Full text of "A historical discourse delivered in Norwich, Connecticut, September 7, 1859, at the bi-centennial celebration of the settlement of the town"

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HISTORICAL DISCOURSE.

HISTORICAL DISCOURSE,

B E L 1 V L K K 11 IX

NORWICH, CONNECTICUT,

SEPTEMBER 7, 1859,

AT THE

BI-CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION OF THE SETTLEMENT

OF THE TOWN.

BY DANIEL COIT GIL MAN,

L I B K A R I A S OF VALE COLLEGE.

SECOND EDITION, WITH ADDITIONAL NOTES.

BOSTON:

GEO. C. RAND %»p© AVERY, CITY PRINTERS.

NO. .-! C O R N H I L L.

1859.

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1859,
BY DANIEL C. GILMAN,
in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District of Connecticut.

HISTORICAL DISCOURSE.

Gentlemen and Ladies,

Sons and Daughters of Norwich : —

We are met to review in one brief hour the record
of two hundred years. The task assio;ned to me,
though simple, is not easy, and your sympathy with
the theme must excuse the incompleteness of the
story I shall tell. The preacher, the orators and the
poet appointed to address you, leave me the humbler
office of a chronicler; and I therefore make no
apology for dwelling chiefly on facts, assured that
others will present those poetical, patriotic and re-
ligious reflections, which this occasion appropriately
calls forth.

We need to summon on this day of jubilee all
our own recollections of the past, and what our
fathers have told us of the days gone by ; we need
to gather the fragments of history we have learned
from the genealogical tree, the old trunk of letters,
the time-worn records of town, society and church,
the family Bi])le and the moss-covered tombstone ;
we need to combine all this with what we have

read in the printed page, especially in that of our
honored and accomplished historian ; and we must
then put forth the utmost powers of our imagina-
tion to picture the settlement, the establislnnent,
and the development of a town which we cherish
as our home.

Two hundred years ago, at this golden harvest
time, a band of sturdy pioneers, accustomed in their
younger days to the comforts of an old and highly
civilized country, coming here from the infant set-
tlement of Saybrook, had traversed with the rude
Indians as their guides, this beautiful Mohegan plain ;
they had climbed Wawequa's hill ; had traced the
Shetucket and the Yantic, from their continence in
the Pequot, far into the back country ; had admired
the waterfalls, never so wild and picturesque as
then ; had estimated their power for gristrmills and
saw-mills ; had examined the forests, fisheries and
soil ; and were ready to return to the other side of
the Connecticut, like the spies from beyond the
Jordan, having "seen the land, what it was, and the
people that dwelt therein, whether they were strong
or weak, few or many," and saying with Caleb,
" Let us go up at once and possess it."

This sin^vey of the land of promise, in advance of
the colony, is the auspicious event which we have
chosen to commemorate. But it is not the time of our
earliest acquaintance with what we now call Norwich.

The settlers at New Haven and in Connect icnt, as
well as the knowing ones in places more remote,
were long before familiar with this region as the
battle-ground of two powerful tribes of Indians, the
Narragansetts and Mohegans. The very plain on
which we stand, yielding as the plowshare and the
spade upheave the sod, tomahawks and arrow-heads,
by scores if not by hundreds, bears witness to this
day of those fierce conflicts which once darkened
the skies with the arrows of death.*

Our information of this period is of course meagre,
but the history of civilization in Norwich would be
indeed deficient, without some reference in its preface
to the darker days which went before.

The Mohegans, from whom our fixthers bought this
" nine miles square,"f several score of whose descend-
ants are our neighbors to this day, were originally
a part of the Pequot tribe, and were of the same
race with the Mohicans of the Hudson, the last of
whose warriors has been so fitly commemorated by
the great novelist of America. It has even been
conjectured that the Pequots had immigrated to this
eastern part of Connecticut at a period not very
much earlier than the time when the white men
came here,

* For many years tlic writor bns roceived from Mr. Angel Stead what
he terms "a crop of arrow-heads," gathered annually in his irardoninir
on the plain between the landing and up-town.

f See note A.

To the east of the Pequots and Mohegans, (whose
domams before their separation extended over a wide
territory upon both banks of what is now the river
Thames,) were the Narragansetts, around the bay
which still perpetuates their name, and toward the
west were the Niantics, both tribes of one stock,
and both hostile to the Pequots, whose hunting and
fishing grounds lay between them.

Uncas, the chief of the Mohegans when the white
men came here, was a descendant, according to his
own statement, of the royal Pequot family, and by
marrvino; the dauofhter of the sachem Sassacus, had
allied himself still more closely to the ruling powers.
But notwithstanding this, or more likely because of
this relation, Uncas rebelled against the chief of the
Pequots, and remained in open hostility to his kins-
men until they were crushed as a nation a few years
later. The adherents of Uncas, occupying the right
bank of the river, appear to have assumed their
original designation, the Mohegans, while the follow-
ers of Sassacus retained the name of Pequots, and
probal)ly their " seat of empire " on the left bank of
the stream to which their name w\as long applied.

When the English undertook the fjimous expedi-
tion to punish the Pequots for their alleged atroci-
ties, Roger Williams succeeded in enlisting the aid
of the Narragansetts, and Major Mason that of the
Mohegans, so that about this period two naturally

hostile tribes were at peace with one another and
united against their common enemy. By the bold
expedition which destroyed the Pequot fort in May,
1637, the war was concluded, for the foe was almost
if not quite exterminated. A threefold treaty was
soon afterward signed at Hartford, in which the
English, the Narragansetts and the Mohegans were
parties. The two Indian tribes were to keep the
tomahawk buried, and refer their troubles to the Eng-
lish. For a time they observed the letter if not the
spirit of the contract, till at length Miantonomoh, the
Narragansett chief, and Uncas, the Mohegan, grew
jealous of one another. Each strove to enlist the
sympathy of the whites ; but Uncas was the more
successful, and, as a natural consequence, the diffi-
culties between the rival sachems increased and open
war broke out.

From the many rumors, traditions and allusions
which have come to us from those days, it would
require more legal skill than I possess, to deduce
"the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the
truth." But there are a few incidents of this pro-
tracted war, the details of which have been so often
repeated, that at least they seem authentic, and de-
mand from us a passing mention.'^' The first to which
I allude is the battle between Uncas and Miantonomoh,
on the great plain some two miles south-west of

* See note B.

where we stand. The Mohegan sachem challenged
the leader of his foes to fight him singly, but the
challenge was declined, the host of the Narragansetts
was soon afterward routed, and their proud chieftain,
Hying from his pursuers, was taken prisoner on " the
Sachem's plain " near the spot where a block of gran-
ite, replacing the loose pile of stones which the
Indians threw together, still reminds us of his la-
mentable fate.*

At a later period, Uncas was besieged in his fort, on
the bank of the Thames, nearly opposite Poquetan-
nock. His provisions were almost exhausted, and
destruction seemed inevitable. Lieut. Thomas Lef-
fingwell, and others, wdio had learned the perilous
condition of the Mohegans, secretly brought them the
longed-for corn, and so recruited the besieged army
that they succeeded in repelling their enemies, and
ever afterward remembered with gratitude this timely
assistance. There can be little question that such
generous relief cemented the friendship of Uncas for
the whites, and saved the companions of Leffingwell
in after days from many a hostile attack. The rocks
where the welcome interview is said to have taken
place between the sachem and his friends, are still
known as " the chair of Uncas."

At another time, (perhaps just after the battle on
the great plain, to which allusion has been made,) we

* See note C.

are told that the Narragansetts were so pressed by the
Mohegans, that either m rash courage, or excessive
fear, they plunged from the lofty cliff at the west of
the Yantic falls, and were lost in the abyss.

But these stirring incidents which tradition perpetu-
ates, should be reviewed by the muse of romance,
rather than of history. It is probable that we have
the facts in outline, though we have the outlines only.
Legends enough are extant to celebrate each hill and
plain in Norwich. Wawequa's hill. Fort hill. Little
Fort hill. Sachem's plain. Trading cove, the Indian
burying ground, each has its interesting story. Would
that some skillful hand would weave the scattered
threads, and do for Norwich what Cooper has so aptly
done for another portion of our country !

I am forbidden to dwell longer on this period or
to delineate in full the eventful life of Uncas, by the
recollection of that interesting discourse which the
author of the "Life of Brandt" delivered when the
Uncas monument was erected. Besides, the character
of the sachem is now very generally appreciated as it
deserves. The common opinion is not far from right,
that he was about equally removed from the savage
and the saint. Cotton Mather denounced him as
" an obstinate infidel," although John Mason had said
he was "a great friend and did us much service."
Each had reason to make his assertion. The truth is,
that being naturally a man of decided qualities, both

good and bad, he learned new virtues as well as vices
by his intercourse with the English.

When King Charles the First sent his red-faced, well-
beloved cousin, " a Bible, to show him the way to
heaven, and a sword, to defend him from his enemies,"
Uncas valued the latter gift much more than he did
the former. But I am happy to bring forward one
new fact to show that he was not at all times indiffer-
ent to the other present. It has often been stated
that Uncas uniformly opposed the introduction of
Christianity among the people of his tribe. Within a
few days past an original document has been brought
to light by Mr. Brevoort, of Brooklyn, which bears
important testimony on this interesting question. It
is nothing less than a bond in which, under his own
signature, the sachem promises to attend the min-
istrations of the Rev. Mr, Fitch, whensoever and
wheresoever he may choose to appoint. This paper
is so remarkable that I shall take the liberty of read-
ing it in full. If we can not call it the sachem's creed
or confession of faith, it is at least his covenant: —

Be it known to all men and in special to the Authority of The
Colony of Conecticott, That I Uncass sachim of the Munheags,
now resident in Pameehaug, doe by these presents firmly en-
gage and binde my selfe, that I will from time to time and at
all times hereafter, in a constant way and manner attend upon
M'- James Fitch Minister of Norwich, at all such seasons as he
shall appoint for preaching to and praying with tlie Indians

1 '^

either at my now residence, or wheresoever els he shall ap-
point for that holy service, and further I doe faithfully proniis
to Command all my people to attend the same, in a constant
way and solemn manner at all such times as shall be sett by
the sayd M""- James Fitch minister, alsoe I promis that I will
not by any wayes or meancs what soe ever, either privatly or
openly use any plots or contriveances by words or actions to
affright or discourage any of my people or others, from attend-
ing the Good work aforesayd, upon penalty of suffering the
most grevious punishment that can be inflicted upon me, and
Lastly I promis to encourage all my people by all Good wayes
and meanes I can, in the due observance of such directions
and instructions, as shall be presented to them by the sayd
M""- James Fitch aforesayd, and to the truth hereof this seav-
enth day of June in the year one thoussand six hundred
seventy and three I have hereunto set my hand or mark.

Wittnesed by us mark

John Tallcott, The X of Uncas.
Tho : Stanton, Ser. of Uncass.

Samuell Mason.

Let US look with charity, my friends, upon this
promise, remembering th.at every man, red flxce and
pale face alike, is accepted " according to that which
he hath, and not according to that which he hath not."

Descendants of Uncas, whose fathers bade our
fathers welcome to their wigwams and their hunt-
ing grounds, we welcome you to this our jubilee.='=
Yet our joy is not without its sorrow when we see

* A score or two of the Mohefjans were seated near the speaker.

that you have lost what we have gained, that your
numbers are few, and your sachems gone. Be assured
that it is the Great Spirit himself who has ordered
that every race, like every man, should act his part
and die. But grateful remembrance shall live, and
until yonder memorial shaft of granite shall have
crumbled to the dust, until our race shall be no more,
succeeding generations shall be taught that Uncas was
the white man's friend.

When we turn from the Indian history to that of
the English, our information for several years con-
tinues to be likewise fragmentary and unsatisfactory.
The original records of Saybrook have disappeared,
and almost every clue is lost to the circumstances
which attended the removal of the colony to the east.
The earliest entry on the public records of Norwich
is dated December 11th, 1660. The name of Norwich
first appears on the colony books at Hartford, so far
as I am informed, in October, 1661. The papers of
an early date respecting the first church have wholly
perished. You therefore can not expect, in this part
of the stor}^, that I shall add to your present knowl-
edge ; and I can only repeat, in a new form, the items
which have been often told before. May we not learn
from the losses, of which we are thus made sensible,
the importance of securing, for those who come after
us, copies of what yet remain — the torn and almost

illegible papers now gradually decaying in the town
clerk's office ?

Most gladly to-day would we summon before us one
of the original proprietors who succeeded, in IGGO, to
these domains of the Indians, and made Norwich of
Mohegan. Were such our privilege, I am sure that
with one voice we should call on Major John Mason,
renowned at the time of the settlement of this town,
as the hero of the Pequot war, and honored as the
actual deputy Governor of the colony of Connecticut.
Picture him before you now, my hearers ; his manly
form un]3ent by age, his eye undimmed, his active
manner still evincing readiness to plan and will to
execute ; while his lofty brow and composed counte-
nance as clearly indicate the man of prudent counsel.
Ask him what you desire to know of his companions
in the settlement of Norwich.

With your own exploits, most Worshipful Governor,
we are all familiar. They form a stirring chapter in
the history of New England, which we teach in our
common schools. We have heard of your bravery,
under Fairfax in the old world, over Uncas in the
new. We honor your wisdom as a statesman not less
than your boldness as a warrior. To-morrow we shall
celebrate your fame.=-'' To-day, let us hear of your
comrades. Were they men of character?

* On the day following this address, a discourse, commemorative of Ma-
jor Mason, was pronounced by the Hon. John A. Rockwell. See note D.

Indeed they were, "the Major" would reply, as brave
a company as ever trod the wilderness. Nearly all
were born in England, and came in early life to this
new country. They had landed in various ports, and
many of them had resided in Hartford till we formed
a colony in the fort at the mouth of Connecticut
river. Many others joined us while we were in Say-
brook. At length, in the spirit of true pilgrims,
having no abiding city, they listened to my story of
the beauty of these hills and plains, and the charming
valleys extending in every direction, and joined by
men of kindred sentiments from New London and else-
where, they came with joy into this promised land.
They were all puritans, hearty friends of civil and re-
ligious liberty ; and more than that, they were honest
Christians, fearing God and loving man. They made
no high pretensions. Some of them, I know, could
boast of pedigrees as good as any in the land 5 but
they counted little upon that. Some of them were of
humble origin ; but they were not despised for that.
We valued men least for what their fathers were, and
most for what themselves were worth.

And had you not found in Saybrook the freedom
which you sought?

Yes, Saybrook was a good home — I love to remem-
ber it. A finer river nowhere flows ; more abundant
and better fisheries need not be sought : and our little

fort, to some of us, at least, was hallowed by many a
sacred recollection. But we left because this spot was
so much better. I had been a traveler. In boyhood
I had seen fair scenes in England ; a youth, I had
crossed the channel, and had trod the fertile Nether-
lands ; a man, I had traversed New England ; but I
had never found a better place for settlement. The
rivers, though not large, were sufficient for our trade,
and an admirable harbor was not far distant. The
back country was productive. Uncas urged us to
come, and assured us of his friendship. Saybrook and
Hartford and Windsor were all good, but Norwich was
the jjlace for a beautifid and tranquil home.

Did you call this region Norwich before removing
here ?

Yes ; its position ou the river reminded some of us
of the Norwich which we had known in England, (the
same where John Robinson lived,) although we did not
expect that the high preeminence in manufactures
of that old city would ever be rivaled by the simple
homespun of our feeble colony.'-'

It was also the early residence, I believe, of the
Huntingtons, who joined us in Saybrook. Besides —
though this was said more in sport than in earnest —
Governor Winthrop's home at the mouth of the
Thames had been called New London, and why

* See note E.

should we not commemorate the second town in
England by the designation of New Norwdch?

Will you tell us how you came from Saybrook
hither?

Having bought a tract of nine miles square and
secured it by a formal deed, we surveyed our lands in
1659, and left a few men here during the winter.
Early in the spring of 1660 our company came in
shallops, stopping over night at New London that
some of the party might visit the site of the Pequot
fort, and enjoy the beautiful prospect from its summit.
Next day we sailed up the Thames. As we passed
" the chair of Uncas," a company of Mohegans, with the
old sachem at their head, joined us, in their birch
canoes, and came with us up the cove to the landing
near the falls. On our way thence to the plot chosen
for our future homes, we passed near the Indian
burying ground. Uncas charged us, I remember, to
keep it sacred for ever, and I gave him a promise
which I hope will never be forgotten.

How many were with you. Major Mason, in the
company ?

Indeed, we were too busy to count.==' I believe we

* See note F.

first divided the land among some five-and-tliirtv full
grown men, and as most of them were married, and
had fomilies, we may have been some five or six
score in all. But though I can not say how many
individuals were in our company, I can tell you
almost, if not quite, every name. First, of course, I
must mention our worthy pastor. Rev. James Fitch,
first in all good words and works. Then I hardly
know what order to follow.

Lieut. Thomas Tracy witnessed with me the Indian
deed, and afterward held almost all our civil offices.
Lieut. Thomas Leffingwell was as brave a soldier as
we had, and secured our j^urchase by the relief he
furnished Uncas. Thomas Adgate and Hugh Caulkins
were our deacons, ordained as such in Saybrook.
Simon Huntington succeeded one of them in that
sacred office. His brother, Christopher, who was one
of our two earliest selectmen, married Ruth Rockwell,
and her eldest son was the first-born boy in Norwich.
Old goodman Bradford was a selectman for the west
end, and goodman Hyde was always a wise counselor.
Thomas Post, poor man, was the most unfortunate of
our band, for he lost his wife soon after we came here,
the earliest victim death demanded. Then there were
the two brothers Backus, Lieut. William and Stephen,
excellent men. Baldwin, and goodman Gager, Ensign
Waterman, Bliss, and Allyn, and Bingham, and Bow-
ers, and Edgerton, were oU original proprietors, and so

was Lieutenant Griswokl, one of the most active of our
company. Of course we had a Smith, and beside
there were Ohnstead, Pease, Howard, Reynolds, Read,
and Royce. John Birchard, I mention last, but he
was by no means last in the estimation of the colony,
being townsman and constable, and the first commis-
sioner of the peace.

We have always been taught, most Worshipful Gov-
ernor, to honor the Rev. Mr. Fitch. Let us ask how
you esteemed him ?

If I answer this inquiry, you must let me use
strong language. Through an eventful period of
twenty-five years he was my friend. I saw him first
in Hartford, a mere boy just arrived from England,
beginning his studies for the ministry with the Rev.
Mr. Hooker. A few years later, he Ijecame, as you
know, our first pastor at Saybrook, and we were his
first church. When we talked of coming here, he
said he would go or stay as the major part of the
church should decide. We brought him with us.
For years our freewill gifts were more than enough
for his support, and well did he deserve them. He
was deeply concerned that all our enterprises should
be begun in the fear of the Lord, and he used to warn
us in most solemn words that, a colony by ourselves,
we should not neglect in the least, that public and

private worship to which we had been accustomed.
They called him once to Hartford, but his only
answer was, With whom shall I leave these few sheep
in the wilderness ? In learning, wisdom, patience and
purity of life, he was a model to us all, — " a burning
and a shinino; lio-ht."

You may know that he married my daughter, but
though I called him son, he seemed to be my father.
To him I owe it that amid all my varied duties I could
never forget, however 1 fulfilled, my responsibilities
to the Court on High. Of his power as a preacher
you may judge for yourself in the sermons which
were printed. That which he preached at the funeral
of my own beloved wife, was the most tender and
appropriate of them all*

But if we were to engage in friendly talk with
Major Mason upon all the topics of interest which are
associated with his name, the lengthening shadows
would soon tell us that the ^\ay is gone. There are
various subjects connected with the original settle-
ment, on which we could not expect him to infomi
us, for he was sixty years of age when the town was
organized, and during the twelve years more which
were added to his life, he was often called away on
business imposed by the general court. 80 let us

*See note G.

close the conversation and return to simple nar-
rative.

Although Norwich, at the outset, was within the
jurisdiction of Connecticut, yet its early settlement
and history do not indicate the exercise of much con-
trol on the part of the General Court. The town
sovereignty was undisputed. To be sure, May 20,
1659, we find the record that the General Court
"haueing considered the petition p^sented by the
inhabitants of Scab rook, doe declare y* they approue
and consent to what is desired by y^ petitioners, re-
specting Mohegin, p''vided y^ within y^ space of three
yeares they doe effect a Plantation in 3^'^ place
p'"pounded."*

But there is no recognition of Norwich as a town,
until October 3, 1661, when the Court orders " y^ sec-
retary to write a Letter to Norridge, to send vp a
Comittee in May next, invested w^'' full [power] to
issue y*^ affair respecting setting that Plantation vnd""
this gouerment."f

In 1662-3 (March 11,) it is furthermore voted that
" the conveyance of nine miles square made by Onkos
w^^ other Indians, to Norwich plantation, is ordered
to be recorded, with this proviso, that it shal not
preiudice any former grant to o*" wor" gouernor or
others," and in May, 1663, "the Court orders that

*Triinibull, Col. Rec. i, S.-JG. fTrumbull, Col. Rec. i, 374.

those freemen that were presented to the Court in
October, from Norwiclge, shall be accepted and sworn
by o"" Worp" Deputy Gou'"." =^

In this independent republic of Norwich, every
thing appears to have been managed by the whole
body politic. We can hardly consider Mr. Fitch as
an ecclesiastical head, for he was so thoroughly im-
bued with the principles of Congregationalism, that
at his ordination in Saybrook, the lay brethren laid
hands upon him, although two ministers. Rev. Mr.
Hooker and Rev. Mr. Stone, were present. Much less
can we consider Major Mason as the civil head of the
town, for during the early period of the Norwich set-
tlement, the nominal Governor, John Winthrop, was
absent in England, soliciting a charter for Connecticut,
and of course the actual Governor was Major Mason,
who thus, and otherwise, was so much engrossed with
the affairs of the General Court, that he could not even
attend to the local duties of a townsman.

Happy are w^e, my friends, to-day, at the opening
of a third century, that the successor of Mason as the
Chief Magistrate of Connecticut, is another citizen of
Norwich; happier still are we to know that none
could fill that chair more worthily. Since the con-
queror of the Pequots was the governor of the state,
one other Norwich man has held that honorable

* Trumbull, Col. Rec. i, 406.

post, and he was a signer of the Declaration of In-
dependence.

But although Fitch and Mason were not the rulers,
they were certainly the leaders of the infant settle-
ment. To them we are chiefly indebted for the plans
which shaped the early institutions of the town, and
still affect, far more than we usually remember, our
social organization. Plymouth may point to Elder
Brewster and Miles Standish ; Hartford to Hooker and
Haynes ; New Haven to Davenport and Eaton ; it is
our privilege to remember that the pastor and the
statesman of Norwich were kindred in spirit, and not
inferior in power to any of the early worthies of New
England. The rude stones which marked the graves
of the original settlers buried in this town, have been
permitted to perish. Is it not that the loss may incite
the present generation to erect a more fitting memo-
rial of our forefathers, and especially of those two men,
the representatives of Church and State, the chosen
guides of a brotherhood of freemen ?

You are all aware that the infant colony made
choice of what we know as the " meeting house rocks,"
as the central point of their settlement. At the foot
of this cliff they set apart, for the house of God, land
which forms a part of the present " up town green."
To this, more land was afterward added, while the
other significant buildings of a New England town, the

court house, the school house, and the house of enter-
tainment, in due time were grouped around it. From
this point of departure they projected one road near
the banks of the Yantic, up toward what we call
" Bean Hill," (sometimes called, on the early records,
the "road to Connecticut,") and another toward the
cove, which, on account of swamps, was necessarily
directed at a greater distance from the river, and
passed along in front of the Coit and Lathrop houses.
Near the site appropriated to the meeting house, the
home lot of Rev. James Fitch was placed, and across
the road was the land of Major Mason, on wliich the
old court house now stands. To the east of Mr. Fitch's
land, were the home lots of Simon Huntington and
Thomas Tracy, and (on the corner) of Christopher
Huntington. Then, on the road leading south, were
the home lots of Adgate, Olmstead, Backus, Bliss,
Reynolds, and opposite the Bliss lot was that of
Thomas Leffinii-well.

Returning to Major Mason's lot on the town plot,
we find, in succession, between the road leading to
Bean Hill and the water, the lands of Waterman,
Bingham, John Post, Birchard, Wade, Bowers, Gager,
Thomas Post, Edgerton, Backus, Caulkins, Griswold,
Allyn, Royce, Baldwin, Tracy, and Pease. Several
of these homesteads have never been deeded, and
remain in the possession of the original families,
although in some such cases the name of the first

proprietor has disappeared. On one home lot, at least,
and possiljly more, the original name is found to this
day, I refer to the homestead of Bliss. Blks in 1659;
Bliiss in 1859 ; no bad motto for a Norwich home.

A new division of land was made in April, 1G61 ;
another in 1663; still another hi 1668; and the final
division was made in 1740. The present road running
near the river, in front of the residence of Hon. John
T. Wait, was at first only a foot way, six feet broad,
laid out by town order.

