The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1899-10-30

to remove 60 West Rock. This bluff
overlooking the Sound, is the souther
terminal of the Green Mountains, an
marks the western boundary of Ney
Haven valley, East Rock forming tn
opposite side.
Among the huge boulders which form
the summit of West Rock the fugitive
made their first real home in New Eng
land, since known as THE Judges
| Cave" Here they remained for SOM
time, being supplied with food by Mr.
Sperry, neighboring farmer and visi
| ted occasionally by friends from the
| town. Few knew of the retreat, anG
the rest were willing to remain in ig-
norance, knowing that by SO doing they
We're rendering the refugees the highest
| service, There are few instances in his
| tory which present a truer, nobler hero
| ism, a more delicate consideration for
the well-belng Of the prosecuted, thar
was thus exhibited by the little New
Haven colony.
Shortly after their departure from the
town, there was made, in compliance
with an order from the General Court
a thorough, though fruitless search
throughout the colony for the regicide
judges. The people rendered all out
ward obedience to the kings officers
but their we'll known sympathy for
Whalley and Goffe, and the part they
had taken in sheltering the fugitives,
angered King Charles, and placed the
magistrates in great peril. In order to
save those who had befriended them,
the two exiles, in accordance with a
previous agreement, determined to sur
render themselves to the authorities.
Accordingly they departed for Guilford.
the home of Leete. who had lately
been elected governor of the colony.
While in the village, the fugitives were
for some time concealed in friendly
cellar, and on departing Git is said)
narrowly escaped capture by skulking
under a bridge while their pursuers, on
horseback, galloped overhead.
Having publicly shown themselves at
New Haven and thus allayed the fear of
the governor besides clearing their
friends of suspicion of concealing them,
they returned to their cave. When final
ly forced by the wild beasts to leave
their retreat, they took UP their abode
at spot called the Lodge, situated In
valley about three miles northwest
of the cave. But the trail to this hid
ing place was soon discovered by In
dams, and another move was made,
this time to Hatchet- Harbor, about sew
en- miles from New Haven. The rather
peculiar name of the new home was
derived, If we may believe tradition,
from the fortunate discovery near the
spot of Ratchet, with which they cut
away the INTERVIEWING branches which
had made impossible the road to their
chosen "Harbor. They soon found
that a more direct communication with
their friends was necessary, and after
staying short time at their new abode,
and also at a stone cabin few miles
further west, the Judges removed TO
Milford. Here they were secreted in
two-story stone house, on the west side
Of Main street.
At the close of their third year in
Milford they received information OF
the intended visit to the colonies or
who were to settle boun-
dairy disputes and incidentally to gath
ar information concerning the regicides.
1t was Immediately decided that the
safety Of the latter demanded a speedy
flight to some, hitherto unsupported lol
cality, and after some deliberation they
to remove to Hadley, a re-
mote Puritan settlement on the Eng
lish frontier Here, in the house of
Mr.. Russell, clergyman, Whalley and
COTE were concealed until their death.
The architecture Of this house was
very peculiar, and to this fact the Judges
once owed their salvation. Leading
from the room which they occupied was
a secret passage in which, according. TO
they were at one time con-
cealed, while searchers passed through
the hall overhead, and finally departed
discovering those whom they
sought.
In 1866 the refugees were Joined by
Colonel Dixwell, who had fled to Ger
many previous to the Restoration. His
visit to Hadley probably extended over
some months, at the close of which
time he made his residence at New
Haven, living under the assumed name
IF James Davds. 1t was generally sup
posed in England that Dixwell had died
n Switzerland, and thus, the fact of his
emigration to America being unknown,
here was little necessity for conceal
nent He lived openly among the peo
Ole and, by his intelligence and devout
1iety, won the esteem of every one with
whom he came In contact. During his
asst illness he revealed to his friends
lis true name and character His
grave in New Haven, in the rear of
he present Center Church, is marked |
~ monument erected by one of his
The last public appearance of Goffe
vas during King Phillips war. in 1875.
The settlement of Hadley was attacked |
~ a band of Indians and was only |
aved from destruction by the timely |
appearance of strange old man, with |
ong white beard and ancient garb who |
placed himself at the head of the little |
band of coloniste, and led them to VIC |
Dry He afterward disappeared as |
nysteriously as he had come, and it |
vas not until many years after that |
he people learned the name of their !
eader. After this last appearance Of |
foffe, little Is known Of him, or of his |
Whalleyl Even their burial |
,lace is a matter of conjecture. For |
many years it was supposed That the |
f. W." and wv. G." stones in the old !
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