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Northrop Genealogy Joseph Founder Page B 1639~1666

1619 Joseph Northrup one of the founders of Milford born 1619 Wilkersfeld, Yorkshire, England, or OR b. 1617 in Bradford,West Riding, Yorkshire, England FROM ROOTSWEB.COM immigrated (possibly from Bradford, Yorkshire Co. England) to America, July 26, 1637 aboard the "Hector and Martin"; one of "Eaton and Davenport" Co. ships.

southern new england map

This map of Southern New England is identified as 1646. Long Island is just above the ship. Cape Cod on the far right has the distinctive curl. http://www.ctheritage.org/encyclopedia/ctto1763/overviewctto1763.htm

They came from England in the ship "Hector and Martha," landing at Boston, July 26, 1637. The emigrants of that period were, in great part, men of the professional and middle classes, some of them of large landed estate. The bulk, however, were God-fearing farmers from Lincolnshire and Eastern counties. Eaton and Davenport's company were mostly from Yorkshire, Hertfordshire and Kent. It cannot now be determined from which county Joseph came — perhaps from Yorkshire; and if of Sir Richard Saltonstall's company, as it sometimes has been asserted, this is highly probable. Sir Richard Saltonstall's company had spent some time at Wethersfield, Conn., having come there from Watertown, Mass., but later came to New Haven. The Eaton and Davenport company, meanwhile, had sailed down the coast from Boston, in search of a good harbor, until they came to New Haven, where they found the object of their search, and remained at New Haven about a year.

In 1689, members from both companies formed the settlement of Milford, Conn. The Hertfordshire and Yorkshire emigrants seem to have tended to Milford, while others went to Guilford."

"The following persons are recorded immediately after, but not as free planters, they not being in church fellowship, which was a requisite qualification in the view of these colonists, before a person could be admitted a "free planter."

Robert Plum
Roger Terrill
Joseph Northrup *A later map indicates Lot # 14 (yellow) was purchased by Joseph Northrup from Francis Bolts. This is now the location of the old Milford High School Building.

John Baldwin
William Slough
Andrew Benton
William Brooke
Robert Trent
Henry Lyon
John Powler
By this list it appears there were 54 heads of families, (admitting them all married,) and if we allow only four individuals to a family, it would make upwards of 200 persons who first came to Milford. From some data on the Record, there is reason to suppose this calculation not too large."

"The body of planters moved from New Haven to Milford by land, following the devious Indian foot path, driving their cattle and other domestic animals before them, while their household utensils and the materials for " the common house" (which was fitted at New Haven) were taken round by water. Thomas Tibbals piloted the company through the woods to the place, " he having been there a number of times before ;" for which service the town in 1670, "made him two grants of land lying in Westfield as a free gift." All safely arrived; they erected their common house at the head of the harbor on the west side, and a few rude huts for temporary residences. They then proceeded
to form their civil polity.

