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 35
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There are in the town, 1 local or Congregational Society, 1 So- ciety of Methodists, 8 District or primary Schools, 1 small Social Library, 1 Clergyman, 1 Physi- cian and 1 Attorney, and 162 Dwelling houses.
The list of polls and taxable property of the town, is $34,529.
Ellington was originally a part of the township of East-Windsor, and was incorporated in 1786.
HEBRON.
HEBRON is a post township, situated 20 miles southeastwardly from Hartford ; bounded on the north by Bolton and Coventry, on the east by Columbia and Leba- non, in Windham county, on the south by Colchester, in New-Lon- don county, and on the west by Glastonbury and Marlborough, inl
Hartford county. Its average length is 9 and a half miles, and its average breadth more than 4 miles, containing 42 square miles.
The township is uneven, being moderately hilly and diversified. The soil is a gravelly loam, and considerably fertile.
The geological character of the
296
SOMERS.
town is principally granitic ; but there are some micaceous schis- tus, and other rocks of a primitive formation.
The natural growth of timber is the same as is common to this re- gion.
In a cultivated state, the lands produce corn, oats, some rye and flax, and afford tolerably good grazing.
Hop river washes the northeas- tern border of the town, and con- stitutes its boundary. This stream is a branch of the Willimantic. There are several small streams, which discharge their waters into Salmon river, that intersect the town.
North pond, a considerable bo- dy of water, is situated partly in this town and partly in Lebanon.
The turnpike road from Hart- ford to Norwich leads through the east section of this town ; and one from Middletown to Provi- dence through its centre.
The population of the town, in 1810, was 2002; and there are 330 Freemen or Electors, about 215 Militia, and 321 Dwelling houses.
. The amount of taxable proper- ty, including polls, is $54,569.
There are in Hebron, 2 Woolen Factories, 2 Cotton Factories, both of which contain about 1000 spin- dles, 1 Paper Mill, 8 Cider Distil- leries, 1 Tannery, 8 Grain Mills, 2 Carding Machines, 4 Fulling Mills and 7 Mercantile Stores.
The town contains 2 located Congregational Societies & Chur- ches, 1 Episcopal Society and Church, and 1 Society of Metho- dists. It contains 12 School Dis- tricts & Schools, & 1 small village, situated in the centre of the town.
There are 4 Clergymen, 4 Phy- sicians and 2 Lawyers.
Hebron was first settled in 1704 ; belonging then, and for a long time afterwards, to the county of Hart- ford. It was incorporated in 1707.
SOMERS.
SOMERS is situated in the northwest corner of the county, being 22 miles northeast from Hartford, 12 miles southeast from Springfield, in Massachusetts, and 56 miles west from Providence.
It is bounded north on Massa- chusetts line, south on Ellington, east on Stafford, and west on En- field, in Hartford county.
The township is nearly 6 miles in length, with a mean breadth of about 5 miles, comprising an area of 28 square miles. The western section of the town is considerably smooth and level, being free from
stone ; and the surface is diversifi- ed with hills of a moderate eleva- tion. The soil is a gravelly loam, interspersed with some tracts of ar- gillaceous loam, rich and fertile, and well adapted to a grain culture. The castern part of the town is hilly and mountainous, containing some heights of considerable ele- vation, affording an extensive and interesting prospect of Hartford, and the beautiful vale upon Con- necticut river.
This mountainous tract is rough and stony, containing schistus, gra- nite, and other rocks of a primi-
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297
STAFFORD.
tive formation. Some iron ore has been found, but not in great quantities. The soil in this part of the town is hard and gravelly ; but it sustains some good orchards, and generally produces excellent pasturage.
The natural growth of the fo- rests is chesnut, butternut, oak, elm, walnut, ash and other decidu- ous trees.
The town is well watered, being intersected with numerous small streams or brooks; and Scantic river runs through it. This, here, is a rapid stream, frequently over- flowing its banks, and affords small tracts of alluvial.
Somers and Woodstock turn- pike road, leading from Enfield bridge to Providence, passes thro' the centre of the town.
. There were, in 1810, 1210 in- habitants ; and there are now 135 qualified Electors, 145 Militia,com- prising 2 companies, and 200 Dwel- ling houses.
The manufactures of the town are principally domestic. Most of the families manufacture a large portion of the coarser cloths for their own use, both woolen and
linen, and also some of cotton. Other domestic manufactures re- ceive attention, such as household furniture, casks, shoes, hats, straw bonnets, &c.
