History and antiquities of New Haven, (Conn.) from its earliest settlement to the present time, Part 3

Author: Barber, John Warner, 1798-1885, comp. cn
Publication date: 1831
Publisher: New Haven : J. W. Barber
Number of Pages: 264


USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > New Haven > History and antiquities of New Haven, (Conn.) from its earliest settlement to the present time > Part 3


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In the fall of 1637, Mr. Eaton and others, who were of the company, made a journey to Connecticut, to explore the lands and harbors on the sea coast. They pitched upon Quinnipiack for the place of their settlement. They erected a poor hut, in which a few men subsisted through the win- ter : this was at the corner of Church and George streets.


On the 30th of March, 1638, Mr. Davenport, Mr. Prud- den, Mr. Samuel Eaton, and Theophilus Eaton, Esq., with the people of their company, sailed from Boston for Quinni- piack. In about a fortnight they arrived at their desired port. On the 1Sth of April they kept their first Sabbath in the place. The people assembled under a large spreading oak,* and Mr. Davenport preached to them from Matthew vi. 1. Hle insisted on the temptations of the wilderness, made such observations, and gave such directions and ex- hortations, as were pertinent to the then present state of his hearers. He left this remark, that he enjoyed a good day. The settlers first began to build on George street and the opposite hill, between which small vessels then passed in a creck, which for many years has been filled up. Their first houses were commodious, of two stories.


* This tree was situated near the corner of George and College streets ; both New Haven and Milford churches were formed under it .- Dr. Dana's Sermon, 1801.


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One of the principal reasons which these colonists assign- ed for their removal from Massachusetts, was, that they should be more out of the way and trouble of a general gov- ernor of New England, who at this time was an object of great fear in all the plantations.


Soon after they arrived at Quinnipiack, in the close of a day of fasting and prayer, they entered into what they term- ed a plantation covenant. In this they solemnly bound themselves, " that as in matters that concern the gathering and ordering of a church, so also in all public offices which concern civil order, as the choice of magistrates and officers, making and repealing laws, dividing allotments of inherit- ance, and all things of like nature, they would all of them be ordered by the rules which the scripture held forth to them." This was adopted as a general agreement, until there should be time for the people to become more intimately acquainted with each other's religious views, sentiments and moral con- duct ; which was supposed to be necessary to prepare the way for their covenanting together, as christians, in church state.


The planters of Quinnipiack determined to make an ex- tensive settlement ; and, if possible, to maintain perpetual peace and friendship with the Indians. They therefore paid an carly attention to the making of such purchases and ami- cable treaties, as might most effectually answer their de- signs.


On the 14th of November, 1638, Theophilus Eaton, Esq., Mr. Davenport, and other English planters, entered into an agreement with Momauguin, sachem of that part of the country, and his counsellors, respecting the lands. The ar- ticles of agreement are to this effect.


That Momauguin is the sole sachem of Quinnipiack, and had an absolute power to alieue and dispose of the same : that in consequence of the protection he had tasted, by the English, from the Pequots and Mohawks, * he yielded up all his right, title and interest, to all the land, rivers, ponds and trees, with all the liberties and purtenances belonging to the


* The Indians of Quinnipiack, in this treaty, declared, that they still remembered the heavy taxes of the Pequots and Mohawks; and that, by reason of the fear of them, they could not stay in their own country ; but had been obliged to flee. By these powerful enemies they had been reduced to about forty men.


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same, unto Theophilus Eaton, John Davenport and others, their heirs and assigns for ever. He covenanted, that nei- ther he nor his Indians would terrify, nor disturb the Eng- lish, nor injure them in any of their interests ; but that, in every respect, they would keep truc faith with them.


The English covenanted to protect Momauguin and his Indians, when unreasonably assaulted and terrified, by either of the other Indians ; and that they should always have a sufficient quantity of land to plant on, upon the east side of the harbor,* between that and Saybrook fort. They also covenanted that by way of free and thankful retribution, they gave unto the said sachem and his council and compa- ny, twelve coats of English cloth, twelve alchymy spoons, twelve hatchets, twelve hoes, two dozen of knives, twelve porringers, and four cases of French knives and scissors.


