I 
 
Glass. 
 
 Book 
 
HISTORICAL DISCOURSE, 
 
 IN COMMEMORATION 
 
 OF THE 
 
 ORIGINAL SETTLEMENT 
 
 or 
 
 FARMINGTON, 
 
 IN 1640. 
 
 BY NOAH PORTER, JR. 
 
HISTORICAL DISCOURSE, 
 
 DELIVERED BY REQUEST, 
 
 BEFORE THE 
 
 CITIZENS OF FARMINGTON, 
 
 NOVEMBER 4, 1840, 
 IN COMMEMORATION 
 
 ORIGINAL SETTLEMENT 
 
 ANCIENT TOWN, 
 
 IN 1640. 
 
 BY NOAH PORTER, JR. 
 
 HARTFORD: 
 L. SKINNER, PRINTER. 
 
 1841. 
 
PUBLISHED BY REQUEST 
 
 OF THE 
 
 COMMITTEE OF ARRANGEMENTS. 
 
 
HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 
 
 We have been summoned to this place, not to be daz- 
 zled by a splendid but idle pageantry, nor to be excited to 
 a factitious enthusiasm, but to contemplate with reverence 
 the honored past, and to learn from it the lessons of ad- 
 monitory wisdom. The feeling which has brought us hith- 
 er is a sacred one. That we instinctively venerate the men 
 and principles of ancient days, is itself most honorable to 
 our nature. So amiable is this spirit and so generous and 
 elevating is its influence ; that we pardon it even when it 
 is excessive, and give it leave to magnify that which is 
 mean, and to palliate that which plainly deserves reproba- 
 tion. We even sympathize with the descendant of a long 
 ancestral line, who prides himself that he can trace its ori- 
 gin to some rough warrior of olden time, who received his 
 extended manor from lands subdued by the Norman con- 
 queror, or to some pliant courtier, who largely shared with 
 his royal master, in his robbery of the church. 
 
 We, however, ask no such pardon or sympathy, as we 
 honor our sires. They are separated from us by too few 
 generations, to profit greatly by the distance or the dim- 
 ness of antiquity. Their principles and characters stand 
 out too distinctly to view, to receive any other than a ra- 
 tional homage ; and in their austere presence, none other 
 should we dare to give. 
 
 One claim they have upon their descendants, which is 
 peculiar. They toiled for us, not as men commonly toil 
 for their posterity, in an incidental and necessary way, 
 
with their eyes mainly fixed on selfish and present gain ; 
 but with a most distinct reference to those who were to 
 come after them ; in whom they trusted that their spirit 
 would ever live, and who upon this soil, would enjoy the 
 rich blessings, which their faith beheld in the " good foun- 
 dation" of principles and institutions; brought as the ark 
 of the covenant by reverent hands and with priestly ado- 
 ration, across the western sea. 
 
 Who then were our Fathers ? I ask this question here, 
 though it has been so often asked and answered, as to leave 
 little opportunity, to cast new light upon their characters 
 and history. This occasion however demands that these 
 should again be considered ; that the men of this ancient 
 town, should for themselves know well the spirit in which 
 it was planted, and which . still broods over these valleys, 
 wanders up and down these streams, and haunts these 
 woods. 
 
 In the splendid reign of the far-famed queen Elizabeth, 
 there were gathered in England, the elements of a power- 
 ful religious and political party ; the movements of which 
 afterwards shook the whole kingdom, maintaining as it did, 
 for more than a century, a constant and determined war- 
 fare with the maiden queen, and after her with the whole 
 Stuart family. It assembled just two hundred years ago 
 the long parliament, which wrested from unwilling hands 
 the constituent principles of English liberty ; then it burst 
 forth in " the great rebellion"; brought Charles I. to the 
 block of the executioner, and upheld the usurpation of 
 Cromwell, in its glory and substantial profit to the English 
 people. After the death of Cromwell and the abdication 
 of his honest but incompetent successor, weary of the gov- 
 ernment of a divided military faction, fearful of anarchy, 
 and yielding to the national impulse which pointed to the 
 hereditary successor of the throne, this Puritan party 
 
-5 
 
 was foremost in the restoration of Charles II. Under his 
 thoughtless and corrupt administration it reaped an abun- 
 dant harvest of suffering from royal ingratitude, and sorely 
 learned the lesson which it afterward turned to so good 
 account, that civil and religious rights, to be safe, must be 
 secured. Under the despotism and papacy of James II. 
 it banished the Stuart family forever from the throne ; tri- 
 umphantly seated upon it William, the Prince of Orange, 
 and wrought the great English revolution, when in 1688, 
 the principles of English Liberty were declared by English 
 Law. 
 
 The moving occasion of this party, and its most active 
 influence, was Non-conformity to the Church of England. 
 At the accession of Elizabeth to the throne, she proceeded 
 to re-organize the church, which had been reformed by her 
 father and brother, but cloven down by her sister Mary. 
 She found herself at once embarrassed by scruples among 
 many of the choicest Protestant teachers, as to the lawful- 
 ness of certain usages, and dresses or habits, retained from 
 the ceremonial of the Romish church. These scruples had 
 been of long existence, and had gathered strength in the 
 minds of teachers and people, who in their exile during the 
 persecution of Mary, had been attracted by the beauty of 
 simpler forms of worship ; and revolted from rites and robes 
 that in their view partook so largely of a popish character, 
 and were attended by so many associations of popish su- 
 perstition. 
 
 Against these scruples she steadily contended, for though 
 a Protestant queen, and regarded as the bulwark of the 
 Protestant interest, she was nevertheless determined to 
 have Protestantism ordered after her own fashion, and to 
 make the Reformed church of England, in the splendor and 
 uniformity of its ceremonial, a fit appendage to her queenly 
 glory. She was hardly persuaded to go as far as she did 
 in the way of reformation. It was only at the instigation 
 
and by the perseverance of the clergy, that she consented 
 to the destruction of images in the churches. In her own 
 chapel, she retained a crucifix during most of her reign. 
 She was never reconciled to the marriage of the clergy, 
 and the statute of her sister against it was not repealed till 
 after her death. The Bishops and clergy married by her 
 connivance, or rather her ungracious permission, and their 
 children were treated by the law as illegitimate. 
 
 Upon the question of uniformity, the most eminent of her 
 clergy were with few exceptions at first against the queen. 
 Though they themselves conformed, they would gladly 
 have abolished the usages complained of, and thus have 
 conciliated so many learned and godly ministers to the 
 church. The first Convocation of the clergy decided 
 against the abolition of the usages by one vote alone. 
 
 Her Privy council were against her. The majority of 
 those men whose names to the present day are names hon- 
 ored for sagacious and dignified wisdom, were at first oppo- 
 sed to the queen, and many continued through her reign, 
 the ineffectual arbiters of peace between her majesty and 
 so many valuable subjects. Lord Bacon has left in writing 
 his testimony in relation to this painful dispute, in his " Ad- 
 vertisement touching the controversies of the church of 
 England"; a testimony which while it reproves the faults of 
 the Non-conformists, must affix forever to her majesty and 
 the Bishops, the name of having sacrificed the dictates of 
 wisdom to the stubbornness of will. 
 
 Her Parliament were also often opposed. Through the 
 whole of her reign, with an occasional exception, a large 
 number of the commons, arrayed themselves against her 
 majesty, upon the questions of the church, till she was at 
 last so vexed by their pertinacity, that she rarely summon- 
 ed them together. 
 
 But Elizabeth persisted and prevailed. As the conse- 
 quence, the church was not more, but it was less at peace. 
 
The party opposed, increased in numbers, and in the bold- 
 ness of its attacks upon the church, and the church with 
 the queen in the severity of their penal inflictions. As the 
 result of the whole, she bequeathed to her successor, a 
 powerful and organized party, embittered by persecution, 
 and prepared to contend with power arrayed against them. 
 At first it was a religious party ; afterwards, through ne- 
 cessity, it appeared and made itself felt in the Parliament, 
 as a political body.* To accomplish her will, in the mat- 
 ters of the church, the queen ventured upon violent exten- 
 sions of royal authority, and high assumptions of arbitrary 
 power. For this end, she trampled on the privileges of 
 parliament and the rights of Englishmen. Doing this, she 
 aroused against herself, the old and stubborn spirit of Eng- 
 lish liberty, and enlisted many on the side of the Puritans, 
 who cared little for their non-conforming scruples. 
 
 Thus it was that the question of English liberty, was 
 connected with the question of religious usages and disci- 
 pline ; thus did it happen that her successor found to his 
 astonishment, that "there was such a thing as a Parlia- 
 ment." The outset of his administration, was signalized 
 by the hope, on the part of the Non-conformists, that he 
 would favor their views. On his way from Scotland to the 
 throne, he was presented with a petition for the removal of 
 the abuses, signed by nearly one thousand ministers. His 
 disposition soon became manifest. At the close of the con- 
 ference at Hampton court, a conference, the record of 
 which is a decisive testimony to the brutality of the king, 
 he uttered the remarkable words, "If this is all your party 
 hath to say, I will make them conform themselves, or else 
 I will harrie them out of the land." He was as good as 
 his word. Notwithstanding the advice of Lord Bacon, 
 presented a second time to the throne, advice left still on 
 
 * Note A. 
 
record, he persisted in his most offensive and insolent op- 
 pression, till toward the end of his reign, the emigration to 
 New England first began. 
 
 Thus far I have traced the history of parties in England, 
 that a just idea may be formed of the character of the men 
 who planted this land. 
 
 They were of a great and growing party, embracing 
 men of all classes, and of various religious and political 
 principles, the soul of which was grave and earnest piety 
 toward God, a hearty reverence for his word, and a de- 
 termined purpose to hold high the sacred convictions of 
 reason and conscience — never to dishonor them by coward- 
 ly or courtly compliances to dead power ; though it filled 
 a throne, or spoke terror in the Star chamber. 
 
 It was the party of the middling class throughout the 
 kingdom; of the men of intelligence, of worth, of substantial 
 though not of princely wealth, including not the nobles 
 truly, but many of the gentry in the agricultural districts. 
 It was the party also of the manufacturers and the mer- 
 chants, the men who have given England its princely 
 wealth, and London its splendid magnificence. In the 
 civil wars, the city of London was ever with the Parlia- 
 ment against the king, and by its present aid and its abun- 
 dant resources, the Parliament and the people triumphed. 
 It embraced many hundreds of ministers, confessed by all 
 to have been learned, godly and eloquent men, whose influ- 
 ence over their flocks, through the pre-eminence of their 
 qualifications for their work, made the contest ever so une- 
 qual and laborious to the king, the court and the hierarchy. 
 
 When from this party, thousands emigrated to this soil, 
 and planted their feet upon these shores, there was stricken 
 off from the English nation, an integral portion of its wor- 
 thiest population, representing its substantial interests and 
 the several constituents of its real strength and glory. 
 They did not come, a band of needy adventurers, driven 
 
out by the necessity of a. superabundant population, and 
 the scarcity of food and employment ; whose first care, is 
 for the necessities of nature, whose next anxiety is for 
 wealth, and who leave society, government, literature and 
 religion to grow up as they can, the last want of a genera- 
 tion grown squalid by the neglect of culture, and barbarous 
 in the midst of material wealth. They came from no such 
 necessity as this, but for the sake of institutions did they 
 come, — institutions enshrined in their best affections, made 
 sacred by conscientious reverence, and doubly dear by 
 suffering and trial. These it was their object to enjoy and 
 make sure ; and to transport them to a secure refuge, they 
 were willing to go to regions most distant, if thus they could 
 remove them beyond the reach of their foes, — to shores 
 that were cold and inhospitable, if their ruggedness might 
 repel the visitations of these unwelcome guests. 
 
 Never had the world seen a sight like this before ; learn- 
 ing, piet} r , culture, rank and wealth, going out from the 
 abodes of civilized life, to lay the foundations of a colony ; 
 a colony ever proverbial before, as being the last resort of 
 the needy, or the tempting prize of the adventurous, — a 
 colony planted not by the poor or the rapacious, but by fit 
 representatives from every class of society in the finest na- 
 tion upon earth, except indeed the idlers who sparkled on 
 its surface, and the ignorant and vicious, who crawled in 
 the slime of its dregs. 
 
 Faith in God was the law of their characters, and the 
 
 soul of their enterprises. This faith was not a general and 
 
 distant recognition of his perfections, but it was a familiar 
 
 though reverent acquaintance with his glory ; not a cold 
 
 assent to his agency in all things, but a heartfelt conviction 
 
 that his finger moves every event, and orders the result of 
 
 every undertaking. The piety of the Puritans however, 
 
 though a distinguishing was not the one distinctive feature 
 
 which made them what they were. Piety as stedfast and 
 o 
 
10 
 
 mart} r r-like, had dwelt among the secluded Waldenses, 
 and sustained them by simple trust in God, in the dark 
 hour of their threatened extinction. Piety of as seraphic 
 fervor, had fired the ardent Huguenot in his unequal con- 
 test. The piety of the Puritans, while it was affectionate 
 and believing, was intellectual, philosophic, standing upon 
 truth and principle, as upon a rock. It was piety anima- 
 ting the English mind, with its peculiarly reflective charac- 
 ter, and its stubborn adhesion to its convictions, against 
 power and place, when this mind awoke as by an electric 
 impulse, to a knowledge of its dignity, and the high purpose 
 which God had commissioned it to accomplish. It was 
 piety exacting the conscientious fulfillment of individual 
 and daily duties, and not content with these, but daring to 
 test by the word of God "the tenure of kings and magis- 
 trates," the foundations of church and state, and to demand 
 in the name of God, that these should be ordered by the 
 principles of his word, and should act in harmony with 
 that sublime government, which included them all. Most 
 of all, the church engaged their most earnest solicitude and 
 tasked their severest inquiries. The state the}' left as they 
 found it. They prescribed no form of civil government as 
 divine. They entered the lists of civil strife and acted as 
 politicians, not to overthrow the monarchy of England, but 
 to make her king the head of a purer church ; not to strip 
 him of his hereditary rights, but to secure to his subjects, 
 their hereditary privileges. They honored the state, as the 
 auxiliary and patron of the church, having its own sphere, 
 and its own duties, but these coincident with the object of 
 the church. 
 
 Besides the discipline of law, the discipline of the family, 
 and the discipline of the school, were esteemed of essential 
 importance. A child uncontrolled at home, and untrained 
 at school, was in their view a burden on the earth, a curse 
 
11 
 
 to the commonwealth, and a hopeless subject for the church ; 
 a heathen in a Christian land. 
 
 The church of God, with its Sabbaths of consecrated 
 rest, its teaching and pastoral Ministry, its active Brother- 
 hood, its Schoolmaster in every hamlet, its domestic Priest 
 in every household, its Magistracy "just men ruling in the 
 fear of God," all in harmony with the principles of the 
 divine government ; this was the soul, the animating prin- 
 ciple of all their movements, the bright result of every 
 enterprise. It was not agriculture, with its plenteous har- 
 vests, not commerce with its golden prizes, not adventure 
 with its romantic incidents and its barbaric spoils, not 
 civil independence with its ambitious designs, not these 
 first, and the church and its adjuncts second, not these 
 second and incidental to the church, but the Church all in 
 all. 
 
 We need not contend, that their views of the church 
 were scriptural and true, to give to men bound across the 
 Atlantic on an errand and for an aim like this, the heartiest 
 homage of our fervent admiration ; nor need we pronounce 
 them faultless men, to set them apart for our honor, as men 
 whom the earth can match with none like them, in the 
 justness of their views of man's truest interests, and their 
 self-denying wisdom to advance them. 
 W Behold the passengers of the Mayflower, not daring to 
 land upon the shores of Cape Cod in a dreary winter's 
 day, till they had institutions to land upon the shores before 
 them, under the shade of which they might sit down and 
 dwell. Where are the men but they, who shivering at un- 
 accustomed cold, disappointed of their expected harbor, 
 defrauded by treachery, and vexed by delay, would 
 crowd into a narrow cabin, to form themselves into a state, 
 and would refuse to disembark till they could land in the 
 dignity of an organized commonwealth ? Behold the newly 
 planted colonists of Massachusetts and New Haven, with 
 
12 
 
 dwellings not yet built, their goods hardly unpacked and 
 in disorder around them, the simplest comforts of life not 
 yet provided, caring first of all that the church of God 
 should be set up, its ministry set apart, their maintenance 
 and studious leisure provided for; and then read the record 
 of a similar proceeding within the limits of this ancient 
 town, and say whether there was not a lofty aim in the 
 minds of these men, far removed from the vulgar cares of 
 common men, which puts to shame the neglect of rich and 
 established governments. "In the first settlement of New 
 
 - England," Johnson observes, "when the people judged 
 their number competent to obtain a minister, they then 
 surely seated themselves and not before, it being as un- 
 natural for a right New England man to live without an 
 able ministry, as for a smith to work his iron without fire." 
 See on the other hand, the reforming Henry VIII. lay 
 his rapacious and bloody hands upon the lands and reve- 
 nues of the church, setting aside the lion's share for him- 
 self, and dividing the remainder upon profligate favorites 
 and pliant courtiers, leaving his people the meanwhile in 
 their barbarism, without teachers, without a ministry, 
 without the word of God in their hands, many of them 
 without the knowledge of letters, by which to read it, or- 
 
 v dering by statute, "that the Bible shall not be read in 
 English in any church. No women or artificer's apprenti- 
 ces, journeymen, serving-men, husbandmen or laborers, 
 shall read the New Testament in English." 
 
 Look at the splendid queen his daughter, keeping bisho- 
 prics vacant for years, that she might appropriate their 
 revenues to her private use, and depriving her people of 
 their ablest, most learned and pious ministers. Look at 
 
 m England at this day, able to provide hundreds of millions 
 for foreign wars, but never yet able to educate her chil- 
 dren, and as a consequence, resting with all her glory 
 upon a heaving and angry volcano. 
 
1,3 
 
 N/ Then look at these men of lofty souls with the sagacious 
 forecast of philosophers, and the discerning inspiration of 
 prophets, spending their all to purchase a soil on which 
 they might plant learning and religion, and these men not 
 philosophers, not prophets, but the majority of them plain, 
 but high minded men. 
 
 So did the Puritans think, so did they act ; and in circum- 
 stances in which the noblest of ordinary men, defer and put 
 
 N aside their plans of public usefulness, through the pressure 
 of present necessity. Such men could not have been low- 
 minded and factious men, afflicted with an unhappy nar- 
 rowness of spirit and borne forward by the impulses of a 
 fierce fanaticism. We cannot be mistaken ; we know that 
 they inhaled the pure and bracing air of lofty principles, / 
 and saw with penetrating and sagacious insight that no 
 society of men can prosper except as its well-being springs 
 from the true culture of its members ; except as it aims to 
 make them live as immortal beings, that they may fill well 
 their station in time. Where, among ancient legislators or 
 modern statesmen, is the man, who has understood so well 
 as they, wherein consists the true glory of a common- 
 wealth ? 
 
 v To think is well ; to act is better ; to frame a just concep- 
 tion and give birth to a lofty ideal, argues true greatness ; 
 to give it being in real life evinces greatness of a loftier 
 character. The Puritans did both. They were not con- 
 tent to entertain their notions in cloistered seclusion ; they 
 must make them live in actual institutions. And at what 
 expense? At the sacrifice of all that man holds dear. 
 For whom ? Not for themselves, but for those who were to 
 come after them. They were content to toil, the painful 
 builders of strong foundations, not expecting to dwell under 
 the finished edifice, but satisfied, if so be that they laid the 
 foundations well, to dwell under rude and hasty coverings 
 cast across the unfinished walls. 
 
14 
 
 Nor were the Puritans enthusiasts, who dreamed golden 
 dreams of hidden mines, and spent their lives and estates 
 in the fruitless effort to find them ; who were so eager after 
 bright ideals, and impossible perfection, that they left all 
 real good behind. They were in the most appropriate 
 sense, practical men, avoiding impossible plans, and know- 
 ing well, how their plans could be secured. With views 
 of the independence of the local churches, and their self 
 sufficiency for government, which gained the confident 
 prediction of their speedy dissolution, they held as fast to 
 the opinion, that no church can prosper without due subor- 
 dination and a just respect to its appointed officers ; while 
 they acknowledged no man a minister of the church, whom 
 the church did not elect, yet when a minister, they yielded 
 him abundant honor. The civil liberty which was the ob- 
 ject of their enthusiastic love, and their painful and bloody 
 combats, was freedom from oppression, not from the re- 
 straints which the being of the commonwealth demands. 
 Their views of the authority of the magistracy were well 
 expressed by the elder Winthrop. 
 
 "It is }^ou yourselves," said he to those who had elected 
 him, "who have called us to this office, and being called 
 by you, we have an authority from God, in way of an ordi- 
 nance, such as hath the image of God eminently stamped 
 upon it, the contempt and violation whereof hath been vin- 
 dicated with examples of divine vengeance." " There is a 
 two-fold libert} r , natural (I mean as our nature is now cor- 
 rupt,) and civil and federal. The first is common to man 
 with beasts and other creatures." 
 
 "If you stand for your natural and corrupt liberties, and 
 will do what is good in your own eyes, you will not endure 
 the least weight ©f authority, but will murmur and oppose, 
 and be always striving to shake off that yoke ; but if you 
 will be satisfied to enjoy such civil and lawful liberties, 
 such as Christ allows you, then will you quietly and cheer- 
 
15 
 
 fully submit unto that authority which is set over you, in all 
 administrations of it for your good."* 
 
 Knowing that the church and state had no artificial sup- 
 ports, they were careful to give the highest efficiency to 
 their real strength. To their magistrates and ministers 
 they rendered the most punctilious reverence and an almost 
 superstitious awe. The enemies of their institutions say, 
 that this reverence was a thing of custom, learned in a 
 ro} r al government and among priestly orders. We say, it 
 was itself a religion, a sacred principle maintained in ready 
 willingness, and enforced with even an excessive scrupu- 
 losity. Says Robinson, in his pastoral letter to his flock, 
 removing to Plymouth, "and lastly, whereas you are to 
 become a body politic, using among } T ourselves civil gov- 
 ernment, and are not furnished with any of especial emi- 
 nency above the rest, to be chosen by you into office of 
 government, let your wisdom and godliness appear not 
 only in choosing such persons as do entirely love and will 
 promote the common good, but also in yielding unto them 
 all due honor and obedience in their lawful administration, 
 not beholding in them the ordinance of their persons but 
 God's ordinance for your good, not being like the foolish 
 multitude who more honor the gay coat than either the 
 virtuous mind of the man, or the glorious ordinance of the 
 Lord ; but you know better things and that the image of the 
 Lord's power and authority which the magistrate beareth 
 is honorable in how mean persons soever."t This scru- 
 pulous honor to lawful authority, with their reverence for 
 learning, their anxious regard for popular instruction and 
 family discipline, show that they attached to the form of 
 institutions no fond or enthusiastic hopes, but guarded 
 them by the provisions of practical wisdom. 
 
 * Winthrop, by Savage, II. 228, 229, 230. 
 
 t Baylies' History of New Plymouth, p. 22, 30. 
 
16 
 
 Look also at their sons. No where upon the earth is to 
 be found a population more marked by practical discern- 
 ment and genuine sagacity, than the sons of New England 
 are and ever have been ; striking boldly, but always surely, 
 kindling often into an enthusiasm for truth and right, not 
 unworthy of their fathers, and with it uniting the shrewdest 
 insight into the substantial interests of real and every day 
 life. The fathers of such sons, were no dreamers of splen- 
 did impossibilities, of perfection to come by institutions, 
 or which was to reward a dreamer's hopes. 
 
 Such was the public virtue of the fathers of New Eng- 
 land; such was their regard for the institutions of law, of 
 learning and of religion ; so wise in its judgments, so self- 
 sacrificing in its labors, so sagacious and successful in its 
 practical workings. We separate it from their peculiar 
 opinions, we choose not to abate from it, by their human 
 weaknesses, or private foibles. Before this commanding 
 excellence, we rise into an ardent and honest enthusiasm. 
 We are awed in the austere presence of its single hearted 
 
 purity. 
 
 We owe this honor to the men who cared for us, we 
 owe it to the institutions whose broad and deep founda- 
 tions they laid in sorrow yet in cheerful hope, we owe it to 
 the supernatural wonders wrought by their faith in God, 
 that this one excellence should be vindicated from every 
 base and envious attack, that it should be guarded with a 
 jealous affection by the present generation, and transmitted 
 as a sacred legacy to those who are to live after us. 
 
 So obvious is this characteristic excellence of our fathers, 
 and so remarkable have been its results, that few are found 
 who will not render to it their praise. 
 
 Those who would do them dishonor are forced to look 
 in another direction, and hence they fasten upon other fea- 
 tures, by painting which in false and heightened colors, 
 and dressing them in distorted shapes, they render impos- 
 
17 
 
 sible the veneration of their descendants, by first exciting 
 against them their contemptuous laughter. 
 
 The impression is industriously diffused that they were 
 very good, but also very mistaken men ; that their merits 
 were great, it must be allowed, but their excesses were 
 greater, that their virtues would call forth our reverent 
 homage, were we not so diverted by their stiff-backed 
 scrupulosity, their lengthened prayers and their solemn 
 and ridiculous gravity. 
 
 It is therefore proper on every occasion like the present 
 to aim to obtain a correct impression of the men as they 
 were, and to notice the points objected most strongly 
 against them. 
 
