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 9
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The Podunk tribe, which dwelt in this, and the adjoining town of East-Windsor, were a ferocious and warlike people ; at the head of whom was Totanimo, a subtle and treacherous Chief, of no ordi- nary talents, who commanded 200 warriors, having no other instru- ments of hostility, than the bow and arrow ; the latter being barb- ed or pointed with a sharp flint stone. This tribe, perceiving the consequences of the English set- tling among them, and not being willing to be dispossessed of their lands, were, for many years, very troublesome to the first settlers in these parts. Few if any traces of the customs, manners, or char- acter of this tribe, now remain, ox- cept what may be found in records of the colony, from its first settle- ment, until about the year 1670, a period of about thirty-four years. The Podunk tribe of Indians has long been extinct.
BIOGRAPHY. The Hon. Wil- liam Pitkin, formerly Governor of the colony, was a native ofthis town, and lived here. Several of his de- scendants were also men of con- siderable eminence in their day.
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EAST-WINDSOR.
The Rev. Eliphalet Williams D. was highly distinguished as a D. was for more than fifty years a man of science, a preacher and divine. settled minister in this town; he
EAST-WINDSOR.
EAST-WINDSOR is a large and flourishing town, situated on the east side of Connecticut river ; the post-office in the first society being 8 miles north from Hartford.
The area of the town comprises about 48 square miles, or 30,723 acres ; being about nine miles in length, and having an average breadth of five and a half miles.
It is bounded on the north by Enfield, on the cast by Ellington and Vernon, in Tolland county, on the south by East-Hartford, and on the west by Connecticut river, which separates it from Windsor and Hartford.
The town is generally level, al- though some parts of it are waving and hilly ; but the eminences have but a moderate elevation. The soil is various ; in the western part of the town, there are some small sections of siliceous sand, and ex- tensive tracts of sandy loam, which is light, warm and fertile ; in the eastern part, a rich, gravelly loam generally prevails; and upon the borders of Connecticut river, there is an extensive body of alluvial, remarkably fertile, and having a situation peculiarly charming and beautiful. These natural mead- ows comprise more than 2000 acres of the choicest land. It produces excellent grass for pas- turage and mowing, and carries the largest crops of Indian Corn. The eastern and northern sections of the- town are best adapted to rye, which is cultivated with facil-
ity, and in great abundance. Rye is the staple agricultural produc- tion of the town, it having been computed that 70,000 bushels have been raised in one season. There is probably no town in the State that produces an equal quantity of rye, with that which is raised in East-Windsor. Thereis no waste land, worthy of notice, in the town ; and the principal part of the township is fertile, and well adapted to a grain culture ; and the inhabitants have not been neg- lectful of its natural advantages, and the resources of the soil. Back from the river there are nu- merous forests, and extensive tracts of wood land ; some of them heav- ily timbered, consisting principally of oak. Among other agricultural interests, the cultivation of tobac- coreceives considerable attention ; large quantities of it being raised annually ; some of which is manu- factured in the town, and the rest sent abroad for a market.
The Scantic is the principal river in East-Windsor ; it waters its northern section, and the Po- dunk, a small stream, runs through the south part of the town.
Upon Connecticut river there are several shad and herring fish- eries.
The distillation of spiritous li- quors, from grain, is an important business in this town. There are six Gin Distilleries in the town ; four of which are upon an exten- sive scale, and continue the busi*
9
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EAST-WINDSOR.
ness without interruption through- out the year. Several of the larg- est of these establishments are situ- ated at Warehouse Point, a flour- ishing village in the north part of the town. Thesc establishments are extensively known, and the gin which they manufacture is consid- ered of the first quality in market. There is probably no town in the United States where there is as great a quantity of spirit made from grain as in East-Windsor. The following abstract of duties paid to the collector of the district, under the laws of the United States, during the year 1816, will afford some evidence of the extent of this manufacture. The several Distilleries in this town, in that year, as appears by the statement published by the Collector of the District, paid duties to the amount of $23,913.
The civil divisions of East- Windsor are two located or Eccle- siastical Societies, and nineteen School Districts.
In the first or south Society, the principal street, whichis the public river road, has a pleasant and prospective situation, and contains one Congregational Church, one Academy and Post-Office, and many handsome, and some elegant Dwelling-Houses.
