USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Windsor > The history of ancient Windsor, Connecticut > Part 18
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In the contentions which ensued, as in those that preceded, it is not easy certainly to discover, which side was most to blame, Both parties undoubtedly had good causes of complaint, and it was natural that they should be tenacious of the principles and rights for which each had so long and warmly contended. And it is quite as probable that matters in themselves comparatively trivial, had, by the heat of passion and the long continuance of dispute, assumed an undue importance in the eyes of the dis- putants. Yet we can not avoid the inference, from the docu- mentary evidence before us, that the chief thing which fomented and perpetuated this unhappy feud, was an unwillingness on the part of the First Church and its pastor, Mr. Chauncey, to
1 Town Acts, II, 51.
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make any concession towards the other party. They seemed to have considered the Second Church as rebels, who should be received, if received at all, only on terms of unconditional sur- render. But we will allow the records to speak for themselves.
At a Town-meeting, October 27th, 1679, "it was proposed to the Congregation whether they apprehended themselves under the power of an Ecclesiastical Council, and whether they were willing so to remain under the said Council." Voted in the negative.
Also George Griswold and Jacob Drake were desired "to re- pair to the Rev. Mr. Chauncey, and to desire him that both him- self and the church with him would return their determinate answer whether they will admit Mr. Woodbridge to preach once on the Lord's day, as the Hon. Govr and the worshipful Capt. Allyn have desired in their last letter." In case of a nega- tive answer from Mr. C. and the church, "the townsmen are desired to apply to the Civil Council in Hartford for their appro- bation and countenancing Mr. Woodbridge in preaching together with Mr. Chauncey, until we can be otherwise provided for."1
Mr. Chauncey and his church probably returned a negative answer, for we next find (Dec. 14, '79) that a committee of ten were appointed in town-meeting " by order from the Governor and Magistrates " * * * "to act in endeavoring to [obtain] a supply in the ministry." This committee, however, composed of the following individuals, Mr. Wolcott, Sr., Capt. Newberry, Capt. Clark, George Phelps, John Loomis, Henry Wolcott, Jr., John Bissell, Thomas Bissell, John Moore and Cornelius Gillet, was not acceptable to the people, 27 only voting in their favor at the town-meeting of January 3, 1679-80.2
1 Dec. 2, '79. Voted to allow £80 to be divided between Mr. Chauncey and Mr. Woodbridge according to their "respective times and pains in the min- istry .??
It is very probable that at this time, the Second Church was the largest, as the passage of this vote in town meeting would argue the weight of influence to be on their side.
2 Where the real trouble was, we may perhaps learn from the following : Job Drake, George Griswold, John Moses and Timothy Thrall [ all active members of the Second Society or Woodbridge faction ] subsequently presented to the governor and assistants a paper, dated July 5, 1680, containing sundry high charges, and the marshal was sent to bring them before the governor and
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In May following a council was convened, which gave the same advice as that of 1677.
In July, the assembly again interfered and ordered the Sec- ond Society to suspend their meetings on the sabbath and pub- lic days, and to unite with the First. "All actings contrary will be estecmed contempt of authority."1 Still the Second Church continued refractory. Meanwhile Mr. Chauncey had left Windsor, and a Mr. Stow2 was preaching in his place to the First Church. Mr. Woodbridge still remained.