 " The Puritans were gloomy, severe and stern." In- 
 deed! where learned you that? From godless and pro- 
 fane men, who having the least possible sympathy with 
 their pious aspirations and their self denying faith, would 
 of course be repelled by their apparent moroseness and 
 gloom ; who having little taste for prayer, would think any 
 prayers unreasonably long; and who being libertines in 
 religion and politics, would think discipline in the church 
 and state, a grievance and a wrong. From their profes- 
 sed satirists, who could easily find in the excesses of the 
 weak and ignorant, in fermenting times, the portrait of the 
 whole best suited to their purpose. From the songs and 
 toasts of bacchanalian cavaliers, who had very cogent rea- 
 sons, in the carouse of the alehouse, to forget the shame of 
 defeat, and to drown the remembrance in their merry 
 laughter at old Noll and his canting round-heads. 
 
 And yet it is true that the Puritans were severe and 
 stern, and they had a stem work to do. So have been all 
 the great men of the earth, who have been known as re- 
 formers and martyrs and patriots. So were the Romans as 
 they drove the iron car of their dominion to and fro through 
 the earth. But who does not forget it in their glory ? If 
 
18 
 
 to be strongly set on a purpose, to be unmoved by the 
 smiles of flattery, the seduction of courts, and the terror of 
 vindictive power, if to be and to do this is to be stern, then 
 all virtue is of a stern and stubborn temper, in the eyes of 
 the men who prefer to yield rather than to strive. 
 V The older men among the settlers of New England were 
 born in the reign of Elizabeth. From their first acquaint- 
 ance with the world, they had felt that "the times were out 
 of joint." In the early exercise of their infantile percep- 
 tions, they had seen a serious and painful anxiety pervade 
 the paternal roof, and sit with its heavy and unnatural 
 pressure upon those countenances from which they sought 
 a smile. As they grew older they learned the cause. 
 They were told of the sufferings of their parents for con- 
 science sake, how that they had incurred the displeasure 
 of their queen, and had been forced to differ from a church 
 which they loved; that to worship God as duty bade them, 
 they must steal abroad by night to meet a few of their 
 friends, who thought and suffered as did they. At the 
 morning and evening prayer, they heard the saving hand 
 of God invoked in words hardly whispered for fear, which 
 caused their hearts to thrill with an ominous terror. In 
 their youth and earlier manhood, they had suffered under 
 the brutal and unfeeling James, who added insult to wrong, 
 and coarse contempt to violated rights. Now and then, 
 the bishop's court would make its appearance, and he who 
 should have come, if he came at all, in apostolic love, and 
 for apostolic watchfulness ; is represented by his lay-chan- 
 cellor, to distrain their goods, and imprison their persons. 
 Urged by this strong pressure, they leave their homes for- 
 ever, perhaps at midnight, by stealth, with that portion of 
 their estates which could be converted into money. 
 
 Under this necessity, weighing upon them at every hour ; 
 they had no resource but in God, no relief but in the con- 
 scious rectitude of their motives. Hence did they gaze 
 
19 
 
 upon the countenance of truth with an earnestness so ab- 
 sorbed, that they forgot to care for the graces of life and 
 its lighter and more frivolous accomplishments, in the 
 severer joys of sufferers for the truth. No wonder that 
 men so nurtured should have been serious men. They 
 were "warriors from their youth, warriors for principle, girt 
 in earnest strife with England in her pride and power. 
 
 But he that supposes that these men, thus tried, and 
 forced by the sternness of their lot to an unnatural severi- 
 ty of temper, knew not the softening presence of domestic 
 love, or the sweet charities of social life ; that in those 
 days of dark and frowning severity, there was neither the 
 courtesy of accomplished culture in man, nor aught of the 
 refining grace of woman's loveliness, has need to acquaint 
 himself with things as they were. Let him read the histo- 
 ry of the Lady Arbella, sister to the Earl of Lincoln, who 
 came "from a paradise of plenty and pleasure" "into a 
 wilderness of wants:" and whose name was uttered with 
 fond affection, by many a Puritan mother to her admiring 
 daughters, as of one who was enabled by the grace of God, 
 to sacrifice her home, her rank, and her accustomed 
 pleasures, that she might cast in her lot with his suffering 
 church. Let him learn to reverence the more than Roman 
 virtues of the elder Winthrop, and to delight in the memo- 
 ry of his accomplished son ; the philosopher, the courtier 
 and Christian : or let him read the history, and learn to 
 admire the virtues of Mrs. Lucy Hutchinson, the noblest 
 woman of her century, Puritan though she was, and the 
 wife of a regicide. 
 
 "But the Puritans were quaint and old-fashioned, their, 
 manners were formal and precise, their scriptural allusions 
 were forced and unnatural." True, they were old-fashion- 
 ed and quaint, and so was Queen Elizabeth, and Sir Wal- 
 ter Raleigh, and Jeremy Taylor. It is forgotten by those 
 who are offended at the Puritans for this reason, that all the 
 
20 
 
 men of their day had the same peculiarities, which would 
 not suit our tastes, and that much which makes them ob- 
 jects of ridicule, applies with equal propriety to those who 
 are admired at the Puritans' expense. 
 
 "But they were scrupulous beyond all reason. They 
 made things trivial in themselves, to be of the weightiest 
 moment, and separated from their church and country for 
 reasons which an enlightened understanding would have 
 thought of only to despise." Let it be granted in the 
 argument that they were excessively scrupulous in the 
 original grounds of their dissent ; they were not more so in 
 asking a harmless indulgence than were the bishops and 
 queen in insisting that things so indifferent should be re- 
 garded with the most scrupulous and frivolous uniformit}^. 
 But let it ever be remembered that they were not rejected 
 by the Puritans, as things in themselves of importance, but 
 as fraught with dangerous and idolatrous associations, as 
 taken from the ceremonial of a corrupt religion.* In peri- 
 ods distinguished by the earnest strife of principles, dis- 
 cerning and heroic men are always scrupulous, for they 
 see great principles in small matters. So thought Hamp- 
 den when he refused the ship-money, though a trifling tax. 
 So judged our fathers, when taxed tea, and stamped paper, 
 were odious in their eyes. Had the Puritans stood up for 
 duty and right with a scrupulosity less jealous, the com- 
 mons of England might still have been under the feet of 
 her king, and the name of free America had never been 
 known. 
 
 We smile as we read that when the first military com- 
 pany of Boston petitioned to be made a corporation, "the 
 council, considering (from the example of the Praetorian 
 
 * If any one wishes to know the graver and more serious reasons, which made 
 the Non-conformists disposed to sever from the church, let him read Baxter's ac- 
 count of the state of religion in the reign of James I. and remember that 
 Baxter washardlv a Nonconformist. 
 
21 
 
 bands among the Romans and the Templars,) how dan- 
 gerous it might be to erect a standing authority of military 
 men, which might easily overtop the civil power, thought 
 fit to stop it betimes." And yet this thoughtful care was 
 wise. To a care so scrupulous in laying aright their first 
 foundations, to their cautious correctness, in ordering their 
 small beginnings, do we owe all that we love and cherish 
 in our own New England, as she is within her ancient seat, 
 and as she has extended her influence far away to the 
 west. 
 
 "But they restricted the elective franchise to those who / 
 were members of the church." They would have been 
 guilty of miserable and short-sighted foil}" had they not 
 done so. Hither had they come far off to a wilderness, for 
 a single purpose, "to maintain and preserve the liberty 
 and purity of the gospel." Had they opened wide their 
 doors to all who had chosen to enter, what security had 
 they, as soon as their first perils were past, that they would 
 not be out-numbered and out-voted by their most bitter 
 foes ? — that their churches would not be destroyed, and the 
 object of their removal be defeated forever ? Alarmed as 
 they were lest the tyranny which had driven them from the 
 shores of England, should extend its arm across the Atlan- 
 tic;* laboring under fear lest the civil power might fall 
 into the hands of the followers of some new and pestilent 
 heresy ; or lest dissolute and profane men who were con- 
 tinually haunting and vexing them by their presence, 
 should, if admitted to the oath of freemen, swarm upon 
 them like the locusts of Egypt, they did wisely to take the 
 
 * These fears were not without reason. In 1635 a commission was granted 
 to several lords, with Laud at their head, to regulate the civil and ecclesiastical 
 affairs of New England. For several years the colonies were in a state of 
 alarmed suspense, lest their charters should be taken from them, and the church 
 of England should persecute them for non-conformity, even on these distant 
 shores. 
 
22 
 
 only effectual method within their power, to secure the 
 government of the colonies true to the great object for 
 which the colonies were planted. 
 
 By a similar provision has Protestant England secured 
 the Established church and the Protestant succession, in 
 the Corporation and Test acts, both of which require the 
 participation of the sacrament according to the rites of the 
 National church. There is this difference in favor of the / 
 fathers of New England. They repealed the provision 
 within a few years after it was made, and as soon as they 
 saw that it was safe so to do, while the acts of the English 
 Parliament remained on the statute book till 1S28. 
 \, "But did not they banish and hang the Quakers?" 
 They did. They forbade them to enter within their 
 bounds, as dangerous men, who in their frenzied delusion, 
 were bent upon the destruction of those ordinances in 
 church and state which God had made most sacred, and 
 which were the objects of the Puritan's holiest care. 
 When they came in the face of threatened death, they 
 came at their peril, and a few suffered the extremity of the 
 law. While we defend not this mistaken severity of our 
 fathers, we forget not that they came hither, not to establish 
 a state, but to find refuge for a church; and that when they 
 had found a hiding place in the wilderness, they wished to 
 keep it to themselves and to debar intrusion. Had the 
 world been open to them, they would deserve a harsher 
 judgment. But situated as they were, a beleaguered for- 
 tress, in the midst of mighty foes, we need not wonder that 
 they adopted the modes of self defence, that were common 
 in their day, and harshly repelled those whom they looked 
 upon as their most dangerous enemies. The necessities of 
 war are pressing and the laws of war are severe. Besides, 
 the Quakers as they appeared in New England, often 
 grossly outraged the decencies of life, and at this day 
 would be punished as disturbers of the public peace. 
 
23 
 
 "But were they not intolerant?" In one respect they>/ 
 were more tolerant than the other churches of their day, 
 and more so than some of this day. Though they held fast 
 to their own views of church government, as scriptural and 
 apostolic, yet they did not appropriate to themselves the 
 exclusive title of "the church;" but freely extended it to 
 all those communions, who held the essentials of the faith 
 and order of the gospel. To the church of England under 
 the authority of bishops ; to the church of Scotland under 
 elders and a general assembly ; to the Lutheran and Re- 
 formed churches upon the continent ; they extended the 
 name of churches, as standing on the foundation of proph- 
 ets and apostles : upon them all did they implore the 
 blessing of God. In regard to this point they deserve 
 more honor than they often receive. 
 
 It is true that they supported religion by law, but unlike 
 most religious establishments, as soon as those of other 
 communions came within their limits in any considerable 
 number, the rate collected by the state, of a dissenter from 
 its church, was given to the church to which the individual V 
 belonged. If there was no such society within a conven- 
 ient distance for his attendance upon public worship, it 
 was given to the church supported by the state. Not so 
 kindly, at this clay, does the National church of England 
 treat those who dissent from her communion. 
 
 " But did they not put to death men and women for-/ 
 witchcraft in Salem ?" They did, and Sir Matthew Hale 
 did the same but a few years previous, and the printed 
 account of the trial and condemnation of these persons at 
 his court, had been circulated and read in New England, 
 before the unhappy event in Salem. Not many years be- 
 fore, hundreds perished under the charge of witchcraft in 
 France and Germany, and sixty years after two individu- 
 als were drowned on suspicion of witchcraft, within twenty 
 miles of London. The error in New England was soon 
 
24 
 
 discovered. It was frankly acknowledged and bewailed 
 with bitter tears by Judge Sewall, and many of the acting 
 jurors. It was never received by many even in the day of 
 its most extensive prevalence. 
 s. Had our fathers fallen into no errors, they had not been 
 men. But we err not when we say that in every point they 
 were far before the age in which they lived, and in some 
 particulars, the present age might with profit take lessons 
 at their feet. They committed themselves, with fearless 
 confidence, to the guidance of truth ; safely and surely did 
 she conduct them in the way of the noblest wisdom. 
 
 Two hundred years ago the soil on which we stand, 
 ^ first passed into English hands. Five years before, the 
 valley of the Connecticut at the east had first been occupi- 
 ed, and the three towns that lay along our ancient borders, 
 viz. Hartford, Wethersfield, and Windsor, had now be- 
 come important settlements. The year previous, (1639,) 
 they had formed themselves into a commonwealth, and 
 elected their magistrates and governor. It was natural 
 that this infant state should seek to enlarge its borders, 
 that it might invite to its green abode far off in the western 
 wilderness, the emigrants who were then crowding the 
 eastern plantations. With their accustomed enterprise, the 
 planters had explored the country around. Some daring 
 men from Hartford, incited by vague reports of the na- 
 tives, or led by a desire to know what lay beyond the hills 
 which they saw to the west, had wandered to their brow, 
 and emerging from the forest had descried the green valley 
 which stretched itself at their feet ; an open country through 
 which the Tunxis led its silvery line, from the borders of 
 which ascended the smokes of the Indian settlements. In 
 eager excitement they returned to tell of a newly discov- 
 ered meadow, the richest prize to those early colonists. It 
 
was the fame of the fertile low land upon the Connecticut, 
 which had first led them from Newtown, because " it was 
 well stored with meadow," which in the words of a chron- 
 icler of those days, "is in great esteem with the people of 
 New England, by reason their winters are very lono-." 
 Cattle, ever in a new country of the highest value, were 
 then scarce, and high in price, and it was only upon the 
 natural meadows along the streams, that their winter stores 
 could be readily gathered. To Connecticut therefore, 
 they came with a large herd of cattle, intending to devote 
 themselves to the breeding of cattle as their chief occupa- 
 tion. It was natural that they should fix their eye upon this 
 new valley as soon as it was known, and take measures to 
 possess its meadow. In January, 1639, " a committee from 
 the three towns was appointed to view those parts by Uncas 
 [Tunxis] Sepos, for some enlargement of accommodation 
 there." In 1640,* the conditions for the planting of Tunxis v 
 are concluded, and the settlement began. A few families 
 from Hartfordf lead the way, construct their dwellings on 
 the upland, and select or purchase large portions of the 
 meadow. Many also who did not change their residence, 
 possessed themselves of valuable farms in the new planta- 
 tion. It was the first and only off-shoot or colony from the 
 church of Thomas Hooker, and from the first enjoyed his 
 fostering care, as it was afterwards matured under the 
 ministry of his sons. 
 
 The number of actual settlers at first was small, but it 
 gradually increased till in 1645,f Tunxis received itsy 
 present name, and became a taxable town, with "the like 
 liberties as the other towns upon the river for making 
 orders among themselves." Its first tax in 1645 was .£10. 
 We can more readily describe than realize the scene that 
 presented itself to the few settlers who separated them- 
 
 * Note B. t Note c/ \ Note D. 
 
26 
 
 selves from the flourishing towns on the Connecticut, and 
 had come here to dwell alone. Between them and their 
 homes lay a continuous forest. They were in the midst of 
 a large and warlike tribe of Indians, the largest of any of 
 the tribes who bordered the Connecticut.* The huts of the 
 natives are scattered here and there, while a large and cen- 
 tral settlement appeared on the east bank of the river, where 
 now stands their monument, f the silent and the only witness 
 that they ever were here. Across the hills upon the south- 
 east, there was encamped upon the Mattabeset, a portion 
 of another tribe, J from which this river had its name. 
 Much of the descending slope from the mountain, along 
 which the street now runs, was more or less densely wood- 
 ed ; in some places it was moist and even marshy. At its 
 feet lay the open meadow. Beyond is the western forest, 
 its border darkening the western hills quite down to their 
 base, the terror of the Indian and the white man ; for along 
 its unknown tract for hundreds of miles roamed the dreaded 
 Mohawks, to whom all the tribes in this region were tribu- 
 tary. The Mohawks were fierce and warlike, the terror of 
 all the New England tribes. From the banks of the river 
 which bears their name, they roved hither and thither upon 
 their errand of conquest ; now surprising a native settle- 
 ment upon the Sound, or breaking in on a defenceless tribe 
 on the branches of the Connecticut. Now and then there 
 would issue from the forest an ancient herald or two, who 
 would go from hamlet to hamlet, to collect the exacted 
 tribute. Wo to the tribe or the individual who refused. 
 The terror of the Mohawk rendered the presence of the 
 English desirable, and disposed the Indians in all this re- 
 gion to a peaceable demeanor. 
 
 Under these circumstances the settlement began. From 
 the pass in the mountain through which runs the present 
 
 * So says Pres. Stiles. t Note E. } Note F. 
 
road to Hartford, to the original meeting house lot, lots of 
 five acres were laid out for dwellings ; those along the 
 main street were bounded west by the river bank, and 
 were divided by the street ; the houses being at first erect- 
 ed on its western side. South of this the lots were laid out 
 in larger or smaller divisions, still bounded west upon the 
 river. As new settlers came in they received lots as the 
 gift of the town, and also by purchase from the older propri- 
 etors. In the year 1655,* fifteen years from the date of the 
 original settlement, the number of rateable persons in the 
 town was forty-six, and the grand list of their estates was 
 ,£5,519, while the number of rateable persons in Hartford 
 w r as one hundred and seventy-seven, and the sum of their 
 estates was £19,609. 
 
 During the first sixty } r ears the village was gradually in- 
 creased, till in 1700 it is supposed to have consisted of 
 nearly as many houses as it does at the present time. 
 
 In the year 1672, thirty-two }^ears after the date of the 
 original settlement, the proprietors of the town, at that 
 time eighty-fourt in number, took possession of the land 
 within the limits of the town, and ordered a division on the 
 following principles. 
 
 They measured from the Round Hill in the meadow, 
 three miles to the north, two miles sixty-four rods to the 
 east, five miles thirty-two rods to the south, and two miles 
 to the west. The lands within a parallelogram terminating 
 in these lines, were called the reserved lands, large portions 
 of which had already been taken up, and the remainder was 
 reserved for "town commons, home lots, pastures and 
 pitches, convenient for the inhabitants," and a common 
 field enclosing the meadows ; all without these lands was 
 surve} r ed and divided to the eighty-four proprietors, ac- 
 cording to their property as shown in their lists for taxa- 
 
 * Note G. t Note H. 
 
2S 
 
 tion, with a double portion for Mr. Hooker, and a various 
 increase for all those whose estates ranged from 10 to ,£70. 
 The surveys and divisions in the western section of the 
 town were made first, by dividing the whole into six divis- 
 ions, of a mile in width, including the highways between, 
 and running eleven miles from north to south. Each of 
 these tiers were divided according to the estate of each, by 
 lines, so that each man had lots a mile in extent from east 
 to west, and varying in width according to his property. 
 The division of the other portions of the town was conduct- 
 ed in very much the same manner. 
 
 The surveys were not completed till the year 172S, and 
 they constitute the basis of all the titles to land within the 
 towns that have been severed from this. 
 
 In 1GS5, the year of the accession of James II., on 
 application to the Legislature of the State, a patent was 
 granted, confirming in a formal manner, and by legal 
 phrase, to the proprietors of the town, the tract originally 
 granted in 1645.* At this time the colonists were greatly 
 alarmed at the prospect of royal encroachments upon their 
 chartered rights, and the formal confirmation of the char- 
 ter of this town was dictated by their fears, as a necessary 
 security against threatened danger. 
 
 The land on the Mattabeset river early attracted the 
 attention of its owners as a desirable place for a new loca- 
 tion. Richard Seymour with others commenced the settle- 
 ment at the Great Swamp, eight miles distant from the 
 parent town. The time when the first dwelling was erect- 
 ed is not precisely known.f 
 
 " The Seamor-fort" was made of palisades sixteen feet 
 in length, set upright in the earth and sharpened at the top. 
 
 * This patent was founded on the charter of Connecticut, granted by 
 Charles II. 
 
 1 1 find no reason to suppose it earlier than 1675 or 1680. 
 
29 
 
 Within this fort the inhabitants retired at night for protec- 
 tion from the numerous Indians. 
 
 The first well which they excavated still remains, and so 
 also do the relics of the plank which they split from the 
 logs for the purpose of flooring their dwellings. In the 
 year 1712, after they were made a separate society, and 
 when their first minister was ordained, they numbered 
 fourteen families. 
 
 In 1673, in consequence of their acquaintance with the 
 interval lands in Matetacocke or Mattetuck, a number of 
 the inhabitants of Farmington petitioned the assembly to 
 appoint a committee, to view the location, with reference 
 to its fitness for a plantation. Out of this movement origin- 
 ated the settlement of Waterbury, in 1677, which may be 
 considered a colony from this town. 
 
 The relations of the settlers with the Tunxis Indians 
 were uniformly friendly. No outbreak of an hostile char- 
 acter ever arose between them. Whenever dissatisfaction 
 was apparent, the Indians were assembled, treated with 
 kindness, and "gratified with presents." 
 
 For their title to the lands, our fathers rested upon the 
 original agreement with Sequasson, the sachem of Sucki- 
 age, and chief sachem of the neighboring tribes. But for 
 the sake of satisfying the natives, this title was afterwards 
 confirmed by two successive agreements, the first in 1650, 
 the second in 1673. 
 
 In the first of these, it is taken for granted, that "the 
 magistrates bought the whole country to the Moohawks 
 country, of Sequasson the chief sachem." Then it is no- 
 ted that the Indians at that time } r ielded up all their 
 grounds under improvement, and received "ground in 
 place together compased about with a creke and trees." 
 This was now to be staked out, and "although the English 
 had bargained for the gras for their cows, yet this they let 
 go." This reservation was that finest portion of the 
 
30 
 
 meadow still called "the Indian Neck." The)' also allow- 
 ed the Indians another slip of ground, which was the creek 
 a little north of the Indian monument, called the canoe 
 place, or the Indians' landing. It is also agreed that 
 "whatever improved lands they surrendered in the first 
 bargin-making, a like proportion should be broken up for 
 them by the English in the place apoynted for them." 
 
 It is then added "that this being done, the Indians have 
 no propriety in any other grounds, except for felling wood, 
 for hunting, fishing and fowling, provided that no injury is 
 done by the means to the gras or corne of the English, or 
 to the hurt of cattle, or breach of the orders of the country." 
 It is then noted "that it is cleare that all the lands the Eng- 
 lish have is little werth, till the wisdom, labor and estate 
 of the English be improved upon it, and the magistrates, 
 when they have land for a place give it away to the Eng- 
 lish to labor upon, and take nothing for it." 
 
 Item, "that the peace and plenty that the)'' have had 
 and enjoyed by the presence of the English, in regard of 
 protection of them, and trade with them, makes more to the 
 \- advantage and comfort of the Indians, though they hire 
 some land, than ever they enjoyed before the coming of the 
 English, when all the lands was in their own disposal ; 
 and although they do hire in regard of the increase of their 
 company, yet their corn and skins will give a good price, 
 which will counterbalance much more than the hire of their 
 lands, and therefore the Indians have reason to live love- 
 ingly among the English by whom their lives are preserv- 
 ed, and their estates and comfort advantaged." " In this y 
 we the chief Indians, in the name of all the rest acknow- 
 ledge, and we engage ourselves to make no quarrels about 
 this matter." This agreement* was signed by John Haynes 
 and Pethuz and Ahamo his son, with their appropriate 
 
 # Note I. 
 
31 
 
 heraldic devices. It was witnessed by Stephen Hart, 
 Thomas Judd, Thomas Thomson, Isaak More, Thomas 
 Stanton, and Roger Newton. 
 
 This title was again confirmed in 1673, by a recognition 
 of the former agreement. In this new treaty there is re- 
 served to the Indians two hundred acres of upland, which 
 they are forbidden to sell without leave, together with the 
 Indian Neck. There is also given a map of the land sold, 
 as measured from Wepansock, or the Round Hill, ten 
 miles south, eight west, three miles east, and five miles 
 north. This is signed by twenty-six Indians, chiefs, 
 squaws, and sons, with their appropriate devices. 
 
 In 1681, Massacope gives a quit-claim deed of all this 
 land. He was probably a Mattabeset Indian, and with his 
 son signs the agreement for valuable considerations, and 
 "gratification at the time of sale." Not satisfied with the 
 limits as specified in the deed, he went out and for himself 
 examined and marked the boundaries. 
 
 Notwithstanding all these precautions, the early settlers 
 of this town were often filled with fear and alarm. In 
 1642, the General Court took measures in reference to a 
 hostile gathering and plot of the Indians about Tunxis. In 
 1657, the house of John Hart was destroyed by fire, and 
 his family consumed with the exception of one son. In 
 the same year Mr. Scott was cruelly murdered. The 
 house of Mr. Hart was near the centre of the village, that 
 of Mr. Scott on the border of "the great plains." Both 
 these acts were ascribed to Meshupano as principal, and 
 his accessories. For firing the house the Farmington In- 
 dians paid each year a heavy tribute for seven years, 
 "eighty faddome of wampum, well strung and merchanta- 
 ble." The year after complaint is made of the bullets shot 
 into the town from the garrison of the natives, and also of 
 their entertainment of strange Indians, and they are order- 
 ed to find another garrison. In 1662 we find them quar- 
 
32 
 
 relline with the Podunks of Windsor. In 16S9 and 1704, 
 which were years of alarm from distant Indians, houses 
 were fortified, and stores of ammunition were provided. 
 These fortified houses were strongly guarded by double 
 doors, and narrow windows. The years named were 
 years of alarm throughout New England, as in consequence 
 of war between England and France, the colonies were 
 threatened with incursions from the north and east, by 
 French and Indians. 
 
