USA > Connecticut > New London County > Stonington > History of the First Congregational church, Stonington, Conn., 1674-1874. With the report of bi-centennial proceedings, June 3, 1874. With appendix containing statistics of the church > Part 30
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March 17, 1850, Mrs. Susan Williams.
Oct. 6, 1850, Mrs. Mary Norman.
Dec. 1, 1850, Rose Palmer (colored).
April 13, 1851, Thomas R. Noyes. The same day, Sally Rathbun.
The same day, Bridget Murphy.
The same day, William C. Moss, Jr.
The same day, Mary Ann Norman. The same day, York Noyes (colored). The same day, Joseph T. Champlin (colored).
May 18, 1851, Hannah F. Holmes. March 7, 1852, Miss Sarah Williams. The same day, Mrs. Elizabeth Williams.
The same day, Mr. Hezekiah U. Williams. The same day, Mrs. Celina A. Williams. The same day, Miss Julia Williams. The same day, Miss Asenath G. Williams. The same day, Miss Sarah G. Williams. July 10, 1853, Mrs. Bridget Garside. The same day, Miss Jane E. Williams. Sept. 4, 1853, Mrs. Emily A. Bill.
The same day, Miss Lucy G. Denison. The same day, Miss H. Agaleice Hyde. The same day, Mrs. Mary E. Denison. Oct. 2, 1853, Mrs. Grace B. Noyes. The same day, Miss Lucy Ann Noyes. Sept. 3, 1854, Charles C. Brightman. Oct. 22, 1854, Mary Isabella Brown. Oct. 7, 1855, Allen Palmer. March 16, 1856, Mrs. Sarah. A. Stanton. April 27, 1856, Catherine Urquehart. Nov. 2, 1856, Mrs. Harriet D. Howell. Nov. 15, 1857, Samuel Garside. April 2, 1858, Antoinette M. Williams. June 6, 1858, Mr. William H. Palmer. The same day, Miss Emeline Palmer. The same day, Miss Jane E. Crandall. The same day, Miss Harriet J. Palmer. The same day, Miss Josephine Williams. The same day, Miss Hannah D. Noyes. The same day, Miss Harriet E. Noyes. The same day, Miss Ann L. Noyes. The same day, Miss Jane B. Noyes. Aug. 1, 1858, Miss Eunice A. Noyes. May 31, 1859, Rev. Nehemiah B. Cook dismissed.
Admissions before installation, 6 Admissions after installation, 150
Total 156
BAPTISMS BY THE REV. NEHEMIAH B. COOK. Sept. 10, 1837, Henry Byron, son of George W. Noyes, 2nd, and Prudence Noyes.
283
STATISTICS OF THE CHURCH.
The same day, Mary Ann and Sarah, children of Randall and Mary Ann Brown.
Oct. 15, 1837, Laura Hyde, daughter of George W. and Caroline Moss. These baptisms were before Mr. Cook's installation and by him.
May 4, 1838, Fanny, daughter of Charles and Eliza Mallory.
April 11, 1841, William Tuttle, son of Nehemiah B. and Ann Maria Cook, baptized by the Rev. James M. McDonald of Jamaica, Long Island. The same day, Malcomb, son of James M. and Lucy Esther McDonald.
June 6, 1841, Phebe Moore, daughter of Ebenezer Denison, Jr., and Mary N. Denison.
July 11, 1841, William Henry, son of Alexander and Hannah Adelia Palmer. Aug. 28, 1842, Eliza Baldwin, daughter of Nehemiah B. and Ann Maria Cook, baptized by the Rev. Dr. Patton, of New York.
Oct. 2, 1842, William Stanton, Elias, Julia Ann, Joseph Stanton, and Charles, children of Joseph S. and Julia Ann Williams.
The same day, Ebenezer, Stephen and James Francis; children of Stephen and Eliza Maria Morgan.
Oct. 23, 1842, William Chesebrough, Amos Denison, Caroline Elizabeth and Mary Denison, children of William C. and Caroline E. Moss.
Dec. 4, 1842, Oliver, Marcia Palmer, Edgar, Sarah Ellen, Nathan Noyes, and Phebe Moore, children of Oliver and Nancy D. Denison.