New families soon came to identify their fortunes
with those of the prosperous colony, and many names,
still held in honor among you, were added to the roll
of proprietors. It is interesting to find that the son
of Miles Standish, the son of Governor Bradford, the
grandchildren of Elder Brewster, the niece of Governor
Winslow, and still others of pilgrim fame at Plymouth,
were early enrolled as inhabitants of Norwich. A
little later came the son of the Rev. John Lothropp,
pastor of the first congregational church in London,
and long a prisoner for his faith. So, too, came the
descendants of another martyr, not less famous, Rev.
John Rogers, the precise number of whose children
having long been disputed by the students of the New
England primer, has at last been determined in chan-
cery by our distinguished " cousin," late Chancellor of
New York. Bushnell, Rockwell, Knight, Perkins, El-
derkin, Roath, Rudd, Flint, and Coit, are among the

other names which may be mentioned as early fomid
in town.

It is not difficult to imagine the simple occurrences
of the first half century, aided by the facts which come
to us on the records of the town. Early encourage-
ment was given to the miller, the fuller, the smith,
and the ferryman, to pursue their respective occupa-
tions, and in 1G80, for the first time, a merchant is
spoken of The church had frequent meetings, and at
periods not far apart the accepted freeuien assembled
to deliberate on such important business as the laying
out of roads, surveying boundaries, investigating the
character of new men who desired to be received as
citizens, negotiating with the Indians, electing dele-
gates to the general court, or appointing fit incum-
bents to the local office of townsmen. Occasionally,
Major Mason would come home from a distant journey
with interesting stories of the people he had met, or
the whole community would be excited by the print-
ing of a sermon by Mr. Fitch.

The worthy minister, in addition to his labors as
pastor of the church, acted continually as a missionary
to the Indians. He mastered their language and
preached in it, at times encouraged in his apostolic
labors "for the heathen," as he called them, and at
other times almost if not quite discouraged. An in-
teresting account of his work, written by himself in
1674, and addressed to Rev. Daniel Gookin, may be

found in print.''' Can any one doubt that the interest
in foreign missions for Avhich this town has been noted,
was awakened by Mr, Fitch, and has Ijeen fostered
ever since by the sight of that needy band still taught
in the mission chapel at Mohegan ?

I have already said that the first manuscript records
of the church have perished. One curious printed
document has lately been discovered, bearing date in
1675, which is interesting in its relation to the history
of these times. The only complete copy with which I
am acquainted, belongs to Mr. George Brinley, of
Hartford, who has kindly permitted me to bring it
before you. It is an old fishioned duodecimo of 133
pages, printed in 1683, bearing on its title page the
autographs of Increase Mather and of Mather Byles.
It contains three distinct treatises ; the first, '^ an ex-
planation of the solemn advice, recommended hy the
council in Connecticut colony to the inhabitants in
that jurisdiction"; and the third, "a brief discourse
proving that the first day of the week is the Christian
Sabbath." Both of these are attributed to Mr. Fitch.
Appended to the former is " The Covenant, which was
solemnly renewed by the church in Norwich, in Con-
necticut colony, in New England, March 22, 1675."
The volume is introduced by a letter from Increase
Mather " to the reader," in which he says that " the
reverend and worthy author had no thought of pub-

* Seethe Mass. Hist. Soc. Coll., 1st Ser. i. 208.

lishing these brief and nervous discourses until such
time as others did importune him thereunto," and pro-
ceeds to comment on their scope and character.

The circumstances which attended this "renewal"
are worthy of mention. The war w4th King Philip
was then raging. Norwich, though much exposed by
its situation on the frontier, had freely contributed
more than its quota to the active army; so freely,
indeed, that the general court sent on from Hartford
ten men, from New Haven eight, and from Fairfield
eight, " to lye in garrison at Norwich," as a guard to
the inhabitants. So great was the danger in those
days, that the watch in each plantation was ordered,
"at least an hour before day, to call up the inhal3-
itants, who should forthwith rise and arm themselves,
march to the fort, and stand guard against any assault
of the enemy until the sun be half an hour high in the
morning." Under these circumstances, on the 13th of
March, 1675, Mr. Fitch addresses the council in Hart^
ford.*

After acknowledging the receipt of a letter from the
council, with their order for a fast day, he continues,
" blessed be the Lord who hath moved your hearts in
so necessarie and seasonable worke. We intend, God
willing, to take that very daye, solemnly to renew our
covenant in our church state, according to the example
in Ezra's time, and as was sometimes practised in

* Trumbull, Col. Rec ii, 417. See note II.

Hartford congregation by Mr. Stone, not long after Mr.
Hooker's death. If other churches doe not see cause
to doe the same, yet wee hope it will not bee offen-
sive ; but doe verily conclude if y"" be rule for y* prac-
tise, this is a time wherein the Providence of God
does in a knocking and terrible manner call for it."
The covenant evinces the same spirit, and to some
extent it emjoloys the same phrases as this letter.
After a general recognition of the displeasure of God,
as displayed " by blasting the fruits of the earth and
cutting off the lives of many by the sword, laying
waste some plantations and threatening ruin to the
whole," the covenant is renewed in seven particulars,
which may be condensed as follows:

1. All the males who are eight or nine years of age
shall be presented before the Lord in his congregation
every Lord's day to be catechised, until they be about
thirteen in age.

2. Those who are about thirteen years of age, both
male and female, shall frequent the meetings appoint-
ed in private for their instruction, while they continue
under family government or until they are received to
full communion in the church.

3. Adults who do not endeavor to take hold of the
covenant shall be excommunicated.

4. Brethren shall be appointed to admonish those
parents who are negligent of their children.

5. The Lord's supper shall be celebrated once in
every six weeks.

'1 1

6. Errino; brethren are to be rebuked.

7. Finally, " seeing Ave feel by ayoM experience liow
prone we are soon to forget the works of the Lord,
and our own vows; we do agree and determine, that
this writing or contents of it, shall be once in every
year read in a day of fasting and prayer before the
Lord, and his congregation ; and shall leave it with
our children, that they do the same in their solemn
days of mourning l^efore the Lord, that they may
never forget how their fathers, ready to perish in a
strange land, and with sore grief and trembling of
heart, and yet hope in the tender mercy, and good
will of him, who dwelt in the burning bush, did thus
solemnly renew their covenant with God : and that
our children after us, may not provoke the Lord and
be cast oiF as a degenerate offspring, but may tremble
at the commandment of God, and learn to place their
hope in him, who although he hath given us a cup of
astonishment to drink, yet Avill display his banner over
them, who fear him."

Such was the spirit of Norwich, in 1675.

Who among this audience has not had his enthu-
siasm quickened by the glowing tributes of Macaulay
to the Puritans, or the eloquent eulogies by Bancroft ?
But this little volume, a library in itself, shows that
your own ancestors were men of the character which
these historians describe. " In his devotional retire-
ment the puritan prayed with convulsions, and groans

and tears. He was half maddened by glorious or
terriljle allusions. He heard the lyres of angels or
the tempting whispers of fiends. '■'' '■'^- * But
when he took his seat in the council or girt on his
sword for war, these tempestuous workings of the soul
had left no perceptible trace behind them."

There is abundant reason for assertino; that Mr.
Fitch and his associates were men of action equal to
their piety. In the colonial records, their names ap-
pear continually in connection with measures for pro-
tecting this portion of the country. The Norwich
soldiers were many and brave, and the story of their
achievements, during the exciting time of King Philip's
war, will always prove that their religion was not alone
in repose, their fighting was not without faith.

At the close of the century, after a ministry in Say-
brook of fourteen years, and in Norwich of almost
forty years, unbroken by dissension or separation, sup-
ported by the grateful sympathy of devout and faith-
ful men, Mr. Fitch gave up his pastoral duties, under
the infirmity of age and weakness, retired to his chil-
dren at Lebanon, and in 1702, at the ripe age of four
score years, was gathered to his fathers. The Latin
epitaph on his tombstone at Lebanon well indicates
his character, and Cotton Mather, in all his affluent
use of epithets, could apply to him none truer and
more fit than "The Holy and Acute!"'''

We may here consider that the first period of Nor-

* See note G.

wich history terminates. Forty years had passed, a
new generation had entered upon the stage, the
fathers were gone. We pass accordingly from the
settlement to the development of the town.

Mr. Fitch had been unable to preach regularly for
some years before his death, and much difficulty had
been experienced in obtaining a successor in the
ministry. There were candidates enough — perhaps
as many in proportion as in these later days — but the
church had been too well served to be readily con-
tented with an untried jo^istor, and besides, unless I
mistake the allusions of the early records, the spirit of
pure Congregationalism, fostered by Mr. Fitch, and
displaj^ed unmistakably in after times, was even then
so ajDparent that a minister, inclined to favor the
presbyterian order, might hesitate before accepting
the pastoral office in that church. A son of Rev.
James Fitch, afterwards distinguished as Rev. Jabez
Fitch,'=' of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, was first sent
for and brought home from " the college," but he did
not decide to remain. Mr. Henry Flynt,f another
recent graduate of Harvard College, was also invited
to become the minister ; and so was Mr. Joseph Coit,J
a little younger in college than the two just named ;
l)ut they both declined. Mr. Emery and Mr. Morgan
were likewise spoken of as candidates. At length,

* Harvard Coll. 1G94. f Harvard Coll. 1693. J Harvard Coll. l(ii)7.

(December 6tli, 1699,) Rev. John Woodward/'^ of Ded-
ham, Mass., was ordained as pastor, and remained in
that office for seventeen years. It was during his
ministry in 1708, that the famous Saybrook platform
was adopted, and he was a scribe of the synod by
which it was drawn iip. On returning to Norwich,
he naturally desired to have his own church adopt
with heartiness this platform, and acknowledge a
system of consociation among churches which would
render them less independent and more presbyterian
than they had previously been.

Mr. Fitch, so early as 1668, had been at the head
of a council appointed by the general court, for the
regulation of ecclesiastical affairs, which appears to
have been pacific in its influence, and to have con-
firmed the pure Congregationalism of the day.f But
the synod of 1708 was very different in its influence,
and the Saybrook platform led to unfortunate dis-
cussions, both here and elsewhere, between ministers
and peoj)le. In Norwich, notwithstanding the au-
thority of the general court, the wishes of the Gov-
ernor, and the influence of the scribe of the synod, the
church remained true to the Cambridge platform, and
decided to acknowledge no ecclesiastical authority but

* Harvard Coll., lOD.S. The?e were tbe da} s when Connecticut contrib-
uted men and money to the institution at Cambridge. Yale College was
not founded till 1 700.

t Trumbull, Col. Rec. ii, 84, 109.

God and their own judgment. I will not attempt to
go over the details of this unfortunate controversy.
It resulted (in 1716) in the withdrawal of Mr. Wood-
ward from his connection with the church, and his
removal to East Haven, where he lived in retirement
till his death in 1716.

The trouhles in the church were healed by calling
to the pastoral charge a singularly judicious man, the
Rev. Benjamin Lord,=== a native of Saybrook, who had
been a student and tutor in Yale College. He was
ordained in this place in 1717. A man of learning
and wisdom, as well as devoutness of heart, he suc-
ceeded in securing the confidence of all parties to such
a degree, that w^e have his own assurance of his inabili-
ity to teU which was most friendly to him. " In his
pastoral intercourse," says Dr. Samuel Nott, ''he
was an example of dignity, afFal)ility, affection, and
fidelitv."

During the ministry of Dr. Lord, two religious ex-
citements pervaded the community. The first to
which allusion is made was caused by the Rogerenes,
who originated in New London, and deemed it their
special mission to abolish priestcraft and Sunday.-|-
Their feeble influence in Norwich is worthy only of
this passing mention. Not so with " the Separates,"

*Yale Coll. 1714. See note I.

fSee Dr. McEwen's Half Century Discourse, New London, 1857, and
Miss Caulkins's New London.

who, at a later day, made serious trouble, not in Nor-
wich alone, but throughout eastern Connecticut, in
the churches of the established order. The general
history of this movement has been so often described
that I shall only refer to those incidents which are of
interest in connection with this town/''

When "the great awakening" of the last century
began, Dr. Lord visited Northampton, in 1735, that he
might listen to the eloquence of Jonathan Edwards,
and be an eye witness of the results which followed
his powerful sermons. Upon his return to Norwich,
he reported what he had seen and heard, to his people,
"on whom," says Dr. Trumbull, " it had a great effect."
An exhortation for the communion service, preserved
by one of his descendants, is indorsed, in his own hand-
writing, with a record which clearly shows the depth
of his own feelings in December, 1735. Five years
later, Whitefield began his preaching in New England,
and the revival of 1740 followed. Dr. Lord is men-
tioned by Trumbullf among " the reverend gentlemen
who most favored the work in Connecticut," at this
time, " while others opposed it with all their power ;"
but he is not included among the four clergymen
"who were most zealous and laborious in the cause,
who took the most pains and spent the most property
in the service of their master." He was probably one
of the moderate men, really desirous of the advance-

* See iiole K. t Hist, of Conn, ii, 157.

ment of religion, who neither approved of the extrava-
gance sometimes displayed by Whitefield and often
manifested by his indiscreet follower, James Daven-
port; wdiile, on the other hand, he heartily rejoiced
in the awakening of careless men to a concern for
their highest welfare. In his OAvn church he appears
to have taken a medium position between those
wdio displayed fanaticism and those who were
repelled to the other extreme of coldness and
displeasure. Many of the proceedings of the zealous
were injudicious, and some of them appear to us
irreverent, if not blasphemous.

The church endeavored to check these irregularities;
but those who were censured were only driven to a
farther distance. They refused to pay their rates for
the regular minister or to attend the services which he
conducted. They openly opposed the existing laws
of the state, and determined to hold ^' separate "
meetings. We therefore find that not only an eccle-
siastical but a civil arm was raised against them.

As early as 1742, there are indications of this de-
termination to interfere with the established church
order. The church records of this year have a ref-
erence to " the dreadful expressions " made by an ex-
cited zealot at a night meeting ; and some imprison-
ments were made by the civil authorities.

But it was not until 1745 that the controversy be-
tween "the new lidits" and ''the old lidits" assumed

a serious character. A separate meeting was then
begun at the house of Hugh Calkins, and attended by
several members of the church, male and fenude.
Among the number were Elizabeth Backus, (widow
of Samuel,) and her son Isaac, who afterward became
a distinguished Baptist minister, and is well known
as the author of a history of New England, chiefly
devoted to ecclesiastical affairs* Some of the private
papers of Rev. Dr. Lord, which have recently been
discovered and are carefully preserved by his suc-
cessor, the Rev. Mr. Arms, contain minute details in
respect to the action of the church at this time. Not
only are the records of the meetings full, but the
.formal citations of the delinquent members are pre-
served with the indorsements of the brethren by whom
they were returned. Regular church meetings for
purposes of discipline were held at frequent intervals.
Every separating brother and sister appears to have
been privately warned of his error, and (unless he
renounced it) to have been cited to appear before the
church. There, in solemn assembly, the reasons of
each one's separation were deliberately heard, and a
minute of them made. They were afterward, one by
one, discussed by the brethren, and a vote taken in
respect to their sufficiency. The " half-way covenant "
was clearly one of the stumbling blocks of the se-
ceders.

* See llovej's Life of Isaac Backus, Boston, 1858.

This sad controversy continued about ten years
from 1745, but was most serious during the first two.
Several churches were estabhshed, but none of them
were long continued. '"Most of the members," says
Miss Caulkins, "returned to their ancient home and
were received with cordiality. Among these was the
venerable deacon Griswold. It created considerable
emotion in the meeting house, when, for the first time
after his secession, his gray locks w^ere seen in the old
man's seat." We can now see the cause of these difii-
culties, and the permanent good which came from
them. The revival was only the occasion which
brought out a hostility long existing to the rigorous
exactments of the statutes of the state, in respect to
ecclesiastical affairs and the maintenance of the estab-
lished order. The repeal, in 1743, of " the act for the
relief of sober consciences," and the consequent pro-
ceedings of the legislature, intensified this opposition.
" At the same time," says Dr. Trumbull, " the severe
and extraordinary act of the colony, enforcing the
constitution by law, which never was designed and
was undoubtedly inconsistent with the right of con-
science, gave further ground of disaffection to the
constitution, and of separation from the standing
churches."

There can be no doubt that the whole movement
of the Separates, while it may be characterized as
revolutionary, and perhaps fiinatical, led throughout

4(1

the state to a recognition of the principles of civil and
religious liberty in which we all rejoice. Those who
differ from the existing churches now, have all the
freedom they desire. That point has been settled
for ever. But it should not be supposed that the
Separates caused our present freedom ; they were only
the occasion, as we have said, of changes in the laws.
Such changes would certainly have been made if these
exciting movements had not provoked them. The
germ lay firther back than the days of the little
congregation in the Grover house;* even farther
back than the early separation of the Puritans in the
days of non-conformity. It was at least as old as
lAither.

Important as these ecclesiastical discussions un-
doubtedly were, they did not occupy our fathers to
the exclusion of politics and business.

The development of trade — even commerce with
foreign countries, of which " up town " was the em-
porium ; the subsequent and consequent growth of
Chelsea, or "the landing ;" the difficulties which arose
in respect to building a bridge across the cove ; the
long protracted Mohegan controversy ; the organiza-
tion of new ecclesiastical societies ; the beginnings
of Bozrah, Lisbon and Franklin ; the manumission of
slaves ; the mission of Samson Occum and the Rev.

* This house, ont-e noted for the Separate meetings which were held in
it, still stands on the road to Bean Hill, one of the oldest buildings in town.

Mr. Whitaker to England, in connection with the
estabhshment of the Indian school of Dr. Wheelock ;
the part which Norwich took in the French war ; the
"non-importation agreement;" the reception of the
stamp act; the famous meeting at Peck's tavern, of
which to-morrow (remember "Wilkes and the eighth
of September!") will be the anniversary ; and the other
exciting events which were a prelude to the war of
Independence, are all topics in the unraveling of
which an antiquary of the present day would find
especial pleasure.'^'

It is the period on which the lamp of personal
recollection first casts for us a ray of light. Those
who are now our "oldest inhabitants," born some
ninety years ago, must remember many who were
active in political and mercantile affliirs in the middle
of the last centurv. The time is thus distant enoudi
to charm us with fiiscinatins; enio-mas, near enouirh
to reward with a full revelation, the patient and dili-
gent inquirer. As a Avhole, we may distinguish it as a
period of growth, of new and varied phases of enter-
prise, and of general prosperity, as well as of earnest
discussion and decided action in re":ard to the verv
foundations of civil liberty. But lest the bell which
still announces nine o'clock to the residents of the old
town plot — long may the custom last ! — should inter-
rupt our story, we must hasten forward to events more

* See note L.

interesting to a large assembly — the interest which
our fathers took in the American revolution.

In that important struggle, Connecticut performed a
part which can not be too much extolled. Providence
had ordered that in the most of her territory, she
should be spared the horrors of actual bloodshed.
But her labors for the common cause of independence
were sin-passed by none of the colonies. Her contribu-
tions in men and money were beyond those of any of
the other states except Massachusetts, and in propor-
tion to the number of inhabitants were larger even
than those of the old Bay state. She w^ell deserved
the designation of " the provision state," and the name
of her noble patriot governor, " Brother Jonathan,"
has fitly become a sobriquet of the nation.

The history of Norwich, during the whole period of
the American revolution, presents, in many respects,
a miniature view of the historv of the state and of
the country There were several circumstances,
moreover, which unitedly gave it an importance
equaled by no other town in Connecticut, except,
perhaps, the capitals. On the bank of a large river,
several miles from the sound, it was not exposed, like
New London, to the attack of a hostile fleet, nor too
far inland, like Lebanon, to l^e a store place for the
army. It was on the highway between Boston and
New York, convenient to the residence of Governor
Trumbull, surrounded by a productive firming coun-

try, and inhabited by men of wealth, sagacity and
patriotism.

Credit enough has never been bestowed upon our
Norwich fathers for the part they took in the war.
Hundreds of letters, never printed, some of them hid
in garrets for the last half century, have passed under
my examination within the past few weeks, and I rise
from their perusal amazed at the circumstantial record
they present of the diligent exertions and the patriotic
sacrifices which were made by the citizens of this town
to secure the blessings which, as a nation, we enjoy.

One family is especially identified with the history
of those days — I refer, you anticipate me in supposing
that I refer, to the Huntingtons. Foremost among
them in the early stages of the war stood General
Jabez Huntington, the incidents of whose life are
worthy of grateful remembrance at this time. A
descendant in the fourth generation of deacon Simon
Huntington, one of the original proprietors of the
town, he added new lustre to a name even then dis-
tinguished in the history of Norwich. He was the son
of Joshua Huntington, and was born in August, 1719.
After graduating at Yale College, in 1741, in company
with Governor Livingston, of New Jersey, Rev. Dr.
Samuel Hopkins, and other distinguished men, he
returned to Norwich and entered upon connnercial
pursuits. The trade of this place, as we shall see in
anothei" connection, was then remarkably extended.

and among the successful merchants, none stood
higher, and none acquired a handsomer fortune than
he. In 1750 he was chosen to represent the town in
the general assembly, and for several years afterward
he was either a member of the lower house, over
which he often presided, or was one of the Assistants.
While attending the semi-annual meetings of the legis-
lature, he would write home to his son, Joshua Hunt-
ington, particular directions in respect to the farm and
store, always closing his letters with a devout petition
for the blessing of divine providence on all his family.
When Governor Fitch, in 17G5, presented to his council
the stamp act, and proposed that they should adminis-
ter to him the oath which would require the execu-
tion of that obnoxious measure, Jabez Huntington,
and his cousin Hezekiah, the other member from
Norwich, voted, with a majority of the council, to do
no such thing, and (when four of the councilors pro-
ceeded to administer the oath) indiguantly left the
chamber/'' In 1774, he was chosen moderator of the
meeting in which Norwich declared itself in fjivor of
liberty. When hostilities commenced in 1775, he was
appointed one of the committee of safety to aid the
governor by counsel when the legislature was not in
session, and in this arduous post he remained during
most of the war. In December, 1776, he was appoint-
^ ed one of the two major generals of the militia of

* Stuart's Life of Trumbull.

Connecticut, the rank of which office may best be
understood by mentioning that the brigadiers, appoint-
ed at the same time, were sucli distinguished men as
Dyer, Wadsvvorth, Salstonstall, OHver Wolcott, and
Gold S. Silliman ; and on the death of his senior,
General Wooster, he was appointed, in May, 1777, sole
major general, and was authorized, without orders
from the governor and council, to call out the militia
for the defense of this and neighboring states. Toward
the close of the war, his health broke down under the
pressure of his losses and labors, and after remaining
some years a severe sufferer, he died October 5th,
1786, aged 67. In 1741, he had made a public pro-
fession of religion, and his whole course in life evinced
the sincerity of his fliith.

A large part of the papers of General Jabez Hunt-
ington have unfortunately perished. From those
which are preserved we are able to see that his corre-
spondence was very wide and important. His sons
wrote to him by every opportunity, from the various
camps in which they were stationed, giving him, with
the confidence of children, minute details respecting
men and measures. His replies were equally frequent.
In them all are evinced his patriotic and religious
spirit. Washington, Lafayette, Hancock, and other
such men, occasionally addressed him, and the iullucn-
tial patriots of his own state — Trumbull, Sherman,
Williams, and Samuel Huntington — were in continual
correspondence with him.

The merit of General Huntington does not consist
alone in his self-consecration to the cause of American
freedom. He was the father of five sons and two
daughters, all of whom were early imbued with his
own patriotic spirit. It was clear that if he engaged
in the opening conflict, his property and theirs would
be seriously diminished, and perhaps entirely confis-
cated. Chiefly solicitous in regard to their interests,
he assembled them, one day, to advise w^hat course
should be pursued. He laid before them the great
interests at stake, both public and personal. Should
the colonial arms be victorious, private prosperity
might be sacrificed in the struggle, but American
liberty would be secure. Should the British forces
triumph, no one could foretell the ignominy and
suffering to w^hich, as rebellious subjects, they would
certainly be exposed.

Accustomed, in all his ways, to ask for guidance
from above, he called upon his family to bow with him
in prayer. We can not doubt that the petitions which
arose from that family altar were humble and devout,
and that the God of battles listened to his cry.

At length, having first consulted his wife, he called
upon his children in turn, beginning with his eldest,
and asked for their opinions. They answered with
one voice, daughter and son alike. That voice was for
Liberty! Nobly did their after course redeem the
pledge thus sacredly given, to devote both purse and

sword to the interests of their country. Four of the
sons, Jedediah, Andrew, Joshua, and Ebenezer, and
their brother-in-law. Col. John Chester, soon entered the
army — one of the brothers being too young for such
service. The other brother-in-law (Rev. Dr. Strong)
for a time fulfilled the duties of his sacred office by
acting as a chaplain in the army. This band of
brothers were found in service from the time of the
earliest entrenchments on Bunker's Hill to the decisive
victory on the j^hains of Yorktown. If the annals of
the revolution record the name of any family which
contributed more to that great struggle, I have yet to
learn it.

Associated with General Jabez Huntington, in coun-
sel and action, were two younger men, bearing the
same surname, although belonging to different
branches of this wide-spread family.

