The colonial history of Hartford

Preface

The town of Hartford has passed the two hundred and seventy-fifth anniversary of its settlement, and, in a few years, it will have completed three centuries of history. The early town that the founders knew has long since disappeared. Features that were familiar for generations have been swept away by the ravages of time. Only a few landmarks now remain. Within the area of what was formerly a country town, a large city has grown into vigorous life. To the sons and daughters of Hartford, the story of this development during colonial times, is of interest. It may also serve a patriotic purpose, by helping her citizens to maintain a fellowship with the forefathers, and by awakening in her children of foreign descent a loyal regard for her traditions. In the hope of rendering such a service to the city, for which the author confesses a strong personal affection, this volume has been written, in the course of a study of the records, extending over many years.

Students of Connecticut records have occasionally acknowledged their doubt whether certain fundamental facts, which concern both our local history and the founding of the Colony, have been correctly conceived. Views have become current, and have been passed on from one authority to another, which appeal for their warrant largely to records that have been lost, and are not in harmony with those that are extant. Such is the opinion that three organized towns created the Commonwealth. The records prior to 1639 that have disappeared, were those of three plantations, which were constituted as such and bore the names of the three Massachusetts towns from which their inhabitants emigrated. We have, fortunately, the early records of Springfield, at first united with them, to disclose the nature of their government. Hartford, alone, has documentary evidence of any town organization before the Commonwealth was formally established. Its own records show that the vin PREFACE

legality of their premature organization and its acts was derived from the authority of the General Court of the colony. There has always been, moreover, an inconsistency between the theory of a commonwealth, created by three towns, and the claim of Connecticut, to have inaugurated modern democracy in her government. Neither the terms used in the Colonial Records, nor the language of the Constitution, declaring that it was the fundamental law of the "Inhabitants and Residents of Windsor, Harteford and Wethersfield," support the belief that they participated in this act as organized towns. It was the constitution of the people. Thus the zeal of historians, in advocating a traditional theory, has blinded them to the discovery of the initial establishment of democracy and the practice of its principles from the beginning of the Colony, as taught by the founders and, in due time, declared in a written constitution. It is not a sacrilege to dig about the roots of the vines to discover the truth. One method only is open to the historian under these circumstances — that of thorough research in the original records, which the truth must perfectly harmonize. Conclusions have thus been reached that were not anticipated and are at variance with the traditional belief; but the evidence seems to the author to warrant no other. As briefly stated, these conclusions are as follows: that, in the settlement of the River Plantations under the Warwick Patent, a compromise was effected, by which the government was made over to the colonists; that this was expressed in the Commission for a provisional government, which left them full liberty at its expiration; that the founders of Hartford considered that they had thus secured a right to the lands which the Dutch claimed; that the three original settlements were established as plantations, like Springfield, and so continued in their relation to the General Court until after the adoption of the Constitution, January 14, 1638-9, the legal inhabitants being represented by committees; that even the prior choice of townsmen by the North-side and South-side plantations of Hartford, for the sake of unity in their own affairs, did not give it participation, as a town, in the adoption of the Constitution, nor constitute legal standing as a factor in the government; and that

PREFACE ix

these plantations were authorized, by the General Court of the colony, October 10, 1639, to organize their town governments, which they effected before the next Court of Election, April 9, 1640, when their representatives were recognized as such and are called "Deputies" in the records.

The nature of these studies of original authorities has made it impossible to write a popular history. Such a volume, if it embodied current opinions concerning many early events, such as the pilgrimage of Thomas Hooker, would be of little permanent value; and if our deductions from the records had been so used, without detailed evidence, the volume would be discredited. The author has been content to adjust some of the foundation stones of our colonial history, and to build thereon with the materials which the records themselves provide. The town of Hartford has occupied such a place in the Commonwealth that this has been considered the greater service. Nor has it seemed necessary to continue this study into the last century. In 1883 and 1884 a series of articles on the "First Hundred Years of the City of Hartford," by Mr. John W. Stedman, was published in the Hartford Sunday Journal. About the same time the reminiscences of some aged citizens on "Old Days in Hartford" were preserved in the columns of The Connecticut Post. Many historical papers have also appeared in The Hartford C our ant and The Hartford Times. These, with The Memorial History of Hartford County and certain monographs, magazine articles and church histories, have amply covered the field, and are cited in references.

