USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > Meriden > An historic record and pictorial description of the town of Meriden, Connecticut and men who have made it > Part 24
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Some facts relating to this case have come to the attention of the writer, and they are sufficiently interesting to be given to the public. It is best to give the names as they appear in the records, because no descendant can possibly object to such a course. It is no disgrace to have had as an ancestor one who was sus- pected of witchcraft. Three reasons present themselves as probable causes of suspected cases of witchcraft. Sometimes it was the unconscious homage which stupidity paid to superior ability, in other cases, the unfortunate martyr was simply a victim of a conjunction of circumstantial evidence, and, again, the results were brought about by the devious and tortuous workings of unprincipled and malicious persons. The unhappy family, which was the center of the witchcraft excitement in Wallingford, was thoroughly respectable, and we can only conjecture as to why it was the victim of this morbid superstition.
However, the witchcraft trials of Connecticut did not result in such tragedies as those of Massachusetts, which culminated in the horrors of Salem in 1692. A list of trials and executions in Connecticut can be found in Orcutt's History of Stratford and Bridgeport, p. 156. New Haven County seems to have escaped with- out one of these legal murders.
Among the first planters of Wallingford in 1670 was Joseph Benham, son of John Benham, an immigrant at Dorchester, Mass., in 1630. John was undoubt- edly the ancestor of all the Benhams in this part of the country. Joseph married in 1657 Winifred King, of Boston, and when the homestead lots were assigned in Wallingford in 1670 he received one a little below what is now Center street, on
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the east side of Main street. We know little about Joseph in his relations to his neighbors and townsmen until 1691. He seems then to have had some disagree- ment with the selectmen which caused him so far to forget himself that he was guilty of some rather strong expressions regarding the fitness of these gentlemen for their official positions. In those days, speaking lightly of dignitaries was not permitted ; in fact, our present free and easy manner of criticizing the acts of our public servants would have been looked on with horror and as something not to be tolerated. At the County court held in New Haven June 15, 1691, Joseph Benham was presented for trial. It is better to. let the records tell the story in their own quaint phraseology : ,
"Joseph Benham of Wallingford presented for speaking words in Reproach agt ye townsmen (selectmen) of Wallingford vizt that they were noe more fit for townsmen than Doggs wch was upon ye last tuesday in Aprill and was now proved agt him in Court by 3 witnesses & ye substance of ye accusacon confest by himself for wch he was fined to pay 5s into ye County treasury before ye Ist of Nov. next for his soe traducing & vilifying sd townsmen."
We are not enlightened by the records as to why Joseph so far forgot himself as to make possible so serious a charge and punishment. He may have been a man of violent temper, or he may have been provoked beyond endurance by the acts and gossip of his neighbors and subsequent investigations by the "townsmen." It is somewhat difficult to-day to realize the condition under which our ancestors lived in these early Puritan days. To us now it would be intolerable. The or- ganization of each community was aptly described by the old Puritan gibe, "The world belongs to the saints, and we are the saints," and woe betide the poor un- fortunate who had fallen under the ban of his fellow church members.
"Considerations of the methods of interpreting Scripture and of theological theories which were in credit will suggest explanations of the morbid vigilance" exercised by every church association. "In those days New England men meant as they professed. Their convictions, covering the whole length and breadth of their creeds, laid a wide basis for imagination and emotion." Every one felt at liberty to spy upon the acts of his neighbor, and that this was thoroughly done no one will doubt who has made an examination of early church records. What to-day is considered the act of a scandalmonger and busybody was then felt to be the part of a conscientious man's duty. It can easily be imagined that life in such a community was not pleasant. They were a sturdy lot, and thoroughly lived up to their lights.
The next appearance of Joseph and his family was under decidedly distress- ing circumstances. Of course, we cannot tell whether this situation was the re- sult of underhanded work of malicious persons, or simply an explosion of the
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pent-up emotions and morbid imaginations of persons sincerely believing what they reported. Let us again turn to the records :
"At a meeting of ye authority of New Haven, 25th of July, 1692.
