USA > Connecticut > A complete history of Connecticut, civil and ecclesiastical, from the emigration of its first planters, from England, in the year 1630, to the year 1764; and to the close of the Indian wars > Part 1
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Gc 974.6 T77c v. 2 1131778
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 00826 2187
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
COMPLETE
HISTORY
OF
CONNECTICUT,
Civil and Ecclesiastical,
FROM THE EMIGRATION OF ITS FIRST PLANTERS,
FROM ENGLAND, IN THE YEAR 1630, TO THE YEAR 1764 ;
AND TO THE CLOSE OF THE INDIAN WARS,
IN TWO VOLUMES.
BY BENJAMIN TRUMBULL, D. D.
Vol. II.
NEW-HAVEN : PUBLISHED BY MALTBY, GOLDSMITH AND CO. AND SAMUEL WADSWORTH.
1818.
District of Connecticut, ss.
B E it remembered, that on the twenty-second day of June, in the 42d year of the Independence of the United States of America, Maltby, Goldsmith & Co. and Samuel Wadsworth, of the said district, have deposited in this of- fice the title of a book, the right whereof they claim as proprietors, in the words following, to wit: " A complete History of Connecticut, civil and eccle- " siastical, from the emigration of its first planters, from England, in the year " 1630, to the year 1764; and to the close of the Indian wars. In two volumes. " By Benjamin Trumbull, D. D. With an Appendix, containing the original " Patent of New-England, never before published in America"-In conformity to the act of the Congress of the United States, entitled, " An act for the en- couragement of learning, by securing the copies of maps, charts, and books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies, during the times therein mentioned.". R. I. INGERSOLL, Clerli of the District of Connecticut.
-
PREFACE TO VOL. II.
1131778
VITHE collection of materials for the writing, and the compiling of the first history of a state, or nation, is far more difficult, than doing it after others have gone before, and exhibited some outline, or general ex- ample of the work. Especially is the collection of materials, and the substantiating of facts, more difficult, and matter of greater labour, when the business has not been undertaken till a long period has passed away, from the first settlement of a country or a commonwealth. Under these difficulties, the writer of this history began the laborious work. Almost a century and an half had elapsed, from the time of the emigration of the first planters of the colony, from their native country, before the work was attempted. The fathers of the colony, and their children, were ge- nerally in their graves : a third and fourth generation were come upon the stage. The materials were scattered far and wide. They were to be collected from the records of two colonies ; from the records and transactions of the commissioners of the united colonies ; of towns and churches ; from ancient tracts and pamphlets ; from old manuscripts, the church yards, and monuments of the dead. Many of them could be read but with great difficulty. When the collection of proper documents was effected, the arranging of such a mass of papers, and the forming of an orderly, well connected and authenticated story, from the whole, was a matter of great and difficult labour. The compiler would never have conceived the greatness and difficulty of it, had he not known it by expe- rience. No person will conceive it, who has not had some experience of the same kind.
When the compiler had finished the first volume, he had no design of publishing another. He considered the work too arduous ; that it would bring the history down too near his own times ; and that he was too far advanced in life for such an undertaking: but he has been so strongly urged, by gentlemen of the first character, in this state, and many others, and the first volume has met so favorable a reception, that, with the de- sire of doing some further service to his fellow citizens, he has been pre- vailed on to publish this second volume.
It has been his desire to give the history of every town in the state ; but, after publishing his design in the newspapers, with heads of inquiry, and writing a multitude of letters, he has not been able to obtain, from some towns, the least information. He has visited a great proportion of the towns in the state, and written to gentlemen in them repeatedly, yet he has not obtained all the information he wished. It will be observed that some towns are almost wholly unnoticed in the history. The only reason is, that no information could be obtained from them.
For the purpose of giving a fair and just representation of facts, much, more has been quoted from records, various pamphlets, tracts and let- ters, than otherwise would have been done. For that purpose, many
8
PREFACE.
things have been collected and read, to which, otherwise, the compiler would have paid no attention. Great pains have been taken to ascertain facts, and to write an impartial and well authenticated history : how far he hath succeeded in his work, must be left to the opinion of the public.
It was the intention of the writer to have given an account of the cities in the state, their latitude and longitude, their trade, manufactures, &c .; of the state prison ; of the fisheries ; of the exports and imports ; of the militia, train of artillery, fortifications, &c. : but finding that the volume would not admit of it, he has omitted the account which he designed.
Notwithstanding all the pains which have been taken, it will not be strange if, in sueli a variety of facts and dates, there should be some mis- takes. There may have been some in the great number of historical communications made to the author, and it is not improbable that he has made some himself, though, he hopes, none very material.