In the north Ecclesiastical Soci- cty is the pleasant and flourishing village of Ware-House Point, sit- uated upon the cast bank of the Connecticut, 13 miles above Hart- ford, at the head of sloop naviga- tion. The village contains one Episcopal Church, a Post-Office, four large Gin Distilleries, one of which is probably the largest in the United States, and 40 Dwelling-
Houses. This village has a pleas- ant and healthful situation, and is not an ineligible site for a com- mercial town, having an extensive and fertile country around it. If aided by some improvements in the navigation of the river, it could not fail of becoming a place of mercantile business and impor- tance, and it cannot be doubted that its natural advantages will be duly appreciated and improved.
The population of East-Wind- sor, in 1810, was 3081. There are now about 400 Frecmen, or qualified Electors, five Companies of Militia, and about 500 Dwelling Houses.
There are nine Mercantile Stores, six Grain Mills, one Segar Manufactory, on an extensive scale, one extensive and elegant Engra- ving Establishment, five Saw-Mills, one Pottery of Earthern Ware, two Fulling Mills, and two Card- ing Machines.
There are three Churches for Congregationalists, and one for Episcopalians, two Academies, 19 District Schools, two Public Libra- ries, and several good private Li- braries, one of near 800 volumes, three Clergymen, five practising Physicians, and two practising Attornies.
The amount of the taxable polls and estate of the town, is $76,628; the assessment of the United States in 1816, was $1,482,039 82 ; the assessment of 1799, was $609,420 90.
A few families settled on the east side of the river at Bissell's ferry, about the time of the first settlement in Windsor, in 1636 ; and a more rapid and general set- tlement upon the cast side of the
67
ENFIELD.
river was begun about 1677. The first Church was organized, a Meet- ing-House erected, and a minister settled about the year 1695. East- Windsor was incorporated as a town in 1765. The Podunk tribe of Indians inhabited the borders of the Connecticut and Scantic rivers within this town, of whom the soil was purchased by the first settlers.
BIOGRAPHY. Gov. Roger Wolcott was a native of this town. He received no advantages of an early education, having been bred a weaver; but from the force of na- tive genius, and strong natural en- dowments, he became a man of considerable science, and of great and useful talents. He took an active part in fitting out the famous Louisburgh expedition in 1745, and was the second in command. His eldest son, Roger Wolcott, was a lawyer, and became a judge of the Superior Court, and died in that office in the prime of life.
He has been called the greatest man of the Wolcott family. Era- tus, another son of Roger, altho' a plain man, and a labouring far- mer, and with inconsiderable ad- vantages as to education, acquired great influence in public affairs, and was distinguished for his tal- ents, having become a judge of the Superior Court, although never bred to the law.
Timothy Edwards, the first min- isterin the town, was distinguished in his time; he was in the ministry 62 years. His only son, Jonathan Edwards, became celebrated as a divine; he was a man of distiguish- ed genius, having an acute and metaphysical mind.
William Wolcott, of this town, was a man of strong natural talents. He was a judge ofthe County Court for 30 years, and was distinguished for uniting inflexible integrity with amiable manners.
ENFIELD.
ENFIELD, a post town, is situ- ated in the northeast corner of the county, on the east side of Con- necticut river; being 16 miles from Hartford, and 50 from New- Haven. It is bounded on the north by Long-Meadow, in Massachu- setts, cast by Somers, in Tolland county, south by East-Windsor, and west by Connecticut river, which separates it from Suffield.
cepting the borders ofthe Connecti- cut, which are elevated and roman- tic. The soil is a light, sandy loam, very feasible and generally fertile ; there are some small sections of pine plains, and some tracts of clay or argillaceous loam. The natural growth of the forests is Walnut, Oak, of the various kinds, Maple, Elm, Chesnut, Butternut, various shrubs, and on the plains, yellow pine ; there are a consider- able number of forests in the town, and some good timber.
The agricultural productions are principally grain ; rye and
It is nearly six miles in length from north to south, and five and a half in breadth, from east to west comprising about 33 square miles or 21,120 acres. The township is generally of a level surface, ex-l;oats receive the most attention
68
ENFIELD.
there is, however, some wheat growed, and Indian corn is raised to a considerable extent. From the light, dry and feasible quality of the soil, rye is cultivated with great facility, and with much suc- cess. Some sections of the town, particularly on the borders of Connecticut river, afford good lands for grazing and the culture of grass.
