USA > Connecticut > New London County > Stonington > History of the town of Stonington, county of New London, Connecticut, from its first settlement in 1649 to 1900 with a genealogical register of stonington families > Part 2
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4 "To the Honoured Governour, Deputy Governour & Magistrates, together with the Deputies now assembled in the General Court a petition of the In- habitants of Mistick & Pawquatuck, humbly sheweth that whereas we have taken several grants of lands that we are now possessed of, from the Gov- erment of Coneticot, lying upon the east side of the Pequid River, being conquered land from the Pequids; & since understanding, that the Jurisdiction their of, belongs not unto them but is claimed by your selves & and as we conceive, justly, as appeares by the acts of the Commissioners in forty six, & forty seaven, we therefore humbly request the confirmation of those grants from this Honoured Court unto the present inhabitants: & that you would please to accept us under your Goverment & grant unto us the Liberties &
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HISTORY OF STONINGTON.
ing of the course pursued against them by the General Court of Connecticut.5 Massachusetts notified Connecticut, who ap- pointed a committee to confer with the planters here and bring the contest to an issue if possible.
priveledges of a Townshipp, their being allready settled in this place about twenty families: and this conquered land being accepted of & owned by you, we hope may not be unprofitable to this common-wealth, it being sufficient to afford accommodations for another towne-shipp, which may (if it should seeme good to your Honoured Courte so to dispose of it), be sufficient to gratify such persons as have beene deserving in the conquest of that land; besides the commodity of one of the most conveinent harbours in the land. And will we hope be a means conducing much to our settlement & comfort, which we humbly expecting, under your Government, whereof we have had former experience shall heartily pray: etc.
"October: 15th (57) "GEORGE DENISON, "WM. THOMPSON, "WALTER PALMER, "JOHN GALLUP, "THOMAS STANTON.
"In the name of the rest of the Inhabitants & with their consent."
"The deputties desire our honoured magistrates would be pleased to give answer to this petition in the first place.
"WILLIAM TORREY, Cleric."
"20 8mo. 57, In answer to this petition ye magistrates Judge meet yt ye letter here to Anext should be sent from ye Court to ye Genll. Court of Con- necticut if theire brethren the depts. Consent thereto.
"EDWARD RAWSON, Secrety."
"Consented to by the deputies.
"WILLIAM TORREY, Cleric."
5"Answer to Capt. Denison's Petition.
"Court Records, vol., page 266.
"In answer to the peticon of George Denison, William Thompson, Walter Palmer, Tho Stanton and Jno Gallup, the Court judgeth it mete to order, that the letter here under writt be sent to the Generall Court of Conecticott by ye secretary.
"Gentn-Wee cannot but take notice of your claime unto and disposing of the lands in the Pequot country wherein wee have alwaies challenged an interest, and yet see not reeson to laydowne the same wee have perused the judgment of the Comissrs. in 46 and 47 that the Jurisdiction on the west side of the Pequot river ought to belong to Conetticut till the Massatusets shew reasons to the contrary, against wch we shal not at prest object con- ceiving there by our title to the lands on the east side the river to be (at least tacitely) yielded to us, notwithstanding wch you have proceeded to dispose of these lands to diverse persons and to exercise Jurisdiction over them,
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HISTORY OF STONINGTON.
What was done in the premises cannot now be ascertained, for no records of their proceedings have been preserved.
In May, 1658, William Chesebrough, Thomas Stanton, and Walter Palmer, in behalf of the planters, petitioned the Massa- chusetts General Court again, stating that some of them were settled here by Governor Winthrop in 1649, by virtue of a com- mission from the court, notwithstanding which they had been called to account for their doings under their authority, and' asking for relief from such interferences from the Connecticut authorities, and also for confirmation of their lands.6
wch desire and expect you doe friendly yield up these aforesd lands on the east side of the Pequot river unto us, and that you doe not further procede to exercise authority over the Inhabitants there, or to be grievous to them, without their owne consent till the matter be determined according to the articles of confederation if (at least) your owne justice shall not prevaile with you to yield it to us wthout that trouble wee are moued at present to make knowne our claime to you by a petition presented to us from the Inhabitants thereof, supposing it will not be unacceptable to you that this business be issued peaceably & friendly, accordinge to the relation wherein wee mutually stand engaged, we shall not ad further at present, but Comitt you to God & rest.
"October 21st. 1657."
