History of Windham County, Connecticut, Part 82

Author: Bayles, Richard M. (Richard Mather)
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: New York, Preston
Number of Pages: 1506

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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.

lic meeting was held August 25th, "at New Roxbury, alias Wap- aquasset," at the Wabbaquasset Hall, when the planters voted to take the south half of the tract for their portion, and "that the place where the home lots shall begin shall be upon the Plaine Hill."

Finding some difficulty in arranging plans of settlement, on the following day the planters agreed to select seven men to state needful highways, and a lot for the minister, and consider of land convenient for the planters to settle on, and for a con- venient place for a meeting house to stand on. Each planter also specified the number of acres he desired in his home lot, according as he was able and willing to carry on public charges, and liberty was given for any one to select any particular piece of land he might desire, otherwise it would be settled "as the lots shall fall by a lot.". The seven wise men selected for this service were the oldest, and, inferentially, the wisest in the company, viz .: Joseph Griggs, Edward Morris, Henry Bowen, Sr., John Chandler, Sr., Samuel Craft, Samuel Scarborough and Jonathan Smithers. Assisted by the thirteen pioneers, and the surveys they had already accomplished, the work assigned was soon despatched, and on Saturday, August 26th, 1686 (old style), the company of emigrants met on Plaine hill, " in order to draw lots where their home lots should be."

The seven wise men chosen for laying out and pitching the town, had decided upon the three locations previously referred to-"the Plaine hill," the " Westward hill " adjacent, and the Eastward vale, now South Woodstock, and laid out or assigned suitable home lots in each. They had also marked out and or- dered convenient highways, viz .: 1. A highway, eight rods wide, running along the Plaine (hill), extending to a brook at the north end of the eastward vale, running by marked trees; thence southward along the vale to another brook, six rods wide, with a cross highway four rods wide about the middle, where it may be most convenient when the lots are laid out. 2. From the north end of Plaine hill, a highway eight rods wide, to the east side of the westward hill; thence northward four rods wide and so on circuiting the hill ; which were considered sufficient for present use. They had also agreed that the meeting house should stand upon the Plaine hill, and that the lots should begin upon the north end of Plaine hill, adjacent to Wabbaquasset Hall.

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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.

The business of the day was carried forward with much for- mality and dignity. It was no common band of emigrants that were laying the foundations of Woodstock, but leading men from one of the most prominent and prosperous'towns in Massa- chusetts, whose people were the best that came over from Eng- land. In troublous times, a narrow-minded Catholic bigot upon the throne of Great Britain, the charter of Massachusetts taken away, a royal governor imminent, they hoped to find in this dis- tant settlement a place of refuge from despotic extortion. Thus, with religious ceremonies, as well as legal formality, they made their distribution. The place of meeting was doubtless Wabbaquasset Hall. The seven seniors, who had served as com- mittee, occupied the place of honor. The settlers had ranged themselves in three bodies, according to their choice in matter of location, and each company in turn presented itself before the honorable committee. "Liberty was given to those that desired to sit down on the Plaine hill, to draw by themselves. Others desiring to sit down in the eastward vale had liberty to draw for that by themselves," and those wishing to sit down on the westward hill had the same liberty allowed them. Four of the elder settlers, who had made choice of particular lots, then stepped forward and manifested their choice, viz., John Chand- ler, Sr., Samuel Scarborough, Samuel Craft, William Lyon, Sr. "Solemn prayer to God, who is the disposer of all things," was then offered for his guidance and blessing, followed by the drawing of lots by the three companies in succession, "every man being satisfied and contented with God's disposal." Thirty- eight persons received allotments on this occasion, viz .:

1. Thomas and Joseph Bacon, thirty acres.

2. James Corbin, twenty acres.

3. Minister's lot, twenty acres.

4. Benjamin Sabin, twenty acres.

5. Henry Bowen, fifteen acres.

6. Thomas Lyon, sixteen acres.

7. Ebenezer Morris, eighteen acres.

8. Matthew Davis, sixteen acres.

9. William Lyon, Sr., and Ebenezer Cass.

These lots were all laid out on Plaine hill. It had been pre- viously voted "by the company of Go-ers," that whosoever took up their land upon the Plaine, on the northward side of Mill brook, should have one-third part of land added to their home

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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.

lots, viz., three acres for two on account of the inferior quality of the land. Seventeen lots were then assigned in the eastward vale, viz .:

10. John Chandler, Sr., thirty acres.

11. Peter Aspinwall, twenty acres.

12. John Frizzell, twenty acres.

13. Joseph Frizzell, twenty acres.

14. Jonathan Smithers, thirty acres.

15. John Butcher, sixteen acres.

16. Jonathan Davis, eighteen acres.

17. Jonathan Peake, twenty acres.

18. Nathaniel Gary, fifteen acres.

19. John Bowen, fifteen acres.

20. Nathaniel Johnson, sixteen acres.

21. John Hubbard, ten acres.

22. George Griggs, fifteen acres.

23. Benjamin Griggs, fifteen acres.

24. William Lyon, Jr., fifteen acres.

25. John Leavens, twenty acres.

26. Nathaniel Sanger, twenty acres.

Lots 27, Samuel Scarborough, and 28, Samuel Craft, were laid out on the east side of Plaine hill.

