lier  death  was  occasioned  by  the  extremity  of  the 
season. 


Last  Thursday  evening  arrived  in  this  town,  (Litchfield,)  from  Hartford,  Colonel 
Samuel  Canfield  and  Uriah  Tracy,  Esq.  with  orders  from  the  General  Assembly  to 
repair  to  the  town  of  Sharon,  and  put  a  stop  to  the  insurrection  that  appeared  to  be 
raising  in  that  town.  The  same  evening  they  set  off,  accompanied  by  the  sheritl  and 
one  of  his  deputies,  and  arrived  at  Sharon  about  daybreak,  and  soon  arretted  live 
persons,  who  were  supposed  to  be  the  principal  actors  and  abettors  in  the  insui  recion. 
*  *  *  *  They  were  conducted  to,  and  safely  lodged  in  our  gaol,  on  Sat- 
urday last,  in  order  for  examination.  It  is  hoped  tiie  early  and  spirited  exertion  of 
our  Assembly,  will  prevent  any  further  disturbance  in  that  town.  Much  priiseisdue 
the  gentlemen  employed  on  the  occasion,  for  their  prudence,  liumanitv,  and  judicious 
proceedings.  ^ialJ  2L/,  ITa?. 

The  following  inscriptions  are  from  monuments  in  tlie  grave  yard 
north  of  the  Congregational  church. 

The  Rev.  Cotton  Matheu  Smith,  born  in  Suffield,  Oct,  16th,  1731,  ordained  in 
Sharon,  Aug.  28th,  1755,  died  Nov.  27th,  180(j,  in  the  76th  year  of  his  age,  and  52d  of 
his  ministry.  Sotmd  in  the  faith,  in  life  and  conversation  as  becometh  the  gospel ;  in 
doctrine  incorrupt;  in  manner  Ibrcible  and  peisuasive.  A  Ibnd  husband,  a  tender 
father,  an  unvarying  friend;  having  for  more  i\\n.\\Jiftii  7/car5  earne>ily  contended  for 
the  faith  once  delivered  to  the  saints,  he  is  gone  to  render  his  dual  account  lo  the  great 
Captain  of  his  salvation.  People  of  his  chaige!  he  still  speaks  to  you  in  a  voice  aw- 
ful as  Death,  solemn  as  the  grave.     Prepare  to  meet  your  God. 

In  memory  of  Mrs.  But.a  Moultov,  the  amiable  consort  of  Capt.  Win.  Mouliun, 
who  having  endeared  herself  10  her  friends  and  acquaintance  by  an  e\cm|)lafy  ai.(i 
virtuous  life,  died  a  few  days  after  the  birth  of  her  only  cliiki,  July  5ih,  Hbii. 
Could  modest  worth  elude  ye  grasp  of  death. 
This  virtuous  fair  had  ne'er  re.sigti'd  her  breath. 
C^ould  beauty'^  urace,  or  virtue's  sacred  chaim  ; 
Coidd  nuptial  bliss  the  cruel  I'oe  disarm; 

(-'ould  ye  deep  anguish  of  an  husband's  love,  i 

Or  infant  cries,  ilie  fatal  sting  remove  ;  ' 

She  ne'er  had  wing'd  ye  long,  ye  gloiious  /liglu 
.  To  seats  of  bliss,  to  realms  of  sparkling  light. 


TORRINGTON. 

ToRRiNGTON  was  a  township  which  was  allotted  to  the  Windsor  pro- 
prietors hy  the  Legislature.  It  was  named  Toirington  at  the  session 
(in  May,  173-^.  "  The  number  of  proprietors  was  one  hundred  and 
thirty  six.  At  their  first  meeting  in  Windsor,  Sept.  10th,  1733,  they 
voted  to  make  a  division  of  lots  in  Torrlngton,  and  that  there  should 
be  one  acre  to  the  pound  on  the  list  of  each  proprietor.  A  survey  of 
the  town  was  completed  in  1734.  In  1737,  the  proprietors  voted  a 
second  division  of  the  lands,  and  to  lay  out  one  acre  to  the  pound  on 
the  list  of  each  proprietor.  About  five  years  after,  another  division 
was  voted. 


49G 


T  0  R  R  I  N  G  T  O  N, 


The  first  settler  that  moved  into  the  township  was  Ebenezer  Lymnri, 
from  Durham,  witli  u  young  family,  consisting  of  three  iiersoris  only  ; 
this  was  in  1737.  Several  young  men  had,  however,  labored  in  the 
township  the  summer  previous.  Jonathan  Coe  was  the  second  person 
who  moved  into  the  place;  he  also  was  from  Durham.  The  principal 
settlers  were  from  Windsor  and  Durham.  The  settlement  of  this  town 
was  slow.  When  the  first  minister,  the  Rev.  Nathaniel  Roberts,  was 
ordained,  in  the  summer  of  1741,  there  were  but  fourteen  families  in 
the  town.  As  this  was  considered  a  frontier  settlement  at  this  time,  a 
fortification  was  erected  not  far  from  the  center  of  the  town.  It  was 
incorporated  in  1741 . 


Northeast  view  of  fVolcottvillc,   Torrington. 

Torrinmon  is  bovmiled  north  by  Winchester,  west  by  Goshen,  east 
by  New  Hartford,  and  south  by  Litchfield  and  Ilarwinton.  It  is  about 
six.  miles  square,  containing  upwards  of  23,000  acres.  The  surface  of 
the  town  is  uneven,  with  hills  and  valleys  ;  the  soil  is  mostly  fertfie, 
and  well  adapted  for  grazing.  The  township  is  well  watered  by  the 
east  and  west  branches  of  the  Waterbury  or  Naugatuc  river.  There 
are  within  the  limits  of  the  town  3  Congregational  churches,  1  Baptist, 
and  1  INIelhodist.  There  are  three  post  ofiices,  viz.  one  in  the  first  so- 
ciety, called  the  Torrington  o/lice,  one  in  Torringford,  the  eastern  sec- 
tion of  the  town,  and  the  other  in  the  village  of  Wolcottville. 

Wolcottville,  the  principal  village  in  the  town  of  Torrington,  is  sit- 
uated in  a  valley  near  the  southern  boundary  of  the  town,  at  the  junc- 
tion of  the  two  branches  of  the  Waterbury  or  Naugatuc  river,  26  miles 
from  Hartford,  40  from  New  Haven,  and  17  from  the  New  Haven  and 
Northampton  canal  at  Avon.  The  village  consists  of  about  40  dwelling 
bouses,  a  handsome  Congregational  church,  a  three  story  brick  build- 
ing, used  as  a  house  of  worship  by  various  denominations,  (also  used 
for  an  academy,)  4  mercantile  stores,  2  taverns,  post  office,  and  an  ex- 
tensive woolen  factory.     The  engraving  shows  the  appearance  of  the 


\V  A  R  11  I'.  N  . W  A  S  H  I  N  0  T  0  N  .  497 

village  from  the  Ilarlford  tiinipike,  looking  westward.  The  Congrega- 
tional church  stands  at  the  northern  exticniity  of  the  village,  but  owing 
to  the  limited  extent  of  the  engiaving,  it  couKl  not  be  introtluced.  The 
brick  building  used  for  a  house  of  worship  is  on  the  left,  over  which  is 
seen  the  Litchfield  turnpike,  passing  over  the  heights  westward.  The 
woolen  factory  is  the  large  building  with  a  spire.  This  factory  went 
into  operation  in  1813.  One  of  tlie  principal  owners  was  the  late  Oli- 
ver ^Vo!cott,  Esq.  formerly  governor  of  the  state:  the  village  owes  its 
rise  principally  to  this  establishment.  A  short  distance  westward  of  tho 
factory,  an  establishment  for  the  manufacture  of  brass  is  now  erecting: 
it  is  believed  to  be  the  only  one  of  the  kind  at  present  in  the  United 
States. 


W  A  R  R  E  N . 


Wahren  was  formerly  a  ])art  of  Kent.  It  was  incorporated  as  a 
town  in  1786.  It  is  bounded  n.  by  Cornwall,  e.  by  Litchdeld,  s.  by 
Washington,  and  w.  by  Kent.  Its  average  length  from  north  to  south 
is  five  miles,  and  its  average  breadth  about  four  miles  and  a  half. 
The  township  is  hilly  and  mountainous,  and  its  rocks  and  soil  are  of  a 
granitic  character.  The  agricultural  productions  are  grass  and  some 
grain.  Butter  and  cheese  are  n)ade,  and  beef  and  pork  raised  by  the 
inhabitants.  The  town  is  watered  by  the  Shepaug,  a  branch  of  the 
llousatonic.  Ramiiaug  pond,  a  considerable  body  of  water,  is  situated 
partly  in  this  town,  and  partly  in  Washington. 

The  pojiulation  of  the  town  in  ISIO  was  1,096;  inl  830  it  was  re- 
duced to  9fi().  The  central  part  of  the  town  is  S  miles  west  from 
Litchfield,  38  li'om  Hartford,  and  -15  from  iXew  Haven. 


WASHINGTON. 

Washington  was  incorporated  by  the  General  Assembly  in  1779. 
Judea,  the  first  society  in  tliis  town,  was  incorporated  by  the  General 
Assembly  in  1741  ;  before  this  period  it  was  included  in  the  ecclesias- 
tical society  of  Woodbury.  The  first  settlement  in  the  limits  of  Ju- 
dea was  made  by  Joseph  Hnrlburt,  about  the  year  173'1.  "  The  first 
sermon  preached  in  this  society  was  by  ]Mr.  Isaac  Baldwin,  of  Litch- 
field, who  afterwards  relinquished  the  ministry,  and  became  the  first 
clerk  of  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas  in  the  county  of  Litchfield. 
All  the  inhabitants  attended  on  this  occasion,  and  were  accommodated 
in  a  small  room  in  IMr.  Ilurlburt's  dwelling  house. 

The  Rev.  Reuben  Judd,  the  first  minister  settled  in  this  society,  was 
ordained  Sept.  1st,  1742.  The  ordination  was  attended  in  a  grove, 
and  the  first  church  was  formed,  consisting  of  12  male  members,  on  the 
same  day.  The  same  year,  the  first  church  was  built,  by  eight  propri- 
etors. The  second  church  w"as  raised  in  1751.  In  July,  1800,  tiiis 
church  was  set  on  fire  by  an  insane  man,  named  David  Titus ;  but  by 

63 


49S  WASHINGTON. 

a  seasonable  tliscoveiy  and  the  exeitions  of  tbe  people,  the  flames  were 
extinguished  williin  an  hour.  In  April,  1801 ,  the  same  building  was 
again  set  on  fire  by  llie  same  man,  it  being  unknown  till  tiiis  time  thai 
he  did  the  mischief  before.  The  fire  was  put  in  the  steeple  about 
midnight,  and  had  made  such  prcjgress  before  it  was  discovered,,  that 
no  exertions  were  made  to  extinguish  it.  Tlie  people  were  scarcely 
al)le  to  preserve  the  neighboring  buildings  from  destruction.  As  no 
alarm  could  be  given  by  the  bell,  many  of  the  inhabitants,  and  some 
within  half  a  mile,  were  ignorant  of  the  disaster  till  the  next  morning. 

Washington  is  about  10  miles  fiom  Litchfield,  and  is  40  miles  s.  w. 
from  Hartford,  bounded  n.  by  Warren,  w.  by  New  Milford  and  Kent, 
j:.  by  Litchfield  and  Bethlem,  and  s.  by  Woodbury  and  Roxbury.  Its 
average  length  from  north  to  south  is  about  7  miles,  and  its  breadth 
more  than  5.  A  large  part  of  this  town  is  elevated  and  mountainous. 
Limestone  abounds  in  n)any  of  the  \alleys.  Several  quarries  of  mar- 
ble have  been  worked,  fiom  which  considerable  (juantiiies  have  been 
raised.  Iron  ore  has  been  found  in  various  places.  Ochre,  fuller's 
earth,  and  white  clay,  have  also  been  found.  'J'lie  town  is  watered  by 
the  Shejjaug  river,  a  brancli  of  tin,'  llousatonic,  which  passes  ihrougb 
the  whole  length  of  the  town,  di\iding  it  into  two  nearlv  equal  parts. 
The  town  is  divided  into  two  socictirs,  .liidLa  ;mii  i\ew  Preston.  There 
is  in  Judea,  or  Washington,  as  it  is  called,  about  two  miles  southeast 
of  the  center,  a  place  called  "  Steep  Jlock."  From  the  top  of  this 
eminence,  which  is  easy  of  access,  the  beholder  has  one  of  the  most 
iiiter(.'sting  and  beautiful  prospects  in  the  state.  The  scene  presents 
an  area,  in  the  form  of  an  amphitheater,  the  sides  of  which  are  covered 
with  a  dense  forest.  The  Slie[)aug  river  is  seen  flowing  in  a  beautiful 
circle  at  the  base  of  the  blull'.  AVitbin  the  circle  of  the  river,  there 
are  several  cultivated  fields,  alFording  a  beau'iful  landsca])e  to  the  be- 
holder. 

'I'liis  iiiuii  luis  lii-i'ii  ill.'  llu'aUT  o['  I  uc  .if  il;o  iiicisi  iiiiici.ius  niiuil.-is  ov.t  coininil- 
U'll  ill  N.'W  iMi-laiul.  'I'ho  iniiitlrrri  uas  a  man,  or  laihci  ru'ii.i,  by  iIil- name  ol' liar- 
iicU  Diivciipoi-i.  J''roiii  Ins  own  iMiili  >>iiiii,  ii  a|i|)rai>  iliat  Ins  parentage  and  caily 
etlucauoii  WLMc  exueily  liiioil  lu  juimIih  c  I, is  uil'kiiI  lih'  and  liis  uai^icaleiid.  Uniti- 
toiLHl  and  iiniusnained  by  jiaienial  -.r, nnnuni.  he  was  left  lo  grow  up  al  random. 
In  llie  inurning  ul'lit"e,nu  uniraliiy  wa.s  inculeaied  upon  bini,  and  nosen.se  ol'ielii^ioii, 
eiilierliy  piecept  or  e.xaniple.  On  llie  i;onuary,  lie  was,  (luni  caily  years  nnpnnei- 
))led,  profane,  and  impious.  Jk'fore  he  was  nine  years  old,  lie  was"e.\pei  t  in  eiirsing 
and  swearing;,  and  an  adcpl  in  inisrhiel'.  At  It  years  he  lie.^an  lo  pilfer.  All!!  lie 
stole  money.  Al  15  he  enlerlained  ihoiights  of  murder,  :ind  rapidly  waxed  Jiaider 
and  bolder'in  wiekedness.  At  10,  he  acluallv  innrdered  a  larnily  in  cold  blood.  A.s 
a  friendless  wanderin.^'  slian;;er,  he  was  tak'en  into  tin-  house  of  Mr.  Caleb  IMalloiy, 
and  treated  with  the  ulinosl  Iciiuiiiess,  in  DtT.'niLKT,  177:».  Srareely  two  months  Iniil 
elapsed,  before  the  mnidL-r  wa.>  detLTinmed  on.  'I'he  ni-ht  of  l\-h'.  3d,  I7>S(),  was  ii.x- 
cd  onto  execute  the  lioirid  purp^^e.  Willi  a  Inait  hard  as  adamant,  he  li-hled  a 
candle,  went  inlo  ihe  lo(l'_;inL;  room  ot  his  bcnefaeiors,  and  beal  them  lu  death  wiili  a 
club.  A  little  ,<,Maiidcliild  bcin,:,'  wilh  its  giand  parents  shaied  the  same  lale,  and  two 
Ollier.s  were  left  in  a  slhiiuI  sleep  to  perish  in  ilie  Ihunes.  llavin;^'  kindled  ,i  tire  in 
three  uf  the  rooms,  he  lied,  after  robbiir.;  the  house  of  its  mosi  valuable  arlieles.  linl 
from  an  accusin-  eonscienee.  and  fioiu  ihe  hand  of  pisin  r,  \Hiieli  followed  hard 
upon  his.slep.s,  he  was  unable  lo  llee.  lie  was  lakeuauid  eAecuied  al  f.Uehlii  Id  lu  ihe 
May  ensauijj. 


r  ■     'i'  V 


\V  A  T  I::  11  T  O  W  N  . 


199 


\V  A  T  E  R  T  ()  \V  N  . 

Wateutown  was  roniicily  a  parish  in  Wateibiiry,  b}'  llic  name  of 
Westbiiry.  It  was  incorpuiated  as  a  town  in  1780.  It  is  boundeil  n. 
by  Litcblield,  e.  by  the  Naugatiic  livci',  sei)araling  it  from  Plymouth, 
w.  by  Belhlem  antl  Woodbury,  anil  s.  by  lAliddlebury  and  Wateibury. 
It  is  about  Gi  miles  in  leni^'tli,  and  4  in  bicadth.  The  township  is  gen- 
erally uneven,  or  rather  hilly  ;  but  some  sections  are  level.  The  pre- 
vailing soil  is  a  dry  gravelly  fertile  loam,  and  best  atlaptcd  to  grazing, 
but  the  different  grains  conmiou  to  this  part  of  the  country  are  culti- 
vated. Steel's  Brook,  a  sprightly  stream,  passes  through  the  central 
part  of  the  town,  and  for  u  mile  below  and  some  di-.lance  above  the 
center  of  the  town,  a  chain  of  rich  meadows,  though  small  in  extent, 
border  the  sides  of  this  stiL'am. 


i^fcrt^vE-..'^!  'A'    '■ 'r.^#f  uTnf  #^ 


Northeastern  view  of  Itafcrtown,  {central part.) 

The  above  is  a  northeastern  view  of  the  Congregational  and  Episco- 
pal churches  in  Watertown.  There  is  a  little  cluster  of  houses  a  few 
rods  south  of  the  churches,  which  are  not  seen  in  the  engraving.  It  is 
stated  that  there  was  a  very  large  quantity  of  lieavy  timber  used  in  the 
construction  of  the  Congregational  church  seen  in  the  engraving.  The 
builders  were  obliged  to  get  assistance  from  //I'C  towns,  in  order  to  raise 
it.  This  place  is  10  miles  s.  i;.  from  Fjiichfield,  oO  from  Hartford  and 
26  from  New  Haven.  The  town  was  hrst  settled  about  three  miles 
north  of  the  churches,  and  about  half  a  nule  west  of  the  Litchfield  road. 
The  first  family  or  families,  were  of  the  name  of  Guernsey  or  Gariisey, 
from  IMilford.  It  was  considered  such  an  undertaking,  at  that  ])eriod, 
that  prayers  were  put  up  for  their  safe  arrival,  he.  This  town  lias 
been  noted  for  the  size  of  its  forest  trees.  It  is  said  that  one  of  the 
first  settlers,  having  no  shelter  for  the  night,  peeled  ofl'the  bark  of  one 
of  the  trees  he  had  felled,  and  laid  clown  upon  the  inside.     In  the 


500 


W  A  T  E  R  T  0  \V  N 


morning  when  he  awoke,  he  found  the  bark  rolled  up  so  closely  that  it 
was  with  some  difficuhy  he  could  extricate  himself.  It  is  also  related, 
that  one  of  the  first  settlers,  by  the  name  of  ]3rown,  was  so  straitened 
in  his  circumstances,  that  he  sold  one  of  his  children  (a  son)  to  one  of 
his  neighbors,  for  a  barrel  of  pork,  in  order  to  obtain  something  for  the 
rest  of  his  children  to  subsist  on.  Some  of  the  most  respectable  in- 
habitants of  the  town  are  the  descendants  of  this  child.  Mr.  Trumbull, 
the  first  minister  of  the  town,  was  ordained  at  the  house  of  Deacon 
Hickox,  about  two  miles  eastward  of  the  churches.  The  widow  Judd, 
now  fl837j  living,  at  the  age  of  almost  100  years,  was  baptized  by 
Mr.  Trumbull,  a  few  days  after  his  ordination,  being  the  first  child  bap- 
tized in  the  place. 


rth  view  of  t/tt  Tiuinbnil  llu 


iiteriown. 


The  above  is  a  representation  of  the  house  where  John  Trumbull, 
Esq.  the  celebrated  author  of  M'Tingal,  was  horn.  This  house  is  now 
owned  by  Mr.  Pitcher,  and  is  about  half  a  mile  below  the  Congrega- 
tional church,  on  the  east  side  of  the  Waierbury  road.  A  large  elm  is 
seen  in  the  distance.  The  business  [)art  of  the  town  was  formerly  near 
this  spot.     The  churches  were  first  erected  near  the  burying  ground. 

Johu  Trumbull,  ihe  auiliur,  was  ilie  son  o(;\  cliTgymnn  ofihesame  nanu-,  and  born 
April  21th,  HdU.  Ho  was  an  only  sun,  and  ol'a  dolicale  andsiclJv  constilutiun.  lie 
received  llie  strictest  care  from  his  mother,  who  \v;!^  n  woman  ol  super!. n  education 
for  those  of  her  day  ;  yoiiii;^  Trumbiill  f<ave  eailv  mrinifrsiatidiis  of  liis  |.oelical  turn. 
He  was  ctlucated  at  Yale  College.  In  1771,  he  with  his  liiend  Dr.  afterwards  Tresi- 
dent  Dvs^ight,  were  chosen  tutors.  In  177;},  lie  was  admitted  tolhe  bar  in  f  Vmnecticut, 
but  soon  removed  Ins  residence  to  Hoston,  where  he  continued  his  studies  in  the  oflicc 
of  John  Adams,  afterwards  President.  Tlie  Hevolnlumary  .'-tru^'gle  wa«  then  com- 
mencing, and  Trumbull  euteied  with  waimili  into  the  controversy.  He  relumed  to' 
Conneetieul,  and  be.tran  praclice  at  ilie  bar  in  New  Haven,  in  1771.  In  1775,  he 
wrote  the  first  part  of  his  M'Fiiiiral,  which  was  immeaiaiely  publislied  at  Philadel- 
phia, where  Congress  wa.s  then  silling.  He  removed  to  Hartford  in  17H1,  wheie  he 
hxed  his  residence.  The  poem  M'Fingal  was  completed  and  published  in  Hartford, 
in  1782.  In  1801,  he  was  appointed  judge  of  thesuperior  eoiut  nf  Cuiinecticut,  which 
o/Fice  he  held  till  1819.  In  18i25,  he  removed  to  Detroit,  to  leside  with  his  daughter, 
wliere  he  dLed  in  18:J1. 

''  iVl'Fingal  is  a  burlesque  poem,  directed  against  the  enemies  of  American  liberty, 
and  holding  lip  to  particular  scorn  and  contempt,  the  tone-,  and  the  British  odicers, 
naval,  military,  and  civil,  in  America.     It  is  a  merciless  satire  thiuughotit :  Avhatever 


\V  1  N  C  U  K  S  T  E  n.  601 

it  touches,  it  transforms;  kings,  ministers,  lords,  Lisliops,  generals,  judges,  admirals, 
all  take  their  turn,  and  become  in  llie  liglit  or  associations  in  which  they  are  exliibiled, 
allerlately  the  objects  ul'our  merriment,  hatred,  ui  scorn.  So  wedded  is  the  author  to 
his  vein  of  satire,  that  even  M'Fmga),  the  Iriend  of  iingiand,  and  the  champion  of  the 
tories,  is  made  llie  undisguised  scolfer  of  both  them  and  their  cause.  The  ttorv  of 
M'Fingal  is  this:  tlie  liero,  a  Scotcliman  anti  justice  of  tlie  peace  m  a  town  near  Ijos- 
ton,  and  who  had  two  gifli  by  virtue  of  his  birth,  '•  rebellion  and  the  second  sight," 
goes  to  a  town  meeting,  where  he  and  one  Ilonorius  make  speeches  at  each  other 
through  two  whole  cautus.  At  the  end  of  the  second  canto,  the  town  meeting  breaks 
up  tuinultuously;  and  the  people  gather  round  a  liberty  pule,  erected  by  the  mob. 
Here  M'l-'ingal  makes  a  virulent  speech  of  near  two  hundred  lines,  at  the  end  of 
which  lie  is  pursued,  and  brought  back  to  the  liberty  pole,  where  the  constable  is 
swung  aloll,  and  M'i-'ingal  tarred  and  feathered.  iM'L'ingal  is  set  at  liberty  ;  he  goes 
liome,  and  at  night  makes  a  bjieech  to  some  of  .his  toiy  liicnds  in  his  cellar,  extending 
through  the  rest  of  the  poem,  leaving  only  room  t(j  icll  that  the  mob  bioke  olf  his  ad- 
dress in  the  middle  by  assaulting  the  house,  and  ftlTingal  escaped  to  Boston.  These 
are  all  the  incidents,  and  this  the  whole  story  of  a  poem  of  foui  cantos,  and  consisting 
of  some  thousands  of  lines."* 

The  following  inscriptioti  is  copitBtl  front  a  iiiominient  in  the  yard  a 
little  distance  north  of  the  TriinihuU  hotise. 

Sacred  to  the  memory  of  the  Rev.  John  Trumbidi,  A.  M.  Senior  Pastor  of  the 
church  o(  Christ  in  Wcstbury;  and  one  of  the  l-'cllows  uf  the  corporation  of  Yale 
College,  who  died  Deer.  i:ith,  ITfcl?,  in  the  seventy  thud  year  of  his  age,  and  the  Ibrty 
eighth  of  his  ministry.  If  distinguished  learning,  imlusliy  and  abilities;  the  most  uii- 
alfected  piety  ol  heait;  the  lirmesi  atlachiucni  to  the  doctrines  of  the  gospel ;  the  most 
unblemished  moral  character;  a  studious  attention  and  friendship  to  the  people  of  his 
cliarge;  the  most  cheerful  hos|iiialily  to  his  liiends;  and  ardent  charily  to  the  poor; 
which  rendered  him  respectable  in  lile,  and  in  a  firm  reliance  on  the  merits  of  the  Re- 
deemer, raise(l  his  niin(l  above  the  fear  uf  Death;  can  render  the  memory  of  the  de- 
ceased dear  to  the  siiivivors,  and  ail'oid  a  wi)iiii\- c.v:iin|ile  to  posterity;  Go  reader  ami 
imitate  his  virtues!   Kcliuld  the  u])nght  man  I  His  end  is  Peace. 


WINCHESTER. 

This  township  was  laid  out  into  distinct  lots  in  1758.  It  helonged 
to  patentees  in  Hartford,  was  incorporated  as  a  town  in  1771,  and  the 
yeivr  alter  the  Kev.  Joshini  Knapp  was  oniained  the  fust  tninister. 
Wnichester  is  bounded  n.  by  Colebrook,  w,  by  JNorfolk  and  (Joshen, 
E.  by  Barkhainsted,  aiul  s.  by  Torritigton.  It  is  G  miles  in  length,  antl 
more  than  5  in  breadth.  "The  townshij)  is  situated  in  the  evergreen 
district  of  the  state,"  and  is  hilly  and  mountainous.  Its  geological  char- 
acter is  primitive,  the  rocks  and  stones  consisting  of  granite,  mica  slate, 
and  other  primitive  formations ;  the  soil  is  a  hard,  coarse,  gravelly  loam. 
The  lands  adbrd  very  good  grazing,  and  the  making  of  butter  and  clieese 
constitutes  the  principal  agricultural  interest  in  the  town.  There  are  4 
houses  of  worship,  r.i  Congregational,  1  JMethodist,  and  1  Universalist. 

The  borough  of  Clifton,  (formerly  >Vinsted,  West  village,)  in  the 
town  of  Winchester,  was  incorporated  in  1832.  It  is  a  nourishing  vil- 
lage, consisting  of  about  (JO  or  70  dwelling  houses,  and  4  mercantile 
stores.  The  village  is  principally  built  in  a  narrow  valley,  on  the  banks 
of  a  mill  stream,  called  Wad  river,  which  is  a  tributary  of  Farmington 
river.  The  valley  at  this  i)Iace  is  but  barely  of  sufficient  width  to  ad- 
mit of  a  street,  with  buildings  on  each  side,   the  ground  rising  itninedi- 

♦  ivettell's  Specimens  of  American  Puetry,  vtd.  1. 


502 


Wl  N  C  n  E  3  T  K  K, 


'.::^iU''' 


f^^^m''^A^^i:0^] 


Surl/i  citw  of  (.'lij'tun,  li'inchc-ttr. 

ately  on  every  direction.  \Vest\\ar(I  of  the  luiiiii  :^tl•eet  in  tiie  village, 
a  road  i)asses  up  a  stet'p  hill  for  nearly  a  quarter  of  a  mile,  where,  upon 
an  elevated  plain,  is  an  interesting  lake  or  pond,  which  is  one  of  the 
largest  bodies  of  water  in  tlie  state,  being  3^  miles  in  length  and  three 
fouilhs  of  a  mile  in  breadth.  The  outlet  of  this  lake  presents  a  novel 
scene  ;  it  consists  of  a  small  stream,  comi)ressed  within  a  narrow  clian- 
nel,  and  literally  tossed  from  rock  to  I'ock  till  it  unites  with  Mad  river. 
IMost  of  the  manufacturing  establishments  in  the  village  are  situated  on 
this  outlet,  upon  which  there  are  some  of  the  best  natural  sites  for  hy- 
draulic works  in  the  slate.  In  this  village  are  four  large  sythe  facto- 
ries, 1  machine  shop,  and  5  forges.  The  ore  to  supply  these  forges  is 
brought  from  Canaan,  kmit,  and  SalisUiu'y.  There  are  two  churches 
in  the  village;  1  for  iMethodist.s  ami  I  for  Univer.salists.  Tlie  IMetho- 
dist  church  is  the  buikling  seen  in  the  central  ])art  of  tlie  engraving,  with 
a  spire.  The  Congregational  church,  in  the  ceiural  part  of  the  town, 
is  situated  about  4  miles  southwest  of  the  village. 

The  following  shows  the  appearance  of  Winsted,  (or  the  East  village,) 
as  seen  from  a  sandy  bluir,  directly  south  of  the  village.  In  this  place 
is  an  extensive  clock  factory,  1  axe  factory,  owned  by  an  incorporated 
company,  and  one  large  woolen  factor)-,  and  an  iron  Ibundery.  The 
Congregational  church  is  seen  in  the  centra!  part  of  the  engraving,  dis- 
tant from  the  iMethodist  church  in  Clifton  aboul  three  fourths  of  a  mile. 
The  clock  ami  axe  factoi'ies  are  situated  north  of  the  church,  in  that 
part  of  the  village  called  JVIiitutgvillc ;  the  clock  factory  is  just  seen 
in  the  distance,  near  tlu;  church;  the  post  office  is  in  this  village.  "Win- 
sted is  20  miles  from  ilartfbrd,  d9  froui  New  Haven,  17  from  Litch- 
field, 9  from  AVolcottville,  and  G  from  IJitclicocksville. 

Winchester  (as  has  been  stated)  lies  within  the  "evergreen  district," 
so  named  from  the  forests  of  hemlock  and  other  everirrecn  trees  with 


\V  O  U  ])  B  U  11  V 


503 


^^»^ 


StSS£ac£SaKnu 


South  view  of  ft'instcd,  (Vinchcsttr. 

which  it  abounds.  Thesti  "  Green  Woods"  present  one  of  the  most 
impressive  scenes  which  can  be  found  in  an  American  forest.  The 
branches  of  the  trees  are  thickly  covered  with  a  deep  green  foliage, 
closely  interwoven  over  head,  nearly  excluding  the  light  of  the  sun. 
The  scene  forcibly  reminds  the  contemplative  traveler  of  the  words  of 
Thomson,  in  liis  celebrated  hynjii : 

"Oh,  talk  of  IJiui  in  sulilary  ^-loonis! 
AVliere,  o'er  tlic  Juclc  the  scarcely  waving'  pine 
Fills  llie  brown  shade  with  a  rLli''iou.'i  au  u." 


AVOODniMlY, 


"TiiK  Legislature,  in  1(J72,  granted  liberty  to  I\lr.  Sherman,  IMr. 
Win.  Curtiss,  and  their  associates,  to  make  a  jilantation  at  Pomperaug. 
Such  a  number  of  sclllements  had  been  made  there  in  about  two  years, 
that  the  AsstMubly  in  May,  1G7J,  enacted  that  it  should  be  a  town  by 
the  name  of  AVoodbury." 

The  tradition  is,  that  the  first  settlers  were  sent  here  by  Governor 
Wintiirop  ;  they  were  directed  to  follow  the  Pomperaug  river  up  eight 
miles  from  its  junction  with  the  Jlousalonic,  in  order  to  find  the  place 
designed  for  their  settlement.  When  they  came  to  the  Pomperaug, 
the  stream  appearing  so  small,  they  cuncluded  they  were  mistaken  in 
the  river,  and  accordingly  they  proceeded  on  to  the  Shepaug,  which 
they  followed  up  the  distance  of  eight  miles  to  Roxbury  valley.  This 
place  not  answering  tlie  description  given  of  Pomperaug,  they  crossed 
over  the  wilderness  eastward  to  Woodbury  valley,  which  they  found 
was  the  object  of  their  pursuit.  The  first  house  in  the  town  is  said  to 
have  been  built  about  20  rods  west  of  the  South  Congregational  church. 
The  settlers  by  the  name  of  Judson  set  themselves  down  in  what  is 


504  \v  o  o  D  13  u  11  y . 

now  called  Judson  Lane;  the  Shermans  settled  about  one  mile  south- 
east of  tiie  Episcopal  cliurch,  now  called  Middle  quarter;  the  Marlins 
located  themselves  about  three  fourths  of  a  mile  northerly  ;  the  JNIiners 
placed  themselves  on  tlie  west  side  of  the  Pomperaug.  The  Rev. 
Zachariah  Walker*  was  the  first  minister  in  the  place.  He  was  also 
the  first  minister  at  Jamaica,  in  Lonu;  Island.  He  probably  came  from 
England  before  he  was  ordained,  and  it  is  supposed  he  preached  at  Ja- 
maica as  a  licentiate.  It  is  believed  that  he  removed  to  Stratford  in 
1068,  and  from  thence  to  Woodbury .f 

Woodbury  is  bounded  n.  by  Ijethlcm,  e.  by  Watertown  and  Mid- 
dlebury,  w.  by  Roxbury,  and  s.  by  Southbury.  It  is  about  7  miles 
long  from  north  to  soutli,  and  averages  nearly  six  miles  in  breadth.  The 
soil  is  generally  warm  and  fertile.  The  central  part  of  tlje  town  con- 
sists of  a  village  of  75  or  SO  houses,  and  is  pleasantly  situated  in  a  level 
valley,  near  the  confluence  of  a  number  of  small  streams,  which  form 
the  Pomperaug.  It  is  surrounded  by  high  hills  on  every  side,  forming 
a  kind  of  amphitheater.  The  hill  lying  immcdiaiuly  east  from  the  main 
street  is  of  considerable  elevation,  and  on  its  southern  descent,  fronting 
the  west,  the  rocks  descend  perpendicularly,  presenting  a  front  similar 
to  those  of  the  East  and  West  Rocks,  near  New  Haven,  though  upon 
a  much  smaller  scale.  This  is  true  to  some  extent  on  the  eastern  side 
of  this  range  of  rocks.  They  form  a  very  striking  feature  in  the  land- 
scape, as  you  enter  the  village.  There  arc  4  houses  of  worship  in  the 
village,  2  Congregational,  1  Episcopal,  and  1  Methodist.  Woodbury 
is  25  miles  from  Now  Haven,  3()  from  liartford,  15  south  from  Litch- 
field, and  21  from  Hanbiu'y.  'J'here  are  in  the  town  at  present,  1  tin 
ware,  2  nail,  and  3  satinet  factories. 

The  following  is  a  representation  of  what  is  called  Bethel  Rock,  be- 
ing it  is  said  a  place  resorted  to  for  religious  meditation  and  prayer.  It 
seems  to  have  been  brought  into  notice  by  the  "  Legend  of  Bethel 
Rock,"  published  in  the  1st  vol.  of  the  "Legendary,"  printed  in  Bos- 
ton in  lS-28.  This  place  is  on  the  eastern  side  of  the  ledge  of  rocks 
])arallel  with  the  main  road,  as  you  enter  the  village  from  the  south. 
It  is  situated  about  half  a  mile  eastward  from  the  Episcopal  church. 
This  rock  (or  rocks)  is  perhaps  30  or  40  feet  in  height,  projecting  over 
eastward  three  or  four  feet,  and  aftbrding  a  kind  of  shelter.  About  80 
rods  southeast  of  this  place,  a  few  rods  eastward  of  a  road,  a  monument 
stands  alone,  a  representation  of  which  is  given  on  the  opposite  page. 


