USA > Connecticut > Litchfield County > Woodbury > History of ancient Woodbury, Connecticut : from the first Indian dead in 1659 to 1854 > Part 4
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CHAPTER III.
CIVIL HISTORY.
CHURCH DISSENSIONS IN STRATFORD THE CAUSE OF THE SETTLEMENT OF WOOD- BURY ; ACTION OF THE GENERAL COURT IN 1667, 1669, 1670; POMPERAUG GRANTED, AND SETTLEMENT COMMENCED IN 1672 ; FRESH ARRIVALS NEXT YEAR ; APPEARANCE OF THE COUNTRY ; LOCATIONS CHOSEN BY THE SETTLERS ; WHITE OAK ; MAIN STREET LAID OUT ON AN OLD INDIAN TRAIL ; FUNDAMENTAL ARTI- CLES; REMARKS.
THE settlement of Woodbury was the result of difference in reli- gious opinions, among the inhabitants of Stratford. It was ushered in by " thunderings and lightnings, and earthquakes ecclesiastical." The first ministers in the colony being dead, and a new generation coming on the stage of action, alterations in respect to church mem- bership, baptism and the mode of church discipline were imperiously demanded. Great dissensions on these subjects accordingly arose in the churches at Hartford, Windsor, Wethersfield, and other places, and continued in various parts of the colony, from 1656 to about 1670. The discord not only affected all the churches, but it "insin- uated itself into all the affairs of societies, towns and the whole com- monwealth."
About 1664, while these contentions were going on at Hartford, and other places, the people at Stratford fell into the same unhappy divisions and controversies in regard to the same subjects. During the administrations of Mr. Blackman,1 their first pastor, the church and town enjoyed great peace, and conducted their ecclesiastical affairs with exemplary harmony. About 1663, being far advanced in years, he became very infirm, and unable to perform his ministe- rial labors. The church, therefore, applied to Mr. Israel Chauncy, son of President Charles Chauncey, of Cambridge, to make them a visit, and preach among them. A majority of the church
1 Trumbull's Hist. of Conn.
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HISTORY OF ANCIENT WOODBURY.
chose him for their pastor, and in 1665, he was ordained in the inde- pendent mode. But a large and respectable part of the church and town were opposed to his ordination. It was therefore agreed, that if, after hearing Mr. Chauney a certain time, they should continue to be dissatisfied with his ministry, they should have liberty to call and settle another minister, and have the same privileges in the meeting- house, as the other party. Accordingly, after hearing Mr. Chauney the time agreed upon, and continuing to be dissatisfied with his min- istrations, they invited Mr. Zechariah Walker to preach to them, and finally chose him for their pastor. Both ministers performed public worship in the same house. Mr. Chauncy performed his services at the usual hours, and Mr. Walker was allowed two hours in the mid- dle of the day. But after some time, it so happened that one day Mr. Walker continued his service longer than usual; Mr. Chauncy and his people finding that Mr. Walker's exercises were not finished, re- tired to a private house, and there held their afternoon devotions. They were, however, so much displeased, that the next day they went over to Fairfield, and made a complaint to Major Gold, one of the magistrates, against Mr. Walker. The Major, upon hearing the case, advised pacific measures, and that Mr. Walker should be allowed three hours for the time of his public exercises.
In May, 1669, these disputes came before the General Court, by petition of the parties, and
" Upon the petition of the church of Stratford, this court doth declare that whereas ye church hane setled Mr. Chancey their officer and doe desire that they may peaceably injoy the full improuement of their minister and adminis- trations without hindreranse or disturbance, the court grants their petition therein, onely the court seriously aduiseth both parties to choose some indiffer- ent persons of piety and learning to compose their differences and setle an agreement among them, and that till October Court there may be liberty for Mr. Walker to preach once in the day, as they haue hitherto done by their agreement, the church allowing him full three howers between the church two meetings for the same."1
Notwithstanding this advice of the General Court, all attempts at a reconciliation were unsuccessful. The parties became more fixed in their opposition to each other, and their feelings and conduct more and more unbrotherly. At length Mr. Chauncey and the majority excluded Mr. Walker and his hearers from the meeting-house, and they convened and worshiped in a private dwelling. They were
1 Trumbull's Colonial Records, p. 110.
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HISTORY OF ANCIENT WOODBURY.
