The history of ancient Windsor, Connecticut, Part 34

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

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Rev. CORNELIUS B. Everest was installed June 22d, 1836, and dismissed October 13th, 1840.

Rev. WILLIAM W. BACKUS was installed March 24th, 1841, and dismissed April 16th, 1844.

Rev. A. C. RAYMOND was installed and remained two or three years.

Rev. FRANCIS WILLIAMS was installed in 1852, and dismissed in 1858.

The society has no settled pastor at present.

A new and beautiful church was dedicated on the 22d of December, 1858. Its size is 48 by 82 feet, and it is furnished with a fine bell weighing 1564 lbs.

The Baptist Society.

During Mr. Bissell's later years, the Separatists or Baptists, as they are now called, began to gain ground in his parish. The number of their adherents was much augmented by an un- happy quarrel between two of the principal families in the place, in which the venerable pastor firmly refused to take any part. This was construed by Abel Gillet, one of the principals in the affair, as showing favor to his opponent, and he consequently withdrew and became a Separatist. The long and obstinate contention, also, concerning the settlement of Mr. Walcott, which succeeded Mr. Bissell's death, alienated the minds of many of the church-members, who swelled the ranks of the new

1 The Baptist Society are first mentioned in public votes of the Congrega- tional society in 1782.

2 He was a son of the aforesaid Abel, and father of the Hon, Francis Gillet, of Hartford.

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HISTORY OF ANCIENT WINDSOR.

sect. In 1786,1 they organized the First Baptist Church of Windsor, and settled Ashbel Gillet as their pastor, 2 and gradu- ally increased in numbers and influence during the unpopular ministry of Mr. Walcott.

After his dismissal, a few accepted the overtures, and returned to the watch of the orthodox church. The remainder, however, maintained their organization, and built a small meeting-house, about 1795, which has since been repeatedly repaired.

Mr. Gillet was succeeded by the Rev. Augustus Bolles. Since his time the church has had no settled ministry; but are now enjoying the pastoral labors of the Rev. Ralph H. Maine.

Of the original members1 of the church at its formation (about twenty in number), but one survives; Mrs. Wealthy Thrall, who is now aged 95 years. The present church consists of about fifty members.

The Methodist Episcopal Church in Wintonbury, was organized July 4, 1817, by Rev. Aurora Seagar, a native of this place. He formed a class of three persons, viz., Maria Palmer, Olive Hoskins and Fanny Griswold.

Edwin E. Griswold (now presiding elder of Bridgeport dis- trict) became connected with it March 20, 1818.

The following preachers have originated from this place: Aurora, Micah and Schuyler Seager; Edwin E. Griswold, Ebene- zer Latimer, Walter W. Brewer and Reuben H. Loomis.

The first church was erected on Whirlwind Hill in 1833, and rebuilt in its present location at the centre of the town in 1854.

The present pastor is the Rev. Thomas Stephenson.

St. Andrews Episcopal parish, one of the oldest in the state, is situated mostly in that part of Bloomfield which was annexed from Simsbury, in 1843, and as its history has already been

1 In the absence of the original church records, we gather from the votes of excommunication and other official actions of the Congregational Church, the following names, of some of the original members of the Baptist order : Widow Hepzibah Barnes, Joseph Fitch and wife Prudence, Mary, wife of Samuel Eno, Christian, wife of Caleb Case. Aaron Phelps and wife Susanna, Abel Pettibone and wife Elizabeth, George Latimer.

2 History of Simsbury, Granby and Canton, 1642-1845, by Noah A. Phelps, Hartford, 1845.

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WINTONBURY PARISH.

attended to, in the history of that town, 2 we shall not include it in the present work.

The first person buried in the Old Burial Place of Wintonbury, now Bloomfield, was " Luce, daughtr of Sergent Isaac Skinner, who Died Febry ye 23rd 1739, Aged 18 Years."

Many of the inscriptions in this cemetery are exceedingly quaint. We present two or three specimens:

Mrs. ANNA MEECHAR, | Daughter of Widow | Samantha Cook, Died July 3 1808.

