USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Glastonbury > Glastenbury for two hundred years: a centennial discourse, May 18th 1853 > Part 5
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It was during the ministry of Mr. Woodbridge that Glas- tenbury became a Town. Wethersfield had been enlarged in 1673, by the purchase of Eastbury, permission having been given by the General Court to do it, and a very large share remaining unappropriated. In 1667, permission had been given to Thomas Harris to build a saw-mill beyond the three mile' lots, and to have forty acres of land for the conven- ience of timber and the like. 'This grant having been con- veyed to Joseph Bull and John Bidwell, Jr., the Gen. Court in 1669, added two hundred acres more to the grant from the same territory. In 1668, the Gen. Court confirmed to Mr. Willis a hundred acres of land which he bought of Robert Boltwood, to whom it was given by an Indian named RECHAUN, and the year following, (1669,) the court granted to Mr. Josiah Williard 100 acres of land to be laid out at ASSAWASSUC. In 1670, the Court extended Mr. Willis' land a mile further east; and all the other lots twenty rods east, as compensation for six rods in width to be taken for a pub- lic highway from Hartford to Middletown. TARRUMUGGAS had also sold or given to Thomas Edwards two hundred acres of land ; which it is believed were the only grants in Eastbury, previous to its purchase by the Town .;
The settlements on this side of the river, which were com-
* Coffin's Newb. 358. Gen Reg. January, 1853. Trumb. H. C. 492. Good. F. G. xx. Port. Hart. 23, 24. Sprague's His. Dis. Springfield, 26, 27, 53, 54. + T. C. R. II. 78, 91, 97, 111, 124, 133, 144, 155, 171. 187. Conn. S. P. T. and L. VI. 39.
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menced previously to 1650, and numbered several household- ers before 1653, proceeded slowly until the close of the In- dian war of 1675-6, when they received an impulse that appears to have caused them to increase with rapidity, so that, before 1690, there were between thirty and forty house- holders here. In 1689, these petitioned the Town for per- mission to be set off as a distinct Town, as appears from the following vote.
INCORPORATION OF GLASTENBURY.
Vote of Wethersfield.
" At a Town meeting held at Wethersfield, Dec. 26, 1689, it was voted and agreed as follows, viz. [the original orthography not copied.]
" That whereas our neighbors on ye E. side of the Great River desire to be discharged from bearing their part of the charge of Public Worship here in order to the setting up of the same amongst them-this Town having con- sidered the same, do see cause so far to grant their request, as to declare, that in case the General Court, (on their application to them [it] on sd ace.) shall see cause to grant them on the East side of the Great River-all the lands now belonging to our Town on that sd of the River, to be a township,- and the inhabitants there shall relinquish all their common rights on this West side of the Great River as inhabitants here, reserving each man's particular right here, and each person with us reserving his particular right there on the sd East side ; and also that the sd inhabitants shall continue part of this township, and shall contribute their proportion to all publick charges with us til such time as they shall have an allowed minister settled among them ; then, for their comfort and convenience we are contented to consent to their request that they may be a township."*
PETITION TO THE GENERAL COURT.
As preparatory to petitioning the General Court for an Act of incorporation, the following document was prepared and signed, to be laid before that body.
" February : 13 : 1690. Att a metting of the inhabitanus one the east sid of the grat Revuer blonging to weatheresfild it was agred that the maetting hous shold stand uppon John hubbords land one Samuell Smith his plaine [or what is now the Green] the a boue said Samuel Smith and John hubbord doe ingage to giue land conuenentt for metting hous as witiuis ours hands.
* W. R. T. V. 106.
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epherime goodridg,
Richard Smith,
Joseph Smith,
John holister,
John harinton,
Jonathan Smith,
Thomas bruer,
Samuel hall Jr., (Hale)
ebnezer hall, (Hale)
John Strickland,
Samuel Smith, John hubbord,
John hall, (Hale)
william hous,
Joseph hills, John Kilbornn,
samuell hall, sen'r, (Hale)
Samuel welles,
patrack stearne,
Thomas hall, (Hale)
Richard Treatt, sener,
Richard Treat, Jr.
