USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume I > Part 3
USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume I > Part 3
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86
" Lastly. The said sachem and company do hereby promise truly and carefully to observe and keep all and every one of these articles of agreement, and to deliver up all of their number who shall break them to the English magistrate. In consideration of all which, they desire from the English, that, in any time of danger, they may repair to the English plantation for shelter, and that the English will defend them from all unjust injuries. But in any quarrels or wars with other Indians for which they are to blame, they shall not expect aid from the English. And the English planters, aforementioned, accepting and granting according to the tenor of the premises, do further of their own accord, by way of free and thankful retribution, give unto said sachem and company of Quinnipiac Indians, twelve coats of English tucking cloth, twelve achemy spoons, twelve hatchets, twelve hoes, troo dosen of knives, twelve porringers, and four cases French knives and scissors."
It will be seen that this treaty practically put the Indians upon their good behavior not only with the whites, but with one another, and that the Quinnipiacs were pledged the protection which they so much needed in case they deported themselves properly. It should also be borne in mind that while the consideration of purchase was small, the Indians really had more than before, namely: all the priv- ileges of a " place to sit down," i.c., a home, and the right to hunt and fish, unharrassed by fears of the Mohawks or the Pequots. Hence the English should not be blamed for any act of injustice in getting this land apparently very cheap. Thomas Stanton served as an interpre- ter in negotiating this treaty.
North of the Quinnipiacs was a large tract of land claimed by a sachem named Montowese, a son of the Indian chieftain, Sowheag, who lived at Middletown. This was also purchased by the whites- Eaton and his associates-December 11th, 1638, on much the same basis as the foregoing, the consideration being " eleven coats of truck- ing cloth and one coat of English cloth, made up after the English manner." The tract of land thus alienated by Montowese and his as- sociate Indian, Sauseunck, was described as "extending about ten miles in length from north to south, eight miles easterly from the river of Quinnipiac toward the river of Connecticut, and five miles westerly toward Hudson's river." Montowese reserved a piece of land where he lived, where is now the present village of Montowese.
14
HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
in North Haven, " for his men which are ten and many squaws, to plant in."
The territory thus acquired by the two purchases embraced all of the old town of New Haven and most of the Branfords-an area which is now occupied by nine towns, which, as we have seen, was at that time controlled by about sixty warriors. After these treaties most of these Indians dwelt on the reservations named until the already small tribes became extinct. Of the Quinnipiacs, Barber in his Historical Collections, of 1836. said, "They dwelt in the summer on the shore for the convenience of fishing; and in the winter in the forests, for the convenience of fuel."
"They had a place for powwowing in East Haven, about three- quarters of a mile east of the Harbor bridge. The spot was formerly a swamp, and is now a meadow."
"Charles, the last sachem of this tribe, died about one hundred years ago. He was frozen to death near a spring, about one mile north of the Congregational church in East Haven."
"They caught round clams with their feet, and taught the English to catch them in this manner."
"The Indian arrow-heads, frequently found here, are exactly like some which have been brought from Cape Horn."
" At Fort Hill, or, as it is now called, Beacon Hill, there was for- merly an Indian fort and an Indian burying ground, on the eastern side of the hill. The name of this spot was formerly Indian Hill. The above is about all the account we have of the original inhabitants."
So far as known the relations of these Indians to the whites were entirely peaceable, and while there may have been some apprehen- sions that the settlers might be attacked by predatory bands of In- dians, who sometimes visited this section, it does not appear that there was occasion for serious alarm. With the possible exception of some little annoyance in consequence of petty thefts, the planters were not discommoded by these Indians, but learned from them some of the arts which made life in this new country more agreeable.
A band of the Quinnipiacs, over whom was the squaw sachem Shaumpishuh, the sister of Momaugin, lived in the Menuncatuc part of Guilford. On the 29th of September, 1639. she deeded her interests there to the whites, represented by Henry Whitfield, Robert Kitchell, William Leete and others, and came to reside with her brother at East Haven. She brought with her 34 of her people. Some of the rest of the Menuncatucs took up their abode on Indian Point, in Branford, where they were allowed to remain by the Totoket settlers, and were encouraged in the ways of civilization. Thirty-three more persons were allowed to " sit down " in Guilford, so that her entire clan may not have embraced more than one hundred persons.
