Early Settlement of Woodstock, Connecticut
As the older men returned to Roxbury, and winter closed in around them,
the little colony realized more fully its isolation and exposure. The
nearest settlements on the north were Oxford and Worcester, and many miles
of savage wilderness lay between them and the far-off towns, Providence,
Norwich and Hartford. The future populous counties, Worcester and Windham,
were as yet unsurveyed and almost unbroken, inhabited by wild beasts and
more ferocious savages. Alone in this vast tract of wintry desolation,
they took counsel together around the scattered hearthstones and laid
plans for coming years. Scouts were kept up patrolling the settlements, to
guard from Indian alarm, and houses fortified to serve as places of
refuge.
As early as possible spring work was begun. April 29th, 1687, Edward
Morris, Nathaniel Johnson and Joseph White were commissioned by the
planters to treat and agree for the building of a corn mill, on as
reasonable terms as they could. William Bartholomew, of Branford, a former
resident of Roxbury, was the person selected and secured, with urgent
persuasion, "For building a corn mill on the falls below Muddy Brook pond
(now Harrisville) and finding the town with grinding good meal, clear of
grit." He received a place at the falls to set a mill, a fifteen acre home
lot with rights, a hundred acres of upland, and afterward an additional
twenty acre home lot, " provided he bring his wife and settle upon it."
July 2d, John Chandler, Sr., Nathaniel Johnson, Joseph Bugbee, James White
and Joseph Peake were chosen to order the prudential affairs of the place
as selectmen for the year ensuing. John Holmes assumed the charge of
running the sawmill, receiving the land on which the mill stood, three or
four acres, bounded east and north by Saw Mill brook, laid out for the
town's use, provided he leave convenient way to carry timber to mill.
March 12th, 1688, the planters appointed seven men, viz., Edward Morris,
John Chandler, Sr., Benjamin Sabin, Joseph Bugbee, William Bartholomew,
Samuel Rice, John Bugbee, to state and settle highways and make return in
writing. These seven men were empowered to end the controversy between
Samuel Rice and John Marcy about their home lots; also to allow Joseph
Bacon to take up the remainder of his brother Thomas's lot, provided he
come and settle here by the 12th of April next, and to rectify various
under and over allotments. Attending to this work " with all expedition,"
on March 18th the committee reported seventeen highways necessary for the
good of the town. A number of these were two rods wide, accommodating the
settlers with ways to the mills or Planting hill in the tract. The most
important was a road eight rods wide running from the brook at the
northward end of the eastward vale to go and be by the pond through the
plaine to Muddy brook, from thence up to the Plaine Hill," and also one
going out from this highway " to lead to the road called Connecticut
Road," extending through the intervale west side Muddy brook. Little else
was accomplished during the year; a bridge was built near John Chandler's;
orchards were set out with famous russets and other slips brought from
Roxbury, but there was small encouragement to effort.
His Excellency, Sir Edmond Andros, gov.-general of his majesty's
territories and dominions of New England," had not yet granted a patent of
confirmation. Again and again the matter was earnestly discussed by the
fathers of the settlement, a majority pledging themselves to pay all
charges necessary for securing it, according to their proportion. Most
humble petitions, both from old Roxbury and the new plantation, were laid
before this despotic ruler, praying that their land might be confirmed to
them `° on such moderate quit rent as may be agreeable to your
Excellency's wisdom, and the great distance and poverty of place and
inhabitants will allow." No notice was taken of these requests. Loftier
prey was sought by the rapacious governor. Their very poverty and distance
gave them security. Roxbury suffered with other prosperous towns from his
exactions, and was unable to advance the money promised to her "Go-ers."
Meeting house, schools, all public improvements were thus left in
abeyance, and the New Roxbury settlers could only bide their time and
improve their own home lots. A few new residents came during this
interval. Sons of the first comers became of age and received allotments,
The first death was that of Joseph Peake, Sr., whose place on the
committee was filled by Samuel Scarborough, March 1st, 1688. The first
birth reported was that of Nathaniel Gary, November 6th, 1686. Samuel
Rice, Stephen Sabin, John Marcy, John Hubbard, Hannah Gary and Rebekah
Bacon were also reported before 1690. John Holmes and Hannah Newell were
married April 9th, 1690.
