USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > New Haven > History of the Colony of New Haven, Before and After the Union with Connecticut: Containing a. > Part 5
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# This tree stood till after the revolutionary war,
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HISTORY OF THE
ment in the preacher's mind was natural. The country was a wilderness, though fine and promising. The land from the mountains westward, and in almost every direction, resembled "the hill country of Judea; a land of hills and valleys, with running brooks, and shady retreats and eminences, enveloped in trees and forests. In the afternoon, Mr. Prudden preached in the same place, from Matthew iii. 3 : "The voice of one crying in the wilderness, prepare ye the way of the Lord, and. make his paths strait." He insisted on the temptation of the wilderness, made such observations, and gave such directions and exhortations as were pertinent to the then present state of his hearers. On that day, probably for the first time, the wild woods of Quinnipiack rang with the notes of Puritanic praise ; for the first, resounded the sacred hymn, where for ages had echoed the savage war-song. Doubtless it was an interesting scene, Mr. Davenport remarking, that " he enjoyed a good day."
Soon after the settlers arrived, they entered into what they termed the Plantation Covenant. This for more than a year, was their only civil and religious compact. In this, they solemnly covenanted,
That as in matters that concern the gathering and ordering a church, so also in all public offices which concern civil order, as choyce of magistrates and officers, making and repealing laws, divi- ding allotments of inheritance, and all things of a like nature they would all of them be ordered by the Rules which the Scriptures do hold forth.
The settlers made their purchase of the land of Quinnipiack, of Momauguin, the sachem, on the 24th of November, 1638. Whether Momauguin was the true sachem of those parts is perhaps a controvertible question ; however, he was acknowl- edged such by the English. The articles of agreement are to this effect :
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. That Momauguin is the sole sachem of Quinnipiack, and had absolute power to aliene and dispose of the same, that in consequence of the protection he had tasted, by the English from the Pequots and Mohawks, he yielded up all his right, title, and interest to all the lands, rivers, ponds, and trees, with all the liberties and appurtenances belonging to the same, to Theophilus Eaton, John Davenport, and others, their heirs and assigns forever. He covenanted, that neither he nor his Indians would terrify nor disturb the English, nor injure them in any of their interests; but that in every respect, they
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COLONY OF NEW HAVEN.
would keep true faith with them. The English covenanted to protect Momauguin and his Indians, when unreasonably assaulted and terrified by either of the other Indians; and that they should always have a sufficient quantity of land to plant on, upon the east side of the harbor, between that and Saybrook fort. They also covenanted, that, by way of free and thankful retribution, they gave unto the said sachem, and his council and company, 12 coats of English cloth, 12 alchy. my spoons, 12 hatchets, 12 hoes, 2 dozen of knives, 12 por- ringers, and 4 cases of French knives and scissors.
This agreement was signed by Momauguin and council, on the one part, and Theophilus Eaton and John Davenport, on the other. Thomas Stanton, who was the interpreter, declared in the presence of God, that he had faithfully acquaint- ed the Indians with the said articles, and returned their answers. The following are the signatures of the Indians, as they stand on record :
MOMAUGUIN, his
mark.
SUGCOGISIN, his
mark. mark.
QUOSAQUASH, his
CARROUGHOOD, his
mark.
WOOSAURUCK, his
mark.
SHAUMPISHUH, her Squaw sachem, sister of Momauguin.
mark.
In December following, they made another purchase of a large tract, which lay principally north of the former, of Mon- towese, son of the great sachem of Mattabeseck, (Middletown.) This tract was ten miles in breadth from north to south, and thirteen in width. It extended eight miles east of the river Quinnipiack, and five miles west of it towards Hudson's River. In consideration, the English gave 13 coats, and the Indians were allowed ground to plant, and liberty to hunt within the lands. The annexed is a copy of the signatures of the In- dians :
1
+
..
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HISTORY OF THE
MONTOWESE, his
mark.
SAWSOUNCK, his
7
mark.
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These purchases comprehended all the lands within the ancient limits of the old towns of New Haven, Branford, and Wallingford, and now form the whole, or principal parts of the towns of East Haven, North Haven, Hamden, Cheshire, Meriden, North Branford, Bethany, Woodbridge, and Orange.