 The settlers of this town were early gathered into a 
 church. This took place it is supposed about 1645,* when 
 Mr. Roger Newton was installed their first pastor. Mr. 
 Newton was one of "those young scholars" mentioned by 
 Cotton Mather, who came over from England with their 
 friends and completed their education in this county. He 
 married Mary, the daughter of Mr. Thomas Hooker, of Hart- 
 ford, and probably completed his education under his in- 
 struction. He remained here till 165S, generally approved, 
 when he removed by invitation to the more ancient and 
 larger church at Milford, where he labored with acceptance 
 till his death in 16S3. His widow was among the eighty- 
 four proprietors of the town.t 
 
 In July 1661, Mr. Samuel Hooker, son of Thomas 
 Hooker, "the light of the western churches," was installed 
 the pastor of this church, having received his degree at 
 Harvard College in 1653. He continued the pastor of this 
 church till his death, November 6, 1697, and was esteem- 
 ed " an animated and pious divine." He was, according to 
 the testimony of Rev. Mr. Pitkin, "an excellent preacher, 
 his composition good, his address pathetic, warm and en- 
 
 * Trumbull gives October 1652 as the date of the organization of the church 
 and settlement of Mr. Newton. This I think to be incorrect, as Mr. Newton was 
 the owner of a house and land in the town, April 1650, and all the accounts to 
 which I have had access make it as early as 1644 or 1645. 
 
 t She also inherited the farm of Gov. Hopkins in Farmington. 
 
33 
 
 gaging," and as story relates, he informed a friend of his 
 that he had three things to do with his sermons before he 
 delivered them in public, "to write them, commit them 
 unto his memory, and get them into his heart." 
 
 From this notice, and the well known fact, that his father 
 was famed throughout New England for the force and fire 
 of his pulpit eloquence, we have reason to believe that he 
 was a warm hearted and eloquent preacher. His death 
 was deplored as "a great breach upon this people," and 
 his memory was embalmed in the affections of his flock. 
 
 He was a fellow of Harvard College, was employed in 
 1662, one of a committee of four to treat with New Haven 
 in reference to a union with Connecticut, and was esteem- 
 ed throughout the state, an eminent and influential minis- 
 ter. Cotton Mather says of him at the conclusion of the 
 life of his father, "as Ambrose would say concerning The- 
 odosius," 'Non totus recessit, reliquit nobis liberos in qui- 
 bus eum debemus agnoscere et in quibus eum cernimus et 
 tenemus ;' thus we have to this day among us our dead 
 Hooker, yet living in his worthy son, Mr. Samuel Hooker, 
 an able, faithful, useful minister at Farmington, in the 
 colony of Connecticut." He resided at the place now oc- 
 cupied by the house of Solomon Cowles,* was a large land- 
 holder, and had eleven children, and among his descend- 
 ants are named many of the most distinguished families 
 and individuals of New England. His daughter Mary 
 married Rev. Mr. Pierpont, of New Haven, and was the 
 mother of Sarah the wife of Jonathan Edwards. 
 
 Next to the church of God, (or rather as essential to the 
 
 * Upon the homestead of Mr. Cowles is an apple-tree still in bearing, which 
 was a sprout from the stump of a tree, that was brought over from England to 
 Mr. Hooker. There is in the Bible formerly owned by Roger Hooker, Esq. a 
 tolerably complete genealogical table of the descendants of Rev. Samuel Hook- 
 er. In this it is stated I know not by what authority, that the Rev. Thomas 
 Hooker of Hartford was a relative of Richard " the judicious Hooker." 
 
 5 
 
34 
 
 continuance and the prosperity of the church,) in the esti- 
 S, mation of our fathers, was ranked the. .school. Through the 
 deficiency of our early records, we cannot trace the vestiges 
 of their earliest care ; but as far back as we can find regular 
 records of their proceedings, we find its wants as were 
 those of the church, the annual care of the town. In De- 
 cember, 1GS2, the town vote .£10 towards maintaining a 
 school, and appointed a committee to employ a teacher. 
 In December, 16S3, they make the same appropriation, 
 and order every man to pay lour shillings a quarter for each 
 child that should be sent. Again they vote "to give £30 
 for a man to teach school for one year, provided they can 
 have a man that is so accomplished as to teach children to 
 read and write, and to teach the grammar, and also to step 
 into the pulpit to be helpful there in time of exigency, and 
 this school to be a free school for this town." In another 
 vote about this period, they order the services of a teacher 
 to be secured who can teach Latin also. 
 
 Year by year we find similar records, till 1700, when the 
 colonial assembly having directed forty shillings on every 
 .£1000 in the grand levy to be devoted to education, this 
 town voted to add to the same a sufficient sum to maintain 
 the schools for a certain portion of the year. 
 
 We have thus far followed the scene which gradually 
 opened during the first sixty years of the history of this 
 settlement. During this period the inhabitants by degrees 
 became more numerous, but with the exception of the colo- 
 ny near " the Seamor-fort" and two or three houses on the 
 northern borders of the great plain, they were as yet scat- 
 tered for two miles or more along the street. The upland 
 near their dwellings had been slowly cleared and the forest 
 still lingered in sight, along the foot of the mountain. The 
 western woods were yet an unbroken wilderness, save the 
 opening which had been made by the Indians, as they re- 
 treated in 1672, to their reservation across the meadows. 
 
3-3 
 
 and rallied around a new burying place for their dead. 
 On the south was " the white oak plain," still unsubdued, 
 and " the great plain" was thickly crowded with its growth 
 of birches and tangled shrub-oaks. It was not till 1G9-5, 
 that a highway was laid through this district of the town. 
 The meadows still furnished our lathers their grass for the 
 long winter, and the corn for their favorite dish.* From 
 the upland and the drier portions of the meadow, they har- 
 vested their wheat, and rye and pease. The meadow was 
 a common field, inclosed by a sufficient fence, and shut 
 during the growing of the crops against the intrusion of 
 cattle. The river furnished to the English and the na- 
 tives, its overflowing abundance of shad and salmon, and 
 the west woods abounded in deer, in wolves and panthers. 
 In the forest up the mountain, and especially in the in- 
 terval between the first and second range, was their com- 
 mon place of pasturage, and this portion of the town was 
 long reserved for that object. The meeting house lot was 
 as yet a noble common of several acres. A canoe with 
 ropes was furnished at the north end of the street, by which 
 the river was crossed, as it was not till 1725 that the first 
 bridge was erected at this place. At the annual town- 
 meeting, no man might be absent who valued his twelve- 
 pence. Then were chosen the townsmen, the register, the 
 fence-viewers, the chimney viewers, so necessary in those, 
 days of wooden mantles, of ill constructed chimnies, and of 
 enormous fires, their ty thing men, and last, not least, their 
 one constable, who was to them the right arm of the king 
 himself; a functionary treated with reverent awe, and 
 obeyed with implicit deference. Whosoever resisted the 
 power, resisted the ordinance of God. Two men besides 
 Mr. Hooker, bore the appellation of Mr.; Mr. Antony How- 
 
 *"An Indian pudding." Perhaps they were directed to the choice of this 
 dish, as it was a token of the richness of their soil, which produced something 
 better than " white beans." 
 
36 
 
 kin and Mr. John Wadsworth. Nor may we forget to 
 name Capt. Wm. Lewis, Capt. John Stanley, Ensign Thos. 
 Hart, and Sargt. Wm. Judd. 
 
 Their communication with the other towns was infre- 
 quent. Occasionally a traveler would appear by the path 
 from Hartford, with news from their friends and kindred 
 there, or a message of alarm from his Excellency the Gov- 
 ernor, and now and then some one would emerge from the 
 forest by the " New Haven path" with tidings from that 
 commercial emporium or from the lands beyond the seas. 
 
 The Indians were still here by hundreds. Within their 
 slip of land reserved near the village, their canoes might be 
 seen every day filling the little creek that put in from the 
 river, and their owners were stalking along the streets, now 
 trying the Indian's cunning, and now frowning with an In- 
 dian's wrath. A few are gathered into the Christian church ; 
 a few admitted as freemen : and a missionary school embra- 
 cing sometimes fifteen or sixteen, is taught by Mr. Newton 
 and perhaps by Mr. Hooker. 
 , y The Sabbath was the great and central day of the week ; 
 a day of awful and yet of rapturous joy. As the drum* 
 beat its wonted and pleasant sound of invitation, they re- 
 sorted to the house of worship with cheerful steps. Here 
 they were roused and comforted by the fervent Hooker. 
 Here they forgot their weekly labors in the forest, their fear 
 of famine, their terror of the natives far and near, the armed 
 guard that stood before the sanctuarv, and the necessity 
 that had planted it there. Here too they forgot their fear 
 lest the parent government should place over them a church 
 from which they had fled. Yes, they even ceased to think 
 of their brethren who were the faithful at home, and their 
 brethren who were suffering worse upon the continent; for 
 all their trials and all their fears, and most of all their lonely 
 
 *Thia drum is still preserved. 
 
37 
 
 dwelling place, made them realize the more that they were 
 " pilgrims and strangers on the earth," and forced them to 
 gaze with more earnest intenseness upon the brightness 
 that flashed from the walls of the eternal city. Too rapidly 
 did the sands fall in the hour glass. Too soon did they 
 cease and the service is done. On the Sabbath too they 
 meet their friends from the Seymour neighborhood, eight 
 miles distant, who came to the house of God, a goodly com- 
 pany, crossing a mountain by a footpath, whose sacred 
 remnants are still to be seen ; the men armed against the 
 savage, and the females carrying the infants which they 
 dared not leave behind. At the interval between the hours 
 of worship they invite them to their homes, and there par- 
 take with them of a plain but plentiful repast. From the 
 house of God they return at evening, to spend the remain- 
 ing hours of sacred rest in joyful reflection upon the truth 
 there heard, doubly grateful for a church such as they loved, 
 though it were in the wilderness. Then they instruct, their 
 children with strict and judicious care, and close the day 
 by committing themselves and theirs to the care of the Al- 
 might}-. To men situated as were they, his protection was 
 more than a name ; for desolate indeed was their lot, if he 
 cared not for them. 
 
 Day by day through the week the instruction of the chil- ^ 
 dren is prosecuted in patriarchal simplicity, and with patri- 
 archal faithfulness. The sacred presence of parental re- 
 straint follows the child wherever he goes. He enters not 
 a door where there is not the same subduing influence ; 
 while law with its majestic presence fills the very atmos- 
 phere in which he breathes. 
 
 Here was vigorous manhood, a body strengthened by 
 youthful toils, delighting in its stern contests with labor 
 and danger ; and a soul subdued while it is lifted up by 
 divine and human law, and kindled by the fires of prayer/ 
 and hope. Here was society fulfilling its aims and perfect- 
 
38 
 
 ing its influences, as it never had done before. Thus pass- 
 ed the earlier period in the annals of this ancient town, 
 when here was its one house of worship, its one pastor, 
 honored and loved, its one centre with a single colony at 
 the east. 
 
 The period following was attended with many changes, 
 and gave a new aspect to its history. The first and most 
 important of these is the rapid settlement of its outer por- 
 tions, and their final separation from our borders. 
 
 In 1705, leave was granted to so man}' of the inhabitants 
 " as do personally inhabit the Great Swamp" to become a 
 ministerial society, as soon as they should obtain a capable 
 minister. In 1712, Mr. William Burnham is installed their 
 pastor on the following terms — that a parcel of land should 
 be secured to him, that his house should be finished, " he 
 finding glass and nails"; that his salary for four years 
 should be £50 per annum, and after that <£65 ; that labor 
 to the amount of £5 a year should be bestowed on his land, 
 and that his firewood should be furnished, brought home, 
 and be made ready and fit for the fire. 
 
 The Society which acceded to these terms consisted of 
 fourteen families ; the church was organized of ten mem- 
 bers ; a teacher is provided to go from district to district 
 through five districts or " squaddams," " by reason that the 
 inhabitants are so scattering in their ways." The unfin- 
 ished meeting house is gradually completed ; first in 1714 
 its pulpit and seats full in fashion ; then in 1717 the cush- 
 ion ; then in 1719 the galleries after the manner of Far- 
 mington galleries, and last of all, but not till a new house 
 was built, the drum and the hourglass are provided. The 
 settlement rapidly increased, as in 1717 fifty nine men and 
 four widows were seated in the meeting house, " according 
 to age and property, and whatever makes men honorable." 
 From Kensington,* for this was the name of this society, 
 
 * Note J. 
 
39 
 
 New Britain* was separated in 1754. Efforts for this ob- 
 ject had previously been made by the active influence of 
 Col. Isaac Lee, and in 1758, Dr. Smalley was settled as 
 their pastor, whose praise is in all the churches. 
 
 In 1772, Kensington was again divided ; the third so- 
 ciety is named Worthington, after Col. Worthington, who J 
 was active in locating its limits. The three societies, now 
 embracing parts of Wethersfield and Middletown, are made 
 a town in 1785. 
 
 Southingtont was surveyed and divided into lots in the 
 year 1722. Before this a few settlers had gone within its 
 limits, and settled along its northern section. It was made 
 an ecclesiastical society between that time and 1728, and 
 was constituted a town in 1779. The early settlers suf- 
 fered somewhat through fear of the Indians, constructed a 
 rude fort, and fortified certain dwellings. Until about the 
 year 1785, wheat, as was the case in all this region, was 
 readily raised upon its warm and loamy plains, when its 
 culture was abandoned, through the destructive ravages of 
 the Hessian fly. 
 
 We come next in order to the settlement of " the western 
 woods." For nearly a century from the first planting of the 
 town, they continued an unbroken forest, and it was full a 
 century before a single settler established himself within the 
 limits of Burlington. This forest was the unfailing depen- 
 dence of the Indian, and the field for the sports of the white 
 man. It abounded in deer, and was not deficient in bears 
 and wolves and catamounts. There are men now living 
 who remember when venison was sold in our streets at 
 two-pence the pound. 
 
 Bristol| was first surveyed in 1721, and consisted of five 
 tiers of lots a mile in width, including the highways of fif- 
 teen rods. These tiers and the highways which divided 
 
 "NoteK. +Note L. tNoteM. 
 
40 
 
 them, ran north and south to the distance of five miles. 
 They were intersected by highways from east to west at 
 convenient distances asunder. Two lots were given to the 
 two Indian families who resided within their limits, Polland 
 and Bohemia, which still bear their names. The first set- 
 tlement was commenced in 1727, by six families, whose 
 names are known. They attended worship in Farming- 
 ton till 1742, when they had preaching during the winter 
 by the name of " the Southwest or Winter parish." In 
 May, 1744, they were incorporated a society by the name 
 of New Cambridge, which was five miles square. 
 
 In October 2d, 1745, they vote to settle Mr. Newell as 
 their pastor. For nearly two years his ordination was de- 
 layed, through some opposition. Eight days after the vote, 
 six men entered a protest against the management of the 
 society's meeting. July 2d, 1747, when the final vote was 
 taken to proceed to the ordination, most of these protesting 
 men, and some others, as it is noted in the records, " pub- 
 licly declared themselves of the Church of England, and 
 under the Bishop of London"—" July 20th, 1747, Nehe- 
 miah Roger publicly declared of the Church of England." 
 
 Of the hunters in Bristol, two of the most successful were 
 Capt. Jesse Gaylord, and Lieut. Josiah Ives. They had 
 so rapidly thinned the game as to excite the jealousy of the 
 Indians at Farmington and Waterbury, and had been 
 threatened with their revenge. On one occasion as they 
 were passing in opposite directions around a hill to secure 
 certain game, Ives first reached the place, and stood still ; 
 as Gaylord advanced he descried an Indian aiming at the 
 life of the unconscious Ives. In an instant he shot him dead. 
 In their alarm they secretly buried his body, together with 
 his long and valuable gun. The event for a series of years 
 was known only to themselves, through fear that the In- 
 dians would avenge the blood of the slain, though it was 
 the topic of solemn and anxious conference, as often as they 
 
41 
 
 were together. After the removal of the Indians from this 
 region they whispered it to their wives, and they, after the 
 death of their husbands, made it known to their children. 
 The name of the Indian was Morgan, and the swamp in 
 which he was buried is known by the name of Morgan's 
 swamp. 
 
 Burlington* was probably first settled in 1740, by a man 
 of the name of Strong, just a century after the planting of 
 the town. Indeed a large bounty in lands was offered by 
 the town to the first settler. Mr. Strong went over the 
 line into the border of the woods, and made a clearing. 
 In 1774, it became a society by the name of West Britain. 
 July 3d, 1783, the Congregational church was gathered, a 
 meeting house completed, and Rev. Jonathan Miller of 
 Farmington, was settled their pastor. He was greatly 
 honored in his day as a man of enlightened piety and as 
 an instructive preacher. 
 
 Before this event, they had their preaching in barns and 
 dwelling houses. Prior to this time a Sabbatarian or Sev- 
 enth day Baptist church had been gathered, the last mem- 
 ber of which died about three years since. West Britain 
 with New Cambridge, in 1785 were constituted a town by 
 the name of Bristol, which was eleven miles long and five 
 wide. In 1806, West Britain was severed from Bristol, 
 and received the name of Burlington. 
 
 Northington was constituted a society before 1750. In 
 1751, a church was gathered, and Rev. Ebenezer Booge 
 was installed the pastor. In 1830, it became a town by 
 the name of Avon.t 
 
 Smaller portions of the town were also annexed to Wol- 
 cot, Windsor and Hartford. 
 
 We return to the ancient town, which though divided 
 into distinct societies, preserved its original limits till 1779, 
 
 * Note N. t Note O. 
 
 6 
 
42 
 
 and its largest portions till after the peace of 1783. During 
 nearly ten years after the death of Mr. Hooker, there was 
 a sharp contention in the town in reference to a minister, 
 which called for the interference and authority of the gene- 
 ral court.* In 170-5, messengers were sent to Natascot, 
 near Boston, to confer with Mr. Samuel Whitman. So great 
 was the zeal of the people, that they proposed to pay to any 
 one who would lend money to bear the expenses of their 
 messengers, two shillings, for one shilling lent till the time of 
 the next minister's rate. Their offers of salary were very 
 liberal, first <£90 a year, with the use of the parsonage in 
 the Pequabock meadows, as also forty acres of land in fee, 
 and a house, he finding glass and nails. The year after 
 .£200 were voted as a settlement, a salary of .£100 and his 
 fire wood. Wheat at that time was five shillings and three 
 pence per bushel. He was settled in 1706. In 1708, Mr. 
 Whitman being about to visit his friends at Boston, the 
 town by their vote, provide for the payment of the service 
 and expenses of a " waighting man" to attend their minis- 
 ter. He was a graduate of Harvard College in 1696, and 
 in the words of Mr. Pitkin, " was a gentleman of strong 
 mind and sound judgment ; his sermons correct, accurate 
 and instructive ; his delivery and public address calm and 
 moderate ; he was highly esteemed and greatly improved in 
 ecclesiastical councils, and was esteemed a truly learned 
 man." He died in 1751. 
 
 In 1708, a new meeting house was erected, forty feet 
 square, fronting closely on the street, of a pyramidal form, 
 receding step by step, till it terminated in the belfry in the 
 centre. This house stood till 1771, when the foundations 
 of the present spacious housef were laid, which in 1S36 
 was refitted in the true spirit of the Farmington people, 
 who cherish an honorable reverence for ancient things, 
 
 * Note P. t Note Q. 
 
43 
 
 while yet they are not insensible to the convenience and 
 taste of modern improvements. It is worthy of record, 
 that the first intrusions upon the broad and spacious com- 
 mon reserved as the meeting house lot, were resisted by 
 the joint action of the proprietors. At last they yielded and 
 sanctioned such intrusions by their vote, when John Thomp- 
 son, 1713, entered his protest, which stands upon record a 
 bold and manly statement and defence of the chartered 
 rights of overpowered minorities. 
 
 Irr 1752, Rev. Timoth}^ Pitkin was ordained the fourth 
 pastor of the original church. He was a fervent and godly 
 man, distinguished for his courtly and dignified manners, 
 and his warm and winning addresses from the pulpit. He 
 was dismissed at his own request, June 15th, 17S5.* 
 
 The districts without the village were slowly settled, as 
 till 1766 no schools were maintained except two in the vil- 
 lage. The first school supported without the village was 
 the one upon the Eastern Farms. "The Great Plain" 
 was still uncleared, and it might be bought for a dollar the 
 acre. Wild animals were abundant in the West Woods. 
 So late as 1730, bounties were paid for wolves and wild- 
 cats, and later than this, a bear was shot by a little girl of 
 fourteen, in Bristol, while the family were absent at meet- 
 ing in Farmington. Venison was sold in our streets as 
 late as the war of the Revolution, and shad and salmon 
 were still caught from the river. 
 
 I find also a record about 1729, of a cession of a consid- 
 erable tract of upland to several individuals, on condition 
 that it should be sown with English grass. The meadows 
 were still unmarked by dividing fences, and the Pine 
 Woods till 1740 were burnt over for a pasture, to which 
 the people in the eastern towns drove their young cattle in 
 the spring. 
 
 * Note II. 
 
u 
 
 The Indians still remained. In 1740 the Indian hoys 
 were so many and so strong, that they were esteemed more 
 than a match for the whites of the same age. About the 
 middle of the century, as game was scarce, they removed, 
 first to Stockbridge, and afterwards to Brotherton, in Onei- 
 da County, N. Y. A fragment of the tribe remained behind 
 till they became extinct. The last male of unmixed blood, 
 was buried December 21st, 1820, the day which completed 
 the second century from the landing at Plymouth Rock, 
 while the only surviving female stood trembling by the 
 grave. Tradition relates that during the ministry of Mr. 
 Whitman, the Stockbridge tribe invaded the Tunxis In- 
 dians near their homes. They were met by the Tunxis 
 tribe in battle array, in the little meadow two miles north of 
 the centre. The Tunxis tribe were at first routed and driven 
 back upon their ancient burying place. There they rallied 
 and by the assistance of their squaws, who attacked the 
 flank of the foe, they drove back the invaders with defeat 
 and almost entire destruction. After the removal of the 
 greater portion of the tribe to Oneida, they often visited 
 their friends and sepulchres behind, and on such visits 
 would hold dances at the old burying place, and evening 
 powows, and give splendid exhibitions of their agility and 
 strength. Col. Isaac Lee of New Britain, who flourished 
 the latter half of the last century, being once in Farming- 
 ton village, encountered a gigantic Indian who had often 
 broken the laws, but had never been punished, through 
 fear. In three attempts at w r restling the Indian was thrown ; 
 after the first trial his eye glistened and he desired a second, 
 but after the third he was satisfied. Col. Lee then went 
 about the street upon the business which had brought him 
 to the village, and the Indian closely followed him. He 
 was questioned sharply as to his object. He respectfully 
 and humblv answered, testifying his reverence, and wish- 
 ed to know what had made his antagonist so strong. 
 
45 
 
 During this century, the severity and strictness of the 
 original manners were considerably relaxed. Amusements 
 of the athletic kind were freely indulged. On every occa- 
 sion of a public assemblage, and often at assemblages sought 
 for the purpose, both the young and older men would unite 
 in playing at ball, in wrestling and foot-racing. Indeed it 
 is but very recently that the semi-annual playing at ball upon 
 the green, has entirely ceased. Town often challenged 
 town to a wrestling match, at which they met, each with its 
 selected champions. He that was the victor in repeated 
 contests was known in all the surrounding region, and hon- 
 ored for his skill and strength. The champion who was 
 the boast of this town, was Col. Isaac Lee of New Britain, 
 who though the friend of Dr. Smalley, and honored in 
 church and state, and above all regarded with terror as 
 the king's magistrate, did not disdain to be known as the 
 finest wrestler in the county. 
 
 The fervor of the Puritans' piety had sadly declined. An / 
 influx of foreign elements had mingled with the original 
 stock. Ruinous and expensive wars had distracted the at- 
 tention, corrupted the morals, and disturbed the quiet move- 
 ments of society. But the Puritan forms still lingered, in 
 grotesque contrast with more modern notions and modern 
 principles, and modern gayety ; unanimated with the fervor 
 and faith to which they were natural, and somewhat out of 
 fashion to the tastes of even uncorrupted men. The con- 
 tradiction between the old forms and the new spirit during 
 this period, has more than any other circumstance led to an 
 entire misapprehension of Puritan manners as they were 
 when new and natural ; and subjected the Puritan char- 
 acter and name to an ill-judging and most unworthy ri- 
 dicule. The magistrate and minister were still regarded 
 with awe. Says one who well remembered, I never dared 
 to approach within two or three rods of Dr. Smalley or 
 Col. Lee, without taking off my hat. So frequent and 
 
46 
 
 prevalent was the practice of invoking the blessing of God 
 on every occasion, that military captains prayed at the 
 head of their troops, and the graver youth even maintain- 
 ed it in all seriousness as a form, at their gayest entertain- 
 ments. At the April election, the ministers from the 
 different societies would meet, cast in their vote and dine 
 with Mr. Pitkin after one had preached a sermon. The 
 last sermon preached " on Proxies' day" was delivered in 
 1815, and it is very lately that the electors' meeting has 
 ceased to be opened with prayer. Until sixty years ago, 
 this people were a plain* and secluded people, who were 
 busy with agricultural empkwments, as agriculture was 
 then conducted; satisfied with their situation, they left to 
 Hartford the refinements and gayety of wealth and fash- 
 ion, and to the restless spirits abroad the strife and excite- 
 ments of political contests. Till about that time pleasure 
 carriages were entirely unknown, and when Mr. Pitkin 
 came in 1750, in a carriage with his newly married wife, 
 the company who met him were sorely puzzled to know 
 what it could be.t 
 
 Until a little before the revolutionary war, a single trader 
 in merchandize was all that was needed or known. But 
 about that time the mercantile business assumed a new 
 importance, and after the peace of 1783 it was prosecuted 
 with great vigor. The town became a mart for the several 
 societies of ancient Farmington, and for many of the neigh- 
 boring towns. In 1803 a capital of 125,000 dollars was 
 employed ; 73,000 in shipping and 52,000 in ordinary 
 trade ; 10,000 a year was paid in duties. The merchants 
 were active, diligent and successful, and through the ad- 
 vantages furnished by the local situation of the town, as it 
 was then situated, and their deserved reputation, they ac- 
 cumulated great estates. To the increase of trade, and 
 
 * Note S. t Note T. 
 
