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THE
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT,
FROM
THE FIRST SETTLEMENT
TO THE
PRESENT TIME
BY
THEODORE DWIGHT, JR.
NEW YORK:
HARPER & BROTHERS, 82 CLIFF-STREET.
us 145 34.1.01
HARVARD COLLEGE LIBRARY
THE BEQUEST OF EVERT JANSEN WENDELL
1918
Entered, according 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
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
CHAPTER XI.
86
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.