USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Hartford > Historical notices of Connecticut; No 2 Hartford and West Hartford > Part 1
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Gc 974.602 125p v. 2
Gc 974.602 H25р v. 2 1136941
M. L.
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01105 5602
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HISTORICAL NOTICES
OF CONNECTICUT;
Published under the patronage of the
CONNECTICUT HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
No. 2;
CONTAINING
HARTFORD AND WEST HARTFORD.
C tentso
DIVISIONS OF THE TOWN -Names of Locations -- Commons- TOWN ROADS ; BURYING GROUND - Graves -Sexton - Town Crier ; SETTLERS IN HARTFORD from 1640 to 1700 ; .PROPRIETORS VOTES ;
WEST DIVISION. PROPRIETOR'S LOTS - HIGHWAYS ; FIRST SETTLERS & LOCATIONS ; GENEALOGIES.
BY WILLIAM S. PORTER, Member Connecticut Historical Society:
HARTFORD, JUNE, 1842.
ELIHU GEER'S PRESS.
1} Sheets Periodical.
13
GENEALOGY.
BARDING, NATHANIEL, an original proprietor and settler of Hartford, had his house lot on Lord's hill. His second wife was Abigail the widow of Wm. Andrews. He died in 1674, leaving no sons, but a daughter
Sarah, who m. Thomas Spencer, who had a grand- son Nat. Barding Spencer to perpetuate the name.
BARTLETT, ROBERT, an original proprietor and settler of Hartford, lived on the west side of a street running south from the rear of the College ground, now closed. He early removed to Northampton in 1655. He had a daughter
Deborah born in 1645. 1136941
BIRCHWOOD, (Birchard,) THOMAS, an original proprietor and settler of Hartford, lived on the west side of Trumbull street. He removed to Saybrook, which town he represented in the General Court in 1650 and 51. Thomas Bircher, probably the same man, was admitted a freeman in Mass. in 1637. His daughter ?
Sarah, m. Bartholomew Barnard in 1647, who in- herited part of his real estate in Hartford.
BLISS, THOMAS, Sen. and Jun., original settlers of Hartford, had adjoining house lots on the east side of the street west of West street, now closed ; which they sold in 1650, and removed to Springfield.
BLUMFIELD, WILLIAM, an original proprietor and settler of Hartford, lived on Bliss street north of the College lot. He was admitted a freeman in Mass. in 1635. He sold out as early as 1644, and removed, perhaps to New Jersey.
ELY, NAT., [continued,] represented Norwalk in the General Court in 1656.
HIGGINSON, JOHN, [corrected,] was among the first settlers of Hartford, though he appears not to have had a house lot. He was, I suppose, a school-
NOTE .- The names of heads of families are printed in small capitals, and those of their children immediately follow. The numbers at the left hand refer to the succeeding heads of families, and to the corres- ponding notices. The dates preceding and following the names denote the times of birth and death. m. stands for married, d., died, and b., born.
2
14
HARTFORD.
master in Hartford, and may have occasionally " stepped into the pulpit." By his early removal, he lost most of his interest in the town. His wife sold some property in 1638. He was the son of Rev. Francis Higginson of Salem, b. 1616, and came with his father to this country in 1629. He was a preach- er in 1637, and officiated some time as chaplain at Saybrook fort. He removed in 1641 to Guilford ; and to Salem, Mass. in 1659, where he was ordained in 1660. He died in 1708 aged 92, having been a minister of the gospel 72 years, leaving a son John.
1 HOOKER, THOMAS,
2
John,
3
Samuel, 1697,
4 Sarah,
5 Joanna, 1646,
6 Mary.
3 SAMUEL, Rev.
1659 Thomas,
8
61 Samuel, 1730,
9 63 William, 1689,
10 65 John, 1746,
11 66 James,
12
68 Roger, 1693,
1 Thomas, Rev., was born at Marfield, Lei- cestershire, in England, about 1586, and was edu- cated at Cambridge, Eng- land. He left a widow Susanna.
2 John, Rev. returned to England to be married, where he remained against his father's will, and set- tled in Maseworth, Bucks. 3 Samuel, Rev. gradu- and was pastor of the
13 71 Nathaniel, 1711, ated at Harvard in 1653, 14 73 Mary,
15 75 Hezekiah, 1686, church in Farmington, 16 78 Daniel, 1742, from 1655 to his death. 17 81 Sarah. From him most or all the Hookers of New England, are descended. He m. Mary Willett of Swansea. His second wife Susanna m. Rev. Stephen Buckingham, of Norwalk.
