USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Windsor > The history and genealogies of ancient Windsor, Connecticut : including East Windsor, South Windsor, Bloomfield, Windsor Locks, and Ellington, 1635-1891 > Part 28
USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > East Windsor > The history and genealogies of ancient Windsor, Connecticut : including East Windsor, South Windsor, Bloomfield, Windsor Locks, and Ellington, 1635-1891 > Part 28
USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > South Windsor > The history and genealogies of ancient Windsor, Connecticut : including East Windsor, South Windsor, Bloomfield, Windsor Locks, and Ellington, 1635-1891 > Part 28
USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Bloomfield > The history and genealogies of ancient Windsor, Connecticut : including East Windsor, South Windsor, Bloomfield, Windsor Locks, and Ellington, 1635-1891 > Part 28
USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Windsor Locks > The history and genealogies of ancient Windsor, Connecticut : including East Windsor, South Windsor, Bloomfield, Windsor Locks, and Ellington, 1635-1891 > Part 28
USA > Connecticut > Tolland County > Ellington > The history and genealogies of ancient Windsor, Connecticut : including East Windsor, South Windsor, Bloomfield, Windsor Locks, and Ellington, 1635-1891 > Part 28
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Nath'l Loomis, Mr. Henry Sanders.
Mr. Henry Wolcott.
Immediately on the receipt of the news (July 1st ) from Massachu- setts, the governor and assistants at Hartford ordered a detachment of thirty dragoons to the defense of New London and Stonington, which were considered most exposed to attack. On this service were fifteen dragoons and five troopers from Windsor. The next month ( August) The contributed fourteen dragoons to a relief party to Maj. Pyncheon of Springfield: and also twenty-five dragoons to a levy of two hundred and thirty from Hartford, New Haven, and Fairfieldt counties, ordered by the vonneil " to be in readiness for the march upon an hour's warning, and to have their arms well fixed and fitted for service." Capt. Benjamin Newberry of Windsor commanded the Hartford County troops.
On the 31st of the same month, Major Treat, moving with his army toward Northampton, learned on his march that Christopher Crow of Windsor, while traveling between that town and Simsbury. had been shot at by four out of a party of eight Indians. Halting at Windsor, he sent back to the council for advice, who ordered him to leave thirty (of the Hartford Co.) troops there, and to move on with the remainder of his force.
On the same day John Colt of Windsor was shot at by an Indian, and a party of Indians were seen that evening skulking around the North Meadow at Hartford. These facts induced the council the next day (Sept. 1) to order the immediate return of Maj. Treat with his com- mand to Hartford: requesting him also to send out three detachments
HISTORY OF ANCIENT WINDSOR.
of dragoons of thirty each, one party to scont on the east side of the river from Hockanun River to Scantie; another to scout on the west side from Hertford to Wethersfield, and a third to search on the west side from Hartford to Windsor -and the troops, having fulfilled these orders, rendezvoused at Hartford on the following evening, when the Major proceeded again on his march to Westfield.
Sept. 3. " It is ordered by the Council, that in the several plantations of this Col- ony there be kept a sufficient watch in the night, which watch is to be continued from the shutting in of the evening till the sun rise; and that one fourth part of each town be in arms every day by turns, to be a guard in their respective plantations." ".Al soldiers from to 10 70 years of age (magistrates, ministers, commissioners, commission officers, school masters, physicians and millers excepted) are to attend their course of watch and ward as they shall be appointed. It is also ordered, that, during these pres- ent commotions with the Indians, such persons as have occasion to work in the nehls shall work in companies; if they be half a mile from town, not less than six in a com- pany, with their arius and ammunition well fixed and fitted for service."
A heavy fine was also imposed on any one who should " shoot off a gun without conmand from some magistrate or military commander," except in self-defense, or " for the destroying of some wolf or such raven- ons beast."
Sept. 4. "For the prevention of danger to travelers upon the road between town and town in this County," - said towns were ordered to keep scouting parties of mounted men on the roads. " Windsor each other day, shall send four men to clear the roads to Simsbury, and two each other day, to clear the roads between Hartford and Windsor ; Windsor to begin Monday next to Hartford, and Tuesday to Simsbury." Hartford was also to send two men each other day, to clear the road to Windsor. The men were to be taken out of the town guard, "and to be upon their work by sun an hour high each day."
