USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Granby > History of Simsbury, Granby, and Canton : from 1642 to 1845 > Part 4
USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Simsbury > History of Simsbury, Granby, and Canton : from 1642 to 1845 > Part 4
USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Canton > History of Simsbury, Granby, and Canton : from 1642 to 1845 > Part 4
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
When they arrived at the great Indian encampment on the borders of Canada, the prisoner was delivered over to the council of the nation, to be disposed of as they should adjudge. By their decision, he was doomed to undergo the painful ordeal of "running the gauntlet." Being stripped to his skin, and annointed according to custom, he com- menced the course ; and after many flagellations and hard knocks received, when approaching near the end of the line, being exhausted and faint, he bolted from the course to
42
HISTORY OF SIMSBURY.
avoid a blow from an upraised war club, and sought safety by fleeing into a wigwam, at the door of which sat a super- annuated and infirm squaw. He was pursued, but the squaw proclaimed the house sacred, and its inmates pro- tected from injury. By her intercession, and especially by the deference paid to a place thus sanctified according to the rites of Indian superstition, "the appetite of the savage for blood was stayed."
The squaw, whose husband and only son had fallen in war, claimed the captive, and adopted him as her son. She was destitute, and so infirm as to be unable to walk. Hayes, in addition to minor duties, was compelled to provide for her sustenance and fuel. He administered to her wants, and devoted to her the kindest attentions,-and she, in return, evinced her gratitude, by calling him her son ! He lived in this family about five years ; and although, during this time, he fared better, perhaps, than most Indian cap- tives, yet existence, in his then condition, had for him but few charms, and the future unveiled to his view no cheering prospect. He was in bondage, compelled to adopt the customs and modes of life of savages, and was deprived of almost every comfort deemed necessary by civilized people. Besides, he could entertain no reasonable hope of being restored to his home and kindred-and more than all, his life was at the mercy, whim, or caprice, of savage masters.
One of the tasks imposed upon him, in the winter season, was to draw upon a sled his Indian mother to such places as she wished to visit, and especially to the feasts and council assemblages of her tribe. · Upon occasion of a " dog feast " which, by the usages of her people, all were expected to attend, he proceeded with her, in this manner, until, ascending a hill which was steep and slippery, he found his strength, when put to its utmost power, barely adequate to make any headway. By perseverance and exertion however, he was enabled to reach nearly the sum- mit of the hill, when he slipped and fell ; and either by design, or inability to hold on, left the sled with its mortal load, to find the bottom of the declivity without a pilot --
.
43
HISTORY OF SIMSBURY.
secretly wishing, no doubt, that her appetite for riding would be cured by this trip. In this perilous adventure, the sled struck a stump near the foot of the hill, which capsized the squaw, who was severely injured by the fall. Whether an accident or not, Hayes professed much sorrow for the disas- ter, and managed the affair so adroitly, that he escaped every imputation of blame, and continued to retain the confidence and good opinion of the Indians.
Shortly after this event, he was sold to a Frenchman in Montreal, through the agency, it is said of a Papist priest. His new master was kind, and allowed him many of the necessaries, with some of the luxuries, of life, of which he had been so long deprived. Learning that Hayes was by trade a weaver, he started him in this business, and by allowing him a share of the profits, Hayes was enabled, in the course of about two years, to earn money enough to purchase his freedom. The good Frenchman not only emancipated him, but supplied him with clothes, provis- ions, and a half breed guide to conduct him safely through the warring tribes on his journey homeward. The guide proceeding with him as far as Mount Holyoke, pointed out to him the smokes of his friends, " the pale faces," wished him a happy return to his family, and departed, in another direction, to wend his way back to Canada. In about twenty-five days after leaving Montreal, Hayes had the happiness to reach his home, and to exchange hearty greet- ings and congratulations with his friends, to whom he appeared almost " as one raised from the dead."
Thus, after an absence of about seven years, the captive was restored to freedom, a home and a happy circle of relatives and friends. He had heard nothing from his family since his capture, nor had they received any tidings of him, though they either knew, or had good reason to suppose, that he had been taken and carried off by the Indians. His friends had flattered themselves, for a long while, that he would be spared to return to them, but his long absence had extinguished every vestige of hope, and he had for some time been given up as lost.
44
HISTORY OF SIMSBURY.
