USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > Cheshire > History of Cheshire, Connecticut, from 1694-1840, including Prospect, which, as Columbia parish, was a part of Cheshire until 1829; > Part 2
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Mr. Samuel Street,
John Moss,
John Brockett and Abraham Doolittle
To be a committee whom we hereby impower to manage all plantation affairs in ye said village according to, and in pursu- ance of the above written articles, and to see the same attended * and performed by the planters, either, are or shall be by them the said committee, and also for to disposal and distribution of al- lotments in some such equal way as shall best suit the condition of the place and ye inhabitants thereof, and to use their best means they can for procurement of some able and fit man to dispense the word of God among them, and lastly, we do im- power them, the above named committee to make choice of such other fit persons into the exercise of their power and trust with themselves, for their assistance, if any such shall appear among them, and the major part of the said committee, hereby ap- pointed or intended, have full power to act in all the premises, as they shall see cause, in pursuance of the said articles and un- dertakings. In testimony whereof, and to all the said articles and premises, we, the committee appointed by New Haven, thereunto, have set to our hands.
William Jones John Harriman
Matthew Gilbert John Humiston
William Broadley
Abraham Dickerman
Jeremiah Osborn."I
The governmental machinery of the "new village" being thus arranged for by the assignment of the four supervisors or town
IThese men were the Lieutenant Governor of New Haven, the Mag- istrates and principal men.
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HISTORY OF CHESHIRE.
agents, the other persons interested began to make their prep- arations for the settlement.
From all the information, which we of the present day can gather, by a careful perusal of public records, and an inspection of many other documents that have come down to us, with many letters and private papers now in the collection of the Connecti- cut, New Haven Colony and other Historical Societies we are enabled to understand why our ancestors considered the plant- ing of their new village a "very great undertaking."
The town of New Haven had been established for thirty years. The country northward was still an almost unbroken forest, in- fested by Indians, howling wolves, fierce bears, catamounts, and other wild animals who made both day and night fearsome to all except the most courageous of the settlers. The Indians living in the vicinity of New Haven, had been so well treated by the former Governor, Mr. Eaton, and his associates, that they were as a rule, very friendly. Nevertheless, about the time the men who had signed the "Wallingford Agreement" were prepared to go forth into the wilderness, tribes of Indians (living far to the northward), who had habitually frequented the shores of Long Island sound, for the purposes of fishing, "powwowing" and gathering shells wherewith to fashion their "wampum" or Indian money, began again to infest the white settlements, caus- ing friendly Indians to become restless and creating in the minds of the New Haven and Wallingford people a feeling of impend- ing danger against which it was important to take the most am- ple precautions.
To this end arrangements were made for the enrollment of a guard, the fortification of houses, and so placing of their village that all of its inhabitants could be speedily gathered together at the call of danger.
A year or more was thus occupied, the road toward Hartford, which had been but little more than an Indian trail leading through the mountain pass at the Hanging Hills, was carried over the hills to the eastward and widened. It now assumed the dignified title of the "Colony road," and became the chief high-
2I
HISTORY OF CHESHIRE.
way and one of the most important avenues of communication with all of the New England colonies.
This road, which bordered upon the Quinnipiac river, gave convenient access to the plateau of land, "above ye great plaine," which had been agreed upon by the committee in charge of the Wallingford settlement. They located their village on high ground, about a mile from the river; and chose a locality that was certain to furnish all the elements necessary for a commu- nity willing to conquer the wilderness, work hard, and improve their condition. Those who signed the Agreement, were gen- erally New Haven settlers with large families seeking a set- tlement for their children or dependents. Their descendants have since had reason to bless them for the exceptional wisdom these pioneers exhibited in selecting the site upon which the present Borough of Wallingford now rests.
The bounds of the new village were defined :
"Att a Courte of Election held at Hartford May 12th, 1670, as follows :
"This Court having been moved to state ye Bounds of ye New Village that is settling upon ye plains as you goe to New Haven-Do grant that ye Bounds shall come from the little Brook at the south end of the great plain to ye Northward Ten Miles, and from the said brook southward to Branford Bounds and on each side of the River five miles-thatt is five miles on ye East side and five miles on ye West side of ye River provided that ye said Village be carried on and made a plantation with- out any relation or subordination to any other town and pro- vided the Bounds hereby granted to ye said village do not preju- dice any Bounds formerly granted to any Plantation or particu- lar person or do not extend to ye north any further than to reach the old road to New Haven yt goeth over Pilgrims Harbor.
"And this Courte orders yt ye Plantation shall be called Wal- lingford."
