USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > Fairfield > The history of Fairfield, Fairfield County, Connecticut, from the settlement of the town in 1639 to 1818. Vol. I > Part 23
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It was already known that Sir Edmond Andross had been appointed governor of New York, and " all the territories lying west of the Conecti- cut River." From the beginning of the settlement of New England, up to the time of which we are writing, never had the advent of Episcopacy into the country been so much dreaded by the New England people. Andross was a member of the Church of England, and his coming to
* Col. Rec. Conn., II., 176.
t The TEST ACT was passed by Parliament to prevent political power being placed in the hands of Papists or Dissenters. It provided that no person should be admitted to the Kings' or Duke of York's households, either in civil or military affairs, without receiving the Lord's Supper, according to the usages of the Church of England. And although it affected Dissenters as well as Papists, the Dissenters favored its passage, as it explicitly denied the doctrine of transubstantiation .- Hume.
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America was regarded as an occasion of great danger to the prosperity of Congregationalism, as well as to that of the civil government.
Whether an effort was made at Fairfield at this time to take advan- tage of the king's Act of Uniformity and the Test Act by some of the inhabitants of the town, cannot be ascertained ; but either this idea, or an effort to induce Mr. Wakeman to divide his salary with an assistant minis- ter, was the cause of the trouble which had existed; in consequence of which he appealed to the General Court for redress at the October session of 1674. Upon hearing his grievance, the court appointed Captain John Allyn of Hartford, James Bishop of New Haven, and Major Robert Treat of Milford, to act with Major Gold, "to improve their best endeavors to settle an accommodation between the people & minister of Fairfield, that soe, if it be the will of God, Mr. Wakeman may continue in his work there."* From this time it does not appear that any further trouble existed on this subject.
Mr. Wakeman proved himself fully capable of conducting the affairs of his people alone. He not only became a popular minister, but also one of the most active men in Connecticut, in all the leading measures taken to settle the ecclesiastical affairs of the colony.
Two distinct religious parties had existed in New England from the settlement of the Massachusetts Bay colony, the Separatists and the Puri- tans. The Separatists or Independents adhered to the congregational mode of worship, while the Puritans were Presbyterians, and non-conformists of the Church of England. The Separatists or Congregationalists held to the belief, that each church was independent in its government from all other churches, or that each separate church was a distinct body in itself. The Presbyterian element among the Puritans, believed in a union of churches, and a fixed method of church government which should control them as a united body. The Church of England non-conformists clung to their early church education and beliefs, hoping that the day was near at hand when they should again enjoy its ritual, and that all which had been offensive to them in the mother-church, would be done away with. Hence, there ever continued in the New England colonies a strong opposition among the Puritans against the congregational mode of worship. Many were strongly opposed to church and state, or to any one church becoming an established church of the colonies, and uniting with the civil govern- ment in controlling the consciences of individuals.
John Banks, with William Curtis of Stratford, was appointed to lay out two hundred acres of land to the Rev. Thomas Handford of Norwalk.
* Col. Rec. Conn., II., 240.
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The colony tax was ordered to be paid in wheat at 4s., peas at 3s., and corn at 6d. per bushel, or pork at 3s. a barrel, when corn could not be had. Estates seized to pay county rates, were ordered to be sold at an outcry. John Banks was appointed one of a committee to run a boundary line between Connecticut and New York, from the Mamaroneck to the Hudson river.
Stringent laws were passed for a more effectual and speedy way to carry the overland mail from New York to Boston. Hartford had been made the central point for perfecting this project; and from the Ist of January, 1673, a postman was dispatched on the first Monday of each month from New York to Boston, with letters and small packages free of postage. In order to prevent postmen from loitering at taverns, stated allowances were made for them and their horses from Rye to Springfield, by the Assembly .*
The same rates were used between the towns. From the middle of October to the last of April, the postman was granted eight pence extra, for every night spent on the way for oats for his horse. The inn-keepers were ordered to take great pains, that the horses were not deprived of their allowance. They were to charge at the rate of six pence a meal for the postman, four pence for grass for a horse, and the same for oats or hay for one night. A fine was imposed upon any one who detained the postman without good cause. Mr. John Burr, as the constable of Fairfield, was ap- pointed to receive the amount due Mr. Green for the printed Colony laws. The last Wednesday in October was appointed a general thanksgiving day, to praise God for his mercy to the English nation, in so signally free- ing the colony from the imminent danger of war which menaced it; for the peace of the churches, of which others more deserving were deprived ; for general health of the plantations, and for an abundant harvest. Thomas Morehouse agreed to keep a gate over the creek, near Concord field.
