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HISTORY 



COLONY OF NEW HAYE^^ 



BEFORE AND AFTER 



THE UNION WITH CONNECTICUT. 



COXTAININO ▲ ri.RTlCVI.A.R DSICRimOll 



OF THE TOWNS WHICH COMPOSED THAT GOVBINMSNT, VIZ., 



NEW nATElf , 
]IIII.FORI>, • 

GUIUFORB, 

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1/ 
BRAlfFOBIK, U 

8TARIFORB, * 

801JTH[0I.B, 14. 1. ^ 



WITH k NOTICE OP THE TOWNS WHICH HAVE BEEN SET OPT PROM 

"THE ORIGINAL SIX/' 




hdivwtd Qj\^ oi^wi^^*^ 



NEW HAVEN: 
PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BT HITCHCOCK k STAFFORD. 

1838. 



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Entered, 
According to Act of Congress, in the year 1838, 



BY EDWARD R. LAMBERT 



In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Connecticut. 



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PREFACE. 

Authentic history is of high importance. It exhibits the juris- 
prudence, science, morals, and religion of nations, and wmie it 
warns to shun their errors, holds forth their virtues for imitation in 
bold relief. But where is the history more interesting and important 
than that of our own, '* our much loved native land,'' that abounds in 
incidents moie romantic, or narrative more thrilling? But a little 
more than two centuries have elapsed since the first band of the 
*' Puritan Fathers" left their native home, crossed the wild Atlantic, 
landed on the snow-clad rock of Plvmouth, and laid the first 
foundation stone of New England. Within this period a change 
has here taken place, and in our common counl^ unparalleled in 
the history of mankind. A great and powerful nation has arisen. 
The desert has been made " to bud and blossom as the rose." And 
vhat but the sword of civil discord can arrest the giant march of 
imorovement, (yet advancing with accelerating rapidity,) till " the 
noolest empire in the reign of time" shall extend from the Atlantic 
to the Pacific wave. In what has thus far been done in building 
lip our republic, the " Old Colony of New Haven" has foil well 
performed her part. She was one of the first that conceived, and 
that first practically exemplified the principle, that the iDtU of tkt 
majority ojthe people ^uM govern: a principle which resulted in our 
national independence, which bids lair to sap the throne of despot- 
ism, and to regenerate the world. She furnished her " full quota 
of men and money," when the chariot of war was driven over the 
land, and nations were engaged in murderous strife. She has sent 
forth her proportion of emigrants to settle distant parts of our re> 
public, ana her sons may be found throughout the length and breadth 
of the land. 

To give a particular history of this colony, and to reftcne many 
important and highly interesting facts connected with more general 
history, which have never before been ^iven to the public, is the 
object of the following pages. Should it be thought by any, that 
things too minute are inserted, let such consider, that whatever is 
found on our early records relating to the settlement of the country 
is important to the historian, as it helps to a knowledge of the prim- 
itive character, and that many things which now appear oi little 
value, may hereafter be deemed of much importance, m fact, every 
thing relating to the history of the colonization of New England is 
worthy of preservation. 

No trouble has been spared in collecting materials; everv page 
of twenty folio volumes of Milford records have been carefully ex- 
amined, as also the old colony records, the town and proprietors' 
records of New Haven; and besides, the state records at Hartford, 
and the town records of Guilford, Biranford, Stamford, and Southold, 
have been more or leas read in reference to this object. For the 
account of Guilford, the author is principally indebted to the man- 
uscript history' of that town, written in 1769, by Mr. Thomas 
Ruggles. The author returns his gratefol acknowledgments to 
those gentlemen who have assisted him in his researches, or in any 
way contributed information, and especially to William Lyon, Esq.^ 
and Mr. John W. Barber, of New Haven, for the loan of rare works 
and manuscripts. The following is a list of the principal author* 
made use of, in preparing this work, viz. : Neal's Hl<«tory of New 



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4 PRSFACB. 

England; Prince's Annals; Tnimbuirs History of ConnecticaC: 
Barber's Historical Collections of Connecticut, and History and 
Antiquities of New Haven ; Holme's Annals of America ; Wood's 
History of Long Island; Webster's Letters; Stiles' History of the 
Regicides ; and Mather's Magnalia. 

Respecting the chronology of this work, all dates of the month 
previous to the 14th of September, 175*2, are old style, and all after, 
are new style. The year, however, between the Isi of January and 
the 25th of March, ^before the adoption of new style,) is uniformly 
treated where a double date is not given, as new style. As a brief 
explanation of the cause of the dinerence of style, the following is 
inserted : " When the computation by the Christian era was introdu- 
ced, the commencement of the year was fixed on the day of the annun- 
ciation, or incarnation of Christ, which event (the nativity beine 
fixed Dec. 25th) was placed on the 25th of March. This continued 
the commencement of the year in EIngland and her dominions till 
the alteration of the style, in 1752, when, by an act of parliament, it 
was enacted that eleven davs should be struck out of the month of 
September, and that the 3a should be dated the 14th, and one day 
added to February every fourth year, to conform their chronology 
to that of the other nations of Europe, (who had introduced a simi- 
lar alteration previously, in order to correct the error arising from, 
the procession of the equinoxes ;) and that the year should cof& 
mence on the 1st of January, instead of the 25th of March. Before 
that time, to preserve a correspondency of dates with those of other 
nations, it had been usual to give a double date from the 1st of Jan- 
uary to the 25th of March ; thus February the 12th, 1721, was written 
"ffebruaryye 12th, 17| :" the omission of the lower number would 
cause an error of a year. - Anachronisms in American histonr have 
thus been occasioned bv the inattention of historians to this circum- 
stance attending the old style. It is believed, however, that all dates 
ia this work are correct. Concerning the extracts from the early 
records, inserted in this work, the author would oteerve, that the 
orthography and style of composition has been carefully retained, 
believing it would detract from the interest of a respective subject, 
if dressed in modern style. The section, " Sketch of Olden Times," 
it is believed will be to the reader a source of amusement, if not of 
instruction. It is the recital of the doings, and portrays the charac- 
teristics, of bygone generations. By the {>enisal the imagination may 
hold communion with the departed spirits of antiquity. 

The labor in collecting materials has been very great, and any 
thing like a fair remuneration is not expected. The stimulus is 
solely con amore^ a desire to have the facts in convenient form for 
reference. And if this example should induce others, ** of kindred 
feelings and adequate industry," to make similar collections of local 
history of other sections of the countrv, the hopes of the author will 
be yet more fully accomplished. The learned Timothy Dwight, 
late President of Yale College, recommended every town in the 
state to publish its history, and although this has been effected in 
part by Mr. John W. Barber, in his Historical Collections, yet much 
more should be done. We do not claim perfection for this work, 
and if our readers discover any inaccuracies, they will remember 
that errore kumafvwm, est. 

Jmiuary 1st, 1838. 



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LIST OP ENGRAYINGS. 



Map of New Haven and yicln^ty, ... i 
Seal of Connecticut, ...... i 

South view of New Haven and Fort Hale, - • 49 

Signature of Groyemor Eaton, &c., - - - - 43 

Indian marks, Momaugaiu's and others, - - - 46 

Indian marks, Montowese, &c., - - - - 46 

Southwest view of Gov. Eaton's house, - - - 59 

Plan of the city of New Haven, - - - - 58 

Southeast view of Yale College, - • - - 63 

View of the first College, - - - - - 66 

Seal of Yale College, 66 

Signature of Gov. Winthrop, - - - - - 75 

East view of the Public Square in New Haven, - - . 79 

Eastern view of Trinity Church, New Haven, - - 79 

View of Connecticut State Hospital, - - - 82 

South view of Fair Haven, (western part,) - - - 83 

West view of East Haven, ----- 84 

Indian marks, Ansantaway and others, - - - 86 

Indian marks, Toutonomac, &c., - - - - 87 

Milford town seal, - - - - - - 92 

Plan of the town of Milford, - - - - 93 

Ground plan of the first meeting-house, ... 104 

South view of the first meeting-house, - - - 104 

South view of Congregational Churches, - - - 106 

South view of the Episcopal Church and Town House, - 115 

Signature of Gov. Saltonstall, 124 

Southwest view of Gov. Treat's house, - - - 138 
Gov. Treat's signature, ------ 138 

Southeast view of Gov. Law's house, - - • 140 
1* 



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6 UST OF ENORAYmeS. 

Gov. Law's signature, - - - - - - 140 

East view of Poconoc, or Milford Point, - . . 146 

South view of New Milford, 153 

Indian marks, and sketch of Wiantinoqne purchase, - 153 

Southern view of Guilford, ----- 160 

Signature of Gtov. Leete, ----- 168 

View of Gov. Leete's house, 168 

Ancient house at Guilford, - - - - - 169 

West view of Branford, - - - - - 172 

Southwest view of Stamford, - - - - 175 

View of Southold, 180 

Cochran's hotel and Universalist Church, - . - 185 

Fac-simile of a Bay shilling, - « . . - . 194 

Fac-simile of a coin of Charles II., - - - 195 

Treasury bill of Connecticut, - - - - - 196 

Likeness of Gov. Yale, 197 

(3eneaological tree, and coat of arms, - - . - 205 

Southeast view of J. Lambert's house, - . . 209 

Signature of J. Lambert, ----- 309 

South view of J. Lambert's house. East Farms, - - 210 

Fac-simile, .--.--. 2I6 



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CONTENTS. 



COLONY OP NEW HAVEN. 

Introductory remarks, 13 

Voyages of the Cabots, 13 

Other early voyages to New England, . . . • 14 

The London and Plymouth Companies, .... 14 

Puritans: Mr. Robinson and congregation — Pljrmouth colony, 15 

Early settlements in Massachusetts^ 16 

Proclamation to restrain emigration, .... 17 

First settlements made in Conn\?cticut, .... 17 

Setttlement of Saybrook — Progress of settlements in Conn., 18 

"War with the Pequots, 19 

Indians in New Haven colony, 20 

Formation of New Haven government, .... 21 

Agreement relating to Milford, 22 

Articles of confederation, 23 

First jurisdiction tax, 24 

Courts of the colony, 25 

Union of the New England colonies, 26 

Danger from the Indians, 27 

Orders of the General Court for the public defense, . . 27 

The Mosaic law adopted for the government of the colony, 28 

Governor's oath, 28 

Freeman's charge — Trpuble from the Dutch, ... 29 

Ship taken as a prize, 29 

Ck)V. Eaton's law book, ....... 30 

JPirsi troop of horse raised, . . . . . . . 31 

Tax and price of produce, ....... 31 

Charter of Connecticut obtained from Charles II., . . 31 

Union of the colonies of New Haven and Connecticut, . 32 

General officers of the colony, 32 

General officers after the union, 33 

End of the Dutch i)ower in America, 34 

County courts first instituted — King Philip's war, . . 34 

Committee of Safety appointed, (extract from records,) . 35 

duo Warranto's against the charter of Connecticut, . . 36 

French and Indian wars, 37 

General Court of Connecticut first held at New Haven, . 38 

First paper money issued in Connecticut, .... 38 

Territory of Connecticut west of Pennsylvania, . . . 39 

Remarks on Connecticut, 39 



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CONTENTS. 



NEW HAVEN. 

Situation of New Haven, 40 

duinnipiack Indians— Arrival of the colonists at Boston, . 41 

Mr. Eaton's Letter to the General Court of Massachusetts, . 43 

Arri^alof the colony at New Haven 43 

First sermon preached — Plantation covenant, ... 44 

duinnipiack purchased of the Indians, .... 44 

Second purchase, 45 

Fundamental articles, 46 

Churches organized, 50 

Millinarians, 50 

Organization of civil government, 51 

^ew Haven laid out— Gk>v. Eaton's house, &c., . : 52 

Order concerning the house lots, 53 

First meeting-house, 53 

Order concerning the military, 53 

Order concerning common fields, 53 

List of Planters, 54 

Settlement of Greenwich, . 56 

New Haven purchase on the Delaware, .... 56 

Soulhold purchased by New Haven; 57 

Ship built at Rhode Island, - 57 

New Haven Phantom Ship, 57 

Treaty for Gallowajr, in Ireland, . . • . . 58 

Accountof the Regicides, . 58 

Project of establishing a College, ...... 69 

Hopkins' Grammar School, 63 

Remonstrance of Mass, against a college in New Haven, . 63 

Account of Yale College, 63 

History of the first church and beginning of the second, . 69 

Episcopal society, 74 

Churches of other denominations, 75 

Patent of New Haven, 75 

New Haven incorporated a city, 76 

British attack New Haven, 76 

Celebration of peace, 78 

Public square or green, . 19 

Site of New Haven, , 80 

Harbor, . 80 

Soil of New Haven, 81 

Population of New Haven, 81 

Pnblic buildings, &c., 82 

State Hospital, 82 

Botanic Physicians, * 83 

Fair Haven, 83 

Westville, . . . • 83 

Wallingpord, 83 

North Haven, 84 

Hamden, 84 

East Haven, 84 

First iron works, 84 



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COHTElfTS* 



MILPORD. 



Situation and first purchase of Milford, .... 85 

Manner of transacting the Business — After purchases, . 86 

Indian Neck, 86 

Gtuit claim from the Indians, 87 

Purchase above Derby and New Haven road, ... 87 

Two Bit Purchase— One Bit purchase, .... 88 

Settlement of the town, 89 

List of first Planters, 89 

Nfumber of first planters, 90 

List of the principal after planters, 90 

Removal offourteen of the first settlers, .... 91 

The planters led to Milford by Thomas Tibbals, . . 91 

Formation of their civil polity— Five judges chosen, . 92 

Planters located on Mill river and West End brook, . . 93 

Location and quantity of land in house lots, ... 93 

Houses of settlers — First mill in the colony, ... 94 

Town named, 94 

Meeting-house and bridge built, ...... 94 

Common fields and divisions of land — Sequestered lands, . 95 
Regulations of common fields and gates — Town flock of sheep, 96 

Lands sieauestered for the church, 96 

Lands t6 be recorded^Lisi of town clerks— Roads, . . 97 

Foot paths— Bridges— Ferries, 99 

Hog Rock legend, 100 

First church organized, 100 

Covenant— Record of Mr. Frudden*s ordination, . . 101 

Succeeding pastors, 109 

Provisionsfor the support of ministers — Salaries, . . 103 

Description of the first meeting-house, . . . ' . 104 

Secona and third meeting-houses of first society, . . 105 

Bell and town clock, 106 

Originof the second society, 106 

Erect a meeting-house, 107 

Ministers prosecuted for preaching, 108 

SocleW^ released fVom taxes to first society, . . . 108 

Settled ministers of the socie^, 108 

Salary of ministers of second, society, .... 109 

Episcopal society— Church erected, 109 

Baptist Society, 110 

Burying Grounds, 110 

Hearse— Fevers and small pox— Inoculation house, . . HI 

Mineral phvsicians— Botanical physicians, ... 113 

Schools— BHrst receipt of money from the school fund, 113 

School districts, 113 

Subjectofthe western lands— Town houses, ... 114 

Academy building— LibrariesH-Public houses, ... 116 

Mills, \ 118 

Trade and commerce, 120 

Shipbuilding— Early mechanics, 131 

Ancient Boundaries, . 1^ 

Encouragement for raising hops, ..... 133 



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10 COHTINTSU 

Old patent of the town— New patent, 123 

Lanos owned in various places by planters, . . . 125 

Planters' estates in England unsold, 126 

Indian villages — Indian burying places, .... 126 

Indian implements, &c.— Indian wampum— Indian counting, 127 

Measures for security against the Indians, .... 127 

Indians attempt to burn the town, . . . . . 128 

Houses fortified, 129 

Battle between the Wepowages and Mohawks, . . . 129 

Indian fort destroyed, 130 

Land appropriated for the Indians at Turkey Hill, . . 130 

Potatuck Indians— Visit of Champlain Indians, . . 130 

Fate of the Indians, 131 

Military companies, and orders concerning, '. . . 131 

Services renaered by the town in the early wars, . . 132 

Proceedings of the town in the revolutionary war, . . 133 

Landingof British soldiers at Pond Point, . . . 135 

Tories banished, 135 

Soldiers landed from a prison ship, 136 

Quard,kept in the late war, 136 

Leading men of the first planters, 136 

Notice of Govenor Treat, 136 

Notice of Governor Law, 139 

Notice ofthe Sherman family, 141 

Notice of Abraham Clark, of New Jersey, . . . . 1^ 

Notice ofColonel Samuel Eells, . . . . . 143 

Notice of Colonel Roger Newton, 143 

Notice of Gideon Buckingham, 144 

Persons of collegiate education, . . ... . • 144 

Regicides secreted, 144 

Geological Features 144 

Milford marble, 144 

Meadows and Swamps, 145 

Rivers, 145 

Fishing places— Poconoc Point—Oyster acts, &c., . . 146 

Milford Island, 147 

Milford Island legend, . 147 

Harbor — Proposed breakwater, 148 

Burwell's Farm, 148 

Wheeler's Farm, 149 

Character of inhabitants, Ac, . . . . 149 

Tenons settled by Milford people. 

Newark, 150 

Greenwich, .......... 152 

New Milford, 152 

Newtown, 156 

Durham, 155 

Towns which once belonged to MUfprd, 

Derby, 156 

woodbridge, 157 

OaiNOE, 158 



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COKTSlfTS* 



11 



Whitefiekl, 



GUILFORD. 

Situation and boiindanr--Semeinent commenced, 

First purchase of the Indians, 

After purchases— List of first planters, 

Agreement between the planters, 

Division of lands— Order for clearing land, 

Plan of organizing their church— Notice of Mr. 

Succeeding ministers— Other congregational societies, 

Elpiscopal churches— Public officers and courts, 

Earijr military discipline, &c.— Notice Mr. Desborough, 

I^otice of Gov. Leete, 

I^oticc of Mr. Andrew Leete, 
Mr. Whitefield's residence, .... 
Mr. Whitefield's estate— Soil of the township, 
Rivers and harbor— Borough of Guilford, . 
Watering places— Character of inhabitants. 

Patent of Guilford, 

Madison, 




160 
161 
169 
163 
164 
165 
166 
167 
167 
168 
169 
170 
170 
171 
171 
171 



BRANFORD. 

Situation— First purchase and Indian name, ... 179 

Granted to Samuel Eaton — Sold to Wethersfield people, 179 

Mr. Pierson and people unite in the settlement, . . . 173 

Notice of Mr. Pierson, 179 

Progress of the settlement, .173 

Planter's displeased with the union of New Haven with Con- 
necticut—Remove to Newark, N. J., . . . 173 
Town, rc-settled and re-invested with town privileges, . 174 
Patent of Branford— Soil and surface of the land, . . 174 
Rivers and islands — Public square, churches, Ac, . . 174 
NoRTu Branford, . . 174 



STAMFORD. 

Situation— First purchase by New Haven people, 
Subsequent agreement, ...... 

First planters— Cause of their removal from Wethersfield, 

Bought of New Haven— Principal settlers, 

I^otice of Mr. Denton, . . , . . . 

Subsequent ministers — Magistrates and other officers. 

Danger from the Indians— Parts of the town fortified, 

Dutch and Indians at war — Notice of Capt. Underbill, 

Indians design a general massacre — Mr. Whitmore killed. 

Town on the point of revolt from New Haven, . 

Patent of Stamford— Size of the township, surfece,and soil, 

Borough — Churches and other buildings, . 

Sloop canal, harbor, dec— Sonthfield and Shipan Point, 

Dasubn, . ' 



175 
175 
175 
176 
177 
177 
177 
177 
178 
178 
178 
179 
179 
179 



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12 CONTENTS. 



SOUTHOLD, L. I. 

Purchased under the authori^ of New Haven, . . 180 

Planters remove from New Haven to the place, . . 180 

Settled in combination v ith New Haven 180 

Some of the leading men — Civil and ecclesiastical afifairs, . 180 

First meeting-house — Ministers, 181 

Notice of the Young ftimily — Attention to religion, , . 181 

Difficultv of restricting free suffrage in the church, . . 183 

Southold claimed by Connecticut, 183 

Averse to coming under the government of New York, . 183 

The Corchaug Indians^ ....... 183 

Hostilities of Ninnigrate to the Long Island Indians, . 183 

Indians troublesome, 183 

Language of Long Island Indians — List of Indians words, . 184 

Situation and extent of Southold — Boundaries, . . . 184 

Patent from Sir Edmund Andross, 184 

Island belonging to the town^-Gull Island Light House, . 184 

Public buildings — Seminary, 185 

Greenport and other villages, 185 



SKETCH OP OLDEN TIMES. 

Religious intolerance of first colonists, .... 186 

Regard for the Sabbath, 187 

Congregational church established by law, . . . 188 

Announcement of lime for meeting, 189 

O{^>ositioa to Romish ceremonies, 189 

Regard paid to ministers, 189 

Seatine the meeting-house, ' 190 

Day of the week and month, reckoned by numbers, . . 190 

Belief in /sdtchcrafl, prodigies, &c., 190 

Fasts and thanksgiving, 191 

Election, ^ 191 

Formality of social intercourse, 193 

Specimen of given names, . 193 

Schools, 193 

Method of trade, 193 

Ancient coin, 194 

Form of note of hand, 195 

Form of Connecticut Treasury Notes, .... 196 

Description style of dress, 197 

Style of Architecture, 901 

Farmer's table fare, 202 

Table and other furniture, 903 

Traveling conveyance, 903 

Farming utensils, 904 

Principal crops raised, 904 

Concluding remarks, 904 

Genealogy op the Lambert famlt, 906 



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HISTORY 



OF THE 



COLONY OF NEW HAVEN, &c. 



Thb diseovery and settlement of America by Europeansi 
was an event of the greatest importance, and one which every 
true American, and particularly every descendant from tba 
original coloniats, will ever delight to contemplate. Such being 
the fact, it is hoped that this work, though somewhat of a locfu 
nature, will not be wholly uninteresting. As a necessary pre. 
luninary, a short account will be given of some of the eariy 
voyages to New England, and of the colonization of the 
same, previous to the settlement of the towns which coinposed 
the " Old Jurisdiction of New Haven." 

Whether the Egyptians, Romans, and PhcBnecians, befiure 
ike Christian era, the Norwegians in the eighth century, and 
^ Welch in the eleventh, had any knowledge of the conti- 
nent, it is not the purpose of this work to inquire. The claims 
<^ Engkind to these parts of America, were derived from the 
discoveries of John Cabot, (a Venetian resident of Bristol,) 
and his son Sebastian. In their firfit voyage, in 1495, they 
discovered land, supposed to have been Newfoundland. In 
a second voyage, made by Sebastian Cabot, in 1408, under 
commission from Henry YIL, he fell in with the continent in 
latitude 56^ north, on the 11th of June, (O. S.) Columbus 
the same year discovered, on the first of August, for the first 
time, the main land, near the isthmus of Darien. Thus it ap. 
pears, that the honor of first discovering the great American 
continent, justly belongs to Cabot. 

A number of others made voyages of discovery to the new 
2 



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14 H18T0ET OF THS 

world, daring the time which elapsed between this event and 
the ccAonization of New England. Among these were Mar- 
tin Frobisher, in 1576, in search of the northwest passage,-— 
Sir Humphrey Gilbert, in 1583, — Bartholomew Gosnsid, in 
1602, (who built a fort and began a plantation at Cattahunk, 
but soon returned,) — Martin Pringle, in 1609, who during the 
voyage entered Massachusetts bay, — Henry Hudson, in 1609, 
who discovered Long Island and the river which bears his 
name, — ^John Smith, m 1614, who formed a map of the coast, 
which on his return he presented to Prince Charles, who called 
the territory New England, (it having previously passed by 
the name of North Virginia,) — ^Thomas Dermer, in 1619, 
who, in passing from North to South Virginia, sailed between 
the main land and Long Island. He was probably the first Eu- 
ropean who explored the coast of Connecticut, and ascertain, 
ed Long Island to be entirely separated from the main land. 
But notwithstanding the many voyages made to New England 
at that period, and a number of attempts to establish a colony, 
no permanent settlement was effected till the pilgrim fathers 
landed at Plymouth Rock. For near a century from the 
time of the discovery of the continent by Cabot, Uie English 
monarchs appear to have given but little attention to the coun- 
try, which was destined eventually to be annexed to their 
crown, and to be a great source of British opulence and 
power ; most of the voyages during that time being accom- 
plished by private enterprise; This in some measure may 
be accounted for by the unpropitious circumstances of the 
reign of those monarchs. It was reserved for the energy and 
perseverance of men who exiled themselves from the land of 
their nativity, for the sake of ** civil and religious liberty," to 
successfully colonize New England. 

The first grant from the crown of England, under which 
settlements were made in New England and Virginia, was 
dated April 10, 1606. By this charier, obtain^ by Sir 
Thomas Gates and associates, James I. granted them all 
the land in America lying between 34 and 45 degrees of 
north latitude. The patentees were divided into two compa- 
nies, called the London and Plymouth companies, to the for- 
mer of which were assigned the southern part of Uie territory, 
and to the latter the northern. These divisions were denom- 
inated North and South Virginia. 

The people who first settled New England were dissenters 
from the church of England and of the sect denominated Pu- 



yGoogk 



COLOITT <ir tllW HAVEN. 15 

litaos. This name was given them from dieir professiiig a 
purer way of worship, i* e., more Calvioistic than the establish, 
ed church. The sect had euted for more than half a cen- 
tury. They being rigidly persecuted during the reign of 
James L, and their ministers silenced, many of them fled to 
the continent, that they might enjoy in peace their religious 
principles and worship. Mr. John Robinson and congrega- 
tion left die north of England, in the spring of 1608, and took 
up their abode in Amsterdam* But on account of some dif- 
ference with another congregation, under Mr. Smith, they re- 
moved to Leyden. Here they lived in harmony, and were 
unmolested ; but thinking their posterity would be lost among 
the Dutch, they resolved to remove to America. These ad- 
venturers attempted to procure a patent under the Virginia 
company, but found it very diflicult on account of tlieir reli- 
gious opinions. They finally otained one in the name of 
John Wincob ; but he failing to remove to America, it was of 
no use, and they resolved to remove without one. 

The first colony, consisting of only a part of Mr. Robin- 
son's congregation, sailed from Holland on the 12th of July, 
1620, in the Speedwell, for Southampton, in England, where 
they joined the Mayflower, a ship of 180 tons, which they 
chartered for the enterprise. They left that port on the 5tlk 
of August; but the Speedwell being very leaky, they were 
obliged twice to put back for harbor. Condemning her as 
unseaworthy, they all embarked in the Mayflower, and sailed 
from Plymouth on tlie 6th of September. After a long and 
bcHsterous passage, they made land at daybreak, November 
9, 1620, (O. S.) which proved to be Cape Cod. It was their 
intention to have landed at Hudson river, but the captain, 
Jones, was bribed by the Dutch to take them northward of 
their destinatbn. Their patent being useless, they, on the 
11th, formed themselves into a body politic, and drew a con- 
stitution, or compact, which was signed by 41 persons.* Mr. 
John Carver was chosen governor for one year. After ex- 
ploring the country for a number of days, on the 11th of De- 
cember, they found a good harbor, where, on the 20th, they 
landed and began their settlement, giving it the name of 
Plymouth, after the name of the town which they last left in 
England. The whole number of persons in the colony was 

* The 22d of December is annually celebrated at Plymouth as the 
** forefather's day," which corresponds to the llth| Old Style. 



yGoogk 



16 BisTomT OF m 

101, who were divided into 19 fiunilies, each of whom hdlt 
their own cottafle. They si^ered so severdy from colds, 
and the want of suitable provisionsy that in less than four 
ttionths one half of their number were dead* Under such in« 
auspicious circumstances was commenced the first English 
oolony in New England* It continued a separate govem- 
inent for 72 years, till annexed to Massachusetts, in 1692* 

Colonization thus commenced, though attended with diffi- 
culties and great mortality, other settlements soon folbwed* 
The towns of Dover and Little Harbor, on the Piscataqua^ 
were b^;un in 1623, the first settled towns in New Hamp« 
^lire ; &lem, in 1627, the first permanent town in Massachu. 
setts colony* The settlement of Charlestown was commen- 
ced in 1629, by 100 persons, who removed from Salem. 
Early in July, 1630, a fleet of twelve ships arrived at Charles. 
town, with 840 passengers, some of whom were from the 
west of England, but mostly from the vicinity of London* 
In this fleet came Governor Winthrop, Deputy-Grovemor 
Dudley, Sir Richard Saltonstall, and other men of wealth and 
influence, and many of the people who were eventually some 
of the first settlers of Milford, Branford, and Stamfcurd. It 
was the intention of the company to have settled at Charles* 
town; but an epidemic sickness prevailing there at the time, 
tiiey scattered and settled in various places* Mr. Warham 
and congregation located themselves at Matapan, afterwards 
called Dorchester* Sir Richard Saltonstall, with Mr. PhilipB 
and people, ^ ascended Charies river and settled at a well, 
watered place," hence it was called Watertown. Mr* Phil^ 
was fix>m Boxford, county of Essex, and most of these planU 
era were from the same county. Their church was gathered 
August 27, 1630. Others settled at Shawmut, wluch they 
called Trimountain, from the contiguous hills, afterwards ex. 
changed for Boston* To this place Gov. Winthrop and most 
of his assistants soon after removed their ftunilies. Mr* Pyn« 
cheon and others settled Roxbury* The next year the Boston 
pec^le began the plantation of Newtown, afterwards called 
Cambridge* 

Colonization now began to progress with unexampled ra. 
pidity* The estaUished settlements received lai^ accessions 
and new plantations were b^un. The opposition which yet 
continued m England towards the dissenters, — ^the silencing 
of their clergy, — ^the fines and imprisonments to which the^ 
were subjected, caused thousands to flee to America. Emi- 



yGoogk 



coLoxr «p mw k^lvbn. 17 

gnition had become so general, that ia AprO, ldd7, the kiag 
issued a proclamation to restrain the disorderly transportatioA 
of his subjects to the American colonies. It commanded that 
BO license should be given them without a certificate that 
they had taken the oaths of supremacy and allegiance, and 
conformed to the discipline of the established church* A fleet 
oi eight ships was soon after stopped, which were lying in 
the Thames and ready to sail* In one of these ships were 
actually embarked Oliver Cromwell, Sir Arthur Hazleriff, 
John Hampden, John Lambert, and others who afterwarw 
figured under the commonwealth. Charles little suspected, 
that by this arbitrary measure he was detaining men destined 
to overturn his throne, and to terminate his days by a violent 
death. But notwithstanding the royal order, great numbeni 
yearly reached New England* 

The first settlements in Connecticut were commenced in 
1635, by Massachusetts people. The colonies of Water- 
town, Dorchester, and Newtown, had become crowded by the 
accession of new planters, whereupon many thought it advi- 
sable to leave, and commence new plantations. Having ob- 
tained a knowledge of the rich alluvion tract on the river Con- 
necticut, and that the uplands were of good quality, they 
resolved to remove there. The people from Watertown took 
up a tract of fine natural meadow, at a place called by the 
Indians Pauquiaug, where they laid out their plantation, which 
was aflerwaitis named Wethersfield, after a town of that name 
in England. Here a few Watertown men, the year before^ 
erected two or three huts and remained during the winter*- 
Thus it appears that this is the oldest town in Connecticut* 
Sir Richard Saltonstall was a particular patron of the settle- 
ment, and is said to have visited it in 1637 or 8* 

The people from Dorchester began a plantatkm at Matta- 
neaug, near where the Plymouth men, the year before, had 
erected a trading-house. This displeased the Plymouth 
people, who considered their prior occupancy as giving them 
just title to the lands. But the difficulty was eventuaSy set- 
tled by a fair remuneration. This settlement received the 
name of Windsor. A few people from Newtown made 
preparations this season for a settlement at Suckiaug, which 
was the beginning of the city of Hartford. 

In Octo^r, a company of sixty men, women, and children^ 
with their cattle, traveled by land to Connecticut, to join the 
plantations* Their goods and provisions were put on board 
2* 



yGoogk 



IQ msToiar or thb 

ef two small vessels^ to go round by wat^. These vessels 
were wrecked on Brown's island, near Plymouth, and all on 
board perished. The people waited for their provisions tiH 
they were threat^ed with famine, and then most of them^ 
about the first of December, went down the river, hoping to 
meet their expected supplies. Being disappointed, they em- 
barked in a vessel which they found lying at the mouth of the 
river, and after much suffering arrived at Boston. Some 
others weqt back to Massachusetts by land. Those who re« 
mained suiOTered severely, and were at times obliged to subsist 
on acorns. 

In November of liiat year, John Winthrop, son of the gov- 
ernor of Massachusetts, built a fort and commenced a settle^ 
ment on the west bank, at the mouth of the Connecticut river, 
under commission from Lord Say and Seal, Lord Brook, and 
others,, who held a patent of this tract of country from the earl 
of Warwick, one of the Plymouth company. This settlement 
was named Saybrook. Connecticut, in 1644, purchased the 
patent, with the fort and appurtenances, for the sum of J£1600 
sterling. During the yea^ 1635, twenty sail of vessels arrived 
at New England, bringing 3000 passengers. 

Early in the spring of 1636, the settlements on Connecticut 
river were prosecut^ with energy. The people who had 
been there the fall before and returned again, went on acconK 
panied by many others. About the beginning of June, Mr* 
Hooker and Mr. Stone, ministers at Newtown, now Cam-^ 
bridge, with their con^gation, lefl that place and trav- 
eled to Connecticut, dnving one hundred and sixty cattle 
through the wilderness. They settled at Suckiaug, now 
Hartford. At the close of the year, 1636, there w^re in the 
three towns of WethersfieW, Windsor, and Hartford, about 
250 men, and 800 persons in the whole. These towns, at 
the first, bore the same names as those in Massachusetts^ 
fix)m which the settlers came. Their powers (rf government 
they at first derived from Massachusetts ; but finding they 
were beyond the limits of their patent, they formed themselvea 
into a distinct commonwealth. Upon their purchase of Say- 
Wook, and the patent held by Lord Say and Seal and otliers, 
they considered themselves invested with the M authority oT 
a colonial government; and this was the principal end for 
which the purchase was made. In 1636, Rc^r Williams^ 
being expelled from Massachusetts for his religious tenets^, 
began a plantation at Mooshausick, which he nwoaed Piavi- 



yGoogk 



C0I4»fT or low KAYES. 19 

dence."' The settlements at CoDoecticut, bad hardly been . 
made a year, before they were troubled by the Pequot Indiaosy 
a powerful tribe located on the tract lying for some miles on 
each side of the Thames. The harbor of New London was 
hTwerly called Pequot harbor. 

In April, 1637, a party of these Indians went up the Con* 
necticut in canoes, and surprising a number of persons in 
Wethersfield, as they were going into the field, killed six 
men and three women. They took two young women pris- 
oners, daughters of Mr. William Swaim, and killed twenty 
cows. Previous to this these Indians, at various places, had 
murdered a number of the English, and committed many 
depredations on their property ; and Massachusetts, the year 
before, had made a hostile excursion against them, under CupU 
Endicott, without much efiect. This expedition gave dissat- 
is&ction to the settlers at Plymouth and Connecticut, who 
complained to the governor of Massachusetts, that it wouki 
exasperate the savages, without being of any use towards 
subduing them. Such proved to be the case, and the contin* 
ued murders committed by this warlike tribe, induced all tho 
colonies to unite in an expedition against them. 

After the murder at Wethersfield, the Connecticut people 
sent letters to the government of Massachusetts, urging the 
continuation of the war to a more decisive conclusion. Prep* 
arations were accordingly made in that colony and Plymouth. 
But as it was, Connecticut was foremost in executing the do* 
sign, for on Wednesday, the tenth of May, Capt. Mason^ with 
ninety men from Hartford, Wethersfield, and Windsor, near 
half the eflfective men in the colony, went down the river, 
b^g joined by Capt. Underbill at Saybrook, and by Uucas» 
sacl^m of the Mohegans, the enemy of the Pequots. Sailing 
around to the Narraganset shore, they landed, and being 
joined by 500 Indians of that tribe, who wished to see the 
Pequots exterminated, they marched by moonlight to the Pe- 
quot fort, and arriving just at dawn of day, attacked it by 
surprise. Capt. Mason entered and set fire to the wigwams, 
and killed or took prisoners most of the Indians, anx>unting 
to six or seven hundred, with the loss of only two men. Sas- 

* Religioiis intolerance was soon found in America, and those 
very persons who had suflfered greatly in England for their religious 
opinions, soon as they were settled began to persecute other sects, 
and all of their own who differed from them in any of their pecu- 
liar teaets. 



yGoogk 



20 HISTOBt OF TRK 

sacus, the sactiem, and the Indians of the tribe who were in 
another fort when the massacre took place, being panic struck, 
destroyed their fortifications, fled and took refuge in a swamp 
at Sasco, now Fairfield, near the village of Southport. A 
body of men being joined by the troops from Massachusetts, 
under Capt. Stoughton, pursued them, killed some and took 
others ; a few only of the bravest, and Sassacus one of them, 
escaping, fled to the Mohkwks. They met with an unfavora- 
ble reception from that tribe, who killed them and sent the 
scalp of Sassacus to Coonecticut. The few Pequots who es- 
caped destruction were divided between the Narragansets 
and Mohegans, and their existence as a distinct tribe was for- 
ever annihilated. 

This was the first contest with the Indians in New England. 
Whether the proceedings of the colonists were reconcilable 
with the principles of justice, it is not necessary to discuss ; 
but humanity demands a tear on the extinction of a valiant 
tribe, which preferred death to what they might naturally ex- 
pect from the progress of the English settlements, — subjuga- 
tion or expulsion. In the view of the colonists, the example 
of the Jews dispossessing and slaying the Canaanites, s^led 
all doubts respecting the moral equity of killing Indians, or , 
selling them in the West Indies for slaves ; <* for the earth is 
the Lord's," and "the saints shall inherit the earth." 

By pursuing the Pequots to the westward, the English be^ 
came acquamted with the tract of country along the seacoast 
from. Say brook to Fairfield. It was reported to be a very 
fine region. This favorable report, and the consideration . 
that they would be out of the jurisdiction of the other colo- 
nists, induced Mr. Eaton and his company, who emigrated 
from London to Massachusetts in 1637, to think of this part 
of the country as the place of their settlement. Accordingly, 
on the 30th of March, 1638, they sailed from Boston for 
Quinnipiac, and began the flourishing colony of New Haven. 

At the time of the settlement of the colony, the Indians 
were quite numerous. At Guilford was a tribe under a sa- ' 
chem squaw. At Branford and East Haven was another. 
At East Haven was a famous burying ground, which they 
visited, and kept up many years. At Milford, Derby, Strat- 
ford, Norwalk, Stamford, and Greenwich, their numbers were 
formidable. At Derby were two large clans ; at Paugusset 
one of them had a strong fort for defense against the 
Mohawks, on the bank of the Housatonic river, near a mile 



yGoogk 



OOLQKT OP NSW BAVEK* 21 

above the ferry. At Naugatuck Falls was another tribe. Iq 
Stamford were two or three tribes, who gave great alarm, 
trouble^ and expense, to the English, numbering about 5000 
people, of which 1000 were warriors. These Indians were 
tributaries to the Mohawks as far east as Branford. Two old 
Mohawks, every year, came to collect tribute, with as much 
authority and haughtiness as a Roman dictator. If they re« 
fused or neglected to pay tribute, the Mohawks would plun. 
der, destroy, and canr}' captive at will. When they camCt 
the tributaries would raise the cry of *^A Mohawk ! A Mo^ 
hawk!^^ andt flee like sheep before wolves, while the Mo- 
hawks would exclaim, <^ We are come to suck your blood /" 
When they could not reach their forts, they would enter the 
English houses for shelter, and, if they had time to shut the 
door, they were safe ; but tlie pursuers would often follow so 
close as to enter with them, and slay them before the familv. 
About the time of the settlement of Milford, the Mohawks 
surprised tlie fort at Pauguawot. When nearly arrived, for 
the greater secrecy, they traveled in the river. After killing 
and taking captive whom they would, they returned to their 
castles above Albany. Being harassed, oppressed, and slaugh* 
tered by the Mohawks and Pequots, the Indians along by the 
sea were friendly to the settlement of the English, expecting 
their protection. They were subject to the Mohawks as far 
eastward as New Haven, and beyond that to the Pequots. 

The old jurisdiction of New Haven consisted of the fol- 
lowing towns, viz : — ^New Haven, Milford, Guilford, Bran- 
ford, Stamford, and Southhold, on Long Island. Some of 
these towns, at their first settlements, were separate judiciary 
bodies, and independent of each other ; but, prompted by the 
motive of self-preservation, that they might more efficientljr 
defend themselves from the assaults of the Indians, they uni- 
ted in a general government. The confederation was about 
five years in forming. Stamford and Southhold, probably at 
Uieir first settlement, considered themselves as belonging to 
New Haven. Guilford was the next member of the conied- 
eracy. At a general court in April 5th, 1643, it appears 
that considerable progress was made in the laws and govern- 
ment of the colony. Deputies were admitted to the court, 
and addition was made to the number of magistrates. Stam- 
ford, for the first time, sent representatives, — Capt. John Un- 
derbill and Mr. Richard Gildersleeve. Mr. Raynor was ap- 
pointed a magistrate by the court for Stamford, and Mr. Des- 



yGoogk 



29 BISTORT OF THB 

borough for Guilford. In that year, Mflford joined the confed- 
oration. This plantation met with some dSficulty and delay 
in gaining admission, as appears by the following curious doc- 
ument, copied from New Haven colony records, lib. 1, page 
71: — 

A Generall Court held at New Haven the 23rd of October, 1643. 
Whereas this Plantation att first with generall ande fnll consent 
layde their foundations tbatt none butt members of aproved Churches 
should be accounted free Burgesses, nor should any else hare any 
vote in any Election, or power or trust in ordering oi Civill afiayres, 
in wch. way we have constantly proceeded hitherto in our whole 
Court wth. much comfortable frnite through God's Blessing. And 
whereas Stamforde, Guilforde, Yennicock, (SouthholdJ have upon 
ye same foundations and ingagements, Entred into Combination 

wth. vs. This Court was now informed thatt of late there have 

beene some meetings and treatyes between some of Milforde ande 
Mr. Eaton about a Combination by which it appeareth thatt Mil- 
forde hath formerly taken in as free Burgesses, six Planters who 
are nott in Church ffellowship, wch. hath bred some difficulty In the 
.passages of this treaty; butt att present it stands thus, — The Depu- 
ties tor Milforde have offered in the name both of the Church ande 
Towne, First— thatt the present six free Burgesses who are nott 
Church members shall nott at any time hereafter be chosen either 
Deputies or into any Public trust for the Combination. Secondly, 
thatt they shall neither personally nor by Proxie vote att any time 
in the Election of Magistrates. Ande Thirdly, thatt none shall be 
admitted ffreemen or free Burgesses hereafter att Milforde butt 
Church members, according to the practice of New Haven j Thus 
farr they granted, butt in two peniculars, they ande the said six 
ffreemen desire Liberty. First yt. the said six fireemen being already 
admitted by them, may continue to act in all proper perticular 
towne business wherein the Combination is nott interested, ande 
Secondly thatt they may vote in the Election of Deputies to be sent 
to the Generall Courte for the Combination or Jurisdiction wch. 
soe to be chosen ande sent shall alwayes be Church members. The 
Premises being seriously considered by the whole Courte, the Breth- 
ren did express themselves as one man clearly ande fully thatt in 
the foundation layde for Civill government they have attended their 
Lights, ande should have failed in their dutye nad they done other- 
wise ande professed themselves carefuU and resolved nott to shake 
the said Groundworks by any change for any respect — ^and Ordered 
thatt this their vnderstanding of their way and Resolution to main- 
taine itt should be entred wth. their vote in this business as a Lasting 
Record. But not foreseeing any danger in yielding to Milforde 
wth. the forementioned Cautions, itt was by Generall Consent and 
vote ordered thatt the Consociation proceed in all things according 
to the premises. 

The ffovemment for the wholejurisdiction appears to have 
been fully organized in 1643. This year, for the first time, 
the general court at New Haven are distinctly recorded, and 



yGoogk 



COLOHT OF MBW HAVEN. dS 

dtfllinguisbed by the names of governor, depaty.govemor» 
magistrates, and deputies. At tl^ court which convened on 
the 26th of October, Mr. William Fowler and Edmund Tapp, 
of Milford, were chosen magistrates, and on the succeedmg 
day the Articles of Confederation for the jurisdiction were 
drawn and passed. The record of which is as follows : 

A Generall Court held at New Haven for the Jurisdiction, the 
87th of October, 1643. 

Prubnt. 

Jtagigtrmtu. Dipnius. 

TheopliiliM Eaton, Qowenor. ) George Laniberton } „ |.^„ d..^ 
etepben Goodyear, Deputy. V N. H. Natbaolel Tamer \ I* "*'' Haven. 

Thomae Grecioo. > John Aetwood ; „ wim!«-i 

WiHiam Powler. > w John Sherman \ '' ■»w<wd- 

BdmundTapp. S "*' Wlliiam Leete ?«,««ii#x-ii 

Ttauraton Raynor, 8. Samuel DItbroogh \ P' "«>»»"• 

Tbomaa Fugill, Sec. ? w u ^^cliard GildereleTe P ^ ....,^ . 

Tbo-Klmberly, Marshall, i "• "• John Whiunore. ^PfBtMMoi^ 

L It was agreed and concluded as a fundamental order not to be 
disputed or questioned hereafter tbatt none shall be admitted to be 
firee Burgesses in any of the Plantations within this Jurisdicticm for 
the future, but such Planters as are members of some or other of the 
approved Churches in New England; nor shall any but such free 
Burgesses have ati^ vote in any Ejection (the six present freemen 
att Milforde enjoymg the Liberty with the Cautions agreed.) Nor 
shall any power or trust in the ordering of any Civill Atfayres be att 
any time putt into the hands of any other tlian such Church mem- 
bers ; though as free Planters all have right to iheir Inheritance 
and to commerce according to such Qranis, Orders and Lawes as 
shall be made concerning the same. 

II. All such free Burgesses shall have power in each Town ande 
Plantation within this Jurisdiction to chuse fitt and able men from 
amongst themselves (being Church members as expressed before) 
to be the Ordinary Judges to heare and determine all inferiour 
Causes, wther. Civill or Criminal; provided thatt no Civill Cause 
to be tryed in any of the Plantation Courts in value exceed 208. 
ande that the punishment of such Criminals according to the minde 
of Ckt& revealed in his word touching such offences deo not exceed 
Stocking and Whipping, or if the fine be pecuniary thatt it exceed 
not five pounds, in wch. Court the magistrate or magistrates, if any 
be chosen by the free Burgesses of the Jurisdiction for thatt Plan- 
tation, shall sitt and assist with due respect to their place, andesen- 
toice shall pass according to the vote of the major parte of each 
such Courte, onely if the partyes or any of them be nott satisfyed 
wth. the Justice of such sentences or Executions, appeals or com- 
playnts may be made from ande agaynst these Courts to the Courts 
of Magistrates for the whole Jurisdiction. 

III. All free Burgesses in the Jurisdiction shall have a vote in the 
Election of Magistrates, whether Governour, Deputy Gtovemour or 
other Magistrates, with a vote for Treasurer, Secretary and Mar- 
shall, &c. for the Jurisdiction, and for the case of such Burgesses, 
ande especially in remote plantations they may vote by proxi by 



yGoogk 



S4 BurroET or thb 

sending in their votes, which votes shall be sealed in the preacnee 
of the free Burgesses, and the firee Burgesses may chuse for each 
plantation as many magistrates as the situation of affayres mar 
require, and no plantation shall be left destitute of Magistrates if 
they desire one chosen out of those in church fellowship with them. 

IV. All the Ma^rates for the whole Jurisdiction atoLll meete 
twice a yeare att New Haven, on the Monday immediately before 
the sitting of the two fixed Generall Courts hereafter mentioned to 
keep a Court called a Court of Magistracy for the tr3ral of weighty 
antie capitall causes whether civiU or criminall above those sub- 
mitted to the ordinarv Judges in the particular plantations, and to 
receive and try appeals brought to them from the Plantation Courts, 
and to call the Inhabitants, whether free Burgesses, free Planters or 
others to account for the breach of any Laws established ande for 
other misdemeanors, and to censure them according to their offence. 
Less than four Magistrates shall nott compose a Courtr^but it is 
required and expected all the Magistrates to attend of the Jurisdic- 
tion. If not present they shall be liable to a fine of 90s. unless 
excused on account of (Jod's Providence preventing. Appeals and 
complaints can be made from this to the Qenerall Court as the last 
resort 

y. Besides the Plantation Courts ande the Court of Magistrates 
there shall be a Generall Court for the Jurisdiction, which shidl 
consist of the Gk>vemour, Deputy Gtovemour and all the magistrates 
within the Jurisdiction, and two Deputies for every plantation in 
the Jurisdiction to be chosen previously — This Court shall sit at 
New Haven twice every vear, viz. on the first Wednesday in April 
and the last Wednesday in October, at the last of which the ofiiceis 
for the ensuing year shall be chosen. The Gk)vemour or in his 
absence the Deputy-Govemour shall have power to summon a 
Generall Court at any other time, and no one belonging to the 
court shall be absent on penal^ of 20s. fine. 

VI. The Court shall with all care & dilligence provide for the 
maintainance of the purity of Religion and surpress the contrair ; 
according to their best light from the Word of God, and by the 
advice of the Elders and churches in the Jurisdiction so farr as it 
might concern the civill power— 2d. This court shall have power 
to make & repeal laws &, to require their execution while in foree 
in all the severall Plantations— 3rd. to impose an oath upon all the 
Magistrates to call them to account for breach of Lawes &, to cen- 
sure them according to ofi*ence— to settle ande levie rates and con- 
tribution of the Plantations for the public services and to heare 
ande determine causes whether Civill or Crimiikall — they to pro- 
ceed according to the scriptures which is the rule of all righteous 
Lawes ande sentences. Nothing shall pass as an act without the 
consent of the majority of the Nta^strates, ande of the majority of 
the Deputies. In the Generall jCourt shall be and reside the su- 
preme power of the Jurisdiction. 

At this court was laid the first tax which was paid to the 
jurisdiction. 

It was Ordered that Guilforde pay five jpounds, Stamforde five 
pounds, Milforde ten pounds (to equal Guuforde ande Stamforde, 



yGoogk 



COLONY OF NSW HAVEN. X 

which hare already been ascessed five pounds) into the tratfory 
in New Haven towards defraying the expense of six soldiers sent 
on from Hartford for Tineas' defense against the assaults of the 
Narragansetts for the death of Miantonimoes. And that all charges 
thereafter shall be borne by the planters according to the number 
of men from sixteen to sixty years of age. 

It was their plan that each town should govern themselves 
independently, as far as local interests were concerned^ and as 
far as the public interests or common wealth, was interested, 
to organize an authoritative governmental and judicial council, 
to which all should submit and be in subordination. 

It is seen by their articles for government, that they insti. 
tuted three sorts of courts ; the Plantation Court, (of which 
something like existed before the confederation,) and was 
similar in its powers to our justice courts, the Court of Ma^ 
gistrates, which corresponds to our superior courts, and the 
Genera] Court, which was like our legislature. 

The plantation, or particular courts, as sometimes called, 
were constituted by each town choosing four deputies annu. 
ally, who were reported to the general court, or assembly, 
who approved, empowered, and established them : so that 
they became, within the town districts, judiciary officers of 
the law, vested with civil authority and legal jurisdiction. 
These judges were denominated commissioners, and, in con- 
junction with the magistrates of the town, composed the court. 
Before it was tried all local civil suits and lower felonies. 
From this appeals could be made to the court of assistants at 
New Haven. This court sat quarterly, and oflener if occa. 
sion required. The magistrates and commissioners were 
empowered to join in marriage, to execute deeds, and to watch 
over the town, for the preservation of order and the good of 
the community. 

The court of magistrates was the supreme judiciary held 
at New Haven, to which the whole colony was amenable, and 
consisted of the governor, deputy-governor, and all the magis- 
trates. The governor was chief judge. This court had the 
cognizance and trial of all causes, civil and criminal, and was 
bound to proceed and decide according to strict law and jus. 
tice, and agreeable to the principles and spirit of the laws of 
England. With this court was the probate of wills and set- 
tlement of intestate estates. From its decisions appeal could 
be made to the general court, as the last resort. It adminis- 
tered justice wim much firmness, impartiality, and dignity. 
8 



yGoogk 



S8 HISTOBY OF THB 

Tlie general court consisted and was constituted of two 
branches, both elective, in difierent modes, by the people. 
One branch was composed of the representatives or deputies 
<rf the towns, elected twice a year by each town respecitively : 
the other of magistrates, consisting of a governor, deputy- 
governor, and assistants, or magistrates from each town of 
the jurisdiction, elected annually by the general voice of the 
people. The concurrence of these two branches made a 
public act or law. The supreme administration, both civil 
and military, was with the governor and deputy-governor ; 
the judiciary, with the governor and magistrates. Both 
branches of the court, magistrates, and deputies, sat in the 
same room. The manner of election was thus : in April, 
preceding the election and session of the court in May, the 
towns elected two deputies each, and nominated persons for 
their magistrates, which nomination was sent by the governor 
to all the towns, which towns, on the day of election, were 
limited and confined to make their choice of magistrates from 
this nomination. The election at first was in October, but 
in 1653 it had been changed to the third week in May. The 
day of election was one of much importance in those times, 
on which most of the freemen of the jurisdiction generally 
appeared at New Haven. On this occasion one of the min- 
isters preached a sermon, which custom was not discontinued 
till 1826. The governor and deputy. governor were first cho- 
sen, then the magistrates for each town, (out of the nomina- 
tion,) not as representatives for that town only, for they dif- 
fered from the deputies, standing till another election, and 
were charged with the general interests of all the. towns of 
the jurisdiction. At the same time they chose a secretary^ 
treasurer, and marshal, out of the previous nomination of the 
towns for general officers. The choice being thus finished, 
on election day the general officers and town deputies formed 
themselves into an organized assembly, or general court, for 
the jurisdiction. Their system of jurisprudence was truly a 
singular simplification of law, a complete emancipation of it 
from the confusion, embarrassment, and contradictory decis- 
ions of European codes. 

In 1643, the colonies of Massachusetts, Plymouth, Ck>n- 
necticut, and New Haven, united into a confederacy, for 
their own mutual safety and welfare, and called themselves 
<* The United Colonies of New England.'^ The plan had 
becQ proposed a number of years, but difficulties occurred 



yGoogk 



coLomr OF iciw haven. 97 

which retarded the unioD tDl that year, when on theo 19th of 
May, the articles were completed and signed at Boston. Each 
colony was authorized to send two commissioners to meet 
annually in Se|[»tember9 first at Boston, then at Hartford, New 
Haven, and Plymouth. The commissioners were rested 
with plenary powers for making war and peace, and rules 
of general concern, especially to regulate the conduct of the 
inhabitants towards the Indians, for the general defense of the 
country, and for the support and encouragement of religbo* 
This union was of much importance to the New England 
colonies. It made them formidable to the Dutch and Indians, 
respectable in the view of the French, and was one of the 
principal means of their preservation during the unsettled 
state and civil wars of tlie mother country. The proportion 
of men each colony was to furnish in case of war, was, 
Massachusetts 100 ; Plymouth, Connecticut, and New Haven, 
45 each. 

About this time the Indians were troublesome, and it was 
suspected there was a general combination of them to extir- 
pate the English. They appeared to be making active prepa- 
rations for war. It is supposed that Miantinomah, a Narra- 
ganset sachem, though in alliance with the English, was 
engaged in the conspiracy. He assaulted Uncas, but being 
taken, was beheaded by him near Norwich. It is said the 
Mohawks were within a day's journey at the time of his cap* 
ture. The colonies, for their common safety, were obliged to 
keep constant watch. Some idea may be had of the hard- 
ships which the colonists experienced, and of the dangers to 
which they were exposed, by the following extracts from New 
Haven records : 

At a generail court, Aprill 3d, 1644— It is ordered that ererv male 
from 16 to 60 yeares olde within this jurisdiction be furnished forth- 
with with a good gun, a sword, a pound of good powder, four fathom 
of match for a match lock, 5 or 6 good lints for a fyre lock, and 
four poimds of pistol bullets or 24 bullets fitted for every gun, and 
soe continue f\]mished from time to time, under the penalty of 10s. 
for every person found faulty or defective. 

It is ordered that there shall be six training dajrs in a yeare, but 
only one of them in the same month, except in times of danger, and 
there shall be a review once in a quarter. 

It is ordered that each plantation shall keep on hand 100 pounds 
of good powder and 400 pounds of shott. 

It is ordered that each plantation shall keep their great gun* 
loaded ande ready for use. 

It is ordered that the fourth part of the trayned band in every 
plantation shall come to the public worship of God at the beating of 



yGoogk 



38 BMTORT OF Tmi 

tbe second drum at the farthrest, with their arms compleat, their 
ffons ready charged, with their match for their match locks, ande 
Bints ready fitted in their fyre locks, and shott and powder for at 
least 5 or 6 charges besides the charge in their gun, under the pen- 
alty of 3 shillings fine for neglect or defect of furniture, and one 
ddUing for late coming, ande allsoe the sentinels or they who walk 
the rounds, shall have their matches lighted during the time of the 
meeting, if they be match lockes. 

It is ordered for the setting of the watch, that the drum is to beat 
at the going down of the sun, and the watchmen to be there within 
an hour after the setting of the sun, with arms and gun compleat, 
with 5 or 6 charges oi powder and shott, besides me one which 
shall be in the gun. If they come late they shall pay a fine of one 
shilling, if absent 5 shillings, which shall go into the treasury of the 
Plantation. The watch shall continue till half an hour after day- 
light, and they who walk the last round shall call the drummer a 
hour before daye. The night shall be divided into three watches, 
and no one shall sleep within his watch. In case of danger, the 
watch shall fyre two guns for alarme, the sentinell shall fyre one 
gun, ande cause the drum to beat. If the danger be from fyre, they 
shall crjr, Fyre ! fyre ! if from the Indians, Anne ! arme ! upon 
which all the soldiers shall repair to the meeting house. 

As New Haven had not yet any code of laws, the follow. 
ing act was passed by the general court, in April, 1644, for 
tde government of the jurisdiction : 

It is ordered that the Judicial Lawes of Qod as they were deliv- 
ered by Moses, ande as they are a fence to the Morall Lawe, being 
neither tjrpicall nor ceremoniall, nor had any reference to Canaan, 
shall be accounted of Mora) equity, ande generally binde all ofien- 
ders, ande be a rule to all the courts in this Jurisdiction in their 
proceedings against ofifenders till they be branched out into particu- 
lars hereafter. 

Thus it appears that the only code recognized in the juris. 
diction at uiis time, was the Mosaic law, which very well 
coincided with their notion that all government should be in the 
church, inasmuch as ^ the saints should rule the earth." 

At this session of the general court, the forms of govern- 
or's and freemen's oaths were made as follows, extracted from 
New Haven town record, lib. i, page 4 : 

Govem^tir's Oa/4«.— Whereas you T. E. arc chosen to the place 
of Gk)vernour within this Jurisdiction for the yeare ensuing, ande 
till a newGtovemour bee chosen and sworn, you doe hear swear by 
the great and dreadful name t>f the Ever Living God, to maintain 
(according to your best ability) all the lawfull priviledges of this 
commonwealth according to the fundamental order ande agreement 
made for the government thereof, and that you will carry and de- 
mean yourself for the said time of your government according to 
the Lawes of Qod, and for the advancement of his Ckispell, the 



y Google 



COLOMT OF NSW HATSN. 9t 

Lawes of the Colray, and the good of the Inhabitants thereof. Yon 
shall doe Justice to all without partlaliiy, as much as in you lyeth. 
So help you God. 