It has been necessary to use antiquarian methods in solving some problems presented. In the absence of recorded statements, some conclusions do not admit of documentary proof. The householder, having lost his door key, believes that the one he finds on the steps, which fits the lock, is his own; but he has no absolute proof. Such beliefs rest upon the strength of probability. Thus many historical statements, now generally received as true, were at first established. The author has endeavored to make clear this distinction, and to qualify any matters of personal opinion or interpretation.

x PREFACE

We make grateful mention of Mr. William S. Porter, whose laborious researches in the Hartford Land Records, in 1839, have in some respects lightened our labors; and of the local historians of the river towns. As the inception of this study was due to the printing of the first volume of Hartford Toivn Votes, in 1897, we express our indebtedness to Mr. James J. Goodwin, who, through the Connecticut Historical Society, made that publication possible. These records, with the book of Original Distribution, recently printed through the same agency, constitute the classics of Hartford's early history. It is hoped that the author's work will bring out into the light some facts hitherto concealed in their pages. The latter publication is cited in references, although most of the research was done in the manuscript volume some years since.

To the several officials of the city and state, acknowledgment is made for every courtesy in the examination of public records; to Mr. George S. Goddard, librarian of the State Library for access to many manuscripts in the archives; to Mr. Albert C. Bates, librarian of the Connecticut Historical Society, for material that has been helpful; and especially to Mr. Albert L. Washburn, surveyor, and an expert in our land records, for his generous cooperation and assistance.

WILLIAM DeLOSS LOVE Hartford, Conn., February 23, 1914

Chapter I Page

Removal from Newtown. — Some Hartford Settlers arrive from England. — Six Agents sent to Connecticut. — Their Report of Suckiaug. — Scarcity of Land in Newtown. — Who were the Pioneers? — Thomas Shepard's Arrival. — The Meeting at Stone's House. — Recording and Selling Homes. — Elder William Goodwin's Party. — Their Departure October 15th. — Windsor's Disaster. — Arrival at Suckiaug. — Settlement on the North-side. — Clement Chaplin. — Some Return for the Winter. — North-side Plantation established. — Winter Hardships . 1

Chapter II

The "Warwick Patent." — Dissensions at Windsor. — Many Return to Dorchester. — Representatives of the Patentees. — They Challenge the Emigrants. — Under Whose Jurisdiction? — Conferences of the Winter.

— Patentees need Colonists. — Emigrants want Land. — The Compromise embodied in a Commission for Government. — The Patent and Dutch Claims. — Purchase from the Indians necessary. — The Dutchmen's Boundaries. — A Springtime Party. — Was Samuel Stone its Leader? — Patent Rights asserted. — The Dutch Protest referred to Winthrop. — South-side Plantation begun. — Obligations to John Winthrop, Jr 17

Chapter III

Distinctive Features of Hartford's Settlement. — Hooker's Relation to Earlier Parties. — Delay of Departure. — Members of Hooker's Company. — Winthrop's Account. — Mather's Narrative. — He is Followed by Hutchinson. — Error in Details. — The Compass Legend. — Early New England Travel. — The Path in 1636. — Evidence of the Route. — Pilgrims in the Wilderness. — The Encampment. — Recent Discoveries of the Path. — The Sabbath Rest. — Way to Quabaug. — Arrival at Agawam. — Records of the "Country Road" to Hartford.

— Where it crossed Namerick Brook. — Arrival at Newtown 30 xii CONTENTS

Chapter IV

Organization of the Townpage The Town in Connecticut. — Organization hindered by Conditions. — The River Settlements were Plantations. — Governed by Legal Inhabitants.