Two years later the following addition was made to the boun- daries of Wallingford :
"May 9th, 1672. At a General Court at Hartford
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HISTORY OF CHESHIRE.
"Itt was granted that Wallingford should extend their Bounds to the westward of their former grant 'too' miles their whole breadth provided this grant shall not prejudice any grant made by this Court to any person or persons formerly of any part of that part of land."
NORTH
END
Common
42 Bery " Leurb18
18 Jame Royce
40
41
Truth Royce 17
17 Ach." Royce
39
Fields
38
Jhon Yale 15
16 Dan Justtell
33
37
Sonae Royce 15
15 The Hall
32.
Common 36
Theos Curtis 14
14 at an club
34
35 Simon Justtell 13
13 Que Nomber
31)
34
Rich Beach 12
12 John Mux
29
28
Poten Pack 11
11 Jeve Hour
22
Common 27
John Miles 10
10 Joseph ives
2.1
26 Jan Andrews 9
9 Book Now
20
Wilderness
25 at the andreux 8
19
Fields 24 John Move J. 7
7 Same Potter
18
23
Sno Harriman 6
6 Ellager Peek
17
16 Ye Ministry S
5 John. tall
11
VE Ministry 4
4och Benham
14
Sann Munson 3
3 Same Hall
9
Ground 13
Nal Merriman 2
2 Samt Cook
8
12 T. 1St 6 Persons 1
1.Tatt Merriman 5
7
WEST
CROSS
HIGH WAY
Ye First that was laid out.
6 Rev Sam Street
EAST
SEtras" Preston S
E
4 John Beach 4
3.46th Doutittel 3
-
Reserved
for a
S
Planting
Field Map of the 2 John Mosse S- 2 Tour of Wallingford Ct.
1200 Brockett S 1
AD:1670-72.
Land laid out for purposes other than building or
House Lotto
SOUTH END
Whartons
Brook
LONG
HIGH
Burying 15
WAY
The first Highway land one in use date. From New Haven to Hartford on Colo"
23
HISTORY OF CHESHIRE.
The committee, Messrs Samuel Street, John Morse Senr, John Brockett and Abraham Doolittle, showed themselves fully com- petent; from the time of their appointment until a number of settlers had built sufficient houses, fences and other accommoda- tions to protect themselves in their new village, these men con- tinued to work for the success of this enterprise.
An inspection of the records made at this time informs us that "forty-two house lots," and an equal number of River lots ; "upon the river called 'New Haven East River' are laid out to severall of ye inhabitants." It is also shown by the records that of the original subscribers to the "Wallingford Agreement" ten or more did not "possess" their allotments, and their "house lots were granted by ye comtee" to other persons "with ye River lott belonging to ytt."
The committee and surveyors had carefully laid out these house lots, and all the persons accepted as inhabitants up to the month of April, 1671, drew lots therefor. Their names and the house lots each one obtained will be found in the map, which is a re- duced copy of a map, originally drawn upon a page of an early book of Wallingford Records.
The map here given, bears the names and numbers drawn by all "Inhabitants accepted by ye comtee," and who "possessed lots" from the 31st of January, 1668, to the 15th of February 1671-2 when it was voted "Thatt no more house lotts be granted, except upon ye west side of ye River."
At the present day it is interesting to note how carefully the "Comtee" planned the lay out of their settlement.
"BEGINNING att ye south part of ye hill, upon ye East side of ye Great Plane, commonly called 'New Haven Plaine'; they laid out two house lots; next a piece of land (containing some forty acres) was left 'for a Planting Field' and then four more house lots were laid out. The record says 'These six lots having some land lieng (lying) at ye end of them towards Whartons Brook ; it is agreed by ye Comtee that yt be distributed to the aforesaid persons (meaning the six who obtained these lots) as part of their other outlands, Hieways excepted.'
"Next to ye aforesaid home lotts it is ordered that thear shall
24
HISTORY OF CHESHIRE.
be a highway crosse ye hill from East to West of six rodds broade; and from thence a Long Hiway of six rodds broade on ye top of ye Hill to runn Northward, and on each side of itt to (two) ranges of house lotts of six acres to a lott, and these lots to be distributed."
It was subsequently decided that there should be two ranges of House lotts : "five lotts on ye East side, and five lotts on ye west side of the Long High way. Then a cross Hieway six rods broade across the hills from East to West. Then two more ranges of six house lotts each on each side of the Long High way. Then another cross hieway of six rodds, and two other ranges of house lotts, five on ye East side and five on the west side ; and soe to have another highway East and west, and more house lotts, on the Long Hieway northward as the townsmen may see occasion."