There is one small establish- ment of Woolen and Cotton ma- nufacture. There are 3 Grain Mills, 4 Saw Mills, 1 Distillery, for grain, 6 for cider, 1 small Forge, 2 Tanneries, 1 Carding Machine and Clothier's works, 6 Mercantile Stores and 1 Druggist's Store.
The taxable polls and estate of the town, in 1817, was $31,434.
Somers forms but one located or Ecclesiastical Society, and con- tains one Congregational Church. There are a considerable number of Baptists, who, not being formed into a Society, are associated with the Baptist churches in the neigh- bouring towns.
The town contains 9 School Districts, in each of which a com- mon School is maintained for se- veral months in the year. There are 2 Social Libraries, 3 At- tornies, 3 Physicians and 1 Cler- gyman.
Somers was incorporated as a town in 1734.
STAFFORD.
STAFFORD is an elevated post township, situated upon the northern border of the county and State, 26 miles northeasterly from Hartford ; bounded on the north by Massachusetts line, on the east by Union and Willington, on the south by Willington and Ellington, and on the west by Ellington and Somers. Its mean length, from east to west, is 8 and a half miles, and its mean breadth, from north
to south, more than 6 miles, com- prising an area of about 53 square miles.
The general character of the township is that of an elevated, broken and mountainous country ; but the western section is more conspicuously marked with these features.
Its geological structure is primi- tive; the rocks consisting of gra- nite, micaceous schistus, and some
38
298
STAFFORD.
other original formations. The prevailing soil is a gravelly loam, hard and dry, but affording very good grazing.
There are several minerals in the town, of which iron ore is the most important, and abounds in various places. Several mines of it have been opened, which supply the furnaces that have been erected in the town. The ore us- ed most, is called bog ore, and is of an excellent quality for casting.
In the northerly section of the township, there is a valuable quar- ry of white fire proof stone, ad- mirably calculated for furnace hearths ; for which purpose it has been an article of exportation. It is a source of wealth to the pro- prietor, as well as of convenience to the public.
The forests in this town, which are considerably extensive, con- sist of oak, walnut, maple, ash, chesnut and other deciduous trees.
The agricultural productions consist of beef, cider, cider bran- dy, butter, cheese, wool and some others. The lands are best adap- ted to grazing; and consequently the cultivation of grain receives but little attention.
The town is well watered by the Willimantic, its branches, and Roaring brook, which afford nu- merous interesting and valuable sites for hydraulic works, of which there are several upon the two branches of the Willimantic, in the vicinity of the mineral springs, that at some future period may promote the growth of a manufac- turing village.
The mineral springs in this town have justly acquired consi- derable celebrity. There are two
distinct springs, the medicinal qua- lities of which are considered as essentially different. One of them contains a solution of iron, sus- tained by carbonic acid gas, a por- tion of marine salt, some earthy substances, and what has been call- ed natron, or a native alkali. This spring has been known and used for a length of time, and has been pronounced by chymists to be one of the most efficacious chalybeate springs in the United States. The other spring, the medicinal virtues of which were not known until about eight or nine years since, contains, according to the opinion of Professor Silliman, who examin- ed it in 1810, a large portion of hydrogen gas of sulphur, and a small proportion of iron. These springs were known to the native Indians, who used to bathe in them and drink the waters. They first made them known to the English, soon after the settlement of the town. But they had not acquired much celebrity, until about the year 1765, when a case occurred, calculated to establish and extend their reputation. It was an effec- tual cure of a most obstinate cu- taneous complaint, which had completely baffled all medicinal skill, and resisted all other appli- cations. The publicity which was given to this case soon raised the reputation of these springs ; and as a consequence of which, they immediately became a place of re- sort of persons afflicted with vari- ous diseases, and from almost eve- ry quarter. Since the reputation of the springs has been establish- ed, they have annually, in the summer season, been a place of much resort for the purposes of
-
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STAFFORD.
health or pleasure ; and within the last five or six years, it has been estimated, that the number of vi- sitors has annually been from six to nine hundred. The accommo- dations are ample and extensive ; a very large and elegant building having been erected, which is oc- cupied as a hotel and boarding house ; besides which, there are several other boarding houses in the vicinity. Hitherto, the ar- rangements have been upon a scale of such liberality and amplitude, as to combine all the convenien- ces and most of the luxuries which are to be found at any watering place in the United States. It has been estimated, that for some years past, the receipts from visi- tors have amounted to five or six thousand dollars annually. The money, which is thus brought into the place from abroad, is a great advantage to the town, and one from which almost every class of citizens is in some measure di- rectly or indirectly benefited ; the farmer finds a market for small meats, vegetables, butter, poultry and other articles of his produce, and the mechanic for his industry.
