USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > New Haven > History and antiquities of New Haven, (Conn.) from its earliest settlement to the present time > Part 6
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Colonel Dixwell carried on no secular business, but em- ployed his time in reading and walking into the neighboring groves and woods adjacent to his house. Mr. Pierpont had a large library, from which, as well as from his own col- lection, he could be supplied with a variety of books. Hc often spent his evenings at Mr. Pierpont's, and when they were by themselves, retired to his study, where they indulg- ed themselves with great familiarity and humor, had free and unrestrained conversation, upon all matters whether of religion or polities. But when in company, Mr. Pier- pont behaved towards Colonel D. with caution and reserve. The Colonel spent much of his retirement in reading history, and as a token of his friendship for Mr. Pierpont, he, in his fast will, presented him with Raleigh's History of the World.
After a pilgrimage of twenty nine years in exile from his native country, and banishment into oblivion from the world. of which seventeen years at least, probably more, were spent in New Haven by the name of James Davids, Esqr., Colo- nel Dixwell died in this place.
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Hle and all the other Judges lived and died in the firm ex- pectation of a revolution in England. This had actually ta- ken place the November before his death, but the news not having arrived, he died ignorant of it, about a month before the seizure of Sir Edmund Andros, at Boston. At his death, he discovered his true character to the people, and owned the name of John Dixwell, but requested that no monument should be erected at his grave, giving an account of his per- son, name, and character, alledging as a reason, "lest his enemies might dishonor his ashes"-requesting that only a plain stone might be set up at his grave inscribed with his initials, J. D. Esq. with his age and time of his death. Ac- vordingly a plain rough stone was erected at his grave, close by the grave of Governor Eaton and Governor Jones, charg- ed with this inscription as at first put up and engraved by his friends. The following is a correct copy both of the shape of the stone, as well as the inscription upon it.
I. D.Esos
DEGMED MARGHY
HIS AGE 16889
2 4 feet high and broad, 5 in, thick :- red stone.
Whilst residing in New Haven, he was twice married, and at his death, he left a wife and two children. His will was afterwards exhibited, approved and recorded in the Probate office.
President Stiles, in his History of the Judges, says "So late as the last French war, 1760, some British officers pass- bus through New Haven, and hearing of Dixwell's grave. visited it, and declared with rancorous and malicious ven- deance, that if the British ministry knew it, they would even
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then cause their bodies to be dug up and vilified. Often have we heard the crown officers, aspersing and vilifying them ; and some, so late as 1775, visited and treated the graves with marks of indignity too indecent to be mention- ed." It was especially so, during Queen Anne's time, and even that of the Hanoverian family, there has been no time in which this grave has not been threatened by numer- ous sycophantic crown dependents, with indignity and min- isterial vengeance.
In 1665, the Colonies of Connecticut and New Haven were united, but not without a long and warm opposition from the latter Colony. Among the causes which excited this opposition, was the laxity of discipline in the Churches of Connecticut.
Mr. Davenport and others, in the New Haven Colony, were strong in the opinion that all government should be in the Church. No person in this colony could be a free- man, unless he was a member in full communion. But in Connecticut, all orderly persons, possessing a freehold to a certain amount, might be made free of the corporation. These gentlemen, who were so strong in the opposition, were doubtless, jealous that an union would mar the purity, order, and beauty of their churches, and have an ill infle- ence on the civil administrations. The removal of the seat of government, with strong prejudices, all operated in form- ing the opposition.
In the year 1667, the Rev. Mr. Davenport of New Haven, having been invited to take charge of the first church in Boston, accepted the invitation, and the next year removed to that capital, He had been about thirty years minister at New Haven, and was greatly esteemed and beloved by his congregation. His church were very unwilling that he should leave them, and never formally gave their consent. Owing to his removal, the church and congregation at New Haven, for many years were unable to unite in the choice of a person to take the pastoral charge of them. Mr. Da- venport died at Boston of an apoplexy, March 15th, 1670, in the 73d year of his age.
Ever since the union of the colonies. the Assembly had convened at Hartford, both in May and October ; but at the session of May Sth, 1701, an act was passed, that the assembly in October should be held at the usual time in New Haven. It was also enacted, that the Court of Magis-
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trates, which had been commonly held at Hartford in Octo- ber, should for the future be held at New Haven on the first Tuesday of the same month.
