USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Simsbury > A record and documentary history of Simsbury > Part 3
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Witness hereunto ( The mark of Pacataco. Johm Moses " " Pamatacount. Youngcowet.
George Abbett
From the following papers it would seem that many years afterwards some question had arisen in regard to the purchase of Massaco, or that some of the Indians still claimed rights there, and that the matter was brought before the Court in Hartford, and there decided.
"March 14th, 1661. Know all men by these presents, that wee, Mamanto and Feepoquam and Mattagage Mamantoes Wife's Father, do owne that the English have made good their Rights and titils to the lands of Weatouge against their clayms, yet for a quiet and peacable possession of those to hom it is alotted by the Committee, the Court have ordered that Mamanto shall have two accrees of good planting Land in Some place there wher it is not yet dispossed off; & Feepoquam forty shillings of Wampum, and Metapage one Coate ;- and ye aforesd Indians to defend and secure these lands from the claymes of all other Indians. Witnefs our hands the day and year above written. Wittness The mark of (W) Mamanto Sam1 Steele John Wadsworth
(2) Keepoquam 6
2I
Sims. Rec. Red Book P. 42
"Receipt"
"Know all men by these presents, that we, Mamanto, Keepo- quam and Mattapauge do aknowlidge: that we have Received full satisfaction for all or rights & Intreeft in Weatauge mead and the Lands adjaceent of those Englishmen that now are the proprieters of the aforesayd Land & doe by these presents give graunt bargain and Sell unto Josiah Hull in the behalf of the rest & proprieters; of the aforesayd Wetauge, all the aforesayd Mead and upland; from farmingtowne Bounds on the South to Cap. Cookes".
Some other testimony is put on record, confirmatory of the transaction, but the above is believed to be sufficient to show how and by whom, and from whom the purchase of Massaco was made. These documents are collated and grouped here for convenience of reference. They show that the consideration paid for it was the freedom from servitude of an old Indian, and his release from the penalty of the law. They also show that the number of Indians at Massaco was quite limited.
Whatever title Griffen may have acquired, by virtue of his Indian Deed, there being no law authorizing him to receive such a conveyance for his own benefit, he made the following assign- ment of it:
"This is to testifieth that I, John Griffen, this present December 23, '61, do fully and freely resign over this deede within Specified, unto the Committee appoynted fer to dispose the lands at Massaco, for the use and benefit of ye plantation of Windsor, as Witness My hand, the day and yeare above written.
Teste. Daniel Clark.
Walter Ffyler.
John Griffen.
Josias Hull.
About this time a law was passed prohibiting the purchase of lands from the Indians by any person except for the use of the public, as follows:
Col. Rec. Vol. I P. 402
"This Court orders, that no person in this Colony Shall buy, hire or receiue as a gift or Mortgage, any parcel of land or lands, of any Indian or Indians, for the future, except he doe buy or receive the Same for the use of the Colony, or the benefitt
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Sims. Rec. Red Book P. 42
of some Towne, with the allowance of the Court." The defects of these deeds, if any, were cured in after years, by the succes- sors and children of these Indian Grantors; and a perfect title was obtained, by the Committee of Massaco, and its proprietors.
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FIRST CHURCH BUILDING . 1683
V
Massaco- Name and Situation
Sol. Rec. Vol. I P. 71
That portion of the beautiful valley through which the Farmington river flows, northwardly from "Farmington bounds" to "the Falls", was called by the aboriginal inhabitants "Mas- saco", (pronounced Massawco). The river was called "Tunxis". The first record or mention of Massaco is in the following order of the General Court, at its Session in April 1642:
"Its Ordered that the Gou'nor and Mr. Heynes shall haue liberty to dispose of the ground vppon that p'te of Tunxis River cauled Mossocowe, to such inhabitants of Wyndsor as they shall see cause."
