USA > Connecticut > New London County > New London > History of New London, Connecticut, From the First Survey of the Coast in 1612 to 1852 > Part 13
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Mr. Bulkley, after having freed the town from their engagement to build a parsonage, purchased the homestead of Samuel Lothrop, who was about removing to the new settlement of Norwich. The house is said to have stood beyond the bridge, over the mill brook, on the east side of the highway toward Mohegan. Here Mr. Bulk- ley dwelt during his residence in New London.1
Minutes from the Moderator's book.
" Mr. Thomson to be cleered"-(freed from paying rates.)
" Mr. Tinker, James Morgan, and Obadiah Bruen, are chosen to seat the people in the meeting-house, which, they doing, the inhabitants are to rest silent."
" Dec. 1, 1661. The towne have agreed with Goodman Elderkin and Good- man Waller to repare the turret of the meeting-house, and to pay them what they shall demand in reason."
" To know what allowance Mr. Tinker shall have for his tyme spent in exer- cising in publique.
" To return an account of contributions.
" May 5, 1662. Thomas Bowen hath given him by the towne forty shillings of the contribution wompum."
1 Probably where is now the Hallam house, late the residence of the aged sisters, Mrs. Thomas Poole and Mrs. Robert Hallam.
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HISTORY OF NEW LONDON.
Why Thomas Bowen should receive a part of the money given for ecclesiastical purposes is not explained. He had dwelt but a short time in the place, and very soon removed to Rehoboth, where he died in 1663. Mr. Tinker is supposed to have led the public worship before Mr. Bulkley's arrival. The town voted him a compensation of £6. He was rate-maker, collector and commissioner for the year 1662, and also an assistant of the colony.
" Jan. 6, 1661-2.
" The highway to the water by Mr. Morton's is voated to be 4 pole wide." [Now Blinman street.]
" All the military offisers are to lay out fort hill by the next meeting."
Fort Hill was an elevated upland ridge on the eastern border of the present Parade, with an abrupt projecting slope to the water side, which caused it to be called also a point. In the course of time it has been graded and rounded, so as to be no longer either a hill or a point. It was expressly reserved on the first laying out of the town, for the purpose of fortification.
" Sept. '61.
" Mr. Thomsons request of 3 pole of land by the water side upon Mill Cove."
" Oct. 24. Mr. Lords request in writing.
" Mr. Savages request in writing.
" Mr. Lovelands request in writing.
" A Dutchman and his wife request of the towne."
" Dec. 1. Three men, (Morgan, Latham, Avery,) chosen by the town to vew the poynt of land and confirme it to Mr. Loveland, Mr. Tinker, Mr. Lane, and Mr. Stallon, in the best way they can, leaving suffisient way to the Spring for all neighbors."
" Sept. 24, '62.
" Mr. Pinsions request for a place for wharfage and building and outland.
" Hugh Moles request for a place by the water side to build vessels on, and a wharfe.
" Consider to do something about the townes landing place."
" Jan. 25, '62-3. Mr. Pinsions request per Mr. James Rogers,-the towne doe give him three pole out of yt sixe pole yt is allowed for the towne a landing place, neere Sandie poynt, provided he build and wharfe within one yeere after this grant; the landing place to be but three pole wide."
The above extracts give evidence of an increasing trade, which was bringing the beaches and sandy border of the town into use. Mr. Thomson was the Indian missionary, whose engagements with his simple flock do not appear to have interfered with his attention to civil affairs. Richard Lord was of Hartford; Habijah Savage and Robert Loveland, of Boston; "the Dutchman" was probably Jacob Skillinger, of New Haven. All these persons were more or 12
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HISTORY OF NEW LONDON.
