USA > Connecticut > Windham County > History of Windham County, Connecticut. Volume I, 1600-1760 > Part 8
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The town was at once called together, "to express the minds relating to dismissing Mr. Josiah Dwight from his charge in this place to a sedate and quiet life, and whether it will be for the interest of religion and the comfort of the town to continue him in his office." On the appointed day, September 8, a large assembly gathered in the meeting-house. Much excitement prevailed. The Result of the council and Mr. Dwight's recent Declaration were " divers times read and debated." It was proposed that a day of supplication and fasting should be held, " to implore God's gracious guidance and direction in this case before the town proceeded to vote," but Mr. Dwight was unwilling to defer a projected journey, and so "the following vote came on : "-
" Forasmuch as the Rev. Mr. Dwight, by a declaration under his hand (lately exhibited) has left it to his brethren and neighbors to determine whether he should still continue in his calling, viz., ye. work of ye ministry among us or desist his said labor, the question was put, ' Whether it be the opinion of the town that it will be for the glory of God, the interest of religion and the peace and comfort of the town that the labors of Mr. Dwight should be continued further among us.'"
The town replied by voting in the negative "sixty against one and one was neutral." A committee was then chosen in behalf of the town, to join with Colonel Chandler and the deacons who had been desired to act on behalf of the church, "to wait on Mr. Dwight and use their endeavor with him to call a council of churches, and in case he refuses to advise with the reverend divines in the neighborhood and pray them to direct to the proper steps to be taken, and use their best endeavors to bring present troubles to a happy conclusion, with what speed may be." The committee immediately repaired to Mr. Dwight to report the action of the town. All the difficulties and differences of the past had not prepared him for the disaffection and estrangement of his whole people, and with characteristic heat and vehemence he " wholly declined to come into proposals for calling a council," and sent back the following paper :-
" WOODSTOCK, September 8, 1726. To the church and congregation of Woodstock, his brethren and friends, this additional declaration of Josiah Dwight cometh :-
Surprised and disheartened by unexpected opposition and alienation from me, hereby I would desire my dismission from the exercise of my office and calling further among you; at least would request you would, from this time, take care to supply the pulpit one six months, by which expiration they that live to it may see other providential alterations. But according to the present view of things it seems most eligible, at least on my part, that you vote my total, immediate dismission.
JOSIAHI DWIGHT.
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JOSHUA'S TRACT.
Having considered and debated this return, the question was put, " Whither the town now totally dismisses said Josiah Dwight from his said calling as much as in them lyeth,"-and it passed in the affirmative by fifty-seven votes to one in the negative.
Thus suddenly and totally the tie between pastor and people was severed. Mr. Dwight, probably, went on his journey, the town devoted itself to procuring a minister and, after a short trial of Mr. Nathaniel Whiting, united in choice of Mr. Amos Throup-seventy- four out of seventy-five voting in his favor at their town-meeting in December.
IX
JOSHUA'S TRACT.
T THOUGH Massachusetts planted the first colony within Windham County limits, Connecticut was not far behind her. When the Roxbury colonists took possession of the future Woodstock, the future Windham was already surveyed, divided and distributed. This tract was a bequest from Joshua, third son of Uncas, to sixteen gentlemen belonging to Norwich and neighboring towns. In May, 1678, the General Court of Connecticut allowed and established Joshua's Will and granted the legatees liberty to possess all Joshua's rights in this land, provided they complied with the terms therein stipulated. Though the legality of Joshua's title to various other tracts conveyed by this will occasioned much subsequent controversy and litigation, the Norwich legatees secured their portion with little difficulty and no apparent opposition. Robin Cassasinamon-governor of the surviving Pequots-was commissioned by Uncas to show these gentlemen the bounds of their tract, and soon after its confirmation by the General Court he went out with Lieutenant Leffingwell and other legatees and Surveyor Bushnell into the wilderness north of Norwich. Passing through Mamosqueage-a strip north of Norwich reserved for Joshua's children,-he led them eight miles northward, by an Indian trail known as Nipmuck Path, to a wet flag-meadow a little north of the path, which he said was Appaquage-the point from which their bounds were to be run and stated. Here they lodged for the night, and the next morning crossed through the woods, ten miles, to the Willimantic River, where they lodged the second night, and thence followed Robin down the Willimantic to Mamosqueage. Soon after this preliminary exploration, Bushnell and Joseph Huntington were sent by
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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
the Legatees "to measure down eight miles from Appaquage, by the said Nipmuck Path "-which they did, "and marked a white oak at the end of said eight miles, west side of path." The lines of the whole tract were soon afterwards run by Simon Huntington, Thomas Leffing- well, Jun., and Richard Bushnell, under the direction of Uncas. In October, 1681, Captain Robert Chapman, Captain James Fitch and Thomas Buckingham were appointed administrators of Joshua's estate, who, the following winter, conveyed according to the terms of the will, "a tract of land lying to the west of Appaquage, east from Willi- mantic River, south from Appaquage Pond, eight miles broad," to the following gentlemen therein designated as legatees :-
Captain John Mason. Lieutenant Samuel Mason.