He has had assistance from gentlemen in the several parts of the state, in making collections of the history of their particular towns. To them, and to all others who have given him assistance, he presents his grateful acknowledgments.
It will be observed that the ecclesiastical part of the history is kept by itself, in distinct chapters, and comprises about a third part of the histo- ry. It would make a volume by itself, and might be printed separately without any derangement of the narration,
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
STATE of the Churches, continued from Book I. Chapter XIX. At- tempts for the reformation of manners. Act of Assembly, and report of the General Association relative to the subject. Resolutions of the General Assembly in consequence of said report. State of the Col- lege. Divisions concerning the place in which it should be established. Donations made for its encouragement. A college house is erected at New-Haven. Books removed from Saybrook to the library in that place. Opposition to their removal. Loss sustained. Mr. Cutler is appointed Rector, but soon embracing Episcopacy, is dismissed from office. The students are instructed by the trustees. Mr. Elisha Wil- liams chosen Rector. Encouragement for schools and the general dif- fusion of knowledge.
CHAPTER II.
The discovery and opening of mines. Laws and encouragement in be- half of the miners, and of those who were engaged in carrying on the business of mining.
CHAPTER III.
THE importance and benefits of a stable currency. Attention of the Le- gislature to this subject. The manner of the emission of bills of credit ; of the payment of the public debt ; and of provision for the defence of the colony and his majesty's service. Answer to their Lordships' let- ters. Depreciation of the currency.
CHAPTER IV.
THE colony in fear of losing their Charter. Measures adopted to pre- vent it. Mr. Winthrop complains of the colony. In an appeal to his Majesty in Council, in a case between him and Thomas Linchmere, Esq. he obtained a sentence by which a certain law of the colony, en- titled an act for the settlement of intestate estates, was rendered null and void. The colony declare that they will not surrender their char-' ter, and pray for the continuance of the act relative to intestate estates.
B
10
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER V.
1
WAR with the Eastern Indians. Attempts to quiet them by treaty. The attack and plunder of Canso. A treaty with them is promised, but prevented by the measures of the House. Letter of the Indians to the Governor. Death of Toxus. A new Sachem, and change of affairs. Attempt on Norridgewock. The Indians avenge the insult, captivate a number of the English, and burn Brunswick. War is proclaimed a- gainst them. Governors Shute and Burnet apply to Connecticut for assistance in the war. The enemy surprise Canso and other harbors, and take a number of fishing vessels. Elliot's and Robinson's success in attacking them. Remarkable deliverance of the captives. Attack on Arowsick island. Westbrook and Harmar's expedition. Attempts of the English to engage the Six Nations in a war against the Eastern Indians. They send delegates to Boston. Coleby's action with the enemy. Attack on Scarborough, Falmouth, and other places. Re- solutions of the Legislature of Connecticut relative to the war. Men killed in various places. Captain Winslow and his men killed : shal- lops and schooner taken. The English take and destroy Norridge- wock. Numbers of men surprised and killed in various places. Ap- plication is made again to Connecticut for assistance. The reasons why the Legislature would not join in offensive war. Captain Lovell's fight. Peace is made. Observations.
CHAPTER VI.
GRANTS and settlements of the lands in the colony which had not been granted and settled before the year 1713 ; principally in the counties of Windham and Litchfield. A more particular account of the settle- ment of the towns of Lebanon and New-Milford, than has been given in the first volume of this history. Settlement of the towns of Ashford, Tolland, Bolton, Stafford and Litchfield. County of Windham form- ed. Somers and Willington settled. Incorporation of East-Haddam. Extraordinary noises formerly heard in that town. Settlement and . incorporation of Union. Controversy between the government and the towns of Hartford and Windsor, relative to the lands within the county of Litchfield : the disorders and troubles occasioned by it in the colony. Agreement between the government and the said towns. The lands in controversy divided into townships and measured. Or- ders for the sale of those of them belonging to the colony, by auction, at different times and places. The money arising from the sale to con- stitute a permanent fund for the benefit of schools in the colony. New- Fairfield settled and incorporated. Description of the new townships ; their progressive sale and settlement.
CHAPTER VII.
