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 23
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There are, in the town, 5 Mer- cantile Stores, 5 Taverns or Pub- lic Inns, 1 Social Library, 2 Physi- cians and 3 Clergymen.
The aggregate list of the town, in 1816, was $48,707.
Reading was incorporated in May, 1767.
BIOGRAPHY. Joel Barlow, L. L. D. distinguished as a poet, politician, statesman and philoso- pher, was a native of this town. As the design of this work does not contemplate giving lengthy bi- ographical accounts, we must, in this instance, confine ourselves to a notice of a few facts, exhi- biting a compressed view of the life and writings of Mr. Barlow. He was born in or about the year 1755. His father, who was an in- dependent farmer, but in mode- rate circumstances, died whilst he was a youth, leaving him a small patrimony, scarcely sufficient to defray the expenses of a liberal education, which he had contem- plated. Having been placed in Dartmouth College in 1774, he was soon after removed from thence to Yale College, at New- Haven, where he graduated in 1778. The class into which he entered was remarkable for the great promise of talent which ma- ny of its members disclosed ; among whom Barlow always rank- ed conspicuous. The late Asa
Spalding and Uriah Tracey, his Excellency Oliver Wolcott, Alex- ander Wolcott, Abraham Bishop and Josiah Meigs were mem- bers of this class. He passed through the usual course of aca- demic studies with great reputa- tion, and at the public commence- , ment in 1778, delivered or recited an original poem, which was the first time he had appeared before the public in his poetical charac- ter. This effusion of his muse was soon after printed, and has been preserved in a collection entitled " American Poems." Pre- viously to this period, and whilst Barlow was in College, the revo- lutionary war commenced, and the natural ardour and enthusi- asm of his mind, stimulated by the pervading spirit of liberty which characterized the times, led him to take a deep interest in a con- test in which both the cause of civil liberty and the dearest inter- ests of his country were so inti- mately concerned. During the early period of the war, the mi- litia of Connecticut constituted an important part of the army. Barlow had four brothers in the service ; and more than once, du- ing vacations, he armed himself with a musket, and joined them in the " bloody strife," as a vo- lunteer. It is said he was in the battle at White Plains.
Upon his leaving College, he commenced the study of law ; but, at the urgent solicitation and re- commendation of some of his friends, he was induced to aban- don this situation, and to qualify himself for, and accept the ap- pointment of chaplain to the ar- my. Whilst in this situation, he
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wrote several poetical effusions, strongly marked with patriotic and liberal sentiments, and calculated to encourage and animate the ar- my, in the various hardships, pri- vations and difficulties with which they had to contend. And whilst in the army, he conceived, plan- ned, and in part composed, the ce- lebrated poem which he after- wards published, entitled the " Vi- sion of Columbus," and which was subsequently enlarged into his great national poem, the Co- lumbiad. In 1781, he took the degree of A. M. at New-Haven, on which occasion he delivered a poem, entitled the " Prospect of Peace," which was principally embodied in the Vision of Colum- bus. About the same time, he married Miss Baldwin of New- Haven, a sister of Abraham Bald- win, for many years a distinguished member of Congress from Geor- gia, of whose life and character there is a brief notice following the account of the town of Guil- ford. After the peace in 1783, Barlow being out of employment, resolved to resume the study of law, for which purpose he re- moved to Hartford, with the ex- pectation, probably, of making it his residence for life. Whilst in this situation, to aid him in his finances, he, in connection with Elisha Babcock, established weekly newspaper, called the " American Mercury," which has ever since been published by Mr. Babcock.
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In 1787, whilst engaged in this business, he published his " Vision of Columbus," a patriotic and po- pular poem. It was dedicated to Louis XVI., and met with very|
flattering success, being re-print- ed in London within a few months ; it has since gone through a se- cond edition in America, and one in Paris. About this period, in pursuance of the request of the General Association of the clergy of this State, he undertook the revision of Dr. Watts' version of the Psalms. His edition was. published in 1786, and comprised several devotional pieces of his own composing.
