The history of Fairfield, Fairfield County, Connecticut, from the settlement of the town in 1639 to 1818. Vol. I, Part 3

Author: Schenck, Elizabeth Hubbell Godfrey, 1832-
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: New York, The author
Number of Pages: 478


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 3


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


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54


At the first approach of the English, the Sachems and Indians of the country had fled with dismay into the swamp ; but as they had done the English no harm, the parley was granted. The officers were also anxious to save the old men, women and children. Thomas Stanton, a man familiar with the Indian language, was sent in to treat with them. He was instructed to offer life and protection to all Indians who had not shed Eng- lish blood. "The native Sachems, followed by companies of warriors, aged men, women and children, came out in numbers of about two hundred." The chief Sachem declared that neither he nor his people had done the


* Johnson's Wonderworking Providence. Mass. Hist. Col. Vol. IV § 2. pp. 50-61.


xix


INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER


English any harm, and expressed a desire to make peace with them. The haughty Pequots, however, disdained all overtures of peace, exclaiming : "We will fight it out to the last !" Stanton barely escaped with his life in leaving the swamp, and the soldiers were obliged to fly to his rescue. The fight was now renewed, but on account of some misunderstanding among the officers, several of the Pequots escaped. "Some were for forcing the swamp immediately, but this was opposed as too dangerous. Others were for cutting it down, as they had taken many hatchets, with which they were of the opinion it might be effected. Some others were for making a palisade and hedge round it, but neither of these measures could be adopted." As night approached, it was agreed to lessen the circle around the swamp, which was almost divided in two parts at one point, by cutting down the trees and undergrowth. This being done, sentinels were stationed at a distance of twelve feet apart. Thus they entirely encircled the swamp, and watched the enemy through the night. During the night the Pequots crept near the guards and discharged their arrows at them, but not one was slain. From the dead bodies found the next day, it was shown that the English musketry had made severe havoc among the enemy." Just before dawn a dense fog fell over the place, and seizing this favorable opportunity for escape, the Indians, with hideous yells, first attacked Captain Patrick's quarters, but they were severely driven back by Captain Mason sending timely aid. Captain Trask also marched quickly to the scene of action, followed by Captain Mason, upon whom the Indians now directed their full strength. Mason, however, gave them such a warm reception that they were glad to retire. They then rushed once more upon Captain Patrick's quarters, when about sixty or seventy of their bravest warriors broke through his line and escaped, several of whom were found slain the next day, by those who pursued them as far as Fairfield. About twenty others were killed, and one hundred and eighty taken prisoners. Hatch- ets, wampum, kettles, trays, and other Indian utensils were taken.


Sassacus who had been alarmed by the escape of the spy sent to slay or take him prisoner, fearing to fall into the power of the English before the battle took place, set out for the country of the Mohawks. He was accompanied by Mononotto and twenty or more of his bravest warriors. He no doubt feared his own men, who had already threatened his life at their defeat at Groten. He carried with him about five hundred pounds of wampum. The women who had been taken captives, stated that about seven hundred Indians and thirteen Sachems had been slain during the war ; and that thirteen Sachems were still living. Sassacus and his warriors were surprised by the Mohawks, and all slain but Mononotto who escaped.


xx


HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD


It was reported that the Mohawks were bribed by the Narragansetts to commit this act. In the month of October following, the Mohawks sent the scalps of Sassacus, one of his brothers, and five others of the murdered Sachems, as trophies to Hartford. Soon after Roger Ludlow and other gentlemen, carried a lock of Sassacus' hair to Boston, " as a rare sight, & a sure demonstration of the death of their mortal enemy."


