USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Hartland > History of Hartland, the 69th town in the Colony of Connecticut > Part 2
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In this first division, no provision was made for the minister's or parsonage lots. It is apparent that at this carly date they must have recognized that the meeting houses would eventually be built on the East and West mountains. In each division, however, they did allow for a sufficient amount of land to be later used for highway purposes.
The Proprietors kept a record of their activities and this book is now in the office of Hartland's Town Clerk. It is constructed of silk parchment and is still in good condition. Joseph Talcott was the Pro- prietor's clerk for a number of years and was followed later by John Austin. The following is a list of the original Proprietors together with a record of the divisions and dates on which the rights were drawn and the divisions laid out in cach drawing. It is apparent that selection was made by putting the names into a hat, so to speak, and drawing by lot so that there would be no discrimination or opportunity for choice to be made by any individual:
LIST OF ORIGINAL PROPRIETORS OF HARTLAND AND THE INDEX LOCATION OF THEIR VARIOUS LOTS
Location by Divisions :
Name of Proprietor
1st
2nd
3rd
4th 5th
L T T
L L
T L 3rd, 47
T L L
Arnold, Nathaniel
46
Ist. 3
Austin, John (heirs)
2
3rd, 43
3rd, 41
3rd, 51 Ist, 4
T L T L
L
L
6
History of Hartland
Location by Divisions :
Name of Proprietor
3rd
4th
5th
Ballard, Humphrey (heirs)
Barnard, Ebenezer
2nd, 24
Benjamin, Samuel (heirs)
16
Ist, 10
Ist, 3
1st, 19
Bigelow, Timothy (heirs)
38
2nd, 38
Ist.
5
3rd, 52
Brace, Henry
36
2nd, 40
2nd, 33
3rd, 43
Burnham, John (heirs)
45
Ist, 7
2nd, 29
1st, 13
Burnham, Michael
37
3rd, 41
3rd, 44
Burnham, William
(with John Moody)
23
2nd, 27
3rd, 39
2nd, 40
Cadwell, Samuel (heirs)
11
3rd, 45
2nd, 21
2nd, 34
Cowles, Joseph
19
3rd, 42
3rd, 45
1st, 16
Cowles, Timothy
19
3rd, 42
3rd, 45
1st, 16
Day, John
8
2nd, 37
Ist, 4
1st, 11
Dodd, Benjamin
47
1st, 24
2nd, 22
Ist, 5
Dodd, Edward
47
1st, 24
2nd, 22
Ist,
5
Ensign Eleazer
(heir of Thomas)
3rd, N
Ensign, James, Jr. (heir of Jonathan)
Ist.
5
1st, 11
1st, 21
Ensign, Jonathan (heirs in 2nd D)
9
1st,
5
1st, 11
1st, 21
Ensign, Thomas' (heirs)
17
1st,
1
Ist, 16
1st, 28*
Farnsworth, Joseph (heirs)
31
1st.
6
Ist,
6
Flagg, Samuel
27
Ist.
2
2nd, 24
1st, 15
Forbes, John
26
1st, 17
3rd, 42
1st, 17
Goodwin, Samuel (heirs)
35
3rd, 48
3rd, 43
2nd, 35
Griswold, Caleb
41
3rd, 50
3rd, 48
1st, 12
Hills, Benjamin Jun.
20
2nd, 36
3rd, 36
2nd, 34
Hinsdale, Isaac
(with John Moody)
23
2nd, 27
3rd, 39
Hooker, Thomas
44
Ist,
4
2nd, 30
1st, 20
Jones, Nathaniel
26
1st, 17
3rd, 42
1st, 24
Judd, Thomas (with
J. Moody in 1st)
23
2nd, 27
3rd, 39
2nd, 37
Kendall, John
**
1st, 13
2nd, 24
Loring, Jonathan
5
Ist,
8
3rd, 40
1st, 29
Mather, Joseph
21
2nd, 33
1st,
2
1st, 24
Moody, John
23
2nd, 27
Ist, 2
2nd, 39
Morrison, Dr. Norman
43
3rd, 44
3rd, 35
Ist, 1
Olcott, Thomas
49
1st, 18
Ist,
1
1st, 26
Olcott, Timothy
1
2nd, 30
2nd, 28
2nd, 42
Olmstead, Joseph (heirs)
7
1st, 15
1st, 13
1st, 8
Olmstead, Nehemiah
1st, 15
Ist, 13
3rd, 53
Pitkin, William Esq.