At the May election, Major Gold was made an assistant of the General
* Postman's Hire.
Horse Hire.
Rye
to Hartford.
20
I2
Greenwich
17
IO
Stamford
.
17
IO
Norwalk
I5
9
Fairfield
I3
8
Stratford
I2
7
Milford
IO
6
New Haven
8 6
5
Wallingford "
6
4
s. d.
s.
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AN INTERESTING DECADE
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Court, Jehu Burr and John Banks deputies, and Jehu Burr and William Hill commissioners for Fairfield. Scarcely had tranquillity been restored in the colony, when a still greater evil threatened the country. In order to establish his claims in America, on the 29th of June, 1674, the Duke of York took out a new patent from the king confirming his grant of 1664, which embraced "all the lands from the west side of the Connecticut River, to the east side of Delaware Bay." Two days later he appointed Sir Edmund Andross governor of New York, and of all his territories lying west of the Connecticut river. The receipt of this intelligence pro- duced great indignation in Connecticut and throughout New England. To resist this injustice, after the fair promises made by the king, and by his commissioners ten years before, became at once the leading sentiment of the ministers and public men of the colony.
Andros arrived in New York four months after his appointment. On the first of May following he addressed a letter to the governor and Assembly of Connecticut, demanding a surrender of all the territory west of the Connecticut, and submission to his authority as the lieutenant- governor in America of the Duke of York's possessions. To this letter Governor Winthrop and the Assembly replied, refusing to acknowledge any charter or government, but that which the king had so graciously granted his liege subjects in the colony of Connecticut. In their great distress, the first Wednesday in June was appointed to be observed as a day of fasting and prayer, to seek the Lord that he would "stay his hands ; give them a heart to repent of the sins they had committed, & to return unto Him, that so in judgment He might remember mercy."
Vigorous measures were taken to make a strong resistance at Fairfield. At a town meeting held on the 15th of May, Richard Hubbell was author- ized to furnish eight hundred weight of lead within three months, for the use of the magazine in the town.
John Banks was made one of a committee to settle the boundaries of Derby, Woodbury, Waterbury, Newtown and New Milford.
The law requiring a freeman to be possessed of twenty pounds real estate was changed, so that the requirement became ten pounds.
Another grievous trouble fell upon the colony at this time. It was known that the Indians had plotted for many years to exterminate the whites. They had sold them their lands, and by treaties acknowledged themselves subjects of the king of England ; but they regarded themselves the original proprietors of the country, and had long looked with a jeal- ous eye upon the English. They had been moved from one reservation to another, the white man's home covering the hunting grounds and lands
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where their wigwams had stood. The jealousy of a savage heart dreamed of no other way of relief than to exterminate a people, whom they both hated and feared. Their sachems, once free to conduct their own wars, to govern their subjects, and to be independent of any rule, chafed under the restraints placed upon them. The jealousy which they had nursed for years, at last over-leaped every barrier, and the colonies in New Eng- land were suddenly plunged into a most cruel and disastrous war. The plot to exterminate the English, was revealed by a Christian Indian named John Sausaman. He was once a subject of Philip, sachem of the Wampanoags. In his rage Philip caused Sausaman to be murdered. Not long after, the murderer was tried and executed under the colonial laws. Enraged, guilty, and fearing for his own personal safety, Philip summoned his warriors together, and passed through the country in a hostile manner, calling upon other tribes to join him in exterminating the whites.
About the last of June, Governor Winthrop was notified from New London and Stonington that the Indians had murdered several whites in the Plymouth colony. Fearing an attack, they begged that 'an armed force might be sent without delay, to protect the towns lying on the east borders of the Connecticut colony. On the Ist of July Winthrop dis- patched a messenger to New York, asking Governor Andros to join in defending the English settlements. The messenger passed through Fair- field, and with all possible speed reached New York at three o'clock in the morning of the 4th.
On the 7th Governor Winthrop received a reply from Governor Andros, informing him that he should hasten his coming to Connecticut, and should set out that evening with an armed force, to assist him in settling all difficulties within the bounds of his royal highness. Without delay Captain Bull was dispatched from Hartford to Saybrook, with instructions to defend the towns on the seaboard against the Indians, as well " as to ward off all aggressions from any quarter." Meanwhile Win- throp summoned a meeting of the Assembly on the 9th at Hartford. On the morning of the 8th, Governor Andros arrived off Saybrook with an armed force. Wholly ignorant of his design, the inhabitants of the town were at first doubtful whether they should resist or allow him to land. They soon, however, recovered from the shock of his unexpected appear- ance. The fort was manned and the militia assembled for the defense cf the town. Captain Bull arrived at this critical moment, and gave courage and spirit to the inhabitants to make the most vigorous resistance. Dur- ing the day Captain Nichols with two other gentlemen was sent on shore
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to offer reinforcements to aid in protecting the town from the Indians. Meanwhile Robert Chapman, captain of the militia, dispatched a messen- ger to Winthrop for instructions. A speedy answer was returned by the governor and council to Captains Bull and Chapman, that in case Governor Andros should attempt to land with his friends to visit the fort, he should be treated with courtesy. " But they were to forbid his attempting to land his forces under arms." They were also instructed to raise the English flag over the fort, and to avoid striking the first blow; but if attacked to resist in his Majesty's name, and to defend themselves as best they could, for their own interests and the peace of the colony. They were further instructed "to represent to Major Andros the great injury & wrong he was doing, to take advantage of this time to make trouble among the king's subjects."*
The Assembly met openly on the morning of the 9th. Major Gold, deputies Jehu Burr and John Banks were present. A letter which had been drawn up and read before the Assembly was immediately dispatched to Major Andros, protesting against his landing an armed force in any of the towns in the jurisdiction, and threatening to inform the king of his ungracious conduct, " not fearing but that he would grant them his favor & protection." They further proceeded to draw up a declaration against the intrusion of Andros; and to command all the good people in the colony utterly to refuse to attend, countenance or obey him or his officers, in the following words :
"Forasmuch as the good people of his majesty's colony of Connecticut, have met with much trouble & molestation from Major Edmund Andros, his challenge & attempts to surprise the main part of said colony, which they have so rightfully obtained, so long possessed, & defended against all invasions of Dutch & Indians, to the great grievance of his majesty's good subjects in their settlements, & to despoil the happy government, by charter from his majesty granted to themselves, & under which they have enjoyed many halcyon days of peace & tranquillity, to their great satisfaction, & to the content of his majesty, graciously expressed by letters to them, so greatly engaging their loyalty & thank- fulness, as makes it intolerable to be put off from so long & just settlement under his majesty's government by charter. Hereupon for the prevention of misrepresentations into England, by the said Major Andros against us, for our refusal, & withstanding his attempts, made with hostile appearances to surprise us at Saybrook, while we were approaching towards a savage Indian enemy, that had committed much outrage & murder, by fire & sword, upon our neighbours about Plymouth ; this court have desired honorable John Winthrop & James Richards, Esquires, or either of them, (intending a voyage to Eng- land upon their own occasions,) to take with them the narrative & copies of all the transac- tions betwixt us, & to give a right understanding for clearing our innocence, & better securing our enjoyment as occasion shall offer."
*Col. Rec. Conn., II., 334.
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It was voted that the above declaration should be forthwith sent to the several plantations, sealed with the seal of the colony, and signed by the secretary. This protest was also dispatched to Captain Bull, with instruc- tions to counsel with Major Andros, and to invite him to meet the Com- missioners of the united colonies, wherever he should choose within the jurisdiction.
The Assembly also ordered that " forces should be sent from the sea- side, by the governor & assistants of Fairfield & the neighboring towns."
