ing of the different train-bands was also determined, as follows: 1st, Hartford, 2d, Windsor, 3d, Wethersfield, 4th, Farmington. Oct. 9. "The new Charter of Connecticut was publicly read in an audience of the freemen [at Hartford], and declared to belong to them and their successors." (Col. Rec.) 1663, May 14. A lively picture of the police regulations of the several towns is gleaned from the following court order. "The Constables in each Plantation are hereby empowered to charge the watch and ward duly to attend their watch and ward by walking in such places where they may best discover danger by the approach of an enemy or by fire, which if they do discover, they are to give notice thereof by firing their guns, and crying Fire, fire, or Arm, arm. And in case they meet with any persons walking in the streets unseasonably, they are to examine them, and in case they can not give a good account of themselves, they are to return them to the Constable, who is to require them to appear before a Magistrate or some Assistant, to give account of their unseasonable walking.” The watchmen were also ordered to report themselves for instructions to the constable, "in the evening, by the shutting in of the daylight;" and were not to leave their watch before daybreak on pain of 1s for each default. At this time, the good townsfolk were much annoyed by Indians strolling up and down in the towns, "in the night season to buy liquors." The court therefore decreed that any Indian found walking the streets, after nightfall, should be fined 20s (15s to the public treasury, and 5s to the informer) or else be whipt with "six stripes at least." (Col. Rec.) In the Annual Estimate of Town Payments: October 31. "This was a town meeting, and all that were present voted that Mr. Warham should [have] for this year following as formerly £90. Also manifested themselves willing that there should be a looking out for a help for him." "Also a request was made by some to set a housel to shelter their horses in on Sabbath days, and other days when they ride to meeting; on one side of the street against Begat Eggleston's orchard, about 9 or 10 feet in breadth, by his fence, and in length 23 or 24 feet and it [was] granted." 1664-5, March 7. "Nath'l Bissell hath paid for his scat in the gallery to Josias Hull in pay for his wolf, 6.s." 1665, May 11. Jas. Enno was fined for his wife's fault, in selling cider to the Indians. Nov. 30th. Items of Matthew Grant's account. "For drawing up Mr. Warham's pay into a method, that he might understand what he was to receive of each man by his free will offering, which cost me a great deal of time. I had better to have made two rates as formerly, yet I set down but 6s 6d. Then for time I spent last July at the lending out of powder and lead, and making bullets, and taking again of some, and the setting down the accounts of these things, cost me about 4 days time, I put down 7s 6d." 1666. It is probable that during this year, the fort was built at Windsor, which is alluded to in the following court record of the next year: October 10, 1667. At a General Assembly held at Hartford: "The inhabitants of Windsor having improved themselves in building a fort, this Court, for their encouragement, doth release the Train soldiers of Windsor two days of their training this Michael Tide, and one day in the Spring." This fort may have been merely a rebuilding, or strengthening, of the old Palisado; but our own impression is that it was the building since known as the Old Stone Fort. This The Old Stone Fort, or Stoughton House. edifice, which is remembered only by the oldest persons in Windsor, was situated about one mile north of the Congregational Meeting-house, on the east side of the road, opposite to and a few rods north of the present residence of Mr. Lemuel Welch. It stood back from the road, near the brow of the hill overlooking the meadows, where an old well still marks the spot. The building itself was pulled down about 1809. From the description of some of the old people now living, we have been able to obtain a pretty good idea of its appearance, and to make a picture of it, which will (so the aforesaid old people say) give the "rising generation," a very correct representation of this almost forgotten and interesting piece of antiquity. The Old Fort, or Stoughton House, was composed of two portions, one built of stone, and the other of wood. The stone part, which was somewhat the oldest, stood parallel with the road; and its walls were built of heavy, uncut stones, pierced with two small diamond-paned windows set in lead, and numerous lurking port-holes which peeped suspiciously out from under the eaves of the high, peaked roof. At the northern end or gable of the house, a gigantic chimney was built into the wall. At the east, or back part of the house, as we should now call it, facing the river, was the door, framed of heavy oaken timbers, strongly studded and clenched with iron spikes, and bearing, if we may believe tradition, sundry suggestive hacks and cuts of Indian tomahawks. Joined to, and at a right angle with this stone building, with whose front its gable end was parallel, stood the