History of Woodstock, Connecticut 1731-1755
In 1731 the new county movement carried the day, and Woodstock, with
many northward towns, was incorporated into Wore tester county. This
distant frontier town furnished the leading officers. Already colonel of
the regiment, John Chandler, Sr., was now made judge of probate and chief
justice of the court of common pleas. John Chandler, Jr., was appointed
clerk of the court, and by especial request of the inhabitants removed his
residence to Worcester. The first court in the new county was held in
judge Chandler's Woodstock mansion, wherein much legal and public business
was transacted. A new road was now laid out from Worcester to Woodstock
line, to accommodate business and travel. Woodstock ranked among the
foremost towns of the county, its tax list only surpassed by some of the
older townships. A well-patronized select school gave evidence of
prosperity and progress. Some seventy pupils were reported by its master,
Thaddeus Mason, including pupils from the best families in Pomfret and
Killingly. An attempt was made to establish a permanent Grammar or high
school-the town voting to build a school house for the accommodation of
grown children, not hindering subordinate schools. This vote called out
one of Woodstock's characteristic controversies. Thirty out of sixtynine
voters dissented from this vote. A strong memorial was immediately
prepared, signed by Colonel Chandler, Eliphalet Carpenter, John Holmes,
Henry Bowen, and other 'prominent men, showing that this matter had been
laid over to this June 8th, 1730, "to be farther considered on," but
instead was not only considered "but transacted upon in a way very
grievous to a great number of the inhabitants," and for "preventing any
contests, heats or disputes," desired that another town meeting might be
called. Though held in the busiest time of the year over a hundred voters
were present at this meeting: The former vote was annulled, the new school
house for " grown children " countermanded, and directions given for
repairing the old Plaine hill school house.
In 1731 liberty was given to build a school house in the north half. The
appointed committee affixed the site, east side the highway leading from
the house of Ephraim Child to Maturin Allard's, but this site was
considered too far eastward. Captain Payson, Moses Barrett, Joseph
Chaffee, Jonathan Bugbee and Nathaniel Sanger were appointed a committee
to view the site John May, Benjamin Child and Maturin Allard, to take care
of building said house, but still the work did not go forward. Several
other families of Child had now settled in this section, and many children
were growing up, and while waiting to agree upon a building site schools
were maintained in private houses.. John May and Jonathan Morse taught in
the winter; school ma'ams were employed in the several sections in the
summer.
The town at this date was much exercised by a controversy with its most
prominent citizen, judge Chandler. Deacon William Lyon superseded him as
moderator of town meeting; Isaac Tiffany as town clerk; David Holmes as
town treasurer. Judge Chandler refused to deliver up the town records, "
because proprietors' concerns are mixt with ye town's," and declined " to
transcribe what belongs to proprietors from the town books without some
adequate compensation. The town, on her part, refused to be at the charge
" of transcribing proprietors' concerns from town affairs," and ordered
the selectmen "to get and procure town books from Hon. John Chandler, as
speedily as they can by the most prudential ways and means as they shall
judge best."
Judge Chandler also disagreed with the town in relation to the settlement
of a minister in place of Reverend Amos Throop, deceased. A call was
extended to Mr. John Hovey to become their pastor. A tendency to override
technicalities, and manage affairs in a somewhat independent fashion, was
severely censured by the honorable judge, who 11 apprehended the whole
proceedings both in church and town were the product of arbitrary or
mobbish principles, and the foundation being laid upon the sand, the
superstructure cannot long continue." . The town responded by appointing
as agents Deacon William Lyon, Captain Payson and Lieutenant Morris, "To
demand, sue for and recover the town book of records." Mr. Hovey declining
this irregular call, the town concurred with the church in sending to New
Haven " to invite Mr. Abel Stiles to preach with them by way of
probation." A large majority expressing their satisfaction with the
ministerial performances and qualifications of the candidate, he was
ordained pastor of church and town, July 27th, 1737. Able and
accomplished, the only drawback in this relation was Mr. Stiles'
preference for Connecticut's form of church government. He did not,
however, explicitly refuse to sign the church covenant, but presented a
written statement of his own views and principles, which was considered
satisfactory. This harmonious settlement contributed to further
pacification. Colonel Chandler was again chosen moderator of town
meetings. Twenty-five pounds was allowed him for twenty-six years' service
as town clerk, and other demands conceded.
School divisions were confirmed in 1738. Captain John May, Deacon William
Lyon, Jedidiah Frizzell, James Chaffee and Benjamin Bugbee served as
committee in setting the bounds of schools in the several parts of the
town, " so that one part may not send their children to any other part,
and every part enjoy its own school without being interrupted by any other
part." The " parts " thus assigned were the central school at Plaine hill,
the southeast quarter, the northeast quarter, and the whole west side of
the town. A fifth section was soon after set off at Wabbaquasset, in the
south of the town.
The settlement of the western part of Woodstock had now made considerable
progress. Its south half had been laid out to original proprietors, and
was occupied mainly by their sons. Joshua, third son of judge Chandler,
was one of the first to take possession of his father's out-division, "
Lot 23, third range," in the heart of the future village of West
Woodstock. He was soon followed by other adventurous youths, viz., Thomas
and John Child, John and Joseph Marcy, Nathaniel Johnson, John Perrin,
Ebenezer Lyon, Benjamin Corbin, Samuel and Jesse Bugbee, Nathaniel
Aspinwall, Ebenezer and Abraham Paine, children of first planters, eager
to establish themselves in this pleasant and fertile section. No part of
the town was settled under more favorable circumstances-a body of well
trained young men, with friends at hand to help and encourage them. In
1731 a two months' school was allowed by the town. In 1733 it was voted "
That the inhabitants dwelling on the west side of a due north and south
line from the top of Fort hill to the dividend lines on the north and
south bounds of the town have liberty to meet together and agree where a
school house may be built." Improving this privilege, the western
residents met together and voted " That the best place for a school house
is north of Clay-pit Brook, between Joshua Chandler's and John Paine's
lots."
This house being constructed, other needs were manifested. In 1736 it was
found that thirty-five families had gathered within the limits of the west
school who were exposed to great hardships and difficulties, especially in
cold and difficult times of the year in travelling to and from public
worship in the distant Plaine Hill meeting house. Having borne cheerfully
their part of public charges, these westward residents now asked the town
to help them pay the expense of hiring a minister through the winter. The
town granted liberty to have preaching at their own cost, but refused to
afford any help toward its support. After five years' efforts and trials,
the western inhabitants again most earnestly besought their friends and
neighbors to take their remote and difficult circumstances into their
compassionate consideration, and in order to settle the worship of God
suitably among them, allow the western half to be erected into a separate
town. Aghast at this presumption, the town positively refused to grant its
countenance and consent to the western inhabitants. Again, in the spring
of 1742, the petitioners pressed their suit, and succeeded by a majority
of two in gaining permission to address the general court.
July 2d Benjamin Marcy and thirty-five others forcibly represented " their
inconvenience by reason of remoteness from public worship," and gained
encouragement to hope that a precinct might be allowed them. Another
appeal was made to their obdurate fellow townsmen, not willing " to drive
things to extremities," the settlement of public worship the principal
thing we aim at," but again were scornfully repulsed. With equal firmness
the western inhabitants again preferred their request to the general
court, showing their condition, the distance which each petitioner and his
family were obliged to travel to the crowded meeting house on Plaine hill,
and begging humbly to be set off into a distinct and separate precinct. A
very strong and forcible response from the old inhabitants of the town,
headed by Judge Chandler, could not in this instance stay the march of
progress. A committee appointed to repair to Woodstock and view the
situation reported in favor of the petitioners. September 15th, 1743, the
report of the committee was accepted, and the " west half part of
Woodstock erected into a separate and distinct township, and vested with
all the rights and privileges that precincts by law enjoy."
