Prior to 1659, John Tinker, an original petitioner and one of the first selectmen of Groton, built an Indian trading post about 500 yards east of this site, and the first settlement was made nearby soon afterward. Near this spot, John Shattuck, a selectman of Groton, and his son John were killed by Indians on May 8, 1709, while crossing Stony Fordway just below the present dam.