CHAPTER II
FIRST OVERLAND REMOVAL
THE CONNECTICUT VALLEY.--MADE KNOWN BY THREE INDIANS.--JOHN OLDHAM'S VISIT.--PEOPLE INTERESTED.--ORGANIZATIONS FOR REMOVAL.--WATERTOWN COMPANY.--ROXBURY COMPANY.--DORCHESTER COMPANY.--IMMIGRATION.--HARTFORD.--WINDSOR.--SPRINGFIELD
We are not accustomed to think of any indebtedness to the Indians, but in no respect is so much owed them as for leading the way through what otherwise had been a trackless wilderness.
The Indian paths and landmarks became, by adoption, those of the pioneer, who gave to present generations their homes in a smiling land. The story told to the people of the Bay, by the three Indians from Agawam, in 1631, of abundant crops, and of streams overstocked with fish, was not to be forgotten.
The Indian's long path from the Bay to the "Long River" was used by John Oldham, and those with him, who, as Governor John Winthrop records in his journal, Sept. 4, 1633, "went overland to Connecticut to trade. The Sachems used them kindly and gave them some beaver. They brought of the hemp which grows there in great abundance, and is much better than the English."
He accounts it to be about one hundred and sixty miles. He brought some black lead, whereof the Indians told him there was a whole rock. He lodged at Indian towns all the way.
During the year of 1634 it is probable that some of those interested in the project of removal, visited the valley, and so acquired practical knowledge of the old Indian path.
"Att the Gen'all Court, holden att Newe Towne, May 6th, 1635, There is liberty graunted to the inhabitants of Waterton to remove themselves to any place they shall thinke meete to make choice of Pvided they continue still under this government." (Mass. Col. Rec., Vol. 1, p. 146.)
On the same date "The inhabitants of Roxbury hath liberty granted them to remove themselves to any place they shall thinke meete, not to prejudice another plantation provided they continue still under this government."
At a meeting of the General Court June 3, 1635, there was "Leave granted to the inhabitants of Dorchester, for their removal."
In Winthrop's journal, under date of October 15, 1635, he says: "About sixty men, women and little children went by land towards Connecticut with their cows, horses, and swine, and after a tedious and difficult journey, arrived safe there."
A company for removal was made up at Roxbury, Mr. William Pynchon being the leader. He was present at the General Court, May 6th, 1635, when his accounts as late treasurer, having been audited and reported correct, he was discharged.
He immediately went to Agawam and pre-empted that location on the Connecticut for the Roxbury party. He made a bargain with the Indians, and leaving employees to build a house and plant corn, returned to the Bay. It is said that Mr. Pynchon visited the valley the year before, which is more than probable. He certainly knew what to do as soon as permission was granted.
The Dorchester Association had pioneers in Windsor the latter part of June, led overland by Roger Ludlow; and another company moved in November but arrived so late that they could not get their cattle over the river; it having frozen over that year, the fifteenth of the month.
They had sent their provisions by water, and so, to avoid starvation, they retreated down the river, expecting to meet their barks. Not finding them, they went aboard the Rebecka, which came (to the Bay) "from Connecticut and brought about 70 men and women which came down to the river's mouth to meet the barks."
Sixteen hundred thirty-six was a year of great activity with those removing to the Connecticut Valley.
The Dorchester people who came back in the Rebecka returned to Windsor early in April. In fact, Winthrop says: "A great part of their old church had gone to Connecticut by April first."
MR. PINCHON'S ROXBURY PARTY
Mr. Pinchon's Roxbury party began the journey about April 26, 1636, and the Blessing of the Bay, bearing their goods, sailed from Boston about the same time. Twelve or more families went in this first party, and May 14 the men of these first comers formulated and signed a declaration and agreement for a town government.
Mr. Pinchon returned to Roxbury and came again with further accessions to the settlement, and an Indian interpreter named Ahaughton.
A deed from the Indians, conveying a tract of land, was signed and delivered July 15, 1636.
THE COMPANY LED BY REV. THO. HOOKER
The date of their departure was Tuesday, May 31, 1636. Winthrop places it under that date in his history.
In a letter, also of June 10, he distinctly says: "Mr. Hooker, pastor of the church of Newtown, and most of his congregation, went to Connecticut. His wife was carried in a horse litter; and they drove one hundred and sixty cattle, and fed of their milk by the way." (Winthrop's History, I: 223.)
In one of Winthrop's letters we have this additional information: "With that company, viz.--by Tho. Bull and a man of mine own, I sent six cows, four steers and a bull."
These cattle were to be sent on to his son at Saybrook, and were doubtless delivered there soon after the company arrived. The details of this narrative are valuable, and worthy of entire confidence.
"The route, via Woodstock, inherited the name 'Connecticut Path.' It was not an early through route, but was developed by such travel, partly out of sections of older paths, and became the main road from Hartford to Boston. Such a direct route was possibly in mind, in 1644, when the Commissioners of the United Colonies appointed Edward Hopkins of Hartford, 'to fynd & lay out the best way to the Bay.'" (Ply. Col. Rec., IX: 25; X: 108.)
The settlement of Wabbaquasset (Woodstock), designed in 1682, made a road thither necessary, and Connecticut took similar action for a road to the uplands, and in 1705 there was such a road from Woodstock to Hartford in general use, as shown by Chandler's map (Mohegan Case, p. 49). It passed through Ashford and entered the Connecticut Valley through Bolton Notch.
Judge Samuel Sewell came that way to Hartford, in 1718 (5 Ser. Mass. Hist. Soc. Coll., VII: 195). In 1724 the Connecticut General Assembly ordered a highway "laid out and markt" on the most convenient ground and straightest course from Hartford towards Boston (Conn. Col. Rec., VI: 506). This was thereafter and until recent times the "Old Connecticut Road."
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