Thomas Treatt,
william wickham,
This is true copi of the couenent mad february the 13, 1690. Substract- ed out of the originall may the 4, 1692."*
CHANGES FROM 1690 TO 1693.
This list does not include all the householders then living on this side of the river. At the final perfecting of the act of incorporation, by the building of a meeting house, in 1693, the names of John Harrington, Ebenezer Hale, Richard Treat, Sen'r and Jr., with Richard Smith, disappear; Samuel Hall ceases to be Jr. on account of the death of his father, and we have besides, Jonathan and Benjamin Hale, Deac. Thomas Hollister, Joseph Hollister, Sen'r and Jr., Benjamin Smith, Thomas Loveland, Joseph Bidwell, Richard Fox, Nathaniel Talcott, Deac. Benjamin Talcott, Thomas Kim- berly, Daniel Wright, David Hollister, Edward Benton, Samuel Miller, Samuel Gaines, and Ephraim Hollister. The number of householders in 1693, must have been about thirty-four. These having petitioned the General Court in the May following, obtained an
ACT OF INCORPORATION, in the following curious terms.
" At a General Court held at Hartford, May 8th, 1690 ;-
Whereas the inhabitants of the Town of Wethersfield, on the East side of Connecticut river, by the consent of the inhabitants of said Town did peti- tion this Court that they may be a township of themselves on the East side of Connecticut river, and may have liberty to provide a minister for themselves, which the Town haue granted to their neighbours on the East side. This Court see reason to grant their petition, but advise them to be cautious how
* G. Rec. I. 1.
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they improve it, and that they shall pay their fair proportion to all public charges to said Wethersfield, till they have a good orthodox minister settled among them there on the East side of Connecticut river in Wethersfield." JOHN ALLYN,
Secretary."
REV. TIMOTHY STEVENS, 1693-1726.
The first organization under this act, took place July 28th, 1692, when a call was given to Rev. Timothy Stevens to settle among them in the work of the Gospel ministry, at £60 a year. The call was accepted by Mr. Stevens, who had been preaching some months previously in " Glassin- bury" as he was accustomed to write the name. No records of his ministry are known to exist, nor are the traditions of the man as distinct and vivid as might have been expected. He seems, however, to have been a quiet, discreet, peace lov- ing man, faithful in his office, but not specially energetic in those departments not immediately connected with his pro- fession. The following account of the salary paid him, and the manner in which it was paid, gathered out of the Town Records, affords convincing evidence of his conciliatory dis- position. It certainly required no little equanimity of mind and spirit, not be disturbed when, as 1715, the town charged him two shillings a bushel more for wheat paid on his salary, than they allowed for it on taxes ; and one shilling a bushel more for corn and rye. The records, however, furnish no account of complaint or remonstrance on his part. He seems to have permitted his people to pay him what, and when, and as they pleased. Nor does he seem to have suffered in the end, by so doing, if we may judge from the extent of his property and possession. The parsonage, so called, near the meeting-house, with several acres of land in the vicinity,-a considerable tract on the meadows,-four hundred acres at Red Hill, and one hundred and fifty acres adjoining Middle- town bounds,-and one hundred acres at Diamond Pond, was the list of his real estate.
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SALARY OF REV. TIMOTHY STEVENS.
Year.
Salary, £.
Wood loads.
Wheat at,
Rye at,
Corn at,
1692, £60
"Current money." If he remains, " will give him a good home lot, build him a suitable house, and give him five acres of meadow land." Also " one hundred and fifty acres of undivided land." Given also by John Hollister two acres Rockie Hill meadow.
Mr. Treat, two acres of meadow adjoining.
Ephraim Goodrich, one acre of meadow. Joseph Hill one acre of meadow.
Jonathan Smith half of an acre of meadow.
John Hubbard an acre.
Samuel Smith part of an orchard, or two acres. of meadow.
Thomas Hale, £5 current pay.
William Wickham, £5 current pay.
Thomas Brewer, 40 shillings current pay.
Town voted to add £10 per annum to the sala- ry of Mr. S. after five years.