About the time of these publi- cations, he disposed of his interest in the paper to Mr. Babcock, and opened a book-store, the princi- pal object of which was to effect the sale of his poem and edition of the Psalms. About this time, the Anarchiad was published at this place, in which Mr. Barlow is said to have taken a conspicu- ous part. On the 4th of July, 1787, and whilst the Convention which framed the Constitution of the United States was in session at Philadelphia, he delivered an oration to the Connecticut Cin- cinnati. Not being satisfied with his prospects in his profession, the next year he embarked for Eng- land, as the agent of a Land Com- pany, called the Ohio Company, from whence he soon proceeded to France. Whilst in France, the Revolution commenced, which led Barlow to an intimate acquaint- ance with most of the leaders of the republican party, and parti- cularly with those which were af- terwards denominated Girondists. His philanthropy and enthusiasm in the cause of liberty led him to enter warmly into their plans, which received the support of his !genius and political intelligence
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and experience. In 1791, he re- turned to England, and near the close of that year, published his " Advice to Privileged Orders," a work of solid merit, exposing, in a forcible manner, the abuses and evils of the feudal govern- ments of Europe. In 1792, he published a smail poem, entitled the "Conspiracy of Kings." From these publications, being of a po- litical nature, and from his intima- cy with the leaders of opposition, or friends of reform in England, he had become very obnoxious to the ministerial party. Near the close of the year 1792, he re- turned to France, as one of a committee of the London Consti- tutional Society, with an Address from the Society to the National Convention. He was received in France with great respect ; and, soon after his arrival, had confer- red upon him the rights of a French citizen. The year follow- ing, he was employed, in connec- tion with a deputation of the Na- tional Convention, to assist in or- ganizing the territory of Savoy, as a department of the Republic. Whilst at Chamberry, in this ter- ritory, he wrote a political ad- dress to the people of Piedmont. In this place he amused himself in writing a mock didactic poem, called " Hasty Pudding." From Savoy he returned to Paris, where he resided for about three years. During this period, he translated Volney's Ruins ; being shocked at the atrocities of the Revolution, he withdrew from political affairs.
In 1795, he was appointed by President Washington consul at Algiers, with powers to negotiate a treaty with the Dey, and to
redeem all American prisoners held in slavery by any of the Bar- bary powers. He immediately set out upon his mission, and, crossing through Spain, arrived at Algiers, where he soon succeeded in ne- gotiating a treaty with the Dey, although surrounded with nume- rous difficulties. Early the suc- ceeding year, he negotiated a sim- ilar treaty with Tripoli, and libe- rated all the American prisoners held in captivity. "In 1797, he re- signed his consulship and returned to Paris ; and having engaged in some commercial pursuits or spe- culations, was very successful, and accumulated a handsome fortune. In the rupture which took place between France and the United States, Barlow exerted his influ- ence and talents, to promote an amicable adjustment ; for which end he addressed a letter to the people of the United States, up- on the measures of the party then in power. This was soon follow ed by another, which was more abstract and examined, in that clear and forcible manner pecu- liar to its author, various political topics, and particularly certain es -* tablished principles of maritime law and the rights of neutrals. His views were novel and bold, and founded upon the principles of abstract right, which he regard- ed as the only true policy. In 1805, after an absence of seven- teen years from his native coun- try, Barlow resolved upon re-visi- ting the scenes of his youth. He accordingly sold his real estate in France, which he had regarded as his adopted country, as long as it continued the country of liberty. After visiting different parts of the
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country, he purchased him a de- and cannot fail of going down to posterity, to the latest generation. The name of Barlow will long be known and revered, when all those who have attempted to asperse it, will be forgotten. After the pub- lication of hisColumbiad, he was employed in collecting materials for a general history of the United States, a work which he had long meditated ; but whilst thus occu- pied, in 1811, he was appointed minister plenipotentiary to the French government ; whereupon he soon embarked again for France, clothed with authority and distin- guished honours. He applied him- self with great diligence to the duties of his new station, and made every exertion to effect the nego- tiation of a treaty of commerce, and indemnity for spoliation. In October 1812, he was invited to a conference with the Emperor at Wilna. He immediately set off up- on this mission, and travelled day and night, exposed to the severe weather of a northern climate ; subject to great fatigue, and ac- commodations at the public Inns being the most wretched, scarcely being able to obtain a wholesome meal, his constitution was unable to withstand these severe trials ; he sunk into a state of debility, from which he never recovered. He died, December 22d, 1812, at Zarnawica, an obscure village of Poland, in the neighbourhood of Cracow. America has produced few men more justly deserving of immortality than Barlow; and none, it is believed, who have made their title to it more sure. He liv- ed in an eventful period, and acted a conspicuous part in both hemis- lightful situation in the vicinity of Georgetown, within the limits of the district of Columbia. Whilst in this situation, he enjoyed the so- ciety, friendship and esteem of Mr. Jefferson, then President of the United States ; & of the other important functionaries and char- acters of distinction, who were residents, or engaged in public employments at the seat of gov- ernment. In 1806, he published a prospectus of a national institution, or university ; to establish which, a bill was introduced into the Sen- ate; it met with considerable op- position ; was referred to a select committee, who never reported, and thus this great national object ended. He now devoted his at- tention to the revision and im- provement of his favourite poem ; and in 1808, the Columbiad made its appearance in the most magnifi- cent volume, which ever issued from an American press. The high price of this edition prevented its circulation ; and the subsequent year, it was re-printed in two vol- umes. The same year, it was re- published in London, in an elegant royal 8 vo. The Columbiad has been attacked in the severest man- ner, by critics of every rank ; but Barlow, relying upon the solid merits of the poem, and the im- partial award of posterity, either. treated them with neglect or con- tempt. The Columbiad is an epic poem, abounding in philosophical discussion, and in enlarged, politi- cal and national views. It was cx- panded from the vision of Colum- bus which it comprises, and is the offspring of the labour of haif a life. It is a great national work, || pheres ; and as a poct, a man of
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RIDGEFIELD.
