three sentinels from Windsor, under Captain WOLCOTT and Lt. They were however dismissed after one day's

ELLSWORTH.

service.

At length there came a respite from War's fierce ravages.

Again

"Life, active, prosperous life,

Ran through the woods, and mantled o'er the land.

As the tree fell, the log-hut sprang in place;

The log-hut, like the tent in fairy tale,

Expanded to the village."

CHAPTER XII.

WINDSOR, EAST OF THE GREAT RIVER.

(South Windsor.)

16621768.

"AND THUS THE WHITE RACE SPREAD,

AND THUS THEY SCATTERED THEIR RUDE CLEARINGS THROUGH
THE LEAFY DESERT. THE TALL BLOCKHOUSE ROSE

SURROUNDED BY ITS STOOPING CABIN-ROOFS

AND BELTED WITH ITS POINTED PALISADES.

THE AXE RUNG ALWAYS, AND THE ECHOES WOKE

TO THE DOWN-CRASHING WOODS. GREEN MEADOWS SPRUNG
FROM THE WOOD-MOSS, AND CATTLE LOWED WHERE ROSE
THE BLEATING OF THE DEER, AND WHERE THE WOLF
HOWLED TO THE MOON. THE RIFLE BROUGHT QUICK DEATH

IN HARD STRONG HANDS TO THE MAJESTIC MOOSE
AND BOUNDING DEER. THE EAGLE STOOPED TO IT.
THE DARTING SALMON FELT THE BARBED POINT

OF THE TORCH-LIGHTED SPEAR-THE SPOTTED TROUT
LEAPED AT THE BUTTERFLY, AND FOUND QUICK DEATH.
THE BEAVER PADDLING ROUND HIS ANCIENT STREAM
FELT THE SHARP TALONS OF SOME HIDDEN TRAP,
AND MEEKLY DIED." Street.

Its First Settlement.

It will be remembered that the first purchase of land made by the Dorchester People after their arrival on the Connecticut, was upon the east side of the river, within the present town of South Windsor,1 Tradition has always asserted that, at first, 1 See Chapter on Indian Purchases.

they intended to settle here, but that fear of floods induced them to remove to the high lands on the west side. All the evidence, however, which has been presented in a former chapter, tends to show that their original intention was to locate on the present site of Windsor. Yet it is not improbable that this purchase, made during the disputes and negotiations with the Plymouth Company concerning their land at Windsor, was intended as a dernier resort, and that in case of the failure of those negotiations, the Dorchester party would have effected a permanent settlement on the east side of the river. From this alternative, however, they were relieved by the final agreement with the Plymouth Company in 1637, which left them in quiet possession of the much coveted lands at Windsor. For thirty years after, there seems to have been no occupation of the lands on the east side, except as a pasturage for their cattle, and some small pieces of mowing. Tempting as were the advantages offered by its broad. expanse of fertile meadow, there were obstacles and dangers in the way of its actual settlement, which could neither be overlooked or rashly encountered. The broad stream of the Great River, at all times an inconvenient highway, was, in the winter season, almost impassable with ice and drift. It was also a serious barrier to social intercourse and mutual aid or protection, while its annual freshets obliged them to build on the uplands at a considerable distance from its banks, and consequently at a greater remove from the main settlement. On those eastern shores, also, dwelt the ferocious Podunks, and their allies the Scantics, who though never overtly mischievous or unfriendly, could hardly be considered as safe or pleasant neighbors. Moreover, prudence and the exigencies of the times, forbade any undue increase of colonization, whereby the strength and safety

1 Matthew Grant, in describing the great flood of 1638-9, says that it "endamaged many cattle over the river," i. e. on the east side; and in the deed of a purchase of land on that side by John Bissell, Jr., in 1660, mention is made of a piece of ground that "Goodman Hayden hath formerly to mow." Also, "Sept. 7, 1757, it was voted that the meadow east side of the river be cleared by the 23d." These and many other similar extracts might be adduced to show that the lands on the east side were to some extent improved.

of the older towns might be weakened. Such, probably, were the main reasons which, for many years, retarded the progress of settlement and improvement on the east side of the Great River.

The BISSELL family, to whom the monopoly of the Country Ferry was granted in 1648-9, were undoubtedly the pioneers of the East Windsor emigration. It is not probable, however, that they had any permanent residence on the east side for many years after that date, as so insolated a position, in the then unsettled state of the country, would have been full of peril to themselves and the common welfare. In January 1662-3, Nathaniel Bissell received from his father John, a deed of property upon the east side of the river, near the ferry, wherein is mentioned a house already built. This was undoubtedly the first and for several years the only dwelling house in East (now South) Windsor;1 and it is probable that John Bissell, Senior, himself moved over to the east side in 1662, for in that year he made over without reservation, his former residence on the west side of the Connecticut to his son John, Jr.

The numerous purchases and grants which were made during the following ten years, bear evidence that the Windsor settlers justly considered their possessions on the east side of the Connecticut as among their most important and valuable interests. Indeed the spirit of speculation in eastern lands seems to have been as rife among them, as the "western land fever" has since been among their descendants. In 1672 there was a decided movement towards the settlement of the east side as a distinct town. We learn from the Colony Records, that the court, having at a previous session, granted a considerable tract of land on the east side of the river" within Windsor bounds," to Capt. Benjamin Newberry, Deacon John Moore and others, received a petition from the inhabitants of Windsor, asking for the postponement of confirmation until they could present objections to the same.

1 Thos. Burnham and others had purchased lands at Podunk in 1659-60, but there is no evidence that they were occupied, otherwise than for agricultural purposes.

The court answered this petition thus: "and it is condescended to by Capt. Newberry, and Deacon Moore, that if Windsor plantation at their next town meeting, by unanimous or major vote, of the inhabitants of Windsor, will release their township right in the lands on the east side of Connecticut River that are within their bounds, to make a distinct plantation, on that side of the River, then the said Capt. Newberry, and Deacon Moore engage to release their particular grants, for the accommodating of the said plantation, provided the plantation be confirmed a plantation by this court also, October next, and they have their proportion therein."

The reply of the town to this accommodating proposition of Messrs. Moore and Newberry, has not been preserved. That it was insufficient to influence the previous decision of the court, is evident, from the record of its subsequent session; wherein they declare that they see no cause to put a stop to Deacon Moore and Capt. Newberry's" proceedings.

These gentlemen, however, were by no means the only persons on the east side. Already many individuals, mostly middle-aged or young married men, urged by the adventurous spirit of the day, or by the necessity of larger accommodations for their growing families, had crossed the river, and had built their humble dwellings along the uplands which overlooked the meadows. A road, also, had probably been opened from Scantic to Podunk, for in June 1672, occurs on the town books the following "List of Persons on the East side of Great River," who were appointed to work the highways: