The History of Connecticut, from the first settlement of the colony. Second edition

Front matter

Eng for Holttsters "History of Connecticut. THE . HISTOEY OF CONNECTICUT, FROM THE FIRST SETTLEMENT OF THE COLONY. BY G. H. HOLLISTER. 3n ®xdo Volumes: VOL. I. £ wish [this task] had sullen into some better hands, that might have performed it to the life. 1 shall only draw the curtain and open my little casement, that so others of larger hearts and abilities may let in a bigger light ; that so at least some small glimmering may be left to posterity what difficulties and obstructions their forefathers met with in first settling these desert parts of America." — Mason's History of the Pequot War. SECOND EDITION, ENLARGED AND IMPROVED. HAETFOED: PRINTED BY CASE, TIFFANY & CO. 1857. Entereo, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1855, BY G. H. HOLLISTER, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Connecticut.

R. H. HOBBS, Etereotyper. Hartford, Ct CASE, TIFFANY & CO., Printers. Hartford, Conn. TO THE HONORABLE I. W. STUART, OF THE CHARTER OAK PLACE, HARTFORD. THESEVOLUMES ARE RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED BY THE AUTHOR.

Preface

TO THE SECOND EDITION. In committing to the press the second edition of the History of Con necticut, I take the opportunity to express my gratification to the public for the very liberal patronage hitherto bestowed upon the work. The task of preparing these volumes was not commenced with any idea of pecuniary profit, but rather with a view of filling a void which seemed to exist in the historic annals of my native State. The valuable researches of my predecessor, Dr. Trumbull, terminated several years anterior to the American Revolution ; from which time onward, Connecticut was without any written history whatever. My main object in undertaking the work, (as I stated in the preface to the first edition,) was to turn the attention of the descendants of the Connecticut emigrants from the pre sent to the glorious past; to remind them of the sacrifices, the toils, the sufferings of their fathers' fathers ; and to awaken, though it be with a momentary breath, the coals that once glowed like the vestal fire day and night upon the altar of Freedom.

Those who read these pages, will find that they little need be ashamed of their origin, and that it can be said of them as truly and in a higher sense than the fifth Henry could say to his troops on the day of battle, that " their blood is set from fathers of war-proof." Indeed, no State since the fall of Lacedæmon has ever, in the history of the world, waged so many wars in the same number of years, with equal success, or voluntarily borne such heavy burdens, as Connecticut. If I have failed to prove these facts, I am sure they are capable of proof when some author more worthy of the theme, shall address his energies to the task. Meanwhile, I humbly commend my labors to my brothers who still remain upon the soil of the State, and to those who, in regions far remote, yet turn their eyes with a fond regard toward the green hills and soft valleys where lie the bones of the men who felled the forest and planted the vine.

The second edition has been carefully revised, and a series of biographical sketches have been added to the first volume. Three new indexes have also been added at the close of each volume, viz. : an Alphabetical Index of Names, an Alphabetical Index of Subjects, and an Index of Questions. For purposes of reference, these indexes will add much to the value of the work, and, I hope, will serve to render it still more acceptable to those for whom it is particularly designed. The subject,

PREFACE.

. VI at least, will commend itself to all the sons and daughters of Con necticut, wherever in the providence of God their lot may be cast. To their special care and keeping I commit these results of my labors. The stranger and general reader will not reasonably expect to find, in a mere local history, that comprehensive arrangement and perspicuity of detail so essential in the history of races and of nations. The territorial limits of the commonwealth of which I have written, are so contracted that the area is scarcely observable on the map of our common country ; while her entire population is less than that of the single city of New York. With a feeling of filial love, I have here sought to follow her varied fortunes, from the day when a little band of Englishmen, on the borders of our "great river," first broke the silence of the primeval wilderness.

The subsequent settlement and growth of her towns ; the struggles and priva tions of her pioneers ; her wars with the Indians, the Dutch, the French, and, finally, with the mother country ; her civil history ; the progress of liberty, religion and education within her limits ; the gradual development of her resources — all these I have sought candidly and truthfully, to por tray. With what success, the reader must judge. Paok CONTENTS. CHAPTEE I. Settlement of the Connecticut River Valley. — Wah-qui-ma-cut visits the governors of Massachusetts and Plymouth ; he describes the Valley of the Connecticut ; he wishes the English to settle there ; Gov. Winslow visits the Valley ; the Warwick patent ; Massachusetts planters straitened for room ; their removal to Connecticut opposed ; Wethersfield settled ; leave granted Hooker to remove ; first settlement of Windsor ; march through the wilderness ; arrival of Winthrop ; severity of the winter ; sufferings of the settlers; construction of the General Court; journey of Hooker to Hartford ; the valley of the Connecticut ; its primitive appearance ; its aboriginal inhabitants ; their Anglo Saxon successors 17 CHAPTEE II.

Connecticut a 'Wilderness: The Pequot War and its causes. — Contrast between the past and present ; number and characteristics of the Indians ; murder of Captains Stone and Norton ; Narragansetts and Pequots ; John Oldham killed ; Gallop captures Oldham's vessel ; Endicott sent to Block Island ; he lays it waste ; remonstrance of Gardiner ; Endicott invades the Pequot country ; Butterfield roasted alive ; Tilley tortured to death ; Gardiner wounded ; an English shallop captured ; interview between Gardiner and the Indians at Saybrook ; Indians attack Wethersfield ; declaration of war against the Pequots ; Mason sails for Pequot ; it is decided to sail to Narragansett ; their arrival, and interview with Miantinomoh ; conduct of the Nihanticks ; Mason reinforced by Narragansetts ; boastings of Uncas ; desertion and cowardice of the Narragansetts ; the English reach the Pequot fort ; Mason burns the fort ; terrible destruction of life ; sad condition of the English soldiers ; return to Hartford 32 CHAPTEE III.

Prosecution of the Pequot War. — Sassacus disgraced in the view of his tribe ; the Pequots burn their remaining fort and disperse ; Massachusetts prosecutes the war ; Mason joins Stoughton at Pequot harbor; pursuit of Sassacus; sachems murdered at "Sachem's Head ;" the " swamp fight" at Fairfield ; bravery of Captain Mason ; CONTENTS. VIII Page and Patrick; the English triumph; the captives and booty divided; sufferings of the captives; Sassacus killed by the Mohawks; his scalp sent to Boston; the remnant of the Pequots distributed among the captors; the war unnecessary; Endicott's expedition ill-advised ; Connecticut compelled to take the field in self-defense ; it became a war of extermination; the Pequot tribe extinct. ... 00 CHAPTEE IV.

The first American Constitution.— -Civil and religious liberty had their rise in England ; their progress ; Henry VIII. ; his character and career ; his destruction and confiscation of Monastic buildings and estates ; his religious affinities ; progress of the Reformation ; death of Henry VIII.; the "reformation party;" the English liturgy framed ; accession of Elizabeth ; the liberal party divided ; character of the queen ; strict conformity required ; the High Court of Commission established ; its despotic nature ; clergymen executed for non-conformity ; James I. ; union of England and Scotland ; many clergymen silenced, imprisoned, or exiled ; conduct of the king ; both parties intolerant ; the puritans compelled to take repugnant oaths, or to leave the country ; their motives in coming to the new world; origin of human government ; the founders of our government ; their characteristics; the Constitution of Connecticut; its objects and provisions; two annual assemblies or General Courts ; mode of nominating candidates for office ; requisite qualifications for office ; the several towns to send four deputies ; convening of regular and special courts; deputies chosen by ballot; the supreme power of the commonwealth vested in the General Court ; our Constitution compared with those of Europe ; it recognizes all power as vested with the people ; no taxation without representation ; the king not named in it ; our early laws ; Bancroft's tribute to Connecticut. .

Ii CHAPTEE V. Founding of New Haven Colony. — People threatened with famine ; corn purchased of the Indians ; colony in debt ; heavy taxes ; John Mason appointed commander-in-chief of the militia ; Hooker presents him with the staff of office ; the scene described by Dr. Bushnell ; Davenport, Eaton and Hopkins arrive in Massachusetts ; efforts made to retain them in that colony ; they settle in New Haven ; their first Sabbath there ; Davenport's discourse ; plantation covenant ; earthquake ; purchase of the land at Quinnipiack ; character of the planters ; meeting in "Mr. Newman's barn ;" constitution adopted ; the " seven pillars" of the church ; the charge of CONTENTS. IX Page 91 100 bigotry considered ; purchase and settlement of Guilford and Mil ford ; principal settlers of Milford and Guilford ; Whitfield, Des borough, and Leete ; Ludlow ; settlement of Fairfield and Stratford, CHAPTEE VI.

Colonel Fenwick establishes a government at SaybrooJc. — Arrival of Colonel Fenwick, Lady Fenwick, and others, at Saybrook ; a civil government organized ; the first proprietors and other settlers ; quarrel between Sowheag and the people of Wethersfield ; attempts at reconciliation ; the remnant of the Pequots take possession of Pawcatuck ; a war against them resolved on ; Mason and Uncas invade their territory, burn their wigwams, carry off their corn, wampum, and other valuables ; attempt to form a " general confederation" of the colonies ; the several towns incorporated ; all deeds, mortgages, and conveyances of lands to be recorded ; the office of town clerk established ; provisions made for settling estates of deceased persons ; difficulties arising from Indian titles ; purchase of Norwalk and Greenwich ; purchase of lands on Long Island ; purchase of Stamford ; Captain Turner sent to Delaware Bay to buy lands ; character of the Wethersfield people ; Mr. Wareham and other proprietors of Windsor ; attempts to quiet the disturbances at Wethersfield ; many remove to Stamford ; principal proprietors who remained ; a union of the New England colonies effected ; New England Congress ; how constituted ; its powers ; Miantinomoh and Uncas ; the former invades the territory of the latter ; stratagem of Uncas ; the Narragansetts put to flight ; Miantinomoh captured ; his death, and burial-place CHAPTEE VII.

Progress of Settlement. Troubles with the Dutch and Indians. — Claims of the English and Dutch ; discoveries of Adrian Block ; the Dutch visit and purchase lands in Connecticut ; war between the Dutch and Indians ; how it originated ; the Indians murder Mrs. Hutchinson and her family ; the Dutch are aided by Captain Underhill ; Indian depredations and murders upon the English ; settlement of Branford; commissioners of the united colonies meet at Hartford ; agreement with the Narragansetts and certain Long Island Indians ; the jurisdiction of Westfield, and South Hampton ; purchase of Saybrook fort, &c. of Col. Fenwick ; a duty to be paid Col. Fenwick ; Death of George Wyllys, Esq. ; sketch of his history ; the Charter Oak Place ; the Narragansetts commence hostilities against Uncas ; interference of the English ; declaration of war against the Narragansetts ; the Narragansetts ask permis- CONTENTS.

X Page sion of the commissioners to fight TJncas, and are refused ; new treaty with them ; settlement of Farmington ; controversy with Keift, the Dutch governor ; complaints of the commissioners against him ; his reply, and the response of the commissioners ; the Indians attempt the murder of Gov. Hopkins and others ; the Mohawks ; first commercial attempt at New Haven ; ship, cargo, and passengers lost ; " the phantom ship ;" summons to Ninigret and Pessacus ; Springfield ; Winthrop's claim ; death of Lady Fenwick ; her history ; her tomb : 120

CHAPTER VIII.

Founding of New London. — Settlement commenced by John Winthrop, Jr., and Thomas Peters ; disputed territory ; Peters returns to England ; Winthrop's commission ; settlers exempt from taxation ; threatened Indian war ; Indian depredations ; the impost for repairing Saybrook fort ; the controversy decided in favor of Connecticut; controversy with Gov. Stuyvesant of New Netherlands ; burning of the Saybrook fort ; attempt to assassinate TJncas ; Uncas' story concerning a union between the Narragansetts, Nihanticks, and Pequots ; complaints of the Pequot captives ; Capt. Atherton sent into the Narragansett country ; his interview with Pessacus ; Ninigret ; Gov. Stuyvesant visits Hartford ; his claims ; negotiations with him ; Norwalk ; Middle-town ; attempt to sail for Delaware Bay ; Stuyvesant interferes ; French agents visit New Haven ; rumored conspiracy between the Dutch and Indians to exterminate the English ; the commissioners in favor of a declaration of war ; Massachusetts opposes the declaration \£] CHAPTEE IX.