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science, a politician, a philosopher and a philanthropist, his name will long be revered by the friends of!
civil liberty & of science, through- out the civilized world.
RIDGEFIELD.
RIDGEFIELD is an elevated post township, situated in the west- ern section of the County and State, bordering upon the State of New- York, 10 miles southwest of Dan- bury, 70 miles southwest of Hart- ford, and 55 northeast of the city of New-York; bounded on the north by New-Fairfield, on the east by Danbury and Reading, on the south by Wilton, and on the west by the State of New-York. The township is of an oblong figure, being about 13 miles in length, and not more than 3 miles in breadth upon an average estima- tion, and comprises an area of a- bout 37 square miles. The face of the county is characterized by a succession of ridges and vallies, ranging northerly and southerly, in a direction towards Long Island sound. Some of these ridges are considerably elevated, and afford an interesting view of the sound, although situated at a distance of 14 miles. The geological charac- ter of the township is primitive ; the rocks consisting mostly of granite and primitive limestone. The prevailing soil is a gravelly loam, interspersed with some sec- tions of calcareous loam,-is ricl. in resources for agricultural pro ductions and improvements, wel: adapted both to a cultivation of grain and grazing, and also very favourable for fruit. The agricul- tural productions consist of wheat, rye, corn, oats, flax ; and cheese, butter, beef, wool, &c.
The waters of the town con- sist of numerous small streams, of which the most considerable are several branches of Norwalk and Saugatuck rivers. Upon some of these streams, there are advanta- geous sites for mills or manufac- turing establishments. The town is accommodated with the Ridge- field and Danbury turnpike. Agri- culture is the principal business, and the manufactures of the town, exclusive of those ofa domestic cha- racter, are inconsiderable. There are 1 Woolen Factory, 3 Fulling Mills and cloth dressing establish- ments, 1 large Tannery, 3 Grain Mills & 2 Carding Machines. There are several limekilns in the town.
Of the civil divisions of the town, there are 2 located Congregational Societies, and 12 School districts ; besides the located, there is 1 So- ciety of Episcopalians, 1 of Bap- tists and 1 of Methodists.
In the first located Society, there is a small but pleasant village, comprising, within the limits of a- bout one mile, 50 or 60 Dwelling houses, 2 Churches, a Post-office, 3 Mercantile Stores, and several Mechanics' Shops.
The population of the town, in 1810, was 2103 ; and there are a- bout 300 Electors or Freemen, a- bout the same number of Dwelling houses, and 2 companies of Militia.
The amount of taxable proper- ty, including polls, is $55,357.
In the town, are 12 primary Schools and 1 Academy, 1 Social
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SHERMAN-
Library, 5 Mercantile Stores, 4 Taverns, 4 Houses for public wor- ship, 4 Physicians and 1 Clergy- man.
The tract of land, comprising the township of Ridgefield, was called by the Indians Caudatowa high land, from its elevated situa- tion, affording a prospect of Long Island for forty miles; and! Ridgefield.
of the sound, and vessels navigating it. The Indian title was purchas- ed in 1708, by several persons of Norwalk, to the number of twenty- five. The deed bears date the 30th of September 1708, and at the ensuing session of the General Court, it was incorporated into a distinct township, by the name of
SHERMAN.
