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 30
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The town contains 1 located Ecclesiastical Society and 8 School districts, which constitute its civil divisions ; besides the located, there is a Society of Methodists, both of which are accommodated with houses for public worship. There is a primary School main- tained in each of the School dis- tricts for a suitable portion of the year; besides which, there is usually a Grammar School in the centre of the town. There are 2 Clergymen, 2 Physicians and 1 Attorney.
The first settlement in Goshen commenced in 1738-39, the town- ship having been sold at New-Ha- ven in 1737. The first settlers were principally from New-Haven, Wallingford & Farmington. From the elevated situation of the town, it has been remarkably healthy, having never been visited with epidemical or contagious diseases. The town was incorporated in Oc- tober, 1749, being nine or ten years from the first settlement.
HARWINTON.
HARWINTON is a post town- ship, situated in the southeastern section of the county, 23 miles from Hartford; bounded on the north by New-Hartford and Tor- rington, on the east by Burlington in Hartford county, on the south 32.
by Plymouth, and on the west by the Naugatuck river, which sepa- ratesit from Litchfield. It is 6 miles in length, and 5 in breadth, compri- sing an area of 30 square miles.
The township is elevated and hilly ; and its geological structure,
250
KENT.
both with respect to its rocks and soil, is of a granitic character ; therc are, however, some quarries of micaceous schistus, and other pri- mitive rocks. The timber and forests consist principally of deci- duous trees. The lands are best adapted to grazing, and the making of butter and cheese is a leading agricultural interest.
The town is watered, exclusive of the Naugatuck which washes its western border, by the Lead Mine river a branch of the Nauga- tuck, which runs through the inte- rior of the township, and by nume- rous small streams.
The town is accommodated with the Hartford and Litchfield turn- pike road, which leads through it ; also by the Waterbury turnpike, leading to New-Haven. It contains one located Congregational Socie- ty, and one Society of Episcopa- lians. There is one small village of 15 or 20 Dwelling houses.
The manufactures and mechani- cal employments, exclusive of those of a domestic character, con- sist of 1 Tinware Factory, 3 Full- ing Mills and Clothiers' Works, 3 Carding Machines, 4 Grain Mills and 2 Tanneries. There are 3 Mercantile Stores and 4 Taverns.
There are 11 School districts and common Schools, and 1 Aca- demy in the town; 1 small Social Library, 2 Houses for Public Wor- ship, 2 Clergymen and 1 Physician.
The population of the town, in 1810, was 1718 ; and there are 298 Dwelling houses, 240 Electors, and 1 Company of Militia.
The quantity of land included in the assessment, in 1816, was 17,069 acres, valued at $407,225 ; being an average of $23 % per acre.
The general list of the town, including polls, is $36,648.
Harwinton was incorporated in 1737.
KENT.
KENT is a post township, situa- ted in the southwestern section of the county, 45 miles from Hartford; bounded on the north by Sharon and Cornwall, on the east by Wash- ington and Warren, on the south by New-Milford and Sherman, and on the west by the State of New- York; having an average length of nearly 8 miles, and an average breadth of more than 6 miles, con- taining 48 square miles.
The township is characteristi- cally mountainous ; and its geolo- gical structure consists principally of granite, although in some sec- Lions it is calcareous. Among its
mineral treasures, iron ore is found in great abundance. Several mines have been opened and worked, from which it is estimated, that several thousand dollars worth of the ore is annually raised. There are seven forges that have been erected, and are usually in opera- tion ; all of which, it has been es- timated, manufacture 100 tons of iron annually. These mines, & the manufactures and various interests which depend upon them, afford employment to industry, a stimu- lus to enterprise, and are sources of considerable wealth to the town.
251
NEW-HARTFORD.
The soil in this town varies, ac- cording to its geological structure. Upon the hills of granite, it is hard and gravelly, and in the limestone vales, it is a rich calcareous loam ; the former affords tolerably good grazing, and the latter produces wheat, rye and grass. The timber is oak, chesnut, walnut, ash, &c.
This town is watcred by the Ousatonick and its numerous branches, which afford many valu,- able sites for mills and other water works. It is accommodated by the Litchfield and New-Preston turn- pike, which passes through its south section.
The population of the town, in 1810, was 1794; and there are now 200 qualified Electors, 2 Compa- nies of Militia, & about 290 Dwell- ing houses.
In addition to the domestic manufactures of the town, and
those of iron already noticed, there are 2 Grain Mills, 2 Fulling Mills and Clothier's works, 1 Carding Machine and 2 Tanneries. There are 3 Mercantile Stores.
