The history and genealogies of ancient Windsor, Connecticut, Vol. I, Part 65

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 65

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27. JOHN TALCOTT (Mr.), of Hartford; "hath alowed fro the Plantation by virtue of a Purchase, the summe of 13 acres," near Podonk, bd. N. by The. -

S. by Roger Williams, "for the length y' begins neere the great river and runs backe on the N. 88 r., on the S. 20 r." It was sold to Thos. Ford.

6. ROGER WILLIAMS, "near Podanke," 50 r. back from river; bd. N. by Talcott ; S. by Will. Hill ; was also sold to Thos. Ford.

IS. WILLIAM HILL, "one parcel of meadow near Podunek, with an add. of swamp 6 acres, more or less"; ext. from river to the Ist brook; bd. N. by R. Hil- liams ; S. by John Branker; was also sold to Thomas Ford.

32. THOMAS FORD, seems to have had a large hold upon real estate in this vicinity. In 1655 he recorded this grant (of 32 ft. front on river) anew, together with the Hill, Williams, and Talcott parcels mentioned. Ile had also the land lying east of the meadow lots of the Newberrys, Wolcott, Porter, and others, south of Bray Rossiter, and to end of the 3 miles. Also, a parcel of ld. "764 r. yt keeps the which breath from the river but 83 r., and fro. there [i. e., that point] it runs in both. 44 r. to the End of the 3 m. uppon the S. side "; bd. N. by Aaron Cook : S. by John Talcott. - (See Talcott.)

7. EDWARD ELMER, had by exch. with Thos. Ford 90 r. ext. 3 m., which includes the above 4 lots (Ford, Hill, Williams, and Talcott), and also the 144 r. lot E. of Wolcott's and others.

Podunk River.

444. JOSEPH FITCH, 1662, bo't of the General Court (to which Thomas Ford had mortgaged it and failed to redeem it), in the meadow south of Podunk river; same width E. 3 m. if there was width enough to the end within Windsor bds.

THOMAS BURNHAM. On page 132 we said: "It is very evident by the old Burnham deeds that the Burnham purchase extended north into South Windsor." Corroborative of this, and connected also with what was said on p. 131, is the following:

Nov. 14, 1662. At a Town Meeting at Windsor, held to consider the

THE CONNECTICUT RIVER.

550

HISTORY OF ANCIENT WINDSOR.

N. No. of rods.

THE CONNECTICUT RIVER.

application of Thos. Burnham, of Hartford, to buy a certain parcel of land at Podunk, "now at present in the Indians' possession and improvement, and, by agreement made by the town with the said Indians, to belong to them," &r., the town consented to the purchase, on certain conditions, viz. : (1) it should in no degree prejudice or nullify the Indians' right to those lands lying within the bounds of Windsor; (2) Burnham should not directly or indirectly molest the Indians in peaceable possession and improvement of said land, whereby their livelihood or subsistence may be obstructed; but, if a mutual agreement could be made, B. and his heirs were to possess the land; (3) If Burnham should make a contract with the Indians, then he or his heirs were to build within the bounds of Windsor, so that his lands and other valuable estate might be subject to the common charges and levies within the town of Windsor; Lastly, this was to put an end to all controversy, and Burnham " shall relinquish all claim to any land behind Podunk brook."

KING, EDWARD (Irishman), Sept. 16, 1662, had additional land set out to him by that previously sold to him by Thos. Ford (see Ford above) on the South side of Podunk brook (evidently east of the river meadow), on condition that Burnham should have a right of way through one corner of K's land, to pass from the " Indian land," or swamp, to his (B's) own land. March 22, 1663-4, Burnham complained to the town that King had obstructed his passage across the 23 acres set out to King - the way set out to him (B.) by the town for that purpose, "which way passeth before the cellar [house] of said King"; and, on examination, a committee reported that Burnham should have free liberty of said highway "until such time as Edward King hath removed his cellar and leveled the place where his cel- lar now is."

Attempts to obtain a Distinct Church Organization.

