MERIDEN, DOG'S MISERY, FALLS PLAIN.
124
vacant lands beyond the reach of Andros or other similarly commissioned governors. At "A Speciall Genrl Court held at Hartford January 26, 1686," it was voted that
"This Court grants Weathersfeild, Midletown and Farm-ington all those vacant lands between Wallingford bownds and the bownds of those plantations, to make a village therein."
This grant comprised that part of the town called "Belcher's farm," on which was the place called Meriden. But no action was taken until May 9, 1728, when Bartholomew Foster, Ezekiel Roys, John Merriam, Robert Collins, Nathaniel Merriam, Timothy Foster, Thomas Andrews, Josiah Robinson, Joseph Merriam, John Merriam Jun. and William Merriam, petitioned the Governor and General Court,
"That those lands lying between farmington and walling-ford with the north of walingford to be a village or parish societie, to reserve Mr Belcher his farm att the stone house for the present. We doe therefore now cast o'selves on ye Clemency of this Honored affembly and pray that the stone house farm may be granted to them."
The above petition was granted, and the village called Meriden. Ten years previous to this, some of the settlers living south of Belcher's farm sent the following petition to Wallingford:
"We, the inhabitants bordering and adjacent to the town of Wallingford, do here entreat and request, that you would admit us the subscribers as wholesome and lawful inhabitants into the town of Wallingford. We the petitioners here request that if it may please you the inhabitants of the town of Wallingford to admit us your humble petitioners as town
125
inhabitants, then your humble petitioners do promise and engage to be subject to your good and wholesome orders, laws and constitutions, as witness our hands.
"bartholomew foster, john merriam, john hoisington, solomon goffe, joseph hills."
The town voted to comply with the request of the petitioners. But for a time, not all the inhabitants residing in this north part of Meriden were considered citizens of Wallingford, subject to its laws, privileges and burthens, but merely those who had applied in form for citizenship. We find also on the records several special petitions from individuals residing in this same locality, to be allowed to attend public worship in the meeting house, and who were by special vote permitted to occupy a designated seat, on condition of paying a certain annual rent. The citizens of Wallingford, being regularly taxed by town vote for the support of religious institutions, had a right as a matter of course to seats in the church without any price or rent whatever.
It would be tedious to trace out all the transfers of land in this neighborhood, after the Indian title was extinguished. It may be a matter of some interest however, to know some of the principal proprietors and residents in the north part of Meriden about the year 1716. Northward and eastward of West Meriden, lay the farm of John Merriam,1 of Lynn, Mass., who was the
1 "Know all men by these presents, that I John Front Sen'r, of New Haven, and Col. of Conn., Gent., for and in consideration of ye sum of Three Hundred and five pounds, current money, to me in hand well and truly paid by John Merriam of Wallingford, have sold, granted and C. a certain tract or parcel of Land known by ye name of ye Country farme
126
ancestor of the numerous families of that name still residing here. He bought three hundred acres for ?305. More northerly lay the farm of Bartholomew Foster, of three hundred and fifty acres, which seems to have been west of the present old road, and northward as far as the Kensington road.1
North of this was the land of Henry Coles, called the "Coles farm," extending east of Bartholomew Foster, so as to reach the land of John Merriam.2 North of the Coles farm was the land of Natheniel Roys; and still farther northward was the Belcher farm, which, or on which was the place called Meriden. The documents give us some information as to the residents in this part of the town, at that period. We derive some additional
formerly granted to James Bishop of New Haven, by the Governor and Company of ye said Colony of Conn, containing three hundred Acres Abutting south on ye old line of Wallingford Township, North on ye Coles farm, East on a brook, or land formerly Mr. William Jones Esq., west on commons or land of late years laid out to sundry persons of ye said town of Wallingford, situate lying and being the wilderness at a place, commonly called Pilgrim's Harbor northward of Wallingford old bounds and 5 1-2 Acres of hoop land, situated in Wallingford, aforesaid nere ye said farm be ye same more or less, formerly belonging to Robert and Isaac Roys, as witnesseth my hand at New Haven, this 3 day of Novem- ber in the year 1716.
John Prout. Mary Prout."
1 "Sept. 19, 1710: Thomas Yale, John Merriam and Thomas Hall, committe of Wallingford, to sell Indian lands, grant to Bartholomew Foster, the Town right to a certain Tract of land of 360 Acres, situated between Pilgrim's Harbor and Merredan, bounded on ye N. E. corner by a Black Oak tree, thence by the road that goeth to Hartford 207 Rods to W Oak tree, thence westward 312 Rods to a Black oak tree, that side bounds by land of Mr. John Hudson, thence Northwardly 112 to a Bl'k oak tree, thence 120 Rods to a Walnut tree, thence on a line to the first station 266 Rods."
2 "At meriden farme, march the 12, 1708, the proprietors of goodman Cools farme met to decide about the boundaries."
127
knowledge of the inhabitants, as well as of their situation, from the following paper copied from the original petition, now on file in the office of the Secretary of State, at Hartford:
"To the Honorable the Governor and council and house of reprefentatives in General Cort affembled in his Majefties colony of Connecticut att New Haven, Oct. 8, 1724. The Humble petition of the Subscribers Humbly Sheweth, That we are under great disadvantages for want of a Pound nere ye Meriden or Stone House and are compelled to drive unruly cattell nere 6 or 9 miles to ye nearest pound, which if we had one nere it would save us a Great Deal of treble, and we would carry the marks and brands of those Cattell impounded where the law directs, to the next towns unless the Honorable Affembly, would pleafe to Conftitute a man among us to Depose of unruly Creatures as the law directs. Therefore your Humble Petitioners Pray that there may be order for a Pound nere ye Meriden, or Stone House, and an office to Despose of impounded Cattell, and your Petitioners as in duty bound will Ever Pray.