FVeemaiCs Charf^e.-^Yon shall neither plott,practiee, noreonsent 
to any Evill or hurt agaynst this Jurisdiction, or any parte of it, or 
against the civill government here Established. Ana if you shaA 
know any uerson or persons which intend plott or conspire anr 
thing whicn tends to the hurte or prejudice of the same, you shall 
timely discover the same to LawfuU Authority here Established, 
and you shall assist and be helpful in all the Anayres of the Juris- 
diction, ande by all means shall promote the Publique weUfare of the 
same according to your place, ability, and opportunity. You shall 
give due honour to the LawfuU Magistrate, and shall be obedient 
ande subject to all the wholesome Lawes ande Decrees all ready 
made or which shall bee hereafter made by LawfuU Author!^ 
aforesaid, and that both in your person and estate. And when you 
shall be duly called to give your vote or suffirage in any Election, or 
concerning anv other matter which concemeth the Common 
Wealth, you shall give it as in your conscience you shall judge 
may conduce to the best good of the same. 

In the year 1644, Branford was first settled in combina- 
tion with New Haven, by people from Wethersficld. Mr, 
Abraham Pierson was chosen pastor. In 1645, New Haven 
appointed Thomas Gregson, Esq., and Connecticut, George 
Fenwick, agents to parliament to procure patents for their 
respective governments. Mr. Gregson was lost at sea; 
Fenwick failed to go, and the business rested till after the 
restoration in England. About 1650, the general election 
was changed from October to May. Such were the injuries 
which had been sustained from the Dutch, at New Nether- 
lands, (now New York,) and their plotting and inciting the 
Indians against the English, that 1653 was a year of grei^ 
distress and alarm. New Haven government provided a 
frigate of twelve guns, with 40 men, and sent in defense of 
Stamford and Gi'eenwich against the Dutch, and by cruising 
up and down the Sound to prevent Ninigrate, a Niantic chie^ 
from crossing to Long Island, in prosecution of his hostile 
designs against the Indians, in alliance with the English. In 
that year, Capt. Astwood, of Milford, was sent by the gov- 
ernment to England, to solicit aid of Cromwell for the reduc- 
tion of the Dutch, as the general court of Massachusetts re- 
fused to assist. The following year orders came to treat the 
Dutch as declared enemies, but news of peace between Eng- 
land and Holland reached America before much was ef- 



During these troubles, in 1654, one Capt, Manning, of a 
3* 



yGoogk 



80 mSTOBT OF THE 

ten gun ship, was apprehended for an unlawful trade at Man. 
hadoes. While the affair was upon trial by the court at New 
Haven, his men ran off with the ship from Milford harbor. 
Alexander Bryan armed and sent a vessel after her, and pressed 
so hard before she reached Dutch Island, that the men took to 
their boats and escaped. The ship left adrift was brought 
into Milford harbor and condemned as a prize. 

The plantations, by experience, finding Jewish bondage 
rather irksome, or that the laws of Moses were not entirely 
applicable to their condition, the general court, in May, 1655, 
desired Governor Baton to perfect a code of laws for the 
jurisdiction,* For his assistance in the compilation, he was 
requested to consult the Rev. Mr. Cotton's Discourse on Civil 
Government in a new plantation, and the Massachusetts code. 
Having finished the work, assisted by Mr. Davenport, and 
the laws having been examined and approved by the elders of 
the jurisdiction, they were presented to the general court. 
They ordered that 500 copies should be printed. The man- 
uscript was sent to England, that it miglit be printed under ^ 
the inspection of Gov. Hopkins. Concerning this subject is , 

the following, on the New Haven records : 
t 
A Court, June 25, 1656. The govemour informed the court that 
there is sent over now in Mr. Garreth^s ship, five hundred Lawe ^ 
bookes, which Govemour Hopkins haih gotten printed, and six i,\ 
paper bookes for Records for the Jurisdiction, with a scale for the 
colony, which he desireth to accept as a token of his Love. The 
Lawe bookes cost, printing and paper, ten pounds and ten shillings, 
and the six paper bookes forty eight shillings. The Lawe bookes 
are now ordered to be divided as foUoweth : New Haven, 200 ; Mil- 
ford, 80; Stamford, 70; Guilford, 60; Branford, 40; Southhold, 50^ 
for every one of which bookes each Plantation is to pay twelve 
pence in good country payment. (Wheate and pease was pro- 
pounded by the Govemour.) Mr. Hopkins having ordered him to 
receive it heare upon his own account, and therefore must be made 
up in quantity, else he would be a greate looser by iU 

There is a copy of these laws preserved in the collection <^ 
the American Antiquarian Society, at Worcester, Mass. It 
was transcribed by the librarian, Mr, Baldwin, and the man- 
uscript copy presented to the legislature of this state, at its 
session in May, 1835, These are probably tte only copies 
of the laws in being. It is a curious work and should be 



♦ Many laws of this code were, however, copied verbatim from 
the Pentateuch, Ex. xxi. Lev. xx. Deut. xxii. ^ &c. 



yGoogk 



COLOKT OF NEW HAVEN. 31 

reprioted immediately, that it may be preserved as a lasting 
memorial of " olden time," 

In 1656 was raised the first troop of horse in the colony. 
For the encouragement of men to join the company, the mem- 
bers were exempted from paying taxes and training on 
foot. The general court, this year, ordered that the comnK>n 
soldiers should fire at the mark, and play at cudgeb and the 
broad-sword. 

In August, 1656, was laid a jurisdiction tax, a notice of' 
which is here inserted to show the price of produce in which 
it was to be paid, and also the relative proportion of each 
plantation. The amount to be raised was £150 ; half was to 
be collected by the middle of October, the other half by the 
middle of the ensuing March. Good beaver was to be taken 
at the price current, wheat at 5». per bushel, peas and rye at 
4«., corn at 3^., beef at 2d. half penny per pound, and pork at 
3 Jd. New Haven was to pay £56 2s. ; Milford, £S2 lAs. ; 
Guilford, £20 5*. ; Branford, £11 2*. ; Stamford, £17 14*. ; 
Southhold, £12. 

On the 21st of August, 1661, King Charles II. was pub- 
licly proclaimed at New Haven, he having been restored to 
the English throne the year before. The court beibg met, 
he was acknowledged to be their sovereign lord and king, and 
proclaimed " to be the lawful king of Great Britain, France, 
and Ireland, and all other territories thereto belonging." In the 
year 1661, Governor Winthrop, of (Connecticut, was appointed 
agent of the colony to go to England and present a petition to 
]£ng Charles II., for the purpose of obtaining a charter. The 
governor being a man of address, and assisted by Lord Say 
and Seal, and the earl of Manchester, friends of the colony, 
he obtained from the king, on the 20th of April, 1662, a let- 
ter patent, conveying the most ample privileges, under the 
great seal of England. The territory granted and confirmed 
to them, was bounded by Narraganset bay on the east, by 
Massachusetts on the north, on the south by the sea, and ex- 
tended to the South Sea on the west. The colony of New 
Haven, by the charter, was included withm the limits of Con- 
necticut. This gave great dissatisfaction to the inhabitants* 
of the colony, as they were included without having given 
their consent. The chief objections they urged, were that 
Connecticut admitted persons to the privileges of freemen 
who were not church members, and they were fearful, should 
they unite with Connecticut, that it would affect the order of 



yGoogk 



32 HI8TOSY OF THE 

their churches, (L e. cause the separation of church and 
state ;) also, that afler they had been to so much trouble and 
expense to form a distinct commonwealth, it was a grievous 
reflection, that their existence as a separate government 
should cease and their name be obliterated. 

Soon afler the reception of the charter, Connecticut sent a 
committee to New Haven, consisting of Mr. Matthew Allyn, 
Samuel Wyllis, and Messrs. Hooker and Stone, to induce the 
colony to unite with them^ and enjoy the privileges confirmed to 
them by royal grant. They failed to accomplish the object of their 
mission ; but soon after, some people of Southhold, Guilford, 
Stamford, and Greenwich, came under the government of Con- 
necticut. When New Haven constables began to distrain taxes, 
it occasioned alarming consequences. John Rossiter, son of 
Dr. Rossiter, of Guilford, obtained a constable, two inagis-> 
trates, and some others, of Hartford^ to come down on the 
dOth of December, who, firing cannon, very much alarmed 
the people. Gov. Leete sent to Branford and New Haven, 
in the night, for aid. The next morning the gentlemen from 
Conn^ticut remonstrated against the collection of taxes by 
New Haven, of those who had submitted to Connecticut. In 
the summer of 1664, Milford broke off from New Haven, 
and would no more send magistrates or deputies to the gen- 
eral court. Mr. Law, of Stamford, deserted them. On the 
Idth of December, of that year, a general court was held at 
New Haven, when the members of the court, the elders (^ 
' the colony, with John Nash and James Bishop, of New Ha. 
yen, and Francis Bell, of Stamford, committees, consulted 
iipon the subject of the proposed union. After mqch discus- 
sion, Robert Treat, Esq., and Richard Baldwin, of Milford, 
were appointed a committee to accomplish the business with 
Connecticut ; and at the general election. May 1, 1665, both 
colonies amicably united, and John Winthrop, Esq., was 
chosen governor. At the time of the union, there were 10 
towns in both colonies. Branford was the only town which 
persevered in opposition to the union. Mr. Pierson, sjnd 
his whole church and congregation, were so dissatisfied with 
it that they soon removed into Newark, New Jerseyi But 
the happy consequences of this union has proved how idle 
were the fears of the people about a consolidation. 

Of the general ofiicers of the •* old jurisdiction" of New Ha- 
Ten, there was made but very little change for a long num- 
ber of years. Mr. Eaton was annually chosen governor 



yGoogk 



COLQinr OF NSW HAVEN. 8S 

wiiye he lived, and generally Mr. Goodyear depaty-goyemor. 
They bad no salary, but served the people for the honor of 
it and the general good. Mr. Baton died on the 7th of Jan* 
uary, 1657, and Mr. Goodyear died in London, in 1658. 
Francis Newman succeeded Mr. Eaton in the government c^ 
the colony, and was elected in May, 1657. For many years 
previous he had been secretary, and was well acquainted with 
the afliurs of the colony, He was continued in office during 
life. Upon the election, on the 29th of May, 1661, William 
Leete, Esq., of Guilford, was chosen governor, and Matthew 
Gilbert, deputy-governor, and were continued in o&ce till the 
union. 

In 1653, the magistrates present at the court, were William 
Fowler and John Astwood, of Miiford, William Leete, of 
Guilford, and Joshua Atwater and Francis Newman, of New 
Haven. In 1661, were elected to the office, Benjamin Fenn 
and Robert Treat, of Miiford, Jasper Crane and John Wake- 
man, of New Haven, and Andrew Leete, of Guilford. 

After the union of the colonies, the **old jurisdiction" of 
New Haven gave Connecticut three governors, viz., Leete, 
Treat, and Law. At the election, on the 11th of May, 1676, 
William Leete, Esq., of Guilford, was chosen governor, and 
Robert Treat, deputy-governor. After the death of Governor 
Leete, at the election in 1688, Robert Treat was chosen gov- 
ernor, and continued in office till 1698. William Jones, 
£^., of New Haven, Avas deputy-governor. Jonathan Law, 
of Miiford, was elected governor in 1742, and annually re- 
elected till 1751. Some of the magistrates of New Ha- 
ven, after the union, were, in 1655, William Leete, for Guil- 
ford, William Jones and Jasper Crane, for New Haven, Ben- 
jamin Fenn and Thomas Clark, for Miiford, and Richard 
Law, for Stamford ; in 1668, Alexander Bryan and James 
Bishop ; in 1678, Robert Treat ; in 1676, John Mason ; in 
1709, Josiah Rossiter and Samuel Eells. 

It may be said of these illustrious men, that they were fh- 
thers of their country. They lived in times of the greatest 
difficulty and danger, yet always conducted affairs with such 
integrity and wisdom as to meet the approbation of the 
public. 

The history of the colony of New Haven, after the union, 
must of course be blended with that of Connecticut at large. 
Such items' as are suited to the plan of this work, and of 
partk^ular interest, will be inserted. 



yGoogk 



34 HI8T0RT OF THE 

New Haven, from its first settlement, had experienced 
much trouble from the Dutch, who supplied the Indians with 
fire-arms, and incited them to hostilities against the English. 
But King Charles IL, sending an armament for the re- 
duction of the Dutch possessions in America, under Colonel 
Nicholls, in 1664, New Amsterdam surrendered on the 27th 
of August, and thus ended the power of the Dutch in Amer- 
ica, and with it the difficulties they occasioned the colonists. 
New Netherlands having been granted to James, duke of 
York and Albany, received the name of New York. 

Soon after, Col. Nicholls and associates, appointed by the 
crown, met with agents appointed by Connecticut, and agreed 
on the boundary line between New York and Connecticut. 
This was on the 30tli of November, 1664. In the May ses- 
sion of the general court, in 1665, county courts were first 
instituted by that name, to be holden in New Haven, one on 
the second Tuesday in June, the other on the third Tuesday 
in November, to consist of two magistrates and three justi- 
ces of the quorum^ 

To prevent all dispute about his title, the duke of York 
took a new patent of his territories in America, dated June 
29, 1674, and committed the government of them to Sir Ed- 
round Andross, who, by virtue of the patent, laid claim to the 
lands on the west side of Connecticut River, notwithstanding 
the priority of the patent of Connecticut, and in violation of 
the agreement of 1664. To enforce his claims, he attempted, 
in 1675, to take the fort at Saybrook,; he was, however, de- 
feated in this attempt by the firmness and resolution of Capt. 
Bull. In the year 1675, Philip, sachem of the Wampanoags, 
who lived at Mount Hope, in the present town of Bristol, R. I., 
began a war, the most general and destructive ever sustained 
by the infent colonies. His object was the complete extir- 
mination of the English. At his instigation, the Indians on 
the northern frontiers burnt Brookfield, Deerfield, and a con- 
siderable part of Springfield, and killed many of the inhab- 
itants, iladley was assaulted, but relieved by Major Treat. 

T1k> English had endeavored to secure the friendship of 
the Narragansetts, and to prevent them from joining Philip, 
had formed a treaty with them, July 15, 1675. But it was 
well known that they secretly aided the hostile Indians, and 
it was determined to reduce them by a winter expedition. 
For this object, the colony of Massachusetts furnished 527 
men, Plymouth 150, and Connecticut 300, and to these were 



yGoogk 



COLOIIY OP NSW HAVEN 85 

attached 150 Mobegan Indians. These troops, commanded 
by Joskih Winslow, governor of Plynwuth, marched late in 
I>ecemberf wading in deep snow) and attacked the fort of the 
enemy. This fort was built on a gentle rise oC dry 'ground, 
in a large swamp, in the present town of Kingston, R. I. 
The Narragansetts were furnished with muskets, and made 
bavoc with the assailants, especially anK>ng the officers who 
first entered the fort, most of whom were killed. Six cap* 
tains and 80 men were killed, 150 wounded, aad all suffered 
incredibly from frozen limbs and other hardships. But the 
▼ictory was complete ; three or four hundred Indians were 
MJru all their wigwams burnt, and the country ravaged.* 

The Connecticut troops were divided into five companies, 
and commanded by Major Treat. This brave officer made 
no less than seventeen fair shots at the enemy, and was 
thereby as oAen a fair shot for them. It in the tradition, that 
he received a hall through his hat, that he was the last man 
who left the fort in the dusk of the evening, commanding the 
rear of the army. Philip was killed in alxHit a year after 
the destruction of the Narragansetts. For some years after, 
the English had no difficulties with the Indians, but that they 
did not relax their vigilance, appears by the records of those 
times: 

Alt a coart held att New Haven, March 28, 1681~Mr. Jones 
acquainted them that the occasion of the meeting was becaose of 
ye ramoars of ye Indians being gathered together and desired to 
fall upon ye English, and by som it is apnrehended that there is 
danger toward, and that therefore it was good for ye Towns to make 
som fortification that may be for refuge in case of danger, and Ma- 
jor Treat beeing heare ye last Lecture, informed us ihatt hee had 
intelligence of a great body of Indians gathered np Hudson's Riv- 
er, ande indeed ye a]H>earing of ye bla^ng star in ye winter, with 
ve report of guns ana drums heard by som, and ye Earthquake ta. 
ken notis of in a neighbor towne, may bee forerunner or bee warn . 
ings of som great changes or judgments neare, ande it werbest now* 
to consider if it wer hot oar wisdom to make such provision as we 
can for our defence if we should be assaulted. 

The towne having hearde what was propotmded, som spake of 
fortifying houses onn ye outside of ye Towne, ande divers moaed 
thatt a committee bee appojmted to consider what fortifications wer 
neccessasy ande ye Magistrates and Townsmen, ande commission- 
ed militarv officers were chosen a Committee for to consider of ye 
matter and prei>are for ye Towne and allsoe did desire andappoynt 



• Uem. Robert Seeley, of New Haven, was killed in taking this 

fiNTt 



yGoogk 



36 HISTOEY OF THE 

3rm to consider of great guns ande other things necessary to ye 
case of affayres ande to appoynt such watches and wardes as ye 
case may require. 

This extract is a fair specimen of the spirit of those times, 
showing the implicit belief the early settlers placed in super- 
natural signs and forerunners. 

In 1686« Charles IL died, and was succeeded by the duke 
of York, who took the title of James IL He was a Catholic, 
and proved to be an oppressive tyrant. He wished to procure 
a surrender of all the patents of the colonies, and form the 
northern part of America into twelve provinces, with a gov- 
ernor-general over the whole. Accoraingly, in July, 1685, 
a quo warratUo was issued against the govemnoent of Con- 
necticut. The next year, in July, the assembly of the col- 
ony agreed upon an address to his me^esty, in which they be- 
sought him to recall the writ against them, entreated his par- 
don for any faults in their government, and humbly requested 
the continuance of their charter. On the 21st of the same 
month, two writs of quo warranto were delivered to Govern- 
or Treat, but the time specified for appearance before his 
majesty was ahready past. On the 28th of December, another 
writ of quo warranto was served on the governor and com- 
pany, requiring their appearance within eight days of the pu. 
rification of the Blessed Virgin. Though these writs gave no 
proper time for the appearance of the colony, yet they de- 
clared all its chartered rights vacated upon its not appearing 
at time and place. 

When the writs of quo warranto arrived, in 1686, Connec- 
ticut sent Mr. Whiting, as an agent, to negotiate for the pre- 
servation of their colonial charter and rights. But in vain ; 
for the king and council had determined to vacate all the 
charters and unite all the colonies to the crown under a gov- 
ernor of royal appointment. Sir Edmund Andross was ap- 
pointed the first governor-general over New England, and 
arrived at Boston, Dec. 19, 1686. He immediately wrote 
to the governor and company of Connecticut to resign their 
charter, but without success. In October, 1687, Andross, 
with his suite and more than sixty soldiers, arrived at Hart- 
ford, while the assembly was in session, and demanded a sur- 
render of their charter. The charter was produced, and 
while the officers of the government were debating with An- 
dross on the subject, the lights were extinguished by garments 
thrown over them, and the charter, which lay on the tablet 



yGoogk 



coLoirr OF mw haven. 87 

was seized by Mr. Wadsworth, of Hartfcm], and secreted k 
a hollow oak standing before the house of Mr. Wyllis. Aa« 
dross, however, proceeded to take formal possession of the 
government, and closing the cok>ny records with the word 
jSiiiff, annexed it to Massachusetts, and appointed officers, 
civil and military. 

Upon the abdication of the throne by James II., and the 
accession of William and Mary, the people of Boston arose 
in arms and arrested Andross and his council, and persuaded 
the old governor and council to resume the government. 
Connecticut obtained from the most able lawyers in England, 
an opinion that the colony, not having surrendered the char- 
ter under seal, and no judgment being entered on record, 
the charter was not invalidated ; the former government 
was therefore re-established, on the 9th of May, 1689. Oi^ 
that occasion, the governor and company sent an address to 
King William, datad June 13, 1689, petitioning for ratifica- 
tkm and confirmation of their charter. 

In 1690 commenced the war between England and France, 
called King William^s war^ which continued till the peace of 
Ryswick, in 1697, dtiring which time the colonies were in- 
volved in destructive warfare with the French and Indians* 
During the summer of 1692, there was much contention 
between Governor Fletcher, of New York, and the govern- 
, ment of Connecticut, about the riglit of commanding the 
Connecticut militia. Gov. Winthrop was sent as an agent to 
England on the subject, where it was decided that the quota 
of Connecticut to be under Gov. Fletcher, should be 120 men, 
the rest of the militia, as usual, to be under the governor of 
Connecticut. 

Scarcely had the colonies recovered from the distress oc- 
casioned by King William's toar, before they experienced the 
horrors of another war with the Indians, French, and Span 
iards, called Queen Anne^s war^ which continued from 1702 
to the peace of Utrecht, March 31st, 1713. The whole 
weight of this war in America fell on New England. Con- 
necticut furnished near 400 men. Great Britain, under 
George II., again declared war against France and Spain, 
March 29, 1744. The most important event of this war in 
America was the capture, of Louisburg, in the island of Cape 
Breton. For the expedition Connecticut furnished upwanfs 
of 1000 men, imder Roger Wolcott, Esq., lieutenant-govem- 
or. Preliminaries of peace between England and France 
4 



yGoogk 



88 HISTOET OF TRB 

were signed in Apr3, 1748, soon after which hostilities 
ceased. 

The last war in which the colonies were involved previous to 
the war of the revolution, was ** the French and Indian war^^ 
which was declared May 18, 1756, The cause leading to this 
war was thealledged encroachments of the French upon the 
frontiers of the colonies in America belonging to England. In 
this war Connecticut made great exertions, and did more, 
most of the time, than double her proportion, compared with 
the rest of the colonies. In the year 1759 she had more than 
6000 men in actual service. In 1652 the New England 
troops did important services in the reduction of Havanna* 
and Martinique. It was however a fatal enterprise to most 
of them, for of nearly 1000 men who were engaged in the 
enterprise, not 100 returned. Such as were not killed in the 
service died of the bilious plague. 

The conquest of Canada having been achieved, a definite 
treaty of peace was signed at Paris, February 10, 1763. 
This put an end to French and Indian warfare, -by which the 
colonies had been afflicted at times from their eaily settlement. 
Afler this the extension of settlements, commerce, wealth, and 
population, in Connecticut, were extremely rapid. On the 13th 
of October, 1698, the two houses of the general assembly sat 
separately for the first time. Before that time the assistants 
and deputies appear to have acted together. 

It was enacted, May 8, 1701, that the October session of 
the legislature should be annually held in New Haven. Pre. 
vious to this time, and ever since the union of the colonies, the 
assembly had convened both in May and October, at Hartford* 

The first emission of ^per money in Connecticut was oc- 
casioned by the expedition for the reduction of French Can- 
ada, in 1709, on account of the want of money otherwise to 
carry it on. The whole amount of bills issued were to be 
called in within two years. 

Connecticut, by her charter, was bounded on the west by 
the South Sea.f Nearly nineteen years after a patent was 

* According to tradition, New Haven and Milford, in this expe- 
dition, lost a large number of men. 

t At the time the charter was given there was no correct knowl- 
edge of the extent of the continent on the west. A Jesnit traveling 
to the west a few days from diiebec. from the top of a mountain 
saw water, and supposed he beheld the South Sea. Probably the 
water he saw was one of the western lakes. 



yGoogk 



coLomr OF mbw ravsic. 89 

granted to William Podd, which covered part of the teniuxry 
embraced in the charter* For nearly a century Connecticut 
n^lected to claim these lands, but in 1758 a company was 
formed with the design of ** planting the lands within the char- 
ter limits, on the Susquehannah." Accordingly, the next 
year a purchase was made of the Six Nations of a large tract 
at Wyoming. In 1774 the settlement was formed into a 
town called Westmoreland,* which sent representatives to 
the assembly of Connecticut. A contention soon arose be- 
tween Connecticut and Peonsylvania concerning these lands, 
but the controversy was suspended by the revolutionary war. In 
1781 commissioners were appointed by both states and au- 
thorized by congress to settle the dispute, who decided that 
the lands in question belonged of right to Pennsylvania. 
Although the state acquiesced in the decision with the view 
to obtain the implied sanction of the charter claims, Connec- 
ticut, in 1786, ceded to the United States all the lands within 
the charter limits, west of Pennsylvania, except a tract of 120 
miles in length, adjoining that state, on the west. This ces- 
sion was accepted. The money arising from the sale of the 
greater part of this tract constitutes the school fund^ for the 
support of schools throughout the state. This territory now 
forms a part of the state of Ohio, and is still called the WesU 
em Reserve. 

"During the time of the revolution, Connecticut was one of 
the foremost in the confederacy in resisting the oppression of 
Britain, and sustained her full share of the burden of the war. 
Her officers, for boldness and daring bravery were unequaled, 
and her soldiers were applauded by the commander-in-chief 
of the American armies, for their intrepidity and fidelity. In 
the last war with Great Britain, in the first conflict on the 
ocean, the first flag was struck to a native of Connecticut ;f 
on the land, the .first flag which was taken was surrendered 
to one of her sons.:^ 

*' The early colonists were men of intelligence, abating 
some of their religious views, and understood those principles 
of liberty which have resulted in the establishment of those 
institutions which distinguish Connecticut among her sister 



• So called from the idea of the Connecticut people, that we had 
more land west. 
t Commodore Isaac Hull, of Derby. 
t Colonel Young, of Lebanon, 



yGoogk 



40 mSTOBT OF THE 

States of the UDion* Ever republican in the form of her gov- 
(u^nment, she has in efiect ever been a free and independent 
commonwealth ; and whilst the other colonies were suffering 
under the domination of royaji governors^ she has from the 
beginning been governed by rulers of her own choice.^' Af- 
ter the declaration of independence, Connecticut continued the 
government according to the eharler, till 1818, when a cob- 
stitution of civil government for the state was formed and 
adopted. 



lf£W HATCir. 



New Haven lies at the head of a harbor, which sets up 
four miles from Long Island Sound, in north latitude 41° 18% 
and in west longitude 72° 56', seventy-six miles from New 
York, thirty .four from Hartford, and one hundred and thirty- 
four from Boston. It is the capital of the county of the same 
name, the semi-capital of Connecticut, and was the seat of 
government of New Haven colony before the union. 

The local situation of New Haven appears to have been 
known to the Dutch, some years before the arrival of the 
English settlers. They designated the place by the name 
« Red Mount," doubtless so called from the appearance of 
East and West Rocks. Its Indian name was Quinnipiack. 
This name was given to the river forming the eastern boun- 
dary of the township, and now commonly called Wallingford 
river, to the adjacent country, and to the tribe by Which it was 
inhabited. 

At the time of the settlement by the English the Indians 
were not numerous, numbering less than fifty warriors, having 
been much reduced by the incui^ions of the Mohawks and 
Pequots. In the treaty at the time of the purchase, the In- 
dians remarked, that ^ they remembered the heavy taxes of 
the Pequots and Mokawks, and that by reason of the fear of 
them they could not stay in their own country, but had been 
obliged to flee." The Indians had a strong fort at Beacon 
Hill,* in East Haven, and on the east side of the hill a large 



* So called firom a beacon fire, wbieh was boilt there in case of 
invasion, in the levolutionary war. 



yGoogk 




yGoogk 




yGoogk 



coLomr OP mw julyek. 41 

buryiiig.grouad. This eminence formerly bore the name of 
Indian Hill. Nearby tliey had a place ior powawing. ' The 
spot was formerly a swamp, but is now a meadow. Their 
number did not increase after tlie settlement of the English, 
but on the contrary, fest diminislied. Charles, the last chief 
of this tribe, was frozen to death near a spring, about a mile 
north of the Congregational church in East Haven. This was 
near a century aso, and the Quinnipiacks have long since 
been extinct. They could not live before the face of the 
white man, — thev could not bear to see the heritage of their 
fathers possessed by intruders, — they could not brook the 
servile subjection to which they were reduced, and doubtless 
the settlement of the English, notwithstanding the ^fair pro- 
posals,'' was more fatal to their existence than the oppression of 
the Mohawks and Pcquots had been prevbusly. 

The settlement of New Haven was made' in 1688. The 
colonists, in two ships,*^ arrived at Boston on the 26th of June, 
1637. The leaders of the company were Theophilus Eaton, 
£!sq., Edward Hopkins, Esq., John Davenport, Samuel Eaton, 
and Peter Prudden. Many of the men of this comj^y being 
wealthy, and of the highest respectability, wad Mr. Davenport 
and Mr. Prudden being genuine puritan ministers, the people 
of Massachusetts were very desirous to have them settle iq 
that commonwealth, and tried every method to induce them 
to do so. CharJestown made them generous offers, Newbury 
proposed to give up the whole town to them, the general court 
ofiered them any place where they should choose to settle, 
and Mr. Eaton was chosen a magistrate of the colony. But 
nothing could retain them, as they were determined to plant 
a distinct colony, where they might establish a government 
modeled in both civil and religious matters, according to their 
own peculiar views, and have none to control them. Having 
heard from those who went in the expedition against the Pe. 
quots, that the country along the shore west of the Connecti- 
cut river was fertile, and that there were good harbors, con- 
venient for navigation and commerce, they concluded in that 
pcul of the country to make their settlement. In the autumn 
of 1637, Mr. Eaton and others of the company made a jour- 
ney to Connecticut, to explore the lands and harbors on the 
coast, and being pleased with the situation of Quinnipiack, 



* One of them was named the Hectori 

4* 



yGoogk 



49 BtSTOBY OF TBB 

they there determined to settle their colony* On what is 
now the south corner of Church and Meadow streets^ they 
erected a hut, in which a few men remained during th^ 
winter.* 

When they were ready to remove, in the spring, the fol- 
lowing letter was written to the government of Massachu^tts 
colony : 

II may please the worthy and much Honored Qouener Deputy 
and Assistants and with them the present Courte, to take knowledge 
that our desire of staying within this patent was Reall and strong, 
4f the eye of God*s providence (to whom we have committed our 
waies, especially in so important an enterprise as* this, which we 
confess is far above our capacityes) had guided us to a place con- 
venient for our familyes and friends. Which as our words have 
often expressed, so we hope the truth thereof is sufficiently declared 
by our almost fiine month's patient wayting in expectac'M)n of some 
opportunity to be offered us for that end to our great charge and 
mndrance man^ waies. 

In all which time we have in many prayers commended the guid- 
ance of our apprehension, judgnients, spirits, resolue-^ons, and 
waies into the good hand of the oh'ly wise God, whose prerogative 
it is to determine the bounds of our habitac'«K)ns according to the 
ends for which he hath brought us into these countryes, and we 
have considered, as we were able by his help, whatsoever place hath 
bene propounded to us, being ready to have with contentment ac- 
tepted (if by our stay any public good mighibe promoted) smallere 
decammodac^ons and upon dearer terms (if tbey might be mode- 
rately commodious,) than we believe most men in the same case 
with us in all respects, would have done. And whereas a place for 
an Inland plantac-*K)n beyond Watertown was propounded to us, 
and pressed by much importunity by some, whose words have the 
power of a law with us, in any waye of God, we did speedily and 
seriously deliberate thereupon, it being the subject of the greatest 
part of a days' discourse. The conclusion was, that if the upland 
should answer the meddow ground in goodness and desirableness, 
(whereof yet there jls some cause of doubting) yet considering a 
ppate cannot pass from the bay thither, nearer than 8 oi 10 miles 
distance, and that it is so remote from the Bay or any towne, we 
could not see how our dwelling would be advantagious to these 
plantations, or compatible with our conditions, or commodious for 
our familyes, or for our friends. 

Nor can we satisfye ourselves that it is expedient, for ourselves, 



* Seven men were left by Eaton, four of whom were Francis 
firown, John Beacher, Robert Pigg, and Thomas Hogg. One of 
the party died in the winter. In 1750, when the cellar of the stone 
house on the comer of George and Meadow streets was dug, bones 
were found lying horizontally, almost entire. Tbey were those of 
a large man, and believed to be the bones of this EInglishman, as 
the Indians buried their dead in a different posture. 



yGoogk 



COLOIIT OF IfKW HAVEN. 4$ 

or for our irends, that we chuse such a condition, wherein we must 
be compelled to have our dwelling bouses so farr distant from our 
Farmes, as Boston or Cbarlestown is from that place, few of our 
friend being able to beare the charge thereof (whose cases never* 
theless we are bound to consider^ and some of them that are able not 
being persuaded that it is lawfull for them to live continually from 
the greaU^st part of theyre families, as in this case they will be ne- 
cessitated to doe. The season of the yeare and other weighty con- 
siderations, compelled us to hasten to a full and finall concla*«ioQ 
which we are at last come into by God's appointment and direction, 
we hope in mercy, and have sent letters to Connecticut for a speedy 
transacting the purchase of the parts about Cluillvpiac from the na- 
tives which may pretend title thereunto— By whichact we Absolutely 
and irrevocably ingaged that way, and we are persuaded that God 
will order it for good into these plantations, whose loue so abundantly 
aboue our desarts or expectac'M>ns, expressed in your desire of our 
abode in these parts, as we shall ever retaine in thankfull memory, 
so we shall account ourselves thereby obliged to be any waye in- 
strumen.all and serviceable for the common good of these plantac*- 
ons as well as of those which the Divine providence hath combi- 
ned together in as strong bond of Brotherly afiection, by the 
sameness of their condition, as Joab and Abeshai were, whose 
severall armyesdid mutually strengthen them boath against severall 
enimyes — 2 Sam. 10 — ^9, 10, 11, or rather they are joyned together 
as Hippocrates' his Twinnes to stand and fall, to grow and decay, 
to flourish and wither, to live and dye together, hi witnes of the 
premises we subscribe our names,* 



The 12th daye oil the 1st Mouth 1637-8. [March 12, 1638.] 

The company sailed from Boston on the 30th of March* 
1638, and after a tedious passage of a fortnight, arrived at 
Quinnipiack. The 18th of Aprilf was the first Sunday they 
observed in the place. The people assembled under a large 
spreading oak, which stood near the present corner of George 
and College streets.^ Mr. Davenport preached in the same 

Slace, from Matthew iii. 1 : "In those days came John the 
taptist preaching in the wilderness of Judea." The senti- 

* Collections of the Mass. Hist. Soc, vol. 3, series 3. The sig- 
natures are fac-similes. 

t Which would be the 12th of April, OU S., and 23d, N. S. 
^ This tree stood till after the revolutionary war. 



yGoogk 



44 HISTORY OF THB 

ment in the preacher's miod was natural. The country was 
a wilderness, though fine and promising. The land from the 
mountains westward, and in almost every direction, resembled 
**the hill country of Judea; a land of hills and valleys, with 
running brooks, and shady retreats and eminences, enveloped 
in trees and forests. In the afternoon, Mr. Prudden preached 
in the same place, from Matthew iii. 3 : " The voice of one 
crying in the wilderness, prepare ye the way of the Lord, and 
make his paths strait." He insisted on the temptation of the 
wilderness, made such observations, and gave such directions 
and exhortations as were pertinent to the then present state of 
his hearers. On that day, probably for the first time, the wild 
woods of Quinnipiack rang with the notes o^ Puritanic prai^; 
for the first, resounded the sacred hymit, where for ages had 
echoed the savage war-song. Doubtless it was an interesting 
scene, Mr. Davenport remarking, that ^ he enjoyed a good 
day." 

Soon afler the settlers arrived, they entered into what they 
termed the Plantation Covenant. This for more than a year, 
was their only civil and religious compact. In this, they 
solemnly covenanted. 

That as in matters that concern the gathering and ordering a 
church, so also in all public offices which concern civil order, as 
choyce of magistrates and officers, making and repealing laws, divi- 
ding allotments of inheritance, and all things of a like nature the7 
would all of them be ordered by the Rules which the Scriptures do 
hold forth. 

The settlers made their purchase of the land of Quinnipiack, 
of Momauguin, the sachem, on the 24th of November, 1638. 
Whether Momauguin was the true sacheip of those parts is 
perhaps a controvertible question ; however, he was acknowl- 
edged such by the English. The articles of agreement are 
to this effect : 

That Momauguin is the sole sachem of Quinnipiack, and 
had absolute power to aliene and dispose of the same, that in 
consequence of the protection he had tasted, by the English 
from the Pequots and Mohawks, he yielded up all his right, 
title, and interest to all the lands, rivers, ponds, and trees, with 
all the liberties and appurtenances belonging to the same, to 
Theophilus Eaton, John Davenport, and others, their heirs 
and assigns forever. He covenanted, that neither he nor his 
Indians would terrify nor disturb the English, nor injure them 
in any of their interests ; but that in every respect, they 



yGoogk 



coLomr OF raw mates. 45 

would keep true faith with them* The English covenanted 
to protect Momau^in and his Indians, when unreasonably 
assaulted and terrified by either of the other Indians ; and 
that they should always have a sufficient quantity of land to 
plant on, upon the east side of the harbor, between that and 
Saybrook fort. They also covenanted, that, by way of free 
and thankful retribution, they gave unto the said sachem, and 
his council and company, 12 coats of English cloth, 12 alchy. 
my spoons, 12 hatchets, 12 hoes, 2 dozen of knives, 12 por. 
ringers, and 4 cases of French knives and scissors. 

This agreement was signed by Momausuin and council, 
on the one part, and Theoiihilus Eaton and John Davenport, 
on the other. TlK>mas Stanton, who was the interpreter, 
declared in the presence of God, that he had faithfully acquaint, 
ed the Indians with the said articles, and returned their 
answers. The following are the signatures of the Indians, as 
they stand on record : 

MoMAXTouiN, his 

SuGCOGisiif, his 

QUOSAQITASH, his 

Carboitghood, his 
WoosAUEUCK, his 



Shaitmpishuh, her _f mark. 

Squaw sachem, sister 
of Momauguin. 

In December following, they made another purchase of a 
large tract, which lay principally north of the former, of Mon- 
towese, son of the great sachem of Mattabeseck, (Middletown.) 
This tract was ten miles in breadth from north to south, and 
thirteen in width. It extended eight miles east of the river 
Quinnipiack, and five miles west of it towards Hudson's River* 
In consideration, the English gave 18 coats, and the Indians 
were allowed ground to plant, and liberty to hunt witliin the 
lands* The annexed is a copy of the signatures of the In- 
dians : 




yGoogk 



46 HISTORY OF THI 



MoNTOWESE, his < / / mark. 




Sawsounck, his I mark. 



These purchases comprehended all the lands within the 
ancient limits. of the old towns of New Haven, Bracford, and 
Waliingford, and now form the whole, or principal parts of 
the towns of East Haven, North Haven, Hamden, Cheshire, 
Meriden, North Branford, Bethany, Woodbridge, and Orange. 

The free planters of Quinnipiack convened in a large barn 
of Mr. Newman's, on the 4th of June, and in a formal and 
very solemn manner, proceeded to lay the foundations of 
their civil and religious polity, Mr. Davenport introduced 
the business by a sermon from the words of Solomon : " Wis- 
dom liaih buiided her house^ she hath hewn out her seven piU 
lars,^^ He proceeded to show that the church, the house of 
God^ should be formed of seven pillars or principal brethren, 
to whom all other members of the church should be gathered. 
This notion appears to have been followed only by Milford 
and Guilford, m the formation of churches. The following 
is the account of this event, copied from the first book of New 
Haven records, and is a curiosity in the history of civil gov- 
ernment : 

The 4th day of the 4th moneth, called June, 1639, all the free 
planters assembled together in a general meetinge, to consult about 
settling civil government according to God, and about the nomina- 
tion of persons that may be found by consent of all fittest in all 
respects for the foundation work of a Church which was intended 
to be gathered in Cluinnipiack. After sollemne invocation of the 
name of God in prayer, for the presence and help of his spirit and 
grace id these weighty businesses, they were reminded of the busi- 
ness whereabout they met, (viz.) for the establishment of snch civil 
order as might be most pleasing unto Gk)d, and for the chusing the 
fittest men for the foundation work of a church to be gathered. For 
the better enabling them to disceme the minde of God. and to agree 
accordingly concerning the establishment of civil order, Mr. John 
Davenport propounded divers queries to them, publicklv praying 
them to consiaer seriously in the presence and feare of Qoi the 
weight of the business they met about, and not to be rash or 
sleight in giving their votes to things they understood not, but to 
dig^ fully and thoroughly what should be propounded onto them, 



yGoogk 



coLomr OF irsw haybn. 47 

and without respect to men, as they should be satisfied and perswa- 
ded in their own minds to give their answers in sach son as thej 
would be willing they should stand upon record for posterity. 

This being earnestly expressed by Mr. Davenport, Mr. Robert 
Newman was entreated to write in cbarracters and to read distinctly 
and audibly in the hearing of all the people, what was propounded 
and accorded on, that it might ap^ar that all consented to matters 
propounded according to words written by him. 

Gtnsere 1. Whether the Scriptures doe hoide fourth a perfect rule 
for the direction and government of all men in all duteyes which 
they are to perform to Qod and men as well in the government of 
iamylyes and commonwealths as in matters of the church ? 

This was assented unto by all, no man dissenting, as was express- 
ed by holding up hands. Afterwards it was read over to them, that 
they might see in what wordes their vote was expressed: they 
againe expressed their consent thereto by holding up their bands, 
no man dissenting. 

GtusBre 2. Whereas there was a covenant sollemnely made by 
the whole assembly of free planters of this plantation, the first day 
of extraordinary humiliation that we had after we came together, 
that as in matters that concern the gathering and ordering of a 
church, so likewise in all publique offices, which concern civil 
order, as choice of magistrates and officers, making and repealing 
of laws, divideing allotments of inheritances, and all things of like 
nature we would all of us be ordered by those rules which the scrip- 
ture holds forth to us. This covenant was called a plantation 
covenant to distinguish it from a church covenant, which could 
not at that time be made, a church not being then gathered, but was 
deferred till a church might be gathered according to Goo. It was 
demanded whether all the free planters doe holde themselves bound 
by that covenant in all business of that nature which are expressed 
in the covenant, to submit themselves to be ordered by the rules 
which are held forth in the scripture.'* 

This also was assented unto by all, and no man gainsaied it, and 
they did testify the same by holding up their handes, both when it 
was first propounded, and afterwards confirmed the same by holding 
up their hands when it was read unto them in publique. John 
Clark being absent when the covenant was made doth now manifest 
his consent to it. Also Richard Beach, Andrew Low, Groodman 
Bamster, Arthur Halbidge, John Potter, Richard Hill, John Brock- 
ett, and John Johnson, these persons being not admitted planters 
when the covenant was made doth now expresse their consent to it. 

Clusre 3. Those who have desired to be received as free jjlanters, 
and are settled in the plantation with a purposed resolution and 
desire that they may be admitted into church fellowship, according 
to Christ, as soon as God shall fitt them thereunto, were desired to 
expresse it by holding up of hands, accordingly all did express this 
to be their desire and purpose, by holding up their hands twice, (viz.) 
both at the proposal of it, and after when these written words were 
read unto them. 

Gtuaere 4. All the free planters were called upon to express 
whether they held themselves bound to establish such civil order 
as might best conduce to the securing the purity and peace of the 



yGoogk 



48 mSTOBY OF TBB 

ordinances to themselves and their posterity according to Qov, In 
answer hereunto they expressed by holding np their hands twice as 
before. That they.helde themselves bound to establish such civil 
order as might best conduce to the ends aforesaid. 

Then Mr. Davenport declared unto them 'by the scriptures what 
kind of persons might best be trusted with matters of government, 
and by sundry arguments from scripture proved that such as were 
described, Ex. 18. 1. Deut. 1. 13. with Deut. 19. 15. and 1 Cor. 1 to 
7, ought to be entrusted by them, seeing they were free to cast them* 
selves into that mould and forme of commonwealth which appeareth 
best for them in reference to the secureing the pure and peaceable 
enjojrment of all Christ his ordinonces in the charch according to 
God, whereunto they have bound themselves as hath been acknowl- 
edged. Having said this he sat down, prayin? the company freely 
to consider whether they would have it voted at this time or not. 
After some space of silence Mr. Theophilus Eaton answered it 
might be voted, and some others also spake to the same purpose, 
none at all opposing it. Then it was propounded to vote. 

Gtuaere 5. Whether free Burgesses shall be chosen out of Church 
members, they that are in the foundation work of the church being 
actually free Burgesses, and to chuse to thejnselves out of the like 
estate of church fellowship, and the power of chusing magistrates 
and officers from among themselves and the power of making and 
repealing laws according to the word, and the dividing of inheri- 
tances, and the deciding differences that may arise, and all the 
businesses of like nature are to be transacted by those free burgesses. 

This (viz. Cluaere 5.) was put to vote, and agreed unto by the 
lifting up of hands twice, as in the former cases it was done. Then 
one man stood up after the vote was past,* and expressing his dis- 
senting from the rest, in that yet granting, 1. That magistrates 
should be men fearing God. 2. That the Church is the company 
whence ordinarily such men may be expected. 3. That they that 
chuse them ought to be men fearing God, onelye at this he stucke. 
That free planters ought not to give the power out of their hands. 

Another stood up and answered that in this case nothing was done 
but with their consent. The former answered that all the free 
planters ought to resume this power into their own hands again if 
things were not orderly carried. Mr. Theophilus Eaton answered 
that in all places they chuse committees. In like manner the com- 
panys of London chuse the liverys by whom the publique magis- 
trates are chosen. In this the rest are not wrong^ : because they 
expect to be of the livery themselves, and to have the same power. 
Some others intreated the former to give his arguments and reasons 
whereupon he dissented. He refused to doe it, and said they might 
not rationally demaimd it, seeing he let the vote pass on freely, and 
did not* speak till after it was past, because he would not hinder 
what they agreed upon. Then Mr. Davenport, after a short rela- 
tion of some former passages between them two about this question, 
prayed the company that nothing might be concluded by them in 
this weighty question but what themselves were persuaded to be 
agreeing with the minde of God, and they had heard what had been 

« Samuel Eaton. 



yGoogk 



COLOIfT OF NSW HAVBN. 49 

sayd since the yote, intreated tliem agayne to consider of it and 
agayne to put it to vote as before. Agayne all of them, by holding 
XLp their hands, did show their ccmsent as before. And some of 
them professed, that whereas they did waver before they came to 
the assembly, Ihey were now fully convinced, that it is the minde 
of God. One of them said that in the morning before he came, 
reading Deuteronomy 17. 15. he was convinced at home. Another 
said that he came doubting to the assembly, but he blessed €K>d, by 
what had beene said he was now fully satisfied that the choyce of 
burgesses out of Church members and to entnist these with the 
power before spoken of, is according to the minde of Gk>D revealed 
in the scripture. All having spoken their apprehensions, it was 
agreed upon, and Mr. Robert Newman was <u^ired to write it as 
an order whereunto everyone that hereafter should be admitted 
here as planters should submit, and testify the samebysidncribing 
their names to the order, namely. 

That Church Members only shall be free Burgesses, and that 
they only shall chuse magistrates and officers among themselves, 
to nave the power of transacting all publique civil affairs of this 
plantation, of making and repealing laws, divideing of inherit- 
ances, deciding of differences that may arise, and doing all things 
or business, of like nature. 

This being settled as a fundamental article concerning civil gov- 
ernment, Air. Davenport propounded and proposed some things to 
consideration aboute the gatheringe of a Church. And to prevent the 
blemishing of the first beginnings of the work. He advised that the 
names of such as were to be admitted might be publiquely pro- 
pounded, to the end that they who were most approved might be 
chosen; for the town being cast into several private meetings 
wherein they that dwelt nearest together gave their accounts one to 
another of God's gracious work upon them, and prayed together, 
and conferred to their mutual eaification, sundry of « them had 
knowledge one of another, and in every meeting some one was 
more approved of all than any other. — For this reason, and to pre- 
vent scandalls, the whole companv was intreated to consider whom 
they foand fittest to nominate tor tnis worke. 

wasre 6. Whether are you all willing and do agree in this, that 
twelve men be chosen, that their fitness for the foundation work 
may be tried, however there may be more named, yet it may be in 
their power who are chosen to reduce them to twelve, and it be in 
the power of those twelve to chuse out of themselves 7, that shall be 
most approved of, the major parte to begin the church. 

This was agreed upon by consent of all, as was expressed by 
holding up of hands, and that so many as should be thought fit for 
the foundsition work of a church shall be propounded by the planta- 
tion and written down, and passe without exception, unlesse they 
had given public scandal or offence, yetsoas in case of publique sean- 
dall and onence, everyone should have liberty to propound their ex- 
ceptions at that time publiquely against any man that should be 
nominated when all the names should be writ down, but if the ofi*ence 
were private, that men's names might be tendered, so many as were 
offenaed, were entreated to deal with the offender privately. And 
if he gave not satisfaction, to bring the matter to the twelve that 
5 



yGoogk 



50^ HISTOllT OF THE 

xkey might consider it of impartially and in the feare of Qod. The 
names of the persons named and agreed upon were Theophilus Ea- 
ton, John Davenport, Robert Newman, Matthew Gilbert, Richard 
Malbon, Nathaniel Turner, Ezekiel Chevers, Thomas Fugill, John 
Pnndeison, "William Andrews and Jeremiah Dixon. No exception 
was brought against any of these in public, except one about taking 
an excessive rale for meal that he had sold to one of the Poquon- 
nock in his neede, which he confessed with grief, and declared that 
having been smitten in heart, and troubled in his consciencei he 
oifered such a part of the price back again, with cc«ifesslon of his 
sin to the party, as he thought himself bound to do. And it being 
feared that the report of the sin was heard further than the report 
of his satisfaction, a course was concluded on to make the satisfac- 
tion, to as many as heard of the sin. It was also agreed upon at the 
said meetinge, that if the persons above named did find themselves 
straitened in the number of fit men for the 7, that it should be free 
for them to take into tryal of fitnesse such other as they should think 
meete. Provided that it should be signified to the town upon the 
Lord's day who thev so take in that every man may be satisfied o£ 
them, according to the course formerly taken. 

The foregoing was subscribed to at the time by 6^, and 
soon after by 48 more. 

Mr, Prudden's company remained in New Haven the first 
year, and Mr, Whitfield and followers, who settled in Guilford, 
had arrrived, and they were combined in the *' fundamental, 
agreement." 

After a proper term of trial, Theophilu^ Eaton, Esq., Mr. 
. John Davenport, Robert Newman, Matthew Gilbert, Thomas 
Fugill, John Punderson, and Jeremiah Dixon, were chosen 
for the seven pillars of the church. 

On the 22d of August, 1639, the church appears to have 
been organized, or the members added to the pillars. The 
churches of Milford and Guilford were organized on the same 
occasion, and removed soon after. 

The first settlers of New Haven were Millenarians, i. e., 
they were believers that the second coming of Christ will pre- 
cede the millenium, and that there will be a literal resurrection 
of the saints who will reign with Christ on earth a thousand 
years. This appears to have been a prevalent belief in New 
England; even as late as the great earthquake in 1727, 
man^ Christians were looking for and expecting " the second 
commg." It is said the New Haven people went still further, 
and flattered tliemselves that they were founding Christ's 
millenial kingdom, which was to extend from sea to sea, and 
that their city would be the seat of the empire, and that Christ 
would come in person, and live with them a thousand years. 



yGoogk 



COLOHT OF KBW HAVEN. 51 

But, notwithstanding it does not appear from the early records 
that they ever made him a grant of a building lot on which 
to erect his 'ptda/ct. 

The first general election or court, as it was termed, was 
held on the 25th of October, 1639, consisting only of the 
** sewn fUlarsJ*^ After ** solemn prayer ^^^ they proceeded to 
form the body of freemen, and to elect their civil officers. 
Their manner was truly singular and curious. In the first 
place, all former trusts for managing the afiairs of the planta- 
tioD was declared to cease, and to he entirely abrogated ; then 
all those who had been admitted to the church after the gath- 
ering of it in the choice of the seven pillars, and all the 
members of the other approved churches who desired it and 
offered themselves^ were admitted members of the court. A 
solemn chaise was then given them individually, of the same 
import as the " freeman's charge," ( pjige 29. ) Mr. Davenport 
then expounded several scriptures to them, describing the 
character of civil magistrates given in the sacred oracles. 
This was probably the precedent for election sermons. To 
this succeeded the election of officers. Theophilus Eaton, 
Esq., was chosen governor, Mr. Robert Newman, Mr. Mat- 
thew Gilbert, Mr. Nathaniel Turner, and Mn Tliomas FugOl, 
were chosen magistrates. Mr. Fugill was also chosen secreta- 
ry, and Robert Seely marshall. Mr. Davenport then gave 
Governor Eaton a charge from Deut. i. 16, 17 : " And I 
charged your judges at that time, saying : Hear the causes be- 
tween your brethren, and judge righteously between every man 
and his brother, and tlie stranger that is with him. Ye shall not 
respect persons in judgment, but ye shall judge the small as well 
as the great. Ye shall not be afraid of the face of man, for the 
judgment is God's ; and the cause thai is too hard for you, 
bring it unto me and I will hear it." 

It was " ordered by this court that whosoever should after- 
ward be received free planters, should subscribe the funda- 
mental articles and receive the fireeman's charge." 

It was also *^ ordered, that there should be a Generall 
Court of Election annually in the plantation on the last week 
of October, in which the officers of the colony were to be 
chosen." 

It was again " ordered, that the word of God should be the 
only rule for ordering the alTayres of government in the Com- 
monwealth." 



yGoogk 



52 HISTORY OF THB 

This was the first organization of civil government in the 
colony of New Haven. The proceedings were very formal, 
but were remarkable for their simplicity, no laws being eoact- 
ed but the few resolutions which have been noticed. But as 
the colony enlarged, and other towns came under their govern- 
ment, the general court changed its form ; laws were enacted, 
the civil polity improved, and a judicial system established, as 
the nature of afiairs, and the circumstances of the jurisdiction, 
required. 

At a general court, in 1640, it was decreed that the plan- 
tation at Quinnipiack should be called New Haven. 

The New Haven adventurers were the most opulent com- 
pany which had come into New England. Mr. Eaton and 
Mr. Hopkins'" had been eminent merchants in London, and 
they and others, intending to follow the same pursuits, 
designed New Haven for a great commercial city. They 
accordingly laid it out on a regular plan, the streets crossing 
at right angles, and divided it into nine squares. The center 
one they reserved for a public green, the others were laid out 
into house lots. The planters at first built on George street 
and the hill opposite, (between which, small vessels then could 
pass, in a creek which has long since been filled up,) but most 
of them removed their habitations to the ''squares." Gov. 



South view of Qovemor Eaton's house. 

Eaton built his house on the spot which is now the north com- 
er of Elm and Orange streets. It was built in the form of 
a capital E, was large and lofty, and had 21 fire places. Mr. 
Davenport had his nouse on the west side of Elm street, near 
State street — ^built in the form of across; with the chimney in 

* Mr. Hopkins afterwards removed to Hartford, Conn. 



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,- ■■■■ ^vn 

■^^ '^ Howe "v-?T: 



yGoogk 



COLONY OP NBW HAVEN. 58 

the center. The common houses at first were small, of one 
story, with sharp roofs, and heavy stone chimneys and small 
diamond wixidows. 

At a court holden 3d of November, 1639, it was 

Ordered that Mr. Eaton, Mr. DaveDport, Robert Newman, Mat- 
thew Gilbert, Capt. Turner, and Thomas Ij'ugill shonld hencefor- 
ward have the disposing of all the house lotts (yet undisposed of) 
about thi^ towne to such persons as they shall judge meete for the 
good of the plantation, ana that none shall come to dwell as plantem 
here without their consent and allowance, whether they come in by 
^rchase or otherwise. 

By this order it appears 'that no man might settle in their 
plantation, though possessed of ample wealth, without specied 
permission. They considered the town to be their own, and 
that they had the,righlto prescribe the terms of admission to 
all noviciates. . However-Jlliberal the -order may appear to 
the present democraey, it wasjJoubtless intended to prevent 
the degeneracy of their " koly church and state^^ institutions. 

,At the same court it was 

Ordered that a* meeting house shall be built forthwith, fifty foote 
setviare; and thatthe carpenters shall fall timber where they can 
find it, till allotYijentbelaid outj.and m^n.ljngw th.eic.QWn proprietyes. 

Until this house was finished, according to tradition, they 
h^d their meetings at " Mr. Newman's barn." 

The first order on record cohcernrng'the military was made 
also at this court. 

It is ordered that-eTCTyonethatrtjearesarmes" shall be compleatly 
furnished with armes, (viz.) a muskett, a sword, bandaliers, a rest, 
a pound of powder, 20 bullets .fitted to the muskett, or 4 pounds of 
pisioU sholt, or swan-shott-at leastj-andrbe-i«idy to show them in the 
markett place dpon Monday the 6th of this moneth, before Capt. 
Turner and Lieutenant Seely under the penalty of 20s. fine tor 
every default or absence. - - - 

The planters fenced as a common field " the neck," as 
they termed it, which is the present site of ^he new township, 
concerning which is recorded the following : 

A Generall Court 4th of January 1639-40. 

It is agreed by the towne and accordingly ordered by IheCourte 
thatthe Neck shall be planted or sown for the term of seven years, 
and that John Brockett shall goe about laying it out, for which, and 
all differences betwixt party and party about ground formerly broke 
up and planted by English there, shall be arbitrated by indifferent 
men, wtich shall be chosen to that end. 

It is ordered that some speedy course shall be taken to keep hogs 
out of the neck. 

5* 



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54 



HIStORT OF TBI 



Peraont 
Numbered. Estatei. 
£3,000 
800 
300 
450 
20 
800 
260 
1,000 
500 
110 
70 
12 
300 
600 
480 
1,000 
500 
1,000 
150 
100 
179 
30 
450 
19 
40 
80 
150 
15 
40 
1,000 
400 
600 
1,000 



Names of the 
Planters. 



Persons 
Numbered. Estates. 



It is ordered that a conyenient way to the Hay place be left open 
for the towne. 

It is ordered that no cattell belonging to this town shall go with 
oat a keeper after the first of May next. 

The first cattle brought into the plantation appear by re- 
cord to have been imported from Massachusetts by Edmond 
Tapp. 

The. following is a list of the planters, the persons numbered 
kk their fomilies, with an estimate of their estates, in 1643. 

It was ordered that every Planter should give in the name&of the 
heads or persons in his lamily, wherein his wife together with 
himself and children were only reckoned with an estimate of his 
Estate, according to which he will pay hit proportion in all Rates 
and Public Charges from time to time to be assessed for civil uses, 
and expect Lands in all divisions which shall generally be made 
to the Planters. 

Names of the 
Planters. 
Mr. Theophilus Eaton, 6 
Mr. Samuel Eaton, 
David Yale, 
William Touttle, 
Ezekiel Cheevers, 
Captaine Turner, 
Richard Perry, 
Mr. Davenport, 
Richard Malbon, 
Thomas Nash, 
John Benham, 
Thomas Kimberly, 
Joh. Chapman, 
Matthew Gilbert, 
Jaspei Craine, 
Mr. Roe, 
An Elder, 
Gteorge Lamberton, 
William Wilkes, 
Thomas Jeffrey, 
Robert Ceely, . 
Nicholas Elsey, 
Jonathan Badd, 
Richard Hull, 
William Preston, 
Beniamin Ffenne, 
WiUiam Jeanes, 
Joh. Brockett, . 
Roger Allen, . 
Mr. Hickocks, 
Mr. Mansfield, 
Thomas Qreeson, . 
Stephen Qoodyear, , 



William Harskins, 
Jeremiah Whitnell, 
Samuel Bayley, 
Thomas Buckingham, 4 
Richard Miles, . 7 
Thomas Welch, . 1 
Nath. Axtell, . 
Henry Stonell, 
William Fowler, . 3 
Peter Preden, . . 4 
James Preden, . 3 
Edmond Tapp, . 7 



ipp, 
Widow Baldwin, . 
An Elder, 
Richard Piatt, 
Zachariah Whitman. 
Thomas Osborne, . 
Henry Rudderforde, 
Thomas Trowbridge, 5 
Widow Potter, . '^ 
Job. Potter, 
Samuel Whitehead, 
Joh. Clark, 
Luke Atkinson, 
Arthur Halbridge, . 
Edward Bamster, . 
William Peck, 
Joh. Mo8se, 
Joh. Charles, . 
Richard Beach, 
Timothy Pforde, . 
Peter Browne, . 
Daniell Paule, 



1,000 

50 

250 

60 

250 

500 
300 
800 
500 
10 
800 
80O 



aoo 

800 

300 

100 

500 

30- 

25 

60 

240 

60 

20 

10 

12 

10 

50 

20 

10 

30 

100 



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coLomr OP mw haybn. 



65 



NuMsofllM FtrioM 
Plantera. MumberMl. 

