A gazetteer of the states of Connecticut and Rhode-Island : written with care and impartiality, from original and authentic materials : consisting of two parts : with an accurate and improved map of each state, Part 1

Author: Pease, John C. (John Chauncey), 1782-1859. 4n; Niles, John M. (John Milton), 1787-1856. 4n
Publication date: 1819
Publisher: Hartford : Printed and published by W.S. Marsh
Number of Pages: 418

USA > Connecticut > A gazetteer of the states of Connecticut and Rhode-Island : written with care and impartiality, from original and authentic materials : consisting of two parts : with an accurate and improved map of each state > Part 1

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Delineated & Engraved by I. Sanford, Hartford Connecticut.

OLIVER WOLCOTT, Governor of the State of Connecticutl.

Hartford, Published by Wm. S. Marsh, for a Gazetteer of Connecticut 1819.

GAZETTEER

OF THE STATES

CONNECTICUT AND RHODE-ISLAND.

WRITTEN WITH CARE AND IMPARTIALITY, FROM ORIGINAL AND AUTHENTIC MATERIALS.

CONSISTING OF

TWO PARTS.

I. A GEOGRAPHICAL AND STATISTICAL DESCRIPTION OF EACH STATE ; EXHIBITING A GENE. HAL VIEW OF THEIR MORE PROMINENT FEATURES, BOTH NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL.

II. A GENERAL GEOGRAPHICAL VIEW OF EACH COUNTY, AND A MINUTE AND AMPLE TOPOGRA- PHICAL DESCRIPTION AND STATISTICAL VIEW OF EACH TOWN, WITH THEIR CIVIL DIVIS- IONS, SOCIETIES, CITIES, BOROUGHS AND VILLAGES, ALPHABETICALLY ARRANGED IN THEIR RESPECTIVE COUNTIES : TOGETHER WITH SUCCINCT BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES OF EMINENT DECEASED MEN.

WITH AN ACCURATE AND IMPROVED MAP

OF EACH STATE.

BY JOHN C. PEASE AND JOHN M. NILES.

HARTFORD :

PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY WILLIAM S. MAREE.

...........

1819.

District of Connecticut, ss.

BE IT REMEMBERED, That on the twelfth day of L. S. June, in the forty-third year of the Independence of the United States of America, WILLIAM S. MARSH, of the said district, hath deposited in this office the title of a book, the right whereof he claims as proprietor, in the words following, to wit : " A Gazetteer of the States of Connecticut and Rhode-Island ; writ- " ten with care and impartiality, from original and authentic materi- " als. Consisting of two parts ; I. A geographical and statistical des- " cription of each state ; exhibiting a general view of their more pro- " minent features, both natural and artificial. II. A general geogra- " phical view of each county, and a minute and ample topographical " description and statistical view of each town, with their civil divis- " ions, societies, cities boroughs and villages, alphabetically arranged "in their respective counties; together with succinct biographical " notices of eminent deceased men : with an accurate and improved " map of each State. By John C. Pease and John M. Niles."

In conformity to the act of the Congress of the United States, enti- tied " An act for the' encouragement of learning, by securing the co- " pies of maps, charts and books to the authors and proprietors of such " copies, during the times therein mentioned."

CHAS. A. INGERSOLL, Clerk of the district of Connecticut. A true copy of record, examined and sealed by me, CHAS. A. INGERSOLL, Clerk of the district of Connecticut.

PREFACE.

1176067

IN offering the following volume to the public, we have no apology to make ; and little to observe, either as to our own objects or the work itself. There are, perhaps, few departments of science of more general utility, than those of geography and statistics; especially in this country, which possesses an immense territory, embracing different climates; a variety of soil, afford- ing different productions ; and where one united people, having, for the pur- poses of defence, foreign relations, commerce, and other national objects ; a common government, are divided into distinct and separate communities; which, as it respects the common objects of legislation and the various con- cerns of society, are subject to local, distinct and independent authorities ; which, from the influence of positive institutions, must have a tendency, not only to maintain different characteristics, habits and manners in these distinct communities, but in some measure to obstruct the dissemination of local in- telligence. It is evident, that the people of the several States cannot be too intimately acquainted with each other ; their local resources and advantages ; the most important interests, whether of agriculture, manufactures or com- merce; the most conspicuous departments of industry, and the prevailing local characteristics. A general diffusion of information upon these subjects will not only tend to unite us more effectually as one people, but may con- tribute to the general improvement. Several valuable works of this descrip- tion have already been published in the United States; and it is gratifying to observe, that others are contemplated, and that the subject of the topography of our country is every where receiving conspicuous attention. With respect to this volume, we can only say, that it is the product of much industry ; and that it embodies a vast collection of facts, will not, we think, be denied. Per- haps there has been no work of the kind undertaken upon the same princi- ples, nor could these principles have been acted upon with success, except in a work confined to a small territory. It was our design to obtain authentic and correct topographical, and the entire statistical information from every town. This, as will be perceived, has given the work great uniformity ; which, by depriving it of variety, may have rendered it less interesting, but we think not less useful; as that kind of information, which comes within the views of this work, can be found in the description of every town.

