!( ^1 1 V-,} mm mm mw\f mm, m iiP' ^'iii iii Digitized by tine Internet Arcinive in 2010 witin funding from Tine Library of Congress Iittp://www.arcliive.org/details/statisticalaccou02fiel / ♦. STATISTICAL ACCOUNT COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX, BY DAVID D/FIELD. PUBLISHED BY THE COWNECTICrT ACADEMY OF ARTS AWD SCIENCES. .Ot^^'*^^*'"' %. PRINTED BY CLARK & LYMAN. April, lgl9. THE author deems it his duty and privilege, to return his thanks to all those gentlemen, who have assisted him in col- lecting facts for the ensuing xoork. In arranging these, a general regard has been paid to the questions, proposed in the Circular of the Connecticut Academy* STATISTICAL ACCOUNT MIDDLESEX COUNTY. Introductory and General Observations, Middlesex was made a county by an act of the Legislature of Connecticut, passed at their session in May 1 785, and then con- sisted of six towns, viz. Middletown, Chatham, Haddam, and East-Haddam, which were taken from the county of Hartford ; and Saybrook and Killingworth, taken from the county of New- London. Durham was annexed to Middlesex in May, 1799, from the county of New-Haven ; and the county now consists of seven towns, which include eighteen located congregational so- cieties, together with several societies of other denominations, and one hundred and twelve school-districts. It was invested at its formation, with the same privileges enjoyed by the other counties of the State, and Middletown, being the principal town in the county, was selected as a half-shire ; while Haddam, being the central town, was selected as the other half-shire : in which places, court-houses and gaols were subsequently erected. See note A. This county, like the other counties of Connecticut is of very irregular form. It lies between 41 degrees and 15 minutes, and 41 degrees and 39 minutes of north latitude, and between 72 degrees and 20 minutes, and 72 degrees and 47 minutes of west longitude. Its greatest length is 27 miles, and its greatest breadth 22 1-2. Its average length is about 25 miles, its ave- rage breadth about 15; audits area, exclusive of Connecticut river, is about 237,370 acres. It is bounded by New-Haven rounty on the west, by Hartford county on the north, by Hart= 1 4 Stalislical Account of Middlesex County , ford and New-London counlies on the east, by New-London county and the Sound on the south. Within the limits of this county, English settlements com- menced, in Saybrook in 1635, in Middletown in 1650, and in Haddam in 1662; from which the settlements afterwards pro- ceeded in the towns opposite, on the east side of Connecticut river. The settlement commenced in Killingworth in 1663, and in Durham in 1698. The first settlers were almost exclusively of English extraction, and with their descendants individuals from other nations have rarely intermixed. They came, in a iew instances, immediately from England, but more generally from older settlements in Connecticut and Massachusetts. The number of inhabitants in the whole colony of Connecticut in 1713, according to Dr. Trumbull, was 17,000. Of these, there may have been 3,000 in the towns now belonging to Middlesex. In the same towns there were, in 1756, 13,071 souls, in 1774, 17,572, and in 1810, 20,723. See note B. The several townships in Middlesex were purchased of the Indians, and in no case obtained by conquest. In selling their lands, they usually reserved certain portions for themselves, with the right of hunting and fishing where they pleased ; on which they remained many years, and in several instances till within the memory of persons now living, raising upon them their corn, and obtaining other articles of food as they had previously done. No part of Connecticut was better adapted to their mode of life, Connecticut river and the Sound, with their tributary streams, furnishing them with an abundance offish, and the forests back, with game. They were, therefore, very numeroas in all parts of the county, excepting Durham, (which v/as used as an occasion- al retreat for hunting;) m.uch more numerous than the English, long after the English sotUements commenced, and might in numberless instances have destroyed them, had they not been restrained by the merciful providence of God. The English realized their critical situation, and while they looked to God as their only all-sufficient protector, took various measures to se- cure themselves in case of a sudden attack. But no evidence is transmitted to us of their having sustained any serious injury from them, except about the time of the Pequot war, an accouni of which will be given in treating of Saybrook, as there will be in treating of the several towns, of the names which they gave to places, rivers, Szc. The general customs of the Indians are too well known to need a feciial in this work. To remove a cold and many other complaints, tlie diseased used to stand over a hot stone rolled into a hole dug in the earth, Miitil they \'''(?rn brought into a profuse sweat, and then plung<^'! Introductory and General Observations. 5 into water. A lot at Indian-Hill, in Chatham, is still called hot- house lot, because it had one of these-holes in it. There was one of these at Pattaquounk, now Chester, and a swamp oppo- site Saybrook-Point, in Lyme, is called hot-house swamp, from the same circumstance. This was a more rational remedy than pawwawing, for which the Mackemoodus or East-Haddam In- dians were particularly famed, whose favourite spot for this ex- ercise was, on what is still called, Wigwam brook. The Indians acknowledged one great Spirit as ruling over all, but are said to have worshipped many gods. They offered sa- crifices, and it is supposed sometimes human sacrifices, though of this there is no certain evidence. A large flat rock, a mile north of Saybrook street, east of Middlesex turnpike, bears the name of Obed's altar to this day, because an Indian of that name was seen oftering upon it a deer to his god. The places vv'here the Indians buried their dead, have, in some cases, been uniformly known to the English, in others, have been discovered from time to time, and in others still, we no doubt pass over them, and are not aware of them. Their manner of interment shows the imperfect and gjovelling ideas, which they entertained of a future state. They placed the bodies frequently in a sitting posture, and for their accommo- dation on. their way to eternity, or their convenience after their arrival, buried with them, food, utensils, arms, ornaments, and wampum. They have been found thus buried at Middletown Upper-Houses, at Chatham, and at Pautapoug. Three graves, one o(f a man and two of children, found at Indian-hill in Chat- ham/in the spring of 1808, may be mentioned as specimens. The, man was placed sitting, wrapped in a blanket, (which was not entirely consumed, but on exposure to the air, became as br iit straw ;) in his lap were two small brass kettles, probably fill- nth soup or suckotash at the time of burial, one of which had i down into the other ; in which were a spoon, knife, phial, pipe. His arm was extended round the kettles, and what is licularly remarkable, where the flesh came in contact with brass, from the elbow to the wrist, the flesh was preserved. le hand of one of the children was found a brass cup of the of a tea-cup, with the fingers extended from the base to the I, and here again the hand was preserved, where it came nst the brass, and as the opposite side of the cup was wasted '* would seem that the brass and the flesh mutually pre- "h other. Around the wrist was wampum strung on nd near by were beads formed apparently from the ^'■-shells, supposed to have been placed about the ave of the other child, was a copper box, con ■ ^rung on deer's leather. C Statistical Account of Middlesex County ; The Indians in Middletown had a fort near the Straits, erect- ed as a security against the Farmington Indians ; from which ' ircunistance, the spot is now known by the name of Fort-HilL Near tlie Indian settlement in Chester, is a place also called Fort-Hill, probably because the Indians had some kind of forti- fication upon it. Whether the Indians in Middlesex were connected with tribes in other parts of the country is uncertain. The presumption is, that the Mattabcsett or Middletown Indians, with the clans in Chatham, Glastenbury, Weathersfield, and for some distance westward, were a tribe by themselves. The Indians in the southern parts of the county not improbably belonged to the Nehanticks, whose principal settlement was in the eastern part of Lyme. These were in subjection to the Pequots some years before the Pequot war. But whatever was their origin or con- nection, the last remnant of the Indians left the county half a century ago. and no certain information is possessed of their present situation and character, nor even of their existence. Taken as a whole, Middlesex must be regarded as a rough uneven tract of country. Some lands on the margin of the Sound &nd of Connecticut river, varying in width from half a mile to one and two miles, are comparatively level and feasible. <^The same is true of lands in some parts of Durham and Middfetowi:*, and in the northwestern section of Chatham, and of very small tracts in otlicr parts of the county. The county is passed obliquely from the west-southwest, ta the north-norlheast, by a wide range of hills, which may be ipro- perly denominated the Strait-Hills, as they appear on both s^des of the Connecticut at the Straits, whence they pass on far into Vie interior of Nev/-England. South of these Straits, the land rises > hills, at small but unequal distances to the right and left ^ri river, to within four or five miles of its mouth ; some o^ ^d y are steep and rough, but they are generally capable of jim] tion. On the western border of Durham and Middletf and Wallingford Mountains, steep on the west side, but r pan being ascended on the east, and in some instances, th the tivated to their summits. Some of these are called t^ [n t names, as Higby Mountain, from a man of that name whc sijr,c near it, and Lamentation Mountain, so called, according to trin tion, because one of the ancient Chesters from Weathershi was lost upon it on a journey to New-Haven, and was sou<^' with much anxiety for several days. The spaces betv tinct mountains are crossed in several instances in M and in three in Durham. The base and loose stones of the Strait-Hills ^ this is the prevalent kind of stone found soutF county, and loosf The y made ' soil ne small and Killi ticu Gon ver kin Ho ma brc mf T CO Tl the a' The or- wn city saud -i, on )OUt lire vy- 'er n- IG Introductory and General Observations, 9 Tire current of the Connecticut is smooth and gentle, unless raised and strengthened by freshets, except at the Straits, two and a half miles below Middletown city, where the whole river, being compressed to 35 rods, rushes forward with great force between the high and cragged fronts of the Strait-Hills. A freshet is usually experienced about the first of March, when the ice and snow dissolve in the southern parts of New-England. A larger one is experienced a month later, when the ice and snow dissolve in the cold regions from which the Connecticut derives its sources ; raising the river above its banks and spread- ing it one and two miles, around buildings, trees, &c. At this time, the river presents a grand and beautiful appearance. As it falls and retires, it leaves a kind of slime upon the banks, by which they are continually raised and eni'iched. The Straits just mentioned, serve to increase and continue the floods above them, and in some instances, when the river has broken up suddenly, or has been suddenly raised by great rains, by staying the waters or ice, have proved the occasion of much damage. Thus a flood was produced in May and June, 1642, which was very injurious. Thus the meadows were alarmingly flooded in Dec. 1703. In April, 1801, the waters became so high and violent, that they tore the bank in pieces in many places. In the lapse of years, the cuiTent has nearly destroyed some islands, as Twelve-Mile island, on the remains of which, is now a fish-place called Statia ; and it has formed some others. Thus the small island above Middletown, already mentioned, is said to have been formed around a pier, erected for the purpose of fish- ing. Thus Goose island also, is said to have been formed. In addition to these islands, the following exist in the river, and are particularly valuable for their fisheries, viz. Haddam island. Lord's, Nott's, and Calves' island, all uninhabited, Haddam island, originally called Thirty-mile island, from the supposition of its being thirty miles from the mouth of the Con- necticut, contains 18 acres. A pier erected about 90 rods north in 1793, has caused the sand to accumulate between it and the head of the island, and bids fair to increase it. Lord's island, originally called Twenty-mile island, contains 9 or 10 acres of sandy and rather thin land. This is within the bounds of the town of East-Haddam. Nott's island, southeast of Pautapoug Point, originally called Eight-mile island, contains 60 acres, some of which is good land. This belongs to the town of Lyme, as does Calves' island, iormevly called Six-mile island, still farther southeast, contain- ig 8 or 10 acres. This river with its tributary streams, used to abound with fish. 12 Slatistical AccouiU of Middlesex Counly j quanies in the county, will be communicated in the account which is to be given of the several towns. Middlesex was originally well timbered, but the trees varied in kind as well as size according to variations of soil and situa- tion. On high grounds were the several species of oak, walnut, and chesnut, and on the low grounds were birch, maple, beach, elm, ash, and hemlock; thinly interspersed among which were buttonwood, butternut, poplar, dog or boxwood, whitewood, bassuood, locust, pepperidge, sassafras, horn or hardbeam, wild-cherry, willow, and alder. Pitch-pine is said to have grown on the plain in Middletown Upper-Houses. It was thick on a hill in the west part of Haddam, where the early inhabitants used to go and get pine-knots as a substitute for candles, from which fact the neighbourhood about it is now called Candlewood-Hill. White pine used to grow in a swamp in Millington, and trees of this kind are occasionally found in other parts of the county. A swamp in Saybrook and another in Killingworth, are called Ce- dar-swamps, from the prevalence of cedar among their wood. The red shrub cedar is common all over the county. Considerable changes have taken place in the proportionate quantity of particular trees since the county was setded. Such as were of little value, have been designedly destroyed by the cultivator. Such as were peculiar to grounds suitable for mow- ing and cultivation, have been destroyed to prepare the way for «-rass and crops. Some trees from their brittleness or the slowness of their growth, have been destroyed by sheep and cat- tle ; while others, as the hemlock, beach, and hard-maple, rarely sprout from the roots, and if they do, are very liable to die. On these accounts some trees are less frequent in the county than formerly. The chesnut, smooth-walnut, and white-oak, sprout abundantly from the roots, as well as come up from seed, and grow on high and rough grounds, as well as on those which are suitable for tillage. Hence there is a happy increase of these valuable trees over others in the county. Large and numerous tracts are reserved in Middlesex for for- ests. It is, however, an alarming fact, that wood and timber arc decreasing. They are cut down not only to supply our own in- habitants with fuel and fencing, and with materials for building houses and vessels, but immense quantities of wood and lumber are exported to New- York and other parts of our country; the call for which has been increasing since the revolutionary war. Much more economy however is used with respect to wood than formerly. The practice of burning over wood lands for the sake of pasture has ceased, the growth of young trees is more cau- tiously guarded, more care is taken to make houses tight, and to render a less quantity of fuel needful to warm them, lire-places Introductory and General Observations. 