Sixteen years I lived a maid Two years I was a Wife

Five hours I was a mother And so I lost my life.

My babe lies by me as you see That shows no age from Death is free.

"MIRE, daughter of Widow Semantha Cook, Died Feb'y 15, 1808, Aged 12 years.

One day in health I did appear Next day a corpse, fit for the bier."

" In Memory of HEZEKIAH GOODWIN, A. M., & Preacher of the Gospel; Son to Mr. Stephen Goodwin & Mrs. Sarah Goodwin, who departed this life, Jany 19th A. D. 1767, in ye 27 Year of his Age. His Epitaph composed by himself, upon his deathbed is as follows:

How short, how precarious, how uncertain -is Life! How quick ye Transition from time to Eternity. A Breath, a Gaspe, a Groan & lo we are seen no more! And yet on this point, Oh alarming thought, on this slender point turns a vast Eternity."

" In Memory of Mr. JONAH GILLETT, who Died May ye 21, 1782, in ye 75 Year of his Age.

My kindred Dear as you draw near Don't think that Death's a jeast, Remember you are mortal too Must pass the Solemn Test.

" This monument to the memory of PELETIAH ALLYN, who d. Feb. 5, 1821, in the 24th year of his age, was erected by the Congregational Society of Wintonbury, of which he was a member. Mr. Allyn early arrived at maturity, in the powers of his mind, and was possessed of more than ordinary energy and decision of character. In the testamentary disposal of his estate, good judgment and benevolence were happily united. After several legacies to individuals, he gave £200 for foreign mis- sions, 100 annually forever for the relief of the industrious poor of Wintonbury, 30 annually for the support of religious psalm-

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HISTORY OF ANCIENT WINDSOR.

ody in the Congregational Society, and 200 to 270 annually for- ever for the support of the gospel in the same society."

The new cemetery was opened in 1856.

In a manuscript account of Wintonbury, written in 1801 by its third pastor, Mr. Miller,1 we find some items in regard to the diseases of the parish, which are worth preserving.

The diseases then most common to the parish, as stated by Mr. Miller, were pleurisy, consumption, dropsy, slow or long fevers, bilious and nervous fevers, dysentery and hoarse canker.

In the western part of the society, on a large brook (which has a dead current, being at the bottom of the mountain; and its banks being boggy, black earth and coarse grass) the in- habitants dwelling on the road running parallel, have, in some seasons, bcen peculiarly subject to slow fever, or to dysentery, neither of which appeared at the same time. In 1775, dysentery raged fearfully on this street; almost every person suffering from it more or less. That year, 52 persons died in the society, of whom 15 died before July 19th, when the dysentery first appeared. Of the remaining 37 who died between this date and the next spring, thirty died on this street, which then con- tained only 33 houses. Other parts of the society suffered but little.

In the fall of 1792, the dysentery again raged in the same street, and many died, while but few were sick in the other portions of the society. It continued to rage until the following January, in spite of early frosts and snows.

From January 1, 1792 - 1801, inclusive, there were 163 deaths in the parish.

Of this number, 48 persons died under 2 years of age.

between 2 and 20 years of age.

" 20 and 40 =

31 =

40 and 70 66

= 70 and 80

11 =

80 and 85 16

at age of 93.

66 94. 97.

----

85 and 90

1 Deposited in the Archives of the Conn. Hist. Soc'y.

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WINTONBURY PARISH.

In 1845, Wintonbury parish, together with a portion of Po- quonnoc society in Windsor, was incorporated as the town of BLOOMFIELD. To this was added, in 1840, a portion of Simsbury, known as Scotland parish. The town of Bloomfield, as now constituted, is bounded N. and E. by Windsor, s. by Hartford,. and w. by Simsbury, and averages four miles in length and breadth. On the east border of the town there is a forest ex- tending the whole length of the township, and about one and a half miles in breadth from east to west. The face of the town is gently undulating, presenting several excellent kinds of soil, and very little waste land. Large crops of grass are raised, and the town is justly noted for the quantity and excellence of its fruits. Three large brooks, of slow current, which frequently overflow their banks, run through the town, and near its southern line unite and form one of the principal branches of Hartford Little River.

