History and antiquities of New Haven, (Conn.) from its earliest settlement to the present time, Part 4

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 4


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It also appears, that New Haven, or their confederates, purchased and settled Yennycock and Southhold, on Long Island. Mr. John Youngs, who had been a minister at Hingham, in England, came over with a considerable part of his church, and here fixed his residence. He gathered his church anew, on the 21st of October, 1610, and the plan- ters united themselves with New Haven. However, they soon departed from the rule of appointing none to office, or of admitting none to be freemen, but members of the church. New Haven insisted on this as a fundamental article of their constitution. They were therefore for a number of years obliged to conform to this law of the jurisdiction. Some of the principal men, were the Rev. Mr. Youngs, William Welles, Barnabas Horton, Thomas Mapes, John Tuthill, and Matthias Corwin.


* Trumbull's History of Connecticut.


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Laws were enacted, both by Connecticut and New Haven, prohibiting all purchases of the Indians, by private persons, or companies without the consent of their respective gener- al courts. These were to authorize and direct the manner of every purchase.


The general court, at New Haven this year, made a grant of Totoket to Mr. Samuel Eaton, brother of Governor Ea- ton, upon condition of his procuring a number of his friends from England, to make a settlement in that tract of country.


At this court it was decreed, that the plantation at Quin- nipiack should be called New Haven.


The Indians, in the year 1642, were very troublesome ; so much so as to cause suspicions, that they were forming a combination for a general war. Both the Connecticut and New Haven colonies concerted measures of defence. A constant watch was kept in the plantations, and upon the Sabbath a strong guard was set at the places of public wor- ship.


At a court held in New Haven this year, the magistrates were dirceted to write to the Dutch to prevent their vending arms and ammunition to the natives, and also to settle all disputes between them and the colony with respect to claims, but their efforts were unsuccessful, for notwithstanding the fair purchases which the New Haven colony had made by their agents at Delaware, Governor Kieft, without any legal protest or warning, despatched an armed force, and with great hostility, burned the English trading houses, violently seized and for a time detained their goods, and would not give them time to take an inventory of them. The Dutch also took the company's boat, and a number of English planters, and kept them as prisoners. The damages done to the English at Delaware, were estimated at a thousand pounds sterling.


The same year, the Swedish governor and Dutch agent, uniting in a crafty design against Mr. Lamberton, a princi- pal gentleman of New Haven, made an injurious attempt upon his life. They accused him of having joined in a plot with the Indians to cut off the Swedes and Dutch. They attempted by giving his men strong drink, and by threaten- ings and allurements, to influence them to testify against him. They proceeded so far as to imprison and try him for treason. When, notwithstanding these unfair means. and that they were both his accusers and judges, they could find no evidence against him, they arbitrarily imposed a fine


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upon him, for trading at Delaware, though within the limits and jurisdiction of New Haven.


At another time, when Mr. Lamberton was at Manhattoes in the capacity of an agent for New Haven, the Dutch gov- crnor Kieft, by force and threatenings, compelled him to give an account of all his beaver, within the limits of New Haven, at Delaware, and to pay an impost upon the whole. The Dutch did other damages, and insulted the English in many other instances. Both Connecticut and New Haven, from year to year, complained and remonstrated against them, but could obtain no redress.


In the year 1643, the Dutch were exceedingly harassed by the Indians, and made application to Governor Eaton and the general court, soliciting that a hundred men might be raised in the plantations for their assistance against such barbarous enemies.


Governor Eaton, and the general court, having fully con- sidered the purport of the Dutch governor's letter, rejected the proposal for raising men and assisting in the war against the Indians. Their principal reasons were, that joining separately in war, was prohibited by the articles of confed- cration ; and that they were not satisfied that the Dutch war with the Indians was just.


Nevertheless, it was determined, that if the Dutch needed corn and provisions for men or cattle, by reason of the de- struction which the Indians had made, the court would give them all the assistance in its power.