The first parish meeting was held in the one school house, September 27th.
John Marcy served as moderator; Isaac Johnson, clerk; Joseph Chaffee,
Joseph Marcy and Ebenezer Lyon were chosen society committee; Joseph
Chaffee, Moses Lyon and Isaac Johnson, assessors; John Marcy, treasurer.
Ebenezer Smith, John Child and Nathaniel Johnson served as committee, with
Captain John May, Jabez Lyon and Daniel Paine of the old society, in
affixing the bound between the precincts by a north and south line through
the center of the town. The new society assumed the name of New Roxbury,
and at once devoted its energies to the establishment of public worship. A
tax of two pence a year on all unimproved land, to be applied toward
building a meeting house and settling a minister, was allowed by the
general assembly. After discussion and delay, the" decisive .spot for
meeting house" was fixed upon by a committee from .abroad, viz., Robert
Knowlton, Joseph Leavens and Mr. Walbridge; Isaac Johnson, Joseph Chaffee,
Ebenezer Paine, Thomas 'Child, Jonathan Bugbee, Ebenezer Corbin waiting
upon them. After four days' deliberation " a dry knoll east of Bungee Hill
" was selected. Mr. Joshua Chandler giving an acre of land for building
site. Equal deliberation was manifested in choosing a minister. The
successful candidate was Mr. Stephen Williams of Longmeadow, Mass., the
worthy son of honored ministerial .ancestry. The meeting house was raised
in 1746, and made ready for service the following year. A day of fasting
preparatory to that of ordination was held in June, 1747, at which time
Woodstock's second church was organized, and on June 24th the -ordination
was effected. Fifty acres of good land and a suitable dwelling house were
provided for the young minister, and thus, after ten years' effort,
religious worship was prosperously -established.
The first meeting of the east half as a distinct parish was held March
6th, 1744. John Holmes was chosen moderator; Thomas Chandler, clerk and
treasurer; jabez Lyon, John Frizzell, Thomas Chandler, assessors; Richard
Child, Benjamin Bugbee, collectors; Captain Jonathan Payson, Captain
Joseph Wright, Captain Samuel Chandler, committee to call precinct
meetings and take -care of the prudentials, viz., to sweep the meeting
house, mend the glass, etc., at the charge of the precinct. All matters
relative to ecclesiastic and school affairs were now referred to the two
societies. Five schools were maintained by the first society, viz.,
Center, North, South, West and Wabbaquasset. New school houses were built
" in the southeast part in the old spot," and at Wabbaquasset, sixteen
feet square, beside chimney way. A more spacious and elaborate house was
provided for the center at Plaine hill. The north district, after ten
years' considoration agreed upon the spot where the highways intersect,
east of Capt. Child's house," near the mill site on Muddy brook.
New families were now appearing, especially in the north part of the town.
The old settlers had passed away. Deacon William Lyon died in 1742; Judge
John Chandler, the most prominent citizen of Worcester county, died in,
1743; the last survivor of the original proprietors was Thomas Bacon, who
died in 170"8, aged 96 years. With the passing away of the pioneer
generation and the introduction of new elements, the tie between the
inhabitants of Woodstock and the old homes at Roxbury and Boston was
greatly weakened. Massachusetts was at this date involved in many
difficulties. Her debts were heavy; her currency demoralized. Connecticut
was far more prosperous and in greater favor. with the British government.
Yet the movement for a transfer of allegiance was apparently sudden. Mr.
Stiles indeed took care to remind his people of the burthens laid upon
them as part of "a province groaning under sore calamities," yet the
people in general submitted uncomplainingly without thought of secession
or rebellion. The rumor that other " Indented towns " were preparing to
assert their claim to the charter privileges of. Connecticut was the
incentive to action. There was apparently no very strong feeling in the
matter, no sense of ill-usage or hostility to the Massachusetts
government, but the change was desirable on the ground of absolute right
and local convenience. The question was brought before the town March
31st, 1747, " ` If a person should be chosen to join those chosen by
Suffield, Enfield and Somers in trying to get off to Connecticut.' A large
majority voted in the affirmative and chose Colonel William Chandler to
lay the affair before the General Assembly of Connecticut. Fourteen
persons dissented 'as not likely to prove successful and costing more
expense."'
