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 31
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Mr. Chesebrough succeeded in drawing around him a sufficient number of "acceptable persons," to satisfy the General Court; and the settle- ment of the town thus begun, went on in a flourishing condition until 1654, when the planters here desired a separation for religious, as well as civil purposes. This measure was resisted by the planters at Pequot.
Meantime Massachusetts laid claim to the settlement, and the contro- versy went up to the Court of the Commissioners of the United Colonies, and terminated in 1658 in awarding all the territory east of Mystic River to the Massachusetts colony under the name of Southerton, and so remained until 1662, when it was included in the new charter, and again became a part of the Colony of Connecticut.
In 1665, the name of Southerton was changed to that of Mystic, and in 1666, it was again changed to Stonington.
Mr. Chesebrough was a man of more than ordinary ability, and held positions of trust not only in the Massachusetts colony, but was promi- nent in the settlement of the town of Rehoboth, in Plymouth Colony. After his place at Wequetequoc was included in the township of Pequot, he was elected deputy thereof to the General Court at Hartford in 1653- 4-5-6, and on one occasion rate maker or assessor.
When in 1658 the Massachusetts General Court asserted jurisdiction over this town, Mr. Chesebrough with others were appointed to manage the prudential affairs thereof, and "one of the Commissioners to end small causes and deal in criminal matters."
He held the office of Townsman (selectman) until Southerton was reannexed to Connecticut, and was the first man elected Deputy after the reunion, and succeeded in restoring amicable relations with the court which had been seriously disturbed by the jurisdictional controversy. After his return, he was elected first Selectman of the town, and reelected every year up to the time of his death, which took place June 9th, 1667.
Mr. Chesebrough died before the organization of the Church, but as he was the pioneer settler of the town, and a prominent actor in all public transactions connected therewith, and in full sympathy with the recog- nized churches of his day, I have thought best to give this brief sketch of his life.
His dwelling-house stood upon the site now occupied by Abel Cran- dall, Esq.
293
EARLY SETTLERS OF STONINGTON.
Children of William and Anna Chesebrough :-
Maria, bapt. Boston, Eng., May 2, 1622. Buried June 9, 1622.
Martha, bapt. Boston, Eng., Sept. 18, 1623. Buried Sept. 26, 1623.
David, bapt. Boston, Eng., Sept. 9, 1624. Buried Oct. 23, 1624. Jonathan, twin to David, bapt. Sept. 9, 1624. Died young. Samuel, bapt. Boston, Eng., April 1, 1627.
Andronicus, bapt. Boston, Eng., Feb. 6, 1629. Buried February 8, 1629.
Junice, twin to Andronicus, born and buried Feb. 6, 1629.
Nathaniel, bapt. Boston, Eng., Jan. 25, 1630.
John, bapt. Boston, Mass., Sept. 2, 1632. Died at Southerton, 1660.
Jabez, bapt. Boston, Mass., May 3, 1635. Died young.
Elisha, bapt. Boston, Mass., June 4, 1637.
Joseph, born at Braintree, Mass., July 18, 1640. Died young.
THOMAS STANTON.
He was the first man who joined Mr. Chesebrough in his new settle- ment. He obtained a grant or license from the General Court to erect a trading-house at Pawcatuck, in February, 1650, with the exclusive right to trade in Pawcatuck River for three years next ensuing, with six acres of planting ground, and liberty of feed and mowing according to his pres- ent occasion.
Mr. Stanton did not move his entire family here until 1656. His family first resided at Hartford, and were there at the time when he ob- tained his grant at Pawcatuck. They removed to Pequot in 1651, and remained there until they joined him at Pawcatuck. Mr. Stanton came to this country in 1636, and soon became prominent as an Indian inter- preter. He was appointed by the General Court of Connecticut Inter- preter in the year 1638. He was also appointed Interpreter General of New England, by the Commissioners of the United Colonies. In almost every transaction between the English and Indians, whether negotiating a treaty or in the conveyance of lands, he was sought for as an interpre- ter, and trusted with the most unlimited confidence by both parties.
He was not only prominent as an interpreter, but distinguished him- self in the affairs of the plantation. In 1638, he was appointed by the Massachusetts General Court " as one of the persons to order the pru- dential affairs thereof," and after Southerton was annexed to the Con- necticut Colony by the new charter Mr. Stanton was appointed a com- missioner to try civil and criminal cases. He was reappointed every year up to 1677, the year before his death. County courts were estab- lished in Connecticut in 1666. Major Mason, Mr. Thomas Stanton and Lieutenant Pratt occupied the " Bench " the first year. He was elected deputy for Stonington in 1666, and reelected yearly up to 1675.