47 
 
 the refining influence exerted by Rev. Mr. Pitkin, is 
 attributed the improvement in the tastes and manners of 
 the people. But agriculture, as it has been in the past, the 
 commanding interest of the town, so will it be in the future, 
 with its renewed and deserved dignity, and its enlarged 
 opportunities ; if we may judge from the intelligent spirit 
 and instructed zeal which has within a few years given an 
 added neatness and richer verdure to fields so fair by na- 
 ture. While our ancient parent rejoices in the enterprise 
 and success in the mechanic arts of her daughter settle- 
 ments, we hear her say to those who are at present within 
 her control, "Let the man who has a farm in Farmin^ton 
 keep it and work on it, if he would be wise and happy and 
 prosperous." 
 
 We have seen the zeal of our fathers for the church of 
 
 v 
 
 God ; the church and the ministry were the first objects of 
 their care. For these they labored and toiled, and with 
 what marked success. Rich are the results of their com- 
 mon care and toil. More than twenty churches stand up- 
 on the soil where once stood one ; among them some of 
 the largest and most flourishing in the state, and blessed 
 most copiously with wondrous displays of God's richest 
 grace. 
 
 Their zeal for education we have traced in its first be- 
 ginnings ; we now record its later efforts.* The original 
 highways of the town were laid out very wide ; some of 
 them were forty rods in width. In 1784, the town direct- 
 ed the parts of them which were useless, to be sold ; also 
 other unappropriated lands, and the avails to be appropri- 
 ated to the formation of a school fund for the several school J 
 societies in the town. In 1786, this act was confirmed by 
 the legal representatives of the eighty-four proprietors, in 
 public meeting, and sanctioned by the legislature the same 
 
 * Note u. 
 
48 
 
 year. The fund thus formed for the present school socie- 
 ty, is 9276 dollars and 53 cents. In 1795, the legislature 
 constituted school societies throughout the state. In 1796, 
 this school society, by their committee, digested a system 
 of regulations for the appointment of visitors, and the dis- 
 cipline of the schools. 
 
 In 179S, the legislature passed an act applicable to all 
 the school societies in the state. This act embraces sub- 
 stantially the same provisions, with the system of rules 
 just named, and employs almost precisely the same phra- 
 seology in denning them. When I state that Governor 
 Treadwell was the chairman of the committee of this school 
 society, and also framed the bill for the application of the 
 school fund of this state, the similarity is explained. To 
 this town, in the person of this honored and venerated man, 
 is to be traced the school system of Connecticut. 
 
 I can barely allude to the virtues of this truly New Eng- 
 land man.* They took their rise in fervent and reflecting 
 piety, which delighted in the earnest study of the word of 
 God, and the fruits of which were the plain, upright and 
 venerable worth, which distinguished his name. Under 
 his auspices as its first President, was formed in this town, 
 in 1810, "the American Board of Commissioners for For- 
 eign Missions." 
 
 The Hon. John Hooker was a man of great eminence in 
 our early history. He was the third son of Rev. Samuel 
 Hooker. " He was a man of a clear and strong mind, em- 
 inent for his ability and usefulness. For many years he 
 served in the offices of Town-Clerk, Justice of the Peace, 
 Clerk, and afterwards Speaker of the Colonial House of 
 Representatives. He was also one of the Assistants, and 
 Judge of the Supreme and Circuit Courts. He began his 
 public services about 1690, and died February, 1745-6, 
 
 " .Note V. 
 
49 
 
 aged eighty-two." For fifty years he was the prominent 
 man of the town, and known throughout the state, for his 
 worth and unquestioned claims to eminence. 
 
 This has been from the first, in some particulars, a high- . 
 ly favored town. It was gifted by nature with soil of a 
 superior quality, including most of the varieties which the 
 agriculturist can desire. It is watered with an abundance 
 of streams, its surface is pleasantly varied, and its scenery 
 is rivalled by that of few other towns in Connecticut. It 
 was planted by men of one mind, who were characterized 
 by the simplicity of their pious wishes, and the soundness 
 of their practical views. It received the fostering care of 
 Hooker, under a long and successful ministry to those who 
 esteemed him highly for what he was in himself, and loved 
 him for the sake of his father. During his ministry, the 
 character of the town was fixed, and the habits of the peo- 
 ple were formed for many generations. During the earlv 
 period of its history, it suffered from no unhappy or disturb- 
 ing admixtures, by those who perverted the new found lib- 
 erty of the gospel to the licentiousness of a heated fancy, or 
 the divisiveness of a stubborn will. 
 
 Its public men have been simple in their aims, fixed v - 
 and persevering in their efforts, and guided by that wisdom 
 which is founded on faith in God. They have been long 
 in their lives, and thus honored by the public confidence 
 for a series of years, have they been able to leave behind 
 them the permanent impress of their influence. This town 
 has, to a remarkable degree, been free from the degrading 
 fascinations, and the destructive excitements of party ani- 
 mosities. To its honor may it be said, that it has been the 
 home of but few professed politicians, as the people have 
 ever scorned the trade. 
 
 Its ministry have been sound in the faith, and also pious 
 and practical men. The original church has never been / 
 rent into weak and divided fragments, arrayed against each 
 7 
 
50 
 
 other, in sectarian jealousy, but it has ever delighted in its 
 one fold and its one shepherd. Here has education been 
 fostered, and in its turn, has it elevated and refined the 
 tastes of the people. Here has piety dwelt ; and here has 
 it trained its hundreds of holy men for the joys and rewards 
 of Heaven. Here has the Most High displayed his grace, 
 and the triumphs of his wondrous power. 
 
 As the result of all these influences, it is believed that 
 few are the villages in New England, which retain more of 
 the old New England spirit, with so few of its veiy few 
 defects ; — that few are the places of residence in the coun- 
 try, which are hallowed and cheered by a more kindly 
 social feeling, by purer moral influences, and a higher 
 tone of piety. 
 
 As we close this rapid survey of the history of this an- 
 cient and honored town, and thus take our leave of the 
 past, we can only, in farther vindication of our fathers, 
 point to the results of their wisdom and virtue. Men who 
 ought to know better, may sneer if they will, and render to 
 them a forced and qualified praise ; they may talk of the 
 excessive honor which is paid them, and gather all the 
 stories which they choose about witchcraft and the Qua- 
 kers. To all this we have but one reply. Where is there 
 another New England ? 
 V Dreamers of the perfection and beauty of foreign institu- 
 tions, may speak to us of "merry England." England, 
 we gladly acknowledge deserves our abundant honor, for 
 her piety, her literature, her free and energetic spirit, and 
 i the success of her practical wisdom. But England in the 
 reign of Elizabeth, her golden time, fought with her pious ,/ 
 and learned ministers, and starved her people of their 
 needful food in their newly awakened zeal for learning 
 and religion. Ever since, she has been agitated by in- 
 ternal conflicts, or absorbed in foreign wars, or corrupted 
 ! by a profligate court, or degraded by a worldly ministry. 
 
51 
 
 f Though the collected glories of her mighty men deserve 
 and receive an honor which we claim not for the daughter- 
 
 I land, yet they may not hide from a discerning or honest 
 vision, the degradation and ignorance which brood over 
 
 f her untaught people. Never yet, with all her wisdom, and 
 with all her noble spirit, has she learned to aim first at the 
 
 \ substantial good of the men who fight her battles and till 
 her fields. As she has never known this grand aim of New 
 
 | England's fathers and New England's sons, she is not New 
 England, and deserves not our highest honor. 
 
 "But these institutions will not endure; there is a de- 
 
 I feet in their constituent elements ; they bear within the 
 seeds of their certain dissolution." Such has been the 
 
 I saying from the first, even before these institutions were 
 borne across the sea. But they have continued till now, 
 and we proudly ask at this moment, as we look around the 
 
 1 world, what institutions will endure, if these will not ? 
 True, they never will endure, except as they are animated 
 and upheld by the spirit of their founder, and this the Pu- 
 ritans knew from the first as well or better than you. To 
 sustain and give them life and vigor, we must have the 
 
 . original zeal for education, — the old-fashioned reverence 
 for God and the sovereign law. 
 
 Let our theorists then, cease to be afraid of the unadorn- 
 ed and feeble frame-work of our institutions, and devote 
 themselves to the improvement of the men who uphold 
 them. Men are what we need. 
 
 " These constitute a state", — 
 
 " Not high-raised battlement or labored mound, 
 
 Thick wall or moated gate ; 
 
 Not cities proud, with spires and turrets crowned, 
 
 Where laughing at the storm, rich navies ride ; 
 
 Not starred and spangled courts, 
 
 Where low-born baseness wafts perfume to pride ; 
 
 No ; — men, high-minded men." 
 
52 
 
 Let those who despair of the institutions of their fathers, 
 learn anew the first principle of the wisdom of those whose 
 name and works they despise, — that man cannot be mend- 
 ed by forms of government or forms of religion, and that it 
 untaught the fear of God, he mars the best institutions. 
 Let them give their lives to the one great purpose of rearing 
 men, who shall be fit to live under institutions that are free, 
 and they will learn to be thankful that our institutions are 
 free enough to give them leave thus to labor. The ancient 
 public spirit, even a tithe of it, will give our social bodies 
 all the unity and order which they need or ought to possess. 
 The ancient reverence for God and the law, will make 
 them stable.. The ancient love of knowledge and its fer- 
 vent piety, the patrons of genuine taste, will beautify their 
 structure with becoming ornaments. 
 
 Give us the spirit of our fathers, and we fear not for their 
 institutions. They cannot but live. We ask not for their 
 manners, for they have gone by with the age which pro- 
 duced them. We ask not for all their opinions, for the 
 original devotion to truth as supreme, has led their sons, 
 as it would have led the fathers, had they lived in their 
 day, to cast off that which was false, and easily put on, that 
 which has been shown to be true. But we ask for their 
 spirit, — that spirit which we this day delight to honor, and 
 whose presence, we trust will ever bless these hills and 
 valleys. That spirit is recognized in every page of New 
 England's history. The beginnings of its wisdom are « the 
 fear of the Lord." Its out-goings, are restraint in the family, 
 and law in the state, simple manners, frugal expenditures, 
 stern self-respect, the subjection of the private opinion and 
 the private will to the greater good of the whole, and a 
 fervid and disinterested zeal for the school and the church 
 of God. 
 
 To sustain this spirit we must have these institutions. 
 In no other than the free and bracing air of our hills and 
 
53 
 
 mountains, does the body attain its highest vigor and its 
 most active energy, and under no other social forms in 
 church and state, is there gained that strength and energy 
 of soul, which their very freedom chastens and subdues, 
 by an awful sense of the responsibility of the individual 
 man. 
 
 We have another and a nobler hope. The God of our 
 fathers still lives. It was the opening of a new act in 
 the drama of his Providence, when he prepared the way 
 for our fathers across the deep, and led them by his own 
 hand as they were thrust out from their native shores ; 
 not for their sakes but for the sake of the institutions which 
 were enshrined in their hearts, and were ready to be form- 
 ed by their hands, the instant they landed upon these shores. 
 As we look back along the dim path-way of their darkness 
 and danger in the past, we behold the bright token of his 
 presence and care, in the words which the three vines 
 planted on the Connecticut, delighted to bear aloft upon 
 their banner; " Qui transtulit sustinet." As we look for- 
 ward to the days that are to come, we behold them as they 
 brighten in the distance, splendid in their tokens of future 
 promise. 
 
 Yes, he who brought them over, will still uphold ; not 
 them, for they are dead, and so are their sons, and their 
 sons' sons ; but their principles, their spirit and their honor- 
 ed names. 
 
NOTES. 
 
 Note A. p. 7. 
 
 "Politics of the Puritans." 
 
 An article thus entitled appeared in the New York Review for January, 1840, 
 in which a singular use is made of the statement, that the Puritans constituted a 
 religious and political party. In that article there occur the following extraordi- 
 nary propositions: "We intend to assert the plain and simple proposition, that 
 the real contest between Churchmen and Puritans was for the political ascen- 
 dancy : Churchmen desiring to continue prelacy as the religion of the state, 
 while the Puritans were striving to elevate presbyterianism to the same post, 
 both parties the mean while, professing to be influenced solely by a regaid for 
 religion, and having its best interests deeply at heart." p. 53. " Hence, when the 
 Puritans left England, they did it, not because they could not "worship God ac- 
 cording to the dictates of their own consciences," but because they could not ob- 
 tain the political ascendancy which they sought." p. 61. To the latter of these 
 statements the following facts may not be inappropriate. The original planters 
 of New England consisted of two classes, "those of the separation," and the non- 
 conforming members of the church of England. The few original planters of 
 the Plymouth Colony were of the former class, who fled from England to Hol- 
 land, and emigrated from thence to New England. They were Congregatiou- 
 alists in their views of church government, and deemed it right to separate from 
 the church of England, and to form themselves into a distinct religious commun- 
 ion. These men certainly never sought "to gain the political ascendancy" in 
 England. They were known in that country only as a handful of despised 
 fanatics. They fled from their native country simply and solely because they 
 could not "worship God according to the dictates of their own consciences." 
 
 The great majority of the early settlers had never separated from the church in 
 England, and deemed it wrong to do so. When they landed upon these shores, 
 they landed as members of the church of England, who knew no form of church 
 order and discipline, except the order and discipline of that church. " With the 
 exception of the Plymouth colonists" says Hubbard, "none of the rest of the 
 planters came over in any settled order of government, only resolving when 
 they came hither to carry on those affairs as near as they could, exactly accord- 
 ing to the rule and pattern laid before them in the word of God, &c." When 
 
56 
 
 they landed in a distant country, they considered themselves as loosed from their 
 scruples against separation, and as bound to organize themselves into churches, 
 according to the primitive and apostolical pattern, as they should be guided by 
 the word of God open before them. 
 
 Is it asked why then did they leave their country at all ? The answer is this. 
 They could not comply with usages enjoined by ecclesiastical authority, without 
 violence to their sacred convictions and conscientious scruples. The only reply 
 which they received was, you must conform or suffer the penalty. When, too, 
 they attempted to worship God, and assembled in secret to hear his word as 
 dispensed by their valued ministers, they assembled not as members of a sepa- 
 rate communion, but as members of the church of England, who yet deemed it 
 right thus to meet to hear the word from its authorized expounders. For this 
 offence they were fined and imprisoned. It would be difficult to know in what 
 situation men must be placed, not to be permitted " to worship God according to 
 their consciences," if these men were not in this situation. 
 
 It deserves to be noted also, that previous to the planting of New England by 
 this class of men, nearly sixty years had elapsed after Cartwright had published 
 the doctrine, that the Presbyterian form of church government was apostolic and 
 divine, and nearly fifty years after the first Presbytery had been organized in 
 England. During this interval these views had been advanced and defended 
 with a zeal sufficiently active, and yet those who planted the colonies of Massa- 
 chusetts and Connecticut, had never deemed it right to separate from the church 
 in which they were born. It does not appear that the Episcopacy of the church 
 was a feature to which they could not conscientiously have submitted, but its 
 offensive requisitions; though it was doubtless true that the most of them 
 would have preferred that the power of the bishops should be greatly abridged. 
 It is not true "that the real contest between churchmen and the planters of New 
 England was for the political ascendancy," for it is most obvious that had the 
 scruples of the non-conformists been allowed in regard to usages contained of, 
 and had their efforts for the promotion of piety been countenanced, they would 
 never have dreamed of leaving England, because they could not gain the ascend- 
 ancy for Presbyterianism. Indeed one need to be very little acquainted with 
 their history to know, that Presbyterianism was not the form of church govern- 
 ment which they established in this country. 
 
 It may not be amiss to add a word or two in relation to the history of the 
 Puritans as a political party. 
 
 During the reign of Elizabeth, those members of ''the Commons" who were 
 displeased with the abuses in the church, and wished them to be remedied, foras- 
 much as the church was a part of the commonwealth, and under the care of the 
 Parliament, strove as far as they were able, to effect a reform of these abuses. 
 In most of the Parliaments during the reign of Elizabeth, a considerable number 
 of the house of commons favored motions for this object. This they had a right 
 to do. This they were bound to do. Less than this, they ought not to have 
 done, as the constituted guardians of the church. All this while, a party purely 
 civil and political, was rapidly growing in strength ; the party of the people in 
 opposition to the party of the court ; a party, which was called into being by the 
 
57 
 
 folly of the queen, in exalting her royal prerogative, and invading the privileges 
 of Parliament, in order to effect her will in the matters of religion. This party 
 grew more and more bold through the reign of James I. and dared to con- 
 tend with him, in a manner to which the kings of England had not been at all 
 accustomed. Its objects, as a political party, were the removal of the royal pre- 
 rogatives, rather than the reformation of the church. To this party the non- 
 conformists belonged, and though it included some who cared for no farther 
 reformation in religion, yet it was the bold, daring and conscientious ardor for 
 truth, in opposition to power, which characterized the Puritans as a class, which 
 gave to it its vigor, its energy and its triumph. It was not however, as members 
 of a political party, that they were so molested by the bishops and the king as to 
 be driven to emigrate, but as members of the church, who as ministers were 
 silenced and deprived of their livings, and as laymen were fined and imprisoned. 
 Twenty years after the emigration to New England began, and after thou- 
 sands had left the mother country, the two parties in the state, were arrayed 
 against each other in the civil wars, in the progress of which, Presbyterianism 
 was for a short time, the established church of England. But how did this hap- 
 pen? The Long Parliament consisted of those, a great majority of whom were 
 according to Lord Clarendon, opposed to the abolition of Episcopacy. Among 
 these were the leaders of the cause of the Parliament. The great majority were 
 indeed, in favor of some reform in the church ; but their rupture with the king, 
 was not occasioned by differences upon matters of the church, and they were at 
 the farthest possible distance from taking the field to gain the ascendancy for 
 Presbyterianism. In the progress of the war, the affairs of the Parliament, were 
 involved in doubt and danger. At this time the Scots offered their assistance, 
 provided that the covenant should be taken and Episcopacy abolished. To this 
 the Parliament reluctantly consented, for the sake of securing the army of Scot- 
 land. In the words of Lord Clarendon, " the parliament were sensible they 
 could not carry on the war but by the help of the Scots, which they were not to 
 expect without an alteration of the government of the church, to which that nation 
 was violently inclined, but very much the major part of the members that contin- 
 ued in the Parliament house were cordially affected to the established church, at 
 least not affected to any other." 
 
 NoteB. p. 25. 
 
 In the records of the town, which go back as far as 1646, there occur no data, 
 from which the year can be ascertained in which the first settlement of the town 
 commenced. That it began in 1640, is probable from the following notices and 
 extracts from the colonial records. 
 
 Feb. 20, 1639, i. e. 1640, the report of the committee appointed in Jan. is de- 
 layed to the general court, soon to fall in course. 
 
 June 15, 1640. The particular court is ordered to conclude the conditions for 
 the planting of Tunxis. 
 
58 
 
 I give also an extract from the agreement respecting the possession of Hart- 
 ford as renewed with the Indians in 1670, as it not only fixes the time in which 
 the first planting of Farmington commenced, but also records the manner in 
 which the soil was purchased. 
 
 " Whereas our predecessors, Sunckquasson, sachem of Suckiage, alias Hart- 
 ford, did about the year 1636, by writing under his hand, pass over unto Mr. 
 Samuel Stone, and Mr. William Goodwin, &c. all that part of his country, from 
 a tree, &c. and from the great river on the east, the whole breadth to run into the 
 wilderness towards the west full six miles, &c. which grant of Sunckquasson as 
 occasion hath been, was by him renewed to the Hon. John Haynes, Esq. and 
 other the first magistrates of this place, and enlarged to the westward so far as his 
 country went, which enlargement with his former grants, was made in the pres- 
 ence of many of the natives of the place and English inhabitants, and several 
 years after, about the time of the planting of Farmington, in the year one thou- 
 sand six hundred and forty, in writing made between the English and Pethuz, 
 &c. sachem or gentleman of that place, there is a full mention of the aforesaid 
 Sunckquasson," &c. 
 
 Note C. p. 25. 
 
 (This note was prepared at my request by Rev. W. S. Porter.) 
 
 Original Proprietors and Settlers of Farmington. 
 
 Farmington appears to have been originally purchased by the principal pro- 
 prietors of Hartford. The following is a list of the owners of house lots and 
 settlers, so far as information can be gained from the records in Farmington and 
 Hartford. The letter ' S' denotes actual settlers, nearly all of whom had previ- 
 ously lived in Hartford. 
 
 Mr. John Haynes, Esq. 
 
 Mr. Samuel Wyllys, 
 
 Mr. Edward Hopkins, 
 
 Mr. Thomas Welles, 
 
 Mr. John Steele, S. died in 1664. 
 
 Mr. John Talcott, 
 
 Mr. John Webster, 
 
 Elder William Goodwin, S. died in 1673. 
 
 William Pantry, 
 
 Thomas Scott, 
 
 Deac. Andrew Warner, S. removed to Hatfield. 
 
 John White, 
 
 Stephen Hart, S. died in 1683. 
 
 William Lewis, S. Register, died in 1690. 
 
 Rev. Roger Newton, S. removed to Milford. 
 
59 
 
 Thomas Webster, 
 
 Matthew Webster, S. 
 
 Nicholas Mason, 
 
 Thomas Barnes, S. died in L688 
 
 John Pratt, 
 
 Reuold Marvin, 
 
 Matthew Marvin, 
 
 John Brovvuson, S. removed to Wethersfield, and died in 1680. 
 
 Richard Brownson, S. died in 1687. 
 
 George Orvice, S. died in 1764. 
 
 Thomas Porter, S. died in 1697. 
 
 Francis Browne, 
 
 John Warner, S. died in 1679. 
 
 Thomas Demon, S. removed to Long Island. 
 
 John Cole, S. removed to Hadley. 
 
 Deac. Thomas Judd, S. removed to Northampton. 
 
 Thomas Upson, S. died in 1655. 
 
 Deac. Isaac Moore, S. 
 
 John Lomes, S. removed to Windsor. 
 
 William Hitchcock, or Ilecock, S. soon died. 
 
 John Wilcock. 
 
 Nathaniel Watson. 
 
 The following purchased house lots of the original owners, and were original 
 settlers; and most of them were also from Hartford. 
 
 Robert Porter, died in 1689. 
 'jolni North, died in 1692. 
 John Steele, Jun. died in 1653. 
 
 Samuel Steele, removed to Wethersfield, and died in 1685. 
 John Hart, burnt in 1666, with all his family except the oldest son who was 
 
 absent. 
 Nathaniel Kellogg, soon died. 
 
 Matthew Woodruff, soon died or removed perhaps to Milford. 
 Thomas Thomson, died in 1655. — 
 John Andrews, died in 1681. 
 John Lee, died in 1690. 
 William Adams, died in 1653. 
 John Clark, died in 1712. 
 Samuel Cowles, died in 1691. 
 Moses Ventrus, died in 1697. 
 William Ventrus, removed to Haddam. 
 Robert Wilson, died in 1655. 
 John Wiatt, removed to Haddam. 
 John Standley, died in 1706. 
 Joseph Kellogg, 
 Deac. John Langdon, died in 1639. 
 
60 
 
 Thomas Hosmer, returned to Hartford 
 William Smith, died in 1669. 
 Thomas Newell, died in 1689 
 David Carpenter, died in 1650- 
 
 The other early settlers were 
 
 Thomas Haueox, in Kensington. 
 John Root, died in 1684. 
 Mr. Simon Wrothum, died in 1689. 
 Edmund Scott, removed to Waterbury. 
 Dr. Daniel Porter, died 1690. 
 \ Mr. John Wadsworth, died in 1689. 
 Thomas Orton, 
 James Bird, died in 1708. 
 Joseph Bird, died in 1695. 
 Rev. Samuel Hooker, died in 1697. 
 Mr. Anthony Howkins, died in 1673. 
 Richard Jones, removed to Haddam. 
 William Corbe, removed to Haddam. 
 Joseph Woodford, died in 1701. 
 Zach. Seymor, removed to Wethersfield. 
 