"Signed, N. merriam, J. parsons, N. merriam Jr., eleazer aspinwall, wm. merriam, J. merriman, Jr., tim. foster, B. foster, J. robinson, T. andrews, T. foster, D. rich, T. gerrum, J. scofell."
While the whole country was in alarm and peril from the Indians, during Phillip's war, no settlements were made beyond the bounds of the compact little village, where the planters had clustered together for mutual protection; though some land which was "in the wilderness," was granted out at that time. But after
128
the termination of that war, we find the records full of grants of wild land in distant parts of Wallingford, to actual settlers, some of which were within the present southern limits of our town. At a General Court for the town of New Haven, April 23, 1660,
"The governor desired that the bounds of a p'cell of land towards Connecticote might be sett out for the prvention of future differences that might otherwise arise betwixt us, weh motion was approved, and thereupon it was ordered yt Mr. Yale, Wm Andrews, John Cowper, John Brackett, Nathaniel Merriman, wth the help of Montowees, an Indian, ye late pprietor shall set out the bownds wth lasting markes, weh is to be done wth the first convenyence."1
The setting out of these bounds occasioned a letter, which, in the handwriting of Daniel Clarke, Secretary, is found among the State Records at Hartford,2 and which contains the first notice that is found recorded of "Pilgrim's Harbor." This letter complained of encroachments on the Connecticut Colony by those grants of lands at and above Pilgrim's Harbor, and that it was not a course
"Furthering and strengthining yt friendly correspondency that we desire, and ought to be ppetuated twixt neighbours and confederates."3
1 New Haven Town Records, 11. 316.
2 Foreign Correspondence, 11. Doc. 4.
3 "Honor'd Gent: This Court haveing receaved information, not only by what appeares in one of yo'r I,awes respect: the purchase of land from ye Indians, wherin there is a seeminge challeng of very large intrests of lands, and likewise by what intelligence we have had of y'or strechting y'or bounds up towards us, by makeing trees on this side Pilgroomes Harbour, w'eh things, as ye intrench upon o'r intrest, soe they are not satisfying or contentful, nor do we appr'hend it a course furthering or strengthening yt friendly correspondency that we desire, and ought to be ppetuated twixt
129
At a General Assembly held at Hartford, October 11, 1666,
"This Court orders Edward Higby for making and main-teineing the way over Pilgrums Harbour passable for man & horse, shall have his estate & farme free of Countrey [rates] for this yeare and next, he mainteineing the Way soe longe as aforesaid." .... 1684. "This Court being informed of a small tract of waste land, lying between a farme granted formerly to Mr. Wm. Joanes Esqr of New Haven lying upon or near Pilgrim's Harbor, and a farm granted to Mr. Samuel Street of Wallingford, the sayd waste land being about one
neighbours and confederates; espetially in that we conceave you cannot be ignorant of our real and true right to those parts of ye countrey where you are seated, both by conquest, purchase and possession; and tho: hitherto we have bin silent, and altogether forborne to make any absolute challenge to or owne, as before, yet now we see a necessitie at least to revive ye memoriall of o'r rite and interes, and therefore doe desire that there may [be] a cessation of further proceed in this nature, until, upon mature consideration, there may be a determinate settlement and mutuall concurrence twtxt yo'rselves and this collonie, in reference to ye deviding bounds twixt the two colonies. It is further desired and requestd by us, that if there [be] any thing extant on record w'th you yt may further ye [de]ciding this matter, that it may be produced, and that there may be a time and place appointed, where some deputed for yt end, furnished w'th full power, may meet, yt [so a] loving issue may be effect'd to prevent furth [er tro] ubles. And in case there be noe record of grant or allowance from this collony, respecting the surrend'r, not only of lands possessed by yon and improved, but also such lands as it seemes to us that you, und'r some pr'tended or assumed right, have induced by yo'r bounds w'thin yo'r liberties, that you would be pleased to consid'r on some speedy course, wherby a compliance and condescendency to what is necessary and convenient, for yo'r future comforte may be obtained from us, the true proprietors of these parts of countrey. We desire yo'r returne to o'r gen'll Court, in reference to o'r proposit's, with what convenient speed may be, y't soe what is desired by vs in point of mutuall and neigbourly correspondenc, according to ye rules of justice and rightiousnes, may be stil maintained and continued." At a Court of Election, held May, 1661, the governor, deputy governor, the magistrates, with Messrs. John Davenport, George Hubbard, and Lieutenant John Nash were appointed a committee "for the treating with & is-sueing of any seeming differance betwixt them, and of some seeming right to this jurisdiction, which they pretend in a letter sent to this Gen'll Courtt."
130
hundred acres more or less, doe grant to the sayd Mr. Wm. Joanes as an addition to his sayd farm the sayd corner of land, to he layd out to him by Mr. Thomas Yale."