Among the women taken captive in the swamp was the wife of Mono- notto. Her modesty, kindliness of temper, and good sense, particularly attracted the English. She made but two requests, which were that her chastity and children might be spared. These requests were granted, particularly, as it had been through her instrumentality that the lives of the two young girls, who had been stolen from Weathersfield had been spared. She was specially recommended to the kindness of the Gov- ernor of Massachusetts, who gave her and her children every care and protection." The captives and the booty taken, were divided among the Connecticut and Massachusetts troops. A number of those carried to Massachusetts were sold as slaves in the West Indies, where they dragged out an unhappy but brief existence. Those who remained as slaves in the colonies proved restless, and soon escaped from their servitude.t


Upon the return of the victorious army, joy unspeakable reigned in the English colonies. A day of public thanksgiving was appointed in Plymouth, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. The planters now went forth to their labor in the field without fear of the Indians; and the mothers with animated fervor, fearlessly sang Puritan hymns by the cradles of their children.


The drain of men from the plantations to carry on this war, and a great scarcity of articles of food and clothing, made the winter, which was unusually severe, one of great privations to the colonists. Money also was very scarce. That their condition might not be known to the Indians, as well as to prevent them from taking advantage of their situation by rais- ing the price of corn, the General Court met at Hartford on the 9th of February, 1638, and passed a resolution, " that no person in the river plan- tations or at Agawam, should go up the river to trade with the Indians for corn, either privately or publicly, under a penalty of 5s. pr. bushel, without the consent of the Court."


In order to raise means to pay the expenses of the war, it was voted


* Mason's Hist., Pequot War., Mass. Hist. Coll., Vol. 8, S. 2, 146-151.


+ One of the Pequot captives was owned by Samuel Hall, and bound to Samuel Gregory of Fairfield for several years. He was given his freedom on the 27th of October, 1691. F. T. Votes, p. 21.


-


xxi


INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER


that a tax of six hundred pounds should be levied, to defray the charges of the late design against the Pequots, "Agawam £86, 16s., Windsor £158, 28., Hartford £251, 2%., Weathersfield £124. The payment to be made in money, in Wampum at fower a penny, or in good merchantable beaver at 98. pr. pounde." Mr. Clement Chaplin was appointed Treasurer. Mr. William Wadsworth of Hartford, Henry Wolcott, sr. of Windsor, Andrew Ward of Weathersfield, and John Burr of Agawam, were made collectors of taxes for their respective plantations. On the 8th of March, committees, afterwards called deputies, were elected from each town to assist the magistrates. From these two bodies, originated the Senate and House of Representatives of Connecticut.


At the same time Mr. William Pynchion of Springfield was appointed to purchase corn of the Indians, and to deliver five hundred bushels at Hartford, at 58. a bushel. If he could save by this sale, he was to deliver the proportion of Windsor to Mr. Ludlow at 5s. 2d. a bushel. Weathers- field was to be supplied from Hartford. The price set to pay the Indians was 48. pr. bushel, " to be paid in wampum at 3 a penny, or merchantable beaver at X · a pound."


At this critical crisis, the committee were sent to Pocomstock or Deer- field to purchase corn. The Indians came down the river in fifty canoes laden with corn at one time. This was considered a great and providential deliverance, by the famished colonists. All who wished to purchase corn, were to repair to the magistrates of the town in which they resided for a just proportion. Mr. Ludlow and two others were also commissioned to send a vessel to the Narragansett Indians for corn.


A stringent law was passed against any abuse of the Indians. Corselets and arms were ordered to be provided within six months, for the use of the army. Captain Mason was made Major-General of the militia of Con- necticut, with a stipend of forty pounds pr. annum, "to train the men in each plantation ten days in every year, soe it be not in June or July." The Rev. Mr. Hooker delivered him the staff. Every male from the age of sixteen was ordered to bear arms, and in case anyone failed to be present at the public trainings he was to pay a fine of 38 .. Each plantation was required to be supplied with a magazine of powder and shot; and every military man to have continually in his house "half a pound of powder, two pounds of bullets suitable to his piece, & one pound of match, if his piece be a match-lock," under a penalty of five shillings.