 Richard Seymor, went to Great Swamp or Kensington with others in 1686. 
 Thomas Bull, died in 1708. 
 John Norton, 
 
 Abraham Dibble, removed to Haddam. 
 Richard Jones, removed to Haddam. 
 Richard Weller, 
 
 John Carrington, removed to Waterbury. 
 Thomas Gridley, died in 1712. 
 Samuel Gridley, died in 1696. 
 Obadiah Richards, removed to Waterbury. 
 Thomas Richardson, removed to Waterbury. 
 John Scovill, removed to Haddam. 
 John Welton, removed to Waterbury. 
 John Rew, died in 1717. 
 John Blackleach, merchant. 
 Joseph Hawley, died in 1753. 
 
 The eighty-four proprietors consisted of such of the above as resided in th<? 
 town in 1672, or their sons, together with three non-resident owneis, viz. Mr. 
 Newton, Mr. Haynes, and Mr. Wyllys. 
 
Gl 
 
 Note D. p. y.">. 
 
 Charter of 1645. 
 
 "> December ye first, 1645, its ordered that ye 
 plantation called Tunxes shall be called ffarming- ■/ 
 ton, and that the Bounds thereof shall be as fol- 
 > loweth : The eastern Bounds shall meet with the 
 western of these plantations which are to be five 
 miles on this sid ye Great River, and the Northern 
 Bounds shall be five miles from ye Hill in ye 
 Great meadow towards Masseco ; and the Southern Bounds 
 from ye sd Hill shall be five miles : and they shall have liberty 
 to improve ten miles further then ye sd five, and to hinder 
 others from the like, untill ye court see fitt otherwise to dis- 
 pose of it: and ye sd plantation are to attend the General 
 Orders, formerly made by this court; settled by ye Comit- 
 tee to whom the same was referred ; and other ocations; as 
 the rest of ye Plantations upon the River do : and Mr. Steel 
 is entreated for the present to be Recorder there, until ye Town have one fitt 
 among themselves : they allso are to have ye like Libertyes as ye other Towns 
 upon ye River for makeing orders among themselves: provided they alter not 
 any fundamental agreements settled by ye sd Comittee hitherto attended. 
 
 A true copy of ye Record exam'd. 
 
 by Hez : Wyllys, Secret'y. 
 
 John Haynes, Esq. Gov. 
 Edward Hopkins, Esq. Dep 
 Capt. Mason, 
 Mr. Wolcot, 
 Mr. Webster, 
 Mr. Whiting, 
 Mr. Wells. 
 Mr. Trott, 
 Mr. Olhster, 
 James Boosey, 
 Jno. Demon, 
 Mr. Hull, 
 Mr. Stoughton, 
 \ Mr. Steel, 
 Mr. Talcot. 
 
 At a General Assembly held at Hartford, May 11th, 1671. This Court con- 
 firme unto ffarmington theyer Bounds Ten miles towards ye South from ye 
 Round Hill : provided Capt. Clark injoy his Grant, without those exceptions 
 made in theyer former Grant. 
 
 A true copy of Record, exam'd. 
 
 by Hez : Wyllys, Secret'y. 
 
62 
 
 Note E. p. 26. 
 
 Monument. 
 
 By order of the School Society of Farmington, a monumental block of red 
 sand-stone was erected the present year to the memory of the Indians. It stands 
 in the new burying ground on the bank of the river. The spot is one of sad his- 
 torical interest as the following inscription on one side of the monument explains : 
 
 IN MEMORY OF THE INDIAN RACE J ESPECIALLY 
 
 OF THE TUNX1S TRIBE, THE ANCIENT 
 
 TENANTS OF THESE GROUNDS. 
 
 The many human skeletons here discovered confirm the tradition that this spot was 
 formerly an Indian burying-place. Tradition further declares it to he the ground on 
 ichicli a sanguinary battle 7cas fought between the Tunxis and Stockbridge tribes- 
 Some of their scattered remains have been re-interred beneath this stone. 
 
 The reverse side of the monument bears the following lines : 
 
 Chieftains of a vanished race, 
 In your ancient burial place, 
 By your fathers' ashes blest, 
 Now in peace securely rest. 
 Since on life you looked your last, 
 Changes o'er your land have passed ; 
 Strangers came with iron sway, 
 And your tribes have passed away. 
 But your fate shall cherished be, 
 In the strangers' memory ; 
 Virtue long her watch shall keep, 
 Where the red-men's ashes sleep. 
 
 Note F. p. 26. 
 
 The central settlement of this tribe was at Middletown, formerly called Matte- 
 besick or Mattabeset. 
 
63 
 
 Note G. p. 27. 
 
 In 1669, by order of the General Court, the names of all the Freemen of the 
 Colony were returned to the Secretary's office. 
 
 "Oct. 12, 1669. These are the names of the freemen in tfarmintowne, as 
 follows : 
 
 1 Mr. Howkin, 
 
 Mr. Hooker, 
 
 Steven Hart, Senior, 
 
 Thomas Judd, Senior, 
 
 Leiftenant William Lewes, 
 >» Ensign Sammuell Steel, 
 
 Seargant John Standby, 
 ^n Seargant John Wadsworth, 
 
 Thomas Orton, 
 
 John Norton, 
 
 Joseph Woodford, 
 
 Thomas Newell, Senior, 
 
 William Judd, 
 
 Thomas Judd, 
 
 John Judd, 
 
 Matthew Webster, 
 
 John Andrews, Senior, 
 
 Robert Porter, 
 
 John Lee, 
 ** Thomas Hart, 
 
 Thomas Porter, Senior, 
 
 Moses Ventroos. 
 
 Thomas Barns, 
 John Lauckton, 
 John Warner, Senior, 
 John Warner, Junior, 
 I Thomas Hosmer, 
 Edition Scott, ? 
 
 John Root, Senior, 
 John Brownson, Senior, 
 Samuell Cole, Q_rtAAJ-^e-^> 
 
 Steven Hart, Junior, 
 Richard S earner, 
 Isaac More, 
 Matthew Woodron", 
 John Woodroff, 
 John North, Senior, 
 William Smith, 
 James Bird, 
 Benjamin Judd, 
 John Clark, 
 Joseph Bird, 
 Zacree S earner, 
 43. 
 
 Of this list nine names are the same which appear in the list of landholders in 
 Hartford, in 1639, thirty years before ; twenty -seven of the forty-three have the 
 same family names ; three occur in the list of the original church formed by 
 Thomas Hooker, in Cambridge, in 1633, viz. Steven Hart, William Lewis, and 
 John Clark; of this original church, Steven Hart was a deacon. 
 
 Note H. p. 27. 
 
 Eight v-four Proprietor. 
 
 The following is a list of the names of'- the eighty-four proprietors" with their 
 estates, as increased in accordance with the original act of division. By this act, 
 an estate of £20 was increased to £30; of £30 to £40; of £40 to £50; of 
 
64 
 
 £50 to £60; £60 to £63; £68 to £75; to Mr. Hooker 
 according to his estate. 
 
 ' a dubble allottment' 
 
 Mr. Haynes, £263,00 
 
 Mr. Wyllys, 168,00 
 
 Thomas Orton, 152,00 
 
 John Norton, 157,00 
 
 >• Left. Lewis, 187,00 
 
 Joseph Woodford, 84,00 
 
 Thomas Newel, 167,00 
 
 Mr. Howkins, ' 158,00 
 
 John Thomson, 73,00 
 
 * John Steel's heirs, 65,00 
 
 . Samuel Steel, Junior, 21,00 
 
 Ensign Steel's land, 21,00 
 
 Thomas Thomson, 60,00 
 
 Thomas Judd, Senior, 80,10 
 
 John Judd, 69,00 
 
 Phillip Judd, 33,00 
 
 William Judd, 140,00 
 
 Thomas Judd, Jr. 99,00 
 
 John Andrus, 93,00 
 
 John Stanley, Senior, 131,00 
 
 Robert Porterr— >> 112,00 
 
 John-Leer^" 97,00 
 
 Stephen Hart, Senior, 132,00 
 
 John Hart's estate, 73,00 
 
 . Thomas Hart, 104,00 
 
 Thomas Porter, Senior, 73,00 
 
 Thomas Porter, Junior, 50,00 
 
 John Wadsworth, 183,00 
 
 Moses Ventrus, 73,00 
 
 Jacob Brownson, 65,00 
 
 Thomas Barnes, 120,00 
 
 JohnLangdon, 140,00 
 
 John Root, Junior, 26,00 
 
 John Warner, Senior, 97,00 
 
 John Warner, Junior, 68,00 
 Simon Wrothum, on account 
 
 of.Thomas Osmer, 68,00 
 
 Daniel Porter, 118,00 
 
 Edmond Scott, S6,00 
 
 Isaac Brownson, 65,10 
 
 Samuel Hicox, 50,00 
 
 Joseph Hicox, 37,00 
 
 David Carpenter, 32,00 
 
 John Welton, £50,00 
 
 Thomas Richason, 34,00 
 
 Widow Orvis, 61,00 
 
 Daniel Warner, 47,00 
 
 John Root, Senior, 166,00 
 
 Mr. Samuel Hooker, 288,00 
 
 John Carington, 44,00 
 John Brownson, Senior, 101,00 
 
 John Cole, 75,00 
 
 John Scovel, 39,00 
 
 Richard Brownson, 128,00 
 
 John Brownson, Junior, 50,00 
 
 Thomas Bull, 71,00 
 
 Samuel Cowles, 94,00 
 
 Abraham Brownson, 50,00 
 
 Obadiah Richards, 41,00 
 
 Daniel Andrus, 44,00 
 
 Abraham Andrus. 35,00 
 
 John Stanley, Junior, 67,00 
 
 Richard Seamor, 49,00 
 
 Stephen Hart, Junior, 106,00 
 
 Isaac Moor, 127,00 
 
 Matthew Woodruff; 90,00 
 
 John Woodruff, 83,00 
 
 Sarj. Samuel Steel, 96,00 
 
 John North, Senior, 157,00 
 
 Widow Smith, 68,00 
 
 Jonathan Smith, 39,00 
 
 Jobamer Smith, 36,00 
 
 Ben. Judd, 63,00 
 
 James Bird, 59,00 
 
 Joseph Bird, 53,00 
 
 John Clark, 74,00 
 
 John North, Junior, 56,00 
 
 Samuel North, 56,00 
 
 Zach. Seamor, 46,00 
 
 Thomas Hancox, 63,00 
 
 John Porter, 33,00 
 
 Thomas Gridley, 53,00 
 
 William Higgeson, 41,00 
 Samuel Gridley. 
 
 Mr. Newton's land, 37,00 
 
 > 
 
65 
 
 Note I. p. 30. 
 
 Any one who reflects upon the circumstances of the early settlers, or the situa- 
 tion of the town at the time when they made the agreement of 1650, will see at 
 once that the Indians received a full equivalent for their lands, in the several 
 particulars stated in that agreement. The Indians yielded to the whites the 
 lands, reserving to themselves all the uses to which they had ever apj>lied them, 
 and as much land for improvement as they had before occupied by tillage. The 
 streams and the whole of the forest remained theirs, for "fishing, hunting and 
 fowling," as they had been before. To the west as far as the Housatonic was an 
 unbroken forest, occupied by the game which was the Indians' sustenance, with 
 perhaps a single feeble tribe of the natives. The Farmington Indians penetra- -. 
 ted as far to the west as their terror of the Mohawk would allow. In Goshen, 
 says Rev. Mr. Powers, there is still pointed out the summer residence of a Far- 
 mington Indian, who later than 1740, resorted to this place for the purpose of 
 hunting every year. A large tribe consisting of some hundreds was supported 
 from this forest and the streams, for more than a century. 
 
 The forest was at last cleared and settled, and thus circumstances arose, which 
 neither the whites nor natives had contemplated or could have foreseen. If the 
 Indians of Farmington suffered injustice from the whites at all, it was not at the 
 hands of the early settlers, but from the neglect of their descendants to furnish the 
 supplies which the forest denied. When this occurred, the natives, retaining 
 their inveterate and instinctive love of a hunting life, retired of choice to the 
 forests of Berkshire county in Massachusetts, and to those of western New York. 
 No promises or proffers of the whites would have detained them. 
 
 Note J. p. 38. 
 
 Additional notices of the settlement at the Great Swamp. 
 (Furnished by Dr. Horatio Gridley.) 
 
 The place of the first settlement was on what is still called " Christian Lane." 
 On this stood the Seymour Fort which was an enclosure of palisades, within 
 which were constructed the cabins, into which the inhabitants retired for rest at 
 night. In front of tins fort, their well was excavated, sixteen feet in depth, which . 
 still remains, and is known as a perennial spring of the purest water. 
 
 Richard Seymour, the leader of the settlement, was killed by the fall of a tree, 
 and vvas buried on a portion of his own land, which was afterwards used as a 
 burial place. Previous to this, the inhabitants buried their dead at Farmington. 
 
 The first meeting house stood a little in the rear of the dwelling house of the 
 late Seth Deming. Some of the timber of which this house was built may still 
 be seen, in an out-house, on the premises of Samuel Gilbert. The land was at 
 that time owned by Joseph Steel. The house built by the society for the Rev. 
 William Burnham, is still standing. Mr. Burnham was born in Wethersfield, 
 and married a Miss Wolcott, of the same place. His second wife was a widow 
 9 
 
66 
 
 Buckingham, of Hartford, who died soon after their marriage. He had three 
 sons and four daughters. His age at the time of his settlement was 28 years. 
 The ordaining council, were Rev. Messrs. Timothy Woodbridge, and Thomas 
 Buckingham, from Hartford; Rev. Stephen Mix, of Wethersfield, and Rev. 
 Samuel Whitman, of Farmington. The members of the church, Dec. 10th, 
 1712, were Rev. William Burnham, Stephen Lee and wife, Anthony Judd, 
 Deacon, Samuel Seymour and wife, Caleb Cowles, Thomas North, Thomas 
 • Hart and wife ; in addition to these on March 2, 1713, Isaac Norton and wife, 
 Benjamin Judd and wife. 
 
 Mr. Burnham continued as the pastor of the church, thirty-eight years, and 
 died of dysentery then prevailing as an epidemic, Sept. 1750, aged 66. His 
 successor was the Rev. Samuel Clark, who was ordained July 14, 1756, and 
 died 1775. He was succeeded by Dr. Benoni Upson, who was settled April 
 21st, 1779, and died Nov. 13th, 1826. His successor, Rev. Royal Robbins. was 
 settled June, 1816. The church in 1750, which was after the separation of New 
 Britain society, consisted of one hundred and seventy-four members. 
 
 Jan. 1729-30, the society vote to build their second meeting house. In 
 Sept. 1730, " voted to determine the controversy in said society about a place 
 for a meeting house by lot." The conditions of the lot were then agreed upon, 
 and then, " after due caution given by the Rev. Win. Burnham, pursuant to the 
 above written votes," the lot was cast and it fell on the south-west corner of John 
 Root's lot. At the next meeting, the question was proposed, " whether the par- 
 ticular place upon which the lot lately drawn by us, to determine the place of 
 our meeting-house, fell, ought to be accounted by us as the place which Cod in 
 his providence points out to us now to build our meeting-house upon, consider- 
 ing how the whole affair of said lot was managed from first to last." It was then 
 J agreed by vote to call in the worshipful James Wadsworth and the Rev. Nathan- 
 iel Chauncey of Durham, and the Rev. Samuel Hall of Cheshire, as a council to 
 resolve the question, &c. The council resolved that the place on which the lot 
 fell, was "the place that God in his providence points out to them to build their 
 meeting-house upon." 
 
 Another council was called viz. Rev. Mr. Steven Mix, Mr. Samuel Whitman, 
 Mr. Timothy Edwards, Mr. Nathaniel Chauncey, Mr. Jonathan Marsh, Mr. 
 Samuel Whittelsey, and Mr. Samuel Hall, to resolve the same question, who 
 resolved that the lot " ought to be accounted by the whole society binding to 
 their consciences, there to build the meeting-house where the lot fell ; and do ad- 
 vise that in a tender regard to the honor of God, and for peace's sake, their meet- 
 ing-house be built where the said lot fell, that they may avoid all danger of being 
 involved in guilt." 
 
 After this, application was made to the Legislature who decided the question 
 iu 1732, by ordering the meeting-house to be erected with all convenient speed, 
 in Deacon Thomas Hart's home lot. 
 
 Dec. 7, 1737, it was agreed by vote that the society's committee shall at the 
 society's charge, provide a suitable drum and procure some meet person to beat 
 the drum on Sabbath days for the year ensuing, and also to provide an hour- 
 
G7 
 
 glass with a suitable frame for it, and put them on the pulpit in the meeting- 
 house. 
 
 Jan. 27, 1720-21. " Voted and agreed that the meeting-house should be seated, 
 that the rules in seating the meeting-house which the now mentioned committee 
 shall attend to in their work are as followeth ; viz. age and the list, and whatso- 
 ever else tends to make men honorable." " Also voted and agreed that the fore- 
 seats in the square body in the meeting-house of this society shall, for the time to 
 come, be equal in dignity with those seats called the fore-pews, and that the pews 
 next to the east door shall be equal in dignity with those called the hind or second 
 pews." 
 
 The physicians of Kensington have been James Hurlburt, Josiah Hurlburt, 
 
 Winchell, Amos Gridley, Joseph Wells, Sylvester Wells, James Percival, 
 
 Josiah M. Ward, Caleb H. Austin, Henry C. Hart, Miles Francis. Dr. James 
 Hurlburt was a most celebrated physician, and has been ranked with distin- 
 guished European physicians, in extent of medical knowledge. The two Drs. 
 Wells were both eminent; Dr. Percival the father of the poet had an extensive 
 practice ; Dr. Ward was a superior physician; Dr. Hart died young, but was a 
 man of great promise in his profession. 
 
 Note K. p. 39. 
 
 Notices of New Britain Society. 
 
 ( The following facts ice re furnished by Dr. John R. Lee.) 
 
 The first tenement erected within the present limits of this society, was built by 
 Jonathan Lewis, near the present residence of John Ellis; another at about the 
 same date about sixty rods north of the house of Col. Wright. Soon after, other 
 individuals located themselves still farther north, near where I. E. Smith now 
 resides; this for many years was called " the North End," and was the principal 
 settlement or centre. Here were the first tavern and store, the former kept by 
 landlord Smith, the latter by the late Elnathan Smith, father and sou. This part 
 of the society was settled by families of Smiths, Lees, aud Judd. Later was 
 commenced the settlement in what is now the village of New Britain, by the 
 Lees, Norths, Judds, and Booths. 
 
 Measures for building a meeting-house were commenced at the close of the 
 year in which the society was incorporated, viz. 1754. The building was loca- 
 ted on the ledge land east and south of the upper mill pond of Joseph Shipman, 
 on the east side of the wood. In front was a triangular piece of ground formed 
 by the intersection of roads ; it was open, and shaded by several large oak trees. 
 This house stood till 1822, when the present house was erected. 
 
 Dr. Smalley received £150 as a settlement; £50 as a salary for the three 
 first years; afterwards £60, and twenty cords of wood. In 1763, his salary was 
 increased to £90, which caused much opposition for many years. In 1807, he 
 requested, on account of his age, that some other person might be settled, and 
 he would relinquish his salary. He died June 1st, 1820, aged 86. Near the 
 
68 
 
 close of 1809, Rev. Newton Skinner was settled as pastor. Towards the close 
 of his ministry large additions were made to the church. He died in 1823. 
 Rev. Henry Jones was ordained Aug. 1825, and dismissed in 1827. In 1829 
 Rev. Jonathan Cogswell was installed, and dismissed in April, 1834. Rev. 
 Dwight M. Seward was ordained in 1836. 
 
 The Baptist church was organized in 1808. It consisted of but few members 
 and there was no regular preaching or settled minister till 1830, when a meeting- 
 house was built, and the congregation has since been respectable in its number. 
 
 The Methodist church was organized in 1818, and its present house of wor- 
 ship built in 1823. 
 
 The Episcopal society was organized Aug. 1836, and a house of worship was 
 erected the following year. 
 
 The village of New Britain has been for a number of years distinguished 
 for its manufactures. The manufacture of tin-ware was commenced in this 
 \ society, not far from 1790, and at a subsequent period became quite exten- 
 sive. It was introduced from the neighboring society of Worthington, to 
 which place in 1780, a Mr. Patterson, a native of Ireland emigrated, and 
 commenced the manufacture of tin-ware this side the Atlantic. The manu- 
 facture of brass has been one of the most extensive branches of business here 
 conducted. The first articles of brass manufactured were sleigh-bells. This / 
 business commenced in 1799, and in 1801 that of brass andirons and harness 
 buckles of the same material. Ear-rings and knobs of gold and silver plate were 
 made about 1806, and three or four years after, carriage and harness trimmings 
 of silver plate, and gilded breast pins. The manufacture of articles from plated 
 wire was first commenced by making hooks and eyes for cloaks. The wire was 
 not at that time imported, but the silver was plated upon bars of copper and 
 these were rolled down and drawn into wire by manual labor. The hooks and 
 eyes have been till recently made by females ; the smaller kinds are now turned 
 off by machinery, at the rate of two per second. Besides the articles already 
 named, various others have been made here, such as gilded beads, glass bead 
 work, India rubber webbing, suspenders, neck stocks, door locks, names, spoons, 
 jewelry. In 1836 there were forty-five factories, 700 hands employed and about 
 850,000 dollars invested in the various kinds of manufactures. This village is 
 largely indebted for its prosperity and growth to the enterprise of Seth J. 
 North, Esq. 
 
 Note L. p. 39. 
 
 Additional Notices of Southington. 
 
 (For facts in relation to Southington I am indebted to Stephen Walkley, Esq.) 
 
 The time when the first house was erected in this town, is not precisely 
 known. The general opinion from tradition is that Samuel Woodruff" and his 
 sons were the first settlers. They built on " Pudding Hill," half a mile east of 
 
69 
 
 the present centre of the town. The names of other early settlers were Andrus, 
 Barnes, Cowles, Clark, Dunham, Newell, Scott, &c. 
 
 The ministers of the Congregational society have been Rev. Jeremiah Cur- 
 tiss, who was ordained Nov. 19th, 1728, and dismissed 1755 ; Rev. Benjamin 
 Chapman, ordained March 17,1756, dismissed Sept. 28,1774; Rev. William 
 Robinson, ordained Jan. 13, 1780, dismissed April 24, 1821 ; Rev. David L. Og- 
 den, ordained Oct. 31,1821, dismissed Sept. 13,1836; Rev. Elisha C. Jones, 
 ordained June 28, 1837. Their first meeting-house stood about a mile north of 
 the present house, the second near the present house. It was erected in 1757. 
 The present meeting-house was completed in 1830. The number of communi- 
 cants in the church is 556, which is the largest number belonging to any country 
 church in the state. 
 
 The Baptist church was constituted in 1739. The first minister, Rev. John 
 Merriman, died in 1784, aged 89. For several years before his death Rev. John 
 Wightman preached; from that time till 1799, Rev. Gorton Bates and others. 
 From 1799 till 1802, Rev. Nehemiah Dodge ; Eliada Blakesly till 1811 ; Rev. 
 Samuel Miller till 1815 ; Rev. David Wright till 1819. From that time they had 
 preaching only occasionally till 1827, when Rev. Irenus Atkins commenced 
 preaching and continued till April, 1839. Their first meeting-house was erected 
 in 1792; their second in 1833. The church consists of about 170 members. 
 
 The Episcopal society originated about 1790. The frame of a small edifice 
 was raised in 1791, but not finished till some years after. It was consecrated 
 July 18, 1829, by the name of Trinity church. The society never had a settled 
 clergyman. 
 
 The principal men who in former times transacted public business in and for 
 the town were Jared Lee, Thomas Hart, Jonathan Root, Josiah Cowles, Asa 
 Bray, John Curtiss, and Timothy Clark. Rev. Levi Langdon, Levi Hart, Rev. 
 Gad Newell, Hon. Jonathan Barnes, Hon. Samuel Woodruff, Rev. Whitefield 
 Cowles, Rev. Pitkin Cowles, Rev. Josiah B. Andrews, Rev. Elisha D. An- 
 drews, and several others, natives of Southington, graduated at Yale College. 
 Prof. Edward Robinson, distinguished in this country as an oriental scholar and 
 traveller, is a native of Southington, and son of Rev. William Robinson. He 
 graduated at Hamilton college. 
 
 The ancient physicians of Southington, were Thomas Skilton, Robert Kin- 
 caid, Theodore Wadsworth, and Mark Newell. 
 
 Diseases. The old lung fever and camp distemper prevailed formerly ; in 
 later times, typhus, bilious and intermittent fevers, scarlet fever, pulmonary 
 affections. In one or two instances fevers have prevailed which have proved 
 very fatal, for which physicians have been troubled to find a name. 
 
 The manufacture of tin ware was introduced about 1795, and extensively 
 prosecuted for a number of years. A patent for the machines employed so ex- 
 tensively in the manufacture of tin ware is owned in this town, and an establish- 
 ment in operation which supplies the greater portion of the United States and 
 the British provinces. When the people of New England turned their attention 
 to manufactures under the administration of Jefferson, Southington engaged in 
 the manufacture of buttons, combs, and spoons; since that time, lasts, awl hafts, 
 
70 
 
 bellows and brushes, andirons and other articles of brass, saws, ivory combs, &c. 
 have been manufactured here. Water lime or Roman cement is prepared in 
 the eastern section of the town, in considerable quantities. 
 
