Saints and Armed Sentinels: Guarding New Haven's Flocks

The New Haven Colony leaders were scrupulous in both religion and security. With the ever-present risk of hostile European seafarers or nearby native groups, they would not be caught unprepared for any unforeseen threats. They embedded sturdy barricades of tightly packed logs deep into the ground, they routinely trained their militia, and all their field workers carried muskets. 

But because the settlement was staunchly religious, leaders knew their most vulnerable time for surprise attacks was during the weekly church service. On September 1, 1640, colony leaders enacted a law requiring fully armed men to take turns guarding every side of the meetinghouse every Sunday. For security inside the building, each man must have his sword at his hip at all times, during prayers, preaching, and hymn singing. 

The system had its flaws, however, so two years later a newly created law declared that “none of the watchmen shall have liberty to sleep during the watch.” New Haven court records show hearings and steep fines for guards caught napping. After William Tuttle was found sleeping on duty, he "contritely confessed” in court “and hoped that it might be for the last time." When another citizen witnessed a guard sleeping, he entered the watch house only to find the senior guard asleep in his chair, and more guards snoring on the floor. 

Despite their imperfect system, New Haven's pastor Thomas Ruggles said the security practices continued sixty years or more "for the safety, peace, and prosperity of the plantation." 

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“As a shepherd searcheth out his flock, when he hath been among his sheep that are scattered, so will I seek out my sheep and will deliver them out of all places.”

(Ezekiel 34:12; 1599 Geneva Bible)