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 22
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178
BROOKFIELD.
buildings are not elegant, but ex- hibit an appearance of plainness, neatness and convenience. There are few interior villages in the State more compact, or that afford an equal aggregate of industry, and of mechanical and manufactu- ring enterprise ; few more deserv- ing of notice, for the becoming plainness and simplicity of the style of living of the inhabitants ; and their persevering, industrious & economical habits. The town is well accommodated with good roads ; one, which is a turnpike, leads from thence to Fairfield, one to Norwalk, communicating with the great Atlantic road to New- York, one to Ridgefield, and thence into the State of New- York, and one to Hartford, pass- ing through Newtown.
The population of the town, in 1810, was 3606, and there are about 600 Electors or Freemen,
4 Companies of militia, and 550 Dwelling houses.
The aggregate list of the town, in 1816, was $74,556.
There are 11 Mercantile Stores, 6 Taverns, 7 Houses for public worship, 17 primary or common Schools, besides which, there are several schools for young ladies and gentlemen, of a higher order ; 2 Social Libraries, 4 Clergymen, 5 Physicians and 3 Attornies in the town. The first settlement in Danbury was made in 1687, and it was incorporated in 1696. This town was among those which suf- fered from the barbarous and re- volting mode of warfare, which, in many instances, was adopted by the British during the revolution- ary contest ; a considerable pro- portion of it having been burned by the British troops, 26th April, 1777, together with a large quan- tity of military stores.
BROOKFIELD.
BROOKFIELD, a post town, situated in the north part of the county, is bounded north by a part ot New-Milford, in Litchfield coun- ty, northeast by the Ousatonick ; river, which separates it from New-Milford, east by Newtown, south by Danbury, and west by Danbury and New-Fairfield.
The township is equivalent to about 17 square miles, containing 10,880 acres.
The northeastern border of the town is washed by the Ousatonick ; and Still river, a considerable mill stream, runs through the town. There is a toll bridge across the Ousatonick, connecting the town
with New-Milford. Upon this ri- ver there are two considerable shad fisheries.
The surface is diversified with hill and dale, but is considerably free from stone. The soil is gen- erally a dry, hard, gravelly loam, particularly upon the bills ; in some sections a light calcareous loam prevails. The lands in gen- eral are well adapted to a grain culture, and carry good crops of wheat and rye, particularly the lat- ter, which is cultivated very suc- cessfully, and in great abundance.
The natural growth of the land is oak, hickory, chesnut, maple and other deciduous trees.
179
GREENWICH.
The geological structure of the town, in some sections, consists of limestone; and within these cal- careous ranges there are several beds of marble. Several quarries have been opened, and large quan- tities of the stone got out and fit- ted for various uses. Two saw mills have been erected, to saw the stone, to fit it for use, or to fa- cilitate its manufacture. Large quantities of marble monuments, tomb stones, hearth stones, &c. are yearly manufactured. There is also a manufactory of marble pots, mortars, vases, &c. These various manufactures of marble afford a stimulus to industry, and are sources of considerable wealth. Some indications of lead have been discovered; but the subject has received little attention.
In addition to the public roads,
the town is accommodated with a turnpike to Bridgeport, called the Newtown and Bridgeport turnpike.
In 1810, the town contained 1037 inhabitants ; and there are 180 Electors, 1 Company of mi- litia, and 150 Dwelling houses.
The amount of taxable proper- ty, including polls, is $27,089.
There are 2 Grain Mills, 1 Ful- ling Mill and Clothier's works, 1 Carding Machine, 2 Mercantile Stores and 4 Taverns.
The town contains 1 located Congregational Society & Church; 1 Episcopal Society ; 8 School Districts and common Schools ; 1 Social Library, 1 Physician, 2 Clergymen and 2 Attornies.
. Brookfield was formed from parts of New-Milford, Newtown and Danbury ; and was incorpo- rated in 1788.
GREENWICH.
GREENWICH, a maritime post township, is situated in the south- western corner of the county and State, 48 miles west from New-Ha- ven, 84 from Hartford, and 38 east from New-York ; bounded on the north and west by West-Chester county, in the State of New-York, on the east by Stamford, and on the south by Long Island sound. Its average length is 8 and a half miles, and its average breadth nearly 6 miles, comprising about 50 square miles.
The township is hilly and bro- ken, being rocky and ledgy : the rocks are of a primitive granitic formation, exhibited, in some in- stances, in large and naked mass- es. The soil is a gravelly loam,
and considerably fertile ; it produ- ces grass, wheat, rye, Indian corn, oats and flax. In addition to these more staple productions, there are various kinds of roots and vege- tables raised for the New-York market, particularly potatoes, of which very large quantities are an- nually exported to that city.
