The history and genealogies of ancient Windsor, Connecticut, Vol. I, Part 49

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 49

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2 ('ol. Rec., i. 281.

3 John Bissell. Sen., the original ferryman, bought the Ludlow lot on the east side of the Connecticut, below the mouth of the Scantuck, after the death of Mir. Whiting, 1649, and had evidently built there before 1657, and had proposed to transfer the ferry to that place ; but we find that the court in extending his lease another year specified that it should be kept " at his old house." John Bissell, Jr .. kept the ferry "to entire satisfaction " that year, and March 11. 1657-8, the courts agree with lohn, .r., to keep the ferry 10 years, The young man married and his father gave him " his old house, " the old homestead ; but we find six years later, 1661, John, Jr., asks to be released from the remaining four years of his contract. After the expiration of the contract, 1668, we find the Townsmen of Windsor consulting with Nathaniel Bissell about keeping the ferry. Six years before this, 1662, John, Sen., had deeded to his son Nathaniel, for his marriage portion, "one-quarter of his land at Scantuck, with a quarter part of all his housing, dwelling house and out housing," with another quarter at the death of his father ; and Nathaniel was living there at the time of King Philip's war. 1675-6, when the council ordered " a garrison of not less than six men kept at the house of Nathaniel Bissell, at Scantuck." The ferry was leased to him in 1677, but had probably been removed to the mouth of the Scantuck (a mile below the old place) in 1668. The landing place on the east side was at first above the month of the Scan- tuek. The Bissells did not build on the east side of the river at the old ferry place.

J. H. HAYDEN, 1891.

111

WINDSOR FERRIES - THE BISSELL FERRY.

March 11, 1657. John Bissell, Jr., having managed the country ferry at Windsor, toentire satisfaction, received from the court a renewal thereof for ten years, viz. :

" This court doth grant to and agree with John Bissell, Jr., of Windsor, that the ferry there, over the Great River, shall be and belong to him for the space of 10 years next ensuing, upon the limitation and terms hereafter expressed, to which he doth in court agree and engage to attend :

" 1. That there shall be always maintained in readiness upon all occasions, an able and sufficient boat and man for the safe passage of horse and man.

"2. The said John Bissell shall have Sd. a head for any beast, and 2d. a head for any person that cometh with them, and Be. for any single person.

"3. That each Trooper listed and allowed in the Court, and the horse he rides, is only freed from the ferriage going to Springfield Town, or as far as Springfield Town, or further.

"J. That no person of Windsor shall have liberty for to help over any person or beast of any other town, but they shall then pay the ferryman as much as if they were carried over by him.

" 5. Upon consideration with the inhabitants of Windsor, they are to go over the ferry at half the forementioned price, only that single persons shall pay 32. per head for their passage, as before.")

In March, 1663-4, John Bissell, Jr., applied to the court for a re- lease from his contract. It was granted, " if the Assistants " at Wind- sor, should provide " a sufficient man " in his place."

In May, 1668. "The court leaves it to the deputies and townsmen of Windsor to agree and settle a Ferryman there to keep the ferry over the Great River for ? years. provided there be no charge come thereby to the county.""

This order had not been attended to by the subsequent session of the court in October, for the Windsor authorities received a very brief and summary order to attend to it " without delay."

October 31, 1668. The townsmen consulted with Nathl. Bissell about keeping the ferry ( supposed to be the one across the Connecticut, as in the same meeting, they engage "a rope for the little ferry" ), but they could not agree as to torms, and the subject was deferred.5

May 10, 1677. Nathaniel Bissell received a lease of the Ferry for seven years from date: " he was always to keep a boat and men ready to attend the service, and to take for his pains sixpence [for] a horse and man in silver presently paid [i. e., in cash], or in other pay eight penee a horse and man." "

1 Col. R.c., i. 310.

2 Col Rec., i. 394.

3 ('ul. Rec., ii. 183.