SEPARATION at Guilford. Rev. Mr. Ruggles ordained at Guilford, a- gainst a large minority in opposition to him. The minority separate from the church and society. The legislature interpose, and attempt a reconciliation. The minority persist in their separation ; and qualify themselves for a distinct ecelesiastical society, by conforming to the act of William and Mary. Resolutions of the consociation of the coun- ty of New-Haven respecting them. They refuse to comply with said resolutions. In consequence of it, forty-six church members were sus-
11
CONTENTS.
pended from the communion, by Mr. Ruggles and the first church in Guilford, from whom they had separated. Acts of the General As- sembly, and eouneils, concerning them. Great pains taken, and re- peated attempts made, for many years, to unite the parties, but all un- successful.
CHAPTER VIII.
GENERAL state of the churches in Connecticut and New-England. Re- vivals of religion in some few places, before the great and general re- vival in 1737 and 1738, and especially in 1740 and 1741. Some of the principal instruments of it. Great opposition to it by magistrates and ministers. Laws enacted against it. Principal opposers of the work of God at that time. Disorders attending it. Separations from the churches soon after. Spirit and character of those who separated from the ministers and churches at that time. Happy effects of the work in general.
CHAPTER IX.
SPANISH and French war. The colony put into a state of defence. Ex- pedition against the Spanish settlements in the West-Indies. Regi- ments raised in the colonies. His majesty's requisition of the colony. Measures adopted in compliance with it. Porto Bello attacked, taken, and plundered. Unsuccessful expedition against Carthagena and Cu- ba. The French deelare war against England. Canso taken by the French. Expedition against Cape Breton. It surrenders to Admiral Warren and General Pepperell. "Sickness among the Provincials who kept garrison there. The effects of its capture on the French court. The Duke D'Anville's armament. Alarm in New-England. His total failure. Supplies furnished by Connecticut during the war. The ge- neral effects of it on the colonies. Pacification.
CHAPTER X.
THE reception of the towns of Woodstock, Suffield, Enfield and Somers, under the jurisdiction of Connecticut ; and the grant of the same privi- leges to the societies and churches in those towns which the ecclesias- tical societies and the churches in this colony enjoyed. The opposition made to it by the province of Massachusetts, and means of defence adopted by Connecticut.
CHAPTER XI.
A SPANISH ship arrives at New-London, in distress. The cargo is un- laden, and stored in that port. When it was called for by the super- cargo, a great proportion of it could not be found. Don Joseph Migu. el, the supercargo, refuses to sail without the whole of his cargo. Pe- titions the assembly. The resolution of the legislature respecting it. Ferment in the government in consequence of it.
CHAPTER XII.
THE history of the College continued from Chapter I. Iis state under the rectorship of Mr. Williams. Donations made to it while he presid
12
CONTENTS.
ed. He resigns, The Rev. Thomas Clap chosen president. A new charter granted. A new college, or Connecticut hall, built. Profes- sor of Divinity settled. Labors and donations. Enemies of the col- lege write'against it. Petition the assembly to take it out of the hands of the corporation, appoint visitors, &c. The president appears and pleads the cause of the college before the assembly. ' Chapel is built. An account of donations is interspersed.
CHAPTER XIII.
DIFFICULTIES arise at Milford, on the account of Mr. Whittelsey. De- bates and heat in the council, called to ordain him. There was such opposition to his ordination, that the council, at first, could not agree to ordain. But afterwards, on certain conditions, agreed upon by the parties, proceed to his ordination. The minority, who opposed his or- dination, fulfil the condition mutually agreed upon. But the majority would by no means comply with it. They, on the contrary, by all means opposed their aggrieved brethren. The minority, some time af- ter, having qualified themselves according to law, separated from the first church and society, and held a distinct meeting by themselves. As the association would give them no advice, or countenance, they put themselves under the presbytery. They call and ordain Mr. Prud- den. Obtain a release from taxation by the first society. They are vested with the privileges of other ecclesiastical societies, and obtain their portion of the parsonage lands.
CHAPTER XIV.
SEPARATION at New-Haven. Canses of it. Councils called by the peo- ple who were dissatisfied with the Rev. Mr. Noyes. The doings of those councils. The call and installation of the Rev. Mr. Bird.
CHAPTER XV.
FRENCH War in 1755. Reasons of it. Colonel Washington's expedition. Convention at Albany. Expeditions against Nova-Scotia, fort du Quesne, Crown Point and Niagara. Exertions of the Northern colo- nies, especially of Connecticut. Success in Nova-Scotia. Defeat of General Braddock. General Johnson defeats Baron Dieskau and takes him prisoner.
CHAPTER XVI.
