USA > Connecticut > Windham County > History of Windham County, Connecticut. Volume I, 1600-1760 > Part 31
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And, further, it is enacted, That the district of Windham, heretofore appointed and limited for the probate of wills and testaments, shall be ex- tended to and limited by the bounds of the county of Windham, and all cases therein depending, or in any of neighboring districts, shall be determined in the probate wherein they are already brought, and all appeals which shall be granted, shall be to the Superior court in the counties as they are now stated.
And it is further enacted, That all officers, civil and military, proper to said county, and allowed and improved in other counties, shall be allowed, appointed and established for the county aforesaid.
And it is further enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That the sheriff's of the counties of Hartford and New London shall have power to serve all such executions as are in their hands, or may hereafter be directed to them, upon such judgments as are already recovered against any person or persons that live in any of the towns which of late were within their respective precincts and are by this act within the circuit of the county of Windham, as fully to all intents and purposes as though this act had not been made.
And it is further enacted, That all actions, causes and matters whatever, now depending in the County courts of Hartford and New London, by appeal, reserved, continued, or any other way whatever, shall be issued and deter- mined in the said counties of Hartford and New London respectively, either in the said County courts, or as the case may require (in the course of law) by appeal, in the Superior courts, to all intents as though this act had not been had or made."
Three towns, it will be seen, were originally included in Windham County, now beyond its limits. Lebanon, southwest from Windham, was organized as a town in 1700. Mansfield, at first a part of Wind- ham, was set off as a distinct township in 1703. Coventry, west of Mansfield, was made a town in 1711. These were all large and im- portant towns, and added much to the strength of the new county. The little, irregular Mortlake Manor was included in a distinct township.
Of the population of Windham County at this date it is impossible to form even an approximation. It is doubtful if any town, save Windham, numbered a hundred families. A few hundred Indians, chiefly Wabbaquassets and Quinebaugs, were residents of the new county. Mohegans and Shetuckets roved freely through Windham and Canterbury. A small number of negroes were held as slaves in the wealthier families.
262
HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
The following list gives the ratable property ascribed to each town in October, 1726 :-
€
S.
d.
Windham,
10,709 9
0
Lebanon,
13,875 15 .4
Mansfield,
5,817
0
6
Coventry, .
4,494 7 6
Plainfield,
6,532 14
0
Canterbury,
6,229
1 6
Pomfret,
6,474 0
0
Killingly,
5,302 10 0
Amount,
£59,434 17 10
Ashford and Voluntown were not yet sufficiently established to pay rates.
Property was very unequally distributed. Such settlers as were able to buy their land at the outset were soon in comfortable circum- stances, but the great mass of the people were poor and found it difficult to pay their taxes. Money was scarce, and so were commodi- ties that brought in money, and many could scarcely raise sufficient food for home consumption. Wheat, rye, corn, barley, flax and hemp were the chief staples of production. Manufactures were limited to leather, potash, coarse pottery and domestic fabrics of linen and woolen.
Very little can now be learned of the social condition of the Wind- ham of 1726. Few glimpses of domestic life have reached us. We can see that they labored hard and suffered many trials and privations ; that money was scarce, food sometimes scanty and comforts few- especially in the later towns remote from the older settlement ; that there was much coarseness and roughness, much bickering and back- biting and other indications of a low state of civilization .. The first generation reared in these new towns was probably inferior in educa- tion and culture to their fathers. Schools, poor at best, were maintained with great difficulty ; books were scarce, intercourse with older towns infrequent. Home training, the church and the town-meeting-the only educating, refining and stimulating agencies-could not fully counteract the demoralizing influences and tendencies of their isolated position. Details of controversies previously given furnish abundant testimony to the roughness and violence of the times, and church records bear equal evidence to much looseness of morals and many prevailing immoralities. With all their strictness in Sabbath-keeping and catechizing, in family and church discipline, there was great license in speech and manner, much hard drinking and rude merry making, with occasional outbreaks of Border-ruffianism. Training-days were the great festive occasions in all the townships.
The ordinary style of living was still very plain and simple. Houses were small and rough, furniture rude and scanty ; food and clothing
.
