The history and genealogies of ancient Windsor, Connecticut, Vol. I, Part 22

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909
Publication date: 1891
Publisher: Hartford, Conn., Press of the Case, Lockwood & Brainard company
Number of Pages: 1038

USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Windsor > The history and genealogies of ancient Windsor, Connecticut, Vol. I > Part 22

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

178

EXTRACTS FROM TOWN ACTS, 1650-1675.

brought in those two days aforesaid, then the townsmen are to cause the rest to be brought in. Also, he is to have a penny for every single per- son that he shall fetch over in the [boat] but if he shall fetch over more than one at a time, he is to have but a half penny a person, and 2 pence for a horse, and . . . if he fetch them over the river. . but if he carry them up to Mr. Warham's ' he is to have 3 pence for a horse [and] man, except such as shall be employed in [public] service shall pay nothing." (Bk. i. 2, 3.)

May 5th. "At a meeting of the townsmen Mr. Clarke was appointed to sit in the great pew." (Bk. i. 5.)

Mr. Clark had been appointed a magistrate the year previous - and according to the enstom of the day was honored with a seat in the " great pew," which was wainscotted and expressly designed as a place of special dignity.

October 8th. "After lecture it was voted by the inhabitants then present, that Mr. Warham should have £100 for his labours for this year ensuing, and for after time as the town shall see meet. Also Mrs. Hewit to have £20 the year ensuing." (Bk. i. 5.) " Likewise the same, September 29th, 1652."

This annuity to the widow of their beloved teacher was continued from the time of his decease in 1644 to 1656, or thereabouts.

November 16th. " Samuel Eagelstone began to beat the drum to give warning to meetings on the Lord's days, twice in the morning seasonably, and once after dinner: and also on lecture days twice, and is so to continue for a twelve month following, and is to have 10x, for his labours." (Bk. i. 6.)

1651-2, January 13th. "Articles of Agreement made between the Townsmen of Windsor the one party, and Thomas Parsons the other party, about keeping the passage over the Rivulet for one year, to begin on the 25th of March next ensuing, the date above written, and so contime until that time twelve months. His daily time, to begin to give his attendance, is by the rising of the sun, and to continue till the shutting up of the evening; and for any that shall have occasion to pass over in the evening after his day is ended, shall pay for one single person Id; and if above one, 2 for a peuny, and for a horse and man 2d; and for strangers that pass upon any occasion to pay a ha'penny a person, and for a horse and man 2d; and in flood time, when they go to the other side of the meadow, 3d, man and horse. Likewise Indians halfpener a piece. Only Hart- ford men are to pass free at all times, and on lecture days, and that come to lectures. Hle is to have a great Boat for horse, and a little canoe besides, delivered into his hands with chains for [them], and a lock For the great Boat; and he is to secure them, and de- liver them up to the Town again when his year is out. And no man shall have liberty to take them for any use without his consent; also if any man have more than ordinary occasion in the morning before the sun rising. they calling. he shall help them over; also any that go about public occasions for country service, as Magistrates, Deputies, Jurors, to come free.

) The ferry, as will be recollected, was at the old road near the Dea Morgan pres. ent dwelling; but when the water was high the meadow was overflowed, and the ferry. man was obliged to carry his passengers over the submerged meadow, and land them at Mr. Warham's, which was the high ground now occupied by the Alvah Rowland place.

174

HISTORY OF ANCIENT WINDSOR.

"And in consideration of his labour, he is to have £18. for a year, paid in wheat, peas, and Indian corn, besides what he gets by strangers. The corn in equal propor- tions, and to be brought into Thomas Parsons house: $9, on the 29th September next, and the other $9 in the beginning of March following. He is also to have a little house set up at the Town cost, 12 feet in length, and 8 feet in breadth - this is to be done by tlwe 25th of March next, finished to his hand. In witness whereof we have interchang- ably set our hands.

" WILLIAM PHELPS, WILLIAM GAYLORD, JOHN MOORE, DAVID WILTON, JOHN STRONG.

THOMAS [X] PARSONS.

(Bk. i. 6 and 7.)

Mar. 24th. "There were three men chosen to take view of the Town, according to the order of Court for that purpose.

