Connecticut historical collections, containing a general collection of interesting facts, traditions biographical sketches, anecdotes, etc., relating to the history and antiquities of every town in Connecticut, with geographical descriptions

Front matter

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Preface

The power by which we recall past scenes, the rapidity with which they are brought in review before us, the faculty by which we can " range o'er creation," and dwell upon the past and future, demonstrates that man was indeed formed in the image of his Creator, and destined for immortality. By the contemplation of the past, we feel our span of existence extended : we enter into the thoughts, hopes, and aspirations of generations before us, and in such moments hold communion with the departed spirits of antiquity.

Every thing relating to the history of the " Pilgrim Fathers," is worthy of preservation. " The Puritans," says a writer in no wise partial to them, " were the most

remarkable body of men, perhaps, which the world has ever produced They

were men whose minds had derived a peculiar character from the daily contemplation of superior beings and eternal interests. Not content with acknowledging in general terms an over ruling providence, they habitually ascribed every event to the will of the Great Being, for whose power nothing was too vast, for whose inspection nothing was too minute. To know him, to serve him, to enjoy him, was with them the great end of existence. They rejected with contempt, the ceremonious homage which

other sects substituted for the homage of the soul On the rich and the eloquent,

on nobles and priests, they looked down with contempt : for they esteemed themselves rich in a more precious treasure, and eloquent in a more sublime language ; nobles by the right of an earlier creation, and priests by the imposition of a mightier hand !" These were the men to whom the world owes the preservation of civil and religious liberty, their enemies being judges; and it was men of this stamp that were the fathers of Connecticut.

Though small in territorial extent and population, Connecticut is second to none of her sister states in the virtue, genius and enterprise of her sons. Considering the amount of her population, she has furnished a large proportion of distinguished men in almost every department of life, and some of the most powerful states in this Union are largely indebted to her for the elements of their greatness and prosperity.

The early history of Connecticut, in its various parts, has been ably written by Dr. Trumbull, the venerable historian of his native state. To this work the author is deeply indebted, as he is also to the "Gazetteer of Connecticut and Rhode Island," by John C. Pease and John M. Niles, Esqs., a work of much labor and merit. For the account of the towns in Middlesex County, " Field's Statistical Account" has furnished much valuable information. The extracts from the most ancient newspapers were taken from files of the New Haven journals, the earliest and only copies, it is believed, that are now in existence. These journals are in the valuable library left by the late Col. William Lyon, a distinguished antiquarian, and are now in possession of his son, William Lyon, Esq. a gentleman to whom the compiler feels himself under lasting obligations. To the various gentlemen in different parts of his native state, who have furnished information for this work, the author would here return his grateful acknowledgments.

It may be thought, perhaps, by some, that an apology ought to be made for inserting many things contained in this book: somethings may be thought too trivial, others too marvelous, to be recorded. With regard to the first, it ought to be borne in mind, that many things which at the first sight may appear to us to be of little moment, may hereafter be deemed of much importance. With regard to the latter objection, it may

IV

PKEFACE.

^^;^:^s^^x.r r consu,ered asde * c ^ •**

Although in this a*e most of « ™fc . ^ f * ° Pim ° nS ' &C " howeveI erroneous, weaknesses o^Sfathers vTl Zvh n "' T"" the *"P erslit "- -d Dr. Johnson and Z ™ r , 7 ^ " refl<?Ct lhat Sir Matthew H ^e,

I he numerous engravings interspersed throngh this work were f wi.h fe M nr •

from SS»t2JS. ZT 11 any PlaCe WiU Vary co »^rab,y as ii is viewed

demned as bein? incorrect it win h* „»n reco => mze d. Before any view is con-

In giving the notices of distinguished individuals, a limited number onlv ™„! i k

JVew Haven, 1837. ulu s^-

J. W. B.

Amid such a variety of facts, names and dates, it is not to be expected but that some

OHtaitafy.pigera, for Hanahbuke read IMkli, sometimes spelt Kanaw buck: Houksett should be Konksett, sometimes spelt Conksett M* Page 200 for 20 or 30 rods below the bridge, read about one mile, &c.

ChTrch n thf e t?n > it", *T' *' *« *** ° f the Protesta * Episcopal Church in the United States, was born in Pequonnuc, a small village in this town abou hree or four mdes eastward of New London. He graduated at Yale CoTlLe m 1 m He studied theology in Scotland and m 1753 obtained orders in London He was consecmed a bishop in Scotland, by three non-juring bishops in or about 1784

Itpa^m) ° n> where he dischargcd the duties of his office *» his ^t:

Groton, page 309, for brother of, read uncle to.

Walerford, for Gardiner, read Gardincrs.

Contents

Ash ford, .

Avon,

Barkhamsted,