On the morning of the 12th, Major Andros requested an interview on shore with the ministers and principal officers of Saybrook. He was permitted to land with his officers, about the time that the messenger arrived with the letter and protest from the Assembly. Captain Bull, with the officers of the fort and town, and the principal gentlemen of Saybrook, met him upon his landing, and informed him that they had but that instant received instructions to acquaint him that the Assembly proposed he should meet the commissioners, and determine the controversy accord- ing to law and justice. Andros accepted the proposition ; but, forthwith proceeded to order that the Duke's patent and his commission as lieuten- ant-governor should be read. Captain Bull commanded him to desist from any such reading. Andros ordered his clerk to read as he had directed. The moment his clerk attempted to read, Bull, with great energy of man- ner and firmness of voice, ordered him to cease. Struck with his courage and soldier-like bearing, Andros asked his name. " My name is Bull Sir," he replied. " Bull," said the major, " It is a pity your horns are not tipped with silver !" Finding that the brave Bull and the Assembly were determined to resist his authority, and to maintain their chartered rights, Andros, after expressing his displeasure at the rudeness shown to him and his office, and the ingratitude exhibited to his proffered assistance against the Indians, returned to his vessel, and sailed for Long Island .*
Meanwhile, on the 5th of July, intelligence spread through the colony that the people of Swanzey and Taunton had suffered greatly from the murders and depredations of Philip's warriors; and that Massachusetts had sent four hundred men to their relief. This was followed on the 10th by news from Massachusetts, that at least thirty Englishmen had been murdered at Taunton.} Through the Rev. James Fitch, of Norwich, Uncas reported that the Narragansetts had received under their care the women and children of Philip, while he and his men were murdering men, women and children, and plundering the settlements in Plymouth, and Massachusetts. Uncas proffered his friendship and assistance to the Eng- ** Col. Rec. Conn., II., 583. + Trumbull's Hist. Conn., I., 344, 346.
.
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lish, in consideration of which Mr. Fitch recommended the Assembly that his faithfulness should be amply rewarded. Fearing the hostile Indians might attack the towns in the eastern part of the colony, Captain Wait Winthrop was sent with a company of Connecticut dragoons to join Cap- tain Hutchinson, into the Narragansett country. A treaty was effected between the Narragansett sachems and their "sunk squaw," or old queen, on the 15th of July. Forty coats were offered by the commissioners to any Indian who would bring in Philip alive, and twenty for his head. Two coats were pledged for every subject of Philip's brought in alive, and one for each head. All stolen goods were to be returned. Neither Philip nor any of his subjects were to be harbored by the Narragansetts ; and if they fell into their hands, they promised to kill or destroy them, until peace should be declared between Philip and the united colonies. Perpetual peace was to be maintained between the Narragansetts and the English. In order to cement this treaty, hostages were exacted of the Narragansetts.
On the 18th of July, the Massachusetts and Plymouth forces attacked Philip and his warriors in a swamp at Pocasset. The Indians sought refuge in a forest, and the English, following them closely, were drawn into such a dense thicket that it was difficult, as night approached, to dis_ tinguish their comrades from the enemy. Every moving bush received a volley of shot. Philip's men were reduced to great distress, and were upon the point of surrender, but fearing their fate, made a bold escape. Sixteen brave Englishmen were killed. Philip collected fresh men, and retired into a swampy neck of land, from which he could not have retreated without fighting his way through the English army. There is no doubt, if he had been followed up in this situation, he might have been conquered and peace been established; but, unfortunately, a few compa- nies were left to guard the swamp, and subdue the savages by starvation. About six or eight days after, either by wading across an arm of the sea, or passing over on rafts, he and his army escaped from the swamp. Emboldened by this escape, he enlisted all the Indians " for an extent of nearly three hundred miles," to rise and assist him in his savage work.