The taxable property of the town, including polls, is $36,967; and the United States assessment, in 1816, was $414,278, being an average of more than $18 per acre for the quantity valued, which was but 22,764 acres. In 1799, this town, together with Warren, was assessed at $405,982.
Kent contains but one located Society ; besides which, it has a Society of Episcopalians, and each of them has a house for public worship. It contains 10 School districts and Schools, 3 practising Physicians, 2 Attornies and 1 Cler- gyman.
The town was incorporated in 1739.
NEW-HARTFORD.
NEW-HARTFORD i's a post town, situated on the eastern bor- der of the county, being 20 miles northwest from Hartford. It is bounded on the north by Bark- hamsted, on the east by Canton, in Hartford county, on the south by Harwinton and Burlington, and on the west by Torrington. It is 6 miles in length from north to south, and nearly 6 miles in breadth from east to west, con- taining 34 square miles.
The Farmington or Tunxis riv- er washes the eastern section of the town, and affords numerous sites and privileges for mills and other water works. The town is also watered by innumerable small
streams, in almost every direc- tion.
The township is hilly and moun- tainous, containing a range of mountain of considerable eleva- tion, consisting of granite and oth- er rocks of primitive formations. These ranges are covered with trees, and contain abundance of timber. The forests consist gene- rally of deciduous trees, except in the northern part of the town, where the perennial or ever-green region of Connecticut commences. Here, but a few years since, was an extensive tract of forests, call- ed " Green woods," but now they are reduced; roads having been opened through them ; considera-
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NEW-MILFORD.
ble portions cleared; and the wood upon whatremains, is considerably diminished. These lands, former- ly, werenot considered of any value for cultivation, but are now more justly estimated. The soil in this ever-green district is a coarse, hard gravel, abounding with stone ; and the land is not cleared or culti- vated, without difficulty or labour ; but when cleared, it will produce one crop of grain, and then makes indifferent pasturage.
In the other sections of the town, excepting the mountain, the soil is a gravelly loam, warm and fer- tile; it produces grain, but is best adapted to grass.
The Talcott mountain and Green woods turnpike passes through this town, in a northwestern direction. This is the principal road from Hartford, the eastern section of Connecticut, Rhode-Island and the southern part of Massachusetts to Albany, and the western district of New-York; and is one of the great avenues to the western country ; and hence, this town has become a great thoroughfare for travelling. The Goshen and Tor- rington turnpike passes through the southern section of the town.
The population of New-Hart- ford, in 1810, was 1507 ; and there are now 200 Electors or Freemen,
2 Companies of Militia, and about 220 Dwelling houses.
The general list of the town, in- cluding polls, amounts to $31,434. The assessment of the United States, in 1815, was $343,940 ; be- ing an average value of $17 per acre, for all the lands in the town- ship. In 1799, this town, together with Barkhamsted, was valued on- ly at $387,078.
In addition to the domestic man- ufactures of the town, there are 1 Tin Ware Factory, 4 Carding Ma- chines, 4 Fulling Mills and Clo- thier's Works, 4 Distilleries, 3 Tanneries, 4 Grain Mills, 4 Saw Mills, 1 Ashery, and an extensive manufactory of machinery, inclu- ding carding, shearing and spinning machines, &c. There are 3 Mer- cantile Stores in the town.
New-Hartford contains but one located Society, which has a house for public worship ; it is divided into 8 School districts, in cach of which there is a School maintain- ed for several months in the year.
There are 2 small villages in the town, of about 20 houses each. There are 2 small Social Libraries 1 Clergyman, 2 Attor- nies and 1 Physician.
New-Hartford was incorporated in 1738.
NEW-MILFORD.
NEW-MILFORD is a large and flourishing post town, in the south- western extremity of the county, 48 miles southwest from Hartford ; bounded on the north by Kent, on the east by Washington, Roxbury
and Southbury, on the south by Newtown and Brookfield, in Fair- field county, and on the west by New-Fairfield and Sherman. It has an average length of 13 miles. and an average breadth of 6 and a
253
NEW-MILFORD.
half miles, comprising an area of 84 square miles ; being one of the Iar- gest townships in the State.
It is watered by the Ousatonick which intersects the town, and by two branches of the Aspetuck, a tributary stream of the Ousatonick. Upon these and other smaller streams, there are numerous sites and privileges for mills and other hydraulic works. There are two shad fisheries upon the Ousatonick ; lamprey eels are also taken in great plenty. There are three bridges across this river, within this town. The section of the town which lies west of the Ousatonick, is watered by Rocky and Still riv- ers which intersect it, running in a northeasterly direction to the Ousatonick, into which they dis- charge their waters.