Considering themselves as without the pale of jurisdiction, (as in fact they were until they united with New Haven in 1644,) they combined into a little republic. At their first general meeting, Nov. 20th, 1639, it was voted " that the power of electing officers and persons to divide the land into lots, to take order for the timber, and to manage the common interests of the plantation, should be in the church only. It was also voted that they would guide themselves in all their doings by the rule of the written Word of God, till such time as a body of laws should be established." The 6rst settlers located themselves on each side of the Mill river and the West End brook, probably for the convenience of water for themselves and cattle. Most of them soon erected frame houses, COVT ered with rent oak clapboards, in the old leanto style. Their house lots were laid out in parallel narrow slips, containing each about three acres. They thus kept near together for their better security in case of an attack from the Indians. They immediately fenced in common three tracts of land, in which each individual received by lot his portion of " upland." Westfield, which was the land that lies south of the town between the turnpike and great meadow was laid out to those who settled at the west end. Eastfield, which enclosed the Gulf Neck, was possessed by those located on the river. Mill Neck, the tract lying between Wharf street and Bear Neck lane, was owned by a part of both. Each person was further allotted a piece of meadow land lying either in the great or the harbor meadows. As the population increased and the danger from the Indians became less, the land further from the center was gradually laid out and settled. At the second General Court, held March 9th, 1640, " It was agreed between William Fowler and the brethren that he should build a mill and have her going by the last of September." For his encouragement the town made him a grant of 30 acres of land, which long bore the name of the mill lot. This agreement had reference only to a grist mill, but he soon added a saw mill. This mill establishment is yet retained in the family. At the next General Court held November 24th, 1640, " With common consent and general vote of the freemen, the plantation was named Milford," in commemoration of the town of this name in their native England. The Court of Jive Judges at this meet- ma were directed " to build a bridge over the Mill river with all expedition," and also "to set out a meeting house thirty feet square, after such manner as they should judge the most convenient for the public good." The site of the building was the same of the present meeting house of the first society. In 1709, this house had become so much crowded that it was voted in town meeting that " whosoever should needlessly set out of his seat, should forfeit the sum of five shillings to the town treasury." It stood until 1727. 1741, some persons (47 in number) being dissatisfied with Mr. Whittlesey's more moderate religious opinions, " declared their sober dissent from the established church, and professed themselves to be Presbyterians according to the church of Scotland." They were soon joined by twelve others, and the society continued gradually to increase. They had to encounter much violent opposition from the first church, and were not invested with full privileges as an ecclesiastical society till the session of the Legislature in May, 1760. They erected their meeting house in Nov. 1742. Their first settled minister was Job Prudden, a native of this town, (great grandson of Peter Prudden.) He was ordained at New Brunswick, in May, 1747. The succeeding ministers have been Josiah Sherman, David Tully, Sherman Johnson, Caleb Pitkin, Jehu Clark, and the present, Asa M. Train. The meeting house at present occupied by the society, was built during the summer of 1834. The cut on the opposite page is a south view of the two Congregational Churches in Milford ; they are but a few rods apart, separated by the Wepawaug, a mill stream passing through the center of the village. A small but beautiful mill pond is directly south of these churches and adds very much to the variegated, pleasant, and interesting scenery in the immediate vicinity. The Episcopal and Baptist Churches and the Congregational Churches in Milford. town house are about 40 rods south of tlie cliurclies seen in the engraving. The first cause of there being two societies in this place was owing to the settlement of the Rev. Mr. Whittlesey as pastor about the year 1740. The Rev. Samuel Andrew (who for a long period was the minister in this town) became through age and many infirmities unable to perform the labor of the ministry ; Mr. Whittlesey was invited to preach and settle in the place as colleague pastor; this occasioned a division among the people. Although there was a majority for Mr. Whiltlesey, yet there was a strong and respectable minority in opposition to his settlement ; it arose on account of his adopting in some measure Arminian sentiments. An ecclesiastical council was held, in which Dr. Trumbull says he was informed " by one of the elders, who was one of the council, that the debate was with so much passion, that fists were doubhd on the occasion." All attempts at union having failed, the disaffected part of the society withdrew and erected a house of worship for themselves in 1742, and placed themselves under the Presbytery of New Brunswick.

Joseph Northrup's name is not specified in the list of "Others of the first settlers were liberally educated", so he was not well-recognized for for an advanced formal education. Colony of new Haven

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Regicides in 1661 (Joseph Dies in 1666)

The regicides, Whalley and Goffe, lived in the town from the 20th of August, 1661, for more than two years, till they went to Hadley. They were secreted by Mr. Tomkins, in the basement story of a shop standing near his dwelling, on house lot No. 15. (See map.) It is related, that Tomkins' daughters often spun in the shop, and sometimes would sing some poetry, which was composed about that time, concerning the martyrdom of King Charles I., (in which they were mentioned,) which much amused the judges. The girls were unacquainted with their concealment.

Mr. Thomkins was the immediate neighbor of Joseph. Most of Milford had no idea the regicides were in their midst -- there is no documentation as to whether the Northrups knew of the secret. Colony of New Haven

