USA > Connecticut > New London County > A modern history of New London County, Connecticut, Volume I > Part 9
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of his son, John Wheelock, who succeeded him as president, its original and distinctive character as an Indian seminary gradually changed until it became, as it still remains, assimilated in character and purpose with the other colleges of the country ; and so the glowing dream, the fervid zeal, and the sanguine hopes and expectations of its great-souled founders faded away.
In 1771, a Mohegan Indian, named Moses Paul, was tried at New London and condemned to death for the murder, in a drunken brawl, of Moses Clark. A large assembly of English and Indians collected to witness the execution. At the request of the prisoner, Samson Occom was appointed by the authori- ties to preach a funeral sermon in the presence of the poor wretch, as was the custom of the time, just before he was launched into eternity. Upon his own coffin, in front of the pulpit, sat the doomed man. Next around him were seated his brethren of the Mohegan tribe, the audience filling the rest of the church, a great crowd surrounding it, and a military company acting as guard.
The sermon is still preserved in the library of the Connecticut Historical Society at Hartford (Pamphlet No. 225) ; the text from Romans vi. 23: "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." It is not eloquent, it is not grand oratory, but it is some- thing higher than eloquence, and in its sad and solemn moaning over the degraded and lost condition of his race, in their pagan darkness, their wicked- ness, the awful consequences of drunkenness, their besetting sin, it has all the moving power and pathos of a Hebrew wail.
The first part of the discourse dwells at length upon the peculiar mean- ing and significance of the term "death," as used in the text, its endless char- acter, and was addressed to the audience at large, and rising with the vast- ness of the idea, he exclaimed, "Eternity! O Eternity ! Who can measure it? Who can count the years thereof? Arithmetic fails, the thoughts of men and angels are drowned in it. How shall we describe eternity? To what shall we compare it? Were a fly to carry off one particle of this globe to such a distance that it would take ten thousand years to go and return for another. and so continue till he had carried off, particle by particle, once in ten thou- sand years, the whole of this globe and placed it in that distant space, just as it is now here, after all this, eternity would remain the same unexhausted duration! And this eternal death must be the certain portion of all impeni- tent sinners, be they who they may, Negroes, Indians, English, or what nation soever ; honorable or ignoble, great or small, rich or poor, bond or free, all who die in their sins must go to hell together, 'for the wages of sin is death.'"
He next addressed the doomed prisoner upon his coffin, pointed out to him the enormity of his crime, and how by drunkenness, and by despising the warnings and counsels of Christian teachers, he had been led to it; ex- plained to him the way of salvation, urging him with pathos and earnest energy at once to accept it, and like the dying thief upon the cross beside the crucified Saviour, to throw himself upon the mercy of that same Saviour, and so, even at the eleventh hour, escape eternal death.
He then turned to the Mohegans present: "My poor kindred !" he ex- claimed, "you see the woful consequences of sin by seeing this, our poor, miserable countryman, now before us, who is to die for his sins and his great crime, and it was especially the sin of drunkenness that brought this destruc- tion and untimely death upon him. There is a dreadful woe denounced from the Almighty against drunkards; and it is this sin, this abominable, this beastly sin of drunkenness that has stript us of every desirable comfort in this life. By this sin we have no name or credit in the world; for this sin we are despised, and it is right and just, for we despise ourselves. By this sin we have no comfortable houses, nor anything comfortable in our houses,
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neither food, nor raiment, nor decent utensils; we go about with ragged and dirty clothing and almost naked, most of the time half starved, and obliged to pick up and eat such food as we can find; and our poor children suffering every day, often crying for food, and we have nothing for them, and in the cold winter shivering and crying, pinched with cold. All this comes from the love of strong drink. And this is not all the misery and evil we bring upon ourselves by this sin, for when we are intoxicated with strong drink we drown our rational powers, by which we are distinguished from the brute creation ; we unman ourselves, and sink not only to a level with the beasts of the field, but seven degrees beneath them; yea, we bring ourselves to a level with the devils ; and I don't know but we make ourselves worse than the devils, for I never heard of a drunken devil."