Acquainted with the customs of the English, their dwellings, roads, times of meeting at church, and the annual elections, the Indians were on the alert upon every unguarded moment to massacre the whites, and to burn and plunder their dwellings. They skulked in the uncleared forests which surrounded them, or concealed themselves in the darkness of night. in the barns and out-houses of the planters, whom they murdered at their doors when opened in the morning. If attacked in one quarter, they fell upon another, and carried on their inhuman barbarities, after which they
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retired into the forests, where it was difficult to pursue or attack them. The frontier towns of Plymouth, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island, suffered greatly from these attacks. Whole families were murdered, and villages destroyed by fire. The village of Brookfield was burned on the 2d of August. In September, Hadley, Deerfield, and Northfield, on the Con- necticut river, were attacked. Many of the inhabitants were killed, and valuable property burned or destroyed. On the 12th of September, Cap- tain Beers was surprised near Northfield, and twenty of his men killed. On the 18th, Captain Lothrop, with a choice body of young men from Essex county, was attacked near Deerfield, and, being overwhelmed, were nearly all cut off. Captain Mosely, who was stationed at Deerfield, with about sixty men, marched to his assistance, but was too late to relieve him. In the mean time he was obliged to defend himself against a large body of Indians for three hours. At last he and his men retreated, fight- ing nine miles for their lives as they retired. He held his situation until reinforced by Major Treat with about one hundred men from Connecti- cut (seventy of whom were from Fairfield county) and sixty Mohegans. The enemy were soon put to flight ; but the loss of the English, particu- larly in Essex county, was regarded a universal affliction. Jehu Burr and William Hill met with the commissioners of the united colonies, about the middle of September. A standing army of one thousand men was ordered to be raised for the defense of the colonies, of which five hundred were to be dragoons. The quota for Connecticut was three hundred and fifty men, who were to be commanded by Major Treat, of Stratford. Scarcely had this army been equipped, when it was called to make a rapid march to defend Springfield, which had been attacked with considerable loss. On the 10th, Major Andros notified the council at Hartford that an Indian had discovered to him an extraordinary combination among the Indians, extending from Hartford to Greenwich, to attack all the English settlements on the approaching moonlight nights. The work of destruc- tion was to begin at Hartford. He reported that from five to six thou- sand Indians were engaged in the conspiracy. He somewhat doubted the story, but thought the whole colony should be prepared for any emer- gency.
The day following, the council ordered that Hartford, being the head- quarters of the council, should be further protected from surprise or inva- sion, by " Flankers being placed in or near the outside houses of the town, at such convenient distances that they could be commanded from flanker to flanker around the entire town." A committee was appointed to carry on the work, and attend each flanker in case of alarm. The constables
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were ordered to see that the watchmen kept a vigilant eye on the Indians in the vicinity, and exact from them assurances of fidelity.
The General Assembly met on the 14th of October. Upon the Rev. Mr. Fitch giving information that the Indians were plotting to attack Norwich, Major Treat was ordered to send forty men post haste, under some suitable commander, to assist the militia in the defense of that town. The planters of Derby and all the other small settlements, were advised to remove their wives and children to some one of the larger towns for safety.
Major Robert Treat appeared before the Assembly, and tendered his resignation as commander-in-chief of the army. A vote of thanks was passed for his late good services, and the Assembly " desired him to con- tinue in the office with his regiment over the forces of the colony."
Sixty troopers were ordered to be raised out of each county. Those raised in Fairfield county, were to be commanded by Captain William Cur- tis, of Stratford. Major Gold was requested to appoint his son-in-law, Josiah Harvey, of Fairfield, or Dr. John Hall, of Stratford, as surgeon for the army, and Israel Chauncey of the same place as chaplain .* Ger- shom Bulkely of Wethersfield, also received the appointment of surgeon. Robert Seely of Stratford, and Nathaniel Seely of Fairfield, were made lieutenants.
Each town in the colony was ordered to appoint a committee to raise some suitable place of defense into which the women and children, the aged and the helpless might repair without delay, in case of alarm or an attack by the Indians, and into which they might also send their grain, valuables and movable property. The majors in each county were to appoint an officer to command the fortifications, and also one to take charge of the militia.
Any neglect of duty by an officer was punishable with death. Inferior punishments were to be decided by commissioned officers in each town ; but cases of life or limb were to be tried before a court martial, which was to consist of the governor, deputy-governor and the majors of the several regiments.
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