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Congregational Churches in Milford.
town house are about 40 rods south of the churches seen in the engraving. The first cause of there being two societies in this place was owing to the settlement of the Rev. Mr. Whittlesey as pastor about the year 1740. The Rev. Samuel Andrew (who for a long period was the minister in this town) became through age and many infirmities unable to perform the labor of the ministry ; Mr. Whittlesey was invited to preach and settle in the place as colleague pastor; this occasioned a division among the people. Although there was a majority for Mr. Whiltlesey, yet there was a strong and respectable minority in opposition to his settlement ; it arose on account of his adopting in some measure Arminian sentiments. An ecclesiastical council was held, in which Dr. Trumbull says he was informed " by one of the elders, who was one of the council, that the debate was with so much passion, that fists were doubhd on the occasion." All attempts at union having failed, the disaffected part of the society withdrew and erected a house of worship for themselves in 1742, and placed themselves under the Presbytery of New Brunswick. The Episcopal society was formed in January, 1764. The church was raised in 1771, and consecrated by the name of St. George's church, in March, 1775. They also suffered much opposition, and were considered by many as akin to the church of Rome. But old prejudices have in a measure subsided, and the church at present is in a flourishing state. There is a small but respectable Baptist church in the town, which owes its origin to the Rev. James H. Lindsley of Stratford. In 1644, Milford united with the New Haven jurisdiction, which then consisted of New Haven, Stamford, Guilford and Southold, L. I. They met wjjh some difficulty in gaining admission on account of having " formerly taken in as free burgesses, six planters who were not in church fellowship," but were received on condition that these six men should " never be chosen deputies, or into any public trust for the combination, nor be allowed to vote at any time in the nor be allowed to vote at any time in the election of magistrates, and that none should afterwards be admitted freemen, but church members." The town under this jurisdiction, had two magistrates, and sent two deputies to the general court, at New Haven. William Fowler and
Edmond Tapp, were the first magistrates, after the union, and John Aslwood and John Sherman, first deputies. In May, 1685, the town received a patent from the general court; afterwards, making further purchases of the Indians, they petitioned for a new one, which might comprehend all their territory. Accordingly the governor and company, granted them another, which is dated the
22d day of May, A. D. 1713. It appears by this patent, that at that time, there were 235 freeholders in the town. The Indians, at the settlement of the town were numerous. They had four considerable villages, viz. one on the side of the Wepawaug river, near the church ; one at the point ; another about half a mile north of Washington bridge, and another at Turkey Hill. Here they had a strong fortress, with flankers at the four corners, which was designed as a defense against the Mohawks. At the settlement of the English, the Indians in the center of the place, retired to Indian point, lying between East river and the Sound. Here they lived for 20 years. For security against the Indians, the planters enclosed the town plot with palisadoes, so thickly set, that a man could not crowd between them. This enclosure was nearly a mile square, and was on both sides of the Wepawaug river. It eventually proved fortunate for the English that this was done. For in the years 1645 and 46, the Indians were hostile and very troublesome, so much so, that the planters for their mutual safety, kept guard night and day. Each soldier stood as sentinel every fifth day, and was relieved at sunset by drum beat. On their " Sabbath and lecture days," they went armed to meeting, and when in the fields, their muskets were' kept near at hand. About this time the Indians set the adjacent country on fire, and it was supposed they meant to burn the town ; but the planters were so fortunate as to arrest the progress of the flames at the swamp on the west and north of the settlement, before they reached the palisadoes, and thus saved their buildings. But the fire did much damage ; most of the timber was destroyed, and a number of pieces of good natural meadow was so burnt that they become sunken swamps. The Indians were again troublesome in 1653, and the people were under the apprehension of a sudden and general massacre. They were greatly hindered in their farming avocations, and worn down with incessant watching. In the spring of 1700, so much danger was apprehended from the natives, that two houses were ordered to be fortified, (one on the east side of the river, and one at the west end,) for the security of women and children, the aged and decrepicl, in case of surprise. All persons over 16 years of age were ordered forthwith to work uptil the fortifications were completed. This was a time of general alarm for 4 or 5 years throughout the country. But there is nothing on record to show that any English person was ever killed by the Indians in Milford About 1648, there was a famous battle fought between the Milford Indians and the Mohawks. The latter had secreted themselves in a swamp, nearly a mile east of the ferry, intending to surprise the Indians in the fort that night. The English accidentally discovering them, notified the Milford Indians, who, setting up the war whoop, soon raised such numbers, that they ventured to attack the invaders. The Mohawks were defeated, and several of them taken. One of their fallen chiefs, they buried on a hillock in the swamp. A stout captive was stripped and tied by the Milford Indians in the great meadows, for the musquetoes to eat and torment to death. But he was discovered and relieved by one Thomas Hine. Many of the Wepawaug Indians, eventually went off to the west and joined with the Six Nations, while some few remained about the town ; but they have now all disappeared. In all the wars in which the country has been engaged, Milford has furnished its proportion of money and soldiers. In King Philip's war, and in the two French
wars, the town lost a good number of men, who died of sickness in the camp or fell in battle. ID the French and Indian war, companies of the British troops quartered in the place during the winters of 1757 and 1758 at the town expense. The last winter nor be allowed to vote at any time in the election of magistrates, and that none should afterwards be admitted freemen, but church members."
The town under this jurisdiction, had two magistrates, and sent two deputies to the general court, at New Haven. William Fowler and Edmond Tapp, were the first magistrates, after the union, and John Aslwood and John Sherman, first deputies. In May, 1685, the town received a patent from the general court; afterwards, making further purchases of the Indians, they petitioned for a new one, which might comprehend all their territory. Accordingly the governor and company, granted them another, which is dated the 22d day of May, A. D. 1713. It appears by this patent, that at that time, there were 235 freeholders in the town. The Indians, at the settlement of the town were numerous. They had four considerable villages, viz. one on the side of the Wepawaug river, near the church ; one at the point ; another about half a mile north of Washington bridge, and another at Turkey Hill. Here they had a strong fortress, with flankers at the four corners, which was designed as a defense against the Mohawks. At the settlement of the English, the Indians in the center of the place, retired to Indian point, lying between East river and the Sound. Here they lived for 20 years. For security against the Indians, the planters enclosed the town plot with palisadoes, so thickly set, that a man could not crowd between them. This enclosure was nearly a mile square, and was on both sides of the Wepawaug river. It eventually proved fortunate for the English that this was done. For in the years 1645 and 46, the Indians were hostile and very troublesome, so much so, that the planters for their mutual safety, kept guard night and day. Each soldier stood as sentinel every fifth day, and was relieved at sunset by drum beat. On their " Sabbath and lecture days," they went armed to meeting, and when in the fields, their muskets were' kept near at hand. About this time the Indians set the adjacent country on fire, and it was supposed they meant to burn the town ; but the planters were so fortunate as to arrest the progress of the flames at the swamp on the west and north of the settlement, before they reached the palisadoes, and thus saved their buildings. But the fire did much damage ; most of the timber was destroyed, and a number of pieces of good natural meadow was so burnt that they become sunken swamps. The Indians were again troublesome in 1653, and the people were under the apprehension of a sudden and general massacre. They were greatly hindered in their farming avocations, and worn down with incessant watching. In the spring of 1700, so much danger was apprehended from the natives, that two houses were ordered to be fortified, (one on the east side of the river, and one at the west end,) for the security of women and children, the aged and decrepicl, in case of surprise. All persons over 16 years of age were ordered forthwith to work uptil the fortifications were completed. This was a time of general alarm for 4 or 5 years throughout the country. But there is nothing on record to show that any English person was ever killed by the Indians in Milford. About 1648, there was a famous battle fought between the Milford Indians and the Mohawks. The latter had secreted themselves in a swamp, nearly a mile east of the ferry, intending to surprise the Indians in the fort that night. The English accidentally discovering them,
notified the Milford Indians, who, setting up the war whoop, soon raised such numbers, that they ventured to attack the invaders. The Mohawks were defeated, and several of them taken. One of their fallen chiefs, they buried on a hillock in the swamp. A stout captive was stripped and tied by the Milford Indians in the great meadows, for the musquetoes to eat and torment to death. But he was discovered and relieved by one Thomas Hine. Many of the Wepawaug Indians, eventually went off to the west and joined with the Six Nations, while some few remained about the town ; but they have now all disappeared. In all the wars in which the country has been engaged, Milford has furnished its proportion of money and soldiers. In King Philip's war, and in the two French wars, the town lost a good number of men, who died of sickness in the camp or fell in battle. ID the French and Indian war, companies of the British troops quartered in the place during the winters of 1757 and 1758 at the town expense. The last winter in a revel they burnt the town house, upon which the government sent over £50 towards the erection of a new one. In a number of men from the town accompanied Gen. Putnam in the expedition to Cuba. At the commencement of the Revolution, the inhabitants were unanimously opposed to the oppressive measures of the British ministry, and opened a subscription " lur the relief and support of such poor inhabitants of Boston as were immediate sufferers by the Port Bill" In 1776, a battery was built at West Point, on the west side of the harbor, for the defense of the town ; men were stationed at Burwell's farm, and at the Point, and a Minute Post kept in readiness in case of emergency. The town furnished a full quota of men for the army, who marched under the command of Capt. Samuel Peck. The select men were directed to "furnish guns, bayonets and provisions for such as were called forth for the defense of the LIBERTY op AMERICA." A premium of £10 wa» offered per head for men to enlist during the war. This town suffered comparatively liitle during the war from the incursions of the British. There were no buildings burnt, and only one house plundered, (that of Miles Merwin, at Pond Point.) But
much property was lost by burying, and by exposure to the weather in the woody. The inhabitants contributed liberally for the relief of Fail-field, Danbnry and Nor- walk. There were but few lories in the town during these limes, and those few were compelled to keep close to their houses. Of the soldiers of ihe revolution, there are but a few remaining in the town. This town has given to Connecticut two governors, Tiz : Robert Treat, and Jonathan Law, Esqs., both of whom were eminent statesmen. Robert Treat and bis brother Richard, came to New England with Sir Richard
Saltonstall, and were among the first settlers of Wethersfield. Robert left that settlement
and came to Milford with Mr. Prudden. At the first meeting of the planters, he was chosen to assist in surveying and laying out the township. He was soon chosen one of the five Judges, and in 1661, was elected a magistrate of the colony, in which office he was continued four years, until he refused to take the oath prescribed by law, he being in favor of the union of the colony with Connecticut. In 1664, the town, by his influence, and that of Mr. Benjamin Fenn, was induced to break off
from New Haven colony ; and it was by his influence particularly, that Ihe union was so soon effected. He was appointed Major of the Connecticut troops in 1670. In Philip's war, at the attack of Springfield by the Indians in 1675, he marched to its relief, and drove them from the town ; and in their assault upon Had ley, be put them completely to flight. The same year, in December, he performed a distinguished pail in the destruction of the Indians at fort Narragansett. In 1676, he was elected Deputy Governor, and in 1686, Governor of Connecticut, to which last office he was annually re-elected for fifteen years, till he declined serving. His wife was Jane, only daughter of Edmond Tapp, Esq. Concerning this match there is the following traditionary anecdote.— Being in at Mr. Tapp's, he took the girl upon his knee and commenced trotting her. Robert, said she, be still that, I had rather be Treated than trotted, upon which he proposed marriage, which was immediately consented to by all concerned. He died July 12th, 1710, in the 89th year of his age, and left four sons and four daughters In 1697, il was voted " there should be thirty-five pounds allowed out of the town treasury, to maintain a Latin school ; the Honorable Governor, and the Rev. Snmuel Andrew, to be a committee to attend to the business. This Mr. Andrew was one of the principal projectors, and early patrons of Yale College. Milford has sent out many colonists towards the settlement of other towns. Weantinoque was purchased of the Indians on the 8th of February, 1703 — 3 by the people of the town, and settled by the name of New Milford. Newark, in New Jersey, Durham in Connecticut, and Talmadge in Ohio, received most of their early settlers from Milford.

