USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Simsbury > A record and documentary history of Simsbury > Part 10
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In 1683, he was chosen Ensign of the Train-band, and in 1686, he was chosen Lieutenant, at that time the highest military office in the town. He was elected one of the Select- men, and held other important offices of trust in the town. He lived on the east side of the river, and gave name to the settlement, and afterwards the School district of "Terry's Plain", where some of his descendants are still living. He died on the 30th of April, 1691.
4. Mr. John Case was another of the Patentees of the town. He came with his family from Windsor in 1669, having been appointed by the General Court "Constable for Massaco". He is mentioned in Matthew Grant's Old Church History as residing in Windsor, and having six children born to him before leaving that town. Mr. Case was one of the most promi- nent and active citizens of Simsbury. He held successively all
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the important offices of the town, was often appointed on Com- mittees in Civil and Ecclesiastical affairs, and was repeatedly chosen a Representative in the General Court. He resided at Wetaug, on the west side of the river. His death occurred in 1703.
5. Mr. Joshua Holcomb was another of the Simsbury Patentees. He was the eldest son of Thomas Holcomb, the emigrant who came to Windsor at an early day, where he died in 1657. Joshua Holcomb was baptized in 1640.
In 1663 he married Ruth Sherwood, who bore to him three children. In 1668, the Committee allotted to him a home lot of four acres, "near Thomas Maskill's," on the east side of the river, near Terry's plain. Here he soon after settled. His house was north of the present road to Windsor and Hartford, and near the old "Training ground". He was one of the sound, sub- stantial men of his time, and was active in ecclesiastical and civil affairs, and greatly respected. He died in 1690.
6. Mr. Samuel Wilcoxsun was the sixth-named Patentee of the town. He is said to have come from Hartford. However this may be, his name is in the list of about 25 persons, who in 1668, "appeared before the Committee, Deacon More, Simon Wolcott and Capt. Newbery, in Windsor, to take up land in Massaco." This Committee, the same year, measured out to him a lot at "Nod Meadow" - "over against Wetaug." He settled there about that time, and was, through life, one of the foremost citizens of the town in all public matters. On impor- tant occasions, requiring the action of a Committee, Sergt Wilcoxsun was frequently chosen to discharge such duties. He held in succession all the important offices of the town, and was many times a Representative in the General Court.
Sergt Wilcoxsun was eminently reliable and trustworthy; a man wise in counsel, and of sound judgment. He died March 12th, 1713.
7. John Higley was another of the Patentees of the town, and one of the most prominent. He probably emigrated directly from England, about 1670.
In 1671 he married Hannah Drake, daughter of John Drake, and had a house on Broad Street, Windsor. In 1672
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he was a resident on the east side of the Connecticut river, in that town. He removed to Simsbury with his family, in 1684, having purchased the old "Simon Wolcot farm," situated on the West side of the river about a mile Northwesterly from the "Falls," where Tariffville now stands.
Mr. Higley soon became one of the leading and most influential citizens of the town. In all public affairs he at once took an active part. In all matters, ecclesiastical and municipal, he was a wise and trusted advisor. In 1685, the next year after his settlement in Simsbury, he was elected one of its "Selectmen" or "Townsmen," whose duty was to manage the prudential affairs of the town. To this office he was subse- quently many times reelected.
In 1688, he was chosen "Commissioner for Simsbury" whose duty was "the dispensation of justice" in the town.
The next year, under the government of Sir Edmund Andross in New England, the office was merged in that of "Justice of the Peace" - which office he held by successive annual elections, till 1712. He was also appointed by the General Court, "Justice of the Quorum", a kind of Court similar to the County Court. For many years he represented the town in the "General Court."
Mr. Higley was also a military man. In 1688 he was chosen Ensign of the "Train Band", the highest military office in the town. In 1690, the number of soldiers having increased, he was promoted to the grade of Lieutenant, and in 1698, there being a sufficient number to form a Company, "there being nine files of Souldiers", he was chosen Captain. Thus he was the first to hold the offices of "Commissioner", "Justice of the Peace" and "Captain."
Furthermore, as appears by the old "Rate bills", he for many years paid a higher tax than any other resident of the town.
"Mrs. Hannah Higley, whose maiden name was Drake, departed this life in ye year of our Lord God, 1694, August 4 day." By her Capt. Higley had five children; viz: John, Jonathan, Brewster, Hannah and Rebecca.
After the death of his wife, Hannah, he married Sarah
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the daughter of Return Strong of Windsor, as shown by the following record: "Joshua Higley was born the eight day of Septber, one thousand seven hundred & one, - which his wife Sarah, the daughter of Return Strong bare to him."