The assembly, finally, was obliged to issue another perempto- ry order, Oct. 14th, 1680:
" This Court, having considered the petition of some of Windsor, 3 and the sorrowful condition of the good people there, and finding that, notwithstanding all means of healing afforded them, they do remain in a bleeding state and condition, do find it necessary for this court to exert their authority towards the issuing or putting a stop to the present troubles there; and this Court do hereby declare, that they find all the good people of Windsor obliged to stand to, and rest satisfied with the advice and issue of the council they chose to hear and issue their matters; which advice being given and now presented to the Court, dated January, 1677,4 this Court doth confirm the
assistants. They acknowledged the paper, and " did openly recognize the said scandalous and offensive writing, declaring themselves to be of the same mind." The court therefore bound them over in bonds of £10, to appear before the court in October, " and answer for the defamation of authority in the said writing so avowed and justified as before, and contempt of authority * to the orderly and peaceable settlement of ministry in Windsor, according to lawful appointment." The court also did " farther enjoin and require the said persons, and all concerned with them, to carry peaceably towards their neighbors of the Church of Windsor, and not interrupt or dis- courage the committee appointed by lawful authority to provide an able ministry for the said church of Windsor." See State Archives, Ecclesiastical Papers, 1, 74, 77, 78. Also, Col. Rec., III, 72.
1 They also advise the good people of Windsor to assist Mr. Woodbridge in the transportation of his effects to the Bay.
2 Probably Mr. Samuel Stow of Middletown, who afterwards (1681) preached at Simsbury for 4 years. Although never settled, he formed the First Church in that town.
3 State Archives, Towns and Lands, 1, 77. See also same volume, Nos. 63-68, 71-79.
4 lbid, 1, 63.
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same, and order that there be a seasonable uniting of the Second Society in Windsor with the first, according to order of the council, by an orderly preparation for their admission; and if there be objection against the life or knowledge of any, then it be, according to the council's advice, heard and issued by Mr. Hooker and the other moderator's successor; and that both the former ministers be released. And that the committee appointed to seek out for a minister, with the advice of the church and
the town collectively by their major vote, do vigorously pursue the procuring of an able, orthodox minister qualified according to the advice of the Governor, and Council, and ministers, May last; and all the good people of Windsor are hereby required to be aiding and assisting and not in the least to oppose therein or hinder the same, as they will answer the contrary at their peril."
Soon after a communication without date is sent to the as- sembly, by the Second Society, complaining that the First Church would not receive them, and would not abide by the advice of council. 1
"Our communicants," say they, "are not entertained or ob- jeeted against [if they had been objected against they could have obtained certificates of orthodoxy from Mr. Rowlandson and Mr. Hooker] neither we or our minister could enjoy com- munion in sacraments, nay the sacrament was professedly put by, that we might not. *
* * * * Indeed we did enjoy the preaching by our minister, and maintainance by the whole [town] a little while, and then were jostled out of that too."
They furthermore profess their willingness that the First Church should call Mr. Chauncey back again, or get another minister, but even if this is granted, " we are yet suffering that we had it not above two years and a half ago."
Tradition says, and it seems quite probable, that the people of Windsor had, by this time, become so disgusted with their own wranglings, and so dissatisfied with those who had preach- ed to them, that they unwittingly found themselves united in one point, viz: to seek a new minister. And at a town meeting held on March 11th, 1680-81, " It was voted unanimously, that Mr. Mather, of Branford, should be sought unto and endeavors speedily [made] to secure him, if God shall succecd, in the work of the ministry, and to tender to him a salary of £100 per year."
1 Probably the Ist Church still insisted on terms which the 2d considered as unjustly rigorous.
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HISTORY OF ANCIENT WINDSOR.
In May following (1681), Mr. Woodbridge's connection with the Second Church was severed. That there was some difficulty in the matter, and possibly some hard feeling, is evident from the fact that he complained to the assembly, of injustice done to him by the Second Church. To this the assembly replied (May 19, 1681) as follows:
"This court having heard Mr. Woodbridge, his petition, do find that it may be difficult to come to a just issue of the case, and that it may be hazardous to the peace to enter particularly into the bowels of the case, as matters are circumstanced, therefore as a final issue of all matters of strife about demands by Mr. Woodbridge upon the people of Windsor for his labors there. This Court do grant unto Mr. Woodbridge the sum of 200 acres of land for a farm, provided he take it up where it may not prejudice any former grant to any particular person or plantation. And this court do recommend it to those of Wind- sor who have been engaged to Mr. Woodbridge, that now at his parting, they would consider their engagements to him, and act towards him as they are in duty bound; and we recommend to Mr. Woodbridge as a friend to peace, that he would rest satis- fied therewith."