Oct. 12, 1715, six acres of land were granted to Jonathan Atwater at "pilgrims harbour." In May, 1742, some persons in Middletown petitioned for unappropriated lands near Pilgrim Harbor, which petition was refused.1 Some of the earliest grants of land were in and around a swamp called "Dog's Misery." It had acquired the name from the fact that wild animals, when hunted, took refuge in this swamp, which was so thick, tangled and miry, that the dogs of the hunters were banned or killed in their attempts to reach their prey hidden in this jungle. This swamp is that tract of low land (now partly reclaimed), and swamp, lying south of the Middletown turnpike, and south of the house of Mr. Warren Parsons, extending nearly a mile in a southerly direction. In 1679,
"The town granted to Nathaniel Royce, David Hall, Thomas Hall, Daniel Mix, Joseph Holt, each 3 acres lying on the east side of the meadow called dog's misery, by the southward branch of Pilgrim's harbor,"
that being the name of the whole stream from its mouth up to the pond whence it flows. At the next town meeting, Nov., 1679, "granted to Neh. Royce, Isaac Curtiss, each 3 acres, and Nathaniel How, and Isaac Royce, each 2 acres, and all at dog's misery." At still another meeting, 1679, there was still another grant of swamp, meadow and upland, "about dog's misery," to Yale, Curtiss, Royce and others. In 1685, granted to Walter
1 The petitioners were John Bacon, John Bartlett, Samuel Warner, Seth Wetmore, Nathaniel Hubbard, John Hubbard, John Dowd and others.
131
Jonson 20 acres, "on long hill toward dog's misery." In 1683, "granted to Daniel Hooper 12 acres at dog's misery." In 1700, the daughter of Nathaniel Royce, had "three and a half acres, at dog's misery," as her portion. In 1713, was granted to Jeremiah Hull, a tract of land "lying at Dog's misery commonly so called." Another extract will indicate some quite curious facts, existing at that early period. September 16, 1707,
"The towne chose Eliezer peeck, Joshua culver, David Hall, a commetie to see that [dogs] missery hiway may not be pinsht of the twenty rods in any place from the town to misserie whare it was not laid out before the graint was of sd hiway."
This enormous allowance for a road was not uncommon in those days, as there are several other notices in the records, of roads of the like width. Still oftener the records speak of highways six rods wide. It is quite evident too, that the special care of the town to preserve the prodigious width of "missery hiway," shows the importance and growth of the settlement in that quarter. It had long been the custom of the early settlers to use the highways for raising tobacco, and it finally became a subject of complaint; so that in 1693-4 the town of Wallingford forbade any person improving any part of the town streets or commons by fencing, raising tobacco, corn, or anything else.
Whether these persons settled around Dog's Misery at the precise date of these grants, we do not know; but there is evidence that they were there soon after. For as early as 1696, there was great contention about lands, among the owners of property at Dog's Misery, which plainly indicates that the lands about there were considered valuable, and that the place was inhabited. The
132
party spirit ran high, bad feelings were engendered, and recourse was had to the courts. It appears that the beginning of the trouble was owing to certain persons appropriating land which had already been granted to others. In 1677, at a town meeting, it was voted to reserve a certain watering place for the use of, cattle and neighbors adjacent, the watering place being near the property of Nathaniel Royce. After some years Mr. Royce claimed the land and watering place as his property. A committee were appointed to determine whether the land and watering place belonged to the town or to Ensign Royce. Nothing further was heard of this question until March 16, 1696, when the following petition was brought before the town:
Wallingford, March 16th, 1696.
"We whose names are underwritten being in some mesure sencable of ye mezery of Contention & yt there is too much of it in our Town & one part of it is about dogs mezery which may hazard Charg to ye Town if not timely prevented allso ye watering-place so Called between Capt. yaile & Enn Royss has been A great part of our strife for A great while which for ye preventing of both troble and Charg upon yt account or at least to secure ourselves therefore declare as followeth yt for our parts wee enter our descents against any Charg at law about doggs mezery, as for ye watering place so Called we are satisfied yt Ens Roys Enjoy ye land yt ye Town has granted him & doe hereby declare our desent from any voat to ye Contrary or any vote yt may hereafter be gained by ye Town or any parties for ye suing out ye Towns or any pertic-ular mans Rights declareing to ye world yt we will be at no Charge for time to Come about doggs mezery nor ye watering place & yt such yt Cannot find no other way to raise their own spirits but to spend their Estates shall spend of their own Estates & not of ours.
133
"john doolittle, john peck, senr. nehemiah royss, nath'll HOW, senr. samll brockett, john beach, samll lothrop, robert roys, john peck, junr, joseph royss, john hall, jun, roger tylar, jabez brockett, micha mitchell, robert royss, senr. samll. roys, john tyler, james westwood, isaac curtis, tho. hall, senr. samll roys, senr, john parker, senr. david hall, john MOSS, juneor."
On the 28th of April, 1696, the following was presented to the town:
"Whereas it has been often moved to ye town that Ensign Royce might have ye Watering place, at ye lower end of his home lot, or pasture, but hitherto has been opposed, ye town do now sequester said watering place to lye open to the common highway for ever, never to be desposed of any other way unless every inhabitant of ye town do subscribe to the contrary, ye which we underftand be ye true intent of ye selectmen when they received it and ye mind of ye town, received it for the use of cattle and good of ye neighbors adjacent against ye above said Watering place Should lye open for the above said use forever as may appear by their act in ye town book April 24, 1677. The town do by their vote order and ap-poynt Eleazer Peck surveyor with one or too of ye Townsmen to lay out said land and Watering place and cause a Record made of it in ye Leger Book, of ye bounds of it and Capt. Yale, or Ens. Royce pay the cost out of it. They also voted that if the said Royce still neglects or detains record restitution of said Watering place ye which ye said Roice solemnly promised to do, in ye Leger Book of Wallingford, then the town do hereby appoint Capt. Yale to be our atturney, and Lawful Trustee to sue said Royce, at law for our right, to receive estimation of ye same."
