The history of ancient Windsor, Connecticut, Part 20

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909
Publication date: 1859
Publisher: New York : C. B. Norton
Number of Pages: 956

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" 14 Sept., 1693, the townsmen met and took some of the town's lead in view, and found and left at Lft. Return Strong's old house, under the stairs, 359 pounds; and at Mr. John Tyler's 138 pounds, and it is judged under the meeting house north gallery [there is] 500 weight, besides a body of bullets at Mr. John 'Tylers."

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EXTRACTS FROM THE TOWN ACTS.

The meeting house may perhaps seem a strange place for the keeping of military stores, but it was a very general custom at that day, as being a central and well protected depot for such purpose. And it must be remembered, also, that our ancestors did not view the meeting house as a consecrated place. They used it for all public purposes, without any compunctions of con- science, for what some might deem sacrilege.

1696-7. " At a town meeting, January 19, it was voted that whosoever shall at any town meeting speak without leave from the Moderator of the meeting, he shall forfeit one shilling and it [is] to be restrained by the constable for the use of the town."

This would indicate a growing boldness of manners and self- sufficiency, quite in contrast with the decorous propriety of the first generation.

Also at the same meeting "it was voted to forbid all persons to make turpentine or rosin within the town bounds."

Gov. Roger Wolcott mentions in his Journal that " the year 1697 was a year of great scarcity and mortality. The summer was cool and cloudy, not a month without a frost in it; the win- ter was very long and severe. In February and March the snow was very high and hard. There was a great cry for bread; the cattle perishing in the yards for want; the sickness was very distressing and mortal. Those in health could hardly get fuel, tend the sick and bury the dead. Many suffered for want of fire-wood and tendance."

1697-8, January 17. " Voted that all the male inhabitants of the town from sixteen years of age and upwards shall kill one dozen of black birds, or give one shilling to the town treasury. And whosoever shall kill above his dozen shall have one shilling paid out of the town rate, and whosoever shall kill six black- birds in March or April it shall be accounted as if he had killed a dozen." (Bk. II, 72.)

1698, April 2. The townsmen thought meet to send Josiah Bartlett to Hadley, to the wife of Caleb Smith, in order to the procuring a cure of his lameness, and we do desire Serg't Por- ter to take care to send him thither, and to do what is needful in that matter." On the 5th of April following the " Townsmen met, and whereas Josiah Bartlett above mentioned is now at Hadley, we do further empower Serg't Porter in the name of the town, to put him an apprentice to a suitable place, for time as his discretion shall guide." (Bk. II, 73.)

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HISTORY OF ANCIENT WINDSOR.

December 27. " The town voted a desire that the Court would grant liberty to Alexander Allyn to sell wine and other strong drinks, provided he do not allow any to drink it in his house, and that he sell cheaper than others that have license. (Bk. II, 70.)

1698-9, January 31. "The town chose Lft. Hayden and ; Ensign Joseph Griswold to take care to prevent the carrying away of the iron ore at the marsh called Tilton's Marsh."

1699, March 14. The town voted to expend £100 pounds in cleaning sheep commons, each man to work out his part.

Also 4d per head for killing crows, and the same price as before for blackbirds, and no person hereafter to be fined for not killing them. (Bk. II, 79.)

Also liberty was granted to any person to work iron ore [probably at Tilton's Marsh], provided they should sell " 1000 lb. weight to the people of the town, one fourth part cheaper than the market price." (Bk. 11, 80.)

This offer was accepted by Mr. John Elliott.

1700, December 26. " Voted by the town to allow Mr. Sam- uel Mather for his salary for preaching the Word, for the pre- sent year, one hundred and ten pounds."

1701, February 11. Town meeting voted that as there was no stream sufficient for carrying on the iron works, nearer than Stony-brook (in the present town of Suffield), that the ore found on the commons might be carried there; "and that the inhabitants of Windsor or Suffield may be indifferently em- ployed to carry the said ore, provided the inhabitants of Wind- sor may be employed as well as the inhabitants of Suffield to cut wood in Suffield common, and make and cart coal for the use of the said works."