HenryBrowning, 
Mrs. Higison, . 
Edward Tench, 
Jeremiah Dixon, 
William Thorp, 
Robert Hill, . 
Widow Williams, 
Andrew Low, . 
Ffr. Newman, 
Joh. Caffins, . 
David Atwater, 
Mr. Lucas, 
Mr. Dearmer, . 
Benjamin Ling, 
Rotlert Newman, 
William Andrews, 
John Cooper, . 
Richard beckley, 
Mr. Marshall, 
Mrs. Eldred, . 
Ffran. Brewster, 
Mark Pearce; . 
Jarvis Boykin, 
James Russell, 
George Warde, 
Lawrence Ward, 
Moses Wheeler, 



About 1640, a number of small colonies went from New 
Haven. In that year, Robert Peaks and Daniel Patrick 
bought Greenwich. The .purchase was made in behalf of 
New Haven, but through the intrigue of the Dutch governor 
and the treachery of the purchasers, the first inhabitants re- 
volted to the Dutch. They were incorporated and vested 
with town privileges by Peter Stuyvesant, governor of New 
Netherlands. The inhabitants were driven off by the Indians 
in their war with the Dutch, in 1643, but returned as soon 
as they could do so with safety. In 1656 complaints 
were made to the court at New Haven, by Stamford, that the 
inhabitants were under little government, and conducted 
themselves in a lawless manner. " They admitted of drunk- 
enness among themselves and among the Indians, by reason 
of which damage was done to themselves and to the towns 
in the vicinity, and the public peace was disturbed. They 
received children and servants who fled from the cor- 



NaoiMoftte PeiMNM 




Planters. l9ajDbered.Eiutef. 


Johna. Livermoore, 


4 


100 


Anthony Thompson, 


4 


150 


Joh. Reeder, . 


2 


140 


Robert Cogswell, . 
Mathi. Hitchcock, . 


4 


60 


3 


50 


Ffrancis Hall, 


3 


10 


Richard Osborne, . 


3 


10 


William Potter, 


4 


40 


James Clark, . 


4 


50 


Edward Patteson, . 


1 


40 


Andrew Hull, 


4 


40 


William Ives, 


3 


25 


Qeorg Smyth, . 


1 


50 


Widow Sherman, . 


2 


50 


Mathew Moulthrop,* 






Thomas James, sen*r 


. 5 


200 


Widow Greene, 


3 


80 


Thomas Yale, 


1 


100 


Thomas Ffugill, . 


2 


100 


Joh. Ponderson, 


2 


180 


Joh. Johnson, . 


5 


150 


Abraham Bell, 


1 


10 


JohrEvance, . 


1 


500 


Mrs. Mayers, . 


2 


800 


Mrs. Constable, 


3 


150 


Joshna Atwater, 


2 


300 


Thomas Ffugill, 


1 


400 


Edward Wiggleworth, 3 


300 


Thomas Powell, . 


1 


100 



. 8 


340 


. 8 


250 


. 3 


400 


. 1 


300 


. ^ 


10 


. 1 


10 


. 2 


60 


. 3 


10 


. 2 


160 


. 2 


500 


. 1 


500 


. 6 


400 


. 1 


300 


. 2 


320 


. 2 


700 


. 8 


150 


. 3 


30 


. 4 


20 


. 5 


1,000 


. 5 


1,000 


. 9 


1,000 


. 2 


150 


. 2 


40 


. 2 


20 


. 6 


10 


. 2 


30 


. 2 


58 


419 


36,126 



yGoogk 



56 HISTORY OP THE 

rection of their parents and masters, and unlawfully joined 
persons in wedlock, and other misdemeanors." 

Upon this the general court asserted their right to Green- 
wich, and ordered the inhabitants to submit Jo their juris- 
diction. But they continued much in the same state, and 
sent a letter to the court denying their jurisdiction, and re- 
fusing any subjection to the colony unless they should be 
compelled to it by the parliament. The court therefore 
resolved, that unless they should appear before the court, and 
make their submission by the 25th of June, Richard Crabb 
and others, who are the most stubborn among them, should be 
arrested and punished according to law. They, therefore, 
sometime after, subjected their persons and estates to Ne^fr 
Haven. They made no great progress in settlement until 
after Connecticut obtained the charter, and they were taken 
irnder the protection of the government. About that time 
Mr. Jeremiah Peck, a native of Milford, settled* in Greenwich, 
as a pastor of the church, upon which the place received an 
accession of planters from MUford, and was soon in a prosper- 
ous condition. 

Another large purchase, sufficient for a number of planta- 
tions, was made by Capt. Turner, agent for New Haven, on 
both sides of the Delaware river. This purchase was made 
with a view to trade, and for the settlement of churches on 
the plan of Davenport and Eaton. New Haven built trading 
houses upon the lands, and sent nearly fifty families to make 
settlements upon them. The settlements were made under 
the jurisdiction of New Haven, and in close combinaticm with 
that colony, in all " the fundamental articles,^* 

Soon after the plantations were begun, the Dutch laid claim 
to the lands purchased by New Haven, and succeeded in 
breaking up the settlements. Governor Kieft, of Manhadoes, 
sent an armed force, who seized the goods and burnt the 
trading-houses, took the company's vessel, and kept a number 
of the planters prisoners. They made an attempt upon the 
life of Mr. Lamberton, a principal gentleman of New Haven, 
one of the traders, and tried him for treason ; but finding no 
evidence against him, they arbitrarily imposed a fine upon him 
for trading in the territories to which they laid claim. The 
damages done to New Haven at Delaware, were estimated at 
over a thousand pounds sterling. Some of the planters re- 
turned to New Haven, and those who remained submitted to 
the Dutch. 



yGoogk 



COLONY OF NSW HAVEN. 57 

The same year New Haven also purchaaed and settled 
Southhold, OQ Long Island, a general account of which will 
be found in its proper place. 

New Haven people having been unsuccessful in trade, and 
sustained great losses, particularly at Delaware, and their 
large estates which they brought from England rapidly de- 
cliniDg, in about 1645 they made a vigorous attempt to re- 
pair their former losses. Combining their money and labors 
they built a ship at Rhode Island, of 150 tons, and freighted 
her for England with the best part of their commercial estates. 
Mr. Gregson, Capt, Turner, Mr. Lamberton, and other of 
their principal men, embarked and sailed from New Haven, in 
January, 1647. They were obliged to cut through tl)e ice to 
get out of the harbor. The ship foundered at sea, and was 
never heard of after she sailed. 

According to the belief of the inhabitants of that period, 
this ship was seen in the air after she was lost. The following 
account is taken, as it is found, from Mather's Magnalia. 
Mather hearing of the circumstances, wrote to his friend, the 
Rev. Mr. Pierpont, for information, and received from him 
the foilowmg answer : 

Beverend and Dear Sir^ 

In compliance with your desires, I now give you the relation of 
that apparition of a ship in the air^ which I have received from the 
most credible, judicious, and curious surviving observers of it. 

In the year 1647, besides much other lading, a far more rich 
treasure of passengers, (five or six of which were persons of chief 
note and worth in New Haven) put themselves on board a new ship, 
built at Rhode Island, of about 150 tuns , but so waliy, that tne 
master (Lamberton) often said that she would prove their grave. 
In the month of January, cutting their way through much ice, on 
which they were accompanied with the Rev. Mr. Davenport, besides 
many other friends, with many fears, as well as prayers and tears, 
they set sail. Mr. Davenport in prayer with an observable empha- 
sis, used these words, Lord^ if it he thy pleasure to bury these our 
friends in the bottom of the sea^ they are thine f save them! The 
spring following, no tidings of these friends arrived with the ships 
from £ngland : New Haven's heart began to fail her : this put the 
godly people on much prayer, both publick and private, that the 
Lord would {if it was his pleasu/re) let them hear what he had done 
with their dear friends^ and prepare them with a suitable submission 
to his Holy Will. In June next ensuing, a great thunder-storm 
arose out of the northwest j after which (the hemisphere being se- 
rene) about an hour before sunset a Ship with like dimensions with 
the aforesaid, with her canvass and colors abroad (though the wind 
northemly) appeared in the air coming up from our harbour's 
mouth, which lyes southward from the towB, seemingly with her 



yGoogk 



58 HISTORY OF THE 

sails filled under a fresh gale, holding her course north, and contin* 
uin^ under observation, sailing against the wind for the space o€ 
halt an hour. 

Many were drawn to behold this great work of God; yea, the 
very children cried out, 7Vre'5 a brave ship! At length, crouding 
up as far as there is usually water sufficient for such a vesel, and so 
near some of the spectators, as that they imagined a man might hurl 
a stone on board her, her main-top seemed to be blown off, but left 
hanging in the shrouds; then her missen-top; then all her masting 
seem^ed blown away by the board : quickly after the hulk brought 
unto a careen, she overset, and so vanished into a smoaky cloud, 
which in some time dissipated, leaving, as every where else, a clear 
air. The admiring spectators could distinguish the several cblors 
of each part, the principal rigging, and such proportions, as caused 
not only the generality of persons to say, T%is was tkeriwuld of their 
shipy and thus was her tragick end : but Mr. Davenport also in pub- 
lick declared to this effect: T/uit God had condescended, for the qwi- 
eiing of their afflicted spirits^ this eodraordhiary accownt of his sove^ 
reign disposal of those for whom so many fervent prayers were made 
continually. Thus I am, Sir, 

Your humble servant, 

James Pierpont. 

The loss of their ship, with the former losses they had sus- 
tained, made the colonists despair of bettering their condition 
by trade, and thinking themselves but poorly calculated to 
engage in agricultural pursuits, they formed the design of quit- 
ting the country, and with such views made treaties for the 
city of Galloway, in Ireland, where they intended to have 
settled and form a small province by themselves. But being 
disappointed in their design, they engaged in agricultural and 
pastural pursuits as the last resort, and made substantial farm- 
ers, and flourished no less than the adjoining colonies. 

Three of the judges of King Charles I., Whalley, Goffe, 
and Dixwell, commonly called the regicides, for a time abode 
in New Haven. Soon after the restoration of monarchy in 
England, many of the judges who had condemned King 
Charles I. to death, were apprehended, condemned, and exe- 
cuted. The three above mentioned made their escape to 
New England. 

Edward Whalley was descended from an ancient family, 
and was a relative of Oliver Cromwell. He was a major- 
general under the commonwealth, and had distinguished 
himself in many sieges and battles. Cromwdl confided so 
much in him that he committed the person of the king to his 
care, after he was deprived of his liberty. William Goflfe, 
Esq. was son of Stephen Gof^ a minister of Stemmer, io 
Sussex. He was also an ofilcer in the parliamentary army, oi 



yGoogk 



COL(»fT OF nSW HAVEN. 59 

the rank of general. He was Whalley's son-in-law, having 
married a daughter of Whalley's. They were both mem. 
bers of Cromwell's house of lords. Col. John Dixwell was 
bom in the county of Kent. He was a gentleman in easy 
circumstances, being possessed of a manor and other estates 
in England. Engaging in the civil wars he was an officer 
under the protectorate, and a member of parliament for the 
county of Kent, in 1654. At the restoration he abdicated 
lys country, in 1660 ; but when he first came to New Eng- 
land is unknown. The first notice we have of him is in 
Goflfe's journal, while the judges were in Hadley, wherein it 
is entered, that Col. Dixwell came to them there, February 
10, 1664-5 ; but ever after they called him Mr. Davids, — 
and afterwards he went by the name of James Davids, Eaq. 
till his death. 

The two judges, GofTe and Whalley, arrived at Boston 
from England, the 27th of July, 1660, and took up their resi. 
dence in Cambridge; but finding it unsafe to remain any 
ionger, they left that place and arrived at New Haven the 
7th of March, 1661. They were well treated by the minis- 
ter and magistrates, and for some days thought themselves 
^itirely out of danger. But the news of the king's procla- 
mation being brought to New Haven, they were obliged to 
abscond. The 27th of March, they returned, and lay con- 
cealed in the house of Mr. Davenport, the minister, until the 
30th of April. Mr. Davenport was threatened with being 
called to an account, for concealing and comforting traitors ; 
l>ut the judges, who had before removed from Mr. D's house, 
upon intimation of his danger, generously resolved to deliver 
themselves up to the authorities of New Haven. They ac- 
cordingly let the deputy -governor, Mr. Leete, know where 
they were ; but he took no measures to secure them ; and 
the next day, some of their friends came to them and advised 
them not to surrender. Having publicly shown themselves 
at New Haven, they had cleared Mr. Davenport from the 
suspicion of concealing them ; after which, they returned to 
their cave, which still goes by the name of the Judges* Cave. 
It is situated on the top of West Rock, about half or three quar- 
ters of a mile from the southern extremity. It is a place well 
chosen for observing any approach to the mountain ; like- 
wise, any vessel coming into the harbor, can from this rock 
be easily seen. The cave is formed on a base of perhaps 
forty feet square, by huge broad pUljeuv of stone, fifteen or 



yGoogk 



60 HISTORY OF THE 

twenty feet high, standing erect and elevated above the sur<* 
rounding superfices of the mountain, surrounded with trees 
which conceal it from observation. The apertures beiog 
closed with branches of trees, or otherwise, a well covered 
and convenient lodgment might be formed, as these rocks be- 
ing contiguous at the top, furni^ed space below large enough 
to contain bedding and two or three persons. Mr. Richard 
Sperry, who lived on the west side of the rock, about a mile 
from this cave, supplied them daily with food, sometimes car- 
rying it himself, and at other times sending it by his boys tied 
up in a cloth, with directions to leave it on a certain stump^ 
from which the judges would take it. 

The incident which caused them to leave the cave was this : 
the mountain being a haunt for wild animals, one night as the 
judges lay in bed, a panther or catamount putting his head 
into the aperture of the cave, blazed his eye-balls in such a 
frightful manner upon them as greatly terrified them. One 
of them took to his heels and fled down to Sperry's house for 
safety. Considering this situation too dangerous to remain 
any longer, they quitted it 

Another place of their abode, in the vicinity of New Haven, 
was at a spot called The Lodge. It was situated at a spring, 
in a valley, about three miles west, or a little northwest from 
the last mentioned residence. North of it was an eminence, 
called the Fart, to this day, from which there was a full view 
of the harbor, to the southeast, seven miles off. There were 
several other places, on and about the West Rock, which were 
used by them for places of concealment. The two mentioned 
were their principal places, however. After living at these 
^aces for near six months, on the 20th of August, 1661, they 
took up then: abode in Milford, where they were secreted for 
more than two years, until they removed to Hadley, Mass. 

On the 13th of October, 1664, they lefl New Haven, and 
arrived at Hadley the latter part of the same month. During 
their abode at Hadley, the famous Indian war, called ** King 
Philip's War^^ took place. The pious congregation of Had- 
ley were observing a fast on the occasion of this war ; and 
being at public worship in the meeting house, September 1st, 
1675, were suddenly surrounded by a body of Indians. It 
was customary in the frontier towns, and even at New Hav^i, 
in these Indian wars, for a select number of the congregation 
to go armed to public worship. It was so at Hadley, at this 
time. The people immediately took to their arms, but w^re 



yGoogk 



COLONT OF IIBW HAVEN. 61 

thrown into great confusion. Had Hadley been taken, the 
discovery of the judges would have been unavoidable. Sud- 
denly, and in the midst of the people, there appeared a man of 
very venerable aspect, and different from, the inhabitants in 
hb apparel, who took the command, arranged and ordered 
them in the best military, manner. Under his direction, they 
repelled and routed the enemy, and thereby saved the town. 
He immediately vanished, and the inhabitants could account 
for the phenomenon in no other way, but by considering that 
person as an angel sent of God upon that special occasion for 
their deliverance ; and for some time after, said and believed, 
that they had been saved by an angel. Nor did they know 
otherwise, till fiAeen or twenty years after, when at length it 
became known at Hadley, that the two judges had been secre- 
ted there. The angel was GrofTe, for Whalley was superan- 
nuated in 1675. The last account of Grofie is from a letter 
dated " Ebenezer^^ (the name they gave their several places of 
abode,) April 2, 1679. Whalley had been dead some time 
before. The tradition at Hadley is, that they were buried in 
the minister's cellar, and it is generally supposed that their 
bodies were afterwards secretly conveyed to New Haven, 
and placed near Dixwell's. The supposition is strongly con- 
finped by three stones yet remaimng in the old burying 
ground, at New Haven, in the rear of the center church, which 
are marked E. W., 1678, for Whalley, M. G., . . 80, for Goflfe, 
and J. D., Esq., 1688^ for Dixwell. 

Colonel John Dixwell came from Hadley to New Haven 
before the year 1672, and was known here by the name of 
James Davids. During the seventeen years or more in 
which he lived iq New Haven, nothing extraordinary occur- 
red concerning him. 

Colonel Dixwell carried on no secular business, but em- 
ployed his time in reading and walking into the neighboring 
groves and woods adjacent to his house. Mr. Pierpont had a 
large library, from which, as well as from his own collection, 
he could be supplied with a variety of books. He often spent 
his evenings at Mr. Pierpont's, and when they were by them, 
selves, retired to his study, where they indulged themselves 
with great familiarity and humor, had ire^ and unrestrained 
conversation, upon all matters, whether of religion or politics. 
But when in company, Mr. Pierpont behaved towards Colonel 
D. with cautk>n and reserve. The cobnel spent much of his 
retirement in reading history, and as a token of his friendship 
6 



yGoogk 



63 HlSTOKT OF THS 

for Mr. Pierpont, he, in his last will, presented him with Ra- 
leigh's History of the World, 

Afler a pilgrimage of twenty-nine years in exile from his 
native country, and banishment into oblivion from the world, 
of which seventeen yeaurs at least, probably more, were spent 
in New Haven, by the name of James Davids, Esq., Cc^onel 
Dixwell died in this place, March 18, 1688-9. 

He and all the other judges lived and died in the firm ex- 
pectation of a revolution in England. This had actually ta- 
ken place the November before his death, but the news not 
having arrived, he died ignorant of it, about a month before 
the seizure of Sir Fdmund Andros, at Boston. At his death, 
he discovered his true character to the people, and owned the 
name of John Dixwell, but requested that no monument should 
be erected at his grave, giving an account of his person, name, 
and character, alledgiug as a reason, ^ lest his enemies might 
dishonor his ashes" — requesting that only a plain stone might 
be set up at his grave, inscribed with his initials, J. D., Esq.y 
with his age and time of his death. 

Whilst residing in New tfaven, he was twice married, and 
at his death he left a wife and two children. His will was 
afterwards exhibited, approved, and recorded in the probate 



The New Haven people paid early attention to the interest 
of learning, as well as to those of religion and civil polity. 
Schools were soon established for common education,"' and a 
colony grammar school, to prepare youth for college.f 

The project of establishing a college was almost coeval 
with the first settlement. That such is the fact, the followin|^ 
document, copied from the records of Guilford, furnishes deci- 
sive evidence. 

Att a General! Court held at Guilford, June 28, A. D. 1652. 

Vcitedf That the matter about a College at New Haven is thought 

to be too great a charge for us of ihis jurisdiction to undergo alone : 

especially considering the unsettled state of New Haven Townj 

being publicly declared from the deliberate judgment of the most 



* In 1641 a free school was (^ned and taught by Ezekiel Chee- 
vers, who wrote the Accidence long used in the schools of the 
colony. Salary 302. He moved to Massachusetts and there died, 
aged about 90. 

t In 1644 it was agreed that each person in the plantation should 
give a peck of com or wheat to Cambridge college annually. This 
was given many years. 



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'li.'H'.ft"' r.'jNw-Tjf ^. ! 



1 



Digitized by VjOOQIC 




yGoogk 



COLONY OF NSW BAVBN* 68 

nnderstanding men to be a place of no comfortable subsistence for 
the present inhabitants there. Bat if Connecticut do join, the pUmt- 
ers are generally wiliiuff to bear theirjnst proportions for erecting 
and maintaining of a college there. However they desire thanks to 
Mr. Goodyear for his kind proffer to the setting forward of such a 
work. 

But CoDnecticut, it appears, chose to patronize Massachu. 
setts, for the general court the next year ordered that 20/. be 
paid to the support of a fellowship in Harvard College. 

In the year 1654, Mr. Davenport brought forward the insti- 
tution of a college, to which the town made a donation of land, 
and Milford gave 100/. Gov. Hopkins, who died in London, 
in 1657, gave 500/. steHing to the institution, whereupon the 
general court erected it into a college for teaching the "three 
learned languages, — Latin, Greek, and Hebrew," and for 
" the education of youth in good literature, to fit them for 
public service in church and commonwealth," and settled 40/. 
a year on the preceptor, or rector, besides the salary from 
the New Haven school, with 100/. for a library. IVlr. Da- 
venport had the care of the school for several years, but in 1660 
Mr. Jeremiah Peck was established in it, according to the act 
of the court, and taught the languages and sciences. The 
convulsions of the times, however, in 1664, and the want of 
adequate support, caused this college to terminate in a public 
grammar school, which is yet preserved, and is now kept on 
the corner of Teniple and Crown streets. This scbool now 
holds the Hopkins' fund, and the other endowments of the col* 
lege, and is yet very useful in preparing youth for college. 

The people of Massachusetts remonstrated against the early 
attempts of New Haven and Connecticut to establish a col. 
lege, observing that the whole population of New England was 
scarcely sufficient to support one institution of this nature, and 
that the establishment of a second would in the. end be a sac- 
rifice of both, and perhaps their remonstrance had some influ- 
ence in the failure of Hopkins' College. Afler this the matter 
of a college rested till the establishment of Yale Collie. 

Yale College is commonly said to have been founded ia 
the year 1700. In this year, ten of the principal ministers, 
nominated by a general consent, both of the clergy and the 
mbabitants of Connecticut, viz., 

The Rev. Janus Noyes, of Stonington, 
" " Israel Chaunceif, of Stratford, 
it It Tkofnas Buckingham^ of Saybrook, 
« " il^ftfAAM PicTMTi, of KiUingworth, 



yGoogk 



64 BISTORT 01^ THE 

The Rev. Samuel Mather, of Windsor, 
<< " Samuel Andrew, of Milfoid, 
" " Timothy WoodbrUgr., of Hartford, 
" " James PUrpont, of New HaveD, 
" " Noadiah Russell, of Middletown, and 
" " Joseph Webb, of Fairfield, 

met at New Haven, and formed themselves into a society, 
which, they determined, should consist of eleven ministers, 
including a rector, and agreed to found a college in the 
colony. At their next meeting, which was at Branford, the 
same year, each of them brought a number of books, and, 
presenting them to the society, said, " I give these books for 
the founding a college in this colony, ^^ Antecedently to this 
event, the subject had been seriously canvassed by the clergy, 
particularly Messrs. Pierpont, Andrew, and Russell, of Bran- 
ford, and by the people at large, during the two preceding 
years ; and had come thus far towards maturity. 

In October, 1701, the legislature granted the befpre named 
gentlemen a charter, constituting them " trustees of a colle- 
giate school in his majesty's colony of Connecticut ;" and in- 
vested them with all the powers which were supposed to be 
necessary for the complete execution of their trust. The fol- 
lowing November, they chose one of their number, Mr. Pier- 
son, rector of the school, and determined that it should be 
fixed, for the present, at Saybrook. In the year 1702, the 
first commencement was held at Saybrook ; at which five 
young gentlemen received the degree of A. M. 

From this time many debates arose concerning the place 
where the school should finally be established ; and continued 
to agitate the community, until the year 1718. In 1716, a 
majority of the trustees voted, on the 17th of October, to re- 
move the school to New Haven. Four of their number out 
of nine, were, however, strongly against it, and the commu- 
nity was equally disunited. The trustees, nevertheless, pro- 
ceeded to hold the commencement, the following year, at New 
Haven, and to order a college to be erected. It was accord- 
ingly raised in October, 1717, and finished the following year. 
This building they were enabled to erect by a considerable 
number of donations, which they had received for this purpose, 
both within and without the colony. Their principal bene- 
fector, both during this period,, and all which have succeeded, 
was the legislature. 

The removal of the college from Saybrook to New Haven 
produced great excitement in the colony. The feelings raised 



yGoogk 



COLOKY or NEW EATEN* 65 

in the towns most interested, may be iud^ of from the cir- 
cumstances attending the removal of the library. An unsuc- 
cessful application having been made for this by some of the 
trustees, the ^vernor and council convened at Saybrook at 
their request, m December, ITIS^ and issued a warrant to th^ 
sheriff to go and take the books. When he got to the house 
where they were kept, he found men collected to resist him ; 
but calling assistance he forcibly entered the house, took them 
and had them secured by a guard over night. In the mominff 
the carts provided to carry them to New Haven were founa 
broken, and the horses were turned away. New provisions 
being made, they were conducted out of the town by the major 
of the county ; but some of the bridges on the road were bro« 
ken up, and when they arrived at New Haven it was discov- 
ered, on counting the books, that about 260 were missing. 
These were disposed of by persons unknown, together with 
some valuable papers, in the confusion which arose at the ta- 
king of the library, and no discover}' was made of them af- 
terwards. 




Fteto 0f th$ Jirtt College* 

Among the individuals who distinguished themselves by their 
beneficence to this infant institution, was the Hon. Elih^ Yale, 
Esq., of London. This gentleman was descended of an an- 
cient and respectable family in Wales. His father, Tliomas 
Yale, Esq., came from England with the first colonists of New 
Haven. In this town his son Elihu was born, April 5th, 1648. 
He went to England at ten years of age, and to Hindoostan 
at thirty. In that country he resided about twenty years ; 
was made governor of Madras, and married the widow of 
6* 



dbyGoogk 



66 



BISTORT OF THE 



Gov. Hinmers, his predecessor. Having acquired a large 
fortune, he returned to London, was chosen governor of the 
East India company, and died at Rexon, July 8th, 1721* 

This gentleman sent, in several donations, to the collegiate 
school, 500Z. sterling, between 1714 and 1718, and a little be- 
fore his death, ordered goods to be sent out, to the value of 
500/. more ; but they were never received. In gratitude to 
this benefactor, the trustees, by a solemn act, named their 
seminary Yale College ; a name which, it is believed^ will con* 
vey the memory of his beneficence to distant generations. 




S4alof TaU College. 

The college which was erected at this time, was built of 
wood, painted blue, one hundred and seventy feet long, twenty, 
two feet wide, and three stories high ; contained near fiily 
studies, besides the hall, library, and kitchen, and cost about 
lOOOZ. sterling. It was lighted with diamond glass, which 
remained till 1739, when it was taken out, and square ^lass, 
set in oak sashes, put in. This building stood on the site of 
the present south college. Before it was erected, the stu- 
dents were scattered in various places ; as Milford, Killing- 
worth, Guilford, Saybrook, Wethersfield, &c. Soon after- 
wards, they all removed to New Haven. From this lime the 
institution began to flourish. The number of students was 
about 40, and the course of education was pursued with 
spirit. The benefactions, also, which it received, were iUf 
creased in number and value. 



yGoogk 



COLONY 0? IfBW HAYEN. 07 

In the list of its priDcipcd benefactors was the, Rev. Dr. 
Berkley, dean of Derry, in Ireland, and afterwards bishop of 
Cloyne. This highly respectable man came to America in 
the year 1732, for the purpose of establishing a college in the 
island of Bermuda. The project failed, however, for want of 
assitance from England, which was promised him. While he 
was in America, he became acquainted with the Rev. Mr. 
Williams, and with the design and circumstances of the sem- 
inary. With all these he was so well pleased, that he made 
a present to it of a farm, which he had purchased at Rhode 
Island, and after his return to Europe, sent to the library 
^ the finest collection of books that ever came together at one 
time into America." Jeremiah Dummer, Esq., of Boston, and 
the Hon. James Fitch, Esq., of Norwich, deserve to be men- 
tioned as distinguished benefactors of the institution. Sir 
Isaac Newton, Sir Richard Steele, Doctors Burnet, Wood- 
ward, Halley, Bently, Kennet, Calamy, Edwards, the Rev. 
Mr. Henry, and Mr. Whiston, presented their own works to 
the library. Many other respectable men afterwards made 
similar presents. In 1745, a new charter, drawn by the Hon. 
Thomas Fitch, Esq., of Norwalk, afterwards governor, was 
given to the trustees, in which they were named the president 
and felbws of Yale College. This is the present charter t>f 
the institution. 

In tlie year 1750, another college was built, and named 
Connecticut Hall, The building, as originally constructed, 
was 100 feet long, 40 feet wide, and three stories high, with a 
cellar under the whole. It was built of brick, and contained 
thirty- two chambers, and sixty-two studies. This is the only 
college of that period that now remains, and even this has been 
essentially altered and enlarged by the addition of a fourth 
story. It is known in the language of direction now used by 
the students, as the south middle college. The expense of 
this building was 1660/. sterling. In April, 1761, a chapel 
was begun, and finished in 1763. This chapel, in modern 
times has undergone much alteration, and is at this time devo- 
ted solely to academic purposes, under the name of the athe- 
nsBum. In 1782, a brick dining hall was erected, sixty feet 
in length, and thirty in breadth. This hall has' since been 
converted into a chemical labratory and lecture room, and is 
now used. for these purposes. In April, 1793, the comer 
stone of the building usually designated as the south college, 
was laid. This building is of brick, one hundred and four 



yGoogk 



as BISTORT OF THB 

feet loog, tbirty-six feet wide, and four stories high, and was 
completed on the 17th of July, 1794. 

The faculty, to whom is committed the gpverqment and 
iDstructioD of the students, consists of a president ; a professor 
of chemistry, mineralogy, and geology ; a professor of the 
Hebrew, Greek, and Latin languages ; a professor of math- 
ematics, natural philosophy, and astronomy ; a professorship 
of divinity ; a professor of rhetoric and oratory, and eight 
tutors. The whole course of instruction occupies four yeazs. 
In each year there are three ternis or sessions. 

The general library of Yale College consists of about ten 
thousand volumes, exclusive of pamphlets. The Linonian 
library consists of three thousand three hundred volumes* 
The library of the Brothers in Unity comprises three thousand 
volumes. The Calliopean society, which is comparatively of 
recent, formation, has made a collection of two thousand nine 
hundred volumes. In addition to the several libraries, there 
is a collection of books belonging to the Moral society, con- 
sisting of five or six hundred volumes. The a^regate of 
books in the several libraries amount to nearly twenty thou, 
sand volumes. The college , possesses a handsome minora* 
logical cabinet ; in 1811, Col. George Gibbs deposited in this 
seminary, two cabinets, one consisting of more tban six thou* 
sand choice specimens, and the other of about eighteen thou- 
sand, the two best collections ever opened in this country. 
In 1825 this collection was purchased of Col. Gibbs, at a price 
of twenty thousand dollars ; of which sum the officers of 
Yafe College, and the citizens of New Haven, contributed ten 
thousand dollars, the citizens of New York three thousand 
dollars, emd the alumni of South Carolina seven hundred dol* 
lars, and an individual five hundred dollars. 

The principal edifices of Yale College face the western 
boundary of the green, and present an imposing front, inclu- 
ding passage ways, of about six hundred feet. The buildings 
are chiefly constructed of brick, and consist of four spacKMis 
edifices, each four stories high, one hundred. and four feet by 
forty, containing thirty-two studies; a chapel for religious 
worship, an(j ordinary public exhibitions ; a lyceum containing 
the library and recitation rooms ; an atheneeum ; a chemicu 
labratory ; and extensive stone dining hall, containing also in 
the upperstory,apartmentsfor the mineralogical cabinet ; asq)* 
arate dining hall for theok>gical students ; a dwelling house 
for the president ; and a large stone building occupied by the 



yGoogk 



COLONY OF NBW HATBIC. §9 

'medical department; and the Trumbull gallery, a neat and 
appropriate building, erected as a repository for the valuable 
historical and other paintings of Col. Trumbull. 

In the cut, the first building with a tower, on the left, is the 
old chapel or athenaeum ; that on the ri^t is the new chapel, 
erected in 1824. The middle buUding is the lyceum. There 
are many more trees in the yard, in front of the college build. 
iDgs, than are represented in the cut, but it was thought ad- 
yisable not to insert the whole number, as it would much 
obsure the view of the buildings. The last cdlege building 
was erected in 1835. 

The following is an accurate history of the original church 
and beginning of the second church, extracted from the town 
and society's records : 

The first meeting house was built the second year afler 
the settlement, at the cost of £500. To defray the expense, 
the inhabitants laid a rate of 30^. on each £100. They 
valued their property at this time at £34,000. This house 
stood a few rods east of the present meeting house of the 
First Society. It was two stories high, had a sharp roof, on 
the top was a turret, where a sentry was placed to look out 
for the Indians, and where the drum was beat to call the 
people together on Sundays, town meetings, <Ssc. This house 
was buiit by William Andrews, and was so badly done, that 
in about ten years it became necessary to shore it up, to keep 
it from falling. A controversy took place betwcsen Andrew 
and his partner for their fraud, which was settled with some 
difficulty. 

In 1641, the church received an accession from Water- 
town ; the church there being divided, a part removed to enjoy 
the ministry of Mr. Davenport. 

In 1656, the meeting house was so much decayed that 
there was serious debate whether to repair or build new. It 
was finally repaired. In June, 1659, it became necessary to 
take down the turret, and prop the building. 

In 1667, Mr. Davenport, then near 70 years of age, re- 
ceived an invitation to settle over a church in Boston. Which 
invitatk>n he accepted, and with that church he remained until 
his death, the 5th of March, 1670, in the 73d year of his age. 
Mr. Davenport was a man of an ambitious, enterprising spirit, 
and had great influence with his people. His efforts in be. 
half of the regicides, and the influence he exerted in retarding 
the unk>n of the colonies of New Haven and Connecticut, are 



yGoogk 



7# BISTO&T OF THS 

matters of history. ^ He is characterised," (says Trumbull,) 
*^ as a hard student and universal scholar ;" and by the In- 
dians he was called *' the big study man/' It is said ^ he was 
acquainted with great nnen and great things, and was great 
himself.'- His removal to Boston was unhappy— occasioning 
a division of the church there, and leaving the church here 
uncomfortable, and for many years without a pastor. 

At the time Of the organization of the church at New 
Haven, it was the opinion of the principal minister in New 
England, that in every church completely organized, there 
was a pastor, teacher, ruling elders, and deacons. It was the 
general opinion that the pastor's work consisted chiefly in 
exhortation ; but the teacher's business was to teach, explain, 
and defend the doctrines of Christianity. 

Mr. Samuel Eaton, brother of Gov. Eaton, was the first 
teacher in this society ; and on his removal, soon after the 
settlement, to England, be was succeeded by Mr. Wm. Hook,"* 
who was an eminent man. He returned to London, in 1655, 
where he was a distinguished preacher until the restoration, 
when he was silenced for non-conformity. He was succeed^ 
ed by Mr. Nicholas Street. 

After the removal of Mr. Davenport, Mr. Street acted as 
pastor and teacher, until his death, in 1674. From that time, 
the society was destitute of a settled minister eleven years, 
imtil the settlement of Mr. James Pierpont. 

The society continued to repair the old meeting house until 
September 7th, 1668, when a contract was made with Nathan 
Andrews, to build a new one for £300, and the materials c^ 
the old house. 

In 1665, a fine of 6d. was imposed on any one Iningiog a 
dog to the meeting house. 

In 1685, the society succeeded in settling Mr. James Pier- 
pont as their pastor, on a salary of £120, in provision, at the 
following prices : — winter wheat at 5s., rye d«. 6^., com 2#. 
6d., peas 35. 6d. the bushel ; pork, 3^. If., and beef dd. the 
pound. 

During his ministry, in 1696-7, the committee were direct- 
ed to procure a house, to be built of brick or stone, 60 l>y 60 
feet, provided it could be contracted for, at £500. No one 
proposing to build on these terms, the society directed, in 1696, 
the buil£ng to be enlarged 15 or 20 feet. Mr. Pierpont 

* From Tauatoii, Mass. 



yGoogk 



COLONT or HIW HAVBN. 71 

eoatinued a useful mininter, to the great coDtentment of his 
society, to his death, in 1714. 

Up to this time, the proceedings of the church were the 
common concern of the town, and the records of the society 
are in the same hook with the records of the town — the church 
business appearing, as in truth it was, the business of the 
lown. The separate records of the society commence with 
the settlement of Mr. James Noyes, in 1715. 

Mr. Noyes was settled on a salary of £120, in current 
money, or in grain and flesh, at fixed prices. In addition to 
his salary a bonus of £200 was voted him to defray the ex- 
pense incident to his removal and settlement. 

In 1718, a tax of one farthing on the pound is recorded to 
defray the expenses. It seems to have been the practice to 
lay specific taxes : as a tax for the ministry, a tax for repairs, 
^., and these varied from the rate of one farthing to eight 
pence on the pound. Although these rates seem bw, there 
is reason to believe that our ancestors taxed themselves more 
liberally and cheerfully for the support of religion, than is now 
customary. The meeting house was the property of the 
society, and the seats were generally owned by the society. 
The liberty to build seats was occasionally granted to indi- 
viduals. There was almost yearly a formal seating of the 
members, the women and men having each a separate side of 
the house. Thus, in the year 1719, it was voted that Mr. 
John Prout, Sen., and Mr. John Woodward, do sit in the first 
long seat, &;c. ; and, on the women's side, that Mrs. Roswell 
and Mrs. Bishop do sit in the first long seat, dsc. 

In 1719, by request of the trustees, the students of the col- 
legiate school (Yale College) were permitted to sit in the 
^eats of the front gallery, exclusive of the front seat, on pay- 
meat of 1«. a head on entering the seats, and 29. per annum 
thereafter. In 1721, five of the scholars were permitted to 
sit in the front seat. In 1722, a part of the gallery was set 
apart for twenty years to the use of the students, the trustees 
of the college paying therefor £30, and keeping the windows 
and seats above them in repair. In 1726-7, the society had 
so mtich increased as to make it necessary to build another 
range of galleries above the then galleries. 

In 1728, it was voted that the constables and grand jurors 
do their uUnost to prevent disorder in going up and down 
stairs. 

In 1780, the minister's salary was raised to £150, and in 
1736, to £240. 



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73 BirroBT of tbb 

Id 1736-7, the inhabitants of Chestnut Hill, now Wood- 
bridge, were set off as a separate society. For many years, 
a portion of their taxes had been remitted, in consideration 
that in the winter, they were unable to attend worship with 
the society, but employed a minister among themselves. 

In 1741, on th^ 28th of November, a memorial was present- 
ed by thirty-eight members, praying to be separated to 
constitute a new society — ^they being dissatisfied with the 
practices, preaching, and opinions of Mr. Noyes. This re- 
quest was denied. They however separated themselves, and 
K)rmed a new church. But they still formed a part of the 
society. In this year, Mr. Chauncey Whittlesey appears to 
have been employed to assist Mr. Noyes. 

In 1742, Mr. Noyes calling together a portion of the soci- 
ety, and excluding others, adopted the Saybrook Platform ; a 
measure which justly gave great offence to those who were 
excluded. In this year, it was by a vote of the society, agreed 
that the commencement exercises be held in the meeting house 
of this society. 

The difficulties respecting Mr. Noyes increased and greatly 
agitated the society. The Noyes' party would not enter into 
arrangements to divide the society, and the other party would 
lend no help to carry on the business of the society- The 
meeting house was getting very old and defective. 

In 1740, it was voted to build a new one in ten years ; but 
the dissensions in the society made it difficult to accomplish 
the object. But finally, the subject having been long delayed 
because a two thirds vote could not be obtained, a majority 
applied to the general assembly, in 1753, for leave to build. 
Whereupon a part of the society petitioned the general as- 
sembly to be exempted from a tax for that object. Individuals 
then proceeded to build a brick meeting house, near the spei 
where the present house stands. 

In 1750, an efibrt was made to secure the ministerial labors 
of Naphtali Daggett, as colleague to Mr. Noyes ; and on his 
refusal and appointment to tlie Professorship of Divinity in 
the college, he was entreated to preach half the time, and as an 
inducement, the front seat of the gallery was tendered to the 
students. In this year, it was voted that the meeting house 
bell be rung constantly at 9 o'clock in the evenuig. 

About this time, the difficulties on account of religious differ- 
ences increasing, the society applied to the general assembly^ 
*^ that the dissenters to the way of worship be disenabled to 



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COLONY OF NEW HATEN. 79 

act or set off.^ AAer much dispute, the opponents of Mr. 
Noyes, who had, since 1751, maintained a minister, and who 
had frequently proposed a separation, finally prevailed, and 
it was agreed to apply to the general assembly for a division, 
and the members of the society were directed to enroll them- 
selves of the one party or the other ; when' it was found that 
there were for Mr. Noyes 111, against him 212. The ma- 
jority then took the resolution not to withdraw, and immediately 
proceeded to settle Mr. Bird, as the minister of the society ; 
against which proceeding the Noyes' party protested. In thif 
year, 1757, the brick house seems to have been completed, 
as we find the society voting, '^ that the commencements b& 
held in the old meeting house, or in the new brick house, as 
the trustees preferred." At the same meeting, the soci^ 
refused any longer to support Mr. Noyes, ascribing their diffi- 
culties to his inefficiency and inattention. 

At length, in 1759, the whole matter was referred to the 
general assembly, which set off the adherents of Mr. Bird, 
notwithstanding they were a majority, as a new society, by 
the name of the White Haven Society; while the Noyes' 
party, now led by the colleague, Mr. Whittlesey, remained 
the " First Society." Mr. Whittlesey, who had liitlierto been 
supported by voluntary contributions, was now elected by the 
society to the ministry, and provision was made conformably 
lor his support. 

In the division of the property between the two societies, 
the new brick meeting house was left in the hands of the First 
Society, while the bell, it was decided, was the property and 
should be rung for the use of both societies. 

Mr. Noyes died in 1761, and Mr. Chauncey Whittlesey 
became the sole pastor. 

In 1763, the old bell appears to have been sold to the use 
of the new state house, and may be still in existence. 

Among other votes of the society, we find at this time a 
yearly repetition, of forty loads of wood for the minister. 

The subject of seats began gradually to create difficulty, 
and in 1779, the project, afterwards accomplished, was enter- 
tained, of buying in the seats. The seats built by individuals 
continuing to make trouble, it was, in 1781, voted, that "it 
was becoming young unmarried persons to sit in the gallery, 
and that heads of families might go into any seat without 
» being considered intruders." 

In 1785, a singing school was provided* 
7 



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74 HISTORY OP THE 

In January, 1787, it was proposed to procure an assistant 
to relieve Mr. Whittlesey, now very infirm; but in the course 
of the year, and before any thing was done, Mr. W. died. 

In 1789, Dr. Dana was settled, with a salary of £115. 

In 1798, an attempt was made to effect a union of all the 
societies, there being at this time three ; but it was not sue- 



In 1804, the property of the society, formerly subject to 
various demands, was funded for the support of the go^3el 
ministry. To this sum, amounting to $4,454, $4,255, the 
proceeds of a subscription, and $1,000 from the church, were 
added. 

In 1805, Rev. Moses Stuart was invited to settle as assist- 
ant, but declined. The society being very much gratified 
with his preaching, made an arrangement with Mr. Dana, then 
70 years of age, to resign, and voted him $500. Thereupon, 
in February, 1806, Mr. Stuart was settled. In December, 
1809, he communicated to the society his wish to resign, in 
order to accept a professorship in the Theological School, at 
Andover. 

In April, 1811, Rev., now Dr. Taylor, was invited to preach 
for the society, and in July was invited to settle, which invi- 
tation he at that time declined. In 1812, the invitation was 
renewed and accepted. 

In this year, a numbpr of gentlemen proposed to build 
a new meeting house. The proposals were accepted, and 
the house built on a part of the old burying yard, at a spot 
designated by the county court, and assented to by the pro- 
prietors of the town. 

In 1822, Dr. Taylor accepted the D wight professorship of 
theology in Yale College, and resigned lus pastoral charge. 
In 1824, Rev. Leonard Bacon, the present minister, was cal- 
led, and installed in 1825. 

The First Society is large in numbers, and flourishing. 

The Episcopal society in New Haven, is large and flour- 
ishing, and is possessed of funds of considerable amount, and 
a glebe situated on the west corner of Church and Chapel 
streets. This land was deeded in 1736, by William Gregson, 
Esq., great-grandson of Thomas Gregson, one of the first 
planters of New Haven, (and was a part of his ancestral es- 
tate^ *' for the support of the Protestant religion and the Church 
of England, as by law established" in New Haven, when such 
a church should be organized. About 1750, an Episcopal 



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COLONY OF NSW HAVEN. 75 

dei^man bein^ settled in New Hav^n, aod hearing of 
Oregson's donation, applied to the town clerk for a copy of 
the record of the same. It has been related, that he was 
told there was no such donation recorded, and was denied the 
liberty of searching. It is also further said, that in 1768, it 
was discovered by Mr. Harrison, an English gentleman, be* 
tween two leaves of the records which he found glued togeth- 
er, but had separated by wetting. He took a copy of the 
gifl, and demanded another of the clerk attested, which with 
difficulty he obtained. Thus furnished, he applied to the se* 
lectmen for a surrender of the land, but was promptly refused, 
whereupon he took out writs of ejectment against the posses- 
sors. Soon after this, the land was surrendered to the church, 
and is now very valuable. The Episcopal church, in West Ha. 
veo, being the first instituted of that denomination, within the 
ancient limits of New Haven, could have obtained the Gregson 
glebe, had they issued a civil process for that puriMjse. This 
aflair shows a specimen of the opposition which those experien- 
ced, who first declared for the Church of England, from the de- 
scendants of those who fled from religious persecution. Mr. 
Johnson, one of the first who declared for Episcopacy in Con- 
necticut, in 1722, was at the time settled in West Haven. The 
Episcopal society in New Haven, have now two beautiful build- 
ings. Trinity Church and a Chapel. The first mentioned is the 
purest specimen of Gothic architecture in the United States. 

The Methodist, Baptist, Free chiSrch, and Catholic societies, 
have each a respectable house for worship. The African 
Congregational church, have a house of worship in Temple 
street, formerly occupied by the Methodist society, 

The patent of New Haven was granted by the general as- 
sembly, on the 20th of October, 1704, to James Bishop^ 
William Jones, and John Nash, Esqrs., Mr. Thomas Trow- 
bridge, Capt. Moses Mansfield, Lieut. Abraham Dickerman, 
and Serj. John AUyn, in trust for the rest of the inhabitants ; 
bounded on the north- by Wallingford, east by Branford, 
south by L. I. Sound, and west by Milford. Signed by 

Governor of ConnectictU. 



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76 HISTORY OF THE 

New Haven was incorporated a city by the legislature, in 
1774, and the streets were named the same year, on the 15th 
of October. 

During the revolutionary war, while the enemy held pos- 
session of New York, the towns on the seaboard were con- 
tinually liable to their incursions. In the campaign of 1779, 
the British seemed to have aimed at little more than to plun- 
der, distress, and consume. The attack on this town took 
place on Monday, July 5th, 1779, the day on which the citi- 
zens were to assemble for the purpose of commemorating the 
declaration of independence. The following account of this 
event is taken from the Connecticut Journal, published in New 
Haven, July 7th, 1779 : 

New Havenj Jvly Itk. 
Abont 2 o'clock, on the morning of the 5th instant, a fleet, con- 
sisting of the Camilla and Scorpion, men of war, with tenders, 
transports, &c., to the number of forty-eight, commanded by Com- 
modore Sir Greorge Collier, anchored oflT West Haven. They had 
on board abont 3,.000 land forces, commanded by Major-General 
Tryon; about 1,500 of whom, under Brigadier-General Garth, 
landed about snnrise on West Haven point. The town being alarm- 
ed, all the preparation which the confusion and distress of the in- 
habitants, and a necessary care of their families would permit, was 
made for resistance. The West Bridge, on Milford road, was ta- 
ken up, several field pieces were carried thither, and some slight 
works thrown up for the defense of that pass. The division under 
Gen. Garth being landed, immediately began their march towards 
the town. The first opposition was made by abou i twenty-five of the 
inhabitants to an advanced party of the enemy of two comp-mies of 
light infantry. These, though advancing on the height of Milford 
hill, were attacked with great spirit by the handful of our people, 
driven back almost to West Haven, and one of them was taken 
prisoner. The enemy then advanced in their main body, with 
strong flanking parties, and two field pieces ; and finding a smart 
fire kept up from oUr field pieces at the bridge aforesaid, chose not 
to force an entrance to the town by that, the usual road, but to make 
a circuitous march of nine miles, in order to enter by the Derby 
road. In this march, our small party on Milford hill, now increased 
to perhaps 150, promiscuously collected from several companies of 
the militia, had a small encounter with the enemy's left flank, near 
the Milford road, in which was killed their adjutant, CampbeU, the 
loss of whom they lamented with much apparent sensibility. Our 
people, on the hill, being obliged by superior numbers to give way, 
kept up a continual fire on the enemy, and galled them much, 
through all their march to Thomson's bridge, on Derby road. In 
the meantime, those who were posted at the West Bridge, per- 
ceiving the movements of the enemy, and also that another large 
body of them had landed at the South End, on the east side of the 
haroor, quiUed the bridge and marched thence to oppose the enemy 
at Thomson's bridge. But by the time they had reached the bante 



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COLONY OF NBW HAVBN. 77 

of the river, the enemy were in possession of the bridge, and the 
places at which the river is here fordable ; yet having received a 
small accession of strength by the coming in of the militia, ihey 
gave the enemy a smart fire from two field pieces and small aims, 
which continued with little abatement till the enemy were in po*- 
session of the town. Our people being obliged to retreat, either to 
the fields north and west of the town, or through the town across 
the Neck bridge, the enemy entered the town between 12 and 1 
o'clock. In the meantime,. "the divisions of the enemy, before men- 
tioned to have landed at South End, which was under the command 
of Gren. Tryon, was bravely resisted by a small party of men, with 
one field piece, who, besides other execution, killed an oflicer of 
the enemy, in one of their boats at their landing. This division 
marched up by land, and attacked the fort at Black Rock ; at the 
same time their shipping drew up and attacked it from the harbor. 
The fort had only 19 men and 3 pieces of artillery, yet was defend- 
ed as long as reason or valor dictated, and then the men made 
good their retreat. 

The town being now in full possession of the enemy, it was, not- 
withstanding the subjoined proclamation, delivered up, except a few 
instances of protection, to promiscuous plunder ; in which, besides 
robbing the inhabitants of their watches, money, plate, buckles, 
clothing, bedding, and provisions, they broke and destroyed their 
household furniture to a very great amount. Some families lost 
everything their houses contained j many have now neither food 
nor clothes to shift. 

A body of militia, sufilcient to penetrate the town, could not be 
collected that evening ; we were obliged, therefore, to content our- 
selves with giving the enemy every annoyance in our power, which 
was done with great spirit, for most of the afternoon, at and about 
the DUch corner. 

Early on Tuesday morning, the enemy, unexpectedly, and with 
the utmost stillness and dispatch, called in their guards, and retreat- 
ed to their boats, carrying with them a number of the inhabitants 
captive, most, if not all of whom, were taken without arms, and a 
few who chose to accompany them. Part of them went on board their 
fleet, and part crossed over to General Tryon, at East Haven. On 
Tuesday afternoon the militia collected in such numbers, and 
crowded so close upon Gen. Tryon, that he thought best to retreat on 
board his fleet, and set sail to the westward. 

The loss of the enemy is unknown ; but, for many reasons, it is 
supposed to be considerable, and includes some oflicers, whom ihey 
lament, besides Adjutant Campbell. Ours, by the best information 
we can obtain, is 27 killed and 19 wounded. As many of our 
dead upon examination appeared to have been wounded with shot, 
but not mortally, and afterwards to have been killed with bayonets, 
this demonstrated the true reason why the number of the dead ex- 
ceeded that of the wounded, to be, that being woimded ^d falling 
into the enemy's hands, they were afterwards killed. A further 
confirmation of this charge is, that we have full and direct testimony, 
which affirms that Gen. Garth declared to one of our miUtia Who 
was wounded and taken, that " he was sorry his men had not killed 
7* 



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78 HISTORY OF THE 

him, instead of taking him, and that he would not have his men 
give quarter to one militia man taken in arms." 

Although in this expedition it must be confessed to the credit of 
the Britons, that they nave not done all the mischief in their power, 
yet the brutal ravishment of women, the wanton and malicious de- 
struction of property, the burning of the stores upon the wharf, 
and eight houses in East Haven ; the beating, stabbmg, and insult- 
ing of the Rev. Dr. Daggett, after he was made a prisoner ; the 
mortally wounding of Mr. Beers, senior, in his own aoor, and oth- 
erways abusing him; the murdering the very aged and helpless 
Mr. English in his own house, and the beating and finally cutting 
out the tongue of, and then killing, a distracted man^ are sufficient 
proofs that they -were really Britons. 

They were conducted to the town bv William Chandler, son of 
Joshua Chandler, late of this town, who, with his family, went off 
with the enemy in their retreat. 

The enemy carried off between thirty and forty of the inhabit- 
ants of the town, among whom was John Whiting, Esq., Judge of 
Probate, and clerk of the County Court. 

The fbllowing is an account of the manner in which the 
news of peace between the United States and Great Britaint 
at the close of the revolutionary war, was celebrated in New 
Haven : 

New Haven, May Ist, 1783. 

Thursday last was observed as a day of festivity and rqoicing in 
this town, on receipt of indubitable testimonv of the most important, 
grand, and ever memorable event— the total cessation of hostilities 
between Great Britain and these United States, and the full acknow- 
ledgment of their sovereignty and independence. Accordingly, 
the day, with the rising sun, was ushered in by the discharge of 
thirteen cannon, paraded on the green for that purpose, under ele- 
gant silk colors, with the coat of arms of the United States most in- 
geniously represented thereon, which was generously contributed 
upon the occasion by the ladies of the town. At 9 o'clock in the fore- 
noon, the inhabitants met in the brick meeting house for divine ser- 
vice, where were convened a very crowded assembly : the service 
was opened with an anthem, then a very pertinent prayer, together 
with thanksgiving, was made by the Rev. Dr. Stiles, President of 
Yale College ; after was sung some lines purposely composed for 
the occasion, by the singers of all the congregations in concert. 
Then followed a very ingenious oration, spoken by Mr. Elizur 
Goodrich, one of the tutors of the college : after which a very lib- 
eral collection was made for the poor of the town, to elevate their 
hearts for rejoicing. The service concluded with an anthem. 

A number of respectable gentlemen of the town dined together at 
the Coffee House ; after dinner several patriotic toasts were drank. 

At 3 o'clock were discharged thirteen cannon— at 4, twenty-one 
ditto — at 5, seven ditto — at 6, thirteen ditto— at 7, were displayed 
the fireworks, with rockets, serpents, &c. — at 9 o'clock a bonfire on 
the green concluded the diversions of the day. The whole affair 
was conducted with a decorum and decency uncommon for such' 



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COLONT OF NEW HAVEN. 



79 



occasions, without any unfortunate accident ; a most pacific dispo- 
sition and heartfelt ioy was universally conspicuous, and most em- 
phatically expressed by the features of every countenance. 

PUBLIC SQUABE OB GBEEN. 

The public square or green is divided into two equal parts by 
Temple street : on the western division are situated two Congrega- 
tional churches, an Episcopal, and a Methodist church, and a state 
house, which was erected in 1831. The eastern part of the square is 
fifty-two rods long, and twenty-five rods wide, which is surrounded » 
on all sides hy rows of stately elms, and is considered one of 
the most beautiful in the United States. The church, of which 
the cut here inserted is a representation, belongs to the Episcopal 




r,4. -^. 



,£astem View of Trinity Churchy Jfew Haven. 



society. " This building, fslate house,] constructed of stone and mar- 
ble, under the superintendence of Mr. Ithiel Town, an architect of 
cultivated taste and talents, forms a prominent ornament of the city. 
It presents one of the best copies of ancient models which our 
country affords, and is worthy of an artist who has evinced his 
fondness for his profession by visiting the best schools in Europe 
to perfect himself in his art." The «pace back of the churches is 
generally denominated the upper green. It was formerly used as a 



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80 HISTORY OF THB 

barpng-ground, but in 18S1 the monuments were removed to the 
new burying-place, and the ground leveled. In ihis burying-ground, 
immediately back of the center church, were buried I^ixwell, and, 
as tradition says, Goffe and Whalley, all three of whom were the 
judges of King Charles I. 

The site of New Haven is a plain lying between two 
ranges of hills, on the east and on the west ; and limited, 
partly, on the northern side, by two mountains, called the 
East and West Rocks ; a spur from the latter, named Pine 
Rock, and another from the former, named Mill Rock, which 
descends in the form of a hsuidsome hill to the northern skirt 
of the city. Between these mountains the plain opens into a 
valley, which extends northward seventy-six miles to North- 
ampton ; and* between the East Rock, and the eastern range 
of hills, into another valley, terminating at Wethersfield, thir- 
ty-two miles. Both these valleys coincide at the places 
specified, with the valleys of Connecticut river. The moun- 
tains are bold bluffs of greenstone rocks, with summits finely 
figured, and form a delightful part of the New Haven land* 
scape. 

The harbor of New Haven is created by the confluence 
of three rivers with the Sound : Wallingford or Quinnipiack 
River on the east; Mill River on the north; and West 
River. The two last are merely mill streams ; Mill River is 
a very fine one, as being plentifully supplied with water round 
the year. Wallingford River, originally called Quinnipiack, 
rises in Farmington, and after running a winding course of 
thirty-five miles, empties its waters into the Sound. These 
streams are also ornaments of the landscape. 

The harbor of New Haven, from the entrance of Wal- 
lingford and Mill Rivers, has in the channel fifteen feet of 
water to its mouth, except on Crane's bar, a small spit of 
sand, formed by the erection of a pier about three fourths of 
a mile firom the sjiore. Hero the depth is only seven and a 
half feet ; but the obstruction might be removed with no great 
difl[iculty. At the time when the first settlers arrived in this 
town, there was in the northwestern region of this harbor, a 
sufficient depth of water for all the ordinary purposes of com- 
merce. Ships were built and launched where now there are 
meadows and gardens and shops ; sloops loaded and unload- 
ed where the market now stands. So late as th^ year 1765, 
the long wharf extended only twenty rods from the shore. 
It extends now three thousand nine hundred and forty-three 



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COLONY OF NBW HAVEN. 81 

SeeU Yet there is less water a few rods from its foot now, 
than at its termioation in the year 1765. The substance 
which here accumulates so rapidly, is, what in this country is 
called marsh mud; the material of which its salt marshes are 
composed. It has been suspected to bo of a vegetable na. 
ture, and, where the experiment has been tried, it has been 
found to be peat, and yields a tolerably good fire 

It has been proposed to turn the course of the West River, 
so that it might enter at the head of the harbor^ it being be* 
lieved, that could it enter at that point much of the obstruc- 
tion would be removed, and the harbor essentially deepened. 

The plain on which New Haven is built, is not improbably 
a congeries of particles, floated down to this place in early 
times from the interior. Its surface is sand mixed with loam 
and gravel ; beneath this is usually found a stratum of yellow 
loam. Still lower, at the depth of fifteen or eighteen inches, 
a mass of coarse sand extends about six feet. Beneath this 
is another, composed principally of pebbles, rounded and 
smoothed like stones washed by the ocean. Still further down, 
the materials, generally like those which have been mention* 
ed, are more mingled and confused. Formerly the surface 
was covered with shrub oaks; and wild turkeys and par- 
tridges were found in great numbers. 

The soil of this pl^n is dry, warm, and naturally unpro. 
ductive, but by cultivation is capable of producing every 
vegetable suited to the climate, and in any quantity. For 
gardens, except in dry years, it is remarkably well suited. 
The original town was laid out on the northwestern side of 
the harbor, in nme squares, each fifty-two rods on a side, 
separated by streets four rods in breadth ; and thus formed a 
quadrangular area of one hundred and seventy-two rods on 
a side. The central square is open, and is styled the green ; 
and the upper, or northwestern halfi is a beautiful slope. 
The surrounding squaree are by law divided each into 
four, by streets running from northwest to southeast, and 
from northeast to southwest, the direction of the original 
streets. Besides these thirty-two. squares, the town cov- 
ers several considerable tracts bordering upon them, and 
is constantly extending. The principal of these is on the 
S. E. side, and is called the New Township ; a beautiful 
tract bounded by the East River and the harbor. 