About 1648, there was a famous battle fought between the Milford Indians and the Mohawks. The latter had secreted themselves in a swamp, nearly a mile east of the ferry, intending to surprise the Indians in the fort that night. The English accidentally discovering them, notified the Milford Indians, who, setting up the war whoop, soon raised such numbers, that they ventured to attack the invaders. The Mohawks were defeated, and several of them taken. One of their fallen chiefs, they buried on a hillock in the swamp. A stout captive was stripped and tied by the Milford Indians in the great meadows, for the musquetoes to eat and torment to death. But he was discovered and relieved by one Thomas Hine. Many of the Wepawaug Indians, eventually went off to the west and joined with the Six Nations, while some few remained about the town ; but they have now all disappeared. In all the wars in which the country has been engaged, Milford has furnished its proportion of money and soldiers. In King Philip's war, and in the two French wars, the town lost a good number of men, who died of sickness in the camp or fell in battle. ID the French and Indian war, companies of the British troops quartered in the place during the winters of 1757 and 1758 at the town expense. The last winter in a revel they burnt the town house, upon which the government sent over £50 towards the erection of a new one. In a number of men from the town accompanied Gen. Putnam in the expedition to Cuba. At the commencement of the Revolution, the inhabitants were unanimously opposed to the oppressive measures of the British ministry, and opened a subscription " lur the relief and support of such poor inhabitants of Boston as were immediate sufferers by the Port Bill" In 1776, a battery was built at West Point, on the west side of the harbor, for the defense of the town ; men were stationed at Burwell's farm, and at the Point, and a Minute Post kept in readiness in case of emergency. The town furnished a full quota of men for the army, who marched under the command of Capt. Samuel Peck. The select men were directed to "furnish guns, bayonets and provisions for such as were called forth for the defense of the LIBERTY op AMERICA." A premium of £10 wa» offered per head for men to enlist during the war. This town suffered comparatively liitle during the war from the incursions of the British. There were no buildings burnt, and only one house plundered, (that of Miles Merwin, at Pond Point.) But much property was lost by burying, and by exposure to the weather in the woody. The inhabitants contributed liberally for the relief of Fail-field, Danbnry and Nor- walk. There were but few lories in the town during these limes, and those few were compelled to keep close to their houses. Of the soldiers of ihe revolution, there are but a few remaining in the town. This town has given to Connecticut two governors, Tiz : Robert Treat, and Jonathan Law, Esqs., both of whom were eminent statesmen. Robert Treat and bis brother Richard, came to New England with Sir Richard Saltonstall, and were among the first settlers of Wethersfield. Robert left that settlement and came to Milford with Mr. Prudden. At the first meeting of the planters, he was chosen to assist in surveying and laying out the township. He was soon chosen one of the five Judges, and in 1661, was elected a magistrate of the colony, in which office he was continued four years, until he refused to take the oath prescribed by law, he being in favor of the union of the colony with Connecticut. In 16C4, the town, by his influence, and that of Mr. Benjamin Fenn, was induced to break off from New Haven colony ; and it was by his influence particularly, that Ihe union was so soon effected. He was appointed Major of the Connecticut troops in 1670. In Philip's war, at the attack of Springfield by the Indians in 1675, he marched to its relief, and drove them from the town ; and in their assault upon Had ley, be put them completely to flight. The same year, in December, he performed a distinguished pail in the destruction of the Indians at fort Narragansett. In 1676, he was elected Deputy Governor, and in 1686, Governor of Connecticut, to which last office he was annually re-elected for fifteen years, till he declined serving. His wife was Jane, only daughter of Edmond Tapp, Esq. Concerning this match there is the following traditionary anecdote.— Being in at Mr. Tapp's, he took the girl upon his knee and commenced trotting her. Robert, said she, be still that, I had rather be Treated than trotted, upon which he proposed marriage, which was immediately consented to by all concerned. He died July 12th, 1710, in the 89th year of his age, and left four sons and four daughters.