The following list of the Planters, the persons numbered in their families, with an estimate of their Estates in 1613, was politely furnished by Elisha Munson, Esq. town clerk of New Haren.


It was ordered that every Planter should give in the names of the heads or persons in his family, wherein his wife to- gether with himself and children only were reck oned with an estimate of his Estate according to which he will pay his proportion in all Rates and Public Charges from time to time to be assessed for Civil uses, and expect Lands in all divisions which shall generally be made to the Planters.


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Persons


Names of the Planters.


Numbered. Estates.


Mr. Theophilus Eaton,


6


£3,000


Mr. Samuel Eaton,


2


800


David Yale,


1


300


William Touttle,


7


450


Ezekiel Cheevers,


3


20


Captaine Turner,


7


800


Richard Perry,


3


260


Mr. Davenport,


3.


1,000


Richard Malbon,


7


500


Thomas Nash,


7


110


John Benham,


7


12


Joh. Chapman, Matthew Gilbert,


2


600


Mr. Roe,


6


1,000


An Elder,


4


500


George Lamberton,


6


1,000


William Wilks,.


2


150


Thomas Jeffrey,


2


100


Robert Cecly,


4


179


Nicholas Elsey,


2


30


Jonathan Budd,


6


450


Richard Null,


4


19


William Preston,


10


40


Benjamin Ffenne.


2


80


William Jeanes,


5


150


Joh. Brockett,


1


15


Roger Allen,


1


40


Mr. Hickocks.


6


1,000


கேக்


- Mr. Mansfield,


4


400


Thomas Gregson,


6


600


Stephen Goodyear,


9


1,000


William Harskins,


2


1,000


Jeremiah Whitnell,


2


50


Samuel Bayley,


1


250


Thomas Buckingham. (


60


Richard Miles,


7


400


Thomas Welch,


1


250


Nath. Axtell,


1 500


Henry Stonell,


1


300


William Fowler, -


.


3


500


-


5


70


Thomas Kimberly,


2


300


Jasper Craine,


3


480


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Persons


Names of the Planters.


Numbered. Estates.


Peter Preden, v


4


£500


James Preden,


3


10


Edmond Tapp, V


7


800


Widow Baldwin,


5


800


An Elder,


6


500


Richard Platt,


4


200


Zachariah Whitman,


2


800


-Thomas Osborne,


6


300


Henry Rudderforde,


2


100


'Thomas Trowbridge,


5


500


Widow Potter,


2


30


Joh. Potter,


4


25


Samuel Whitehead,


2


60


Joh. Clark, ~


3


240


Luke Atkinson,


4


50


Arther Halbridge,


4


20


Edward Bamster,


3


10


William Peck,


4


12


Joh. Mosse,


3


10


Joh. Charles,


4.


50


Richard Beach,


1


20


Timothy Fforde,


2


10


Peter Browne,


3


30


Daniell Paule,


1


100


Jonathan Livermoore,


4


100


Anthony Thompson,


4


150


Joh. Reeder,


2


140


Robert Cogswell,


4


60


Mathi. Hitchcock,


3


50


Ffrancis Hall,


3


10


Richard Osborne,


3


10


William Potter,


4


40


James Clark,


50


Edward Patteson,


40


Andrew Hall,


$ 40


William Ives;


25


Georg Smyth,


50


Widow Sherman,


Mathew Moulthrop,


5


200


Widow Greene,


3


80


Thomas Yale,


1


100


.


----- 02 4: 1


50


Thomas James, sen'r.


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Persons


Names of the Planters.


Numbered. Estates.


Thomas Ffugill,


2


£100


Joh. Ponderson,


2


180


Joh. Johnson,


5


150


Abraham Bell,


1


10


Johr Evance,


1


500


Mrs. Mayres,


2


800


Mrs. Constable,


3


150


Josuah Atwater, .