The free planters of Quinnipiack convened in a large barn of Mr. Newman's, on the 4th of June, and in a formal and very solemn manner, proceeded to lay the foundations of their civil and religious polity. Mr. Davenport introduced the business by a sermon from the words of Solomon : " Wis- dom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pil- lars." He proceeded to show that the church, the house of God, should be forined of seven pillars or principal brethren, to whom all other members of the church should be gathered. This notion appears to have been followed only by Milford and Guilford, in the formation of churches. The following is the account of this event, copied from the first book of New Haven records, and is a curiosity in the history of civil gov- ernment :
The 4th day of the 4th moneth, called June, 1639, all the free planters assembled together in a general meetinge, to consult about settling civil government according to GOD, and about the nomina- tion of persons that may be found by consent of all fittest in all respects for the foundation work of a Church which was intended to be gathered in Quinnipiack. After sollemne invocation of the name of God in prayer, for the presence and help of his spirit and grace in these weighty businesses, they were reminded of the basi- ness whereabout they met, (viz.) for the establishment of such civil order as might be most pleasing unto God, and for the chusing the fittest men for the foundation work of a church to be gathered. For the better enabling them to discerne the minde of God, and to agree accordingly concerning the establishment of civil order, Mr. John Davenport propounded divers queries to them, publickly praying them to consider seriously in the presence and feare of God the weight of the business they met about, and not to be rash or sleight in giving their votes to things they understood not, but to digest fully and thoroughly what should be propounded unto them,
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COLONY OF NEW HAVEN.
and without respect to men, as they should be satisfied and perswa- ded in their own minds to give their answers in such sort as they would be willing they should stand upon record for posterity.
This being earnestly expressed by Mr. Davenport, Mr. Robert Newman was entreated to write in charracters and to read distinctly and audibly in the hearing of all the people, what was propounded and accorded on, that it might appear that all consented to matters propounded according to words written by him.
Quære 1. Whether the Scriptures doe holde fourth a perfect rule for the direction and government of all men in all duteyes which they are to perform to God and men as well in the government of famylyes and common wealths as in matters of the church ?
This was assented unto by all, no man dissenting, as was express- ed by holding up hands. Afterwards it was read over to them, that they might see in what wordes their vote was expressed: they againe expressed their consent thereto by holding up their hands, no man dissenting.
Quære 2. Whereas there was a covenant sollemnely made by the whole assembly of free planters of this plantation, the first day of extraordinary humiliation that we had after we came together, that as in matters that concern the gathering and ordering of a church, so likewise in all publique offices, which concern civil order, as choyce of magistrates and officers, making and repealing of laws, divideing allotments of inheritances, and all things of like nature we would all of us be ordered by those rules which the scrip- ture holds forth to us. This covenant was called a plantation covenant to distinguish it from a church covenant, which could not at that time be made, a church not being then gathered, but was deferred till a church might be gathered according to GoD. It was demanded whether all the free planters doe holde themselves bound by that covenant in all business of that nature which are expressed in the covenant, to submit themselves to be ordered by the rules which are held forth in the scripture.
This also was assented unto by all, and no man gainsaied it, and they did testify the same by holding up their handes, both when it was first propounded, and afterwards confirmed the same by holding up their hands when it was read unto them in publique. John Clark being absent when the covenant was made doth now manifest his consent to it. Also Richard Beach, Andrew Low, Goodman Bamster, Arthur Halbidge, John Potter, Richard Hill, John Brock- ett, and John Johnson, these persons being not admitted planters when the covenant was made doth now expresse their consent to it.
Quære 3. Those who have desired to be received as free planters, and are settled in the plantation with a purposed resolution and desire that they may be admitted into church fellowship, according to Christ, as soon as Gon shall fitt them thereunto, were desired to expresse it by holding up of hands, accordingly all did express this to be their desire and purpose, by holding up their hands twice, (viz.) both at the proposal of it, and after when these written words were read unto them.
Quære 4. All the free planters were called upon to express whether they held themselves bound to establish such civil order as might best conduce to the securing the purity and peace of the
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HISTORY OF THE
ordinances to themselves and their posterity according to GoD. In answer hereunto they expressed by holding up their hands twice as before. That they helde themselves bound to establish such civil order as might best conduce to the ends aforesaid.