-Massachusetts Archives, vol. xxx, pages 66 and 67, by William B. Trask.
6 "To the Honorable Generall Court Assembled at Boston, the Humble peti- tion of the Inhabitants of Mistic and Pawcatuck: May it pleas you,-Whereas your pore Petioners s by the provydec of God are settled in theas pts of the Pequit Country Soomn of Vs being settled hear in the yeare 1649 by the Honnered John Winthrop Esquire now Governor of the Collony at Connectycoat by Vertu of a Coition from your honerable Court but in short tyme we weare Caled to the Court at Conctcoat to give acount by what athoryty we heare settled we answered as aforesaid but the Court answered that theas parts did belong to them by Patent & Purchase & the agrement of the Comiconers & did require our subjection but now all of vs vnderstand- ing that it doth of right belong to this Jurisdiction & that you have beene pleased gratiously to accept a petition from vs alredy we are bould still to petition that you will please to Confarme our lands and Possestions & to grant vs the liberty of a Township & the privyledges thearof & likewise Charrytably to Consider our remoatnes as also being surrounded with many indyans & many malignant percons often passing this way as quakers and others that you will be pleased thearfore to establish soomm such athoryty among vs that we may be preserved in righteousnes & peac we have with this our peticon sent our Honnered Friend Capt. George dennysoun home, we Judge Faithfull, he knos well in what stait we are to hose Care and Faithful-
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HISTORY OF STONINGTON.
But this was denied them, accompanied, however, by a sug- gestion that the whole matter in dispute be referred to the Com- missioners of the United Colonies, and meantime to order their affairs by common agreement until provision be made in their behalf. In answer to the suggestion of the Massachusetts General Court they organized the following association for their own protection :
"The Asotiation of Poquatuck peple, June 30th 1658: Whereas thear is a difference betwene the 2 Collonyes of the Matachusetts and Conecticoate about the government of this plac, whearby we are deprived of Expectation of protection from either, but in way of Curtecy, & wheareas we had a com- mand from the generall Court of the Matachusetts to order our own busines in peac with common consent till further provition be made for us, in obedyience to which commuand we have addressed our selvs thearunto, but connot atain it in regard of soomm distractions among ourselves, and thear hath bene injurious insolencys done unto soom persons,-the cattell of others threatened
nes we Comit the transaction of all our matters with the Honnorable Court thus Craueing Pardon For the rudenes of our lynes with desire you may Find more vertu in our actions we rest & wait your Charatable answer. Your per- etitioners.
"WILLM CHESEBROUGH "WALTER PALMER "THO. STANTON "in the prsance of the Rest.
"May 10th 1659."
"In Answer to ye Petition of the Inhabitants of Misticke, The Court Con- sidering there hath bene no Answer Retourned from the Generall Court of Conecticott to our letter directed to them which Giues vs Cawse to Imagine they are not Resolved to give vp theire Claime to those lands so that the matter in likely to Come to be Judged by the Commissionrs, The Court thinks meete to forbeare further Acting therein till the meeting of the Com- missionrs and doe expect & Require the Inhabitants to Carry themselves & order theire Commissioners and doe expect & Require the Inhabitants to carry themselves & order theire affaires peacably & by Comon Agreement in the meane while and till other provision be made in thir behalfe: And further doe desire our Commissioners to be mindfull of this busines & endeavor Issue thereof at the next meeting. The magists have past this wth Reference to ye Consent of theire brethren the deputys thereto.
"Consented to by the deputies
"EDWARD RAWSON, Secrety
WILLIAM TORREY, Cleric "25th 3d 1659"
-Mass. Archives, vol. 112. pp. 105, 106, by William B. Trask.
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HISTORY OF STONINGTON.
to be taken away,-and the chattell of soom others already taiken away by violence.
"We haveing taken into consideration that in tymes so full of danger as theas are, unyon of our harts and percons is most conducing to the publick good & safety of the place,-thearfore in pursuance of the same, the better to confirm a mutual confydence in one another & that we may be perserved in righteousness and peac with such as do commenc with us, & that mis- demeanors may be corrected and incorrygable persons punished :- We hose names are hereunto subscribed do hearby promis, testify & declare to maintain and deffend with our persons and estait the peac of the plac and to aid and assist one another acoarding to law & rules of righteousness acoarding to the true intent & meaning of our asociation till such other provition be maide ffor us as may atain our end above written, whereunto we willingly give our assent, & nether ffor ffear hoape or other respects shall ever relinquish this promis till other provition be maide ffor us. And we do not this out of anny disrespec unto either of the afoarsaid governments which we are bound ever to honnor, but in the vacancy of any other aforesaid.
