USA > Connecticut > A history of Connecticut > Part 5
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29
60
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
[1650.
to understand, that, unless he kept the pledges heretofore given, he must suffer the consequences.
Uncas started a rumor that caused considerable anxiety, to the effect that a son or brother of Sassacus was negotiat- ing an alliance with Ninigret by marriage with his daughter, and that he was to receive the support of the Narragansetts and Nianties in assuming the position of chief over the Pequots. Uncas had so many reasons for wishing the Eng- lish to believe this story, that it looks as if it might have had a reality in his imagination alone. He had treated the captive Pequots in the most cruel manner ; and the wretched remnant of the once proud tribe, year after year, came before the commissioners with a narrative of wrongs that ought to have mitigated their condition long before it did. Uncas was faithful to the English, but his actions towards other tribes of Indians were marked by perfidy and cruelty.
The Narragansetts still neglected to pay the wampum now long due ; and in the autumn of 1650, Captain Humphrey Atherton of Massachusetts was sent with twenty men to enforce the payment.
Pessacus met the little company with a long speech, which gave his warriors time to gather in increasing number. Without waiting for the conclusion of the oration, the brave English captain rushed into the wigwam, and seized the Narragansett chief by the hair of his head, and, pointing a loaded pistol at his person, told him he would blow his brains out if he offered the least resistance. The cowed and trembling sachem then and there counted out the wampum that a moment before he had loudly protested was not in his possession.
Having finished his errand with Pessacus in this summary fashion, Atherton hastened to visit Ninigret, who was thor- oughly intimidated by the message which he brought to him.
His Excellency, Peter Stuyvesant, was now governor of New Netherlands. Soon after he assumed the duties of his
61
1650.] GOVERNOR STUYVESANT AT HARTFORD.
office, in 1647, the commissioners, in the name of the colonies of New England, sent him a congratulatory letter, in which they took occasion to call his attention to some matters in which they thought their Dutch neighbors had done them wrong. As time went by, the situation grew worse ; and on Sept. 11, 1650, the Dutch governor came to Hartford. He declined to attend the meetings of the commissioners, and his request that the business should be transacted by written communications was granted. The war of words that had so long been in progress now culminated in a substantial recognition of the claims of the colonists, and the estab- lishment of a boundary 2 that was of great advantage to them.
War having broken out between England and Holland, with prudent foresight, the General Court of Connecticut ordered that the fort at Saybrook should be put in readiness for attack, and that the families in the vicinity should be brought within the enclosure. It was reported that a plan was being concerted between hostile Indian tribes and the authorities of New Netherlands for the extermination of the English. This report was indignantly and, no doubt, justly denied by Governor Stuyvesant ; but the colonists were in a very excited and distrustful state of mind.
The tide of feeling ran high on both sides ; and the com- missioners, with the exception of Bradstreet, were in favor of declaring war. That gentleman represented the position and wishes of the General Court of Massachusetts. The stubborn determination of their delegates against the will of the other colonies, then, as at other times, threatened the dissolution of the Union.3 Indignant at the action of Mas- sachusetts, Connecticut and New Haven appealed to Eng- land for help. This appeal was not in vain, and they were rejoiced to hear that ships and men would soon be sent to aid them.
Norwalk, the eastern part of which was purchased by
-
62
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
[1651.
Roger Ludlow from the Indians in 1640, was incorporated by Connecticut at the General Court of 1651. The planters to whom the grant was given did not remove to their new home until that year.
During the same year (1651) Mattabesett was first settled by the English, and in the fall of 1653 its name was changed to Middletown.
1 A TRIBE which held the country abont Deerfield in Massachusetts.
2 BOUNDARY. The commissioners chose Bradstreet of Boston, and Prince of Plymouth, and Governor Stuyvesant chose Thomas Willet and George Bax- ter, as arbitrators. They disposed of the boundary question in these terms : -
"I. That upon Long Island, a line run from the westermost part of Oyster Bay, and so on a streight and direct line to the sea, shall be the bounds betwixt the English and the Dutch there, the easterly to belong to the English, and the westermost to the Dutch.