The same day, Franklin Babcock, son of James W. and Nancy Noyes. Jan. 1, 1843, Henry Austin, son of Benjamin F. and Eliza H. Palmer.
Feb. 12, 1843, Franklin Palmer and Emily, children of Mrs. Emily Pendleton (widow).
Oct. 9, 1843, Charles Denison, son of Benjamin F. and Mary S. Collins. Oct. 15, 1843, Ellen Augusta, daughter of William C. and Caroline E. Moss. 1844, James Allyn, son of Alexander and Hannah A. Palmer.
The same day, Harriet Eliza Palmer, daughter of Noyes P. and Martha D. Brown.
Jan. 7, 1845, Louisa Elizabeth, daughter of William H. and Caroline M. Denison.
Sept. 28, 1845, Franklin Wheeler, son of Noyes and Harriet Palmer.
The same day, John Stanton, son of Alexander and Hannah A. Palmer. July 26, 1846, John Knox, son of William C. and Caroline E. Moss.
Dec. 26, 1846, Mary Lundie and Elias Cornelius, children of Ebenezer and Mary Denison.
Aug. 8, 1847, Joanna, daughter of Noyes P. and Martha D. Brown. June 3, 1849, Stephen Avery, son of Elias B. and Eliza Brown.
July, 1848, Samuel Henry, son of William C. and Caroline E. Moss.
Oct. 14, 1849, Martha Helen, daughter of Noyes P. and Martha D. Brown.
The same day, Noyes, and Charles Franklin, children of Alexander and Han- nah A. Palmer.
Sept. 29, 1850, Elias Everett, son of Elias B. and Eliza Brown.
Oct. 6, 1850, Martha White, Isaac Edwin, and Sarah Jane, children of Thomas and Mary Norman.
Nov. 3, 1850, Edward, son of Nehemiah B. and Ann M. Cook.
June 18, 1851, Frederic Avery, son of Hiram C. and Hannah F. Holmes. Aug., 1852, Anna Louisa, daughter of William C. and Caroline E. Moss. Aug. 28, 1853, John James, son of Samuel and Bridget Garside.
July 6, 1856, Jane Denison, daughter of Benjamin F. and Mary S. Collins. The same day, Mary, daughter of Elias B. and Eliza Brown.
The same day, Ellen Maria, daughter of Samuel N. and Harriet D. Howell.
March 10, 1857, Mary Ellen, daughter of Samuel and Bridget Garside. Baptisms before installation, 4 Baptisms after installation, 56
Total 60 BAPTISM AFTER MR. COOK'S DISMISSION.
Dec. - , 1859, Charles, son of Elias B. and Eliza A. Brown.
284
STATISTICS OF THE CHURCH.
MARRIAGES BY THE REV. NEHEMIAH B. COOK.
Aug. 8, 1837, Mr. Isaac D. Holmes of Stonington, and Miss Ellen Kemp of Groton.
Sept. 3, 1837, Mr. Ambrose Burrows and Miss Lucy E. Latham, both of Groton.
Oct. 25, 1837, Mr. Frederic D. Chesebro and Miss Mary A. Chesebro, both of Stonington.
Dec. 25, 1837, Mr. Bartholomew Headden and Mrs. Sarah Miner, both of Stonington.
Jan. 11, 1838, Mr. Noyes P. Brown and Miss Martha D. Noyes, both of Stonington.
These marriages were before Mr. Cook's installation and by him.
May 10, 1838, Mr. Elias B. Brown and Miss Eliza Avery, both of Stonington. Aug. 14, 1838, Mr. Justin Hill and Miss Jane Spencer, both of Stonington.
Sept. 4, 1839, Mr. James Noble of Hartford, and Miss Eliza Ann Smith of Ledyard, at Ledyard.
Sept. 10, 1839, Mr. John Howard Copp of Stonington, and Miss Louisa Barnes of Gibson, Pennsylvania.
March 11, 1840, Mr. Latham Miner and Miss Lydia W. Dodge, both of Ston- ington.
Dec. 6, 1840, Mr. Ichabod Stodder of Thompson, New York, and Miss Phebe Ann Rogers of Stonington.
May 11, 1841, Dr. Ezra Vincent of New York, and Ann Maria Denison of Stonington.
