USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Granby > History of Simsbury, Granby, and Canton : from 1642 to 1845 > Part 3
USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Simsbury > History of Simsbury, Granby, and Canton : from 1642 to 1845 > Part 3
USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Canton > History of Simsbury, Granby, and Canton : from 1642 to 1845 > Part 3
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AT the commencement of the settlement, the number of Indians belonging to Massacoe, is not known, though it is manifest from historical data, that it must have amounted to several hundreds. Until after the war of 1676, they vastly exceeded the white population. They are supposed, originally, to have been revolters, or seceders, from other tribes more powerful, hostile, and warlike, from whom they withdrew to repose in greater security and peace in these vallies. Though not imbecile, nor cowardly, they clearly were not imbued with those warlike propensities, which prevailed more generally with their race in the eastern sec- tions of the Colony, or with the Mohawks, at the west. Their location, as well as their peaceable carriage, probably afforded them some protection against the assaults of more powerful tribes. Between their settlement and that of the Mohawks on the North river, there were none of their race, except a few weak tribes on the Housatonuc river; and at the north, there were none nearer than Deerfield, who were particularly distinguished for their attachment to war. And yet, there is evidence tending to prove that these now peaceful meadows had been the theater of war, and crim- soned with the blood of the red man, long before they were settled by the English. The arrow-heads found, are quite too numerous to allow the supposition, that all of them could have been used for peaceable purposes.
If the Massacoe Indians belonged to a distinct tribe, or tribes, as was probably the case, they seem to have been in some measure tributary to the Tunxus, or Farmington Indians, and with them, subject to some sort of allegiance
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HISTORY OF SIMSBURY.
to Soheag, the sachem of Mattabeset, now Middletown, who was the most powerful, of all the Indian chiefs, in this part of the Colony.
The wigwams of the Masacoes were upon, or in the vicinity of the meadows, patches of which were cleared, and on which they cultivated corn. The river, and brooks, abounding with fish, and the forests with game, furnished them with the chief means of subsistence. When the white man appeared, he was not only received with hospitality, but was encouraged to settle with them. He had, at pleas- ure, their meadows, and other lands, at prices so low as to preclude all just notions of a valuable consideration paid for them. The first deed from them, of the Massacoe lands, is from Manahanoose, one of the chiefs, or headmen, who, as before stated, conveyed to Mr. John Griffin, all his right in these lands, in consideration of having destroyed, by fire, a quantity of pitch and tar, belonging to the grantee. At about the same time, there was given to Mr. Griffin another deed, or more correctly speaking, a contract to convey to him the same territory, signed by three other principal Indians, and given in consideration of the aforesaid destruc- tion of property, and that the offender, " their friend," who was in custody, had been released and restored to them. These deeds, in 1661, were assigned to a committee for the benefit of the Massacoe plantation. It is supposed that a few other deeds were given, to sundry individuals, though they do not appear on record. But such conveyances were illegal, being prohibited by the laws of the Colony, and transferred no title.
The first purchase of the right of soil from the natives, by a formal deed, having the approbation of the govern- ment, was made in 1680. It is signed by Neschegan, Seakets Totoe, Aupes, Manconumph, and three squaws, and was approved by Waquaheag, alias Cherry, who was a Tunxus Indian, and, as is supposed, a chief of that tribe,-and con- veys to " Major John Talcott, Capt. Benjamin Newberry, Capt. Daniel Clarke, and Sergeant John Griffin, in behalf of the inhabitants and proprietors, of the land belonging to
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HISTORY OF SIMSBURY.
the township of Massacoe, alias Simsbury, and their heirs and assigns forever, all that tract of land lying and being situate on Farmington bounds southward, and from thence to run ten large miles northerly, and from the bounds of Windsor town, on the east, to run ten large miles westward, the tract or parcel of land being ten miles square large." The deed contains a reservation of two acres of land to Mamanto, (husband of one of the squaws who had signed it,) lying in Weatauge, and to the grantors and their heirs, the right at all times " to hunt, fowl and fish," on the con- veyed premises. The consideration, expressed in the deed, consists of the aforesaid conveyances made to Mr. Griffin, and others, and " a valuable sum paid in full satisfaction," the amount of which is not stated. The deed is quite formal and technical-is witnessed by three white men, and five Indians, duly acknowledged, and is recorded on the town records of Simsbury, and the State records at Hartford. [APPENDIX A.]