Yale College was founded by a number of clergymen in 1701, and received its charter in 1702. It was named after Elihu Vale, Esq. Governor of the East India Company, who was its principal early benefactor. It was originally fixed at Killingworth ; afterwards removed to Saybrook ; and thence, in 1717, to New Haven.
On the 23d of October, 1740, the Rev. George Whitfield paid a visit to New Haven, where he preached, and had the pleasure of seeing numbers daily impressed with divine truth. About the same time there was a great revival of religion . throughout the New England States, which gave rise to nu- merous irregularities, as lay-exhorters and ministers sprung up, who were inclined to follow impulses, professing to know from an inward feeling, the state of men's souls-who were converted and who were not.
" Among perons of this description, was a Mr. James Davenport, of Southhold, on Long Island, who had the re- putation of being a pious, sound, and faithful minister. He preached at New Haven, where he gave an unrestrained liberty to noise and outery, both of distress and joy, in time of divine service. He promoted both with all his might, raising his voice to the highest pitch, together with the most violent agitations of body. With his unnatural and violent agitations of the body, he united a strange singing tone, which greatly tended to raise the feelings of weak and undiscerning people, and consequently to heighten the con- fusion among the passionate of his hearers. This odd, dis- agreeable tuning of the voice, in exercises of devotion, was caught by the zealous exortists, and became a characteristic of the separate preachers. The whole sect was distinguish- ed by this sanctimonious tone. It was Mr. Davenport's manner, when a member had cried out, and there had been great agitations of the body, to pronounce these tokens of divine favor ; and what was still worse, he would declare those persons who were the subject of these outcries and agitations, to be converted ; or that they had come to Christ. He encouraged any who were reputed to be lively zealous Christians, to exhort publicly in full assemblies. with ministerial assurance and authority, though altogether raw and unskilful in the word of righteousness. What had still more mischievous influence than all the rest, was his
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undertaking to examine his brethren in the ministry, as to their spiritual state, and publicly to decide concerning them, whether they were converted or unconverted. Such as re- fused to be examined by him, were certain to be denounced as either unconverted, or in a very doubtful condition. Some whom he had privately examined, and to all appear- ance, were of as much grace as himself, he would, in his public prayers, pronounce to be unconverted. Thus, dis- order, jealousy, and confusion, were sown in the churches. He represented it as a dreadful thing to hear unconverted ministers ; that their preaching was worse than poison ; and he warned the people against it.
His brethren remonstrated against these wild measures, and represented to him that he must be under the influence of a wrong spirit ; but he persisting in his course, was com- plained of, and brought before the General Court of Massa- chusetts, and dismissed, as not being of a sound mind.
Two young men belonging to Yale College, adopting the sentiments of the separatists, and refusing to acknowledge their error, were expelled from that institution in the year 17-14." **
The first News-paper published in New Haven, was the Connecticut Gazette, by J. Parker, and Company, in which Dr. Franklin was connected. The earliest number before us, (perhaps the oldest one in existence,) is No. 130, from which it would appear that it was first issued in 1755. At its first appearance, it was only about 14 inches wide, and 9: long, containing two columns to a side. The following advertisements, notices, &c. are copied from this paper, and may be matter of curiosity to many, and also in some instal- ces serve to illustrate historical facts.
NEW HAVEN :
Printed by J. PARKER & COMPANY, at the Post Office, near Captair Peck's at the Long Wharf, where this paper may be had at 28. 6d. Lou- ful Money, per Quarter, if sent by the special post ; or Is. 10d. Half Penny, without Postage : the first Quarter to be paid at Entrance. Note. Thirteen Papers go to the Quarter. none to stop but at the end of the Quarter. Saturday, October Ist. 1757.
* Trumbull's History of Connecticut.
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New Haven, June 16th, 1758.
Next week will be publish'd Proposals for sending by Subscription a Post to Albany, during the Summer, and for paying the postage of all Letters to the Connecticut Soldiers in the Army. Toward which the Printers of this paper will advance Five Pounds lawful money. This is mentioned now, that Gentlemen may be as expeditious as possible in sending in subscriptions.
New Haven, January 22d, 1761.