Joseph Benham of Wallingford appeared according to summons before ye Authority this day And being Examined upon Complaint and evidence being brought agt him that he had lately threatened to charge his gun with two Bullets & shoot Goody Parker if she come into his house about such matters or things upon wch examination he ye sd Benham Confest ye sª threatning words in pt being as he sª provoked by ye sd Parkers casting some refleccons (in her speech) about witchcraft upon his wife yet not intending mischiefe to sd Parker & blaming him- self for his passion & such threatning expressions. The authority having con- sidered ye case & finding (besides his pt Confession) ye sd threatning was clearly proved by 2 witnesses vizt Sarah How Senr & Abigaile Atwater did order ye sª Joseph Benham to acknowledge him selfe & his estate bound in a Recognizance of 50s to ye County treasury that he shall keepe ye kings peace towards all theire Magties Subjects Especially ye sª Joseph Parker & Hannah his wife & theire fam- ily. And his sª Recognizance to stand good agt him untill November County Court next and then he to appeare for his Release as ye Court shall see Cause & in ye meane tyme to pay just fees for ye psecution."
Evidently Josephi did not relish the conscientious motives of his neighbors in seeking to show that his wife was in league with the devil and guilty of the mon- strous crime of witchcraft. Conscious of her innocence and resenting this pry- ing into his domestic affairs, we can easily understand the wrath of the outraged husband and his desire to plant two bullets in the body of the over-anxious Goody Parker. This Joseph Parker (whose wife was Hannah Gilbert) was a son of William Parker, of Saybrook, ancestor of all the Parkers in this vicinity.
But the gossip regarding Winifred Benham had now grown to the proportion of a great scandal, and was the subject of anxious solicitude to Rev. Mr. Street, pastor of the Wallingford church, who, no doubt, was greatly disturbed to think the devil had gained possession of the body and soul of one of his flock. At this same court, viz. 25 July, 1692 :
"The Revd Mr. Street appeared before Authority & he & Mrs. Street, Deacon Hall & Goody Parker menconed many pcular things as grounds of suspicion of Witch Craft reflecting upon Goody Winifred Benham then alsoe psent whereupon the Authority desired and advised Mr. Street and others of Wallingford consernd to considr of ye matter being weighty & to prpare such evidences as could be come at for ye further discovery & conviction of ye p'ty suspected if guilt or clearing if Innocent & ye sª suspected prson being a member of theire church twas left wth
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Mr. Street yt he & ye church should consider wt did or might belong to them hop- ing God wold direct ym on theire seeking Councill from him or wrds to yt purpose & soe ye matter was dismist & left till next County Court."
Doubtless the time until the November session of the court was anxiously spent by the Benham family. The whole of New England was stirred up by the ter- rible tragedies taking place at Salem and other towns. It was fortunate for Win- ifred Benham that the trial was postponed until November, for by that time a great revulsion of feeling had occurred, and ministers and magistrates were re- penting bitterly the awful horrors enacted in Massachusetts. Poor Winifred was on hand in New Haven in November, and the record is as follows :
"A County Court held at New Haven the 2ª Wednesday in Nov 1692
Present Robt Treat Esq. Gov. Wm Jones Esq. Dep. Gov. Andrew Leet Assist. Capt. Moses Mansfield Mr. Thomas Trowbridge County Com"
"Winifred Benham of Wallingford being sumoned to appeare at this Court for examinacon upon suspicon of Witch Craft was now present. And ye witt- nesses were called to testify what they had to say in the case & accordingly gave in theire testimonyes in writing wch were Redd in ye hearing of the sd Winifred. And she being called to say what she had to say for her selfe her generall Answer was that she knew nothing of ye matters testified and was not concerned therein. She alsoe gave in some testimonies for her selfe wch were Redd.
"The Court having heard & considered all ye evidences agt ye sd Winifred Benham and not finding sufficient grounds of conviccon for further prosecution (at present) of ye sd Winifred Doe therefore at this tyme dismiss ye buissnes yet advising the sd Winifred Benham solemnly to Reflect upon ye case and grounds of suspicon given in and alledged agt her. And told her if further grounds of suspicon of witchcraft or further evidences shold appeare agt her by Reason of mischiefe don to ye bodyes or estate of any preternall acts prvd agt her she might justly feare and exspect to be brought to her tryall for it."
Presumably Joseph & Winifred breathed more freely on their return journey as they thought of the peril she had escaped. But her life in Wallingford could not have been pleasant thereafter. Her neighbors looked at her askance, and every act and word must have been scanned and twisted to suit the desires of those who sincerely believed she spent her nights riding on a broomstick in com- pany with the devil. They had a daughter, Winifred, who must have shared much of the unhappiness of her mother's life. This strained situation continued for five years with no outbreak.
