YALE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY cv HISTORY SIMSBUEY, GEANBY AND CANTON, FROM 1642 TO 1845. BY NOAH A. PHELPS, 3 i AY HARTFORD. PRESS. OF CASE, TIFFANY AND Pearl street, corner of Trumbull.! 1845. 7. Hi Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1845, BY NOAH A. PHELPS, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Connecticut. INTRODUCTION. The author of this Pamphlet, having for his own amusement and edifica tion, collected from the Records and Files in the State Department, at Hart ford, many facts, which had long remained in obscurity, relating to the first settlement of Simsbury,' was invited, by some of its inhabitants, to deliver an address, at that place, on the Early History of the town. The request was complied with ; — when another was made through a committee, Richard Bacon and Lancel Foot Esq'rs. , that the history be continued down to the present time, (including that of the two towns which had been set oft from Simsbury,) and that it be published. Being a native of the town, he did not feel himself at liberty to refuse the request, though the task, he well knew, would subject him to much trouble and inconvenience, and though he felt an unwillingness to appear before the public in the character of an author. The work, such as' it is, is submitted to the public in the confident belief that it will be found to contain useful information never before published, and that its statements can be relied upon as correct. /No pains have been spared to make it a true narrative. The materials have been chiefly obtained from the State Records, and from the Town Records of both Simsbury and Wind sor, from which every thing has been carefully culled, relating to the early history of the town, which was deemed worthy of preservation. To literary merit, it lays no claim. Much of the matter contained in it, was prepared in detached parcels as the subjects occurred, or as the evidence relating to them was discovered, and the several parts were afterwards put together as they best could be./ Utility has been the aim of the author, and if that be gained, he will be satisfied for the labor bestowed ; the amount of which, few but those who have been engaged in similar undertakings, can justly estimate. Some apology is perhaps due for omitting many incidents of Indian warfare which have been handed down by tradition. Some of these, on investigation, were found to be fabulous, and other portions, to rest on testimony too weak or uncertain to authorise their insertion. But, out of this mass of matter every thing has been retained which, after a careful scrutiny, was in the opinion of the author, entitled to credit. And if, by this prooess, a few grains of wheat have been lost, it is pretty certam that no chaff has been preserved. In collecting some materials, the author has been kindly assisted by several gentlemen, among whom, he takes pleasure in mentioning Ephraim Mills Esq. of Canton, and Joseph Cornish and Ardon B. Holcomb Esq'rs. of Granby, to each of whom he is indebted for valuable information communica ted and incorporated in the work. N. A. P. April, 1845. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. PAGE- Simsbtjrv.— Preliminary measures relating to the establishment of anew Plantation at Massacoe. Settlement and Incorporation of the Town, &c. 1642—1675. .... . . 9 CHAPTER II. Philip's War. Burning of Simsbury. Removal and return of the Inhab itants. Measures adopted to rebuild the plantation. 1675 — 1683. CHAPTER III. History of the Massacoe Indians. Indian Hostilities after Philip's- War. Captivity of Daniel Hayes. 1648—1750. . CHAPTER IV. Location and erection of the First Meeting-House. Employment and Settlement of Clergymen. 1671—1725. .... CHAPTER V. Location and erection of the Second Meeting-House. Other Ecclesias tical Affairs. 1725—1845. ..... 19 30 45 57 75 87 CHAPTER VI. General History continued from Chapter II. Mills. Common Fields. Distribution of Common Lands. Fishery; Miscellaneous. 1679 — 1725. CHAPTER VII. Manufactures. Ancient Map. Bridges. Ferry. Services rendered in the French Wars and in the War of the Revolution. Miscellaneous. 1726—1815. ..... CHAPTER VIII. Granby. — Settlement. Civil and Ecclesiastical History. 1681 — 1845. 103 CHAPTER IX. The Copper Mines. Discovery. Magnitnde of the Works. Amount of Disbursements. Smelting Works at Hanover. The Phcenix Mining Company. 1705—1833. . . . . . .113 CHAPTER X. Newgate Prison. Establishment. Destruction of Buildings by Fire. Escape of Convicts. Confinement of Tories. Employment of Prison ers. Police Regulations. 1773 — 1827. . . . . 120 CHAPTER XI. Canton. — Settlement. Civil and Ecclesiastical History. 1737 — 1845. 136 APPENDIX. A. Indian Deeds. .... B. Simsbury Patent— 1 680. C. Amount of Lists from 1689 to 1780. D. Tax Payers— 1694, 1696. E. Prominent Offices held by Natives of the Town. F. List of Judges of Prohate. . G. " of Representatives to the General Assembly. H. " of Justices of the Peace. I. " of Town Clerks. Extracts from Town and Society Records. Register of Marriages, Births, &c. Statistics. Census of 1756, 1774, &.c. . 147 . 150 . 151 . 152 . 154 . 155 156 . 163 . 165 . 166 . 168 . 176 HISTORY SIMSBUEY, GBANM AND CANTON. Simsbttry originally embraced nearly the whole territory included within the present limits of Simsbury, Granby and Canton. Granby was set off into a separate town in 1786, and Canton into another town, in 1806. In the following pages, the history of the three towns will, generally, be united in one sketch, under the title of Simsbury, until the periods respectively, when Granby and Canton were incorporated — after which, the history of each town will be considered separately. CHAPTER I. SIMSBURY. Preliminary measures relating to the establishment of a new Plantation at Massacoe. Settlement and Incorporation of the Town, &c, 1643—1675. The first settlers of Simsbury came from Windsor. A very large proportion of the present inhabitants of the town, can trace their ancestry to that small flock, who, under the pastoral charge of the Rev. Mr. Warham, left England in 1630, and after remaining a short time in Dorchester, near Boston, removed in the fall of 1635, and spring of 1636, to Windsor. The tract of territory embraced within the present limits of Simsbury and Granby, especially that part of it lying in, and adjacent to, the valley through which the Farmington river winds its course, was anciently known and called by the Indian name of Massacoe.* By reason of its produc- * Sometimes spelt Massacoh, and occasionally Saco. It is generally pro nounced Mas-saw'-co. 2 10 HISTORY OF SIMSBURY. tions in such articles of trade as furs, tar, pitch and turpen tine, — its expansive meadows, and its fitness for a new plant ation, — it attracted, at a very early period, the attention of the inhabitants of Windsor. Although this section of country was never included within the limits of Windsor, it was, by general consent, considered as belonging to that plantation, in the same manner as Farmington was considered as belonging to the plantation of Hartford. Massacoe was bounded by Wind sor on the east, by Tunxus, now Farmington, on the south, by the wilderness on the west, and by Waranoake or West- field, now Southwick, on the north. The river at this time was called Tunxus. The first act of government on record, relating to Massa coe, was an order passed in 1642, a little over six years from the commencement of the settlement of the Colony, and is in these words : " It is ordered, that the Governor and Mr. Haynes shall have liberty o dispose of the ground upon that part of Tunxus river, called Massacoe, to such inhabitants of Windsor, as they shall see cause." In March 1647, the General Court passed this order: " The Court thinks fit that Massacoe be purchased by the coun try, and that there be a committee chosen to dispose of it to such inhabitants of Windsor, as by them shall be judged meet to make improvements thereof, in such kind as may be for the good of this Commonwealth ; and the purchase to be repaid by those that shall enjoy it, with reasonable allowance. Mr. Hopkins is entreated to be one of the committee, and Mr. Webster another ; — and Mr. Steele, Mr. Talcott and Mr. Westall, to view the foresaid ground, and assist in the dispose thereof." No purchase of the Indian title was made under this order, nor is it known that any sales or grants of land were made by either of these committees ; if there were any such, they remained unlocated until at a future time. Many grants were made by the General Court to sundry persons of specified quantities of land, some of which were of lands at Massacoe. HISTORY OF SIMSBURY. 11 The first Indian deed of this territory was given in 1648, by Manahanoose, to John Griffin, in consideration that the grantor had kindled a fire which, in its progress, had con sumed a large quantity of pitch and tar belonging to Mr. Griffin. The deed is informal, containing but a few lines, and purports to convey the right and interest of the grantor in .all the lands at Massacoe. It is recorded on the town records of Windsor. Soon afterwards, three other principal Indians made a conveyance of their interest in these lands to Mr. Griffin. These are the only conveyances, of which we have any record evidence, made by the Indians until 1680, when a formal and legal deed was executed, of which notice will be taken hereafter.* In 1653, the General Court granted to Lieutenant Aaron Cook, fifty acres of land at Massacoe, on both sides of the river next above the falls ; to John Bissell, sixty acres next. adjoining on the south-west; and to Thomas Ford, fifty acres on what is now called the island in that vicinity, of which, it is stated, he had improved forty-four acres by plowing and mowing. For these grants, they were to pay into the treasury five pounds. And the Court " desired that Mr. Wolcott and Mr. Clarke should dispose of the remainder of the ground at Massacoe, to the inhabitants of Windsor, as they judge convenient, and to order the laying out of the former grants." In March 1663, Captain Newberry, Edward Griswold and John Moore, were appointed a committee "to lay out all those lands that are yet undivided at Massacoe, to such inhabitants of Windsor as desire, and need it." And in the same year, a grant of two hundred acres was made by the General Court to John Griffin, in consideration " that he was the first that perfected the art of making pitch and tar in those parts;" the land to be taken up "where he can find it between Massacoh and Warranoake, whereof there may be forty acres of meadow, if it be there to be had, and be not prejudicial to a plantation, and not granted." This tract of land, including another grant made subsequently *See Chapter III. 12 HISTORY OF SIMSBURY. by the town, was afterwards known by the name of " Grif fin's Lordship." It is not known that any grants were made under these orders of the Court. It is supposed, however, that there were a few unlocated rights disposed of, — and there were probably some proprietors, in addition to those who had grants from the Colony, whose lands were laid out and designated by boundaries. But a division into lots did not take place until after this period. The commencement of permanent settlements in the plantation is known to have been as early as 1664, and was perhaps still earlier. Lands were cultivated, and some improvements made, as early as 1653 ; but the occupation of the proprietors, it is believed, was as yet but temporary. Persons too, following other avocations, were occasional residents of the place, even before this time. In 1643, John Griffin and Michael Humphrey, who subsequently became distinguished inhabitants of the town, each the founder of a numerous family, commenced the manufac ture of pitch and tar, and the collecting of turpentine, which business was continued, particularly by Mr. Griffin, many years thereafter, and became an extensive operation. Others too, allured by inducements of traffic with the Indians, were occasionally here. But none of them, so far as is now known, had commenced a permanent residence in the place until 1664. Among the first settlers was John Griffin. He is generally, and doubtless most justly, consid ered as the pioneer of the new settlement. By a deed of the date of 1664, he is described as then belonging to Mas sacoe. He resided on the northerly side of the river, above the falls, and subsequently erected a mill at the falls. But a few families only could have been settled in the plantation until nearly five years after this time, and they must have been located near Mr. Griffin. That there were some however, would appear by an order of the General Court, passed in 1667, requiring "all the freemen and householders " of Windsor and Massacoe to assemble, and HISTORY OF SIMSBURY. 13 decide by their votes, a question relating to the continuance of the Rev. Mr. Chauncey in the ministry at Windsor.* The committee, in December 1666, specified the terms upon which "those who took up lands at Massacoe should have them." These were,— that, within two years, they should make improvements by plowing, mowing, building and fencing ; and that they should live on their grants two years. The first grants by the committee, of which any record exists, were made in 1667. These consisted of meadow lands, bordering on the river, and were made to the follow ing persons : Meadow Plain; John Gillett, Samuel Wilcoxson, Jonn Case, Minister's lot, John Pettiborie. Hazel Meadow ; John Gillett. Terry's Plain ; Terry s. Hop Meadow ; John Barber, Joseph Skinner, Minister's lot, Thomas Barber, John Drake, Samuel Pinney, Peter Buell. Location unknown Joshua Holcomb. Weatague, east ; Joseph Phelps, Simon Mills, Nathan Gillett, John Moses, Micah Humphrey. Newbury's, now, Westerner's Plain ; Adamses, Bissells, Simon Wolcott. is v These persons did not immediately remove their families from Windsor to Massacoe, though it is believed that by 1669 all of them had become inhabitants of the new plan tation. It does not appear how much land was allotted to each proprietor, nor what consideration was paid. It is supposed, however, that the grants were burthened only with the pay ment of a sum sufficient to reimburse the expenses of the committee. Probably, nearly all the choice meadow lands were disposed of at this time, and that some of the grantees, failing to comply with the terms, forfeited their rights, which were afterwards taken by other persons ; for it is known that there were a few persons, whose names do not appear upon * The number of votes polled on this occasion, was 128. The question produced a great excitement, and probably called forth the whole strength of the voters of Windsor, including Massacoe. 2* 14 HISTORY OF SIMSBURY. this list, who were among the early settlers of the place. Among them were Samuel Filley, John Griffin, Thomas Maskell, Luke Hill and John Buell. In 1668, the General Court passed another order, in rela tion to the plantation, in these words : " The Court doth desire that Massacoe, which hitherto hath been an appendix to the town of Windsor, may be improved for the making of a plantation ; and Captain Benjamin Newberry, Deacon John Moore and Mr. Simon Wolcott, the present com mittee for the grant of those lands, are desired and empowered by the Court to further the planting of the same, and to make such just orders as they shall judge requisite for the well ordering of the said plantation, so they be not repugnant to the public orders of this Colony." A meeting of the proprietors was held, October 5, 1668, at the house of John Moore, Jr., in Windsor, when it was agreed that, by the first of May then next, they would fence their respective lots of land in Massacoe, and on failure thereof, pay to the rest of the company five pounds. Twen ty-five persons agreed to take uplands, varying in quantity from forty to eighty acres by each person, upon terms required by the committee, but which terms do not precisely appear. A large number of lots were drawn for at this meeting, or located at about the same time, in some other manner. These lots lay adjacent to the meadows on both sides of the river, between the falls and Farmington line. During the ensuing winter and spring, the proprietors, (at least those already named,) removed to Massacoe, and took possession of their respective lots. They had previously, it is presumed, made improvements by clearing some portion of their farms, and erecting habitations for their families. Considerable portions of the meadows, upon which the natives had, for a long period of time, cultivated corn, required no labor to fit them for immediate use. To possess these lands, thus cleared and rich in soil, was a strong inducement with these settlers to remove from Windsor into this wilderness. But, how they contrived to satisfy the Indians to give up the meadows, and suffer the new comers to occupy them, history does not reveal. As yet, no title HISTORY OF SIMSBURY. 15 to them had been obtained, except by the informal, and it maybe added, illegal conveyances before mentioned, made to Mr. Giiffin by three or four Indians, who released only their individual rights in the premises. The new settler,'! it is presumed, found no difficulty in driving a bargain with ;, the natives, by means of small presents and other appliances j usually resorted to then and since, in all negociations between ! the red and white man. But it does not appear that any disturbance arose out of this change in the possession of these lands. The prospects of the plantation at this time were, upon the whole, cheering. There had been no Indian hostilities in this quarter, since the settlement of the Colony, and none was apprehended. Indeed, for many years preceding this time, no Indian troubles had prevailed in the Colony to disturb its repose. About this time, the boundary line between the plantation and Farmington, long a matter of controversy, had been surveyed and established. And, in 1669, the General Assembly, to aid the new settlement, remitted all Colony taxes for the term of three years. The plantation, too, had the patronage of some of the most influential men belonging/to Windsor, who, being largely interested as proprietors, took active measures to promote its prosperity. But, on the other hand, the settlement in its progress had many .obstacles to overcome. With a river that could not be forded, except at the falls, with no bridges, no roads, no markets for their surplus produce, and no protection on two sides, should the Indians become hostile, its advancement was materially retarded. Yet, notwithstanding these im pediments, during the six succeeding years — up to the time of the breaking up of the plantation by Philip's war in 1675, — its progress in population and general improvements was considerable, and such as to encourage the hopes of the adventurers. From a return made in 1669, by order of the Assembly, of the names oi freemen belonging to each town and plant ation, it appears that the number belonging to Massacoe 16 HISTORY OF SIMSBURY. was thirteen. Their names are,— Thomas Barber, John Case, Samuel Filley, John Griffin, Michael Humphrey, Joshua Holcomb, Thomas Maskell, Luke Hill, Samuel Pinney, Joseph Phelps, John Buell, Joseph Skinner and Peter Buell. In the same year, John Case was appointed by the General Court, Constable for Massacoe. He was the first person, belonging to the place, who was invested with office. The inhabitants, in 1670, petitioned for town privileges, and appointed two delegates, Joshua Holcomb and John Case, to present their application to the May Session of the General Court. Their request was readily granted, and the delegates received as members of the Assembly. The record of incorporation is in these words. — " This Court grants Massacoe's bounds shall run from Far mington bounds to the northward tenn miles, and from Windsor bounds, on the east, to run westward tenn miles ; provided it doe not prejudice any former grant, and be in the power of this Court so to dispose. The Court orders that the plantation at Massacoe be called Simsbury." Anterior to this, there were but twenty towns in the Colony, including New Haven Colony ; the two Colonies having become united a few years before this time. The proviso in the above Resolve had particular reference, it is supposed, to the uncertainty of the line between this Colony and Massachusetts, which line at that time was unsettled and remained in doubt. During many years after this period, according to the claim of Massachusetts, the extension of Simsbury, from Farmington bounds northward, would not have exceeded eight miles. Under this authority the town proceeded to organize and appoint its officers. But as the early records of the town were destroyed by fire, we have no means of ascertaining who were the first officers appointed. " Sergeant Griffin and Simon Wolcott" were elected townsmen, or selectmen, in 1674. At the October session of the General Court, 1671, lib- HISTORY OF SIMSBURY. 17 erty was granted to Mr. Simon Wolcott " to retail wine and liquors, (provided he keep good order in the dispose of it,) until there be an ordinary set up in Simsbury."* This Mr. Wolcott was the father of the Hon. Roger Wolcott, who, for many years, was governor of the Colony. Mr. Simon Wolcott lived nearly opposite the dwelling house of Charles L. Roberts, Esq., in the north part of the present town of Simsbury, where the governor was born, in 1679. The Court also recommended to the " inhabitants and proprietors of Simsbury to rayse the minister's and towne rate this yeare upon persons and land." In 1673, Simon Wolcott and John Griffin were appointed by the Assembly " to command the train-band at Sims bury;" and seven men were ordered to be raised for the public service, when required. This train-bandf consisted of but a small portion of a company, and the gentlemen appointed to command it were not commissioned as officers. The object doubtless was to keep up a military organiza tion, under persons invested with authority, in order to be prepared for any sudden emergency that might happen. In 1674, the town ordered a ferry place to be established at the mouth of Hop brook. This, however, meant only that the inhabitants might enjoy the privilege of passing the river at this place. It was many years after this time before any thing like a ferry, furnished with a boat large enough to transport even ahorse across the river, was estab lished. At the same time, a road leading from Hop meadow to East Weatauge was laid out, crossing the river at this place. It was ordered by the town, June 8, 1674, " that all the inhabitants of Simsbury, from fourteen years old to sixty, shall next Monday sennight stub bushes," — meaning, bushes in the roads. In respect to roads generally, it may interest tbe public to be informed that, for about fifty years after the first set- * An " ordinary" was set up, in 1675, by Samuel Pinney, who was licensed to keep tavern. f All militia companies were, at this time, called train-bands. 18 HISTORY OF SIMSBURY. tlement of the Colony, no measures were taken to make roads from town to town, other than to clear them of " brush ;"— to effect which, the laws required each inhabit ant to labor on the public roads one day in each year. In 1679, the General Court recommended to the selectmen of the several towns to clear their main roads in this manner, " at least one rod wide."* Hitherto, the plantation, though at no time particularly prosperous, had experienced no serious reverses. But, in 1675, the scene was changed. Hostilities had commenced on the part of the Indians, which led to a disastrous war, bringing, in its train, ruin and desolation upon the new set tlement. The history of this war, its ravages and results, as connected with the settlement, will be delineated in the next chapter. * May session, 1679. "This Court orders that the present roades from plantation to plantation shall be reputed the country roades, or king's high way, and so to remayne until the Court do see good reason to make alteration of the same ; — and whereas, the inhabitants of each plantation were by law required once a yeare to worke a day in clearing of the brush, it is by this Court recommended to the townsmen (selectmen) of the several plantations, to improve their inhabitants in' clearing the common roades, in the first place that lye between towne and towne, until the sayd roades are cleared at least one rod wide." CHAPTER IL Philip's War. Burning of Simsbury. Removal and Return of the Inhabitants. Measures adopted to Rebuild the Plantation.— 1675— 1683. In the summer of 1675, the New England Colonies became much alarmed by the movements of the Indians, and the intelligence of their purpose to assault some of the English plantations. It was soon manifest that Avar was inevitable. The conflict which, in after times, was known as "Philip's war," had already commenced, and was about to extend its ravages into this Colony. Indications of the near approach of danger were so strong, as to cast a deep gloom over the new settlements. But the danger was to be met, and there were " stout hearts" at hand fitted for the emergency. A large military force was raised in the Colony, and sundry fortifications were ordered to be built and manned. Other measures too, were adopted to meet the crisis, and give protection to the frontier settlements. A Council of War had been established, and was almost in daily session, except during the sessions of the General Assembly. On the sixth of August, 1675, the Council ordered one hundred dragoons to be raised in the county of Hartford ;* and " that all persons be duly prepared and pro vided with arms and ammunition, and that they assemble on Monday next, by sun an hour high, at the meeting house in their respective plantations," there to attend " to such other directions as shall be given them by their com manders." l On the thirtieth of the same month, Major Treat, who had been appointed commander of the forces, was directed * Subsequently, 350 men were raised in the Colony — af whom seven were of Simsbury. A 20 HISTORY OF SIMSBURY. to march to Westfield and Northampton, to intercept the Indians. He proceeded as far as Windsor, when, being informed that one Christopher Crow, while traveling be tween Hartford and Simsbury, had been assaulted and shot at by four Indians, eight being in company, he halted, and upon advising the Council of this occurrence, he was ordered to leave thirty of his men, and advance with the rest on the expedition. But, on the next day, the Council having received intelligence of other indications of hostility on the part of the Indians ; that one John Colt had been shot at, and another party of Indians been discovered lurk ing near the north meadow in Hartford, on the preceding night, the Council ordered the return of Major Treat, with his forces, forthwith to Hartford. A few days afterwards, the Council directed that a night watch be kept in every plantation, — all soldiers from six teen to seventy years of age being required to attend their course of watch, — and that one fourth part of the military force of each town be under arms every day, by turns, to guard their respective plantations. It was also ordered, that, during these commotions with the Indians, all persons, having occasion to work in the fields, should work in companies; and where the fields lay at a distance of half a mile from town, such companies should consist of not less than six persons, with their arms and ammunition well fitted for service. For the prevention of danger to travelers, the town of Windsor was required to send, each other day, four men " to clear the roads to Simsbury." Other towns were required to perform a similar service on their main roads leading from town to town. The Indians who had been in the service of the Colony, having returned to Hartford from one of their expeditions, the Council ordered, as a recompense for their services that there be given to each Mohegan a coat, and to each Waba- quassuck Indian, iiapayre of breeches." On the twenty-seventh of September, the Council came to an agreement with the Indians of Farmington, Hartford, HISTORY OF SIMSBURY. 21 Wethersfieldand Middletown, wherein the Indians engaged "to continue in friendship with the English, to espouse their cause, and to discover and destroy their enemies" : — the Council stipulating to pay them two yards of cloth for every head of an enemy killed by them, and four yards of cloth for every captive they should deliver alive. This compact was afterwards renewed and confirmed by all the Indians residing within the county of Hartford, and was reduced to writing. The treaty was to continue during the war, and to guarantee its fulfillment the Indians were re quired to give hostages. The Indians who were known to be engaged in this war fare against the English, in addition to powerful tribes under the immediate control of Philip, in Rhode Island, and other places in that vicinity, consisted of tribes scattered through the central parts of Massachusetts, and extending up the valley of the Connecticut river in that Colony. Some of the Pequots in this Colony, as well as portions of tribes residing in the county of Fairfield, were supposed to favor the conspiracy. Simsbury, from its being a frontier town, was peculiarly exposed to the inroads of the enemy, and especially to sudden attacks from the northern Indians. The condition of the town was deemed so hazardous, as to attract the special attention of the General Assembly. At an early period of the war, a garrison was kept up in this town at the public expense. It was so constructed and guarded, as to afford protection, in an ordinary assault, to such inhabitants as might flee to it for safety. But the danger became so imminent as to induce the Legislature, at the October session, 1675, to pass an order directing the inhabitants to provide places of security for themselves and crops, within one week, and, at the expiration of that time, that the garrison be evacuated.* * The following is a copy of the record. Its melancholy tone is indicative of the despondency which so generally prevailed at that time "This Court from a deep sense of the imminent danger that all our plan tations are in, by the nakedness of each and every place, do order and .appoynt every plantation, (as a means under God for their safety,) to make such suitable places of defence as they are capable of, and appoynt such 3 22 HISTORY OF SIMSBURY. Upon the promulgation of this order, the inhabitants removed to Windsor or Hartford, carrying with them such of their effects as could be transported. But the contempla ted attack did not take place that fall, and during the succeeding winter, the people, deeming the danger over, removed back to their former habitations. The danger, however, had not passed away ; in the ensuing spring, it assumed a more threatening aspect than ever. There is no record evidence of any act of hostility per petrated by the Indians against the English in this Colony, during the winter of 1675-6, excepting that in February, one William Hill was shot and severely wounded by an Indian at Hockanum. Before the close of the season, how ever, there were such evidences of a design to attack the settlements, especially those of the weaker classes, as to induce the Council of War to adopt the most vigorous mea sures in defense of the plantations. A force of four hundred and fifteen men was raised in the Colony, and all the larger towns were ordered to complete their stockades, and line them with ditches and breastworks. The former orders of the Council, in reference to the people's working in companies in the fields, and those relating to the keep ing of watches, and wards, were re-issued and directed to be obeyed, and the shooting off of guns, by which a false alarm might be given, was prohibited under severe penal ties. It was also ordered, that all the male inhabitants of the several plantations, capable of bearing arms, should carry their arms and ammunition, with them, to all public places for their women and children, and others that are not able to help themselves, to repayre unto, in case of assault, that all out-livers, and weak places, do take speedy and effectual course to get their women and children, corn, and the best of their estates, to places of the most hopeful security as is within their compass to do ; and that each plantation do appoynt suitable persons as a committee to order those affayres respecting places of fortifica tion and defence. This Court orders, that the people of Simsbury shall have a week's time to secure themselves- and their corn there, and at the end of the week from this date, the souldiers, now in garrison at Simsbury, shall be released their attendance there." HISTORY OF SIMSBURY. 23 meetings, at times of worship as well as at all other times. This is believed to have been the origin of the custom of attending meetings with fire arms, which is well known to have prevailed extensively, if not universally, during many years after this period. Under date of March 3, 1676, is this record : "The insolency of the heathen, and their rage increasing against the English, and the spoyle that they have made in sundry places, hath moved us to order that for thwith the people of Simsbury doe remove themselves, and what estate they can remove, to some of the neighboring plantations, for their safety and security." In obedience to this order, every white person was removed from the town with all possible dispatch ; and the Indians of the place, most of whom had espoused the cause of the English, or at least had remained passive, were compelled to remove, or secrete themselves in the forests. The whites returned to Windsor, or Hartford, taking with them their herds of cattle, and but little else of consequence ; foi, as there were at that time no bridges, and nothing but narrow pathways for roads, articles of personal estate, generally, could not be transported without much difficulty, and consequent delay. The friendly Indians who removed, it is believed went westwardly, and settled down upon the Housatonuc river, within the limits of the present township of Salisbury, where they built a village which they called Weatauge, after the village of that name in Simsbury which they had left, and where they and their descendants resided many years thereafter.* The settlement, thus abandoned, became an easy prey to the ravages of the enemy. Hordes of Indians, under tbe command, as is supposed, of Philip himself, poured in from * I have the authority of Judge Church, of Salisbury, for this statement. Having investigated the history of that town, which was published in 1842, he ascertained, as he has informed me, from the strongest kind of tradition ary evidence, that the Weatauge Indians of Salisbury were driven from Sims bury in the time of Philip's war. As Salisbury was not settled by the Eng lish until about 1740, these Indians continued there without molestation from the whites, more than sixty years. Remnants of the tribe remained in that town many years afterwards. 24 HISTORY OF SIMSBURY. the north, and after a general pillage, destroyed by fire nearly every building in the town, as well as every thing else left by the English, which could be found, and which the invaders could not appropriate to their own use. The ruin was complete — nothing but utter desolation remained. During all the Indian wars, before and since this event, no destruction of any English settlement in New England has taken place, in which the ruin, it is believed, was more extensive, or more general, than in this conflagration. This event took place on Sunday, the twenty-sixth of March 1676 — the pillaging in the day time, and the burning of the settlement in the succeeding night. Philip, it is said by tradition, seated upon a neighboring mountain, which has ever since borne his name, viewed the scene, and enjoyed from its contemplation those emotions of pleasure which, it is supposed, are peculiarly agreeable to all of his race, when placed under similar circumstances.* His deep rooted hatred of the English — the cause in which he was engaged, involving his own existence, and probably that of his nation, if not of his whole race — and his Indian habits and education — all tended to make this scene peculiarly * There is more of fiction than truth in this tradition. It is pretty certain that Philip was not in this part of the country at this time, and it is extremely doubtful whether the mountain derives from him 'its name. In the early records of the town, it is called Phelps' mountain, a person of that name then being the owner of a large tract of land upon it. Nor is it by any means certain that a numerous body of Indians invaded the town at the conflagra tion. Since writing the foregoing account of this disaster, Sylvester Judd Esq., of Northampton, whose knowledge of Indian history is very extensive, has directed my attention to a document in the State department at Hartford, which, perhaps, throws some light upon this subject. It is the examination of an Indian culprit concerning the perpetrators of various offences. When asked who committed a particular murder, he gives the names of seven Indians, most of whombelonged to Springfield, and then adds " and they it was who burnt Simsbury." Perhaps no reliance ought to be placed upon any part of his story, even though he accuses himself with others of certain crimes. But if he is on other subjects, entitled to credit, and if, concerning this transaction, he intends to say that but seven persons were engaged in the conflagration, he must be mistaken ; for so small a number, it is believed could not, in one night, have fired so many buildings situated as these were, separated by a river, and extending through a distance of about seven miles. HISTORY OF SIMSBURY. 25 pleasant to his sight. But, if he turned his eyes, as he probably did, in another direction, he might view settle ments, on the banks of the. Connecticut, so strongly forti fied and manned, as to defy his power, and put an end to his hopes of conquest. At any rate, he withdrew his forces, and in the month of July following was himself taken and slain. But the war continued some months after his decease. On the following day, the Council of War received notice of this conflagration, which they communicated to the people of Farmington, with this caution — " to stand upon their guard for their own defence." It is understood that nearly forty dwelling houses, chiefly \ of the poorer'classes, were destroyed, with a large number of barns and other buildings. Nor was this all. Provis ions, produce, furniture, fences and farming utensils, were collected into heaps and burned. In short, every injury which the enemy could devise was inflicted, and in a man ner too so as most to destroy the property of the settlers. After this event, the town remained deserted about one year, during which time no attempt was made to rebuild it. During their absence, the inhabitants, most of whom had fled to Windsor, held a town meeting on the fourth of April 1676, at the house of Joseph Skinner, in Windsor, occa sioned, as the record says, " by reason of the war." But in March 1677, the danger being supposed over, a number of the inhabitants, feeling desirous to return, applied to the Council of War for advice and permission to remove back to Simsbury. The Council granted their request, and passed an order in reference to common fences, and another relating to the occupancy of the lands of such proprietors as should not return to the town within a specified term of time. Some few of the proprietors, it is well known, never did return back ; — preferring, probably, to sacrifice their estates there, rather than expose themselves and families to the hazard of another Indian invasion. But the greater number removed back with their families during the spring of 1677, and commenced fcTrepair the damages sustained 3* 26 HISTORY OF SIMSBURY. They found on their return little else but ruin and desola tion. Not even the goods that had been secreted could be discovered. Every thing showed too plainly, that havoc had been " let loose"— that the evil spirit of destruction had leigned triumphant.* In consideration of the great losses sustained by the inhab itants, and to encourage the re-building of the town, the * According to tradition, the inhabitants when they fled from the town in 1676, secreted many articles of household furniture and other personal estate, by burying them in swamps, or depositing them in wells which they attempted to conceal by filling or covering over ; and that upon their return, they were unable to recover the articles thus left, because, sucii changes had been wrought by the devastation, that the places where the articles had been deposited could not be found. , It is undoubtedly true that many goods were secreted in this manner, which, when sought for by their owners, could not be found. But, it is hardly possible to suppose that every mark of locality could, within the space of one year, have been so thoroughly effaced, as this account, to be true, would require. It is, perhaps more compatible with probability to suppose, that the Indians discovered the places where the hidden treasures were deposited, and that, they destroyed every thing concealed therein which they could not conveniently carry off. The recent discovery of two wells, which had been covered over or filled up so long that history had lost all traces of them, has given occasion to revive this tradition, and lead some to conjecture that a portion of the lost articles had been deposited in them. One of these wells is in the garden of the late Roger Wilcox, deceased, at Westover's plain ; and it is certainly a singular circumstance that, had its locality been known, it should have remained so long in this condition, — for there has been, for upwards of a hundred years, a house near it, the occupants of which, during all this time, for want of a well, have been compelled to obtain a supply of water from one at a distance on the opposite side of the road. Not far from this well, is an old building which, from its construction as well as tradition, is supposed to have been erected for a block-house. It is now used as an appendage to a barn. In this building, was born Samuel Forbes Esq. of Canaan, who died some years since at an advanced age, and in possession of great wealth. The other discovered well is on the lot opposite the residence of the late ' Gen. Noah Phelps. It probably belonged to the " Minister's house," which stood there, and which was also, at times, occupied as a garrison or block house. If so, and if, as supposed, the well was used by the tenants of that house, it could not have been covered over until nearly fifty years after the burning of the town, for the house was not demolished until after 1720. The presumption is that both wells, not being wanted for use, were covered up, and in process of time had become forgotten. HISTORY OF SIMSBURY. 27 General Assembly, at the May Session 1677, granted liberty of raising the rates for town charges, and the support of the ministry, for the three ensuing years, upon lands only, — thus taxing non-residents equally with the residents of the town ; — and also remitted, to all actual inhabitants, the payment of Colony taxes for the period of three years.* But these enactments failed to accomplish the objects intended. Many of the proprietors, including some of the , former inhabitants, neglected to take possession of their lands, or to make any improvements upon them. This, by * " To the Honoured Generali Assembly now sitting in Hartford. Honoured Fathers. Wee whose names are underwritten, the present inhabitants of Simsbury, haveing bin formerly burthened by the inequallity of levying of rates (as the case is circumstanced with us,) and now through the late afflictive dispensa tion of God's providence, haveing bin greater sufferers than other plantations in this Collony, and thereby allsoe in some measure at the present incapaci tated to rayse rates in the common way that is, stated in the country law : m this our infant state do humbly request and desire of this Honoured Assembly that they would be pleased to graunt us at the present that privilidge (which wee understand hath been formerly and of late graunted to other plantations in their beginning,) viz. that all rates that shall be raysed for the defraying of publicke charges may be levyed onely upon lands ; the farther grounds and reasons of this our request wee have desired Samuel Willcockson and Benajah Holecomb to represent to your Honours as our agents in this case : Who are your very Humble Servants. May 14th : 77. Samuel Stone, Thomas Barbar, John Petybone, Joseph Phelps, Peeter Buell, John Drake, John Griffin, Michall Humphrey, John Humphrey, Josiah Clark." General Court, May Session 1677. "This Court upon the motion of the inhabitants of Simsbury, doe grant that the people of Simsbury shall have liberty to rayse their rates for the ministry and towne charges onely upon lands for the three next years ensueing this date, any law to the contrary not withstanding. And in regard of the great loss that, that town hath received in the late warr, the Court have seen cause to remitt to the inhabitants of Simsbury that make their constant aboad (there,) their Country rates for the three next years ensueing both for persons, land and cattell." 28 HISTORY OF SIMSBURY. the actual settlers, was deemed so injurious to their rights, as to induce them, in 1679, to call a town meeting, and appoint agents to apply to the General Assembly for relief. In pursuance of this application, the General Court, at the October session, 1679, in view of aiding the settlement, and giving greater security to the inhabitants against any future invasion of the Indians, appointed a committee to determine where the pioprietors should build their respective mansion houses, and ordered the proprietors to occupy their premises, and construct dwelling-houses thereon, within the space of six months after the decision of the committee should have been made known.* This committee in the following March, decided that eleven of the proprietors should build at Captain Newberry's, now Westover's plain, — that thirteen persons, who had grants on Salmon brook, should build at the same place, to whom should be given houselots of three acres each,— that fifteen proprietors should build at Hop meadow, — four, who had not already houses, at Weatauge, west of the river, and thirteen on the east side of the river, — five at Terry's plain, — and nine on the east side of the mountain. This order included some proprietors who had not previously erected any house in the town. Some of the proprietors having neglected to comply with * " Upon the petition of John Terry and John Case in behalf of the town of Simsbury, that those who are proprietors of land in Simsbury might be compelled to com to their alottments and settle themselves, or som other suitable persons on their accomadations there ; This Court having consid ered the sayd petition, doe nominate and appoynt Major John Talcott, Mr. James Richards, Mr. John Wadsworth and Capt. Benjamin Newberry, or any three of them, to be a comittee to take a view of the sayd plantation of Simsbury, and to appoynt the place or places where the inhabitants shall build and settle, so as may be most for their accomadation and safety, and when this is done, all such persons as have propriety there, and doe not com and build upon their accomadations or alotments, and setle some Inhabitants in them within the space of six months after the determin ation of the sayd comittee, shall forfeit forty shillings pr year to the Town till he shall Build upon his sayd accomadations a good sufficient mansion house according to former order of court, except any particular person doe produce some grant that doth free him from this injunction formerly granted by this Court, or a committee impowered by this Court." HISTORY OF SIMSBURY. 29 the orders of the committee, within the time allowed for building, were prosecuted for the penalties forfeited. They were all joined in one process. The following is a copy of the writ. " Captain Benjamin Newberry, Captain Daniele Clark, Quarter master Bissell, Nathaniel Bissell, Samuel Bissell, Georg Grisowld, Timothy Phelps, Serg't Anthony Hoskins, Joseph Skinner, ' Thomas Egglston, Samuel Pinney, Aurther Henbery, Andrew Hylliard, John Drak. In his Majesties name, these are to require you, and every of you, to appeare at the County, Court, to be holden in Hartford on the first thirsday in March next, and then and there to answer Thomas Barber, one of the Townsmen in Sims bury, and such other as they shall appoynt as a commity, in behalf of said Towne of Simsbury, in their Complaynt made agaenst you and every of you, for that you have not errected mansion houseing upon your respective and particular house lots in Simsbury, accord ing to the order of Court provided to that purposs, with the pen alty anexed which has accrued, without payment whereof to the Towns usses. You may notfaile to make your appearence. Feb. 14,1682. Per, John Talcott, Assistant." One of the persons sued, Capt. Benjamin Newberry, be longed to the committee who made the very order, for trans gressing which he was prosecuted ! The power exercised by the Assembly, and delegated to the committee in this matter, would, at the present day, be deemed exceedingly unjust and oppressive. But the proceedings, being in aid of the general welfare, were cheerfully acquiesced in, and had the effect, at least in some degree, of advancing the prosperity of the settlement. Still, the progress of improve ment was slow. The injury sustained by the burning of the town was so great as to require, in the then impover ished condition of the people, time to repair it. The set- ; tlement remained at a stand, or nearly so, for about ten years. There were no representatives elected by the town to the General Assembly, from 1675 until 1687 ; and there was no Colony tax levied until 1689. CHAPTER III. History of the Massacoe Indians. Indian Hostilities after Philip's War. Captivity of Daniel Hayes. 1648—1750. At the commencement of the settlement, the number of Indians belonging to Massacoe, is not known, though it is manifest from historical data, that it must have amounted to several hundreds. Until after the war of 1676, they vastly exceeded the white population. They are supposed, originally, to have been revolters, or seceders, from other tribes more powerful, hostile, and warlike, from whom they withdrew to repose in greater security and peace in these vallies. Though not imbecile, nor cowardly, they clearly were not imbued with those warlike propensities, which prevailed more generally with their race in the eastern sec tions of the Colony, or with the Mohawks, at the west. Their location, as well as their peaceable carriage, probably afforded them some protection against the assaults of more powerful tribes. Between their settlement and that of the Mohawks on the North river, there were none of their race, except a few weak tribes on the Housatonuc river ; and at the north, there were none nearer than Deerfield, who were particularly distinguished for their attachment to war. And yet, there is evidence tending to prove that these now peaceful meadows had been the theater of war, and crim soned with the blood of the red man, long before they were settled by the English. The arrow-heads found, are quite too numerous to allow the supposition, that all of them could have been used for peaceable purposes. If the Massacoe Indians belonged to a distinct tribe, or tribes, as was probably the case, they seem to have been in some measure tributary to the Tunxus, or Farmington Indians, and with them, subject to some sort of allegiance HISTORY OF SIMSBURY. 31 to Soheag, the sachem of Mattabeset, now Middletown, who was the most powerful, of all the Indian chiefs, in this part of tbe Colony. The wigwams of the Masacoes were upon, or in the vicinity of the meadows, patches of which were cleared; and on which they cultivated corn. The river, and brooks, abounding with fish, and the forests with game, furnished them with the chief means of subsistence. When the white man appeared, he was not only received with hospitality, but was encouraged to settle with them. He had, at pleas ure, their meadows, and other lands, at prices so low as to preclude all just notions of a valuable consideration paid for them. The first deed from them, of the Massacoe lands, is from Manahanoose, one of the chiefs, or headmen, who, as before stated, conveyed to Mr. John Griffin, all his right in these lands, in consideration of having destroyed, by fire, a quantity of pitch and tar, belonging to the grantee. At about the same time, there was giv.en to Mr. Griffin another deed, or more correctly speaking, a contract to convey to him the same territory, signed by three other principal Indians, and given in consideration of the aforesaid destruc tion of property, and that the offender, "their friend," who was in custody, had been released and restored to them. These deeds, in 1661, were assigned to a committee for the benefit of the Massacoe plantation. It is supposed that a few other deeds were given, to sundry individuals, though they do not appear on record. But such conveyances were illegal, being prohibited by the laws of the Colony, and transferred no title. The first purchase of the right of soil from the natives, by a formal deed, having the approbation of the govern ment, was made in 1680. It is signed1 by Neschegan, Seakets Totoe, Aupes, Manconumph, and three squaws, and was approved by Waquaheag, alias Cherry, who was a Tunxus Indian, and, as is supposed, a chief of that tribe, — and con veys to "Major John Talcott, Capt. Benjamin Newberry, Capt. Daniel Clarke, and Sergeant John Griffin, in behalf of the inhabitants and proprietors,, of the land belonging to 32 HISTORY OF SIMSBURY. the township of Massacoe, alias Simsbury, and their heirs and assigns forever, all that tract of land lying and being situate on Farmington bounds southward, and from thence to run ten large miles northerly, and from the bounds of Windsor town, on the east, to run ten large miles westward, the tract or parcel of land being ten miles square large." The deed contains a reservation of two acres of land to Mamanto, (husband of one of the squaws who had signed it,) lying in Weatauge, and to the grantors and their heirs, the right at all times " to hunt, fowl and fish," on the con veyed premises. The consideration, expressed in the, deed, consists of the aforesaid conveyances made to Mr. Griffin, and others, and "a valuable sum paid in full satisfaction," the amount of which is not stated. The deed is quite formal and technical — is witnessed by three white men, and five Indians, duly acknowledged, and is recorded on the town records of Simsbury, and the State records at Hartford. [Appendix A.] The consideration of this deed, whatever it was, not hav ing been paid according to agreement, the Indians pressed Major Talcott for payment, and, as stated on the record, " made a grievous complaint to the Major, and being inces santly urging for their dues," the town " to still their accla mations, and to bring to issue the said case, and to ease the Major of those vexatious outcries, made by the Indians, for their money," ordered the sale of one hundred and fifty acres of land, to raise funds by which to extinguish the debt. In February, 1689, the inhabitants, apprehending danger from the Indians, took measures to strengthen themselves, by living more compactly together. The people of Hop meadow proposed to those living at the north, or " lower meadows," and at Salmon brook, to remove to, and dwell in their settlement, offering to exchange lands with them. The offer was accepted, and many of these people removed to Hop meadow, though subsequently some of them returned to their former habitations. There were sixteen persons who had entered into an agreement to remove. They were to build, and remove their respective families, within the HISTORY OF SIMSBURY. 33 space of one year, on penalty of ten pounds. The lots set out to them were on the west side of the istreet. For more than thirty years after Philip's war, in 1675, the inhabitants lived in almost daily apprehension of attacks from the Indians. The French, between whom and the English war prevailed during part of this time, and who had possession of Canada, used great efforts to incite the northern Indians to attack the white settlements, situated on the frontier. From its location, Simsbury, more than any other town in the Colony, was exposed to these invasions. Every precaution, however, which a people so weak in resources could adopt, was taken, both by the government and the town, to give protection to the inhabitants. Many houses were placed in a condition of defense, and some of them, at times of the greatest alarm, were protected by a garrison. Of these the Bestor house, at Weatauge, — the minister's house at Hop meadow, — a house at Westover's plain , — one at Salmon brook, — and one or two at Turkey Hills, are either known, or on traditionary evidence are sup posed to be of the number. A supply of ammunition, pro cured at the expense of the town, was always kept on hand. This ammunition, at one time, was kept at a house which stood on the east side of the river, on the spot where the house of Richard Bacon Esq. now stands, which was de stroyed with all its contents, by the accidental burning of the house. There exists record evidence that the parson age house, at Hop meadow, was fortified in 1690, arid also in 1700, and that two fortifications were erected in the town, one called the "Great Fort," which stood on the plain north of Saxton's brook, and another called " Shaw's Fort," situated about one mile north of Salmon brook street. These block-houses were probably constructed in 1708, for, in that year, the General Assembly ordered the Committee of War to erect two garrisons in Simsbury, at the charge of the Col ony, and supply them " with men and provisions," as there should be occasion. In 1707, (.here was an alarm spread that the Indians contemplated an invasion of the town, 4 34 . HISTORY OF SIMSBURY. when the Assembly granted seven pounds, from the treas ury, to fortify it ; and the next year, a further grant of seven pounds six shillings was made, to pay the soldiers belonging to Simsbury, who had been employed under Capt. John Higley, in the public service.* The last alarm was in 1724. The conduct of the Indians at the north and west during this year, and especially their hostile movements in the vicinity of Litchfield, induced the government to take such precautionary measures as the occasion demanded, in order to furnish protection to the weak and exposed settlements. A line of scouts was estab lished, extending from Litchfield to Turkey Hills, curving around the most northerly and westerly settlements in Simsbury. On the 4th of June 1724, Captain Richard Case, of this town, was directed to employ ten men on this scouting party, to rendezvous at Litchfield. The men employed in this service, were sergeant Jonathan Holcomb, John Hill, Nathaniel Holcomb, Joseph Mills, William Buell, Samuel Pettibone, Joseph Wilcoxson, Benajah Humphrey, Nathan iel Westover, and Charles Humphrey; — all belonging to Simsbury. They continued in the service until early in October. On the 24th of September, " captain Sprague with 22 sentinels joined the scout at Simsbury." Another force of eighteen men was employed in the summer " to join the grand scout." * Just previous to this, the Council of War, in February, 1707, passed the following resolutions. " Resolved, for the preservation of the frontier townes of Symsbury, Water- bury, Woodbury and Danbury, that order be sent to the Inhabitants of those townes to provide, with all possible speed, a sufficient number of well forti fied houses, for the saftie of themselves and families, in their respective townes; The houses for fortifications to be appointed by the vote of the major part of the Inhabitants of such respective townes assembled, if they can agree, — in case of their disagreement, to be appointed by the commission officers of the towne." " The scouts in Symsbury to be appointed and directed by the Major of the Countte. The charges to be borne by the Countie, as by law is provided." " Two faithful and trusty men, as a. scout to be out every day, to observe the motions of the enemy." HISTORY OF SIMSBURY. 35 During this summer, " a garrison" was constructed at Turkey Hills. In July, nine men were sent to man it, and subsequently a larger force, for the record of the Council of War (from which the above quotations are made) specifies that " thirty men, who had been sent to garrison at Sims bury," were ordered to be disbanded in September. On the 12th of July, there was " an alarm at Turkey Hills," of a nature so serious, as to induce the Council to send there, forty-one soldiers from Windsor, and twenty-six from Hart ford. It does not appear however that there was any sub stantial ground to apprehend immediate danger, for these troops were dismissed after one day's service. These precautionary measures were wisely taken. Stroll ing parties of Indians had been lurking about the settle ments during most part of the season, with the intention, evidently, of subjecting the weak and defenseless to the cruelties of their accustomed modes of warfare. They were prevented, however, by the prompt and efficient action of the government, from inflicting any general or extensive injury. Although this was the last time when danger was seri ously apprehended from the Indians, it was not until after the lapse of some years, that the people felt themselves in perfect security, or could entirely overcome that fear which the. nursery tales of the times had kept alive long after all real danger had passed away. With the exception of some petty thefts, or trespasses, it is not known that the whites were ever materially injured by the Massacoe Indians, at least by that portion of them who continued to reside in the plantation. The burning of the town in 1676, as before stated, was the act of northern tribes, in which the Massacoe Indians, it is believed, did not participate. In this, as well as in subsequent wars during that century, all the Indians residing in the then county of Hartford, which included nearly one half of the Colony, joined the English by treaty stipulations, and proved them selves not only true to their engagements, but serviceable as allies, and warriors. It is on record that, during the war 36 HISTORY OF SIMSBURY. which commenced in 1675, no Indian belonging to the county, had been convicted of any atrocious offence, com mitted against the white population. But, the latter could not, and did not, rest in security. They were exposed to sudden unforeseen attacks, and knew enough of the Indian character, to fear, if not to expect, treachery when help was most needed. The Massacoe Indians continued to reside with their new neighbors in harmony. But, their proximity to these settle ments did not improve their condition, nor add to their hap piness. The more bold and enterprizing portion of them, left for new habitations in distant forests, far from the encroachments of the white man. Many fled to the Housa- tonuc valley, at the breaking out of Philip's war. From these and other well known causes, their numbers were so diminished, that before the lapse of many years, they had become a small, and inefficient band. There were a few families remaining after 1710. One, possessed a few acres of land on the east side of the river, near the south line of the town, some years after this. About 1750, or within a few years thereafter, the last vestige of the race disappeared from the town. Of Indian names, but few are now known. Massacoe, and Tunxus, have become nearly obsolete. Weatauge, which, fortunately, has been retained, — and a brook, within the present limits of Canton, which derives its name from an Indian chieftain, Cherry,* — are the only ones preserved, to remind us of the former owners and possessors of this soil. The natives had a place of sepulchre, near the house of the late Col. James Cornish. When the cellar of this house was excavated, a large number of human bones were dis covered. Tradition says, that another place was used for this purpose, on a patch of rising ground in the rear of the house of Mrs. T. L. Bissell. Arrow-heads have been found, very frequently, in all * Cherry was a name given him by the English. His Indian name was Waquaheag. HISTORY OF SIMSBURY. 37 parts of the meadows where the lands have been cultivated by the plow. It is not uncommon, at the pres.ent day, to find them. Other relics too, have beenfound, occasionally, consisting of articles used in war, in the cultivation of the soil, and for domestic purposes. In the meadows, westerly of the house of Richard Bacon Esq., such implements have often been discovered. Within a few years, Col. Aurora Case, in plowing a new field, -lying westerly of Mr. Robert J. McRoy's house, (formerly occupied by Mr. Stephen Terry,) found a stone mortar, and pestle, of Indian work manship, used for pounding corn, which have been depos ited in the archives of the Connecticut Historical Society. During the Indian disturbances in 1707, one of those events occurred, which, whenever they happened, spread terror and consternation throughout the infant settlements, and overwhelmed, with the deepest agony, the family con nections of the sufferers. In the fall of 1707, Daniel Hayes, at the age of twenty- two years, was taken by the Indians and carried captive into Canada. He resided at Salmon brook, now the central part of Granby, which, being at that time the northern point of settlement in the town, was peculiarly exposed to sudden invasions by the Indians. The circumstances attending this transaction, as preserved by tradition, are as follows.* Some two or three years before Hayes was taken, he was at a house-raising in Weatauge, when, very inconsiderately, and out of mere wanton sport, he cut off the tail of a dog belonging to an Indian, who, a stranger and entirely unknown, happened to be present. The master of the dog, though he uttered no complaint, manifested such emotions of ill will and revenge, that Hayes, before they separated, * The materials from which this account is compiled, were obligingly com municated to the author by Samuel H. Woodruff and Ardon B. Holcomb Esq'rs, of Granby. Of the general correctness of the narrative, no reasonable doubt can be entertained, — as the facts have been derived, not only from the descendants of Mr. Hayes, but also from •several aged people, all of whom concur in their statements regarding the main and important features of the transaction. 4* 38 HISTORY OF SIMSBURY. deemed it prudent for himself, to attempt to pacify him. He sought .therefore a reconciliation, by proposing to drink together, and offered, moreover, reparation for the injury. But the Indian rejected all overtures, and left the ground, evidently in a surly and unreconciled mood of mind, and, probably, with malice and revenge deeply impressed upon his heart. Nothing afterwards being heard of the Indian or his dog, the circumstance, in a short time, if not forgot ten, became unheeded. But, the events which follow were supposed to result from this affair.* On the evening before his capture, there was a corn husk ing party at the house of Mr. Hayes, when, in the course of conversation, he remarked that early in the ensuing morn ing, he should endeavor to find his horse, which was feed ing in the forests, and, as supposed, westerly of the settle ment. This conversation, as appears from the sequel, was overheard by Indians, who were, at that time, lurking about the house, and who, it is supposed, from the information thus obtained, devised their plans of operation for the next morning. After the family had retired and were asleep, they were awakened by the barking of their dog, which manifested so much uneasiness as to induce Mr. Hayes to leave his bed, and, with his dog, to seek for the cause. Supposing the disturbance to have proceeded from the incursion of cattle into the corn-field contiguous to his house, (an ordinary occurrence in those days,) and finding it unmolested, he again sought repose in sleep. But the dog continued restive, and plainly made known, by his conduct, that there was something wrong in the neighborhood of the house. * Thus goes the story. But the author must be allowed to say, for him self, that he very much doubts whether this affair had anything to do with the capture of Hayes, which took place some years afterwards. The Indians, it is well known, were incited to such deeds by the French in Canada, to whom they carried their captives, and by whom, as is supposed, they were rewarded for the service. The more correct supposition probably is, that the captors came into this weak settlement, to sieze and carry off any person who might be thrown in their way, and that they would have taken as readily anv other person as Hayes, if an opportunity, equally as favorable, had occurred. HISTORY OF SIMSBURY. 39 The next morning, at an early hour, Mr. Hayes, taking with him a bridle, proceeded into the forests to find his horse. His route led him to pass Stoney hill, a ridge of land stretching north and south about eighty rods westerly of Salmon brook street. Upon turning round the south point of this hill, he was seized by three Indians who sprang upon him from an ambush where they had secreted themselves from view. So suddenly and unexpectedly came this attack upon Hayes, that he was deprived of all power to make resistance, or even any attempt to escape. One Indian seized him by the throat — another, enjoined silence by putting a hand over his mouth — whilst the other, with a tomahawk raised over his head, enforced obedience and submission. They immediately bound his hands at his back with the throat-latch of the bridle, and, with their captive, hastily left the place, taking their course in a north ern direction. Another account states that Hayes was accompanied by a Mr. Lamson, who, being an agile and athletic man, outran the Indians and effected his escape — that the number of Indians, belonging to the party, amounted to five or more ; and that the transaction was witnessed by a Mrs. Holcomb, wife of a Mr. Nathaniel Holcomb, who Was in the fields that morning milking, but who, from considerations relating to her own safety, was deterred from returning home, or giving an alarm, until the Indians with their captive had left the place. Very soon, however, the usual alarm was spread, and a force was raised sufficient to make pursuit. Immediate effort was made to relieve the captive, and punish the aggressors. And notice of the calamity having been sent to Windsor, a larger force came from that town to the rescue. The route taken by the Indians was found and traced, and, at times, the marks of their tracks appeared so fresh, that strong hopes were entertained of overtaking them. But, their superior cunning in such exploits, with their fleetness in passing through the wilderness, enabled them to avoid their pursuers, and escape with their prisoner. 40 HISTORY OF SIMSBURY. In the mean time Hayes, knowing that any symptoms of lagging on his part would probably cost him his life, and supposing, moreover, that in no event would his captors, if closely pursued, suffer him to live, exerted himself to keep up with them. And he soon found he could do this without much fatigue, for he was robust, and accustomed to such traveling. On one occasion, during this journey, when his companions wished to test his fleetness, he outstripped them so far that they were on the point of shooting him to stop his progress. He might then have escaped, as he after wards said, "if he had had his thoughts about him." On the first night after his capture, the party encamped at the foot of Sodom mountain. He was secured, during the night, by being placed upon his back, with each arm and ancle strongly fastened to a sapling, and with sticks so crossing his body as to be lain upon by an Indian on each side. He passed most of the nights, bound in this manner, during his long march to Canada. On the second day, the party crossed Connecticut river, by fording and swimming, and spent the ensuing night at the base of Mount Holyoke. In this manner, they proceeded from day to day, up the valley of Connecticut river and through the wilderness, on their route to Canada. Many incidents occurred, which Hayes used to relate. One evening, the little savages, belonging to a village where the party had stopped, annoyed him by tickling his feet as he lay before a fire with his arms pinioned as usual. Bearing this annoyance as long as his patience would allow, he attempted to get rid of his tormentors by using his feet in self-defense — during which process, some of them were kicked into the fire. He expected nothing short of death for this aggression, but was agreeably surprised when the fathers of the burnt children, instead of offering violence, patted him on his shoulders and exclaimed " boon ! "* * If this word is correctly handed down, it was intended probably, for the French word bon, and used on this occasion to express approbation. The northern Indians, at this time, were in the habit of using a few words derived from the French. HISTORY OF SIMSBURY. 41 They were nearly thirty days on this journey, during all which time the sufferings of poor Hayes were excessive, and almost without intermission. Subjected to hard toil through each day, with no sustenance save what the forests and rivers furnished, and deprived at night of rest, by the man ner of binding his limbs, he had that to sustain which, in most cases, would have brought the sufferer to the grave. But Hayes, if he must be a victim, determined that he at least would not voluntarily contribute to hasten the sacrifice. He possessed that happy faculty of making, at all times, the best of his condition. His cheerfulness, though assumed — his ability to endure fatigue and hardships — and his apparent stoical indifference to his fate, secured the good opinion of his comrades, and tended to lighten his burdens, and, possi bly, to prolong his life. Indulgence in despondency could bring no relief, and would, as he well knew, but render more bitter the cup of his afflictions. He very wisely therefore made up his mind "to make a virtue of neces sity," by submitting with the best possible grace to that fate which he too well knew awaited him. The Indians told him, on the journey, of their lying about his house on the night before he was taken, and of their overhearing the conversation relating to his intention to proceed, on the next morning, into the wilderness to find his horse; which information, thus obtained,. induced them to lie in wait at Stoney hill in order to capture him. They also told him that they had been lurking about the settle ment some days, seeking an opportunity to secure a captive, or commit some other depredation. When they arrived at the great Indian encampment on the borders of Canada, the prisoner was delivered over to the council of the nation, to be disposed of as they should adjudge. By their decision, he was doomed to undergo the painful ordeal of " running the gauntlet." Being stripped to his ' skin, and annointed according to custom, he com menced the course; and after many flagellations and hard knocks received, when approaching near the end of the line, being exhausted and faint, he bolted from the course to 42 HISTORY OF SIMSBURY. avoid a blow from an upraised war club, and sought safety by fleeing into a wigwam, at the door of which sat a super annuated and infirm squaw. He was pursued, but the squaw proclaimed the house sacred, and its inmates pro tected from injury. By her intercession, and especially by the deference paid to a place thus sanctified according to the rites of Indian superstition, " the appetite of the savage for blood was stayed." The squaw, whose husband and only son had fallen in war, claimed the captive, and adopted him as her son. She was destitute, and so infirm as to be unable to walk. Hayes, in addition to minor duties, was compelled to provide for her sustenance and fuel. He administered to her wants, and devoted to her the kindest attentions, — and she, in return, evinced her gratitude, by calling him her son ! He lived in this family about five years ; and although, during this time, he fared better, perhaps, than most Indian cap tives, yet existence, in his then condition, had for him but few charms, and the future unveiled to his view no cheering prospect. He was in bondage, compelled to adopt the customs and modes of life of savages, and was deprived of almost every comfort deemed necessary by civilized people. Besides, he could entertain no reasonable hope of being restored to his home and kindred — and more than all, his life was at the mercy, whim, or caprice, of savage masters. One of the tasks imposed upon him, in the winter season, was to draw upon a sled his Indian mother to such places as she wished to visit, and especially to the feasts and council assemblages of her tribe. Upon occasion of a " dog feast " which, by the usages of her people, all were expected to attend, he proceeded with her, in this manner, until, ascending a hill which was steep and slippery, he found his strength, when put to its utmost power, barely adequate to make any headway. By perseverance and exertion however, he was enabled to reach nearly the sum mit of the hill, when he slipped and fell ; and either by design, or inability to hold on, left the sled with its mortal load, to find the bottom of the declivity without a pilot-— HISTORY OF SIMSBURY. 43 secretly wishing, no doubt, that her appetite for riding would be cured by this trip. In this perilous adventure, the sled struck a stump near the foot of the hill, which capsized the squaw, who was severely injured by the fall. Whether an accident or not, Hayes professed much sorrow for the disas ter, and managed the affair so adroitly, that he escaped every imputation of blame, and continued to retain the confidence and good opinion of the Indians. Shortly after this event, he was sold to a Frenchman in M The old meeting-house being out of repair, and too small to accommodate the inhabitants, measures were taken, in 1725, to erect a new one. And here commenced a contro versy upon this subject, which continued for a period of over thirteen years, and which, before the question was finally settled, had become so acrimonious as to separate friends and family connections, and so general, as to per vade all ranks and conditions of the people. And it had so extended itself amongst the members of the church, that the Ministerial Association was induced to recommend to the pastor to discontinue the administration of the sacrament of the Lord's supper. In order to understand correctly the various influences which bore upon this question, a view should be taken of the condition of the town at that time. Its geographical center was nearly two miles north of the old meeting-house, and there were no settlements west of the main road leading from Meadow plain to Salmon brook. The principal vil lages were then, as now, at Weatauge, (east and west,) Hop meadow, Westover's plain, &c; — each of which was desirous of having the house in its immediate vicinity. And, as there were then no bridges across the river, it was of some consequence that the building should be placed near that stream, that those who had to pass it, might leave their horses on its bank, and have but a short distance to walk after crossing it. After various meetings, held by the town, in 1725, to establish the site for the new house, all of which were un successful, the town, on the 7th of October, 1725, made a 6 58 HISTORY OF SIMSBURY. formal application to the General Assembly, for the appoint ment of a committee, " to come to Simsbury, and take a view of the situation of it," and " to give their advice where the meeting-house should be set, for the greatest conveni- ency, of the whole town, and to make report to the General Assembly, in May next, in order to a confirmation." The application was granted, and a committee appointed, consisting of Governor Talcott, Matthew Allyn, an Assistant, and Roger Wolcott, also an Assistant, and subsequently Governor of the Colony, who reported to the May session of the Assembly, 1726, that, in their opinion, the meeting house should be placed atBissell's landing, on the west side of the river, and advised the inhabitants of the town " to proceed and set up their meeting-house, at that place, in a christian and peacable manner becoming such a work." " Bissell's landing," a name now obsolete, was near the present bridge at Westover's plain. This report was ac cepted by both Houses ; thus the question was apparently settled. But, at the same session, a petition was presented signed by all the inhabitants residing in the southerly part, of the town, including a few persons belonging to the north part of Farmington, praying for a distinct society, with liberty to place their meeting-house at west Weatauge ; the north boundary thereof, to be a line runing easterly and westerly from the mouth of Hop brook. The petitioners state, that Bissell's landing place " is distant from the nearest of us, (excepting about three or four families.) four miles, and that we are in number about three hundred persons, and the difficulty of transporting ourselves, and families, to the worship of God, is a burden almost insupportable," — and that " the list of our estate is about three thousand pounds." This petition was granted in the lower House, but rejected in the Council. There was another petition presented, at the same ses sion, signed by seventy-six persons, evincing their concur rence in the report of the committee, establishing the site of the meeting-house at Bissell's landing; and protesting HISTORY OF SIMSBURY. 59 against the formation of a new society, in the south part of the town, for " if so," as they say, " it destroys the whole community, because the travells of the north society will not be eased, and the charge (will be) almost iusupport- able." At a town meeting, held August 7, 1726, the town voted that they " will not build a meeting-house at ye place where the Court's committee ordered, viz., at Bissell's landing place." In September, 1726, the town voted to divide into two societies; and appointed Mr. James Ensign, of Hartford, Deacon John Hart, of Farmington, and Joseph Barnard, of Windsor, a committee to establish the divisional line be tween the two societies. At the October session, 1726, a large number of the inhab itants presented to the General Assembly a petition, in which they state, that " there has been great difficulties in our town concerning the building a meeting-house, and our dificulties are still remaining; and we are in no way likely to suite ourselves; therefore, we humbly pray this Honor able Assembly, that they would not move us from the place where the meeting-house now stands, (being near the an cient settlements of our town,) at present, or until we are in some way (better able) to suite ourselves." April 25, 1727, the town adopted a petition to the General Assembly, asking for a division of the town into two socie ties ; and for the appointment of a committee to fix the dividing line, and the sites of the two meeting-houses. The prayer of the petition was granted, and Capt. William Wadsworth, Capt. John Sheldon, and Mr. James Church, were appointed, who reported in favor of a division into two societies ; — the dividing line to run westerly from a point commencing some forty rods north of the present school- house at Westover's plain, and easterly until it intersects the river, which it follows to Windsor bounds ; — that the site of the meeting-house, for the south society, should be on the east side of the river, a little south of the bend of the river, (this place is perhaps eighty rods north of the present 60 HISTORY OF SIMSBURY. dwelling house of Mr. Oliver Bradley ;)— and that the meeting-house, for the north society, should be erected about sixty rods west of Higley's marsh, on the road leading from the Falls to Turkey hills. This report was .accepted at the May session, 1727, and a resolution passed in accord ance therewith. But, this division, and especially the location of the two meeting-houses, were unsatisfactory to a large portion of the inhabitants. The first, or south society, held a meeting on the 27th of December 1727, and resolved that thejr would not build a meeting-house at the place designated by the committee. And, at a subsequent meeting, held March 26, 1728, they voted to meet for public worship at the old meeting-house ; also, to build a new one at the same place ; and appointed Joseph Case senior, and Jonathan Westover, a committee to petition the legislature for permission to do so. The Assembly, however, refused to grant the prayer of the petition. At the same session, a petition, signed by fifty-six per sons, was preferred, complaining that the south society had, by a vote, refused to build a house for public worship at the place approved of by the legislature, and asking for a special act to enable them to raise money, by assessments, to build the house as ordered by the Assembly. It does not appear that any action was had upon this petition. Another town meeting was held, October 10, 1728, when agents were appointed to present a petition, then adopted by the town, to the General Assembly, asking, " as a last remedy," for the appointment of " one more committee," clothed with full authority to decide whether one, or more, meeting-houses should be built, and to fix the location of such as they should order to be erected. The petition was granted, and a committee appointed, consisting of Messrs. Matthew Allyn, John Hooker, James Ensign and Joseph Barnard, with full authority to decide the controversy. Instead of reporting their decision to the Assembly, as was usual in such cases, they were directed to return it to the Secretary HISTORY OF SIMSBURY. 