It was also "Ordered by ye Comtee for ye town of Walling- ford, yt (that) no person or persons whatsoever that hath any lands granted to them within the Libbertyes of ye said town, shall have liberty to sell, let, give or any way allynyate itt or any part of yt, from himself to any other to bring in him or them to be inhabitants therein without ye consent or approbation of ye Comite now intrusted during ye tyme of their lives, or after- ward, without ye consent or approbation of ye inhabitants of ye said town, or such as by them be intrusted with ye management of those affairs."
Two of these lots were set apart for "Ye Ministry," and one lot for "ye use of the first six persons," probably meaning for other town purposes if it should be required; as four of the "first six persons" were in authority as committee men.
The thirty-nine house lots were allotted as follows :
No. 26, Samuel Andrews M. No. 25, Nathan Andrews M.
No. I, John Brockett, Sr, H. No. 4, John Beach H. No. 34, Richard Beach L.
No. 10, Joseph Benham, Senr, L.
No. 8, Samuel Cook L. No. 36, Thomas Curtice M.
No. 3, Abraham Dowlittle, Senr, H.
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HISTORY OF CHESHIRE.
No. 9, Samuel Hall M. No. 30, Daniel Hopper L. No. 22, Jeremiah How M.
No. II, John Hall M. No. 32, Thomas Hall M. No. 20, Zachariah How L.
No. 19, Nathaniel How L. No. 23, John Harriman M.
No. 21, Joseph Ives M.
No. 42, Benjamin Lewes M.
No. 2, John Mosse, Senr, H. No. 24, John Mosse, Jr. M.
No. 7, Nathaniel Merriman, Senr, H. No. 13, Nathaniel Mer- riman, Jr. M.
No. 14 Samuel Munson M. No. 27, John Miles M. No. 29, John Mix M.
No. 5, Eliasaph Preston M. No. 28, John Peck M. No. 7, Eleazur Peck L. No. 18, Samuel Potter M.
No. 37, Samuel Royce M. No. 39, Nehemiah Royce M. No. 40, Isaac Royce L. No. 41, Nathaniel Royce M.
No. 6, Rev. Samuel Street H.
No. 35, Simon Tuttell M. No. 33, David Tuttell M. No. 31, Samuel Thorp M.
No. 38, Thomas Yale M.
No. 12 to the Ist 6 persons and Nos. 15 and 16 "to ye min- istry."I
It was agreed that the town rate or taxes should be laid upon such sum of money which each settler should declare he was willing "to pay rates for" and the "Ranks" were settled as follows :
H "Ye Hiest (Highest) Rank shall paye on £ 100.00.00.
M "Ye Meadle Rank shall paye on £75.00.00.
L "Ye Loest Rank shall paye on £ 50.00.00."
For the land Divisions it was "voted Thatt there shall be al- lowed for the first division of lands; to each planter, taking in House lotts, River lotts, and all sorts of land. To the loest
IThe capitals, after each name in this list, denote the "Rank" as it appears in a later list drawn up to settle the amount of land each person should have in the several Divisions, as they should from time to time be made.
26
HISTORY OF CHESHIRE.
ranke 40 acers, to the meaddle ranke 60 acres, and to the hiest ranke 80 acres, and soe to keep for ye present."
There is no doubt that this orderly arrangement of House lotts, and agreement for the division of lands, was in a great measure due to Mr. John Brockett and Mr. John Moss, who had, some years before, explored the region; and Mr. Brockett hav- ing been the surveyor of the outlands for the New Haven plant- ers, was well qualified to lay out satisfactorily the lands of the new plantation.
In the spring of 1672-3 so many persons had erected houses and fenced in their allotments that the authorities in New Ha- ven concluded the inhabitants of Wallingford might safely con- duct their own affairs ; therefore the committee resigned in May, and thenceforward the community was governed by its own "Comte" or Town Meetings, at which the people elected their own officials, and a record was made by prominent inhabitants pledging themselves to "carry on ye town in an orderly manner."
At the same meeting the town chose John Mosse, Senr., John Brockett, Abraham Doolittle, Sr., Nathaniel Merriman, Sr., and John Hall, Jr., a "committee to approve the admission of new . planters." About this time the New Haven people, mindful of their own interests, and fearful lest the growth of the new vil- lage should encroach upon their own reserved territory, ap- pointed a committee to meet with a like committee appointed by the town of Wallingford; and settle the boundary questions which had been troubling both town and village for some time.
