as any other that may be judged more remote from the case. But that point is not now to be debated here. And not long after there arose another difference in that Colony, which was occasioned through the endeavors of some of their ministers for enlarging of Baptism, and extending the right of membership to children, before their admission into full communion; which notion, first started in that Colony, produced a kind of Synodical meeting and dispute of sundry ministers at Boston, Anno 1657,' managed by twenty-six of the chief ministers of that and the other Colonies, the result of which was not long after published in print, and the substance of it weaved into the answer of the Synod at Boston to the two questions propounded and discussed, Anno 1662, as shall be more particularly declared in its proper place. But the aforesaid differences, in the years 1656, 1657, 1658, arose to such a paroxysm that it ended in the removal (yet orderly and peaceably) of one part of the churches and towns of Hartford, and Weathersfield, and Windsor to another Plantation or two up higher, upon Connecticut River, the one of which was called Hadley, the other Northampton; and since that time other towns have been erected there. Thus was the particular difference between Paul and Barnabas of old overruled by Divine Providence, for the advantage of the church in general, that it might be further propagated and enlarged thereby. But when once the fire of contention hath begun to kindle, it is hard to say when it will be quenched. Happy, therefore, are those societies, which, attending the counsel of Solomon, leave off contention before it be meddled withal, seeing the beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water. For the following differences, that arose in that jurisdiction, about the enlarging of Baptism, or such like accounts, ended rather in the dividing, than multiplying, of some of their churches and congregations, cohabiting still within the bounds of the same parish, which was the product of an act of their General Court, granting liberty for "distinct walking;" (for 1 June 4th. See pages 562-71.—H how can two walk together unless they be agreed?) but whether such a concession|| hath, or is like, much to advance the honor of God, the peace and purity of his church, there or elsewhere, future time will declare. However, it may truly be affirmed, that no difference in their civil matters hath been occasioned thereby. The sudden and unexpected (as some say) incorporating of New Haven Colony with that of Connecticut, (which was about the nineteenth year of his Majesty, Charles the Second, now reigning,) being by this time pretty well digested, and all supposed inconveniences, probably feared to arise therefrom, healed and composed (though it could not be wholly prevented) by a wise and timely condescension on all hands, there seems now to be such a perfect coalescence of all minds and spirits, as leaves no remembrance of the former distinction of two Colonies. CHAP. XLII. The first planting of New Haven. Some of the most remarkable passages concerning that Colony, as also of Rhode Island, Providence, and the places adjoining, near the Narraganset Bay, in the years, 1637, 1638. THE same grounds, that stirred up the spirits of many in all parts of England, did also prevail with Mr. John Davenport, the then famous minister in Coleman Street, and sundry of his eminent hearers, with many other their friends in and about London, to join in the design of coming over into these parts. Accordingly Mr. Davenport, more secretly, as being then under a cloud by reason of his non-compliance in ecclesiastical matters, and Mr. Theophilus Eaton, more manifestly, in behalf of their friends, took part in the Patent for Massachusetts Bay, then in designation, which [was] obtained in the season by Providence presented. They passed over into these parts of the world, as many had done before them, and, according to their primitive intention, endeavored to settle themselves within the proper precincts of the said Patent; which was also desired by the magistrates, and || commission || 1 See page 262; Sav. Win. i. 227, 237, 259.—H. VOL. VI. SECOND SERIES. others there already in their new beginnings settled; but, upon some considerable trial, not finding any place of meet capacity for them and their many friends expected, which would require sundry townships, and hearing from Connecticut, then lately planted, of considerable tracts of land to the southwest, upon the sea coast, beyond Cape Cod, they inclined to remove thither, as hoping to find the conveniences they were hitherto shortened in thereby redressed, and in order thereunto they sent up to their friends at Connecticut to purchase for them all those lands, lying between them and Hudson's River, of the native proprietors, which was in part effected. Things being thus prepared, the aforesaid worthy men, with their partners, began to go more southward, and they for their own parts pitched on a place called Quillipiuk, which is a pleasant land lying on both sides of the mouth of a small river, where it makes a bay of some miles in length, and proportionably broad. The place being by them chosen, they began to make improvement upon it, and to dispose of it into allotments, in a way suitable to their then designs and hopes; for the chief of their company being