With buoyant spirits, renovated courage and unshaken resolution, he set himself to the task of making up for the lost time he had spent with the Indians. His constitution, naturally robust, had suffered nothing by his long captivity, and his ambition had lost none of its fire. He married, settled down upon a farm, and within a short time, became a thriving agriculturist. In 1720, he built a house which is now standing, and is the oldest building in town. It is , situated on the east side of Salmon brook street, in the lower or southern part of the street, and is at present owned by Mr. Henry Gillett. . In this house, religious meetings were held during some four or five years before the erection of the first meeting house in that society, in 1743.
Mr. Hayes became a prominent citizen, was often em- ployed in civil affairs, and during many years, was a pillar in the church at Salmon brook, of which he was a member at its organization. He lived to see the infant settlement, so long exposed to Indian barbarities, a populous village, with no crafty enemy to disturb its repose, and strong enough, had danger existed, to protect its inhabitants from plunder or capture. But, long before his death, all Indian difficulties had ceased.
He died in 1756, at the age of seventy-one, and was buried in the cemetery at the north end of the village. A red free-stone monument marks the spot of his last resting- place, on which is inscribed the following epitaph :
HERE LIES, YE BODY OF Mr. DANIEL HAYES,
Who served his Generation in steady course of Probity and Piety, and was a lover of Peace, and God's Public Worship ; And being satisfied with Long life, left this world with a Comfortable Hope of life Eternal,
Sept. 3d, 1756, in ye 71 year of his Age.
CHAPTER IV.
Location and ereetion of the First Meeting House. Employment and Settlement of Clergymen. 1671-1725.
THE first settlers took early measures to establish a minis- try, and erect a house for public worship. With them, these were objects of high regard and duty. Nearly their first care was to provide for the regular administration of the ministry ; to obtain which, they assumed burdens which, in the infancy of the settlement, they were but poorly able to bear.
As early as 1671, the town adopted measures to build a meeting house. All ecclesiastical affairs, it should be recol- lected, were at this time, and until the town was divided into several societies, nearly seventy years afterwards, man- aged in town meetings. A contract was entered into with Mr. Thomas Barber, a carpenter, to erect the building. But a difficulty soon arose, concerning its location, which retarded the work many years, though the timber for the building had been procured and framed before the war of 1675. The controversy was the same as that which, many years afterwards, caused so much excitement among the people, and arose from the question whether the house should be placed on the east or west side of the river. The town had once voted to place the building on the east side of the river-at another meeting, at Hop meadow, near the dwelling-house of the late Gen. Phelps; and then again to submit the question to Mr. Stone, the clergyman, for a decis- ion, who decided in favor of Hop meadow, but at still another place.
Under these circumstances, the inhabitants of the town, finding that they could not settle the question among them- selves, agreed to leave the matter with Major Talcott and
5
46
HISTORY OF SIMSBURY.
Capt. Allyn, the Secretary, for a decision. These gentlemen, decided in favor of Hop meadow, the house to be placed in front of the burying ground, and advised the people " to a cheerful, loving compliance and condescendency, one unto another, in joining together in the building of a house for the public worship of God in that place."*
But this decision did not suit the majority, and it was rejected at a town meeting by eighteen votes against twelve. Finally, it was mutually agreed by the inhabitants to settle the question by lot. This agreement was reduced to writing, and with the subsequent proceedings were placed upon the public records. They are as follows :
" May ye 7th 1683. Whereas, there has been a difference ari- sing amongst us, concerning ye setling the place of ye meeting- house; that a setled peace may be obtained amongst us, to ye glory of God, and comfort of ourselves and ours, we whose names are underwritten, do so agree and apoint, as soon as may be com- fortably be obtained, a day solemnly to meet togeather, in a solemn manner, to cast lots for ye place where ye meeting house shall stand ;__ the places nominated are two-at hop-meadow, at ye place where ye Major pitcht ye stake, the other place on ye east side of ye river, at ye nap at ye southerly end of Terrye's plain, southerly side of ye little springy place where ye spring issues out of ye ground neer against Samuel Pinneye's land ;- and where ye providence of God casts it, so to sitt down contented ; and that ye present bargain and building indented with Thomas Barber shall stand, and building at ye Towns charge to be transported and set up at the place ye providence of God, by lot, shall cast it.
