USA > Connecticut > Windham County > History of Windham County, Connecticut. Volume I, 1600-1760 > Part 5
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The greater part of the territory of Woodstock was as yet unin- habited and even unappropriated, the settlers occupying little more than its southeast corner. April 11, 1694, it was voted, by a very clear vote :-
" That a division of land be laid out, with as much expedition as may be to the proprietors, from the east line, east side of ye Pond, to four miles westward, and all swamps already laid out as swamps and all swamps that fall in any division (not less than an acre in a piece) shall be esteemed equal to two acres of land, and accordingly shall be allowed to any person to whom it shall fall. And that the division be double to the home-lot-a twenty-acre home-lot to have forty acres, and so proportionably."
William Bartholomew, Benjamin Sabin and Benjamin Griggs, with the surveyor (John Butcher), were chosen "to effect the whole work, having respect to highways which they are to lay out when needful and convenient." If any lot should fall out badly, they were to allow quantity for quality. Such pieces of land as they should judge unfit to lay out they were to pass over and make true report of all their doings. Under these directions, fifty-one lots were laid out and dis- tributed. Samuel Perrin, John Carpenter and John Mowry, all of Roxbury, had now removed to Woodstock, and received each a share of this division. Reservations of land were set aside for public pur- poses. "A piece of land between Jabez Corbin's and the highway," and also " a piece of meadow lot," were devoted to maintaining a school. A square piece of land in front of James Corbin's, containing four or five acres, was sequestered for a training-place and burial-ground, and still forms a part of Woodstock's pleasant common. The house and home-lot occupied by Mr. Dwight were formally made over to him
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WOODSTOCK.
and his heirs, and the hill reserved for the support of the ministry ordered to be fenced and planted with orchards. Deacon John Chandler was granted the improvement of a piece of ground for five years to try the experiment of growing tobacco, "the same being part of a highway and part of the common the Indians lived on."
Massachusetts' doubtful title to the land included in Woodstock gave its inhabitants some anxiety. The early suspicion that this land would not fall within the Bay Colony were her bounds to be questioned, was now greatly strengthened, and those most familiar with the country were satisfied that Woodstock even extended two miles south of Wood- ward's and Safferey's line. This fact led some of the Woodstock settlers to apply to the General Assembly of Connecticut for a confirmation of such land as fell within their colony bounds. Connecticut graciously granted their request, together with freedom from country charges for two years. A sharp rebuke from Roxbury of this recognition of the claims of Connecticut, called out the curt reply from Woodstock's select- men, that it was done "by no town vote or act, nor yet by order of the selectmen, but by some particular person, and we do not know they intended you any harm."
In 1695-96, Roxbury accomplished the division of the south half of her share of Woodstock. "John Butcher was pitched upon for surveyor ;" Lieutenant Samuel Ruggles and John Davis, Sen., were chosen committee to superintend the survey and laying ont. It was agreed that each individual should receive ten acres of land for every shilling expended by him in colony charges, and pay for the survey and subdivision in the same proportion. At a town meeting in Wood- stock meeting-house, May 15, 1695, William Bartholomew and Benjamin Sabin were appointed to join with Roxbury's Committee "in stating and settling the divided line between the inhabitants of Woodstock and Roxbury. They pitched a stake and heap of stones on the top of Wash-won-toh-minunk Hill, and a heap of stones at the foot of the hill." A line joining these points, and projected east and west, parallel to the south bound of the town, was laid down and accepted as the dividing line between the two sections. A highway, four rods wide, was laid out upon the line. Roxbury's committee then proceeded to lay out her land in nine parallel ranges, running north from this highway to about the centre of the tract. The first range, containing thirty-four lots, lay " on the right hand of the path leading to Woodstock,"-probably the old Connecticut Path-and abutted south on the lines, " which divide between the land of the first goers or settlers, and that of the stayers or other inhabitants of Roxbury." The second range, west of the first, contained twenty-one lots. The third comprised seventeen lots and ten acres for the mill. The fourth
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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
range was laid out in fifteen lots ; the fifth in fifteen; the sixth in eleven ; the seventh in five ; the eighth in eleven ; the ninth in seven ; making in all one hundred and forty-two. These shares differed in extent, according to the quality of the land and the rate paid by the proprietor. A highway, four rods wide, was laid out between each range, with cross roads between the lots wherever thought needful. The lots "were drawn at a town-meeting, appointed for that end," April 26, 1695, and the division completed and report entered Feb- ruary 26, 1696. The cost of this survey and division was £27. 6s. 9d. The balance of over fifty pounds, still due to Woodstock, was then paid over and all accounts and differences harmoniously settled. Part of the money received from Roxbury by Woodstock was immediately applied to paying arrearages to the minister, who was thus enabled " to renounce all claims for himself and heirs against the inhabitants of Woodstock by reason of his salary for preaching and teaching them, from the beginning of the world till May 6, 1696." The remainder was divided among the inhabitants according as they had home-lots or had paid town charges-John Carpenter, Nathaniel Johnson, Sen., John Holmes and John Chandler, Jun., making distribution of the same.