New Haven contauied in 1830, 10,000 inhabitants: in De- 
cember, 1833, the population was twelve thousand two hundred 



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62 



HISTORY OF THE 



and one, of which 11,534 were within the city h'mits. The area 
occupied by the city, is probably as large as that which usually 
contains a city of six times the number of inhabitants in Eu- 
rope. A large proportion of the houses have court yards in 
front, and gardens in the rear. The former are ornamented 
with trees and shrubs; the latter are luxuriantly filled with 
fruit trees, flowers, and culinary vegetables. 

The houses are generally two stories high, built of wood, 
in a neat, handsome, but not expensive style. Many of those 
recently erected, are, however, elegant and stately edifices of 
brick and stone. The public edifices are the college build, 
ings, ten handsome churches, a tontine, pavilion, state-house, 
jail, four banks, a custom-house, and a state hospital. Be. 
sides these, there are ten printing offices, from which are 
issued a daily, and four weekly newspapers ; and one week- 
ly, two monthly, and one quarterly, religious publications, 
and the American Journal of Science and Arts, conducted 
by Professor Silliman. 




View of the General Hospital of ConnecticHi, 

The General State Hospital Society, was chartered in May, 
1826, and the building was completed in July, 1832. It 
consists of a center and two wings, and its whole length is 
118 feet, and its breadth in the center is 48 feet. The build- 



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^■3 2 



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coLomr OF nbw haven. 83 

ing is of stone, and stuccoed on the outside, of the Grecian 
order of architecture. Its location is southwesterly of the 
central part of the city. The design of this institution is to 
afford medical and surgical aid, and other necessaries of 
sickness, to such as cannot command such necessaries else- 
where. The stranger and the mariner, if sick, may here 
find an asylum, and such attention as may pertiaps make it 
the best subsitute for home. 

Here, it may be observed, that the botanical system of med- 
ical practice is making good progress in New Haven, and that 
very many citizens of education, respectability, and influencOi 
are its firm friends and advocates. It was first introduced in- 
to New Haven, and New Haven county, in 1832, by Dr, 
Samuel Richardson, from Boston. In 1835, Dr. Bennett 
W. Sperry, from New York, also located himself in the city. 
These two gentlemen, it may be asserted without fear of con- 
tradictk>n, (for facts are incontrovertible,) have been eminent- 
ly successful in their practice, and are now doing much in 
curing and alleviating disease. 

Fair Haven is a flourishing village, (partly situated with- 
in the city limits,) about two miles eastward of the state 
house, on both sides of the Quinnipiack, and contains about 
1,000 inhabitants. The principal business of the place is 
"the oyster business." The public buildings, are two meet- 
ing houses (a Methodist and a Congregational) and a semin- 
ary. This place was formerly called Dragon, from a sandy 
point below the bridge, which was a resort for seals at the 
time of the settlement of New Haven ; these animals then 
being called dragons. 

Westvillb is situated within the town limits, at the south- 
em termination of West Rock, about two miles northwest 
from tlie state house, and contains about 600 inhabitants. 
There are in the village three paper mills, an iron foundry, 
and some other manufacturing establishments. 

Wallingfoed originally belonged to New Haven, and be- 
fore it was incorporated as a town, was called New Haven 
village. The settlement was projected in 1669, and begun 
the next year. Mr. Davenport, it is said, preached the first 
sermon m the place, at the bottom of the hill on which 
the town stands, from Isaiah v. 1 : " My beloved hath a 
vineyard on a very fruitful hill." The town is watered by 
the Qumnipiack, and the principal village is beautifully situa- 
ted on an elevation upwards of a mile east of the river, on 



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84 HI6T0RT OF THE 

two parallel streets, extending along the ridge of the hill. 
The western street is more than a mile in length. The in- 
habitants are mostly farmers. 

North Haven was formerly a part of New Haven, and 
was settled about the same time as Wallingford. It was 
made a parish in 1716, and was incorporated a town in Oc- 
tober, 1786. The town lies on both sides of the Quinni- 
piack, and comprises the valley and a part of the neighboring 
hills. The valley has a thin light soil, but the hills are good. 
The most striking feature in the township, is a vast tract of 
salt meadow on both sides of the Quinnipiack. 

Hamden was originally included within the limits of New 
Haven, and was made a distinct town in 1786. The town, 
ship is situated between the West Rock range of mountains 
and the East Rock range. There are two societies in the 
town, Mount Carmel, in the northern section, and East Plains, 
in the southern. Whitney ville, two miles from New Haven, 
is within the town limits of Hamden. This beautiful little 
village owes its rise and name to Eli Whitney, Esq., the in- 
ventor of the cotton gin, who here established a manufactory 
of fire-arms, on principles altogether original.* 

East Haven was originally part of New Haven, and was 
very early settled. After the first divisions of land had been 
made, several enterprising farmers began to settle on the east- 
em side of the Quinnipiack, when a second division was made. 
Thomas Gregson petitioned for his share in this division, at 
Solitary Cove, (now Morris' Cove,) and on the 5th of August, 
1644, 133 acres were allowed to him at that place. There 
he placed his family, the first in East Haven. Others among 
the subscribers to the fundamental articles, on the 4th of 
June, 1639, who settled in East Haven, or were concerned 
in the settlement, were William Andrews, Jasper Crayne, 
William Tutlle, Jarvis Boykim, John Potter, Matthew Moul- 
throp, Matthias Hitchcock, and Edward Pattei*son. 

The first iron works in Connecticut were established in this 
town, in 1655, by Stephen Goodyear, Esq., and continued 
about twenty-five years. The furnace was supplied with 
bog-ore from North Haven, probably brought down by wa- 
ter. The business was relinquished on account of the death 



♦ On the site of this establishment, William Fowler built a mill, 
in 1645, which the town bought of him for 100/., January 3, 1659. 
Thomas Mitchel was miller. 



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i THE NEW YORK 



'U^TO ^ 



^- ^ iVO 






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COLOVY OP inw HAVBN. 85 

of the principal workmen, during a season of great mortality, 
in 1679. The village bore their proportion of town and col- 
ony charges, and endured great hardships and dangers in at. 
tending meetings at New Haven. They had no church 
established until 1710. Their first minister was Mr. Jacob 
Heminway, a native of the village, and graduated at the 
college at Saybrook, under the presidency of the Rev. Abra- 
ham Pierson, in 1703. 

East Haven was incorporated a distinct town in 1785. 
The center of the village is three and a half miles from New 
Haven. Agriculture and fishing is the principal business of 
the inhabitants. 



iniJPORD. 



MiLFORD is. situated on Long Island Soimd, (the center of 
the town,) ten miles southwest firom New Haven, and is 
bounded west by the Housatonnuc river, southeast by Long 
Island Sound, and northeast by Oran^. The settlement of 
the town was commenced in 1639. The first purchase was 
made of the Indians on the 12th of February,* of that year. 
It comprehended the tract of land lying between the East 
river and the Housatonnuc, and the sea with the Island south, 
and the two mile Indian path to Paugusset (Derby) north. 
The deed was taken by Mr. William Fowler, Edmund Tapp, 
Zachariah Whitman, Benjamin Fenn, and Alexander Bryan, 
in trust for the body of planters. The consideration was 
<< 6 coats, 10 blankets, 1 kettle, 12 hatchets, 12 hoes, 2 dozen 
knives, and a dozen small glasses," (mirrors.) The instru- 
ment was signed on the day aforesaid, by the Sagamore and 
his councO, as follows : 



♦ This would be February 23d, New Style, on which day, in 1839, 
the centennial celebration of the first settlement of the town should be 
held. 

8 



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86 HISTOET OF TH|E 

Ansantaway, his i "■ ^ ' ^ mark. 

Areacowset, his ^ m^ ^ mark. 

Anshuta, his /^ mark. 

Manamatqtje, his G mark. 

Tatacenacouse, his ^^ mark. 

The business was transacted with much formality, and pos- 
session given according to the Indian method of " twig and 
turf." A twig and a piece of turf being brought to the Saga- 
more, he placed the end of the branch in the clod, and then 
gave it to the English as a token that he thereby surrendered 
to them the soil, with all the trees and appurtenances. 

Afterwards, at different times, other purchases were made. 
The land between Paugusset and the " two mile Indian path," 
was bought by Ensign Bryan, Sergeant Baldwin, and Will- 
iam East, agents for the town, in 1655, for £5, in goods. 
The tract east of Indian river, and extending to New Haven 
purchase, eastward, and from the Indian path to Oyster river, 
south, to the foot-path from Paugusset to New Haven, north, 
was bought by Robert Treat, Esq., and Ensign Bryan, for the 
town, on the 20th of December, 1659, for the sum of £26, to 
be paid in goods. 

The Indian Neck, lying between the East river and the 
Sound, was purchased by Ensign Alexander Bryan, in behalf 
of the town, on the 2d of January, 1659-60, for the consider- 
ation of £25. A reservation of 20 acres was made by the 
Indians in this tract, for planting ground, to lie entire, by itself. 
Excepting this, the Sagamore agreed ^Ho defend the land with 
the swamps, timber, trees, and all the privileges, from the 
claims of any other Indian whatsoever." 

The reservation of 20 acres the Sagamore, Ansantaway, 
and two sons, sold to Ensign Bryan, for the town, on the 12th 
of December, 1661, for 6 coats, 3 blankets, and 3 pair of 
breeches. By the articles of agreement the Indians, "for 
themselves and others, disclaimed having any privileges there 



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COLONY OP NEW HAVEN. 87 

or in Milford, except the privilege of fishing, and this far, mu- 
tually consented and agreed, that in case of danger the said 
Ansantaway and his wife and sonnes should have h'berty to 
sitt down for shelter in some place near the town where the 
towns-men should think most fitt ; and provided that under 
that pretence they should not harbour any but what were 
truly and really of their own household. Also they gave and 
granted unto Ensign Alexander Bryan full and free possession 
of the said land and privileges which was the Remainder of 
aU the lands which they had in Milford."* The deeds of tl^ 
three last purchases were signed by the same Indians, as fc^ 
lows: 

Ansantaway, his ^--4^ mark. 
TouTONOMAE, his ^^ mark. 



Akenash, his ^^^ mark. 

Ten Indians, who were successors and heirs of those who 
had given the four deeds just noticed, on the 2d of October, 
1682, gave Grovernor Treat and others, in behalf of the town, 
for the consideration of £5 pay, a (juit claim *' of all the right, 
title, and interest, which they or theur heirs and successors had 
or ever should have to the lands so deeded by their prede- 
cessors, with all the meadows, islands, woods, waters, and 
privileges thereof and thereunto appertaining. And further, 
these Indians engaged themselves and heirs to secure and de- 
fend the English from any claim of any Indian to the said land 
or parcels of land whatsoever." The ten Indians who gave 
this quit claim, were, Conquepotana, Nanshoota, Ahenach, 
Assowas, Muchilin, Sowehoux, Chipoanke, Teunque, Rash- 
inoot, and Roucheage. 

Conquepotana and Ahuntaway, chieftains at Paugusset, on 
the 17th of June, 1685, in behalf of themselves and other 
Indians, sold to Robert Treat, Esq., Samuel Eells, Benjamin 
Fenn, Thomas Clark, and Sylvanus Baldwin, agents of Milford, 
a tract of land " lying above the path which goeth from New 
Haven to Derby, and bounded with said path south, and a 

♦ This land was bought by Thomas Welch at an outcry, (auction,) 
for the sum of £21 65. 



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86 HZ8T0RT OF THE 

l»rook called Blad^i's brook, (on the south side of Scvicurra, 
or Snake Hilli) oorth, with the line that is the bounds between 
New Haven and Milford, east, and the line that is the bounds 
between Derby and Milford, west, which said land was a mile 
and sixs core rods in breath throughout the length of it." The 
Indians '^reserved the liberty of hunting on this ground »" 

A purchase was made on the 29th of February, 1700, by 
Robert Treat, Esq., Mr. Thomas Clark, Sen., Samuel Buck- 
ingham, Sen., Lieut. Sylvanus Baldwin, and Ensign George 
Clark, agents ibr Milford, of a tract of land "lying northward 
of Bladen's brook, unto a brook called Lebanon brook, bound- 
ed north by said Lebanon brook, east by New Haven land, 
south by Bladen's brook, and west by the line between Derby 
and Milford ; said land being a mile and six score rods in 
breadth." The consideration given for this land was J£15 in 
pay, and 15*. in silver. The deed was signed by nine In- 
dians, viz : Conquepotana, Ahantaway, Rasquenoot, Waurar- 
runton, Wonountacun, Pequit,, Suckatash, Durquin, and 
Windham. This tract of land was divided and laid out, in 
1759, into one hundred and ninety-five shares or rights and 
is commonly called the " two bit purchase," from the circum- 
stance of each buyer of a right paying for the same two 
Spanish bits, of eight or twelve and a half cent pieces. This 
purchase now forms the northwest part of Woodbridge.* 

Another and the last purchase of land within the old patent 
bounds of Milford, was made by the same committee,' on the 
23d of February, 1702, <rf the same Indians, for £b in money, 
or otherwise, £7 10*. in pay, bound south by Lebanon brook, 
east by Milford and New Haven line, north by Beacon Hill 
river or Waterbury line, and west by the line between Derby 
and Milford ; being a mile and six score rods in width. This 
was called the ^ one bit purchase," and was laid out in 1769, 
into one hundred and eighty-seven whole share rights. This 
kind is now the western part of Bethany^ Thus it appears, 
that Milford once extended twenty miles north to Waterbury 
line, but its territory has been ceeded to help form other towns, 
till it is now contracted into a little triangle, of about six miles 
in length on each side. 

The Indian name of Milford, was Wepowage. The original 
settlers of the place were mostly from the counties of Ea&ex, 

♦ Milford Record. Lib. 11. 

t Milford Record, Lib. 15, page 281. 



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COLONY OP NEW HAVEN. 



89 



Hereford, and York. A number of them came to New Eng- 
land with Messrs. Blaton and Davenport's compaoy, and 
remained with them at New Haven during the year 1638. 
Their pastor, Mr. Peter Prudden, was from Edgeton, York- 
shire, and probably most of these planters were from Yorkshire 
and HerefordshirQ, where Mr. Prudden had preached previous 
to his emigration. Soon after their arrival at New Haven, 
his company projected a settlement at Wepowage, and while 
they were making preparation to commence* the settlement, 
he preached with the people of Wethersfield, who at that time 
had no minister. While he officiated there, a number became 
so attached to him, that when he left they accompanied him 
and incorporated with his church. These were before from 
Watertown, Massacjjusetts, and were a part of Sir Richard 
Saltonstall's company, from Essex, England. 

The first planters of the town stand enrolled in the following 
order, on the first page of Lib. I, of Milford records, to which 
is here added, as far as can be ascertained, the date of the death 
of each individual. The persons with an asterisk prefixed to 
their names, came with the New Haven company ; the others 
from Wethersfield. This mark f shows the names of the 
early settlers, which are now extinct in the town. 

. November ^th, 1639. — Those persons whose names are hereunder 
written are allowed to be Free Planters, having for the present lib- 
erty to act in the choyce of public officers, for the carrying on of 
public aflfayres in this plantation. 



♦Zackariah Whitman,t 
♦Thomas Welch, 

Thomas Wheeler, 
♦Edmund Tapp,t 
♦Thomas Buckingham, 
♦Richard Miles, 
•Richard Piatt, 

Thomas Tapping,t 
♦Mr. Peter Prudden, 
♦William Fowler, 

John Astwoodjt 
•Richard Baldwin, 
•Benjamin Fenn, 

Samuel Colev.t 
*John Peacocke,t 
♦Henry Stonhill,t 
•Nathaniel Baldwin, 
♦James Prudden, 

Thomas Baker.t 

George Clark, Senior, 
y 8* 



Died. 
1666 
1681 
1672 
1653 
1657 
1667 
1671 
1684 
1656 
1660 
1654 
1665 
1672 
1684 



1692 
1648 

1690 



George Hubbard,t 
Jasper Gunn, physician, 
John Fletcher,t 
Alexander Bryan, 
Frances Bolt,t 
Micah Tomkins,t 
John Birdseye,t 
Edmond Harvey,t 
John Lane,t 
William East,t 
Thomas Lawrence, 
Thomas Sandford, 

♦Timothy Baldwin, 
George Clark, Junior, 
John Burwell, 
Henry Botsford, 

♦Joseph Baldwin, 
Philip Hatley,t 
Nicholas Camp, 
Thomas Uffot,t 



Died. 
1650 
1670 
1662 
1679 
1649 



1648 
1669 
1681 
1648 
1681 
1664 
1690 
1649 
1686 
1690 

1706 
1691 



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90 



mSTOET OF TBB 



John Rogers,* 
Nathaniel Brisco,t 



Died. 
1684 
1683 



♦Thomas Tibbals, 
John Shennan,t 



Died. 
1703 
1685 



The following persons are recorded immediately after, but 
not as free planters, they not being in church fellowship, whiph 
was a requisite qualification, in the view of the colonists, be- 
fore a person could be admitted a "free plants." 





Di«d. 




Died. 


Robert Plnm, 
Roger TerriU, 


1655 


Andrew Benton,t 


1681 


1682 


William Brooke, 


1684 


Joseph Northrop, 


1699 


Rohert Treat, 


1712 


♦John Baldwin, 


1681 


Henry Lyon,t 
♦John Fowler, 


(( 


William Slough,t 


(C 


u 



By this list it appears that there were fifty-four heads of £imi- 
lies. Most of them had wives and children, and if we allow only 
four individuals to a famfly, it would make upwards of two 
hundred individuals who first came to Milford. Some families 
had more than four, as Richard Miles, who had seven, Bld- 
mund Tapp, seven, Timothy Baldwin, six, and widow Martha 
Beard, whose husband died on the passage to America, settled 
here with three sons (John, Jeremy, and Jamesf) and three 
daughters. From such data there is good reason to suppose 
that the number of the first settlers considerably exceeded 
two hundred. 

The following is a list of the principal afler-planters, with 
the year of their settlement in the town : 

Robert Denison,t 1645 

Gilbert Dalison,t 1647 

Charles Deal,t 1656 

Robert Downs, 1660 

Samuel Eell, 1664 

Thomas Farman,t 1658 

Nathaniel Farrand,t 1645 

Samuel Pitch,S 1644 

John Ford, 1646 

Thomas Ford, 1646 

Stephen Freeman,t 1658 

John Fisk, physician,t 1695 

Nathaniel Gould,t 1646 

♦ It is the tradition that he was a descendant of John Rogers, the 
martyr in Ctueen Mary's reign. 

t James was the eldest, and died in 1642, unmarried. His estate 
was settled b^ Capt. Astwood, Judge, and was the first estate admin* 
istered upon in Milford. 

t Ancestor of Col. Ethan Allen, the hero of Ticonderc^a. 

S Removed to Norwalk. ae was ancestor of Gov. Thomas Fitch. 



Henry Allyn,t 


1645 


Edward Adams,t 


1646 


Joshua Atwater, 


1655 


Joshua Ashbum,t 


1650 


Hants Albers,t 


1645 


Thomas Andrew, 


1673 


Thomas Bayley, 


1646 


Thomas Beardsley,t 


1647 


JohnBrown,t 


1648 


Roger Betts,t 


1658 


Thomas Betts,t 


1658 


Thomas Beach, 


1658 


Thomas Campfield,t 


1648 



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COLONY OF NBW HAVEN. 



91 



David PhilHps,t 1660 

Edward Riggs,t 1640 

"William Robert8,t 1645 

Thomas Read,t 1647 

Josq>h Sill,t 1648 

Richard Shute,t 1642 

John Smith, 1643 

John Stream ,t 1646 

John St6ne,t 1650 

Vincent Stilson,t 1646 

Peter SimpsoD,t 1654 

Edward Tumer,t 1651 

Henry Tomlinson,t 1652 

Tho. Talmadge,t 1656 

WiUiam Tyler,t 1670 

Edward Wooster,t f 1551 

Edward Wilkinson,t 1645 

Thomas Ward,t 1657 

John Watersjt 1658 

JohnWoodruff,t 1685 

Andrew Wamer,t 1653 



Joseph GKiemseyyt 1673 

Thomas Hine, 1646 
Richard Haugfiton,t 

Thomas Hayes,t 1645 

Richard Holbrook,t 1668 
Richard Hollingworth,t 
Jonathan Ingersoll,* joiner, 1698 

Walter Joye,t 1650 

Jesse Lambert, 1680 

Jonathan Law, 1664 

Simon Lubdell,t 1645 

Miles Merwin, 1645 

Miles Moore,t 1646 

Jonathan Marsh,t 1649 

Thomas Mecock,t 1658 

Samuel Nettleton, 1645 

Mr. Roger Newton, 1659 

Frances Norton,t 1660 

James Prime,t 1644 

John Prindle,t 1645 

Joseph Peck, 1645 

Roger Pritchard, 1653 

Fourteen of the first settlers aflterwards removed, viz: 
Richard Miles to New Haven, in 1641, Thomas Tapping to 
Southampton, L. I., in 1650, but returned in 1673, on account 
of the war with the Dutch. He again went back in 1 676, He 
was a magistrate of Connecticut, in 1652. John Astwood 
went to England as an agent for the colony, to petition for aid 
to reduce the Dutch, and died in London, in 1654. Henry 
S^nhill in 1648, and Philip Hatley in 1649, returned to Lon- 
don. John Peacocke removed in 1651, to Newport, (R. I.) 
Thomas Baker in 165Q, to East Hampton, and was a magis- 
trate in 1651. Edward Harvey and Henry Lyon in 1654, to 
Fairfield. George Hubbard in 1650, John Fowler in 1660, 
and Andrew Benton, in 1666, to Guilford ; and John Bhrdseye 
in 1649, to Stratford, and John Sherman in 1647, to Water- 
town, Mass. 

The body of planters moved from New Haven by land, fol- 
lowing the devious Indian foot-path, driving their cattle and 
other domestic animals before them, while their household 
and fiurming utensils, and the materials for ^ the common 

* He was the ancestor of all the Ingersolls in this town and in 
New Haven. His son Jared was a lawyer, and located himself in 
New Haven. 

t Gov. Gideon Tomlinson is a descendant of his. 

S He was ancestor of Gen. David Wooster, of New Haven, who 
was killed at Danbury, in 1777. 



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02 mSTOBT OF THB 

house," were taken round by water. Serg. Thomas Tibbals 
piloted the company through the woods to the place, "he hav- 
ing been there a number of times before." The town granted 
him, in 1670, ** for and in consideration of his helpfulness att 
first coming to Milford to show the first comers the place, two 
parcels of land as a free gift, lying in Westfield, both parcels 
contayning ten measured acres. . All safely arrived, the 
planters erected their common house at the head of the har- 
bor, on the west side, and a few rude huts for temporary 
residence. 

Soon as they were established in their settlement, they pro- 
ceeded to form their civil polity. Considering themselves as 
without the pale of jurisdiction, (as in fact they were, until 
they united with New Haven, in 1644,) they combined into a 
little republic. At their first general meeting, Nov. 20th, 
1639, it was "voted and agreed that the power of electing 
officers and persons to divide the land into lots, to take order 
for the timber, and to manage the common interests of the 
plantation, should be in the church only, and that the persons 
so chosen should be only from among themselves." 

It was also " voted that they would guide themselves in all 
their doings by the written Word of God, till such time as a 
body of laws should be established." 

It was ^^ voted that five men should be chosen for judges in 
all civil afiairs, to try all causes between man and man ; and 
as a court to punish any offence and misdemeanor."* 

It was "voted that the persons invested with magistracy 
should have power to call a general court (or town meeting) 
whenever they might see cause or the public good require." 

It was also " voted that they should hold particular courts 
once in six weeks, wherein should be tried such causes as 
might be brought before them, they to examine wimesses upon 
oath as need should require." 

It was further voted and agreed that according to the sum 
of money which each person paid toward the public charges, 
in such proportion should he receive or be repaid in lands, 
and that all planters who might conie jd^er, should pay their 
share equally for some other public use. 

It was voted, that the town seal should be tlie ii ■« ■-, 
letters M. F. joined, thus : V^M^»^ 

The following free planters were then chosen 
forjudges, viz. : William Fowler, Edmund Tapp, 

♦ The coxut of the five judges was called the particular court. 



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PLAN OP THE ORIGINAL TOWN PLOT OP MLFORD. 
Projected on a scdU of three inches to a mile. 

tf, part of fresh meadow; ft, part of dreadful swamp; c, part of 
Eastfield common line fence; dj part of Westfield common line 
fence. First Congregational meeting-house against lot No. 9 ; 
second Congregational meeting-house against No. 38 ; Episcopal 
Church against No. 17 ; and Town House against No. 15.— p. 93. 



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COLONY OF NBW HAVEN. 



03 



Zachariah Whitman, John Astwood, and Richard Miles, to 
confinue in office till the next court of election, to be holden 
the first week in October. These five judges were to admit 
inhabitants and divide lands. 

The first settlers located themselves on each side of the 
Mill river, and the West End brook, probably for the con- 
venience of water for themselves and cattle. Their house' 
lots were laid out in parallel narrow slips, containing each 
about three acres. Some of them had double lots, i. e., two 
slips adjoining. Each planter was to erect a good house on 
his lot within three years, or it was to go back to the town. 
The location of the house of each first planter, as they were 
recorded in 1646, is seen on the plan of the town, by finding 
the same number which is prefixed to the name of each indi- 
vidual in the following list. The exact quantity of land in the 
house lot of each person, is here placed against his name : 



1 John Astwood, 7 

2 Richard Baldwin, 3 

3 Benjamin Fenn, 

4 Samuel Cooley, 

5 John Peacocke, 

6 Henry Stonhlll, 

7 Nathaniel Baldwin, 

8 James Prudden, 

9 Jol/n Sherman, 

10 Thomas Baker, 

11 Stephen Freeman, 

12 John Fletcher, 

13 John Baldwin, 

14 Frances Bolt, 

15 Micah Tompkins, 

16 John Birdseye, 

17 Edward Harvey, 

18 John Lane, 

19 William East, 

20 Thomas Lawrence, 

(spld to Wm. East.) 

21 Thomas Sandford, 2 

22 Timothy Baldwin, 

23 Alexander Bryan, 

24 Jasper Gunn, 

25 Tomas Hine, 

26 Henry Lyon, 

27 John Stream, 

28 William Slough, 

29 James Prime, 

30 Thomas Reed, , 



r. p. 

2 


11 3 

1 20 

3 
3 20 

2 





30 
10 
20 
1 20 
320 

3 
220 
3 


3 

025 
3 



a. r. p. 

31 Robert Denison, 3 

32 Zachariah Whitman, 7 2 

33 Thomas Welch, 4 2 

34 Thomas Wheeler, 3 

35 Mr. Edmond Tapp, 7 2 

36 Tho. Buckingham, 2 3 

37 Robert Plum-^, 5 3 

38 Richard Piatt, 4 10 

39 Thomas Tapping, 1 I 20 

40 Mr. Peter Prudden, 7 2 

41 Mr. Wm. Fowler, 7 2 

42 Thomas Lawrence, 10 

43 George Clark, Junr., 4 10 

44 John Burwell, 2 20 

45 Henry Botsford, 2 2 

46 John Smith, 1 3 20 

47 John Rogers, I 3 20 

48 Philip Hatley, 3 3 20 

49 Roger Tyrrell, 2 3 20 

50 Nicholas Camp, 6 1 20 

51 John Fowler, 1 2 20 

52 Joseph Baldwin, 2 1 20 

53 Thomas Tibbals, 1 2 20 

54 Wid. Martha Beard, 4 1 00 

55 Thomas Campfield, 3 

56 Thomas Ford, 3 

57 WilUam Roberts, 3 

58 John Smith, 4 

59 Thomas Bailey, 3 

60 William Brookes, 3 

61 John Brown, 3 



zed by Google 



d4 



mSTOBT OF THE 



ft. r* p« 

62 Nathaniel Biiscoei 3 

63 Edward Riggs, 3 

64 Andrew Benton, 3 



65 George Clark, Senr., 4 2 

66 George Hubbard, 4 3 

(sold to John Stream.) 



The planters at first enclosed their home lots in common, 
each man making and maintaining a share of fence, according 
to his quantity of land. In 1645, they agreed to make their 
division fences. By this time, most of the planters had erected 
frame houses, in the old leanto style, which were covered with 
rent oak shingles, and had windows of diamond glass. 
Their object in settling thus near together was for better secu- 
rity incase of an attack from the Tndians. 

At the second general court of Wepowage, held March 9th, 
1640, "It was agreed between William Fowler and the 
Brethren, that he should build a mill and have her going by 
the last of September, when the town were to take it on his 
hands if they saw proper, for £180, or else the Brethren (five 
judges) were to appoint what toll he should take. For his 
encouragement, the town made him a grant of thirty acres 
of land, lying in Eastfield, rate free during his life, which land 
Jong bore the nanw) of the Mill lot. They afterward granted 
him the perpetual use of the stream. The agreement had 
reference to a grist mill, but he soon added a saw mill. This 
mill establishment is yet retained in the family. It was the 
first mill erected in New Haven colony. 

At the next general cgurt, held Nov. 24lh, 1640, «'With 
common consent and general vote of the freemen, the planta- 
tion was named Milford," in commemoration of the town of 
that name in their native England, and perhaps also in refer- 
ence to the mill. The court of ^v^^^tu^e^ at this meeting 
were directed " to build a bridge over the Mill river, with all 
expedition," and also " to set out a meeting house, thirty feet 
square, after such manner as they should judge the most coo- 
venient for the public good." The site of the building was 
the same of the present meeting house of the First Society. 
At this meeting "it was also voted, so that justice be done 
between man and man, (because false weights and false meas- 
ures are an abomination in the sight of the Lord,) that all 
measures for commerce, for buying and selling, should be made 
equal to the standard used at New Haven, which was brought 
froin the Bay, and to be sealed by Jasper Gunn ; and that 
whoever should buy or sell by a measure not legally sealed, 
should forfeit for every such default 5*." 



yGoogk 



COLONY OP NBW HAYBV. 05 

The planters soon fenced in comoKHi, three tracts of land, 
m which each individual received by lot his portion of ^ upland." 
"Westfield, which was the land that lies south of the town, be- 
tween the turnpike and the great meadow, and extending to 
Poconoc point,* was laid out to those who settled at the West 
£nd. Eastfield, which enclosed the Gulf neck, was possessed 
by those kx^ted on the river. This albtment of land is called 
on the records ^ the first division abroad." Mill Neck, the tract 
]3nng between Wharf street and Bear-neck lane, was owned 
by a part of both. The tract northwest of the settlement 
toward Dreadful swamp, was also soon laid out. The appor. 
tionment of the two last mentioned pieces of land, was called, 
^tbe second divisk>n at home." Each planter at first was 
aUotted a piece of meadow land, either in the great East river, 
or harbor meadows. They paid to the treasury 4#. for each 
acre of house lot and meadow land. Another division of land 
was made in 1645 ; half of each share was to be laid in the 
nearest, and half in the furthest place. In this division the 
land east of Indian river, north of Burwell &rm road, was laid 
out, and Beaver river plain, west of the town, and Frelh mea- 
dow plain and Eseck plain. In 1646, another division of 
meadow was made. The meadows laid out were the 0}'8ter 
meadows, Round meadow, Calf pen meadow, New meadow, 
the two fresli meadows, Dreadful swamp nieadow, and the 
Beaver pond meadows. They were to pav half the tax of 
other meadows. In 1658, was made a half division, in which 
was laid out Newfield and Indian Neck, and in 1660, the 
other half division, when land above Wolf harbor and New 
Meadow plain, was laid out. In that year, the Indian Neck 
was purchased and divided among fifteen planters. In 1676, 
was again laid out a half division, and in 1679, the other half. 
The land divided, was to be laid in shots running from Oyster 
river to the Housatonnuc. In 1689, was laid out a division in 
the rear of the last division, running from the head of Ouster 
river meadow, to the head of the Mill river, and butting on 
New Haven line, leaving a two rod highway next to the said 
line the whole length. 

At a town meeting, December 31, 1674, "It was voted, 
that there should be two miles of land sequestered, to lie in 

* The extremity of the upland at the point, was laid out to widow 
Martha Beard. In 1647, Thomas Tibbals had a grant of half an 
acre of meadow at said point, bounded on all sides by the beach. 



yGoogk 



96 mSTORT OF THE 

common, for the use of the town, and not any of it to he laid 
out without the consent of three fourths of the inhaWtants ; 
to begin at the outermost houses in the town, and go two 
miles, every side." The probable reason of this sequestration 
was, that the land might lie unenclosed for the town flock of 
sheep to feed upon.* At a town meeting, January 30, 1687-8, 
"It was voted that the sequestered land should be measured 
by the selectmen, or any three of them, and proportioned to 
every inhabitant, and also the Oyster Neck and Ferry lands, 
according to his estate, in the list by which the last division 
was made." This was the list of 1686, in which were 129 
persons. These were called the town proprietors. Only a 
small part of these lands at that time were divided. At a 
town meeting, January 26, 1712-13, it was voted that all the 
common lands, excepting the Oyster Neck and Ferry lands, 
granted in 1688, should be divided according to the list of the 
then present year. In the list of 1712, were 197 persons. 
These lists are recorded on Lib. 5th, of, the town records. 
The 0}^ter Neck and Ferry lands were nearly the last land laid 
out in Milford ; being divided in 1805, by the list of 1686. 
In conveyances of parcels of sequestered lands, leases of 999 
years are given, instead of deeds.f 

Much of the land in the town, when first laid out, was en- 
closed by the proprietors in common fields. Some of these, 
besides the ones already mentioned, were, Newfield, New 
meadow, Plainfield, Oronoque field. Stubby plain field, Addins' 
plain field, Indian side field, north of great bridge^ and Indian 
point field. The proprietors held " field meetings'* as often 
as necessary, generally in spring and fall, to agree upon plant- 



* The town for near a century kept up a large flock of sheep, at 
times niunbering from 1000 to 1500, which was tended by hired 
shepherds. The profits arising from the flock were appropriated 
to tne payment of town expenses. 

t Whenever a division of land was made, certain parcels were 
reserved for the use of the ministers and elders of the church. For 
this purpose, in 1647, the town had sequestered 10 acres at Eseck 
plain, 18 at Dreadful swamp, 20 in Town plain, and 20 at Wigwam 
swamp. In 1676 a tract was set aside for the same purpose in Burnt 
plain, and another at Oronoque. To this last an addition was made 
in 1708, so as to make a large tract. Meadows in various places was 
also sequestered. May 9, 1681, " It was voted that the land bought 
ofMr. Ferman, should be sequestered for the use of the ministry, 
as a parsonage, and jrt it should not be in ye power of ye town to 
alienate it forever." 



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coLomr OP new haven. 



97 



ing and gathering their cropii» when to turn in cattle, dsc 
The fences of the common fields, hy a vote of the town, were 
to be four feet ten inches in height, and every planter, at each 
end of his part ef the common fence, was to keep a stake set 
up, with the initials of his name, on penalty of forfeiting 2#. 6<L 
When a place in the fence was broken down, if the owner did 
not repair it within 16 hours after notice, he incurred a fine 
of five shillings.* The gates were made and supported by 
individuals, instead of a specified quantity of fence, as was 
agreed upon, and in some instances land was granted to 
maintain them, which was to return to the town agab when 
the person who took the gates led oflT making and maintain- 
ing them. For instance, the Bear Neck and Ferry Neck gates 
were to be maintained by Jonathan Baldwin and his succes- 
sors, for 18 acres of land in Ferry Neck, and the Beaver pond 
gate by Joseph Peck, fer land at the point. (Record of deeds, 
Lib. 1, page 87.) 

At a general court, held October 5, 1646, it was ordered, 
that all lands should be recorded in a book kept for that purpose, 
and that whoever bought or exchanged a piece of land, should 
give a written notice thereof to the recorder within two months 
after the purchase or exchange, or forfeit twice the fee of re- 
cording, which fee was 2d, a parcel ; and the recorder was 
to give a copy of each parcel so recorded, to the next general 
court, so that the rates from time to time might be levied oo 
the proper owner of the land. In that year the house lots, 
meadow, and upland of each planter, were entered on record. 
Since that time the records have been kept with much accu- 
lacy.f 

The roads in the town at first were left very wide, — no pains 
appear to have been taken to lay them out with order and 



* He was then to have 16 hours in which to find other defects, 
and notify the owner or bear the damages. 

t The following is a list of the town clerks, from the settlement 
of the town to the present time, with the year they were chosen: 



Robert Treat, 1640 

Richard Baldwin, 1648 

Samuel EeUs, 1680 

Daniel Buckingham, 1685 
Thomas Oviatt, (or Uflfot,) 1689 

Alexander Bryan, 1692 

Richard Bryan, 1698 

Jonathan Law, Jr., 1705 
9 



John Fowler, 1718 

John Fowler, Jr., 1*756 

David B. Ingersoll, 1774 

Samuel Whittlesey, 1774 

Qideon Buckingham, 1776 
Abraham V. H. DeWitt, 1809 

Samuel Higby, 1813 

David L. Baldwin, 1836 



yGoogk 



98 HISTOST OF THE 

le^larity. In many instances where the trees were the 
thinest, and the first cart made a track, there the road became 
established. Instead of the roads being laid out, it was the 
land which was laid out, and the roads left. The Broad street 
was left 40 rods wide, and Mill Neck road six. The old New 
Haven road was 16 rods wide. But by encroachment they 
have been reduced to their present limits. The first houses 
which were built on the south side of the upper end of Broad 
street, were probably set on the common, and a fence run in 
iront. An encroachment of two rods has also been made on 
the north side of the same street. The land between the lower 
half of Broad street and the hsurbor, was at first left in com- 
mon for a parade ground for the military, but was afterwards 
laid out, though not to the present line of the street by more 
than ten rods. When it was granted to individuals and laid 
out, Wharf street was left ten rods wide. The land lying oo 
the sides of Mill river from the harbor to the upper end of 
North street, except three conditional grants which are now mis- 
improved, was left open to the common for the public use, and 
was never designed to have been enclosed ; and should the 
proprietors proceed in a proper manner, all the present en- 
croachroents might be removed. The same may be said of 
the valley of the West End brook. Unauthorized encroach- 
ments have been made on many public roads, which cannot 
be particularized in this work. Some of the roads were laid out 
on the Indian track, as the Burwell's Farm road, the Point road, 
and the Turkey Hill road, and most of the old road to New Ha- 
ven. The roads formerly were not thrown up in the center, but 
deep ruts were worn down, and a ditch in the middle, by 
which the water that fell in rain ran off. Many of the roads, 
and some which are much used, yet remain in this condition. 
The town latterly have been averse to making improvements 
in the roads and opening new ones! In 1798, *^ it was voted 
to oppose a road from Derby Narrows through the north part 
of the town to New Haven." In 1802, it was " voted to op- 
pose the New Haven and Milford turnpike company running 
the turnpike road through peoples' land ; but to have them 
keep the old road, except cutting ofifshort comers. " In 1 805, 
the New road, so called, three rods wide, was laid out through 
the lots in the middle of the town. When first projected it 
was opposed by ihd town, and sued for before the county 
court by individuals. The same may be said of all the roads 



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COLONY OF NEW HAVEN. 99 

in Woodbrid^ and Orange, which were opened widiin a few 
years of the time when they were incorporated. 

There are several foot-paths in the town which are much 
used*- One from the ship yard to Gulf street. One from 
Bear Neck lane to West roint, and one from West Town 
street to River street. This last was laid out by the town as 
follows, on the 7th of February, 1643 : 

By the brethren and inhabitants of Milford it is agreed, that a 
footway to the meeting house shall be allowed, (and maintayned 
with convenient styles) from the West End. The stiles to be 
maintained by bro: Nicholas Camp at the West End, and bv bra 
Tho. Baker at the meetinghouse (for the outside stiles ;) andmrthe 
inner fences, each man shall maintain his stile in the most conve- 
nient place : and the passage over Little Dreadful swamp in John 
Fletcher's lot, shall be by a long log hewed on the upper side. 

The time when most of the bridges in the town, at their 
several locations, were first built, is as follows : The meeting 
house bridge, as already remarked, was built in 1640, Fowl- 
er's bridge in 1645, Indian, or Great bridge, 1662, Plum's 
bridge, crossing Indian river on the old country road, 1706, 
King's bridge in 1711, a bridge from a point of rocks a few 
rods below the Episcopal church, not now kept up, in 1728, 
Oyster river bridge, built by Milford and New Haven, 1753, 
North street foot bridge, 1768, bridge by Jehiel Bristols, 
1819, Gulf bridge, 1810. Jefferson's bridge, over the Mill 
river, was built and is supported by the turnpike company. 
Washington bridge, across the Housatonnuc, was built and is 
also supported by a company. 

The bridges in the town, without exception, are constructed 
of wood. If, when new ones are required, they should be 
built of stone, and perhaps two or three in the center of the 
town of iron, much expense would eventually be saved. But 
if wooden ones mwtt do, they should be constructed on the 
plan patented by Ithiel Town, Esq. 

A few rods above Washington bridge a ferry was set up 
by the town, in 1675. «* At a town meeting, Dec. 31, 1774, 
a grant of 40 acres of land was made to l^ sequestered for 
the maintenance of a ferry on this side of Stratford river," 
and a committee was appointed ** to agree with some suitable 
person for the work of keeping the ferry, and to lay out the 
land." A ferry-house, however, was not built, and a ferry, 
man stationed, till some years after. In 1712 the town ap- 
pointed a committee to agree with Mr. Richard Blackleack, 



yGoogk 



100 HISTORY OF THE 

of Stratford, to carry the inhabitants of Milford over Stratford 
river for half price, on condition that the town furnish a ferry- 
house on this side. In 1720 a committee was appointed ** to 
rent the ferry for a certain number of years, not exceeding 
seven." On the 13th of December, 1731, it was "voted to 
accept the grant made by the general assembly, to establish a 
ferry across Stratford river, and the town appointed a commit- 
tee to build a good two story house, build a wharf, and provide 
suitable boats. On the 18th of December, 1758, it was "voted 
to set up a ferry, according to a new act of the assembly, and 
repair the house and boats." On the 1st of October, 1798, 
the bridge having been built, it was " voted to sell the ferry- 
house and land, provided they will fetch 750 dollars." Thesale 
was accordingly made to William Hopkins, a few days after. 
The old country road to the ferry was the present ferry wood 
road, so called. In 1785 it was voted to open the road to the 
ferry, south of Hog rock.* At Oronoque feny, a boat has 
been kept for upwards of a century. 

The first settlers being of those people who left England 
that they might enjoy their religious sentiments unmolested, 
they took an early opportunity to form themselves into a 
church, constituted according to their own peculiar views. It 
was organized, as already stated, at New Haven, at the same 
time with the church in that place, on the 22d of August, 
1639. The method of forming their church was similar to 
that of New Haven. Seven persons were first chosen, who 
joined in covenant to be the church, and were called the seven 
pillars. Milford church pillars were Peter Prudden, William 
Fowler, Edmund Tapp, Zachariah Whitman, John Astwood, 



• * This is a bowlder stone, about ten feet in diameter, and stands 
on a foundation of micacious schist rock, located about a mile east 
of Washington bridge. The following ancient stanza explains the 
origin of its name : 

" Once four young men upon ye rock 
Sate down at chuffle boardt one daye ; 
When ye Deuill appearde in shape of a hogg, 
Ande frighten 'd ym so they scampered awaye, 
Ande left Olde Nick to finish ye play." 
This is the most important witch legend there is connected with 
the town. On the north side of the rock is cut in capitals, LIBERTY, 
1776, done by Peter Pierett, Jr., in the time of the revolutionary 
war. Thus old cloven foot's gaming table is made a monument of 
American liberty. 

* Cards. 



yGoogk 



COLONY OP NEW HAVEN. 101 

Thomas BuckiDgham, Thomas Welch. The following is the 
covenant into which they entered, extracted from the records 
of the first church. It was recorded by Mr, Pruddens' own 
hand: 

Since it hath pleased ye ' Lord, of his infinite goodness and free 
grace, to call us (a company of poor miserable people) out of the 
-world unto fellowship with himself in Jesus Christ, and to bestowe 
himself upon us by an everlasting covenant of his free ^race, sealed 
in ye bloud of Jesus Christ, to be our Gk)d, and to make and avouch 
us to be his people, and hath undertaken to circumcise our hearts " 
that we may love ye Lord our Qodj and feare and walke in his 
wayes. Wee therefore doe this daye avouch ye Lord to be our God 
euen Jehovah, ye only true God, the Almighty Maker of heaven 
and earth, the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and wee 
doe this day enter into an holy covenant with ye Lord and one with 
another, through that grace, and Jesus Christ strengthening us 
(without whom we can do nothing) to deny ourselves and all ungodli- 
ness and wordly lusts, and all corruptions and pollutions wherein in 
any sort we have walked— And doe give up ourselves wholly to ye 
Lord Jesus Christ, to be taught and governed by him in all our re- 
lations, conditions, and considerations in this world, avouching him 
to be our only Prophet and Teacher, our only Priest and propitia- 
tion, our only King and Lawgiver. And we do further binde our- 
selves in his strength to walk before him in all professed subjection 
to all his hdy ordinances, according to ye Rule of ye Gospell, and 
also to walk together with his church and ye members thereof, in 
all brotherly Loue and Holy Watchfulness to ye mutual building 
up one another in Faythe and Loue. All which ye Lord help us 
to perform, through his rich grace in Christ, according to his cove- 
nant. Amen. 

The following record of Mr. Prudden's ordination, is also 
extracted from the same book : 

At Milford, I, Peter Prudden was called to ye office of a Pastour 
in this church, and ordained at New Haven, by Zachariah Whit- 
man, William Fowler, Edmund Tapp, designed bv ye church for 
that work : Zach: Whitman being ye moderator for that meeting 
in a day of solemn humiliation, upon ye 3d Saturday in April, being 
I remember ye 18th day of ye month, 1640. 

John Sherman was chosen teacher of this church, but de- 
clined the office. Zachariah Whitman was ordained ruling 
elder, June 26, 1645. Messrs. Davenport and Hook, of 
New Haven, were present, and assisted on the occasion. 
Immediately after his installation, Mr. Prudden made his per- 
manent residence at Milford, which it does not appear he did 
before that event. Nine persons were added to the seven 
pillars at New Haven, previous to his installation, and the first 
at Milford joined on the 2d of July, Mr, Prudden was a 
9* 



yGoogk 



102 HISTORY OF THE 

distinguished peace maker, and was much beloved and rever- 
enced by his people. He died in July, 1656, in the 56th year 
of his age, leaving two sons, Samuel and John, and six daugh- 
ters. For four years from that time the church was without 
a pastor. 

The second pastor of this church was Mr. Roger Newton. 
He was born in England, but finished his education at Har- 
vard College, Mass. He is said to have been a near relative 
of Sir Isaac Newton. He was called from tl>e church in 
Farmington, where he had preached about ten years, and in- 
stalled at Milford, August 22d, 1660. According to the 
church records, *^ he was installed (with prayer and fasting) 
by Elder Zachariah Whitman, Deacon John Fletcher, and 
Robert Treat, Esq., (though not a magistrate and deacon, but 
as appointed by the church to join the ruling elder in laying 
on hands in their name.") Mr. Newton died June 7th, 1683^1, 
He was succeeded by Mr. Samuel Andrew, from Cambridge, 
Mass. He was a graduate of Harvard College, and at the 
time of his call was a tutor in that institution. He was or* 
dained November 18, 1685, Daniel Buckingham being ruling 
elder. He found the people in great disturbance and con* 
fusion, but he happily united them. After continuing in the 
pastoral office 52 years, he died, January 24, 1738, aged 82 
years. He was a hard student, and of very retired habits ; sel- 
dom visiting his people, or leaving his study to attend a fune- 
ral. Mr. Andrew was a patron of education, was one of 
the first projectors of Yale College, and was more forward 
and active for its establishment than any other person. Ho 
was seconcjed in his exertions by his father-in-law. Governor 
Treat, and he was looked up to by the clergy to exert his in- 
fluence with the governor. At the death of Mr. Abraham 
Pierson, first president of Yale College, he was chosen rector 
pro tem., ^nd for a number of years had the senior class 
under his instruction at Milford, this being before the college 
was settled at New Haven. He was one of the corporation 
of the college for nearly 38 years, till his death. 

Mr. Samuel Whittelsey, Jr., of Wallingford, was settled 
colleague pastor with Mr. Andrew, Nov. 9^ 1738, and coo. 
tinued in the office of the ministry till his death, which occur* 
red October 22, 1768. He was born in 1714, was educated 
in Yale College, and was a tutor in that institution from 1732 
till his removal to Milford* He married Susannah^ daughter 
of CoU Roger Newton« 



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COLONY OF NEW HAVBN. 103 

Mr. Whittelsey was succeeded by Mr. Samuel Wales, sod 
of Mr. John Wales, of Raynham, Mass. He graduated at 
Yale College, in 1667, and was ordained December 19th, 
1770. In 1776 he went into the army as chaplain. He was 
dismissed in May, 1782, to be professor of divinity in Yale 
College, to which office he had been previously elected. 
He died Feb. 18, 1794, at New Haven. 

The church was destitute of a pastor till March 17, 1784, 
when William Lockwood, A. M., tutor of Yale College, 
was ordained. On account of his ill health he was dismissed, 
April 28, 1796. 

Mr. Bezaleel Pinneo, the present pastor, was ordained 
October 26, 1796. 

The town early made ample provision for the support of 
their ministers. When the division of lands were made, a 
number of pieces were sequestered for the church, and the 
three first ministers had large grants of land made them for their 
own. The town gave Mr. Prudden his choice of lands when 
divisions were made, and in 1645 they granted him liberty to 
take up &s much land as he wanted, besides his division. 
Nothing is recorded to show that Mr. Pruddfen was paid a 
stated sadary, and the probability is he was not, for the people 
" raised and gathered his crops, and carted his fire wood." 

The town voted Mr. Newton, September 9, 1659, provided 
he would settle with them, the house and home lot belonging 
to them, 14 acres of meadow, and as much upland as he should 
want. In 1681 a committee was appointed t6 look up and 
record to Mr. Newton all the lands granted him by the town. 

The town granted to Mr. Andrew, March 4, 1685, with 
the proviso that he settled, eight acres in Elders' meadow, 
(Great meadow,) two by John Newton lot, ten near the Mill 
river, four at the West End, for pasture, and eight on the 
northeast side of Merwin's swamp. After he settled, other 
land was granted him. Mr. Andrew was always allowed 
a salary for a number of the first yeai-s, of JE 100, to be paid m 
provisions, and £12 for wood, out of the town treasury. In 
1710 this salary was increased to £150. In 1715 they gave 
him the use of the sequestered lands of the church, during his 
life. In 1735 it was voted that £200 should be paid liim 
annually during his life. Mr. Whittelsey's salary was to be 
£100 during the life of Mr. Andrew, and £200 afterwards. 
He had a settlement of £800.* Mr. Wales' salary was £1 10, 

♦ Paid in depreciated bills— worth probably about 200i. sterling. 



yGoogk 



/ 



104 



HISTORY OF THE 



and a settlement of je300. Mr. Lockwood's, £ 1 30, and £300 
settlement. Mr. Pinneo's salary is $600 annually, during life. 




Orowni plan of the first Meeting House. 

A, the pulpit; B, deacons* seat; C, guard seats; D, guard seats 
on the women's side of the house. The dots show the place where 
the guns were set. E, gallery stairs. The bell rope hung down in 
the middle aifle. 




S-_-> 



South view of the first Meeting House. 

This society have had two meeting houses besides the one 
now standing. The first one was erected in 1641, and, as 
already stated, was to be forty feet square. It was not finished 
in some years. In 1697, it was voted to build a gallery 
across the west end. In 17U0 it was voted that the guard 
seats should be raised, and a place provided back of the seats 



yGoogk 



COLONY OF NEW HAVEN. 105 

for the guard to set their arms. In 1705 it was voted to 
remove the guard seats to the women's side, where they were 
wont to stand, also to mend and right up the gallery seats, to 
make more room. It was also voted that the selectmen get 
the hell mended. In the same year it was voted that a floor 
be laid over head in the meeting house. In 1707 it was voted 
that the gallery be built on the north side of the house, and in 
1709 that one be huilt on the south side, and that three long 
seats be built in each gallery. It was also voted that the 
meeting house should be seated according to the list, one 
head to each list. In seating it was voted that respect should 
be paid to aged persons, the wives of church officers and 
magistrates, chief military officers, and deaf persons. It seems 
that previously there had been some contention about seats — 
and it was then voted, that whosoever should be convicted, be- 
fore a justice of the peace, of needlessly setting out of the seat 
they are regularly seated in, in the meeting house, shall forfeit 
the sum of five shillings, to be paid into the town treasury. 
In 1718 it was voted to secure the turret by covering the 
floor thereof with sheet lead. In 1719 the meeting house was 
again seated. It appears that the seats were •* long seats," 
that the men and women sat on diflerent sides, and that both 
were seated. In 1720 it was voted to make a new door out 
of the west end of the house, for a passage out of each gallery 
into the street. In 1728 it was voted, that no addition shall 
be made to the meeting house, and that the selectmen need 
not cover it anew. 

The second meeting house of the society was built in 1727 
and '28. It was 80 feet in length, 65 in width, and three stories 
high. It had two tiers of galleries, the upper tier being de- 
signed for the slaves and other blacks to sit in. The steeple 
was at the west end of the house, and ninety-five feet high. 
There were three entrances to the house — the steeple door, 
the front door next the street and opposite the pulpit, and the east 
end door next the river. At this door were high semicircular 
steps. The house was at first laid out into long steps, but in 
about 1775 they were taken up and pews made. In 1803 
the house was arched and the upper gallery shut up. The 
plan of the house, it is said, was drawn by Governor Law.* 

* The house was first seated in 1729. The five lists of estate on 
which money was raised to huiid the house, were added, and people 
were seated theieby, consideration being had to a^ed people and the 
civil authority. 



yGoogk 



106 BISTOBY OF THE 

In 1740 it was voted to purchase a new bell, of about GOOlbs. 
weight, the old one being cracked.* In the same year, Ebe. 
nezer Parmilee set up a brass clock, which, proving to be a 
good one, the town, two years after, paid for. The people of 
Amity, Mr. Jesse Lambert, and Mr. John Clark, were excu- 
sed from paying anything toward buying it, on account of the 
distance they Uved from it. In 1744 it was voted to have a 
new weathercock made and set on the spire. This meeting 
house was demolished in the spring of 1822, when the present 
one was built. Capt. Michael Peck was the architect. In 
1825 the town employed Barziila Davidson to make a new 
(wooden) clock,t and set up in the new meeting house, at an 
expense of $260, besides the good old brass wheel clock, 
wliich he took at 40 dollars. This, it is said, he set up and 
sold in New York for $600. 

The second Presbyterian society in Milford originated in 
1741, and was begun by seceders from the first church. 
Upon the settlement of Mr. Whiltelsey there was a respecta- 
ble minority opposed to it. After hearing him preach a 
couple of years, instead of becoming reconciled, the minority 
became the more disaffected and uneasy. They complained 
that they were not edified with Mr. Whittelsey's ministry, and 
that he preached Arminian doctrine. In order to obtain re- 
lief they brought the afiau: a number of times before the " ec- 
clesiastical association," and petitioned to be constituted a 
separate church ; but they were vigorously opposed by the 
major party, and *' the debates were conducted with so much 
passion that it is said fists were doubled." Failing to obtain 
relief from the consociation, the minor party " declared their 
sober dissent from the established church, and professed them- 
selves to be Presbyterians, according to the • church of Scot- 
land," and agreed, on the 30th of November, 1741, to set up 
a separate assembly, in case thirty heads of families would 
unite for that purpose. Accordingly, on the first Sunday in 
December, a public meeting was opened by them, at the house 



* The old bell was taken at the foundry for old metal in part pay 
for the new one. It was brazed and sold to a society in Waierbury. 
It now bangs in the belfry of the church at Salem Bridge, and is 
considered to be the best bell in the state. 

t If this clock could have the moving power attached to it that 
Redheifer once fixed to his perpetual motion, in Philadelphia, vit,, 
an old negro behind the curtain to turn it, perhaps it might answer 
a better purpose than at present. 



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COLONY OP NEW HAVEN. 107 

of Mr. George dark, Jr., for the first time on a Sunday* On 
the last Tuesday in Januaiy, they qualified themselves before 
the county court, according to the Englisii " act of toleration," 
by taking the oath and subscribing the declaration required 
by the said act, for worshiping God in a way separate from 
that by law established in the colony. The persons who thus 
qualified themselves, were George Clark, Samuel Tyrrel, Bar- 
tholomew Sears, Benjamin Fenn, Ezra Camp, Nathaniel 
Buckingham, Greorge Clark, Jr., Henry Peck, Joel Baldwin, 
Elder Noah Baldwin, Ephraim Strong, Jr., Samuel Whiting, 
Benjamin Fenn, Jr., John Smith, Jesse Lambert, Samuel 
Sandford, 3d, Joseph Fenn, Jr., Jeremiah Peck, Jr., Peleg 
Baldwin, Samuel Sandford, Samuel Smith, Andrew Sandford, 
Jr., John Sandford, William S. Sears ; also, soon after, An- 
drew Sandford, Jonathan Fowler, Josiah Tibbals, Ephraim . 
Strong, Josiah Northrop, Samuel Sandford, Jr., Joseph Fenn, 
Samuel Bristol, John Downs, Samuel Oviatt, Thomas Tibbals, 
Thomas Welch, Jerijah Baldwin, Edmund Treat, and John 
Peck. 

Mr. Benajah Case, of Simsbury, was prosecuted for preach* 
ing to the ^ sober disseniers^^^ on the 17th of January, 1742, 
and imprisoned by sentence, of Grovemor Liaw, in the county 
jail. Mr. Whittelsey denied the use of his pulpit in that year 
to five ministers, whom the dissenters wished to hear preach, 
though not occupied by him at the different times when re- 
quested. One of these ministers preached on the door stone 
to an assembly of a thousand people. In the spring of the 
year 1743, Mr. Jacob Johnson preached to the seceders, and 
having taken the necessary oath before the county court, was 
invited to settle, and the 6th of April was agreed upon as the 
day of ordination. But in consequence of the strenuous ex- 
position of the old society, this never took place. 

In June, 1742, they made preparation for erecting a meet- 
ing house, but the town refiising them permission to set it on 
the commons, it was not raised till November. On the 9th 
of that month the county court granted them liberty to erect it, 
and it was located on land furnished by Barthobmew Sears. 
There was no steeple to this house till 1799, when one was 
built by subscription. Stephen Treat,* Esq., gave the bell. 

* This man was noted for his eccentricities. He professed to be 
a subject of " King George," till his death, and the king's birth and 
coronation days he annually celebrated by firing of cannon, du:. 



yGoogk 



108 HISTORY OF JHE 

The first sermon preached in the house was by Mr. Joba 
Bells, of Canaan. Being complained of for preaching, he 
was sought for by the constable, but could not be found. 
Mr. Kent was also complained of for preaching the next Sun- 
day, but could not be apprehended. In June, Mr. Richard 
Treat, of Abington, N. J., but a native of the town, came and 
preached two Sundays with them. July 20, they invited him 
to settie. But the presbytery of New Brunswick, under 
whom the society had put themselves, judged it inexpedient 
for him to remove, on account of the opposition made to it by 
his people in New Jersey. Al the request of the society, and 
by appointment of the presbytery of New Brunswick, Mr. 
Samuel Finley, president of Princeton College, preached to 
the people on the 25th of August, and the next Sunday, for 
which he was prosecuted, tried, and condemned, and ordered 
by Gov. Law to be transported as a vagrant, disturbing the 
peace of the community, out of the colony, from town to town, 
by the constable of each town. This treatment of Mr. Fin. 
ley was considered by some of the ablest civilians in the 
colony and in the city of New York, to be so contrary to the 
letter and spirit of the English constitution, that had complaint 
been made to the English court, it would have vacated the 
charter of the colony. 