1 3 are improved and stoves in many cases introduced. Were build- ings erected of stone, as they might easily be in most parts of the county, there would be an additional saving. The use of brick would have the same effect ; but clay is not so common with us as building stone. The largest and most important bed known to me, is in the upper part of Haddam, and this is so near to the river, that the brick may be made upon the bank, and thenco taken and carried away in vessels wherever they are needed. To increase the quantity of wood, the seed of those trees which are wished to be raised may be sown upon cleared lands, or may be transplanted from the forests. A better mode however, is believed to be, as trees spring up naturally and abundantly on many of our lands, to fence entirely from cattle what is intended to be reserved for woodland, and in cutting, to cut clean on one part of it, avoiding the evil of falling trees one upon another, and suffering no creatures to run among them. Thus the buds are all preserved, the ground is enriched by the leaves and grass, and the growth of trees is advanced more rapidly than in any other known manner. As moisture exposes timber to decay, it is believed that the best time to fell timber for durability is in the latter part of winter before the sap ascends. Timber, however, for posts and rails should be cut when the sap flows freely, that it may be peeled, otherwise the bark will become the occasion of rotting them. That. seasoned wood is the best, as well as the most conve- nient for fuel, is admitted by those who reflect upon the subject. It will evidently season the easiest if felled when it has the least sap in it ; and in the winter season farmers can most conveniently cut their wood and convey it to their own doors, and those of their neighbours, where it ought immediately to be cut and split for the fire and then seasoned under cover. The price of timber in this county for houses is four cents per foot; chesnut limber for ship-building is four dollars per ton, and oak five; short oak-plank for ship-building, is twenty-five dollars per thousand ; long plank, from thirty-five to forty. Hickory wood in Middlesex late years has varied from five to six dollars and a half per cord. Oak wood has varied from three to four dollars per cord : in Middletown city it has sold for more. As all our towns, except Durham, border on Connecticut river or the Sound, our wood is generally within a few miles of navigable water. This is the only article used for fuel among us. For an account of mills of a common description, the reader is referred to note D. For a long period, lands in this county were cheap. For twen- ty or thirty years they have greatly increased in price. The 14 Statistical Account of Middlesex County ', assessments made by order of the General Government m 1814, more than doubled those which were made in 1798. Good land near the river and Sound has sold for some years past, from fifty to one hundred dollars per acre, and in some instances for much more. On an average, it has not been sold much under a hun- dred dollars. Good land back varies in price according to its distance from market and other circumstances. Good lands, however, in Durham, and in the back parts of Middletown, are high. On an average, they may be put at eighty dollars per acre. Wheat was a principal crop in this county until the ravages of the Hcssian-fiy about 1777, since which, there has been but lit- tle raised. This insect has recently been less troublesome, and in some instances where grounds have been thoroughly prepar- ed, this grain has succeeded well, and there is reason to hope that it will again become a common crop. Thirty-six bushels have lately been raised on an acre in Durham. Rye is now sown abundantly and is of an excellent quality. More thaii forty bushels of this grain have been raised on an acre in Say- brook, and nearly that quantity per acre on many acres together. From 24 acres lying in one field, Augustus Bushnel, Esq. of that town, in 1816, gathered 804 bushels. The land was naturally of a thin and sandy soil, but had been well dressed with manure, principally with fish. Corn has ever been an important crop in Middlesex. Seventy bushels have been raised on an acre. About 1798, a gentleman in Haddam planted a small piece, put- ting two kernels into a hill, a foot a part, from which he gathered corn at the rate of 100 bushels per acre. Flax and oats are raised in large quantities in some parts of the county ; potatoes abundantly more than they were thirty or forty years ago, though it is impossible to ascertain the number of acres planted with potatoes, as well as the number of acres sown with turnips. Very little grain and provisions are exported from Middlesex ; less, it is believed, than are imported. A general opinion prevails among the farmers, that a rotation of crops is beneficial, or that the continuance of the same crop upon the same ground for a succession of years, is inexpedient. Hence grain, oats, and flax, are customarily sown after a crop of corn. These are frequently followed with grass, and then corn is again planted . Some instances, however, ha ve occurred, in which rye and corn have succeeded well on the same lands year alter year. Clover, timothy, and other grasses, which were scarcely known forty years ago, are now introduced abundantly, and the benefit is both an amelioration of the soil by the sward which they spread upon it, and the increase as well as improvement of hay. The principal manures used in the northern parts of Middlesex Introductory and General Observations. 15 are taken from the sty and yard. Ashes, so far as they can be obtained, are used ; and some trial has been made of plaster, more the last season than any preceding year, and on dry sandy land it has proved very beneficial. Near the Sound, this ma- nure has had scarcely any perceptible effect. But the inhabi- tants are favoured with other means of enriching their lands. In addition to the manures just mentioned, it has long been their practice to collect the sea-weed brought upon the beach and meadows, and throw it into their sties and yards ; by which the quantity and quality of the manures derived from those places are improved. Rockweed, which contains an oily and an en- riching substance is collected, and sometimes used in a similar manner, and sometimes carried directly upon the land and ploughed in. Marine shells are also collected occasionally for manure. But the most efficacious manure in the vicinity of the Sound, consists of the white-fish, which visit the shores in immense numbers in June and the first part of July. These be- gan to be used for manure in Middlesex in 1801 and 2. They are carried as soon as taken and spread upon the land and plow- ed in ; or are thrown into heaps, mixed and covered with earth or turf, and suffered to pulverize ; and are then spread upon the ground, as suits the convenience and objects of farmers. In either mode, the effect even on dry and poor land is wonderful ; and though it was at first apprehended by many that after two or three crops, they would leave the land poorer than they found it, experience has hitherto proved this apprehension to be ground- less. Under the influence of this manure, some of the finest fields of grain, corn, and grass, are annually presented on the margin of the Sound, which exist in our country. Where these fish have been tried at a distance from the sea, they have been found equally beneficial. Eight thousand are requisite to dress an acre. They have been sold lately for a dollar and an half per thousand. No extensive efforts have been made with us for watering lands ; but wherever brooks have been spread over small tracts^ the effect has been obviously and highly beneficial, both from the increase of moisture and the intermixture of soils. As to the best seed-time and harvest- time, they doubtless vary somewhat in different years. Our farmers are accustomed to sow rye from the latter part of August till severe frosts arrive in au- tumn, as their business and the situation of their land permit. Oats and flax are usually sown in the spring, so soon as the ground is in a condition to be plowed. Corn is generally plant- ed on high grounds the first and second weeks in May, and in the meadows on Connecticut river, by reason of the existence or danger of freshets, two or three weeks later. In cold seasons. 16 Statistical Account of Middlesex Cminty ; early planting renders the sprouts feeble and slow of growtlu Very late planting exposes corn to injury from frosts in the fall. Some farmers are in the habit of harvesting their grain as soon as it is out of the milk-state, and though in that slate, care is requisite lest it should heat and mould in the barn, the flour rarfde from it is whiter and better flavored. Others let their grain stand until it is thoroughly ripened, which has been the case late years, the two last weeks in July. Weeds are destroyed among us by the plow and hoe, and ge- nerally with a view to a crop which they would injure, and not for the sake of destroying them merely. To extirpate them, it is essential that they be plowed up, or in some other mode de- stroyed, before the seed is formed. A frequent changeof the seed of grain and corn is generally supposed to be useful. Seed brought from the north docs better than that which is brought from the south. But as those farmers who cultivate their lands well, usually raise good crops whether they change the seed or not, there is reason to believe that the benefits ascribed to the change of seed, are owing to the fact, that the seed which is obtained from abroad, and for which a great price is paid, is cleaner and better than that which farmers are willing to take pains to secure at home, rather than to the change itself. As the inhabitants of this county are favoured with near and ready markets, ox-teams are used almost wholly by them. From the list of 1817, it appears that there must be between eleven and twelve hundred teams in the county. Our farming utensils are the same which are used in the other counties of the State. Fences in the stony parts of the county are built some- times wholly of stone, and sometimes with stone and posts with two or three rails ; in other parts of the county they are built of posts and rails, or of rails only. The expense of fencing by the rod varies according to the facility or difficulty of getting the requisite materials ; as a general fact, it may be estimated at a dollar a rod. Hedges are scarcely known among us. The quantity of cider annually made in Middlesex is conside- rable. More orcharding exists in the northern than in the southern parts of the county : but small pains have been taken to select good fruit. Pear trees are not very common with us. Plum trees generally died several years ago, and peach trees have died abundantly within a few years. We have many good gardens ; but the attention of people has been directed almost solely to the cultivation of those roots and plants which are useful. The state of gardening here is oi> a level with the state of gardening generally throughout Connec- ticut. Introductory and General Observations. 1 7 We have very few tenants, and land is rarely leased ; the far- mers being in most cases at once the owners and the cultivators of the soil. Individuals and families for eighty years have been almost per- petually removing from this county. They at first removed to the county of Litchfield in this State, and Berkshire in Massachu- setts ; then to New-Hampshire and Vermont ; in later years they have removed to New- York, and to the western States and Territories. The descendants of those who have emigrated from the county, doubtless exceed its population at the present time. But three persons, inhabitants of this county, have been con- victed of capital offences. Two of these were born in the coun- ty, and one was a squaw of the Pequot tribe. They were al! convicted of murder, committed on the persons of relatives. The instances of suicide are eighteen. In some of these the subjects were considered to be under the influence of deli- rium, and in others, the causes were not certainly known. A few pleasure-carriages were introduced into Middlesex about 1750. They have been gradually increasing since: in 1814, they amounted to 549. See note E. The number of sheep and swine in Middlesex is unknown. Very little beef and pork are exported. Some years, none has been inspected. What is raised is almost entirely consumed in the county. The quantity of butter and cheese exported is not great. The inhabitants have ever manufactured a large portion of their clothing in the family ; and the more necessary articles of furniture and husbandry have been made among ourselves. The cloths at first manufactured were coarse, especially woollen cloths, which were often worn without shearing or pressing. Late years cloths of considerable fineness have been wrought in the family. The important factories of woollen and cotton cloths and of other articles in the county, will be mentioned in the history of the towns. A brewery, which was erected in Middletown in 1796, was consumed by fire, Dec. 22, 1 809 ; and we have no brewery now in the county. Ship-building has been carried on for more than a century, and for half that period has been a leading branch of business. Vessels are built in many yards on the Connecticut, and near the mouths of the smaller rivers which empty into the Sound. Materials for them, with the exception of pine, are furnished principally from our own forests. Eight ships, 11 brigs, 13 schooners, and 17 sloops, amounting to 7,503 tons, were launched in 1815. See note F. 1 8 Statistical Account of Middlesex County ; * Many more were launched yearly previous to the restrictive system. Our roads, with few exceptions, were bad, till within a few years. They were laid out to accommodate neighbours in going from one house to another, rather than for extended travel, were over rough and uneven grounds, and the communications with most parts of the country by water, were so easy, that feeble ef- forts were made to improve them. But within a few years all the principal roads, excepting that which runs from east to west along the Sound, (which was a comfortable road before,) have been turnpiked. We have now iairteen turnpikes, partly or wholly within the county, some of which center in Middletown city, and some in other places, opening communications with all parts of the country. On most of these, and on some others, ■ the mail is regularly carried, either by stages or post-riders. * The capital stock of the turnpike roads is $ 143,632. See note G. The width, the force, and especially the navigation of the Connecticut, are such, as to render it very improbable that bridges will ever be thrown over it, within the bounds of this county. The other rivers are so small, that we have few bridges of much consequence. The bridge over Pameacha river, on the turnpike road from Middletown to Durham and New-Haven, is by far the most beautiful and excellent of any in the county. This was built in 1814, by Col. Ezra Brainerd, the celebrated architect of Car- thage Bridge, for $ 3,000 ; the Turnpike Company furnishing the iron, which cost about $ 500 more. It consists of one arch, the chord of which is 160 feet, supported by butments formed al- most wholly by the natural, rocky, and nearly perpendicular banks of the river. The floor is 27 feet wide, elevated 50 feet above the stream. The bridge is formed wholly of pine, and by its situation and style of workmanship, constitutes a princi- pal ornament of the southwestern part of Middletown city. There are ten ferries in Middlesex, all on Connecticut river, connecting the towns and societies on its eastern and western banks. With the exception of two, these are owned by indivi- duals. See note H. We have no wild animals but what are common in other parts of the State. A bear was killed in Haddam, weighing 12 score, in 1754 ; another was killed on Haddam Neck in 1767. Wolves were troublesome two or three years later ; and one which had strayed down from the north, was killed in the south- western part of Say brook, in Feb. 1815. A moose was killed in the same section of that town about 1770. Deer were com- mon in some parts of the county till the winter of 1763; that winter many were killed ; and the winter but one following, in • Introductory and General Observations, 19 the time of a deep snow, through the crust of which they broke and became an easy prey for hunters, they were destroyed. Wild turkeys were plenty in 1780, and occasionally seen, as late as 1790. Barberry bushes are scarcely found among us, and nothing is experienced of their ill effects. There are in Middlesex, 35 houses for public worship, 18 of which belong to the Congregationalists, 1 to the Strict-Congre- gationalists, 6 to the Episcopalians, 6 to the Baptists, and 4 to the Methodists. The houses first erected for this purpose, were small indifferent buildings, corresponding with the number and circumstances of the inhabitants. .As their numbers and means increased, larger and better buildings were erected. The pre- sent churches are generally convenient, but plain structures. See note I. According to an enumeration made in 1815, (and the popula- tion has not greatly increased since,) there were in Middlesex 3,688 families. Of these, considering all to belong to some de- nomination, 2,330 families belonged to the Congregationalists, 88 to the Strict-Congregationalists, 421 to the Episcopalians, 489 to the Baptists, 291 to the Methodists, and 69 to the Univer- salists. The Strict-Congregationalists have increased some, it is supposed, since 1815, and there may have been some small changes among other denominations. See note J. The inhabitants of Middlesex were universally congregation- alists for more than a century after the settlements commenced. They appear to have maintained public worship from the begin- ning, though circumstances prevented the organization of church- es, and the settlement of ministers for several years. See note K, To worship God according to the dictates of their consciences unmolested, was the grand object for which the first settlers of New-England, left Europe. To compass this, they sacrificed almost every earthly enjoyment, and encountered hardships, of which their privileged descendants have no adequate concep- tions. In the organization of churches in Middlesex, the principles of Congregationalism were recognized, though some of the New- England churches were formed upon the presbyterian plan. In no case were two ministers set over the same church, one in the character of a pastor, and the other in the character of a teacher, though at the call of the first minister in Middletown, the peo- ple expressed a willingness to associate with him another minis- ter, provided they should be able to furnish the requisite sup- port, and he should request it : nor has there ever been in the Middlesex churches, a ruling elder. In setting apart ministers to their office, the same cwstom 3 20 Statistical Account of Middlesex County ; ' prevailed, which exists at the present day, except in the ordina- tion of the two first ministers in Saybrook, where, according to tradition, the brethren imposed hands. Deacons were ordained for a long period in the first church in Middletown, by the pastor, and a brother appointed for that service. In other cases deacons have been ordained in the county. For a list of ministers and deacons see notes L. S/ M. From some confessions of faith which have been preserved, and from other circumstances, it appears, that the congregation- al churches have acknowledged the doctrines of grace from the be- ginning. But it must be confessed, that these doctrines have not been taught in all cases with the same clearness, nor received with the same good-will. Learning and piety were regarded as essential qualifications for the ministry, and piety was regarded as an essential qualifi- cation for full communion in the church. But a council which met at Boston in 1657, advanced the sentiment, " that it is the duty of infants, who conferate in their parents, when grown up unto years of discretion, though not yet fit for the Lordh Supper, to own the covenant, they made with their parents, by entering thereunto, in their own persons;" that the church might call upon them thus to own the covenant, and upon their refusal, proceed to discipline them. This gave rise to what has been customarily called the half-way covenant, which was adopted sooner or later, by nearly all the congregational churches of Mid- dlesex. The great objection to this covenant was, that it re- quired baptized children to enter into solemn engagements to serve God, when they were acknowledged to be unfit for the sa- cramental supper. Among the Jews, circumcised children were as much required to attend upon the passover, as to enter into covenant with God ; and analogy authorizes the conclusion, that baptized children are bound as truly to know the God of their fathers, by celebrating the Lord's supper, as by any other reli- gious service. The first settlers of Middlesex paid very