The first inhabitants of Windsor Farms for many years attended public worship on the west side of the river, and retained their connec- tion with the church and congregation there. But this was accompanied with great inconvenience and, in certain seasons of the year, with so much hardship, and even danger, as to induce them, at a very early period, to seek relief. Accordingly, in May, 1680, they petitioned the assembly for a separate township, that they might settle a minister and enjoy religious ordinances of their own. Their request, however, seems to have been denied, as eleven years after, in October, 1691, we find them again urging the matter in the following well-set and expressive language : '

To the Hon' Gen' Court sitting at Hartford, October 8, 1691 :

The petition of the inhabitants of Windsor on the East side of the River, humbly sheweth; That whereas by God's providence, who is the Supreme Orderer of the bounds of all men's habitations, ours are so disposed as that we are incapacitated for attendance upon the public worship of God, in our Towne, without great Trouble, Labor, Hazard, and difficulty on the Sabbath, which by Divine appointment is a day of rest, and a con- siderable part of our inhabitants being for the most part wholly deprived of any oppor-

1 State Archives, Eccl., i., 87.

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551

MOVEMENTS TOWARDS A CHURCH ORGANIZATION.

tunity of enjoying God in his ordinances in public worship, and God having increased the number of our families to above 50, wherein it is reckoned there are near 300 per sons capable to hear the word of God to profit, and apprehending it inconsistent with the design of our fathers who came into this wilderness that they might enjoy the ordi- nances of God in peace, without disturbance, and laying out our land for a settlement of so many of us their children on y' side of the River, that we should be thereby deprived of the liberty of quietly enjoying God in his ordinances on the Sabbath, & the Town together being by God's Goodness to us able to maintain 2 ministers; We humbly petition that the lon' Court would be pleased to order that the Town should mutually maintain 2 ministers, and one of the 2 to be settled on the East side of the River request the llon' Court to consider that it hath pleased the llond Gen" Ct to grant an enlargement of 5 miles to our place for encouragement of the plantation, which is noth- ing to us, without the enjoyment of God's ordinances there. And the extreme hazards, dangers, and difficulties to the most able, and total inability of the greater part to go to the publick meeting at the Town, and the many Sabbaths that none of us can go, forces ris to make this our application to this Hond Court Your compliance herewith will oblige us, & as in duty we are bound to pray, &c.

Signed by us in behalf of the major JOSEPH FITCH NATHL BISSELL

part of the inhhabitants of Windsor on the East side of the River

SAMUEL GRANT SR

At their next session. May, 1692, the court declared that "finding a difficulty arising in the case," they were unwilling to render an imme- diate decision : but appointed Mr. William Pitkin, Mr. Timothy Wood- bridge, and Mr. Noadiah Russell "to meet at Windsor, and to endeavor to bring the people to a comfortable agreement between themselves for settling the ministry to the best accommodating of the people, and to make report thereof to the Court at their next session." The committee was to meet on "Thursday come 7 night at Windsor."

It does not appear from the records exactly what was the nature of the "difficulty in the case," which influenced this action of the court. It probably, however. arose from the unwillingness of the inhabitants of the town on the west side of the river to allow the formation of a new society, which would involve a division of the estates, and thus increase their own share of the burden of ministerial support. That this was one if not the chief " difficulty," is evident from the record of the subsequent court, wherein (June 22d) they say that, "having considered the same," they " do not find the estate of the people to be such as may at this present encourage this Court to grant their petition," and they therefore " recommend it to the inhabitants of Windsor to a hearty endeavor in the first place to settle a comfortable maintainance to their present min- ister, & then that they (of the West side) do freely grant the people on that (East) side to provide for the settlement of a minister on that side in some good way of their own agreement, for this Court sees that after a little patience the necessity of the case will call for it, & it will be [a

' Col. Rec., May and June, 1692, p. 71-78.

552

HISTORY OF ANCIENT WINDSOR.

matter] of necessity to have 2 places of public worship in that Town, one on each side of the river."

This sensible advice of the honorable court was followed, and the east side folks held their " souls in patience " for two years longer. But the inexorable "necessity of the case " was still upon them, - a burden too grievous to be borne. Consequently we are not surprised to find them again agitating the question.

April ye 9th, 1694. - We whose names are underwritten, being the inhabitants of Windsor, on the east side Connectient river, do earnestly desire that we may have lib- erty to procure and settle a minister among us to be maintained by the present inhabit- ants and those that shall inhabit with us hereafter.1

Joseph Fiteh, Sr.,

James Porter,

Nath'l Bissell,

John Elmor, Sr.,

Sam'l Grant, Sr.,

Joseph Skinner, Jr.,

John Colt, Sr.,

John Strong, Jr.,

Sam'l Rockwell, Sr.,

Jolın Pinney,

Thomas Stoughton,

Geo. Sanders,

Stephen Tailer,

Benj. Bissell,

Thomas Bissell,

John Stoughton,

Nath'l Loomis,

Joseph Colt,

John Loomis,

Matt. Grant,

Ilenry Wolcott,

John Taylor,

Jeremiah Diggins,

Robert Stedman,

Sammuel Baker,

Samuel Rockwell,

Job Drake, Sr.,

Joseph Fiteh,

Josiah Loomis,

Joseph Roekwell,

Natlı. Porter,

Josiah Grant,

Sam'l Grant, Jr.,

John Grant,

Joseph Drake,

John Moore, Jr.,

Joshua Willes, Sr.,

Thos. Long,

Joseph Loomis,

John Elmor, Jr.,

James Loomis,

Joshua Willes,

Simon Wolcott,

[Moses ? ] Loomis.