The general assembly, in May, 1750, released them from 
taxes to the first society, and granted them certain parish 
privileges ; but they were not invested with the full privi- 
leges of an ecclesiastical society, until the session of May, 
1760. This assembly allowed them their portion of the so- 
ciety's fund. Their first legal'society's meeting was held on 
the 27th of October following. 

The first minister of the second society was Mr. Job Prud- 
den, a native of the town, and great grandson of Peter Prud- 
den, the first minister in the town. He graduated at Yale 
College, in 1743. He was ordained m New Jersey, by the 
presbytery of New Brunswick, as pastor of a separate church 
in his native town, in May, 1747. Two delegates from Mil- 
ford attended as delegates, his ordination. Mr. Prudden died 
of the small pox, taken by visiting a sick person, June 24, 
1774, aged 59. 

He was succeeded by Mr. Josiah Sherman, a native of 
Watertown, Mass., great grandson of John Sherman, one of 
the first settlers of the town, and who afterwards setded in the 
ministry at Watertown, Mass. He was installed August 23, 



yGoogk 



COLOHT« OP mW HAVEN. 109 

1775, aod dismissed June 21, 1781. He died at Woodlnridgei 
November 24, 1789. Before be came to Milford he bad b^n 
settled at Woburn, Mass., about 15 years.* The next pastor 
of this church was Mr. David Tully, installed November 17, 
1784, and dismissed December, 1802. Mr. Sherman John. 
800 succeeded next, ordained February 6, 1805. He died of 
consumption. May* 21, 1806. Mr. Caleb Pitkin was or* 
daioed Nfarch 16, 1808, and dismissed October 22, 1816. 
Their next minister was Mr. Jehu Clark, from Newtown, in. 
stalled December 10, 1817, and dismissed in 1826. He was 
succeeded by Mr. Asa M. Train, tlie present pastor, who was 
ordained July 2d, 1828. 

Mr. Prudden's salary was £48 and his firewood, Mr. Sher* 
man's £70, Mr. Tully^s £90, Mr. Johnson's •38.3.34, Mr. 
Pitkin's 9400, Mr. Clark's 9400, Mr. Train's 9450 ; and 
besides they ail have had the use of the parsonage land. The 
society has a fund, raised by subscription, of about 93500. 
In case the society should be dissolved, the money is to revert 
back to the heirs of the original subscribers, provided they are 
in no way concerned in its dissolution. Mr. Prudden gave 
£100 toward raising this fund, and at his death he bequeathed 
all his estate, real and personal, to the society. The land, 
amounting to 22 acres, cannot be alienated by the society, 
and is now very valuable. The meeting house which is oc« 
cupied at present by the society, was built in 1833. 

The Episcopal society was formed in 1764. It appears 
there were persons of that denomination in the town for 25 
years prevk>us, for it is recorded, that at a town meeting, 
Dec. 10, 1739, the collectors of the society's taxes, complain- 
ed to the town that they met with difficulty in collecting from 
some persons, who call themselves Episcopalians ; whereupon 
it was voted tiiat the selectmen should apply for advice to 
the Hon. Jonathan Law, Roger Newton, Esq., and Samuel 
Gunn, Esq., and proceed according to their advice, and if any 
dispute should arise in the law between the collectors, and 
such as call themselves of the Church of England, that the ex. 
pense should be paid out of the town treasury. 

The church was raised in 1771, and consecrated by the 
nanne of St. Greorge's church, in March, 1775. The land on 
which it stands was purchased of the town, and by the deed 

* He was father of the present Roger M. Sherman, Esq., of 
Fairfield. 

10 



yGoogk 



110 msTomT OP thb 

of conve3raiice is bounded north by a brook, east by the Mill 
river, south by a swamp, and west by the road. Dr. Tom- 
linsoQ was greatly instrum^tital in procuring aid for its erec- 
tion. The Episcopalians formerly suffered much opposition, 
and were considered by most of the New England people as 
being akm to the Church of Rome ; but old prejudices have 
in a measure subsided, and the church at present is in a flour- 
ishing state. 

There is a small but respectable Baptist church in the town, 
which was organized August 28th, 1831, and owes its origin 
to Mr. James H. Lindsley, of Stratford. The present minister 
is Mr. Oliver H. Hammond, a young man of high scientific 
attainments, a fluent speaker, and in all respects deserving of 
esteem. In the fall of 1835, John H. Noyes, a Perfectionist, 
pleached for a time in the town ; but he soon left the place. 

The first ground occupied for a burying place in the town, 
was a part of Mr. Prudden's home lot, being the east end of 
bis garden. On tlie north side of it was a road called Prud- 
den's or burying-yard lane, which has long been shut up. 
The first English person who died in Milford, was a son of 
William East, aged a year ; he died June 18th, 1644. The 
first adult, was Sarah, wife of Nicholas Camp. The records 
state, that ^ she had twins on the 2d of September, 1645, and 
was doing well till the night of the 4th, when she was taken 
very ill with cold. She died on the 6th, (being the last day of 
the week,) in the morning, and was buried the evening after, 
in the garden of Mr. Peter Prudden, pastour." Here were 
buried all who died in the town previous to about 1675, and 
among these was Mr. Prudden himself, in 1656. 

The present burying-ground was at first laid out small, but 
the town since, at five diflerent times, have purchased land 
adjohiing, and added to it. The Original part is the southeast 
side. It lay open to the common, till 1751, when the town 
ordered it to be fenced in, leaving the road three rods wide, on 
the south side of it; and a committee was appointed to attend 
to the business. But the fence was not completed till 1756. 
It was made of stone, laid up in a veij rough manner, and 
such is the fence at the present time. This ground is entirely 
neglected, only on the occasion of a funeral ; the older mon- 
\unents are many of them broken down ; some of them are 
covered with moss, so that they are illegible, and the general 
appearance of the yard is such as indicates but httle respect 
to the memory of the dead. * For the sum of $100 the stones 



yGoogk 



COLOMT OP NBW EATEN. Ill 

could be ri^ed up and the mo88 scraped from the inseript^^ 
It is much to be regretted, that the ashes of the y^Aerated 
dead are treated with such neglect as they are in many of 
our towns. When it is remembered, that the patriarchs of 
old, <^ by faith gave commandment concerning their bones," 
it inyests this subject with a dignity and importance every way 
worthy the attentbn of rational beings. But as long as ava- 
rice is the predominant spirit, it is nothing strange that the 
dead should be, like beasts, consigned to oblivion as soon as 
the cold earth covers them. 

The bur3ring.ground is bounded on the east by a small 
swamp, containing about an acre, in which formerly stood 
near the center two large pine trees. They were felled about 
1830. 

In 1825, the town purchased a hearse at the expense of 
970, and erected a house for it, which cost $87. 

Milford is a very healthy town, and is hardly ever vkited 
by an epidemic sickness. For a time after the first settlement, 
however, it was not as healthy as at present. About the year 
1660, a number of widows are mentioned in the town records, 
and it is probable that a short time before, some mortal sick- 
ness prevailed. The long fever, so called, was formerly a 
common disease in the summer and autumn, though rarely 
epidemic. For want of suitable medical treatment, it would 
sometimes run a long time, (from six weeks to two months,) 
hence its name. It was similar to what is now denominated 
typhus fever. But the disease which was most dreaded in old 
times, was the small pox. Even the sound of the word carried 
with it terror and consternation. Nor is it to be wondered at^ 
considering the mortality attending it, when spread in the 
natural way. Popular prejudice was so great against inociu 
lotion, that it was never much practiced in Milford. Such a 
change, however, had taken place concerning it, in public 
opinion, that at a town meeting, April 7th, 1800, the following 
vote was taken : 

Voted that the privilege of setting up the " Inoculation for the 
small pox" and building a house for that purpose be and is granted 
to David B, IngersoU, of Milford, and his heirs and assigns, under 
the control and direction of the Civil Authority and Select Men of 
said town, he to provide bed and bedding, and to admit into said 
house all persons infected for a reasonable reward, and is to have 
three shillings for every person admitted to inoculation; the per- 
son to have choice of Physicians. 

A small pox hospital was accordingly built on the Housa* 



yGoogk 



112 HI8T0BT OF THE 

tonniic river, above Oronoque ferry, but vaccination being soon 
after discovered, and by it the direful disease being disarmed 
of its terrors, the institution was never of much use. 

The phyacians who have practiced in the town must have 
a passing notice. The following is believed to be a correct 
list, from the first settlement till the present time : Jasper 
Gunn, John Duradd, John Fisk, Jean Harpine, Ezekiel 
Newton, Zebulon Gillet, James Clark, Ellas Carrington, Sam- 
uel Whittelsey, Caleb Austin, John Rossiter, Abraham Tom- 
linson, John Carrington, William Tully, Charles Beardsley, 
Elijah F. Bryan, Andrew French, Hull Allen, and Joseph 
Tomlinson. The three last mentioned, arc at present the 
practicing physicians of the town. 

In 1712, Dr. Andrew Warner, a botanical physician, came 
into the town and practiced with much success for six or eight 
years. He was commonly called the Indian Doctor, because 
he used no other but vegetable remedies. He removed froni 
the town to New Mil ford, where his posterity yet reside. 

In the autumn of 1836, Dr. Edwin Woodruff, a Tkomso- 
nian physician^* opened an office in the town, on the west 
comer of Broad and Wharf streets. His practice has been 
remarkably successful. 

The subject of education received early attention from the 
first settlers of the town. Good schools were considered of 
the highest importance to the community of anything next 
the church. The first school was kept by Jasper Gunn, the 
physician. Richard Bryan, son of Alexander Bryan, was an 
early teacher. Very little, however, is on record concerning 
primary schools, till 1696, after which, there is some annual 
town act concerning them. It appears by New Haven re- 
cords, that there was a Latin School in Milford previous to 
1656. In Dec, 1696, it was voted that a school should be 
kept up, the whole year ensuing, and that the selectmen 
should provide an able teacher. Thirty pounds was appro- 
priated towards the support of the school from the town treas- 
ury. The next year, in December, it was " voted that j£35 be 
allowed toward the maintenance of a Latin school, and that 
the selectmen provide a school master, (by the advice of the 
honorable governor and Mr. Andrew,) and to see that the 
school is attended by such scholars as need learning." 

In Dec, 1699, it was voted that £40 should be given to 

♦ He studied medicine with Dr. Cyrus Thomson, of Geddesburg, 
N. Y., a son of Dr. Samuel Thomson, of Boston. 



yGoogk 



COLONY OF N£W HAVEN. 118 

support schools in the town, J&12 of which should go to main* 
tain a school in winter at the West End. At a town meeting, 
Jan. dd, 1699-1700, liberty was granted to men at the West 
End, to build a school house at some convenient place. For 
a long course of years, about the same amount was annually 
appropriated for the support of the schools, the one in the east 
part of tlie town being kept the whole year, the one at the 
West End during the winter months. On the subject of 
sqJiooIs, the following is recorded : 

December 10th, 1750. Voted by the town that if the money grant- 
ed by the General Assembly for the support of schools in the town, 
with the 405. raised npon every 10002. in the Grand Levy falls short 
of supporting sufficient schools in the town, that the remainder 
thereof shall be paid out of the town treasury, provided always that 
such a part as the inhabitants of Amity and ye Bryan Farms, 
Burwell Farms, and Wheeler's Farms pay on any rates, shall be re- 
turned to such a committee as shall be appointed by either of the 
Farms to receive their proportion of said money, and the same to 
be improved for maintaining a school in each and every of the 
said Farms. 

Concerning the first receipt of the public money from the 
State School Fund, is tlie^ following record : 

November 27tb, 1797. The town met and formed into a school 
society and appointed necessary officers to receive such sums of 
money, as they may hereafter be entitled to by virtue of an act enti- 
tled " An Act for appropriating public Monies which shall arise on 
the sale of the Western lands belonging to the State." 

Stephen Gunn, Esq., was appointed treasurer, and Gideon 
Buckingham, clerk. A committee was appointed to receive 
the said money, and pay it over to the treasurer, consisting of 
Messrs. Abraham W. H. De Witt, Joseph Piatt, Jr., William 
Coggeshall, William Atwater, Elnathan Baldwin, and Lewi3 
Mallet. 

The town is at present divided into ten school districts, and 
the public money received, by being expended in the most 
parsimonious manner, supports the several schools, about nine 
months in the year. Tiiere is in Milford a town school fund, 
raised by the sale of pieces of sequestered land, the annual 
interest of which is expended for schools, by being added to 
the money received from the state. The schools are as good, 

g^rhaps, as can be expected, for the wages paid the teachers, 
ut if the town would raise annually, by a tax, a sum half as 
much as is received from the school fund, and add to it, and 
pay such wages as would engage teachei^ of scientific acquire- 
10* 



yGoogk 



114 HISTOEY OP THE 

ments, and make it an object for them to instruct in reality ^ 
instead of having an inefficient form, the community would 
be greatly benefitted. But so long as a paltry pittance is 
grudgingly paid, so long the standard of the public schools 
will be depressed. 

Concerning the subject of the western lands, which for a 
time agitated the state, the following votes are recorded : 

March 21, 1773-4. Voted that in the opinion of the town the 
Colony extending their jurisdiction over the lands lying west of 
New York on the Susquehannah river (and challenged by Mr. Penn. 
as being within his patent) without prosecuting their claims before 
his Majesty in council, the only proper place, will be tedious, expen- 
sive, and of dangerous consequences. 

Accordingly, a remonstrance was drawn up and sent to the 
assembly. Recorded, town records, Lib. xv. pages 88 — 90. 

March 10th, 1794. Voted that we concur with a number of re- 
spectable towns in this state disapproving the Act of the Assemby in 
October last relative to the sale of the Western Reserve Lands, as 
we consider the act at this time impolitic and not condusive to the 
best interests of the State, and that we will take every reasonable 
method to obtain a repeal thereof. 

The first schools in Milford were kept in the town houses, 
at the east and west ends of the town. These houses were 
built, the east town house in 1645, and the west in 1700. 
The first east town house, (or school house, as it is called on 
record,) was taken down in 1734, and a new one built. 
This house was- burnt in 1758, by some British soldiers in a 
revel. In the winter of that year, it being in the French and 
Indian war, a company of the king's troops quartered in the 
town, and a number of them lived in the town house. The 
next year, the government sent over money towards building 
a new one. On this subject, is recorded the following : " Dec. 
10th, 1759, Voted to lay out the £50 granted by govern- 
ment to build a town house, and that it be two feet larger each 
way than the old one, which was burnt by the king's troops." 
It was also " Voted, that Mr. John Harpine should build the 
house as far as tlie j£50 might go." This house is at present 
standing, and is occupied by the Baptist society for a meeting 
house. It is 45 feet in length and 30 in breadth. 

The present town house was built in 1833, by Elijah Bald- 
win, architect, at the expense of $1,200. The length of 
the house is 42 feet, and the width 32, and is two stories high, 
with four windows on a side, in each story. The upper story 



yGoogk 



COLONY OP NEW HAVEN. 



115 




South view of the Episcopal Church and Town House, Milford. 

is finished off for a school room. Three hundred dollars of 
the "permanent funds of the town" were appropriated towards 
the erection of the house ; the remainder was raised by a tax 
of two cents on the dollar. Concerning the use to which this 
was to be appropriated, the following vole was passed previous 
to its erection : 

At an adjourned town meeting, Jan. 16th, 1832, voted, that the 
lower part of the house be occupied for the use of the town exclu- 
sively, and the upper part, for the advancement of education, and 
that no minister, missionary, ecclesiastic, or preacher of any order 
or denomination, be allowed to preach in the house when built. 

Soon as the vote passed, a facetious person present ex- 
claimed, "Mr. Moderator, please to add, 'nor any other jug- 
gling allowed there.' " Many were opposed to building a new 
town house, (as they are to all other public improvements, 
which would compel them to cut their fast-knotted purse-strings,) 
and when the vote was passed authorizing the erection, a 
wealthy farmer of the "Wast End" told Mr. Moderator, that 
" it didn't appear to be a vote about that corner. " Whereupon, 
to satisfy the gentleman, it was again put to vote. Had this 
house been built of brick or stone, with a fire-proof apartment 
for the town records, it would have been just the thing needed. 
Where the records are now kept, they are very insecure. 

The original west town house is yet standing. It has al- 
ways been used for a school since its erection, and thousands 
have there received the rudiments of their education. In 
1884 it was bought of the town by the district. 



yGoogk 



116 mSTOBT OF TBB 

Besides the town room " for tbo advancement of education," 
there is an academy building in the town, situated between 
the meeting houses, on the east side of the river. A perma- 
nent school was kept there during most of the time between 
1810 and '25, by Elijah Bryan, Esq., whose stem tuition was 
the cause of many unpleasant reminiscences. At present a 
high school is kept there, by Mr. Oliver H. Hammond, princi- 
pal, assisted by Mr. Jonas French, which is every way wor- 
thy of patronage. ' 

There have beeil two public libraries in the town, which 
were considered very valuable in their day : the Milford library 
and the Associate. The first mentioned library was estab- 
lished in 1745, and was principally made up of books of ser- 
mons, with superabundant copies of the Saybrook platform, 
a few books of travels and voyages, fewer of history, and still 
fewer of philosophy. This splendid library was considered of 
such value and importance, that every person on becoming a 
member was obliged to give his bond of £10, for security 
against damage and loss of books. The library has not yet 
been formally dissolved, but is now neglected, and the books 
scattered to the four winds. The Associate library was es- 
tablished in March, 1761, by members of the second society, 
and was altogether a party concern, and such was the spirit of 
contention between the two societies, that they could not agree 
to read the same books. This library was more judiciously 
selected than the " old Milford," but yet it contained a large 
proportion of Calvinistic works. It was dissolved about 1820. 

The first'public house in the town, of which there is any re- 
cord, was kept by Henry Tomlinson, by occupation a weaver. 
He kept it only for about a year, when it was taken by Richard 
Bryan. It appears by the county court records, that Tomlin- 
son did not give satisfaction, and that the town brought a suit' 
against him, at the court in New Haven, which was decided 
June 25, 1656. -Some of the complaints against him were, 
that " he had broken the jurisdiction order, by selling strong 
water, wine, and beer, at greater prices than was allowed, arid 
kept a disorderly house," in " that he suffered young men and 
maids to come there and d£uice, and play at shuffle board," 
(cards.) Concerning this tavern, the following is recorded on 
the town records : 

April 24, 1644. The town, after some debate with Henry Tom- 
linson about keeping an ordinary, and some speeches in regard to 
the season of the year, that they could not tell now to build for him 



yGoogk 



COLOIIT OF NBW HAVEN. 117 

before haryest, some former speeches were renewed about an ex- 
change betwixt him and Richard Bryan, in ye court — and ye towne 
proffered Henry Tomlinson, that if he would undertake it speedily, 
so yt ye towne might not be destitute, to see if they could procure 
Richard Bryan's house, and yt yn. he might buy it. Henry Tom- 
linfifon was willing to yield himself to ye members of ye particnkir ^ 
court, and exchange with Richard Bryan } Ensign Bryan to judge 
of ye price of his house and lott, and of the yalue of his sonnes 
hoiise and lott. The deputants agreed to exchange, by giying 
Richard Bryan 451. yantage to boot, besides ye house of goodman 
Tomlinson, which said house was called 23/., and Richard Bry- 
an's 68/. 

June 26, 1655. Richard Bryan and William East bought ye 
house above named of ye town, for ye same price of 68/., with the 
barn, house lot, and all ye privi ledges, except ye long table and 
bench, which th6 town lett remain there gratis, for the use and im- 
provement of the sd Bryan. 

This house stood on the old country road, ten or twelve 
rods west of the meeting house. A public house was kept 
there from the time it was opened by Henry Tomlinson, till 
about twelve years since. The Bryans kept it for a long 
course of years. Greneral Washington twice put up over 
night .at this bouse, during his tour through the country, in 
1789. It was kept at the time by Andrew Clark, and prob- 
ably in an indifferent manner, if we may judge by the follow- 
ing circumstance. Washington not much relishing his supper 
of boiled meat and potatoes, called for a bowl of milk, which 
was brought him, with a pewter spoon in it, having a broken 
handle. He asked for -a silver spoon, but was told " the 
house afforded none ;" whereupon he gave the servant maid a 
two shilling piece, and told her to go and borrow one. She 
accordingly borrowed one for him at the minister's. The 
house was last kept by David Buller. 

A public house was kept in the West End, located on lot 
number 50, by John Camp> It was opened, 1705. Samuel Miles 
kept a tavern, begun about 1710, at the place where Col. S. 
B. Ford now lives. There are at present four public houses 
kept in the town, two in the center, one at Poconoc point, and 
Washington Bridge House. The two in the center are located 
on Broad street, opposite each other, and are probably in op- 
position, in other respects besides their location. Washington 
House is kept by Capt. Stephen Trowbridge, and Milford Hotel 
by Nathan Merwin. The one at Poconoc point is kept by 
Benajah Thomson, Esq., formerly of Wallingford, a gentle- 
man disposed to accommodate, and to make his guests feel 
themselves at home. The house is pleasantly situated on the 



yGoogk 



118 WMTCfKT or THB 

extremity of the high ground at the point, and is a delightfal 
resort for people from the country, who may visit the seashore. 

The town has always been well supplied with mills. As 
already remarked. Fowler's mill was the first mill erected in 
New Haven colony. It was of such importance to the com- 
munity, that upon its being injured by a freshet, in December, 
1645, it was voted in general court, "that all the town should 
help Mr. Fowler repair the mill, and he was to call for thera, 
each man a day, till he should have gone through the town, 
whenever he needed aid. If he went not through the town 
in one year, the same liberty was granted till he had gone 
through." This mill is yet of much utility to the public, and 
at present is the best one in the town. It is owned by Mr. 
Joseph Fowler, of the sixth generation from the first builder. 
Perhaps it would be no injustice to the ownei^ or to the com- 
munity, if the part of the first order concerning this mill, was 
again to be enforced, ^ that the brethren, of five judges, should 
appoint what toll lie should take." 

The mill establishment near the meeting house was com- 
menced in 1675. The following are the oklest records 
concerning it : 

A town meeting, Sept. 29, 1764. It was propounded to the town 
by Major Treat, Elder Buckingham, Lieut. Fowlei*, and Thomas 
Hayes, to build a fulling mill and saw mill in ye most convenient 
place near ye island in ye town, and to have ye liberty to make use 
of all sorts of timber, for the use of ye inhabitants of ye town, and 
yt if they sell any sawen timber, it shall be of timber taken upon yr 
own ground or purchase of other men — which was granted to ym 
by ve town. 

A town meeting, Dec. 7, 1702. The town desires ye owners of ye 
saw mill to set up a grist mill somewhere near ye saw mill, with 
two sett of stones, one for English and the other for Indian grain, 
{corn) and a good boult, so yt men, if they wish, may boult yr own 
flour. 

By this order it appears that bolts in mills at these times 
were turned by hand, and that it was customary for the own- 
er of the meal to bolt it. 

The flour mill is at present in good order ; the saw mill, in 
1836, was taken down, and a woolen factory erected in its 
place, by Messrs. Townsend Dickinson & Co. 

The mill seat by the side of the turnpike, on Beaver river, 
was first improved for a fulling mill. 

At a town meeting, May ye 27th, 1689. Capt. Samuel Eells, 
Timothy Baldwin, and Sfljnuel Couch, proposing to the town to 



yGoogk 



coLomr OF hsw haybn. 119 

^ve liberty to build a fuUing mill upon ye Beaver brook, within 
ye common fence, on Timothy Baldwin^s land, doe promise if ye 
stopping of ye water by ye dam be so that it is not passable in ye 
kighway for carts and horses, they will make the way passable by 
such a bridge as shall be necessary for carts and horses, and main- 
tain ye same soe long as ye mill and dam shall stand. The town, 
by a full vote, granted ye request upon ye ccmditions prop<^ed. 

Since the revolutionary war this mill site has been owned 
by David Prince and his sons, and a flour mill kept in opera- 
tion there till within about ten years past. It is now unim- 
proved, but so good a water- privilege will not long be sufier- 
ed to remsdn useless. 

The third grist mill erected in the town was on the East 
river, where the Quarry saw mill now stands. The following 
is the record of the town grant for said mill : 

December 23, 1706. Granted to Mr. John Plunmi, Senr., liberty 
to sett up a grist mill at ye Eiasi river, below ye country road, pro- 
vided he do it wiihin twelve months, and at the same time does 
make a good causeway and bridge for foot, cart, and horse, over ye 
East river. He and his heirs and assigns are to keep the same in 
good repair, and upon neglect to keep 3rm in such repair, upon 
warning given by the surveyors, he or ihey shall forfeit this grant 
to the town, and further, this town people's corn is to be ground be- 
fore that of strangers. 

This mill seat is now owned by the New Haven and Milford 
Marble CJopnpany, where they have works for sawing stone* 
The following is the record of the grant for Gulf mill : 

February 18, 1713-14. Voted that the town hereby grants the 
privilege of the stream at the Gulf, and all conveniences for erect- 
ing a mill, to such inhabitants of ye town as shall within eight days 
after this dale enter yr names to this vote, or a copy of ye same in 
the town clerk's office, on condition that they buid a mill within 
twelve months, each person to bear their proportion of ye cost, and 
that they or their heirs grind for the inhabitants of the town before 
other persons who may happen to want grinding done at ve same 
time, and yt they make good all damages done the highway or 
meadows adjoining the Indian river, by reason of ye mill, so yt no 
just complaint be made to ye town. 

The company consisted of about 40 persons, as may be seen 
on Lib. 2, of town acts. 

The Gulf mill, now standing, was built about 50 years since. 
It is a tide mill, is an unprofitable establishment, has passed 
through many different hands, and is now idle. 

Considerable attention appears to have been early given in 
the town to trade and commerce. The first merchants were 



yGoogk 



120 mSTORT OF THB 

Alexander Bryan,* and his son, Richard Bryan, and Willicun 
East. As early as 1640, ^ Ensign Bryan sent a vessel to 
the Bay, (Boston,) laden with beaver, otter, and other precious 
furs, and in return brought back such goods as were needed 
by the planters for their own use, and for trade with the In- 
dians." In May, 1650, the town made him a grant of a 
piece of land, on which to set a warehouse, (store,) three score 
feet long, and twenty feet broad. This was on the west comer 
of Broad street and Dock lane. In the same year he built a 
wharf for the unlading of goods, a short way below the mill, at 
the end of Dock lane. This he resigned to the town, in 1653, 
on condition that they should always keep it in good repair. 
Previous to the construction of this wharf Mr. Fowler had a 
small one above, a few rods below his mill. On the 13th of 
December, 1655, "the town gave Richard Biyau leave to 
build a warehouse near unto his father's, on the other side of 
the highway, 30 feet one way, and 18 feet another." Serg. 
William East had a warehouse between Ensign Bryan's and 
the house of Miles Merwin, the tanner. These three mer- 
chants, in 1675, owned two brigs and a sloop. The brigs 
made voyages to the West Indies, and the sloop was kept in 
the coasting trade to Boston. The exports to the West Indies 
were staves, cattle, and horses, beef, pork, flour, and corn 
meal. In return were brought rum and melasses, and Euro- 
pean goods. About this time, according to traditon, rum and 
melasses were carried from Milford to New Haven. The fur 
bought of the Indians was principally sent to Boston, and ex- 
changed for dry goods. Ensign Bryan's credit stood so high 
in Boston, it is said, that his notes of hand were as current as 
bank bills at the present day. In 1670, John Maltbee traded 
in the town. In 1685, Nicholas Camp built a warehouse at 
the West End, concerning which is the following record : 
** November 27, 1686. The town gives to Nicholas Camp 
the ground his new warehouse stands upon, he having ac- 
knowledged his irregularity in setting it up without the town's 
consent." 

In 1696, Mungo Nisbett was admitted an inhabitant, and 
granted liberty of free trade and commerce in the town. He 



* It appears by the New Haven records, that by profession be was 
a lawyer, he being attorney for Roger Ludlow, of Fairfield, in an 
action of slander brought against him by Thomas Staples, for accu- 
sing his wife of witchcraft 



yGoogk 



COLONY OP NBW HAVBN. 121 

can^d on his trade by the way of New York. In 1714, 
Samuel Clark, merchant, bought Richard Bryan's warehouse, 
on the east side of the highway, for £16. The land on which 
it stood, was 2r. 13fl. in lengtli, and 31 ^ feet wide. About 
1740, Louis Lyron, a Frenchman, was an eminent merchant 
in the town. Peter Pierett was a merchant in the town about 
1730. He first built the wharf now called Town wharf, and 
sent a ship to Bordeaux, in France, after a cargo of wine. 
She made a good voyage, and got safe back as far as New- 
port, Rhode Island, but in attempting to pass through Fisher's 
Island Sound was wrecked, and her valuable cargo all lost. 
John Gibbs traded in about 1754, and sent vessels to Holland. 
In 1790, Charles Pond & Co. were engaged in commer- 
cial business, and in 1793 they built the wharf at the Gulf. 
The last " seafaring business" carried on in the town, was by 
Miles, Strong, & Miles. With their heavy failure, in 1821, 
terminated all commercial enterprise in the town. All the 
trade of the place at presetit is with New York, two little 
market boats running up and down weekly. There are now 
in the town about a dozen storekeepers, who trade in country 
produce and other articles. 

Ship building was formerly carried on in the town to con- 
siderable extent. As early as 1690 it is recorded, that Be- 
thuel Langstaff builta brigof 150 tons, for Alexander Bryan, 
and in 1695, another for Elisha Bennill, of Boston. The Sea 
Flower was launched in 1717, owned by Richard Bryan. 
From that time until 1818, sea vessels and coasters were 
frequently built, some for merchants in the town, and others 
for New York and Boston people. The last vessel built in 
Milford, was an East India ship, named the <^ Isabella,'^ 
launched in 1818, and sold in New York. The old ship 
yard is on the east side of the harbor, a few rods below 
Fowler's mills. Vessels were also formerly built on the Hous- 
atonnuc river, at Wheeler's farm. 

The first planters of the town were mostly farmers, and for 
a few of the first years there appears to have been a great 
want of mechanics. George Clark, Jun., was a carpenter, 
Nathaniel Baldwin a cooper, and John Baldwin a tailor. 
Besides these, it is not known that there were any artisans. 
A blacksmith was much needed, and the settlers at first had 
to go to New Haven to get their iron work done. In 1643, 
they obtained one from Boston, by the name of John Smith. 
In the old records of grants of land made to him, he is called 
11 



yGoogk 



122 HISTOBY OP tHE 

John Smith, the smith. He had his shop hy the side of the 
river, oq the enclosed spot east of the Baptist meeting house. 
Another early blacksmith in the.town, was Ephraim Strong, 
In 1646, it was " voted, that Edward Adams should have a 
house lot in the Mill Neck, if he will follow his trade in the . 
town, of dressing leather, and also buck skins, for breecties 
and vests." Miles Merwin was also a tanner, and had his 
tan works a few rods west of Bryan's wharf. They are now 
owned by his descendant, Albert Merwin. Henry Tomlin- 
son, in 1652, and Richard Holbrook, in 1658, set up their 
business of weaving in the town. In 1720, it was " voted, 
that Lewis Wilkinson have liberty to set up a shop on the 
Island, between the saw mill and. Meeting House bridge, to 
carry on the clothing business." The most he could do was 
to full and color cloth. There was no fulling mill in the 
plantation till 1675, and before that time much cloth was worn 
without fulling. It was usually colored before it was wove* 
Home-made cloths were not generally sheared and pressed 
till since the revolution. ^ A malt maker, brewer,* soapboiler, 
and barber, were in olden times considered necessary in every 
community, and such there were in this town, till about 1750. 
There was no saddler in the town for the first 50 years, and 
saddles being very scarce, sheep skins were used as a substi- 
tute. It was remarked by the Stratford people, " that if the 
Devil should go ino Milford in the shape of a lamb, they would 
skin him to get his hide for a saddle." The leading mechan- 
ical business at present in the town, is carriage making, in its 
▼arious branches, shoe manufactuiing, and coopering. 

The ancient boundary lines between Milford and the ad- 
joining towns, were run and established at different times, as 
follows : Between Milford and New Haven, in April, 1672, 
by a committee appointed for the purpose, of six from New 
Haven and nine from Milford. Between Milford and Derby, 

* As hops were an indispensable ingredient in making beer, the 
cultivation of them was particularly encouraged in former times. 
On this subject the following is recorded: 

" A Generall Court, October 24, 1651. Considering the pressing 
need for hopps, the town grants to Edward Wooster an acre, more 
or less, lying up the Mill river, to be improved for a hopp garden, 
according to his request. This is not to pay rates while improved 
for hopps." 

Serg. Camp, some years after, had a grant for a hop garden, 
of as much land as he should want, beside Paugussel nver, (the 
Housatonnuc,) above Wolf harbor. 



yGoogk 



coLoinr OF new haven. 128 

in May, 1680, by committees of three from Derby and four 
from Milford. Between Milford and Waterbury, in April, 
1738, by a committee of two from Waterbury and three from 
Milford. Bounds were placed in these lines every 80 rods, 
as tho law required. 

The town received a patent from the general court, dated 
May 25, 1685. It was given to «* Robert Treat, Esq., Mr. 
Richard Bryan, Capt. Samuel Eells, Capt. John Beanl, Mr. 
George Clark, Mr. Thomas Clark, and Lieut. Samuel Bur- 
well, and the rest of the inhabitants of the township of Milford," 
ratifying and confirming them in the full possession of their 
territory. It was signed by Robert Treat, governor, and per 
order of the general court, by John Allyn, secretary. 

The making further purchases after this patent was given, 
and not being satisfied with it because the name of each free- 
holder was not inserted, they petitioned for a new one, which 
might comprehend all their territory, and in which the propri- 
etors might be individually mentioned. The following is the 
record of the town-proceeding in the business : 

Januarv 26, 1712-13. Voted jt there shall be a Patent endeav- 
oured to be procured of ye next Generall Court, for all ye lands 
within ye bounds of Milford, with every proprietor's name in it, to 
every one according to yr severall rights in ye Records. 

Jonathan Law, Esq., Major Samuel Eells, Serg. Zachariah 
Baldwin, Ensign Samuel Gunn, Capt. Joseph Treat, Ensign 
George Clark, and Mr. Samuel Clark, Jun., were chosen a 
committee to take care about the drawing up of the said 
patent. 

The following is an accurate synopsis of the instrument : 

L. S. To ALL People to whom these presents shall come: The 
Govemour and Company of ye English Colony of Connecticut, in 
New England, in Americar, send Greeting. Know Ye that whereas 
all the lands contained within these abutments; viz., the Sea South, 
with the dividing lines between the towns of New Haven and Mil- 
ford, from the middle of the mouth of Oyster river to Beacon Hill 
river. Easterly ; with Beacon Hill river, Northerly ; and on the 
Westward side thereof with the lines which divide between the 
Towns of Milford and Derby, and with the middle of the Housa- 
tonnuc river, were the greater part purchased of the Indian, native 
proprietors, before the Letters Patent of Connecticut was obtained 
from King Charles the 2d, of blessed memory, and possessed without 
interrnption for seventy-six years and upwards ; and that other parts 
since lawfully purchased of the Indian proprietors, by the inhabit- 
ants of Milford, viz. : the lands north of Bladen's brook were added 
to the township, in 1693, by the Govemour and Company since the 



yGoogk 



124 HISTORY OF THE 

grant of the Charter of Connecticut — and the proprietors of said 
Milford now moving to us the Gk>vernour and Company, for the 
more sure making and firm establishment of their rights to said 
lands, whether holden by them in Pee simple or Fee tail, or as 
Tenants in common, joint Tenants or Parceners ; 

Now Know Ye: That we the said Govemour and Company in 
General Court assembled, by virtue of the Letters Pattent to us 

g'ven, wnder the great seal of England^ by our Sovereign Lord, 
ing Charles the second, of'^blessed memory, do by these presents 
fully and absolutely, for us and our successors, give, grant, remise, 
and release, and altogether for us and our successors do quit claim, 
ratify, approvej and confirm in the quiet, peaceable, and firm seizen 
and possession of Major Samuel Eells, Mr. Samuel Andrew, Mr. 
Robert Treat, Mr. Jonathan Law, Mr. Thomas Clark, Eisigu 
George Clark, Ensign Jobamah Gunn, Capt. Joseph Treat, Lieut. 
Joseph Peck, Lieut. Benjamin Fenn, Serg. Zachariah Baldwin, 
Mr. Samuel Clark, Jun., Ensign Samuel Gunn, and all and every 
person whose names are found in a schedule hereunto affixed, the 
whole right, title, and claim, which we have had or have in and to 
all the aforesaid tract of land bounded as aforesaid, with all the 
Islands within the said tract of land, viz. : Milford Island, Edward 
Wooster's Island, Whitman's Island, and Duck Island, with the 
woods, minerals, buildings, and all other appurtenances, and hered- 
itament ; to them and every of them, their heirs and assigns forever, 
according to their several rights and shares, as may be seen by the 
records of the town of Milford, reference thereunto being had, 
To EUvE and to Hold to their own proper use and behoof forever ; 
To Hold — of her Majest/y, her heirs and successors, according to 
the tenure of East Greenwich, in the County of Kent, in England, 
in free and common socage, yielding and paying therefor to her 
Majesty and successors forever, the filth part of all the ore of Grold 
and Silver, which shall there, hereafter be gotten, in lieu of alV ser- 
vices, duties, and demands whatsoever, according to the Charter 
granted to us, the Govemour and Company. 

In witness whereof we have caused the Seal of the Coloinr to be 
hereunto affixed, and the Governor and Secretary of the said Colony 
have hereunto subscribed their names, this twenty-second day of 
May, Anno Domini One Thousand seven hundred and thirteen — 
Anno-qr Regni Regina Magna Britannia Anna Duo decimo. 



rmrdcn vcJtmftaU. 




Here follows, on the original patent, a list of the freeholders, 
235 in number. The instrument was drawn by Jonathan 



yGoogk 



COLONY OP NEW HAVEN. 125 

Law, Esq., and written, by him, on a superroyal sheet. This 
is now in the possession of the author of this work. It is 
recorded in the slate records, and Milford records, Book of 
Extracts, pages 43, 44, 45. The patent from the governor, 
under the charter, before the revolution, was considered by the 

ale to be of much importance for the security of their 
^ ^ should their titles be challenged by a governor.gene- 
ral, or other crown agent." 

Some of the early planters of Milford purchased large tracts 
of land in other places. The following are some of these 
purchases : Richard Bryan, merchant, on the 1.3lh of Nov., 
1684, bought that part of Huntington, Long Island, called 
Eaton's Neck, on the eastward of Oyster Bay. It was sold 
to him by " William Jones, and Hannah, his wife, daughter of 
Gov. Eaton, in their own right, and for their brother, Theoph- 
ilus Eaton, Esq."* Three sons of Richard Bryan settled on 
this land, viz. : Alexander, John, and Ebenezer. Their de- 
scendants on Long Island, are now numerous. Other persons 
from Milford settled in Huntington, about the same time with 
the Bryans. 

Thomas Welch bought of Robert Lay, on the 6th of April, 
1702, "for the sum of £11 in current silver of the colony, a 
thousand acre-right of land," being one fourth of a tract be- 
queathed to Robert Lay, father of the grantor, by Joshua, son 
of Uncas, sachem, in his last will. Thomas Welch also 
bought a large tract of land in Hebron. 

Governor Treat owned a tract of 300 acres, lying near the 
southern bounds of Farmington. This will be noticed in an- 
other place. 

Ensign George Clark, by liberty of the general court, 
bought of the Indians, on the 11th of August, 1703, for the 
sum of thirty.five shillings, a tract of land lying upon Sauga- 
tuck river, containing 150 acres. The deal was signed by 
Wohnane men, Moupow and Chipowe. 

Richard Baldwin received as a gift of Toutononme, a sag. 
amore, on the 23d of May, 1720, the tract of land com- 
monly called Hog meadow purchase, containing about 6C0 
acres, lying partly in Milford and partly in Derby, A road 
was laid through it the next year. 



* He never was in America, being bom before the governor em- 
iffrated. He lived in Ireland. His son Samuel, viho lived la 
New Haven, died a yoong man} unmariied. 
11* 



yGoogk 



120 HISTORY OP THE 

Alexander Bryan, it appears from the records, owned a 
large trabt in Southington. Jesse Lambert bought up the 
«* ten acre accommodation rights," so called, lying in Wood- 
bury, and Col. Edward Allen owned an extensive tract there, 
called Kettle Town, from the purchase having been made of 
the Indians for a brass kettle. 

Some of the settlers of the town lefl large estates in Eng- 
land, which remain unsold to the present time. Of these were 
Peter Prudden, of Edgeton, John Burwell, of Hampstead, 
(Hartfordshire,) Benjamin Fenn, Thomas Welch, Alexander 
Bryan, Richard Baldwin, and Jesse Lambert. The posterity 
of Mr. Prudden received the interest money and rent of h^ 
property left there, until within a few years. 

The Indians were numerous at the settlement of the town* 
They had four considerable villages, one on the side of the 
Wepowage river, near the church, one at Poconoc point,* 
another about half a mile north of Washington bridge, and 
another at Turkey Hill. They had also two smaller villages, 
one at Burwell farm, near Oyster river, and one at Oronoque, 
on the Housatonnuc. At the settlement north of Washington 
bridge, they had a strong foitress, with flankers at the com- 
ers, which was designed as a defense against tlie Mohawks. 
Asantaway was the name of the chief, and he and his tribe 
were tributaries to the Mohawks. It is said at the arrival of 
the English he had a wigwam on a rise of ground a few rods 
south of the Episcopal church, which was then called an 
island,! as the Wepowage, when the water was high, entirely 
surrounded it. His principal residence, however, was on the 
Housatonnuc. The planting-ground of the Indians, in the town, 
was Mill Neck land, which was cleared of trees, as were 
some other spots in the vicinity. At the settlement of the 
English, the Indians in the center of the place retired to In- 
dian Point, lying between East river and the Sound. Here 
they had a burying-ground, the traits of which are now to be 
seen.it ^^^ P^^"^ ^^7 ^^^ ^^ 1680, when, it is probable, 

* On this point so many shells were thrown by them on the land, 
that the fields, when plowed, are white with them, to the presenttime. 

t Liberty was granted to Thomas Sandford, in 1651, to set a bam 
on Sachem's island, above the mill ; he to leave room for a bridge. 

t The house of Daniel Buckingham, Esq., stands on one side of 
this burying-ground. Injdigging the cellar of the house, a number 
of skeletons were exumed, one of which was near eight feet in 
length. They were buried in a horizontal position, and appeared 
to have been laid on a bed of charcoal, and covered with the same. 



yGoogk 



OOLOVT OF NBW BATXN. 137 

most of tbem moved from it. Besides the burying place just 
nentiooedy they had one at Old Port^ one at a place called 
Wigwam, north of Oronoque, and one at Turkey Hill. They 
buried their dead before the settlement of the English, in a 
sitting posture, and raised a small mound over the grave. 
They made doleful lamentations and bowlings at their burials. 

Indian implements are frequently found in the town, such as 
arrow-heads, stone axes, chisels and pipes. The Indians lived 
principally by hunting and fishing ; in sumnoer, they dried 
dams and oytiters to boil with their ^ nasamp" in winter. 
Nasarap was com pounded and made into homony. Parched 
com made into homony, they called roucbeage. Suckatash, 
(corn and beans,) both green and dry, was a favorite dish 
with them. This they also seasoned with clams. Bear meat 
was their &vorite animal food, though all kinds were eaten by 
them. 

The circulating medium of the Indians was wampum, so 
called, or pea^. It was of two sorts, white and black. The 
black was twice the value of the white. The English fixed 
them, at three of the black for a penny, and six of the white. 
Both kinds were made of sea-shells, and were perforated in 
the center and strung. The Indians had nothing resembling 
letters or hieroglyphics to express language, and their idea 
of numbers was very limited. This is a specimen of their 
counting, to twenty : — «* Nukcoote, neese, nisk, yow, neparah, 
negutta, enada, showsuck, paskugit, piunck, nopun^coote, 
nopun-neese, nopun-nisk, nopun-yow, nopun-neparah» nopun. 
negutta, 6^, 

Though the Wepowage Indians were friendly to the settle, 
ment of the English, yet the planters took early precautionary 
measures for security in case they should become differently 
disposed. At their third general court, held Nov. 24th, 1640, 
it was voted, ^ that no man shall give or tmck with any Indian, 
powder, shott, pistols or any sortof gunns, sword, dagger, ro- 
pier, iron, brass or any other weapon, or ammunition, as also 
Gold or Silver, upon ye pains of £5 loss, and if any under 
government, eitlier child or servant, shall without their parents 
or master's knowledge break this order, he shall be liable to 
the public whip, or any other sentence of the court." 

The planters early enclosed their town plot with palisades, 
ten or twelve feet in height, and so thickly set that a man 
could not crowd between t^m. This enclosure was nearly a 



yGoogk 



128 mSTOET OF TfiB 

mile square, and was on both sides of the Wepowage river.* 
It eventually proved fortunate for the English that this was 
done ; for in the years 1645 and '46, the Indians were hos- 
tile and very troublesome, and there seems to have been a 
combination among them throughout the country, to extermin- 
ate the English. For their mutusd safety they kept guard 
night and day. Sentinels were placed every few rods along 
the whole line of the palisades Each soldier stood as sentinel^ 
every fifth day, and was relieved at sun-set by drum beat, 
when the watch was changed. According to tradition, the 
Indians would sometimes come up to the palisades and de- 
ride the English for being shut up in a pen, and challenge 
them to come out and fi^ht like brave men; and they boasted 
that they kept the English ^ shut up all one as pigs." At a 
general court. May 18th, 1646, it was ordered, that all house 
lots given and accepted should find one watchman every fifth 
night. On their ** Sabbath and lecture days," a considerable 
part of the "train band" went armed to meeting. There 
were seats appropriated for them in the meeting house, called 
guard seats. During the service, sentinels were stationed 
on difierent sides of the house to watch. When the planters 
worked in the fields, they went in companies, and their mus- 
kets were kept near at hand. 

About 1645, the Indians set the adjacent country on fire, 
and it was supposed they meant to burn the town ; but the 
planters were so fortunate as to arrest the progress of the 
flames, at the swamps on the west and north of the settlements, 
before they reached the palisades, and thus saved the build- 
ings. But the fire did much damage ; most of the timber was 
destroyed, and some pieces of good natural meadow were so 
burnt that they became sunken swamps. By ditching m 
Fresh meadow, charred logs are frequently thrown up. It 
appears by some votes of the town, in the years 1655 and 
1660, prohibiting the exportation of "cooper's stuff, shingles, 
timber for ships, and pump logs," that there was danger of tim- 
ber becoming scarce, '^ so much having been destroyed by the 
Indians." 

The Indians were again troublesome in 1653, and the 
people were under the apprehension of a sudden and general 

•■ The first person who settled without the palisades, was Greorge 
Clark, at ihe place where Jonathan Clark, E^., now lives, and the 
town, as a reward for his courage, gave him 4M) acres of land in 
Wesifield. 



yGoogk 



COLONY OF KBW HAVBN. 129 

massacre. They were greatly hindered id their farming 
avocations, and worn down with incessant watchings. In 
1656, it was " ordered that no particular man without the con- 
sent of a magistrate should grant any licence or liberty to any 
Indian or Indians, whether of the town or strangers, to abide 
any considerable time (or over night) in ye town, and that no 
person should harbour or keep an Indian over night on penalty 
of 5«. for every such default." 

In the spring of 1700, so much danger was apprehended 
from the natives, that two houses were ordered to be fortified, 
(one on the east side of the river, and one at the West End,) 
for the security of women and children, the aged and decrepid, 
in case of surprise. The people of Burwell's farm had ^ liberty 
to fortify a place among themselves." All over 16 years of 
age, were »* ordered forthwith to work until the fortifications 
were completed." The two houses fortified in the town, wore 
Mr. Prudden's, on the east side of the river, and G^eorge 
Clark's, at the West End. It was a time of general alarm, 
for four or five years, throughout the country. But there is 
nothing on record to show that any English person was ever 
killed by the Indians, in Milford. 

About 1648, there was a famous battle fought between the 
Milford Indians and the Mohawks. The latter had secreted 
themselves in a swamp, nearly a mile east of the ferry, intend- 
ing to surprise the Indians in tlie fort,* that uight. The 
English accidentally discovering them, notified the Milford 
Indians, who setting up the war-whoop, soon raised such 
numbers, that they ventured to attack the invaders. The 
Mohawks were defeated, and several of them taken prisoners. 
One of their fellen chiefe, they buried on a hillock in the 
swamp. A stout captive was stripped and tied by the Milford 
Indians in the great meadows, for the musquetoes to eat and 
torment to death. But he was discovered and relieved by 
one Tiiomas Hine, who took him home, fed him, and after 
keeping him two days, assisted him to make his escape to his 
own country. For this act of humanity, the family of Hine's 
were ever after revered by the Indians, by foes as well as 
friends of the Mohawks. The Indians always said that the 
Hine's did not die like other ''pale faces," but went to the 
west, where the Great Spirit took them into his big wigwam 
and made tliem great men. 

• Old fon, north of the bridge. 



yGoogk 



130 , mSTOEY OF THB 

This Indian fort, which the Mohawks meant to take by sur- 
prise, was eventually destroyed by some young men of the 
town, in 1671. These were Samuel Clark, George Clark, 
James Brisco, Joseph Northrop, Thomas Tibbals, John Fow- 
ler, Jonathan Fowler, Joseph Piatt, Edward Camp, Joho 
Smith, Jr., and Edward Wilkinson. It was done, according 
to the record, " with the utmost secrecy, at dead of night," ana 
probably it was vacant at the time. What their object was 
in destroying it, does not appear. This much exasperated 
the Indians, who complained to Mr. Benjamin Fenn aqd 
Robert Treat, Esq., whereupon civil process was issued 
against them, and they were tried before the general court at 
New Haven, and fined j£10. The Indians, by this were ap- 
peased, and afterwards rebuilt their fort. 

After the lapse of years the Indians complained that they 
had sold their land and had nowhere to live, and prayed the 
town to assign them some place on the river, where they 
might live, and freely hunt and fish. Accordingly, about a 
hundred acres of land was laid out at Turkey Hill, ai^ re- 
served for their use and benefit. In 1671, " Ephraim Strong, 
Esq., Joseph Woodruff, Esq., and Col. Benjamin Fenn, were 
appointed a committee to take care of the Indian land." In 
1767, the committee were instructed to prosecute in due form, 
any person who had or should cut timber, or wood, or carry 
any oft\ or should fence in any of the land, or any way tres- 
pass upon it. In 1777, the committee of the Indian land was 
Capt. Benjamin Hine, Stephen Gunn, Esq., and Lieut. Benja- 
min Fenn. This land was lastly under the care of an over- 
seer, appointed by the county court. 

The Potatuck, or Newtown Indians, formerly came to Mil- 
ford annually in the summer se£U9on, to fish and to take oysters 
and clams. They appear to have been descended from the 
Milford Indians, or were perhaps some who had left the town 
after the settlement of the English, and located themselves at 
Potatuck. The Scatticook Indians, above New Milford, often 
visited the town. Their regular visits were not discontinued 
till after the revolutionary war.* 

♦ In the spring of 1831, a company of Indians, consisting of about 
30 men, women, and children, Irom the shores of lake Champlain, 
came to the point and encamped for a number of days, (perhaps 15.^ 
They were led by an old patriarch or chieftain, " of eighty winters," 
whom they appeared to obey and reve^fence. They conversed in 
the Indian tongue, and some of them knew but little of the Eng- 



yGoogk 



COLONY OF NBW HAVEN. 18^ 

Ansantaway, the sachem of whom Milford was purchased, 
died about 1676. Conquepotana, sachem of Milford, Derby, 
and Stratford Indians, died at his residence in Derby, in 1731. 
He had sixty men under him at the time of his death. Many 
of the Wepowage Indians joined the Potatucks, some event- 
ually went off to the west and joined with the Six Nations, while 
a few remained about the town. But they have now all 
disappeared. In the language of Ossian, 

" The chiefs of other times are departed. They have gone without 
their fame. Another race has arisen. The people are like the 
waves of the ocean ; like the leaves of woody Morven ; they pass 
away in the rustling blast, and other leaves lift their green heads 
on high.'' 

A company of militia was very early organized. The 
unceasing troubles, and the necessity of a constant system of 
military discipline, made our forefathers a martial people. In 
1640, a company was formed under the command of Capt. 
John Astwood. William Fowler was lieutenant, Alexander 
Bryan, ensign, and William East, sergeant. This company 
probably comprehended all the planters of the town. The 
military, in former times, were much larger in proportion to 
the people, than at present, every person from 16 years of age 
to 60 being obliged by law to bear arms. Concerning the 
early military arrangements of the town, the following is 
gleaned from the records : 

March 10th, 1639-40. It is ordered that all the sonldger within 
this towne, shall be trained six times every yeare, once in each of 
these months, viz. March, April, May, Sept. Oct. ANov. and oftener 
in times of danger by the appointment of^the Captain and chief offi- 
cers. 

It is ordered that the time of their meeting together shall be at 8 
of ye clock in ye morning, and whosoever shall be absent after ye 
houre appoynteil, or shall not continue ye whole time, shall forfeit 
ye snmme of 25. 6d. for every such default, except thev aie licenced 
by a magistrate to be absent. The Clarke of ye train band is to dis- 
train ye forfeiture within 14 days, whereof he shall have 6d. for his 
services and ye remainder shall go to mayntain drums & collors, 
&c. Ye Clarke is to call ye roll in ye morning. 

It is ordered yt every male in ye town above ye age of 16 yeares, 
whether magistrates, ministers or anv other (though exempted from 
training, watching and warding) shall always be proviaed with, 
and have in readiness by them a pound of powder and two pounds 
of buUetts or shott, and two fathoms of match, for a match lock, on 

iish. They had a tradition that some of their ancestors lived at 
Poconoc point, and said they had come for the last time to the hant- 
ing-giound of their ikthers. 



yGoogk 



132 BISTORT O^ THB 

penalty of 55. a month for such default, in case ye ammunition is to 
be had from ye town magazine. 

It is ordered ytye Clarke of ye train band shall twise every yeare 
view ye arms and ammunition of each person in ye band, to see if 
there bee any defect, and if defect be found he shall give notice yrof 
to some of ye magistrates, who shall punish defects according to ye 
nature of ye same. 

Previous to 1699, there were two military companies in the 
town, as appears by the following vote : 

March 27th, 1699. Voted that 15^ be allowed from ye towne 
treasury to purchase for ye companies of ye trainbands, Colours, 
drums, halberds and other things needed, and jrt Joseph Guernsey 
and William Wheeler, ye two clarks, shall receive ye money and 
lay it out in ye market to ye best advantage. 

At this time, the captains of the two companies were Roger 
Newton, Esq., (son of the pastor,) and Joseph Woodruff,* 

It was formerly customary on training days, to fire at target, 
and also to have sham-fights. Sometimes a part, or the whole 
of a company, would dress in Indian style, and fight after their 
manner. The leader on such occasions, would personify 
some Indian chie^ for instance, Sassicus, Miantinomah, or 
Metacomet, (King Philip.) These were generally scenes of 
hilarity and great excitement, and it is questionable whether 
any good ever resulted from them. There are at present in 
the town, two military companies, the militia and artillery. 
The last was formed in 1830, from a company of light infantry, 
which was then disbanded. The present commanders of 
these companies are Jason Bristol, of the militia, and John 
Smith, of the artillery. 

In all the wars in which the country has been engaged, 
Milford has furnished its proportion of money and soldiers. 
In King Philip's war, and the two French wars, the town lost 
a good number of men, who died of sickness in the camp, or 
fell in battle. In 1752, a number of men from the town ac- 
companied General Putnam in the expedition to Cuba. In 
the French and Indian war, companies of the British troops 
quartered in the place during the winters of 1757 and 1758, 
at the town expense. Relating to this war, are the following 
votes on record : 

December 13th, 1756. Voted to have the great guns fixed upon 
carriages, and fit for service if required. Nov. 29, 1757. Voted 

♦ Capt. Woodruff married Susanna Newton, daughter of Roger 
Newton. 



Digitized by 



Googk 



COLONY OF NSW HAVEN. 188 

by the town to have two hQoses provided for the King's troops if 
they should be wanted^ and that a rate of 2d. on the pound be levied 
for that purpose. April 26, 1758. Voted that those who kept the 
King's troops with all necessaries the winter past sh?ll receive 35. 
pr. week for each private. Nov. 24, 1728. Voted to provide a 
g^ard room and a house for a hospital and to furnish it with proper 
bedding and also to provide wood and candles for said guard room 
and hospital. The selectmen are to make the above provision. 

Accordingly, the town house was fitted up for the purpose, 
which the soldiers burnt, as already stated. 

At the comniencement of the revolution, the inhabitants 
were unanimously opposed to the oppressive measures of the 
British ministry. They held a town meeting, on the 29th of 
November, 1774, (agreeable to the recommendations of the 
continental congress, held at Philadelphia, in September pre- 
vious, and of the general assembly of the colony,) of which 
Col. Edward Allyn was moderator. The inhabitants at this 
meeting " resolved that they highly approved of, and would 
strictly abide by the articles of Association as agreed upon Inr 
the Delegates assembled in General Continental Congress ;" 
and a committee of fifteen persons were chosen from the sev- 
eral societies of the town for purposes mentioned in the 11th 
article of association.* A committee of correspondence of 
seven persons was also appointed. At this meeting "it wa$ 
unanimously resolved, that a subscription should be forthwith 
opened for the relief and support of such poor inhabitants of 
Boston as were immediate sufferers by the Port Bill,f and a 
committee of 12 persons were appointed to receive donations 
and contributions for that purpose." 

On the 1st of May, 1775, it was "voted that the Great 
Guns be mounted and made ready for use, and that the select-' 
men provide powder and balls at the town expense." A min- 
ute post was established and kept in readiness in case of 
emergency, under the direction of Capt. Isaac Miles. In the 
spring of 1776, a battery was built at West Point, on the west 

♦ " To observe if any violate the articles of association, and if so to 
publish the case in the Gazette, to the end that all foes to the rights 
of British America may be publicly known, so that they be shunned 
and contemned as the enemies of American Lilferty" 

t In March, 1774, the subject of the destruction of the tea was 
brought before parliament, when the bill called the Boston Port Bill 
was passed, by which the said port was precluded the privilege of 
landing and discharging, or of loading and shipping goods, wares, 
and mere handise, alter the 1st of June following. The government 
and public offices were also removed to Salem. 
12 



yGoogk 



1B4 HISTORY OF THE 

side of the harbor, for the defense of the town.* It was erect- 
ed at the town expense, assisted by a small grant from the 
assembly. An efficient guard was kept there during the war, 
supported at the expense of the colony. Conipanies of sol- 
diers were also kept stationed at Burwell's Farm, and at 
Poconoc Point. "The town furnished a full quota of men for 
the army, who were marched under the command of Capt. 
Samuel Peck. The selectmen were directed **to furnish 
guns, bayonets, and provisions, for such as were called forth 
for the defense of the Liberty of America." In 1777, a 
premium of £10 per head was offered for men who would 
enlist for three years, or during the war. The number re- 
quired of the town that year, by the governor's proclamation, 
was seventy-two. The names of the persons obtained may 
be found in Book of Extracts, in the town records, page 52d. 
On the 11th of July, 1780, it was voted that the town would 
give j£30 for each able recruit, who would enlist during the 
war, and £6 for each one who would enlist for six months, in 
the service of the United States, either in the militia or troop 
of horse. At the same time 20^. per month was voted to the 
men of the militia alarm list, or of the troop of horse that had 
been, or might go to serve on tours out of town. In Decem- 
ber, of the same year, Capt. Enoch Woodruff, Lieut. John 
Fowler, and Ensign Henry Bull, were appointed a committee, 
again to raise troops for the continental army, and also to 
procure the town's quota of a regiment to be raised for the 
defense of the state. A tax of from 4d. to 6d, on the pound, 
was annually laid, to defray the expenses of the war, " payable 
in money, or provisions to be put up for the use of the state." 
Committees were annually appointed, agreeable to the di- 
rectioBs of the governor and council of safety, to furnish pro* 
visions at the prices stated by law, for the families of those 
persons engaged in the continental service, said persons lodg. 
JDg or remitting money for that purpose. In 1777, it was 
"voted that the selectmen be a committee to provide clothing 
for the continental soldiers," and in April, the next year, the 
selectmen were dh^cted " to dispose of the salt bebnging to 
the town, to such persons as would procure clothing for the 
soldiers ; no one family, however, was to have more than a 
peck" In January, 1778, " the articles of confederation of 
the United States, sent by the governor, being read, it was 
voted by the town, that they fully approved of the said articles." 

