USA > Connecticut > New London County > New London > History of New London, Connecticut, From the First Survey of the Coast in 1612 to 1852 > Part 17
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
The first settlers of Lyme were mostly of the second generation of emigrants from Europe. Matthew Griswold must be excepted, the patriarch, and for a long term of years the principal magistrate of the town. Thomas Lee, Henry Champion and John Lay must also be reckoned of the first generation. Henry Champion died in 1708, verging toward the age of one hundred years. John Lay died in 1675 ; in his last will and testament he says, "being grown aged." His son John Lay, Jun., was born in 1633, probably on the other side of the water. By a second wife he had a second son John,-both of them living at their father's decease. Thomas Lee
176
HISTORY OF NEW LONDON.
came to America in the family of his father, in 1640 or 1641, prob- ably then a youth.1
Mr. Griswold died in Dec., 1698, or in Jan., 1698-9, and was over eighty years of age. No memorial of his grave has been found. It would be satisfactory could we discover but a rude stone, and a few letters to note the death-day and the resting-place of one whose chisel had so often carved memorials for others. There is always satisfaction in finding a stone with its record at the head of a grave, even when we feel no special interest in the tenant that lies beneath. It seems to say that love and respect followed the departed one to his narrow home, and did not suddenly terminate there. But in the first era of our country, the absence of an inscribed stone is no evidence of neglect or indigence. Men who are skillful to work in stone are seldom found in a new country, and labor is engrossed with occupations necessary to the living.
Thomas Lee died in 1705 :2 his burial place is also shrouded in obscurity. These are not mentioned as solitary instances. Every where in our country we miss the graves of the fathers. The first generation and many of the second seem to have dropped silently and unnoticed into the bosom of the earth. It is indeed of slight importance, since we have other memorials more honorable and last- ing than those of stone, to attest the character of those much endur- ing men.
Tradition relates that the meadows and corn-fields along the river in southern Lyme, were first cultivated by armed men, who came . over from Saybrook, with guns and pikes, as well as agricultural im- plements, to mow the marshes and to plant and gather the harvest. Mr. Griswold, it is said, was the first to build a habitation on that side, and this being occupied for several years solely by his negro servants, was familiarly called Black-Hall, a name which was at first retained to designate the Griswold lands, but is now the sectional term for the district in which they lie. The location of Black-Hall Point is very beautiful ; the land slopes to the Sound and projects so far into it that in winter the sun rises and sets over the water. Every
1 A manuscript account of the Lee family says: "In 1641 came Mr. Brown from England with Thomas Lee and wife and three children; the wife of Lee was Brown's daughter. Lee died on the passage with small-pox; his wife and children came to Saybrook."
2 The will of Ensign Thomas Lee, Senior, was proved Feb. 19th, 1704-5.
177
HISTORY OF NEW LONDON.
sail that passes through the Sound is in full view, and often on a fine day fifty or more may be seen at one time.1
North of Black-Hall, "between the rivers," as it is locally called, that is, between Black-Hall Creek and Duck Creek, both emptying into Connecticut River, John Lay and Isaac Waterhouse were proba- bly the earliest settlers. The latter was the oldest son of Jacob Wa- terhouse, of New London ; he purchased in 1667, all the lands of Major Mason, in Lyme. In this district, on a high bleak hill, three meeting-houses were built in succession. A bold position for a church, high and solitary, towering almost over Saybrook itself, saluting every passing sail within a wide sweep of vision, and indica- ting even to the inhabitants of Long Island, with its heaven-pointed finger, the region of happiness.
The first meeting-house on this breezy height was erected about 1670. In a new plantation the buildings are necessarily rude and in- complete ; destined soon to give place to others. This first church arrived at old age in fifteen years. The inhabitants could not agree on the site for its successor, and were obliged to call in magistrates from abroad to compose their differences and settle the disputed point. The report of these arbitrators is so honorably characteristic of the magistracy of that age, that it well deserves to be quoted entire. It is the spirit of Puritanism, condensed into an example.
" The Agreement about the Meeting-House.