61 for record, and, when so recorded, the proceedings were to be decisive and conclusive upon the town, and, in the lan guage of the resolution, " an utter end of the controversy." The committee decided, that the town should continue undi vided, and united in one ministerial society, as heretofore ; and " fuither, that ye place, wheir they shall erect theyer meeting house, shall be on ye west side of ye river, on ye south side of ye way or road leading up from ye river, where they ordinarily pass with ye boat, and so up ye hill, com monly called Drake's hill." This place is about forty rods east of the present meeting-house in Simsbury. The com mittee directed that the house should be forty-five feet square. They also made out a rate bill, and appointed col lectors, to collect the taxes to meet the expenses of the building, and a committee to superintend its construction. At the same time, to wit, November 21, 1728, the town voted " to unite into one society as formerly." It would seem that, after these proceedings, the question would be considered as si ttled, and the controversy at an end. The building committee had provided timber for the house, and carried it to the place. But the end of the con troversy was not yet. A large number, though probably not a majority, of the inhabitants, were strongly opposed to this decision. The two persons, appointed collectors, refused to act ; and the town not only refused to take any efficient measure in aid of the project, but, at a meeting held April 29, 1729, it voted " to set off a society, from ye dug way to ye north, and to run a west north west point from ye river, westward, and ye river to be ye dividing line, northward." In consequence of these proceedings, numerous petitions were presented to the next session of the General Assembly, held in May, 1729, complaiuing that the place designated by the last committee, for the site of the meeting-house, "is miry," and subject to be overflown by the floods ; "that it is not convenient for the whole town, nor for one society, when the town is divided into two societies ;" — and asking that the committee may be again sent to the town, and another 6* 62 HISTORY OF SIMSBURY. hearing be had. The request was granted, and the commit tee directed to review their proceedings. The committee met on the 25th of June, 1729, and, on reconsideration, reversed and set aside their former proceed ings ; and decided that the town should be divided into two distinct societies,' — the dividing line being the one crossing at the " dug way," before mentioned, — that the site for the meeting-house in the first, or south, society, should be on the eabt side of the river, opposite Deac. James Cornish's dwelling-house, (then standing where Mr. John Tuller's house now stands,) — that the timber provided for the build ing at Drake's hill, should belong to this society, and be used for this house ; and that the meeting-house of the north society should be erected at Bridge hill,* on the north side of the river, at the " falls." They also appointed a build ing committee for each society. The building committee of the south society, in pursu ance of this authority, removed the timber (and, as tradition says, in the night season,) from Drake's hill across the river to the new site for their house, and proceeded to frame and raise the building. But, as there was no collector "to gather the rates" which had been -laid by the committee appointed by the Assembly, they applied to the legislature, to appoint a collector for this purpose, for the reason, as they state, that they " judge it impossible for said society, under their present circumstances, to chuse a collector." This timber was afterwards attached by William Buel, which occasioned a cessation in the further construction of the building at that place. The second society, July 22d, 1729, voted to raise a rate or tax of four pence on the pound, "to arect and build a mealing hous at the bridge hill, as the commity ordered; and that with the advise with some wise men, we will hire a minster to preach the gospel to the second sosiaty, at Dan iel Holcomb's hous." The list of this society then amount ed to .£3636 12s. Qd. At another meeting, held in August of * Bridge hill, it is supposed, was near the residence of David Latham Esq. HISTORY OF SIMSBURY. 63 the same year, the society voted that the dimensions of their meeting-house should be forty-two by thirty-two feet. Sixty-one persons, some of them belonging to the north society, addressed a letter, dated July 16, 1729, to the Rev. Mr. Woodbridge, in which they state, that. " having met together to consider our difficulties, relating to the settle ment of our meeting-house affairs, and things seemingly looking worse than ever, as if love and peace were likely to depart from us, in the way that we are in ;" they conclude by offering to pay him his salary, amounting to one hundred pounds yearly, " so long as he shall continue with them as their pastor," in case the General Court would sanction the measure. Jonathan Westover signs the letter, with this proviso, that he will pay his "equal part in a gospel wa)^, but not in a forcible way." At the October session, 1729, a number of petitions were presented to the Assembly, some in favor of, and the others against a confirmation of the doings of the last committee. But it does not appear that any notice was taken of these memorials. Another town meeting was held in March, 1730, when it was voted to continue to maintain public worship, at the old meeting-house, and to request Mr. Woodbridge to con tinue with them and officiate as formerly. It was also resolved to take the advice of the Association of Ministers, in relation to their difficulties, and in view of them, wheth er or not, Mr. Woodbridge ought to continue in the work of the ministry. The Association met at Simsbury on the 31st of March, and having heard the contending parties, and used their iufiuence to bring about a reconciliation, but finding, as they say, " that nothing could be gained,'' they came to the conclusion that " under the present divided circumstances" of the town, the Rev. Mr. Woodbridge was " under no obli gation to continue his ministry, either at the old meeting house, or in any other separate part of the town." The controversy, at no time distinguished for its mild ness, assumed now an aspect dangerous to the welfare of 64 HISTORY OF SIMSBURY. the community. It was deep rooted and wide spread. Even the church became infected. So warmly and gener ally had its members entered into the quarrel, that the Asso ciation felt compelled to decide, that the members of this church were so destitute "of a good and christian frame of spirit, as to be unfit for communion at the Lord's table."* The north society, also, procured timber to build their meeting-house at Bridge hill, and laid a tax, as before sta ted, to defray the expense of erecting the building. But, as the collector had received his appointment from the com mittee appointed by the General Assembly, his authority was questioned, and the people refused to pay their taxes. At the next session of the Assembly, May 1730, a large number of petitions were presented, in reference to this contested subject. Among them, was one signed by the Rev. Timothy Edwards, and five other distinguished cler gymen, in which they state, that " the sorrowful state of the town of Simsbury" is such, that " the strictest bonds of charity oblige us, and all christians that come to the knowledge of it, to compassionate them." The legisla ture did not directly grant the prayer of any of these peti tions ; — but it appointed another committee, consisting of Gov. Talcott, and Nathaniel Stanley and Ozias Pitkin Esqrs. "to meet the inhabitants of Simsbury, in a legally warned town meeting, in order that the said meeting might consider, and agree amongst themselves, at what place, or places, and in what manner, to build for- themselves a meeting-house, or meeting-houses, for the worship of God as they, or the greater part of them, by their votes shall, in such meeting, agree, conclude, and determine ;" at which North Association of the County of Hartford, March 31, 1730 : — " Upon viewing the state of the brethren in Simsbury in respect to their present contention : — Question, whether they ought, without some antece dent reconciliation, to join in the communion of the Lord's supper : — Voted by the Association, that they ought not. Teste, Benjamin Colton, Scribe." HISTORY OF SIMSBURY. 65 meeting, the committee were " desired to be present and endeavor to persuade the people of said town to surcease their contentions, and join, as brethren, lovingly to go on with this good work. And his Honor is desired to report to this Assembly, in October hext, in what manner they have succeeded in this affair ; and if the inhabitants of said town shall not agree, by their greater vote, to the building one or more meeting-houses, then \.S report to the Assembly, if it be best, in their opinion, whether there should be one, or mote societies; and if two, whether the places, where the committee have last ordered their meeting-houses to be, are not most commodious for them." The town meeting was held on the 28th day of July, at which Gov. Talcott was present, and used his great influ ence to effect a reconciliation between the contending par ties, and apparently with success, for the town voted to remain one society, and to build the meeting-house at Bis- selPs landing place. Upon the report of the committee, embracing this result, the Assembly, Oct. 1730, approved thereof, and ordered the town " to proceed to build accord ingly." But, at a succeeding town meeting, held but a few months afterwards, to wit, January 1, 1731, it was voted, by a great majority, that the town would not "do any thing about building a meeting-house at Bissell's landing place." And, at the same meeting, a large committee was appointed, from the different sections of the town, to enquire and report at a future meeting, what measures could be adopted to bring the controversy "to ageneral and peacible accommodation." The committee, by a large majority, reported, among other things, that the west side of the river from Farmington bounds, to extend north so as to include the Higley settle ment, should be the first society, and the portion of the town easterly of the river, should be the second society. This report was accepted " by a very full vote ;" — and the new designated first society attempted an organization, by elect ing its committee, and voting to raise the annual salary of 66 HISTORY OF SIMSBURY. the clergyman. But their application to the legislature, for a confirmation of these proceedings, was rejected. At this period, there had been so many contradictory decisions relating to this subject, that great uncertainty pre vailed in respect to the rights and duties of the parish. It is doubtful whether any legal society existed at this time. The Rev. Mi. Woodbridge continued to officiate in the ministry, to such as chose to hear him, but no taxes were imposed to pay his salary ; and it was strongly doubted, by many persons, whether he was the legally settled pastor. Notwithstanding all these contentions, into some of which he was reluctantly drawn, — for it was well known that he was in favor of the location of the meeting-house, at Hop meadow, where he dwelt, — yet he was very generally esteemed, and possessed, to a large extent, the confidence and affection of his people. The Assembly, at the two next sessions, in May, and October 1731, was again importuned, by sundry memorials from the people of Simsbury, to do something to relieve the " distracted condition, both of the church and town." Among these, was one. from Mr. Woodbridge, complaining that his salary had remained unpaid, for a period of one year and seven months, and asking for some process to enforce its collection.* None of these petitions were granted. * " At a meeting of the inhabitants of Simsbury town, regularly convened in said town on thursday the 16th of Dec. 1731, and continued by adjourn ment to ye 17th of said month ; it being proposed to this meeting whether they would vote and order a rate, and thereby raise a salary for Mr. Timothy Woodbridge for ye year last past. This meeting doth resolve in ye negative, that we will not raise any such a rate to pay him for ye year past, for sundry reasons which to us seem sufficient. " And more especially, for that ye Association have given it as their opin" ion, on March 31, 1730, that Mr. Woodbridge was not obliged to continue his ministry in ye former place of publique meeting, or in any other separate part of ye town ;— therefore, he not being obliged to us, we cannot be obliged to him. — And. ye abovesaid Association did at their meeting on Feb. 4, 1730 advise, that if Mr. Woodbridge see sufficient encouragment from a number that seems to be agreed in ye west society, that he would continue with them ; but the inhabitants of our town have maintained ye publique worship HISTORY OF SIMSBURY. 67 But at the May session, 1732, the Assembly appointed an other committee to visit Simsbury, and see what could be done to "promote the peace and reconciliation of the peo ple ;" — and upon their report, which was made during the same session, a resolution was passed, directing that public worship should be held in the old meeting-house for the term of three years thereafter; — that the inhabitants of Turkey hills be allowed the privilege of maintaining public worship, in their village, during six months in each year ; — that the inhabitants living on the east side of the river, have the same privilege, during four months ; — that the old meet ing-house might be repaired by voluntary subscriptions, and contributions; — and that, if the town should not, within twenty days after the rising of the Assembly, lay a tax, sufficient to pay the salary due to Mr. Woodbridge, or should neglect to collect and pay it in full by the first day of ihe ensuing October, the Secretary of the colony was directed to issue an execution therefor, to be levied upon the estates tff any of the inhabitants of the town, and collected, " by distress and sale of their goods." The town having voted, March 29, 1733, that Turkey hills, and Salmon brook, might each be set off into a sep arate society, the inhabitants of those places, respectively, memorialized the General Assembly, held in May 1733, for parish privileges ; but their applications were both rejected. This town meeting was convened expressly for the purpose of deciding the question, whether the inhabitants would agree to form themselves into one, two, or more, ministerial societies. The result was, the formation of three societies, and the line which was agreed upon, running between the south and Salmon brook societies, was the same, or nearly the same, as that which at the present time divides Sims bury and Granby. At this time, there were in Turkey hills, forty-six families, including five who lived a few rods in separate parts of ye town according to ye town act, and advice of ye Asso ciation thereon. Therefore, not reasonable that a rate should be made on ye whole town to pay Mr. Woodbridge. The above written was Voted in ye affirmative, and voted to be entered on record." 68 HISTORY OF SIMSBURY. easterly of the town line, within the bounds of Windsor; and in Salmon brook, including the Falls and Higley's set tlement, forty-eight families.* At the May Session 1734, the inhabitants of Salmon brook again petitioned for parish powers and privileges; the soci ety to embrace the same territorial limits, as was expressed in their former petition. Among the reasons stated for this request, is the following: — "Seventhly— the great hopes we have of obtaining a young candidate for the ministry to be our minister, whom we have hired for near fifteen months past upon our own charge, being obliged, all the while, to pay our proportionable part to our minister at town." This petition was also negatived, probably for the reason that the three years, before spoken of, had not yet expired. In May 1735, upon several memorials from different parts of the town, praying that it might be divided into several Ecclesiastical societies, the General Assembly passed a reso lution, in which, it is stated, that " considering the divided state of Simsbury, and how often the inhabitants of thtA place have, in their town meetings, altered and changed their votes," the Assembly "do not think it proper to con firm the lines, prayed for, in order to divide the town into * It would seem, from the following proceedings, that at this time Mr. Woodbridge had removed his family from the town. " At a town meeting held in June 1733, a committee was appointed to enquire of Mr. Woodbridge whether he intended to continue with the people in the work of the ministry as formerly, and whether he would return with his family into the town again. The committee reported as follows : — 1st. " Whether he intends to continue with us in the work of the ministry. Answer : — in that matter I intend to follow my duty as I shall learn it from the word of God, with the best help I can obtain from the wisest and best of men I can. 2d. Whether I shall return with my family: — I have not determined that I will not, but if the difficulties qf the town, in what they can remove, be not removed, it looks as if I should not, but am willing to refer myself to proper judges for advice. Timothy Woodbhidge." The next year, 1734, the town voted to pay Mr. Woodbridge's salary for the preceding year. In 1735, an action was commenced by Mr. Woodbridge against the town for arrears of his salary unpaid. HISTORY OF SIMSBURY. 69 separate societies, without further enquiry ;" and therefore they appointed another committee "to repair to the town, at the charge thereof, and to hear the parties in reference to the question of forming separate societies." The committee were directed to " order the inhabitants, in reference to the place, or places, where they shall attend public worship, until the rising of this Assembly in October next, to which order the said inhabitants shall conform, during said time ;" and, if deemed needful to divide the town into distinct soci eties, the committee were directed to describe and set forth the bounds of such societies, and to make their report to the next session. In May, 1735, another town meeting was held, when a vote was passed, by a majority exceeding two-thirds of the voters present, requesting that the town might be divided into two societies, the division line to be at Hoskins' hill, the " dug way" oefore described, and appointing James Case, and John Humphrey, a committee to apply, in behalf of the town, to the legislature, for the incorporation of two societies, in conformity with the vote of the town. A committee was appointed on this application, and upon their report, the General Assembly, at the next session, October, 1735, ordered that the town " be divided into two distinct ecclesiastical societies, with powers and privileges of societies," and . that the division line between them be established at the " dug way." But this decision, like all former ones, gave great dissat isfaction to a large portion of the inhabitants. Instead of allaying the spirit of discord, it served only to increase it still higher. The people of the north society, being sepa rated into distinct and remote settlements, and having no common center, desired to be incorporated into two societies; and the south society were strongly opposed to the divis ional line being established at the dug way, — contending, that it ought to be fixed at Saxton's brook. A meeting of the south society was held, which was very fully attended, — eighty-two voters being present. On the question " whether they vmnted a meeting-house, or not," the 7 70 HISTORY OF SIMSBURY. vote stood, forty-one in the affirmative, and the same num ber in the negative. The society also refused to make any provision for the support of the ministry. The north society voted, by a large majority, that they too did not want a meet ing-house. The next session of the General Assembly, held in May, 1736, was troubled more than usual with petitions, from every section of the town, all complaining of injustice, of some kind or other, and asking for relief. Mr. Woodbridge, too, found it necessary to make another application for the interposition of the Assembly, to enable him to obtain his salary ; in which petition, alluding to their difficulties gen erally, he speaks of a class as entertaining "a secret design of injustice, or hope of holding themselves up, as the head of a party, to perpetuate our present miseries." By reason of these petitions, the Assembly appointed another committee, consisting of Roger Wolcott, James Wadsworth, and Thomas Wells, Esqrs., who, after hearing the parties, and considering the various subjects in contro versy, were directed " to make their report how they find the true state of the matters, laid in said memorials, with their opinion thereupon, to this Assembly, in October next." Upon report of this committee, made at the next session, - October, 1736, Wintonbnry society was formed, to which was annexed the inhabitants residing in the south-east sec tion of the town, and three other societies, the South, Sal mon brook, and Turkey hills, by boundaries as they at present exist, excepting the last named society, to which at a subsequent period, was annexed a small part of Windsor and Suffield. The question, so far as it regarded the formation of sepa rate societies, was thus settled, but the one not less impor tant, to wit, the location of the respective meeting-houses was left undecided. Nor does it appear that any movement was made, for some considerable time, in either of the socie ties, in reference to a settlement of this matter. Probably all parties felt disposed to drop the contest for a while. But, in none of them, was the question settled in society HISTORY OF SIMSBURY. 71 meetings. In May, 1738, the Assembly, on report of a committee previously appointed, fixed the site of the meet ing-house in Turkey hills society; — and, in October, 1739, they did the same in respect to the other two societies. The site of the house for Salmon brook society, (then called the north-west society,) was established at the north end of Salmon brook street, on the hill near the burying ground. The place where the first society were ordered to build theii meeting-house, was on Drake's hill on the west side of the road, being near the location of the present meeting-house. Thus was terminated a controversy which, for the bitter feelings it engendered, and the length of time it continued, has no parallel, in this State, upon any similar subject. The quarrel was general, if not universal ; few, if any, being able to avoid its influence. It destroyed social intercourse, broke up the church, and in a great measure prevented public worship. During three years, from 1731 to 1733 inclusive, owing to this excited state of feeling, the legisla ture deemed it inexpedient to appoint any Justices of the Peace in the town. The excitement did not immediately subside. But, in process of time, when bridges were built across the river — roads improved — and settlements had extended westerly in the town, all parties, if not exactly suited, cheerfully acqui esced in the final decision of the controversy. Each society took measures to erect its house for public worship. The first society, in December, 1739, voted to build their house of the dimensions of fifty by forty feet, and to place it on Drake's hill. The building was not so far completed as to be fit for occupation until 1743, and was not plastered until 1752. It was repaired and materially im proved in 1777, and painted, it is believed for the first time, in 1786. The construction of the meeting-houses, belonging to the other two societies, will be mentioned in the Chapter relating to the history of Granby. After the division of the town into three societies, in 1737, all ecclesiastical affairs, instead of being managed as up to 72 HISTORY OF SIMSBURY. that time they had been by the town, were conducted by the several societies. The old society was thereafter known by the name of the south society. . Soon after the death of Mr. Woodbridge, the society voted to apply to Mr. Samuel Hopkins to supply the pulpit. This was the distinguished divine who subsequently became the celebrated founder of the Hopkinsonian system of Divin ity. He preached in Simsbury about six months. At this time, he was quite young, and had but recently been licens ed to preach. At the close of the year 1743, the Rev. Gideon Mills was employed as preacher. He was invited to settle, and accepted the invitation, April, 1744. He was ordained in the following September, and dismissed in September, 1754 ; but continued to supply the pulpit until March, 1755. The next minister was Mr. John Searl, who remained here but a few months. He afterwards removed to Sharon, where he was settled. In the fall of 1756, the Rev. Benajah Roots was employ ed on probation. He was ordained August 10, 1757, and, dismissed in the summer of 1772. During the last three or four years of his ministry, he had much difficulty with the church and congregation. He removed to Vermont, where after preaching some years, he died. After Mr. Roots, Mr. Jonathan Murdock, Mr. Patten, of Hartford, and Mr. David Parsons, Jr., of Amherst, were severally employed, the two first named for short terms only. In 1775, the society gave Mr. Parsons a call to settle, but the invitation was declined. In 1776, the Rev. Samuel Stebbins commenced his min isterial labors in this society. He was ordained December 10, 1777, and continued in the pastoral office twenty-nine years. He was dismissed at his own request, Nov. 17, 1806. The pulpit was supplied for about two years thereafter, by several clergymen, among whom was the Rev. Thomas Robbins, D. D., the present Librarian of the Connecticut Historical Society, who officiated about seven months. The present pastor, Rev. Allen McLean, was ordained HISTORY OF SIMSBURY. 73 in August, 1809. During his long ministry, his faithful and efficient services have given great satisfaction, and the church and congregation, under his watchful care, have enjoyed a large share of prosperity and harmony. In 1830, the old meeting house, which had stood nearly ninety years, was taken down, and a new one erected in its place. The new edifice is a spacious, handsome and well- constructed building, having a tower and bell. It is beau tifully situated on ground slightly elevated, and commands a fine view of the Massacoe meadows. When this house was built, several stately oaks, bearing the marks of great age, and adding beauty and comfort to the place, were cut down. It is a pity that the progress of modern improvements has advanced so far as to require the destruction of such useful and ornamental appendages to public as well as pri vate buildings. The new house was dedicated Dec. 1830. St. Andrew's parish of Episcopalians is one of the oldest in the State. It owes its establishment to the unhappy controversy before mentioned, relating to ecclesiastical affairs in the town. In 1740, six persons, and in 1743, twenty-seven others, nearly all of whom resided at the settlement called Scotland, separated from the old society, and connected themselves with the Episcopal church, then called the " Church of England." Timber for a church edifice was procured in 1740, and the building was erected soon afterwards. It stood at the northerly side of the bury ing ground in Scotland — was a small, plain structure, never painted, and never wholly finished inside. The Rev. Will iam Gibbs was the first preacher to this congregation. He was a missionary, sent out by a society instituted in England for the "Propagation of the Gospel," and officiated as Rec tor of the parish many years. Towards the close of his life, ill health prevented his preaching, but it did not in the least diminish his ardor in the cause of Episcopacy, or his affec tion for his parishioners. Few clergymen have lived more beloved, or died more lamented. His good name yet sur vives, though nearly seventy years have passed since his decease. He died a bachelor. 7* 74 HISTORY OF SIMSBURY. The Rev. Roger Viets was his successor. He was a native of the town, and officiated as Rector but a few years. His residence was in a secluded spot, near the top of the mountain, on the old road leading from Scotland to Tariff- ville. He was uncle of the late Bishop Grisw.old. Mr. Viets removed to Nova Scotia during the war, where he died. The next Rector was the Rev. Ambrose Todd. After preaching a number of years in the parish, he removed into Fairfield County, where he died. The Rev. Mr. Cornwall officiated also a number of years, dividing his services between this parish and another one at Salmon brook. The present incumbent is the Rev. Mr. Warner. Besides these, a number of other gentlemen have been empl6yed, each for a short time. .. A new church was erected in 1806. It was placed nearly two miles in a southerly direction from the old one. This location, however, operating against the interests of the parish, as it was supposed, was afterwards changed, and the building was taken down, and removed back to the old site, where the present church was rebuilt in 1830. The church now stands within the limits of Bloomfield, the east ern part of Simsbury, within which the church was situated, having been annexed to that town in 1843. The Methodists commenced holding religious meetings in the town, more than forty years ago. Until within a few years, these meetings were held in school houses and private dwellings. In 1840, they erected a neat church which stands on Hop meadow street, about one third of a mile north of the Congregational church. The building has a portico, tower and bell, and was dedicated in Sep tember of that year, on which occasion, the Rev. Professor Holdich, of the Wesleyan University, preached the sermon. The present officiating minister is the Rev. Mr. Scofield. The Baptists have a small congregation at Tariffville, which meets at present for divine service in the second story of a large building, erected in part for this purpose. The Congregationalists hold meetings also in the same village, where they are taking measures to erect a meeting-house. CHAPTER VI. General History continued from Chapter II . Mills. Common Fields. Distribution of unlooated Lands. Fishery. Miscellaneous. 1679—1725. It has already been stated in Chapter II, that the inhab itants returned to Simsbury in the spring of 1677, and com menced rebuilding the town which had been destroyed by the Indians in the preceding year. The process, however, of repairing the injury sustained, and of restoring the condition of the settlement to its former prosperity, was slow, and, at times, extremely discouraging. Some of the former inhabitants did not return, and but few new ones were found to take their places. The perils of the times, with the danger to which the town from its posi tion was exposed, offered but few inducements to any but the most daring, or the most destitute in circumstances, to exchange places of security for one encompassed with so many dangers, and containing, withall, so few comforts. Owing to these adverse circumstances, with others which will be hereafter mentioned, the town remained in a de pressed condition, increasing, it is supposed, but little in wealth or population, for a period of about ten years after the war in 1676. The inhabitants, if not poor, were gen erally in moderate circumstances. They could make but few public improvements. And although several attempts were made to advance the growth of the settlement, it was not until about 1689 that its prospects assumed a more cheering aspect. The dwellings of the first settlers consisted of log huts, covered with thatch or bark, without windows, and often without floorings. Subsequently, when saw mills had been erected, and better building materials could be obtained, some improvement in these edifices took place, though the best of them would, at the present day, be deemed almost 76' HISTORY OF SIMSBURY. untenantable. The inventories of estates administered .upon at this period, show that but a few plain and cheap articles of furniture were then in use. Stools and forms were substituted for chairs, of which latter article but few families could afford the expense of procuring. The appa rel of both sexes was generally of domestic manufacture, and for the most part such as each family made for its own use — the winter garments of the men being made chiefly of undressed home-made cloth. For lights, candlewood was used very generally.* The inhabitants were a plain, indus trious and economical people, increasing in wealth only in proportion as their respective farms were cleared for culti vation, and stocked with cattle ; — for they derived but little if any benefit from any market for their surplus produce. But a few sheep were kept in town at this period, for the reason that they could not be protected from the ravages of wolves and other beasts of prey with which the forests then abounded.! * In an Inventory of the estate of Joseph Parsons, who died in 1687, the candlewood belonging to the estate was appraised at £l 10 0. This article was almost universally used for lights at this time. It consisted of dry pine knots, and other portions of pine trees strongiy saturated with pitch, and split into sizes convenient for use. But a few articles of household furniture belonged to this estate, all of which (exclusive of one bed, set in the Inven tory at £2 15 0,) would not be appraised, at the present time, over six dol lars; — although the deceased was comparatively a person of wealth for those times. t During many years after the commencement cf the settlement, the inhab itants were mneh annoyed by wild beasts. Bears and wolves were so plenty, as to be particularly troublesome as neighbors. So disastrous were the ravages of the latter, that the town, for many years, allowed a large bounty for their destruction, payable from the treasury. Wolf pits were frequent, some of which are still to be found in the forests. On Drake's hill, north of the meet ing-house, is an excavation which is supposed to have been madeforthis pur pose. About 1700, Joseph Phelps was attacked by a wounded bear which, in the encounter, so lacerated his right hand as to deprive him of its use thereafter. But the bear was conquered and killed. Deer were so numerous as to supply, in a great measure, meats for the inhabitants many years. This food was sold at a cheaper price than beef, pork, or mutton. Great care was taken to preserve these animals by con structing parks for their confinement. One of these parks, according to HISTORY OF SIMSBURY. 77 The boundary line between Simsbury and Windsor, after a long controversy, was surveyed and designated in 1679, by acommittee appointed by the General Court. This line, it is supposed, remained as then run, until a portion of Sims bury was annexed to Bloomfield in 1843. The first mills erected in town were situated on Hop brook, near the present site of Tuller's mills, and were built in 1679. These consisted of a grist and saw mill, and were put up by Thomas Barber, John Moses, John Terry and Ephraim Howard, who contracted with the town to keep the mills in good repair, — to grind grain for the tolls allowed by law, — to sell to the inhabitants boards at four and sixpence per hundred, — and not to transport oak to any other town. In consideration of which, the town allowed them the mill privileges, — the right to take timber on the common lands, — a lot of good timber land, — and twenty pounds payable in town rates. The place has been occupied as a mill seat up to the present time, a period of one hundred and sixty-six years. About the same time, a saw-mill was .erected below the falls, in Scotland, by Ephraim Howard. The first records of the town, as before stated, were burnt, and probably before 1680. Many of the acts of _ the town however, passed before this time, appear on the subsequent records. The dale of the first entry, in the present first Book of Records, is January 19, 1670-1, and relates to the allowance of a bounty for killing a wolf. The first record of the election of selectmen, then called townsmen, is in 1677, when sergeant John Griffin, Joshua Holcomb, and Samuel Wilcoxson were chosen. John Terry was elected register, or clerk, at the organization of the town in 1670; — a few years afterwards, and before 1680, John Slater was appointed. In 1683, the town " voted to give Thomas Barber ten shillings yearly for the beating of the drume on the sabboth tradition, was on the hill between the houses of Elisha Phelps Esq. and the Rev. Mr. M'Lean. As late as 1768, Mr. Thomas Case had a park at Wea tauge. It is believed few if any deer were found in the town after 1775. 78 HISTORY OF SIMSBURY. dayes." This practice of using a drum to call together the people on days of public worship, was continued about seventy .years after this time. Andrew Robe was the last person employed in this service.* The same practice, it is believed, extended very generally throughout the Colony. The following copy from the records of the town, shows, better than can be otherwise expressed, the sentiments of our forefathers concerning matters of a controveisial nature. It would have been well had the principle, then adopted, been adhered to in subsequent times, when the inhabitants of the town obtained some notoriety for their proneness to settle all disputes by the adjudication of courts and juries. "December 1, 1681. We the inhabitants of Simsbury, being met together the first of ye 10th moneth 1681, being desireous hence forward to live in love and peace, mutually to the glory of God, and our own peace and comfort, — to prevent after animosi ties and uncomfortable variences, do make this act, — that when soever any difference may arisse in any of our civill Transactions, yt after we have given our reasons mutually one to another, and cannot by the meanes be brought together, that to a finall issue of our difference, we will commltt the matter, with our reasons pro. and con, to the worshipefull Major Talcott, and captain Allyn, to heare as presented in writing ; — and that we will sit downe to their award or determination ; — this voted and concluded, for a standing record for hence forward." But a small portion of the inhabitants had the means of enclosing their improved lands by fences. And as their horses, cattle and swine were, from necessity, suffered to roam at large in the forests for subsistence, the crops, being left unprotected, were consequently often destroyed. This perhaps, more than any other cause, increased the embar rassments of the people, by subjecting them to an additional weight of poverty, or, as the case might be, by depriving them of food for sustenance. To remedy this evil, resort was had to the formation of common fields by town enactments, or voluntary associa tions. But, as these orders or agreements were not complied * 1746, December. In society meeting; — " Voted, that the standing com mittee cause the drum to be beat on sabboth days, to notify ye parish when to begin meeting." HISTORY OF SIMSBURY. 79 with by all the proprietors, and, in the then state of society, could not be enforced, the scheme proved ineffectual, and, after a few years was abandoned. In this condition of affairs a town meeting was convened to consider the subject, and adopt measures for redress. The meeting resolved to lay the whole subject matter before the General Court by a petition for relief, and appointed the selectmen to manage the affair. The following is a copy of the petition presented. It is a document no less inter esting than strange if, as it undoubtedly does, it correctly delineates the condition of the town at that time. "From Simsbury, this 14th October 1687. To this Honored General Court The petittion of the under written is as followeth ; — That whereas, we the Inhabitants of Simsbury, and planters in this place, by the blessing of god upon our labours, have been from year to year in Good hopes and expectation of a comfortable and considerabl harvist, as may be made apparant by the fair and promising show upon our lands ; — yet are we yearly so Destroyed and devoured one of another — When we have bestowed our labours and Charges, and se apparently good hops of a comfortabl harvist, then is our labours devouored and destroyed one by his Neighbour, and every man of and by one an other without reliefe, that it is a most grevious and perplexing consideration : and have tryed many wayes to prevent such Intolerable losses by layeing out fences to such lands here in Simsbury and enclosurs as has ben for use both for corn and grasse : yet our orders and labours has not ben attended, so that to this day our Cornfields lye exceed ingly hazerdous and our labours to be destroyed, which if there be not som speedy care taken of us that our meadows and corn fields be secured, and our crops preserved, we shall be very much empoverished : neither shall we be able to carry on any publique deuties, either in ecclessiastical matters or civill affayres : and see ing that it is wondered at why Simsbury men are so poor, the judi cious may easily discerne the reason of the same : so that in sense thereof we do most earnestly begg, pray and Implore this honnered Court to take vs and our most sad estate, into your serious Con- siderason and find out some way for our reliefe and welfare, or else we may labour yearly, and the earth by the blessing of god bring forth much, and yet it will be as it hath been frequently destroyed : so that we pray entreat your worships to afford us some reliefe. And in hopes shall crave leave to subscribe our selves your hum ble petitioners. Joshua Holcombe, Samuel Wilcockson, John Higley, Selek men of Simsbury." 