This agreement was signed and legally executed, by Mo- mauguin and his council on the one part, and Theophilus Eaton and John Davenport on the other. Thomas Stanton, who was the interpreter, declared in the presence of God, that he had faithfully acquainted the Indians with the said articles, and returned their answers.


The following signatures or marks of Momauguin and his counsellors to the above agreement, are copied from the ancient records of New Hla- ven, nearly in the position they stand on the record.


1. Momauguin, his mark.


2. Sugcogisin.


3. Quosaquash.


4. Carroughood.


5. Woosauruck. 6. The mark of Shaumpishuh, the sister of Momau- guin, called in the agreement Squaw Sachem, who it appears had some interest in part of the lands.


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* This was in the present town of East Haven,


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In December following, they made another purchase of a large tract, which lay principally north of the former. This was of Montowese, son of the great sachem at Mattabeseck. This tract was ten miles in length, north and south, and thirteen in breadth. It extended eight miles cast of the ri- ver Quinnipiack, and five miles west of it towards Hudson's river. It included all the lands within the ancient limits of the old towns of New Haven, Branford and Wallingford, and almost the whole contained in the present limits of those towns, and the towns of East Haven, Woodbridge, Cheshire, Jamden, and North Haven. These have since been made out of the three old towns. For this last tract, the English gave thirteen coats, and allowed the Indians ground to plant, and liberty to hunt within the lands. The annexed is a copy of the signature of Mon- towese and Sawsounck, an Indian who came with him to New Haven. Montow- ese's signature is the bow and arrow ; it ap- pears the above land descended to him from his deceased mother ; his tribe or company consisted of but ten men with their women and children.


The New Haven adventurers were the most opulent company, which came into New England ; and they designed to plant a capital colony. They laid out their town plat in squares, designing it for a great and elegant city. In the centre was a large and beautiful square. This was compassed with others, making nine in the whole.


The first principal settlers were Theophilus Eaton, Esq. Mr. Davenport, Samuel Eaton, Thomas Gregson, Robert Newman, Matthew Gilbert, Nathaniel Turner, Thomas Fu- gill, Francis Newman, Stephen Goodyear, and Joshua At- water.


There appears no act of civil, military, or ecclesiastical authority during the first year ; nor is there any appearance that this colony was ever straitened for bread, as the other colonies had been.


Meanwhile Mr. Henry Whitfield, Wm. Leet, Esq. Sam- vel Delborough, Robert Kitchel, William Chittendon, and others, who were part of Mr. Davenport's and Mr. Eaton's company, arrived to assist them in their new settlement. These were principally from Kent and Surry, in the vicinity of London. Mr. Whitfield's people, like Mr. Davenport's,


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followed him into New England. There were now threc ministers, with many of the members of their former churches and congregations collected in this infant colony, and combined in the same general agreement.


On the 4th of June, 1639, all the free planters at Quinni- piack convened in a large barn of Mr. Newman's, and, in a formal and very solemn manner, procceded to lay the foun- dations of their civil and religious polity.


Mr. Davenport introduced the business, by a sermon from the words of the royal preacher, " Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars."


The following is the most ancient record of this event, and is a curiosity in the history of civil government.


The 4th day of the 4th moneth, called June, 1639, all the free plan- ters assembled together in a general meetinge, to consult about settling civil government according to Go, and about the nomination of persons that may be found by consent of all fittest in all respects for the founda- tion work of a Church which was intended to be gathered in Quinipiack. After sollemne invocation of the name of God in prayer, for the presence and help of his spirit and grace in these weighty businesses, they were reminded of the business whereabout they met, (viz.) for the establish- ment of such civil order as might be most pleasing unto Gon, and for the chusing the fittest men for the foundation work of a church to be gather- ed. For the better enabling them to discerne the minde of Gop, and to agree accordingly concerning the establishment of civil order, Mr. John Davenport propounded divers queries to them, publickly praying them to consider seriously in the presence and feare of Gon the weight of the business they met about, and not to be rash or sleight in giving their votes to things they understood not, but to digest fully and thoroughly what should be propounded unto them, and without respect to men, as they should be satisfied and perswaded in their own minds to give their answers in such sort as they would be willing they should stand upon record for posterity.