294
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF
Mr. Stanton's grant of land by the General Court in 1650 was after- wards liberally enlarged by the Court and towns of Pequot and Stoning- ton. His principal tract of land extended from the ford or riding-way a few rods below Pawcatuck Bridge, bounding easterly on the river, to Little Narragansett Bay, including several islands therein, and westerly about half way to Wequetequoc Cove ; thence northerly, bounding west- erly on Walter Palmer's land, to the west side of Taug-au-quag Hill ; thence easterly to the place of beginning.
His residence stood on the Connecticut side of the river, a few rods from and a little below the old Fording-way.
Mr. Stanton was married at Hartford to Anna Lord, daughter of Dr. Thomas and Dorothy Lord, in the year 1637. Their children were, - Thomas, born in 1638.
Mary, born in 1640.
John, born in 1643.
Hannah, born in 1644.
Joseph, born in 1646.
Daniel, born in 1648.
Dorothy, born in 1651.
Robert, born in 1653.
Sarah, born in 1654.
Samuel, born in 1657.
THOMAS MINER.
He joined the new settlement in 1653, and bought his first tract of land of Cary Latham that year, and afterwards had large grants of land from the General Court, and from the towns of Pequot and Stonington. He located himself near the mouth of Quiambog Cove, and built his house a few feet east of the present residence of Capt. Thomas Miner.
Mr. Miner came to this country from Chew-Magna, County of Somer- set, England, in the good ship Arabella, and reached Salem, Mass., June 14, 1630. Not liking that place, he went to Charlestown, where he aided in forming a church, and became a member thereof.
In 1634, the younger John Winthrop formed a company and removed with them to Saybrook; with them came our Thomas Miner, who had previously married Grace, daughter of Walter Palmer, April 20, 1633.
In 1643, Winthrop made a move to form a settlement at Nameaug or Pequot, and among his associates was Thomas Miner. In 1645, the set- tlement of that place was actually commenced, but it is not probable that Mr. Miner moved his family there before 1646. He took an active and prominent part in the affairs of the new settlement, and was elected one of the Townsmen that year. He was elected Deputy in 1650 and 1651, and was appointed by the General Court assistant, with Samuel
295
EARLY SETTLERS OF STONINGTON.
Lathrop, to John Winthrop, Esq., "for the settling of some way for de- ciding small differences among them, under the value of forty shillings." The same year he was appointed by said court to be a military sergeant in the town of Pequot, and invested with power to call forth and train the soldiers of that town according to order of court.
After Mr. Miner located himself at Quiambog, he was elected magis- trate, deputy, selectman, and chief military officer, and held in turn every office in town. Mr. Miner's homestead tract of land was bounded eastwardly by Quiambog Cove, from the head of tide-water to its mouth ; southerly by Fisher's Island Sound ; westerly by Capt. John Mason's grants ; and northerly by a sixteen pole way leading from the Mason land easterly to the first Meeting-house on Palmer's Hill.
He was a man in whom the people reposed the fullest confidence, never swerving from the path of rectitude. His piety was of the faitli- ful, honest type. He was one of the first deacons of our church, and was largely instrumental in organizing it, and labored faithfully through life to advance its prosperity.
Children of Thomas and Grace Miner : -
John, born in 1634.
Joseph, born in 1636.
Thomas, born in 1638.
Clement, born in 1640.
Ephraim, born in 1642.
-1645
Manasseth, born in 1647.
Ann, born in 1649.
Maria, born in 1650.
Samuel, born in 1652.
Elizabeth, born in 1653.
Hannah, born in 1655.
Mr. Miner died October 23, 1690.
WALTER PALMER.
He came here in 1653, and located himself on lands that he had pur- chased of Governor Haynes. He subsequently received other grants of land from the town of Pequot, adjoining his first purchase. He erected his dwelling-house on the east side of Wequetequoc Cove near the pres- ent residence of Thomas J. Wheeler, Esq., on the site of the old Slack House.
His lands were bounded on the west by Wequetequoc Cove; south by the Bay ; easterly by Thomas Stanton's grants, and north by the Chese- brough land, and lands given to Thomas Miner.
Mr. Palmer died in 1662, leaving a will which was probated in Boston, Mass.
296
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF
Walter Palmer came to this country from England, and reached Charlestown, Mass., in 1629. He brought with him his daughter Grace, whose mother died in England. He was sworn freeman May 18, 1631. Sometime before 1633 he married Rebecca Short, and with his new wife, and daughter Grace, joined the church in Charlestown, June 1, 1633, where he continued to reside until 1642, when they removed to Rehoboth, Plymouth Colony. Here he purchased and received large tracts of land, and was elected deputy to the General Court of Plym- outh in 1643 and 1647.