July 25, 1841, Mr. Charles H. Mallory and Miss Eunice D. Clift.
Sept. 2, 1841, Mr. John S. Barber of Groton, and Miss Nancy L. Noyes of Stonington.
Sept. 23, 1841, Mr. Rueben E. Moss of New York, and Miss Harriet A. N. Randall of Stonington.
June 21, 1842, Mr. Ralph H. Avery of Norwich, and Miss Martha C. Randall of Stonington.
Jan. 19, 1843, Mr. Charles G. Hewitt of North Stonington, and Miss Mary Wheeler of Stonington.
Feb. 19, 1843, Mr. . William Noyes and Miss Clementina Noyes, both of Ston- ington.
Feb. 21, 1843, Mr. Thompson Wells of Providence, Rhode Island, and Miss Phebe Noyes of Stonington.
March 15, 1843, Mr. Elias P. Randall and Miss Hannah Fish, both of Ston- ington.
May 11, 1843, Mr. Leonard C. Williams and Miss Mary E. Copp, both of Ston- ington.
May 21, 1843, Mr. Franklin Hancox and Miss Frances E. Noyes, both of Stonington.
June 14, 1843, Mr. James D. Fish of New York, and Miss Mary E. Blodget of Stonington.
Aug. 10, 1843, Mr. Henry S. Stark and Miss Mary E. Rathbun, both of Groton.
Sept. 28, 1843, Mr. Charles G. Beebe and Miss Emily T. Noyes, both of Stonington.
Nov. 19, 1843, Mr. Benjamin F. Hoxie and Miss Harriet W. Clift, both of Stonington.
Sept. 26, 1844, Mr. Daniel Pyncheon of Albany, Georgia, and Miss Frances A. Tift of Groton, Conn.
Nov. 12, 1844, Mr. Samuel Copp of Stonington, and Miss Betsey Chapman of Norwich.
Nov. 28, 1844, Mr. Benadam Champlin and Miss Rebecca Haley, both of Stonington.
March 20, 1845, Mr. John B. Pendleton of Stonington, and Miss Lucy T. Clark of North Stonington.
285
STATISTICS OF THE CHURCH.
March 30, 1845, Thomas Berry of Washington, District of Columbia, and Christiana Sherman of Stonington, colored persons.
April 22, 1846, Mr. David N. Prentice and Miss Margaret Rathbun, of Groton.
Jan. 3, 1847, Mr. George W. Mallory of Stonington, and Miss Ann K. Tift of Groton.
June 7, 1847, Mr. Alexander F. Young of New London, and Miss Mary Ma-
son of Stonington.
July 2, 1847, Mr. Henry L. Southwick of Bolton, Mass., and Miss Mary E. Perkins of Stonington.
Sept. 4, 1847, Mr. Joseph W. Holmes of Stonington, and Miss Mary O. Den- ison of Stillwater, New York.
Nov. 22, 1847, Mr. Asa F. Kendrick of Heath, Mass., and Miss Emma J. Den- ison of Stonington.
Dec. 8, 1847, Mr. Francis M. Manning and Miss Ann E. Williams, both of Stonington.
April 9, 1848, Mr. Ebenezer Denison, Jr., and Miss Lydia S. Noyes, both of Stonington.
May 11, 1848, Mr. Thomas W. Noyes of Stonington, and Miss Phebe J. Kemp of Groton.
May 24, 1848, Mr. Charles H. Denison and Miss Mary A. Cottrell, both of Stonington.
Oct. 10, 1848, Mr. David F. Brown of Stonington, and Miss Sarah F. Church of South Glastenbury, Conr.
Dec. 3, 1848, Menuel Bastin of Groton, and Tamer Brashell of Stonington (colored).
April 1, 1849, Robert Peter Jeffery and Mary Carney, both of Stonington.
Dec. 3, 1849, John W. Brown and Lucretia W. Holmes, both of Stonington.
June 2, 1850, Benjamin Baker of Groton, and Mary W. Holmes of Ston- ington.
July 31, 1850, N. Curtis White of Utica, New York, and Jane C. Stanton of Trenton, New York.
Nov. 20, 1850, Abel H. Simmons of Groton, and Mary A. Williams of Ston- ington.
