The Early History of Berlin, Connecticut

Excerpt from The Early History of Berlin, Connecticut: An Historical Paper Delivered Before the Emma Hart Willard Chapter, D. A. R. January, 17, 1913
"Wild was the day: the wintry sea
Moaned sadly on New England's strand
When first the thoughtful and the free,
Our fathers, trod this desert land."
How little we have thought of those who toiled and suffered that we might have peace and comfort. This beautiful town of Berlin owes a great debt of gratitude to those men and women for their courage and for the principles of industry and uprightness which they inculcated in their descendants.
Sergeant Richard Becklcy, the first settler in our town, came from New Haven to Beckley Quarter, which was then a part of Wethersfield, in 1660. He was a planter, and a man of some importance, and he always sat in the men's second scat in church. He was elected Sergeant of Artillery in 1659 and had held other offices in the New Haven Colony. He voted in Wethersfield in 1662. Of the Indian Chief Tarramuggus he purchased 300 acres of land lying on both sides of the Matta-bcsctt river. The original deed of this land is in the possession of one of his descendants today. His house probably stood not far from where Mr. Norman Bcckley now lives.
Tradition says there was an Indian settlement along the Mattabesett river south of Beckley Quarter. These Indians were known as the Mattabesetts, a sub-tribe of the Wongunks, and their hunting grounds extended as far south as the straits below Middletown. Middletown, until 1653, was called Mattabesett. For many years Richard Beckley and his family were the only white people living among the Indians in Beckley Quarter. One Sunday while he was at church in Wethersfield two Indians entered his house and stole some of his goods. He complained to those in authority in Hartford and received remuneration. This is the only record of his having had trouble with the Indians. He died in 1090, and his will provided well for his widow and six children.
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