With the exception of the aid we have received (which we here would ac- knowledge,) from a statistical and topographical view of New-Haven, by the late PRESIDENT DWIGHT, published in 1811 ; from a view upon a similar plan, of the towns of Litchfield, Norfolk and Washington, in Litchfield county, by

i,y

PREFACE.

JAMES MORRIS Esq .; and a historical and topographical view of the towns of Haddam and East-Haddam, by the Rev. DAVID D. FIELD, published in 1814 ; the work has been wholly compiled from original materials. The facts have been collected either directly by ourselves, or through the aid of correspond- ents. Every county, and almost every important town in each Staie, has been visited; and a circular letter, specifying the several subjects upon which information was requested, has been addressed to one or more of the most intelligent inhabitants in every other town. 'The great number of gentlemen who, in this way, have furnished information for the work, are entitled to our warmest acknowledgments. We are sensible, that information obtained in this mode may, in some instances, have been erroneous; but considering the respectable sources from whence it has been derived, we have no doubt, but that in general it will be found correct. In noticing the sources of our infor- mation, we should do injustice, were we to omit to state, that for the facts relative to the first settlements of towns and much other historical informa- tion, we are extensively indebted to "Trumbull's history of Connecticut;" a work disclosing more research, and more indefatigable industry, than al- most any other which has appeared in this State.

In the arrangement or plan of the work, our object has been to render it as systematic and connected as possible; the usual order of the counties and towns having been preserved.

With respect to biographical notices, as our limits did not admit of an in- sertion of all that might be deserving of preservation, we have selected such as we deemed most distinguished, and that could be obtained with the greatest" facility ; having some regard to diversity of characters, with a view to give this part of the work as much variety and interest as practicable. It will not, therefore, be understood, that all those individuals who have been noticed were deemed more distinguished, or a sketch of their lives more worthy of preservation, than inany others, who have been omited. Should a second edition of the work be demanded, it might, in this as well as in other respects, receive considerable additions and improvements.

It is generally considered, that works of this description cannot be very permanent, as most of the subjects of which they treat are constantly chang- ing. But from the condition of the improvements of almost every descrip- tion in these two States, and the permanent and settled character of society, it is believed, that with the exception of some manufacturing interests, both the topographical descriptions and the statistical details will remain essentially correct for a length of time. It is from this consideration, that we have ob- served a minuteness and uniformity of description, which is not usual in pub- lications of this character. Being confined to giving an account of "things as they are," we have aimed at no embelishments of style, elegance of dic- tion or richness and brilliancy of descriptions. That a work containing such a vast collection of facts should be free from errors, will not be expected ; and we trust that the intelligent and the liberal, being sensible of the difficul- ties attending the undertaking, will view its defects with proper indulgence. After having devoted nearly one entire year to this work, and extended it near 100 pages beyond the proposed size, it is offered to the public with the hope, that it will not be considered as altogether unworthy of the respectable patronage which it has received in almost every town in the two States.

THE AUTHORS.

CONTENTS

OF THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT,

General Geographical and Statistical View of the State of Con- necticut

PAGE 1

Constitution of Connecticut

HARTFORD COUNTY -

Hartford

Berlin

Bristol

Burlington

Canton

East-Hartford

₡

East-Windsor

Enfield

Farmington

Glastenbury

Granby

Hartland Marlborough

Simsbury

Suffield

Wethersfield

Windsor

NEW-HAVEN COUNTY

New-Haven

Branford

114

Cheshire

115

Derby

116

East-Haven

119

Guilford

120

Hamden

124

Meriden

125

Middlebury

Milford

128

North-Haven

₹

130

Oxford -

131

Southbury -

132

Wallingford

133

Waterbury

- 135

Woodbridge

136

Wolcott

- 137

ib.