The southern border of the town, washed by Long Island sound, is of considerable extent, and is in- tersected by several inlets and creeks, off which there are several small Islands. There are also seve- ral landing places ; Coscob land- ings, of which there are two, upper and lower, and Bushes landing. At these landings, the maritime busi- ness of the town is concentrated,
180
HUNTINGTON.
and consists principally of a trade carried on 'with New-York by sloops, of which there are 12 or 15 belonging to the town. This trade is a great convenience to the farm- ers, as it affords them a great fa- cility for conveying their produce to New-York.
Byram river is the most con- siderable stream; it runs within the town for some distance, and thence forms the boundary be- tween the two States.
There are a number of fisheries upon the bays, creeks and inlets upon the sound, at which both shell and fin fish are taken ; of the for- mer, oysters and clams, and of the latter, black fish are the most plen- ty and valuable.
The principal mail and stage road, from New-Haven to New- York, passes through the centre of this town.
The manufactures, mechani- cal establishments and employ- ments of the town consist of 2 Cotton Factories, 1 Woolen Fac- tory, 1 Paper Mill, 6 Grain Mills, three of which are tide Mills,2Full- ing Mills and Clothiers' works, 2 Carding Machines and 4 Tanne- ries. There are 9 Mercantile Stores.
The population of the town, at
the census of 1810, was 3533 ; and there are 500 Dwelling houses," 400 Freemen or Electors, and 3 companies of militia.
The amount of taxable property, (estimated according to the laws for making up lists,) including polls, is $86,416.
The town is divided into three parishes, or located Congregation -- - al Societies ; besides these, there are one Society of Episcopalians, one of Baptists, and one of Method- ists. There are 17 School districts, in each of which there is a School house, and a primary or common School maintained, 1 Social Libra- ry, 3 Clergymen, 4 Physicians and 1 resident Lawyer.
This township was comprised within a tract, purchased of the natives in 1640, and settled under the government of New-Nether- lands, (now New-York,) and was incorporated in 1665, by Peter Stuyvesant, then governor of New- Netherlands. But upon obtaining the charter of Charles 2d, Green- wich being included within the limits of Connecticut, as defined by the charter, it : was afterwards granted by the colony, or the Gene- ral Court, to eight persons or pro- prietors.
HUNTINGTON.
HUNTINGTON, a post town, is situated on the west side of the Ousatonick river, being 17 miles from New-Haven, and 45 from Hartford. It is bounded north on Newtown, south on Stratford and Trumbull, west on Reading and Weston, and cast on the Ou-
satonick river, which separates the town from Oxford and Derby.
The township is about 10 miles long, from northwest to southeast, and averaging nearly 6 miles broad, from east to west, containing an area of about 56 square miles.
The surface is uneven, being
181
NEW-CANAAN.
diversified with hill and dale; but the soil, which is a gravelly loam, is generally fertile and productive. It is adapted to a grain culture, and produces rye and other grains.
Agriculture is the principal bu- siness of the town, and furnishes employment to most of the inha- bitants. Rye, corn, oats and flax are the principal agricultural in- terests.
The Ousatonick river washes the town on its eastern border. There are several shad fisheries upon this river, and two bridges across it, one called Zoar, and the other Leavenworth's bridge.
Bridgeport and Newtown turn-
pike road runs through the west part of the town.
The population of the town, in 1810, was 2770; and there are now 400 qualified Electors, 3 Companies of Militia, and 400 Dwelling houses.
The taxable polls and estate of the town, in 1817, was $60,000. There are 5 Mercantile Stores, 4 Grain Mills, 2 Carding Machines, 18 District Schools, 6 Churches, two for Congregationalists, two for Episcopalians, one for Baptists, and one for Methodists ; 1 Law- yer, 3 Clergymen and 2 Physicians. The town was incorporated in 1789.
NEW-CANAAN.
NEW-CANAAN, a small post township, is situated 8 miles north of Long Island sound, and 77 miles south west from Hartford.
It is bounded north by the State of New-York, west by the town
of Stamford, south by Stamford | town; one branch of Stamford Mill and Norwalk, and east, partly by, river, which runs through its north- west section ; and a branch of Nor- walk river, that runs through the east part of the town. Norwalk and partly by Wilton. Its ; extent is 6 miles in length and 4 in breadth, containing 24 square miles, or 15,360 acres.
The surface is mountainous, con- taining spines or ridges composed of rock and stone, which extend from north to south through the town.
The soil is a hard gravelly loam, being stony, but tolerably well timbered, and generally good for cultivation ; producing wheat, rye, corn, oats, flax and buck-wheat, and affording, generally, good pas- turage and grass.
There are several small streams in the town, the most considerable of which are the Five mile river, which rises in the State of New- York, and runs through the town ; Nosoten, which rises within the
Although agriculture is the lead- ing pursuit of the inhabitants, yet considerable attention is paid to manufactures, particularly to the manufacture of shoes, of which there are annually about 60,000 pair sent abroad for a market.
At the census of 1810, the po- pulation of the town was 1599. There are now 220 Freemen, 2 Companies of militia, 260 Dwel- ling houses, 2 Churches, one for Congregationalists and one for
182
NEW-FAIRFIELD.
Episcopalians, 6 Grain Mills, 5 Saw Mills, 3 Distilleries, 3 Tan- neries, 2 Carding Machines and 7 Mercantile Stores. There are 9 School Districts and common Schools, 1 Academy, 1 located and 1 Episcopal Society, 2 Social
Libraries, 1 Clergyman and 2 Phy- sicians.
The general list of the town, in 1817, was $36,948.
New-Canaan was incorporated as a town in 1801.
NEW-FAIRFIELD.
NEW-FAIRFIELD is an încon- siderable town, situated in the northwestern section of the county, 64 miles distant from Hartford; and is bounded on the north by Sher- man, on the east by New-Milford, in Litchfield county, and Brook- field, on the south by Danbury and Ridgefield, and on the west by the State of New-York. Its average length is 5 miles, and its average breadth 4 and a half miles, compri- sing 22 and a half square miles.
The township is broken, having several granite ridges extending through it; the soil is hard and gravelly. There are some indica- tions of iron ore in some parts of these ridges ; but, as yet, there is no mine or bed of ore opened or worked. The timber and forests consist of oak of the different kinds, and other trees common to this region. The lands, when cultiva- ted, produce wheat, rye, oats, grassy &c., and are considerably fertile and productive.
The town is watered by Rocky river, a considerable mill stream, which runs in a northeasterly di-
rection, and discharges itself into the Ousatonick. It contains 3 small ponds, the most considerable of which is called Bull's pond.
The population of the town, in 1810, was 772 ; and there are now, 130 qualified Electors, 1 company of militia, and 130 Dwelling hou- ses.
The amount of taxable proper- ty, including polls, is $19,128.
There are 1 Grain Mill, 1 Full- ing Mill and Clothiers' works, 2 Carding Machines, 1 Tannery, 3 Mercantile Stores and 3 public Inns.
The town contains one located Congregational Society & Church, one Society of Methodists, six School districts & common Schools, one small Social Library, one Phy- sician and two Clergymen.
New-Fairfield was granted by the General Assembly, in October 1707, to sundry inhabitants of the town of Fairfield, whence it receiv- ed its name ; but the war, which at that time existed with the na- tives, prevented its being settled for some time afterwards.
183
NEWTOWN.
NEWTOWN, a flourishing post town, is pleasantly situated in the northern section of the county, on the southwestern border of the Ousatonick river, 48 miles south- west from Hartford, and about 26 miles northwest from New-Ha- ven ; bounded on the northwest by Brookfield, on the northeast and east by the Ousatonick river, which separates it from Southbury, in New-Haven county, on the south- east by Huntington and Weston, and on the southwest by Reading and Danbury.
The township lies in a triangu- lar form, and comprises an area of about 50 square miles, having an average length from northwest to southeast of about 8 miles, and a mean breath of more than 6 miles. This township has an elevated lo- cation. Its surface is hilly, and many of the eminences are exten- sive and continuous ; but no part of it is mountainous. The soil, which principally is a gravelly loam, with some sections of san- dy loam, is, in general, fertile and productive. It is well adapt- ed to a grain culture ; and rye, which is extensively and success- fully cultivated, forms the staple production. It is favourable for fruit, and abounds with many va- luable orchards. The agricultur- al interests are respectable ; and, being an interior township, and having paid but little attention to manufactures, they afford employ- ment to the principal part of the industry of the place.