Londoners, and merchants of considerable estates and dealing in the world, they propounded to themselves the setting up a place of trade, for which they were most fitted, and accordingly chose their town plot upon the face of the bay, and laid out very small proportions to the inhabitants, such as were agreeable enough to their end, if it had stood. But since the frustration thereof, and that they have been forced to husbandry for their subsistence, they have found much incommodity in their situation, by being so close crowded together: however, having made this beginning, they quickly grew to be a considerable people, not so much for numbers, as for the excellency of the ministry, and eminency of sundry persons suited for civil affairs, and capable to manage those of a much vaster territory than this was, or ever like to be; yet they esteemed themselves weak and solitary while alone, and therefore were in expectation of their friends from Eng They sailed from Boston, March 30, 1638, and on April 18th kept their first Sabbath in their new home.-H. land, but a great change coming about there, soon after, stopped many that had their eyes that way; yet some came and disposed themselves along upon the sea coast, as they found place and opportunity. A company came out of the southern parts of England, Kent, Suffolk, Surry, &c., with Mr. Henry Whitfield, with whom came also Mr. William Leet, the late worthy Governor of Connecticut Colony, then a young man. These chose a place about sixteen miles easterly from Quillipiuk, (since called New Haven,) and there sat down, which is since called Guilford. Another company from Hartford there, and the parts thereabouts, came over with Mr. Peter Prudden, and settled themselves nine or ten miles westward from New Haven, at a place since called Milford. Another company came over from Weathersfield, a town upon Connecticut River, upon occasion of some disturbance there, and pitched upon a place forty miles westward from New Haven, since called Stamford; and not long after some more of Weathersfield inhabitants, with others, pitched upon a small tract of land, overlooked till the greater were taken up, about six or seven miles eastward from New Haven, since called Brainford. There are other towns, sundry upon the sea coast, between and amongst some of these, which yet I make no mention of, because no part of New Haven Colony, (but by special occasions, not needful to be insisted upon,) conjoined with Connecticut, but the towns named did all, in their several times of settlement, or other opportunities, conjoin themselves to New Haven, as the principal, and so one with another, as the body politic, to order and manage the concerns accordingly. And to these towns upon the main was joined a small Plantation upon Long Island, called Southhold, which came to pass by reason of the purchase of the land by some of New Haven, who disposed it to the inhabitants upon condition of their union. And thus was this small Colony born into the world; small indeed at the best, and something incommodiously stated, by reason of intermixture of towns, and interposure of waters, yet feeling less inconveniency upon those accounts than may be imagined. In this their settlement they wanted, indeed, the legal basis of a Patent, which is the less to be wondered at, considering the confusions that were in England in the times of the civil war, but in want thereof they took what help and strength they could from the Massachusetts Patent, shewing therein their good will to the like for themselves, if it had been attainable; and so they began to lay their foundation, both civil and ecclesiastical, taking the word of God religiously and conscionably for their guide. For their civil foundations, they were much the same with the other Colonies, especially with the Massachusetts; the magistrates and deputies of towns having the legislative power, and the magistrates the execution of law, and that without a jury, their main difference from their brethen, which was so settled upon some reasons urged by Mr. Eaton (a great reader and traveller) against that way. And for their church settlements, they were extraordinarily exact and thorough, trying, over and over again, those that were to be laid in the foundation, by mutual discourses and other helps, and proportionably careful in after admissions, wherein New Haven was exemplary to other Plantations; in which their proceedings, if any differently persuaded shall judge they were over strict, yet the commendable care and zeal for the truth and power of religion, therein appearing, cannot but have a sweet savor to the present, yea, and to future generations. These transactions were all, or for the main, between the years 1637 and 1643, when they began formally to act as a distinct Colony; being so owned in the Articles of Confederation, which were that year concluded and agreed upon by the several New England Colonies. They chose for Governor, in their first election, Mr. Theophilus Eaton, and continued him as the very pillar of their strength in that office for about fourteen years together, when he died, as we shall see in the course of the story. For Deputy Governor was chosen Mr. Stephen Goodyear, a man, at first, of good estate, and of a public and humble spirit; he was also continued in that place to his death: and Mr. Thomas Grigson was chosen |