40
1st, 20
2nd, 27
1st, 18
Potwin, John
34
1st, 23
3rd, 49
Ist, 3
Pratt, William
33
Ist, 12
2nd, 34
1st, 23
1st 29 27 North
2nd 3rd, 35 Ist, 2
3rd, 37
Ist, 1,2
Bigelow, Jonathan (heirs)
7
Laid out in 1750 - Samuel Messenger, Surveyor
Samuel Messenger survey of First Division accepted September 24, 1750 = =
= November 12, 1751
=
= Third 11
11
October 18, 1753
COL ONY
LINE OR GRANVILLE
5th Division
THIRD DIVISION (60 acres in Pond)
Granville.
3rd TIER
2nd TIER
Ist TIER
3/4 mile TIER 3 miles long
2nd TIER
2 1/2 miles
long
Ist TIER
1 Mile 20 rods
1 Mile 20 rods
1 Mile 20 rods
1 1/2 Miles 16 rods
3/4 mi. 17 rods
1 Mile wide
1 Mile wide
7 1/2 Miles 13 rods East & West
40
54 North
40
54 North
This line is 4 miles 198 rods. The degree in 1882 is N 25 E North 23° East. Ned Kendall, Surveyor
True bearing
N 15 -15' - 30" is in 1928
HHS-3
Map showing location of tiers and divisions laid out in (1750-1-2-3-4)
GRANBY
The Proprietors
MAP SHOWING LOCATION OF TIERS AND DIVISIONS of HARTLAND as laid out in 1750-1-2-3 -4
This line is 4 miles 183 rods by survey made in 1885 N 23 15 E.
4th DIVISION
This tier goes through to
SECOND DIVISION
or
FIRST DIVISION
RIVER DIVISION
BARKHAMSTED
11 Second -
8
History of Hartland
Location by divisions : 25
Roberts. Joseph
2nd, 34
3rd, 38
Sedgwick, Jonathan
32
Ist, 11
2nd, 24
Seymour, Timothy (heirs)
22 1st, 25
2nd, 26
18 3rd, 49 1st, 15
3rd, 50
Shepard, John
14 1st, 16 1st, 14 3rd, 49
Shepard, Samuel
42 Ist, 16
Ist, 14 3rd, 49
Steele, Daniel
13 1st, 22
2nd, 32
Talcott, Hon. Joseph (heirs)
24 3rd, 47
1st, 18 1st, 30
Treadway, Thomas (heirs)
10
2nd, 39
Ist, 8 1st, 9
Wadsworth, Joseph Jun.
15
1st, 21
Ist, 7 1st, 14
Wadsworth, Thomas (heirs)
6 1st, 26
3rd, 46
2nd, 38
Warner, Abraham
31
Ist.
9
2nd, 31
3rd, 48
Warren, Thomas
48
Ist, 9
2nd, 31
3rd, 43
Webster, Robert
46
1st, 3
3rd, 47
3rd, 51
Welles, Ebenezer (heirs)
39
3rd, 46
2nd, 19
1st, 25
Welles, Samuel (heirs)
1
2nd, 30
2nd, 28
1st, 10
Whiting, John
28
2nd, 29
Ist, 9
Ist, 1
Whiting, Joseph
4
2nd, 32
1st, 12
2nd, 37
Williams, Eunice
14
Ist, 14
Ist, 10
2nd, 34
Wilson, John
24
3rd, 47
Ist, 18
2nd, 41
Woodbridge, Samuel (heirs)
30
2nd, 31
2nd, 20
Ist, 7
Woodbridge, Rev. Samuel
12
Woodbridge, Rev. Mr. Timothy
1st, 19
2nd, 35
3rd, 46
Wyllys, George Esq.
3
2nd, 28
2nd, 23
1st, 24
The FIRST DIVISION was made May 15, 1750-The proprietors were inhabitants of HARTFORD whose names appeared on the Tax Lists of 1720, or their heirs.