4 Sarah m. Rev. John Wilson, of Medford.
5 Joanna m. Rev. Thomas Shepard of Cam- bridge, as his second wife.
6 Mary m. Rev. Roger Newton, of Farmington and Milford.
7 Thomas, Dr. m. Mary, widow of Richard Lord, in 1686, and resided in Hartford, where he died with- out children, and gave his estate to his nephew, Thomas.
15
GENEALOGY.
S Samuel m. Mehetabel Hamlin of Middletown in 1687, who d. in Hartford in 1749.
9. William, merchant, lived on the Zenas Cowles corner in Farmington. His widow Susanna m. John Blackleach, a noted merchant.
10 John, Esq. was one of the most substantial men in the colony. He represented Farmington in the General Court from 1699 to 1723, during which time he was clerk three sessions, and speaker six sessions. In 1723 he was chosen assistant, which office he held eleven years, during eight of which he was judge of the Superior Court. He m. Abigail Standley in 1687, who d. in 1743.
11 James, Esq. represented Guilford in the Gen- eral Court from 1702 to 1723.
12 Roger died in Hartford without issue.
13 Nathaniel, merchant, lived and traded south of the centre church in Hartford, on the north half of the Standley lot, which he inherited by his wife Mary Standley, whom he m. in 1698. On his death she m. John Austin also a merchant. He represented Hartford in the General Court from 1709 to his death.
14 Mary m. Rev. James Pierpont, New Haven, in 1698.
16 Daniel, graduated at Harvard, and was the first tutor in Yale College. He was a physician, though invited to preach as a candidate in Farming- ton. He lived in Wethersfield, where he probably died, though his descendants lived in West Hartford. He m. Sarah Standley of Hartford, in 1706.
17 Sarah m. Stephen Buckingham, of Norwalk.
1 PANTRY, WILLIAM, 2 John, 1653.
2 JOHN, 3 Mary, unmar.
4 Hannah, 1675,
5 1650 John, 1736,a. 86 5 JOHN, 6 John, 1713, 7 1678 Abigail,
1 William was in Cam- bridge in 1634, and ad- mitted a freeman in 1635. He was one of the weal- thiest of the original pro- prietors and settlers of Hartford. He lived on the west side of Front street, between State st.
16
HARTFORD.
8 Hannah, and the Little river. He
9 1692 Rebekah, 1775. died early, leaving his
6 JOHN, Hadley, property to his son.
10 1712 Abigail, 1765. 2 John left a widow Hannah, who m. Thomas Welles, Esq. in 1654. She died in 1683, and left considerable estate.
5 John was for many years superannuated, and at his death left to his children and grand-children an immense estate, including a pasture of 25 acres, on the east side of Front street.
6 John removed to Hadley, where he died. His widow Mary removed to Farmington, with her only child Abigail.
7 Abigail married Richard Goodman, who inher- ited the west part of the Pantry farm in West Hart- ford, on which the meeting house now stands and westward, where his son Timothy lived. From her are descended most of the Goodmans in this vicinity.
8 Hannah married Hezekiah Goodwin, who named his son, John Pantry, to perpetuate the name. She inherited a great estate in East Hartford, and in Pantry's pasture.
9 Rebekah married Nathaniel Jones, in 1713, who had sons Pantry and John Pantry. She also inherited property in East Hartford, and in the pasture east of Front street.
10 Abigail married John, the son of Rev. Samuel Whitman, in Farmington, in 1736. They removed to the eastern part of the Pantry farm in West Hart- ford, now in the possession of her descendant Samuel Whitman, through which the turnpike road to Farm- ington runs.
PARKER, WILLIAM, an original proprietor and settler, removed to Saybrook, which both he and his son deacon William, represented in the General Court. His house lot on the west side of Trumbull street, he sold to William Adams.
POST, STEPHEN, an original proprietor and settler, sold out his house lot on the south side of Bucking- ham street, to Thomas Gridley, about 1649, and re- moved to Saybrook.
17
GENEALOGY.
1 PRATT, JOHN,
2 John, 1690 ? Daniel, 1690.
3
2 JOHN,
4 1648? Hannah,
5 61 John, 1746,
6
64 Elizabeth,
7 68 Sarah, 1758,
8 71 Joseph,
9 77 Ruth,
10
80 Susannah,
11 83 Jonathan, 1755. descendants. From him, 3 DANIEL,
12
Daniel, 1704,
13
Hannah,
14
Elizabeth,
15
Sarah,
16
1671 Rachel,
17 Mary, before
[1702,
18
19
John Sadd. She died 1712.