Along the Hammonassett the land was claimed by Uncas, chief of the Mohegans, having become possessor of the same by marriage.
15
HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
He sold his interests there to Mr. Fenwick, of Saybrook, from whom it passed to the Guilford planters. In January, 1663, he and his son, Ahaddon, sold their remaining interests on the north to the settlers of that part of the county.
In the southwestern part of the county, the Wepowaugs were a numerous and rather important tribe. but also without warlike pro- clivities. They deeded their interests, February 12th, 1639, to the Milford planters-William Fowler. Zachariah Whitman, Edmund Tapp and others, and a number were permitted to remain on the reservations on the coast and on Turkey hill. They were properly clans of the Pootatucks, and occupied five different settlements. At Derby was another clan, called the Paugassetts, and the Indians higher up the valley, sometimes called the Naugatucks, sustained a similar relation. Many of them removed to state reservations, but a number remained in their respective localities until their death .*
It seems that in all New Haven county the aborigines were only , about a thousand in number at the coming of the whites, and declined from year to year, notwithstanding the honorable treatment they re- ceived at the hands of their pale-faced brethren. In all their dealings with them they were humanely treated, the agreements were faith- fully observed, and there does not appear one act of grievous wrong or bloodshed charged against the first white settlers of New Haven.
In this period of the acquisition of territory the settlers at Quinnip- iac were governed by the terms of the " Plantation Covenant," all the civil business being transacted by the officers of the joint stock company, chief among whom were Davenport and Eaton. But the time had now come. when in the furtherance of the purpose to estab- lish a religious commonwealth, a more comprehensive instrument should be adopted. Hence on the 4th of June, 1639, all the free plant- ers convened in the large barn of Robert Newman, to deliberate upon the plan for laying the foundations of their religious and civil pority. Mr. Davenport preached an appropriate sermon, when he propounded a series of six queries to the assembled freemen, which in his mind embodied the proper basis upon which the church and state should be erected. Lest there should be any misapprehension as to the mean- ing of these propositions, Robert Newman wrote them out, and after reading them distinctly, each query was acted on separately, after its merits had been freely discussed, and all received a unanimous assent. The articles of " Fundamental Agreement " thus adopted have been summarized as follows :
"First: That the Scriptures are a perfect guide in the government of families and commonwealths, as well as in matters of the church.
"Second. That all the free planters hold themselves bound by the ' plantation covenant,' made soon after their arrival, and covenant to *See town histories for accounts of these Indians.
16
HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
submit themselves to be ordered, in all the business specified in that covenant, by the rules held forth in the Scriptures.
" Third. That all the free planters purpose and desire to be admitted into church fellowship as soon as it shall be possible for them.
" Fourth. That all the free planters hold themselves bound to establish such civil order as shall best conduce to the securing of the purity and peace of the ordinances to themselves and their posterity according to God.
" Fifth. That free burgesses shall be chosen out of church mem- bers ; and the power of choosing magistrates and officers from among themselves, of making and repealing laws, of dividing inheritances, of deciding differences which may arise, and like business, should be held by these burgesses.
"Sixth. That twelve men, fitted for the work of founding the church, shall be chosen, who shall choose out of their number the seven best fitted, and these shall begin the church."#
One hundred and eleven persons subscribed to these articles of agreement.
In accordance with the sixth provision, in the " Fundamental Agree- ment," the following were chosen to lay the foundation of the church, i.c., to select the seven pillars upon which it was to be builded : Theophilus Eaton, John Davenport, Robert Newman, Matthew Gilbert, Thomas Fugill, John Punderson, Jeremiah Dixon, Richard Melbon, Nathaniel Turner, Ezekiel Cheever, William Andrews.+ The seven first named in this list were in due time selected and designated as the "Seven Pillars" or free burgesses, whose duty it was to organize the church and the state. The former, as the "First Church of Christ," was gathered and constituted August 22d, 1639, and was composed solely of free and accepted burgesses.