great attention to the religious education of their children, instructing them care- fully into the principles of the oracles of God, and praying with them statedly, morning and evening. But the effect of the half- way covenant was unhappy. It brought multitudes into a par- tial connection with the church, and to a partial participation of its privileges, who were at the time confessedly unconverted, and who very generally afterwards made little effort to adorn the Christian profession. When the evils of this covenant were exposed by President Edwards, Dr. Bellamy, and others, and when ministers and churches came to examine it more thorough- ly, one and another were disposed to reject it, or to lay it aside Introductory and General Observations, 21 in practice, and it has now scarcely an advocate in Middlesex or in Connecticut. It has been stated that the first churches of the county were congregational in their organization ; but they disclaimed inde- pendency. They maintained mutual fellowship and assisted one another in cases of difliculty. The Cambridge Platform rcgu- lated their intercourse many years. But as that platform did not define accurately whence councils should be called in cases of difficulty, nor what number of ministers and churches should be requisite to constitute a council, and as some difficulties had arisen from the want of a more explicit rule of procedure ; the Saybrook Platform, after much consultation among ministers and the serious part of the community, was formed in 1708, and immediately adopted by the churches then in existence, as it has been since by the churches more recently formed. Agreeably to the provisions of this standard, the congrega- tional ministers and churches in the towns now constituting Mid- dlesex county, belonged to the associations and consociations in the counties from which the towns were taken, till Middlesex was formed in 1785 ; since which a new association and consociation have been organized, though the ministers and churches of Mid- dletown and of Chatham first society, for the sake of convenience, remain v/ith the South Association and Consociation of Hartford county. In Oct. 1787, the ministers of Saybrook and Killing- worth formed themselves into this new association, called the Mid- dlesex Association ; who were joined the June following, by the ministers of Haddam and East-Haddam, of the parishes of Mid- dle-Haddam and East-Hampton ; and also by the ministers of West-Chester and North-Lyme parishes, in the county of New- London. The ministers of these places, with the minister of the first society in Lyme, now constitute the Middlesex Association, and with their churches, the Middlesex Consociation. The formation of particular congregational churches, and the settlement of their ministers ; the rise and spread of other de- nominations, and the settlement of their ministers, will be articles in the statistical accounts of the towns. For the salaries of mi- nisters, see note JV. The congregational ministers of Middlesex, have generally been supported by a tax, laid on the lists of the inhabitants. While the people remained of one heart, and of one way to serve God, this method of support was attended with little diffi- culty, and excited little opposition. But as other denominations arose, it became somewhat embarrassed, and was made the sub- ject of much complaint. The consequence is, that resort is had, in many cases, to other modes of support. Lands reserved by (he first settlers for the support of the ministry, have., in some 22 Statistical Account of Middlesex County ; instances, become valuable ; and by being.rented or leased, yield a considerable annual income. Several societies have received important legacies and donations. In other cases, subscriptions have been set on foot, for raising funds. All the societies have received something from the act of the Legislature, passed in Oct. 1816, appropriating a claim against the United States to the support of literature and religion ; and this has generally been applied by them to the increase of funds for maintaining religious institutions. In these various ways, most of the so- cieties are relieved partly or wholly from the necessity of raising any thing yearly for the support of the Gospel. What is neces- sary to be raised also, in sundry instances is raised by the rent of pews or by subscriptions. Ministers of other denominations are generally supported by funds, by pew-rents, subscriptions, or contributions. The amount of funds devoted in one way and another to the support of religion in Middlesex, exceeds $ 70,000; but some of it is not yet in a productive state. .See note O. We have no academy in the county. Our district schools are 112; in which about 6,000 children are instructed by men in the winter season ; a number, somewhat smaller, is instructed, generally by women, in the summer': by both from six to ten and eleven months annually. See note P. The wages of men, exclusive of board, vary from ten to twenty dollars per month, and of women, from 75 cents to one and two dollars per week. The kinds of knowledge generally taught, are reading, writ- ing, and arithmetic. In many schools in the winter season, and in those which are taught by men in the summer, some attention is paid to grammar, geography, and occasionally to other branches of science. That there is now a gradual improvement in schooling, and that there has been a great improvement since the settlement of the county, is unquestionable. For a long period it was diffi- cult to obtain suitable elementary books for children, and persons suitably qualified to teach them. The first of these difficulties has long since been removed, and the only serious difficulty in the way of obtaining qualified instructors, lies in the unwilling- ness of districts to give the requisite wages. In addition to the liberal provisions of the Legislature, for the promotion of schooling, some towns have funds appropriated to this object, which will be mentioned hereafter. Besides the district schools, subscription schools are occasion- ally taught in the county. Many of the clergy also, instruct youth in the branches commonly taught in academies. The number of paupers in Middlesex perpetually varies; Introductory and General Observations, 23 though on the whole, according to the common complaint, it is supposed to increase. These are almost universally natives. as foreigners rarely reside with us long enough to become in- habitants. Some are supported wholly, and some partially or occasionally. Their occupations, (where they had any.) have been various, and the means also, by which they have been re- duced to want; some being poor from idiocy, distraction, and unavoidable calamities, and some from idleness, extravagance, and intemperance. The mode of supporting them is different, in different towns, and in the same towns, at different times. Those wholly under the care of towns have sometimes been boarded out, one, two, three, or all in private families, for some given sum by the week or year; and in others, have been set up, unjustifiably I think, at vendue, and put out to the lowest bidders ; while those needing partial or occasional assistance, have been furnished from time to time, with fuel, food, and clothing at their own dwellings. The alms-house, recently erected in Middletown, is the only one in the county. The expenses of the poor in 1814, were as follows, viz. in Middletown .^1622 70; in Chatham $1440 17; in Haddam $ 500 ; in East-Haddam $ 936 31 ; in Saybrook $ 1720 ; in Kil- iingworth about $ 966 29 ; and in Durham $ 401 56 ; in the whole county, $ 7687 03. What is the best mode of uniting humanity with economy, in the support of the poor, is a point difficult to be ascertained. The best mode in one place might not be the best in another, and where a wise plan is formed, the great difficulty lies in its execution. In large towns, where the poor are numerous, lit- tle doubt exists, that an alms-house establishment is matter of economy. In such an establishment, the various articles of con- sumption may be purchased in large quantities, and of course at reduced prices ; the services of those who are capable of labour^ by combination and system, may be turned to the greatest ad- vantage : besides, the steward of an alms-house, feeling a degree of responsibility beyond the superintendent of two or three paupers, and giving himself continually to his business, may in nameless ways save considerable expense. Nor is such an es- tablishment incompatible with humanity. It may be so manage ed as to afford the poor every comfort, which the community are bound to give them. The evils to be apprehended from bring- ing them into the same or contiguous buildings, may be avoided by placing them in separate apartments, giving a uniform pre- ference in circumstances, to those who are virtuous, over those who are vicious ; but encouraging in the latter every appearance of amendment. Such as are obstinate in vice, while they ought 24 " Statistical Account of Middlesex County : to be kept from absolute suflering, should never have iavours bestowed uj)on them so liberally, as to render an alms-house a temptation to improvidence, idleness, and v/ickcdness, and the occasion of increasing the very evil, for the unavoidable occur- rence of which, it is intended to provide. An alms-house ought always to be located so near to a house of public worship, that the poor, who are able, may attend the slated ministrations of the sanctuar3^ They should also be furnished with bibles and tracts, and be required to read them, and should be visited and coun- selled, at no very distant periods, by ministers and private christians. But the benefits of an alms-house will depend essentially upon the character, talents, and faithfulness of him, who has the imme- diate control of it. Every town, forming such an establishment, will find not only their poor benefitted, but their own interests promoted, by placing over it a man of respectable standing in life, a man, deeply skilled in the knowledge of mankind, and ca- pable of managing the various characters coD:iuiilted to his care. Whether placed in an alms-house or elsewhere, no prudent and consistent means should be left untried, of advancing the real welfare of the poor, of curing their diseases, of promoting their vir- tue, and of exciting them to preparation for that tribunal, where, without distinction, the rich and the poor shall meet together. Of many of these remarks, the alms-house in Middletown, al- ready mentioned, is an illustration. This stands in the south- western part of the city, near Paraeacha river, and is a substan- tial brick building, 60 feet long, and 40 broad, two stories in front, and three in the rear, and at the ends ; having in the lower story, a work-room, kitchen, cellar, and dungeon : in the second, two rooms for the steward, a victualling room, and a room to be used as occasion requires ; in the third, thirteen lodging rooms, four with fire-places ; having also a garret, suf- ficiently large for twenty lodging-rooms. This establishment cost ^8755; viz. the ground, two and a half acres, ^800; the alms-house, including wood-house, fences, &c. $ 7655 ; and the furniture ^300. It was occupied by the poor in May 1814, and their expense for the twelve months following, was $ 1447 70. The town expended that year for the poor, who were not at the alms-house, about $ 175 more, making the amount already given. The expenses of the poor the year preceding, were $ 3465 68. If we add to the expense of 1814, $ 525 30, for interest on the cost of the establishment, making a total of $2148 ; the clear saving to the town that year from the alms-house, exceeded $ 1300: and the poor, it is said, had a degree of comfort, be- fore unknown to them. But as it is easier to prevent, than to remedy evils, the efforts Introductory and General Observations, 25 of the community ought to be specially directed to the preven- tion of pauperism. To this end, all children, those of the high- er as well as of the lower classes of society, should be trained up to regular industry, economy, and temperance. These things should be taught in the family and in the sanctuary, as absolutely required by God ; and the mischiefs and guilt of the contrary vices, should be constantly exposed, together with all the means by which they may be produced. Those who are in circumstances to employ such as are dependent upon their daily earnings for support, should be ever ready to furnish them with business. By these means, if pauperism would not entirely cease, it would be greatly lessened ; the poor would generally find some among their immediate relatives, to provide for them, so that the community would not be charged ; and to the few in- dividuals, who after all, by the mere sovereign disposal of God, might be poor and destitute, it would be rather a privilege than a burden, for a virtuous community, to extend relief. The number of blacks in this county is very small. In 1756 there were 384, in 1774, 441, in 1810 probably a few more. They are almost universally free. Some of them possess good moral cha- racters, and are laborious and faithful, when employed by others, but have little skill in setting themselves to work, and in husband- ing their earnings ; while a very considerable proportion are ad- dicted to low vices. The obvious reasons for their general de- gradation are, that their education is much neglected 4 that their companions are the low and vicious, the only class among the whites, who are willing to consort with them; and that the temptations to iniquity, are suffered to operate upon them with the greatest force. Owing principally to the purity of the air, and the purity of the water, Middlesex is remarkably healthy. Such diseases as are incident to children, and such as have had a general spread in the State and Country, have oftentimes prevailed. But in no instance, has a mortal sickness extended through the county, and the instances have been comparatively rare, in which a mortal sickness has extended generally, through any considerable section of it. In the " Life of David Brainerd," a mortal sickness is said to have prevailed in Haddam, in 1732, but what it was is not stated, nor how many were removed by it. The dysentery which is much the most common disorder in the fall season, prevailed in that town in 1758, and in a part of it in 180G ; it appeared in Middletown Upper-Houses in 1742 ; thirty or forty died with it in the neighbourhood near Chatham quarry about 1758 ; it was on Haddam Neck in 1766 ; in East-Haddam in 1775 and 6, as an attendant of the throat distemper, and about the same time in Durham ; in Saybrook in 1805. . A fever, com- 26 Statistical Account of Middlesex County ; monly termed the long-fever, prevailed in North-Killingworth in 1751 and 2. The scarlet fever vsras in that society in 1784. This made its appearance at one period in Durham. In 1796 the yellow fever was-brought from the West Indies to Knowles's Land- ing, of which eight persons died. The most common fever with us for some years past, has been the typhus fever. This has been most malignant in Middletown Upper-Houses, in Haddam, East- Haddam Landing, Pautopoug Point, and Durham. Consumptions are thought to be more common with us now, than formerly. About 1761, a large miry marsh, in the northeast part of Middle-Haddara, was overflowed. The water became so putrid the year following as to kill the creatures which were in it. It produced a sickness among the inhabitants for a mile or more about it, which" was called from its origin the pond fever. Of this, some died, and the inhabitants of the town were so alarmed, that the authority were under the necessity of pressing indivi- duals, to go and take care of the sick. Respecting " remarkable instances of diseases and mortality among animals," I can give no information but what is contained in the following extract from a letter written in East-Haddam, and published in New- York, in the 7th volume of the Medical Repository. "For 10 or 12 years prior to 1797," says the writer, " a disease prevailed among cattle in East-Haddam, and in the neighboring places to a great extent, vulgarly called a mortification. It was most destructive to cattle under three years ; sometimes attacking cows over that period, but never oxen. Calves were most generally destroyed by it in autumn, and yearlings in May and June. Its commencement was indicated by a sudden listlessness, numbness, and disposition to rest, at- tended with small soft swellings on the legs, shoulders, flank, side, but more usually in the back near the kidneys, and it produc- ed death with feeble expressions of pain, within 6,12, and 24 hours. Immediately upon death, the carcass became intolera- bly offensive, so that the hide was often left to rot with it : where it was taken off, the swellings were found to consist of jelly, and black blood. After tanning, the hide was often rotten over the swellings, and holes were made of their size and dimensions." The cause of this disease was never satisfactorily ascertained, and the remedies which were applied, rarely if ever succeeded. From all the parishes in Middlesex, registers of deaths have been received, excepting the first and fourth parishes of Mid- dletown. In the latter, no register has been kept, and in the former, none for the whole population. But going upon the sup- position, (which cannot be far from correct,) that the proportion of deaths to the number of inhabitants, is the same in these parish- es, as in other parts of the county ; the number of deaths yearly, in Introductory and General Observations^ 27 Middlesex, from Jan. 1, 1805, to Jan. 1, 1815, will be, omitting fractions, 261. The average population of the county for this term, may be put at 20,723, as that was the actsal population at the census in 1810. The proportion of deaths annually there- fore, is not quite at the rate of one to eighty souls. Sesnote Q. Twelve persons in this county have arrived to one hundred years of age, according to information communicated to me, and there may have been others as aged of whom I have not heard. A black woman died in Durham, at the age of 1 13 years, or as some supposed 118. She was grown up before she was brought from Africa, and was a slave in this country 95 years. Of 310 persons, who died in Haddam society, from 1805 to 1815, 31 ar- rived to 80 years ; of 520, who died in Middle-Haddam, from 1785 to 1815, 116 arrived to 70 years. Those who have lived to a great age, so far as my observa- tion and inquiries have extended, have been persons of regular and steady habits. A few weeks after the arrival of the English at Saybrook-Point in 1635, cold weather commenced. Connecticut river was frozen over, by the middle of November, and the winter following, was uncommonly severe and tempestuous. As the people had had little opportunity to provide themselves accommodations, their hardships were great; and their brethren in Hartford county, only survived the season. The winters of 1637 — 8 and of 1641 — 2, were also very severe. In the former, the inhabitants, who had been able to subdue but little land, and who had ob- tained but small importations from abroad, secured themselves from extreme suffering, by purchasing corn from the Indians. Before the occurrence of the latter, considerable tracts were cul- tivated. But the summer immediately following it, was so wet and cold, that little corn was raised, and English grain was de- stroyed by multitudes of pigeons in the field, and of mice in the barn. Before another harvest, many families were destitute of bread, and were compelled to live on fish and clams. The win- ter of 1696 — 7, was as severe as either of the preceding, but no special calamities are knovv^n to have been experienced. On the 17th of February, 1717, the greatest snow fell, ever known in this country, attended by a dreadful tempest. This has been related by fathers to sons ever since, and is still referred to as • the great snov:. It covered the doors of houses, so that the in- habitants were obliged to get out at the chamber windows, and buried and destroyed many sheep. The winters of 1737 — 8, of 1740—41, and particularly of 1779 — 80, were uncommonly cold. A deep snow fell in Oct. 1781, which remained till the following April. 4 '28 Slalistkal Account of Middlesex County } In July 1779, about the time of rye harvest, a storm of hail passed through the center of Chatham, destroying all the grain in its course, breaking the windows of houses, and leaving marks of violence on buildings and fences, which could be distinctly traced more than twelve months afterwards. The hail appear- ed to be broken ice, and many of the stones were half the size of a hen's egg. In the latter part of February 1802, a snow fell, four feet deep. On the 8th of May 1803, a snow fell, sufficiently deep for sleighing, in some parts of Connecticut. Apple trees were in blossom, and their twigs were frozen as in the winter : notwith- standing which there was a tolerable supply of apples that sea- son. In a violent snow storm, which happened in the month of December 1811, many vessels were driven on shore, on the north- ern coast of Long-Island. The wettest season, within the memory of the present genera- tion, v/as in the summer and fall of 1795, when it rained more or less for 35 days out of 50. The most dreadful storm, since the settlement of Connecticut, occurred on the 22d of September, 1815. The wind was eas- terly in the morning, but soon shifted into the south, and blew a gale, or rather a hurricane. It brought in such a tide, that in some cases bridges near the Sound were removed. It pros- trated fruit and forest trees in vast numbers, particularly in Say- brook and East-Haddam ; and farther eastward, in Connecticut and Rhode-Island, did immense damage to shipping. When the wind lulled, the air was hot and suffocating ; and the rain, which fell at times in torrents, was so salt, that the leaves of many trees shrunk under its influence. The spring, summer and autumn of 1816, were unusually cold and dry. Frosts occurred every month ; and though English grain was good, there was not more than half the common quan- tity of hay, pastures were dried up, corn, which had been back- ward through the summer, was almost wholly ruined by frosts in the fall, and potatoes were much injured. People were unable to fat their beef and pork. Hence there was a greater scarcity of provisions the following winter and spring, than in any pe- riod since my remembrance. The canker worm used to be very mischievous to apple trees in Middlesex, as well as in other parts of the country. To pre- vent their ravages, people were in the habit of tarring the bodies of the ti'ees daily, during the time in which the millers ascend from the ground. But a hard frost, which took place about the 20th of May, 1795, was supposed to have completely destroyed them. They v,-ere scarcely seen for several years afterwards. But in 1808 they became numerous, and did much mischief. Introductory and General Observations. 29 The Hessian fly has been rarely noticed, for ten or fifteen years. In 1817, in the spring and early part of summer, gardens were extensively injured by a small black worm, commonly called the cut- worm. A sketch of distinguished characters, will appear in the ac- count of the towns. The first settlers of this county, in common with the first set- tlers of New-England, were strict in their religious principles and practices. Attentive, as has been stated, to public and fa- mily worship, they caused their religion to appear in all their conduct. They were also distinguished by some customs, which owed their existence, either to their particular religious senti- ments, or to the circumstances in which they were placed. United together for the purpose of enjoying the ordinances of the Lord, as they believed them to be taught in the Scriptures, and exposed to the same enemies and dangers, they settled in bodies, and abounded in mutual affections, and kind ofiices. A man of common standing, they called good-man, while the title of sir, was given to magistrates, ministers, and men of liberal education. As they scrupled the lawfulness of calling the days of the week by-names, derived from the idolatrous practices of the heathen, they always stiled the first day of the week, the Sabbath, or Lord^s day, and distinguished the other days of the week by numbers. For the same reason, they frequently numbered the months of the year. Thpy began the year on the 26th of March, according, as they supposed, to the direction of the Bible, and thus introduced the custom of double-dating, which appears in our ancient records. Exposed constantly to attacks from the Indians, they were careful to acquire the use of arms. They spent six, and some- times more days annually, in military exercise. In plantations where there were 100 soldiers, 20 were required to serve on guard, on the Sabbath, and on other days of public worship, and in no plantation less than 8 with a sergeant: in times of war and special danger, guards were constantly kept in every town, and in some instances, several in the same town. The practice of keeping guard, on seasons of public worship, continued till May, 1714, when the towns were excused from it by statute, ex- cept in time of war. This practice, probably produced the custom of assembling people for public worship, by the beat of the drum, which pre- vailed for a time in Middletovvn, Haddam, Saybrook, Killing- worth and Durham. Whether it was ever introduced into Chatham and East-Haddam, is unknown. 30 Slatislical Account of Middlesex County j The circumstances of our ancestors were exceedingly strait- ened. Tliey had sacrificed a large portion of their property by removing to America ; were unacquainted with the business of subduing a wilderness; had no commerce, and scarcely any means for acquiring property. In the mean time, their fami- lies were to be supported, their children educated, and the in- stitutions of the Gospel established and maintained ; and these things were to be done, in the midst of enemies, whose motions ihcy were obliged perpetually to watch, and against whose ap- prehended attacks, they were obliged to provide the means of defence. Necessity therefore, compelled them to the most rigid economy. Every thing about them, Avore the marks of simplici- ty. Their houses were constructed in the plainest manner, their furniture consisted of a few indispensable articles, their dress was made of coarse cloths, wrought in the family, and their ta- bles were spread with the homeliest fare. Scarcely an article of luxury was used in Connecticut, for a century after the Eng- lish settlements began ; and very few articles were introduced for a considerable period afterwards. But the trials of the early inhabitants were sanctified to them ; and conspired to the production of that simplicity of manners, and that Godly living, by which they were characterized. As the circumstances of their descendants gradually improved, they gradually departed from their examples. They did not in- deed neglect the institutions and forms of religion, but the power of Godliness was diminished. Antecedently to the great revi- vals, about 1740, the churches, very generally, had sunk into a lukewarm state. By those revivals, some of the Middlesex churches were visited and refreshed, and the things of religion became the subjects of general conversation and inquiry. But a declension soon succeeded ; which remained, with temporary and partial interruptions, till the close of the last century. The revolutionary war, occurring during this period, gave a shock to the moral habits of the people, from which they have not yet wholly recovered. From that time to the present, an unusual number have indulged in sabbath-breaking, profaneness and intemperance. At the same time, there is no reason to believe, that these shameful vices are now increasing. By recent out- pourings of the Spirit of God, and by the efforts of the virtuous, they have been evidently checked ; and taking a general view of the community, it is matter of joy and gratitude, that piety and virtue are advancing. While very many have become, in the course of twenty years, the hopeful subjects of grace, others have been led to think favorably of religion. Our churches are in most instances well filled on the Sabbath ; and the taste and reading of the inhabitants generally, are assuming a more serious character- Introductory and General Observations, 31 Boxing and horse-racing, which were once, not infrequent amusements in Middlesex, have entirely ceased. Gambling is rarely practised ; and the votaries of dancing are less nnmerous and less zealous, than they were twenty years ago. In addition to the libraries of professional characters and of private gentlemen, we have now in Middlesex, 22 public libra- ries, containing in all, about 3,500 volumes. Most of these are books of value. See note R. In most of our parishes, are charitable associations 5 many of which are formed by benevolent and pious females. The only society which extends through the county, is a Bible Society, formed in November last, auxiliary to the American Bible Society. What this will accomplish, is unknown, but its prospects are flattering. I' A STATISTICAL ACCOUNT TOWN OF MIDDLETOWN. This Town is bounded by Haddam and Durham on the south, by Meriden and Berlin on the west, by Weathersfield on the north, and by Connecticut river on the east. It formerly extend- ed across the river, and included the town of Chatham. Its length north and south, is about nine mik^i, and its breadth from Weathersfield line to Middletown city, is four and five miles, thence it suddenly increases, by reason of a bend in the river, to ten miles. Its area cannot be accurately calculated, but will not vary greatly, from 43,520 acres. It embraces four parishes, viz. Middletown, Upper-Houses, Middlefield and Westfield parishes, the three last of whicli, appear to have derived their names, from their relation to the first. As early as March 1650, a committee was appointed to explore the lands in Mattabesett, the Indian name by which this town was called, and report what advantages they would afford for a plantation. The committee reported that subsistence might be procured in them for ffteen families ; a fact, which shows what imperfect ideas the first settlers of Connecticut had, of the pro- ductiveness and value of the soil. In the course of that year a settlement commenced upon them, near the Connecticut, to the north and south of Little river. A larger number of families than the committee contemplated was soon in the town, who were invested with town privileges in September of the succeeding year. In November 1653, the place was called Middletown. The number of taxable persons the year after, was thirty-one, and there were probably about as many families. From these, others were formed, or moved in from other places, and in 1670, the number of families we^^ fifty-two* . Town of Middletown, 33 Though these had become inhabitants at different periods, it was agreed that all who were householders this year, should be considered as proprietors, and that after laying out a large com- mon and a hundred and fifty acres for a parsonage, the undivided lands should be laid out according to their lists. According to this agreement, all undivided lands, which then belonged to them, were laid out afterwards. As a large proportion of the present inhabitants of Middle- town, are descendants of those who were householders, in 1670, it may not be unsuitable to give their names in this work ; noting with an asterisk the few names which have become extinct*". These were as follows, viz. Nathaniel Bacon, William Cornwell, John Cornwell, Samuel Cornwell, William Cornwell, Jun., John Hall, Richard Hall, John Hall, Jun., Samuel Hall and Giles Ham- lin, from England; David Sage and Thomas Wetmore, from Wales ; Thomas Ranney, from Scotland ; Alexander Bow, George Hubbard, Joseph Hubbard, Daniel Hubbard, Thomas Hubbard, Anthony Martin, John Savage, Samuel Stocking, Samuel White. Thomas Willcox and John Willcox, from Hartford ; Thomas Al- len, Obadiah Allen, William Lucas, Andrew Warner, Robert War- ner and John Warner, supposed to have been from Windsor ; John Kirby, Daniel Harris and William Harris, said to have been from Boston ; Nathaniel Collins and Samuel Collins, from Cambridge ; Thomas Miller, John Ward and William Ward, from Rowley ; Sa- muel Stow, Thomas Stow and John Stow, from Concord ; Isaac Johnson, from Roxbury ; William Briggs*, WiJliam Cheney, Jaf- fres Clements*, Honory Coll*, George Durant*, Samuel Eggles- ton, Edward Foster, Isaac Lane*, James Tappen*, and Edward Turner. In this list, the name of Robert Webster, Esq. who was an early and principal settler does not appear. He probably de- ceased or moved away before 1670, and the same may have been true of some other settlers. Most of the above named persons, settled within the limits- of the first society of Middletown, and a large portion of them within the limits of the city. Those, by the name of Kirby, Martin, Ranney, Sage, Savage, Stocking, White and Willcox, and per- haps some others, settled in the Upper- Houses. The inhabitants within the first ''society, gradually extended themselves down into the South- Farms, and afterwards into Mo- romos. They were early joined by the ancestors of the Browns, Gills, Phillipses, Rockwells, Southmayds, Starrs, and Sumners: as they were in succeeding periods, by the ancestors of the McGills, Meigses, Treadways, &c. The people in the Upper-Houses, were joined by the ancp':- tors of the Shepherds, and of some other families. 34 Statistical Accouid of Middlesex County ; The settlement, within the parish of Middlefield, began about 1700. The earliest settlers there, were Samuel Allen, Benja- min Miller and Samuel Wetmore, who removed from the first society. With these, persons soon united, by the name of Ba- con, Hubbard, Stow, Turner and Ward, from the same society ; by the name of Camp, Coe and Lyman, from Durham ; of Bird- sey, from Stratford ; of Bartlett, from Guilford ; and also per- sons by the name of Chilson and Hale. The first white inhabitant of Westfield, was Edward Higby, a native of Long-Island, who settled about 1720, at the foot of that bluff, which from him is called Higby Mountain. He de- ceased in November 1775, aged about 90. The other early settlers, were Benjamin Atkins, Benjamin Bacon, Nathan- iel Bacon, John Bacon, Joseph Bacon, Joseph Cornwell, Joseph Doolittle, Samuel Plumbe and Daniel Roberts, from the first society ; John Warner, Israel Willcox, John Will- cox and Jeremiah Willcox, from the Upper-Houses ; Joseph Clark, a native of West-Haven ; Nathaniel Churchell from Weathersfield ; Edward Boardman and Josiah Boardman, from Glastenbury ; David Dowd, Richard Dowd, Joseph Graves and Asahel Dudley, from Guilford. In January 1689, the Legislature of Connecticut, granted to the towns of Middletown, Weathersfield, and Farmington, all the vacant lands between their bounds, and the bounds of Walling- ford, (which then included the towns of Cheshire and Meriden,) for the purpose of establishing a new plantation. This grant covered the tract generally, now constituting the town of Berlin, which was incorporated in May 1785. In the south-eastern sec- tion of this tract, some families from Middletown settled, by the name of Sage, Savage and Willcox, about the commencement of the last century. These, with others, belonged to the town of Middletown, until the incorporation just mentioned. A portion of the lands in Middletown, were given by Sowheag. the great sachem of Mattabesett,'''to John Haynes, for sometime governor of Connecticut, probably before any settlement was made in the town. On the 24th of January 1662, Sepunnemo and other chiefs, knowing the gift of Sowheag to Mr. Hayaes, sold to Samuel Wyllys and others, doubtless as" agents of the co- lony or town, all the remaining lands in Middletown, including Chatham, extending six miles east of the river, and as far west as the Court had granted the bounds of the town ; excepting 300 acres, which they reserved for the heirs of Sowheag and Matta- bcsett Indians, to be laid out on the east of the river ; and a tract on the west side, previously laid out for Sawsean, to remain for his heirs for ever. Tlie resprvation en the east side of the river, uill hz noticed Town of Middleiown. 