*  Wood's  History  of  Lon^  Island. 

t  Tlie  Iblluwing:  tradition  is  preserved  respectin;?  the  occasion  of  Mr.  Walker's 
coming  to  Woodbury.  At  tlie  period  of  the  lir.-,t  settlement  of  Woodbury,  there  were 
two  licentiates  preaching  in  Stratford,  Mr.  Walker  and  Mr.  Heed.  As  there  vvas 
some  conlrover.sy  wlio  should  leave  and  go  with  the  Woodbury  settlers,  the  two  licen- 
tiates were  requested  to  deliver  a  discourse  on  the  day  when  it  was  lo  be  deciiled,  Mr. 
Walker  in  the  lorenoon,  and  Mr.  Reed  in  the  afternoon.  Mr.  Walker  took  fur  his 
text,  "  What  went  ye  out  into  the  wildeiness  for  to  see  a  reed  shaken  with  the  wind'!" 
He  enlarged  upon  the  circumstance  and  propriety  of  a  reed  being  found  in  the  wil- 
derness, &c.  Mr.  Reed  in  the  altenuxju  tdok  for  his  te.xt,  "  Your  adversary  the  devil 
walketh  about,"  &c.  In  the  course  of  his  observations,  he  staled  that  the  great  adver- 
sary of  men  was  a  great  %vaU:er,  and  instead  of  remaining  with  the  brethren,  ought  to 
be  kept  walking  at  a  distance  from  them. 


^\'  ()  0  D  r,  r  u  V 


o03 


^l»-x^^ 


>V%^4 


Southtast  view  of  Ucihcl  Jlock,  fl  oodbunj. 


Grave  of  Ins/ier  Jlartshoni,    l\'oo(Mjunj. 

The  followini;  is  the  inscription — "  This  moniimenl  is  erected  hy  th(> 
Society  of  Hatters,  to  tlie  memory  of  their  broliier,  Fisher  Jlttris/iani, 
a  native  of  Charlestown,  Mass.  who  fell  a  victim  to  the  small  pox,  and 
was  burled  in  tliis  jilace,  Feb.  18:<J5,  a^^ed  21  years. 
In  this  relired  ami  lonely  giave, 

Tlie  struni,'cr  is  ai  ro-;i ; 
flis  spirit  Rone  to  him  who  irave, 
To  dwell  ainony  the  blcsi.' 

This  young  man  came  from  New  York.  He  had  been  in  Woodbury 
but  two  or  three  days,  when  lie  broke  out  with  the  small  pox.  He  was 
removed  to  an  old  house,  formerly  standin<^  near  the  monimient,  where 
he  died.  The  civil  authority  of  the  town,  fearing  that  the  contagion 
might  spread,  refused  to  liave  the  body  bm-ied  in  the  common  binding 
ground,  although  his  brethren,  the  hatters,  olTered  to  do  it  at  midnii^dit. 
With  a  spirit  honorable  to  themselves,  and  to  ihe  body  of  w Jjich  they 
were  members,  the  hatters  buried  the  body  of  their  brother,  and  raised 
a  monument  ic  '  is  memory.' 

6\ 


506 


MIDDLESEX    COUNTY. 

BIiDDLKSEx  County  Is  bounded  n.  by  Hartford  county,  e.  by  Hart- 
ford and  New  London  counties,  s.  by  Long  Island  sound,  and  w,  by 
New  Haven  county.  Its  mean  length  from  north  to  south  is  about  !25 
miles,  and  its  breadth  nearly  14  miles.  The  general  surface  of  the 
county  is  uneven.  The  soil,  adjacent  to  the  Connecticut  river,  and 
much  of  the  upland,  is  generally  good.  The  county,  being  intersected 
by  Connecticut  river,  possesses  important  commercial  and  other  advan- 
tages. Much  ship  building  is  carried  on,  and  formerly  the  foreign  trade 
was  quite  extensive  ;  the  coasting  trade  is  still  very  great.  Manufac- 
tures arc  flourishing,  particularly  in  and  near  Middletown.  Great  quan- 
tities of  free  stone  are  quarried  at  Chatham ;  also  considerable  quantities 
of  granite  at  Haddam.  This  business  employs  a  considerable  nundier 
of  vessels  to  transport  the  stone  to  various  places  in  the  Union.  The 
shad  fishery  in  Connuciicut  river,  is  an  in)[)ortant  branch  of  business. 
Considerable  (|fianlities  of  wood  have  been  exported  from  this  county 
to  the  New  York  market. 

This  county  was  incorporated  in  17S5,  previous  to  which  it  belonged 
to  the  counties  of  Hartford,  New  London  and  New  Haven  ;  principally 
to  Hartford. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  several  towns  in  the  county,  with  their 
population  in  1830. 


IMiddletown,  .  6,892 
Haddam,  .  .  3,025 
Chatham,.     .   3,646 


Chester,     .     .    

Durham,    .     .    LI  16 
East  Haddam,    2,664 


Killlngworth,  .  2,484 
Saybrook,  .     .  5,018 


Population  of  the  county  in  1620,  22,405;  in  1830,  24,845. 


MIDDLETOWN. 


In  March,  1650,  a  connnittee  was  appointed  to  explore  the  lands  in 
Mattabesctt,  the  Indian  name  for  Middletown.  This  committee  re- 
])orted  that  subsistence  niight  be  obtained  in  them  for  fifteen  families. 
In  the  course  of  the  year  a  settlement  commenced  near  the  Connecti- 
cut, north  and  south  of  the  Little  river.  A  larger  number  of  families 
than  the  committee  contemplated  was  soon  in  the  town,  who  were  in- 
vested with  town  ])rivileges  in  September  of  the  succeeding  year.  In 
November,  1653,  the  place  was  called  Middletown.  In  1654,  there 
were  probably  about  thirty  families;  in  1670,  the  number  of  families 
was  fifty  two.  The  principal  planters  were  from  England,  Hartford, 
and  Welhersfield.  The  greatest  number  was  from  Hartford.  There 
was  a  considerable  accession  from  Rowley,  Chelmsford,  and  Woburn, 
in  Massachusetts. 

The  township  embraces  four  divisions,  viz.  Middletown,  North  soci- 
ety or  Upper  Middletown,  Middlefield  and  Westfield  parishes,  the  last 
three  of  which  appear  to  have  derived  their  names  from  their  relation 


M  I  Y)  1)  L  E  T  O  W  N 


507 


Vo  the  first.  The  settlement  in  the  parish  of  Middlefield  began  about 
the  year  1710:  the  earhest  settlers  there  were  Samuel  Allen,  Benja- 
min Miller,  and  Samuel  Wetmore,  who  removed  from  the  first  society. 
Tlie  first  white  inhabitant  of  Westfield  was  Edward  Higby,  a  native  of 
T^ong  Island,  who  settled  about  1712,  at  the  foot  of  that  blufl",  whleh 
from  him  Is  called  Higby  mountain. 

"  A  portion  of  the  lands  in  Midilletown  were  j^iven  by  Sowheag,  the  great  sacliem 
of  Mattabesett,  tu  John  Haynes,  for  some  time  governor  of  Connecticut,  probably  be- 
fore any  settlement  was  made  in  the  town.  On  tlic  '_Mlh  of  January,  lOtJvi,  Se[Hninemo 
and  oilier  chiefs,  knowing  tlie  gift  of  .St.wheag  to  Mr.  Ilavnes,  sold  lo  Samuel  WvUis 
and  otiiers,  doubtless  as  agents  of  the  colony  or  tmvn,  all  the  remaining  lands  in  ISlid- 
dlctown,  including  Chatham,  extending  six  miles  east  ol'the  river,  and  as  far  west  as 
the  Court  had  granted  the  bounds  ol'  tlie  town;  excepting  300  acres,  whicli  they  re- 
served for  the  heirs  of  Sowheag  and  Mattabescll  Indians,  to  be  laid  out  east  of  the 
river;  and  a  tract  on  the  west  side,  previously  laid  out  for  Sawscan,  to  remain  for  his 
heirs  for  ever."  A  reservation  also  appears  to  have  been  in  the  neighborhood,  now 
called  Newlield,  where  ihe  Indians  held  lands  as  late  as  1713. 

Sowheag  was  a  powerful  sachem.  Ilis  Ion  or  castle  was  on  the  high  ground  in  the 
west  part  of  the  city  of  Middletown,  still  called,  from  this  circumstance,  Indian  hill, 
about  three  fonrlhs  of  a  mile  northwest  of  the  court  house,  where  he  was  able,  by 
means  of  his  whistle,  to  call  around  him  many  warriors,  it  is  said  to  the  number  of 
500,  whose  wigwams  were  thick  on  both  sides  of  the  Connecticut  eastward.  His  do- 
minion extended  not  only  over  these  and  other  Indians  in  Middletown  and  Chatham, 
but  over  the  Piqiiag  oi  Wethersfield  Indians,  whose  sagamore,  Sequin,  was  subject  to 
him  ;  and  as  a  part  of  the  original  township  of  New  Haven  was  purchased  of  Mon- 
towese,  Sowheag's  son,  it  is  probable  that  his  dominion  embraced  some  of  the  Indians 
m  that  town. ' 

Although  Sowheag  gave  lands  lo  Gov.  Haynes,  he  may  be  considered  as  a  base  and 
treacherous  man.  In  April,  IG37,  .some  of  his  Indians  aided  the  Pequols  in  iheir  in- 
cursion into  that  town,  when  they  surjiiiscd  and  killeil  six  men.  Sowheag  ent.itained 
the  murderers,  and  treated  the  people  of  Wethersfield  in  a  haughty  and  insulting  man- 
ner. It  seems,  liowever,  that  the  people  of  AVelhersfield  had  previously  offered  him 
some  provocation.  On  hearing  of  their  dillereiices,  the  General  (anirt  were  disposed 
to  forgive  him,  and  ajipointed  a  committee  to  compromise  all  dilfcrences  with  him. 
Hut  he  totally  refused  to  give  np  the  murderers,  and  continued  his  outrages  against 
the  English.  The  Court  of  Connecticut,  therefore,  in  August,  1039,  detemuued  to 
send  one  hundred  men  to  Mattabesett,  and  take  the  delinquents  by  force.  They  noti- 
fied their  friends  at  New  Haven  of  their  determination,  both  that  they  might  receive 
their  approbation  in  an  enterprise  of  such  general  concern,  and  that  they  inight  make 
the  necessary  arrangements  lor  defending  their  own  plaiiiations.  Gov.  Kaion  and  his 
<-ouncil  viewed  it  important  that  the  ;iiurdereis  should  be  brought  to  justice,  but  in 
existing  circumstances,  deemed  the  measure  proposed  for  doing  it  inexjicdieni,  and 
dissuaded  the  Connecticut  colony  I'rom  hostile  measures.  f, 


The  following  list  is  from  the  ancient  records  of  the  town  of  Middletown.  It  i: 
entitled,  "The  names  of  the  proprietors  of  MidiUelown,  with  their  estates,  lakei 
March  2i,'d,  1070."     The  amount  of  their  estates  is  omitted. 


Mr.  Nathaniel  Collins, 
Andrew  Warner, 
Thomas  Allen, 
George  finbard, 
Thomas  Wetmore, 
John  Hall,  sen, 
William  Cornwell,  sen. 
John  Cornell, 
Samuel  Cornell, 
Isaac  Lane, 
William  Lucus, 
John  Ward, 
Mr.  Hamlin, 
Daniell  Harris, 
Edward  Turner, 
William  Cornel,  jun. 
Alexander  Bow, 


William  Han  is, 
Thomas  Miller, 
Thomas  Slow, 
James  Tappin, 
William  Ward, 
William  f'heney, 
Richard  Hall, 
Henery  Coall, 
Mr.  Samuel  Stow, 
Obadiah  Allen, 
Jasper  Clcminents, 
Robert  Warner, 
Nalhaniel  Bacon, 
Anthony  Martin, 
r3avid  Sage, 
William  Bigs, 
Isaac  Johnson, 


Samuel  Egleston, 
Samuel  Collins, 
Joseph  llubard, 
John  Stow, 
John  Hall,  jun. 
Ensign  White, 
Samuel  Stc^cking, 
Thomas  Ranny, 
John  Warner, 
John  Wilcox, 
John  Huilbiit, 
Samuel  Hall, 
John  Savage, 
Thomas  Hubbard, 
John  Kirby, 
George  Diirant, 
Edward  Foster. 


v^ 


i03 


M  I  P  D  I-  K  T  OWN. 


I'LAN  OK  .-MAIN  ri'lia:i;r,   MlOm.I/l'OWN,  i^IIOWINC;  TIIK  ItUILDlM;S  AND  OrcUI'ANTH 
IKDM   AUOUT  17;U  TU   177j. 

(Hy  Ju.'^ui'ii  ItAracATT,  M.  I).,  MiilJUiuwii,  Sept.  1S3C.) 

Raster  WcUiicar,  7'«rfc/-;i.-.^:to     q Basselt,  h'lirtner. 

KuAU  TO  IIahti-ord. 


Juliii  Huidii,  Fanner  aiiJ  Conslalilc 

lluiiLUiiMucUirilii-e,  Ilarier 
Capt.  (Viltoii,  .SV,/y;  MciHttr 


Alexaiiil.T  Ki.-lh,  Ui^i-c  .V,//.(.r.-E 


PhiUp  Mori, I, 
Cal.l.  (;|ras,)l 


!  HiipfwaU.-: 
',ue  Utaltr. 


r/f*  utxiul  ti'.if  i-arner 
\V  AS  II  I  N  l.TO> 

•Cul    J.,h./.  Ilaiuliii 


■,/(/(u  iinil  M'.ir/iu 


CO  iiiri' 

Kichaid  Hall,  Shij,  Mu^ltr.'. 

J.Ioliii  Slockcn,  Jiuii  ir^rAi.. 

Juscpli  Kiiiil,  S'ilversinilh.- 

PARSON  A  ok" 

Ely,  Tanner  and  S/we  MuUtr'. 


<;.lol,uWunl..g 

iiaiiMlVini.i,  r,inri,. 

[Cal.lil-ull,'.-,... 
tliy  U»iinluKm,  ./,.i,uy.... 

/at-  I'aiUlo.U  Joiner 

Klislia  OlaiK,  ■J'ruiltr.   - 


•  Mniiiiiiir,  Hope  Maker. 
\l-oiuc  ,./.',ii/lun  irood  trets. 

siiilnnl  Tl ipscjii,  iVi/p  MuvitT 

^iiiiiKl  liiill,  ,17f;-i7iaji/. 


O  ■•  NV.iitl'lii.ii,  ./,./,/(/•. 

■  —  U.v.ale.'l  I'i-U,  7'oi/w/  ClerkAy 

■  -(-'aiii.  Waril,  .s/ii>  .1/ui/t;. 

s  I'  11  !■:  r.  T. 

■  ^.la.Ml.S.  h,,r,  .l/,;i7/<i;!r 
ia--.lauusr,„uuall,  FuimfV. 

B  -•(.',.■,. rsi'  l'liilli|i.s,  Merchant. 
«....{. a(,s  il:,ll,  -SViu-  .U(,W(7-. 
BI.-.-Ci.l.  Miillln  wTalcuU,  .^terthant\  hWrmer 

B  •  Saiiuiel  Julmson,  S/me  Maker. 
Ot—^'J'ii/ivlli;/  [iigeloxo's  Tavern." 

BJ"N''pl'  Soulliinayd,  Fanner. 
B^Kichanl  AlsMj.,  Merthunliy.S.'uu  Owner. 

S'lKlOKl". 

BB-Cupl.  Duuii,  iyhip  Master. 

^--Ailiiui  I'diiioidy,  Tanner. 
B..  Ill,  Walk.r,  .S7.,r.  Dfuler. 

■    .-William  S,.ull,iua)  a,  SuJdUr 
M.-i-s,  Iln 


liiiAD  TO  Xi:w  IIavkn.         Jfe 


t.'lai-k,  AiJul/ucuTi/.     *. 


'Upisccpal  Churc/i. 


The  township  of  IMicMletown  is  bounded  north  by  Wcthersfield,  \y<?st 
by  ]>crHn  and  iMeridcn,  east  by  Connecticut  river,  separating  it  from 
Cliathani,  and  south  by  lladdain  and  Durham.  Its  length  from  north 
to  south  is  about  nine  miles,  and  it  varies  in  breadth  from  four  to  ten 
miles.  The  surdice  of  the  town  is  strikingly  diversified,  having  the 
VVallingford  range  of  the  greenstone  mountains  on  the  west,  and  the 
Strait  hills  in  the  southeastern  section  of  the  town.     The  base  and 


'  First  iiiavor  o(  tin'  city,  17S1.  t  Itiiilt  by  II  Bruwn,  a  hattt  r.  4  lluilt  by  Oiks  Hall. 

^  Built  in  1078;  iillerwaula  occupiocl  by  Wcnsliy  Uubby,  the  lirst  po.st  master  in  tlie  town  :  thu-  post 
olllce  was  Uepl  wlioiu  lie  resideil. 

,  :\Ir.  Fuller  was  a  sclioiiliuaster,  minister,  coiistable,  storekeeper,  iiuJ  kept  tavern  about  6  months. 

r   rhe  olllce  of  town  clei  U  of  MiJaietown  lu:.  beeu  in  this  family  1  M  yeais 

■■  Oeii.  Washinnlon  put  up  at  tins  tavern. 

'I'lie  letter  u,  at  the  lii-ad  uf  .Main  street,  sliow.'j  the  sput,  or  very  iieur  it,  w  here  the  fust  meeting  house 
w.is  ereel-d.     0,  town  house. 


M  I  D  D  r.  r  T  0  \V  N  , 


r>09 


loose  stones  of  tlie  Strait  hills  are  granite,  which  is  the  prevalent  stone 
found  southward  through  the  county.  In  the  Upper  Houses,  north  of 
the  city,  is  Prospect  hill,  so  named  from  the  fine  view  of  the  surround- 
ing country,  particularly  of  the  windings  of  Connecticut  river,  of  the 
city  of  IMiddletown,  Chatham,  he.  Just  below  the  city,  the  Connec- 
ticut turns  to  the  eastward.  Two  miles  and  a  half  below  Middletowii 
city,  the  river  being  compressed  to  35  rods,  passes  wiili  considerable 
lorce  between  the  high  and  cragged  fronts  of  the  Strait  hills.  Besides 
the  Connecticut,  the  township  is  watered  by  two  small  streams,  called 
West  and  Little  rivers.  The  former  passes  through  Durham,  and  unites 
with  the  latter  about  two  miles  from  the  Connecticut,  into  which  the 
waters  of  these  united  streams  are  discharged,  between  the  city  and  the 
Upper  Mouses.  The  soil  in  this  township  is  favorable  both  for  grain 
and  grazing,  is  well  adapted  for  fruit,  and  is  generally  rich  and  fertile. 


FubUc  Buildings  in  the  central  part  of  Mkldletoivn. 


Middletown  City  was  incorporated  in  17S4.  It  is  a  port  of  entry, 
and  the  chief  town  of  Middlesex  County.  Jt  is  pleasantly  situated,  in 
Lat.  41°  35'  N.  and  Lon.  4°  15'  e.  of  Washington,  on  the  west  bank 
of  Connecticut  river,  31  miles  above  its  mouth,  15  miles  south  of  Hart- 
ford, and  24  miles  n.  k.  of  J\ew  Haven.  The  population  of  the  city  in 
1830  was  2,9G5;  including  the  town,  (3,892.  The  site  of  the  city  is 
principally  a  gentle  declivity,  having  a  gradual  ascent  back  from  the 
river.  It  is  built  mostly  upon  eight  streets;  Main  street,  which  is  the 
principal  one,  runs  north  and  south,  and  is  about  a  mile  in  extent;  it  is 
broad  and  level,  and  contains  most  of  the  public  buildings,  stores,  &:c. 

The  above  is  a  southeastern  view  of  five  of  the  public  buildings  in 
Middletovvn.  The  first  building  seen  on  the  left  is  the  court  house, 
erected  in  1832.  The  next  building  is  the  Middletown  bank,  incorpo- 
rated in  1785,  with  a  capital  of  !gi  100,000,  which  was  increased  in  1812 
to  ^'500,000.     The  building  with  a  steeple  is  the  first  Congregational 


510 


BI  I  n  r>  L  R  T  O  W  N  . 


church;  tlic  next  building  is  the  custom  house,  erected  in  1835;  the 
next  buildinif  north  is  the  Central  Motel  and  stage  house.  There  are 
in  the  city  6  houses  for  public  worship,  2  Congregational,  1  Episcopal, 
1  ]\Iethodlst,  1  Baptist,  and  1  African  ;  2  banks,  the  Middletown  bank, 
the  Middlesex  County  bank,  and  the  Wesleyan  University.  The  streets 
and  walks  are  shaded  with  elms  and  Linden  or  lime  trees.  Much  taste 
is  displayed  by  the  citizens  about  their  residences,  in  the  collection  of 
choice  shrubs  and  plants.  I\Iain  street  is  elevated  from  45  to  50  feet 
above  the  level  of  the  river.  The  rise  and  fall  of  tide  water  is  from  18 
to  24  inches.  Indian  or  Sowheag  hill,  one  mile  from  the  river,  is  227 
feet  above  its  level.  The  base  of  the  Wesleyan  University  Lyceum  is 
160  feet  above  the  river,  being  distant  five  eighths  of  a  mile. 


SuiUhcdstcni  view  of  the  1Vtski/an  i'nircrsihj,  Middlctown. 

The  Wesleyan  University  was  founded  in  1831,  and  is  an  institution 
of  great  jn-oniise,  under  the  patronage  of  the  IMethodist  Episcopal 
church.  The  college  buildings  are  finely  situated,  on  an  eminence, 
about  half  a  mile  from  the  river,  commanding  a  view  of  the  town, 
some  of  the  neighboring  villages,  and  a  fine  prospect  of  a  most  fruitful 
surrounding  country.  The  college  buildings  were  originally  built  for, 
and  occupied  by,  the  American  Literary,  Scientific  and  IMilitary  Aca- 
demy, under  the  care  of  Captain  Partridge.  The  Academy  having 
failed  in  its  operations,  the  buildings  were  vacated,  and  left  on  the 
bands  of  the  proprietors.  At  this  time,  several  annual  conferences  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  were  preparing  to  establish  a  college 
under  the  |vatronage  of  said  church,  and  were  holding  their  privilege  of 
location  in  the  market,  for  the  purpose  of  securing  a  liberal  local  sub-, 
scription.  To  secure  this  |)rivilege,  llie  proprietors  of  the  ^Vcademy 
offered  their  buildings  as  a  gratuity,  for  the  use  of  a  college  or  univer- 
sity for  ever,  on  condilion  that  there  should  be  an  additional  endowment 
raised,  of  ^40,000.     The  citizens  of  Middletown  and  its  vicinity,  with 


M  I  D  D  L  E  T  0  W  N  .  511 

a  commendable  zeal,  by  a  public  grant,  and  by  private  subscriptions, 
pledged  about  .|  1 8,000  of  tlie  endowment.  These  oilers,  together  with 
the  other  local  advantages,  fixed  the  university  in  its  present  location. 

The  manufactories  of  the  city  and  town  are  numerous.  Among  them 
are  three  for  arms  for  the  United  States'  service,  1  of  broadcloth,  1  of 
cotton,  1  of  webbing,  combs,  he.  he.  One  manufactory  makes  1,500 
rifles  annually,  milling  all  the  parts;  another,  2,000  milled  muskets ; 
another,  1,200  guns,  which  are  cast.  "  One  company  makes  45,000 
lbs.  of  cotton  yarn  ;  and  another,  30,000  yards  of  broadcloth."  The 
value  of  articles  manufactured  in  this  place  yearly  is  estimated  at  about 
^700,000.  The  coasting  trade  of  jMiddletown  is  extensive  ;  its  for- 
eign trade  considerable.  In  ISIG,  more  shipping  was  owned  at  this 
place,  than  any  town  in  Connecticut.  Vessels  for  Hartford,  and  other 
towns  on  the  river,  are  registered  here.  The  Connecticut  is  navigable 
to  Middletown,  for  vessels  drawing  10  feet  of  water.  Its  width  oppo- 
site the  city,  varies  from  97  to  80  rods.  There  is  a  horse-boat  ferry 
between  this  place  and  Chatham.  Two  miles  above  the  city  is  the  vil- 
lage of  Upper  JMiddletown  or  Upjjcr  Houses,  which  contains  a  post  ofhce 
and  2  houses  for  public  worship,  1  Bainist  and  1  Congregational.  Ship 
building  has  been  carried  on  in  this  village  for  more  than  a  century. 


Huo;h  fVIntc,  Esq.,  tlie  first  settler  of  Wiiitcstown,  in  the  stale  of 
New  ^ork,  was  a  citizen  of  Middletown.  lie  removed  from  this  place 
with  his  family  in  1784,  and'penetrating  beyond  the  Mohawk  Flats, 
which  then  formed  a  barrier  to  the  western  seitlcment,  located  himself 
Qt  Seilaghquate,  now  VVhitesboro'  village,  which,  till  then,  had  been 
the  gloomy  abode  of  wild  beasts  and  savage  men.  l''ur  the  first  four 
years  after  the  commencement  of  this  settlement,  its  progress  was 
rather  slow  and  discouraging;  yet,  in  1788,  it  contained  nearly  200  in- 
habitants; and  the  same  year,  the  town  of  German  Flats,  comprising 
this  settlement,  was  divided,  and  a  n(!w  town  established,  which,  in 
honor  of  this  enterprising  man,  was  called  "  li'hltcstojvn."  This  town- 
ship, with  less  than  200  inhabitants,  comprised  then  almost  all  the 
western  section  of  that  state,  which  in  1810,  contained  2S0,oM9  in- 
habitants; being  about  20,000  more  than  the  whole  population  of  Con- 
necticut ;  so  that  Judge  \Vliite,  who  survived  this  period  two  years, 
lived  to  see  the  dreary  wilderness,  into  which  he  was  the  first  man  to 
penetrate,  and  which  once  bore  his  name,  contain  a  greater  population 
than  his  native  state. 

As  was  observed  in  his  obituary  notice,  "  Judge  "White  may  justly 
be  considered  as  the  patriarch,  who  first  led  the  children  of  New  Eng- 
land into  the  wilderness;  and  it  may  he  truly  said,  that  he  lived  to  see 
and  enjoy  the  promised  land."     lie  died  in  1812,  aged  SO  years.* 

lUchard  Alsop,  a  poet  of  some  talent,  was  a  native  of  this  town,  and 
resided  here  during  most  of  his  life,  lie  was  born  in  1759,  and  was 
bred  to  the  mercantile  profession,  but  devoted  himself  occasionally  to 
letters.  His  works  embrace  a  variety  of  subjects.  He  published  vari- 
ous translations  from  the  French  and  Italian  :   he  left  a  large  number  of 


Pease  nml  Giles's  Gazetteer 


/'■  ■' 


512  MIDDr.  ETOWN. 

unpublished  works  behind  him,  one  of  them  a  poem  of  considerable 
length,  called  the  Charms  of  Fancy.  He  died  at  Flatbush,  on  Long 
Island,  Aug.  20,  1815.         

EXTRACTS  FROM  NKWSPAPERS. 

Middlctown,  Nov.  2d,  17G5. 
Yesterday  being  ihe  day  prefixed  to  enslave  America,  by  an  unrighteous  and  up- 

pressivc ,  some  of  the  principal  gentlemen  of  tliis  place,  to  shew  the  sense  they 

had  of  their  native  liberty  and  freedom,  which  conchidcd  with  that  fatal  day,  met  to- 
gether, and  agreed  that  the  bell  should  toll  all  day  with  the  tongue  mnllled  ;  that  min- 
ute guns  should  be  discharged,  and  a  pendant  hoisted  half-staff  high,  before  the  low  n- 
house,  which  was  accordingly  done.  All  the  vessels  in  the  harboi^  hail  their  pendants 
struck  half-mast  high.  The  gentlemen  being  met  about  noon,  drank  several  loyal 
healths  ;  and  among  the  rest  this  was  toasted — Liberty,  property  and  no  stamps — Con- 
fusion to  all  enemies  of  liberty,  &c.  In  the  evening,  the  young  people  dressed  three 
images :  two  of  them  were  dressed  very  grand  ;  one  in  an  arm  chair,  representing  a 
late  ignoble  lord  ;  tiie  other,  waiting  on  him,  in  a  private  conference,  holding  nji  a 
piece  of  parchment  to  him,  with  these  words  wrote  in  large  characters,  '^  Let's  inslmc 
America  wilk  stavips."  15ehiiul  them  on  the  stage,  was  a  most  forlorn  image,  with  a 
fierce  countenance,  representing  the  D — 1,  with  n  speared  fork  in  iiis  right  hand,  and 
a  lanthorn  in  his  left — (however  cloven  his  feet  were,  his  d — /-ship  had  gloves  on  his 
liands.)  On  the  forepart  of  the  stage  was  a  large  laniliDrn,  live  or  six  (eel  high,  and 
proportionally  large,  filled  with  lighted  candles,  (the  night  being  dark  and  cloudy, 
made  a  grand  appearance,)  on  the  front  oi  which  was  wmie,  in  large  characters.  Lib- 
erty, Property,  and  no  Stamps  ;  confusion  to  Lord  H g,  the  D — 1  and  Company  ; 

God  bletjs  King  George,  Pitt,  Conway,  Barre,  and  all  Patriots  to  Liberty.  Amkn. 
Which  was  read  off  loud  at  every  dooi  in  the  town,  streets  and  lanes,  upon  wliicii  the 
company  gave  three  loud  and  hearty  cheers. ,  ♦  ♦  •  The  whole  scene  was  over 
about  ten  o'clock;  when  the  said  images  were  taken  off  the  stage,  and  treated  with  ihc 

ignominy  their  o 1  deserved,  then  burnt,  and  their  ashes  were  stamped  into  the 

earth.  Not  less  than  eight  hundred  joined  in  ihisalTair;  and,  notwithstanding  the 
number  of  all  ranks,  the  whole  was  conducted  and  concluded  with  the  ulmosl  decency 
and  good  order.  It  would  be  amiss  to  omit,  that  our  young  children,  that  can  hardly 
speak,  have  already  learnt  this  lesson  well — Liberty,  Properly  and  no  Stamps — whicii 
they  sing  along  the  streets. 


Middletmcn,  Nov.  12/A,  1777. 

On  my  way  from  the  army  some  time  since,  I  fell  in  with  four  well  dressed  men,  two 
of  which  were  in  uniform,  all  with  swords  and  cockades.  I  supposed  they  were  olh- 
cers  of  the  continental  army,  going  on  business  like  myself.  "We  traveled  to  the  iitxt 
inn,  where  we  stopned  fui  refreshment,  and  met  half  a  do/en  more  of  these  meek  sol- 
iljers,  for,  on  attending  to  their  discuiirse,  1  soon  found  they  were  all  itinerant  traders. 
1  fell  into  conversation  with  one  of  iheni,  who  informed  me  lie  had  mad?  five  thousand 
jKiuiids  since  the  last  year,  by  trade.  I  supposed  he  must  have  been  a  t'aige  imjiorter 
of  merchandize  from  abroad,  but,  on  inquiry,  found  he  had  never  risked  a  sliilling 
afloat,  but  had  been  buying  and  selling  from  slate  to  state,  and  from  town  to  town  ; 
he  began  with  a  liogshead  of  mm,  (which  he  purchased  with  his  tools,  and  creilit,  hav- 
ing been  formerly  an  exceeding  good  house  carpenter :)  lie  sold  this  out  by  the  small 
quantity  to  the  troops  at  King's  bridge  last  campaign,  and  by  his  industry  this  way  liad 
acquired  the  above  sum.  This  information  led  me  to  make  inquiry  into  ihe  other  cha- 
racters, all  of  which  I  found  of  the  same  clan.  Some  had  more,  some  Jess  than  my  in- 
formant. I  arrived  soon  after  at  my  own  larm,  and  found  my  hired  man  had  commen- 
ced trader,  and  quitted  my  farm.  I  went  after  him,  and  found  him,  threatened  him 
with  the  loss  of  his  wages,  if  he  did  not  return  to  liis  duty  and  fulfil  his  engagement, 
whicli  was  for  six  months  :  he  told  me  he  did  not  value  his  wages  ;  he  had  made  money 
enough  to  buy  my  farm,  and  asked  the  price  :  He  had  been  trading  in  partnership  w  iih 
a  baker,  who  had  turned  merchant,  and  could  not  read,  and  gave  him  half  the  proliis 
for  keeping  the  accounts.  I  asked  him  why  he  wore  a  cockade  :  he  said  it  answered 
for  a  pass,  and  he  should  have  a  uniform  coat  as  soon  as  he  conld  find  a  tailor,  which 
were  scarce,  as  they  had  all  turned  traders.  I  pulled  out  my  cockade,  and  got  me  a 
plain  coat,  and  now  on  my  way  to  join  my  regiment,  having  completed  the  business  1 
came  on. — Mr.  Printer,  1  think  it  would  not  be  amiss  to  lake  up  all  these  new  created 
gentry,  I'orm  them  into  a  regiment,  send  them  to  camp,  and  let  them  work  at  their 
old  trades  :  they  would  be  useful  then  ;  they  are  a  curse  now.  If  you  approve  of  this 
plan,  please  to  communicate  it  to  the  public,  through  the  channel  of  your  useful  paper. 
A  SuR.Ai.TKiiN   IN  Tin;  Continental  Army. 

Golden  Ball  Tavern,  Middletown,  Sept.  iCd,  1777. 


y 


?.  3= 


I' 


M  I  I)  1)  L  K  TOWN.  513 

Cuurant,Hray'2od,  17110. 
"  On  the  mornin,!,'  al'lcr  tlie  earlliqiiake  was  ol)servp(1  at  Middlelown,  Conn,  a  sub- 
stance like  luiney  or  biuier,  cove rin;_f  tin;  grass  and  carili  lor  a  considerable  extent." — 
Webster  on  Pestilcnrr,  vol.  I.  p.  2!»'2. 


The  ancient  burying  ground  in  Mixldletown  was  laid  out  in  1650: 
it  is  situated  in  the  north  part  of  the  city,  on  the  banks  of  Connecticut 
river.  A  majestic  elm  is  still  standing  in  the  yard,  on  the  spot  where 
it  stood  at  the  first  settlement  of  IMitldletown.  It  measured  in  J832, 
at  two  feet  from  the  ground,  ':26  feet  in  circumference :  at  the  height  of 
ten  feet,  it  measures  17  feet.  It  spreads  from  north  to  south  110  feet, 
from  east  to  west  95  feet. — The  following  inscriptions  are  copied  from 
monuments  iu  this  yard. 

HeRk's  a  CKD.AR  T.4I,I,,  fiF.NTI.V  WAt'Tl.n  oV.R 

Fiio.M  Great  Bhit.*n'.s  I.slk  to  thl-s  wfstf.rn  siiouk, 
Ne.ir  kiktv  years  CRossiNc  Tilt:  ockan  wrnr., 
Yet'.s  anchored  in  the  cuiave  >'ROiM  .storm  on  tide, 
Yet  rememuer  the  rodv  o.nei.v  iierk, 
His  ulksseo  .sovi,  eixt  in  a  iik.iier  .^i'Iiere. 

Here  lies  the  body  oCGiles  Hamlin,  'squire,  Adged  Gl  years,  who  departed  this  lite 
the  fust  day  of  September,  Anno  Dom.  1C8!>. 

Here  lies  interred  the  body  of  Mary,  tlie  virtuous  consent  of  .Tabez  Hamlin,  Esq.  and 
dttuxhterofye  Hon'hlc  ("hristoplier  Clu  istoplieis,  F.s([.  of  New  London,  who  fell  asleep 
April  ye  3d,  A.  D..!?:?!'.,  in  ye  2-Jd  )car  of  her  a-e. 

EIMTAI-n. 