"Abigail Higley, the daughter of John Higley Sen' was born the 4th of November 1703."
Capt. Higley died in 1714, and was buried in the Old Simsbury Burying Ground
The following is an interesting record of some of the descendants of Capt. Higley:
"April 7, A. D. 1757. Brewster Higley, the 3rd son of Brewster Higley the 2nd, and Esther Owen, Daughter of John Owen & Esther his wife were joined in Marriage by John Humphrey Esq.
"Their Grandfather's name is Brewster Higley, and Grandmother's Name is Esther. Their Father's name is Brewster Higley, and mother's name is Esther. so that there is three Generations, from Grand-father and grand-mother down to Grand-son & Grand-daughter all of one Name for Male and one Name for female. Three Generations all now living: may the Divine Blessing rest on them and theirs to the Latest Posterity."
Hannah, the daughter of Capt. John Higley, was the mother of the first Governor Trumbull.
8th. Mr. Thomas Barber was the eighth and last-named of the Patentees of the town. He was born in Windsor, the son of Thomas Barber, the emigrant, who was one of the 20 young men who came over from England with Mr. Francis Stiles, in 1635, and were among the earliest settlers of Windsor.
The subject of this sketch was born in 1644. In 1666 he married Mary Phelps, daughter of William Phelps, one of the first Magistrates, and a prominent member of the General Court of Connecticut. In 1667, he was one of those who ap- peared and signed for an allotment of land at Massaco, by the Committee appointed by the General Court for this purpose. In 1669 he was residing in Massaco - one of the 13 freemen of the plantation.
In 1671, only a year after the incorporation of the town,
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he entered into a contract with the town to erect a Meeting house for public worship. From the first, he was ever active in efforts to promote the public welfare. He erected the first mills in the town, and held successively the several important offices. He was particularly active in the ecclesiastical affairs of the town. He was one of the solid men of the town. Next to Capt. Higley he was the heaviest tax payer. Mr. Barber was also prominent as a military man, inheriting from his father, who was a soldier in the Pequot war, the true military spirit.
"It is reported of him that at a time when the savages were surrounding the town, with a determination to destroy its inhabitants in the darkness of the night, that by means of his military skill and sagacity, he prevented their attack; that the next morning, the wind being fair, he ascended the roof of his house, in the place called Hop meadow, and beat an alarm on his drum. The beat was heard and understood at Windsor, seven or eight miles off. The militia took the alarm, and a company under arms made their appearance in the afternoon at Simsbury." (Barber's History of my own Times.)
He was a Lieutenant under Capt. Higley. His Commis- sion signed by Gov. Winthrop, in 1693, is now in the pos- session of the writer of this sketch, one of his descendants.
Lieut. Barber died in 1713, and was buried with military honors in the cemetery of the town.
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FIRST CHURCH BUILDING . 1683
XIV
Exchange of Allotments
Apprehensions of danger from the Indians had not yet ceased to be felt. For the sake of greater security, and increas- ing and concentrating their numbers, the Hopmeadow men proposed to those of the Lower meadows and of Salmon Brook, to mutually exchange a part of their lands, by which means the latter could "have some share in Hoppe Meadow," which would be a way of "establishing the place, and the means of our security."
The following was the proposition in writing:
S. T. R. B. I.
P. 70
"Febb 4th 1688 the Gentlemen of Hopp meadow confider- ing The Danger proble. We are in by reafon of the Indians: we send Greeting - to our Neighbours of the Lowr Meadows & Sammon Brook - by these Propositions = That for the Defending ourselves - in this or any times of Danger; We who Subscribe - are Willing to exchang fome of our lands- lying in Hoppe Meadow for fome of their land lyeing Remoter = that every perfon - may have some Share in Hoppe Meadow = & that quantitie may make recompence for quallity = and We think that the Home Lotts Vaccant in our row = & what Lotts may be laid out in oppofition to vs = may ac- comadate you to Sitt downe by vs = And befide fundery = that will give up their lotts neer us = & we think many more will crude in among us = & think that this will be the eftablish- ing of our place and the means of our fecurity = And if yor Minds be Inclined to this: pleafe to meet next Thirsday at Mr. Thompfons House to perfect our agreements = & In
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cafe: in our exchang = We cannot agree: to putt it to Men Mutually chofen Hopp meadow men. Low" Meadow men Samon Brook men that accepts this yt accepts this prepofition proposition
Edward Thompfon John Higley John Drak Daniel addams
Nath11 Holcomb
Jofiah owen
Thomas Barber
John Saxton
Sam addams
Joseph owen
Sam1 Wilcockfun
John Slater petter Buell Humphrey Pryer Luk Hill Sen™
Thomas griffin
Richard Segar."