expelled in the face of the recommendation of the Court in October, 1669, advising them that
" This Court therefore recommend it to the church of Stratford that Mr. Walker haue liberty the one parte of the Sabboth, whether parte Mr. Chancy will, and that they would hold communion together in preaching & prayer. But in case Mr. Chansey and the Bretliren wth him will not agree to that, it shall not be offensine to this Court if Mr. Walker and his Company doe meet distinctly elsewhere ; prouided each of them prouide well for the comfortable supply of their ministers."1
It seems to have been apparent to some of Mr. Walker's party, at an early period in the controversy, that it would result in the settling of a new plantation. It is probable, that with this in view, some of them applied for liberty to purchase lands of the Indians, as we find it recorded as early as October, 1667, that
" This Court grants Mr. Sherman, Mr. Fayreehild, Lnt Curtice, Ens: Judson, Mr. Hawley & John Minor, liberty to purchase Potatuke and the lands adjoyne- ing, to be reserved for a village or plantation."2
In May, 1670, this vote was referred to, and an additional power granted the committee to arrange for a new settlement.
" Whereas seuerall inhabitants of Stratford haue, Octobr, '67, had liberty to purchase Potatuck for a village or towne, the afoarsayd Committee wth Mr. Sherman of Stratford are hereby impowered to order the planting of the same, if it be judged fitt to make a plantation ; prouided if they doe not setle a plan- tation there within fower yeares it shall returne to the Courte's dispose agayne."3
These aets were rendered necessary, as a law had been framed at a very early date, that no person should "buy, hire, or receive as a gift or mortgage, any pareel of land of any Indians," except for the use of the colony, or the benefit of some town, with the sanetion of the court.
Pootatuck was the Indian name of Newtown. The Pootatucks owned the entire territory of that town, besides their possessions in Woodbury and other places. The territory of Woodbury was called Pomperaug, from an early distinguished chief or sagamore of that tribe, who had his principal residence and fortress on or near Castle Rock. It will be seen by this, that our forefathers might have been
1 Trumbull's Col. Rec., p. 124.
2 Trumbull's Col. Rec., p. 75.
3 Trumbull's Col. Rec., p. 128.
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HISTORY OF ANCIENT WOODBURY.
the first settlers of Newtown instead of Woodbury, had they not chosen the latter for their residence.
At length Governor Winthrop, affected with the unhappy contro- troversy and animosities subsisting in the town, advised that Mr. Walker and his church and people should remove, and that a tract of land for the settlement of a new town, should be granted for their en- couragement and accommodation. Accordingly we find on record, May 9, 1672, the following grant :
" This Court grants Mr. Sam" Sherman, Lnt Wm. Curtice, Ens: Joseph Jud- son and John Minor, themselues and associates, liberty to errect a plantation at Pomperoage, prouided it doth not prejudice any former grant to any other plan- tation or perticuler person ; prouided any other honest inhabitants of Stratford hau liberty to joyne with them in setleing there, and that they enterteine so many inhabitants as the place will conveniently interteine, and that they setle there within the space of three yeares."!
This is the initial point from which the existence of Woodbury is dated. This grant being made at the May session, it was too late for our forefathers to move their families into the wilderness that season, but the preliminary arrangements were immediately commenced, and it is related, a few of the proprietors came up, and raised some corn, which they secured in log eribs, but when they returned the next spring they found that the beasts or Indians had rifled them of their contents.
Early the next spring, fifteen of Mr. Walker's congregation started with their families for the wilderness of Pomperaug. They were directed to follow the Pootatuck, or Great River, till they came to a large river flowing into it from the north. They were to follow up this stream about eight miles, when they would reach a large open plain on the river, which had been previously under the rude cultiva- tion of the Indians. They accordingly commenced their journey, and arriving at the Pomperaug, they thought it too small a stream to answer the description, and continued their journey till they came to the Shepaug River. Although this was scarcely larger than the one they had passed, they coneluded to ascend it. After they had gone the prescribed distance on this stream, they found themselves near Mine Hill, in Roxbury. The country here was mountainous, and did not at all answer the description given them. They perceived, therefore, that they had passed the object of their search, and so jour- neyed in an easterly course over the hills, till arriving on Good Hill,
1 Col. Rec., p. 177.
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HISTORY OF ANCIENT WOODBURY.