Settlement of the Rev. Mr. Edwards.

The desired permission was accordingly granted by the Assembly on the 10th of May, 1694:

" Whereas, the inhabitants of Windsor on the east side of the Great River have petitioned this Court that [they] may have liberty to proeure and settle a minister amongst them to be maintained by the present inhabitants and those that shall inhabit there hereafter, this Court grants their petition that they may proenre a minister to settle with them, provided that all those that lire on the east side the river shall be at liberty to continue and repair to the ministry on the west side and there to pay their dues and duties, and all those on the west side of the river that have estate, in land or otherwise, on the east side their estate shall be rated to the ministry of the west side, and this order to take no place till they of the east side have a minister settled among them, and to con- tinue no longer than they do keep a minister there."

'State Archives, Ecel., i., 103.

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553

SETTLEMENT OF REV. MR. EDWARDS.

Every impediment being now removed, the east side people lost no time in procuring the services of the Rev. Timothy Edwards, who preached to them as a candidate from " the midst of November" follow- ing, until his formal ordination as their pastor. " According to Mr. Thomas Stoughton's memoranda, 'Mr. Edwards came with his wife, November 14, 1694.' and probably his first ministerial work was done in Mr. Stoughton's house, the church edifice and parsonage not being com- pleted for more than two years after: or, more likely, he gathered his flock in some large barn. . Mr. Stoughton was, at this time. a selectman of Windsor, and owing to his prominence in the community, was naturally called upon to entertain the ministerial bridal party : for. only eight days before, the queenly young woman, who accompanied Mr. Edwards, had in her distant Northampton home become the new pastor's bride. Though Mr. Edwards' pastoral labors commenced immediately upon his arrival at the " Farmes." the early records of it are very incom- plete, but we know that it was " a peculiarly laborious one. Throughout his minutes of transactions, we have the evidence of his self-denying spirit. When we consider that this merchant's son,-this foremost among the scholars of New England - was restrained in the develop- ment of those inmate powers of his being by the drudgery of a farmer's life, a life from which. by birth and education, he must have naturally shrank - we can have some idea of what it was to bring his lofty con- ceptions and thoughts to practice the routine of a husbandman's career." 1

Their choice had fallen on one eminently qualified, both by nature and education, to be their spiritual guide and counsellor. He was well descended, being the eldest son of Mr. Richard Edwards of Hartford, " a respectable merchant and an exemplary Christian."" His boyhood had been spent in the midst of a pious, well-regulated family eirele. and having pursued his studies at the Grammar School of his native city, he was at a proper age sent to complete them under the Rev. Pelotiah Grover of Springfield. Under this eminent classical scholar he finished his preparatory studies, and entered Harvard College in 1687. On the 4th of July, 1691, he received on the same day, the degree of Bachelor and Master of Arts, " which was an uncommon mark of respect paid to his extraordinary proficiency in learning."

Such were the antecedents of the individual who now, in the prime of his youth, consecrated his talents to the service of God, in caring for the spiritual welfare of this pioneer community.

Windsor Farmex.

2 As to the somewhat apochryphal ancestry and Welsh origin cte., of Rev. Timo. Edwards, sve Windsor Farmex, pp. 38. 39.

VOL. I .- 70

554

HISTORY OF ANCIENT WINDSOR.

First Meeting-House.

Less than fifty families, according to the petition given on page 550, comprised the whole population of the east side settlement of Windsor, from Podunk Brook on the south to the site of the present Connectient River Co.'s quarry on the north, a distance of about six miles. Between these points - a little back from edge of the upland which overlooked the meadows - wandered the winding bridle-path which (gradually en- larged, improved, and built upon as time rolled on), came finally to be known as " The Street "- a name still distinguishing it, in common parlance, from all other roads in the vicinity. A few families had set- fled. back from the river, on Ketthe Brook ( Windsorville) and also on the Seantie, where good milling privileges offered ; - but all else - the sites of Broad Brook, Ellington, Warehouse Point, and Windsorville, formed then " a howling wilderness."