V.
INDIAN TROUBLES.
A T the close of her first decade, Woodstock had made very creditable progress. Few colonies of that day had enjoyed greater advantages-the free gift of an ample and fertile country, money sufficient for the most pressing public outlays, the over sight and protection of a powerful and established township-and she had suffered no hardships or privations but such as were incident to a frontier settlement at that early period. But now, when with differ- ences settled, lands confirmed and church established, she was about to inaugurate more extensive improvements, she was called to pass through a long season of trouble and calamity.
The war between England and France exposed the New England Colonies to Indian irruptions and barbarities. Bands of Mohawks ravaged the woods, committing the most shocking atrocities. A feeling of insecurity and alarm pervaded every community. Isolated frontier settlements, like this of Woodstock, were especially exposed and
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INDIAN TROUBLES.
guarded. Watch-houses were strengthened, scouts maintained, and a military company formed, with Peter Aspinwall for lieutenant and John Chandler, Jun., for ensign. The leading military spirit in this day of darkness and peril was, however, John Sabin, of Mashamoquet, ' a bold and active pioneer-probably brother or cousin of Deacon Benjamin Sabin-who had established himself just south of Woodstock line a few years previous, built himself a house with fortifications, and gained great influence and authority over the Wabbaquassets.
Its first serious aların befell Woodstock, August 26, 1696. A band of marauding Mohawks fell suddenly upon the neighboring settlement of Oxford-settled years before by a colony of French Huguenots. John Johnson, returning home from a visit in Woodstock, was shot down dead on his own door-step. His three children, playing about the room, were seized and dashed against the chimney jamb. A neighbor, John Evans, was also killed. Mrs. Johnson managed to escape by the aid of her brother, Andrew Sigourney, who dragged her out of the house by a back passage and down the banks of the adjacent river, where they cowered till nightfall, and then made their way as best they could to Woodstock. The inhabitants were aroused at break of day by the arrival of these fugitives with their heavy tidings. The news was spread through the different settlements, filling them with alarm and terror. The savages might at any moment burst upon them. Their defences were slight, ammunition scanty, their own Indians doubtful. The whole population-men, women and children-hastened within their fortifications. Posts were at once dispatched to Lieutenant General Stoughton, commander of the Massachusetts forces, and to Major James Fitch, at Norwich. The day and night were spent in watching and terror, but before morning the arrival of Major Fitch, with his brother Daniel, a few English soldiers and a band of Pequots and Mohegans somewhat allayed apprehensions. No enemy had been seen, but it was rumored that they had divided into small companies and were lurking about the woods. It was proposed to leave a suffi- cient number of men for the defence of Woodstock and send the others to range for the marauders. The Wabbaquassets eagerly welcomed Major Fitch as their friend and master, and offered to join the Mohe- gans in this congenial service. The Woodstock authorities would gladly have employed them, but could not supply them with ammuni- tion according to the laws. of Massachusetts. To refuse their offer at this critical juncture, or to send them forth without proper ammu- nition, might enrage and forever alienate them, while conciliation and indulgence might make them the firm friends and allies of Woodstock. Under these circumstances, Major Fitch took the responsibility of employing and equipping these Indians. Calling
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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
them all together, he took their names, and found twenty-nine fighting men-twenty-five native Wabbaquassets and four Shetuckets married to Wabbaquasset wives. Eighteen Wabbaquassets and twenty-three Mohegans then sallied out under Captain Daniel Fitch, to range through Massachusetts, with a commission from Major Fitch, as magis- trate and military officer, asking all plantations to which they might come for supplies and accommodations. Scarcely had they gone forth when four strange Indians were discovered at the west end of the town, but whether enemies or not they could not tell. At evening, a scout from Providence arrived, " being the Captain, with fourteen inen, who had been out two days northward of Mendon and Oxford but made no discovery." Captain Fitch and his company were equally unsuccessful, and the invading Mohawks effected their escape uninjured. A consultation was held as to the best mode of defending Woodstock. The Wabbaquassets would "not be ordered by any but by virtue of authority from Connecticut," and yet "they could not venture the case to be without them." Major Fitch placed them under the charge of Captain John Sabin, "who, beyond dispute, was in Connecticut Colony," to be at the command of the authorities of Woodstock as they saw cause to employ them, and if they were not serviceable pro- mised " to take them off by virtue of an order from the General Court of Connecticut." In a brief note to Lieutenant Governor Stoughton, Major Fitch explained the situation, and urged the importance of conciliating these Indians, and his own concern for this " poor, afflicted, distressed country."
