USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Simsbury > A record and documentary history of Simsbury > Part 18
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S. T. R. B. 212 P. 59 (Back of Book)
city of money that the Colony issued £8,000 in paper cur- rency. This was the first emission of paper money. To assist in defraying the expenses of the expedition, it was ordered that Bills of Credit on the Colony be forthwith printed, in suitable sums, from two shillings to five pounds, not ex- ceeding in the whole, eight thousand pounds. It was receivable for taxes, and a special tax was ordered to be raised for its redemption. Other issues followed from time to time, and in larger amounts, a part of which was to be applied to the re- demption of former issues, or "old tenor" and a part to be loaned out and the interest applied to the redemption of the new emis- sion. This issue was called "new tenor."
Previous to this, almost the entire business of the country was carried on by barter and "country pay", viz: grain and provisions at prices agreed on by the parties, or more com- monly fixed by law or by town votes. There was but little metallic currency in the Colony.
It was not till 1698 that a sufficient number of men could be raised to form a full military company.
"Aprill the 4th 1698 being Trayning day at Simfbury it Being propounded by Enfign Barbur to the Company or Trayn Band. to know whether they would chufe a Capt. and other officers for sd train band as was neceffary. there being 9 fille of Soildiers befide others ftanders by: it was Vnani- mously Voted in the Affirmative Lieut Highley Chofen Capt for Simsbury train Band and Enfign Tho- Barbur Chofen Lieutenant for sd train band. and Sam1 Humphry chofen Enfign for sd Trayn band - and daniell Adams chofen Serjant for sd Trayn band. and James Hillyard chofen Serjant for sd Train band of Simsbury" ... . "The Number of Simsbury Souldiers. 77."
The manufacture of pitch, tar and turpentine still con- tinued to be a matter of interest to the inhabitants of the town.
"At a town meting at Simsbury Decembr 3ª 1702 Voted that there fhould be a ftop put to ye cuting any turpinetin tree within the Town Comon of Simsbury upon penalty of Five fhillings for every tree untill they can agree upon fome way of equality.
S. T. R. B. 212 P. 3 (Back of Book)
S. T. R. B. 212 P. 61 (Back of Book)
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Alfo Voted that every man fhall have his proportion of pin trees according to his lyft provided he pay Twelve pence per hundred. for so many trees as he fhall Emprove ... it is to be underftood to the proper Inhabitants of this town. as alfo Voted at the fam meting Enf Humphries and Deacon Cornifh are chofen commity for proportioning the pin trees at Wetaug Squadron, Sergt Adames and John Cafe Jun for Hop-Meadow Squadron and Capt Higley and thomas Holcomb a Commity for ye North fquadron."
And subsequently it was voted that "if any person named presumed to box any turpentine trees on the town commons, they shall pay a fine to the town Treasury of five shillings for every tree so cut, and every other inhabitant of Simsbury is prohibited from cutting any pine tree for turpentine, on penalty of five shillings for every tree so cut; that shall be cutt on the Town Commons which five shillings shall be paid into the Town Treasury for the use of the town."
Having in view the good character of the town, and the morals of its inhabitants, the early settlers were in some measure exclusive, and showed a greater regard to the stand- ing and respectability than to the number of its people. Ac- cordingly they passed the following:
"Town Act againft leting in of Strangers et.
Whereas this Towne of fimfbury being greatly damni- fied by Perfons thrufting themfelves into our towne wch proves greatly to the Damage of the Towne: for ye preven- tion thereof, this towne do order therefore for the Future no Perfons fhall croud and thruft in themfelves into our Towne to refide there above one moneth without liberty firft obtained from the faid Towne or Townfmen upon the forfeiture of Twenty Shillings to the Towne. the one halfe to the complayner that profecuts it to effect and the other to the Town Treafury. Voted in the affirmative at a generall towne meting of the Inhabitants of Simsbury Dec. 17th 1701."
At the same time they were desirious not only of shutting out objectionable persons, but they took measures to rid themselves of objectionable wild animals.
"Dec. 17th 1701. Voted that thofe that have killed Wolves
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this laft year fhall be alowed oitt of this Towne Rate Fiften fhillings pr head for every wolfe they heave killed. and further Voted that for the future that all wolves that are killed in the Township of fimfbury all thofe that do kill wolves making it apear Shall be alowed fiften fhillings pr wolfe: this order to ftand in force for the fpace of feveen years from the date hereof."