On the 25th of October, 1639, the "Seven Pillars " completed their work, by forming the civil government. A court was organized, which was composed of all those who had been received into the fellowship of the church, or who as such church members elsewhere might be admitted upon taking the oath of allegiance "to the civil government here settled." They thus became citizens of this little commonwealth, owning no allegiance to any other government what- soever. To this court or civil form of government was now entrusted the management of affairs, it having been ordained that " all former power, or trust, for management of any public affairs in this planta- tion, into whose hands soever formerly committed is now abrogated and is henceforward "utterly to cease." After proper exhortation by Mr. Davenport upon the importance of selecting worthy men as their rulers, Theophilus Eaton was chosen the first magistrate of the infant
*Wm. H. Beckford.
+Eleven names only appear in the records.
17
HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
republic. Four deputies were chosen to assist him. " It was decreed by the freemen that there should be a general court annually, in the plantation, on the last week in October. This was ordained a court of election, in which all the officers of the colony were to be chosen. This court determined that the word of God should be the only rule for ordering the affairs of government in that commonwealth.
" This was the original, fundamental constitution of the govern- ment of New Haven. All government was originally in the church and the members of the church elected the governor, magistrates and all other officers. * * * As the plantation was enlarged and new towns were settled, new orders were given ; the general court received a new form, laws were enacted and the civil polity of this jurisdiction gradually advanced. in its essential parts, to a near resemblance of the government of Connecticut."*
This model and scriptural foundation for the civil state was also adopted by the planters of Milford, when their little republic was established in the fall of 1639, and by the planters of Guilford, a few months later in the same year. Both of these plantations were essen- tially distinct from the Quinnipiac plantation, but had from the begin- ning a common interest in the success of the Christian commonwealth idea, their forms of church organization and civil polity being the same as that of New Haven. But all their affairs were exclusively managed within their own plantations until the jurisdiction of New Haven was formed in 1643. In August or September. 1639, the Milford planters, to the number of 54, left Quinnipiac, and soon after, Mr. Whitfield and his followers, from Kent and Essex, who had come to Quinnipiac the previous summer-48 planters in all-went in the opposite direction to found Guilford.+
In September, 1640, the Quinnipiac freemen held a general court, when the name of the plantation was changed to New Haven. In this year Stamford was purchased of the Indians by Captain Turner and was settled in November of that year under the direction of New Haven. About the same time the town of Southold, on Long Island, was settled by a colony from Hingham, England, which had tarried at New Haven a short period, and in both colonies the New Haven idea found lodgement. In 1640 an attempt was also made, by New Haven, to plant a colony on the Delaware river, but that venture proved unsuccessful, and was abandoned in a few years. After all these changes, in 1639-40, it was computed that the population of New Haven proper was about 460.
Soon after these colonies became apprehensive of Indian attack and realizing their defenceless condition as single or independent communities, a plan for the consolidation under one jurisdiction was perfected in 1643. New Haven being the oldest and most influential *Trumbull's History of Conn. +See accounts of Milford and Guilford.
2
18
HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
town (as those plantations were now soon called) it was agreed that the jurisdiction or general colony should be known by its name. The towns of New Haven, Milford, Guilford and Stamford sent delegates to the general court at New Haven, and on October 27th, 1643, the articles of confederation for the jurisdiction were adopted. This court was composed of the following :
Magistrates : Theophilus Eaton, Governor; Stephen Goodyear, Deputy ; Thomas Gregson, William Fowler, Edmund Tapp. Depu- ties : George Lamberton, New Haven ; John Astwood, John Sherman, Milford : William Leete, Samuel Disbrough, Guilford ; Richard Gilder- sleeve, John Whitmore, Stamford.