" II. The bounds upon the Main to begin at the West side of Greenwich Bay, being about four miles from Stam- ford, and so to run a northerly line, twenty miles up into the country, and after, as it shall be agreed, by the two governments of the Dutch and New Ilaven, provided the said line come not within ten miles of Hudson's River. And it is agreed, that the Dutch shall not at any time hereafter, build any house or habitation within six miles of the said line : the inhabitants of Green- wich to remain (till further consideration
thereof be had) under the government of the Dutch.
"III. The Dutch shall hold and enjoy all the lands in Hartford that, they are actually possessed of, known and set out by certain marks and bounds, and all the remainder of the said land, on both sides of Connecticut River, to be and remain to the English there. And it is agreed that the aforesaid bounds and limits, both upon the island and main, shall be observed and kept inviolable, both by the English of the united colonies, and all the Dutch nation, without any encroach- ment or molestation, until a full and final determination be agreed upon in Europe, by the mutual consent of the two states of England and Holland."
3 " So long as the Confederacy acted in accordance with the wishes of Massa- chusetts, all went well; but when she differed from the others, she was ready to dissolve the Union rather than yield " (Lodge's History of the English Colonies in America). Mr. Lodge is a loyal son of Massachusetts ; but this frank observa- tion, it seems to us, is in accord with the facts of history.
63
1653.] COLONIES THREATENED BY THE DUTCH.
CHAPTER XI.
1653-1657.
STAMFORD AND FAIRFIELD THREATENED BY THE DUTCH.
INTHE hostile attitude of affairs between the Dutch and English was especially trying and disastrous to the towns west of New Haven. Stamford and Fairfield were exposed to imminent danger, and felt that the colonial au- thorities did them a serious wrong in failing to send troops for their protection. Stamford threatened to discontinue the payment of taxes to Connecticut, and place herself under the immediate protection of England. Fairfield went so far as to vote in town-meeting to raise troops without consulting the colony, and carry on war themselves.1 This independ- ent and plucky action met with a severe reprimand.
Not far from this time, the captain of a small armed vessel was arrested, under orders of the New-Haven colony, for carrying on an illegal trade with the Dutch at Manhattan. While the trial was in progress, the sailors pulled up anchor, and sailed out of Milford Harbor. A company of brave Milford citizens at once manned a vessel, and, arming it as best they could, started in pursuit. They pressed the fugi- tive so hard that the crew betook themselves to their skiff, and left their well-equipped vessel at the mercy of the gal- lant pursuers, who brought it back to their harbor, where she was condemned, with her cargo, as a lawful prize.
The fleet which Cromwell had sent, at the request of Con- necticut and New Haven, had arrived in Boston Harbor.
64
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
[1654.
Commissioners were at once despatched from both colonies to Boston, to make arrangements for the campaign. They were more than willing to raise their proportion of an army of fifteen hundred men. If Massachusetts was unwilling to take part in the war, " rather than the design should fall," they would engage to furnish four or five hundred men if they were put under commanders whom their agents ap- proved. Tidings of peace in Europe put an end to the ex- pedition, not without regret on the part of Connecticut and New Haven, for they had strong hopes that it would rid them of their troublesome Dutch neighbors.
Ninigret continued to harass the Long-Island Indians ; and the commissioners sent a company of soldiers, under com- mand of Major Willard, with orders, not only to compel the Niantic chief to desist from waging further war upon the Montauk Indians, but also to demand payment of the tribute still due, and take from him the captive Pequots in- trusted to his care. Willard found that Ninigret had anti- cipated his visit, and taken refuge with his braves in a. swamp several miles away. Without attempting to follow him, the English returned to Connecticut, followed by-nearly one hundred miserable Pequots, whose prayer for protection was granted. Under the charge of an Indian governor, who ruled them by a code of laws specially prepared, they were given a tract of land on the Paucatuck and Mystic Rivers, and were permitted to hunt in the forests west of the Mystic.
Ninigret, as soon as he came out of his unmolested place of concealment, renewed the war against the Montauk tribe, and did great injury to the property of the English settlers at East Hampton and South Hampton. In response to a further appeal for help, an armed vessel, under command of Captain John Youngs, was sent to watch the movements of the Niantics. This, for the time, proved an effectual barrier against the turbulent spirit and plans of Ninigret.
65
NORWICH SETTLED.
1657.]
The New-Haven colony received an urgent invitation from Cromwell to emigrate to Jamaica, which met at first with a very favorable reception. The Protector held out the most liberal inducements, and the plan was very pleasing to those who had been disappointed in the New-England settlement as a place of trade. The towns outside of New Haven did not favor the scheme, and after much discussion the Court decided that it was not wise to make the change.
The year was marked by quarrels and wars between the scattered bands of Indians within the territory of the colonies. Uncas appears to have shown an ugly and treacherous temper, that sought in every possible way to foment trouble. The feud still raged between his tribe and the Narragansetts. Pessacus, by a stealthy and sudden approach, surrounded Uncas in his fort; but the wily chief contrived to send word of his critical position to the garrison at Saybrook. Thomas Leffingwell, an ensign at the fort, was permitted to load a canoe with provisions, which, having paddled into the mouth of the Thames River under cover of the night, he brought to the famishing Mohegans. With courage and strength restored, Uncas led his warriors in such a furious charge that the Narragansetts were utterly routed. There is a tradition that the Mohegan chief, as an expression of his gratitude, gave Ensign Leffingwell a deed of nearly the whole of the present town of Norwich. It is the truth of historic record, however, that in 1659 Uncas, for seventy pounds, gave a deed of a large tract of land to an English company at Saybrook, that included the same territory.
Major Mason was at the head of the company, that in- cluded the pastor of the Saybrook church and most of its members, which in the spring of 1660 settled at Norwich.
During the few years covered by this chapter, the colonists were called to mourn the loss of some of their most distin- guished citizens. John Haynes, the first governor of Con- necticut, and who held that office every alternate year until
1
66
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
[1657.
his decease, died in 1654. The owner of an elegant estate in England, with an annual income of five thousand dollars, he joined his fortunes with that of his intimate and admired friend, Hooker, and was a leader in the little band that settled Hartford. Pleasant in manner, and well balanced in character and judgment, he was universally respected and beloved.
Edward Hopkins, an opulent London merchant, first came to this country with the company that settled at New Haven. He soon decided to remove to Hartford, and for eleven years was elected governor of Connecticut alternately with Haynes. The death of his brother, in 1653, made it necessary for him to visit England. He expected to return in a short time, but Cromwell required his services. He was appointed a warden of the fleet, and commissioner of the admiralty ; and at the time of his death, March, 1657, he was a member of Cromwell's last Parliament. By his will, he gave most of his property to further the cause of education in New Eng- land. The public grammar schools of New Haven, Hart- ford, and Hadley, and also Harvard College, were recipients of his generous gift. Hopkins was a man of great executive ability, and trained in the practical management of affairs. He was connected with the family of Governor Eaton by marriage, and the friendship between them was both strong and tender.2
Theophilus Eaton, who died at his home in New Haven, Jan. 7, 1657, was the first governor of that colony, and con- tinued in that office until his death. The son of an English clergyman, he early entered upon a distinguished mercantile career. For a time he acted as an ambassador of the king at the court of Denmark, and upon his return accumulated large wealth as a merchant in London. He held earnestly to the opinions that found expression in the constitution of the New-Haven colony, and did all that was in his power to sustain them. Active and wise in the guidance of public
67
JOHN WINTHROP ELECTED GOVERNOR.
1657.]
affairs, his private life was marked by generous hospitality and consistent piety.3
In the spring of 1657, John Winthrop of New London was chosen governor of Connecticut. Massachusetts had done all in its power to retain his services, and for many years he was elected a magistrate of that colony. He de- clined a flattering invitation to return and make his home with them, and in 1651 he became a freeman of Connecticut. At the very beginning of his administration of the high office in which he was to perform such signal and honored services, important changes were made. Every freeman was admitted on the vote of the central government of the colony. A troop of horse were for the first time enrolled. Important action was taken, by which new churches could only be formed by the consent of the General Court and the approbation of neighboring churches. New interest was taken in the reli- gious instruction of the Indians, and more care shown in making liberal contributions to the college at Cambridge.
