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 33
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an unfavourable season ; and it is supposed, that about 200,000 are annually taken. In 1802, there were 2300 taken at a single draught, of the seine used for the purpose.
From the maritime advantages of the town being situated upon a navigable river, it has from an ear- ly period done something at navi- gation and ship-building. For 60 or 70 years, a West India trade has been carried on, but upon a mode- rate scale. The coasting trade has been prosecuted more extensively. In 1814, there were owned in this town 1 Ship, 3 Brigs, 3 Sloops and 5 Schooners; amounting, in all, to 1597 tons. Ship-building has been regularly carried on for a length of time. Higganum landing has been its principal seat, although something has been done at other places.
The manufacturing and mechani- cal establishments and interests consist of 2 Clothiers' works, one of which fulls and finishes 4,500 yards of woolen cloth annually, 3 Carding Machines, 5 Grain Mills, 9 Saw Mills, 7 Tanneries, 1 Gin Distillery, 2 Cider Distilleries, 1 Machine for welding gun barrels and 1 Brick-yard. This brick- yard is half a mile from Higganum landing ; the clay is taken from the bank of the river, and the brick are burnt upon a wharf; so that boats, and even vessels can approach so near, as to load the brick directly from the kiln.
The amount of taxable proper- ty, including polls, in 1816, was $40,571.
The population of the town, in 1810, was 2205; and there are about 250 Electors, 4 Companies
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of Militia, and about 390 Dwelling houses.
The town contains one located ecclesiastical Society, a Society of Baptists, and a Society of Method- ists ; 13 School districts and pri- mary Schools.
There are 3 Churches ; one for Congregationalists, one for Bap- tists and one for Methodists ; one Social Library, one Clergyman, two Physicians and one Attor- ney.
CHATHAM.
CHATHAM is a flourishing post town, pleasantly situated upon the east side of Connecticut river, op- posite Middletown, and 17 miles from Hartford ; bounded on the north by Glastenbury, on the east by Marlborough and Colchester, on the south by East-Haddam and Haddam Neck, belonging to the town of Haddam, and on the west by Connecticut river.
The township has an average length of 9 miles, from north to south, and is more than 6 miles in breadth from east to west, com- prising an area of about 56 square miles. The interior of the town- ship is rough and broken, consist- ing of granitic hills, interspersed with inconsiderable vales. Upon Connecticut river, there is a con- siderable tract of alluvial, back of which, for nearly a mile, is an un- dulating argillaceous district, hand- some and fertile, and correspond- ing with the geological character of the country upon Connecticut river. The termination of this tract forms the boundary between the argillaceous and granitic dis- tricts.
There are some valuable mine- rals in this town, the most impor- fant of which is cobalt ore. This valuable mineral has recently been discovered in several places in a
mountain, called the Great Hill, about one mile from Middle Had- dam Landing. It has been found in considerable quantities; and ap- pearances authorize a belief of the mine's being extensive. The ore is found in a variety of forms and situations ; sometimes embed- ded in masses of mica, having the figure of kidnies, sometimes sur- rounding garnets in clusters, some- times it is discovered in hornblend, but most generally in micaceous veins, having a considerable dip. The ore of the different qualities that has been obtained, is general- ly combined with arsenic ; but in some instances with arsenic and sulphur. This mineral is used ex- tensively, and is very valuable in various manufactures; those of por- celain ware, linen, &c. The de- mand for these manufactures, in Great-Britain and Ireland, is sup- plied from Sweden and Germany. An oxyd of cobalt, called azure, is used in the china-ware manufac- tories in China, and is an impor- tant article of exportation to that country. They are at present sup- plied from Poland ; but should this mine prove extensive, they might be supplied more directly, and up- on more reasonable terms, from this country. This article, in ad- dition to other important advanta-
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tages, would be, to a certain ex- tent, a substitute for specie, in our trade with that country.
There is a very extensive and valuable quarry of freestone, situa- ted upon the bank of Connecticut river, opposite Middletown, and below the bar in the river; so that vessels of 100 tons can load along side of the bank, near the quarry.
The strata of stone, forming the bed of this quarry, are a free sand- stone, and can be worked and sha- ped with great facility. Very large quantities of stone are annu- ally raised from this quarry, and sent to most of the principal ci- ties in the Union for a market. For 14 years past, there have been employed in this quarry, yearly, from 40 to 60 labourers, and a number of teams. These quar- ries have been worked for about 150 years; but not extensively, until the last 30 years, since they have belonged to their present proprietors, Messrs. Shaler and Hall.