April 10, 1851, Silas Fish of Stonington, and Mary D. Stoddard of Groton. April 24, 1851, Edwin Grinnell and Emeline L. Spicer, both of Stonington.
Sept. 28, 1851, Dr. Joseph Partridge and Mary Ann Norman, both of Ston- ington.
Oct. 16, 1851, Salmon C. Foote of New York, and Julia Ann Williams of Stonington.
Nov. 27, 1851, Samuel Garside and Bridget Molley, both of Stonington.
April 20, 1852, Edward P. Hayward of Providence, Rhode Island, and Julia A. Williams of Stonington.
Aug. 24, 1852, Gilbert Billings and Mary A. Hewitt, both of North Ston- ington.
Oct. 31, 1852, Jesse D. Noyes, 2nd, and Hannah E. Sutton, both of Stoning- ton.
April 10, 1854, Mr. Joseph F. Rindge of Groton, and Miss Fannie Wheeler of Stonington.
Sept. 17, 1854, Marston Merrill and Miss Prudence O. Nye, both of Stoning- ton.
March 4, 1855, Mr. James D. Peckham of Charlestown, Rhode Island, and Miss Betsey M. Hilliard of North Stonington.
March 25, 1855, Mr. James L. Crandall and Miss Mary A. Brand, both of Stonington.
July 3, 1855, Mr. John H. Copp and Miss Ann Eliza Whiting, both of Ston- ington.
Nov. 7, 1855, Mr. Billings Brown and Mrs. Abbie Ann Goodwin, both of Stonington.
286
STATISTICS OF THE CHURCH.
Dec. 23, 1855, Mr. Joseph C. Lamphere and Miss Mary F. Crandall, both of Stonington.
Jan. 14, 1856, Mr. John Dunham and Miss Eliza Wilcox, both of North Ston- July 10, 1856, Mr. Thomas Wheeler and Miss Sophia Chesebro, both of ington. Stonington.
Nov. 5, 1856, Mr. Richard A. Wheeler and Miss Lucy A. Noyes, both of Stonington.
Jan. 3, 1857, Mr. James Davis of Stonington, and Miss Maria McGuire of Groton.
Sept. 24, 1857, Mr. Enoch T. Chapman of Norwich, Conn., and Miss Phebe E. Noyes of Stonington.
Nov. 26, 1857, Mr. Seth N. Williams of Ledyard, and Miss Eliza P. Noyes of Stonington.
Marriages before installation, 6 Marriages after installation, 64
Total
. 70
INSTALLATION OF THE REV. PLINY F. WARNER.
Oct. 31, 1860, At the ordination of the Rev. Pliny F. Warner, over the first church and society (Congregational) of Stonington, were present : - Pastors. Delegates.
Rev. Timothy Tuttle. Denison B. Williams, Ledyard.
Rev. Alvan Bond. Dea. Williams, 2nd church, Norwich.
Rev. T. P. Field. William H. Starr, 1st church, New London.
Rev. G. B. Wilcox. Dea. Charles Butler. 2nd church, New London.
Rev. William Clift. Charles T. Stanton, 2nd church, Stonington.
Rev. Stephen Hubbell. Dea. S. B. Wheeler, North Stonington.
Rev. S. Hine (stated preacher). Thomas A. Miner, Groton. Dea. Ebenezer Denison.
Rev. James M. McDonald, D. D., and Rev. A. L. Whitman, and Rev. J. B. Gulliver being presen twere invited to sit as corresponding members of the council.
Rev. Timothy Tuttle, moderator. Rev. Stephen Hubbel, scribe.
Rev. S. Hine made the introductory prayer.
. Rev. J. B. Gulliver preached the sermon.
Rev. Alvan Bond made the ordaining prayer.
Rev. T. P. Field gave the charge to the people.
Rev. G. B. Wilcox gave the right hand of fellowship.
Rev. William Clift gave the charge to the people.
Rev. James McDonald made the concluding prayer.
ADMISSIONS.
Dec. 2, 1860, James Norman.
The same day, Elizabeth C. Moss.
Admissions 2.
Feb. 24, 1863, Rev. Pliny F. Warner dismissed.
MARRIAGES BY REV. PLINY F. WARNER.
Nov. 28, 1860, Solomon Perkins and Charlotte Broadbers, both of Stoning- ton.
