USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Simsbury > A record and documentary history of Simsbury > Part 15
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OI
To Sam1 Wilcoxsun in money.
03
To Ephe Griffin in money
02
6
To Sam1 pettibon in money.
02
To Stephen Pettibon. in money
02
6
To John Slater Jun' in money.
02
To Jofhua bissell in money.
C
02
O
To Luk Hill 2 gills of rume.
00
9
To John pettibon. Sen" in beif, Mutton 21b of Buter - 23 of beif.
O
40
O
To Nathan11 H. Holcomb Jun' for 301b of Venison.
O
03
9
To Sam1 Humphries for 9 lb of Mutton.
O
02
O
To Jofeph Cafe fix fhilling in money.
06 0
To Richard Cafe in money.
02
6
L. S.
D.
L. s. D.
Ordination money 12 15 o. in pay 25 IO 0."
As before stated, Mr. Woodbridge was but twenty years old when he entered upon his ministry here, and after preach- ing eleven years, married Dorothy Lamb of Roxbury, Mass., as shown by the following record:
"Mr. Dudley Woodbridge of fimsbury, clerk, the fon of Mr John Woodbridge of Weithersfield, was Married to Mrs Dorothy Lamb, the daughter of Col. Jofhua Lamb of Roxbury in the Maffachufetts bay, the Tenth day of Aprill, one Thou- fand feven Hundred and fix."
S. T. R. B. 2 Fly Leaf
They had a son, Dudley, born in 1708, who was graduated
L. S. D. C
2
7
02
6
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at Yale College in 1734, but of whom very little is known afterwards. He sold his real estate here, which he inherited from his father,
Rev. Dudley Woodbridge died in Simsbury, August 3rd, 1710, having continued in the work of the ministry here more than fourteen years.
In his life he was greatly respected and beloved by his people, and was a faithful preacher of the Gospel; at his death he was greatly lamented.
As the custom of the times did not forbid ministers en- gaging in secular pursuits, when the copper mines were dis- covered in Simsbury, Mr. Woodbridge was one of the earliest and most active in their development.
1697.
The first Deacons of the Church were Deacon Peter Buell and James Cornish. The first generation of the inhabitants had now nearly all passed away. Of the first list of freemen in Massaco, made in 1669, now, at the close of the century, but three survived. Of the toils, and hardships, and trials of those first settlers, we can form no just conception. Their wilderness dwellings would to us seem destitute of almost all of those conveniences which we deem necessary in the art of living. Built of rough logs, one story in height, roofed in with thatch, and dabbed with clay, to shut out the cold; without floor or windows; the little stock of furniture, and household utensils, as well as farming tools of the rudest kind, and home made; with the alternative of work and toil or starvation constantly before them, no men could labor under greater dis- couragements. But these they overcame; no class of men ever showed a braver or more determined spirit than did that first generation of Simsbury's inhabitants. As we use the word, they were uneducated; but more properly speaking, they were illiterate. Probably no generation has ever enjoyed so little school education as that one. Born in Windsor, where the first school house was erected in 1666, the very year in which these settlers began to remove to Massaco, they were deprived of all school privileges. But, nevertheless, these settlers of Sims- bury were highly educated. Stern necessity was their school,
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and experience their teacher. They were not governed by forms, nor guided by books.
Men of "sound minds in sound bodies" they were guided by sound and healthy instincts. These were improved and strengthened by rigid and correct moral training. In their distress and hardships and danger, they were faithful in all religious and ecclesiastical affairs. Indeed, these were a part of their private and public life. Notwithstanding their poverty and straitened circumstances, there was no neglect of public interests, or the common welfare.
1700.
Having laid the foundations of their Town Government, and established its various offices; having erected a house of worship and from time to time provided ministers and teachers of the Word; and now having put themselves in "Gospel order", organized a Church, and secured the services of an acceptable and orthodox Pastor, they left the field prepared for new labors. Their life work was finished.
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1
FIRST CHURCH BUILDING . 1683
XXI
Mines and Minerals
About the year 1692 or 1693, a quarry or deposit of rocks suitable for millstones was discovered in Simsbury, which was, at the time, considered of great prospective value.