134
Lieutenant Samuel Hall and William Ebenatha dissented from the above vote. Thus after a long contest Mr. Royce was compelled to surrender to the town all right to the watering place.
At a General Court, held May, 1696,
"Mr Richrd Edwards as atturney for Isaac Curtis of Wallingford petitioned this Court to grant the said Curtis execution upon a verdict of jury given at the countie court at Newhaven the second Munday in Novembr one thousand six hundred and ninetie five in an action depending in the said Court between the sd Curtis and Mr John Hull of the said town of Wallingford, which action the said Curtis comenced against the said Hull for that the said Hull had illegally entred upon and made improvement of three acrs and 3 quarters of med-dow in a place called Dogs Miserie which is the proper estate of the plaintiff, to a surrendrie of the sd meddow with ten pound damages and cost of Court, in which case the jury find for the plaintiff the case and cost of court. This Court doe see reason and order that there shall be execution granted upon the said verdict of the iurie. May 1697 it was voted and granted by this Court that Captn Thomas Yale of Wallingford should have liberty to renew his former suit in which he was atturney for Doctor John Hull in a controversie between Isaac Curtis and the sd John Hull about a piece of meddow at a place called Dogs Misery in the said town of Wallingford, notwithstanding any former act of the Gen11 Court. Giving the said Curtis sufficient notice thereof."
From the time of the first settlement onward, population slowly increased around "Dog's Misery" and "Pilgrim's Harbor." In 1724, the whole number of families on and around these localities was thirty-five. Contemporaneous with the "plantations" around "Dog's
1 5 s. paid for the petition. Execution delivered to Isaac Curtis. Col. Rec. 4, 165.
135
Misery," the settlements began to creep up into the western and southwestern parts of the present limits of Meriden. As early as September, 1677, it was
"Ordered allso that every planter now in hering shall have according to theyr Ranks 4 acrs, 3 acrs, and 2 acrs of the choyse Land upon the River hopp ground land, beginning att pillgrim's harbor, and what that plais cloth not aford they are to please themselves ellswheare."
February 11, 1684, there was granted to John Brockett,
"Four acres of hopp Land upon pillgrim's harbor on both sides the river hounded on ye north by ye Common, on ye East by Samuell Brockett, on ye south by ye Common, on ye west by John Moss senior."
February 4, 1684, was granted to John Moss senior,
"4 acres of hopp Land Lying a Cros pillgrim's harbor brook bounded on ye southward Side by me John Brockett his Land, on ye northward side by John Lothny his Land, on Both sides by towne Common."
March 15, 1689,
"Two acres of hopp Land lying around Pilgrim's Harbour."
August 23, 1698,
"3 acres of hopp land on ye west branch of pillgrim harber."
In 1708, there was granted to
"Daniel Messenger, wax drawer, fore acres of hop Land so called at a place commonly called pilgram's Harbor."
This "hopp ground land" was that which produced the materials for making hoops. Such land, though swampy, was then the most valuable in the town. For in the great scarcity of a circulating medium, and of
136
means for purchasing all foreign produce, these hoops and staves always found a great demand, and a ready sale in the West Indies. Of course our farmers in trading with the New Haven merchants, found these hoop-poles as useful as cash. Accordingly we find in the records of the town that these "hopp ground lands," were most carefully managed, were granted out in very small quantities, and in the various grants recorded each man was very careful that a piece of this precious land should be included in his farm. In the year 1676, a farm was granted to Levi Fowler, as part "compensation" for building a mill. This was at the place which we now call "the Farms." Sixty acres were granted to him, and are thus described:
"The north stake to be pitched 10 rods to the north-ward of the brook, commonly called, Milking yard brook, as you go between Wallingford and Hartford,1 and in the middle way between the mouth of said brook and the old path; and so to run a straight line southward so as to cut the edge of the red bank by the east river so called2 at the utmost part eastward, and so from the northern stake westward 120 rods, and so to hold his depth on the south side."
This land would be very nearly that which constitutes the farm of Mr. Wyllys Smith.3 Near and around this
1 This is the brook which the old road crosses at the lower end of the present district, and so called, because cattle were of old there driven into a pen to be milked.
2 This red bank is the little spur or projection around which the railroad sweeps, just before it passes the high stone viaduct or culvert over the turnpike.
3 Yalesville, Sept. 27, 1686, Committee to locate mill on the river. Sept. 29, 1686, Voted to move the mill. Oct. 3, 1688, Land about the mill sequestered. Dec. 27, 1687, Committee to see the Miller and procure a canoe to cross the river, at the mill. Jan. 21, 1689, Grinding at
137
farm, other settlers soon located themselves. At a town meeting, December 16, 1679,
"The Towne agreed & voated yt ye land about ye milking yard and on ye north side ye Brooke at ye head of ye little plaine which was formerly designed for that end be viewed and provision made for the settling planters as they shall appear."
This "little plain" was the upper part of the present "farm district." It was called little plain, in distinction from "fall's plain," or "the plain," which is the locality we now term Hanover. The same year,
"The towne yielded to exchange with Sam'1 Royce, the 3 acrs of his land att ye uper end of little plain, for 3 acrs of ye swamp, in ye middle of said plaine joining to Good" Lewes."
In another grant to this Samuel Royce, this same spot is called "milkin yard farms," as bounded south by milking yard brook, and west by milking yard hill. Also in 1679,
"The town granted to Good" Lewes 3 acres of ye swamp that lieth about middle of ye little plains."