Departure of Ludlow. Death of Haynes, Wolcott, a?id Eaton. — Fairfield and Stamford alarmed by the Dutch ; Fairfield determines upon war; Ludlow appointed commander-in-chief ; sketch of Roger Ludlow ; death and history of Gov. Haynes ; arrest and trial of Manning ; arrival of Sedgwick and Leverett in Boston ; the war with the Dutch to be carried on ; war against Ninigret ; Willard appointed commander-in-chief by Massachusetts ; his expedition a failure ; the commissioners disappointed ; the refugee Pequots • Ninigret's movements watched ; death and history of Henry Wolcott, Esq. ; Cromwell desires the New Haven people to settle in Jamaica ; Greenwich ; restlessness of Uncas ; death of Gov. Eaton • sketch of his life and character; Gov. Hopkins' decease ; his public services, and benevolence ; Chesebrough settles at Stonington; the Mistick river made the boundary between Connecticut and CONTENTS.

XI Page Massachusetts ; death of Gov. Welles and removal of Gov. Web ster ; Pessacus surrounds Uncas in his fort ; Pessacus defeated ; settlement and settlers of Norwich 177

CHAPTER X.

The Charter. — Great events in England ; accession of Charles II. ; Connecticut makes a formal avowal of allegiance ; petition for the charter ; Gov. Winthrop appointed agent to present it to the king ; he arrives in England ; obtains the cooperation of the Lord Say and Seal, and the Earl of Manchester ; presentation of a ring to the king ; the prayer of the petitioners granted ; the charter receives the royal signature ; the patentees ; main features of the charter ; its reception in the colony ; several border towns, and towns on Long Island, petition to be, and are, received under its jurisdiction ; . remonstrances of New Haven ; Davenport a principal opponent of the union ; proceedings of the legislatures of Connecticut and New Haven ; Connecticut lays claim to' Westchester, and Wickford ; committees appointed to treat with the towns ; Gov.

Winthrop's return ; Gov. Stuyvesant protests ; Thomas Pell's commission ; Killingworth named ; New Haven still resists ; Connecticut attempts to collect taxes within the New Haven jurisdiction; resistance; " the New Haven case stated ;" Duke of York's Patent ; the colonies alarmed ; Col. Nichols arrives from England ; he, with others, is authorized "to determine all controversies;" interview between Gov. Winthrpp and Col. Nichols ; New Amsterdam is surrendered to Nichols ; the power of the Dutch in America is annihilated ; New Haven reluctantly yields up her territorial government ; the two colonies are united under the charter ; the bounds of Connecticut defined ; the last General Court of New Haven colony. . . . 202 CHAPTEE XI. The Regicides. — Policy of Charles II. ; his endeavors to conciliate all parties; presbyterians admitted to his counsels and share the offices ; the house of lords except the regicides from the general pardon ; some of them fled, and some were taken and executed ; Whalley and Goffe arrive in Boston ; treated with high consideration ; the king's proclamation against them reaches Boston ; the judges escape to New Haven; they are pursued by Kellond and Kirk ; the pursuers are detained at Guilford over the Sabbath ; they reach New Haven ; are baffled by the authorities ; they return to Boston ; the judges are concealed in various places ; the search for them still kept up ; they propose to surrender themselves ; they are concealed in Milford ; they proceed to Hadley ; CONTENTS.

XII Page 234 are there concealed; sketch of Whalley; sketch of Goffe; Col. Dixwell ; sketch of his life and services ; he is concealed in New Haven ; Sir Edmund Andross' visit at New Haven ; death of Dix well

CHAPTER XII.

King Philip's Tsar-.— Conduct of the king's commissioners ; they annul purchases of the Indians ; attempt to form an independent government in Narragansett ; counties established ; Lyme named ; Haddarn, Simsbury, and Wallingford incorporated ; controversy about Paugasset (Derby ;) the town incorporated ; dispute in the church at Stratford ; the parties separate ; settlement of Pamperaug (Woodbury ;) adventures of the emigrating party ; Philip, the sachem of the Wampanoags ; his conspiracy ; attempts to christianize the Indians ; the prospects of Philip ; apprehensions of the English ; the crisis approaches ; Swansey, Taunton, Middleborough, and Dartmouth destroyed by the Indians ; Philip attacked and pursued ; Captains Hutchinson and Beers, and several of their men killed; Major Treat; services of Connecticut; the Narragansetts and Wampanoags ; treaty with the Narragansett sachems ; rewards offered for Philip ; Capt. Lathrop slain ; Mosely attacked and driven back; Major Treat's timely arrival ; the enemy repulsed ; means for the general defense; Springfield destroyed; Major Treat drives the enemy from the place, and saves the people from promiscuous slaughter; vote of thanks to Major Treat; Philip attacks Hadley ; he is driven back by the Connecticut troops ; defense of the eastern towns ; Congress decided to raise one thousand men ; the Narragansetts to be attacked in their principal fort ; union of the forces from Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Plymouth ; attack upon the fort ; dreadful slaughter ; the enemy dispersed — six hundred wigwams burned ; three Connecticut captains killed ; a dearly bought victory ; the war continues ; Nanuntenoo captured ; he spurns a conditional offer of fife ; he is executed ; Major Talcott's expedition ; " the long and hungry march ;" he is stationed at Westfield ; he attacks a party of the enemy near the Housatonick ; the sachem of Quoboug and twenty -four of his warriors killed 253 CHAPTEE XIII.

Andross attempts to land at Saybrook. — The Duke of York's new patent ; the duke commissions Andross as governor of New York • Andross disregards previous boundaries; war with Philip still pending ; Andross approaches Saybrook ; the militia rally ; legislative instructions to Capt. Bull and Mr. Chapman ; they are to act CONTENTS. XIII Page in self-defense ; the protest of the General Assembly ; Andross and his suite permitted to land; his object; his clerk is ordered to read aloud his commission, &c. ; Capt. Bull prevents him ; the militia escort Andross to his boat ; a statement to be made to the king ; death of Gov. Winthrop ; his public and private life ; the Winthrop letters 288

CHAPTER XIV.

Administration of Andross. — The colony involved in debt; heavy taxes levied ; she takes possession of the country of Nanuntenoo ; the Andross affair; committee on claims and jurisdiction appointed ; their decision in favor of Connecticut ; a new enemy appears ; the marquis of Hamilton's claim ; complaints against the colonies; Waterbury settled and incorporated ; the Naugatuck valley ; James II. ; Writs of quo warranto ; Mr. Whiting appointed agent to England ; conduct of the king ; charters annulled ; Connecticut alarmed ; the General Assembly refuse to direct ; Mr. Whiting's efforts unavailing ; Andross arrives in Boston as governor of New England ; he informs Connecticut of his appointment ; is " commissioned to receive their charter;" appeals to their loyalty ; they petition the king, without avail ; Andross visits Hartford ; his reception by the General Assembly ; he publicly demands the charter; remonstrance of Gov.

Treat ; debate prolonged until evening ; the charter suddenly disappears ; Andross assumes the government ; he proceeds to appoint officers ; many odious measures adopted and enforced by him ; he declares the land titles of the colonists valueless ; orders that new titles or patents shall be purchased ; abdication of James II. ; Andross seized and confined in Boston ; the charter officers resume the government ; the advent of king William welcomed by the colonists ; the charter oak ; Indian legend ; the charter concealed by Capt. Wadsworth 300 CHAPTEE XV. Frontenac's Invasion. Attempt upon Quebec. — The French and Indians threaten northern New York ; Leisler asks the aid of Connecticut; assistance rendered ; Count Frontenac invades the frontier settlements ; Schenectady destroyed ; horrible massacres ; settlement at Salmon Falls broken up ; Massachusetts asks the assistance of Connecticut ; she responds to the call ; Glastenbury incorporated ; New England and New York determine to invade the enemy's country ; plan of operations ; Fitz John Winthrop appointed commander-in-chief; he arrives at Wood Creek; the "five nations" refuse to cooperate with him ; no canoes in readiness ; he CONTENTS.