In explanation of the foregoing proposition of the Hop- meadow men, it may be necessary to remind the reader that when the Committee of the General Court, in 1667, laid out and allotted to them their several House lots, they were all in a single tier on the east side of the highway, leaving the west side entirely vacant, which so remained till the time when this proposition was made, a period of more than twenty years. Some of the lots in this row were unoccupied. These it was now proposed to fill, "and what Lotts may be laid out in oppofition to" them on the west side of the highway, in exchange for a part of the lands of these Lower meadow and Salmon Brook men, and thus "accomadate" them to "sitt down by" them.
Sixteen persons accepted the proposition, and agreed to remove and occupy their allotment in Hopmeadow, who entered into the following agreement:
"the underwritten was on the 7th of Febb 1688-9 We whofe names are underwritten do promife and Engage in Confideration of the propofalls of Hopp meadow men = do promife for to bring our families to and build on the lott that are or fhall be refpectively laid out to vs for Houfe lotts at Hopp meadow plaine Within a years space: and In caffe of our failure to build on thefe sd Lotts = and bring our familyes to: & live in thefe houefs: & each perfon fo failing Shal pay Ten pounds to the Inhabitants of hoppmeadow. the above written premiffes to be attended according to the true
S. T. R. B. I. P. 73
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extent extrodinary providences hindering not: and thefe lotts are to begin at Jno Draks Barne and fo to proceed Northerly. succeffively: onely leaving a space of fourteen rodds for the Metting Houfe where the metting House now stands. to be alfo for a Burring place."
The meeting house then stood at or near the Center gate of the cemetery as it now stands; and John Drake's barn was near the present Congregational Church, south of the little brook, which was known as "Drake's Brook."
The foregoing agreement was signed by sixteen persons, and their lots assigned as they were drawn to each one, num- bering from one to sixteen, northward from John Drake's barn.
The exchange of lands between the Hopmeadow men and those proposing to come in under this agreement was conducted in this manner: A Hopmeadow man and a Salmon Brook man exchanged with each other a given number of acres, described by metes and bounds, according to the quality of each. Thus they bartered in pairs, as shown by the following "Memoran- dum" appended to the record of these transactions.
S. T. R. B. I.
P. 74
The following is a sample of these mutual contracts: "I, Humphrey Pryer letts Jofiah owen have the Lot called Thomas Egglftons Lot in Hoppe meadow: viz: eight Accres, in Confideration of half the said owens Lott in the firft Divifion at Samon brooke: and what it wants there to be made up in the fecond divifion: = For ye confirmation of ye above written bartter - we set to our hands:
Humphrey Pryer Jofiah Owen."
"Memorandum yt al the foregoing exchanges of land were made at Mr Thompfon in prefence of sd Company and by their Confent was: as they each perfon: herein mentioned by pairs as is above linked according to ech Couples agree- ment as is above written. their exchange of land and ye maner: which Was on feb. 7th 1688/9."
All the exchanges, in this transaction between the Hop- meadow men, of the one part, and the Lower meadow and Salmon Brook men, were made and recorded as above described.
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FIRST
CHURCH BUILDING . 1683
XV
Boundary Difficulties
In addition to the many and serious domestic troubles with which the early settlers of Simsbury had to contend, others existed, arising from disputed town boundaries. Some of these could only be settled by the action of the General Court.
As early as 1675, only five years after the incorporation of the town, complaints were made of the encroachment of the town of Windsor, in running its western line, "to the great prejudice of the sd plantation" of Simsbury. A town meeting was held, on the 29th of March 1675. "and a committee. chofen to tak the Account of Mils from ye great river to ye sd lyn: runne by Windfor Committee: The Names of the committee chofen by ye Inhabitants of Simsbury" ... "were Sergt Griffin Thomas barber John Slater. & John Humphries."
