USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > New Haven > History of the Colony of New Haven, Before and After the Union with Connecticut: Containing a. > Part 8
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20
In 1822, Dr. Taylor accepted the Dwight professorship of theology in Yale College, and resigned his pastoral charge. In 1824, Rev. Leonard Bacon, the present minister, was cal- led, and installed in 1825.
The First Society is large in numbers, and flourishing.
The Episcopal society in New Haven, is large and flour- ishing, and is possessed of funds of considerable amount, and a glebe situated on the west corner of Church and Chapel streets. This land was deeded in 1736, by William Gregson, Esq., great-grandson of Thomas Gregson, one of the first planters of New Haven, (and was a part of his ancestral es- tate,) " for the support of the Protestant religion and the Church of England, as by law established" in New Haven, when such a church should be organized. About 1750, an Episcopal
.
.
.
75
COLONY OF NEW HAVEN.
clergyman being settled in New Haven, and hearing of Gregson's donation, applied to the town clerk for a copy of the record of the same. It has been related, that he was told there was no such donation recorded, and was denied the liberty of searching. It is also further said, that in 1768, it was discovered by Mr. Harrison, an English gentleman, be- tween two leaves of the records which he found glued togeth- er, but had separated by wetting. He took a copy of the gift, and demanded another of the clerk attested, which with difficulty he obtained. Thus furnished, he applied to the se- lectmen for a surrender of the land, but was promptly refused, whereupon he took out writs of ejectment against the posses- sora. Soon after this, the land was surrendered to the church, and is now very valuable. The Episcopal church, in West Ha- ven, being the first instituted of that denomination, within the ancient limits of New Haven, could have obtained the Gregson glebe, had they issued a civil process for that purpose. This affair shows a specimen of the opposition which those experien- ced, who first declared for the Church of England, from the de- scendants of those who fled from religious persecution. Mr. Johnson, one of the first who declared for Episcopacy in Con- necticut, in 1722, was at the time settled in West Haven. The Episcopal society in New Haven, have now two beautiful build- ings, Trinity Church and a Chapel. The first mentioned is the purest specimen of Gothic architecture in the United States.
The Methodist, Baptist, Free church, and Catholic societies, have each a respectable house for worship. The African Congregational church, have a house of worship in Temple street, formerly occupied by the Methodist society,
The patent of New Haven was granted by the general as- sembly, on the 20th of October, 1704, to James . Bishop, William Jones, and John Nash, Esqrs., Mr. Thomas Trow- bridge, Capt. Moses Mansfield, Lieut. Abraham Dickerman, and Serj. John Allyn, in trust for the rest of the inhabitants ; bounded on the north by Wallingford, east by Branford, south by L. I. Sound, and west by Milford. Signed by
John wint Coop
Governor of Connecticut.
76
HISTORY OF THE
New Haven was incorporated a city by the legislature, in 1774, and the streets were named the same year, on the 15th of October.
During the revolutionary war, while the enemy held pos- session of New York, the towns on the seaboard were con- tinually liable to their incursions. In the campaign of 1779, the British seemed to have aimed at little more than to plun. der, distress, and consume. The attack on this town took place on Monday, July 5th, 1779, the day on which the citi- zens were to assemble for the purpose of commemorating the declaration of independence. The following account of this event is taken from the Connecticut Journal, published in New Haven, July 7th, 1779 :
New Haven, July 7th.