Lieutenant Thomas Leffingwell. John Olmstead.
Lieutenant Daniel Mason.
Simon Huntington.
Rev. James Fitch. Captain James Fitch.
William Hide.
William Backus.
John Birchard.
Hugh Calkins.
Thomas Tracey. Thomas Adgate.
Captain George Denison. Daniel Wetherell.
The recipients of this princely gift were all gentlemen of high character and standing. Lieutenants Samuel and Daniel Mason and Captain Denison resided in Stonington; Mr. Wetherell in New London. The remaining twelve were prominent and influential citizens of Norwich. To fulfill the conditions of the bequest and arrange " for settling a plantation upon the land given by Joshua, deceased," the Legatees met in Norwich, February 17, 1682, and signed the following agreement :-
"I. God willing, plantation work shall be carried on and a town settled within the space of four years, that is to say, we, after the above-mentioned time is expired, will bear all such public charges according to our just pro- portion for the carrying on plantation work.
II. Those that find they are not in a capacity to manage the several allot- ments for the carrying on of the true intendment and end of a plantation shall resign up their allotments to such wholsome inhabitants as the said company shall see reason to admit, upon reasonable and moderate terms.
III. We having received the land, and upon a view judge that it will afford an allotment for every thousand acres, according to the distribution made by Uncas (who was appointed by the deceased son to act), with some other allotments for public uses in the several divisions, first, second and third of the land bequeathed to us.
IV. It is agreed that the allotments be laid out in an equal manner, every one contenting himself with the place where God by his providence shall determine, by a lot drawn for that end, and the drawing of one lot shall answer for the liome-lot and for the first division of upland and meadow. It is also agreed that Simon Huntington, William Backus, John Post and John Birchard shall lay out the same according to the order and manner above specified."
No further action was taken for three years, when the Legatees again met, February, 1685, and agreed to settle in three places for the convenience of lands and meadows. They also empowered the layers- out to lay out such highways as they should judge needful and granted
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JOSHUA'S TRACT.
Richard Bushnell half an allotment for his labor and pains in surveying. Lieutenant Leffingwell, John Birchard, Thomas Waterman, John Post, Richard Bushnell, William Backus, Simon Huntington and John Calkins were appointed a committee for laying out land. By the following spring the surveys and divisions were completed and Joshua's tract ready for distribution. Beginning at Appaquage-"a flaggy meadow," now at or near the southeast corner of Eastford-the boundary line ran south eight miles, large measure, on the west side of Nipmuck Path; thence due west to the Shetucket, running a little south of the site of the future Windham Green; thence, eight miles, northwest, up the Shetucket and Willimantic, and thence ten miles east to Appaquage. A large part of the present territory of Windham, Mansfield, Chaplin, Hampton and Scotland townships was comprised in this royal gift, which was laid out in forty-eight shares, each con- taining a thousand acres. Each share included a home-lot in one of three places, designed for villages and portions of meadow, pasture and upland in various localities. The sites selected for villages were the Hither-place or South-east Quarter-now Old Windham Village ; the Ponde-place, at Naubesatuck-now Mansfield Centre, and the valley of the Willimantic, near the site of the present Willimantic Borough. Fifteen home-lots were laid out at the Hither-place, twenty- one at the Ponde-place and twelve at Willimantic. Highways were laid out through each destined village and from the Hither to the Ponde-place. The appointed committee spent five days in making the requisite surveys and measurements-those that laid out the land receiving three shillings and those that ran the lines four shillings a day for their services.
