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 13
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45
culture, are favoured by the cli- mate, are cultivated in the gardens here. Of the fruit, growing up- on shrubs and plants, are currants, gooseberries, raspberries & straw- berries ; and of those upon trees, cultivated in gardens and elsc- where, are apples, apricots, cher- ries, nectarines, peaches, pcars, plums and quinces.
WATERS. The waters of this town are abundant, and afford im- portant advantages for navigation, fishing, manufacturing and other interests. New-Haven bay, at the head of which the town is situa- ted, is an extensive body of wa- ter, being four miles in length from Long-Island sound to its head, and about 240 rods wide within the beach ; a sand bank projecting from West-Haven shore almost to the channel. At what is called the point, on the east side of the bay or harbour, is a light- house, erected several years sincc. This bay is apparently formed by the confluence of the Quinipiack, the West and Mill rivers. The channel of the harbour is the com- mon channel of the first and last of these streams, and lics near the castern side. The depth of the channel below the bridge, across the Quinipiack and Mill rivers, af- ter their junction, is fifteen feet, at low water. A bar of sand, how- ever, formed by the pier erected about one mile from the head of long-wharf, has in some measure interrupted the channel. The tide usually rises in this harbour about six feet ; and spring-tides from se- ven to eight fect. Upon the cast side of the harbour, opposite to the beach, there is an insulated rock of considerable elevation, up-
99
NEW-HAVEN.
on which the United States havel erected a fort, for the defence of; the harbour. Previously to the late war, it mounted seven guns, and contained a garrison of 22 men. It was considerably improv- ed during the war.
From the recession of the sea, the influx of earth, from alluvial and marine deposits, and the ac- cumulation of what is called creek weed, the harbour has undergone great change since the first settle- ment of the town. Upon its north- west side, the spot which was, aboutseventy or eighty years since, occupied as a ship yard, is now a rich meadow, covered withı gar- dens and other improvements. About the same period, foreign vessels loaded and unloaded on the eastern side of Fleet-street, se- veral rods above the long wharf, where now the spot is covered with gardens.
There are three rivers in this township, which discharge their waters into New-Haven bay or harbour. Of these streams the Quinipiack is the most considera- ble. It has its source in Farming- ton, runs about 30 miles, and af- fords a boat navigation to North- Haven.
West river rises in Woodbridge, and runs southerly through this township ; its whole course being about twelve miles. Mill river has its head waters in Cheshire, and runs about the same distance as the last. There is one pond within the town, called Beaver pond ; being, when full, nearly one mile in length, and about 60 rods in breadth. There are seven bridges in this town ; the harbour or Tomlinson's bridge, Dragon
|bridge, Long bridge, Neck bridge, Thompson's bridge, Derby turn- pike bridge, and West bridge. The three first are over the Qui- nipiack, and the three last over West river. The harbour bridge, which is the only one deserving of particular notice, is erected be- low the junction of Mill river with the Quinipiack, and at the en- trance of the stream into the har- bour. This bridge is half a mile in length, and 27 feet in width. One half of it originally consisted of two extended piers of stone, commencing at the two shores, and each occupying one fourth of the whole distance ; the re- mainder was a bridge erected up- on wooden piers or trestles. But the timber used in the construc- tion of the trestles, was frequent- ly destroyed by the sea worms, and demanded continual repairs. This part of the bridge having been swept away by a freshet, in 1807, was rebuilt the same year ; when the stone piers were so far extended as to occupy the whole distance, except 30 rods. The whole expense was $60,000. The stock is divided into sixty shares, more than one half of which is the property of Isaac Tomlinson Esq. who has also erected a valuable stone wharf, extending from the north side of the bridge along the western borders of the channel. From this wharf, the largest ves- sels employed in the navigation of the town can take in their cargoes. In 1810, the proceeds of this bridge were sold at auction for $1,500.
A great variety of fish are found in the harbour and streams of New- Haven ; but few only are suffici-
100
NEW-HAVEN.
ently numerous to make fishing an object worthy of much attention. Shad, in favourable seasons, are ta- ken considerably plentifully in the Quinipiack, but much less so than at former periods. A little below dragon bridge, 2400 have been ta- ken at a single draught. They are taken in considerable numbers at various places up the river, as far as Wallingford. White fish, as has before been noticed, are taken in great quantities, for the purpose of manure.