This town is accommodated with several excellent turnpike roads. The great road from Hartford to Boston leads through it. Upon this road, the principal mail from Washington to Boston is convey- ed; and the Boston and Hartford line of stages daily pass upon it. There is also a turnpike leading from Somers to Woodstock, and another leading from Norwich in- to Massachusetts, which pass thro' this town.
Stafford is considerably celebra- ted for its manufactures, particu-
larly those of iron. The iron ma- nufactures consist of refined iron, various kinds of castings, hollow ware, &c. There are 2 Forges and 2 Furnaces constantly in ope- ration. The first furnace was built in 1779, is upon a large scale, and annually produces from 80 to 120 tons of hollow ware and other cast- ings. Cannon, cannon shot or balls, and a variety of articles for manufacturing and other kinds of machinery, are cast at this furnace. The other furnace was erected in 1796, by a Company, of which Mr. Nathaniel Hyde is the princi- pal. The products of this furnace have usually amounted to about 90 tons annually ; and, with the exception of cannon, consist of all the varieties that are cast at the other furnace. In 1814, the price of hollow ware was 60 dollars per ton, and solid castings, 5 cents per pound.
Stafford castings are considered of an excellent quality, and es- teemed softer and more ductile than any other in New-England. The ore is obtained from the mines within the town, is found in vari- ous places, and is called lowland or bog ore.
Besides the manufactures of iron, there are 2 Cotton Facto- ries, 1 Manufactory of Clocks, 3 Clothiers' works, 2 Carding Ma- chines, for customers, 3Tanneries, 6 Grain Mills and 12 Saw Mills. In addition to these more important and laborious manufacturing em- ployments, there are some which are attended to exclusively by fe- males, of which the manufacture of straw braid is the most im- portant. Large quantities of straw braid and bonnets are made and
300
UNION.
sent abroad for a market, which is equally important, regarded as a source of profit, or as a means of promoting female in- dustry and habits of attention to business, and a consequent ab- straction from light and frivolous occupations and amusements, or the more unwarrantable employ- ment of local detraction. This ma- nufacture is of recent date ; and it has been estimated, that it already produces from 8 to $10,000 perann.
The population of Stafford, in 1810, was 2355 ; and there are about 320 Dwelling houses, 300 Freemen or Electors, and 3 Com- panies of Militia.
The amount of taxable proper- ty, as rated in the lists, in 1816, was $39,293.
The civil divisions of the town are 2 located Ecclesiastical Socie- ties or Parishes, and 19 School Districts. Besides the located, there is a Society of Baptists, a
Society of Methodists and one of Universalists. These several So- cieties are all accommodated with houses for public worship. There is a primary or common School maintained in each of the School Districts for a suitable portion of the year.
There are, in the town, 6 Mer- cantile Stores, 9 Taverns, 2 Social Libraries, 3 Clergymen, 4 Physi- cians and 2 Attornies.
The settlement of this town commenced about the year 1718, having been surveyed that year. Of the first settlers, two were from Europe, Mr. Matthew Thompson and Mr. Robert White ; the rest were from Hadley and Woburn, Dedham and Weymouth, in Mas- sachusetts, Haverhill, in New- Hampshire, Windsor, Enfield and Preston, in this State. The first minister was settled in the town in 1723.
UNION.
UNION, an elevated interior township, is situated 33 miles northeasterly from Hartford, and 67 from New-Haven. It is bound- ed on the north by Massachusetts line, on the east by Woodstock, on the south by Ashford and Willing- ton, and on the west by Stafford. Its extent, from east to west, is be- tween 5 and 6 miles, and from north to south about the same ; contain- ing nearly 30 square miles, orabout 19,000 acres.
The surface is broken, being hilly and rocky. Its geological structure consists of granite, mi- caceous schistus, and other primi- tive rocks, being a part of the gran-
itic region composing the elevated tract in the eastern part of the State. Iron ore has been found in considerable quantities, but the mineralogy of the town has not been explored by the skilfulness of art, or with the judgment of scientific knowledge.
The soil is a mixture of loam and gravel. Its natural growth is oak, chesnut, walnut, beech, maple, ash, birch, wild cherry, pine and other perennial trees. The lands, when first cleared and cultivated, produce one heavy crop of rye, or wheat, and afterwards make good pasturing or mowing. They are also adapted to the growth of
301
UNION.
corn, oats, buck wheat, barley, flax, potatoes, &c. The apple tree flourishes well, and there are some orchards in the town.
