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 26
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
The general list of taxable polls and estate, in 1817, was $67,949.
Lebanon was incorporated as a town in 1697.
BIOGRAPHY. The Hon. Jo- nathan Trumbull, distinguished for his many public employments, was a native and resident of this town. He was Governor of the State for fifteen years in suc- cession, including the period of the revolutionary war, with all its political animosities, requir- ing, in the chief executive magis- trate, great prudence, firmness and ability. The re-election of Gov. Trumbull for such a length of time, and a period too of such peculiar difficulties and embar- rassments, is the best evidence of the estimation in which he was held by his fellow-citizens. He was a whig and a patriot in the " times that tried men's souls."
The civil divisions of the town are 3 located Ecclesiastical Socie- ties, and 17 School districts. Main- street, in the first Society, is spa- The Hon. Jonathan Trumbull, late Governor of the State, was the son of the above noticed Jo- nathan Trumbull, and was born and resided in this town. He was cious and pleasant, being for near- ly two miles in length about 30 rods broad ; it contains two Church- es, an Academy, a Post-office, several Stores and a number offleducated at Harvard College,
215
BIOGRAPHY.
where he graduated, having gone through with the usual course of collegiate studies with unusual re- putation. In 1775, at the com- mencement of the revolutionary war, he was appointed by Con- gress pay-master in the northern department, and soon after secre- tary and aid to General Washing- ton. He was for several years a member of the State legislature, and Speaker of the House. In 1790, he was chosen a represen- tative in Congress from this State ; andin 1791 he was appointed Spea- ker of the House of Representa- tives, in which situation he con- tinued until 1794, when he was elected a Senator in the Senate of the United States. In 1796, he was chosen by the freemen Lieut. Governor of the State, and in 1798 Governor. He was annu- ally re-elected to this office for eleven years in succession, and until his death, in 1809. He was 69 years of age. Governor Trum- bull was a man of handsome tal- ents, of very respectable acquire- ments, of amiable manners, and was distinguished for his social vir- tues. The confidence of his fel- low-citizens, which he so long en- joyed in a very eminent degree, affords the most satisfactory evi- dence of his talents and virtues.
The Rev. Eleazer Wheelock, D. D. was a resident clergyman in the' north Society in this town, which has since been incorpora- ted into the town of Columbia. He was educated at Yale Col- lege, where he graduated in 1733. He became the Principal of a semi- nary which had been established in this town for the education of
the native Indian youth. About the year 1770, he removed from this town to Hanover in New- Hampshire, and the seminary was transferred to that place, and be- came the foundation of Dartmouth College, of which the Rev. Mr. Wheelock was appointed the first President, and may be considered as the founder of the Institution. At this period, the country about Hanover was mostly a wilderness. The object of the primitive semi- nary was still in a measure retain- ed ; and Dartmouth College was originally designed principally for the education of Indian youth. President Wheelock presided over this Institution until his death, in 1779, aged 69 years. The Insti- tution, from this small beginning, continued to flourish under his presidency, and attained to the character of a respectable Col- lege. On the death of President Wheelock, he was succeeded by his son, John Wheelock.
The Hon. John Wheelock, L. L. D. was born in this town. He suc- ceeded to the presidency of Dart- mouth College, on the death of his father, in 1779, and continued to preside over the Institution, with the exception of a short inter- val, until his death, in 1817. He was a man of erudition, and equal- ly respected for his talents and learning, and beloved for his vir- tues. He presided over the In- stitution with great ability and suc- cess, and gave it a very respecta- ble reputation. Some years since, this Institution was re-organized, having received a new charter, wherein its name was changed to that of Dartmouth University.
216
MANSFIELD.
MANSFIELD, a considerable and flourishing post township, is situated upon the western border of the county, 28 miles east from Hartford ; bounded on the north by Willington and Ashford, on the east by Hampton and Windham, on the south by Windham, and on the west by the Willimantic river, which separates its from Coven- try.
Its average length from east to west is 8 miles, and its average breadth nearly 6 miles, compris- ing an area of about 46 square miles.
The face of the country is un- even, being diversified with hills and dales, the eminences in gene- ral having considerable elevation. Upon the streams of water there are some small intervals. The geological character of the town- ship is of a primitive formation, the rocks and stones consisting of granite, gneiss, and micaceous schistus ; and the soil is a hard, dry gravelly loam. Some mine- rals have been discovered, mica, felspar and quartz.