So  i'air,  so  young,  so  innocent,  so  sweet, 
Sd  I  ipe  a  jiulj^ment,  and  so  rare  a  wit, 
I'equire  at  least  an  Af,'e  in  one  to  meet: 
Jn  her  they  met,  but  ioiij,' they  could  not  stay, 
'Twas  gold  too  fine  to  mix  without  allay. 

In  memory  of  Mis.  Desire,  lalcAvife  of  Mr.  Abner  lily,  died  Sept.  1st,  17G-J,  a^rcd  48 
years. 

A  lovinj;;  wife,  and  tender  mother, 
Lett  this  base  world  to  enjoy  the  other. 

Sacred  to  the  memory  of  Com.  Thtniins  MaoJonoviih,  of  the  U.  S.  Nav}'.  He  was 
born  iu<he  State  of  Delaware,  Dec.  178:?,  and  died  at  sea,  of  pulmonary  consumption, 
while  on  his  return  I'loin  the  command  of  the  American  squadron  in  the  Medilerra- 
iieaii,  on  the  10th  of  Nov.  18i25.  He  was  distinguished  in  the  woild  as  the  Hero  of 
Lake  (Miamplain;  in  the  Church  of  Christ,  as  a  failhl'ul,  zealous  and  consilient  Chris- 
tian characler;  in  the  community  in  which  he  resided  when  absent  iVoiii  professional 
duty,  an  amiable,  upright  and  valuable  citizen. 

^     Sacred  to  the  memory  of  Mrs.  Lucy  Ann,  wife  of  Com.  Thomas  l\raodonongh,  and 
daughter  of  Nathaniel  and  Lucy  Ann  Shaler.     The  richest  gills  of  Nature  and  Grace  ■ 
adorned  her  mind  and  heart;  and  at  her  death,  Genius,  Friendship  and  Piely,  mourn- 
ed their  common  loss.     She  preceded  her  husband  to  the  realms  of  glory  only  a  few 
short  months,  having  departed  this  li.'e  Aug.  'Jth  18-J5,  M.  .15. 

They  were  lovely  and  pleasant  iu  their  lives,  and  in  their  deatli  they  were  not  divi- 
ded. 


To  commemorate  the  piely  and  virtues  of  Mrs.  Louisa,  wife  of  Lieut  Horace  Saw- 
yer, U.  S.  Navy,  daughter  of  Nathaniel  and  Lucy  Ann  Shaler,  who  departed  this  life 
on  Monday,  15th  Dec.  1828,  aged  21.     This  stone  is  erected  by  her  husband. 

Thou  art  gone  to  the  grave,  but  we  will  not  deplore  thee, 
Since  God  was  thy  refuge,  thy  ransom,  thy  guide  ; 
He  gave  thee,  he  took  thee,  aiid  he  will  restore  thee. 
And  Death  has  no  sling  since  the  Savior  has  died. 

65 


514 


II  A  D  n  A  M 


Here  is  interred  the  mortal  remains  of  Doctor  John  Osborn. — Ask  nothinj»  further, 
traveler;  nothing  beitt- r  can  be  saitl,  nor  nothing  shorter.  Ob.  31st  May,  1753,  ^E. 
'10. Life  how  short,  Eternity  how  lonj^. 

The  monutnent  on  which  this  is  engraved  had  formerly  a  very  pom- 
pous inscription,  furnished  by  the  executors.  When  his  son,  of  the 
same  nanio,  came  of  age,  he  had  tlie  whole  effaced,  and  inserted  tlie 
above.  It  is  to  be  regretted  that  tliis  record  is  lost,  as  the  father,  Dr. 
Osborn,  besides  being  a  very  distinguished  physician,  was  one  of  the 
first  scholars  and  poets  of  the  day :  the  following  AVhaling  Song  of  his 
lias  obtained  some  celebrity. 


When  sprini;  returns  with  wes 

Anil  ye  rule  Ijreezes  sweeii 
The  rullllnii  .sen^.  we  sihimJ  our  K.iils 

'ri(  [ilijiigh  Ihu  wat'ry  deip. 

For  lilllini;  northern  whiilos  prcparcil, 

Our  iiiinliji;  bo;ils  on  boani, 
Willi  cr.ill  nml  rum,  (our  chief  rei;;ird,> 

Anil  g I  provisions  slon-il. 

C'upi-  foil,  our  UeiiresI,  niitive  l.intl, 

W.;  lr,-,vi-Msli>ru,  unci  lose 
Its  RiukiuK  clllls  :uul  Icss.'iiing  sunds, 
While  Zipliyr  yenlly  blows. 

Bold,  liiirdy  men,  with  blooiuiuji  age, 

Our  sandy  shores  produci; ; 
With  monstrous  llsh  tlicy  il.ire  engage, 

And  dangerous  tailings  tlioosc. 

Now  towanis  the  early  dawning  east 

We  speed  our  course  awiiy, 
With  eager  minds,  and  joyful  lienrls, 

To  meet  the  rising  day. 

Then  ns  we  turn  our  wondering  eyes, 
We  view  cue  constant  show  ; 

Above,  arounil,  the  cireling  skies, 
The  rolling  seas  below. 

When  eastward,  clear  of  Newfoundland, 

Western  the  frozen  jiole, 
We  see  the  icy  islands  stand. 

The  iionlii'rn  billows  roll. 

As  to  the  north  we  maki>  our  nay, 

hurpn.-;ing  scem-s  we  lind  ; 
We  lei.gilirii  out  lb.:  i.di.^i.-  d.u. 

And  leave  the  night  brhmd 

Now  see  the  noBlhern  regions,  where 

Eternal  winter  reigns; 
One  day  and  iiiglil  tills  up  the  yi'nr, 

And  endless  cold  muiutaius. 


A  WHALING  PONG. 

gales. 


We  view  the  monsters  of  the  deep, 
(Vreat  whales  in  numerous  swarms; 


When  in  our  station  we  are  placed, 
And  whales  around  us  lilay, 

We  launch  our  boats  into  the  mam, 
And  swiftly  chase  our  prey. 

In  haste  we  plv  our  nimble  oars, 

For  an  a.ssaiilt  drsign'd  ; 
The  sea  bent-alh  us  foams  and  roars, 

And  leaves  a  wake  beliiiid. 

A  mighty  whale  we  rush  upon, 
.\nd  ill  our  irons  throw; 

istrous  body  down 


A I 


the 


Uid  w  hen  she  rirn-s  out  again, 
Wc  soon  renevv  the  tight; 

I'lirust  our  sharp  lances  iu  ania 
And  all  her  rage  e.\cilo. 


r.nra 

'fh 

The 


lakes  a  mighty  boiin 
the  whitened  sea  ; 


And  widi  ning  rollawuy. 

She  thrashes  with  hiT  tail  around, 
And  blows  her  ledd'niiig  breath; 

ylie  breaks  the  air,  a  ikaf'ning  sound, 
While  oci  an  groans  beneath. 


Froi: 


minds,  with  i 


l.s    till 


nd  '^A  -jp  ,  .Old  Mow  s  her  latest  blood, 
U  loir  iiuivrring  life  deejiys. 

i'ith  joyful  hearts  we  see  lier  die, 

.\iid  oil  the  surface  lay  ; 
k'hile  all  with  e;iger  haste  apply, 

i'o  save  our  dealhful  prey. 


H  A  I)  D  A  M 


The  lands  in  this  town,  with  those  in  East  Iladdam,  were  long  de- 
nominated the  lands  at  Thirty  Mile  Island,  from  the  island  in  Connect- 
icut river,  which  was  calculated  to  be  thirty  miles  from  its  mouth. 
The  Indian  title  to  the  lands  was  purchased  in  1662,  for  thirty  coats, 
which  may  have  been  worth  one  hundred  dollars.  The  deed  obtained 
from  the  Indians,  comprehended  all  the  lands  from  the  Straits,  si.x:  miles 
east  and  west  from  the  river,  down  to  the  lower  side  of  Chester  ]\Iea- 
dow ;  excepting  Thirty  IMile  Island,  and  40  acres  at  raitaqnimk,  (Ches- 
ter,) Twenty  Mile  Island,  and  on  the  adjacent  shore  eastward,  running 


H  A  D  n  A  M.  515 

up  lo  Salmon  River  cove.  The  lands  thus  purchased  were  taken  up 
by  twenty  eight  young  men,  mostly  from  Hartford,  Wethersfield  and 
Windsor,  who  in  the  summer  of  16G2,  or  soon  after,  settled  upon  tliem. 
Their  names  were  Ackley,  Arnold,  Bailey,  Brainard,  Brooks,  Clarke, 
Cone,  Gates,  Shayler,  two  Spencers,  two  Smiths,  Venires,  Wells, 
Bates,  Butler,  Corhe,  Dibble,  Ganes,  Hannison,  Jones,  Luxford,  Pa- 
rents, Piper,  Slannarcl,  Webb,  and  Wiat.  These  proprietors  settled  at 
first  within  the  limits  of  Iladdam  society.  They  settled  generally  on 
the  rising  ground,  back  from  the  town  meadow,  beginning  at  the  eastern 
point  of  Walkley  hill,  and  so  extending  down  to  the  grave  yard,  where 
some  of  their  cellars  are  still  visible.  Bates,  Dibble,  Ganes,  Hannison, 
Jones,  Parents,  and  Ventres,  settled  on  the  plain  below  iMlll  creek,  and 
were  called  the  Lower  Plantation.  The  Indians  remained  on  their  res- 
ervations for  many  years.  They  had  a  place  of  resort,  in  a  deep  hollow 
on  Haddam  Neck,  to  the  northeast,  which  is  still  known  by  the  name 
of  Indian  hollow,  as  the  brook  running  through  it  is  liy  the  name  of  Jn- 
dian  brook.  They  had  no  iiaiDC  for  the  township  of  Iladdam  at  laige, 
but  called  the  northern  jjart  of  Iladdam  society  lIiggano7itpos,  which 
the  English  have  changed  to  Higganum,  and  now  ajjply  it  to  a  stream 
of  water,  and  to  the  neighborhood  about  its  mouth.  The  western  part' 
of  this  society  they  called  Coclcaponsct,  which  the  English  have  chan- 
ged to  Punset. 

Haddam  was  incoi'poratcd  as  a  town  in  166S.  At  this  time  it  be- 
longed to  the  county  of  Hartford,  and  so  continued  till  the  formation  of 
Middlesex  County,  in  1785.  On  account  of  its  central  situation,  it  was 
constituted  the  semi-seat  of  justice  for  this  county,  and  has  so  contin- 
ued ever  since.  The  town  lies  on  both  sides  of  Connecticut  river. 
Haddam  society  is  on  the  west  side  of  the  river,  and  is  by  far  the  lar- 
gest division  of  the  town  :  it  is  about  7  miles  long,  and  from  4  to  6 
broad;  bounded  n.  by  Middletown,  w.  by  Durham,  and  s.  by  Killing- 
worth  and  Qhcster.  The  part  of  the  town  lying  on  the  cast  side  of  the 
river  is  called  Haddam  Neck,  which  is  a  jioint  of  land,  4  miles  in  length, 
4  miles  across  on  the  north,  and  coming  to  a  point  at  the  mouth  of  Sal- 
mon river.  This  river  bounds  Haddam  Neck  on  the  east.  This  town- 
ship is  the  commencement  of  the  granitic  district,  extending  to  the 
mouth  of  Connecticut  river.  It  is  considerably  rough  and  broken,  be- 
ing hilly  and  stony. 

There  is  but  little  alluvial  soil  upon  Connecticut  river,  but  the  lands 
upon  its  borders  are  more  smooth,  and  better  adapted  for  cultivation. 
The  prevailing  soil  is  a  gravelly  loam,  hard  and  dry.  The  forests  are 
considerably  extensive,  and  considerable  quantities  of  wood  are  annu- 
ally sent  to  market.  There  are  4  houses  of  worship  in  the  town,  1 
Congregational,  1  Baptist,  1  Methodist  on  the  west  side,  and  1  JMeth- 
odist  church  on  Haddam  Neck. 

The  following  view  was  taken  at  a  point  on  a  hill  upwards  of  half  a 
mile  northwest  from  the  court  house,  a  few  rods  east  from  the  main 
road.  Connecticut  river  is  seen  on  the  left ;  also  the  mouth  of  Salmon 
river,  and  the  southern  extremity  of  Haddam  Neck,  on  the  east  side  of 
Connecticut  river.     East  Haddam  Landing  is  faintly  seen  in  the  dis- 


A6 


II  A  n  1)  A  ^r 


i\(irt/itcii,[  view  of  llnihUi 


tance,  near  the  iiu.utli  of  Salmon  river,  just  lisin;,^  al.ove  llic  lower  ex- 
iro.i.ity  of  ^  l„l|  on  the  west  side  of  the  river.  The  court  house  ap- 
pears nearly  in  the  eenier  of  the  engravin^r.  h  is  eonstrueted  of  -ran- 
iie,  and  was  creeled  in  l8vJ9:  it  has  a  small  spire  attached  to  it," and 
iionts  the  south.  'Hie  lurye  building  seen  on  the  ri-ht  is  the  Conrrre- 
gational  church  ;  it  is  about  half  a  n.iie,  in  a  western  direction,  fronulie 
court  house.  On  the  lull  which  rises  in  the  distance,  between  and  be- 
yond the  church  and  court  house,  is  seen  the  situation  of  part  of  the 
granite  quarries,  about  100  rods  from  the  river. 

In  the  limits  of  this  town  are  several  valuable  granite  .uiarries,  on  ■ 
both  sides  of  the  river.  The  first  opening  was  made  at  Quarry  hill 
on  1  addan,  ^eck,  about  170-2.  Since  that  time  several  other  open- 
ings have  been  made,,,,  this  hill.  These  are  houi  50  to  70  rods  from 
the  nver.  I  h,s  stone  is  usually  a  little  below  the  surface,  and  is  ex- 
Inbited  in  nearly  jierpendicular  strata;  it  is  valuable  for  building  pav- 
nig,  i^c.  On  a  hill  below  lladdam  street,  several  quarries  are  imw  im- 
proved, the  first  of  which  was  opened  about  1791:  besides  these,  there 
are  others  ulnch  are  worked  in  the  western  part  of  the  town  This 
stone  is  sold  from  10  to  L>0  cents  by  the  foot,  and  is  carried  as  far  south 
as  Savannah  and  New  Orleans.  At  this  time  about  150  men  are  em- 
ployed at  the  quarries  in  this  town,  and  from  00  to  70,000  dollars  worth 
ol  stone  are  annually  exported.  Ship  building  is  also  carried  on  to  some 
extent  in  this  town.  A  sloop  was  launched  at  ITlgL-anum  Landin-  in 
1  <54;  and  for  most  of  the  time  since,  ship  building  has  been  a  re-ndar 
business  at  this  place.  ° 

The  following  is  a  representation  of  the  spot,  lookin^r  towards  the 
north  where  that  devoted  missionary,  David  Brainerd,  T,rst  dre\v  his 
breath,  llie  house  in  which  he  was  born,  was  probably  built  100  or 
170  years  since.  It  was  u  one  story  building,  40  by  30  feet,  with  a 
portico  by  the  south  door.  After  this  house  was  taken,  down,  another 
was  budt  on  its  foundatioas.     This  second  house  was  taken  down  about 


H  A  D  n  A  M. 


517 


Birlh-place  of  David  Braincrd,  Jladdain. 

fifteen  years  since,  Tlie  place  remained  in  possession  of  the  Brainerds 
till  about  the  year  1S02.  The  cellar  walls  siill  remain.  The  place  is 
seen  in  the  eni,Mavini,f  oir  the  right,  near  hy  which  two  persons  are 
sta^(li^;^^  The  house  stood  a  short  distance  from  the  river,  at  an  ele- 
vation of  perhajis  100  feet  from  the  water,  and  about  8  or  JO  rods  from 
the  turnpike  road,  commandin;,^  a  fnie  prospect  of  the  river,  both  to  the 
north  and  south.  A  sprini,'  issues  in  the  orchard  near  the  road,  and 
was  formerly  conducted  to  the  back  door  of  the  house.  This  place  is 
half  a  mile  from  Ilij^ffanum  Landing',  one  mile  and  a  half  northeast  IVom 
the  court  house  in  liaddam,  and  about  8  miles  from  IMiddletown. 

'•  If  ihc  s^ivaUiexs  ul"  a  cliaractei-  is  to  be  estiuuiicil  hy  iliu  object  it  pursues,  the  tlaii- 
p.T  it  biavos,  llie  iliibnibies  it  ciiooiiiiiers,  and  ilie  |iiiiily  and  enerj,-y  of  il.v  iiiolives, 
David  Ifiaineid  is  cino  of  the  Kieaie.-,!  ebaraeieis  that  ever  ajipeared  in  tlie  world. 
Compared  wilb  tbis  Mundard  ol'  f^reatne.ss,  wliat  little  ibinifs  are  the  Alexandeis,  the 
Cie.ars,  the  conquerors  ol  ibe  whole  earth.  A  nobler  ubjeel  no  human  or  aji-elic 
niinil,  could  ever  pro|'ose  to  itselC,  ihan  to  promote  the  glory  oC  the  f,'reat  (ioveiiicjr  oC 
ibe  Universe,  in  studyint,'  and  laboring'  to  di/liise  [uirily  and  iiapjunets  amoii^'  his  un- 
hulv  and  miserable  crealurci;." 

His  life  and  diary  amon;,'  the  Indian.^,  savs  a  celebrared  Eni^lisb  divine,  "  exhibits  a 
perfect  pattern  of  the  (pialiiies  which  should  distinguish  (he  insirucior  of  rude  and 
barbarous  tribes;  the  most  invincible  patience  and  self  denial,  the  proloundesi  humil- 
ity, exquisite  prudence,  indel'ali^'able  industry,  and  siicli  a  dcvotcdness  to  God,  or 
ijithei  such  an  absorjiiion  of  the  whole  soul  in  zetil  for  the  divine  ylory,  and  the  .sal- 
vation of  men,  as  is  scarcely  paralleled  since  the  aj-^e  of  the  Apostles His  con- 

siiiulional  melancholy,  though  it  must  be  regarded  as  a  physical  imperfection,  imparts 
an  additional  interest  and  pathos  to  the  narrative,  .since  wc  more  easily  sympathize 
with  the  emotion  of  sorrow  than  of  joy.  There  is  a  monotony  in  his  feelings,  it  must 
be  nelinowledged,  and  consequently  a  frequent  repetition  of  the  same  ideas,  which 
M-ill  di.sgusl  a  fastidious  or  snpcrlici'al  reader,  but  it  is  the  monvtoivj  of  mblimily." 

The  ancestor  of  the  Brainerds  came  to  this  country  when  a  lad,  and  lived  in  the 
Wyllis  family  of  Hartford.  He  afterwards  removed  to  Haddam,  and  was  one  ot  tlie 
tirst  settlers  of  the  town.  David,  the  missionary,  was  the  third  son  of  Hezekiali  Hrai- 
nerd,  a  man  of  piety  and  respectability,  who  for  many  years  represented  his  native 
town  in  the  General  Assembly.  Tiie  Rev.  David  Hrainerd  commenced  his  labors 
among  the  Indians  in  17t3,  at  a  place  called  Kannaumeck,  southeast  from  Albany, 


518  CHATHAM. 

near  Kinderliook;  from  tliis  place  lie -vveiil  to  the  Forks  of  the  Delaware,  near  the 
line  helween  New  York  and  Pennsylvania.  His  greatest  success  was  among  the  In- 
dians at  Crosweeksiiiig,  near  Freehold  in  New  Jer<ev-  Overcome  by  wearisome 
joarneyini;s  and  arduous  hibois,  in  the  work  of  llie  mi"ni>try,  he  traveled  into  New 
England  Cor  the  bcnelit  of  his  health.  He  died  at  the  house  of  the  Rev.  Jonathan  Ed- 
wards, at  Northampiou,  Ma^s.  Oct.  lOlh,  1747,  iu  the  lliirlielh  year  of  his  age. 


C  IT  A  T  II  A  i\I 


Chatham  belonged  to  Middletown  until  October,  1767,  at  wbicb 
time  it  was  made  into  a  distinct  town,  and  called  Cliatbani,  from  the 
importance  of  its  ship  building,  in  allusion  to  Chatham  in  England. 
The  lands  in  this  town,  opposite  the  city  of  INIiddletown,  were  early  im- 
proved. "  In  1675,  do  rights  were  laid  out  between  Glaslenbury 
and  Haddam  lines,  in  lots  2i  miles  long,  running  from  what  tljon  w 


as 


the  eastern  boundary  of  Mlddletown,  towards  the  river;  the  remaining 
12  rights  owned  in  the  town  being  laid  out  in  Moromos.  But  not- 
withstanding these  improvements  and  divisions  of  land,  only  two  white 
families  are  known  to  have  lived  in  Chatham,  until  after  the  com- 
mencement of  the  last  century.  James  StanclilF  had  a  house  on  the 
bank  of  the  river,  nigh  the  end  of  Chatham  street,  as  early  as  1690, 
and  John  Gill  had  another  not  far  from  that  time.  The  next  settler 
after  these  was  William  Cornwell,  who  settled  back  from  Chatham 
meadow,  about  1703.  Ili  1710  there  were  only  nine  or  ten  families 
within  the  limits  of  Chathaiti  parish."  A  family  by  the  name  of  Goffe 
settled  south  of  Knowles'  Landing,  about  1710,  who  wcfe  the  first  in- 
habitants within  the  limits  of  JMiddle  Iladdam." 

"  The  lands  in  this  township  were  obtained  from  ihe  Indians  in  connection  with  the 
lands  in  Middleiown.  Dm  a  resmvalion.  hud  out  pnrilv  at  Indian  hill,  and  paiily  a 
little  east  of  Chatham  nulling  house,  was  ludd  by  liicm'iill  iilu.ni  I7G7;  when  having 
dwindled  10  a  small  number,  lliey  sold  their  right"  and  united  wiih  the  Farmin;,'l()n  In- 
dians. These  liuii:ui\,h;ivc  been  someiinus  caJK-d  AVongonks  or  NVon^'iuns,  but  the 
reservauou  w.is  for  ihe  hciisof  Siiulua^'  and  M.iiiabo.-^eU  Indians,  and  lliey  were 
doubtless  of  ihcsaine  tnlie  wiih  ihe  Indians  on  ilie  WfSt  side  of  the  river.  A  little 
clan  inhabitedfor  fiequenud,  ilic  region  about  roeoiu|)ogiie  ])ond,  and  had  a  place  of 
rendezvcKis  on  ihe  princi|ial  island  which  tliat  inclose>.  These  were  also,  probablv, 
a  pari  ol'  the  Maltabessetl  liuliaiis.  At  Indian  hill  was  a  lainous  grave  yard,  w  here 
nionuineiils  with  inscripiions  were  set  up  over  some  of  the  graves,  after  the  English 
.settled  upon  the  river.  Indian  bones  have  been  found  also, "on  the  lel'l  bank  of  Tay- 
lor's creek,  as  it  enters  the  Connecticut." 

The  town  of  Chatham  embraces  Chatham  parish,  (formerly  East 
Middletown,)  the  greater  part  of  INIiddle  Iladdam  parish,  the  parish  of 
East  Hampton,  and  part  of  the  parish  of  West  Chester.  The  town- 
ship is  bounded  N.  by  Glastenbury,  w,  by  Connecticut  river,  e.  by 
Marlborough  and  Colchester,  and  s.  by  East  Haddam  and  Haddam 
Neck,  belonging  to  Haddam.  There  are  6  churches,  3  Cotigrega- 
tional,  2  Episcopal,  and  1  IMethodist.  The  township  is  about  nine 
miles  in  length  from  north  to  south,  and  more  than  6  in  breadth.  The 
interior  part  of  the  town  is  rough  and  broken,  consisting  of  granite  bills, 
interspersed  with  inconsiderable  valleys.  Upon  the  Connecticut,  there 
is  a  considerable  tract  of  alluvial.  There  are  very  extensive  and 
valuable  quarries  of  bTc^tone  on  the  bank  of  Connecticut  river,  nearly 


CHATHAM. 


519 


opposite  the  city  of  Middletovvn,  which  are  worked  and  sliaped  with 
great  facility.  Ahout  SOU  workmen  are  employed,  and  large  quanti- 
ties of  this  stone  are  sent  to  New  York,  Boston,  Pliiladelphia,  Charles- 
ton, and  other  places. 


Suitthcrri  view  of  the  Kphcopnl   Church,    Chatham. 

The  libove  k^■^L  southern  view  of  the  Episcopal  church  in  Chatham. 
It  is  constructed  of  stone  from  the  quarries  in  the  inn-nediate  vicinity 
westward.  The  Episcopal  society  in  Chatham  parish  was  formed 
April  17th,  1789.  The  Kev.  Sujith  Miles  may  be  considered  as  the 
first  clergyman  regularly  settled  over  this  society.  His  monument  is 
in  the  new  grave  yard,  and  is  of  the  same  form  as  that  of  l\Ir.  Ash- 
mun,  seen  on  page  183  of  this  work :  the  following  is  the  inscription. 

"Sacred  to  tlic  iiKMiiory  of  Rev.  Smiili  Afilos;  Ihhii  in  Derbv,  March  IDili    IICG- 
^'nutiiateii  ?xl  Vale  (\>Ik-o,  17!)I,  iiiul  oniaiiuMl  HOr. ;  ollioiatodas  Hector  u(  the  E)>i.s' 
:J  years.     Died  Jan.  31,  IK\0:  aged  tit  year.s— .Tliey  that 
i.s  id'  the  finiiaineiit,  and  tliey  tliai  turn   many  to 


oo|)al  cliurch  i 

1  (.^iiatiiuiu  :>:$ 

he  wi.se  sliall  .s 
riglitcuiisncsi.  ; 

line  as  the  hri 

s  stars  lor  eve 

The  two  principal  streams  in  the  tounship  are  Salmon  river  and  Pine  brook, 
balinon  river  cro.sses  the  southeastern  corner  of  liie  town.  Pine  Brook,  a  con- 
siderable mill  stieam,  rises  in  Pocotopogiic  jiond,  in  the  parish  of  East  Hampton 
and  alter  a  course  of  six  or  seven  miles,  unites  with  .Salmon  river,  three  miles  rrom 
Its  mouth.  Pocotopogue  pond,  or  raiiier  ponds,  is  about  nine  miles  in  circumference  ■ 
U  is  in  the  form  ot  two  ponds,  nearly  circular,  united  by  a  strait  of  no  considerable 
width  or  length.  Its  waters  are  about  ten  feet  in  depth,  and  surround  several  islands 
one  of  two  acres,  formei  ly  the  favorite  resort  of  the  Indians.  It  is  fed  by  low  spi  ings' 
as  rains  do  not  alter  its  height.  "  Another  jiond  uithin  the  bounds  of  Chatham  parish^ 
called  Job's  pond,  is  about  two  miles  in  circumference.  TJiis  has  no  outlet.  It  rises 
and  falls  as  much  as  fifteen  feet,  from  causes  which  cannot  be  easily  explained  ;  for  it 
is  often  the  highest  in  the  dryest  season  of  the  year,  and  lowest  in  the  wettest  season. 
When  It  begins  to  rise,  ii  rises  regularly  for  six  or  twelve  months,  and  then  falls  for 
about  the  same  periods.     This,  in  many  places,  is  from  40  to  &)  feet  deep. 

"  On  the  banks  of  Connecticut  river,  half  a  mile  northeast  from  Middle'town  harbor, 
are  noted  and  very  valuable  quarries  of  freestone.  The  rocks  at  the  northern  and 
principal  opening,  accor.ling  to  tradition,  originally  hung  shelving  over  the  river. 
They  were  used  for  building  stone  verv  soon  after  Middletown  was  settled.  At  a 
meeting  held  in  that  town  in  Hit;.'-.,  it  was  resolved  that  no  one  should  dig  or  raise  stones 
at  the  rocks  on  the  east  side  of  the  river,  but  an  inliabitant  of  Middletown,  and  that 


520  CHATHAM. 

twelve  pence  should  be  paid  to  the  town  fur  every  tun  of  stones  taken.  As  earlj'  as 
this,  ihey  were  transported  in  vessels  to  otlier  places.  By  several  subseciiient  resolves, 
they  appear  to  have  been  rej^'arded  as  valuable,  and  to  have  been  considerably  sought. 
Some  time  after  172G,  the  town  sold  this  quarry,  and  it  has  since  passed  into  several 
hands,  for  forty  year.s  past  it  has  been  extunsively  improved,  and  the  stones  to  the 
depth  of  thirty  feel  from  liie  surface,  are  now  removed  over  an  area  of  an  acre  and  a 
half,  back  from  the  river.  The  stone  in  this  quarry  is  covered  in  some  places  with 
four  or  live  feet  of  earth,  and  m  others  with  four  or  five  feet  more  of  shelly  rock.  It 
is  not  perfectly  solid,  but  lies  in  blocks,  eight  or  ten  feet  thick,  and  fifty  and  sixty 
feet  long.  The  seams  and  joints  facilitate  the  process  of  removing  these  from  their 
beds;  and  when  removed,  they  are  reduced  by  the  wedge  and  chisel  to  any  size  or 
form  which  is  wished.  In  this  quarry  thirty  hands  have  been  employed  for  several 
years,  eight  months  in  the  year,  and  from  four  to  six  teams.  The  quantity  of  stone 
prepared  for  market,  and  sold  to  the  inhabitants  of  this  and  the  neighboring  towns, 
and  exported  to  distant  parts  of  the  country,  has  been  very  great;  and  has  yielded  a 
handsome  profit.  Fifty  rods  south  of  this  quarry,  an  opening  was  made  about  178;?, 
now  spreading  over  half  an  acre.  Here  the  stone  is  covered  with  about  ten  feet  of 
earth.  In  this  opening  as  many  as  twelve  hands  liave  been  sometimes  employed. 
Ve-sselscome  to  this  and  the  above  quarry,  and  load  from  the  bank.  The  bed  of  stone 
in  which  these  and  the  smaller  openings  in  the  neighborhood  have  been  made  is  im- 
mense, and  lies  at  different  depths  from  the  surface  in  dilil-rent  places.  It  has  been 
discovered  in  sinking  wells,  for  half  a  mile  in  northern  and  southern  directions,  and 
has  been  opened  at  a  greater  distance  eastward.  Wherever  tlnmd,  the  stone  possesses 
the  same  general  properties,  but  varies,  like  the  freestone  in  Middletown,  in  the  fine- 
ness of  its  texture."* 

"  About  17G'2,  a  cobalt  mine  wn-s  opened  at  the  foot  of  Great  hill,  under  the  directiim 
of  Dr.  Slephaunes,  a  German,  and  improved  for  a  little  time.  About  1770,  he  renewed 
the  improvement  of  it,  in  connection  with  two  gentlemen  by  the  name  of  F.rkelin  and 
Khool,  and  continued  it  for  two  or  iliree  years.  Many  ca^ks  of  ore  were  obtained  and 
shipped  fur  Europe.  But  as  all  the  persons  concerned  in  ihe  mine,  laborers  as  well 
as  jirincipals,  were  foreigners,  and  as  the  ore  was  exported,  little  was  know'n  of  its 
character  or  value.  After  they  left  it,  it  was  entirely  neglected,  till  last  autumn. 
Since  then,  several  men  have  been  employed  in  searching  for  cobalt,  in  and  near  the 
former  openings,  and  have  been  so  successful,  aS  to  encourage  the  hope  that  the  mine 
will  be  permanently  improved.  The  scarcity  of  this  mineral,  and  its  uses  in  porcelain 
and  linen  manufactories,  render  it  highly  desirable  that  llie  contents  of  this  mine 
should  be  thoroughly  explored. — Coal  was  discovered  at  Indian  hill  about  ihiny  years 
ago.  But  whether  it  exists  there  or  in  any  other  ])art  ol  the  town  in  any  considerable 
quantities,  must  be  determined  by  future  researches." 

EXTRACTS    fllOM    .NKWSI' AI'ER.S. 

,  MiJ(lkt07ni,Junc  ll.'i,  17?'?. 

Tny.hxvscn.—Miirc  „f  the  U'.hulcn  M'alls  vf  (",./«  win;.— Yesterday  at  3')  mimile^^ 
and  Iseeoiiils  past  five  P.  M.  the  United  .States  Ship  Cunnci-ticut  was  safely  depuMted 
on  the  bosom  l)f  the  majesiic  stream  whence  she  lierives  her  name.  No  words  can 
convey  an  adequate  idea  of  the  beauty  and  brilliancy  of  the  scene.  Nature,  as  inclin- 
ed to  do  honor  to  the  occasion,  had  furnished  one  of  the  most  delightful  days  that  the 
vernal  season  ever  witnessed.  While  old  father  Connecticut  eager  to  receive  liis 
beautiful  offspring,  had  swollen  his  waters  bv  the  liquefaction  of  snows,  reserved  lor 
the  occasion,  near  his  source,  in  order  to  facilitate  her  pa.-sage  to  liis  wave  ;  and  exten- 
ding his  liquid  arms,  welcomed  her  to  his  embrace.  Flora  decked  in  her  richest  at- 
tire, smileii  gleefully  around,  and  a  brilliant  concourse  of  spectators  from  this  and  the 
neighboring  towns,  whose  countenance  expres.sed  the  liveliest  sensibility  at  thus  wit- 
nessing the  progress  of  our  nautical  armament,  destined  to  protect  our  commerce  and 
hurl  the  thunders  of  Columbia  on  her  shrinking  foes,  formed  a  most  magnificent  mov- 
ing picture,  in  addition  to  the  brilliancy  of  nature  which  shone  around.  The  prepara- 
tion for  tiie  launch  was  exquisite,  and  evincive  of  the  consummate  skill  of  the  architect 
who  superintended  the  operations  of  the  day,  and  wiiuse  orders  were  given  with  dig- 
nity and  obeyed  with  punctilious  nicety.  When  the  momciil  arrived  at  which  the 
elegant  fabric  was  to  leave  her  earthly  bed  never  more  to  return,  the  anxiety  of  the 
crowd  was  witnessed  by  a  solemn  silence,  awful  and  profound.  The  stroke  was  struck, 
the  blocks  were  removed,  when  lo  !  with  the  grace  and  majesty  of  the  divine  Cleopatra, 
or  the  wonder-struck  Cydnus,  she  glided  into  the  arms  of  her  j)arent  river,  and  as  if 
reposing  herself  to  sleep  upon  a  bed  of  roses,  sunk  upon  his  breast.     In  a  moment  the 


Field's  Statistical  Account  of  Middlesex  Countv- 


(;  11  K  S  T  E  u . 


521 


peal  of  Federalism  burst  forth,  the  pagans  of  ihc  gazing  lho\isaiids  iiu-l  ihc  heavens,  and 
echo  faintly  expired  on  the  distant  hills. 

While  shad  and  salmon  feel  the  patriot  glow. 

And  iiirong  in  minierous  shoals  the  watery  way, 
And  sturdy  sturgeon  Irom  the  depths  beluw, 
Leap  up  her  rnaichlebs  beauty  tu  survey. 

[♦«*  The  above  I'ostonian  paragraph,  translalci!  in  the  vcriimiil.ir  tongue,  reads 
thus:  The  United  Slates  ship  Connecticut,  which  is  to  be  ruininanded  by  Capt.  Closes 
Tryon,  was  yesterday,  in  the  afternoon,  safely  launched  Jinni  the  sliip  yard  at  Chat- 
ham, into  Connecticut  river. J 

The  follovvitig  arc  from  monuments  In  the  yard  on  the  niaigin  of  the 
ground,  above  one  of  lite  quariies. 

Here  lyes  the  body  of  Samli.  1  [all,  who  died  February  the  i2-M  17  I  i  in  llic  lUlii  year 
of  his  age.     The  hist  j)ers()U  laid  in  this  yard. 


This  monnment  sacred  to  the  meirinry  t>l  the  Rev.  Moses  Bartlil,  for  more  than  'M 
years  the  faithful  Pastor  of  the  Ch''- ol''  Christ  in  this  place,  who  dec''-  Dl-V  27lh, 
17HG,  JE\.  58,  is  gratefully  reared  by  the  people  of  his  charge.  He  was  a  sound  and 
faithful  divine,  a  I'hvsician  of  Soul  and  Body,  a  sincere  Friend,  a  iaithtul  luisbund, 
and  an  atleclionaie  I'"athcr.     Tlie  inemoiy  of  the  just  is  bles;5ed. 