For the public service done by Thomas Stanton in behalf of the colony, he was awarded ten pounds. He was also appointed to attend all the Courts as interpreter between the English and the Indians, with a


xxii


HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD


salary of ten pounds pr. annum. The Court also passed a law, " that when a company of Indians set down near an English plantation, they should declare who their chief Sachem was, & that said Sachem should pay for all damages done by his men."


Scarcely had a month passed after the close of the war, before serious trouble arose between the magistrates of Massachusetts and Ninigret, chief Sachem of the Nehantics, on account of his harboring the Pequots. Uncas, elated with his triumph over Sassacus and Mononotto, now consid- ered himself at the head of the Pequot tribe, and willing to increase the number of his men, had also received several of the wandering tribe. The Narragansetts, who had conceived a bitter hatred towards him since the war, reported his course to the English, which was most unfavorable for him.


In order to appease the English, Uncas with thirty-seven of his war- riors, made a visit to Boston in July. He presented the governor with twenty fathoms of wampum, which was refused until he made satisfaction for receiving the Pequots. With apparent grief and many apologies he denied the charge. His present then being received, he took courage and placing his hand upon his heart he thus addressed the governor : " This heart is not mine: it is yours. Command me any hard thing, & I will do it. I will never believe any Indian's word against the English. If any Indian shall kill an Englishman, I will put him to death, be he ever so dear to me."


This promise was faithfully kept. Uncas remained a loyal friend to the English, who often protected his life and that of his men, at great sac- rifice.


The few surviving Pequots became a prey to all the other Indian tribes, who prided themselves in presenting the English with as many of their heads, as they could either by violence or stratagem secure. At last they applied to the General Court for protection.


At a meeting of the General Court held at Hartford on the 21st of Sep- tember, the remnant of this once powerful tribe, which had been reduced to about two hundred, were divided among their enemies as follows : eighty to Miantonimo, twenty to Ninigret, and the other hundred to Uncas, to be received and treated as their men. Peace was established between Miantonimo and Uncas. It was also stipulated if trouble should arise in the future between them that they should immediately appeal to the English for justice. The Mohegans and Narragansetts promised not to conceal or entertain enemies of the English. The Pequots were never to return to their own country without the consent of the English, to whom


xxiii


INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER


they were also to pay " a tribute annually of a fathom of wampumpeag for every man, half a fathom for every young man, & a hand's length for every male papoose."


The consummation of this treaty gave great joy to the colonists. The churches throughout all New England kept a public day of thanksgiving for the mercies vouchsafed them. "Devout & animated praises were addressed to him, who giveth his people the victory, & causeth them to dwell safely."


Having enacted the above laws for the protection of the settlements, the General Court assembled at Hartford on the 14th of January, for the purpose of preparing a constitution for the government of the colony of Connecticut. The commission granted by the General Court of Massa- chusetts to Roger Ludlow and his constituents, covered only the space of one year. The remoteness of the new colony from Massachusetts, and the fact of its being beyond the limits of that colony, made it extremely incon- venient to act in co-operation with its government; besides, Ludlow and his associates, when they left Massachusetts, probably had no idea of con- tinuing under that jurisdiction. At the close of the first year, a renewal of the commission was not solicited ; and upon the Connecticut patentees abandoning the scheme of colonizing their patent territories, the planters of the river settlements formed themselves, by a voluntary compact, into a distinct commonwealth. With sober thought and prayerful considera- tion, they deliberated and prepared a constitution, which afterwards was destined to form the basis of all the constitutions of our great republic.


" The men who formed this constitution, deserve to be held in everlasting remem- brance. They were not ignorant, or rash, or timid men. They were Ludlow & Haynes, & Wolcott & Hopkins & Hooker, & others of kindred spirits ; men of clear minds & good hearts ; men who in their views of civil & religious liberty were far in advance of their age, & who under the guidance of a kind Providence, introduced a form of govern- ment, which, for two centuries, has secured to the people of this state, a measure of peace & liberty, of order & happiness not surpassed by any other people on earth. I say emphatically, for two centuries. For the charter obtained from Charles II. in 1662, did little more than assume & ratify the constitution of 1639 It left its great principal unal- tered ; & Connecticut was still a republic in everything but a name. The Constitution of 1818 is altogether conformable, in its principles, to the compact entered into by our fathers, differing from it chiefly in its adaptedness to a more numerous population, & to the interests of a more widely extended & complicated state of society."