He closed his discourse with a fervid exhortation to his Mohegan brethren to break off from their sins, and especially from their besetting sin of drunk- enness, by a gospel repentance; to "take warning by the doleful sight now before us," and from the dreadful judgments that have befallen poor drunk- ards. "You that have been careless all your dav now awake to righteousness and be concerned for your never-dying souls." Fight against all sin, and espe- cially against your besetting sin, "and above all things believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall have eternal life, and when you come to die your souls will be received into heaven, there to be with the Lord Jesus and all the saints in glory, which God in His infinite mercy grant, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen."
In 1786 he gathered a few Mohegans and several other Indians from other tribes in Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Long Island, and went with them to Oneida county, New York, and there formed the nucleus of the clan after- wards known as the Brothertown tribe among the Six Nations. He con- tinued as their minister, acting also as a missionary among the Six Nations, until his death, which occurred in July, 1792, more than three hundred Indians following him mournfully and tearfullv to the grave.
Another young Mohegan, Joseph Johnson, educated in Wheelock's school, became also a preacher of great power and influence. He was sent early as a missionary to the Six Nations of New York, and afterwards co-operated with Occom in the establishment there of the Brothertown clan. At the breaking out of the war of the Revolution the Six Nations, a powerful and warlike Indian confederacy, were at first mich inclined to favor the English side and to become the allies of the British forces of Canada, and to this end were strongly tempted by the insidious wiles of British emissaries, backed by the glittering display and lavish use of British gold.
Against this danger both Johnson and Occom exerted the whole weight of their great moral powers and their wide influence, the former especially appealing for help, in averting this impending danger, to Governor Trumbull and other friends here, and to the Assembly. His zeal and patriotic efforts attracted the attention of Gen. Washington, and while at Cambridge, direct- ing the siege of Boston, he wrote him a letter with his own hand, dated Feb. 20, 1776, thanking him for his patriotic and important services, and in closing he says, "Tell the Indians that we do not ask them to take up the hatchet for us unless they choose it, we only desire that they will not fight against us. We want that the chain of friendship should always remain bright between our friends, the Six Nations, and us. We recommend you to them, and hope by spreading the truths of the gospel among them it will always keep the chain bright."
Another remarkable illustration of the importance of education to our
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forefathers is found in a sermon of Rev. Dr. Nott, pastor of the Franklin church from 1782 till 1852. This pastorate of seventy years, linked with those of Rev. Benjamin Lord and Rev. Dr. Strong of Norwich, forms a note- worthy chain of human lives. Together they served their parishes 187 years ! One succeeded another in turn in such a manner that these three men, each well acquainted with the successor in the ministry though not in the same parish, covered, and might well have conveyed by word of mouth, the history of New London county from 1717 to 1852! The sermon referred to was delivered on the fiftieth anniversary of Dr. Nott's settlement at Franklin. He says:
That I have contributed to the general improvement of my people in knowledge, par- ticularly the children and youth-as I have statedly visited the schools twice, usually three times a year, and likewise taught many of the young men Arithmetic, English Grammar, and Geography-I presume none will question. In the mean time, I trust I have con- tributed, in a degree, to the improvement of many others. More than forty young men, in whole or in part, have fitted for college under my direction; twenty belonged to this town. A considerable number of the whole entered quite advanced in standing. About half a dozen of the scholars, who belonged to different colleges, have likewise spent con- siderable time with me; some of them a term or two. About the same number of young gentlemen have studied theology with me. A large number of school-masters, and some persons who have studied physic, made merchants, mechanics, and farmers, I have aided, more or less, in their education. I would be far from saying: "By the strength of my hand I have done it, and by my wisdom." I would, with the most lively gratitude, say, I have done it by the strength of that Almighty Being! "Who raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the beggar out of the dunghill: and I mention it in this public manner that he may have the glory. (Since I began to fit for college, April, 1774, I have contributed something towards the education, as nearly as I can recollect, of between two and three hundred gentlemen, ladies, or children.) As a little wheel in mechanism sometimes puts in motion one much larger, I have been instrumental, in the hand of Divine Providence, of bringing forward into public life some persons who have given a far wider spread to knowledge than I was ever able to do; and some, who now hold in society, and in the Church of Christ, a respectable standing. A wheel in the middle of a wheel. O, the depths of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out.
The first music school in this country was founded by Mr. Oramel Whit- tlesey at Salem, in 1835, under the name of Music Vale Seminary, and was maintained with great success for over forty years. Here were educated in music many hundred young women from different parts of the country.
At the time when public high schools were starting in Massachusetts under the leadership of Horace Mann and others, public-spirited citizens in New London county had founded or soon afterwards founded private insti- tutions of high school grade. As time has passed, these institutions have survived, doing their work under private management, partly by means of their original funds and partly by funds given by the public for the secondary education of boys and girls. It is a curious fact that of the seven private schools recognized by the State of Connecticut as doing satisfactorily the work of a public high school, five are found in New London county. A brief statement about each school has been prepared by the principal or by a trustee of each and will be found elsewhere in this work.
CHAPTER III AN ERA OF UNREST
The War for Independence-The Battle of Groton Heights-Narratives of Jonathan Rathbun, Rufus Avery and Stephen Hempstead-The British Fleet off New London -The War Marks the Beginning of Manufacture and Whaling.
Much of the detail of local history will be found under the separate his- tories of various towns. New London county sent its full quota and more for every colonial enterprise. It was a large partaker in all the efforts that make Connecticut history glorious. We quote from Mr. Daniel Howard :
In the days of the Revolution, "Brother Jonathan" of Lebanon was Wash- ington's right hand man. It used to be the custom to call the United States "Brother Jonathan," just as we now call the country by the nickname of "Uncle Sam." We do not know who was the first man to apply the name to our country, but it was George Washington who caused the name to be adopted.
When the Revolutionary War broke out in the thirteen colonies there was one governor and only one who joined the patriots in their struggle against the British king and his tyranny. That Governor was Jonathan Trum- bull of Connecticut. When we read of what he did to help Washington and his army, we can realize why Washington loved him, trusted him, and looked to him for help and advice whenever he was in trouble.
The War for Independence began in 1775, and Governor Trumbull was among the first men to encourage volunteers to go to Boston and Cambridge in order to help form the American army. The next year, when Washington's army went to New York, more than half of his 17,000 men were from Con- necticut. Throughout the six years of the war, Washington depended upon Jonathan Trumbull more than he did upon any other man to help him collect troops, provide food, clothing, and ammunition, write letters to committees of safety for their advice and assistance in carying on the war, and to do everything that was necessary to keep the soldiers and the patriots united and loyal to the army and its commander-in-chief. Washington soon formed the habit of saying whenever he needed advice or assistance, "Let us consult Brother Jonathan." "Brother Jonathan" seemed to represent the whole coun- try. and in time public speakers, poets, authors, newspaper men, in fact every- body, came to use "Brother Jonathan" as a nickname for the United States.
Nathan Hale's name will be honored as long as America endures. It was April 20, 1775, in the Union Grammar School at New London, about thirty boys were busy with their lessons. We can imagine how diligently they were working, for many of them were anxious to enter college, win honors, and eventually become as popular and highly esteemed as was their young teacher, whom they idolized. This teacher was Nathan Hale.
Young Hale, although not quite twenty years of age, had already won high reputation as a scholar, a teacher, a thinker, and a leader among the people. He was born in the town of Coventry, June 6, 1775. He grew up in a typical Connecticut home. Having been prepared for college by his good pastor, he was graduated from Yale University in 1773 with the highest honors. The first year after his graduation he taught in the little red school house at East Haddam. His success there led to his engagement the next
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year as teacher of the fine new grammar school at New London. He was tall, broad-shouldered, graceful. Intelligence beamed from his large blue eyes, and noble, good-natured face. A leader in athletics among the boys, a leader in the discussion of public questions among the men, it was no wonder that everybody loved him.