CAMPAIGN in 1756. War proclaimed. British generals appointed. Troops raised by Connecticut. Plan of the campaign in 1756. The British generals, Abercrombie and lord Loudon, arrive in America. The reception of his lordship. Dilatory and unaccountable conduct of the generals. Colonel Bradstreet is attacked by the enemy and de- feats them. Oswego invested and taken by general Montcalm. Loss at that post. Comparison between the campaigns in 1755 and 1756. The enemy continue their ravages in the southern colonies.
13
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XVII.
PREPARATIONS for the campaign in 1757. The plan of operation in A-
, merica changed, and Louisburg becomes its only object. This was re- inforced and the expedition postponed. Fort William Henry is taken by the French. The country is alarmed, and great reinforcements of the militia sent forward to Albany and fort Edward. The campaign closes with loss and shame. The provincials lose all confidence in the British commanders.
CHAPTER XVIII.
CHANGE of men and measures. Plan of the campaign in 1758. The colonies encouraged again to exert themselves. Extraordinary exer- tions of Connecticut. Armament against Louisburg. Its siege and capture by general Amherst. Army under general Abercrombie. Its defeat at Ticonderoga. Frontenac taken by colonel Bradstreet. Ex- pedition against du Quesne-taken by general Forbes. The general's death at Philadelphia.
CHAPTER XIX.
PLAN of the campaign in 1759. Mr. Secretary's Pitt letter. Transac, tions of the legislature of Connecticut, relative to the war. Expedi- tions against Ticonderoga and Crown Point, Niagara and Quebec. Ticonderoga and Crown Point abandoned. Niagara taken. Siege of Quebec. Action at the falls of Montmorenci. The camp removed to Point Levi. The troops land above the town. Battle of Quebec. Generals Wolfe and Montcalm killed. Quebee surrenders. Move- ments of general Amherst on lake Champlain.
CHAPTER XX. 1
STATE of the garrison at Quebec. Designs of Monsieur Levi. His pre- parations for the siege of the city. Marches with his army from Mont- real. Battle of Sillery. General Murray defeated, and Quebec be- sieged. Lord Colville arrives with the British fleet. The French shipping destroyed, and the siege raised. Preparations for the cam- paign in 1760. Plan of it. Resolutions of the General Assembly of Connecticut respecting it. Movements of general Amherst. He goes down the river St. Lawrence. Makes a junction with generals Murray and Haviland at Montreal. The city surrenders, and the whole country of Canada is conquered.
CHAPTER XXI.
WAR with the Cherokees. Reasons of the war. The chieftains of the nation go to Charleston to treat of peace. The haughty insidious con- duct of governor Littleton. Peace made by constraint. The whole nation burn with resentment ; rush to war as one man. Make terrible slaughter and devastation on the frontiers of Carolina and Virginia .. Their towns destroyed. They take fort Loudon. Colonel Grant des- olates their country with fire and sword. They make peace, and the whole country is quieted.
14
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XXII.
REQUISITION on the colonies in 1761. Mr. Pitt's letter. Acts of the As- sembly, in consequence of it. The business of this campaign, in Amer- ica, was principally directed to the repairing and building of fortresses, and to secure the conquests which had been made. The critical state of the nation, at the close of the year 1761. Events of the year 1762, influencing the belligerents to peace. Pacification of Paris. Favour- able to the American colonies. Burthen of the colonies. Supplies from England. Effects of the war. Policy of Connecticut, in defray- ing its expenses. General joy and feelings of the Americans, on the return of peace.
CHAPTER XXIII.
UNEXPECTED Indian war. The reasons of it. The enemy ravage the frontiers of the southern colonies. Take several English forts. At- tempt the reduction of forts Pitt, Detroit and Niagara. Battle at De- troit. The enemy attack colonel Bouquet, and are defeated. They «lestroyed a detachment of men near Niagara. Were finally humbled and made peace.
CHAPTER XXIV.
SUSQUEHANNAH purchase. Resolve of the assembly in favour of the company. The settlement of the land commences. Colonel Dyer is sent to the sourt of Great-Britain, as agent for the company. The col- ony assert their claim to the lands comprised in the purchase.
CHAPTER XXV.
CONTROVERSY at Wallingford. Mr. Dana called to preach there. The church and society, without the advice of the association, invite him to settle with them in the work of the gospel ministry. An opposition arises against him on account of his religious sentiments. Attempts are made to obtain satisfaction relative to them, but none could be obtain- cd. The opposition increaseth. A complaint is exhibited against him to the moderator of the consociation. The consociation is called at Wallingford, and an ordination council at the same time. The church and Mr. Dana deny the jurisdiction of the consociation, and Mr. Dana refuses an examination by it. The ordaining council separate them- selves from the consociation, and protest against it. They proceed to Mr. Dana's ordination in direct opposition to the consociation. The consociation adjourn, and invite the neighboring consociation of the southern district of the county of Hartford to unite with them in coun- cil. This united council declare Mr. Dana and his church guilty of scandalous contempt. The minor part of the church, who opposed the ordination of Mr. Dana, are owned as a distinct church, by the consoci- ation. The minority are made a distinct society, and the Rev. Simon Waterman is ordained pastor over that part of the church and town. Disputes and divisions in the colony relative to said transactions.