The consideration of this deed, whatever it was, not hav- ing been paid according to agreement, the Indians pressed Major Talcott for payment, and, as stated on the record, " made a grievous complaint to the Major, and being inces- santly urging for their dues," the town " to still their accla- mations, and to bring to issue the said case, and to ease the Major of those vexatious outcries, made by the Indians, for their money," ordered the sale of one hundred and fifty acres of land, to raise funds by which to extinguish the debt.
In February, 1689, the inhabitants, apprehending danger from the Indians, took measures to strengthen themselves, by living more compactly together. The people of Hop meadow proposed to those living at the north, or " lower meadows," and at Salmon brook, to remove to, and dwell in their settlement, offering to exchange lands with them. The offer was accepted, and many of these people removed to Hop meadow, though subsequently some of them returned to their former habitations. There were sixteen persons who had entered into an agreement to remove. They were to build, and remove their respective families, within the
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HISTORY OF SIMSBURY.
space of one year, on penalty of ten pounds. The lots set out to them were on the west side of the street.
For more than thirty years after Philip's war, in 1675, the inhabitants lived in almost daily apprehension of attacks from the Indians. The French, between whom and the English war prevailed during part of this time, and who had possession of Canada, used great efforts to incite the northern Indians to attack the white settlements, situated on the frontier. From its location, Simsbury, more than any other town in the Colony, was exposed to these invasions.
Every precaution, however, which a people so weak in resources could adopt, was taken, both by the government and the town, to give protection to the inhabitants. Many houses were placed in a condition of defense, and some of them, at times of the greatest alarm, were protected by a garrison. Of these the Bestor house, at Weatauge,-the minister's house at Hop meadow,-a house at Westover's plain,-one at Salmon brook,-and one or two at Turkey Hills, are either known, or on traditionary evidence are sup- posed to be of the number. A supply of ammunition, pro- cured at the expense of the town, was always kept on hand. This ammunition, at one time, was kept at a house which stood on the east side of the river, on the spot where the house of Richard Bacon Esq. now stands, which was de- stroyed with all its contents, by the accidental burning of the house. There exists record evidence that the parson- age house, at Hop meadow, was fortified in 1690, and also in 1700, and that two fortifications were erected in the town, one called the "Great Fort," which stood on the plain north of Saxton's brook, and another called "Shaw's Fort," situated about one mile north of Salmon brook street. These block-houses were probably constructed in 1708, for, in that year, the General Assembly ordered the Committee of War to erect two garrisons in Simsbury, at the charge of the Col- ony, and supply them " with men and provisions," as there should be occasion. In 1707, there was an alarm spread that the Indians contemplated an invasion of the town,
4
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HISTORY OF SIMSBURY.
when the Assembly granted seven pounds, from the treas- ury, to fortify it ; and the next year, a further grant of seven pounds six shillings was made, to pay the soldiers belonging to Simsbury, who had been employed under Capt. John Higley, in the public service .*
The last alarm was in 1724. The conduct of the Indians at the north and west during this year, and especially their hostile movements in the vicinity of Litchfield, induced the government to take such precautionary measures as the occasion demanded, in order to furnish protection to the weak and exposed settlements. A line of scouts was estab- lished, extending from Litchfield to Turkey Hills, curving around the most northerly and westerly settlements in Simsbury.
On the 4th of June 1724, Captain Richard Case, of this town, was directed to employ ten men on this scouting party, to rendezvous at Litchfield. The men employed in this service, were sergeant Jonathan Holcomb, John Hill, Nathaniel Holcomb, Joseph Mills, William Buell, Samuel Pettibone, Joseph Wilcoxson, Benajah Humphrey, Nathan- iel Westover, and Charles Humphrey ;- all belonging to Simsbury. They continued in the service until early in October. On the 24th of September, " captain Sprague with 22 sentinels joined the scout at Simsbury." Another force of eighteen men was employed in the summer "to join the grand scout."
* Just previous to this, the Council of War, in February, 1707, passed the following resolutions.