About 2 o'clock, on the morning of the 5th instant, a fleet, con- sisting of the Camilla and Scorpion, men of war, with tenders, transports, &c., to the number of forty-eight, commanded by Com- modore Sir George Collier, anchored off West Haven. They had on board about 3,000 land forces, commanded by Major-General Tryon; about 1,500 of whom, under Brigadier-General Garth, landed about sunrise on West Haven point. The town being alarm- ed, all the preparation which the confusion and distress of the in- habitants, and a necessary care of their families would permit, was made for resistance. The West Bridge, on Milford road, was ta- ken up, several field pieces were carried thither, and some slight works thrown up for the defense of that pass. The division under Gen. Garth being landed, immediately began their march towards the town. The first opposition was made by about twenty-five of the inhabitants to an advanced party of the enemy of two companies of light infantry. These, though advancing on the height of Milford hill, were attacked with great spirit by the handful of our people, driven back almost to West Haven, and one of them was taken prisoner. The enemy then advanced in their main body, with strong flanking parties, and two field pieces; and finding a smart fire kept up from our field pieces at the bridge aforesaid, chose not to force an entrance to the town by that, the usual road, but to make a circuitous march of nine miles, in order to enter by the Derby road. In this march, our small party on Milford hill, now increased to perhaps 150, promiscuously collected from several companies of the militia, had a small encounter with the enemy's left flank, near the Milford road, in which was killed their adjutant, Campbell, the loss of whom they lamented with much apparent sensibility. Our people, on the hill, being obliged by superior numbers to give way, kept up a continual fire on the enemy, and galled them much, through all their march to Thomson's bridge, on Derby road. In the meantime, those who were posted at the West Bridge, per- ceiving the movements of the enemy, and also that another large body of them had landed at the South End, on the east side of the harbor, quitted the bridge and marched thence to oppose the enemy at Thomson's bridge. But by the time they had reached the banks
·
.77
COLONY OF NEW HAVEN.
of the river, the enemy were in possession of the bridge, and the places at which the river is here fordable ; yet having received a small accession of strength by the coming in of the militia, they gave the enemy smart fire from two field pieces and small arms, which continued with little abatement till the enemy were in pos- session of the town. "Our people being obliged to retreat, either to the fields north and rest of the town, or through the town across the Neck bridge, the enemy entered the town between 12 and 1 o'clock. In the meantime, the divisions of the enemy, before men- tioned to have landed at South End, which was under the command of Gen. Tryon, was bravely resisted by a small party of men, with one field piece, who, besides other execution, killed an officer of the enemy, in one of their boats at their landing. This division marched up by land, and attacked the fort at Black Rock; at the same time their shipping drew up and attacked it from the harbor. The fort had only 19 men and 3 pieces of artillery, yet was defend- ed as long as reason or valor dictated, and then the men made good their retreat.
The town being now in full possession of the enemy, it was, not- withstanding the subjoined proclamation, delivered up, except a few instances of protection, to promiscuous plunder ; in which, besides robbing the inhabitants of their watches, money, plate, buckles, clothing, bedding, and provisions, they broke and destroyed their household furniture to a very great amount. Some families lost everything their houses contained; many have now neither food nor clothes to shift.
A body of militia, sufficient to penetrate the town, could not be collected that evening; we were obliged, therefore, to content our- selves with giving the enemy every annoyance in our power, which was done with great spirit, for most of the afternoon, at and about the Ditch corner.
Early on Tuesday morning, the enemy, unexpectedly, and with the utmost stillness and dispatch, called in their guards, and retreat- ed to their boats, carrying with them a number of the inhabitants captive, most, if not all of whom, were taken without arms, and a few who chose to accompany them: Part of them went on board their fleet, and part crossed over to General Tryon, at East Haven. On Tuesday afternoon the militia collected in such numbers, and crowded so close upon Gen. Tryon, that he thought best to retreat on board his fleet, and set sail to the westward.
The loss of the enemy is unknown ; but, for many reasons, it is supposed to be considerable, and includes some officers, whom they lament, besides Adjutant Campbell. Ours, by the best information we can obtain, is 27 killed and 19 wounded. As many of our dead upon examination appeared to have been wounded with shot, but not mortally, and afterwards to have been killed with bayonets, this demonstrated the true reason why the number of the dead ex- ceeded that of the wounded, to be, that being wounded and falling into the enemy's hands, they were afterwards killed. A further confirmation of this charge is, that we have full and direct testimony, which affirms that Gen. Garth declared to one of our militia who was wounded and taken, that " he was sorry his men had not killed
C
7*
:
.
78
HISTORY OF THE
him, instead of taking him, and that he would not have his ma give quarter to one inilitia man taken in arms."
Although in this expedition it must be confessed to the credid the Britons, that they have not done all the mischief in their power, yet the brutal ravishment of women, the wanton and malicious de struction of property. the burning of the stores upon the whar and eight houses in East Haven ; the beating, stabbing, and insul ing of the Rev. Dr. Daggett, after he was made a prisoner; the mortally wounding of Mr. Beers, senior, in his own door, and oth- erways abusing him; the murdering the very aged and helples Mr. English in his own house, and the beating and finally cutting out the tongue of, and then killing, a distracted man, are sufficient proofs that they were really Britons.