80 HISTORY OF SIMSBURY. By means of this and similar applications, a committee, consisting of Samuel Talcott, Nathaniel Stanley and Cyp rian Nichols, all belonging to Hartford, was appointed, who, after hearing the parties and viewing the ground, decided and ordered, December, 1689, that " the meadows and other improvable lands," lying upon the river from Farm ington bounds to John Higley's farm, be fenced on each side of the river — thus making two large common fields, divided by the river, extending about seven miles in length. The lines were staked out, and the proportion of fence to be built by each proprietor designated. These lines enclosed nearly all the lands at that time improved within the pres ent boundaries of Simsbury. They did not, it is- supposed, cross the two main roads running on each side of, and para- lel with the river, except at east Weatauge, but were laid out near to them. Many of the proprietors were strongly opposed to this decision of the. committee, on the ground of alleged ine quality in the division of fences ordered to be built, and refused to comply with the order; whilst others, from ina bility, neglected to build their portions as required. It was many years before all these fences were built. Several per sons were prosecuted for offences growing out of these transactions. In May, 1698, as the record states, " John Umphrie, of Simsbury, was fined 40 shillings, for breaking down some part of the common fence." At an early period, a controversy arose concerning a divis ion of the " out lands," as they were then termed. The question was whether these lands, which included all that had not been granted to particular individuals, belonged to the original proprietors of the town and their heirs, or to the inhabitants, generally, of the town. At a meeting held in April 1672, the town voted to divide a portion of these out- lands amongst the then present inhabitants of the town. By this division, each inhabitant received an equal propor tion, though but a small part of the lands was thus disposed of. But, at a subsequent meeting held in March 1680, the HISTORY OF SIMSBURY. 81 town, in consideration of the inequality of such a division, voted to rescind and reverse this act. The town also voted January 23, 1680-1, to divide, among certain persons, a tract of land lying in the vicinity of Salmon brook ; and in May 1688, it granted to sundry other persons a large portion of that part of Turkey hills lying east of the mountain. These last mentioned grants, how ever, were annulled by the town in 1693, when another disposition of these lands was made. Upon report of a committee, previously appointed upon this subject, consisting of -the Rev. Mr. Woodbridge, Capt. Thomas Holcomb and Lieut. John Pettibone, the town voted, April 28, 1719, " that the right of disposal of the common or undivided land in the township of Simsbury is, and shall be, vested in all such, and in them only, who can derive their power so to do either from an act of the Gen eral Assembly, and their heirs and assigns, or those who have been admitted inhabitants, and their heirs and assigns, by a major part of the town regularly convened, or shall be hereafter admitted inhabitants with that right and power of disposal expressly inserted in the town's vote for admission." And after making provision for a sufficiency of land suitable for a "commonage convenient as may be for the several squadrons of the town," the town voted " that the remain ing land be sequestered to the town, qualified as above, to be granted as the major part shall allow of, said major part to be accounted, not by number of persons, but by a true list of their rateable estate." These acts of the town gave great offense to the original proprietors, or those who held rights under them, but espe cially to that portion who were large share holders; — they claiming the exclusive right to all the common and undivi ded lands, and protesting, at every step, against the disposal of them by the town. But the town, possessing the numer- \ ical strength, and doubtless deeming the legal title to the property to be vested in the corporation, proceeded to make grants to a large number of individuals, in puisuance of the town votes before stated. Accordingly, at a town meeting 82 HISTORY OF SIMSBURY. called "to consider how to divide the common land," held December 31, 1723, which was continued for three successive days, and nearly one whole night, (the night meeting being held at the house of Andrew Robe,) grants were made to the greater part of the inhabitants.- This induced the pro prietors to apply to the legislature for relief. But the relief sought for was not granted until some years afterwards, when a general law was enacted, which vested the property of unappropriated lands in the proprietors of the several towns and their assigns. After this, the common lands remaining undivided in Simsbury, were managed and con veyed exclusively by a committee appointed by those who held proprietary rights, at meetings held annually. The last meeting of the proprietors was held about thirty years since. None of the grants of land above mentioned, made in 1723, exceeded in quantity to any one person, (except in one case) two hundred acres. Five persons had each this quantity, and the others a less quantity, varying from one hundred and fifty to forty acres each. The grants were apportioned, it is believed, by the respective amounts of the grantees lists of estates. The exception, above referred to, was the grant made to John Griffin, which was very large, being nearly or quite one and a half miles square. Its boundaries were, — beginning at the island above the falls, thence northerly one and a ha*lf miles, easterly to the moun tain, southerly to the river, and thence by the river to the island. This grant, it is supposed, was made in considera tion of a relinquishment to the plantation by Mr. Griffin, of his title derived from the Indian deeds before mentioned. The patent of Simsbury, in confirmation of the original grant of the territory made in 1670, was granted at the May session, 1685, and is dated March 11, 1685-6. It conveys to " Major John Talcott, Capt. Benjamin Newberry, Ensign , John Terry, Mr. John Case, Mr. Joshua Holcomb, Mr. Samuel Wilcox, Mr. John Higley, Mr. Thomas Barber, and the rest of the proprietors of the township of Simsbury, and their heirs and assigns forever, and to each of them, in such HISTORY OF SIMSBURY. 83 proportion as they have already agreed upon, for the divis ion of the same," all the territory, as originally granted and bounded, containing ten square miles. This instrument is signed, in behalf of the Colony, by the Governor, and Sec retary, and was further recognized, and confirmed, by an- other'act of the General Court, in 1703. [Appendix, B.] The place first used for burying the dead, was on the hill, westerly of the present burying place at Hop meadow. In 1688, the town voted to remove it lower down the hill — that it be laid out to the extent of two acres — and that the grounds be improved, both for a " training and burying place." The oldest monuments, now found, are of two deaths that occurred in 1688 — Mr. John Drake, and Mrs. Mary Buell, wife of Mr. Peter Buell. In 1684, John Terry was appointed "Ensign of the* Train band," this being the first military appointment, and the highest of grade then in the town. In 1690, Mr. Terry having deceased, John Higley was commissioned as Lieu tenant, Thomas Barber as Ensign, and Joseph Strickland appointed Clerk of the company. It was not until 1698, that there were soldiers enough in the town to make up the complement of a full company, — at which time, Lieut. Hig ley was promoted to a captaincy— an office of great dignity in those days, and, with a single exception, the highest then known in the Colony — each county having, as chief mili tary officer, a Major. " The military force" of the town was comprised in one company' until 1716, when it was divided into two companies, and Thomas Holcomb ap pointed Captain, Nathaniel Holcomb Lieut., and Joshua Holcomb Ensign of the north company ;— and Richard Case Captain, John Pettibone Lieut., and Joseph Phelps Ensign, of the south company. For many years after 1700, the inhabitants residing in the north-easterly part of the town, were subjected to great inconvenience and loss, by a claim set up by Suffield, that they were within the limits of Massachusetts, and therefore liable to pay taxes to that town, which was then considered as belonging to that Colony. Their property was often 84 history of simsbury. seized, and* carried into Suffield, and sold for payment of taxes ; and other trespasses were committed, by their Suf field neighbors, under the same claim, much to their annoy ance and injury. The legislature of this Colony, in 1705, passed an Act prohibiting them from paying taxes to Suf field, and to punish, by a summary process, all persons who should attempt to extend the jurisdiction of Massachusetts over any part of Simsbury, or who should commit trespasses under color of acting under the laws of that Colony. Many prosecutions grew out of these transactions. The contro versy, which was extremely vexatious to our people, was not entirely ended until 1750, when, on a re-survey of the boundary line between the two Colonies, it was found, not only, that these Simsbury people, but, that all the inhabitants of Suffield, belonged to Connecticut. In this year, Suffield was annexed to this Colony. At the May session of the Assembly, 1723, a petition, signed by ninety-seven inhabitants of Simsbury, was pre sented, asking for a township of land, seven miles square, to be laid out west of, and adjoining, Simsbury west bounds. The petitioners urge their application for the grant upon the following grounds : — 1. " That we are under a necessity for it, and avantage of pres ent settlement, by reason of our propinquinity above any other. 2. But more particularly from the consideration of our promo ting copper works which has brought about J6i0,000 into this, from foreign plantations, and likely to create a foreign trade, and all to the advantage of this Colony. 3. Also, for our encouragement in raising tar and turpentine for the supply of his Majesty's naval stores, and our only valuable commodity in foreign parts. 4. And also in consideration for our being a frontier for above this forty years ; whereby we were under necessity to bear a double part in the expense and fatigues of war, being fastened down,* by an act of this Assembly, on penalty of loosing our free holds, which however just it might be for the present, yet challen ges a consideration when the Assembly have wherewith, and leizure to do it. * This " being fastened down" to their freeholds, had reference to a Reso lution passed by the General Court, May 1704, by which it was ordered, that certain specified towns, among which was included Simsbury, and de- history of simsbury. 85 5. And to conclude, a part of the western lands we have the native purchase of, and have many years ago laid out lands upon ; and as it will create a great disturbance amongst us, so it will be ^n intolerable hardship, to have them granted to any other." The name of the Rev. Mr. Woodbridge 'stands at the head of this petition, which was signed, it is believed, by all the inhabitants of the town. Notwithstanding the cogent reasons urged, the Assmbly did not see fit to grant the prayer of the petitioners. During a period of about fifty years from the first settlement of the town, among the very large number of petitions from it to the General Assembly, this appears to be nearly the only one which received the appro bation, and contained the signatures, of all the legal inhab itants of the place. At the commencement of the settlement, the river and some of its larger tributary streams abounded with salmon and shad. One of these streams, Salmon brook, took its name from the great number of salmon found in it. So highly important was the fishing interest considered, that measures were taken quite early to protect it. About 1680, the town having granted permission to Ephraim Howard to build a mill at the foot of the falls on the cast side of the mountain, attached to the grant an express condition that the dam should be so constructed as not to obstruct at any time the free passage offish. For a long series of years, while the river remained free from obstructions, and the territory near its sources was uninhabited, vast quantities of salmon and shad were annu ally taken. So plenty were salmon, that the buyers of shad were required to take a pro rata proportion of the former in their purchases^ — though at a higher price, it is presumed, than was asked for shad. The supply of both nominated " frontier towns," should " not be broken up or voluntarily de serted," without permission from the Assembly; — "and that no inhabitant thereof, having a freehold estate within the same at the time of any insur rection or breaking forth of war," should be allovved " to remove from thence, with intent to sojourn elsewhere, without liberty as aforesaid, on pain of forfeiting all his estate in lands and tenements lying within such townships." 8* 86 HISTORY OF SIMSBURY. species continued in great abundance until about 1740, fur nishing to the inhabitants no inconsiderable means of sub sistence, and to the fisherman employment and profit. The General Court at various times adopted measures to protect this fishery; — at first by prohibiting the placing of dams or other obstructions in the river ; — and so long as these requirements were obeyed, and the river remained unobstructed, the fish continued plenty. Suhseqently, however, it was found that the fishery was, in a great measure, monopolized by the people of Windsor, who were in the habit of using such nets and other apparatus, near the mouth of the river, as to prevent the_passage of fish up the stream. This, too, was attempted to be remedied by other enactments. At a later period, laws were passed prohibiting the pla cing of wears or hedges, or stretching seines or nets across the river, without permission, obtained from the County _ Court. This permission, unfortunately for the fishing in terest, was too often granted. The most beneficial portions of these laws, however, being generally limited in their duration, were sometimes suffered to expire, and at no time, as it would seem, were they so obeyed or enforced, espe cially near the mouth of the river, as to afford that free passage for fish which was intended by the legislature. Owing to these causes, the fishing interest became much impaired after about 1740, and continued to decline yearly thereafter; though a strong effort was made in 1763 to revive it by legislative interference, which was attended with some success. At a later period, however, by the increase of population and business, an additional number of mills being required, or at any rate, strenuously de manded, the legislature granted permission for the erection of dams, at first, with sluice ways so as to allow the passage of fish, but subsequently, without any restrictions. For some years before the commencement of the present cen tury, the fishing business had so far subsided as to be of little value. Few if any shad have been taken in the town since 1800 ; — the salmon disappeared much earlier. CHAPTER VII. Manufactures. Ancient Map. Bridges. Perry. Services rendered in the French Wars and in the War of the Revolution. Miscellaneous. 1726—1845. The manufacture of steel was commenced in this town on a small scale in 1727, and this, it is believed, was the first attempt to make it in this country. In 1728, Samuel Hig ley, who was a son of John Higley, one of the early settlers of the town, presented a petition to the General Court stating, that " he hath, with great pains and costs, found out and obtained a curious art, by which to con vert, change or transmute common iron into good steel, sufficient for any use, and was the very first that ever performed such an operation in America, having the most perfect knowledge thereof confirmed by many experi ments;" — also, that he " has good reason to hope that he shall produce as good or better steel than what comes from over sea, and at considerable cheaper rate;" — and praying for an exclusive right to manufacture the article for a term of years. His request was granted, and he with his asso ciates were vested with the exclusive privilege of making steel for the term of fen years, on condition that they, during that term, should prosecute the business, and bring it to "a good and reasonable perfection," within the period of two years. Proof was adduced that he had made steel from iron manufactured at Turkey hills, which, by competent artisans, was pronounced to be " good steel." To what extent, or duration of time, he prosecuted this business, is not known. The probability however is that, like most operations of a similar nature, commenced at that early period without a competent knowledge of the art, or ade quate means to carry it on, the project ended in loss and disappointment. It is supposed that Mr. Higley derived what information he possessed on this subject from some of 88 HISTORY OF SIMSBURY. the foreigners who were employed at the copper mines in that vicinity. Twelve years afterwards, on the application 6f Thomas Fitch, George Wyllys, and Robert Walker Jr. all gentle men of high standing in the state, a special act was passed, •by the General Court, granting to them and their associates, "the sole liberty and privilege of making, manufacturing, and converting iron into good steel within the bounds and limits of this Colony," for the term of fifteen years, with the proviso that they should perfect their work within two years, and furnish at least half a ton of steel during each year of said term of fifteen years. They commenced build ing a furnace in this town, but by reason of the death of the Rev. Mr. Timothy Woodbridge, who had become asso ciated with them in the enterprise, and on whom, as they state, " they principally depended for ye skill in preparing ye furnace and making ye experiment," their design was retarded; but upon their application, the General Court in 1743, revived their grant for the remaining part of the said fifteen years, allowing them one year within which to make the experiment. Before the expiration of the yearj to wit, in October 1744, Aaron Eliott and Ichabod Miller, who had charge of the works, certified to the Assembly, " that after many expensive and fruitless trialls with which~sundry of the owners was discouraged, the affair being still pursued by others of them, it has so far succeeded that there has been made more than half a ton of steel at the furnace in Syms bury which was erected for that purpose by the gentlemen to whom said grant was made." Instruments made of this steel were exhibited " as a specimen of ye goodness thereof to answer ye intentions of German steel." Upon which representations, the Assembly resolved that the condition of said grant " is performed according to the tenor and mean ing thereof." It is understood that these works were kept up for some years, though it is not supposed that the pro- duet was extensive or the business lucrative. The furnace was erected on the brook a short distance west of Tuller's mills. HISTORY OF SIMSBURY. 89 Pitch and tar were manufactured at Massacoe as early as ' ' f- 1643. The extensive forests of pine, which then spread over a large portion of the plantation, furnished a ready supply of the materials for the manufacture of these articles, and for the collection of turpentine which, at a subsequent period, became an extensive business. The manufacture of pitch and tar was commenced and cairied on at this place by John Griffin and Michael Humphrey, then of Windsor, though subsequently both of them became inhabitants of this town. At first, they had a partner of the name of John Tinker, who afterwards Settled as a merchant at New Lon don. These articles being in great demand for the uses of the British navy, as well as for ship-building generally, com manded a ready sale at high prices, and were nearly the only ones allowed by England to be exported. This, especially the turpentine business, was pursued more or less extensively in the town during a period of over one hundred years. There are indications of the localities of some of these works plainly visible at the present time. In 1728, the Rev. Mr. Woodbridge shipped at one time to New York nearly five tons of turpentine, as appears by the records of a law suit founded upon the shipment. During the pendency of the meeting-house question, a Map of Simsbury was made — and, as it would seem, not far from 1730 — for the purpose of showing to the Assembly, in the investigation of this matter, the true condition of the town in respect to roads, the localities ' of the respective inhabitants, &c. It is preserved in the office of the Secre tary of this State, and is valuable as a relic of antiquity. Its general appearance indicates that it was drawn with great care and accuracy. In addition to the usual matter contained in maps, this one gives all the roads, and every dwelling house in town standing at that time. The main road lead ing from Avon, through Hop meadow, to Salmon brook, with all the other roads easterly of this, are laid down very much as they are used at the present time. But, westerly of this main road, there is not, upon the map, a single road or house designated, excepting two or three buildings, near 90 HISTORY OF SIMSBURY. Tuller's mills, on Hop brook, — thus showing conclusively that there were no inhabitants westerly of this road, until after this time. With the houses, the names of a consider able number of their respective owners are given. The whole number of houses is one hundred and sixty-two — fifty-eight within the limits of Granby, as atpresentdefined, and one hundred and four in Simsbury. The two "forts" before mentioned are laid down ; — one called the " Great Fort,'' situated on the plain, about one mile north of Sax- ton's brook, and east of the road leading from Westover's plain to Salmon brook; — the other*, called "Shaw's Fort," is, perhaps, one mile north of Salmon brook street, near the road leading to Southwick. These fortifications which, probably, were but block houses, protected by ditch^and palisades, were built, it is supposed, in 1708. Previously to 1734, there had been no bridge constructed over the Farmington river, in the town. Nor were there any ferries, established by law, or kept at the public ex pense. There were sundry places, called ferry places, where passages were effected. One was at Weatauge, one at Hop meadow, opposite the present meeting-house, an other easterly of Col. Calvin Barber's house, and one at Terry's plain. At the Falls, the river was forded. At the other places mentioned, canoes were used for the passage of footmen, and if horses were required to pass, they were got over, in most cases, it is believed, by swimming. It is not known that there were any boats larger than canoes in use, at this time, though possibly there were some. They could have been but little needed, except for agricultural purposes, for there were not, at this time, any wagon's or other car riages in use. The first bridge erected over Farmington river, was a toll bridge, at Weatauge, in 1734. The tolls were established by law. A bridge, at this place, was much needed, for here was the great thoroughfare of travel, between the eastern and western sections of this part of the country. It is sup posed that it was continued, as a toll bridge, only about six years; — after which, for a period of about forty years, a HISTORY OF SIMSBURY. 91 bridge was supported at this place by private munificence. In 1781, a bridge which was nearly new, having been swept away by a freshet, the Assembly granted a lottery, in aid of building another. But, it is understood, that the lottery project was abandoned, though the tickets had been pre pared, and some of them disposed of. A bridge, however, was erected by means of other resources ; — and one has continued to be kept up at this place, and, for the greater part of the time, at the public expense. About 1750, a bridge was built across the river, at a place not now used for passing it, nearly east of Col. Barber's house, in Hop meadow. This, too, was erected by indi vidual donations. It stood but a few years, and was the only one ever constructed at that place. In 1756, Thomas Marvin, then of this town, obtained a grant from the General Assembly to keep a ferry, at this place, for the term of ten years, and with permission of collecting tolls. This is the only legal ferry ever established in this town. The rates of tolls allowed, were, — For man, horse, and load, one penny. Single man, or single horse, one half penny. Neat cattle, per head, one half penny. Sheep and swine, per head, one farthing. In none of the laws of the Colony, relating to ferries, are wagons or pleasure carriages mentioned," as objects of tolls, until 1760 — thus showing when these vehicles first came into use. It is not known how long this ferry was kept up, — but probably it was but a short time, at these prices of ferriage. The first bridge built, by the town, over this river, was in .1777, or 1778, and was erected at Suffrage, being the south- , erly part of the present town of Canton. This, too, was on the great traveled road, before mentioned, leading into the county of Litchfield. Within a few years thereafter, a bridge was built at Ter ry's plain, where one has been supported ever since, at the expense of the town. About 1788, one was erected nearly a mile north-east of the meeting-house, which was swept 92 HISTORY OF SIMSBURY. away by a freshet in 1801, and was never rebuilt. In 1819, a bridge was built by individual subscriptions at Hop mead ow, opposite the meeting-house. It stood but a few years, when another was erected at the public charge. For many years, there has been a bridge at the foot of the falls, in Scotland, supported equally by Simsbury and Granby; and for nearly forty years, the latter town has supported one at Tariffville, near the head of the falls. Another has been recently erected by individuals at the village of Tariffville. At the present time, the town of Simsbury supports three bridges crossing this river — one at Weatauge, one at Hop meadow, and the other at Terry's plain. One of the most severe hail storms on record, occurred in the latter part of July, 1768. It seems to have been more violent and disastious at Weatauge, than any where else. The newspapers of the day represent the hail stones to have been of the size of " geese eggs," and the largest to have weighed, after the storm was over, three ounces each. Fruit trees and gardens suffered much damage. Large quan tities of English grain were nearly destroyed — window glass was extensively broken — and the smaller and weaker ani mals much injured. A deer, in the park of Mr. Thomas Case, had one of his legs broken, and was otherwise so injured as to cause his death. " Several hogs had their backs broken, some of which died some days afterwards. Some horses, and other large animals were cut through the skin by the biggest and more ragged hail-stones." Jonathan Pettibone Esq., Mr. Thomas Case, and others living in that vicinity, were the greatest sufferers. In the various wars in which the country has been engag ed, the inhabitants of Simsbury have performed their full share of "service. We have already alluded to their services in the early Indian wars. When, in 1711-12, forces were sent into the county of Hampshire, Massachusetts, to oppose the movements of hostile Indians, who had assembled at that place in considerable force, a part of a company, attach ed to the expedition, was raised in this town, of which Sam uel Humphrey was appointed Lieutenant. His commission, HISTORY OF SIMSBURY. 93 signed by Gov. Saltonstall, is in possession of one of his descendants. In the French war of 1756, a company was raised in the town " for the protection of Crown Point," and other service upon Lake Champlain, of which company, Jonathan Hum phry was appointed first Lieutenant. His commission, signed by Gov. Fitch, has also been preserved in the same family. The names of the other officers of this company are not known. A company consisting of forty-seven men, and command ed by Captain Noah Humphry was raised, chiefly in Sims bury, which belonged to the corps sent out to Havana, in 1762, under the command of General Lyman. This expe dition was signalized by the great loss of life, chiefly by sickness, which it sustained. It is believed that less than one thiid of the troops ever returned home. At the disembarkat o , August 10, the Simsbury company consisted of forty-seven men — of whom twenty-two died before leaving the Island, and some of the others deceased on their passage home. There were fourteen men in this company belonging to that part of Simsbury which lies with n the present limits of Granby, all but two of whom lost their lives. These two were Andrew Hillyer and Dud ley Hays. There has been preserved a " Week'y Return" of this regiment in the hand-writing of Elihu Humphry Esq., who was an officer in the Simsbury company, and as is believed, was adjutant of the regiment. This return shows a melancholy picture of the condition of the forces, after their arrival at Havana, and during their continuance on the island, to wit, from August 10, to October 16. The expedi tion consisted of eleven companies, numbering 802 men. The field officers, besides General Lyman, were Colonel Putnam and Major Durkee. On the 14th of August, the number of troops returned as sick, was 140 ; — the next week, 343;_September 1 8th, 540! The number reported fit for duty. October 2d, was only thirty-four ! At the last return, Oct. 16, the whole number reported fit for duty was forty, 94 HISTORY OF SIMSBURY. and in Captain Humphry's company, but four. Up to this time, the number of deaths in the whole regiment amounted to three hundred and forty -two ! Some of the survivors died on their passage home, and others were captured or shipwrecked. The expedition was incomparably the most disastrous in its results of any ever fitted out by this Colony. It was a sacrifice of human life almost unexampled, and without the accomplishment of any valuable object. The extreme unhealthfulness of theplaee, at that season of the year, was probably then unknown ; but at the present day, no one would seriously think of sending troops from Con necticut to occupy Havana in the month of August ! In the war of the revolution, the inhabitants, with but few exceptions, espoused the cause of freedom, and ren dered essential aid in the great struggle for independence. Before the commencement of hostilities, a town meeting was held which, by a large majority, passed resolutions strongly reprobating the Boston Port Bill and other oppress ive acts of the mother country. The resolutions are spread upon the records of the town. They are well drafted, and evince a spirit of freedom and an invincible opposition to oppression, alike worthy of the times, and the men who were so soon to embark their all in the contest. Measures too were taken to furnish relief to their suffering brethren in Boston who, by their patriotic conduct, had subjected themselves to the especial vengeance of the British govern ment. In the expedition secretly fitted out and sent to take fort Ticonderoga in April 1775, Capt. Noah Phelps of this town was a chief projector and principal actor. When the vol unteers composing this expedition had reached lake Cham- plain, Capt. Phelps crossed it in a boat and entered the fort as a spy. Pretending that his object was to get shaved, he avoided suspicion, and had an opportunity to ascertain the construction, strength, and force of the garrison. And he had the good fortune to elude detection, though as it after wards appeared, his presence had began to excite mistrust .before he left the garrison. The boatman who conducted HISTORY OF SIMSBURY. 95 him from the fort, suspecting his character, was deterred from returning back by the superior strength of his passen ger. Upon report of Capt. Phelps to his comrades concern ing the condition of the fort, the company passed over the following night, and succeeded in the capture of this impor tant garrison without the loss of a single man. In addition to the valuable ordnance and military stores which fell into the hands of the Americans by this exploit, there were taken Gov. Skeene with his suit, the officers of the garrison, and forty-seven privates, 'all of whom were sent to Haitford as prisoners of war. The American force amounted to eighty-three persons, many of whom were volunteers from Vermont. As this enterprise was undertaken before the declaration of Independence, the state, as such, did not openly favor the design. But the funds to re-imburse its expenses were fur nished from the treasury on notes executed by a few indi viduals, which notes were subsequently cancelled and given up. Early in May 1775, a company under the command of captain Abel Pettibone, was raised in the town and sent to the camp near Boston. This company consisted of over one hundred men, and continued in service until the 18th of December following. Volunteers from this company were engaged in the battle at Bunker Hill. Immediately after this battle, another company was raised by enlistment, and composed principally of men belonging to Simsbury. The officers were, Elihu Humphry Captain, Ebenezer F. Bissell and Andrew Hillyer Lieutenants, Sam uel Stoughton Ensign, and Jonathan Humphry Jr. Clerk. The company consisted of seventy-five men, rank and file. On the day of their march for the camp, they were assem bled in the meeting-house, where a sermon, peculiarly adapted to the times, was preached to them by the Rev. Mr. Pitkin of Farmington. They were retained in service near Boston until the following December. The original muster roll of this company has been preserved. The commander of this company was subsequently raised 96 HISTORY OF SIMSBURY. to the grade of Major in the Continental line, but died soon afterwards, near the close of 1776, in service. He was a brave and efficient officer, and had served, as before stated, in the expedition to Havana. Other troops were raised in 1776. From a return of the 18th regiment of militia, under the command of Colonel Jonathan Humphry, dated in July 1777, it appears that twohundred and sixty-four men, belonging to this regiment, were then in service in the Continental army. There were twenty-one companies belonging to the regiment, with an aggregate force of one thousand one hundred and forty-nine men, more than three quarters of whom belonged to Sims bury. In 1778, the whole of this regiment was called into service in the vicinity of New York. During this expedi tion, Colonel Humphry died at Horse-neck. He was much engaged for a long series of years in public employ ments, and eminently enjoyed the confidence of his fellow citizens. Subsequently, the whole regiment, or a portion of it, was occasionally detached, though generally for short periods of service. Nearly every man belonging to it had served in the war. Of enlisted men for the army, few, if any of the towns furnished a larger number. A company under the command of Captain, afterwards General, Noah Phelps, was raised in this manner for the service. His brother, Cap tain Elisha Phelps, was a Commissary in the army until his decease in 1776. Besides those already mentioned, a large number of persons belonging to the town lost their lives while employed in the public service. The extraordinary dark day of 1780, is still remembered and often adverted to by aged people. It occurred, it will be remembered, during the revolutionary war, and at the most gloomy period of that struggle. The event was very generally considered as supernatural. It caused much alarm among the people, and was to some consid erable extent believed to prognosticate some great national calamity. HISTORY OF SIMSBURY. 97 The following description of the darkness, which occurred on this day, is from a diary kept by John Owen Esq. Under date of Friday, May 19, 1780, he says : — The darkness " began in the morning with a thick air, and between 8 and 9, 1 observed an uncommon yellowish green spread over every object above and below, which continued increasing and withall growing darker and darker so that about 30 minutes past 10 A. M., I laid by my business of writing in the light room where I now am — everything seemed to turn of a red yellow dark green. I walked abroad, every thing appeared gloomy. The fowls retired to roost, and evening birds to their songs. This con tinued until near noon, when the air in some measure cleared up, and the sun appeared." " As this darkness was a new phenomenon, every one will speak of it as they like. But I will set it down as my own opinion that it is a prelude of something extraordinary to happen to this coun try. It is indeed a lively picture and emblem of the mental dark ness now abounding." He adds, that he has " heard for about one hundred miles each way, and the appearance was much the same as here." There was nothing in this event of a nature so extraordi nary as to justify the appellation of " supernatural," which Judge Owen and others gave to it, nor in reality to cause the alarm which, it is said, so generally prevailed. The dark ness is easily accounted for. It was undoubtedly produced by the accumulation of thicker and denser masses of vapor or smoke than was usual, in ordinary cloudy weather. Soon after the commencement of the last war in 1812, Messrs. Allyn and Phelps erected works for the manufac ture of iron wire, at the place now occupied by the carpet manufactory at Tariffville. The iron used was obtained from Salisbury, which after being rolled into rods of about three fourths of an inch in diameter at Winsted, was carried to the factory and drawn into wire of all sizes. Large quantities were manufactured, especially of the finer kind used by card makers, which found a ready market in Wor cester county, Massachusetts, and other places where cards, and especially machine cards, were manufactured. After the peace in 1815, coarse wire could not be made at a profit, and its manufacture was discontinued ; but card wire was continued to be made some years afterwards, not only at 9* 98 HISTORY OF SIMSBURY. these works, but by Cowles and Mills, on the same river, farther down the stream, and also by a Mr. Prouty, in con nexion with E. Phelps Esq. on the north branch of Hop brook. The wire-drawing business is still continued at this place by Mr. Zebulon Chapin. Each of these establishments had connected with it a card factory. That of Allyn and Phelps, carried on under the name of Allyn, Johnson and Co. commenced the busi ness during the war. At first, hand cards only were made, but afterwards machine cards, which at this time became in great demand. These works were afterwards removed to Hartford, and some of the others were discontinued. The business was at times profitable, and was pursued exten sively. But, after the introduction of machinery for setting card teeth, these -establishments, not having the benefit of this machinery, were compelled to abandon the business. Near the close of the war, Mr. Thomas Case was also enga ged for a short time in the manufacture of hand cards. Tin ware has been manufactured in this town about fifty years. Joel Saxton, Samuel Vining, Thomas Barber and others, have been engaged in the business. It is now carried on, as it has been some years, by Moses Ensign Esq. Richard Bacon Esq. in connection with partners residing in England, have works at East Weatauge, for the manufac ture of Safety Fuse for blasting rocks. There is no other establishment of the kind in the United States, and but one other in the world. This one is in England. The process of manufacturing the article is patented, and the company in Simsbury is called " The Patent Fuse Company." The factory of the Tariffville Manufacturing Company is situated at the north-east corner of the town, on the Far mington river. The village, which is called Tariff oille, lies about twelve miles from Hartford, and contains about one thousand inhabitants. A part of the factory buildings were erected, nearly twenty years since, by a company called the " New England Carpet Company." Within a few years, the property has passed into the hands of a new company, called the " Tariffville Manufacturing Company," who have HISTORY OF SIMSBURY. 99 extended the works and constructed many additional build ings. The water used is taken from the river and conducted to the mills by a canal of about sixty rods in length. Until recently, the business of the company has been confined to the manufacture of carpets, but another large mill having recently been erected, coarse woolen cloths are now also manufactured at this place. The carpet factory is on an extended scale, being one of the largest in this country. It employs about three hundred hands, and makes yearly about three hundred thousand yards of carpetings, called fine, superfine, three ply and Venetian, which bear a high reputation, and are fully equal to imported fabrics of similar kinds. Great improvements have been made recently in the manufacture of this article, especially in colors, workmanship, and finish. Hearth rugs are also made at this mill, and the company expect very shortly to commence manufacturing Brussel carpets. The new mill employs about one hundred and fifty hands, and makes at the rate of about six hundred thousand yards yearly of woolen cloths of a coarse quality, Tweeds, Jeans, &c. These factories make this one of the most important manufacturing villages in the state. By the original grant, the dimensions of the town were- ten miles square. When the line between Connecticut and' Massachusetts was surveyed and established in 1750, it was found that a strip of land, over three miles in width, remained lying between the north boundary of Simsbury and the state line. This was annexed to Simsbury by act of the legislature, by which the length of the town north and south was increased so as to extend over thirteen miles ; — the west line being about fourteen miles.