"GEORGE DENISON,
"THOMAS SHAW,
"NATHANIEL CHESEBROUGH,
"ELIHU PALMER,
"THOMAS STANTON,
"ELISHA CHESEBROUGH,
"MOSES PALMER,
"WALTER PALMER,
"THO. STANTON,
"WILLM CHESEBROUGH,
"SAMUEL CHESEBROUGH,
"Upon the request of severall among us to enter into this association with us they are admitted and have accordingly subscribed thear names. "June 30, 1658.
"By virtue of this association, that justice may not be obstructed &c, the peac preserved,-we maid choise of Captain Gorg Dennyson and Willm. Chesebrough to be comytioners to issue out warrants & to cause to be brought before them anny suspitious percons, or ffor any misdemeanor, & to hear & to determine the casses, and to pronounce sentence upon them & to see the judgment executed, provided it extended not to the los of life or limb or banishment or stigmatizing; in such casses as thear power will not reach due punishment ffor the crime, then to taik order that their percons may be secured, and sent whear Justice may procede against them.
"And ffurthur, they are to issue all other differences, whether of debts or cases, and to kepe a register of thear actions providid allwaies the action excede not fforty pound.
"This choise is the act of the whole body of the Asociates.
"WALTER PALMER
"THOMAS STANTON."
-Stonington Records.
Following out these suggestions, George Denison and his associate planters assembled on the 30th day of June, 1658, and formed a compact called by them "The Association of Pawca-
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HISTORY OF STONINGTON.
tuck People," which was organized for municipal purposes only, and not in defiance of the laws of either colony, but was estab- lished by them with a firm purpose to maintain it until some provision adequate to their wants should be made for them. The question in dispute between the Massachusetts and Con- necticut colonies as to jurisdiction was referred to the Commis- sioners of the United Colonies, who in 1658 rendered a decision8 that all the Pequot territory west of Mystic River belonged to Connecticut, and all the territory east of it, including Stonington, North Stonington and part of the town of Westerly, belonged to Massachusetts. In order to bring the Pequot territory
8 "September 1658 .- The Issue of the difference betwixt the two Colonies of the Massachusetts and Conecticott about the Pequot Country being jointly referred to the Commissioners of the other colonies.
"Whereas there is a controversy again revived betwixt the two colonies of Massachusetts and Connecticut concerning their interest in the Pequott. country, and many pleas have been made on both sides for their greater interest; we having seriously weighed what hath been by each of them alledged, conceive the determination doth arise only from their several rights by conquest, the which for ought we can understand is not greatly different. yet being tender of any inconvenience or disturbance that may accrue to thos that are already possessed either by commission from the Massachusetts or Connecticut in any part thereof (should they now be put off their improvements) . and also upon inquiry finding that the Pequot country which extendeth from Nianticke to a place called Wecopaug about ten miles eastward from Mistick river may conveniently accommodate two plantations or townships we therefrom (respecting things as they do now stand) do conclude that Mistick River be the bounds between them as to proprietie and to jurisdiction so far as conquest may give title thereunto; always provided that such as are already accom- modated by commission from either of the governments, or grants of any tracts of land on any side of the said Mistick river be not molested in their possessions or rights by any after grants, and that all due care be had that Christian society and ordinances may be provided for and upholden according to God, in each plantation.
"THOMAS PRENCE, "JOSIAS WINSLOW, "FRANCIS NEWMAN, "WILLIAM LEETE.
"Boston 16th of Septem. 1658.
"By bounding it by Misticke River we intend that river shall be the bounds so far as the pond by Lanthorn Hill, and thence from the middle of the said pond to run away upon a north line."-Records of the United Colonies. Plymouth Colony Records. vol x, p. 209.