December 29. " Voted to erect a pew between the pulpit and the Great Pew which is on the women's side [of the meeting- house], for the use of Mr. Mather's family during his life or abode in the town."

1702, June 5. Liberty was granted to certain men, to get turpentine out of the trees already boxed on the east side of the (Connecticut) River, on the condition that they should deliver one fourth part of it, " barrels and all to the townsmen for the town's use."

1703, April 27. £20 was granted by the town, with which to procure "assistance in the ministry" for one quarter. The committee were directed to make application to a certain Mr.

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EXTRACTS FROM TOWN ACTS.

Reade, and if he could not accept, to Mr. Samuel Mather, the son of their pastor.

Mr. Mather was not a minister, but he was an educated man, had graduated, from Cambridge, two years before, and probably possessed all the requisite gifts of mind and character for " a supply."

In 1703, the term Society is first used on the town records of Windsor.

1707, December 19, the society voted to give Mr. Mather £110 as usual, for the salary for the current year ending in April, " but in case a help be provided, that so much be abated as his office is." It was also agreed "to make application to Mr. Jonathan Marsh, of Hadley, to be helpful in the ministry for half a year."

December 30. The society appointed a committee, who should have power to call meetings, order about repairing meeting house, and any other business needful for the society.

1708, March 30. The society voted "to make application to Rev. Jonathan Marsh to desire his continuance with us in the work of the ministry in order to a settlement." This was unanimously voted, except one. His salary was to be £80 if he performed the whole or the greater part of the labor; but if Mr. Mather was able to undertake one half of it, then Mr. Marsh was to receive £70 in current country pay, or two-thirds in current silver money. " And for his further encouragement, voted to give him £100 per year while he continues in the work after the decease of Mr. Mather, besides what shall be done towards his honorable settlement."

In January, 1709, they offered Mr. Marsh £100 in " current country pay," in case of his settlement among them; which terms were accepted, and he was ordained colleague pastor with Mr. Mather, some time in 1709 or 1710.1 This mark of respect- ful consideration for the infirmities of their venerable pastor, is further enhanced by their voting him, in December of the same year, £60 " for his honorable maintenance."

1710, December 4. The town voted to give the Rev. Mr. Marsh the improvement of the town orchard, bounded north on

1 Timothy Loomis's memoranda records under date of " August 29th, 1710, Mr. Marsh's first Lecture."

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HISTORY OF ANCIENT WINDSOR.

the highway, and south by John Grant's heirs, so long as he shall continue in the ministry.

1716-17, March 18. "Voted to divide the Law Books belong- ing to the town, according to the list of 1716," the selectmen to divide them into three parts according to the lists belonging to each side of the river. "After the books are divided by the Selectmen as above, that Thomas Moore distribute according to said list on the south side of the rivulet, Israel Stoughton on the north, and Deacon Samuel Rockwell on east side Great River .??

1724, September 24. " Voted and desired that the Reverend Ministers of this town recommend the sore and difficult circum- stances of our good friend Nathaniel Cook, to their respective congregations, to consider his case by way of brief as soon as may be."

1725, May 11. "Voted to sell the town guns at vendue, at the sign post at the heat of the drum."

1725-6, February 24. " Voted that persons from other towns who take any wood from the town commons should pay 20s a load."

1728-9, February 3. " Voted that if any person at this meeting or any town meeting to be holden hereafter by the inhabitants of this town, shall presume to speak in town-meet- ing without liberty of the Moderator, he shall pay a fine of 20s to the town treasurer."

Judging from the increased fine, the manners of the people had grown much worse, since the similar vote in 1696-7.

CHAPTER XII.

QUEEN ANNE'S WAR, 1702-1713, AND INDIAN WAR OF 1722-24.