Although not a part of Windsor, it was considered as be- longing to that town. Its name was expressed in writing, in many different ways. In the old town and Colonial records it is found written "Massaco", "Massawco", "Massaqua," etc., but most commonly, "MASSACO", which mode has been here adopted. It is a peculiarity of the Indian languages, that their words, or rather names, conveyed a significant meaning; differ- ing in this respect from our own, whose names of persons, places and things seem to be arbitrary, and without any rela- tion to their significance, or qualities.
"Massaco", according to Dr. J. Hammond Trumbull, "is a compound Word, from 'Massa', (great), and 'Sauk', (outlet), 'the great brook's mouth,' where 'Hop-brook', which receives 'Branch' and 'Stratton' brooks, flows into the Tunxis, or Farm- ington river, near Simsbury center." The name is significant and descriptive. "Hop-brook", after being joined by "Stratton" and
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"Branch" brooks, gently flowing through swamp and meadow, is suddenly narrowed and checked by the rocks of the old stone quarry, at the mills; but, having surmounted this obstruction, and again set free, it once more glides gently onward, and widens in its course, and at its junction with the river, becomes "Massaco", (Wide-mouth).
According to the same authority, "Tunxis" or "Tunxis sepus", has likewise a significance, descriptive of the "Land on and near Farmington river, at its Southern bend in Farmington. The river was called 'Tunxis-sepos', i.e., Little river of Tunxis. The locality to which the name originally belonged was the 'bow' or 'turning' of the river, where 'it bends' from a South- easterly, to a Northerly course."
This "turning" of the river at that point, is a very remark- able one; and doubtless it seemed so to the Aborigines. Rising in the far northwest, among the hills of Western Massachusetts, it takes a general Southerly or South-easterly course, to the point before mentioned, by a succession of falls and rapids, when, suddenly, at "Tunxis" (the place of turning), its current is reflexed; and thence flows Northwardly, gently meandering through the meadows, a distance of fifteen or twenty miles, when again, by an abrupt turn eastwardly, breaking through the "Massaco Mountain", by a deep mountain gorge, it rushes into the Connecticut valley, and at Windsor joins the Connecti- cut river, of which it is the largest tributary. By the early in- habitants of Windsor it was usually called the "Rivulet." The name, Massaco, was applied to, and comprised "all the lands from the foot of the Hills on both syde the river, up to the brook that is now called 'Nod Meadow';"-that being the northern boundary of Tunxis,-as recognized by the Indians.
This valley lies between two parallel mountain ridges, stretching in a Northeasterly and South-westerly direction, and three or four miles apart, from base to base. By the early settlers of Massaco, these were called, respectively, East Moun- tain" and "West Mountain". The Windsor people called that part of East Mountain lying south of the rivulet "Massaco Mountain". Thus in 1659, George Griswold of Windsor bought from the Indians 200 rods of marsh or mowing-land "under the
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"Indian names in Conn."
Stiles* Ancient Windsor
east side of 'Massaco Hills'; and in April 1666, James Eno and John Moses purchased from Nassahegan, land on both sides of the rivulet, from Windsor to Massaco. This land, which has descended to him from his Uncle Sehat, extended towards Massaco", "as far as his right extends, namely, on the South side of the Rivulet, to the foot of Massaco Mountain, and on the North side to the Mountain that answers the foresaid Mountain". South of Massaco Mountain extending south to "Mount Philip", was "Talcott Mountain" so called, originally, from the town, soon after its organization, having granted a large tract of land lying on the east side of that part of the mountain and extending to its summit comprising several hundred of acres, to Major John Talcott, one of the most promi- nent inhabitants of Hartford, and one of the original patentees of Simsbury. The name "Talcott Mountain" has since been ap- plied to the whole mountain ridge, except "Mount Philip", which is distinct and separate from the main ridge-an almost solitary peak. This range of mountains is a continuation of the Mount Tom range in Massachusetts, and terminates in "East Rock" at New Haven.