5 JOHN,
20 1687 John, in 1746,
3 Daniel. The follow-
22
21 William, 1753, ing is an extract from the Hannah, close of his will. "I have 23 Esther. great reason and I do 11 JONATHAN, Tanner, heartily desire to bless
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
12 DANIEL,
34 95 Hannah, 1696, 2*
1 John was an original proprietor and settler of some note. He owned two adjoining house lots on the west side of Main street, one of which he purchased of Gov.Haynes, which extended north from Asylum street to the 4th church, some of which is now in possession of his
Pratt street derives its name. He represented Hartford in the first Gen- eral Court in 1639, and several years afterwards. He died about 1686 at an advanced age.
2 John left a widow (daughter,) 1702 Hepsibah, who married Esther, 1702.
24 Daniel, Glasten- God for the good agree- [bury, ment and love that I have Moses, lived to see amongst my Jonathan, children, as well as their Eliab, 1709, tenderness towards my- Aaron, self, which God will re- Elizabeth, ward; so now I desire to Jerusha, commit them to that God Mary, that hath cared for me all 32 Hepzibah. my days, commanding them to love, fear and 33 1693 Elizabeth, serve him, who will be their God, as he hath been
18
HARTFORD.
35 97 Daniel, died [young,
their father's God."
4 Hannah m. Garvad Elisha, Somers, Spencer in 1680.
36 37 20 JOHN, Jr.
Rebecca, 1768.
5 John m. Hannah Sandford.
38 1714 Susanna, in 1789
39 17 Ozias, 1788,
40 18 Ruth,
7 Sarah in 1690 m. Timothy Phelps, Wind- sor, who removed to Hart- ford.
41 John, 1754, 42 Hannah,
43 Sarah,
Elizabeth,
44 45 1734 Isaac, Goshen.
21 WILLIAM,
46 Zechariah,
? Esther, 1767,
47 48 49 42 Joseph, Martha,
11 Jonathan was a tan- 1736 William, ner. He lived in Glas- tenbury, but died in Hart- 50 ford. His second wife 51 39 Susanna, Mary he left a widow in Glastenbury. 52 Mabel. His sons lived in East Hartford.
12 Daniel m. Elizabeth Lea in 1692, who after his death m. John Sheldon in 1708.
13 Hannah m. Daniel ? Clark.
14 Elizabeth m. Nat. Goodwin.
16 Rachel m. John Skinner in 1694.
17 Mary m. a Sandford.
20 John, Jr. m. Hannah Norton of Farmington in 1713. He died before his father.
21 William lived in front of State House square near Asylum street, and died before his father. He married Amy Pinney, who survived him, and had. the charge of his property. She died in 1772.
22 Hannah m. Isaac Porter, of Windsor, in 1727.
23 Esther m. Jos. Talcott, son of the governor, in 1727.
29 Eliz. m. Wm. Moulbe, (Maltby.)
30 Jerusha m. Roberts.
33 Eliz. m. Deac. Isaac Sheldon in 1717.
36 Elisha m. Sarah Burnham in 1726.
37 Rebecca m. Marsh.
8 Joseph m. a daughter of John Marsh.
9 Ruth m. Wilterton Merrill in 1702. 10 Susanna m. Daniel Merrill in 1698.
19
GENEALOGY.
38 Susanna m. Marsh.
40 Ruth m. Palmer.
41 John, Capt. was a merchant, and probably died unmarried.
42 Hannah m. John Watson.
43 Sarah m. Wm. Cole of Southington or Wolcott.
44 Eliz. m. Dickinson.
50 Martha m. Samuel Drake.
51 Susanna m. Thomas Sloan.
52 Mabel m. Mathew Webster
PRATT, WILLIAM, an original proprietor and set- tler, supposed to be brother of John, lived on the east side of Burr street, and sold about 1645 to Mathew Beckwith, and removed to Saybrook, which he repre- sented in the General Court from 1666 to 76. He married Elizabeth, d. of John Clark of Milford. His son John of Saybrook, was born in Hartford in 1645. Nathaniel and William Pratt subsequently represented Saybrook in the General Court.
SCOTT, THOMAS, was one of the original proprie- tors and settlers of Hartford. His house lot was No. 13, on Front street, south side of State street, and ex- tended west to State square. - He died in 1643, leav- ing widow Ann, who in 1644 married Thomas Ford. He left children.