SECOND DIVISION rights were drawn September 24th, 1750.
THIRD DIVISION was laid out August, 1750.
FOURTH DIVISION was taken from common lands, and laid out in May, 1782.
FIFTH DIVISION resulted from settlement of a dispute over boundary lines with the Town of Granville, Massachusetts, and this land formerly claimed by Granville was divided among HARTLAND proprietors in the survey of April 20, 1805.
The first three divisions were made in the year 1750. The second division which covered the Southern half and Northeast corner of the East mountain provided for parsonage and minister's lots together with necessary land for highways.
The third division which contained all of the land on the West mountain was divided into three tiers each one mile 20 rods in width and extended in approximately straight lines from South to North.
In drawing the lots for the third tier, lot #47 which was drawn in the name of Robert Webster and heirs fell in the pond. In order to com- pensate Robert Webster and his heirs for the land to which he was entitled, the surveyors added 60 acres to this lot to allow for the pond in
Sheldon, Capt. John (heirs)
9
The Proprietors
it. The Proprietors book, page 14, makes the following note: "There is added to this lot to allow for the pond in it and what of land is over- plus, reserved for the use of the Proprietor's 60 acres." It is at this point that the waters of Hartland Pond were forever to become the property of the Town of Hartland and the fact that the land given Robert Web- ster and his heirs was taken from extra land reserved for the use of all the Proprietors makes it mandatory that all residents of Hartland and their lineal descendants have the right of access and use of the pond. This is why it is necessary for the Town of Hartland to maintain a right of way to the pond at all times.
In the second and third divisions, provisions were made for parson- age and minister's lots so that ecclesiastical societies could be formed at some future time and would have these lots available.
It was not until 1782 that the fourth division was laid out and this, of course, was long after Hartland had been settled and incorporated as a town. This fourth division of the common or undivided land was laid out by Eleazer Ensign, Major Uriel Holines and Col. Benjamin Hutchins, a committee of the Proprietors appointed for this purpose. Some of them were given extra land in payment for their services on this committee.
The fifth division was the result of a boundary dispute with the town of Granville as previously recorded.
In addition to the survey to lay out the divisions and ascertain the exact acreage of each lot, it was necessary to lay out highways through the several sections. Thomas Giddings, Uriel Holmes and Phineas Kings- bury were named by the Proprietors as a committee to lay out these highways. (Proprietors Book, Page 16.) In all probability the highways were determined from paths or rough trails already in existence. Due to their limited facilities and equipment for building roads, the paths of least resistance were often followed. As late as November, 1772, we find them making the following note in connection with the lay-out of a new highway: "Said highway to cover path as mentioned above unless by turning path it can be made better."
The Proprietors continued in existence until September 18, 1815. During that time Sterling G. Bushnell had succeeded John Austin as clerk. Timothy Coe was clerk of the last meeting as mentioned above.
The first deed given by the Proprietors is dated April 28, 1733 from Samuel Barnard to Captain Caleb Williamson of Hartland described as 95 acres of Western lands. The last deed is dated May 24, 1762 and is for land sold by Joseph Talcott, Mathew Talcott, Abigail Wadsworth and Moses Caldwell to Daniel and Jerusha Lathrop. (Proprietors Book Page 329.)
Few of the Proprietors settled in Hartland but as soon as their lots and acreage had been established, they began to sell their holdings to prospective settlers and promoters. In 1720 one of the largest property holders and tax payers in Hartford was Dr. Norman Morrison. When the Town was laid out in 1750-1-2-3, Morrison had about 1100 acres in Hartland which cost him 310€, 12 shillings, the result of his drawn lots and additional purchases.
10
History of Hartland
Dr. Morrison's land on the West mountain eventually became known as the Morrison Hill Hunting Grounds. He also did a great deal to get Hartland on the map, from 1730 to 1752. Previously, he had been instrumental in selecting the name for the town in 1733. He was a sur- geon in King George's War, (1744-8) his service being in 1746 at Louis- burg, Nova Scotia. No trace of him is found in Hartland Records after 1753-1754. He died April 9, 1761.
By 1750 much of the land in Hartland had changed hands several times but up to this point no permanent settlement had been made within its boundaries. It was still in a state of primeval forest with only a limited means of access to the owners and surveyors.
