*

ernor and council how to conduct themselves upon such an emergency. They were, at first, undetermined whether to make any resistance or not; but they did not hesitate long. As the danger approached and their surprise abated, the martial spirit began to enkindle; the fort was manned, and the militia of the town drawn out for its defense. At this critical juncture, Captain Bull with his company arrived, and the most vigorous exertions were made for the defense of the fort and town. On the 11th, Major Andross with several armed sloops drew up before the fort, hoisted the king's flag on board, and demanded a surrender of the fortress and town. Captain_Bull raised his majesty's colors in the fort and arranged his men in the best manner. They appeared with a good countenance, determined and eager for action. The Major did not like to fire on the king's colors, and perceiving, that should he attempt to reduce the town by force, it would be a bloody affair, judged it expedient not to fire upon the troops. He nevertheless lay all that day, and part of the next, off against the fort. The critical state of the colony had occasioned the meeting of the assembly, at Hartford, on the 9th of July. They immediately proceeded to draw up a declaration, or protest. Which was sent by an express, to Saybrook, with instructions to Captain Bull to propose to Major Andross the reference of the affair in dispute to commissioners, to meet in any place in this colony which he should choose. Early in the morning of the 12th of July, the Major desired that he might have admittance on shore, and an interview with the ministers and chief officers. He probably imagined, that if he could read the duke's patent and his own commission, it would make an impression upon the people, and that he should gain that by art, which he could not by force of arms. He was allowed to come on shore with his suit. Meanwhile, the express arrived with the protest and instructions from the assembly. Captain Bull and his officers, with the officers and gentlemen of the town, met the Major, at his landing, and acquainted him, that they had, at that instant, received instructions to tender him a treaty, and to refer the whole matter in the controversy to commissioners, capable of determining it according to law and justice. The Major rejected the proposal, and forthwith commanded, in his majesty's name, that the duke's patent, and the commission which he had received from his royal highness, should be read. Captain Bull commanded him, in his majesty's name, to forbear reading. When his clerk attempted to persist in reading, the captain repeated his command with such energy of voice and meaning in his countenance as convinced the Major it was not safe to proceed. The Captain then acquainted him, that he had an address from the assembly to him, and read the protest. Gov. Andross, pleased with his bold and soldier like appearance, said "What's your name?" He replied, "My name is Bull, sir." "Bull," said the governor, "it is a pity that your horns are not tipped with silver." Finding that he could make no impression upon the officers or people, and that the legislature of the colony were determined to defend themselves, in the possession of their chartered rights, he gave up his design of seizing the fort. He represented the protest as a slender affair, and an ill requital of his kindness. He said, however, he should do no more. The militia of the town guarded him to his boat, and going on board he soon sailed for Long Island.*

Saybrook point is a peninsula, circular in its form, and connected with the main land by a narrow neck, over which the tide sometimes flows. From this place to the fort on the eastern extremity of the peninsula, the distance is about one mile. On the neck a palisado was anciently formed from the river to the cove, to secure Saybrook point from any sudden incursion of the Indians. The soil on the peninsula is light and sandy, and the elevation of the highest part is about twenty feet. Being nearly destitute of trees and shrubbery, it presents to the beholder a bleak and naked aspect.

The land on the Point was laid out with care, as it was expected to become the residence of great men, and the center of great business and wealth. It is said that Oliver Cromwell, with other men then equally distinguished, actually embarked in the Thames, to occupy this ground. Westward of the fort a square was laid out, on which it was intended the houses should be erected for Cromwell, Pymm, Hasselrig and Hampden, the most illustrious Commoners in the English annals, * Trumbull's History of Connecticut.

who were expected from Europe; while a square still further west was reserved for public uses.

About half way between the palisado was erected the first building designed for the collegiate school, since named Yale College. This building was one story in height, and about eighty feet in length. Some remains of the cellar "over which the ploughshare has passed," are still visible. Fifteen commencements were held at Saybrook. More than sixty young men were graduated, most of whom entered the ministry, and some of them became characters of distinguished usefulness and excellence. To educate young men of piety and talents for the ministry, was the leading design of this institution. It was desired by the founders and others, that the churches should have a public standard, or confession of faith, agreeable to which the instruction of the college should be conducted. This led to the adoption of the Saybrook Platform, after the commencement in 1708.