" BUT NOW A STERNER DARKNESS SETTLES DOWN,

FIERCE BATTLE BENDS HIS FROWN."

In May, 1702, Queen Anne of England, the Emperor of Ger- many, and the States General, united in a declaration of war against France and Spain. This, of course, involved the Ameri- can colonies in a French and Indian War. Instantly they were encircled by a terrible, but unseen, cordon of wily and ferocious enemies. Death hovered on the frontier. "In the following years the Indians stealthily approached towns in the heart of Massachusetts, as well as along the coast, and on the south- ern and western frontiers. Children, as they gamboled on the beach; reapers, as they gathered the harvest; mowers, as they rested from using the scythe; mothers, as they busied them- selves about the household - were victims to an enemy who disappeared the moment a blow was struck, and who was ever present where a garrison or a family ceased its vigilance. If armed men, rousing for the attack, penetrated to the fast- nesses of their roving enemy, they found nothing but solitudes." Each night was full of horrors, to which day scarce gave relief. Summer's foliage concealed the lurking foe, and his steps fell lightly amid the rustling leaves of autumn. Even winter's icy barriers and drifts of snow were defied by his bloodthirstiness and the snow-shoes which he wore. Deerfield, Hatfield and other towns were attacked, and their flames lighted the path-

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HISTORY OF ANCIENT WINDSOR.

way of captives hurried away to a Canadian captivity, the recital of whose horrors still curdles our blood.

Amid the accumulated horrors of such a warfare, Connecticut was, as usual, alert and helpful, both in protecting her own borders, and assisting her more exposed sister colonies. Every town was put into a complete state of fortification and de- fence.1 Simsbury, Waterbury, Woodbury and Danbury, then the frontier towns of the colony, were objects of special care and precaution. The whole militia of Connecticut were held in readiness for active service upon an hour's warning. Indians were employed, with high wages, to range the woods as scouts.

Such were the daily trials and anxieties which for many slow years, tortured the New England settlers, and impeded their advancement. Connecticut, althoughi herself untouched, and uninvaded, had many men in the service of the New York and Massachusetts colonies.

"August, 1708, one BARBER of Windsor was slain a 100 miles up the Great River."2

As may well be imagined, this constant apprehension of assault and surprises had sorely galled and worn upon the patience of the colonists; and when at length, in May, 1709, a demand was made upon them for troops and munitions of war, to assist in the reduction of Canada, Acadia and Newfoundland, none responded with more alacrity or energy than Connecticut. Three hundred and fifty men under the command of Col. William Whiting, were raised and ready to sail for Quebec by the 20th of the month. General Nicholson (formerly Lt. Governor of New York, and of Virginia ) had command of the provincial army which lay in camp at Wood creek, near Albany, awaiting the arrival of the British fleet and forces preparatory to a simultaneous attack on Canada. Disaster to their Portuguese

1 "At a town meeting in Windsor, March 23, 1704-5, named by order of general court to consider about making of fortifications, but nothing was agreed on at said meeting concerning the matter.

Also Lieut. Timothy Thrall [ was] chosen to take care of the town arms and ammunition, and to be accountable for them, and the townsmen were appointed to agree with him, and to give him a reasonable satisfaction for his trouble."

2 Deaths in Hatfield, Gen, and Hist., Reg. Ix, 162.

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QUEEN ANNE'S WAR.

allies, however, changed the destination of the fleet to Portugal instead of America. Meanwhile a great mortality prevailed among the troops at Wood Creek; and disappointed in his hopes of a reinforcement from England, Nicholson, early in the fall, returned to Albany. This failure entailed a heavy expense to the colonies, and a loss of more than a quarter of the brave men who enlisted.

Captain MATTHEW ALLYN, led a company from this town, in this unfortunate campaign. We learn from his letters to his wife, 1 from the camp at Wood Creek, that himself, "TIM PHELPS, OBADIAH OWEN, NAT TAYLOR and BARTLETT are sick, Taylor the worst."

