clicking here - The History of Marlborough, Connecticut

Chapter 1
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The Birth of a Small Town
The journey begins in the era when kings and knights dominated Great Britain. Wars were frequent
and kings became conquerors of land and empires. This was the time when Europe controlled the world and
many great warriors were formed. This was also a time when great legends were born, which are still being told
today. One particular legend takes us back to the 6th century – The Legend of Merle.
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‘MARLBOROUGH’S’ ORIGIN
There is a legend that exists today of a wizard named Merle (also known as Merlin or Maerle). Merle
was also a prophet, a wizard and an advisor to several kings during the latter part of the 6th century. He first
obtained his reputation as a child when he prophesized the death of King Vortigern of Britain. King Vortigern
was not a popular King and was believed to have come into power by treachery and murder. When Merle’s
prophecy came true, many were amazed and exalted Merle. His popularity began to grow and his reputation
flourished. He quickly became an advisor to the succeeding King Ambrosius Aurelianus, who has been
credited for erecting the “Giant’s Ring”, better known as Stonehenge. It is believed that Merle the Magician
used his powers to help lift the heavy rocks to the formation seen today. Succeeding King Ambrosius
Aurelianus was his brother King Uther and Merle’s role to the royalties continued. According to the legend,
King Uther was in love with Ygerna (also known as Igraine), who was the wife of Gerlios, Duke of Tintagel.
Unfortunately for the King, Ygerna was happily married and expressed no interest in him. The legend states
that Merle, being the wizard to the King, used his power to cast a spell on King Uther so that Ygerna will
acknowledge the King’s love. That night, using the spell from Merle, King Uther disguised himself as the Duke
of Tintagel and entered Ygerna’s corridor. After a night of passion, King Uther impregnated Ygerna. That
same night, the Duke of Tintagel was killed in battle by King Uther’s troops. King Uther arranged to wed the
now vulnerable Ygerna who gave birth to the child he named Arthur. As the years passed, Merle oversaw the
raising of this young child and became his tutor and guardian. King Uther was getting more old and feeble but
continued to engage in battles. His last battle proved to be fatal for him and his troops. After being declared
the winner, their main water supply was poisoned and many of King Uther’s men, including him, became victim
to the sabotage by the defeated troops. Left without a king, Merle arranged for a contest in which he
embedded a sword into a rock. The first to remove the sword would be crowned king. All who tried had failed
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except for Arthur. Arthur, unknowingly and without any hesitation, removed the sword and become King
Arthur.
As the years passed King Arthur became a powerful king with Merle by his side. But Merle was getting
old and the effects of time were catching up to him. One night, King Arthur was given the terrible news that
Merle had died. It was unclear how Merle the Magician had passed away. Some legends report the Lady of the
Lake (named Niniane) encased Merle in rock after using the magical skills Merle had taught her. Other legends
maintain that Merle was killed during a night battle. Despite the differences in what exactly caused the death of
Merle the Magician, King Arthur had lost his life long companion.
King Arthur ordered a proper burial for Merle. Merle was laid to rest and a large mound of earth and
rock, known as a barrow, was placed on Merle’s burial site. The site was then named Merle’s Barrow (which
translates to Merle’s tomb) and eventually became the name known today as Marlborough. The location of
Merle’s Barrow (also spelled 'Maerle beorg’) came to be known as Marlborough Mount (see Photo 1.1).
Marlborough Mount from the Banks of the Kennet
Photo 1.1: An artist’s depiction of what Marlborough Mount appeared centuries ago on the land now known as Marlborough,
Wiltshire, England.
The legend has been told for many centuries, but is it true? Was there a King Arthur and a Merlin the
Magician? There are many skeptics that believe not, while others believe this legend is a combination of truth
and fiction. One interesting fact is that in 1998, BBC News in England reported an ancient rock with the name
Artognov embedded in it was found at Tintagel Castle, the legendary birthplace of King Arthur. The name
Artognov is Latin for Arthnou, which can be translated to Arthur. The stone is thought to be dated in the 6th
century. Another interesting fact is that the Marlborough Mount still exists today.
