THE

HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT

FROM

THE FIRST SETTLEMENT

TO THE

PRESENT TIME.

BY THEODORE DWIGHT, JR.

NEW YORK:

HARPER & BROTHERS, PUBLISHERS,

FRANKLIN SQUARE.

Entered, accorting to Act of Congress, in the year 1840, by

HARPER & BROTHERS,

In the Clerk's Office of the Southern District of New York.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

Character and Objects of the Founders of Connecticut Colony.

-The Founding of New-Haven Colony with similar Designs.

-Difficulties arising from the conflicting Claims of European

Sovereigns and of English Patents and Companies.-Claims

of the Spaniards, English, Dutch, and French.-Justice of the

English Claim.-Brief Geographical View of Connecticut,

with its present Boundaries, &c.

Page 15

CHAPTER II.

Original Condition of the Country, and the Change in its Ap-

pearance, &c., which has been produced by Cultivation and

the Arts of Civilized Life.-The Indian Nations or Tribes

which inhabited the Connecticut and the neighbouring Re-

gions. The Connecticut or River Indians.-The Pequods

and Mohegans.-The Five Nations of New-York, then called

Mohawks in New England.-The Narragansets of Rhode Isl-

and.-Wild Animals

21

CHAPTER III. 1631-1636.

First Explorers of Connecticut River. The Plymouth People

invited to settle on its Banks.-Windsor Trading-house.-The

Dutch Fort and Trading-house built at Hartford.-Reasons

for settling the country on Connecticut River proposed to

Massachusetts.-Objections made to the Project.-Those ob-

jections honourable to the character of the Colonists.-Five

men spend the winter of 1635-6 at Pyquag, or Wethersfield.

-Three companies of Colonists form Settlements in 1636

at Hartford, Windsor, and Wethersfield, first called New-

town, Dorchester, and Watertown.-Lord Say-and-Seal and

his associates send men to build Saybrook Fort

CHAPTER IV. 1636-7.

30

The Colonists hesitate about removing to Connecticut.-They at

length Depart.-Difficulties experienced by them on the way.

-Settlements made by them at Springfield, Hartford, and

Wethersfield.--Early Winter.-Scarcity of Provisions.-Loss

of Vessels.-Some of the Settlers return.-Courts formed in

the Spring.-Mr. Hooker and Mr. Stone, with their Congre-

gation, travel on foot to Hartford.-Labours of the Colonists,

and the Dangers to which they were exposed.-Apprehensions

from the Indians.-The Pequods hostile.

CHAPTER V.

Page 40

Hostile Movements of the Pequods.-They attack Wethersfield

-They kill Captain Stone on Connecticut River, and Captain

Oldham at Block Island.-They beset Saybrook Fort.-Others

killed by them.

CHAPTER VI.

49

The Crops fall short.-The Court determine on a War with the

Pequods.-The Troops embark, under the command of Captain

Mason. Uncas joins them.-An Indian captured and tortured

by the Mohegans.-The Expedition delayed at Saybrook by

contrary Winds.-Differences of Opinion reconciled.-They

sail for Narraganset.-Council with Miantonimoh.-They

march into the Pequod Country, guided by Wequash.-Cap-

ture and burning of Sassacus's Fort and Village.-They re-

embark, and return to Saybrook

CHAPTER VII.

57

Reflections on the Expedition against the Pequods.-Captain

Stoughton, with troops from Boston, pursues the Pequods.-

The Swamp Fight at Fairfield.-Mononotto's Wife.--Severe

treatment of Prisoners.-The Colonies suffer from scarcity

of Food.-Military Arrangements in Connecticut

CHAPTER VIII.

64

Mr. Davenport and his Company arrive at Boston from England.

-They are urged to settle in Massachusetts.-A Committee

of their number visit Winnipiack.-The Settlement of New-

Haven begun there in 1638.-The "Plantation Covenant"

formed.-Purchases of Land by the new Colony.-The Char-

acter and Objects of the Founders.-Planting of Milford,

Guilford, Fairfield, and Stratford

72

CHAPTER IX.

The Constitution of Connecticut Colony, formed January 14th,

1639.-The Condition of the Towns which required it.-The

Preamble and Provisions.-The Constitution of New Haven,

formed June 4th, 1639.-Settlement of Guilford, Stratford, and

Saybrook .
Page 77

CHAPTER X.

Difficulties of Connecticut with Sowheag, sachem of Middle-

town.-Pequods driven from their old Planting Grounds by

Captain Mason.-Trouble with the Dutch.-Incorporation of

Towns. Execution of a Pequod Sachem at New-Haven.

-Treatment of the Indians.-Purchases of Land for new

Towns

86

CHAPTER XI.

Fears of an Indian War.-Precautions.-The ten Capital Laws

of Connecticut.-The Confederation of the New-England

Colonies formed in 1645.-Its Objects and History.-The

Preamble and Provisions.-Results.-Miantonimoh makes

War on Uncas.-The Battle of Sachem's Field.-Miantoni-

moh made Prisoner.-Taken to Hartford.-Killed by Uncas

91

CHAPTER XII.

Letter of Congratulation and Complaint from the Dutch Gov-

ernor. The Indian and Dutch War injurious to Connecticut

and New-Haven.-Uncas pressed by the Narragansets.-Aid

sent to him.-The Narragansets meet the Commissioners at

Hartford.-Annual Contributions commenced in the Colony

for the Support of indigent Students in Cambridge College.

-Southampton taken under Jurisdiction.-Renewed Appre

hensions of an Indian War.-Difficulty with Governor Kieft

of New-York

CHAPTER XIII.

102

Difficulties with Indians.-Injury done to them by supplying

them with Ardent Spirits.-Instances of their Perfidy.-Ca-

lamities, suffered by New-Haven.-Law against the Use of

Tobacco in Connecticut.-Ninigrate's artful Conduct.-Mr.