— Agawam an Illustration. — Hartford's Plantations have Separate Organizations. — Advantages of Dual Settlement. — William Spencer's Service. — Critical Study of Town Votes. — First Election of Townsmen in 1G;>7. — Union its Purpose. — Unauthorized Choice of Town Clerk. — Townsmen and a Town Court. — Windsor's Plantation. — Organization after General Court's Action. — Proof in Town Records.

— Wethersfield's Enigma. — Tripartite Agreement. — Dissensions result from Town Organization 47

Chapter V

Antecedents of Democracy. — Provisional Government. — Created by the Emigrants. — Early Courts. — The Inhabitants elect Magistrates. — Popular Election Impracticable. — Representation by Committees. — Their Legislative Year. — General Courts. — Agawam withdraws. — Preparing the Constitution. — The Sermon of Thomas Hooker. — How the Fundamental Orders were adopted. — The Will of the People.

— No Town represented. — A Dramatic Scene. — Operation of Colonial Government delayed. — New Factors created. — Final Action October 10, 1639. — Authority given for Town Organization. — Deputies of Towns displace Committees of Inhabitants 64

Chapter VI

The River Indians. — Sequassen's Village at Suckiaug. — Allies in the Pequot War. — Removal to the South Meadow. — Indian Neighbors of the Dutch. — Land of Manorolos and Sequassen. — Fight with Uncas. — Sequassen's Land divided. — An Indian Fort. — Heirs of Manorolos. — Pequot Heads. — Pesiponck, a Native Bath House. — Fort Hill at Hockanum. — Stronghold at Podunk. — Incidents in its History. — Scene of Miantinomo's Death. — Burning of Major Richard's Buildings. — A Son of Miantinomo. — Ten Hostages given. — Massecup in Prison. — Removal to Farmington 81

CHAPTER VII The Dutch and their Hocse of Hope

English Colonist and butch Trader. — West India Company. — Trade of the Pilgrims. — English Claims. — Early Ventures on Connecticut River. — House of Hope. — Holmes's Expedition. — Dutch Opposition.

— Purchase from the Pequots. — English Settlement. — The Dutch pro-

CONTENTS xin

PAGE

test. — DeVries intercedes. — Dispute over Rights. — The English , fence their Lots. — An Encounter. — Impounding Dutch Cattle. — Winthrop's Statement. — Arbitration sought in Holland. — Boswell's Advice. — William Kieft. — Agreement of 1650. — Seizure by Captain Underhill. — Tracts of Dutch Land. — Location of the House of Hope. — The "Redout." — Its Ruins. — Site partly owned by the City 98

Chapter VIII

Extensive Lands wanted. — Indian Conveyances. — The Territory included.

— Five-mile Purchase. — Proprietorship. — "Original Proprietors in 1639." — Grants by the Town's Courtesy. — Their Proportions vary. — Rates assessed on Lands. — All Grants are Conditional. — Speculation is excluded. — Settlers are rewarded. — General Court's Action concerning Undivided Lands. — Who were the Owners? — Committee to determine. — The Rule of Division. — List of Proprietors. — Additions to Town's Courtesy Class. — Inequalities adjusted. — East-side Division.

— Rule used in 1674. — Inhabitants divide Five-mile Tract. — The Contest of 1754. — Ancient Proprietors win 116

Chapter IX

Lost Plantation Books. — Principles of Allotment. — "Original Distribution." — Early Settlers anthorized to Sell. — Practice in recording Lots. — Dividing Line. — House-lots. — Little Meadow. — North Meadow. — South Meadow. — Cow Pasture. — Neck. — Little Ox Pasture. — South-side Ox Pasture. — Upland Divisions. — East-side Meadow. — Westfield. — Venturers' Field. — Pinefield. — Middle Ox Pasture. — Old Ox Pasture. — Highways Westward. — West Division. — Bridgefield. — Town Common. — Soldiers' Field. — Original Grantees.

— Additional Soldiers. — The Missing Men. — House-lots the Greatest Reward. — North-side Soldiers' Row. — Similar Row on the South-side.