2


300


Thomas Ffugill,


1


400


Thomas Powell,


I


100


Henry Browning,


8


340


Mrs. Higison,


8


250


Edward Tench,


3


400


William Thorp,


3


10


Robert Hill,


J


10


Widow Williams,


2


60


Andrew Low,


3


10


Ffr. Newman,


2


160


Joh. Caffins,


2


500


David Atwater,


1


500


Mr. Lucas,


6 400


Mr. Dearmer,


1


300


Benjamin Ling,


2


320


Robert Newman,


2


700


William Andrews,


8


150


John Cooper,


3


30


Richard Beckley,


4


20


Mr. Marshall,


5


1,000


Mrs. Eldred,


5


1,000


Ffran. Brewster,


1.


9


1,000


Mark Pearce,


2


150


Jarvis Boykin,


2


40


James Russell,


2


20


George Warde,


6


10


Lawrence Ward,


2


30


Moses Wheeler, .


2


58


Jeremiah Dixon,


1


300


Edward Wiggleworth,


3


1, 300


The foregoing Planters, likewise those who omitted to return their names to the Secretary, were entered in a Book and the quantity of Land which each owned, and amount of l'axes assessed, were annexed to their respective names. This Book answered the purpose of a Grand List for. many years in succession. Whenever any Planter disposed of his Land, it was passed to his credit on said book, and diminished his Taxes in pro-


41


portion to the quantity sold ; each purchaser was made Debtor, and his Taxes were increased in proportion to the quantity bought.


That Commerce may the better be carried on betwixt man and man in those parts where money is scarce,-It is ordered that Spanish money, called pieces of eight, shall pass here as they do in some other parts of the Country at 5s. a piece. And that Indian Wampom shall pass the white at 6 a penny, and the black at 3 a penny.


And forasmuch as the public occasions require that a Rate shou'd be levied forthwith, it was ordered that all the rates already due, and the rates duc in April next shall be paid into the Treasurer at his own house within one month after the date hereof in Money, Beaver, Wampom or Corn, in good Wheat at 4s. per bushel in Rye and Pease at 3s. ld. per bushel, and if any pay in Indian Corn at 2s. Sd. bushel-in Butter, Cheese, and great Cattle moderately appraised.


In 1614, New Haven sent help to Fairfield and Stamford. as those towns had not numbers sufficient to defend them- selves from the attacks of the Indians.


. In this year, an Indian was executed at New Haven for attempting to murder a woman. The executioner cut off his head with a falchion ; but it was cruelly done. He gave the Indian eight blows before he effected his object. The Indian sat erect and motionless until his head was severed from his body.


New Haven having been exceedingly disappointed in trade. and sustained great damages at Delaware, and the large estates which they brought. into New England rapidly declining, this year, made ancommon exertions, as far as possible, to retrieve their former losses. Combining their money and Jabors, they built a ship, at Rhode Island, of 150 tons ; and freighted her for England, with the best part of their com- mercial estates. Mr. Gregson, Capt. Turner, Mr. Lamber- ton, and five or six of their principal men embarked on board. They sailed from New Haven in January, 1647. 'They were obliged to cut through the ice to get out of the harbor. The ship foundered at sea, and was never heard of after she sailed.


According to the belief of the inhabitants at that period, this ship was seen in the air after she was lost. We take the following account as we find it in Mather's Magnalia. Mather hearing of the circumstances, wrote to his friend the Rev. Mr. Pierpont, for information, and received from that gentleman the following answer,-


4*


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Reverend and Dear Sir,


In compliance with your desires, I now give you the relation of that apparition of a ship in the air, which I have received from the most cred- ible, judicious and curious surviving observers of it.


