Front:
NEW HAVEN, CONN.
WILBUR CROSS PARKWAY
EXIT 59 ·
SERVICE STATION
2C
RESTAURANT
MOTEL -
3 JUDGES
3 Judjes
Back:
3 Judges
Atop West Rock, in the vicinity of the parkway tunnel, stands New Haven's
historic Judge's Cave. Here in 1660 two Cromwellian judges who had signed
the death warrant of Charles I sought refuge and concealment from the officers
of the English Crown after the restoration of Charles II. A third judge, among
the fifty-nine who presided at King Charles' trial, also found refuge in New
Haven, although his identity was not generally known until his death.
The flight of these judges continued for more than a quarter of a century
with drama and heroism which has few equals in history. Their lives in the
New World were tragedies of constant concealment in the wilderness of early
Connecticut and Massachusetts, or in the darkest cellars of friendly magistrates
and ministers from whom they gained courage and concealment. Searchers
sent out by the English Government never relented in their pursuit of the
regicides.
In tribute to the courage of the judges, and in sympathy with the scheme
of life those unfortunates sought to install, Judges' Cave now bears a plaque
with the inscription.... Opposition To Tyrants Is Obedience To God.” As a
further remembrance, the City of New Haven long ago named three of its
principal streets after Major General Edward Whalley, Major General William
Goffe and Colonel John Dixwell. New Haveners and visitors alike pay pri-
vate tribute at the grave of Colonel Dixwell behind the Center Church on
the Green