Various shell fish are taken in the harbour, and mouths of the streams, of which oysters are most abundant and valuable. The prin- cipal oyster beds are in the Quini- piack, where it has been estima- ted, that several hundred thousand bushels are taken annually. They are caught principally between the two lower bridges. These oys- ters are small, but well flavoured.
In addition to supplying the market in New-Haven and its vi- cinity, large quantities are opened and conveyed in kegs, into differ- ent parts of the interior of this State; into Vermont, and some sections of New-Hampshire and New-York. This fishery has rais- ed up a considerable village upon the Quinipiack. Of theshell fish next to oysters, clams are most important, of which considerable quantities are annually taken. They are of two kinds, the long clam, and the round clam; the latter of which is taken most plentifully, and is generally most esteemed. Until about the year 1770, oysters were taken very plentifully in the harbour, but lat- terly the beds have been destroyed by the ipflux of mud. Oysters, in
order to propagate, require a firm bottom, to which their spawn may adhere.
ROADS. There are nine prin- cipal roads which centre at New- Haven ; one leading to New-York, one to New-Milford through Der- by, one to Woodbury through Humphreysville, one to Litchfield, one to Farmington, thence to Hart- ford, one to Hartford through Ber- lin, one to Middletown, and thence to Hartford, one authorised to Nor- wich through Branford, Guilford and Killingworth, and one to Say- brook. The eight first are turn- pikes.
There are a number of different lines of stages which communicate with New-Haven ; and besides the great mail from Washington to Bos- ton, it is accommodated with a number of others, giving it great facilities for intercourse abroad.
STATISTICS. The population of this town, at the census of 1790, was 4484; in 1800, 5157; and in 1810, 6967 ; being more by near- ly one thousand, than any other town in the state. It has greatly increased since that period.
There are in New-Haven,
1050 Dwelling houses.
6 Houses for public worship.
30 Houses concerned in naviga- tion,
5 Printing offices.
4 Book binderies.
22 Dry goods stores.
87 Grocery & provision stores,
4 Hardware stores.
2 Crockery stores.
6 Druggist stores.
4 Book stores.
6 Shoe stores.
2 Paper-hanging stores.
2 Tin ware stores.
101
NEW-HAVEN.
13 Merchant tailors shops.
9 Millinery and mantuamakers' shops.
25 Master house-joiners.
11 Master masons.
3 Stone cutters.
9 Coopers.
2 Block makers.
1 Brush maker.
4 Bakers.
4 Tallow chandlers.
1 Hat factory.
17 Boot and shoe factories.
2 Tinners and copper smiths.
6 Saddle and harness makers.
1 Comb maker.
6 Cabinet furniture makers.
4 Chair makers.
6 Coach, sign & house painters.
18 Blachsmiths.
8 Chaise & wagon makers, some of which carry on the business upon an extensive scale.
2 Leather dressers.
2 Morocco do.
4 Barbers' shops.
3 Exchange offices.
4 Rope walks.
2 Sail lofts.
2 Distilleries.
8 Tanneries.
1 Nail factory.
1 Cotton Factory.
2 Paper mills.
1 Carding machine.
2 Grain mills.
1 Powder mill.
2 Fulling mills.
1 Public market, containing a
number of butcher's stalls, The amount of taxable proper- ty, including polls, as rated in ma- king up lists in 1816, was $132,964.
There are in this town, about 700 qualified Electors ; three com- panies of Infantry, one company ofl
Light Artillery, and one company of horse, and one of foot guards.
There are in the town of New- Haven, 25 primary or public schools. There is an almshouse, being also a workhouse, establish- ed by the town, and under its di- rection and authority. All the re- gular poor supported by the town, are maintained here ; and such of them as are able for any manual service, are employed in such oc- cupations as circumstances will permit, & as is thought most advan- tageous. But a considerable pro- portion of the tenants of the alms- house, is made up of children, the aged, sick, disabled and deranged, who are incapable of any services, that can be productive of any profit. The almshouse is under the care of the select men, who appoint an agent to superintend, and make the necessary provisions for it. A keeper or master resides in the house, and, under the direction of the selectmen, has the immediate charge of the poor maintained here. The number of poor main- tained at the almshouse, is usually from 50 to 75. In 1805, the aggre- gate expense of this establishment, was $2,615, of which $616 was for State paupers ; and the receipts for the labour, $237. The poor. supported here are comfortably provided for, and treated with great humanity.