This township is hilly and bro- ken, several mountainous ridges extending through it. These ridg- es consist of granite and mica- ceous schistus ; the former is ge- nerally found upon their tops or summits, and the latter upon their declivities.
Quarries of the mica slate have been opened and worked; it makes excellent hearth-stones, &c. The vales in some sections of the town abound with lime- stone ; and within these calcare- ous districts there are several va- luable beds of marble, several quarries of which have been open- ed, and large quantities of the stonc dislodged and raised, which is manufactured into slabs for use and market; for which purpose, there have been six saw-mills erected for sawing marble.
Among the minerals of the town are iron ore, in small quantities,
porcelain clay, yellow ochre, and some silver ore ; a mine, con- taining small quantities of this ore, was formerly worked, but has long since been abandoned.
There are 4 Forges for the ma- nufacture of iron ; but the ore is principally brought from without the town.
This town contains 2 located Congregational Societies, 2 Socie- ties of Episcopalians, 1 of Baptists and 1 of Quakers ; all of which are accommodated with houses for public worship.
It contains also a pleasant and flourishing village, situated upon a flat or plain, bordering upon the Ousatonick. The village has 60 Dwelling houses, many of which are large, neat and handsome buildings, a Post office, several Mercantile Stores and Mechanics ?. Shops.
In this, as well as the other towns in the county, agriculture is the leading and principal busi- ness of the inhabitants. The lands, which are a sandy and gra- velly loam, and some of them a calcareous loam, are in general fertile and productive, affording wheat, rye, corn, oats and flax. The making of butter and cheese, beef and pork, and the growing of wool receive considerable atten- tion.
The New-Preston turnpike road passes through this town.
In addition to the domestic ma- nufactures, and those of marble and iron, already mentioned, there are 1 Woolen Factory, 1 Hat Fac- tory, 4 Grain Mills, 4 Carding Ma- chines, 6 Fulling Mills and 4 Tan- neries. There are 7 Mercantile Støres.
254
NORFOLK.
The population of the town, in 1810, was 3537; and there are now about 500 qualified Electors, about 250 Militia, and 540 Dwel- ling houses
The amount of taxable proper- ty, including polls, is $74, 857.
The valuation or assessment un- der the laws of the United States, in 1816, was $1,113,012; being an average value of 2674% dollars per acre, for the whole quantity included in the valuation, which was 41,630 acres.
In 1799, the real estate of this town, together with Roxbury, was valued at $776,146.
There are, in this town, 16 School Districts and Schools, 4 practising Physicians, 3 Clergy- men and 3 Attornies.
New-Milford was settled in 1713, and at that time belonged to the county of New-Haven. It was incorporated soon after, and was included within the county of Litchfield, when that was incorpo- rated.
NORFOLK.
NORFOLK is an elevated post township, situated 35 miles north- west from Hartford ; bounded on the north by the State of Massa- chusetts, on the east by Colebrook and Winchester, on the south by Goshen, and on the west by Ca- naan.
The township comprises an area of about 41 square miles ; having an average length, from north to south, of about 9 miles, and a mean breadth of more than 4 and a half miles.
This township is elevated and mountainous, several considera- ble granitic ridges extending thro' it from northeast to southwest ; and the general character of the surface consists of a succession of lofty hills.
The soil is a primitive gravelly loam, generally cold, stony, and unsuitable for arable purposes ; but it has considerable depth and strength, and affords good grazing. In the north section of the town- ship, the soil is warmer and more fortile.
The natural growth of timber here is principally oak and ches- nut; but in the other and more considerable sections, the prevail- ing forests consist of sugar maple, beech and hemlock. Formerly; large quantities of sugar were made from the maple; more than 20,000lbs. having been manufac- tured in a single season. But for some years past the business has greatly declined ; the forests hav- ing been cleared for improvement, by the progress of settlements, and destroyed extensively by the ele- ments.
The dairy business comprises the principal agricultural interests of the town ; considerable quan- tities of cheese, butter, pork, &c. being annually sent abroad for a market. In 1811, there were mar- keted 100 tons of cheese, at $160 per ton, making $16,000 ; six tons of butter, at $320, making $1920; 100 bbls. of pork, at §12 per bar- rel, producing $1200; and 100 head of beeves, averaging $20 per head, making $2000; the aggre-
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NORFOLK.
gate of which was $21,120. Con- siderable attention has been paid to sheep, there being, in 1811, 4000 in the town.