The natural growth of timber is oak, walnut, chesnut elm, ash, maple, &c.
The agricultural productions arc grass, rye, oats, Indian corn, butter, cheese, pork and beef. The white mulberry tree is culti- vated in this town, for the making of silk ; and it is estimated, that 2500lbs. of raw silk are annually manufactured. The silk manufac- ture is a branch of industry un- known in most of our towns, and is confided principally to females, who are the guardians and attend- ants of the silk-worm, the most curious and useful of insects.
Besides the Willimantic, which washes the western border of the town, it is watered by Nachaug ri- ver and its tributary streams, the Mount Hope and Fenton, which unite their waters near the south part of the town. These streams afford various sites for mills and other water works. In the first Society, there is a small pond, called Fish pond, comprising an area of about 30 acres.
The middle turnpike road from Hartford to Boston leads through this town, and also a turnpike from Norwich to Stafford, and ano- ther from Windham to Hartford.
The manufactures of the town consist of screw-augers, steel- yards, horn combs the manufac- ture of which is carried on to con- siderable extent, sewing silk, cot- ton, of which there are two estab- lishments, and woolen, of which there are 2 Factories. There are also 7 Grain Mills, 10 Saw Mills, 5 Carding Machines, 1 Oil Mill,3Tan- neries, and 7 MercantileStores.
The population of the town, in 1810, was 2570; and there are 500 Electors, 172 Militia, and 360 Dwelling houses.
The amount of taxable proper- ty, including polls, is $62,750.
The civil divisions of the town are 3 located Ecclesiastical Socie- ties or Parishes and 19 School Districts. There is also 1 Society of Baptists and 1 of Methodists ; each of these Societies is accom- modated with a house for public worship; and in each of the School Districts there is a primary or common School maintained.
There are 3 Social Libraries, 4 Physicians and 2 Clergymen, 1 Congregationalist and 1 Baptist.
217
PLAINFIELD.
Mansfield was comprised within the original limits of the county|
of Hartford, and was first settled in 1703.
PLAINFIELD.
PLAINFIELD, a post town- ship, is situated in the southeastern section of the county, 41 miles east from Hartford, and 30 west from Providence ; bounded on the north by Killingly, on the east by Sterling, on the south by Volun- town and Griswold, and on the west by Canterbury and Brook- lyn. The township comprises an area of about 40 square miles ; having a mean length from north to south of about 8 miles, and a mean breadth of about 5 miles.
From the surface, soil and geo- logical features, the township is divided into two sections. The eastern section is rough and brok- en, being hilly and stony. The hills are considerably elevated and continuous, forming ridges, exten- ding in a northerly and southerly direction. The western section is an extensive plain, the surface being level, and the soil a light, sandy loam, which is cultivated with facility, and is fertile and productive. These plains are well adapted to a grain culture, afford- ing excellent corn, oats, rye, &c.
When this town was first settled by the English, these plains were free from timber, admitted of im- mediate cultivation, and, from the great quantities of corn raised here, they were called the Egypt of the surrounding settlements. Plaster is found to be a valuable manure upon this soil ; the use of which, and a proper regard to the amelioration of the soil by 28
clover and other cultivated grass- es, have maintained the land in a rich and fertile state.
The soil in the eastern section of the township is of a gravelly character, and affords good graz- ing. Its natural growth of timber comprises the various trees com- mon to this region.
The Quinibaug river washes the western border of the town, and forms a considerable part of its western boundary, separating it from Brooklyn and Canterbury. Upon this river there are two bridges, one connecting this town with Brooklyn, and the other with Canterbury. The Moosup river runs through the eastern section of the town, and discharges its waters into the Quinibaug, afford- ing in its course an unequalled number of excellent sites for hy- draulic works.
The town is accommodated with the Connecticut and Rhode-Island turnpike, which passes through it ; and by the Windham county turn- pike, which terminates at the point of intersection with the former.
Of the manufactures of the town, those of cotton are the most im- portant, there being 4 Cotton Fac- tories, one of which is called the Union Factory ; one the Moosup Factory, which has been burnt down, and is not yet rebuilt; the Central Factory ; and one other. There are also 2 Woolen Fac- tories. In addition to these, there are 4 Carding Machines and
218
POMFRET.
2 Clothiers' works for customers, and 6 Grain Mills.
The population of Plainfield, in 1810, was 1738; and there are now about 230 Electors, one com- pany of Infantry, one Rifle com- pany, and a part of a company of Cavalry, of militia, and about 300 Dwelling houses.
There are in this town 2 Reli- gious Societies, one located Con- gregational and one Baptist; 12 School Districts and primary Schools ; and an Academy, called Plainfield Academy, incorporated in 1783, and which is now a very flourishing institution. There are also 2 Social Libraries, one contain- ing 200 volumes of well selected books, and the other recently es- tablished, and confided to the care of the settled Clergyman.
There are 7 Mercantile Stores, 4 practising Physicians, and 2 At- tornies.
The aggregate list of the town, in 1817, was $38,253.
This town was settled in 1689, principally by emigrants from
Chelmsford in Massachusetts. The first settlers found the land. in a great measure fit for cultiva- tion, there being much less forest land then than what there is at this time. The Indians were very nu- merous in this neighbourhood, and continued for many years with the English, living in the most friendly manner.
BIOGRAPHY. The Rev. Jo- el Benedict, D. D. was for 32 years settled in the ministry in this town. He was ordained in 1782, and con- tinued until his death in 1815. He was distinguished as a scholar and man of science, not only in his profession, but in mathe- matics and the learned languages. He had applied himself with great diligence and success to the study of the Hebrew language, and be- came an excellent Hebrew scho- lar, there being few men superi- or to him in biblical criticism. But he was not more remarkable for the extent of his learning than for the mildness of his manners and the placidity of his temper.
POMFRET.
POMFRET, a post township, is situated in the central section of the county, 40 miles northeast from Hartford, and 30 east from Providence ; bounded on the north by Woodstock and Thompson, on the east by the Quinibaug river, which separates it from Killingly, south by Brooklyn and Hampton, and west by Ashford. Its mean length from east to west is about 7 miles, and its mean breadth nearly 6 miles, comprising about 42 square miles,
The surface is uneven and di- versified, consisting of hills and dales ; and the geological charac- ter of the township is granitic, the soil being a gravelly loam, and the rocks consist of granite, gneiss, micaceous schistus and other ori- ginal formations. There are se- veral. quarries of free stone, valu- able for building and other uses.
Although the lands in this town are hilly, and somewhat stony and rough, it is a rich and productive agricultural township. The soil
219
POMFRET.
is deep, strong and fertile, and ad- mirably adapted to grazing. And, as the natural quality and adapta- tion of the soil must always, in a greater or less degree, control the agricultural pursuits, the leading interests of the farmers of this town are such as are dependent upon, or are promoted by a sys- tem of improving lands by graz- ing. The dairy business is gene- rally attended to, and pursued to an extent and with a success that is scarcely surpassed. Not only cheese and butter, but pork, lard and beef are among the surplus productions of the farmers of this town. For some years past, and particularly during the late war, considerable attention has been paid to sheep, and wool has been added to the agricultural products of the town. But, although the lands are best adapted to grazing, they admit of the successful culti- vation of grain, and considerable rye, corn and oats are raised.
The township is well watered. Besides the Quinibaug, which washes its eastern border, it is watered by Little river and nu- merous small streams. There are several shad fisheries in the Quini- baug; some salmon are also ta- ken.
The town is accommodated with several turnpike roads ; one leading from Hartford to Boston passes through it, and one from the former place to Providence ; also one leading from Norwich to Worcester in Massachusetts.
Although agriculture is the principal business of the town, a manufacturing spirit has disclosed itself, and produced some results.
A Cotton Factory has been esta- blished upon a very extensive scale, and is one of the largest. establishments in the State ; there is also a Woolen Factory upon ra- ther a small scale. In addition to these manufactures, there are 3 Fulling Mills & Clothiers' works, 2 Carding Machines, 3 small Dis- tilleries, 4 Grain Mills and 6 Tan- neries.
The town contains 2 located Congregational Societies or Pa- rishes, and 11 School Districts. Besides the located, there is 1 Society of Baptists and 1 small Society of Friends. A common school is maintained in each of the School Districts, a considera- ble proportion of the year.
In the first located Society there is a small village of 20 or 30 Dwelling houses, a Post office, Congregational Church, and se- veral Stores.