This being earnestly expressed by Mr. Davenport, Mr. Robert New- man was intreated to write in characters and to read distinctly and au- dibly in the hearing of all the people, what was propounded and accord- ed on, that it might appear that all consented to matters propounded ac- cording to words written by him.


Quære 1. Whether the Scriptures doe holde fourth a perfect rule for the direction and government of all men in all duteyes which they are to perform to GoD and men as well in the government of famylyes and commonwealths as in matters of the church ?


This was assented unto by all, no man dissenting, as was expressed by holding up of hands. Afterwards it was read over to them, that they might see in what wordes their vote was expressed : they againc ex- pressed their consent thereto by holding up their hands, no man dis- senting.


Quære 2. Whereas there was a covenant sollemnely made by the whole assembly of free planters of this plantation, the first day of extra-


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ordinary humiliation that we had after we came together, that as in mat- ters that concern the gathering and ordering of a church, so likewise in all publique offices, which concern civil order, as choyce of magistrates and officers, making and repealing of laws, divideing allotments of in- heritances, and all things of like nature we would all of us be ordered by those rules which the scripture holds forth to us. This covenant was called a plantation covenant to distinguish it from a church covenant, which could not at that time be made, a church not being then gathered, but was deferred till a church might be gathered according to GoD. It was demanded whether all the free planters doe holdle themselves bound by that covenant in all business of that nature which are expressed in the covenant, to submit themselves to be ordered by the rules which are held forth in the scripture.


This also was assented unto by all, and no man gainsaied it, and they did testify the same by holding up their handes, both when it was first propounded, and afterwards confirmed the same by holding up their hands when it was read unto them in publique. John Clark being ab- sent when the covenant was made doth now manifest his consent to it. Also Richard Beach, Andrew Low, Goodman Bamster, Arthur Halbidge, John Potter, Richard Hill, John Brockett, and John Johnson, these per- sous being not admitted planters when the covenant was made doth now expresse their consent to it.


Quære 3. Those who have desired to be received as free planters, and are settled in the plantation with a purposed resolution and desire that they may be admitted into church fellowship, according to Christ, as soon as Gop shall fitt them thereunto, were desired to expresse it by holding up of hands, accordingly all did express this to be their desire and purpose, by holding up their hands twice, (viz.) both at the proposal of it, and after when these written words were read unto them.


Quære 4. All the free planters were called upon to express whether. they held themselves bound to establish such civil order as might best conduce to the securing the purity and peace of the ordinances to them- selves and their posterity, according to Gon. In answer hereunto they expressed by holding up their hands twice as before. That they helde themselves bound to establish such civil order as might best conduce to the ends aforesaid.


Then Mr. Davenport declared unto them by the scriptures what kind of persons might best be trusted with matters of government, and by sun- dry arguments from scripture proved that such as were described, Ex. 18. 1. Deut. 1. 13. with Deut. 19. 15. and 1 Cor. 6. 1 to 7, ought to be entrusted by them, seeing they were free to cast themselves into that mould and forme of commonwealth which appeareth best for them in re- ference to the secureing the pure and peaceable enjoyment of all Christ his ordinances in the church according to GoD, whereunto they have bound themselves as hath been acknowledged. Having said this he sat down, praying the company freely to consider whether they would have it voted at this time or not. After some space of silence Mr. Theophilus Eaton answered it might be voted, and some others also spake to the same purpose, none at all opposing it. Then it was propounded to vote.


Quiere 5. Whether free Burgesses shall be chosen out of Church members, they that are in the foundation work of the church being ac- tually free burgesses, and to chuse to themselves out of the like estate of church fellowship, and the power of chusing magistrates and officers from among themselves and the power of making and repealing laws ac- cording to the word, and the dividing of inheritances, and the deciding


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differences that may arise, and all the businesses of like nature are to be transacted by those free burgesses.


