Old Connecticut Path: Ways to Woodstock -- Thompson & Woodstock, Connecticut

The History of Windham County by Ellen Larned included a map to buried treasure. Larned's map of "Ancient Windham County" provides the key to open the door for modern explorers seeking to rediscover the pioneer's world along the Old Connecticut Path. Come along on the journey of rediscovery along the Old Connecticut Path from the fording place on banks of the Quinebaug River across the 3 mile wilderness of the Thompson Woods to reach the Senexet Meadows of Woodstock.
Ellen Larned's route from Thompson to Woodstock reflects time before King Philip's War (1675-76) when the land was still home of the Native People and the English traveled on foot through the native lands. Two later routes followed by the settlers of Connecticut after King Philip's war are traced to the point where they converge with the Old Connecticut Path at Senexet Meadow in Woodstock. These "New" ways, better suited to wheeled travel, replaced the Old Connecticut Path as the way from Massachusetts Bay to Connecticut.
Over the passage of centuries, memory of the "Old" Connecticut Path faded. The "New" ways were improved and some of these were also cast aside. Using Larned's map as a guide, a world undisturbed can be found in the Thompson Woods where the magic of nature and imagination can carry you back to the land as it may have been experienced by the pioneers. It truly is a buried treasure!
The Old Connecticut Path is one of the earliest trails followed as part of America's westward migration. As early as 1635-36, the migration from Massachusetts Bay at Boston/Cambridge west to Connecticut began following the Old Connecticut Path. Reverend John Wareham lead his congregation from Dorchester, MA to establish Windsor, CT in 1635. John Oldham traveled the Path that others followed from Watertown, MA to establish Wethersfield, CT. Reverend Thomas Hooker and his entire congregation walked along the Old Connecticut Path for two weeks across the wilderness in 1636 from Cambridge, MA to establish Hartford, CT. Join me for a walk and use your imagination to experience the landscape traveled by the pioneers of the 1600s.
For more information, visit the Old Connecticut Path website at sites.google.c...
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[@Bigelowbrook]

nicely done. I really enjoy seeing where the paths are on the maps.

[@dryheat85255]

Good job of clarifying the various paths in the Woodstock area.

[@jimrider2911]

Thanks so much for providing this history lesson. My wife and I and I are purchasing property in Woodstock exactly for the connection with history and the outdoors you present here.

[@skiguy1562]

cool stuff !!

[@ThatoldD1shitty]

I know we're all those things are in Woodstock

[@brianspecbrn6296]

I grew up in this town and I know a bunch of more paths. Jason contact me. [e-mail] I can show you stuff you have never seen in Woodstock.
Brian Ask