At the same time,
"The towne granted Tho. Yale 3 acres of swamp land, joining to his two acrs that was formerly granted for mend-ment of his river lott att the loer end of ye little plaine."
In the year 1677, there was a grant of land to Nehe-miah Royce and Samuel Royce, of some land "at the head of the plains," which is another phrase by which Hanover was then designated. A very natural phrase; for at that point, the stretch of level land which extends
mill regulated. July, 22, 1695, "If Samuel Lorthrop grinds every mans corn well he may keep the mill two months longer, but will be turned out on complaint of the committee forthwith."
138
from New Haven, through North Haven and Walling-ford, terminates. In 1680 a grant was made "to Sam'1 Hough, to settle on the head of the plain near to Nehemiah Royces." In 1689 this "head of the plain," or "falls plain," was considered so beautiful a spot, that it was regularly laid out for a village. The main street was to be eighty rods long, and on each side of it were staked out building lots; the western lots extending to the hill, and the eastern ones to the river. These lots were assigned by raffle, each planter in the town of Wall-ingford being allowed to draw one lot. The main street of this contemplated village must have been nearly if not quite coincident with the street now in existence, running north and south. The street however, as then laid out, was continued northward to the river.
"Att a lawful towne meetin 19 Febrary, 1689-90, the towne voted yt falls plaine shall be cast lots for & laid out according to the above written .... & mape. The Lotts being Cast each mans Lott is as followeth
"MR. STREET, 49, LIEUT. MERRIMAN, 24, MR. MOSSE, 12, ENS YAILE, 11, MR. BROCKETT, 44, DR. HULLS, 52, ENS ANDREWYS 4, SEIRANT DOOLITTLE, 62, --- PRESTON, 20, NATHANIELL ROYSE, 40, SAMll ROYSE, 33, SAMll HULL, 03, JOHN IVES, 39, SAMll DOOLITTLE, 51, DANIEL MIX, 59, JOSEPH DOOLITTLE, 42, EBEN LEWIS, 48, JOSEPH HOULTE, 61, JOHN DOOLITTLE, 37, JOSEPH BENHAM, jun. 25, ELEAZER PECK, 19, JOHN MERRIMAN, 58, JOHN PARKER, 01, JOHN HALL, senr. 60, SAMll COOK, senr. 28, THO CURTIS, 58, THO HALL, 30, DAVID HALL, 65,
139
joshua culver, 32, nathaniell HOW, 09, SAMll brockett, 55, roger tyler, 38, SAMll thorp, 06, john hitchcok, 02, SAMll merriman, 53, abraham doolittle, 13, SAMll browne, 29, ebenezer clark, 18, SAMll street, 07, SAMll andrews, jun. 57, simon tuttle, 14, benjamin houlte, 10, edward fen, 08, john morse, 26, hennery cook, 31, joseph beenham, sen. 63, SAMll street, 35, nathan andrewes, 16, john peck, 50, jeremiah howe, 17, SAMll cook, jun. 15, joseph thomson, 21, hugh chappel, 22, james westwood, 05, wm. cole, 23, john beach, 64, tho beach, 54, joseph royse, 47, rush lothrop, 43, william ebernath, 46, SAMll munson, 41, walter johnson, 36, john atwater, 34, isak beach, 45, nehemiah royse, 27."
In 1694, several grants of land were made to John Peck at "falls plains." The residents in the north part of the town found it very inconvenient to go to Walling-ford to attend church, also town and freeman's meetings; and several petitions were sent to the General Assembly requesting permission to become a separate town, or be annexed to other towns nearer to them than Wallingford. At a town meeting held in Wallingford, May 17, 1773, the question was put whether the town would choose an agent or agents, to represent said town at the General Assembly to act on the memorial of the society of Worthington, by their agent Jedediah Norton, petitioning that the land called the Belcher farm, in the society of Meriden, and the inhabitants included thereon,
140
might belong and be annexed to the county of Hartford and town of Farmington.1
It was voted in the affirmative that they would appoint an agent, and chose Macock Ward to represent the town in reference to the memorial. In May, 1786, the following petition was sent to the General Assembly:
"The Petition of the Inhabitants of the Parish of Meriden in the Town of Wallingford and County of New Haven, humbly sheweth: That from the Court House in New Haven, the Southern part of Said parish is Distant about Seventeen Miles, and the Northern part of it Twenty three; and from the Court House in Middletown in the County of Middlesex, the eastern limmits of Sd parish is Distant but about five miles and its Western limmits about Eleven; and from the Southern part of said Parish to the Town is four miles, and from the northern part about eleven. That the List of Said parish is about L8000. And in attending upon the Ordinary Business of the Town, Proxys, Town Meetings, &c., and upon their Business at the County and Superior Courts, the Inhabitants of Sd parish are subjected to great trouble, inconvenience & expence, from which they would be free'd, if constituted a Distinct Town, and annexed to the County of Middlesex. Wherefore your petitioners pray your Honors to take their case into your wise and equitable Consideration & enact, that Sd parish of Meriden be Constituted a Distinct Town by the name of the town of Meriden, and included in, and made part of the County of Middlesex, and that the Sd Inhabitants have all the rights and privileges usual appertaining to Towns in this State, except the right of Sending two Representatives to the General Assembly, instead of
1 About 1640, some of the first and most enterprising citizens of Hartford purchased a tract of land from the Tunxis Indians, and commenced a settlement at a place about ten miles west of the city. This settlement was incorporated in 1645, when it was called Farmington. The township was about fifteen miles square, and out of it have sprung the towns of Southington, Berlin, Bristol, Burlington and Avon.