It was purely republican in its tenor, and is the crowning glory of the forefathers of Connecticut. It acknowledged no king but God ; no law but the divine law ; no priest but our Great High Priest Jesus Christ. It gave liberty to every man, and the right of a freeman to all well disposed


xxiv


HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD


moral citizens. Even the humblest toiler among them saw how, with that sturdy ambition, which has always characterized the people of Connecti- cut, he could rise to the highest place of state. It maintained the Congre- gational form of worship, which they conceived to be the one most in accordance with the church established by Christ and his apostles. An oath for the governor and deputy governor, the magistrates and constables was also provided. On the 11th of April the freemen from all the towns met at Hartford, and under the Constitution they had adopted, proceeded to elect the following officers :


John Haynes-governor. Roger Ludlow-deputy governor. Assistant Magistrates.


Roger Ludlow, Edward Hopkins, Thomas Wells, John Webster, William Phelps, George Wyllys.


Committees or Deputies.


John Steele, Mr. Spencer, John Pratt, Edward Stebbins, Mr. Gaylord, Henry Wolcott, Mr. Stoughton, Mr. Ford, Thurston Raynor, James Boosy, George Hubbard & Richard Crab.


Under the wise government of the framers of the Constitution, the colony continued to flourish in a remarkable manner. The liberality of the first statute in the code, which set out a declaration or bill of rights to cach freeman, invited many to settle in Connecticut. By its provision, all men of good moral character and industrious habits, were admitted to the rights of freemen. The severe law of Massachusetts, which allowed the civil franchise only to communicants of the Congregational Church, deprived many conscientious persons of that privilege ; consequently when Con- necticut offered the only true and wise platform, whereby men should be made freemen, every man felt that his own moral course made him indeed a freeman-free in that sense which develops his moral nature through his own independent will, governed by love of Christian principle. The mild character of the policy and government of Connecticut through the early history of her legislation, forms a striking contrast to the policy of Massa- chusetts-hence the constitution of Connecticut, which was framed at "a period when the light of liberty was wholly darkened in most parts of the carth, & the rights of men so little understood, in others, does great honor to the liberality, wisdom & far seeing policy of our venerable ancestors." It became as a vine planted in the wilderness, healthfully and religiously husbanded, a flourishing tree, its branches offering a shelter and an abiding place to the weary and oppressed, the grief-stricken, the sin-stricken, the humble toiler for the rights of manhood, and the Christian minister and soldier : all of whom sat down under its shadow, happy in the rights of freemen.