Meanwhile, the people of Windsor, with a unanimity which must have surprised themselves, were negotiating with Mr. Mather. In July (27), 1681, the town voted to have the Town House (previously occupied by the Second Church) " finished and made suitable for the entertainment of Mr. Samuel Mather, if God in his providence sends him amongst us." Also voted, to give him £100 upon his settlement, " and the use of the house and lands belonging to it."
There was still an impediment in the way of the union of the two societies, viz: some plan of union upon which both could reasonably and mutually agree. But the heartfelt desire for peace and quiet, which now possessed all minds, led them to make the following judicious and Christian resolution.
" August 25th, the Congregation being met, do jointly agree to present an invitation to Mr. Mather, and if it may be to obtain him, and leave the pursuance of the union of the two societies, till such time as he is present among us; and we are unitedly agreed in this, that so far as Mr. Mather can be helpful to us, from the word of God, to effect our union together, we shall readily attend. And wherein any person can not con- cur with his apprehensions, we are willing to wait till God shall help us to see reason to concur with him, and in the meantime not to make any disturbance, or occasion any trouble."
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But it was not until the following Spring (May,'1682) that the way was fully prepared for the much desired union. Then the Assembly, "upon application made by the Church in Windsor, re- specting the difficulties they meet with in the settlement of Mr. Mather, all former orders and endeavors not being effectual to remove the impediment that lies still in the way, that the matter of the union may be plainly stated, which is now mainly impe- dimeuting unto them, this Court see cause to declare their ready owning of the said Church in the quiet practice of their professed principles in point of order; and so that the forementioned union be carried on in mauner following, viz: That Mr. Mather being in due time called and settled in office by the church of Wind- sor, thereupon such of the Second Society as desire fellowship with them in all ordinances (excepting those that were formerly in full communion with that Church, that are returned, or to re- turn to the same standing in it), address themselves to Mr. Ma- ther; and having satisfied him about their experimental know- ledge, and the grounds of that satisfaction by him declared to the Church unto their acceptance, with encouraging testimony given in reference to their conversation, they be thereupon ad- mitted."
The plan thus proposed by the court, and which gave the First Church all they ever demanded, seems to have reconciled the previous difficulties; and a new spirit of harmonious enterprise at once infused itself throughout the town. Yet the task of softening the prejudices and fusing the discordant elements of the two churches, was a work which required time and pa- tience, as well as the exercise of sound judgment and consum- mate tact. All these qualities were in a high degree possessed by Mr. Mather, and probably in the fall of 1684, he was fully ordained and settled in the charge of the united congregations of Windsor. 1
At a town meeting in Dec'r of that year, "it was voted, that the town allow ten pounds per winter to be payed out of the
1 We are well aware that Trumbull and all other authorities assert that Mr. Mather was settled at Windsor in 1682. The following vote of the town, Dec. 28, 1684, " to give Mr. Samuel Mather 100 acres of land at Salisbury plains in case he settles in office amongst us ; " and also the record of admis- sions to the church during his ministry (as copied by Mr. Rowland from the original manuscripts of Mr. Mather-see Ch. Rec'ds, which begins thus : "The following were admitted to the church the 1st year, 1685," lead us to the conclusion that 1684 was the true date of his settlement and ordination.
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town rate towards procuring wood for Mr. Mather; the money to be laid out yearly by the towusmen, then in being, so as best [to] attain the end aforesaid.
Also that any man may have liberty to bring one load of wood yearly to Mr. Mather; and to be paid for the same out of their town rate, provided they bring it before the first day of February yearly, until the ten pounds be expended. Should there not be so much wood brought to Mr. Mather before the first of February as shall amount to the said sum, then any man may bring wood until the same be [made] up, and be paid as before said, the price to be three shillings and four pence the load."