March 3, 1861, Charles H. Ecclestone and Betsey M. Hamison, both of Ston- ington.
June 15, 1861, John E. A. Brooks and Amanda W. Barber, both of Stoning- ton.
Sept. 29, 1861, William C. Brown of North Stonington, and Lucy A. Cran- dall of Stonington.
Marriages, 4.
287
STATISTICS OF THE CHURCH.
ADMISSIONS BY REV. PAUL COUCH.
May -, 1863, Rev. Paul Couch came here and has preached as stated supply ever since.
Aug. 7, 1864, Mrs. Nancy Davis Palmer, wife of Maj. Alden Palmer.
The same day, Emeline Palmer.
April 1, 1866, Abel H. Simmons.
The same day, Mary Abby Simmons.
The same day, Noyes Paliner Brown.
The same day, Enoch Burrows Brown.
The same day, Seth Noyes Williams.
The same day, Eliza Phelps Williams.
The same day, Abby Jane Noyes.
The same day, Benjamin Franklin Williams.
The same day, Mrs. Maria L. D. Sabin.
The same day, Elias Everett Brown.
Aug. 5, 1866, Charles P. Noyes.
The same day, John D. Fish.
The same day, John K. Moss.
The same day, Ellen A. Moss.
The same day, Martha Helen Brown.
The same day, Wolcott M. Hill.
The same day, Joseph Smith.
The same day, Eliza P. Brown.
The same day, Mary D. Mathews.
The same day, Martha W. Noyes.
Aug. 7, 1867, James A. Palmer.
June 7, 1868, Dennis Shea.
The same day, Sarah E. Denison.
The same day, Phebe M. Denison.
The same day, Eliza M. Wheeler.
The same day, Alice A. Little.
Aug. 2, 1868, Mrs. Thomas W. Hartley.
Dec. 13, 1868, Thomas W. Palmer.
The same day, Mrs. Lucy Browning Palmer.
Aug. 1, 1869, Mrs. Desire Matilda Schoonover.
Oct. 2, 1869, John S. Palmer.
Admissions, 33.
BAPTISMS BY REV. PAUL COUCH.
April 15, 1866, Fanny Stanton, daughter of Alden and Eunice Palmer .? The same day, Nathan Noyes, son of Benjamin F. and Ann Louise Williams. The same day, Charles Edward, son of Seth N. and Eliza P. Williams. The same day, William Henry, son of Seth N. and Eliza P. Williams.
Aug. 28, 1370, Seth Noyes, son of Seth N. and Eliza P. Williams.
The same day, Frank Lincoln, son of Benjamin F. and Ann Louise Wil- liams.
The same day, Anna Louisa, daughter of Benjamin F. and Ann Louise Wil- liams.
The same day, George Noyes, son of Benjamin F. and Ann Louise Williams. Aug. 28, 1870, Edith Denison, daughter of Benjamin L. and Ellen Augusta Cook.
The same day, Josephine Williams, daughter of Joseph O. and Josephine Cottrell.
The same day, Henry Harris, son of Latham H. and Maria S. Minor.
The same day, Alden Rosseter, son of Alden Palmer, Jr. (deceased), and Eunice Palmer.
Aug. 11, 1872, Charles Hewitt, son of Joseph and Susan Brown Smith. The same day, Joseph, son of Edmund S. and Eliza Noyes.
288
STATISTICS OF THE CHURCH.
The same day, Alfred, son of Latham H. and Maria L. Miner. Aug. 10, 1873, Warren Ladd, son of Benjamin L. and Ellen Augusta Cook. Baptisms, 16.
MARRIAGES BY REV. PAUL COUCH.
Oct. 22, 1863, Joseph O. Cottrell and Josephine Williams. Nov. 3, 1863, Henry M. Palmer and Mary Rosseter Palmer. Feb. 4, 1864, Benjamin F. Williams and A. Louisa Noyes. March 15, 1864, Charles A. Mathews and Mary D. Moss. May 25, 1864, Paul B. Stanton and Marcia P. Denison. Oct. 25, 1864, Julius C. Gallup and Mary E. Harvey.