" Resolved, for the preservation of the frontier townes of Symsbury, Water- bury, Woodbury and Danbury, that order be sent to the Inhabitants of those townes to provide, with all possible speed, a sufficient number of well forti- fied houses, for the saftie of themselves and families, in their respective townes ; The houses for fortifications to be appointed by the vote of the major part of the Inhabitants of such respective townes assembled, if they can agree,-in case of their disagreement, to be appointed by the commission officers of the towne."
" The scouts in Symsbury to be appointed and directed by the Major of the Countie. The charges to be borne by the Countie, as by law is provided."
" Two faithful and trusty men, as a scout to be out every day, to observe the motions of the enemy."
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HISTORY OF SIMSBURY.
During this summer, "a garrison" was constructed at Turkey Hills. In July, nine men were sent to man it, and subsequently a larger force, for the record of the Council of War (from which the above quotations are made) specifies that " thirty men, who had been sent to garrison at Sims- bury," were ordered to be disbanded in September. On the 12th of July, there was " an alarm at Turkey Hills," of a nature so serious, as to induce the Council to send there, forty-one soldiers from Windsor, and twenty-six from Hart- ford. It does not appear however that there was any sub- stantial ground to apprehend immediate danger, for these troops were dismissed after one day's service.
These precautionary measures were wisely taken. Stroll- ing parties of Indians had been lurking about the settle- ments during most part of the season, with the intention, evidently, of subjecting the weak and defenseless to the cruelties of their accustomed modes of warfare. They were prevented, however, by the prompt and efficient action of the government, from inflicting any general or extensive injury.
Although this was the last time when danger was seri- ously apprehended from the Indians, it was not until after the lapse of some years, that the people felt themselves in perfect security, or could entirely overcome that fear which the nursery tales of the times had kept alive long after all real danger had passed away.
With the exception of some petty thefts, or trespasses, it is not known that the whites were ever materially injured by the Massacoe Indians, at least by that portion of them who continued to reside in the plantation. The burning of the town in 1676, as before stated, was the act of northern tribes, in which the Massacoe Indians, it is believed, did not participate. In this, as well as in subsequent wars during that century, all the Indians residing in the then county of Hartford, which included nearly one half of the Colony, joined the English by treaty stipulations, and proved them- selves not only true to their engagements, but serviceable as allies, and warriors. It is on record that, during the war
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HISTORY OF SIMSBURY.
which commenced in 1675, no Indian belonging to the county, had been convicted of any atrocious offence, com- mitted against the white population. But, the latter could not, and did not, rest in security. They were exposed to sudden unforeseen attacks, and knew enough of the Indian character, to fear, if not to expect, treachery when help was most needed.
The Massacoe Indians continued to reside with their new neighbors in harmony. But, their proximity to these settle- ments did not improve their condition, nor add to their hap- piness. The more bold and enterprizing portion of them, left for new habitations in distant forests, far from the encroachments of the white man. Many fled to the Housa- tonuc valley, at the breaking out of Philip's war. From these and other well known causes, their numbers were so diminished, that before the lapse of many years, they had become a small, and inefficient band. There were a few families remaining after 1710. One, possessed a few acres of land on the east side of the river, near the south line of the town, some years after this. About 1750, or within a few years thereafter, the last vestige of the race disappeared from the town.
Of Indian names, but few are now known. Massacoe, and Tunxus, have become nearly obsolete. Weatauge, which, fortunately, has been retained,-and a brook, within the present limits of Canton, which derives its name from an Indian chieftain, Cherry, *- are the only ones preserved, to remind us of the former owners and possessors of this soil.
The natives had a place of sepulchre, near the house of the late Col. James Cornish. When the cellar of this house was excavated, a large number of human bones were dis- covered. Tradition says, that another place was used for this purpose, on a patch of rising ground in the rear of the house of Mrs. T. L. Bissell.
Arrow-heads have been found, very frequently, in all
* Cherry was a name given him by the English. His Indian name was Waquaheag.