It will be remembered that in the difficulties of the town with Windsor and Suffield, Messrs. Nichols, Stanley, and Steele were appointed by the General Court to settle the boundaries of the town of Simsbury. They gave their atten- tion to the matter, and assisted the town in establishing its lines. Their kindness was not forgotten. These gentlemen were the proprietors of a mill at Hartford, and in recognition of their former kindness, the people of Simsbury passed the following vote:
T. R. B. 2
P. 1
"At a town meeting of the Inhabitants of Simsbury, March 14th 1693-4 Whereas Mr Steele, Mr Nath1 Stanley, with others of the Gentlemen and proprietors of the Mill at Hartford, of whome the Towne of Simsbury have received former kindnesse, and being at the request of Mr Steele pro- pounded to the inhabitants of Simsbury; it then and there freely and unanimously was voted, in way of gratitude of former kindnesses received, that they shall have full and free liberty to accommodate themselves with a pair of Mill Stones in our towne Limits."
We can judge of the estimate they placed upon its value from the following votes of the town:
"Whereas Lamrock Flowers pettitioned to the Inhabitants of Simsbury at a towne metting of sd Inhabitants, Decembr
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28th 1698. that he might have liberty to get a paire of Mil- stones within the precincts of the Townefhipe of Simsbury it was Alfo at fame metting a liberty granted to Said Flowers of getting a pair of Milstons. within the Townefhipe of Sims- bury. upon the condition he the said Flower doth pay to the Towne Treafury, Twenty Shilling in Silvar Money."
"at a Town meeting in Sims Regur Convened Aprill 13 1721" . "voted that Jofeph Phelps and Jofeph Caffe, be a Committee to fue and Recover of Liut Cyprion Nicolf the fume of forty fhillings which is the Towns due for Two milstons he carryed out of this Town If upon demand he refufes or neglects to pay the fame and the Town will be at the Charg of fuit." Twenty shillings seems to have been the price fixed for a single stone, "by Reason there waf fome- thing of new difcovery in milstons that. may be profitable hereafter to the town."
The town of Bloomfield is now the fortunate possessor of this treasure, as the following record shows its location to have been on the east side of the mountain, in that part of the town now transferred to Bloomfield.
"January 26, 1698-99." "Sergt James Hilliard requesteth that the Towne would be pleased to give him 30 acres of land at Weatoug lying on the east side of the mountaine at a place commonly called the Millstones. Granted by an affirmative vote."
In 1718 the town passed an Act, "that no millston being found in the Town Comons shall be wrougt upon in order to fitt it for the Grinding of Corn or in order to tranceport by any parfon or parfonf whether Town people or otherf with- out First obtaining Liberty from the Select men" "allso that no mill stone whether wrogt or un Rought shall be transported out of Town" .... "but that for every stone that shall be transported out of Town theire shall be paid into the Town Treffuery for the publick vfe of sd Town three pounds pr stone."
But there were mineral treasures lying concealed, the discovery and development of which excited deep interest and gave great notoriety to the town.
T. R.
B. 212 P. 41 (From back of book)
S. T. R. B. 3. P. 17
T. R. B. 2
P. 41
S. T. R. B. 3 P. 7
18I
COPPER MINES.
The discovery of a mine is an exciting event; and no employment is more fascinating than delving for ore. The very darkness and uncertainty of the result increases the enchantment. The fact that "all is dark beyond the pick" lends an added interest.
The first record we have of the "Simsbury Copper Mines" is as follows:
"MINE."
S. T. R. B. 212 P. 79 (Back of Book)
"There being a report made in the town Meeting of either sillvar or coper min or Minerall found within the Lymitts of the townfhip of Simsbury eaftwardly et, the town being Meet to gather December the 18th 1705 = did mak choife of Decon Holcomb and John Pettibon Jun™ to mak ferch for the same bringin an account of the Same the next meeting" "Voted in the affirmative."
Let us drop into that town meeting: Whence all this com- motion and excitement? Every eye brightens; every tongue is loosed: "They have found a mine." "Who?" "Where?" "What is it?" are all asked in a breath. Nobody knows any- thing about it; only - "They have discovered a mine!" "Who" "Don't know;" "Where?" "Over east somewhere" "What mine is it?" "Don't know, - silver or copper, or some- thing." "That matter must be investigated," which is done by a Committee but their report is not recorded.
S. T. R. B. 212 P. 84
The town held another meeting in the following month and sequestered to the use of the town all mines or minerals that should be found in any grants of land, made by the town, "reserving for ever for the Towne vfe and difpoffall all fuch mines or mineralls."
In the following year the town entered vigorously upon the work of opening the mines.
S. T. R. B. 212 P. 84 (Back)
"At a town meeting, May 6th, 1707" . . . . "it was pro- pounded to the town Inhabitants. whether they were freely willing this Copper defign now in hand the work fhall goe on Voted in the affirmative."