* This fortification was named Fort Tnunboll. 



yGoogk 



COLONY OF NBW HAVBN. 186 

Gunpowder being scarce at the time of the war, the town 
passed the following vote : 

February 22, 1776. Voted, that whereas, at a time when our sea 
coasts are threatened with invasion by our enemies, a misuse of 
powder may prove very prejudicial, not only to the public in gene- 
ral, but to the Town, tnerefore, Resolved, that no person or persons 
whatsoever, shall, by sportinjg or fowling, fire away any of tnat ne- 
cessary article, within the limits of the town, upon the penalty of 
II. lawful money for each offence. The half of the said sum tobe- 
laag to the person who prosecutes to effect, the other half to the 
Tre-asury of the town. 

The town suffered comparatively little during the war, from 
the incursions of the British or their emissaries. In 1779i» 
twenty transport ships lay off against the town for a number 
of days, which occasioned a constant alarm, the inhabitants 
hourly expecting an attack. But only a few soldiers landed 
at Pond Point, and plundered one house, that of Mr. Miles 
Merwin. The house was closed at the time, the family being 
in town. The Cow Boys,* so called, who were mostly refu- 
gees, sometimes made excursions across from Long Island* 
and took off cattle and sheep to sell to the British. These, 
however, were but trifling losses, and the inhabitants considered 
themselves fortunate, that the town escaped a conflagration. 
But much. property was lost by burying, and by exposure to 
the weather in the woods and swamps, it having been thus 
disposed of for security, in case the town should have fallem 
into the hands of the enemy. The inhabitants contributed 
liberally for the relief of Fairfield, Norwalk, and Danbury. 

Many Long Island people came and resided in Milford 
during the war, and among others the Bryans and Smiths, 
from Huntington. There were but few tories in the town 
during these times, and those few were obliged to keep close 
to their houses. On the 14th of December, 1778, it was 
voted by the town that no person or persons whatever, who 
have heretofore voluntarily gone over to join with, and screen- 
ed themselves under the protection of the enemies of the 
United States of America, or who shall hereafter go over, 
join with, or screen themselves under said enemy, shall be 
sufiered or allowed to reside or dwell in this town, on any 
pretense whatever. Accordingly, at the close of the war a 

• A company of twelve Cow Bog was captured, in 1780, on an 
island in the Housatonnuc, against Turkey Hill. 



yGoogk 



186 HISTOBY OF THE 

few refugees from the town went to Nova Scotia, while a few 
persons who were loyalists from principle, on account of hay- 
mg taken the oath of allegiance to the king before the war, 
and who, having maintained a strict neutrality during the 
contest, were allowed to remain in the town, and keep posses- 
sion of their estates. 

On Wednesday, the 1st of January, 1777, a flag of truce 
vessel arrived at Milford,- from New York, having on board 
200 American prisoners. They had been for some time con* 
fined in a prison ship. Moi*e than half of them were sick at 
the time they were landed, and many of these but just alive. 
Twenty had died on the passage from New York. The town 
made comfortable provision for them, but before the first of 
February, 46 of those who were landed alive had died. 
These soldiers were all buried in a line near the south corner 
of the grave yard. Would it be more than justice requires, 
if the town should erect a monument to the memory of these 
men, whose lives were sacrificed for the cause of the " libertif 
in America ?" The list of names of these 46, may be seen 
on my Book of Extracts, in the town record, page 52d. 

Of the soldiers of the revolution there are but few remahi. 
ing in the town. These few -are, the most of them, the recip- 
ients of their country's gratitude, to the amount of eight dollars 
per month. 

In the last war with Great Britain a guard was kept at the 
fort, and a few men were drafted to serve on tours to the east- 
ward. But being opposed to the war, as were most of the 
people of New England, the inhabitants of the town had as 
little to do with the contest as possible. 

Milford, compared with other towns, has had its full pro- 
portion of eminent men. Capt. John Astwood was a man of 
note and influence in the colony, and appears to have had a 
classical education. Others of the first settlers were liberally 
educated. Of these were William Fowler, Benjamin Fenn, 
Alexander Bryan, Jasper Gunn, Peter Prudden, John Sher- 
man, and Robert Treat. The town has given to Connecticut 
two governors, viz. : Robert Treat and Jonathan Law, Esq., 
both of whom were eminent statesmen. 

Robert Treat and his brother Richard* came to New Eng- 
land with Sir Richard Saltonstall, and were among the first 

* Richard Treat was one of the patentees of Connecticut, and his 
posterity about Wethersfield are now numerous. 



yGoogk 



coLomr OF new hayen. 187 

settlers of Wethersfield. Robert left that settlement ftnd came 
to Milford with Mr. Prudden. He was at the time about 18 
years of age. At the first meeting of the planters he was 
chosen to assist in surveying and laying out the township. 
He was soon chosen one of the five judges, and, in 1661, was 
elected a magistrate of the colony, in which office bte was con- 
tinued four years, until he refused to take the oath prescribed 
by law, he being in favor of the union of the colony with Con- 
necticut« In 1664, the town, by his influence and that o[ 
Mr. Benjamin Fenn, was induced to break off from New 
Haven colony, and it was by his influence particularly, that 
the union was so soon eflected. He was appointed major of 
the Connecticut troops, in 1670, and colonel, in 1674. In 
Philip's war, at the attack of Springfield by the Indians, in 
1665, then captain, he marched to its relief, and drove them 
from the town ; and in their assault upon Hadley, he put them 
completely to flight. The same year, in December, he per. 
formed a distinguished part in the destruction of the Indians 
at fort Narragansett. On the 14lh of October, 1675, the 
general court returned him public thanks for his good conduct 
in defending the colony and the towns on Long Island 
against the Dutch, and for his subsequent services. In 1676, 
he was elected deputy-governor, and, in 1683, governor of 
Connecticut, to which last office he was annually re-elected 
for fifteen years, till he declined serving. In 1660, the town, 
to express their sense of the eminent services which he had 
rendered them, and the public generally, gave him as a free gift, 
without reference to any division, 15 acres of land, rate free, 
lying on Middle, or Cow Hill, Indian side. The general court 
of Connecticut, October 8th, 1696, as an acknowledgment 
for the services he had done his country, gave him 300 acres 
of land at Asponac, near the boundary line between Walling- 
ford and Farmington.* 

His wife was Jane, only daughter of Edmond Tapp, Esq. 
Concerning this match there is the following traditionary an- 
ecdote. Being in at Mr. Tapp's,.he took the girl upon his 
knee and commenced trotting her. "Robert," said she, •'be 
still that, I had rather be Treated than trotted ;" upon which he 
proposed marriage, which was immediately consented to by 
all concerned. They had four sons, viz. : Samuel, bom 

* This tract he gave his son-in-law, Samuel Mather, minister of 
Windsor. 

12* 



y Google 



138 



HISTORY OF THE 



1648, John, in 1650, Robert, in 1654, and Joseph, in 1662 ; 
and four daughters, Jane, Mary, Anne, and Abigail. Sam- 
uel graduated at Harvard college, in 1669, and settled in the 
ministry, in 1672, at Eastham, Mass. He died March 18, 
1717, leaving a numerous family. One of his daughters was 
the mother of Robert Treat Payne, one of the signers of the 
declaration of independence. John Treat appears to have 
died young. Robert and Joseph settled in Milford. They 
were both justices of the peace, and the youngest justice of 
the quorum. One of the daughters, Mary, married Mr. Sam- 
uel Mather, minister of Windsor, and the youngest, Abigail, 
was wife of Mr. Andrew, pastor of the church. Jane Treat, 
the governor's wife, died April 8, 1703. He married again, 
October 22, 1705, the widow Elizabeth Bryan, who died the 
January following. Governor Treat died July 12, 1710, in 
the 80th year of his age. His descendants are numerous, but 
very much scattered, being more than a century ago settled 
in this state, in Massachusetts, and New Jersey. Governor 
Treat's residence was No. 35, of the house lots of the early 
planters. ( See plan of Milford, ) 




Southwest view of Governor Treat** House. 

The following is the fac-simile of his signature, and of the 
seal used by him: 




Digitized by VjOOQIC 



COLONY OF NEW HAVEN. 189 

Governor Law was the only son of Jonathan and Sarah 
Law, and grandson of Richard Law, one of the first settlers 
of Stamford, from Wethersfield. Jonathan Law, Senior, was 
named after his maternal grandfather, Jonathan Selleck, Esq., 
one of the planters of Stamford. He settled in Milford, about 
1664 ;, the circumstances attending which are given by tradi- 
tion as follows : His father, Richard Law, being a magistrate 
of Stamford, and going to New Haven on business pertaining 
to his office, took his son along with him. Returning, they 
put up with Governor Treat, over Sunday. Going to meeting 
on that day. Jonathan '* beheld a fair maiden, and his heart was 
smitten with love." Inquiring the name of the girl of one of 
the governor's sons, he was informed that it was a daughter 
of farmer George Clark. At the same time his informant 
proposed to introduce him, and to make her a visit that even- 
mg for the puYpose. Accordingly they went, and Jonathan 
made such advances in the esteem of the fair Sarah, that when 
he took his leave that evening, she agreed to receive his ad- 
dresses if their parents consented. All the relatives approving 
of such an union, they were shortly married. This occurred 
on the first of June, 1664. Mr. Law purchased for his son 
a large farm in the town, and the magistrates consenting, Mr. 
Jonathan Law was admitted a citizen and freeman of Milford. 
Jonathan Law, Jun., was born August 6, 1674, and was ed- 
ucated at Harvard College, where he graduated, in 1695. 
He commenced the practice of law in his native town, in 
1698, and acquired great reputation as a counseUor. In 
1706, he was made a justice of the peace ; in 1710, a justice 
of the quorum; in 1714, chief judge; in 1717, he was chosen 
an assistant, and in 1724, deputy-governor. In May, 1741, 
he was elected governor, and annually re-elected till his death, 
wjiich was on the 6th of November, 1750. On the occasion 
of his death, President Stiles, of Yale College, then senior tu- 
tor, pronounced a pompous funeral oration, in Latin, in the 
College Hall. Governor Law had five wives. He first 
married Ann Eliott, December 20th, 1698. She died Nov. 
16, 1703. His second wife was Abigail Arnold, married 
Feb. 14, 1705, died Dec. 14, the same year. His third wife 
was Abigail Andrew, daughter of the minister, and grand- 
daughter of Governor Treat, married August 2d, 1706. She 

diecf Sept. 25, 1724. His fourth wife was Sarah ^ 

of Fairfield, married in 1726, died Jan. 17, 1727i His 
fifth wife, who survived him, was Eunice, widow of Sam- 



yGoogk 



140 



HISTORY OF TBE 



uel Andrew, Esq., son of Mr. Andrew, pastor, formerly E. 
Hall,* of Wallingford, married in 1730. 

Governor Law had seven sons, viz. : Jahleel, died Aug. 
2, 1701 ; Jonathan, born Dec. 5, 1705, settled in his native 
town; Jahleel, bom Feb. 15, 1707, settled in Cheshire; 
Samuel, born June 3, 1711, lived in Milford; Richard, bom 
July 8, 1713, died on the 12th of Sept. following. Richard, 
born March, 1732, settled in New London ; John, born 1735, 
died in the army, at the north, in the French war. Richard 
and John were in Yale College at the time of the death of their 
father. Richard graduated in 1751. He engaged in the 
practice of law, was chosen a member of congress, was judge 
of the superior court of the state, had the honorary degree of 
LL. D. conferred .on him, and died mayor of the city of New 
London. Governor Law had a number of daughters ; of 
these were Sarah, Ann, Abigail, and Eunice. The govern- 
or's decendants are now numerous and widely dispersed. 
Governor Law's residence was No. 15, of the house lots of 
the early planters. (See plan of Milford.) ' 




SmUkeast view of Oovemor Law*8 House. 

The following is a fac-simile of Governor Law's signature, 
and his private seal, which, it may be seen, is a combination of 
the letters composing his name : 



i^^n^f4na>n^ ^^)^ 



* She was aunt to Lyman Hall, one of the signers of the declara- 
tion of independence, from Georgia. 




yGoogk 



COLONT OF NEW HAVEN. 141 

The ancestors of two of the signers of the declaratioa of 
independence, were from Milford, viz. : those of Roger Sher. 
man, and Abraham Clark, of New Jersey. The ancestor of 
the first mentioned signer, was John Sherman, one of the 
first settlers of the town. He was bom in Dedham, coun- 
ty of Essex, England, Dec. 6, 1613, entered the University 
of Cambridge, at an early age, but left college when ready 
for his degree, under the character of a college puritan. la 
1634-5, he emigrated to New England. He preached his 
first sermon at Watertown, Mass., under a large tree, as an 
assistant to Mr. Philips. His performance was much admired 
by several ministers who were present. Soon after this he 
removed to New Haven colony, and preached in sundry 
places. The church in Milford invited him to become their 
teaching elder ; but he declined, and for a time altogether 
suspended his ministry, whereupon he was chosen one of the 
judges of the town, and a magistrate of the colony. Upon 
the death of Mr. Philips, of Watertown, Mass., he was 
invited to take the pastoral charge of the church in that 
place, and accordingly he removed there, in 1645, though 
much against the wishes of the people of New Haven and 
Milford. At the same time he was invited to settle in Bos- 
ton, and two churches in London tfilsd to obtain him. Being 
in the vicinity of Cambridge, he was chosen one of the fellows 
of the college in that place. In the vicinity of the college he 
held a lecture once a fortnight, for 30 years, for the benefit of 
the students and others. 

He was a man of superior intellectual endowments, was 
the best mathematician of the day, and he left voluminous 
manuscripts on the science of astronomy. He was esteemed 
an excellent counsellor, and was often sent to assist in adjust- 
ing church difficulties. He was twice married, and by his first 
wife, who died in New Haven, Sept. 8th, 1644, he had s« 
children. His second wife was the daughter of a puritan 
gentleman, by the name of Launce, and her mother was a 
daughter of the Earl of Rivers. By her (on the authority of 
Dr. Mather) he had no less than twenty children. He died 
August 8th, 1685, aged 72. 

The signer of the declaration, (a native of Newton, Mass,) 
was his great grandson, he being the second son of William, 
and grandson of John Sherman, Jr. His father died in 1741, 
leaving a numerous family in circumstances of dependence. 
The care of the family devolved upon Roger, his older brother 



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142 HISTORY OF TBS 

havkig sometime before removed to New Millbrd, Catm, 
This was a serious charge for a young man of 19 jrears of age, 
but he engaged in the duties which devolved upon him with much 
dieerfulness and kindness. Toward his aged nDother, who 
lived to a great age, he manifested the tenderest affection, and 
assisted two of his younger brothers to obtain a liberal educa- 
tion. These afterwards became ministers in Connecticut, 
one of whom settled in Milford. 

In June, 1743, the family removed from Massachusetts to 
New Milford, and Roger went into partnership with his elder 
brother in the business of a country merchant. At this time, 
his literary acquirements, though " self-taught," were above 
those of the mediocrity of college graduates. He soon 
became known throughout Litchfield county, as a man of 
superior talents, and unusual skill in the science of mathe* 
matics. In 1745, at the age of twenty .four, he was appointed 
to the office of county surveyor. In 1748, and for a number 
of succeeding years, he supplied the astronomical calculations 
for an almanac, published in New York. In 1749, he mar- 
ried Miss Elizabeth Hartwell, of Stoughton, Mass. After her 
death, in 1760, he married Miss Rebecca Prescott,of Danvers, 
in the same state. By these wives he had fifteen children, 
seven by the former, and eight by thft latter. In 1754, Mr. 
Sherman was admitted as an attorney to the bar, and he soon 
became distinguished as a judicious counsellor, and was rap- 
idly promoted to offices of trust and responsibility. 

In 1761, he became a resident of New Haven, of which 
town he was soon appointed a justice of the peace, and often 
represented it in the colonial assembly. In 1765, he was 
appointed a judge of the court of common pleas, and about 
the same time, treasurer of Yale College, which institution 
bestowed upon him the honorary degree of Master of Arts. 
In 1766, he was elected by the freemen of the colony a 
member of the upper house, or an assistant. In the same 
year, he was appointed judge of the superior court. He was 
continued in the office of assistant, until 1785, and judge, 
until 1789, when he resigned on bemg elected to congress 
under the federal constitution. Of the celebrated congress 
of 1774, he was a conspicuous member. He was present at 
the opening of the session, and continued a member of that 
body for nineteen years, till his death. In 1776, he received 
the most flattering testimony of the high estimation in which 
he was held by congress, in being associated with Adams, Jef- 



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COLONY OF HEW BAVBN. 148 

feraoD, FraDkiin, and Livingstoiif in the responsible duty of 
preparing, the declaration of independence. Mr. Sfaemnan 
was highly esteemed in Connecticut ; he belonged to the gov- 
ernor's council of safety, and from 1784 till his death, he 
was mayor of the city of New Haven. In 1783, he was ap- 
pointed, with the Hon. Richard Law, to revise and digest the 
statutes of the state, which was a laborious task. In that 
assemblage of patriots who formed the federal constitution, in 
1787, Mr. Sherman was conspicuous, and he contributed 
much to the perfection of that instrun)ent, under which the 
people of ^ United States have thus hr enjoyed unexampled 
civil liberty and political prosperity. For the four last years 
of liis life, he was a member of the United States senate. He 
died July 23d, 1793, aged 73. 

The ancestor of the other mentioned signer of the decla- 
ration, who wEis from Miiford, was Mr. Thomas Clark, son of 
Thomas, and grandson of George Clark, Sen. He was edu- 
cated at Harvard College, and graduated about 1670. A 
number of people from Miiford about this time settling in New 
Jersey, he went with others, and located himself in Elizabeth- 
town. Abraham Clark, Esq., was his grandson, and the only 
son of Thomas Clark, Jun. He was born February 15th, 
1726. He was often a member of the state legislature, and 
frequently represented New Jersey in the national councils. 
In whatever capacity he acted, he obtained the respect and 
admiration of the community, by his punctuality, integrity, and 
perseverance. He died in the autumn of 1794, (by a stroke 
of the sun, which ended his life in two hours,) aged 89. He 
was buried in the church-yard in Rahway. 

Capt. Samuel Eells, Esq., and his son, Col: Samuel Eells, 
were men of importance in the cobny. Samuel Eells, Sen., 
was an attorney, and a justice of the qu<M^im, in 1687, and an 
assistant in 1709. He died in 1725. His eldest son, Col. 
Samuel Eells, was born September 2d, 1676. He was edu- 
cated a lawyer. It appears by the records, that he Was a 
justice of the peace, in 1705, chief judge of the county court, 
from 1730 to '37, and an assistant from 1733 till near the 
time he died. He was a distinguished military officer, and 
took an active part in all the colonial wars of the day. He 
died in 1743, and lefl a number of children. 

Col.^ Roger Newton was a very eminent man in Miiford. 
He was son of Capt« Samuel Newton, and grandson of the 



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144 mSTOBT OF THB 

minister. He was bora in 1684, and educated at Harvard 
College. He distinguished himself as a military officer ia 
** Queen Ann's war," in the expeditions of 1709 and '10. He 
was then a captain. At the capture of Louisbui^, Nova Scotia, 
he performed important services, and had the command of the 
Connecticut troops. For many years he was colonel of the 
second regiment of militia, — was a judge of the County court 
in 1730, and chief judge from 1737 till his death. In 1736, he 
was chosen an assistant, and was continued in the office during 
life. He married Susannah Bryan, April 10th, 1712, by 
whom he had three children, viz. : Roger, Susannah, and 
Mary. He died January 15th, 1771, aged 87. 

Gideon Buckingham, Esq., was another useful man in the 
town and colony. He was born June 22d, 1744. He grad- 
uated at Yale College in 1665. He was many times chosen 
representative to the assembly, was thirty-four years town 
clerk, and twenty-five years one of the justices of quorum for 
New Haven county. He died December 8th, 1809. 

Besides these, the town has produced many other useful and 
eminent men, of whom the limits of this work will not admit a 
notice. About a hundred persons of the town have received 
collegiate educations, ten of whom, before 1700, were gradu- 
ates of Harvard College, the others of Yale. More than thirty 
of these have been preachers most of whom settled in New 
England. (A list of these may be found in Book of Extracts, 
page 72.) 

The regicides, Whalley and Goffe, Uved in the town from 
the 20th of August, 1661, for more than two years, till they 
went to Hadley. They were secreted by Mr. Tomkins, in 
the basement story of a shop standing near his dwelling, on 
house lot No. 15. {See map.) It is related, that Tomkins' 
daughters often spun in the shop, and sometimes would sing 
some poetry, which was composed about that time, concerning 
the martyrdom of King Charles I., (in which they were men- 
tioned,) which much amused the judges. The girls were 
unacquainted with their concealment. 

The geological features of Milford are not very bold or 
striking. The township is principally of the secondary for- 
mation, and the soil is generally good and productive, and 
might be made much more so — there being no mountains, 
or very high hills, or much broken land, in the town. 

There is a quarry of beautiful serpentine marble in the eaet 



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COLCMfT OF NBW HAVBlf • 145 

part of tbe township, which was wrought to a considerable 
extent, about twenty years since, by a company entitled the 
Milford Marble Company ; but it is now neglected. It is 
hoped, however, the working of it will be resumed — a newcom- 
pany having been formed for that purpose. The quarry was 
first discovered in 1811, by a student of Yale College, Mr. 
Solomon Baldwin, of Huntington. The predominant color of 
this marble is gray, or bluish gray, richly variegated with veins 
or clouds of white, green, or black. Some specimens are 
clouded with yellow, or orange ; in others, the prevailing cok)r 
is green, with black clouds of chromate and magnetic oxide 
of iron. Where this marble contains the green colors, it be- 
longs to tlie variety denominated the verd antique. There 
are four chimney pieces of this marble in the United States 
capiiol at Washington, which cost from $300 to $500. 

In the north part of the town, good lime stone abounds, and 
near Poconoc point is a locality of chlorite slate, which merits 
an examination, from the probability that it would work into 
tiles for roofing. A micaceous gneiss occurs at Washington 
bridge, which is suitable for flagging stone. A greenish slate 
rock prevails in the town, which makes, when quarried, very 
good foundation stone for building. 

There are some alluvial tracts of considerable extent, as the 
Great meadows. New meadow, on the Housatonnuc, Fresh' 
meadow, Indian river meadows, and others, which are smaller. 
These are all nearly of a water level, and doubtless in ancient 
times they were submerged. The soil is a deep vegetable 
deposite, in which trees are found imbedded. Doubtless, by 
proper drainbg, these tracts might be made valuable for agri* 
cultural purposes, and highly productive. The largest swampa 
in the town are Dreadful swamp. Great swamp. Old Field 
swamp, and Mohawk swamp. There are no considerable 
ponds ; previous to the settlement of the English, the beavers 
had made one, covering a number of acres of meadow, by 
making a dam across the stream, now known by the name of 
Beaver river. Here was a large settlement of these animals, 
which the Indians fostered with considerable care, killing only 
occasionally the older ones. In 1647, the town granted half 
of this meadow to Richard Baldwin and Thomas Tibbals, on 
condition that they should drain it. 

The rivers in this town are small The Wepowage, the 
largest, takes its rise in Woodbridge, about twelve miles from 
its mouth, and runs through the center of the town. It fur- 
13 



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146 HI8T0&Y OF TEB 

nishes a number of good mill seats. The Indian river rises 
in the southeast comer of Woodbridge, and empties into the 
Sound at the Gulf, at a junction with the Wepowage. The 
others are the Beaver river, which originates mostly from a 
remarkable fountain, (in Newfield,) west of the town, and emp- 
ties into the Housatonnuc, a mile from its mouth; the West 
End brook, which empties into the harbor, and Stubby Plain 
brook, which empties into Indian river, near Great Bridge. 

The Housatonnuc, the second river in size in CJonneclicut, 
empties into Long Island Sound, betweeen Milford and Strat- 
ford, the line between these towns being the middle of the 
river. Shad have been caught in abundance in this river 
ever since the settlement of the English. There are at pres- 
ent on the Milford side of the river, and belonging to the town, 
as many as fourteen seines. The fishing places are the pro- 
perty of individuals, and are some years very profitable to the 
owners. From ten to twelve thousand have been caught in 
a day, at one place. The season for taking these fish is in 
April, May, and June, when they enter the river to deposite 
their spawn. 

At the mouth of the Flousatonnuc river, is Poconoc, or 
Milford Point, which is the southwest extremity of the town. 
It is three fourths of a mile in length from the upland, and was 
formed and is preserved by the opposite action of the waters 
of Long Island Sound, and of the river. In the cpve, the river 
side of this point, oysters are annually taken in large quanti- 
ties. It has been estimated, that some years five or six 
thousand bushels have been carried away ; but for the last 
few years, they have not been as plenty as they were former- 
ly. The town annually pass a bye-law, to prevent their being 
taken only in the winter season. The first oyster act recorded, 
was laid in 1764. The forfeiture was £1, lawful money, for 
catching any oysters from April to September. About that 
time the business of catching oysters for sale appears to have 
commenced, there beginning then to be some call for them 
fix>m the country. Previous to that, it is said, they were so 
plenty, that a person could load a two yoke team in a tide. 
The farmers would generally go in November, two or three 
days, and carry home and put in their cellars as many as 
they would want during the winter. 

On the beach is a street containing about twenty-five huts^ 
which are occupied by persons engaged in the clam and 
oyster business. From sixty to seventy-five individuals re- 



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COLOHT OF NEW HAVEN. 147 

side in them during the winter months, and four or five men 
are located there, with their families. These habitations are 
fix>m fifteen to twenty feet square, are covered on the outside 
with sea- weed, and have a novel appearance, but they are 
warm and comfortable within. The lower part of the point 
road was laid out ^ to the Oyster Banks," in 1752, (Town Re- 
cords, Lib. 13, page 144^ The Point House, as already 
stated, is kept by Benajah Thomson, Esq. The small island 
lying inside the point, is called Duck Island ; another between 
that and Washmgton Bridge, now known by the name of 
Nell's Island, was formerly called Fowler's Island. The 
island lying against Wheeler's farm was Wooster's Island. 

Milford Island lies in the Sound, about three fourths of a 
mile from the shore, and contains about twelve acres of land. 
It was called Poquahaug, by the Indians, and was a favorite 
summer resort for those people. Ansantaway, the sachem, 
had a ^big wigwam" upon it for his accommodation. After 
the settlement of the English, it was laid out to George Hub- 
bard, toward his share of a division of land. When he removed 
from the town, he sold it to Richard Bryan. At a town 
meetiDg, held on the 17th of March, 1657, Charles Deal, to« 
bacco planter, was granted liberty to purchase and enjoy the 
island for a tobacco plantation, provided be use the buildings 
£bT no other use than a tobacco house, and that he do not trade 
with the Dutch or Indians, or suffer any disorderly resort of 
seamen or others there. In 1835, it was purchased by John 
Harris, Esq., of New York, who erected a seat and fitted it 
up for a summer residence. Between the island and shore is 
a bar, which is bare half of the time. Grood clams grow on 
this bar.* 



* Connected with this island is the following legend : It being 
said that the notorious Kidd buried naoney on the south side of it, 
beside a rock, two or three persons went privately, on a moon light 
night, to dig for it. After much preparatory ceremony, such as 
drawing a circle round the rock, and reciting some words of incant- 
ation, they began to dig, and so far succeeded as to hit the lid of the 
iron boiT, when looking up into the air, they saw coming down di- 
rect upon them " the figure of a man without a head." Thev dropped 
their spades, and run as most others would have done, and escaped. 
Looking toward the spot they saw it enveloped in smoke and 
blue flame. Returning to the island the next day, their spades 
had disappeared, they found the ground smooth, and no tra- 
ces left of its having been dug. This and the Hog Rock legend, 
probably desei ve the same degree of credit as the New Haven phan- 



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148 mSTOBT Of THE 

The harbor of the town is not deep. It has been gradually 
fiUing up since the first settlement, al which time there was 
water enough to admit a lai^ sea brig up to Fowler's ntills. 
It k said, cattle were shipped for the West Indies from ofT the 
rocks by the said mills. Below Town' Wharf, there is now 
only five feet of water in the channel at full tide. A break- 
water has been proposed to be built from Indian point towards 
the island, by which would be formed a most capacious, safe, 
and commodious harbor. It was estimated by a United 
States engineer, that such a break- water or mole as would be 
required, might be constructed for $550,000. Should con- 
gress make an apprdpriation for this object, it would be money 
expended for general public utility. Such a harbor is very 
much needed at this place, for coasting vessels passing up and 
down the Sound ; and it would be the best situated of any in 
the state, for commerce. It would at all times be easy of 
access, and there would always be a sufficient depth of water 
for the largest ships. If such a break- water should ever be 
constructed, a city would be built on the Indian and Grulf 
Necks,* the best ground for building lots which there is in the 
town. The place could have a good share of country trade, 
as a rail-road might be constructed from Indian Point to in. 
tersect the Housatonnuc rail-road, and the already projected 
rail-road from New Haven to New York would pass through 
it. Should these necks be laid out into building lots, and wide 
roads opened and set out on the sides with forest trees, (wheth- 
er the pier is ever buiU or not,) it would be a profitable con- 
cern for the land holders, as there is little doubt but they would 
gradually be bought and built upon. 

There are two small villages in this town, each about three 
miles from the center, viz. : Burwell's Farm and Wheeler's 
Farm. Burwell's Farm i? the east corner of the township, 
and is pleasantly situated on the Sound. It received its nanie 
from Samuel and Nathan Burwell, sons of Lieut. Samuel 
Burwell, and grandsons of John BurwelU one of the first 



torn ship. There is a tradition, that Kidd also buried money beside 
a rock on Welch's point. Admitting that he deposited his ill-gotten 
treasures, to use Humphrey's words, " at Nantucket, Cape Cod, and 
all along shore," this perhaps maybe true. There is good evidence 
that Kidd landed at Milford, two or three times, and came up 
openly into^he town. 

♦ The Gulf Neck is where the town should have been built, it 
being a most beautiful location for a town. 



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COLONY OF NEW HAVEN. 



planters, who owned large tracts of land in that section of the 
town, and were the first who settled there, which was about 
1690, Many of their posterity reside there at present. The 
town farm, or alms house, is in Bur well's Farm. Tiie land 
it embraces was originally "laid out to widow Mary Pkim, 
widow of Robert Plum, for 23 acres. A liiffhway, four rods 
vvide, was run through it." It was bought by the town, in 
_ J24, and cost, adding expense of repairing the hous(% and 
erecting a new barn, <V-., about $1000. It is kept at present 
by Thomas Burwell, Esq. He hires the place for a stated 
sum annually, and the town pay him a certain sum per week 
for boarding each person supported by the town. The in- 
mates of the house are not all made as comfortable as they 
might be. Owing to an ill-judged economy on the part of 
the town, one poor, deranged man, Elisha Sundford, is kept 
in a cage in the barn, and in the coldest weather in winter, 
without any artificial heat. 

Wheeler's Farm is the northwest corner of the township, 
and received its name from Josepli Wheeler, who settled there 
f05. Previous to this time it was called the Upper 
meadow, or Serg. Camp's hop garden, from the raising hops 
on the alluvial land by tiie river. Some of the wealthiest 
farmers of the town reside in this village. 

The inhabitants of Milford are mostly farmers, and retain 
in an eminent degree the manners of tlie primitive settlers. 
It being difficult to change long established habits,* they are 
not celebrated for keeping pace with the improvements of the 
^■e. But they liave many commendable qualities ; they are 
industrious and economical, and arc uniformly friendly and 
obliging. But it is too true for any one to take it ill if it 
should be remarked, that the Quaker woman's sermon is not 



In illustration of this, the following' fact is^iven: A man trorn 
Litchfield county came into the town, and hired out to a wealthy 
farmer during the summer months. In drivini,' home a load of 
^rain and ^oing through a u:ap, one wheel of ihe cart went over a 
rock 1-2 or 14 inches in height, which threw olf a few sheaves of the 
load; upon which he proposed to the farmer, who was near by, to 
let hira di^' out the stone, as soon as they liad unloaded the .^^fain. 
The farmer gave him no definite answer at the time ; after the load 
was dispu.ved of, he aj^'ain told the farmer, that ihey had belter ^o 
and dig unl that stone. Well, said the fanner, Til think of it ; and 
after consitiering- it a few minutes, he told the man, that his father 

'""'-' ' " ''^'■* - ck, and he must do the same, and so 

lovinff it. 



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HISTORY OP THE 



heeded by them as it should be, viz. : " It would be wt.ll 
every one would mind tlieir own business^ and let other 
alone.'^ 

The number of inhabitants in the town when the last cc 
sus was taken, was 2*250, and by the year 1840, they w 
probably have increased to about 3000, the number at ili 
time, is;]?, being ■-i'^OO. There are at present in the Ujw 
400 houses, 4 !^o"free holders, and 525 electors. The lov 
was made a nrobate district in 1832, 



400 houses, 480 freeholders, and 525 ek 
was made a probate district in 1832, 

Milford has sent out many colonists tow? 
of other towns, wliich will be mentioned ii] 
time of settlement. In May, 1(366, Robe: 
this town, and Mr. William Swaim, of Un\ 
themselves and others oi^ Milford, Bran ford, 
Guilford, made a purchase of " the Indian i 
of a tract of land on iItc Passaic river, in Ni 



be settlement 
order of ll.c 



this town, and Mr. William Swaim, of Branford, in behalf u 
themselves and others oi^ Milford, Branford, New Haven, aiu 
Guilford, made a purchase of " the Indian native proprietors,' 
of a tract of land on iItc Passaic river, in Nevv Jersey, in ordu 
to form a settlement there.* A part of the first planters \m 
mediately removed, most of wliom were from Milford ant 
Branford. . On the 3Uth of October, 1606, the settlers adopt 
ed the law of ^cw Haven, which inhibited any person fron 
becoming a freeman, who was not a member of some Con 
gregational church, 

Mr, Abraham Pierson, from Branford, was the first minis 
ter. The cause of the removal of himself and congregation wil 
be given under the history of Branford, lie rcmoved [irevi 
ous to the first of October, 1067. The people of Newark 
at a town meeting, September 10, 1608, '* voted to allow Mr 
Pierson the ex[)enses of his removal, and digging his wrll 
and also JC80 for his services, from the 1st of October, 1007 
to the 1st of October, 1668," and stipulated to allow him ; 
salary of X80 a year, payable half yearly in produce, at tli< 
current price, from the 1st of October, 1608 ; and also to givt 
him a pound of butter for every milked cow in the town. 

It appears that Mr. Pierson, at this time, was advanced ii 
years, and stood in need of an assistant. July 28, 1669, tin 
town employed his son, Abraham Pierson, Jun,, wlio ^raJua 
ted at Harvard, in 1068, to assist his father in the ministiv 
On the 4ih of March, 1672, he was regularly settled as a cu! 
league with him, Mr. Pierson, Sen., gradually declined, so a 
not to be capable of much service after this period, and dic( 



* This purchase was made under a trrant from Governor Ni 
of New \ ork, dated Dec. 2, 1664. 



tOLONY OF NEW HAVEN. 



in 1680, at an advanced age. His son re ii mi nod at Newark 
intil the summer of 1692, wUan he removed to Connecticut, 
rujidt'd awhile in Milford, and, in 1694, settled inKeiinilworth. 
In 1701, he was chosen rector, or president, of tlie new col- 
k-L'c at Saybrook, wljich staliou he occn[»ied till fiis dcatli, io 
1. Afier Mr. Pierson graduated, and bci'ore he stttlcd in 
Newark, he resided for some months in Mil lord, and it is 
ihuuLiht pursued liis theological studies with Mr. Newton. 
Ilu m-irricd, while in MiKord, Abigail Clark, daughter of 
«;< orn[e Clark, farmer, and sister of Sarah, the mother of 
«iovernor Law. His son, Mr. John Pierson, settled as a 
miuister in Wood bridge, N. J., and from him arc descended 
I number of families of that name, in that part of New Jersey, 
riie original ancestor left other posterity, whose descendants 
u*e now in New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut. His 
laughter Abigail married Joiin Davenport, Jun. 

lie was succeeded in the ministry at Newark by Mr. John 
l*rudden,* ^m Jamaica, Long Island, but who was a native 



* Mr. Pnuiden was the second son of the first minister in Milford, 

»Miii November, 1615, and jjradiiaied ai Harvard Cullege, in UUj6. 
til' was a classmate of Mr. At»ra[i:im Pier.^on, jun. U]Hin the com- 
;»l<'tion of his iheolofrical studies he settled at Jamaiea, in 1(J70. On 
ifif 23d ul Ani^njst, UJil'2, the iubnbitants of Newark, ai a town mcet- 
II. IT. "agreed lo invite Mr. Pruddeu to become their minister, and 

t'ttle amoo? ihern/' and " votetl him 50/. a year, and iiis fue wood, 
' >r his eneo'jra^^enienl and the comfuriable subsistence of his family," 
;ind also that iie .sh(tnld have and hold .suoli a propriety in the town 
;i^ should be airreed upon between liim and the committee appointed 
'o e.tnfer with him. His acceptance of the invitation and oner w'**' 
jcporled to the town the same day. Mr. Prudden continued luc 
jiunister of Newark until June 9, KJW, when, for some cause or 

N'hcr not now known, he relinquished his charife. He continued 
'■► reside in the town, and seems to have enjcyed the esteem and 

nntidcnce of the people. It appears from the records of the town, 

fiat when a vacancy in the ministry occur red, he was appointed 
'In- of the eommitte to procure another minister, and that he was 
.n uvely engaged in the heltlemenl of two who successively sueceed- 

d liim; and that he was uniformly employed to supply 'the pulpit 
u the intervals. 
Mr. Prudden possessed lar?e property, which enabled him to live 

n his own means. He died December 11, H'^a, aged 8() years. 
lli> descendants are numerous. They chiefly reside in ft^orris 
■.iuiity, IV, J., and are generally very reputable. The Pruddens in 
\rw Jersey shared half of ih'e interest money received from the 
iVndden estate in England. [The share belonging to the Milford 
(•ranch of the family, about sixty years ago was illegally leased to a 
jicniber of the New Jersey family, and might probably yet be 
recovered.] 



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HISTORY OF THE 



of Mi! tore]. Upon liis settlement in Newark the town recti vr 
anotluT larfTC accession of people from Milford. The (l 
scenJanl.s oV Milford people* in New Jersey are now very m 
merous. The county of Essex, in which Newark is siluaic 
was named by the scttkrs of the place who were from Mill'oi 
they or tlieir' fathers being niositly from the county of Esse 
Enjrland. 

The town of Greenwicit, Fairfield county, about 106*^, up./ 
the setllciiiciit of Mr. JercmiuFi Peck in the ministry in ih: 
plare, received a larue nun»ber of settlers from Milford. 

Tht'town of New Milforu, in Litchfield coiany, w:i3 pu. 
chased and settled by Milford {>eople. 

At a town meeting of Miirnrd, he-Id January 1, 1701-2, il u; 
votfd lu purchase land at ^Vianlhiuqiie, of the //r^/Z/tc/f, ami ifai; 
fiffuiLii not present have a mind to come in fur a share, ih. 
have liberty lu do so, and if euiy present have a mind to excmi 
hiniM'lt from a share, he likewise has liberiy to do >o. A euiuini 
ivc wa- Uien chosen, cuiv>i>iirir; e»fCVil. Robert Treat, Kn>i?nCJeur: 
Clark, Kn>i;,ni Juseph Trvat, Air. Thunuis Clark, Eiisiiiu Jn>q 
IV.k, Ser-. Jonalhan Bakiwin, and Sen?, Timoihv BaMwiii, 
gain or purchase land at Wiamiuoque, tulreat with the Imliaii 
and to secure the tovvn'b intercr^^l there to the best of liieir >kill. 

A company was formed in June, 1702, of those person 
who liad a desire to purchase land at Wiantinoque, consistin 
of ^0 individuals. 

The committee made the purchase of the governor air 
company, and received a patent of the tract, which Is tlati 
in the second year of Queen Ann, 1703, and 'signed by Joli 
Wintliroi). rhe purchase of Wiantinoquo was made'hv ti, 
conunittee, of the Indians, and a deed received from them oi 
the sth of hebriiary, 1702-3. The consideration ibr ih 
tract was XGO current money, and i:20 in goods, at mone 
price. It was bounded, in the deed,* easterk bv Woudbtn , 
and a parallell line running north into the country, wester 
with the mountains northw-csterly whh Wemesea^, a sn.a 
brook runnmg into tire Housaionnuc, and from the head .. 
tne bn,ok by a l^.o runmnc^ easterly till it comes to the abo^ 
said i>ara!le line, wuh Danbury line on the southwest, air 
Muodbury '^k^ southeast In thi, ,,,,., ,^^^ j^^j,^,^„^, ^^^^^,, 

heu' plantmg lie d on the west side, of the river, nirain<t tl. 
tovu and the light of U^,,, ^^ ^^^^ ^^ ^^^^ 



llccurded in Milfurd Record: 



', Lib. 3, pat,'e 135. 



COLONT OF NKW HAYBIf. 



15d 



^Khepauo, his 


-COP- 


mark. 


Wewwapowk, his 


tf^ 


mark. 


Chasodeneaq, his 




» mark. 


IWoMPOTOO, his 


^_y^ 


mark. 


TowEcoBOfl, his 


^ 


mark. 


YoNcoMis, his 


\ ■ ^ 


mark. 




A, A, Indian forts ; B, a line representing Housatonnuc river ; 
C, Indian planting field ; D, Indian reservation for fishing at the 
falls. 

The above is a reduced copy of a map, or sketch, of Wi- 
aDtinoque, as drawn by the Indians. 

After the town was settled, an additional purchase was 
made by the inhabitants, which forms the north part of the 
town, and was called the north purchase. This was in 1722. 

The first settlement made by the English in the town, was 
in the year 1707. The original purchasers and proprietors were 
109 in number, mostly from Milford ;* 99 of whom were pur- 
chasers of whole rights, and 10 of half rights. Twenty-four 
shillings was the purchase of a whole, and twelve shillings of a 
half right. No individual had originally more than one right. 
The first division of land was granted ui Dec., 1706, and was 
a home lot of 7 J acres, and 10 acres for a pasture. The 
second division was in May, 1712, of two lots, of 40 acres 
each, on a right. Ten other divisions were granted before 
1760. 

The town plot, or center, was first laid on the hill next east 
of the present center, whence that hill is to this day called 
Town HilL Afterwards it was concluded to remove the cen- 
ter to the top of the hill next north of the present center, for 
which Mr. Daniel Bpardman,! the first minister, built and 



♦ The list of the first settlers is in Mr. Griswold's sermon, which 
was entered on New Milford Town Records, in 1701. 
t Prom Wetheisfield. 



yGoogk 



154 HISTORY OF THE 

lived on that hill. But ultimately it was thought more con^ 
veoient to place the center where it now is. 

The first settlers of the town saw troublesome times. It 
was common for them to carry their fire-arms into the field to 
labor ; and were obliged to provide a fortified house to resor^^l 
to in times of danger; and they were sometimes reduced '| 
distress, through the failure of provisions, and the difficulty ol 
supplying themselves. i 

At the time of the settlement, a considerable number of nalj 
lives lived in the town, of whom there were reckoned aboufi 
200 warriors. They dwelt chiefly along the intervale, by the 
side of the river. Several of their burying-grounds are to be 
seen in various parts of the town. Then: graves are of a 
conical form, and the persons were buried in a sitting posture- 
One of their burying places is on the west side of the river, 
opposite to, and in sight of the town, on the bluff, bounding 
the Indian field, so cdled, and contiguous to Fort Hill, the site 
of the last Indian fortress, known to have been in the town. 

For some time afler the white people settled there, an In- 
dian chie^ or sachem, named Werauhamaug^ had a palace 
standing near the great fall, where he resided. On the inside 
of it were pictured all sorts of animals. A considerable part 
of the parish of New Preston, now a part of Washington, was 
reserved for his hunting ground, which to the present is called 
Raumaug, It has been said, that all the tribes along by the 
. Housatonnuc, from its source to the sea, were in strict alli- 
ance and friendship ; and that by means of certain sounds 
made on the guarding heights, an alarm might be spread, in the 
space of three hours, through the whole line of tribes, a dis- 
tance of nearly 200 miles. The oppression of the Mohawks i 
probably had a tendency to keep them in alliance. Many of 
the New Milford Indians went off to Pennsylvania, with the 
Moravian missionaries, but most of them returned, and, join, 
ing with other tribes, eventually located themselves at Scati- 
cook, in the present town of Keut. At this time but a very 
few of their descendants are remaining. 

The first bridge built over the Housatonnuc river, from the 
sea to its source, was built in this town, and was finished in 
1737. The first school set up in the town, was in 1721 ; it 
was to be kept four months in the year, and the town to pay 
half of the expense. At this time there are 22 school districts 
in the town, and about 700 children attend school in them 
some part of the year. There are 9 meeting houses in the 



yGoogk 



COLONT OF NEW HAVEN. 155 

towD, 2 Congregational, 2 Episcopal, 2 Baptist, 2 Methodist, 
and 1 for Friends, or Quakers. In the village of New Mil- 
ford there are about 60 houses, and 5 mercantile stores. It 
is the southwest town in Litchfield county, situated 86 mUes 
'irthwest from New Haven, and 48 from Hartford. 
Newtown, in Fairfield county, received a large part of its 
early settlers from Mil ford. The Indian name of the place 
•as PoiatucL The Potatuck Indians being frequently at 
lilford, a company of about 25 persons, in 1707, bought of 
them a large tract of land. The next year the general as- 
sembly made a grant of the tract, and incorporated it as a 
town, by the name of Newtown. The purchase, as appears 
by Milford Records, was laid out into 25 rights, or shares. 
The center was laid out on the southern termination of a ridge 
of elevated land. 

The principal seat of the Indians in the town, appears to have 
been at the mouth of the Potatuck, a mill stream which enters 
the Housatonnnc. At the settlement of the place, Mowehue, 
the sachem, with his Indians, removed to New Milford. About 
1728, he built a hunting house at Scaticook, in the north- 
west part of Kent, on the west bank of the Housatonnuc 
river. He invited the Indians at New Milford, from the Ob- 
long in the province of New York, and from various other 
places, to settle with him at Scaticook, and it appears he was 
a man of so much art and popularity, among the Indians, that 
in about ten or eleven years, about the time when Kent was 
settled, he could muster an hundred warriors. The whole 
number probably was between 5 and 600. The Scaticook 
tribe in the revolutionary war furnished one hundred soldiers, 
or warriors. This tribe, like all other Indians in Connecticut, 
have nearly all disappeared. 

The borough of Newtown, as already observed, is situated 
on a hill, which descends to the south. Just above the de- 
scent is a broad and level street, about 80 rods in extent. 
On this street the borough is principally built, which consists 
of about 50 dwelling houses, 3 churches, 1 Congregational, 1 
Episcopal, 1 Methodist, and 4 mercantile stores. The place 
is 10 miles from Danbury, 25 from New Haven, and 22 from 
Fairfield. 

The town of Durham, in Middlesex ^county, received from 
Milford a large proportion of its first settlers. The Indian 
name of the place was Cochinchaug. As early as 1698, some 
people of Guilford, 31 m number, petitioned the ge^end as* 



yGoogk 



156 HISTORY OF THE 

sembly, that there might be a plantation at Cocbinchaug, 
which was granted. Very few of the petitioners, however, 
left Guilford, and no plantation was then formed. The set- 
tlement of the place being encouraged by the general assembly, 
. about 1705, people from various places began to move in, and 
in 1708, it was invested with town privileges, by the name of 
Durham. It was about this time that the Milford people 
moved in. 

The principal settlement was made on the road running 
north and south, on ground moderately elevated, bounded on 
the east by a considerable range of hills, on the west with a large 
tract of low land, and then a tract of higher land, and extend- 
ing to Wallingford mountains. The tract of low land lying 
westward of the village, was called Cochinchaug^ or the Long 
Swampy and from this the name was applied to the township. 

This is now mostly cleared, and yields a large quantity of 
coarse grass. The central part of Durham is 20 miles south 
of Hartford, and 18 northeast from New Haven. 

Many Milford people, in early times, settled in Wallingford, 
Cheshire, Farmington, Washington, Woodbury, Norwalk, and 
Ridgefield, in this state, and in Williamstown, Mass., and most 
of the first settlers of Talmadge, Ohio, were from Milford. 

The township of Derby once belonged to Milford. " The 
original name of the place was Paugusset. It appears, that 
about 1653, Governor Goodyear and others made a purchase 
of a considerable tract there. The next year some few set- 
tlers located tliere, and, in 1655, they petitioned the general 
court of New Haven, to be made into a distinct town. The 
court granted their petition, and gave them liberty to purchase 
lands sufficient for a township. At the next court, the Mil- 
ford people, lieaded by Mr. Prudden, made such strong re- 
monstrances against the act, that the court decreed, that the 
people at Paugusset should continue as they had been, under 
the town of Milford, unless the parties should come to an 
agreement respecting the incorporation of the inhabitants into 
a distinct township. In 1657, it was agreed between the par- 
ties, and ratified by the general court : ^^ 1st, that Paugusset 
people might purchase land ; 2d, that they should bear equal 
share of men for the pubfic defense ; Sd, that they should be 
free from watching in .Milford, but should pay the jurisdiction 
watch,* and also their proportion of magistrate and meeting 

* The tax laid on those who did not watch in person. 



yGoogk 



COLONY OF NSW HAVEN. 157 

house charge,* and the bounty for killing wolves and foxes." 
In 1657 and 1659, purchase was made of the lands of the 
chief sagamores, Wetanamoe and Raskenoot. This purchase 
was afterwards confirmed by Okenuck, the chief sachem. 
Some of the first planters were Edward Wooster, Edward 
Riggs, Richard Baldwin, Samuel Hopkins, Thomas Langdon, 
andFrancis French. In October, 1675, the planters renewed 
their application for town privileges. They represented, that 
they then consisted of twelve families, and that eleven more 
were about nK)ving into the plantation ; they had procured a 
minister, built him a house, and made provision for the sup- 
port of the ministry. Upon these representations the assembly 
made them a town, by the name of Derby. The bounds be- 
tween Milford and Derby were laid, in 1680, and about that 
time all differences appear to have been amicably settled. 

Derby village now consists of about 50 dwelling houses, 5 
mercantile stores, and a number of mechanic shops. The 
buildings are mostly situated on three short streets, running 
parallel with the river, and on the side of a high hill, which 
from its summit descends with considerable abruptness to the 
water, and* of course the easternmost street is considerably 
elevated above the others. There are two churches in the 
village, one Congregational, the other Episcopal. Hum- 
phreysville, which owes its origin to Hon. David Humphreys, 
IS in the north part of Derby. It was formerly known by the 
name of Chusetown, so called from Chuse, the last sachem of 
the Derby Indians. His proper name was Joe Mauwee. He 
obtained the name of Chuse from his method of pronoun, 
cing the word choose, which he much used. Chuse and all 
his Indians removed to Scaticook (Kent) about 1785. 

A large p*t of Woodbridge formerly belonged to Milford. 
It was originally two parishes, called Amity and Bethany. 
The west side of them belonged to Milford, and the east side 
to New Haven. The first mentioned was constituted a par- 
ish in 1739, over which Mr. Benjamin Woodbridge was or- 
dained in 1742. Bethany was not made a parish till some 
years after. The people of these parishes attended the town 
meetings of Milfoixl, and their proportion of the town tax was 
expended for their benefit. In 1746, the town granted to Jo- 
seph Northrop and others, of Amity, £30, out of the town 
treasury, for building a school-house. A similar grant was 

* Or the tax for the support of goyeinment and preaching. 
14 



yGoogk 



158 msTOSY OF Tm 

made to Bethany in 1759. About 1780, these parishes resolved 
to petition the assembly to be incorporated into a town, and 
Milford, a number of times successively, at their town meet- 
ings, appointed committees to oppose their petition. But in 
1784, their petition was granted, and the general ass^nbly 
incorporated them into a town, by the name of Woodbridge, 
80 called in honor of the minister of Amity. In 1784, Mil- 
ford appointed a committee " to settle all affiiirs with Wood- 
bridge, and to make a division of the town stock." Bethany 
was set off a separate town from Woodbridge in 1832. 

A part of Orange, North Milford parish, originally be- 
longed to Milford. Orange was incorporated by the general 
assembly holden at New Haven in May, 1822, and was 
formed by the union of North Milford parish and West Haven, 
a parish of New Haven. The first town meeting was holden 
at the meeting-house in the parish of North MiUbrd, on the 
second Monday in June, of which meeting Charles H. Pond, 
Esq., of Milford, was previously appointed nrK>derator by the 
legislature. ^ At this meeting, Benjamin L. Lambert was ap- 
pointed town clerk. 

The committee appointed by the two parishes to obtain the 
act of incorporation for a town, after having a variety of 
names under consideration, finally adopted that of Orange^ in 
commemoration of the benefits received from William, Prince 
of Orange, by Ck)nnecticut, when a colonv, particularly in the 
restoration of their charter privileges, after the tyranny and 
usurpation of Sir Edmund Andross. 

The land of the North Milford part of the town was sur- 
veyed and laid out in 1687, but was not settled till forty years 
afterwards. Richard Bryan, Jr., was the first who settled in 
that part of the town, and for many years it was called Bry- 
an's Farm. At a town meeting held on the 10th of Decem- 
ber, 1750, it was " voted, that money should be appropriated 
to the inhabitants of Bryants Farm, for the purpose of setting 
up a school in winter, it being scrwell settled that one is 
deemed necessary." 

The inhabitants of North Milford attended meeting in Mil- 
ford until 1805. They were incorporated into a society by 
the general assembly, at their session in October, 1804. The 
church was organized on Wednesday, March 18, 1805. Their 
first pastor, Erastus Scranton, A. M., a native of Madison, 
-was ordained July 4, 1805. He preached with them for about 
twenty.five years, when he asked for a dismission, and remo- 



yGoogk 



COLONT OF NBW HAVEN. 159 

ved to Burlington. While he remained with them, the society 
greatly prospered. The inhahitants of this parish, fourteen 
years before this, erected a meeting-house, 36 feet by 30, on 
the green, where they had preaching in the winter season, hy 
the ah6mate labors of the ministers of M ilford. The present 
meeting-house of this society was raised June 27, 1810, and 
dedicated April 17, 1811. The burying-ground, containing 
half an acre^was laid out in 1804. 

The central part of West Haven parish is three and a half 
miles from the state-house in New Haven. The first clergy- 
man in this parish was the Rev. Dr. Samuel Johnson, who was 
ordained in 1720. " In October, 1722, he professed himself an 
Episcopalian, and left his people. He was missionary in Strat- 
ford many years, and afterwards president of New York col- 
lege." Mr. Jonathan Arnold was the second minister at West 
Haven, and was ordained in 1725 or '26. About the year 
1734, he declared for Episcopacy. Having officiated as mis- 
sionary at Derby and West Haven three or four years, he 
removed to Staten Island. Mr. Timothy Allyn was the third 
minister : he was ordained in 1738, and dismissed in 1742. 
The next pastor, Mr. Nathan Birdseye, was ordained in 1742. 
He was succeeded by Mr. Noah Williston, the fifth pastor, 
who was ordained in 1760. 

West Haven Green, the spot on which the Congregational 
meeting-house and Episcopal church are situated, is said for- 
merly to have been marshy ground, and covered with alder- 
bushes. It is now uncommonly pleasant in its appearance ; 
and, although the churches have an antiquated aspect, there 
is an air of neatness and still retu*ement about this place, that 
is seldom equaled. 

About a mile south of the green, is Savin Rocky a place of 
some resort during the warm season of the year. It was at 
this place the British forces landed, when they invaded New 
Haven, in July, 1779. Adjutant Campbell was killed about 
one mile and a half north of the church. He was possessed 
of an uncommonly fine personal appearance, and his death 
was much regretted by the British ; but in the hurry and con- 
fusion of war, he was left behind, and was buried near the 
spot where he fell. In this parish, about twenty years ago, 
a deposit of galena and silver was found on land (now owned 
by Mr. John Lambert) lying on the old country road. It was 
discovered by David Lambert, Esq., the father of the pi^esent 
owner, by digging in a fox-burrow. He obtained a consider- 
able quantity of ore, but having a large farm which required 



yGoogk 



160 BISTOET OF THE 

his attention, he did not long continue to work it. What was 
taken was a surface accumulation ; but before the digging was 
relinquished, a vein of the ore was traced into the adjoining 
rocks. Copper has lately been found in the same range of 
rocks, by the New York Mining Company. The ore raised 
is chiefly yeUow copper pyrites, associated with variegated 
copper, and faint arborizations of native copper. It is found 
in a quarts vein, near a foot in width, intersecting chlorite trap. 
Whether the vein leads to a bed of the ore, remains for future 
investigation to determine. Copper pyrites are found in simi- 
lar circumstances near ihe three mile gate, on the MDford 
turnpike. Asbestos is abundant in the serpentine rocks which 
abound in the southern section of the township. 



OITII.FORD. 



GmLFOED is situated on Long Island Sound, 16 miles east 
of New Haven, and 36 south from Hartford : bounded north 
by Durham, west by Branford, and east by Madison. The 
settlement of the town was commenced in 1639, by Mr. Henry 
Whitefieid* and congregation. They were a part of Messrs. 
Eaton and Hopkins' company, and came with them to New 
Haven, and abode there for more than a year after their arri- 
val. They were present at the agreement at Mr. Newman's 
barn, and many of them were signers of the articles. On 
that occasion it was agreed, that " The whole lands called 
Menuncatuck should be purchased for them and their heirs, 
and that they should settle a plantation there, in combinatioa 
with New Haven." Accordingly the purchase was made, 
and on the 29th of September, 1639,t articles of agreement 
were drawn to the following effect : " 1st. That the sachem 
squaw of Menuncatuck is the sole owner, possessor, and in- 
heritor of all the lands lying between Rutawoo and Agico- 
mock rivers : 2d. That the said sachem squaw, with the con- 
sent of the Indians there, inhabitants, (who are all, together 
with herself, to remove from thence,) cloth sell unto Henry 
Whitefieid, Robert KitcheD, William Leete, William Critten- 
______ ___^.^_________^.^__._^_^________^_— ________ I 

* Mr. Whitefieid was a celebrated minister from Oakley, in 
Surrey, England. 

t Oct. 10th, New Style, which day should be observed in 1839, as 
the era of the settlement. 



yGoogk 




*t 



Digitized by VjOOQIC 



THB W^W YOBK 



yGoogk 



coLomr or 5£W havbic. 



161 



den, John Bishop, and John Caffinge, in trust for the hody of 
planters, all the lands lying within the clforesaid limits of Ru- 
tawoo and Agicomock rivers.'' The dd article specifies the 
payment. Signed by the sachem squaw, *' her mark," Henry 
Whitefield, in the name of the rest. Witnesses — John Hig- 
ginson, Robert Newman. 

According to the agreement, the Indians shordy after left 
the place. The tradition is, that they removed to the west- 
ward, where Branford and East Haven now are. 

The planters made another purchase (some time after^ of 
Uncas, sachem of the Mohegan Indians, which consistea of 
the tract lying between Agicomock river and Tuxispaug, (a 
pond contiguous to the meeting-house in Madison,) from which 
it appears, that the East river was the western limit of Uncas' 
jurisdictbn. ^ The remaining part of the town, to Hammonas- 
sett river, Mr. Fenwick,of Saybrook, gave the town,oncoD. 
dition that they would accommodate Mr. Whitefield (who was 
his particular friend) with land in the town agreeable to his 
mind. There were some small purchases made of particular 
Indians, within the limits of the township, who claimed a right 
to particular parts. 