THOMAS died soon after his father without issue.
MARY m. Robert Porter in 1644.
SARAH m. John Standley in 1645.
ELIZABETH m. John Loomis in 1648.
Robert Porter, John Standley, and John Loomis, were among the first settlers of Farmington, and lived on adjoining house lots, which must have been a source of great comfort to them in that then new set- tlement. The descendants of Robert Porter are numerous, among whom are Rev. Dr. Porter of Farmington, the late David Porter of Hartford, &c. John Standley represented Farmington many years in the General Court : his descendants are numerous, among whom are the Stanleys of Berlin. John Loomis removed to Windsor, and several years rep- resented that town in the General Court.
20
HARTFORD.
1 STANDLEY, THOMAS,
1 Thomas was an ori-
2 Nathaniel, 1712 ginal owner and settler, 3 (daughter,) removed to and died in Hadley, in 1659. His 2 NATHANIEL, Esq.
1664 Nathaniel, 1665 house lot extended from the
4
5
69 Sarah, 1689,
6 71 Joseph, 1676,
7 74 Hannah, 1681,
8 77 Mary,
centre church to the Little river. His only son was 2 Nathaniel m. in 1659 Sarah, the daughter of
9 81 Susanna, 1683, James Boosey, one of the
10 83 Nathaniel, 1755 first men in Wethersfield. 10 NATHANIEL, Col. & Esq. He was a man of wealth 11 1707 Nathaniel, and influence, and repre- 9 Sarah, sented Hartford in the General Court from 1678
12
13
11 Joseph, 1712,
14 13 Augustus, 1770, to 1689, when he was 15 15 Anna, 1722, chosen assistant, which 16 17 Susanna, office he held to his death in 1712.
17
19 Abigail,
3 Married in Hadley.
18
21 Mary, 1722,
19
8 Mary m. in 1698
20
23 Joseph, 1723, William, 1786, Nat. the son of Rev. Sam. 14 AUGUSTUS, W. Hartford Hooker of Farmington, to
21 Allyn, 1774, whom her father gave the 22 John, 1789, north half of his home lot, 23 Roswell, where he lived and traded 24 James, as a merchant. He rep- 25 Judah, resented Hartford in the 26 1748 Lucy, died. General Court from 1709 27 1752 Frederick, to his death in 1711. In 28 58 Whiting, 1713, she married John 29 62 Lewis, 1777. Austin, a merchant of note. Her children by her first husband were, Mary who died single ; Alice who m. Samuel Howard; Sarah who m. Hon. Daniel Edwards ; Abigail who m. Rev. Dr. Benj. Lord of Norwich ; and Rev. Nathaniel, the minister of West Hartford: and by her second hus- band, John who d. young; and Mary, who m. John Ellery.
10 Nathaniel was a man of wealth, energy and dis- tinction. He m. in 1706 Anna, the daughter of Jos.
21
GENEALOGY.
Whiting, Esq. and grand-daughter of Col. John Allyn. He was annually chosen an assistant from 1725 to 1748. His estate was invoiced at ££3000.
11 Nat. grad. at Yale in 1726. He married and removed to Windsor, where his father established him in business ; but he became a worthless spend- thrift, and had a conservator placed over him to take care of his property, in 1757, between which time and 1773 he died, probably without children. His widow Mary died insolvent, in 1797.
12 Sarah m. Andrew Burr, Esq. of Fairfield, who was an assistant from 1746 to 63.
14 Augustus lived on the Standley lot, at the south end of West Hartford, where he died, leaving a small estate. It was the custom, in ancient times, to give each son a trade. Hence, to show the value he set upon a trade, he says in his will : - " Whereas, my sons Allyn' and John have neither of them learned any trade, I therefore give to each of them the sum of twenty-five pound lawful money, or the value thereof, more than any of the rest of my sons."
16 Susanna m. Aaron Day of New Haven.
17 Abigail m. Rev. Elnathan Whitman.
20 William died without children. In his will he presented the south church a silver tankard. He gave his niece, Eliz. Whitman, a twelve acre lot on the west side of Hog river. He gave his sister Abi- gail, wife of Rev. Elnathan Whitman, all his personal estate, and the use of his real estate during her life. At her decease, he gave the use of all his large estate, except the above twelve acres, forever, unto the South Society in Hartford. It is now most or all of it leased for 999 years.