From this time, there was no peace or security in Woodstock. Alarms and panics were of frequent occurrence. Some of its settlers returned to Roxbury. " Upon information that several of its inhabi- tants had removed, and others were preparing to do so, whereby the duty of watching, searching and scouting would be too heavy upon those that remained and endanger the safety of the place, it being an out plantation," the General Assembly ordered, October, 1696, "That Woodstock be accounted a frontier, and comprehended within the Act to prevent the deserting of the frontier." By this Act, inhabitants of frontier towns were prohibited from leaving these towns without special license under very severe penalties.
Mr. Dwight remained bravely at his post, and did much to encour- age the people during this period. Lieutenant Peter Aspinwall and other young men went out as scouts with parties of Indians. John Chandler, Jun., was appointed superintendent of the Wabbaquassets and Mohegans by the Massachusetts government, and directed them " where to hunt and what sign to wear that they might not be exposed by meeting with English scouts," while Captain Sabin made himself
41
INDIAN TROUBLES.
very serviceable by engaging many Wabbaquassets in the interests of the English and keeping whole families within his fortifications while the men were out at service. It was during this period of alarm and perturbation that the town found it needful on some occasion to treat itself with eight shillings' worth "of drink, to be paid by James Corbin with the town money then in his hand, and accordingly it was performed." Attendance at town meetings became so remiss and irregular that it was voted, "That any one refusing or neglecting to attend should pay a fine of one and six-pence-six-pence for not appearing at the time appointed, and an additional six-pence for every hour's absence." No public improvements were attempted during the war.
After a brief interval of quiet, troubles broke ont anew early in 1700. Captain Sabin observed many suspicious indications, and mysterious hints were dropped by certain Indians. A meeting was held at Crystal Pond, ostensibly for fishing, which was attended by most of the Indians, but after several days' absence they came back without fish, and a few days afterward they started off again, with squaws and children and the treasure of the tribe, "pretending fear and danger from the Mohegans." Fears were at this time entertained throughout the Colonies of a general combination and uprising among the various Indian tribes, and it was at once conjectured that the Wabbaquassets had gone to meet the combined forces at Monadnock and join in a general foray. A panic ensued. Dispatches were sent at once to the Governor and Council of Connecticut, who sent to their relief Captain Samuel Mason, with twelve English soldiers and eighteen Mohegans. Arriving at Woodstock at 2 P. M., Saturday, February 3, they found the people in great excitement. James Corbin's cart, laden with ammuni- tion, was on the road from Boston in great danger of interception and capture by the enemy. News had come that the fugitives traveled sixteen miles the first night, though divers children were much frozen, and one man nearly drowned in crossing a river. A consultation was held with Mr. Dwight, Captain Sabin and the principal men of Wood- stock, who thought it best to send for the Indians to return and assure them of their friendship and protection. Three Wabbaquassets, " of great faithfulness to the English"-Kinsodock, Mookheag and Pesicus- were accordingly sent on Sunday to Colonel King, of Dunstable, with a note from Captain Mason, praying him "to forward them on their journey to Penacook or Monadnuk, where, as we understand, the com- bined Indians keep their head-quarters, or to any other place where our Indians are gone, and if there be with you any Indians it may be well to send some with them, that they may fully inform the Indians that the English have no designs against them, and that if Tobey himself
6
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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
should return he would have courteous treatment showed him." A pass was given to these envoys, forbidding people to take their arms from them. A dispatch was also sent to Lord Bellmont, governor of Massachusetts, by John Ingalls, of Oxford, showing their fear of approaching evil from the enemy, and the aid sent from Connecticut.