In the year 1647, besides much other lading, a far more rich treasure of passengers, (five or six of which were persons of chief note and worth in New Haven) put themselves on board a new ship, built at Rhode Isl- and, of about 150 tuns ; but so walty, that the master (Lamberton) often said she would prove their grave. In the month of January, cutting their way through much ice, on which they were accompanied with the Rever- end Mr. Davenport, besides many other friends, with many fears, as well as prayers and tears, they set sail. ,Mr. Davenport in prayer with an ob- servable emphasis, used these words, Lord, if it be thy pleasure to bury these our friends in the bottom of the sea, they are thine ; save them ! The spring following, no tidings of these friends arrived with the ships from England : New Haven's heart began to fail her : this put the godly people on much prayer, both publick and private, that the Lord would (if it was his pleasure) let them hear what he had done with their dear friends, and prepare them with a suitable submission to his Holy Will. In June next ensuing, a great thunder-storm arose out of the north-west ; after which (the hemisphere being serene) about an hour before sun-set a Ship of like dimensions with the aforesaid, with her canvass and col- ours abroad (though the wind northernly) appeared in the air coming up from our harbour's mouth, which lyes southward from the town, seem- ingly with her sails filled under a fresh gale, holding her course north, and continuing under observation, sailing against the wind for the space of half an hour.


Many were drawn to beholdt this great work of God; yea, the very children cryed out, There's a brace ship! At length, crouding up as far as there is usually water sufficient for such a vessel, and so near some of the spectators, as that they imagined a man might hurl a stone on board her, her main-top seemed to be blown of, but left hanging in the shrouds ; then her misson-top ; then all her mia-ting seemed blown away by the board : quickly after the halk thought unto a careen, she overset, and so vanished into a smoaky cloud, which in some time dissipated, leaving, as everywhere else, a clear alt. The adinhing spectators could distinguish the several colours of each part, the principal rigging, and such propor- tions, as caused not only the gener ility of persons to say, This was the mould of their ship, and thus tras her tragick end: but Mr. Davenport also in publick declared to this effect : That God had condescended, for the quieting of their aficted garits, this extraordinary account of his sovereign disposal of those for whom so many fervent prayers were made continually.


Thus I am, Sir, Your humble servant, JAMES PIERPONT.


The loss of this ship, with the former losses which the company had sustained, broke up all their expectation with respect to trade, and as they conceived themselves disadvan- tageously situated for husbandry, they adopted the design of leaving the country. Accordingly they entered into trea- ties for the city of Galloway, in Ireland, which they design- ed to have settled, as a small province for themselves. They


43


were however disappointed with respect to all these designs, and their posterity, who they feared would be reduced to beggary, made respectable farmers and flourished no less than their neighbors.


It appears that the first planters had no written code of Laws. The Court determined all differences, &c. according to their views of justice and propriety, as occasion required.


The following extracts are taken from the ancient Records of New Haven during this period.


.At a Court held at New Haven, A. D. 1643 .- Andrew Low, jun. for breaking into Mr. Ling's house, where he brake open a cupboard and took from thence some strong Water, and 6d in money, and ransackt the house from roome to roome, and left open the doors, for which fact being com- mitted to prison, brake forth and escaped, and still remains horrible obsti- nate and rebellious against his parents, and incorrigible under all the means that have been used to reclaim him. Whereupon it was ordered that he shall be as severely whipt as the rule will bear, and work with his father as a prisoner, with a lock upon his leg so that he may not escape.


December 3d, 1651 .- It was propounded that some safer way might be found out to Connecticote, that the danger of the East River may be avoy- ded. The new waye was desired to be viewed again, as William Brad- ley offered to lend his cannow to lie in the East River, if the town will find ropes to draw it to and agayne.


.4 Court holden 3d November, 1639 .- It is ordered that Mr. Hopkins shall have two hogsheads of lime for his present use, and as much more as will finish bis house as he now intends itt, he thinking that two hogs- heads more will serve.


It is ordered, that a meeting-house shall be built forthwith, fifty foote square ; and that the carpenters shall fall timber where they can find it, till allotment be layed out, and men know their proprietyes.


It is ordered, that Mr. Gregson and Mr. Evance shall have fower dayes liberty after this day to square their timber, before the former order shall take hold of them.