" Whereas by the General Court May last we were appointed to hear and determine a controversy between the inhabitants of Lyme concerning the place where the next meeting-house shall stand, and having seen the places desired by the several inhabitants, and having heard their several allegations and rea- sons why they would have the meeting-house stand in the places by them de- sired, and the returns they have been pleased to make one unto another there- upon, and seriously considered of the premises, in order to the putting of a final issue to the case, we saw reason to pitch upon two places where to set the meeting-house, and with the consent of the greatest part of the people of Lyme, we, after calling upon the Lord, commended the decision of the case to a lot, which lot fell upon the southermost we had appointed, which is upon the hill where the now meeting-house stands, more northerly in the very place where we shall stake it out, and we do order and appoint the said meeting-house to be erected : and now, worthy and much respected friends, we have according to our best judgment led you to an issue of your controversy ; we request and ad- vise you to lay aside all former dissatisfaction that has risen amongst you in the management of this affair hitherto, and that [illegible] be buried and for-
1 Mr. Matthew Griswold, the present occupant of Black-Hall, informed the author that on a fair, calm morning he had counted one hundred sail of vessels within sight.
178
HISTORY OF NEW LONDON.
gotten by you and never more revived by any amongst you, and that you do forthwith in the best time and manner you can, join heart and hand in the building and erecting a meeting-house in the place by the special providence of God stated and laid out to you for that purpose, and desire the favorable ac- ceptance of our desires and endeavors to promote your peace, and that the God of peace may direct you into ways of peace and good agreement, that his pres- ence and blessing may be your portion, which is the heart's desire of your friends,
" JOHN TALCOTT, " JOHN ALLIN."
" This day in Lyme, June 4th, 1686."
[From Lyme Records, Book 1.]
CHAPTER XIII.
From 1670 to 1690 .- General View .- Indian War .-- Account of the expedi- tions from New London county .-- Death of Governor Winthrop .-- Erection of the second meeting-house .-- Illness and death of Mr. Bradstreet .-- Transient ministers .- Popularity of Mr. Saltonstall .-- His ordination .-- Heat and dis- ease .-- Sir Edmund Andross .-- Meeting-house burnt .-- The third or Salton- stall meeting-house built.
EVERY glimpse that is now obtained of the plantation exhibits en- terprise, and a slowly growing prosperity. But the growth of towns in that day was gradual, a struggle for life, bearing no resemblance to the rapid expansion of American settlements in later days. In 1670, the list of the town was but £8,506, and seven years later, (after the Indian war,) it was less, £8,206. Hartford, Windsor, Wethersfield, New Haven, and even Fairfield and Milford were before New London. Property was here more uncertain than in most other towns. The comers and goers were many, and names incidentally appear upon the records which are never heard of after- ward. New London had peculiar characteristics for that day, a floating, wavering, self-confident populace, inured to the hardships of the sea, to artisan labor, and the tillage of a stubborn soil, but easily drawn aside to recreation, and we infer from the complaints against them, noisy and litigious. The character of the town long reflected these peculiar features ; but amid the changeful elements, a substan- tial class of worthy citizens were always to be found ; men who were neither fickle, nor contentious, nor irreligious, but of the genuine, New England stamp ; felling the forest and subduing the reluctant earth ; toiling in the work-shop, or pulling at the oar; now gather- ing with right merry heart in the social circle, now governing the town, or with lowly veneration engaged in the worship of God.
It appears to have been the original plan of the town that the first line of dwelling-houses bordering the semi-circular shore, from the
180
HISTORY OF NEW LONDON.
head of Winthrop's Cove to the end of the point now known as Shaw's Neck, a distance of more than a mile and a half, should, as far as practicable, face the water, with an open street or quay in front of them. Had this design been carried out, a noble promenade would have been left along the shore, girdling the city with beauty, and pre- senting a fine picture seaward. All the first houses in Main and Bank Streets, were built on the west side of the street, while the east side, the shore, beach or marsh, that bordered the town, was left in common. From the eastern part of the Parade, where is now the Ferry wharf, the coast originally turned to the west, more abruptly than at present, and was bordered by a strip of sand-beach, incl osing a narrow, salt-water pond or marsh, which having been filled in and protected by a wall, forms the present Water Street. At the head of this beach were the ferry stairs and the old town landing-place, where in 1703, was built the town wharf. This site had been early chosen for town purposes, on account of its affording the easiest ascent to the area or platform of the town. Almost every street below this point, leading to the water, had an abrupt pitch to the shore, which time and highway labor have worn away. After 1670, the border of the cove running up to the mill, began to be occupied. The water-craft of that day being mostly sloops, or decked boats, found no difficulty in ascending nearly to the head of the cove, and shops or warehouses were soon erected along the western side, filling this part of the town with the hum of business. On the shore side of Bank Street, very few grants were made until about 1720. The town mainly consisted of two ends. Hence a distinction was early made and long continued between up-towners and down-towners. In later days, and no doubt immemorially, rivalry and feuds, challenges at playing ball, snow- balling, and occasional fights, took place between the boys of the two ends.