In 1644 Branford was settled under the New Haven jurisdiction and was joined to the colony under the same terms of this fundamental agreement of October, 1643, so that the colony as long as it existed embraced all the settled parts of the county. Its authority was thus acknowledged by the towns of New Haven, Milford, Branford and Guilford, the only organized communities, until this colony was absorbed by Connecticut in 1665.
In the same year that the New Haven jurisdiction was established, a combination was formed between the tlien four colonies of New England : Massachusetts, Plymouth, Connecticut and New Haven, under the title of "United Colonies of New England." The alliance was for the purpose of mutual defense against the Indians and the Dutch, and was found especially serviceable in King Philip's war, which seriously threatened some of the English settlements. In many respects this union resembled the confederation of the thirteen colonies, which carried the war of the revolution to a successful issue. The first representatives from New Haven to its general meeting were Theophilus Eaton and Thomas Gregson.
In several important particulars the New Haven colony differed very much from other colonies in this country. In the articles of con- federation " It was agreed and concluded as a fundamental order, not to be disputed or questioned hereafter, that none shall be admitted to be free burgesses in any of the plantations within this jurisdiction for the future, but such planters as are members of some or other of the approved churches in New England." It will be seen that the design was to make this fundamental agreement unchangeable and unalter- able for all time, thus throwing a safeguard around the "Church- State" which would protect it against attempted changes. This theory was very dear to the founders of New Haven and although strange it now appears to us, proved successful in its application in this colony. In no other community was there a greater degree of civil order and a better exemplification of public morality than in New Haven under her colonial jurisdiction.
Another marked point of difference, aside from the limitation of the right of suffrage, was the absence of the jury system. That
19
HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
method was here given no place whatsoever. It was left for the judges to determine all questions of fact, evidence and law, and their powers in trials were scarcely limited. But it does not appear that there was any miscarriage of justice in consequence, for the judges were righteous men. No doubt, though, with a less exalted standard of morality, this system would have become a disturbing factor. Indeed, as it was, in some degree it helped to mould opinion favorable to a union with Connecticut, where the right of trial by jury was given an important place.
Soon after the union of the New England colonies difficulties arose between New Haven colony and the Dutch, which continued several years. The latter harassed the colony to a considerable extent, their onslaughts being more particularly directed against the settlements planted on the Delaware, which eventuated in their abandonment, and leaving the Dutch in possession of that territory. A warm dis- pute concerning the territory lying between New Haven and New Netherland was also carried on, with but little interruption until 1664, when the dominion of the English over it was recognized. Pending the consideration of these matters and in consequence of them, the New Haven colony had a misunderstanding with the colony of Massachusetts, which marred the harmonious feeling which should properly have existed between them; but, in the inain, the colony history for the first twenty years was without any extraordinary features. Under the wise direction of Governor Theophilus Eaton and his judicious associates in the general court, the colony advanced in a degree proportionate with the efforts made to extend its pros- perity. Churches and schools especially were in this period placed upon secure footings. The idea of a Christian commonwealth was also, from year to year, more clearly developed, and as has been stated, as long as the several towns selected their best, most prudent men to administer their affairs, as directed by usage and the now accepted written and definite system of laws, perfected by Eaton, order and morality held supreme sway. This code of laws was adopted in 1655, five hundred copies being printed in England, at the expense of Mr. Hopkins, for the use of the colony. It is said that there are now but four copies of this issue known to be in existence, and so rare is the little book esteemed that it is held to be worth twenty-fold its weight in gold .* This little digest became famous as the "Blue Laws." which have been much criticised and held up to ridicule in these modern times. It is possible that the scriptural rules upon which these laws were based may have been too literally applied for the conditions which existed in that age, and which, of course, are farther removed from their primitive simplicity in these times; but there can be no doubt that Eaton and his coadjutors sincerely believed that
*A copy purchased for the State Library, a few years ago, cost $439.
20
HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
this code would advance the real good of their community and that they were for that purpose framed.