SHERMAN isa township, situa- ted in the northwest corner of the county, 60 miles from Hartford ; bounded on the north by Kent, in Litchfield county, on the east by New-Milford, on the south by New- Fairfield, and on the west by the State of New-York ; having an av- erage length of 9 and a half miles, and an average breadth of only 2 and a half miles, containing 23 and three-fourths square miles. Its surface is uneven, being char- acterized by elevated and lofty hills, and deep and extensive vales. The soil is various, according to the local situation of the lands, but is generally a gravelly loam. The hills, which are not suffered to remain for the growth of timber, afford grazing; and the vales, (most of which are warm and fertile,) are well adapted to the cultivation of wheat, rye and Indian corn, large quantities of which are an- nually raised.
Of the mineralogy of the town are some beds of iron ore, which, however, have received but little attention.
The town is watered by nume- rous small streams, which discharge
their waters into the Ousaton- ick.
A turnpike road lately granted, extending from New-Milford to the State of New-York, runs thro' this town. Sherman contains one located Congregational Society, a Society of Episcopalians, and part of a Society of Baptists, and some Quakers. It contains 6 School districts and Schools, and 3 small villages, of 10 or 15 houses each.
The population of the town, in 1810, was 949 ; and there are 150 Freemen, 2 companies of militia, and 130 Dwelling houses.
The amount of taxable proper- ty, including polls, is $22,168. There are 1 Woolen Factory, 3 Distilleries, 2 Tanneries, 1 Grain Mill, 1 Fulling Mill, 1 Carding Ma- chine, 1 Mercantile Store, 1 Pub- lic Inn, 2 Physicians and 1 Clergy- man.
· This town was incorporated in 1802.
BIOGRAPHY. Dr. James Pot- ter, late President of the Medical Society, was a resident in this town. He was distinguished in his profes- sion as a scholar, and a man of general science.
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STAMFORD.
STAMFORD, an extensive and populous maritime post township, is situated on Long Island sound, in the southwestern part of the county and State, 10 miles south- west of Norwalk, 42 southwest of New-Haven, 76 southwest from Hartford, and 43 northeast from New-York ; bounded on the north by the State of New-York, on the east by New-Canaan and Norwalk, on the south by Long Island sound, and on the west by Greenwich.
The township comprises an area of about 55 square miles ; having a mean length from north to south of about 9 and a half miles, and a mean breadth from east to west of nearly 6 miles.
This is a pleasant and fertile township, rich in the resources of agricultural opulence, abounding in the means of subsistence, and of sustaining the primary interests of civilization, agriculture, com- merce and the arts ; it possesses a moderate and uniform climate, and the advantages of a ready and convenient market. The surface is undulating, exhibiting a pleasant and interesting diversity of mode- rate hills and gentle declivities and dales. The soil is a rich gra- velly loam, feasible and fertile ; being adapted both to tillage and grazing.
The staple agricultural products · are Indian corn, rye and potatoes ; the latter of which are extensive- ly cultivated. From the facilities of communication with New-York, the value of potatoes is much in- creased, and a sure and ready market afforded ; and hence their cultivation,which, under other cir- cumstances must always be a mi- nor object with the farmer, has
become in this town an important interest. It is estimated that there are about 100,000 bushels sent to the New-York market annually from this town.
The town is well watered by several good mill streams, of which the principal are Mill river, which intersects the township, and dis- charges its waters into the sound, . forming at its mouth a good har- bour ; the Noraton and the Mi- annus, the latter of which washes the northwestern section of the town, running thence into Green- wich. The harbour at the mouth of Mill river has, at ordinary tides, about eight and a half feet of wa- ter; besides this, there are two other harbours in the town, but the former is the principal one, and the seat of most of the mari- time business. The shipping con- sists of six vessels, three of which are employed principally as pack- ets between this place and New- York, and the others in the coast- ing trade. Black and shell fish are taken in Long Island sound, and in the bays and inlets thereof.
Connected with the navigation business of this town is the manu- facture of flour, for exportation, which is carried on very exten- sively. There are two mills ex- clusively employed in this busi- ness ; one of which is the largest in the State, containing 16 run of stones ; the other contains 10 run. Besides these, there are 7 other Grain Mills in the town. Exclu- sive of the manufacture of flour, there are no considerable manu- facturing interests in this town; not taking into view those of a domes- tic character. There are 2 Fulling Mills and Clothiers' works, 4 Car-
25
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STRATFORD.
ding Machines and 2 Tanneries. The mercantile business of the place is considerable, there being 14 Dry Goods and Grocery Stores.
The civil divisions of the town consist of 3 located Ecclesiastical Societies or Parishes, and 11 School Districts. Besides the lo- cated, there are 1 Episcopal Soci- ety ; 2 Baptist Societies ; 1 of Methodists, and 1 Society of Friends.