The principal timbers of original growth are elm, maple, but- ternut, walnut, chestnut, white, black, yellow and red oaks. Take it as a whole, the town of Bloomfield is a remarkably choice town for agricultural purposes. Barber says, 1 " the inhabitants are generally agriculturists, and remarkably free from the evils of litigation." He might have added that no better evidence of their prosperity is needed than the neatness of their dwellings, and the snug, well-ordered appearance of their farms; and that they are blessed with so many roads as to give rise to the saying, that " in Bloomfield every man has a road of his own to Hartford."

The present population of the town is about 1800.

1 Hist. Coll. of Conn.

CHAPTER XXI.

WINDSOR'S SHARE IN THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 1775 -1783.

" OH, FEW AND WEAK THEIR NUMBERS WERE,

A HANDFUL OF BRAVE MEN ; BUT TO THEIR GOD THEY GAVE THEIR PRAYER, AND RUSHED TO BATTLE THEN.

THEY LEFT THE PLOWSHARE IN THE MOLD,

THEIR FLOCKS AND HERDS WITHOUT A FOLD,

THE SICKLE IN THE UNSHORN GRAIN,

THE CORN HALF GARNER'D ON THE PLAIN,

AND MUSTERED IN THEIR SIMPLE DRESS

FOR WRONGS TO SEEK A STERN REDRESS -

To RIGHT THOSE WRONGS, COME WEAL, COME WO, To PERISH OR O'ERCOME THEIR FOE."-Mc Lellan.

It might have been presumed that the colonies, in retiring from a war in which they had borne so conspicuous and loyal a part, and from which they had themselves derived but little benefit, would have received some mark of approbation, or at least of indulgence, from their sovereign. But that sovereign was weak, and his ministerial advisers were unprincipled and short-sighted. They found the treasury empty, and the national debt increased by recent wars, to almost seven millions of dollars. . Their subjects at home were already alarmed and grumbling at the increased burden of taxation which seemed to await them. It was then that Grenville's facile brain conceived the idea, uu- generous as it was unwise, of taxing the colonies, by levying new duties upon their imports. This was the "one straw too much which broke the camel's back." The colonies, who had

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THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.

sacrificed thousands of their best lives, and treasures, and whose frontiers had for so many years been constantly drenched in blood, could not bear this new burden. From one and all arose a unanimous protest against "taxation without repre- sentation." A few wise men foresaw and plainly represented the danger, but their advice was wasted on the grasping minis- ters of England. The Stamp Act was passed on the 22d of March, 1765, and this " entering wedge for the dismemberment of the British empire " was accompanied with the explicit decla- ration " that it was intended to establish the power of Great Britain to tax the colonies." It was received in America with an over- whelming feeling of resentment. Alarmed and abashed at the outbreak of determined opposition which it provoked, the govern- ment of Great Britain repealed the act. Hardly had the rejoic- ings of the grateful colonies over this event ceased, before the unwise and unjust acts of the ministry again plunged the country into alarm and discontent. An act enforcing the quartering of a royal army in their midst, and at their expense, was followed by another, levying duties upon paper, glass, paints, lead and tea imported by them. In both these acts, the principle involved was the same as in the Stamp Act, and was as firmly resisted by the colonies. These manifestations of revolt, however, as well as the plain words of many wise and noble minds, even in parliament itself, were unheeded by the blindly infatuated ministers of the British government. Amer- ica was in constant and open revolt, but one after another these hated measures were forced down her throat. It is true that a bill was passed in 1770, repealing the duty on all articles but tea. It was too late. For on that very day was enacting in the streets of Boston the tragedy of the Boston Massacre. Then came two years of outward quiet -- but really of seething unrest. Again, in December, 1773, the smouldering fire burst out anew, and Boston harbor witnessed the destruction of several cargoes of tea, by a disguised but orderly band of patriots. Roused and enraged, the English ministry now passed the famous Boston Port Bill. This bill, providing for the removal of customs, courts of justice and all government officers from Boston to Salem; and for the " complete discontinuance of all