On the town records, are the following entries:

"Sept. 24, 1709. BENJ'N NEWBERRY, JR., died at the camp at Wood creek. October HEZEKIAH BISSELL, died near Albany.

SGT. ISAAC PINNEY, ) WILLIAM STRATTON, died aboard the vessell coming from Albany."

STEPHEN TAYLOR, SAMUEL THRALL.

In this expedition Mr. Timothy Edwards of (East) Windsor, and the Rev. Mr. Buckingham of Milford were appointed by the legislature, chaplains to the Connecticut troops. Leaving Windsor for New Haven in July, Mr. Edwards reached Albany, with a detachment under command of Lieut. Col. Livingston, on the 15th of August. Their march to Albany, through a wild and uncleared country, was full of toil and exposure. On his arrival there he wrote a letter to his wife, from which we make the following extract:

" Whether I shall have any time to write you after this, I know not; but however that may be, I would not have you dis- couraged or over anxious concerning me, for I am not so about myself. I have still strong hopes of seeing thee and our dear children, once again. I can not but hope that I have had the gracious presence of God with me since I left home, encourag- ing and strengthening my soul, as well as preserving my life. I have been much cheered and refreshed respecting this great undertaking, in which I expect to proceed, and that I shall, before many weeks are at an end, see Canada; but I trust in the Lord that he will have mercy on me, and thee my dear, and

1 Wolcott Manuscripts, Library of the Conn. Hist. Soc'y.

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HISTORY OF ANCIENT WINDSOR.

all our dear children, and that God has more work for me to do in the place where I have dwelt for many years, and that you and I shall yet live together on earth, as well as dwell together for ever in Heaven with the Lord Jesus Christ, and all his saints, with whom to be is best of all."1

On the 20th of August, the troops marched for Wood Creek, but Mr. Edwards being overcome by the unaccustomed fatigue and exposure, was taken sick; and on the 4th of September, was conveyed in a boat to Stillwater, and from thence to Al- bany, through the woods, in a wagon, and on a bed. After remaining a short time, he was, by the failure of the expedition and consequent return of the army, restored in safety to his anxious family and parishioners.

Nothing of importance was accomplished the next year (1710) except the reduction of Port Royal, to which Connecti- cut, although poorly able, contributed 300 troops. Flushed - with this success, General Nicholson made a voyage to Eng- land to solicit the means for another invasion of Canada. Con- trary to all the expectations of the colonies, he succeeded in his design, and in June arrived at Boston, with the news that a fleet might soon be expected from England, and with her ma- jesty's orders that the colonial government should have their quotas of men and means in immediate readiness for the ex- pedition. But, when the fleet arrived, it had neither pilots nor provisions. The colonies found that nearly the whole burden of the affair was to be thrown upon them, and the suspicion which naturally arose, that Queen Anne's tory ministry were not very anxious about the conquest of Canada, rather served to dampen the zeal which they had for the service. Yet " in a little more than a month from the arrival of the fleet, the new levies and provisions for that and the army, were ready." Connecticut, besides victualing her own troops, furnished New York with 200 fat cattle and 600 sheep. More than this could not have been expected. On the 30th of June, a splendid fleet under Admiral Walker, having on board an army of 7000 troops, sailed from Boston for Canada. On the same day, Gen. Nicbol- son began his journey to Albany, where he found himself at the "

:1 Sprague's Annals of the American Pulpit.

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QUEEN ANNE'S WAR.

head of 4000 men from New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, the latter commanded by the veteran Colonel Whiting. Ad- miral Walker, however, loitering on his way, and calculating the possibilities of winter dangers, was, by a terrible storm, on the north shore of the St. Lawrence, among the Egg Islands. Eight or nine vessels were shipwrecked, and nearly a thousand lives lost, and the Admiral sailed for England, consoling him- self that had he "arrived at Quebec, ten or twelve thousand men must have been left to perish of cold and hunger; by the loss of a part, Providence saved all the rest!" The failure of Walker, left Nicholson no option but to retreat. Thus inglori- ously terminated the campaign which had been heralded by so much preparation. It was a sore blow to the hopes of the colonies, and many began to think that "it was not the design of providence, that this northern continent should ever wholly belong to any one nation."