less interested in the commerce of the port, and made application for small grants of land for the erection of warehouses. Sandy Point was the swell or circlet of the shore, just at the head of the present Water Street. Here was the town landing place, and the ferry stairs, where passengers from the east side of the river landed. The spring, which was to be kept free for the accommodation of the pub- lic, was on the north side of the present Federal Street, east of the head of Bradley Street, gushing out of the side hill, and flowing into the river. It was famous in the early history of the town for its pure, cold, abundant waters, but from the gradual elevation of the ground near the water side, it has of late years entirely disappeared. Capt. John Pyncheon, of Springfield, very early entered into corres- pondence, in the way of trade, with the plantation, first with Win- throp and afterward with James Rogers, sending cattle and produce hither to be shipped for other markets. "The path to Pequot," trav- eled by his droves, is mentioned in the early records of Springfield. The site for a warehouse granted him out of the landing-place, re- verted afterward to the town. Hugh Mould, a son-in-law of John Coite, was allowed a sufficient quantity of land at Sandy Point, for a carpenter's yard, provided it could be obtained and not "hinder the careening of vessels." Another person who was at this time a resi- dent trader, though not mentioned so early in the minutes, was Sam- uel Hackburn, or Hagborn, from the Bay colony. He was received as an inhabitant, but meeting with some reverses, left the town in 1665.
In Feb., 1661-2, George Tongue was granted four poles of land before his house-lot on the bank. This was the origin of the names, Tongue's Bank, Tongue's Rocks, and Tongue's Cliff, which contin- ued to be applied to that portion of the water side now covered with the wharves and buildings of Capt. A. Bassett and the Brown broth- ers, long after the name had otherwise become extinct in the town.
At the same time, grants were made of small portions of the water side, next south of the fort land, to John Culver,' William Douglas, and Joshua Raymond. The remainder of the Bank, with the excep- tion of a building yard granted to John Coite, in 1699, was left com- mon until the next century.
" 25 Feb., '61-2. Mr. Addis granted to sell beere."
" 5 May, '62. Goodman Culver is chosen and allowed of by the towne for the making of bread and bruing of beere for the publicke good."
1 Eldest son of Edward Culver.
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HISTORY OF NEW LONDON.
" The towne desire Mr. Tinker to be by ye court confermed assistant for this yeer, and Oba: Bruen for the taking of oathes and making of warrants and attachments."
" The Book of Lawes is voated to be called for by the constable, Peter Blatchford, and to be delivered to O. Bruen, recorder, for the use of the towne."
This Book of Laws must have been a manuscript copy of the principal enactments of the General Court: every town within the jurisdiction being required to possess one such copy. The colony had no book of printed laws until 1673. The most prominent orders of the General Court, were usually brought home by the deputies, and read or published, as it was called, in the next town meeting, and the most important were engrossed in the town book.
" 31 March, 1663.
" James Rogers, James Morgan, John Prentis, and Peter Blatchford, are chosen to draw a petition to the Court respecting the grievances of the town.
" Whereas Cary Latham and Mr. Douglas are by the Court fined for not fully presenting the town list, anno 1662, the town see cause to petition the Court as a grievance, not finding wherein they have failed except in some few houses. Voted, also about the rate of £35, 8s. 9d. as over-rated £1,500, by the Court in March, '62-3."
From the Colonial Records we learn that the court had severely rebuked the listers of the town for the low valuation they had given to estates, observing, "they have not attended any rule of righteous- ness in their work, but have acted very corruptly therein." The fines were remitted in May, 1663.
" 16 April.
" The town agree with Robert Bartlet for the making of a pair of Stocks with 9 holes fitted to put on the irons for 13s. 4d."
" May 7. John Culver is chosen for this next yeere to drumm Saboth days and as formerly for meetings.
" Francis Hall' hath given him two pole of land by the water side, if it be there."
"June 9. Cary Latham, Mr. Douglas and Ralph Parker were to make the Country rate by the list they made of the Town Rate in '62. Our rate accord- ing to our list being about 291. 3s. 9d. Court say 35l. 8s. 9d.