STEBBINS, EDWARD, Deac. was one of the most prominent and influential proprietors and settlers of Hartford. His house lot was on Front street, north side of State street, and extended west to what was then the public square, now Dorr street. He was admitted a freeman in Cambridge in 1634, and re- moved to Hartford as early as 1636. He represented Hartford in the General Court at various times, from
22
HARTFORD.
the organization of the government in 1639 to 1656. His sister Edatha married Robert Day, and on the death of Mr. Day in 1648, he had the care of the three children and the property. On the decease of Gov. Hopkins, Mr. Stebbins was one of the trustees to dispose of his estate. He was a man in whom the people ever placed great confidence. He died in 1663, and his widow Frances died in 1673. They had no sons. Their daughters were:
Mary, m. Edward? Gaylord, whose children were Joseph, Benjamin, Joanna and Mary.
m. John Chester, near London, England, whose children were John and Samson.
Elizabeth m. Thomas Cadwell.
Lydia m. Deac. John Willson.
Mr. Cadwell had a son Edward, and Deac. Will- son a son Stebbins, to perpetuate the name.
WAKEMAN, SAMUEL, an original proprietor and settler of Hartford, was a freeman in Cambridge in 1632, and a representative in Mass. in 1635. He was drowned in 1645, and his widow m. Nat. Willett. His children,-
Ezbon removed to Fairfield,
Grace m. John Kelly,
Elizabeth m. Joseph Arnold,
Hannah m. Hackelton.
The Court settled the estate on Nat. Willett, on condition that he should pay the son forty pounds when he arrived at 20 years of age ; and each of the daughters 20 pounds, when 18 years of age.
WESTWOOD, WILLIAM, was born in 1607. He was one of the wealthiest and most prominent of the first settlers and proprietors of Hartford. His house lot was on the west side of Front street where Morgan street crosses it. He was a member of the upper house in the first General Court in 1636 : and repre- sented Hartford in the Court from 1642 to 1656, when he removed to Hadley, where he died. His only child
Sarah, m. Aaron Cook of Hadley, whose son Aaron inherited Mr. Westwood's property in Hart- ford.
23
GENEALOGY.
WHITEHEAD, SAMUEL, original owner of the Lord corner, removed to New Haven, where he died in 1690.
WYLLYS. Few names among the settlers of New England are more conspicuous in the heraldry of England than that of Wyllys, or Willis, as it is there spelled. They trace their ancestry back to the times of Henry VIII., when Richard flourished at Napton. The family mansion was at Fenny Compton in War- wickshire. Before removing to New England, Mr. Wyllys sent over Wm. Gibbons, his steward, to ex- plore and make purchases if he found any desirable residence. He purchased for his employer several house lots, which constituted the Wyllys place, where the charter oak now stands.
1 GEORGE, 1645,
2
George,
3
Hester,
4 Amy,
5 1632 Samuel, 1709.
5 SAMUEL, Esq.,
1 George Wyllys, Esq. appears in Hartford in 1638, and in 1639 he was chosen assistant, which office he held until his death. In 1641 he was chosen deputy governor, and in 1642, governor.
6 Mary,
Mehitabel,
7 8 1672 Hezekiah, 1741.
2 George remained at 8 HEZEKIAH, Secretary, the family mansion in Fenny Compton.
9 1704 Ruth,
10
8 Elizabeth, 3 Hester m. Capt. Harding, in 1645.
11 9 George, 1709,
12 10 George, 1796,
13 13 Mabel,
14 Samuel, 1732.
14 12 GEORGE, Secretary.
15 1738 Samuel, 1823,
16 44 William,
4 Amy m. John Pyn- chon of Springfield, in 1645.
5 Samuel, Esq. was born in England ; gradua- ted at Harvard in 1653,
17 54 John Palsgrove* and the next year, at the 18 56 George, died, early age of 21, was elect-
19 Hezekiah, 1827, ed an assistant, to which 20 50 Susanna, office he was annually 21 42 Mary. elected until 1684. He 15 SAMUEL, Gen. & Sec. was again elected, after 22 1777 Oliver St. John, the government of And-
24
HARTFORD.
23 1781 Mary Wood- [bridge,
ross, from 16$9 to 1692, and again in 1698, making
24 S4 Samuel Hobart, 36 years during which he
25 90 William Alfred, held this high office ... He 19 HEZEKIAH, Col. was also 4 years commis- 26 1786 Amelia, sioner to the congress of 27 87 George, 1822, the New England colonies. 28 89 Charlotte Eliz., He m. Ruth the daughter 29 90 Harold, of Gov. Haynes.