In 1067, the location known as Marlborough’s Mount was occupied and conquered by King William I,
who decided to name his new town ‘Marlborough’, after The Mount. This was the beginning of Marlborough,
Wiltshire, England – the very first town named Marlborough, after Merle the Magician. The name continues to
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this very day and Merle’s Barrow is now said to be located on the grounds of Marlborough College in England
(see Photo 1.2).
Photo 1.2 Marlborough Mount located on the grounds of Marlborough College campus in Marlborough, Wiltshire, England. Photo is
credited to Simon Marshall of Aberystwyth, Ceredigion (2002).
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Many centuries have since passed but the name and the Mount continue to exist. However, it was not
until the 17th century that the name Marlborough began to appear in the United States. In early 1600s, many
Dutch and English families began a journey across the Atlantic Ocean and settled in the quaint northeast
section of America. These settlers began occupying what is now known as New England and in 1620, the name
‘New England’ was officially granted by King James I. As these families began colonizing their new settlement,
they gave their new home a piece of England’s history that has remained with us to this very day – the names of
their hometowns. For example, Hartford, Connecticut was named after Hertfordshire, England and Windsor,
Connecticut was named after Windsor, Berkshire, England. But more importantly, Marlborough,
Massachusetts was named after Marlborough, Wiltshire, England. It has also been said that Marlborough,
Massachusetts may have been given its name in honor John Churchill, who was the Duke of Marlborough,
Wiltshire in the 1600s.
THE MARLBOROUGH OF CONNECTICUT
There are two theories that exist today describing how Connecticut obtained a town named
Marlborough. The first theory states that the town was named after Marlborough, Wiltshire, England in honor
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of John Churchill, the Duke of Marlborough. This is partly true since any reference to the name ‘Marlborough’
can be traced back to Marlborough, Wiltshire, England. The second theory states that the name came from
John Bigelow, who was the grandson of John Bigelow (I), a prominent figure in Marlborough, Massachusetts.
John Bigelow came from a wealthy and influential family (see Chapter 3 for more on the Bigelow Family). In the mid
1700s, John Bigelow migrated south from Massachusetts, settled on the plains somewhere in central
Connecticut, and gave it the name ‘New Marlborough’, after his hometown Marlborough, Massachusetts.
It can be said that both theories are true in their own respect since Marlborough, Connecticut was
named after Marlborough, Massachusetts, which was named after Marlborough, Wiltshire, though the second
theory is considered to be the most probable origination of the town name since John Bigelow was the first to
officially suggest the name to the General Assembly. However, it was not until 1803 that Marlborough was the
official town name.
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THE BIRTH OF A TOWN
The creation of Marlborough, Connecticut occurred in several different time periods, each having its
own significant part in this town’s history. Starting in the mid 1600s, the formation of this town continued until
1813 when the final boundaries were set. Throughout the last three centuries several historical events took
place that should be considered when looking at the entire span of Marlborough’s history.
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THE MARLBOROUGH OF THE 1600s
The land of Connecticut was occupied entirely by the Native Indians. In 1633, this land was bought by
Dutch traders from the Pequot tribe and called it ‘Quinatucquet’, a Native American word meaning “Beside the
Long Tidal River”. The name eventually became phonetically known as Connecticut.
Within Connecticut were four main Indian groups: Nipmunks, Sequin, Wappinger, and PequotsMohegan. Each group contained their own tribes and occupied a different area of Connecticut. The Sequin, or
‘River Indians’, occupied the area now called the Hartford County, as well as other areas. The names of several
original tribes within the Sequin’s are still used today – The Tunxis (Tunxis Community College), The
Quinnipiac’s (Quinnipiac College), and the Hammonasset’s (Hammonasset Beach State Park) – while others,
such as the Sechenayaug, are found only in old town records. The Sequin’s lived in harmony with nature and
their survival was depended on successful hunting, fishing, and farming within their area. These tribes were
found within small villages and used the Monhege Path to travel back and forth between other tribes. The
Monhege Path was one of the main paths of Connecticut during this time and connected Boston to Norwich,
Connecticut. This path passed through the Marlborough area near a large lake and was traveled by many Indian
tribes as well as Dutch and English settlers. Within the Sequin’s was an Indian chief named Chief
Terramuggus. He resided in Wethersfield and gave the name to the large lake in Marlborough, known as Lake
Terramuggus.
