FIRST SETTLERS AND EARLY HOME LIFE 



was sold In New Haven, Norfolk at MIddletown, Salis- 

 bury at Hartford, Kent at Windham. There seem to 

 be various conjectures as to the reason for these differ- 

 ent places of sale. It is probable that the government 

 allotted portions of the unsettled territory to the towns 

 already established, that the people might have oppor- 

 tunity to seek new homes, if they so desired, without the 

 trouble and expense of a trip to the seat of the govern- 

 ment. 



The earliest settlement In Litchfield County was 

 doubtless in the town of Woodbury. There is a tradi- 

 tion of the coming of these pioneers, that they were 

 ordered by Governor WInthrop to follow the Pom- 

 peraug River up eight miles from its junction with the 

 Housatonlc. But the Pomperaug looked so small that 

 they thought they must be mistaken and kept on until 

 they came to the Shepaug. This they followed up eight 

 miles to what is now known as Roxbury Valley. As this 

 did not quite agree with the description of the land they 

 were seeking, they crossed over the wilderness and dis- 

 covered from Good Hill the rich valley which was the 

 object of their search. On this hill they kindled the 

 first recorded home camp-fire, and then in the name of 

 God set up their altars. As an expression of gratitude 

 for their safe arrival on the borders of such a rich val- 

 ley—their "promised land" — a devout deacon of the 

 party "fell on his knees, leading to prayer the little band 