As soon as the first purchase was made, the planters, before 
winter, removed to New Haven, and settled on their lands ; 
and in remembrance of the country of their nativity, to which 
they were bound by ten thousand dear recollections, they 
called the town Gvitford, 

The names of all the first planters are not known. The 
first list of names recorded is as late as the year 1650. The 
forty^ix persons following are enrolled as first planters : 



Henry Whitefield, 
Samuel Desborougb, 
John Higeinson, 
William Leete. 
Robert Kitchell, 
William Crittenden, 
Thomas Jordan, 
George Hubbard, 
John Hoadley, 
Thomas Jones, 
William Dudley, 
Thomas Cook, 
Henry Kingsnoth, 
John Stone, 
William Hall, 
Richard — — , 
William Stone, 
14* 



Benjamin Wright, 
John Johnson, 
Samuel Blatchley, 
Stephen Bishop, 
William Boreman, 
George Highland, 
John Parmelin, Senr., 
Thomas Belts, 
Richard Guttridge, 
Richard Bristow, 
John Parmelin. Jr., 
Jasper Stillwell, 
George Bartlet, 
John Scranton, 
John Fowler, 
Rdward Benton, 
Abraham Cruttenden, 



yGoogk 



162 HISTORY OF THE 



John Evarts, 
John Bishop, Senr., 
Francis Bushnell, 
Henry Dowd, 
George Chatfield, 
John Stephens, 



John Bishop, Jr., 
John Sheder, 
Thomas French, 
Thomas Stephens, 

Edward , 

Abraham Cruttenden, Jr. 



It is evident that this list does not embrace all the original 
names : for instance, Mr. Caffinge, one of the committee wlio 
made the first purchase from the Indians, is not mentioned.* 
It is also evident that all of the list were not origmal purcha- 
sers. Hubbard and Fowler were two of the first planters of 
Milford. Hubbard, before he went to Milford, lived at Weth- 
ersfield. Highland Boreman, Benton, and Betts, were also 
from Wethersfield. 

It was agreed between the planters, " that all and every 
one should pay his proportionable part or share towards all 
the charges and expenses for purchasing, settling, surveying, 
and carrying on the necessary public affairs of the plantation, 
and that all divisions of the land should be made in exact pro- 
portion to the sums they advanced and expended." 

The lands were left in the hands of the six purchasers, ia 
trusty until such time as the church should be established, into 
whose hands they might commit the fee of the land, to be 
properly distributed and divided among the planters. They 
chose four of their principal planters, to whom they agreed 
to commit the full exercise of all civil power for administer- 
ing justice and preserving peace among the planters, whose 
power was to continue until the church appeared in form, 
when it was to end. As this was an affair of so much im- 
portance, their church was fully gathered as soon as practi- 
cable; and on the 19th of April, 1643, the records say that 
the feoffees in trust, formally in writing, resigned the lands 
purchased by them to the church, and those persons to whom 
the civil power had been entrusted, at the same time formally 
resigned their authority. It was not the design of the plant- 
ers thereby to make the church properly the owner of the fee ; 
but as they were a regular visible body, who had power to act 
and order, so the lands were entrusted with them for the plant- 
ers, who were tenants in common, according to their respect- 



* The tradition concerning him is, that he soon died, leaving no 
heir, or memorial of his name, but a small island in the salt meadow 
near the sea, yet called Caffing's Island. 



yGoogk 



COLONY OF NEW HAVEN. 163 

ive charges. The church was as the anchor of a ship, to 
hold all sure and steadfast. 

Soon after this, the planters, who were chiefly church mem- 
bers, made regular divisions of the lands, according to the ori- 
ginal agreement, each one receiving by lot such a portion as 
he was entitled to by the money which he had advanced for 
the public use. These divisions were under two restrictions : 
first, that no planter should put in more than £500 in stock, 
without permission from the freemen ; secondly, that no per- 
son should sell or alien, in any manner, their share or any 
part of it, or purchase the share or any part of the share allot- 
ted or set on to another in the divisions of land, unless by the 
consent of the community. This last they strictly observed, 
and the effect was to prevent any from engrossing too much 
land, and to keep out of the plantation all persons not fully 
approved. Several persons were punished by fines and whip- 
ping for transgressing this agreement. 

The first planters, whether gentlemen or yeomen, were al- 
most all of them husbandmen by profession. There were but 
few mechanics, and no blacksmith among them, and it was 
^ith much trouble and expense that they obtained one. Be- 
fore they removed to New Haven, they were for some time 
at a stand whether to settle in Milford or Guilford ; but at 
length they chose the last mentioned place. As they came 
from Surrey and Kent, they selected for their plantation lands 
as near like those as could be found, viz., low, fiat, moist land, 
such as that part of the town is near their first landing. South 
of the town plot, towards the sea, lies what is now called the 
Great Plain. This, with some of the points of land adjoining 
the sea, which were cleared by the Indians, were rich and fer- 
tile, and, by the skill and industry of the inhabitants, afibrded 
quickly a comfortable subsistence for themselves and families. 
To these lands for many years the planters chiefly confined 
their labors. They indeed early made a law, that every planter 
should clear up annually half an acre of new land. This, in 
their method, was a hard piece of labor. It was all done by 
hand, by digging and stubbing up the trees and small growth 
by the roots, although they spoiled the land by il. But they 
knew of no other way, and for the non-performance of this 
town order there was a severe penalty. It was a long time 
before the present mode of clearing new land was practiced. 
The first one who attempted it was John Scran ton. He 
cleared about an acre on a hill, by girdling the trees and burn- 



yGoogk 



164 HISTORY OF THE 

ing ihe underbrush. This he sowed with three pecks of 
wheat. The inhabitants were amazed, first at his courage, 
that he should venture so far (about two miles^ to labor ; 
then at his folly, in thinking a crop of wheat could be raised 
in such a way. But they were much astonished to find that 
he reaped from the ground at harvest twenty bushels of the 
best wheat. Experience soon convinced them that his method 
was the most judicious ; and being generally adopted, the 
woodlands soontbecame fields of wheat. 

As this plantation was connected with New Haven, they 
carefully conformed to the agreement in Mr. Newman's 
barn, in all their affairs, civil and religious. Like their breth* 
ren at New Haven, they adopted and acted upon the same 
principle, — ^^that it is of more importance to save a^d 
be governed by the steeple than the state." They adopted 
Mr. Davenport's opinion in forming their church, and b^aD 
it upon " seven pillars." The names of these seven persons 
were, Messrs. Henry Whitefield, John Higginson, Samuel Des. 
borough, William Leete, Jacob Sheefe, John Mipham, and 
John Hoadley. The manner of gathering and forming their 
church was this, viz. : a doctrine of faith was drawn up and 
assented unto as the foundation of their connection ; and then 
they mutually entered into covenant, first with Grod to be his 
people in Jesus Christ, then with one another to walk together 
in attending all the duties of the christian religion, and enjoy- 
ment of all the ordinances that belonged to a particular visi- 
ble church. Their doctrine of faitli was short, comprehen. 
sive, and highly Calvinistical. It was of similar form to Mil. 
ford church covenant. Afler the foundation was thus laid, 
the rest of the members, who were the most of the planters, 
were joined to these first seven, and other members were ad- 
mitted afterwards, as they desired to be. LikeNew Haven, 
in admitting new members they required a illation of their 
experiences. Their church officers were pastor, teacher, and 
deacons. It does not appear that they had ruling elders. 

Mr. Henry Whitefield, their first pastor and minister, was 
Episcopally ordained in England, and there is no record of 
his having been re-ordained in Guilford. He was an eloquent 
preacher, a good scholar, of gentlemanly manners, and was 
truly the father of the plantation. He loved his fiock ten- 
derly, was extremely beloved by them, and his advice " they 
followed peaceably in love." Afler continuing with them 
for about 12 years, Mr. Whitefield returned to England, and 



yGoogk 



COLONY OF NEW HAYBN. 165 

left the pastoral charge of his people with John Hiegioaon, 
(his son-in-law,) their teacher. He was son of Mr. John 
Higginson, the first minister of Salem. He preached first at 
the fort at Say brook, as chaplain, and about 1643 removed 
to Guilford, was one of ^ wisdoms' seven pillars," and assist- 
ed Mr. Whitefield in preaching until he left the place. Mr. 
Higginson was never ordained as pastor, but t^ok the charge 
of tte church as teacher for about twelve years. He then 
determined to go to England to Mr. Whitefield : and accord. 
ingly shipped himself and family and sailed, but meeting with bad 
weather the ship put into Salem for a harbor. Going ashore 
to his father's people, they wanting a pastor, he was prevailed 
upon to preach, then to unship his family and goods and set- 
tle with them. He was ordained their pastor, Uved and died 
there, and left a numerous posterity. 

After Mr. Higginson removed, the town was in a very un- 
s^Ied state for about twenty years. Within that time a num- 
ber of persons ministered to them as teachers, one of whom, 
Mr. Bowers, had a house and land in the town. He removed 
to Derby at the settlement of that town, and was ordained 
their pastor. During the headless state of the church, the 
people of Guilford fell into great confusion by reason of dif- 
ference of religious opinion, and many of the planters re- 
moved to Kennilworth,* which was then settling, particularly 
Dr. Rossiter, Messrs. Meigs, Stephens, Parmelin, and Chat- 
field. After the town became quiet, by the settlement of a 
•pastor, some of these returned to Guilford, among whom 
were Dr. Rossiter and Mr. Meigs. In 1665, Mr. Joseph 
Eliot, son of John Eliot, the celebrated apostle of Roxbury, 
was called and ordained in the town. Under his successful 
ministry, all difficulties were amicably settled, and the church 
and town greatly flourished. He died on the 26th of May, 
1694. He was succeeded by Mr. Thomas Ruggles, also 
from Roxbury, who was ordained (after preaching about a 
year as a candidate) in the fall of 1695. He continued their 
pastor 33 years, till his death, which took place June 1, 1728. 
His eldest son, Mr. Thomas Ruggles, was his successor, 
ordained March 26, 1729. In 1757, Mr. Amos Fowler 
was settled as liis colleague. In May, 1703, upon petition of 
the inhabitants. East Guilford was constituted a parish, and 
Mr. John Hart, of Farmington, settled with them, in 1707. 

♦ Now erroneously called Killingworth. 



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166 HISTOET OF THE 

The general aasembly, by desire of the inhabitants, set off 
another society from the first, by the name of North Gufl- 
ford, and in June, 1725, Mr. Samuel Russel, from Branfbrd, 
was ordained their pastor. Within the limits of the first, the 
assembly made another, by the name of the fourth society, in 
May, 1733. Their first pastor was Mr. Edmund Ward, of 
Guilford. And in May, 17 — ^ another society was made in 
the northeast part of the town, partly out of the first society 
and partly from East Guilford, and called North Bristol So- 
ciety. Mr. Richard Ely, from Lyme, was ordained their 
first minister, July 8th, 1757. 

In the year 1743, a number of inhabitants of the first so- 
ciety, declared for the Church of England, and, in 1745, 
erected a church building on the east side of the public 
square ; and, in 1748, a number from North Guilford also de- 
clared for the church, and soon after built a house for their 
worship. These churches at first sufi^red much firom the 
intolerant spirit of the times. 

In forming the civil government of the plantation, the peo- 
pie were divided into two classes — ^freemen and planters. 
The church members were all freemen, and they only were 
allowed the privilege of free suffrage. They were under 
oath agreeable to their plan of government, which they calU 
ed the "oath of fidelity." Out of this number were chosen 
their representatives and all other public officers, and they 
alone had the privilege of voting for the general officers of 
the jurisdiction. The other class comprehended all the in- 
habitants of the town who composed their town meetings. 
These town meetings were denominated general courts, and 
all who were qualified by age or estate were allowed to act in 
them. At these meetings were managed all the common af- 
fairs of the plantation, such as the disposal of lands and the 
enacting of bye-laws. Town officers wei^e also chosen, as 
a marshal, secretary, surveyor of highways, &c. Besides 
these general meetings, a particular court was held for the 
administration of justice, much resembling our justice's court 
of the present day. These were held quarterly, on the first 
Thursday of February, May, August, and November, and 
oftener if necessary. The magistrate or assistant sat chief in 
these courts. But the deputies, or commissioners, chosen 
yearly by the freemen for that purpose, sat with him to assist 
and counsel him. From the judgment of this court, appeals 



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COLONT OF NEW HAVEN. 167 

could be made to the court of assistants, at New Haven, but 
generally their judgment was final and decisive. 

Besides these courts, was held for a time a court of probate ; 
but the power of settling estates was soon transferred to the 
court of magistrates of the jurisdiction. 

Military order and discipline were early established in the 
plantation, and watch and ward kept day and night for secu- 
rity against assaults from the Indians. Their charge was 
very strict, and the punishments for neglect of duty were se- 
vere, and rigidly executed. Many of the houses were sur- 
rounded with palisades set deep in the ground, and a guard 
of soldiers was appointed every Sunday, who went armed to 
meeting. This guard was continued for the period of about 
sixty years. Thus all the affairs of the town were regularly 
and carefully conducted for the safety, peace, and prosperity 
of the plantation. 

The town being from the first a component part of New 
Haven government, was allowed an assistant, or magistrate. 
Mr. Samuel Desborough, who, next to Mr. Whitefield, was 
esteemed the first and richest of the planters, was the first 
magistrate. Afler serving the colony in that capacity about 
twelve years, he returned to England, in company with Mr. 
Whitefield. Afler the restoration of King Charles IL, he 
was a subject of royal favor and political distinction, and at 
one time was a member of the privy council. 
^ Upon Mr. Desborough's removal, William Leete, Esq., 
was chosen assistant. He came from England very young, 
but was a person of great promise. He was by profession a 
lawyer; and being register of the bishop's court in Cam- 
brige, he was so much offended and disgusted by the corrup. 
tions of the church, that he resigned his office and emigrated 
with Whitefield and his company. He was an excellent wri- 
ter for the times, and for many years served as clerk or sec- 
retary of the town, (all the ancient records being written in 
his hand,) and had a good knowkxlge of law, and also of sur- 
veying and (frafUng.* He was deputy-governor, and gov- 

* Being a staunch friend of Cromwell, and an opponent of the 
Stuarts, ne aided the regicides to escape the pursuivants of Charles 
II., and for a time he secreted them in the cellar of his storehouse. 
The lights seen twinkling in the base of that building, and the 
sounds heard by people, induced a belief that it was haunted — an 
idea the governor is said to have encouraged, for the greater secu- 
rity of the fugitives. 



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168 



BISTORT OF THB 



ernor of New Haven colony, and after the union was govern- 
or of Connecticut ; he was elected May 11, 1676. He soon 
after removed to Hartford, and there he died and was buried. 
His eldest son, John Leete, was the first English child bom in 
Guilford. The governor left a large family, and his de- 
scendants are very numerous,* many of whom yet reside in 
and about Guilford. The following is a fac-simile of Gov. 
Leete's signature : 




The following is a view of Gov. Leete's house, which stood 
about 60 rods west of the present Congregational church : 




FietD of Oovemor Letters House. 

The third magistrate in the town was Mr. Andrew Leete, 
the governor's second son. He married a daughter of Mr. 
Jordan, one of the original- planters, and possessed his share in 
the plantation after he returned to England. f Mr. Leete, 
like his father, was a worthy man, and it is the tradition, that 
the plan adopted to secure the charter, when upon the point 
of being given up to Sir Edmund Andros, originated from 



* His great-grandson, Andrew Leete, being a royalist at the time 
of the revolutionary war, at the close of it settled at St. John's, Nova 
Scotia. ' • 

t He went with Mr. "Whitefield. 



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COLONT OF NEW HAVEIT. 160 

him. It was kept in his house till called for by the governor 
and compaDy. He was a noted military officer, and took 
an active part in the early wars. 

The next magistrate in Guilford, after Mr. Leete, was Mr. 
Josiah Rossiter, son of Dr. Rossiter, and after him, Mr. 
Abraham Fowler, son of John Fowler, Jr. 

The first planters were mostly men of considerable prop- 
erty, but Mr. Whitefield was considered the wealthiest indi- 
vidual among them. He was possessed of a large estate, all 
of which he laid out and spent for the good of the plantation. 




Ancient House at Ouilford^ ConM. 

At his own charge and expense, in 1640, he built a large, 
firm, and, for those days, a handsome stone house, upon land 
aUotted liim for the purpose, in a commanding situation, 
having a ftill view of Long Island Sound before it. In case 
of necessity it was designed to answer for a fort. It is yet 
standing, is in good repair, and it is no mean specimen of an- 
cient architecture. The walls are thick and massive, and the 
cement in which the stone is laid is now harder than the stone 
itself. The erection of this edifice must have been a work 
of great labor, as the stone of .which it is constructed was 
brought on hand-barrows from a ledge more than a fourth 
of a mile (Mstant. For their transportation a causeway was 
constructed across a marsh, the remains of which are yet to 
be seen. This is doubtless the oldest house now standing in 
the United States. The jfirst marriage which took place in 
the town was in this house.'" The couple were married by 
Mr. Desborough. 

. — . • 

* It is the tradition, that the marriage supper was pork and peas. 
15 



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170 HnroBT of the 

Mr. Whitefield, in consequence of his own personal expense 
in purchasing the plantation, and Mr. Fenwick's gift of the 
eastern part of the township, had a lai^ and very valuable 
allotment of some of the hest lands in the township allowed 
him. Upon his returning to England, he offered all his es- 
tate to the planters upon very low terms, but partly from ina- 
bility to purchase, and chiefly from their persuasion that in a 
short time they should all follow their pastor, they did not 
make the purchase, but when it was too late they repented 
their refusal. After his return home, he sold his estate to 
Major Thomson, to whose heirs it descended. 

The natural soil of the township is various. The lands 
along the sea-coast are level plains of rich black loam, having 
many small necks where the Indians dwelt, and which they 
filled with oyster and other shells from the sea. About two 
miles from the shore the soil is gravelly, and productive, if 
well manured. The rest of the township northward is hilly ; 
some of the lands good, others indifferent. In this part of 
the township there is much broken and rocky land, but it 
is valuable for the wood and timber growing upon it. 

The township is well watered miti springs from the hills, 
and brooks from the swamps. Two rivers run through the 
middle of the township, named the East and West river, 
which empty into the harbor near together, both of which 
furnish good mill seats. The harbor, south of the town and 
east of the great plain, is not good, being shallow and having 
many rocks. About two miles westward from it, is Sachem's 
Head, an excellent, though small harbor. It is shut in on 
all sides by the land, except the southwest. Its entrance, or 
mouth, is narrow. It received its name on account of its be- 
ing the scene of the execution of a Pequot sachem, by 
Uncas. 

The length of the township is about 11 miles from north 
to south, and the average breadth about four. At present it 
is divided into two parishes, or societies, Guilford and North 
Guilford. In the first society is the borough of Guilford, 
which was incorporated in 1815. It is handsomely situated 
upou a tract of alluvial or maritime plain, about two miles 
from the sea, near a small river, called the Menuncatuck, or 
West River. The borough embraces the ancient town plot, 
and is laid out very regular for an ancient town. In the 
center is an extensive open public squaro. The place is 
compactly built, consisting of about 150 (dwelling houses, 



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COLONT OP NSW HAYEK. 171 

two cburcbef, (one Episcopal and one Congregational,) and 
the town-bouse. The Coi^^gatbnal society boasts of hav- 
ing the first meeting house built in the present form, the first 
steeple, and the first town clock of any in the government. 
Many of the houses in this place are ancient and of venera^ 
ble appearance. 

Guilford is a place of considerable resort during the warm 
season of the year, for the benefit of the sea air, &c. There 
are two public hotels for the reception of people who come 
for that purpose, one about a mile and a half below the pub- 
lic square, the other at Sachem's Head, about three and a 
half miles to the southwest. Both of these places are acces. 
sible to steamboats. The scenery in the vicinity of Sachem's 
Head is wild and picturesque. Agriculture is the principal 
business of the inhabitants. They have long been celebra- 
ted for their industry, frugality, and good husbandry, and 
more than any other people of the state, they have retained 
the manners of the New England colonists ; and if search 
should be made for men approaching the nearest to the Pil- 
grims of the Mayflower, they would be found in Guilford. 

The patent of Guilford was granted by the governor and 
company, on the 7th of December, 1685, to Andrew Leete, 
Esq.r Mr. Josiah Rossiter, Lt. William Seward, Deac. Wil- 
liam Johnson, Deac. John Graves, Mr. John Collins, John 
Stone, Stephen Bishop, Serg. Daniel Hubbard, Abraham Crit- 
tenden, Serg. John Crittenden, and Josiali Meigs, in trust for 
the rest of the inhabitants of the town. It is bounded by 
Durham on the north, Hammonasset River on the east, Long 
Island Sound on the south, and Branford on the west. Tl^ 
patent was signed by Robert Treat, governor of Connecticut. 

Madison was originally a part of Guilford, and was inclu- 
ded within the charter limits. It was incorporated into a town 
in 1826, and was composed of the second and fourth ecclesi- 
astical societies • of Guilford. There are now two parishes, 
Madison, formerly called East Guilford, and North Afadison, 
formerly North Bristol. The town is about nine miles in 
length, and from three to four in breadth. North Madison is 
rocky and hilly, and nearly one half of the land is unfit for cul- 
tivation, and is left for the growth of wood. The center is 
five miles firom Guilford and twenty-one miles from New 
Haven. 



yGoogk 



172 mSTOKY OF THE 



BRAIfFORD. 



Bbanford is situated on Long Island Sound, seven miles 
east of New Haven. The purchase was made of the Indians 
by New Haven people, in December, 1638. The Indian 
name of the place was Totoket. In the year 1640, the 
general court at New Haven made a grant of it to Mr. Sam- 
uel Eaton, brother of Governor Eaton, on condition of pro- 
cunng some of his friends in England to emigrate and make 
a settlement upon it. He soon afler took ship at Boston, 
and returned to England for his settlers ; but being desired to 
take the pastoral charge of the church at Duckingfield, in 
the parish at Stockfort, in Cheshire, and accepting the invi- 
tation, he never returned.* Mr. Eaton thus failing to per- 
form the conditions of the grant. New Haveuj in 1644, made 
sale of it to Mr. William Swain and others, of Wethersfield. 
The settlers of Wethersfield removed from Massachusetts 
without their pastor, and having no settled minister they fell 
into unhappy contentions and animosities. These continued 
a number of years^ and had the efiect of scattering the in- 
habitants and the formation of new settlements and churches 
in other places. It was to accommodate a party of these 
seceders from Wethersfield, that Mr. Swain made the pur- 
chase. New Haven granted them the lands in question on 
condition of the company repaying the charges which New 
Haven had been at for their purchase, which was between 
J&12 and £13, and their joining the colony in all the funda- 
mental articles of government, settled in October, 1643. 
This they readily consented to, and the settlement of the 
town was immediately commenced. Mr. Abraham Pierson, 
with a part of his churc^h and congregation from South 
Hampton, on Long Island, removed and united with the 
people of Wethersfield in the settlement of the to\/^n. A reg- 
ular church was soon formed, and Mr. Pierson was unani- 
mously chosen pastor. He had been a minister in York- 
shire, in England, and emigrated in 1639. For a time he 
preached in Lynn, Mass. Some of the English emigrants, 
who had made a stand at that place, having agreed to make 
a settlement on Long Island, on a tract of land which they 



* He died at Denton, in the parish of Manchester, Lancashire, 
England, Jan. 9/1664, and was buried in the chapel. 



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VHE NE:V YORK 


, ; ' ^-X LrSRARY 


t 


TtLDEM FOUNDAflONc 


«^ L 



yGoogk 



COLONY OF NEW HAVBIC. 178 

had purchased of the natives, with the consent of the earl of 
Stirling, who had a grant of the island, they agreed with Afr. 
Pierson to accompany them as their minister. He organi- 
zed a church among them, and they entered into a civil 
combination, or covenant, for the support of order and good 
government, before they removed to the island. In Dec, 
t640, they went on to the island and commenced the settle- 
ment of south Hampton. Shortly ader the settlement of 
the town, the inhabitants found it necessary for their security 
to form a connection with some one of the New England! 
colonies, and it appears tiiey were divided in opinbn relative 
to the one they should join. Mr. Pierson and a part of his 
church wished to unite with New Haven, because all public 
officers, as well as the right of suffrage, were restricted to 
the church. But the majority preferring more civil liberty, 
chose to unite with Connecticut, where all orderly persons 
might be freemen, and, in 1644, joined that colony. In con- 
sequence of this, Mr. Pierson and a portion of the people re- 
moved and settled in combination with New Haven. 

The plantation thus commenced at Totoket was named 
Branfond, after a town of that name in England. Mr. Swain 
was chosen a magistrate of the colony, as he had previously 
been of Connecticut. Tiie plantation progressed rapidly in 
improvement until the union of the colonies of Connecticut 
and New Haven. With this proposed union, Mr. Pierson 
and his people were much displeased. Mr. Pierson and Mr. 
Davenport appear to have used all their influence to prevent 
it. They, with many of the inhabitants of the colony, were 
more rigid concerning the terms of church communion thao 
the ministers and people of Connecticut generally were. 
Many of the churches of Connecticut were in favor of the 
propositions of the general council of Cambridge, in 1662, 
relative to the baptism of children whose parents were not in 
full communion. The ministers and churches of New Ha- 
ven were opposed to them. This, with the opinion that al] 
government should be in the church, were important argu- 
ments against the union. Upon the consummation of the 
union, Mr. Pierson and his people not becoming reconciled, 
and being reprimanded for their perverseness, they deter- 
mined to leave the plantation. 

Accordingly, in May, 1666, a purchase was made by a 
committee appointed for the purpose, on the Passaic River, in 
New Jersey, and the settlement immediately commenced. 
15* 



yGoogk 



174 HISTOBT OF THE 

To that place Mr. Pierson with his church and congregatioa 
removed, and the settlers from the other towns united with 
them. They called the town Newark, as is supposed after 
the town where Mr. Pierson was ordained in England. 
Here they had an opportunity to form their ** fundamental 
articles of government according to their own views, hy re- 
striding the right of free suffrage to church members, for 
which important privilege many of them had twice removed. 
Accommodations being provided for Mr. Pierson, he removed 
with his family the last of September, 1667. The town and 
church records of Branford were removed to Newark, and 
after the town had been settled 23 years it was left desolate. 
For 20 years afterwards there was no church in the town, 
but people from various parts of the colony gradually moved 
into it, and purchased the lands of the first planters, so that in 
about twenty years it became re-settled. In 1685 it was re- 
invested with town privileges. 

The patent of Branford was granted by the governor and 
company on the 16th of February, 1685, to Mr. William 
Roswell, Edward Barker, Ens. Thomas Harrison, William 
Mahby, William Hoadley, Lieut. Elizur Stint, Samuel Pond,* 
John Frizby, and John Tayntor. Signed by Robert Treat, 
governor of Connecticut. 

The township is about seven miles in length from cast to 
west, and four in breadth. The surface is uneven, being 
composed of hills and valleys. The soil is good, but rather 
too cold. There is no considerable river in the town ; the 
largest stream discharges its waters into the harbor, which is 
small but convenient, admitting vessels from 40 to 50 tons. 
There is a cluster of small islands b(^longing to the town, 
called Thimble Islands, and another cluster called Indian 



In the center of the town is a large open area of irregular 
fonn, on which stands the public buildings, consisting of a 
Congregational church, an Episcopal church, academy, and 
town- house. 

North Branfoed, incorporated in 1831, was previously 
the upper part of Branford. It was formed of the societies 
of North Branford and Northford. A range of mountains 
from southwest to northeast pass through the center of the 
township. The face of the town is generally hilly, but the 

* He was ancestor of the Pond family, of Milford. 



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THE NEW YORK 



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■sU 



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COLONY OP NEW HAVEN. 175 

soil is strong and fertile. The inhabitants are mostly far* 
mers. There are five churches in the tpwn, three Congre- 
gational and two Episcopal. The center of North Bran- 
K)rd society, the southern division of the town, is five miles 
northerly from Branford church, and nine from New Haven. 
Mr. John Merrick was the first minister of the parish ; he 
was ordained in 1727. 



STAMFORD. 



Stamford is situated on Long Island Sound, in Lat. 41o 3^ 
N., Long.73° 25' W.; bounded on the north by the stateof New 
York, west by Greenwich, east by Darien and New Canaan, 
and south by the Sound. The land comprising the town 
was purchased by the people of New Haven, in 1640 ; Capt. 
Nathaniel Turner was their agent. The Indian name of the 
tract was Rippowams. Capt. Turner " bought of Ponus 
Sagamore, of Toquams, and of Wascussue Sagamore, of 
Shippan, (the other Indians consenting thereto,) all the ground 
belonging to the said Sagamores, except a piece of ground 
which Ponus reserved for himself and the other Indians to 
plant upon. Tiie consideration was 12 coats, 12 hoes, 12 
hatchets, 12 glasses, 12 knives, 2 kettles, and four fathoms of 
white wampum." The liberty of hunting and fishing on the 
land was reserved by the Indians. This agreement was 
signed on the first of July, 1640. 

Fifteen years after the settlement of the plantation, the 
Indians growing uneasy, another agreement, as appears from 
the town records, was made with Ponus, and Onux, his 
eldest son, for land running 16 miles north and eight miles 
east and west, (the same as paid for before.) and as a further 
recompense, four coats of English cloth was given them. 
This agreement was signed by the Sagamores, and by Rich- 
ard Law, agent for the planters, on the 10th of August, 1655. 

The first planters of the town were from Wethersfield. 
The cause of their removal and resettlement, was a division 
of church and town on account of a diflTerence of opinion on 
some points of religion. Removing without their pastor, Mr. 
Philips, from Watertown, the people were at full liberty to 
think for themselves, and their views not coinciding they fell 



yGoogk 



176 HISTOBT OF THE 

into coDtentioD. After unsuccessful attempts made by min- 
isters on the river to heal the ditierence, they were visit- 
ed by Mr. ►Davenport, from New Haven, who suggested the 
expediency of one of tlie parties removing and making a new 
settlement. Some were pleased with this proposition, and 
others disliked it ; but they could not agree which party 
should remove. The church at Watertown, from which they 
had not been dismissed, judged it their duty to make them a 
visit, and accordingly sent a delegation, but it was attended 
with no better success than the forementioned labors. It was 
now the prevailing opinion, that it was best for one of the 
parties to remove, and finally some of the principal men who 
were the most pleased with the advice of Mr. Davenport, 
and to whom the government of the colony was the most 
agreeable, concluded to remove and settle in combination 
with New Haven. Therefore, on the 30th of October, 1640, 
Mr. Andrew Ward and Mr. Robert Coe, in behalf of them- 
selves and twenty other planters, purchased Rippowams of 
New Haven, for £33 sterling. The whole number agreed 
to remove with their families before the last of November, 
the succeeding year. Accordingly, in the spring of 1641, the 
settlement commenced. The principal planters were Messrs. 
Richard Denton, Matthew Mitchel, Thurston Raynor, Joha 
Underbill, Andrew Wa'i'd, Robert Coe, and Richard Gilder- 
sleeve. Mr. Richard Law was one of the first and principal 
settlers. Before the end of the year there were nearly forty 
families established there. 

Mr. Richard Denton was their first minister. He was a 
preacher in Halifax, England, and came over to Watertown, 
Mass., between 1630 and '35, and removed to Wethersfield 
with the first settlers. For some reason not known at pres- 
ent, he did not often exercise hLs profession while in that plan- 
tation, but it is supposed engaged in agricultural pursuits. He 
remained in Stamford only about four years, wBen becoming 
displeased with the government of the colony, he, with some 
of the leading men of the plantation, again removed, went 
to Long Island, and began the town of Hempstead. This 
was in 1664. Mr. Denton continued the minister of that 
place till his death, in 1663. 

Upon his removal from Stamford, the church sent two of 
their members to seek them another minister. They traveled 
on foot to the eastward of. Boston, where they found Mr. 
John Bishop, who left England before he had finished his 



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COLOIIT OF NEW HAYBlf. 177 

academical studies, and had completed hb education in this 
country. , They engaged him to go with them to Stamford, 
and be traveled thither on foot. The people were satisfied 
with him, and he was settled in 1644. After preaching with 
them 50 years, he died in 1694. He was succeeded by Mr. 
John Davenport, (grandson of John Davenport, first minister 
of New Haven,) who was ordained in 1694. He died 
Feb. 5th, 1730-1, in the 36th year of his ministry. 

Mr. Raynor was tiie first magistrate in Stamford. Capt. 
Underbill, Mr. Mitcliel, Andrew Ward, and Robert Coe, were 
commissioners, till their removal to Long Island. The planta- 
tion for many years was much disturbed and endangered by 
the Indians, and more so than the otlier plantations belonging 
to New Haven, on account of the distance from the seat of 
government. The inhabitants fortified parts of the town, 
enclosed the meeting house with palisades, and a constant 
watch was kept up for many years. In 1643, the Dutch 
comnienced a war with the Indians north of the Sound and 
west of the English settlements, which lasted till the summer 
of 1646, and was terminated in a general battle at Strick. 
land's plain, in Horseneck, in which the Dutch with difficulty 
obtained the victory. At tlie commencennent of the war, 
Capt. John Underbill was invested with the chief command 
by the Dutch governor, and during it he destroyed 300 In- 
dians on the main, and 120 on Lon^ Island, who had crossed 
the Sound in order to ravage and destroy the Dutch planta- 
tions there.* The Stamford Indians, in 1643, were insolent 

* Capt. Underhill came from England to Massachusetts, soon 
after the first settlement of that colony. He had served as an offi- 
cer in the British forces, in the low countries, in Ireland, and at 
Cadiz. He had a command in the war with the Pequots, in 1637. 
He had some difficulty with the church in Boston, which seems to 
have been adjusted before he lefl that part of the country. At the 
end of the Dutch war with the Indians, he settled at Flushing, L. I., 
and rendered the English important service by discovering the in- 
trigue of the Dutch in inciting the Indians to hostilities against the 
English, and by repelling the incursions of the savages. In a let- 
ter which he wrote to the commissioner of the United Colonies, re- 
Juesting assistance to carry on the war against the Indians and 
>atch, dated May 23, 1653, he says : " I have put my life in my 
hands to save English blood." The commissioners refusing to " em- 
bark In a war between England and Holland," he applied to Rhode 
Island for assistance, and received a commission from that colony, 
(and the aid of a small number of volunteers,) under which he 
made an attack on the Indians at Fort Neck, (in Oyster Bay,) and 



yGoogk 



178 mSTOBY OF THB 

and troublesome, and the plantation requested aid of New 
Haven towards tlieir defense. In 1644, they, together with 
the Fairfield Indians, were hostile, and New Haven sent men 
to Stamford for their defense. The Indians of those parts 
appear to have designed a general massacre of the whites, 
both English and Dutch. They neglected to weed their 
corn, and abandoned their wigwams. After the battle of 
Strickland's plain, Stamford for a while appears to have been 
less troubled by them, though at different times they com- 
mitted a number of murders. Mr. John Whitmore ^for a 
number of years deputy to the general court) was killed ia 
1648, by a son of the sachem. The Indians refusing to give 
up the murderer, the general court i\\e next year sent fifty 
men to avenge the murder. About 1653, the Indians were 
incited to hostility against the English by the Dutch, and that 
year appears to have been a time of general distress to the 
Englisl) plantations west of the Housatonnuc, and on Long 
Island. Stamford, in that year, was on the point of a revolt, 
but was quieted by the prudent measures of the government* 
The town, however, appears to have been in a state of almost 
constant alarm till the end of the Dutch power in America, 
in 1664. After that time it progressed rapidly in settlement 
and improvement. 

The patent of Stamford was granted by the governor and 
company on the 26th of May, 1685* to Mr. John Bishop, 
Mr. Jonathan Law, Capt. Jonathan Seleck, Lieut. Francis 
Bell, Lieut. Jonathan Bell, Ensign John Bates, Mr. Abraham 
Ambler, Mr. Peter Ferrys, and Mr. Joshua Hoyte : bounded 
west by Tulomah brook and Greenwich, east by Norwalk, 
and to run twelve miles into the country. Signed by Robert 
Treat, governor. 

Stamford is a pleasant and fertile township of nearly ten 
miles in length, from north to south, and between three and 

took their fort. This contributed much to arrest the defection of 
the Indians, to defeat the hostile designs of the Dutch against the 
English, and to preserve the peace of the island. 

In 1665, he was a delegate from the town of Oyster Bay to the as- 
sembly, held at Hempstead by Governor Nicolls,and was appointed 
by him sub-sheriff of the north riding of Yorkshire, M4.ueens' 
county.) In 1687, the Matinecoe Indians gave him a ddea of 150 
acres of land, which is now possessed by one of his descendants 
that bears his name. He died at Oyster Bay, in 1673. He was a 
** hunter of liidians/' of the same class as Gov. Treat and Capt. 
Church. 



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COLONY OF NEW HAVEN. 170 

four in breadth. The surface is undulating, exhibiting a 
pleasant diversity of moderate hills and valleys. The poil is 
a rich gravelly loam, adapted both to tillage and grazing. 
The borough of Stamford embraces the ancient town plot ; 
"within its limits are four churches, an Episcopal, Congrega- 
tional, Methodist, and Baptist, 12 mercantile stores, an iron 
foundry, a slitting mill, a wire factory, two boot and shoe 
manufactories, and a bank, with a capital of $100,000, char- 
tered in 1834. The post office in this place is a distributing 
office. The number of inhabitants in the borough is about 800. 
A sloop canal from the sea to the village was excavated 
in 1834. It is 180 rods in length, 30 feet in width, and 7 in 
depth ; the expense of its construction, including three build- 
ings for stores, was $7,000. The harbor, at the mouth of 
Mill River, has at ordinary tides upwards of eight feet of wa- 
ter. Mill River runs one fourth of a mile west of the center 
of the borough, and is navigable for small craft to the bridge. 

There are two beautiful tracts of ground bordering the 
harbor ; that on the western side is called the South Field, 
that on the eastern is Shi pan Point. For beauty of situation 
this last piece of ground is not surpassed in the state. The 
surface slopes in every direction, and is encircled by a collec- 
tion of fine scenery. It was originally designed to have 
laid out the town on this point, but the present site was fixed 
upon, on the supposition that it could more easily be defended 
from Indian assault. It would truly be a beautiful location 
for a village. 

The town of Darien formerly belonged to Stamford, and 
consists of what was the parish of Middlesex. The town- 
ship is small, and is situated between Stamford and Norwalk. 
It was incorporated in 1820. Half of the town of New 
Canaan was also comprised within the limits of Stamford. 
The town was formerly Canaan parish, lying in nearly equal 
parts in the townships of Stamford and Norwalk, (and north of 
Middlesex parish,) and was incorporated as a parish in 1731. 
Mr. John Eells, from Milford, was the first minister, ordained 
June, 1733. After preaching there about eight years, he re- 
signed his pastoral charge and became a farmer. He died in 
New Canaan, in 1785, in his 85th year. New Canaan was 
incorporated into a town in 1801. 



yGoogk 



180 BISTORT OF THB 



SOlTTnOI.B, Ii. I. 

SouTHOLD, on the east end of Long Island, was purchased 
and settled under the authority of New Haven. The Indian 
name of the place was Yennicock,* and was purchased of the 
tribe called the Corchaugs, in the summer of i640.t Most 
of the first planters were from Hingham, in Norfolk, England, 
and came to New Haven in tlie summer of 1640. Mr. John- 
Youngs,, who had been a minister in Hingham, was their 
leader. He reorganized his church at New Haven, on the 
21st of October, 1640, and with them, and such others as 
chose to accompany him, in the latter part of the month, 
passed over to the island, and commenced the settlement of 
the plantation. They adopted the fundamental agreement, 
and commenced the settlement in combination with New Ha- 
yen. 

Some of the leading men, besides Mr. Youngs, were Will, 
iam Wells, Barnabas Horton, Thomas Mapes, John Tuthill, 
and Matthias Corwin.:|: 

The civil and ecclesiastical affairs of the plantation were 
managed in a similar manner with those of the other planta* 
tions under the government of New Haven. All government 
was to be in the church, and none were to be admitted to the 
privileges of freemen but church members ; and they institu- 
ted a court of judges (or a particular court) to hear and de- 
termine all causes, civil and criminal, whose decisions were 
to be according to the "laws of God." In theur gen- 
eral courts (or town meetings) were transacted all the com- 
mon business of the plantation. In them orders were passed, 
as appears by the records of the town, relating to the divis- 
ion of their lands, and the enclosure of common fields for cul- 
tivation and pasture, and regulations agreed upon respecting 
fences, highways, and watering places, respecting cattle, 
sheep, and horses, that run at large, and in the common fields. 



* The Indian name of Long Island appears to have been Mattan- 
wak. 

t On the 7th of December, 1665, a new deed of Southold was 
executed to Capt. John Youngs, Barnabas Horton, and Thomas 
Mapes, which was signed by the sachem and thirty-five elders of 
the Corchaugs. 

t Their posterity in Soathold and the adjoining town are at pres- 
ent numerous and respectable. 



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■^-rof^, I. .^ 



^rLDK^fpoa 



T A.SD 



^'^O^TJOMd 



yGoogk 



COLONY OP NEW HAVEN. 181 

and for the defense of the plantation. One of the first meas- 
ures adopted was to require every man to provide himself with 
arms and ammunition, and to assemble at an appointed place 
when warned, under a heavy penalty for neglect in any of 
these respects. 

The plantation made early provision for the education of 
children, for the preservation of good morals, and for the sup- 
port of their church. A committee was appointed to admit 
inhabitants, and no one could settle in the place without their 
consent ; and no planter could sell or let his house or land to 
any one but such as was approved by the said committee, un- 
der a heavy penalty. 

The first meeting-house erected on Long Island was built in 
this plantation, in the summer of 1642. Mr. Youngs continued 
the minister of the place till his death. He died in 1672, 
aged 74 years.* The church and congregation of Southold, 
after the death of Mr. Youngs, sent a messenger to Boston, 
to seek " an honest and godly minister," who returned with 
Mr. Joshua Hobart, son of Mr. Peter Hobart, who was the 
first minister of Hingham, Mass. He settled with them in 1674, 
and continued their pastor during life. He died in 1717, aged 89. 
The succeeding ministers of this church have been, Benjamin 
Woolsey, settled in 1720, and removed in 1786 ; James Dav- 
enport, settled in 1738, and removed in 1746. He was a 
great-grandson of John Davenport, of New Haven, and son 
of John Davenport, minister of Stamford, by liis second wife, 
and graduated at Yale College in 1732. About the time of 
his dismission, he became a Separatist or "New Light" 
preacher.f Next to him was William Thrope, who was 
settled in 1748, and died in 1756 ; then John Storrs, who was 

* Mr. Youngs had several sons and a daughter, to whom he left 
a large property, a number of whose posterity yet reside in South- 
old. Several of his descendants have occupied public stations, 
and have been distinguished for usefulness. Col. John Youngs, his 
eldest son, was appointed one of the judges of the court by Connec- 
ticut, (after the reception of the charter in 1662,) for the towns under 
the government of the colony on Long Island. 

t About the year 1740, great attention was paid to religion in al- 
most every part of the country. The community were mostly divi- 
ded into two parties, the New Lights and the Old Lights. The New 
Lights were active and zealous in everything which they imagined 
to be their religious duty, and were in favor of Mr. Whitefield and 
others itinerating throudi the country and stirring up the people to 
reform. The Old Lights justly considered much of their zeal as 
wildfire, and endeavored to suppress it. 
16 



yGoogk 



18S HISTORY OF THE 

settled in 1768, and dismissed in 1787 ; Jdin Hazard, settled 
in 1797, and removed in 1806 ; and Jonathan Hunting, in 1807. 

The plantation found it very difficult to enforce the rule of 
the jurisdiction, which excluded all but church membera from 
the privilege of freemen; and they soon departing from it. 
New Haven, about 1648, sent over to them a delegation of 
their principal men, to consult with them on *Hhe necessity 
and importance of keeping the government in the hands of 
God's elect." They agreed, afterwards, strictly to conform 
to the law of the jurisdiction. It appears, however, that in 
about twenty years they again transgressed, which also crea- 
ted some difficulty, but which was removed in 1664, by the 
submission of New Haven colony to Connecticut. 

After the reception of the charter by Connecticut, the col- 
ony claimed the legal jurisdiction over the English towns on 
Long Island, and the general court appointed such public offi- 
cers in the several towns as were not permitted by the charter 
to be chosen by the people. These towns were permitted to 
send deputies to the general court, and were liable to the same 
duties as the other towns ; and like them they paid their pro- 
portion of the expense of obtaining the new charter. In 1664, 
the general court organized quarterly and other courts on the 
island, on the same plan of those on the main. 

The towns of Southold, Southampton, and Easthamptim, 
never submitted to the government of the Dutch, although the 
Dutch governor laid claim to the whole island, and, in 1673, un- 
dertook to reduce them by an armed force. Connecticut assisted 
them to repel these attempts, and at the time of the final estab- 
lishment of the government of the Duke of York, these towns 
were found attached to that colony. It appears that they 
dreaded the re-establishment of the duke's government over 
them, and that they used their utmost efforts to resist it. 
They chose delegates and sent them to Connecticut, to solicit 
their continuance under the protection and government of 
the colony. On the 14th of May, the general court took 
their case into consideration, and consented that they shoukl 
continue in association with that colony, with the same privi- 
leges as other towns, as far as was in their power to make the 
grant. June 13, 1674, the town of Southold, in conjunction 
with Easthampton and Southampton, agreed <^ to petition the 
king to suffer them to continue under the jurisdiction of Con- 
necticut." Nov. 17th of the same year, the people of South- 
old, by vote of theur town meeting, declared themselves ^ to 
be under the govermnent of his majesty'^ cobny of Connec- 



yGoogk 



COLONY OF NEW EAVEN. 18S 

ticut, and that they would use all lawful means so to con- 
tinue." Sir Edmund Andross, however, (who had arrived at 
New York on the 31st of October, as governor under the 
duke,) soon after took measures to compel them to submit ; 
but they did so with much reluctance. 

At the time of the settlement, the Southold Indians, or the 
Corchaug tribe, were subject to the Montauks, who had prob- 
ably been the most warlike tribe on the east end of Liong Isl- 
and. They had overrun the other tribes, and had reduced 
them to some kind of subjection. The Montauk chief was 
recognized by the first English settlers as the ^ grand sachem 
of Long Island." Before the destruction of the Pequots, he 
with his tributaries were in subjection to that people ; and 
when the Pequots were subdued, the Long Island Indians 
came immediately to make peace with the English. The sa- 
chems voluntarily brought a tribute of twenty fathoms of wam- 
pum each. From that time, they appear to have considered 
themselves in subjection to the English, and to have paid an 
annual tribute, perhaps the same as they had paid the Pequots. 
In 1653, Ninnigrate, the chief of the Nehantic Indians, who 
were closely connected with the Narragansetts, made war on 
the Long Island Indians, which lasted several years, and redu- 
ced them to great extremity. The English gave them some 
assistance, stationed an armed vessel in the Sound, under the 
command of Capt. John Youngs; of Southold, with orders to 
stave Ninnigrate's canoes, and to destroy his forces, if they 
attempted to pass over to the island. This war against the 
Long Island Indicms appears to have ended about the last of 
the year 1656. During the war, they were released from 
paying the annual tribute. 

Although the Long Island Indians appear to have been 
generally on amicable terms, yet at times they gave the Eng- 
hsh considerable trouble. In 1649, they evinced a hostile 
disposition, rose against Southold and Southampton, and com- 
mitted murder. That year Southold kept watch and ward, 
and applied to New Haven for aid. A vote was passed at a 
town meeting, '^ to have a guard set, to protect the people in 
their worship on the Sabbath," and the house of Mr. Young, 
the minister, was fortified, for the security of women and 
children, in case of assault. This house is yet standing, and 
port-holes are to be seen in the gable end. The Indians were 
again troublesome in 1657. But it does not appear that they 
ever formed any general combination against the first settlers, 
or materially interrupted the progress of their improvements* 



yGoogk 



184 HISTCmY OP THE 

It seems the Long Island Indianswere much less troublesoiDe 
than those north of the Sound. 

The language of the Long Island Indiai)s di^red but little 
from that of tl^ Narragansett, Massachusetts, and other New 
England tribes, all of which appear to have been radically the 
same.'" The Indians on Long Island, like their brethren on 
the main, have gradually retired before the white people, and 
at present there are but very few remaining. In Southold, of 
the thousands that once dwelt on the shores of the bay, and 
ranged the sovereign hunters of their own deep woods, not a 
• solitary red man remains. 

The township of Southold embraces the northeast end of 
Long Island, which extends in a loug narrow neck, bounding 
the ^und on the southeast. It is bounded as specified in the 
deed from the Indians, and also in the charter executed by 
Sir Edmund Andross, in the name of the Duke of York, da- 
ted Oct. 31, 1676, as extending from the Wading river across 
to the Red creek, and eastward to Plum Island, including all 
the adjacent islands. Little and Great Gull, and Fisher's 
Island, also belong to the town. Excluding the islands, the 
township is about 25 miles in length, and varies in width from 
one to four, according to the indentation of the shores on each 
of its sides. On the southeast is Poconic Bay, which divides 
the town from Southampton. The two Gull Islands, above 
mentioned, lie three miles east-northeast of Plumb Island. 
Great Gull contains about 15 acres. Little Gull but one. On 
Little Gull, which is merely a ledge of rocks, is a light-house, 

* The following may serve as a specimen of their language, ex- 
tracted from a list of words which were taken down, as they were 
spoken by the Montank chief: 

Keage, land. 

Niep, water. 

Mashuee, canoe. 

Squa-shees, little girl. 

Yunk squa, young woman. 

Weenai, old woman. 

Wedaums, roasted com. 

Kutdaus, boiled corn. 

Seaump, pounded corn. 

Yeokheag, parched corn pounded. 

Weegan, good. 

Mutta dea, bad. 



Massakeat mund, great spirit. 
Machees kund, evil spirit. 
Sauchem, king. 
Seaunskq, queen. 
Wonnux, white man. 
Wonnui skq, white woman . 
Wewauchum, Indian corn. 
Mausqueseets, beans. 
Ausgoote, pumpkins. 
Ctuahaug, round clam. 
Suxawaug, long clam. 
Cheaganan, a hatchet. 

Massakeat mund sumana Inshun wewachum — Great Spirit, give 
Indian corn. The Indians throughout New England (from their 
inability to pronounce the word) called the English " Yengees," 
from whence we have now our name of Yankees. In their own 
language, they called the English ** Saggenah." 



yGoogk 



COLONY OF NBW HAVEN. 185 

and house for the keeper, belonging to the United States, which, 
being at the entrance of the Sound, is a very important one. 
In constructing these works, and a wall for protection against 
the sea, 24,000 loads of stone were used, which were brought 
from the Connecticut shore. In an easterly storm, the dash. 
ing of the waves shakes their very foundations. The soil of 
Southold is mostly a sandy loam, producing, by a sufficiency 
of manure, heavy crops of all kinds of grain. Whilefish are 
very much used to fertilize the soil. The coast is generally 
a sand bank. 




Coekran^g Hotels (built in 1700,) and UtOversalist Ckureht Southold. 

There are within the limits of the town, ten churches, five 
of which are Presbyterian, three Methodist, one Baptist, and 
one Universalist. The first meeting-house wHich was built in 
the infancy of the settlement, was taken down and replaced 
by another in 1684, whiph stood till 1803, when the present 
elegant one was erected. There is an endowed seminary in 
the town, which is in a flourishing state. According to a cen. 
3us taken in 1835, the number of inhabitants was 3,200, The. 
census of 1840 will probably show an increase of about 500. 

The village of Greenport, in the eastern section of the 
town, has arisen as if by magic. Eight years ago, there was 
but one small house in the place ; now it contains about 100 
buildings and 400 inhabitants. It has two marine railways, 
and a convenient ship-wharf. Four ships and one brig sail 
fix)m this port, which are employed in the whaling business. 
From the different landings and villages on Southold or Pe- 
conic Bay, from 50 to 70 sloops are constantly running. 
There are two other villages in the township which retain 
their Indian names, viz., Mattatuck and Cutchogue. 
16* 



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SKETCH OF OLDEN TIMES. 



The people who settled the colony of New Haven were 
mostly of those who left England to avoid persecution for non- 
conformity. It might reasonably have been supposed, that 
when they had become settled and their government organ- 
ized, they would have allowed free toleration in matters of 
religion ; especially as it was their boast, with the other set- 
tlers, that " they left their pleasant homes and settled in the 
howling wilderness, that they might enjoy liberty of con- 
science." And toleration they did allow to all who thought 
and believed according to their views, but were quite severe 
towards those who dissented from them. The New Haven 
people probably reasoned like the renowned Dr. Cotton, that 
** If the worship be lawful, (and they the judges,) the com^lU 
ing to conoe to it compelleth not to sin, but the sin is in the will 
that needs to be forced to Christian duty." Whether or not 
they reasoned in this manner, it is certain that Mr. Davenport 
and his coadjutors, equally with their brethren of Massachu- 
setts, ruled with that severity which was in accordance with 
the spirit of the age. This assertion is abundantly proved by 
the colony records. The following may be taken for an ex- 
ample: Humphrey Norton, a Quaker, was brought from 
Southold on the 10th day of the first month, 1658, imprison- 
ed, brought forth, and allowed to dispute with Davenport on 
the tenets of the Quakers. But Davenport not being able to 
convince him, pronounced him incorrigible, and delivered him 
over to the secular power : he was fined £20, severely whip, 
ped, branded H on his hand, and banished from the jurisdic- 
tion. The court declared this was the least they could do, 
and discharge a good conscience towards God. Another 
poor Quaker was brought from Stamford, and dealt with much 
in the same manner. Baptists and Episcopalians at U)e first 
were also proscribed. It does not appear, however, that the 
New Haven people ever went quite to the extremity to pirt 
any one to death for opinions' sake, as did their brethr^i of 
Massachusetts.* 

♦ In 1659, William Robinson, Marmaduke Stephenson, and Mary 
Dyer, Gluakers, weie brought to trial before the g^eral court of 



yGoogk 



SKETCH OP OLDEN TIMES. 187 

As some palliation of the intolerance of the Puritan settlers, 
it may be remarked, that they considered the plantations as 
their own property, on which no one had a right to trespass or 
intrude. They left England that they might enjoy unmolest- 
ed their cherished opinions, and after having been at the labor 
and expense to resettle themselves, it was wounding to their 
feelings to have people of different religious sentiments come 
amon^ them to reside. There was room, they said, without 
their jurisdiction, for others to settle by themselves. And 
besides, persecution was the spirit of the age. Tlie world 
had not then learnt that it always defeats its own object ; that 
the most e^ctual way to propagate an opinion, is to oppose it. 

The colonists of New Haven, as before remarked, founded 
their civil polity on the Mosaic law ; as a consequence. Sun- , 
day was observed with the greatest reverence. They put by 
their secular affairs at three o'clock on Saturday afternoon, 
and spent the rest of the day in catechising* and preparation 

Massachusetts, and sentenced to death. On the 27ih of October, 
ihe two first were executed. The last mentioned was reprieved at 
the time, but hung the next year. — Sewal, p. 231. 

The Cluakers were treated with great severity by the Puri- 
tans in general. They were compelled to attend the meetings of the 
people of " God's elect;" and when they assembled by themselves, 
though never so privately, their doors might be broken open j a 
thing which Lord Chatham did not hesitate to say in parliament, 
the Hng could not and dare not do. It was not only dangerous to 
be a Cluaker, but almost as dangerous to befriend them, as the foi> 
lowing case, extracted from the records of the general court of Mas- 
sachusetts, will show : In the year 1657, (during the reign of Endi- 
cott,) Lawrence Southwick and Cassandra, his wife, very aged 
members of the Church in Salem, for offering entertainment to two 
Cluakers, were fined and imprisoned. They absented themselves 
from meeting, and in consequence were fined and whipped. A son 
and daughter of this aged, and, according to Puritan standard, 
pious couple, were also fined for non-attendance at meeting, and not 
paying this fine, the general court by a special order empowered 
the treasurer to bell them as SLAVES, " to any of the English 
nation at Virginia oV Barbadoes." It is not wished to inculcate the 
idea, that the Cluakers were without fault, but it must be admitted, 
that the severe laws of our forefathers against them cannot be jus- 
tified. 

♦ All youths imder twenty-one years of age were catechised pub- 
licly in the meeting-house once a week, in the Westminster cate- 
chism. During this exercise they were seated around in the front 
seats of the gallery, and each one in turn would rise and repeat the 
answer to the question put forth by the minister. The youth of 
those times looked forward with joyous anticipation to the time 



yGoogk 



168 SKBTCH OF OLDEN TIMES. 

for the Sabbath. Hence the time on that day after 3 o'clock 
was called ^ the preparation,^^ and was considered but a little 
less holy than the succeeding day. From this practice orig- 
inated the custom in New England, of keeping school but 
half the day on Saturday. The plan was evidently adopted 
in imitation of the Jewish preparation. The practice, howev* 
er, was not peculiar to the colony of New Haven, but was 
adopted throughout New England. Concerning the subject 
of keeping Saturday night as holy time or as a part of their 
Sabbath, some difference of opinion existed among the first 
ministers of New England. Messrs. Hooker and Stone, of 
Hartford, considered that the day commenced at midnight, 
but their opinions were overruled by the Mosaic order, " that 
from even to even shall ye celebrate your Sabbaths." 

On their Sabbath no one was excused from attending 
the public worship of the established church, (the Congr^a* 
tional,) upon any plea except sickness. Non-attendance 
was punished by a fine of 4«., and sometimes by whipping. 
In proof of then- severity on this subject, the followmg is 
given from the New Haven records : 

In 1647, William Blayden was publicly and severely whipped for 
not attending meeting, although he plead that all the clothes he 
had were unfit to wear, being all wet through the preceding Satur- 
dav, as he had been abroad after cattle in the woods in a violent 
rain, and on the Sunday had kept his bed. 

It was formerly a very censurable act to eat an apple or 
nut on Sunday. No cooking was allowed to be done on that 
day ; food was to be prepared the day before, inasmuch as 
the Jews were ordered by Moses to gather a double portion 
of manna; and a man was stoned to death for gathering 
sticks on the Sabbath. No per^n might watch or keep 
cattle on Sunday in a common field, under the penalty of 
10s. for each default. No one might travel on Sunday fur- 
ther than a " Sabbath's day journey," (about two miles,) ex- 
cept going to meeting. The remark of the venerable mar- 
tyralogist, John Fox, was truly apposite, that " the Puritans 
would not desist till they had brought all things into Jewish 
bondage."* 

The Congregational church was established by law, and it 



when they should be delivered from the thraldom. The practice 
was continued till about 1770. 
• Fuller, page 106, in a letter of Fox's. 



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SnrCH OP OLDEN TI1CS8. 160 

was enacted that no person within the colony shodd em- 
body, themselves into church-estate without the consent of 
Uie general court* The law also prohibited any ministry to 
be attended by the inhabitants in any plantation distinct and 
separate from that which was established in the place, except 
by the approbation of the general court and the neighboring 
churches. One object of these laws was doubtless to pre- 
vent Baptists, and the Episcopalians, and others, from 
gaining a foothold. The rigid principles of the settlers 
of New England (as an able author remarks) led to many 
abstruse inquiries and minute distinctions on religious subjects, 
which divided the opinions of the people ; and churches were 
often rent asunder by speculative opinions that are not intelli- 
gible. This was the case especially in communities where 
Siey had no settled minister, as, for example, in Wethersfield, 
as already stated. 

At the first settlement of the country, before bells were ob- 
tained, the time for the commencement of their meeting was 
announced by beating the drum or blowing a conch sheU. 
This practice is alluded to in the following extract : 

" New England's Sabbath day 

Is heaven-like, still, and pure. 
Then Israel walks the way, 
Upto the temple's door i 
The time we tell, 
When there to come, 
By beat of drum. 
Or sounding shell." 

The Puritans, in their worship, aimed to differfromthe Ro- 
mish ceremonies as much as possible. Instead of kneeling at 
prayers they made it a point of propriety, if not of con- 
science, to stand, and they always sat while singing. Instru- 
mental music they excluded, notwithstanding the example of 
the temple-worship, because it was used by the Roman and 
English church. It was formerly the custom, when the min- 
ister entered at the commencement of the meeting, for the 
congregation to rise and continue standing till he was seated 
in the pulpit. While talking with a minister it was customary 
to take on the hat and hold it under the arm. 