' C'ol. Rec., ii. 95.

3 In 1695, the court, in consequence of some overcharges of ferry-rates which had occurred. established the following tariff of fares: A man, horse, and load, nine pence in pay. or five pence in money: single man three pence in pay, or two pence in money; a horse five pence in pay, or three pence in money. (Col. Her.)

$ ('ul. Rec., ii. 31+

412

HISTORY OF ANCIENT WINDSOR.

The ferry subsequently reverted to the town.

March 18, 1716. At a town meeting, the Connectient River Ferry at Scantie was granted to Jonathan Bissell and Ammi Trumbull, on con- dition they should carry over the soleetmen and collectors free, when they were upon business, and foot-passengers on lecture days.

In February, 1719-20, the selectmen were ordered to lease it again. Joseph Baker bad the ferry in 1724-5.

In 1726, the ferry was granted to Jonathan and David Bissell for seven years. They engaged to pass over all who lived north of the Rivu- let in Windsor, or those who lived north of Stoughton's Brook in East Windsor, free on Sabbath and lecture days.

January, 1730. It was voted by the town to raise a sum not exceed- ing £20, for the purpose of having a free ferry at Seantie, but it does not appear with what success.

The next year, however, Jacob Munsell was the ferryman, and peti- tioned the legislature for a license to keep accommodation and "strong drink for the accommodation of travellers."

" At a meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Windsor, Legally warned. Held in Windsor, April 27th, 1731. Vouted to raise money (not to exceed Twenty Pounds) in order to have a free ferry. Crost the Great River at Scantick, for all the Inhabitants of this Town, for the year Insuing. Said Ferry to be kept from daylight to daylight. The Committee chosen to look after said affair, are Capt. Job Ellsworth, L' Sam" Bancroft, & Capt. Thomas Stoughton. A Question proposed, What was Intended by those words in the foregoing vout (from daylight to daylight). Vouted and Resolved that it should be kept from Brak of day, to Evening shut." - Windsor Farmex, 115.

1780. A lease was authorized with Jonathan Roberts " to keep a good ferry where Scantie ferry is now kept."

1782, February. A similar lease was granted to AAzariah Mather, Jr., for twenty years.

Capt. " Dont (Jonathan ] Ellsworth " kept the ferry at one time.

The Wolcott, or Higley Ferry.

In October, 1735, Roger Wolcott, being in need of a ferry for his own purposes, petitioned the assembly for leave to establish a double ferry, from the landing place in Plymouth Meadow, across the Rivulet and the Connecticut River,' to his own land on the eastern bank of the latter, the East Windsor landing being at rear of the present Enoch Pel-

1 Originally the Tunxis or Rivulet emptied into the Connecticut considerably below its present mouth. The ferry, landing about where the Rivulet now empties, necessi- tated another ferry across the Rivulet to reach Plymouth Meadow, and then to " the Island," otherwise the passengers must drive across the foot of the Great Meadow to ford, or the ferry about half a mile above. Tradition says that Gov. Wolcott dug a channel through the neck of land (the present mouth of the Rivulet) to enable him to land his passengers on Plymouth Meadow, or Great Meadow, as they preferred.

J. JI. HAYDEN, 1891.

413

WINDSOR FERRIES - - THE WOLCOTT FERRY.

ton's property. From this ferry was laid out a great highway, twenty rods in width, as tradition says, extending cast to Tolland, and known from its projector as the " Governor's Road."! He offered to make land- ings and passways on the east side, at his own cost. His request was granted and the court ordered the town to make three highways, for which ( March, 1726 ) they were assessed £158 11x. The town protested against this, alleging that the grant was £1,000 damage to them, and only benefited Wolcott. Considerable litigation followed,2 but the future governor was a rising man, and his influence enabled him to hold his own; and, it is but just to say that there is evidence that the ferry was well kept and attended.