Joshua Holcomb, John Case Senr, Michall Humphris,
Nicolas Gozar,
Nicolas Evens,
Andrew Hillver,
Simon Mills,
Jeremiah Gillett,
John Moses,
Eleazer Hill,
John Pettibone Senr,
Samuel Humphris,
John Terry, Joseph Phelps,
John Williams,
George Sanders,
William Persons,
Arthur Henbery, John Slater,
Samuel Willson,
* It would seem that Major Talcott, who, for many years, had much to do with the affairs of the town, had previously to this time, been called out, either by request of the people of the town or by appointment of the General Court, to fix the site of the meeting house; and that he had established its location on the west side of the river, But his decision was not acquiesced in.
47
HISTORY OF SIMSBURY.
John Humphris,
Ebenezer Parsons,
Luke Hill,
Joseph Persons,
Daniel Adams,
Thomas Griffen,
John Griffen,
Richard Seger,
Samuel Persons,
Elias Gillet,
Edward Pearce,
Josiah Owen,
To ye Worshipfull Maj. Talcott and Capt Allyn-we ye Inhab- itants of Simsbury, being mett May ye 7th 1683, have concluded as is here written, are desirous that you would be pleased to give your aprobation of ye same.
Pr. JOHN SLATER, Register.
May 8, 1683. The above written agreement of ye above sd is well approved by,
JOHN TALCOTT, JOHN ALLYN.
At a solemn meeting on May 24, 1683-whereas there is two papers put into ye hatt ; one east, and ye other for ye west side of the River, for ye decision of ye two places formerly nominated. It is now agreed, that ye first paper that is drawn shall be the lott _this voted. The lott that came forth was for ye west side of ye River.
Memorandum. These papers that ware written for ye lott, were written by Joshua Holcomb ;- ye lott drawn, which was ye decision of ye controversy, was drawn by William Parsons, men living both on ye east side ye River."*
All cheerfully submitted to this decision, and the house was speedily erected and covered in. It was twenty-eight by twenty-four feet, with fourteen feet posts, and, for about two years, was left wholly unfinished inside. In 1685, a floor was put in, seats or benches furnished, and a pulpit built. In 1696 the building was ceiled, and supplied, for the first time, with windows and a gallery. It was never
*This list of names, containing thirty-two persons, comprised, it is believed, all the legal voters of the town in 1683. Of these, Arthur Henbury removed to Hartford about 1691, where he died without male issue. John Williams owned the farm now in possession of the heirs of Salmon Eno, deceased. He died, or left the place, before 1700. George Saunders bought the Wolcott farm about 1681, which he a few years afterwards sold to John Higley, and left the town. The name of Samuel Wilson does not appear after 1694. Joseph Parsons, (here spelt Persons,) died in 1687. Samuel and Ebenezer Parsons, both died or removed, before 1701. All the others named, continued residents of the town some years, and, as supposed, until their decease.
48
HISTORY OF SIMSBURY.
painted-though the town once voted "to daub it"-mean- ing, it is supposed by this phrase, some process of whitewashı- ing. The house stood in front of the burying ground, at Hop meadow, a few feet north of the present school-house, where some of its foundation stones are still visible. It was used for public worship, and town meetings, nearly sixty years, though for much of this time, it was evidently too small to furnish the inhabitants with suitable accommo- dations.
Resolutions, or Votes, passed by the Town relating to the Loca- tion of the Meeting House. 1671 __ 1677.
" At a metting of ye Inhabitants of Simsbury and proprietors May ye 5. 1671_was voted that the metting house should be at Hope meadow by Luke Hills, and caryed by ye major part, by foure persons."
" March 17. 1673. At a metting of the Inhabitants and propri- etors propounded, in case the former vote stands on the west syde the river, they on the east syd of the river should chuse the place where ye metting house should stand, and ye second proposition that those shuld heave free liberty to bring in ye votes who were wanting when ye metting was at Captain Cooke's, May ye 5 1671."
" May ye 30. 1673. For the setlement of peace amongst us as concerning a contest about ye meting house, and for the finall issu- ing of the same, we condesend for peace and quietness sak that Mr. Stone according to his desire should determine which of the two places the metting house should be at, whether against Thomas Rowell's, or upon the nape against the personage land ; This voted, and carryed by a clear vote except by to persons, Joshua Holcomb do protest against ye sam, and Joseph Phelps. At the sam metting, determined by Mr. Stone yt ye metting house should stand at ye place fore viewed against ye personage land where it is most convenient."
" March 73-74. At a metting of ye Inhabitant and proprietors about ye metting house, it was there voted that the metting house should be sett about Luke Hill's in the place most convenient ;- . this done in ye presence of Major Talcott."