In the first division which was accepted September 24, 1750, there is a provision made between lots # 16 and # 17 for John Kendall on his improvement which is given as approximately 35 acres. This would in- dicate that at that time John Kendall was already on the scene and liv- ing on the land he had appropriated by "Squatters Rights" located in what was later to become Hartland Hollow.
The Proprietors having finished their preliminary surveys and divisions, the territory was by 1750 ready for those courageous souls who wished to establish a settlement in the new wilderness. Within a short time many came into the territory from Lyme, Haddam, Durham and other parts of the State. Just what prompted their removal from towns which were already established into the rough and rugged terrain of Hartland will always remain a mystery.
CHAPTER III
The Early Settlers
A man by the name of John Kendall about whom little is known has the distinction of being named the first white man to live in the Hartland wilderness of the 1750's, although he cannot be considered as the first settler. The "Gazeteer of the State of Connecticut and Rhode Island" published by John C. Pease and Jonathan Niles under date of 1819 states :
"John Kendall who removed from Lancaster in Massachu- setts in the Spring of 1753 was the first settler. He located on a tract of land in the great valley on the west side of the Farmington River."
Barber in his "Connecticut Historical Collections" states :
"The first person who lived in the town was John Kendall who, being in debt, fled from Granby and, to get out of the way of his creditors, located himself in Hartland Hollow on the West Bank of the branch of the Farmington River. Here he made himself a hut with slabs which
floated down-stream from Granville, Mass. This was in 1753. While here, Kendall's wife bore a pair of twin daughters, the first white female children born in the town."
Whatever may be the truth of these versions, it is a generally ac- cepted fact that he built a cabin in Hartland Hollow, the location being in the vicinity of the house in Hartland Hollow last owned and occupied by Augustin Feley and family (Key H.H .- 223). Tradition states that he stayed only one year and left for fear of the Indians. The proprietors, however, made consideration for him in laying out the First Division as his "improvement" is listed, although he was not one of the original proprietors.
Thomas Giddings, who came from Lyme, June 12, 1754, has the dis- tinction of being the first "monarch" settler in the area which a few years later was to become the town of Hartland. The word "monarch" in this case means that he was subject to the laws of the King and Col- ony, although settling in a wilderness without local civic government. For easy identification, the site of his original location is now south of Ringerman Hill Road (EH-Key 27). His brother, Joshua Giddings, also of Lyme, came in 1756 and located in the same section. Joshua Giddings had three sons, John, Joshua and Benjamin. John was the first white male child born in Hartland.
12
History of Hartland
Beginning in 1762 Thomas Giddings was elected a Selectman for three years in succession. He became one of the town's leading citizens and was a Deacon of the First Ecclesiastical Society for many years. He is buried in the East Hartland Cemetery, and on the marble slab mark- ing his grave is the following inscription:
"In memory of Dea. Thomas Giddings, the first residing in- habitant of Hartland; he came into town June 12, 1754. Died May 24, 1790, aged 67 years. We are strangers and pilgrims on the earth, as were all our fathers."
-
Courtesy Shelburne Museum, Inc.
Chest belonging to Deacon Thomas Giddings with family record inscribed on marble top. Chest now in possession of Shelburn Mu- seum, Inc., Shelburne, Vermont.
As an interesting sidelight, in a recent trip to the Shelburne Museum in Shelburne, Vermont, the writer discovered a chest, originally belong- ing to Deacon Thomas Giddings, included in the furnishings of the Stagecoach Inn. The chest is unique in the fact that the top is of marble inlaid in black with a record of the births and deaths of Deacon Thomas Giddings' family. Information as to how and when the chest was ac- quired by the Museum is unavailable, but it appears that the chest was made in Hartland by some unknown cabinet maker and the inscriptions
13
The Early Settlers
applied by some unique method which is unfamiliar even to those who are acquainted with this type of work.