The political troubles between the American Colonies and England had made him a bold and outspoken patriot, and often since the day he entered college his eloquent words had roused his hearers to the highest enthusiasm in defense of their rights and liberties. On this particular morning his thoughts were with his pupils and their schoolroom discussions. Suddenly there was heard the sound of excited voices in the street. One window was open, and the boys caught some words that filled them with excitement. The teacher counseled them not to let their thoughts wander from their lessons.
The noise and excitement outside the building continued. The boys were too much disturbed to work, and the teacher himself found that he was as anxious as the boys to know what was happening. He closed his school, and with his boys rushed toward the crowd that had surrounded the statue of King George. A man on horseback was speaking, but Hale was too far away to hear what he was saying. When the speech was finished, the crowd sent up a great shout. "What is it all about " asked Hale. "Haven't you heard? It is a message from Lexington, where the British have fallen on our brothers and sought to cut them to pieces. Yesterday there was a battle." "Has it come to that?" asked Hale in astonishment. "Hush! Hark! he is going to speak again. No, he is falling from his horse. This way !! Bring him into the tavern. Give him something to revive him. No wonder after such a ride!" Another man addressed the crowd: "Let all who wish to form some plan to help Massachusetts, meet me tonight at Miner's Tavern."
Hale went to his lodgings. He was so absorbed with the terrible news that had come from Lexington that he thought no more of school. In the evening he joined the throng of serious, thoughtful men, assembled at Miner's Tavern. After listening to an earnest speech by the Hon. Richard Law, Hale asked permission to speak. He ascended the platform and began to talk. As they listened to his eloquence and observed his manly bearing, his hearers forgot all else in their desire to seize their muskets and swords and march to the aid of their countrymen in Massachusetts. Hale closed with these words: "Let us not lay down our arms until we have gained our Independence !" Independence! That was a new thought. But it was a thought that would soon be in thousands of minds.
That night Hale made arrangements to go with the two companies of soldiers who were to be sent to Cambridge. The following morning they left New London at sunrise. At Cambridge, Hale became a favorite with the officers and men. For months he worked hard to train and exercise his com- pany of soldiers, and his bravery, daring and resourcefulness won compli- ments from his commander-in-chief, Washington.
The next year, 1776, Washington's army moved from Boston to New York and fought the British at Long Island. The British won the battle, and the Americans were forced to retreat to Harlem Heights, leaving New York City in the hands of the enemy. Washington was in great distress. If he only knew the plans of the British, he might prepare his army to meet them. If he could learn just how the city was fortified and guarded, he might then capture it. There was only one way to get the needed information. He must send a spy into the British camp. That spy must be no ordinary soldier. He must be skilled in military affairs, able to make drawings and
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descriptions of the fortifications, capable of understanding and reporting everything he saw, and above all else fearless and willing to risk his life.
Washington asked Colonel Knowlton to endeavor to find such a man among the officers. Colonel Knowlton called the officers together and asked for a volunteer to undertake the dangerous task. No one responded. It was the disgrace of being a spy that held them back. The Colonel pleaded elo- quently for someone to undertake the work on which the fate of the whole army might depend. Still, no answer. Nathan Hale, who had just risen from a sick bed, was seen approaching. He asked, "What is going on?" They told him. Without a moment's hesitation, he exclaimed : "I will under- take it."
Captain Hull, his friend and former classmate in college, exclaimed, "You do not know what you say. You a spy!" Another of the officers cried out, "There is someone other than you for such service." "Who?" asked Hale. There was no answer.