" HENRY WOLcorr, Commissioner. JOHN BISSELL, MATHEW GRANT."

1652, September 13th. " It is assented that John Hillier shall have for the digging of all graves, one with another, 1s. 64. per grave, and is to attend it on all occasions." (Bk. i. I1.)

Sept. 29th. An agreement was made between the Townsmen and Gregory Gibbs, who took the Rivulet ferry on nearly the same terms as Parsons had done the year previous.

Dec. 13th. " It is ordered that swine shall not run at large on penalty of 6d. and their damage paid." (Bk. i. 13.)

1653. During the previous year hostilities had been commenced be- tween the Dutch and English, and the well-known conduet of the former gave rise to much apprehension that the Indians would be instigated to a general revolt. This of course spread a general alarm throughout New England, and the Commissioners of the United Colonies, in session at Boston, in May, having "considered what number of soldiers might be necessary, if God called the Colonies to war with the Dutch :" ordered that 500 men should be raised out of the four colonies ; of which Connecticut was to furnish 66. Of these 12 were from Windsor. A committee was appointed, consisting of Mr. Wolcott, Mr. Chester, Mr. Clark, Mr. Phelps, and David Wilton, with whom the constable was to advise in regard to pressing the men.

Sept. 8th. "The Court doth grant the soldiers of these four towns on the River [ Hartford, Windsor, Wethersfield and Middletown and Farmington], one day for a Gen- eral Training together -and they have liberty to send to Captain Mason to desire his presence, and to give him a call to command in chief, and to appoint the day; provided that each town shall have power to reserve a guard at home for the safety of the towns, as occasion shall serve." (Col. Rer.)

175

EXTRACTS FROM TOWN ACTS, 1650-1675.

This order was undoubtedly the origin of that famous Connectient institution, General Training Day.

November 8th. "William Gaylord, the Elder, and John Strong, are to appoint what calves shall be reared for bulls, on this side of the River, likewise for the other side." (Bk. i. 15.)

1653-4, February 6th. " A meeting of the townsmen, there was a case presented by John Moore, in behalf of others of his neighbors, with himself, against John Bissell, concerning herding of cattle. And whereas it has been proved that John Bissell hath had several of his young cattle kept among their cattle by their herdsman, it is judged to be equity for John Bissell to pay a suitable proportion with them, according to his cattle, which is evidenced to be thirteen young beeves and two the price of a cow, ac. cording to hire rates, 3x, 27. 3 farthings, which amounts to $1. 1x." (Bk. i IS.)

1654, October. Windsor contributed & soldiers to the Narragansett expedition against Ninigret. ordered by the Commissioners of the United Colonies ; also "a sergeant, two barrels of meat, one barrel of peas, and a boat."

1654-5, Feby, 5th An agreement made with John Bartlett to keep the Rivulet Ferry on same terms as Gregory Gibbs had before kept it. He is to have " £18 in wheat, pease and Indian corn, in equal proportions, according to the ordinary price." (Bk. i. 22.)

1655, May 28th. "Being the Day appointed for training, in the afternoon, and a pretty full meeting, and also most of the ancient men, there was a vote put for the choice of a Captain, and it was assented to that there should be a captain chosen, but with this proviso, that whosoever it fell to, he should perform the service of the place, without expecting any wages or maintainance from the town. In proposing about the choice, it fell to be Captain upon Lieutenant Cooke, for he had 87 papers; and for all that were brought into nomination besides were but 19 papers. In the choice of a Lieutenant, Mr. Newbury had 80 papers, and all the rest were but 13. In the choice of an Ensign, David Wilton had the choice, by 6 papers more than Daniel Clark." (Bk. i. 24.)

Sept. 15th. "AAlso appointed to have the great meadow cleared of Indian corn by the 26th of this month. And the east of the great river to be cleared by the 3d day of October following."

November 26th. "The Townsmen met and appointed somewhere to set in the meeting-house."

