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 18
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The whole registered tonnage of the district of New-London, in 1805, amounted to 13,397 tons ; in 1815, to 13,182 tons.
New-London contains 14 Dry- goods stores, 4 Druggists' stores, 42 Grocery and Provision stores, 2 Book stores, 1 store of Hard- ware, 1 of Tin ware, 2 of Saddle, Trunk and Harness work, 2 Hat stores, 1 Shoe store, 1 Silversmith's store, and about 20 houses con- cerned in navigation. There are. 10 public Inns or Taverns.
Although this town is not distin- guished for its manufactures or mechanical interests, it contains 2 Printing-offices, 3 Rope walks, 1 Distillery, 1 Pottery, 3 Tanneries, 6 House carpenters, 3 Ship car- penters, 2 Block and Spar makers, 1 Sail maker, 2 Saddlers, 6 Shoe makers, 4 Tailors, 5 Butchers, 7 Bakers, 2 Tin ware factories and
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manufacturers, 2 Hatters, 1 Gold and Silver smith, 3 Masons and Stone cutters, 2 Barbers, 4 Tallow chandlers, 3 Curriers and Tanners, 2 Coopers, and 2 Blacksmiths.
The population of the town, in 1810, was 3,283; and there are 350 Freemen or Electors, 3 com- panies of militia, and about 475 Dwelling houses.
The amount of taxable property, including polls, is $42,618.
The civil divisions of the town are one located Ecclesiastical So- ciety, two School districts, and an incorporated city. Besides the lo- cated, there is a Society of Epis- copalians, 1 of Baptists, and 1 of Methodists. These several Soci- eties are all accommodated with houses for public worship. There is a district or primary School maintained in each of the School Districts, for several months in the year; besides which there is a free Grammar School, that usually con- tains from 150 to 200 scholars ; a Female Academy, and a School called the Union School.
The city of New-London was incorporated in 1784, by the name of the Mayor, Aldermen, Common Council men and Freemen of the city of New-London, who possess the corporate or municipal autho- rity of the city. The Mayor is elected by the Freemen, but holds his office during the pleasure of the General Assembly ; the Al- dermen and Common Council men are annually appointed by the Freemen. Since the last division of the town, it has been reduced to the same corporate limits as the city ; so that in noticing the latter, we shall have no reference to its corporate extent, but only to the
compact settlement, or the idea of a city in common acceptance. The city of New-London is plea- santly situated upon the west bank of the Thames, about 3 miles from its entrance into the Sound. Its site, being a declivity of land bor- dering upon the river, is excellent, and its harbour unrivalled. The city is irregularly laid out, and is built upon nearly thirty different streets ; many of which, however, are very inconsiderable. The principal is Court-street, which, extending from Market-square, adjoining the river, in a northwes- terly direction to the Court-house upon Huntington-street, divides the city into nearly two equal sec- tions. This street is spacious and pleasant, is well built, and contains some of the public buildings and public and private offices, the na- val office, the two banking houses, two printing offices, and many neat and handsome dwelling houses, and a proportion of the mercan- tile stores. At the east end of this street is Market-square, bor- dering upon the river, upon which stands the market and the public gaol. Bank-street commences at Market-square, and extends south- erly, parallel with the river ; and Beach-street commences at Mar- ket-square, and runs northerly, parallel with the river. Both of these streets communicate with the wharves, are the seats of most of the maritime business, and con- tain a great proportion of the gro- cery and provision stores, and a number of private offices. Main- street is situated back of Beach- street, and runs in nearly a paral- lel direction, extending from Court- street to the northern extremity of
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the city ; it is well built, and con- tains a denser population than any other street. There is a commu- nication between this street and Huntington-street, by Federal- street, situated in the eastern sec- tion of the city, and by Church- street, situated farther west. These streets are tolerably well built, and the latter contains the Episcopal church.
Union-street intersects Court and Church streets, and extends northerly to Federal-street. The Baptist, Methodist and Congrega- tional meeting houses are situated upon this street, which communi- cates with Bank-street, by Golden- street, and the latter is intersect- ed by Green-street. In the back part of the city, upon the height of ground, is Huntington-street, running in nearly a parallel direc- tion with the river. This street has an elevated and prospective si- tuation, overlooking most of the other parts of the city. It affords a pleasant and healthful residence, although it is but imperfectly built.
