USA > Connecticut > New London County > A modern history of New London County, Connecticut, Volume I > Part 3
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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 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57
What sort of people these early settlers were may be judged by a love letter sent in 1674 by Rev. Edward Taylor, of Massachusetts, to Miss Eliza- beth Fitch, daughter of Rev. James Fitch, the first clergyman settled in Norwich :
Wethersfield, Mass., 8th day of the 7th month, 1674.
My Dove :- I send you not my heart, for that I hope is sent to Heaven
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long since, and unless it has awfully deceived me it hath not taken up its lodgings in any one's bosom on this side the royal city of the Great King; but yet the most of it that is allowed to be layed out upon any creature doth safely and singly fall to your share. So much my post pigeon presents you with here in these lines. Look not (I entreat you) on it as one of love's hyper- boles. If I borrow the beams of some sparkling metaphor to illustrate my respects unto thyself by, for you having made my breast the cabinet of your, affections as I yours mine, I know not how to offer a fitter comparison to set out my love by, than to compare it unto a golden ball of pure fire rolling up and down my breast, from which there flies now and then a spark like a glorious beam from the body of the flaming sun. But alas! striving to catch these sparks into a love letter unto yourself, and to gild it with them as with a sun beam, and, that by what time they have fallen through my pen upon paper, they have lost their shine and fall only like a little smoke thereon instead of gilding them. Wherefore, finding myself so much deceived, I am ready to begrudge my instruments, for though my love within my breast is so large that my heart is not sufficient to contain it, yet they can make it no more room to ride into, than to squeeze it up betwixt my black ink and white paper. But know that it is the coarsest part that is couchant there, for the finest is too fine to clothe in any linguist and huswifry, or to be expressed in words, and though this letter bears but the coarsest part to you, yet the purest is improved for you. But now, my dear love, lest my letter should be judged the lavish language of a lover's pen, I shall endeavor to show that conjugal love ought to exceed all other love. Ist, appears from that which it represents, viz: The respect there is betwixt Christ and his church, Eph. 5th, 25th, although it differs from that in kind; for that is spiritual and this human, and in degree, that is boundless and transcendent, this limited and subordinate; yet it holds out that this should be cordial and with respect to all other transcendent. 2d, Because conjugal love is the ground of conjugal union, or conjugal sharing the effects of this love, is also a ground of this union. 3d, From those Christian duties which are incumbent on persons in this state as not only a serving God together, a praying together, a joining in the ruling and instructing their family together, which could not be carried on as it should be without a great degree of true love, and also a mutual giving each other to each other, a mutual succoring each other in all states. ails, grievances; and how can this be when there is not a love exceeding all other love to any creature? And hereby if persons in this state have not love exceeding all love, it's with them for the most part as with the strings of an instrument not tuned up, when struck upon makes but a jarring, harsh sound. But when we get the wires of an instrument equally drawn up, and rightlv struck upon, sound together, make sweet music whose harmony doth enravish the ear : so when the golden strings of true affection are struck up into a right conjugal love, thus sweetly doth this state then harmonize to the comfort of each other and to the glory of God when sanctified. But yet, the conjugal love most exceed all other, yet it must be kept within bounds, for it must be subordinate to God's glory ; the which that mine may be so, it having got you in its heart, doth offer my heart with you in it as a more rich sacrifice into God through Christ. and so it subscribeth me,
Your true love till death,
EDWARD TAYLOR.
This for my friend and only beloved, Miss Elizabeth Fitch, at her father's house in Norwich.
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No more interesting description of Colonial life at this time can be found than "The Journal of Madame Sarah Knight," the record of a journey from Boston to New York in 1704. Inasmuch as Madame Knight was a resident of Norwich and New London for many years, we print the journal entire :
Monday. Octb'r. ye second, 1704. About three o'clock afternoon, I begun my Journey from Boston to New Haven ; being about two Hundred Mile. My Kinsman, Capt. Robert Luist, waited on me as farr as Dedham, where I was to meet ye Western post.
I visitted the Reverd. Mr. Belcher, ye Minister of ye town, and tarried there till evening, in hopes ye post would come along. But he not coming, I resolved to go to Billingses where he used to lodg, being 12 miles further. But being ignorant of the way, Madm Billings, seeing no persuasions of her good spouses or hers could prevail with me to Lodg there that night, Very kindly went wyth me to ye Tavern, where I hoped to get my guide, And desired the Hostess to inquire of her guests whether any of them would go with mee. But they being tyed by the Lipps to a pewter engine, scarcely allowed themselves time to say what clownish-(Here half a page of the MS. is gone.)-Pieces of eight, I told her no, I would not be accessary to such extortion.
Then John shan't go, sais shee. No, indeed, shan't hee; And held forth at that rate a long time, that I began to fear I was got among the Quaking tribe, beleeving not a Limbertong'd sister among them could out do Madm. Hostes. Upon this, to my no small surprise, son John arrose, and gravely demanded what I would give him to go with me? Give you, sais I, are you John? Yes, says he, for want of a Better; And behold! this John look't as old as my Host, and perhaps had bin a man in the last Century. Well, Mr. John, sais I, make your demands.
Why, half a pss. of eight and a dram, sais John. I agreed, and gave him a Dram (now) in hand to bind the bargain. My hostess catechis'd John for going so cheap, saying his poor wife would break her heart-(Here another half page of the MS. is gone) .- His shade on his Hors resembled a Globe on a Gate post. His habit, Hors and furniture, its looks and goings Incom- parably answered the rest.
Thus Jogging on with an easy pace, my Guide telling mee it was dangero's to Ride hard in the Night, (which his horse had the sence to avoid) Hee entertained me with the Adventurs he had passed by late Rideing, and eminent Dangers he had escaped, so that, Rembring the Hero's in Parismus and the Knight of the Oracle, I did'nt know but I had mett wth a Prince disguis'd. When we had Ridd about an how'r, wee come into a thick swamp, wch. by Reason of a great fogg, very much startled mee, it being now very Dark. But nothing dismay'd John: Hee had encountered a thousand and a thousand such Swamps, having a Universal Knowledge in the woods; and readily Answered all my inquiries wch. were not a few.
In about an how'r, or something more, after we left the Swamp, we come to Billinges, where I was to Lodg. My Guide dismounted and very Com- plasantly help't me down and shewd the door, signing to me wth his hand to Go in; wch I Gladly did-But had not gone many steps into the Room, ere I was Interogated by a young Lady I understood afterwards was the Eldest daughter of the family, with these, or words to this purpose, (viz.) Law for mee-what in the world brings You here at this time a night ?-- I never see a woman on the Rode so Dreadfull late, in all the days of my versall life. Who are You? Where are You going? I'm scar'd out of my
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witts-with much now of the same Kind. I stood aghast, Prepareing to reply, when in comes my Guide-to him Madam turn'd, Roreing out : Lawfull heart, John, is it You ?- how do do! Where in the world are you going with this woman? Who is she? John made no Ansr. but sat down in the corner, fumbled out his black Junk, and saluted that instead of Debb; she then turned agen to mee and fell anew into her silly questions, without asking me to sitt down.
I told her she treated me very Rudely, and I did not think it my duty to answer her unmannerly Questions. But to get ridd of them, I told her I come there to have the post's company with me to-morrow on my Journey, &c. Miss star'd awhile, drew a chair, bid me sitt, And then run up stairs and putts on two or three Rings, (or else I had not seen them before,) and returning, sett herself just before me, showing the way to Reding, that I might see her Ornaments, perhaps to gain the more respect. But her Granam's new Rung sow, had it appeared, would affected me as much. I paid honest John wth money and dram according to contract, and Dismist him, and pray'd Miss to shew me where I must Lodg. Shee conducted me to a parlour in a little back Lento, wch was almost fill'd wth the bedstead, wch was so high that I was forced to climb on a chair to gitt up to ye wretched bed that lay on it; on wch having Strecht my tired Limbs, and lay'd my head on a Sad-colourd pillow, I began to think on the transactions of ye past day.
Tuesday, October ye third, about 8 in the morning, I with the Post proceeded forward without observing any thing remarkable; And about two, afternoon, Arrived at the Post's second stage, where the western Post mett him and exchanged Letters. Here, having called for something to eat, ye woman bro't in a Twisted thing like a cable, but something whiter; and laying it on the bord, tugg'd for life to bring it into a capacity to spread ; wch having wth great pains accomplished, shee serv'd in a dish of Pork and Cabbage, I suppose the remains of Dinner. The sause was of a deep Purple, wch I tho't was boil'd in her dye Kettle; the bread was Indian, and every thing on the Table service Agreeable to these. I, being hungry, gott a little down ; but my stomach was soon cloy'd and what cabbage I swallowed serv'd me for a Cudd the whole day after.
Having here discharged the Ordnary for self and Guide, (as I understood was the custom,) About Three afternoon went on with my Third Guide, who Rode very hard; and having crossed Providence Ferry, we come to a River wch they Generally Ride thro'. But I dare not venture; so the Post got a Ladd and Cannoo to carry me to tother side, and hee rode thro' and Led my hors. The Cannoo was very small and shallow, so that when we were in she seem'd redy to take in water, which greatly terrified mee, and caused me to be very circumspect, sitting with my hands fast on each side, my eyes stedy, not daring so much as to lodg my tongue a hair's breadth more on one side of my mouth then tother, nor so much as think on Lott"s wife, for a wry thought would have overestt our wherey: But was soon put out of this pain, by feeling the Cannoo on shore, wch I as soon almost saluted with my feet ; and Rewarding my sculler, again mounted and made the best of our way forwards. The Rode here was very even and ye day pleasant, it being now near Sunsett. But the Post told mee we had neer 14 miles to Ride to the next Stage, (where we were to Lodg.) I askt him of the rest of the Rode, forseeing wee must travail in the night. Hee told mee there was a bad River we were to Ride thro', wch was so very firce a hors could sometimes hardly stem it: But it was but narrow, and wee should soon be over. I cannot express The concern of mind this relation sett me in: no thought but those
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of the dang'ros River could entertain my Imagination, and they were as formidable as varios, still Tormenting me with blackest Ideas of my Ap- proaching fate-Sometimes seing my self drowning, otherwhiles drowned, and at the best like a holy Sister Just come out of a Spiritual Bath ir drip- ping Garments.
Now was the Glorious Luminary, wth his swift Coursers arrived at his Stage, leaving poor me wth the rest of this part of the lower world in dark- ness, with which wee were soon Surrounded. The only Glimmering we now had was from the spangled Skies, Whose Imperfect Reflections rendered every Object formidable. Each lifeless Trunk, with its shatter'd Limbs, appear'd an Armed Enymie; and every little stump like a Ravenous de- vourer. Nor could I so much as discern my Guide, when at any distance, which added to the terror.
Thus, absolutely lost in Thought, and dying with the very thoughts of drowning, I come up wth the post, who I did not see till even with his Hors: he told mee he stopt for mee; and wee Rode on Very deliberately a few paces, when we entered a Thickett of Trees and Shrubbs, and I perceived by the Hors's going, we were on the descent of a Hill, wch, as wee come neerer the bottom, 'twas totaly dark wth the Trees that surrounded it. But I knew by the Going of the Hors wee had entred the water, wch my Guide told mee was the hazardos River he had told me off : and hee, Riding up close to my Side, Bid me not fear-we should be over Imediatly. I now ralyed all the Courage I was mistriss of, Knowing that I must either Venture my fate of drowning, or be left like ye Children in the wood. So, as the Post bid me, I gave Reins to my Nagg; and sitting as Stedy as Just before in the Cannoo, in a few minutes got safe to the other side, which hee told mee was the Narragansett country.
Here We found great difficulty in Travailing, the way being very narrow, and on each side the Trees and bushes gave us very unpleasant welcomes with their Branches and bow's, wch wee could not avoid, it being so exceed- ing dark. My Guide, as before so now, putt on harder than I, wth my weary bones, could follow; so left mee and the way behind him. Now Returned my distressed apprehensions of the place where I was: the dolesome woods, my Company next to none, Going I knew not whither, and encompassed wth Terrifying darkness; The least of which was enough to startle a more Mas- culine courage. Added to which the Reflections, as in the afternoon of ye day that my Call was very Questionable, wch till then I had not so Prudently as I ought considered. Now, coming to ye foot of a hill, I found great diffi- culty in ascending; But being got to the Top, was there amply recompenced with the friendly Appearance of the Kind Conductress of the night, Just then Advancing above the Horisontall Line. The Raptures wch the Sight of that fair Planett produced in mee, caus'd mee, for the Moment to forgett my present wearyness and past toils, and Inspir'd me for most of the remaining way with very diverting tho'ts, some of which, with the other Occurances of the day, I reserved to note down when I should come to my Stage. My tho'ts on the sight of the moon were to this purpose :
Fair Cynthia, all the Homage that I may Unto a Creature, unto thee I pay; In Lonesome woods to meet so kind a guide. To Mee's more worth than all the world beside. Some Joy I felt just now. when safe got o're Yon Surly River to this Rugged shore. Deeming Rough welcomes from these clownish Trees, Better than Lodgings wth Nereidees. Yet swelling fears surprise ; all dark appears-
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Nothing but Light can disipate those fears. My fainting vitals can't lend strength to say, But softly whisper, O I wish 'twere day. The murmur hardly warm'd the Ambient air, E're thy Bright Aspect rescues from dispair : Makes the old Hagg her sable mantle loose, And a Bright Joy do's through my Soul diffuse. The Boistero's Trees now Lend a Passage Free, And pleasant prospects thou giv'st light to see.
From hence wee kept on, with more ease yn before; the way being smooth and even, the night warm and serene, and the Tall and thick Trees at a distance, especially wn the moon glar'd light through the branches, fill'd my Imagination wth the pleasant delusion of a Sumteous citty, fill'd wth famous Buildings and churches, wth their spiring steeples, Balconies, Gal- leries, and I know not what: Grandeurs wch I had heard of, and wch the stories of foreign countries had given me the Idea of.
Here stood a Lofty church-there is a steeple, And there the Grand Parade-O see the people! That Famouse Castle there, were I but nigh, To see the mote and Bridg and walls so high- They'r very fine! sais my deluded eye.
Being thus agreeably entertain'd without a thou't of any thing but thoughts themselves, I on a suden was Rous'd from these pleasing Imagina- tions, by the Post's sounding his horn, which assured mee he was arrived at the Stage, where we were to Lodg: and that musick was then most musickall and agreeable to mee.
Being come to mr. Havens', I was very civilly Received, and courteously entertained, in a clean comfortable House; and the Good woman was very active in helping off my Riding clothes, and then ask't what I would eat. I told her I had some Chocolett, if shee would prepare it; which with the help of some Milk, and a little clean brass Kettle, she soon effected to my satis- faction. I then betook me to my Apartment, wch was a little Room parted from the Kitchen by a single bord partition; where, after I had noted the Occurances of the past day, I went to bed, which, tho' pretty hard, Yet neet and handsome. But I could get no sleep, because of the Clamor of some of the Town tope-ers in next Room, Who were entred into a strong debate concernign ye Signifycation of the name of their Country, (viz.) Narra- ganset. One said it was named so by ye Indians, because there grew a Brier there, of a prodigious Highth and bigness, the like hardly ever known, called by the Indians Narragansett; And quotes an Indian of so Barberous a name for his Author, that I could not write it. His Antagonist Replyed no-It was from a Spring it had its name, wch hee well knew where it was, which was extreem cold in summer, and as Hott as could be imagined in the winter, which was much resorted too by the natives, and by them called Narragansett, (Hot and Cold,) and that was the originall of their places name -with a thousand Impertinances not worth notice, wch He utter'd with such a Roreing voice and Thundering blows with the fist of wickedness on the Table, that it pierced my very head. I fretted, and wish't 'um tongue tyed ; but wth as little succes as a friend of mine once, who was (as she said) kept a whole night awake, on a Jorny, by a country Left. and a Sergent. Insigne and a Deacon, contriving how to bring a triangle into a Square. They kept calling for tother Gill, wch while they were swallowing, was some Inter- mission ; But presently, like Oyle to fire, encreased the flame. It set my Candle
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on a Chest by the bed side, and setting up, fell to my old way of composing my Resentments, in the following manner :
I ask thy Aid, O Potent Rum! To Charm these wrangling Topers Dum. Thou hast their Giddy Brains possest- The man confounded wth the Beast- And I, poor I, can get no rest. Intoxicate them with thy fumes:
O still their Tongues till morning comes!
And I know not but my wishes took effect; for the dispute soon ended wth 'tother Dram; and so Good night!
Wednesday, Octob'r 4th. About four in the morning, we set out for Kingston (for so was the Town called) with a french Docter in our company. Hee and ye Post put on very furiously, so that I could not keep up with them, only as now and then they'd stop till they see me. This Rode was poorly furnished wth accommodations for Travellers, so that we were forced to ride 22 miles by the post's account, but neerer thirty by mine, before wee could bait so much as our Horses, wch I exceedingly complained of. But the post encourag'd mee, by saying wee should be well accommodated anon at mr. Devills, a few miles further. But I questioned whether we ought to go to the Devil to be helpt out of affliction. However, like the rest of Deluded souls that post to ye Infernal denn, Wee made all posible speed to this Devil's Habitation ; where alliting, in full assurance of good accommodation, wee were going in. But meeting his two daughters, as I suposed twins, they so neerly resembled each other, both in features and habit, and look't as old as the Divel himselfe, and quite as Ugly, We desired entertainm't, but could hardly get a word out of 'um, till with our Importunity, telling them our necesity, &c. they call'd the old Sophister, who was as sparing of his words as his daughters had bin, and no, or none, was the reply's hee made us to our demands. Hee differed only in this from the old fellow in to'ther Country : hee let us depart. However, I thought it proper to warn poor Travailers to endeavour to Avoid falling into circumstances like ours, wch at our next Stage I sat down and did as followeth :
May all that dread the cruel feind of night Keep on, and not at this curs't Mansion light. 'Tiss Hell: 'tis Hell! and Devills here do dwell: Here dwells the Devill-surely this's Hell. Nothing but Wants : a drop to cool yo'r Tongue Cant be procur'd these cruel Feinds among. Plenty of horrid Grins and looks sevear, Hunger and thirst, But pitty's banish'd here- The Right hand keep, if Hell on Earth you fear!
