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 8
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The geological structure of the town consists of argillaceous schis- tus or clay slate, and greenstone ; being a part of the extensive geo- logical district, upon the borders of Connecticut river, commencing at the narrows, below Middletown, (where the range of granite of the eastern section of the State seems to terminate,) & extending to Northfield, in Massachusetts. This district consists principally of the same rock, a clay slate, of a prim- itive formation ; the range of mountain noticed above, and other eminences, are usually covered or capped with greenstone, forming mural precipices and bold ledges. The argillaceous schistus within this district consists of several varieties ; at some places it is fine grained, and forms a good free stone; at others it is a coarse grain- ed conglomerate, or pudding stone ; but in this town, in Hartford, and more generally within this range, it is a simple rock, being an indurated clav. Some minerals have been found in this town ; sulphuret of lead has been dis-
covered in small quantities ; on the west branch of Mill river there are the remains of some pits, or excavations, which were made during the revolutionary war, for the discovery of metals. The rock is greenstone, and contains carbonate of lime; quartz, and small quantities of silver have been found. Iron pyrites is found in several places in scattered grains ; oxyd of copper, also, in small quantities. Coal has been dug in the bed of Mill river, and on both of its banks ; the rock at that place is green- stone, and the coal that has been discovered has been found in small shining plates, and is very com- bustible and bituminous ; it has been obtained only in small quan- tities, but our correspondent thinks that the examinations have not been made in the right place, and that, possibly, beds of this valuable mineral may abound in the neigh- bourhood of these discoveries.
The soil is generally a gravelly loam, but in some parts of the town the argillaceous carths predomi- nating, it is an aluminous or clayey loam. It is fertile and productive, affording excellent pasturage, and good crops of grain. There are numerous, large and beautiful or- chards in the town, many of choice and selected fruit. The making of cider is an important agricultu- ral interest, being alike a conven- ience, and a source of profit to the inhabitants.
Berlin is celebrated for its manufactures and mechanic arts. The most important manufacturc, is that of tin ware ; it was first in- troduced by Mr. Edward Patter- son, an Irishman, about the time of the revolutionary war, which
57
BERLIN.
was the first manufacture of tin in the State. For a consid- crable time, Mr. Patterson carried on the business alone. and peddled his own ware in a basket ; but the value of the article becoming known, others engaged in the bu- siness, and the ware was soon scat- tered over the country. At first others, as well as Patterson, ped- dled it in baskets, carried by hand, or on horses ; afterwards, two wheeled carts were introduced, but these, being found inadequate for long journies, were succeeded by onc horse waggons, and those in some measure by very large carriages, with two and four hor- ses. The wares manufactured of tin were vended at first in New- England and New-York, gradually extending to the southern States ; and now tin pedlers may be found from Quebec to New-Orleans, and from Nova-Scotia to the Missouri. For a number of years the business was confined to Berlin ; but Wal- lingford, Cheshire, Southington, Meriden and Bristol have, for some time past, been its rivals. For several years. it has been the practice of those engaged in the business to make the ware in the summer months, in New-England, and in autumn, the ware, workmen and pedlers are removed to the south, and there continue during the winter, engaged in vending and manufacturing ; but some in- dividuals have now permanently cstablished themselves, south of the Potomac. In general, but small capitals are invested in the business, but some individuals have engaged in it very extensively, and have realized large fortunes ; many have employed twenty hands,
and one person forty, in vending the ware. There are now five Tin Ware Factories, in Berlin ; there are also one Cotton Factory ; one Jewelery Factory ; one Brass Foundery ; one Silver Plate Fac- tory ; one Button Factory ; and two Pistol Factories. There are eight Grain Mills ; eleven Saw Mills ; one Plaster Mill ; three Fulling Mills ; 3 Carding Ma- chines ; 12 Cider Distilleries ; six Tanneries ; and five Mercantile Stores.
Berlin is divided into three loca- ted or Ecclesiastical Societies ; Kensington, New-Britain & Wor- thington ; in the latter there is a pleasant and flourishing village, the principal street of which is the Hartford and New-Haven turn- pike road. There is also a turn- pike that passes through the town, leading from Middletown to Far- mington. The population of the town, in 1810, was 2798; and there are now 500 qualified Electors, and 400 dwelling houses,
The amount of taxable polls and estate of the town is $62,161. The valuation of the real estate, in 1816, was $1,187,873.
The valuation, in 1799, was $428,583.
There are three Congregational Churches, and one Society of Baptists, and one of Episcopalians, 14 Common Schools, two Social Libraries, five Clergymen, five Physicians, and two Attornies.
Berlin was incorporated as a town in 1785, It was previously the second Society of Farmington, by the name of Kensington. The Society was probably set off from Farmington about the year 1712; as the first minister, the Rev. Mr. .
8
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BRISTOL.
Burnham, was ordained the 10th of December of that year. A part of Wethersfield and Middle- town were joined to the Society of Kensington, at its incorporation. This was the second Society, (East Windsor being the first,) that was set off from any town in the State. About this time the General As- sembly passed a public law for making Societies. When Mr. Burnham was settled, there were but 14 families in the place, and the Church consisted of 10 mem- bers, seven males, and three fe- males ; previous to this period these families attended meeting at Farmington, and the women walk- ed from 10 to 12 miles, and carried their infants in their arms. Ken- sington was divided about the year 1753, by the incorporation of the Society of New-Britain ; and Dr. Smalley, the first Clergymanin this Society, was ordained in 1758. In 1772, the Society of Kensing- » ton was again divided by the for- mation of the Society of Worthing- ton ; its name being derived from one of the Committee who located the Society.
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BIOGRAPHY. Major Jonathan
Hart was a native of this town. He was a gallant & distinguished offi- cer, & one of the victims of the un- fortunate defeat of Gen. St. Clair, Nov. 4th, 1791. His life, & those of his command, were literally offer- ed a sacrifice for the safety of the rest of the army. When all were in confusion and dismay, Major Hart was ordered to charge the enemy with the bayonet, with a view to facilitate a retreat, or rather a flight, to the shattered re- mains of the army. This charge was made with gallantry and spirit, under circumstances which lan- guage is too feeble to describe ; the desolation of the place; the confusion of the scene ; the whoops and yells of a savage foe, flushed with victory, and thirsting for blood ; the general consternation which prevailed, and the groans of the dying in every direction. But the intrepid Major, and almost every man of his party, were killed in the desperate enterprise, and their bones were left to bleach up- on the borders of the waters of the Wabash, the dreary abode of wild beasts and " savage men more wild than they."
BRISTOL.
BRISTOL, a post town in the south west part of the county, 16 miles from Hartford, and 28 from New-Haven, bounded on the north by Burlington, on the east by Farmington, on the south by Southington and Wolcott, and on the west by Plymouth, in Litch- field county. The township is five & a half miles in length, from north to south, and five in breadth, from cast to west, comprising an arca
of about 27 square miles. The surface is uneven and hilly, and the soil is a gravelly loam, and considerably fertile ; it produces all kinds of grain, grass and fruit, common to this region. Its forests consist of oak, chesnut, and other deciduous trees, common to the county. The geological struc- ture of the town consists of granite and micaceous schistus. Iron and Copper ore have been discov-
59
BRISTOL.ª
ered, but have been neglected. The town is watered by the north and south branches of the Poqua- back, a small stream which dischar- ges its waters into the Farmington or Tunxis river.
The turnpike road, leading from Hartford to Danbury, passes thro' this town.
If discriminations are to be made, where the general characteristics of the inhabitants are marked with so much uniformity, as is the case in this State, those of Bristol deserve to be noticed for their en- terprise and industry. It has been estimated that one half of the in- habitants of the town are engaged in manufacturing and mechanical employments and pursuits. The manufactures and mechanical in- terests of the town are various ; but those of clocks and tin ware are mostimportant. There is one clock manufactory or · establish- ment, which is confined exclusive- ly to the manufacture of brass clocks; this concern for the size of the town is an extensive one ; there being about 2000 clocks man- ufactured annually. In addition to this establishment, there are a number of factories for the making of wooden clocks, which altogeth- cr manufacture, annually, large quantities of clocks of this descrip- tion. These clocks, both of wood and brass, are almost all sent abroad for a market, and princi- pally to the southern and western States. This requires the employ-
ment of a great number of persons, and opens a wide and extended field for enterprise. There are five tin ware factories which annu- ally manufacture large quantities of various kinds of wares ; these are likewise sent abroad for a market, and a multitude of persons are required to vend them. There are also two button factories in this town. From the tendency of these manufacturing and mechani- cal interests and pursuits, a con- siderable portion of the young men of the town are employed abroad. In addition to the manufactures of clocks, tin ware and buttons, there is one Woolen Factory, onc Cotton Factory, eight Grain and Saw Mills, two Carding Machines, eight Distilleries for Cider, and six Tan- neries ; there are three Mercan- tile Stores.
The town contains one located Congregational Society, & Church, & one society of Baptists, which also has a house for public worship ; nine School Districts, and com- mon Schools, one small Academy for Misses, three Social Libraries, two Clergymen, and two Physi- cians. The population of the town, in 1810, was 1423, and there are 238 Dwelling-Houses, 235 Electors, and 115 Militia. The amount of taxable property, inclu- ding polls, is $23,421. Bristol was formerly a part of Farmington, and was incorporated as an indepen- dent Society in 1747, and as a town in May, 1785.
BURLINGTON.
BURLINGTON, a post town, is situated on the western border of the county, seventeen miles!
west from Hartford. It is boun- ded on the north by New-Hartford and Canton, on the cast by Far-
6.0
CANTON. -
mington, south by Bristol, and on the west by Harwinton. It is about six miles in length, from north to south, and five in breadth from east to west, comprising an area of thirty square miles. The township is diversified with hills and dales, and the soil is a gravelly loam, being dry and hard. This town lies within the granite region, in the western part of the State, comprising the whole of Litchfield county, excepting a few townships upon the borders of the State of New-York, which constitute the calcarious district of Connecticut. The lands produce grain, particu- larly rye and oats, and are tolera- bly well adapted to orcharding, and some parts afford good grazing.
The Farmington, or Tunxis river, waters the northeastern sec- tion of the town, and some branch- es of the Poquaback run through its centre. The town is accom- modated with the Farmington and Litchfield turnpike, and with one leading to Middletown, through Berlin. The inhabitants, who have a conspicuous equality in their circumstances, are principal- ly engaged in agriculture, except the attention which is paid to do- mestic manufactures. There are,
however, two small Woolen Fac- tories, one Tin Ware Factory, three Distilleries, two Tanneries, two Grain Mills, three Fulling Mills, three Carding Machines, and one Oil Mill. There are two Mer cantile Stores in the town, and a number of mechanic's shops enga- ged in waggon and chaise making ; three or four of which carry on the business largely, and send their work abroad for market.
The population of Burlington, in 1810, was 1467, and there . arc now 220 Freemen or Electors, two companies of militia, and 230 dwelling-houses. The town con- tains one located Congregational Society and Church, one Society of Methodists, also one of Seventh Day Baptists. It is divided into eight School Districts ; in each of which a school is maintained for several months in the year.
There are two small Social Li- braries, three Physicians, and one Clergyman.
The general list of the town, in- cluding polls, is $25,645.
Burlington originally belonged to Farmington, and more recently to Bristol, and was incorporated as a town in 1806 ..
CANTON.
CANTON, a post town in the western part of the county, being 13 miles northwesterly from Hartford, is bounded east on Simsbury, south on Farmington and Burlington, west on New- Hartford and Barkhamstead, and north on Granby. The township is abont eight miles in length, north and south, and near four
-
[miles in breadth, comprising 19,- 200 acres. It is considerably broken, being hilly and mountain- ous. One ofthe mountainous ranges commencing in the vicinity of New-Haven, near the sound, and extending far into the interior of New-England, runs through this town; the mountain here is considerably elevated. The rocks
61
EAST-HARTFORD.
are principally granitic. The prevailing character of the soil is a coarse gravel, which is hard, dry and stoney. Its natural growth is principally oak, and when culti- vated it is best adapted to grazing. Rye, corn, oats, and flax are prin- cipally raised. The lands are well adapted to orcharding, and considerable attention has been paid to the subject, so that cider has become one of the most im- portant agricultural interests of the town. Farmington river runs thro' Canton, moving rapidly along at the foot of the mountain ; there is one bridge thrown across it. In the southern extremity of the town there is a large pond, called Cher- ey's Pond ; part of which is within the town of Farmington.
STATISTICS. At the last cen- sus Canton contained 1374 inhabi- tants. There are in the town more than 200 dwelling houses ; a num- ber of which are upon the principal street, being the Albany turnpike
which runs through the town, and form a small village. There are three houses for public worship, one for Congregationalists, one for Baptists, and one for Separates or Independents. There are seven district Schools, one company of Infantry, part of a company of Artillerists, and about 130 Elec- tors. There are three mercantile Stores, eight Distilleries, three Tanneries, three Grain Mills, four Saw Mills, two Fulling Mills, one Powder Mill, and one Tin Factory. There are several Wheel Wrights, Smiths, and other mechanics in the town, three Physicians and two Clergymen. The list of the taxable property and polls of the town, in 1817, was $27,540.
Canton was first settled in 1740, and was incorporated as a town in 1806, having, until then, been a part of Simsbury and New-Hart- ford, being the west section of the former, and the eastern of the latter.
EAST-HARTFORD.
EAST-HARTFORD, a post town of Hartford county, is pleasantly situated on the east side of Connecticut river, boun- ded north on East-Windsor, east on Bolton, south on Glastenbury, west on Connecticut river, which separates it from the city and town of Hartford, and is about ten miles in length, from east to west, and five and three-fourths of a mile in width, from north to south, containing about 36,000 acres of land.
mile from the river, and is thickly settled, from Glastenbury to East- Windsor. In the centre of this street is a beautiful and stately row cf elms extending from the meeting-house, two miles north- westwardly, which, with a variety of other shade trees on its borders, renders this one of the most beau- tiful and pleasant situations in Connecticut.
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About two miles from its east- ern bounds, the Hockanum river enters the town from the north- east, and winds its course south-
The principal street in this town is about three-fourths of a westerly, through nearly the cen-
62
EAST-HARTFORD.
tre of the town, passes a few rods from the meeting-house, and uni- tes with the Connecticut, about a mile below the Hartford ferry. On the Hockanum, and the vari- ous smaller streams which flow into it, are numerous valuable mill seats. that give facility to manu- facturing operations, which are here carried on to a very consider- able extent. Over this river are six bridges, from fifty to sixty feet each in length ; several other smaller streams take their rise in the castern part of the town, & run westerly into Connecticut river.
In this town are seven Paper Mills, which are kept constantly running through the year ; several of them have two engines each, and a double set of workmen are employed ; also, there are eight or ten Powder Mills, in which great quantities of powder are manufactured yearly ; two Cotton Factories, one Woolen Factory, two Glass Works, where vast quantities of bottles are made, and sent into various parts of the coun- try for sale. A Hat Factory is here carried on, where the princi- pal part of the labour is performed by machinery moved by water- for which the proprietors have a patent right. An abundance of low-prized hats are made, and sent to to the southern mark- ets ; here also are several Tanne- rics, Clothier's Works, Hatteries, four Carding Machines, six or eight Grist Mills-in one of which are four run of stones, several Saw Mills, and various other mechani- cal establishments and employ- ments.
Adjoining Connecticut river in this town, is an extensive range of
meadows, containing some of the best lands in New-England. In the spring season, these meadows are annually overflowed by the freshets of the river, which ren- ders them very productive in grass and pasturage, for which they are principally improved. An exten- sive range of bridging and cause- way, connected with the elegant bridge over Connecticut river, ex- tendsin a straight line across these meadows, to the main street in East-Hartford, opening a beautiful avenue " into the city, and when completed and ornamented with shade trees, will form a delightful walk of a mile in extent.
Passing out of these meadows, you rise from fifteen to twenty feet into a level plain country,? which extends across the whole width of the town ; nearly three miles to the castward, there is an- other considerable rise ; from thence to Bolton, the surface is somewhat broken and hilly ; be- tween the meadows and the main- street, the soil, in general, is loam, mixed with sand, which, with the aid of manure, is abundantly pro- ductive ; from thence to the next rise, eastward, the soil is somewhat light and sandy, but produces excellent rye and Indian corn. The eastern part of the town is a mixed soil of sand-loam and gravel, and has, within the last twenty- five years, been much enriched and improved by the use of plaster of Paris, which renders it very productive.
The land in this town being generally dry, and otherwise well adapted, produces the finest rye in the world. There are some valu- able meadow lands, bordering upon
63
EAST-HARTFORD.
the Hockanum river, in the eastern part of the town.
About three miles castward of the river is a ledge of red sand stone, or friable clay slate, which extends through the town; the stone generally lies under the sur- face of the ground, and quarries have been opened and worked in various places, and great quan- tities of fine stone for building and other uses procured. These stones, being of a soft texture, are easily shaped, and when made smooth with the chisel, make beautiful underpinning, hearth, and step- stones. A similar kind of stonc is found in other parts of the town. Within these masses of rock, are frequently found white and yellow flint stones, or quartz, embedded, from the size of a pebble to that of a goose egg.
The growth of timber, in most parts of this town, when it was originally settled, is said to have been principally white and yellow pinc. This has long since been nearly all destroyed ; the present natural growth of forest trees con- sists of black, white, red and yel- low oak ; chesnut, walnut, white maple, buttenwood, elm, yellow and white pine, and various other kinds common to this part of the country. It has been observed that in those parts of the town, where cattle are restrained from going at large, a luxuriant growth of young timberis growing up ; among which is an unusual proportion of pines.
The meadows produce abun- dance of hay and pasturage ; on the uplands are raised large quan- tities of rye, Indian corn, some wheat, oats, buckwheat, flax, peas, beans, tobacco and water melons :|
of this last article, immense quan- tities are raised on the lightest san- dy land, by the aid of stable and hogspen manure ; it is not uncom- mon to see many acres of these in the same field, and in their season, many waggon and cart loads are carried to market daily.
Two great stage roads, both of which are turnpikes, Icad thro' this town from Hartford to Boston. One of these is by the way of Tol- land, Stafford and Worcester ; the other, called the middle road, leads through Ashford, Thompson and Dedham. Several turnpike roads, leading from the State of Rhode-Island and the castern part of Connecticut, are concen- trated in the middle road, and the travel is principally through this town. The turnpike road from Hartford to New-London passes through this town ; stages daily run on each of these roads ; an- other stage runs northerly to Wal- pole ; another passes by the way of Lebanon, to Norwich.
The number of inhabitants in this town was, by the last census, 3240 ; since which their numbers have probably increased. The number of dwelling-houses is about 480; the number of qualified Free- men about 500; the amount of taxable property, including polls, in 1817, was $66,235.
Previous to the late organization of the militia, there were four companies of Infantry, and one company of Attillery in this town ; the Infantry are now reduced to two companies, which, with the Artillery, contain nearly 300 men, subject to do military duty.
This town being situated in the vicinity of Hartford, is nota placc of
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EAST-HARTFORD.
much mercantile business; there are, however, nearly twenty licen- sed retailers, who deal principally in groceries; among these are five dry good stores. But little naviga- tion business is carried on, though there are several masters of ves- sels and other scafaring men belon- ging to the town.
The character of the people in this town does not distinguish them from those of other river towns, being principally farmers, mechanics and tradesmen ; they arc a plain, economical, industri- ous people, generally well educa- ted, and well bred; there are few of them possessing great wealth, but many have handsome estates, and the greater proportion possess that salutary competence, which is the happiest condition of society ; avoiding, on the one hand, the dis- tress, misery and crimes incident to a state of poverty and want ; and on the other the extravagance, the fooleries, the dissipation, and the whole train of fashionable vices and disorders, which are the offspring of wealth.
The town is divided into thir- teen school districts ; in each of which is a school house, wherein a common school si maintained for eight or nine months in a year; some of which. in the winter sea- son, are attended by from fifty to eighty scholars.
There are two located Congre- gational Societies in the town; also a small Society of Methodists, and another of Baptists; each of which has a house for public worship. In cach of the located Societies, there is a Social Library, contain- ing several hundred volumes of well selected books. The profes-
sional men are two Congregational Clergymen, four Physicians, and one Attorney.
This town formerly composed a part of the ancient town of Hartford, and was incorporated with town privileges in 1784. The fertility and feasibility of its meadows, affording an easy culti -. vation of Indian corn, together with the multitude of fish, with which the rivers and small streams in this vicinity were abundantly stored, rendered this a favorite residence for the native Indians,
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