USA > Connecticut > Windham County > History of Windham County, Connecticut, Volume II, 1760-1880 > Part 7
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*List of Officers : Dr. Joshua Elderkin, moderator; Samnel Gray, town clerk (chosen first in 1755, "in room of Eliphalet Dyer, gone in ye army," and retained in office more than thirty years) ; Captain Samuel Murdock, George Martin, Capt. Henry Silsby, Mr. Samuel Webb, Lient. Prince Tracy, selectmen ; Hezekiah Manning, Paul Hebard, Abiel Abbott, constables and col- lectors of town rates; Joshua Reed, Hezekiah Huntington, Nathaniel Lord, John Manning, grand-jurymen ; William Warner, Nathaniel Wales, 2d, Na- thaniel Warren, John Clark, Joseph Burnham, Nathan Luce, Joseph Manning, tithing-men ; Benjamin Lathrop, Jonathan Babcock, James Flint, Jonathan Burnap, Nathaniel Mosely, Andrew Burnham, Joseph Woodward, listers; Ed- ward Brown, Ebenezer Fiteh, Ebenezer Bingham, John Bass, Isaac Andrus, Gideon Hebard, Thomas Tracy, Samuel Murdock, Nathaniel Huntington, Daniel Martin, Jeremiah Clark, Zebadiah Coburn, Stephen Park, Jeremiah Utley, William Holt, Josiah Hammond, Simon Wood, Joshua Farnham, John Manning, Joseph Woodward, Richard Kimball, Jonathan Luce. Joseph Gin- nings, highway surveyors; Samuel Webb, Edward Brown, William Durkee, Isaac Ringe, John Webb, David Ripley, fence-viewers; Hez. Huntington, John Fuller, Elisha Palmer, Jun., Eleazer Palmer, branders and tollers; Ed- Ward Brown, Isaac Ringe, Renben Robinson, leather-sealers; Joseph Hunting- ton, Joseph Sessions, Elisha Palmer, Jun., pound-keepers; Joseph Hunting- ton, Jeremiah Durkee, Joseph Manning, packers; Samuel Gray, town treas- urer; Elijah Bingham and Thomas Tracy, to take care of the town bridge; James Flint, receiver of provision paid for discharge of colony tax; John Abbe, collector of excise; Hezekiah Manning and Shubael Palmer, surveyors and packers of tobacco.
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all parts of the town that it was proposed to petition the Assembly " for a free fair or market." When compelled by English exactions to re- linquish her foreign trade, Windham turned her energies to manufac- tures. John Brown, a highly respected and useful citizen, then occu- pying the home farm on the Willimantic laid out to his grandfather, Capt. John Brown, in 1706, not only entertained travelers according to the fashion of the day, but cultivated his farm, manufactured potash and refined saltpetre. Ezekiel Cary carried on his trade as a tanner and currier in this vicinity. Colonel Elderkin, among his other avoca- tions, interested himself in silk culture ; and set out a fine orchard of mulberry trees in the south part of Windham. In 1773, he wrote to Clement Biddle of Philadelphia, "that he had a large number of trees fit for improvement, had made considerable growth of silk, spun and improved some, but failed for want of proper reels and experienced workmen, and desired a reel or ealdron, and a young woman to teach them." With this aid he succeeded in making a strong, coarse silk, used for handkerchiefs and vestings.
Travel and trade, and the increased and cheapened supply of liquors, made many taverns needful. License was granted in 1760 to James Lasell, Paul IIebard, Ann Warner, Elias Frink, Ebenezer Bingham, David Ripley, Jacob Simmons, Ebenezer Griffin, Stephen Fitch, Jabez Kingsley, John Parish, Samuel Silsby. Mercy Fitch of Windham Green was also allowed to retail strong drink to whomsoever asked for it. Licenses were granted in following years to Abner Flint, Eleazer Cary, John Howard, Nehemiah Tinker, Edward Badger and Nathaniel Linkon. These numerous taverns were all well patronized, especially during the Court sessions. Jonathan Trumbull of Lebanon, was now judge of the County Court ; Shubael Conant, John Dyer, Jabez Fitch and Joshua West, associates ; Samuel Gray, clerk ; Eleazer Fitch, high sheriff; Panl Hebard, sheriff deputy. Due care was taken of the court house and jail, and certain limits assigned to such as were im- prisoned for debt. Debtors unable to pay were made to work out their debts in various service. In 1762, the prison-yard was reported in a decaying state, and the sheriff ordered to take the same down. Twelve years later, assistants and justices met at the court-house " to take into consideration the state of the county jail." A large number of promi- nent men from all the towns were present. It was judged that repairs were needful, and a farthing tax ordered upon polls and ratable estates. Samuel Gray, Nathaniel Wales and Capt. James Stedman were ap- pointed to make repairs. A collector was appointed for each town, viz .: Jabez Huntington, Windham; Samuel Eaton, Ashford ; Nathaniel Marcy, Woodstock ; John Hough, Canterbury ; Seth Grosvenor, Pom-
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fret ; Joshna Dunlap, Plainfield ; James Gordon, Voluntown ; Ephraim Warren, Killingly.