In January 27, 1735-36, the town " voted that there be a ferry set up acrost the Connectiontt River neer against the Little Ferry, at the place called Newberries Landing place." A committee was also chosen to oppose the petition of Edward Wolcott at the county court, "for a way from the ferry over the Little River through the Great Meadow to the point to the ferry that crosseth the Great River."

July 15, 1726, Sergt. William Stoughton, Lient. Thomas Stoughton, and Lient. Wm. Thrall were chosen a committee to negotiate with Major Wolcott concerning his ferry, and to by his ferry-house and boat, if they judged it best, and to " take an acquittance of him of his grant of the ferry. Also, to purchase a way, from the River to the County Road, on East side of the River, to accommodate the ferry lately voted to be set up at Newherrie's Landing for the Town's use and to ereet and set up sd Ferry and have the ordering of it, for the current year."-Stoughton MIxx. One year after, July, 1737, the town voted to move the " New ferry lately set up at Newberry's Landing."

In April, 1738, it was voted to reimburse the July 15, 1736, commit- tee for the amount ( £192 13%, 37.) which they had expended in the

' The old Wolcott honse was on premises now (1883) occupied by Bartholomew MeGuire ; a stone-walled well alone marks the spot.

The following undated document, among the Thomas Stoughton Mes., probably refers to this:

"To the Honourable the Govenour Councell and Representatives in General Court Assembled.

"We your memorialists humbly move to this Honourable Assembly that they in their wonted Goodness would Grant onto the Town of Windsor, a pattent of the Antient Ferry in Windsor, over the Great River at the place known by the name of Scantic ferry that so it may be under better Reputation than now it is, or can bee while it is onely in the hands of Any and Every person that will take it, and your memorialists are Incour- aged to ask this favour and privilege of this honourable Assembly since they have Lately granted the like favour and privilege to the Worshipfull Roger Wolcott. Esq .. in Windsor, and hereby your memorialists will be obliged as in Duty bound Ever to Pray.

" ISRAEL STOUGHTON, ! Selectmen." SAMUEL STRONG, 1

414

HISTORY OF ANCIENT WINDSOR.

purchase of Major Wolcott's ferry boats and ferry grants, and purchas- ing a way for a ferry at Newberry's Landing.

In 1741, Wolcott obtained from the assembly a renewal of his former grant of a ferry across the Connecticut and Little Rivers, " where he formerly had it." This was remonstrated against by the town.

In 1745, the assembly regulated the fares at this ferry, by the fol- lowing tariff : Across both rivers, 12d. old tenor, for each single passen- ger; G. For each single horse; neat cattle, &d. per head. Across Con- neetient River only, man, load, and horse, 10d .; single passenger, 5d. In 1746 the rate was reduced ; man.thorse, and load. 4d .: single passen- ger, 24. In 1749 the ferry rates on this as well as the Seantic Ferry were again reduced by legislative action, as follows: Man, horse, and load, 37 .; single passenger, 1d .; horse. 1d .: neat cattle, 24. per head : sheep and swine, 3d. per head.

In 1769 Erastus Wolcott petitioned the legislature for an increase of fare, inasmuch as the river was considerably widened. His petition was granted.

Sometime previous to the revolutionary war this ferry passed into the hands of the Higley family, by whose name it was afterwards known. It has long been discontinued.

The Rirulet Ferry.

The history of this ferry, prior to 1700, has been incidentally pre- sented in the previous chapters of this work. The first item we have concerning it, subsequent to that date, is a town vote, in December, 1719. to appropriate #28 for the purpose of building a new ferry house.

In March, 1732, we learn from the Ecclesiastical Society's Records that "Jacob Munsell desired this society will allow him to set in the west or lower end of the cast flanker seat on the men's side so long as he shall continue ferryman here, and .he may also make a door in the east end of the said seat." The request was granted. This was evi- dently for the purpose of getting out quickly in case of a call to attend the ferry during Sunday service.