This, (viz. Quære 5.) was put to vote, and agreed unto by the lifting up of hands twice, as in the former cases it was done. Then one man stood up after the vote was past, and expressing his dissenting from the rest, in that yet granting, 1. That magistrates should be men fearing GoD. 2. That the Church is the company whence ordinarily such men may be expected. 3. That they that chuse them ought to be men fear- ing Gon, onelye at this he stucke, That free planters ought not to give the power out of their hands.


Another stood up and answered that in this case nothing was done but with their consent. The former answered that all the free planters ought to resume this power into their own hands again if things were not orderly carried. Mr. Theophilus Eaton answered that in all places they chuse committees. In like manner the companys of London chuse the liverys by whom the publique magistrates are chosen. In this the rest are not wronged : because they expect to be of the livery them- selves, and to have the same power. Some others intreated the former to give his arguments and reasons whereupon he dissented. He refused to doe it, and said they might not rationally demaund it, seeing he let the vote pass on freely, and did not speak till after it was past, because he would not hinder what they agreed upon. Then Mr. Davenport, af- ter a short relation of some former passages between them two about this question, prayed the company that nothing might be concluded by them in this weighty question but what themselves were persuaded to be agreeing with the minde of Gop, and they had heard what had been sayd since the vote, intreated them agayne to consider of it and agayne to put it to vote as before. Agayne all of them, by holding up their hands, did shew their consent as before. And some of them professed, that whereas they did waver before they came to the assembly, they were now fully convinced, that it is the minde of God. One of them said that in the morning before he came, reading Deuteronomy 17. 15. he was convinced at home. Another said that he came doubting to the assembly, but he blessed Gop, by what had beene said he was now fully satisfied that the choyce of burgesses out of Church members and to in- trust these with the power before spoken of, is according to the minde of Gon revealed in the scripture. All Having spoken their apprehensions, it was agreed upon, and Mr. Robert Newman was desired to write it as an order whereunto every one that hereafter should be admitted here as planters should submit, and testify the same by subscribing their names to the order, namely,


That Church Members only shall be free Burgesses, and that they only shall chuse magistrates and officers among themselves, to have the power of transacting all publique civil affairs of this plantation, of making and repealing laws, devideing of inheritances, deciding of differences that may arise, and doing all things or businesses of like nature.


This being settled as a fundamental artircle concerning civil govern- ment, Mr. Davenport propounded and proposed some things to consider- ation aboute the gatheringe of a Church. And to prevent the blemish- ing of the first beginnings of the worke, He advised that the names of such as were to be admitted might be publiquely propounded, to the end that they who were most approved might be chosen ; for the town being cast into several private meetings wherein they that dwelt nearest to- gether gave their accounts one to another of Gon's gracious work upon them, and prayed together, and conferred to their mutual edification, sun-


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dry of them had knowledge one of another, and in every meeting some one was more approved of all than any other .- For this reason, and to prevent scandalls, the whole company was intreated to consider whom they found fittest to nominate for this worke.


Quære 6. Whether are you all willing and do agree in this, that twelve men be chosen, that their fitness for the foundation work may be tried, however there may be more named, yet it may be in their power who are chosen to reduce them to twelve, and it be in the power of those twelve to chuse out of themselves 7, that shall be most approved of, the major part to begin the church.


This was agreed upon by consent of all, as was expressed by holding up of hands, and that so many as should be thought fit for the founda- tion work of a church shall be propounded by the plantation and written down, and passe without exception, unlesse they had given public scan- dal or offence, yet so as in case of publique scandall and offence, every one should have liberty to propound their exceptions at that time pub- liquely against any man that should be nominated when all the names should be writ down, but if the offence were private, that men's names might be tendered, so many as were offended, were intreated to deal with the offender privately. And if he gave not satisfaction, to bring the matter to the twelve that they might consider of it impartially and in the feare of Gop. The names of the persons named and agreed upon were Theophilus Eaton, John Davenport, Robert Newman, Mathew Gilbert, Richard Malbon, Nathaniel Turner, Ezekiel Chevers, Thomas Fugill, John Punderson, William Andrews and Jeremiah Dixon. No exception was brought against any of these in public, except one about taking an excessive rate for meal that he had sold to one of Poquonnock in his neede, which he confessed with grief, and declared that having been smitten in heart, and troubled in his conscience, he offered such a part of the price back again, with confession of his sin to the party, as he thought himself bound to do. And it being feared that the report of the sin was heard further than the report of his satisfaction, a course was con- eluded on to make the satisfaction, to as many as heard of the sin. ' It was also agreed upon at the said meetinge, that if the persons above named did find themselves straitened in the number of fit men for the 7, that it should be free for them to take into tryal of fitnesse such other as they should think meete. Provided that it should be signified to the town upon the Lord's day who they so take in that every man may be satisfied of them, according to the course formerly taken.