The breaking out of King William's war in 1689 aroused fresh apprehension
of Indian assault. " In the sense of our great hazard and danger, and our
incapacity to defend ourselves," the inhabitants of New Roxbury met
together and organized as a military company, making choice of Edward
Morris for lieutenant and William Bartholomew, Jr., ensign. A paper
attesting this choice " as the act and desire of the soldiers," was laid
before the government by John Chandler, Joseph Bugbee and Benjamin Sabin.
This nomination was allowed and confirmed by the representatives, and
consented to by the governor, July 13th, 1689.
The revolution of 1688, deposing King James II. and his governors, and
establishing King William upon the throne of Britain, brought new life and
hope to the New Roxbury colony. Both town and colony hastened before the
court with a petition for confirmation, name and further privileges. Its
failure to procure the settlement of an orthodox minister was generously
overlooked in consideration of the "great over-turns" that had been, and
in March, 1690 " the petition was granted by the deputies and honorable
magistrates consenting." March 15th, it was further voted, " That the name
of the plantation granted to Roxbury be Woodstock," a name selected by
Captain Samuel Sewall, afterward chief justice, with veritable prophetic
instinct, "because of its nearness to Oxford, for the sake of Queen
Elizabeth, and the notable meetings that have been held at the place
bearing the name in England." With joy and gratitude the inhabitants
received the tidings, and formerly inscribed upon their records-"
Woodstock, March 31, 1690.-We the selectmen of Woodstock, formerly called
New Roxbury, being met together, have made a rate for levying the whole
charge of said place on each inhabitant according to a vote of the town,
the sum of which amounts unto £124,10s. in pay the other part amounts unto
1.31,7s. 44d., in money, which whole rate is delivered to Constable John
Holmes, to gather forthwith for the town's use as the selectmen shall
order."
The important question of providing for divine worship was now brought
under consideration. Mr. Josiah Dwight, of Dedham, a youth of twenty, who
had already graduated from Harvard College and pursued ministerial
studies, was even then preaching to the people. The selectmen were
empowered to treat with him about settling in the work of the ministry,
and soon made satisfactory agreement, offering the twenty acre home lot
with town rights and. divisions, and to build and finish a house for him,
with a salary of thirty pounds, increasing ten pounds annually till it
became sixty pounds. October 27th, William Bartholomew, Sr., Nathaniel
Johnson and Benjamin Sabin were appointed a committee " to manage the
building a minister's house 40 x 19, 14 feet stud, a cellar seventeen feet
square, a stack of four chimneys and two gables." A committee was also
chosen to assist the selectmen in writing to Roxbury to demand the money
"due to us by their agreement." At this same meeting John Chandler, Sr.,
was chosen first selectman in place of that most worthy and prominent
citizen, Lieutenant Edward Morris, deceased.
The annual town meeting was held November 27th. John Chandler, Jr., was
chosen town clerk; John Chandler, Sr., William Bartholomew, Benjamin
Sabin, John Leavens and Joseph Bugbee, selectmen, in whose hands was
placed " the whole power of the town, excepting granting lands and
admitting inhabitants; " Jonathan Peake, Matthew Davis, Samuel Rice,
surveyors. It was voted that the meadows be divided in two divisions, good
and bad, each by itself, John Butcher, surveyor. Also, that the town be at
the charge of digging clay, tempering of it, making a yard, cutting wood
and carting it for bricks for the minister's chimneys. As cattle had free
range and often lost themselves, a substantial pound was ordered, "to
stand nigh to Matthew Davis's fence in the front of his lot near the
highway." The houses of Benjamin Sabin and Nathaniel Johnson in the south
and east extremities of the settlements, were designated as watch houses,
to be securely fortified, and a later vote required that every man should
get a ladder for his house, Jonathan Peake having the oversight thereof,
and forfeiting five shillings for every man found lacking. Every man was
also ordered to bring in the -ear-mark of his creatures to be recorded by
the town clerk. As no arrangements for schools were yet practicable, it
was requested and procured that John Chandler, Jr., teach and instruct
children and youth how to write and cypher." In regard to the various `1
quarrels " that were pending the town did oblige itself "to stand to the
determination of the General Court's Committee."