In July. 1737, bient. William Thrall made a proposal to build a bridge " across the Rivalet at the ferry," and a committee was chosen to consider the matter. The lieutenant was somewhat ahead of his more conservative neighbors-as we find no further mention of a bridge until April. 1745, at which time a town meeting was warned to consider " about the Rivulet ferry," and " about a bridge there." The latter was again negatived. In April, 1748, however, the subject again came before the town meeting, and it was then agreed that any person or persons might have liberty to build a bridge, provided they did so at their own

115

WINDSOR FERRIES-THE RIVULET FERRY.

erpense, and made it a free bridge forever! Said persons were to leave their names with the town clerk within one year from date.1 In Derem- ber following, Peletiah Allyn, Daniel Bissell, Isaac Burr, and sundry others," announced to the town clerk their intention of accepting this extremely liberal offer. Accordingly, in 1749, they erected a good cart bridge - the first ever erected across the Tunxis - and made it free." In 1759 it needed repairs or rebuilding, but the town voted "not to build or repair."' Whereupon (December, 1759), the original builders of the bridge petitioned the assembly that they "would order the town of Windsor to rebuild or make such repairs as were necessary.5 The as- sembly did so order ( May, 1760), but the refractory and illiberal town merely contented themselves with making a few slight and temporary repairs ; 6 and thus the matter rested until 1762, when the necessity of a good, new, and substantial bridge became too imperious to be any longer ovaded.

We now find the town of Windsor ( March, 1762) petitioning the assembly for a lottery, to enable them to rebuild the Rivulet bridge. They state that it is the most costly bridge in the government, being 20 rods long, and 25 feet posts: that money is scarce, owing to the expense of the war; that societies in the town are destitute of ministers, and three are building meeting-honses; and that persons stand ready to take tickets for plank. The assembly therefore authorized a lottery of $250 for the bridge, and £30 for the expense of the said lottery, and appointed William, Erastus, and Alexander Wolcott, and Capt. Josiah Bissell, as

' Toin Aetx, ill. 78.

? The names of these bridge builders of 1749 should be preserved in grateful remem brance. They are copied from the original petition in the State .Archives at Hartford. (Trarel, i. 373, 375.)

Caleb Phelps, Amos Filley.

Ed. Moore,

Nathl Mather,

Benj. Ellis,

Seth Youngs,

Josiah Loomis, Danl. Bissell,

Joseph Moore.

Timothy Loomis,

Isaac Burr,

Benedict Alford,

John Warner, Daniel Phelps,

Wm. Cook,

John Palmer.

Henry Allyn,

Josiah Cook,

David Barber,

Nathl. Loomis,

Alex. Wolcott,

Gideon Barber,

Job Drake,

Peletiah Allyn,

John Roberts,

Benj. Allyn,

Josias Allyn.

John Gillet, Nathl. Filley,

Phinebas Drake, Sammel Eno, Esq.

3 The last vote in regard to the ferry was in September, 1755, when the selechmen were ordered to "take care of, and dispose of The ferry house, ferry-boat, and rope, for the best advantage of the town." Toin .letx, ili. 85.

A State , Archirex, Trend, il, 369.

State Archives, Travel, ii. 370.

6 The town ordered that the selectmen should repair the bridge across the Rivulet. " not treading 910." Torn Acts. iii. 89.

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HISTORY OF ANCIENT WINDSOR.

managers,' The drawing took place October 1, 1762, and the bridge was soon after built .?