During his residence in Rehoboth, he held various town offices, and enjoyed largely the confidence and esteem of his fellow-citizens. Mr. Palmer died twelve years before our church was formed, but having been one of our early settlers, and prominent in laying the foundation of our town and church, I have given him this brief tribute of respect.
Children of Walter Palmer: - 1608.
, - Grace, born in England, 2. William; ti. England
Hannah, born in Massachusetts, June 15, 1634.
7. Elihu, bapt. there Jan. 24, 1636.
8. Nehemiah, born Nov. 27, 1637.
. Moses, born April 6, 1640.
/ Benjamin, born May 30, 1642.
11. Gershom, born at Recht6
1640.
John, Jonas, and William, were born in Rehoboth. 1646. She was the youngo
12. Rebecca, bom aber
CAPT. GEORGE DENISON.
He came here to reside in the year 1654. He received several large grants of land from the towns of Pequot and Stonington ; also large tracts from Oneco and Joshua, sons of Uncas.
He erected his dwelling-house near Pequot-se-pos, a few feet west of the residence of the late Oliver Denison, deceased, and subsequently surrounded it by a stockade fort. His homestead place was bounded on the west by John Stanton's farm, on the south by the Mason Highway, eastward to Palmer Hill, and then by Amos Richardson's land ; easterly by Richardson's land and the Town lots ; and northerly by said lots and lands of Capt. John Gallup.
Captain Denison was the youngest son of William and Margaret Deni- son, and came to this country in 1631, in company with the Rev. John Eliot, and settled in Roxbury, Mass., where he married Bridget Thomp- son in 1640. She died in 1643, leaving two children.
After her death, he returned to England and engaged in the civil con- flict with which the kingdom was convulsed. On his return to this country about two years afterwards, he brought with him his second wife, Ann, daughter of John Borodel, of Cork, Ireland, and one son, George Denison, Jr. No ! It was the son John who was born in England, July 16, 1646. The Son, George, Jr, was born new Londony in Stoningtonsin 1652.
297
EARLY SETTLERS OF STONINGTON. .
He was chosen Captain in Roxbury, and was "called a young soldier lately come out of the wars in England." In 1651, he came to Pequot to reside, bringing his family with him, consisting of his wife and four children, and had a house lot given him by the town, which he occupied until 1654, when he sold out and removed to this town.
Captain Denison took an active and decided part in 1656 in favor of having " Mystic and Pawcatuck " set off from Pequot, and a new township with a ministry of its own established. By this course he incurred the displeasure of the leading men of Pequot, and by favoring the claims of Massachusetts to the jurisdiction of the place, he drew upon himself the censure of the General Court, and when Southerton was incorporated and annexed to Suffolk County, he was appointed first townsman, commissioner, and "clerk of the writs."
He was active and influential in securing the favor of the Massachu- setts Court, and aided in securing large grants of land here to parties there, which 'overlapped grants made to Chesebrough, Palmer, Stanton, and others, by the General Court of Connecticut.
This alienated some of his friends.
But the reunion of the settlement by means of the new charter, had the effect of extinguishing these Massachusetts claims, and the Connecti- cut grants were left undisturbed.
When Mr. Chesebrough in 1664 asked the General Court of Con- necticut for amnesty for the planters who had favored the claim of Mas- sachusetts to this place, it was readily granted for all except Captain Denison. Two years later, it was extended to him, and ever after- wards he was regarded with favor by the General Court.
From 1671 to 1694, he represented Stonington for fifteen sessions of the General Court. He was appointed magistrate, selectman, and held almost every office in town.
While Captain Denison was prominent and active in civil affairs, he was more distinguished in military matters. With the exception of Captain John Mason, he was the most conspicuous and daring soldier of New London County, and was in fact the Miles Standish of the settlement, a natural military leader, and though holding the rank of captain, he often commanded expeditions against the Indians, and was always most suc- cessful when commander-in-chief.
He participated in the Narraganset swamp fight in 1675, and per- formed prodigies of valor. As early as February following a series of forays were commenced against the Narranganset Indians. They were commanded by Captain Denison and Capt. James Avery. These partisan bands were composed of volunteers, regular soldiers, Pequots, Mohegans and Niantics.
It was the third of these roving excursions, begun in March and
298
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF
ended April 10, 1676, in which the celebrated Narranganset chieftain, Canonchet, was taken prisoner. He was brought to Stonington, and was put to death at Anguilla, near where Gideon P. Chesebrough now resides. A council of war was held, during which his life was promised him if he would use his influence with the Indians to put a stop to the war, but he indignantly refused, saying that the Indians would not yield on any terms.