At various times this Committee, and other subsequently appointed, made strenuous efforts to bring the Windsor Com- mittees, chosen for a like purpose, to a settlement of the matters in dispute, but in vain. At length, in 1678, by the action of the Windsor Committee, the subject was brought before the Gen- eral Court, and the "Simsbury men warned to appeare at Gener11 Court, for to settle sd bound thus in contest." The following records show the nature of the difficulty:
"Whereas warning at sever11 times has been given by Windzor Committee to rune the lyne divident between Windfor Town bounds on ye weft and Simsbury Towne bounds on ye east: Further, at all such warnings the Inhabitants of Simsbury
S. T. R. B. I. P. 7
S. T. R. B. I. P. 12
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has made choice of a Committee to mett Windzor Committee at Sundery times: at which mettings ye sd Committees have diffifted the said work brakeing up their mettings in a Gangle: so as there is a let in ye said worke: it being alwaies defired off Windzor Committe that they would bringe a coppy from under the Secretarys hand of his Majiftys Collony in Connecticutt: Shewing ye Grant of Mills that Windzor was to goe weftward from ye great river: but nothing being produced: to evince any legall Grant et: which caufed allwaies a demur in ye sd work to ye great damage of both plantations consearnd: the Inhabit- ants of Simsbury being met at a time warned and appoynted to bring such demurs to an Iffue: and being warned by windsor men to appeare at Gener11 Court for to setle sd bounds thus in conteft: the sd Inhabitants being met May the 13th 1678. made choice of Jofhua Holcomb & Sam1 Willcoxsun: to be ye Agents in the sd buffineff: now Impending bettween Windzor and sd Town of Simsbury who by ye choice in yr behalf have Invefted with full power to Implead, manag there ye said cafe. refpecting the said bounds Setlement."
At the October term, 1678, the General Court rendered the following decision, which was a final settlement of the matter in dispute.
"Whereas there is a difference between Windsor and Sims- bury about their bownds, it is now agreed and by this Court ordered, that the west lyne of Windsor town bownds shall be- gin on the Sowth at the norwest corner of Hartford bownds and the sowth west corner of Windsor bownds where now it is stated by the sayd townes and Farmington; and that the north bownds of Windsor be run from the River, five miles West- ward, and from that to runn a straight line till it meet wth the Sowth west corner of their sayd bownds, which sayd line is to be the west bownds of Windsor and east bownds of Simsbury."
This appeared to have been a satisfactory settlement and was acquiesed in.
But the difficulties in relation to the north boundaries of the town were far more serious, and of much longer continu- ance; interrupting not only the harmony of the two adjoining
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Col. Rec. Vol. III P. 21
towns, but disturbing also the peaceful relations of the two ad- joining Colonies.
Suffield, (or Southfield, as it was at first called) was settled in 1670, under the jurisdiction of Massachusetts, and in 1682 was incorporated as a town by an act of the General Court of that Colony.
For many years disputes and difficulties existed, between the inhabitants of Simsbury and those of Suffield, arising from contested claims of jurisdiction on the part of these two towns.
The people living in the northeastern part of Sims- bury were subjected to great inconvenience and loss by a claim set up by Suffield that they were within the limits of that town, and therefore liable to pay taxes to that town. And moreover, Suffield assumed the right to dispose of, and make sale of the lands within the disputed territory. For the purpose of bringing the matter to a settlement by the proper authorities, the Simsbury people, in 1683, preferred a petition to the General Court of Connecticut for authority to survey the boundary line between the two towns, as follows:
"To this Honored Gener11 Court your Humble servants presenting this motion, (Honored Gentlemen)
Being accommodated By your faviour wth a competency of land for a plantation. Which of your Good will was pleafed to Grant our plantation to be Ten miles Squar; As alfo to give and settle upon this place of Simsbury. that Tittle. we cannot but acknowledg with thankfullnefs the Same We verrily Believe it of your Honnors. that as We are and have ben under your favourable Afpect. Conduct and protection. So ftill we humbly crave you would be pleafed to protect and to defend us in our rights. Granted us by your Honnours left strangers by there secreet encroachments into our Lymmitts do utterly deface and extinguifh our Plantation: the plantation we do envaigh againft is Stonie Brook" - (now Suffield) "which has Runne their towne Bounds very farre into our towne Bounds. and have allotted Severall Marfhes that are Properly within our Bounds which was granted to us by the Generil Court. we are now upon the further Running our lyne and fettling our bounds Northward According to the extent of
S. T. R. B. 212 P. 13 (Back of Book)
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Miles granted to us By the Honnoured Gener11 Court and alfo purchafed by us of the Indians proprietors 'of sd lands. we heartily Crave your advice. and order for our work. it being Such a Difference as dos ariffe from our Neighbouring plantation in the Maffachuffet Collony that in Cafse we fhould met with oppofsition in our work. we may have your orders to prefent under the Colony Seale. wherein it may playnly appear that we act not unadvifedly or rafhly off our own heads. but that you do Impower us and will in a Juft and right defend the sam. our Committee appoynted for this Work had gon out upon this Service this week. but upon this confideration doth put a Stop to it untill you fhall be pleafed to fend an anfwer (by) the Barrer hereof; if you Worfhips fe caufe fo we leave the confideration of our cafe to your wiffdom & reft Yours to Serve. and Subfcrib. John Slater Regift' in the Nam and behalf of the towne of Simsbury.