Although these stones are con- veyed to most of the considerable cities in the Union, yet they are principally marketed at New- York, Boston and Savannah.
There are five different medi- cinal springs in this township; but their waters have not been subjected to chymical analysis, or their efficacy particularly ascer- tained.
Although most of this township is rough and stony, yet its agricul- tural interests are flourishing. The soil in the interior is in general a primitive gravelly loam, conside- rably warm and fertile, and well adapted to grazing. In the dis-
trict upon Connecticut river, the soil is an argillaceous loam, rich and fertile, and suitable for a grain culture. In the interior, the fo- rests are extensive, and the timber is of an excellent quality. The agricultural productions consist of rye, Indian corn, oats, flax, grass, cheese, butter, &c.
The most considerable stream of water within the town is Salm- on river, which runs through its southeast section, and discharges itself into the Connecticut. Be- sides these, there are numerous small streams which water and fer- tilize the different sections of the town.
The Connecticut river, which washes the western border of the town, affords great advantages for commerce, fishing, &c. The prin- cipal harbour is at Middle-Had- dam Landing, about 6 miles below Middletown. From this place, large quantities of timber, wood and lumber are shipped for New- York and Long Island. At this, and some other places in the town, ship-building has frequently been carried on to a considerable extent.
The shad fisheries in Connecti- cut river form an important busi- ness, and are a source of conside- rable wealth. There are 15 dif- ferent fisheries.
The navigation business is re- spectable ; there being 15 vessels owned in the town, employed prin- cipally in a trade to New-York and the southern States.
The town is accommodated with several turnpike roads ; one leading to Windham, one to Col- chester, and one other.
The manufactures 'and mecha- nical employments consist of 1
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Woolen Factory, 1 Forge, 6 small Furnaces, for casting bells, cart and waggon boxes, &c., 6 Distil- ries, one of which, at Middle-Had- dam Landing. is upon a considera- ble scale, 4 Tanneries, 8 Grain Mills, 12 Saw Mills, 3 Carding Machines and 4 Clothiers' works.
The population of Chatham, at the census of 1810, was 3258 ; and there are about 525Electors, 2Companies of Infantry & 1 of Lt. Infantry of Mi- litia, 453 Dwelling houses, 10 Mer- cantile Stores and 6 Churches.
The corporate divisions of the town consist of 3 located Congre- gational Societies and 15 School
Districts. Besides the located, there are 2 Episcopal Societies and 1 of Baptists.
There are 15 primary Schools, one in each District, and an Aca- demy or Grammar School in the first Society.
There are 5 Social Libraries, 3 Congregational, 1 Episcopal, and 1 Baptist Clergyman, 3 Physicians and 1 Attorney.
The amount of taxable proper- ty, including polls, as rated in the list, in 1817, was $53,616.
This town was incorporated in 1767, previously to which it be- longed to Middletown.
DURHAM.
DURHAM is a post town, situa- ted in the western section of the county 20 miles south of Hartford, and 18 northeast from New-Ha- ven ; bounded north on Middle- town, east on Haddam, south on Guilford and Killingworth, and west on Wallingford.
This is a small township, ave- raging about 6 miles in length from east to west, and nearly 4 in breadth from north to south, com- prising an area of about 23 square miles.
The prevailing character of the surface is undulating ; exhibiting an agreeable and interesting diver- sity of moderate hills and gentle declivities and dales. The east- ern and western borders are some- what broken and mountainous.
This township is situated at the commencement of the argillaceous district extending to the north up- on Connecticut river ; being part- ly included within it, and partly
within the granitic region which prevails upon the borders of Long Island sound. Within the clay slate strata, there is an exhaustless quarry of sandstone, which is a ve- ry valuable freestone.
The prevailing soil is an argilla- ceous loam, and a slaty or shis- tic gravel. It is generally fertile and productive. Upon the streams, particularly West or Middletown river, are considerable tracts of alluvial.
The lands are well adapted both to grazing and tillage, and also fa- vourable for fruit.
The staple agricultural produc- tions are rye, corn and flax.
Of the waters of the town, West river is the principal stream. It rises near the north line of Guil- ford, and runs northwardly through the town, embodying, in its course, most of the small streams, into Mid- dletown, where it discharges itself into the Connecticut. It affords,
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EAST-HADDAM.
within this town, very extensive meadows.