Cary Latham, with myself, O. B. voted to speake with the committy from Court sent to heare the Case, depending, (as the Court expresseth it,) betwixt Uncas and the Inhabitants of New London."
"July 20. Order from the Court to make the rate 31l. 5s., and to be sent by October next."
" 16 Sept.
"Mr. Witherell, Lieut. Smith, James Morgan and Oba. Bruen chosen to
1 Hall was of Stratford, but had commercial dealings in New London.
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HISTORY OF NEW LONDON.
hear the grievances of the inhabitants of wrong done by the Indians, and draw a petition in the town's behalf."
" 26 Oct. This being the town meeting, James Bemas should have ac- knowledged his offence against the Major-he came not to it.
" Mr. Skillinger propounded the sale of his land and house this day,-none offered any thing."
Skillinger in 1668 and '69 was of Southampton, L. I., and one of a company associated for the purpose of whaling in boats along the coast.1
" Dec. 14.
" Mr. Winthrop hath all his land at Naihantick given him rate free for tyme to come. Also he hath given him a pond of water betwixt his land at nai- hantick and the land now in possession of John Printice. John Printice ob- jects against this towne grant of ye pond.
"George Chapple hath given him 6 acres of land for a house-lot betwixt the neck fence and Jordan river, part of it buting on Jordan river."
This is the earliest notice found of the name Jordan, applied to the stream that has ever since borne the designation. Chappell had sold his house-lot in town to the Indian missionary, William Thomson, and soon removed to this new grant "by Naihantick way-side." The September following, Clement Minor applied for a house-lot next to George Chappell, where it is said "he hath now built." These were the first settlers in the Jordan district.
" 15 Jan : '63-4. James Rogers, Levt. Smith, Cary Latham, John Smith, and William Hough, are appoynted to goe to Mr. Buckley for the settling him amongst us."
" 25 Feb. Old Mrs. Buckleys request to be read.
" Mr. Buckley for enlarging maintenance yt he may keep a man and also take the geting of wood into his owne handes-if not let 10/. more be aded to our town rate for wood cutting and carting, and 4l. for raising the pulpet.
"Inhabitants not to entertane strange young men. Vide country order, read. " The order of cardes and order of shufflebords :- I read.
" It is agreed by the towne that henceforward' Mr. Buckley shall have sixe score pound a yeere, in provision pay, good and marchandable, he freeing the towne from all other ingagements."
" April 18.
" A Country rate sent to us from Hartford,-this day was the first day I herd ofit; 29l. 18s. 9d.
" 3 or 4 Listers to be chosen, one of them a Commissioner ; Mr. Wethereli, Commissioner."
" Sept. 21.
" To determine a more certain way for the ministry to be upheld amongst us.
1 Thompson's Long Island, p. 191.
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HISTORY OF NEW LONDON.
" The Towne have agreed that there shall be a petition drawn in the behalf of the Towne, Mr. James Rogers, Ensigne Avery and Mr. Wetherell are chosen to see it be done with reference to Pockatuck pay of rates to our towne as for- merly they did."
" Nov. 21.
" At this towne meeting it was voated that there should be an Atturnye for the towne to see to the coming in of the ministers rate and other towne rates. Peter Blatchford chosen Atturney."
" Jan: 9, 1664-5.
" Peter Blatchford to be paid for a voyage to the River's Mouth, about the gunns, 12s."
e
The General Court, in May, 1660, had ordered that two great guns, with shot convenient, then at Saybrook, should be lent to New London. The above charge was doubtless connected with the remo- val of these pieces. Under the same date is noticed a debt of 15s. to Richard Hartley, for providing a " seat for the guard in the meet- ing-house," an item showing that men still went armed to the house of worship, and that the fear of sudden attacks from Indians had not subsided.
" Goodman Burrose chosen ferryman for Mistick river, to ferry a horse and a man for a groat.