Windham's alertness in promoting home interests was surpassed, if possible, by her activity in all public affairs. Her citizens were fully imbued with the spirit of those stirring times, and were ready not only to participate but to lead on " all emergent occasions." The grand colonization scheme, so happily inaugurated within her borders, still enlisted her warmest sympathies, and after the return of peace, renewed efforts were made to carry it into execution. After a lapse of five years, the Susquehanna company resumed active operations. At a meeting in Hartford, March 12, 1760, Col. Tolcott was chosen moderator ; Samuel Gray, clerk. It was recommended that the com- mittee previously appointed, " with all expedition carry into execu- tion the several betrustments reposed in them;" also, that this com- mittee should join with the committee of the Delaware Purchase in sending home to England. In the following year, it was voted to send an agent for both companies, and add two hundred more shares to pay expenses. Eliphalet Dyer was chosen as this agent with a salary of £150. The object of this mission was to procure confirma- tion of the Wyoming territory from the Crown. Jonathan Trumbull, Hezekiah Huntington, David Edwards, Samuel Gray, Jedidiah Elder- kin and George Wyllis were appointed to collect materials and make all necessary preparations to help said agent. A committee was also empowered to treat with Indian Chiefs, and liberty given to settle two townships. This liberty was improved by several Connecticut families, who effected a settlement in the Wyoming valley in 1762-3, but were soon attacked and butchered by the hostile savages. The Promised Land was not to be possessed without an arduous conflict. The government of Pennsylvania, holding the territory by formal treaty and purchase, scouted the claim of Connecticut and prepared to resist her every effort at settlement. Powerful Indian tribes con- testing the land were also arrayed against her. Dyer's mission though urged with great eloquence and persistency was unsuccessful. The King forbade the settlement of the disputed territory. Both companies were summoned to Windham Court-house, Jan. 16, 1765, to hear the report of their agent, returned from Great Britain with many things of importance to communicate. Jabez Fitch, John Curtis, Isaac and Elisha Traey and Ebenezer Backus served as committee for the Delaware company : Eliphalet Dyer, Jedidiah Elder kin and Samuel Gray, for the Susquehanna. Undeterred by rebuff and threatened opposition, the latter company continued its efforts. Renewed attempts were made to gain the sanction of Connecticut. Colonel Dyer in particular so warmly pleaded its cause, and so
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glowingly depicted the charms of the Wyoming valley, as to call out from one of the wits of the day a poetic impromptu :-
" Canaan of old, as we are told, Where it did rain down Manna, Wa'n't half so good for heavenly food As Dyer makes Susqu'hanna."
But though greatly favoring the colonization scheme, and most anxious to establish its claim to all the land prescribed by its Charter the government of Connecticut was too wise and .wary to expose itself to collision with Pennsylvania, and discreetly withheld its formal endorsement of the enterprise. The Susquehanna company was, however, too powerful an organization and too strongly entrenched in popular favor, to be repressed by lack of official aid or recognition. At a meeting in Hartford, 1768, it was voted, that five townships, five miles square, should be surveyed and granted each to forty settlers, being proprietors, on condition that these settlers should remain upon the ground and defend themselves and each other from the intrusion of all rival claimants. As further encouragement-the sum of two hundred pounds was appropriated to provide implements of husbandry and provisions. Great as was the risk many were ready to meet it. The chance of gaining a home in the beautiful valley, was worth a contest, and indeed to some who had shared in the exciting service of the French war, the prospect of a brush with the " Pennymites " may have furnished an additional incentive. Early in 1769, forty adventurous Yankees descended upon Wyoming. Fore- most among them were old French war campaigners, Captain Zebulon Butler of Lyme, and Captain John Durkee of Windham, now removed to Norwich. Thomas Dyer, Vine Elderkin, Nathaniel Wales, Nathan Denison of Windham, and Timothy Pierce of Plain- field, were among this heroic " forty." They found the "Pennymites " already in possession, and after a sharp and spirited contest were obliged to quit the field, leaving Durkee and other leading men in the hands of the enemy. Colonel Dyer and Major Elderkin were equally unsuccessful in attempting to negotiate an amicable settlement with the Proprietary Government of Pennsylvania. Ebenezer Backus, Captains Joseph Eaton and Robert Durkee acted with gentlemen from other parts of the Colony in raising funds for the relief and support of the prisoners. In 1770, a still larger force of Yankees returned to the charge and after a yet more serions contest was also compelled to retire with loss of life and great destruction of property. After taking and losing Fort Durkee in the course of the following winter, the Yankees opened the siege in the spring of 1771, with fresh forces and leaders, resolved to carry on the war to
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the last extremity. The "Pennymites" met them with their nsnal spirit and gallantry, though greatly crippled in resources. The Pro- prietary Government, unpopular at home and unsupported by Great Britain, was unable to meet the demand, and declined to continue so costly and fruitless a struggle. After gallantly defending Fort Durkee for several months, Captain Ogden was forced to accept articles of capitulation, and with all the Pennsylvania troops with- drew from Wyoming, leaving the rejoicing Yankees in possession of the land so valiantly contested.