Southington

J. 5. Can

CONTENTS,

NEW-LONDON COUNTY

PAGE 139

New-London

141

Norwich

- 146

Bozrah

150

Colchester

151

Franklin

152

Griswold

153

Groton

154

Lisbon

159

Montville

162

North-Stonington

163

Preston

164

Stonington

ib.

Waterford -

167

FAIRFIELD COUNTY

168

Fairfield

170

Danbury -

176

Brookfield

178

Greenwich

179

Huntington -

New-Canaan

181

New-Fairfield

182

Newtown -

183

Norwalk -

184

Reading

186

Ridgefield -

191

Sherman -

192

Stamford

Stratford

- 194

Weston

199

Wilton

200

WINDHAM COUNTY

- 202

Windham

- 204

Ashford -

207

Brooklyn -

208

Canterbury

209

Columbia

210

Hampton

.211

Killingly

212

Lebanon

214

Mansfield

216

Plainfield

217

Pomfret

218

Sterling

222

Thompson

223

Voluntown

224

Woodstock

€

225

193

180

158

Lyme

CONTENTS.

vii

LITCHFIELD COUNTY

Litchfield

231

Barkhamsted

237

Bethlem

239

Canaan -

240

Colebrook

242

Cornwall

243

Goshen

247

Harwinton

249

Kent

250

New-Hartford

New-Milford

252

Norfolk

254

Plymouth

257

Salisbury

258

Sharon

260

Torrington

261

Warren

262

Washington

264

Winchester

265

Woodbury -

- 266

MIDDLESEX COUNTY

269

Middletown

271

Haddam

275

Chatham

278

Durham

280

East-Haddam

281

Killingworth

283

Saybrook

284

TOLLAND COUNTY

288

Tolland

290

Bolton

291

Coventry

ib.

Ellington

295

Hebron

Somers

296

Stafford

297

Union

- 300

Vernon

+ 302

Willington

- 303

256

Roxbury -

263

Watertown

251

PAGE 299

CONTENTS

OF THE STATE OF RHODE-ISLAND.

General Geographical and Statistical View of the State of Rhode-

Island

PAGE 305

PROVIDENCE COUNTY

321

Providence

324

Burrellville

335

Cumberland

336

Cranston

337

Gloucester

339

Foster

340

Johnston

342

North-Providence

343

Scituate

344

Smithfield

345

NEWPORT COUNTY

349

Newport

351

Jamestown

355

Little-Compton

357

New-Shoreham

ib.

Portsmouth

358

Tiverton

BRISTOL COUNTY

363

Barrington

365

Warren

ib.

KENT COUNTY

367

East-Greenwich

368.

Coventry

370

Warwick

371

West-Greenwich

376

WASHINGTON COUNTY

377

South-Kingston

379

Exeter

380

Charlestown

ib.

Hopkinton

383

North-Kingston

ib.

Richmond .

385

Westerly

386

356

Middletown

359

361

Bristol

GENERAL

GEOGRAPHICAL AND STATISTICAL VIEW OF THE STATE OF

CONNECTICUT.

CONNECTICUT is situated between 41° and 42° 2' north lat. and between 71° 20' and 73º 15' west lon.

Its form is considerably irregular. It has an average length, from east to west, of about 88 miles, and a mean breadth, from north to south, of about 53 miles, comprising an area of about 4664 square miles, inclusive of navigable rivers, bays and harbours.

Connecticut is bounded on the north by the Commonwealth of Mas- sachusetts, on the east by the State of Rhode-Island, on the south by Long-Island sound, and on the west by the State of New-York.

The State is divided into cight counties, of which the following TABLE exhibits a view ; the number of towns in each ; the seat of justice ; the incorporated cities, boroughs, &c.

Counties. Hartford.

. Towns.

New-Haven. 17

New-London.

N. London and Norwich.

Incor. cities, &c. Hartford City. New-Haven City & Guilford Borough. N. London & Nor- wich Cities, & Sto- nington Borough.

Fairfield.

Bridgeport Boro'.

Windham.

Litchfield.