In Timothy Loomis's memorandum book, is recorded that

" The Training Day they had throughout the Colonies to press soulders to go take Canada was the 6th of July, 1711. There went out of Col. Allyn's Company seven. The names are as fol- lows: JOSEPH HOLCOMB, THOMAS GILLET, BENJAMIN HOWARD, BENJ. BARBER, BENEDICT ALVORD, EBENEZER COOK, NATHAN GRISWOLD.

They set away from Windsor, July 10, 1711. They returned to Windsor againe October 12, 1711."1

The following Windsor men were also in service, in Captain Moses Dimond's Company :2

Lient. SAMUEL BANCROFT, Sgt. NATH. PINNEY,

NATHANIEL GRISWOLD, ISAAC PINNEY.

JOSEPH GRISWOLD,

ROGER WOLCOTT (afterward Governor) was Commissary in the expedition.

The following year 1712 was unmarked by any occurrence of importance. Various scouting parties were employed in rang- ing the woods.

JOSEPH PHELPS, Jr., of Windsor, while engaged in a scout

1 Timothy Loomis's Manuscripts.

2 State Archives, Manuscript War, III, Commissary Account of Roger Wolcott.

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HISTORY OF ANCIENT WINDSOR.

under Lieut. Crocker, in the summer of this year, had a narrow escape from the Indians, in which he lost his coat, blanket, hat and divers other traps.1

In 1713, the war, which had grown out of European changes and convulsions, was ended by the treaty of Utrecht, which by establishing the territorial relations of France and her neigh- bors, closed the series of universal wars for the balance of power, and left no opportunity for future contest.

The peace between England and France, did not wholly relieve the New England colonies from trouble and alarm from their Indian neighbors. The latter, under the insidious influence of the French, continued to show signs of restlessness and ill-will, which in 1724 broke out into actual hostilities. These lasted until the close of 1724, when a satisfactory peace was estab- lished between the Indians and whites. In this war, Massa- chusetts was the heaviest loser. Connecticut, however, was obliged to make heavy sacrifices for the common safety. The whole colony was put into a complete state of warlike defence, but suffered no loss of lives. Besides garrisoning her own frontier settlements, Connecticut furnished and paid fifty or sixty men, each year, for the defence of Hampden county, Mass.

The Windsor militia were not called into very active service, during this war. Certain hostile movements of the Indians in the vicinity of Litchfield, in the summer of 1724, induced the government to guard against any sudden attack, by establish- ing a line of scouts, from Litchfield to Turkey Hills, including the most exposed portions of Simsbury. AZARIAH PINNEY, SHUBAL GRISWOLD and NATHAN WATSON were stationed at Litchi- field on this scout. Watson claimed to have shot an Indian, which was stoutly denied by some of his companions, but as stoutly affirmed on affidavit by others.

At Turkey Hills a garrison was established, to which nine Windsor men were sent, six of them remained from July 4th to August 13th, and three until August 22d. On the 12th of July, " an alarm at Turkey Hills " induced the Council to send there,

1 State Archives.

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QUEEN ANNE'S WAR.

three sentinels from Windsor, under Captain WOLCOTT and Lt. ELLSWORTH. They were however dismissed after one day's service.

At length there came a respite from War's fierce ravages. Again

" Life, active, prosperous life,

Ran through the woods, and mantled o'er the land. As the tree fell, the log-hut sprang in place ; The log-hut, like the tent in fairy tale, Expanded to the village."

CHAPTER XII.