1694,
1696,
" Every man that hath a team shall bring Mr. S. two loads of wood annually."
"John Kilborn and Tho. Hale Sen'r to supply Mr. S. with wood, and to be allowed £7, 10s."
1704,
60
4
3
2s 6d
1707,
" Those who have teams, to bring wood ; those who have not, to cut."
170S,
1711,
100
1712,
100
4
3
2s 6d
Wood the same as last year.
1713,
Wood as last year except allowing only 2s a load.
1714,
100
6
4
3
1715,
100
6
4
3
1716,
100
6
4
3
1717,
100
6
4
3
" Those that cannot pay grain at sd price, shall pay the whole in money without abatement of one third."
1718,
90
6
4
3
1719,
80
6
4
3
1720,
90
6
4
3
1721,
80
6
4
3
"To be in speciæs as was agreed last year."
1722,
90
6
4
3
1723,
90
6
4
3
1724,
90
7
5
4
1725,1
90
7
5
4
" In lieu of £70 formerly agreed upon." Towne " rate to be paid in Bills of credit, silver money or W. 4s, R. 3s, and C. 2s, per bushel."
" Wood 2s this year, 2s, 6d next."
" Wood to be brought as usual, select men to view it."
" Those who cannot pay grain to pay money." On Town rate this year. " W. 5s, R. 3s, 6d, I. C. half a crown."
" To be paid in the speciæ at the prices of last year."
" Those that don't pay grain to pay mion- ey."
" Grain or money."
" Grain at these prices to be rec'd by Town." " As agreed last year."
1693,
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Town to build Mr. S. "a girt dwelling-house 40 feet by 20, with a good stack of chimneys,- Mr. S. finding nails and glass."
.
1698,
" Men who do not comply with the above to pay 2s, 6d, for a man, and 5s for a team." At 2s, 6d, a load, those who fail, fined 3s.
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Rev. TIMOTHY STEVENS, was son of Timothy S. of Rox- bury, Mass .- was graduated at Harvard, 1687, commenced preaching in Glastenbury, April 17th, 1692, old style, (April 27th, new style)-called to settle in July of the same year, and ordained as soon after, as the completion of the meeting house would allow, that is, in October, 1693. He married for his first wife, Eunice Chester, daughter of Mr. John Chester of Wethersfield, May 17th, 1694, by whom he had
" Timothy, born Saturday night, March 23d, 1695, died April, 1695. Sarah, born March 19, 1696,-died Sept. 25th, 1717.
John, born June 4th, 1698, and died the same month."
His wife died June 16th, 1698.
On the 9th of May, 1701, he married Alice Cook, daugh- ter of Joseph Cook of - by whom he had :
" John, born Sunday night, Sept. 13th, 1702, died Aug. 30, 1717. Eunice, born Sept. 14th, 1704, and died 19th of the same month.
Martha, born Sept. 6th, 1705, died Nov. 7th, 1717.
Twin sons, born Sept. 8th, 1707, died at one day old.
Timothy, born Saturday night, July 9th, 1709.
Joseph, born Aug. 15th, 1711.
Benjamin, born March, 1714."
Rev. Mr. Stevens died April 14th, 1726, in the sixty-first year of his age.
The family of Mr. Stevens continued to reside in Glasten- bury. Benjamin married Deborah Dickinson, May 11th, 1732, and had Benjamin, b. January 22d, 1734, and Deborah, b. February 5th, 1736.
Joseph married Mary Treat, daughter of Capt. Thomas Treat, and had Joseph, October 29th, 1733. Mrs. S. died February 12th, 1735, and Mr. Stevens married Jerusha Stow, daughter of Thomas Stow of Middletown, October 14th, 1736, and had, Thomas b. July 5th, 1739 ; Mary and Jerusha, b. March 16th, 1741 ; Samuel, b. Nov. 1st, 1742; Elijah, b. Nov. 15th, 1744; Mary, b. Sept. 5th, 1746; Elisha, b. Oct. 1st, 1748; David, b. Oct. 10th, 1750; Jonathan, b. Oct. 4th 1752; Jerusha, b. January 10th, 1754; James, b. Aug. 10th, 1757 ; Peter, b. May 6th, 1759, and Ashbel, b. June 5th, 1761.