They were conducted to the town by William Chandler, son of Joshua Chandler, late of this town, who, with his family, went off with the enemy in their retreat.
The enemy carried off between thirty and forty of the inhabit- ants of the town, among whom was John Whiting, Esq., Judge of Probate, and clerk of the County Court.
The following is an account of the manner in which the news of peace between the United States and Great Britain, at the close of the revolutionary war, was celebrated in New Haven :
New Haven, May 1st, 1783.
Thursday last was observed as a day of festivity and rejoicing in this town, on receipt of indubitable testimony of the most important, grand, and ever memorable event-the total cessation of hostilities between Great Britain and these United States, and the full acknow- ledginent of their sovereignty and independence. Accordingly, the day, with the rising sun, was ushered in by the discharge of thirteen cannon, paraded on the green for that purpose, under ele- gant silk colors, with the coat of arms of the United States most in- geniously represented thereon, which was generously contributed upon the occasion by the ladies of the town. At 9 o'clock in the fore- noon, the inhabitants inet in the brick meeting house for divine ser- vice, where were convened a very crowded assembly : the service was opened with an anthem, then a very pertinent prayer, together with thanksgiving, was made by the Rev. Dr. Stiles, President of Yale College ; after was sung some lines purposely composed for the occasion, by the singers of all the congregations in concert. Then followed a very ingenious oration, spoken by Mr. Elizur Goodrich, one of the intors of the college; after which a very lib- eral collection was made for the poor of the town, to elevate their hearts for rejoicing. The service concluded with an anthem.
A number of respectable gentlemen of the town dined together at the Coffee House ; after dinner several patriotic toasts were drank.
At 3 o'clock were discharged thirteen cannon-at 4, twenty-one ditto-at 5, seven ditto-at 6, thirteen ditto-at 7, were displayed the fireworks, with rockets, serpents, &c .- at 9 o'clock a bonfire on the green concluded the diversions of the day. The whole affair was conducted with a decorum and decency uncommon for such
79
COLONY OF NEW HAVEN.
occasions, without any unfortunate accident; a most pacific dispo- sition and heartfelt joy was universally conspicuous, and most em- phatically expressed by the features of every countenance.
PUBLIC SQUARE OR GREEN.
The public square or green is divided into two equal parts by Temple street: on the western division are situated two Congrega- tional churches, an Episcopal, and a Methodist church, and a state house, which was erected in 1831. The eastern part of the square is fifty-two rods long, and twenty-five rods wide, which is surrounded on all sides by rows of stately elms, and is considered one of the most beautiful in the United States. The church, of which the cut here inserted is a representation, belongs to the Episcopal
Eastern View of Trinity Church, New Haven.
society. " This building, [state house, ] constructed of stone and mar- ble, under the superintendence of Mr. Ithiel Town, an architect of cultivated taste and talents, forms a prominent ornament of the city. It presents one of the best copies of ancient models which our country affords, and is worthy of an artist who has evinced his fondness for his profession by visiting the best schools in Europe to perfeet himself in his art." The space back of the churches is generally denominated the upper green. It was formerly used as a
80
HISTORY OF THE
burying-ground, but in 1881 the monuments were removed to the new burying-place, and the ground leveled. In this burying-ground, immediately back of the center church, were buried Dixwell, and, as tradition says, Goffe and Whalley, all three of whom were the judges of King Charles I.
-
The site of New Haven is a plain lying between two ranges of hills, on the east and on the west ; and limited, partly, on the northern side, by two mountains, called the East and West Rocks; a spur from the latter, named Pine Rock, and another from the former, named Mill Rock, which descends in the form of a handsome hill to the northern skirt of the city. Between these mountains the plain opens into a valley, which extends northward seventy-six miles to North- ampton ; and between the East Rock, and the eastern range of hills, into another valley, terminating at Wethersfield, thir- ty-two miles. Both these valleys coincide at the places specified, with the valleys of Connecticut river. The moun- tains are bold bluffs of greenstone rocks, with summits finely figured, and form a delightful part of the New Haven land. scape.
The harbor of New Haven is created by the confluence of three rivers with the Sound : Wallingford or Quinnipiack River on the east; Mill River on the north; and West River. The two last are merely mill streams; Mill River is a very fine one, as being plentifully supplied with water round the year. Wallingford River, originally called Quinnipiack, rises in Farmington, and after running a winding course of thirty-five miles, empties its waters into the Sound. These streams are also ornaments of the landscape.
The harbor of New Haven, from the entrance of Wal- lingford and Mill Rivers, has in the channel fifteen feet of water to its mouth, except on Crane's bar, a small spit of sand, formed by the erection of a pier about three fourths of a mile from the shore. Here the depth is only seven and a half feet ; but the obstruction might be removed with no great difficulty. At the time when the first settlers arrived in this town, there was in the northwestern region of this harbor, a sufficient depth of water for all the ordinary purposes of com- merce. Ships were built and launched where now there are meadows and gardens and shops ; sloops loaded and unload- ed where the market now stands. So late as the year 1765, the long wharf extended only twenty rods from the shore. It extends now three thousand nine hundred and forty-three
.
.
81
COLONY OF NEW HAVEN.
feet. Yet there is less water a few rods from its foot now, than at its termination in the year 1765. The substance which here accumulates so rapidly, is, what in this country is called marsh mud; the material of which its salt marshes are composed. It has been suspected to be of a vegetable na- ture, and, where the experiment has been tried, it has been found to be peat, and yields a tolerably good fire
It has been proposed to turn the course of the West River, so that it might enter at the head of the harbor, it being be- lieved, that could it enter at that point much of the obstruc- tion would be removed, and the harbor essentially deepened.
The plain on which New Haven is built, is not improbably a congeries of particles, floated down to this place in early times from the interior. Its surface is sand mixed with loam and gravel ; beneath this is usually found a stratum of yellow loam. Still lower, at the depth of fifteen or eighteen inches, a mass of coarse sand extends about six feet. Beneath this is another, composed principally of pebbles, rounded and smoothed like stones washed by the ocean. Still further down, the materials, generally like those which have been mention- ed, are more mingled and confused. Formerly the surface was covered with shrub oaks; and wild turkeys and par- tridges were found in great numbers.
The soil of this plain is dry, warm, and naturally unpro- ductive, but by cultivation is capable of producing every vegetable suited to the climate, and in any quantity. For gardens, except in dry years, it is remarkably well suited. The original town was laid out on the northwestern side of the harbor, in nine squares, each fifty-two rods on a side, separated by streets four rods in breadth ; and thus formed a quadrangular area of one hundred and seventy-two rods on a side. The central square is open, and is styled the green ; and the upper, or northwestern half, is a beautiful slope. The surrounding squaree are by law divided each into four, by streets running from northwest to southeast, and from northeast to southwest, the direction of the original streets. Besides these thirty-two squares, the town cov. ers several considerable tracts bordering upon them, and is constantly extending. The principal of these is on the S. E. side, and is called the New Township; a beautiful tract bounded by the East River and the harbor.
New Haven contained in 1830, 10,000 inhabitants: in De. cember, 1833, the population was twelve thousand two hundred
.
82
HISTORY OF THE
and one, of which 11,534 were within the city limits. The area occupied by the city, is probably as large as that which usually contains a city of six times the number of inhabitants in Eu- rope. A large proportion of the houses have court yards in front, and gardens in the rear. The former are ornamented with trees and shrubs; the latter are luxuriantly filled with fruit trees, flowers, and culinary vegetables.
The houses are generally two stories high, built of wood, in a neat, handsome, but not expensive style. Many of those recently erected, are, however, elegant and stately edifices of brick and stone. The public edifices are the college build- ings, ten handsome churches, a tontine, pavilion, state-house, jail, four banks, a custom-house, and a state hospital. Be- sides these, there are ten printing offices, from which are issued a daily, and four weekly newspapers; and one week- ly, two monthly, and one quarterly, religious publications, and the American Journal of Science and Arts, conducted by Professor Silliman.
View of the General Hospital of Connecticut.
The General State Hospital Society, was chartered in May, 1826, and the building was completed in July, 1832. It consists of a center and two wings, and its whole length is 118 feet, and its breadth in the center is 48 feet. The build.
.
:
·
.
.
.
.
.
-.
...
.
.
.
·
..
.
.
.
.
.
.