The town is watered by nume- rous small streams, the most con- siderable of which is Blackberry river, which rises within the town- ship, and running through it north- westerly, passes into Canaan, and discharges its waters into the Ou- satonick. This stream affords nu- merous excellent sites for hydrau- lic works falling near the centre of the town, over a ledge of rocks, of nearly 30 feet in height. There are several mills, manufacturing establishments, forges, &c. erected upon it. In the southern section of the town, the west branch of the Naugatuck has its source; in the eastern the Mad river, a branch of the Tunxis ; and in the northeastern section the Sandy ri- ver commences, having its source in Benedict's pond. Besides this, there are several other ponds in the town, one of which forms the head of the west branch of the Naugatuck river, already noticed.
The Greenwoods turnpike, which was opened in 1800, leads through the centre of this town, and the Hartland turnpike, connects with this within this township.
The principal manufacture of the town is that of iron, of which - there are 2 Forges, upon a consi- derable scale. They manufacture bar iron, anchors, mill irons, cart and waggon tire, sleigh shoes, &c. There are 2 Grain Mills, 1 Ful- ling Mill, and several Mercantile Stores.
In 1810, there were in Norfolk 1441 inhabitants; and there are now about 240 Dwelling houses,
about 200 Electors, 1 company of Militia, and part of several others.
The corporate divisions of the town are 1 located Ecclesiastical . Society and 10 School Districts. There are 10 primary Schools, one in each District ; 2 Social Li- braries, 1 Physician, 1 Clergyman and 2 Attornies.
This township was sold in pur- suance of a resolve of the General Assembly at Middletown, at pub- lic auction, in 1742. It was divi- ded into 53 rights ; one of which was reserved for the benefit of schools, one for that of the minis- try, and one for the first clergy- man. Such were the prejudices against this tract of land, that all the purchasers, except Timothy Hosford, of Windsor, who had re- ceived a deed of 400 acres, suffered their rights to become for- feited; thereby losing the first in- stalment of 40 shillings upon a right, which they had paid. Timo- thy Hosford, having retained his right, afterwards sold it to Titus Brown, who removed into the town about two years after the first sale. The Legislature, hav- ing failed in their first attempt to sell the town, after a lapse of 12 years, in 1754, a second time or- dered its sale at public auction,' at Middletown, excepting Brown's right. This attempt succeeded ; and, soon after, (a settlement ha- ving been previously begun,) a number of families removed into the town, and the settlement made considerable progress. The first settlers were Titus and Cornelius Brown, from Windsor, and John Turner and Jedediah Richards, from Hartford. These located themselves upon Brown's right.
256
PLYMOUTH.
The town was incorporated in 1758, when there were 27 fami- lies ; but from this period the set- tlement was very rapid, three
years after, in 1761, there being 70 families. In this year the first clergyman was settled.
PLYMOUTH.
PLYMOUTH is a post town, situated in the southeast corner of the county, 24 miles from Hartford, and 30 from New-Haven; bounded on the north by Harwinton & Litch- field, on the east by Bristol, in Hartford county, on the south by Waterbury and Wolcott, in New- Haven county, and on the west by Watertown. Its average length is 5 and a half miles, and its ave- rage breadth neatly 5 miles, com- prising 25 square miles.
The township is uneven and hil- ly. The soil is a gravelly loam ; which, together with the rocks and stones, is of a granitic character.
The natural growth consists of oak, chesnut, maple, principally swamp maple, and some pinc and hemlock.
The lands, when cultivated, produce rye, corn, oals and flax. They also afford tolerable graz- ing ; and the making of butter and cheese, and beef and pork, are important agricultural interests. Of all these articles, there is an- nually a surplus raised, which is sent abroad for a market.
The town is watered by the Naugatuck, which washes its west- ern section from north to south. This river here is a fine mill stream. There are also in the northern parts of this town, sevc- ral small streams, which are bran- ches of the Poquabuck.
The Waterbury turnpike leads through the town in a northerly
and southerly direction ; and the Hartford and Danbury turnpike in an easterly and westerly direc- tion.
The manufactures and mecha- nical employments of the town, in addition to those of a domestic character, consist of 1 small Wool- en Factory, 2 Wooden Clock Fac- tories, upon a considerably exten- sive scale, 3 Grain Mills, 2 Fulling Mills and Clothiers' works, 2 Car- ding Machines and 4 Tanneries. There are 5 Mercantile Stores.