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Timothy married Hannah Orris, Oct. 6th, 1743, and had Timothy, b. Sept. 9th, 1744, and Martha, b. Sept. 20th, 1746. Mr. S. died Feb. 3d, 1746, and October 9th, 1750, his widow married Joseph Smith 1st. The early records of this family are better kept than most of them, and we give the descent of one family, as indicating the number of generations that have elapsed since the incorporation of the town.
1. Timothy S. m. Alice Cook, May 9th, 1701.
2. Joseph, b. Aug. 15th, 1711, m. Jerusha Stow, Oct. 14th, 1736.
3. Thomas, b. July 5th, 1739, m. Mary Tryon, Feb. 10th, 1763.
4. Joseph, b. July 9th, 1767, m. Mehitable Hale, Dec. 31st, 1795.
5. Daniel, b. Feb. 25th, 1806, m. Alma Strickland.
During the ministry of Mr. Stevens, the civil polity of the Town was brought into systematic form, and settled upon a permanent basis. In doing this they had the counsel of Hon. GERSHOM BUCKLEY, thongh then disabled from active duty, of whom we have already spoken. Also of Hon. ELEA- ZAR KIMBERLY, the first male child born in the Colony of New Haven, Secretary of this Colony from 1696 to 1709 and Clerk of this Town from 1692, to his death, Dec. 3d, 1709, in the seventy-first year of his age; and of others hardly less prominent.
NAME OF THE TOWN.
One evidence of the design and intention of those who first gave form and shape to things in Glastenbury, as a Town distinct by itself, is furnished by the name selected by the inhabitants for the new Town, and approved by the Gen- eral Court in 1692. This name, in connection with the very strong and decided measures adopted in favor of public worship, and public education, immediately after the incor- poration of the town, warrants the belief, that the design and the hope were entertained, of making Glastenbury in Connecticut, in comparison with other towns about it, what Glastonbury in England had been for many ages to the parts of England about that. The celebrity of Glastonbury in England, both in religion and learning, begins with its con- version to Christianity, which took place at a very early period,
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probably within the first century .* The English historians of the middle ages agree in supposing that the first building in the world, erected expressly for a Christian Church, was erected in Glastonbury. Whether this be true or not, in re- gard to the world, there can be little doubt that the first Christian Church in England, was erected in that place. The building is said to have been sixty feet long, and twenty- six feet wide, and to have been composed of rods woven or wattled together .; The present name is Anglo-Saxon; de- rived from GLAES, glass, whence come GLASTING and glisten- ing, and from BYRIG, a town. The name therefore, properly signifies, Glistening-town, thereby seeming to denote its pre- eminence above the places in its vicinity. The previous British name was YNYS-WYDRYN, which may signify either Island of glass, or Green Island; and also YNYS-AFALLON, Apple Island; the last of which has been Latinized into Aval- lonia,¿ as Glastonbury has been Latinized into GLASTONIA. Some of the same historians have preserved a tradition, that Joseph of Arimathea with his son and ten other companions preached the faith of CHRIST in Britain, A. D. 63, and Wil- liam of Malmesbury, who wrote The Antiquities of Glaston- bury, about A. D. 1140, says that the Church was built by Joseph and his associates.§ The Church having fallen into something of decay in the eighth century, it was rebuilt by Ina, king of the West Saxons, about A. D. 730, with great splendor, richly endowed, made a monastery, and for several centuries was among the first of the seats of learning in England, and even in Europe. It was again rebuilt by Henry II., about A. D. 1170,|| and retained its celebrity for a long time, numbering among its pupils, many of the first
* On the first preaching of Chris. in Eng. see Chapin's Prim. Church, [2d. ed.] Pp 370-380.
+ Fuller's Ch. H. in loco.
# Richards' Geiriadur Sacsoneg. A Chymrag, p. 118. Comp. Bos. Ang. Sax. Lex. in vocem ; Life St. Patrick, 91, 92. The British name Lutinized, was Avallonia. Parsons' Three Cove. n. 25.
