This region was named Weaxskashuck by Indian inhabitants, meaning Great Marsh. Early white settlers called it Windsor Goshen or Great Marsh. In 1671 the Town of Windsor purchased the western part from the Indians and later received the eastern portion from the General Assembly to replace land taken from Windsor to settle a boundary dispute between Massachusetts and Connecticut. Samuel Pinney was the first settler in 1717. The former home of the Reverend John McKinstry, from 1730, is probably the oldest house standing in Ellington. Legislative action established a parish in 1735. The part of Windsor east of the Connecticut River was set off in 1768 and became East Windsor. Ellington was taken from East Windsor and incorporated in 1786.