The document agreed to by this committee is as follows:
"I. By the Comtee for New Haven underwritt that Walling- ford Bownds on the East side of the East River shall be front Brandford line Northerlie to Wharton's brooke where it crosseth the north branch, of the said brooke, and thence at the brooke runne into ye East River.
"II. That New Haven shall runn two miles and a halfe north- ward from the Foot of the Blew HillsI on the Mill river, upon that river, and the line from a stake there to the foote of the
IMt. Carmel.
27
HISTORY OF CHESHIRE.
Blew Hills on the East River ; and from the sayd Two mile and a halfe stake along our reare west and by north to the ends of their bownds.
"Which issue they, the committee for Wallingford, consented too and accepted, and this to be a issue in Love and Peace."
"Memorandum thatt the committee for New Haven doe con- sent that the meadow between the Mill River and East River northward above the Blew Hills shall be Wallingford as to the bulk of itt, and Libertie of draweing itt as they shall see cause as though the line agreed too should cutt through itt."
The following year a committee was appointed by New Ha- ven to lay out the bounds of the New Village, and their report was duly entered upon the land record book of Wallingford, as follows :
"We whose names are under written being appointed to lay out the bownds of Wallingford According to the Generall Courtes grant. We did Runn from the East River commonly called New Haven River, upon an East and by South line, five miles very nere Pishtapague ponds, and from there upon a North by East line untill it meets with Middletowne South bownds ; and on East by South line until it meets with Middletowne West bownds. And on the West side of New Haven river, upon a West and by North line seven miles.
"As witness our hands this sixth day of November, 1674.
JOHN WILFORD, NATHANIEL WHITE."
The report of these surveyors having been accepted, new in- habitants from New Haven, Hartford, Boston and other settle- ments applied for "accommodations," and permission to live in the town. The town committee having examined the credentials of these applicants reported them to the town meeting where they were either accepted or rejected as the case might be.
There was also a vast difference made between those who pur- chased parcels of land from residents in the town, and those who held a proprietorship in not only the land already divided, but in all the undivided lands. If the town permitted an out-
28
HISTORY OF CHESHIRE.
sider to buy land and become an inhabitant, it jealously guarded itself against allowing that purchaser any share in the subse- quent divisions of the town lands which were held in common by the original Proprietors, or their heirs; and to this end they voted-"That not any man shall have power to sell his accom- modation to another man, and leave the town until hee have dwelt upon itt three yeares, and after three years he may sell or lyniater itt to any such as the town shall approve of."
The early records contain many town votes admitting persons to full town privileges by reason of their purchasing the former right of some other proprietor ; or admitting new planters who were needed in the town because of their ability as blacksmiths, millwrights, shoemakers, and knowledge of other trades. Such men were not accepted, however, without first ascertaining all about them, whether they were religious men, of good moral character, and had always comported themselves in an orderly manner in the "parts from whence they came," and they were especially careful that all new comers should agree to the "due maintainance of the ministry," the rate being levied according to the "Rank" taken up if the person was accepted.
It was voted "Thatt those thatt hold lots in ye town of Wal- lingford and are not Resident upon ye place and do not pay their rates within one month after demanded shall be liable to forfeit thayre lots."
Soon after the boundary lines were settled in 1674-5 news spread through the New England towns that the Indians under King Phillip were attacking the settlements of Massachusetts, where they burned a number of towns, and massacred many of the inhabitants.
In anticipation of trouble with the Indians a Town Meeting was held in Wallingford August 27th, 1675, at which the fol- lowing order was promulgated :
"In respect of ye present danger of ye Indians itt was ordered that the Inhabitants secure themselves and the principal of theire goods by fortyfying about two (2) houses, which houses are to be Mr. Samuel Street's and Lieut. Merriman's, and that this work
I Alienate.
29
HISTORY OF CHESHIRE.
of fortyfieing be sett upon ye 28th day of this instant by ve whole town ; and followed until it be effected and whosever fails to pay a fine of 5 shillings. Also that every man bring his arms and ammunition complete upon ye Sabbath day thatt he may be able in a fitt posture to do service if need require.
"Thatt the select guard serve as sentnals on ye Sabbath; the rest of the town ward 4 men every Sabbath and two every week day and be warned by order from ye constable by the watch and called and that they begin to ward when the ward breaks up and hold on till ye watch be set again. Thatt they begin and end att ye dawning and shutting in of ye day, and that both watch and ward come to ye constable yt their arms may be viewed if they be according to law. This untill further order, provided not- withstanding the select Gaurd is not hereby freed from warding on the week days. It is also ordered that the Drum beat at the setting and breaking up of the watch."