1 ROGER LUDLOW was made com- mander of the town militia. This is about the last we hear of this gifted man, whose faults of temper sadly de- tracted, both from his judgment and influence. At once ambitious and iras- cible, he failed to secure the positions he coveted, although his ability was recog- nized in many ways. He left Massachu- setts, and joined his fortunes with the early. settlers of Connecticut, because he felt that others less worthy than him- self were preferred before him. It would appear that the same reasons influenced him in going to Fairfield. His impetuous spirit broke out in full force against the Dutch; and when both New Haven and Connecticut showed their displeasure at the action of Fairfield, he expressed his indignation in the strongest terms. The
following spring he left Connecticut, and probably sailed from Virginia to Eng- land, and spent his last days there.
2 ON his death-bed in. England, he said, " How often have I pleased myself with thoughts of a joyful meeting with my father Eaton! I remember with what pleasure he would come down the street, that he might meet me when I came from Hartford to New Haven; but with how much greater pleasure shall we shortly meet one another in heaven."
3 THE colony erected a monument to his memory, bearing this inscription : -
"Eaton, so famed, so wise, so meek, so just,
The Phoenix of our world, here hides his dust:
This name forget, New England never must."
68
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
[1660.
CHAPTER XII.
THE STORY OF THE REGICIDES.
0 N the 27th of July, 1660, a ship arrived in Boston, bring- ing intelligence that Charles II. had ascended the throne of England.
Before his restoration, the king promised that forgiveness would be granted to all who should give their allegiance to his authority, except those who might be condemned by Parliament.
The House of Commons was disposed to pardon, even the members of the court that had condemned Charles I. to death ; but the Lords insisted that they should be brought to trial. Following this advice, the king issued a proclama- tion, declaring that such of the judges of his father as did not surrender within fourteen days would receive no pardon.
Nineteen delivered themselves up; while others, in the attempt to flee, were overtaken, and brought back to the trial that ended in the condemnation and execution of ten of these unhappy men.
Of the regicides who escaped by flight, three found shelter in New England. Edward Whalley and William Goffe ar- rived at Boston in July, 1660, and John Dixwell came later. The romantic story of their life and wanderings is in many ways woven into the history of the State. When they first reached Boston, it was thought that their exile would be temporary, and that they would receive the royal forgive- ness. Governor Endicott and other prominent citizens ex- tended the hospitalities of their homes to these distinguished
69
THE STORY OF THE REGICIDES.
1661.]
strangers, and they did not hesitate to appear in public places. When word was received, however, that they were looked upon as traitors by the king, the general feeling changed towards them.
Having learned that the Massachusetts authorities were seriously considering the question of their apprehension, the alarmed regicides sought refuge among friends in New Haven. They found this shelter none too soon ; for a royal mandate reached Massachusetts, requiring the arrest of the fugitives. Tidings came by the same ship of the execution of ten of the regicides, and the authorities of the colonies could not fail to see that it would bring their loyalty in question if they did not give earnest attention to the king's command. Two zealous young officers were authorized to search for Whalley and Goffe as far as Manhattan. The promise of promotion gave zest to their errand. When they reached Hartford, Governor Winthrop very readily gave them a warrant to search within the jurisdiction of Connecticut, but assured them that it would be a vain quest. Hastening on to Guilford, the home of acting Governor Leete of the New-Haven colony, they asked for his official assistance.
With great deliberation of action, the governor declined to issue any warrant until he had consulted with the other magistrates. This delay compelled them to remain at Guil- ford over the sabbath ; and in the interval, it is supposed that a message was carried to New Haven, warning the judges of their danger. While the royal pursuers were chafing at their enforced stay at Guilford, Davenport, the warm friend of the regicides, was preaching to his people at New Haven, from the text, "Take counsel, execute judg- ment ; make thy shadow as the night in the midst of the noonday ; hide the outcasts ; bewray not him that wandereth. Let mine outcasts dwell with thee, Moab ; be thou a covert to them from the face of the spoiler." The congregation under- stood the sermon without any need of personal application.
70
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
[1661.
Early Monday morning the officers rode into New Haven ; but his excellency, Governor Leete, was still very deliberate in his movements, and did not arrive in town until a later hour. He assured the young gentlemen, that, to the best of his belief, the persons they were so anxious to find were not in the colony. Still pressing their demand for a warrant, they asked the privilege of searching one or two houses where they had reason to think the regicides were hid ; but the governor said he could do nothing until he had called a meeting of the freemen.