"It is voted by the town that a new meeting house be built for the more comfortable carrying on the worship of God - and. the form of the house to be according to the meeting house at" Springfield, unless the committee chosen do see cause to make alteration in height or breadth. The Committee chosen to carry on this matter and to procure and agree with an able workman to do the work, are Benjamin Newberry, Mr. Henry Wolcott, Nath'l Bissell, John Porter, and Timothy Thrall.
Mr. Samuel Mather, the second pastor of Windsor, was in every respect a fit successor to the venerable Warham. Descended from a highly respectable and gifted ancestry, he was one, and by no means the least, of a circle of noble men, whose varied talents and pious lives, have rendered the name of MATHER, distinguished among the families of New England, even to the present day. His father, Timothy Mather of Dor- chester, was a son of the Rev. Richard, third minister of that town, 1 and his mother was a daughter of the excellent Major General Humphrey Atherton. Thus highly connected, his earlier years were spent in the enjoyment of all the advantages which the best society of that day could afford. Graduating at Harvard College in 1671, he went first to Branford, Conn. From thence he was called in the Providence of God, to Wind- sor, where the powers of his mind, the amiability of his cha- racter, and his piety, speedily won the esteem and love of his people, and composed the difficulties which existed among them, He was then in the prime of his life, grave and dignified in
1 He succeeded Mr. Warham, and had the charge of the new church which was formed after the emigration of the old church to Connecticut, 1635. It is a curious coincidence that his grandson should succeed Mr. Warham in the charge of the same old church in Connecticut.
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person, faithful and consistent in his daily life, and benignant and winning in manner. His connection by marriage with the daughter of the Hon. Robert Treat of Wethersfield, afterwards governor of the colony of Connecticut, was in itself happy, and served to increase the influence which his gifts of mind and heart had already secured for him in the public estimation. Thus happy in his domestic and public relations, his life was quietly passed in the faithful discharge of his pastoral duties to this now happy flock. And it is pleasant to record, that during the whole period of his ministry, not one shadow of complaint seems to have darkened his or their pathway. On the contrary, there is abundant evidence that he was the constant recipient of many marks of public and private respect and care. He is known to have published but one work, entitled A Death Faith Anatom- ised, printed at Boston, 1697, with an introduction by his cousin, the celebrated Cotton Mather, which concludes thus:
"The anthor is known throughout the churches of the famous and happy colony, to none of the least whereof he hath for many years been a faithful Pastor; known for his Piety, Gravity and Usefulness more than any recommendations of mine can render him; and my relation to him will readily excuse me, as well as his modesty forbid me, for saying any more."
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CHAPTER X.
KING PHILIP'S WAR. 1675-6. " BLACK REVENGE
LOOKED FROM THE HEAVENS-THE FOREST ECHOED IT IN THE WILD STORM ! THE WINTER SNOWS WERE PILED HIGH WITH ITS CURSES, AND E'EN GREEN-GARBED SPRING THAT BROUGHT HER BIRDS, HER FLOWERS, AND GRASS AND LIGHT TO THE CURSED WHITE MAN, HOWLED REVENGE TO THEM. AND THEY OBEYED THE CALL ; FIRE, STEEL COMBINED
MARCHED THRO' THE WOODS AND FILLED THE DEPTHS WITH RUIN."
For nearly forty years the New England settlements had en- joyed a season of almost uninterrupted quiet and prosperity. Providence had smiled upon their labors, the wilderness had begun " to bud and blossom as the rose," and there was scarce a cloud upon the horizon of their condition. But suddenly the warwhoop of the Indian rang through the length and breadth of the land, and they awoke from this " sweet dream of peace" to find themselves involved in all the horrors and uncertainties of savage warfare. King Philip and his warriors had appeared on the eastern borders, and their course was marked by mangled corpses and burning villages. In the general consternation which followed, apprehensions were felt of a general rising of all the New England tribes. 1
1 In the better light which time and historic investigation throw upon this subject, we find that this apprehension was unfounded. King Philip himself inherited a strong friendship for the whites from his father Massasoit, the first to welcome the Pilgrims of the Mayflower - and was faithful to that
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KING PHILIP'S WAR.