The civil divisions of New-Ha- ven are two located ecclesiastical Societies, and an incorporated city.
NEW-HAVEN CITY, incorpo- rated in 1784, is situated at the head of the bay or harbour, and comprises an area of about six
102
NEW-HAVEN.
square miles ; being about three miles in length from east to west, and two in breadth from north to south. It has a beautiful and in- teresting site, consisting of a level plain, the soil of which is hard and dry, and is surrounded with a novel, grand, and peculiarly m- teresting amphitheatre of hills, al- ready noticed, several of which present bold and perpendicular columns of rude and naked rocks of nearly 400 feet in height. The city is regularly laid out, and consists of two parts, called the . old and new townships. The old or original township was laid out in nine squares, of 52 rods upon a side. These squares are form- ed by streets running upon each side of them, and intersecting each other at right angles. The cen- tral square is open, having been left as a pubic square ; and is one of the handsomest in the United States. It is inclosed with a hand- some railing. The surrounding squares of this part of the town plot have, by a bye-law, been divided each into four, by which the number of streets has been doubled, and most of which are well built. The new township lies directly cast of the old, and extends to the cast river. It is a beautiful level piece of ground, and laid out in a regular and hand- some manner, comprising a con- venient number of streets, which cross each other at nearly right angles. Besides these two divis- ions, a section has lately been laid out by the Hon. James Hillhouse, upon the north part of the old town, commencing at grove-street, and extending to Mount Pleasant ; and comprising a number of hand-
some squares, and pleasant and convenient streets. There has al- so a section been laid out on the west side of the harbour, com- monly called the oyster point di- vision. It contains a number of streets and building lots, but at present has but few buildings. There are in all thirty-six streets; of which the principal are Chapel, State and Church streets. These streets are compactly built, and are the seats of a considerable proportion of the commercial bu- siness of the city. They comprise the Banks, most of the public Inns, Printing-offices, Professional offi- ces, Book and Stationary Stores, numerous Dry Goods and Grocery Stores, &c. Next to these, the most important streets are Elm, George, Broadway, College, Wa- ter and Fleet streets. These are all considerable streets ; most of them well built, and some are seats of activity and business.
New-Haven, for a place of its size and importance, is characteri- zed by an appearance of plainness, neatness and order ; and presents little of that stately magnificence, or gorgeous splendour, which are to be found in most of the citics in the United States. The hous- es are in general two stories high, and built of wood, in a neat and handsome style, but are not ex- pensive or elegant. Within some years past, however, several brick and stone buildings have been erected, which are elegant and stately edifices. Most of the build- ings stand upon the streets forming the squares ; the compact part of the city being comprised within the limits of about a mile square. The buildings are not arranged in
103
NEW-HAVEN.
lines ; many of them being set back, leaving open fronts, which are neatly fenced, and ornament- ed with evergreens and flowering shrubs. Almost every dwelling- house is furnished with a piece of ground in the rear, sufficiently large for a good garden ; and ma- ny for a supply of fruit trees and other purposes. These advanta- ges and improvements afford the inhabitants many conveniences in the summer season, and at the same time contribute greatly to the pleasantness and interest of the city. Whilst noticing these objects, it is worthy of remark, that there is now standing in the garden of Abraham Bishop Esq. (which is the same that belonged to his ancestor, James Bishop, for- merly deputy governor of the co- lony ; and which, during a period of more than 130 years, has re- mained in the same family,) a pear-tree, that is 142 years old.
Among the objects in the city deserving of notice, is the long- wharf. This is a pier, extending from the lower part of Fleet-street to the channel. This pier is 3943 feet in length, and 45 feet in breadth, for more than half the dis- tance, and 32 feet for the rest. The one fourth part, at the farther extremity, is constructed of stone entirely ; and the other three fourths of wood, sods and carth. About half its length is lined with store-houses and their yards, to the number of 40. This is twice the length of Boston pier, and longer than any other in the Uni- ted States. It has been construct- ed by an incorporated company, called the Union wharf Company of New-Haven ; and the stock has
¡hitherto yielded a good profit. The public buildings in New-Ha- ven, exclusive of the collegiate buildings, consist of a State-house, which is an ancient and plain brick structure, situated upon the public square ; two Congregation- al churches, both recently erected, and elegant brick edifices ; an Episcopal church, a Methodist church, a Custom-house building, situated in Fleet-street, near the commencement of the long-wharf, recently thoroughly repaired and finished in superior style, and ren- dered very commodious, three. Academic buildings, and six School houses.