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HISTORY OF STONINGTON.
east of Mystic River under the jurisdiction of Massachusetts, the General Court adopted the following resolution :
"At the second session of the General Court held at Boston the 19th of October, 1658. In answer to the petition of the inhabitants of Mystic and Pawcatuck the Court judgeth it meet to grant that the English plantation between Mystic and Pawcatuck be named Southertown and to belong to the County of Suffolk and order that all the prudential affairs thereof be man- aged by Capt. George Denison, Robert Park, William Chesebrough, Thomas Stanton, Walter Palmer and John Meinot sen., til the court take further order and that Capt. George Denison, William Chesebrough and John Minot (Thomas Miner meant) be commissioners to end small causes there and to deal in criminal matters as one magistrate may do, and that Walter Palmer be constable, Capt. Denison Clerk of the writs, and he also is hereby em- powered and authorized to solemnize marriages between such as are published according to law; that the said Capt. Denison taking his oath be empowered to give the oath to the other two, provided always the bounds of the town is not hereby determined (at the same court.)
"In answer to petition of Inhabitants of Southertown, humbly desiring for several reasons that the bounds of their plantation may extend into the country northward between Weacapauge and Mystic river eight miles from the mouth of Mystic River.
"The Court judgeth it meet to grant request."-Mass. Archives. Wm. B. Trask.
At the next session of the Massachusetts General Court, after this decision was rendered, they passed an act that the English plantation between Mystic and Pawcatuck Rivers should be named Southerton, and belong to the county of Suffolk, Mass., and appointed Capt. George Denison and others to manage the prudential affairs thereof until the court take further orders.
Walter Palmer was appointed constable, and the bounds of the plantation were extended into the country northward eight miles from the mouth of Mystic River.10
10 "We whose names are vender written being chosen by the Towne of Southertown to lay out the bounds according to the Courts grant, the which we did as followeth, ffirst we began at Misticke Rivers mouth, and ffrom thence we run six miles to the north, northeast to the pond lying by Lanthorne Hill, where we marked a chestnut tree with six noches right against the middle of the pond, which pond we ffound to be seuen chains and one pole wide, and ffrom thence we run two miles de north to an ash tree which we marked ffouer ways and set eight noches ffor the eight miles lying by a little still brooke, and we run from thence due east tenn miles and one quarter and twelve chains to white oake tree marked with X and SV. and ffrom
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HISTORY OF STONINGTON.
Thus, after a severe and protracted struggle, they succeeded in obtaining a local government. It should be borne in mind that the Massachusetts General Court did not create or even organize a new township, but simply declared that the English plantation between Mystic and Pawcatuck Rivers should be called Southertown. They recognized in part the local asso- ciation of the people, and extended and confirmed their bounds.
During the years 1659, 1660 and 1661 several town-meetings were held for the purpose of building and locating a meeting- house, which was raised May 13, 1661, and was so far completed as to be ready for use in September of that year, when the Commissioners of the United Colonies being in town attended worship there, and were addressed by that stern old warrior statesman, Capt. John Mason. This, the first meeting-house of Stonington, stood a short distance southwest of the residence of Mr. Henry M. Palmer.
It is not known how large it was or what its shape or style, but from some facts that may be gleaned from the old town records, it is probable that it was a small building and but partially finished, for as early as 1667, six years after it was raised, a vote was passed in town meeting to repair it and make it more comfortable; and even after it was repaired the people did not use it in cold weather, but held their meetings at the house of Amos Richardson, which was situated a little way east of the meeting-house.
Rev. Mr. Thompson remained here until 1659 when he re- moved to New London, September 30th of that year. The Rev. Zachariah Brigden of Boston, Mass., preached here by invitation of the town, which subsequently held a meeting for the purpose
thence we run due south six miles and three quarters, there we crossed Poquatuck River and ffrom thence vpon the same line to a place called Quan- aquatag which line poynted vpon Block Island which Quanaquatag lies east of Weeckapoug two miles and quarter, which two miles a quarter we took possession ffor the countrie to dispose of either for us or as the countrie shall cause.
"GEORGE DENISON,
"THOMAS PARKE,
"Dated the 2nd. of March 1659."
-Stonington Town Records."
THOMAS MINER, THOMAS STANTON, SAMUEL CHESEBROUGH.
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HISTORY OF STONINGTON.
of securing his services. Mr. Brigden labored here until his death, which took place April 24, 1662. After his death Mr. Chauncey and Fletcher preached for the town until the spring of 1664, when the town appointed a committee to go to the Bay (Massachusetts) and procure a minister for the town, who invited Mr. James Noyes of Newbury, to become their gospel- preaching minister. He accepted the invitation, and came here in the latter part of June, 1664, and continued his labors preach- ing as a licentiate until 1674, when he was ordained. In 1660-61 an old Pequot captain, known as Soche, laid claim to that part of Southertown called Misquamicut, and lying east of Pawcatuck River, and sold it to a number of planters from Newport, Middle- town and Portsmouth, R. I., who took possession and held it as part of Rhode Island Colony. The planters here were greatly vexed by the conflict of jurisdiction, and serious trouble grew out of it. In some instances the same territory was granted by each of the then colonies to different persons, and long years of litiga- tion was the result.