Thus leaving this habitation of cruelty, we went forward; and arriving at an Ordinary about two mile further, found tollerable accommodation. But our Hostes, being a pretty full mouth'd old creature, entertain'd our fellow trav- ailer, ye french Docter, wth Inumirable complaints of her bodily infirmities ; and whisperd to him so lou'd, that all ye House had as full a hearing as hee ; which was very divirting to he company, (of which there was a great many,) as one might see by their sneering. But poor weary I slipt out to enter my mind in my Jornal, and left my Great Landly with her Talkative Guests to themselves.
From hence we proceeded (about ten forenoon) through the Narragan- sett country, pretty Leisurely; and about one afternoon come to Paukataug River, wch was about two hundred paces over, and now very high, and no N.L .- 1-2
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way over to to'ther side but this. I darid not venture to Ride thro, my courage at best in such cases but small, And now at the Lowest Ebb, by reason of my weary, very weary, hungry, and uneasy Circumstances. So takeing leave of my company, tho' wth no little Reluctance, that I could not proceed wth them on my Jorny, Stop at a little cottage Just by the River, to wait the Waters falling, wch the old man that lived there said would be in a little time, and he would conduct me safe over. This little Hutt was one of the wretchedest I ever saw a habitation for human creatures. It was supported with shores enclosed with Clapbords, laid on Lengthways, and so much asunded, that the Light come throu' every where; the doore tyed on wth a cord in ye place of hinges; The floor the bear earth; no windows but such as the thin covering afforded, nor any furniture but a Bedd wth a glass Bottle hanging at ye head on't ; an earthan cupp, a small pewter Bason, A Bord wth sticks to stand on, instead of a table, and a block or two in ye corner instead of chairs. The family were the old man, his wife and two Children ; all and every part being the picture of poverty. Notwithstanding both the Hutt and its Inhabance were very clean and tydee: to the crossing the Old Proverb, that bare walls make giddy hows-wifes. I Blest myselfe that I was not one of this misserable crew; and the Impressions their wretchedness formed in me cauesd mee on ye very Spott to say :
Tho' Ill at ease, A stranger and alone, All my fatigu's shall not extort a grone. These Indigents have hunger wth their ease; Their best is wors behalfe then my disease. Their Misirable hutt wch Heat and Cold Alternately without Repulse do hold; Their Lodgings thyn and hard. their Indian fare, The mean Apparel which the wretches wear, And their ten thousand ills wch can't be told, Makes nature er'e 'tis midle age look old. When I reflect, my late fatigues do seem Only a notion or forgotten Dreem.
I had scarce done thinking, when an Indian-like Animal come to the door, on a creature very much like himselfe, in mien and features, as well as Ragged cloathing; and having 'litt, makes an Awkerd Scratch wth his Indian shoo, and a Nodd, sitts on ye block, fumbles out his black Junk, dipps it in ye Ashes, and presents it piping hott to his muscheeto's, and fell to sucking like a calf, without speaking, for near a quarter of an hower. At length the old man said how do's Sarah do? who I understood was the wretches wife, and Daughter to ye old man : he Replyed,-as well as can be expected, &c. So I remembred the old say, and suposed I knew Sarah's case. Butt hee being, as I understood, going over the River, as ugly as hee was, I was glad to ask him to show me ye way to Saxtons, at Stoningtown ; wch he promising, I ventur'd over wth the old mans assistance ; who having rewarded to content, with my Tattertailed guide, I Ridd on very slowly thro' Stoningtown, where the Rode was very stony and uneven. I asked the fellow, as we went, divers questions of the place and way, &c. I being arrived at my country Saxtons, at Stonington, was very well accommodated both as to victuals and Lodging, the only Good of both I had found since my setting out. Here I heard there was an old man and his Daughter to come that way, bound to N. London ; and being now destitute of a Guide, gladly waited for them, being in so good a harbour, and accordingly, Thirsday, Octobr ye 5th, about 3 in the after- noon, I sat forward with neighbor Polly and Jemima, a Girl about 18 Years old, who hee said he had been to fetch out of the Narragansetts, and said they had Rode thirty miles that day, on a sory lean jade, wth only a Bagg
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