After 1666, for fifteen or twenty years, the commissioners (jus- tices) for New London were almost invariably Messrs. Avery, Weth- erell and Palmes. In 1674, Mr. Palmes was invested by the Gen- eral Court with the superior power of a magistrate, through New London county and the Narragansett country. In military affairs, after the decease of Major Mason, Fitz-John Winthrop took the lead, and next to him were Palmes and Avery. In 1672, a company of troopers was raised, forty in number, of which Edward Palmes was appointed captain, John Mason, of Norwich, lieutenant,1 and Joshua
1 Son to Major Mason.
181
HISTORY OF NEW LONDON.
Raymond, cornet.1 This was the first organized company of horse- men in the county.
The year 1675 brought with it the gloom and terror of an Indian war. After near forty years of quiet, following the vindictive strug- gle with the Pequots, the whole country was terror-struck with the news that a wide-spread combination of Wampanoags, Narragansetts, and other tribes had been formed, with the design and desperate hope of exterminating the white race from the land. Suddenly, before any effectual measures of defense had been concerted, Philip, with his fierce horde of warriors, burst out of the dark cloud like a thunder- bolt.
Connecticut, as well as the neighboring colonies, lay exposed to an immediate assault. Her eastern frontier was open to the Narragan- setts ; Norwich and Stonington were particularly in danger. With- in her limits were bands of Indians, who might perhaps be induced to join the enemy, and one of these bands, the Mohegans, was at no time more powerful than at this juncture. Patronized by the Ma- sons, and having his frontier protected by Norwich, Uncas had been for fifteen years increasing in numbers and strength. This wary sachem kept his neighbors for some time in doubt which party he would join in the contest. Messrs. Wetherell and Avery made him a visit on the 28th of June, to ascertain, if possible, how he stood affected to Philip's designs, and returned, apprehensive that he was leagued with the enemy. In Mr. Wetherell's letter to the governor, he says :
" We have reason to believe that most of his men are gone that way, for he hath very few men at home,"-" tis certain he hath lately had a great corres- pondence with Philip, and many presents have passed."?
On Sunday, June 24th, the first overt act of hostility was commit- ted by Philip. Several houses were burned and men slaughtered at Swansey. It does not appear that the news reached New London till June 29th, when it was brought by a messenger on his way to Hartford, dispatched by Mr. Stanton to carry the fearful tidings to the governor. A thrill of horror ran through the community. Mr. Wetherell wrote urgently to Governor Winthrop, June 29th and 30th, for assistance.
1 It was much the custom then to address people by their titles of office. Cornet Raymond is mentioned on the town books by his title, as naturally as Captain Palmes by his.
2 Mass. Hist. Coll., 3d series, vol. 10, p. 118.
16
182
HISTORY OF NEW LONDON.
" It is reported that Philip is very near us and expects further assistance from Uncas."
" We have great reason to believe that there is an universal combination of the Indians, and fear you cannot aid us timely. We are calling in all our out livers, and shall by God's assistance, do our best for our defence, but hope that your Honor, with the rest of the honorable Council will despatch present sup- plies for our aid."1
Major John Winthrop, the highest military commander in the county, was then dangerously ill, and this was calculated to increase the panic of the three eastern towns. The Council of War immedi- ately dispatched forty men to their aid, and Captain Wait Winthrop being authorized to act both as a military commander and a commis- sioner, raised a considerable force, and marched directly into the In- dian territory. Here he met the troops and commissioner sent from Massachusetts, and assisted in concluding a treaty with the Narra- gansetts, which quieted for a time the alarm of the eastern towns. The Mohegans, after some little hesitation, and the Pequots and Na- hanticks, with acceptable readiness, joined the English; and both eventually performed essential service.