The removal of the college from this place to New Haven, produced great excitement in the colony of Connecticut. The feelings raised in the towns most interested, may be gathered from the circumstances attending the removal of the library. "An unsuccessful application having been made for this by some of the trustees, the Governor and council convened in Saybrook at their request, in Dec. 1718; and issued a warrant to the Sheriff to go and take the books. When he got to the house where they were kept, he found men collected to resist him; but calling assistance, he forcibly entered the house, took them, and had them secured by a guard through the night. In the morning it appeared that the carts provided for carrying them to New Haven were broken, and the horses turned away. New provision being made they were conducted out of the town by the Major of the county; but some of the bridges on the road were broken up, and when they arrived in New Haven, it was discovered, on counting the books, that about 260 were wanting. These were disposed of by persons unknown, together with some valuable papers, in the confusion which arose at the taking of the library, and no discovery was made of them afterwards."

Names of the freemen in Saybrook, 1669. (From the Wyllis MSS.)

The following are copied from inscriptions in the ancient burying ground on Saybrook point, near where the college building formerly stood.

Sacred to the memory of Maj'r General William Hart, eldest son of Rev. William Hart of Saybrook, who was born June 24th, 1746, and died August 29th, 1817, in the 72 year of his age. In youth, active and enterprising, he early entered on mercantile pursuits, and sustained a character of unquestionable integrity and extensive respectability. By his talents, he rose to some of the first civil and military honors of this state; and commanded unusual influence at home and abroad. He loved order-was an able counsellor-a professor of religion-a benefactor to the church-a pillar to society and has left a memory respected by his friends, instructive to his family, and honorable to the place in which he lived.

"One eye on death, and one full fix'd on heav'n,
Become a mortal and immortal man."

Mary Ann Hart.-The silver cord is loosed,-The Golden Bowl is broken,-The dust returns to the earth as it was, and the Spirit to God who gave it.-But the trumpet shall sound and the dead shall be raised.

TOLLAND COUNTY.

TOLLAND COUNTY was incorporated as such in 1786. It was formed from Hartford and Windham Counties. It is bounded N. by Massachusetts, E. by Windham County, S. by New London County, and W. by Hartford County. It is irregular in its form. Its greatest length from N. to S. is about 30 miles. At the north part it is nearly 20 miles in breadth; at its southern extremity it is but five miles in breadth. Tolland County, as it respects its surface, soil, &c. may be divided into two distinct sections, the eastern and western. The western section, lying within the great valley of the Connecticut, is a handsome level or undulating country. This tract is generally free from stone, and the soil, though somewhat light, is warm, fertile and productive, and well adapted to the growth of grain. The eastern section, which embraces the largest portion of the County, is within the granitic range which extends through the State. A considerable proportion of forest lands still remain in this part of the county. The improved lands afford tolerably good grazing, but are not very well adapted for a grain culture. The manufacturing interests of the county are respectable and flourishing. The following is a list of the towns, with their population in 1830:

Population of the County in 1820, 14,330; in 1830, 18,700.

TOLLAND.

TOLLAND was originally purchased of the native Indians by a number of gentlemen in Windsor. In 1715 it was incorporated by the Assembly, and the settlement of the town was commenced by two families. The progress of the settlement was slow; the number of families in 1720, was but twenty-eight. About one half of the township, comprising the south part, was claimed by a number of persons who were legatees of Joshua Uncas, sachem of the Mohegans. This proved a source of considerable difficulty, as the legatees commenced suits at law against the settlers. The proprietors holding under the Windsor claimants, were obliged, at a dear rate, to purchase quit claims of the legatees of Joshua. The Rev. Stephen Steel was the first minister of this town. He commenced his labors in 1720, and continued his ministry for about thirty seven years, greatly beloved and revered by his people, Mr. Steel was from Hadley, Mass. The first settlers were of the names of Chapman, Stearns, Grant, West, Carpenter, Aborns, Abbot, Lathrop, Nye and Dimock. The Chapmans were from Windsor; they located themselves about 24 miles westerly from the Court House, near the Hartford road, in the vicinity of Snipsic pond or lake. John Stearns settled about two miles eastward of the Court House; Zebulon West about 3 miles south; the Govers, Carpenters, and Samuel Aborns, located about 24 miles north. Ebenezer Grant, from E. Windsor, settled on Grant's hill, about two and a half miles south from the Court House; Nye and Dimock settled near Willimantic river about 4 miles east.

