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 10
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73
BIOGRAPHY.
BIOGRAPHY. Major William Judd, distinguished for his services and patriotism during the revolu- tionary war, and subsequently as an enlightened politician, was a native of this town. Major Judd had been regularly educated and admitted' to the practice of law, which situation, together with all the advantages which young prac- titioners are apt to anticipate, he, at an early period of the revolu- tionary war, abandoned for the service of his country. He was a zealous whig, and engaged in the cause of liberty and his country with great arduor and enthusiasm. He had a Captain's commission in the Continental Army, and few officers of his rank were more active, persevering and useful. At the close of the war he receiv- ed the brevet rank of Major. Af- ter the peace, in 1783, he resumed business in the line of his profes- sion, and, for many years, was dis- tinguished as a lawyer and an ad- vocate. Although, for a short period, after the peace, and during the general distress, embarrass- ment and want of confidence which ensued, he, in common wi most of the officers, became unpop- ular, in consequence of the act of Congress, giving them half pay for life, and the subsequent act commuting this to full pay, for five years; yet the importance of his public services, and his knowl- edge, integrity, abilities and patri- otism, soon enabled him to attain that station in society, and in the estimation of his fellow-citizens, to which, in every point of view, he was so justly entitled. The influ- ence of Major Judd at home, where his worth was best known, and
could be best appreciated, was very conspicuous. For many years he was a representative of the town in the General Assembly, and was also, for a long time, a magistrate. After the adoption of the Constitution of the United States, and when political subjects began to agitate the public missd, Major Judd became associ- ated with the party whose politi- cal sentiments best accorded with his own, and with what he regard- ed as the soundest principles of republicanism-principles combi- ning an energetic government, with the enjoyment of the greatest por- tion of civil liberty. After the year 1801, the constitutional prin- ciples of the government of this State, (it being the only one, ex- cept Rhode-Island, which had not formed a constitution of Civil Government, after their separa- tion from Great Britain,) became a subject of general discussion, and occasioned much agitation of the public mind. Upon this sub- ject, Major Judd took a distinguish- ed part, and maintained with firmness, but with dignity and mod- ration, that this State was with- out a constitution of Civil Gov- ernment ; making a distinction be- tween a government and a consti- tution ; thereby admitting that the existing government was lawful as long as the people saw fit to maintain it. In August 1804, a Convention of Delegates, from nearly one hundred towns in the State, convened at New-Haven upon this subject. Major Judd was chosen Chairman of this Con- vention, and as such signed an ad- dress which they submitted to the citizens of this State, recommend-
10
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GLASTENBURY.
ing to them, to adopt legal meas- ures to revise their government, and to organize it upon constitu- tional provisions. This address was drawn up with much ability, & contained an able and lucid view of this important subject.
These proceedings, in which Major Judd had taken so distin- guished a part, occasioning alarm, became a subject of much animad- version with the men, who were then in authority in the State. Ac- cordingly, the following October session of the Assembly, Major Judd, with several other members of this convention who were magis- trates, was cited to appear before the Assembly, to show cause why his commission of justice of the peace should not be revoked, in consequence ofhis having declared, that this State was without a con- stitution of civil government. - At the time of receiving this notice, he was much indisposed ; but de- termining upon making his own defence, he repaired to New-Ha- ven for this purpose. But, howev-
er, from the increase of his. indis~ position, he was unable himself to make his defence. The trial re- sulted in the revocation of his com- mission. After this event, whilst at New-Haven, he, with the assist- ance of some of his friends, pre- pared, in the form of a pam- phlet, his defence, containing his views of the government of this State, and generally his political principles.
Before this pamphlet was out of press, he expired, and it went to the public with the obituary of the author. He died, Nov. 14th 1804, aged 63. The history of Major Judd is identified with the origin of the constitution of civil govern- ment of Connecticut, recently es- tablished. As a patriot and states- man, his memory will long be re- vered in his native State, whilst his important public services, dur- ing the period that " tried men's souls," cannot fail to secure to it, the veneration and respect of pos- terity.
GLASTENBURY.