Whether Mr. Dwight was able to hold religious services on this disturbed Sabbath is very doubtful. News came during the day that James Corbin's cart was approaching, and sixty men with arms went out to meet it and brought it in with great rejoicing. Monday was spent in collecting information and arranging defences. Six Mohegans were detailed to remain in Woodstock, under care of Captain Sabin- the friendly Wabbaquassets offering to contribute to their maintenance and find them room in their wigwams, and also to " take charge of the children and concerns of those sent to Dunstable." James Corbin was desired not to dispose of any ammunition to any Indian but with the approbation of Captain Sabin or Mr. Dwight. Having thus provided for the safety and defence of Woodstock, leaving every man well equipped with arms and in good capacity to make resistance, Captain Mason "took leave of friends " there on Monday morning, promising to send up six Pequots and desiring word to be sent to New London as soon and often as anything offered. Nothing is known of the result of Kinsodock's mission, but it is evident that the combination, if planned, was not completed, nor the apprehended " resurrection and revolt " effected. The absconding Wabbaquassets probably returned to their homes and Woodstock enjoyed another brief interval of peace.
In 1702, France and England resumed hostilities, and the Indians were again thrown into a ferment. During this war, alarms and assaults were frequent, and the frontier settlements, greatly disturbed. Major Fitch was appointed by the government of Connecticut to order forces for the safety of its upper towns, and again visited Woodstock, June 9, 1704. He found the people poorly provided and much exposed ; the women and children all gathered into garrisons, with but one man to guard them. The other inhabitants were out scouting or in their fields at labor. The families on the westward hill he found in very difficult and disheartening circumstances, being too remote to come into town and having no adequate fortifications. The Major decided to leave fifteen men for the defence of the place, to serve alternately as scout and guard-that there might be fresh men to march-and desired the government of Massachusetts to provide "the standing part at ye several garrisons as to dyet, and ye marching part with supper and breakfast when they come in." With this provision, he thought the place would be sufficiently protected so that the inhabitants " could go
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IMPORTANT CHANGES, ETC.
about their business and somewhat safely follow their occasions." In behalf of the west hill inhabitants, he asked to have a garrison allowed them. Massachusetts complied with this proposition, at least as to the subsisting of the scout, and the soldiers remained on guard till the following January, and apparently prevented any further panic or outbreak.
VI.
IMPORTANT CHANGES. FINAL DIVISION OF ROXBURY'S HALF OF WOODSTOCK.
D URING these years of strife and confusion, Woodstock made little progress. Her population diminished, her public affairs were neglected, her common lands were left unfenced, her highways over- grown with bushes and her mill-house fell into such a state of dilapida- tion "that the bad weather did often spoil both bags and corn." As musty and sour meal was no better than gritty, Deacon Sabin, Matthew Davis and Benjamin Griggs were sent by the town to treat with Mr. Bartholomew, who promised as soon as it was good weather to set the mill in good repair and make up the mill-house sufficient for the benefit of the town." In 1700, a cart-bridge was built over Muddy Brook by Goodman Eastmans. In 1703, Deacon Sabin agreed to fence the burying-place, and it was voted, "that a piece of land formerly improved by an Indian, John Aquaticus, who pays rent, should, for the town's benefit, be a school for ever." After 1704, Indian alarms sub- sided, though scouts were still maintained in the woods, "as there was necessity and occasion," and loads of wood for the watch were included among the town expenditures. Public improvements now received more attention. In 1704, the first school-house was built on the com- mon, near the meeting-house-the first schoolmaster reported is John Picker ; the second, Thomas Lyon. At the first town meeting held in the new school-house, John Holmes proposed to leave out of fence a piece of land westward of his sawmill, for a common forever, provided the town let him have the benefit of a certain parcel of apple trees upon the tract and allowed him two acres for one, elsewhere. This proposition was accepted, and thus South Woodstock was provided with its common. Seats for men and boys were ordered in the meet- ing-house and the deacons empowered to attend to its seating, with the "assistance of any one of the inhabitants they may choose."