About the time these people had called Mr. Edwards, they had erected the frame of a small meeting-house upon the erest of a sandy knoll in the extreme northeast corner of the old burying ground, and facing "the Street " opposite the present residence of the late Oliver Cook. "JJust north of it," says Mr. Stoughton,' " across a narrow ravine, then much more abrupt than now, stood the old Palisado, or Fort. which was built as a protection against the Indians. This was upon the lot late owned by Maj. F. W. Grant, and vestiges of it were discernible about 1800. Its location upon the brow of the hill overlooking the meadows, gave an advantageous site from which to repel the Foe : while its proximity to the only house of worship made it a convenient rendez- vous to the settlers, who, at the sound of drum or blowing of trumpet, were wont to assemble at the church. Both these structures were with- in sight and signal of the old fort [Palisado] and church [at Windsor proper ], being erected at a point where the highway approached nearest to the river." It is not probable that this edifice was completed for several years, or used for worship until about 1696/7; and, indeed, various subsequent charges for " mending " show that it was never en- tirely finished.

Having now called a minister, the Court, May, 1695, granted them " so much of their country rate as amounted to 3 ponce upon the pound, for their encouragement," a favor which was repeated the following year : and further enlarged to " one-half" in May, 1697, which was the

' Comparison between the former and the present editions of this work, will show that I have accepted, as more correct, the opinions relating to this first meeting-house, dr., expressed by Mr. JOHN A. Storeuros, Esq. in his Windsor Formes, p. 41. et alios. The authorities which he presents in that work, render him the highest Appellate Court on this and kindred matters relating to the East Windsor church during Mr. Edwards' ministry. II. R. S.

555

REV. TIMOTHY EDWARDS' HOUSE.

more acceptable, undoubtedly, because it was (see p. 233 ) a year of great mortality, scarcity, and distress.

" At a meeting of Inhabitants on the East side of the Great River in Windsor, for the settling of Mr. Timothy Edwards in the work of the ministry, September 25, 1695, it was then voted as follows :

" That they will allow Mr. Edwards, besides the hundred pounds formerly granted,1 three score pounds a year for the two first years, 2 seventy pounds per year for the next two years, and eighty pounds per year for the future, and his wood. 3

About the time Mr. Edwards had accepted the call, his father had purchased for him a farm and upon it built a good substantial house. It was a plain, two-story house, built close to the ground.4 It was nar- row and long, with a door in the middle of the front, which faced the west. The southwest room had a bench fastened to the wall around three sides. It was located on the east side of the main street, near the residence of his brother-in-law, Capt. Thomas Stoughton, on a slight emi- nence, about a hundred rods north of Stoughton's Brook. From the house the land sloped towards the east to a brook that flowed at the foot of a

2 As compensation for his time and services while ministering to them as a candidate.

2 llis first year commenced in the midst of November, 1694, and ended in the midst of May, '95. De received for it C31 0x. 8d. - at a rate (in year 169) of 337. on the pound. The collectors were John Stoughton and Samuel Tudor.

" A copy of a receipt which Mr. Timothy Edwards gave to the collectors which is as followeth :

" I do hereby acknowledge that I have received the full of my Rate made for the- first half year, as witness my hand.

December 11, 96.

TIMOTHY EDWARDS."

8 Whereas, Joseph Phelps, of Windsor, deceased, did ingage to a committee of the inhabitants of the st town, living on the east side of the river, as appears from the testi. mony of Job Drake and Thomas Stoughton, members of the sd committee that the said Inhabitants should have some part of his woodland, on the South side of his lott, lying by Thomas Stoughton's land nine rod and a half in breadth, extending east ward for the country rode 40 rods, for the accomodation of Mr. Timothie Edwards the minister of the place, this court now impowers the widow of the sd Joseph Phelps to confirm the se land to the said inhabitants for yr sd use

a true coppie of the Court act,

as Alttext. Eleazur Kimberly Secretary

Hartford May 19, 1696 (Stoughton Mxx.)

* i. c., the ground floor of the house was laid on the ground, and the sills of the house laid upon it, so that in entering one had to step over the sill. It has been de seribed to us by very old people, as having a projection in the center of the front, per- haps & or 9 feet square, forming on the lower floor a vestibule, or ante room. The house, like all the houses of that period, was furnished with fireplaces sufficiently large to take in wood five or six feet in length, and leave room enough on each side to seat a large Family of children. Wood was abundant, and his people kept his wood-pile well supplied, so he used it freely. His negro, Tom, attended to his fires, and it is related of Mr. Edwards that when the room became too hot for comfort, he would call upon Tom to bring in an armful of green wood to quench the fire.