GLASTENBURY is a post town | situated upon the east side of Con- necticut river, near the south east border of the county, being eight miles south east from Hartford ; bounded on the north by East- Hartford, on the south by Chatham and Marlborough, on the east by Marlborough, Hebron and Bolton, and on the west by Connecticut river, which separates it from Wethersfield. The town compri- ses two located Societies. In 1810, it contained 2776 inhabitants, and various ; upon the borders of Con-
Įhas now 440 dwelling houses, a Post-office, four Churches or hou- ses for public worship; two for Congregationalists, one for Epis- copalians, and one for Methodists ; two companies of Infantry, and a part of a company of Cavalry of Militia.
The township contains an arca of about 54 square miles, having an average length of 9 miles from east to west, & being 6 miles in breadth. Its surface is uneven, and the soil
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GLASTENBURY.
necticut river, there are some fine meadows, back of which, upon the rise of land, the soil is a sandy loam, and some sections nearly a siliceous sand ; farther east it is a gravelly loam, and some small tracts of aluminous loam. It is generally fertile and productive ; its natural growth of timber is oak, chesnut and the various trees com- mon to the district upon Con. necticut river. The lands in the western section of the town, are best adapted to grain, and are cul- tivated with facility, and produce good crops, particularly of rye, corn and oats.
The geological structure of the township consists of sand stone or clay slate, which is less indurated, and has more of the quality of a free stone, than is its general character upon the west side of the river.
In addition to the Connecticut, which washes the western border of the town, it is watered by Roar- ing brook and Salmon brook, two fine mill streams ; the former in- tersects the town nearly from north east to south west, discharg- ing its waters into the Connecticut. Upon this stream, there is a large Cotton Factory, about one mile east of Connecticut river; and two miles farther east upon the same stream, there is a Forge and Iron works ; at which iron is man- ufactured from the ore, anchors wrought, and various other manu- factures of iron carried on. Sal- mon brook is a small stream, and runs through the northern part of the town in a western direction. Upon this stream, there is a Wool- en Factory, Mills, Clothier's Works &c. This Factory is advantage-
ously carried on, and the cloth made there is, in the opinion of our correspondent, equal to any that is manufactured in the United States. There are fine shad fishe- fries upon Connecticut river within this town. The other streams and several ponds are stored with fish.
In the eastern part of the town, there is a pond of about a mile in circumference, called " Diamond pond," from the circumstance of there being small pebbles or stones around its margin, having a pecu- liar brilliancy. Near the centre of the town, there is a mineral spring, which, though it has ac- quired no celebrity abroad, has been thought, by men of science who have examined it, to possess valuable medical qualities ; and for more than one hundred years has been known in the vicinity by the name of the "Poolat Nipsuck."
Although agriculture is the lead- ing business of the town, some at- tention has been paid to manufac- tures ; and ship building, at some periods, has been carried on to considerable extent ; this business, however, is on the decline. There is but one vessel building here this season.
The turnpike road leading from Hartford to New-London, passes through a part of this town.
In addition to the Cotton and Woolen Factories, and Forge and Iron Works already noticed, there are 5 Grain Mills, 3 Fulling Mills and Clothier's Works, 1 Saw Mill, 4 Tanneries, and various other mechanical establishments and em- ployments.
The town contains 13 School Districts and Schools, 1 small Li- brary, 2 Attornies & 3 Physicians.
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GRANBY.
The amount of taxable proper- ty, including polls, is $50,832. The real estate of the town, to- gether with that of Marlborough, in 1816, was valued at $1,258,024. In 1799, the real estate of Glasten-
bury, which at that time compri- sed the principal part of Marlbo- rough, was valued at $454,080.
Glastenbury was incorporated as a town, in 1690.
GRANBY.
GRANBY is an extensive irregu- lar township, situated in the north- ern section of the county, border- ing upon Massachusetts, seventeen miles from Hartford ; bounded on the north by Massachusetts' linc, on the east by Suffield and Wind- sor, on the south by Simsbury and Canton, and on the west by Bark- hamsted and Hartland. The av- erage length of the township from east to west is nine and a half miles, and its average breadth from north to south, is more than six miles, comprising an area of about 59 miles, or 37,760 acres.