One of those to whom 1 refer, was the Hon. Ben-
jamin Huntington, (sometimes familiarly known as
"Judge Ben,") a native of this town and a graduate
of Yale college in the class of 1761. He early entered
upon the practice of law in this place, bringing to his
chosen profession so much of talent and energy that
he soon rose to the foremost rank. For many years
he avoided puljlic life, but in 1775 he was appointed
one of the council of safety in Connecticut, and his
interest in the common cause did not permit him to
decline that responsible and arduous post. In 1781

he was chosen to represent the state in the continental
congress, which lie did until 1784. He was re-appoint-
ed in 1787; and in 1789, when the present form of
government was established, he was one of the repre-
sentatives of Connecticut in the first United States
congress. As a member of both houses of the state
legislature, as judge of the supreme court, and as the
first mayor of the city of Norwich, he evinced the
same wisdom and public sj)irit which had been dis-
played in the councils of the nation.

A third member of this familv, Hon. Samuel Hunt-
ington, remotely connected with the two just named,
had the rare privilege, as we now esteem it, of sign-
ing his name to the declaration of independence.
Although born in Windham, he was a descendant
of one of the original proprietors of this town, and
removed here in 1760, to pursue the practice of law.
After representing the town for four years in the
general assembly, he was appointed king's attorney,
and continued so for several years. In 1774 he
was an associate judge of the supreme court. At
the opening of the war, he also was appointed one
of the council of safety for the state. In 1775, he was
chosen a member of the continental congress, which,
on the fourth of July, in the following year, declared
the colonies free. I have before me the original letter
in which he briefly announces this important transac-
tion to his townsman, General Jabez Huntington;

but there is a still more interesting letter, addressed
to the same person, by the honorable William Williams,
likewise one of the Signers of the Declaration, from
which, as it has never been printed, I quote a few lines,
to show the estimate which he placed on the services
of his colleague. It is dated Philadelphia, September
30th, 1776, and reads as follows: —

* :;: « If our assembly rechose their Delegates, I
hope they will be guided by Wisdom and Prudence.
I must say that M*" Sherman, from his early acquaints
ance, his good sense. Judgment, steadiness and
inflexible Integrity, has acquired much Eespect, and
is an exceeding valuable member ; and so is M"" Hunt-
ington, truly judicious, upright and worthy the Trust
In sjDight of that awful contempt of Religion and
Goodness too visible, &c.. Integrity and Virtue do and
Avill command Respect. For my part I neither exjDect
nor wish to remain here — the Burden is exceeding
great. But in this critical time the acquaintance the
others have with the run and connection of affairs, is
very usefull. It is of very great Importance that
whoever attend here should be men of Uprightness
and Integrity, inflexibly resolved to pursue and serve
the great cause, insensible to motives of ambition,
interest and any other applause than that of a good
Conscience." '■''• '••'• '■''• ■'• ■'• =•= ^'

With such a character, it is not surprising that Mr.
Huntington was chosen, in 177U, to be the president of

congress, and that he was re-chosen in 1780. After
this time he resumed his seat upon the bench in Con-
necticut, till he was again sent to congress in 1783.
In the next year he was chosen lieutenant governor
and appointed chief justice of the state, and two years
afterward, on the death of Matthew Griswold, he was
elected governor, and was annually returned to that
honorable post, with singular unanimity, for ten suc-
cessive years. He died in office, in 1796. The funeral
sermon, which was j)reached by the Eev. Dr. Strong,
bears witness to the sincerity of his character and the
uprightness of his life. The history of the country
declares the wisdom of his counsel, the excellence of
his judgment, and the purity of his unfailing patriot-
ism.

These three men, whose frequent appointment by
their fellow citizens to posts of responsibility in peace
and war, we have noticed, all members of the Con-
necticut council of safety, may fitly be characterized
as the counselors whom Norwich furnished to the
nation and the state in the trying emergencies of the
war of independence. It is certainly remarkable that
three of the nine men who constituted that original
council of safety were residents of Norwich — and
each of the three was a Huntington. They are men
of whom we may justly be proud ; men to whom the
country will for ever be indebted. Precious are the
tombs which hold the dust of such patriots — may

they never be suffered to decay ! More precious are
the 25erishable letters and papers in which their hands
recorded the history of a nation's birth ; may no future
fire diminish the number, enhancing their price though
not lessening their value, like the famous books of the
sibyl ! Dearest of all is the reputation they have left
for sagacity, prudence, and inflexible integrity, guided
in action by a love of liberty, unfailing and unselfish.
As the years roll on, may grateful posterity emulate
their virtues, while honoring their names !

When the actual conflict in arms began at Lexing-
ton, it was clear that an army must be raised, and an
army maintained. The first was an easy task. Thou-
sands of willing men, your own ancestors among them,
marched immediately for Bunker's Hill. But where
were their arms, their ammunition, their blankets,
their food, their means of conveyance, to come from ?
On whom should devolve the drudgery of raising
supplies for those who were in the field ; of caring
for the almost widowed wives and almost orphan
children who were left at home ; of raising the funds
which then as much as now were the sinews of war ?
This was a labor none the less arduous because it was
less conspicuous.

Of the men in Norwich most actively engaged in
this difficult service, none deserves more honorable
mention than Captain, or as he was afterward called.
Colonel Christopher Leffingwell. As I mention his

name, there are many present who will recall his
stately and venerable form, his head white with years,
the dignified bearing which marked a gentleman of
the old school, and the energetic manner which was
equally characteristic of a successful man of business.
At the time of the war, he was in the prime of life,
residing in a house still standing near the Leflingwell
corner. He had been long engaged in trade and
manufactures, several branches of w^hich he was first
to introduce. A lineal descendant of Lieutenant
Thomas Leffingwell, and connected by birth and
marriage with others of the old established families,
he also ranked in property and character, among the
foremost citizens of that day. Like almost all his
townsmen, he w^as an early and constant friend of the
colonial cause, never stopping to inquire whether this
unplied hostility to old mother England w^ould affect
injuriously his intended trade. Named by his fellow-
citizens, at the famous meeting of June Gth, 1774, as
one of the committee of correspondence for the town,
the chief la])or of that arduous post appears to have
fallen upon him. From the papers still preserved with
pious care by one of his descendants/'' it is clear that
his correspondence was not merely official, but that
his familiar acquaintance with influential men through-
out the country, added greatly to his usefidness, in

* Mrs. Augustus Kussell Street, of New Haven, to whose valuable collec-
tion of autographs I am indebted for many important papers.

those days of embarrassment and doubt. Let me
mention some examples, interesting, not only as per-
sonal memorials, but as indications of what was in
progress here in '"' the days of seventy-six."

Five days before the battle of Lexington, we find
John Hancock, president of the provincial congress
just adjourned, thanking Mr. Leftingwell for the im-
portant intelligence he had communicated ; which
appears to have been a fidl private letter from
Eno-land, erivino^ an account of the action of the
ministry. The first announcement of the battles of
Lexington and Concord was addressed to him, and I
hold before you that original document from which, not
only the citizens of Norwich, but Governor Trumbull
himself, first heard those alarming tidings. Colonel
Jedediah Huntington writes to him, a little later, from
the camp at Roxbury, and Joseph Trumbull from the
camp at Cambridge, asking for supplies. Whenever
New London was threatened by the enemy's fleet, a
message was sent to Norwich, and more than once
Captain Leffingwell and his light infantry went down
to the defense of their friends at the river's mouth.
" No company apjjeared so well as the Norwich light
infantry, under Captain Leffingwell," says our historian.
General Parsons, on his way to Bunker's Hill, June
10th, 1775, writes that one of his companies will lodge
at Norwich — Captain Leffingwell must provide for

them. In May, 1776, Nicholas Brown, of Providence,
sends him muskets to be forwarded to General Wash-
ington— relying on "his well known lead in the
common cause, to send them as soon as possible."
At a later day, load after load of tents is brought
him to he forwarded with all expedition to the Com-
m and e r-in-chief

These are but illustrations of the innumerable calls
which were made upon him. Amid them all, he exer-
cised a generous hospitality, while his daughters,
celebrated as belles, gracefully contributed to the
entertainment of the guests. In August, 177G, Colonel
Wadsworth introduces to him an English loyalist, who
had been advised to leave New York, but who is
worthy of respectful and considerate treatment in the
rural districts. Titus Hosmer introduces to him, Mr,
Timothy D wight — who had been a tutor several years
"in our college," (the same who was afterward to be
the distinguished president of that institution,) and
"who thinks of settling in Norwich for the practice of
the law." General Washington, in one of his visits,
partakes of the hospitalities of the Leffingwell home,
and Governor Trumbull sends his respectful apology
that he is unable to meet, at Mr. Leffingwell's, the
Commander-in-chief

Captain Leffingwell was not a man for emergencies
merely. In quiet times he was equally energetic and
equally serviceable to his native town. To him

belongs the credit of establishing a papei mill at the
falls, the first ever bnilt in the state, and one of the
first in the country. More than that, his memory
shall be ever green among us while the noble arch of
elms, whose grateful shade has this morning sheltered
our procession, reminds us that when the war Avas
over and the spear became a pruning hook, he planted
those sentinels of peace which still protect your homes.
Let the city of elms bestow the laurels on Captain
James Hillhouse — Norwich shall weave them for
Captain Christopher Leflfingwell.

But this honored man is connected in an interesting
way with another important event — the capture of
Ticonderoga at the beginning of the war. He was one
of those sagacious citizens of Connecticut who saw the
importance of promptly securing the forts upon lake
Champlain, and who quietly united in sending a
committee to Vermont, supplied with the necessary
funds, to engage the services of Colonel Ethan Allen
and "the green mountain boys" for that hazardous
undertaking. A short time ago this little book which
I hold before you, and which has long been carefully
treasured among the papers of Captain Leffingwell, was
placed in my hands. It proves to be an original
journal of that expedition, kept by our neighbor Major
Edward Mott, of Preston, "chairman of the com-
mittee," addressed to Christopher Leffingwell, at whose
request the bold officer from across the Shetucket
appears to have become the head — perhaps I should

say the plenipotentiary — of this Connecticut embassy
to Vermont. The record begins at Preston, April
28th, 1775, and closes at Ticonderoga, May 10th. It
is too long to read in full on this occasion, but one
page is of too much local interest to be withheld.*
A native of this town, (whose dishonored name I wall
not mention in this place.) acting under a commission
from Massachusetts, endeavored to supersede Allen in
his command, even after the latter had entered the
fort "in the name of Jehovah and the continental
congress." He insisted that as Allen had no legal
orders, he had no right to continue in command.
" On which," says Major Mott, " I wrote Colonel Allen
his orders as followeth," viz :

To Colonel Ethan Allen: Sir: — Whereas, agree-
able to the power and authority to us given by the
colony of Connecticut, we have apj)ointed you to take
the command of a party of men and reduce and take
possession of the garrison of Ticonderoga and its
dependences, and as you are now in possession of the
same, you are hereby directed to keep the command
of said garrison for the use of the American colonies,
till you have further orders from the colony of Con-
necticut, or from the continental congress.

Signed per order of the committee.

Edward Mott, chairman of committee.

Ticonderoga, May 10th, 1775.

* The entire paper, edited by J. H. Trumbull, Esq., may be looked for in
the collections of the Conn. Hist. Society, vol. L, soon to bo published in
Hartford.

So we see that the hero of Ticonderoga was com-
missioned by a Preston major, sent out by a Norwich
captain, in spite of the protest of a Norwich colonel
who acted under the authority of a Massachusetts
commission.

Norwich may furthermore claim the honor of fur-
nishing for the army the most distinguished surgeon of
the day. Dr. Philip Turner, surgeon general of the
eastern department of the army. He was born in
1740, the son of Philip Turner, of Scituate, Mass., who
removed to Norwich early in life, and married here.
The ancestor of the family in this country is Hum-
phrey Turner, who came from Essex, England, in 1630,
and settled in Scituate, Mass. Dr. Philip Turner
studied medicine with the famous Dr. Elisha Tracy,
of Norwich, whose eldest daughter he married. He
entered the army as early as 1759, and remained in
it during the French war, till after the peace of 1763.
In March, 1760, he was appointed surgeon's mate in
the fourth regiment of Connecticut troops, and in
1761, in the first regiment. At Fort Edward, and
elsewhere, he saw much service, and early became
noted as the most skillful operative surgeon of New
England. At the opening of the revolutionary
struggle, he was commissioned by Governor Trumbull
as physician and surgeon of the troops sent to New
York, and at a little later period, on the organization
of a medical department in the continental army, he

was named by Congress, surgeon general of the eastern
department. On the change in the organization of
the department, but one surgeon general was appoint-
ed, and Dr. Turner withdrew from active service.

In 1777 he was appointed director general of the
general military hospital, but he did not enter upon
the office, which was subsequently given to Dr.
Shippen, of Philadelphia. Several years after the war
was over, he removed in 1800 to New York, to take
charge of the government hospitals, and in 1815 he
died in that important post, at the age of 75 years.

The high reputation which Dr. Turner sustained in
the army might be shown by numerous papers of the
day, but one of the most interesting is a letter from
Colonel Jedediah Huntington to his father, General
Jabez Huntington. It was never intended to be made
public, but as this assembly may be considered a sort
of family meeting, I may, perhaps, be permitted to
read it. It is dated at camp Kingsbridge, (near New
York,) Oct. 2, 1776, and appears to have been called
forth by a consciousness that the appropriation made
for the payment of a skillful surgeon was not adequate
to his maintenance in the army. I read again from
the autograph :

"• Ho]si° Sir : — I am sorry to find that Doctor Turner
has not a sufficient Inducement to continue in the
army where he is eminently usefull and necessary ;
it is of great Importance to Individuals and Publick

that every Life and Limb should be saved. Doctor
Turner is blessed with a natural Lisight into Wounds
and Dexterity in treating them 'peculiar to himself.
Doctor Morgan is well jDleased with him and would
retain him in Service if he had it in his Gift to reward
him with as much Pay as he knows he has reason to
expect. I heartily wish our assembly who attend with
Pleasure and without Parsimony to the necessities and
Convenience of the army, would provide the Troops
with a Physician who is esteemed by us as almost
essential to the Service — suppose he saves one Limb,
that w^ould not be otherways saved, that Limb may
save the Publick some Hundreds. You and many
others, members of assembly, are well acquainted with
Dr. Turner's Character and manner of Living — he is
not aspiring after wealth, no one doubts he has Right
and in Duty ought to stand for a reasonable Reward
of his merits and Services. I wrote you yesterday by
the private Post to which refer you and remain with
Duty and Respect your affectionate Son.

"Jed. Huntington."

As no truer man was living than Colonel Jedediah
Huntington, so no tribute could be more honorable
than his eulogy of Dr. Turner.

Some wise writer has remarked that he cared not
who made the laws of a nation if he could write the
songs.

When the war of the revolution broke out, there

was resident in Norwich, among other choice spirits,
Mr. Nathaniel Niles, now almost equally famous as a
political and theological writer, known in early life as
Piev. Mr. Niles, (though he was never ordained,) and
later as Judge Niles of Vermont. He had graduated
at Princeton, in 1766, and studied theology with Rev.
Dr. Bellamy. He excelled as a preacher, but was
never settled in the ministry, probably on account of
his infirm health. Removing to Norwich, he married
there a daughter of Mr. Elijah Lathrop, and engaged
in manufacturing. He often represented this town in
the general assembly, until he removed to Vermont,
where he died in 1828, aged 88.

While living in Norwich he wrote an ode which was
set to music, and became as great a favorite among the
soldiers of the continental army as the Marseillaise in
France. It was composed at his own fireside the very
evening of the news of the battle of Bunker's Hill
reached Norwich. " I remember," says his son, " in my
early youth, hearing an aged negro servant who fol-
lowed my father's family to Vermont, repeatedly
describe the emotions of the whole family while he
read that improm^^tu production for the first time by
candle light." If the young musicians of Norwich
wish to see in the faces of older singers, who regulated
their notes with the old-fashioned pitch pipe, such a
glow of enthusiasm, as pleasant recollections alone call
forth, let them ask the question, "Do you remember

•i

the 'American Hero/ an ode which was often sung in
the revolutionary army ? " Perhaps it will be their
pleasure, as it has been mine, to hear the answer, "I
have not sung it for many a year, but I never can
forget its stirring melody." It begins,

Why should vain mortals tremble at the sight of
Death and Destruction in the field of battle,
Where blood and carnage clothe the ground in crimson,

Sounding with death groans?

The tune was called " Bunker's Hill." =^=

[Governor Buckingham, the president of the day,
here interrupted the speaker and said, — "The first
impression on my mind of the battle of Bunker's Hill
was made by hearing sung this ode. Perhaps it may
produce a similar emotion in the minds of the audi-
ence, to that which it did in my own. I should like
to have it tried." The choir then sang several stanzas
of the ode, with thrilling effect, many of the older
persons in the assembly joining with them.]

But Norwich furnished not only statesmen to plan,
surgeons to heal, and poets to inspire the army; it
sent forth gallant soldiers for the sterner service of
the camp. To enumerate their services would require
a volume. I have already alluded to the efficiency of
the four brothers Huntington, who were active in
various posts of importance and difficulty, from the

* See note M.

beginning to the close of the war, and although, at
this time, I can not dwell upon their manifold achieve-
ments, our country could not if it would, it Avould not
if it could, dispense with the services of any one of
these distinguished patriots*

Jedediah, the eldest, after graduating at Harvard
College, in 17G3, engaged in business at Norwich until
the war broke out. He was one of the earliest to
respond to the call for troops, and being already
colonel in the Connecticut militia, he marched, in the
spring of 1775, to Boston, with his men. During the
perilous winter which preceded the evacuation of that
city by the British troops, he remained at Roxbury,
undergoing the hardships of the camp, while his spirits
were oppressed by the death of his wife, (a daughter
of Governor Trumbull,) who had chosen to accompany
him. From that time onward, to the close of the war,
we trace him in active service. In 1777, he was
appointed brigadier general, the duties of which post
he faithfully and honorably discharged. At one time
he was an aid of General Washington, and a member
of his family ; and throughout life he was honored

* Just before the delivery of this discourse, the kindness of INIrs. Henry
Strong, and Mrs. Woleott Huntington, placed in my hands a very large
number of letters exchanged by these members of the Huntington family
during the revolutionary war. So much light is thus thrown upon those
times, that I withhold from the press, the biographical sketches which I
had prepared in this connection, in order that a deliberate perusal of the
correspondence may render them more accurate and full.

with the warm friendship of that great man. Many
of the letters of General Huntington, written in suc-
cession from the camps at Eoxburj, New York,
Kingsbridge, Peekskill, Valley Forge, West Point, and
a number of less important stations are still preserved.
Addressed to his father, and father-in-law, his brothers,
and brothers-in-law, who were all deeply concerned to
hear the army news, they are models of correspond-
ence, free and familiar, while, at the same time,
accurate and business like. Almost invariably, they
close with a devout reference to the Almighty power
on whom the issue of the battles Avould depend.

Jededialf s brother, Andrew, acted as a commissary,
collecting the rich offerings which Norwich and vicinity
made for the army, and forwarding them to various
posts.

Joshua, after having been in the active army at
Bunker Hill, was appointed to build a frigate for the
continental congress. The result of his labors, "The
Confederacy," launched in the Thames, not far below
the landing, did good service in the infantile navy of
the rising republic.

Ebenezer, the youngest of the four, was a senior in
Yale College when the news reached New Haven of
the battle of Lexington. He had previously written
home for a work not included in the regular course
of studies — a handbook of infantry tactics — and now
he requested leave of absence. As thi^ permission

was not granted, he left without a dismission, and join-
ing a company of vokmteers, marched on to Boston.
Rising from one office to another, he remained in
the army till the victory of Yorktown, in which he
participated/^

I might tell you of Durkee, " the bold Bean Hiller ;"
of Tracy, who fell an early victim to the cause of
freedom ; of Joseph Trumbull, the first commissary
general of the United States; of Williams and the
Fannings ; of Kingsbury ; of Peters, the hero of
Groton; of Edward Mott, already mentioned in the
exploits at Ticonderoga, and his older and more
eminent brother Samuel, chief engineer of the north-
ern army ; of Nevins, the prompt and faithful carrier
of tidings ; of Dyer Manning, the famous drummer ;
of John Trumbull, the publisher of " the Norwich
Packet;" of Elijah Backus, the armorer at Yantic,
whose anchors and guns were of service at sea and
on land. Most of these persons were natives of Nor-
wich, and all of them residents here during the war.

I might take you to the navy and tell you of the
" Confederacy " and the " Spy ;" of Captain Harding
and Captain Niles, the latter of whom is particularly
distinguished by a valiant exploit which was of marked
importance to the united colonies. The ratification of
the treaty with France was sent across the ocean by

* Ills portrait was included by Colonel Trumbull in his celebrated picture
of the surrender of Lord Cornwallis.

three separate vessels, and the only one which eluded
the vigilance of the English vessels was that of Captain
Niles/^= But I forbear, for " the time would fail me to
tell of Gideon and Barak, and of Samson, and of
Jephthah, of David also and Samuel, . . . who
escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were
made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight
the armies of the aliens."

Yet I seem to hear from some before me, the
murmur that the speaker mentions a score of officers
in the state and army, but he has not spoken of the
people, nor what the multitude were about while this
struggle was in progress. Let the record answer.
The same love of liberty which had been manifested
in the days of the stamp act, burst forth again at the
opening of the actual revolution.

On the 1st of June, 1774, the odious Port bill — by
which Lord North had hoped to starve the people of
Boston into submission to the king — began its opera-
tion. " Pay for that tea, or be blockaded," was the
alternative submitted to the capital of New England.
You know the choice of Boston.

A circular was sent through the country asking
countenance from the other colonies, and requesting
aid for the Boston poor in danger of actual starvation.
On the receipt of this circular in Norwich, a town
meeting was called by the selectmen, in a document

* See note N.

which is an amiisino- illustration of the caution which
was exercised by the conservative men of the day, and
also of that sovereignty of the people, so eminently
characteristic of a New Enorland town. In a dozen
lines the inhabitants are smiimoned " to take into
consideration the melancholv situation of our civil
Constitutional Liberties, Rights and Privileges which
are Threatened with Destruction by the Enemies of
his Majesty's Happy Reign," and in a single line at the
close of the call they are also bidden " to take into
consideration some memorials for Highway, Praid for
in Said Town and also to act upon any Thing Else that
may be fairly offered." In more senses than one they
were to mend their ways !

The meeting was held on the 6th of June, at the
town house, and was so crowded that an adjournment
was immediately made to the neighboring meeting
house. A committee, of which Hon. Samuel Hunt-
ington was chairman, was appointed, "to draw up
some sentiments proper to be adopted, and resolutions
to be come into, in this alarming crisis of affairs
Relative to the natural Rights and Privileges of the
People."

On the same day, on receiving the report of the
committee, it was " Voted, that we will, to the utmost
of our abilities, assert and defend the Liberties and
immunities of British America ; and that we will
co-operate with our Brethren in this and the other

Colonies, in such reasonable measures as shall in
General Congress, or otherwise, be Judged most proper
to Relieve us from Burthens we now feel, and secure
us from greater evils we fear will follow from the
Principles adopted by the British Parliament respect-
ing; the town of Boston."

At the same meeting, it was also voted, "that
Captain Jedediah Huntington, Christopher Leflfingwell,
Esq., Doct. Theophilus Rogers, Capt. William Hubbard
and Capt. Joseph Trumbull be a standing Committee
for keeping up a Correspondence with the Towns in
this and the neighboring Colonies, and that they
transmit a copy of these Votes to the Committee of
Correspondence for the Town of Boston."

Fortunately, some of the correspondence which this
assembly called forth, has recently come to light.
The town meeting had hardly adjourned before Jo-
seph Trumbull, in the name of the committee,
forwarded to Boston the resolutions which had been
adopted. " Stand firm," he writes, " in your Lots, and
from the apparent Temper of our People, we may
assure you of every support in the Power of this Town
to afford you in the glorious struggle." A few days
later, another letter went forward from Norwich to
Boston, proposing material aid, to which Samuel Adams
replied, '• that the valuable Donation of the worthy
Tow^n of Norwich will be received by this Community
with the Warmest Gratitude, and dispos'd of according

to the true Intent of the Generous Donors. * '■^' =''
The Part which the Town of Norwich takes in this
Struggle for American Liberty, is truly noble."

In August, Captain Christopher Leffingwell, in behalf
of the committee, sends forward the first instalment of
the donation, "being two hundred and ninety-one
sheep, which [we] wish safe to hand," and Joseph
Warren, in acknowledging the safe arrival of the
welcome flock, remarks that " Mr. Gage " (for so the
vicegerent of Great Britain was entitled) "is aston-
ished at the spirit of the people. He forbids their
town meetings, and they meet in counties. If he
prevents county meetings we must call provincial
meetings, and if he forbids these, we trust that our
worthy brethren on the continent, and especially of
the Town of Norwich, in Connecticut, will lend us
their helping arms in time of danger, and will be no
less conspicuous for their fortitude than they now are
for their generosity."'''

You may smile if I tell you that the record of this
transaction is so complete that we even have the
drover's account-book of the expense he incurred in
going to Boston. At each station he mentions what
he received and paid. One entry is — At Col. Israel
Putnam's, one mug of flip, gratis.

In September, 1774, when the rumor reached Nor-
wich that the citizens of Boston had been massacred,

* See note O.

a company of nearly five hundred men marched imme-
diately, (although it was a Sabbath morning,) to carry
relief. Colonel Durkee commanded them.