At last human nature can stand it no longer. Her neighbors are convinced that all their misfortunes are due to Winifred's intimacy with his satanic majesty. And poor little Winifred, only thirteen years old, is now believed to ride tandem 17
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on the broomstick with her mother in her nightly peregrinations with the devil. Just try to fancy what a life this poor child must have led! On Aug. 31, 1697, all her neighbors are again in New Haven, determined that Winifred and her daugh- ter shall surely pay the just penalty of their monstrous crimes and persecutions.
"A special County Court by order of the Govr held at New Haven the 3Ist of Augt 1697.
Present Robt. Treat Esqr Govr Wm Jones Esq. D. Govr Major Moses Mansfield Assist.
"Complaint being made to the Authority by Ebenezer Clark Joseph Royse & John Moss Junr all of Wallingford agt Winifred Benham Senr & Winifred Ben- ham Junr her daughter that Sarah Clark daughter of Ebenezer Clark, Elizabeth Lathrop and John Moss son of ye sd John Moss Junr were frequently and sorely afflicted in theire bodys by ye sd Benhams, mother & daughter or theire Appar- icon and as they strongly suspect by theire means or procurance by ye Devil in theire shapes. And therefore desire ye Authority as Gods Ordinance for theire reliefe strictly to examine ye sd suspected persons. In order to a due tryall of them yt a stop may be put to theire sufferings ; prevention of such mischeifes among them for the future.
"The Court having seriously considered the Accusations & Informations on good testimony given agt Winifred Benham Senr & Winifred Benham Junr upon suspicon of them for witchcraft, they or the devill in theire shapes afflicting sundry young persons above named. As formerly accused & suspected in ye yeare 1692. And finding clere & Sufficient ground of suspicon agt them after strict examina- tion of ye sd persons apart & severally see just cause to bind over the said Ben- hams mother & daughter to appeare at ye next Court of Assts in October next at Hartford in ordr to theire further examinacon & tryall personally. And the hus- band of sd Winifred Senr gave 40% Recognizance for theire appearance accord- ingly or that they be secured in person for theire sd tryall. And sd Benham to pay ye charge of this County Court, Charges 21s exemn granted for sd 21 shillings.
Also ye Death of sd young child to be inquired into wth wt ap- peared of spotts on sd child and ye like spots on sd Benham quickly vanishing."
What transpired between the date of this Court and that in Hartford we do not know; but mother and daughter were quickly released when the case came to trial, as appears by the following extract from records in the office of Secretary of State in Hartford:
"Att a Court of Assistants Held at Hartford October 7th 1697 Capt Dan11 Clark also at this (Court) as attorney in behafe of our Soveraign Lord the King appeared in Court and accused Winifred Benham Sent and Winifred Benham Junr
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both of Wallingford for having familiarity with Sathan the enemy of God and mankind and by his aid doing many preternatural acts by mischievously hurting the bodies and Goods of Sundry persons vizt of Jno Mosse Junr Joseph Roys and Ebenezer Clark with Divers others to the Great Damage and disturbance of the Public peace, &c. This bill of charge with the testimonies Relating thereunto being referred to the consideration of the Grand jury they Returned upon the bill Ignoramus." That is "not proven."
Fortunately, a more enlightened feeling had grown up in the colony, and for this reason mother and daughter were henceforth not publicly persecuted, but doubtless the memory of these terrible experiences never forsook them. From the late Dr. Charles J. Hoadley, state librarian, the writer had the assurance that this was the last witchcraft trial in Connecticut.
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CHAPTER XVI.
MERIDEN AND WALLINGFORD IN THE WARS.
KING PHILIP'S WAR.
Wallingford's share in The Indian War of 1675-6, commonly called King Philip's, was doubtless thrilling to the inhabitants even though it was not suffi- ciently stirring to gain a notice on the records of the colony. The actual war be- gan in an attack by the Indians on the town of Swansea in Massachusetts, just west of Fall River, on June 20, 1675. Troops were immediately raised in Bos- ton and Plymouth and sent against the Indians, and Deputy Governor Leete of Connecticut sent men to Stonington to defend that part of the country.
As towns were sacked, inhabitants butchered, and disasters multiplied, the alarm through the New England colonies soon became general. How intense the feeling was may be gathered from the following statement in Trumbull's His- tory of Connecticut :
"As the Indians had lived promiscuously with the English in all parts of the country, they were generally as well acquainted with their dwellings, fields and places of worship as themselves. They were perfectly acquainted with the roads, times and places of resort. They were at hand to watch all their motions, to at- tack them at every difficult pass and in every unguarded moment. Except some of the thickest settlements and the center of the towns, the country was a vast wilderness. This enabled the enemy, not only in small skulking parties, but in great bodies, to make their approaches undiscovered, almost to the very midst of them: and under cover of the night to creep into their barns, gardens and out- houses, to conceal themselves behind their fences, and lie in wait for them on the roads and in their fields. Sometimes they concealed themselves before their very doors. No sooner did they open them in the morning than they were instantly shot dead. While the English were hunting them in one place they would be slaying the inhabitants and plundering and burning in another."