263
ERECTION OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
mainly of home production. Class distinctions were, however, early developed, and a few favored families were able to adopt and maintain a style of comparative luxury. Ministers were looked up to as social as well as religious leaders, and with their unincumbered homesteads, a salary of sixty to one hundred pounds free from government tax, and abundance of free firewood-were able to live much better than the majority of their people. The inventory of Mr. Whiting's estate, taken in 1725, and that of Mr. Estabrook's two years later, show that these ministers were in extremely comfortable circumstances, and left ample provision for the maintenance and education of their children. Both left valuable libraries, numbering nearly two hundred volumes of standard works. A large supply of bedding was included in their household furniture, a goodly array of pewter and brass, a little silver, chairs and high chests. Carpets and bureaus were then unknown, and earthenware was rarer than silver, yet few ministers' wives of the present generation equal Mrs. Whiting and Mrs. Estabrook in richness and variety of apparel. The latter lady boasted :-
" 3 Black crape gowns and petticoats.
1 Silk stuff double gownand petti- coat.
1 Silk poplin gown and petticoat.
1 Silk crape gown.
1 White flannel wrought petticoat.
1 Stuff petticoat.
3 Linen and woolen petticoats.
1 Linen and woolen (home) gown and petticoat.
1 New camblet riding-hood.
1 New camblet riding-hood.
1 Serge riding-hood.
1 Gauze hood.
1 Black silk hood.
2 Bonnets.
1 Silk scarf.
1 Pair stays.
1 Head dress.
11 Night caps.
8 Linen aprons.
6 Linen aprons.
3 Linen and woolen aprons.
2 Calico aprons.
2 Checkered aprons.
9 Speckled h. d. k. fs.
9 Pairs gloves.
2 Fans.
4 Waist-ribbons. Amber beads.
4 Pairs stockings.
2 pairs shoes, &c."
The ecclesiastic association of ministers within Windham County limits preceded county organization. The Saybrook Platform, adopted in 1708, as the ecclesiastic constitution of Connecticut, provided, " That the particular pastors and churches within the respective counties in this Government should be one consociation, and the teach- ing elders of each county one association." Each church was assumed to be under the constitution of the Colony unless formally dissenting. By this provision, Windham and Ashford churches would be included in Hartford County organization ; Plainfield, Canterbury, Pomfret, Killingly and Voluntown in those of New London County. Con- sociation in the latter county was delayed for many years, but an Association, including all the ministers within its limits, was speedily organized. A missionary spirit was early manifested by this body. The spiritual destitution of their Rhode Island neighbors awakened
264
HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
their concern and sympathy, and in March, 1722, "the reverend minis- ters of the gospel met in association at New London," prepared an address to the Governor, moving, " That a brief might be granted in several congregations, for gathering what such as should be so piously inclined would freely contribute towards supporting the charge of such reverend ministers as should be improved from this Colony to intro- duce and carry on the ministry of the gospel in the town of Providence." This address was presented by Governor Saltonstall to the Council, and having been read and considered, it was resolved that a brief for that end should be granted, and "directed to the respective ministers of the towns of New London, Norwich, Groton, Stonington, Preston, Lebanon, Windham, Mansfield, Canterbury, Plainfield, Pomfret and Killingly, or to the deacons of the churches in such towns where there is no minister ; which shall direct such ministers and deacons to acquaint the congregation with the occasion of such collection to be made, and appoint a time after the performance of divine worship on the Lord's day to receive in the congregation what shall be contributed." The money thus collected was to be put in the hands of Mr. Whiting of Windham. The result of this early missionary effort is not recorded.
A meeting of the Association of New London County was held in Killingly, October 28, 1723, when it was voted :-
" Whereas, the late settlements that have been made of ministry in several towns and precincts in this county have made the members of this Associa- tion so numerous as to render it difficult for them all to meet in one place, it is, therefore, agreed upon by this Association, that the Association of this county be divided into two.
And that the bounds of the North Association of New London County be the south bounds of Voluntown, south bounds of north society in Preston and of the east and north societies of Norwich."