— Conclusions 131

Chapter X

View of the Settlement in 1640. — Increase of Population. — A Rural Community. — Changing Appearance. — Their Building Operations. — Preparing Timbers. — Stone Quarries. — Bricks. — Agricultural Labors. — Fencing. — Activities determine Development. — Highways. — Work on them Compulsory. — Causeways. — Encroachments. — Pounds needed. — Centinel Hill. — Filling for Main Street. — Hill graded. — An Open Area. — Bartholomew Barnard's Homestead. — Fortified Houses. — Talcott's Warehouse. — Removal of Pound. — Barnard's Ponds. — Process of Transformation 151 xiv CONTENTS

CHAPTER XI page The Naming of Hartford. — First City Seal. — Indebtedness to the Connecticut River. — Early Channel. — Bird's Island. — Land east of the Creek. — The Scott-Cadwell Lot. — Thomas Cadwell's Warehouse. — Jonathan Gilbert's Enterprise. — Environs of the Landing in 1678. — Other Warehouses. — Improvements on the East-side. — Establishment of the Ferry. — Early Ferrymen of Hartford. — Licensed to keep Taverns. — Use of Revenues. — Wharves. — Front Street in 1775. — "Haynes's Pasture." — Early Houses and Shops east of Front Street. — "Cheapside." — Old Ferry Street. — "Jones's Landing." — The North Shipyard. — Traffic from the East-side 166

Chapter XII

The Riveret of the Forefathers. — Its Various Names. — Allyn's First Mill. — His Second Mill. — The Town's Competition. — Allyn and Bidwell. — History of the Upper Mills. — Badger's Road. — Early Bridges. — Hopkins's Mill at the Falls. — The Town Mill. — Later Owners. — Destruction of the First Bridge. — Differences as to Location. — Bridge burned in 1672. — Change of Place. — "Town Bridge" and "Great Bridge." — Some Landmarks on its Banks. — Tanneries. — Islands of Early Times. — The Armory Tract. — Flaxseed Oil Mill 181

Chapter XIII

The First Meeting House. — Some Notable Assemblies. — Meeting House of 1638. — Location and Size. — The Porch Chamber. — Later Improvements. — The Broken Bell. — Sequel to the Church Controversy. — The South-side Congregation. — Location of their Meeting House. — Evidence of its Size. — Lawsuit over the Site. — Whiting's Loyal Supporters. — Proposed Union of the Churches. — Third Meeting House of the First Church. — Fixing a New Site for the Second Church. — Two Steeples. — Edifices on the East-side. — West Hartford Edifices. — Colonial Beginnings of other Denominations 197

Chapter XIV

Early Court Sessions. — The Custom in England. — Thomas Ford's Inn. — Jeremy Adams his Successor. — His Agreement with the Colony. — The Court Chamber. — Zachary Sandford the Host. — Andros and the Charter. — The Charter Oak. — General Assembly convenes in the Meeting House. — Governor Saltonstall proposes Court Houses. — Old Court House. — Erection of the State House. — Bulfinch the Architect.

CONTENTS xv

PAGE

— Original Appearance. — Reception to La Fayette. — Old City Hall.

— Early Town Officers. — Beginnings of Post Service. — Newspapers

and Post Riders. — Postmasters of Hartford 215

Chapter XV

Acquaintance with Colonial Society. — Inns as Social Resorts. — The Typical Landlord. — Scenes in Adams's Inn. — Transmission of News.

— "Black Horse Tavern." — Some Other Resorts. — Taverns near the Ferry. — South-side Hosts. — Drinking Customs. — Visiting. — The Social Side of Military Trainings. — Election Day. — Transformation of the Puritan. — Succeeding Generations. — Changing Fashions of Dress. — An Indication of Social Life. — Jewelry. — Inventories of Apparel. — An Early Trader. — One of the Proprietors. — The Colonial Gentleman. — A Wealthy Dame. — The Lady of Fashion 232

Chapter XVI

Laying the Corner-stone. — John Higginson. — Other Schoolmasters. — "The Town House." — "Goody Betts." — Desired Improvements. — The Unnamed Friend. — Laws of 1650. — Elder Goodwin represents Governor Hopkins. — The Greenhill Lot. — Suspension of Grammar School. — The Hopkins Bequest. — Opposition to the Trustees. — Hartford's Proportion. — Hopkins Grammar School. — Caleb Watson.