May 14th 1683."
But from the following record and order of the General Court it appears that already, three days before the date of the foregoing petition, a Committee had been appointed to lay out to Simsbury its proper bounds.
"A Court of election held at Hartford, May 10th, 1683 . . This Court doe appoynt Mr. Ciprian Niccols, Mr. James Steele and Ens. Nath. Standley, they or any two of them are by this Court appoynted to lay out to Simsbury their bownd, according to the Grant of this Court, as speedily as may be."
Owing to unexplained causes, this Committee delayed entering upon the duties of their appointment till 1688, at which time only a beginning was made in laying out the bounds of the town.
The following partial report shows how far they proceeded at that time:
S. T. R.
B. 212 P. 49 (Back of Book)
"Thefe may Certify whome it may Concerne that We under Written, to wit Enfign Nathan11 Stantley mr Cyprian Nickolas and James Stell. being appoynted by the Gener11 Court and defired by our neighbours and friends of Sims- bury to meaffure their bounds. we mett with them at the
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Col. Rec. Vol. III P. 120
bound Trees bettwen Hartford and Farmington (Dec. 7th 1688) and from the said bound Tree we runne the lyn North North eaft. sumewhat bareing the east - till we met with Farmington Northeast cornner, bettwen them and Windfor and Simsbury aforefd as sd Simsbury men Informed us. and thereto Meafure keeping the affore sd North north east lyne till we came to a boggy meadow knowne or called by the Name of Tilltens. not farr from the Northweft cornner of sd Marfh. we found two Stadles. that had ben Markt. which was fayd to be the bounds bettwen Windfor and Simsbury. Still we keept the aforesd lyne till we had Meaffured out tenn Miles. where we marked Severall trees. with Severall Letters on the weft fide a little Swamp thence we turned the cornner weft North Weft upon the Squar and runn half a mile upon that Lyne. and giveing summe dirictions. how they fhould cary on that lyne: which was all we could do at that time.
James Steel Nathan11 Stantley. Ciprian Nickols."
Here the survey rested for more than twenty years; but in the meantime the contesting parties were not idle. The inhabitants of the two towns were kept in a state of perpetual strife and unpleasantness.
"Febry Ist Anno 1696-7 at a towne metting of the In- habitants of Simsbury Mr John Higley Serj Jnº Humphry Serj Sam1 Wilcockfun Daniel adames John Williams thefe men whofe Names are above Written, are chofen perambulators for the Towne of Simfbury to go the Bounds runne by the Gener11 Courts Committee from tiltons Marfh North eaft- wardly and to refrefh the Bound to the full extent of Mills Northeaftwardly as was fett and runn by sd committee from Tiltons marfh or to say our bound mark weft of tiltons marfh and Souffield men are to have notice given them of ye day and time of their runing."
It appears that John Slater, the town clerk of Simsbury in accordance with the foregoing requirement, gave notice in writing to the selectmen of Suffield, informing them of the time when the above-named perambulators would proceed in
1688
S. T. R. B. 212 P. 24 (Back of Book)
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the discharge of their duties. This led to a spicy correspondence on the part of the Selectmen of Suffield.
The vein of sarcasm running through the letters here . presented, together with the spirit of kindness towards their neighbors, and the manifestation of true loyalty to their own government, render the perusal of them truly enjoyable. They are found recorded in full in the early records of Simsbury.
"From Suffield: These, for the Selectmen of Simsbury.
Gentlm and Friends, We Received a few Lynes under the hand of one Jno. Slater, Senior, but wether he wrote as Selectman, Town Clark, or by order of the Selectmen, we cannot understand by his writing, there being nothing signified of that nature, therein: but supposing it to be some oversight, we shall therefore apply ourselves to you as Selectmen, and return an answer to your desires as followeth. We suppose that when you wrote to us, you did it rather for customs sack, or by way of compliment, than any reall expectation you had of our complying, or joyning with you in any such motion. Friends, we must tell you that your claims seems to us so un- likely, and also so unreasonable that we shall be so fare from sending men to joyn with yours in running such a lyn; as that on the contrary, if we send any at all, it will be to withstand and opose you; at least to manifest our dislike of any such motion. And we would farther, that you should understand that it is our resolve, (untill it doth evidently appeare to us that your right is better than ours), to conserve and maintain our towne bounds to the utmost extent of what our honnoured General Court granted us; and we have purchased and payd for. Therefore Friends pray please to desist from your present motion. For if your foundation you build on be not surer layd than we imagine it is, your labor and travel will certaintly in the end prove unsuccessfull and fruitlesse. Your well- wishing friend
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