His Honour the Governor, having received Dispatches, confirming the accounts of the death of our late most Gracious Sovereign, King George the Second, on the 25th day of October, 1760 :- and other Dispatches al- so, for proclaiming his present Majesty .- In pursuance thereof, yester- day issued orders for the Militia to appear under arms.
Whereupon (though many of them from considerable distances,) two troops of Horse, and four companies of Foot, with great dispatch and alertness, were this day before noon, drawn up on the Great Square, bo- fore the Town House; on notice whereof, his Honour, the Governor. with the Gentleman of the Council, (on this occasion convened) with ma- ny other Gentleman of Character and Distinction, were escorted by Capt. Peck's company of foot, from the Council Chamber to the place of Par- ade; where in the audience of a numerous Concourse (the severity of the season notwithstanding) with great alacrity convened.
Ifis Sacred Majesty was proclaimed by reading and proclaiming aloud the following PROCLAMATION.
WHEREAS, it hath pleased Almighty God to call in his Mercy our late Sovereign Lord King George the Second, of blessed and glorious memo- ry, by whose decease the Imperial Crown of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, as also the supreme dominion and sovereign right of the Colony of Connecticut in New England, and all other his late Majesty's domin- ions in America, are solely and rightfully come to the High and Mighty Prince George, Prince of Wales; We therefore the Governor and Com- pany, assisted with numbers of the principal Inhabitants of this Colony, do now, hereby with one full voice and consent of tongue and heart, pub- lish and proclaim, that the high and mighty Prince George, Prince of Wales, is now by the death of our late sovereign, of happy and glorious memory, become our only lawful and rightful Liege, Lord George the Third, by the Grace of God, King of Great Britain, France and Ireland, Defender of the faith, Supreme Lord of the said Colony of Connecticut in New England, and all other his late Majesty's dominions and Territories in America, to whom we do acknowledge all Faith and constant obedi- ence, with all hearty and humble affection ; boseeching God, by whom Kings and Queens do reign, to bless the Royal King George the Third. with long and happy years to reign over us.
Given at the Council Chamber at New Haven, the Twenty-second day of January, in the first year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord George the Third King of Great Britain, France and Ireland, De- fender of the Faith, &c. Annoque Domini 1761. GOD SAVE THE KING.
Which proclamation was subscribed by His Honour the Governor, Deputy Governor and the Gentleman of the Council, and many other Gentlemen of a Civil, Military and Ecclesiastical Character, &c. Which was followed by three general Iluzzas, and a Royal Salute of 21 Cannon,
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the Governor, Deputy Governor, and Council, with numbers of Clergy, and other Gentleman of Distinction, were again escorted to Mr. Bear's ; where an.elegant entertainment was provided on the occasion ; and his Majesty's, the Royal Family's, the King of Prussia's, and other loyal healths were drank ; and the Militia, after proper refreshment, seasona- bly discharged ; and the whole conducted and concluded with great De- cency and Order, and great Demonstrations of joy.
TO BE SOLD BY THE PRINTERS HEREOF, A True and Wonderful relation of the appearance
OF THREE ANGELS,
(Clothed in white raiment) to a Young Man in Medford near Boston, in New England, on the 4th of February 1761, at night :-- together with the substance of the Discourse, delivered by one of the Angels, from the 3d Chap. of Colos. and the 4th verse.
The Public may depend that the above Narrative is no imposition, but that it is a true account as related by the young man himself to numbers of people, many of whom can attest that he is a person of good character. May 23d, 1761.
TO BE SOLD, several likely Negro Boys and Girls : arrived from the coast of Africa. . SAMUEL WILLIS, at Middletown.
Whereas on last Tuesday evening, a number of persons gathered to- gether near the College, and there, and round the town, fired a great number of guns, to the great disturbance and terror of his Majesty's sub- jects, and brake the college windows and fences, and several of them had gowns on, with a design to bring a scandal upon the College. These may certify, that I and the Tutors, several times walked among, and near the rioters, and could not see any scholars among them ; but they appeared to be principally, the people of the town with some few strangers.
September 12, 1761.
T. CLAP.
TO THE PUBLIC.
November 4, 1761.
As enthusiasm, and false Religion, still continue to prevail in the World, in one shape and another ; and of late more than usual, in sundry Places many well meaning parsons being in danger of catching the in- fection ; It has been judget necessary to point out at this present time the pernicious tendency of giving heed to immediate Impulses, Revela- tions, Sc. Accordingly a plain address to the Quakers, Moravians, Sep- eratists, Separate Baptists, Rogerives and all other Enthusiasts, written by the Rev. Mr. Robert R .: s, of Stratfield, is prepared for the Press.