November 10, 1724, the North Association met at Preston. Mr. Eliphalet Adams of New London, was moderator. Salmon Treat, Samuel Estabrook, Joseph Coit, John Fisk, Ebenezer Williams, James Hel- shaw and Daniel Kirtland were present. It was agreed, "That the division made at Killingly be consented to and agreed upon, save that Mr. Lord of Preston belong to the South Association." In August, 1725, a meeting was held at Killingly, which agreed, "That there be three conventions in this Association, yearly-in May, August and October. Also, that any three ministers convened at the time were vested with full power to act." Eight rules were adopted at this meeting. The General Association of Connecticut, at their annual meeting this summer-doubtless in view of the great drouth and scarcity, Indian troubles and other "righteous providences"-had called upon the several County Associations, " to consider provoking
ERECTION OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
evils in the land." The ministers of the New London North Asso- ciation considered the matter at their October session in Pomfret, and specified the following particulars :--
" Injustice, oppression and uufaithfulness in dealing, pride and intemper- ance, neglect of family religion in regard of instruction, worship and govern- ment, profanation of the Holy Sabbath, contempt of civil and sacred authority, neglect of divine institutions, such as omission of baptismal recognition and attending ye sacraments of ye Lord's Supper, and gospel maintenance of ye ministry of Christ."
After the erection of Windham County, the New London North was merged in the Windham County Association, comprising all the ministers within the county limits and one or two within New London County.
34
1
BOOK II. 1726-46.
I.
WINDHAM COURTS CONSTITUTED. JAIL AND COURT-HOUSE ORDERED. AFFAIRS IN WINDHAM TOWN. OUTBREAKS.
W INDHAM, when made the shire town of the County taking her name, was the leading town of northeastern Connecticut. Though even then, with Mansfield, Coventry and Lebanon on the west and neither Woodstock nor Thompson on the north, she was southwest of the geographical centre of Windham County, no one thought of disputing her claim. In population, wealth, cultivation and political influence she had far outstripped her sister townships, and was at once recognized and received as their rightful head and leader.
The first Court of Common Pleas within and for the County of Windham was holden at Windham Green, June 26, 1726. Timothy Pierce of Plainfield, previously Judge of Probate, was appointed by the General Assembly, Judge of the County Court. Joshua Ripley of Windham, Thomas Huntington of Mansfield, Joseph Adams of Can- terbury, and Ebenezer West of Lebanon appeared as Justices of the Quorum. Richard Abbe of Windham was appointed treasurer of the County. Eleazer Cary, Jonathan Crane, Joshua Ripley, Jun., Joseph Huntington, Thomas Root and Nathaniel Rust served as jurymen on this occasion. The first act of the Court was "to inquire into the circumstances " of the unfortunate Peter Davison of Mortlake, then under the charge of Justice Adams, in pursuance of a recommendation from the County Court of New London, "that this Court should make some provision for the further support and maintenance of said idiot." Joseph Backus of Norwich appeared as attorney for New London County. The Court was of opinion that it had " no power or authority to assign said idiot to any particular place or person for his future support." Forty six cases were tried at this first session of the County Court. Thomas Stevens of Plainfield, Sampson Howe and Isaac Cutler of Killingly, Solomon Tracy, Edward Spalding and Richard Pellet of
268
HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
Canterbury, Francis Smith and Obadiah Rhodes of Voluntown, were licensed " to keep houses of public entertainment for strangers, travelers and others, and also to retail strong drink for ye ensuing year ;" James Lassel of Windham, "to use and occupy ye. art and mystery of tanning." At the December session, Samuel Backus was arraigned for speaking " vile, ungodly and profane language," and Joseph Bolles of New London, "for declaring to ye worshipful Judge Timothy Pierce, 'You fight against God and you are perverting wretches.'" Mehitable Morris, for unseemly conduct, was sentenced to pay ten pounds, or be whipped ten stripes upon her naked body.
August 18, 1726, the justices met in Windham, " to consult and take measures for building a county gaol and prison-house for ye use of the county." It was ordered, "That a gaol be built with all possible ex- pedition, thirty-one foot long and eighteen foot in breadth. The gaol to be ten foot wide, built of logs all framed into posts, and be divided into two rooms by a board partition ; one to have a small fire-place or chimney. The other end [of the building] to be for the prison house, to be built after ye manner of other ordinary framed buildings, having a chimney with the back nesen to ye gaol; ye [gaol] room to be six and a half foot between joints, and having a cellar under it, fourteen foot one way and twelve another." A rate of a half-penny a pound was ordered to be collected in each town for this building. It was also ordered, "That Mr. Richard Abbe's back-room in his dwelling- house shall be a common gaol till the new one be built."