CHESTER 


Chester,  formerly  a  parish  of  that  name  in  Saybrook,  was  incor- 
porated as  a  town  in  183<i.  ^onah  Dibble,  from  Haddam,  appears  to 
have  been  the  lirst  settler  in  this  town  :  he  was  a  resident  here  in  1692: 
Andrew  Warner,  from  IladJcy,  came  about  1G9G.  "The  ancestors  of 
the  Parkers,  Shiprnans,  Walerhouses  and  Webbs,  from  Saybrook  par- 
isli,  were  early  settlers  in  this  place.  George  AVillard  and  Andrew 
Southworth,  from  the  same  j)ari3h,  Joel  Canfield  and  (iideon  liCet, 
from  Durham,  settled  in  it  aijout  1745.  The  inhabitants  were  vested 
with  palish  iirivijc^es  in  IT-IO.  Thuir  first  pastor  was  the  Uev.  Jared 
Harrison,  wlio  was  ordained  at  tlie  formation  of  the  churcii  in  17'1'2. 

Chester  is  about  5  miles  in  length  from  east  to  west,  and  upwards  of 
3  in  breadth,  bounded  n.  l)y  Haddam,  e.  by  Connecticut  river,  s.  by 
Saybrook,  and  w.  by  Killingworth.  The  western  part  of  the  town  is 
rough  and  hilly.  It  is  estimated  that  there  are  in  the  town  about  1,200 
inhabitants,  most  of  \vhom  are  in  the  eastern  part.  Tlicre  are  2  churches 
in  the  town,  1  Congregational  and  1  Baptist. 

The  following  shows  the  appearance  of  the  Chester  Hotel,  and  some 
other  buildings  at  the  iiead  of  the  cove,  about  one  mile  from  t,he  river, 
in  the  central  part  of  Cliester,  about  17  miles  from  Middletown,  5  from 
Haddam  court  house,  and  30  from  New  Haven.  The  Congregational 
church  is  about  80  rods  north,  and  the  Baptist  about  half  a  mile  west- 
ward of  this  place.  Several  streams  run  into  the  cove,  affording  fine 
sites  for  manufacturing  purjjoses.  L'llonunedieu's  auger  and  hammer 
factory  is  finely  located,  and  more  than  20  hands  are  employed  in  liiis 
business.  The  Chester  INIanufacturing  Co.  manufacture  coach  springs  : 
there  is  one  cast  iron  foundery  ;  also,  one  lactory  for  the  manufacture 
of  hard  ware,  recently  erected.    Messrs.  Southworth  and  Stephens  have 

66 


522 


])  U  R  II  A  M  . 


>\i)i-lln:rii  view  of  C/icsUr,   {antral jmrt.) 

a  very  extensive  saw  mill  and  lurnlxT  }ar(l,  wliich  furni'^lies  lumber  and 
sliip  plank  in  large  quanlit'es,  beini:;  it  is  believed  oiu;  of  ilie  most  ex- 
tensive cstablislnnenls  of  the  kind  in  the  stale.  'J'be  manufacture  of 
ifimbleis,  axe  helves,  (for  which  there  are  2  factories,)  inkstands,  and 
some  other  articles,  is  carried  on  extensively.  The  quarrying  of  stone 
is  also  an  important  branch  of  business  in  this  town,  and  tlie  inhabitants 
are  generally  distinguished  for  their  mdustry  and  enterprise. 


DURHAM. 

TiiF,  tract  of  land  comprising  Durham  was  formerly  supposed  to  be 
included  in  the  limits  of  the  neii^hboring  l.)\\ii>,  until  they  were  sur- 
V(>yed,  when  a  tract  was  founil  to  be  left.  This  was  considered  small 
foi- a  distinct  plantation  or  town,  and  does  not  apjiear  to  have  been  con- 
temi)lated  with  that  view  for  a  long  period.  The  1  legislature  however 
granted  many  lots  or  farms  in  it  to  persons  who  had  peiformed  impor- 
tant services  to  the  colony.  In  this  way  more  than  5,000  acres  became 
the  property  of  individuals  widely  disi)ersed  in  the  state,  before  any  set- 
tlement was  made. 

"In  1698,  however,  David  Seward,  from  Guilford,  moved  into  the 
town,  and  some  of  his  neighbors  contemplated  following  him.  The  next 
spring,  therefore,  a  petition  was  presented  to  the  Legislature,  signed  by 
thirty  one  inhabitants  of  that  town,  that  there  might  be  a  plantation  at 
Coginchaug,  the  Indian  name  of  Durham.  This  was  urged  on  the 
ground  that  Coginchaug  was  so  far  from  other  settlements  that  the  peo- 
ple could  not  go  to  them  for  public  worsliip.  The  petition  was  granted, 
and  soon  after  a  site  was  selected  for  a  meeting  house,  on  a  hill  in  the 
southern  part  of  the  town,  which  from  that  circumstance  is  called  IMeet- 
ing-house  hill  to  this  day.  But  very  few  of  the  petitioners  left  Guilford, 
and  no  plantation  was  immediately  formed." 


/^  '■'-._ 


D  U  K  II  A  M  . 


>23 


In  May,  1701,  the  proprietors  of  farms  at  Coglncbauj^  petitioned  the 
Assembly  for  some  act,  which  wouhl  encourage  a  settlement  at  that 
jilace.  The  Assembly  proposed  that  the  {)roprietors  should  give  up 
one  fourth  part  of  their  larms,  and  that  the  part  thus  given  up,  with 
the  common  lands,  should  he  laid  out  into  lots,  for  such  persons  as 
should  offer  themselves  as  inhabitants.  Tlieii-  proposal  was  accei»ted, 
and  settlers  came  in  from  various  places,  who,  in  May,  1708,  were  in- 
vested with  town  privileges.  The  number  of  adult  male  inhabitants, 
at  that  time,  was  thiry  four,  most  of  whom  weie  iieads.of.Jlijiiilies.  As 
early  as  1723,  John  and  Nathaniel  Sutliif,  and  probably  some  others 
from  Durham,  settled  on  lladdam  quarter.  These  had  the  consent  of 
the  people  of  Haddam,  that  they  might  attend  public  worship  in  Dur- 
ham, and  in  1773  the  quarter  was  annexed  to  Durhatn. 


Suuth  vine  of  (he  C/iiirchcs  in  .Durham. 

"There  is  no  evidence  that  tlie  IniHaiis  ever  dwelt  in  Durham  in 
any  considerable  numbers,  or  for  long  piM'ioiis  ;  but  they  resorted  lo  it 
occasionally  for  the  purposes  of  hunting.  They  were,  however,  re- 
garded as  the  rightful  owneis  of  the  soil,  and  their  title  was  purchased 
by  Sarnuel  VVyllys  and  others,  on  the  2ith  of  January,  1072,  at  the 
same  time  that  a  purchase  was  made  of  ilie  lands  in  Middlelown." 

Durham  is  bounded  n.  by  Middlutown,  v/.  by  VVallingford.  e.  by 
lladdam,  and  s.  by  Guilford,  i^Iadlson  and  Killingworth.'"  It  is  about 
six  miles  in  length  from  east  to  west,  and  ncarl\'  four  in  width.  The 
central  part  of  the  town  is  20  miles  south  from  Hartford,  and  ISnortli- 
east  from  New  Haven.  The  prevailing  surface  of  the  town  is  a  diver- 
sity of  moderate  hills  and  gentle  declivities  and  dales.  The  eastern 
and  western  parts  are  somewhat  broken  and  mountainous.  The  soil  is 
generally  fertile  and  productive,  and  the  inhabitants  are  mostly  cm- 
ployed  in  the  cultivation  of  the  earth. 

The  above  is  a  view  in  the  central  part  of  Durham.  The  church  seen 
on  the  left  is  the  new  Congregational  church,  erected  in   1S35.     The 


524  EAST     H  A  D  D  A  M  . 

church  seen  standing  In  the  street  is  the  old  Congregational  church. 
The  ahove  drawing  was  taken  September,  1835,  a  lew  (hiys  before  the 
old  church  was  taken  down.  These  churches  are  a  fair  specimen  of 
the  ancient  and  modern  method  of  building  houses  of  worship.  A  new 
Methodist  church  is  now  erecting  (1836)  on  the  east  side  of  the  street, 
about  opposite  the  old  church  seen  in  the  engraving. 

The  principal  settlement  is  on  the  road  running  north  and  south,  on 
ground  moderately  elevated,  bounded  on  the  east  by  a  considerable 
range  of  hills,  on  the  west  with  a  large  tract  of  low  land,  and  then  a 
tract  of  higher  land,  extending  to  the  Walhngford  mountains.  The 
tract  of  low  land  lying  westward  of  the  village  was  called  Coginchaug, 
or  the  long  swamp,  and  from  this  the  name  was  applied  to  the  township. 
This  is  generally  cleared,  and  yields  a  large  quantity  of  coarse  grass. 
"  This  town  has  been  distinguished  many  years  for  a  very  hue  breed 
of  cattle.  Two  oxen,  presented  by  some  of  the  inhabitants  to  General 
^Vashington,  fiirnisherl  a  dinner  for  all  the  olllcers  of  the  American 
army  at  V^alley  Forge,  and  all  their  servants.  These  oxen  were  driven 
almost  five  hundred  miles,  through  :i  country  nearly  exhausted  of  its 
forage,  yet  one  of  them,  a  steer  five  years  old,  weighed  two  thousand 
two  hundred  and  seveniv  pounds." 

The  I'ollowing  inscriptions  are  from  monuiiieiUs  in  the  yard  north  of 
the  Congregational  church. 

In  niPiJHiry  of  Capt.  Isnu.-I  Camp,  a  man  nf  iinailL-i-ioil  piel}';  benevolent  in  liis 
lehiper,  and  kinci  and  jiisl  in  his  bcliavinr;  in  private  and  public  ulfices,  useful  ilii'on{,'li 
life;  a  great  lover  and  prontuii-v  of  Diriiic  JJsa/mixti/.  Tin- jnaises  uf  God  and  the 
Lamb  sweelly  employed  Ins  bicalii,  nil,  lliroufib  |)aiiifnl  sicKness,  his  voice  expired  in 
death,  the  (jih  day  of  May,  177.":^,  in  ihu  or)ili  year  of  his  age. 

Sacred  to  the  memory  of  Mr.  Elias  (Janifi,  who  died  March  2Gll),  17%,  in  the  78lli 
year  of  his  age.  Fte  was  a  tender  husbantl,  ant  oliligmg  neigidior,  and  a  good  citizen  ; 
and  tho'  ilmiied  the  eiijoynn'iil  of  [)aienlal  Iclicay,  was  blesseil  with  so  niiicli  of  this 
world,  not  only  to  |KMform.  many  dee(K  of  charily,  but  to  malce  a  present  of  an  excel- 
lent bell  to  the  town  of  Uiirli.ini,  whirh  has  greaily  ]jiomoted  its  convenience  and  reg- 
ularity, and  oiighl  to  be  iLCi.Ji.i.'ed  with  ;.;ialiuule  on  every  .^oiuul  thereof. 


EAST    II  ADDA  M. 

,  East  Haddam  was  originally  a  part  of  lladdam.  It  belonged  to 
tHaddam  society  till  1700.  h  was  then  constituted  a  distinct  society. 
In  1734  it  was  formed  into  a  distinct  town,  containing  two  whole  par- 
ishes, viz.  East  Iladdain  and  iMilliiigton,  and  two  thirds  of  the  parish 
of  Hadlyme.  It  does  not  distinctly  appear  at  what  time  the  first  set- 
tlement was  made.  It  has  been  commonly  supposed  it  began  at  the 
place  Creek  I^ow,  about  16S5,  by  the  removal  of  a  number  of  fami- 
lies from  Haddam,  by  the  names  of  Gates,  Uates,  IJrainerd  and  Cone. 
The  tradition  is  tliat  this  was  the  fiist  spot  settled,  and  that  these  were 
the  first  settlers.  "  But  from  a  document  found  in  the  colony  records, 
it  is  certain  that  Robert  Chapman  had  a  dwelling  house  in  East  Had- 
dam, north  of  the  Creek  Row,  in  1674.  If  the  settlement  at  the  Creek 
Row  was  first,  it  must  have  begun  about  1670.  The  first  settler  in 
Millington  was  Jonathan  Beebe,  from  New  London,  who  settled  by  the 
Long  Pond  about  1704." 


EAST     HADDAM. 


525 


East  riaddam  is  bounded  north  by  Chatham  and  Colchester,  east 
by  Salem,  west  principally  by  Connecticut  river,  and  partly  by  Sal-' 
nion  river,  dividing  it  from  Haddani  JN'eck,  belonging  to  the  town  of 
Iladdam,  and  south  by  Lyme.  Its  average  length  from  east  to  west  is 
nearly  eight  miles,  and  its  breadth  upwards  of  six.  The  face  of  the 
townsliip  is  rocky  and  uneven,  but  the  soil  is  generally  strong  and  fer- 
tile, and  well  adapted  to  grazing.  There  is  considerable  timber  in  the 
town,  which  is  of  an  excellent  quality.  There  are  6  cotton  factories,  2 
of  which  manufacture  cotton  twine.  This  to\)n  took  an  active  part  in 
the  Revolutionary  war.  About  100  men  in  tR'e  regular  line  of  the  con- 
tinental army,  and  quite  a  number  in  the  naval  service,  j)erished  in  the 
struggle.  The  first  supplies  for  the  starving  army  at  Valley  Forge 
were  sent  from  this  town  and  its  vicinity.  jMuskets  were  manufactured 
for  the  Revolutionary  army,  at  the  Landing,  by  Mr.  Green. 


)Vcst  view  of  East  Iladdam  Landing. 

East  Haddam  Landing,  a  village  of  about  30  dwelling  houses  and 
three  or  four  mercantile  stores,  is  situated  a  little  below  the  mouth  of 
Salmon  river,  on  the  banks  of  the  Connecticut,  about  16  miles  north 
from  Saybrook  Point.  A  house  was  built  at  this  place,  and  a  market 
opened  for  produce,  in  1713,  since  which  most  of  the  trade  in  the  town 
has  centered  at  this  spot.  Ship  building  was  begun  at  the  Landing  be- 
fore the  Revolutionary  war,  and  as  eaily  as  thai  war  at  Chapman's  fer- 
ry, a  little  village  about  three  fourths  of  a  mile  south  of  the  Landing. 

Immediately  back  of  the  houses  at  the  Landing,  the  hills  rise  abrupt- 
ly, and  in  some  places  precipitously  to  the  east  and  north.  The  an- 
nexed view  was  taken  from  the  opposite  bank  of  the  river,  and  shows 
most  of  the  buildings  in  the  place.  The  building  with  four  chimnies, 
seen  in  the  lower  central  part  of  the  engraving,  before  which  a  ship 
yard  is  seen,  is  the  residence  of  Timothy  Green,  Esq.  the  basement 
story  of  which  is  the  East  Haddam  bank,  incorporated  in  1831,  with 


.26 


EAST     II  A  D  I)  A  JI  , 


a  capital  of  75,000  dollars.  The  building  on  the  extreme  left  was  tlie 
residence  of  the  late  Gen.  Epaphroditus  Chamjiion,  and  now  of  his 
son,  E.  Champion,  Esq.  It  is  distinguished  for  its  bold  and  lofty  ter- 
races, and  is  a  striking  object  to  travelers  passing  on  the  river.  The 
post  oflice  at  this  time  is  kept  in  a  building  on  the  opposite  side  of  the 
street.  The  steamboat  hotel  is  seen  on  the  extrenie  right,  before 
which  is  a  wharf,  at  which  the  steamboats  land  and  receive  passengers. 
The  spire  of  the  Episcopal  church,  standing  on  eh.'vated  ground,  is  seen 
a  little  distance  southeastjVom  the  village.  The  Congregational  church 
is  situated  one  mile  and*a'"  half  eastward  of  the  Landing. 

Lord's  Mills,  or  as  it  is  now  called  Leesville,  upwards  of  four  miles 
northward  of  the  I.ianding,  is  a  village  containing  18  or  20  dwelling 
houses,  and  is  situated  at  the  head  of  boat  navigation  on  Salmon  river. 
There  are  in  the  village  3  mercantile  stores,  a  post  ollice,  a  saw  mill, 
and  a  cotton  factory,  containing  J  ,bOO  spindles  and  40  looms.  The 
tide  at  this  place  rises  about  two  feet.  Sloops  of  about  CJO  tons  have 
been  launched  here  in  time  of  freshet.  There  was  formerly  an  oil  mill 
in  this  place,  which  was  erected  more  than  sixty  years  since,  the  first  it 
is  said  erected  in  the  state.  The  scenery  about  this  village  is  striking 
and  beautiful,  es[)ecially  the  long  vista  wliich  is  seen  on  looking  down 
Salmon  river. 

Mechanicsville  is  a  thriving  village,  upwards  of  3  miles  n.  e.  of  the 
Lauding.  It  contains  2  cotton  factories,  one  for  manufacturing  cotton 
twine,  the  first  of  the  kind  it  is  said  established  in  the  United  States  ;  it 
has  been  in  operation  about  ten  y^ars.  The  village  is  situated  on 
Moodus  river,  a  branch  of  Sahnon  river.  It  consists  of  about  30  or 
40  dwelling  houses.  A  Methodist  church  has  been  recently  erected  in 
this  place. 

"  From  time  immemorial,  East  Iladdam  lias  been  the  seat  of  uncommon  subterra- 
nean noises,  called  MootUis  noises.  The  Indian  name  ol'ihe  town  was  MackiiiLuudu^, 
which  in  English  is  the  filu't  of  noiies ;  a  name  i,MVon  with  the  ulmosl  propriety  lu 
the  place.  The  accounts  _i,'iven  ol"  the  noises  and  (juakinj^s  iheie  are  very  remarka- 
ble. Were  it  not  tluil  the  jiciple  are  accustomed  to  them,"  ihev  would  occasion  j,Meat 
alarm.  The  Rev.  Mr.  llo.snjer,  in  a  letter  to  Mr.  Prince,  ol  Boston,  written  Aui,'iist 
13th,  17v!l),  ^'ives  this  aeciuint  (/!' ihem : — 'As  to  the  earlh(jiiakes,  1  have  suuuthinfj- 
considerable  and  awful  to  tell  you.  Earthquakes  have  been  here,  (and  no  whcie  but 
in  this  precinct,  as  can  be  discerned;  that  is,  they  seem  to  have  their  center,  rise  and 
origin  amon<,'  us,)  as  has  been  observed  Ibr  more  than  thirty  years.  1  have  been  in- 
formed, thai  in  this  place,  belbre  the  English  settlements,  there  were  great  numbers  of 
Indian  inhabitanis,  and  that  it  was  a  )ilace  of  extraordinary  Indian  Puwawx,  or  in 
short,  that  it  was  a  place  where  the  Indians  drove  a  pr(Hligi"ous  trade  at  worshipping 
the  devil.  Also  I  was  infurined,  that,  manyycais  past,  an  old  Indian  was  asked, 
What  was  the  reason  of  the  noises  in  this  place  ?  'I'o  which  he  replieil,  that  the  In- 
dian's God  was  very  angry  because  Englishman's  God  was  come  here. 

"Now  whether  there  beany  thing  diabolical  in  these  thiijgs,  1  know  not;  but  tliis  I 
know,  that  God  Almighty  is  to  be  seen  and  trembled  at,  in  what  has  been  olien  heard 
ainong  us.  Whether  it  be  lire  or  air  distressed  in  the  subterraneous  caverns  of  the 
earth,  cannot  be  known;  for  there  is  no  eruption,  no  explosion  perceptible,  but  by 
sounds  and  tremors,  which  sometimes  are  very  fearful  and  dreadful.  I  liave  myself 
lieard  eight  or  ten  sounds  successively,  and  iniitating  small  arms,  in  the  space  of  five 
minutes.  I  have,  I  suppose,  hcaid  several  hundreds  of  them  within  twenty  years; 
some  more,  some  less  terrible.  Sometimes  we  have  heard  them  almost  every  day, 
and  great  numbers  of  them  in  the  space  of  a  year.  Oftentimes  I  have  observed  them 
to  be  coming  down  from  the  north,  imitating  slow  thunder,  until  the  sound  came  near 
or  right  under,  and  then  there  .seemed  to  be  a  breaking,  like  the  noise  of  a  cannon 
shot,  or  severe  thunder,  which  shakes  the  houses  and  alltliat  is  in  them.    They  have 


EAST      HADDAM. 


.^r^^jjR^-. 


i^-. 


a  ca 

tiiiiL',  are  as  iniicli  divcrsifiud  as  the  s 
dwelliii;;  house,  is  tlic  same  as  ilie  I'alli 
piudiiccd  no  emotions  ol'  leiroror  Icai 
spoken  of  as  usual  occiint 


tSouth  vlciu  of  Mount  Tom  and  the  vxouih  of  Suhiiun  liivcr, 

in  a  manner  censed  since  the  great  earthqna'fie.     As  I  remember,  there  have  been  but 
two  lieard  since  that  lime,  and  tlio.^e  but  UKjderate." 

A  worthy  genileuian,  about  six  years  since,  j^ave  tlie  folhju  ing  account  of  them. 
"  The  awful  muses,  of  whicii  Mr.  liosmer  gave  an  accouni,  in  his  historical  minutes, 
and  eoncernmg  which  you  desire  further  inloimaiion,  eonlinue  to  the  |iresent  time. 
The  ell'ects  they  produce,  arc  various  as  the  iniei  mediate  UegreeN  between  the  roar  of 
innon  and  tlie  noi.sc  of  a  pistol.  The  concussions  of  the  eaith,  made  at  the  same 
nds  in  the  air.  The  shock  ihey  give  to  a 
^  of  logs  on  the  door.  'I'he  smaller  shocks 
n  the  njindsof  the  inhahilants.  They  are 
called  Moodus  noises.  But  when  they  are 
so  violent  as  to  he  fell  in  the  adjacent  towns,  they  are  called  earth(}uakes.  During 
my  residence  here,  which  has  been  almost  thirty  six  years,  1  have  invariably  observed, 
after  some  of  the  most  violent  of  these  shocks,  that  an  account  has  been  published  in 
the  lu!\\spaneib,  of  a  small  shock  of  an  cartlKpiake,  at  INew  London  and  llaitford. 
Nor  do  I  believe,  in  all  that  jieriod,  there  has  been  any  account  published  of  an  earlh- 
qiuke  in  Ct)nneeiicut,  whicli  was  not  far  more  violent  here  than  in  any  other  place. 
By  recurring  to  ihe  newspapers,  you  will  find,  that  an  earthquake  was  noticed  on  the 
ISlh  May,  1791,  about  10  o'clock,  P.  M.  It  was  perceived  as  lar  distant  as  Boston 
anil  New  York.  A  Wiw  minutes  after  thcie  was  another  shock,  which  was  percepti- 
ble at  the  distance  of  seventy  miles.  Here,  at  thai  tune,  the  concussion  ol'  the  earlli, 
and  the  roarinjr  of  the  atmosphere  were  most  tremendous.  Consternation  and  dread 
filled  every  house.  Many  chimnies  were  untopped  and  walls  thrown  down.  It  was 
a  nighl  niiich  to  be  remembered  ;  for  besides  the  two  shocks  which  were  noticed  at  a 
distance,  during  the  night  there  was  here  a  succession  of  shocks,  to  the  number  of 
twenty,  perhaps  thirty;  the  eflects  of  which,  like  all  others,  decreased  in  every  direc- 
tion, in  proportion  to  the  distances.  The  next  day,  stones  of  several  tons  weight, 
were  found  removed  from  their  places;  and  apei lures  in  the  earth,  and  fissures  in  im- 
movable rocks,  ascertained  the  places  where  the  explosions  were  made.  Since  that 
time,  the  noises  and  shocks  have  been  less  frequent  than  befiire;  tliough  not  a  year 
passeth  over  us,  bul  some  of  them  are  perceptible." — TrinnbulL's  Hist.  dm. 

Mount  Tom  is  situated  at  the  junction  of  Moodus  with  Salmon  river. 
The  above  view  was  taken  from  the  western  side  of  Connecticut  river. 
Mount  Tom  is  the  most  elevated  height  seen  in  the  distance,  in  the 
center  of  the  engraving,  at  the  base  of  which  is  seen  a  flat  bottomed 
boat,  ascending  Salmon  river.  Tiiis  mountain  seems  to  be  situated 
about  the  center  from  which  the  Moodus  noises  proceed.     The  sever- 


K 


5r28  '  EAST      II  A  D  D  A  M  . 

est  shocks  are  felt  as  far  northeast  as  Boston,  and  as  far  soiilhwest  as 
New  York,  and  are  there  noticed  as  earthquakes.  In  1816  and  1817, 
in  the  n!<;ht,  these  noises  were  more  than  usually  violent.  A  person 
was  on  Mount  Tom  ahout  15  years  since,  at  the  time  these  noises  were 
heard.  It  appeared  to  this  person  as  though  a  stone  or  large  body  fell, 
underneath  the  ground,  directly  under  his  feet,  and  grated  down  to  a 
considerable  distance  in  the  depths  below.  The  cause  of  these  noises 
is  explained  by  some  to  be  mineral  or  chemical  cond)inations,  exploding 
at  a  depth  of  many  thousand  feet  beneath  the  surface  of  the  earth. 
The  jar  is  similar  to  that  of  explodetl  gunpowder. 


U])wards  of  a  mile  north  of  the  Landing  is  the  ancient  burying  ground, 
which  is  situated  about  -10  rods  southeasterly  from  Salmon  river.  It 
is  now  abandoned,  and  a  forest  has  grown  up  among  the  monuments, 
giving  the  place  a  very  unusual  and  gloomy  aspect.  The  following  is 
copied  from  a  moss-covered  tabular  monument: 

Under  this  tturib  st(jiie  lyelh  inlei  r'd  the  hody  of  ilie  llcv.  Stephen  TTosdkt,  llie  first 
pastor  of  the  First  Churcii  uf  Christ  in  East  I'laddnm,  wlio  departed  this  life  the  IHih 
day  of  June,  A.  D.  17ty,  and  in  liic  7Uih  year  of  lii^  aL;e.  And  at  his  rii^dit  hand  ieeih 
Mrs.  iSarah  llusnier,  liis  beloved  cunsurl,  wiio  dejiarn.'d  liiis  life  b'ept.  ye  lilUh,  A,  D. 
174'J,  and  in  the  G7th  year  (d'lier  age. 

Sweet  sunls,  we  leave  you  to  yi>nr  rcrt ; 

I'lnjoy  your  Jesus  and  youi'  God, 
Till  we  fuini  hands  of  elay  releas'd, 
Sprinj,'  out  and  cliaib  the  sinning  road. 


The  following  is  from  the  7th  vol.  of  the  Medical  Repository,  pub- 
lished in  New  York,  extracted  from  a  letter  written  in  East  Iladdam. 

"  For  10  or  12  years  prior  lo  1797,"  says  the  wiiier,  "a  disea'^e  prevailed  among  the 
cattle  in  Kasi  Haddain,  and  in  the  in-ighboring  i)laces  lo  a  gieat  extent,  vulgarly  call- 
ed a  rnortifieation.  It  was  mtisl  destiuelive  lo  cattle  uiuKr  three  years;  sometimes 
atlaclving  cows  over  that  period,  but  never  oxen.  Calves  were  most  geneially  de- 
stroyed by  it  in  autumn,  ami  yearlings  in  May  and  June.  Iin  c.immeneemeiii  was  indi- 
cated by  a  sudvleii  li>ile>-ness,  luimbne.ss,  aiid  dis]ii»iiii)ri  lo  lesl,  attended  with  small 
soft  swellings  on  the  Irgs,  shoulders,  ilinl.-,  side,  bin  more  usually  in  ihe  baelc  near  the 
kidneys,  and  it  produced  death  with  feeble  e.vjires.sions  (d'  pain,  wiiliin  G,  12  and  21 
hours.  Immediately  upon  death,  the  carca.ss  became  intolerably  oirensive,.so  that  ihe 
hide  was  often  left  to  rot  with  it ;  where  it  was  taken  oil",  the  swellings  were  found  to 
consist  of  jelly  and  black  blood.  After  tanning,  ihe  hide  was  often  rotted  over  the 
swellings,  and  lioles  were  made  of  their  size  and  dimensions."  The  cause  of  this  dis- 
ease was  never. satisfactorily  ascertained  and  the  remedies  which  were  applied,  rarely, 
if  ever  succeetled.* 

Frovi  the  Conncdicui  Gazette,  {Sew  London,)  Aii^.  20,  1790.     No.  1397. 

Ea&t  Haddam,  Aug.  5,  1790. 
The  town  of  East  Haddam  was  formerly  much  noted  for  earthquakes — from  which 
it  obtained  its  ancient  Indian  name,  Moodus;  which  in  their  language,  it  is  said,  sig- 
nifies a  great  noise.  They  were  supposed  to  lake  iheir  rise  near  Salmon  liver,  which 
runs  between  this  town  and  Chatham.  Several  years  ago,  they  were  said  to  be  very 
loud  and  frequent,  and  that  they  shook  the  earth  lor  several  miles  around;  and  it  lias 
been  reported,  that  the  ground  has  been  opened  in  several  places,  and  trees  torn  up  by 
the  roots,  and  carried  to  some  distance,  near  the  above  mentioned  river: — and  that 
some  persons  were  under  learful  apprehensions  that  the  town  would  sooner  or  later  be 
sunk.  Various  have  been  the  conjectures  concerning  the  cause  of  these  earthquakes 
or  Moodus  noises,  as  they  are  called.  The  following  account  has  gained  credit  with 
many  persons. — It  is  reported,  thai  between  20  and  30  years  ago,  a  transient  person 
came  to  this  town,  who  called  himself  Doct.  Steel,  from  Great  Britain,  who  having 


Field^s  Si  ttist.  Hist,  of  the  County  oi  Middle 


w 


K  I  L  I.  1  N  G  W  O  11  T  II  .  5'2i) 

Jiad  information  respecting  those  iinisos,  inadc  critical  observation  at  different  times 
and  in  different  places,  till  at  k-nytli  he  dii:,' ii])  two  jiearls  ol"  great  value,  which  lie 
called  Carbuncles,  near  Salmon  river: — and  tiiat  he  told  people  the  noises  would  be 
discontinued  lor  uiaiiy  years,  as  he  had  talieu  away  their  cause;  but  as  he  hud  dis- 
covered others  in  miniature,  they  wouhl  be  again  heard  in  process  of  time.  The  best 
evidence  of  the  aullieniicily  of  tliis  story  is  that  it  lias  happened  af,'reeably  to  his  pro- 
phecy. The  noi-es  did  cease  for  many  years,  and  have  again  been  heard  for  two  or 
three  years  past,  and  they  increase — three  shocks  have  been  lelt  in  a  short  space,  one 
of  which  according  to  a  late  paper,  was  felt  at  iNiw  London',  iliough  it  was  by  the  ac- 
count much  more  considerable  in  this  and  the  adjacent  towns. 


.        _      ^^ 

KILLING  WORTH. 

Iiv  October,  1G63,  the  legislature  of  Connecticut  fesolvcd  that  there 
should  he  a.  town  at  Ilauiuionnas.sel,  (the  Jiidiau  uaine  apjilicd  to  the 
tract  now  constituting  Ivillingworlh,)  atid  the  yame  month  twelve  plant- 
ers removed  into  it.  These  were  joined  by  .sixteen  others  in  the  course 
of  two  or  three  years;  and  the  town  was  divitled  into  oi)  rights,  one 
right  being  reserved  for  the  first  minister  that  should  be  settled  there, 
and  another  lijr  the  support  of  the  ministry  forever.  "  The  plantation 
in  this  town  was  called  the  jilantation  of  llannnonnassct,  and  the  plan- 
tation between  Guilford  and  Saybiook,''until  May,  1GG7.  At  that  lime 
the  place  was  named  Kenllwort/i,  after  a  town  in  the  county  of  War- 
wick, in  England,  from  which,  according  to  tradition,  some  of  the  set- 
tlers at  first  emigrated.  The  name  is  t litis  spelt  in  the  early  records  of 
the  town  and  colony,  but  by  corrii[)t  spelling  or  pronuticiation,  the  })re- 
sent  name  was  finally  adopted." 

The  township  of  ICillingworth  is  of  an  oblong  shape,  b(;iiig  about  13 
miles  in  length  Jrom  north  to  sotiih,  and  has  a  mean  breadth  of  more 
than  three  miles.  It  is  bounded  n.  by  Durham  aiul  lladdatri,  w.  by 
llaminonnasset  river,  diviiling  it  from  Mailison,  e.  by  Saybrook  and 
Chester,  aitd  s.  by  Long  Island  sound.  It  comprises  two  parishes,  viz. 
Killingworth,  and  North  Killingwoith.  The  central  part  of  Killing- 
worih  is  38  miles  southeast  from  Hartford,  :25  miles  east  from  New 
Haven,  and  '27  west  from  Now  London.  The  southern,  and  ])articularly 
the  southwestern  suction  of  KiUlngworth  parish,  is  levul,  having  a  soil 
formed  of  loam,  sand,  and  occttsionally  of  gravel,  which,  by  good  hus- 
bandry, is  rendered  very  productive.  lJi)on  the  border  of  the  Sound, 
there  are  large  tracts  of  alluvial  or  salt  marsh,  comprising,  as  has  been 
estimated,  L^OO  acres.  North  Killingworth  is  rough  and  stony,  and 
the  soil  better  adapted  for  grazing,  than  for  grain  and  corn. 

There  is  one  harbor  in  the  town,  about  a  mile  below  Killingworth 
street,  wdiicli  is  safe  frotn  winds,  and  has  good  anchorage  ;  but  a  bar 
lies  at  its  entrance,  on  which  there  is  only  7;^  or  8  feet  of  water  at 
common  tides.  Ship  building  was  begun  in  this  town  about  the  begin- 
ning of  the  last  century,  by  Ilobert  Carter;  and  for  many  years  this 
has  been  a  leading  branch  of  business.  Three  yards  are  improved,  all 
of  which  are  on  Indian  river,  a  small  stream  which  enters  the  liarhor. 
There  are,  perhaps,  five  vessels  built  yearly,  upon  an  average.  One  of 
upwards  400  tons  was  built  in  this  place.  The  village  of  Killingworth 
G7 


530 


KILLING  WORT  II. 


is  quite  pleasant.  The  principal  street  is  a  mile  antl  a  half  in  length 
and  six  rods  wide,  and  is  crossed  about  midway  by  Indian  river.  There 
are,  perhaps,  about  150  dwelling  houses  within  a  mile  from  the  Con- 
gregational church,  which  is  situated  in  the  central  part  of  the  place: 
there  is  also  in  the  village  a  Methodist  and  Baptist  church.  Killing- 
worth  has  a  healthful,  interesting,  and  prospective  situation,  and  has 
during  the  sunnner  months,  a  salubrious  sea  air. 

"  Tlie  Iiulians  were  very  numerous  in  Uie  soiUhurn  purl  of  lliis  town,  on  the  banks 
of  Hanimunnusset  and  Indian  rivers,  and  abuiit  llie  harbor.  Inunense  masses  of 
mouldering  shells  still  point  out  the  places  wliere  ihey  dwelt.  Must  of  their  lands 
■were  sold  to  Col.  Fenwicic,  while  he  lived  at  Saybrook.     On  the  'JOih  of  November, 

ir.G'l      TTnpic      «nnh,.in   ,./•   M,,l,ojTan      M-iiV,    J.,v:1,iim     Vii«    cnn     s.ilil    l,->lt.M    1  nh.n hit n  11  ts  f if 

Killin^woith  illlliLluitIs  in  tliL  tt«nslip  uliiLhliLhui  m  t  sold  1  foit  IoGloi^c 
1  enwi  k  1  1  (iCL(|Unjsi\  KH-sonth  In^  linnMUtl  (win  h  1  n  on  theeisicin 
shore  ol  th(  h  ub  ir  )  u  st  ivin...  tu  wlVlT  (ki  libul\  to  hunt  in  tin  wi  ods  and  Iish  in 
theiivti^    iinl  to  u-ic  in>  ti     sin     uiols    m  I  i  nsh  s  m     ih^    1  ji  ni  Us  1  he  In- 

dians lived  ni  tills  ti  wn  in  w,iL  u  nunibLi->  until  17  0    r  lU 


II  est  view  of  Killiugworih,  [ctutral  ■pari.) 