TOLLAND is bounded N. by a narrow section of land in Ellington, extending eastward, called "the Equivalent," W. by Vernon and El

540

lington, E. by the Willimantic river, dividing it from Willington, and S. by Coventry. It is upwards of six miles in length from north to south, and five and a half in breadth. The township is rough and uneven, being mountainous and stony, but some of the vallies and borders of streams consist of loam which is warm and fertile. On the western boundary of the town is a large body of water called Snipsic pond, being two miles in length and 100 rods in width. Some of the most valuable land in the township is in the vicinity of this pond. There is also a pond called Skungamug, in the central part of the town, upon which beavers were formerly taken by the Indians. Great quantities of cranberries are now gathered upon its borders.

South view of the central part of Tolland.

The village in the central part of this town consists of about forty well appearing houses, pleasantly situated on an elevated plain of about but of sufficient width half a mile in extent from north to south, narrow, for a wide street. This place is 18 miles east from Hartford, and 52 from New Haven. A range of mountains rises immediately to the west of the village, dividing this part of the State from the great valley of the Connecticut. The view shows the central part of the village, embracing most of the public buildings. The first building on the left is the Tolland County Bank. The next building by its side with a steeple is the Court House for the County; the next is Col. Elijah Smith's tavern. Col. Smith was the first Post Master, and has kept a public house on this spot ever since the year 1800. On the opposite side of the street is seen another tavern, to which the County jail is attached. The Baptist Church with a square tower, is seen in the distance: the post office is kept at this time in the basement story of this building. The Methodist Church is situated at the northern extremity of the village on the west side of the street. The Congregational church, the largest building in the place, stands at the south end of the

village, and being in the street, is a very prominent object in that direction. The view being taken in the central part of the street, looking north, of course this church could not be represented in the engraving.

The following inscriptions are copied from monuments in the grave yard south from the village.

Here lies the body of the Rev. Mr. Stephen Steel, the worthy pastor of the Church of Christ in Tolland, who departed this life the 4th of December, A. D. 1759, in the 63d year of his age, and the 37th of his ministry. For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Here lies interred the body of ye Hon'ble Zebulon West, Esq'r. sometime Justice of ye quorum, Judge of probates, Speaker of ye Lower House of Assembly, and member of ye Hon'ble Council, who lived much respected and died greatly lamented, on ye 4th day of December, A. D. 1770. Etatis Anno 65th.

Heaven waits not the last moment.......owns her friends
On this side death, and points them out to men:

A lecture silent, but of sovereign power

To vice confusion, and to virtue peace.

In memory of Samuel Cobb, Esq. a gentleman of public education and distinguished abilities, who long served his generation as a physician and minister of justice, to great acceptance, and in his life and death was an example of sobriety and virtue, and evidenced the influences and consolations of Religion; lived much esteemed, and died universally lamented, on ye 6th day of April, A. D. 1781, Anno Ætatis 65th.

The great, the good, the wise, the just,
Must all in time be turn'd to dust:
Then learn to quit terrestrial ties,
That you may soar above the skies;
And then enjoy the blissful favor

Of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.

Capt. Amos Fellows was captivated by ye British troops on ye Island of New York, Sept. 15, 1776, and was closely confined for several months, and there suffered repeated hardships, probably insupportable, and died in captivity, Feb. 16, 1777, in ye 48th year of his age, His remains are there still, and that his memory may be perpetuated, this monument is here erected by his son. A tribute of a tear is due to him who in his country's cause has lost his life.

BOLTON.

THE settlement of this town, commenced about the year 1716, by a number of settlers principally from the towns of Hartford, Windsor, and Wethersfield. The first town meeting was held in 1720, the year it was incorporated. In 1725, the inhabitants obtained liberty of the General Assembly, to form a church. The first minister of the town. was the Rev. Thomas White, who was ordained in 1725.

The town is bounded N. by Vernon, W. by Manchester and Glastenbury, E. by Coventry, and S. by Hebron. It is upwards of 5 miles in length and 3 in breadth. The soil is a coarse, hard, gravelly loam, rather cold and sterile. It affords however, tolerable grazing lands. The township has an elevated situation, hilly and stony, being within the granitic region of the eastern section of the state.

The following is a representation of the Bolton Quarry, so called; being the principle place, at the time this drawing was taken, where this stone was quarried. The engraving shows the position in which the stone is