they perceived the valley of the Pomperaug lying below in solitude and silence. Great was the gratitude of these pioneers of our town on this discovery, and it is related that Dea. John Minor fell on his knees, leading to prayer that little band of hardy adventurers, invo- king the blessing of Heaven upon their enterprise, and praying that their posterity might be an upright and godly people to the latest gen- eration. So far as his own posterity is concerned, his prayers seem to have been answered, for it has never since been withont a Deacon to proffer the same petition.1
They encamped on Good Hill that night. The next day they pro- ceeded to the valley to examine their possessions. Much of the in- tervals and plains on the river, throughout the whole extent of the first purchase, had been divested of trees and undergrowth, by the Indian custom of burning over the woods in the autumn, and the na- tives had for many years raised their slender crops of corn, beans and tobacco, in these pleasant valleys, before the whites set foot in Connecticut. By this method, the forests were cleared of under- brush, so that the hunters could better pursue their game, and could have some open spots for their rude husbandry.2
The adventurers spent the day in examining the capabilities of the valleys, and at its close found themselves in that part of the present town of Southbury, now called White Oak. Here they encamped beneath the spreading branches of a large oak,3 and from this cir-
1 A story is told in several accounts, seen by the author, that one of the company of the name of Hinman, put up a different sort of a petition from that of the Deacon ; praying that his posterity might always be blessed with a plenty of " Rum and Mili- tary Glory." It is believed, however, that this story is apocryphal. It is not in accord- ance with the puritanical character of those Christian men, thus to make light of re ligious things.
2 Dr. Hildreth, of Ohio, in describing the new lands at the West, no doubt gives a good description of our primeval forests :
" While the red men possessed the country, and every autumn set fire to the fallen leaves, the forests presented a most noble and cuchanting appearance. The annnal firings prevented the growth of shrubs and underbrush, and destroying the lower branches of the trees, the eye roved with delight from ridge to ridge, and from hill to hill; which like the divisions of an immense temple, were crowded with innumerable pillars, the branches of whose shafts interlocking, formed the arch-work of support to that leafy roof, which covered and crowned the whole. But since the white man took possession, the annual fires have been checked, and the woodlands are now filled with shrubs and young trees, obstructing the vision on every side, and converting these once beautiful forests iuto a rude and tasteless wilderness."
3 This oak has not been standing for many years, but some pieces are yet preserv- ed; one of them is in the possession of Mrs. Whitlock, of Southbury. This piece was taken from the tree by the late Shadrack Osborn, Esq., a very respectable inhabitant of the town, on which appears in his handwriting the following:
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HISTORY OF ANCIENT WOODBURY.
cumstance the locality has received its name. All of the first settlers that came that year, were not in this company. In a few days another company came, that encamped in Middle Quarter, and oth- ers followed. After fully examining localities, they began to select their home-lots. The Stileses, Curtisses, Hinmans and some others, chose their lots in White Oak.
The Shermans pitched their tents in Middle Quarter, and it is re- lated that some of them spent the first night in a hollow walnut tree, that stood below the Gideon Sherman place.
The first Sherman house was near that now occupied by Deac. Eli Summers. The Hurds located in the Hollow, near Mr. D. Curtiss', the Minors near Mr. Erastus Minor's, the Walkers near Mr. Levi S. Douglass', and the Judsons on the street leading north-west from the first Congregational meeting-house, called from them, Judson Lane, to this day. The Roots, who came later, settled in West Side, and the Johnsons, near the ancient burying-ground in Southbury. Some of the land thus taken up by the first settlers, has never passed by deed, since the title was obtained of the Indians, but still remains in the original names, having passed from father to son, by devise, or distribution, for nearly two centuries. The homestead of Mr. Eras- tus Minor is one of these tracts, the house of Capt. John Minor, his first ancestor in this town, having stood a little westerly from his res- idenee, near the river. David J. Stiles, Esq., owns the home-lot of his first ancestor here. His house stood but a little east of that of his descendant, the present owner.
Those who selected White Oak for their abodes, undertook to live on the intervals near the banks of the river, but a great freshet hap- pening soon after, drowned them out, and drove them up to the pres- ent street. The first framed house was built in Judson Lane, a few rods west of the residence of Mr. Merrit Platt. The cellar is not en- tirely filled up to the present day.
" This is a piece of the ancient white oak tree, taken from the trunk after it fell down, Aug. 19th, 1808, by Shadrack Osborn.
'The sturdy oak, the boast of every elime, . Must bow to the relentless hand of time.'
" The tree of which this is a part, stood about eighty rods east of the river, by the old field road, in the corner of the Mitchell land. The settlers of the ancient town of Woodbury eneamped under it when they first explored the town. It gave the name of White Oak to the northern part of Southibury, and remained in a state of vegeta tion for a number of years after the limbs were broken off, and the body was part de cayed, and fell down in the year 1808. This piece was taken from the trunk, Aug. 19th, the same year, by me Shadrack Osborn."
-
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HISTORY OF ANCIENT WOODBURY.
The next was built near the residence of the late Hermon Stod- dard. Deac. John Minor's was built about the same time. These were covered with rent oak clapboards, in the old lean-to style. The most of the houses, in the early years of the settlement, were built of logs, and all of them in the first instance. These rude dwellings passed away with the first generation.