" June ye eighth 1674. At a towne meetting of ye inhabitants of Simsbury, for a finall issue amongst us concerning the setlment of the metting house-we do condesend, so that love and peace may be obteynd, we mutualy agree that the metting house shall stand at ye place so to be seated, and seated at that place against Samuel Pinney's, or Rowell's, upon that nape where Major Tal- cott sett a stake."
" January ye 8. 1677. At a general Towne metting of ye
49
HISTORY OF SIMSBURY.
Inhabitants of Simsbury, voted and agreed that Thomas barber shall goe on with the building of the metting house according to the Townes bargain with him in their indenture, as their the con- ditions is specified ; and in case of faylure on his peart the town has fully invested ye townsmen with powers to prosecut the same to effect ye next March Court."
The first clergyman employed was Mr. Samuel Stone, son of the minister at Hartford. He officiated as early as 1673, and in the spring of 1674 the inhabitants gave him a call to settle with them. But the Indian war, which fol- lowed soon afterwards, with other causes, prevented a set- tlement. He, however, supplied the pulpit, when there was any preaching in the place, until 1679; but he was never settled over the parish.
Under the date of "December the last 1674," is this record :-
" The inhabitants of Simsbury have received information from Mr. Stone yt he would desist in the worke of the Ministry, alias, the publick preaching of ye word of God in this plantation of Sims- bury :- ye sd inhabitants of Simsbury haveing made an essay for some other to suply, but now the sd inhabitants doth concurre and agree to Desist their present proceedeng, respecting sending forth, till the last of January ; desiring to wait upon God in his provi- dence, to se how Matters may concord between us, the sd inhab- itants of Simsbury, and Mr. Stone."
At another meeting, held January 14, 1674-5, they say :-
" Considering how that on the Lord's day we are, and have ben, disappoynted of the publick preaching of the word of God ; and considering our present state and condition in this present juncture of time, and how that God cals upon us, by our pious and Godly rulers, who have exerted and put forth good and wholesome laws for people's convening and metting togather in a consciencuss maner, to serve the lord in his worship, on ye Lord's day ;- and further, that in solemn and general metings, on ye lords day, yt so there might the better be notice taken in what manor our society keeps the Lords day, and also an acount given to such as may ask or enquier after ye same of our order &c ;__ it is now ordered, that their be a general convening and gathring together of our people, in this plantation of Simsbury, to the place which is ordered and appoynted for the metting together on the Lords day ; yet if any of us, our peopl, can repair to any other place, where there is bet- ter means to be had, this order, according to the intent hereof, is not to abridge such ;- otherwise, this order to be attended, and
5*
50
-
HISTORY OF SIMSBURY.
duely observed, by all such as do not repaire, every sabath, where there is the publyquick preaching of ye word of God, unlesse som imminent providence of God hinders."
On the 28th of January 1674-5, the following " agree- ment," as it is called, was entered into with Mr. Stone.
" At a General Town metting of the inhabitants of Simsbury ; Having received an Answer from Mr. Stone, that he could not settle amongst us, in the work of the ministry, by reason of his Disabilitie, and weakness of body : We the said Mr. Stone, and the inhabitants of Simsbury, then parted without any spirit of grudging ;- also it was agreed, by the inhabitants, to pay Mr. Stone forty pounds for this last year ; Mr. Stone making up the last quarter in preaching at such times as God shall enable him."
In January, 1675-6, Mr. Stone was employed for another half year, for which he was to have twenty pounds. Public service was interrupted by the war. He was afterwards hired for one year from June 1, 1677, and subsequently still another year. He died, soon after leaving Simsbury, by a fall from the bridge in Hartford.
In 1681, application was made to the Rev. Mr. Samnel Stow, of Middletown, to preach in this place. He supplied the pulpit four years, though not as a settled pastor .* Du- ring his ministry, the church was formed, and regularly organized. In those days, the General Court had jurisdic-
* " At a General Towne metting of the Inhabitants of Simsbury August 14. 1685. The Rev. Mr. Samuel Stow desiring an answer of the inhabitants of Simsbury whether they would continue him in the work of the ministry, and settle him in office amongst them; A meting being warned Aug. 14. 1685, Mr. Stow's proposition presented to the towne, the towne not seeing cause to accept of said proposition as to his settlement and calling to office, but to the contrary. Upon which Vote the towne made choice of a committee to declare their said vote to Mr. Stow, and to make return of his answer to this said present meeting. Answer from Mr. Stow to the towne, that he ye said Mr. Stow did rejoyce that he had received the towne's pleasure respecting himselfe ; having ben with God by earnest prayer to give him a determena- tion of his mynd, concerning his settlement in this place in the work of the ministry ;- farther according to the towne's order, it being referred to ye Rev. Mr. Stow whether he would continue any longer in ye work of a teaching minister. His reply that he would stay no longer than to mak up his four years which wil terminate said he in the middle of October ;- farther said that he should rejoyce to hear of our welfare, and that he would be helpfull in the procuring of another minister to ye place."