Feb. 20, 1865, Alden Palmer, Jr., and Eunice A. Noyes. Sept. 5, 1865, Joseph Griswold and Fanny E. Cottrell. Nov. 30, 1865, David L. Gallup and Fanny S. Noyes. Sept. 10, 1866, Frederic H. Smith and Elizabeth A. Denison. Jan. 9, 1867, Thomas W. Palmer and Lucy Browning. Feb. 5, 1867, Edmund S. Noyes and Eliza P. Brown. April 4, 1867, Asa Fish, 2nd, and Anna Brown. June 8, 1869, Benjamin Ladd Cook and Ellen Augusta Moss. Dec. 25, 1869, James Norman and Sarah Townsend.
Dec. 27, 1871, Joseph W. Stanton and Emeline Palmer. Marriages, 15.
ADMISSIONS BY REV. PAUL COUCH SINCE THE BI-CENTENNIAL.
June 7, 1874, Henry M. Palmer.
The same day, Mrs. Mary R. Palmer.
The same day, Eliza B. Palmer.
The same day, Emily A. Wheeler.
The same day, Grace D. Wheeler.
The same day, Avery W. D. Noyes.
The same day, Mrs. Mary E. Lord.
The same day, Charles E. Williams.
The same day, Latham H. Miner.
The same day, Mrs. Maria L. Miner.
The same day, Mrs. Susan Smith.
The same day, Mrs. Mary Emma Williams.
BAPTISMS BY REV. PAUL COUCH SINCE THE BI-CENTENNIAL. June 7, 1874, Mary R. Palmer. The same day, Eliza B. Palmer. The same day, Noyes Palmer. The same day, Maria Stanton Smith.
The same day, Avery W. D. Noyes.
The same day, Emily A. Wheeler.
The same day, Grace D. Wheeler.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES
OF
SOME OF THE EARLY SETTLERS OF STONINGTON.
.
WILLIAM CHESEBROUGH.
WILLIAM CHESEBROUGH, the first white man who made what is now Stonington, in Connecticut, his permanent place of abode, was born in Boston, Lincolnshire, England, in the year 1594, where he married Anna Stevenson, December 6th, 1620. He was a gunsmith, and worked at his trade in England, and in this country, until he came to Stonington in 1649, when he changed his occupation to that of farming and stock raising, occupying and improving the large grants of land given him by the town of Pequot, now New London.
In the early part of the year 1630, he joined a large party of emi- grants who came with John Winthrop, Esq., to this country. Mr. Chese- brough located himself in Boston, Mass., and soon after became a mem- ber of the First Church.
He was admitted a freeman of the Massachusetts colony in May, 1631, and afterwards took an active part in public affairs. In 1632, Mr. · Chesebrough was elected as "one of two" from Boston to unite with two from every plantation to confer with the court about raising a public stock, and Prince in his " Annals " says that this seems to pave the way for a house of representatives in the General Court.
In 1634, Mr. Chesebrough was elected constable of Boston, where he continued to reside for several years. Previous to 1640, he removed to Braintree, and that year was elected deputy to the Massachusetts General Court. Soon after which he removed his residence to Rehoboth, Plym- outh Colony, where in 1643 his list was returned at £450.
The next year lots were drawn for a division of the woodland near the town, and Mr. Chesebrough received lot No. 4. During this year the planters of Rehoboth drew up and signed a compact by which they agreed to be governed by nine persons "according to law and equity," "until we shall subject ourselves jointly to some other government." Mr. Chesebrough was a party to that transaction, which was participated in by thirty of the planters of the new settlement.
19
290
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF
He had taken an active and prominent part in organizing the town of Rehoboth, and at a public meeting held July 12, 1644, his services were recognized by the town in ordering that he " should have division in all lands of Seakunk, for one hundred and fifty-three pounds, besides what lie is to have for his own proportion, and that in way of consideration for the pains and charges he hath been at for setting off this plantation."
He was propounded for freeman at the General Court at Plymouth in 1645, but was not admitted until 1648. Notwithstanding the prominent part he acted in establishing the plantation of Rehoboth, and the recog- nition of his services by the new town, he was not treated with much favor by the General Court, which ordered him to be arrested for an affray with an Indian by the name of Vssamequine, and harshly treated him in other respects. This led him to look further for a permanent place of abode.