XIV Page 325 retreats to Albany ; Sir William Phipps' fleet reach Quebec ; he at tacks the city, but soon re-embarks ; conduct of Leisler and Mil born; Leisler seizes and court-martials Winthrop ; he is rescued by the Mohawks ; letter from the authorities of Connecticut ; the General Assembly sustain Winthrop ; vote of thanks ; Windham incorporated ; Frontenac invades the Mohawk country ; Col. Schuy ler pursues the French ; Connecticut sends more men to Albany ; Gov. Phipps asks for more men ; Capt. Whiting sent to his aid ; Gov. Fletcher of New York ; he claims the command of the militia of Connecticut; Gen. Winthrop sent as agent to England; his in structions ; Fletcher visits Hartford ; attempts to enforce his authority over the militia ; scene between him and Capt. Wads worth

CHAPTER XVI.

Conspiracy of Dudley and Cornbury. — Money raised for the defense of Albany ; it is paid to Gov. Fletcher ; result of Winthrop's mission to England ; satisfactory to Connecticut ; services of the colony ; enormous taxation ; dishonorable conduct of Fletcher ; the Earl of Bellamont ; committee appointed to wait upon him ; Winthrop elected governor ; two houses of the legislature established ; Plainfield, Colchester, and Durham incorporated ; New York and Connecticut boundary line; "Oblong;" Voluntown, Mansfield, Danbury, and Canterbury, incorporated ; war against Fiance and Spain ; the colonies involved in the conflict ; Connecticut sends troops to aid Massachusetts and New York ; friendly Indians to be enlisted ; Dudley and Cornbury ; their hatred to Connecticut ; Dudley's charges against her ; his attempt to reunite all the charter governments to the crown ; interference of Sir Henry Ashurst ; Dudley fails in his project; further attempts to rob Connecticut of her charter; new charges preferred against her; Bulkley's "Will and Doom;" the colony charged with oppressing the Mohegans; the queen appoints commissioners to investigate the charge ; survey and map of the Mohegan country ; meeting of the commissioners ; Connecticut not officially notified ; an ex parte trial ; verdict against Connecticut ; the trial of the colony for her charter • noble defense by Sir Henry Ashurst ; the decision favorable to Connecticut ; her enemies frustrated 343 CHAPTEE XVII.

Death of Treat. Surrender of Port Royal— Colonies again alarmed ; rumors of a French and Indian invasion ; removal of Indians ; Dudley's proposed expedition against Canada ; death of Gov. Win- CONTENTS. XV Page throp ; Gurdon Saltonstall chosen governor ; sketch of the life and services of Gov. Treat; Connecticut raises troops for Canada; Nicholson commands the land army ; non-arrival of the fleet from England ; failure of the expedition ; Bills of Credit issued ; Congress of governors ; address to the queen ; Gov. Saltonstall appointed agent to England ; Ridgefleld incorporated ; sachems visit England with Col. Schuyler; their interview with the queen ; more troops raised ; provincial fleet reaches Port Royal ; the fort surrenders • fleet arrives from England ; it is destitute of supplies ; men and provisions speedily raised ; expedition against Canada ; wreck of the English fleet ; land army return ; Hebron, Killingly, Coventry, New Milford, and Pomfret incorporated 367

CHAPTER XVIII.