The "West Mountain" is a continuation of the "Green Mountain Range", of Vermont, and terminates in "West- Rock", at New Haven.
At the commencement of its settlement by the Whites, Massaco was an unbroken forest, except along the river, which in its windings, flowed through meadows, interspersed with thickets and tangled vines, among which were Hops, (Hurnulus Lupulus) growing spontaneously, which gave the name of "Hop- meadow" and "Hop Brook" to that portion of the town, and the brook, which have ever since been thus respectively called. Here and there a little corn patch might have been seen; or a space where a few beans were growing, planted by the natives. The meadows were mostly marshes, furnishing only the coarser grasses; but these were earliest sought, and most highly prized. The plains and table-lands were a "sea of pines"; and the mountain slopes and ridges were clothed with forests of hard- woods, of all varieties, adapted to the climate. These forests and streams furnished the principal means of subsistence for
26
the few Indians who encamped, and fished and hunted there. The streams abounded with fish, whilst their banks furnished a home for the otter, beaver, and other furry animals. Moose, deer and bears, with a great variety of smaller game, roamed the forests. Wild fowls and water fowls, in wood and stream, were in profusion.
All these rendered Massaco an inviting and favorite camp- ing and hunting ground, for the roving Indian tribes. Here they found a ready means of temporary subsistence. The light alluv- ial soil with slight labor, furnished them with "succotash", and the woods with game, whilst the streams supplied fish of deli- cious quality. In their season, salmon and shad swam the river and brooks, without meeting the dams and other obstructions now encountered; and the waters were free from the pollutions and poisons, which the factories and mills have since introduced.
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FIRST CHURCH BUILDING . 168 3
VI First Grants and Allotments
Under the Order of the Court, authorizing the disposal of the grounds at Massaco in 1642, no action appears to have been taken. No purchase had been made from the Indians; and no grants were made by the Committee.
At the March term of the General Court in 1647, an order was passed as follows:
'The Court thinks fitt that Massaco be purchased by the Country, and that ther be a Comittee chosen to dispose of yt to such inhabitants of Wyndsor as by them shall be judged meet to make improuement therof, in such kynd as may be for the good of the Comonwelth, and the purchase to be repaid by those that shall enioy yt with reasonable alowance. Mr. Hopkins is entreated to be one of the Comittes, and Mr. Webster anoth- er; and Mr. Steele, Mr. Talcoate & Mr. Westall to vew the aforesaid grownd, and assist in the dispose thereof."
No record is found of any purchase from the Indians under this order of the General Court.
It was about this time however that John Griffen took a Deed from Manahannoose and other Indians, "of all the lands in Massaco", in payment of the damages, for setting fire to his tar-works. This seems to have been the only purchase.
In September 1653, the first grants in Massaco were made by the General Court.
Col. Rec. Vol. I P. 246
"Lieutenant Cook is to haue 50 acres in Massaco, on boath sides the Riuer, next above the Fauls."
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Col. Rec. Vol. I P. 161
"John Bissel is also to haue 60 acres on both sides the afore- said Riuer, next the Lieftennant."
"There is also granted to Tho: Ford 50 acres at Massacoe, whereof foure & forty hath bine improued by him by ploughing & mowing as it was measured by Mathu: Graunt, bounded by the upland south west & compassed round by the River, unless it be about 30 Rodde on the south east against another stripp of meadow. There is five pound to be payd by the aforesayd partyes to the Treasurer, which was formerly disburced by the Country." The foregoing Grant to Capt. Cook was near the present R. R. Bridge above Tariffville; and that to John Bissel was below Terry's Plain Bridge. The little brook near the bridge was known as "Bissel's brook"; and the bank of the river there as "Bissel's Landing."
This Grant to Thomas Ford consisted of the peninsula now owned by Campbel Case, and was the first land occupied and improved in Massaco. The grant itself shows that improvement by ploughing and mowing had already been made, to the extent of forty four acres. Whether Ford, in person, occupied and im- proved these premises is matter of doubt. There is no evidence in regard to this point. But that his son-in-law, Aaron Cook did for a time occupy it, is abundantly proved. He was undoubtedly the first actual settler, by personal residence and occupancy, of Massaco. From the Windsor records, it appears that on the marriage of his son, in 1660, Capt. Cook made over to him his dwelling house and lands in Windsor, and from about that time was no longer a resident there. In the same year, we find in the Records of the General Court an order that,-"Capt. Cook is required to desist in any further labor on the Lower Farm at Massaco, vntil the matter be issued at Gen11 Court in May next." In May following the Court decided that "the Grant is still in force."
In 1660 John Owen of Windsor had a grant from the Com- mittee, of a piece of land, described as a meadow on the other side of the river "opposite the fifty acres that Capt. Cook now improves."
The record of the first Grant to Lieut. Cook, by the General Court, has, appended, the following note:
P. 247
Col. Rec. Vol. I P. 364
Sims. Rec. Red Book P. 181
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"This Lt Cooke ownes to be in his father Ford's improve- ment at a Court in May Anno '61."
From these records it would seem that Capt. Cook on leaving Windsor, came to Massaco, and commenced improve- ments to his grant at the "Falls", at the same time occupying the Grant of his father-in-law Thomas Ford, which in 1670, the latter made over to Capt. Cook.
He was not long a resident here, for, in the Deed last men- tioned, he is represented as "of Westfield", and in a Deed of his Grant at the Falls, dated 1661, he represents himself as "of Northampton". After leaving Windsor, he seems to have led an unsettled life; not remaining long in the same place. He re- mained, however, in Massaco a sufficient length of time to attach his name to the place he occupied; which continued to be called by his name, long after he left it.
In the Indian deed to Josiah Hull, in behalf of the proprie- ters, is included all the land "from farmingtowne Bounds on the South to Capt. Cook's."
And in a grant to Josiah Clark in 1668, is this proviso, "that it shall not prejudice that highway that is granted to runn under the mountaine, from John Moses his house, down towards Capt. Cook's farme".
In 1671, after the town was incorporated, and several years after his departure to Massachusetts, a town meeting was held "at Capt. Cooks". Up to this time, however, he was the owner. In 1671, Aaron Cook Sent of Westfield, transferred it to Aaron Cook Jr, who in turn sold it to Joseph Parsons of Northampton. In 1677 this land was sold by "Joseph Parsons of Boston" to John Terry of Windsor; "in whom and his descendants the title remained for more than two Hundred years." It is interesting to learn what we can of the "first settler". Capt. Cook was prominent among those who came from Dorchester to Windsor. In the History of Dorchester he is spoken of as "a man of great energy", and after his removal to Windsor, he occupied a high position there. His tastes were military, and when, in 1653, the Commissioners of the Colonies ordered that a "Company of 65 men be prepared forthwith to be at a day's warning", "Lieut.
Col. Rec. Vol. I P. 242 Cook was appointed to be Commander in Cheiffe". Although
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the threatened war was averted, the General Court appreciating his prompt patriotic services, made the grant at Massaco. He was a Deputy to the General Court from Windsor and held other important offices. After his departure he was sent as a representative to the General Court of Massachusetts, from Northampton; and afterwards removing to Hadley, he repre- sented that town in the General Court.
The first grant to him by the General Court in 1653, Capt. Cook conveyed to Simon Wolcott, being "land given him by General Court 8th Sept. 1653 & confirmed 1661, at Massaco 50 acres, next the falls". This deed is dated at Northampton, 1661.
In 1653, when this first Grant in Massaco was made by the General Court, a new Committee was appointed. "It is desired, that Mr. Wollcott & Mr. Clarke should dispose of the remainder of the Ground at Massacoe to the inhabitants of Wyndsor, as they judg convenient, and to order the laying out of the former grants."
