What was Saybrook Colony?

                 The settlement of Saybrook was part of a trading dispute between the English and the Dutch.[1] Seeking to control trade on the Connecticut River, the Dutch had built a trading point at what is now Saybrook Point by 1632.[2] In 1631, the British Earl of Warwick had issued “the Warwick Patent,” giving control of a large section of southern New England to those named in the patent.[3]  In 1635, John Winthrop, fearing that the Dutch would establish permanent control of the river, built a fort on the Point.[4]

                 The following year, the community found itself in the midst of the Pequot War.[5]  In that year, the Pequot community attacked both Cornfield Point and Guardhouse Point, with the intention of driving out the Saybrook Settlers.[6]

                 In 1644, George Fenwick, acting as Governor, sold Saybrook Colony to Connecticut Colony.[7]

Contemporary Towns Included in Saybrook Plantation[8]:

1. Chester
2. Deep River (called Saybrook until 1947)[9]
3. Essex
4. Lyme
5. Old Lyme
6. Westbrook
7. Old Saybrook

Reference Texts:

Plimpton, Elizabeth Bull. The Vital Records of Saybrook Colony, 1635-1860.

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[1] “1635-Saybrook,” The Society of Colonial Wars in the State of Connecticut (https://www.colonialwarsct.org/1635.htm: accessed 5 June 2024).

[2] “1635-Saybrook.”

[3] “History of Old Saybrook,” Old Saybrook Historical Society (https://saybrookhistory.org/history-of-old-saybrook/: accessed 5 June 2024).

[4] “History of Old Saybrook.”

[5] “Lion Gardiner Helps to Fortify Early Old Saybrook,” Connecticut History.org, 24 November 2020(https://connecticuthistory.org/lion-gardiner-helps-to-fortify-early-old-saybrook/: accessed 5 June 2024).

[6] “Lion Gardiner Helps to Fortify Early Old Saybrook.”

[7] “History of Old Saybrook.”

[8] “1635-Saybrook.”

[9] “List of Connecticut Towns & Counties Including Year Established,” Connecticut State Library (https://ctstatelibrary.org/cttowns/counties: accessed 5 June 2024).