35 in the account of Chatham. The other reservation, appears to have been in the neighbourhood, now called Newfield, where the Indians held lands as late as 1713. On the line between this neighbourhood and Staddle-Hill, they had a grave yard. Their bones also have been found, in the south-eastern paft of the Upper-Houses, on the bank of the Connecticut. Sowheag, just mentioned, was a powerful sachem. He had his castle on the high ground, in the west part of what is now the city of Middletown, still called from this circumstance, Indian Hill ; where he was able, by means of his whistle, to call around him many warriors, whose wigwams were thick on both sides of the Connecticut eastward. His dominion extended not only ov^r these, and other Indians in Middletown and Chatham, but over the Piquag, or Veathersfield Indians,' whose sagamore, Se- quin, was subject to him : and as a part of the original township of New-Haven, was purchased of Montowese, Sowheag's son, it is probable, that his dominion embraced some of the Indians in that town. Although Sowheag had given lands to Governor Haynes, as has been related, and had thereby conferred an obligation upon the English ; he afterwards showed himself to be a base and treacherous man. In April 1637, some of his Indians at Weath- ersfield, conducted and aided the Pequots, as appeared af- terwards, in the incursion which they made into that town, where they killed six men as they were going into the field, and three women, and took two maids captive. Sowheag entertained the murderers, and treated the people of Weathersfield in a haughty and insulting manner. It seems that the people of Weathersfield, had previously offered him some provocation. On hearing of their differences therefore, the General Court were disposed to forgive him, and appointed a committee to compromise all dif- ferences with him. But he wholly refused to give up the mur- derers, and continued his outrages against the English. The Court therefore, in August 1639, determined to send one hundred men to Mattabesett, and take the delinquents by force. They notified their friends at New-Haven of their determination, both that they might receive their approbation, in an enterprizetof such general concern, and that they might make the necessary arrangements, for defending their own plantations. Governor Eaton and his Council viewed it important, that the murderers should be brought to punishment ; but in existing circumstances, deemed the measure proposed for doing it inexpedient, and dis- suaded the Connecticut Colony from pursuing it. In addition to the Strait-Hills, which cross the south-eastern 5>ection of this town, and Wallingford Mountains on its western o6 Statistical Account of Middlesex County , border, described in the introductory observations, there are several hills of some note. Indian Hill has been already men- tioned. South from this, high elevated grounds extend to the borders of Durham, which, taken collectively, are called Long- Hill. In the Upper-Houses, is Prospect-Hill, thus named, from the fine view which it affords of the surrounding country ; par- ticularly of the windings of Connecticut river, of the city of Mid- dletown, and of the north-western portion of Chatham. In the back parts of the town, are Staddle-Hill, Three-mile-Hill, Pow- der-Hill, and some others. These hills, in general, are capable of cultivation. The in- terval and level lands throughout the township, are good, and some of them excellent. There are two streams in Middletown, deserving particular notice, viz. Little river, and Sumner's creek. The former and larger of these streams, is sometimes called Ferry river, in the ancient records of the town, because a ferry was kept for a long period near its mouth, on the road from the city to the Upper-Houses. The largest branch of this river, more appropriately called Little river, rises in Farmington Mountain, passes through Ber- lin, and enters Middletown at the northwest, where it receives a small mill-stream from Westfield parish. The only other considerable branch rises in a spring, eight or ten rods in circumference, at the foot of BlufF-Head, the eastern-most point of Totoket or Branford Mountain, a little north of the source of a river, which runs southerly into the Sound. It takes a course nearly north, runs through Durham, the parish of Mid- dlefield, and the west part of the first society, where it assumes the name of West river, and forms a junction with Little river, about a mile from its mouth. This has a fall in Middlefield of 30 feet, and it furnishes a number of excellent mill-seats. A much more interesting fall is on the small mill-stream in Westfield, just mentioned. This runs on high ground till it arrives to about the center of the society, where it falls down a rocky excavation which it has formed, 60 or 70 feet, in the course of a few rods. The scenery was formerly much more roijinntic, by reason of lofty pines and evergreens which stood beside the fall. On this river, principally within the Upper-Houses, is a large meadow and swamp, overflowed in times of freshet. Sumner's creek, like Little river, has two considerable branches, Miller's brook, and Pameacha river, both of which are important mill streoms. Miller"'s brook rises in Miller's pond, in the northeast corner of Durham, pursues a northerly course, till it strikes Pamea- Town of Middlelown. 37 cha river, where it turns eastward, runs a small distance, and empties into the Connecticut. On this brook Mr. Thomas Mil- ler erected a corn-mill for the use of the town in 1665, which is doubtless the reason of its being called Miller's brook. Pamcacha river has its sources, in hills near the borders of Durham, runs also northerly, till it strikes Warwick's brook, where it turns eastward, E^nd passes on between high rocky banks, to the other broncli. Shad and small fish are taken in considerable quantities, at the mouth of Little river. The fishery in Sumner's creek was formerly so important, that an act was passed by the Legislature in 1726 for regulating it. At the bottom of Prospect-Hill, west of Middlesex turnpike, is a chalybeate spring. This has been known, and occasionally visited, for many years. About 1810, a bathing-house was erect- ed near It, and it became a place of considerable resort for peo- ple in the vicinity, for one or two seasons ; but it is now gene- rally neglected, and the house is removed. Iron has never been found in this town in large quantities. Some has been discovered about Higby Mountain. A lead mine was opened about forty years ago, near But- ler's creek, as it enters Connecticut river, two miles southeast from the city. The vein runs north-easterly towards the river, and as it approaches it, sinks abruptly into the earth. It is inclosed in a granite rock, which renders it diflficult to get the ore. It is mineralized with sulphur, and is partly steel-grained, and partly cubic lead ore, the former containing the greatest portion of sil- ver, but neither enough to pay the expense of separation : it also contains a portion of zinc. Large sums of money were ex- pended here by foreigners, before the American Revolution. When that commenced, it was in the hands of Col. James, a Bri- tish officer, who had raised one hundred half-barrels of the ore, and prepared it for exportation. This the government of Con- necticut seized, as they did also the mine, which they improved, till the great expenses of carrying on the business, induced them to abandon it. The vein was followed thirty or forty rods, and was in some places very rich, but generally poor. Free-stone, or rather dark gray sand-stone, abounds in Middle- town. Many of the loose stones on the surface are of this de- scription. It is found not only in sinking wells, but appears more or less in the bed and banks of the various streams. This is not sufficiently fine in all cases, for any work where much ornament is required, but is suitable abundantly for building stone, and might be used for this purpose with great advantage. The wails of the Sword Factory wholly, and of the Pistol Factory in part, arc built of it, taken from the bed and banks of West river. la 38 Statistical Account of Middlesex Cowily ; other cases the stone is suitable for fire-places, underpinning, step and grave-stones, and has been used for these purposes for a long period. As early as 1726, the selectmen were directed to take care of the quarries on the west side of the river, as well as on th east side, or in Chatham. The iirst opening was made on the bank of West river, a mile from the Connecticut, near the turnpike road leading to Meri- den. This has been improved at different times to a considera- ble extent. Within a few years, many of the stone have been used in the city, and some have been transported to other places. Beside a stratum of earth, the stone here, in some cases, is covered with a shelly rock, composed principally of oxyd of iron, and clay, not having sufficient sand to harden and hold it together. It is from ten to twenty feet thick, imposed on a stra- tum of black slate, beneath which is a stratum of blue slate, fre- quently including veins of pit coal. Beneath these is gray sandstone, and then the slate recurs ; and thus these different strata appear, as far down as the earth has been explored. In some cases the slatestone is from ten to fifteen feet thick, so strongly impregnated with bitumen, that it will burn. Here the veins of coal are much the largest and most frequent. Another quarry was opened west of the Turnpike road lead- ing to Durham and New-Haven, two miles from the city, about twenty years ago. A third quarry was opened at Laurel-Hill in Middlefield, two and a half miles southwest of the city, at a more recent period. Many years ago, stone was taken from a quarry in the back part of the Upper-Houses. This is of an indifferent quality. None of these quarries are extensively improved just at the pre- sent time, and some of them are wholly neglected. The appearances of coal already noticed, with some other facts, have induced several gentlemen to search for coal in this town. The earth has been explored by boring sixty or seven- ty feet. But though coal has been discovered, it has not been found in SNfficicnt quantities to defray the expense of digging for it. But appearances are so favorable, and the object is so important, it is hoped the search will not be given up, without a more thorough examination. Limestone exists near Higby Mountain, and has been used to a limited extent. The inhabitants of the southern, western and northern parts of this town, are very generally farmers, and as the lands in those parts have long since been taken up for farms, the population has increased very little for many years. There were 80 dwell- ing houses in Middlefield in 1746, and but one more in 1815. The population of Westfield, for the same length of time, has Town of Mlddlelozon, 39 been nearly stationary. The increase in the Upper-Houses, has been confined principally to the village in the south-eastern section of it, as the increase in the first society has been to the city. Young enterprising men, trained to husbandry, unable to get farms in their native town, have removed from time to time, 10 other parts of the counti-y. Bat of these numerous and almost perpetual removals, generally, no particular information can be given. In 1784, Flugh White Esq. moved from the Upper-Houses to Whitestown, in the State of New- York. In the course of a few years, some families from Middletown and other places settled around him. In 1788, the town of Gcrmanflats was divided, and the western part, within which he and his associates lived, was called in honour of him, Whitestown. The new town, at its incorporation, extended over the whole western portion of New- York ; a tract, which did not then contain 200 English in- habitants, but which before Mr. White's death, in 1812, contained more than 280,000. The present town of Whitestown, including the large and flourishing village of Utica, and the fine villages of Whitesborough and New-Hartford, will transmit his name to dis- tant generations. Two persons, inhabitants of Middletown, have been capitally punished, namely, Thomas Starr and Peter Lung. On the 26th of July 1796, Starr stabbed Mr. Samuel Corn- well, a nephew, in seven places in the trunk of his body, with a penknife ; of which wounds he languished a few days and expired. For this offence, he was tried and condemned at a spe- cial session of the Superior Court, held in Middletown, Decem- ber 1796, and executed at Haddam, on the 14th of June following. Lung was convicted of murder, committed, by various wounds and bruises, on the person of his wife, of which she died, some- time in the course of the night of the 31st of July 1815. A spe- cial Court held in Middletown, on the last Tuesday of -August in the same year, condemned him to be executed on the 23d of No- vember. But as the Legislature, at their intervening session, sei aside the doings of that Court, he had a second trial at Haddam in December, where he was again condemned. His execution took place at Middletown, on the 20th of June 1816. Shipbuilding has been carried on in the village of the Upper- Houses, in one yard, for a century, and in a second, for half that period. The inhabitants of that village, have been moderately concerned in navigation for many years. Several neat houses were erected there, about 1804, and the village and parish both, are very pleasant. But the principal business in Middletown is done in the city. This was incorporated in May 1784. 40 Statistical Account of Middlesex County , Its situation is remarkably pleasant, and strikes the eye with peculiar pleasure, not only from Prospect-Hill, but from the high grounds in Chatham, and towards the Staits. It is nearly surrounded by water, having Little river on the north. West river on the west, and Pameacha river and Sum- ner's creek, in part, on the south, a line from West river to War- wick's bridge, being the remaining southern boundary. Th'fe eastern boundary of the city is high water mark, on the east side of the Connecticut. Its medium length may be a mile and a half, and its breadth, exclusively of the river, is about the same. From the Connecticut the ground gradually rises for half a mile westward. Within this space are nearly all tlic build- ings in the city, and most of them are on the eastern half of it, on Main-street, running parallel generally with the Connec- ticut, and on streets at right angles with this, running to the river. The dwellicg houses in the city, 299 in number, are very ge- nerally convenient, and some of them are elegant buildings. These, with the various stores and shops, are constructed in most cases of wood; a few, and those more recently erected, arejjf brick. They are one, two and three stories high ; but vastly the greatest proportion of them, are of the second description. The public edifices are five churches, attended however by people from all parts of Middletown parish, two Banks, a Court- house, Gaal and Alms-house. In the winter of 1669 — 70, a shipwright was allowed to build vessels in this place, and shipbuilding has probably been carried on most of the time since that period. Two yards were formerly occupied ; one only is improved at the present time. There may have been a very little navigation from the pe- riod, in which shipbuilding commenced. In 1713 and 14, seve- ral wharves were allowed to be built on the Connecticut. Be- fore the revolutionary war, an extensive and profitable trade was opened with the West-Indies. In 1811, the year preceding the late war, there belonged to Middletown, and mostly to the city, 7 ships, 21 brigs, and 4 schooners, employed in foreign trade, and 1 schooner and 6 sloops, employed in coasting, amounting to 6,000 tons. By the war the navigation was much reduced, and in the close of 1815, 3,537 tons of shipping only, belonged to the town. The foreign trade of the city, is principally with the West- Indies, and the coasting trade is with the city of New- York, and the Southern States. The more important articles of exportation are live-stock, corn-meal and lumber, collected partly from this town, and partly from the country. Rum, molasses and ssgar are the principal articles, imported. Town of Middletown. 41 Sixty or seventy years ago, there were only four merchant stores in this place. At that time, there were but few mechanic shops, and no public offices and no important factories. There are now in the city, 11 stores of dry goods; 22 groce- ry stores ; 2 hardware stores ; 2 crockery stores ; 1 fur store ; 2 apothecary stores ; 1 paper store ; 2 book stores ; 2 book binde- ries ; 2 goldsmith's shops ; 4 taylors' shops ; 3 milliners' shops ; 1 hat factory ; 2 bakeries ; 3 butchers' stalls ; 2 tallow chan- dleries ; 2 tanneries ; 3 shoe stores ; 2 saddler's shops ; 4 lum- ber yards ; 3 cabinet shops ; 2 chaise-makers' shops ; 2 tinner's shops ; 4 blacksmith's shops ; 2 rope walks ; and 1 sail loft. There are now two printing offices in the city. The first was established in 1785, the same year in which this county was formed, and has ever since published the Middlesex Gazette : the other has been recently introduced. The Custom-house Office was established in 1795, and collects the customs from a district, embracing the counties of Middlesex and Hartford. Middletown Bank was incorporated in Oct. 1795, with a capi- tal of $100,000, which was increased in May 1812, to $500,000. The Branch of the Bank of the United States, located in this place, began its operations in Sept. 1817. The Insurance Company was incorporated in Oct. 1803, with a capital of $60,000. The Fire-Insurance Company was incorporated in May 1813, with a capital of $150,000, A fire-engine company had then existed ten years in the city : there is now a second of later for- mation. A rum distillery was set up in this place in 1791, which dis- tils 600 hogsheads of rum annually. Were it driven steadily through the winter, it might distil 1000. In 1810, a woollen factory, owned by the Middletown Manu- facturing Company, was put in operation on Washington-street. The various machinery in this extensive establishment, was mov- ed by a steam-engine, equal to a 25 horse power. The principal building, (originally erected for a sugar house,) is of brick, 40 feet by 36 , 5 stories 5 with which is connected a rear building, 40 feet by 20, a dye-hoHse, &c. From 60 to 80 hands were employed in this factory, and there was room for 100. Forty yards of fine cloth were sometimes manufactured in a day, and 70,000 dollars worth in a year. The consumption of fuel was a serious draw-back upon the profits ; but the factory was supposed to have been ad- vantageous to the company, until the sudden fall of goods, upon the late peace with Great Britain, since which it has not been niuch improved. ■ Another woollen factory was erected in the city in 1814, on 4S Statistical Account of Middlesex County ; Pameacha river, called Watkinson's Factory, from the name of the owner. The machinery generally, is in a fine brick building, 64 feet by 34, 3 stories. Here 25,000 pounds of Merino wool are annually manufactured into blue broad-cloths. The color- ing is done wholly in the wool. The number of hands usually employed is 40. On the west bank of West river, is Starr's Sword Factory, erected in 1813. Tlie building is of stone, 81 feet by 33, 3 sto- ries, having a wing 35 feet square, fire-proof. Here are sufficient room and machinery for the employment of 100 hands. The number actually employed has been much less, but various. The swords annually manufactured, have been about 5,000, for seve- ral years past. Half a mile southwest of this factory, on the opposite side of the same stream, is North's Pistol Factory, built in 1813 and 14, 84 feet by 37, 3 stories, the first story being of stone, and the other two of brick, fire-proof. In this, from 8 to 1 0,000 pistols are annually made. The workmen employed, inclusive of ap- prentices, are from 55 to 70. Thirty or forty rods below Watkinson's Factory, on Pameacha river, is Johnson's Rifle Factory, which began its operations in 1815. In this, from 25 to 30 hands are employed, who manu- facture from 10 to 1 200 rifles in a year. The swords, pistols and rifles made in the above factories are sold generally, to the Government of the United States, In these factories, and in Watkinson's Factory, it is made a rule, that no ardent spirits shall be used, and no gambling practised by the workmen. By this rule, the order and peace of the fac- tories are promoted, and the wages of the workmen secured for the benefit of themselves and families. West of Pameacha Bridge, on the site of an old gun factory, is Phoenix-Mill, for grinding dye-woods, with which an oil-mill has recently been connected. The two woollen factories, and the Rifle Factory, are within the limits of the city; the sword and pistol Factories and Phoe- nix-Mill are on, or near its borders. Besides these factories, there are several others in other parts of the town, some of which are owned in the city. In Middlefield a Snuff"- Mill and a Nail Factory, were improved some years ago, on West river. There are now on the same stream, a Paper-Mill and a Powder-Mill. The Paper-Mill was built in 1793, employs from 9 to 12 hands, and manufactures annually from 12 to 1600 reams of writing, printing and wrapping paper, together with considera- ble quantities of bonnet, press and sheathing paper. The Powder-Mill. also built in 1793, has 39 pounders. If Tow7i of Middkloxjon. 