Besides Connecticutriver, which bounds the western border of the town, Scantic runs through its south eastern section, affording many excellent sites for hydraulic works, and extensive alluvial tracts, which are very fertile. A firm and convenient bridge connects this town with Suffield. It was erected in 1808, and is supported by six stone piers, resting upon a rock which constitutes the bed of the river, being 1000 feet in length, and 30 in breadth. The river here has very elevated and bold banks of solid rock, which, on the west side, requires a descent to enter upon the bridge. It is an admirable site for a bridge, uniting, with a safe and secure situation, shallow water, rocky bottom, and a facility of obtaining stone for the piers, so that the whole ex- pense did not exceed $26,000. Itis the first bridge that was erected a- cross Connecticut riverin this state.
STATISTICS. Enfield, in 1810, contained 1846 inhabitants. There are now 274 Dwelling-Houses, a large proportion of which are substantial, well built houses, situ- atcd upon the principal street, run- ning through the town parallel with the river ;. it has an elevated, pros- pective and pleasant situation. There are 225 Freemen or Elec-
tors, and two Companies of Militia. The list of the town, in 1817, was $42,576. The United States val-, uation, or assessment of the lands and buildings of the town, in 1816, ' was $603,961 87. There are six Mercantile Stores, one Druggist Store, five Taverns, five Grain Mills, two Fulling Mills, two Card- ing Machines, one Powder Mill, one Forge, three Tanneries, and five Distilleries ; three of which are upon a large scale, and paid duties under the laws of the Uni- ted States, in the year 1816, to the amount of $10,025 17.
·The plough making business is prosecuted in Enfield to a great extent. In addition to supplying the demand at home, and from the neighboring towns, twenty thousand dollars worth of the article are an- nually sent to the southern States.
There are two Clergymen, two Physicians, and three Attornies. The town comprises but one Ec- clesiastical Society, has eleven School Districts, in which schools arc regularly maintained, and one small Social Library. There are three Churches, one for Congrega- tionalists, one for Baptists, and one for a society of " Believers," com- monly called Shakers.
The singular and extraordinary character of this people will justify a succinct history of their origin and progress ; more especially as it is believed that an impartial ac- count of them has never yet been published.
In the year 1706, some fanatics from France, calling themselves " prophets," visited London, and soon obtained followers there, and in other places, which they visited in England. Among others who
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ENFIELD.
received the " testimony" of the French prophets, as they were called, in England, was James Wardley, a taylor, and Jane, his wife, of Bolton, in the county of Lancaster, who belonged to the society of Quakers. But the "new light," which they considered that they had received from their conversion to the doctrines of a new sect, soon induced them to separate themselves from that community. Having, as they rep- resented, and probably believed, had their minds enlightened by a special revelation, they proclaimed a knowledge and a belief of Christ's second appearance, which they af- firmed was at hand. Under the' ,influence of the wildest fanaticism, Wardlcy continued to open his new testimony, and sowed the seeds of the Shaker Church. A- mong others who received the tes- timony, as it was called, was ANN LEE, of Manchester. She joined the Society of Shakers, for they had acquired this name at this time, in the year 1758. For the first ten or twelve years, Ann was not particularly distinguished from the other members of the Society ; but in the year 1770, after long and continued watchings, fastings, and cries to God, she declared that she had received that manifestation from him, whereby she was ena- bled to discover the real nature of the first transgression of the first man and the first woman, which she regarded as the root and source of human depravity & wickedness. She bore testimony against all sin, and regarded herself as perfectly holy, whence she was called the holy mother, it being considered by all " believers" that Christ had
made his second appearance in the person of Ann Lee. The reli- gious doctrines and mode of wor- ship of the Shakers became set- tled at this time, although both, and particularly the latter, have since undergone considerable mod- ification.
Ann was now acknowledged as the spiritual mother and leader of the Society. The manner of worship in their public assemblies was singing and dancing, shaking and shouting ; in addition to which they claimed to possess the power of working miracles, prophesying, speaking with new tongues, and all the various gifts of the holy ghost, known in the primitive Church. The fundamental doctrinal princi- ples of the Shakers are a belief in the second appearance of Christ, in the person of the holy mother. They admit of but two persons in the godhead, God the Father, and God the Mother, which they say is according to the order of nature, being male and female. To re- deem the depraved race of man, they believe that it became neces- sary for God to take upon him the real character of human nature as it is, male and female, and that his first appearance was in the per- son of man, and the second in the person of woman, whereby the work of redemption was finished and completed. The confusion and wickedness that prevailed in the Catholic Church, during the long period which preceded and followed the reformation, they as- cribe to the work of redemption, not having been completed in Christ's first appearance, it being the necessary period that must intervene between the making and
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ENFIELD.
fulfilment of the promise of Christ, that he would establish his law of righteousness on carth. They be- lieve in perfect holiness, and insist that salvation from sin, here, is necessary to salvation from misery, hereafter. They regard the bible as a testimony of Christ's first ap- pearance, but deny that it contains the word of God, or of life, as they consider a belief in the second appearance of Christ, or in the spiritual character and mission of the holy mother, as indispensi- ble to salvation. From what has been premised, itis scarcely neces- sary to be remarked that theShakers can hardly be regarded as a Christi- an sect, as the fundamental princi- ple of their creed has nothing to do with the Christian system. Were there no others, the Shakers would be a striking and a living monument of the weakness of human nature ; of the influence of religious fanat- cism, and of the facility with which the grossest delusions, and the most palpable impositions may be propagated in society.
But notwithstanding the absurd tenets of the Shakers, they are, in many respects, an exemplary and worthy people. Their reli- gious principles necessarily affect the order of their Socicties, by producing an entire separation of the men from the women ; yet their communities present the most stri- king evidences of regularity and decorum. Their buildings are remarkably neat and convenient, and every thing appears a model of order and economy. They are characterised by a striking simplicity and plainness of man- ners, and are sober, industrious and economical. They are skilful
mechanics, and excellent farmers and gardeners. But what is more than all this, they are a community of "honest men." Ann, and her followers, arrived in the United States in 1774, and the first Society was established at Niskeuna, in the State of New-York, eight miles northwest from Albany, two years afterwards. This is the parent of the several Shaker Societies in the United States, of which there are atleast fourteen ; four in Massachu- setts, one in Maine, two in New- York, two in New-Hampshire, one in Connecticut, and four in the western States. The Society, in Enfield, was established in 1780, and at this time consists of fourteen Dwelling-Houses, a number of Workshops, Store-Houses, &c. ma- king in all perhaps fifty buildings, and comprises about one hundred and eighty persons. The Society possess an excellent tract of land in the northeast section of the town, of more than one thousand acres, which is under the highest state of cultivation. Their im- provements and attention to horti- culture are without any example ; gardening being with them not so much a family convenience, as a business of profit. They carry on various kinds of mechanical busi- ness, and their wares are justly esteemed, being always good and free from all deception. They are, for their numbers, a very wealthy and flourishing community. In the several Shaker Societies in the United States, there are now probably 5000 souls.
Enfield was settled by emigrants from Salem, in Massachusetts, in 1681, being, at that time, a part of the town of Springfield in that State.
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FARMINGTON.
For sixty or seventy years after the first settlement, it formed a part, and was subject to the juris-
diction of the colony of Massa- chusetts, not being annexed to Connecticut until 1752.
FARMINGTON.
FARMINGTON, a wealthy post town, is situated 10 miles west from Hartford. It is bounded east by Hartford and Berlin, north by Simsbury, west by Bristol & Bur- lington, and south by Southington. It comprises an arca of about 70 square miles, or 44,800 acres ; being nearly 11 miles in length from north to south, and 'averaging nearly 7 miles in breadth from east to west. Farmington is characterised by fea- tures peculiarly striking and vari- ous, both as it respects its surface and soil ; having a range of moun- tains extending through the town, extensive plains and considerable tracts of alluvial upon the borders of Farmington or Tunxis river. This river here is sixty or seven- ty yards in width, and the natural meadows, which it affords, are pe- culiarly fertile and charming.