Gov. Law was the only son of Jonathan and Sarah Law, (the daughter of George Clark, sen., planter,) and grandson of Richard Law, one of the first settlers of Stamford. He was born August 6, 1674, and was educated at Harvard College, where he graduated in 1695. He commenced the practice of law in his native town in 1698, and acquired great reputation as a counsellor. In 1706, he was made a justice of the peace — in 1710, a justice of the quorum — in 1714 chief judge,
and in 1717, he was chosen an assistant, which office he filled until he was chosen deputy governor. In May, 1741, he was elected governor, and annually re-elected, till his death. He died Nov. 6th, 1750, and left 7 sons and a widow, his fifth wife.
The ancestors of Governors John Cotton Smith and Gideon Tomlinson were from Milford, likewise Abraham Clark, of New Jersey, one of Ihe signers of (be Declaration of Independence. The early inhabitants of the town, look a particular interest in the subject of education. In 1697, il was voted " there should be thirty-five pounds allowed out of the town treasury, to maintain a Latin school ; the Honorable Governor, and the Rev. Snmuel Andrew, to be a committee to attend to the business.
This Mr. Andrew was one of the principal projectors, and early patrons of Yale College. Milford has sent out many colonists towards the settlement of other towns. Weantinoque was purchased of the Indians on the 8lh of February, 1703 — 3 by the people of the town, and settled by the name of New Milford. Newark, in New Jersey, Durham in Connecticut, and Talmadge in Ohio, received most of their early settlers from Milford.
There are no mountains and very little broken land in the town. The soil is generally good and productive ; but the culture is not managed on the scientific principles that might be wished. There is a quarry of beautiful serpentine marble in the east part of the town, which was wrought about 18 years since, but is now neglected. The harbor of the town is not deep. It has been gradually filling up since the first settlement, at which time there was water enough to admit a large sea brig up to Fowler's mills. A breakwater has been proposed to be built from Indian point toward the island, by which would be formed a capacious harbor. Milford Island lies about three fourths of a mile from the shore, and contains about ten acres of land. It was called Poquahaug by the Indians, and was a favorite summer resort of those people. Ansantawae the sachem, had a " big wigwam" upon it, for his accommodation. After the settlement of the English, it was laid out to George Hubbard, who sold it to Richard Bryan. At a town meeting held on the 17th of March, 1657, Charles Deal, tobacco planter, was granted liberty to purchase and enjoy the Island for a tobacco plantation, provided he use the buildings for no other use than a tobacco house, and that he do not trade with the Dutch or Indians, or suffer any disorderly resort of seamen or others there. In 1835, it was purchased by John Harris, Esq. of New York, who erected a seat and fitted it up for a summer residence. Between the Island and shore, there is a bar which is bare half the time. Good clams grow on this bar. Poconock or Milford point, at the south west extremity of the town, is somewhat noted. There are a number of huts on the beach, which are occupied by persons engaged in the clam and oyster business. This point was formed and is preserved by the opposite action of the waters of Long Island sound, and of the Housatonuc river.