In May, 1713, the town suffered a sad and serious loss in the death of John Slater, Sen", the Old Town Clerk. Up to the time of his death all the records of the town, from the time of its organization in 1670, a period of 43 years, were in his handwriting. In these records there was a full- ness and particularity of statement; a minuteness of detail, and completeness of narration such as has never been at- tained by any one of his successors in that office. Nearly all the facts presented in the foregoing pages of this volume are compilations of, or extracts from his records.
And he was not only Town Clerk, but he was also the Land Surveyor of the town during that period. In addition to these, he held many other offices whose object was to promote the interests and welfare of the town. Not the least of these was that of its first School Master.
That there might not be a vacancy in the office of Clerk, on the following day the Selectmen appointed his son John Slater Jr. "to ferve in the place of a town clerk till a new one be chosen and sworn." At the following election May 18th, 1713, John Slater was elected town Clerk; and was elected annually during his life. He died in 1717. He was known as "Deacon" John Slater. On the death of Deacon Slater, in 1717, John Humphrey was appointed town clerk in his stead, and was annually reelected for several years successively.
At a town meeting in 1719, it was voted "that there shall be a Convenant way provided for the Inhabitants to paff and Croff the River Either by a bridg or ferry upon the towne Coaft and Charg and the place where faid bridge or fery is to be at the turn of the River below mile Swamp or near there about in the moft convenant place." A Com- mittee was appointed to view the place and report at the
ib.
S. T. R. P. 58 B. 212 (Back of Book) 1713.
S. T. R. B. 212 P. 125 (Back of Book)
S. T. R. B. 3 P. 13
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next meeting as to the feasibility of a bridge or a ferry. At a subsequent meeting, the Committee having reported, "it (was) propounded whether ther fhould be a bridg mad to paff over the river it waf a negetive vott." It was then pro- pounded whether a ferry should be established there, and decided in the negative. Then it was proposed to "alow seven pounds to the Inhabitants on the Eaft sid of the River to Eafe them in Refpect of Croffing the River on publick days or Sabath days." This was also negatived. There is a tradi- tion that a bridge was subsequently built at that place, but if so it was built probably by private subscriptions or contribu- tions, and continued but a short time.
A few years later a bridge was built, by individual dona- tions, over the river, at a point nearly east of the house now owned and occupied by Dr. L. I. Barber, in Hopmeadow, which remained but a short time. A ferry was afterwards established there, under a grant from the General Assembly in 1756 to Thomas Marvin. He was allowed to keep a ferry and collect tolls for the term of ten years. The rates of toll show the mode of travelling at that time. They were as follows:
"For man horse and load. One penny.
Single man, or single horse, one half-penny.
Neat Cattle. per head. one half-penny.
Sheep and swine, per head. one farthing."
This shows that at that time no wagons or carriages were used. After the ferry was discontinued, the road leading to it was, (the road that led to the Ferry was called the Pent Way) by vote of the town in 1787, "difpofed of by ye Select Men to purchafe a Road to ye New Bridge between Hop- meadow & Weatauge East Side."
At an early period in the history of the town, a con- troversy arose in relation to the common lands, that is, the lands which had not been appropriated by the Committee or granted by the town to individuals. The question was, whether these lands belonged in common to the inhabitants of the town or to the original proprietors of the town and their heirs. Some of these "proprietors" were non-resident. Greatly to their dissatisfaction, the town, in 1672, had voted
218
T. R. B. 4
P. 111
to divide a portion of these common lands among the in- habitants, giving to each an equal share. Afterwards, owing to the dissatisfaction among themselves, arising from the mode or proportion of distribution, this vote was rescinded. The controversy, however, between the "proprietors" and the town inhabitants, was continued. And even among the in- habitants themselves there was great complaint, that "by exefive surveys or falce bounds", some men "claim mutch more Land than was Granted them." A Committee was there- fore appointed to regulate the surveys, and set up bounds to prevent such encroachments, and "the said Committee are fulley Impowered in the Towns behaulf to sue of and Eject Every sutch parfon or parsons so indevering to inchrotch Town Comans into his or their hands." ..
"The same metting a qeftion was prepounded whether they would Chofe a Comitte to tak advice and Consult and draw up sumthing that might be for the beft to mak us sitt easie in Respect of our Comon and undevided Lands in this Township of Simsbery there being mutch dispute about the same and fearing we should Com under a generall act by the Generall affembly which might be to our disadvantage it was concluded by an affirmitive vote that they would Chofe a Comitte and the Comitte Chofen are Mr Timothy Wood- bridge: Capt Thomas holcomb Leut John petty bone by an affirmitive vott."