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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
Cattle and birds were now looked after. The useful clay-pits had become dangerous pit-falls. The selectmen were enjoined "to keep them well filled up, so that no more of our creatures be lost in them," and a law was passed, " That if any person lowered down the fence or draw-bridge in going in or out for clay, whereby loss or damage ensued, he should be liable to damages." As the great number of birds were thought to endanger the crops, it was voted, "That every inhabitant capable of voting should bring in twenty-four blackbirds' heads to the town treasury, before Michælmas, on penalty of a penny a head for the number lacking." A penny a head was afterwards allowed for blackbirds and " sixpence a dozen for yolo-birds." Rewards for killing wolves were paid occasionally.
The loss in population was slowly recovered. Private proprietorship discouraged immigration. There was little available land to be pur- chased. The owners of the south half kept their shares for division among their families. The northern half was but partially laid out and still unsubdued. In its first twenty years, Woodstock received very few new settlers. The lapse of time brought the usual changes. The fathers passed away and the sons took their places. Nathaniel Johnson died in 1697; John Butcher, in 1699 ; Deacon John Chandler, in 1703. Butcher's right in Woodstock was purchased by Samuel . Paine.
Deacon Chandler's estate was valued at £512. 0s. 6d. He left his house and homestead and a double portion of his estate to his eldest son, John ; his lands in Mashamoquet-now Pomfret-to his youngest son, Joseph. Captain John Chandler returned with his family to Woodstock after his father's death, but was still much occupied in land surveys and operations in Connecticut. No man was so much concerned in the early settlement of Windham County. The different towns were laid out by him, and nearly every farm in them. He owned large tracts of land in Killingly, Pomfret and Ashford, and indeed was only exceeded by Major Fitch in the extent of his landed possessions. The land between Woodstock and the Quinebaug was purchased by him, and sold to a company of Woodstock proprietors. In 1705, he was employed by the parties interested in the Mohegan land claim, in making a survey and map of that disputed territory. At home he was constantly employed in public services. All important commissions and negotiations were entrusted to him. He was superintendent of the Indians and all their affairs. He was the first, and long the only repre- sentative sent by Woodstock to the General Court, and was honored at home and abroad as the leading citizen of this section of Massa- chusetts.
In 1707, Woodstock's eastern boundary-line was run and the line
45
IMPORTANT CHANGES, ETC.
between the divisions stated and perfected by Captain Chandler, at the request and cost of the two townships. Beginning at a walnut tree west of Muddy Brook, he ran the line over North-running, Gravel and Bunggee Brooks and Black Pond to the western bound of the town. Eastward, from Muddy Brook, the line crossed Jabez Corbin's field, Washwontohminunk Hill and thence to the east bound "near twenty rods east of a brook which runs out of a pine swamp." Deacon Edward Morris and Benjamin Griggs, who had acted as agents for Roxbury in this work, were farther employed, with Jacob Parker, to prevent the disturbance of Roxbury's timber, with power to prosecute such as should cut or carry it off. Soon after this formal statement of line, settlers are believed to have entered upon the north half of Wood- stock.
This increase of population in the northern half of Woodstock was nearly counterbalanced by decrease in the south. Many citizens of Woodstock removed into the regions beyond them and helped build up the northern towns of Windham County. Both deacons of the church-Benjamin Sabin, one of the " old thirteen," and John Car- penter, successor to Deacon Chandler-removed in 1705 to the new settlement of Mashamoquet. Nathaniel Gary, Nathaniel Sanger, John Hubbard, John Lyon, George Griggs, Samuel Paine, Jun., and Samuel Perrin, Jun., all removed to that attractive plantation at about this period. Peter Aspinwall and the sons of John Leavens were the first pioneers and planters of Killingly. Samuel Rice, Philip Eastman, Arthur Humphrey and other sons of Woodstock helped to lay the foundations of Ashford. A large part of this latter township was purchased by James Corbin, who still continued his trading operations, supplied the new settlements with cider and other liquors, and gathered such quantities of " deer-skins, bear-skins, beaver and other furs," that he had "much ado" to get them conveyed to the Great Street in Boston, his cart, drawn by four oxen and four horses, breaking down often in the rough roads between Woodstock and Mendon.
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