TIMELINE

1617 or
1619 Joseph Born England

1636 and
1637 Pequot attacks on Saybrook and Wethersfield

1637 to Boston

1638 to New Haven

1639 form Milford Settlement

 

 

In 1639 after finding the good harbor they sought at New Haven, two boatloads of English Puritans settled on the banks of the Quinnipiac River in New Haven. Then members from both companies formed the settlement of Milford, Conn. The Hertfordshire and Yorkshire emigrants seem to have tended to Milford,

It is reported that the colonists of Milford purchased their lands of the tribes in possession, and sought their friendship. In retrospect, we don't know whether Colonists understanding of "purchase" was the same as the native Amercians, but we know that some tribes seemed to maintain good relationships with the settlers for extended periods of time. http://www.colonialwarsct.org/images/1638_new_haven_indians.jpg

Land considerations had earlier brought the colony into conflict with its immediate neighbor, the Pequots, who dominated the Mystic River region of southeastern Connecticut. While the early colonists had established initially friendly relations with the tribes of the central portion of the state, the Pequots (whose name, Roger Williams ominously reported, meant “destroyers of men”) resisted the English fiercely from the first. A Pequot attack on the settlement of Saybrook in 1636 and a surprise raid on Wethersfield in 1637 which left nine settlers dead gave fuel to those eager for an all-out confrontation.

  New Haven Indians 1638

In 1637, a 90-man expedition under Colonel John Mason attacked the Pequots in their main encampment in Mystic, killing over 600 men, women and children in a fierce battle. The remainder of the tribe was tracked to a swamp in Fairfield (Southport) and crushed in a second merciless attack. A pitiful remainder of the Pequots survived to be given by the victorious colonists to friendly tribes as slaves.     