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HISTORY OF ANCIENT WINDSOR.

landing, discharging and shipping of wares and merchandise at Boston, or within the harbor thereof," came into effect on the Ist of June, 1774. Its effect was instantaneous. "The utter prostration of all business soon produced great distress in the city. The rich, deprived of their rents, became straitened, and the poor, denied the privilege of labor, were reduced to beggary. All classes felt the scourge of the oppressor, yet the fortitude and forbearance of the inhabitants were most remarkable." The sympathy of the whole country was aroused, for although the blow was aimed at Boston as "the ringleader in every riot," it was keenly felt in every colony. And this sympathy evinced itself not only in words and encouraging resolves, but in substantial tokens of attachment to the sufferers. From Georgia came sixty-three barrels of rice, and seven hundred and twenty dollars in specie. The town of Windham, in Connecticut, sent a large flock of sheep; and from every quarter contribu- tions of wheat and grain, pork and money, came pouring in. Even the great city of London, in its corporate capacity, sent one hundred and fifty thousand dollars for the relief of the poor in Boston. "The people of Marblehead and Salem offered the Boston merchants the free use of wharves and stores, for they scorned to enrich themselves at the expense of their oppressed neighbors! A committee was appointed in Boston to receive and distribute donations, and, in the midst of martial law, the suffering patriots were bold and unyielding."

Liberty had her friends among the people of our town of Windsor, who were not unmindful of their suffering brethren. In the correspondence of the committee for the relief of the Boston sufferers by the Port Bill, we find the following letter.1 It tells its own story with a straightforward brevity which characterizes the official actions of the town during this period.2

1 Published in Mass. Hist. Soc'y Coll., 4th Series, iv, 266.

2 The town government of Windsor at this period was in the hands of men of influence - who were straightforward, brief, earnest and business- like in all their actions. And these characteristics are very plainly impressed on all the records and correspondence of the town during the revolutionary struggle. It is indeed in very strong contrast to the eloquent, aud somewhat wordy, style of expression which is displayed in the East Windsor records. Yet in

---

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THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.

Windsor, March 20, 1775.

Mr. Jonathan Mason,

Sir: We being appointed by this town to receive donations for the poor of Boston, and as we understand you are one to receive them, have directed Capt. Smith to deliver you what grain we have collected for that purpose, viz., 391 bushels rye, 89} bushels corn, and half barrel of pork.

We are, your humble servants, JAMES HOOKER. OLIVER MATHER.

Meanwhile the troops in Boston were daily augmenting, until it was one vast garrison. Insulted by the presence of the soldiery, their rights invaded and trampled upon, the people of Massachusetts, and with her the united colonies, were preparing to strike a blow at the coil of despotism, which was gradually surrounding them. Every fresh act of oppression was met by scornful and dignified yet determined resistance. Every hour seemed pregnant with impending collision. It came, on the 19th of April, 1775. In the grey dawn of morning, on the village green of Lexington, a handful of rustic patriots un- dauntedly awaitcd the approach of an advancing column of British troops. One hour later, on that village green, lay eight patriot corpscs, and from their blood, still welling out upon the dewy sod, there had gone forth a cry for vengeance which all America heard. Through the length and breadth of the land bell responded to bell, and watchfire to watchfire, and every- where the people were in arms.

The people of Windsor had just paid the last sad tribute of respect to their beloved pastor - perhaps they even yet stood by the side of the open grave - as a mounted messenger came " spurring in hot haste " from Hartford, bearing the news of the battle which had been fought the day before.

It was as the first lightning flash in the approaching storm, not wholly unexpected, but none the less startling; and as the intelligence spread quickly from mouth to mouth, and from family to family, it everywhere awoke an instantaneous activ- ity. The signs of grief gave place to the sound and bustle of warlike preparation. Brave THOMAS HAYDEN was quickly in the

feeling, patriotism and attachment to the cause of freedom, both towns were emphatically " shoulder to shoulder."

