Connecticut Historical Collections

Richaid Piatt John Peacoclts John Fletcher Thomas Tapping lleniy StonluU Alexander Bryan I M I L F O U D . 23 1 Frances Bolt Tliomas Sandford Nicholas Camp INIicah Tuiiikins Tiinoihy Baliiwiii John Ro^'ers John Birdsey Geurii:c'Claik, junior Thomas Utrol Edmond Harvey John BnrwuU Nallianiel Biisco John Lane Henry Bol^^urd Thumas 'i'lWials William East Joseph Baldu in John Shciiuau Thomas Lawience Philip Huiler The following persons are recorded immediately after, but not as free planters, they not being in church fellowship, which was a requisite qualification in the view of these colonists, before a person could be ad- mitted a " free planter." Robert Plum William Sloni^'h Robori Treat Roger Tcrrill Andrew I'.eiiiun llenrv Lyon Joseph Northrnp William Crookc John Fuwler John Baldwin By this list it appears there were 54 heads of families, (admitting them all married,) and if we allow only four individuals to a fimily, it would make upwards of 200 persons who first came to IMilford. From some data on the Record, there is reason to suppose this calculation not too large. The following is a list of the principal after planters : Henry Allen Steplieii Erecmau Jolm Prindle Edward Adams John Fisk Joseph Peek- Joshua Alwaler Nathaniel Gonld Hwy^r Piiii-hard Joseph Ashb\irn Joseph Guernsey Daviil I'hillips Hants Albers Tluvinas J line lidw aid Ri;_';,'s Thomas Andrew ' Riehaid 1 laii-hton William Roberts Thomas Bayley Thomas Haves Thomas Read Thomas Beardsley Ri.haid llolbidok Josejih Sill John Brown Riehard Hollim,Mvorlh RichanI Shule Roger Belts Waller Jove John Sinilh Thomas Belts Simon Lobdell John Stream Thomas Beaeh Jonathan Law John Sione Thomas Camplield Jesse Lambert. Vineint Siilson Robert Denibuii Miles Meruiii Peter Simpsuii " Gilbert Dalison -Miles Mu..ie Edward 'I'mi.er (^'liarles Deal Jonathan Marsh Hem v Tondii.soii Robert I"»owns 'I'hoiiias iMee.iek William Tyler SamaelEells Samuel Nellleton Edward Wooster r Thomas Fannan P>oger Newton Edward "Wilkinson Nathaniel Farrand Francis Norton Thomas Ward John Ford Abraham Piersou Joseph Waters Thomas Ford James Prime Twelve of the first settlers afterwards removed, viz. Richard Miles to New Haven ; Thomas Tap|jing to Southampton, L. I., but returned in 1773. John Astwood went to England as agent for the Coin't of Com- missioners of the United Colonics, and died in London in 1G5L Hen- ry Stonhill (in 1648) and Philip Hatly (in 1G'19) returned to London. John Peacocke removed in 1G51 to JNewpori, (R. I.); Thomas leaker in 1650 to East Hampton; Edward Harvey and Henry Tjyon in 165 I to Fairfield; George Hubbard in 1650; John Fowler in 1660; Andrew Benton in 1666 to Guilford; John Birdsey in 1619 to Stratford. The body of planters moved fi'om New Haven to IMilford by land, following the devious Indian foot path, driving ther cattle and other domestic animals before them, while their household utensils and the materials for " the common house" (which was fitted at New Haven) 232 M I L F O R D . were taken rouiul by water. Thomas Tibbals piloted the coinpany through the woods to the place. " he having been there a number of times before; for which service the town, in 1070, " made him two grants of land lying in Westfield as a free gift." All saftdy arrived ; they erected their common'house at the head of the harbor on the west side, and a few rude huts for temporary residences. They then pro- ceeded to form their civil polity. Considering themselves as without the pale of jurisdiction, (as in fact they were until they united W'illi New Haven in 164d,) they combined into a little republic. At their first general meeting, Nov. '20th, 1639, it was voted " that the power of electing oflicers and persons to divide the land into lots, to take order for the timber, and to manage the common interests of the plantation, should be in the church only. It was also voted that they would guide themselves in all their doings by the rule of the written ^Vord of God, till such time as a body of laws should be established." William Fowler, Edmond Tapp, Zechariah Wbitman, John Astwood and Richard ]Miles, were then chosen forjudges in all civil allairs, to try all causes between man and man; and as a court to j)unish any of- fense and misdemeanor. It was "voted that the persons invested with magistracy should have power to call a general court (or town meeting) whenever they might see cause, or the public good require it." It was also voted that they should hold particular courts once in sIk weeks, wherein should be tried such causes as might be brought before them, they to examine witnesses ujion oath as need should require. It was further voted and agreed, that according to the sum of money which each person paid toward the public charges, in such proportion should he receive or be repaid in lands, and that all i)lanters who might come after should pay their share equally for some other public use. The first settlers located themseh'cs