Sept. 6. " Sgt. Joseph Wadsworth of Hartford, and John Grant of Windsor, were ordered to take twenty men each and pass up to West- field and Springfield " which were threatened. The following is a copy of their instructions :
"To John Grant
" In his Majesty's name you are required to take under your conduct those dra- goons now present, and brad them forth up to Springfiekl, there to assist against the com. mon enemy, and there to continue till you receive farther orders from the council here. or are called forth to the army by Maj. Treat, or some of the chief commanders of our army. Also, in case you hear that any of our plantations are assaulted by the enemy. you are forthwith to post away to relieve the place or plantation assaulted ; and in case you should be assaulted in the way, you are to use your endeavor to defeud yourself and destroy the enemy.
"This signed pr. the Secretary."
These troops returned home in a few days by order of the council. Sept. 28. Two hundred bushels of wheat were ordered for the sup-
KING PHILIP'S WAR, 1676.
phy of the army, ground and baked into biscuit. Windsor was to fur- uish 50 points.
The Springheld Indiaas, who had hitherto been considered friendly to the English, now treacherously received some 300 of Philip's Indians into their fort, intending to attack and burn the town which was a mile distant. The plot was fortunately disclosed by one Toto, a friendly In- dian at Windsor, who was " domesticated in the family " of Mr. Henry Wolcott, Jr., (Morris' Hist. Springfield, 84 ; see also pages 110, 129, of this work), on the evening preceding the expected attack, and expresses were immediately sent to Springfield, and to Major Treat at Westfield, to warn them of the danger. The Springfield people, however, were incredidons, and suffered a surprise. They were only saved from utter destruction by the timely arrival of the Connectient forces under Treat, who had promptly marched from Westfield to their relief, on receipt of the message from Windsor.
This was bringing the var pretty close home, and the council at Hartford, at its session of Oct. 5,
" Upon occasion of the dangerous and destructive assault of the enemy so bear as Springfield, which may increase their insolency to attempt upon our towns suddenly " -"sw calle " to order the immediate preparation in each town of places for defence. to which women and children might repair for refuge, npon auy alarm They also or- dores " that the inhabitants of Windsor, Hartford, and Wethersfield - do forthwith set themselves in the ir - veral quarters to join tourther to gather in their Indian corn, and to bring it and their English corn on the east side of the Great River, into places of best security in their respective towns. ' All persons were ordered to lend every assistance in their power, and the magistrates were authorized to impress men and terms, " this being a time for all private interest to be laid aside to preserve the public good." (Col.
Nov. 4. .. It is also ordered, that at Windsor, the town being so scattered as it is. it is difficult to maintain and keep a military watch, do reconnuend it to the military officers of that town to continue a double walking watch, as hath been formerly attended there since these present troubles have broke forth." (Col. Rer.)
About this time the commissioners of the United Colonies becoming convinced tha the Narragansetts were deeply implicated in the designs of Philip, in direct violation of their treaty of peace, resolved to attack them at their own headquarters in Narragansett county. The season indeed was both difficult and hazardous for such an expedition ; as they expressed it, " It was a lamibling providence of God, that put his poor people to be meditating a matter of war at such a season." They wisely judged, however, that it was better to strike one bold blow at the enemy while in winter quarters, than to delay until the spring, when they would be scattered in different parts of the country. Accordingly a force of 1,000 men was raised for a winter campaign, under command of Josiah Winslow, Governor of Plymouth Colony. Of this forre Connecticut furnished 300 men, together with 150 Indian allies -all of whom were
224
HISTORY OF ANCIENT WINDSOR.
divided into five companies, commanded by Capts. Seely, Gallup, Mason, Watts and Marshall of Windsor. Major, afterwards Governor, Treat commanded the Connecticut troops. They arrived at Pettyquamscott on the 17th of December, and after a night of exposure, formed a junction with the Massachusetts and Plymouth troops. After another night spout in the open fields, exposed to all the severity of the weather, they com- meneed, at daybreak, their march to meet the enemy, some fifteen miles distant. The Massachusetts troops led the van, those of Plymouth came next, and the Connertient forces brought up the rear. Wading through the deep snows they pressed gallantly on, without food or rest, until about one o'clock, when they came in sight of the enemy, who were entrenched within a fort upon an eminence in the center of a large swamp. This fort was well defeuded with palisadoes and a high thick set hedge, and its only feasible entrance was a fallen tree or log, protected in front by a log house, and on the left by a flanker. Without waiting to form, the Massachusetts troops dashed forward over the tree, and although they succeeded in effecting an entrance, were met with such a furions fire from the enemy that they were obliged to retire with a fearful loss. At this juncture the Connecticut troops came pouring in over the tree, and a small party at the same moment stormed the rear of the fort, which turned the tide of battle. After a few moments of desperate hand-to-hand fighting, the center of the fort was gained, the torch was applied to the Trail and combustible wigwams, and the fate of the Narragansetts was sealed. Amid the shrieks of women and children, rattling of musketry, yells of despairing warriors, and exultant cheers of the English, their lamp of life went out, and the dense cohnnns of smoke which arose from the smouldering ashes of their homes was all that was left of some four thousand once brave and happy souls.
It was a glorious victory for the English, but it brought sorrow as well as safety to their homes. Six captains and 80 soldiers were killed or mortally wounded, and 150 wounded. Nor was this all. Two days of exposure and fatigue, and three hours of hard fighting were followed by a distressing night march of some eighteen miles to headquarters. through storm and sleet and deep snows, bearing with them their dead and wounded. The next morning the show was exceedingly deep and the cold intense, so that the jaded and frost-bitten army could scarcely move. Four hundred troops were unfit for duty. The Connectient troops had suffered more in proportion to their numbers than those of the other colonies. Capts. Marshall, Seely, and Gallup " died in the bed of honor," while Mason was so badly wounded that he died within a year after. "The fire of the enemy," says Trumbull, " was dreadful, when the Connecticut men were entering, and after they first entered the . fort, until the men who came in upon the backs of them, began to fire
KING PHILIP'S WAR, FOT6.
their large muskets loaded with pistol bullets. upon the enemy, where they stood together in the closest manner. This at once disconcerted them, and chucked their fire in that quarter."
Windsor had her full share of glory as well as of sorrow in this eventful battle. On the town books the recorder has entered the following :
1
" Here I sit down the Deaths of several persons who went against the Indians and were wounded that they died. It was on the 19th of December, 1675."
Ebenezer Dibble,
Capt. Saumel Marshall,1 Nath Pond. Richard Saxton.
Edward Chapman.
John Fitch was also wounded so that he died after his return home to Windsor. He left his estate to the town as a school fund. See Chapter on Schools.
In the State Archives ( War Doe's, fol. i.), is a petition dated May. 1735, signed by eleven persons who believe themselves to be the sole sur- vivors of the Swamp Fight, praying for a grant of land for their services. We find among them the names of Josiah Gillet and James Enos, prob- ably of Windsor .?
And this is all that can be ascertained at this day concerning the names and exploits of those who represented our town in this hotly con- tested and important battle.
The Connecticut troops had suffered so severely that they were with- drawn from active service, but the Massachusetts and Plymouth forces kept the field for the greater part of the season, actively engaged in pur- sning and harassing the enemy, who on their part were neither inactive nor relenting. But to return to affairs at home :
December 28. The council " thought meet to order and command that those that continue on the .ust side of the River in the plantations of Hartford. Windsor, and Wethersfield, do forthirith repair into good and sufficient garrisons, in such manner for numbers as that in an ordinary course of God's Providence, they may be able to defend themselves, and that their grain of all sorts be brought into the towns or secured in some garrison on that side, and that they kill and secure all their swine that are fit to be killed; and that they keep no arms nor ammunition but in garrison houses, except what they carry about with them; and that they keep and maintain good and suffieien! watches by night, and wards by day, for their own defence and security, or else send scouts to range the woods by day, to discover the approach of an enemy."