This township is characterised by a diversity of features, which are strikingly various ; towards its eastern section, the green stone mountain ranges through it from north to south; this mountain here is perhaps more elevated than at any other place in the State, and its characteristic fea- tures more conspicuous, particu- larly in the vicinity of the State prison. Its western declivity, for a considerable distance from its summit, is nearly a perpendicular precipice, and its rocks are naked, and exhibited in disordered frag- ments. From this range of moun- tain, to near the (stern border of the township, the surface has a de- clivity to the cast. This section
of the town is a valuable agricultu- ral district; the soil is a rich gravelly loam, generally warm and fertile, well adapted to orcharding, grain or grass. Immediately west of the mountain, the face of the country is hilly, and in some instances, ledgy ; but the lands, though hard and stony, are fertile, and well a- dapted to grain and orcharding. West of this district, there is an ex- tensive tract of plain, the soil of which is generally a light sandy loam. This tract is intersected by Salmon brook, a pleasant and live- ly mill stream, and extends for a considerable distance west of this stream. The lands here are well adapted to rye, and afford also good orcharding. West of this tract, and towards the extreme western border of the town, it is hilly and mountainous ; the lands are rough and stoney, and the soil hard, cold and gravelly. This section of the town, bordering upon Hartland and Barkhamsted, comprises the castern extremity of the granite range of mountain, which extends through those towns. The natu- ral growth here is oak, maple, beach and some hemlock; upon the tract of plains cast of this, it is oak and yellow pine; upon the green stone range, and the district east and west of it, the timber is oak, walnut, chesnut, &c.
77
GRANBY.
Various appearances of mine- rals have been discovered in the green stone mountain and hills of this town. Sulphuret of copper, or copper ore has been found in vari- ous places ; and it is well known, that the cavern, now occupied by the State as a prison for convicts, was originally opened and worked as a mine. Copper pyrites, or ore, was found and worked ; but gold, which had stimulated the cupidity of the adventurers engaged in the undertaking, disappointed their hopes ; and after a very great ex- pense and sacrifice, the business was abandoned.
The Tunxis or Farmington riv- er washes the southeastern part of this town ; and it is intersected by Salmon brook already mentioned. Both of these streams afford a number of sites for mills and other hydraulic works, many of which are advantageously occupied.
The Blanford turnpike leads through the town in a northwestern direction ; and is intersected by a turnpike, leading from Connecti- cut river to Norfolk, where it con- nects with the Hartford and Alba- ny turnpike.
The town contains two located Congregational Societies and Churches, one Society of Episco- palians, which have a house for public worship, two Societies of Baptists, and one Society of Methodists. There are 16 School districts and Schools, and a small village in the centre of each of the located Societies. The population of the town, at the last census, was 2683; and there are 380 dwelling houses, 4 companies of militia, and about 400 qualified Electors. There are two Card Factories,, ought to be effected with as much
two Wire Factories, one Powder Mill, six Grain Mills, two Fulling Mills, three Carding Machines, three Tanneries, and four Mercan- tile Stores.
There are two small Social Li- braries, two Clergymen, four Phy- sicians, and four Attornies.
Granby was taken from Sims- bury, and incorporated in October, 1786.
The State prison established in this town is, from its novel and peculiar character, deserving of particular notice. The character of this institution, for the imprison- ment of convicts, has, by some, par- ticularly foreigners, been regarded as a subject of reproach to the State.
Many erroneous representations have been published, which, in stead of exhibiting a just picture of this institution, have presented on- ly the frightful images of caricature.