The  above  is  a  view  (looking  eastward)  of  the  central  part  of  the 
principal  street  in  Killingworth,  showing  the  place  where  the  road 
crosses  Indian  river,  with  |)art  of  the  ship  yards  upon  its  baid^s.  The 
Congregational  church,  seen  in  the  center  of  the  print,  stands  upon  .1 
small  elevation,  called  fleeting-house  hill  :  the  academy  is  seen  at  the 
east  end  of  the  church  :  from  this. place  the  observer  has  a  pleasant 
view  of  the  harbor  and  Sound.  The  prospect  from  the  steeple  is  more 
extensive  and  beautiful.  On  the  right  is  seen,  between  the  trees  anil 
opposite  the  church,  a  house  upwards  of  an  hundred  years  old.  This 
house  was  the  residence  of  the  Rev,  Jared  Elliot,  U.  D.  who  was 
highly  distinguished  as  a  divine,  physician,  and  scholar.  lie  was  the 
grandson  of  the  celebrated  John  Elliot  of  Roxbury,  IMassachusetts,  the 
"  Apostle  to  the  Indians."  As  a  divine,  Mr.  Elliot  possessed  enlarged 
views  of  the  system  of  religion  contained  in  the  Bible.  "■  In  his 
preaching  he  was  plain  and  familiar,  happy  in  allusions  to  Scripture, 


K  I  L  L  I  N  G  W  O  R  T  II .  53  I 

and  abounding  in  original  and  laconic  expressions.  As  a  physician,  his 
reputation  was  such,  that  he  was  sometimes  called  out  of  the  colony. 
In  history,  natural  philosophy,  botany  and  mineralogy,  he  excelled. 
By  several  small  treatises,  he  labureil  to  improve  the  agriculture  of  his 
country.  Some  considerations  had  led  him  to  believe  that  the  black 
sand,  which  appears  originally  on  the  beach  of  the  Sound,  might  be 
wrought  into  iron.  He  made  an  experiment  upon  it  in  the  year  1761, 
and  succeeded.  For  this  discovery  he  was  honored  with  a  medal,  by 
the  society  instituted  in  London  for  the  encouragement  of  arts,  manu- 
factures and  commerce.  Jle  died  in  17G3,  aged  seventy  eight  years." 
A  short  distance  northward  of  the  church  seen  in  the  engraving  is 
the  burying  ground.  The  following  inscription  is  copied  from  one  of 
the  monuments. 

"  111  memory  ol'  Doct.  rJenjaiiiin  Ciale,  wlio,  ;iflcr  a  life  of  usefulness  in  his  profes- 
sion, and  a  lubuiioiis  sUicly  of  Uie  J\o()l.c.Mes,  fell  asleep  May  (nli,  A.  D.  1700,  Ml.  73, 

Inlly  expeclinj,'  lo  n^e  aj^'ain  inuler  llie  Messiali,  and  to  lei^n  willi  hiin  on  eaiUi 

1  know  thai  iny  ledeenier  livcili,  and  that  he  shall  siand^U  the  laiier  day  upon  the 
earth,  and  mine  eyes  shall  behold  hmi." 

It  appears  by  this  inscription,  that  Dr.  Gale  was  a  believer  in  the  an- 
cient doctrine  of  MiUcnarians,  a  name  given  to  those  who  believe  that 
the  second  corning  of  Christ  will  precede:  the  Millennium,  and  that  there 
will  be  a  literal  resurrection  of  the  saints,  who  will  reign  with  Christ  oa 
earth  a  thousand  years.  This  appears  to  have  been  the  belief  of  pious 
persons  at  the  time  of  the  first  settlement  of  New  England  :  even  as 
iale  as  the  great  eartlirpiake,  many  Christians  were  looking  for,  and  ex- 
pecting the  second  coming  of  Christ. 

Abel  liudl,  nil  uncummonly  in^'i'iiions  nu-i  hainc,  was  a  iialive  of  this  town:  he 
was  apprenticed  to  lObem-zer  Chiiienden,  a  ;,'nhi  and  silver  smith  in  this  place,  previ- 
ous lo  the  Ilevoliiiion.  lUiell  was  married  at  the  a^'e  of  nineteen  years,  and  at  the 
ajje  of  twenty,  allercd  a  five  slullinj,'  colony  note  to  hve  pounds.  1  lis  neii,'hbors  liad 
suspected  that  soniethin-  was  ^'oin-  on  in  his  house  which  was  wronj,',  as'ii  light  had 
been  seen  in  his  chamber,  ai  unusual  lioiiis  ol  the  inyht.  1  lo  was  iliscoveied  bv  some 
l»crson,  who,  moiiiiling  a  laddei,  looked  in  at  the  window,  and  saw  him  in  the  act  of 
alierin^' the  bills.  So  iii^'eniouslv  was  it  done,  that  it  could  only  be  discovered  by 
coinjKiringtlie  siumns  olthe  letters  with  those  left  in  the  book  from  which  all  the  col- 
ony bills  were  issue.!.*  Matthew  (7riswold,  the  king's  attorney,  afterwards  governor, 
conducted  the  prosecution  against  Buell.  As  it  was  his  first  oH'eiise,  and  he  otherwise 
sustained  a  good  character,  Mr.  Gnswold  gianied  him  every  indulgence  which  he 
could  consistently  with  his  duty  as  a  public  olticer.  Buell's  punishment  appears  to 
have  consisted  of  imprisonment,  ciopping  and  brandini^.  The  tip  only  of  Buell's 
ear  was  cropped  ofl":  il  was  held  on  his  tongue  to  keep  it' warm  till  it  was  put  on  the 
ear  again,  where  it  grew  on.  He  was  branded  on  the  forehead  as  high  np  as  possible. 
This  was  u-sually  done  by  a  hot  iron,  in  the  form  of  a  letter  designating  the  crime, 
which  was  held  on  the  forehead  of  the  criminal  till  he  could  say  the  words 
"  God  save  the  king." 

Mr.  Buell  was  at  the  first  imprisoned  at  Norwich  ;  afterwards,  through  the  influence 
of  his  family  and  friends,  he  was  removed  back  to  Killingworlh.  About  this  lime  he 
constructed  a  lapidary  machine,  the  first,. it  is  believed,  that  was  used  in  this  country. 
With  this  he  was  enabled  to  make  a  very  curious  ring;  a  large,  beautiful  stone  being 
set  in  the  center,  surrounded  by  those  of  a  smaller  size,  all  of  which  were  wrought  in 
a  curious  and  workmanlike  manner.  This  ring  he  presented  to  Mr.  Griswold,  the 
king's  attorney,  and  through  his  intluence  a  pardon  was  obtained.     Afterwards,  about 

•  It  appears  from  this  that  all  the  bills  which  were  issued  by  the  colony  were  origin- 
ally bound  together  in  the  form  of  a  book,  and  were  cut  out  a3  they  were  wanted,  leav- 
ing some  part  of  the  printed  matter  in  the  book. 


532  SAYDROOK. 

the  year  1770,  Mr.  Bucll  removed  to  New  TIaven.  About  this  period,  Bernard  Ro- 
mans was  constructing  a  iiia|i  nl  Nurtli  America.  As  the  coast  of"  I'ensacola  was  but 
little  known,  Buell  was  enijiloyeii  by  him  to  make  a  survey  of  the  coast.  While  at 
Pensacola,  a  person,  knowing  liira  to  be  an  ingenious  man,  enquired  if  he  could  break 
the  governor's  seal,  and  ojieu  a  letter  atut  seal  it  up  again,  so  that  it  could  not  be  dis- 
covered that  the  letter  had  been  opened.  Mr.  Buell  was  able  to  show  his  employer 
that  it  could  be  done  in  a  perfect  manner.  1  le  was,  however,  ariested  for  making  the 
attempt,  although  it  is  believed  that  the  governor  einiiloyed  the  person  who  came  to 
Buell.  lie  was  conllned  to  the  island,  but  he  soon  Inuml  means  to  escape,  by  a  boat  of 
his  construction:  he  was  accompanied  by  a  boy  wlio  wished  to  leave  liie  place;  they 
put  out  into  the  open  sea,  and  were  three  days  out  of  sight  of  land.  They  however 
were  able  to  get  into  some  of  our  southern  ))orls,  and  l^iom  thence  Buell  returned  home. 

The  map  mentioned  above  was  publislieil  during  the  Uevoluliouary  war,  and  it  is 
believed  to  be  the  first  innji  engraved  and  piii)lished  in  this  country.  In  engiaving  it, 
Mr.  Buell  was  assisted  by  Mr.  Amos  Douliitle,  of  JNew  Haven.  During  the  Bevolu- 
tion  it  was  extremely  dillicult  to  jirocure  ty[)es  for  jirinting,  except  French  types.  Mr. 
Buell,  turning  his  attenliim  to  this  subject,  suon  cuiistruetcd  a  tii/ic  /on  ml  in/,  and  em- 
ployed If)  or  20  boys  in  making  ty|)es.  The  building  used  for  ihefoundery  was  the 
tiandemanian  meeting  house,  situated  in  Gregson  stretl.  The  legislature  of  the 
state,  impressed  with  a  sense  of  the  service  he  rendered  the  public,  restored  to  liim 
his  civil  rights.  Upon  the  conclu.>ion  of  the  Itevolutioiiary  wai',  Mr.  Buell  and  some 
others  were  employed  by  the  state  111  Coining  cojipeis.  i\lr.  liuell  constructed  nil  the 
apparatus  for  this  [lurpose,  and  to  such  perfection  diil  he  bring  it,  that  he  was  able  to 
coin  I'JO  in  a  iniiiiUe.  ISoon  after,  he  wi  nl  lo  i'lngland,  loi  tiie  osicnsible  purpose  of 
prueuring  copper  for  coining,  but  in  reality  to  gam  some  kuou  ledge  of  the  machinery 
used  for  the  manufactui  ing  of  cloths  (jf  vaiioii.^  Kinds. 

While  in  Kngland,  he  was  passing  ihiuu-h  a  town  where  they  were  ccjiistrucling  an 
iron  bridge:  thriiugh  some  error  or  delect  in  the  ecinstrmiion,  the  builders  could  not 
make  their  bridge  answer  any  useliil  purpose.  Such  rf;is  Mr.  IJuell's  knou  ledge  and 
ingenuity  ou  subjects  of  this  naiiire,  ihai  he  wa.^  able  in  a  short  time  to  direct  them 
how  toconslruct  their  biidire  in  a  piojier  manner.  So  highly  were  his  .services  con- 
sidered, thai  he  was  presented  with  a  hundred  guineas.  Mr.  Huell  returned  to  this 
country,  and  brought  a  Sei^lchinan  by  the  name  of  M'Jntosh.  They  erected  a  cotton 
factory  in  Westville,  in  JNew  Haven,  one  of  the  lirst  erected  in  this  country.  He 
afterwards  removed  to  llarthud,  and  from  thence  to  Sioclcbridge,  Mass,  where  he 
made  a  profession  of  rcligu)ii  after  he  was  seventy  years  of  a.;,'e.  About  the  yenr  1825, 
he  returned  to  New  Haven,  where  he  died  in  the  alms  house  soon  alter  his  return. 


SAYBROOK. 

S.vYimooK  is  Olio  of  ilie  iiiost  ancli'iit  towns  in  ilio  .stale,  liOrtl  Say 
anil  Seal,  1  lOrd  Uroolv,  aiul  other  i;cntleQioii  of  distinclion,  (li.ssntibfietl 
with  tho  civil  and  reliyioiis  state  ol"  things  in  England,  in  the  lime  of" 
Charles  I,  cotiteinplatetl  a  reinovnl  to  America  :  accordingly,  in  J  632, 
they  procured  of  Ixohert,  Earl  oi"  AVarwick,  a  patent  of  all  that  tcrri- 
toiy  "  which  lies  west  from  Nanagansett  river,  a  hundred  and  twenty 
miles  on  the  sea  coast;  and  from  thence  in  latitude  and  breatlih  afore- 
said, to  the  South  Sea."  In  .July,  ]<)35,  they  appointed  John  Winthrop, 
son  of  the  governor  of  Mtissachusetts,  then  in  England,  their  agent,  to 
build  a  fort  at  Connecticut  river,  and  constituted  him  governor  of  the 
the  place  and  places  adjoining,  for  the  space  of  one  year  from  liis  arri- 
val there.  On  his  arrival  at  Boston  in  October,  he  found  that  a  com- 
pany had  just  gone  from  Massachtisetts  and  settled  upon  Connecticut 
river,  within  the  patent  heltl  by  their  lordships.  Winthrop  however 
dispatched  carpenters  and  workmen  to  the  mouth  of  the  Connecticut, 
who  arrived  there  at  or  near  tlio  close  of  iVovcmbor,  JG-'35.  ]Mr.  Win- 
throp soon  followed  them,  and  superintended  their  labors  during  the 
continuance  of  his  commission. 


S  A  Y  B  R  0  0  K  .  533 

In  the  summer  of  1639,  Col.  George  Fenwick,  one  of  the  patentees, 
arrived  from  Enghintl,  and  in  honor  of  Lord  Say  and  Seal,  and  Lord 
Brook,  gave  the  tract  about  the  mouth  of  the  river,  the  name  of  Say- 
brook.  From  this  time,  to  December,  1G44,  he  superintended  and 
governed  the  inhabitants,  and  then  sold  the  jurisdiction  of  Saybrook  to 
Connecticut  colony  ;  as  his  associates  had  given  up  their  contemplated 
removal  to  America.  The  lirst  tax  levied  by  authority  of  the  colony, 
was  at  the  October  session,  tlie  year  after.  Soon  after  this  period,  the 
settlement  began  to  flourish  ;  a  number  of  families  removing  here  from 
Hartford  and  Windsor.  The  original  limits  of  the  town  extended  upon 
the  east  side  of  the  river  for  several  miles,  and  included  a  part  of  the 
town  of  Lyme.  The  township  now  comprises  three  parishes,  viz.  Say- 
brook,  Westbrook,  V antapong  or  Essex.  Saybrook  j)arish  is  the  soutli- 
cast  section  of  the  town.  'I'he  Indian  name  for  this  place  was  Patta- 
fjuasset.  West  of  this  is  Westbrook  parish,  which  was  called  by  its  In- 
dian name  Pochaug,  until  October,  LSIO.  A'orth  of  these  two  par- 
ishes is  Pautapoug  or  Essex. 

Saybrook  is  bounded  n.  by  Chester,  w.  by  Killingworth,  e.  by  Con- 
necticut river,  and  s.  by  Long  Island  sounil.  It  is  U[)ward3  of  7  miles 
in  length  from  north  to  south,  and  averages  more  than  G  in  breadth. 
The  greater  part  of  the  township  is  uneven  and  stony.  There  are,  how- 
ever, some  extensive  levels,  and  tracts  of  rich  soil,  particularly  in  the 
vicinity  of"  Saybrook  village,  in  the  souiheni  part  of  the  town.  Some 
of  the  hills,  near  Connecticut  river,  have  good  granite  quarries.  1'here 
are  several  small  harbors  on  the  Sound,  and  on  Connecticut  river,  at 
Saybrook  point  and  Pautapoug.  The  bar  at  the  mouth  of  the  Connec- 
ticut is  an  impediment  to  navigation  ;  vessels  of  a  moderate  draught  are 
often  obliged  to  pass  it  with  but  j)art  of  their  cargoes.  The  depth  of 
water  at  the  bar,  at  spring  tides,  is  about  twelve  feet.  An  imjjortant 
and  lucrative  trade  was  formerly  carried  on  from  this  river,  to  the  AV^est 
Indies,  and  New  London  often  served  in  some  degree  as  tlie  port.  Say- 
brook harbor  is  at  the  mouth  of  a  handsome  cove,  making  up  from 
Connecticut  river,  and  extending  west  ahnost  to  Saybrook  village.  It 
is  often  resorted  to  by  coasting  vessels  in  bad  weather.  To  this  place 
the  river  is  open  through  the  winter,  and  it  is  here, that  vessels  are  fre- 
quently laid  up,  and  goods  deposited,  while  the  river  is  frozen  over 
above.  Largo  quantities  of  fish  are  taken  in  this  town.  The  shad  fish- 
eries are  numerous,  and  a  source  of  considerable  wealth.  Connecticut 
river  shad  are  considered  superior  to  any  other  in  this  country.  AVbite 
fish  are  taken  upon  the  shores  of  the  Sound,  and  are  very  valuable  for 
the  purposes  of  manure.  Tliey  are  ailbi'ded  at  a  cheap  rate  ;  the  light- 
est soils,  enriched  by  them,  have  produced  forty  bushels  of  rye  to  the 
acre,  and  they  have  an  equally  advantageous  effect  upon  the  growth  of 
corn,  potatoes,  and  other  productions. 

The  borough  of  Essex,  in  the  town  of  Saybrook,  is  situated  about  7 
miles  from  the  mouth  of  Connecticut  river.  It  is  a  place  of  considera- 
ble navigation  and  conuiiercial  business,  containing  about  1 ,000  inhab- 
itants. Ship  building  is  also  carried  on  to  a  considerable  extent.  In 
this  place  there  are  three  houses  of  worship,  an  academy,  8  or  10  nier- 


534 


S  A  Y  n  II  O  O  K  . 


JS'oilhca^t  vittr  of  the  liurotigk  of  Ksstx,  Saybrook. 

cantlle  stores,  (5  sail  makers,  and  one  of  the  most  extensive  rope  walks 
in  the  state.  Shipbuilding  was  begun  in  this  place  about  17-2(),  by 
INlr.  John  Tucker.  In  1775,  the  ship  Oliver  Cromwell,  of  'M  guns, 
was  built  at  this  place,  by  Mr.  Uriah  Ilayden.  The  accompanying 
view  was  taken  from  the  long  causeway  eastward  of  the  place,  and 
shows  the  appearance  of  the  public  buildings,  tiie  rope  walk,  and  part 
of  the  houses  on  the  point.  The  building  on  the  extreme  right  is  Hill's 
Academy,  where  are  taught  the  higher  branches  of  education  ;  that 
standing  opposite  is  the  Baptist  church.  The  building  near  the  center 
w^ith  a  spire  is  the  Episcopal,  and  the  one  near  by  is  the  JMethodist 
church.  From  these  buildings  there  is  an  abrupt  descent  to  the  strip 
of  land  between  two  coves,  (called  the  North  and  South  coves:)  this 
point,  formerly  called  Pcttqxiug  Point,  extends  100  rods  in  a  south- 
erly direction.  IMost  of  the  buililings  in  the  borough  are  on  this  point. 
During  the  last  war  with  Great  Britain,  this  place  was  visited  by  an  ar- 
mnnent  from  the  British  squadron  blockading  New  London,  in  April, 
1814.  Vessels  from  the  squadron  had  often  gone  out  and  cruised  in 
the  Sound. 

"  On  the  evening  followins  the  7lh  of  April,  two  or  three  of  these  anchored  off  Say- 
brook  bar.  They  immediately  dispatched  for  Pautapoug,  two  launches,  each  carry- 
ing 'J  or  12  pound  carronades  and  fifty  or  sixty  men  eacli,  and  four  barge.s,  supposed 
to  have  25  men  each,  under  tlie  command  of  Lieut.  Coole,  completely  prepared  with 
torches,  combustibles,  &.c.  for  the  enterprise  which  they  accomplished.  Before  II 
o'clock  ihey  were  discovered  entering  tiie  month  of  the  river,  by  the  keeper  of  the 
light  house,  and  before  12,  many  of  the  men  landed  at  Saybrouk  ])oint,  and  went  into 
the  old  lort,  where  no  force  was  then  stationed  to  resist' them.  The  distance  from 
this  place  to  Pautapoug  point  is  between  iive  and  six  miles;  but  being  retarded  by  a 
strong  northerly  wind  and  ii  freshet,  they  did  not  arrive  there  till  about  four  o'clock, 
Friday  morning,  the  8th  of  April.  The  people  knew  nothing  of  their  being  in  the 
river  more  than  30  minutes  before  they  arrived,  and  took  possession  of  the  point;  and 
some  had  no  knowledge  of  it,  before  the  work  of  conllagration  was  begun.  Picket 
guards  searched  houses  and  stores  for  arms  and  ammunition,  while  the  men  generally 
were  employed  in  .setting  fire  to  the  vessels,  lying  in  the  river,  at  the  point,  and  on  the 
stocks  along  the  Noith  and  South  coves.  About  10  o'clock,  they  called  in  their  guards 
and  proceeded  down  the  iiver,  with  a  brig,  schooner,  and  two  sloops.  But  the  wind 
shilling  from  the  northeast  to  the  southeast,  they  set  fire  to  all  these,  excepting  the 


SAYBROOK.  535 

schooner,  which  ihcy  anchored  about  a  mile  ami  a  quarter  below  (lie  point,  where 
they  remained  till  evening.  Twenty  two  vessels  of  various  descriptions  were  destroy- 
ed, and  a  loss  occasioned,  computed  at  ltJU,OUU  dollars,  (jO,000  of  which  tell  on  the  in- 
habitants of  Pautapoug;. 

"  AVhen  the  enemy  lirst  landed,  the  people  living  on  the  point  and  in  the  vicinity 
were  in  no  situation  lo  oppose  them.  In  the  course  of  the  day,  some  forces  collecied 
from  Pautapoug  and  uther  |)laces  west  of  the  river;  while  on  the  east  side,  some  col- 
lected from  Lyme  and  New  London;  but  the  worL  of  destruction  was  finished  and 
the  British  were  more  than  a  mile  down  the  nver.  The  plan  adopted  was  to  oppose 
them  on  their  way  out,  for  which  stations  were  taken  on  both  sides.  P.ut  the  enemy 
were  detained  as  has  been  stated.  About  sunset  a  field  piece  was  planted  on  a  point 
near  their  resting  place,  which,  by  seveial  well  directed  shots,  compelled  them  to  leave 
the  schooner.  One  of  these  shots  killed  two  men  and  wounded  a  third.  When  night 
came  on,  it  was  excessively  dark,  and  no  object  cuuld  be  seen,  and  they  proceeded  si- 
lently down  the  river,  and  arrived  at  their  vessels  about  10  o'clock  in  the  evening. 
Many  shots  were  directed  against  them  on  the  supposition  of  their  being  on  their  way, 
some  of  which  struck  their  boats,  and  probably  diu  some  execution."* 

TliG  village  of  IVcsthroolc  is  about  four  miles  west  from  Saybrook 
village.  Tiie  settlcuieut  of  tliis  place  coiiniiciiccd  as  early  as  16(54.  It 
was  incorporated  as  a  society  in  17-21.  The  Rev.  William  Wortliing- 
ton  was  tlieir  first  pastor;  he  deceased  in  175(5,  and  was  succeeded  by 
the  Rev.  John  Devotion.  Ship  building  was  conuiienced  in  lllO,  on 
the  Pochaug  river,  and  is  still  a  leading  branch  of  business  in  the  jjlace. 
There  are  at  present  about  15  vessels  owned  here,  principally  coasters. 
It  is  estimated  that  there  are  about  1,200  inhabitants  in  the  limits  of  the 
society,  and  two  churches,  1  Congregational  and  1  JMcthodist.  Mv. 
David  BushncJI,  the  inventor  of  tlie  "  American  Turtle,"  a  machine 
for  destroying  British  shi|)piiig,  during  the  Revolutionary  war,  was  a 
native  of  this  place. 

There  were  formerly  in  the  town  four  Indian  settlements  ;  one  at  the 
mouth  of  Oyster  river;  one  on  Obcd's  hammock,  near  the  mouth  of 
Pochaug  river;  a  third  was  at  Ayres's  point,  and  so  northward  to  Pau- 
tapoug point ;  the  fourth  was  on  or  near  the  Indian  reservation  in  Ches- 
ter. The  Indians  in  this  town  and  vicinity  were  s'lbject,  some  years 
before  the  English  settled  on  Connecticut  river,  to  the  Petjuots.  In 
1G31,  some  of  their  confederates  murdereil  Cajit.  Slone  and  Capt.  Nor- 
ton, and  their  whole  crew,  consisting  of  eight  men,  half  a  mile  above 
Saybrook  point,  plundered  the  vessel,  then  burned  her  down  to  the  wa- 
ter's edge,  and  sunk  her.f  In  IG35,  they  received  and  protected  in- 
dividuals who  had  been  concerned  in  the  murder  of  ]\lr.  Oldham,  at 
Block  Island. 

"  But  notwithstanding  these  recent  and  abominable  transactions,  they  consented  to 
hold  a  treaty  with  Mr.  Winthrop  and  his  men,  and  gave  to  the  English  their  right  to 
Connecticut  river  and  the  adjacent  country.  Thus  ihey  excited  a  liope  of  peace  and 
safety.  But  a  few  months,  according  to  the  testimuiiy  of  Dr.  Trumbull  and  various 
.other  writers,  disclosed  their  treachery  and  wickedness.  For  in  the  beginning  of  Oc- 
tober, 1G3G,  as  five  men  from  Saybrook  fort  went  to  get  hay  at  Calves'  island,  four 
miles  north,  near  Lyme  shore,  some  Pequots  who  had  concealed  themselves  in  the 
high  grass  surprised  tliem,  caught  one,  a  godly  young  man,  by  the  name  of  Butter- 
field,  and  tortured  iiim  lo  death  :  from  which  circumslance  the  place  was  named  IJiU- 
lerfield's  mpadow.  The  other  four  escaped  to  their  boat,  but  one  of  them  was  wounded 
with  5  arrows.— A  few  days  after  this,  Joseph  Tilly,  master  ol'a  bark,  came  to  anchor 


*  Field's  Statistical  Account. 

+  As  late  as  17^5,  some  of  the  limber  and  plank  of  this  vessel  were  found,  together 
with  a  quantity  of  bar  iron,  and  a  few  other  ankles.— Fi eld's  Stal.  Acct.  Saybrovk. 


53G 


S  A  Y  B  n  O  0  K  , 


nearly  opposite  Calves'  island,  and  takinsr  one  man  with  bim,  Trent  on  filiorc  for  the 
purpose  of  fowling.  As  soon  as  he  had. discharged  his  piece,  a  large  number  of  Pe- 
qiiois  rising  I'rom  their  concealment,  took  liini  and  killed  his  companion  ;  and  then 
gratified  their  malice  by  pulling  him  to  torture.  They  fust  cut  off  his  hands  and  tiien 
hisleei;  after  whicli  he  Jived  three  days.  But  as  noiluug  which  ihey  inllicied  upon 
him  excited  a  groan,  lliey  pronounced  him  a  stout  man.  Thu  place  where  he  was 
taken  and  tortured  lias  since  been  called  Tilly's  Point. — Within  a  fortnight  of  these 
transactions,  the  following  calamity  was  experienced.  A  house  had  been  erected 
about  two  miles  from  the  tort,  (at  Cornfield  point,  as  it  is  supposed,)  and  six,men  de- 
tached from  the  garrison  to  keep  it.  As  three  of  them  were  fowling  near  the  house,  (a 
practice  which  the  lieutenant  had  strictly  forbid,)  they  were  suddenly  attacked  by 
nearly  one  hundred  Pequots  :  two  were  taken,  and  one  fought  his  way  through  theiii 
sword  in  hand,  wounded  with  two  arrows,  but  not  mortally. — The  following  winter 
the  fort  was  little  better  than  in  a  slate  of  constant  siege.  None  could  go  from  it 
without  hazard  ;  and  the  cattle,  stacks  of  hay,  and  almusi  every  thing  belonging  to  it 
at  any  distance,  were  destroyed.  AVlien  the  spring  arrived,  the  enemy  were  still  more 
troublesome.  As  Lieut.  Gardiner  was  going  out  in  the  month  uf  March,  w'ith  ten  or 
twelve  men,  to  burn  the  marshes,  the  enemy  rose  upon  tliem,  just  as  they  had  turned 
south  from  the  palisades,  killed  three  of  the  men  and  wounded  a  fourtli,  so  that  he 
died  in  the  fort  the  next  day.  The  Lieutenant  was  slightly  woimded,  but  was  able 
with  most  of  his  men  to  retreat.  Encouraged  by  this  success,  the  Indians  followed 
ihein,  surrounded  the  fort,  and  challenu'cd  ihein  to  Oglit;  mocking  them  in  the  groans 
and  pious  invocations  ol  their  friends  whom  they  had  tortured  ;  till  a  dexterous  use 
of  the  guns,  loaded  with  giape  shot,  compelled  them  lo  retire.  After  this,  Indians  in 
several  canoes  beset  a  shallop,  having  three  men  on  boaid,  as  it  was  sailing  down  the 
river.  They  shot  one  oi'  iliem  through  the  head  with  an  airow,  who  fell  oveiboard. 
The  other  two  they  took  and  lipped  iheni  from  the  bottom  of  their  bellies  to  their 
throats,  cleft  them  down  their  backs,  and  then  susjiended  them  on  trees  by  the  side  of 
the  river  thai  the  English  might  behold  lliese  objecis  of  their  vengeance.  One  of  the 
Indians  concerned  in  these  barbarities  was  Ne|>anpuck,a  famous  Pequot  captain,  who 
fur  this  and  other  murders  was  belieaded  at  New  iiaven,  in  1039,  and  whose  head  was 
set  upon  a  pole  in  the  maikci  phice.'  ♦ 


Soiith  view  of  Lady  Fenivick^s  Monument  on  SaybrooJc  Point. 

The  above  is  a  representation  of  the  monument  of  the  wife  of  Col. 
Fenvvick,  and  the  remains  of  Saybrook  fort,  with  Connecticut  river  in 
the  distance  to  the  north  of  the  fort,  and  a  few  bulkhngs  at  the  eastern 
extremity  of  the  landing.  Cob  Fenwick's  wife  was  Lady  Anno  Bot- 
cler  or  Butler,  who,  being  the  daughter  of  an  English  nobleman,  re- 
tained her  maiden  name:  she  died  in  1648,  and  her  husband  returned 


♦  Field's  Statistical  Account. 


V-.-. 


SAY  BROOK.  537 

to  England  and  was  appointed  one  of  the  judges  for  the  trial  of  Charles 
I.  Her  nionuinent  is  about  30  or  40  rods  southwest  from  the  remains 
of  the  fort,  and  perhaps  five  or  six  rods  from  the  river,  on  a  piece  of 
elevated  ground,  called  "tomb  hill,"  probably  so  named  from  the 
circumstance  of  tliis  monument  being  placed  upon  its  summit.  It  is 
said  that  Col.  Fenwick  made  provision  to  have  it  kept  in  perpetual  re- 
pair, it  being  one  of  the  considerations  for  which  he  gave  a  deed  to  a 
large  tract  of  land  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river.  If  this  be  a  fact, 
the  condition  of  the  deed  has  been  but  illy  complied  with,  and  it  is  to 
be  regretted  that  no  more  care  has  been  taken  to  preserve  the  nuimo- 
rial  of  this  respectable  lady,  it  being,  it  is  believed,  the  oldest  monu- 
ment for  a  female  in  the  state.  It  is  of  coarse  sandstone,  and  no  in- 
scription has  been  seen  upon  it  within  the  recollection  of  the  oUlest  in- 
habitants of  tlie  place.  There  is,  however,  something  of  the  resem- 
blance of  A.  B.  on  the  end  of  one  of  the  upright  stones  on  the  western 
side,  but  whether  formed  by  the  hand  of  man,  or  by  the  wear  of  time, 
it  is  didicult  to  ascertain.  The  moimment  of  this  lady  stands  on  a 
bleak  and  exposed  situation  : 

"  Tlie  il^irlc  brown  years"  have  passed  over  it;  slic  sleeps  alone  far  from  tlie  land 
of  lier  fathers,  "at  the  noise  of  the  sounding  snrj^'e  !  Her  tunib  is  seen  by  the  mariner 
as  he  passes  by  on  the  dark  rolling  wave." 

Saybrook  fort,  however  it  may  be  regarded  at  the  present  time,  was 
formerly  a  post  of  great  importance.  A  garrison  was  constantly  kept 
here  for  a  very  long  period,  and  the  furt  was  usually  well  manned  in 
seasons  of  war  and  danger,  as  it  commanded  the  entrance  of  Connecti- 
cut river.  It  was  first  built  of  wood,  in  front  or  on  the  point  of  Tond) 
hill.  I?ut  as  this  in  some  unaccountable  maimer  took  fire  in  the  winter 
of  1617,  and  was  consumed,  with  some  adjoining  buildings,  the  fort 
was  rebuilt  soon  afier  of  more  substantial  materials,  and  placed  a  few 
rods  further  north,  on  what  was  called  New-fort  hill,:the  place  on  which 
the  remains  are  now  standing.  A  few  days  jifier  the  first  fort  was  be- 
gim,  in  \G:]o,  u  Dutch  vessel  arrived  from  New  IVetherlands,  wiih  a 
view  of  taking  possession  of  the  mouth  of  the  river  and  of  laying  the 
foundation  of  a  settlement.  The  English  having  mounted  two  pieces 
of  cannon,  prevented  their  landing,  and  defeated  the  enterprise.  This 
fort,  also,  about  the  time  of  the  Pequot  war,  saved  the  inhabitants  of 
Saybrook  from  being  cut  ot^by  the  Indians. 

"  In  the  year  1G75,  it  was  discovered  that  Major  Andross  was  about  to  make  a 
hostile  nivasion  of  the  colony,  and  to  demand  a  surrender  of  its  most  important  posts 
to  the  f,'ovurnnKMit  of  the  Duke  of  York.  Detachments  from  the  miiitia  were  there- 
fore sent,  with  the  utmost  expedition,  to  New  London  and  Saybrook.  Captain  Thomas 
Bull,  of  tiariford,  commanded  the  party  sent  to  Saybrook. 