The Middletown and New-Ha- ven turnpike leads through this town; the East-Guilford turnpike runs from that Society in Guilford, into the centre of this town ; and there is a turnpike, commencing about half a mile south of the cen- tre of this town, which leads to Haddam.
The principal manufacture is that of shoes ; of which, for some years past, considerable quantities have been made, and sent to the southern States for a market. There are 4 Tanneries, 2 Grain Mills, 3 Saw Mills, 1 Carding Ma- chine and 1 Cider Distillery.
The population of the town, in 1810, was 1130; and there are about 150 Electors, 2 Companies of Militia, and 172 Dwelling hou- ses.
The aggregate list of the town, in 1816, including polls, was $26,609.
This town comprises but 1 loca- ted Ecclesiastical Society. Be- sides which, there is 1 Society of Episcopalians and 1 of Methodists. In the centre of the town, there is a small but pleasant village.
There are, in Durham, 3 Mer- cantile Stores, 6 common Schools, 1 small Academy, 2 Social Libra- ries, 1 Clergyman and 1 Physi- cian.
The settlement in this town was commenced in the year 1699, and it was incorporated in 1708.
BIOGRAPHY. Gen. James Wadsworth, distinguished for his revolutionary services, was a na- tive of this town. He was a Ge- neral in the continental army, du- ring the revolutionary war, and was esteemed a zealous patriot and a good officer. After the peace, he was for several years a member of the Congress or- ganized under the Confedera- tion. He died in 1817, aged 88.
EAST-HADDAM.
EAST-HADDAM is a conside- rable post township, situated upon the east side of Connecticut river, in the southeast section of the county, 13 miles southeast from Middletown, and about 27 from Hartford ; bounded on the north by Chatham and Colchester, on the east by Colchester and Lyme, in New-London county, on the south by Lyme, and on the west, principally by Connecticut river, but partly by the Salmon river, se- parating it from Haddam Neck, be- longing to the town of Haddam.
The average length of the town- ship, from east to west, is nearly 8/ 36
miles, and its average breadth, from north to south, is about 6 and a half miles, comprising an arca of about 50 square miles.
The face of the country pre- sents the usual granitic features of this region, being rough, and of a mountainous character ; but the soil, which is a primitive gravelly loam, is generally strong and fer- tile. There is some alluvial up- on the borders of the streams, which, with some other small sections, is suitable for the cul- tivation of grain; but the prin- cipal part of the township is best adapted to grazing, and is too
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BIOGRAPHY.
rough and stony for tillage. There is considerable timber in the town, which is of an excellent quality.
The agricultural interests and pursuits are principally directed to the dairy business, and the raising of cattle and sheep.
The waters of the town are abundant; it being washed upon its western border by the Connecti- cut, throughout most of its extent, and the residue by Salmon river. There are also several small streams which intersect and fer- tilize the different sections of the township, and afford numerous sites for hydraulic works.
Upon the Connecticut and Salmon rivers, there are several good harbours or landings, at which the commercial business is carried on, which consists principally in a trade with New-York and the southern States. Considerable quantities of wood are conveyed to the New-York market. The landing places afford great facili- ties to the business of ship build- ing, which at some periods has received considerable attention.
The shad fisheries in the Con- necticut constitute an important business, and are a source of con- siderable profit. They are six in number ; and it has been estimat- ed that the average quantityof shad, taken annually, is nearly 50,000.
The manufacturing and mecha- nical interests of the town are re- spectable. There are 1 Cotton Factory, 1 Woolen Factory, 3 Clo- thiers' works, 3 Carding Machines, 1 Oil Mill, 6 Grain Mills, 19 Saw Mills and 13 Tanneries.
There were 2537 inhabitants in this town, at the census of 1810;
and there are about 300 Electors, 3 Companies of Militia, and about 390 Dwelling houses.
This town is accommodated with a turnpike road to Colchester, and the contemplated turnpike from New-Haven to Norwich will pass through it.
The civil divisions of East-Had- dam are 3 located Congregational Societies and 19 School Districts. Besides the located, there is 1 So- ciety of Episcopalians and 1 of Baptists.
There are 3 or 10 Mercantile Stores and 3 Social Libraries in the town.
The amount of taxable property and polls, in 1817, was $60,327.
This town was originally a part of Haddam; and for an account of its first settlement, we must re- fer the reader to that town. It was incorporated as a separate · town in 1734.