The idea of a cavern is peculiar- ly gloomy and horrible ; and, when we consider such a place as the a- bode of man, dark and dreary, ex- cluding every ray of light, and every object of nature, the mind is apt to recoil at the picture ; and, forgetting the nature of the insti- tution, and the causes which have filled it with its miserable and gloo- my tenants, to regard it as an out- rage upon humanity. But upon a more cool survey, and more espe- cially upon an investigation of the subject, however repugnant to our ideas of humanity a subter- raneous imprisonment may ap- pear, it will be found, that, practi- cally, it is much less objectionable than we at first supposed. The ob- ject of every institution of this de- scription is confinement; and this
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GRANBY.
regard to the health and comfort of the unfortunate subjects of crimes, and consequent punish- ment, as may be consistent with their security, and the economy of the public treasure. These cav- erns are remarkable for their healthfulness, and it is believed, that a less number of prisoners have died here, in proportion to the number which have been con- fined, than in any other prison in the United States. As it respects the cleanliness and comforts of the prisoners at this institution, it will not probably hold a comparison with many others ; but this is more owing to the business which is pur- sued, (working at nails,) than to the confinement in the caverns. The security of the prisoners here is most effectual ; and whether the institution is considered as an economical one or not, the use of the caverns, as a place of confine- ment, is not a circumstance that has any particular influence upon this subject.
On the whole, although there may be in principle, or in senti- ment, objections to occupying a subterraneous prison, yet in a prac- tical point of view, the one under consideration has many advanta- tages; and the objections to this in- stitution apply with more propri- cty and force to the description of work, at which they are employed, and to other circumstances con- nected with its management, than to the character of the place in which they are confined.
A succinct account of the origin of this cavern, and its establish- ment and occupation as a place of confinement for convicts, may be somewhat interesting.
The lands upon which Newgate prison stands, and in the vicinity, were claimed by the original pro- prietors of the town, in which they were formerly situated ; but on ac- count of their supposed value from the copper ore which had been found, and as gold was also suppo- sed to abound, the title was long a subject of contention. To quiet all disputes with respect to these mines, in 1753, the General As- sembly appointed a committee to investigate the subject, who con- firmed the right and title of the original proprietors, and set off to them the land, or mine, which is now occupied as a public prison, and the other lands in the vicinity which were supposed to be valu- able for their minerals. At this time, copper ore had been found ; the ore was considered very rich, and it was also supposed, that it contained gold. From these cir- cumstances, the fame of these mines soon reached Europe, and in 1760, a company was formed in England for the purpose of working them ; and soon after, several persons, as the agents, or in the employ of this company, arrived from England for this purpose. But the compa- ny were obliged, principally, to em- employ men in the neighbourhood, who were entirely unacquainted with the business ; from which cir- cumstance, and various others, the work proceeded slowly, and with great difficulty. The company, however, were enabled to freight two vessels with ore, (it being their plan not to work the ore here, but to ship it to England for this pur- pose,) both of which were lost ; one being taken by the French, and the other sunk in the channel.
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GRANBY.
These losses were so considerable, and the whole business having been little more than a succession of dis- asters and sacrifices, the company became discouraged, and were in- duced to abandon the undertaking. Since this time, the mines have not been wrought for ore. Theminers, in digging and exploring, sunk nu- merous wells, or deep excavations. The principal one was upon Cop- per hill, so called, and remains at this time, being within the walls of the prison.
These caverns were first occu- pied as a place of confining con- victs, about the commencement of the revolutionary war. There be- ing at that time no prison in the State, other than the county gaols, and the number of convicts having considerably increased, arrange- ments were made for occupying these caverns as a place of con- finement ; but no permanent build- ings were at this time erected ; and it is not probable, that at first it was contemplated to convert these caverns into a State prison ; their occupation for this purpose, being regarded as a temporary thing. The confining of convicts having been begun, it was continu- ed; and this being found very in- convenient, the General Assembly, in 1790, passed an act, establish- ing Newgate prison as a perma- nent State prison, and providing for the erection of suitable build- ings. At the same time, they ap- pointed three overseers or trustees of the prison, authorized to take the charge and direction of the in- stitution. In pursuance of this au- thority, the trustees erected a wooden paling, enclosing about half an acre of ground, within
which was the principal cavern ; they also erected a brick building directly over this cavern, into which there is an avenue from the back room in this building. Un- derneath the basement floor in this room, and directly over the cavern, there are two strong rooms built of stone ; in these rooms, the pris- oners are usually kept when they are not employed, and it is not thought necessary, that they should be confined in the cavern. Within a few years past, there has been an extensive work shop, and other buildings erected ; and also a sub- stantial stone wall, enclosing the cavern buildings and one acre of ground. This wall is twelve feet high, three feet thick at its base, and one and a half at the top.