••  About  the  8th  or  'Jih  of  July,  the  people  of  that  town  were  surpri.sed  by  the  appear- 
ance of  Major  Andross,  with  an  armed  force,  in  the  Sound,  making  directly  tor  the 
fort.  They  had  received  no  inlellip-ence  of  the  affair,  uor  instructions  Irom  the  gov- 
ernor and  council  how  to  conduct  themselves  upon  such  an  emergency.  Thty  weie, 
at  first,  undetermined  whether  to  make  any  resistance  or  not ;  but  they  did  not  hesitate 
long.  As  the  danger  approached  and  their  suprise  abated,  the  martial  spirit  began 
to  tTiikindle  ;  the  I'orl  was  manned,  and  the  militia  of  the  town  drawn  out  fur  iis  de- 
fense. Atthiscritical  juncture.  Captain  Bull  with  his  company  arrived,  and  the  mo.st 
vigorous  exertions  were  made  for  the  defense  of  the  fort  and  town.  On  the  llth. 
Major  Andross  with  several  armed  sloops  drew  up  before  the  fort,  hoi.'^ted  the  kmg's 
tlaL'  on  board,  and  demanded  a  surrender  of  the  fortress  and  town.     Captain  Bull 

68 


533  SAYBnooK. 

raised  liis  majesty's  colors  in  the  fort,  aod  arranf,'eil  his  men  in  the  best  maimer.  They 
appeared  with  n  good  cuiinleuance,  dett'imiiied  and  eager  lur  action.  The  Wajoi'  did 
not  like  to  fire  on  the  king's  colors,  and  perceiving  that  shonld  he  attemi>l  to  reduce 
the  town  by  force,  it  would  be  a  bK)ody  afiair,  judged  it  expedient  not  to  hie  upon  ihe 
troops.  He  nevertheless  lay  ail  that  day,  and  part  of  the  next,  utf  against  the  fort. 
The  critical  state  of  the  colony  had  occasioned  the  meeting  of  the  Assembly,  ai  Hait- 
ford,  on  the  9th  of  July.  They  immediately  proceeded  to  draw  up  a  declaration,  or 
protest.  *  ♦  *  •  Which  was  sent  hy  an  express  to  Saybrook,  with 
instructions  to  Captain  Bull,  to  propose  to  Major  Andross  the  reference  of  the  allair 
in  dispute  to  commissioners,  to  meet  in  anyplace  m  ihis  colony  which  he  should 
choose.  Early  in  the  morning  of  the  l'2th  of  .Inly,  the  Major  desired  that  he  might 
have  admittance  on  shore,  and  an  interview  with  the  nnnisiers  and  chief  olhcers.  He 
probably  imaerined,  that  if  he  could  read  the  duke's  patent  and  his  own  commission, 
it  would  make  an  impression  upon  the  peofile.  and  that  he  shouhl  gain  that  by  ait, 
which  he  could  not  by  force  of  arms.  He  was  allowed  to  come  on  shore  w  iih  his  ^nlt. 
Meanwhile,  the  expiess  arrived  with  the  protest  and  ill^tructiuns  lioni  tlie  Assembly. 
Captain  Bull  and  his  officers,  with  the  olhcei:.  and  gentlemen  of  the  town,  met  the 
Major,  at  his  landing,  and  acquainted  him  that  lln-y  had,  at  that  instant,  iteeiveil 
instructions  to  tender  liiin  a  treaty,  and  lo  refer  the  whide  matter  in  ihe  contro- 
versy 10  commissioners,  capable  of  determining  ii  according  to  law  and  justice. 
The  Major  rejected  the  proposal,  and  torihwiili  commanded,  in  liis  majoty's  name, 
that  the  tluke's  patent,  and  the  commission  wbieh  he  had  leceived  Iroiii  his  loyal  high- 
ness, should  he  read,  ('ajiiain  Bull  Cdinmnndod  him,  in  his  majesty's  iiiinie,  to  tinlxar 
reading.  When  his  clerk  attempted  to  peisisl  m  reading,  the  Capiaiii  repeated  liis 
command  with  sucli  energy  of  voice,  and  meaning  in  his  counleiiance,  as  coiiviiieed 
the  Major  it  was  not  safe  to  proceed.  The  Captain  then  acquainted  him,  that  he  had 
an  address  from  the  Assembly  to  him,  and  leail  the  |iiiiti'.>t.  (lov.  Andio.s.s,  pleased 
with  his  bold  and  soldier-like  appearance,  said,  "  Whal'.^  your  name  .'"  He  replied, 
"  My  name  is  Bull,  sir."  "  Bull,"  said  the  governor,  '•  it  is  a  pity  that  your  h(jriis  arc 
not  lipped  with  silver."  finding  that  he  ecnild  m;ike  no  iuifire^^ion  wyon  the  idlicers 
or  people,  and  that  the  legislature  of  the  culoiiv  were  determined  to  defend  themselves, 
in  the  po.ssession  of  their  chartered  rights,  he  gave  up  his  (le.>ign  of  seizing  the  fort. 
He  represented  the  protest  as  a  slendei  anair,aiidan  ill  requital  of  his  kinitness.  lie 
said,  liowever,  he  should  do  no  more.  The  militia  of  the  town  guarded  him  to  his 
boat,  and  going  on  board  he  soon  sailed  for  Long  Island.* 

Saybrook  point  is  a  peninsula,  circiihir  in  ils  fonii,  nnd  connectctl 
with  the  main  land  hy  a  nanow  neck,  ovcv  which  ihc  tide  soinctiities 
flows.  From  tliis  |)lace  to  tlic  fort,  on  the  eastern  extremity  of  the  pe- 
ninsula, the  distance  is  ahont  one  mile.  On  the  nec|<,  a  paiisado  was 
anciently  formed  iiom  the  river  to  the  cove,  to  Secure  Saybiook  point 
Irom  any  stulden  inclusion  of  the  Indians.  The  soil  on  the  j)eiiinsulii 
is  lij^ht  and  sandy,  and  the  elevation  of  (he  lii'^diest  i)art  is  about  iwenly 
feet.  Bein;;  nearly  destitute  of  trees  and  sliiubhery,  it  presents  to  the 
beholder  a  bleak  iind  naked  as|)cct. 

The  land  on  the  Point  was  laid  out  with  care,  as  it  was  expected  to 
become  the  residence  of  ijreat  men,  and  the  center  of  threat  business 
and  wealth.  It  is  said  that  Oliver  Cromwell,  with  other  men  then 
equally  distinguished,  actually  embarked  in  the  Thames,  to  occujjyihis 
grountJ.  Westward  of  the  fort  a  square  was  laid  otit,  on  which  it  was 
intended  houses  should  be  erected  for  Cromwell,  Pymm,  Ilasselriir, 
and  Hatiipden,  the  most  illustrious  Commoners  in  the  English  annals, 
who  were  expected  hom  Europe  ;  while  a  square  still  further  west  was 
reserved  for  public  uses. 

About  halfway  between  the  paiisado  was  erected  the  first  building 
designed  for  the  collegiate  school,  since  named  Yale  College.  This 
building  was  one  story  in  height,  and  about  eighty  feet  in  length.  Some 


TiuinbuU's  History  of  Connecticut. 


S  A  Y  B  n  O  O  K 


39 


remains  of  the  cellar,  "over  wliicii  ilic  plouj;lishare  lias  passed,"  are 
still  visible.  Fifteen  cominencenicnts  were  held  at  Saybrook.  IMore 
than  sixty  youiii^  men  were  i,naduated,  most  of  whom  entered  the  min- 
istry, and  some  of  them  became  characters  of  distingnished  nsefidness 
and  excellence.  To  educate  young  men  of  piety  and  talents  for  the 
ministry,  was  the  leading  design  of  this  institution.  It  was  desired  by 
the  founders  and  others,  that  the  churches  should  have  a  public  stand- 
ard or  confession  of  faith,  agreeable  to  which  tlie  instruction  of  the 
college  should  be  conducted.  This  led  to  the  adoption  of  the  Sni/bvook 
l*latjbrm,  after  the  commencement  in  1703. 

The  removal  of  the  college  from  this  place  to  New  Haven,  profliiced  great  excite- 
ment in  the  colony  of  Connecticut.  The  feelings  raised  in  the  towns  most  inii  rested, 
may  be  gathered  irom  the  circumstances  attending  the  removal  of  the  library.  "  An 
tuisiicccsst'iil  appli<aiion  having  been  made  for  this  by  some  of  the  trustees, the  Gov- 
ernor and  coimcil  convened  in  Saybrook  at  their  request,  in  December,  1718;  and 
issued  a  warrant  to  ilie  sherilf  to  g(j  and  take  the  books.  When  lie  got  to  the  house 
wiiere  they  were  kept,  he  found  men  collected  to  resist  him;  but  calling  assistance,  he 
forcibly  entered  the  house,  look  them,  and  hail  them  secured  by  a  gtuird  through  the 
nighl.  In  the  morning  it  apjiearcd  that  the  carts  provided  (or  carrying  them  to  New 
JJaven  were  brcdien,  and  the  horses  turned  away.  New  provision  being  made,  they 
were  conducted  out  of  the  town  by  the  major  of  the  county  ;  biU  some  of  the  bridges 
on  the  road  were  broken  up,  atid  when  they  arrived  in  New  Haven,  it  was  discovered, 
on  counting  the  books,  that  about  260  were  wauling.  These  were  disposed  of  by  per- 
.^ons  unknown,  tuicether  with  some  valuable  pafiers,  in  the  confusion  which  arose  at 
the  taking  of  tlie  libiary,  aiid  no  discoveiy  was  made  of  them  afterwards." 


Names  of  the  freemen  in  Saybrook,  ICG9.     (From  the  Wyllis  JNISS.) 


Mr.  Robert  Chapuian, 
Mr,  William  I'laiie, 
Mr.  Thos.  Huckinghame, 
Mr,  John  Wassrull, 
nVancis  Hushnell, 
William  I'arker,  sen. 
'I'homas  Dunkc, 
llobert  Lay, 


William  Hiamore, 
Richard  Jo.ssland, 
William  IJushnell, 
Alexander  Chalker, 
William  Lord,  sen. 
John  Clarke, 
Abiaham  Posee, 
Samncll  Joans, 


Jolin  Parker, 
John  Bushnell, 
Edward  Shipman, 
.Foseph  Ingram, 
John  Chat)man, 
Robert  Chapman,  juii. 
Thomas  Norton, 
Richard  Raymond. 


The  following  inscriptions  are  copied  from  monuments  in  the  ancient 
burying  ground  on  Saybrook  point,  near  where  the  college  building  for- 
merly stood. 

Sacred  to  the  memory  of  Maj'r  General  William  Hart,  eldest  son  of  Rev.  William 
TIart  of  Saybrook,  who  was  born  June  '21th,  1746,  and  died  August  OQlh,  1817,  in  the 
7-  year  of  his  age.  fn  youth,  active  and  enterprising,  he  early  entered  on  mercantile 
pursuits,  and  sustained  a  character  of  unquestionable  integrity  and  extensive  respect- 
ability. By  his  talents,  he  rose  to  some  of  the  first  civil  and  military  honors  of  this 
stale  ;  and  commanded  iinusnal  influence  at  home  and  abroad.  He  loved  order — was 
an  able  couns(dlor — a  professor  of  religion — a  benefactor  to  the  church — a  pillar  to 
Society  :  and  has  left  a  memory  respected  by  his  friends,  instructive  to  his  family,  and 
honorable  to  the  place  in  which  he  liveii. 

"  One  eye  on  death,  and  one  full  fix'd  on  heav'n, 
Pecoine  a  mortal  and  iinmoitul  man," 


Mary  Ann  Hart. — The  silver  cord  is  loosed, — The  Golden  Bowl  is  broken, — The 
dust  returns  to  the  earth  as  it  was,  and  the  Spirit  to  God  who  gave  it,— But  the  trumpet 
shall  sound  and  the  dead  shall  be  rai,sed. 


10 


TOLLAND    COUNTY. 

Tolland  County  was  incorporated  as  such  in  178(3.  It  was  formed 
from  Hartford  and  Windham  Counties.  It  is  bounded  n.  by  INIassa- 
chusetts,  E.  by  Windham  County,  s.  by  New  London  County,  and  w. 
by  Hartford  County.  It  is  irregular  in  its  form.  Its  greatest  length 
from  north  to  south  is  about  30  miles.  At  the  north  part  it  is  nearly 
'^0  miles  in  breadth;  at  its  southern  extremity  it  is  but  five  miles  in 
breadth.  Tolland  County,  as  it  respects  its  suiface,  soil,  &ic.  may  be 
divided  into  two  distinct  sections,  the  eastern  and  western.  The  west- 
ern section,  lying  within  the  great  valley  of  the  Connecticut,  is  a  hand- 
some level  or  undulating  country.  This  tract  is  generally  free  from 
stone,  and  the  soil,  though  somewhat  light,  is  warm,  fertile  and  pro- 
ductive, and  well  adapted  to  the  growth  of  grain.  The  eastern  section, 
which  embraces  the  largest  portion  of  the  county,  is  within  the  granitic 
range  which  extends  through  the  state.  A  considerable  proportion  of 
forest  lands  still  remain  in  this  part  of  the  county.  The  improved 
lands  afford  tolerable  good  grazing,  but  are  not  very  well  adaj)ted  for  a 
grain  culture.  The  manufacturing  interests  of  tiie  county  are  res[)ecta- 
blc  and  nourishing. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  towns,  with  their  population  in  1S30. 


Tolland,      .     .   1,G9S 

Ellington,  . 

.  1,455 

Stafibrd,       .     .  2,515 

Bolton,        .     .      744 

Hebron, 

.   1,937 

Union,           .     .      711 

Columbia,    .     .      962 

Mansfield,  . 

.  2,(3G1 

Vernon,         .     .   IJGI 

Coventry,    .     .  2,1 19;  Somers, 

.   1,129 

Willington,    .     .    1,305 

Population  of  the  county  in  1820, 

14,330; 

in  1830,  18,700. 

TOLLAND. 

ToLLANi>  was  originally  purchased  of  the  native  Indians  by  a  num- 
ber of  gentlemen  in  Windsor.  In  1715  it  was  incorporated  by  the  As- 
sembly, and  the  settlement  of  the  town  was  commenced  by  two  I'aini- 
lies.  The  progress  of  the  settlement  was  slow;  the  number  of  families 
in  1720  was  but  twenty  eight.  About  one  half  of  the  township,  com- 
prising the  south  part,. was  claimed  by  a  number  of  persons  who  were 
legatees  of  .Joshua  Uncas,  sachem  of  the  IMohegans.  This  proved  n 
source  of  considerable  difficulty,  as  the  legatees  commenced  suits  at  law 
against  the  settlers.  The  j)roprietor3  holding  under  the  Windsor  claim- 
ants were  obliged,  at  a  dear  rate,  to  purchase  quit  claims  of  the  lega- 
tees of  Joshua.  The  Rev.  Stephen  Steel  was  tlie  first  minister  of  this 
town.  He  commenced  his  labors  in  1720,  and  continued  liis  ministry 
for  about  thirty  seven  years,  greatly  beloved  and  revered  by  his  peo- 
ple. Mr.  Steel  was  from  Hadley,  Mass.  The  first  settlers  were  of  the 
names  of  Chapman,  Stearns,  Grant,  West,  Carpenter,  Aborns,  Abbot, 
Lathrop,  Nye  and  Dimock.  The  Chapmans  were  from  Windsor ; 
they  located  themselves  about  2^  miles  westerly  from  the  court  house, 


T  O  I.  r,  .\  N  D  , 


511 


near  the  Hartford  road,  in  the  vicinity  of  Snipsic  pond  or  lake.  Jolin 
Stearns  settled  about  2  miles  eastward  of  the  court  house  ;  Zebulon 
West  about  3  miles  south  ;  the  Govers,  Carpenters  and  Samuel  Aborns, 
located  about  21  miles  north.  Ebenezer  Giant,  from  East  Windsor, 
settled  on  Grant's  hill,  about  2j  miles  south  from  the  courthouse; 
Nye  and  Diinock  settled  near  Willimantic  river,  about  4  miles  east. 


SjHlh  iicw  of  (he  cotfrdl  part  nf  Tollnnd. 

Tolland  is  hounded  n.  by  a  narrow  section  of  land  in  Ellington,  ex- 
tending eastward,  called  ''  the  E(|uivalent,"  w.  by  Vernon  and  Eilmg- 
lon,  E.  by  the  Willimantic  river,  dividing  it  from  Willington,  and  s.  by 
Coventry.  It  is  upwards  of  six  miles  in  length  from  north  to  south, 
and  five  and  a  half  in  breadth.  The  township  is  rough  and  uneven,^ 
being  mountainous  ami  stony,  but  some  of  the  valleys  and  borders  of 
streams  consi^l  of  loam,  which  is  warm  and  fertile.  On  the  western 
boundary  of  the  town  is  a  large  body  of  water,  called  Snipsic  jjond,  be- 
ing two  miles  in  length  and  100  rods  in  width.  Some  of  the  most  val- 
uable land  in  tiie  township  is  in  the  vicinity  of  this  pond.  There  is 
also  a  pond  called  Skungannig,  in  the  central  part  of  the  town,  upon 

Great  (juantities 


il  part 
which  beavers  were  formerly  taken  by  the  Indians 
of  cranberries  are  now  gathered  upon  its  borders. 

The  village  in  the  central  part  of  this  town  consists  of  about  forty 
wcW  appearing  houses,  pleasantly  situated  on  an  elevated  plain  of  about 
half  a  mile  in  extent  from  north  to  south,  narrow,  but  of  su/licient  width 
for  a  wide  street.  This  place  is  IS  miles  east  from  Hartford,  and  52 
from  ISew  Haven.  A  range  of  mountains  rises  innnediately  to  the  west 
of  the  village,  dividing  this  part  of  the  state  from  the  great  valley  of  the 
Connecticut.  The  view  shows  the  central  part  of  the  village,  embra- 
cing most  of  the  public  buildings.  The  first  building  on  the  left  is  the 
Tolland  County  bank.  The  next  building  by  its  side,  with  a  steeple, 
is  the  court  house  for  the  county ;  the  next  is  Col.  Elijah  Smith's  tav- 
ern.    Col.  Smith  was  the  first  post  master,  and  has  kept  a  public  house 


542  BOLTON. 

on  tills  spot  ever  since  the  year  1800.  On  the  opposite  side  of  the 
street  is  seen  another  tavern,  to  which  the  county  jail  is  attached.  The 
Baptist  church,  with  u  stjuare  tower,  is  seen  in  the  distance  :  the  post 
oflice  is  kept  at  this  tinip  in  the  basement  story  of  this  building.  Tlie 
Methodist  churcli  is  situated  at  the  northern  extremity  of  the  village,  on 
the  west  side  of  the  street.  The  Congregational  church,  the  largest 
building  in  the  place,  stands  at  the  south  end  of  the  village,  and  being 
in  the  street,  is  a  very  prominent  object  in  that  direction.  The  view 
being  taken  in  the  central  part  of  the  street,  looking  north,  of  course 
this  church  could  not  be  represented  in  the  engraving. 

The  following  inscriptions  are  copied  Irom  monuments  in  the  grave 
yard,  south  of  the  village. 

Here  lies  the  body  olihc  Rev.  Mr.  Stcplieu  Suel,  the  woiihy  paslor  of  llie  r'htneh 
of  Christ  in  Tuliaiid,  who  departed  this  lile  ihe  llh  .if  Det'endjer,  A.  I>.  IT;')!),  in  the 
CGdyear  of  his  age,  ;uid  tiie  37lh  otitis  iiiiuistiy.  I'or  inc  to  live  is  (Jiiiist,  and  tu  die 
is  gain. 

Here  lies  interred  the  body  of  ye  non'l)le  Zebulon  West,  Esq'r.  sometime  Justice  of 
ye  quorum,  Judge  of  probates.  Speaker  of  ye  Lower  House  of  As.scnibly,  and  menihei 
of  ye  Ilon'ble  Couneil,  wIkj  lived  tnueh  rispecled  and  died  greatly  lamented, on  ye  lib 
day  of  December,  A.  D.  1770.     ^laiis  Anno  G.'ith. 

Heaven  waits  not  the  last  moment owns  her  friends 

On  this  side  death,  and  points  liieni  out  to  men  : 

A  leemre  silent,  but  of  sovereign  ))o\\er — 

To  vice  confusion,  and  to  virtue  peace. 

In  memory  of  Samuel  Cobb, Esq.  agentleman  of  public  cdncation  and  distinguished 
abilities,  who  longt?rved  his  generation  as  a  physician  and  minister  of  justice,  logreai 
ncceptanee,  and  in  his  life  and  death  was  an  example  of  sobriety  and  virtue,  and  evi- 
denced the  inlluences  and  consolalions  of  Reiignm  ;  lived  much  esteemed,  and  died 
universally  lamented,  on  ye  bih  day  of  April,  A'.  I).  I7H1,  Anno  /Elalis  G5th. 

The  great,  the  good,  (he  wise,  the  just, 

Must  all  in  lime  be  lurn\l  to  diisi; 

Then  learn  to  quit  terrestiial  tu's. 

Thai  you  may  soar  above  the  skies  ; 
,  And  then  enjoy  the  blissful  lavor. 

Of  Jesus  (.'hrisl  our  Lord  and  .Savior. 

Tupt.  Amos  Fellows  was. aptivaU'd  by  ye  llrilish  troiips.inye  f'^land  of  New  ^'oik, 
Se)il.  l.'S,  177(),  and  was  chisely  confined  loi  sevei.il  inonihs,  and  lliere  siillei  .'d  repeat^ 
ed  hardships,  probably  insup])ortable,  and  died  in  cajniviiy,  Eeb.  Ill,  1777,  in  ve  ISth 
year  of  his  age.  His  remains  are  theie  still,  and  that  his  meinoiy  may  be  jierpelua- 
ted,  this  monument  is  here  creeled  by  his  son.  A  tiibule  of  a  tear  is  due  to  luni  who 
in  his  country's  cause  has  lost  his  life. 


BOLTON. 

The  settlement  of  this  town  commenced  about  the  year  1710,  by  a 
number  of  settlers,  piinciptilly  fi'om  the  towns  of  Ifarlford,  Windsor  and 
Wethersfield.  The  (irst  town  meeting  was  held  in  17^20,  the  year  it 
was  incorporated.  In  17i25,  the  inhabitants  obtained  liberty  of  the 
(leneral  Assembly,  to  ibrm  a  church.  The  first  minister  of  the  town 
was  the  Rev.  Thomas  White,  who  was  ordained  in  17^35. 

The  town  is  bounded  n.  by  Vernon,  w.  by  jManchester  and  Glasten- 
bury,  li.  by  Coventry,  and  s.  by  Hebron.     It  is  upwards  of  5  miles  in 


COLUMBIA. 


513 


length  and  3  in  breadth.  The  soil  is  a  coarse,  hard,  gravelly  loam, 
rather  cold  and  sterile.  It  aflbrds,  however,  tolerable  grazing  lands. 
The  township  has  an  elevated  situation,  hilly  and  stony,  being  within 
the  granitic  re<Tion  of  the  eastern  section  of  the  state. 


Bolton  Stone   C^iKtrnj. 

The  above  is  a  representation  of  the  Jiollon  (Quarry,  so  called;  be- 
ing the  prii]tipal  place,  at  the  lime  this  drawing  was  taken,  where  this 
stone  was  quarried.  The  engraving  shows  the  position  in  which  the 
stone  is  found.  Recently,  (1S;3(3,)  a  now  (|uarry  has  been  opened,  a 
few  rods  north  of  the  one  represented.  This  range  is  near  the  boun- 
dary line  between  Bolton  and  Vernon,  and  about  13  miles  from  Hart- 
ford. This  stone  is  a  species  of  slate,  of  a  brilliant  light  gray  color, 
composed  of  mica  and  quartz,  and  is  excellent  for  flagging  and  other 
purposes.  It  is  extensively  useil  in  the  principal  cities  of  the  United 
States.  For  strength  it  exceeds  any  other  known  in  this  country,  and 
the  demand  for  it  is  rapidly  increasing.  Tiiese  quarries  have  been 
worked  about  twenty  years,  though  not  in  an  extensive  manner  till 
quite  recently.  Messrs.  A  polios  Sweetland,  and  Waterman  Roberts, 
of  Hartford,  and  Ahab  Smith,  and  Isaac  Keney,  Jr.  of  Bolton,  are  the 
proprietors.  Sweetland  and  Jxoherts,  of  Hartford,  are  agents  fur  the 
concern. 


COLUMBIA. 

Columbia  was  formerly  a  part  of  tlie  town  of  Lebanon.  It  was  in- 
corporated as  a  town  in  1800.  It  is  bounded  n.  by  Hop  river,  which 
separates  it  from  Coventry,  w.  by  Hebron,  k.  by  Lebanon  and  Wind- 
ham, and  s.  by  Lelninun.  It  is  about  five  miles  long,  and  four  wide. 
The  central  part  of  the  town  is  twenty  two  miles  east  from  Hartford. 
The  township  is  uneven  and  hilly,  um\  the  soil  is  a  coarse  gravelly  loam, 
being  hard  and  dry,  yet  well  adapted  for  grazing.,  The  town  constitutes 
one  Congregatiupal  society. 


544  COLUMBIA. 

It  was  in  tliis  place  lliat  Dr.  Eleazar  Wheelock,  the  fiiit  president  of  Dartmouth 
College,  had  his  celebrated  Indian  school.  His  house  and  the  t;chuol  stood  a  lew  rods 
from  the  present  CongreLcauonal  chinch.  Dr.  Wheeloclv  was  born  In  Windham,  iu 
April,  1711,  andgiadualed  at  Yale  College  in  1733.  Soon  after  leaving  college,  lie 
entered  into  the  ministry,  and  soon  received  an  unanimuus  iuvitalion  to  become  the 
pastor  of  the  second  society  in  Lebanon,  (now  Columbia,)  with  which  he  complied. 
While  a  minister  in  this  place,  he  became  desirous  to  em[)loy  himself  in  a  more  ex- 
tended field  of  action.  The  unhappy  and  neglected  tribes  of  Indians  in  the  county, 
and  on  its  borders,  excited  his  compassion  and  engaged  his  attention.  About  thi.-> 
time,  (1711,)  Sampson  Occam,  a  serious  Indian  youth,  solicited  instruction,  as  Mr. 
AViieelock  had  opened  a  school  for  a  small  number  of  young  men  who  were  preparing 
for  college.  He  willingly  received  young  Occum  into  his  family  and  school,  where 
Jie  continued  for  about  three  years.  He  afterwanls  became  a  piea'cher  of  consideiable 
celebrity.  Dr.  Wheelock  conceived,  that  if  he  could  educate  Indian  yoiuh  lor  mis- 
sionaries, they  would  be  more  successful  among  their  countrvmen  than  the  whites. 
With  these  views,  he  undertook  himself  the  care  and  expense  of  educating  two  Indian 
lads  from  the  Delaware  nation,  in  1751,  but  tiie  design  was  so  benevolent,  liiata  num- 
ber of  gentlemen  soon  united  with  him.  His  pupils  increased,  and  after  receiving 
riuineions  benefactions,  the  largest  of  wliicli  was  the  benefiiction  of  Mr.  Joshua  Moor, 
of  Mansfield,  he  called  his  instiiiuion  "Moor's  Indian  Charity  School."  In  1701,  the 
school  consisted  of  about  thirty  scholars,  of  whom  about  halt  were  Indian  youth.  The 
Indian  boys  were  accommodated  in  a  part  of  the  house  given  by  Mr.  Moor.  The 
school  house  was  nigh  Mi.  Wheelock's  dwelling,  in  the  hail  uf  which  the  students  ami 
their  instrnctois  attended  morning  and  evening  |)ra3'eis. 

To  enlarge  the  pow  er  of  doinggood,  conlrilmtions  were  solicited  not  only  in  vaiioiis 
pans  of  this  conntry,  but  also  in  iMigland  and  Scotl.tnd.  The  money  (-ollected  m 
England  was  put  into  the  hands  of  a  boaril  oltnislee?,  of  whom  the  earl  oi  Uartmimlh 
was  at  the  head.  From  this  circumstance,  when  Dr.  AVheelock  was  invited  by  the 
government  ot'  New  Hampshiie  to  lemcn'c  to  Hanover  and  estnbli^h  a  college  in  that 
place,  it  was  called  Dartmuulh  College.  This  seminary  was  incorporated  in  17oi», 
and  Dr.  Wheelock  was  declared  its  lounder  and  president,  with  the  right  of  a|)poinling 
his  successor. 

In  1770,  Dr.  Wh;^elock  removed  his  family  and  school  to  Hanover,  his  pupils  per- 
forming the  tour  on  foot.  The  roads  at  that  period  were  in  a  very  rough  and  unfin- 
ished stale,  and  it  was  in  many  places  dillicnlt  to  proceed.  The  site  selected  Ibr  the 
college  and  other  buildings,  was  an  extensive  plain,  shaded  by  lofty  pines,  with  no 
accommodations,  except  two  or  three  small  log  huts,  and  no  house  on  that  side  of  the 
river  within  two  miles,  through  one  continued  dieary  wood.  The  number  of  souls 
then  with  him  was  about  seventy.  Log  houses  were  .soon  constructed,  and  a  small 
framed  house  was  begun,  designed  for  the  reception  of  Dr.  Wheelock  and  his  lamily. 
The  frame  of  a  college,  ei;;hly  feet  in  Ien;;th  and  two  stories  in  height,  was  soon  after 
raised,  and  pailially  coverc  d:  a  hall,  and  two  or  three  roums  in  it,  were  considerably 

advancfil  when  the  autumnal  storms  eommenred Upon  a  circular  aiea  ol'  about 

si.\  acres,  the  pines  were  sdiai  felled  ,  and  in  all  dinctions  cuvered  the  ground  to  the 
height  of  about  live  feet.  I'aths  of  cummunication  were  cut  ihrongh  ihem.  .  .  .  The 
snow  lay  four  feet  in  depth  between  four  and  live  munths.  "  Sometimes  .standing  iu 
the  open  air,  at  the  head  of  his  numerous  family,  Dr.  Wheelock  )iresented  to  God 
their  mornin:;  and  evening  jirayers ;  the  siirrouiuling  forests,  for  the  first  time,  revei- 
berated  the  solemn  suuiids  of  supplication  and  praise."*  He.  died  in  177i),  in  the  lJ!Uh 
year  of  his  age,  and  was  succeeded  by  his  .son  in  the  presidency  of  the  colle-e. 

The  fullowiiig  inscriptions  are  copied  from  monuments  in  the  burying 
ground,  near  the  Congregaliouul  church  in  Columbia. 

Sacred  to  the  memoiy  of  Mrs.  Sarah,  the  wife  of  ye  Rev'd  Eleazer  WheelocK",  who 
died  Nov.  13,  A.  D.  171G,  and  in  the  4 1th  yr.  of  her  age ;  and  of  a  character  too  great 
und  good,  to  have  any  thing  worthy  of  it  inscribed  here. 


Sacred  tu  the  memory  of  Dea'u  Tiiom.\s  Lvm.4N,  who  died  Aug.  13,  1783,  in  the  hOih 
year  of  his  age.  He  was  a  man  of  great  experience  in  ye  Christian  Religion.  Few 
m  our  vvorhl  have  enjoyed  a  more  constant  cdmmunion  with  Heaven,  or  at  intervals 
had  greater  discoveiies  of  Divine  things.  His  life  was  zealous  and  exem|)l:try,  Ins 
death  was  peacel'ul  and  triumphant.  He  did  great  honor  to  religion  while  he  lived, 
but  greater  when  he  died.  In  his  last  moments  were  seen  ye  power  o(  ye  divine  life, 
and  ye  most  convincing  proofs  to  ye  truth  of  ye  Christian  Religion. 
Behold  my  friends,  what  grace  can  do  for  men. 
When  by  it,  they  like  babes  are  born  again. 

♦  Memoirs  of  V'heeloek,  l)y  Drs.  M'Clareaiul  Parish. 


c  0  \'  i:  N  T  n  y . 


545 


COVENTRY. 

CovKNTiiY  was  fust  scltlccl  about  the  year  1700,  by  Nathaniel  Rust 
and  some  others.  The  settlement  of  the  town  has,  however,  been 
dated  fi-om  1709.  In  the  spring  of  this  year,  a  number  of  respectable 
persons  from  Northampton  and  other  places  moved  into  the  town,  and 
the  inhabitants  were  so  increased  in  about  two  years,  that  they  were 
incorporated  with  the  privileges  of  other  towns.  The  planters  were 
from  a  great  variety  of  jilaces,  but  principally  from  Northampton  and 
Hartford.  The  township  was  originally  given  by  Joshua,  sachem  of  the 
JMohegans,  to  a  munbin-  of  legatees  in  IJariford,  who  convened  their 
right  to  William  l*iiklii,  Joseph  Talcoit,  \Villiam  Whiting,  and  Richard 
Lord,  to  be  a  committee  to  lay  out  said  low  iishiji,  and  make  settlements 
on  the  lands. 


iSurth  vicio  of  tlic  llulc  Hoitsc,  Coventry. 

Coventry,  the  central  part  of  which  is  eighteen  miles  east  from  Hart- 
ford, is  bounded  n.  by  Tolland,  w.  by  Rolton  and  Vernon,  e.  by  the 
Willimantic  river,  separating  it  from  I\lans(Jel(l,  and  s.  by  Hebron  and 
Colum.bia.  Its  average  length  and  breadth  is  upwaids  of  six  miles. 
The  surface  of  the  town  is  uneven,  anil  the  soil  is  generally  a  gravelly 
loam.  There  is  a  lake,  or  jjond,  in  this  town,  called  JV(iii<::ombog,  two 
miles  in  length  and  one  in  breadth.  A  stream,  called  the  Skunganmg, 
runs  from  north  to  south  through  the  town  ;  and,  uniting  its  waters  with 
another  stream,  forms  Hop  river,  which  passing  eastward  till  it  reaches 
the  Willimantic,  constiiules  llic  greater  jnirt  of  the  southern  boundary 
of  the  town. 

The  above  is  a  view  of  the  birth-place  of  Capt.  Nathan  Hale,  the 
martyr  to  American  liberty.  The  house  is  on  elevated  ground,  com- 
manding an  extensive  prospect  westward;  twenty  miles  from  Hartford, 
and  seven  from  Tolland. 

69 


546  c  0  V  E  N  T  R  y . 

Capt.  Hale  giadimled  at  Yale  Coilo?;e  in  1773.  The  anlciil  glow  ol"  pauiotisia 
iiuluceil  him  in  an  early  jieriod  of  ihe  KevoUuidii  lo  enter  the  army,  as  a  cajuaiii  in 
the  light  iiiraiitry  regiiiieiit,  couimainled  by  Col.  KnowiiiJii  vi  Ashloitl.  Alter  the 
defeat  of  the  Americans  on  the  '21\\\  of  Atigu.st,  1770,  and  their  retreat  from  Long 
Island,  Gen.  "Washington  became  extiemely  desnuLi.s  to  gain  some  knowledge  resjieet- 
ing  the  enemy's  fntnie  operations.  Nutw  iihsiandmg  the  exlieme  dilhcully  and  pel  il 
of  the  undertaking,  Capt.  Hale  volunteered  liis  services  tu  the  commander  in  chief. 
Having  disguised  himself  and  crossed  over  to  Long  1-land,  he  proceeded  to  the  Brit- 
ish encampment,  obtained  the  necessary  information,  but  at  the  moment  of  liis  leav- 
ing the  island,  he  was  recognized  by  a  relative,  who  was  a  refugee,  and  betrayed. 
He  was  taken  before  Sir  William  Howe,  who,  without  the  foiinaliiy  of  a  tiial,  ordered 
liim  lo  be  hung  the  ■ni..ti  nwintni:;.  This  peremjitory  order  \\as  carried  into  cli'cct 
in  a  cruel,  barbarous,  and  revengeful  manner.  1  le  met  his  I'ale  wilii  ci.mposnre  and 
firmness.  His  last  wonU  were,  ''that  he  lamenled  ihal  he  had  but  one  lUe  to  lose  for 
his  country." 

The  lion.  Samuel  Ilunliit^tiui,  governor  of  fMiio,  was  the  .<on  of  the  I'ev.  Joseph 
Huntingion  of  this  town.  In  1801,  he  leinoved  to  Ohio,  then  coinjiarntively  a  wilder- 
ness. He  was  appointed  to  a  succes.^ioii  of  imi)ortunl  ollices.  He  died  at  i'aiusville, 
June  7th,  1817,  aged  1".)  yeais. 

Lorcii-.u  l>iiii\  a  celebrated  iliiierani  priurher,  was  bom  in  this  loMn,  about  two 
miles  south  of  the  Hale  liou.>e,  (.'it.  Itilh,  1777.  lie  wa^  dislingnished  f./r  his  eccen- 
tricities and  labors.  He  eommeneed  I'K.'achmg  in  the  .Methodist  connexion,  lie 
traveled  through  the  United  Slates,  from  ^ew  KnghunI  to  the  e.Mremities  o!  Ihe  Union, 
at  least  from  fifteen  to  tweiitv  limes.  ( >i.casionallv  he  went  into  Canada,  ami  once  lo 
iheAVest  Indies.  He  alMj'made  three  voy.iges  io  England  and  Ireland,  where  he 
drew  crowds  aruuiul  him.  •■  It  is  though!.' and  not  wiihoiit  reascm,  that  duniig  the 
thiity  ei-hl  yearsof  hi.s  puble-  lite.  In;  uiu-t  h.ive  traveled  marlv  two  hiindicil  ihiHisand 
mih's."  '  He  wrote  a  numb.r  of  book.^;  brsi.hs  In-,  'Mnui  nalV  or  Hie  :  ihe  titles  aie 
usually  a.secceiiluc  as  their  author.      1 1.  died  at  Ctoigelow  n,  (  D.  C.)Feb.'Jd,  lb3-l. 