In the same month, a meeting of delegates from
New London and Windham counties was convened
in Norwich. William WiHiams and Jonathan Trum-
bull were there from Lebanon ; Colonel Salstonstall
and Mr. Shaw, from New London ; Mr. Mc Curdy, from
Lyme ; Dr. Perkins, from Plainfield ; Colonel Israel
Putnam, from Pomfret, and other such men, to the
number of forty delegates. Their address to the
general assembly of Connecticut, breathes forth the
free spirit of the town in which they were gathered.

Through the anxious winter which followed, many
were the discussions, at the fire-side and in the shop,
which involved the most important principles of civil
government. Dark clouds were gathering. Early in
the next spring, the town committee of correspondence
appointed some fifty gentlemen of influence and
wealth, " to solicit the further Charitable Contributions
of the Humane and Sympathizing Inhabitants of the
Town, for Relieving and alleviating the Distresses of
the Poor of that Devoted Town [Boston] and make
return of their doings and collectings, at a meeting of
the s*^ Gentlemen and others to be holden at the Court
House in this Town on the third Tuesday of April
next."

The very day appointed for this second meeting was
the eve of the battle of Lexiuuton.

So beg!;an the revolution in Norwich. " Well beo-un
is half done," says the proverb. Not so said our
fathers. They foresaw a long and arduous war, and
they prepared to meet it. Resolutions and correspond-
ence were indeed important, but only to prepare the
way for more significant demonstrations. As Lexing-
ton found Norwich ready, so Bunker's Hill bore
witness to the promptness with which the town re-
sponded to the earliest call for troops. As an illustra-
tion, I may mention that one evening Colonel Joshua
Huntington received a commission, and before dawn
the next morning sixty brave men had been enlisted
by him, so popular was he, and so patriotic they. The
same spirit continued throughout the war. Over and
over again were contributions made for the army,
" The gifts of Norwich to its soldiers," writes a distin-
guished officer from the memorable camp at Valley
Forge, "are cheering indeed."

General Jabez Huntington gave up his fortune to
the colony, permitting even the leaden weights by
which his windows hung to be cast into bullets; and
his generous example was imitated by others, each
being liberal in proportion to his means.

Let me read to you the summary which Miss
Caulkins gives.* Speaking of the earlier periods of
the contest, she says, " the town's quota of soldiers was
always quickly raised, and the necessary supplies fur-
nished with promptness and liberality. The requisi-

* History of Xorwicli, page 235.

tions of the governor were responded to from no
quarter with more cheerfulness and alacrity. In Sep-
tember, 1777, when extraordinary exertions were
made, in many parts of New England, to procure
tents, canteens, and clothing for the army, many
householders in Norwich voluntarily gave up to the
committee of the town, all they could spare from their
own family stock, either as donations, or, where that
could not be afforded, at a very low rate. The ministers
of all the churches, on thanksgiving day, exhorted the
people to remember the poor soldiers and their families.

"In January, 1778, a general contribution was made
through the town for the army. The ladies, with
great industry, assembled to make garments, and bring
in their gifts. The whole value of the collection was
placed at a low estimate at <£1,400 — [continental
money, probably ; real value, uncertain.]

" Cash, =£258 ; pork, cheese, wheat, rye, sugar, corn,
rice, flax, and wood in considerable quantities ; 386
pair of stockings, 227 do. of shoes, 118 shirts, 78
jackets, 48 pair overalls, 15 do. breeches, 208 do.
mittens, 11 buff caps, 9 coats, 12 rifle frocks, and 19
handkerchiefs,

" Every year while the war continued, persons were
appointed by the town to provide for the soldiers and
their families at the town expense ; but much also was
raised by voluntary contributions."

So you see that the people were as ready as their

leaders, to vote, to fight, and to pay for the main-
tenance of the principles at stake.

When at last the war was over, the sufferings of
these brave patriots were not ended. They had
bought the freedom, not of the town nor of the state
only, but of the continent. But they had bought it
at the sacrifice of time, and labor, and health, and
prosperity. The old families were many of them sadly
depressed in financial circumstances. New men came
into town enterprising and unembarrassed — business
revived and the community prospered. But in this
period of prosperity, in this hour of jubilee, let
gratitude and honor be unsparingly bestowed on the
memory of those who pledged for us " their lives,
their fortunes, and their sacred honor."

The story of these days is long : but the half
remains untold. Norwich was a store house, where
grain, molasses, tents, blankets and other necessaries,
were kept in readiness for the army; a magazine,
whence powder and ball were issued on demand ;
a city of refuge, to which shrewd tories like Dr.
Church could be sent for confinement, with no fear
of their escape ; a council chamber, where the gov-
ernor and committee of safety could conveniently
assemble ; an armory, where Backus could cast the
needed iron; a navy yard, where Joshua Huntington
could build a frigate for the continental congress ;
a port, from which armed vessels of the government,

to say nothing of privateers, could conveniently sail,
and which the continental army, under Washington,
could select as " the most favorable place for taking
the boats," between Boston and New York; a camp
where the troops of various generals could be safely
quartered, among them those of the brave Lafayette,
(the anniversary of whose birth occurred but yes-
terday — let us hold it in honorable remembrance ;)
a treasury, the drafts on which were never dishon-
ored; a mount of sacrifice, from which the incense
of devout petition to the Lord of Hosts continually
arose.

A grateful task awaits the writer, who shall under-
take to prepare a volume on "Norwich in the Eevo-
lution." The town that can point to its citizens,
active as counsellors, as surgeons, as commissaries,
as soldiers, as ship builders, as store keepers, as gun
makers, and not least honorable, as song w^riters for
the cause of civil independence, may glory in her
sons; and though her hills be rough and her rivers'
small, it will always be an honor to claim Norwich
as a home.

The close of the war was followed by a period
of great activity and prosperity. The trade which,
in 17G0, had been so extensive and profitable, and
which had been sadly interrupted by the troubles
of the country, now rapidly regained its former
character, and the success which, some thirty years

before had crowned commercial skill, was equaled
and surpassed. The wharves at the landing and the
spacious warehouses up-town alike bore evidence of
energy and thrift ; but " the scepter had departed
from Israel." Chelsea soon eclipsed the old town
plot, and the record of 1795, drawn up for the pur-
pose of securing a post office at the landing, reports
that of the shipping then belonging to Norwich, only
210 tons were owned in the old parish, and the
remainder, 4,102 tons, were owned in the port.

Breed, Ripley, Lathrop, Rowland, Perkins, Mum-
ford, Spalding, Leffingwell, Rogers, Huntington, Hyde,
Hubbard, Coit, Griswold, Bill, Trumbull, Dewitt,
Kinne, Williams, Dunham, Fitch, Eels, Marvin, Brown,
Thomas, Carpenter, were among the most active of
the citizens of Norw^ich, about 1800. Nor should
the spiritual labors of the Rev. Dr. Strong, in the
first church, be unmentioned at this time, whose
honored ministry extended over a period of sixty-
" seven years ; nor those of the excellent Mr. Tyler,
for fifty-four years the rector of Christ Church ; nor
those of Mr. King, pastor of the church in Chelsea
nearly a quarter of a century.''^

But these names are those of your fjithers and
grandfathers 5 men who are well remembered by
many in this audience. It would be presumptuous
for me to dwell upon these times in the presence

* See note P.

of those whose own recollections extend through
the last fifty years, and who received from the lips
of those w^ho were influential at the close of the
previous half century, the history of their deeds. I
should delight to speak of the growth of the town
since 1800, of the rise of manufactures, of the in-
fluence of steam upon our trade and locomotion, of
the settlements at Greeneville and the Falls, as well
as at Yantic and Bozrahville, and other places where
the busy whirl of the spindle is heard ; of the pros-
perity which marks the religious and educational
institutions of the town ; of the influence which the
sons of Norwich are exerting in different important
posts at home and abroad; and of the number of
ministers of the gospel, of public oflicers high in
rank, of college graduates, of successful merchants,
of ingenious mechanics, who received their early
training here.'=' But the historical investigations of
Miss Caulkins, the genealogies of Chancellor Wal-
worth and others, the commemorative discourses
preached last Sunday, by the several clergymen of
the town, and the papers which skillful hands are
preparing in respect to the physicians, the lawyers,
the press, and the schools of Norwich, forbid me
to enter upon any of these inviting themes. -|-
Among all the transactions of this period, there is
none which succeeding generations will regard with

* See note Q f See note R.

more gratitude and honor, than the foundation of
yonder institution of learning, The Free Academy, in
which the best instruction is freely open to all.*

The connection between Norwich and the various
colleges of the country, it has gi\^n me especial
pleasure to trace through the whole history of the
town. There is a list before me which is intended
to include the names of all graduates who were
born within the limits of " the nine miles square," or
whose paternal residence was here during their col-
lege course. It begins, as we should expect it to
begin, Avith the son of the first minister, and it
closes, as it ought to close, with scholars from the
Free Academy. The whole list contains two hundred
names, three-fourths of whom are graduates of Yale
College. It includes five college presidents — Fitch,
Backus, Nott, Haskell and Wentworth ; twenty other
officers of colleges ;f four senators of the United
States — Tracy, Lanman, Huntington and Foster ;
fourteen representatives in congress ; nearly seventy
clergymen of different denominations, fourteen of
whom are doctors in divinity ; beside judges, lawyers,
physicians, merchants, and teachers of eminence, to
tell whose names would be to repeat the catalogue.

One fact only is to be regretted, as we scrutinize
the list. It does not increase as the years roll on,

* See note S.

f Including three elected professors, who did not accept.

in proportion to the increase in the population of
the town. Can it be that the boys of the present
day regard an education as less important to them
than it was to their fathers?

Norwich has not only sent students to college ;
four institutions at least — Williams, Hamilton, Water-
ville, and Columbian — may claim as their founders
natives of this place.

Yale College is even more indebted to Nonvich.
Before it was chartered by the State, Major James
Fitch (another son of Reverend James) gave t( the
new collegiate school a farm of 637 acres of land,
and offered the glass and nails for a house. The
following is his proposal : *

" Maj."" Fitch's Generosity proposed 1701."

In that it hath pleased y*^ Lord our God as a
token for Good To us and children after us to put
it into the hearts of his faithfull ministers to take
soe great paines, and be at see considerable charge
for setting up of a Coledgeat Schoole amongst us
and now for farther promoating, of this God j^leas-
ing worke I humbly freely and heartily offer, on
demand to provid glass for a house and if people
doe not come up to offer what is reasonable and
needfull, that I will then provid nails of all sorts :
to be used in building a house and hall : 21y I give
a farme, 637 Acrs of land and when I come home
I will send ye draft and laying out to Mr. Dan^

* Copied from the original document in the Treasurer's office, Yale
College.

Taylor that he may make such a Deed proper in
such a case the farme I vakie at 150£ I \^ill allsoe
take some pains to put it in a way of yearely profitt
'30£ charge I hope will bring 20£ p yeare in a lit-
tle time. James Fitch.

Newhaven Octobr 16 1701.

It was this noble gift which insured at that time
the establishment of the now venerable institution.
Not many years after, Dr. Daniel Lathrop, beside a
large donation to the public school of his native
place, gave £500 to the college, without limitations;
and within the memory of most of those now pres-
ent, Dr. Alfred E. Perkins, impressed with the
thought that " a true university in these days is a
collection of books," gave a fund of $10,000 to the
college library in New Haven, thus perpetuating his
name in grateful remembrance, and exerting an in-
fluence which wdll increase till the college and the
country are no more. These three citizens of Nor-
wich, "to the manor born," have thus given to Yale
College the largest donations wdiich, at each success-
ive time, its treasury had received from any indi-
vidual ; and their example has been followed by
many others, giving in proportion to their means.
One name, which 1 do not venture to mention in
this presence, will be commemorated at future
celebrations as a benefactor of the higher educational
institutions, beyond any one of all the liberal donors
to whom reference has been made.

I am compelled to draw these .sketches to a close ;
but enough, I trust, has already been said to show
that the history of the town is a record of patient
enterprise, unfailing patriotism, and religious faith,
that we may well be proud of our ancestry and
birth-place, and well be thankful to the God of our
fathers for his increasing; blessings.

If there be one in this assembly who inquires
the use of this protracted story, let me assure him
that by the joyful recital of our fathers' virtues we
incite ourselves and our children to like exploits
of valor and trust. Some of us, now and then,
have heard Connecticut decried ! Be assured that
it is only ignorance and jealousy which assail her
past reputation, while it is a knowledge of her true
character which will strengthen the affection of her
sons and Aveaken the power of unjust critics. What
you know to be true of Norwich, is true, in some
deo-ree, of all Connecticut. A State which has
Haynes, and Winthrop, and Eaton, and Mason, as
its civil founders; Hooker, and Davenport, and Fitch,
as its religious pillars; Trumbull, and Sherman, and
Williams, and Silliman, and Huntington, as its lead-
ers in the struggle for civil liberty, should never
fail of the filial reverence, the honest pride, the
faithful and willing service of every son.

In conclusion, let us remember and rejoice that
the foundations of our native town were laid with

forethought by brave, intelHgent and rehgious men ;
that the right to the soil was acquired by purchase,
and the former 0Avnei:s concihated as perpetual
friends; that our fathers were free from intolerance
and bigotry, and were ready to argue or to fight in
defense of civil and religious liberty; that they were
industrious on the farm and enterprising in busi-
ness; that they preserved the golden mean between
conservatism and radicalism, being loyal to the king
till endurance ceased to be a virtue, and then heart-
ily devoted to the independence of America ; that
in the great conflict of the revolution, they sacri-
ficed their fortunes and exposed their lives, with a
spirit of patriotism rarely equaled and never sur-
passed; and that their intelligence, thrift and virtue
have secured to their children, under the blessing of
Providence, prosperity and happiness at home, rep-
utation, honor and influence abroad.

Long live the town of Norwich ! and when the
last of us shall lie beneath the sod, when the deeds
of the present shall furnish the materials of history,
may it be the lot of a future chronicler, scanning
the memorials of our day, to record with truth that
we were worthy of the j)recious heritage which we
now enjoy.

NOTES.

NOTE A .

INDIAN DEED OF NORWICH.

The following is a copy of the deed as recorded in Hartford. The
ori<nnal document is not known to be In existence :

DEED.

Know All men that Onkos, Owaneco and Attawanhood, Sachems of
Monheag, have bargained, sold and passed over, and doe by these pres-
ents, bargain, sell and pass over unto the Towne and Inhabitants of Nor-
wich, nine miles sf|uare of lands, lying and being at Monheag and the
parties thereunto adjoining with all ponds, rivers, woods, quarries, mines,
with all Royalties, privileges and appurtenances thereunto belonging, to
them the sayd Inhabitants of Norwich, their heirs and successors forever,
the sayd lands are to be bounded as followeth, viz., to the southward on
the west side [of ] the Great River commonly called Monheag River, the
line is to begin at the Brooke falling into the head of the Trading Cove,
and soe to run west norwest seven miles ; from thence the line is to run
nor-noreast nine miles ; and on the East side the foresayd River to the
southward, the line is to joyne with London Bounds as it is now layed
out, and soe to run east Two miles from the foresayd River, and so from
thence the line is to run nor-noreast nine miles, and from thence to Run
nor-norwest nine miles to meet with the western line. In consideration
whereof the sd Onkos, Owaneco, and Attawanhood doe acknowledg to
have received of the parties aforesayd, the full [and just] sum of seventy
pounds, and doe promise and engage ourselves, heirs and succcssours to
warrant the sayd ]?argain and sale to the aforesayd parties, their heirs
and successours and them to defend from all claims or molestation from

any whatsoever. In witness whereof wee have hereunto set our hands
this sixth day of June Anno 1659.

Onkas, his rVT) niarke.

OwANEKo, his Ir marke.

.k-

Attawanhood, his X-^iJL marke.
Witness hereunto, John Mason, Thomas Tracy.

Transcribed out of y'" origanell and examined and recorded this 20th
(»f August, 1668, ]/ me John Allyn, Sec''y.

NOTE B .

EARLY INDIAN HISTORY.

Dr. Trumbull, in his History of Connecticut, (i, 132) quotes "a
manuscript of 3Ir. Hyde, of Norwich," as his authority, in part, for the
account of the battles of Uncas and Miantonomoh. Col. Stone, (Uncas
and Miantonomoh) refers to the same paper as " a traditionary letter
written by Rev. Richard Hyde in 1769." Miss Caulkins rightly refers
to the author (Hist. Norwich, p. 20) as " Richard Hyde, esq., a gentle-
man who throughout his life was in the habit of frequent intercourse with
the Mohegans, and whose house was one of the favorite resorts of wan-
derers from that tribe."

The letter to which these and other writers refer has lately been found
among the Trumbull mauscripts of Yale College. It reads as follows : —

Sir : Please to Except of the Following to be Communicated with what
you have already Rec;" by the Hand of Reverf Mr. Lord Relative to the
Tribe of the Mohegen Indians If you think the same maybe worth Notice :
the following Facts being Communicated to me from some of the antient
Fathers of this Town who were Contempory with Uncas the grand Saga-
more or Sachem of s'' Tribe, (viz) that Before the Settlement of s'' Norwich
the sachem of y" Narragansit Tribe Had a Personel Quaril with Uucass and
Proclamed warr with the Mohegs : and Marched with an army of Nine Hun-
dred Fighting Men equipt with Bows and arrows and hatchetts : Uncas he
Informed by Spies of their March towards his Seat : Uncas Called his War-
riors together about Six Hundred Stout hardy Men Light of foot and Skill'^
In the use of y" Bow and ujion a Conference Uncas Told his Men tliat it
won"* Not Do to Lett y* Narrigansitts Come to their Town but they must go
aud meet thorn : accordinglv thev marched & about three Miles on a Large

Plain the armys Meet & both Halted within Bow Shot: a Parly was
Sounded & [ ] Uncas Proposed a Conference with the Narrigansitt

Sachem who agreed & being Meet Uncas Saith to his Anemy Words to this
Effect, you have Got a Number of Brave men with you & So have I: and
it a Pitty that Such Brave men Sho'' be Killd for a Quaril Between you
and I only Come Like a Man as you Portend to be and we will fight it out
If you Kill me my men Shall be yours but if I Kill you your men Shall be
mine : upon which y*= Narrigansit Sachem Reply'' my men Came to fight &
they shall fight (when having before told his Men: that if: his Enemy
Sho'i Refuse to fight him he wou'^ Fall Down : and then they ware to Dis-
charde their artillry on Them & Forse Right on them as Fast as they could,
and: uncas falling Down as he Proposed his men Sent a large Shower of
arrows at them & fell Right on Like Lyons and Put y^ Narrigansetts to
flight The Mohegs Killing a Number on the Spot : and Pursued the rest
Driving Some Down Ledges of Rocks those of uncas' men most forward Pass-
ing by the Xarrigansitt Sachem Twight him back to give uncas opportunity
to take him himself and in the Pursuit at a Place Now Call'' Sachems Plain
uncas took him by the Shoulder he then Sett Down (Noing Uncas) uncas
then Gave a hoop & his men Return'' to liim and in a Councel then Held
twas Concluded by them that Uncas with a Gard Sho'' Carry s'' Sachem to
Hartford to the Governor and Magistrals (it being before y'= Charter) &
advise what they Sho'' Do with him : and being Carrid to Hartford and
Presented to ye Governor &c : he ye s'' uncas was told by them yt as there
was No war with ye English and Narrigansits it was not Proper for them to
Intermedle in the affair and advised him to take his own way accordingly they
Brote S'' Narrigansitt Sachem Back to the Same Spot of Ground where he
was took : where Uncas KilF him and Cut out a Large Piece of his Shoulder
Rosted & Eat it; &. s'^ uncas Said it was the Sweetest meel he Ever
Eat : it made him have Strong Hart then they Bury him and made a Pillar
which I have Seen but a few years Since : and Such Regard hath ye Eng-
lish had for s'' Uncas & Tribe who ware always fast Friend : that when
s'' Uncas & Tribe ware attacked by a Potent Enemy & Block'' up in their
fort on a hill by the Side the great River and almost Starved to Death :
Lieu* Tho' Leffingwell Capt Benj Brewster of s'' Norwich and others Se-
cretly Carred them Provision in the Night Seasons, upon which the Enimy
Raised the Seige : upon which s'' Uncas Gave Sundrie Donations of Land
& : Continued to be a fast Friend to y*' English to the time of his Death &
Some years afterward & Before y^ Narrigansitt warr in y^ year 1675 : Uncas
being thin chief the Narrigansitt Sachem Sent an Imbasador with a Large
Present of Wampam to Ingage Uncas and his Tribe to Joyn with him to
Distroy ye English Egle Eyed uncas having Reed : the Message & Presents :
Returnd for answer Go to your Master & Tell him : that 1 will go to Nor-
wich & advise with Major John Mason and Mr Fitch If they advise me to

Joyn your Master I will and In the war that hapned Soon after S"^ Tribe
assisted ye English against them till they ware Subdued.

Norwich October 9V> 1769

Rich" Hide.
To the Rev<} Benj Trumble
at New Haven.

NOTE C.

1. SITE OF MIANTONOMOH'S CAPTURE.

The plain near Greeneville, where Miantonomoh was captured, has
long been known as "the Sachem's Plain." Tradition long asserted
that this was not only the site of his capture, but also of his execution
and burial. Miss Caulkins defended this opinion in her History of Nor-
wich, and so did the late Professor Kingsley of Yale College, in an arti-
cle in the New Englander, vol. i., p. 226. Hon. James Savage, the
learned editor of Winthrop's New England, has disputed the tradition
with great force (Savage's Winthrop, vol. ii., p. 162). Miss Caulkins
has acknowledged a change in her own opinions in a note, from which I
am permitted in this place to quote.

" Of all the legends and traditions connected with our country, I have
been most reluctant to relinquish that which placed the grave of Mianto-
nomoh on Sachem's Plain. It was pleasant to think that we knew
where the chieftain lay, and that we had it in our power to make some
amends, as it were, for the unjust sentence of our fathers, by heaping
honors upon his tomb. But it seems to be a plain question at issue be-
tween authentic cotemporary records and traditions first committed to
writing in 1769, which was 126 years after the event. As a votary of
history, therefore, I cannot hesitate to place myself upon this side of his-
toric truth, at the same time sadly remembering that the remains of the
murdered Sachem were left in some unknown place, and in all probability
with no friendly turf or tumulus to cover them, a prey to vultures and
beasts of the forest."

"The Sachem's plain, however, the place of his capture, is still the
place where he is to be honored and mourned."

The supposed site of Miantonomoh' s capture, was once marked by a
pile of loose stones. These having disappeared, a few years ago a

memorial block was erected, under circumstances thus alluded to by Col.
Stone :

" On the anniversary of American Independence, in 1841, the inhab-
itants of the neighbormg village of Greeneville paraded upon the plain,
and erected on the spot where the chieftain fell and was buried, a neat
granite monument, bearmg the simple and appropriate inscription in cap-
itals : MIANTONOMOH. 1643.

" The monument consists of a single oblong block of stone, about eight
feet by five, and perhaps five in thickness — resting upon a little mound
raised for that purpose. An address was delivered on the occasion, by
Mr. Wm. C. Gilman, of Norwich."

2. MIANTINoMOH — OR MIANTONNOMY?

The pronunciation of the name of the Narragansett Sachem has called
forth the following note from J. H. Trumbull, Esq., of Hartford, which
we quote from the Historical Magazine, July, 1858. New York :
C. B. Richardson.

" There is sufiicient authority for accenting the penultimate syllable of
this name, but I can discover none for marking the vowel of that syllable
as long, nor for the pronunciation which this marking indicates. A care-
ful collation of the various forms in which the name was presented by
early writers, leads to the conclusion that Me-dnto-noni'-y more nearly
expresses the original sound — the stress falling on the consonant of the
penult, and the short vowel having no determinate character, o, i, and e
having all been employed by contemporary writers to represent it.

" Callender (1739) adopts the form Miantonomy, and says that ' in all
the manuscripts ' the name is spelled Myantonomy, or Miantonome, or
Miantonomu, and ' is so pronounced by the people, who take the sound
by tradition, and not from the books, with the accent on the last syllable
but one.' (R. I. Hist. Coll. iv. 57). President Stiles, in 1761, marked
the pronunciation, Meantuiome, on the authority of Francis Willet, Esq.,
of Narrao-ansett (MS. Itinerary) . These are the earliest authorities I have
met with, for the accent. Neither of them authorizes the use of the
lono- vowel. A comparison of the following early forms of the name
will show that the vowel of the penult can hardly be represented by a
lono- o, and y more nearly than oh indicates the sound of the last
syllable.

" In the earliest deeds to Coddington and Roger Williams (as recorded) ,

we have Miantunnomw and Miantunnom^. In others, from Roger
Williams, Miantononu, Miantounomi, Miantonome, Miantenom?/. On
the Connecticut records (i. 32), the name first appears in 1639,
as Antinemo ; on those of Massachusetts (ii. 23, 27), as Mean-
tonomo, and Meantonoma/;, in 1642. The MS. Records of the Com-
missioners of the U. Colonies for 1643 and 1644, present not less than
eight forms of the name — Maantonnno, ]Meanton?'moe, ]Meantinom«"e,
Meantinomie, Meantinome, Maantinomie, Miantonnnoe, and Meantonz-
niie. The ' Relation of the Indian Plot ' (1642) has Maantonemo.
John Stanton, an accomplished interpreter, writes in 1678, Meantinomy.
To these might be added some eight or ten other variations, from old*
writers, and twice or three times as many from modern authors. Mr.
Potter, in his history of Narragansett (R. I. Hist. Coll. iii. 172) gives
' Meantonomy or Miantonimo (accented on the penultimate).' Mr.
Savage in the notes and index to Winthrop, writes jNIiantunnomoh, ad-
hering to the same form in the text, except in one instance, where it is
Miantonomoh. Dr. Holmes, in the Amials, adopted this latter form :
Dr. Trumbull (Hist, of Conn.), Meantonj'moh.