In 1691 bridges received much attention. Peter Aspinwall mended the bridge
by John Chandler's; Samuel Rice was ordered " to mend the ways about West
hill, and especially care for the bridges beyond Wabbaquasset hill on
Connecticut road." Jonathan Peake and Matthew Davis were enjoined to mend
the ways about town, and make two bridges between Lieutenant Bartholomew's
and Benjamin Sabin's, in the most suitable places, and to repair the
bridge by Joseph Frizzell's. The town also agreed to be at the charge of a
road to Providence, by making a way unto the cedar swamp, on the other
side of Quinebaug river; " Benjamin Sabin to oversee the work and take
account of the same;" Peter Aspinwall, substitute. Work on the minister's
house went leisurely forward, and measures were initiated for building a
meeting house. John Leavens, Edward Morris, Jonathan Peake, John Chandler,
Sr., were appointed building committee, with power to let out the whole of
the work, and make a rate proportionately on each inhabitant, and oblige
themselves to pay the same and in such specie as they shall promise to the
workmen. John Holmes was apparently the man selected, and a time limited
for the completion of the house. A man was to be allowed two shillings a
day for working, or two and threepence, he finding himself diet; five
shillings if with a team of four cattle. During the following year work
dragged slowly. Roxbury deferred the payment of the promised money, and
Indians gave serious annoyance. Ancient Wabbaquassets had returned to
their old home drunken and refractory, averse to Massachusetts' dominion.
Their chief, Tokekamowootchaug, was as barbarous as his name, and better
disposed Indians were brought to death's door by his unruly followers. A
petition from Woodstock's selectmen, February, 1692, reported many
outrages, but it was found very difficult to restrain or punish the
offenders.
Relations with Roxbury continued inharmonious. In the course of 1693 the
minister's house was sufficiently completed to serve for public meetings.
The selectmen and town clerk were directed to consider of and compile such
by-laws and orders as might be for the benefit of the town. A clerk of the
market was added to town officers. During this year Woodstock attained
"the conveniency of a shop," twelve square rods adjoining Clement Corbin's
lot being granted to his son, Jabez, for that purpose. The spot assigned
was near the site of the present post -office on Woodstock hill. The three
Corbins were settled at the north end of Plaine hill, and this shop became
a noted institution. The brothers, James and Jabez, were energetic
traders, taking in furs, turpentine and any marketable product to exchange
for goods in Boston. Their heavily laden cart toiled back and forth over
the rough highway. James Corbin also traded or speculated extensively in
land, and was a very prominent personage. John Chandler, Jr., was becoming
very widely known as a land surveyor, much employed by Connecticut land
operators. Marrying Mary Raymond, of New London, he spent much time in
that town, surveying land for Major James Fitch. agent for the Mohegans,
and practically master of all their territory. Captain Chandler was also
town and proprietor's clerk at home, and detailed on other public service.
After much disagreement and discussion upon relations with Roxbury, it was
voted, September 6th, " That the town do forthwith make choice of one man,
who shall join with Captain Chapin, of Mendon, to go to Roxbury and agree
and determine all matters supposed to be in difference, particularly the
hundred pounds and the remaining part of land, and what they agree to
shall be stood to by the town "-passed by a very clear vote, with some
dissenters. John Butcher was the man chosen, and all difficulties were
happily surmounted. November 3d the town was made acquainted with
proceedings of Roxbury, agreement of committee and Captain Chapin's
account of service done, and "generally manifested their desire of thanks
to be given for his service." Part of the money received was appropriated
toward finishing the minister's house, and ten pounds allowed for nails
and irons for the meeting house; the remainder delivered to Mr. Dwight, to
be kept till the town should call for it. In March, 1694, the committee
empowered to build a house for the minister was commanded to deliver the
same and also the lot, with all its appurtenances, to Mr. Dwight, our
minister. In November of the same year the meeting house was ready for
occupation, and the old hall, or White House, appraised by indifferent men
and sold for town charges.
