the 3 Towns of Hartford, Windsor & Wethersfield, and is a copy preamble of that as recorded in Hazards Coll: of State papers, p.-" "March 19. 1657. It is ordered and by a Major vote of the Inhabitants of this Towne agreed upon, that Thomas Baker & John Hand is to go into Keniticut for to bring us under their government according to the terms as Southampton is, and alsoe to carry Goodwife Garlick that she may be delivered up unto the authorities there for the triall of the cause of Witchcraft which she is suspected for." It was afterwards agreed upon by the town "that Mr Gardiner shall be intrusted with the same power with Ths Baker and John Hand for coming under Government." In the Record the word is "interested." It doubtless should be intrusted. It is evident from the Record that soon after this they were under the jurisdiction of that Colony, or rather composed a part of it, altho' nothing is said of their men's returning. Probably the General Court at Hartford did not pay any attention to the latter part of the business on which Baker & Hand were sent. This poor woman had a trial in E. Hampton for Witchcraft, but nothing was done. It was referred to the Gen1 Court at Hartford. At this day it appears surprising that not only those who settled in the American Wilderness should be so infatuated about Witches and Witchcraft but that King James I., Lord Justice Holt and some of the first characters in the English Nation should be so carried away with notions of this kind. If the affair of witches has made more noise in this country than it has in some Countries of Europe, it is not owing to their having been more executed for that supposed crime here: for I have no doubt there has been, during the same time, as many executed in England only, as there have been in all New England & Virginia, for it was not confined to New England but prevailed also in other parts. In Europe, the execution of a few individuals would be effaced from the page of History by more important events that were continually taking place during the last century. But in this country it was a singular affair, & has been handed down by our own writers, and dwelt upon, with wonder, by European writers who have endeavoured to account for it from the enthusiastic ideas of the Inhabitants here, not considering that they acquired these ideas in Europe from books published by men of character & information. It is to be hoped this infatuation is done away among the Citizens of both sides of the Atlantic but it is not justice for one side to suppose that this infatuation prevailed only on the other. If King James, Lord Holt and others of information, who believed in witchcraft, are excusable, certainly those persecuted exiles who fled to a savage wilderness are equally clear of blame. Perhaps the law of Moses by which in many cases the first settlers were governed, was a Mean of urging them on in the belief of Witchcraft and its evils. "November 29. 1662. It is jointly & fully agreed that Mr. T. Baker, Mr Thos James, & Mr Lion Gardiner, Mr Robert Bond, Mr John Mulford, Thos Tomson and Thos Chatfield shall go to Southampton the next second day to compound a difference between Us & Capt. John Scott Esqr and Mr John Ogden about Meantaquit, and do hereby engage to ratifie and confirm what our committee shall conclude upon : & also we do empower this our Committee to joyne with Southampton and Southold about a Patten grant." To whom they proposed to apply for a Patent I dont know. New York was then in the hands of the Dutch. It was either te King Charles 2nd or to the Government of Connecticut. "Novemb: 23 1663. A committee was appointed to Join Southampton & Southold Committees and if they see cause, to establish laws for settling government among us, And what our Committee or a Major part of them shall doe herein we engage ourselves to stand unto." It was, doubtless in contemplation to have, the three towns join in one government as other towns on this continent have done. "February 23. 1663. [o. s.] It was agreed that Muntauk shall pay Fifty pounds of the 150 that is to purchase the pattent right." March 25. At a Town Meeting, after long debate, it was agreed to that the Purchase of Pattent right should be borne by all the Inhabitants according to the land every Man Possesses. April 26. 1664. At a Town Meeting the Town doth desire those men, that doe goe to Hartford, to debate together with the Neighbouring Plantations for the things of Mutual Government between Hartford & Us for our future Settlement, but to conclude of nothing, as understanding that the Governour will come over, or a Committee from the General Court.” "Dec 21, 1664. The inhabitants of this Town-understanding that we are off from Connecticut, and the magistrates not willing to act further on that account, that we may not be without laws & Government, it is agreed the former laws shall stand in force till we have further order from York. It is agreed that the Constable of the Town shall be secured by the Town for not gathering the Rates." The "rates" referred to in this Resolve probably refers to the adjudication that was made at New York Dec. 1, 1664 by Gov. Nicoll & others on one part, and Gov. Winthrop and others, on the other, that Long Island should not be under the Government of Connecticut, but under His Highness the Duke of York &c.. There appears from this time to have been some alteration in their Government. In April 1664 the Constable & Town Overseers were chosen; no mention is made of Townsmen. Copy of James Farrett's Grant to Lion Gardiner. KNOW all whom this present Writing may concern, that I, James Farrett of Long Island, Gent. Deputy to the Right Hon'ble the Earl of Starling Secretary for the Kingdom of Scotland, doe by these presents, in the name and behalf of the said Earll of Starling and in my own name also, as his Deputy, as it doth or may concern myself, Give & Grant free leave and liberty to Lion Gardiner his heirs, executors and assigns to enjoy that Island which he hath now in possession called by the Indians Manchonack, ny the English the Isle of Wight; I say to enjoy both now & for ever, which Island hath been purchased, before my coming, from the ancient Inhabitants, the Indians; Nevertheless though the said Lion Gardiner had his possession first from the Indians before my coming, yet is he now contented to hold the tenor & title of the possession of the aforesaid Island from the Earll of Starling or his successors whomsoever, who hath a Grant from the King of England, under the Great Seal of the aforesaid Kingdom. Bee it knowr., therefore, that I, the said James Farrett doe give & hath given free liberty & power to the said Lion Gardiner, his Heirs, Exe'rs and Assigns and their Successors for ever to enjoy the possession of the aforesaid Island, to build & plant thereon as best liketh them, and to dispose thereof as they think fitt, and also to make, execute & put in practice such laws for Church and Civil Government as are according to God, the Kings and the practise of the Country, without giving any account thereof to any whomsoever and the aforesaid Right & title, both of land and Government to remayne with, and to them and their successors for ever, without any trouble or molestation from the said Earll or any of his successors, for now & forever. And as much as it hath pleased Our Royal King to give the Patten of Long Island to the aforesaid Earle of Starling in consideration whereof it is agreed upon that the trade with the Indians shall remayne with the said Earle and his successors, to dispose upon from time to time and at all times as best liketh him. Notwithstanding [allowing] the said Lion Gardiner to trade with the Indyans for Corne or any Kinde of victuals for the use of the Plantation and no farther: and if the said Lion Gardiner shall trade in Wampum from the Indyans hee shall pay for every fadome twenty shillings and also the said Lion Gardiner and his successors shall pay to the said Earle or his deputyes a yearly acknowledgment being the sum of Five Pounds, (being lawfully demanded) of lawfull money of England, or such commoditys as at that time shall pass for money in the country; and the first payment to begin on the last of Oct. 1643, the three former yeares being advanced for the use of the said James Farrett. In witness whereof the party has put his hands and seal the tenth day of March 1639. [o. s.] (Signed) JAMES FARRETT (seal.) Sealed and delivered in the presence of ffulk Davis Benjn Price. |