Woodstock: An historical sketch

In this lively historic sketch, the narrator guides listeners back to the founding of Woodstock, Connecticut, as it was celebrated at the town’s 1886 bi‑centennial. The talk weaves the story of the early Puritan settlers who left England seeking religious freedom, linking their journey to the larger saga of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Listeners will hear vivid details about the first land patents, the departure of ships in 1630, and the tight‑knit community that grew around the new church.

The narrative then turns to the neighboring settlement of Roxbury, describing how families such as the Bowens, Bugbees and Bartholomews migrated southward to carve out a new village. It highlights the early theocratic government, the role of Reverend John Eliot, and the ways town meetings established a tradition of local self‑rule. By the end of this first act, listeners gain a clear picture of how Woodstock’s identity was forged in the crucible of faith, land disputes, and communal ambition.