556

HISTORY OF ANCIENT WINDSOR.

steeper hill, which was then crowned with a beautiful forest of primeval trees, and from which an extensive view was afforded of the wide sweep- ing meadows and broad flowing Quonetakut beyond.' To this spot Mr. Edwards was accustomed to go for seclusion, and there his son Jonathan built the booth wherein he held soul-inspiring converse with God. ?

The house was completed about Jan. 1, 1697. Its construction occupied about a year, the timbers being drawn from the distant mill during the winter season, when the farmers were more at leisure, and loads could be better drawn upon sleds. Corporal Joseph Stiles and John Hosford seem to have been the master workmen ; and, a portion of the time, were boarded by the seleetman. Capt. Stoughton, who charges Mr. Edwards " Sept. 25, 1696, for diatting Corporal Stiles and his son Joseph 4 days, 5s. 4d. Oct. 4th, for diatting John Hosford 1 week, 4s. 6d." Brick was brought from Podunk and elay to stop the interstices was used instead of mortar. The windows were of diamond-shaped panes set in lead.

In May. 1696, the General Court enacted, " upon the motion of divers of the inhabitants of Windsor living on the east side of the river," that they should have liberty, " in an orderly way, with the consent of neigh- hor churches," to "imbody themselves into church estate," and to pro- cred with the ordination of their minister, first having obtained the free consent of the church of Windsor. This, however, involved the division of the parish - then a new thing - in fact, this was one of the earliest instances of the kind in the Colony. And it is quite likely that "the free consent of the church of Windsor " was not so easily obtainable : for, although a vote was passed in by the east-side inhabitants of Wind- sor May 3, 1697, that Mr. Edwards should be called to the office "as soon as conveniently may be," 3 it is not until May 28, 1698, that Mr. Stoughton makes charge in his Account Book for " Prorition laid in the

1 Under date of March 30, 1812, Rer. Me. Robbins' Diary records that "the house of Mr. Edwards, the first minister in this town, in which the great President Edwards was born, was taken down. It was in its day a very expensive house, decorated with many elegant ornaments. The roof was very steep, and it is said it has had but one covering of shingles." If, as supposed, this house was built for Mr. Edwards by his father. Mr. Richard Edwards, of Hartford, in 1694, it must have been at the time of its demolition about 118 years old. It stood until 1813, when it was replaced by a smaller one, erected by Mr. James Flint, which stands over the original cellar. The stepping-stone which laid in front of the sill was purchased of Mr. Flint and used as the corner stone of the Theological Institute at East Windsor Hill.

2 Windsor Farmes.

2 " and those that are made church members to treat with him respecting that mal- fer." In the same vote, the East-siders included "an aplycation" to the Gen. Court "yt the presant inhabytance and them that shall inhabit with them hereafter may have the liberties and priviledges of a tourne "; and Capt. Joseph Fitch, Mr. Nath'I Bissell and Thomas Stoughton were chosen " to order that affair. Also, voated that seates be made in the meeting house and each one to pay there proportion by way of rate."- Stoughton MAN.

PRES, JONATHAN EDWARDS,

THE HOUSE OF REV. TIMOTHY EDWARDS, EAST WINDSOR, AND BIRTH-PLACE OF PRES. JONATHAN EDWARDS.

557

BEV. MR. EDWARDS' ORDINATION.

house of Mr. Edwards for his ordination " - the list including rum, wine, butter, cheese, eggs, and wheat-meal. So it seems that the real division of parishes did not take place until 1698.'

" At a General Court bekl at Hartford, May 12th, 1698, Ordered by this Court that all those that do now inhabit on the East side of the Great River in the township of Windsor -and those who shall hereafter inhabit there shall pay their equal proportions with the rest of their neighbours for the maintenance of the worship of God in that place so long as they shall there inhabit.

Vera Copia Text. ELEAZUR KIMBERLY, Ser !. "

It will seem strange to many to know that " the ordination was followed by a bull in honor of the event. Such, however, is the fact. Not long since, there was found, in the young pastor's handwriting, the original invitation sent to Capt. Thomas Stoughton and wife, urging their attendance at ' an Ordination ball,' given at his own house and signed by Timothy Edwards."

July 21, 1699, the embryo Society commissioned Dea. Joh Drake to purchase its first communion service, or, as the record has it, " Cupes and plators, flaggons, tabel linen."

Incorporation as a Distinct Society.

" At a General Court holden at Hartford, Oct. 12th, 1669.

" Ordered by this Court and the authority thereof that the inhabitants of Windsor on the East side of the Great River, belonging to the society there, shall have liberty to choose 3 or 4 men for a Committee to order the affairs of that society, and also Col lectors to gather rates.

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The history and genealogies of ancient Windsor, Connecticut, Vol. I, Part 65

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