1655-6, February 4th. "At a meeting of the Townsmen, it was taken into consider- ation, that which was referred to them by the vote of the town, to give such encourage- ment to the man that was propounded for a eurrier, as has manifested inclinations to come to us, so that the town would procure him the house of Henry Curtis with the lot. They do now agree that David Wilton shall send a letter with the first opportunity in the spring. And to encourage him the town shall provide him a house convenient at the present [time] and procure him the house and lot of Henry Curtis, if it be to be sold. And to add something for a shop; or if that be not to be procured. they will be- stow as much as it is worth, in a convenient place, and if he lives and dies with us, and affords us the use of his trade, he shall have it to him and his heirs; cise to leave it to the Town." (Bk. i. 27.)

"Also that Richard Oldage and Samuel Marshall shall be propounded to the Gen- eral court to be appointed sealers of leather." (Bk. i. 27.)

"Also an agreement made with William Edwards. Cooper, of Hartford. He is to take Simon Hillier, son of John Hillier, deceased, and keep him until he is 21 yrs, of age, which will be completed and ended on the 25th day of Dec., 1669; he is to learn him

176

HISTORY OF ANCIENT WINDSOR.

to write and read English, and cast accounts, and be at the cost, and use his best en- deavors, to get his seurf head cured. Also to learn him the trade of a cooper, and at the end of his time to let him go free, and give him double apparel, a musket, sword, aod bandoliers, and 20×; and Mr. Wolcott and David Wilton are to sign indentures be- twixt them at the times of the General Court at Hartford on March, next ensuing." (Bk. i. 27.)

March 3. " It was a day of training, and it being propounded to the Company there assembled what they would give Mr. Warham for this year, that is, from Septem- ber to September, next ensuing, it was jointly voted that they would give him fourscore and ten pounds." (Bk. i. 28.)

March 10. "The Townsmen met, and it was judged by them that Mr. Phelps should keep James Hillier one twelvemonth after the end of next May ensuing. and then to let him go from him with a double apparel, yet with this casion [proviso]; If the Townsmen see any man willing and fit to take him to bring him to a trade, Mr. Phelps is to let him go at any time after next May; also Mr. Phelps saith he will not be bound to keep him if the disease of the thistles should break out again."

August 18th. "The major part of the townsmen met and according to the order ing of the [court ] that the townsmen of Windsor from year to year, do take care for the preserving of the estate of John Hillier, deceased, for the benefit of his children, do now for the present agree that because the widow of the said John Hillier is towards join- ing herself in a second marriage, that she shall not have power to dispose of any part for her own, until the court make a distribution." (Bk. i. 31.)

September 1st. "Training day; the Townsmen appointed the 25th of this month to open the meadow."

"Also voted, by the company, that the gnard that carried arms to meeting, should have { pound of powder for the two years now past, and so likewise those now pres- ently appointed for the year to come, and so afterwards." (Bk. i. 31.)

"Also assented to, by divers persons present, and appointed that at the next oppor- tunity to be propounded to the rest of the Townsmen, that Capt. Cook shall eanse that seasonable warning shall be given to come to meeting on the Lord's days and lecture days, by Drum or trumpet, on the top of the meeting house, and should have 20s. for the year ensuing." "Sept. 6th. It was confirmed." (Bk. i. 31.)

1656-7, Feb. 10. " It was voted to allow Mrs. Huit [an annuity] as formerly, only Nicholas Palmer, John Griswold, Jacob Gibbs, Anthony Hoskins, John Denslow, Jos. HIosford opposed it." (Bk. i. 32.)

October 26. " The Town met and agreed to have the burying place made commo- dious. David Wilton doth hereby engage himself and his [successors] forever to main- tain whatsoever fence belongs to the burying place of Windsor, now joining to his land, and also to make and maintain a commodious gate for passage to it. Also, to clear it of all stubs and boughs that grows upon it, between this and next Spring, and to sow it with English grass that it may be decent and comely, and he, and his heirs, is to have the benefit of the pasture forever." (Bk. i. 34.)

November 26. "At a town meeting warned, Mr. Warham's rate, Mr. Huit's and John Bartlett's [rate] for the ferry were published. Also a general vote passed for the entertainment of a new smith, and to give him £10 and lend him £20, to pay it again in work."

1657-8, March 11. A troop of thirty horse. of 37 mon. the first in the colony, was organized by the General Court, and placed under the command of Capt. John Mason. On the list of troopers " presented and allowed " by the court, we find the following Windsor names :

177

EXTRACTS FROM TOWN ACTS, 1650-1675.