CONTENTS


CHAPTER I


1639-1650


DISCOVERY AND SETTLEMENT


Discovery of Uncoway .- Its natural advantages -Roger Ludlow's commission to settle Pequonnock .- Indians of the country .- First purchase of Indian lands .- Character of the country .- Samp-mortar Rock .- Pequot Swamp .- Named Fairfield .- Ludlow's com- panions .- First five home lots .- Ludlow fined .- His apology .- Settlements of Stamford and New Haven .- Fear of an English governor .- Connecticut patent .- Indian purchases and privileges .- Laws .- Constables .- State archives .- Courts .- Ludlow lays out the town .- Additional planters .- Ludlow purchases Norwalk .- Spring of 1640 .- Ludlow a judge of the General Court .- Colony prison. - Mere-stones .- Tobacco .- First town and school-house .- Planters of 1640 .- Home Industry .- Improvements of lands .- Trade .- Pipe-staves. - Fencing .- Hides .- Flax .- Pequonnock bounds. - Uncoway Indian tribute. -Sumptuary laws .- Imports and exports .- Shipping .- Truthfulness .- Trouble with the Dutch .- Creditors and Debtors .- Ludlow deputy-governor .- Indian troubles .- Militia called out .- Condition of the planters in 1642 .- Assistants and Deputies of 1643 .- Arms forbidden the Indians .- Jurors .- Confederation of the colonies .- Grand-jurors. - Marriages .- Plantations guarded -Governor Stuyvesant .- Indians rise at Stamford .- General fast proclaimed .- Fairfield Indians troublesome .- Ludlow's prompt action .- General combination of the Indians .- General Court laws for town courts, merchandise, liquors, inns, land, fences, town clerks, and trade with the Indians .- Mills .- Long Island Indians .- Bequest of William Frost to Christ's Church .- Maintenance of ministers and students at Harvard College .- Herdsmen .- Marks of private cattle, etc .- Magistrates and Deputies of 1645 .- Training days .- Colony fair .- General tax for purchasing Say- brook fort .- War between Uncas and the Narragansetts .- War declared against the Narragansetts .- Peace established in August .- Assistants and Deputies of 1645 .- Jury trials .- Criminals not allowed to vote .- Governor Haynes to visit the Indian reservations. -Dutch and Indian troubles .- Tobacco .- Guards for the Sabbath and. lecture days at Fairfield. - Seaside annual tax -Whaling .- Magistrates and Deputies of 1648 -Salary of governor and deputy-governor .- Bankside farmers .- Stratford ferry .- Uncoway Creek mill .- Military laws .- Indians of Stamford. - Uncas sent to Stamford. - Thomas Newton leaves Fairfield .- Connecticut patent .- Cambridge platform .- Death of Charles I. . .


I


xxvi


CONTENTS


CHAPTER II


1650-1660


WARS AND RUMORS OF WARS


Original plats of Fairfield and Pequonnock .- Planters and heads of families. - Assistant and deputies of 1650 .- General laws .- Election sermons .- Ludlow a commissioner .- Witch- craft .- Trial and execution of Goodwife Knap .- War between England and Holland - Trouble with Indians .- Dutch vessel seized .- Supposed plot of the Dutch and Indians .- Fears of a general massacre .- Preparations for war .- England sends arms and ammuni- tion .- Ludlow chief military officer .- Pirates .- Commissioners at Boston .- Agents sent to England for assistance .- Preparations at New Amsterdam .- Severity of colonial laws. -Invitation to Charles II. to come to America .- Oliver Cromwell Lord Protector of England -John Underhill. - Two Dutch war vessels enter Black Rock harbor .- Death of Governor Haynes .- A fast .- Fairfield declares war against the Dutch .- Ludlow leaves the country .- His detention by New Haven .- Sails for Virginia .- English fleet arrives at Boston -Peace proclaimed between England and Holland .- War declared against the Indians .- Six men to join the army from Fairfield .- General training day .- List of estates .- General Thanksgiving .- Major Willard's course. - Pequots awarded land .- Care of arms and ammunition .- Trouble with the Indians .- Pits for wolves .- Military laws for Indians .- Games -Lotteries. - Town limits extended .- Efforts to pacify Indians. - General fast .- Great mortality .- Probate Judges .- Colony tax .- Custom- house duties .- Temperance laws .- Commissioners -Law for magistrates .- Thanksgiving .. . ..