This Committee made a number of grants to Windsor men, but they were not immediately occupied. In January 1660, they made a grant to John Moses at the foot of the mountain at Wetaug, opposite to the present residence of Henry W. Ensign, Esq., where in 1666, he had built a house, and was residing.
The same year (1660) they made grants to Josiah Hull, Nathan Gillet and Daniel Clark, and perhaps some others, at Wetaug, near John Moses; and at Hopmeadow, to Luke Hill, John Owen, Joseph Parsons and Jonathan Gillet. Only a part of these grantees were settled on their lands.
Notwithstanding the aforementioned grants, and perhaps some others, as yet unlocated, no permanent settlement, except Capt. Cook's, was made till about 1664.
In 1663, as beforementioned, the General Court made a grant to John Griffen, of 200 acres, north of the falls "between Massaco and Waranoke", in consideration that "he had made it appear to the Court that he was the first to perfect the art of making pitch and tarre in these parts". This Grant, with another subsequently made by the town in 1672, of about one and a half mile square, partly in consideration his "resigning" his Indian Deeds to the proprietors of the town, constituted what was
3I
Col. Rec. Vol. I P. 247
known as "Griffin's Lordship". It lay Northerly from the Falls, and is thus described.
"Sergt John Griffin's Grant"-"Homestead". "At a towne (meeting) of the Inhabitants of Simsbury, April 2nd, 1672, the Bounds off Goodman Griffin's Homestead which was voted granted and given to him by the Town of Simsbury; to beginn on the Northeast syde of the pickrell cove, and so to Runne by the Brow of the vpland a mil and an half Northerly, and then turn the squar, and runne to the foote of the Mountains easterly, and then to runne along by the foot of ye Mountains to the riulett &c, the sayd land (it is to be understood) that he has the land that was formerly granted, which was, to have the Island and pickerill cove to the North bounds of Sam1 Phenps and Georg Griswold. There is also given Goodman Griffen twelve acres of land upon the first main Branch of Samon Brooke, westward on the North syd of Barndoor Hils. Also a Marsh on the North syd of the Mountains next to Mr. Simon Willcott's Marsh."
John Griffin is supposed to have been the first permanent settler. In a Deed bearing date in 1664, he is represented as "of Massaco," whence it would appear that, at that time, he had become a settled inhabitant. He probably removed to Massaco shortly after the grant of land was made to him by the General Court in 1663. His house was about a mile north of the present Tariffville bridge, near the fork of the road to Granby and East Granby.
Col. Rec. Vol. I P. 376
But the settlement at Wetaug seems likewise to have com- menced about this time. In 1662, the General Court established the limits of Farmington "to extend to ye mouth of ye brook at Nod Meadow at northerne end towards Massaco, and there to be ye devident bounds, twixt that plantation and their neigh- bours at Massaco, and there to run east and west, to divide twixt both parties."
Ib. P. 397
Col. Rec. Vol. II P. 20
In 1663 the General Court "appointed Capt. Nubery, Edward Griswold, and John Moore to be as a Committee, and hereby they are impowered to lay out all those lands that are yet vndevided at Mussaco, to such inhabitants, in Windsor as desire and need it", and in 1665 "Simon Wolcott was added to
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Sims. Rec. B. I. P. 53
this Committee at Windsor, for the dispose of Massaco lands."
And now the fullness of time had come. The tidal wave could be no longer stayed. The spirit of emigration was aroused. Windsor men had begun to talk of moving to the beautiful meadows of Massaco. Some had already gone. Thomas Maskell had built a house on the east side of the river, at Terry's Plain near Capt. Cook's, and John Moses, and perhaps others at Wetaug. The Committee commenced work in earnest.
"Feb. 22. '66"-say they-"Deacon Moore, Simmon Wil- cott and myselfe (Capt. Newbery) went up to Massaco, and we measured out ye upland that lyes from ye Bounds of my upland to ye brook called Bissell's Brook their several lots to the following named persons:
At 'Newbury's (now Westovers Plain)' (Hoskins Station) Symon Wilcot. Jnº More. Edward Griswold.