The influence of ministers was formerly very great. They 
were treated with the most profound reverence, and were 
looked upto as a superior order of beings. They were always 
colisultea in cases of any emergency, and they even had a 
hand in the formation and execution of the civil laws. 



yGoogk 



190 SKBTCH OF OLDEN TIMSS. 

When a church was destitute of one it was said to be in a 
state of widowhood. The ordination of a minister was an 
occasion of much importance, when it was usual for every 
member of the society who was the head of a family, to make 
a feast, called ordination dinner, which was similar to thanks- 
giving pinner, as will be described. 

Seating the meeting-house was a subject of much impor- 
tance. It was done by a committee appointed for the pur- 
|)Ose, who stationed the people according to their lists of es- 
tate. It was no easy task to satisfy all, and generally a large 
number were displeased. 

The colonists for a time reckoned the days of the week 
and nK)nth by numbers 1» 2» 3, &c., which they considered 
more scriptural than the use of "heathen names;" but this 
plan they soon abandoned, because it was adopted by the 
Quakers. 

The belief in witchcraft was formerly as common in the 
colony as in other parts pf New England. A number of 
trials of persons accused of that imaginary crime are record- 
ed, but it is believed no one was executed^ It has been ob- 
served, that our forefathers looked upon nature with more 
reverence and horror before the world was enlightened by 
learning and philosophy, and loved to astonish themselves 
with apprehensions of witchcraft, prodiges, ghosts, and en- 
chantments. That this is true we shall be convinced if we 
take into consideration the horror with which comets and 
the aurora borealis were formerly viewed, they being be- 
lieved to be infallible premonitors of war, pestilence, and 
famine. When the northern lights were first witnessed by 
the colonists, Dec. lllh, 1719, they were extremely alarmed 
with the apprehensions of the approach of "the last judg- 
ment !" During the French war they were uncommonly 
splendid, and were described by the amazed spectators as 
"moving swords of fiame ;" and t}ieir perverted imaghiatbns 
depicted fiery steeds, helmeted warriors, and hosts of prancing 
cavalry engaged in fierce confiict in the northern sky. 

The early colonists observed a public fast in the sprmg, and a 
day of thanksgiving in the fall. Especial pains was takmi 
that the fast should never be appointed on Good Friday, as 
that day is the annual fast of the church of England. When 
by modern innovation the state fast was first appointed on 
the objectionable day, some "groanings" escaped from under 
the Saybrook platform^ and equaled only by those which 



y Google / 



SKETCH OP OLDEN TIXES. 191 

have since been breathed forth when the end was made to 
the observance of the day being enforced by law. It was 
formerly considered a grievous sin to take the least food on 
that day» especially if it became known. The annual thanks- 
giving was intended to supply the place of Christmas, which 
was inhibited by public opinion from being in any way ob- 
served. All notice of the day was considered as rather 
antichristian. It has been said that minced pies were pro- 
scribed from the " bill of fare" of the Puritans, because they 
were customarily made by the Episcopalians on Christmas. 
Thanksgiving was celebrated with the greatest profusion. For 
three days previous all was bustle and preparation : the stall- 
ed ox was killed, — ^turkeys, hens, and geese innumerable, 
shared the fate of Charles the first, — a load of the best wal- 
nut wood was drawn for^the thanksgiving fires, a barrel of 
the best cider was chosen, the best pumpkins were selected • 
for pies, (to supply the plaoe of minced,) and strong toater was 
provided in moderation to assist the inspiration of the joyful 
occasion. 

The anticipated day at length arrived : the forenoon was 
spent b^ the women in cooking, and by the men at meeting. 
Immediately " after meeting was done," the dinner was made 
ready, when, after a lengthy grace, the patriarch, with his 
children and grandchildren, seated themselves at the round ta» 
Me, *' which groaned beneath the burden of its load." After din- 
ner the family assembled around the fire, which blazed merrily in 
** the parlor," to converse " of all the mercies from the Lord," 
except the young men, (when the time began to degenerate,) 
who would sometimes steal away to joui in a game at foot- 
ball. On that day all members of the family, far and near, 
made it a point to be present under the paternal roof, which 
circumstance much conspired to add to the joy of the occa- 
sion. Fasts and thank^iving are yet commonly observed 
in New England, but not in the full spirit of the puritanic times. 

Election, in old times, was a great day, when it was custom- 
ary to make a large quanity of cake, which was called eleC" 
turn cake. The freemen of the colony mostly went to the 
seat of government to vote, and took with them a large sup. 
ply* of the cake for provision. This was probably the object 
for which it was at first made, and it being found very con- 
venient, it soon became an established custom. It was cus. 
tomary when a family moved into a new house to make an 
entertainment, to which the neighbors were invited, which was 
called house-warming. 



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192 SXSTCH OF OLDEN TIMBS. 

All iiftercourse c^ society was very forma], and especial 
pains were taken that there should be no disorderly conduct 
among the '* young men and maidens." No person might 
pay bis addresses to a young womcm without first obtaining 
the consent of her parents. The following law relating to 
this subject, is copied from Eaton's code. (Copy in the state 
records.) 

Whosoever shall inveigle or draw the affections of any maide or 
maide-servant, either for himself or others, without first gaining 
the consent of her parents, or guardians, besides all damages the 
parents may sustain, shall pay to the plantation 40^. for the first of- 
fense, and for the second towards the same party, £A ; for the third 
shall be fined, imprisoned, or corporeally punished, as the planta- 
tion court shall direct. 

Under this law, as appears by the New Haven records, at a 
court held May 1, 1660, 

Jacobeth Murline and Sarah Tuttle were prosecuted " for set- 
ting down on a chest together, his arme about her waiste, and her 
arme upon his shoulder or about his neck, and continuing in yt. 
sinfuU posture about half an hour, in which time he kyssed her 
and she kyssed him, or they kyssed one another, as ye witnesses tes- 
tified. Mr. Tuttle pleaded yt. Jacob had endeavoured to steal 
away his daughter's affections, but yt. Sarah denied, and it did not 
appear to ye courie," but notwithstanding, " as they had carried it 
in such a wanton, uncivil, and lascivious manner," they were sen- 
tenced to pay, each of them, 20i. to the treasurer. 

The following, copied from Lib. 2, of New Haven records, 
was designed to prevent "irregular conduct" among the 
young people : 

At a general courtefor New Haven, Sept. 11, 1666. 
Upon consideration of much sin committed at times of husking 
Indian corn — It is ordered that noe single person, or persons, what- 
soever in this plantation, shall meet together upon pretence of husk- 
ing Indian com out of the family to wch. they belong after 9 of ye 
clock, unless ye master or parents of such person or persons be with 
them to prevent disorder at such times, or some fitt person intrusted 
to yt. end by ye severall parents or masters. And whatsoever per- 
son or persons shall be found to trangress this order shall be liable 
to ye penalty of ye lawe agaynst night walkers.* 

Young men and women were forbidden by another order 

* When times had moderated some degrees, huskings were at- 
tended with much glee and conviviality, and many girls were gal- 
lanted home without the previous consent of parents. A good de- 
scription of an old fashioned husking, may be found in Barlow's 
Epic Poem, entitled Hasty Pudding. 



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nSTCH OF OLDBN TOfBi. 198 

^ to ride together from one plantation to another on pretense 
of attending lectures," &c.* 

They were particular in old times to give every man his 
title : ministers and magistrates were called Mr. ; church- 
members brethren and sisters, and the commonality, who 
were not in church fellowship, were simply goodman and) 
goodwife. As in times of war and danger a military office 
IS one of important trust, a high respect was given to military 
officers, and the early records abound with the titles of ser- 
geant and corporal. In christening children, besides Scripture 
names, which were the most common, the names of the vir- 
tues .and abstract qualities were frequently used ; as, for ex- 
ample, for women, Content, Charity, Deliverance, Desire, Ex- 
perience, Faith, Grace, Hope, Love, Mercy, Mindwell, 
Makepeace, Prudence, Pity, Patience, Rejoice, Relief, Re- 
markable, Silence, Thankful, Temperance, Waitstill ; and for 
men, Justice, Seaborn, Praisegod, &c. 

The standard of education, formerly, for persons in com- 
mon life, was to read, write, and cast up accounts. All the 
books used in schools, were the Bible and Youth's Instructor, 
which last was superseded by Dilworth's Spelling Book. In- 
stead of using an arithmetical text-book, it was customary 
for the master "to set sums." Before spelling they gen- 
erally "chose sides." The wages of common teachers 
was 40*. per month. The rod was used unsparingly in 
schools, it being the popular opinion, ^that to spare the rod 
was to spoil the child." The colonists had a predilection for 
whipping ; whipping at the post, or cart tail, being the com- 
mon punishment for transgressors in the small way. The 
whipping-post and stocks were usually placed near the meet- 
ing-house. 

On account of a deficiency of money, wages and taxes 
were paid in produce or country payment, and nearly all the 
merchandise of the colony was transacted by the same me- 
dium. A correct idea of that method of trade in old times, 
may be gathered from the following extract from the Travels 



* The strictness of those times were occasioaally attended with 
unhappy consequences. For instance, Lazarus and Isaiah Gunn, 
young men, of JMilford, for Uiking the liberty to visit " their girls" 
on Saturday nighl, were ** severely" whipped by their father on the 
succeeding Monday, which shamed them so much that they with- 
drew from all company, and lived and died in smgle bUssedneu, 

17 



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194 SKETCH OF OLDEN TIMES. 

of Madam Knight, a lady of rank, of such remarkaUe cour- 
age as to make the tour from Boston to New York, about 
1695: 

" They give the title of merchant to every trader who rate their 
goods according to the time and specie they nay in, viz., pay, 
money, nay as money, and trusting. Pay is gram, pork, and beef, 
&c., at tne prices set by the general court that year ; money is pieces 
of 8, ryals, or Boston or Bay shillings, (as they call them,) or good 
hard money, as sometimes silver coin is called by them ; also wam- 
pum, viz., Indian beads, wch. serves for change. Pay as money, is 
provisions as aforesaid, one third cheaper than as the Assembly or 
§[enerall court sets it, and trust as they and the merchant agree for 
time. Now when the buyer comes to ask for a commodity, some- 
times before the merchant answers that he has it, he sais, is your 
jMiy ready 7 Perhaps the chap replies, yes. What do you pay in 1 
sais the merchant. The buyer having answered, then the price is 
set ; as suppose he wants a 6^. knife, in pay it is V^.^ in pay as 
money, 8a., and hard money, its own value, 6<i. It seems a very 
intricate way of trade, and what *Lex Mercatoria' had not 
thought of." 

The following is a facsimile of one of the Bay shillings, 
mentioned above : 




Besides shillings, were corned sixpences and threepences. 
They were the first money coined in New England, and 
from the device were usually called j^ine trees. The law 
enacted, that ^ Massachusetts and a tree in the centre be on 
one side ; and New England, and the year of our Lord, and 
the figure XII, VI, III, according to the value of each piece, 
be on the other side." They were less in size and weight 
dian the standard of the English shiUing, the reason of which 
was, doubtless, that they might be retained in the colony. 
The date when they were first issued was never akered, 
though more coin was stamped annually for thirty years."** 

* It was the tradition, that the person who coined them made his 
fortune by the business, and had two daughters, whose marriage 
portions he paid to them all in shilling pieces. 



yGoogk 



snrstcH OF o^dbn timbs* 195 

The followiDg 18 a facsimile of a coin, or medal, in tlie 
Trumbull Gallery, New Haven : 




It is evidently a relict of the revolutionary period in Eng- 
land, which was succeeded by the Commonwealth. Charles L, 
while chased about by parliament, being in want of money to 
pay his soldiers, cut up silver plate belonging to himself and 
followers, and stamped it for that purpose. After he was de- 
feated at the battle of Naseby, with the loss of 5,000 men, 
in 1046, he took refuge in the Scottish camp, at Newark, in 
Nottinghamshire. The next year he was delivered up by the 
Scotch to the parliament, for £400,000. The coin in ques- 
tion is doubtless to be referred to this period, and was proba- 
bly brought to America by some one who emigrated to es- 
cape the troubles of the times. The money was made in the 
above shape, because the plate would evidently cut in that 
form with less waste than in a circle. The letters O B S : 
it seems probable from the above facts, may be an abbrevia- 
tion of the Latin noun, obses^ which signifies, a pledge given 
for the performance of covenants. 

The following was the usual form in which a note .of hand 
was executed, as appears by the ancient records. (Town 
Records of Milford.) 

Know all Men by these Presents, that I George Clark, Jr., of 
Milford, in ye County of New Haven, in ye Colony of Connecti- 
cut in New England, Husbandman, doe acknowledge myself to owe 
and to be bound unto Richard Bryan, Es^., of said Milford, County 
and Dominion afforesaid ye full ande joste summe of one pound 
five shillings and tenpence in Lawful money, or in merchantable pro- 
vision pay at price currant •, Wheat at 55. per bushel, Indian Come 
at 25. 6a., to be paid unto ye said Richard brvan, his Heirs, Execu- 
tors, Assigns, or certain Attorney, idl on or before the first daye of 
Maye next ensneing ye date hereof, and for ye true performance 



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196 



8KBTCH OF OLDBN TIMBS. 



hereof, I bind me, myself, my Heirs, Executors, Administratorat, and 
Assigns, firmly by these presents. In witness whereof I have here- 
unto set my hand and seale, this 10th daye of December, 1680, in ye 
5 yr. of his Majesty's reign, James ye 2id, of England King, &c. 

GEORGE CLARK, Jr. Ii.8. 
Signed, Sealed, and delivered in 
presence of us, 

S4MUEL SaNPORD, 

John Smith, (ye Smith.) 

The following is the form of a Connecticut treasury note, 
issued during the revolutionary war, as near as can be imi- 
tated by the type used at the present day : 




rp H E Possessor of this BILL shall 
-^ be paid by the Treasurer of the 
State of Connecticut, NINE 
PENCE, in Spanish Milled Dol- 
lars, at the Rate of six Shillings each, 
or other silver or gold Coins equiva- 
lent, with Interest at five per Cent, per 
Annum^ bv the 1st Day 
Seal of of March,^ A. B. 1784. 

Connecticut. ^X <^^^^^^ of Assem- 
BLY. Dated at Hartford^ 
the first Bay of JUNE, 
A B, 1780. 
9rf. 




On the back of the original of the above bill, is a heavy bor- 
der, and in the center the following, set in type : " ? ? Nine 
Pence?? June 1st, 1780. Printed by Timo. Green." On 
each corner, at the top and bottom, is set in capitals the word 
ninepence. The engraving of the borders and state arms 
of the bill was done by John Hallam, of New London. 



yGoogk 



amCH OF OLDBN TIMSf* 



107 




The above is a likeness of Gov. Yale, copied from his por- 
trait in the Trumbull Gallery, New Haven. The object of 
the insertion is to show something of the style of dress in 
olden times. It will very much help to form just conceptions 
of our fore&thers, and their good domes, to know what was 
their personal appearances. To this end, some description 
of their apparel will be given. The men wore three-sided, 
or cocked hats, with the crown round and fitting to the head. 
On the left side was a large wooden button, with horse hair 
wove around it, to which was fastened the drawing cord which 
held up the sides.* Until the period of the revolution every 
person who wore a fur hat had it always of entire beaver. 
They universally cost eight dollars. Every apprentice, at re. 
ceiving his " freedom," received a real beaver. Every-day 
hats were made of wool, and called felts; 

At the era of the settlement of New England, it was cus- 
tomary with the Puritans to cut the hair ** round by a cap," (or 
net.) Wigs were afterwards the fasl)ion, and were worn 
even by boys. ** Full bottomed wigs," made of k>ng hair, 



* In Milford, a comoany of the ion adopted the use of a white 
Imtton on their hats, rrom whioh circumstance they were called 
the " white buttoned club.'' 
17* 



yGoogk 



108 SKETCH OF OLSBN TUfBS. 

• 

curled and powdered, were worn by ministers and other pro- 
fessional men. They were dressedy.curled, and powderea, on 
a block head. As soon as the wigs were abandoned and the 
natural hair cherished, it became the mode to dress it by plat- 
tmff it, ^y cueing and clubbing, or by wearing it in a sflk 
sack or bag back of the neck, adorned with a large black 
rose. Coats had a number of large plats in the skirts, were 
wadded or stiffened with buckram to make them stand out ; 
sleeves short, cuffs very lai^e up to the elbows, open below, 
with short bars of lead therein for the purpose of keeping 
them down when the arm was raised horizontally. The col- 
lar was single, and usually termed a stand up collar, ^d so 
low as readily to expose the fine platted neckcloth of fine 
linen cambric, and the large silver stock buckle on the back 
of the neck. Coats were sometimes trimmed with gold or 
silver lace. The shirts had wide hand ruffles, (sometimes 
made of lace,) and sleeves finely platted and fastened round 
the wrist with a pair of gold or silver buttons, set with stones 
or paste of various colors. The vest had great depending 
pocket flaps, and reached nearly to tlie knees. The breeches 
were close fitted, and were short above the stride, because 
the art since devised of suspending them by suspenders was 
then unknown. It was then the test, and even the pride x^ a 
well-formed man, that he could readily keep them above his 
hips, and his stockings, without gartering, above the calf oi 
his legs. The breeches were fastened on the outside of the 
knees with gold or silver knee-buckles, sometimes set with 
stones. The coat and breeches were generally desirable d 
the same material— of broadcloth for winter, and silk camblet 
fbr summer. Coats of red cloth were considerably worn, and 
plush breeches and plush vests of various colors, shining and 
smooth, were in common use. Everlasting, made of worst- 
ed, was a fabric of great use for breeches, and sometnnes for 
vests. Farmers and artisans usually wore sheep and buck- 
skin breeches. The stockings worn were of thread, in sum- 
mer, and woolen in winter, which were knit in ribs. 

Shoes were usually made of neats' leather, for common 
wear, and calfskin for dress up ones. They were cut with 
wide straps, and were fastened with silver shoe-buckles, which 
were sometimes set with stones. The fashion for shoes has 
changed a number of times since the first settlement : first, 
round toed, then, as at present, square toed, which were suc- 
ceeded by toes pointed, and as much peaked as possible. 



yGoogk 



flEJnCH OP OLHiEN TIMB8. 100 

Boots were not used till near the time of the revdution. 
Tlie buttons formerly used were very large. It was not un- 
common to see real Spanish quarters, with eyes soldered on 
and the coinajge retained, worn on coats, and " bits of 8" were 
used on vests and other garments. Conch shell buttons, sil- 
ver mounted, were sometimes used. Women, at one time, 
wore on their great-coats large gilt or silver plated buttons, 
one and a half inch in diameter. 

Nothing like surtouts were known^ but they had coating or 
cloth great-coats, or blue cloth and brown camlet cloaks, with 
green baize lining to the latter. In the time of the revolu- 
tionary war many of the American officers introduced the 
use of white Dutch blankets for groat-coats. 

After garments were considerably worn, it was customary 
to rip and turn them, particularly coats. A garment was only 
half worn when it became broken. 

The apparel of women, at the first settlement, was remark- 
able for simplicity. Striped linen short gowns and petticoats, 
in summer, were worn in public — *• to meeting," for instance ; 
and in winter, garments of Unsey^wooUey cloth, homd manu- 
factured. When calico was first introduced it was sold for 
5«. sterling the yard, and the woman who had a gown of that 
cloth, was dressed in \he first fashion. A worsted cloth, call- 
ed calimanco, was much used for under garments, and to 
wear with the sliort gown. Of the bonnets worn in former 
times, one was called the " horse hair bonnet," which was 
made of horse hair wove in flowers, had a very small crown 
and big brim, not unlike the present Leghorn flats. Another, 
not unlike it in shape, called a skimmer bonnet, was made of 
a fabric which shone like silver tinsel. Bonnets made of 
black satin were perhaps the most worn. The only straw 
worn was that called '* the straw beehive bonnet," made of 
split straw, and fastened to bonnet-board, or milnet, with 
gum Arabic dissolved. Beaver hats, for a long course of 
years, were much worn, trimmed with black feathers. Veils 
were never used, except crape in mourning. Tlie hair was 
dressed in various manners, at different times. Once it was 
the fashion to cut the hair of a proper length, and have it 
curled all over the head in " crisped curls," done with " curl- 
ing tongs." This formidable outfit of head-work was next 
succeeded by rollers stuffed with wool or cotton, over which 
the hair was combed above the forehead. These, again« 
were superseded by cushions and artificial c^rlwork, which 
was sent to the barber's block, like a wig, to be dressed. 



yGoogk 



300 SKETCH OF OLDBN TIMBB. 

The cap worn at first was of the fashion now worn by 
Quaker women, made of cambric, with a strait narrow bor- 
der, and tabs which came down under the chin. The next 
feshion was the ^ queen's night cap," the same as always 
wom<by Lady Washington. It was usually made of muslm, 
with a narrow and very scanty ruffle border, and tabs like 
the other. 

Women once wore hollow breasted sta3rs, set with whale 
bone, which were exploded as injurious to the health. Thea 
came the use of straight stays ; even little girls wore such 
stays. It is hoped that every variety of lacing will soon be 
disused; for setting aside the destruction of health and 
life occasioned by it, it is vain to attempt by art to improve 
the beautiful symmetry of nature. Gowns, at one time worn, 
had no fronts ; the design was to display a finely quilted petti* 
coat and a worked stomacher on the waist. Hoops were 
once worn at the bottom of the dress, so lai^ that in enter- 
ing a door the wearer was obliged to raise one side to get in. 
Next gowns with trails, or ^ sweep streets," as they were 
sometimes called, were the foshion. The end of the trail 
was usually carried on the right arm of the wearer, when 
walking, unless the person was in circumstances to have a 
waiter to carry it. A pair of laige pockets were worn, one 
on each side, under the gown. These were usually made of 
fine linen, and on them flowers were worked with colored 
worsted. The stockings worn were usually blue or green, 
with large red clocks at the sides. Dress shoes were made of 
cloth, and fi:equently worked with flowers, and had high wood* 
en heels, through which was inserted an iron rivet, to keep 
them from splitting ofl. Leather shoes had also wooden 
heels. Black velvet masks were worn in winter, with a silver 
mouth-piece to keep them on by retaining it in the mouth. 
Green ones were sometimes used in summer while riding in 
the sun on horseback. Large green t>aper fans, called ^sun 
fans," were carried to shade the face while walking in the 
sun. The first umbrellas were introduced about seventy 
years ago, and at the time were considered a Very efleminate 
thing. Parasols were not used till many years after. Women 
formerly wore cloaks as their phief over-coats : they were 
used, with some changes of form, under the successive names 
of roquelaus, capuchins, and cardinals. These were made of 
camlet and red broadcloth, and often had hoods attached to 
them. Spectacles were not much used in former times» and 



yGoogk 



SEKTCH OF OLDBN TIMES. 201 

only by aged people. They had no side supporters, and 
were called bridge spectacles, (after common ones came into 
use,) being kept on solely by nipping the bridge (^ the nose. 

Most of the cloth worn in old times was homemade^ and it 
was the ambition of young women to have a good stock of linen 
and sheets spun (sometimes wove) and whitened by them- 
selves. When they had this and a pillow-case full of stock* 
ings, they were ready to marry. It might have been as much 
expected to have found a family without beds as without spin- 
ning-wheels. The cotton gin and power loom have indeed 
worked wonders. 

Concerning the early stylo of architecture, it may be re. 
marked, that the best houses in New England were built in 
the leanto form, similar to a view on page 138. It was tisual 
to set them facing the south. The frames were made of 
heavy oak timber ; some of the largest pieces were full 18 
inches in diameter. They were covered with rent oak clap, 
boards, and the roof with long cedar shingles nailed on ribs. 
The space between the clapboards and the interior side walls 
were usually filled with clay. The rooms were only plaster, 
ed on the sides, the sleepers and floor above being left naked. 
The windows were of small diamond glass set in lead frames, 
and swung open each way on the outside. Tiie shape of the 
whole window was about square. The height of the rooms 
was about seven feet ; the floors were made of thick oak 
boards fastened down with wooden pins. The doors were 
constructed of upright boards, fastened together with batten, 
and had wooden latches with a leathern string, which went 
through the door to raise the latch, instead of a thumb piece. 
The outside doors were made of double planks, and the nails 
were placed in the angles of small diamonds. They were 
fastened at night by a strong wooden bar placed across them 
on the inside. The chimney was built of stone in the mid. 
die of the house, and was about ten or twelve feet square at 
the foundation. The principal fireplaces were so large as 
to admit of wood being burnt in them the length of the cart. 
In the fireplaces were large ovens and stock holes in the 
jambs. The ground floor was Icdd below the sills, which pro« 
jected into the room eight or ten inches. The apartments 
were two large front rooms and a long narrow kitchen in the 
back of the house, with a bedroom or milkroom at one end. 
The stairs went up beside the chimney from the front entry. 
The cellar was only under one of the front rooms. In the 



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302 SEBTCH OF OLDBN TIICBS. 

sitting roonoy on the side opposite the chimney, a large open 
cupboard, called a dresser , was placed, on ^ch it was cus- 
tomary to set up the pewter ware. Since the leanto roof 
house, the first fashion, various styles of building at differ, 
ent times predominated, until the half house plan &gan to be 
adopted, which is now the prevailing form of country houses. 
It is hoped that the good taste of architects will soon intro- 
duce for common dwellings some design more symmetricaL 
The well which belonged to an old house was commonly pla* 
ced five or six rods from the back door. The water was 
drawn by means of a beam balanced on an axle at the top of 
a perpendicular post of suitable height, to the end of which 
was attached a small pole, and bucket, which was let down 
into the well. The technical terms of the diflfererent parts of 
this drawing apparatus, were the well-crotch, sweep, and hand 
pole. Pumps, made of bored logs, were formerly used to 
considerable extent to raise water from wells. The plan of 
a rope and two buckets, when first used, was called up and 
dawns. 

It was usual, in old times, to keep a large fire burning in 
the kitchen in summer as well as in winter. The farmer, 
after reaping in the wheat field, or mowing in the meadows 
during the day, at eventide would take his seat on the settee 
by the fire, while the door stood open, which gave free access 
to the melodies of the frog, turtle, owl, and whippowil. In 
winter a fire was built in the morning, which would last nearly 
through the day. In the first place two or three logs, the 
length of the cart, were got in for back.sticks, sometimes so 
large that a horse was used to draw them in with. These 
rolled to their place, smaller logs for fore-sticks were laid on 
the heavy andirons, and then smaller sticks and dry kindling 
wood, was plentifully filled in. This pile once merrily blazing, 
** the tyrant Jack Frost" had to escape for his Hfe, and t& 
good wife and her rosy daughters, ^< in good earnest," set 
about getting breakfast. This, among the farmers, was 
usually very plain, and consisted frequently of salt meat soup, 
(then called porridge,) in which were scattered some beans, 
and seasoned with diy summersavory, with some meat and 
brown bread. Tea and.coflfee, at the first, were not used. 
Cider, or beer, was usually drank at eveiy meal. Dinner 
usually cobsisted (paticularly in winter) of a large "Indian 
pudding," boiled eight or ten hours, in which were stirred dri- 
ed sweet apples. This was eaten with sauce made of vine* 



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8K8TCH OF OLDBN TOOS. 308 

gar, mdasses, and the fat from the pot io which the dinner 
was boiled. Instead of this, sometimes butter and molasses 
was used. After the pudding came a dish of boiled pork and 
beef, with round turnips, and (after they were introduced) a 
l!ew potatoes. Supper commonly consisted of what was left 
of dinner, with the addition of a basin of bread and milk. 

The table ftirniture of old times was very plain. At first 
pieces of boards were used for plates ; then trenchers turned 
out of wood ; next pewter plates and dishes, basins, porringers, 
&c., came into use. Spoons, fcfr common use, were of a 
composition metal called alchymy. Instead of pitchers, sil- 
ver or pewter tankards were used, which were covered with 
bell-shaped covers of the same metal. Silver and glass cans 
supplied the place of tumblers ; they were cups which held 
about half a pint, with a handle attached to them. A large 
china punch bowl, and a beaker glass, holding nearly two 
quarts, were thought necessary articles of crockery. When 
tea was first used, blue china tea sets were introduced with 
it. The tea-pot was globular, afnd would hold about a pint, 
and the tea-cup nearly a gill. China tea-pots were sometimes 
se^n, with silver nozzles, and were considered a mark of su- 
perior finery. Instead of japanned waiters, as now, they had 
round tea-boards, which being turned on an axle underneath 
the center, stood upright like an expanded ftm or palm leaf, 
usually in one comer of the room. The tables were round, 
with a leaf on each side. Chairs were made of maple posts 
and slats, with high perpendicular backs, and were rush or 
splinter-bottomed. Every householder deemed it essential to 
convenience and comfort to have a Icurge chest of drawers in 
the parlor, in which the linen and clothes of the family were 
always of ready access, and it was thought no sin to rummage 
them before company. A brass wheeled clock, in a high 
case, which reached from the top of the room to the fioor, 
was a piece of furniture seen only in the houses of the 
affluent. 

There being no chaises or wagons in old times, trav- 
eling was performed on horseback. It was a common thing 
to see pedlars carrying around their wares to sell on ^ pack 
horses, stowed in iBTjge sacks, which hung down on each 
side of the animal. Wooden ware, such as dishes, tra3r8, 
trenchers, and ladles, and sometimes the less heavy articles of 
pewter, were in this way exposed for sale. Ladies rode on side- 
saddles if alone on the horse ; if behind another person, on 



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S04 SEBTCH OF OIOON TIBIB8. 

a ^ pfllioD," which was buckled to thie crup^r of the saddle. 
Fanners who lived at a distance from the meeting-house, 
frequently took their familes to meeting with a cart and oxen. 

Fanning utensils were formerly very coarse and clumsily 
made, compared with those now in use. The plough had only 
one handle, and was guided with the left hand ; in the right 
was held the " plough stafii" used to clean off the earth from 
the plough when clogged. Fanning machines were unknown ; 
large willow fans were used to winnow grain. Pitchforks 
and rakes were large and heavy. Cart bodies were made 
fast to the axletree and tongue, and would not turn up to dis- 
charge the load. Wood, when carted, was consequently 
obliged to be thrown out by hand. Half a cord of wood was 
considered as a monstrous load for an ordinary team. The 
price of walnut wood, eighty years ago, was from 9 to 12^. 
per cord. A farmer generally killed from three to five hogs, 
which would weigh from five to eight score each ; but it was 
an extraordinary hog that weighed eight or ten score. A 
horse that would fetch forty dollars was considered of the first 
quality, and those most prized for the saddle were pacers. 
To this end the breed was propagated with much care. The 
Narraganj?ett pacers, of RlKxle Island, were in such repute, 
that they were sent for at much trouble and expense by some 
few who were choice in their selections. The most import- 
ant crops raised were Indian corn, wheat, and meslin, (wheat 
and rye mixed,) and field peas. When potatoes were intro- 
duced, if a farmer raised five bushels he considered he had a 
very large crop. The author heard it from an aged person, 
that a man in Milford, soon after they began to come in use, 
one year raised ten bushels. It soon became the •* town talk," 
and people wondered what he could do with so many. They 
were at first considered a very unhealthy thing to eat, and 
there was a notion, which many believed, that a person who 
made daily use of them would live only seven years. 

In conclusion, it may be remarked, that the tide of fashion, 
which overwhelms everything in its onward course, has almost 
effaced every trace of what our forefathers possessed or used 
in the way of dress, household furniture, or equipage, but 
whether the change which has taken place is ^for better <Mr 
worse," is lefl for the reader to decide. 



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1'ffE 



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GENEALOGICAL TREE OF THE LAMBERT FAMILY, OF MILFOBD, CT. 




LAMBERT COAT OF ARMS. — ^p. 205* 



Digitized by VjOOQIC 



A GENEALOGICAL SKETCH 

OF THE 

LAMBERT FAMILY, 

OF MILFORD, CONN. 



[Ancestral history is almost entirely neglected in America. We 
have no herald offices, where the pedigree of every family is traced 
out and recorded with unerring accuracy. It may perhaps be urged 
by some, that there is not the use or necessity here, where property 
is conveyed by will, or equally divided among heirs, as there is in 
England, where estates are entailed in the line of the eldest male 
heir. True, it is the tendency of a republican government, where 
" all are born free and equal," to level all family distinctions, as far 
as property is concerned. But there are other considerations why 
family pedigree should be preserved. There is a satisfaction in 
knowing one's lineage, apart from all pecuniary considerations ; 
and if man is worthy of a higher destiny than to share the fate of 
the lower grades of animated nature^ — ^to die and sink into eternal 
oblivion, — it must be acceded by all, that the subject of family biog- 
raphy is too much neglected. 

The author of this work is aware, that motives of vanity will be 
ascribed to him, for introducing a family genealogy before the pub- 
lic. He would state, however, that one obiect of the following sketch 
is to gratify a number of his friends, who have requested him to pre- 
pare something of the kind, and have it printed. Having room for 
It at the end of this work, he deemed it a favorable opportunitv, 
and as the insertion will not increase the price of the book, he thinKs 
there can be no reasonable objection to tne insertion.] 

The Lambert family can trace its descent from high anti- 
quity. They can go back, with all the certainty of written 
records, to the time of William the Conqueror, in the eleventh 
century, and by history of undoubted credibility, to the king- 
dom of the Lombards in Italy. That such was the origin of 
the family cannot be doubted, for were there no proofs of it 
in the records of heraldry, the name itself wpuld indicate such 
to be the fact, (according to the ancient orthography,) as it 
was formerly spelt Lombard. This orthography some mem- 
bers of the family still retain. 

The earliest account we have of the Lombards is, that they 
were a roving clan from Scandinavia, (Norway,) that they 
settled awhile in Vindili, (in Germany,) till attracted by tfa^ 
fair plains of Modena, they rushed from their mountain-fot- 
nesses, took possession and founded one of the most powerful 
states in Italy. The signification of the name in dieir lan- 
18 



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206 GENEALOGICAL SKETCH 

lage was long heard, as history states, '' that this clan parted 

sir hair and sufiered it to grow to whatever length it might 
attain ;" from which circumstance the state where they 
established themselves took its name. This clan is describ^ 
as being of a warlike temper, as the fact of their establishing 
themselves in Italy would prove. Their state of society was 
but about half civilized. They were of a stern, independent 
disposition, which would not brook restraint. They lived on 
the spoils of war and pasturage. Such were the ancestors of 
the family in question, in ancient times. Upon the subver- 
sion of the kingdom, the descendants of the clan were dis-. 
persed into various parts of Europe. Many of them settling 
m cities, engaged in mercantile business — which accounts for 
there having been and yet are so many merchants of the name 
in the cities and large towns in that part of the world. This 
is the first we read of the name of Lombard as a family name. 

The family from which the Milford branch is descended, 
we find in history had established itself in Normandy, in 
France. It appears from the records of heraldry, that they 
were of the highest respectability in the said place, and on 
them were bestowed the various orders of knighthood. When 
William the Conqueror invaded England, he took with him 
Rodolph de Lambert, as his armor bearer, or knight at arms. 
He is the first of the name of which we have any account in 
England. His name appears to indicate that his family was 
from Lombardy, as the particle de signifies from or of, which 
amounts to Rodolphus from Lombardy; thus retaining in 
what has now become the family name, the memorial of, the 
place from which he or his ancestors emigrated. 

It appears by English heraldry, that he had a family in 
Normaddy, previous to his going into England. It says, 
** Of this ancient family of Norman French extraction, one 
branch settled in Bolonga, in Italy, and has always been con- 
sidered one of the most illustrious in that place. Cardinal 
Lambertini, of this family, was elected Bishop of Rome, Au. 
gust 27th, 1730, and took the title of Benedict XIV. He 
claimed relationship with the Earl of Cavan's family, who 
trace their descent from Rodolph de Lambert, who went into 
England with William the Conqueror." 

Rodolph de Lambert lefl one son, Hugh, and from him 
are descended all of the name in England and North Ameri. 
ca. Hugh had by his wife, Matilda, Sir William, his heir, 
who married Gundred, daughter of the Earl of Warren and 
Surrey, by Gundred, four£ daughter of William the Con- 



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OF THB LIMBBRT FAMILT. 207 

queror, and widow of Roger de Bellamont, Earl of Warwick. 
By her he had a son, Henry, standard bearer to Heney II. 
He married Alice, sister to William Manderviile, Earl of Es- 
sex. He had a son, John, who settled in Skipton, in York, 
who had two sons, Sir Edmund and Thomas. Sir Edmund 
had three sons : Edmund, who settled in Skipton ; Richard, 
the third son, settled in Lincolnshire. Sir John, the second, 
had two sons : Edmund, who died unmarried, and Sir Thorn- 
as, who married Dorothy, daughter of Thomas Cressy, and 
had Henry, his heir, who by Isabel, eldest daughter of John 
Lambert, of Preston, grandson of Edmund, of Skipton, had 
Sir Henry, who by Maudaunt, daughter of Baldwin de Vere, 
had Alayne, who had two sons. Sir Thomas of Oldton, la 
Northumberland, and Godfrey, who was seated in Long Pres- 
ton, and married Ellen Fulthrop, cousin to Lord Clifford, and 
had John, his heir. He married Elizabeth Whitmore, and 
had six sons : William, who died without children ; Thomas, 
who lived in Skipton, from whom are descended a numerous 
issue ; particularly noted are John Lambert, who commanded 
the parliamentary forces against King Charles the first ; and 
Richard, ancestor of the Earl of Cavan. John left a numer- 
ous issue. Christopher and Henry were slain, and left no 
children. Richard, the third son, lefl Walter, his heir, who 
resided in Carlshalton. He had, by a daughter of Sir John 
Craynesford, Thomas, who left no issue ; Roger, slain in the 
siege of Bulloine, unmarried ; Walter, and Richard, an al- 
derman of London, in 1567, in which year he died. His 
son, Thomas, settled in Laverstock, Hants, from whom is de- 
scended a numerous issue. Walter, the third son, had by 
Rose, daughter of Oliver Wallop, ancestor of the Earl of 
Portsmouth, Oliver, his heir, the first baron, who was crea- 
ted Lord Lambert, and earl of the county of Cavan, in 16 17. 
He died July 9, 1718. His Lordship married Hester, daugh- 
ter of William Fleetwood Knight, by whom he had two sons, 
Charles, his heir, and Carey, who died unmarried. Charles, 
on the 12th of May, 1642, was made governor of the city of 
Dublin. He married Jane, second daughter of Robert Ro- 
baites, Baron of Truro, and sister of John Robaites, Earl of 
Radnor, by whom he had Richard, his heir, Thomas, Charles, 
and Walter, who left no children. Oliver, the third, settled 
in Payneston, in the county of Meath, married four wives, 
and left a numerous issue. 

Richard, the second earl, married Rosa, daughter of Sir 
James Wade, and left one son, Charles, the third earl, who 



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d08 omsALoeicAL skstgh 

married in 1670, Castillina, daughter of Heniy Gilbert, Esq., 
who had Charles. Lord Lambert died 1689. Richard, the 
fourth earl ; Heniy died Nov. 18, 1774, lefl three sons. Rich- 
ard, the late earl, Thomas, and Oliver. Richard, the fourth 
ear), was an officer in King William's army, in Spain, Porta* 
gal, and the West Indies, and one of his majesty's private 
counsdors. He married in Barbadoes, W. L, Margaret, 
daughter of Capt. Trant He died in 1741, aged 76. He 
had Gilbert, lord, who died young, and Ford, the fiAh and 
late earl, who married Elizabeth, daughter of James Wade, 
Esq., and left two daughters, Sophia and Grertrude. He died 
Nov. 29, 1782, aged 54. Sixth eari, Richard, was son of 
Heniy, third son of Charles, the third earl. He married 
first, Sophia, daughter and co-heir of Oliver Lambert, fourth 
son of the third earl of Cavan, by whom he had no children ; 
second, Elizabeth, daughter of John Davies, Esq., Nov. 13, 
1762, by whom he had Sophia and one son, his successcnv 
Richard, the seventh earl. He succeeded on the death of 
Us fether, Nov. 13, 1762. 

Jesse, the ancestor of the Lambert famfly of Milford, Con- 
necticut, emigrated from England, about 1680. He was 
from a collateral branch of the Earl of Cavan'sfemily, settled 
in Wiltshire, (or Devon.*) About the same time emigrated 
Soger Lambeart, who settled in New Jersey, whose descend* 
ants are now numerous. The author visited them in the 
spring of 1834, for the purpose of collecting materials for 
making out their genealogy, as recorded on Milford records. 
Lib. 2, of marriages, <&c. Jesse and Roger Lambert were 
first cousins, as appears by the following ancient letter, whioh 
is now in the possession of the author : 

Ijyoing Kinsman — 

After my loue to you with my wife's, these are to lett you vnder- 
staDd that I haue been informed by seuerall, of your being att Mil- 
ibrde, in New Englande, the which caused me to write seuerall let- 
ters to you before this, but neuer could haue one line from you, the 
wch. causeth me att this time to trouble you agajrne by this oppor^ 
tunity, hoping that these few lines may moue you to put pen to pa- 
per in way of answear, ye wch. will be very wellcome to me, for my 
great desire is to heare from you. 

I haue written very often home to England— to my father, but 
nener could heare from him, and soe ye last letter that I did send it 
was to your father, and I doe hope soon to receiue an answer from 
kim how all relations doe ; for it is my great desire to haue a lou- 
ing and friendly correspondence with aU relations ; and seeing it 

• The author is not certain which, but expects soon to ascertain, 
having written to England for the information. 



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OF THB LAIIBBRT FAMII.T. 



209 



hath pleased God to separate us soe farr one from another, the least 
that we can doe one for ye other, is to write each to ye other by all 
convenient oportunities ; that therebye, our loues may be renewed, 
and not a forgetfulness of each other soe much seize vpon as to bury 
all remembrance in oblivion. Soe having nothing else att present 
but mv loue with my wife's and my son'^^es tovou, I rest praiing for 
your health and happinesse in thus worlde, and in ye woilde to come 
life euerlasting. Your Loueing Kinsman, 

Roger LiiifBARD. 
New Jersey ^ September ye 25^, 
An-^^ Domini, 1684. 

Jesse Lambert, (according to the tradition in the family,) 
previous to his coming to New England, had been an officer 
in the British navy, had been up the Medfterranean Sea against 
die Turks, and had a desperate engagement with a Turkish 
corvette, which they captured, and returning to England, land- 
ed amid the acclamations of the people. 

His first landing in America was at Boston, but in a few 
days he proceeded on to New Haven, and soon after to Mil- 
ford, where he settled. 




SmUhea$t turn of J. LamberVt houae. 



His residence was on the west side of the Wepowage river, 
a few rods north of the first Presbyterian meeting-house, on 
No. 7, of lots of early planters. {See 'plan of MiJford,) 
*The following is the facsimile of his signature : 



i^^ ZjOM^^ 



He married Deborah Fowler, daughter of Capt. William 
Fowler, and grand-daughter of William Fowler, magistrate, 
one of the first planters of Milford, on the 10th day of May, 

1688.* He had three sons and six daughters, viz ; 

^ ♦ The other children of Capt. William Fowler, were, John, his 
18* 



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210 



GXSBALOQICAL fS3nPKB 



Rachel, married Samuel Smith, December 30, 1703. 

Martha, died unmarried, aged 20 years. 

Richard, died in childhood. 

Sarah, married John Dunning, settled in Norwalk. 

Jesse, bom April 20, 1693. 

Deborah, died unmarried. 

Elizabeth, married Joseph Birchard, of Korwarlk. 

David, born in 1700. 

Je^se Lambert died in the autumn of 1718. He gave his 
real estate to his sons apd legacies to his daughters. David 
had his ** homelot lands with the housing, barn, and orcbard 
thereon," which he sold April 20, 1722. (Milford records, 
Lib. 6, page 259.) Jesse had the lot which fell to his father 
in the division of common land of 1689, No. 70, below Wal- 
nut tree hill, " with ye house, barn, fulling-mill, and water 
stream." Jesse Lambert's will is recorded on Probate records. 
New Haven, Lib. 4, page 553. See also Milford records. 
Lib. 5, page 340. It appears by his will, that he had a 
second wife, Joanna. 

" Jesse Lambert and Mary Gillet, (born 1695,) daugh- 
ter of Eliphal and Mary (Wheeler) Gillet, were married on 
the 6th day of December, 1717, per Jonathan Law." He 
settled on the place above mentioned, given him by his father, 
in Milford, East Farms, since called North Milford. He^ 
was the second who settled in said Farms, one Bryan being 
the first. 




Stmtk view of J, Lambert's hotue, East Farvu, 

The family place is situated on the east side of the< New 

heir, Mary, who married John Bills and settled in New London ; 
Susannah, who married Daniel Buckingham ; Sarah, who married 
John Smith; Temperance, who married Nathan Burwell; and 
Mary, who died anmarried, in 1686. 



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OF THB LAMBBBT FABULT. 211 

Haven and Milford turnpike, on the road which goes from 
the old country road, crossing the turnpike at right angles, to 
North Milford meeting-house. The house stood on the emi- 
nence just east of the brook. This has been the family place 
for more than a century. Jesse lost his house by Are, in 
April, 1748, in which were burnt many valuable family pa- 
pers. He immediately rebuilt the house, at present standing. 
He received, on that occasion, the following letter from his 
brother David, dated 

Norwdlk, May ye lOthy 1748. 
Louing Brother^ 

My hearty Loue and Respects to yon and your Family, being 
heartily grieved for your Affliction and Loss. Let ye loss of Tem- 
porail Enjo3rments wean us off more and more from ye world, and 
lett us make things aboue our chief good. I did intend to come 
and bring you a bushel or two of wheat, butt for ye want of a borse 
I must omit at ye present ; but I would gladly send it. I haue sent 
you a small matter in this letter ; if we were near I should be glad 
to help you in your distresses. Here is fifteen shillings Isaiah 
Birchard sends you, ye rest is from me. So I remain your Louing 
Brother , David Lambert. ' 

Jesse Lambert died Dec. 26, 1773. Mary, his wife, died 
June 26, 1776. They were hurried near the middle of the 
burying.ground, (Milford:) a low red stone marks the place 
of their interment. The children of Jesse and Mary Lam- 
bert were, 

Mary, born Oct. 10, 1717, married John Sandford, Sept. 14, 1743. 

Jesse, born Oct. 28, 1719. 

Martha, born Jan. 28, 1721, married Benjamin Pritchard, a de- 
scendant from Roger Pritchard, from Springfield, Mass., 1652. 

Richard, born June 8, 1725. He married Ann Emmanuel, but 
left no children. He died April 25, 1777, aged 52. 

Rachel, born Feb. 15, 1728, married Henry Peck. 

David, born Dec. 2, 1731. 

Hannah, born Aug. 18, 1734, married John Woodruff, and moved 
to Watertown, Conn. Died Feb. 22, 1813. 

Jesse Lambert, the eldest son of Jesse and Mary Lam- 
bert, married Anne Peck, daughter of Capt. Henry Peck, 
October 28, 1745. He settled in the house built for him by 
his father, and deeded him Oct, 18, 1745, which stands near 
the (north) corner of the old country road, and the above 
mentioned road which creases the turnpike, <Sec. He died 
July 30, 1794, aged 76. His wife died July 3, 1809, aged 
84. Their children were four sons and seven daughters, 
viz. : 



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212 GBNBALOGUGAL SKETCH 

Mary, born September 27J746. She died Dec 31, 1765. 

Anne, born January 7, 1788, She married Nathan Bristol, of 
Milford. 

Sarah, bom in 1750. She married Stephen Treat, of Milford. 

Mehitable, bom January 21, 1 752. She married Samuel Tibbals, 
and died March 2, 1774. 

Lurania, born March 9, 1754. 

Hannah, born August 22, 1756. She married Joseph Peck. 

Abigail, bom March 22, 1759. She married John Smith, and 
was the mother of Perry Smith, of New Milford, (United States 
Senator.) She died January 18, 1836. 

Nehemiah, born May 2, 1763, and died April 21, 1767. 

Jesse, bom May 2, 1765, and died May 12, 1765. 

Nehemiah, born October 21, 1766, and died April, 1825. 

Jesse Peck, bom September 5, 1769, and died October 21, 1836. 

Nehemiah Lambert went to Bethlehem, Conn., when 20 
years old, and married Sarah, daughter of Moses Gralpin, Esq« 
She was born July 23, 1770. He was a man of high re- 
spectability, and filled many public offices. He died March 
26, 1825. Their children are as follows : 

Stephen Treat, bom July 8, 1791, settled in Canton, (Cherry- 
brook society,) Conn. He married Charlotte, daughter of Azariah • 
Barber, born Nov. 19, 1790. Their children are,— The first, bom 
October 24, 1825, died in infancy ; Julius Nehemiah, bom May 25, 
1827, died May 25, 1828 ; and Julius Treat, born July 29, 1829. 

Frederic, born Oct. 29, 1794. He married Sally Potter, who 
lived with Harvey Steele, of Ontario county, N. Y. They settled 
in the town of Friendship, Alleghany county, N. Y. Children, — 
Charlotte and Harvey. 

Nancy, } *^^ t«i«. on iiqq i married Charles Bloss. 

Sarah, } ^"^ ^^^^^ ^> ^^^ { married Noble Allen. 

Clarissa, bom August 25, 1801, married Nicholas Morse. 

Jbsse Peck Lambert married Anne, daughter of Thomas 
Clark, a farmer, of Milford, and moved to Woodbury, Conn., 
and settled on a tract of land which his father bought of the 
Indians, lyin^ one and a half miles west of the center of the 
town. He died in 1836. Their children are four sons and 
four daughters : 

Nancy, bom 1797. She married Asahel Mitchel, of Woodbury. 

Stephen Treat, born 1798. 

Julia, bom 1799. She married Anthony P. Strong, Esq. of Wood- 
bury. 

Willis, bom 1801. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Matthew 
Miner, Esq. Their children are, Elizabeth Jane, Willis Peck, and 
Charlotte. 

Harvey, bom 1804, married Jennet Leavenworth. Children, — 
Frances and Henrietta. 

Henry, bom 1807, married Margaret, daughter of Philo De 



yGoogk 



OF THX LAMBERT FAMILT. 21S 

l^rest, and settled in the state of New York. They haTe had one 
soDfOeorge De Forest. 

Harriet, bom 1809. She married Seth Strong. 

Martha, born 1811. 

David Lambert, third son of Jesse, (and brother of Jesse, 
who married Ann Peck,) married Martha Northrop, daughter 
of Ephraim and Sarah (Gunn) Northrop, in 1755. She was 
born July 21, 1737. They had ten children, and died, David 
Lambert, November 8, 1815, aged 84 years, and Martha, his 
wife, October 27, 1815, aged 78. He was a large, well built 
man, of erect, dignified carriage ; he had a firm, unbending 
soul, and was noted for his decision and independence of mind. 
He was sincere in his attachments as a friend, and stubborn 
and uncompromising to those who ofiended him. He was 
truly benevolent, and his house was ever open to the poor and 
friendless. He settled in the family place, and was owner of 
a large real estate. Children : 

David, born December 29, 1757, settled in Sharon. 

Ephraim Northrop, bom January 3, 1760. He was a soldier of 
the revolutionary war. He lived* in the family place, and never 
married. He was possessed of a kind, fatherljf disposition, bat 
was rather given to the practice of a too rigid econcmiy. He died in 
1829. 

Jesse, bom March 24, 1762. He died in infancy. 

Sarah, bom October 28, 1763, died of pulmonary consumption, 
August, 1817. 

Mary, bora February 3, 1766. . She married Thomas Smith, and 
left six children, viz. : Mary, David, Martha, Launcelot, Sydney, 
and Thomas Lambert. She died in 1810. 

Richard Lott, bom November 3, 1768. He was engaged in mer- 
cantile business in the West Indies, and was lost in his second pas- 
sage out. In 1791. The ship was never heard of, after sailing. 

John, born November 26, 1770. 

Mabel, born June 17, 1774. She now owns and resides in the 
family place. 

Edward AUyn, born August 3, 1780. 

Benjamin Lott, born September 29, 1782. 

David Lambeet, first son of David and Martha Lambert, 
married Louis Prindle, daughter of Stephen Prindle, Esq. 
They moved to Sharon, Conn., in the spring of 1806. The 
house in which the family reside stands on the road from 
Sharon center to Amenia,New York, one mile from Amenia. 
He accumulated a large property, and died March, 1887. 
Children : 

Enoch, bom September 10, 1789. He married Azibah, daughter 
of Capt. Richarcb, of West Haven, Conn. Their children are, 



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214 OBNBALOGICAL SKETCH 

John, born February 22, 1821; Charlotte, bom June 10, 1823; 
C^ff e Benjamin, bom July 22, 1825 *, David Edward, bom March 

Mary. 

Louis, married George White, Esq., of Sharoni 

David, bora March 23, 1799. 

Sarah. Elizabeth. Martha, died in youth. 

John Lambert, fiflh son of David and Martha Lambert,^ 
married Esther Woodruff, daughter of Matthew and Ann 
(Bull) Woodruff, of North Milford, January 3, 1799, who 
wajsi bom December 21, 1779. He resides at the place be. 
fore mentioned, which was his uncle Jesse Lambert's. Chil- 
dren: 

John, born August 5, and died August 26, 1779. 

John Lott, born March 10, 1801. 

Esther Maria, born November 23, 1802, died January 7, 1811. 

Elizabeth Marietta, born September 12, 1804, died March 1, 1816. 

Mary Emeiine, born November 30, 1806. 

Hetty Matilda, born May 1, 1809, married (after twelve years 
courtship) Clark Fowler, second son of Josiah Fowler, of North 
Milford, in 1836. 

Esther Maria, bom January 20, 1811, married Austen Treat, son 
of Jonah Treat, of North Milford. 

Mabel Louisa, born January 25, 1814. 

Elizabeth Marietta, bom June 30, 1816. She died April 19, 1834, 
aged 18. 

David Jesse, bom October 17, 1818, died in infancy. 

Benjamin Richard, born June 30, 1819, died in infancy. 

Jane Olivia, bom January 11, 1823. 

Edward Allyn Lambert, sixth son of David and Martha 
Lambert, married Anne, only child of Jeremiah and Anne 
(Gunn) Bull,* January 16, i806, by B. Pinneo. She was 
born August 20, 1781. Her mother was eldest daughter of 
Stephen Gunn, Esq. His residence was on No. 34, of house 
lots of early planters. {See plan of Milford.) He died 
February 15, 1831, aged 51. Children : 

Edward Rodolphus, born March 20, 1808. He married Eliza 
Boothe, daughter of John Boothe, of Wallingford, January 1, 1833. 

♦ Jeremiah Bull was born March 10, 1757, and died May 24, 
1832. He was son of Jirah, and grandson of Benedict, who settled 
in Milford, from Newport, R. I., and descended in a direct line from 
Thomas Bull, one of tne early governors of the colony. He was a 
soldier of the revolution, and went to Canada under Gen. Wooster, 
in 1776, and was in a number of engagements,— on Long Island, 
White Plains, Trenton, Yorktown, &c. He was an honest man, 
and a patriot. His integrity and virtues commanded the respect 
and esteem of the community, and his death was sincerely lamented. 



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OF THE LAMBERT JAICILT. 215 

They were married in Trinity Church, New Haven, by Dr. Cros- 
well. Their children are, Edward Richard, born February 10, 
1834, and Eliza Bopthe,* bom January 1, 1836. 

Martha Anne, bom May 13, 1809, died August 3, 1811. 

Martha Anne, bom March 10, 1813. She married Sheldon 
Clarke, Esq., second son of Isaac Clark, November 24, 183l.^Their 
son, George Lambert Clarke, was born September 24, 1833.* 

Jeremiah Bull, bom October 29, 1814. He married Louis, daug- 
ter of Joshua Groodyear, (deceased,) of Hamden, (a descendant of 
Joshua Goodyear, one of the first settlers of New Haven, deputy- 
governor of the colony, &c.,) October 29, 1834. In the spring of 
1837, they moved to Talmadge, Ohio. 

Benjamin Lott Lambert, seventh son of David and Mar- 
tha Lambert, married his first wife, Anna Tomlinson, daugh* 
ter of David Tomlinson, of Milford, March 27, 181 !• She 
was born August, 1793, died January 22, 1815, aged 2% 
Married his second wife, Sarah Humphreys, of Derby, Feb- 
ruary 1, 1816, died December 8, 1816. Married his third 
wife, Eunice, daughter of Isaac Hemingway, of Woodbridge, 
September 8, 1817. He died October 11, 1825. The 
house in which he resided stands on the north corner of the 
turnpike and the road which goes towards North Milford 
meeting-house. Children : 

David D., son of first wife, bom March 27, 1812, died in infancy. 

Anna Tomlinson, daughter of first wife, born September 19, 1813, 
married Dr. Edwin Woodruff, May 14, 1837. 

Sarah H., daughter of second wife, born November 11, 1806^ 
married Sherman Pettibone, of Burlington, Conn., May, 1835, and 
settled in Talmadge, Ohio. 

Charlotte H., daughter of third wife, born November 8, 1818. 

David Dennison, born September 21, 1820. 

Louisa Beecher, born March 31, 1823. 

Benjamin Lott, bom December 21, 1825. 

David Lambert, (the other son of Jesse, from England, 
in 1680,) married Lurania Bills, of Lebanon, Conn., (daugh- 
ter of John Bills, who married Mercy Fowler,) February 1, 
1727, and moved to Norwalk. He settled, on land lying m 
the present town of Wilton, which he so named when it was 
incorporated, after Wilton, in England. The family house 
stands on the road which goes from Norwalk to Wilton center, 
a mile south of the center, on the point where the road from 
Westport comes into the road above mentioned. It is at pre- 
sent occupied by Samuel F. Lambert, Esq. Children : 
Elizabeth, born February 17th, 1728, married — — Lockwood. 

• In April, 1837, this child had a dangerous fit of sickness, but 
her life was saved by the skill and indefatigable attention of Dr. Ed- 
win Woodruff, and the virtues of Thomsonian remedies. 



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S16 GBRBALOOIOAl. SXBTCT. 

Rachel, bom in 1790, married Benjamixi De Forest. 

David, IxNrn in 1739. He graduated at Yale College in 1761. 

David Lambbrt, only son of David and Lurania Lambert, 
married Susannah Rogers, of the state of New York, Decem- 
ber 17, 1769. When in college, he was a frejiuent visitor at 
his Uncle Jesse's, in North MiUbrd, and his friendship for the • 
&milv continued during his life. He died at his place, in 
Wilton, March 4, 1815. His wife died in 1828. They had 
Bine children^ viz. : 

Elizabeth, bom February 3, 1771. 

David Rogers, bom December 8, 1772. He was a merchant in 
l^ew York, engaged in extensive business. He was killed in 1824, 
by a blow firom a raffian, while attempting to defend a woman from 
insult. 

Lurania, bom January 22, 1775. 

Henry Bills, born March 8, 1777. 

Esther, bom April 14th, 1780. 

Sarah Susannah, born June 26, 1783. She married an English 
sentleman, (member of parliament,) and lives in Yoric, Upper 
Canada. 

Samuel Pitch, bom December 25, 1784. 

John James, born June 18, 1787. He married Eliza Betts, of 
Wilton, and had a son, who died in infancy. 

Julia Maria, bom April 5, 1792. 

Hbnrt Bills Lambert, second son of David and Susan- 
nah Lambert, married Emma Ciuett, of New York. Chil- * 
dren: 

Emma Louisa, bom in 1808, died in 1835. 

Henry Augustus, bom in 1810. He is a lawyer by profession, 
and is located in Oakland Co., Michigan. 

George William, born in 1812, died in 1836. He was a young 
man of fine talents, and had a finished education. 

David Rogers, bom in 1815. He graduated at Washington Col- 
lege, Hartford, Conn., in August, 1^, with much honor. 

Note. — It is hoped that each member who is or may be the head 
of a family, will keep an accurate and particular record of their re- 
spective branch ; as perhaps at some future time an individual may 
arise, who, prompted by curiosity or some other Kiotive, wiH col- 
led the requisite mformation, and continue down this pedi|p»e. 



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