Hebron was first settled in 1704-05 during Queen Anne’s War between the English and French. The Connecticut General Assembly was so concerned with invasion that they ordered settlers not to leave their farms. At this time William Shipman and Timothy Phelps had started to clear land in Hebron to settle. Their wives left in Windsor became concerned for their safety. Following footpaths they made there way to Hebron, but then got lost. With night approaching they found an Indigenous encampment site by a large boulder. Climbing the boulder, they cried out for help which their husbands heard and came to their rescue. The boulder still remains along Burrows Hill Road and is known today as prophet’s Rock.
Evidence of William Shipman’s house was found in the 1840’s. Unfortunately, its existence was not taken into consideration when the sidewalk was installed and was paved over.

Think about it

Do you think Mrs. Shipman and Mrs. Phelps were brave or foolish?

Where to go from here

This concludes this section of the tour. As you walked back to the starting point, think about how what you see is different from what Hebron’s first settlers might have seen.