--


64


CHAPTER III


1660-1670


PROGRESS OF FAIRFIELD


Prosperity of Fairfield .- Military laws .- Change in the Constitution for the election of governors .- Pequonnock Indians .- First cavalry force of Fairfield .- Thanksgiving .- Patent desired. - Affairs in England. - Fairfield's acknowledged allegiance to Charles II. -Annual tax .- Sasqua lands .- Rate of dividend. - Town officers .- James Beers .- Free- men. - Indian deed of Sasqua .- Assistants and deputies of 1661 .- Norwalk and Strat- ford bounds. - Schools. - Efforts to obtain a charter .- Tax .- Wolves .- Leather sealers .- Assistants and deputies of 1662 .- Corn and tobacco. - Cavalry drill .- Fence committee .- Richard Ogden's mill .- The charter .- Stamford .- Captain John Youngs .- Salary of troopers .- Free trade .- Burning fields .- Trouble with New Haven .- John Adams .- Assistants and deputies of 1663 .- Particular Courts at Fairfield .- Boundary .- Watch- men .- Indians forbidden to enter towns at night .- New Haven and New Amsterdam .- Rights of town officers .- Henry Rowland, tavern keeper .- Thomas Pell's purchase of Westchester, etc .- Grant to the Duke of York .- Captain John Scott .- Public fast. - Fleet from England to reduce the Dutch .- Surrender of the Dutch .- Ecclesiastical liberties .- Union with New Haven colony .- War between England and Holland .- Pounds .- Rev. Samuel Wakeman .- List of estates .- Superior Courts at Hartford .- The King favors Connecticut .- Bankside farmers -Fairfield county .- Property taken for


1


CONTENTS


xxvii


debts .- Bears .- Fairfield to prepare troops, militia and vessels for the war .- Peace between England, France and Holland .- Public thanksgiving .- Strangers not to live in Fairfield .- Town notes .- County prisons .- Grant of land to Major Nathan Gold .- County troops .- Ecclesiastical assembly and committee .- Assistants and deputies of 1669 .-. Riding pace .- Lawful measures.


.102


CHAPTER IV 1670-1680


AN INTERESTING DECADE


Social customs .- Assistant and deputies of 1670 .- New Milford .- Sheep raising .- Weights and measures .- Minister at Rye .- Church and School lands .- Richard Osborn .- East and west dividends .- Assistant and deputies of 1672 .- Rye and Norwalk committees - John Wheeler's grant .- War between England and Holland .- Nathan Gold commander- in-chief of Fairfield county .-- Colony laws .- Grant of lands to Jehu Burr and Rev. Samuel Wakeman .- Published laws .- Postal route .- News of the English capture ' of New Amsterdam .- Action of the General Assembly .- Contemplated reduction of the Dutch .- Weapons of warfare .- Town improvements .- Prizes taken by the Dutch .- War tax .- Vigilance of Fairfield .- Peace between England and Holland .- Rev. Eliphalet Jones sent to Rye .- General training at Fairfield .- Overland mail between New York and Boston .- The Duke of York claims all Connecticut .- Governor Andros in New York .- General fast in Connecticut -Indian outrages .- Troops disbanded .- Acts for religious duties in families .- To Christianize the Indians' marriages .- Sabbaths.


144


CHAPTER V 1680-1690


THE DECADE OF THE ENGLISH REVOLUTION


Claim of John Wampus .- First prison on Meeting-house green .- Magistrates of 16So .- Trade and Navigation .- Indian troubles .- Fairfield troops .- Bedford .- Edward Randolph, deputy for New England .- Henry Wakeley .- Branding .- Ship building .- Purchase of Old Indian Field .- Court of admiralty .- Fairfield estates .- Meeting-house repairs .- Military colors .- Blight of crops, and great sickness .- Sign post .- Non-residents - Pirates .- Silver coins .- Connecticut boundary-line .- Major Gold sent to New York .- Danbury .- Death of Charles II .- James II. proclaimed King .- Fairfield patent .- Royal letters .- Writs of Quo Warranto .- Edward Randolph .- Highway across Golden-hill .- Petition to the King .- Governor Dongan .- Sir Edmund Andros .- Boundary between Fairfield and Norwalk .- Nathan Gold, Jehu Burr and John Banks disfranchised .- Wil- liam Whiting .- Danbury made a town .- Governor Andros assumes command of Con- necticut. - The Charter Oak. - Governor Andros' Council .- John Perry, postman .- French and Indians .- Major Gold and Jehu Burr reinstated. - Oppressive laws of Andros .- Andros' proclamation .- Rev. Increase Mather. - Abdication of James II .- William and




Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.