* * In 1728, on report of a committee to ascertain and lay out the west line of Simsbury, which report was accepted by the Assembly, the south line, beginning at the southeast corner of the town, was found to run, west twenty minutes south ;— the east line, from the same point, to run north twenty-three degrees' east, ten miles and eight rods ; thence west twenty-four degrees north, eight miles and one hundred and twenty-eight rods : and the west line 100 HISTORY OF SIMSBURY. The town was divided into two nearly equal parts when Granby was incorporated in 1786 — the latter town taking the north division. Canton was set off from the west side of Simsbury in 1806 ; and in 1843, the eastern part, from the top of the mountain, was annexed to Bloomfield. The present dimensions of the town are about four by seven miles. Thus has this ancient town been curtailed on three sides, and reduced from one of the largest, to one of the smallest towns in the state. It is believed that in 1670, when the town was incorpora ted, there were not over forty families residing within its limits ; and in 1680, not exceeding forty-five. In 1689, when the inhabitants were first subjected to a Colony tax, the list shows seventy taxable persons, that is, male persons between sixteen and seventy years of age, and ,£3606 of estates. From this time, until 1709, twenty years, the tax able persons had increased but fifteen, and the amount of estates but j£487, — both having varied considerably in the interim. Allowing a population of five for each taxable pei son (which allowance would be considered high,) and the number of inhabitants in 1709 would be four hundred and twenty-five. From this it would appear that, during these thirty-nine years, from 1670, the progress of popula tion had been slow, — especially in comparison with the usual rate of increase in new towns at the present time. Some additional light may be obtained on this subject by adverting to the tax lists during a portion of this period. In 1694, the number of persons against whom town taxes were laid, was sixty-three ; including at least three persons who were non-residents. The number taxed for the support of the ministry in 1696 was sixty-eight, — and in 1701, seventy. [Appendix, C. and D.j to run parallel with the said east line ; — making " the just contents of ten miles square." Many law suits grew out of this survey, and the question relating to the western line of the town was not permanently settled until within forty years past. This line having been surveyed by a Mr. Kimberly, was called " Kimberly's line." HISTORY OF SIMSBURY. 101 The whole number of houses in 1730, according to the map of the town before mentioned, was one hundred and sixty-two. If we estimate the number of occupants of each house at six persons, the whole number of inhabitants at that time would amount to nine hundred and seventy-two. Soon after this, lands in the western part of the town began to be taken up, and the population thereafter increased more rapidly. The first census of the Colony was taken in 1756, in pur suance of orders sent from England, when the population of Simsbury was ascertained to be, two thousand two hun dred and forty-five persons. Since that time, there have been made, by the public authorities, eight enumerations of the inhabitants, which show the following results. Years, ... . 1774. 1782. 1790. 1800. 1810. 1820. 1830. 1840. Population, 3,700. 4,664. 2,576. 2,956. 1,966. 1,954. 2,221. 1,895 It will be recollected that Granby was set off in 1786, and Canton in 1806. In 1782, there were but nine towns in the state which by the census show a greater population than Simsbury. Hart ford, which then included East Hartford and Manchester, contained but 5,495 persons. Middletown, 4,512. A Post office was established in this town in 1798. Its location at first was at Suffrage, in the southern part of the present town of Canton. In 1802 it was removed to Wea tauge, and in 1806, to Hop meadow. There is another one at Tariffville, which has been established nearly twenty years. The town contains eleven Common School Districts. Schools of a higher order are kept occasionally, though not permanently. S msbury is situated about twelve miles north-west from Hartford. In fertility of soil, especially of its meadow lands, and in beauty of scenery, as viewed from the mountain, it is surpassed but by few towns in the state. The New Haven and Northampton canal passes through the center of the town. The oldest person now living in town is Mrs. Ensign, 102 HISTORY OF SIMSBURY. aged ninety-four years, relict of the late Mr. Isaac Ensign. The next oldest is Mr. Timothy Terry, who is ninety years old. There are but few towns in the state — perhaps none of equal population — in which a greater number of men hold ing prominent stations in society have been born. So stri king has been this fact, that it has attracted the attention of several gentlemen of the town, who have deemed the matter of sufficient importance to furnish for publication a list of prominent offices held by persons born in the place. [Appendix, E.] For lists of Judges of Probate, Representatives, Justices of the Peace, and Town Clerks, see Appendix, F. G. H. and I. CHAPTER VIII. GRANBY. Settlement. Civil and Ecclesiastical History. 1681—1845. Granby was set off from the north part of Simsbury, and incorporated in 1786. Its extent is about six by nine and a, half miles. The soil is of various kinds. The best lands lie in the eastern section of the town and in the valley of Salmon brook. In general, the lands are adapted to the purposes of agriculture, in which business the inhabitants are chiefly engaged. The New Haven and Northampton Canal, which passes through the center of the town, facil itates the transportation of such products as are destined to a market. The settlement of the territory included within the pres ent limits of Granby was, with the exception of one or two families, commenced at a later period than that of Simsbury. It is supposed that John Griffin lived at the Falls, and was settled there as early as 1664. One or two other persons had lands near the same place, and might have been in the occupancy of them at about the same time. These persons had their grants from the General Court. The first grants of lands lying within the town made by the original town, Simsbury, were made in 1679, to thirteen persons. The lands thus granted lay at Salmon brook. Owing to the Indian difficulties, these proprietors, as stated in the History of Simsbury, were ordered to build their dwell ing houses at Westover's plain. It does not appear from the records who these grantees were. Two years afterwards, this policy seems to have been changed, and an effort was made to commence a settlement at this place, with the view, probably, of giving greater secu- • 104 HISTORY OF GRANBY. rity to the inhabitants residing some miles farther south. The town voted in January 1680-1, to divide a tract of land lying in the vicinity of Salmon brook, (reserving two lots, one for the minister, and the other for Michael Humphry) to Nathaniel Holcomb, Andrew Moore, Daniel Adams, Josiah Owen, Samuel Wilson, Josiah Ellsworth, and Nathan Gillett, upon condition that each grantee should take pos session of his lot, and continue to reside upon it for the term of seven years, and make improvements by building fences, and preparing the land for cultivation. Some of the grant ees refused to accept these conditions, and their rights were subsequently granted to other persons. At least three of them belonged to Windsor, and were never inhabitants of this town. Of this number was Mr. Ellsworth, who was-the ancestor of the Hon. Oliver Ellsworth. The other grantees, it is believed, took possession of their lots, but none of them, it is supposed, continued to occupy them during the required term of seven years. They were so much exposed to Indian depredations, and so far removed from any white settlement, as to render it very improbable that they would have remained there during this term, under such circumstances and at this critical period. It is known that a block house was erected in Salmon brook at a very early period of the settlement, to which the first inhabitants resorted every night for safety, and at all other times when, by the usual signal, an alarm was spread that there were strange Indians in the neighborhood. These alarms were so often given, that the inhabitants lived in almost constant dread of danger. It is understood that the small settlement here was often deserted and abandoned for this cause. This accounts for the slow progress of popula tion at this place for nearly twenty years after the first attempt was made to settle it. The block house had a stockade and other defenses, and stood near the present dwelling house of Mr. Charles Pettibone. In May 1688, a tier of lots lying in the eastern section of the town, Turkey hills, were conditionally granted by the HISTORY OF GRANBY. 105 town to sundry persons.* Amongst the grantees, was the Rev. Edward Thompson, who never occupied his lot, but some of his descendants live upon it at the present time. These lots varied from thirty to fifty rods in width, and extended from the east bounds of the town westwardly to the mountain. But in February, 1693, these grants were all annulled by a vote of the town, by reason of a non per formance of the condition to which they were subjected. At the same time, or shortly afterwards, the same lands were divided and allotted to several proprietors, 'including nearly all the former ones ;— but it does not appear that any of them occupied or improved their premises until some years afterwards. Indeed it is believed that the settlement of this part of the town did not commence until about 1700. Notwithstanding the numerous grants made, there were but a few families settled within the present limits of Granby prior to 1709; — and subsequently, until about 1720, the progress in population was at a slow pace. It appears from a petition presented to the General Court in 1728, that, within these limits, there were in 1709 but eleven families — nine on the west, and two on the east side of Salmon brook ; and that in 1728, the number of families on the west side of the brook had increased to twenty-seven, — on the east * " Lots drawn at Northeast corner of Simsbury bounds, May 1688." NO. OF LOT. NO. OF LOT. Mr. Edward Thompson, 19 Mr . Nathaniel Holcomb, 12 John Higley, 16 John Case Jun. 20 Andrew Hillyer, 5 ' John Pettibone Sen. 9 Joshua Holcomb, 13 John Case Sen. 10- Daniel Aaams, 22 Arthur Henbury, 6 Peter Buell, 2 Thomas Barber, 4 Joseph Owen, ' 18 John Williams, 3 William Smith, 15 Serg't Wilcoxson, 17 Luke Hill, 11 John Saxton, 23 Nicholas Gozard, 8 John Drake, 21 Liaut. Terry, 7 Humphry Prior, 1 Ephraim Howard, 14 The lots number from north to south. 10 106 HISTORY OF GRANBY. side of the brook and west of the mountain to eleven, — and on the east side of the mountain the number was twenty- four ; — in the whole, sixty-two families, exclusive of the small settlement at the Falls. About the year 1710, iron was manufactured from bog ore found in Turkey hills and its vicinity. Before 1728, a fur nace called the " New Works" was erected on the east street in that village, nearly a mile north of the road leading from the west street to Poquonock. The establishment was kept in operation many years, and furnished the principal supply of iron for that section of country. The works, it is pre sumed, did not prove profitable, for they were abandoned many years ago, though the ore had not become exhausted. It is found in that locality at the present time. In 1723 an unusual number of town grants were made, by which large portions of the best lands were taken up and occupied by the respective proprietors. About this time too, all apprehensions of danger from attacks by the Indians had subsided, and the population increased so rap idly from this period, as to authorise, in 1736, the formation of two Ecclesiastical Societies. The tax lists of 1761 show a large addition to the number of inhabitants. At the break ing out of the war in 1775, nearly all parts of the town had become settled, furnishing a population nearly as dense as many of the older settlements. The General Assembly in 1736, established two Ecclesi astical Societies, the southern lines of which correspond with the southern town line as subsequently designated when the town was incorporated. They were then called the North West and North East Societies. Before the organization of these societies, the inhabitants had, for some time, been in the practice of holding meetings for public worship both at Salmon brook and Turkey hills. Those belonging to the former place, assembled at the house of Mr. Daniel Hays, who resided in the southern part of Salmon brook village. He was allowed thirty shillings a year for the use of his house. HISTORY OF GRANBY. 107 From the records of the North West, or Salmon brook Society, it appears, that their first meeting was held in May 1739. It was convened to adopt measures in reference to the construction of a meeting-house. But, as the meeting could not agree where to set the house, application was made to the General Assembly for a committee to settle the question. On report of the committee, the site established was on the hill north of Salmon brook village. The first meeting-house was erected at this place in 1740. Its dimen sions were, thirty by forty-five feet. In the course of a few years, by the extension of popula tion westwardly, the house was left so far from the centre of population as to cause complaint, and induce a majority of the society to adopt measures for its removal. Their efforts were successful. In 1775 the house was taken down and removed about two miles in a north-westwardly direc tion, to a place designated by a committee appointed by the County Court, where it was re-built. In 1793 the house was enlarged and painted inside. This house was taken down, and a new one erected in 1834. The new house stands a few rods northerly from the site of the old one- It is a commodious building, sixty by forty feet, is painted and has a tower and bell. The first clergyman settled over the parish was the Rev. Joseph Strong; who was ordained in 1752. He was allowed a salary of fifty pounds, fire wood, and the use of a dwelling house. The house built for him by the society is still stand ing in the village of Salmon brook, and is now occupied by Mr. Peter J. Jewitt. Mr. Strong was dismissed in 1779. He removed to Wiliiamsburgh, Massachusetts, where he was settled, and at which place he continued in the ministry until his death. The Rev. Israel Harley was settled October 20, 1784, and dismissed in 1793. Rev. Isaac Porter was ordained June 25, 1794. He continued in the pastoral office until December 26, 1832— over thirty-eight years — when he was dismissed. Rev. Charles Bently was installed in August 1833, and dismissed in March 1839. In October of the same year, the Rev.. Chayncey D. Rice was installed, 108 HISTORY OF GRANBY. and in July 1841, dismissed. The present pastor, the Rev. Israel P. Warren, was ordained April 20, 1842. Soon after the town was divided into several ecclesias tical societies, the people of Turkey hills took measures to organize their society. Their first meeting was held, June 16, 1737, when it was voted to apply to the General Assem bly to send out a committee to designate the place where to set their meeting-house. In the same year, it was voted to build a house thirty-five by forty feet, with twenty feet posts. The building was commenced the next year, and was placed in the street a few rods southerly of the dwelling house of Appleton Robbins Esq. In 1794 a large tax was raised to repair the house, and annex to it a steeple. It was taken down in 1830, having Stood ninety-two years. The first clergyman employed, was a Mr. Wolcott, who preached in this society in 1737: — it is unknown how long he continued to officiate. In 1741, the Rev. Ebenezer Mills was settled with a salary of £150, and .£500 settlement, " old tenor" money. He was dismissed in 1754. From 1754 to 1760, the pulpit was supplied by the Rev. Messrs. Holmes, Colton, and Root, each of whom preached as a candidate for settlement. The Rev. Nehemiah Strong, who, several years after wards became a Professor in Yale College, was settled as pastor January 21, 1760, and was dismissed in 1768. In 1765, the society voted to offer him, in lieu of his ordinary settlement, seventy pounds, one half to be paid in provis ions as follows ; — wheat at four, rye three, and Indian corn, two shillings per bushel, — pork at three pence, and beef at twopence per pound. In 1771, the Rev. James Treadway was employed to preach six months, at twenty shillings a sabbath. During the next, year, a Mr. Mather, and afterwards Mr. Abel For ward, officiated ; and in 1774, and 1775, the Rev. Emmer- son Foster preached about two years on probation. Rev. Aaron J. Booge was settled Nov. 27, 1776. The society voted to appoint seventeen tavernkeepers for the day HISTORY OF GRANBY. 109 of ordination.* Mr. Booge was dismissed, Dec. 8, 1785, but supplied the pulpit about four years afterwards. At the tune of his ordination, there were fourteen males, and twenty-three females, in full communion as church members, f In 1791, and 1792,, Rev. Mr. Churchill preached, and received a call to settle, which was declined. The Rev. Whitfield Cowles was ordained June 18, 1794, with a salary of eighty-six pounds, with interest, if not paid punctually. For some years before the termination of his ministry, he became unpopular with a large portion of his congregation, though a majority adhered to him. His con nexion with the society was terminated in the fall of 1808, by the sentence of an ecclesiastical tribunal, which also dis missed him from the ministry. The society soon afterwards became disorganized, and ceased to be a legal corporation. In 1812, on application to the General Assembly, authority was granted to revive its powers by a re-organization. After this period, and before 1815, the Rev. John Taylor, and Rev. Nathaniel Dwight officiated occasionally. In 1815, the society united with the state in hiring a minister, who spent a part of each sabbath at Newgate prison, and gave a call to the Rev. Hervey Wilbur, which was rejected. Rev. Eber L. Clark was installed July 3, 1816, with a salary from the society of $300. He was employed during the same time as chaplain of the prison, at which institution he preached one half of the time. He was dismissed in 1820. Rev. Stephen Crosby was installed in 1826, and remained pastor of the church until January 3, 1832, when he was * Settlement, £200. Salary, £50, for the first four years ; — thereafter, £60, and twenty-seven cords of wood annually, — one half of the settlement payable in provisions. In 1775, a part of the salary was paid in produce — wheat at five, rye three, and corn at two and threepence per bushel. f The male members were, Deacon Samuel Owen, Dea. Asahel Holcomb, John Granger, John Cornish, Richard Gay, Micah Moore, Capt. Zacheus Gillett, John Drake, John Thrall, Nathaniel Mather, Henoni Viets, Timothy Hawley, Thomas Hawley and Zachary Prince, (colored.) 10* 110 HISTORY OF GRANBY. dismissed. Rev. Daniel Hemingway was installed July 3, 1832, and dismissed in 1842. The present pastor, Rev. Jonas B. Clark, was ordained November 1, 1842. The construction of the present meeting-house was com menced in September 1830, and finished June 1831, at an expense of f 3,450. It is a handsome edifice, thirty-six by fifty-two feet, having a basement story, tower and bell. Its main walls are built with trap stone, with which the adja cent mountain abounds. Extracts from, the Society Recoi-ds — " at a Legall meting held by a jornmunt, Janawary 12, 1742-3, — voted that this Sosiatey will rays a rate of two shillings on the povnd on the comon List given Last agvst to Defray ovr minestearell and Sosiatey Charges. Voted that Left. Phelps and Insine Cornish shall be a Comittey to Look after the pasnege Land at Simsbury. Voted that Isaac Gillitt Juner should be Collecterer for ye year Insving to gether the rate. Voted that the presant Comittey shall Lay ovt the overplush nif thare be aney to finnisli the meting hovs. Voted that Robord Jonson and Elix Cooners rates shovld be svs- pended that ar In Joseph forwards hand vntill he hath oppertvnity to git them." In 1748, a committee was appointed by the society to demand their part of the " Parsonage land in Simsbury, and likewise of the old meeting house." A difficulty having arose about singing, it was voted in 1773, " to sing new tunes half the time, and old tunes the other half." In 1786, when measures were in progress to establish the new town, Granby, the society voted, yeas thirty, nays seven, " that they did not wish to be set off from the south part of the town of Simsbury." The first tax raised in federal money was in December 1794. At about this time, this currency was substituted for the old one in all legal proceedings^ " At a meeting January 14,1805, — Voted to adjourn to the 28th instant. January 28, 1805 was an exceeding stormy, tedious day, and the paths so filled with snow that no one attended the meeting agree able to the above adjournment. Test. Israel C- Phelps, Clerk." " At a Society Meeting November 1818 ; — Voted that the Pru dential Committee be instructed to expend thirty dollars of the Appropriation Money, lately received by the Society from this State, for the purchase of lottery tickets, the avails of which shall be applied according to the Act of the Legislature relative to the expenditure of said Appropriation." HISTORY OF GRANBY. Ill The Episcopalians have a church at Salmon brook vil lage, erected in 1792, but not finished until 1800, when a steeple was attached to it. The parish is small, and too weak to support a clergyman permanently. It is generally supplied with the ministrations of the gospel for a part of the time by uniting with St. Andrew's Parish, Scotland, in hiring a Rector for both Parishes. Rev. Ambrose Todd, Asa Corn well, Samuel Griswold, Nathaniel Huse, and others occasionally, have been the officiating clergymen. The Methodists, in the aggregate, compose a numerous class, and have a number of places for holding their reli gious meetings. They have a meeting-house, erected in 1840, which stands about one mile north of the old Newgate prison, and are about building another one in the western part of the town. They have also occasional meetings in other places, which, in general, are held in school houses. There is a society of Universalists in North Granby. The members meet every other Sunday for worship, and have tak&n measures to erect a house for their religious meetings. The town was incorporated in October 1786. The first town meeting was held at the meeting-house in the society of Salmon brook, on the first Monday in December follow ing. Asahel Holcomb Esq. was appointed moderator, Judah Holcomb Jr. town clerk, — Capt. Samuel Hayes, Asahel Holcomb and Lieut. Pliny Hillyer, selectmen, — Ensign Daniel Holcomb, " head constable to collect the state taxes," — Thomas Spring, town collector for Salmon brook society, and constable, — and Capt. Andrew Hillyer town collector for Turkey hills society, and constable. It was voted that two-thirds of the annual meetings be holden in Salmon brook society, and the other third in the society of Turkey hills. By the Act of Incorporation, the town was restricted to one representative in the General Assembly ; but in 1794, it was allowed two representatives thereafter. About the year 1790, an academy was established at Sal mon brook, which for some years was in a prosperous con dition. It was discontinued soon after 1800. There are 112 HISTORY OF GRANBY. two school societies in the town, eighteen district schools, and four post offices. There is a number of small manufacturing establishments in the town, but in none of them is a large investment of capital required. The number of inhabitants in 1790, was 2,595 ;— 1800, 2,735 ;— 1810, 2,696 ;— 1820, 3,012 ;— 1830, 2,733 ;— 1840, 2,611. For lists of Judges of Probate, Representatives, Justices of the Peace and Town Clerks, see Appendix, F. G. H. and L The CHAPTER IX. Copper Minks. Discovery. Magnitude of the Works. Amount of Disbursements. Smelting Works at Hanover. The Phcenix Milling Company. 1705—1833. The copper mines, known afterwards as the site of the celebrated state prison, called Newgate, are situated on the west side of the east mountain in Granby. The place, for many years, was called " Copper Hill." It is not known at what period copper ore was first discovered here. The first record evidence relating to. the mines is under date of December, 1705, when, at a town meeting of the inhabit ants of Simsbury,* upon suggestion made " that there was a mine either of silver or copper found in the town," a committee was appointed to make search for the same and report to a future meeting. The report of the committee does not appear on record, but is presumed to have been favorable to the discovery, for in 1707 an association, comprising all such proprietors of the town as had subscribed, or who within a limited time should subscribe the articles of agreement, was formed to work the mines. Copper-hill at this time was a wilder ness ; — and as none of the lands in that vicinity had been • ... sold or granted, the right of soil remained in the "proprie tors of the town," nearly all of whom came into this agree ment. The association, after deducting the expenses of the works, was to allow the town ten shillings on each ton of copper produced, and to divide the residue among the part ners of the concern in proportion to the amounts of their respective lists. The mining operations commenced about this time, and under this partnership concern. * The mines then, and for eighty years afterwards, were within the town of Simsbury. 114 HISTORY OF GRANBY. This company dug the ore only — they did not undertake to smelt it. But, in the same year, they entered into a con tract with Messrs. John Woodbridge of Springfield, Dudley Woodbridge of Simsbury, and Timothy Woodbridge Jr. then of Hartford, all clergymen, by which these gentlemen agreed to run and refine the ore, and cast the metal into bars fit for transportation or a market ; — and after deducting the tenth part belonging to the town, of which two-thirds thereof was to be given for the maintenance "of an able schoolmaster in Simsbury," and the other third to the u Collegiate school," Yale College, — the residue was to be equally divided between them and the proprietors or work ers of the mine. The business was carried on in this manner but a few years — probably because the smelting process was not understood, and could not be proceeded with to the advan tage of either party. In 1712, the proprietors, or " asso ciation," appointed a committee to call the contractors " to account, and, if necessary, to sue them for the ore that had been brought to them at divers times." The legislature, in consideration that " a public benefit" anight result from these mines, and to aid the proprietors in the management thereof, passed an act in 1709, vesting the right to control all matters relating to the mines " in the major part of the'proprietors according to the interest of each proprietor," and providing for organizing and holding meet ings of the proprietors, and appointing a committee to man age their concerns. The act also provided for the adjudi cation of all matters in controversy between any and all persons connected with the mines, by a board of three com missioners, with power to summon a jury in cases where the sum in controversy exceeded a certain amount. This court held its sessions generally at the mines, though sometimes at other places. It had a clerk, and its jurisdiction, in amount of damages claimed, was co-extensive with that of County courts. A vast deal of business was disposed of by this tribunal, by the agency of which, both time and expense was saved by the litigating parties. HISTORY OF GRANBY. 115 Tb business on the part of the proprietors was managed under the provisions of this act, and other similar acts, by a committee appointed annually during the whole time that the mines were worked, (before the Phcenix company com menced operations,) a period of over sixty years. This committee, at various times, made leases to. several individ uals or companies, of certain portions or specified rights in the common lands where copper ore had been or might be discovered, during a term of years ;— the lessees on their part agreeing to pay to the committee a per centage on the ore procured ; or a certain portion, generally one-thirtieth part, of the copper extracted from the ore and manufactured fit for market. In no case did any of these leases extend beyond thirty years. Some of the wealthiest capitalists in Boston and New York, took leases and embarked in the enterprise. A com pany too, belonging to Holland, and another company belonging to London, were for many years interested in the concern, and furnished large sums of money to carry on the works.'1 The Woodbridge family, and at least one member of the Wyllys family, were many years largely engaged in the business. " These mining operations were very exten sively pursued from 1713 to about 1737, and to some extent until the war of 1775. The amount of money expended cannot be ascertained, but must have been very large. During a period of two years from August, 1716, one com pany, under the superintendence of Elias Boudinot,* ex pended about three thousand dollars. A petition, dated in 1723, states that " the copper works had brought into this plantation from foreign countries, about ten thousand pounds." Governor Belcher, of Boston, in a letter dated 1735, states that during about twenty-three years, he had disbursed upwards of fifteen thousand pounds.f The expen- * This Mr. Boudinot resided for some time in Simsbury. He was ancestor of the late Elias Boudinot, of New Jersey, who was a distinguished states man, and the first superintendent of the United States Mint at Philadelphia. t This letter is addressed to John Humphry, Joseph Pettibone, and Samuel Pettibone, a committee of the proprietors, who had called upon him to settle 116 HISTORY OF GRANBY. ditures of the other companies are not known, but in the aggregate must have amounted to a large sum. After 1721, when a division of the mining lands took place among the lessees, each company worked at separate mines, all situated upon Copper-hill, and (excepting Hig- ley's) within the^compass of less than one mile. The works most improved, and where the greatest excavations were made, were subsequently purchased for a state prison. At this place, two perpendicular shafts were dug, chiefly through rocks, one extending to the depth of over seventy feet, and the other about thirty-five feet. From the bottom of these shafts caverns excavated for ore extend in various direc tions, some four or five hundred feet, including "levels" or drains for discharging the water. Some parts of these excavations are now entirely filled with water. At Higley's mine, which lies about a mile and a half south of this, extensive old workings exist, though commenced at a later period than the others. Mr. Edmund Quincy, of Boston, had a company of miners working at this place at the break ing out of the war of the revolution ; soon after which the works were abandoned. In 1731, a new company was formed, consisting of Adam Winthrop, George Cradock, James Bowdoin, Job Lewis, Joshua Winslow, Benjamin Pemberton and North Ingham, all of Boston, who took a lease by which a sixth part of the mines was conveyed to them for the term of thirty years. This lease was signed by Samuel Humphry, Joseph Case, and Joseph Phelps, a committee in behalf of the town pro prietors. It is not known to what extent, or how long, this company pursued the business. In addition to the persons already named as lessees, or otherwise interested in the mines, Jared Elliot of Killing- worth,* Jahleel Brenton of Rhode Island, Charles Cromme- for back rents. The original letter is in the possession of Dositheus Humphry Esq. a descendant of John Humphry Esq. * A clergyman and physician of great celebrity, who resided at Killing- worth. HISTORY OF GRANBY. 117 lin of New York, William Patridge of Boston, and sundry other persons, were concerned at various times, and in differ ent companies. Engineers and superintendents from Europe, some of them persons of distinction, and miners from Germany, were employed in these works. Among them were Major John Sydervelt, who remained in Simsbury until his death ; Caspar Hoofman, who died here March 21, 1732; and John Christian Mulier, a principal refiner, who married and died here.* Connected with these mines were works for smelting and refining. These were erected about the year 1721, upon Hop brook, in Simsbury, a few rods westerly of the upper or Tuller's mills; and consisted of sundry buildings, in addition to a mill for crashing or pounding the ore, and a furnace. The place was called Hanover, a name yet retained, which was given to it by the workmen who had emigrated from a place of the same name in Germany. A portion of the ore dug at the mines was smelted at these works, — but to what extent this business was prosecuted, or with what success, is not known. ' In 1725, when this property was attached, there was found and levied updn one thousand seven hun dred pounds of black copper, so called, it is supposed, because it was not refined. ' This branch of the business, however, being prohibited by the laws of Great Britain, was carried on secretly, and consequently at great disadvantage ; and with the other embarrassments mentioned, relating to smelting, resulted in a probable loss. The Hanover works, of which but few indications now remain, were demolished many years since. The ore procured at the mines, which was not brought here for smelting, was shipped to England. One cargo was taken by the French, and another, accord ing to report, was sunk in the English channel by ship wreck. Other cargoes arrived in Europe, where the ore was smelted. *His wife was Hannah Weston, by whom he had two children before 1731. It is believed that after his death the name was changed to Miller, and that some of his descendants now live in Granby. 11 118 HISTORY OF GRANBY. In these mining operations, but little comparatively was done after 1745, "though at no time, it is believed, Avas the business wholly abandoned until 1778. In 1772, Captain James Holmes, an Englishman, then a resident of Salj^bury, took a lease of the principal mine for twenty years, which he sold the next year to the state for a prison. A coin made fro u this ore, called " Higley's Coppers," was at one time in some circulation in the vicinity of the mines. It is said to have passed for two and sixpence, (forty-two cents,) in paper currency it is presumed, though composed chiefly, if not entirely, of copper. 'One of these coins, dated 1737, is in the cabinet of the Connecticut Historical Society. Its inscription on one side is, "I am good copper;" — on the other, "Value me as you please." These coppers were much used for melting up with gold in the manufacture of jewelry, and for this purpose were considered vastly preferable to ordinary cop per coin. They were not in circulation as a currency after the peace of 1783. The inventor and maker, is supposed to have been Doct. Samuel Higley who, a few years before this, had attempted to manufacture steel, and was somewhat distinguished for enterprises of this character. The Phoenix Mining Company, incorporated in 1830, having purchased the state prison property, consisting of about five acres of land, with sundry buildings enclosed by a stone wall, and having secured, by long leases, the right of mining upon large tracts of other lands lying in the vicinity, commenced mining operations in 1831, under the superintendency of Richard Bacon Esq. of Simsbury. Owing however to some unforeseen difficulties in the process of smelting and refining the ore, and other obstructions occa sioned by the pecuniary embarrassments of the times, the works after a short time were discontinued. That they will bs resumed at some future time under more favorable aus pices, and with a fairer prospect of success, is confidently believed by those who are conversant with the business, and have devoted to these mines a crit'cal examination. A gentleman who has been extensively engaged in this HISTORY OF GRANBY. 119 business in Europe, and who is said to be an experienced and scientific miner, speaking of these mines, says : — " The principal vein is large, and one which, in mining phraseology, would be termed aflat lode, making with the horizon an angle of perhaps twenty-three degrees. Its matrix is a yellowish grey sandstone, nearly similar to the common sandstone of the neighborhood, but yet so percep tibly differing from it, as to allow of its being traced at sur face, for at least a mile, north and south, by its characteristic color and general appearance. Iu this matrix, copper is pretty generally disseminated, principally in nodules of rich brittle grey sulphuret, interspersed here and there with minute strings of common yellow pyrites. The lode ap pears to be favorably disposed for yielding mineral and copper ore in particular." The ore, it is said, produces on an average, from ten to twelve per cent of copper, but some large specimens have been obtained, producing from thirty to forty per cent. It is of the kind technically called " refractory," — a species that ordinarily resists the usual process of smelting. Other processes, however, have led to more successful results. By skill, enterprise and new experiments, all impediments of this nature will, ilis believed be easily rem ved. CHA PTER X. Newgate Prison. Establishment. Destruction of Buildings by Fire. Escape of Con victs. Confinement of Tories. Employment of Prisoners. Police Regulations. 1773—1827. The General Assembly, at the May session, 1773, in view of establishing a state prison, appointed William Pitkin, Erastus Wolcott, and Jonathan Humphrey Esq'rs, a com mittee " to view and explore the copper mines at Sims bury, — their situation, nature and circumstances, and to examine and consider whether they may be beneficially applied to the purpose of confining, securing and profitably employing such criminals and delinquents as may be com mitted to them, by any future law or laws of this Colony, in lieu of the infamous punishments in divers cases now appointed ; — and at what probable expense the said mines may be obtained for the purpose aforesaid ;" and make report to the then session of the Assembly. Upon their report that the mines were subject to an unex pired lease of nineteen years, which could be purchased for about sixty pounds, and that by^ an expenditure of about thirty -seven pounds, the caverns could be so secured that it would be " next to impossible for any person to escape"- from them ; the same gentlemen were invested "with full power to agree with the proprietors of said mines, or the lessees thereof, to receive, keep and employ in said mines such criminals as may by law be sentenced to such punishment, or to purchase in the remaining term in said leases, for such purposes, and according to their best discretion effectually to secure said mines suitably to employ such persons as maybe there confined by order of law." The committee reported at the next session, Oct. 1773, HISTORY OF GRANBY.' 121 that they had purchased the remaining term of Holmes' lease, being about nineteen years, for .£60— that by blasting locks they had " prepared a well finished lodging room, about fifteen feet by twelve," in the caverns,— and had fixed over the west shaft a large iron door, which they " ap prehend will be an effectual security for the confinement of persons that may be condemned there for employment." The whole expense, including the purchase money, amount ed to three hundred and seventy dollars. The east shaft which extends perpendicularly about seventy feet, chiefly through a solid rock, was left open. There were no walls provided, nor were there any buildings upon the premises. At this session, an Act was passed " constituting the subter raneous caverns and buildings in the copper mines in Sims bury, a public gaol and workhouse for the use of the Colony ;" to which was given the name of Newgate Prison. The prisoners were to be employed in mining. The crimes, which by the Act subjected offenders to confinement and labor in the prison, were— burglary, horse stealing, and counterfeiting the public bills or coins, or making instru ments or dies therefor. The first overseers of Newgate appointed, were Major Erastus Wolcott, Josiah Bissell and Jonathan Humphrey Esq'rs. Mr. John Viets,* who lived near the place, was appointed master, or keeper of the prison. Food for the prisoners was supplied by him. The first convict received into the prison was John Hin- son. He was committed Dec, 22, 1773, and escaped on the 9lh of January following, by being drawn up through the eastern shaft by a rope, assisted, it is said, by a woman, to whom he was paying his addresses. On the 26th of Feb ruary, 1774, three prisoners were received ; — one of whom escaped on the 9th, and the other two on the 23d of the next April. One committed on the 5th of April, escaped on the 9th of the same month, having been in confinement * The ancestor of Mr. Viets was a German, and came to this country with a eompany of miners, to which he was attached as physician and surgeon. 