/'/•e/.A  (A,:  Amrnain  Mcrainj,  May  -2d,  17Hr>. 
V,y  autlientic  information  from  Connecticut,  we  learn  that  a  lew  weeks  since,  a  per- 
son on  his  travels  through  the  town  of  Coventry  in  that  slate,  stopi'ed  on  a  riatuiday 
at  the  house  of  the  Ilev.  .Joseph  Huntingion,  D."  I),  and  ae(|uainled  ihe  Doctor  that  he 
had  been  preachingmt  Su.Mjuehannah  lor  a  consiileiable  time,  was  so  unl'oiiunale  as 
to  be  driven  frtun  his  possessions  there  by  the  Indians— that  his  property  u  asdeslioyed 
by  them— that  he  was  then  Ijoiiiid  to  the  state  of  Massachusetts,  where  he  had  some 
I'riends  residing,  and  al  the  same  lime  begged  charity.  The  Doctor,  who  is  by  no 
means  a  stranger  lo  acts  of  hospitaliiy,  was  very  liberal  and  charitable  to  the  clergy- 
luan,  invited  him  to  slay  and  spend  the  Sabbath,  as  there  would  be  an  im|uoprieiy 
ill  his  traveling  Ihe  suceo'ding  day:  which  inviialiou  the  stranger  aii  (  pn  il.  'I'he 
Doctor  then  requested  Ins  brother  <  lei -vinan  to  as-.iM  him  m  the  (lull^^  ol  his  lum- 
lion;  but  he  ob|eeted,  and  .-;ud  ih^il  h  i  ■- .•IoIIms  wnr  not  siillieieully  d,  ,  .iil  In  ap|H-,,i 
in  the  pulint.  Inordei  lo  nl,\  i,,lr  this  dillimli  v,  tlir  I  Lujloidlleied  him  a  suit  of  elol lies 
which  he  had  uol  lon-smee  received  li.;lnllie  tailor,  and  dcsiied  him  to  liy  ihemou, 
which  he  did,  anil  found  they  siiiled  vei  v  well.  The  objeelioii  being  lemoved,  ihe 
clergyman  accordingly  agreed  to  assisi  ihe  Doctor  the  succeeding  day,  and  desired  lo 
be  by  himself  that  evening  to  study  his  discourse.  A  lire  was  then  maile  in  his  bed 
chamber,  wheie  he  rejiaiied  with  liis  new  garb,  at  the  same  lime  acquainting  the  Doe- 
tor  that  he  must  study  iiniil  late  at  night,  and  hoped  no  noise  which  he  might  make 
would  disturb  the  repose  olihe  family.  Sunday  morning  came,  the  adroit  clergyman 
■was  sent  for  lo  breaklast,  but  to  the  great  surprise  of  the  family,  he  v.as  not  to  bo 
found;  for  during  the  ni^lit  he  had  taken  his  exit,  not  forgetliiig  "the  garment  so  well 
suited  lo  his  clerical  dignit),  and  leaving  behind  him  the' following  select  and  well 
adapted  text,  prelixetl  at  the  to])  of  the  paper  intended  for  his  sermon  :  "  Ye  shall  seek 
me  and  shall  not  iind  ine;  and  where  1  am,  thither  ye  cannot  come." — Jnha  1,  31. 


The  following  inscriptions  are  from  inonuincnts  near  the  Congrega- 
tional church,  in  the  southeastern  part  of  the  town.  ]\lr.  Meacham  is 
believed  to  have  been  tlie  first  settled  minister  in  the  town. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Jo.sF.pn  Mh:.vLii.iM  was  near  10  yeais  ye  learned,  faitlilVil,  and  painful 
pastor  of  ye  church  in  Coventry.  He  was  a  man  of  God,  fei  veiil  in  prayer,  zealous 
and  plain  in  preaching,  sincere  in  reproving,  holy  and  prudent  in  conversation  ;  a  kind 
liusband,  tender  father,  sincere  friend  ;  a  lover  of  soul.-:.  T'lied  \\\l\[  ye  labors  of  ye 
Word,  his  ardent  soul  bent  its  llighl  lo  .Testis,  and  drojiped  ye  botly  to  rest  here  till  Jesiis 
come,  fcsept.  15lh,  1752,  in  ye  67th  year  of  his  age 


F,  L  L  I  N  G  T  O  N  .  517 

TfiM-e  lies  wlial  was  nioilal  of  Mrs.  K.-~thn-  Miuham.  yc  pnident.pious,  nnJ  virluons 
consort  o(  Rev.  Jo.srph  Moueli.nu.  .Slie  was  ihc  (Jaii-Liei  ul  ye  veneial.)le  Joliii  AViU- 
iaias,  and  wa.s  carried  eapiive  lo  Caiiaiia  wiili  liei  laiiier  alul  Ins  laujily  ;  was  uon- 
deilliliy  preserved  and  redeemed,  and  liveil  an  tiiiineul  examjjle  olwhai  was  aniiable 
in  .1  wile,  a  mother,  a  IViend,  and  a  Oiristian.  Slept  in  Je.sus,  Marcli  1^2tli,  1751,  in  ye 
Gdlli  year  of  lier  aye. 

Rev.  Joseph  Huntington,  D.  D.  ordained  Jam.'  -J'.),  ITiui;  died  Dec.OJiii,  1701,  in  the 
00th  year  of  iiis  age,  and  'i-2A  ol'  his  ministry.  He  was  an  eminent  divine,  and  labo- 
rious minister;  an  all'eclionaie  pareiii  and  li  lend.  ]  le  wasconsideied  in  tim  churches 
as  a  pattern  ol'  leaniim^,  an  illustrious  example  of  extensive  charily,  and  was  much 
improved  as  a  couneillor  and  peace  niakei.  Blessed  are  tiie  peace  makers,  Tor  they 
shall  be  called  the  childien  of  Cod. 


1?urable  stone  preserve  the  monumental  record.  Nathan  Hale,  Escj.  a  Capt.  in  the 
army  ot  the  United  States,  who  was  born  June  Gth,  17i)5,  and  reeeivetl  the  first  honors 
•  d'^ale  Colle^'e,  Sept.  1773;  resi'jned  hislil'e  a  sacrillee  to  hiscounliv's  Hbeiiy  aliNew 
York-,  Sepl.20d,  177'),  J'liat.  Il'-J.'  I\lr.  Richaid  I  laic,  jr  b.iin  lA'b.L'O.  17r.7,  d:cd  of 
consnmplion,  in  the  island  of  St.  Mustaiia,  aged  :!7.  'I'hev  were  both  the  sons  (d' 
Deacon  Richard,  and  JMrs.  Elizabeth  Hale,  of  Coveiitrv. 


E  L  L  I  N  G  ^J^  O  N . 

Elmngton  was  originally  a  jiart  of  the  townsliip  of  East  Windsor, 
called  the  Great  Marsh.  It  was  incorporated  as  a  town  in  173(5.  It 
is  bounded  n.  by  Soiners  and  Siailbrd,  w.  by  East  ^Vindsol■,  e.  by 
Tolland  and  Siailbrd,  and  s.  by  Vernon  and  Tolland.  It  is  irregular 
in  its  form,  its  greatest  length  being  nine  miles,  and  its  greatest  breadth 
about  six,  comprising  upwards  of  21,7G0  acres.  The  lownship  in  the 
western  part  is  generally  level,  a  consiilerahle  ])ortion  of  it  being  a  plain, 
the  soil  of  which  is  light  and  dry,  but  considerably  fertile.  The  eastern 
part  is  broken,  hilly  and  mountainous. 

It  was  not  until  about  seventy  live  years  after  the  setlleuicnt  began  on  the  east  .side 
id'  Coniieelieut  livt-r,  that  any  inhabiiants  It  I'aicd  tin  ni-cKes  in  tlir  pail  now  railed 
Kllinglon.  Why  this  tiael  of  l.md  was  thus  ncgUcicI,  cinnol  now  be  eaMly  told  It 
might  iiave  been  ihe  opinion  w  liieh  early  picvaikd  thai  the  mountain  laml  was  belter, 
the  tunber  and  water  lielier,  M'hieh  inlluenced  settlers  to  pass  from  Windsor  to  Tol- 
land, Willingloii,  and  oiherinountainous  iraels,  rathei  than  (,ecu]>y  these  jdains.  The 
opinion  was  long  prevalent,  that  llie  soil  on  the  pbiin,  near  ihe  present  ceniei*  of  the 
town,  ami  all  the  western  section  of  it,  was  far  mfcrnu  to  the  elevated  tracts  in  the 
adjoining  towns  cast.  And  even  the  fathers  of  sonic,  who  are  now  living  in  ihe  towns 
east,  might  have  purchased  iiioie  than  ilouble  the. number  id'  acres  on  the  plain  near 
the  center  of  the  lown,  with  the  same  amount  of  capital  thai  thcv  iiivesteil  in  their 
farms  on  the  mountains.  lio'^tr  Wolrotl  mtcic-led  himself  in  ihe  sotiling  of  "Willing- 
ton,  some  years  befme  ihere  was  anv  sm  vcy  of  this  region.  Tolland  had  a  minister 
settled  while  thislown  wasan  unbroken  wihlcincss.  iJoliuii  and  Sialford  were  earlier 
surveyeil  than  any  part  of  this  tow  n.  Covcntr\'  had  a  minister  iifieen  or  twenty  years 
before  any  one  was  hicaled  here.  'J'hc  land  lormcrly  (occupied  bv  the  Ellsworlhs  in 
this  town",  wheie  <  'apt.  Samuel  Chaianan  now  lesi.ics,  w:,  ,  siii  vcycd  in  the  year  17-0, 
as  this  was  the  eailicsi  date  in  which  any  per.-,on  made  a  beginning  in  this  place. 
The  following  is  fioin  the  original  recoil. 

"Land  surveyed  to  Daniel  and  John  Ellsworth,  sons  of  Lieutenant  John  Ellsworth, 
of  Wind.sor,  by  Thomas  Kimbi?rly,  surveyor  of  laiul  in  the  county  of  Hariford,  IGth 
of  March,  1720,  hve  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  laml  between  the  mountains  east  of 
Windsor  ami  Connecticut  river,  at  a  place  called  by  the  English  '  The  Great  Ahir^k^ 
and  by  the  Indians  '  \Vcaxkaf.hacV—'^\(\  acres  bought  cd'  C-'apt.  Joseph  Wadsworth, 
and  200  acres  bought  of  the  Ifissells,  by  said  Lieut.  John  l-^llsworth,  began  at  a  pine 
tree  marked  and  having  two  mere-slones  by  it,  standing  on  the  plain  near  the  north- 
west corner  of  the  said  marsh— (then  all  the  bounds  arc  described.)  Samuel  Pinney 
and  Daniel  Grant,  being  under  oath,  assisted  in  carrying  ihe  chain.'' 


548  ELLINGTON. 

This  was  in  Maiuli,  1700.  On  a  stone  a  little  dislancc  noriliwest  Ircun  said  Sam- 
uel iJiiapinan'b  is  the  lollouin^'  inscription.  "Lititl..  Ju/in  KlbtvurHi  \\:\s  killed  here 
by  the  Tail  ol  a  tree,  (kt.  '2i\lk,  1721),  aged  ID  yeuis  and  15  days."  JSu  lar  as  can  be 
learned  ironi  the  recouls,  it  dcies  not  app|iear  llial  there  was  any  I'amily  withinthe  lim- 
its of  Eljin^non,  previous  to  tlie  aforesaid  date.  It  is  sujjposed  that  the  Capt.  Wad.s- 
worili  ol'  whom  the  Ellsworihs  purchased  had  u  grant  ol'  lanil  i'or  services  in  the  I'e- 
quot  war.  Wiielher  the  Hi.vseis,  of  whom  the  'JOO  acres  weie  bonglit,  claimed  under 
the  Indian  lille,  or  m  some  other  way,  is  not  known.  Tiie  llev.  John  Mclvinsiry  w  as 
the  tirsi  minister  vvlio  wassetiled  in  ElliiiLciun.  lie  i)nichased  a  small  place  of  An- 
drew iMcKee,  a  little  east  of  the  place  where  Judge  Hall's  high  .school-house  is  now- 
located,  by  deed  dated  April '27lh,  17;!0.  Tliiee  years  nfierwards  he  bought  aboul 
thirty  acres  of  land  adjoinnighis  lirst  purcliase,  of  Simon  Parsons;  his  deed,  witness- 
ed by  Daniel  Ellsworth,  John  l''airlield  and  Sanniel  Thom|)son,  as  appears  from 
Windsor  records.  The  ancient  town  of  Wmdsoi  extended  cast  to  the  road  as  it  now 
runs  from  the  widow  jMoiillon's,  by  Wyllys  Uussels'.s.  Scjiiih  of  Lucius  ( "liajinian's, 
it  passed  on  the  sitle  hill  east  of  the  road  as  jt  now  runs  to  Ihdlon  line,  now  Vernon. 
Tiie  land  east  of  this,  wiihin  the  limiis  of  Ellington,  and  called  the  E(inivalenl,  was 
granted  to  the  town  oi'  Windsor,  aiul  the  grant  maldng  the  conveyance  is  on  the  re- 
couls in  the  I'ollowing  words: 

"  A  patent  of  the  Equivalent  lamls  on  the  ea-l  side  of  AV  indsor.  Whereas  the  Gov- 
ernor and  Company  ol  the  iOnglish  rohmv  of  <  'unneciirul.  in  General  (-'oiiit  nssendih-d 
Ht  llartlord.  May  the  lOih,  1710,  did  give  and  giant  unio  the  inhabilanls  of  Wmd.vor, 
in  the  LVninty  of  liarilord,  an  Eipiivali'iit  in  ihe  CAdony  laiuls,  in  consideralioii  of 
7,000  acres  ol'  land  on  the  north  side  of  llie  >aid  luun,  whK-h  by  the  hist  >elllemenl  of 
the  line  of  said  Colony  wilh  the  i'luviiice  of  Massachu^eils  l!ay,  in  I\'ew  England, 
■was  taken  off  from  sani  township.  G.  .SALTO.Ni;T.u.i.,  Lluv. 

"ilez.  Wyllys,  Sccrclnrij." 

These  lands  were  surveyed,  an.l  iheirlinuis  asreiiain.  <k  on  the  IGth,  17th  and  Ifilli 
days  of  April,  1703,  by  .lames  WadNWoiih  and  John  Hall.  'I'uenty  years  pa.ssed 
away  bcloie  a  division  oi  the  tract  was  made  among  ihe  pro|)iietors.  Proprielorship 
liad  become  an  exceedingly  complex  eoncein,  and  lor  almost  twenty  years  there  were 
yearly  meetings  held  in  which  the  division  of  these  and  other  common  lands  was  one 
of  the  objects  before  the  nieeiing,  while  the  dillereiice  of  opinion  among  the  proprie- 
tors was  such,  that  all  their  doings  were  einharias.sed  to  a  tiegiee  that  prevented  them 
from  proceeding.  In  17i:i,  the  report  of  a  committee  appoinied  many  years  bel'ore 
•was  aceeptcil,  and  according  to  their  siii\ey  and  ilivi.-^ion  allolmenis  weie  maile. 
They  began  east  where  Seklen  IVIcKinney  resides,  ai  the  nonh  line  of  Bolton,  now 
Vernon,  and  laid  out  lots  in  half  mih;  langes  to  Somcrs,  and  then  back  tigain.  Be- 
yond the  second  tier,  the  lots  were  laid  norrii  and  south  in  two  tiers,  all  the  south  range 
bounded  south  by  Tolland,  and  all  the  north  on  the  irh  th  by  Slalford.  Beyond  this 
a  number  of  lots  were  laid  out  the  whide  breadth  from  'J\dland  to  Stalfoid,  ami, thus 
till  the  last  lot  was  boun.led  bv  the  Willimaniie.  In  all  ihcM-  ^ul  veysand  alloimeni.s, 
Ihe  pond  beiweeii  ElUngion  and  Toll. mil  was  unil..iml\  \m  ilten  Misshnnijis—Wn-  the 
north  )»ond  bordeiin:,'  uj'un  Sialhud  no  oiln  r  name  in  kiu;\\n  than  Square  I'oiul.  'J'he 
Rev.  John  Mclvinstry  was  m  middle  life  when  he  was  seiih  d  here,  lie  was  educated 
in  Scotland,  but  married  his  wife  in  Wenhain,  beyond  Boston.  She  was  the  daughter 
of  Deacon  I^'airlield,  of  that  place.  When  he  came  to  this  |)lace,  he  had  five  children, 
and  two  afterwards.  Their  nanjcsweie  John,  Alexainler,  William,  I'aul,  Alary, 
Betsey  and  Abigail.  One  of  his  sons  was  a  physician,  and  lived  at  'I'aiinion  or  thai 
vicinity.  JNiaiy  married  flsij.  Ellswoiih,  the  son  of  CajJl.  f)aniel  Ellsworth.  Betsey, 
•while  on  a  visii  to  her  bioiheis  at  the  l^asl,  was  murdered  by  a  slave  who  lived  in  the 
family.  She  was  making. preparation  to  alieinl  an  oidinalioii  in  a  neighboiing  town, 
arose  early,  and  having  oeeasion  to  use  a  ilat  iron,  was  healing  il  by  the  lire  :  as  she 
was  leaning  over  the  table,  the  slave  took  ihe  Ilat  iron,  and  by  a  blow  ujton  her  head 
deprived  her  of  life:  he  concealed  her  body  under  the  siaiis  aiul  lied ;  he  was  how- 
ever arrested  and  executed,  and  hi.s  confes.si'on  of  the  decil  ]>iiblished  with  the  sermon 
preached  at  his  execulion:  he  had  been  told  that  if  he  should  kill  some  one  and  run 
away  he  should  be  free.  Mr.  MclCinsiiy  continued  his  connection  with  the  ])eojde 
in  this  place  but  IG  years,  lie  was  succeeded  in  the  ministry  by  the  llev.  Nathaniel 
Huntington  :  he  continued  here  but  six  years  and  six  months,  and  died  of  a  consump- 
tion. His  successor  was  the  ILev.  Seth  Norton:  ins  ministry  was  of  short  coniimiance: 
lie  died  in  17lJ0,  aged  ;{1  years.  His  successor  was  the  Kev.  John  Bliss:  he  died  Ecb- 
ruary  13th,  17110,  aged  51.  His  successoiwas  Mr.  Leonard,  who  coiiiinued  in  the  re- 
lation of  a  minister  but  a  few  years,  and  was  succeeded  by  the  Uev.  DitidtiU  IJiuckivaij. 

"  Ellington  is  situatoti  partly  on  the  plain  and  partly  on  the  liills.     A 
few  years  since  no  township  in  the  county  of  llartfurtl,  in  which  it  was 


II  r;  1$  R  o  N  . 


51!) 


then  included,  was  in  lower  estimation  ;  its  soil  was  considered  lean — its 
agriculture  was  wretched,  and  the;  circuaiblances  of  its  inhabitants  were 
generally  very  huinhle.  The  circumstances  of  the  community  have 
changed,  the  agriculture  and  the  buihiings  have  improved,  and  the  in- 
habitants have  risen  not  a  little  in  their  general  character."  Few  tracts 
of  country  possess  advantages  for  further  improvement  equal  to  this,  to 
render  it  a  delightful  garden,  a  most  beautifid  heiitagc,  and  a  place  of 
moral  and  intellectual  wortij.  The  sceneiy  in  this  town  embraces  con- 
siderable variety  and  is  uncommonly  interesting  and  beautiful. 


WcstinL  view  of  the  antral  j/urt  of  KUlngtun. 

The  above  is  a  west  view  of  the  Congregational  church,  and  some 
other  buildings  in  tlie  central  part  of  Elhngton.  In  the  village,  or  near 
the  center  of  the  town,  are  about  40  duelling  houses,  most  of  which  are 
linished  in  a  neat,  plain  and  handsome  style.  There  is  a  high  school, 
lyceum  and  conlcrence  house,  school  for  young  misses,  district  school, 
and  two  hotels,  all  of  which  are  (inished  in  a  handsome  style.  The 
"  l^llington  School,"  designed  principally  lor  boys  from  the  age  of  eight 
years  to  sixteen  inclusive,  is  a  resiicctable  institution,  and  has  acfjuired 
a  deserved  celebrity.  The  house  of  .ludge  llall,  the  princi|)al,  and  the 
high  school,  a  s[)acious  edifice,  are  eloLjanl  buihiings,  situated  a  little  west 
of  the  Con'j-regalionai  church,  on  a  gentle  but  beautiful  eminence. 


II  E  B  R  O  K 


The  first  settlement  of  this  town  was  commenced  in  1701.  Tlie 
first  ))eople  who  maile  settlements  in  the  town  were  AVilliam  Shipman, 
Timothy  Pheljis,  Samuel  Filer,  Caleb  Jones,  Stephen  Post,  Jacob 
Root,  Samuel  Curtiss,  Edward  Sawyer,  Joseph  Youngs,  anil  Renoni 
Trumbull.  They  were  from  Windsor,  Say  brook,  Long  Island  and 
Northampton,     llchron  was  incorporated  as  a  town  in   1707.     It  is 


550 


11  F.  B  HON. 


bounded  n.  by  Bolton  and  (Coventry,  w.  by  Glastenbury  and  iMailbo- 
rougli,  K.  by  Columbia  and  J^ebanon.  and  s.  by  Colcbester.  Its  ave- 
rage length  from  north  to  south  is  9J  miles,  and  its  average  breadth 
more  tlian  four  miles.  The  surface  of  the  town  is  uneven,  being  some- 
what hilly  and  diversified,  and  the  soil  is  considerably  fertile.  There 
are  in  the  town  two  located  Congregational  societies  and  churches,  1 
Episcopal  church  and  1  JMethodist.  The  principal  village  in  the  town 
is  20  miles  from  Hartford.  Hop  river,  a  branch  of  the  Willimantic, 
forms  the  northeastern  boundary  of  the  town.  North  pond,  in  the  south 
part  of  this  town,  is  a  considerable  body  of  water;  it  is  situated  partly 
in  this  town  and  partly  in  Colchester.  A  large  iron  furnace  for  cast- 
ings and  pig  iron  is  now  erecting  near  the  outlet  of  this  pond,  about 
three  miles  froin  Hebron  village.  The  best  bed  for  obtaining  the  ore 
is  said  to  be  about  one  mile  northwest  of  the  Congregational  church  in 
Colchester.  There  arc  also  in  the  first  society,  1  woolen  and  2  cotton 
factories,  and  1  paper  mill. 


South  vii.tv  of  litbron,   (^ccniriil  jittrt.) 

The  above  is  a  representation  of  some  of  the  most  important  buiUlings 
in  the  principal  village  in  Hebron,  20  miles  s.  e.  from  Hartford.  The^ 
Gothic  building  on  the  left  is  the  Episcopal  church,  which  Is  built  of 
brick.  The  fn-st  dwelling  house  north,  with  four  chimnies,  is  the  resi- 
dence of  John  S.  Peters,  Esq.  formerly  governor  of  the  state.  Gov. 
Peters  was  bred  a  physician,  and  is  one  of  the  largest  landed  proprie- 
tors in  the  town.  On  the  right  is  seen  in  the  distance  the  spire  of  the 
Congregational  church,  fronting  the  south,  before  which  is  a  small  o\)en 
green.  °The  first  society  contains  about  half  the  inhabitants  of  the 
town.  The  whole  of  the  jjarish  of  Gilead,  and  about  half  of  Audo- 
ver,  are  within  its  limits,  both  of  which  have  an  excellent  soil,  cultiva- 
ted by  farmers.  Hebron  has  furnished  quite  a  number  of  distinguished 
men.  Dr.  Trumbull,  the  venerable  historian  of  Connecticut,  Gov. 
Peters,  Gov,  Palmer  of  Vermont,  Gov.  Root  of  New  York,  and  three 
members  of  Congress,  Sylvester  Gilbert,  Daniel  Burrows,  and  the  late 
Daniel  Buck  of  Vermont,  were  all  natives  of  this  town. 


MANSFIELD.  551 

Tlve  first  minister  ordained  in  tliis  town  w  as  Ucv.  John  Bliss ;  tliis  was  in  October, 
17)7.  He  declared  lor  Episcopacy  i)i  1731,  and  iiaviiij,'  laid  ihe  loundalicin  of  a  soci- 
ety, a  house  of  worship  was  elected  ihe  next  year  lor  ihai  denominalinii,  and  JMr.  Bliss 
preached  and  read  setviee  lor  them  a  nnmber  of  years  alierwards.  The  Rev.  Benja- 
min Poineroy,  I).  0.  in  171!,),  was  ordained  as  (lastor  ol  llie  church  and  conj,'ri.galion 
from  which  Mr.  J]li--s  wa.^  dismissed,  lie  was'an  atdrnt  and  zealous  preacher  ul  the 
gospel,  of  the  New  Li^'hl  order,  and  a  waiiii  admiier  ol  Mi.  "Whiielield,  who  at  that 
time  experienced  much  opposition  in  many  plaos.  Mr.  Ponieioy's  zeal  in  endcav- 
orinf(  to  arouse  his  slunibei  mg  bietluen,  and  their  siupid  eont^regations,  in  liis  vicin- 
ity, was  deemed  i/-rct;ulnr,  and  (.^ays  l>r.  Tnunlinll,)  "  a  ceMilicate  was  lodged  against 
lum,  and,  for  .seven  years,  he  was  dejuived  of  his  .■-inied  .^aluiy." 

The  following,   ftiniislied  by  a  coiTespondent,   describes  a  scene  of 

'other  years:'  in  point  of  fact  it  is  believed  to  be  substantially  correct. 

"The  inhahiiants  of  this  town  have  lieen  remarkable  for  their  atlnchinent  to  tlie 
dillereiit  dynasties  thai  have  governed  this  country.  In  17.')S,  during  the  war  between 
Great  Britain  and  Fiance,  the  then  Not tli  Ameiican  colonies  made  a  noble  elTbrl, 
aided  by  an  army  of  n-Liulars,  to  close  a  war,  (waged  with  savage  ferocity,  by  the 
combined  forces  of  French  and  Indians,)  by  taking  Louksburg,  a  strong  forticss,  and 
key  to  the  CJnlf  and  Biver  St.  Lawient-e,  which  \ias  gloriously  accomplished  by  the 
troops  under  the  command  of  Geiieial  Amhcist.  The  glad  tidings  were  wafted  on 
eagles'  wings  to  every  hamlet  in  the  suireiiiig  coimlry,  gratitude  wanned  every  lieart, 
and  joy  lighted  up  eveiy  countenance;  ctudial  greetings  cheered  every  bosom,  and 
enormous  piim|ikin  |iies  sinidvcd  on  every  board.  It  was  deemetl  necessary  that  some 
further  demon.-^lrations  should  be  made,  to  sliow  clearly  the  love  ol'  king  and  country 
that  entwined  around  every  ligament  of  tlieir  hearts;  caps  were  thrown  high,  and  a 
lull  chorus  from  stentorian  lungs  grandly  echoeil  from  the  surrt)unding  liills.  A  de- 
cree went  forth,  that  a  cannon  should  be  iired;  no  life-destroying  instrument  of  that 
description  had  ever  broken  the  silence  of  this  part  of  the  New  Wmld  ;  Yankee  iiigc- 
nuity  was  placed  on  the  rack;  an  entire  new  article  was  invented,  and  would  have 
been  patented  forthwith,  hud  fashion  then  led  the  way.  A  tiemendous  (i(i/,e7i  Ii'l; 
was  brought  from  the  forest,  and  without  delay  liansformed  into  a  cannon  of  the 
caliber  of  1-JO  j)oiinds;  t(j  make  all  sure  aiui  establish  the  character  of  this  new  sjiecics 
of  artillery,  a  son  of  Vulcan  jdaced  thereon  massive  hoops  of  iron  ; — "a  threefold  cord 
is  not  easily  broken," — and  in  accordance  with  this  truth,  a  cordon  of  \v'ood  hoojis  were 
driven  close  over  all,  so  that  the  infernal  machine  hail  the  appearance  of  a  mummy 
dressed  for  the  tomb.  The  work  was  accomplished  ;  the  powiler  horns  were  biiuight 
together  and  emptied  of  their  contents;  the  gun  was  literally  crammed,  and  removed 
to  the  summit  of  a  hill,  that  the  thunder  thereof  might  be  heard  to  the  ends  of  the 
earth;  a  train  was  set  and  the  match  lighted;  the  assembled  inuliitmle  stood  afar  v[\' 
in  breathless  anxiety  j  ihe  awful  munifui  was  ajiproai'hing  ;  theicueh  was  applied  to 
the  t  lain  ;  the  niiiiiuii  til  niiM-bief  ci  c|ii  .viowly  Iowa  ids  the  ehamljcr  uf  sleeping  dusi, 
like  the  serpent  to  the  car  ol\iur  iimther  the, — 

'■  l.it  by  the  biilliant  spark',  from  grain  to  giain 

Runs  the  (jniek  fire,  along  the  kindling  Ham  ; 

( )u  the  pain'd  ear-drum  bursts  the  siulilcii  crash, 

Starts  the  red  llame,  and  dcaib  luiisues  the  iJash." 
In  an  instant,   liope  and  fear,  together  wiili  the  object  of  ailoralion,  were  waited  to 
terra'  incogniia;  m  a  fiery  chariot. 

The  fame  uf  the  exploit  spread  over  the  whole  world,  and  was  written  in  the  f.'hroni- 
cles  of  Ihe  kings  of  iMigland;  Lieorge  the  thud,  in  the  iilenitude  of  his  goodness,  pro- 
vided a  substitute  made  of  pure  bras,-,^  that  his  faithliil  .^ubjeets  might  ever  after  sing 
peans  to  his  victorious  army.  This  mark  of  ins  majesty's  favor,  however,  was  lost  in 
passing  the  Atlantic  Ocean. 


MANSFIELD. 

Mansfield*  was  funncrly  comprised  in  the  original  limits  of  the  town 
of  Windhainj  of  \vhich  it  was  the  norlhern  section.     It  was  made  a  dis- 

*  This  town  was  named,  it  is  said,  from  Major  Moses  M<tnfjichi  of  New  Haven, 
who,  in  the  Indian  wars,  routed  a  parly  of  Indians  somewhere  in  this  region.  In  con- 
sequence of  this  exploit,  he  received  a  grant  of  a  targe  tract  of  land,  now  comprised 


552 


m  A  N  s  r  I  E  L  1) 


tinct  town  in  1703.  Its  Indian  name  was  NaivbesetiicJc.  Settlements 
were  made  here  soon  afier  tliey  commenced  at  ^Vindham.  Some  of  tlic 
first  settlers  are  said  to  have  been  of  the  names  of  Fenton,  Royce  and 
Hall.  Patience  Royce  is  said  to  have  been  tlje  fust  white  child  born  in 
the  town.  Settlers  by  the  names  of  Storrs,  Porter  and  Barrows,  from 
Plymouth,  were  in  this  town  at  an  early  period.  In  October,  1710,  the 
Rev.  Elcazar  Williams  was  ordained  as  the  first  minister  in  the  town. 
The  township  is  bounded  north  by  Willington  and  Ashford,  west  by 
Willimantic  river,  dividing  it  from  Coventry,  east  by  Chaplin,  and  south 
by  Windham.  Its  average  length  from  east  to  west  is  S  miles;  its  av- 
erage breadth  nearly  six.  The  central  part  is  27  miles  cast  from  Hurt- 
ford,  19  from  Nbrwich,  and  12  from  Tolland. 


t/icast  view  of  the  rrcsbytcrian  C/turch,   Dhtiisjicld. 


The  al)o\o  is  a  ut'iiii  view  of  the  I'nsl'ijti  rum  clii 
and  some  other  buildings  in  the  \icinil}',  in  the  centia 
This  is  believed  to  be  the  only  Prcbbyterian  cliurcl 
The  members  arc  ruled,  or  governed,  by  8  elders. 

The  face  of  the  township  is  uneven,  being  diversified' with  hills  and 
valleys:  the  eminences  in  general  have  consitlerable  elevation.  Be- 
sides the  Willimantic,  the  town  is  watered  by  Nachaug  river,  and  its 
tributary  streams,  the  IMonnt  Hope  and  Fenton. 

A  larger  qufinlity  of  silk  is  iii;iiiuf;iclured  here  llian  in  any  oilier  placejn  the  Unileft 
f  iiiiUisirv  was  inlroduced  into  tin 
aI  I 


States.     This  braiieh  of 
of  this  place,  above  se\ 


",v 


•y  was  introduced  into 
I'i;  since,  who  eslabJiil 


ch  in  Mansfield, 
part  of  tho  town, 
in  Coimecticul. 


iry  l)y  Dr.  Aspinwall 
sin''  of  silk  \\'oini 


in  the  limits  of  this  town.  The  tradition  is,  that  Alajoi  Mansfield  received  his  name, 
Moses,  from  the  followin;j;  circnmstanee;  his  parents,  who  resided  either  in  North  or 
East  Haven,  in  crossings  the  l<'ast  river  in  a  canoe,  were  npset,  and  their  infant,  whom 
they  were  taking  across  the  jiver  in  order  for  baptism,  lloaled  away  from  them.  Be- 
ing well  wrapped  up  in  blankets,  the  infant  Hoaied  down  the  stieam  and  lodged  among 
the  rushes,  where  he  was  taken  nj),  having  receiveil  no  injuiy.  IJis  parents  intended 
to  have  named  him  lliehard,  but  from  the  circumstance  of  his  being  taken  fiom  the 
water  and  from  the  rushes,  he.  was  called  .Miif(S.  lit:  was  a  major  of  the  militia, 
which  was  the  highest  military  ollice  in  the  county  ;  he  wa^  alfo  a  judge  of  the  county 
court,  aud  au  a.^sislam  luilgc'of  j.iobatc-. 


s  ()  ni  K  R  s .  553 

New  Haven,  Long  W.iiid  and  Pliihrdrliihia.  At  il, is  period  half  cin  ounce  of  mul- 
berry seed  was  sent  to  every  jiansli  in  Cuuiiccticm,  and  tlie  legislature  lor  a  lime  of- 
fered a  bounty  on  mulberry  trees  anil  raw  silk;  CGf)  lbs.  were  raisetl  ui  17I):f,  and  the 
quantity  has  been  increasing  ever  since.  In  1>(30,  :i,'J()0  lbs.  were  raised.  Two  small 
silk  factories  liave  been  established  in  this  town  by  un  English  manufacturer  witli 
swifts  for  winding  hard  silk;  32  spindles  for  doulilin:,';  seven  dozen  of  spindles  for 
Ihrowing;  32  spindles  for  soil  silk  winding;  and  2  broad  and  one  fringe  silk  looms. 
There  is  machinery  enough  to  keep  30  broad  silk  looms  and  fifty  hands  in  operation. 
There  are  in  the  town  two  cotton  laclories.  Screw  augers  and  steelyards  are  manu- 
lactured  here. 

The  inhabitants  of  this  town  have  been  distinguished  lor  their  ingenuity,  enterprise 
and  industry.  About  .sixty  years  .since  Mr.  Daniel  liartsliurn  of  this  place,  invented 
the  bu^z  saw,  now  so  useful  in  the  mechanic's  shop.  At  the  fust  he  used  it  by  hand, 
lor  cutting  the  teeth  for  horn  combs.  About  this  time,  Mr.  Nathan  Palmer,  a  liouse 
joiner,  and  Andrew  Ilarishorn,  a  blacksmith,  invented  the  screw  auger.  Steelyards 
were  manufactured  by  iVfi.  I  lanks,  spectacles  and  surgical  insirunients  by  Mr.  I-'enion, 
at  an  early  date.  The  double  whcelhead  was  invenlcd  by  Mr.  Horace  tJaiiks,  about 
the  year  1800,  lor  the  purpo>e  of  sjiiiuiing  silk.  It  was  hr.st  used  in  tlie  (amily  of  Mr. 
vVnght.  The  first  sillc  reeled  from  the  cocoons  was  the  work  of  the  wife  of  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Mariiii,  who  had  been  in  France,  and  had  seen  the  operation  in  that  country. 
Most  of  the  manufacturing  business  dune  in  this  town,  has  been  perlbrmcd,  in  the 
"republican  style,"  each  one  for  hiinscll  in  his  own  family. 


The  following  inscription  is  from  a  monument  in  the  yard  a  little  south 
from  the  Presbyterian  church. 

Here  lies  the  body  of  ye  Rev.  Mr.  Elcazer  Williams,  pastor  of  ye  chh.  in  Mansfield. 
Descended  from  venerable  ancestors,  but  more  nobly  born  from  above ;  and  with  laith- 
lulness,  pruilence,  zeal  and  courage,  imprcjved  the  gifts  and  graces  his  divine  Lord 
had  intrusted  him  wiili;  in  ye  work  of  (he  ministry  here,  being  found  with  his  loynes 
girt  and  looking  for  the  mercvof  the  Lord  Jesus  tu  etnnal  life,  at  his  master's  call,  he 
quietly  fell  asleep  in  .lesus,  Sept.  -Jlsi,  171-2,  in  th.'  r.r)ili  year  of  his  age,  and  ye  32d 
year  ol  his  pa.sioral  work.— Them  that  sleep  in  Jesus  will  (Jcni  bring  sVith  him. 


SOMERS. 