During the summer the principal seat of the war was in the inte- rior of Massachusetts, and the towns on Connecticut River were the sufferers. But as winter approached, the hostile Indians concentra- ted their forces in the Narragansett territory, in dangerous proximity to the Connecticut frontier.
The military regulations enforced by the General Court in October were of a stern and vigorous cast, and embodied in terms of anxious solemnity. They were in fact equivalent to putting the whole colony under the ban of martial law. The most important enactments were these : sixty soldiers to be raised in every county-the Pequots to be assigned to the charge of Capt. Avery, and the Mohegans to Capt. Mason-places of defense and refuge to be immediately fortified in every plantation-neglect of orders in time of assault to be punished with death-no provisions allowed to be carried out of the colony without special license-and no male between the ages of fourteen and seventy, suffered to leave the colony without special permission from the council, or from four assistants, under penalty of £100.2
1 Mass. Hist. Coll., 3d series vol. 10, p. 119.
2 These orders are recorded at New London with the following indorsement: " To ye Constable of Norwitch, N. London, Stonington, Lyme, Kenilworth and Saybrooke, to be posted from Constable to Constable forthwith and published and recorded, and then to be returned to the Clarke of the County."
183
HISTORY OF NEW LONDON.
In compliance with the order respecting fortifications, a committee of seven persons was appointed in New London, Fitz-John Winthrop, James Rogers, William Douglas, William Hough, Christopher Chris- tophers, Samuel Rogers and Thomas Beeby, who issued an order (October 28th) for six points to be immediately fortified, viz. :
1. The stone house at the mill, near Major Palmes and Samuel Rogers, for defense of that end of the town.
2. The houses of Mr. Christophers and Mr. Edgecombe, for de- . fense of that neighborhood. (On Main Street, each side of Federal Street.)
3. Mr. Bradstreet's and the town house. (By the town house, probably the meeting-house was meant, which was near Mr. Brad- street's.)
4. Mr. Charles Hill's. (On State Street, probably corner of Me- ridian.)
5. Mr. Joshua Raymond's. (Corner of Parade and Bank Streets.)
6. Mr. Ralph Parker's. (At the head of Close Cove, in the lower part of the town.)
New London, Norwich and Stonington were all partially fortified in this manner, and a constant guard was maintained. In the bel- fries of the meeting-houses, and on the high hills, watchmen were kept on the look-out, with sentry-boxes erected for their accommoda- tion.1
The United Colonies seem to have been pervaded with the idea that a crisis in their existence had arrived which demanded bold and immediate measures. To meet this crisis, they determined on a win- ter campaign, in which an overpowering force should be sent into the thickets of Narragansett, to attack the lion in his den. An army was raised of one thousand men. The proportion of Connecticut was three hundred and fifteen, who were placed under the command of Major Robert Treat, of Milford, and ordered to rendezvous at New London.
A town always suffers from being made a gathering-place for sold- iers. New London was soon in a state of bustle and excitement, and, during the remainder of the war, continued to be a camp for the troops, a store-house for supplies, and a hospital for the sick-full of disturbance, discomfort and complaints.
The troops began to collect the latter part of November. Those
1 A height overlooking Norwich green, is still known as Sentry Hill, from this cir cumstance.
184
HISTORY OF NEW LONDON.
from Fairfield and New Haven counties came mostly by water ; those from other counties by land. New London county raised seventy men under Capt. John Mason, of Norwich, beside Pequots and Mohegans under Capt. Gallop. Of the seventy men, Norwich contributed eighteen ; New London, Stonington and Lyme, forty ; Saybrook, eight; Killingworth, four. The whole force was to be at New London Dec. 10th. Great exertions were made to obtain the requisite quantity of provisions and all the apparatus of war. Mr. Wetherell was the active magistrate, Joshua Raymond the commis- sary. Wheat was sent from other parts of the colony, here to be ground and baked. Indians were to be fitted with caps and stock- ings. The town also furnished a quantity of powder, bullets and flints, and ten stands of arms. At length there was an impressment of beef, pork, corn and rum, horses and carts, and the army marched.1
These troops, forming a junction with those of the other colonies, were engaged in the fearful swamp fight at Narragansett,2 Dec. 19th, 1675. A complete victory was here obtained over the savage foe, but at great expense of life on both sides. The number of Indians killed on the side of the enemy, was estimated at nearly a thousand. Of the English army, two hundred were killed and wounded, of whom eighty were of the Connecticut line-a large proportion out of three hundred and fifteen. The loss sustained by the friendly Indians (if any) is not included in this number.