During the early to mid 1600s, English and Dutch settlers began occupying land in what is now
Wethersfield and New London. These two locations became populated quickly because of their close
proximity to water. Large ships would stop at these locations and unload passengers and cargo. The
Marlborough area, however, was uninhabited and desolate, with the exception of the occasional traveler who
used the Monhege Path back and forth from Wethersfield and New London. Many traveled for what seemed
like days between the two towns to conduct business and trade.
As the new settlers occupied more and more land they were welcomed by the native tribes, unlike other
areas of Connecticut where battles were more common. The native Indians taught their new settlers how to
farm and where to hunt, while the settlers taught the Indians about their religion and how to write, among other
things. Much of the Indian heritage is based on spoken law; therefore, there is limited documentation regarding
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the native Indians and their way of life. In the teachings of writing by the English settlers, the native Indians
were given a new way to express their laws in the form of writing.
In the 1650s, an Englishman named John Sadler opened one of the very first Inns in the new world
called Sadler’s Ordinary (originally spelled Ordynary), located on the Monhege Path near Lake Terramuggus (see
Chapter 2). Since the Monhege Path was one of the most traveled paths in Connecticut during these times,
establishing an Inn on this path was a great benefit to many travelers. John Sadler entertained many and kept
his door open to those who needed food and rest. Sadler’s Ordinary was one of the very first structures
constructed in the Marlborough area.
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THE MARLBOROUGH OF THE 1700s
The Marlborough area was being populated by many English settlers as well as the native Indians
throughout the early 1700s. One of the very first settlers in the Marlborough area was Nathanial Foote from
Wethersfield, who received land in northern Colchester from the Mohegan Sachem around 1703. His
descendants built the Foote and Saw mill located near the Blackledge River during the 1700s. Thomas Carrier
and his sons moved to the same area and built a sawmill on the Jeremy River in Colchester. The Carrier home
was built on the New London Turnpike in what is now Marlborough. The Skinner, Lord, and Kneeland
families also began occupying this same area. The Kneeland family built their mill near what is now Route 66.
These families owned many acres of land and dominated the northern part of Colchester.
Land was also being occupied in south Glastonbury (now northern Marlborough) by Thomas
Dickinson, who had been granted land by the town of Glastonbury in the area known as the meadow of
Sadler’s Ordinary. He then sold some of his land to Samuel Loveland. The Dickinson and Loveland families
became the first English settlers in the northern part of Marlborough. The western part of Hebron (now
eastern Marlborough) was being settled by the Buell and Phelps family, while the western and central part of
Marlborough became the home of the Strong, Carter, Hosford, Blish, and Bigelow families.
The population of the Marlborough area in October of 1740 was 172 and by the turn of the century
the population grew to an estimated 600 residents. Three mills were in operation during this time - the
Kneeland Sawmill, Loveland Sawmill, and the Foote Sawmill – which provided the basic materials for building a
home (see Chapter 9).
Many homes were constructed and much of the land was being divided and sold between families.
The Buell Homestead (now Marlborough Tavern) was built during the early part of the 1700s in the area that
eventually became the town center. The town center was located at the intersection of two dirt paths, which
later became known as the New London Turnpike and the Hebron-Middle Haddam Turnpike (see Chapter 4).
These roads were highly traveled and by the late 1700s the Buell Homestead became the post office.
Three surrounding towns had already become incorporated by the General Assembly of Connecticut –
Hebron in 1708, Colchester in 1698 and Glastonbury in 1693. During this time, all towns incorporated and
recognized by the State of Connecticut were centered on their church. The town residents paid their taxes to
the church and were required to attend services on a regular basis. Unfortunately for the new settlers of the
area, the nearest church was over seven miles away. These settlers were in actuality residents of Hebron,
Colchester, or Glastonbury (see Map 1.1). Therefore, these residents were required to travel to their towns’
church to attend services and pay their taxes.
On May 15, 1736 a petition handwritten by Epaphras Lord and signed by fourteen residents of the
towns of Colchester, Hebron, and Glastonbury was sent to the General Assembly asking permission to hire a
minister of their own. The residents were:
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Benjamin Kneeland Jr.