30 91 John Palsgrove, 7 Mehitabel m. (1) Dan- 31 93 Ferdinand. iel Russell of Charles- town ; (2) Rev. Isaac Foster in 1679, who died in 1684 leaving one child Ann; and (3) Rev. Tim. Wood- bridge.
8 Hez. m. Eliz. d. of Rev. Jer. Hobart in 1702. He was Secretary of State, from 1711 to 1734.
9 Ruth m. Richard Lord in 1724, and after his death, -- Belding.
12 George Wyllys m. Mary, the daughter of Rev. Timothy Woodbridge. He was Secretary of State from 1735 to 1795, 61 years.
13 Mabel m. Samuel Talcott, a man of great wealth, and son of the governor.
15 Samuel, General, m. Ruth Stoughton in 1777. He was Secretary of State from 1796 to 1S09, when Thomas Day was chosen assistant Secretary.
16 William died unmarried.
19 Hez. m. Amelia Trumble in 1785.
20 Susanna m. Jed. Strong, of Litchfield.
21 Mary m. Pomeroy.
22 Oliver, S. J., died a vagabond in 1839.
23 Mary W. m. John M. Gannett.
24 and 25 Sam. H. and Wm. A. probably died unmarried.
26 Amelia m. Asher Adams of Charlestown.
27 George left a widow but no children.
28 Charlotte E. probably died unmarried.
29 Harold is supposed to have died in a distant land.
30 John P. was killed in the western army, under St. Clair.
25
DIVISIONS OF THE TOWN.
With some slight exceptions, the lands on the North and on the South side were divided among the propri- · etors on those sides respectively. The line of division commenced at the mouth of the Little river, which it followed to the union of Hog and Woods rivers, and then up the latter to the bend, thence on the south side of the Knowles' farm, and onward to the West Division. The same line was continued on the east side of the Great river.
DIVISIONS OF THE TOWN.
On the arrival of the first settlers in Hartford, they probably found the Little Meadow, the North and South Meadows, and the Meadow on the East side, already cleared and under cultivation by the Indians, consisting of meadow and corn land. For many years after the settlement, Indians continued to reside near the house in the South Meadow, at the south end of the Island on the East side, and at the north end of the East Hartford Meadow. These meadows were divi- ded among the original proprietors, for meadow and plow lots : and other portions of the town west of these were also distributed among the original proprietors, and by their grant to other settlers, for wood and pas- ture. The Divisions together with the
NAMES OF LOCATIONS
were as follow : -
On the NORTH side,
I. LITTLE MEADOW lay on the east side of Front street, between the Little river and the North Meadow bridge. It was divided, among the proprietors on both sides, into 66 lots of various sizes from 30 square rods to 4 acres ; 25 of these lots lay on the north side of the Road to the Landing, and the rest on the south side. Gov. Haynes purchased the lots next to the Little river, which descended to his heirs as far as John Haynes Lord. The lots between Gov. Haynes's and the old Ferry street, were mostly purchased by 3
26
HARTFORD&
John Pantry, and descended to his heirs in the Jones family. Wm. Westwood purchased a large part of the lots north of the ferry, which were inherited by his grandson, Aaron Cook. The south-east angle of the Little Meadow, including 3 acres, was claimed and occupied by the Dutch, and hence is called the Dutch Point. At the north end of the Little Meadow was a two acre lot, called the Cow Yard, which was afterwards granted to Richard Olmsted, in exchange for a part of his house lot that was taken for a burying- yard. At the south-west corner of the Meadow, was a landing place, near the public crossing place from the North to the South side ; and another landing place at the foot of old Ferry street. At the latter place per- mission was granted by the town to build several ware houses, on the public land.
Since the first settlement of Hartford, the river has made great inroads on the Little Meadow. Then, the little river or creek running from the North Meadow, emptied into the Great river at the landing place and ferry, and a strip of land on the east side of it extended from the landing to the North Meadow bridge.
II. SOLDIERS' FIELD, an appellation given to a tract containing about 15 acres, lay on the west side of the North Meadow creek, about a quarter of a mile north of the N. M. bridge. The lots were chiefly 1-4th of an acre each, and perhaps were granted to soldiers engaged in some Indian war. There is a tradition, however, that it was once an Indian camp ground, and Indian implements of war have been found on the premises. The original owners all lived on the North side, and were few or none of them original proprietors of the town.
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