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Then Mr. Davenport declared unto them by the scriptures what kind of persons might best be trusted with matters of government, and by sundry arguments from scripture proved that such as were described, Ex. 18. 1. Deut. 1. 13. with Deut. 19. 15. and 1 Cor. 1 to 7, ought to be entrusted by them, seeing they were free to cast them- selves into that mould and forme of commonwealth which appeareth best for them in reference to the secureing the pure and peaceable enjoyment of all Christ his ordinonces in the church according to GOD, whereunto they have bound themselves as hath been acknowl- edged. Having said this he sat down, praying the company freely to consider whether they would have it voted at this time or not. After some space of silence Mr. Theophilus Eaton answered it might be voted, and some others also spake to the same purpose, none at all opposing it. Then it was propounded to vote.
Quære 5. Whether free Burgesses shall be chosen out of Church members, they that are in the foundation work of the church being actually free Burgesses, and to chuse to themselves out of the like estate of church fellowship, and the power of chusing magistrates and officers from among themselves and the power of making and repealing laws according to the word, and the dividing of inberi- tances, and the deciding differences that may arise, and all the businesses of like nature are to be transacted by those free burgesses.
4
This (viz. Quære 5.) was put to vote, and agreed unto by the lifting up of hands twice, as in the former cases it was done. Then one man stood up after the vote was past,* and expressing his dis- senting from the rest, in that yet granting, 1. That magistrates should be men fearing GOD. 2. That the Church is the company whence ordinarily such men may be expected. 3. That they that chuse them ought to be men fearing GOD, onelye at this he stucke, That free planters ought not to give the power out of their hands.
Another stood up and answered that in this case nothing was done but with their consent. The former answered that all the free planters ought to resume this power into their own hands again if things were not orderly carried. Mr. Theophilus Eaton answered that in all places they chuse committees. In like manner the com- panys of London chuse the liverys by whom the publique magis- trates are chosen. In this the rest are not wronged : because they expect to be of the livery themselves, and to have the same power. Some others intreated the former to give his arguments and reasons whereupon he dissented. He refused to doe it, and said they might not rationally demaund it, seeing he let the vote pass on freely, and did not speak till after it was past, because he would not hinder what they agreed upon. Then Mr. Davenport, after a short rela- tion of some former passages between them two about this question, prayed the company that nothing might be concluded by them in this weighty question but what themselves were persuaded to be agreeing with the minde of GOD, and they had heard what had been
+ Samuel Eaton.
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COLONY OF NEW HAVEN.
sayd since the vote, intreated them agayne to consider of it and agayne to put it to vote as before. Agayne all of them, by holding up their hands, did show their consent as before. And some of them professed, that whereas they did waver before they came to the assembly, they were now fully convinced, that ittis the minde of GOD. One of them said that in the morning before he came, reading Deuteronomy 17. 15. he was convinced at home. Another said that he came doubting to the assembly, but he blessed Gon, by what had beene said he was now fully satisfied that the choyce of burgesses out of Church members and to entrust these with the power before spoken of, is according to the minde of Gon revealed in the scripture. All having spoken their apprehensions, it was agreed upon, and Mr. Robert Newman was desired to write it as an order whereunto every one that hereafter should be admitted here as planters should submit, and testify the same by subscribing their names to the order, namely,
That Church Members only shall be free Burgesses, and that they only shall chuse magistrates and officers among themselves, to have the power of transacting all publique civil affairs of this plantation, of making and repealing laws, divideing of inherit- ances, deciding of differences that may arise, and doing all things or business of like nature.
This being settled as a fundamental article concerning civil gov- ernment, Mr. Davenport propounded and proposed some things to consideration aboute the gatheringe of a Church. And to prevent the blemishing of the first beginnings of the work, He advised that the names of such as were to be admitted might be publiquely pro- pounded, to the end that they who were most approved might be chosen ; for the town being cast into several private meetings wherein they that dwelt nearest together gave their accounts one to another of GOD's gracious work upon them, and prayed together, and conferred to their mutual edification, sundry of them had knowledge one of another, and in every meeting some one was more approved of all than any other .- For this reason, and to pre- vent scandalls, the whole company was intreated to consider whom they found fittest to nominate for this worke.