It is ordered, that Mr. Eaton, Mr. Davenport, Robert Newman, Mat- thew Gilbert, Capt. Turner and Thomas Pfugill, shall from hencefor- ward have the disposing of all house lotts, yett undisposed of about this lowne, to such persons as they shall judge meete for the good of the plantation ; and thatt none come to dwell as planters here without their consent and allowance, whether they come in by purchase or otherwise,


It is ordered, that every one that bares armes shall be compleatly furnished with arms, (viz.) a muskett, a sword, bandaleers, a rest, a pound of powder ; 20 bullets fitted to their muskett, or 4 pound of pistoll shott, er swan shott at least, and be ready to show them in the market place upon Monday the loth of this monthe, before Captaine Turner and Lieu- tenant Seeley, under the penalty 20s, fine for every default or absence.


4th of December, 1639 .- It is ordered, that Thomas Saule shall agree with Goodman Spinnage before the next Court, or else the Court will determine the difference between them.


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Roger Duhurst and James Stewart are enjoyned to make double resti- tution to John Cockerill for five pound and seventeen shillings which they stole out of his chist on the Lord's day in the meeting time, and they being servants to the said Cockerill, for which aggravation they were whipped also.


Thomas Manchester, servant to Mr. Perry, being accused by his mas- ter for being druncke, and for giving his master uncomely language, for which his master having given him some correction, the Court (onely) caused him to be sett in the stocks for a certain time.


Nicholas Tamer, servant to the said Mr. Perry, for drunkedness and abusing his master in wordes, was whipped.


A General Court, 4th January, 1639 .- It is agreed by the towne and accordingly ordered by the Court, that the Neck shall be planted or sowen for the tearme of seaven yeares, and thatt John Brockett shall goe about laying it out, for which and all differences betwixt party and party aboute ground formerly broke up and planted by English there, shall be arbitra- ted by indifferent men, which shall be chosen to that end.


It is ordered, that some speedy course shall be taken to keepe hogs out of the neck.


It is ordered, that a convenient way to the Hay-place be left common for all the towne.


It is ordered, that no cattell belonging to this towne shall goe without a keeper after the first of May next.


A Court, holden February 5th, 1639 .- It is ordered, that brother Andrewes, bro. Kimberley, Wm. Eves, and Sergeant Beckley, shall assist Mr. Ling to ripen Goodman Tap's bussiness against the next Courte, con- cerning his demaunds for certaine monyes which he disbursed for bring- ing cattell from the Bay, appertaining to divers persons.


It is ordered, that brother Andrews shall detaine so much of Robert Campion, his wages in his hands, as may secure a debt of £3 which Mr. Mouland demaunds of the said Robert.


It is ordered, that Mr. Mouland shall pay to Mr. Perry 20s. which he owes to him.


It is ordered, that Mr. Wilks shall pay 5 bushells and a halfe of In- dian corne to Thomas Buckingham, for corne destroyed by Mr. Wilks his hogs.


Isaiah, Captaine Turner's man, fined £5 for being drunke on the Lord's day.


Wm. Bromfield, Mr. Malbon's man, was sett in the stoocks for prophan- ing the Lord's day and stealing wine from his master, which he drunk and gave to others.


Ellice, Mr. Eaton's boy, was whipped for stealing a sow and a goate from his master and selling them.


David Anderson was whipped for being drunke.


John Fenner, accused for being drunke with strong waters was acquit- ted, itt appearing to be of infirmity, and occasioned by the extremyty of the colde.


Mr. Mouland accused of being drunke, butt nott clearely proved, was respited.


Peter Browne, Licensed to bake to sell, so long as he gives no offense in it justly.


18th February, 1639 .- John Charles forbiden to draw wine, because there hath been much disorder by itt.


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Goodman Love was whipped and sent out of the plantation, being not onely a disorderly person himselfe, butt an incourager of others to disor- derly drinking meetings.


George Spencer being prophane and disorderly in his whole conversa- tion, and an abettor of others to sin, and drawing on others into a consper- icie to carry away the Cock to Virgenia, was whipped and sent out of the plantation.