11* 122 HISTORY OF GRANBY. four days. It is not known how these escapes were effected. Besides the east shaft which was left open, there were other parts of the caverns which had not been properly secured. None of these prisoners, it is understood, were retaken. By this time, the overseers had probably changed their minds respecting the perfect security of the prison. A night watch was employed during part of this time. Soon after the escape of Hinson, the General Assembly in January 1774. directed the overseers to cause the east shaft to be effectually secured with stone or iron, and to build a log block-house with two or three rooms, one of which was to be placed directly over the west shaft. These improvements were made during this year, but not until after the escape of the other prisoners mentioned above. In the spring of 1775, three prisoners escaped, all of whom were retaken. At the May session of this year, the Assem bly ordered the overseers to make sale of the ore dug at the prison. There were at this time nine convicts in confine ment, all of whom were engaged in excavating copper ore under the charge of two persons employed as miners. The block-house having been destroyed by fire in the spring of 1776, the Assembly, in May, ordered a new one to be constructed, and also a frame dwelling house, for the keeper of the prison, one story high, eighteen by thirty feet. This burning was by design, to favor the escape of the convicts, none of'whom however escaped at this time. In 1777, the block-house was again burnt, and another one ordered to be built. All the prisoners were removed to the jail in Hartford for confinement. It is supposed that the prison was not repaired, or used as such, until 1780. If it was repaired before that time, the buildings were again destroyed, for at the session of the Assembly in January 1779, the prison being represented "to be in a ruinous con dition," and " altogether insufficienffo answer the salutary purposes for which it was prepared," the overseers were directed to erect new buildings, with " a block-house on the surface of the ground over the mouth of the cavern, suitable and convenient to secure and employ the prisonors in labor HISTORY OF GRANBY. 123 in the day time ;" and when completed to appoint a keeper of the prison. The prison was completed in November 1780, and was supplied with a military guard consisting of a lieutenant, one sergeant, one corporal and twenty-four privates. Up to this time, the prisoners had been employed in the mines, and been furnished with food by persons not connected with the prison. Now they were employed in mechanical ope rations, and supplied with food prepared in the prison. -""The prison had been left entirely unprotected by any wall until 1781. In February of this year, the overseers were directed by the Assembly to construct, at a convenient distance around the prison and buildings, a piquet fence with small bastions at the corners for defense. A work of this kind was much needed, and notwithstanding the com bustible material with which it was constructed, it tended very much to strengthen the prison. In other respects too, the prison was in a much better condition than at any pre vious time. But, one of the most daring and successful attempts ever made at this prison to overcome the guard and throw open the prison doors, was made after this time, and when, as was supposed, a general escape of the convicts was imprac ticable. On the 18th of May 1781, the prisoners, amount ing to twenty-eight persons, most of whom were tories, rose upon the guard, seized their arms, and made good their escape — carrying their captured arms with them'. Every prisoner left. The design was so well planned and execu ted, that but a small number of them were re-captured. It was supposed that one or more of the guard had been bribed to favor the escape of the prisoners. About ten o'clock at night on the 18th of May 1781, when all the guard but two had retired to rest, a wife of one of the pris oners appeared, to whom permission was given to visit her husband in the caverns. Upon the hatches being opened to admit her passing down, the prisoners, who were at the door and prepared for the encounter, rushed up, seized the guns of the sentry on duty, who made little or no resistance, 124 HISTORY OF GRANBY. and became masters of the guard room before those who were asleep could be aroused and prepared to make defense. One brave fellow, by name of Sheldon, who was an officer of the guard, fought valiantly, and was killed upon the spot, having been pierced by a bayonet through his body. A few others, belonging to the guard, received trifling injuries from clubs with which the assailants were armed. The guard was easily overcome. A few sought safety by flight, — but the greater number were disarmed by the prisoners and locked up in the caverns. The prisoners, having equipped themselves with the captured arms, escaped, and with few exceptions had the adroitness, or good luck, to avoid a re-capture. The General Assembly, then in session, appointed a com mittee to investigate this matter, and ascertain the causes of the disaster. The' committee after a critical examina tion, reported the testimony taken by them ; — from which it appears that the discipline of the guard was defective — that their conduct at the time of the revolt was, with few exceptions, cowardly — and that at least one person, by the name of Lilly, was bribed and favored the escape of the prisoners. Lilly was afterwards prosecuted and convicted of this offence ; and the guard was so remodeled as to give greater security to the prison thereafter. On the 6th of November 1782, the prison buildings were once more destroyed by fire ; but how, or by what means the fire was communicated, does not appear. N o doubt, however, exists that the conflagration was by design, in order to facilitate the escape of the tories who were there in confinement. Dining the progress of the fire, one Abel Davis, who was a sergeant of the guard, opened the hatches and suffered as many of the prisoners, as were so disposed. to escape from the prison. A large, number of them did escape, most of whom were re-captured in the neighbor hood and secured. Davis, who seems to have been very illiterate, and altogether unfit for the station which he held, was convicted of the offence of aiding in the escape, and sentenced to a fine and imprisonment in the county jail. HISTORY OF GRANBY. 125 The prisoners remaining after this conflagration, with those subsequently re-taken, were removed to the jail in Hartford. The prison was not repaired, nor used again until 1790. Indeed, it would seem that, at this time, the project of keeping up a prison at this place was abandoned altogether. No measures were taken to repair it, — on the contrary, in May 1784, all the property remaining at the prison and saved from the fire, consisting of iron, timber, clo thing, &c. was ordered by the legislature to be sold, and the avails paid into the treasury. Little else but disaster had attended the prison from its establishment. More than one half of all the prisoners committed to it had escaped, and during the nine years of its continuance, the buildings con nected with it had been destroyed by fire three times. In no respect had the prison been properly constructed or secured. The buildings were of wood, and so exposed as to be easily fired from without. Prison building in those days, as well as prison discipline, was not so well under stood as at the present time. All the jails in the state were then constructed of wood. And yet this prison had a reputation abroad for great strength and security. Its fame had spread through the country far and wide. For a long time it was considered the strongest prison in the United States. In 1775, Gen. Washington sent to it some prisoners for safe custody, whom he deemed such " atrocious villains," as to require a stronger place for their confinement than could be found near his camp.* And, in 1781, Congress proposed to make these » Letter from Gen. Washington, to the Committee of Safety, Simsbury. Cambridge, December 11, 1775. Gentlemen ; — The prisoners which will be delivered you with this, hav ing been tried by a court-martial, and deemed to be such flagrant and atro cious villains that they cannot by any means be set at large or confined in any place near this camp, were sentenced to be sent to Symsbury in Connecticut. You will therefore be pleased to have them secured in your jail, or in such other manner as to you shall seem necessary, so that they cannot possibly make their escape. The charges of their imprisonment will be at the Con tinental expense. I am &c. George Washington. 126 HISTORY OF GRANBY. mines " a state prison for the reception of British prisoners of war, and for the purpose of retaliation ;" and asked from the Governor of this state a plan and estimates of expense. Governor Trumbull laid the matter before the General Assembly, who assented to the proposition, and requested him to furnish for Congress the plan and estimates required. What these were, do not appear, but the subject was drop ped, probably for the reason that soon after this time a ter mination of the war was anticipated. Mention has already been made of the confinement of tories in this prison. No person of this description was imprisoned here until 1780, when an Act was passed author ising the superior court to sentence to confinement in New gate, such persons as should be convicted of certain specified crimes against the government not amounting to treason, but which consisted of certain overt acts deemed prejudicial to the cause of independence. Courts Mai tial too, exercised the power of sentencing to this prison persons found guilty of similar offenses. The whole number of persons, called tories, imprisoned, did not, it is believed, exceed forty. At one time there were upwards of twenty in the prison, all of whom, as before stated, escaped on the 18th of May 1781. Among them were persons of some note and distinction. The leader of this rebellion was a Captain Peter Sackett, who had rendered himself notorious, as well as extremely obnoxious, by his adherence to the cause o the British government. A new Act, more perfect and specific in its details than the former one, was passed in 1790, constituting the caverns at these mines, with a small quantity of land over them, a state prison, denominated, as before, Newgate. The act provided for the appointment of three overseers, who were directed to cause a workshop and a dwelling house for the keeper to be erected, and to enclose them with a piquet wall or fence, — and to appoint a keeper, with a guard not exceed. ing ten persons, to manage and protect the prison. The expense of rebuilding it was limited to j£750. Persons con victed of burglary, robbery, horse-stealing, counterfeiting, HISTORY OF GRANBY. 127 passing counterfeit money, knowing it to be such, and aid ing in the escape of cortvicts from the prison, were to be confined at hard labor in this place for a term of yeais, or, in some cases, during the life of the culprit. Subsequently, for a few other crimes, the offender was subjected to impris onment here. The Hon. John Treadwell, and Roger Newberry, and Pliny Hillyer Esq. were appointed the overseeis. A large workshop and a dwelling house, both of brick, were con structed, together with sundry other buildings of minor con sequence. Under the west end of the dwelling house was a small room well secured by massive stone walls, from which led the only passage to the caverns beneath. This entrance was perforated through a solid rock, and contained a ladder by which passage to or from the caverns was made. The mouth of this entrance, as was also the one leading into this room from the guard-room above, was well secured by a trap door with lock and heavy bolts. A wooden fence, furnished with spikes on the top, enclosed these buildings with about half an acre of land for a yard. The prison was finished in October 1790, and Major Peter Curtiss was appointed the keeper, to whom with a guard of ten men was committed its management. From this time, the affairs of the ptison assumed a new aspect. The prison was more securely built, and better managed than at any former period. Escapes from it were rare, and there were no instances of a general rebellion, or an entire clearing out of its inmates as formerly. The system of discipline and employment, as at first adopted, continued to be followed, with but slight varia tions, until the removal of the convicts to the new state prison in 1827. As a general rule, the prisoners were lodged in the caverns. At day light, they weie taken up and removed to the work shop, where they remained until four o'clock P. M., when they were returned to the caverns. They took their meals in the work shop. These consisted of coarse food prepared in the prison, which was dealt out to them by rations. Nearly all of them wore fetters strongly 128 HISTORY OF GRANBY. rivetted to their ankles. The most refractory, and desperate of their number, were more heavily ironed. In general, when at work, they were chained at their respective blocks in the shop, and a portion of them were secured by an extra chain leading from a band around the neck to a beam in the building. The punishment for misconduct, or offences committed in the prison, was whipping, short rations, extra ironing, and, in some specified cases designated by statute, an addi tional term of imprisonment. Each prisoner had a fixed amount of work to perform each day. Those who did extra work had the benefit of it in an allowance on the bills of costs incurred in their prosecutions. At first, all the prisoners were employed in making wrought nails, the iron for which was procured at Canaan and Salisbury. This business was followed during the whole time of the continuance of the prison at this place, and was, for many years, the chief occupation of the con victs. A few other branches of manufacture were carried on, though not extensively. After 1820, a large number of the convicts were employed in the manufacture of shoes, wagons and various other articles, by which a greater profit was derived than from the nail making business. Indeed, the manufacture of nails at this place had always been attended with loss to the state. In 1802, a substantial stone wall, twelve feet high, was built around the premises, having a gate which was never opened except by a sentinel under arms on duty. This wall was built by Colonel Calvin Barber of Simsbury. All the guards when on duty were underarms, and prepared at all times to use their weapons in any conflict, or outbreak that might happen. Their number, at first ten, was subse quently increased to seventeen. The government, as well as the duties of the guard, partook strongly of a military character. Additional buildings were subsequently erected. About 1815, a two story building, nearly fifty feet long, was put up in the south east corner of the yard. The lower story HISTORY OF GRANBY. 129 was appropriated for cells, and the upper one for a chapel in which divine service was thereafter usually held once on each Sunday. Adjoining this on the west, was another building of about the same length, the lower story of which was occupied for a cooper's shop, hospital and kitchen, and the upper story as a shoe maker's shop. In the northeast corner of the yard was another building used for making wagons. The cells above mentioned being weakly con structed, were not much used. Still later, about 1824, a large edifice of stone and brick was built on the westerly side of the yard, which contained a tread mill, with the usual appurtenances for grinding grain, — a number of strong cells, — apartments for female convicts, — a kitchen, office, &c. This building was erected chiefly by convict labor. The tread mill, however, like all other similar ones, proved a failure — the labor of working it being found too expensive for the state, and quite too cruel for the convicts. In the basement story of the guard-house, and near the entrance to the caverns, was a strongly built apartment about fifteen feet square, called the " jug." This room was used at first for the sick, and occasionally as a lodging room for that class of prisoners who were known to be well dispo sed, and from whom no danger of attempting an escape was apprehended. The other prisoners were lodged in the cav erns, where their beds consisted of two large platforms sup plied with straw and a few blankets. The novice in crime, and the most hardened villain, were thus promiscuously huddled together without any restraint, or immediate over sight by any of the guard during the night season. The number of criminals in confinement after 1800, varied from about forty-five to sixty, until 1821, when the number of offenses, punishable by confinement in Newgate, was considerably increased by legislative enactments. This, with the increase of crime, and the change about this time of the law relating to the punishment of female convicts, by which they were subjected to imprisonment here in the same manner as, for similar offenses, the males were, caused a considerable addition to the number of prisoners. In 12 130 HISTORY OF GRANBY. 1827, when they were removed to the new prison at Weth- ersfield, they amounted to one hundred and twenty-seven. The prison was never able to support itself from the avails of convict labor. The deficiency, which was paid from the state treasury, varied from five thousand to over thirteen thousand dollars per annum. It would average about seven thousand dollars a year, including outlays for new buildings. The state having provided a new prison at Wethersfield, all the prisoners .were removed so as to commence operations there on the first of October 1827. The old prison, with its buildings and some five acres of land, were sold in 1830, to the Phoenix Mining Company, for twelve hundred dollars. This place was greatly resorted to by visitors, and espe cially so during the winter months, when there was sleigh ing.* Many of them descended into the caverns, and all had an opportunity to inspect generally the discipline and the labor-system of the prison. To those unaccustomed to the scene, a visit to the nail-shop presented a view extremely revolting, and to some even terrific. Here might be seen some fifty men, black and white, and so besmeared as to be hardly distinguishable, chained to their blocks, busily engaged in a noisy employment, and closely watched and guarded by a file of men under arms. Add to this, the appearance of the room with its inmates and implements, as viewed by strong lights proceeding- from the various fur naces, and the continual clatter of hammers used in forging nails, — and some idea of the scene, though necessarily an imperfect one, may be imagined. Besides the revolt under Capt. Sackett, which has already been mentioned, and which was so successfully carried out, there have been several escapes, and attempts to break the prison ; a few of which are worthy of notice. Shortly before 1800, a number of prisoners made their escape by opening one of the shafts which had been filled * In a report made by the overseers in 181 0, it is stated that the number of visitors to the prison would average four hundred and fifty monthly. HISTORY OF GRANBY. 131 up and, as was supposed, well secured by stones strongly bolted together. It was a work of great labor, and must have been a long while in progress. In 1802, when the keeper and*nearly all the officers and guard were sick and off duty, the prisoners, at the time of being returned to the caverns, rose upon the small remnant of guard able to be on duty, and attempted to escape. By the prompt action and indomitable courage of Mr. Dan Forward, a private, and who was indued with great mus cular strength, the prisoners were subdued and safely secured under the hatches. It is supposed that this revolt was ill matured, or not generally known, for it did not commence until a large portion of the convicts had descended into the caverns. Had it been well managed, it would, probably, have succeeded, as the guard was too weak to quell a gen eral rebellion on an occasion like this. There was another rebellion in 1806. Nearly all the convicts employed in the nail shop had been supplied with pewter keys, with which to unlock their fastenings, manu factured by some very skillful mechanics then in prison. At a given signal, the convicts were to unlock the chains which confined them to their stations, and make a concerted attack upon the gu^rd. The signal was given — the men released themselves — and two of them commenced the attack by siezing the officer on duty so suddenly as to disable him from using his weapons in defense. A short scuffle ensued, during which one of the guard, not on duty in that shop, ran to the place and shot one of the ring leaders, a negro, dead upon the spot. This event so disheartened the rest that they immediately returned to their places and sued for mercy. In the spring of 1822, nearly all the prisoners, then amounting to over one hundred, concerted a plan to over power the guard and effect their escape. The time selected for the attempt was during the temporary absence of the keeper and three of the guard ;— the foice remaining on duty being fourteen persons. Their plan was to have a general rising in all the shops at a given signal. The sig- 132 HISTORY OF GRANBY. nal was given in the nail shop, when the attack commenced. One of the guard was knocked down and his arms taken from him, and another was seized and mastered. During the scuffle which ensued, a reinforcement arrived upon the ground. Two of the insurgents were shot at and wounded, though not mortally, which terminated the affray. There Was no outbreak in the other shops — probably the signal was not heard. On the night preceding the removal of the prisoners to the new prison in Wethersfield, one of the convicts, by the name of Starkey, was killed in attempting to make his escape. The shaft, used for a well, communicated with one of the caverns about seventy feet below the surface of the earth. The top of this shaft was well, secured by a hatch, which it was intended should be always fastened down in the night season. On this evening, the well was left open, and, as appearances would indicate, by design. Starkey attempted to ascend by climbing the rope used for drawing water. In making the ascent, the rope broke, by which he was precipitated to the bottom, where he was found dead. The convicts, while at this prison, generally enjoyed good health. With but a single exception, which was readily accounted for by local causes, no contagious disease had ever occurred here. The caverns, as a lodging place, were generally deemed conducive to health. Those afflicted with cutaneous diseases were often cured. The temperature was uniform at all seasons of the year, being, as indicated by the thermometer, at about fifty-two degrees/' The inmates of this prison formed a motley group. Amongst thern might be found rogues of high celebrity — the most hardened and reckless — the cunning and adroit — and often mechanics and artizans gifted with ingenuity and skill of a high order. Persons well educated, with a large class of the most illiterate and degraded — negroes and whites — young and old — were all to be found here as com mon associates, and generally as bed-fellows. Some of the prisoners obtained a high reputation for their HISTORY OF GRANBY. 133 roguery. One, by the name of Newman, published an ac count of his long career in crime and prison-breaking which, if true, would entitle him to the highest rank among vil lains. He was, at times, quite successful in playing off his deceptions. While in this prison, before his pranks were discovered, he avoided labor by feigning sickness. He could at any time raise blood, which his attendants supposed pro ceeded from his lungs. By feigning other symptoms of a pulmonary decline, he had strongly enlisted the sympathy of the guard, and was exempted from labor. His object was to avert the vigilance of his keepers, and thereby effect his escape. Being foiled in this, he proceeded still further and feigned fits. He contrived to manage these tricks so well, that it was some time before the deception was dis covered. Succeeding in none of his deceptious practices, he was, after all his trouble, compelled to serve out the term of his imprisonment. In another prison, by counter feiting death, he came very near effecting his escape ; — at least it is so stated in his memoir. Another convict, by name Parker, after his release from prison, had extraordinary success in deceiving the weak- minded, by assuming the name and identity of persons who, by long absence from their friends, were supposed to be dead. He passed, for some time, as the long lost son of an aged pair; and, at another time, imposed himself upon a woman as her husband, who had been absent many years. He also at times pretended to be a clergyman, and had some success in this branch of his deceptive career. A prisoner by the name of Corson, after his discharge, in 1826, published an account of his exploits, from which, it would appear, that his character for villainy was well earned, and correctly bestowed, — and that the safety of the public required a permanent abode for him in some strong prison. But, one of the most desperate and dangerous of the gang was a convict of the name of Sloan, who, in 1821, was sen tenced for a long term of years for passing counterfeit money, a large amount of which was also fom.d in his possessio 1. While in Hartford jail, before his commitment to Newgate, 12* 134 HISTORY OF GRANBY. he nearly effected his escape by a bold and daring plot. Indued with extraordinary muscular power — and being reckless and courageous, yet' cool and circumspect — he became one of the most dangerous and troublesome prison ers at Newgate. He was the. leader in all insurrections, and was kept in subjection only by loading him heavily with irons. In attempting to make his escape, he struck down one of the guard, injuring him severely, for which outrage he was subjected to an additional term of imprisonment. The annals of Newgate furnish many incidents of an interesting character. Some of them, depending on tradi tion, are so intermixed with fiction as to become nearly val ueless, and will soon pass into oblivion. A larger portion, resting on better authority, remain, and furnish a mass of information worthy of preservation. As a place for criminals, this prison never fully answered the purposes intended by the government. The guilty were indeed punished — but rarely ever reformed. The free intercourse among all classes of offenders, allowed during the night season, was well calculated to make all adepts in roguery, and better fitted than ever for a new career in Crime, when, at the termination of imprisonment, they should again mix with the world. No system, aiming at the reformation of an offender,, could be worse than this. Under such a schooling, reformation could hardly be expected ; — it cer tainly was never realized to any considerable extent. Few, if any, left the prison better men, or'more favorably dispo sed to regard the rights of society, or obey its laws. As a general rule, the convicts left the prison more hardened, and more disposed than ever to engage in new criminal enterprises, and with a better knowledge of the manner both of committing offenses, and evading detection. The state having erected a new prison at Wethersfield, which was completed in September 1827, all the prisoners remaining were removed from Newgate to this prison on the 30th of that month ; — a few of them having previously been taken out to work on the new prison. The persons appointed overseers of the prison, from its HISTORY OF GRANBY. 135 first establishment, were, — Erastus Wolcott, Josiah Bissell, Jonathan Humphry, Asahel Holcomb, James Forward, Matthew Griswold, Roger Newbury, John Treadwell, Pliny Hillyer, Samuel Woodruff, Martin Sheldon, Reuben Barker, Jonathan Pettibone Jr. and Thomas ,K. Brace. Keepers: — John Viets* Peter Curtiss, Major Reuben Humphreys, Col. Thomas Sheldon, Salmon Clark, Charles Washburn, Elam Tuller, Alexander H. Griswold and Andrew Denison. * Mr. Viets, who was appointed by the General Assembly, resigned in 1776. From this time, until 17S2, the office was held by a number of per sons, — the keeper being the chief officer of the guard for the time being. Under the new act of 1790, the keepers were appointed by the overseers. Mr. Curtiss was the first one appointed after this time. CHAPTER XI. CANTON. Settlement. Civil and Ecclesiastical History. 1737—1845. The western part of Simsbury, now incorporated into a distinct township by the name of Canton, was formerly called West Simsbury, and was settled by one or two fam ilies as early as 1737, and within a few years thereafter by more than twenty other families, all of which, with two exceptions, emigrated from the old town. They located themselves in the valley bordering on Cherry's brook, — on the hill, or mountain, easterly of this valley, — and at Suf frage. It is supposed that the ecclesiastical quarrel which, at this period, raged with so much acrimony in the old par ish, as before narrated, had some, if not a preponderating influence in promoting the growth of this settlement at its commencement. At this time, the large tracts of land lying hetween Weatauge and Hop meadow, on the east, and West Simsbury were, with few exceptions, uninhabited and unimproved. The following historical sketches of the first settlers, and of their respective families, have been obligingly furnished by Ephraim Mills Esq. of Canton ; to whom the author is also indebted for other statistical information embraced in this history of that town. " Richard Case, removed from the old parish to West Sims bury in 1737, and is supposed to have been the first setler, and to have erected the first dwelling house in this portion of the town. His son, Sylvanus, has ever been reputed to be the first English child born within the limits of West Simsbury. He had twelve children, ten sons and two daughters. He resided on the East Hill — the building site is still to be seen opposite the house after- HISTORY OF CANTON. 137 wards erected by him, and which is still standing, and is supposed to be the oldest building in Canton, having been erected in 1747. His descendants are numerous in Canton, Granby and Bark- hamsted. There were four brothers of the Barber family, who removed from the old parish in 1738, (viz.) Samuel, Thomat. Jonathan and John — all of whom purchased and settled on land contiguous to each other, within the limits of the Center school district of Canton. Dr. Samuel Barber had fourteen children, eleven sons and three daughters, a 1 of whom lived to adult years. He resided on the premises now occupied by his grandson Volney G. Barber, and died January, 1797, aged eighty-three. There are some of his descendants residing in Canton. Serjeant Thomas Barber had ten children, five sons and five daughters, all of whom lived to adult years, and nine of them left children. He died in 1792. He resided in the house lately occu pied by Hosea Case, deceased. Some of his descendants still reside in Canton. Jonathan Barber had three children, two sons and one daugh ter : he died in early life, 1745, at the siege and capture of Louis- burg. He resided on land now owned by Gardner Mills, a little south of the house of George L. Barber. His descendants have become extinct in Canton. John Barber had six children, five sons and one daughter. He died 1797, aged seventy-seven years. His son Reuben died 1825, and was the first person interred in the new center burying ground. He resided in the house now occupied by Treat Lambert. Deacon Abraham Case had seven children, two sons and five daughters. He removed from the old parish to West Simsbury about 1740, and died in 1800. He resided on the East Hill, on the premises lately owned by his grandson, Lyman Case, deceased. But few of his descendants reside in Canton. He was upwards of eighty years of age. Amos Case, brother of Abraham, had nine children, five sons and four daughters, all of whom lived to adult years. He died, 1798, aged eighty-six years. He resided on the East Hill, in the house now occupied by the heirs of Abel Case Jun. He emigra ted from the old parish to West Simsbury about the year 1740. Benjamin Dyer, a schoolmate of Dr. Franklin, removed from the city of Boston to West Simsbury about the year 1741. He had seven children, five sons and two daughters. He resided in the house now occupied by Luther Higley Esq. in the south part of Canton. Several of his descendants still reside in Canton. 138 HISTORY OF CANTON. Samuel Humphry removed from the old society to West Sims bury, about the year 1741. He had six children, three sons and three daughters, who lived to adult years, and who were married and left children. He resided in Suffrage, East school district, near the house of Oliver Humphry Esq- Joseph Mills, at the age of thirty, married Hannah Adams, aged fifteen years, and emigrated from Meadow plain in Simsbury, to West Simsbury, in 1742 or 43. He had fourteen children, ten sons and four daughters — all of whom he lived to see connected in life, and have children. He died April 1783, aged eighty-nine. He resided on the premises now occupied by the Rev. Jairus Burt. His descendants are numerous ; a considerable number reside in Canton. The ancestors of the Mills family emigrated from York shire, England, in the early settlement of this country. Ezra Willcox removed about the year 1740 from the old society to West Simsbury. He had nine children, five sons and four daughters. He resided«on the west side of the river, opposite the mouth of Cherry's brook. Dudley Case was a native of the old parish, and brother of Daniel, Zacheus, and Ezekiel. He settled in West Simsbury in 1742, and resided in the building now occupied as a public house by Abram Hosford. He had seven children, six of whom left children. He died in 1792. Oliver Humphrey Esq. the first magistrate in West Simsbury, was a native of the old parish, and settled in West Simsbury about 1742. He had eleven children who lived to adult years, eight of whom had children. He resided in the house lately occupied by William Stone Esq. and died 1792. His widow died 1821, aged ninety-eight years. Nathaniel Alpord was from the old parish, and settled in West Simsbury 1742. He had six children, one son and five daughters, all of whom connected in life, and left children. He resided on the East Hill, on land now owned by Titus Case, and known by the name of the missionary lot. Time of his decease not known. Lieut. David Adams removed to West Simsbury from the old parish, about the, year 1743 ; had nine children, four sons and five daughters, two of whom died in youth, and seven formed connec tions in life and left children. He resided in the second house now standing north of the north burying ground, west side of the high way. He died 1801, age not particularly known, but must have been upwards of eighty. Serjeant Daniel Case removed from the old parish to West Simsbury, 1743 ; — had nine children, four sons and five daughters, six of whom had children. He resided on the site where the dwelling house of Calvin Case now stands, near the center church in Canton. He erected the first grist mill in West Simsbury, and HISTORY OF CANTON. 139 died 1801, aged eighty-one years — his widow died 1807, aged eighty-two. Capt. Ezekiel Humphry removed from the old parish to West Simsbury about the year 1744 ; — had ten children, five sons and five daughters, who formed connections, and nine left children. He resided on the place where the dwelling house of Dr. Kasson now stands, on what is commonly called the parsonage lot, Suf frage school district. He died 1795, supposed to be eighty or upwards. Capt. Josiah Case removed from Terry's plain, Simsbury, to West Simsbury, about the year 1743. He had six children, two sons and four daughters. He resided on the premises now occupied by his grandson, Gen. Jarvis Case. He died 1789, age not known. His wife died 1S07, aged eighty-eight. He had five children who left descendants. • Isaac Messenger removed from Simsbury, or within the limits of the present town of Granby, to West Simsbury, about 1743 or 1744. He had thirteen children, ten sons and three daughters, all of whom formed connections and left children. He resided in the north part of the Center school district, on land now occupied by his grandson, Newell Messenger. He died 1801, aged eighty- two years. Ensign Isaac Tuller removed from the old parish, Simsbury, to West Simsbury, 1744 or 5. Hehad eleven children, three sons and eight daughters ; ten of whom connected in life and had chil dren. He resided on the premises lately occupied by his son, Rufus, one mile south of the center church. He died in 1806, aged eighty-six. He was the third son of Sarah Woodford, who deceased, 1797, aged one hundred years. Capt. Zacheus Case removed from the old parish to West Simsbury about the year 1749 ; — had seven children, one son and six daughters, all of whom married and had children. He remo ved to Whitestown, State of New York, 1792, and died 1812. He resided in the house now occupied by Ephraim Mills. Deacon Hosea Case was a native of Simsbury, and removed to West Simsbury 1752. He had eleven children, four sons and seven daughters, nine of whom had children. He resided on the hill, halfa mile east of Isaac Tuller's. He died 1793. Several of his descendants reside in Canton. Capt. John Foot removed from Duncaster, Simsbury, 1753, to West Simsbury. He had six children, two sons and four daugh ters, all of whom had children. He resided at the intersection of the roads, two miles north of the center church. He died 1812, aged eighty-two years. 140 HISTORY OF CANTON. Capt. John Brown removed from Windsor to West Simsbury, 1756. He had eleven children, four sons and seven daughters, all of whom were connected in life and had children. He died in early life, 1776, at New York, in the revolutionary service. He was of the fourth generation in direct descent from Peter Brown, one of the pilgrim fathers, who landed at Plymouth from the May flower, December 22d, 1620. His widow died 1831, aged ninety- two years. He resided in the house now occupied by his son, Abie! Brown Esq. in the center school district. Solomon Humphry, brother of Oliver Humphry Esq. was a native of the old parish, and removed to West Simsbury, about 1755. He had five children, three sons and two daughters, four of whom had children. He resided east of the mountain, border ing on the old parish. These twenty-five families had two hundred and eighteen chil dren one hundred and fifteen males and one hundred and three females ; averaging nearly nine to a family. The number in each family who settled in life, and had children, averaged nearly eight persons ; — thus showing our ancestors to have been more prolific than the people of the present day. Joseph Mills, Richard Case, Samuel Barber, and Isaac Messenger, who resided not a great distance from each other, had forty sons ; thirty-nine of whom lived to manhood- The first person buried in the old south burying ground, was Tryphene Barber, wife of Samuel Barber. Her monument bears date 1752, being the oldest monumental stone in Canton. Pre vious to this time, it is supposed the dead were carried to the old parish for interment. Francis Bacon, aged eighty-four years, is believed to be the-old- est person now residing in Canton. Several years previous to the settlement of West Simsbury, the inhabitants of the old parish were in the habit of coming out to cultivate corn, on a rich alluvial bottom, (since swept away by floods,) called the Hopyard, situated on the river at the mouth of Cherry's brook. They built a shelter in the side hill, near the place now occupied as the old south burying ground ; some of the stones of the chimney still remain. While hoeing corn, they were accompanied by their boys with guns at their sides, as a protection against the assaults of Indians." It is to be regretted that the ages of all these patriarchs could not have been given. Enough, however, has been furnished, in respect to longevity, to show that the people of the present age do not, as a general rule, reach that period of existence enjoyed by their ancestors. Another remarkable fact disclosed by these sketches is HISTORY OF CANTON. 141 that nearly all of these first settlers had large families — two of them, fourteen children each, and eight of the others, ten or more each. But the most striking fact is, that so large a proportion of the children should have lived to become heads of families and themselves parents — averaging, as before stated, nearly eight persons to each original family ! These results, so far as I am acquainted, are unparalleled, (at least out of Ireland,) in the history of population. And they readily account for the extraordinary fact that so small a section of the town should, within the short space of thir teen years, become populous enough to authorise the estab lishment of a new ecclesiastical society. About the year 1741, the people, of West Simsbury began to hold religious meetings on the Sabbath, separate from the old parish, in private houses. From 1747, to 1749, or 50, two preachers, Rev. Adpnijah Bid well, and Rev. Timothy Pitkin, were employed to preach, each for a short time. This section of the town was constituted a distinct parish by act of Assembly, May, 1750,* The Congregational church was organized, it is supposed, about ihe same time. The same year, 1750, Rev. Eyander Morrison, who was from Scotland, and had been ordained in his native country as an evangelist, was -installed first pastor of the church. For some cause Mr. Morrison was dismissed from his people, about eleven months after his installation. The next pastor was Rev. Gideon Mills, who had been previously settled in the old parish. He was installed 1759, and continued pas tor of the church thirteen years. The third pastor was Rev. Seth Sage, installed 1774, and dismissed 1778. Rev. Jer emiah Hallock was the fourth pastor of the church. He was ordained Oct. 26, 1785, and continued pastor till his * The society was bounded, " east on the eastermost ledge of the west mountain," — south on Farmington, — west on New Hartford, the line " to run northerly on the line dividing between the towns of Simsbury and New Hartford seven miles," and thence " east, south-east to the aforesaid east ledge of the west mountain." In May 1762,' the inhabitants living "at the east tier of lots on the east side of the river in the town of New Hartford, and adjoining Simsbury," were annexed to this society. 