on each side of the Mill river and the \Vest End brook, probably for the convenience of water for themselves ixnd cattle. i\lost of them soon erected frame houses, cov- ered with rent oak clapboards, in the old leanto style. Their house lots were laid out in parallel narrow slips, containing each about three acres. They thus kept near together for their better secuiity in case of an attack from the Indians. They immediately fenced in common three tracts of land, in which each individual received by lot his portion of "upland." Westfield, which was the land that lies south of the town between the turnpike and great meadow, was laid out to those who settled at the west end. Eastfield, which enclosed the Gulf Neck, was possessed by those located on the river. Mill Neck, the tract ly- ing between Wharf street and Bear Neck lane, was owned by a part of both. Each person was further allotted a piece of meadow land lying either in the great or the harbor meadows. As the population increas- ed and the danger from the Indians became less, the land further from the center was gradually laid out and settled. At the secpnd General Court, held March 9th, 1640, "It was agreed ^between William Fowler and the brethren that he should build a mill *and have her going by the last of September." For his encourage- M I L F 0 n D mcnt the town made lilin a grant of 30 acres of land, which lony here the name of the mill lot. This agreement had reference only to a grist mill, hnt he soon added a saw mill. This mill establishment is yet re- tained in the family. At the next General Court lield Novembert 24thj 1640, " With common consent and general vote of the freemen, the plantation was named INfilford," in commemoration of the town of this name in their native England. The Court oi' five Judges at this meet- ing; were directed "to build a bridge over the AIlll river with all expe- dition," and also " to set out a meeting house thirl v feet s(|uare, after such manner as they should judge the most convtMileiit for the jiublic good." The site of the buihhng was the same of the present meeling house of the first society. In 170*J, this house hatl become so much crowded that it was voted in town meeting that •' whosoe\-er should needlessly set out of his seat, should forfeit the sum of five shillings to the town treasury." It stood until 1727. The Ihst settlers being of those people who left England that they might enjoy their religious sentiments unmolested, they took an early oppoi-tunity to form themselves into a church constituted according to their particular views. It was organized at New IJaven at the same time with the church in that place on the 2d of August, 1639. The method of forming their churches was similar to that of I\ew Haven. Seven persons were first chosen, who joined in covenant to be the church, and were called " the pillars." To these the rest were added. They took their plan from the text, " Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn outlier seven pillars." IMilfurd church pillars were l-*eter Prudden, pastor, "William Powler, Edmond Tapji, Zechariali AVhitman, John Astwood, Thomas Inickingham, Thomas Welch. I\Ir. Prudden was installed at New Haven on the 18th of April, IGIO. John Sherman was chosen teacher, (but declined the oflicc.) Zechaiiali WMiitman \viis ordained ruling eUler June 20, 1015. 'I'ho ministers of this church since Mr. Prudden, have been Roger Newton, installed August 22d, 16(J0. Samuel Andrew, ordained Nov. 18, 1685. Samuel Whittlesey, ordained Nov. 9, 1737. Samuel ^Vales, ordained Dec. 19, 1770. In 1776 he went into the army as chaplain. William Lockwood, ordained March 17, 1784, and Bezaleel Pinneo, the present pastor, who was ordained on the 2(3tli of October, 1796- This church, for more than a century, was the only one in the town — their present meeting house was built in 1324. In 1741, some persons (47 in number) being dissatisfied with Mr. Whittlesey's more moderate religious opinions, " declared their sober dissent from the established church, and professed themselves to be Presbyterians according to the church of Scotland." They were soon joined by twelve others, and the society continued gradually to increase. They had to encounter much violent opjtosition I'rom the first church, and were not invested with full privileges as an ecclesiastical society till the session of the Legislature in JVlay, 1760. They erected their meeting house in November, 1742'. Their first settled minister was Job Prudden, a native of this town, (great grandson of Peter Prudden.) He was ordained at New Brunswick, in IMay, 1747. The succeeding 30 231 JI 1 L V b It ni'mistc'is havo l)ccn Josiah Shcrinan, D.ivlil Tnlly, Slicrman Johnson, Caleb l^iikiii, Juliu Clark, and llie presLMii, Asa iM. IVain. Tlio incui- ini;' lionsu at piu-ent uccupieil by the society, was built chiiiiii^f the suni- luci of JHol. It is seen on the ri^ht, with six. pihars in hont. Congregational Churches in iMi/J'ord.