Deacon Moore. The Bissells. Widow Bancroft."
This last was four acres on the South side of Bissel's Brook. At Wetaug.
"We measured the upland By John Moses his house and Mikls Humphrys, & leaving a sufficient highway by the Moun- taine syde to go down to Tho: Maskills. They also measured out their several allotments to Mr. Rose, Mike Humphries, John Moses, Sam1 Marshall, Joseph Phelps." Here it will be observed, the original Wetaug was on the east side of the river.
"Dec. 13th 1666. The Tearms on which the land at Masako is now given, are as follows: they are to goe up and make em- provement of their Land, by plowing and mowing, within the space of two years after their grants are confirmed to them to build habitions fence as need requires.
2nd. They are to live upon their Lands three years before they have liberty to sell their lands; and whoever deserts it before shall have no power to sele any of their lands onely they were to have equitabl consideration alowed them for their ex-
Committee Records Sims. Rec. B. I. P. 84
Sims. Rec. B. 1 P. 84
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pences about Building, Fencing, as two Indifernt men shall judge meet.
3rdly. Every man shall alow (a) highway through their ground as shall be judged mett, either by the Committee yt now is, or by some other that shall be appoynted to order the prudentials of the Towne."
Col. Rec. B. 2 P. 73
It is evident that a considerable settlement had already commenced, from the fact that in 1667, the General Court passed an Order "requiring the Towne of Windsor to meet on Munday next, at ye meeting house, by sunn an hower high in the morning, and all the freemen and householders within the limits of the sayd towne and Massacoe, are to bring in their votes to Mr. Henry Woolcott; those that would have Mr. Chancy to be the settle minister for Windsor are to bring in a paper to Mr. Woolcott, a paper with some writing on it; those that are against his continuance, are to bring a white paper to Mr. Woolcott."
Octobr the 5th '68.
The Committee continue their record as follows:
Sims. Rec. B. I. P. 84
"The men yt had land granted them at Masaco, by the present Committee, mett at the house of John Moore Junior and agreed that by the first of May next they wil sett up ye Fence sufficient, or forfeit their lands, and ech man failing pay five pounds to the rest of the company.
"The names of those that now appear to tak up land to Masaco, upon the tearmes before exprest, are as followeth : Jacob Gibbs Tho. Barber Joseph Skinn™
John Drake
Peter Buell John Pettibon
Tho. Dibl Jun™
Jno. Brooks
John Denslow
Egnez' Dib1 James Hillyr
Anthony Hoskins
John More June John Gillit
Joshua Holcomb
James Egglston
Sam1 Willock
Benjah Holcomb
Timothy Hail
Sam1 Filly Simon Mils
Sam1 Pinny John Case
A Lott for ye
Timo. Palmer John Filly Minister."
"April 29th '67. They drew their Lots and were to begin at ye uper end of Nod Meadow, and so to go downward."
They were distributed nearly as follows:
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1
Sims. Rec. Red Book P. 85
At Nod Meadow-"Over against Wetaug". John Gillet John Case
Samuel Wilcoxsun John Pettibon
"At lower end of Nod Meadow, left about an eleven acres or 12 as part of a Minister's Lott." 1348165
At Hazel Meadow-
Jno Gillet, "Lot at the North end, 38 rod."
"Then we went to Hopp Brook and laid out Jno Barber a lot above Joseph Skinner, and was next him on the North side 50 rod, on the south syd 39 rodd, ye breadth 20, &c, and then a house lot for Jnº Barber in front 16 rods, in depth 39."
At the same time the Committee laid out the Meadow lots at Hopmeadow, between the street and the river, to the fol- lowing named persons, and likewise measured out to them their several house lots, on the highway, beginning at the South:
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