Although the towns in Connecticut did not suffer from attacks owing to the friendly attitude of the Indians of this colony there was no telling how soon the wily King Philip would win them over by his arts and blandishments, and the towns of Connecticut knew not how soon the hurricane that had broken loose in Massachusetts would sweep into this vicinity.
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The gathering storm looked ominous to the people of Wallingford and on August 27, 1675, they met in town meeting and passed the following votes :
"In respect of the present danger of the Indians it was ordered that ye in- habitants secure themselves and the principall of theyre goods by fortifying about two houses wch houses are to be Mr Samuel Streets and Lieutenant Merrimans & that this work of fortifying be set upon the 28th August by ye whole town, & followed until it be effected & whosoever fails, to pay a fine of 5 shillings."
"Also that every man bring his armes & ammunition compleate upon the Sab- oth day yt he may be able in a fitt posture to do service if need require."
"That ye select guard serve as sentinells on ye Sabath and ye rest of the town ward 4 men every Sabbath and 2 every weeke day & be warned by order from ye Constable by ye watch & called & yt they begin to ward when the watch breaks up and hold on till ye watch be sett again: yt they begin and end at ye dawning and shutting in of ye day : and yt both watch & ward come to ye constable and yt theire arms may be viewed if they be according to law : this untill further order, provided notwithstanding ye select guard is not hereby freed from warding on ye weeke days : it is alsoe ordered yt ye drum beat at ye setting and breaking up of ye watch."
Sept. 23, 1675 "It was ordered yt ye day workers for ye cutting of Brush be performed ye next Monday & Tuesday being ye 27th & 28th instants & ye Drum to beat in ye morning & ye persons to work meet at Eleazur Peck's house & so dis- tribute 4 parts to work at ye view part of ye town & ye other 3 persons towards ye lower end of the town & that is about ye South."
"Sept 28 1675 It was ordered & agreed hoping it may be no offence to ye Hon- orable Council that as in other towns they have abated of ye number appointed for warding considering ye necessities of occasions and inability to hold to ward on 4 qurts of ye towne every day ; we also have presumed to make some abatement for ye present until more danger appears or our superiors see cause to reduce us to our former injunction."
"Oct 5 1675 It was ordered yt those persons yt live at that end of ye towne where Mr Moss liveth viz Mr Moss Mr Brocket Sergt Doolittle John Beach Sr Eliasaph Preston Wm Ebnatha, if they see cause to fortify any of their houses which they can agree upon for their safety in their time of danger what their first charge is shall be defrayed out of ye town treasury : alsoe yt any that are willing to be assistant to make flankers at Lieut. Merriman's barne shall have due recom- pence out of ye town treasury."
"Dec 4 1675 Ye towne consented to be at ye charge of fortifying one house at ye lower end of ye towne where Sergt Doolittle liveth."
"Mar 4 1675-6 these persons were allowed to belong to ye lower garrison Mr. Moss Eliasaph Preston Wm Ebnatha John Peck Jeremiah How Saml Brockett Jabez Brocket Insign Doolittle John Beach."
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"Mar 4 1675-6 Mr Moss Lieut Merriman & Benj. Lewis chosen a committee to see to the fortifications yt they be made sufficient according to ye true intent of ye councils order Mar 3 1675-6."
During the latter part of 1676 all danger from the Indian insurrection being deemed at an end, on "Oct 4th it was agreed yt all ye labor that has been bestowed upon fortifications shall be waved & no account be made about them."
The back of King Philip's insurrection was broken by the terrible fight which took place in what is now South Kingston, R. I., Dec. 19, 1675. It was called the Swamp Fort fight because the Idians had erected a fortification or palisaded fort on some solid ground surrounded on all sides by a horrible swamp. No battle with the Indians fought in New England can compare with it for fierceness and bloodshed except the terrible slaughter of the Pequot Indians in 1637. In this Swamp Fort fight the power of the Indians was completely shattered in that part of the country. Eighty Connecticut men were killed and wounded in this battle, one Wallingford man, Nathaniel Merriman, Jr., apparently being among the num- ber of those slain. Nathaniel Merriman, Sr., was made Captain of Dragoons for New Haven county on Nov. 1, 1675, at a meeting of the Governor and Council, and was probably engaged in this fight, judging by the votes of the town of Walling- ford at a later date.
