Editing Simsbury, Connecticut (section)

===King Philip's War===
In 1675, rumors of unrest among the indigenous peoples began to surface. The rumors proved accurate, and [[King Philip's War]], a war between a number of tribes and the New England settlers, began in the summer. The war extended through parts of four colonies, with Simsbury on the western edge of the conflict. At the time, it was seen as a [[frontier settlement]].{{sfn|Phelps|1845|p=21}} The conflict was largely over by August 1676, although it did not formally end until a treaty was signed in 1678.

The colony of Connecticut formed a Council of War. In the days leading up to the war, they ordered settlers to keep night watches and to work in the fields in armed groups of at least six.{{sfn|Phelps|1845|p=20}} By the time of the colony's General Court meeting of October 14, 1675, the situation was considered serious enough that the court ordered the residents of Simsbury to move to safety in Windsor. The order read:

{{blockquote|text=This Court orders, that the people of Simsbury shall have a week's time to secure themselves and their corn there, and at the end of the week from this date, the souldiers, now in garrison at Simsbury, shall be released their attendance there.|sign=Colony of Connecticut General Court{{sfn|Connecticut|1852| p=269}}}}
In March 1676, the town of Simsbury was first pillaged, then burned to the ground. This destruction has been described as the most extensive of any event of any Indian War in New England.{{sfn|Phelps|1845|p=24}} The settlers remained in Windsor until the spring of 1677, during which most moved back to Simsbury, though some never returned.{{sfn|Phelps|1845|p=25}}