Middlesex.

Middletown City. .

Tolland.

Seat of justice. Hartford.

New-Haven.

Fairfield and Danbury. Windham. Litchfield. Middletown and Haddam. Tolland.

Litchfield Village.

Surface, Soil and Geological Character .- Accuracy of geographical description, and a correct and minute delineation of the physiogno- my of the earth, its surface, soil, mountains, rivers, bays, geological character, natural and agricultural productions, &c. are objects, pre- senting no ordinary difficulties, and which afford no prospect of at- tainment, without adequate and correct information, derived from au-

GENERAL VIEW

thentic sources, and the result of extensive research and just observa- tion. The description of natural objects is attended with difficulties, in proportion to the number and variety of their features, and the in- distinctness of their connections and relations. Hence the difficulties of topographical description ; the smallest portion of the earth fre- quently presents a great variety of surface, soil and character, from the influence of local causes, and an apparent and incongruous con- nection of natural objects, which is almost every where to be observ- ed. At the base of a rugged granitic ridge, we often find a smooth and fertile plain ; the frosty and sterile hill is often connected with the warm and fertile dale ; the craggy cliff is found approaching the wa- ter's edge, upon a stream, the borders of which, elsewhere, are lined with beautiful alluvial ; and perhaps this very alluvial is bounded by a lofty ridge of mountain, and upon the summit of this mountain, though vastly elevated from the stream below, there may be embosomed an extensive sheet of water. From this surprising, and often marvellous connection and diversity of the pliysical features of the earth, it is difficult to give an accurate description of its surface, soil and cha- racter, without a minuteness which could not be indulged, even if the materials could be obtained.

But notwithstanding the prevalence of local varieties the effect of local causes, most sections of country are characterized by certain distinct features, both as it respects their internal structure and ex- ternal appearance, which generally prevail, and distinguish them from other districts in the immediate neighbourhood.

A concise notice of the several distinct districts of country, which this State presents, and their general and prominent characteristics, is all that can be expected in a general view of the State. The ex- tensive argillaceous vale upon Connecticut river claims the first atten- tion in this view. This district commences at Middletown, and extends through the State ; being about 30 miles in length, from north to south, and from 10 to 16 in width, extending upon both sides of the river. The northern part of this tract bounds west upon the great greenstone range of mountain, and east upon the granitic range, in the eastern section of the State. This tract, with the exception of the alluvial upon the Connecticut, has an undulating surface, being pleasantly diversified with moderate hills and gentle declivities. The prevailing soil is a strong and fertile argillaceous loam, varying, in dif- ferent sections, from a hard, stiff clay, to a light, sandy loam, accord- ing to the prevalence of aluminous or siliceous earths. This may be considered as the richest agricultural section, of the same extent, in the State, or perhaps in New-England.

West of this, is the greenstone district, consisting of the declivi- ties of the greenstone mountain; and the vales between its several branches, of which the Farmington vale, west of this mountain, is the most considerable, commencing in the vicinity of New-Haven, and extending through the State, a distance of about 50 miles . it is

OF CONNECTICUT.

from three to five miles in width. The vale of Quinipiack, in Wal- lingford and North-Haven, about 15 miles in length, and from two to five in breadth, belongs to this district, although the southern sec- tion of it is light and sandy. This tract is generally very fertile, and of an argillaccous character, and a rich farming district. West of the vale following the course of the greenstone mountain, in the north- ern part of the State, commences the declivities or subsidence of the extensive granitic mountain, extending through the State. This is an elevated, granitic, primitive region, generally rough and broken ; and some sections of it frosty and sterile, particularly the evergreen district, in its northern part ; but in general it is a good grazing coun- try. West of this section, upon the borders of the Ousatonick, are calcareous vales of considerable extent, being from half a mile to five miles in breadth. This tract is very rich, and well adapted to a grain culture.

The Connecticut river vale, upon the east, is lost in the declivities of the eastern granitic range, extending through the State. From this mountain eastwardly to Rhode-Island, it is generally a mountain- ous or hilly country, of a primitive, geological character ; but the prevailing soil is warm, strong and fertile, being excellent for grazing ; and upon the Quinibaug, Shetucket, and their branches, there are nu- merous small but fertile vales. The granitic district, from Lyme, east- wardly, extends south to the sound; but westwardly, to the ex- tremity of the State, or to New-York line, there is a beautiful and interesting flat, upon the border of Long-Island sound ; being from one to three miles in width. The most extensive and valuable part of this flat, is west of the Ousatonick river. The soil is generally a gravelly loam, very deep, strong and fertile, and some sections of marine alluvial. West of the Ousatonick, this flat is lost in a gra- dual rise, extending to the north and west, which becomes elevated and hilly, but not mountainous.