In April following, this Committee made a report, of which the following is a copy of the record:
"Where as at a town mettin of the Inhabetance of Sims- bery the Town did Choofe Mr Timothy Woodbridge Capt: Tomas holcomb Leut John pettybone a Comitte to advife Confult and draw up sumthing that mough be best to be done for a Settlement of our Comon and undevided land in said Township and said Comitte having drawn up sundrey Resolvef and the Town having prufed and Considered the sam did Exept of these folowing at this their metting Aprill 28+ 1719:
I Refolved that the Town obtain an apendex to their patent Equell to their grant purchaf and survey on May next Enfuing or as soone as may be convenant
219
S. T. R. B. 3 P. 8
1719. S. T. R. B. 3 P. 9
2 Refolved that the Right of disposall of the Comon or un- devided Land in the Township of Simsbery is and shall be vefted in all Such and in them ondley: who can derive their power so to doe Either from an Act of the Generall Affembly and their heirs and assigns, or thofe who have ben admitted Inhabetanc and their heirs and affigns by a major part of the Town regularly Convened or shall be hereafter admitted Inhabitants, with that Right and power of dispofall expresly Inserted in the Towns vott for ad- mision
3 Refolved that land sutable and sufficant for comonage convenant as may be for the severall squadrons of the Town for said ufe may be sequeftered forever that matter to be brought by a Committe chosen out of Each squadron to the Town to determin
4 Refolved that the Remaining Land be sequstered to the Town qalified as above to be Granted as the major part shall alow of said major part to be acounted not by number of parsons, but by a Trew List of their Ratable Estate by an affirmitive vott."
In accordance with these resolutions, at a town meeting beginning December 31st, 1722, and continuing three days, -
"It was voted by the major part of the inhabitants that they would difpofe of the undevided Lands in sd Town in a Town way by granting out the fame."
The meeting proceeded to make grants of these lands and divided among 172 persons, in proportion to their several lists, about 16,500 acres, in quantities varying from 20 to 300 acres, and it was voted that "the remaining land should be devided by the fame proportions."
S. T. R. B. IV. of Deeds pp. 26-27 aud 84
At this time were laid out to the inhabitants of Hop- meadow and the "Lower Meadows" between the North squad- ron line and the Wetaug Squadron line the "Long Lots", so called, varying in width according to quantity. The Com- mittee began at the line between Hopmeadow and Wetaug Squadron, which is eight rods south of Hop-brook at the road, South of the present dwelling house of Mr. Horace Belden, and running on "a West-North-West paynt", 800 rods,
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S. T. R. B. 3 P. 23 Ib. P. 29
bounding south on this line, laid out successively 19 lots, with intervening highways, as follows:
South Squadron Line Widow Strickland 800 rods
800 **
800 rods
Timothy Woodbridge 800 rods
800
800
800
800
800
800
2% miles
Nathaniel Holcomb 800 rods
Heirs of William Gillet 840 rods
Robert Hoskins
Jonathan Case
John Case
Daniel Case
North Squadron Line
22 |28
5
36
52 |161 |43- 39
26
44
17
110 28
21 40
49 |25 32
18
52 |25
Rods in width
Hopmeadow Road
The lines of these lots are often referred to by Surveyors in their surveys, and not infrequently in deeds of conveyance are mentioned as land marks in the descriptions of lands con- veyed. Their bounds, and particularly those of the squadron lines, should be preserved.
During the following summer these several shares or grants from the town were measured out to the grantees and placed on record.
This action of the town caused great dissatisfaction among the original proprietors and their heirs, who applied to the General Assembly for relief. At its Session in May following, the General Assembly passed a law applicable to all towns similarly situated. It was decided by this law that, as the whole tract of land in the Colony had by Patent from King Charles the Second been granted to the Governor and Company of this Colony; and as the land in the several town- ships had, by a like patent, been granted by the Governor and Company to the patentees therein named, "and the rest of the present proprietors, inhabitants of the town, their heirs and assigns forever," a similar conveyance, or title, to be valid, must come from them. But if, theretofore, other persons had come into the town, and, with the assent of such proprietors, obtained grants from the town, such grants were good and valid. But it was further enacted that if the original proprietors had not by any act of theirs consented to a divi-
Col. Rec. VI. P. 394
..
..
John Drake
Highway
Andrew Robe
Thomas Barber
Samuel Barber
Stephen Pettibone
John Barber
Peter Buell
Ephriam Buell
Highway
Joseph Humphrey 2 miles & 15 score rods
Elias Slater.