On the first of May, 1686, the Legatees met to receive their allot- ments. Captain John Mason, William Hide and John Olmstead, deceased, were represented by their heirs or administrators. The remaining Legatees were probably present in person, and-" after prayer for direction and blessing,"-drew lots for their respective por- tions ; some receiving one and some six shares, according to the royal pleasure of Uncas, who had ordered the distribution. Three shares were reserved for the ministry and other public purposes, according to agreement.
The territory of Windham was thus divided and distributed four months previous to that of Woodstock, but its settlement was delayed by the disturbed condition of public affairs. Connecticut, like the other colonies, was suffering from the encroachments of King James. Her privileges were cut off, her charter demanded, her government assumed by Sir Edmond Andross. Under his arbitrary rule, attempts at settlement were futile. He considered an "Indian deed worth no
9
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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
more than the scratch of a bear's paw," and would have scouted the right of the Legatees to land bequeathed by an Indian chieftain. There is no record of attempt to secure confirmation of title from Andross. The Legatees doubtless thought it more prudent to wait in silence and make what few improvements were practicable. In 1687, it was ordered, "That the Hither-place be fenced in, but the drought was such that it could not be done," and nothing was effected during the administration of Andross but a few land sales.
The first transfer of land from the original Legatees was made before the will was proved or allowed. Captain Samuel Mason, in 1677, con- veyed a thousand acre right in Joshua's tract to Captain John Brown- the husband of his sister Anna. The home-lot pertaining to this right was laid, out at Willimantic and is still in possession of Captain Brown's descendants. In 1686, Captain James Fitch sold a thousand- acre right to Josiah Standish, of Duxbury, who conveyed the same to Jacob Dingley, of Hingham, two years later. May 26, 1688, Richard Bushnell sold to Jeremiah Ripley, of Hingham, "Lot No. 11, for £10. 10s.," with thousand-acre rights. Daniel Wetherell, at the same date, sold an allotment to Joshua Ripley. Calkins, during this summer, sold an allotment to Jonathan Hough, and Backus, a right to Hough, Abel and Rudd.
In the autumn of 1688, Joshua's tract received its first settler. John Cates, an English refugee, fearful of the spies of Andross, found his way into this desolate, uninhabited wilderness, and passed the winter, Crusoe-like, in a cave or cellar, fashioned by the hands of his faithful negro, Joe Ginne. Little is known of the previous history of this gentleman. Tradition represents him as a high political offender, a Commonwealth soldier and even a Regicide, but the shy Englishman kept his own secret. It is said that he landed first at Virginia, where he purchased his servant, and thence came on to New York and Nor- wich, but found no security till he took up his abode in this remote wilderness. Joshua's tract was then entirely uninhabited ; a forest, broken only by surveyors' lines and a few rude pathways. No Indian had occupied it during Joshua's administration and it was probably only used as a hunting-ground.
The spring of 1689 brought peace and security to the Colonists. James was deposed, William and Mary enthroned, Andross driven away and colonial government resumed. The General Court of Con- necticut held its first session after Andross's deposition, September 3, 1689. No man was more instrumental in restoring affairs to their former basis than Captain James Fitch,-according to Bulkley *-
* Will and Doom, or the Miseries of Connecticut under a Ursurped and Arbitrary Power.
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JOSHUA'S TRACT.
traveling "from Dan to Beersheba to incite the freemen and summon a General Court." " By whom," asks this author, " was the Charter of the Government restored but by James Fitch, Nathaniel Stanley and such like private men?" The immense territory that Fitch had received from the Indians made him personally interested in the deposition of one who scouted all Indian titles, but he was also an ardent friend of popular liberty and the zealous and indefatigable advocate of any cause that enlisted his sympathies.
With the restoration of Charter government business and prosperity at once revived, and the Norwich Legatees resumed the settlement of their plantation. Cates now came out of his hiding-place and decided to settle on the tract that had given him shelter, purchasing an allotment of Daniel Mason at the Hither-place, and building, with his servant, in the summer of 1689, the first house in the new Plantation. Some other lots were fenced in, ground prepared and timber made ready for building. A division of pasture land was also laid out and distributed. The second settler reported is Jonathan Ginnings, who bought land of John Birchard and took possession in 1690. Other settlers soon followed. None of the original legatees took possession of their rights. The Rev. James Fitch's share was improved by his son John ; William Backus resigned his rights to two sons ; Huntington's was made over to a son and nephew ; John Birchard's land was occupied by two of his sons; the other legatees sold their rights as agreed "to wholesome inhabitants."