In May, 1726, Jabez Huntington of Windham was appointed sheriff of Windham County-John Woodward and Richard Abbe binding themselves in a recognizance of two thousand pounds that he should be faithful in the administration of his office. Ebenezer Gray was chosen clerk of the Court. Josiah Conant of Mansfield was appointed surveyor of lands for the County.
In April, 1729, all the justices within Windham County met at the house of Richard Abbe, to " consider about building a state-house." Timothy Pierce, Joshua Ripley, Thomas Huntington, Joseph Adams, Ebenezer West, John Fitch, Joseph Strong and John Woodward were present. It was agreed, "to build a court-house, forty foot long, twenty-four foot wide, twenty foot between joynts ; and, also, that those gentlemen who are deputies for the town of Windham shall, in the name of the County of Windham, prefer a memorial to the Hon. Assembly praying their approbation in this affair, and, also, that something be granted to said county out of the duties of goods imported into this Government to assist them in building said house ; also, that something be allowed them from the counties of Hartford and New London, in consideration of what we paid for building the
269
WINDHAM COURTS CONSTITUTED, ETC.
state-houses while we belonged to said counties ; also, that the town of Windham may be under the same regulations as to keeping and main- taining a grammar school in said town as the other head towns of other counties in this Colony."
In response to this request, the Assembly authorized and empowered the judge and justices of the county to assess polls and ratable estates in the several towns and parishes, for so much money as should be needful for the building, repairing and maintaining a sufficient Court- house, and to order the county treasurer to collect it. Hartford and New London were allowed to pay back what they should think reasonable. A rate of a penny a pound was accordingly assessed upon the inhabitants of the county. Richard Abbe, Jabez Huntington and Ebenezer Gray were appointed to have the care and management of building the court-house, as soon as conveniently may be. This was probably accomplished in 173). The court-house stood on a corner of Windham Green, and was considered a handsome building for the time. It does not appear that Hartford or New London thought it reasonable to pay anything towards its erection.
Captain John Sabin, the first settler of Pomfret and leading citizen of northeastern Connecticut, was appointed by the Assembly, October, 1726, major of the regiment in the County of Windham. Upon the petition of several persons, the Assembly ordered Major Sabin, a year later, "to raise a troop in the County of Windham, and to enroll such suitable persons as will voluntarily enlist themselves and engage to equip themselves well for that service ; and if there appear and enlist to the number of fifty persons, the major then lead them to the choice of all proper officers." The requisite number appearing, the troop was organized in May following, with Joseph Trumbull for captain, Jabez Huntington, lieutenant, Ebenezer Metcalf, cornet, and Thomas New- comb, quarter-master.
Windham County, at the date of its formation, included twelve organized ecclesiastic societies, with the following churches and ministers :-
Windham (1st), Thomas Clap, pastor. Windham (2d), William Billings, pastor.
Lebanon (1st), Solomon Williams, pastor. Lebanon (2d) or Crank, William Gager, pastor. Coventry, Joseph Meachem, pastor.
Mansfield, Eleazer Williams, pastor.
Voluntown, Samuel Dorrance, pastor. Plainfield, Joseph Coit, pastor.
Canterbury, Samuel Estabrook, pastor. Ashford, James Hale, Pastor.
Pomfret, Ebenezer Williams, pastor. Killingly, John Fisk, pastor.
These twelve churches, according to the law of the Colony, formed
270
HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
The Windham County Consociation, the pastors and representatives of each church meeting together in council whenever requisite, to settle cases of scandal and discipline. The Windham County Association of ministers held its first meeting in Lebanon,. September 6, 1726. The Rev. Messrs. Estabrook, Fisk, Ebenezer, Eleazer and Solomon Williams, Billings, Gager and Clap were present. "Voted, That the rules made for the North Association of New London County should remain the rules, with the addendum that the moderator, scribes and delegates should be chosen by written votes."
The new dignity conferred upon the town of Windham gave it immediate impetus. The growth of the village at Windham Green was especially quickened. The court-house and gaol were soon erected, with stores, taverns and numerous private residences. Richard Abbe, now one of Windham's leading citizens, constable, justice, county treasurer and often representative, opened his stately mansion for publie entertainment, receiving license in 1727. Joshua Ripley and John Fitch were still in active life. Much business and trade now centred in Windham Green. Nehemiah Ripley and Joseph Genning, having obtained the art of tanning leather and " followed the trade, so that the people had a better supply of shoes, which is a public benefit," received permission to set their tan vats on the waste land or highway below Broughton's spring. Thomas Snell also had liberty to set a blacksmith's shop, eleven feet by thirty, in the highway, north side of Ebenezer Ginnings' house-lot. The grammar school authorized by General Court, was established after some delay. Windham, always remiss in school matters, instructed her deputies, " to ask a grant of land in Voluntown " for its support, but received no help from that quarter.