The petitioners from the four " Indented towns " asked to be received
under the jurisdiction of Connecticut, upon the ground that the territory
of their towns was included in the original .grant to that government, and
that the boundary settlement of 1713, under which they were allowed to
remain in Massachusetts, had never received the royal sanction, and they
did not believe that commissioners could transfer or alter the
jurisdiction of lands given by royal charter, and that the doing of the
same was an infringement on the rights of the subject. The assembly
appointed a committee of honorable gentlemen to confer with gentlemen from
Massachusetts, who failing in this effort, were farther empowered to
consider the affair, and reported in favor of the memorialists. After two
years' delay and reiterated memorials, the Connecticut assembly decided
that the boundary agreement of 1713 was made through mistake, that
Connecticut had received no equivalent for the jurisdiction of these
towns, and as the agreement had never received royal confirmation, so it
never ought to receive it, and must be looked upon as null and void, and
solemnly declared, "that the inhabitants south of the line fixed by
Massachusetts were within and had right to the privileges of Connecticut
Government."
This decision was received with delight by a large majority of the
inhabitants of Woodstock, whose interest in the matter had been greatly
stimulated by two years' agitation. A warning from a Connecticut justice
soon summoned them" to the choice of proper town officers, of which they
were destitute." This "notable meeting" was held in the first meeting
house, Friday, 10 A. M., July 28th, 1749 (0. S.). Justice Joseph Leavens,
of Killingly, a native of Woodstock, presided. Before entering upon the
business of the day, a formal protest was entered by Samuel Chandler,
John, Jonathan, Nathan and Asa Payson, John Frizzell, Joseph Wright,
Zebulon Dodge and Joseph Griggs, declaring that the meeting was wholly
unlawful and had a tendency to stir up the greatest confusion and
disorder, if not rebellion. Deciding to take no further notice of this
protest, John May was chosen moderator; Henry Bowen, town clerk and first
selectman; Isaac Johnson, second selectman; Jabez Lyon, third; Abraham
Perrin, fourth; John May, fifth; Andrew Durkee and Ebenezer Paine,
constables; Benjamin Bugbee and Samuel Child, grand jurors; all sworn into
office by Justice Leavens. William and Daniel Lyon, John Morse, Ephraim
and Benjamin Child, Henry Bowen, Thomas Chandler, Daniel Paine and
Nathaniel Johnson were then approved to take the freeman's oath agreeably
to the laws of Connecticut. At the following town meeting seventy-four
additional residents were admitted freemen, and Thomas Chandler and Henry
Bowen chosen representatives to the general assembly. Transference of
allegiance had thus been practically effected, and Woodstock enrolled
among Connecticut townships.
Massachusetts, meanwhile, wholly refused to accept the situation. Spirited
remonstrances were laid before the Connecticut assembly; warrants and
writs were served upon her revolted subjects; commissioners failed even to
agree upon terms of negotiation. Both governments, after some years of
bickering and wrangling, attempted to lay their claims before the crown,
but owing to many hindrances and public disturbances did not succeed in
gaining a hearing. After the close of the French and Indian war another
attempt was made to gain a decision from supreme authority in Great
Britain, but the revolutionary troubles again prevented its consideration,
and the revolted towns were left to Connecticut dominion, according to the
original grant of territory. The aggrieved memorialists of Woodstock
continued to protest against this transfer, but were forced in time to
submit to the will of the majority. In many respects the change was
greatly to its advantage. The population of the town in 1753 was 1,336
whites, 30 blacks; value of estates £16,500.
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
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