BIOGRAPHY. Gen. Joseph Spencer, of this town, enjoyed a great share of public confidence in his day, and was honoured with many distinguished offices, both civil and military. During the French war, in 1758, he went in- to the northern army, having the rank of a major, and was soon pro- moted to a colonel, in which office he served the two succeeding years, and acquired considerable reputation. At the commence- ment of the revolutionary war, in 1775, he was appointed a Briga- dier General, and, the subsequent year, a Major General in the Con- tinental army. He resigned his commission in 1778, and the year after, was elected a member of the Continental Congress. He died in 1789, aged 75 years.
283
KILLINGWORTH.
KILLINGWORTH is a mari- time post township, situated upon Long Island sound, 38 miles south- east from Hartford, 26 east from New-Haven, and 26west from New- London ; bounded on the north by Durham, on the northeast by Had- dam, on the cast by Saybrook, on the south by Long Island sound, and on the west by Hammonassett river, which separates it from Guilford.
The township is of an oblong figure, comprising an area of about 42 square miles, being about 13 miles in length, from north to south, and having a mean breadth of more than 3 miles.
The surface is various ; the sou- thern section of the township being level, the northern diversified with hill and dale, and it is rough and stony. Upon the border of the sound, there are large tracts of ma- rine alluvial or salt marsh,compris- ing, as has been estimated, 1000 acres.
. The soil is also various. The northern section is a gravelly loam; in other sections there are some tracts of sandy loam, and some ar- gillaceous, and the marine allu- vial already noticed.
Of the waters of the town, the Hammonassett river, which wash- es its western border, and the Me- nunketesuck, which runs through its eastern section, and discharges itself into Pochaug harbour, in Saybrook, are the most considera- ble streams. Besides these there are various small streams, which accommodate and fertilize the dif- ferent parts of the town.
There is one harbour in the southern part of the town, tolera- bly safe and commodious ; having
seven and a half feet of water at common tides.
Some attention is paid to the business of fishing. Of the fish taken, are shad, black fish and shell fish. White fish are also ta- ken very plentifully, for the pur- poses of manure.
There are eight small vessels belonging to the town, employed in the coasting trade. Wood and ship timber, of which the town af- fords large supplies, form a consi- derable item of exportation. They are sent principally to New-York. The wood is of an excellent quali- ty, consisting mostly of walnut and rock oak.
Killingworth, as an agricultural township, does not unite superior advantages, or possess very ample resources for agricultural improve- ments and wealth. Some sections, however, are feasible, fertile and productive, and suitable for a grain culture ; but many parts are rough and stony, and adapted only to gra- zing or the growth of timber.
The staple agricultural produc- tions are Indian corn, some rye, oats, barley, the cultivation of which (although neglected in most other towns) forms a considerable interest, beef, butter and cheese.
The manufactures of the town, exclusive of those which form the products of domestic industry, are not very important or conside- rable. There are 1 Woolen Fac- tory, 3 Fulling Mills and Cloth Dressing establishments, 2 Card- ing Machines, 8 Grain Mills and 6 Tanneries.
The civil divisions of the town consist of 2 located Congregation- al Societies and 15 School Dis- tricts. Besides the located, there
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SAYBROOK.
are º Societies of Episcopalians || cial Library, 9 Mercantile Stores, and 1 of Baptists.
In the first located Society, there is a pleasant and interesting vil- lage, situated at the landing, up- on the sound, and upon the great road leading from New-Haven to New-London. It comprises about 100 Dwelling houses, some of which are neat and handsome, a Post office, a Congregational Church, and several Mercantile Stores. It has a healthful, inte- resting and prospective situation ; having, in the summer months, a salubrious sea air.
The population of the town, in 1810, was 2244; and there are about 400 Electors, 3 Companies of Militia, and about 320 Dwelling houses.
The aggregate list of the town, in 1816, was $52,751.
There are in Killingworth, 15 primary Schools, 1 Academy, 3 Houses for public worship, 1 So-
8 Taverns or Public Inns, 3 Phy- sicians, 2 Clergymen and 2 Attor- niės.
This township was called by the Indians Hammonassett, and was settled in 1663, by 12 families from Hartford, Windsor and Guil- ford.
The township was incorporated in 1703, by the name of Killing- worth, although it was intended to have had the English name of Kennelworth, a mistake having been made in the record.
