At one time they looked toward emigrating to New Netherland, and at another to Virginia, but, finally, arrangements were completed for a more northern location, and, in 1620, they crossed the Atlantic and commenced the Massachusetts settlement. Their trials and sufferings in the new home were varied and severe. The settlement grew, however, and it was not long before the spirit of adventure and the desire for better lands led some of them to look for homes in other sections. The Indians had told them of the fertile soil along the Connecticut River, and, in 1633, a few of their number

came hither. Lord Say and Seal, Lord Brook and others obtained a patent from the British crown for this region, and, in 1636, under their authority, John Winthrop, son of the Governor of Massachusetts, brought a well-equipped company, who formed settlements along the river. In 1637 a fresh colony from England arrived in Boston. It was under the general charge of Theophilus Eaton, with John Davenport, a clergyman of some note from London, as their spiritual adviser. They were a company of wealth and respectability. Remaining but a short time at Boston, they came to Connecticut and securely planted the New Haven colony in the spring of 1638. The land had been purchased from the Indians in the preceding autumn. So soon as they were comfortably established they desired to enlarge their borders, and on the 1st of July, 1640, Nathan Turner, on behalf of the people of New Haven, purchased of the Indians the tract known as Rippowams, extending westward along the Sound and sixteen miles inland. It included a portion of Westchester County.