" It will be observed that, in all the early variations, the only constant
vowel is the a of the second syllable, whence I infer that it was strongly
accented ; that the accented vowel of the penult was represented (often
by the same writer) by e, ^, or o, indifferently, and therefore not likely
to have had the marked sound of o long ; and that the final syllable was
varied as a, e, ie, ce, ^, o, oh, ah, u, and y, and is hardly to be represented
by the modei-n form oh, as the equivalent of o.

" The name was perhaps compounded of waantam, or wauontam, a
wise man, a counsellor, and numivce (jmmaii) full with the definite ar-
ticle m' prefixed — 'The one who is full of wisdom,' or counsel. If
this derivation be correct, the penultimate vowel was necessarily short."

J. H. T.

3. UNO AS .

A granite obelisk, bearing the simple inscription Uncas, was erected
in Norwich, on the grave of the Mohegan chieftain, July 4, 1842. Col.
William L. Stone, of New York, delivered an address at that time,
which was printed in a pocket volume, entitled " Uncas and Mianto-
nomoh," (New York, 1842, 18mo.) This discourse, and the notes
appended to it, contain many interesting and important facts relating
to the Indian history of Norwich. A newspaper sheet which was pub-

lisliecl on the same occasion, entitled " The Uncas Monument," gives
the inscriptions on the monuments in the Sachem's burying ground, and
many other details, which would otherwise have perished, it is probable,
before this time. " The Mohegan Extra," is the name of another broad
sheet sold at JMohegan, when an effort was made by means of a Ladies'
Fair, to raise the funds for repairing the Mohegan chapel.

In addition to Colonel Stone's discourse on Uncas, the valuable
" History of the Indians of Connecticut," by J. W. DeForest, Esq., of
New Haven, should be read by those who are interested in this early
period of our history.

The original letter or obligation of Uncas, quoted in the Address, is in
the possession of J. Cai'son Brevoort, Esq., of Brooklyn, N. Y., who
has kindly pei-mitted it to be printed here. Rev. Dr. J. Waddington, of
London, first called my attention to this remarkable paper, and made a
facsimile copy of it, which was shown at the celebration.

4. PRESENT CONDITION OF THE MOHEGANS.

At the last session of the Connecticut legislature, (May, 1859,) a
committee, (Messrs. B. M. Gay, H. C. Deming and J. Halsey,) was
appointed to inquire into the condition of the Mohegans, and report to
the legislature whether a sale of their reserved lands would be expedient.

From the facts then elicited, it appears that there are now in the tribe
one hundred and two persons, though all of them are not of pure Indian
blood. A considerable portion of the reservation made in 1790 to the
tribe, by the State, and distributed among the families then living, has
reverted to the tribe in common. It was proposed that this common
land should be sold for the benefit of the tribe, but the legislature refused
to grant the power, and a committee consisting of Gov. Buckingham,
Senator Foster and Hon. J. A. Hovey, was appointed to inquire what
course should 1)e pursued, and report to the next legislature.

Divine servnce is regularly maintained in the chapel at Mohegan, and
a Sabbath School is kept up chiefly by the efforts of Gen. Wm. Williams.

NOTE D.

THE NAME NORWICH.

It will be remembered that in the Indian deed of June 6, 1659, the
settlers in Mohegan are spoken of as the " inhabitants of Noi-wich." It

seems probable that the name was selected because to some of the inhab
itants, the site of the new town suggested the old. In Miss Caulkins's
Histoiy the Huntingtons are said to have come from Norwich, but I
have found no earlier authority for this statement than a letter of Rev.
Joseph Huntington, D. D., of Coventry, (who died in 1794,) which
is printed without date in Rev. D. Huntington's " Memories, etc., of an
Octogenary," Cambridge, 1857. Those who are interested in the con-
nection of old England with New England, may be glad to see the fol-
lowing extract from Blomfield's Hist, of Norwich, where, (after speaking
of the attempt of some to find " Norwicus in the name of Ordovices, a
people far enough distant from hence,") he says we owe the rise of the
city as well as its name to the Saxons, " North-wic, signifying no more
than a northern situation, on a winding river ; and because they usu-
ally placed castles at such situations, the word loic indeed was used for
a castle, so that Norwich may signify the northern castle at the winding
of the river, it being north of the ancient station at Castor."

With this may lie compared the following passage from the " Beauties
of England and Wales," (vol. xi., p. 113. London, 1810.) "The
city chiefly occupies the top and sides of a gentle hill ; which runs par-
allel with the river Wensum on its western side, and terminates at a
sudden bend of it. At this turn, and near that termination, a castle, or
military station, appears to been estabhshed at an early period ; and as
the people congregated around it for personal security, or private advan-
tage, they gradually formed, and augmented the town

Of Norwich, in its present state, it has been said that it stands upon
more ground, comparatively with its population, than any city in the
kingdom, the buildings being generally interspersed with gardens, which
latter circumstance has given rise to its appellation of a ' city in an
orchard.^ The shape or plan is irregular, approaching that of a cor-
nucopia, or bent cone."

We may presume that the Shetuckct, running into the Thames, seemed
to correspond to the Wensum, and that the rocky battlements of Wawe-
qua's hill, (Savin hill, or Academy hill,) "on its western side," "at
a sudden bend of it," suggested the castle — North-wic.

For an account of Norwich, England, at a period not very remote
from the settlement of Norwich, Conn., the reader is referred to Macau-
lay's history of England, vol. i., chap. 3.

In reference to the pronunciation of the name, one of the reporters at
the recent celebration, (N. Y. Times, Sept. 9,) made the following

amusing observation : — "All are welcome to come and attend the cele-
bration, but there is a ' shibboleth ' by which the veritable descendants
of the town can infallibly be recognized, if the committee of arrangements
are at all in doubt as to whether applicants are entitled to their hospi-
talities. Only entrap the doubtful individual into pronouncing the word
Norwich, and the mystery is solved. K he says Norridge, as though
he came within a single letter of saying pomdge, the fact is demonstrated
that he is to the manor born, but let him be so unlucky as to tack on the
' wieh ' to the first syllable, and he is at once voted a foreigner."

NOTE E.

MAJOR JOHN MASON.

The main events in the life of Mason may be easily derived fi-om any
history of New England or Connecticut. His biography was written by
Rev. George E. Ellis, D. D., now professor in the divinity school at
Cambridge, in 1844, and was published in the third volume of the second
series of Sparks's American Biography. To that elaborate memou% and
the interesting addi'ess of Mr. Rockwell, the reader is referred for an
account of "the Miles Standish of Connecticut."

So long ago as the begmning of the last century, the fame of Mason
was extolled in verse, by Roger Wolcott, afterward governor of Con-
necticut, in a volume entitled " Poetical Meditations, being the Improve-
ment of some vacant hom-s." (New London, printed and sold by T.
Green. 1725. 18mo.) A complete copy of this rare poem is in the
college library at New Haven. A copy was lately offered for sale in
London, at £7 17s 6d.

NOTE F.

THE ORIGINAL PROPRIETORS OF NORWICH.

On account of the imperfection of the early records of the town, much
difficulty has been experienced in making a complete list of the early
settlers of Norwich. The following list was given in Miss Caulkins's
Norwich history. "This makes," she remarks, "the number of settlers

thirty-eight, though it has been generally supposed that but thhty-five
signed the town purchase."

Rev. James Fitch,
Major John Mason,
Lieut. Thomas Tracy,
Lieut. Thos. Leffina-well,
John Pease,
John Tracy,
John Baldwin,
Jonathan Royee,
Robert Allyn,
Francis Griswold,
Nehemiah Smith,
Thomas Howard,
John Calkins,
Hugh Calkins,
Ensign William Backus,
Richard Egerton,
Thomas Post,
John Grager,
Samuel Hide,

William Hide,
Morgan Bowers,
Roliert Wade,
John Birchard,
John Post,
Thomas Bingham,
Thomas Waterman,
Stephen Giffords,
John Bradford,
Christopher Huntington,
Simon Huntington,
Thomas Adgate,
John Olmstead,
Stephen Backus,
Thomas Bliss,
John Reynolds,
Josiah Reed,
[Richard Wallis,]

[Richard Hendys.]

Rev. E. B. Huntington, of Stamford, who planned to write the history
of the town, and who published some of the preliminary chapters in the
Norwich Spectator, 1844, prepared a list of the proprietors in 1659,
which differs slightly from that above given.

NOTE G.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF REV. JAMES FITCH,

THE FIRST MINISTER IN NORWICH.

Rev. James Fitch, the first minister in Norwich, was a native of
Booking, a small town near Braintree in Essex Co., England, famous
chiefly for its woolen manufactures, the " Booking " of our shops. He
was born Dec. 24, 1622, but nothing now appears in respect to his ]3a-
rentage.

At the age of sixteen years, in 1638, he removed to New England,
landing, it has been conjectured, at New Haven. He took up his abode
in Hartford, and there for seven years pursued a course of study under

the guidance of those learned and godly men, Rev. Thomas Hookei' and
Rev. Samuel Stone. These two clergymen, who came to America in
1633, had been scholars in Emanuel College, Cambridge, and had re-
ceived Episcopal ordination in England. Both were persecuted for their
non-conformity, and Hooker was originally driven to Holland, where he
was the intimate friend of Dr. Ames, the celebrated author of the Me-
dulla Theologife. ^XHiile living in England, Hooker maintained in his
own hired house near Chelmsford,* a school of which John Eliot, who
afterwards became known as " the apostle of the Indians, " was usher.
It may be that Fitch, the boy of Rocking, then first came under the in-
fluence of that most remarkable man whose zeal in laboring for the abo-
rigines of New England he was afterward to emulate. There can hardly
be a question that he was a friend of Hooker's in England, and that as
soon as his youth would allow he hastened to join his former counsellor
in the wilderness of Connecticut. Under the instruction of two such
men as the first ministers of Hartford, continued during the period now
appropriated to collegiate and theological education, it is not strange that
Fitch became a thorough scholar and a hearty Christian, meriting the
epithets which have been quoted from the Magnalia,t " the Holy and
Aciite."

In 1646, Mr. Fitch became the pastor of a church in Saybrook. Two
clergymen. Rev. John Higginson and Rev. Thomas Peters, had before
ministered to the little company who gathered round the fort which Win-
throp built and Mason commanded at the mouth of the Connecticut ; but
a meeting-house was not erected, nor a religious society organized until
Mr. Fitch was called to the pastoral ofiice. Dr. Trumbull states that
although Hooker and Stone were present at the ordination of Fitch, the
laying on of hands was by the brethren.

For fourteen years the ministry thus commenced was continued with-
out interruption. In 1660, the greater part of his people removed with
him to Norwich, where he continued to be their pastor, until near the
close of the century the infirmities of age compelled him to rest. Not
long afterward he removed to Lebanon, where he died in 1702, at the
age of eighty, having been for fifty-four years the minister, in Saybrook
and Norwich, of the same religious congregation.

That care for the Indians t which led him to master their language, hold

* Mather's Magnalia, iii., 59.

t Magiialia, iii., 200.

J V. Mass. Hist. Soc. Coll., First Sec. i., 208.

religious meetings for their benefit, relieve the temporal wants which their
vices brought upon them, and even to give three hundred acres of good
land from his own estate to those who were persecuted for their faith,
evinces his apostolic zeal as a missionary of the Cross.

All the allusions to his labors in the records of the General Court,
the letters and sermons from his own pen which have come down to us,
and the traditions of the church and town alike testify to his industry,
ability, and faithfulness as the minister of a church of Christ and as the
leader in a newly-founded commonwealth.

His tomb-stone, which is still standing in Lebanon, bears the following
inscription : —

EEMEMBEK ETE'rNITY.

IN HOC SEPULCRO DEPOSITS SUNT RELIQUI^

VIRI VERB REVERENDI D : lACOBI FITCH : NATUS

FUIT APUD ROCKING IN COMITATU ESSEXI^ IN ANGLIA

ANNO DOMINI 1622 DECEMB'' 24 " QUI POSTQUAM

LINGUIS LITERATIS OPTIME INSTRUCTUS FUISSET

IN NOVANGLIAM VENIT ^TAT. 16 ET DEINDE VITAM

DEGIT HARTFORDI^ PER SEPTENNIUM SUB INSTITU-

-TIONE VIRORUM CELEBERIMOBUM D : HOOKER ET D : STONE

POSTEA MUNERE PASTORALI FUNCTUS EST APUD SAY-

-BROOK PER ANNOS 14 ILLINC CUM ECCLESI^ MAIORI

PARTE NORVICUM MIGRAVIT ET IBI CETEROS VITiE

ANNOS TRANSEGIT IN OPERE EVANGELICO IN SEN-

-ECTUTE VERO PR^ CORPORIS INFIRMITATE NECES-

-SARIO CESSABAT AB OPERE PUBLICO : TANDEMQUE

RECESSIT LIBERIS APUD LEBANON UBI SEMIANNO

FERE EXACTO OBDORMIVIT IN lESU ANNO 1702

NOVEB^ 18 ETAT 80 VIR, IN6ENII ACUMINE,

PONDERE JUDICII, PRUDENTIA, CHARITATE, SANCTIS

LABORIBUS, ET OMNIMODA VITJE SANCTITATE PERIT-

lAQUOQUE ET VI CONCIONANDI NULLI SECUNDUS.

Mr. Fitch was twice married. By his first wife, Abigail, daughter of
Rev. Henry Whitefield, first minister of Guilford, " a gentleman of good
extraction by his birth, " he had four daughters and two sons, James,
(the benefactor in 1701 of Yale College) and Samuel.

By his second wife, Priscilla, daughter of Major John Mason, he had

one daugliter and seven sons, Daniel, John, Jeremiah, Jabez (the min-
ister of Portsmouth, N.H.,) Nathaniel, Josiah, and Eleazar.
The following writings of Mr. Fitch have appeared in print :

1. A semion on the death of Anne, wife of Major Mason, preached
in 1672. (A copy of this sermon is preserved in the Pastor's Library
of the First Church in Norwich.)

2. An Election sermon preached in 1674, entitled " An holy connec-
tion between Jehovah's being a Wall of Fire to his people and the glory
in the midst thereof." Cambridge, 1674. 20 pp. 4°. (A copy of
this sermon, with the title page unfortunately gone, is in the College
Library at New Haven.)

3. An Explanation of the solemn advice recommended by the council
in Connecticut colony to the inhabitants in that Jui'isdiction, Respecting
the Reformation of those Evils which have been the Procuring Cause of
the late Judgments upon New England. Boston, 1683. 18°.

4. The covenant Which was Solemnly renewed by the Church in
Noi-wich, in Connecticut Colony in New England, March 22, 1675.
(See note H., p. 94.)

5. A brief Discourse, Proving that the First Day of the Week is the
Christian Sabbath ; Wherein also the Objections of the Anti-Christian
Sabbatarians of late risen up in Connecticut Colony, are refuted.

(The tlu'ee writings last named are in one volume, as previously
stated, a copy of which is owned by Geo. Brinley, Esq., of Hartford.)

In addition to the above-mentioned publications, made in the life-time
of Mr. Fitch, several of his letters have been recently printed, to wit :

1. A Letter to D. Gookin, on the efforts made to Christianize the
Mohegans, dated Nov. 20, 1674. (Mass. Hist. Soc. Collections. First
series, i. 208.)

2. Letter to the Worshipfall Mr. Allyne, at Hartford, July, 1675,
asking aid in resisting King Philip's army. (Trumbull's Col. Records
of Conn., ii. 336.)

3. Part of a letter to the council in Hartford, dated noon, March 13,
1675-6. (Ibid., ii. 417.)

4. Letter to the WorshipfuU Capt. John Allyne at Hartford, dated
29th May, 1676, expressing a willingness "to go forth with the armie."
(Ibid., ii. 447.)

5. Letter to the General Court, dated May 4, 1678, respecting
Uncas and the surrenderers. (Ibid, ii. 592.)

6. Letter to Capt. John Allyne, May 5, 1678, enclosing the letter
last mentioned. (Ibid, ii. 591.)

NOTE H.

The Covenant which was solemnly renewed by the Church in

Norwich in Connecticut Colony in New England, March

22, 1675.

In this Calamitous Year 1675, the year of Jacob's trouble in the
Wilderness, in which the Lord doth scourge New England by the Out-
rage of the Heathen; a year never to be forgotten.

And we who are in Church state, being called by our Pious Rulers,
with other Congregations in this Colony, and in Conscience of our duty
moved to seek the Lord by Fastmg and Prayer : and having considered
the Particulars contained in the Writing sent from our Rulers to the
several Churches in this Colony, and which we ought to keep in Record
for succeeding Generations, in which they do advertise us of those sins,
for which the fierce wrath of the Holy One of Israel is poured out upon
New England ; first by Blastings of the Fruits of the Earth, but in this
year by cutting off the Lives of many by the Sword, and laying wast
some Plantations, and threatening mine to the whole.

Although to wonderment we have been hitherto preserved in the midst
of the Heathen, yea, somewhat by means of some Heathen; but we
feeling in this day of the Lords searching our Jerusalem as with a
Candle, we cannot clear ourselves (though through Glrace) both we and
ours have been preserved from those many gross acts of Profaneness,
and Drunkenness, Uncleanness, and such like Scandals specified in that
Writing, and do desire humbly to be thankful for some progi-ess of Con-
vertino; Work in some of the rising Generation among us : But while we
do behold many unconverted Souls in this destroying year, and the same
sins working in us the causes of them, as in others; and a great degi-ee
of dangerous neglects of that which ought to be for the prevention of
Apostacie, and that the departings of the Glory of God from a People are
by little and little, and not total at once : We do see cause to judge and
cast down ourselves at the Footstool of the Lord, being covered with
shame. And seeing true repentance doth not end only in confession,
but is restless for Reformation, and solemn Covenanting with our God is
a means (through his Grace) in order to Reformation, as we find in the
10th of Ezra, and other Holy Scriptures and pious Examples : We do
therefore this Day Solemny Covenant to Endeavor uprightly by depend-
ance upon the Grace of God in Christ Jesus our only Saviour.

First, That our Children shall be brought up in the Admonition of

the Lord, as in our Families, so in publick ; that all the Males who are
eight or nine years of age, shall be presented before the Lord in his
Congregation every Lords Day to be Catechised, until they be about
thirteen years in age.

Secondly, Tliat those who are about thirteen years in age, both Males
and Females, shall frequent the meeting appointed in private for their
instruction, and to accustome them timely to the exercise of Church Dis-
cipline, and these to continue belonging to this meeting, so long as they
abide under Family Government of parents or others, or until they are
come to the enjoyment of full communion with the Church.

Thirdly, That those who are grown up, so as that they are in that
respect, left to be at their own dispose, shall be required to take hold of
the Covenant of then- Fathers holding forth qualifications suitable for
that solemn duty, or at least that they hold forth a conscientious endeavor
in the use of means to prepare for the same ; and if they be negligent
they shall be admonished of their sin ; and if obstinate they shall be cut
off from the Congregation of the Lord by that Dreadful Ordinance of
Excommunication.

Fourthly, Whereas the indulgence of Parents in bearing with the evil
Behaviours of their children, their disobedience, unmannerly gestures,
prodigality, and vain and unseemly Fashions, or other thmgs not becom-
ing those who are given to the Lord, is too manifest, and we are prone
through fear or favour, or not observance to neglect admonishing such,
the Church doth appoint some Brethren to take notice of such children,
and timely, meekly, wisely, and faithfully to admonish them, and their
Parents, as the matter shall require, and if private means doth not
prevail, then to manage the complaint orderly in other steps.

Fifthly, Whereas the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, the Seal of
Communion, ought often to be celebrated ; for the prevention of neglect
we do determine (God granting opportunity) that we will be in the use
of that ordinance once in eveiy six weeks.

Sixthly, Whereas it is too often seen, that many, thi'ough fear, or
favour, or sense of inability, do behave themselves to their Brethren, as
if they were not concerned in that great Duty of Admonishing their
Brother for offensive behaviours, unless it be in cases wherein tliey
themselves suffer wrong, and hence love decayeth, and offences abound,
and Christ's Government, in works denied : We do solemny promise,
that we will in any way wise rebuke, and not suffer sin to rest upon our
Brother, but deal faithfully according to Christs Order.

And seeing we feel by woeful Experience how prone we are soon to
forget the works of the Lord, and our own Vows ; we do agree and
determine, that this Writing or Contents of it, shall be once in every
Year read in a Day of Fastmg and Prayer before the Lord, and his
Congregation ; and shall leave it with our Children, that they do the
same in their solemn dayes of mourning before the Lord, that they may
never forget how their Fathers ready to perish in a strange Land, and
with sore grief and trembling of heart, and yet hope in the tender mercy,
and good will of him, who dwelt in the burning Bush, did thus solemnly
renew their Covenant with God : And that our Children after us, may
not provoke the Lord and be cast off as a degenerate Offspring, but may
tremble at the Commandment of God, and learn to place their hope in
him, who although he hath given us a Cup of Astonishment to drink,
yet will display his Banner over them, who fear him.

NOTE I.

EEV. JOHN WOODWARD (the second Pastor in Norwich).

Rev. John Woodward, a native of Dedham, Mass., was graduated at
Harvard CoUege in 1693 ; was ordained at Norwich, Dec. 6, 1699 ; was
married in 1703 to Mrs. Sarah Rowell, on which occasion " houseing and
lands" were liberally provided for him by the town; was dismissed in
consequence of a controversy in his church respecting the Saybrook Plat-
form, Sept. 13, 1716, after which he ceased to jjreach, and retired to a
farm which he owned in East Haven, where he spent the rest of his life,
and died in 1746. (Sprague's Annals, vol. 1.)

KEY. BENJAMIN LORD, D.D., (the third Pastor in Norwich).

Rev. Benjamin Lord, eldest child of Benjamin and EHzabeth Lord,
was born at Saybrook in the year 1693. He graduated at Yale College
in 1714, and was two years, from 1815 to 1817, a tutor in the same in-
stitution, during which time he studied theology. In the early part of
1716 he was preaching as a candidate in Norwich, and was ordained over
the church in that place, Nov. 20, 1717. He was an early friend of re-
vivals of religion, of which one occurred as early as 1721. He was
chosen a member of the corporation of Yale College in 1740, and held
the place till 1772. In 1774, his alma mater conferred on him the de-
gree of Doctor of Divinity. In 1767 he preached his half century ser-

mon, then 74 years of age. In 1781 he preached his 64th anniversary
semion. In his 87th year he lost his eye-sight, hut continued to preach
till within six weeks of his death, which occurred March 31, 1784, at
the age of 90. (Sprague's Annals, vol. i.)

NOTE K .

THE SEPARATES

Those who are interested in the Separate movement of eastern Con-
necticut, are referred to an admiraljle article in regard to it, by Rev. R.
C. Learned, of Berlin, in the New Englander, vol. xi., p. 195, 1853, —
and to Rev. F. Denison's Notes on the Baptists in Norwich, Conn., Dr.
Trumbull's Hist. (vol. ii., p. 168 et seq.,) Bacon's Hist. Discourses at
New Haven, Hovey's Life of Isaac Backus, and Tracy's Great Awaken-

ing.

NOTE L.

THIRTY YEARS BEFORE THE REVOLUTION.

I am unable to expand, as I hoped to do, the allusion to events which
preceded the American Revolution. Many of them are spoken of in
Miss Caulkins's History, to which the reader is especially referred for an
entertaining account of the meeting at Peck's Tavern. In the recent
and interesting Memoir of Governor Trumbull, by Hon. I. W. Stuart,
of Hartford, will be found an account of the memorable Mohegan Con-
troversy which so long engrossed the attention of the Colony. The life
of Samson Occum, the Mohegan preacher, will l)e found in Dr. Sprague's
Annals, and also an account of the Indian Charity School which was
estal)lished by Dr. Wheelock. Upon several other points I have col-
lected original documents which may hereafter be published.

NOTE M.

A sketch of Mr. N. Niles will l)e found in Dr. Sprague's Annals,
vol. i., ]). 716, and another, less extended, in Duyckinck's Cyclopedia of
American Literature, vol. i., p. 440.

The words of liis famous ode are as follows :

Why should vain mortals tremble at the sight
Of death and destruction in the field of battre,
Where blood and carnage clothe the ground in crimson,
Sounding with death groans ?

Death will invade us bj- the means appointed,
And we must all bow to the king of terrors;
Nor am I anxious, if I am prejiared,

What shape he comes in.

Infinite Goodness teaches us submission,
Bids us be quiet under all his dealings;
Never repining, but for ever praising
God our Creator.

Well may we praise Him; all His ways are perfect;
Though a resplendence infinitely glowing,
Dazzles in glory on the sight of mortals.

Struck blind by luster !