— Elementary Schools. — Erecting a School-house. — Homestead of Thomas Seymour, Esq. — Parish Schools. — Formation of Districts. — Later History of the Grammar School 251

Chapter XVII

Criminal Courts of Colonial Times. — The Particular Court and its Judges. — Laws. — Penalties. — Contempt of Court. — Various Offenses. — Reformation and Probation. — Defamation of Character. — Social Immorality. — Servants a Menace. — Marriage and Social Virtue. — Divorces. — Civil Cases. — Treatment of Witchcraft. — Hartford's Executions. — Punishments near the Meeting House. — Early House of Correction. — Building of 1698. — Establishment of the Colony Workhouse. — Transfer to the County. — Hartford Gaol. — Old Jail of 1793.

— Relief of the Poor. — Workhouse and Almshouse 276

Chapter XVIII

Dependence on Trade. — Markets and Fairs. — Traffic with the Indians. — Export Trade. — Vessels owned in Hartford. — Hopkins and Whiting.

— Richard Lord. — John McKnight. — Methods of Exchange. — xvi CONTENTS

PAGE

Trade at the Ferry. — Early Shops. — Artisans. — Evolution of the Store. — The Appearance of Main Street. — South-side Residents and their Shops. — North of Shepard's Corner. — " Unicorn and Mortar."

— Development of the Stanley Lot. — Green and Watson. — Hudson and Doolittle. — The Burying Ground. — Mookler's Barber Shop. — " Heart and Crown." — West of the Court House. — State Street Merchants. — Along Queen Street 295

CHAPTER XIX Houses of Colonial Times

The English Colonists' Ideal of Home. — Early Development. — The Bliss Homestead. — Houses of the First Settlers. — Arrangement of Rooms.

— Size of Houses. — Materials and Construction. — Changes of Type.

— Various Uses of Rooms. — Interior Furnishings. — The Whiting- Bull-Burr Homestead. — Home Lot of Governor Hopkins. — James Richards's Manor House. — Later Occupants. — Captain Thomas Seymour. — Home of Isaac Sheldon. — History of a Homestead in the Meeting House Yard. — Captain Jonah Gross. — His Brick House. — The Morrison Mansion. — Home of Thomas Green 319

Chapter XX

Connecticut's Incorporation Movement in 1784. — Its Beginning in New Haven. — Hartford during the Revolutionary War. — The State impoverished. — Agitation of the Impost. — "Policy of Connecticut." — Governor Trumbull favors Incorporation. — Municipal Government necessary to Progress. — Opposition of the Farmers. — Hartford's Favorable Action. — The Remonstrance. — Second Memorial. — Charter of Hartford. — Limits of the City. — Court of Common Council. — City Court. — The First Election. — Progressives in Power. — Colonel Wadsworth. — Services to the City. — Improvements disclose Former Conditions. — City Streets. — Solomon Porter's Survey. — City By-Laws. — Up-River Trade. — Commercial Interests. — The State House, a Memorial of the City's Incorporation 343

Index 359

ILLUSTRATIONS

Thomas Hooker Frontispiece

From a picture of the statue on the State Capitol, in " The Sculpture of Charles Henry Niehaus."

The North-side Plantation, 1635 10

Sketch showing the house-lots of the pioneers at Suckiaug.

Governor John Winthrop of Connecticut 18

From a copy in the State Library, painted by George F. Wright, after the original portrait in the possession of Mrs. Robert Winthrop of New York.

From an engraving by Seth H. Clark, in Scaeva's "Hartford in the Olden Time."

An Early Camping Place on the Bay Path, Fisk Hill, Sturbridge,

Mass 42

From a photograph taken in 1913.

The Country Road at Namerick Brook, used before 1662 42

From a photograph taken in 1913.

The Adoption of the Fundamental Orders 76

From the mural decoration by Albert Herter, in the Supreme Court Room, State Library.

The Departure for the Pequot War 84

From a study by J. Massey Rhind, Sc, made for the Department of Public Parks, Hartford.