Quinibaug river, (erroneously considered by most geographers to rise in Brimfield, in Massachu- setts,) hasits principal sources from two ponds, Mashapaug & Break- neck, both situated wholly within the town of Union.
The Mashapaug branch of the Quinibaug river receives the wa- ters of several small streams, having their sources within this town, and greatly exceeds, both in its size and the length of its course, the Brim- field branch. The Breakneck branch is also larger than that, having its source in Brimfield, and unites with the Mashapaug in Sturbridge.
Roaring river, a considerable branch of the Willimantic, and Bigelow and Still rivers, which unite in Ashford and form a con- siderable branch of the Shetucket, all have their sources in this town. These streams are plentifully stocked with trout, and afford ma- ny sites and privileges for mills and hydraulic works. The Masha- paug and Breakneck ponds alluded to are considerable bodies of wa- ter. They afford plenty of pike and perch; these excellent fish are also taken in a mill pond upon the Bigelow river.
The Mashapaug is a beautiful expanse of water, covering an area of 800 acres, and embosoms a small island, of about an acre, covered with wood, and having a charac- ter peculiarly romantic. Break- neck is of an oblong form, extend- ing from north to south, about three fourths of a mile, having an
outlet from its northern extremity, surrounded on all sides by its na- tive forests. From the eastern side of this pond, the land rises with a gradual ascent, and is co- vered with valuable timber, form- ing a part of the extensive forests which the town contains. Its wes- tern borders are surrounded by a narrow skirt of meadow, thickly covered with spruce and cedar, behind which rises a bold, craggy ridge, bearing the name of the pond which it overlooks, covered with venerable oaks and pines ; and was famous in former times, as being the haunt of wild beasts, and the noxious abode of the en- venomed rattlesnake.
The town is accommodated with several good public roads ; and Somers and Woodstock turnpike passes through it.
Union, in 1810, contained 752 inhabitants ; and there are now about 100 qualified Electors, 1 Company of Militia and 120 Dwel- ling houses.
There are 2 Mercantile Stores, 9 Saw Mills, 1 Grain Mill and 1 Tannery.
There is 1 Congregational So- ciety and Church, and 1 Society of Methodists, having a house for public worship, 6 District Schools and 1 Social Library. There is one Physician, who is the only pro- fessional character in the town, there being no Clergymen or Law- yers.
This town furnishes a striking example of the inequality and in- justice of the principle of repre- sentation in this State, and of the prevalence of the " borough sys- tem" of England. Union, with a population of 752, and with a list
302
VERNON.
of 17,000 dollars, has an equal representation with New-Haven, which has a population of more than 7000, and a list of $133,000 ; having more than nine times the inhabitants of Union, and paying nearly eight times the amount of|
taxes ; and upon a more just prin- ciple of taxation, the difference in this respect would be more con- spicuous.
Union was incorporated as a town in 1734.
VERNON.
VERNON, a small post town- ship, is situated 12 miles north- east from Hartford. It is bounded on the north by Ellington, on the cast by Tolland and Coventry, on the south by Bolton and East-Hart- ford, and on the west by East- Windsor and East-Hartford.
The town comprises an area of about 5 miles in length, and more than 3 and a half in breadth, con- taining 18 square miles.
The principal part of the town is uneven, being agreeably diver- sified with hill and dale. The eastern part is broken and moun- tainous, extending upon that moun- tainous range of country which constitutes the height of land be- tween the Thames and Connecti- cut rivers, and directs the course of the streams. This mountain consists of granite, schistus and other original rocks. In the south- east part of this town, are quarries of a greyish slate stone, admitting of a smooth and even surface. These stones are well calculated to flag the side-walks in cities, and have been carried to Hart- ford for that purpose. The stone is a micaceous schistus, or mica slate, being composed of mica and quartz, and has a slaty structure. It is not found frequently upon the summit of the mountain, but upon
its sides, forming gentle acclivi- ties. When these rocks are found upon the summit of hills, they are generally round.
The soil is in general a gravelly loam, somewhat stony, yet consi- derably fertile.
Its natural and agricultural pro- puctions are similar to those of other towns in the county, and like them, agriculture is the prin- cipal employment of the inhabit- ants.
The most considerable streams in the town are Hockanum and Tankerooson, which are fine mill streams, and contain many good water privileges.
The Stafford and Tolland turn- pike, which is a part of the great post road from Hartford to Boston, passes through the centre of this town.