Mountains .- There are five distinct and considerable mountains in the State. Three of them are of a granitic, geological character, and two of greenstone. The western or Ousatonick mountain commen- ces in the southwestern section of the State, and extends northwardly through it; its general course following that of the Ousatonick river. This mountain has no distinct continuous ridge, but consists of a suc- cession of eminences, and numerous spurs and branches, some of which are very elevated, particularly Mount Tom, situated between Litchfield and Washington, which has an altitude of 700 feet. The general character of this mountain is granitic ; but its prevailing fea- tures are in many respects different from those of the other two gra- nitic ranges. It is not continuous, and the summits of the eminences, although equally elevated, and more bald, are not so cold and frosty. Its declivities generally afford a warm, fertile soil; and the base of many of the eminences consists of limestone, which also abounds in

GENERAL VIEW

many of the intervening vales. This mountain is rich in mineral trea- sures, particularly iron ore, which abounds in various places.

The next granitic range, in order, commences in the western sec- tion of New-Haven county, and extends northwardly through the State, into the interior of New-England. It consists of a continuous ridge, generally facing to the east. It is not very elevated, its sum- mits being principally covered with forests. The northern section of this range is clothed with evergreens ; hence it is here called the Greenwoods mountain. This evergreen region is cold, frosty and ste- rile. The northern section of this range is more elevated, its ascent more direct, and its declivities very rugged.

The third is a greenstone range. This mountain rises near the sound, in the vicinity of New-Haven. It has, for some distance, two branches ; one of which commences at East and the other at West rock. The West rock branch extends some distance, and subsides. The west branch, and the east branch for some distance, are a succession of eminences ; but the latter becomes continuous and elevated, ex- tending in a northerly direction through the State, and far into the interior. This range has very conspicuous and peculiar features. It faces to the west, presenting, upon its west side, a bold, mural pre- cipice, which, near the summit, consists of naked rocks, exhibited in broken fragments. Upon the east it has a gradual rise, and affords extensive and fertile declivities. The greenstone strata of this range, in their general features and mineral treasures, correspond with the trap or greenstone of the old world. They abound in minerals, par- ticularly copper ore, which is found in various places. This moun- tain may with propriety be called the great greenstone range.

The fourth range of mountain commences in the eastern section of New-Haven, in the vicinity of Long Island sound, and extends north- wardly, forming the western boundary of Middletown, and terminates at Rocky-hill, in Hartford. This range is of the same geological cha- racter as the last, but is not continuous ; consisting of a succession of eminences or hills, which in general have but a moderate height ; but there are some very bold elevations, exhibiting the more promi- nent features of the great greenstone range. This has usually been called the Middletown mountain, but with more propriety might be called the lesser greenstone range. These several mountains are all west of Connecticut river.

The fifth mountain is the extensive granitic range east of Connec- ticut river, which forms the height of land that separates the wa- ters that fall into the Connecticut from those that run into the Thames. This mountain has, at its commencement, two branches ; the principal of which rises in the eastern section of New-Haven county, and ex- tends northeastwardly, and rising upon the cast side of Connecticut river. The other branch commences near the sound, in Lyme, and extends northwardly, nearly parallel with the river; but is not con- · tinuous, consisting of broken eminences. But after the union of these

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A gazetteer of the states of Connecticut and Rhode-Island : written with care and impartiality, from original and authentic materials : consisting of two parts : with an accurate and improved map of each state, Part 1

Author: Pease, John C. (John Chauncey), 1782-1859. 4n; Niles, John M. (John Milton), 1787-1856. 4n Publication date: 1819 Publisher: Hartford : Printed and published by W.S. Marsh Number of Pages: 418

Author: Pease, John C. (John Chauncey), 1782-1859. 4n; Niles, John M. (John Milton), 1787-1856. 4n
Publication date: 1819
Publisher: Hartford : Printed and published by W.S. Marsh
Number of Pages: 418