Of the public buildings, the Episcopal church deserves a con- spicuous notice. It is a large and stately stone edifice, constructed in a style of superior elegance. It is one of the finest specimens of the arts in this State; and in style of architecture, solidity of structure, richness of ornament, and the general elegance of its appearance, is surpassed by few public buildings in the United States. The stones of which it is constructed, were from the green- stone strata of East and West rock. This, together with the two Con- gregational Churches, is also situ- ated upon the public square ; these several public buildings being ran- ged upon the west side of the ave- nue, by which the public square is intersected.
YALE COLLEGE. Among the institutions of New-Haven, and indeed of the State, Yale College holds a pre-eminent rank, and de- serves a conspicuous notice. It was founded in 1700; being the third collegiate institution estab-
104
NEW-HAVEN ..
lished in the United States. The Association,by whom it was found- ed, consisted of ten of the princi- pal clergymen in the colony ; de- signated for this purpose by the general consent of the congrega- tional clergy and the inhabitants. In 1701, the legislature granted them a charter, constituting them trustees of a collegiate school in his majesty's colony of Connecticut.
The institution was first located at Saybrook; and the first com- mencementwas held therein 1702. In 1717, it was removed to New- Haven; for which purpose, a small collegiate building was erected, from the pecuniary means afforded by various individuals, but princi- pally from the aid received from the legislature. Among the most distinguished of the early benefac- tors of the institution, was the Hon. Elihu Yale of London, Governor of the East-India Company. In 1718, this gentleman bestowed up- on the institution several dona- tions, amounting to £500 sterling : soon after which, as a respectful acknowledgement of such distin- guished liberality, the institution was named Yale College. Subse- quently it has received several ve- ry liberal individual donations. Among its more considerable be- nefactors, was Doct. Berkley Bish- op of Cloyne, Jeremiah Dummer Esq. of Boston, James Fitch Esq. of Norwich, and his Excellency Oliver Wolcott, who, in 1807, gave the institution $2000, to be applied to the augmentation of the library. In 1811, a superb cabinet of minerals was deposited in the seminary by George Gibbs Esq. for the use of the institution. Since the establishment of the in-
stitution its charter has undergone several modifications. In 1745, it received a new charter, drawu by the Hon. Thomas Fitch, after- wards Gov. in which the style and name of the members of the cor- poration were changed from that of trustees, to " The President und Fellows of Yale College." In 1792, the charter was further al- tered, by a provision, that the Go- vernor, Lieut. Gov. and six senior® Assistants, should ex officio be members of the corporation. This alteration, which has given addi- tional weight and importance to the institution, was effected by an arrangement with the trustees ; the legislature at the same time having granted to the corporation a very liberal donation. The cle- rical branch of the board, howev- er, retained the power of a per- petual succession, by the right of filling its own vacancies. The charter, as modified in 1792, has been confirmed and established by the constitution of the State, rati- fied on the fifth of October, 1818.
In 1816, the General Assembly granted to this institution a certain proportion of the monies whichi might be received from the gov- ernment of the United States, up- on certain claims for expenses incurred during the late war. The institution has received from this grant the sum of about $7,000 This seminary is now very am- ply * endowed, and is in a very
* The funds and other productive property of the institution afford an annual revenue of about $4000; and it possesses unproductive property, inclusive of its building, to the amount of about $175,000.
105
NEW-HAVEN
prosperous and flourishing condi- tion. It has, since its first esta- blishment, been an object of the peculiar solicitude of the legis- lature-has repeatedly experien- ced its munificence, and at all times its fostering care.
Yale College has, from an early period, ranked among the first of the literary institutions in the Uni- ted States ; and although numerous rival seminaries have been estab- lished in the neighbouring States, yet neither its prosperity nor its reputation has declined ; but on the contrary, both have increased with the age of the institution. Under the direction of its two for- mer presidents, Doct. Stiles and Doct. Dwight, it attained a distin- guished eminence, and a solid re- putation, which have justly rend- ered it the pride of the State, and the acknowledged source of the celebrity of many of its citizens, both at home and abroad. Its dis- tinguished reputation, and known advantages, have secured to it at all times, a large number of stu- dents from almost every section of our country ; and on a review of this institution, it is gratifying to reflect, that the reputation which it has acquired is still maintained, and that no apprehensions can be indulged of its declining, so long as the institution remains under the direction of the distinguished sci- entific gentleman, who at present presides over it.