                                                                                      
The Milford settlement was made shortly after the Pequot War so the Colonists of Milford lived at a period when there was still danger from hostile Indians.

Once they saw indications of hostility, they built a palisade of logs enclosing a mile square, within which they had their dwellings as a protection.

The Indians became hostile in 1645-6, and guards were kept day and night. They went to church, carrying their rifles with them.

The Indians were again troublesome in 1653.

In 1700 there was much danger. It was a time of general alarm throughout the country for four or five years. No doubt the colonists of New Haven and Milford believed they had treated the Indians kindly and fairly. but the growing numbers and power of the whites eventually led them to feel driven from their ancient homes. the hostilityIf they could have written history, it would go far to justify their hostility.

With the exception of minor skirmishes and a brief alarm in King Philip’s War of 1675, the Pequot war marked the end of Native American resistance to the English in Connecticut. Those few Indians left in the colony were soon bent to a European way of life, forced to settle on fixed parcels of land and adopt European customs and work habits.

 

This passage from: THE NORTHRUP-NORTHROP GENEALOGY

A RECORD OF THE KNOWN DESCENDANTS OF JOSEPH NORTHRUP, WHO CAME FROM ENGLAND IN 1637, AND WAS ONE OF THE ORIGINAL SETTLERS OF MILFORD, CONN. IN 1639. WITH LISTS OF NORTHRUPS AND NORTHROPS IN THE REVOLUTION

BY A. JUDD NORTHRUP, LL.D. OF SYRACUSE, NEW YORK

 

The first Joseph Northrup died Sept. 11, 1669, thirty years after the settlement of Milford.


2 i Joseph2, b. July 17, 1649.
3 ii Samuel, b. Oct. 26, 1651.
4 iii Jeremiah, b. Jan. 14, 1653.
iv John, b. Sept. 7, 1656; prob. d. before 1683.
5 v Zophar, b. June 21, 1661.
6 vi Daniel, b. Aug. 7, 1664.
7 vii William, b. June 2, 1666 in Milford, CT
viii Mary, b. Jan. 6, 1670.

typicalearly settlerhome plymouthearlyhouse

A typical early colonial home

1 JOSEPH NORTHRUP, immigrant from England, and perhaps from Yorkshire.

For these first settlers, the expected bounty of Connecticut was often illusory. The winter of 1635-36, for example, took a terrible toll on the newly-arrived settlers of Windsor. The snows arrived before sufficient housing could be built. Cattle died and food supplies ran out. Facing starvation, many fled back to Massachusetts. Those remaining suffered appalling hardships until released by the coming of spring. http://www.ctheritage.org/encyclopedia/ctto1763/overviewctto1763.htm

Their children were: Joseph, Samuel, Jeremiah, John, Sophar, Daniel, William, and Mary.

OR b. 1617 in Bradford,West Riding,Yorkshire, England FROM ROOTSWEB.COM

1620 - 1638 Milford known as the Wepawaug Plantations
1638 After providing for their immediate physical needs, the "planters" or "proprietors", i.e., those who had invested in the colony as stockholders, turned their attention to the question of "settling Ciuill Governmt". At the urging of Davenport a "plantation covenant" or agreement was reached in 1638 to make the Scriptures the supreme law of the community. Before this could be implemented, however, it was necessary to "gather" or organize the first church. A group of twelve were selected for this purpose who, after a suitable period of prayer and consideration, chose from among themselves the first seven church members. These seven, in turn, elected their church officers and established the qualifications by which others would be admitted to fellowship.
1638 - 1640 Milford known as the Milford Settlement, Connecticut Colony
Aug. 22, 1639 Just before they came to Milford, and thereby became of right a member of that privileged class.
1638-39 This done, a committee was then appointed to organize the colony's government itself, culminating in a "general meetinge" of "all the free planters assembled together" on June 4, 1639. Here two questions were propounded and voted on, the first being "Whether the Scripturs doe holde a perfect rule for the directio: and gouernmt of all men in all duet(ies) wch they are to performe to God and men..." Not surprisingly, all expressed their assent to this principle. The second question concerned whether the assembled planters would reaffirm their earlier "plantation covenent," which again"... was assented vnto by all, and no man gainsaid itt,..." Taken together, these covenents and understandings were known as the "foundamentall agreemt", to which the assembled colonists signed their names; the signature of Richard Beach following those of his kinsman, John Moss, and Moss' brother-in-law, John Charles, Hoadly, Records of the Colony and Plantation of New Haven, 1638-1649, p. 17.
~ 1639 The following from Sir Richard Saltonstall is about his home in Watertown, but it is likely a good description for Milford in its early years "The Country is very good ... good land and good water, and for good creatures to hunt and to hawke, and for fowling and fisheing" but also constant work to do "many Cattle and kyne, and horses and swine, and some Goats and poultry ... also much building at his owne house, and fenceing, ploweing and planteing, and also to helpe build the new Citty, and first for a house for God to dwell in, these things will require the best diligence".
1640 - 1666 Milford known as the Milford Village, Connecticut Colony
1640