The city of New-London con- tains about 450 Dwelling houses, more than 60 Stores of every de- scription, 4 Houses for public wor- ship, one for Congregationalists, one for Episcopalians, one for Bap- tists and one for Methodists ; the Naval office of the District, a Post office, two Newspaper establish- ments, each of which issues a weekly paper, the one a super- royal and the other a medium sheet ; 2 Banks, one called New- London Bank, incorporated in 1807, with a capital of $500,000 ; the other called Union Bank, in- corporated in 1792, with a ca- pital of $100,000 ; and a Marine
Insurance Company, incorporated in 1805, with a capital which can- not be less than $100,000. There are in the city 6 Physicians, 7 At- tornies and 4 Clergymen.
The city is defended by Fort Trumbull and Fort Griswold ; the former situated upon the New- London, and the latter upon the Groton side of the river. Fort Trumbull has undergone, at dif- ferent times, important repairs, since the revolutionary war, the expense of which had amounted to $19,318 previously to the late war; during which this, and also Fort Griswold, received additional repairs.
The first English settlement in New-London was made in 1646 ; and the township was laid out into lots in 1648. This place was call- ed by the natives Nameaug ; and from its being the seat of the Pe- quot tribe of Indians, was called by the English, at an early period, Pequot. It was the seat of Sassa- cus, the Grand Sachem of Long Island and of part of Connecticut and Narragansett. New-London has been rendered conspicuous for its sufferings during the revolution- ary war, and as the theatre of va- rious hostile operations. On the 6th of September, 1781, a large proportion of the town was burn- ed by Benedict Arnold. After the close of the war, in 1783, the Ge- neral Assembly appointed Com- missioners to ascertain and esti- mate the damages which had been sustained by the several towns in this State, that had been ravaged by the British troops during the war. From the investigation which was made in pursuance of this au- thority, it was estimated, that the
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BIOGRAPHY.
damages sustained by the town of New-London, amounted to $485,- 980 ; which estimate, however, in- cluded not only buildings, but mer- chandize, and losses of almost eve- ry kind.
To compensate the sufferers in this, and the other towns, the Gen- eral Assembly, in May 1793, grant- ed them 500,000 acres of the tract of land reserved by Connecticut, at their cession of lands to the Uni- ted States ; lying south of the west- ern part of Lake Erie, being what are now called the fire lands, in the western part of the western re- serve, in the State of Ohio.
During the late war, New-Lon- don was again the theatre of hos- tile indications. A considerable squadron, under the command of Commodore Hardy, having chased two of our frigates into its har- bour, blockaded it for a length of time. The concentration of a con- siderable force of the enemy, in the vicinity of this place, produced considerable alarm, and occasion- ed a large proportion of the militia, in the vicinity, to be called out ; and subsequently, more regular and equal drafts were made, and de- tachments of militia, from different parts of the State, were concentra- ted at this place and vicinity. Be- sides the militia, there was a con- siderable body of United States' troops stationed here. The forts were well supplied, and strongly garrisoned ; but, notwithstanding the "dreadful note ofpreparation," the enemy made no attempt upon a town, which, nearly forty years before, they had reduced to deso- lation, and its inhabitants to ruin, by a spirit of warfare, which be- longs only to barbarians. New- London will long remain upon the
page of history, alike a monument of the evils of war, and of the ex- pense at which our glorious inde- pendence was achieved.
BIOGRAPHY. Gen. Jedediah Huntington, although a native of Norwich, was long a resident in this town. He died 25th Septem- ber, 1818, aged 75 years ; having survived every general officer of the revolution, except Gen. Starke, the hero of Bennington.
Gen. Huntington was regularly educated at Harvard College, and in early life, engaged in mercan- tile pursuits ; but, at the com- mencement of the revolutionary contest, his active and enterprising mind, and ardent attachment to the cause of liberty and his country, would not suffer him to remain in the " dull pursuits of civil life," and he entered the army at an ear- ly period. In 1775, he commanded a regiment. His intelligence, ac- tivity, bravery, judgment and fidel- ity as an officer, secured to him ad- vancement ; the affections of the army; the respect and gratitude of his country ; and the attachment and lasting confidence of Washing- ton. He continued in the service through the war, and attained to the rank of a general officer. Af- ter the peace of 1783, securing the independence of the colonies, the object of his solicitude and of his toils, he retired to his residence in his native state, were he was em- ployed in various civil offices, un- til appointed by President Wash- ington collector of the public reve- nue of the port of New-London ; the duties of which office he dis- charged, to the entire satisfaction of the public and the government, during a period, embracing four successive administrations.