Throughout the town, improvements were in progress. Ichabod Warner was allowed, in 1727, to make a dam across Pigeon Swamp Brook ; John Marcy and Seth Palmer to make one on Merrick's Brook. The first dam was built across the Willimantic the same year, near the site of the present stone dam of the Linen Company. The Iron Works' Bridge was also erected. The forge and iron works were now in operation, but not particularly successful, if we may judge by the frequent change of owners. Badger soon sold his share to Ebenezer IIartshorn, son of Thomas, the first Willimantic mill-owner. Hartshorn conveyed it to Joshua Ripley and he to Thomas Dyer, together with the adjacent dwelling-house, May 27, 1731. Dyer retained it till 1735, and then sold out to Hathaway, one of the founders of the company. These Willimantic Iron Works were main- tained many years, and employed a number of laborers, but were never very thriving. The privilege occupied so early by Thomas Hartshorn
271
WINDHAM COURTS CONSTITUTED, ETC.
was made over by him to his son Ebenezer, of Charlestown, who, " because he could not come to Windham to reside with any manner of convenience," sold grist-mill and sawmill, water privilege and forty-acre lot to Joseph Martin of Lebanon for £410, in 1729. Thomas Harts- horn, the first settler of Willimantic, then purchased a house of Ebenezer Jennings, and removed to Windham Centre. An early settler in this vicinity, not previously recorded, was Stephen, son of the Captain John Brown, who received a thousand-acre-right from Captain Samuel Mason in 1677. The home-lot pertaining to this right was laid out in 1706, abutting southeast on Willimantic River, near the northern boundary of the town, and was improved and occupied prior to 1720, by Stephen Brown.
The prosperity of the church in Windham during this period ex- ceeded that of the town. Mr. Clap developed remarkable administra- tive capacities, and brought all ecclesiastical affairs under stringent laws and discipline. Great pains were taken to enlarge the member- ship of the church. As many church members were found in town who wished to share in church privileges, but had brought no letters from the churches to which they belonged, it was ordered :-
" 1. That all persons who have been inhabitants more than three years, attended upon the ordinances and behaved themselves soberly-shall be accounted fixed members of this church, though they have brought no letter.
2. That all persons who have come and dwelt within three years shall pro- cure a recommendation in three months.
3. That for the future, all persons coming hither shall bring a recommenda- tion in three months.
4. Failing to do it shall be deemed utter negligence, or that they were under some scandal, and such shall be suspended from the communion unless dis- tance prevents or some sufficient excuse."
To such baptized persons as were not members of the church, the duty of "owning the covenant " was now strictly enjoined. Great pains were taken with this class and privileges allowed them. A pre- vious vote had made them subjects of discipline. In 1728, it was further voted, "That all baptismal persons have a right to hear con- fessions for public scandal, and that no such confessions shall be accepted unless made before the congregation on the Sabbath, or some public meeting wherein all baptized persons have warning to attend."
These confessions were very frequent. The number of delinquents arraigned under the strict regimen of Mr. Clap was very large. So severe was the task of sifting and collating evidence that he was com- pelled to ask assistance. The " Representatives of the brethren of the church," instituted to consult with the pastor on all emergent occasions, were transformed into a special committee of inquiry, November 13, 1728, by the following enactment :-
" Whereas, the work and business of the pastor of a church is very great,
272
HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
and particularly the enquiring into scandal and procuring evidence, and, whereas, the Scripture informs us that God has set some in the church to be helps in the government-voted. 'That it shall be the work of the Repre- sentatives of the Brethren, and they are hereby desired, with all diligence, to attend upon it. That when there is a public and common report that any person belonging to the congregation hath committed any public and scandal- ous evil, to inquire into such report and bring information and evidence to the pastor-provided that this be not understood to hinder the pastor from taking cognizance of any scandal that may otherwise clearly come to his knowledge, nor to hinder any private brother from bringing a complaint whenever there be occasion for it.'"
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