Mr. Daniel Clark, (Lieut.)

John Williams,

Thomas Allyn.

Nathaniel Loomis,

Samuel Marshall, (Capt.) .John Bissell,

Thomas Loomis,

George Phelps,

Capt. Aaron Cook, Ens. David Wilton,

Stephen Terry,

Simon Wolcott,

William Hayden,

Thomas Strong,

John Hosford, John Moses,

John Porter.

Of this troop the captains were: Daniel Clark, 1664; Simon Wol- cott. 1705: Daniel White, 1716.

This year was one of great sickness and mortality in Connecticut. as well as in New England generally. Religions controversy and the implacable animosity of the Indians gave constant alarm to both rulers and people. The crops also were unusually light. and " it was a year of fear, perplexity, and sorrow."

1658-9, January 8. "At a town meeting, it was voted that Samuel Graut should try and seal measures for the town."

"Also, that Peter Brown that keeps the mill should take but single toll, or the six- teenth part of all grain for his grinding ; only of Indian corn it was voted by the Major part that he should take toll and half, from this time until the 25th of March next ensu- ing, but no longer."

"Also, that John Bartlett is to continue the keeping of the ferry, and is not to put in any man without the Townsmen's approbation, and the Townsmen are to see to the providing of some stones and timber to build him a cellar at the ferry house; and he is to pay the cost of it out of this ferry rate, and when he leaves the keeping of the ferry, or does not give honest content in the place, but the Townsmen must seek another, then he is to leave the cellar, and the town must give him for it as it is worth." (Bk. i. 37.)

1659, March 27. "The trumpet was sounded again to give warning to meeting." (Bk. i. 38.)

June 1. "Also this day, terms agreed upon about the tolls at the mill; Mr. Warham is to have the sixteenth part, or two quarts upon a bushel, of all English and malt grinding, and for Indian corn a twelfth part, or three quarts upon a bushel grinding." (Bk. i. 39.)1

Dee. 10. "Also, it is granted by the town that Capt. Cooke shall have half the ordi- nary pay, in the next town rate, for seven young wolves taken out of an ohl one." (Bk. i. 40.)

Febr'y 16, 1659-60. Capt. Cook was again paid for "4 wolves." Judging from the frequency of similar items on the town records, the Captain and his townsman, Daniel Hayden, were the Nimrods of Wind- sor. They certainly made great havoc among the wolves of that neigh- borhood. Many years after the settlement of the country these animals were very numerous, and committed frequent depredations. As early as 1647 the General Court offered a bounty of 10s. for every wolf " killed

' Indian corn, being more difficult to grind than what was then known as English grain, was allowed a heavier toll,

VOL. I .- 23

HISTORY OF ANCIENT WINDSOR.

within 10 miles of any plantation in this Commonwealth," which bounty was to be paid by the town in which the animal was killed, or by the nearest town. The earliest town act of Windsor, which is preserved in 1650, adds 5s, to this 10x. offered by the court. This sum was after- wards increased, until 1667. when the whole bounty amounted to 25x. Indians, likewise, were especially encouraged to kill wolves, for each of which they were to be paid 20%, in wampum, at the rate of six pieces for a penny. Wolves were generally caught with baited hooks, or in pits dug for the purpose. In 1656 the court decreed that " what person soever, either Indian or English, shall take any wolf out of any pit made by any other man to catch wolves in, whereby they would dofrand the right owner of their due from the town or the country, every such offender shall pay to the owner of the pit 10x, or be whipped on their naked bodies not exceeding 6 stripes."

The following shows the names and number of the householders of Windsor, and the manner of their " seating" in the meeting-honse. It is extracted from an old Book of Rates :

January 18, 1659-60. "A note [was] taken what dwelling houses are in the town, that the owners of them have paid for seats in the Meeting house, and how much and by whom. For those that have been placed in the two rows of long seats were first seated by five in a seat, and were to pay to William Buel 3x a person, or 6x for a man and his wife; and that made up his pay when he had finished them with doors. Also, those that were placed in the short seats, at the first were to pay 3x a person, as they in the long seats; but when it was agreed that those seats should be raised higher for more convenient hearing, they were to pay Wm. Buel 6x a person more, so that for a man and his wife ix. First I set down those that have paid, and were placed in the long seats when they paid.