BIOGRAPHY. The Rev. Ja- red Elliott, D. D., was for many years a resident of this town. He was a man of genius and science ; and invented or discovered the art of making sand-iron, being iron manufactured from black sand. This discovery was perfected in 1761; and he died in 1769, aged 78 years. He was a member of the Royal Society of London.
SAYBROOK.
SAYBROOK is an extensive maritime post township, situated at the mouth of Connecticut river, upon Long Island sound, 40 miles southeast of Hartford, 18 west of New-London, 34 east of New- Haven, and 70 southwest of Provi- dence ; bounded easterly upon Connecticut river, southerly upon Long Island sound, westerly by Killingworth, and northerly by the town of Haddam. The mean length of the township, from north to south, is about 11 miles, and its average breadth, from east to west, is more than 6 miles, comprising an area of about 70 square miles.
The general character of this township is rough, and considera- bly broken, being hilly and stony ; but there are some intervals, and other sections that are level. Its geological features are primitive ; the prevailing strata of rocks con- sisting of granite and micaceous schistus. Within these strata, there are, at different places, seve- ral valuable quarries of stone. The prevailing soil, which is a grav- elly loam, is considerably fertile ; it produces corn, some rye, oats, hay, &c. Indian corn and hay are among the staple productions, and are of the best quality. The lands
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SAYBROOK.
are well adapted to grazing, and the dairy business is considerably attended to.
This township is very advanta- geously located, with respect to waters; being washed by Long Island sound upon its southern border, which is indented with nu- merous inlets, and by Connecticut river upon its eastern border, a distance of nearly 14 miles ; be- sides which, there are several small streams that intersect the town. Of these, the most considerable are Chester river, which runs through the north Society ; Pet- tipaug river, which discharges it- self into the Connecticut; Oys- ter river, which discharges its wa- ters into Long Island sound, and the Pochaug river, which waters the western section ofthe township. There are several harbours up- on Connecticut river. The depth of water at the bar is about 12 feet at spring tides. There is a light-house at Lynde Point.
The navigation business of the town is considerable ; there being 30 vessels of every description owned here, which are employed in the coasting trade. Ship buil- ding also receives considerable at- tention, particularly at the village of Pettipaug.
The shad fisheries in Connecti- cut river, within this town, are very valuable, a source of great wealth, and afford employment for considerable industry. The shad taken in this town are at least equal in quality to those taken at any other place upon the river, and are not surpassed by any in America. The quantities of shad taken in Connecticut river have considerably decreased, for some
years past, and the price has pro- portionally advanced. Formerly, they were put up, or salted in barrels, without reference to the weight ;- but some years since, an act was passed by the Assembly, regulating the packing or salting of shad, which requires, that each barrel shall contain 200lbs. and be inspected, &c. These regulations have improved the quality of the shad, which are exported from Connecticut river, and given them a reputation surpassing that of any other, and a consequent higher price in market.
Salmon, which were formerly taken very plentifully in this river, have, for some years past, wholly disappeared. Some herring are taken in this town, which are salt- ed, and fitted for the West India market. White fish are taken up- on the shores of the sound, which are very valuable for the purpos- es of manure. They are sold for this object at $2 per thousand ; at which price they are a cheap ma- nure, their richness and efficacy being truly astonishing. The light- est soils, enriched with them, have produced 40 bushels of rye to the acre ; and they have an equally ad- vantageous effect upon the growth of corn, potatoes and other pro- ductions.
The interests of agriculture, na- vigation, fishing and commerce,en- gross most of the capital, industry and enterprise of the town ; and its manufactures, exclusive of those of a domestic character, can claim only a very subordinate rank. There is 1 Ivory Comb Factory, upon a very extensivescale. Large quantities of ivory button moulds are also manufactured at this es-
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SAYBROOK.
tablishment. There are 3 Cloth- iers' works, 2 Carding Machines, 7 Grain Mills and 6 Saw Mills.
The mercantile business of the town is respectable, there being in the several Societies, 14 Dry Goods and Grocery Stores.
The civil divisions of the town consist of 4 Parishes or located Congregational Societies and 20 School Districts. Besides the lo- cated, there are 2 Societies of Methodists, 1 of Baptists and 1 of Episcopalians.
. In the Society of Pettipaug, there is a considerable village, of the same name, situated at the landing, upon Connecticut riv- er, eight miles from its mouth. This is a place of considerable commercial and navigation busi- ness. Ship building also is carried on here very extensively.
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