Governor Eaton undoubtedly had clear ideas of civil government, and very decided and positive opinions of the divine nature of human government as built on the word of God .. He had a strong love of justice and as a magistrate exercised the greatest impartiality. His honor was inflexible and his public spirit was liberal and of the most comprehensive kind. His conscientious efforts for the real good of the colony prevented much frivolous and extravagant legislation, and through his influence, largely, New Haven early became so zealous in the cause of education that it led the other towns in the state.
Theophilus Eaton was the son of a clergyman, and was born at Stratford, England, in 1591. He was bred as a merchant, was a busi- ness man in London. At one time he was the agent of the king of England at the court of Denmark. He accompanied Mr. Davenport to America in 1637, and to Quinnipiac in 1638, sharing with him the honor of founding the colony. He was the first magistrate of the plantation, and in 1643 was elected the first governor of the colony, to which office he was chosen yearly until his death in January, 1658. This was a severe loss to the colonists, whose esteem of him is best shown by the words they had engraved on his monument :
" Eaton,-so famed, so wise, so just, The Phoenix of our world, -here hides his dust : This name forget, New England never must."
John Davenport, the other master spirit of the colony, was born in Coventry, England, in 1597. After being educated at Oxford, he became vicar of St. Stephen's church, Coleman street, London. Becoming a non-conformist he resigned his pastoral office and to escape persecution fled to Amsterdam, Holland, and later came to America. He became the pastor of the " First church " in the colony and was to the church what Eaton was to the state, although he also exercised a controlling influence in the latter. He and Eaton built their houses opposite each other on the same street and were kindred spirits in every movement for the benefit of the colony. After the termination of the New Haven jurisdiction he lost hope in the success of the New Haven enterprise. Believing that "Christ's interests in New Haven colony were miserably lost, his roots were loosened and he was ready to leave his home and the child he had done so much to rear." Just at this time there came a call to the pastorate of the Boston church and he determined to remove to that city, where he apprehended he might better serve the cause for which he had so long contended. After thirty years' residence at New Haven he removed to Boston in 1668, but after two years his earthly labors were ended by his death in that city. "He was a fine scholar, an able preacher, a clear-headed, far-seeing man, his views and opinions found
21
HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
an ample vindication in subsequent experience. The measures he maintained were just ; those he opposed proved disastrous in the extreme."#
In all the period that Theophilus Eaton was governor of the New Haven colony, Stephen Goodyear was chosen and served as deputy governor. He was one of the most active of New Haven's business men and was engaged in many enterprises which proved of service to the colony. After Eaton's death it was proposed to elect him gover- nor. but his absence from the colony on business, in London, prevented. Before his return he died in that city, in June, 1658.
In May, 1658, Francis Newman, of New Haven, was elected gover- nor, and William Leete, of Guilford, deputy governor. The former had for some years been secretary of the New Haven jurisdiction and was well qualified from his training and association with Eaton to discharge his new duties. The latter was trained to the law and was one of the ablest of the Guilford planters. Both were reëlected to their several offices in 1659 and 1660. On the 18th of November of the latter year Governor Newman died. In 1661 William Leete was elected governor of the colony, and Matthew Gilbert deputy governor. and both were reelected in 1662 and 1663. In 1664 William Leete was again chosen governor, and served until the end of the jurisdic- tion. At the same time William Jones was chosen the last deputy governor.
Early in the administration of Governor Leete the colony was excited by the visits of two of the regicide judges, Edward Whalley and William Goff, who found shelter and an asylum in New Haven. Upon the accession to the throne of Charles the Second, son of the executed king, they fled for their lives and arrived in Boston July 27th, 1660.
" Edward Whalley came of an old and honored family. He was a first cousin of the lord-protector. During and after the civil war he held many important offices. He was the keeper of Charles the First, during the king's imprisonment, and his signature appears as the fourth upon the death warrant of the king.
" William Goff was the son of Reverend Stephen Goff, a Puritan divine of Sussex, and pursued a military course similar to that of his friend, General Whalley. Like his friend, he rose from a private soldier to a major-general, and was also the trusty friend and associate of Cromwell. He gave valuable aid in purging the .Long' and ' Rump' parliaments, and was one of the strongest advocates of the king's death."
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.