The principal cavern is about 26 feet in depth at its entrance, which is a perpendicular descent through an aperture, stoned up square for the purpose. In this entrance, there is a large and strong ladder, resting upon the rock at the bottom, and made fast at the top, upon which the prison- ers and others descend into the cavern. On reaching the bottom, you strike a smooth rock, having a gradual descent, upon the sides of which there are cavities sufficient- ly large to admit of small lodging rooms, which are built for the pris- oners, on both sides of the main passage that leads through the area of the cavern. These rooms are built of wood and boards, and are sufficiently large to accommodate 20 men. After passing these rooms, you traverse a large cav- ern, enclosed on all sides by solid rock ; dark, gloomy and horrible ! At the extremity of this, there is a
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HARTLAND.
well of water 80 feet deep, which communicates with the cavern, and affords to the tenants of this subterraneous abode, a free circu- lation of air; although from the various windings of the avenues and other causes, it is not cold, even in the severest weather. And as strange as it may seem, it has been satisfactorily ascertained, that the mercury ranges eight degrees low- er in the lodging apartments of the prisoners, in the warmest days in the summer, than it does in the coldest in the winter. This phæe- nomenon is attributed to the cir- cumstance, of the cavities in the rocks being stopped with snow, ice and frost in the winter, which pre- vents so free a circulation of air, as is enjoyed in the summer.
On the 18th of January 1811, at .8 o'clock A. M., the mercury stood in the cavern at 52 degrees ; and in open air, as soon after as was practicable for a person to get up from the cavern, (which could not have exceeded five minutes, ) it fell to one degree below 0. On the 17th of June, (mid-day,) the mer- cury stood in the cavern at 50° 10", and in the open air at 76°. This cavern has been remarkable for its healthfulness, which has usually been ascribed to certain supposed medicinal qualities in the rocks ;
but it deserves consideration; whether it is not more probably owing to the uniform state of its atmosphere.
The keeper of the prison is ap- pointed by the overscers or trus- tees, and is accountable to them for his conduct. He receives a regular salary of $550 per an- num ; he draws no rations, but has certain perquisites ; he is allowed 1 sergeant, 2 corporals and 17 pri- vates as a guard, for the security of the prisoners. The pay of the sergeant is $12 67 per month ; that of the corporals $11 34; and that of the privates $10. They are all entitled to rations, and the privates receive a uniform suit of clothes, and the sergeant and cor- porals an allowance as an equiva- lent therefor.
The total expenses of the insti- tution and disbursements for stock in 1816, amounted to $15,007 22. and the receipts
3,428
the same year to leaving a balance against the State of $11,579 22. but at this time there were nails and stock on hand ; a part or all of the latter having been purchased, and a part of the former manufactured the same year, to an estimated va- lue of $5,147 44.
HARTLAND.
HARTLAND is an elevated post It contains an area of 34 square miles, being near 7 miles in length from cast to west, and 5 in breadth from north to south. The township is hilly and mountainous, being embraced within the extensive township in the northeast cor- ner of the county, 22 miles from Hartford ; bounded north on Mas- sachusetts linc, cast by Granby, south by Barkhamsted, and west by Colebrook in Litchfield county. || granite range of mountain, which
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HARTLAND.
commencing near the sound in the vicinity of New-Haven, leads thro' the State in a northeasterly direc- tion, and extends into Massachu- setts and the interior of New-Eng- land. From its elevated situation, the town is cold and frosty, or at least a considerable part of it ; the soil is a gravelly loam, of a granite character, and generally rather cold and sterile ; it however affords tolerable grazing, but produces but little grain ; though some small sections are more warm and fertile. The timber consists of beach, ma- ple, chesnut and evergreen, or pe- rennial trees. The making of but- ter and cheese, beef and pork, and pasturing of cattle, are the principal interests of the inhabi- tants. The farmers in the towns east of this to Connecticut river, have been in the habit of sending their growing or young cattle, sheep &c. into this and other gra- zing towns, to be kept during seve- ral months in the spring & summer.
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