51
HISTORY OF SIMSBURY.
tion over all matters of this kind. The following is a copy of the application made for liberty " to put the church in gospel order."
" The Humble Motion of Simsbury men, to the much Honor'd ye Governor, and Deputy, with the rest of ye worshipfull Assist- ants, and worthy Members of this Honor'd assembly, is as fol- loweth.
We, whose names are underwritten, having knowledg and tryal of Mr. Samuel Stow, in ye labors of ye word and Doctrine of the gospel, do hereby manifest, so far as we know our own hearts, our hearty desires of his continuance to be a Pastor and Watchman over our soules and the soules of ours ; And that therefore for his, and our encouragements, an addresse might be made to the Gene- ral Court yt is to set this Instant of May, or that ye presentation of this may be, instead of an addresse, (by formal petition,) to their Honours, That we might have their countenance to sette our- selves in gospel order, wth the approbation and helpe of approved Elders of Churches among us ; That so we might, according to ye obligation yt God hath layd upon us, through ye application of ye representative blood of his Son, walk mour orderly to his · prase, and the Salvation of our Soules, in observance of whatso- ever he hath commanded us in his Holy worde, having ye means and helps that he hath appointed thereunto.
Simsbury ye 7th of May 1682."
Simon Mills, Joshua Houlcoumbe,
Samuel Wilcockson,
Michell Humphrey,
George Sanders,
John Terrey,
William Parsons,
John Case, Senior,
John Brooks,
John Slater,
Daniel Adams,
John Pettibon,
Thomas Rowell,
Peter Buell,
Sam'l Humphrey,
Nathaniel Holcomb,
Richard Segar,
Josiah Owen,
John Moses,
Joseph Phelps,
Joseph Parsons,
Benjamin Bartlett,
May 14th, 1682.
Mr. Samuel Stow, and Michall Humphrey, are chosen to present this present Motion, above written, to this Honored General assembly at Hartford, chosen by the Inhabitants of Sims- bury,-as adopted ;
pr JOHN SLATER, Register."
The Assembly granted the application of the petitioners, on condition that they should obtain the consent of the neighboring churches ;- a condition which, at that time, was always required in matters of this kind. This assent
52
HISTORY OF SIMSBURY.
was obtained, and a church was regularly constituted here, it is supposed, during that year.
From this period, until 1687, it does not appear that any person officiated in the ministry. In June of this year, Mr. Edward Thompson, of Newbury, Massachusetts, was em- ployed ; the inhabitants agreeing to remove his family and effects to Simsbury,-to pay him fifty pounds per annum, "in good and current pay, to wit, one third in good and merchantable wheat at four shillings per bushel, one third in pease or rye at three shillings per bushel, and one third in Indian corn or pork, the corn at two shillings sixpence per bushel, and the pork at three pounds ten shillings per barrel,"-allowing him also fire wood and the use of the parsonage property ; and in case of his settlement with them, certain lands in fee. This agreement is signed by forty-nine persons, containing, it is believed, nearly all the then legal inhabitants of the place; the invitation to Mr. Thompson was adopted unanimously at a general town meeting held at the same time. Mı. Thompson continued in the ministry, though not, it is believed, as a settled pastor, until the summer of 1691, when he left the place.
The next minister was Mr. Seth Shore, who commenced his ministry in the fall of 1691. In the following winter, the town gave him a formal call to settle with them in the ministry, which was accepted. But the records do not show that he was ever ordained over the society as a pastor. He continued to preach, however, until 1694, or 1695.
In 1695, the town voted, unanimously, to send again for Mr. Thompson, but he did not comply with the invitation to return to Simsbury.
Mr. Dudley Woodbridge, after having preached a short time in the place, received an unanimons call to settle in the work of the ministry, October 2, 1695. The town offered him a salary of sixty pounds, annually, in good cur- rent pay, of which twenty pounds were to be paid in silver, with fire wood, the parsonage property, and other lands which had been offered to Mr. Thompson. He did not accept the call at that time, though he continued to offi-
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.