384

HISTORY OF ANCIENT WINDSOR.

saddle, bearing the news to Suffield, as fast as his steed could carry him. On every side there was " hurrying to and fro ;" in every home the agitation of sudden departure and the tremu- lous tones of farewell words. Ere many hours had elapsed, an " alarm party " of twenty-three men, under command of Capt. Nathaniel Hayden, had left Windsor, on their march to Lexing- ton. The following are the names of those gallant sons of Windsor, who first responded to the call of liberty, copied from the original pay list, signed by each member of the party.

Capt. NATHAN'L HAYDEN, Sgt. SAMUEL GIBBS, WILLIAM DAVIS,

Corp'l CORNELIUS RUSSELL, EZRA HAYDEN,

LEMUEL WELCH,

OLIVER HAYDEN,

EBENEZER WOOLWORTH,

REUBEN DENSLOW,

OLIVER LEE,

JOHN ALLYN,

WILLIAM PARSONS,

ELIJAH STOUGHTON, EBENEZER FITCH BISSELL,

Sgt. SAMUEL WING, DAVID THRALL.

ELEAZUR GAYLORD,

They left Windsor about 21st of April, and the receipt is signed July 17, 1775, which was probably about the time of their return. The expenses of the expedition were about £69 15s 6d.

The struggle for independence was now fairly commenced. The capture of Fort Ticonderoga by Ethan Allen, "in the name of Jehovah and the Continental Congress," on the 10th of May, and the hotly contested battle of Bunker Hill in June following, inspired confidence in the patriot arms, and committed them to a war from which there was no retreat.

The first item which appears upon the records of Windsor, relative to the Revolutionary war, is the appointment, in Decem- ber, 1775, of a Committee of Inspection, composed of the follow- ing persons, all of them eminent citizens and true patriots.

Doctor ALEXANDER WOLCOTT, JOSIAH BISSELL,

Capt. JAMES HOOKER, ROGER NEWBERRY,

Capt. JOSIAH PHELPS, HENRY ALLYN, Esq.,

Ensign JONATHAN FILLEY,

Lieut. PELATIAH MILLS.

Mr. JOAB GRISWOLD,

The chief duty of this committee was of a peculiarly delicate nature, warranted only by the circumstances of the times. It

THOMAS HAYDEN,

GERSHOM WEST,

MARTIN DENSLOW,

WILLIAM THRALL, Jr.,

JOHN ALLYN, Jr., JOHN ROBERTS,

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THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.

was nothing more or less than a patriotic and searching espi- onage into the principles, actions and private affairs of every member of the community, without regard to station, profession or character. It was necessary to know how each man stood affected towards the war - whether his feelings were enlisted in his country's behalf, or whether secretly or publicly he was aiding and abetting the enemy. Lukewarmness in action, an unguarded word, or an equivocal deed, was sufficient in those days of trial to excite distrust; and woc to the unlucky man, whatever his rank in life, who fell under the suspicion of " the people." Undoubtedly many innocent persons were unjustly suspected, yet, on the whole, the influence of this Vigilance Committee was as salutary as it was certainly necessary.

After the battle of Bunker Hill, the American army commenced the construction of various fortifications and defences upon the heights adjacent to Boston, which was held by the British troops. Upon these lines, which were situated on Winter and Prospect Hills, at Roxbury, and from thence to the Charles River, the troops were mostly engaged during the fall and winter of 1775-6. Quite a number of Windsor men are known to have been here, under Gen. Putnam, but their names can not be fully ascertained.

EBENEZER FITCH BISSELL was second lieutenant of a company from Simsbury. "He was a gentleman, though not of the mnost easy and familiar turn; yet for his steady, correct attention to the duties of his station, he was well respected." He was ad- vanced, while in camp, to the captaincy of the 7th company, 17th regiment.