§ Capgrave, Joceline, and Patrick, in Mason's Vindic. 54-56.
|| Rog. Wend. I. 216. Malms. Ant. Glas. in Turner's Hist. Anglo-Sax. I. 263,
264 Ling. Hist. Eng. I. 134, 135.
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men of England .* This was the Town after which our own was named, and which our ancestors desired, and de- signed, in the most important points to emulate ; the proof of which will appear, as we consider the history of the Church and the School. We may also add that the presumption is very strong that several of the leading men at the settlement of the Town, came from Glastonbury in England. The Welles's were no doubt originally from the city of Wells, in the County of Somersetshire, if they did not come directly from that place to this country ; while Glastonbury was an adjoining town.
GENERAL HISTORY OF THIS PERIOD.
One of the first acts of this Town, was, to hold out induce- ments to persuade active and industrious people to settle here, by giving to individuals a small farm out of the com- mon land, on condition that they improved the same within a given number of years. Decided measures were also taken to prevent the unnecessary or wanton destruction of valuable timber, especially such as would be needed for the comfort or convenience of the inhabitants. As early as 1700, no per- son was allowed to cut any " Candlewood," (Pine) for tar or turpentine, under penalty of 20s. a load, and forfeit of the wood.
At the same time, a mile in width, running through the Town from north to south, and joining the three mile lots on the west, was set out as a public common forever. Saw mills were also erected in various parts of the Town, at its suggestion, or by its direction, lands being given for ponds and for procuring timber. One of these, authorized by vote of the Town, Dec. 25th, 1712, still exists at Wassuc. Swine were restrained or permitted to go at large according to the circumstances of the times, but especially in reference to the abundance of "mast." Bounties were offered for the de- struction of rattlesnakes; committees appointed to warn off intruders upon the common lands, to throw down the bounds
* Mason's Vindic. 55.
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and demolish the fences of squatters; the Town paying all bills of expense arising therefrom. Pains was also taken to improve the breed of cattle, by authorizing the selectmen to procure good bulls for the use of the Town. In 1732, the number was "seven, three for the Town platt, two at Nay- aug, and two at Eastbury."
GROWTH OF THE TOWN.
'The increase of the population seems to have been more rapid at this period, than could have been expected. In 1693, we have seen there were thirty-four householders, and it will appear from documents given below, that in 1714, there were sixty-four resident tax payers, and probably householders. In 1723, the number had inereased to one hundred and eighteen. As late as 1757, the number was one hundred and ninety-one. This increase of population was so rapid, that the meeting-house which had been built in 1693, was found too small to accommodate the people as early as 1706, and it was accordingly voted to enlarge the same "by galleries or leantoos, as the committee should judge most expedient." What order was first observed in regard to seats in the meeting-house, does not appear; but in 1712, a com- mittee was appointed "to seat the meeting-house," and a vote passed that persons not sitting in the seats assigned by the committee, should pay "a fine of five shillings a year." The committee finding the subject attended with very great difficulty, declined going through with the work; in conse- quence of which it is said there had been "great disorders on Sabbath days, and other days of Public Worship," where- upon a new committee was appointed, and persons refusing to sit in the seats assigned them were fined "fifteen shillings a month." What kind of seats were employed in the meet- ing-house is no where mentioned, but that they were not pews, is evident from a vote passed Dec., 1717, permitting Thomas Kimberly, and Richard Goodrich "to build each of them a pue in the meeting-house." But while the Town was striet to enforee order, it was not unmindful of the poor and the afflicted, as may be inferred from the fact, (among other
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things,) that in 1701, it was voted to remit "the Town and minister tax, of John Hale, because of his lameness." With- in this period, Samuel Emmons " beat the drum on the Sab- bath," Thomas Hall was the " Cordwainer," and Thomas Hollister " the weaver." In 1714, Thomas Hale was " ap- pointed to keep a public house of entertainment to travelers and others, for the year ensuing, and until this Town, by their vote, turn him out of that trust."