That the intervals on the river were cleared up, to a considerable extent, before the arrival of the first settlers, and that this fact was well known, we have proof from the Colony Records. In May, 1671, in order to encourage a settlement at Derby, the General Court, after granting a tract of land extending from Milford to the Pootatuck River, and reaching to twelve miles to the north, further granted,
" That they shall have liberty to improve all the meadow lyeing on Pompa- wraug River, allthough it be out of their bounds, till the Court shall see cause otherwise to dispose of it."
It might well be said to be out of their bounds, for the Court in 1670, as already seen, had given authority to a committee to make a plantation at Pootatuek and lands adjoining, if they saw fit, and gave them four years to accomplish it in. But it does not appear that the Derby planters made any use of the privilege, as no consid- erable progress was made in that plantation till May, 1675, when we are informed that there were about "twelve famalyes setled there allreadey, and more to the number of eleven prepareing for a setle- ment forthwith ;" and King Philip's war breaking out that spring, drove even this small band back to the towns from which they came.
The present street, from the North Meeting-House in Woodbury to the Southbury Meeting-House, was laid out nearly upon the old Indian trail leading from the Nonnewaug wigwams to Pootatuck village, passing the grave of Pomperaug by the rock, near the ear- riage house of N. B. Smith, Esq. It was a custom of the Indians to have their trails pass the graves of their buried chieftains, and as each warrior passed the grave in his various expeditions, he dropped a pebble stone upon it in honor of his memory. A large pile of these pebbles had accumulated upon this consecrated spot previous to the settlement of the town, which remains till the present time.
Among other preparations which the early fathers made for their removal into the wilderness, was a code of laws, or articles of agree-
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HISTORY OF ANCIENT WOODBURY.
ment, for their government after their arrival at the place of desti- nation. This model constitution, containing all the elements of civilization, justice and religious liberty, has been preserved entire. These pages can be no better occupied than by a copy of it, which follows.
Fundamental Articles agreed upon in order to ye settlement of a plantation at Pomparague.
We the committee appointed by ye Honored General Court for ye erecting a plantation at Pomparague in ye behalf of ourselves & our Society being met together ye 14th of febr 1672 and having been serious & deliberate in ye con- sideration of, ye benefit of ye sd place, and ye prosperity of ye same have consented & Agreed to ye following perticulers :
1. Imprimis : that yre shall be so many admitted to interest in ye sd plantation as ye place may comfortably Aecomodate :
2ly That These Inhabitants shall be aceounted of these following Ranks or orders as to ye distribution of ye lands there to be distributed, viz : ye first Rank or order shall have 25 acres to their homelott : ye 2d order : 20: ye 3d Rank 18 == the fourth order 16: ye next shall have 12: ye last & least shall have ten acres to their homelott and each shall have ye same proportion of meadow ; or lowland to ye proportion of ye homelott that is to say one halfe joyning to their homelott where it falls it ean be so and ye other halfe in ye next convenient place by ye order of ye Committee & in all other divisions of land to be proportional according to ye first proportion or order viz : ye homelotts : a fift part of which first proportion shall be homelott proper, ye other homelott division.
3. Thirdly we agree & consent that all publike charges as it relates to this plantation shall be borne proportionable by ye inhabitants according to ye land each inhabitant shall Receive as below exprest: Which is agreed upon to be with yt in lieu & consideration of all Ratable estate thereby included.
4ly We do further agree that yr shall be Accomodation Reserved for ye minis- try besides what shall be allotted to ye first removing minister ; as also a parsell of land for ye Incouriging a schoole yt learning may not be neglected to children.
5 : We agree and consent that ye power of selling ye homelotts to each inhab- itant as before exprest shall remaine with ye major part of ye committee the which we do promise and also purpose to be with our Greatest care for ye publick good and greatest advantage to ye plantation and ye satisfaction & comfort of each inhabitant as shall more fully appeare in ye acting Ye same.
6ly We agree and consent that notwithstanding what is above exprest as to ye proportion of each inhabitants meadow or lowland it shall be considered in ye second division viz; the other halfe of their proportion of meadow according as ye meadow either holds out or falls short :
It: The committee aforenamed at another meeting upon ye 20th of March 1673 amongst other perticulers by them apprehended for ye good & benefitt
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HISTORY OF ANCIENT WOODBURY.
of'ye said plantation did agree & consent that all persons intending there to be inhabitants according to orders shall ingage to remove themselves & yr families to ye sd plantation before ye first of next may come two years from ye date hereof.