Dorothy Waters
Benjamin Kneeland
Samuel Loveland
William Buell
Joseph Whight
Ebenezer Mudge
Epaphras Lord
Ichabod Lord
John Kneeland
Joseph Kneeland
John Waddams
Abraham Skinner
David Dickinson
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Hiring a minister would eliminate the long and difficult travels to the nearest church. In May of 1736,
permission was granted by the General Assembly and Rev. Elijah Mason was hired as their minister. The
residents from the sections of Glastonbury, Colchester, and Hebron were recognized as the ‘Ecclesiastical
Society of Marlborough’ (hereinafter known as the Marlborough Society), the name given by John Bigelow.
This was the beginning of a process that would last 56 years. Even though the boundaries were set and
a minister was hired for this area, the residents had to continue their responsibilities in their towns such as
attend town meetings and pay parish taxes. This was a hardship for these residents and many more petitions
followed. These residents were determined to become independent for their surrounding towns and have the
Marlborough Society acknowledged by the General Assembly as a fully independent town.
On April 30, 1737 another petition was submitted requesting the release of paying parish taxes to the
towns of Glastonbury, Colchester, and Hebron. This petition was denied.
On October 2, 1740 a third petition was submitting stating that the residents desired a school in which
their children would be trained in the fear of God and knowledge of the Gospel. This petition was denied.
On September 24, 1745 a forth petition was submitted requesting again the release from parish taxes to
their surrounding towns and obtain parish privileges for their own parish. This was petition was denied.
In 1749 and 1750, two more petitions followed requesting recognition but were denied. This did not
deter their motivation and many more petitions were submitted in the following decades. In 1749, the
construction of a new parish had begun and continued until its completion in 1803. In 1760, Daniel Hosford
built the first schoolhouse directly across the new parish. When 1803 arrived and the parish was complete
another petition was presented to the General Assembly:
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At the General Assembly of the State of Connecticut, holden at New Haven on the second Thursday of
October, 1803. Upon the petition of Joel Foote, agent of the Ecclesiastical Society of Marlborough, and the
rest of the inhabitants of said society, showing to this assembly that they are in three towns and three
counties, and at a very great distance from the centers of those towns and counties to which they respectively
belong and where public business is done in said towns and counties, and that many and great
inconveniences arise to them from their present local situation, and that it would be greatly beneficial to them
in a variety of respects to be incorporated into a town, with all the rights of such corporation in this state and
with liberty of one representative to the General Assembly, as per petition of file dated the 27th day of April,
1803.
On Thursday, October 13, 1803, the General Assembly incorporated the three sections of towns,
known as the Ecclesiastical Society of Marlborough and was named Marlborough, Connecticut. On
December 12, 1803, the first town meeting was held and set the foundation for all town meetings
thereafter.
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The following townsmen held the first positions in their new town:
Elijah Kellogg
Clerk:
David Kilbourn
Treasurer:
Eleanor Carter
Selectmen:
Isreal Foote
Joel Foote
William Buell
Constables:
David Finley
Cornelius Shephard
Listers:
David Finley
David Skinner
Norton Waters
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Moderator:
Grand Jurors: Samuel Finley
Thomas Carrier
Joseph Kneeland
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Tithing Men: Oliver Dewy
David M. Lord
Surveyor of
Highways: Isaac Carrier
David M Lord
Joel Washbourn
John Waters
Joseph Carrier
Thomas Carrier
Frederick Phelps
Solomon Finley
J. Dickinson
Samuel Jones
Fence Viewers: David Skinner
Ezra Carter
Ashbel Phelps
Gauger:
David Kilbourn
On the day the town became incorporated, George III was King of England, Thomas Jefferson was
President, and Jonathon Trumbull was Governor of Connecticut.
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Photo 1.3: The first town meeting records (Page 1), Courtesy of Marlborough Town Hall.
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Photo 1.4: First town meeting records (Page 2), Courtesy of Marlborough Town Hall.
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72 30´
72 25´
Annexed from
Glastonbury
1813
41 40´
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From Glastonbury at
incorporation of the
town 1803
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From Hebron at
incorporation of the town
1803
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From Colchester at
incorporation of the town
1803
41 35´
Diagram
Showing the Evolution of the Town of
Marlborough
Map 1.1: The incorporation of the town by section. The center line is a rough depiction of the New London
Turnpike.
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