A Committee was chosen to draw up articles to present
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to the town at this meeting, "inrefference to the Copper affayres now in hand and the towns defigns thereof.
thofe Chofen are Mr Woodbridge Sergt Wilcockson James Cornith Jofeph Phelps dan1 adams." Also another committee was appointed "to treat with a workman."
A paper was drawn up and circulated for signature, through the town. It was immediately subscribed by nearly all the inhabitants. The vote of the town gave liberty to "all perfons who are proper Inhabitants of Simsbury that are not now here perfonally prefent at the fubfcription of the premises. or any other that are for the present at a demurr fhall have Free liberty to fubfcribe to the articles et. and fhall have their due proportion of copper, Mines et. according to their Lyst 1705 provided they fubfcribe to the fd articles, between this time or by the firft of June 1707."
S. T. R. B. 212 P. 84 (Back)
At this meeting a Committee of "five men from among themfelves" was chosen by the subscribers to take charge of the mining operations. To this Committee was given full power to employ workmen, to provide all necessary imple- ments and materials, and to have a general supervision of the work, that there might be no delay or hindrance in its prose- cution.
And, that all persons who were in any way interested might share in the benefits, it was provided that administrators should have power to undertake and carry on the work for all orphans who might be left to their charge, "untill fuch Orphans should come of agge." This Committee were James Cornifh, Jofeph Cafe, Sergt Adams, Lieut. Tho. Barber and John Griffin.
The Committee appointed "to draw up articles" ... "in refference to the Copper affayres now in hand," presented the following:
"First Every perfon or proprietors of ye town fhall have liberty to have an emprove a fhare and proportion of Oar Carrying on his part of the charge according to lyst in 1706.
Every perfon or proprietor not fubfcribing to thefe 2 articles by the time that the Major part of the proprietors fhall agree to fubfcribe shall be looked upon and deemed not
S. T. R. B. 212 P. 86
1707
183
to have any fhare in the Oar or any of the priviledges and benefits yr of as a proprietor he not fubfcribing.
3 That no proprietor haveing a fhare in the abovesd oar and the priviledges thereof. fhall dispofe of, or alienate his right of the fd Copper oar: and priviledges to any perfon or perfons not Inhabiting in the town without the confent of the major part of the proprietors. and that they fhall have the firft offer of it.
4 That every perfon fubfcribing thefe articles fhall hereby be obliged upon the firft beginning, and fo in carying on of the sd work. to pay down. and difburfe his juft proportion of the Sum of money that fhall be raifed by the proprietors for the carrying on of the work that fo it may not be hindered.
5 All the fubfcribers fhall be obliged to pay their proportion according to their fhare or Intreft. unto all neceffary charges that fhall arife in the Improvement of the above-sd design from time to time and at all (times). befides the firft coft mentioned in the foregoing Article or forfeit his Intreft to the abovesd priviledges to the company that undertake ye abovefd defign.
6 That whatfoever charges the major part of fubfcibers Shall fe caufe to rayf and lay out upon the abovesd defign Shall be decifive and ftand good. and all the Soceity Shall pay their proportion thereof.
7 That a committy of three futeable perfons be appoynted by the proprietors from among themfelves, who fhall mak any agreement for the carring on of this affair. and who Shall from time (to time) give a faithfull account of what they do to the Subfcribers.
8 That Either this Committee or a clerke chofen on purpofe which the Subfcribers fee cause. Shall keep an account of all the layings out, and difburftments that fhall arife in this defign. and fo fhall be accountable to ye fubfcribers."
These Articles were signed by 64 persons. Here was a remarkable manifestation of mining interest. Nearly all the inhabitants of the town had suddenly become stockholders in a mining Company, all feeling as the owners of mining shares alone can feel. Every inhabitant was a shareholder
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1707.
in proportion to his tax list; and even the orphan children in the town had their interest secured to them. All was done in an orderly manner, and the rights of all seem to have been regarded and provided for.
The next step in the proceedings in carrying out the "Copper designs" was to procure and arrange with responsible and proper parties, to undertake the management of the work and carry it forward.
Fortunately, such undertakers were readily found. "The undertakers are Mr John Woodbridge of Springfield, Mr Dudley Woodbridge of fimsbury and mr Timothy wood- bridge Junr of Hartford and Mr Hezekiah Willis of Hartford. The Reverend Mr Timothy Woodbridge Sent of Hartford. doth hereby oblig himself as God Shall fpare his life. to put for- ward ye within mentioned work according to these articles", which were as follows:
"Propofalls of the fubfcribers at the copper oar in fimsbury hereafter named.