John Hill 2 miles & 14 score rods
22I
sion or other disposal of the common lands, for the future that all such lands still remaining undivided belonged to the original proprietors, their heirs and assigns; and that per- sons afterwards becoming inhabitants of the town had no right whatever in these common lands. Accordingly, the proprietors took control of what remained after this partial distribution, and, by their Committees annually appointed, managed and made conveyance of them as they saw fit.
The final disposal of these lands by the proprietors was not completed until the early part of the present century.
In the foregoing series of resolutions relating to the com- mon lands of the town, the first provides for obtaining an "apendex" to their Patent. In pursuance of this, they presented a strong petition in 1723 to the General Assembly, asking for a Township of land, to be laid out on the westerly side of Simsbury west bounds. The reasons urged were:
"I That we are under a necessity for it, and avantage of present Settlement, by reason of our propinquity above any other.
2 But more particularly from the consideration of our pro- moting copper works, which has brought about £ 10,000 into this, from foreign plantations, and liberty to create a foreign trade, and all to the advantage of this Colony.
3 Also, for our encouragement in raising tar and turpentine, for the supply of his Majesty's naval stores and our only valuable commodity in foreign parts.
4 And also in consideration for our being a frontier for above this forty years &c.
5 And, to conclude, a part of the Western lands we have the native purchase of, and have many years ago laid out lands upon, and as it will create a great disturbance amongst us, so it will be an intolerable hardship, to have them granted to any other."
Col. Rec. Vol. VI. P. 407
In spite of reasons so urgent, the application was re- fused. In August, of this year, 1723, an alarm was spread that three hundred French Indians were on the war path, and had come over the lake towards Connecticut. The Gov- ernor and Council met in Hartford, and defensive measures
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were taken. It was "Resolved, that Symsbury and Litchfield are the frontier towns of this Colony, westward of Connecticut River, which are most exposed to danger by those parties of Indians." Also that the officers of the Militia in those towns be immediately notified of the danger with instructions in regard to fortifying and selecting places for garrisons in the respective towns.
"Resolved, That there be a couple of scouts on foot, each consisting of three English men and six Indians, who shall range the woods above Symsbury westward to Ousitanuck, to be so ordered that they should meet each other about the middle way between Symsbury and Ousitanuck."
A military watch was ordered to be kept in the most convenient places in Symsbury and the other frontier towns, but no attack was made.
Nathaniel Holcomb, Sent, was elected Town Clerk in 1720, and held the office by annual re-election till 1732, when John Humphrey was chosen, and was annually elected till 1755. In 1756, John Owen was elected Town Clerk.
In the absence of Parliamentary rules, the inhabitants of Simsbury in town meeting assembled, December 26, 1728, adopted the following "Orders and Constitution to prevent disorders in Town meetings for ye future."
"Ist. to chufe a modarator for faid meeting and it ftall be in ye power of one of Justices or Town Clerk or one of felect men to move in Choice of faid modarator
2ly and when faid modarator is Chofen he fhall put every- thing to vote when tis defired by five of fettled inhabitants of said Simfbury
3ly no man fhall have Liberty to argue or difpute in faid meeting except he firft obtain Liberty from faid Modarator which faid modarator fhall give when it is defired of him.
4ly and it shall be in power of faid modarator to difmifs or adiorne faid meeting according to a maior vote of faid meeting and not without.
ly And who fhall act contrary to faid orders and Conftitu- tions shall forfit fum of fix fhillings one half to Complainor
T. R. B. 3 P. 45
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and profecutor and other half to poore of faid Town. The above voted in affirmative."
Here was another instance manifesting the gradual development or evolution of the town's growth, - that it was not created but was evolved from necessity.
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FIRST CHURCH BUILDING . 1683
XXIV
Ecclesiastical History, resumed from Chapter XX Rev. Timothy Woodbridge and his Times
Immediately after the death of Rev. Dudley Wood- bridge steps were taken by the town to procure a successor.