By this time the officers were thoroughly angry, and inti- mated that the worthy governor would get himself and the colony into trouble by his dilatory action. These remarks made such a deep impression, that the governor convened the magistrates, and continued their deliberations for five or six hours. They decided that it would be necessary to call a General Court. The indignant officers were more out- spoken in their wrath than ever, and accused the authorities of treason in attempting to hinder their service. To the question " whether he would obey the king, or no, in this affair," Leete replied, " We honor his majesty, but we have tender consciences."
Finding themselves in a community not easily overawed, even by fine young gentlemen bearing a royal commission, the two disgusted officers journeyed as far as Manhattan, where they were politely received by Governor Stuyvesant, who promised them aid in arresting the fugitives, if they could be found in the Dutch territory. From Manhattan they soon took passage for Boston, without visiting again the authorities of New Haven and Connecticut.
It is supposed that the regicides, when word came to them of the arrival of the pursuing officers at Guilford, were secreted at the home of William Jones, whose wife was a daughter of Governor Eaton. That night (May 11) they left New Haven, and found refuge in a mill in the woods,
71
THE STORY OF THE REGICIDES.
1661.]
two miles north of the town. Early Monday morning they were conducted by Mr. Jones and two other friends, three miles or more into the wilderness. Having found a hatchet on the spot that they had selected to build a rude shelter of branches, they called the place Hatchet Harbor. They spent two nights here ; and then, having learned that the pursuers were on the way to Manhattan, they were guided to West Rock, or Providence Hill as they named it, by Richard Sperry, who had been one of the little party who had left them at Hatchet Harbor.
Here they found a slight shelter, afforded by several large fragments of trap-rock, that has ever since been known as the "Judges' Cave." The magnificent outlook from this spot takes in the surrounding country for many miles, with a wide sweep of the Sound. It was easy of access, and at the same time very secluded. Whalley and Goffe remained in this neighborhood from May 15 to June 11. They were furnished with food by Mr. Sperry, whose house was at the foot of the hill, about a mile away. The probabilities are, that they went down in the evening, and slept at Mr. Sperry's, returning early in the morning.
Two days after the regicides had removed to West Rock, at a meeting of the General Court, Deputy-Governor Leete called attention to a copy of a letter from his Majesty, with another letter from the governor of the Massachusetts col- ony, " for the apprehending of Colonel Whalley and Colonel Goffe." The Court declared, that, to the best of their knowl- edge, these persons were not within the colony : they, how- ever, ordered diligent search to be made, but without avail.1
Learning that Mr. Davenport was suspected of concealing them, the regicides left their hiding-place on the 11th of June, and appeared on the streets of New Haven. It is not known where they spent the next few days ; but on Saturday, June 22, they were in New Haven, and had word sent to Mr. Gilbert, now deputy-governor, that they were ready to
72
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
[1664.
surrender, if it was necessary, rather than place any of their friends in danger on their account. There were those who advised them not to surrender; and on Monday, while the magistrates were preparing to arrest them, they quietly sought their old place of refuge at West Rock. They re- mained here until the 19th of August, " when, the search for them being pretty well over, they ventured to the house of one Tomkins, near Milford, where they remained two years, without so much as going into the orchard. After that they took a little more liberty, and made themselves known to several persons in whom they could confide ; and each of them frequently prayed, and also exercised, as they term it, or preached, at private meetings in their chamber." 2
Learning, in 1664, that new commissioners from England had landed at Boston, charged, among other duties, with their arrest, the unfortunate regicides decided to seek a more secluded hiding-place. They retired at first to their cave on West Rock ; but the discovery of their retreat by a party of Indians, compelled them in a few days to go else- where. From this unknown spot they journeyed by night to the frontier town of Hadley, Mass., where they were concealed in the home of the Rev. John Russell. Here they continued to reside until the death of Whalley, some ten years afterwards. The later years of Goffe are shrouded in mystery ; but the probabilities are, that he died in Hadley, and was buried by the side of Whalley, in the cellar of the house that for so long a time kept the secret of their hiding.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.