He was told of his breach of faith in not keeping the treaties which he had made with the English, and of the men, women, and children that he had massacred, and how he had threatened to burn the English in their houses ; to all of which he haughtily and briefly replied, " that he was now in their hands, and they could do with him as they pleased."
He was importuned and urged to let a councillor of his go and treat with his people, but he haughtily refused, whereupon the council of war voted for his immediate execution.
When Canonchet was told that he must die, he seemed not at all moved, but coolly answered " that he liked it well, and that he should die before his heart had grown soft, or he had said anything unworthy of himself."
He was shot by Oneco, son of Uncas, and by Cassasinamon and Her- man Garrett, two Pequot sachems. The Mohegans quartered him, and Niantics built the fire and burnt his remains. His head was sent as a " token of love " to the council at Hartford.
In June following, Captain Denison commanded a company raised in New London County, for Major Talcott's expedition against the Indians in Massachusetts. They went as far north as Northampton, and returned after having scoured the country far up the Connecticut River, but met with a very few of the Indians. After a few days' rest this army again went in pursuit of the Indians.
This time they went first to the northwest of Providence, then south to Point Judith, then home through Westerly and Stonington to New London. After a short respite they started again July 18, 1676, and made their way this time into Plymouth Colony. They went to Taun- ton, from whence they returned homeward, but hearing that a large number of Indians were working their way westward, making depreda- tions as they went, they pursued and overtook them, and had a sharp and final struggle with them beyond the Housatonic, after which they returned and the men were disbanded.
There were ten of these expeditions, including the volunteer forays under Denison and Avery. They inflicted speedy vengeance upon the Indians, and broke their power forever. The remnants of the Indian tribes were gathered together, and located wherever the English desired.
299
EARLY SETTLERS OF STONINGTON.
In all these military expeditions, Captain Denison bore a conspicuous part, and won for himself undying fame.
Captain Denison was born in 1618, and died at Hartford, October 24, 1694, during the session of the General Court, which he was attending officially, and was buried there.
Children by his first wife were: -
Sarah, born March 29, 1641.
Hannah, born May 20, 1643.
Children by his second wife were : -
George, born John, born July 16, 1646.
William, born - -1656
Ann, born - 1649
Margaret, born -. 1655.
Borodel, born - 1652.
Mercy, born --. 1658.
This is incorrect. go
wand This store It Done . Eso was born in 1652; Ann 1649. William in 1650. John was born me b. lo and named for John B dell, his mother's father.
CAPT. JOHN GALLUP.
He was among our early planters, and was the son of Capt. John Gal- lup, of Boston, Massachusetts, and both father and son were noted as Indian fighters. He came to Pequot in 1651, where he lived until 1654, when he removed to Mystic and built him a house on a tract of land given him by the town of Pequot.
His dwelling-house stood where the Messrs. Greenman's farm-house, occupied by Warren Lewis, now stands. Captain Gallup's homestead place was bounded on the west by Mystic River, south by Captain Deni- son's land, east by Denison's land and the Town lots, and on the north by Robert Parks' land.
Captain Gallup was a brave and valuable officer, and was loved and respected by his men. He lost his life in the terrible swamp fight, December 25, 1675. He married Hannah Lake, daughter of Madam Margaret Lake, and a relative of Governor Winthrop.
His children were: - John, born -. Benadam, born in 1655. William, born in 1658.
Hannah, -. Samuel, Christobel, -. Elizabeth, - -.
Mary,
Margaret, -.
300
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF EARLY SETTLERS.
THOMAS WHEELER.
He was born in 1602, and came to this country in 1635, and located himself in the town of Lynn, Massachusetts. He was made a freeman by the Massachusetts General Court in 1642. He continued to reside in Massachusetts until 1664, when he came to this town, bringing one son and two daughters with him.
He had large tracts of land given him by the town of Stonington, and made large purchases until he became the largest landholder in the town- ship. He took an active part in organizing the " town platt" and lay- ing out the ministry land, and in building the new meeting-house on Agreement Hill ; participated in the organization of the Church, and became a consistent and honored member thereof.
He was admitted a freeman by the Connecticut General Court in 1669, and was elected deputy and selectman, and held other town offices. His homestead place was situated where the late George C. Brown lived in North Stonington.
He married Mary, --.
Children : -
Isaac, born -
Elizabeth, born
Sarah, born
Mr. Wheeler died in 1686, aged 84 years.
2090
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