Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1842-09-01
ron rHE LrrcHrRLp ENouIRkR

well worthy Of preservation. The Rev. John Hig-
ginsOn was the son Of the Rev. Francis HiggnsOn of
Salem after officiating as Chaplain of the Fort at
Saybrook, he removed, in 1871, to Guilford, where
he succeeded the Rev. Henry Whitfield as pastor
Thomas Stanton was among the early migrants to
Connecticut; he was the chief interpreter between
the English and Indians during the negotiations at
tending the purchase and settlement Of both Hart
ford and New-Haven, and for number Of years i'm
medately subsequent to the settlement of Hartford
acted under appointment Of the General Court as
the official interpreter Of the Colony. He was, alsO
among the most resoute of the Pequet soldiers, and
best acquainted with the habits of Indian warfare
He it was who bore the summons to submit from the
English army to the Pequets and their allies hem
med up in SascO Swamp near Fairfeld-the allies
surrendered, but the Pequets refused to and fired
upon the messenger. Not long after the destruction
of the Pequets, he removed to that part of Pequet
now called StOnngton, where he died an old man,
between 1910 and 1852 from him, it is believed, are
descended all Of this name in New-England.
1t is well known that the power, courage and en-
nifty of the Pequets, were terrible to the early set
tiers Of Connecticut Their wise old Sachem, Sas-
sacus, had his chief seat on "The Great River of
Pequet," not far from New-London. The MoheganS
were sept Of the Pequets the natives on the up
per Connecticut were their tributaries; and the letter
of Stanton states that their power extehdedaOver
Long Island and westward beyond the Hudsop-
Well, then, might the feeble band Of English who
had set down. in the midst of the wilderness, at the
three river towns style the destruction Of such 40
enemy, "the English Conquest"
The photography Of the letters, except as to pro-
per names, has been for the most part modernized,
and some attention paid to the punctuation, in which
Stanton's letter especially was almost wholly def
cient; verbal addition is occasionally made, all
such however are enclosed in brackets.
OF the Indian places mentioned in the letters,
Quillipeocke corresponds to New-Haven, Cupheag
stratford, Paquanocke to Bridgeport, sashquakit,
perhaps to Sasco or Sashco Swamp; Of the locality
nothing. B..
A TESTIMONY OF Mr.. HlGGlNsoN.
Being desired to express what remember concer.
ming the transactions between the English at Con-
necsout, and the Indians along the coast from Qui
peOke to the Manatees about the land, the substance
Of [whatl can say is briefly this -
That in the beg ginning Of the year 1893, the last
week of March, Mr.. Hopkins and Mr.. Goodwin, be-
ing Employed to treat with Indians and 70 make sure
Of shat whole tract Of land in order to prevent tho
Dutch and to accommodate the English who might az
ter come to nhabis there, was sent with them
interpreter for want Of be,er, we, having InGi
an with Us for guide, acquainted the Indians We
passed with our purpose and went as far as about
Norwocke INorwalk] before we stopped coming
thither the sixth day gave notice the Sachem
and the Indians TO meet there on the second day,
that might treat with them all together about the
business; accordingly on the second day there was
full meeting (as themselves sai Of the Saehems
old mel and Captains from about Milford to Hudson's
River; after they had understood the cause Of cur
coming and had consulted with US and amongst
themelves, and that in as solemn manner Indians
use to do in such cases. they did With unanimous
express their desire Of the EngIish endshp.
their willingness the English should como to dwell
amongst them and profess that they did give and
surrender up all their land to the EngEsh Sachems n
Connecticut, and hereupon presented Us with two
parcels Of wampum the lesser they would give 10 for
our message the greater they would send present
to the Sachems at Connecticut, il being not long aE
ter the English conquest and the fear Of the English
being upon them. ..,.,--.
l. being moved amongst which Of them would 90 up
with signify this agreement and to prsssn, their
wampum to the Sachsms at Connecticut, Mt last
Wanwhan and Wonwequockp eanaket offered them.
selves and were much appaudsd BY the rest for il ;
accordingly those two Indians went up with US to
Hartford. Not long after there was q Committee in
Mr.. Hookers barn. the meeting house then not build
ed, where they two did appear and presented their
wampum; but old Mr.. Pinchin [Pynchon]tone Of the
~ H. IL.
terpretsr, then remember went ont and attended
the business no further, so that what was further
done. or what writings there were abou, the business
cannot now say. but suppose il search BE-
made something Of the business may be found in the
records Of the Court and suppose it Mr.. Good [win]
be enqured Of he say the same for substance a.
do. and William CORNELL ct Saybsook who was
there. JOHN fHGGISON.
Guilford May 5, 1859 .-
Mr.. Nicholas Kuell sestfes to lhs same with Mr.
HGgison. as respecting the Indians giving the land
to the English and remembers the payment Of money
to the Indians ~ gra.ui.y for tho gifl.
Taken this 3. Aug: 1871. r,
NICHOLAS KNELL
Twenty coats besides knives and hasche,s. ..-.,
A TESTIMONY OF THOMAS STANTON.
Loving Frends-I received yours, dated May the
4th. SO. BY John Minor, wherein understand Of the
insOlens and unreasonable behavior and demands Of
tho natives in your parts challenging ali, or The
greatest part Of your land 90 long sines BY you oS
sessed; their challenge IL, that if the English can
prove tho lands they possess were svsr sold them or
given them or conquered BY them
l much wonder At these times, these lessons they
have learned bat Of late years. certainly they well
know the English did possess all those parts q con.