 Note M. p. 39. 
 
 Additional Notices of Bristol. 
 (The following facts were furnished by Tracy Peck, Esq.) 
 
 The individuals who commenced the settlement of Bristol in 1727, were Ne- 
 hemiah Munross from Lebanon, John Brown from Colchester, Nathaniel Mes- 
 senger from Hartford, Ebenezer Barnes, Dan Brownson, and Benjamin Buck 
 from Farmington. This number was increased by additional emigrants from 
 Farmington, Wallingford, Berlin, &c. 
 
 Dec. 2, 1745. It was voted in the society's meeting " that we woidd begin to 
 build a meeting-house forty feet long and thirty feet wide." 
 
 April 21, 1746. It was voted, " that Ebenezer Barnes, Caleb Matthews, Heze- 
 kiah Rew, Joseph Burton, Stephen Barnes, Stephen Brooks, Josiah Lewis, and 
 Abner Matthews should lead by turns in divine service, when we are destitute 
 of a minister." 
 
 On the 6th and 7th days of Oct. 1746, a stake with stones was set by a commit- 
 tee from the General Assembly, around which the sills of the first meeting-house 
 were to be placed. This stake was placed about fifty feet east of the site of the 
 present Congregational church. 
 
 Rev. Samuel Newell of Southington was ordained Aug. 17, 1747. The soci- 
 ety built a house for him thirty-eight by twenty-three feet, with a " lean-to" 
 against the rear, twenty by six feet. It was erected in 1748, and stood on the 
 site of the house now occupied by Dr. J. W. Pardee. The first Congregational 
 church was erected in 1747, and was forty by thirty feet ; the second was erected 
 in 1770, and was sixty-five by forty-five. The stake was fixed about six feet west 
 of the former meeting-house then standing. The present Congregational 
 church was erected in 1831, and is seventy-two feet long and forty-eight wide, 
 and stands ten feet west of the former meeting-house. 
 
 Rev. Mr. Newell died Feb. 10, 1789. He was " a gentleman of good genius, 
 solid judgment, sound in the faith, a fervent and experimental preacher, of un- 
 affected piety," &c. Rev. Giles H. Cowles was ordained Oct. 17, 1792, and 
 dismissed May 24, 1810. Rev. Jonathan Cone was ordained May 21, 1811, and 
 dismissed March 19, 1828. Rev. Abner J. Leavenworth was ordained Dec. 
 16, 1829, and dismissed Sept. 19, 1831. Rev. David L. Parmelee was ordained 
 Feb. 29, 1832. The church was organized Aug. 12, 1747, and consisted of 
 about twenty members. Hezekiah Rew and David Gaylord were chosen the 
 first deacons. 
 
 An Episcopal society was formed about 1753, which had preaching from a 
 " church missionary." About 1760 a church was erected, which stood fifteen 
 
71 
 
 rods north-east of the Congregational church. It was occupied till about 1790, 
 when the society became extinct. The clergymen who were connected with 
 this society were Rev. James Nichols, Rev. Mark Prindle, and Rev. Ashbel 
 Baldwin. In Sept. 1834, a new Episcopal society was organized, and in 1835 
 the present Episcopal church was erected, " Trinity church" by name. Rev. 
 George C. O Eastman was the first rector of the church, and Rev. Joseph S. 
 Covill is the present rector. 
 
 The first Baptist meeting was holden at the house of Elam Caylord, Dec. 18, 
 1798. In 1802, the society erected a meeting-house forty-two by thirty-two. 
 In 1830, it was removed to give place to the present more valuable and costly 
 house. The following is a list of the pastors of the Baptist church: Rev. Messrs. 
 Daniel Wildman, Orra Martin, Isaac Merriman, Henry Stanwood, William 
 Beutley, Orsamus Allen, Francis Havvley, Simon Shailor. 
 
 April 30, 1834. A Methodist Episcopal society was formed and in the autumn 
 of the same year they erected the present Methodist church, fifty-four by forty. 
 The following is a list of the preachers : Rev. Messrs. Albert G. Wickwire, 
 Chester W. Turner, Harvey Husted, Edward S. Stout, Parmelee Chamberlain- 
 
 The following is a list of the physicians of Bristol, Josiah Hurlburt, Dr. 
 
 Smith, William Scovill, Dr. Camp, Joseph Roberts, Josiah Holt, Titus 
 
 Merriman, Dr. Mosely, Miles C. Francis, Jared W. Pardee, Charles By- 
 
 ington, Eli T. Merriman, Henry A. De Forest, Joseph W. Camp. Previous to 
 1794, the prevailing diseases were generally high toned and inflammatory; for 
 about forty years following 1794, they were typhoid diseases of a low grade ; 
 since that period, the same fevers have been of a higher tone. 
 
 The following practising attornies have resided in Bristol : Elihu Gridley, 
 Calvin Butler, William Knight, John G. Mitchel, and Henry A. Mitchel, Esq'rs. 
 
 In the war of the revolution, Moses Dunbar, who had married in New Cam- 
 bridge, and there resided, went to the British, received a captain's commission, 
 and privately enlisted soldiers to join the enemy. He was taken in this town, 
 committed for trial and afterwards tried, condemned and executed at Hartford. 
 
 There is found in Bristol, vitreous copper, variegated copper, green malachite, 
 
 \ red sand stone, resembling in fineness of grain and the character of its grit, the 
 
 English New Castle stone, used for grinding edge tools ; the true soapstone, 
 
 porcelain clay, decomposed feldspar, rutile, &c. A copper mine has been 
 
 wrought near its eastern line for several years, with promising success. 
 
 Bristol has been distinguished for many years past as a manufacturing town, 
 and its population and wealth have rapidly increased from this source. In 1836 
 there were sixteen clock factories in operation, in which nearly one hundred 
 thousand wooden and brass clocks had been manufactured in a year. 
 
72 
 
 Note N. p. 41. 
 
 Additional Notices ok Burlington. 
 
 ( Tlie folloicing facts were furnished by William Marks, Esq.; tlie biographical 
 sketches by Simeon Hart, Esq.) 
 
 Mr. Strong built his house near the present residence of Joshua Moses. The 
 first settlements in this town after that of Mr. Strong were made in the western 
 portion, by families of the name of Lewis, Wiard and Yale ; the second house 
 was erected near the present residence of Salmon Gridley. The south-western 
 portion of the town was settled by families from Cheshire, of the names of Smith 
 and Bunnel; the south-eastern portion by Hart, from Southington, and the 
 north by Pettibone, from Simsbury. The first settlers came from different towns, 
 and settling upon the borders of the town, in the neighborhood of older settlers in 
 the adjoining towns, did not form much acquaintance with each other till after 
 several years. This circumstance, together with the fact that the central parts of 
 the town are hilly, has led many of the inhabitants to attend upon religious wor- 
 ship in the neighboring societies. The settlers were many of them from Rhode 
 Island, and many from New Haven county. Twenty years since there were 
 more inhabitants in Burlington than in Bristol. 
 
 The Congregational church, when first organized, consisted of twenty-six 
 members; the last surviving member of this number died but a few years since, 
 at an advanced age. Rev. Mr. Miller was twenty-two years old on the day of 
 his ordination. He relinquished his salary, and ceased his active labors in Dec. 
 1821, and died July 21, 1831, aged 69. The latter part of his life, he was a sad 
 spectacle to those who had known him in his prime, through the frightful ravages 
 of epilepsy. Rev. Erastus Clapp, of Southampton, Mass. was ordained his 
 colleague, Jan. 1, 1823; he was dismissed Dec. 10, 1828. Rev. Erastus Scran- 
 ton, previously pastor in North Milford society was installed Jan. 14, 1830, and 
 dismissed 1839. 
 
 The first meeting-house was forty by thirty-six feet. It was occupied first in 
 the autumn of 1783. In 1803 the society commenced a new edifice ; they were 
 assisted by a lottery granted by the General Assembly, which much delayed the 
 completion of the house. It was dedicated Jan. 25, 1809. In 1836, it was taken 
 down, removed and rebuilt of smaller dimensions. 
 
 In 1799, thirty-two members were added to the church ; in 1800, twenty-three; 
 in 1824, one hundred ; in 1832, thirty-four. 
 
 The early settlers of this town from Rhode Island were Seventh-day Baptists, 
 and they had worship earlier than the Congregationalists. Rev. Joshua Clark, 
 of Hopkinton, R. I. came into the town in March, 1771, and preached about 
 nine years. Aug. 26, 1780, the church was gathered of twenty members. Elder 
 John Davis was their first minister, who was ordained by Rev. John Waxen, of 
 Newport, R. I. He was a godly minister and died Aug. 29, 1792, aged 69. 
 Rev. Amos Burdick was the second minister, who died in 1803, aged 63. Rev. 
 
73 
 
 Amos Stillman succeeded him, who died 1807, aged 46. The church were 
 greatly afflicted by his death, and never recovered from it. Several of the fami- 
 lies belonging to it, have removed, others have united with other denominations, 
 and the church and society are now extinct. They erected a meeting-house in 
 1800, which is still standing. 
 
 The "First-day Baptists" have had preaching in this town occasionally, since 
 the close of the revolutionary war, usually at the meeting-house of the Seventh- 
 day Baptists. From 1825 to 1835, preaching was had once in two weeks at this 
 place, and a Baptist church was formed in connection with a church in New 
 Hartford. 
 
 Soon after the close of the revolutionary war, two Episcopal clergymen of the 
 name of Blakesly, preached in the south-west part of the town; after them the 
 Rev. Mr. Nichols, about 1790. A new Episcopal church was erected in the 
 north-east corner of Plymouth; while it was under the care of Rev. A. V. Gris- 
 wold, now bishop of the eastern diocese, many families from Burlington attend- 
 ed upon his ministry. Several families still worship there. 
 
 The itinerant ministers of the Methodist connexion from the Litchfield circuit, 
 visited this town as early as 1787. In 1788 a class was formed, of which Abra- 
 ham Brooks was the first member. Till 1816, there was usually Methodist 
 preaching once in two Sabbaths. In 1816, Burlington was made a circuit. 
 From 1788 to 1800, the place of preaching was the school-house in the south- 
 west district, dwelling houses in that vicinity, and a grove in the summer. From 
 1800 to 1814 it was in the " Bumiel house" fitted up for the purpose. In 1814, 
 a meeting-house was erected near the burying ground in the second district. In 
 1835 it was taken down, removed and rebuilt in a modern style, in the centre of 
 the town. 
 
 About thirty years since there was Universalist preaching, and a society form- 
 ed. In 1833 or 1834, it was reorganized, and for a year or two there was 
 preaching again. 
 
 Rev. Pres. Humphrey, of Amherst College, and Prof. Elton, of Brown Uni- 
 versity, are natives of this town. 
 
 The physicians have been Joseph Roberts, Perez Mann, William Richards, 
 Harvey Hills, Elijah Flowers, Aaron Hitchcock, Levi Gaylord, Samuel S. 
 Brownson, Chester Hamlin, M. E. Todd, Edward Fields, Drs. Wade, Burwell, 
 and Elton. 
 
 The West-woods abounded in game ; deer were numerous, especially in the 
 vicinity of north and south ponds. It has been said that the deer traversed a 
 beaten path between the two. 
 
 As early as 1763, Nathaniel Bunnel was found frozen to death on the West 
 mountain, standing beside a tree with his gun in his hand. 
 
 It is computed that one in seven or eight deaths in Burlington are of consump- 
 tion. The spotted and typhus fevers prevailed to a considerable extent thirty 
 years since. The " canker-rash" with fever has formerly raged to an alarming 
 extent, sweeping away whole families. 
 
 From Nov. 26, 1783 to Jan. 1809, the whole number of deaths was 470 ; the 
 
 10 
 
7-4 
 
 annual number varied from eighteen to thirty-six. From 1809 to 1836, the whole 
 number was 530. 
 
 Elizabeth Hitchcock died in 1807, aged one hundred years and eleven months. 
 The whole number of sudden or untimely deaths has been unusually great, 
 sixty-six in all. Of this number forty were men, and many of them the most 
 active men in the town. 
 
 Rev. Jonathan Miller, first minister of the Congregational church in Burling- 
 ton, was born Nov. 26th, 1761; was educated at Yale College; was ordained 
 Nov. 26, 1783, the day he was twenty-two years old, and continued in that rela- 
 tion to his death, which occurred July 21, 1831. 
 
 For a few years previous to his death, he was unable to discharge the duties of 
 his office, in consequence of the failure of his mental faculties, and the loss of his 
 reason. 
 
 He was possessed of a strong, discriminating mind, and his discourses were 
 often doctrinal, plain and pungent in their application. He was uniformly 
 solemn and grave in his appearance in the pulpit, and stood high in the estima- 
 tion of his brethren in the ministry, as a preacher, a divine, and counsellor in ec- 
 clesiastical matters. 
 
 He contributed to the pages of the Connecticut Evangelical Magazine, and 
 published some occasional sermons. He labored and preached much to happy 
 effect in neighboring congregations, in the revivals of 1798 and 99, and was a 
 burning and shining light in the candlestick where he was placed. 
 
 Simeon Hart, Esq. was born at Southington, Dec. 29th, 1735, and removed 
 to West Britain, a parish of ancient Farmington, about the year 1774. He was 
 one of the early settlers of that section of the town, and took an active part in 
 laying the foundation of the institutions now enjoyed. 
 
 When Bristol, comprehending the parishes of New Cambridge and West 
 Britain, was made a town, he was sent their first representative. He sustained 
 for a number of years the office of justice of peace ; was. active in forming the 
 first Congregational church in the parish, and was chosen one of its first deacons, 
 which office he sustained till excused on account of feeble health. 
 
 He lived an eminently useful life, and died instantly Jan. 12th, 1800; his wife 
 died Jan. 11th, and they were buried together in the same grave. 
 
 Simeon Hart, Jun. Esq. third sou of Simeon Hart, was born at Southington, 
 Sept. 8th, 1763, and removed with his father to the parish of West Britain, now 
 Burlington. Enjoying advantages for early education beyond most others of 
 that period, he was prepared intelligently to perform the duties of a good citizen, 
 and take a decided part in sustaining those institutions which his father had been 
 instrumental in establishing. He was a firm friend of the Congregational socie- 
 ty and church of which he was a consistent member, and labored efficiently for 
 their prosperity. 
 
 As an evidence of the confidence reposed in him by his fellow citizens, he was 
 chosen town clerk eleven years in succession, and during the fluctuations of 
 political parties, held the office of justice of peace for thirty or more years, until 
 excused at his own request. 
 
Having served God aud Ins generation faithfully, he fell asleep Dec. 19th, 
 1835, aged 72. 
 
 Note O. p. 41. 
 Additional Notices of Avon. 1 / 
 
 The society of Northington is believed to have been incorporated about 1745. 
 
 The first permanent settlers were Joseph Woodford, and North. 
 
 The church was formed Nov. 20, 1751, of twenty -four members. Rev. Eben- 
 ezer Booge was ordained Nov. 27, 1751. The society consisted of twenty-five 
 or thirty families. Mr. Booge died Feb. 2, 1767, aged 51. During his ministry, 
 there were sixty -two marriages, and two hundred and seventeen births ; after his 
 death, before Mr. Hawley's settlement, thirty births. Baptisms one hundred 
 and ninety-one ; after his death, twenty-eight. Members admitted to the church, 
 forty-three. Deaths sixty-eight; after his decease, ten. 
 
 Rev. Rufus Hawley was ordained Dec. 7, 1769 ; at that time the society con- 
 sisted of about sixty families. Mr. Hawley died Jan. 6, 1826. 
 
 Mrs. Sarah Woodford died about 1799 or 1800, aged 101 years, very quiet and 
 cheerful in temper. 
 
 Mr. Booge's salary was £50 and twenty cords of wood. Mr. Hawley's salary 
 was $200 and twenty cords of wood. Rev. Ludovicus Robbins was ordained 
 colleague pastor April 26, 1820 ; dismissed Jan. 30, 1822. Rev. Harvey Bush- 
 nell was installed Jan. 14, 1824; dismissed Oct. 27, 1834. Rev. John Bartlett •. 
 was installed Oct. 28, 1835. The second society in Avon was formed in 1818. 
 Rev. Bela Kellogg was installed Nov. 3, 1819 ; dismissed Sept. 2, 1829. Rev. 
 Francis H. Case was installed Dec. 22, 1830 ; dismissed April 28, 1840. Rev. 
 Stephen Hubbell was installed Dec. 31, 1840. 
 
 Note P. p. 42. 
 
 At a general court held 1702, "the town of Farmington laboring under great 
 difficulties in reference to the calling and settling of a minister among them, and 
 other ecclesiastical concerns, certain of the inhabitants made their address to this 
 General Assembly, praying for counsel and relief. In answer whereunto, this 
 assembly doth order and direct them to seek counsel and help from the Rev. 
 Elders, viz. Rev. Mr. Abram Pierson, Mr. James Noyes, Mr. Taylor, Mr. N. 
 Russel, Mr. Samuel Russel, and Mr. Thomas Ruggles, or any five of them, 
 whom this assembly doth direct to be helpful unto them, and (unless the said in- 
 habitants shall agree among themselves, &c.) to nominate and appoint a minis- 
 ter for them, and in case the minister so nominated and appointed will undertake 
 this work, this assembly doth hereby order that said inhabitants of Farmington 
 shall entertain him for one year, and also pay to him such salary as hath been 
 usual and customary among them." The town officers were also appointed by 
 the General court. 
 
76 
 
 In 1704 the General court directed the same ministers as above to procure a 
 minister for the inhabitants of Farmington "who are hereby ordered to receive 
 him and to pay him as formerly until this court do order otherwise, or until they 
 agree among themselves." 
 
 Note Q. p. 42. 
 Expenses of Meeting House. 
 
 The present Meeting House in Farmington was built in 1771, in the best man- 
 ner, and of the choicest materials ; an evidence of which is, that the outside cov- 
 ering, first put on, (including the shingles) is yet sound and good. 
 
 The steeple above the belfry was raised entire, where it has stood uninjured to 
 the present day. 
 
 The cost of the building, as by Society's old book was £1750 12 10£ 
 
 Oct. 1771. The Society by the Rev. Mr. Timothy Pitkin, 20 00 00 
 
 Decern. By the first sixpenny rate for building house, 352 13 \\ 
 
 By the second do " for do 352 13 4J 
 
 By the 4 penny " for do 235 2 9* 
 
 By three individuals, 1 19 
 
 Nov. 1772 By a rate of lsl on the pound, 748 11 2 
 
 Balance, 39 13 2i 
 
 £1750 12 10i 
 
 At the request of the younger members of the congregation, during the winter 
 of 1825-6, the pews were taken out of the gallery, and slips substituted in their 
 place, at an expense of $232 42. 
 
 During the summer of 1836, the Meeting House was still further altered and 
 repaired, by removing the pews in the lower part of the house, and supplying 
 their places with slips; the old pulpit was also taken away, and one of modern 
 style built ; the aisles carpeted ; new windows were made, and covered with 
 blinds on the outside ; horse sheds were built, and the green leveled and fenced, 
 the whole expense of which was $3929 57 
 
 About the same time a new bell was procured at an expense of 534 82 
 
 $4463 39 
 
77 
 
 Note R. p. 4.3. 
 Notices of the History of the Church and Society in Farmington. 
 
 ( The Biographical Sketches in this Xotc, arc copied from the manuscripts of Governor 
 
 Tread/well.) 
 
 On the day of July, A. D. 1812, in the 85th year of his age, departed this 
 \ life the Rev. Timothy Pitkin, who for thirty three years had served the first society 
 in this town in the work of the gospel ministry. • 
 
 He had a vigorous constitution, and through the greater part of his life enjoyed 
 a good state of health ; and finally the lamp of life was extinguished, after he had 
 attained to a good old age, not so much by the force of disease, as by a gradual 
 but rapidly increasing decay, which, as the closing scene approached near, was 
 attended with much pain, and at times with a mental weakness or partial derange- 
 ment, yet so that he could recognize his friends, and his true situation, and could 
 manifest his joy at the prospect of his speedy deliverance. 
 
 Mr. Pitkin was a good classic scholar, and had acquired by reading and exten- 
 sive acquaintance with gentlemen of information and science, a general know- 
 ledge of men and things ; particularly of passing events both at home and abroad. 
 He was a gentleman of polished manners and of a communicative disposition, 
 which assemblage of qualities together with a sprightly air and manner, made him 
 very engaging and instructive in conversation ; so that but few persons of taste 
 ever left his company without having been entertained, and, if not owing to their 
 own fault, improved. Besides being eminently pious, and knowing how to ac- 
 commodate himself to the character and attainments of those with whom he con- 
 versed, he was able to speak a word in season that would please, and either edify, 
 or reprove, and he was very happy in so shaping his remarks, as to leave a savor 
 of religion, or at least, a serious impression on the mind. 
 
 When he commenced his ministry amongst us, he was received with open 
 arms, and the people in their rapture did every thing but adore him, and for many 
 years we thought ourselves, and all the societies far and near thought us, the 
 happiest people in the world. 
 
 He found the people honest and sincere, but unpolished and uncourtly; and 
 his influence over them did more, probably, than any other cause, to improve and 
 refine their manners so far as they have been improved and refined. His min- 
 isterial visits were highly prized ; his addresses and prayers at funerals were 
 affectionate and edifying. His prayers with the sick were solemn and searching. 
 His sermons were not elaborately composed; little more than the heads and 
 leading thoughts were committed to writing. They were usually filled up in 
 the delivery. His enunciation was prompt and animated, his manner highly 
 popular, his doctrine correct, his zeal fervent, his affections warm and flowing, 
 and his love to the Saviour and the souls of men conspicuous. He delighted not 
 in metaphysical disquisition or in logical arrangement. 
 
 A popular address was his province. In this he delighted and in this he ex- 
 celled. Hence there was want of variety in his sermons, which his many excel- 
 lent qualities could not fully compensate. The reverse which took place some 
 
78 
 
 years before lie resigned his ministry, was painful to hiui, and his people. Ano- 
 ther generation had arisen which knew not Joseph. They regarded him indeed 
 with affection ; still Mr. Pitkin saw or thought he saw, a wide difference between 
 that affection and the admiration of the former generation. For a time he gave 
 up his salary and continued his labors. The voluntary contributions made him 
 by the people were small. This confirmed him in opinion that a coldness had 
 taken place, and that bis usefulness among them was at an end. A council was 
 called ; he urged before them his want of health and that he had no further pros- 
 pect of being useful here, and requested to be dismissed from his people. The 
 society opposed, but the council complied with his request, and dismissed him. 
 Since that time Mr. Pitkin preached occasionally in various places, but for 
 the most part has lived retired. He has however, been very useful in praying 
 with the congregation in the absence of a minister, in visiting and praying with 
 the sick, in attending funerals, in praying and expounding the scriptures at con- 
 ferences, in conversing with, and assisting and counselling such as were under 
 religious concern, and in other pious endeavors to promote the interests of reli 
 gion among us. On the whole his life was dignified and useful, his death was 
 peaceful, and his memory will be blessed. 
 
 Mr. Pitkin was succeeded by the Rev. Allen Olcott, who was ordained, Jan- 
 uary, 1787, and dismissed August, 1791. 
 
 Mr. Olcott was a gentleman of liberal education and good acquirements. He 
 was an honest and sensible man, and a sincere and humble christian ; but his 
 first introduction here was under unfavorable auspices. No one at first looked 
 upon him as Mr. Pitkin's successor. He had too long stood as a candidate for the 
 ministry to enjoy a fresh reputation. On trial, however, he approved himself a 
 workman that needed not to be ashamed, and exhibited a maturity in knowledge 
 and grace that attracted general notice and respect. In fine he so far exceeded 
 his public and vulgar reputation, that he enlisted even the prejudices of most of 
 the people in his favour, and was ordained and settled here as a minister of the 
 gospel, but amidst strong opposition, 
 
 As a preacher he was quite respectable in the view of discerning men. His 
 prayers were comprehensive, concise and appropriate. His sermons were ot 
 the same character. They were carefully and neatly composed ; each one had 
 a unity in design and execution. He drew the attention to some prominent idea 
 suggested by the text, which he unfolded and applied. His design was, to leave 
 upon the mind the strongest impression, and not to weaken its force by saying 
 all that might be said from the words. Accordingly he was always able to bring 
 out of his treasures things new and old. But still he was in several respects the 
 direct contrast to his immediate predecessor. He wanted dignity in his manners, 
 he was diffident of himself ; in mixed company, constrained in his behaviour, ap- 
 parently oppressed with a sense of inferiority, unsociable and absent in mind. In 
 select society he enjoyed himself, and pleased and instructed his friends. Hence 
 he studiously shunned mixed company, and the society of his opposers, as far at 
 least as his essential duties would permit ; and attached himself too much to a 
 
79 
 
 private and friendly circle. This was the result of his feelings, probably, rather 
 than of his judgement, but it operated against him. 
 
 Under these feelings he could not assume an open and free behaviour towards 
 all his parishioners as their spiritual father, but, on the contrary, laid himself too 
 open to the charge of partiality, which his opposers brought against him. On 
 the whole, though a friend to his people, and desirous of advancing their best 
 good as their minister, his conduct, resulting from a natural rather than a moral 
 defect, was so far from conciliating the opposition, that it exasperated it and ren- 
 dered it formidable and incurable. Had there been more self-possession in him, 
 and more candour in judging of real merit in them, the connection between Mr. 
 Olcott and this people might have been lasting and a mutual blessing ; but in the 
 existing state of things his dismission was indispensable. 
 