SoMERS  is  boiuuled  n.  by  the  IMiissacIiusetts  line,  w.  by  Enfield,  e.  by 
Siaironl,  and  s.  by  JOlhnytnn.  It  is  about  siK  miles  in  length  from  north 
lo  .south,  with  a  mean  brea.tllh  of  about  five  miles.  The  central  part  of 
the  town  is  22  miles  n.  k.  from  llariford,  and  12  s.  e.  from  Springfield, 
in  Massachusetts.  There  is  1  Congregational  and  1  Methodist  church 
in  the  town  ;  there  is  also  a  considerable  number  of  Baptists,  who  are 
associated  with  the  Baptist  churches  in  the  neighboring  towns.  The 
western  section  of  the  town  is  generally  smooth  and  level,  and  free  from 
stone,  The  eastern  section  is  hilly  and  mountainous,  witli  some  heights 
of  considerable  elevation,  allbrding  an  extensive  and  interesting  prospect 
of  Hartford,  and  the  beautiful  valley  of  the  Connecticut. 

Somers  was  formerly  the  southeast  part  of  tlie  ancient  town  of  Springfield,  granted 
by  the  General  Court  of  Mas.-,achusells  to  Mr.  Pynclieon  and  his  company.  It  was 
alterwards  incorporated  with  the  town  of  Enlield,  and  was  part  of  the  same  ecclesias- 
tical society,  and  so  continued  to  be  until  about  the  year  170G,  when  it  was  made  a  dis- 
tinct ecclesiastical  society,  by  the  General  Court  of  Ma.ssachusetts,  by  the  name  of  East 
Enfield.  The  town  of  Enfield,  when  incorporated,  extended  from  Connecticut  river 
to  Sta/iord,  ten  miles.  The  first  person  who  moved  on  to  Somers  was  Benjamin 
Jones,  of  Welch  extraction.  He  was  from  Enfield;  and  in  1706  moved  on  lo  this 
tract  where  he  resided  in  the  summer,*  but  moved  back  in  the  winter,  and  at  other 


*  This  was  near  the  foot  of  the  mountain,  on  the  principal  road  whicli  pa.sses  through 
the  lowu  from  Enfield  to  Statibrd. 

70 


i51 


S  O  JI  F.  1{  S  . 


tn.Ks  when  clnn?.r  wr,s  apprc-Iu..uleci.  Bin  ,i(.  pennaiuml  scuK-.uc.,.  was  inn.Ie  nni,l 
I  /l.{  wlicn  L.lwaid  Jvibho,  .hinies  Pease,  Timnil.v  Knot,  ;„ul  Jolui  M'Gn-oiv  Uii]i 
I  heir  aim  les  joined  With  Jones,  and  made  a  dniable  .selilemenl.  Soot,  alier  Several 
other  laimi.e.s  became  re.idenis  in  the  town,  by  the  names  of  Hoilon,  KiUam  Wood. 
Collins,  Citlron,  Davis  feexton,  Parsons,  Blood,  Purchase,  Jioekuood,  Fell  and  Fisjc 
1  heir  hist  pastor  was  the  Rev.  Samuel  Allis,  who  wa>  ordained  in  March  17"7  hi 
1/dl,  the  General  Court  of  Massachusetts  meuiporaled  the  society  as  a  imvn*'by  the 
JUtme  ol  .^;Hi"--rs  It  is  snid  to  have  been  thus  named  at  the  request  of  Gov.  Belcher, 
in  lioiior  ol  J^ord  bomers,  (oi-  whom  he  had  a  nciuli 


pect  and  veneration, 
ol  Connecticut,  in  17'19. 


The 


fVcst  view  of  Somen-,  {central  jxirt.) 

The  above  is  a  view  of  tlie  coiitial  part  of  the  town,  where  the  two 
'  principal  roads  intersect  each  other  at  right  angles.  The  principal  vil- 
lage is  situated  on  a  street  rLiuning  east  an.l  west,  and  extending  about 
a  mile.  Ihe  building  on  the  exticnie  right  is  ilje  IMoihodist  church, 
recently  erected:  there  are  perhaps  30  or  10  (hvcHiiig  liouses  within 
ball  a  mile  ol  this  biiihhng:  the  Congregaln.nal  (  lunch  is  about  half  a 
mile  to  the  north.  'J'here  are  in  the  village  4  or  5  mercantile  stores, 
and  one  eslabhshmenf,  owned  by  Ebenezcr  Clark,  Esq.  for  the  manu- 
facttire  ol_  ladies'  straw  bonnets,  being,  it  is  believed,  the  only  one  of 
the  kind  in  ihe  state.  At  present  about  30  hands  are  employed,  and 
about  100  hats  manufactured  daily.  Part  of  the  material,  or  straw,  of 
which  they  are  formed,  is  imported  from  abroad.  iAIr.  Clark  commen- 
ced the  manulacture  of  these  hats  or  bonnets  about  six  years  since. 


I  lever  pu 
ilhs.  'Phi 
ly,  which 
•A  ol'  the  fevc 


llhMl 


his  inwii.    Ji  bii^an  about  tlie  first 

kiiess  had   been  immediately  preceded 

ied  oil'  a  number.     Thirty  six  persons 

bout  one  in  twenty  nine  of  the  \\'hole 


"  In  Ihe  year  1775,  a  maliMia 
of  Au-ust,  and  ra^'ed  ihrec  m, 
by  the  scarlet  fever  and  dyseni 

died  tliat  year,  most  of  whom  d,L-u  oi  me  lever,  aoout  one  m  twenty  nine  of  the  wh^ 
number  ol  inhabilants  in  the  town.  It  seized  its  patients  wiih  jrrcat  violence,  and  1 
quently  bron-ht  l,(e  to  a  close  by  the  ei-iith  dav,  and  sometimes  as  eariv  as  the  sixth 
J  rarely  hilled  ol  attaclcm-  every  per.son  m  the  house  where  it  entered,  in  its  early 
stages.  The  people  m  -eneral  were  filled  with  i,Meat  consternation.  Nurses  were 
procured  with  great  dillichy,  and,  m  soo.e  instances,  the  sick  must  have  sutfered,  if 
recourse  had  not  been  had  ,o  Ic.al  eon ,■,„„."  '^  The  scen.s  of  distress  which  operled 
among  he  sick  and  dymg,  can  be  lemembcied  by  lis  who  Mere  eye  witnesses,  but  can- 
not  be  descrdjed."  ' 


Dr.  Tninibull 


s  T  A  F  F  n  n  D  .  r,55 

The  followiiif;  inscription  is  on  Dr.  IJackus's  nionuniont,  in  llio  jsnnc 
yard  by  the  Congre^^ational  ciiurch. 

Sacreil  to  tlic  mfiiiory  of  Rev.  Ciiaui.k.s  I^ackis,  who  died  Dec.  30lli,  IbOj,  /I'.lat.  51. 
As  ;i  minister  of  Cliiist,  he  laitlilully  dechiied  his  counsel,  and  was  wise  lu  win  souls 
loCJod.  As  an  ecclesiaslical  counseiur  he  uiisskilllnl :  and  as  a  thcolo-,'ieal  jniMeptor, 
he  was  deservedly  celebraled.  As  an  llnsbaml,  Fallier  and  Friend,  he  has  tew  e(inals, 
ami  iierhaps  luj  su|)eiiLns.  '  He  expired,  lepealui-^'  ihe  anijelic  son-,  Lulce  -Jd,  llih, 
Glory  lo  Gjd  in  the  lii^liest,  and  on  caidi  peace,  yooil  wiU  tow  aids  men. 


S  T  A  F  F  O  l{  1) . 

St,vffoi{T)  is  divided  into  two  societies,  or  parislies,  StaHord  and  West 
Stalibrd.  It  is  l)ouiukul  n.  by  the  Alassacluisetts  line,  \v.  by  Soniers, 
s,  by  l^llini^ton  tinil  VVillini^ton,  and  k.  by  Union.  It  is  about  H^  miles 
in  lenj^ah  iioin  euot  to  west,  and  upwards  of  six  in  breadtii.  The  face 
of  the  country  in  StalFord  is  billy,  and  in  U'cst  Slafi;)rd  mountainous, 
aboimding  with  i)rimiiiv'e  rocks.  The  prevailin^^  soil  is  a  ^M-avelly  loam, 
hard  and  dry,  generally  favorable  for  grass. 


Ml  I  I  II 

iTTm  I,! 


riSK 


^'^.f^M 


m. 


l\or(hivvst  view  uf  Stajjont  jMiiicni/  Spring.^  Jlotcl. 

This  town  was  surveyed  in  17IH;aiiil  iissr'iilenu'iu  was  commenced  in  thcspiingof 
tlie  lullowiiif,'  year.  The  piincipal  selilers  were  twelve  in  nnmlur.  Two  of  iirem, 
Robert  White  and  Matthew  Thompson,  were  Ironi  Juirope.  Samuel  and  .luhn  War- 
ner were  iVom  iladley  ;  l^annjl  ami  Josiah  Cloib^ei,  Irom  Wolniin:  Cornelius  Davis, 
from  itaverhijl;  Daniel  Colburn,  from  Deilhnm  ;  John  Pasco,  iKim  Mnlicid  ;  Josiah' 
Standish,  from  I'resion;  Joseph  Oreut,  from  Weymouth ;  and  lienjamm  itockwell, 
from  Windsor.     'I'he  first  minister,  INIr.  (iiaham,  was  settled  in  IT'.'IJ. 

There  are  several  minerals  in  the  town,  of  which  iron  ore  is  the  most 
important.  Several  mines  of  it  have  been  oiiened.  The  ore  which  is 
principally  used  is  the  bog  ore,  and  is  of  an  excellent  quality.  In  177;>, 
Mr.  John  Phelps  and  others  built  a  blast  fiuitace  on  a  large  scale.  Hol- 
low ware,  cannon,  cannon  shot,  and  a  great  variety  of  pjitterns  lijr  nian- 
ufacturersj  and  other  descriptions  of  machinery,  were  cast.     In  1790, 


55G  UNION.    • 

another  furnace  was  erected  by  INIr.  Nathaniel  Hyde  and  company. 
This,  also,  is  upon  au  extensive  scale. 

Tiie  mineral  springs  in  Stafford  have  justly  acquired  considerable 
celebrity.  They  are  situated  upon  a  stage  road,  between  Hartford  uud 
Boston,  six  miles  from  Tolland  court  house,  and  '2-1  miles  from  Hartford. 
The  view  show3  the  appearance  of  the  hotel,  and  most  of  the  other 
buildings  connected  witii  the  establishment,  as  viewed  from  the  stage 
road  which  passes  by,  a  few  rods  to  the  north.  The  principal  spring 
rises  behind  the  building  nearest  the  hotel,  on  the  banks  of  a  stream, 
one  of  the  branches  of  the  Willimantic  river.  There  is  another  spring 
a  few  rods  westward. 

Tlie  Indians  first  made  the  settlers  acquainled  wiili  the  virtues  of  these  springs, 
when,  in  ihe  year  17111,  this  part  of  the  coiuury  began  to  be  stttled.  "  It  has  been  llieir 
practice,  time  immemorial,  to  resort  to  them  in  the  warm  season,  and  plant  their  wig- 
wams round  them.  Tiiey  recommended  the  water  as  an  eye  water;  but  gave,  as  tiieir 
own  particular  reason  tor  driiiliintr  it,  that  it  enlivened  their  spirits."  It  is  said,  thai 
in  17t)G,  these  springs  were  careCully  e.vainincd  by  IJr.  "Warren,  who  then  had  thuughts 
oC  purchasing  the  land  on  which  they  rise,  with  a  view  of  establishing  himsell'  upon 
it.  Subsequent  events  transformed  tiie  piiysieian  into  a  soldier,  and  Dr.  Warren  tell 
in  the  first  great  struggle  of  the  Itevoluiioii,  with  the  rank  of  a  major  general,  at  the 
battle  of  Hunlcer'shill.  Dr.  Willaid  afterwards  put  Ur.  Warren's  plan  into  operation, 
by  building  a  large  hotel  lor  the  reixpiitJii  ol  jiatienls  and  others.  The  establishment 
is  at  present  owned  by  Mr.  Jasper  Hyde,  and  its  furnier  reputation  is  lidly  sustained, 
and  it  is  a  place  of  much  resort  for  the  purposes  of  health  or  pleasure  during  the  sum- 
mer season. — "  There  are  two  distinct  s|)rings,  the  medical  qualities  of  which  are  con- 
sidered as  e.ssentially  dilleient.  (Jne  ot  them  contains  a  solution  of  iion,  sustained  by 
carbonic  acid  gas,  a  portion  of  marine  salt,  some  eartldy  sub-stances,  and  what  has 
been  called  natron,  or  a  native  alkili.  Thisspiing  has  been  known  and  used  for  a 
length  of  time,  and  has  been  pronounced  by  chemists  to  be  one  of  the  most  eflicaciuus 
chalybeate  springs  in  the  United  States.  The  other  spring,  the  medicinal  virtues  of 
which  were  not  known  till  about  the  year  1810,  contains,  according  to  the  opinion  of 
Professor  Silliman,  (who  examineil  it  in  that  year,)  a  large  portion  of  hydrogen  gas, 
of  sulphur,  and  a  small  proportion  of  iron.'' — "  These  springs  did  not  ac<)uire  uiuch 
celebrity  until  about  the  year  1705,  when  a  case  occured  calculated  to  establish  and 
extend  their  reputation.  It  was  an  etfectual  cure  of  a  most  obstinate  cutaneous  com- 
plaint which  had  completely  baliled  all  medicinal  skill,  and  resisted  all  other  applica- 
tions. The  nubliciiy  which  was  given  to  this  case  soon  laiscil  the  re()Ulation  of  these 
springs;  and  a  conseciuence  of  which  they  iminediatcly  became  a  place  ot  lesurt  of 
persons  alllietcd  with  various  di.->ea.-5cs." 


UNION. 


"The  settlement  of  this  town  begun  in  1727.  The  first  and  princi- 
pal settlers  were  \Villiam  McNall,  John  Lawson,  and  James  Sherrer, 
from  Ireland.  The  progress  of  the  settlement  appears  to  have  been 
slow,  and  the  town  was  not  incorporated  till  1734.  It  is  bounded  n. 
by  the  Massachusetts  line,  w.  by  Stafford,  e,  by  Woodstock,  and  s.  by 
Ashford.  Its  length  is  between  five  and  six  miles  from  north  to  south, 
and  its  breadth  averages  about  the  same  distance.  The  central  part  of 
the  town  is  about  33  miles  northeasterly  from  Hartford. 

"The  surface  of  this  town  is  broken,  being  hilly  and  rocky,  and  the 
soil  generally  unproductive.  IMashapaug  pond  in  this  town  is  a  beau- 
tiful expanse  of  water,  and  covers  an  area  of  about  SOO  acres.  The 
population  of  Union  in  1830  was  seven  hundred  and  eleven.  "This 
town,"  says  Pease  and  Niles's  Gazetteer,  "  furnishes  a  striking  example 


of  the  inequality  and  injustice  of  the  principle  of  representation  in  this 
state,  and  of  the  prevalence  of  ilie  '  borough  system'  of  England. 
Union,  with  a  population  of  752,  and  with  a  list  of  17,000  dollars, 
lias  an  equal  representation  with  i\e\v  Haven,  which  has  a  population 
of  more  than  7,000,  and  a  list  of  133.000  dollars;  having  more  than 
nine  limes  the  inhabitants  of  Union,  and  paying  nearly  eight  times  the 
amount  of  taxes;  and  upon  a  more  just  principle  of  taxation,  the  dif- 
ference in  this  respect  would  be  more  conspicuous." 


VERNON 


Southwestern  view  of  Vernon,  [central  part.) 

•This  town  was  first  settled  by  persons  from  East  Windsor,  in  1716. 
It  was  originally  a  parish  formed  from  East  Windsor  and  J^olton,  called 
North  liolton.  Jt  was  incorporated  a  town  in  1S08.  It  is  bounded  n. 
by  Ellington,  w.  by  East  Windsor  and  Manchester,  e.  by  Tolland  and 
Coventry,  and  s.  by  Bolion.  The  town  is  about  5  miles  in  length  and 
upwards  of  3^  in  breadth.  The  greater  part  of  the  town  is  imeven, 
being  agreeably  diversified  by  hill  and  dale.  The  soil  is  generally  a 
gravelly  loam,  somewhat  stony,  yet  considerably  fertile.  The  eastern 
part  of  the  township  is  crossed  by  a  range  of  mountains,  which  is  the 
eastern  boundary  of  the  great  valley  of  the  Connecticut.  The  most 
considerable  streams  are  the  Hockanum  and  Tankerooson,  which  sup- 
ply water  to  several  mills  and  fictorics.  A  cotton  manufactory,  for  a 
long  time  the  only  successful  one  established  in  Connecticut,  was  erect- 
ed in  the  western  part  of  this  town  by  ]\Ir.  Warburton,  an  Englishman. 
The  manufacturing  business  is  carried  on  in  this  town  to  a  considerable 
extent.  There  are  4  cotton  mills  or  factories,  and  6  or  8  satinet  llic- 
tories,  now  in  operation,  and  1  paper  mill.  Rock  village  is  about  1 
n)ile  below  Snipsic  pond  and  14  from  Hartford  ;  it  contains  G  satinet 
factories  and  1  paper  mill.  Tankerooson,  the  cotton  manufacturing  vil- 
lage, is  about  10  miles  east  from  Hartford. 


558  W  I  L  L  I  N  G  T  O  N  . 

The  cut  on  the  preceding  page  is  a  western  view  of  the  Congrega- 
tional church  in  Vernon,  and  olher  buildings  in  the  vicinity,  1'2  niilus 
from  Hartford.  The  Hrst  meeting  house  in  the  town  was  upwards  of 
half  a  mile  east,  on  the  summit  of  a  hill.  The  Rev.  Ebenezer  Kellog 
was  the  first  minister  in  the  place.  The  following  is  the  inscription  on 
his  monument  in  the  ancient  burying  ground. 

R("v.  EbcnezL-r  Kellog-,  itied  Sept.  3d,  1817,  in  ihe  81st  3-ear  of  his  age  and  fiSth  year 
of  his  ministry  in  lliia  jdace. 

In  yoniler  sacred  liouse  he  spent  his  breiitli, 
Now  silent,  senseless,  here  he  sleefis  in  deatli, 
These  lips  again  shall  wake,  anil  ihen  declare 
A  loud  Amen,  to  irLiihs  iliey  publislied  there. 


W  I  L  L  I  N  G  T  O  N  . 


The  township  of  Willington  was  sold  and  granted  by  the  Governor 
and  company  for  five  hundred  and  ten  pounds,  to  the  following  gentle- 
men :  Roger  Wolcoit,  Ksq.  of  ^Vindsor,  John  Burr  of  Fairfield,  John 
Riggs  of  Derby,  Samuel  Gunn  and  George  Clark  of  Milibrd,  John 
Stone  and  Peter  Pratt  of  Hartford,  and  Kbene/cr  Fitch.  This  sale 
took  place  in  1720.  A  few  families  had  settled  on  the  lands  in  this 
town  previous  to  this  time.  "The  settlers  were  from  various  parts  of 
New  England,  and  they  moved  on  to  the  land  one  after  another  in  a 
very  scattering  manner.  The  first  minister  settled  in  the  town  was  the 
Rev.  Daniel  Fuller,  who  was  ordained  in  1728. 

Willington  is  bounded  n.  by  Staflbrd,  w.  by  the  "VVillimantlc  river, 
which  divides  it  from  Tolland,  e.  by  Ashford,  and  s.  by  Mansfield.  It 
is  upwards  of  seven  miles  in  length  from  north  to  south,  and  fom-  tmd  a 
half  miles  in  breadth.  The  smiace  of  this  town  is  hilly  and  broken, 
abounding  with  stone.  The  summits  of  the  mountains  and  hills  are 
generally  covereil  with  granite  and  olher  rocks.  Iron  ore  to  some  ex- 
tent has  been  found  in  this  town.  The  central  part  of  the  town  is 
about  21  miles  easterly  fiom  Hartford. 


]l'iUingt.on,  June,  1781. 
Whereas  of  late  years,  there  has  been  advanced  for  a  certainty,  by  a  qunclv  JJoclur, 
a  lureigner,  thai  a  certain  erne  may  be  had  Ibi  consumption,  where  any  of  the  same 
family  had  before  time  died  with  the  same  disease;  directing  lo  have  the  bodies  i)f 
such  as  had  died  lo  be  dug  u)!,  and  further  said  that  out  ol'  the  breast  or  vitals  might 
be  found  a  sprout  or  vine  fresh  and  growing,  which  together  with  the  remains  of  the 
vitals,  being  consumed  in  hre,  would  beau  effectual  cure  to  the  same  lamily: — and 
such  directions  so  lar  gained  credit,  that  in  one  instance  the  experiment  was  thor- 
oughly made  in  Willington.  On  the  lirst  day  of  June  instant,  two  bodies  were  dug- 
up  which  belonged  lo  the  family  of  Mr.  Isaac  Johnson  of  that  place;  they  both  died 
with  the  consumption.  One  had  been  buried  one  year  and  eleven  monllis,  the  olher 
one  year,  a  third  of  the  family  then  sick.  On  fuU'exainination  of  the  then  small  re- 
mains by  two  doctors  then  present,  viz.  Doctors  Grant  and  West,  not  the  least  discov- 
ery could  be  made  ;  and  to  pievciU  misrepresenlations  of  Ihe  facts,  1  being  an  eye  wit- 
ness, confess  that  under  the  collin  were  sundry  small  sprouts,  about  an  inch  in  length, 
then  fresh,  but  most  likely  they  were  the  produce  of  sorrel  seeds  which  fell  nndi-r  the 
collin  when  put  in  the  earth  ;  and  that  the  bodies  of  the  dead  may  rest  quiet  in  their 
graves  without  interruption,  I  think  tire  public  ought  to  beware  of  being  led  away  by 
such  an  impostor.  IMoses  IIol.mks. 


559 


APPENDIX 


[The  following  account,  roppcctinga  tribe  oflnilians  win,  funnrrly  resided  in  RlaKlcnbury,  was  fur- 
liiKhcd  by  Gideon  Welles,  Esc),  lo  whose  politeness  the  uuUiur  la  ;ilsu  indubleJ  for  other  fuels  relating 
lo  the  history  of  his  native  town.] 

Tradilion  tells  of  a  biave  tribe  of  aborigines  wliicli  occupied  a  position  a  little  sotith 
of  the  center  of  the  town,  known  by  the  name  of  the  Red  Hill  Indians,  They  weie  a 
branch  of  the  Pequots,aiui  between  them  and  the  Mohawks  there  weie  unsparing  and 
relentless  hostilities.  The  Red  Hills  had  a  fort  on  n  verv  preciinlous  tiill,  which  was 
strongly  fortified  on  the  cast,  but  towards  the  river,  on  the  west,  the  besiegect  relied 
principally  on  large  logs  and  stones,  wliich  they  rolled  down  upon  their  enemies,  if 
tlicy  attempted  to  ascend  the  einincnce. 

Spies  and  friendly  Indians  informed  the  Red  Hills  of  the  advance  of  their  enemies, 
who  immediately  gathered  their  women  and  children  within  the  fort;  and,  on  several 
occasions  made  a  gallant  defense,— repelling  the  Wohaw  \<>,  with  great  loss.  At  length 
the  Mohawks,  whose  numbers  far  exceeded  those  of  the  Red  Hills, and  who  had  usu- 
ally made  their  most  des))erate  ellbrt  by  trying  to  ascend  the  hill,  resorted  to  stratagem. 

Word  came  to  the  Red  Hills  that  the  "Mohawks  were  coming,"  and  thev  hastily 
gathered  their  little  tribe  within  the  fort.  liUt  the  Mohawks  did  not  make  their  ap- 
pearance, and  after  wailing  for  some  time  in  vain,  the  Red  Hills  despatched  a  small 
number  up  the  river,  for  the  purpose  of  reconnoiiering.  Near  the  upper  part  of  East 
Windsor  or  Enfield,  the  parly  struck  upon  a  trail,  which  they  followed  in  a  southeast- 
erly direction  until  they  came  to  the  head  waters  of  Roaring  Brook,  near  Minachaug 
mountain.     Here  all  traces  ceased, — ikj  trail,  nor  track,  nor  scent,  could  be  found. 

Subsequent  events  showed  that  the  Mohawks  had  at  this  place  entered  the  stream, 
and,  that  they  might  not  be  traced,  liiid  waded  down  the  entire  distance  to  near  the 
inouth,  where  were  the  fort  and  village  of  the  Red  Hills.  ,The  scheme  was  success- 
I'ul.  The  hapless  Red  Hills  were  surprised,  and  e.xpci  icnced  more  than  savage  ven- 
geance. The  Mohawks  spared  not  one  of  the  race.  This  horrid  butchery  is  said  to 
]iave  taken  place  about  the  period  when  the  hist  settlers  emigrated  to  Connecticut. 
Although  the  whites  had  no  part  in  this  tragedy,  tlie  bloody  legend  was  remembered 
and  told,  and  the  froward  child  was  often  subdued  by  the  terrific  exclamation,  "the 
Mohawks  are  coming." 


I  For  tlio  follnwlns  n.-cciuiit  of  rhnplin  lb.'  muhor  is  iihl.  lu.'d  lo  Walter  GoihIcU,  Kso.  of  Chnplin  :  it 
was  not  received  in  liiii.'  lo  have  it  in.Mib.l  in  ils  lej;..!!!!-  plaer  ] 

CHAPLIN. 

Chaplin,  a  small  township  in  the  westerly  part  of  AVindham  County,  was  formed 
from  the  towns  of  Mansfield,  Hampton,  and  a  small  section  of  the  town  of  Windham. 
It  is  bounded  N.  by  Ashford,  k.  by  Hampton,  s.  by  Windham,  and  w.  by  Mansfield. 
The  principal  part  of  the  township,  however,  was  included  in  the  limits  of  Mansfield. 
It  is  hve  and  a  half  miles  in  length  Irom  north  to  south,  and  averages  about  three  and 
a  half  in  width,  containing  about  nineteen  S(juare  miles. 

Aiiinot;  the  original  teltlfrs  in  the  enstrrly  .seclloii  of  said  Mansllrld,  was  Draroii  BiMijaniin  Chap. 
liM,  uho  iniH.vi'd  from  that  part  of  the  town  of  llainjUoii  wliic-h  fornirrly  liiloiii;i'd  to  I'oiiifrel,  and 
localr.l  hiiiisfll  near  wiii-n-IlK!  mceliji!,'  house  now  stands,  in  Uie  jircMiil  town  of  Chaplin.  'I'o  liisen- 
rr-rtic  rllurls,  in  a  (rival  uicasuri',  was  nwni;;  th,.- foniiatjori  of  asoci.lv  lare,  whli'li  was  incorporated 
by  the  Lcgislalure  in  1>U'.I,  and  eallr,|  Chaplin,  allrr  ilie  naiio;  of  Us  fiiriid  and  hi  iirfaLlnr.  In  18->2, 
this  soeifly  ohtain.d  an  art  of  iiK-or()orati..ii,  as  a  town,  by  ils  pivsKiu  name.  A  cliuicli  was  formed 
here,  May  31sl,  IHIO,  willi  whomlbe  U.'v.  David  Aviiy  lahoiv.l  as  an  cvan-rlisi  sonn  !eii"th  of  time: 
but  it  remaini.-d  witlioot  any  srttkal  nnnibter  uiilil  the  year  ltt2U,  wlien  the  Hev.  Jured  Andrus  was  or- 
dained as  pastor,  Deeemhrr 'J7lh. 

Jfis  nilnisli-y  coiitiiRuil  ten  ycaiR,  wlien  he  was  dismissed  in  confiequencc  of  .'-•ome  dissatisfaction 
among  tlie  people  of  his  eharge.  His  sui-cossoi-,  liir  Kev.  I.-nt  rt.  Jluugh,  was  ordained  August  17tli, 
1831,  and  conlinurd  as  slated  pastor  nil  Krc  rii.h,-,-  '.'(lili,  l,s:;i;_  xvln.-n  ii,j  was  ilisiiiis.-icd  in  compliance 
Willi  his  previous  recpitst.  The  ccch  si,i.-ih,,|  -,„  niy  hire  have  a  periiiaiunt  fund,  aniouiiliiig  to 
$0,1)00,  secured  by  bond  and  mortga(;i',  Ih.  iiii.r,.-,!  ,,1  whirli  Is  annually  ajiprooriatrd  "  lowardihe 
Fupportof  the  giLSpel  niinistiy."  AmuoHilir  piuuipal  ilojims  of  this  Imid,  was  Deacon  Brniamin 
Chaplin,  who  conlribiiti/d  I  In.'  sum  of  'Auiil.  ami  hy  oi  lii.-r  indivuliial  subseri|ilioiis  It  was  iiKri.MSi.'d"lo  the 
sum  before  mentionr-d  In  works  of  benrvoleiic.;  and  cliaiiiy,  Dcacnn  Chaplin  was  ever  lound 
among  the  foremost  of  hiB  day.    He  was  an  econoniir;t  of  the  "oldBchool,"  and  tlie  btrict  attention  with 


5G0 


A  1'  P  K  N  D  1  X  . 


Which  li«  managed  his  farman.l  n!)  liis  ilninrslic  ronrr-nis,  .nabledhiin  tnacrnimilalc  wpaltli  rnpullv 
Jind  to  add  yearly  to  his  possrvsio,,..  ui.iil  h,'  U  ,■:.,„.-  ll.ruwii.  rat  un,t  tin,,,  ul' ^,U00  unts  vi  lun  1  u'l^ 
Chidinga  v..Tyc,Hisi,l.i-„l,l,.  i,;,,lnl  il„   inun  whirl,  now  brarslii.s  name. 

town,  and  which  fnn.M-rly  l.,!.,,..  I  ,„  ih.  •  W  .  11,  s  lamily,"  ai  pn-s.nt  in  the  care  of  the  Hon.  John 
Wei  OS  01  Jlo..  ..„,  M;,.s  W  ulua  a  lew  y.ar,  jK-st,  huwfvcr,  .h,s  land  ha.s  nearly  all  been  taken  u|,, 
dnd  IS  nuw  uiidfr  goud  culnvatiun.  ^  '  ' 

Tlietown  oi' Chaplin  is  intej-.sected  by  llie  Natchaiig  river,  a  never  failing  stream  of 
water,  which  pa.sscs  throngJi  it  diagonally  fruin  the  iioitlieast  to  the  southwest.  On 
this  stream  are  many  valnahle  mill  seals  and  eli-iblc  sites  for  factories  or  water  works 
ol  any  descriplion.  The  surface  of  the  town  i.^  ^'cnerally  uneven,  with  a  soil  consid- 
erably strong  and  fertile,  pariiculaily  in  the  valley  of  the  Kaichaug,  where  maybe 
Jound  as  good  land  as  in  any  part  of  the  state.  The  principal  village  is  located  near 
the  center  of  the  town,  on  the  west  side  and  within  a  short  di.-tance  of  the  river  upon 
a  small  elevation  of  land,  and  consists  of  about  30  dwelling  houses,  a  Congi'egational 
meeting  house,  school  house,  post  ollice,  3  mercantile  stores,  1  jeweller's  shop  1  tav- 
ern, 1  hat  factory,  and  a  number  of  shoemaker's  shops,  all  situated  on  one  street  of 
more  than  a  mile  in  extent.  The  distance  from  Brooklyn,  the  county  sea*  is  11  miles 
from  Norwich  2-J  miles,  and  from  Hartford  33  miles.  Great  attention  is  paid  m  this' 
l"\«^'.'?^  ^''?",^^  "^  '''^  adjoining  town  of  iMansfieUI,  to  the  cultTTre  of  silk.  About 
1,200  lbs.  of  the  raw  material  are  annually  produced  here,  which  would  brin<^  when 
wrought  into  sewings,  $9,b(.ni  The  labor  of  learing  the  worms,  reeling  and  spinning 
the  silk,  and  preparing  it  for  market,  is  whcdly  performed  by  females,  who  make  it 
quite  a  lucrative  business.  Aboul  10  hands  are  al.so  employed  in  the  manufacture  of 
calfskin  boots  and  brogans,  who  turn  out  work  annually  tu  the  amount  of  ^30  000 
There  are  likewise  in  this  town  2  grist  mills,  5  saw  mills,  and  3  shingle  mills  from 
which  more  than  $12,000  worth  of  oak  and  chestnut  lumber  is  sold  yearly.  A  card- 
ing machine  and  clothier's  establishment  are  also  doing  a  respectable  business.  Dui- 
ing  the  year  1835,  the  iVIessrs.  Lyons  of  Do^ton  purchased  a  site  on  the  Natchaug  riv- 
er, half  a  mile  .south  of  the  village,  and  erected  a  paper  mill,  upon  an  extensive  scale 
with  4  run  ot  engines,  where  they  manulacture  paper,  i)riiicijially  for  the  New  York 
market,  to  the  amount  of  ^'(io.OOO  annually.  Owing  to  the  rapid  descent  of  the  water 
near  these  mills,  some  of  the  finest  privileges  are  here  to  be  found  for  manufacturing- 
purposes  of  any  in  the  state.  A  county  road  passes  north  and  south  ihroii"h  the  towr^ 
adjacent  to  the  river,  on  which  a  tri-weeklv  mail  is  carried,  connecting  with  the  Hart- 
ford and  Providence  stages  at  Ashford  and  Windham.  In  the  summer  season  the 
wild  scenery  of  nature,  which  meets  the  eye  of  the  traveler  in  passing  up  and  down 
on  this  route,  winding  his  way  along  the  banks  of  the  Natchaug,  is  deliglitfully  ro- 
mantic.    The  present  population  ol  Cjiaplin  is  aboul  1,(100. 

The  following  is  the  iiiscripiion  copied  fruia  the  monument  in  memory  of  Deacon 
Chaplin.  ■' 

r.I,'?.V"'  '"••^•'^^"^•■"V"^'','""   '■';';',•'".'   ^'•'".   "'"  MM.pwl.rn,    tl„.S.at,.,   that  ormnM-nt  nf  the 
Chnrcli,  who,  hiuiMcwilurs.MMl.,  ;;ood  ( 'oiilr^.M,  .ii  lori  !.,■  iKk  I  n  iirs  of  ^M■a.■c•    lor  thr  ooiilv  and 
p-Mmty  ol  ,u,l,l„-  worshi,,,  a  lailhlol  .-l,  w.nd  ol  h,.s  J.ord'.s  ^.„o,l.s,  provido.l  liberally        '         ■ 
trslaiii.Mil  inuar.  .s  a  iH  iiiiiiiii.iii   lini.llnr  Tl„.  .,.Mi,,i..„..       "    -        i  J' 


-     ..   -  ill  and 

he  C.'i.sprI  mipiisliy,  and,  ali.T  he  had 


served  his  own  generation,  by  the  will  of  (iod,  fell  ,m  sleep,  March' ^iilh,  17'J5,' n  the  7tilli  year  of  i 


age, 


'Tis  bnt  a  moment  hnnnd.s  our  latest  breath 

A  span  hath  well  de.si-rih'd  the  nar.ow  .-^nare 
O!   be  il  thine,  that  iva.l'.sl,  I.Mbink  nl  death,' 

Jleil  Ihv  prayer  to  know  the  r^„\  inr'.s  o  ac;  : 
For  soon  Ihc  Arr.ban-el'a  truiop  will  lend  the  air, 

The  dead  shall  hear,  and  lieanii-,  all  r,h,,ll  rise 
All  that  hav.,'  died  shall  in  lh..l  t,ummoiis  .sh  uv    ' 

And  Mand  before  the  ,li,ad  Iribnnal  of  I'bc  sk'ie.s. 
Itm,  idi !   how  dillei  enl  their  hoi„..s  and  leans  ! 

l)escri|ition  e.mnot  paint  the  awful  day  ! 
rorscjme  will  ri.se  to  p.iin  of  endless  years, 

Darknes.s  and  woe,  withont  one  cheering  ray. 
Bill  ri.siii-. saints  will  lift  theirjoyfid  eyes, 

Will  see  the  earth  ilp|iart,  and  all  terrestrial  good, 
Will  then  be  blest,  and  mount  above  the  skies. 

To  dwell  within  the  mansions  of  tlieir  God.