The Mohegans in this fight were under the command of Capt. John Gallop, of Stonington, who was numbered among the slain. Capt. Avery had charge of the Pequots. It was afterward reported by some, that the Connecticut Indians would not fight in this battle, but discharged their guns into the air. This must be an error. Capt. Gallop, their gallant leader, was slain in the fury of the onset. No charge of cowardice or insubordination was brought against them after their return home ; while on the contrary, rewards for faithful service were bestowed on several. In the accounts of the county treasurer, are notices of cloth and provisions dealt out to various indi- viduals, after they came from the battle. Among these are the names of Momoho, Nanasquee, Tomquash and his brother-" corn delivered Cassasinamon's squaw," and " blew cloth for stockings to Ninnicraft's daughter's Captayne and his brother." Capt. John Ma- son, of Norwich, received a wound, with which he languished till the
1 These particulars are gathered from accounts afterward presented for payment.
2 Within the limits of the present town of South Kingston, R. I.
185
HISTORY NEW LONDON.
next September, and then died. The wounded men were mostly brought to New London to be healed, and were attended by Mr. Gershom Bulkley, the former minister of the town, who had accom- panied the expedition in the capacity of surgeon.
In January, 1675-6, another army of one thousand men was raised. The Connecticut quota was again three hundred and fifteen ; their leader Major Treat, and their rendezvous, New London. They be- gan their march on the 26th, passed through Stonington into the Narragansett country, and from thence north-westerly into the Nip- muck region, clearing away the Indians in their course, but meeting with no opportunity to strike a heavy blow. Uncas himself accom- panied this expedition ; and the Council of War wrote to Mr. Bulkley to return thanks for their good service, to Uncas and Owaneco of the Mohegans, and to Robin Cassasinamon and Momoho of the Pequots.1
During the winter, New London suffered exceedingly from the quartering of soldiers upon the inhabitants, and the great scarcity of provisions. In May, the General Court authorized the enlistment of three hundred and fifty men, as a standing army, to be in readiness for any service. This force, which was under the command of Ma- jor John Talcott, was almost immediately ordered into the field, Nor- wich at this time being designated as the gathering place. Mr. Wetherell and Mr. Douglas were the commissaries, and New Lon- don, for the third time, was a depot for supplies. The number of Indian auxiliaries engaged at this time was unusually large. Major Talcott left Norwich June 2d, and entering the wilderness marched directly toward the upper towns on Connecticut River, where the opportune arrival of so large a force, is supposed to have saved Had- ley from Indian devastation.2 Capt. George Denison had command of the company raised in New London county ; Lieut. Thomas Lef- fingwell, of Norwich, and Ensign John Beeby, of New London, were with him. This company went up the river by water to Northamp- ton, and from thence joined Major Talcott with supplies, of which the army was in pressing need. They had suffered so much on their route, that the soldiers gave it the name of the long and hungry march.3 Mr. Fitch, of Norwich, went with them as chaplain, and Mr.
1 Conn. Colonial Records, vol. 2, p. 406.
2 Trumbull's History of Connecticut.
3 Ibid. Major Tallcott complained that the bread they had with them was all cov- ered with blue mold, and adds expressively, " Bread made for this wilderness work had need be well dried." Conn. Colonial Records, vol. 2, p. 453.
16*
186
HISTORY OF NEW LONDON.
Bulkley as surgeon. This army returned to Connecticut about June 10th, having scoured the country far up the river, but met with very few of the enemy. The Council of War ordered a coat to be given to every Indian out in this long march, " in regard (they observe) the service was tedious and little or no plunder gained."1
After a few days' refreshment, this spirited army again entered the hostile districts, and marching first to the north-west of Providence, then turning to the south-east, explored the forests and necks down to Point Judith. From thence they returned through Westerly to Stonington and New London. In this expedition great havoc was made among the Narragansetts. Magnus, the old queen or sunk- squaw, was slain, and in two engagements, two hundred and thirty- eight Indians were killed and captured. Major Talcott, while at Warwick Neck, " having advice that Philip was beat down toward Mount Hope," would have pursued him to this haunt, if his Indian auxiliaries had not positively refused to accompany him.2
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.