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HISTORY OF SIMSBURY.
parts of the meadows where the lands have been cultivated by the plow. It is not uncommon, at the present day, to find them. Other relics too, have been found, occasionally, consisting of articles used in war, in the cultivation of the soil, and for domestic purposes. In the meadows, westerly of the house of Richard Bacon Esq., such implements have often been discovered. Within a few years, Col. Aurora Case, in plowing a new field, lying westerly of Mr. Robert J. McRoy's house, (formerly occupied by Mr. Stephen Terry,) found a stone mortar, and pestle, of Indian work- manship, used for pounding corn, which have been depos- ited in the archives of the Connecticut Historical Society.
During the Indian disturbances in 1707, one of those events occurred, which, whenever they happened, spread terror and consternation throughout the infant settlements, and overwhelmed, with the deepest agony, the family con- nections of the sufferers.
In the fall of 1707, DANIEL HAYES, at the age of twenty- two years, was taken by the Indians and carried captive into Canada. He resided at Salmon brook, now the central part of Granby, which, being at that time the northern point of settlement in the town, was peculiarly exposed to sudden invasions by the Indians. The circumstances attending this transaction, as preserved by tradition, are as follows .*
Some two or three years before Hayes was taken, he was at a house-raising in Weatauge, when, very inconsiderately, and out of mere wanton sport, he cut off the tail of a dog : belonging to an Indian, who, a stranger and entirely unknown, happened to be present. The master of the dog, though he uttered no complaint, manifested such emotions of ill will and revenge, that Hayes, before they separated,
* The materials from which this account is compiled, were obligingly com- municated to the author by Samuel H. Woodruff' and Ardon B. Holcomb Esq'rs, of Granby. Of the general correctness of the narrative, no reasonable doubt can be entertained,-as the facts have been derived, not only from the descendants of Mr. Hayes, but also from several aged people, all of whom concur in their statements regarding the main and important features of the transaction.
4*
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HISTORY OF SIMSBURY.
deemed it prudent for himself, to attempt to pacify him. He sought therefore a reconciliation, by proposing to drink together, and offered, moreover, reparation for the injury. But the Indian rejected all overtures, and left the ground, evidently in a surly and unreconciled mood of mind, and, probably, with malice and revenge deeply impressed upon his heart. Nothing afterwards being heard of the Indian or his dog, the circumstance, in a short time, if not forgot- ten, became unheeded. But, the events which follow were supposed to result from this affair .*
On the evening before his capture, there was a corn husk- ing party at the house of Mr. Hayes, when, in the course of conversation, he remarked that carly in the ensuing morn- ing, he should endeavor to find his horse, which was feed- ing in the forests, and, as supposed, westerly of the settle- ment. This conversation, as appears from the sequel, was overheard by Indians, who were, at that time, Inrking about the house, and who, it is supposed, from the information thus obtained, devised their plans of operation for the next morning.
After the family had retired and were asleep, they were awakened by the barking of their dog, which manifested so much uneasiness as to induce Mr. Hayes to leave his bed, and, with his dog, to seek for the canse. Supposing the disturbance to have proceeded from the incursion of cattle into the corn-field contiguous to his house, (an ordinary occurrence in those days,) and finding it unmolested, he again sought repose in sleep. But the dog continued restive, and plainly made known, by his conduct, that there was something wrong in the neighborhood of the house.
" Thus goes the story. But the author must be allowed to say, for him- self, that he very much doubts whether this affair had anything to do with the capture of Hayes, which took place some years afterwards. The Indians, it is well known, were incited to such deeds by the French in Canada, to whom they carried their captives, and by whom, as is supposed, they were rewarded for the service. The more correct supposition probably is, that the captors came into this weak settlement, to sieze and carry off any person who might be thrown in their way, and that they would have taken as readily any other person as Hayes, if an opportunity, equally as favorable, had occurred.
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HISTORY OF SIMSBURY.
The next morning, at an early hour, Mr. Hayes, taking with him a bridle, proceeded into the forests to find his horse. His route led him to pass Stoney hill, a ridge of land stretching north and south about eighty rods westerly of Salmon brook street. Upon turning round the south point of this hill, he was seized by three Indians who sprang upon him from an ambush where they had secreted themselves from view. So suddenly and unexpectedly came this attack upon Hayes, that he was deprived of all power to make resistance, or even any attempt to escape. One Indian seized him by the throat-another, enjoined silence by putting a hand over his mouth-whilst the other, with a tomahawk raised over his head, enforced obedience and submission. They immediately bound his hands at his back with the throat-latch of the bridle, and, with their captive, hastily left the place, taking their course in a north- ern direction.