Hale repeated his offer, saying, "I wish to be useful, and every kind of service for the public becomes honorable by being necessary." His brother officers said no more. That afternoon Hale reported to Washington and received his instructions. With a friend he left the room and walked from Harlem Heights to Norwalk, fifty miles up the Sound on the Connecticut shore. There he disguised himself as a Tory schoolmaster, and alone boarded a sloop that took him to Huntington, Long Island. Having landed near the Widow Chichester's tavern, and knowing this to be a resort for Tories and friends of the British, he passed by and made his first stop at the home of William Johnson, about a mile from his landing place. After resting a few hours and obtaining such information as he could about the journey he wished to make, he set out for the British camp, claiming to be looking for a position to teach. He visited the British camp on Long Island, and crossed over to New York City, where the British had taken full possession since he left Washington's headquarters. Here he spent some days visiting with the soldiers. All this time he was studying the plans of the fortifications, and whenever he had an opportunity to be alone he drew sketches and wrote out in Latin descriptions of what he had seen.
When he could learn no more, with these maps and sketches concealed in his shoes, he started on his homeward journey. In safety he found his way back to Huntington, where he arrived in the morning, and expecting a boat to meet him. It was very early when he arrived, and seeing no boat he decided to go to the Tory tavern for breakfast. At the tavern he talked with the Tories, but he did not notice that one of them left the room after he entered. Several hours later a boat was seen approaching. The Tories at once scattered, fearing the boat might contain Connecticut Yankees, whom they did not wish to meet. Hale assured them that the Yankees would not hurt a poor schoolmaster, and offered to go and see what they wanted.
We can imagine how eagerly he hastened to the edge of the water, ex- pecting to meet his friends, but alas! what a disappointment! When he was within range of the boat's crew a dozen men leveled their guns at him and cried, "Surrender or die!" He was trapped.
The man who had left the tavern was a Tory relative who had recognized him and sent word to a British ship. The commander of this ship had sent the boat to capture Hale. He was at once rowed to the guardship, "Halifax." "Are you a captain in the Continental army ?" asked the commander. "I am," replied Hale. "Why are you disguised?" was the next question. There was no answer. "Search him," ordered the commander. The papers and drawings were found in his shoes. That settled it. He was a spy.
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Hale was sent at once to the headquarters of General Howe in New York City. Howe was dumbfounded. "Why did you, a man of learning and fine appearance, attempt this sort of work?" Hale answered, "I am serving my country, and for that reason I will do any service that my country de- mands." Howe admired his spirit, and this thought came into his head, "What a gain if this man would serve us. Surely ambition and place can tempt him." "I will grant you full pardon, if you will join the British army, and you shall be speedily promoted to a high position." Hale answered, "Nothing so increases my loyalty to my country as this temptation to for- sake her." "Then you must die for her," was the grim response of General Howe.
Turning to his desk, he wrote out the commitment, which directed William Cunningham to receive Nathan Hale, keep him in custody until morning, and then see that he was hanged by the neck until dead. A British officer then conducted Hale to the quarters of Cunningham, the provost mar- shal. This cruel and brutal man was in the habit of treating his prisoners most shamefully. He would insult them, kick them, and parade them up and down the corridors, with Richmond, his negro hangman, carrying a coil of rope behind them. Many were hanged in the yard back of the jail and their bodies left to dangle for hours where other prisoners would see them and shudder at the sight.
This man questioned Hale as to his age and history, and read the death warrant telling him that he was to die at daybreak. Every minute of that time would be needed to say good-bye to his father, brothers, and sisters, and to write a last loving letter to Alice Adams Ripley, the young lady who waited in her Connecticut home, longing and hoping for the time when he would return from the war and make her his wife. He asked that his hands might be untied and that he might have a light and some writing materials. The heartless Cunningham refused his request. Hale asked for a Bible. Again he was refused with jeers and insults. He was placed in his cell, and after Cunningham had fallen into a drunken stupor, a kind-hearted British officer who was his guard furnished him materials and a light. The hours of that sad night were passed in writing his last letters to the dear ones at home.
At daybreak the provost came. The prisoner had not slept, but was ready. He handed his letters to Cunningham, who opened them, read them, tore them into fragments, and stamped upon them, saying the rebels should never see such letters. No one should ever know that a man died with such cour- age. Oh, the anguish that pierced the soul of Nathan Hale! Yet he gave no sign of his feelings.
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