The township is well watered, its northeastern boundary through- out its whole course being washed by the Ousatonick, and its area in- tersected by the Powtatuck and
several small streams. In the north- western section of the township, is a pond of considerable extent. Upon the Ousatonick, connecting this town with Southbury, there is a toll bridge, called Bennett's bridge This town is well accom- modated with roads ; there being, in addition to the public roads, se- veral turnpikes leading through it, one from Hartford to Danbury. and one leading to Bridgeport.
The manufactures of the town are inconsiderable. There are, however, 1 Woolen Factory, 10 small Distilleries, 4 Tanneries, 5 Grain Mills, 5 Carding Machines and 4 Fulling Mills and Clothiers? works.
The population of the town, in 1810, was 2834; and there are about 400 Dwelling houses, 300 Electors, and 3 Companies of mi- litia. The town contains 7 reli- gious Societies ; one located Con- gregational, one Episcopal, which is the largest in the State, one Baptist, one small Society of San- demanians, one of Universalists, and two others. There are 15 School Districts & primary Schools and 2 Social Libraries.
In the central section of the the township there is a considera- ble village. It is pleasantly situ- ated on a height of land, rising gra- dually from the south, and more abruptly on the east and west, be- ing the subsidence or gradual ter- mination of a considerable ridge, extending from the mountainous district to the north and west. The village consists principally of one street, which is very broad, and, for nearly a mile, is well built ; it contains 50 or 60 Dwelling houses, 2 houses for public worship, 2
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184
NORWALK.
School houses, 3 Mercantile Stores, and numerous Mechanics' shops and other buildings.
The two turnpike roads, alrea- dy noticed, lead through the vil- lage.
From the elevated site of this village, it affords an extensive and interesting prospect to the east, south and west, a distance of 8 or 9 miles, comprising a fertile coun- try, in a high state of cultivation, and exhibiting, in every direction,
the grateful results ofruralindustry.
There are, in Newtown, 2 Cler- gymen, 4 Physicians and 4 Attor- nies. The aggregate list of the town, in 1817, was $65,085.
In May 1708, the General As- sembly made a grant of the tract of country comprising this town ship, which was then called Powtatuck, from the river of that name, by which it is intersected. At the same session it was incorporated, [by the name of Newtown.
NORWALK.
NORWALK, a flourishing ma- ritime post township, is situated upon Long Island sound, 66 miles southwest from Hartford, 32 west from New-Haven, and 48 north- east from the city of New-York ; bounded on the north by New- Canaan and Wilton, on the east by the Saugatuck river, which se- parates it from Fairfield, on the south by Long Island sound, and on the west by Stamford. It com- prises an area of about 34 square miles ; having a mean length from east to west of about 7 miles, and a medium breadth from north to south of nearly 5 miles. The sur- face is uneven, being pleasantly diversified with hill and dale. Up- on the border of the sound the hills are generally moderate ; and in the interior more elevated.
The geological character is pri- mitive, the prevailing strata of rocks consisting of granite. The general character of the soil is a dark coloured gravelly mould or loam, very feasible and fertile. It has a suitable adaptation both for grain and grazing, and is very fa-
vourable for fruit. This town is rich in agricultural opulence- abounds in the means of sustaining a dense population-from its con- tiguity to the sound, has a mode- rate, uniform and salubrious cli- mate-a ready and convenient market, being possessed of navi- ' gable waters, rendering it always accessible from the sea, and af- fording, at all times, a facility of communication with New-York, whereby it unites ample advanta- ges, and a powerful stimulus to agricultural industry and improve- ment. And these advantages, if they have not been improved to the greatest extent, have not been neglected.
The staple agricultural pro- ducts consist of Indian corn, rye, oats, wheat, flour, flax, flax-seed, beef, pork and potatoes ; most of which are articles of exportation.
The forests, which consist of oak of the different kinds, walnut, chesnut, &c. are very valuable, from the facility with which wood and timber are conveyed to the New-York markei.
185
NORWALK.
The waters of the town are principally embodied in the Sau- gatuck, which washes its eastern border, forming the boundary be- tween this town and Fairfield ; and Norwalk river, a considerable stream which runs through the centre of the town, and dischar- ges its waters into Long Island sound, forming the harbour, which is at the mouth of this stream, and has sufficient depth of water for vessels of 100 tons, and is safe and convenient. There is also anoth- er harbour at what is called Five mile river, which admits of ves- sels of about the same size. There are several small islands in Long Island sound, off this town, and numerous small inlets upon its bor- ders.
Of the fishing business, black fish and shell fish are taken in the sound.