13 / f 142 HISTORY OF CANTON. death, in June 1826, a period of about forty-one years. Rev. Jairus Burt, the present pastor, was ordained Decem ber 20, 1826.* The first meeting-house was built in 1763, and was occur pied by the society fifty-one years — having been taken down in 1814. It stood in the valley of Cherry's brook, and near the center of the society. A new house, erected upon the same spot, was dedicated January 5, 1815. An interesting sermon, preached on the occasion, by the Rev. Mr. Hallock, is in print. The build ing which is fifty-six by forty-eight feet, surmounted with a steeple, is neat in appearance, and well constructed. It is of that class which tends so much to adorn and beautify our New England villages. A meeting-house was built in the north part of the town about sixty years ago, by an independent association, or society, who applied to the General Assembly for parish privileges. But the society was never incorporated, nor was it ever recognized bylaw as a legally constituted body. During many years, the Rev. Mr. Sage, who had been dis missed from the pastoral charge of the other society, officia ted as the pastor. After his death, religious services ceased pretty much, and within about three years past the house itself has been taken down. In 1783, a number of persons in the south part of West Simsbury, seceded from the Congregational society, and formed a church under the name of Separatists ; — of which church the Rev. James Bacon was the next year ordained pastor, and remained as such about two years. In 1785, a schism took place in the church and society, which resulted in the secession of about one half of the congregation, who embraced the tenets of the Baptist denomination. But it does not appear that they had regular meetings, or stated preaching among them until 1802, when elder Jared Mills commenced preaching, and was ordained in 1808. * Communicated by Rev. Mr. Burt. HISTORY OF CANTON. 143 The Baptist meeting-house was first erected in 1807, on the green, in the village of Suffrage ;— in 1838, it was remo ved to its present site, when it was enlarged and otherwise improved, so as to make it a pleasant and commodious house for worship. The Rev. Jared Mills resigned his pastoral charge in 1817, and was succeeded by Revj»Pierpont Brockett, who was ordained in 1819. In 1824, Rev. Stephen S. Nelson was ordained, and was succeeded by Rev. Isaac Kimball in 1825. The present incumbent, Rev. George B. Atwell, was ordained in 1837. A meeting-house for a new Congregational society was erected at Collinsville in 1836. It is a handsome, well con structed edifice and beautifully situated near the center of the village. The church was formed, and the society legally constituted, in 1830. Rev. Horatio N. Brinsinade, and Rev. C. C. Vanarsdalen, officiated as preachers for several years, but neither of them was ordained over the parish. In 1839, Rev. Frederick A. Barton was ordained here as an evangel ist, and continued as officiating minister until 1843. The present clergyman, Rev. Charles McLean, was ordained in 1843. The flourishing village of Collinsville is situated on both sides of the Farmington river, in the southwest part of the town. It owes its " rise and progress" to an establish ment for the manufacture of axes, commenced here upon a large scale in 1826, by Messrs. Samuel W. Collins, and David C. Collins, who have had charge of the business ever since. Nature and art combine to give the place an exten sive water power, which is so improved that the manufac ture of the article is carried on here to a greater extent than at any other establishment in the United States, or, as is believed, in the world. The present company was incorporated in 1834, by the name of " The Collins Manufacturing Company," with a capital of three hundred thousand dollars, " for the purpose of manufacturing edge tools in the most advantageous man ner." About one hundred and seventy-five workmen are 144 HISTORY OF CANTON. at present employed, who manufacture daily from eight to ten hundred axes, all finished in the most perfect style of workmanship. The perfection of the machinery, aided by the important inventions for the saving of labor which have been made here, — the rapidity with which the article is manufactured, the perfection of its workmanship, and the magnitude of the operations, are such as to place this estab lishment high in the rank of manufactories, and far beyond the reach of ordinary competition. At first, some " edge tools," other than axes were made, but for many years past the company have confined their business to the manufac ture of axes of all kinds, including hatchets, though the common woodman's ax is the one which is chiefly made. The village, in addition to the church already mentioned, contains two school houses, built at the expense of the com pany ; a commodious hall and building where the business affairs of the company are transacted ; one public house ; three stores ; a post office; public market ; twenty dwelling houses ; and forty-five double tenements for the accommo dation of the workmen ; — the whole tastefully built, and so arranged as to make a conspicuous and beautiful appear ance. A bridge, crossing the river at this place, connects the two sections of the village. Canton was incorporated by the General Assembly at the May session 1806. The limits of the town were fixed by the same lines as those that bounded the society of West Simsbury. Within a few years past however, a small sec tion forming that part of Collinsville which lies on the west ern side of the river, was taken from Burlington and annexed to Canton. The dimensions of the town are about eight miles from north to south, and about four miles from east to west. The surface of the ground in general is hilly, and in some places mountainous, but in a considerable portion of the town, especially in the southern part, and along the valley of Cherry's brook, there are lands of a good quality. The general appearance of the town indicates that industry, thrift and comfort prevail among its inhabitants. HISTORY OF CANTON. 145 The first town clerk was James Humphrey Esq. appointed in 1806, who held the office until his death in 1829. In 1838, the building in which the records were kept, was con sumed by fire, and with it all the records of the town. The town which previously had belonged to the Probate district of Simsbury was, in 1841, constituted a district by itself. There are in the town eleven school districts ; and in each of the villages of North Canton, Canton Center, Suffrage, and Collinsville, there is a select school in which the higher branches of education are taught during the winter season. In each of these villages there is also a post-office. The number of inhabitants in 1810 was 1,374; — 1820, 1,322;— 1830, 1,437 ; and in 1840, 1,736. For lists of Judges of Probate, Representatives, Justices of the Peace, and Town Clerks, see Appendix, F. G. H. and I. 13* APPENDIX". Appendix A. INDIAN DEEDS. " These present writing shows that we Paeatoco and Pamotacount and Youngcowet, Indians and owners of Massaco, Friends to him that burnt John Griffin's picth and tarre — We doe hereby declare our unability to make satis faction for the said losses any way but by the giving up our right in the land at Massaco unto the said John Griffin; and in regard the said' offender being resigned and delivered up now to us, and fully acquitted for all his miscar- riagto the said John Griffin. Wee the aforesaid Indians do hereby promise to come, at any time or times to Coart or Coarts to passe over all our rights in all our lands at Massaco, only the named Indians do reserve two acres of land and will themselves fence it in, and maintaine it; — And what writing John Griffin shall cause to be made, all we the aforesaid Indians do promiss to confirm it by our hand and sealls freely set thereto, as we have come to this present writting, this 28th June 1648. Witness hereunto. The sign of Pacatoco,* John Moses, The sign of Pamatacount, George Abbet. The sign of Youngcoout." "This is totestifyeth that I, John Griffin, this present December 23, '61, do fully and freely resign over this deede within specified unto the committee appoynted for to dispose the lands at Massaco for the use and benefit of ye plantation of Windsor, as witness my hand the day and yeare above written, John Griffin." Teste, Daniel Clark, Walter Ffyler, Josias Hull. "November 3, 1674. The towne of Simsbury having appoynted a com mittee to receive their north bounds of their town of Youngcowit, t the said Committee grants to said Youngcowit liberty, and Wesunket, Allehowe, Mathegg, Aramamett, and too more pf their Relations, to hunt for Venison within these Lymitts during their life time, which was don upon the request of the said Youngcowit. Witness out hands. John Griffin, Peter Buell, Samuel Wilcoxson.'" " On the same day the Indian went out with John Griffin to designate the north bounds of the town, which was at a pine tree at the northern end of a pond called Mallakakess" — presumed to be Southwick pond. * Thr se signs or marks are omitted, there being no type to represent them. t Younket. 148 APPENDIX. Indian Deed. — Simsbury, 1680. " Whereas, our predecessor Mannahanoose did for a long time since devise and wittingly kindle a fire that consumed the estate of Sergeant John Griffin, and made over all his right and interest of land at Massacoe unto the said John Griffin for due recompence of the damage done ; — and whereas our pred ecessors Younket and Pamotaquant by a deed of sale made over and sold another parcel of land adjoining to the aforesaid Massacoe and being within the bounds of the township of Massacoe, alias Simsbury, which they our predecessors made sale of to some of the inhabitants of Massacoe, alias Sims bury ; — and whereas we Nessehegen, Seacelt and Totoe, Gentlemen, with Aups, Manconump, Nenepaush Squa, Wishewonoes wife and Mamantoes Squa, had common right of those the aforesaid lands so sold and disposed by our predecessors and also having right to some lands taken into and being sit uate within the boundaries stated by the General Court of Connecticut as be longing to the township of Massacoe, alias Simsbury, for avoiding all differ ences that may hereafter arise or happen to be between us the aforesaid Nesehegan, Seakot, Totoe, Aupes, Manconump, Nenapaush Squa, Wishowo- noes wife, and Mamantoes Squa, and our heirs, and the inhabitants or propri etors of Massacoe, alias Simsbury, and their heirs or assigns, have granted and made this Indenture, this twenty-sixth of March, in the year one thou sand six hundred and eighty, between Neschegen, Seakett and Totoe, Gentle men, with Aupes, Manconumpe, Nenepaush Squa, Washewonoes Squa, and Mamontoes Squa, and Major John Talcott, Captain Benjamin Newberry, Captain Daniel Clarke, Sergeant John Griffin, all proprietors within the township of Massacoe alias Simsbury, within the Colony of Connecticut in New England ; — witnesseth ; That we Nesehegan, Seaket, Totoe, Aupes, Manconump, Nenepaush Squa, Washowonoes Squa, and Mamantoes Squa, being the only rightful owners, successors, and surviving heirs that can make any challenge, claim or demand upon, or of propriety in that tract of land which is circumscribed by boundaries hereafter mentioned being and belonging to the township of Massacoe, alias Simsbury, having a common right in that so disposed and aliened by our predecessor Manahonpose Younket and Pamotaquaunt, and for many other good considerations and causes hereunto us moving, and for a val uable sum paid to us in hand in full satisfaction for all our right in the before mentioned tract, or parcel of land lying, being within the township of Massa coe, alias Simsbury, the receipt whereof we do acknowledge, and do by these presents freely, fully, clearly, and absolutely give, grant, bargain, sell, enfeoff, and confirm unto Maj. John Talcott, Capt. Benjamin Newberry, Capt. Daniel Clarke, and Serg. John Griffin, in the behalf of the inhabitants and proprietors of the land belonging to the township of Massacoe, alias Simsbury, and their heirs and assigns for ever, all that tract of land lying and being situate on Farmington bounds southward, and from thence to run ten large miles north erly, and from the bounds of Windsor town on the east, to run ten large miles westward, the tract or parcel of land being ten miles square large. To have and to hold possess and enjoy all the aforesaid tract or parcel of land, as it is now bounded, with all the immunities, privileges, meadows, pas tures, commonage, timber, trees, wood, underwood, stones, quarries, mines, minerals, brooks, ponds, rivers, fishings, profits, commodities, emoluments and appurtenances whatsoever is belonging thereunto, unto Maj. JohnTalcott, Capt, Benjamin Newberry, Capt, Daniel Clarke and Serg. John Griffin in the behalf of themselves, and in the behalf of the inhabitants and proprietors of the land belonging to the township of Massacoe alias Simsbury, to them their heirs and assigns, for their own and only proper use, benefit and behoof for ever. And we Nesehegen, Seaket, Totoe, Aupes, Manconump, Nenapaush Squa, Wishowonoes Squa and Mamantoes Squa do assure and warrant the said Maj. John Talcott, Capt. Benjamin Newberry, Capt. Daniel Clarke, Serg. John Griffin and the rest of the proprietors (of Massacoe, alias Simsbury, that we have full power, good right and lawful authority to grant bargain and sell the aforesaid tract of land with all the appurtenances and singular the privileges thereunto belonging : And we the said Nesahegan, Seaket, Totoe, APPENDIX. 149 Aupes, Manconump, Nenepaush Squa, Wishowonoes Squa, and Mamantoes Squa give them the said Maj. John Talcott, Capt. Benjamin Newberry, Capt. Daniel Clarke and Serg, John Griffin, and the rest of the inhabitants and pro prietors of the township of Massacoe, alias Simsbury, full power and authority to record the premises to themselves, to their heirs and assigns for ever. And we Nesahegan, Seaket, Totoe, Aupes, Manconumpe, Nenepaush Squa, Wishowonoes Squa and Mamantoes Squa do promise, covenant to and with the said Major John Talcott, Capt. Benjamin Newberry, Capt. Daniel Clarke and Serg. John Griffin and the rest of the inhabitants and proprietors of Mas sacoe, alias Simsbury, them, their heirs and assigns, shall and may by force and virtue of these presents from time t,o time, and at all times hereafter and forever lawfully and peacibly and quietly have, hold, use, occupy, possess, and enjoy the aforesaid tract and parcel of land with all its rights, membfrs immunities privileges and appurtenances, and have, receive and take the rents, issues, emoluments and profits thereof to their own and only proper use and behoof forever, without any lawful let, suit, trouble, molestation or disturb ance whatsoever from us or any of us the said Nesehegan, Seaket, Totoe, Aupes, Manconump, Nenepash Squa, Weshewonoes Squa and Mamantoes Squa, our heirs, successors or assigns, or any person or persons whatsoever, from, by or under us our successors or assigns, or by our or their act, means, consent, privity or procurement: — And we Nesehegan, Seaket, Totoe, Aupes, Manconump, Nenepaush Squaw, Wishowonoes' Squaw, and Mamantoes Squaw, both tor ourselves, heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, shall and do clear, and clearly acquit, exhonerate and discharge, or otherwise suf ficiently save harmless the said Maj. John Talcott, Capt. Benjamin Newberry, Capt. Daniel Clarke, Serg. John Griffin, and the rest of the inhabitants and proprietors of Massacoe, alias Simsbury, their associates, themselves, their heirs, executors, administrators and assigns forever from all former and other grants, gifts, bargains, titles, troubles, demands and incumbrancies whatso ever, had, made, committed, suffered or done, by us the aforesaid Nesehegan, Seaket, Totoe, Aupes, Manconump, Nenepaush Squaw, Wishowonoes Squaw, upon the premises. And in witness whereof, we have hereunto, signed, sealed, and made delivery of the premises aforesaid in the year 1680 March 26, in the presence of these witnesses. Further it is agreed and determined that wher'eas Mamanto hath a parcel of land containing by estimation about two acres lying and being situate in Weatauge that he the said Mamanto hath not sold his right in that said land, but shall hold the same to himself, and his heirs and assigns forever, notwith standing any thing in this deed contained to the contrary : — And it is further always provided that the aforesaid Indians named in this deed of sale, them selves and their heirs shall have liberty, and may without molestation from time to time, and at all times hereafter have free liberty to hunt, fowl and fish within the bounds of Simsbury alias Massaco notwithstanding any thing in this deed to the contrary, — and hereunto have subscribed and set their hands or marks the day and year abovesaid. Nesehegan, his mark* and seal Seaket, his mark and seal Totoe, his mark and seal Aups, his mark and seal Nenepaush, Squa, her mark and seal Wishewonoe, Squa, her mark and seal Mamantoes, her mark and seal Manconump, his mark andjseal Witnesses to the signing, sealing " and delivery of the premises conveyed in this deed — John Strickland, Interpreter John Andrews, Joseph Andrews Wannoe, his mark Wyamp, his mark Vecokhepajen his mark Wehassatuck, his mark Cupheag his mark J Waquaheag, alias Cherry, gave his full and free consent to this before mentioned deed in all and singular the premises thereof, ratify- * These Indian marks cannot be printed. 150 APPENDIX. ing the same, both for himself, heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, as witness his mark and seal. Waquaheag, alias Cherry his mark and seal Nesehegan, Seaket, Totoe, Aups, Nenepaush Squaw, Weshawonoes Squaw, Mamantoes Squaw and Manconump personally appeared and acknowledged the beforesaid instrument and deed of sale to be their act and deed this twenty and seventh of March one thousand six hundred and eighty — as attest, John Talcott Assis't of his Majesty's Colony in Connecticut." Recorded in Book I. State Record of Deeds &c page 105, Per John Allyn, Secretary. Appendix B. •SIMSBURY PATENT. "Whereas, the General Court of Conecticutt have formerly granted unto the proprietors, Inhabitants of Simsbury, all those lands, both medows and uplands within these abutments ; upon Farmington bounds on the southland to run east and west ten miles, and from the south bounds North, ten miles, and abutts on the wilderness on the north, and on the wilderness on thewest, and on Windsor Bounds on the east ; The whole tract being Ten miles square, the said lands and premises having ben by purchase or otherwise laufully obteyned of Indian Native proprietors, oy the proprietors, inhabitants of Sims bury aforesaid. And whereas, the Inhabitants of Simsbury, in the Colony of Conecticutt assembled in Court, the 14 of May 1685. And that they may have a patent for^confirmation of the aforesaid lands to them so purchased and granted to them as aforesaid, and which they have stood seized and quietly posessed of for some years past without interruption. Now, for a more full confirmation of the aforesaid Tract of land, as it is butted and bounded afore said, unto the present proprietors of the said township of Simsbury : Know ye, that the said Govenor and company, assembled in General court according to the commission, and by vertue of the power granted to them by our late sovereign lord, king Charles the second, of blessed memorie, in his late patent bearing date the three and twentyth day of April, in the 14th year of his said Majesty'sReign, have given and granted, and bythese presents do give, grant and ratify, andconfirme unto Major John Tallcot, Capt. Benjamin Newbery, ensign John Terry, Mr. John Case, Mr. Joshua Holcomb, Mr. Samuel Wil cox, Mr John Higley, 'Mr. Thomas Earber, and the rest of the present pro prietors of the township of Simsbury, and their heires and assignes for ever, and to each of them in such proportion, as they have already agreed upon for the division of the same, all that afibresaid Tract or parcels of land as it is butted and bounded, together with the woods, uplands, arable lands, mead ows, pastures, ponds, waters, rivers, Islands, fishings, Huntings, fowlings, minds, minerals, quarries and precious stones, upon or within the said tract of land, with all other proffits and comodities thereunto belonging, or in any wise appertaining ; and do also grant unto the aforesaid named, Major John Tallcot, Capt. Benjamin Newbury, Ensign John Terry, Mr. John Case, Mr. John Higley, Mr. Joshua Holcombe, Mr. Samuel Wilcox, Mr. Thomas Bar ber, and the Test of the present proprietors, Inhabitants of Simsbury, their heires and assignes forever, that the aforesaid Tract of land shall be forever hereafter deemed reputed, and be an entire Township of itself. To have and to hold the said tract of land and premises, all and singular their appurte nances together with the privileges, imunities, franchises herein given and APPENDIX. 151 granted, to the said Major John Tallcot, Capt. Benjamen Newbery, Ensign John Terry, Mr. John Higley, Mr. John Case, Mr. Joshua Holcombe, Mr. Samuel Wilcox, Mr. Thomas Barber and the other present proprietors, inhab itants of Simsbury, their heires and assignes forever, and to the only proper Use and behoofe of the said major John Tallcot, Capt. Benjamin Newbery, ensign John Terry, Mr. John Higley, Mr. John Case, Mr. Joshua Holcombe, Mr Samuel Wilcox, Mr Thomas Barber and other the present proprietors, inhabitants of Simsbury, their heires and assignes forever, according to the tenure of his Majesty's manor of East Greenwich in the county of Kent, in the kingdom of England, in free and comon soccage, and not in cappitte, nor by Knight service, they yielding or paying therefor to our soveraigne lord the king, his heires and successors only, the fifth part of all the oure of gold and silver, which from time to time, and at all times hereafter, shall be there got ten, had or obtained, in lieu of all rent services, duties and demands whatso ever, according to Charter. In witnesse whereof, we have caused the seal of the colony to be hereunto affixed this eleventh day of March, one thousand six hundred eighty-five, six, and in the second year of the reigne of our souveraigne lord James the Second, by the Grace of God, of England, Ire land, france and Scotland, king, defender of the faith &c. Robert Treat, Governor. Per order of the General court of Connecticut, signed per John Allyn, Secretary." This Patent was confirmed by act of the General Court in 1703. Four of the Patentees belonging to Simsbury, John Case, Thomas Barber, Samuel Wilcox and John Higley, were living, and executed a deed in 1700. Appendix C. AMOUNT OF LISTS,— SIMSBURY. JVbne appear on the State Records until 1689 — before this time it is suppo sed, the Colony taxes had been remitted. No. of Persons. Amount of Estates. No. of Persons. Amount of Estates. 1689 70 £3606 1704 93 £3282 1690 59 3220 1705 76 3776 1691 66 3348 1706 73 3744 1692 no list returned. 1707 SO 3940 1693 78 3494 1708 74 3910 1694 72 3661 1709 85 4093 1695 56 2621 1710 4191 1696 70 2975 1720 6379 1697 70 3160 1730 9099 1698 76 3032 1740 13888 1699 90 3243 1750 19466 1700 83 2984 1760 22976 1701 67 3087 1770 28700 1702 70 3174 1780 37239 1703 92 34S6 After 1709, the number of taxable persons are not recorded on the State Records. 152 APPENDIX. Appendix D. TOWN RATES— 1694. List of persons against whom taxes were laid. John Case, Sen. Ens. Barber, John Petibone, Sen. John Moses, Daniel Adams, Samuel Humphrey, John Case, Jun. Josiah Owen, Sergt. Wilcoxson, Thomas Griffin, Luke Hill, Jun. Richard Seger, John Saxton, Jonas Westover, Jacob Bissell, Samuel Bissell, Sen. Robert Hoskins, Luke Hill, Sen. Nathaniel Holcomb, Humphry Prior, Peter Buell, Widow Drake's Estate, Joseph Strickland, John Slater, Sen. John Roberts, Samuel Case, Richard Case, Ephrain Griffin, J. Gillett, Samuel Wilcoxson, Jun, Joseph Skinner, Lt. Higley, Ebenezer Parsons, Thomas Bacon, Robert Weston, Wm. Case, John Williams, Widow Holcomb, John Griffin, Stephen Terry, Thomas Holcomb, Andrew Hillyer, John Pettibone, Jun. John Mills, John Clark, John Tuller, Sergt. John Humphrey, Elias Gillett, ,,, James Mills, Joseph Kelsey, Joseph Phelps, Eleazer Hill, Stephen Pettibone, John Adams, Samuel Adams, Sergt. Hillyer, Mr. John Moore, Thomas Griswold, , Nathaniel Gillett, John Hayden, John Matson, Samuel Barber, John Slater, Jun. — 63 The largest taxes are against John Higley, and Ens. Barber. sons on the list were non-residents. A few per- MINISTER'S RATES— 1696. Daniel Adams, Samuel Adams, Matthew Allenj Samuel Allen, Ens. Barber, Sergt. Buell, Samuel Bissell, Widow Bissell, Samuel Barber, Thomas Bacon, John Case, Sen. John Case, Jun. William Case, Samuel Case, Richard Case, Barth'w Case, Joseph Case, John Clark, John Griffin, Thomas Griffin, Ephraim Griffin, Widow Gozard, William Gillett, Thomas Griswold, Lt. John Higley, Sergt. John Humphry, Sergt. Sam'l Humphry, John Humphry, Ju n. Robert Hoskins, Sergt. Nathan'l Holcomb Nathaniel Holcomb, Jun. Thomas Holcomb, Joshua Holcomb, Eleazer Hill, Luke Hill, John Hill, Andrew Hilliard, Sergt. James Hilliard, Widow Holcomb, John Haile, Thomas Kelsey, Mr. Moore, John Moses, John Mills, John Matson, John Pettibone, Sen. John Pettibone, Jun. Steven Pettibone, Samuel Pettibone, Ebenezer Parsons, Samuel Parsons, William Parsons, John Prior, Joseph Phelps, John Roberts, Christopher Roberts, Jos. Strickland, John Slater, Sen. John Slater, Jun. Richard Seger, John Saxton, Stephen Terry, John Tuller, Sergt. Wilcoxson, Samuel Wilcoxson, William Wilcoxson, Jonas Westover, John Williams. — 68 The largest tax is against J. Higley, — next highest, Ens. Barber, Stephen Terry, and Jonas Westover. APPENDIX. 153 MINISTER'S RATES— 1701. Daniel Adams, Joseph Alford, Samuel Adams, Lieut. Barber, Peter Buell, S. Barber,. Thomas Barber, John Barber, David Buttolph, Thomas Bacon, Bissell's land, J. Case, Sen. J. Case, Jun. S. Case, R. Case, Barth'w Case, Widow Case, J. Cornish, J. Cook, Ben. Dibble, J. Eno, S. Evans, J. Griffin, Thomas Griffin, Ephraim Griffin, Nathaniel Griffin, Nathaniel Gozard, William Gillett, Thomas Griswold, Capt. Higley, Sergt. Hilliard, Jonathan Higley, Ens. Humphry, John Humphry, Thomas Humphry, Thomas Holcomb, Nathaniel Holcomb, Jonathan Holcomb, R. Hoskins, Jona. Holcomb, Luke Hill, John Hill, George Hayes, Andrew Hilliard, Ed. Moore, J. Moses, J. Matson, Simon Mills, J. Pettibone, Sen. J. Pettibone, Jun. Joseph Phelps, Stephen Pettibone, S. Pettibone, Wm. Parsons, Andrew Robe, Jacob Reed, John Roberts, Peter Rice, Jos. Strickland, J. Saxton, John Slater, Sen. J. Slater, Jun. S. Slater, Stephen Terry, John Tuller, S. Terry, Sergt. Willcocks, S. Willcocks, Jun. Wm. Willcocks,, Jona. Westover, — 70 NAMES OF FREEMEN— Simsbury. Copied from the Town Records — Date not given. John Higley, Sen. Lieut. Thomas Barber, John Pettibone Sen. Sam'l Wilcoxson, Sen. Nathan'l Holcomb, Sen. Sergt. James Hilliard, Sergt. Buell, Sergt. Daniel Adams, John Moses, Sen. James Cornish, Lt. Samuel Humphrys. Joseph Phelps, David Buttolph, Samuel Wilcockson, John Case, John Saxton, John Griffin, Thomas Griffin, William Gillette, Wm. Wilcoxson, Nathaniel Holcomb, Jun. John Matson, John Pettibone Jun. Samuel Pettibone, Stephen Pettibone, Samuel Case, Barth'w Case, Benjamin Dibble, Nathan Gozard, Jonathan Holcomb, Thomas Barber, Robert Hoskin, John Hill, John Slater, Sen. John Slater, Jun. John Humphrys, George Hayse, Joshua Holcomb, Joseph Case, Richard Case, Andrew Robe, John Roberts, Thomas Holcomb, John Tuller, Samuel Adams, Sen. John Cooke, Jonas Westover, John Moses, Jun. 14 Samuel Terry, John Terry, Joseph Wilcockson, Joseph Segur, Cornelius Gillett. These entered Oct. 1717. Mr. Tim'y Woodbridge. Sam'l Humphry, Samuel Bemant, Samuel Griswold, Benjamin Adams, Samuel Buell, John Higley, Daniel Hays, Elias Slater, Simon Mills, James Cornish, Jun. William Eno, Joseph Adams, Sam'l Humphrys( Justice) Joseph Cornish, Samuel Slater, William Rice. 154 APPENDIX. Appendix E. i The following offices have been held by gentlemen born within the ancient limits of -Simsbury, now including 'the towns of Simsbury, Granby and Canton : — Governor of this State,* Secretary of the United States Treasury,! Comptroller of United States Treasurer, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, New York,! Judge of the Supreme Court, New York, Attorney General of New York, United States District Attorney, Michigan, Bishop of the Episcopal Church, § Two Presidents of Colleges, Six Members of Congress, Secretary of this State^ Comptroller of Treasury, this State, * President of a State Senate, Three Speakers of Houses of Representatives, Presiding Circuit Judge in Ohio, Two Chief Judges of County Courts, Five Associate Judges of do. Adjutant General of Militia, • Major General of Militia, Six Brigadier Generals of Militia, Four Sheriffs of .this County, Three Mayors of Cities, Three Senators of this State, and three or more of other States, President of a State Bank, Bank Commissioner, — and, A large number of Clergymen, the number not ascertained. * Gov Roger Wolcott. All historical accounts of the Governor assign Windsor as the place of his nativity. But such is not the fact. He was born in Simsbury, where hia father resided about three years after the birth of this son. The late Governor "Oliver Wol cott, who was his grandson, nflt only frequently confirmed this statement, but in ]826 visited this town, and went to- tbe spot where his grandfather was born, and in presence of several gentlemen who accompanied him, spoke of it as being the place of nativity of his ancestor. This place is near the north line of the present town of Simsbury, on the road leading from Hop meadow to the Flails. Tradition says that the first Governor Trumbull was torn at the same place, and in the same house. His mother was a daughter of John Higley Esq. who became the purchaser and occupier of the Wolcott farm, and, as the story goes, she gave birth to this son while on a visit at her father's house. This may be true, but it is far more reasonable to suppose that the story originated from the circumstance that the mother, instead of the sou, was born here. f Hon. Walter Forward, of Pittsburgh. He was -born in East Granby. When about fourt' en years of age, his father removed into Ohio. Young Forward, mainly by his own unaided efforts, obtained a respectable education. He devoted his attention to legal studies, and after his admission to the bar, rose rapidly to distinction in that profession. He has been Member of Congress, Comptroller, and afterwards Secretary of the Treasury. He is highly distinguished for talents, probity, and professional ability. % Hon. Greene C. Bronson, of Albany. He was born at Hop meadow, in the house now occupied by Calvin Barber Esq. After a practice of a few years at the bar iu the County of Oneida, New York, where he attained a high reputation in his profession, he was, while yet a young man, appointed Attorney General,— afterwards an Associate Justice, and recently Chief Justice, of the Supreme Court of that state. He sustains the character of an upright Judge, and able Jurist. His father, who was a teacher and composer of church music, removed his family from Siinsbury, about forty years since, to the State of New York. § The Rt. Rev. Alexander Viets Griswold, was born at Tariffville, where a sister and other relatives of his now reside. His ministerial lahors have been chiefly performed in the States of Rhode Island and Massachusetts, He died suddenly, about two years since, at Boston, where he then resided. All accounts accord to him great purity of life, meek ness, piety, and faithfulness in the ministry. APPENDIX. 155 In this list, the same person, in some instances, held more than one of the offices here specified. There are others too, who have been distinguished for their enterprise and wealth. Among these, may be mentioned Mr. Samuel Forbes, who died some years since in Canaan ; Anson G. Phelps, Esq. of New York, distinguished alike for wealth, and liberality in the promotion of all charitable objects ; and three or four other enterprising merchants, also of New York, who, though yet young, are reputed wealthy. Appendix F. JUDGES OF PROBATE. District of Simsbury. — [Established 1769.] JUDGES. 'Appointed. Appointed. John Owen, 1769 Elisha Phelps, 1821 . Noah Phelps, 1783 Jeffery 0. Phelps, 1825 George Humphreys, 1806 John 0. Pettibone, 1826 Aaron Austin, 1814 Shubael S. Hoskins, 1842 Solomon Everest, 1816 Dudley Humphreys, 1844 District of Granby. — [Established 1807.] JUDGES. Appointed. Pliny Hillyer, 1807 Joab Griffin, 1818 Joshua R. Jewitt, 1834 Phelps Humphreys, 1835 Joel C. Holcomb, 1836 Appointed. Thomas Holcomb, 1838 Thomas G. Holcomb. 1839 Joel C. Holcomb, 1842 Truman Allen, 1844 District of Canton. — [Established 1841.] JUDGES. Appointed. Appointed. Ephraim Mills, 1841 Ephraim Mills, 1844 Luther Higley, 1843 156 APPENDIX. Appendix G. LIST Of Representatives elected from the Town of Simsbury to the General Assembly. OCTOBER SESSION. John Griffin, Michael Humphrey, Simon Wolcott, MAY SESSION. . 1670 Joshua Holcomb, John Case, 1671 John Griffin, Joshua Holcomb, 1672 John Griffin, 1 673 Simon Wolcott, 1674 John Griffin; 1675 Simon Wolcott, John Case, From this time until 1687, no Representatives were elected. Simon Wolcott, John Griffin, John Case, 1687 1688 1689 1690 1691 169216931694 1695 16961697 1698 1699 1700 170117021703 17041705 1706 1707 1708 1709 1710 Peter Buell, Sergt. Sam'l Wilcoxson, Joshua Holcomb, John Higley, John Case, John Higley, John Higley, John Higley, Samuel Willcox, Samuel Wilcoxson, John Higley, Samuel Wilcoxson, John Higley, Samuel Wilcoxson, John Higley, Samuel Wilcoxson, John Higley, Samuel Wilcoxson,, Daniel Adams, Ens. Samuel Humphry, Sergt. Nath'l Holcomb, Daniel Adams, Capt. John Higley, Sergt. Nath'l Holcomb, Capt. John Higley, Sergt. Nath'l Holcomb, Capt. John Higley, Nathaniel Holcomb, Capt. John Higley, James Cornish, Capt. John Higley, Nathaniel Holcomb Joseph Phelps, James Cornish, Capt. John Higley, Samuel Wilcoxson, Capt. John Higley, John Higley, Peter Buell, John Higley, John Higley, Samuel Willcox, Samuel Wilcoxson, Samuel Wilcoxson, Peter Buell, Samuel Wilcoxson, John Higley, Daniel Adams, John Higley, Samuel Wilcoxson, Ensign Samuel Humphry, Sergt. Daniel Adams, Nathaniel Holcomb, Daniel Adams, Capt. John Higley, Capt. John Higley, Capt. John Higley, Samuel Cornish, Capt. John Higley, Nathaniel Holcomb, Capt. John Higley, Nathaniel Holcomb, John Higley, Joseph Phelps, Joseph Phelps, APPENDIX • MAY SESSION. OCTOBER SESSION. 1711 John Higley, James Cornish, Samnel Wilcockson, Joseph Phelps, 1712 Samuel Wilcockson, Joseph Phelps, Joseph Phelps, James Cornish, 1713 Joseph Phelps, Joseph Phelps, Thomas Holcomb, Joseph Case, 1714 Joseph Phelps, Thomas Holcomb, Joseph Case, Joseph Case, » 1715 Joseph Phelps, Joseph Phelps, Joseph Case, John Pettibone, 1716 John Pettibone, Joseph Phelps, Joseph Case, Joseph Case, . 1717 Joseph Phelps, Joseph Phelps, Joseph Case, Joseph Case, « 1718 Joseph Phelps, Joseph Phelps, Joseph Case, Joseph Case, 1719 Thomas Holcomb, Thomas Holcomb, Samuel Holcomb, Samuel Humphreys, 1720 Nathaniel Holcomb, Nathaniel Holcomb, Thomas Holcomb, Thomas Holcomb, 1721 Joseph Phelps, Thomas Holcomb, Thomas Holcomb, Joseph Phelps, 1722 Richard Case, Nathaniel Holcomb, Samuel Humphreys, Jonathan Westover, 1723 Joseph Case, Samuel Humphreys, Samuel Humphreys, John Case, , 1724 Joseph Phelps, Samuel Humphreys, Samuel Humphreys, John Case, 1725 Joseph Phelps, Samuel Humphreys, Joseph Phelps, 1726 Joseph Case, Jonathan Westover, t Joseph Phelps, Benjamin Adams, 1727 Benjamin Adams, Samuel Griswold, Joseph Case, 1728 Joseph Case, Joseph Case, Jonathan Westover, John Higley, 1729 James Hillyer, Samuel Forward, 1730 Joseph Case, John Higley, Jonathan Westover, John Higley, 1731 Joseph Phelps, Joseph Phelps, . 1732 Joseph Case, Joseph Phelps, Joseph Case, James Case, Joseph Case, Joseph Phelps, Samuel Griswold, 1733 Samuel Pettibone, 1734 John Humphrey, John Humphrey, Samuel Pettibone, Samuel Pettibone, 2d. John Humphrey, Samuel Pettibone, 17351736 John Humphrey, James Case, Joseph Phelps, John Humphrey, James Case, John Humphrey, , 1737 1738 James Smith, Joseph Phelps, Benajah Case, John Humphrey, John Humphrey, Benajah Case, John Humphrey, Samuel Pettibone, James Case, 1739 1740 John Humphrey, James Case, James Case, John Humphrey, Joseph Wilcox, John Humphrey, Joseph Wilcox, Joseph Wilcox, 157 14* 158 APPENDIX • MAY SESSION. OCTOBER SESSION. 1741 John Humphrey, John Humphrey, John Case, Joseph Case, 1742 John Humphrey, John Humphrey, Joseph Wilcox, Joseph Wilcox, 1743 John Humphrey, John Humphrey, - Joseph Wilcoxson, Joseph Wilcoxson, 1744 John Humphrey, John Humphrey, James Case, Joseph Wilcoxson, 1745 John Humphrey, Michael Humphrey, James Case, Joseph Wilcoxson, 1746 John Humphrey, John Humphrey, John Case Joseph Wilcoxson, 1747 James Cornish, James Case, John Humphrey, Andrew Robe, 1748 Nathaniel Holcomb, John Humphrey, James Case, James Case, 1749 John Humphrey, John Humphrey, Nathaniel Holcomb, Andrew Robe, 1150 John Humphrey, Andrew Robe, Andrew Robe, Nathaniel Holcomb, 1751 Nathaniel Holcomb, John Humphrey, Andrew Robe, Nathaniel Holcomb, 1752 John Humphrey, John Humphrey, Nathaniel Holcomb, David Phelps, 1753 John Humphrey, Andrew Robe, Nathaniel Holcomb, David Phelps, 1754 David Phelps, John Humphrey, Andrew Robe, David Phelps, 1755 James Case, James Case, Jonathan Pettibone, David Phelps, 1756 Jonathan Pettibone, Jonathan Pettibone, Joshua Holcomb, 1757 John Humphrey, John Humphrey, Jonathan Pettibone, 1758 Joseph Wilcockson, Joseph Wilcockson, David Phelps, David Phelps, 1759 David Phelps, Michael Humphrey, Jonathan Pettibone, Joseph Wilcockson, 1760 David Phelps, John Humphrey, John Humphrey, David Phelps, 1761 Hezekiah Humphrey John Case, Jonathan Pettibone, Hezekiah Humphrey, 1762 Hezekiah Humphrey, Hezekiah Humphrey, John Case, John Pettibone, 1763 Hezekiah Humphrey, Hezekiah Humphrey, John Case, Jonathan Pettibone, 1764 Jonathan Pettibone, Hezekiah Humphrey, John Case, 1765 Jonathan Pettibone, John Case, Hezekiah Humphrey, Hezekiah Humphrey, 1766 Jonathan Pettibone, John Owen, John Case, Oliver -Humphrey, 1767 Oliver Humphrey, John Owen, Hezekiah Humphrey, Hezekiah Humphrey, 1768 John Owen, Jonathan Pettibone, Hezekiah Humphrey, Oliver Humphrey, 1769 John Case, Joseph Forward, Oliver Humphrey, Amos Wilcox, Jr., 1770 John Owen, John Owen, John Humphrey, Jonathan Humphrey, APPENDIX 159 MAY SESSION. OCTOBER SESSION. 1771 John Owen, John Owen, Hezekiah Humphrey, Samuel Lawrence, 1772 Hezekiah Humphrey, Jonathan Humphrey, Judah Holcomb, Judah Holcomb, 1773 Hezekiah Holcomb, Hezekiah Humphrey, Jonathan Humphrey, Jonathan Pettibone, 1774 Judah Holcomb, Jonathan Pettibone, Jonathan Pettibone, Jonathan Humphrey, 1775 Judah Holcomb, Judah Holcomb, Asahel Holcomb, Elisha Graham, 1776 Judah Holcomb, Samuel Lawrence, Benjamin Farnham, Amos Wilcox, 1777 Ezekiel Humphrey, Amasa Mills, Daniel Humphrey, Noah Phelps, 1778 Noah Phelps, Samuel Hays, Daniel Humphrey, Daniel Humphrey, 1779 Ozias Pettibone, Amasa Mills, Noah Phelps, Benjamin Farnham, 17S0 Peter Rice, Noah Phelps, Benjamin Farnham, Eliphalet Curtiss, 1781* Daniel Humphrey, Abel Pettibone, 1782 Daniel Humphrey, Elisha Graham, Dudley Pettibone, 17S3 Daniel Humphrey, Daniel Humphrey, Dudley Pettibone, Hezekiah Holcomb, 1784 Daniel Humphrey, Daniel Humphrey, Jonathan Pettibone, Jonathan Pettibone, 1785 Daniel Humphrey, Daniel Humphrey, Hezekiah Holcomb, , Noah Phelps, 1786 Daniel Humphrey, Jonathan Pettibone, Noah Phelps, Noah Phelps, ' 1787 Noah Phelps. Noah Phelps, * 1788 Noah Phelps, Noah Phelps, Jonathan Pettibone, ¦ Jonathan Pettibone, *¦ 1789 Noah Phelps, Noah Phelps, Reuben Humphrey, Jonathan Pettibone, 1790 Noah Phelps, Daniel Humphrey, Jonathan Pettibone, Jonathan Pettibone, 1791 Noah Phelps, Daniel Humphrey, Reuben Humphrey, Jonathan Pettibone, 1792 Daniel Humphrey, Noah Phelps, Noah Phelps, Daniel Humphrey, 1793 Daniel Humphrey, Daniel Humphrey, Reuben Humphrey, Noah Phelps, , 1794 Noah Phelps, Noah Phelps, Daniel Humphrey, George Humphrey, 1795 Daniel Humphrey, Noah Phelps, Jonathan Pettibone, Dudley Pettibone, 1796 Daniel Humphrey, Noah Phelps, Dudley Pettibone, George Humphrey, , , 1797 Noah Phelps, George Humphrey,- Israel Mills, Amaziah Humphrey, 1798 George Humphrey, Daniel Humphrey, 1 Noah A. Phelps, Jonathan Pettibone, 1799 Amaziah Humphrey, George Humphrey, Jonathan Pettibone, Noah A. Phelps, * Names on record obliterated. 160 APPENDIX. 1800 1801 \ 1802 1803 1804 1805 i 1806 18071808 >1809 1810 1811 18121813 ¦ 1814 1815 1816 1817 1818 MAY SESSION. Jonathan Pettibone, Amaziel Humphrey, Noah Phelps, Jonathan Pettibone, George Humphrey, John Bestor, George Humphrey, William Mather, Jonathan Pettibone, Samuel Barnard, Amaziah Humphrey. James Humphrey, Noah A. Phelps, Elisha Case, 2d, Samuel Barnard, Elisha Phelps, • Daniel Wilcox, Noah A. Phelps, Noah A. Phelps, Jonathan Pettibone, Jonathan Pettibone, Jr., Jonathan Eno, Jr., Jonathan Pettibone Jr., Jonathan Eno Jr., Campbell Humphrey, George Cornish, George Cornish, Campbell Humphrey, Elisha Phelps, Ebenezer Barnard, a Elisha Phelps, Asaph Tuller, Elisha Phelps, Daniel Wilcox, James Cornish, Zelotes Phelps, Elisha Phelps, Zelotes Phelps, OCTOBER SESSION. Noah Phelps, Jonathan Pettibone, George Humphrey, John Bestor, Jonathan Pettibone, Noah A. Phelps, Daniel Humphrey, George Humphrey, Jonathan Pettibone, Noah A. Phelps, William Mather, Darius Moses, Jonathan Pettibone, Shubael Hoskins, Noah A. Phelps, Shubael Hoskins, Samuel Barnard, Noah A. Phelps. Noah A. Phelps, William Mather, Jonathan Pettibone Jr., Jonathan Eno Jr., Jonathan Pettibone Jr., Joel Griswold, Oliver C. Phelps, Elisha Phelps, Oliver C. Phelps, Joseph Goodwin, Jonathan Pettibone Jr., Ebenezer Barnard, Jonathan Pettibone Jr., Asaph Tuller, James Cornish, Wait Latimer, Elisha Phelps, Wait Latimer, Oliver C. Phelps, Asa Hoskins. After 1818, the October Sessions ivere discontinued. 