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NORWICH.
NORWICH, a wealthy com- mercial post town, and the semi- seat of justice of the county, is situated at the head of navigation, on the Thames or Pequot river, in north lat. 41º 34' and west lon. 72º 29'. It is 13 miles north of New-London, and 38 southeast of Hartford ; bounded on the north by Franklin, on the east by the Shetucket and Thames rivers, which separate it from Lisbonand Preston, on the south by Mont- ville, and on the. west by Franklin and Bozrah. The township has an average length of 7 miles, with a medium breadth of about 3 miles, comprising an area of about 21 square miles.
The surface of the township presents an interesting diversity of hill and dale. Its geological character is primitive, and the prevailing soil is a dark coloured gravelly loam, generally strong and fertile. The natural growth consists of oak, walnut,chesnut and other deciduous trees ; and the ag- ricultural productions, of Indian corn, grass, butter, cheese, &c. Upon the borders of the Thames, Shetucket and the Yantic, there are considerable tracts of alluvi- al, which are very productive in Indian corn. The uplands are best adapted to grazing. The various objects of husbandry and horticulture, common to the State, are attended to in this town.
The township is well watered, its eastern border being washed, throughout its whole length from north to south, by the Thames and Shetucket; and its arca in- tersected by the Yantic, which runs through the town in a north- casterly and southwesterly direc-
tion, and, uniting with the She- tucket, forms the harbour. This stream, about a mile from its mouth, has a very remarkable ca- taract. The bed of the river con- sists of a solid rock, having a per- pendicular height of ten or twelve feet, over which the whole body of water falls in an entire sheet. upon a bed of rocks below. The river here is compressed into a very narrow channel, the banks consisting of solid rock, and being bold and elevated. For a distance of fifteen or twenty rods, the chan- nel or bed of the river has a gra- dual descent, is crooked and co- vered with pointed rocks. The rock, forming the bed of the ri- ver at the bottom of the perpen- dicular falls, is curiously excava- ted, some of the cavities being five or six feet deep, from the con- stant pouring of the sheet of wa- ter for a succession of ages. At the bottom of the falls, there is a broad bason, where the enraged and agitated element assumes its usual smoothness and placidity. The scenery at these falls is pe- culiarly novel and sublime ; and the river here affords some of the finest sites for hydraulic works that are to be found in the State, or perhaps in New-England.
There is a safe and commodi- ous harbour, formed from the un- ion of the Yantic with the She- tucket; it consists of a spacious bason, and has sufficient depth of water to admit of vessels of con- siderable burthen.
There are two principal bridges in the town, one across the mouth of the Yantic, which is a perma- nent and commodious bridge, con- structed in the form of a wharf,
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NORWICH.
and at a great expense ; and one across the Shetucket, which is a toll bridge, erccted in 1817, at an expense of $10,000, and connect- ing the town with Preston. Besides these, there is a foot bridge across the Shetucket, about half a mile below the toll bridge, which was erected in 1818. It is 120 feet in length, and 5 feet wide, being de- signed only for foot passengers.
The fisheries in the Thames are important; large quantities of shad, and some salmon, being annually taken. Oysters also abound in this river. They are taken plen- tifully, and are of an excellent fla- vour.
Norwich is accommodated with several Turnpike roads ; one lead- ing to Providence, one to Hartford, through Lebanon, one to the same place through Colchester, one to New-London, one to Woodstock, one to Windham, and one authori- zed to New-Haven, and laid out as far as Connecticut river.
The population of Norwich, in 1810, was 3528; and there are about 400 Electors, and 4 Compa- nies of Militia, 1 Regular Compa- ny, 1 of Artillery, 1 of Light In- fantry and 1 of Cavalry.
There are in Norwich 568 Dwel- ling Houses, about 45 Dry Goods, Hardware, and Crockery Stores, 2 Book Stores, 2 or more Drug- gists' Stores, 2 Paper Mills, 1 Mar- ble Paper Manufactory, 1 Gin Dis- tillery, 1 Pottery, 2 Manufactories of Morocco Leather, 1 Cotton Fac- tory, containing 1200 spindles, 1 Woolen Factory, 1 Carding Ma- chine for customers, 5 Tanneries, 6 Grain Mills and 6 Saw Mills. There are 6 Religious Societies, 2 of Congregationalists, 2 of Me-
thodists, 1 of Baptists and 1 of Epis- copalians; 15 primary Schools ; 10 practising Attornies, 6 Clergy- men and 5 Physicians.