The population of the town, in 1810, was 1905; and there are 280 Freemen or Electors, about the same number of Dwelling hou- ses, and 2 entire companies of In- fantry, part of a Rifle company, part of a company of Cavalry, and part of a company of Artillery, of militia.
The amount of taxable proper- ty, as rated in making up the lists, in- cluding polls, in 1816, was $55,077.
The celebrated wolf den, which has been rendered famous by an ex- ploit of Gen. Israel Putnam, who entered it with a torch light in one hand and a gun in the other, and shot a wolf at the extremity ; and having had a rope fastened to his leg, was drawn out, together with the wolf ; is in this town.
-
220
BIOGRAPHY.
There are in the town 7 Mer- [ cantile Stores, 4 Public Inns, 3 Social Libraries, 4 practising Phy- sicians, 3 Clergymen and 2 Attor- nies.
Pomfret was first settled in 1686, by emigrants from Roxbury in Massachusetts, and was incor- porated, with town privileges, in 1713.
BIOGRAPHY. The Hon. Tho- mas P. Grosvenor, recently a mem- ber of Congress from the District of Columbia, in the State of New- York, was a native of this town. He was a man of talents, and be- came one of the leaders of the opposition in Congress. He died at the seat of Government, during the session of Congress, in the year 1817.
The Hon. Sylvanus Backus, late of this town, was a lawyer of con- siderable eminence, and for a suc- cession of years was Speaker of the House of Representatives in this State. He died in 1817.
Maj. Gen. Israel Putnam was for several years a resident of that part of Pomfret which now belongs to the town of Brooklyn. Gen. Putnam was born in Salem, Mass. and emigrated to this town in 1739. He possessed strong natu- ral talents, but his mind was never much improved, having enjoyed but very limited advantages as to education. Gen. Putnam at an early period engaged in the pursuits of agriculture, being an indepen- dent but laborious farmer. Yet even in this retired and obscure situation, his vigorous natural pow- ers and characteristic braverycould not remain concealed ; but his cou- rage and spirit were displayed in a conspicuous manner, by the well
known adventure of his descending into a cavern and killing a wolf, at the imminent risk of his life. The distinguished bravery and deter- mined resolution, which charac- terized General Putnam, having brought him into notice at the commencement of the French war, he received the commission of a captain in the Provincial troops, and became distinguished for his services in the campaign of 1755. In that of the 'succeeding year, he encountered many diffi- culties, endured the greatest hard- ships, was exposed to the most imminent perils, and displayed the greatest intrepidity, firmness and resolution, whereby he acquired great credit as an officer. In the month of August of this year, he was unfortunately taken prisoner by the Indians, in which situation he was destined to experience all the horrors of savage barbarity. He was fastened to a tree, in a situation which rendered him ex- posed to the fire of both of the contending armies ; and, in the night, he was stripped of his clo- thing, and encircled with combus- tible materials, which were set on fire, and he would inevitably have fallen a sacrifice to the most ex- cruciating and systematic savage torture, had it not been for the timely interposition of a humane French officer, who rescued him from this perilous and truly horri- ble situation. He was sent to Montreal, as a prisoner of war, and was not exchanged until 1759. After the close of the French war he retired to his farm, and resum- ed the laborious occupations of husbandry. He was plowing in his field when he heard of the battle
221
BIOGRAPHY.
of Lexington ; and. he forthwith dropped the implements of hus- bandry, and repaired to Cam- " Sir, Nathan Palmer, a lieuten- ant in your king's service, was tak- en in my camp as a spy, he was tri- ed as a spy, he was condemned as a spy, and he shall be hanged as a spy. bridge. He however soon return- ed and raised a regiment of mili- tia, which he marched to Cam- bridge; soon after which he was appointed Major-General in the militia of Connecticut. He was I. Putnam." "P. S. Afternoon .- He is hang- ed." engaged in the battle of Bunker Hill, was the highest officer in rank, and was distinguished for his cool intrepidity. He gave orders to his men to reserve their fire until the enemy appeared within a convenient distance, and then to take deliberate aim, so that there should not a shot be lost. The result is well known. On the or- ganization of the army by Con- gress, he was appointed to com- mand the reserve under General Washington, and was the second in command. In August 1776, he was stationed at Brooklyn, on Long-Island. After the defeat of our army, on the 27th of that month, he retired to New-York ; and, at that dark and desponding period, he did not despair of the glorious cause, but was very active and serviceable in the city and vicinity. The spring following, he was appointed to command at the Highlands, or upon the Hudson river. Here a singular incident occurred, which serves to show the decision and firmness of his character. An American royalist, who was a lieutenant in the Bri- tish service, was discovered in the American camp, and taken into custody. Gov. Tryon reclaimed him as a British officer, and threat- ened retaliation, if he was not re- stored. To this demand, Gen. Il most important period of our an-
Putnam returned the following la- conic answer :
After the loss of Fort Montgom- ery, Gen. Washington confided to Gen. Putnam the selection of a suitable site for a permanent fortifi- cation ; and to him belongs the ho- nour of the judicious selection of West Point. Gen. Putram spent the remainder of his military life in erecting and improving the for- tifications at this place, and which continued until about the year 1780, when the infirmities of age obliged him to retire from the field of strife and glory, and with him . the theatre of so many heroic achievements.