1819 V 1821 . 1823 1825 1827 1829 -1831 1833 1835 ' 1837 Asa Hoskins, James Goodwin, Elisha Phelps, Ariel Mitchelson, Oliver C. Phelps, Amos Tuller; (Not recorded,) Oliver C. Phelps, Amos Tuller, Elisha Phelps, Obed Higley Jr., Jeffrey O. Phelps, Abel Adams, Moses Ensign, Everett Wilcox, Elisha Phelps, Obed Higley Jr., Jeffrey O. Phelps, Virgil Pettibone, 1820 Jonathan Pettibone Jr., Zelotes Phelps, 1822 John O. Pettibone, Hezekiah Case, 1824 Aurora Case, Joseph Pinney, 1826 Jonathan Pettibone, Dudley Humphreys, 1S28 Chauncey Eno, John 0. Pettibone, 1830 William Mather Jr., Shubael S. Hoskins, 1832 Shubael S. Hoskins, ' Virgil Pettibone, 1834 Horace Belden, Salmon Eno, 1S36" Ambrose Adams, Shubael S.'Hoskins, 1838 William Mather Jr., Lewis Dickinson, APPENDIX. 161 1S39 Richard Bacon, 1840 Jay H. Filley, Allen Pinney, Moses Ensign, 1841 Benoni B. Bacon, 1842 1843 Phelps Barnard, 1844 Justin A. Bradley, Mamre Case, Job Case. LIST OF REPRESENTATIVES— GRANBY. MAY SESSION. OCTOBER SESSION. 1787 Hezekiah Holcomb,* Hezekiah Holcomb, 1788 Hezekiah Holcomb, Pliny Hillyer, 1789 Hezekiah Holcomb, Ozias Pettibone, 1790 Pliny Hillyer, Ozias Pettibone, 1791 Ozias Pettibone, Ozias Pettibone, 1792 Ozias Pettibone, Ozias Pettibone, 1793 Pliny Hillyer, Pliny Pillyer, 1794 Hezekiah Holcomb Jr., Hezekiah Holcomb, 1795 Pliny Hillyer, Pliny Hillyer, Hezekiah Holcomb, James Huggins, 1796 Pliny Hillyer, Hezekiah Holcomb, Hezekiah Holcomb, Ozias Pettibone, 1797 Hezekiah Holcomb, Hezekiah Holcomb, Ozias Pettibone, Pliny Hillyer, 1798 Hezekiah Holcomb, Pliny Hillyer, Pliny Hillyer, Chauncey Pettibone, 1799 Pliny Hillyer, Pliny Hillyer, Chauncey Pettibone, Chauncey Pettibone, 1800 Samuel Clark, Chauncey Pettibone, Chauncey Pettibone, Hezekiah Holcomb, 1801 Chauncey Pettibone, Pliny Hillyer, Joseph Cornish, Hezekiah Holcomb, 1802 Pliny Hillyer, Chauncey Pettibone, Samuel Clark, Hezekiah Holcomb, 1803 Pliny Hillyer, Chauncey Pettibone, Joseph Cornish, Hezekiah Holcomb, 1804 Pliny Hillyer, Archibald Kasson, Sadoce Wilcox, Joseph Cornish, 1805 Pliny Hillyer, Chauncey Pettibone, Chauncey Pettibone, Sadoce Wilcox, 1806 Chauncey Pettibone, Seth Hays, Samuel Clark, Ebenezer Hickox, 1807 Pliny Hillyer, Chauncey Pettibone, Hezekiah Holcomb, James Huggins, 1808 Sadoce Wilcox, Pliny Hillyer, Appleton Robbins, Hezekiah Holcomb, 1809 Chauncey Pettibone, Joseph Cornish, Jesse Holcomb, Orrin Lee, 1810 Sadoce Wilcox, Ferdinand Clemmons, Jesse Holcomb, Appleton Robbins, 1811 Joseph Cornish, Appleton Robbins, Asa Hays, Orrin Lee, 1812 Sadoce Wilcox, Pliny Hillyer, Whitfield Cowles, Joseph Cornish, 1813 Appleton Robbins, Appleton Robbins, Pliny Hillyer, Joshua R. Jewitt, 1814 James Dibble, Apollos G. Hillyer, James Forward, Orrin Lee, 1815 Pliny Hillyer, Sadoce Wilcox, Apollos G. Hillyer, Joel Holcomb, * Until 1795, the town was allowed but one representative. 162 APPENDIX. MAY SESSION. OCTOBER SESSION. 1816 Joab Griffin Jr., Joab Griffin Jr., Joel Holcomb, James Forward, 1817 Benajah Holcomb 2d., Horace Clark, Orrin Lee, Philetus Cooley, 1818 Sadoce Wilcox, Benajah Holcomb 2d, Joseph Pinney, John Willey. After 1818, the October Sessions were discontinued. 1819 Orrin Lee, 1820 Joel Holcomb, Nahum Holcomb, Benoni Gillett, , 1821 Henry Pratt, 1822 Appleton Robbins, Alpheus Hayes, Daniel Hayes Jr., 1823 Alpheus Hayes, 1824 Joel Holcomb, Hezekiah Griswold, Sadoce Wilcox, 1825 Elizur Benjamin, 1826 Alpheus Hayes, James 0. Pond, Oliver Alderman, 1827 Daniel Benjamin, 1828 Jonathan Church, David Latham, Charles T. Hillyer, 1829 Levi Rice, 1830 Abner Case, Horace Clark, Charles T. Hillyer, 1831 Philetus Cooley, 1832 Nathaniel Pratt, Alexander H. Griswold, Alexander H. Griswold, 1833 Justus D. Wilcox, 1834 Nathaniel Pratt, Oliver Alderman, David Latham, 1835 Anson L. Holcomb, 1836 Ezekiel Aldewnan, Horace Clark, Joel C. Holcomb, 1837 Thomas G. Holcomb, 1838 Thomas G. Holcomb, Horatio N. Case, Ansel N. Holcomb, 1839 Sereno Holcomb, 1840 William Ruick, Elihu Griswold, Daniel C. Hayes, 1841 Ezekiel Alderman, 1842 Lyman Willcox, Edmund Holcomb, Horatio N. Case, 1843 Eratus Holcomb, 1844 Stephen W Cornwall, Elmore Clark, Charles Holcomb, 2d. LIST OF REPRESENTATIVES— CANTON. MAY SESSION. OCTOBER SESSION. 1806 George Humphrey, 1807 Rivefius Bidwell, George Humphrey, 1808 , Riverius Bidwell, James Humphrey, 1809 Riverius Bidwell, Ezra Adams, , 1810 Solomon Everest, Riverius Bidwell, 1811 James Humphrey, George Humphrey, 1812 Frederick Humphrey, James Humphrey, 1813 George Humphrey, James Humphrey, 1814 Jedediah Wilcox, Darius Moses, 1815 James Humphrey, Joseph Dyer, 1816 James Humphrey, Ezra Adams Jr., 1817 William Stone, James Humphrey, 1818 Darius Moses, William Stone. After 1818, the October Sessions were discontinued. 1819 Thomas Bidwell, 1820 Ephraim Mills, 1821 Alvin Humphrey, 1822 James Humphrey, 1823 Jasper Bidwell, ' 1824 ^Loin Humphrey, 1825 Ezra Adams Jr., •1826 Ephraim Mills, 1827 Abiel Brown. 1828 Elisha Sugden, 1829 Lorih Humphrey, 1830 Ezra Adams Jr., APPENDIX, 163 1831 William H. Hallock, 1832 Ezra Adams Jr., 1833 Theodore Pettibone, 1834 Samuel W. Collins, 1835 Noah R. L. Bristol, 1836 Lancel Foote, 1837 Joseph Daily, 1838 Giles Brainard, 1839 Ephraim Mills, 1840 Solomon Hosford, 1841 William H. Hallock, 1842 1843 Chauncey Moses, 1844 Thomas H. Wells. Appendix H. JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.— SIMSBURY. The office of Justice of the Peace was first instituted in this state in 1698 ;— anterior to that time, those in commission of the peace were styled Commis sioners. In 1672, Capt. Benjamin Newberry, of Windsor, was appointed Commissioner for Windsor and Simsbury, and was continued Commissioner for Simsbury until 1691, when John Higley was appointed. Mr. Higley con tinued in this office until his appointment as Justice of the Peace in 1698. JUSTICE8 OF THE PEACE* Appointed- When last appointed. A ppointed 1698 John Higley, t 1712 Samuel Humphrey, 1724 Samuel Humphrey, son of John Humphrey, or 2d. Joseph Phelps, ' 1730 Benjamin Adams, 1730 No justices appointed in 1730, 1731, 1732, in consequence, probably, of the meeting-house controversy. 1733 Joseph Phelps, 1749 John Humphrey,}; 1760 Samuel Griswold, 1742 Joseph Wilcox, 1760 John Owen, 1782 Judah Holcomb, 1787 Hezekiah Humphrey, 1781 Jonathan Pettibone, 1776 Oliver Humphrey, 1792 Asahel Holcomb, 1804 Daniel Humphrey, 1805 Noah Phelps, 1 797 Ozias Pettibone, 1812 Dudley Pettibone, 1809 1712 1724 17251727 1735 17391742 17551760 1760 176017701776 1778 1778178017S3 When last appointed. 1785 Lemuel Rbberts, 1787 1785 Elisha Graham, 1788, 1789 Reuben Humphreys, 1804 1791 Moses Case, 1794 1798 George Humphreys, 1813 1798 Ezra Adams, 1820 1798 Noah A. Phelps, 1801 « 1802 Solomon Everest, 1821 1805 Calvin Barber, 1806 Campbell Humphreys, 1818 1807 John Bestor, 1819 1810 William Mather, 1834 1814 Timothy Goodwin, 1818 1814- Benjamin Ely, 1817 1817 Elisha Phelps, 1818 Asaph Tuller, 1819 James Goodwin, 1822 Joseph Pinney, 1822 John O. Pettibone, 1824 Alexander Holcomb, 1825 James Cornish, 1825 Frederick W. Jewett, 1826 Dudley Humphreys, * The lists of Justices of the Peace, up to 1838, are compiled from the State Records, and \are presumed to tie correct ;— after 1838 they are taken rrom Green's : Register, and may not be entirely so. The termination of office of those appointed after 1818 is omitted ; and the time of the first appointment only, of all such,, is inserted ;— many of this class, it is well known, were occasionally left out of office, and afterwards re-instated. t Appointed of the Quorum, or Associate Judge of the County Court, in 1710. t Appointed of the Quorum from 1755 to 1760 inclusive. 164 APPENDIX. Appointed. 1829 Lewis Dickinson, Zelotes Phelps, Ambrose, Adams, William Mitchelson, 1831 Moses Ensign, Abel Adams. 1834 Aurora Case, Chauncey Eno, Lott Pinney, Dositheus Humphreys, Allen Pinney, Elijah St. John, 1S35 Shubael S. Hoskins, Whiting Shepard, Guy R. Phelps, 1S36 Henry Ely, Everett Willcox 1837 Jeffery 0. Phelps, Jay H. Filley, 1838 Richard Bacon, Appointed. 1838 George W. Sanford, Mamre Case, 1839 Rockwell Hoskins, Benoni B. Bacon, Norton Hoskins, 1840 Ariel Mitchelson, Jun. Martin Sexton, Julius Chapman, Hezekiah S. Case, 1841 Ashbel Moses, 1842 Hector F. Phelps, Elihu H. Case, James W. Adams, Daniel F. Olcott, Justin A. Bradley, Giles Pettibone, 1843 Nathan Moses, Phelps Barnard, 1844 George Cornish, J. Turnbull. JUSTICES OF THE PEACE— GRANBY. (Incorporated Oct. 1786.) Appointed. When last appointed. 1787 Asahel Holcomb, 1804 Ozias Pettibone,, 1812 1788 Judah Holcomb, Jun. 1814 1791 Pliny Hillyer,* 1817 1792 Andrew Hillyer, 1817 Joseph Forward, 1797 1794 Hezekiah Holcomb Jun. 1819 1799 John Curtiss, 1800 Timothy Clark, 1802 Joseph Cornish, 1819 1805 Nathaniel Pratt, 1817 1807 Caleb Merriman, 1817 Asa Hayes, 1818 1818 Joab Griffin, Joel Holcomb, James Dibble, Daniel Benjumin, 1820 Horace Clark, James Forward, Daniel B, Holcomb, 1825 John Willey, 1826 Hiram R. Pettibone, 1827 Alexander Holcomb, 1829 Nathaniel Pratt, Joseph Cornish Jun. 1830 Anson Bates, Abner Case, 1831 Charles T. Hillyer, Daniel Hayes, 1832 Oliver Alderman, Jonathan Church, Cullen Hayes, Joshua Kendal!, Appointed. 1834 Philetus Cooley, Joel Clark, Silas Cone, Joshua R. Jewett, 1835 Edmund Thompson, Grove Griswold, Justus D. Willcox, 1836 Edmund Holcomb, Anson N. Holcomb, 1837 Milo A. Holcomb, 1838 Truman Allen, Stephen W. Cornwall, 1839 Justus R. Stevens, 1840 Anson Cooley, Abram Holcomb, Mourton Cornish, Lemuel C. Holcomb, Samuel Benjamin, Jun. 1841 Willard Griffin, Samuel Weed, 1842 Sereno Holcomb, Edward Hayes, Asa Higley, Ardon B. tlolcomb, Milo M. Owen, Horace Kendall, Daniel Holcomb, 1843 Almon Gillett, Richard H. Phelps, 1844 John Viets, Harvey Alderman, Edward Blakeslee. : Appointed Associate Judge oi the County Court in 1798. APPENDIX. JUSTICES OF THE PEACE-CANTON. 165 Appointed. 1806 1807 18121815181718181819182118221825 18271830 18311832 1834 1835 1836 Ezra Adams, George Humphrey, Solomon Everest, Riverius Bidwell, James Humphreys, Jasper Bidwell, William Stone, Jedediah Wilcox, Jared Mills, Benjamin Weed, Jun Jared Mills, Jun. Elisha Case, Decius Humphreys, Luther Higley, Isaac Mills, William H. Hallock, Ephraim Mills, Harvey Case, Loin Humphreys, Samuel W. Collins, Theodore Pettibone, Sherman Osborne, Henry Nash, Abial Brown, Joseph Daily, Ausin N. Humphreys Ruggles Case, Daniel H. Morgan, Elisha K. Root, When last appointed. 1820 1813 1821 1812 1831 1818 1817 1818 Appointed.1836 Ansel Humphreys, Noadiah Case, Jesse L. Barber, Benadom W. Cassoh, Solomon Hosford, Lancel Foote, Simeon Wood, Thomas Wells, Benjamin Adams, Samuel Barber, John W. Hayes, Jarvis Case, Israel W. Graham, Edmund Case, Simeon Woodruff, John W. Hager, Henry A. Shepard, Pomeroy Higley, Dwight Humphrey, N. L. Peck, John Case, Benjamin Wingate, Noah R. L. Bristol, ImriL. Spencer, T. H. Austin, Horatio N. Goodwin, Upson B. Chapin, Samuel V. Woodbridge. 1837 1838 1840 1841 1842 18431844 Appendix I. TOWN CLERKS-SIMSBURY. It is supposed that John Terry, was the first Town Clerk, appointed in 1670. The records were burnt within eight or ten years after this time. John Slater, John Slater, Jun. John Humphrey, Nathaniel Holcomb, John Humphrey, Jun. John Owen, Benjamin Farnham, Appointed. about 1680 1712 1717 17201732 1756 1783 Noah A. Phelps, Dudley Pettibone, Amaziah Humphrey, Benjamin Ely, Jonathan Pettibone, Moses Ensign, TOWN CLERKS— GRANBY. Judah Holcomb, Jun. Asa Haines, Daniel Hayes, Jun, Hiram R. Pettibone, Thomas Holcomb, Appointed. 1786 1815 1817 18251829 15 James Lewis, Ardon B. Holcomb, James Lewis, Ardon B. Holcomb, Appointed. 17961800 180518091818 1824 Appointed. 1832 18391840 1841 166 APPENDIX. TOWN CLERKS-CANTON. Appointed. Appointed. James Humphrey, 1806 Ephraim Mills, 1843 William H. Hallock, 1829 Lancel Foote, 1844 EXTRACTS From the Town and Society Records op Simsbury. " On a training day, November 29, 1686, Peter Buell was chosen by the Trainband of Simsbury their Sergant — he had twenty-three votes, and so was orderly proclaimed by the chief military officer sergant of the Trainband of Simsbury." " December 29, 1687 — Voted by the inhabitants of Simsbury to allow Peter Buell for his Deputyship and expenses, twenty shillings." " Propounded to the Towne by Major Talcott, June 27, 1687, at a General Towne metting of the Inhabitants of Simsbury. All you that are heartily, and really and affectionately desirous to give Mr. Edward Tompson that is now come up amongst you, to give him an Invitation to come here amongst you in this plantation of Simsbury, and to carry on the work of ye Ministry in this place, manifest it by the lifting up of your hands. The above written was unanimously votted according as it was propounded and put to vote." " Elizabeth Mills the wife of James Mills, you being now resident at your son's John Matson's, these presents are to warrant you and admonish you to depart out of the bounds and limits of the township of Simsbury forthwith, as you will answer the contrary, and you may not any longer reside here; and no w do warn you to seek some other place for your residence, and pray you tak notice of this our warning who are the townesmen of Simsbury. Dated March 3, 1695-6." Signed by the Selectmen. 1701 Dec. 17. " Whereas the Towne of Simsbury being greatly damnified by Persons thrusting themselves into our towne which proves greatly to the Damage of the Towne ; for ye prevention thereof, this towne do order therefore for the future: no Persons shall croud and thrust themselves into our Towne to reside there above one moneth without liberty first obtained from the said towne or Townsmen upon the forfeiture of twenty shillings to the Towne." In Dec. 1701, John Slater Sen. was employed as school master for the town " to teach such of said towne children as are sent, to read, writ, and to cypher, or to say the rules of Arithmatick as are capable and designed by their parants to learn Arithmatick." The school was to be kept at two places, the Plain and Weatague, three months at each. The pay allowed him was forty shillings a month. The above quotation is made from records kept by this same school master. " Joseph Trombal, son of Joseph Trombal of Suffield, was married to Han nah Higley, the daughter of Capt. John Higley of Simsbury, August 31, 1704." The groom and bride were the parents of the first Governor Trumbull. " Sarah Slater first daughter of Elias and Sarah Slater was born febuary the sixth day 1716-17, which was Wensday, 11 aclok at night, and baptised the 10th day, — the 16 day thare apeared an uper fore toot, (tooth,) the 19th day at one of the clok after noon, it came quite out." APPENDIX. 167 For many years the town allowed a bounty for killing wolves of fifteen shillings a head. The first item in the first book of the town records relates to this subject. " On the Wth of January 1718, two men Ephraim Buell and John Barber his son in law, went to the west mountain to hunt horses, where they perished. The snow was deep, and the weather extremely cold and stormy. Theirbodies were found and brought back on the 17th of January." 1718. "The town agreed with Steven Pettibone to sweep the meeting house for 15 shillings, he likewise is to dig the graves, also to prepare and carry "water to the meeting house for the baptism of children." "1719, Feb. 28. The Town order and agree that John Drak shall make Coffins four our Towns people." 1724-5, January. The town voted that the funds remaining in the town treasury after payment of debts, should be laid out for the instruction of children in reading and writing. This appears to be the first appropriation from the treasury of money for this object. 1731, Jan. 1. The town voted to divide into two societies, the east side of the river to be one society, and the west side as far north as Higley's settlement the other. The meeting house for the east society was to be placed at ,: Wads- worth's bush," north of mile swamp. 1741, Dec. It was voted that any orthodox minister who has a right to preach the gospel, may upon the desire of any considerable number of persons, with the consent of two of the Society's Committee, " have liberty to preach in the meeting house on any day, not disturbing any other religious meeting other wise orderly established." At a subsequent meeting " popish priests" were excluded from this license. 1752. " Voted that the committee now chosen for seaters, shall dignify the pews and seats in this meeting house as they think fit." " April 7, A. D. 1757. Brewster Higley the 3d, son of Brewster Higley the 2d, and Esther Owen, daughter of John Owen and Esther his wife, were joined in marriage by John Humphrey Esq. Their grandfather's name is Brewster Higley, and grandmother's name is Esther. Their father's nameis Brewster Higley, and mother's name is Esther, — so that there are three generations from grandfather, and grandmother, down to grandson and granddaughter, all of one name for male, and one name for female; — three generations all living ! May the divine blessing rest on them and theirs to the latest posterity !" This record is in the hand writing of John Owen Esq. then Town Clerk. 1773. April. " Voted to sing on the Lord's days in the afternoon according to the rales taught in the Singing Schools in this and the neighboring societies." Soon after this, a teacher of music was employed. After practising some time, he appeared with his scholars in church on a Sunday, and the minister having announced the psalm, the chpir, under the instructor's lead, started off with a tune much more lively than the congregation had been accustomed to hear. Upon which, one of the Deacons, Brewster Higley, took his hat and left the house,— exclaiming, as he passed down the aisle,— "popery ! popery!" 1781. " Voted that the Society desire Mess'rs Theodore Hillyer, Elisha Cornish Jun. and Job Case Jun. to assist in tuning the Psalms on Lords days &c." 1784. " Voted to allow the singers as much of the front seats around the galleries as they shall want." 1786. " Voted and chose the two deacons of the church to be the persons to publish the intention of marriage between the parties." 168 APPENDIX. " REGISTER, Of Marriages, Births and Deaths, in the families of the first settlers in Simsbury. This Register is compiled chiefly from an old manuscript book, in the pos session of James Loomis, Esq. of Windsor, " made out May 18, 1674," from an older book then stated to be full ; to which additions were made, during a few years, after 1674. These books unquestionably contain the records kept of these events, by the several clergymen who officiated at Windsor, during their occurrence. The one, from which these extracts are made, isln a mutilated condition, and in many places, illegible. It does not of course contain the births of children born before their parents removed to Windsor, nor, generally, after they settled in Simsbury. In compiling this Register, a considerable amount of matter, in addition to the above, has been derived from the state records, and from the town records of Windsor and Simsbury. It is not claimed that this account is perfect, or that it can be made so. But the design has been to include in it all that has been discovered relating to the subject as connected with the early inhabitants of Simsbury. Where names or dates are wanting, they were so in the origin als from which the copies are made. Edward Adams, married Elizabeth Buckland May 25, 1660. His daughter Mary, born August 28, 1671. Thomas Barber, married<"-=i^* Oct. 7, 1640. John, baptized July 24, 1642. Samuel, baptized Oct. 1, 1648. Thomas, born July 14, 1644. Mary, " Oct. 12, 1651. Sarah, baptized July 19, 1646. Josiah, born Feb. 15. 1653. John Barber, married B^sheba September /*fvt> Joanna, born April 8, 1667. John, born July 14, 1669. Thomas Barber, married Mary Phelps, Dec. 13, /fe-**^" Mary, born January ll,/6**>£ Sarah, born July 12, 166JJ. Samuel Barber, married Mary S^Z/^-f^TfS Thomas, born Oct. 7, 1671. Samuel, born Jan. 26, 1673. He married a second wife, the daughter of John Drake. C/pc/T^iO His daughter Hannah, born Oct. 4, 1681. Josiah Barber, married Abigail, daughter of Nathaniel Loomis, Nov. 22, 1677. Abigail, born March 12, 1678. William Buell, married , November 18, 1640. Samuel, bora Sept. 2, 1641. Hepzibah, born Dec. 11, 1649. Peter, born Aug. 19, 1644. Sarah, bora May 21, 1653. Mary, born Sept. 3, 1642. Abigail, born Feb. 12, 1655. Hannah, born Jan. 8, J.646. Samuel Buell, married Deborah Griswold Nov. 13, 1662. , His son Samuel, born July20, 1663. He settled in Killingworth. John Case, married Sarah Spencer, and lived in Windsor until about 1669, when he settled in Simsbury, at Weatauge— he died Feb. 21. 1704. Mary, born June 22, 1660. Sarah, born Aug. 14, 1676. John, born Nov. 5, 1662. Elizabeth, William, born June 5, 1665. Abigail, Samuel, born June 1, 1667. Bartholomew, Richard, born Aug. 27, 1669. Joseph. Richard Case resided at East Hartford, and afterwards, it is supposed, removed to Simsbury, though this is uncertain. His wife was Elizabeth Purchase, daughter of John Purchase, one of the first settlers of Hartford. He died March 30, 1694. His children were, Richard, John, and Mary. He "is supposed to have been a brother of John Case. Mary married 1 Joseph Phelps, APPENDIX. 169 James Eno, married to Anna Bidwell August 18, 1648. Sarah, born June 15, 1649. , John, born Dec. 2, 1654. James, born Oct. 30, 1651. \ His wife died Oct. 7, 1679. James Eno married Abigail, daughter of Samuel Bissell, Dec.-SfjpKTO. His son James bora Sept. 23, 1679. His wife died Oct. 7, 1679, and he married Hester, widow of James Eggleston, April 29, 1680. William Filley, and Margaret his wife, married Sept. 2, 1642. Samuel, born Sept. 24, 1643. William, bora March 7, 1665. John, born Dec. 15, 1645. He had also/our daughters. Samuel Filley, married Ann Gillet, Oct. 29, 1663. He had four daughters, and sons, Samuel, born Aug. 2, 1670, who Samuel, born March 7, 1673. died early. Josiah, born Jan. 21, 1675. Jonathan, born Nov. 30, 1672. John, bom Feb. 10, 1677. Edward Griswold, born in 1607, — married young. Ann, baptized June 19, 1642. Joseph, baptized March 12, 1647. Mary, " Oct. 13, 1644, mar- Samuel, baptized Nov. 18, 1649. k ried Timothy Phelps. John, baptized Aug. 1, 1652, set- Deborah, baptized June 28, 1646; tied in Killingworth. married Samuel Buell, 1662, went to Killingworth. George Griswold, married Mary Holcomb, October 3. Daniel, born Oct. 1, 1656. John, born Sept. 17, 1668. Thomas, bora Sept. 29. 1658. Benjamin, born Aug. 6, 1671. Edward, born May 19,' 1660. Deborah, born May 30, 1674. Mary, bom Sept. 28, 1663. Abigail, born Oct. 31, 1676. George, born Dec. 3, 1665. Joseph Griswold, married Mary Gaylord, July 14, 1670. Mary, born March 16, 1670. Joseph, born Jan. 24, 1677. Thomas Dibele married Israel, born August 29, 1637. Miriam, bora Dec. 7, 1645. Ebenezer, born Sept. 26, 1641. Thomas, born Sept. 3, 1647. Hepzibah, born Dec. 25, 1642. Joanna, bom 1650. Samuel, bora March 24, 1643. Israel Dibble, married Elizabeth Hall, Nov. 28, 1661. Josias, born May 15, 1667. George, born Jan. 25, 1675. Thomas, born Sept. 16, 1670. John, bom Aug. 8, 1678— died Elizabeth, born March 27, 1673. Oct. 6. Ebenezer Dibble, married Mary Wakefield, Oct. 27, 1663. He was slain by the Indians in 1675. Mary, born Dec. 24. 1664. John, born Feb. 9, 1673. Wakefield, born Sept. 15, 1667. Ebenezer, born Aug: 18, 1671. Martha, born March 10, 1669— dead. Samuel Dibble married Hepzibah Bartlett, Jan. 21, 1668. Abigail, born Jan. 19, 1666— by Joannah, born Oct. 24 1672 former wife Samuel, born April 13, 1675, died. Hepzibah, born Dec. 19, 1669 — Samuel, born May 4 1677. by this wife. Mindwell, born Feb. 17, 1680. Edward Chapman, married Elizabeth Fox, in England. Henry, bora here, July 4, 1663. Simon, born here, April 30, 1669. And six daughters, the youngest born May 24, 1675. Hesbi Curtiss, married Elizabeth Abel, May 13, 1645 Samuel, born April 26, 1649. Nathaniel, born July 15, 1651. 15* 170 APPENDIX. Samuel Forward, married Anne . He died in 1684, She died in 1685. Samuel, born July 23, 1671. Joseph, born Nov. 10, 1674. Jonathan Gillett. Anna, baptized, Dec. 29, 1639. Abigail, baptized June 28, 1646. Joseph, " July 25, 1641. Jeremiah, " Feb. 12, 1647. Samuel, " Jan. 22, 1612-3. Josiah, " July 14, 1650. John, " Oct. 5, 1644. Jonathan Gillett, Jr. married Mary Kelsey, April 23, 1661. She died April 18, 1676. Married Miriam Dibble, Dec. 14, 1676. Mary, born October 21, 1667. Ebenezer, born Oct. 26, 1689,— Jonathan, born Feb, 18, 1670. dead. William, born Dec. 4, 1673. Samuel, Dec. 17, 1680. Thomas, bom May 31, 1678 — dead. And two other .daughters. Cornelius Gillett. Priscilla, born Jan. 23, 1659-60. Daniel, born June 30, 1678. Cornelius, born Dec. 15, 1665. And five other daughters. Joseph Gillett, married Elizabeth Hawkes in 1664. Joseph, born Nov. 2, 1664. Nathaniel, born May 4, 1673. Jonathan, bora August 11, 1669. And three daughters. John, born June 10, 1071. John Gillett, married Mary Barber, July 8, 1669. John, born Aug. 6, 1673 — died Samuel, born Feb. 16, 1677-8. 1699. Nathaniel, bora Oct. 3, 1680. Thomas, born July 18, 167G. Mary, 1682-3. Nathan Gillett, removed to Simsbury — wife died 1670-1. Elizabeth, born Oct. 6, 1639. Nathan, bom April 17, 1655. Elias, born July 1, 1649. And three other daughters. Benjamin, bora Aug. 29, 1653. Josiah Gillett, married Joannah Taintor, June 30, 1076. Josiah, born Nov. 24, 1678. John Griffin, married Anna Bancraft, May 13, 1647. Hannah, born July 4, 1649. Abigail, born Nov. 12. 1660. Mary, bora March 1, 1651. Mindwell, bora Feb. 11, 1662. Sarah, born Dec. 25, 1654. Ruth, bora Jan. 21, 1665. John, born Oct. 20, 1656. Ephraim, born May 1, 1668. Thomas, born Oct. 3, 1658. Nathaniel, born May 31, 1G73. Thomas Holcomb, died 1657. His widow, Elizabeth, married James Eno 1658. Abigail, born Jan. 6, 1638. Nathaniel, born Nov. 4, 1648. Joshua, bora Sept. 27, 1640. Deborah, born Feb. 15, 1650.' Sarah, born Aug. 14, 1642— dead. Jonathan, born March 23, 1652 Benajah, born June 23, 1644. — dead. Deborah, born Oct. 15, 1646 — dead. Joshua Holcomb, married Ruth Stanwood, June 4, 1663. Ruth, born May 26, 1664. Sarah, born June 23, 1068 Thomas, born March 30, 1666. Benajah Holcomb, married Sarah Eno, April 11, 1677. Benajah, bom Aug. 16, 1668. James, born' Oct. 13, 1671. Nicholas Hayes, married , July 12, 1646. Samuel, bora May 1, 1647. David, born April 22 1651 Jonathan, born June 7, 1649. Daniel, born Aug. 10, 1653, dead." Michael Humphrey, married Priscilla Grant, Oct. 14, 1647 John, born June 7, 1650. Sarah, bora March 6 1658 Mary, bora Oct. 24, 1653. Abigail, born March 23 1665 Samuel, born May 15, 1656. Hannah, born Oct 21 1669 Martha, born, Oct. 5, 1663. ' ' APPENDIX. 171 John Moses, married Mary Brown, May 13, 165^3. John, born June 15, 1654. Sarah, born Feb. 2, 1662. William, born Sept. 1, 1656. Margaret, born Dec. 2, 1666. Thomas, born Jan. 14, 1658. Mindwell, bora Dec. 13, 1676. Mary, bora May 13, 1661. Timothy Moses, bora Feb. 1670. ) It is uncertain whether these are Martga Moses, born March 8, 1672. J children of the above or not. John Owen, married Rebecca , Oct. 3, 1650. Josias, born Sept. 8, 1651. Mary, bom Dec. 5, 1662. John, born Nov. 5, 1652 — dead. Benjamin, born Sept. 20, 1664 — John, born April 23, 1654 — -dead. dead. Nathaniel, born Aug, 9, 1656. Rebecca, born March 28, 1666. Daniel, born March 28, 1658. Obediah, born Dec. 12, 1668. Joseph, born Oct. 23, 1660. Isaac, born May 27, 1670. Josias Owen, married Mary Osborne, Oct. 22, 1674. Josias, born June 6, 1675. Mary, born Feb. 15, 1679. Isaac, born June 4, 1678. Humphrey Pinney", married in Dorchester, Mary Hall. Samuel Pinney, born in Dor- Sarah, born Nov. 19, 1648. Chester. John, born Oct. 19, 1651. Nathan'l, born here, Dec. 1641. ' Abigail, born Nov. 26, 1654. Mary, born June 16, 1644. Isaac, born Feb. 24, 1663. Samuel Pinney, married Bissell, Nov. 17, 1665. Mary, bora June 16, 1667. Samuel, born Nov. 20, 1668. Nathaniel Pinney, married Sarah Phelps, widow, July 21, 1670. 4 Nathaniel, born May 11, 1671. Sarah, bora Oct. 11, 1673. Thomas Maskell, married Bethia Parsons, May 10, 1660. Thomas, born March 19, 1661-2 Thomas, born Jan. 2, 1665-6. —dead. John, bora March 19, 1667-8. Abigail, born Nov. 2, 1663. Elizabeth, born Oct. 19, 1669. Simon" Mills, married Mary Buell, Feb. 23, 1659-50. Two sons that died. Mary, born Dec. 8, 1662. Abigail, 1672. Simon, born May I, 1667. Elizabeth, 1674. John, born Jan. 1668-9. Prudence, 1676. Sarah, born Sept. 16, 1670. Simon, 1678. Hannah, 1665. Deacon John Moore's children born in Windsor. Mindwell, bora July 10, 1643. John, born Dec. 5, 1645. Deacon Moore died Sept. 18, 1677. John Moore, married Hannah Goffe, Sept. 21, 1664. John, born June 26, 1665. Edward, born March 2, 1674. Thomas, born July 25, 1667. Josias and Joseph, born July 5, Samuel, born Dec. 24, 1669. 1C79. Nathaniel, born Sept. 20, 1672. Andrew Moore, married Sarah Phelps. Sarah, bora Dec. 1672. Deborah, bora May 31, 1677. Andrew, born Feb. 15, 1675. Jonathan, born Feb. 6, 1680. Samuel Marshall, married Mary Willson, May 6, 1652. Samuel, born May 27, 1653. Thomas, born Feb. 18,^ 1663. Lydia, born Feb. 18, 1655. Mary, born May 8, 1667. Thomas, bora April 23, 1659 Eliakim, born July 10, 1669 . —dead. John, born April 10, 1672. Daniel, born July 24, 1661 . Elizabeth, born Sept. 27, 1674. Anthony Hoskins, married Isabel Brown, July 16, 1656. Isabel, bora May 16, 1657. Robert, born June 16, 1662. John, bora Oct. 14, 1659. Anthony, bora March 19, 1664. 172 APPENDIX. Rebecca, Dec. 3, 1668— dead. Thomas, born March 14, 1672. Grace, born July 26, 1666. Joseph, born Feb. 28, 1674. Jane, bora April 30, 1671. Thomas Hoskins, married Elizabeth Birge, widow, April 20.— (year oblit erated. John, bom May 29, 1654. Thomas Hoskins, died April 13, 1666. The Widow Hoskins died Dec. 22, 1675. John Hoskins, married Deborah Denslow, January 27, 1677. His daughter Deborah, bora June 9, 1679. John Hillyer's family. John, born June 3, 1637. Simon, born Dec. 25, 1648.— Mary, born Dec. 25, 1639. His son James, born January Timothy, born June 3, 1042. 28, 1678. James, born Aug. 24, 1644— Nathaniel, born Jan. 1, 1650. married the widow of Eben- Sarah, born Aug. 25, 1652. ezer Dibble, June 28, 1677. Abigail, born Aug. 21, 1654. Andrew, born Nov. 4, 1646. John Hillyer Sen. died July 16, 1655. Elizabeth, daughter oi John Hillyer, born Dec. 8, 1680. Ann, " " May 8, 1677 — dead. John Pettibone, married Sarah Eggleston, Feb. 16, 1664. John, born June 15, 1665. Stephen, born Oct. 3, 1669. Sarah, born Sept. 24, 1667. Stephen Terry, married in Dorchester. Mary, born here, Dec. 31, 1635. Elizabeth, born Jan. 4, 1641. John, born March 6, 1637. Abigail, born Sept. 21, 1646. John Terry, married Elizabeth Wadsworth, Nov, 27, 1662. Elizabeth, born Dec. 16, 1664. Rebecca, born Jan. 7, 1671 — Stephen, born Oct. 6, 1666. dead. Sarah, born Nov. 16, 1668. Mary, born July 19, 1673. John, born March 22, 1670— Solomon, born March 29, 1675. dead. Rebecca, born Feb. 27, 1676 — dead. John Higley, married Hannah Drake, Nov. 9, 1671. Jonathan, bom Feb. 16, 1675. John, born March 16, 1673. "Hannah, born Marfh 13, 1677. Rebecca, born Aug. 7, 1679. William Phelps married in England. He died July 14, 1672, and his widow, Nov, 27, 1675, both at an advanced age. He had four children, born before he came to Windsor, viz. William, Samuel, Nathaniel and Joseph, and afterwards two others, Timothy, born Sept. 1, 1639, and Mary, March 3, 1641, who married Thomas Barber. William Phelps, married Isabel Willson, June 4, 1645. After her death, he married, Dec. 20, 1676, Sarah, daughter of Humphrey Pinney. He left no issue. Samuel Phelps, married Sarah Griswold, Nov. 10, 1650-, He died May 15, 1669. Samuel, baptized September 5, 1652. Timothy, born Oct. 1650. Married Sarah Gaylord, Nov. 18, 16S0; for second wife, Sarah Pratt, Nov. 13, 1690— he died 1712. Sarah, born May, 1654 — married John Mansfield, Dec. 13, 1683, Mary, born Oct. 1658. William, born Nov. 1660— married Hannah Hayden, Jan. 4, 1693. John, born July 7, 1662 — died without issue. * Hannah was married to Joseph Trumbull, Aug. 31, 1704, and was the mother of the first Governor Trumbull. APPENDIX. 173 Ephraim, born Nov. 1, 1603— married Mary Joggers, May 11, 1691— died Oct. 30, 1697. Abigail, born May 16, 1666. Josiah, born Dec. 15, 1667 — married Sarah Winchell, April 26, 1690. JVathaniel Phelps, married Elizabeth Copley, Sept. 1650. He removed to Northampton, and died there. Mary, born June 21, 1651. - William, born June 22, 1657— Nathaniel, born April 2, 1653. born at Northampton. Abigail, born April 5, 1055. Timothy Phelps, married Mary Griswold, May 19, 1661 — he died in 1719. Timothy, bom Nov. 1, 1663 — married Martha Crow Nov. 4, 1686 — died Sept. 28, 1689. Joseph,* born Sept. 27, 1666— married Sarah Hosford Nov. 18, 1686— died in 1716. William, born Feb. 4, 1668. Sarah, born Dec. 27, 1079— died Cornelius, born April 26, 1671. without issue. Mary, born Aug. 14, 1673 — died Abigail, born June 5, 1682. March 23, 1690. Hannah, born Aug. 4, 1684. Samuel, born Jan. 29, 1675. Ann, born Oct. 2, 1686. Nathaniel, born Jan. 27, 1677. Martha, born Nov. 12, 1688. Joseph Phelps, married Hannah Newton, Sept. 20, 1660 — he died at Simsbury in 1684. Joseph, born Aug. 27, 1667. Sarah, married John Hill, of Hannah, born Feb. 2, 1669 — Simsbury. died unmarried. William, died Oct. 8, 1 689, under Timothy, age. Timothy Phelps lived atPoquonock in 1703 — he afterwards removed to Simsbury, where he had two daughters,'Rachel, born March 18, 1709, Mary, July 7, 1711, and Timothy, who died May 27, 1737, and perhaps other children. Joseph Phelps, son of the above, married Mary Collier, of Hartford, by whom he had, — Joseph, born Oct. 9, 1689, who settled at Turkey Hills. Hannah, born Oct. 25, 1693— married Samuel Humphry Feb. 23, 1710. She died before her father, leaving one child, Samuel, born Oct. 16, 1710. Mary, born Oct. 17, 1696— died Jan. 9, 1713, unmarried. His first wife died in 1697. His second wife was Sarah, daughter of John Case, whom he married Nov. 9, 1699. She died May 2, 1704. Their children were, — Sarah, born Aug. 11, 1700— died June 14, 1714. Damaris,, born March 5, 1703— married John Mills, April 7, 1720. His third wife was Mary, daughter of Richard Case, by whom he had — Elizabeth, born April 7, 1 709— married DanieLHoskins, July 23, 1725. John, born Feb. 14, 1707— died Jan. 5, 1713. Amos, — married Sarah Pettibone, July 1,1723. David, — married Abigail Pettibone, April 25, 1731. He died Jan. 20, 1750, aged 83— his widow, Sept. 10, 1757. The children of the last above named Joseph, (who resided at Turkey Hills) by his first wife, Rebecca North of Farmington, were Joseph, born Oct. 18, 1716, and Hannah, born June 7, 1717, who married Joel Harmon of Suffield. By a second wife he had — Elijah, born May 11, 1720. Elizabeth, born Nov. 27, 1726. Ezekiel, born March 8, 1 723. Abel, born May 22, 1730. Lydia, born Sept. 10, 1728. Hezekiah, and Keziah, twins, Rebecca, born Jan. 22, 1724. born Feb. IS, 1732. * This Joseph left children— Joseph, Daniel, Edward, John, Abel, Ichabod, Jonathan, Mary, Sarah, and Abigail. He owned six hundred acres of land in Hebron, where, it is believed, his son Joseph settled, and was the ancestor of the Phelps families in that town. 174 APPENDIX. The children of Amos, were John, born Jan. 20, 1724— Sarah, Jan. 23, 1729— Timothy, April 11,1738— Dorothy, Aug. 8, 1734. John Phelps married Thanks Willcox, June 15, 1741. Thanks, born Dec. 11, 1742. Darius, born Oct. 15, 1752. John, bora Feb. 5, 1745. Sarah, born Aug. 12, 1754. Martha, born Aug. 14, 1747. Jedediah. born May 12, 1756. Amos, born March 31, 1750. The children ot David, were — David, born March 26, 1733. Ruth, born Sept. 15, 1743. Elisha, born Oct. 17, 1737. Sarah, born Oct. 15, 1745. Noah, bom Jan. 22, 1740. Susanna, born Jan. 4, 1748. Abigail, born Nov, 5, 1735. Lois, born March 27, 1750. Rachel, born Dec. 11, 1741. He died of the small pox, Dec. 9, 1760 — his widow married deacon David Strong of Bolton, Jan, 1, 1772. George Phelps, (who, it is supposed, was brother of the first William Phelps,) married a daughter of Philip Randall. She died Aug. 29, 1648. Isaac, born Aug. 26, 1638. Joseph, born June 24, 1647. Abraham, born Jan. 22, 1642. His second wife was Frances, widow of Thomas Dewey, whom he mar ried Nov. 30, 10-18. Jacob, born Feb, 7, 1649. Nathaniel born Dec. 9, 1654. John, bom Feb. 15, 1651. He removed to Westfield, and died there, July 9, 1678. His son Isaac married Ann Gaylord, May 11, 1662. Isaac, born Sept. 10, 1666— married Mary Maudsley Dec. 17, 1690— lived in Westfield. Sarah, born WKj)' and John born in 1673. , Abraham, married Mary Pinney, July 6, 1663. . He resided it is supposed in East Windsor. He died Jan. 28, 1728, aged 85, and his wife July 2, 1725, aged 81. Abraham, born March 6, 1666— died in 1732. Isaac, born Aug. 5, 1673— died Jan. 4, 1703. Benjamin, born Oct. 1, 1683. Joseph, married Mary Porter, June 26, 1673 — she died Jan. 16, 1682. Mary, born Jan. 13, 1674. Sarah, born April 4, 1677. Joseph, born Dec. 30, 1678— married Abigail Bissell Nov. 26, 1702. He married a second wife, Hester , and died in 1695. Hannah born in 1680— Mindwell, 1682— Hester, 1693— Benoni, 1695. Sergeant Samuel Willcoxson, (Willcox) was an early settler. He resi ded at Meadow plain, and died March 12, 1713. , He removed from Hartford. He left, it is supposed, three sons, Samuel, William and Joseph. Samuel had Joseph, born Aug. 1701, and Ephraim, Feb. 4 1707, and perhaps other children. William, married Elizabeth Willson, by whom he had John, Wil liam, Amos, and Azariah, born July 27, 1706. William was a deacon in the church, and was living in 1770. Amos married Joanna Hillyer, Nov. 6, 1725. His widow married a Mr. Bishop, and died at about one hundred years of age. Their children were, Amos, b6rn May 15, 1729. Elijah, born Sept. 25, 1743. Ruth, born Jan. 10, 1733. Lucy, — married Ariel Lawrence. Ezekiel, born June 10, 1735. Esther. Joanna, born May 26, 1740. James, born Feb. 10, 1751. Joseph, had Joseph, born Feb. 9, 1705, and perhaps other children. He settled at Westover's plain. Some of his descendants, it is sup posed, settled at Salmon brook. Joseph and Ephraim Willcox were taxed there in 1734. APPENDIX. 175 James Cornish settled at Northampton, and was the first schoolmaster in that town. He afterwards removed to Westfield, and, about 1667, was ap pointed Clerk of the courts in Hampshire county, by Sir Edmond Andross. Shortly afterwards, when the government of Massachusetts was resumed under the Charter, he was left out of office, but the court applauded his good services, and recommended him to public favor. It is understood that he afterwards removed to Windsor — whether he died there, or in Simsbury, is not known. There was a James Cornish, and Gabriel Cornish, in Windsor, in 1676. James Cornish, son, as supposed, of the above, settled in Simsbury about 1695. He was taxed here in 1699, and was deacon of the church in 1715. James Eno, and George Hayes, were taxed in 1700 ; and in 1701, Benjamin Dibble, David Buttolph, Andrew Robe, Jacob Reed and Peter Rice. The name of Tuller does not appear until about 1690. The first of the name, John Tuller, then spelt Tullor, resided near the south line of the town on the east side of the river. The family of Latimer became inhabitants still later — they removed from Wethersfield. The first Isaac Ensign, whose widow is now living, was a native of Hartford ; and the late Elijah St. John, it is understood, removed from Fairfield County. The Williston and Bestor families came from Suf field, and the Mather family from Farmington. Thomas Bacon was taxed here in 1694, but he was not among the first settlers. The name was then spelt, on the records, Backon . The Goodwins were not among the first set tlers. They are descended from William Goodwin, of Hartford, who was born 1629, and died 1689. William was son of Ozias Goodwin, who was one of the first settlers of Hartford. The Westover family has become extinct in this town. The first of the name, in the town, was Jonathan, who settled here about 1690. He was a man of wealth and considerable influence. The ancestors of the Grimes and Vining families removed here about eighty years ago. . The Andruss family came here more than one hundred years since. When the wife of Mr. Butler Andruss was born, over seventy years since, she had living in the female line, in regular succession, four ancestors, all bearing the same christian name — viz. — Mrs. Joanna Hillyer of Granby ; Mrs. Joanna Bishop, whose first husband was Amos Willcox ; Mrs. Joanna Case, wife of Job Case ; and Mrs. Joanna Case, wife of Israel Case. Report says they, all assembled to see the infant, whose name was also Joanna ! — thus making a bevy representing five successive generations, all present at the same time, and bearing the same name ! Mrs. Hillyer, the eldest, was then upwards of ninety years old. Of this group, Mrs. Andruss is now the only survivor. 176 APPENDIX. STATISTICS, CENSUS OF CONNECTICUT, IN 1756. Counties.1 Whites. Negroes. Ind's. Counties. Hartford, 35,714 854 Fairfield, New Haven, 17,955 226 Windham, New London, 22,015 829 617 Litchfield, Total, Hartford, then including East Hartford and Manchester, Wethersfield, then including Glastenbury and Rockyhill, Windsor, then including East Windsor and Bloomfield, Farmington, then including Southington, Bristol, Burlington, and part of Berlin, 3,595 112 The number of (Indians was not correctly returned. There were some, at this time, in every County in the State. Whites. 19,849 19,669 11,773 Negroes. 711 345 54 Ind's. 120,975 3,019 617 iter,r-MU,Id, Whites. Negroes. 2,926 101 2,374 109 4,170 50 CENSUS IN 1774. Counties. Whites. Hartford, 50,679 New Haven, 25,896 New London. 31,542 lacks. Indians. Counties. 1,093 122 Fairfield, 854 71 Windham, 1,194 842 Litchfield, Whites. 28,93627,494 26,845 Blacks. 1,153 476 331 Indians. 61 158 109 Total, 191,392 5,101 1,363 CENSUS OF SIMSBURY, GRANBY, AND CANTON, AT DIFFERENT PERIODS. Years.Simsbury, Granby, Canton, Total, 1756 1774 17S2 1790 1800 1810 1820 1830 1840 2215 3700 4661 2576 2956 1966 1954 2251 1895* 2595 2735 2696 3012 2733+ 2611 1374 1322 1437 1736 2245 3700 4664 5171 5691 6036 6288 6421 6242 * This decrease, it is supposed, was occasioned by a partial cessation of work in the carpet factory. t Occasioned, in part, by the removal of the state prison. YALE 50