The home lots on the westward hill were made over to eight persons, viz .:

29. Samuel May, fifteen acres.

30. Joseph Bugbee, fifteen acres.

31. Samuel Peacock, ten acres.

32. Arthur Humphrey, twelve acres.

33. John Bugbee, fifteen acres.

34. John Ruggles, twenty acres.

35. Andrew Watkins, twenty acres.

36. John Marcy, fifteen acres.

Lot 37, Edward Morris, thirty acres, was laid out east side of Plaine hill, " bounded west by the great highway; south partly by land reserved for public use and partly by land of Samuel Craft and Samuel Scarborough; east by common land; north upon the highway that goeth from the street to the Great Pond."

It was agreed by vote that the number of shares should be limited to fifty. The remaining allotments were distributed within six years to the following settlers:

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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.

38. Joseph Peake, twenty acres.

39. John Holmes, twenty acres.

40. John Chandler, Jr., twenty acres.

41. William Bartholomew, fifteen acres.

42. Isaac Bartholomew, ten acres.

43. Clement Corbin, twenty acres.

44. Samuel Rice, fifteen acres.

45. William Bartholomew, Jr., ten acres.

46. Joseph Bugbee, Jr., ten acres.

47. Nathaniel Johnson, Jr., ten acres.

48. Jabez Corbin, fifteen acres.

49. William Bartholomew, Sr., twenty acres.

51. Benjamin Sabin, Jr.

52. Philip Eastman, twenty acres.

50. Reserved for ministry .*

These fifty proprietors were all previous residents of Roxbury, with the exception of Peter Aspinwall, of Dorchester; John Holmes, Dorchester; the three Corbins from Muddy river (Brook- lyn); the Bartholomews, from Branford; John Butcher, Boston; Philip Eastman, Haverhill. Many were united by family ties, as fathers, sons and brothers. Of the older men, Henry Bowen, Samuel Craft, William Lyon, Sr., Samuel May, Samuel Scarbor- ough, returned to their Roxbury homes, leaving their New Rox- bury land with sons or purchasers. Jonathan Smithers, John Bowen, William Lyon, Jr., John Ruggles, failed to retain pos- session. About forty of the original proprietors remained in possession of their home lots thus assigned to them-the fathers and founders of the town of Woodstock. All subsequent divi- sions of land in the south half of the grant were based upon the number of acres in each man's home lot, and public charges were laid in the same proportion. Part of the "Go-ers " had brought their wives and children, and hastened to put up houses and establish household life. November 3d, 1686, a proprietors' meeting was held at the house of Thomas Lyon. John Chand- ler, Sr., Joseph Bugbee and Edward Morris were chosen a com- mittee for the oversight and ordering of public affairs. A com- mittee was also chosen "to treat with young Mr. John Wilson

* A Chart showing the laying out of the original home lots and highways, and a large Map giving ancient and modern homesteads, highways, and all note- worthy localities, have been carefully prepared for the forthcoming History of Woodstock, but are not within the scope of the present work.

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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.

of Medfield to come and preach to the planters in order to settle- ment." Religious services were held in the open air this first. autumn, a large rock by the roadside on the way to the westward hill serving for a pulpit; but settlement was not sufficiently ad- vanced for a stated minister.

As the older men returned to Roxbury, and winter closed in around them, the little colony realized more fully its isolation and exposure. The nearest settlements on the north were Ox- ford and Worcester, and many miles of savage wilderness lay between them and the far-off towns, Providence, Norwich and Hartford. The future populous counties, Worcester and Wind- ham, were as yet unsurveyed and almost unbroken, inhabited by wild beasts and more ferocious savages. Alone in this vast tract. of wintry desolation, they took counsel together around the scat- tered hearthstones and laid plans for coming years. Scouts were kept up patrolling the settlements, to guard from Indian alarm, and houses fortified to serve as places of refuge.

As early as possible spring work was begun. April 29th, 1687, Edward Morris, Nathaniel Johnson and Joseph White were com- missioned by the planters to treat and agree for the building of a corn mill, on as reasonable terms as they could. William Bar- tholomew, of Branford, a former resident of Roxbury, was the person selected and secured, with urgent persuasion, "For build- ing a corn mill on the falls below Muddy Brook pond (now Har- risville) and finding the town with grinding good meal, clear of grit." He received a place at the falls to set a mill, a fifteen acre home lot with rights, a hundred acres of upland, and after- ward an additional twenty acre home lot, "provided he bring his wife and settle upon it." July 2d, John Chandler, Sr., Na- thaniel Johnson, Joseph Bugbee, James White and Joseph Peake were chosen to order the prudential affairs of the place as select- men for the year ensuin . John Holmes assumed the charge of running the saw mill, receiving the land on which the mill stood, three or four acres, bounded east and north by Saw Mill brook, laid out for the town's use, provided he leave convenient way to carry timber to mill.

March 12th, 1688, the planters appointed seven men, viz., Edward Morris, John Chandler, Sr., Benjamin Sabin, Joseph Bugbee, William Bartholomew, Samuel Rice, John Bugbee, to state and settle highways and make return in writing. These seven men were empowered to end the controversy between

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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.

Samuel Rice and John Marcy about their home lots; also to al- low Joseph Bacon to take up the remainder of his brother Thomas's lot, provided he come and settle here by the 12th of April next, and to rectify various under and over allotments. Attending to this work "with all expedition," on March 18th the committee reported seventeen highways necessary for the good of the town. A number of these were two rods wide, ac- commodating the settlers with ways to the mills or Planting hill in the tract. The most important was a road eight rods wide "running from the brook at the northward end of the eastward vale to go and be by the pond through the plaine to Muddy brook, from thence up to the Plaine Hill," and also one going out from this highway "to lead to the road called Connecticut Road," extending through the intervale west side Muddy brook. Little else was accomplished during the year ; a bridge was built near John Chandler's ; orchards were set out with famous russets and other slips brought from Roxbury, but there was small encouragement to effort.

" His Excellency, Sir Edmond Andros, gov .- general of his majesty's territories and dominions of New England," had not yet granted a patent of confirmation. Again and again the mat- ter was earnestly discussed by the fathers of the settlement, a majority pledging themselves to pay all charges necessary for securing it, according to their proportion. Most humble peti- tions, both from old Roxbury and the new plantation, were laid before this despotic ruler, praying that their land might be con- firmed to them " on such moderate quit rent as may be agreea- ble to your Excellency's wisdom, and the great distance and poverty of place and inhabitants will allow." No notice was taken of these requests. Loftier prey was sought by the rapa- cious governor. Their very poverty and distance gave them se- curity. Roxbury suffered with other prosperous towns from his exactions, and was unable to advance the money promised to her "Go-ers." Meeting house, schools, all public improvements were thus left in abeyance, and the New Roxbury settlers could only bide their time and improve their own home lots. A few new residents came during this interval. Sons of. the first com- ers became of age and received allotments, The first death was that of Joseph Peake, Sr., whose place on the committee was filled by Samuel Scarborough, March 1st, 1688. The first birth reported was that of Nathaniel Gary, November 6th, 1686. Sam-

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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.

uel Rice, Stephen Sabin, John Marcy, John Hubbard, Hannah Gary and Rebekah Bacon were also reported before 1690. John Holmes and Hannah Newell were married April 9th, 1690.

The breaking out of King William's war in 1689 aroused fresh apprehension of Indian assault. "In the sense of our great hazard and danger, and our incapacity to defend ourselves," the inhabitants of New Roxbury met together and organized as a military company, making choice of Edward Morris for lieuten- ant and William Bartholomew, Jr., ensign. A paper attesting this choice " as the act and desire of the soldiers," was laid be- fore the government by John Chandler, Joseph Bugbee and Ben- jamin Sabin. This nomination was allowed and confirmed by the representatives, and consented to by the governor, July 13th, 1689.