SOUTH VIEW OF FAIR HAVEN, (WESTERN PART.) The building with a spire on the left is the Methodist Church; the Congrega- tional Church is seen in the center of the view, and a building with a small tower a little to the left, is the Collegiate and Practical Institute .- p. 83.
-
. .
..
83
COLONY OF NEW HAVEN.
ing is of stone, and stuccoed on the outside, of the Grecian order of architecture. Its location is southwesterly of the central part of the city. The design of this institution is to afford medical and surgical aid, and other necessaries of sickness, to such as cannot command such necessaries else- where. The stranger and the mariner, if sick, may here find an asylum, and such attention as may perhaps make it the best subsitute for home.
Here, it may be observed, that the botanical system of med- ical practice is making good progress in New Haven, and that very many citizens of education, respectability, and influence, are its firm friends and advocates. It was first introduced in- to New Haven, and New Haven county, in 1832, by Dr. Samuel Richardson, from Boston. In 1835, Dr. Bennett W. Sperry, from New York, also located himself in the city. These two gentlemen, it may be asserted without fear of con- tradiction, (for facts are incontrovertible,) have been eminent- ly successful in their practice, and are now doing much in curing and alleviating disease.
FAIR HAVEN is a flourishing village, (partly situated with- in the city limits,) about two miles eastward of the state house, on both sides of the Quinnipiack, and contains about 1,000 inhabitants. The principal business of the place is "the oyster business." The public buildings, are two meet- ing houses (a Methodist and a Congregational) and a semin- ary. This place was formerly called Dragon, from a sandy point below the bridge, which was a resort for seals at the. time of the settlement of New Haven ; these animals then being called dragons.
WESTVILLE is situated within the town limits, at the south- ern termination of West Rock, about two miles northwest from the state house, and contains about 600 inhabitants. There are in the village three paper mills, an iron foundry, and some other manufacturing establishments.
WALLINGFORD originally belonged to New Haven, and be- fore it was incorporated as a town, was called New Haven village. The settlement was projected in 1669, and begun ! the next year. Mr. Davenport, it is said, preached the first sermon in the place, at the bottom of the hill on which the town stands, from Isaiah v. 1 : "My beloved hath a vineyard on a very fruitful hill." The town is watered by the Quinnipiack, and the principal village is beautifully situa- ted on an elevation upwards of a milo east of the river, on
.
.
....
.
84 .
HISTORY OF THE
two parallel streets, extending along the ridge of the hill. The western street is more than a mile in length. The in- habitants are mostly farmers.
NORTH HAVEN was formerly a part of New Haven, and was settled about the same time as Wallingford. It was made a parish in 1716, and was incorporated a town in Oc- tober, 1786. The town lies on both sides of the Quinni- piack, and comprises the valley and a part of the neighboring hills. The valley has a thin light soil, but the hills are good. The most striking feature in the township, is a vast tract of salt meadow on both sides of the Quinnipiack.
--
HAMDEN was originally included within the limits of New Haven, and was made a distinct town in 1786. The town- ship is situated between the West Rock range of mountains and the East Rock range. There are two societies in the town, Mount Carmel, in the northern section, and East Plains, in the southern. Whitneyville, two miles from New Haven, is within the town limits of Hamden. This beautiful little village owes its rise and name to Eli Whitney, Esq., the in- ventor of the cotton gin, who here established a manufactory of fire-arms, on principles altogether original .*
EAST HAVEN was originally part of New Haven, and was very early settled. After the first divisions of land had been made, several enterprising farmers began to settle on the east- ern side of the Quinnipiack, when a second division was made. Thomas Gregson petitioned for his share in this division, at Solitary Cove, (now Morris' Cove,) and on the 5th of August, 1644, 133 acres were allowed to him at that place. There he placed his family, the first in East Haven. Others among the subscribers to the fundamental articles, on the 4th of June, 1639, who settled in East Haven, or were concerned in the settlement, were William Andrews, Jasper Crayne, William Tuttle, Jarvis Boykim, John Potter, Matthew Moul- throp, Matthias Hitchcock, and Edward Patterson.
The first iron works in Connecticut were established in this town, in 1655, by Stephen Goodyear, Esq., and continued about twenty-five years. The furnace was supplied with bog-ore from North Haven, probably brought down by wa- ter. . The business was relinquished on account of the death
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.