Sorely pressed by these difficulties, and annoyed by the apprehension that the Connecticut Colony meditated their sub- jection, the selectmen, or townsmen, as they were then called, in behalf of the town, under January 19, 1662, again petitioned the Massachusetts General Court for redress of grievances,1 to
1 "To the Honored Governor deputye Governor and magistrates together with the Counsell of Generall Court of the mattachusetes the petition of the inhabitants of southertowne humbly sheweth that whereas by the Good prov- idence of God we have bin orderly put vnder your Goverment by the cometioners of the vnighted Collonies, acording vnto articles of confederation: by which means through your Faviour we have ffor this several years enjoyed our peace, with many other liberties and privilidges both sivell and spirituall, which we could not formerly injoy, or bee made pertakers of, notwithstanding all our indevers and adresses made vnto those, who claimed a proprietye in thes parts, the which peace of ours, together with your authoritye amongst vs hath bin much interrupted, and your authoritye together with all our priv- iledges much impugned by the authoritye of Coneticots sending downe amongst vs these warrants, and prohibiting vs the exersice of any authoritye amongst vs but such as shall be derived from them; indevering to make a faction, or to incorage the same amongst vs, that so thay might attaine there owne eandes, which how reguler it is we leaue vnto your visdoms to judge,-these things haue ocationed vs to make seuerall adreses vnto your honored selues and we have had your faiourable acseptance therein, as manifestly apears by
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HISTORY OF STONINGTON.
which no response seems to be made. On the 22d of April, 1662, Governor Winthrop succeeded in obtaining a new charter of Connecticut from King Charles II. The eastern boundary of the colony was therein fixed at Pawcatuck River, thus placing a large part of the town of Southertown under the jurisdiction of Connecticut, leaving that part east of Pawcatuck River under the control of Rhode Island.
Massachusetts gracefully yielded obedience to the new charter.
At the October session of the General Court for that year the charter was publicly read to the assembled freemen of Con- necticut, and from that time forward became the recognized law of the land.
At the same session it was ordered that "ye inhabitants of Mystic, and Pawcatuck, not Southertown, shall from henceforth forbear to exercise authority by virtue of Commissioners from any other Colonies, and in case any differences that may arise, they repair to our Dept. Governor for help, and they choose a constable for the year ensuing, and ye said constable to repair to the Dept. Governor for his oath. And they are re- quired to pay unto Mr. James Noyes, Lt. Samuel Smith, and Ensign Avery, for in behalf of the Charter, the sum of twenty pounds as their towns proportion, two-thirds in wheat at four
your letters vnto Coneticot, and orders vnto your selues, for the preservation of our peace and the retaining vs vnder your Goverment (which faviour we cannot but thankfully take notis of, and doth Firther oblidg vs vnto your service and our owne fidellitye and dutye): yet not withstanding all your indevers and letters vnto Coneticut, for the preservation of our peace, etc. it doth two manifestly apear that thay doe slight boh your letters, and power, for thay still continue to trouble vs with there warrants, requireing our obedienc, and seeke to tirrifye vs with there threats if we shall not attend there orders, which may apear in part vnto your selues, by sum letters or orders which of leate came vnto sum of our facktions persons, the which we thought meete to sease, and send downe with these, for your better in- formation; what their intentions are we know not, for it is giuen out and we have cause to feare, that they will not at least willingly be tryed by the cometioners, but that they will force vs by power, it haueing bin Giuen out that they will have Capt. denison alive or dead, and that there will bee many widowes and fatherless Children amongst vs are long, together with there Countinancing and complyanc with those vnreasonable men of road iland now at Paquatuck one of these cheefe saying openly that thay had rather the road Ilands should haue that land than the bay, with many high and slighting
ยท
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HISTORY OF STONINGTON.
shillings, and one-third in peas at three shillings eight pence, by the last of November next." It does not appear that the town of Southertown was represented in the General Court of Massa- chusetts while it was under the jurisdiction of that colony; nor were the planters represented in the General Assembly of
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