Thomas Ford,

Abraham Randall, 4× 9d

Bray Rossiter, .

Matthias Johnson,

John Porter,

George Phillips,

6.x

Stephen Terry,

George Phelps, 6.x

Henry Wolcott,

Samuel Allen, .

John Bissell,

Mr. [Francis] Stiles, 3x

Thomas Sowell,

John Drake, Senr.,

Thomas Thornton,

Eltwed Pomeroy,

4.x 8d

Arthur Williams,

Humphrey Pinney,

fix

Thomas Buckland,

Roger Williams,

6.x

Thomas Guhn. .

Matthew Grant,

6×

Thomas Holcomb,

David Wilton, . 6×

Robert Winchell,

Thomas Dewey,

6.x

Walter Fyler,

William Hubbard,

Jonathan Gillet,

Richard Vore. .

Josias Hull, 6.x

Thomas Bascomb,

Thomas Iloskins,

Nico. Palmer, .

Anthony Hawkins,

6×

W'm. Thrall,

Peter Tilton,

John Rockwell,

Joshua Carter, .

John Hakes,

Philip Randall,

John Moore,

Begat Eggleston,

Aaron Cooke, .

179

John Stiles, Seur,

fix

John Rockwell, by his mother,

William Buel, .

6x Richard Oldage,

3.x

Samuel Pond. .

John Young,

Nat. Gillet.

lis

Owen Tudor,

Thomas Parsons,

Simon Hoyt, .

Jeffry Baker, .

$15 8x 5d

Those that were placed in the short seats, what they have paid.

William Hayden,

Daniel Clarke, .

Henry Newbury,

William Philips,

Henry Stiles,

Stephen Taylor,

William Gaylord, jr.,.

Samuel Gaylord,

Benedict Alvord,

Simon Wolcott, by Thomas Orton,

Jacob Drake,

John Hosford, by his mother,

3× 6dl

Robert Hayward,

Geo. Crist. Wolcott,

Simon Mills,

4x 6cl

Rob. Wilson,

James Enno,

Miles Merwin, .

William F'illey.

5% 97

Thomas Barber, Tx

Mic. Johnson, .

[Robert] Watson,

Thomas Gilbert,

Thomas Deble, .

Richard Weller,

Samuel Phelps,

William Hannum,

Nath. Phelps, .

Alexander Alvord,

Richard Birge,

0 9

John Osborn,

Henry Curtis, .

3.x

George Alexander,

Edward Griswold,

John Drake,

£10 17× 3

In the Pews.

Mr. Allyn,

Mr. Allyn. fix

Mr. Loomis,

Mr. Phelps,

Mr. [John] Witchfield,

2× 677

Mr. Clark,

Goode Denslow, 3x

C. Cook.

Goode Gibbs, 3x

Mr. Wolcott,

Goode Hoskins, 1×

Mr. Terry,

Deacon Gaylord's wife.

3.x

Jolin Bissell,

Mr. Clarke,

Mr. Stoughton,

Mr. Mason,

3.8

£1 11× 6d

John Wilcoxson,

Women

(. Gibbs. N. Denslow, W. Hoskins.

Rhody Taylor, .

Anthony Dorchester,

EXTRACTS FROM TOWN ACTS, 1650-1675.

Job Drake, Joseph Loomis,

180

IHISTORY OF ANCIENT WINDSOR.

"Now to set down persons as they are seated and how their seats have been paid for."

9 long seats, with 6 in a seat. 13 short seats, with 3 in a seat.

Houses that have seats paid for by their first owners, and the present dwellings in them, if any, have no seats.

9 names."

1659-60. January 23. "The Townsmen met, and JJohn Loomis and Joseph were at a debate with the Townsmen, abont Joseph's seat. Mr. Henry Clark and Mr. Warham assorted, that the issue was that he had lost his seat. according to order that was first made."

December 20. " Also to repair roof of the meeting house, left to townsmen to agree npon." " Also agreement made by the townsmen with John Bartlett, for keep- ing the ferry 7 years, was published and assented to." (Bk i. 42.)