Another account states that Hayes was accompanied by a Mr. Lamson, who, being an agile and athletic man, outran the Indians and effected his escape-that the number of Indians, belonging to the party, amounted to five or more ;. and that the transaction was witnessed by a Mrs. Holcomb, wife of a Mr. Nathaniel Holcomb, who was in the fields that morning milking, but who, from considerations relating to her own safety, was deterred from returning home, or giving an alarm, until the Indians with their captive had left the place.
Very soon, however, the usual alarm was spread, and a force was raised sufficient to make pursuit. Immediate effort was made to relieve the captive, and punish the aggressors. And notice of the calamity having been sent to Windsor, a larger force came from that town to the rescue. The route taken by the Indians was found and traced, and, at times, the marks of their tracks appeared so fresh, that strong hopes were entertained of overtaking them. But, their superior cunning in such exploits, with their fleetness in passing through the wilderness, enabled them to avoid their pursuers, and escape with their prisoner.
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HISTORY OF SIMSBURY.
In the mean time Hayes, knowing that any symptoms of lagging on his part would probably cost him his life, and supposing, moreover, that in no event would his captors, if closely pursued, suffer him to live, exerted himself to keep up with them. And he soon found he could do this without much fatigue, for he was robust, and accustomed to such traveling. On one occasion, during this journey, when his companions wished to test his fleetness, he outstripped them so far that they were on the point of shooting him to stop his progress. He might then have escaped, as he after- wards said, " if he had had his thoughts about him."
On the first night after his capture, the party encamped at the foot of Sodom mountain. He was secured, during the night, by being placed upon his back, with each arm and ancle strongly fastened to a sapling, and with sticks so crossing his body as to be lain upon by an Indian on each side. He passed most of the nights, bound in this manner, during his long march to Canada. On the second day, the party crossed Connecticut river, by fording and swimming, and spent the ensuing night at the base of Mount Holyoke.
In this manner, they proceeded from day to day, up the valley of Connecticut river and through the wilderness, on their route to Canada. Many incidents occurred, which Hayes used to relate. One evening, the little savages, belonging to a village where the party had stopped, annoyed him by tickling his feet as he lay before a fire with his arms pinioned as usual. Bearing this annoyance as long as his patience would allow, he attempted to get rid of his tormentors by using his feet in self-defense-during which process, some of them were kicked into the fire. He expected nothing short of death for this aggression, but was agreeably surprised when the fathers of the burnt children, instead of offering violence, patted him on his shoulders and exclaimed " boon ! "*
* If this word is correctly handed down, it was intended probably, for the French word bon, and used on this occasion to express approbation. The northern Indians, at this time, were in the habit of using a few words derived from the French.
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HISTORY OF SIMSBURY.
They were nearly thirty days on this journey, during all which time the sufferings of poor Hayes were excessive, and almost without intermission. Subjected to hard toil through each day, with no sustenance save what the forests and rivers furnished, and deprived at night of rest, by the man- ner of binding his limbs, he had that to sustain which, in most cases, would have brought the sufferer to the grave. But Hayes, if he must be a victim, determined that he at least would not voluntarily contribute to hasten the sacrifice. He possessed that happy faculty of making, at all times, the best of his condition. His cheerfulness, though assumed- his ability to endure fatigue and hardships-and his apparent stoical indifference to his fate, secured the good opinion of his comrades, and tended to lighten his burdens, and, possi- bly, to prolong his life. Indulgence in despondency could bring no relief, and would, as he well knew, but render more bitter the cup of his afflictions. He very wisely therefore made up his mind " to make a virtue of neces- sity," by submitting with the best possible grace to that fate which he too well knew awaited him.
The Indians told him, on the journey, of their lying about his house on the night before he was taken, and of their overhearing the conversation relating to his intention to proceed, on the next morning, into the wilderness to find his horse ; which information, thus obtained, induced them to lie in wait at Stoney hill in order to capture him. They also told him that they had been lurking about the settle- ment some days, seeking an opportunity to secure a captive, or commit some other depredation.
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