141
which your petitioners request the privilege of but one, and your petitioners, as in Duty bound will ever pray &c. Dated at Meriden in the Town of Wallingford the 13th day of April, A. D. 1786.
"john couch, SAMll whiting, > Agents in behalf of the Society." dan. collins,
At a special town meeting held in Wallingford, May 9, 1786, it was voted that they would oppose the parish of Meriden being a town, and chose Col. Street Hall as agent to remonstrate against the petition at the General Assembly.1 In 1794, the town was petitioned again that the parish of Meriden might be set off as a distinct town and annexed to Middlesex county; and at a special town meeting the votes of the parish of Meriden appointing Captain Dan. Collins, Capt. Ezekiel Rice, Col. Asa Bray, Brenton Hall and Samuel Whiting a committee to transact said business being read, the meeting adjourned to October 12, 1795. Samuel Woodruff and Caleb Atwater were appointed agents to attend the General Assembly, and were intended to oppose the petition of the parish of Meriden; and in order to satisfy the inhabitants of the parish, a committee were appointed to consider the subject of holding town, selectmen's and freeman's meetings one third of the time at Meriden; and who reported,
1 At a town meeting held in Wallingford, April 8, 1793, "Chose Street Hall, Dan. Collins, Ezekiel Rice a committee to agree with the Town of Berlin in perambulating the line where the Belcher Farm, so called lies and exchange said farm or such part of it for an equivalent in Land belonging to said Berlin to be annexed to this town or make any other agreement as shall appear to said committee most conclusive to the Interest of this Town."
142
"That in our opinion it is highly reasonable and expedient and likely to unite the two Societies together and prevent a separation also taking into our consideration the disagreeable-ness that the said society of Meriden hath ever been under in attending Town and Freemans Meetings, we therefore think it reasonable that one third part of the Town and Selectmens meetings for the future and also one third part of the Freemans Meetings when liberty is obtained as above mentioned should be holden in said Society of Meriden."
"Signed,
ELIAKIM hall, samuel whiting, ezekiel rice, brenton hall, abraham stanley, caleb atwater."
The report was accepted with the proviso that the expense attending the application to the General Assembly for carrying this report into effect "be born and defrayed wholly by the Parish of Meriden." But the inhabitants of the parish of Meriden were determined to be set apart as a separate town; and again in 1803 a petition was sent to the town, and at a town meeting held in September of the same year, the question was put whether the inhabitants of the town of Wallingford exclusive of the Parish of Meriden would consent that the said parish of Meriden be separated from the said town of Wallingford, and constituted and incorporated a separate and distinct town; and on being submitted to the meeting, exclusive of the inhabitants of Meriden, it was voted in the negative. In 1804, another petition was sent to the town of Wallingford in regard to the separation and incorporation of Meriden as a distinct town; and it was voted to choose a committee of equal numbers from the first society of the parish of Meriden to confer on the said petition. The Wallingford committee were Aaron Andrews, Caleb Atwater, Aaron
143
Hall, and Hezekiah Hall. From Meriden were chosen John Pluymert, Benjamin A. Hall, Amasa Curtis, and Samuel Yale. On September 9, 1805, a joint committee from each society were appointed to confer on the subject, and at a town meeting held September 18, 1805, the report of the committee was read and duly considered.
"Thereupon it was voted that this Meeting do accept and approve of the same, and that said report be lodged in the Town Clerks Office."
A petition signed by Phineas Lyman and other inhabitants of Wallingford was sent to the General Assembly which met at Hartford the second Thursday in May, 1806, showing that the parish of Meriden in said town constituted in extent, population and property more than one third part of the town of Wallingford, and that they did not in their present situation enjoy their just rights to which they were entitled in common with their fellow citizens, and praying that the parish might be incorporated, with the ordinary rights, privileges and immunities which were enjoyed by other towns in the State. The petitioners were heard, and the facts stated in the petition were fully proved to be true, and it was resolved by the Assembly that
"The inhabitants living within the limits of the parish of Meriden be and they are hereby incorporated into and made a Town by the name of Meriden."
The first town meeting was held in Meriden after its incorporation, on the third Monday in June, 1806, at one o'clock P. M., and the town officers elected. The following list of "North Farmers," is taken from the Wallingford records, and from records in the office of the Secretary of State at Hartford:
144
BENJAMIN IVES, EBENEZER PRINDLE, BENJAMIN WHITING, ISRAEL HALL, SAMUEL IVES, elick ROBERTS, john IVES, abell roice, TIMOTHY merriam, john WAY, william hough, jacob parsons, john merriam, eliazer peck, thomas andrews, bartholomew foster isaac roice, josiah roice, james scovill, thomas yale, nathaniel merriam, william coles, joseph coles, nathaniel roice, samuel cutler, ezekiel roice, joseph merriam, ebenezer cooper, michael mitchell, nehemiah may, ---- leavitt, josiah robeson, william merriam, samuel andrews, john merriam, theophilus MIX, robert roice, amos camp, william andrews, timothy foster, jonathan seamour.
It is difficult at the present day to imagine the immense difficulties our fathers had to undergo in traveling from one town to another. Over mountains, through swamps, across rivers, fording, or upon rafts, with the compass to point out their irregular way, now in the open space of the forest, where the sun looked in; now under the shade of the old trees; now struggling through the entanglement of bushes and vines, with perhaps a "bridle path" cut out through the trees. Wherever a road had been built it was little better than none at all.
145
"No line or compass traced its plan; With frequent bends to left or right, In aimless, wayward curves it ran."