[The foregoing was subscribed and signed by one hundred and cleven persons.]


" After a proper term of trial, Theophilus Eaton, Esq. Mr. John Davenport, Robert Newman, Matthew Gilbert, Thomas Fugill, John Punderson and Jeremiah Dixon were chosen for the seven pillars of the church.


"October 25th, 1639, the court, as it is termed, consist- ing of these seven persons only, convened, and after a sol- ema address to the Supreme Majesty, they proceeded to form the body of freemen and to elect their civil officers. The manner was indeed singular and curious.


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" In the first place, all former trust, for managing the pub- lic affairs of the plantation was declared to cease, and be ut- terly abrogated. Then all those who had been admitted to the church after the gathering of it, in the choice of the seven pillars, and all the members of other approved church- es, who desired it, and offered themselves, were admitted members of the court. A solemn charge was then publicly given them, to the same effect as the freemen's charge, or oath, which they had previously adopted. The purport of this was nearly the same, with the oath of fidelity, and with the freemen's administered at the present time. Mr. Da- venport expounded several scriptures to them, describing the character of civil magistrates given in the sacred oracles. To this succeeded the election of officers. Theophilus Ea- ton, Esq. was chosen governor, Mr. Robert Newman, Mr. Matthew Gilbert, Mr. Nathaniel Turner, and Mr. Thomas Fugill were chosen magistrates. Mr. Fugill was also chosen secretary, and Robert Scoly, marshall.


" Mr. Davenport gave governor Eaton a charge in open court, from Deut. 1: 16, 17. "And I charged your judges at that time, saying, Hear the causes between your brethren, and judge righteously between every man and his brother, and the stranger that is with him. Ye shall not respect per- sons in judgment, but ye shall hear the small as well as the great ; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment is Gon's : and the cause that is too hard for you, bring it unto me, and I will hear it."


" It was decreed, by the freemen, that there should be a general court annually, in the plantation, on the last week in October. This was ordained a court of. election in which all the officers of the colony were to be chosen. This court determined, that the word of Gon should be the only rule for ordering the affairs of government in that common- wealth.


" This was the original. fundamental constitution of the government of New Haven. All government was original- ly in the church, and the members of the church elected the governor, magistrates and all other officers. The magis- frates, at first. were no more than assistants of the governor, they might not art in any sentence or determination of the court .* No deputy governor was chosen, nor were any


* Records of the Colony of New Haven.


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laws enacted except the general resolutions which have been noticed ; but as the plantation enlarged, and new towns were settled, new orders were given; the general court received a new form, laws were enacted, and the civil polity of this jurisdiction gradually advanced, in its essential parts, to a near resemblance of the government of Connecticut."*


In the year 1640, Robert Feaks and Daniel Patrick bought Greenwich. The purchase was made in behalf of New Haven, but through the intrigue of the Dutch governor, and the treachery of the purchasers, the first inhabitants re- volted to the Dutch. They were incorporated and vested with town privileges by Peter Stuyvesant, governor of New Netherlands. The inhabitants were driven off by the In- dians, in their war with the Dutch ; and made no great pro- gress in settlement until after Connecticut obtained the char- ter, and they were taken under the jurisdiction of this colony. .


Another large purchase, sufficient for a number of plan- tations was made by Capt. Turner, agent for New Haven, on both sides of Delaware bay or river. This purchase was made with a view to trade, and for the settlement of churches in gospel order and purity. The colony of New Haven erected trading houses upon the lands, and sent nearly fifty families to make settlements upon them. The settlements were made under the jurisdiction of New Haven, and in close combination with that colony in all the fundamental articles.




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