 Mr. Olcott, on his dismission, retired to his family mansion at Orford, and spent 
 the remainder of his days while health remained, in supplying the pulpits of the 
 neighboring congregations as occasion presented, and in attending to the man- 
 agement of his farm, and waiting upon his numerous and respectable friends, 
 whom he received with kindness and hospitality, until the month of August in the 
 year 1806, when he received a severe paralytic shock, from which he never re- 
 covered. Enfeebled in body and mind, he spent the remainder of his days, look- 
 ing out, and waiting for the messenger of death, which, in another similar shock 
 approached and finished his course. 
 
 ,- 
 Mr. Olcott was succeeded by Rev. Joseph Washburn, who was ordained May v 
 
 7, 1795, and died at sea Dec. 25, 1805. 
 
 Mr. Washburn was eminently qualified by nature, education and grace, for the 
 work of the gospel ministry. His sermons were elaborated with careful study, 
 and delivered with much solemnity and affection. His subjects were well adapt- 
 ed to the existing state of things. He judged accurately of the circumstances of 
 time, place and occasion. His style was correct, and his manner of speaking 
 graceful, but without studied ornament. His labours were incessant. What 
 time he could redeem from severe study was applied in catechising the children, 
 and visiting his people. His conversation was edifying and his manners easy 
 and conciliating. The persons with whom he conversed, he generally found 
 friendly or made them so. He was kind, open-hearted, liberal to the poor, and 
 hospitable to strangers. He was meek under provocations, patient under suf- 
 ferings, alive to his own imperfections, and as ready to confess his faults as to 
 forgive others. He was disinterested in an uncommon degree, not regarding 
 his worldly embarrassments. He loved his people and was beloved by them ; 
 he loved his work and was successful. Through God's blessing on it, great ad- 
 ditions were made to the church during his ministry. He found a watery grave, 
 but his memory is entombed in the hearts of his jieople. He rapidly declined 
 with a pulmonary consumption, brought on him, as was supposed, by his intense 
 labours in the service of his people, and being advised by his physicians to take a 
 journey to the southward for the benefit of a milder air during the then approach- 
 ing winter, died at sea on his passage from Norfolk to Charleston, on the 25th 
 
SO 
 
 day of December, A. D. 1805, and his remains were committed to the bosom of 
 the deep. 
 
 Rev. Noah Porter was ordained the Pastor of this church, Nov. 5, 1806. 
 
 The church has at several periods of its history been favored with large acces- 
 sions to its numbers as the fruits of a marked attention to the subject of religion, 
 by the blessing of the Spirit of God. Not many years since, there were members 
 of the church, who united with its communion, as fruits of the revival which pre- 
 vailed throughout New-England, near the middle of the last century. Some are 
 now living, who can speak of the revival in 1784. particularly on the Great Plains, 
 near the close of Mr. Pitkin's ministry. Another such season commenced under 
 the preaching of Dr. Griffin, and continued under that of Mr. Washburn, in 
 1794 and 5. One more general throughout the community, occurred in 1799, 
 and blessed most of the churches in this vicinity. In 1821, there was a revival 
 of uncommon power, and there were added to the church as fruits of it, upwards 
 of two hundred and thirty persons. Since that time there have been revivals 
 less general in their influence, in consequence of which there have been added 
 to the church in 1827, twenty-seven persons : in 1829, thirty-seven; in 1831, 
 thirty-six; in 1834, forty-one ; in 1838, eighty-eight; and in 1840, twenty-two. 
 
 Before 1795, no catalogue was made of the members of the church, that has 
 been preserved. It appears from a memorandum made by Rev. Mr. Pitkin, 
 that from 1752 to 1758, there were, 
 
 Marriages, ....... 047 
 
 Baptisms, 485 males, 43G females, ----- 921 
 
 Deaths, males, adult, 123; youth, 36; children, 23; infants, 85; 
 
 " females, adult, 119; youth, 19 ; children, 37 ; infants, 71— total, 513 
 
 In 1795, there were 115 members of the church. From that time to Jan. 1, 
 1841, there have been added to the church, 1010 members, of whom 390 remain. 
 
 In March, 1840, forty-two were dismissed to constitute the second Congrega- 
 tional church in Farmington, or the first church in Plainville. 
 
 The present town had till 1825, been one Ecclesiastical Society or Parish, with 
 no house of worship, church or religious teacher besides the Congregational. 
 In that year a Methodist society was formed, and in 1834 their house of worship 
 was erected in the center of the town. For a number of years, Congregational 
 worship has been maintained in the North-west part of the town, now called 
 Unionville ; but no church has as yet been organized. 
 
 In 1810, Mr. Solomon Langdon gave two thousand dollars to the Ecclesiasti- 
 cal Society, as a fund for the suijport of the gospel. In 1820, he gave in addi- 
 tion, five hundred dollars, on condition that the society would increase the amount 
 to ten thousand dollars ; which was accomplished. In March, 1823, he made 
 another subscription of three hundred dollars, to increase the fund to twelve 
 thousand dollars. In his will, after certain bequests, he left to the society the re- 
 sidue of his estate, amounting to some thousands of dollars. These bequests were 
 the fruits of his own industry. He died May 10, 1835. 
 
 The church and society have both been harmonious and peaceful in their 
 
81 
 
 movements, and have been to an unusual degree, exempt from painful and dis- 
 tracting division. Two periods of less than ten years each, have been periods of 
 division; the one at the commencement, the other near the close of the last cen- 
 tury. Besides these seasons, the history of the church and society, is a history of 
 peace and union, under pastors honored and beloved. During the distraction 
 that attended the revivals of 1740, rending so many churches and societies, there 
 was little or no disturbance in this town. One family alone became New Lights, 
 and severed themselves from the church as not standing on the foundation of the 
 gospel. The practice of " the Half-way Covenant" was disused about 1770, with 
 no serious difficulty, and no painful results. The causes of this singular peace 
 and union among the people have been two. They have generally confided in 
 the good judgement and honesty of those who were prominent' in the society 
 and the church, and this class of men among them have generally been worthy 
 to be trusted. 
 
 Note S. — p. 46. 
 ( Copied from Manuscripts of Gov. Treadwell, prepared in 1802 or 3.) 
 
 This town, as its name imports, was at first, and indeed till a late period, wholly 
 agricultural. Labour in the field was almost the only employment. Industry 
 and economy have characterized the inhabitants ; labour has been held in repu- 
 tation ; none, however elevated by office, or profession, have considered them- 
 selves above it. Magistrates and ministers, when their appropriate business 
 would permit, have laboured in the field. Indeed our magistrates have always 
 been farmers; have been as laborious on their farms as others, and have derived 
 their support from labour as much, almost, as the meanest citizen. They have 
 been content to eat their bread in the sweat of their brow ; and it was honour 
 enough to be esteemed the first among equals. But a very little of the labour on 
 farms has been performed by slaves, and if a farmer had a slave, he constantly 
 laboured with him, and taught him the habits of industry by his own example, as 
 well as by his authority. Labour having been thus reputable among all classes of 
 citizens, industry has been almost universal; and very few through idleness have 
 become chargeable to the public. The master of the household has gone before 
 his sons and domestics into the field in their daily labour, and if too remote, as 
 usually happened, to return at noon, they dined together on their plain fare, 
 under the covert of some thick shade, whereon the green grass they might enjoy 
 the luxury of the free air, with more sincere delight than the greatest modern 
 epicure at a civic feast. While the men have been thus employed in the field, in 
 raising the materials for food and clothing, the women have been no less industri- 
 ous in the domestic circle, in rearing the tender branches of the family, and in 
 dressing food for the table. The careful matron has been accustomed to " seek 
 wool and flax and work willingly with her hands ; she layeth her hands to the 
 spindle and her hands hold the distaff." On Monday they have been employed 
 in perfect dishabille, in washing their linen in their houses, and when this is done, 
 
 11 
 
82 
 
 at about the middle of the afternoon, they assume their neatest appearance, and 
 are the perfect contrast of what they were in the morning, prepared to visit or to 
 receive company. The brothers of the family returning from their daily labours, 
 towards evening, covered with sweat and dust, and finding their sisters neatly 
 dressed, and enjoying the cool shade, are led sometimes almost to repine at their 
 happy lot ; but these feelings are corrected when they reflect, that their sisters are 
 employed more hours in the day, and that their labour when compared with 
 their strength, is many times, more severe than their own. It is true, however, 
 that the young daughters, who have much to expect from their appearance, find 
 means to shift off" no small proportion of the drudgery of the family, on the fond 
 mother ; who submits the more readily, because she feels that there are reasons 
 for it, that have their weight; that she herself in youth has had the same indul- 
 gence, and that they must submit to the like service in their turn. 
 
 Our ancestors here, of both sexes, have, till of late, clad themselves in simple 
 apparel, suited to their moderate circumstances and agricultural state. The men 
 have been content with two suits of clothes, called the every-day clothes, and the 
 Sabbath-day clothes. The former were usually of two sorts, those for labour, 
 and those for common society. Those for labour in the summer were a check 
 homespun linen shirt, a pair of plain tow-cloth trowsers, and a vest generally 
 much worn, formerly with, but more modernly without sleeves; or simply a 
 brown tow-cloth frock and trowsers, and sometimes a pair of old shoes tied with 
 leather strings, and a felt hat, or old beaver hat stiffened and worn white with 
 age. For the winter season, they wore a check blue and white woollen shirt, a 
 pair of buck-skin breeches, a pair of white, or if of the best kind, deep blue home- 
 made woollen stockings, and a pair of double soled cowhide shoes, blacked on 
 the flesh side, tied with leather strings ; and, to secure the feet and legs against 
 snow, a pair of leggins, which, for the most part, were a pair of worn out stock- 
 ings, with the bottom and toe of the foot cut off, drawn over the stocking and 
 shoe, and tied fast to the heel and over the vamp of the shoe ; or if of the best 
 kind, they were knit on purpose of white yarn, and they answered for boots on 
 all occasions ; an old plain cloth vest with sleeves, lined with a cloth called drug- 
 get ; an old plain cloth great coat, commonly brown, wrapped around the body, 
 and tied with a list or belt; or as a substitute for them, a buck-skin leather waist- 
 coat and a leather apron of tanned sheep-skin fastened round the waist, and the 
 top of it supported with a loop about the neck, and a hat as above, or a woollen 
 cap drawn over the ears. 
 
 For ordinary society in summer, they were clad in a check linen homespun 
 shirt and trowsers, or linen breeches, white homespun linen stockings, and cow- 
 hide single soled shoes, a vest with sleeves usually of brown plain cloth, a hand- 
 kerchief around the neck, a check cap, and a hat in part worn. 
 
 In winter, they were clad as above described for winter, excepting that they 
 assumed, if they had it, a better great coat, a neckcloth and a hat that might be 
 considered as second best. Their Sabbath day suit for winter was like that last 
 mentioned, excepting that their stockings were commonly deep blue, their leather 
 breeches were clean and of a buff colour, they added a straight-bodied plain coat 
 and a white holland cap, and sometimes a wig with a clean beaver hat. For the 
 
83 
 
 summer, it was a check holland shirt, brown linen breeches and stockings, single 
 soled cow hide shoes with buckles, a plain cloth and sometimes a broadcloth and 
 velvet vest, without sleeves ; the shirt-sleeves tied above the elbows with arm- 
 strings of ferreting of various colours, a white holland cap or wig, and beaver 
 hat; and on thanksgiving days, and other high occasions, a white holland shirt 
 and cambric neckcloth. 
 
 The women have been, till within about thirty years past, clothed altogether 
 in the same style, with a moderate allowance for the taste of the sex. A minute 
 description will not be attempted ; a few particulars will characterize the whole. 
 They wore home-made drugget, crape, plain cloth and camblet gowns in the 
 winter, and the exterior of their under dress was a garment lined and quilted, ex- 
 tending from the waist to the feet. Their shoes were high-heeled, made of tan- 
 ned calf-skin, and in some instances of cloth. In the summer they wore striped 
 linen and calico gowns, cloth shoes and linen miderdress? and every young lady 
 when she had attained her stature, was furnished with a silk gown and skirt if her 
 parents were able, or she could purchase them by dint of labour. Their head 
 dress has always occupied a great share of their attention while in youth ; it has 
 always been varying, and every mode seems, in its day, the most becoming. 
 Within the period just mentioned, the elderly women have worn check holland 
 aprons to meeting on the Sabbath, and those in early life, and of the best fashion, 
 were accustomed to wear them in their formal visits. 
 
 The same simplicity has been conspicuous in their diet, their houses and their 
 furniture. Equipage they had none ; pleasure carriages and sleighs were un- 
 known. In attending the public worship, or in short excursions, a man usually 
 rode with a woman behind him, mounted on a pillion; andeven to this day, this 
 practice is not wholly laid aside. 
 
 The people of this town, as farmers, have had some advantages above most 
 of their neighbours, but they have their disadvantages; among which, their com- 
 pact settlement is one. Two things induced this mode of settlement; fear of 
 Indians, and a wish to place themselves in a situation convenient to improve the 
 meadows. The inhabitants have their home-lots in the town plot ; their lots, 
 as usually happens, in various parts of the meadows, distant from a quarter of a 
 mile to nearly three miles ; and their pastures for their cattle and horses in per. 
 haps an opposite direction, and as far or farther distant. In this situation, the 
 time spent in taking the cows to pasture, and fetching their teams in the morn- 
 ing, and going to their fields, in returning home, turning out their teams and 
 fetching their cows at night, must be, in most cases, a considerable part of the 
 day, which is worse than lost, and is more than saved by those who live on their 
 farms in a central situation, 
 
 Another disadvantage to the town as a farming town, is the late prevalence of 
 a commercial spirit. Till within about forty years, a single retailer of imported 
 goods with a small capital, sufficed for the town Of late years trade has greatly 
 increased, and a greater capital is employed in it, than in any inland town in the 
 state. That agriculture and commerce go hand in hand is true ; but it is equally 
 true that farmers never flourish in a populous settlement where the commercial 
 character predominates. The reasons are obvious. Commerce where it pre- 
 
S4 
 
 vails creates riches ; riches introduce a taste for luxury in building, dress, furni- 
 ture, equipage, &c. which agriculture can never support. The farmer is thrown 
 into the shade ; he feels that riches, as the world goes, give pre-eminence. In 
 homely dress and covered with sweat and dust, with weary steps returning from 
 the field, he sees with pain the powdered beau rolling in his carriage, with horses 
 richly caparisoned, and feels himself degraded, his cheerfulness forsakes him, if 
 his ambition remains. He quits his humble employment, or flies the sight of 
 objects which serve only to give him uneasiness. This effect is not so visible in 
 the householders, but the misfortune is, their places as laborers are supplied by 
 men of a different class, poor, dependent, of mean education, and too often 
 vicious, and such as on emergency, will generally pull down, rather than build 
 up society. Where riches are accumulated, equality is destroyed ; simplicity of 
 manners is lost, never to return ; a different state succeeds ; there will be at once 
 a display of magnificence by the rich, and of wretchedness by the poor; the 
 rich and the rabble will always be found together in commercial and opulent 
 towns. This change is equally visible in the female part of our families. The 
 young ladies are changing their spinning-wheels for piano-fortes, and forming 
 their manners at the dancing-school, rather than in the school of industry. Of 
 course the people are laying aside their plain apparel, manufactured in their 
 houses, and clothing themselves with European and India fabrics. Labor is 
 growing into disrepute ; and the time when the independent farmer and reputa- 
 ble citizen could whistle at the tail of his plough with as much serenity as the 
 cobler over his last, is fast drawing to a close. The present time makes a revo- 
 lution of taste and of manners of immense import to society ; but while others 
 glory in this as a great advance in refinement, we cannot help dropping a tear at 
 the close of the golden age of our ancestors, while with a pensive pleasure we 
 reflect on the past, and with suspense and apprehension anticipate the future. 
 
 Note T. p. 46. 
 
 N Mr. Pitkin married the daughter of President Clap, of Yale College. When 
 he brought home his wife, they rode in a sort of a phreton or four wheeled car- 
 riage. The older and more respectable men of the town went out to meet their 
 pastor and his lady, and escort them home. They were of course eagerly on 
 the look out, for the first glimpse of the expected company. When the phaeton 
 came in sight, one of the older men cried out, " I see the cart, I see the cart." 
 
 Note U. p. 47. 
 
 Additional Notices of Schools in Farmington. 
 
 In 1815 a few individuals at their private expense, erected a building to be 
 occupied as an academy, for instruction in the several branches of an English and 
 classical education. This school was sustained for more than twenty years, with 
 great ability and success, and it has been the medium of important blessings to 
 the town, in securing to its population the advantages of a more complete educa- 
 
85 
 
 tton, and also in elevating its intellectual, moral and religious character. Many 
 hundred jjupils have enjoyed its advantages, from this town and others in the 
 vicinity. It is at present superseded by a Higher Public School, which is sustain- 
 ed by the union of the pupils of two adjoining school districts. 
 
 The school-fund belonging to the first school society, arising from the sale of 
 the highways and proprietary lands amounts at present to $9276,53. The town 
 deposite fund, the entire annual interest of which is by vote of the town, devoted 
 to the support of common schools, is $ 1832,41. 
 
 The Union school district possesses in addition, a fund of $200, the bequest of 
 the late Solomon Langdon. 
 
 Strong interest has ever been felt in this town, in the cause of common 
 schools, and the men most esteemed in the community have devoted themselves 
 with an assiduous and ardent zeal to the interests of these schools as a means of 
 intellectual and moral culture. This interest has never been interrupted by the 
 vulgar jealousies of party contention, or the unseemly distractions of sectarian 
 strife. 
 
 Since the recent impulse has been given to the cause of common school edu- 
 cation i:i this state, by the joint action of the Legislature and the Board of Com- 
 missioners, this town has been behind no other in efficiently prosecuting the 
 plans suggested for the improvement of these schools. The success which has 
 already attended their efforts, not only furnishes a pledge of the future pros- 
 perity of the town, but also a bright example of what may be done in other com- 
 munities. 
 
 Note V. p. 48. 
 (Prepared by Rev. Noah Porter, D. D.) 
 
 The Hon. John Treadwell was born in Farmington, Nov. 23, 1745. His 
 parents, Ephraim and Mary Treadwell, were highly respected for their piety. 
 Having finished his education at Yale College, where he was graduated A. D. 
 1767, he pursued a thorough course of study in legal science, but such was his 
 aversion to professional life, that he never offered himself for examination at the 
 bar. In the autumn of 1776, he was chosen a representative of the town to the 
 General Assembly ; and by successive elections from that time till 1785, he was 
 continually, with the exception of one session, a member of the house. He was 
 then elected one of the Assistants, and to that office was annually chosen till 1798, 
 when he was appointed Lieut. Governor. In the autumn of 1809, on the de- 
 cease of Gov. Trumbull, he was chosen by the legislature, to the office of Gov- 
 ernor ; and by a renewal of the appointment at their session in May, he continu- 
 ed in the discharge of the high duties of that office the following year. At this 
 time he had been twenty years, judge of the court of probate; three years, judge 
 of the county court; twenty years, a judge in the supreme court of errors ; and 
 nineteen years, a member of the corporation of Yale College. The greater 
 part of this time he was also one of the prudential committee of that corpora- 
 tion, and took a zealous part in whatever pertained to the prosperity of the semi- 
 
s6 
 
 nary. Among other public services, it also deserves particular mention that he 
 had an early agency in negociating the sale of the New Connecticut lands, and 
 in constituting from the sale, our school fund. Having, in connexion with 
 others, accomplished that laborious and difficult trust, he was appointed one o* 
 the board of managers ; and in this office was continued till 1810, when, by a 
 different arrangement, it was superseded. He drew the bill for the application 
 of the fund, and is probably to be considered more directly than any other person, 
 the father of the system of common-school education in this state. In these 
 various offices, his reputation was unsullied. He was known to act uprightly, 
 and was generally acknowledged to act judiciously. Probably no man was 
 better acquainted with the internal policy of the state ; and having begun his 
 fostering care over it when it was in the cradle of its independent existence, and 
 been almost exclusively devoted to its concerns, in offices so various, and some 
 of them so important, for thirty years, he contributed to its order and improve- 
 ment, ina degree which, in other periods and circumstances, would have been 
 hardly possible for any man. In the church his labors were scarcely less impor- 
 tant than in the state. In the church of Farmington, of which he became a mem- 
 ber in the twenty-seventh year of his life, his counsels and example always, and 
 more especially in several trying periods of its history, were exceedingly valued. 
 More than twenty years he was a deacon of that church, and while adorned with 
 the highest dignities of the state, he continued to perform the ordinary duties of 
 that office. Of Ecclesiastical Councils he was a frequent and useful member. 
 Of the Missionary Society of Connecticut, he was one of the original trustees; 
 of these trustees he was the first chairman; and this station by successive ap- 
 pointments, he continued to fill, till on account of advanced years, he declined a 
 re-appointment. He was also one of the Commissioners who formed the Con- 
 stitution of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, and 
 who devised the incipient measures for carrying into effect the important design 
 of their commission. Of that Board he was the first President, and in that office 
 he continued till his death. No magistrate of New England probably, since the 
 time of Haynes and Winthrop, engaged a greater measure of confidence in the 
 church, was more useful in it, or more venerated by its ministers. He was not 
 a man of brilliant genius or extended erudition, or commanding elocution. He 
 had no superior advantages of birth, of patronage, of personal attractions or 
 courtly address. He had no peculiar power of delighting the social circle with 
 the sprightliness of his fancy, nor of swaying public assemblies by the eloquence 
 of his appeals. He was not, in the common import of the term, a popular man ; 
 yet he had an intellectual and moral greatness which carried him superior to all 
 obstacles in the path to eminence ; so that with no advantages above what thou- 
 sands enjoyed, he united in himself in a perfection rarely found, the characters of 
 a jurist, a civilian and a divine. In the ordinary scenes, as well as in the higher 
 sphere of life, his piety shone with steady lustre. His attendance upon divine 
 ordinances was steady and exemplary. The retired circle for prayer and Chris- 
 tian conference, as well as the solemn assembly, could command his presence 
 and engage his warm affections. Familiar as divine truth was to his contempla- 
 tions, he was always entertained and often melted under the plainest and most 
 
S7 
 
 unadorned exhibitions of it. He could safely appeal to all who knew him, that 
 in simplicity and godly sincerity, not by fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, 
 he had his conversation in the world. With serene hope in Christ, he died 
 Aug. 18, A. D. 1823, in the seventy-eighth year of his age. 
 
 Sketch of Prevailing Diseases in Farmington. 
 
 (From manuscripts of Gov. Trcadiccll.) 
 
 About the year 1729, a pleurisy of a very malignant type prevailed. It select- 
 ed for its victims generally, stout athletic men, in middle life; not more than a 
 third of those attacked, recovered. This was soon after followed by a fever, 
 often attended with putrid symptoms and delirium, called " the long fever," 
 which was protracted from twenty to sixty days before it formed a crisis. It 
 prevailed three successive autumns ; many fell as its victims, and those who re- 
 covered, held their lives long in suspense, and recovered very slowly. This w 7 as 
 followed by sore throat, which attacked children and young people generally, 
 and carried off some whole families of children, and among others that of Asahel 
 Strong, Esq. This disease occurred in the autumn of 17*36. This was followed 
 by distressing and fatal attacks " of worms," of which many children died. 
 
 In the spring of 1751, a malignant pleurisy, similar to that of 1729, again pre- 
 vailed, and seized upon men in middle life, and of a vigorous constitution. 
 Asahel Strong, Esq. died much lamented. In the autumn of the same year, 
 many died of the dysentery, and among them Rev. Samuel Whitman. 
 
 In 1776, the dysentery prevailed ; in the course of the year there died in the 
 first society sixty-one persons, and in 1777, forty-one persons, most of them of 
 the dysentery. 
 
 In 1798, the dysentery again prevailed, and proved fatal to many youths and 
 some aged people. The only variation in the diseases of the last century that is 
 remarkable, is the diminution of those which are highly inflammatory, and the 
 increase of those occasioned by a disordered state of the bile. 
 
 In March, 1808, a new and most fatal disorder appeared in this town, called 
 " the spotted fever," and in its progress proved a terrible scourge to this people. 
 It raged till June, 1809, with a slight intermission towards the close of 1808. 
 Within that period there were about seven hundred cases, which required medi- 
 cal aid, and most of the population weie slightly affected; scarcely a neighbor- 
 hood escaped, whatever its locality or situation. The fever attacked old and 
 young, male and female, healthy and feeble, though most of its victims were 
 young women and children. In 1808, after the month of March, there died in 
 the first society, fifty-two, twenty-seven of whom died of the fever. In 1809, 
 previous to the month of June, thirty-seven died, most or all of the fever. The 
 scene was awfui ; no tongue can tell the distress of the inhabitants ; the well 
 were hardly sufficient to take care of the sick, who from the nature of the disease 
 required unremitted attendance. No help could be obtained from abroad. The 
 panic was so widely extended that for many months the roads were unoccupied ; 
 but here and there a solitary traveller was seen, flying for his life to avoid conta- 
 
88 
 
 gion. The funeral knell was silenced for fear of alarming the sick; meagre 
 funeral processions were almost daily passing silent and slow to the grave. 
 Every one yet well apprehended hourly the attack of disease and the arrest of 
 death. 
 