In the annual estimate of Town Expenses this year we find the fol- lowing items :

"For 16 wolves taken 58. For cleansing the meeting house and drum $4. Thos. Parsons for his canoe to serve the ferry $5. Mr. Wolcott for liquors for hounds 2x 6d. For the remainder of the work, to the silling and underpinning of the meeting house C10 19x Gd. Win. Buch for a pair of stocks and mending some seats 9x 6d. Nat. Cook for cutting ice 1× 2d. For 1000 nails of John Bissell 158, &e., &c."

1660-1, Jannary . "The Townsmen met and agreed that the Meeting House should be shingled. all the gutters on both sides the lanthorn, and not alter the form of the roof."

" Also agreed with William Buell to alter the great pew into two, one part for the magistrates, and one for others, and that it be raised equal with [the] short seats."

". Also, those that be seated and never paid, neither themselves nor by their prede cessors in their houses should now be called for to make in payment to Buell for work about the house, etc."

January 31. " A town meeting named by the Constables to publish some orders made at the General Court before. Also, a vote, passed by the major part, for liberty to those men that would join in setting a ware across the rivulet, to take fish in any place below the ferry. and none of the townsmen, that join not with them, shall have liberty to set a ware below them for 5 years space. And at the 5 years end. if the town desire to take the benefit of the ware to themselves for a town good, they shall, paying the men that join for their barrels as they be worth at that time."

February 25th. "The Townsmen made a bargain with Samuel Grant to shingle the inside roof of the meeting house, from end to end, on both sides of the lanthorn, with 18 inch shingles. He is to get the shingle in the woods, and cut them. hew them and Jay them on one inch and a quarter thick generally, and 7 inches in breadth one with another. And he is to have 4x per 100 for all plain work, and for the gutters, be- cause of the more difficulty of laying these, he is to have what he sball in equity judge to be more worth than 4x per 100; and, for the time of doing this work, he is to do the north side of the lanthorn before midsummer next, and the other side by October for- lowing. The timber, that he works to be good sound timber, and the pay taken out to this agreement."

We subscribe our hands in witness:

SAMUEL GRANT. JOHN MOORE. LENKY WOLCOTT. BENJAMIN NEWBERRY. EDWARD GRISWOLD.

181

EXTRACTS FROM TOWN ACTS, 1650-1675.

Also this day. accounts taken of the town debts for a town rate to be made ; and there appeared :

8. d.

For 6 wolves taken,

3 () ()

" Sounding the Drum to meetings,

0 0

" Ensign Wilton, for James Osborn [which gift to Osborn WELS

formerly granted by the town to give him 40s, for supply in his want ]. 1

For Cleansing the meeting house,

To make 2 new pounds,

To buy a barrel of powder. . 8 0 ()

To buy nails and lath for meeting house.

0 0) 6 ( For employment by Matthew Grant's act as followeth:

For time spent last spring about ordering the town rate of $49, with vari- ous accounts with men for work done, keeping the accounts of sev- eral rates to distinguish them, 9 0

For ordering the list of the town [e]state last year, and 2 days spent at Hartford about it, .

15 6

For drawing the [e]state into a book for a rule of rating, making Mr. Warham's rate in October, and publishing it from house to house. 16 0

To transcribing 18 court orders, and going with my son and others. to . Podunk line, and some time already bounding ways 4 days, 1

To pay the bonesetter, besides the county rate,

To pay Cooke [for] another wolf, 10

19 3

1661. Feb'y 4. In a long account with William Buell for work done to the meeting-house, we find an item of " 5 buttons [or pegs] for hats, 7.x."

" There was a flood in Connectient in the year 1661, June."-" Gil- let Holcomb" Bible.

It had hitherto been customary to raise Mr. Warham's salary by a tax, but this year the system of voluntary subscription was introduced. as will be seen by the following extract from the town record :

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The history and genealogies of ancient Windsor, Connecticut, Vol. I, Part 22

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909 Publication date: 1891 Publisher: Hartford, Conn., Press of the Case, Lockwood & Brainard company Number of Pages: 1038

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909
Publication date: 1891
Publisher: Hartford, Conn., Press of the Case, Lockwood & Brainard company
Number of Pages: 1038