Again in February, 1675-6, as Indians seemed to be hovering around, the council warned the inhabitants on the east side of the river to convey all their corn and provisions over to the towns on the west
' Trumbull says, "Marshall was killed as he ascended the tree before the log house." Fourteen are mentioned as killed and wounded in his company.
2 Simon Chapman, Eliakim Marshall, Thomas Elgar, and Peletiah Griswold, who are on the list, are also Windsor names, but whether of Windsor we are not certain.
VOL. I. - 29
HISTORY OF ANCIENT WINDSOR.
side. In case they did not they were to establish themselves and bring all their cattle, hav, etc., into carrisons, and not go abroad singly or unarmed. Garrisons of six men cach, at least, and well fortified, were ordered to be kept at Nath'l Bissell's ( Scantic) : Thomas Burnhan's (Podunk ) : Mr. John Crow's, at Nanback (Hlastonbury), and at Mr. Wyllys's farm.
In the month of March, the towns of Northampton and Springfield. Chehusford, Groton, Sudbury, and Marlborough in Massachusetts, and Warwick and Providence in Rhode Island, were attacked, and some of them destroyed by the Indians, and the Connectiont settlers felt that at any moment they might hear the warwhoop sounding at their own doors. Therefore the council (March 16) issued the following stringent orders :
"In regard of the present troubles that are upon us, and the heathen still continu- ing their hostility against the English, and assaulting the plantations, to prevent their designs against us, it is ordered, that the watch in the several plantations, about an hour at least before day, in each day, do call up the several inhabitants in each plantation within their respective wards, who are Forthwith upon their call by the watch to rise and arm themselves, and forthwith to march to their several quarters they are appointed to in their [wards] and elsewhere, there to stand apon their guard to defend the town against any assault by the enemy, until sun be half an hour high in the morning, and then the warders are to take their places; and two scouts in each end of every town are to be sent forth on horseback, to scout the woods to discover the approach of the enemy, and to continue on the scout, going so far into the woods as they may return the same day to give an account of what they shall discover, and the scouts are to take direction from the chiet military officer residing in their respective towns, how and which way they shall pass to make their discovery."
March 25th, " Capt. Newberry was appointed to improve the soldiers of Windsor. in scouting the woods and was permitted to appoint some of them to assist Capt Clark in the remove of the desolate widdow to Windsor, provided they do not star out above one night."
Also " upon a petition from sundry persons in Windsor, that they might have liberty to cut wood near their town, during this present war, the council ordered the authorities there to select such places as they might take wood from.
The burning of Simsbury on March 26, 1676, caused much alarm at Windsor. The settlers of Simsbury were mostly natives of Windsor. where they were now living, having removed thither for safety, by pre- vious order of the council. So near au attack, and the destruction of the houses and goods of their friends and neighbors who were dwelling with them, must have vividly brought to the minds of the Wind- sor people the immediate danger to which they were themselves exposed. Fortunately these apprehensions were not realized, and the war never again approached so near the homes of Windsor. It was, however, by no means at an end. Repeated successes of the Indians filled the hearts of the whites with despair, and Massachusetts at one time seemed in a
1
227
KING PHILIP'S WAR. 1676.
tair way to be utterly depopulated. The tide soon changed. Captain Dennison and three others of Connecticut, organized several volunteer companies, and, with the help of a large number of friendly Indians, commeneed a guerilla warfare, taking the field alternately by companies, with admirable success. In less than four months they had made ton or twelve expeditions. killed or captured 230 Indians, taken 50 muskets, and 160 bushels of corn, and completely cleared the country of the astonished and flying red-skins.