In the first located Society there is a delightful and interesting vil- lage, pleasantly situated upon Mill river, and the great mail road leading to New-York. It is a neat and handsome place, and compris- es about 50 or 60 Dwelling hous- es, some of which are large and elegant, a Post office, several pro-
fessional offices, 2 Churches, and several Mercantile Stores. The Post office at this place is a distri- buting office.
The population of Stamford, in 1810, was 4440; and there are about 450 Electors, 4 Companies of Militia, and about 600 Dwelling houses.
'The aggregate list of the town, in 1816, was $91,668.
There are in the town 8 Public Inns or Taverns, 7 Houses for religious worship, 11 primary Schools, 2 Social Libraries, 4 Phy- sicians, 7 Clergymen and 4 Attor- nies.
This is an ancient town, the set- tlement having commenced in 1641. It was called by the na- tives Rippowams.
STRATFORD.
STRATFORD, a pleasant and flourishing post township, is situ- ated on the west side of the Ousa- tonick river, about 3 miles from its mouth, and 13 from New-Ha- ven; bounded on the north by Trumbull and Huntington, on the east by the Ousatonick river, on the south by Long Island sound, and on the west by Fairfield. Its average length is about 6 miles, and its average breadth 4 miles, comprising an area of about 24 square miles.
The township is generally level, and free from stone; the more prevailing soil is a gravelly loam, interspersed with some sections of sandy loam. The flat, bordering upon the harbour and the river, appears to be an alluvial forma- tion, presenting, on an examina-
tion into its interior structure, alternate strata of sand and gra- vel, with some strata of clay. This is a strong and rich soil ; the more elevated lands in the interi- or are of a good soil, being warm, healthy and productive. They afford wheat, rye, corn, oats, grass and flax, the latter of which is cul- tivated to great advantage, and is of an excellent quality. There are also various other agricultural productions, of which cider, cider brandy, butter, cheese, beef, pork, lard and flaxseed are the most considerable.
The southern border of the town is washed by Long Island sound, and the eastern by the Ou- satonick river. There are seve- ral valuable shad fisheries in the Ousatonick ; and almost all kinds
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of shell fish are taken in the har- bour, which consists of an arm of the sea, or of Long Island sound.
The population of the town, in 1810, was 2895; and there are 300 Freemen or Electors, 4 Com- panies of Militia, and about 420 Dwelling houses, including the borough of Bridgeport.
The amount of taxable proper- ty, including polls, is $54,197.
The manufacturing and mecha- nical employments of the town, exclusive of the borough of Bridge- port, are 1 Tin-ware Factory, 1 Tannery, 2 Carding Machines, 3 Grain Mills, 3 Merchants' Mills, for flouring wheat, grinding Indian corn and plaster of Paris.
The civil divisions of the town consist of 2 located Congrega- tional Societies, 1 incorporated Bo- rough, and 10 School Districts ; there is also a Society of Episco- palians, and one of Methodists, all of which are respectively provi- ded with Houses for public wor- ship. There are 10 common or primary Schools, one in each Dis- trict, and an Academy or Gram- mar School.
BRIDGEPORT, an incorporated borough, is situated in north lat. 41° 18' and west lon. 73º 12', on the west side of an arm of the sea, called Bridgeport harbour, distant southwest from New-Haven 17 miles, and from Hartford 51, and northeast from New-York 62 miles ; bounded south on Long Island sound ; it is about two miles in length from north to south, and half a mile in breadth from east to west. The harbour extends about three miles within land to the head of tide water, where it meets Pequanock river, a consi-
derable mill stream, on which are several mills within a dozen miles, and two with six run of stones on tide water. The average width of the harbour, at high water, (it being a tide harbour,) is eighty rods. At low water, most of it is bare, leaving only a channel about a dozen rods wide. Common tides rise seven feet ; spring tides nine. The depth of water on the bar at high water, in common tides, is thirteen feet; within the bar the water is much deeper, and has a muddy bottom, so that, at low wa- ter, loaded vessels lie at ease on the flats, while those in the chan- nel, of almost every size, have suf- ficient depth of water, as ships of 200 tons can conveniently load at the wharves, and at high water proceed to sea. Vessels, when once within the bar, are at all times safe from dangers of the sea ; and the entrance is also safe and easy, by means of a large bea- con, just within the chops, 40 feet in height, on the west side of the channel, and the light-house on Fairweather's Island, both of which were procured to be erected by citizens of Bridgeport.
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