John Proute, Hen. Brasier and Will. Bromfield, was whipped for joyn- ing in the aforesaid conspericie, and the said Hen. and Win. were order- ed to weare irons during the magistrate's pleasure.


At a General Court held the 1st of the 7th month, 1640 .- It is order- ed, that none in this plantatione shall either sell or lett a lott to any strain- ger, for yeares, without allowance from the Courte.


.A Court held at New Haven the 3d of the 7th month, 1642 .- Mat- thew Wilson, for killing a dog of Mr. Perry's willfully and disorderly, fined 20s. for his disorder, and ordered to pay 203. damage to Mr. Perry, which 40s. Edward Chipperfield undertooke to see pay'd by the last of September next.


8th Month, 1642 .- It is ordered, that whosoever findes any things thatt are Lost shall deliver them to the Marshall, to be kept safe till the owners challenge them.


2d .November, 1612 .- Jervas Boykin is ordered to pay unto George Badcocke the sum of 20s. for taking his cannow without leave.


It is ordered, that those who have flarmes att the River, Called stony River, shall have liberty to make a sluce in the River for their owne convenience.


7th December, 1642 .- Fforasmuch as John Owen hath had some dam- age done in his corne by hogs, occasioned through the neglect of Mr. Lamberton, John Bud and Will Preston, in not making up their fence in season, It is therefore ordered, thatt the said Mr. Lamberton, John Bud and Will Preston shall make satisfaction to the said John Owen for the damage done ; (viz.) Eight days worke and two pecks of Corne, which is to be pay'd according to the several apportions of ffence unset up respectively.


About the year 1655, Gov. Eaton was desired to perfect a code of laws for the colony of New Haven. For his assistance in the compilation, he was requested to consult the Rev. Mr. Cotton's discourse on civil government in a new plantation, and the laws of Massachusetts. Having accomplished the work, and the laws having been examined and approved, by the elders of the jurisdiction, they were presented to the general court, who ordered that five hundred copies should be printed. The copy was sent to England, that the im- pression might be made under the inspection of Governor Hopkins. He procured the printing of the laws at his own expense, and sent them the number proposed, with some other valuable books as a present.


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The following is a transcript of the celebrated judicial code, now known by the name of Blue Laws* of Connecti- cut. According to tradition, it was not suffered to be print- ed, but was declared and interpreted by the select men, the judges and the pastors of the different congregations.


The Governor and Magistrates convened in general Assembly, are the supreme power under God of this independent Dominion.


From the determination of the Assembly no appeal shall be made.


The Governor is amenable to the voice of the people.


The Governor shall have only a single vote in determining any ques- tion ; except a casting vote, when the Assembly may be equally divided.


The Assembly of the People shall not be dismissed by the Governor, but shall dismiss itself.


Conspiracy against this Dominion shall be punished with death.


Whoever says there is power and jurisdiction above and over this Do- minion, shall suffer death and loss of property.


Whoever attempts to change or overturn this Dominion, shall suffer death.


The judges shall determine controversies without a jury.


No one shall be a freeman, or give a vote, unless he be converted, and a member in full communion of one of the Churches allowed in this Do- minion.


No man shall hold any office, who is not sound in the faith, and faith- ful to this Dominion ; and whoever gives a vote to such a person, shall pay a fine of CI ; for a second offence, he shall be disfranchised.


Each freeman shall swear by the blessed God to bear true allegiance to this Dominion, and that Jesus Christ is the only King.


No quaker or dissenter hom the established worship of this Dominion shall be allowed to give a vote for the election of Magistrates, or any of- ficer.


No food or lodging shall be afforded to a Quaker, Adamito, or other Heretic.


If any person turns Quaker, he shall be banished, and not suffered to return but upon pain of death.


No Priest shall abide in this Dominion : he shall be banished, and suf- fer death on his return. Priests may be seized by any one without a warrant.




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