The aggregate list of the town, in 1817, was $60,371.
The civil divisions of the town are 2 Parishes or located Socie- ties, 15 School Districts and an incorporated City.
Norwich City was incorporated in May, 1784. Its limits are ex- tensive, and comprise a great pro- portion of the population of the township. It is divided into three distinct and compact sections ; the first and most important is Chelsea Landing. This section is situated at the point of land formed by the junction of Shetucket and Yantic rivers, whose united waters consti- tute the Thames. Its site is very irregular and romantic, consisting of the declivity of a hill, which is high and rocky. The houses are built in tiers, rising one above an- other, having partially artificial foundations. There are here more than 150 Houses, a Post office, 4 Churches, more than 30 Stores, several excellent public Inns, vari- ous Warehouses, Mechanics' shops, &c. This is a compact settlement, and an active and busy place ; be- ing the seat of most of the com- mercial and maritime business of the town. The next section is called the Town ; and is situated in a pleasant vale, partially sur- rounded with lofty hills, ahout two miles northwest from Chelsea. This section is more extensive, but less compact than Chelsea, consisting of a number of pleasant, rural streets. Here there is a spacious public square, a Court House, Post office, Church, and
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NORWICH.
about 200 Houses and Stores. The other section, which is called Bean Hill, is situated upon the Hartford road, in the western part of the town. It consists principally of one strect, is less compact and populous than either of the other, and has little commercial busi- ness ; but is a pleasant and pros- pective situation, and affords a very agreeable residence.
In Norwich city there are about 500 Dwelling houses, 5 or 6 Hou- ses for public worship, a Court House and County Gaol. Besides the public District Schools, alrea- dy noticed, there are in the city two Schools for young ladies, and several other private Schools, for instruction in the common and higher branches of education. There is one respectable Social Library, consisting of about 500 volumes. There is one Newspa- per establishment, a Bank, called the Norwich Bank, incorporated in 1796,with a capital of $200,000; a Fire Insurance Company, incor- porated in 1818, with a capital of $100,000; a Mutual Assurance Company, and the Norwich Chan- nel Company, incorporated some years since, for the purpose of improving the navigation of the river Thames, below Chelsea Lan- ding,
Norwich, situated at the head of navigable waters, and having a considerably extensive interior country, generally well settied and flourishing, possesses very considerable advantages for com- merce. Its commercial interests, however, and its general prosperi- ty, have experienced various vi- cissitudes. At one period, the commercial business of Norwich
was extensive and important, and rapidly increasing. The tonnage of the place, for one of its size, was very great ; there having once been 6000 tons of shipping owned here. But for several years since, from the general declension of the West India trade, and from vari- ous other causes, tending to divert the industry and capital of the placeinto other channels, the com- merce of Norwich has very much declined. There are at present but 12 vessels owned here, which are employed principally in a coasting trade to New-York and elsewhere. There is a line of steam-boats which communicates between this place and New-York. Norwich is the natural depot of the produce of a back country of considerable extent, upon the two great branches of the Thames ; and, being at the head of naviga- ble waters, and uniting other ad- vantages, its commercial interests are respectable, although its navi- gation business is but inconsidera- ble, It is also favourably situated for the fishing business, which re- ceives considerable attention ; it possesses superior advantages for manufactures, which at no distant period, it is believed, will be im- proved to an extent corresponding with the private interests and pub- lic utility, that must ultimately proceed from the permanent and extensive establishment of manu- factures in this country. From these and other considerations, it is believed that the population, business and importance of Nor- wich will progress in an equal ra- tio with those of most of the other considerable towns in the State.
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BIOGRAPHY.