 The symptoms which attended the disease, were such as indicated the decay 
 of the vital functions and the most successful mode of practice was by the em- 
 ployment of stimulants, in order to sustain the action of the system till it should 
 recover its natural tone. 
 
 The faithfulness ofthe people of all conditions, and especially of the young in 
 abiding by the sick, and in cheerfully exposing themselves through fatigue and a 
 bad air to the fatal disease, is to be mentioned with honor. The attending phy- 
 sicians, particularly Dr. Eli Todd and Dr. Solomon Everest, are worthy of much 
 honor for their humane, painful and skillful services, during the whole scene of 
 distress, and received the satisfaction of an approving conscience, and the appro- 
 bation of a grateful people The hand of God in sending the disease is to be 
 acknowledged with profound reverence, and in removing it with lively gratitude 
 
 Historical Facts, <tc. prom the manuscripts of Governor Treaiavell. 
 
 In 1802 and 3, there were manufactures in the town of Farmington, of the 
 following articles: 
 
 Checked and Striped Linen, 15000 yards per year. 
 Hats, .--- 2500 
 Leather in four establishments, 1500 sides, 500 skins. 
 Tin ware in five shops, 200 boxes tin plate per year. 
 Potash, three establishments, fifteen tons. 
 Muskets, four hundred stands. 
 Stephen Bronson manufactured the linen with enterprise and success; em- 
 ployed foreigners to assist in weaving and dyeing. The yarn was spun in pri- 
 vate families. 
 
 Asa Andrus carried the art of preparing japanned ware to a high degree of 
 perfection, and realized from his efforts considerable profit. 
 
 In 1775, Hon. John Treadwell and Martin Bull engaged in the manufacture 
 of saJt-petre, a material then needed in the preparation of gunpowder. They 
 prosecuted the business with success till the French espoused the cause of the 
 United States, when the demand for the article ceased. 
 
 Emigration previous to 1802. 
 
 Between 1783 and 1802, one hundred and forty-seven families emigrated from 
 Farmington, besides a number of unmarried peisons of both sexes, in all about 
 seven hundred and seventy-five individuals. The most of them settled in the 
 states of Vermont and New York; " a few indifferent parts ofthe North West- 
 ern Territory." 
 
89 
 
 There had in 1802, but three of the inhabitants been convicted of high crimes ; 
 one was executed for murder thirty -five years before ; two were sent to Newgate 
 prison for a number of years ; they were all Indians. There were in 1802, 
 fifteen paupers supported by the town, at an expense of $718. In that year, 
 there were thirty free blacks in the town. The number of dwelling houses was 
 four hundred and thirty-eight. (The town then included the present town of 
 Avon.) 
 
 Physicians of Farmington. 
 
 (Furnished by Dr. Asahel Thomson.) 
 
 Of the earliest physicians little is known except their names, and the fact that 
 they enjoyed the confidence and respect of their fellow citizens. They were 
 Drs. Hart, Judd, Porter, Stanley, Thomson and Wadsworth. Later we hear of 
 a Lewis, Lee and Richards ; still later to about 1790, of Mather, Johnson, Hos- 
 mer, and John Hart. 
 
 Doct. Lewis, as it appears from anecdotes related of him, was a person of a 
 very facetious humor, and was very acceptable to the people of the town as a 
 man and physician. He resided here about 1730 — 1740. Dr. Ebenezer Lee 
 lived here several years later, about 1760 — 1770, and was in all respects, a wor- 
 thy, successful and acceptable physician, and so esteemed by the people of this 
 town and vicinity. 
 
 Dr. Timothy Hosmer, brother of Titus Hosmer, of Middletown, was born in 
 West Hartford, and it is believed commenced his medical practice in this town, 
 where he married and resided many years. He was endued with a genius of no 
 common order, and had improved it by considerable reading and study. He 
 possessed a prompt and ready wit, and a fund of facetious anecdote. He was 
 distinguished by great affability and gentlemanly manners, and made himself 
 very acceptable to all classes of people. His practice in this region was exten- 
 sive. He served as a physician for some time in the army during the war of the 
 revolution. On quitting the army he returned to this town, and resided here till 
 about 1790, when he removed to the state of New York. He was there appoint- 
 ed the first judge of the court of Ontario county. This office he did not long 
 retain, being disqualified through habits of intemperance, contracted before he 
 left Connecticut. 
 
 Dr. John Hart was a native of Kensington, and came to this town at some 
 time during the revolutionary war. Previous to this he served in the army as a 
 surgeon. His practice in this town was chiefly in surgery. He continued here 
 till about 1798, when, his health being impaired, he resolved upon a sea voyage, 
 and entered the naval service of the United States, and soon after died at sea. 
 
 Dr. Eli Todd came to Farmington in 1790, and continued here till the autumn 
 of 1819, when he removed to Hartford, where he died in the autumn of 1833. 
 
 Dr. Harry Wadsworth, a native of Southington, pursued a course of medical 
 study with Dr. Todd, and commenced practice here in 1804. and died here in 
 August, 1813. 
 
 12 
 
N 
 
 90 
 
 Dr. Asahel Yale from Bristol, practised here from 1813 till 1817, when he 
 removed into the state of New York 
 
 Dr. Zephaniah Swift removed into this town from Winchester, in 1815, and 
 resided here till 1831, when he removed to Hartford, where he remained till 
 1834, when he removed to Bristol, and died there in the summer of that year. 
 
 Dr. Eli Todd, the son of Michael Todd, an enterprizing merchant of New 
 Haven, Connecticut, and Mrs. Mary Todd, a lady much and deservedly respect- 
 ed for her intelligence and piety, was born in that city, in 1770. At an early 
 age, he entered Yale College, where he graduated in 1787. Subsequently, after 
 spending some time in the West Indies, he pursued a course of medical study, 
 under the direction of Dr. Beardsley, an eminent physician of New Haven, and 
 came to Farmington to enter upon the practice of medicine, in September, 
 1790. He continued to reside in Farmington till October, 1819, when he re- 
 moved to Hartford. On the establishment in that city of the Retreat for the In- 
 sane, an object which he had long contemplated with high interest, and to which 
 he contributed largely by his influence and exertions, he was selected as if by 
 general consent, to carry into effect the benevolent plans of its founders, as its 
 physician and superintendent. This situation he retained from the period of his 
 appointment at its first organization, in 1824, till his decease in the autumn of 
 1833. 
 
 Dr. Todd was a man of rare mental endowments. He possessed in a high 
 degree the various characteristics of superior genius. These he had improved 
 by considerable reading and study, careful and extensive observation of men 
 and things, and close, patient and unwearied thought and reflection. His intel- 
 lect was strong and vigorous, capable of readily comprehending, mastering and 
 illustrating any subject to which his attention was directed,— his judgment was 
 profound, clear and discriminating,— his apprehension remarkably quick,— his 
 memory strongly retentive,— his imagination and fancy brilliant and ever awake, 
 and his taste delicate and refined, the source of much enjoyment to himself, and 
 the means of much pleasure to others. His conversational powers were uncom- 
 mon. Though unusually afl'able, and often inclined to sprightliness and gaiety 
 in his intercourse with others, yet his mind was naturally of a highly philosophi- 
 cal and speculative turn. Seizing upon any topic presented which particularly 
 interested him, with ardor, and holding it with a firm and steady grasp, he would 
 examine it thoroughly in all its aspects, and analyze it in a masterly manner; 
 pursuing a train of close, connected and logical reasoning, and unfolding his 
 conceptions in strong, precise and elegant language. On other occasions, 
 when the subject required or admitted of it, he would give utterance to his sen- 
 timents and feelings in a style vivid, bold and figurative, abounding in striking 
 imagery, interesting and picturesque description or narrative, and lively sallies 
 of wit and humor. No one on such occasions, could be long in his presence 
 without being sensible of, or paying homage to, the vigor of his understanding 
 and the brilliancy of his imagination. 
 
 But while his rare intellectual powers inspired sentiments of respect and ad- 
 miration, his moral and social qualities, the attributes of the heart, secured to 
 
91 
 
 him the strongest attachment. Dr. T. was possessed of the most humane and 
 benevolent feelings, — he delighted and seemed to participate in the happiness of 
 all around him, — he was ever tenderly alive to the sufferings of others, and 
 ready to contribute to their relief in every practicable way to the utmost extent 
 of his ability; and was thought at times to have done so, through excessive sen- 
 sibility, with an extravagant and misplaced generosity. Many who were his pa- 
 tients or patrons can testify to his kind hearted sympathy in the sick-room, to the 
 unwearied assiduity with which he watched at the bed-side of the sick, to his 
 anxious solicitude to devise and adopt, as well as his ready ingenuity in contri- 
 ving, every possible measure for their relief, and to the affectionate language 
 and manner with which he aimed to allay their sense of distress, when it could 
 not be at once removed. They can also bear testimony to his frequent out- 
 pourings of heartfelt delight on seeing them relieved and restored again to the 
 enjoyment of health. 
 
 As a practitioner he long and extensively enjoyed the confidence of the com- 
 munity in an euviable degree ; perhaps none of his cotemporaries in the State 
 attained a higher rank. He evinced uncommon sagacity in investigating the 
 causes, seats and nature of diseases, and was usually remarkably accurate in his 
 predictions of the changes they would undergo, and of their terminations. He 
 was extensively acquainted with the articles of the materia rnedica; most 
 thoroughly so with the powers of those potent ones which he was most in the 
 habit of employing, and knew well how skilfully to adapt his remedies to the 
 particular state of the system, and how promptly to vary his course in accommo- 
 dation to any change in the disease, however slight, which he was ever sure 
 quickly to detect and justly to estimate. In the treatment of certain diseases he 
 claimed to have made material improvements, particularly in the free and fre- 
 quent use of emetics in acute pulmonary complaints, and the employment of 
 large and liberal doses of mercury and opium, in certain disorders of the aliment- 
 ary canal. The justice of this claim and the value of these improvements are 
 believed to be indisputable. In the management of cases of insanity, perhaps no 
 one has ever been more successful; and the Retreat under his superintendence, 
 was raised to a rank second to none, perhaps superior to any other similar insti- 
 tution on the continent. Of the high estimation in which he was held by his pro- 
 fessional brethren, his appointment as physician to that institution, and his elec- 
 tion as President of the State Medical Convention, and as a member of the 
 Committee for nominating medical professors in Yale College, situations which 
 he long retained, are satisfactory proofs. As a citizen he ardently loved his 
 country and her republican institutions, — was distinguished for liis public spirit, 
 and was ever ready to aid in any work of public utility. In his intercourse with 
 society, his manners and general deportment were unusually courteous and 
 gentlemanly ; he was ever frank, open-hearted and sincere, exhibited a high 
 sense of honor, always despised what was mean and disingenuous, and was ever 
 attentive to all the decorums of time, place and character. Though affable and 
 condescending to individuals in all situations in life, and though he aimed, and 
 with almost uniform success, to avoid giving offence, yet he was fearless and 
 
92 
 
 independent in expressing his sentiments, and pursuing the line of conduct he 
 chose to follow. 
 
 In physical conformation, Dr. T. was of medium size, well-made and muscu- 
 lar. In early life he possessed great bodily strength and agility, and delighted 
 in all those exercises which called them into action. Dr. Todd was twice marri- 
 ed, but left no children. 
 
 IS T o biographical notice of Dr. Todd should be concluded without some refer- 
 ence to his religious character Though born of pious parents, yet, till late in 
 life, the Bible and the Christian religion are believed to have occupied little of his 
 attention ; and he was generally reputed askejitic or Universalist. In 1825, his 
 first wife died in the triumphs of faith, and on her death-bed urged and entreated 
 him to attend to, and investigate the subject of religion, expressing herundoubt- 
 ing conviction that if he would do so in the same thorough and impartial manner 
 in which he examined other topics, the result would be most happy. In compli- 
 ance with her dying request, he commenced the study of the Bible ; and by the 
 blessing of God the effect proved as Mrs. T. had anticipated. All the donbts, 
 difficulties and prejudices which had so long stood in the way of his embracing 
 the Christian faith, were dissipated; and Dr. T. became a firm believer in the 
 great doctrines of revelation, and a sincere and ardent disciple of Christ; and 
 through the remainder of his life, and particularly during his last long and dis- 
 tressing illness, enjoyed in a high degree the peculiar supports and consolations 
 of the gospel. 
 
 Sketch of the life of Elnathan Gridlev. 
 
 ( Prepared by Rcr. Xoah Porter, D. D.) 
 
 Elnathan Gridley was the oldest son of Elijah and Hannah Gridley, of this 
 town; was graduated at Yale College in the year 1820, and received his theolo- 
 gical education at the Seminary in Andover. Massachusetts. Near the close of 
 his preparatory studies in theology, he offered himself to the American Board, 
 and was received as a missionary to the heathen. Having left the Seminar}', he 
 performed an active and successful agency, in organizing committees and asso- 
 ciations in his native State, auxiliary to the Board. After completing this ser- 
 vice, he entered upon the study of medicine, to enlarge his usefulness as a mis- 
 sionary. In vigor of constitution, ardor of pursuit, inflexibility of purpose, and 
 daring heroism of enterprize, he had been distinguished from his early years. 
 These endowments, directed as they were by a sound and well furnished mind, 
 and chastened by Christian humility, meekness and zeal, marked him as one de- 
 signed of God for distinguished usefulness. He was ordained on the 25th of 
 August, 1825, in Boston ; embarked from the same place on the 16th of August, 
 1826, with his face towards Jerusalem ; and after two months arrived at Malta. 
 There it was decided by the missionaries present, that on account of the unset- 
 tled state of things at Jerusalem, he should delay the prosecution of his mission in 
 Palestine, and take up his residence, at least for a few months, at Smyrna ; for 
 the special purpose of co-operating with the missionaries at Malta, in the pre- 
 
93 
 
 paration and distribution of tracts, and in other evangelical labors, among the 
 Greeks. To this work he accordingly devoted himself with his characteristic 
 ardor, and in three months was not only able to converse with the citizens of 
 Smyrna, in their own language, but began to preach to them in the public assem- 
 bly. In June he went on a journey of thirty days, in prosecution of the objects 
 of his mission, into the interior of the country, with the view of taking up his 
 summer's residence at Cesarea, in Cappadocia; where he was seized with a 
 bilious fever; of which, on the fifteenth day after the attack, and on the 27th of 
 September, 1827, unattended by any Christian acquaintance, but amidst every 
 kindness which friendship could afford, he died ; and there, not far from the 
 spot where the ashes of Henry Martyn repose, the monumental stone, with his 
 name and office inscribed, marks his grave. 
 
 By the affectionate care of Abraham, a native Greek, of interesting character, 
 and Mr. Gridley's faithful teacher and attendant, his grave is covered with a block 
 of stone in which is inserted a marble slab, with appropriate inscriptions, in Eng- 
 lish, Greek and Turkish ; of which a copy is subjoined. The Greek and the 
 Turkish inscriptions are in the poetical form, in lines of fifteen syllables, of 
 which the last rhyme with each other. 
 
 The Inscription in English. 
 REV. ELNATHAN GRIDLEY, AMER- 
 ICAN MISSIONARY FROM THE 
 UNITED STATES, BORN IN 
 FARMINGTON OF CON- 
 NECTICUT, 31 YEARS 
 AND 55 DAYS OLD 
 27 SEPT. 
 
 1827. 
 
 Translation of tlw Greek, made by Abraham. 
 
 Here lies Elnathan Gridley, full of every virtue, 
 Physician, divine Herald, and wise, very learned ; 
 A shining star of the new world, which, with a great speed, 
 Arose from the West and set in the East. 
 
 Translation of the Turkish, by the same. 
 Perfect, wise, well instructed Physician, and meek Herald of the Gospel 
 Travelling the world, here I finished the great journey, 
 In this tomb they confined me, the stranger called Gridley, 
 Farewell, then, hereafter, all frivolous care. 
 

ORDER OF EXERCISES 
 
 AT THE 
 
 CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION 
 
 OF THE 
 
 SETTLEMENT OF FARMINGTON. 
 
 NOVEMBER 4, 1840. 
 
 I. READING OF SCRIPTURES AND PRAYER.— By Rev. E. Scranton. 
 
 II. HYMN.— By Dr. E. P. Terry. 
 
 O'er a wild and stormy ocean, 
 
 Driven by oppression's rod, 
 Finn of heart and strong of purpose, 
 
 Trusting in a righteous God; 
 Calm, though sad — depress'd, yet hoping — 
 
 Distant from their native land, 
 'Mid stern rocks and gloomy forests, 
 
 See a band of Pilgrims stand. 
 
 On they press through toil and danger, 
 
 Naught can daunt their fearless zeal ; 
 Sire and son, wife, mother, maiden, 
 
 All, one common impulse feel. 
 'Tis the will of God impels them, 
 
 Scorning danger, toil, and dearth, 
 Dwelling with the beast and savage, 
 
 To attend a nation's birth. 
 
 Heaven has blessed their holy purpose, 
 
 Hist'ry tells the wondrous tale ; 
 Peace, and joy, and smiling plenty, 
 
 Through this mighty land prevail. 
 He sustains who them transplanted ; 
 
 Let us then, their children, raise 
 To Jehovah's power and mercy, 
 
 Pagans of unceasing praise. 
 
9G 
 
 III. PRAYER.— By Rev. Dr. Porter. 
 
 IV. SINGING.— "Happy the Land." 
 
 Happy the land where lives and reigns 
 
 Th' enlightened love ofliberty ; 
 Where tyranny dissolves her chains, 
 
 And bids th' exulting race be free. 
 
 Happy the land where virtue dwells, 
 With cheerful enterprise and health ; 
 
 Where science all her lore reveals, 
 And industry her stores of wealth. 
 
 Happy the land where from above 
 The rays of heavenly truth descend ; 
 
 Where Israel's God his strength shall prove, 
 And still the righteous cause defend. 
 
 V. HISTORICAL DISCOURSE.— By Rev. Noah Porter, Jr. 
 
 VI. HYMN.— By Rev. Royal Robbins. 
 
 O'er these fair plains the years have rolled, 
 
 Till twice an age its tale has told, 
 
 Since first our sires, Heaven's favored race, 
 
 Sought here their home and resting-place. 
 The ages pass, but God remains, — 
 We '11 praise him in our grateful strains. 
 
 The day and scene, in history's page, 
 
 Afresh our hearts and thoughts engage, 
 
 When on this spot the Pilgrim band, 
 
 In faith gave each to each his hand. 
 
 The ages pass, but God remains, — 
 Our Saviour God, o'er earth he reigns. 
 
 Four score and four* our fathers were — 
 
 A little flock, but strong in prayer ; 
 
 Bright beamed their eye of faith and love, 
 
 As fixed its gaze on things above. 
 
 The ages pass, but God remains, — 
 Our fathers' God, o'er heaven he reigns. 
 
 The number of original proprietors in Farmington. 
 
97 
 
 Now grown in numbers to a host, 
 Whilst circling towns* their parent boast. 
 We own with grateful hearts the care 
 Which saved the flock from every snare. 
 
 The ages pass, but God remains, — 
 
 Our God and their's, o'er time he reigns. 
 
 Sweet plains, with peace and plenty crowned! 
 Once the wild native's hunting ground ! 
 No trace ye bear of savage foes ; 
 So changed — save where their bones repose. t 
 
 The ages pass, but God remains, — 
 
 Who works all changes, or restrains. 
 
 Reap we the fruit of all their toil, — 
 
 Our cheerful homes, our fertile soil, 
 
 Our dear domestic altars, where 
 
 We pour affection's hallowed prayer. 
 
 The ages pass, but God remains, — 
 Whom grace selects, his power maintains. 
 
 Here freedom, laws, and justice live — 
 Here schools their blest instruction give ; 
 The Sabbath's holy rest is here, 
 And temple-throngs to God draw near. 
 
 The ages pass, but God remains, — 
 
 Whom he transfers, he too sustains.}: 
 
 Then will we hold in solemn trust 
 Their chartered rights, as honored dust, 
 And best their virtues shall proclaim, 
 As on our hearts we bind the same. 
 
 The ages pass, but God remains, — 
 
 We '11 give him praise in endless strains. 
 
 Time bears us on to where they rest 
 In the long slumber of the blest; 
 There may our dust in peace be found, 
 When the last trump shall rend the ground. 
 
 The ages pass, but God remains, — 
 
 O'er his eternity he reigns. 
 
 * Farmiiigton at first included the territory of which the towns of Farmington, Berlin, South- 
 ington, part of Wolcott, Bristol, Burlington, Avon, and a part of West Hartford are now 
 constituted. 
 
 r Allusion to the bone9 which have been thrown up on the banks of the canal, and to other 
 remains, indicating Indian cemeteries. 
 
 I Motto of the State of Connecticut. 
 
 13 
 
98 
 
 VII. POEM.— By Mrs. Emma Willard. 
 VIII. PRAYER.— By Rev. D. L. Parmelee. 
 
 IX. HYMN.— By Rev. Royal Robbins. 
 
 Day bright in our annals, when God sped the band 
 Of Pilgrims who planted this rude darken'd land; 
 Beginning of days, that their course since have run — 
 The cycles are finished that bring back the sun. 
 
 Day, day — bright, bright day, 
 We hail thy return, while we pour the glad lay. 
 
 How chang'd are the scenes! Where amid the wild gloom, 
 The Indian and panther fought each for his room, 
 The sunny fields smile, and gay plenty abounds, 
 Neat mansions arise, and the church-chant resounds. 
 
 Scenes, scenes — dear, dear scenes, 
 What heart but exults o'er these soft-swelling greens ! 
 
 Our stores are here garnered, where God gives us rest, 
 Here trained are our children, whom Jesus has blest ; 
 Let those whom it likes o'er the earth wildly roam — 
 We'll cleave to our fire-sides, our altars, and home. 
 
 Home, home — sweet, sweet home, 
 To you let the storms of dissension ne'er come. 
 
 Our sons through all ages, as like to their sires, 
 Shall feel the fond passion which country inspires ; 
 Truth, knowledge, and freedom, the watch-word be given, 
 Those jewels of earth, and those raptures of heaven. 
 
 Heaven, heaven — blest, blest heaven, 
 May thine be our home, when from earth we are driven. 
 
 The exercises in the church being concluded, the congregation withdrew to 
 the green, to partake of a collation previously provided, in the open air. Apart 
 from the other tables, were two very old ones covered with dishes, served up in 
 ancient style. After partaking of the collation, and indulging for a while in social 
 conversation, the people united in singing the one hundredth Psalm, " Before 
 Jehovah's awful throne," &c. to the tune of Old Hundred. Just before the 
 Benediction, the following extract of a letter from the Rev. Asa Packard, of Lan- 
 caster, Mass. to his grand-son residing in Farmington, was read by Rev. Dr. 
 Porter, as illustrating the manners and feelings of ancient times. 
 
 " In 1777, early in January, I was passing through Farmington, returning 
 from the army at New York, to my parents at Bridgewater. I was sick. The 
 
99 
 
 wound I received in battle was not healed ; the ball troubled me, and is still an 
 affliction. I could not walk without an arm to lean upon. I could not rise from 
 the floor without help, and with assistance, could travel but few miles in a day. 
 
 " On a Sabbath morning, say nine o'clock, snow on the ground, I was in 
 Farmington village, leaning on my friend who led me : striking something with 
 my foot, I fell. Bursting into tears, I said, I can go no farther ! I will die here 
 if I must die ! His counsel and entreaties were lost : I persisted in refusing to 
 proceed. 'Well, said he, there is a tavern; we will go in there.' (I see that 
 sign in perfect recollection this moment.) No, said I, I will not die in a tavern. 
 'You cannot get in at a private house, was his reply.' Standing and leaning 
 on him, I looked around upon houses in sight, and selected a neat, snug-looking 
 one story house, not painted, standing some ten rods east of the road on a little 
 rising ground. There, said I, we will try there. A Mr. Thomas Cowles was 
 its owner. We went in. The venerable, aged man, had his great Bible before 
 him, on a small table before the fire. His red worsted cap, brown coat and 
 small clothes, and his blue stockings, I well remember. I was spokesman. 1 
 told my wishes and my sufferings. He said he could not take me in. His 
 daughter, who took care of him, was feeble and not able to take additional care. 
 I was in tears, (and am now.) Sir, said I, or similar words, my parents are 
 living and are reputably situated, and if your son, situated as I am, should make 
 such a request of them, as I do of you, they would not turn him away. You 
 must let me stay here. About this time, his daughter came in. She was forty 
 or fifty years old. What she said, I do not remember, but both consented to 
 admit the poor sick boy, and greater kindness than theirs, was never realized 
 by a sufferer. How long I was there I cannot recollect ; but I was very ill and 
 totally delirious several days. An elderly physician attended me, and when my 
 brother went to relieve me, both Mr. Cowles and the doctor refused to take any 
 compensation. I wrote Mr. Cowles often, and he answered me, till after my 
 ordination. Having a direct conveyance, a little before his death, I sent him 
 two books, and wrote in each, 'I was a stranger and ye took me in.' If any of 
 his descendants are there, they ought to know the kindness of that worthy ances- 
 tor. May I meet him in glory ! He appeared a man of eminent piety.' - 
 
 X. BENEDICTION.— By Rev. Dr. Porter. 
 

 
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