"At a Town meeting held in Simfbury, September 19th, 1710, Seeing God by his Divin providence, has Removed his worthy fervant (the Reverend Mr Dudley Woodbridge) by death from this his poor people and flocke, the Church & Congregation of the town of Simfbury, Considering their forrowfull destitute Condition, and looking upon it as their encumbant duty, to look out for a Supply, in the worke of the miniftry, now after the death of his deceafed fervant. Therefore, being meet and Convened togather on the nine- teenth of September to confult about abov said affayr as to procure a futeable man in the work of the miniftry, and labourer in this part of the lords harveft, took thefe follow- ing steeps (viz) that they would keep the next Wednesday sevennight, to be kept a day of Solemn fasting and prayer to feek to God for his Conduct and guidance, in fo weighty affayr in refference to the procuring of a faithfull minister in this place and to advife, with the Reverend Elders of the Neighboring Churches. Concerning faid procuring of a futeable perfon for the work of the miniftry. And then at said town meeting did conclud to chufe a Committee after exercife for faid affayr to Conffer with fd reverend elders, and to make a report of their advice to the town. The Committee Chofen
T. R. B. 2. P. 101
225
for faid bufineff was - Capt John Higley Sergt Sam Wilcocksun Andrew Robe Commite Jozeph Phelps James Corni fh - "
"The Return from the Reverend Elders, Nov. 8th, 1710 as foloweth:
"To the Committee appoynted by the Town of Simfbury to advife with the Elders of the neighbouring Churches, in Refference to the procuring of a faithful miniffer among them. We whofe names are underwritten, in Anfwer to your defire, Advife that applycation be made to Mr Timothy Woodbridge Jun' hopeing that in him you may find a repara- tion of the breach made by the death of your late Reverend paftor, and wifhing that you may be succeded in this affay". Entered the above faid Nov. 21st 1710 verbatum Tefted by John flater, clerk.
Steph Micks Samu1 Whitman Jonathan Marfh"
In compliance with this advice of the neighbouring Elders the town held a meeting, Nov. 20th, 1710, and voted unanimously to give to Mr. Timothy Woodbridge Jun™ a call to settle in the work of the ministry here, and voted to give him, "a fallary of fixty pounds pr year in pay (provifion pay) according to the ftated price of this Collony Annually or what is payd in money at two thirds". "But in case he cannot be procured for fixty pound fallary, then to give him seventy pounds".
Mr. Woodbridge came and preached a year or more on trial, but did not immediately accept the call.
S. T. R. B. 2 P. 102
In March following another meeting was held, when the town, "Voted again to settle Mr. Woodbridge, and also, voted to give to M' Timothy Woodbridge for his encourage- ment in fettling in ye office and continueing in the work of the miniftry an hundred and fifty pound in provifion pay, and to be payd in three firft years and in Cafe this is not accepted the committee aforefaid has power to Grant
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S. T. R. B. 2. P. 102
S. T. R. B. 2. P. 114
Mr Woodbridge two hundred pounds in provision pay pro- vided they have 4 years to pay it in".
At length the town came to an agreement with Mr. Woodbridge, as follows:
"Agrement wth Mr. Timth Woodbridge".
"For as much as it pleafed God by his Divin providence to Remove our Reverend elder Mr Dudley Woodbridge by death fo that we be deftitute in Regard of the ministry. It being our Incumbent duty to so be feeking for a fupply in the work of the ministry and after our fupplication to God for his Conduct and direction in fo weighty and great concern we fecondly adrefed ourfelves to the Elders of the Neigh- bouring Churches for their advice who fo advifed us to make fut to Mr Timothy Woodbridge Jun" of Hartford. Accordingly, we the Inhabitants of Simsbury made our applycation to the fd Mr Woodbridge whom we allowed to come and preach to us this last year, and now are in further profecution by way of treaty for his fetlment in the work of the miniftry here and taking office &c. Therefore for his Encouragment in refference to his fettlment in office et we the Inhabitants of Simfbury, being meet, in General Town meeting haveing Treated before with the Reverend Mr Timy Woodbridge by a Committee, and have Received a return from him faid Wood- bridge we the faid Inhabitants of Simfbury by our unanimous Vote drawn up of articles as following:
Firstly - Voted at this meeting January the third One thousand feven hundred and eleven-Twelve That in cafe the faid, Reverend Mr Timothy Woodbridge will be pleafed to fettle abide and continue here in Simfbury in the work of the ministry and fettle in office and covenanting so to do, extraordinary causalitys excepted then we, the Inhabitants of Sim fbury, will give Grant and make over to said Mr Wood- bridge, his heirs executors Administrators and afigns for ever, 90 lb. in land which we have bought of Jofeph Segar. Im- mediately, or in fome convenient time foon after his fettlment in office amongft us here in Simfbury - it is further to be understood, that the land here mentioned to be faid Wood- bridges, his heirs and afigns; not to be his if he in any way
227
fhould leave and defert the town; yet if the occafion of his deferting of this faid town be merely through the townf default, and in Case he fhall wholly withdraw and decline the work here in fimfbury, under any pretence what- foever, laying the blameable caufe thereof to the towne de- fault, then the matter of fact fhall be heard Judged and deter- mined by men mutually chofen by Mr Woodbridge and the town.
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