Good is Jehovah in bestowing sunshine;
Nor less his goodness in the storm and thunder:
Mercies and judgments both proceed from kindness —
Infinite kindness !

Oh, then exult, that God forever reigneth !
Clouds which around Him hinder our perception,
Bind us the stronger to exalt his name, and
Shout louder praises !

Then to the wisdom of my Lord and Master,
I will commit all that I have or wish for:
Sweetly as babes sleep will I give up my life up
When call'd to yield it.

Now Mars, I dare thee, clad in smoky pillars,
Bursting from bomb-shells, roaring from the cannon,
Eattling in grape shot, like a storm of hail stones.
Torturing jEther!

Up the bleak Heavens let the spreading flames rise,
Breaking like JEina through the smoking columns,
Low'ring like Egypt o'er the falling city.
Wantonly burnt down.

While all their hearts quick palpitate for havoc,
Let slip your blood-hounds, nam'd the British lions:
Dauntless as death-stares, nimble as the whirlwind.
Dreadful as demons !

Let oceans waft on all your floating castles,
Fraught with destruction hon-ible to nature;
Then, with your sails fill'd by a storm of vengeance
Bear down to battle !

From the dire caverns made by ghostly miners.
Let the explosion, dreadful as volcanoes,
Heave the broad town, with all its wealth and people,
Quick to destruction !

Still shall the banner of the King of Heaven
Never advance where I'm afraid to follow:
While that precedes me, with an open bosom,
Wa?; I defy thee !

Fame and dear freedom lure me on to battle,
While a fell despot, grimmer than a death's head.
Stings me with serpents, fiercer than Medusa's,
To the encounter.

Life for my country and the cause of freedom.
Is but a trifle for a worm to part with :
And if preserved in so great a contest.
Life is redoubled.

NOTE N.

CAPTAIN ROBERT NILES.

In 1856, through the instrumentality of Hon. L. F. S. Foster, U. S.
Senator, a recognition of the services of Captain Robert Nilcs was made
by Congress, in a liberal appropriation to his surviving daughter. The
petition on which this appropriation was made, and the remarks of Mr.
Foster in advocating the claim, (Dec. 24, 1855, April 25, 1850,) will
be found in the Congressional Globe, first session 34th Congress. The
first speech of Mr. Foster presents so complete a survey of the patriotic
services of Captain Niles, that I re-print it entire.

Remarks of Mr. Foster, of Connecticut, in the Senate, Dec. 24, 1855,
on the Revolutionary Services of Capt. Niles.

" I ask leave to present the petition of Hannah F. Niles of Norwich,
in the State of Connecticut. The petition sets forth substantially that
the petitioner is the sole surviving daughter and child of the late Cap-
tain Robert Niles, of Norwich, in Connecticut, now deceased, and his

100

sole heir at law ; that prior to the war of the Revolution the father of
the petitioner, Captain Niles, was engaged in the merchant service as
a shipmaster, and had acquired so high a reputation in his profession,
that immediately after the breaking out of the war in the spring of 1775,
Colonel Mott, the chief officer of engineers at Fort George, Ticonderoga,
made a request to Grovernor Trumbull, then Governor of the colony of
Connecticut, that Captain Niles might be ordered to that post with a
view of his taking command of one of the armed vessels on the lake — a
very important service connected with the defense and protection of that
post ; that subsequently, in the same year, in the fall of 1775, Captain
Niles was commissioned in the service of the Colonies, and ordered to
the command of the schooner Spy, an armed vessel belonging to the
colony of Connecticut, and ordered to cruise on the coast of the colony
for its protection, under a commission signed by Jonathan Ti-umbuU,
then Governor of the colony — a name closely associated with the name
of George Washington, and with the history of our Revolution. The
commission thus signed by him, and dated August 7th, 1775, is ap-
pended to the petition.

"The petitioner further represents that in April, 1776, Captain Niles
was ordered with his vessel to join the fleet of Admhal Hopkins, cruis-
ing in the service and under the authority of the Government of the
United States; that during the years 1776 and 1777 Captain Niles con-
tinued in the command of the Spy and of another vessel called the Dol-
phin, and while in the command of these vessels performed very impor-
tant services by capturing various prizes on the coast, which he Ijrought
into port, and which were applied for the service of the country and the
army, then destitute and in great want: that he was also eno-aced in
the transportation of provisions and stores for the army at different
points along the coast between New England and Virginia ; that in the
month of June, 1778, Captain Niles was employed by the Government
of the United States to carry out an official copy of the' ratification of
the treaty then recently made between the United States and France ;
that he successfully performed this service, and carried the treaty from
the United States to France, and delivered it to Dr Franklin, then our
resident Minister at Paris ; and he returned home to his country and
made report of his voyage and services to the proper authorities. This
is a brief statement of the services set forth in the petition by Miss
Niles. They are set forth, Mr. President, without any ostentation or
display. She asks at the hands of the Senate that some compensation

101

may be made to her for these services of her father. I may say a word
in addition to the facts thus detailed in the petition. Captain Niles died
in the year 1818, and died in extreme jDoverty. He never received any-
thing from the Grovernment except the depreciated pay with which the
Government then attempted to dischax-ge its debts, unless the single sum
of fifty dollars, which was paid a short time previous to his death, under
one of the acts of Congi-ess which had then recently been passed. He
died befoi-e any other payment under the law became due. The services
which he rendered, and which are thus imperfectly and briefly detailed
in the petition, were of a most important character, not as brilliant, it is
true, as some that were rendered ; but the carrying out and delivery
of the treaty between our Government and France must certainly be
reckoned as among the most important services which could then be ren-
dered. Our Government at that time considered it a matter of so much
importance, that there were three several copies of the treaty dispatched
by three different vessels. Captain Niles was the only man of the three
who succeeded in crossing the ocean and in delivering the treaty; both
the other vessels were captured by the enemy. Captain Niles succeeded
in landing at Brest, in twenty-seven days after he sailed from the harbor
of Stoningtfin, in Connecticut, running the gauntlet through the Eng-
lish fleet off Brest, where he was chased for a long time 1)y two English
frigates ; but he landed in safety. He found the French fleet waiting for
the copy of the ratification of the treaty, in order to sail for this coun-
try, and innncdiately after he landed that fleet sailed, and succor came
to our shores."

Mr. Foster closed his remarks with a reference to the character of the
petitioner. At a later day the prayer of the petition was granted.

NOTE 0.

THE OPENING OF THE REVOLUTION IN NORWICH.

The following documents are sufficiently explained in the text. They
form, connectedly, a good illustration of the state of feeling which
was prevalent in Eastern Connecticut at the opening of the war of
Independence.

CALL FOR A TOWN MEETING.
(The original is in the possession of Mr. Wm. C. Oilman, New York.)
The Inhabitants of the Town of Norwich by Law (Qualified to Vote in
Town Meeting are hereby Warned to Meet at the Town house in Said

102

Norwich on tlie first Monday of June Next at two of the Clock in the
Afternoon to take into Consideration the Melancholly Situation of our Civil
Constitutional Liberties Rights and Privileges which are Threatened with
Destruction by the Enemies of his Majesty's Happy Reign & Government
over the American Colonies and to Do Whatsoever Shall be thought
Expedient to Manifest our Loyalty to the King and faithful Endeavours to
Promote the Hearty Affection which Every Good Subject hath for the
General Good of the British Empire which is in the Most Happy Condition
when Every Individual is Secure in the possession of his Person, Family,
Property & Privileges under the Paternal Protection of a Most Gracious &
Pious Prince, as also to take into Consideration some Memorials for High-
way, Praid for in Said Town and also to Act any Thing Else that may be
fairly offered.

Samuel Tracy,

Benj. Huntington, I Select

Barnabas Huntington, i Men.

Elijah Brewster, J

Norwich, May 30">, 1774.

RECORD OF THE TOWN MEETING, JUNE 6, 1774.
(From the Town Records.)

At a very full meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Norwich, legally
warned and convened in the Town house, in said Norwich, on the 6* day
of June, A. D. 1774, the Honorable Jabez Huntington, Esqr., Moderator,

Voted, That this meeting be adjourned to the meeting house, and there
immediately opened, that more convenient room may be had for the num-
ber of the people now assembled. The meeting was opened at the meeting
house accordingly, where the following resolves were passed almost unani-
mously :

Voted, That Samuel Huntington, Esq., Mr. Isaac Tracy, Capt. Jedediah
Huntington, Christopher Leffingwell, Esq., Elisha Fitch, Esq., Simon
Tracy, Jun., Esq., Capt. Joseph Trumbull, Benj. Huntington, Esq., and
Capt. Zabdiel Rogers, be a committee to draw up some sentiments proper
to be adopted and resolutions to be come into in this alarming crisis of
affairs, Relative to the Natural Rights & Privileges of the People, and to
lay the same before this meeting.

On the same day, on receiving the report of the Committee —

Voted, That we will, to the utmost of our abilities, assert & defend the
Liberties and immunities of British America ; and that we will Co-operate
with our Brethren in this and the other Colonies in such reasonable meas-
ures as shall in General Congress, or otherwise, be judged most proper to
Relieve us from Burthens we now feel, and secure us from greater evils we
fear will follow from the Principles adopted by the British Parliament,
Respecting the town of Boston.

103

Voted, That Capt. Jedediah Huntington, Christopher Leffingwell, Esq.,
Doct. Theophihis Rogers, Capt. "William Hubbard, and Capt. Joseph Trum-
bull, be a standing Committee for keeping up a Correspondence Avilh the
Towns in this and the neighboring Colonies, and that they transmit a Copy
of these Votes to the Committee of Correspondence for the Town of Boston.

LETTER FROM THE NORWICH COMMITTEE OF CORRESPONDENCE TO

THE BOSTON COMMITTEE,

(The autograph is in Mrs. A. R. Street's possession.)

Norwich, 6^^ June, 1774.
Gent' : Your Letter of the IS'i^ ult. addressed to Chris"- LefRnfrwell
Esq"- has been this day communicated to this Town, in a very full meetino-
& the Contents of it seriously attended to and canvassed ; whereupon they
came to the Votes, — an authentick Copy of which, we here Inclose you
according to order.

We most Sensibly feel for the Sufferings of the Town of Boston, & con-
sider ourselves as deeply Interested therein, as we doubt not the Idea of
Administration is, to adopt the old Latin Maxim dwide et impera. You are
the first to be Sacrificed, we must follow in our turn. You are called
by Providence to stand foremost, in the Contests for those Liberties where-
with God and Nature have made us free. Stand firm therefore in your
Lots, and from the Apparent Temper of our People, we may assure you
of every Support in the Power of this Town to afford vou in the glorious
Struggle. The firmness of the Town of Boston heretofore Exerted, leaves
us no room to doubt it, at this alarming Crisis. Surely it never was more
needed, than on the present trying Occasion.

We are with great Truth and Regard, Gentlemen, your Sympathizing
Friends & Countrymen. Signed by order and on behalf of the
Committee of Correspondence for the Town of Norwich.

Jos. Tkumbull.

FR03I SAMUEL ADAMS, OF BOSTON, TO THE NORWICH COMMITTEE OF

CORRESPONDENCE.
(From the original in possession of Mrs. A. R. Street.)

Boston, July 11, 17 74.
Gentlemen : Your obliging Letter directed to the Committee of Cor-
respondence for the Town of Boston, came just now to my hand ; and as
the Gentleman who brought it is in haste to return, I take the liberty
to writing you my own Sentiments in Answer, not doubting but they are
concurrent with those of my Brethren. I can venture to assure you
that the valuable Donation of the worthy Town of Norwich will be
received by this Community with the Warmest Gratitude & dispos'd of
according to the true Intent of the Generous Donors. The Liberality of
the Sister Colonies will I trust support and Comfort the Inhabitants

104

under the Pressure of enormous Power, and enable them to endure
Affliction with that Dignity, Avhich becomes those who are called to suffer
in the Cause of Liberty and Truth. The Manner of transmitting the
Donation will be left to your Discretion ; and that it may be conducted
according to the Inclination of the Town, I beg leave to propose, that it
be directed to some one Gentleman [say William Phillips Esq' ] to be
dispos'd of " /or the Employment or Relief of such Inhabitants of the Town
of Boston as may become Sufferers by means of an act of the British Par-
liament called the Boston Port bill, at the Discretion of the Overseers of
the Poor of said Town joyn'd with a Committee appointed to consider of
Ways and Means for the Employment of such Poor." The Part which
the Town of Norwich takes in this Struggle for American Liberty is
truly noble ; and this Town rejoyces with you in the Harmony Modera-
tion & Vigor which prevails throughout the United Colonies.

You may rely upon it that there is no Foundation for the Report
that " the Opposition gains ground upon us." The Emissaries of a
Party, which is now reduced to a very small number of men, a Great
Part of whom are in Reality Expectants from & in Connection with the
Revenue, are daily going out with such idle Stories ; but whoever reads
the Accounts of the Proceedings of the Town Meetings, which I can
assure you have been truly stated in the News Papers under the hand
of the Town Clerk, will see that no Credit is due to such Reports.

I shall lay your Letter before the Committee of Correspondence who
will write to you pr. first opportunity. In the mean time I am in Sincerity,
Your obliged Friend & Fellow Countiyman,

Sam'- Adams.

Jed" Huntington,

sq"-

dED" HUNTINGTON, \

Chris" Leffingwell, > Est
Theoph. Rogers, '

REPLY OF C. LEFFINGWELL, ESQ., TO THE FOREGOING LETTER OF

SAMUEL ADAMS.

(From the Mass. Hist. Soc. Coll. Fourth Series. Vol. IV., page 45.)

Norwich, August, 1774.
Gentlemen: We received your kind favor of 11th ult., subscribed by
S. Adams, in your behalf, in answer to ours, respecting the small dona-
tion proposed by the inhabitants of this Town, for the employment or
relief of such inhabitants of the Town of Boston as may become sufferers
by means of the Boston Port Bill, part of which we now forward you
per Messrs. Bishop, Call, Leffingwell and Bishop, being two hundred and
ninety-one sheep, which [we] wish safe to hand. What other collections
may be made, shall forward hereafter. We should be glad to know, as
nearly as may be, the true state of affairs with you, (especially) if any
thing materially different from what we see published in the weekly papers ;

105

and that you would write us per return of the gentlemen who drive the
sheep. ~^" ^-

We are, with much esteem, Gentlemen, your assured friends and fellow-
counti-ymen, in behalf of the Committee,

Christo. Leffingwell.

To Wm. Phillips, Esq., merchant, Boston.

LETTER FROM JOSEPH WARREN, OF BOSTON,

ACKKOWLEDGIJfO THE RECEPTION OF 291 SHEEP, SENT EV NORWICH TO THE RELIEF OF BOSTON.

(The original is in the possession of Mrs. A. R. Street.)

, Boston, August 27th, 1774.
Gentlemen : Your letter, with the two hundred and ninety-one sheep,
were received safely, and met with a very hearty welcome. We have good
reason to think that our oppressors begin to see their mistake, and that they
will ere long find that Americans are not to be fritted or wheedled out of
their rights. The arm of a tyrant is never supported by justice, and there-
fore must fall. Mr. Gage is executing the late Acts of Parliament, in their
several branches, to the best of his ability. lie is furnished with a council,
who will be careful (as their existence depends on the will of his master) to
study his inclination, and to act every thing in conformity to his pleasure.
We do n't expect justice from them, and have no hopes that they will be
guided by the laws of equity, or the dictates of conscience. Certainly men
who will sei've such an administration as the present, and suffer themselves
to be promoted at the expense of the charter of their country, must be
destitute of every idea of right, and ready instruments to introduce abject
slavery. Mr. Gage may issue his precepts, and his council may sanctify
them, his juries may give verdicts, and an unconstitutional and venal bench
may pass judgments, but what will this avail, unless the people will acquiesce
in them? If the people think them unconstitutional, of what importance
are their determinations ? Solus populi suprema lex esto, is a precious old
maxim. The ministry have forgot it, but the people are determined to
remember it.

We consider a suspension of trade through the continent with Great
Britain, Ireland and the West Indies, as the grand machine that will
deliver us. If this should fail, we must then have recourse to the last resort.
As yet, we have been preserved from action with the soldiery, and we shall
endeavor to avoid it, until we see that it is necessary, and a settled plan is
fixed on for that purpose. The late Acts of Parliament are such gross
infringements on us, that our consciences forbid us to submit to them. We
think it is better to put up with some inconvenience, and pursue with
patience the plan of commercial opposition, as it will be more for the honor
and Interest of the continent, as well as more consistent with the principle
of humanity and religion.

IOC)

Mr. Gage finds himself very unequal to the task that is set him, and is at
a loss for measures. He sees and is astonished at the spirit of the people.
He forbids their town meetings, and they meet in counties. If he prevents
county meetings, Ave must call provincial meetings, and, if he forbids these,
we trust that our worthy brethren on the continent, and especially of the
Town of Norwich, in Connecticut, will lend us their helping arms in time of
danger, and will be no less conspicuous for their fortitude than they now
are for their generosity.

We have nothing important to inform you of besides what you see in the
public pajiers. Should any thing worthy your notice take place, we shall
gladly communicate it to you.
We are, Gentlemen,

Your gi-ateful friends and humble servants.

Per order the Committee

Joseph Warren, y /. x^ •

) of Donations.

To the Gentlemen, the Committee of the
Town of Norwich.

CIRCULAR TO THE CITIZENS OF NORWICH.
(From the original autograph in Mrs. Street's collection.)
The Committee of Correspondence for the Town of Norwich In Compli-
ance with the Recommendation of the House of Representatives, of this
Colony convened at New Haven in March inst. ; — & taking into our Serious
consideration, the Distressed Condition of the Industrious Poor of the
Suffering Town of Boston of the Continued operation of the Cruel Act of
Parliament, blocking up their Port ; — also being Informed of the great
probability of the Spread of the Small Pox in s'^ Town, in addition to their
other distresses — Do most earnestly recomend It to and desire the Gentle-
men whose Names are underwritten, to Sollicit, the further Charitable
Contributions of the Humane, & Sympathizing Inhabitants of the Town, for
Relieving & Alleviating the Distresses of the Poor of that Devoted Town; —
& make return of their doings & collectings, at a meeting of the s^ Gentle-
men & others to be holden at the Court House In this Town on the third
Tuesday of April next — when a Plan will be settled for receiving &
transmitting such Collections to Boston. Norwich, March 30"^, 1775.

We are. Gentlemen,

Your & the Public's Hum^i« Serv*' .

Jed. Huntington,
Christ'' Leffingavell,
Theoph. Rogers, )-

Jos. Trumbull,
W™ Hubbard,

Committee of
Correspondence.

[The aljove is addressed to about fifty Norwich citizens.]

107

ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON.

(From a manuscript in Mrs. Street's collection, addressed to Christopher Lcffingwell,
and endorsed " First Alarm, April, 1775.")

AVatertown, Wednesday Morning, near 10 o'Cloek.

To all the Friends of American Liberty. Be it known that this ISIorning
before breake of Day a Brigade consisting of about 1000 or 1200 Men
landed at Phip's Farm at Cambridge and marched to Lexington where they
found a Company of our Colony i\Iilitia in Arms, upon whom they fired
without any Provocation and killed 6 Men and wounded 4 others. By an
Express from Boston this Moment, we find another Brigade are now upon
their ]\Lirch from Boston suposed to be about 1000. The bearer Mr. Israel
Bissell is charged to alarm the County quite to Connecticut and all Persons
are desired to furnish him with Fresh Horses as they may be needed. I
have spoken with several Persons who have seen the Dead and Wounded.
Pray let the Delegates from this Colony to Connecticut see this they know

J. Palmer, one of the Committee of S y.

Col. Foster of Brookfield, one of the Delegates. A True Coppy taken
from the original, p"" Order of Conunittee of Correspondence for Worcester.
Attest. Nathan Balding T. Clerk.

Worcester, April y« 19*, 1775.

Brooklyne, Thursday, 11 o'Cloek. the above is a true Coppy as rec*^
Here p'' Express forwarded from Worcester.

Test. (Signed) Daniel Tyler, Jr.

(Ke-print of the " Norwich racket" Extra.)
INTERESTING INTELLIGENCE.

Norwich, April 22, 1775, 10 o'Clock, P. M.

Potior visa est Periculosa Libertas quieto servitio. — Sallust.

Yesterday Morning, the following was brought by an Express, to Col.
Jedediah Huntington, of this Town, Dated at Pomfret on [Thursday] the
20th Inst., 3 o'clock, P. M.

Sir : I am this Moment informed, by an Express from Woodstock, taken
from the Mouth of the Express that arrived there, 2 o'Clock this Afternoon,
that the Contest between the first Brigade that marched to Concord, was
still continuing this Morning, at the Town of Lexington, to which said
Briirade had retreated. That another Brigade, said to be the second,
mentioned in the Letter of this morning, had landed with a Quantity of
Artillery, at the Place where the first Troops did ; the Provincials were
determined to prevent the two Brigades from joining their Strength, if
possible, and remain still in the greatest need of Succours.

N. B. The Regulars, when at Concord, burnt the Court-IIouse, took two
Pieces of Cannon, wliicli they rendered Useless, and begun to take up

108

Concord Bridge, on wbicli Capt. , who with many, on both Sides, were

killed, then made an Attack upon the Iving's Troops, on which they

retreated to Lexington.

In haste, I am. Sir,

Your humble Servant,

Ebenezer Williams.

To Col. Obadiah Johnson, Canterbury.

P. S. Mr. Mc. Farling, of Plainfield, merchant, has just now returned
from Boston, by Way of Providence, who conversed with an Express from
Lexington, who farther informs, that about 4000 of our People had sur-
rounded the first Brigade above-mentioned, who were on a hill in Lexing-
ton ; that the Action Continued, and that there were about 50 of our People
killed and 150 of the Regulars, as near as they could determine, when the
Express came away.

Norwich, April 22.

This evening, a little after 7 o'Cloek, Mr. David Nevins, who Yesterday
Eorenoon, went Express, from this Town, to obtain Intelligence, returned
from Providence, with the following important Advices.

On Wednesday Evening last, Advice was received here from Boston —
that a Detachment of the King's Troops had fired upon and killed a Num-
ber of the Inhabitants of Lexington, about Twelve Miles from Boston ; in
Consequence of which an Engagement had happened.

Upon receiving this alarming Intelligence, the Inhabitants of Providence
immediately assembled the Officers of the Independent Companies and
Militia, with a Number of Gentlemen of the Town, had a meeting, and two
Expresses were dispatched for Lexington to obtain authentic Accounts
while others were sent to different parts of this Colony and Connecticut.

The Expresses that went to Lexington returned Yesterday Morning, and
relate in Substance the following.

[Here follows a more extended account.]

NOTE P

The work of Rev. Dr. Sprague of Albany, "The Annals of the
American Pulpit," six volumes of which have already been" printed,
contains biographical sketches of several distinguished clergymen who
were born in Norwich, as well as of those who were settled at different
times over the several churches of this place. To that great thesaurus,
which will ever remain a monument to the industry, thoroughness, and
discrimination of the author, the reader is refeiTed for more particulars
than can possibly l»e given in this place. The foUowing sketches are

109

condensed from that work, except that of Rev. Mr. Tyler, whicli is
re-printed entire : —

REV. JOSErH STRONG, D. D.

Rev. Joseph Strong, a younger brother of Nathan Strong, D. D., of
Hartford, was son of Rev. Nathan Strong of Coventry. He was gradu-
ated at Yale College in 1772 ; and was settled as colleague of Rev. Dr.
Lord, March 18, 1778. His wife was Mary, daughter of Hon. Jabez
Huntington. He died Dec. 18, 1834, aged 81, in the 57th year of his
ministry. He received the degree of D. D. from the College of New
Jersey in 1807 ; and was a member of the corporation of Yale College
from 1808 till 1826. (Sprague's Annals, vol. 1.)

REV. WALTER KING.

Rev. Walter King, a native of Wilbraham, Mass., graduated at Yale
College in 1782, and was ordained pastor of the church in Chelsea,
May 24, 1787, and was dismissed in August, 1811. He was afterward
settled in Williamstown, Mass., where he died of apoplexy, Dec. 4,
1815, aged 57. (Sprague's Annals, vol. 1.)

REV. ALFRED MITCHELL.

Rev. Alfred Mitchell, youngest son of Hon. Stephen M. Mitchell, chief
justice of Connecticut, was born in Wethersfield, May 22, 1790. His
mother was Hannah, daughter of Donald Grant, from whom his son,
Donald G. Mitchell, the distinguished author, derived his name. He
was gi-aduated at Yale College in 1809. He commenced the study of
theology with Rev. Dr. Ebenezer Porter ; and on his appointment as
professor at Andover Theological Institution, went with him to that insti-
tution. He preached for a short time in Bridgewater, Mass. ; and after
supplying the pulpit in Norwich for six months, received a unanimous
invitation to become the pastor, and was ordained in October, 1814.
After a successful ministry of 17 years, he died Dec. 19, 1831, in his
42d year. He married, in 1814, Lucretia, daughter of Nathaniel S.
Woodbridge of Salem, Ct. (Sprague's Annals, vol. 1.)

REV. JOHN TYLER.