I That the undertakers of the copper works Shall have the fole priviledge for runing and refining all the Copper oar that fhall be found or be digged within the Township or bounds of Simsbury the space of eight years. from the time of the firft goeing of the coper works for that end to be errected by the fd undertakers untill the sd terme be fully compleated and ended.
2 The fubfcribers and proprietors abovesd at their own charge shall procur for the fª undertakers a convenient stream that shall by Skillfull perfons. be judged convenient for the ferveing the Copper works errected there. and withall con- venient highways leading thereto with a convenient quantity of land adjoyning thereto. for the ufe of the undertakers. with the full and free ufe of the adjoyning timber or wood. that fhall be nedfull for the errecting of said copper Works or other building. and for makeing of coal fufficient for the ufe of the undertakers. in runing and refining the fª copper oar. 3 That the fª proprietors and fubfcribers Shall at their own charge with the mafter builder provided by the under- takers cutt and cart all the Timber. digg and Cart all the stone
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1707. S. T. R. B. 212 P. 88
S. T. R. B. 212 P. 98 (Back of Book)
that shall be nedfull for the makeing the damn and for build- ing and finifhing Said work. and houfeing needfull. for the covering the fame & carrying it unto the place appoynted for it, provided the stone. are found in Simsbury
4 That the sd fubfcribers and proprietorf afforesd Shall at their own Charge find two fufficient and fkillfull men to worke with the mafter builder from day to day. as said mafter workman shall requier. in the fraiming and setling up the damm. and in making and finifhing fd Copper works with what houfe- ing is nedfull to Cover it. till the whole be compleated and fitted for ufe. the undertakers. finding five hands. with the mafter workman.
5 That in cafe that the fubfcribers and proprietors above- fd fhall not from time to time and at all times. fully fupply the undertakers with fufficient quantitie. of Copper Oar delivered at the works for the full Emprovement of the Copper works they fhall errect then the undertakers fhall have. free liberty to digg and cart for their own ufe and Benefit. whatfo- ever quantity of Copper Ore they fhall be able to Refine. till they have again. a full fupply from the fubfcribers and pro- prietors. abovesd: it is to be underftood the fupply abovefd 6 That in case ye Enemy that we are or may be at warre with Shall beat of or force away the workmen from the aforefd Copper works, that they cannot attend their worke without the evident hazard of their lives. that the time. that they are thus kept of from the worke. Shall not be accounted as any part of the sd eight years.
S. T. R. B. 212 P. 87 (Back of Book)
7 Alfo if the enemy with whome we are or may be at warre which fhal burn down the sd Copper Works they Shall be again errected at the equal Charge of the fubfcribers and proprietors and the undertakers. or if the proprietors & fub- fcribers refufe their part of the Charges. then the undertakers fhall have thre years added to them for the ufe and em- provement of sd works. according to the tearmes. above- mentioned. the proprietors and fubfcribers ftill performing their part of labor. as at the firft errecting them and if then the undertakers Refufe. to Reedify. then the fubfcribers and
186
S. T. R. B. 212 P. 87 (Back of Book)
proprietors. fhall have full liberty to take the whole care and benefit of sd works into their own hands
The Undertakers prepofall.
I That they will with all convenient spead set up in fimsbury fufficient & fitting works. for the running and refining of the Copper ore. that fhall, by the proprietors and fubfcribers of the town of Simsbury be brought to them. and this at their own charges. excepting what the proprietors and fub- fcribers are to furnish them with. as is expreffed above.
2 That they will Faithfully Runne and refine the sd oar that fhall by the fubfcribers and proprietors afforefª, be de- livered to them at the sd works and caft and worke into Barrs or other figuers. as Shall be fitt for tranfportation or a market.
3 that off Every parcell of Coper thus refined or wrought, before any divifion be made thereof, the tenth part of it, both for quantity and quality. shall be taken from it: for pious ufes: (viz,) two thirds of it fhall be to the maintaining. an able Schoolmafter in fimsbury the other third part fhall be given to the ufe of the Collegiate School errected within this Collony. to be improved as the truftees of faid School Shall fee good, and this to be eight years for duration. and that the faid tenth part shall be from time to time put into the hands of a futeable perfon appoynted and chofen by the proprietors and Subfcribers (But Note that ten Shillings per Tun due to the town Shall be taken out of the tenth part) who Shall be accountable to the proprietors and fubfcribers at all times for his faithful difcharge of his truft, once every year fhall give an account for the same.