The population of this town, in 1810, was 827; and there are now 135 Dwelling houses, one entire company of Militia and parts of several others.
There are 1 Woolen Factory, 2 Cotton Factories, one of which, it is believed, was the first estab- lishment in the State, 3 Grain Mills, 6 Saw Mills, 2 Oil Mills, 1 Distillery, 1 Tannery, 4 Carding Machines and 1 Mercantile Store in the town.
303
WILLINGTON.
There are 6 District Schools, 1 Congregational Society and Church, 2 Social Libraries, 1 Cler- gyman and 2 Physicians. The amountof the general list of
rateable polls and estate,is$27,444. Vernon was first settled from East-Windsor, in 1716, being then a part of Bolton. It was incorpo- rated as a town in Oct. 1808.
WILLINGTON.
WILLINGTON is situated 24 miles east from Hartford. It is bounded east on Ashford, west on Tolland, north on Stafford and Un- ion, and south on Mansfield. It is nearly 8 miles in length, from north to south, and 4 and a half miles in breadth, from east to west, com- prising about 35 square miles.
The surface is hilly and bro- ken, and the soil a hard gravelly loam, abounding with stone.
This town lies within the grani- tic district of the eastern part of the State, which commences at Had- dam, and extends through the State into Massachusetts.
The summit of the mountains and hills is generally covered with granite and micaceous schis- tus, and other rocks of a primi- tive formation also abound. Some of these stones contain large quan- tities of mica ; and beds of iron ore have been discovered in this town.
The lands are best adapted to grazing, and afford many forests of good timber.
The Willimantic river, a lively mill stream, waters the western borders of the town, and divides it from Tolland. The Fenton is the next most considerable stream. within the township. Across these two rivers there are a number of bridges.
The turnpike road, leading from Providence to Enfield bridge. pass- es through the centre of the town. The turnpike leading from Nor- wich to Monson, in Massachusetts, passes through the town.
It is a singular fact, that salmon, which have wholly deserted Con- necticut river, are taken in the Willimantic, a small stream; but the course of this river, being ra- pid, its waters limpid, and its bed of stone and gravel, render it an in- viting retreat for this excellentfish.
The population of the town, in 1810, was 1150; and there are now about 200 Freemen, 100 Mi- litia and 200 Dwelling houses.
The manufactures of the town, in addition to those of a domestic character, are 1 Woolen Factory, 1 Glass Factory, 6 Grain Mills, 3 Tanneries, 5 Saw Mills and 3 Car- ding Machines.
The town contains 1 located Congregational Society, 1 Society of Baptists, and 11 District Schools. There are 3 Mercantile Stores, 2 Churches, 1 Social Library, 2 Clergymen and 2 Physicians.
The amount of the taxable polls and estate of the town is $26,276 ; and the valuation of real estate, $230,400.
The first settlement of the town was in 1720.
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NEHEMIAH R. KNIGHT,
Govrence of the State of Rhode Island.
Hartford, Published by Win . S. Marsh, for a Gazetteer of Rhode-Island 1819.
.
A
GENERAL GEOGRAPHICAL AND STATISTICAL VIEW
OF
THE STATE OF
RHODE-ISLAND.
The State of Rhode-Island is situated between 41 and 42º north lat. and between 3º 11'and 4° east lon. ; and is bounded on the north and east by the State of Massachusetts, on the south by the Atlantic ocean, and on the west by the State of Connecticut. The average length of the State, from north to south, is more than 42 miles, and its mean breadth is about 29 miles, comprising an area of 1225 square miles, inclusive of the waters of Narragansett bay, which comprise about 130 square miles.
The following TABLE exhibits a view of the counties in the State ; the square miles in each ; the number of towns ; the seats of justice ; the principal villages, &c.
Counties.
Square Number of Seats of Principal towns and
miles.
towns.
justice.
villages.
Providence.
381
10
Providences
Providence, and Pawtucket vill.
Newport.
136
7
Newport.
Bristol.
25
3
Bristol.
Kent.
186
4
E. Greenwich.
Newport. Bristol,and War- ren village. Greenwich, Ap- ponaug and Paw- tuxet villages.
Wickford, Paw-
Washington.
367
7
S. Kingston.
catuck and Little
RestHillvillages.
Total 1095 square miles.
The natural features of this State are in some respects very pecu- liar. By casting a glance at the map, it will be perceived that the pro- portion which the waters bear to the land is much greater than in any other State in the Union ; about one tenth part of the territorial limits of the State being water.
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