On the 19th of May, Capt. Turner, with 150 choice soldiers, sur- prised and routed a large encampment of Indians above the falls now known by his name. The news was received the next day at Hartford. with a request for immediate aid. Capt. Benjamin Newberry of Wind- sor was dispatched up the river with eighty-one men. thirty-two of whom were his townsmen. On reaching Westfield, he was induced by the car- nest solicitation of the inhabitants ( whose garrison had been weakened by the recent engagement ) to leave three men who were willing to remain. Arriving at Northampton, he found the people there ansions to march against the enemy. He himself thought it advisable, and writes to the council at Hartford. "it will be for great advantage to be so doing as soon as may be." Three hundred Indians were at Quabang, and he offers if the council will send Maj. Treat with his forces, or if they would dis- patch only fifty or sixty meu, to attack the enemy ; and the men, he says, " would rather be in action than in garrison : little is likely to be got by garrisoning, whatever may be saved." If the council should not see fit to comply with his regnest, he asks whether he had not better undertake the enterprise with his own foree, and such as he could pick up there- abonts. for he thinks the affair should not be delayed. He further sug- gests " whether it may not be well that Samuel Cross' and those dogs he hath. may not be advantageous to the present motion to be sent np." probably with a view of employing them to track and hunt the Indians.
In the beginning of June, Maj. Talcott took the field with a large forer of English and Indians, and spent that and the succeeding month in scouring the country, engaging the enemy wherever he came upon them, and gaining several very decided and important successes. In August, King Philip himself was killed near his old home at Mout llope, where he had returned. as it were, in despair and desperation, to die. With him died also the hopes of the Indian tribes. His only son, " the last of the family of Massasoit," was sold as a slave and trans- ported to the Bermudas. The once powerful Narragansetts were a "lost tribe." The sword, fire, famine, and sickness had swept them from the varth.
' Samuel Cross was of Windsor.
HISTOPY OF ANCIENT WINDSOR.
And the war. while it had given safety, and opened a wide door for immigration and improvement, had still been most disastrous to the whites. " 'Twelve or thirteen towns were destroyed : the disbursement. and losses equalled in value half a million of dollars : an enormous sum for the few of that day. More than six hundred men, chiofly young men. the flower of the country. of whom any mother might be proudl. perished in the field. As many as six hundred houses were burned. It the able-bodied men in the colony, one in twenty had fallen ; and atu. family in twenty had been burnt out. There was scarcely a family from which death had not selected a victim."
While this was tre of Massachusetts and Plymouth. Connectiont had suffered comparatively little. Her towns had escaped the ravages of the enemy, and her slain were but few. The Indians within her bor- ders were not only friendly but added her in the field. And she had the glorious privilege of repeatedly assisting her confederates, and of " resen- ing whole towns and parties when in the most imminent danger." Yet all this was only accomplished at great risk and expense. Besides guard- ing het own towns and frontiers, she had sont into the field a larger force in proportion to her population than any other colony. and for three years after the commencement of the war. the inhabitants paid 11 pene .. on the pound, upon the grand list, exclusive of all town and parish taxes."
And when the Protestant Irish generously sent a contribution to re- lieve the necessities of the suffering New England colonies, Connecticut relinquished her share to the more distressed colonies of Massachusetts - and Plymouth. Nor was this all, but they even sent a voluntary contri- bution out of their own little store to their " brethren in distress in one neighboring colonies."
The recor.l of Windsor's share in this work of mercy, as preserved by Matthew Grant. in the Old Church Record, forms an appropriate final .. to this chapter.
"This is the account of what persons gave to the voluntary contribution made for the poor in want in ofher colomes upon motion sent to this colony of Connecticut. It was done June 11, 76.
Mr. T. Allyn. .
6 Nicholas Buckland, . 0
Benelliet Alvord,
1
0 Joseph Birge. .
0
3 11
Jeremy Alvord.
=
1
3 Samuel Baker,
0
7 0 Thomas Barber,
=
1
0) Peter Brown,
0
9
0
Sarah Buell, silver,
=
2
1
Nathaniel Bissell, 1
=
C Ephraim Bancroft, 0 William Buell,
0
0
1 John Brooks, 0 1 0 1 Benjamin Bartlett, Mr. Chauncey, 0
1
0 Widow Chapman,
10
Edward Adams, = John Bissell, . 0 Johh Bissel, Jr., Thomas Bissell, 1 Samuel Bissell, 0
0
1
0 Josias Barber,
4
2
WINDSOR'S LIBERALITY, 1676.
Samuel Cross.
6 Timothy tali. .
Nathaniel Cook.