There are at this institution, six professorships ; a professorship of divinity established in 1755; a pro- fessorship of mathematics and nat- ural philosophy in 1770 ; a profes- sorship of law, in 1801 ; a profes- sorship of chemistry and natural
history, in 1804; a professor- ship of languages and ecclesiasti- cal history in 1805 ; and a profes- sorship of rhetoric and oratory. The faculty of the college, to which the executive government is com- mitted, consists of the president, professors and tutors.
There is a valuable and exten- sive library belonging to the insti- tution, consisting of between six and seven thousand volumes ; be- sides this, there are three libraries belonging to the students ; one called the Linonian library, con- sisting of 854 volumes ; one, the Brother's library, consisting of 860, and one, the Moral library, compri- sing 303 volumes. The whole number of volumes, exclusive of those possessed by the officers of the college and individual students, amounts to nearly 9000.
There is a valuable philosophi- cal and chemical apparatus, both of which are extensive and complete ; and a valuable cabinet of minerals already noticed.
The number of students in 1818, was 283.
The college edifices consist of five buildings, handsomely arran- ged in a line, having a spacious and beautiful court yard in front. North college is 108 feet by 40 ; the Lyceum is 56 by 46 ; the mid- dle college 100 by 40 ; the chapel 50 by 40; south college 104 by 38. These buildings are all four stories in height. In the third story in the chapel, there is a philosophical chamber,containing the philosophi- cal apparatus. The Lyceum con- tains seven recitation rooms, and the chemical laboratory and its ap- pendages ; and the three colleges. contain ninety-six chambers.
14
106
NEW-HAVEN.
A medical faculty has recently been connected with this institu- tion. It consists of three professor- ships, besides that of chemis- try ; one of materia medica and botany; one of the theory and practice of physic, surgery and obstetrics; and one of anatomy and physiology. The medical in- stitution is accommodated with a large and handsome stone building, and a botanical garden adjoining the same. There are at present about 50 medical students.
The following have been the presidents of Yale College .- The Rev. Abraham Pierson, appointed in 1701 ; the Rev. Timothy Cutler, appointed in 1719; the Rev. Eli- sha Williams, in 1726 ; the Rev- Thomas Clapp, in 1739 ; the Rev. Naphtali Daggett, in 1766; the Rev. Ezra Stiles, in 1777; the Rev. Timothy Dwight, in 1795; the Rev. Jeremiah Day, in 1817.
New-Haven is well supplied with schools ; there are, in the lim- its of the city, 18 public schools, which were included in the num- ber of public schools, stated as be- longing to the town. There are about 750 scholars attend these schools, all of whom are under the 'age of fourteen years.
Besides the public schools, there is a grammar school, which has a fund that produces $233 annually. The proceeds of this fund reduces the tuition of the pupils at this school, to a small sum.
There is a decent school house belonging to the institution. There is also an academy called the new township academy, incorporated in 1809 ; two schools for young la- dies, and one for the French lan- · guage. In addition to these, there
are four or five private, or sub- scription schools for the primary branches of education.
There are two social libraries in New-Haven, one called the me- chanics' library, established in. 1793, the other the social library, foun- ded in 1807. Both of these libra- ries have a respectable number of volumes, and are under excellent regulations.
The Museum in New-Haven, commonly called Mix's museum, was established by Mr. John Mix, its present proprietor, in 1806-7; and first opened for public exhibi- tion, on the 4th of July, 1807. Mr. Mix has, with unwearied perseve- rance and attention, and at great expense, been making continual additions to his museum since its first establishment, both by dona- tions of individuals and purchases of his own; so that at the present time, it contains a vast collection and interesting variety of articles, consisting of most of the novel, curious and striking productions of nature and art, from the different quarters of the globe. For the pe- riod this museum has been estab- lished, it has acquired great cele- brity, and is entitled to rank a- mong the first establishments of the kind in the United States. The building containing the museum is situated upon Olive-street, at the east end of Court-street. The collection of articles occupy two rooms, one of 50 feet by 24, the other 38 by 32; both of which are completely filled, and handsomely arranged with a great number and rich variety of the productions of nature and art, worthy the inspec- tion of the curious, as well as the common observer. On the top of
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.