On Jan. 26, 1684-5, "the town showing their respect to those that were em- ployed in the countrys service in the war do grant unto Lieut Merriman 10 acres and to the brothers of Nathaniel Merriman that was slain at the fort fight 10 acres : as to the rest of them 5 acres apiece which they are to take up together in some place viewed by the townsmen that may not be predudicial to the town, highways and other grants excepted."
Feb. 14, 1686, "the town granted to Lieut. Merriman 8 acres of his soldiers land joining to a swamp.
The town voted that John Moss, Jr., should have his 5 acres of soldiers' land in the common field."
April 9, 1688, "town granted Jabez Brocket 5 acres of land for his services in the war joining to his father's 40 acres."
Nov. 16, 1687 "town granted Samuel Brocket 5 acres of land for his service in the war joining to his swamp land."
Dec. 27, 1687, "town gave Joseph Benham, Jr., 5 acres of land for his service in the war joining to his 20 acres on the east side." "Also John Doolittle for his service in the war 5 acres at a place called Jonathan Meadow."
April 9, 1688, "town granted Roger Tyler 5 acres of soldier land."
Samuel Hough (father of James Hough who established Hough's, now known as Baldwin's Mill in the northeastern part of Meriden), was also a soldier in King Philip's war. In his will dated in 1714 he mentions his soldiers land in the Nar-
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ragansett country, and in Bodge's "Soldiers in King Philip's War," his name oc- curs among the volunteers (No. 135)1 who were granted land in Narragansett Township by Connecticut in 1701 as a reward or pension for services in the war. At the time of his enlistment he lived in Norwich and did not remove to Wal- lingford until about 1680.
From the foregoing notes the roll of honor of Wallingford men engaged in King Philip's War is made up of the following names :
Joseph Benham, Jr.
Lieut. Nathaniel Merriman, Nathaniel Merriman, Jr., John Doolittle,
John Moss, Jr.,
Roger Tyler,
Jabez Brocket
Samuel Hough
Samuel Brocket
LOUISBURG EXPEDITION.
In the early spring of 1745 the New England colonies sent out the troops on the Cape Breton expedition that resulted in the capture of the strong French cita- del or fortress of Louisburg and filled all the colonies with joy and exultation, and surprised the military authorities of England. The names of a few Wallingford men have been preserved who took part in the expedition. One was Nathaniel Beetle who lived in the first society and was appointed at the February session of the General Assembly, "Lieutenant of a company in the regiment of foot to be raised and sent from this government on the expedition against his Majesty's ene- mies at Cape Breton." Another was Samuel Royce, of Meriden parish, son ot Deacon Ezekiel Royce. At the October session of the General Assembly appears the following: "Memorial of Capt. Ezekiel Royce of Wallingford praying this assembly to grant to him the sum of £26-11-3 money old tenor to be paid out of the publick treasury of this colony for that he expended the same sum on his son Samuel Royce lately arrived from Cape Breton to New London sick & there dyed a soldier in the service of this colony." The petition was granted.
On the Wallingford record of vital statistics appears the following :
"Men of Wallingford who died in Cape Breton.
Elihu Yale Dec 31 1745 Jesse Dutton Feb 4 1745-6 Thomas Hitchcock Feby 3 1745-6 Ebenezer Culver Feb 6 1745-6 Nathaniel How Feb 27 1745-6
Samuel Mott Mar 5 1745-6
Thomas Holt Feb 27 1745-6
Diodate Jones Mar 18 1745-6
Eleasaph Munson Feb I 1745-6
1 p. 444.
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FRENCH AND INDIAN WARS.
During the series of campaigns beginning in 1755 and ending in 1762, com- monly known as the French and Indian Wars, Wallingford seems to have been represented, although to what extent it is impossible to state.
A number of muster and pay rolls, which narrowly escaped the junk dealer and destruction, have been printed in Volumes IX. and X. of the Connecticut His- torical Society collections.
These rolls, although of course very incomplete, and a few entries on the Wal- lingford death records, furnish all the information we have relating to the partici- pation of men in this vicinity, in these very important wars, which sealed the des- tiny of this continent so far as the influence of France was concerned, for at the close of this struggle it was settled, once and for all, that the English speaking races were to be the masters from the Atlantic to the Pacific.
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