The South-side Plantation, 1636 108

Sketch showing the lands of the Dutch and Indians, with the house-lots of their English neighbors.

Hartford in 1640 120

" Prepared from the Original Records by Vote of the Town, and drawn by William S. Porter, Surveyor and Antiquarian."

Plantation Divisions of Hartford 134

Drawn by Albert L. Washburn after the Author s map.

View of Hartford from the Deaf and Dumb Asylum, 1849 152

From a lithograph engraved by E. Whitefield, in the collection of Morgan B. Brainard.

Coat of Arms, after the City's Seal adopted in 1852 166

The First Seal of the City of Hartford, 1785 166

Fire at the Foot of Ferry Street 170

From the engraved heading of the Hartford Fire Insurance Company Policy No. 80, 1811.

View of Hartford form the East Side of Connecticut River, 1841 178 From a lithograph "printed and engraved by Rob* Havell," in the collection of Morgan B. Brainard.

Little River about 1854 190

From a lithograpk, drawn by J. Ropes and published by E. C. Kellogg, in the collection of Morgan B. Brainard.

The Meeting House of 1638 200

From a sketch based upon the records and drawn by Edward T. Hapgood, architect.

The Stuart Homestead and the Charter Oak 218

From a painting by Henry Bryant, in the possession of Miss Ellen M. Stuart.

The State House of 1719 222

From a sketch drawn by Edward T. Hapgood, architect, after an illustration in "Geer's Directory."

Moses Butler's Tavern 238

From a drawing in the Connecticut Historical Society, after the original sketch made by William Roderick Lawrence in 18$8.

House of Thomas Seymour, Esq., 1750 268

From a photograph taken in 191$.

The Old Jail, Erected in 1793 292

From a photograph in the Connecticut Historical Society.

The Isaac Bliss Homestead 820

From a painting in the Connecticut Historical Society.

The Amos Bull and Joseph Whiting Houses 330

The Whiting-Bull-Burr House was erected in the second half of the seventeenth century and torn down in 191$. The Amos Bull-Edwin Spencer House is on the left. From a water-color sketch painted before 1828 by George Francis, in the collection of Morgan B. Brainard.

The Richards-Sheldon-Woodbridge House 336

From a photograph in the collection of the late Samuel Taylor.

House of Captain Jonah Gross 340

Survivor of a fiomestead in the original meeting-house yard. From a photograph taken in 191$. "

House of Dr. Roderick Morrison, 1750 340

In 1767, the home of Thomas Green, the founder of " The Connecticut Courant," and George Goodwin his apprentice. From a photograph taken in 191$.

The State House of 1792 352

From a sketch made after various early pictures by Charles L. N. Camp for Mrs. Emily S. Holcombe, President of the Connecticut Society of Colonial Dames, and representing the edifice about 1835.

Chapter I The Pioneers Of Hartford In 1635

The reasons that moved the people of Newtown, under the leadership of Thomas Hooker, to remove from Massachusetts to Connecticut, and thus become the founders of Hartford, have been fully discussed by historians. Agitation of the project began prior to May 15, 1634, on which date the General Court gave them permission "to seeke out some convenient place," promising to confirm it to them, provided the place chosen was not prejudicial to any plantation already settled. A removal outside of the jurisdiction of Massachusetts was not then contemplated, nor such permission intended; but subsequent events led them to interpret this action as liberty to go whither they desired. When a vote was taken, later, concerning the removal of Dorchester and Watertown, they were restricted to continue still under Massachusetts government. The Newtown emigrants may have thought that the place to which they were going was within the Bay Colony, but no such condition was ever imposed upon them. This early vote gave them more time and greater liberty to seek out a suitable location. It is important to follow the sequence of events after this action of May 15, 1634, for two years intervened between it and the pilgrimage of Thomas Hooker's company. Shortly after they received the above permission, they sent men to Agawam and Merrimack "to find a fit place." They may have considered favorably the former location, for they "gave out they would remove"; but, even as they were reconnoitering, Rev. Thomas Parker and his company, just arrived from England, went thither to settle, and they were shut out.

