Putnam patriot., 1928-12-06
THE FIRST SETTLERS
OF WINDHAM COUNTY

I -f-~f7~ fFEtAo tAfN t4A0rA tt&UiNA at AttE
10 throw:
sit down and rest awhile before
you go"
From bees to trees the whole woods
seemed to say,
You're welcome here till you can
get away,
But not for time Of any large amount
So don't DC hanging round on our ae-
count"
But had come with heart-thrift in
my song.
i | hadn't a round-trip ticket 70 10
back,
And If | had. there wasn't no rail
road track;
And drivin' east was what | couldn't
endure:
! hadn't started on a circular tour.
First Settler of Old Windham
The first settler Of old Windham
was John Gates. a regiscide, who made
long journeys through the wilderness
to meet former associates. several Of
whom were known to be in adjoining
colonies. His name and fame is
shrouded in mystery but we do know
that he was gentleman Of culture
and wealth. who had rode with Crom-
well. The sudden death Of the pro-
tector forced the Cromwellian lead
ers To flee from the country to escape
seizure and arrest, as another royal
parsonage was upon the throne
another Charles Stuart, who demand
ed death for death in the execution
of his father. We learn for a GER
tainty that after more than quarter
of century of weary wandering. he
came TO Norwich and from there
through the thick untrodden forest
to his final abode. With a faithful
negro. whom he had purchased in
+ Virginia, he dug a cellar in rocky
hillside, little north of the present
village of Windham, and in this lone
! ly spot, miles and miles from human
habitation he spent the long winter
of 15sS-16S9.
Silver and gold had he
But nowhere TO spend it,
So it contributed little to his COM
fort.
/ Game was abundant and as faith
( full Joe was ever alert the winter
wore safely away and spring came
cheerily for the exiles.
After the Infamous monarch. James
the Second, (Humpty Dumpty) had
been deposed and William and Mary
were seated on the throne; the Roy
al-govelnor Andres driven from the
country; the royal offenders emerged
from their hiding places, from rocks
and caves TO be helpful in the colo
MES, Gates came forth from his
rocky hiding place; purchased land
of the proprietors of the tract. and
with his efficient Joe built the first
house IL the naTneiess township. Al
though advanced in years, with
health impaired by hardship and pri-
walton, he lived for several years TO be
a prudent counsellor OF the youth
full settlement. His name is often
seen in the early records Of the town
in the interest Of education and reli-
gion but to none Of his friends nor
even his trusty housekeeper was his
identity ever revealed very seldom
did he speak Of the past-and he
died as he had lived unknown.
ITO the church, of which he was one
Of the earliest members, he heaGeathed
a service of plate and two hundred
acres Of land in trust for the poor He
also gave two hundred acres as a per-
manent school fund to his adopted
town. To his friend. the first minis
ter. the Reverend Samuel Whiting, he
gave "a bed, chest and his wearing
apparel" also his faithful servant, the
companion Of his solitude Poor trusty
Joe did not long survive him. He died
of incoBsolabie grief. Both we're bur
led near the rocky hillside and a rough
stone. rudely carved, marked for a
while the spot When the first GENE
terry was laid out the body Of Gates was
removed and stone of ample proper
tions bore the following inscription: