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 45
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RICHMOND.
365
and other buildings. There are here three houses for public wor- ship ; one for Separate Baptists, which is a new, large and elegant building, one for Episcopalians, a handsome edifice, and one for Friends ; an Academy, called the Washington Academy, the building for which is a substantial and ele- gant edifice, 60 feet by 30, delight- fully situated upon an eminence, out of the village, encircled with rows and groves of trees, exhibit- ing a romantic, rural and pictur- esque appearance. There is a va- luable library attached to this Aca. demy ; and it is usually attended by from 50 to 60 students. There is a Bank located at this village ; and the Gin Distillery already noticed is established here. The town-house, where the electors' meetings are held, iş at this place.
This is the seat of most of the commercial and navigation busi- ness. A trade is carried on with the West-Indies and south-Ameri- ca, and a coasting trade with the southern and eastern States. The fishing business also, which has been noticed, is carried on from this village. There is likewise a number of packets that ply regu- larly between this village and New- port, Providence, Bristol and the
other commercial places upon Nar- ragansett bay. The harbour is spacious, safe and accessible at all seasons of the year.
The population of this town, in 1810, was 2957; and there are about 450 Electors, 391 Dwelling- houses, four companies of Militia and one Independent company.
There are five Religious Socie- ties, one of Baptists, one of Sepa- rate Baptists, one of Episcopali- ans, one of Friends and one of Methodists, all of which have hou- ses for public worship, and the So- ciety of Baptists have two.
There are 12 Schools, exclusive of the Academy, at the village of Wickford.
On the post road, between the village of Wickford and East- Greenwich, there is a cleft of a rock, in which there are several holes, in the shape of the human foot; one of which is called the " Devil's foot," and is twenty in- ches in length ; the others are of a less size. There are various other impressions, some exhibiting the figure of a dog, all of which have the appearance of having been made when the rock was for- med, and before it acquired a per- fectly indurated character.
This town was incorporated in the year 1674.
RICHMOND.
RICHMOND is an interior post township, centrally situated in the county, 30 miles from Providence ; bounded on the north by Exeter, on the east by South-Kingston, on the south by Charles river, which separates it from Charlestown, and
on the west by Wood river, which divides it from Hopkinton. Its average length,from north to south, is nearly 7 miles, and its mean breadth, from east to west, is more than 6 miles, comprising about 40 square miles.
49
386
WESTERLY.
The physical features of this township accord with those of this district generally ; having a primi- tive geological structure, and the surface being generally uneven, but interspersed with some level tracts, and the soil is a gravelly loam.
The forests consist of trees of the deciduous species ; and the agricultural productions are but- ter, cheese, Indian corn, and some others. The various objects of the grazing and dairy business form the leading agricultural interests.
The town is well watered by the two principal branches of the Paw- catuck, Wood and Charles rivers ; one forming the western and the other the southern boundary of the town. The latter of these streams has several branches, which water the interior of the township. These two rivers and their branches af-
ford numerous sites for hydraulic, works.
There are in the town three Cot- ton Factories, one Woolen do. one Clothier's works for customers, six Grain Mills and seven Mercantile Stores.
The population of Richmond, in 1774, was 1257 ; in 1800, 1368 ; and in 1810, 1330; and there are about 230 Dwelling-houses, 2 com- panies of Militia, 160 Electors, three Religious Societies, one of Baptists, one of New-Lights, and one of Friends, 3 regular Schools and School houses, besides seve- ral others which are occasionally maintained.
The amount of taxable proper- ty is $370,380.
Richmond sends two repre- sentatives to the General Assem- bly. It was incorporated in 1747,
WESTERLY.
WESTERLY is a maritime post township, situated in the southwest corner of the State, 36 miles south- west from Providence, and 35 west by south from Newport ; bounded on the north by the Pawcatuck riv- er and the town of Hopkinton, on the cast by Charlestown, on the south by the Atlantic ocean, and on the west by the Pawcatuck riv- er, which separates it from the State of Connecticut. Its extent is more than six miles east and west, and nearly the same north and south, comprising about 36 square miles.
This township, though not moun- tainous, is considerably rough and broken, the surface presenting pri- mitive and somewhat rugged fea-
tures. The soil, which is general- ly a gravelly loam, affords, as it respects the quality of it, most of the varieties from a fertile mould to a soil lean and sterile. In some sections of the town, barley is cul- tivated to advantage. Some In- dian corn is also raised ; but the staple agricultural product consists of cheese. The lands being in general best adapted to grazing, the dairy business is carried on ex- tensively and to great advantage.
The town is well accommodated with navigable and other, waters. Its southern border is washed by the Atlantic ocean, and its western by the Pawcatuck river. This stream has its source in Warden's pond. in South-Kingston; and al-
387
WESTERLY.
though small at first, and having but a short course, yet being swel- led by numerous tributary streams, and having the advantages of tide- water, it becomes a navigable ri- ver. It forms a part of the boun- dary line between Richmond and Charlestown, and between this town and Hopkinton. There are seven bridges upon this river, with- in this town, the largest of which is in the village of Pawcatuck. This bridge, connects this town with Stonington, in Connecticut. The east part of it was built and is maintained by this State, and the west part by the town of Stoning- ton. This river is navigable for vessels of 80 tons, as far as Cham- plin's wharf, four miles from the ocean, and for sloops of 30 tons, at high water, two miles above, to the village of Pawcatuck. This river affords a great variety of scale and shell fish, and in great abundance.
The village of Pawcatuck is si- tuated upon the west side of this river, about six miles from its mouth. There is a small settle- ment also upon the opposite side, in the town of Stonington. There are in the village about 50 Dwel- ling-houses, 8 Mercantile Stores, an extensive Woolen Factory, the building of which is a substantial stone structure, 64 feet by 36, and four stories in height, two con- siderable Tanneries, and several work-shops for mechanical purpos- es. Here also are two incorpora- ted Banks ; the Washington Bank, established in 1800, with a capi- tal of $75,000, and the Phoenix Bank, in 1818, having a capital of $60,000. There are two Acade- mies established here, which are under good regulations, and afford
great facilities to the youth of this place and vicinity, of obtaining an education, with convenience and economy. There is one Social Library established here.
This is an active and flourishing village, containing about 400 in- habitants. In connection with ag- riculture and the mechanic arts, it carries on a brisk coasting trade ; and at the present time the Labra- dor fishery, which was formerly prosecuted with succes, is reviv- ing and promises again to become an important and profitable busi- ness. Ship building is likewise carried on here, at some periods, to considerable extent ; ships of 300 tons have been built, and con- ducted to the ocean during flood tides. , About three miles north- easterly of Pawcatuck bridge, up- on the river of the same name, at a place called Potter's hill, in this town, there are one Cotton Facto- ry, containing about 1000 spindles, a Grain Mill, Saw Mill and Clo- thiers' works.
The population of this town, in 1810, was 1911; and there are 2 Religious Societies, 250 Dwelling houses and 4Companies of Militia. This town sends two represen- tatives to the General Assembly.
Westerly was incorporated in 1669, being the first town incor- porated in the State after the ob- taining of the charter of Charles II, in 1663, and then embraced the whole extent of country which is now comprised in this town, Charlestown, Richmond and Hop- kinton. These several towns have been set off and incorporated at different periods, which of course has greatly reduced the original territorial limits of this town.
APPENDIX.
State of Connecticut .- Since the work was written, some alterations have been made as to its civil or corporate divisions ; and the seat of justice in one county has been changed. At the May session of 1819, a new town was incorporated, by the name of Salem ; being compos- ed of the south section of Colchester, the northeast section of Lyme, and the northerly section of Montville. The centre of the township of Salem is about 29 miles southeast from Hartford. Its dimensions are about six and a half miles by five and a half. It contains about 150 dwelling houses, from 1000 to 1200 inhabitants, and between 150 and 200 Electors. The town is accommodated with a post-office, and the turnpike road from Hartford to New-London passes through it. By a general provision in the new Constitution of the State, the town is entitled to but one representative in the popular branch of the Ge- neral Assembly.
During the same session of the Legislature, the seat of justice for the county of Windham was removed from the town of Windham to Brooklyn, a more central town, situated upon the Quinibaug river, 45 miles from Hartford.
Weston, FAIRFIELD COUNTY .- There are 22 school districts and the same number of primary schools in this town.
Some additional information respecting the Mohegan Indians in Mont- ville .- The tract of land which they inhabit contains about 2400 acres, bordering upon the river Thames, on its west side, and forming the northeast corner of the town of Montville. It is bounded north upon Trading Cove and Trading Cove brook, and is intersected by the turn- pike road between the cities of Norwich and New-London. The soil is generally of a good quality for arable purposes, pasturage and mow- ing, but is in a bad state of cultivation, owing to its having been long tenanted by persons having no interest in the inheritance. In the year 1791, these lands were apportioned among the tribe, with the exception of about 500 acres which were reserved in a farm, the rents of which are applied to the contingent charges arising from age, sick- ness and infirmity, incident to this irregular and improvident people. Their number, in 1808, was 71, and in 1818, 52. About two-thirds consist of females. The character of the Mohegans is peaceable, pa- tient, generous, hospitable, and thoughtless of tomorrow. They are without enterprise, being neither hunters nor fishermen-are not in- clined to dishonesty, but much given to intemperance. As the de- scendants of the subjects of Uncas, they are attached to the govern- ment and the white people of Connecticut, and, have a strong adher- ence to all ancient customs of their own. The concerns of this tribe
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Appendix.
389
are managed by a board of overseers, appointed by the General As- sembly.
State of Rhode-Island .- Some further particulars relating to the town of West-Greenwich have been received since the work went to press. There are in this town 250 electors, one religious society, and a part of several others, one regular school, kept throughout the year, and several usually maintained in the winter seasons in different sec- tions of the town. There are five small cotton factories, all of which contain about 2000 spindles, connected with which are a bleach house and several dye houses, There are 10 grain mills, 1 clothier's works and 9 mercantile stores.
1
ERRATA.
IN a work of this description, comprising a vast collection of facts it will not be a matter of surprise, that a considerable number of er- rors should have escaped detection. Such of them as have been dis- covered, and are deemed material, are corrected here ; but being un-, willing to swell the errata, the errors merely verbal are left for the reader to correct himself.
Page 33, inthe County Table, after East-Windsor, read 'º Post- offices.'
Page 36, line, 29th, after and, read 'which.'
Page 62, line 23d, for 8 or 10, read ' 6 or 8.'
Page 92, line 12th from bottom, after one, read ' of which."
Same page, second column, after the word with, for William Davy and Mr. Murray, read ' Messrs. Davie and Murray.'
Page 94, line 14th, for all, read ' most of.'
Page 104, line 2nd from bottom, 2nd column, for building, read ' buildings.'
Page 128, line 17th from bottom, for dome, read ' dove.'
Page 162, bottom line, 2nd column, for 4000, read ' 2400.'
Page 180, for the boundaries of the town of Huntington, in the text, substitute the following; bounded northwest by Newtown, northeast and southeast by the Ousatonick river, which separates it from Ox- ford, Derby and Milford, south and southwest by Stratford, Trumbull and Weston.
Page 249, bottom line, for 350, read ' 250.'
Page 271, 2nd column, 11th line from bottom, for 42, read ' 41.'
Page 305, 2nd line, after east lon. read ' from Philadelphia.'
Page 324, for the dimensions of the town of Providence, instead of 4 miles in length, and 9 square miles, substitute ' 3 miles in length, and 7 square miles.
Page 355, bottom line, for for social, read ' circulating.'
Page 368, line 9th, before 28, insert the words ' more than.'
N. B .- The number of the line is understood as being from the top of the page, unless mentioned as being from the bottom; and where the column is not mentioned, it is the first column in the page.
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