" Goodman Culver is allowed by the towne to sell liquors, provided he shall brew also, ells not: provided also the court allow of it, ingaging always to have good beere and good dyet and lodging for man and horse, to attende alsoe to good order."
" At a town meeting Feb. 25, 1664 [1665.]
" The towne being desired to declare there myndes concerning Mr. Bulkley, it was propounded whether they were willing to leave Mr. Bulkley to the lib- ertye of his conscience without compelling him or enforcing him to anything in the execution of his place and office contrarye to his light according to the laws of the commonwelth.
" Voated to be there myndes."
· This is the first intimation on record of any uneasiness existing between Mr. Bulkley and the people. There are no church records that reach back to this period, and his reasons for leaving are but ob- scurely intimated. He had not been settled and no great formality was necessary to his departure.
" At a towne meeting, June 10.
" The Towne understanding Mr. Buckleys intention to goe into the Bay have sent James Morgan and Mr. Douglas to desire him to stay untill seacond day com seventnight which day the Towne have agreed to ask againe Mr. Fitch to speake with him in order to know Mr. Buckleys mynde fullye whether he will continue with us or no to preach the gospell."
12*
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HISTORY OF NEW LONDON.
That this overture was unsuccessful is evident from a subsequent entry :
" July 10-'65. In townc meeting.
" If it be your myndes yt Mr. James Rogers shall goe in the behalfe of the towne to Mr. Brewster to give him a call and to know whether he will come to us to be our minister, and yt he shall intercead to Mr. Pell first to be helpful to us herein, manifest it by lifting up your hands. Voted."
The person to whom this application was made is supposed to have been Rev. Nathaniel Brewster, of Brookhaven, L. I. No further allusion is made to him.
.
" 24 July. John Packer desires that Leiftenant Avery and James Morgan may issue the busines yt is now in contest betwixt him and the Indians at Nai- wayuncke and to compound with them in the best way they can with land to satisfaction of the Indians and Goodman Packer. Voted."
" 9 October. Mr. Douglas by a full voate none manifesting themselves to the contrary, was chosen to goe to Mr. Wilson and Mr. Elliot to desire there advise and help for the procureinge of a minister for the towne."
" Nov. 24. A town meeting concerning what Mr. Douglas hath done about a minister."
" Nov. 24, 1665. It is agreed at this town meeting that a letter be writ and sent from the town to Deacon Parke of Roxburye to treat with Mr. Broadstreet in the behalfe of the towne to come to us for this end to supply the towne in the worke of the ministry, in which letter sent full powre be given to Mr. Parke to act in our behalf, the towne expressing themselves willing to give 601b and rather than that the work seas, to proceed to ten pound more, giving our trusty friend liberty to treat with others in case our desire of Mr. Broadstreet faile."
" A Court order for a brand-mark and horses to be branded, this day read.
" Mr. Douglas confermed in his place for the Townes packer of meat. And also he was voted and chosen to brand mark all horses with L on the left shoul- der and is to record all horses soe branded."
" Jan: 12. 1665 ['66.]
" The return of Mr. Brodstreet's letter to be read.
" Thomas Robinson to propound [for an inhabitant.]
" A rate to underpin the meeting-house.
" Concerning messengers to goe for Mr. Bradstreet.
" Also for a place where he shall be when he comes. Also for provision for the messengers,-some course to be taken for 51b for them.
" The Town rate for Nihantick part £26 6s. 6d.
" The East side ye River £35 6s. 10d."
" Feb. 26. It is voated that Leftt. Avcry and James Morgan be chosen mes- sengers to fetch up Mr. Bradstreet as soon as moderate weather presents."
" John Smith and goodman Nicholls shall receive Contribution every Lords daye and preserve it for ye publick good.
" It is voated and agreed that the townsmen shall have power to provide what is needful for the Messengers that are sent to Mr. Bradstreet and allso to provide for him a place to reside in at his coming.