From Hartford to New Haven it was a good two clays' journey; the old stone house on the Belcher farm, and Wallingford, being the usual stopping places. There being no mails1 or newspapers, every traveler on his arrival was instantly besieged with townspeople, inquisitive for the most recent intelligence. "He tells them perhaps that a letter was received in Hartford but a
1 The Post Office system was first established in Connecticut in 1693, by special authority from the king. The mail went through the Colony from Boston to New York, once every week. The postage from Boston to Hartford was 9d. In December, 1672, Governor Lovelace of the colony of New York, issued a proclamation "for the more speedy Intelligence and Dispatch of Affayres," that on the first of January following, a sworn messenger would start from New York for Boston, and accomplish the journey there and back, within the month. Persons who had letters or "small portable goods" for Hartford or Boston, must lodge them at the secretary's office by a given day. The post was to be paid before the "bagg bee seald up." In 1674, "the court being made sensible of the great damage that might accrue to the publique, by a liberty or boldness which some persons may take to themselves (when employed by order of authority for the conveyance of letters, post and other important occasions of this colony) by profuse and extravigent spending at the ordinaries and other places on the road upon the countryes account," ordered that the allowance of those persons employed, from the first of May to the middle of October, from New Haven to Hartford, the horse hire to be five shillings, and the man and expenses eight shillings sixpence. From Wallingford to Hartford, the horse hire four shillings, and the man and expenses six shillings. From the middle of October to last of April, to be eight pence more than the above, for every night they lie out. When post offices and post roads were first established in America, the great route from Boston to New York was through New London, which was then reckoned 110 miles from Boston, and 156 from New York. By act of Parliament in 1710, New London was made the chief Post Office in Connecticut. (This act can be found in the Mass. Hist. Coll., 3rd series, vol. 7, p. 71). The postage from New London to Wallingford was four-pence.
146
week before he left, which had been brought through from Boston in three clays. In this letter was the latest intelligence from Europe. The 'Seabird,' after a quick passage of two months, had brought the news of the death of Charles the Second, and the accession of James, four months ago. He gives them the latest-account of the elections in Massachusetts and Plymouth, which took place three weeks previous, and adds a few items about the state of the Indians, and the arrivals of emigrants." Contrast that journey with the railroad which connects nearly every town and village, and by which a daily exchange of their inhabitants takes place, by which, as it were, two huge rivers of living beings are flowing side by side in opposite directions. The rivers and lakes have been made navigable, harbors cleared, bordered by clocks and quays, and indented by piers ; the inland districts are intersected by high roads and canals, and a net-work of railways ; which but a short time since was the lonely and scarcely traceable foot-path, the region of desolation, and the haunt of the wild beast and savage. If a survey be taken of the various nations of the earth, it will doubtless be found that the most prominent feature which distinguishes the regions of civilization from those of the savage, and indicates the march of improvement, is the general facility for communication.
At a General Court held at Hartford in October, 1684, it was voted that
"Whereas there is a great neglect found in mayntaining of the high wayes1 between towne and towne, the wayes being
1 The various highways were laid out as follows: 1670, the roads in the village of Wallingford, and the "old Colony road;" 1672, Highways considered; 1679, Highway over river ordered; 1692, Highway over river;
147
incumbred with dirty slowes, bushes, trees and stones, &c., this Court doe therefore order that each plantation within this colony shall forthwith take sufficient care that the highwayes stated between townes be well amended from such defects and so kept from time to time, .... especilly the high wayes or road from Hartford to New Haven, etc."
On the 15th day of December, 1693, the town empowered Ensign Royce to call out some men to assist him in laying out a highway to Haddam. This is probably the road which passes through "Reed's gap," in the north-eastern part of the town. In May, 1766, Messrs. John Yale, John Basset, Timothy Foster, Yale Bishop, Samuel Andrews, Jr., Jonathan Foster, and Jonathan Collins, petitioned the General Assembly that
committee appointed; 1693, Twenty rod highway between Daniel Mix and Joshua Culver's land; 1694, Highway at Broad Swamp; 1696, Highway to Saw-mill; 1697, John Parker and John Hitchcock appointed to see what highways are needed to the Fresh Meadows, and Mill River; and Samuel Brockett and John Beach to see what are needed between Pond Hill and Muddy River. A twenty rod highway from Falls plain to Stoney River, also from Mathew Howe's to Stoney River, ten rods wide; A highway past Simon Tuttle's to ye Saw Mill; 1700, This year the road to Dog's Misery was made, twenty rods wide, also a highway to the saw mill; also a two rod road between Isaac Curtis and Daniel Mix, between Dr. Hull's land; 1702, two highways on the west side of the river, one by Benj. Hull's, and one to run westward to the south side of Broad Swamp, the other at the north side of said swamp; A highway from the middle bridge, now near Humiston's, past Goodman Beacher's farm, to the east side of the west rocks, two rods wide for "footmen and horses saddled." This road ran to Cheshire, nearly a mile south of the village; Highway to John Cook's and Joseph Mix's; This is the old south road to the south part of Cheshire; Two draft ways on the west side of the river, by Benj. Hull's, one on the south side, and one on the north side of Broad Swamp; April 22, a highway adjoining New Haven line from the river, westward, five rods wide. This old highway is on the south side of the Blue Hills, and north of Quinnipiac factory. It runs past the late residence of Eliasaph Munson to Cheshire, terminating at West Rock on the mountain near Bethany; 1707, highway from Long Hill to New Haven line.