It: They are also to make ye same their dwelling place four whole years after ye such yr removal before they shall have liberty to dispose of their Accomo- dations yre granted them Granted to any other person in way of sale or alienation to prevent discouragement to ye sd plantation & if any do sel after such time as he hath hereby liberty so to do he shall neither sell alienate nor lett ye same Accomodations to any other person but such as ye town shall approve of, the town also promises either to purchase ye accomodations of ye removing person or to approve of such blameless man in his conversation with certificates according to law : that shall be presented to buy ye same.
It: It is further agreed on that in case of removal whereby any person con- tinues not ye whole above exprest viz : foure years they shall forfitt ye Ac- comodations to ye town only it is Granted & consented to that ye person so removing shall be allowed what he hath bettered the sd Accomodations by his Improvement, and it shall be paid by ye town within one twelvemonth after ye removing person so leaves ye sd plantation : death is no· wais intend- ed by ye sd removal upon which ye s1 Accomodations shall be forfitd as aforesaid.
It: It is further agreed on that in case of removal as above exprest the person removing shall be allowed whateuer money he hath layd out as to ye pur- chesses besides ye allowance for his improvement as aforesaid with ye prom- ise that if any man shall pay his proportion to ye purchess & then hold it in suspence without removal thither and improvement yr of during ye aforesaid two years spoken of he shall without any allowance or consideration from ye town lose both his money so disbursed and ye accomodation also.
It: It is further agreed on that every person receiving land as before exprest and subscribing hereto shall ingage to pay scot & lott, viz: all publick charges to all ciuil and eccleseastical affaires in such ways and in such order as shall be judged most convenient for ye benifitt of ye sd plantation & ye comfort & advantage of each Inhabitant.
It: It is further agreed on that ye purchess of ye said Pomparague together with ye charges expended about ye same be payd to ye committee or their order in Wheat pease & pork a third in each & in case of ye want of these sorts of pay then other ways to ye Committees satisfaction by each inhabitant hereto subscribing within ten months after his homelott be layd out upon forfiture of his land so layd out : and for as much as ye desire of yr remain- ing in theire peaceble injoyment of that way of chh disiplin which they are persuaded is according to God we do hereby ingage each for himselfe not only that we will not any way disturb ye peace yr in but also that we will personally subject ourselves to that Ecclesiastical Goverment that shall be there established or practised agreeable to ye Word of God.
We whose names are hereunto subscribed being desirous to be admitted In- habitants of ye new plantation that is to be erected at pomperogue do hereby ingage ourselues to ye strict obseuance and attendance of ye true interest of ye forgoing articles Acknowledging ye attendance thereof to be a condition
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HISTORY OF ANCIENT WOODBURY.
upon which we shall injoy what land shall there be allotted & layd out unto us.
Samuel Sherman Sen™
Samuel Styles
Joseph Judson Sen'
Titus Hinman
John Minor
David Jenkins
Israel Curtiss
Moses Johnson
John Wheeler
Samuel Munn
John Wyatt
Roger Terrill
John Sherman
Eleazer Knowles
John Judson
Thomas Fairchild 1
Joshua Curtiss
These articles, as it appears, were executed early in the year 1673, and the settlers probably arrived here in April or May the same year. By them it was stipulated, that all were to enjoy equal privileges, both civil and religious. The Committee, or principal men, composed a Court to judge between man and man, doing justice accor- ding to the " written word " until a town was legally organized. The expense of the original purchases of the Indians, and of obtaining the grant from the General Court, the expenses of the removal, the building of roads, bridges, and all other expenses of a public nature, were to be ascertained. When this was accomplished, each one was to have an interest in the lands of the township, proportional to the amount of said expenses paid by him. But there was a restriction as to the quantity of land which a proprietor might have. No one could have more than twenty-five acres for his home-lot, and the poorest among them was entitled to ten; so that a few rich men could not control the township. It was desirable, in those early days, for the inhabitants to live near together. So that their entire home- lots were not then laid out on the street, onc-fifth only being laid out as home-lots proper for their dwellings. The largest were there- fore only five acres in extent, and the smallest two. The remaining · four-fifths were " home-lot division," and were laid in contiguous and convenient places. The remainder of the lands of the plantation were reserved for future divisions among the inhabitants, as exigen- cies should require, and to be laid out to sons arriving at majority, and to such newly admitted inhabitants as should be received. Ac- cordingly, as the settlers cleared their lands, other divisions became necessary ; such as meadow, or lowland, woodland, upland, and pas- turc divisions. They also, in the early years of the settlement, had
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