Organization was now speedily effected. The towns already laid ont were divided into farms and distributed. Those who had fought for the prize were rewarded by bountiful homesteads, and many other families from all parts of Connectiont eagerly sought a share. Wind- ham County, so active in proposing and promoting the settlement of the Susquehanna valley, was equally ready to take possession, and scores of valuable families removed thither in the course of a few years. Stephen Fuller, John and Stephen Abbott, John Carey, Elisha Babcock, Robert Durkee of Windham; Simon Spalding, Ezekiel Pierce, John Perkins of Plainfield ; Captain Samuel Ransom, Captain James Bidlack and Elisha Williams of Canterbury ; George and John Dorrance, Robert Jameson, Cyrus Kinne of Voluntown ; Anderson Dana, Joseph Biles, Stephen Whiton of Ashford, were among the many who emigrated to Wyoming valley. Many of these were men in the prime of life with large families, accustomed to the manage- ment of public affairs, and eminently fitted to aid in laying the foundation of social order, and moulding the new State after the pattern of Connecticut. The fertility of the soil, the mildness of the climate, the beauty of the country and the abundance of its resources far exceeded expectations, and such glowing reports came back to the rocky farms of Windham County. that emigration raged for a time like an epidemie and seemed likely to sweep away a great part of the population.
The burthen of bridge-making, always heavy in Windham, was so augmented by the increase of travel consequent to the great emigration to Wyoming and other new countries, as to be quite insupportable. An "extraordinary flood" and great accumulation of ice in 1771, de- molished and carried away nearly every bridge in Windham County, making a clean sweep of the Naehang, Willimantic and- Shetucket. As these bridges were upon public highways, "abundantly used " by great numbers of families with cattle and teams from Plainfield, Voluntown and the south part of Rhode Island, " traveling to the west part of Mas- sachusetts Bay, New Hampshire and north part of New York," the authorities of Windham refused to reconstruct them without aid
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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
from other quarters. Several roads were thus rendered impassable, travelers were forced to travel many miles out of their way to find snit- able fording-places, and then were flung from their horses and exposed to drowning. Complaints were laid before the General Assembly that Windham refused to rebuild her bridges, or do anything about the same, so that people were likely to be subjected to great hardships. Dyer, Elderkin and Nathaniel Wales, Jun., were deputized by the town to represent " that these bridges were on the edge of the town; that five large bridges had been built within a few years at the expense of £800; all carried off by extraordinary floods which seemed to be much increasing ; that this expense was heavy and intolerable, as several of these bridges were more to accommodate other towns and the public, and beg relief." Their request was refused and a bill passed, "That Windham should build and maintain a good and sufficient cart-bridge over each of said rivers at the places designated by petitioners, viz., one over the Shetucket, on the road from Windham to Hartford, known as Old Town Bridge, and one over the Willimantic, called the Iron Works Bridge. Mansfield was directed to rebridge the Nachang. In 1774, the town of Windham was ordered to build and maintain a bridge across the Shetucket upon a road lately laid out to New Hamp- shire, to accommodate the travel to the new college in Hanover. The selectmen of Windham were now required, "To provide suitable houses for the poor, and persons to take care of them, rates for the same to be paid in provisions."