The population of the town, in 1310, was 1882; and there are 270 Dwelling houses, about 260 Freemen or Electors, and 2 Com- pancis of militia.
The amount of taxable proper- ty, including polls, is $39,215; and the assessment, under the laws of the United States, in 1816, which included 18,070 acres, amounted to $577,386, being an average va- lue of 31 dolls. 94 cts. per acre.
The town contains 1 located Congregational Society & Church, and 2 Episcopal Societies, each of which is accommodated with a house for public worship. It con- tains 12 School Districts and Schools, which are kept for seve- ral months annually.
There is a small village in the centre of the town, comprising 15 or 20 houses.
There are 1 Clergyman, 3 Phy- sicians, and 1 Lawyer in the town.
257
ROXBURY.
Plymouth became an indepen- dent Society in 1739, belonging at that time to the town of Wa- terbury, and bore the name of Northbury. At this time Westbu- ry belonged to this Society, but was afterwards incorporated as a distinct Society, retainingits name. Afterwards both of these Societies were incorporated as towns, the last mentioned by the name of Watertown, and the first or the
Society of Northbury, in 1795, by the name of Plymouth.
There is a curious perpendicu- lar, cylindrical excavation in a so- lid rock in this town, about three miles from the Meeting house, near the turnpike, about 21 feet above high water mark, in the Nau- gatuck river. This excavation is about 2 feet in depth, and 15 inch- es in diameter, and is supposed to have been made by the Indians.
ROXBURY.
ROXBURY is a small town- ship, situated upon the southern border of the county, 46 miles from Hartford, and 32 from New- Haven; bounded on the north by Washington, on the east by Wood- bury, on the south by Southbury, in New-Haven county, and on the west by New-Milford.
Its average length from north to south is 6 and a half miles, and its average breadth from east to west nearly 4 miles, containing about 26 square miles.
The township is diversified ; be- ing characterized with hill and dale. There are also some gra- nitic ridges.
The soil is a gravelly loam, in- terspersed with some small tracts of sandy loam ; it is considerably warm and fertile. The natural growth of timber consists of oak, walnut, chesnut and other decidu- ous trees.
are the most considerable agricul- tural interests.
The geological structure of the town is generally granitic. Some other rocks are found; and there are some quarries of micaceous schistus. Mines of iron ore have been discovered, but they have received little attention.
The town is watered by the Shepaug, a considerable branch of the Ousatonick.
There are, in this town, 2 Grain Mills, 1 Carding Machine, 2 Ful- ling Mills and Clothiers' works, 1 Store and 1 Tavern.
The population of the town, in 1810, was 1217; and there are 200 Dwelling houses, 150 qualified Electors, and 2 Companies of Mi- litia.
The amount of taxable proper- ty, including polls, is $25,833; and the assessment of the lands and buildings of the town in 1815,which included 13,257 acres, was $314,- 051 ; being an average of $2375% per acre.
The township contains 1 loca- ted Congregational Society and
The agricultural productions are such as are common to this dis- trict. The lands are well adapt- ed to grazing ; but afford conside- rable grain. The making of but- ter and cheese and beef and pork| |Church, 1 Society of Episcopali- 33
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SALISBURY.
ans, and 1 of Baptists, which are accommodated with houses for public worship, 9 School Dis- tricts and Schools, and 1 Social Library.
The professional men are 1 Phy-
sician, 2 Clergymen and 2 Attor- nies.
Roxbury was originally a part of Woodbury, and was incorpora- ted in 1801.
SALISBURY.
SALISBURY is a considerable and flourishing post township, situ- ated in the northwest corner of the county and State, 47 miles from Hartford, and 60 from New-Ha- ven; bounded on the north by Mount Washington and Sheffield, in Massachusetts, on the east by the Ousatonick river, which sepa- rates it from Canaan, on the south by Sharon, and on the west by the State of New-York. Its average length is 9 miles, and its average breadth about 6 and a half miles, comprising an area of about 58 square miles.
The township is broken, con- sisting of elevated hills and deep and extensive vales, generally of a calcareous character ; this town being embraced within the lime- stone district of Connecticut, which is confined to its northwestern bor- der, adjoining the State of New- York. The hills, and more ele- vated lands consist principally of granite, the calcareous rocks and soil being confined to the valleys and more level tracts.
The principal mineral in the town is that of iron ore, which is found in great abundance. In the western section of the town, three mines of iron ore have been opened and worked, from which large quantities of the ore are an- nually raised, which is used not
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