This vote, authorizing fortifications, furnishes abundant evi- dence that this Indian trouble was more serious than anything of the kind that had preceded it; and the inhabitants of Wal- lingford did not rest until they had not only fortified the two houses ordered, but they also erected heavy fences or barricades at important points. The houses that had been chosen were probably the largest and best built of any existing at that time. They were built of hewn timbers, strongly framed, and covered with sawn boards, but most probably thatched with rushes, hay, or straw, as was nearly every house built about this time. The windows were small, and may or may not have been filled with glass, a very expensive material in early times. It is well known that our ancestors used oiled cloths, and papers, instead of glass, when they could not obtain the latter, and we may well believe that very few Wallingford houses had more than one or two window frames filled with even very small panes of glass.
The fortification of a house was accomplished only by the ex- penditure of a vast amount of labor. All the able bodied men, and no doubt some of the women, too, were mustered into com- panies. "Sergeant Andrews, and Corporall Hall were appoint- ed to call forth hands and teams," sufficient to bring in from "ye
30
HISTORY OF CHESHIRE.
wilderness" the "palissadoes" that were to be "cutt and pinted" by another squad of men detailed for that purpose.
These timbers were from six inches to one foot in diameter, and from sixteen to twenty feet in length. They were planted close together in a trench from three to five feet deep, entirely surrounding the house to be fortified, the pointed ends upper- most. This enclosure had a strongly framed gateway of logs with loopholes and arrangements for speedily opening, closing, and barring every entrance on the shortest notice of danger.
The Governor's Council at Hartford had ordered strict pre- cautions to be taken, for defending the several towns ; prescrib- ing the number of men, to be on "ward" or guard; and this was the reason the work of fortifying had been pushed forward so rapidly. "Att a town meeting held in Wallingford 28h Septem- ber 1675. Itt was ordered and agreed, hoping itt may be no offence to ye Honble Council. Thatt as in other towns they have a stated number appointed for warding considering the neces- sities of occasions and inability to hold to ward on ye 4th inst of ye town every day. We also have presumed also to make some abatement for ye present until more danger appears, or our superiours see cause to reduce us to our former injunction."
There is no evidence that the "Superiours" at Hartford, found much fault with the Wallingford people whose records inform us that every care was taken to protect themselves from any in- cursion of the enemy. At the close of each day, when the drum was beaten the people repaired to the fortified houses, there to remain at rest until an hour before the dawn of day, when the guard was changed, and increased in numbers; that being the time the Indians usually chose for attacking a settlement. At sunrise, if there was no alarm, the gates were opened, and those who had spent the night within the fortifications, drove forth their cows and cattle and went about their usual avocations.
The "guard," divided into suitable squads, consisted of every able bodied man except the minister, the two deacons and one or more of the chief men. Every member of the guard fur- nished his own weapons and was obliged to keep them with plenty of powder and shot, in good order under penalty. The
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HISTORY OF CHESHIRE.
firearms consisted of "match locks," and "fire locks." If a match lock, they were to be "charged with a fitt proportion of match;" and from thirty to forty feet of match was considered a "fitt proportion." This "match" was made of cotton wick or threads soaked in rum and impregnated with fine powder. It was then tightly twisted, and wound upon a reel attached to the gun ; a big mouthed long barreled affair requiring a "rest," which was carried by the soldier. This rest was a short, steel pointed wooden cane with a crotch wherein the gun was placed after the sharp pointed end of the "rest" had been thrust in the ground, before the man was ready to take aim. At a signal on the drum all the matches were lighted, and ON YE GUARD 1640. must not be extinguished until the order was given. These matches were so constructed that they burned at the rate of about six inches an hour, and were kept lighted so long as the soldier was on ward or guard.
The "fire locks" were perhaps better weapons than the match locks, but were not considered as certain to De discharged. A fire lock might also be used with a rest. The owner was re- quired to provide "half a score" of flints "well fitted to his fire- lock," with "shott and powder for at least five shotts." He was also to supply himself with two "bandoleers" or wide leathern belts crossing each shoulder, to which his gun, powder horn and other accoutrements were secured. The other weapons used were swords and pikes. These latter were steel pointed lances, fashioned by the blacksmiths, and fastened to the end of poles from ten to twelve feet in length. The town furnished these pikes, and paid a man to care for them. They were usually kept in a long box at the meeting house, when not required for use by the guard. Training was an everyday affair, while an alarm existed, and severe penalties were exacted from all who did not appear, and practice with the pikes, swords and firearms, according to the orders of their superior officers. The guard was also trained in cases of fire, and every inhabitant was obliged
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