Social life in Windham was still characterized by exuberant hilarity. "Jaunting and junketing," feasting and merry-making were more and more in vogue. A very free and generous style of living had been adopted by the upper circle, rivaling that of the leading families in the larger towns. Windham's relations with Norwich were especially close and cordial, and were marked by continual interchange of hospi- talities and festivities. Entertainment was made easy by the great number of negroes. Nearly every household owned its servants, gen- erally a man and wife, with a great brood of children. They were a careless, happy set, fond of joking and fiddling, and added much to the general jollity. Colonel Dyer's body-servant Jack, the son of an Afri- can prince, was chief among these negroes. He accompanied his mas- ter upon many public missions, and was distinguished for gentlemanly demeanor. Colonel Dyer had a houseful of negroes, great and small, and entertained much company in fine style. Pictures and rarities brought from abroad adorned his handsome residence. A very promi- nent and popular household at this time was that of Colonel Eleazer Fitch, son of Joseph Fitch of Lebanon. Remarkably distinguished in person, being six feet four inches in height, and three hundred pounds in
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weight, and called " the best-looking officer in the American army," he was still more noted for social attractions and elegant accomplishments. Inheriting an ample estate, he had enjoyed superior educational and social advantages, and was especially distinguished for musical taste and acquirements, and appreciation of art and literature. Entering early into public life he had served as an officer in the French war, aided in negotiating the Delaware purchase, and secured the position of high sheriff of Windham County. His stately mansion, built in 1769 on Zion's Hill, was one of the most tasteful residences in Eastern Connec- tient. Here many daughters were growing up and taking their place in society, distinguished like their father by beauty, grace and musical culture. The daughters of Mr. James Flint were ranked among the Windham belles of this date.
In schools Windham was still deficient. The grammar school en- joined by law upon towns of her standing and population was not main- tained with any degree of efficiency. These brilliant young ladies were indebted for their training to "a dame's school " on the Green, and a few months "finishing" in Hartford or New London. Moses Cook Welch of Mansfield, opened a grammar school on Windham Green after his graduation from Yale in 1772, but soon relinquished it to study law with Colonel Dyer. The young men of the wealthier fami- lies were usually sent to college after preparatory study with Mr. White, or Dr. Wheelock in Lebanon. Windham was deeply interested in the various educational movements initiated by the latter. One of his early Windham neighbors and playmates, Joshua More, gave a house and land in Mansfield to be appropriated to the training up of Indian youth for ministerial and missionary service, and a good Wind- ham lady left a legacy in behalf of this Christian enterprise. Wind- ham made earnest but unsuccessful efforts to retain this school. Her ministers, Rev. Messrs. White and Mosely, were members of the con- vention for considering its removal, and Windham students accompanied President Wheelock on his migration to the wilderness, and were among the first graduates of Dartmouth College. Samuel Gray, Jun., was graduated with the first class in 1771, and Angustine Hebard the following year. The latter soon went out to Canada on a mission to the Indians. Hezekiah Bissell, Joseph Huntington, Vine Elderkin, Ebenezer Gray, Hezekiah Ripley and Shubael Abbe were also gradn- ated from Yale College during this period. Most of these young men remained in Windham, filling the places left vacant by death and emi- gration. Dr. Ebenezer Gray died in 1773; Dr. Jonathan Huntington in 1777. After a life marked by "piety to God and benevolence to mankind," this distinguished and beloved physician endured the most intense sufferings without a murmur or complaint, exhibiting to its close
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"a striking picture of that fortitude and patience which christianity alone ean inspire." They were succeeded in practice by Dr. Samuel Lee of Goshen, a young man of "herculean strength and agility." and ardent patriotismn, who had enjoyed the professional training of Dr. Ezekiel Porter of Wethersfield.
Windham's First Church was less prosperous than in previous periods. Its numbers were lessening, and its stated worship was losing its hold upon the public mind. The mild and gentle character of Mr. White's preaching and influence was little fitted to cope with increasing world- liness and many opposing elements. Deacon Nathaniel Skiff died in 1761. Nathaniel Wales, Sen., and Joseph Huntington still served in the deacon's office. Jonathan Martin and Elijah Bingham were chosen junior deacons in 1765. The numerous " sectaries" continued their opposition to the standing order. Those in the first society had now become very much imbued with Baptist sentiments. Mr. Benjamin Lathrop, a worthy and respected citizen, obtained "ordination in that line," and had a small number of followers to whom he administered religious ordinances, but had no fixed place of worship. Elijah Bib- bins served as its deacon.