This Address is introduced with the narrative of the life of John Lewis; his last speech, confession, and solemn declaration; who was persuaded by an extraordinary impulse to murder his wife in a barbarous manner. The danger of following Impulses is pointed out in general- The Scripture doctrine of Divine Influences asserted-Their nature briefly explained- The notions of Enthusiasts set in contrast and confut- ed -- The manner in which the true Spirit teaches or enlightens Men's Minds in the Scriptures, explained-The deceits of Satan in abusing tho
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Scriptures, exposed-The nature of false conversion and Religion, dis- covered. This illustrated by some quotations from Bellamy's Dialogues- their immediate call to the ministry largely examined, and solidly con- futed-Remarks on Dr. . Mayhew's Sermons-Women's exhorting ex- posed -- A brief account of the delusions of the French Prophets and their followers-All with as much brevity and Plainness as the nature of the things treated on would permit.
PROPOSALS.
On the first of February next, the above Piece will be committed to the Press, at which time, those that take in Subscriptions, are desired to send their Subscription Papers to the Printing Office in New Haven, that the number subscribed for may be known. One shilling Lawful money to be paid at the time of subscribing, the remainder, (which is supposed will be one shilling) on the delivery of the Books. Subscriptions will not be taken in after the end of January next.
Subscriptions are taken at the Printing Ofice in New Haven.
TO THE PRINTER. Please to insert the following in your next.
I have now the pleasure of being able to inform the public, that the haws, or thorn seeds, which I sowed last Autumn, after having been bu- ried on the ground, lay the space of one year before the sowing (as men- tioned by me, in a late newspaper) are now fairly come up, and grow- ing, so that 'tis no longer a doubt, that the nature of those seeds is to re- main one year and a half after gathering before they spring and grow.
Yours, &c. J. INGERSOLL.
May 8th, 1762.
'NEW HAVEN.
Last Monday, a very unhappy accident happened at the muster of the Militia in North Haven. After the arms and accoutrements of the Mil- itary Company in that place were view'd by the Officers, for the sake of merriment, it was agreed to have a mock Indian fight, and a part of the Company dress'd in an Indian dress, and encounter'd the other part of the company ; when one Enoch Ives, a young man about eighteen, who was one of the Indian party, had his Windpipe, Jugular Vein, and his throat tore in such a manner, by the discharge of a Gun, that was close by him, that he expired in an instant.
May 8, 1762.
At a Meeting of the President and Fellows of Vale College, July 21, 1762.
Thereas many of the Students of this College have run greatly into debt with the Merchants, Tavern keepers, and others, for unnecessary things, whereby they have involved themselves with their parents m great dificulties.
Voted, That no Undergraduate, Student of this College, be allowed to buy, sell or exchange any thing whatsoever, in New Haven, without the express direction of their respective parents or guardians of the schol- ars to appoint some discreet person in New Haven to have the oversight of the expences of their children : And that all the money they expend
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here pass through their hands. And the law of College respecting schol- ars debts shall be understood of such debts only as are. contracted with the consent of their respective parents, Guardians, Overseers, or the Au- thority of College as aforesaid.
New Haven, March 5, 1762.
Last Saturday afternoon, David Slusher and James Daley were cropt, branded with the letter B, on their Fore-heads, and received each of thein Fifteen Stripes on their naked Bodies, pursuant to their sentences, for some time since breaking open, and robbing the shop of Mr. Philo Mills, of Derby.
A Likely Negro Wench and Child to be sold .- Inquire of the Printer.
To be sold by the subscriber of Branford, a likely Negro Wench, 18 years of age, is acquainted with all sorts of House Work; is sold for no fault. June 15, 1763.
New Haven, July 4, 1703.
We the subscribers, Select inen of the town of New Haven, do here- by give notice to the Inhabitants of said town that there will be a Vendue on the 2d Monday of August next, at the State-house in said Town, at four of the Clock in the afternoon, where those persons which are main- tained by the Town will be set up, and those persons who will keep them at the cheapest rate, may have them. Also a number of Children will be bound out, until they are either 14 or 21 years of age, if any persons ap- pear to take them.