15
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XXVI.
A CATALOGUE of the Congregational and Consociated Ministers of Con- necticut, from the year 1713 to the year 1764, inclusively.
CHAPTER XXVII.
HISTORY of the Episcopal church and ministers in Connecticut, from 1713 to 1764.
CHAPTER XXVIII. SKETCHES of the Separates and Baptists.
APPENDIX.
No. I .- PLAN of a proposed Union of all the American colonies, in 1754. No. II .- GENERAL View of the state of Literature in Connecticut, in 1817.
THE
HISTORY
OF
CONNECTICUT.
CHAPTER I.
State of the churches continued from Book I, Chapter XIX. Attempts for the reformation of manners. Act of Assem- bly, and report of the General Association relative to the subject. Resolutions of the General Assembly in conse- quence of said report. State of the College. Divisions concerning the place in which it should be established. Donations made for its encouragement. A college house is erected at New-Haven. Books removed from Saybrook to the library in that place. Opposition to their removal. Loss sustained. Mr. Cutler is appointed rector ; but soon embracing episcopacy, is dismissed from office. College is instructed by the trustees. " Mr. Elisha Williams chosen rector. Encouragement for schools and the general diffu- sion of knowledge.
FTER the ecclesiastical constitution of the colony had Book II. been established, and had time to operate, the church- ès became more regular and harmonious in their discipline, enjoyed more general peace, and their numbers constantly Effects of increased. But the long and distressing war, in the reign the Consti- tution. of Queen Anne, had injured the morals of the people, oc- casioned the emission of a considerable number of bills of public credit, and retarded the sale and settlement of the lands belonging to the colony. Therefore on the termina- tion of the war, several important objects arrested the at- tention of the legislature. The first and principal were attention the reformation of manners, the advancement of literature, after the the preservation of their charter, the state of the currency, war. the payment of the public debt, and the sale and settle-
Objects of
C
16
HISTORY OF
CHAP. I.
Book II. ment of the new lands. As they were highly sensible that the liberty, peace and prosperity of a people, were very dependent on good morals, and a general diffusion of knowledge, they gave their first and particular attention to War un- these objects. A state of war is peculiarly unfriendly to friendly to religion. It dissipates the mind, diminishes the degree of siligion. instruction, removes great numbers almost wholly from it, connects them with the most dangerous company, and pre- sents them with the worst examples. It hardens and em- boldens men in sin ; is productive of profaneness, intem- perance, disregard to property, violence and all licentious living. Its baneful influence had been observed and la- mented by the good people, during the war. In some places, measures had been adopted to prevent a greater de- grec of declension, and to ameliorate the morals of the peo- ple. As early as the year 1711, the North Association in the county of Hartford, passed several resolves for that purpose, and particularly recommended it to the several Recom- menda- congregations within their limits, " That all such as had not yet owned the baptismal covenant, should be called tions for a upon to attend their duty in that case : That such as had reforma- tion. heretofore owned it, should, at the same time, manifest Oct. 1711. their renewed consent thereto : and, that both the one and the other should enter into solemn engagements, that they would constantly attend the duties of God's worship in public, private and secret, not allowing themselves in the neglect of any of his holy ordinances : That they would «hun carelessness, contempt of sacred things and sinful ex- cuses : That they would carefully watch against all irreve- rence in the worship of Gop. vid all profanation of his glo- rious and fearful name, by careless imprecations, rash swearing, or any other way in which it is or may be taken in vain : That they would strictly observe the Christian sabbath, one whole day in seven, seasonably beginning, and duly continuing the same ; and therein watching a- gainst all worldly thoughts, words and works : and that. they would endeavour carefully to discharge the several du- ties of their respective places and relations, as superiors. inferiors or equals. Particularly, that they would honor, subinit to and obey those whom Go had set over them. whether in families, churches, or commonwealth." Fur- ther, it was recommended that they should covenant. " 'That they would look well to their households, keep their children and servants in due subjection, instruct them in the principles of religion, and endeavour to restrain then from all profaneness and immorality : That, as much as in them lay, they would live peaceably with all men, careful-
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