It stood until January 1, 1767, when " by a sudden fall of rain, the iee in the river and brooks in this colony broke up on a sudden and rushed forward with such impetuosity as to destroy almost everything that stood in its way, so that very few bridges in the colony could with- stand its rage, the like of which has not happened within the memory of man, at which time about one-half of said bridge was carried away with the ice," and the other half left standing.3

Again the town refused to repair it, and 31 individuals petitioned the assembly, May, 1767, to "order the town" to build anew. They were accordingly so ordered, and remetantly complied.4

Again, in the winter of 1782-3, this bridge was carried away by a great freshet, and again the town refused to replace it ; so 10 petitioners pray for assistance from the assembly.5 That omnipotent body also received a petition from 43 inhabitants of the Poquonock District, in which they state ( May 7, 1783) that the bridge was built on a sandy foundation, and has been frequently carried away ; and that Poquonock Society has built a bridge making a nearer road and better accommodat- ing the travel to Suffiekl. Therefore, as the lower bridge is " now down by the ice " and about to be rebuilt, and (in their opinion ) little needed. and obstructs navigation, they request that it may be rebuilt as a swing bridge. Another petition from 16 persons says that if the river were kept open for navigation to Poquonock, it would save much land car- riage. Nineteen masters of coasting vessels also testify that they can pass up Windsor River as far as Poquonock, and of course prefer the lower bridge to have a swing."

All these petitions were referred to a committee, who repaired to Windsor, examined the facts of the case, and reported as follows: ' that the road through Poquonock was } of mile and 60 rods, that it will not answer for wet seasons, and "the present location is the best ; that the swing bridge is needed by the First and Fourth Societies, and that at high water vessels can pass up to Poquonnoc, but if these two societies are compelled to build the bridge, they ought to be at the expense of a draw. Furthermore, that the town had voted to divide the town into districts, as Poquonnoe and Wintonbury had maintained their own bridges, and were urgent, and the others feared that otherwise no vote

1 Petition in State Archives, Trant, 1. 812, 873.

2 March 9, 1762, " it was voted that the torn will take all the tickets of the lottery for the bridge, not sold by the 1st of October next." Then .lets, iii, 91.

* Petition in State Archives, Trand, ii. 275.

4 By a vote of 51 affirmative to A negative.

Then . lex, iii.

State _Archives, iii. 331, 332, 333, 335, 837.

417

INNS AND INNKEEPERS.

could be obtained to build as ordered, May, 1767." On the whole, the committee were of the opinion that it would be better to take care of all the bridges within their limits. The assembly (June, 1783) ordered the town to build the lower bridge so as to let vessels pass, and hereafter to support the other bridges in their limits.

In 1794 a bridge and causeway were erected as part of the union contract between the First and Fourth Societies of the town, as more fully described in Chapter XXVIII. On its site another bridge was built -about 1833 -and being carried away in the freshet of 1854, was replaced by the present one.

Iuns were first established by the following order of the court, dated June 4, 1644:

" Whereas many strangers and passengers that upon occasion have recourse to these towus, and are straiteved for want of entertainment, it is now ordered, that these sev- eral towns shall provide among themselves in each town one sufficient inhabitant 10 keep an ordinary for provision and lodging in some comfortable manner, that such pas- sengers or strangers may know where to resort; and such inhabitants as by the several towns shall be chosen for the said service shall be presented to two magistrates, that they may be judged meet for that employment, and this to be effected by the several towns within one month. under the penalty of 40s. a month, each month either town shall negleet it."!

The duties of the innkeeper were very fully defined by the Code of 1650, for the court justly remarks that, although there is a necessity of houses of common entertainment, " yet because there are so many ammuses of that lawful liberty, both by persons entertaining and persons enter- tained, there is also need of strict laws and rules to regulate such employ- ment." So landlords were forbidden to sell any guest more than half a pint of wine at a time, or to allow them to " continue tippling" over half an hour, or later than nine o'clock at night. All the recognized grades of drunkenness, from slight mellowness to downright beastly intoxication, were threatened with fines of proportionate severity. Ser- und offenses = always doubly heinous in the eyes of Puritanie justice - were visited with treble fines, and woe to the unlucky chap who could not " fork over the cash," for he was then unceremoniously whipped, or else dlapped into the stocks " for three hours, when the weather may not hazard his life or limbs."