In the south section of the town, there is a large tract of plains, be- ing dry, light and sandy, but heal- thy, and well adapted to the growth of rye, of which they carry good crops when well cultivated. The soil of the uplands is a loam, com- posed of a red gravel, mixed with clay. The range of mountains in this town commences near the Sound in the vicinity of New-Ha- ven, being there called east rock, and extends north into the interior of New-England ; its rock is prin- cipally greenstone. It affords somc valuable timber, and good pastu- rage upon its declivities. The for-
ests in this town comprise the vari- ous woods common to this county.
Agriculture is the principal busines of the inhabitants, and with few exceptions, the "sweat of the brow" is amply rewarded with an abundant supply of all the comforts of life. The farmers here, like those of most of the other towns in the county, raise wheat, rye, oats, flax, Indian corn, &c; rye and corn being principally cultivated. There are many fine orchards in some sections of the town, which afford the inhabitants a large sup- ply of cider, an excellent family beverage. Domestic manufac- tures receive, generally, considera- ble attention ; and many families supply, from their own industry, most of their clothing.
One of the turnpikes from Hart- ford to New-Haven runs through this town ; and the Talcott moun- tain turnpike, the great road from Hartford to Albany, the turnpike road to Danbury, also a road to Litchfield, and several other public roads centre in or pass through the town.
Farmington contains two Eccle- siastical Societies, in each of which is a Post-office, and 15 School dis- tricts.
The first Society, in its central section, is a compact settlement, comprising more than 100 houses, principally erected upon one street within the limits of something more than a mile, almost all of which are
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FARMINGTON.
neat and handsome dwelling hou- ses ; and many of them elegant edifices. There are few inland towns that exhibit a correspond- ing appearance of populousness, wealth and splendour. Its site is at the foot of the mountain, which has a considerable elevation, and ranges along upon the east; to the west, there is a delightful land- scape, having a gentle declivity, which is lost in the beautiful mead- ows upon the borders of the Tunxis.
There were in Farmington, in 1810, 2748 inhabitants. There are now, about 400 Freemen or qualified Electors, and about 400 Dwelling Houses, 9 Mercantile Stores, 6 Grain Mills, 6 Carding Machines, 5 Distilleries, & 6 Tan- neries. There are two Congre- gational Churches, and one erect- ing for Baptists ; two Ministers of the Gospel, two Physicians, and three Attorneys ; there is one Academy, and fifteen district, or primary Schools, and three Social Libraries. The general list of Farmington in 1817, was $71,242. The valuation or assessment of the United States in 1816, was $1,538,373; that of 1799, was $562,417.
In the north-east part of Far- mington, upon the summit of Tal- cott mountain, is Wadsworth's pond, a fine body of water, of about 100 rods in length, and near 50 in breadth,having considerable depth, and abounding with fish. This is a most fanciful and romantic spot, deriving beauty from the irregu- farity of its features, and order from an apparent incongruity of the established laws of naturc. Daniel Wadsworth, Esq. of the city of Hartford, has selected this spot
for a summer residence ; he has made considerable improvements, having erected a neat and gen- teel dwelling-house for his own family, a farm-house, in which he has a Tenant, who superintends the farm, and other buildings, be- sides constructing wharves upon the shores of the pond, various cu- rious avenues or walks, and erect- ing a tower upon the most elevat- ed sumwit of the mountain. This tower affords an extensive pros- pect of the surrounding country, and the charming vale of the Con- necticut, lies under the eye of the observer, who, enraptured with the view, cannot but feel the truth of what its own Poet hath said ; that " No watery gleams through happi- er vallies shine,
" Nor drinks the Sea a lovelier wave than thine."
Parties of pleasure from Hart- ford, and other towns in the vicini- ty, frequently visit this enchanting spot.
The first settlers of Farmington were from Hartford, being emi- grants from Boston, Newton and Roxbury, in Massachusetts. They began the settlement in 1640, being four years only from the first set- tlement in Hartford, and were probably attracted by the fine natu- ral meadows upon the Tunxis riv- er. The town was incorporated in 1645. The land was purchased of the Tunxis tribe of natives, a very numerous and warlike tribe, by cighty-four proprietors, and di- vided by them and their heirs ac- cording to their respective inter- ests. The township, at the time of incorporation, was about fifteen miles square, and has since been divided into four towns.
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