William Greerough, 1 Amos Hitchcock, John MMix, . Thomas Howell,
Select-Men.
A year is past since the Printer .of this paper published proposals for reviving the Connecticut Casette. 'Tis needless to mention the rea- sons why it did not appear souber. He returns thanks to all those who favoured him at that time, and hope they are yet willing to try how far he is able to give them satisfaction. A sample of it is now sent abroad, in order to collect a sufficient number of Subscribers barely to pay the charge of carrying it on. When such a number appears,
It shall be printed weekly and delivered to subscribers in town and Country, at the rate of firo-pence for each paper, which is Eight Shil- lings and Eight Pence, for one year. And no addition shall be made to the price when the Stamp Act takes effect, if it is then encouraged so as to be afforded at that rate.
Subscribers are not de-ired to engage for any particular time, so that they can stop it when they please.
A special post i- appointed to carry it out of the common Post-Roads.
Advertisements shall be printed at a moderate Price, according to their length.
All kinds of Provi-ion, Fire Wood, and other suitable Country Produce will be taken as pay, of those who cannot spare money, if delivered at the Printer's Dwelling House, or at any other place which may acci- dentally suit him.
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The printer hereby invites the benevolent of all parties to send him an account of whatever novelties they think may be useful to their Coun- trymen. The shortest hints on such subjects, however written, will be gratefully received and faithfully communicated to the Publicif conven- ient.
Besides the help he hopes to receive from different Correspondents in this colony and elsewhere, the Printer has sent for 3 sorts of English Magazines, the Monthly Review of New Books, and one of the best Lon- don News-Papers; these, together with American Intelligence from Nova Scotia to Georgia, inclusive, and also from Canada, cannot fail to furnish him with a constant stock of momentous materials and fresh ad- vices to fill this Gazette.
July 5, 1765.
BENJAMIN MECOM, at the Post Office, New Haven.
Just imported from Dublin, in the brig Darby,
A parcel of Irish Servants both Men and Women, and to be sold cheap, by Israel Boardman at Stanford. 5th January, 1764.
TO THE GOOD PEOPLE OF CONNECTICUT.
When I undertook the office of Distributor of Stamps for this colony, I meant a service to you, and really thought you would have viewed it in that light when you come to understand the nature of the stamp act and that of the office ; but since it gives you so much uneasiness, you may be assured if I find (after the act takes place, which is the first of November) that you shall not incline to purchase or make use of any stampt Paper, I shall not force it upon you, nor think it worth my while to trouble you or myself with any exercise of my office ; but if, by that time, I sball find you generally in much need of the stampt paper, and very anxious to obtain it, I shall hope you will be willing to receive it of me, (if I shall happen to have any) at least until another person more agreeable to you can be appointed in my room.
I cannot but wish you would think more how to get rid of the stamp act than of the Officers who are to supply you with the Paper, and that you had learnt more of the nature of my Office, before you had underta- ken to be so very angry at it. I am yours, &c.
New Haven, 24th August, 1765. J. INGERSOLL.
. New Haven, September 13.
On the 6th Inst. the civil Authority, Select Men, and a considerable number of the principal Gentleman and Inhabitants of the town of New Haven, being occasionally met, at the Court House in said Town, were informed that there was a report, that a considerable number of persons from some of the neighbouring towns were expected to assemble in said New Haven, and to be joyned by some of the people of the Town, to shew their Resentment against the Gentleman appointed Distributor of Stamps for this colony, and that it was said, that some of the principal men of the town, would countenance the thing. Whereupon the Gen- themen present unanimously declared their dislike and disapprobation of any such proceedings, as being of dangerous Tendency : and resolved to use their endeavours to discourage and prevent any such riotous Assem- bly, and would advise the people of this town not to be concerned there- in. They at the same time, declared that they were desirous that all proper and lawful measures might be taken to obtain a Repeal of the late
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etamp act, which occasions so great and universal uneasiness in the Country ; and they thought the most likely way to effect it would be, for the Colonies to unite in a dutiful remonstrance to the King and Parlia- ment for relief. And that the wisdom of the Honourable General As- sembly (the time of whose session is near at hand) may safely be relied en to conduct that affair on behalf of this Colony.
New Haven, Sept. 20, 1765.
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