This town possesses considera- ble advantages for navigation, and the interests thereof are contin- ually increasing. There are 16 vessels of every description belonging to the town, of which there are six regular packets that constantly ply between this place and New-York. One of them is! employed exclusively in the con-į veyance of passengers. The re-| maining ten vessels consist of sloops and schooners, and are em- ployed in the coasting trade to New-York and elsewhere.
In addition to the pursuits of agriculture, navigation and com- merce, some attention has been bestowed on manufactures. There are 1 Woolen Factory, 2 Cotton Factories, one upon an extensive scale, 1 Slitting and 1 Rolling Mill, 5 Grain Mills, two of which are
merchants' or flouring Mills, 3 Fulling Mills and Cloth Dressing establishments, 4 Carding Ma- chines and 2 Tanneries.
The population of the town, in 1810, was 2983; and there are about 400 Electors or Freemen, about the same number of Dwel- ling houses, and 5 Companies of militia.
The town contains 1 located Congregational Society, 1 Society of Episcopalians, and 1 of Me- thodists, which are respectively accommodated with houses for public worship. It contains one considerable and flourishing vil- lage, situated upon the great stage road leading to New-York, at the head of the harbour. It is a place of considerable activity and busi- ness, being the seat of most of the commercial and navigation busi- ness of the town. It is the com- mercial depot and market for the northern section of the county ; most of the staple products being brought here for sale, or to be freighted to New-York.
There are, in the village, near- ly 100 houses, a number of tra- ding houses, Dry goods and Gro- cery stores, 1 Bookstore, several private offices, a Post-office, a Newspaper and Printing establish- ment, 2 Churches, and several Mechanics' shops.
There are in Norwalk 13 pri- mary Schools and 1 Academy, 16 Mercantile Stores, 7 Public Inns, 3 Physicians, 3 Clergymen and 2 Attornies.
The aggregate list of the town, in 1816, was $53,231.
Norwalk was settled in 1651, and incorporated in 1655, four years from the first settlement.
24
186
READING.
This town is memorable in the annals of the revolutionary war ; having been burned by the British and Tories in 1779. The loss sustained by the inhabitants, from the destruction of buildings and
other property, was estimated by a committee, appointed by the General Assembly for the pur- pose, at $116,238 : 36. A great proportion of the dwelling houses and stores were burnt.
READING.
READING, an interior, central post township, is situated 60 miles southwest from Hartford ; bound- ed on the north by Danbury, on the east by Newtown and Weston, on the south by Weston, and on .- the west by Ridgefield. Its ave- verage length from east to west is nearly 6 and a half miles, and its mean breadth from north to south about 5 miles ; comprising an area of about 32 square miles. The face of the country is characteris- tically diversified with hill and dale. The prevailing strata of rocks consist of granite and pri- mitive limestone ; and the soil, corresponding with the geological features of different sections of the township, is a gravelly and calcareous loam. From the cal- carcous strata limestone is ob- tained for making lime, of which considerable quantities are annu- ally produced.
This town is rich in resources for agricultural improvements and wealth. It contains very little waste land, and the soil is gene- rally good. The calcareous sec- tions are fertile and productive, affording wheat, rye, oats and In- dian corn in abundance ; and the sections which are not so favoura- ble for the growth of grain, are well adapted to grazing. Consi- derable quantities of beef and pork
are markcted, and large quanti- ties of flax are annually raised.
This being an interior township, and not having engaged to any extent in any manufacturing inte- rest, agriculture is almost exclu- sively the business of the inhabit- ants.
There is a considerable propor- tion of forest lands in the town ; the natural growth of timber con- sists of oak, walnut, chesnut, and other deciduous trees.
The waters of the township are principally embodied in the Sau- gatuck and Norwalk rivers ; the former of which intersects it, run- ning through its centre, and the latter washes its western section.
In addition to the public or county roads, the town is accom- modated with several turnpikes ; one from Danbury to Norwalk leads through it, and also one from Danbury to Greenfield, in the town of Fairfield.
Of the manufacturing and me- chanical establishments of the town, there are 1 Woolen Fac- tory, 5 Grain Mills, 2 Cloth Dres- sing establishments, 3 Carding Machines, 3 Tanncries and 1 Lime kiln.
The population of this town, in 1810, was 1717; and there are about 260 Dwelling houses, about 300 Electors, 2 Companies of In-
187
BIOGRAPHY.
fantry and a part of a Company of Cavalry, of Militia.
Its civil divisions are 1 located Congregational Society and 11 School Districts ; besides the lo- cated, there is 1 Society of Epis- copalians, and 1 of Methodists, all of which are accommodated with houses for public worship.
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