Quære 6. Whether are you all willing and do agree in this, that twelve men be chosen, that their fitness for the foundation work may be tried, however there may be more named, yet it may be in their power who are chosen to reduce them to twelve, and it be in the power of those twelve to chuse out of themselves 7, that shall be most approved of, the major parte to begin the church.
This was agreed upon by consent of all, as was expressed by holding up of hands, and that so many as should be thought fit for the foundation work of a church shall be propounded by the planta- tion and written down, and passe without exception, unlesse they had given public scandal or offence, yet so as in case of publique scan- dall and offence, every one should have liberty to proponnd their ex- ceptions at that time publiquely against any man that should be nominated when all the names should be writ down, but if the offence were private, that men's names might be tendered, so many as were offended, were entreated to deal with the offender privately. And if he gave not satisfaction, to bring the matter to the twelve that 5
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HISTORY OF THE
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they might consider it of impartially and in the feare of GOD. The names of the persons named and agreed upon were Theophilus Ea- ton, John Davenport, Robert Newman, Matthew Gilbert, Richard Malbon, Nathaniel Turner, Ezekiel Chevers, Thomas Fugill, John Punderson, William Andrews and Jeremiah Dixon. No exception was brought against any of these in public, except one about taking an excessive rate for meal that he had sold to one of the Poquon- nock in his neede, which he confessed with grief, and declared that having been smitten in heart, and troubled in his conscience, he offered such a part of the price back again, with confession of his tin to the party, as he thought himself bound to do. And it being feared that the report of the sin was heard further than the report of his satisfaction, a course was concluded on to make the satisfac- tion, to as many as heard of the sin. It was also agreed upon at the said meetinge, that if the persons above named did find themselves straitened in the number of fit men for the 7, that it should be free for them to take into tryal of fitnesse such other as they should think meete. Provided that it should be signified to the town upon the Lord's day who they so take in that every man may be satisfied of them, according to the course formerly taken.
The foregoing was subscribed to at the time by 63, and soon after by 48 more.
Mr. Prudden's company remained in New Haven the first year, and Mr. Whitfield and followers, who settled in Guilford, had arrived, and they were combined in the "fundamental agreement."
After a proper term of trial, Theophilus Eaton, Esq., Mr. John Davenport, Robert Newman, Matthew Gilbert, Thomas Fugill, John Punderson, and Jeremiah Dixon, were chosen for the seven pillars of the church.
On the 22d of August, 1639, the church appears to have been organized, or the members added to the pillars. The churches of Milford and Guilford were organized on the same occasion, and removed soon after.
The first settlers of New Haven were Millenarians, i. e., they were believers that the second coming of Christ will pre- cede the millenium, and that there will be a literal resurrection of the saints who will reign with Christ on earth a thousand years. This appears to have been a prevalent belief in New England ; even as late as the great earthquake in 1727, many Christians were looking for and expecting " the second coming." It is said the New Haven people went still further, and flattered themselves that they were founding Christ's millenial kingdom, which was to extend from sea to sea, and that their city would be the seat of the empire, and that Christ would come in person, and live with them a thousand years.
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COLONY OF NEW HAVEN.
But, notwithstanding, it does not appear from the early records that they ever made him a grant of a building lot on which to erect his palace.