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HISTORY OF NEW LONDON.
" Mr. Douglas and goodman Hougli are voted by ye Towne to demand the 80 pound of Mr. Buckley which he stands ingaged to pay to ye towne.
" Voted by ye Towne that Leifft. Avery and James Morgan have power to agree with any person that hath a serviceable horse to be emploied in fetching up Mr. Bradstreet and what agreement they make the towne to allowe and make good the same."
[In the Town accounts of the next year appears due
" To Goodman Prentice for his horse, 10s.
To Goodman Royce for ye ministers dyet, 151b."]
" Voted that a Towne rate of 401b. be made imediately for ye payment of Towne depts and providing to acomadate a minister and repareing the meeting house."
At the same date with the foregoing arrangements in regard to Mr. Bradstreet, a vote was passed, which shows that no embittered feel- ing had grown up between Mr. Bulkley and the people. Though he had ceased to be considered as their minister, he remained in the town, and occupied the pulpit with acceptance until a successor was obtained.
" It is voated and agreed that Mr. Buckley for his time and paines taken in preaching the word of God to us since the time of his yeere was expired shall have thirty pounds to be gathered by a rate."
Mr. Bulkley is supposed to have removed from New London to Wethersfield in the early part of the year 1667. The thirty pounds voted him by the town, was relinquished, in part payment of the eighty pounds for which he stood indebted. The town was inveter- ate and persevering in its attempts to recover the remaining fifty pounds, and kept up the dunning process until Mr. Bulkley, in 1668, mortgaged his house and lot to Samuel Shrimpton of Boston, and ob- tained means to liquidate the debt. Mr. Bulkley was minister of the church in Wethersfield, for a number of years, but finally gave up preaching for the practice of medicine, on account it is said of the weakness of his voice. He was a man of learning and added to his theological attainments no inconsiderable knowledge of medicine and surgery.
The house lot lying south of the meeting house, originally Mr. Bruen's, was now purchased for the ministry, of Mr. Douglas, and Mrs. Grace Bulkley.
" June 1, 1666.
" Voted by a Vnanimous consent that Mr. Bradstreet is acepted in ye worke of ye ministry amongst vs, and that he have 80 lb. pr yeare to encourage him in the worke, to be gathered by way of rate.
"Voted by the Towne that there shall be a house imediately built for ye min-
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HISTORY OF NEW LONDON.
istry, the dimensions to be 36 foote in length and 25 in breadth and 13 studd betwixt ye joynts with a stack of stone chimneys in the midst. The house to be a girt house.
" The towne are free to give for ye building of the house one hundred pound and allso to farther paye ye masons for building a stone chimney and glaze ye house windowes.
" Voted by the towne that the house now agreed upon to be buildt for the ministry, and allso the house and land bought of Mr. Douglass together with ye land which hitherto hath been reserved for the ministry shall so remaine both houses and lands for the ministry, both to us and our succeeding generations never to be sold or alienated to any other vse forever."
For the immediate accommodation of Mr. Bradstreet, the house vacated by Mr. Bulkley was hired for one year from April 1, 1667 ; house, orchard and six acre lot for ten pounds provision pay. In the mean time spirited exertions were made to build "the Towne's house," or parsonage, and to have it completed during the year. It was the business of the whole town to erect this house, and the inhab- itants at large were called together to give directions concerning the different parts. Distinct votes were taken about the stone work, iron work and wood work,-" the bigness of the seller," the carting, the digging, the lime and the nails. " Griswell and Parkes" must do the iron-work-Nathaniel Royce dig the cellar the size of one room and seven feet deep. When it was completed, a committee was cho- sen to view the work and determine if it was well done-the masons in particular were not to be paid until it was ascertained that the chimneys were sufficient. The cost appears to have come very nearly within the one hundred pounds granted for the purpose.