In 1691, Joshua and Jeremiah Ripley, John Crane, Richard Hendee, Thomas and Joseph Huntington, William and Joseph Backus and John Larrabee, had broken up land, built houses and established them- selves in the Hither-place-on what is now the west side of Old Windham street. Crane-a blacksmith by trade-bought land of Calkins ; Hendee of Captain James Fitch ; the young Backus brothers sold their accommodations in Norwich " to remove to the new, nameless town, springing up in the wilderness, ten miles northwest of Norwich." Cates was a widower; the Messrs. Backus and Hendee were unmarried; the other settlers brought with them wives and families. All but the Ripleys and Cates were previous residents of Norwich. All were men of good character and position; worthy to become the fathers and founders of a township. No details of their immigration and first establishment have been preserved. Their first year's work must have been laborious. They had their land to break up and fence, houses to build, roads to perfect, society to organize, but from their vicinity to Norwich and connection with established families there they could easily procure supplies and assistance, and suffered comparatively few
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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
hardships and privations. The first birth in the settlement was a daughter to Jonathan Ginnings, February 10, 1691.
The first public meeting of settlers was recorded May 18, 1691. Joshua Ripley, Jonathan Crane and William and Joseph Backus were then directed "To run the town lines from Appaquage eight miles south, and thence southwest to Willimantic River." This work was accomplished by May 28, when another meeting was held, and Crane, Ripley and Ginnings were appointed "to make division of our meadows"-four shillings a day being allowed for both services. During this summer a grist-mill was set in operation by Jonathan Crane, on the site of the present Bingham's mills. A pound was also constructed on the Hither place and preparations made for settling at the Ponde place. Religious services were held occasionally by the Rev. Mr. Fitch and his son Jabez-the settlers with their families, with wandering Mohegans and Shetuckets, assembling under a tree in the Hither-place. These settlers were mostly connected with the Norwich church and attended divine worship with it whenever practi- cable. The old Nipmuck Path, on the east of the tract, and a rough way made by the first surveyors, connected the settlements.
In the autumn of 1691, the residents of the New Plantation, now numbering about thirty, felt themselves sufficiently established to undertake the management of a township, and thus made known their wishes :-
" To the honored General Court, now sitting in Hartford, the request of your humble petitioners is as followeth :-
We, whose names are hereunto subscribed, with several others, are pro- prietors of that tract of land given by Joshua, Sachem, deceased, unto several gentlemen of Norwich. We do humbly pray your honors that you would grant us a township and call it Windham, and that our town-brand may be --- -; and that your Honors would please grant us the same privilege as to other new plantations in respect of forbearing us of our country rates awhile, and this Honorable Court would enable us to levy our town rates upon the lands of such persons as are unwilling to bear their share of charge ; this being granted will greatly oblige us to pray.
We remain yours, in all duty bound :-
Joshua Ripley.
Joseph Huntington.
John Cates. William Backus.
Jeremiah Ripley.
Jonathan Ginnings.
Jonathan Crane.
Thomas Huntington.
Richard Hendee. John Backus. John Larrabee.
October 6, 1691."
The Court considered the premises, and " finding none of the princi- pal proprietors of said land in the petition," did not see cause to grant the request at this time, but desired the Norwich deputies to inform the petitioners and proprietors that in the following May "they would give all due encouragement for planting the aforesaid place and expected their attendance upon the Court for an issue." This
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WINDHAM.
injunction being observed and no opposition manifested, May 12, 1692, the Court thus enacted :-
" Upon the petition of the inhabitants of the town of Norwich and others, legatees and proprietors of the new plantation that is settling above the town of Norwich, this Court grants to the petitioners liberty of a township, with all liberties and privileges usually granted for the encouragement of the settling new plantations, and exemption from paying any country rates for the space of four years, and order the name of the town to be called Wind- ham, and the town brand to be, &c .; and the inhabitants are obliged to improve their utmost endeavor to procure and maintain an able and faithful ministry in the place, and bear all other town charges as the law directs."
X.
WINDHAM.
H AVING secured town privileges, the inhabitants of Windhamn held their first public town meeting, June 12, 1692. John Fitch, recently removed to the Hither-place, and Jonathan Hough, Samuel Hide and John Royce, who had established a settlement in the distant Ponde place, increased their number to fifteen. Joshua Ripley was chosen town-clerk ; Jeremiah Ripley, Jonathan Crane and Jonathan Hough, townsmen ; Thomas Huntington and John Royce, surveyors ; Joseph Huntington, Jonathan Hough, Samuel Hide and John Fitch, to lay out highways. It was voted, "To petition the General Court for liberty to portion town charges, and that Joshua Ripley should manage it." Jonathan Crane and Thomas Huntington were then desired " to ask advice from Mr. Fitch about a minister." This was probably the Rev. James Fitch, then perhaps in Windham, as the settlers the same day voted, "To apply to Mr. Samuel Whiting for the purpose of carrying on the work of the ministry, and that Thomas Huntington should go to Milford and further treat with Mr. Whiting, in order to get him here." This young man was a son of Rev. John Whiting, of Hartford, and, after having studied with Mr. Fitch and Dr. McSparran, of South Kingston, was probably then completing his theological course with the Rev. Samuel Andrews. The negotiation was at first unsuccessful, but the appointed committee were continued in office by the town, and in September, Thomas Huntington was further directed, "To go again to agree with Mr. Whiting to come here and carry on the ministry."
While awaiting his decision, Mr. Jabez Fitch continued to officiate. The house of Mr. John Fitch-the latest and probably the best built house in the settlement-was selected "to be the meeting house till
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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
other provision be made," and it was ordered "to be fortified and a lean-to built, every man doing his share of the fortification."
During this summer, several new inhabitants removed to the Ponde- place, and considerable progress was made in that settlement. Messrs. Ginnings and Crane were directed to go with Birchard, Post or Bushnell-Norwich surveyors-" to set to rights the lots at the Ponds." As the crossing the Nachaug River made communication difficult and uncertain, the town agreed, August, 1692, " That thirty five acres of upland and five of meadow be sequestered upon the account of a ferry-land to be laid out between ye two riding-places." Twenty-five acres on the south side of the river, above the upper riding-place, were ordered "to be measured and laid out to John Larrabee, upon condition that he keep the ferry seven years, with a good and sufficient canoe upon his own cost, and in case the towns shall see cause to make a boat, this, likewise, to be kept and maintained by him for the time aforesaid, his charge being two-pence a head for single persons ; hors and man carried over in the boat-four-pence." Larrabee was to build upon the land ; Crane and Ginnings to lay it out. In case Larrabee were taken away by death, and his wife not able to manage the ferry, the town agree to pay back to her what he has laid out on the land and if the said Larrabee were to die within six years, the twenty five acres south side of the river should be her heirs.
At the December town-meeting, several new inhabitants appeared. Selectmen, surveyors, fence viewers and haywards were chosen for each settlement. Jeremiah Ripley was appointed constable for the whole town. It was voted, "That the grist-mill be a town-charge throughout the town." Ginnings, Hendee, Jeremiah Ripley and James Birchard were granted the privilege of the stream at Beaver Brook for building a saw-mill, and half a mile of land adjoining for timber and pasture-they giving the town as good usage as is customary in other towns-"said mill to go within a year and the land to be returned to town when the mill is worn out." All admitted inhabitants were " granted the privilege of commons for (earbeig) and for timber and stone."
After repeated applications, Mr. Whiting was induced to come to Windham, and preached his first sermon from the first verse of the first chapter of Genesis, January 1, 1693-the first day of the week, month and year. His preaching and conversation proving acceptable to the people, a meeting was called, February 1, when-" in order to compleat an agreement with Mr. Whiting to carry on the work of the ministry," Samnel Robarts and Jonathan Crane were chosen to discourse with him, and agreed to give the first half-year twenty pounds in provision pay and four pounds silver. Crane, Robarts and Joseph Huntington were
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WINDHAM.
appointed "collectors, to levy and gather rate, and if any need be-sue or distrain for it." At the same meeting, a committee was empowered to levy and raise a mill-rate, as a public charge, to be levied upon all the lands equally.
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