Biography of Robert Bartlett of the ship "Lyon"
ROBERT BARTLETT was born about 1612 in Bristol, England. He emigrated on the Lion in 1632. The Lyon left Bristol, England on June 22, 1632 and at that time Robert took the oath of allegiance to the King and government of England before he embarked. After being at sea for twelve weeks, they arrived at Boston Harbor on Sunday evening, September 16, 1632. The passengers on that ship brought with them the Charter which was long afterwards protected from seizure by being hidden in the famous Charter Oak and which gave them a grant of land on which they founded the City of Hartford, Conn. in 1637. When this settlement was made, the name of Robert Bartlett appears as one of the original proprietors and he is known to have been a resident of the place until he moved to Northampton in 1655.
He was one of the original proprietors of Hartford, Connecticut 1639/40 where he was made freeman in 1645, chimney viewer in 1650. He received 8 Acres in the division 1632 - 1640. He lived on the West side of the highway which is now Layette Street. [4] He removed to Northampton, Mass., about 1655, where he was constable, townsman (1657), selectman (1658) and juryman (1659). He was a farmer.
During King Philip's War, he was slain 14 March 1675/6 by Indians, when they broke through the palisades and raided the village. The main attack by the Indians upon Northampton, came on (King Phillip's War) March 14, 1676 when the Indians assaulted three sides of the stockade at the same time in the early part of the day. Had it not been for the fact that the settlers had most valuable assistance from a company of troops then garrisoned within the town, it would have been completely destroyed and the settlers all massacred or some of them carried away into capacity among the Indians and their French allies in Canada. As it was the Indians broke the stockade near the home of Robert & Ann Bartlett and killed 5 men, but were finally driven out and retreated without further damage. Robert was Slain by the Indians, & was buried in the Public Highway very near the spot where he fell for the reason it was said that it was not thought safe to carry his body to the cemetery. He had an estate valued at 654 pounds or upward of $2000, which was a large estate for a farmer in those days. His widow Ann died the same year.
Since Robert was buried in the Public Highway where he died, then when the Highway "Bartlett Lane" was redone his body was moved to the back yard of his home.. Then when the street was widen the houses were moved a few feet back and it is presently believe that his old home is residing above where he is laid.