In the following year the church was organized, by a council of
Massachusetts churches, and Reverend Josiah Dwight ordained and installed
as its pastor. Unfortunately, all record of its formation is lacking, but
undoubtedly its members were mostly dismissed from the mother church of
Roxbury, with which they had maintained connection. John Chandler, Sr.,
and Benjamin Sabin were elected deacons. During this year a second land
division was effected-forty acres to each twenty-acre home lot, and to all
proprietors in that proportion-extending from the east line, east side the
pond, to four miles westward. William Bartholomew, Benjamin Sabin,
Benjamin Griggs, with the surveyor, John Butcher, were commissioned to
perform the work under specific directions. Fifty-one lots were laid out
and distributed. Samuel Perrin, John Carpenter, Edmond Chamberlain, David
Knight and other new settlers appeared, taking the place of first
proprietors. Several pieces of land were reserved for public uses, viz.,
the site of the meeting house, a square piece of land in front of James
Corbin's, containing four or five acres, for training place and burial
ground (part of the present Woodstock common), another strip between Jabez
Corbin's and the highway, and several pieces for the maintenance of
schools. Land reserved for the support of the ministers was ordered to be
fenced and planted with orchards. At the same time a division of the north
half was in progress under Roxbury's direction, John Butcher, surveyor.
William Bartholomew and Benjamin Sabin joined with Roxbury's committee "in
stating and settling the dividend line between the inhabitants of
Woodstock and Roxbury." A highway four rods wide was laid out upon this
line. Roxbury's land was laid out in nine parallel ranges, running north
from this highway with highways between. About a third of the north half
was laid out and the lots made over to 142 proprietors. The remainder of
the stipulated hundred pounds was then paid over to Woodstock, and all
accounts harmoniously settled. This payment enabled Woodstock to settle
her own accounts; pay Mr. Dwight his dues " from the beginning of the
world to flay 6, 1696;" square up all arrearages for meeting house and
town charges, and indulge in a special wolf-rate " to pay to those who
kill the wolves."
Stringent laws had then been passed for the maintenance of proper
authority. Those neglecting to work upon the highway after suitable
warning should forfeit three shillings. A fine of one and sixpence was
ordered for neglecting town meetings; sixpence for not appearing at the
hour appointed, and an additional sixpence for every following hour. March
2d, farther rules were enacted; Jonathan Peake was chosen constable;
Nathaniel Johnson, to collect town rates and minister's salary, receiving
ten shillings, cash, and such rates as he does not gather he is to pay the
same out of his own estate." Selectmen were instructed: 1. To secure the
town from all damages and penalties of the law sustained through their
neglect. 2. In raising town charges, all male heads to be rated threepence
per head from sixteen years old and upward; home lots, meadows, at a penny
an acre; divisional addition, halfpenny an acre; horses, cattle and swine
as they are valued in law. 3. That every person do bring an exact note of
their estates August 1st; Samuel Perrin, Ebenezer Morris, surveyors;
Nathaniel Aspinwall, David Knight, fence viewers. The same day Deacons
Chandler and Sabin, Lieutenant Bartholomew, Nathaniel Johnson and John
Leavens were appointed a committee to seat the meeting house, observing as
rules, "what persons have paid and do pay, and to respect age." John
Carpenter and Peter Aspinwall were afterward added to the committee for
managing the affair of finishing the meeting house, viz., John Chandler,
Sr., and Edward Morris; and Samuel Taylor allowed twelve shillings a year
for sweeping.
Back to: Woodstock, Windham
County, Connecticut History
Source: History of Windham County, Connecticut,
Bayles, Richard M.; New York: W.W. Preston, 1889 Back to: Windham County, Connecticut
Genealogy |
Windham Townships
Connecticut Resources
Genealogy Resources
|