The township of Norwich was purchased of the Mohegan sa- chem, Uncas, and his two sons, Owaneco and Attawanhood, by Thomas Leffingwell, John Mason, James Fitch and others, to the number of thirty-five, in 1659. About $230 were given as the purchase money. In the spring of the next year, 1660, the settle- ment was commenced; the first settlers consisting of the Rev. James Fitch and a considerable part of the members of his socie- ty from Saybrook. The settle- ment being begun, it soon receiv- ed the accession of three or. four families from New-London, and several from Plymouth, and oth- er towns in Massachusetts. In 1663, the deed of the township was recorded by order of the Ge- neral Assemby, its limits ascer- tained, and a patent granted there- for. For a number of years after the commencement of the settle- ment, the Mohegans were its prin- cipal security from the Pequots and other hostile tribes.
BIOGRAPHY. The Hon. Sa- muel Huntington, for several years Governor of this State, was a re- sident in this town. He was elec- ted Governor in 1785, succeeding Matthew Griswold ; and was re- elected for eleven years, and until his death. The long period in which he enjoyed the confidence of his fellow citizens, and the most distinguished honours of the State, is the best evidence of his conspi- cuous talents and virtues. In his public and private relations and duties, he was considered a very estimable man. He died 5th Jan. 1796, aged 65 years.
Asa Spalding Esq. of this town,!
was a very eminent lawyer, and a distinguished citizen. He was a native of Canterbury, and born in 1757. He was educated at Yale College; and soon after he gradua- ted, entered upon the study of law with Judge Adams of Litch- field. Having completed his pro- fessional studies, he came to this town, previously to the close of the revolutionary war, in 1783, with a view to establish himself in business, and remained here until his death. He soon became dis- tinguished in his profession, and ultimately at the head of it ; rank- ing among the first lawyers in the State. His talents were solid and profound, but not brilliant ; and, although he was an able, he was not esteemed an eloquent speaker. For a comprehensive and penetrating mind, for solidity of judgment, for legal science, for a faculty of investigation, which enabled him to discover the me- rits of the most intricate cause, however involved in obscurity and difficulty, from folly, artifice or fraud, and for persevering habits of professional industry, he has been surpassed by few. He was for many years attorney for the State, for the county in which he lived; he was also, for several years preceding his death, supported as a candidate for the office of Go- vernor. But, however eminent as a lawyer, and however important his public consideration, Mr. Spal- ding was most distinguished for his private virtues, and the peculiar traits of his personal character. He was remarkable for his faith- fulness and perseverance in every' concern in which he engaged, and for his indefatigable industry,
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which no obstacles could discou- rage, and no difficulties impair. He was also equally distinguished for a rigid and systematic ccono- my, which he never abandoned, and for the simplicity and plainness of his style of living. He was in an eminent degree both a plain and an honest man. And these qualities, if not necessarily asso- ciated, have, it must be admitted, a striking affinity. They are not only plants which grow in the same soil, but they flourish best in the neighbourhood of each oth- er. His integrity, his talents, and his characteristic sincerity and re- gard for truth, led him to despise the arts of dissimulation and flat- tery, and to exhibit to the world!
his own character and that of oth- ers in the image of truth, and free from all disguises. Hence he had his enemies as well as friends. But if he had enemies, they were such only because " truth will of- ten offend." From the necessary operation of those personal quali- fications which we have noticed, he acquired a very large estate ; and his life adds one to the innu- merable examples which demon- strate, that success in life, the ac- quisition of property, the attain- ment of character, of influence and of consideration, essentially depend upon just and regular mo- ral and social habits, integrity, in- dustry, economy and prudence. He died in August 1811.
BOZRAH.
BOZRAH is an inconsiderable township, situated on the north- ern border of the county, 33 miles from Hartford, 14 from New- London, and five from Norwich ; bounded on the north by Lebanon and Franklin, on the east by Nor- wich, on the south by Montville, and on the west by Colchester and Lebanon .· Its average length is 4 and a half miles, and its average breadth 4 miles, comprising an a- rea of about 18 square miles. The township is uneven, consisting of hill and dale ; its geological char- acter is granitic, and the soil a grav- elly loam, which is generally rich, warm and fertilc. The natural growth is oak, walnut, chesnut, &c., and the agricultural produc- tions, grass, corn, rye, oats & flax, the latter of which is cultivated to a considerable extent, and is of an
excellent quality ; butter, cheese, beef and pork.
The most considerable stream, by which the town is watered, is the Yantic river, a branch of Nor- wich little river. There is a small pond or lake, called Gardiner's lake, partly in this town, and part- ly in Montville and Colchester. The Norwich and Colchester turn- pike passes through the northern ¡section of the town.
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