General Putnam was possessed of the most daring natural courage ; not the offspring of insensibility, but of extraordinary natural vigor and energy, both of body and mind. He was bold and fearless in his en- terprises, and firm, determined and persevering in their execution ; neither appalled by dangers, dis- couraged by difficulties, nor was the firmness of his resolutions impair- ed by hardships and sufferings, however severe ; he pursued his object with a steadiness and de- termination, which have had few examples. He was a brave officer, an ardent patriot and a good citi- zen; and having lived during the
222
STERLING.
nals, and taken a distinguished part in the events of two wars, his his- tory is identified with that of his country, and his name is enrolled with those heroes and patriots, who, to the latest posterity, as long as the genius of liberty maintains her
dominion, will be regarded as the fathers of it.
General Putnam died at Brook- lyn, May 29th 1790, aged 72 years. He was buried with the honours of war, & an elegant eulogy was deliv- ered on the occasion, by Dr. Waldo.
STERLING.
STERLING is a post township, situated in the southeast part of the county, 44 miles from Hartford; bounded on the north by Killingly, on the east by Rhode-Island line, on the south by Voluntown, and on the west by Plainfield. It contains an area of about 24 square miles, having an average length of 8 miles, and an average breadth of 3 miles. The face of the country, within this town, is gene- rally uneven, or moderately hilly ; but there are some sections of pine plains. The soil is a light, gravelly and sandy loam. The natural growth consists of the deciduous trees common to this region, to- gether with a considerable propor- tion of yellow pine. The land is best adapted to a grain culture, and affords good crops of rye, corn &c.
The town is watered by a branch of the Moosup river, called Quan- duck, an inconsiderable stream.
In addition to the county orpub- lic roads, the town is accommo- dated with the Norwich and Provi- dence turnpike, which passes through it.
Near the centre of this town, there is a cavern called the devil's den, possessing very singular and curious features. It is situated within a ledge of rocks, and has a
circular area of about 100 feet in diameter. The rock is cleft in two places, forming at each a chasm or fissure, of about 50 feet deep ; through one of which, there runs a small stream of water; the other communicates with a room of about 12 feet square, at the interior part of which, there is a fire-place, and a chimney extending through the rock above, forming an aperture of about 3 feet square. In another part of the rock, there is a natural stair-case, winding around it from the bottom to the top. In the cold season of the year, a large mass of ice is formed in the room before described, by the dashing of water down « the chimney, which con- tinues there through nearly the whole of the warm monthis; the sun being almost excluded from this subterraneous recess.
There are in Sterling 3 Cotton Factories, one of which is upon a large scale, and contains 1600 spindles. The buildings for the ac- commodation of the workmen are of stone. This is one of the largest establishments in the State; the other two are less extensive. There are 3 Grain Mills, 1 Carding Machine, 1 Fulling Mill and Clo- thiers' works, 2 Tanneries, 4 Mer- cantile Stores and 2 Taverns.
The town contains one located
.
-
THOMPSON.
223
Congregational Society & Church, · one Society of Baptists, one Acade- my, 9 School districts and common Schools, and one Social Library.
Its population, in 1810, was 1101; and there are 150 qualified Elec- tors, 1 Company, and a part of an- other Company of Militia, and about 180 Dwelling houses. In the
centre of the town there is a small village, consisting of about 30 Dwelling houses, a Church and several Stores.
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.