One of the greatest sources of trouble, to the Town at this early period, was the settlement of its boundaries, especially between this Town and Hartford, and the protection of its common lands. As early as 1701, a body of people from Wethersfield and Hartford, went into the east part of Glasten- bury and seizing upon undivided public lands, appropriated them to their own private use. This led to their expulsion, as already stated, and seems also to have hastened the division of the common land. The following, embraces the land given by this Town to individuals, and also the land divided to the inhabitants according to their respective lists, in 1714, and 1723, both of which were during the ministry of Mr. Stevens, and in the benefits of which he also shared. These enrollments of the tax payers in the Town, at the several times mentioned, together with their respective lists of prop- erty, give us the best idea of its population and wealth at the times mentioned, that can now be any where obtained. It is the only clue we have to these facts .*
Grants of lands in Glastenbury, made in Town meeting, from 1692, to 1726.
(1) Glastenbury, place not limited.
1692, John Kilborn, 160 acres, " adjoining candlewood plain." Abraham Colt, 50 acres, " next to J. Kilborn."
Thomas Brewer, 60 acres, 60r by 8r next to highway at end of 3 m. 1.
* The Lists, however, do not give us an exact valuation of property, the price of every article being fixed by Statute; horses for example, all went in at the same price, and so of every thing else.
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1692, Samuel Brooks, 50 acres, " out of Town land."
" Henry Gosling, 50 acres, " out of Town land."
" John Waters, 50 acres, "out of Town land."
" John Hale, " land formerly granted to Tho. Brewer."
1694, Thomas Brewer, 50 acres, " S. side of T. next Mr. Stevens."
1696, Arthur Beving, 5 acres, " 10r by 80r," " N. side of his farm."
John Hale, 10 acres, " S. side of Town."
John Waters, 10 acres, " S. side of Town."
" Patrick Streen, 10 acres, " S. side of Town."
1697, William Johnson, 40 acres, " Near Nipsic pond."
John House, 40 acres, " Near Nipsic pond."
" Thomas Hale, Jr., 40 acres, " Near Nipsic pond."
" Robert Loveland, 60 acres, " Near Sadler's Ordinary." Joseph Tryon, 40 acres, " Side of former grants at Nipsic."
Patrick Streen, 40 acres, " S. of former grants at Nipsic."
1698, Thomas Dickinson, 60 acres, " At S. bounds near Sad. Ord."
Simon Couch, 60 acres, " At S. bounds, near Sad. Ord."
" Jonathan Smith, Sen'r, 100 acres, " To be taken up where it will not . be prejudicial to the Town."
" Richard Fox, Sen'r, 100 acres.
Richard Taphuth, 60 acres, " bounded N. on Hartford bounds."
1700, Simon Couch, 60 acres, "N. of Abr. Colt, in lieu of lands before granted." Laid out 1732, IV. 87.
Henry Gosling, 50 acres.
1706, Arthur Bevin, 48 acres.
(2) Glastenbury, in second purchase, 6000 acres.
1707, Dec. 25. At a Town meeting held this day Voted ; That the undi- vided lands shall be divided to the respective inhabitants, and set out and allotted to them proportionably according to the rates this present year ; always provided, and it is thus understood, viz. those that have already had these grants of lands, that their said grants shall be deducted out of their proportion.
" At a general meeting of the Inhabitants of the town of Glastonbury, January 27, Anno Domini 1714.
" Whereas by a vote of this town, at their meeting, December 25th, 1707, did grant that the undivided land in this town should be divided, and set out to the several inhabitants, proportionably according to their rates that present year, &c., as by said vote more fully may appear ;- and whereas the said rates be lost, and by other inconveniences attending the said method it is thereby im- practicable. It is now therefore, by this meeting unanimously voted, that some part of the said undivided or common land shall be divided, as follow- eth, that is to say .- This Town do now by their vote give and grant unto the several inhabitants of this town, (or their heirs,) who were inhabitants and householders in this town when this town first became a body politic, [a list of which is contained in a proprietor's vote of 1743, copied below] viz., when
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