The revolution of 1688, deposing King James II. and his gov- ernors, and establishing King William upon the throne of Britain, brought new life and hope to the New Roxbury colony. Both town and colony hastened before the court with a petition for confirmation, name and further privileges. Its failure to pro- cure the settlement of an orthodox minister was generously overlooked in consideration of the "great over-turns" that had been, and in March, 1690, " the petition was granted by the dep- uties and honorable magistrates consenting." March 15th, it was further voted, "That the name of the plantation granted to Rox- bury be Woodstock," a name selected by Captain Samuel Sewall, afterward chief justice, with veritable prophetic instinct, “be- cause of its nearness to Oxford, for the sake of Queen Elizabeth, and the notable meetings that have been held at the place bearing the name in England." With joy and gratitude the inhabitants re- ceived the tidings, and formerly inscribed upon their records -- " Woodstock, March 31, 1690 .- We the selectmen of Woodstock, formerly called New Roxbury, being met together, have made a rate for levying the whole charge of said place on each inhabi- tant according to a vote of the town, the sum of which amounts unto £124, 10s. in pay ; the other part amounts unto £31, 7s. 43d., in money, which whole rate is delivered to Constable John Holmes, to gather forthwith for the town's use as the selectmen shall order."

The important question of providing for divine worship was now brought under consideration. Mr. Josiah Dwight, of Ded- ham, a youth of twenty, who had already graduated from Har-

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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.

vard College and pursued ministerial studies, was even then preaching to the people. The selectmen were empowered to treat with him about settling in the work of the ministry, and soon made satisfactory agreement, offering the twenty acre home lot with town rights and divisions, and to build and finish a house for him, with a salary of thirty pounds, increasing ten pounds annually till it became sixty pounds. October 27th, Wil- liam Bartholomew, Sr., Nathaniel Johnson and Benjamin Sabin were appointed a committee "to manage the building a minis- ter's house 40 x 19, 14 feet stud, a cellar seventeen feet square, a stack of four chimneys and two gables." A committee was also chosen to assist the selectmen in writing to Roxbury to demand the money " due to us by their agreement." At this same meet- ing John Chandler, Sr., was chosen first selectman in place of that most worthy and prominent citizen, Lieutenant Edward Morris, deceased.

The annual town meeting was held November 27th. John Chandler, Jr., was chosen town clerk; John Chandler, Sr., Wil- liam Bartholomew, Benjamin Sabin, John Leavens and Joseph Bugbee, selectmen, in whose hands was placed " the whole pow- er of the town, excepting granting lands and admitting inhabi- tants ;" Jonathan Peake, Matthew Davis, Samuel Rice, survey- ors. It was voted that the meadows be divided in two divisions, good and bad, each by itself, John Butcher, surveyor. Also, that the town be at the charge of digging clay, tempering of it, mak- ing a yard, cutting wood and carting it for bricks for the minis- ter's chimneys. As cattle had free range and often lost them- selves, a substantial pound was ordered, "to stand nigh to Mat- thew Davis's fence in the front of his lot near the highway." The houses of Benjamin Sabin and Nathaniel Johnson in the south and east extremities of the settlements, were designated as watch houses, to be securely fortified, and a later vote required that every man should get a ladder for his house, Jonathan Peake having the oversight thereof, and forfeiting five shillings for every man found lacking. Every man was also ordered to bring in the ear-mark of his creatures to be recorded by the town ·clerk. As no arrangements for schools were yet practicable, “it was requested and procured that John Chandler, Jr., teach and instruct children and youth how to write and cypher." In regard to the various "quarrels " that were pending the town did oblige itself "to stand to the determination of the General Court's Committee."

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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.

In 1691 bridges received much attention. Peter Aspinwall mended the bridge by John Chandler's; Samuel Rice was or- dered " to mend the ways about West hill, and especially care for the bridges beyond Wabbaquasset hill on Connecticut road." Jonathan Peake and Matthew Davis were enjoined to mend the ways about town, and make two bridges between Lieutenant Bartholomew's and Benjamin Sabin's, in the most suitable places, and to repair the bridge by Joseph Frizzell's. The town also agreed to be at the charge of a road to Providence, by making a way unto the cedar swamp, on the other side of Quinebaug river ; " Benjamin Sabin to oversee the work and take account of. the same ;" Peter Aspinwall, substitute. Work on the minister's house went leisurely forward, and measures were initiated for building a meeting house. John Leavens, Edward Morris, Jon- athan Peake, John Chandler, Sr., were appointed building com- mittee, with power to let out the whole of the work, and make a rate proportionately on each inhabitant, and oblige themselves to pay the same and in such specie as they shall promise to the workmen. John Holmes was apparently the man selected, and a time limited for the completion of the house. A man was to be allowed two shillings a day for working, or two and three- pence, he finding himself diet; five shillings if with a team of four cattle. During the following year work dragged slowly. Roxbury deferred the payment of the promised money, and In- dians gave serious annoyance. Ancient Wabbaquassets had re- turned to their old home drunken and refractory, averse to Massa- chusetts' dominion. Their chief, Tokekamowootchaug, was as barbarous as his name, and better disposed Indians were brought to death's door by his unruly followers. A petition from Wood- stock's selectmen, February, 1692, reported many outrages, but it was found very difficult to restrain or punish the offenders.