Rev. John Tyler was a native of Wallingford, Conn., and was graduated
at Yale College in 1765. He was educated a Congregationalist, but having
embraced the doctrines of the (Jhurch of England, prepared for Holy

110

Orders, under the care of Dr. Johnson, at Stratford. In 1768 he went
to England to receive ordmation, with a view to becomino; Rector of Christ
Church, Chelsea, Norwich, Conn. ; and having accomplished this object,
he returned the next year, and entered on the duties of his office. For
three years, during the Revolution, — owing to the popular excitement
which prevailed against Episcopacy in New England, it being regarded as
almost synonymous with Toryism, — Mr. Tyler's church was closed, and,
from April, 1776, to April, 1770, not an entry was made on its Records.
He, however, during this time, held divine service in his own house, and
was never molested in the performance of it. At one time, he was afraid
to drink the water of his own well. And yet he was regarded as a man
of great benevolence and liberality. As an evidence of the kindly feel-
ing which both he and his church maintained towards their Congi-ega-
tional neighbors, it may be mentioned that when the Congregationalists,
in 1794, lost their place of worship by fire, the Episcopalians at once
proffered them the use of theirs, on the foUowmg condition : — " The
Rev. John Tyler, our present pastor, to perform divine service one half
the day on each Sabbath, and the Rev. Walter King, pastor of said
Presbyterian congregation, to perform divine service on the other half of
said Sabbath, alternately performing on the first part of the day." The
offer was gratefully accepted, and this amicable arrangement continued
for three months. Mr. Tyler died January 20, 1823, in the eighty-first
year of his age. He published a sermon at the opening of Trinity
Church, in Pomfret, 1771, and a sermon preached at Norwich, on the
Continental Thanksgiving, 1795.

Mrs. Sigourney writes thus concerning him : — " He was an interesting
preacher ; his voice sweet and solemn, and his eloquence persuasive.
The benevolence of his heart was manifested in daily acts of courtesy
and charity to those around him. He studied medicine in order to benefit
the poor, and to find out remedies for some of those peculiar diseases to

which no common specifics seemed to apply During the

latter years of his life, he was so infirm as to need assistance in the per-
formance of his functions." (Sprague's Annals, vol. 5.)

Want of space alone prevents us from making in this connection,
several other biographical notices of the ministers of Norwich.

Ill

NOTE Q.

LIST OF COLLEGE GRADUATES.

The following list is intended to include the names of those oraduates
in the various colleges of the country whose birthplace or whose home at
the time of their college course, was within the liounds of old Norwich.

Special acknowledgment is due to Chancellor AValworth, Dr. A. Wood-
ward, Rev. E. B. Huntington and C, J. Hoadly, Esq., for aid in pre-
paring the list,

HARVARD.

Tear of erad. Tear of death.

1694 Rev. Jabez Fitch, Tutor and Fellow of Harvard College. . . 1746
1763 Hon. Jedediah Huntington, Brigadier General in the army of

the Revolution 1818

1827 Right Rev. Alfred Lee, D. D., Bishop of Delaware

1843 Elisha Winslow Tracy

Rev. Eliphalet Birchard 1854

1850 (LL.B.) William Bond

Total — 6.

YALE.

1718 Joseph Backus

1721 WiUiam Hyde 1738

Rev. William Gager 1739

1724 Rev. Simon Backus 1746

1725 James Calking 1756

1727 Dr. Joseph Perkins 1794

1733 Dr. Daniel Lathrop 1782

Daniel Huntington 1753

1735 Benajah Bushnell

1738 Dr. Elisha Tracy 1783

1741 Hon. Jabez Huntington, Major (leneral in the army of the

Revolution 1786

Simon Huntington 1801

1743 Dr. Joshua Lathrop 1807

1744 Hezekiah Huntington 1747

Samuel Tracy 1802

1749 Rev. Elijah Lathrop 1797

1753 Joseph Lord 1762

1754 Rev. Joseph Lathrop, D. D., elected Professor of Divinity

in Yale College 1 820

112

YearofgrftJ. Year of death.

1757 Crurdon Huntington 1767

1759 Rev. Simon Backus 1823

1760 Elijah Abel 1809

1761 Hon. Benjamin Huntington, LL.D., Mayor of Norwich,

M. C, Judge of Superior Court of Connecticut, Fellow

of Yale College 1800

1763 Rev. Elienezer Baldwin, Tutor in Yale College 1776

Sanford Kingsbury 1833

1765 Rev. Aaron Kmne 1824

1767 Jonathan Kingsbury 1833

1768 Hon. John M'Clarren Breed, Mayor of Norwich 1798

Dr. Thomas Huntington 1835

1769 Rev. Charles Backus, D.D., elected Professor of Divinity

in Yale College 1803

1771 Abiel Cheny 1771

•? John Hart 1828

1771 Peabody Clement 1820

1775 Hon. Ebenezer Huntington, M. C, Colonel in the army of

the Revolution, afterward Brigadier Greneral 1834

1776 Dr. Eliphaz Perkins 1828

Rev. Simeon Hyde 1783

1777 Elijah Backus 1811

John Barker, M. D 1813

Rev. Ebenezer Fitch, D. D., Tutor in Yale College, first

President of Williams College 1833

Daniel Tracy 1782

1778 Shubael Breed 1840

Hon. Uriah Tracy, M. C, United States Senator 1807

1781 Simeon Breed 1822

Hon. Simeon Baldwin, Tutor in Yale College, M. C, Judge

of Superior Court of Connecticut 1851

1782 Hon. John Lovett, M. C 1818

1784 Jabez Huntington 1848

1785 William Hubbard 1789

Hon. Samuel Huntington, Chief Justice and Governor of

Ohio 1817

Benjamin Perkins 1841

1786 Rev. Jonathan Ellis

113

Yearofgrad. Year of ileiith,

Hon. John Kingsbury, Judge of the County Court, Con-
necticut 1844

William Leffingwell 1834

Hon. Elias Perkins, M. C, Fellow Yale College 1845

1787 Rev. Azel Backus, D.D., first President of Hamilton College. 1816

Matthew Backus 1807

Gurdon Lathrop 1828

Daniel Lathrop 1825

Elijah Perkins, M. D 1806

1788 Hon. James Lanman, Mayor of Norwich, United States

Senator, Judge of Superior Court, Connecticut . 1841

Charles Lathrop 1831

Rev. Lynde Huntington 1804

1789 Hon. Uri Tracy, M. C 1838

1790 Hon. Joseph Kirkland, M. C 1844

1791 Erastus Huntington 1846

Rev. Elijah Waterman 1825

1794 Benjamin D. Perkins 1810

1795 Rev. David Smith, D. D., Fellow of Yale College

Thomas Tracy 1806

1798 Joseph Williams

1800 Joseph Howland 1827

1801 John W. Perit 1845

1802 Pelatiah Perit, President of the Chamber of Commerce, N. Y.
Rev. Daniel Haskell, President of Vermont University. . 1848

1803 Rev. Eli Hyde 1856

Rev. John Hyde 1848

1804 Rev. Joshua Huntington 1819

1805 Walter King

1806 Dr. John Hazen 1843

Henry Strong, LL. D., Tutor in Yale College 1852

Hon. Jabez W. Huntington, M. C, Judge of Superior

Court, Connecticut, United States Senator 1847

Hon. Phineas L. Tracy, M. C

1807 Rev. Daniel Huntington 1858

1808 Charles Griswold, Judge of Probate Court 1839

Henry W. Rogers 1819

John B. Murdock 1815

114

Year of grad. Year of death.

1812 Samuel C. Morgan

1813 Charles Perkins 1856

1814 Charles B. Goddard

Jedediah Iluntmgton

Charles J. Lanman, Mayor of Norwich

1815 Rev. Elijah Hartshorn 1840

1816 Rev. William Nevins, D. D 1835

1817 Hon. Rufus P. Spalding, Judge of Superior Court, Ohio. .
David N. Lord

1818 Rev. Thomas L. Shipman

George Spalding 1858

1819 Rev. James Abel

Joshua Coit

Elijah Bishop, M. D

1820 George C. Goddard

1821 William Lester

1822 William Lathrop 1825

George B. Ripley, Judge of Probate Court 1858

Benjamin B. Coit, M. D

Andrew M. Fanning 1829

Hon. John A. Rockwell, Judge of the County Court, M.C.,

Fellow of Yale College

1828 Joseph Ripley

1824 John T. Adams, Judge of Probate Court

Rev. Richard F. Cleveland 1853

1825 Daniel T. Coit, M. D

Oliver E. Huntington

1827 Alfred J. Perkins .

1828 Levi H. Goddard

Peter L. Huntington 1832

Francis Porter 1829

1830 Alfred E. Perkins, M. D 1834

1833 Joshua Smith

1834 Billings P. Learned

1835 Charles A. Gager, Tutor in Yale College 1841

1836 George M. Brown

1837 William Coit

1839 Charles H. Porter 1841

1840 John Breed D wight, Tutor in Yale College 1843

115

Year of grad. Year of death

1841 Donald G. Mitchell, United States Consul, Venice

Rev. John C. Downer

1843 Rev. John Avery

Rev. Edward W. Gilman, Tutor in Yale College

Gardiner Greene, LL. B

Rev. Daniel W. Havens

John M. Huntington

Frederick M. Lathrop

George A. Meech

Rev. Robert P. Stanton

1845 George C. Hill

1846 Rev. Joseph W. Backus, Tutor in Yale College

Rev. Henry Case

James M. B. Dwight, Tutor in Yale College

Archibald Kennedy

1847 Rev. James T. Hyde, Tutor in Yale College

1848 Rev. William Aitchison, Tutor in Yale College, Missionary

in China 1859

Rev. Elias B. Hillard

David S. Mowry 1848*

Nathaniel Shipman

Edwin Tyler

Rev. G. Buckingham Willcox

1849 Rev. Tmiothy Dwight, Tutor and Professor of Sacred Lit-

erature in Yale College

John Rockwell, Assistant United States Coast Survey. . . .

1850 Daniel E. WiUes

1852 Daniel C. Gilman, Librarian of Yale College

1853 Rev. William Frederick Arms

Henry R. Bond

Edward Harland

Samuel A. L. L. Post

1854 John W. Hooker, M. D

1855 Calvin G. Child

John W. Harmar

John H. Piatt

Giles Potter

Alfred P. Rockwell, Phil. B

116

Tear of grad. Year of death.

1855 Patrick H. Woodward

1856 George P. Barker

1857 Henry S. Huntington

Bela P. Learned

1858 Samuel H. Lee

1859 Edward S. Hinckley

Asher H. Wilcox

Total— 165.

UNDERGRADUATES NOW IN COLLEGE.

1860 Henry L. Johnson ....

1861 James N. Hyde

1862 Charles Woolsey Coit

George Coit Ripley

1863 Charles J. Arms

Henry E. Cooley

John H. Peck

Edmund A. Ware

COLUMBIA.

1834 B. S. Huntington

PRINCETON.

1759 Rev. John Huntington 1766

1763 Rev. John Lathrop, D. D., Fellow of Harvard College. . 1816

1765 Rev. Samuel Kirkland, Missionary to the Oneidas 1808

1770 Stephen Tracy 1822

Rev. Nathan Perkins, D. D

Total — 5.

DARTMOUTH.

1779 Ashur Hatch 1826

1783 Henry Huntington 1846

1786 Rev. Asahel Huntington 1813

1785 Rev. Alvan Hyde, D. D., Vice-Pres. of Williams College. 1833

1788 Rev. Oliver Ayers 1832

1854 Hiram B. Crosby

William C. Robinson

1855 B. Sci. -J. Adams Robinson

Total— 8.

MIDDLEBURY.

1809 Bela Edgerton

117

Yearofgrad. Year of death.

1819 Eev. Beriah Green, Professor of Sacred Literature in West-
ern Reserve College

WILLIAMS.

1813 Rev. Lavius Hyde

BROWN.

1823 George D. Prentice

1828 Hon. La Fayette S. Foster, LL. D., Mayor of Norwich,

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Connecticut,

United States Senator

Total — 2.

WESLEYAN.

1834 Rev. Erastus Wentwoi-th, D. D., President of McKendree
College and Professor in Dickinson College, now Mis-
sionary in China

TRINITY.

1830 Rev. James A. Bolles, D. D

1831 Rev. Thomas H. Vail, D. D

1836 Rev. Zehadiah H. Mansfield 1858

1841 Hon. Thomas L. Harris, M. C 1858

1845 Rev. John A. Paddock

1848 Rev. Benjamin H. Paddock, elected Professor in Trinity

College

1850 Rev. Francis H. Bushnell

Lewis S. Paddock, M. D

1851 George D. Sargeant

1853 E. Winslow Williams

Rev. Alfred L. Brewer

Total — 11.

UNDERGRADUATES NOW IN COLLEGE.
C. H. W. Stocking

Newton Perkins

AMUERST.

1824 Rev. Beaufort Ladd

1827 Rev. Stephen Johnson, Missionary in Siam

1828 Thomas Burnham 1845

1829 Rev. William A. Hyde

118

Tearofgrad. Year of death.

1832 Hon. Nathan Belcher, M. C 1841

1837 Hon. Andrew C. Lippitt, Mayor of New London

1841 Rev. Alexander Yerrington

1849 Rev. William R. Palmer

1856 Cyrus H. Pendleton

1857 Rev. John E. Elliott

Total— 10.

UNION.

1808 Rev. Samuel Nott

1810 John McCurdy

1822 Rev. Stephen T. Nott

1834 Rev. Albert T. Chester, D. D

1838 Samuel H. Austin

1843 Anson G. Chester

Total — 6.

HONORARY GRADUATES NOT INCLUDED IN THE PREVIOUS LIST.

Rev. Isaac Backus, A.M., (Brown, 1797) 1806

Rev. Thomas Baldwin, D. D., (Union, 1804) Fellow Brown

University 1825

Thomas Sterry Hunt, A.M., (Harvard, 1854) Doctor of Science,
(Quebec, 1858) F.R.S., Lend.; Professor of Chemistry,
Laval Univ., Quebec; Mineralogist and Chemist to the
Geological Survey of Canada; Chevalier of the Legion
of Honor, France

Rev. Elijah B. Huntington, A.M., (Yale, 1851)

Rev. Eliphalet Nott, A. M., (Brown, 1795) D. D., (New Jer-
sey, 1805) LL.D. (Brown, 1828) Pres. of Union College.

Benjamin Rogers, M. D., (Yale, 1845) 1859

Philemon Tracy, M. D., (Yale, 1817) 1837

Hon. John T. Wait, A. M., (Trinity, 1851)

Hon. Reuben Hyde Walworth, LL. D., (Princeton, 1835;
Yale, 1839; Harvard, 1848.) M. C, Chancellor of the
State of New York

Ashbel Woodward, M.D., (Yale, 1855) Pres. Med. Soc. of

Conn

Total— 10.

119

MEMBERS OF CONGRESS, NATIVES OF OLD NORWICH.

When in Congress. From ivliat State.

1776-84 Coimecticut Samuel Huutington.

1780-84)

1787-88 >- " Benjamin Huntington.

1789-91 )

1793-96 " Uriah Tracy.

1801-03 " Elias Perkins.

1803-05 " Simeon Baldwin.

1803-07 New Hampshire David Hough.

1805-07 New York Uri Tracy.

1 81 7-1 f) l Connecticut Ebenezer Huntington.

1 81 'p;_i 7 [" '^e^ York John Lovett.

1819 Michigan William Woodbridge.

1819-25 New York Albert H. Tracy.

1821-23 " Joseph Kirkland.

1821-23 " Reuben H. Walworth.

182.5-29 Pennsylvania Charles Miner.

1827-33 New York Phineas L. Tracy.

1829-34 Connecticut Jabez W. Himtin^ton.

1833—37 Pennsylvania Andrew Beaumont.

1833-37 New York Abel Huntington.

1847—49 Connecticut John A. Rockwell.

1849-58 Illinois Thomas L. Han-is.

1853—55 Connecticut Nathan Belcher.

1857-59 New York Erastus Cornino-.

Total — 22.

UNITED STATES SENATORS, NATIVES OF OLD NORWICH.

"When Senator. From what State.

1796-97 Connecticut Uriah Tracy.

1819-25 " James Lanman.

1840-47 " Jabez W. Huntington.

1841-47 Michigan William Woodbridge.

1855 Connecticut La Fayette S. Foster.

Total — 5.

120

NOTE R.

NORWICH GENEALOGIES.

Chancellor Walworth has for some three or four years been engaged in
preparing a very extended genealogical history of the descendants, in the
female as well as in the male lines, of the first William Hyde of Norwich ;
embracing very extensive branches of the Post, Abell, Hovigh, Rudd,
Lord, Griswold, Huntington, Lee, Sill, Jewett, Hubbard, Ely, Elliott,
Denison, Rogers, Hillhouse, Tracy, Manwaring, Edgerton, Raymond,
Collins, Richards, Wait, Metcalf, Selden, Waterman, Marvin, Mather,
Sterling, Baldwin, Gifford, Woodbridge, Parsons, Wadhams, Backus,
Grriffin, Pierpont, Dorr, and other families of Connecticut, whose de-
scendants are now scattered and intermingled with other families through-
out the United States.

Mr. F. P. Tracy, now of San Francisco, has in preparation a genealogy
of the descendants of Lieutenant Thomas Tracy. Before the plan for the
recent celebration was announced, he had proposed that a meeting of
the Tracy family should be held in Norwich at some time during the
present year. Rev. E. B. Huntington, of Stamford, Conn., is compiling
a genealogy of the Huntingtons, to which will be added a report of the
late meeting of that family, in Norwich. Rev. A. Steele, of Washington,
has published a life of Elder Brewster, the ancestor of the Norwich family,
which was called forth by a meeting of the Brewster family in Norwich,
and was published under the patronage of James Brewster, Esq., of
New Haven. Other Norwich genealogies are in progress, of which I
am not authorized to speak.

Dr. Ashbel Woodward, of Franklin, President of the Connecticut
Medical Society, has been investigating the history of the medical profes-
sion in New London county. The early publication of his researches is
greatly to be desired.

NOTE S.

THE FREE ACADEMY.

The Norwich Free Academy was incorporated in May, 1S54, having
been endowed to the amount of about $100,000, by the gifts of a few
generous citizens of Norwich, three of whose subscriptions were fur
$12,500 each. Of tlie whole amount raised, $50,000 was reserved as a

121

fiind for the maintenance of the school, and with the remainder a lot was
secured, and a noble school edifice erected. The academy offers free
instruction in the higher bi'anches of study, to all the youth of Norwich,
who are disposed to avail themselves of its advantages. The original
donors and incorporators of the institution were the following : — E. Hub-
bard, W. P. Greene, W. A. Buckingham, W. Williams, H. B. Norton,
J. Breed, C. B. Rogers, W. W. Coit, J. L. Greene, D. Tyler, S. C.
Morgan, I. M. Buckingham, L. F. S. Foster, D. Smith, J. F. Slater,
C. Osgood, E. Williams, L. Blackstone, J. A. Rockwell, L. Ballon,
C. J. Stedman, J. P. Gulliver, C. N. Farnam, E. 0. Abbott, C. Tracy,
A. H. Almy, L. W. Carroll, J. Spalding, S. W. Meech, J. S. Webb,
H. Thomas, C. C. Brand, C. Johnson, E. Learned, E. Edwards,
A. J. Currier. Joseph Otis, the founder of " the Otis library," was an
original donor to the academy, but died before the incorporation. The
donors since the incorporation are as follows : — C. A. Converse, A. W.
Prentice, T. P. Norton, W. M. Converse, H. Bill, G. Perkins, J. M.
Huntington, J. H. Adams, J. N. Perkins.

A fund of $5,000, -besides other gifts to the amount of $2,000, has
been set apart by Mrs. Harriet Peck Williams, for the establishment of
the Peck library.

On the day of the bi-centennial celebration, Mrs. W. P. Greene pre-
sented to the academy a lot of land and a house (valued at $8,000) for
the residence of the principal of the institution.

The foundation of the academy is due to the suggestion, as well as to
the persevering efforts of Rev. John P. Gulliver, whose privilege it was
to inaugurate the institution, (Oct. 21, 1856,) by an address, in which,
according to a vote of the tnistees, a history was given of schools and
education in Norwich, and the designs of the founders of the academy
were set forth for the infonnation of the public, and the guidance of those
who shall be entrusted with its future management. This address, and
other papers pertaining to the Free Academy, may be found in Barnard's
Journal of Education, vol. 2, p. 665, 1856, and vol. 3, p. 191, 1857.
The whole number of pupils from 1856 to 1859 has been 153, 68 boys
and 85 girls. Mr. Elbridge Smith has been Principal since the opening.

The establishment of this institution is one of the most lionorable
events in the history of the town, whether we regard the nninificence of
the donors, or the wisdom of their plans, or the successful administra-
tion of such an ini])ortant trust.

122
NOTE T.

NATHAN TISDALE.

Many of the Norwich boys, at the close of the last century, went to
school to Master Tisdale in Lebanon. The following sketch of his life
has been prepared by Mr. Daniel Hebard : —

Nathan Tisdale, born at Lebanon, Conn., on the 19th of September,
A. J). 1732, was the son of Ebenezer Tisdale, who was the fifth in
descent from John Tisdale of Duxbury, Mass., afterwards of Taunton,
who was the progenitor of all of the name in New England. His father
was a blacksmith — a skillful artisan and a sterling patriot, as is evinced
by his having been a friend of and counselor with Gov. J. Trumbull.
Of his mother, unfortunately we have no record. At the age of sixteen,
in common with many of the young men of his native town, Nathan
entered Harvard College, and graduated there the following year, 1749,
at the early age of seventeen. Among his classmates and acquaintance
were Robert Treat Paine and John Adams, by the latter of whom
he is said to have been called a better scholar than himself He
took a position in his eighteenth year at the head of the school in the
" Old Brick School-house " at Lebanon, established mainly through the
efforts of the venerable Dr. Williams, and destined under his charge to
send forth many of the brightest ornaments to the state, the pulpit, and
the bar. There he commenced the training of such men as Hon. Jere-
miah Mason, Col. John Trumbull, the " Young Governor Trumbull,"
Dr. Wheelock, second president of Dartmouth College, Rev. Dr. Lyman
of Hatfield, Judge Baldwin, Gen. Eb. Huntington, etc., — by whom
he was held in affectionate remembrance. So celebrated was this
school tliat pupils came from the West Indies, and if tradition may be
believed, from nine out of thirteen colonies at one time. In certain cases
his certificate of fitness was accepted in lieu of an examination for admis-
sion to Yale College. Mr. Tisdale was a strict and severe disciplinarian,
allowing nothing to interfere with the business of the school, yet gained
the reverence and respect of his pupils, amounting often to warm affec-
tion. He was known by the honorable title of " Master." Quite late
in life he married the widow of Capt. John Porter, who had four children,
and yet continued in charge of the school until the fall or winter of 1786,
when broken health, the wants of his family, and pecuniary embarrass-
ments, induced him at once to petition the proprietors of the school for
relief, and to resign his charge. Scorning under other circumstances to

123

have solicited aid, he refers with glowing pride, which half commands the
favor he sues for, to his long and meritorious services, in these words :

"In this business, gentlemen, I have continued nearly the space of
forty years, with almost uninterrupted application to the duties of my
charge. ... I have educated a large number of youth who have
done an honor to this school, who have gone forth into the world and have
become bright ornaments to society. I have now spent the prime of life,
the flower of my days, in this service ; but I have acquired no fortune —
and perhaps I may say that I have been more profitable to the community
than to myself."

The sum asked was £26 18s., the balance due from him to the pro-
prietors, on account of rents collected on children of non-proprietors, but
" by a small majority vote," it was determined to defer the disposition
of the sum " until another meeting." Thus, in lack of health, the want
of means pressing heavily upon him, this good, this great man — whose
learning had enriched, whose wisdom guided, whose virtue had been a
model for youth during more than a third of a centuiy — sadly yielded
his post of honor, and with the closing year passed away from his laljors
to his reward. He died on January 5th, A. D. 1787, in the fifty-sixth
year of his age, and lies in the ancient burying-grouud at Lebanon.

CONCLUDING NOTE

An account of the " Bi-Centennial celebration" in Norwich, Sept. 7 and 8,
1859, has been compiled and published by Mr. John W. Stedman, in a vol-
ume entitled " The Norwich Jubilee," (300 pp. 8vo, Norwich, 1859.) The
discourses delivered upon that occasion by Rt. Rev. A. Lee, Bishop of Del-
aware, Hon. J. A. Rockwell, of Norwich, and Donald G. Mitchell, Esq., of
New Haven, the poem of A. G. Chester, Esq., of Rochester, and also the
address, which is here re-printed, will be found in that work.

In this second edition of the Historical Discoux'se (intended for private dis-
tribution), the notes have been expanded so as to include some original doc-
uments which had never previously seen the light.

In addition to the acknowledgments which have been made in the preced-
ing pages, I desire to express the thanks which I owe to J. Hammond Trum-
bull, Esq., of Hartford, the learned editor of the Colonial Records of Con-
necticut, for the aid which he has generously rendered in the preparation
and revision of the foregoing address, and to Edward C. Herrick, Esq., Treas-
urer of Yale College, for his frequent and valuable suggestions.

I cannot refrain from saying that the interest which I feel in the history of
Norwich is inherited. While it is pleasant for me to trace, on my mother's
side, a descent from several of the original settlers of the town, my father's
enthusiasm in historical inquiries Is associated with my earliest recollections,
and has constantly assisted my recent investigations.