1
Andrew ifillier,
0
Capt. Clark,
= Ephraim Howard,
=
Gabriel Cornish.
1 Hanna lligly,
0
1
3
James Cornish,
5
0 Jobu Hosford. John Hoskins, .
C
1
1
0
sister.
11
1
3
John Loomis,
=
=
5
9
Job Drake, Sen'r,
5
Daniel Loomis,
=
1
13
Jacob Drake. . Jol. Drake. Jr .. .
=
3 0 Nathaniel Loomis,
=
5
1
3
Job, his brother.
0
=
6 his wife,
Israel Dewey ..
0
1 () Dencon Moore, .
(
6
6
his wife,
0
1
John Moore, Jr ..
1)
1
0
Thomas Dibble, sen'r,
=
1 3 John Moses,
0
5
6
Abram Dibble,
1
3
Simon Mills,
0
2
6
John Denslow's wife, fax,
=
=
9 Mary Maudsly,
0
7
6
Josias Ellsworth.
=
3
0) Mary Marshall.
=
4
6
Wid. Egelstou. cloth,
1)
1 0 Mrs. Newberry. John Owen,
0
1
6 0
Walter Fyb.r.
=
0
George Phelps,
=
4 2
3
Samuel Forward.
0
1
3 John Porter, Sinr.,
=
1 10)
C
0
John Filley,
0
6 Nathaniel Porter,
=
1 2
Nathan Gillet.
0
6 Timothy Phelps,
0
2
ti
Corin lius Gillet.
6 Thomas Puteli, .
=
1
0
Nicholas Godard,
6 Wm. Phelps,
Joseph Griswold.
֏2 Joseph Phelps, . =
Good-wife Palmer.
=
2
10
George Griswold,
0
3
9 Timothy Palmer,
0)
0
6
Mathew Grant, silver, Sanmel Grant,
0
5
0 Thomas Rowly,
0
1
3
Taban Grant,
0
2 6 John Rising,
0)
1
6
Walter Gaylord,
1)
6 Hanna Rising, .
0)
1
6
Samuel Rock well, 3
=
2
0
1
6 John Strong,
=
11
John Gaylord, Senr.,
0
2
6 Return Strong.
0
5
0)
John Gaylord, Jr.,
=
3 0 Thomas Stoughton, .
0
Nathaniel Gaylord, .
0
2
0 Hanna Shadock,
0
1
3
Joseph Griswold's wife.
6 Joseph Skinner,
0
2
9
Jacob Gibbs,
0 Nicholas Senchion,
0
2
6
Sunurl Gibirs. .
()
3
0 Jolin Saxton, .
0
1
3
Robert Hay ward,
=
5
0 George Sanders,
1
6
Josias Gillet, John Gillet,
0
2
6 Humphrey Prior,
6
0
1
3 Jobn Pettibone's wife,
0
3
Abra'm Randall, =
€
5
0)
John Grant,
0
0 9 George Phillips, bacon,
Samnel Filley. .
0
5 0 John Potter, Jr.,
0)
Jonathan Gillet, Seur ,
=
1
6 Samuel Osborn,
0)
1
John Fyler,
Zurab'l Fyler.
0
1
3 Sara Pinne.
5
0
Thomas Erelston,
=
1
3 John London,
=
0
9
Lydia, his sister,
0 Thomas Loomis,
=
6
Jolu, Drake, Jr.,
=
9 Joseph Loomis, Jr., .
6
Humphrey Pinne,
()
William Fill-y. .
6 James Porter,
11
5
Jonathan fillet, Jr.,
6
8 0 James Rising, .
his wife in cloth,
his son Eliazer, flax,
6
Nathaniel Cook, Jr. and
0
0
Elakim Cook, Jr .
6 anıl in money, .
d.
6
2
2
2
James Egelton,
230
HISTORY OF ANCIENT WINDSOR.
£ 0
to
Stephen Taylor, Jr.,
1
Mr. II. Wolcott, Jr., =
Owen Tudur. .
C
Samuel Tudor, .
=
-
= Robert Watson,
=
8
William Thrall.
=
2
6 David Winchell,
=
Timothy Thrall,
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