148
the road from Hartford to New Haven where it passes through Meriden from the "upper line of Belchers old farm, as the most northerly part of S'd Town of Walling-ford, down as far in the Sd town as the plain so called" be widened, as it was so narrow in some places as to be very difficult of passage, the road being originally forty rods wide. The present Hartford and New Haven turnpike which passes through the center of the town, was completed in 1800. The inhabitants of Wallingford strenuously opposed the laying out of the turnpike, but when it was completed it was considered a vast, wonderful and curious work; and people came to see it, as they afterwards flocked to see the first railroad. Until the year 1802, there was not a single road in town that was made by being rounded from the center to the sides, in the manner of a turnpike, and as our roads are all now made. They were more frequently lower than the sides, by continual wear, and washing of the rains, rather than raised above them. There can be little doubt that we find in this fact, the reason for laying out roads of the enormous width of six and even twenty rods. For as one track became worn, full of ruts, and sunk below the surface, the traveler could find sufficient room to pick out for himself another and still another track, yet fresh and unworn, in the broad space of one hundred, or three hundred feet reserved for a highway. As there were few laborers and plenty of land, this mode of working the roads was cheaper than the modern process of laboriously constructing one good, rounded track. As to the comfort of the traveler there could not be much question.
The ancient bridge at Humiston's mill was originally situated nearly seventy rods down the river, from where
149
it is now, and the road up the hill was a little to the north of the bridge, coming out near the house recently owned by Joel Camp; the abutments of the bridge are visible to this day. The bridge now called "Horsford's bridge," was at first built several rods down the stream, from its present location, and was not changed until the present century. The bridge at Yalesville on the east and west road was originally built nearly where it now is, and those on the old turnpike were built by the turnpike company about the year 1800. In 1672, it was voted in regard to the bridge at the "Pines," that Wal-lingford and New Haven agree jointly to maintain the said bridge. January 31, voted that the making of the bridge over Wharton's brook, shall be paid by the town. December 24, voted that .Samuel Andrews, Samuel Munson, Nathaniel Roice, Thomas Curtis, and Benjamin Lewis be a committee to view the place and decide where a bridge could be most conveniently built over the river. Where they located the bridge does not appear; but the presumption is that it was in North Haven, just west of the centre of the village, at a place then called the Pines; as that bridge was supported jointly by New Haven and Wallingford for many years. November 26, 1695, a bridge was ordered to be built at "Goats pains," or at Sergt. Doolittle's cart-way, or some place between them for carts. December 30, 1695, a bridge was built at the mill, by Eleazer Peck. This is at what is now Yalesville, east of the factory, near the residence of the late Charles Cook and Roswell Yale.
The mode of traveling was usually by horseback; and it was not until 1789 that the first wagon was brought into Meriden. It was owned by Mr. Ezra Rice. It was of a very rude construction, being simply a square
150
framed box placed on four wheels, drawn by two horses, with ropes for traces, and cords for the guiding or driving lines. Yet it was then thought to be a very elegant establishment. Previous to that time, there had never been owned in the town, but three two-wheel carriages, being very rude, awkward chaise bodies or uncovered seats hung on two wheels, in the manner of our modern chaise. The bridegroom who went to a neighboring town to be united with a partner whom he hoped to find through life a "help meet for him," whether he was gentlemen or yeoman, rode on horseback, and carried her home on a pillion behind him.
In 1835, a petition was presented to the legislature, asking for a charter to construct a railway from Hartford to New Haven. The petition was eventually granted. The most prominent persons in the matter were the Hon. James Brewster of New Haven, Maj. Elisha A. Cowles of Meriden, Richard Hubbard of Middletown and Seth J. North of New Britain. Mr. Hubbard wanted the line carried farther east, in order that Middletown might be on the direct route between New York and Boston. Mr. North was naturally desirous that the line should go farther west, that New Britain might profit by it. But Major Cowles, active and energetic in everything he took in hand, in conjunction with Mr. Brewster succeeded in getting the road located where it now is; so that Meriden came in for all the advantages which would otherwise have accrued to Middletown or New Britain. The route of the Hartford and New Haven railroad had been pointed out by Dr. J. G. Percival; having been determined by him during the progress of a geological exploration of the larger Secondary formation, previous to his general
151
survey of the State. The route throughout is determined by the geological arrangement of the country, passing in the depression between the eastern and western lines of elevation, in the Trap system, to Meriden, then in that between the third and fourth eastern main range to Berlin. The increase of the western part of the town may be dated from that event.
The great increase of traveling since railways have been in use has produced great and material changes in society. Many who, but a few years since, scarcely penetrated beyond the country in which they happened to have been born, are now induced to visit places far more remote, from the facility and comfort afforded them by railway transit, which enables them to travel over thousands of miles with greater personal ease than they formerly could over fifty. The result of this mutual communication of facts and ideas must be an improved state of society. Great discoveries in science may be ranked among the greatest class of natural events, so great is their modifying influence on human destiny. When considered with respect to its scientific character, magnitude, utility, its harmony of arrangement, and mechanical contrivance, what can equal that greatest of discoveries-the one which most influences human action and happiness-the practical applicability of the expansibility of water into steam as a motive power. Compared to it, how shabby a structure would be the celebrated Roman wall, or even the more extensive one of the Chinese; as for the Egyptian pyramids, they, so far from being fit to be mentioned in comparison with the railway, are merely uncouth monuments of the ignorance and superstition of their founders; woeful testimonials of the debasement to priestcraft of the
152
wretched slaves who erected them, and are merely evidences of much physical force, having but little aid from science or taste.