D. C. G.

Yale College Library, Decembtr, ISut).

INDEX.

Abbott, E. <)., l-'I.

Abel, Elijah, U'J ; — James, 114; other
refereuce, VM.

Adams, John, 12'^ ; — J. H., 121 ; — John
F., 114 ; — Samuel, reply to the Norwich
Proposal of aid to Boston, 67 ; the let-
ter itself given, 103 et seq.

Adgate, Thomas, 19, 25, 90.

Aitehison, Wm., llj.

Allen, Col. Ethan, commission of, from
Edward Mott, jii.

Allyn, Robert, 19, 25, 82, 90.

Almy, A. H., 121.

Ames, Dr., 91.

Arms, Charles J., 116 ; — Wm. Fred., 115.

Attawanhood, 81,82.

Arms, IJev. H. P., ;i8.

Austin, Samuel H., 118.

Avery, Kev. John, 115.

Awakening-, the great, 36.

Ayers, Oliver, 110.

Backus, name mentioned, 19, 25, 38, 64, ~2,
76, 90, 97, 111, 112, 115, 118, 120 ; — Azel,
112; — Charles, 112; — Elijah, 64, 112;

— Elizabeth, 38 ; — Isaac, 38, 97 ; — Isaac,
118;— Joseph W., 115 ; — Joseph, 111 ;

— JIathcw, 112; — Samuel, 3« ; — Si-
mon, 1 2 ; — Simon, HI ; — Stephen, 19,
90 ; — William, 19, 90.

Bacon's Hist. Disc, 97.

Balding, Nathan, 107.

Baldwin, 25, 90, 112, 119, 118, 120, 122;

— Ebenezer, 112 ; — John, 25, 90 ;

— Simeon, 112, 119, 122; — Thomas, 118.
Ballou, L., 121.

Bancroft, Geo., 31.

Barker, .John, 112 ; — George P., 116.

Barnard's Journal of Education, 121.

Beaumont, Andrew, 119.

Belcher, Nathan, 118, 119.

Bellamy, Dr., 60.

Bill,74;— H., 121.

Bingham, Thomas, 19, 25, 90.

Birchard, Eliaphalet, 111 ; — John, 20, 25,

90.
Bishop, 104 ; — Elijah, 114.
Bissell, Israel, 107.
Blackstone, L., 121.
Bliss, Thomas, 19, 25, 90.
Bolles, .Tames A., 117.
Bond, Henry K., 115 ; — William, 111.
Bozrah, formed from Norwich, 40.
Bowers, Morgan, 19, 25, 'M.
Bradford, John, 19, 90 ; — Gov., 26.
Brand, C. C, 121.
Breed, 74, 112, 121; — J., 121;— John

M'Clurren, 112 ; — Simeon, 112 ; — Shu-

bacl, 112.
Brevoort, J. C, 12,87.
Brewer, Alfred L., 117.
Brewster, ('ai)t. Benjamin, 83 ; — Elder, 24,

26, 120 ; — Elijah, 102 ; — James, 120.
Brinley, George, 28, 93.

" Brother Jonathan," 42.

Brown, George M., 114 ; — Nicholas, sends
muskets to Col. Christopher Leffiug-
well, 54, 74.

Buckingham, I. 31., 121 ;— Gov. W. A., 23,
61, 78, 87, 121.

Burnham, T., 117.

Bushnell, 26; — Benajah, 111; — Francis
H., 117.

Byles, :Mather, 28.

Call, 104.

Calking, James, 111.

Calkins, Hu^h, " Separate " meeting held
at house of, 38 ; See Caulkins.

Carpenter, 74.

Carrol, L. W., 121.

Case, Henry, 115.

Caulkins, Miss F. JI., historian of Nor-
wich, 6, 35, 39, 70, 75, 82, 84, 88, 89, 97 ;
John, 25, 90 ; — Hugh, 19, 90.

Chelsea, 40.

Cheuy, Abiel, 112.

Chester, A. T., 118 ; — Anson G., 118, 124;
.lohn, 47.

Child, Calvin G., 115.

Church, Dr. 72.

Church, earliest records of, 28 ; early cov-
enant, 28, 94 et seq. ; great awakening
in the, .36 ; See Fitch, Ministers, &c.

Clement, Peabody, 112.

Cleveland, Richard F., 114.

Coddington, 85.

Colt, 2(i, .33, 74, 114, 116, 121 ; — Benjamin
B., 114; — Charles, IKi; — Daniel T., 114 ;
— Joseph, .33 ; — Joshua, 114 ; — Chas.
W., 121.

College graduates from Norwich, List of,
111 et seq. ; Officers of, 76.

Collins, 120.

Congregationalism, spirit of, .33 et seq.

" Confederacy " ship, 63.

Congress, members of from Norwich, 119.

Converse, C. A., 121 ; — W. M., 121.

Cooley, Henry E., 116.

Corning, Erastus, 119.

Covenant, Church, solemnly renewed, 28
et seq., 94; ' Half Way,' .38.

Crosby, Hiram B., 116.

Currier, A. J., 121.

Davenport, Rev. J., 24, 79.

DeForest, J. W., 87.

Deming, H. E., 87.

Denison, 120; — Kev. F., 97.

Dewitt, 74.

Dorr, 120.

Downer, .John C, 115.

Dunham, 74.

Durkec, M, 69.

Dwight, .lames M. B., 115 ; — John Breed,
114 ; — Pres. Timothy, 54 ; — Prof. Tim-
othy, 115.

Dyer, 45.

Eaton, Gov., 7, 24, 79.

126

Edgerton, Bela, 110 ;— Richard, 19,25, 90;
general reference t6, 1~0.

Edwards, E., 121 ; — Kev. Jonathan, 36.

Eels, 74.

Elderkin, 26.

Eliot, John, 91.

Elliott, 120; — John E., 118.

Ellis, Jonathan, 112 ; — Rev. Geo. E., Life
of J. Mason, 89.

Emery, ;j3.

Fanning, Andrew M., 114 ; general refer-
ence to, 64.

Farnam, C. N., 121.

Fast day, mentioned, 29.

Fitch, Ebenezer, 76, 112 ; — Elisha, 102;

— Rev. Jabez, 33, 111 ; — Maj. .lames,
gift to Yale College from, 77 et seq. ;

— Rev. James, Biographical notice of,
90 ; Epitaph, 92 ; .Sermons and letters
printed, 93 ; Character of, 19, 20 ; Con-
gregationalism of, 34 ; Interest in In-
dians, 28 ; Uncas's promise to, 12, 13 ;
Allusions to, 12, 13, 19, 20, 25, 27, 28, 29,
.32, 33, 34, 74, 70, 77, 79, 83, 90, et seq.

Flint, 2().

Flynt, Henry, invited to succeed Rev.

James Fitcli, 33.
Foster, Col., 107 ; L. F. S., 76, 87 ; Speech

m behalf of R. Niles, 99 ; Place of grad-
uation of, 117, 119, 121.
Franklin formed from Norwich, 4.
Free Academy, foundation of, 70, 120.
Gage, 68, 105.
Gager, Charles A., 114; — John, 19,23, 90 ;

William, 111.
Gay, IJ. M., 87.
vA Genealogies of Norwich Families, 120.
Gifford, Stephen, 90; mentioned, 120.
Gilman, D. C, 115 ; — Edward W., 115 ; —

Wm. C.,85, 101, 124.
Goddard, Charles B., 114; — George C,

114; — Levi H., 114.
Gookin, Rev. Daniel, 27, 93. .
Governors of Connecticut, from Norwich,

23.
Grant, Donald, 109.
Green, Beriah, 117.
Greene, J. L., 121 ; — Gardiner, 115 ; — W.

P., 121.
Griffin, 120.
Griswold, Charles, 113; — deacon, return

to the Church, 39 ; — Francis, 20, 25, 39,

50, 74, 90 ; — Mathcw, 50.
Grover House, 40.
Gulliver, Rev. J. P., 121.
Halsey, T., 87.
Hancock, John, 53.
Hardin"', Capt., 04.
Harland, Edward, 115.
Harmar, John W., 115.
Harris, Thomas L., 117, 119.
Hart, John, 112.
Hartshorn, Elijah, 114.
Haskell, D., 76, 113.
Hatch, Ashur, 116.
Havens, Daniel W., 115.
Haynes, (iov., 79.
Hazen, John, 113.
Hebard, Daniel, 122.
Hendys, Richard, 90.
Higginson, Rev. John, 91.
Hill, (xcorge C, 115.
Hillard, Elias B., 115.
HiUliouse, .lames, .55, 120.
Hinckley, Edward S., 110.
Hoadly, C. J., 111.
Home lots of early settlers, 25.

Hooker, John W., 115 ; — Rev. Thomas,
20, 23, 30, 79, 91.

Hopkins, Samuel, 43.

Hosmer, Titus, 54.

Hough, David, 119, 120.

Hovey, T. A., 87.

Howard, Thomas, 20, 90.

Howland, J., 113 ; family mentioned, "4.

Hubbard, Capt. Wm., 07, 74, 103, 100, 112,
120;— R., 121.

Hunt, Thomas Sterry, 118.

Huntington, 17, 19, 25, 43, 44, 45, 47, 48, 50,
53, 58, 62, 03, 06, 67, 70, 72, 74, 76, 79, 90,
102, 103, 104, 107, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115,
116, 118, 119, 120;— Abel, 119 ; — An-
drew, 47, 03; — Asahel, 110; — Barna-
bas, 102 ; — Benjamin, 47 et seq., 102, 112,
119 ; — B. S., 116 ; — Christopher, 19, 25,
90 ; — Daniel, 111 ; — Daniel, 113 ; —
Ebenezer, 47, 63, 112, 119, 122 ; — Rev.
Elijah B., 90, 111, 118, 120 ; — Erastus,
113;— Gurdon, 112; — Henry S., 116 ;
Henry, 116 ; — Hezekiah, 44, 111 ; — Ja-
bez, 112; — Gen. Jabez, birth and pa-
rentage of, 43 ; general account of, 47,
48, 58, 59, 03 ; gives up liis fortune to the
colonial cause, 70, 102, 109, 111 ; — Jabez
W., 119, 113 ; — Jedediah, 47, 53, 58, 02,
07,102,103, 1(>4, 107, 111, 114; — John,
116 ; — John M., 115, 121 ; — Joshua, 4.3,
47, 6.3, 72, 113, 122 ; — Lynde, 113; —
Oliver E., 114 ; — Peter L., 114 ; — Sam-
uel, 25 ; appointed one of a committee
to " draw up some sentiments proper to
the present crisis," 102 ; signs the Dec-
laration of Independence, 4s, 49 ; elected
Governor, 50 ; death, 50, 00, 112, 119;

— Simon ordained deacon, 19, 25, 43, 90,
111; — Thomas, 112; — Mrs. Wolcott,
02 ; services of the family in the revo-
lution, 43.

Hyde, Alvan, 110; — Eli, 113; — Good-
man, 19 ; — James N., 110 ; — James T.,
115 ; — Jolin, 113 ; — Lavius, 117 ; —
Richard, note to Rev. Bcnj. Trum-
bull, with account of b.attle between
Uncas and Miantonomah, 82 et seq. ; —
.Samuel, 90 ; — Simeon, 112 ; — William,
90, 111, 120; — William A., 117.

Indian History, Early, 2 — 14, 82 et seq.

Indians' deed of Norwich, 81 et seq. ; —
Fitch's labors among, 27 — 28 ; — Whee-
lock's school for, 41.

Jewett, 120.

Johnson, Dr., 109 ; — Col. Obadiah, 108 ;

— Stephen, 117 ; H. L., 116.
Kennedy, Archibald, 115.

King, Rev. Walter, Pastor in Chelsea, 74 ;
biographical account of, 109, 110, 113.

Kingsbury, John, 113 ; — Jonathan, 112 ;
Sanford, 112 ; other reference to the
name, 04.

Kingsley, Prof. J. F., 84.

Kinne, Aaron, 112 ; general reference, 74.

Kirkland, Joseph, 113, 119; — Samuel, 116.

Knight, 2<).

Ladd, Beaufort, 117.

J^afayette, 73.

Land, divisions of, 24 — 26.

Lanman, Charles J., 114 ; — James, 11.3,
119 ; general reference, 76.

Lathrop, Charles, 113; — Dr. Daniel, do-
nations of, 78, 111 ; — Daniel, 113 ; —
Elijah, 60, 111 ; — Frederick M., 115 ; —
Gurdon, 113; — Joseph, 111; — Joshua,
111 ; — John, 110 ; — William, 114 ; gen-
eral reference, 60, 74, 78. See Lothrop.

127

Learned, Bela P., 110 ; — Billings P., 114 ;

— E., 121 ; — Kev. K. C, article on " Sep-
aratists," or.

Lee, Alfred, 111, 124; — Samuel H., 110;
otiior g'eneral reference, 120.

Leffins-well, Id, I'.i, 25, 4.i, 51, 52, 55, 07, 08,
74, 102, lu:{, 1U4, 11.5 ; — Cliristoplier, 51,
55, (iT, ti-S, 102, Ki'i ; reply to Adam's let-
ter, ro4 et seq. ; — Thomas, 10, I'J, 25, 52,
83, 90; — William, 113.

Lester, William, 114.

Lexing-ton, announcement of the battle of,
lor.

Lippitt, Andrew C, US.

Lisbon, formed from Norwich, 40.

Livingstone, (Jov., 43.

Lord, IJcv. IJenjamin, succeeds Rev. .John
Woodward, 35 et seq. ; biographic ac-
count of, 00 et seq., 100 ; — David N., 114 ;

— Joseph, 111.
Lothrop, Rev. .lohn, 20.
Lovett, .Tohn, 112, 110.
liVman, Rev. Dr., 122.
Manning, Dver, 04.
Mansfield, Zebadiah H., 117.
Manwaring, 120.

3Larvin, 74, 120

Matlior, Cotton, 11,32; — Increase, 28;
name mentioned, 120.

Mason, :Maj. Joliu, JS, 11, 13, 15, 2.3, 79, 82,
83, 81), tKt, 92, 122 ; — Samuel, 13.

McCurdy, Jolin, 118; name mentioned, 09.

McFarling, lOS.

Meech, Geo. A., 115 ; — S. W., 121.

Merchants, first spoken of, 27.

Metcalf, 120.

Miantonomoli, battle between Uncas and,
9 ; fuller account of, 82 et seq. ; or-
thograpliy of tlie name : site of capture,
&c., 84 etseq.

Miner, Charles, 119.

Ministers, See Fitch, Woodward, Lord,
King, Mitclicll, Strong, Tyler, &c.

Mitciicll, Rev. A., biographic account of,
109 ; — Donald G., 109, 1 15, 124 ; — Stephen
M., 109.

Moheg-ans originally Pequots, 7 ; address
to, 13 ; present condition of, 87. See
Uncas.

Morg-an, .33, 59 ; — Samuel C, 114, 121.

Mott, Maj., Kdward, diary of expedition
to Ticonderoga, 55, 50, (V4 ; — Samuel,
04, lOIJ.

Jlowry. David S., 115.

JI\imfi>rd, 74.

Murdock, .John B., 113.

Narragansetts, 8 et seq. ; 82 et seq.

Xevins, David, (H, lOS ; — William, 114.

» New Lig^lits and Old Lights," 37.

Niantics, s.

Niles, Xatlianicl, ode by, alluded to, 00 ;
quoted, 9s ; otiier references to, 01, 02 ;
— Robert, 04 ; Mr. Foster's speech in
the Senate in behalf of, 99 et seq.

Norton, IL B., 121 ;— F. P., 121.

Norwich, survey of, 0 ; earliest records of,
14 ; reasons for the name, 17, X~ et seq. ;
first boy born in, 19 ; recognized by
general court, 22 ; guarded, 2S ; history
of settlement terminates, 32 — 33 ; action
upon the " Separatists," .38 et seq. ; jiat-
riotism of citizens of, in American l!ev-
idution, 42 et seq. ; action in regard to
Port Bill, (').') — (is ; action on hearing of
massacre at Boston, Os ; account of sup-
plies for soldiers, 70 — 72 ; recovery of
trade after the war, 73 — 74 ; the last fifty
years, 75 ; founding of Free Academy,

76, 120 et seq. ; list of gradates from, 76 et
111 et seq.; colleges founded by men of,
77 ; history of original proprietors, 89 ;
genealogies, 120; Norwich (Eng.), 88.
Nott, Eliplialct, US; — Samuel, 35, 70, 118;

— Stephen T., 118.

Occnni, Samson, mission to England, 40, 97.

Olmstead, JoIin, 20, 25, 90.

Oncas, see I'ncas.

Original Projirietors, see Settlers.

Osgood, C, 121.

Otis, Joseph, 121.

Owaneko, 82.

Paddock, John A., 117 ; — Benjamin H.,
117 ; — Lewis S., 117.

Paine, R. T., 122.

Parsons, Gen., 53, 120.

Palmer, J., announces battle of Lexing-
ton, 107 ; — Wm. R., 118.

Pease, John, 20, 25, iK).

Peck, John IL, 110.

Pendleton, Cyrus EL, 118.

Pequots, 7, et seq.

Perkins, 20, 69, 74, 78, 111, 112, 113, 114,
110, 117, 119 ; — Dr. Alfred E., 78, 114;

— Benjamin, 112; — Benjamin D., 113;

— Charles, 114; — Elias, 113, 119; —
Charles, 119; — Elijah, 113;— Eliphaz,
112; — George, 121 ; — J. X., 121 ; — Dr.
Joseph, 111 ; — Xatliau, 110 ; — Newton,
117.

Peril, John W., 113 ; — Pelatiah, 113.

Peters, 64 ; — Thomas, 91.

Phillips, Wm., 104, 105.

Piatt, John IL, 115.

Pierpont, 120.

Porter, Charles 11. , 114 ;— Ebonezer, 109 ;

— Francis, 114 ; — John, 122.

Post, John, 25, 90 ; — Samuel A. L. L., 115 ;

— Thomas, 19, 25, 90 ; — general refer-
ence to, 120.

Potter, Giles, 115.

Prentice, A. W., 121 ; — George D., 117.

President of Colleges from Xorwich, 76.

Proprietors, original. See Settlers.

Puritans, spirit of, 31.

Putnam, Col. Israel, 68, 69.

Raymond, 120.

Read, .Tosiah, 20, 90.

Revolution, American, in Norwich, 42 et

seq. ; documents concerning, 101 et seq.
Reynolds, John, 20, 25, 90.
Ripley, George Coit, 110;— George B.,

114;— Joseph, 114; — family mentioned,

Richards, 120.

Hoath, 20.

Robinson, John, 17;— J. Adams, 110; —

Wm. C., 110.
Rockwell, Alfred P., 115; —John, 115;

John A., 15, S9, 114, 119, 124;— name

mentioned, 15, 19, 2(5.
" Rogerenes," 35.
Rogers, Benjamin, 118; — C. B., 121; —

Henry W., 113; — John, 20; — Dr.

Theophilus, 67, 103, 104 ; — Zabdiel, 102 ;

— name mentioned, 74, 120.
Royce, .lonathan, 25, 25, 90.
Rudd, 20, 120.
Saltonstall, 45, 60.
Sargeant, George D., 117.
Sassacus, 8.

Savage, Hon. .lames, S4, SCi.

Say brook, parent of the Xorwich colony,
1(5 — 18 ; — Platform how received in Nor-
wich, 34.

Selden, 120.

Senators, V. S. from Xorwich, 70, 119.

11^8

" Separates," 35 et seq. ; — refuse to i)ay
fluirch rates, ^7 ; " half way eovenant,"
one of tlieir stuiiiMiiij;^ lilocks, .'is ; re-
turn to cliurcli, :!'.• ; ri'sult of tlie niove-
ment, :i'.i-li> ; reference to aeeounts of, '.)7.

Settlers, oriijfinal, cliaraeter of, 10 ; re-
moval to Xorwieli, !>; ; number of, 1'.) ;
home lots of, 25 ; names of, .su ct seq.

Shaw, Ci).

Sherman, 45, 40, 79.

Sliiinuau, Nathaulel, 115; — Thomas L.,
114.

Shippen, Dr., 58.

Si'iourney, Mrs. L. H., lid.

Sill, \W.

Sillinian, Gold S., 45, 79.

Slater,,!. ¥., 121.

Slaves, manumission of, alluded to, 40.

Smith, 1)., 1-M ; — David, 11.!;— Klbridfie,
121 ; — .loshua, 114 ; — Xehemiah, 2(i, '.Ht.

SpaldiufX, 74 ; — .1., 121 ; — Georg-e, 1 14 ; —
Kufus r., 114.

Sprat.aie, l!ev. Dr., 0(1, 07, 108, 110.

Standish, Miles, atlveut of sou of to Nor-
wich colony, 2(i.

Stanton, John, hO ;— Robert P., 115; —
Thomas, l.'i.

Stead, A., 7.

Stedman, C. .T., 121.

Steele, A., 120.

Sterlings 120.

Stiles, Pres., S5.

Stockinn-, c. H. W., 117.

Stone, Samuel, 2:?, .W, 01 ; — AVm. L., 80.

Street, Mrs. A. K., 52, lOii, 105, et seq.

StroU'S .loseldi, 47, .50, 74, 100 ; — Mrs.
Henrv,02 ;— Henry, 111!;- Nathan, 100.

Stuart,!. AV., Lite of Trumbull, 44, 07.

Tallcott,.lohn, i:!.

Thirty years before the Revolution, 07.

Thonias, II., 121 ; — y:eueral reference, 74.

Tisdale, Kbeuezer, 122 ; — .John, 122 ; —
Nathan, bioi;raphic notice of, 122 et s(>q.

Tracv, 10, 25, 57, (H, 7(i, 00» 102, 112, IKt,
no, 118, 110, 120 ; — Albert H. 110 ; — C,
121; — Dr. Elisha, 57 ; — 111 ; — Klisha
Winslow, 111;— K. 1'., 120 ; — Daniel,
no ; _ Isaac, 102 ; — .lohu, 90 ; — I'hile-
nion, 118; — I'hiueas L., 113, 110; —
Samuel, 111 ; — Samuel, 102; — Simon
Jr., 102; — Stephen, 11(>;— Thomas,
113;— Thomas, 10, 25, 82, 00, 120 ; —
Uri, 11.3, 110;— Uriah, 112, 110; -jeneral
reftM-ence to, 120.

Trumbull, Gov., 43, 53,54, 02, (Vi, 07, 00, 74,

70, 84, 100, 102, 103, 122 ; — John, 04, 122 ;
.Joseph, 53, 04, 67, 102 ; letter to Hoston
committee, about aid, 103; J. Hammond,
22,23,20, .34, 50, 8.>, 03; Dr. Jienjamin,
3<;, .30, 82, 84.

Turner, Dr. Philip, surgeon general, 57.

Tyler, I)., 121 ; — Daniel, 107 et seq. ; —
Ivlwin, 115; — Rev. J., 74; biogl'aphic
account of, 100 et seq.

I'ncas, ,s2 (>t sec]. ; biuds himself to attend
chrijsti.in worship, 12 ; — cannibalism of,
8.3; chair of, 10; character of, 11; mon-
ument to, so et seq. ; signature to deed
of Norwich, 82.

Vail, Thos. H., 117.

Wade, Robert, 25, 90.

Wad<linj;ton, Dr. J., 87.

Wadhams, 120.

AVadsworth, 44, 45.

Wait, .lolin T., 20, 118, 120.

W;dlis, Iticliard, 00.

Walworth, U. II., 20, 75, 111, 118, 110, 120.

AVare, Edmun<l A., 110.

Warren Josei)h, letter from, acknowledg-
ing;^ sheep from Norwich, 08, 105.

AVaternian, Elijah, 113; — general ref-
erence to, 120; — Thomas, 19, 25, 90.

AVebb, J. S., 121.

AVeut worth, Erastus, 117; — general ref-
<>rence to, 70.

AVheelock, Dr. Indian school of, 41, 97,
122.

AVhitefield, George, 30 ; — Henry, 92.

Wbitaker, 41.

AVilcox, Asher II., 110; — AVillcox, G.
l!uckinL;ham, 115.

AVilles, I). E., 115.

AVillet I'rancis, 85,

AVilliams, S, 25, 40, 04, 09, 74, 79, 83, 80, 108,
11.3, 117, 121 ; — E., 121 ;— E. AAMuslow,
117 ; — Ebeuezer, 108 ; — Harriet Peek,
121 ; — Joseph, 113 ; — Roger, 8, 8ij, 80 ;
— William, 40, 09; — Gen. AVm., 87, 121.

AVintbrop, 23, 79.

AA'inslow, Gov., 20.

AVolcott, Oliver, 45 ;— Roger, 80.

AVoodbridge, I.ucretia, lOi) ; — Nathaniel
S., 100;— William, 119; — general ref-
erence to, 120.

AA'oodward, Dr. Ashhel, 111, ILS 120; —
Rev. .John, successor to Rev. .James
Fitcli, 34; resignation of, .35; biographic
account of, 00; — Patrick H., 110.

AA'ooster, (ieneral, death of, 45.

Yerrington, Alexander, 118.

09172

JUN ^ i9bT

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Full text of "A historical discourse delivered in Norwich, Connecticut, September 7, 1859, at the bi-centennial celebration of the settlement of the town"

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