Mr. Bradstreet's salary was increased to ninety pounds per an- num, and a committee appointed in December, 1667, to endeavor to effect an immediate settlement, but from causes not explained a delay of three years occurred before this was accomplished.
The hand writing of Obadiah Bruen in the minutes, ceases with the year 1665. William Douglas and Daniel Wetherell were after- ward moderators alternately, and continued the minutes to 1670. Mr. Bruen held the office of Recorder another year, and then re- moved to Newark, New Jersey. Mr. Douglas was Recorder for the year 1667. Mr. Wetherell for 1668 and 1669.
.
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HISTORY OF NEW LONDON.
First Town Clerks.
Johnna: Beans (Lor
Gracias Bryon
William Douglas Daniel Svolhorole
" 25 Feb. 66-7.
" Robert Rice [Royce] voated and chosen by the towne to keep ye Ordi- nary."
Mr. Royce lived on Post-hill. The town had granted him the house lot of Richard Post, to which he added by purchase the Blin- man and Mudge house lots.
"15 Aug. 67. Myselfe [Douglas] chosen to hold the box for the contribu- tions and this to be propounded to Mr. Bradstreet to have his advise therein. William Nickols is also chosen for that worke.
" It is voated that the men chosen to call the collectors to account shall have a letter of aturney to impower them to do their work, and that Mr. Meryt shall write it."
This is the earliest notice of Thomas Meritt, or Maritt, who was often afterwards employed as writer or scrivener for the town.
" 30, October. John Prentis chosen Townes attorney.
" 9, December. It is voted that the prison house shall stand by ye meeting house."
This vote intimates that the inhabitants were about to erect a town jail; it was probably placed according to the vote on the open square, near the meeting house. This was the jail so much used for Indians in the time of Philip's war, and was the first erected in the town. Petty criminals had hitherto been kept under ward in a private house ; state criminals transported to Hartford, and there was no im- prisonment for debt. The code of laws enacted in the colony in 1650, exempted debtors from imprisonment, except in cases of fraud or concealment of property. The words are :
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HISTORY OF NEW LONDON.
" No man's person shall be kept in prison for debt but when there appears some estate which he will not produce." [See Code of 1650 in Col. Rec., vol. 1. "$ 1. July 1669.
" Alexander Piggin hath given him some land at the head of Mill Cove enough to make three or four pitts for dressing of leather amongst the springs."
Mr. Pygan was from Norwich, England, and an inhabitant of some three years standing. He was not the first person to practise "the art and mystery of tanning," in the place ; Hugh Roberts was a tan- ner, and had his pits or vats in a meadow near the entrance of Cape Ann Lane. His establishment was purchased about 1670, by Joseph Truman.
" It is voted and agreed that Clement Miner have sold him sixe acors upland over against his house upon the north side the highway that goes to Niantick, and 8 acors of swampy land near Goodman Houghs which land is for consid- eration of 8 wolves by him killed. And the towne doth order the Townesman to give him a deed of sale for the same."
The swamps around New London were infested to an unusual de- gree with these perilous animals. Though an act of the General Court had ordered every town to pay a bounty of fifteen shillings for the killing of a wolf within its bounds, New London had always paid twenty shillings. On every side of the plantation these animals abounded. The bounty had been demanded by Edmund Fanning, James Morgan, James Avery,-these were killed east of the river; by Daniel Comstock, towards Mohegan ; William Peake, in Cedar Swamp, and Hugh Caulkins, were paid four pounds for killing four wolves in the year 1660, at Nahantick. After 1667, the bounty was sixteen shillings, paid half by the towns, and half by the country treas- ury. In 1673, this bounty was claimed by Nehemiah Smith, and Sam- uel and Nathaniel Royce for killing each five wolves ; Matthew Beck- with two, and Aaron Starke two; making nineteen howling tenants of the forest destroyed within the limits of the town that year. The havoc made by wild beasts was a great drawback on the wool-grow- ing interest which was then of more importance to the farmers than at the present day.
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