We, of the present day, can scarcely realize the terror which filled the hearts of our ancestors as they found themselves again on the eve of an Indian war. The crisis, however, was boldly and promptly met. A momentary blanching of the cheek there might have been, but there was no flinching of the heart among those brave men of Connecticut. The safety of their families, the preservation of their property, the hopes of religious free- dom depended on them, and they bravely prepared to defend the trust committed to them.
Fortunately and unexpectedly to them, the war did not reach the lower towns on the Connecticut, Simsbury being the nearest approach that the enemy made. Yet from the suddenness of the war, as well as the exposed condition of Windsor, Hartford and Wethersfield, those towns were in a continual state of dread and alarm. The inhabitants literally slept on their arms, in constant expectation of an attack. Windsor, particularly, from its widely extended limits, was more exposed than its neighbors; and from its situation on the great thoroughfare between Hart- ford and Springfield, was constantly alive with the hurrying "to and fro" of troops and munitions of war, on their way to the aid of the less fortunate towns above the falls. To all of the numerous levies drafted during the war, Windsor contributed a large proportion of troops; having in the service at different times not far from 125, mostly dragoons. These dragoons, from their greater facility of movement, and better adaptedness to the nature of the service, were constantly employed in rapid marches, bearing despatches and scouting parties. In an old book of rates we find the following names of Windsor troopers, who were in actual service, and received 6s Sd each " on war account."
trust. He was hurried into the war by the rash and unauthorized acts of some of his young men, and being thus compromised and proscribed by the English, was obliged in self defence to take up the hatchet. Few characters in Indian history are more worthy of study and admiration than that of the talented and brave, but unfortunate King Philip.
The action of the different tribes in this war was by no means concerted or similar, and we can not consider it as a general emeute.
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Capt. John Bissell, John Hosford, Capt. Sam. Marshall,
John Bissell, Jr., Anth'y Hoskins, John Moses, Nath'l Bissell, Dan'l Hayden, Thos. Moore,
Capt. Daniel Clark, Joseph Loomis, Mr. Jolin Porter,
Edward Chapman, Nath'l Loomis, Mr. Henry Sanders,
Thos. Strong, John Terry, Mr. Henry Wolcott.
Immediately on the receipt of the news (July 1st) from Massachusetts, the governor and assistants at Hartford, or- dered a detachment of thirty dragoons to the defence 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) she con- tributed 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 Fairfield counties, ordered by the council "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 Christo- pher 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, skulk- ing around the North Meadow at Hartford. These facts in- duced the council the next day (Sept. 1) to order the immediate return of Maj. Treat with his command to Hartford; requesting him also to send out three detachments of dragoons of thirty each, one party to scout on the east side of the river from Hoc- canum River to Scantic, another to scont on the west side from Hartford 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 even- ing, when the Major proceeded again on his march to Westfield.
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Sept. 3. " It is ordered by the Council, that in the several plantations of this Colony 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." "All soldiers from 16 to 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 present commotions with the Indians, such persons as have occasion to work in the fields shall work in companies; if they be half a mile from town, not less than six in a company, with their arms and animunition well fixed and fitted for service."
A heavy fine was also imposed on any one who should " shoot off a gun without command from some magistrate or military commander," except in self-defence, or "for the destroying of some wolf or such ravenous 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 Mon- day next to Hartford, and Tuesday to Simsbury." Hartford was also to send two men each other day, to clear the road to Wind- sor." The men were to be taken out of the town guard, "and to be upon their work by sun an hour high each day."
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