Stonington Declaration of Independence
Declaration of Independence
(Stonington CT)
June 30, 1658
Signed by Thomas Shaw
Jim Winsness' 9th Great Grandfater
from Stonington Chronology by Williams Haynes:
June 30, 1658 - The townspeople drew up a sort of Stonington Declaration of Independence, the famous
"Asotiation of Poquatuck Peple"
Whereas thear is a difference between the 2 Collonyes of Matachusetts and Conecticoat about the government of this plac, whereby we are deprived of Expectation of protection from either, but in ways of Curecy, & whereas we had a command from the generall Courth of the Matachusetts to order our own business in peac with common consent till further provision be made for us, in obedyience to which commuand we have addressed our selves thearunto, but cannot atain it in regard of soomm distractions among ourselves, and thear hath ben injurious isolencys done unto soom persons, - the cattle of others threatened to be taken away, -- and the chattell of some others already taiken away by violent.
We haveing taken into consideration that in tymes so full of danger as theas are, unyon of our harts and percons is most conducing to the public good & safety of the place, thearfore in pursuance of the same, the better to confirm a mutual confydence in one another & that we may be perserved in righteousness and peac with such as do commenc with us, & that misdemeanors may be corrected and incorrygable persons punished: We hose names are hereunto subscribed do hearby promis, testify & declare to maintain and deffend with our persons and estait the peac of the plac and to aid and assist one another acoarding to law & rules of righteousness acoarding to the true intent & meaning of our asociation till such other provition be maide ffor us as may atain our end above written, whereunto we willingly give our assent & nether ffor ffear hoape or other respects shallever relinquish this promis till other provition be maide ffor us. And we do not this out of anny disrespec unto either the afoarsaid governments which are bound ever to honor, but in the vacancy of any other aforesaid.
Signed:
George Denison, Thomas Shaw, Nathaniel Chesebrough, Elihu Plamer, Thomas Stanton, Elisha Chesebrough, Moses Palmer, Walter Palmer, Tho. Stanton, Wilm Chesebrough, Samuel Chesebrough.
Upon the request of severall among us to enter into this association with us they are admitted and have accordingly subscribed their names, June 30, 1658.