War with the Eastern Indians. — French Jesuits ; their influence with the Indians ; Father Ralle ; incursions of the French and Indians ; eastern Massachusetts alarmed ; Col. Walton sent to defend the eastern frontier ; complaints of the Indians against the English ; expedition against Norridgewock ; the enemy had fled ; the English carry off the books and papers of Father Ralle ; the Indians retaliate ; they burn Brunswick, and capture sixteen English fishing vessels ; war formally declared ; Governors Shute and Burnett call upon Connecticut for troops ; she determines to defend her own frontiers and the county of Hampshire ; expeditions of Westbrook, Moulton, and Lovell ; Ashford, Tolland, Stafford, Bolton, and Litchfield, incorporated 382 HAPTEE XIX. War with France. Capture of Louisbourg. — Prospect of a war between England and Spain ; the colony takes measures to defend herself; the war declared ; Admiral Vernon sent against the Spanish West Indies ; measures for raising troops in Connecticut ; Bills of Credit issued ; union of Lord Cathcart's fleet with that of Vernon ; unsuccessful attack upon Carthagena ; pestilence ; fearful mortality among the troops ; Gov.

Oglethorpe ; England declares war against France ; French privateers ; the commerce of New England destroyed by them ; the English determine to capture Louisbourg ; measures adopted to that end ; arguments for and against the project ; the enterprise temporarily abandoned ; the determination is renewed ; troops raised and officers appointed in Connecticut; Sir William Pepperell appointed commander-in-chief; the troops sail for Louisbourg ; they are joined by Commodore Warren's fleet ; a part of the troops effect a landing ; they take CONTENTS. XVI Page surrender of Louisbourg ; services of Connecticut ; England resolves to pursue her conquests ; French fleet sails for America ; sudden death of D'Anville and D'Estournelle ; Jonquiere's plans defeated 390 CHAPTEE XX. Early Manners and Customs in Connecticut. — Preliminary remarks ; the undistinguished men and women of the colony ; the early planters were of good descent ; their heraldric bearings ; their disregard for the past ; servants ; the pedigree of the first settlers ; their industry and privations ; the dignity of labor ; civil, military, and ecclesiastical titles ; classes or grades of society ; architecture ; superstitions of the people ; their meals ; furniture ; modes of conveyance; the charge of bigotry considered; Fast and Thanksgiving ; customs at funerals ; peculiarities of dress and ornament. 415 CHAPTEE XXI.

The established Religion of Connecticut. — Religious opinions of the settlers ; their motives in coming to New England ; the first churches and ministers of Connecticut ; the specific duties of pastors, teachers, ruling elders, and deacons ; qualifications for church-membership ; the half-way covenant; construction and views of the churches ; religious controversies ; Rev. Henry Smith and the people of Wethersfield ; death and character of the Rev. Thomas Hooker ; Rev. James Pierpont ; the Hartford controversy ; dissensions at Wethersfield ; the Russell and Hollister controversy ; Mr. Russell removes to Hadley ; assembly of ministers ; difficulties at Windsor ; the Saybrook platform ; the Ruggles controversy at Guilford ; the "Great Revival;" opposition to the measures of the revivalists ; errors and irregularities ; laws passed to suppress the "new lights ;" difficulties at Branford, Milford, New Haven, and Wallingford ; religious toleration ; practical operation of the new system ; concluding remarks 446

Appendix

. The Patent of 1631 475 The Charter of 1662 476 Letter from Charles II 484 New Haven Case Stated 484 Biographical Sketches, 495 Colonial and State Officers, . . 529 Indexes,

Chapter I. Settlement Of The Connecticut River Valley

Some time during the year 1631, an Indian Sachem visited the governors of the Massachusetts and Plymouth colonies in the guise of a suppliant. He said his name was Wah-qui ma-cut. He described the country occupied by his own and kindred tribes as a rich, beautiful valley, abounding in corn and game, and divided by a river called "Connecticut," which he represented as surpassing all other streams, as well in its size and in the purity of its waters, as in the excellence and variety of the fish that swam in it, and the number of the otter and beaver that might be found along its banks. He begged that each of the colonies would send Englishmen to make settlements in this valley. He even offered to give the new emigrants eighty beaver skins annually, and supply them with corn, as an inducement to make the trial ; and proposed that two men should first be delegated to view the country, and make report to the governors, before any steps should be taken towards a removal there.