The innkeeper was also specially instructed in regard to making proper provision for the " beasts" of travelers and guests. In 1686 the court enacted a strong law against gaming, dancing, and singing in taverns.

,Vol. Rec .. i. 103. 2 10. R.r., 1. 593. Von. 1 .- 53

418

HISTORY OF ANCIENT WINDSOR.

The first innkeepers' in Windsor, of whom we have any record, were appointed at a town meeting in December, 1715. They were Simon Chapman " and Eljakim Marshall on the west ; and Nathaniel Cook and the widow Grace Grant on the east side of the Connectient River. Of Messrs. Chapman, Marshall, and Cook we have no information. Mrs. Grant, however, kept tavern in East Windsor until about 1754-5, when it passed into the hands of her son, Ebenezer Grant, subsequently better known as Capt. Grant, the leading merchant of the east side of the town.

The other innkeepers on the east side of the river, before its incor- poration as a distinct town, were landlord Nathaniel Porter, whose place was on the west side of the street, a little south and opposite to the South Middle District School-house.

Captain Joel Loomis also kept tavern about forty rods south of the Middle School-house, on the west side of the street. After his death his son, Capt. Giles Loomis, succeeded him in the business for many years. He built an addition to the house for a Freemasons' Hall. The tavern was the regular rendezvous for the train band - and on these occasions, says an aged friend, " there would be a great crowd collected, and card- playing and drinking were not neglected."

Of the ancient taverns of Windsor proper we have collected but few facts, and those mostly from the cob-webbed memory of garrulous old folks. More than a hundred years ago Sergeant Samuel Hayden kept a tavern at the house now occupied by the Family of the late Levi Hayden. The old oak under which his weary guests found a grateful shade is still a thrifty wide-spreading tree, highly prized by certain individuals whose childhood's home is sheltered by it. Tradition whispers that Chief Jus- tice Ellsworth, before he became known to fame, occasionally cracked jokes and eat apple pie at Sergeant Sam's with the young men of his time.

In later years Pickett's Tavern, which stood a few rods from the former, acquired a wide-spread fame. These taverns were located but a quarter of a mile from Windsor Plains, across which lay the great thor- oughfare between Hartford and the north and cast. Here the highway

' There are several notices of licenses granted by the court to various persons to sell wine and lignors, but it is uncertain whether they were innkeepers. In 1604 the record says: " This court grants Sam'l Gibbs a license to sell nine or ten quarter casks of wine by the gallon to his neighbors or those that will buy it; and he freely presents the court with an anchor of the best of his wine, which the court desires him to have with the governor.

In the lease of the country ferry at Windsor to John Bissell. in 1648, is a clause granting him the privilege of entertaining and receiving recompense from such travel- ers as may not find it convenient to go to the ordinary.

2 He was assessed, in 1720. 95 for keeping tavern on the north side of the Rivulet.

419

INNS AND INNKEEPERS.

leaves the river, to avoid bridging the streams, and passes between the heads of the brooks which flow on one side into the Connectient, and on the other into the Rivolet. Not a stream crosses the road in the distance of five miles; and, after rising the hill, the road was almost perfectly level and straight, without a house upon it. Midway, at a spring beside the road, stood an old oak, known far and wide as the Old Smoking Tree. Here travelers, and especially teamsters,' made a halt in summer to water and feed their cattle and smoke their pipes. Forty years ago an old man, bearing a knapsack marked U. S. A., who had preferred the old familiar track to the New Road, stopped at the house which once hore Sergeant Sam's sign, to ask a little refreshment before ascending the plain. While partaking of the cheer set before him he asked many questions about the localities he had known long years before. When told that the Oldl Smoking Tree had been ent down, the ire of the old veteran was roused, and the deep curses he uttered against the vandal who cut it witnessed that the fatigues of another revolutionary war would have been cheerfully undergone to bring the author of so grievous an outrage to condigu punishment.

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The history and genealogies of ancient Windsor, Connecticut, Vol. I, Part 49

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