Simon Baxter came frrom Hebron, Connecticut in 1755 and first settled in the east part of the town. The first town meeting of July 14, 1761 was held at his home, which was located on what is now known as Old Route 20 (EH-Key 63) . Within the next two years he had removed to the Center Hill section of the West Mountain. He was a member of the Church of England and did not affiliate with the First Ecclesiastical Society. He was active in the early days as a town official but his tory activities during the Revolutionary War period became so violent that he was confined to Newgate Prison for the duration. When released, he removed to Canada and as a reward for his support of England's cause, was given by the "Crown of England" a tract of some 5,000 acres of land in Norton, Nova Scotia. (The story of his life and activities would re- quire a complete volume.)
Consider Tiffany of East Haddam, Conn., settled on the West Mountain in 1760. Also, a member of the Church of England, he became active in expressing tory sympathies during the Revolutionary War period but never of a violent nature. As a result, he was placed in charge of the local "Committee on Safety" who confined him to the boundaries of his farm on Center Hill. An elm tree planted by him at that time grew to be the second largest tree in the State of Connecticut, and later be- came known as the "Tiffany Elm". This tree, exceeded only in size by the Wethersfield Elin, grew to such proportions that it shaded over one acre of ground. It was destroyed by the Dutch Elm disease and had fallen to the ground about 1950.
After being confined for fifteen months, an effort was made for his release and he wrote the following letter (in part) to the committee having him in charge and under guard:
"Mr. Ensign: I understand that the committee are about to release me, being ashamed of their depriving me of that liberty as they did, fifteen months ago. I can answer the pretended committee that I never did anything that I am sorry for. More than that, I have done too much in favor of the United States, against genuine reason and the dic tates of conscience and the unerring Scriptures, which error I am unfeigned sorry for .- Sir, I suppose there may be two reasons that induce the committee to release me without asking them. The first a guilty conscience for abusing me without a cause, the second to dismiss me so that I can be drafted. I assure you and all men that I never intend to go to the camps. If I do, I intend to fight for that side I think I ought to-therefore, please so use your endeavors that I may remain happy as I now am, and you will oblige,
Your old friend,
CONSIDER TIFFANY, March 8, 1780."
Consider Tiffany died June 19, 1796, age 63, and is buried in the Old West Hartland Cemetery. Doubtless there were other tories in Hart- land during this period, but the stories of Baxter and Tiffany are the only ones which survived.
14
History of Hartland
,
-Courtesy Hartland Historical Society
The Tiffany Elm As It Appeared in the 1930's
15
The Early Settlers
Other early settlers were:
Moses Cowdrey, who came from East Haddam in 1756, settling in the Northeast District of Hartland.
Jonas Wilder, who came from East Haddam in 1760 and settled on the West Mountain in the Center Hill section.
Thomas Beman of Simsbury also came in 1760, settling in East Hartland.
Daniel Ensign of Hartford came in 1761.
Others included Josiah and Stephan Bushnell from Saybrook; Phineas Kingsbury; Nehemiah Andrews; Reuben Burnham from East Hartford; and Uriel Holmes of East Haddam. These are but a few of those who had settled by May of 1761.
Many others who settled early are worthy of special mention, but space does not permit their inclusion at this time. In fact, it has been possible to list only the high-lights of the few described.
Simon Baxter and Joseph Taylor were apparently instrumental in organizing and persuading the settlers to petition the General Court for incorporation as an individual town. The memorial was presented and in due course the General Court passed the following resolution:
"From the Public Records of the Colony of Connecticut, from May 1757 to March 1762, inclusive. Page 558, Vol. XI
"(May, 1761)-Upon the memorial of Joseph Tay- lor and Simon Baxter and others, all inhabitants of the township of Hartland in the county of Litchfield shewing to this Assembly that there hath already settled in said township and are now therein resident the number of thirty-seven families, and about seven more families com- ing to settle therein very soon, and now dwelling in the lim- its of the same the number of two hundred and twelve per- sons; praying this Assembly to grant to the memorialists and their successors such privileges for the well governing the inhabitants thereof as other towns in this Colony now have and do enjoy; as per memorial on file, etc .:
"Resolved by this Assembly, that the memorialists inhabitants of said Hartland be and they are hereby made and created an entire town by the name of the Town of Hartland; and this assembly do also grant said town of Hartland all such rights, powers, privileges and immuni- ties as any other towns in this colony now have and do en- joy, and that Messrs. Joseph Taylor and Simon Baxter, both of said town, be and they are hereby appointed and impowered to give due warning and notice to all the in- habitants of said town to meet at some suitable place in said town on the second Tuesday of July next, to choose and elect all such town officers for the current year until December next, as other towns in this Colony by law have right to choose and appoint, and then proceed as such other towns are by law enable to do."