Relations with Roxbury continued inharmonious. In the course of 1693 the minister's house was sufficiently completed to serve for public meetings. The selectmen and town clerk were directed to consider of and compile such by-laws and orders as might be for the benefit of the town. A clerk of the market was added to town officers. During this year Woodstock attained " the conveniency of a shop," twelve square rods adjoining Clen- ent Corbin's lot being granted to his son, Jabez, for that pur- pose. The spot assigned was near the site of the present post .office on Woodstock hill. The three Corbins were settled at the

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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.

north end of Plaine hill, and this shop became a noted institu- tion. The brothers, James and Jabez, were energetic traders, taking in furs, turpentine and any marketable product to ex- change for goods in Boston. Their heavily laden cart toiled back and forth over the rough highway. James Corbin also traded or speculated extensively in land, and was a very prom- inent personage. John Chandler, Jr., was becoming very widely known as a land surveyor, much employed by Connecticut land operators. Marrying Mary Raymond, of New London, he spent much time in that town, surveying land for Major James Fitch, agent for the Mohegans, and practically master of all their terii- tory. Captain Chandler was also town and proprietor's clerk at home, and detailed on other public service.

After much disagreement and discussion upon relations with Roxbury, it was voted, September 6th, " That the town do forth- with make choice of one man, who shall join with Captain Chapin, of Mendon, to go to Roxbury and agree and determine all mat- ters supposed to be in difference, particularly the hundred pounds and the remaining part of land, and what they agree to shall be stood to by the town "-passed by a very clear vote, with some dissenters. John Butcher was the man chosen, and all difficulties were happily surmounted. November 3d the town was made acquainted with proceedings of Roxbury, agree- ment of committee and Captain Chapin's account of service done, and " generally manifested their desire of thanks to be given for his service." Part of the money received was appropriated to- ward finishing the minister's house, and ten pounds allowed for nails and irons for the meeting house ; the remainder delivered to Mr. Dwight, to be kept till the town should call for it. In March, 1694, the committee empowered to build a house for the minister was commanded to deliver the same and also the lot, with all its appurtenances, to Mr. Dwight, our minister. In November of the same year the meeting house was ready for occupation, and the old hall, or White House, appraised by indif- ferent men and sold for town charges.

In the following year the church was organized, by a council of Massachusetts churches, and Reverend Josiah Dwight ordained and installed as its pastor. Unfortunately, all record of its for- mation is lacking, but undoubtedly its members were mostly dismissed from the mother church of Roxbury, with which they had maintained connection. John Chandler, Sr., and Benjamin

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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.

Sabin were elected deacons. During this year a second land division was effected-forty acres to each twenty-acre home lot, and to all proprietors in that proportion-extending from the east line, east side the pond, to four miles westward. William Bartholomew, Benjamin Sabin, Benjamin Griggs, with the sur- veyor, John Butcher, were commissioned to perform the work under specific directions. Fifty-one lots were laid out and dis- tributed. Samuel Perrin, John Carpenter, Edmond Chamber- lain, David Knight and other new settlers appeared, taking the place of first proprietors. Several pieces of land were reserved for public uses, viz., the site of the meeting house, a square piece of land in front of James Corbin's, containing four or five acres, for training place and burial ground (part of the present Woodstock common), another strip between Jabez Cor- bin's and the highway, and several pieces for the maintenance of schools. Land reserved for the support of the ministers was ordered to be fenced and planted with orchards. At the same time a division of the north half was in progress under Roxbury's direction, John Butcher, surveyor. William Bar- tholomew and Benjamin Sabin joined with Roxbury's com- mittee "in stating and settling the dividend line between the inhabitants of Woodstock and Roxbury." A highway four rods wide was laid out upon this line. Roxbury's land was laid out in nine parallel ranges, running north from this high- way with highways between. About a third of the north half was laid out and the lots made over to 142 proprietors. The remainder of the stipulated hundred pounds was then paid over to Woodstock, and all accounts harmoniously settled. This pay- ment enabled Woodstock to settle her own accounts; pay Mr. Dwight his dues "from the beginning of the world to May 6, 1696;" square up all arrearages for meeting house and town charges, and indulge in a special wolf-rate " to pay to those who kill the wolves."

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History of Windham County, Connecticut, Part 82

Author: Bayles, Richard M. (Richard Mather) Publication date: 1889 Publisher: New York, Preston Number of Pages: 1506

Author: Bayles, Richard M. (Richard Mather)
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: New York, Preston
Number of Pages: 1506