The first general election or court, as it was termed, was held on the 25th of October, 1639, consisting only of the " seven pillars." After " solemn prayer," they proceeded to form the body of freemen, and to elect their civil officers. Their manner was truly singular and curious. In the first place, all former trusts for managing the affairs of the planta- tion was declared to cease, and to be entirely abrogated; then all those who had been admitted to the church after the gath- ering of it in the choice of the seven pillars, and all the members of the other approved churches who desired it and offered themselves, were admitted members of the court. solemn charge was then given them individually, of the same import as the "freeman's charge," (page 29.) Mr. Davenport then expounded several scriptures to them, describing the character of civil magistrates given in the sacred oracles. This was probably the precedent for election sermons. To this succeeded the election of officers. Theophilus Eaton, Esq., was chosen governor, Mr. Robert Newman, Mr. Mat- thew Gilbert, Mr. Nathaniel Turner, and Mr. Thomas Fugill, were chosen magistrates. Mr. Fugill was also chosen secreta- ry, and Robert Seely marshall. Mr. Davenport then gave Governor Eaton a charge from Deut. i. 16, 17: " And I charged your judges at that time, saying : Hear the causes be. tween your brethren, and judge righteously betweenevery man and his brother, and the stranger that is with him, ; Yeshall not respect persons in judgment, but ye shall judge the small as well. as the great. Ye shall not be afraid of the face of Inan, for the . : judgment is GOD's ; and the cause that is too hard for you, bring it unto me and I will hear it."
It was "ordered by this court that whosoever should after- ward be received free planters, should subscribe the funda- mental articles and receive the ffreeman's charge."
It was also "ordered, that there should be a Generall Court of Election annually in the plantation on the last week of October, in which the officers of the colony were to be chosen."
It was again " ordered, that the word of Gon should be the only rule for ordering the affayres of government in the Com- monwealth."
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HISTORY OF THE
This was the first organization of civil government in the colony of New Haven. The proceedings were very formal, but were remarkable for their simplicity, no laws being enact- ed but the few resolutions which have been noticed. But as the colony enlarged, and other towns came under their govern- ment, the general court changed its form ; laws were enacted, the civil polity improved, and a judicial system established, as the nature of affairs, and the circumstances of the jurisdiction, required.
At a general court, in 1640, it was decreed that the plan- tation at Quinnipiack should be called New Haven.
The New Haven adventurers were the most opulent com- pany which had come into New England. Mr. Eaton and Mr. Hopkins* had been eminent merchants in London, and they and others, intending to follow the same pursuits, designed New Haven for a great commercial city. They accordingly laid it out on a regular plan, the streets crossing at right angles, and divided it into nine squares. The center one they reserved for a public green, the others were laid out into house lots. The planters at first built on George street and the hill opposite, (between which, small vessels then could pass, in a creek which has long since been filled up,) but most of them removed their habitations to the "squares." Gov.
Southwest view of Governor Eaton's house.
Eaton built his house on the spot which is now the north corn- er of Elm and Orange streets. It was built in the form of a capital E, was large and lofty, and had 21 fire places. Mr. Davenport had his house on the west side of Elm street, near State street-built in the form of a cross; with the chimney in
* Mr. Hopkins afterwards removed to Hartford, Conn.
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COLONY OF NEW HAVEN.
the center. The common houses at first were small, of one story, with sharp roofs, and heavy stone chimneys and small diamond windows.
At a court holden 3d of November, 1639, it was
Ordered that Mr. Eaton, Mr. Davenport, Robert Newman, Mat- thew Gilbert, Capt. Turner, and Thomas Fugill should hencefor- ward have the disposing of all the house lotts (yet undisposed of) about this towne to such persons as they shall judge meete for the good of the plantation, and that none shall come to dwell as planters here without their consent and allowance, whether they come in by purchase or otherwise.
By this order it appears that no man might settle in their plantation, though possessed of ample wealth, without special permission. They considered the town to be their own, and that they had the right to prescribe the terms of admission to all noviciates. However illiberal the order may appear to the present democracy, it was doubtless intended to prevent the degeneracy of their " holy church and state" institutions.
At the same court it was
Ordered that a meeting house shall be built forthwith, fifty foote square; and that the carpenters shall fall timber where they can find it, till allotment be laid out, and men know their own proprietyes.
Until this house was finished, according to tradition, they held their meetings at " Mr. Newman's barn."
The first order on record concerning the military was made also at this court.
It is ordered that every one thatt beares armes shall be compleatly furnished with armes, (viz.) a muskett, a sword, bandaliers, a met a pound of powder, 20 bullets fitted to the muskett, or 4 pounds pistoll shott, or swan shott at least, and be ready to show them in the' . markett place upon Monday the 6th of this moneth, before Capt. Turner and Lieutenant Seely under the penalty of 20s. fine for every default or absence.
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