as early as 1640 sent a vessel to Boston laden with furs to exchange for goods needed by the planters, either for themselves or for trade with the Indians. In ten years, trade increased to require a warehouse or store 6o X 20 feet. For it the town granted him land on the west Corner of Broad street and Dock or Bryan lane, at the foot of which he built, in the Same year, his own wharf.

 

1640 Early accounts record the day to day work on houses, wells, chimneys, keeping watch on the community and the disagreements and shortcomings that were brought to the governing assembly.
March, 1640 the Second General Court of Milford agreed with the first William Fowler "that he should build a mill and have her runfling by thelast of September ;" the first mill in New Haven Colony was first a grist mill and then a saw mil was added.
1640s By the 1640s the efforts of both the English and the Dutch settlers had made the new territory of Connecticut virtually self-sufficient...As the population of Connecticut increased, so did the farming.
January 9, 1642 On Jan. 9, 1642, Joseph united with (joined ) the First Church of Milford (organized at New Haven)
~ 1647
He married Mary Norton, daughter of Francis Norton and Mary Houghton, daughter of Francis Norton at Milford. Mary Norton came to Milford from Wethersfield with the Rev. Peter Prudden and his party. A Different group of settlers who came with Sir Richard Saltonstall’s company from Everton, Yorkshire, England, to Watertown, Mass., thence to Wethersfield, Conn., then to Milford Francis Norton, the father of Mary, who married Joseph Northrup, came with the latter party.
1656 up until 1656 when the colonies were combined, the Connecticut colony permitted other churches to operate on the basis of "sober dissent" while the New Haven Colony only permitted the Puritan church to exist.
~1650-1660

The New Haven laws were severe: “If after they have suffered the law . . . and shall presume to come into this jurisdiction again, every such male Quaker shall for the second offence be branded on the hand with the letter H, be committed to prison and kept to work till he can be sent away at his own charge,...

Around 1650-1670 At this time there was much common land,* where each man’s initials on a post stood for his share of the four foot ten inch fence which he was required to keep in repair. If notified of a break he was to repair it within sixteen hours under penalty of five shillings. The gates to these enclosures were kept by individuals whom the town paid in grants of land, rate free during such keeping. It was rather necessary that fences should be in good repair if only for the reason that for a century, the town kept a flock of from 7000 to 1500 sheep. These were pastured more or less at large, and though they were in the care of shepherds hired to watch them, sheep, then as now, had a way of stampeding. The profits arising from the flock went to meet the town’s expenses. Hogs abounded in such numbers that in 1657 the Milford people petitioned the General Court of. New Haven Jurisdiction to consider some method of limiting the number.
http://history.rays-place.com/ct/early-milford-ct.htm
   
Sept. 11, 1669 Joseph dies Sept. 11, 1669, thirty years after the settlement of Milford.
His will was dated Sept. 1, 1669 It mentions of his children only Joseph, Samuel, Jeremiah, and John. Codicil to his will says, "My mother shall have a living in my house as long as she lives"--perhaps meaning his wife's mother. Mrs. Norton. His wife survived him, and made her will Jan. 24, 1683; mentions Joseph, Samuel, Jeremiah (omits John, who probably was dead), Zaphar, Daniel.William, and Mary--the latter two being in their minority-- also her mother Norton. Inventory of her estate dated Feb. 28, 1683.
   

. . Children b. in Milford.

2 i Joseph2, b. July 17, 1649.
3 ii Samuel, b. Oct. 26, 1651.
4 iii Jeremiah, b. Jan. 14, 1653.
iv John, b. Sept. 7, 1656; prob. d. before 1683.
5 v Zophar, b. June 21, 1661.
6 vi Daniel, b. Aug. 7, 1664.
7 vii William, b. June 2, 1666.
viii Mary, b. Jan. 6, 1670.

It must have been quite a difficult proposition to start a new colony. Here's some information on the plymouth colony http://www.histarch.uiuc.edu/plymouth/index.html Here is a picture from Plymouth that might be similar to their early homes. Other accounts describe the earliest homes as "lean-to" buildings..

pix

LINK Food in the Early Years

LINK Women's roles in the Early Years

LINK Taverns and Games

LINK Penfield Tavern

LINK Meaning of Tavern Signs


The traine-band was a responsible position especially in times when there were threats from Indians

NEXT Joseph2 in Milford

Image Courtesy of David Parker Associates