Scotland Parish shared in the secular prosperity of the town. Rev. Ebenezer Devotion was held in high reputation throughout the colony as "a great divine, a pions man, an able politician, eminent for every kind of merit." So great was the publie confidence in his judgment and wisdom that after the passage of the Stamp Aet he was sent by Windham to represent her in the General Assembly, as the man most competent to advise in that great crisis, "a very singular instance," according to President Stiles. While strongly favoring the popular side in politics, and encouraging his fellow-citizens in their resistance to arbitrary enactments, he never forgot the respect due to constituted anthorities, nor omitted his publie prayer for the King and Royal Family. Still less did he waver in his hostility to religions sectaries, or favor any dissent from the ecclesiastic constitution of Connecticut, or fail to send his negro every Sabbath morning with a written order for Rev. John Palmer, forbidding him to preach within his territorial limits. Although this Separate Brunswick Church had been for many years organized, and maintained its regular worship, its members were still forced to pay rates for Mr. Devotion, or suffer the loss of cattle and goods, or imprisonment in Windham jail. In 1765, Deacon Ed- ward Waldo made confession for unlawful separation, and was restored to his former standing in the First Church. Deacons Cary and Kings- ley continued many years in active service. Mr. Devotion died while yet in the prime of life to the great grief of church and community. An elaborate epitaph on the monument in Scotland's burying-ground
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testified to the high character and reputation of the deceased pastor, and is pronounced by most competent authority* "not beyond the truth :"-
" To the memory of the great and good man-the Rev. Ebenezer Devotion, first Pastor of the Congregational church in Windham. He was born in Suffield, May 8, 1714, ordained, Oct. 22, 1735, and died July, 1771. Descended from venerable ancestors, he increased the honor of the family. His genius was universal, which being cultivated with diligence rendered him eminent in the various branches of science and most peculiarly as a Politician and Divine. He was an example of benevolence, gravity, fortitude, sobriety, cheerfulness, prudence and hospitality ; an unshaken friend, a kind husband, a tender parent, a sincere Christian, a wise and faithful minister of Christ. Greatly esteemed by all good judges of his acquaintance and beloved by his flock.
Death wounds to cure ; we fall ; We rise; we reign. We spring from our fetters, We fasten in the skies."
Mr. Devotion was succeeded in the pastoral office by Rev. James Cogswell, then recently dismissed from Canterbury, who received a unanimous call from church and society, with the offer of £60 settle- ment, £80 salary, and " the liberty of getting his firewood on the lot the society had of James Manning." Notwithstanding many doubts and qualins as to his ability to fill the place of so distinguished a personage, Mr. Cogswell personally appeared and accepted, and with the countenance and aid of his most valued ministerial brethren, was happily installed Feb. 19, 1772. The Reverends Throop, White, Whitney, Ripley and Lee were present, together with Joseph Hunt- ington, a son of the Scotland church, John Devotion, brother of the former pastor, and an honored deacon or leading brother from each church represented in the council. Ebenezer Devotion, Experience Robinson, Nathaniel Hebard, Jeremiah Bingham, Joseph Ginnings and James Gager served as providing committee. With far less strength and decision of character than his predecessor, Mr. Cogswell was probably not his inferior in culture, or in pulpit ministrations, and his kindliness of temper and genial manners soon won popular favor. Scarcely had he removed to Scotland when he was called to severe affliction, in the loss of his wife, Mrs. Alice Fitch Cogswell, and their only daughter, Alice, who, in the twenty-third year of her age, May 11, 1772, "departed this vain transitory life in firm hope of a glorious immortality." Her funeral sermon was preached by Rev. Mr. Hart, who touchingly bemoaned this only daughter of her dear mother now no more, who had grown up from infancy with great promise, making most uncommon progress in the useful as well as
*Professor James L. Kingsley, Yale College, 1851.
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ornamental parts of female learning. Following the example of many of his ministerial associates Mr. Cogswell in due time married the widow of his predecessor-Mrs. Martha Lathrup Devotion-and occupied her pleasant homestead. Her children were now mostly settled in life. Ebenezer, the only son, had married a daughter of Dr. Jonathan Huntington, engaged in trade and held many public offices. One daughter was married to Samuel Huntington of Norwich, another to Rev. Joseph Huntington, and a third to John M. Breed of Norwich. Two bright young daughters still cheered the family man- sion. The uncommon social accomplishments of Mr. Cogswell and his three promising sons made them a welcome acquisition to this large family circle, and the Scotland parsonage with its agreeable inmates and throngs of distinguished visitants became one of the most attractive of Windham's many famous social centres.
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