ELIJAH STOUGHTON, was ensign in the same company. "Sick- ness detained him long out of camp. He was a tall, well-made man, and possessed a good military appearance."

THOMAS HAYDEN was sergeant of this Simsbury company. From his letters to his family we have mostly gleaned the fol- lowing names:

DAVID GIBBS, sick, Oct., 1775.

HEZEKIAH HAYDEN.

MARTIN DENSLOW, sick, Oct., 1775.

Sgt. THRALL.

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HISTORY OF ANCIENT WINDSOR.

DANIEL BROWN, sick.

JESSE WALL, Sick.

ALPHEUS MUNSELL, served at Roxbury, as an army blacksmith. Mr. ROE, sick with pleurisy.

ELIJAH HOSKINS (Wby), died, in March, in camp at Roxbury, aged about 42.

ELIPHALET LOOMIS (Wby), died in April, on return from the camp, aged about 20 years.

A lifelike picture of the winter encampment is given by the Rev. William Emerson, chaplain in the army. "The generals, Washington and Lee, are upon the lines every day. New orders from his excellency are read to the respective regiments every morning after prayers. The strictest government is taking place, and great distinction is made between officers and sol- diers. Every one is made to know his place, and keep in it, or to be tied up and receive thirty or forty lashes, according to his crime. Thousands are at work every day from four till eleven o'clock in the morning. It is surprising how much work has been done. * * * It is very diverting * to walk among the camps. They are as different in their form as the owners are in their dress, and every tent is a portraiture of the temper and taste of the persons who encamp in it. Some are made of boards, and some of sail cloth; some partly of one and partly of the other. Again, others are made of stone or turf, brick or brusb. Some are thrown up in a hurry; others are curiously wrought with doors and windows, done with wreaths and withes in the manner of a basket. Some are your proper tents and marquees, looking like the regular camp of the enemy." To complete the picture we will quote the words of a Simsbury soldier:

"For every six soldiers there was a tent provided. The ground it covered was about six or seven feet square. This served for kitchen, parlor and hall. The green turf, covered with a blanket, was our bed and bedstead. When we turned in for the night we had to lie perfectly straight, like candles in a box: this was not pleasant to our hip bones and knee joints, which often in the night would wake us, and beg to turn over. Our household utensils, altogether, were an iron pot, a canteen

387

THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.

or wooden bottle holding two quarts, a pail and wooden bowl. Each had to do his own washing, and take his turn at the cooking."

It has been our privilege to read many of the letters written home by the soldiers in this motley camp to their friends and families in Windsor. Though not of sufficient importance to publish, yet they contain many homelike passages of touching interest; queries of, and kind messages for friends; little bits of camp gossip and daily incident - with not unfrequently a re- quest to be furnished with a new vest, or blanket, or a cheese. And these were not minor wants or Inxuries, but necessities. For at this time the army was suffering for want of means and food. Recruits came in tardily, the army itself was weakened, its spirit was lowered, and as the cold weather approached it sorely felt the necessity of fuel and comfortable clothing. Some regiments ate their rations raw for want of fuel to cook them. Sickness was raging in the camp, and the terms of enlistment beginning to expire, many of the soldiers preferred to go home.

Added to these trials was the dispiriting effect of the failure of the expedition against Quebec. In the month of August previous, a plan had been devised to invade Canada, by an expedition, which, entering that country by way of the Kenne- bec River, should co-operate with another under Gen. Schuyler, approaching by the northern lakes. Eleven hundred hardy men, accustomed to frontier life, many of them veterans of the old French war, were selected from the army for this service. The chief command was given to Col. Benedict Arnold, whose eminent bravery and acquaintance with the country to be in- vaded, peculiarly fitted him for the perilous undertaking. His subordinate officers were Lieut. Cols. Roger Enos, of Windsor, and Christopher Greene; and Majors Meigs and Bigelow; while the rifle corps were commanded by Captain Daniel Morgan, famous as a partizan leader in the subsequent history of the war.

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The history of ancient Windsor, Connecticut, Part 34

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