The first Town Meeting was held at the house of Simon Baxter, as there was no meeting house, school-house or other publie building in the town at that time. Joshua Giddings was chosen moderator, and Joseph Gilbert, town clerk. The selectmen chosen were Joshua Giddings,
16
History of Hartland
Nehemiah Andrews and Simon Baxter, with Moses Caldwell for con- stable. They were now a full-fledged body politic and corporate, being the 69th Town so incorporated in the Colony of Connecticut, and were included in the County of Litchfield.
The first year seems to have been uneventful, but 1763 brought local political problems resulting in an additional memorial to the Gen- eral Court with the reply of that august body contained in the follow- ing resolution :
"From the Public Records of the Colony of Connecticut from May 1762-1767, Vol. XII, Page 58
"(May 1763)-Upon the memorial of the inhabitants of the town of Hartland in the county of Litchfield, represent- ing that at a town meeting warned and held in said Hart- land on the first Monday of December last, they proceeded to the choice of a moderator, a clerk and other town of- ficers; that afterwards objections by a party of said inhab- itants were made to the legality of said meeting and of- ficers chosen therein, and the said objectors procured the warning of another town-meeting, which was held at said Hartland on the 21st day of the same December, when and where they proceeded and made choice of another set of town officers, all which officers chosen first and last were sworn as the law directs, by means whereof confusion and discord hath happened and the affairs of said town are per- plexed, etc: praying that all the doings of said inhabitants in both of said meetings may be annulled and made void, etc .: Resolved by this Assembly, and it is hereby decreed, that all the votes and doings pretended to be passed and recorded as the acts of the said town at either of said meet- ings shall be and they are hereby declared null and void. And William Wolcott, Esqr., of Windsor, is hereby ap- pointed and fully impowered, to warn a meeting of all the inhabitants of said town to be attended at the house of Thomas Giddings in said town, at such time as the said Wolcott shall appoint, at which time and place he is to lead the inhabitants in said meeting who by law have a right to vote to the choice of a town-clerk and such other town officers as are needful and by law required, and to such other votes as may be proper and necessary for the ordering the affairs and business of said inhabitants."
In accordance with the instructions of the General Court the Town Meeting was duly warned and held on July 13th, 1763. Thomas Giddings, Nehemiah Andrews and Josiah Bushnell were chosen as the selectmen. No doubt this was an object lesson which proved to their advantage, as we hear no more of similar confusion thereafter.
Uriel Holmes arrived from East Haddam before 1767, as he was elected a selectman in the town meeting of December 25th, 1766. Uriel Holmes was probably one of the greatest promoters of the time. He is the one who built the first house on Hartland Green now commonly known as "The 1776 House". Within a short time he bought the Saw and Grist Mills in Hartland Hollow originally owned by Samuel Ben- jamin. The early land records indicate few farms in East Hartland and the North Hollow section which at one time or another were not in
17
The Early Settlers
possession of Uriel Holmes. In addition to this, he was a great speculator in Western lands. For many years he served as a selectman and on many occasions he was both selectman and town clerk. He became a very prominent citizen and was commissioned a Colonel in the Revolutionary War. Also he represented the town in 36 sessions of the General Court, or later, Legislature. Colonel Uriel Holmes died November 6, 1809, age 68, and his only son, Uriel, Jr., a lawyer and Judge of the Superior Court of Litchfield County had all of his estate. The Judge was killed in New Hartford when his horse ran away and he was thrown from the wagon.
Within a few short years after the town was incorporated, the Rev- olutionary War brought a long season of hardship and sacrifice. The mil- itary history of 359 men who served in the Continenal Army during this period is given in another chapter. The Grist Mills in Hartland Hollow were turned over to Titus Hayes, and he was recalled from the Army to operate them for the benefit of the encamped soldiers. Patriotism was uppermost in the minds of Hartland Citizens as is evidenced by the following vote, taken at a town meeting held on March Ist, 1775:
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