4 that when the foresd Teenths are taken out the remaining coper or mettle fhall be divided into two equal parts. the one to the undertakers the other to the Several perfons that have digged or brought ye ore out of which it was runn or are the right owners of it.
5 That at the end of eight years above mentioned or full Compleating the time alowed by the fubfcribers and pro- prietors as above to the undertakers the sd undertakers. shall
187
S. T. R. B. 212 P. 87 (Back of Book)
S. T. R. B. 212 P. 88 (Back of Book)
refigne and deliver up to the proprietors and fubfcribers of fimsbury above sd Copper works in convenient repair. only if the undertakers find it neceffary to build a dwelling houfe at the sd works when the time of years is expired. the pro- prietors and fubfcribers Shall re-emburfe them, what the houfe Shall be Judged at the same time. to be worth and at the end of the faid terme. the undertakers fhall have refuffall of the hire of the works. and that we Shall Inftruct one or more of the town of fimsbury in the art of runing and refining Coper
. . at a Metting of the fubfcribers and proprietors all the above written articles voted in the affirmitive aTefte
Jully 23. 1707. John Slater clerk."
Within a week after this contract was signed, new dif- ficulties and new claimants appeared, and the following vigor- ous protest, which sets forth the nature of the trouble, was signed by the principal inhabitants and put upon the records of the town, with their names subscribed.
"Whereas there has ben lately a difcovery made of a coper Mine within the Bounds of the town of Simsbury and the sd town haveing by their vote Sequeftered the sd copper mines that are in the town commons. in faid town of fimsbury. for ther own benefit by an Equal and a Juft proportion in diftribution arifing therefrom and there haveing ben fome perfons pretending themfelves to be the only proprietors of sd copper mines. have in a very diforderly and Suractisious manner given away the right and benefits of sd Copper mines to some persons which are unconcerned in the town. which is greatly to the difturbance of the peace of many principall perfons in faid town, Patentes proprietors and Inhabitants. Therefore we whofe Names are here under written. do hereby declare. and proteft againft thefe and fuch unrighteous and Irregular unjuft dealings and actions. and do hereby proteft againft the entry of all or any fuch unJuft Contracts. or votes of fuch pretenders In our Town record booke: dated in Simsbury Jully 29th, 1707 as witneff our hands." &c.
Differences and misunderstandings likewise naturally arose between the proprietors and undertakers in relation to the
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S. T. R. B. 212 P. 88 (Back of Book)
working of the mines, to settle which, and for the purpose of avoiding future controversies, a meeting of the town was held in March 1709, and a committee appointed "to prepare and fet something in order. for to prefent fomething to the town," providing for the choice of arbitrators, for the decision of such controversies.
By this time the mining interest had become a matter of Colonial importance, and the General Assembly took in hand the supervision of it, and at the session of 1709 passed an act, directing the management of its operations. There was never any charter granted to any company, or act of incorporation. The right of proprietorship was recognized as belonging to the inhabitants of the town of Simsbury, who managed its affairs in their own way, subject only to the orders and enactments from time to time of the General Assembly.
The first enactment was as follows: "Whereas there hath lately been discovered a Copper-Mine at Simsbury, which hath been so improved as to give a good satisfaction to con- clude that a publick benefit may arise therefrom: Now for the better incouraging, directing and enabling the proprietors and undertakers, or others that are or may be concerned therein, their heirs and assigns, to manage, carry on and improve said mines to the best advantage, It is therefore by this Assembly ordered and enacted, That all the copper mines that are or may be found in the common lands at Simsbury shall be man- aged and improved by the consent and approbation of the major part of the proprietors, which majority shall arise from the greatest part of interest or propriety, who still shall be under such regulation, order and direction, as this Court shall think needful from time to time to establish, for the better managing the said mine. And it is hereby further enacted, That if any of the proprietors of the said mines shall neglect or refuse to improve and carry on his or their part or pro- portion in the said mines, in equal proportion with the rest of the proprietors, either in their labour or payments of money, that it shall be lawful for any other of the proprietors to enter upon and improve the part or proportion of mine be- longing to the person so neglecting, and to hold and improve
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Col. Rec. Vol. 5 P. 104
Col. Rec. Vol. 5 P. 105
the same, till from the profits thereof he shall be repaid four fold for the charge and expence he shall be at in managing said part; the same rule shall also be attended in the case of orphans whose guardians shall neglect or refuse to improve their wards part or propriety in the said mines.
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