43 might manufacture 4 or 5,000 casks of powder annually. It now manufactures about 1000. In the Upper-Houses, are two Cotton Factories, standing near each other, on a small stream, fed by springs so deep in the earth as not to be much effected by drought. The first, erected in 1808, is calculated to contain 500 spindles, and has now 330. The latter, erected in 1814, contains 300 spindles, and might con- tain twice that number. On the principal branch of Pameacha river, in the First Socie- ty, Green's Factory or Clothier's Works, was built in 1812. In this, in one season, a considerable quantity of the cloth was manufactured, which is called Columbian Cloth, a fabric of wool- len and cotton. In 1817, an Ivory-Comb Factory v/as established on Miller^ brook, a mile south of the city. Here was also established the last year a Pewter Factory, and a Factory of Block-tin Buttons. In all these, 30 hands are employed. Not long after the settlement commenced in Middletown, the people employed Mr. Samuel Stow, a native of Concord, Mass. and graduate of Cambridge College, as a candidate for the minis- try. In Aug. 1657, they voted to continue him on trial, and ap- pear afterwards to have made some further advances towards his settlement. But some difficulties arising in the town re- specting him, a vote was passed in 1659, that they did not wish to continue him, but to look elsewhere. In 1661, the difficulties came before the Legislature, who declared the town of Middle- town to be free from Mr. Stow, as their engaged minister ; and a committee which they then appointed to further the settlement of a minister, encouraged the people to settle the Rev. Nathaniel Collins, of which there was an existing prospect ; and further- more advised Mr. Stow and the inhabitants, to a loving carriage towards him. These measures appear to have finished the bu- siness respecting Mr. Stow's settlement ; he gave up his designs of the miaistry, and lived in the town as a private citizen ; and the people went forward according to advice, and with eotire unanimity settled Mr. Collins. His ordination took place Nov. 4, 1668, at which time the church was gathered, consisting of ten male members, including himself. Mr. Collins was the son of Dea. Collins of Cambridge. An elder brother, by the name of John, was publicly educated, and settled in the ministry in London. Both were famous ministers in their day. The church and people of Middletown were unit- ed and happy during Mr. Collins' life ; and the country was bless- ed by his laboufii. He deceased in the midst of his usefulness in 1684, greatly lamented. Cotton Mather says, in his peculiar language, that " more wounds were given'' bv his death " to G " ' 44 Statistical Account of Middlesex County ; the whole colony of Connecticut, than the body of Caesar did re- ceive when he fell wounded in the senate house — that the church of Middletown upon Connecticut river, was the golden candle- stick from whence this excellent person illuminated more than that whole colony ; and that all the qualities of most exemplary piett/, extraordinary ingmiiiiy, obliging affability, joined with the accomplishments of an extraordinary preacher, did render him truly excellent. In saying this of him, I may confirm what I say," he adds, " in words like those of Jerome on a like occasion \ Tester christianum de christiano, vera proferre ; in speaking of a christian I will as a christian say the truth ; and for this cha- racter add this epitaph : - Ille pius pastor, quo non praeatantior unus, Qai faciendo docet, quse facienda docet :" That is the pious pastor, than whom none is more excellent, who shows by his practice the same things, which he teaches ought to be done. One of Mr. Collins' sons was the first minister in the town of Enfield. The congregation having remained vacant somewhat more than three years after the death of Mr. Collins, settled the Rev. Noadiah Russel, with the greatest harmony. Mr. Russel was born at New-Haven, and left an orphan, with an elder sister, when about a year old •, but through the friend- ship and benevolence of Mrs. Elin Glover, he was publicly edu- cated. Where he was brought up is unknown, but it is not im- probable at Ipswich, in Massachusetts, as he became a member of the church in that place, and was thence recommended to the church in Middletown. Concerning his character, no particular information has been obtained ; but as he was one of the found- ers and trustees of Yale College, and one of the framers of Say- brook Platform, he must have held a respectable rank among his brethren. He deceased in 1713. Two of his sons, viz. William and Daniel, were educated at the seminary which he had assisted in founding and governing. With this, William was connected for a time as a tutor, and af- terwards as a trustee. Both became ministers of the Gospel. Daniel settled in the parish of Stepney in Weathersfield, and William succeeded his father in the congregation in Middletown, June 1, 1715. Of this Mr. Russel it is very remarkable, that he laboured in the ministry just forty-six years, dying in the same month, and on the same day of the month, on which he was ordained. He was " a gentleman," says Dr. Trumbull, " of great respectabili- ty for knowledge, experience, moderation, and for pacific mea- sures, on nil occasions." Town of Middietown^ io The year after Mr. Russel's death, the Rev. Enoch Hunting- ton was ordained in Middletown. While at College, Mr. Huntington made distinguished im- provements in science, and for several years after he entered the ministry, his public services were very acceptable. His elocu- tion was uncommonly fine. But by an attempt to speak when afflicted with a cold, his voice was unhappily injured, and it ever after required increased exertion in him to speak, and in the peo- ple distinctly to hear him. He however was able to perform pub- lic labours till nearly the time of his death, in 1809, and by his family visits particularly, was dear to his people. He was a fellow of Yale College twenty-eight years. The Rev. Dan Huntington, who had been previously settled in Litchfield, was installed in Middletown a few months after his predecessor's death, and was dismissed, at his own request, in 1816. He now resides in Massachusetts. In July of the same year, the Rev. Chauncey A. Goodrich was ordained in this place, and in December 1817 was dismiss- ed, in consequence of ill health. He is now professor of rheto- ric at Yale College. V The present pastor of this congregation, is the Rev. John H. Crane. There was but one society in Middletown, for half a century after the settlement began. During this period, the inhabitants lived within the limits of what are now the two first parishes. The convenience and friendship of the people at the Upper- Houses were consulted, by the erection of the tv/o first meeting- houses near the north end of the city, and by the appointment of a portion of the town officers, from time to time, from among them. But the inhabitants there had become so numerous, that on the 18th of January 1703, the town agreed, that the people on the north side of Little river, might settle a minister, and build themselves a meeting-house, provided they settled a minister within six, or at most twelve months from that time ; and the Legislature incorporated them as a society, at their session in May following. To this parish the east street in Worthington, in the town of Berlin, belonged until 1790. From the time of their incorporation, the inhabitants of the Upper-Houses appear to have maintained public worship among themselves, and for a portion of that time at least, they enjoyed preaching ; but twelve years instead of twelve months elapsed, before they settled a minister. '^ On the 5th of January 1715, the church was gathered, con- sisting of 23 members, 20 of whom had belonged to the church in the First Society, one to some other church, and two were taken from the world. 4ti Siatistical Account of Middlesex County ; At this time, the Rev. Joseph Smith, who had ah'eady preach- ed for them two or three years, was ordained their pastor. He died in 1736. In 1738, the Rev. Edward Eells, son of the Rev. Nathaniel Eells of Scituate, Massachusetts, was ordained in the Upper- Houses. Mr. Eells acquired some celebrity, by a pamphlet which he published in 1759, on the Wallingford Case. For se- veral years he sustained the office of a trustee of Yale College, where three of his sons were educated, who were ministers in East- bury, North-Branford and Barkhempsted. He deceased in 1776. The Rev. Gershom Bulkley was ordained in this place in 1778, and dismissed, pursuant to an agreement between him and his people, in 1808. He is still living. The Rev. Joshua L. Williams, ordained in 1809, is the present pastor of this congregation. Middlefield, the south-western section of Middletown, was made a society by act of Assembly, in Oct. 1744. At what time the church there was embodied does not appear, as the ancient records are lost. It may have been embodied at the ordination of the first minister, the Rev. Ebenezer Gould, in 1747. Mr. Gould was dismissed about 175C, and afterwards settled in Granville, Massachusetts. The Rev. Joseph Denison succeeded to the charge in Middle- field in 1765, and died in 1770. The Rev. Abner Benedict was ordained in 1771. In 1785, he obtained a dismission from Middlefield, and moved to New- Lebanon in the State of New-York, that a feeble and afflicted daughter might constantly enjoy the benefit of the medicinal waters of that town. He was there installed, and laboured in the ministry six years. He afterwards preached in various places, and on the 1 9th of November last, died in New- York, in the town of Roxbury, county of Delaware, aged 78. Mr, Benedict was a man of strong and benevolent afFections, and an intelligent and able divine. While in Middlefield, he accom- plished by his address and efforts, the freedom of all the slaves held by his people. Some manuscripts, on which he had be- stowed much labour, particularly a dissertation on the Book of Revelation, may yet be published. The congregation in Middlefield has remained vacant ever ce his dismission. Previously to 1808 the church had ^come nearly extinct. In December of that year, there hav- ing been some revival among the people, the church was or- ganized anew, and 29 persons entered into covenant with God and with one another. With these, 21 persons had united, prior to April 1818= Town of Middletown, 47 The Society of Westfield, lying directly north of Middlefield and west of the city, was incorporated in May 1766. The church was formed Dec. 29, 1773, consisting of 26 mem- bers, 21 of whom were taken from the church in the First Society, and 5 from the church in the Upper-Houses. At that time, the Rev. Thomas Miner, who is still living, was ordained their pastor. But one mode of worship was observed in this town till after the lapse of nearly a century. Besides the Congregational churches, there are now, an Episcopal church, a Strict-Congre- gational church, three Baptist churches and a Methodist church. The first records of the Episcopal society are dated Decem- ber 1749. It then embraced sixteen families. For the nine years following, it had an average annual increase of six families. No records of communicants among the Episcopalians exist earlier than 1799, when they had 47. Since then these have been more than doubled. With this people the following persons have been connected as pastors. The Rev. Ichabod Camp divided his labours among them, and the Episcopalians in Wallingford, from 1752 to 1760, when he removed to Louisburg in Virginia. Some years after, he was murdered by a son-in-law. The Rev. Abraham Jarvis, D. D. was reader for this congre- gation from 1760 to 1764, when he became their rector. In this capacity he remained with them until 1799. At this time, hav- ing been elected bishop of Connecticut, he removed to Cheshire and afterwards to New- Haven; where he died, May 3, 1813, aged 75. The bishop was succeeded in the charge at Middletown by the Rev. Messrs. Calvin White, Joseph Warren and Clement Merriam, whose terms of service were very short. Mr. White is now rector of the Episcopal church in Derby. The Rev. John Kewley, an Englishman, was rector of this church from 1809 to 1813. Previously to his coming to Middle- town, he had practised physic in the West Indies and in Penn- sylvania, and had been minister for four years in Chester in Ma- ryland. After leaving Middletown, he settled in the city of New- York, but has since returned to England. The present rector of this church, is the Rev. Birdsey G. Noble. About the time of the great revival in Ne\v-England in yj41 and 2, a few individuals in the towns of Middletown and WHii- ersfield, embraced the principles of the Strict-Congregationalists. These were formed into a church at Weathersfield, Oct. 28, 1747, and the Rev. Ebenezer Frothingham was, at that time, ordained their pastor. But as the principal members in Weathersfield, within 4S Statistical Account of Middlesex County j a few years, emigrated into the State of New- York, Mr. Frothing- ham removed to Middletown, and was installed over the Stricl-Con- gregationalists living there, about 1754. These resided in the first and fourth parishes. They were few in number, but in- creased considerably under his ministry. In 1788, they were divided into two churches, those in the First Society of Middle- town constituting one church, and those in Westfield the other. Mr. Frothinghara was dismissed about the time of this division, but remained in Middletown through life. He died Nov. 30, 1798, aged 81. The Rev. Stephen Parsons became the pastor of the Strict- Congregationalists within the First Society, in 1788, and was dis- missed in 1795, having changed his sentiments on the mode and subjects of baptism. The Rev. David Huntington who had been previously settled in Marlborough, was installed over this people in 1797. He la- boured with them until 1800, and was afterwards settled in the Third Society of Lyme; where he died, April 13, 1811, in the 67th year of his age, having sustained the character of a very pious man. The Rev. Benjamin Graves, who had been previously or- dained by a council of Strict-Congregational churches, succeed- ed to this charge in 1803, and was dismissed in the close of 1811, or the beginning of 1812. Not far from the time of his dismission the church was dissolv- ed, and the prospects of this denomination were gloomy. But on January 11, 1816, four males and nine females, who had be- longed to the old church, were formed into a new church, and the congregation was in some measure collected. Soon after this, the Rev. Ahab Jinks was procured to preach to them, and on the 7th of August 1816, he was ordained by the Presbytery of Hudson, with which he was connected, with a viev/ to his becoming their pastor. Under his ministry the church has increased, and its prospects brightened. Individuals in Middletown are said to have believed in the sentiments of the Baptists for a considerable time. But they have not been known as a denomination till lately. The first Baptist church in Middletown was formed in the city, Oct. 19, 1795, consisting, at that time, of 5 male and 6 female members. This has enjoyed the instructions of the Rev. Messrs. jQ|hua Bradley, George Phippin and Jeremiah F. Bridges. W'he Baptist society in the Upper-Houses was formed January 2, 1801, and the church February 6, 1802, consisting of 16 members. The Strict-Congregationalists in Westfield, professed them- selves Baptists in 1804, and a Baptist church was then formed among them, having 12 members. Town of Middletown. 49 All these Baptist churches have increased considerably since their formation. The Methodist congregation in the city was formed in Dec. 1791: and the Methodists occasionally hold meetings in other parts of the town. But one school was kept in Middletown prior to 1683. At that time, the inhabitants of the Upper-Houses were allowed their proportion of a school rate, for the maintenance of a school among themselves. For thirty years after, only two schools were kept in the town. There are now 24, viz. 12 in the First Soeiety, 5 in the Upper- Houses, 3 in Middlefield and 4 in West- field; in which, between 12 and 1300 children are annually in- structed. The First Society has a fund for th^ promotion of schooling ; derived partly from the legacies of Jasper Clements, Samuel Stow and Nathaniel White, proprietors of the town ; and partly from the sale of Litchfield lands, amounting to about $ 2,166. Money, from the last mentioned source, was not received till 1802. From the same source, the Society of Upper-Houses received at that time $ 103 45, Middlefield $ 88 22 and Westfield ^88 99. Several distinguished characters, who have been natives or in- habitants of this town, deserve to be mentioned in this work. The Hon. Giles Hamlin, ancestor of the very respectable family of that name, emigrated from some part of England, and settled in Middletown as early as 16S4, and probably as early as 1650. From the inscription upon his monument, he appears to have followed the seas ; but his mode of life, neither prevented his attention to religion, nor his promotion to public office. He was the first person admitted to the communion of the church, after the settlement of Mr. Collins ; and in 1685 he was elected into the Council of the Colony, and was annually thus elected till his death, except as the privileges of the freemen, and the proceed- ings of government were suspended, by the usurpation of Ma- jor Andross. The inscription just alluded to, deserves to be recited, not only as giving his character, but as furnishing a spe- cimen of that style of writing, which prevailed in the early pe- riods of Connecticut. This is as follows : " Here's a Cedar tall, gently wafted o'er, From Great Britain's isle to this western shore. Near fifty years, crossing the Ocean wide, Yet's anchored in the grave from storm or tide. Yet remember, the body only here, J|||^ His blessed soul, fixed in a higher sphere. ^^ Here lies the body of Giles Hamlin Esq, ; aged 67 years, who departed this ii;^ the first day of September, A. D. 1689." The Hon. John Hamlin, eldest son of the above. pos=o5?efi 50 Statistical Account of Middlesex County; the abilities and virtues of his father, and had a larger share ol public employment. For more than forty years he adorned the christian profession, and by the wise and faithful discharge of many public trusts greatly promoted the welfare of the town and Colony. From 1694 to 1730, he was advanced by the suffrages of his fellow-citizens to the station of an assistant. In 1715, he was appointed judge of the court of Common Pleas for Hartford county, ami from 1716 to 1721, he was appointed an assistant judge of the Superior Court. He died in 1 733, in his 75th year. The Hon. Jabez Hamlin, Bon of the last mentioned Mr. Hamlin, was equally beloved by the people of Middletown and of the Colony and State, with his father and grandfather, and w^as even more extensively employed in public life. A pleasant and mild disposition, hopefully sanctified by grace, a liberal educa- tion and respectable talents, eminently qualified him to secure and retain the affections and confidence of his fellow-citizens. He was advanced to the rank of a colonel in the militia of Con- necticut, at a period, when a military commission entitled a man to very great respect. He was put into the commission of the peace as soon as 1733 or 4, was a justice of the Quorum for Hartford county from 1745 till 1754, and judge of that court from the last period till 1784 ; was judge of the court of probate, from the formation of Middletown district in 1752 till 1789, and mayor of the city of Middletown from its incorporation in 1784 till his death. The freemen had annually elected him an assistant from 1 773 to 1 777 or 8 ; but the approbation of an unpopular measure excited a prejudice against him, and several of his brethren, and they were all dropt from the Council. Above this prejudice none of them ever rose, but the subject of this sketch. This appears to have had no operation against him at first in his native town, nor among the more enlightened portion of the community : for the freemen of Middletown sent him immediately a representative to- the Assembly, where he was appointed speaker of the house of representatives and member of the Council of safety ; and he was representative and speaker generally at least, till he was return- ed into the Council in 1783. To this board he was returned the two succeeding years. He was long a professor and a dea- con in the first church in Middletown, and in 1791, at the age of 82, he descended to the grave, " respected, beloved, lamented." It is very rare for a family for three successive generatioiis, to be as highly esteemed as the Hamlin family has been, or as qjjj^ly to deserve the afiections and confidence of the public. The Hon. Titus Hosmer died before Col. Hamlin, but was a younger man. He was a native of Hartford, and graduate of Vale College, where he distinguished himself for the acquisition of science, particularly the knowledge of (he languages. After Town of Middletown. 5 1 preparatory studies he commenced the practice of law in Mid- dletown ; where faithfulness to his clients, and strong powers of reasoning, soon raised him into esteem with the bar and the court ; and secured him, not only much professional business, but civil offices of honour and importance. Besides the com- mon town offices, and the commission of the peace which he held, he was sent a representative to the Assembly, a service for which his talents eminently qualified him. In 1777, he was speaker of the house of representatives ; where his reasoning and elo- quence were influential in prompting the Legislature, to the adop- tion of vigorous measures against Great Britain. During a part of the war, he was a member of the Council of safety. In 1778, he was a member of Congress. In 1779 and 80, he was elected an assistant ; and in the last mentioned year was sent again to the National Legislature. A few months before his death, he was appointed a Judge of the Court of Appeals, established by Congress, principally for the revision of maratime and admi- ralty causes in the United States ; and while preparing to enter upon this office, he died, Aug. 4, 1780, at the age of 44. His person was above the common size and his countenance expressive. His passions were naturally quick and strong, but kept under vigorous discipline. By nature he had the genius of a poet ; but his profession led him to cultivate the powers of the understanding, rather than the powers of the imagination. Fond of conversation and extensively acquainted with men and books, he often entertained at his house a group of friends, who courted his society. In deliberative bodies, he was always heard with that attention and pleasure, which are secured by lucid and man- ly argumentation. He was, in one word, a gentleman of correct moral habits, a thorough scholar, a learned and eloquent lawyer, and a sound practical statesman, deeply versed in national law, and universal history. Gen. Samuel Holden Parsons, possessed a strong and active mind, extensive information, and was employed in various pub- lic, and important services. He was a son of the Rev. Jonathan Parsons, for some time minister in Lyme, and afterwards in Newburyport, Massachusetts. For several years previous to the revolutionary war, he was settled as a lawyer in the town of New-London ; and was King's attorney for the county of that name. When the war commenced, he went into the army of the United States in the capacity of a Lieutenant Colonn^ i where he was advanced to the rank of a Brigadier General, and after the disability of Gen. Putnam, to that of a Major General. Upon the cessation of hostilities, he settled in Middletown, whither his family had been removed during the revolution, and resumed the practice of law. In the prosecution of measures 52 Statistical Account gf Middlesex County ; requisite for the formation of Middlesex County, he was more engaged and more influential than any other man. The same year in which this was accomplished, he travelled to the west- ward, and held a treaty, in connection with Generals, Richard Butler and George R. Clarke, in behalf of the United States, with the Western Indians, near the falls of Ohio ; from which he returned the following spring. In the beginning of 1788, he was a member of the Convention, which adopted the National Constitution. During that year, Congress appointed him judge in the Territorial Government, northwest of Ohio river ; and he \vent forward and entered upon the duties of that ofl&ce. The next year he took an excursion, for the purpose of making ar- rangements for holding a treaty at some future time with Indians, claiming lands in the Connecticut Reserve ; and on his return to his residence at Marietta, he was drowned in the Great-Beaver creek, Nov. 17, 1789, at the age of 52. In the contemplated treaty, the late Gov. Wolcott and James Davenport, jr. Esq. were a{)pointed by the Government of Connecticut, to act with him. This list of characters, may very properly be closed, by a sketch of the character of Richard Alsop Esq. who died sudden- ly at Flatbush, Long-Island, on the 16th of Aug. 1816, in the 56th year of his age. Though occasionally engaged in agricultural and commercial pursuits, Mr. Alsop spent most of his days in the pursuit of ele- gant literature ; for which he had an unusual fondness. In this pursuit, he became familiarly acquainted with the literature of his own country and of the principal European nations. His love of poetry was enthusiastic, and was abundantly gratified by reading and composition. Numerous poetical pieces, published by him in news-papers and magazines ; and others, issued in dif- ferent forms, were well received, and did honour to his genius. His translation of Molina's History of Chili, the Universal Re^ ceipt Book, and the Narrative of the Sufferings of John R. Jewitj have also given him a respectable standing as a prose writer. AH his compositions are characterized by purity of expression, and indicate that delicacy of thought and feeling which appear- ed in his private life. As a man, as a scholar, and as a writer, Mr. Alsop will long be remembered with affection and respect by his numerous ac- quaintances. riiere have been several season^of revival in parts of this town. In the last year of the first Mr. Russel's life, 34 persons were admitted to the communion of his church, which ren- ders it probable, that more than ordinary religious excitement prevailed at that time, among that portion of ihe people, Town of Middletown. 53 to which he ministered. Ninety-nine were admitted to the same church in 1741 and 2, the season of the great revival in New-England. In some more recent periods, particularly dur- ing the last year, many within the bounds of the First Society, belonging to different denominations, have been hopefully con- verted. By revivals in the Upper-Houses in 1814, and in the winter of 1817 and 18, 66 persons were brought into the Con- gregational, and some into the Baptist church. A revival in Middlefieldin 1808, has been already noticed. Three charitable societies exist in the city, and there are some others in other parts of the town. The first in the city, is the Female Charitable Society, form- ed in 1809 ; whose special design is, to provide for the education of the children of the poor, and to furnish clothing to the desti- tute. This was incorporated at the last session of the Assembly, when it possessed $ 1 100, in Bank stock. The second, is the Female Benevolent Society, formed in Aug. 1816; auxiliary to the Connecticut Society, for the edu- cation of indigent pious young men for the ministry of the Gos- pel. This has made very commendable exertions. The third, is the Middletown Sunday School Society, formed in Sept. 1818 ; whose object is to communicate religious instruc- tion to those who attend its schools, and the rudiments of learn- ing, so far as they are necessary for this purpose. Three sun- day schools were taught in the city last summer, one composed of blacks. , STATISTICAL ACCOUNT TOWN OF CHATHAM. This Town belonged to Middletown until Oct. 1767; when it was made a distinct town, and called Chatham, from the import- ance of its shipbuilding, in allusion to Chatham' in England. According to its original grant, Middletown extended over a tract, on the east side of Connecticut river, three miles broad : that is, three miles broad at the north and south ; but which, on account of the windings of the river, was less than three miles at Knowles's Landing, and much more against Middletown City ; on an average, about three and a half. By an additional grant, made in March 1683, Middletown was extended over another tract, further east, uniformly three miles in breadth. These two tracts constitute the present township of Chatham ; which is not far from nine miles long, and contains about 37,440 acres. It is bounded by Glastenbury on the north, by Marlbo- rough and Colchester on the east, by East-Haddam and Haddam on the south, and by Connecticut river on the west. It embraces Chatham parish, (which was called East-Middle- town, until the incorporation of the town,) the greater part of Middle-Haddam parish, the parish of East-Hampton, and part of the parish of Westchester. Some lands in this town, against the city of Middletown, were early improved. In 1675, 40 rights were laid out between Glastenbury and Haddam lines, in lots 2 1-2 miles long, running from what was then the east boundary of Middletown, towards the river ; the remaining 12 rights owned in the town being laid out in Moromos. But notwithstanding these improvementsj^d divisions of land, only two white families are known to have lived in Chatham, until after the commencement of the last century. James Stan- Town of Chatham, 55 clift'had a house on the bank of the river, nigh the end of Chat- ham street, as early as 1690, and John Gill had another, not far from that time. The next settler after these, was William Cornwell, who setded back from Chatham meadow, about 1703. In 1710, there were only nine or ten families within the limits of Chatham parish. The early settlers in this parish, after those who have been mentioned, were of the name of Bevin, Hall, Har- ris, Hubbard, Ranney, Sage, Savage, Stocking, Warner, White and Willcox, emigrants from the two first parishes in Middle- town. With these, were afterwards united, Lemuel Lewis from the county of Barnstable, Massachusetts ; John Penfield, from Bristol, Rhode-Island ; Joseph Blague, from Saybrook, John Churchel, from Weathersfield, &;c. A family, by the name of GofFe, setded south of Knowles's Land- ing about 1710, who were the first inhabitants within the limits of Middle-Haddam. Among the other early settlers in the west part of that parish, were a few persons from Middletown, Ebene- zer Dart from New London, and the ancestors of the Freemans. Hurds, Higginses and Youngses, from the county of Barnstable. About 1750, Lemuel Daniels, a native of Colchester, John Eddy, from Norton, Massachusetts, and a few others, settled in the east part of the parish. The three miles last granted to Middletown, constitute the parish of East-Hampton, and part of the parish of Westchester. Many years after this was granted, the question arose how it should be divided among the inhabitants ; the proprietors of the town of Middletown, or their representatives, claiming it wholly as theirs, and later settlers insisting upon a share of it, as it was given to the town after they became inhabitants, or those under w^hom they claimed. At length this friendly compromise was adopted, that it should be divided to the proprietors of the town according to their original list and the list of 1714, united, and to others, according to the latter list only. On this tract, no settlement commenced until 1743. At that period, several families were induced to settle in East-Hampton, by the excellent mill-seat at the outlet of Pocotopogue pond, where a forge was then established. Among the early settlers in this parish, was a Mr. Miller, from whom the hill south of the meeting-house, is called Miller's hill, John Clark from the Up- per-Houses, John Bevin from Chatham parish, David Bailey from Haddam, Jonathan Parmelee from Branford, and Isaac Smith from the county of Barnstable. James Bill from Lebanon, and Joseph Buel from Colchester, settled here at later periods. The lands in this township were obtained from the Indians, in connection with the lands in Middletown. But a reservation, laid out partly at Indian hill, and pardy a little east of Chatham »6 Statistical Account of Middlesex County ; meeting-house, was held by them till about 1767 ; when, having dwindled to a small number, they sold their right, and united with the Farmington Indians. These Indians have been sometimes called Wongonks or Wongums, but the reservation was for the heirs of Sowheag and Mattabesett Indians, and they were doubtless of the same tribe with the Indians on the west side of the river. A little clan inhabited, or frequented, the region about Pocotopogue pond, and had a place of rendezvous on the principal island which that incloses. These were also, probably, a part of the Matta- besett Indians. At Indian-hill was a famous grave-yard ; where moaunients with inscriptions, were set up over some of the graves, after the English settled upon the river. Indian bones have been found also on the left bank of Taylor's creek, as it enters the Connec- ticut. This township is much more rough and uneven than the town- ship of Middletown. Northwest from that wide range of hills, which have been denominated the Strait-Hills, is a considerable tract of smooth and very excellent land, and the large meadow, called Wongum meadow, yielding an abundance of coarse grass. The other lands throughout the township, with few and small exceptions, are hard and stony ; and in many cases rocky and mountainous. Besides the Strait-Hills, there are in the town, Great-hill, Bald-hill, and many others. Among these hills are many brooks and small streams, running with violence in moist and rainy seasons. But there are no streams in the town meriting particular notice, excepting Salmon river and Pine brook. The former has its principal sources in Hebron and Lebanon, passes through a part of Colchester, and then crosses the eastern corner of this town, whence it forms^a boundary between East- Haddam, and Haddam-Neck, to the Connecticut. It derives its name from the abundance of salmon, which used to be found in its waters. Pine brook rises in Pocotopogue pond, and after a course of six or seven miles, in the parishes of East-Hampton and Middle- Haddam, unites with Salmon river, three miles from its mouth. This is a fine mill-stream, which already supplies many mills, and might supply many more. The pond from which this issues, is about nine miles in cir- cumference, or rather the ponds, for it is in the form of two ponds, nearly circular, united by a strait, of no considerable width or length. Its waters are generally ten feet deep, and sur- round several islands, one of two acres, the favourite resort of the Indians, above mentioned. It is fed by low springs ; for Town of Chatham* 57 rains, which fall so gently as not to run off from the surface of the earth, though long and great, do not alter its height. Another pond, within the bounds of