WINDSOR, EAST OF THE GREAT RIVER. ( South Windsor.) 1662-1768.

" AND THUS THE WHITE RACE SPREAD,

AND THUS THEY SCATTERED THEIR RUDE CLEARINGS THROUGH THE LEAFY DESERT. THE TALL BLOCKHOUSE ROSE

SURROUNDED BY ITS STOOPING CABIN-ROOFS

AND BELTED WITH ITS POINTED PALISADES. THE AXE RUNG ALWAYS, AND THE ECHOES WOKE TO THE DOWN-CRASHING WOODS. GREEN MEADOWS SPRUNG FROM THE WOOD-MOSS, AND CATTLE LOWED WHERE ROSE THE BLEATING OF THE DEER, AND WHERE THE WOLF HOWLED TO THE MOON. THE RIFLE BROUGHT QUICK DEATH IN HARD STRONG HANDS TO THE MAJESTIC MOOSE AND BOUNDING DEER. THE EAGLE STOOPED TO IT. THE DARTING SALMON FELT THE BARBED POINT OF THE TORCH-LIGHTED SPEAR - THE SPOTTED TROUT LEAPED AT THE BUTTERFLY, AND FOUND QUICK DEATH. THE BEAVER PADDLING ROUND HIS ANCIENT STREAM FELT THE SHARP TALONS OF SOME HIDDEN TRAP,

AND MEEKLY DIED." - Street.

Ils First Settlement.

It will be remembered that the first purchase of land made by the Dorchester People after their arrival on the Connecticut, was upon the east side of the river, within the present town of South Windsor,1 Tradition has always asserted that, at first,

1 See Chapter on Indian Purchases.

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EAST OF THE CONNECTICUT RIVER.

they intended to settle here, but that fear of floods induced them to remove to the high lands on the west side. All the evidence, however, which has been presented in a former chapter, tends to show that their original intention was to locate on the present site of Windsor. Yet it is not improbable that this purchase, made during the disputes and negotiations with the Plymouth Company concerning their land at Windsor, was intended as a dernier re- sort, and that in case of the failure of those negotiations, the Dorchester party would have effected a permanent settlement on the east side of the river. From this alternative, however, they were relieved by the final agreement with the Plymouth Com- pany in 1637, which left them in quiet possession of the much coveted lands at Windsor. For thirty years after, there seems to have been no occupation of the lands on the east side, except as a pasturage for their cattle, and some small pieces of mow- ing.1 Tempting as were the advantages offered by its broad expanse of fertile meadow, there were obstacles and dangers in the way of its actual settlement, which could neither be over- looked or rashly encountered. The broad stream of the Great River, at all times an inconvenient highway, was, in the winter season, almost impassable with ice and drift. It was also a serious barrier to social intercourse and mutual aid or protection, while its annual freshets obliged them to build on the uplands at a considerable distance from its banks, and consequently at a greater remove from the main settlement. On those eastern shores, also, dwelt the ferocious Podunks, and their allies the Scantics, who though never overtly mischievous or unfriendly, could hardly be considered as safe or pleasant neighbors. More- over, prudence and the exigencies of the times, forbade any undue increase of colonization, whereby the strength and safety

1 Matthew Grant, in describing the great flood of 1638-9, says that it "endamaged many cattle over the river," i. e. on the east side ; and in tho deed of a purchase of land on that side by John Bissell, Jr., in 1660, mention is made of a piece of ground that " Goodman Hayden hath formerly to mow." Also, " Sept. 7, 1757, it was voted that the meadow east side of the river be cleared by the 23d." These and many other similar extracts might be adduced to show that the lands on the east side were to some extent im- proved.

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HISTORY OF ANCIENT WINDSOR.

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The history of ancient Windsor, Connecticut, Part 20

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909 Publication date: 1859 Publisher: New York : C. B. Norton Number of Pages: 956

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909
Publication date: 1859
Publisher: New York : C. B. Norton
Number of Pages: 956