larger and more modern frame dwelling. Its general appearance, as will be seen from the engraving, was similar to the other part, except that its windows and doors were more numerous and larger; and in its huge chimney was inserted a stone sculptured with the initials TM and the date of its erection 1666.1 The initials were those of THOMAS STOUGHTON and MARY his wife, whose descendants have retained the property almost ever since. But if the exterior of the Old Fort was quaint, the interior seems to have left upon the minds of those who knew it, a still stronger impression of mysterious and romantic interest. They love to dwell upon the pleasure which they, as children, experienced, in roaming about its rambling apartments; in climbing the ancient winding stairway, which even in their day was 1 There is, in the minds of all the old people with whom we have conversed, an uncertainty, as to whether the date on this stone was 1666 or 1676. The majority, however, concur in the opinion that it was 1666. "tottering to decay;" thus endangering both life and limb to obtain the happiness of a peep through the loopholes in the wall. They dwell with particular delight upon the many queer nooks and dark corners with which the place abounded, as well as divers curious prints and articles of furniture which excited their childish admiration and wonder. The old house also contained an ancient helmet and piece of armour, undoubtedly one which had been used by some valiant Windsor soldier, in the Pequot wars; but these valuable relics, which would be so carefully preserved in these days, were sold, ignobly sold, to a pedler, for- mention it not in antiquarian ears-old iron! Shade of worshipful Major John Mason! this steel cap and breast-plate, which perhaps even protected thy stalwart form in the "battle's heat and roar," sold disregardless of its inspiring associations at one cent and a half a pound. A curious Indian bow and sheaf of arrows, of gigantic proportions, was also contained in the building, and afterwards passed into the Ellsworth family, but is now lost. 1667, April 1st. Luke Hill took the charge of the Rivulet ferry for £12 per annum "besides what he gets from travellers and persons by night." "This day Nat. Cook hath condescended to perform the work of cleansing the meeting house for this next year for 50s."1 April 27th. "When the freemen met for choice of deputies, Luke Hill made a sad complaint that if the town would not add to the sum they had set him for keeping the ferry, at the former meeting, he must leave the ferry; and his wife came in and sadly bemoaned their condition. Whereupon it was voted that they would add the other £3 as it was before." July 3d. "Those of the dragoons that have received pouches of Thomas Dibble, which he got made, and is to be paid by the town. Deacon Moore, one for his man. Henry Stiles, one. Michael Humphry, one. 1 John Owen, the former sexton, felt aggrieved by this appointment of Cook's and it was agreed that "John Owen should have part of the pay with Nathaniel, though he did not of the work. It is issued that John Owen shall have 5s of Nathaniel's £3, of the last year's pay." These 9 Dibble delivered, and he delivered 7 more, which make up 16 - which comes to 40s. John Rockwell had one of the old ones; he has received this again." (Bk. II, 7.) September 30th. The freemen voted to give 17 shillings (besides the 8s offered by the County) for all wolves killed within the limits of Windsor and Massaco [Simsbury]. Indians were to have for each wolf 20s in wampum at 6 for a penny. (Bk. 11, 7.) 1667-8, February 3d. The Townsmen, upon complaint of Thomas Hopewell's Wife, [as to] their straights of firewood because of his lameness. The Townsmen, had appointed Samuel Marshall to carry them two loads and now appointed William Thrall to carry them three loads more, and put it on account in a town rate. (Bk. 11, 7.) March 11th. "In preparation for a town rate for this year past, to gather up what debts the town must pay. First to begin with wolves killed. The whole amount for Wolves was... Mr. Wolcott, for seven [] cartridges, demands.... Thomas Dibble, for making soldier pouches Walter Gaylord, for beating the drum and Ebenezer Dibble, for his part to make half pikes... 4 Lister's Expenses.. 4 Townsmen.. House and fire... 3 Townsmen dining with the Magistrates.. the ferry chain and some nails, and £22, 08s, 00d. 1, 15, 00. 2, 01, 00. 15, 00. 9, 00. 1, 1, 00. 15, 00. 4, 00. 2, 08. 1, 02. 3, 00. 15, 00. 5, 10, 00. 4, 06. April 15th. "Mr. Allen came to my house to give notice to Thomas Marshall and Daniel Hayden to be free men of this corporation." (Bk. 11, 7.) May 16th. "Mr. Wolcott brought to me 84 cartridges, so many as to set off his town rates 20s 1ld." "Baggot Egleston undertakes the cleansing of the meeting [house] for this year coming for 50s, and the beating of the drum to meetings for 28s. Also it was voted that Granfield men should have liberty to improve their land this year, but not to be allowed Inhabitance by this; and the difference between the Town and this, is deferred till the whole Town be made acquainted with it, and meet about it." (Bk. 11, 7.) |