At that time two ships, at least, were on the ocean, among whose passengers were original settlers of Hartford. They had sailed from Ipswich, England, about "the last of April," and because they had a pleasant voyage, arriving early in June, and very likely, also, because several of the passengers went to Agawam to settle, they changed its name to Ipswich. One of these ships was the Elizabeth, with Thomas Scott, William Blumfield, Robert Day, and, some say, Nathaniel Ely and John Clarke. The other was the Francis, with William W'estwood, John Barnard, Nicholas Gennings and W T illiam Holton. In one of the six ships that had arrived in May, William Pantry, Samuel Greenhill, Timothy Stanley, and probably Thomas Stanley, were passengers. The distribution of lands at Newtown, August 4, 1634, may indicate that the following new-comers were also passengers in one of the "fourteen great ships" that arrived in June: Joseph Easton, James Ensign, John Hopkins, Thomas Judd, Stephen Post and George Stocking. These accessions quickened the desires of Newtown for more extensive fields.

We are not surprised, therefore, that within a few weeks of their arrival, or early in July, Winthrop records the fact that "Six of Newtown went in the Blessing, (being bound to the Dutch plantations,) to discover Connecticut River, intending to remove their town thither." These men were agents of Newtown. Perhaps some of the new arrivals were among them. Hubbard says: "The place which those that went from Cambridge had by their agents chosen to settle upon, was by the Indians called Suckiaug, where some of them began the plantation in the end of the year 1635, Mr. Hooker and Mr. Stone, the ministers of the church, engaging to follow them the next year, which they did and called it Hartford." 1 We have none of the names of these six agents. They doubtless accomplished their

1 Hubbard's History of New England, pp. 306, 307. Mather has the following passage in the Magnolia (1:81): "It was in the year 1635, that this design was first formed; and the disposition of the celebrated Mr. Thomas Hooker, with his people now in Cambridge, to engage in the design, was that which gave most life unto it. They then sent their agents to view the country, who returned with so advantageous a report that the next year there was a great remove of good people thither."

purpose and visited Suckiaug, but we have no account of their experiences. 1 They were the first Hartford men to discover Suckiaug, unless some of the traders of 1633 visited the place and afterwards settled there. They returned home during the summer with a favorable report of the land.

The next General Court met September 3, 1634, and its main business was the removal of Newtown to Connecticut. Mr. Hooker urged the " f ruitfulness and commodiousness of Connecticut," as one who was speaking upon the information of their agents. The point was made, in reply, that they would expose themselves to evident peril, both from the Dutch and from the Indians. The result of this controversy was that an enlargement of Newtown's bounds was proposed and outwardly accepted. This compromise temporarily delayed their removal.

The fact is — and it is evident upon a close study of the conditions in Newtown at this time — that the town had received some new settlers in the ships of 1634, who were unwilling to locate permanently under such uncertainty. Either Newtown must remove, or these and other prospective settlers would go elsewhere. Grants of land were made to most of them, but their lots were inferior, and the town's bounds were limited. There is evidence in the Cambridge land records that some of the new-comers did not erect upon their lots houses worthy of being so named. Thus they passed the "winter of their discontent."

In the emigrant ships of 1635, others of the founders of Hartford arrived. The Elizabeth and Ann from London brought Clement Chaplin, John Holloway and Thomas Lord, while Mathew Marvin, William Ruscoe and John Warner were passengers in the Increase. Eight ships arrived during the first week of June. Some, who were early settlers in Windsor, Hartford and Wethersfield, and who

1 They were entertained, doubtless, by Jonathan Brewster, resident agent of the Plymouth Company at Windsor; and perhaps they visited the Dutch at the House of Hope. From the latter they would have received no encouragement. Brewster, in his letter of July C, 1635, speaks in a confusing way of a party — perhaps Windsor pioneers — which he assisted with canoes and guides. "They got me to goe with them," he says, "to ye Dutch, to see if I could procure some [land] of them to have quiet setling nere them; but they did peremtorily withstand them." Bradford's History of Plymouth Plantation, p. 339.