About this time John Winthrop, Jr., acting under a commission from the Massachusetts General Court, commenced a settlement at Nameaug, afterwards called Pequot, and then New London. Mr. Chesebrough visited the place in 1645 for the purpose of making it his future home. He was kindly treated by Mr. Winthrop, and urged to settle there; but finding the place in several respects unsuitable to his expectations, he concluded not to stay.
Subsequently, he examined the Pawcatuck region, and finally con- cluded to settle at the head of Wequetequoc Cove. He shared the friendship of Roger Williams, and was encouraged and assisted by himn in removing his habitation to Pawcatuck. He did not, however, immedi- ately remove his family here, and not until he had provided for them a comfortable place of abode. It was during the summer of 1649 that his family came to Wequetequoc and occupied their new house in the wilderness. The marsh land bordering on Wequetequoc Cove, furnished hay for his stock in abundance.
He brought his entire family with him, which consisted of his wife and four sons, namely, Samuel, Nathaniel, John, and Elisha. The two eldest and the youngest subsequently married and had families, and after the death of each, their widows married again. John died single in 1660.
Mr. Chesebrough, like most of the early planters, traded more or less with the Indians, and was also engaged in trade with the people of Long Island and elsewhere.
The first act of the General Court of Connecticut was an order pro- hibiting all persons from selling fire-arms and ammunition to the Indians ; another act was passed in 1642 "forbidding smiths from doing any work for the Indians, or selling them any instrument or matter made of iron or steel, without a license from two magistrates."
Various other acts were passed regulating and in some cases prohibit- ing trade with the Indians.
291
EARLY SETTLERS OF STONINGTON.
Mr. Chesebrough while living at Rehoboth, had incurred the displeas- ure of certain parties in the Plymouth Colony, and no sooner was he located here, than they informed the General Court of Connecticut that he had removed here for the purpose of selling fire-arms to the Indians ; whereupon the court, in November, 1649, issued a warrant " to the constable of Pequot to repair forthwith to Chesebrough of Long Island (where he was trading at the time), and to let him understand that the government of Connecticut " doth dislike and distate the way he is in and trade he doth drive among the Indians," and that they do require him to desist therefrom immediately ; and that he should repair to Capt. Mason of Seabrook, or some of the Magistrates vppon the river (Connecticut), to give an account to him or them of what he hath done hitherto."
Mr. Chesebrough at first disregarded this order, claiming that his new home was within the jurisdiction of Massachusetts, but subsequently, acting under the advice and assurance of Mr. Winthrop and other friends at Pequot, he so far yielded to the authorities of Connecticut as to engage to appear at the General Court at Hartford in March, 1651, some sixteen months after the issue of said order, and related to them the reason why he had taken up his abode at Wequetequoc, and that he was not engaged in any unlawful trade with the Indians, and assured them that his religious opinions were orthodox, neither did he intend to remain alone in the wilderness, and was in hopes that in a short time he should be able to procure a competent company of desirable persons for the planting of the place.
The court reluctantly permitted him to remain on condition that if he would give a bond of £100 not to prosecute any unlawful trade with the Indians, and that he would furnish them with the names of such persons as he could induce to settle at Pawcatuck before the next winter, they would not compel him to remove.
While the planters of Pequot were friendly to Mr. Chesebrough, they preferred that he should become an inhabitant of that settlement, rather than to establish a new township.
In September of the same year, Mr. Chesebrough again visited Hart- ford for the purpose of obtaining a legal title to the land he occupied. Mr. Winthrop and the deputies from Pequot, engaged that if he would put himself on the footing of an inhabitant of Pequot, he should have his lands confirmed to him by a grant of the town. To this he acceded. But the bounds of Pequot did not include his lands, whereupon "on request," the court extended the bounds of the settlement to Pawcatuck River, and the town in November following gave him a house lot at Pe- quot, which he never occupied.
In January, 1652, a large tract of land was given him by the town of
292
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF
Pequot, which was afterwards liberally enlarged until it embraced between two and three thousand acres, and was included within the following boundaries, namely, beginning at the harbor of Stonington, run- ning northerly up the same, and Lambert's Cove, and Stony Brook to the old Post Road, thence following said road easterly to Anguilla Brook ; thence down said brook and Wequetequoc Cove and the Sound, to the place of beginning.
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