Chatham parish, called Job's pond, is about two miles in circumference. This has no outlet. It rises and falls as much as fifteen feet ; from causes which cannot be easily explained : for it is often the highest in the dryest season of the year, and lowest in the wettest season. When it begins to rise, it rises regularly for six or twelve months, and then falls for about the same' periods. This, in many places, is from 40 to 60 feet deep. Both of these ponds contain small fish, the first in considerable quantities. Besides these, there is a pond nigh Connecticut river, called Pocowsot pond, and some others in other parts of the town, but too inconsiderable to be particularly noticed. At the foot of CoUins's hill in Chatham parish, is a chalybeate spring ; which has been known for some years, but never much used for medicinal purposes. Another spring of a similar description, exists in Middle-Had- dam,'on the bank of Pine brook, which has been occasionally visited for some time, by individuals afflicted with cutaneous complaints. A mile southeast from this, on nearly the -top of Bald-hill, is another spring, from representation, more strongly impregnated with iron. About 1762, a Cobalt mine was opened at the foot of Great- hill, under the direction of Dr. Stephaunes, a German, and im- proved for a little time. About 1770, Be renewed the improve- ment of it, in connection with two gentlemen by the name of Erkelin and Khool, and continued it for two or three years. Many casks of ore were obtained and shipped for Europe. But as all the persons concerned in the mine, labourers as well as princi- pals, were foreigners, and as the ore was exported ; little was known of its character or value. After they left it, it was en- tirely neglected till last autumn. Since then, several men have been employed in searching for cobalt, in and near the former openings ; and have been so successful, as to encourage the hope, that the mine will be permanently improved. The scarcity of this mineral, and its uses in porcelain and linen manufactories, render it highly desirable, that the contents of this mine should be thoroughly explored. Coal was discovered at Indian-hill about thirty years ago. But whether it exists there or in any other part of the town in any considerable quantities, must be determined by future re- searches. In 1799, appearances of an iron mine were noticed inCollins's 58 Statistical Account of Middlesex County : hill : but the ore is imbedded iti so hard a rock, that it will be very difficult to obtain it. On the banks of Connecticut river, half a mile northeast from Middletown harbour ; are noted and very valuable quarries ot free-stone. The rocks at the northern and principal opening according to tradition, originally hung shelving over the river. They were used for building stone very soon after Middletown was settled. At a meeting held in that town in 1665, it was resolved that no one should dig or raise stones at the rocks on the east side of the river, but an inhabitant of Middletown, and that twelve pence should be paid to the town for every tun of stones taken. As early as this, they were transported in vessels to other places. By several subsequent resolves, they appear to have been re- garded as valuable, and to have been considerably sought. Sometime after 1726, the town sold this quarry, and it has since passed into several hands. For forty years past it has been ex- tensively improved, and the stone, to the depth of thirty feet from the surface, are now removed, over an area of an acre and a half, back from the river. The stone in this quarry is co- vered in some places with four or five feet of earth, and in others with four or five feet more of shelly rock. It is not perfectly so- lid, but lies in blocks, eight and ten feet thick, and fifty and sixty feet long. The seams and joints facilitate the process of removing these from their beds ; and when removed, they arc re- duced by the wedge and chisel to any size or form, which is wished. In this quarry, thirty hands have been employed for several years, eight months in a year, and from four to six teams. The quantity of stone prepared for market, and sold to the inhabitants of this and of neighbouring towns, and exported to distant parts of the country, has been very great ; and has yielded a handsome profit. Fifty rods south of this quarry, an opening was made about 1783, now spreading over half an acre. Here the stone is co- vered with about ten feet of earth. In this opening as many as twelve hands, have been sometimes employed. Vessels come to this, and the above quarry, and load from the bank. The bed of stone in which these, and some smaller openings in the neighbourhood have been made, is immense, and lies at different depths from the surface, in dilferent places. It has been discovered in sinking wells, for half a mile in northern and southern directions, and has been opened at a greater distance eastward. Wherever found, the stone possesses the same general properties, but varies like the free-stone in Middletown, in the fineness of its texture. The forge at the outlet of Pocotopogue pond has been generally Town of Chatham. 59 improved since its erection in 1743. Ore for it, was formerly brought from West-Point. In 1811, a woollen factory was set up on Pine brook, two miles from its communication with Salmon river. The quantity of cloth wholly manufactured here, has not been great : conside- rable has been fulled and dressed for customers. A rum distillery, erected at Knowles's Landing in 1785, dis- tils 300 hogsheads of rum annually. Shipbuilding has long been an important business in this town. The first vessel built in Chatham parish, was launched in Oct= 1741. This was a schooner of 90 tons, built, as is supposed, at Lewis's yard ; where very many vessels have been built since that period. Shipbuilding was begun at Churchel's yard in 1 795. Here 12,500 tons of shipping were built, from the beginning of 1806 to the close of 1816. Besides merchant vessels, the following vessels of war and privateers have been built in this parish. The Trumbull and the Bourbon were built during the Ameri- can revolution, the former of 700 tons, 38 guns ; the latter of 900 tons, and intended to carry 40 guns, but not armed on account of the occurrence of peace. The Connecticut was built in 1798, of 514 tons, 20 guns. The Holker was built in 1813, of 350 tons, 18 guns. This, was driven on shore by the English at Narragansett and lost. Another vessel of the same name was built in 1814, of 400 tons, 20 guns. This was cast away in a storm on the coast of Lpng-Island. The Macedonian was built the same year, of the same tonnage and force. The Saranac and the Boxer were built in 1815, the former of 373, and the latter of 367 tons, each 16 guns. The three first and two last of these vessels were built for the United States. The first ship at Middle-Haddam Landing was built in 1763, Some small vessels may have been built there before. In the two yards which are now improved, there were 18 ships, 9 brigs, 11 schooners, and 1 sloop built, from 1805 to 1815, amounting tq 9,200 tons. Forty or fifty years since, no navigation was owned in this town. Since that time, a moderate number of vessels have been employed in the coasting and West-India trade. Considerable business has been carried on in Chatham parish in connection with shipbuilding. But the most important place of business in this town is Middle-Haddam Landing, five miles south-easterly from Middletown city, and two and a half from the Straits. This is frequently called Knowles's Landing, from Capt. Cor- 8 60 Statistical Account of Middlesex County ,* nelius Knovvles, an early and respectable inhabitant, who had a dwelling house at this spot, upon the bank of the Connecticut. A store was opened here in 1758, and the trade gradually secur- ed from the greater part of Chatham, and to a considerable ex- tent from Marlborough and Hebron. The shipbuilding, and dis- tilling business carried on here, have been already stated. There are now four merchant stores, some mechanic shops, and 60 or 70 dwelling houses. The ground on which most of these stand, is considerably elevated above the level of the river, but is low compared with the surrounding country, which rises into hills on the north, east and south. The few families, living within the bounds of this town, at- tended public worship with their brethren in Middletown, until May 1714; when they were constituted a new society, called the society of East-Middletown. No other society existed in the town until 1740. By this time, the inhabitants had become considerably numerous, and had spread generally over the tract, first granted to Middletown, on the east side of the river. In May, therefore, of this year, the inhabitants in the southern part of this tract, together with the inhabitants of Haddam-Neck, in the town of Haddam, were formed into a new society ; and as their territory lay partly between Haddam and East-Haddam so- cieties, it was called Middle-Haddam. The society of East-Hampton was incorporated in May 1748. The small portion of this town, belonging to Westchester, is in its south-eastern corner, separated from East-Hampton and Middle-Haddam by Salmon river. This is called Waterhole. The first church in this town was gathered Oct. 25, 1721, con- sisting of 29 members, who were probably taken from the two first churches in Middletown. At the same time, the Rev. Daniel Newil was ordained their pastor. Mr. Newil is spoken of as a gentleman of worth j and some special awakening is said to have accompanied his labours. He deceased in 1731. The Rev. Moses BarUet succeeded Mr. Newil in 1733; and in connection with the appropriate duties of his office, was em- ployed to a considerable extent as a physician. He died in 1766, and his people, in respect to his memory, erected a monu- ment over his grave. Mr. Bartlet was succeeded by the late Dr. Strong, in 1767. Div Strong was highly and deservedly esteemed for his good sense, his thorough acquaintance with theology, and his uniform and blameless conversation. In the relations of private life, as a companion and friend, few have been more beloved; and though as a preacher, he had not that fervency of address and brilliancy of imagination, which are requisite to catch the atten- Town of Chatham,, GI lion of the multitude for the moment, yet his prayers were dis- tinguished for appropriateness and solemnity, and bis sermons for clear reasoning and sound instruction. Several of his occa- sional sermons and controversial pieces are in print, and do ho- nour to his understanding and to his heart. The principal of these, are an election sermon, and two inquiries, respecting the nature and design of christian baptism. In the midst of numer- ous trials, with which it pleased the Lord to afflict him, he was calm and resigned. The prominent features of his character, are happily expressed upon his monument: " In morals exem- plary ; in doctrine uncorrupt ; in reasoning profound : in de- claring God's counsel perspicuous and solemn, and in death peaceful." The Rev. Eber L. Clark succeeded Dr. Strong in 1812, and was dismissed in 1815. He is now settled in the parish of Tur- ^^^y-Hills, in Granby, and preaches alternately to the congrega- tion in that place, and to the convicts in the state prison. The Rev. Hervey Talcott, the present pastor of Chatham church, was ordained in 1816. The church in Middle-Haddam was gathered, Sept. 24, 1740, and then consisted of 13 male members, 7 of whom lived on Had- dam-Neck. At the same time, the Rev. Benjamin Bowers was set over them in the Lord. He died in 1762, having sustained the repu- tation of a faithful minister. The Rev. Benjamin Boardman, who had been a tutor at Yale College, succeeded Mr. Bowers in 1 762. As difficulties from two or three causes, arose between him and his people, he was dismissed in 1783. On the 5th of May, in the following year, he was ordained in the south church in Hartford, where he died Feb. 12, 1802, aged 70. The Rev. David Selden, now pastor of Middle-Haddam church, was ordained in 1785. The church at East-Hampton was organized, Nov. 30, 1748, and the Rev. John Norton, who had been settled at Bernards- town in Massachusetts, was at the same time installed its pastor. In the first French war, Mr. Norton acted for a season as chaplain, at the fort which was then kept at Hoosuck, now Adams. He was there at the time that was surprised and taken, by a party of French and Indians ; whence he was carried cap- tive into Canada. After his release, he came to this place, where he died of the smallpox in 1778. The Rev. Lemuel Parsons succeeded Mr. Norton, in the charge at East-Hampton in 1779, and died in 1791, two days after he had closed the twelfth year of his ministry. 62 Statistical Account of Middlesex County. The Rev. Joel West, the successor of Mr. Parsons, was or- dained in 1792. A revival spread in this parish to some extent the last season, and also in Middle-Haddam. A small Episcopal society was gathered in the eastern section of the latter parish in 1 771 . This held meetings for a few years, but is now dissolved. The Episcopal society, at Middle-Haddam Landing, was form- ed April 25, 1785; and the Episcopal society in Chatham pa- rish, April 17, 1789. These belonged to the care of Mr. Jarvis of Middletown un- til April 1791. For the two succeeding years, the Rev. Tillotson Bronson, now preceptor of the Episcopal Academy at Cheshire, divided his labours equally between them ; and then they reverted to the care of Mr. Jarvis. From 1796 to 1810, the Rev. M. Smith Miles was considered as settled over them. Since the last mentioned period, he has preached to the Episcopalians in Chatham parish, and in Glas- tenbury ; and the Episcopal society at the Landing, has receiv- ed occasionally the services of various ministers, or of various ministers for short periods. A Baptist church which was formed in the northeast extremity of Chatham parish, in 1 783, and which received a part of its members from Glastenbury, has been since dissolved. A few Baptist families by the name of Morgan, Webb and Welsh, who had lived for a time in Nova-Scotia, but were pre- viously from Colchester in this State, moved into East-Hampton about 1775. A Baptist church was formed among these, Sept. 10, 1784. The Strict-Congregationalists in Haddam, professing themselves Baptists, united with them in 1792. The two branches of the church have ever maintained public worship se- parately, but remain connected. The Methodists arose in Middle-Haddam, in the summer of 1792, and thence spread into East-Hampton. They had at one time fifty communicants : but the number of professors among them, has greatly diminished. The first parish in this town has a fund devoted to schooling, derived from various sources, which yields annually $ 24. The number of schools in this parish is 7. The number in that part of Bliddle-Haddam, which belongs to Chatham, is 5, two of which are taught by men the year round. East-Hampton has 6 schools, and there is one in Waterhole. STATISTICAL ACCOUNT TOWN OF HADDAM, The lands in this town, together with those in East-Haddam, were long denominated, the lands at Thirty-mile island, from Haddam island in Connecticut river, which was calculated to be the distance of thirty miles from its mouth. On these lands, individuals contemplated making a settlement in 1660, and the Legislature, apprized of their designs, appoint- ed a committee in October of that year, to purchase them from the Indians. But prevented by some unknown cause, the committee did not accomplish the object of their appointment until the 20th of May 1662 ; when they obtained from the Indians a deed of all the lands from the Straits, six miles east and west of the ri- ver, down to the lower side of Pattaquounk, now Chester mea- dow, at the crooks or bends of Chester river : excepting Thir- ty-mile island, and forty acres at Pattaquounk, Twenty-mile island, and a tract on the adjacent shore eastward, running up to Salmon-river cove. Thirty-mile island and the forty acres at Pattaquounk, the In- dians reserved for themselves ; as they did also the right of hunting and fishing where they pleased, provided they did not wrong or abuse the English. Twenty-mile island, (now Lord's island,) and the tract east- ward, they had previously disposed of, and these had been al- ready laid out ten years for Capt. John Cullick, for some time secretary of Connecticut Colony. The consideration for this purchase was thirty coats, which may have been worth one hundred dollars. The lands, thus purchased, were taken up by twenty-eight young men, who settled upon them in the summer of 1662 or soon after: but the entire territory contemplated in the Indian 64 Statistical Account of Middlesex County ^ deed, was never confirmed to them. It interfered with the ter- ritory already confirmed to Middletown, and of course Middle- town south bounds, some distance below the Straits, were established as their north line. Concerning their south line, much difficulty arose between them and the people of Say- brook. Some time prior to 1 662, the Legislature had granted to Saybrook, (then including Lyme,) to extend their bounds four miles northward. These four miles were covered by the deed, which the people of Thirty-mile island held from the Indians. Saybrook therefore claimed the tract, by virtue of the grant from the Legislature ; and Thirty-mile island, by virtue of the pur- chase from the Indians, which the Legislature had authorized. In May 1667, a committee was appointed to examine the difficul- ties between these two plantations, concerning this subject. Saybrook expressed a willingness to divide the contested land equally; a proposal, which the Legislature in 1668, advised Thirty-mile island to accept. But as the matter remained un- settled, an order was issued the following year, that it should be thus divided ; one half to Haddam, and one half to Saybrook and Lyme ; and the division was made accordingly : but the in- habitants of Haddam are dissatisfied respecting it to this day. By these alterations their purchase was considerably reduc- ed, both in quantity and value. But in Oct. 1673, it was grant- ed to them, on certain conditions to extend their north line so far eastward of Connecticut river, as to make their east bounds a north and south line, and it was extended accordingly. By this grant their territory east of the river was increased about one third, and their previous losses in part made up to them. The lands thus reduced on the north and south, and thus in- creased at the northeast, constitute the two townships of Had- dam and East-Haddam, and that part of Durham which is called Haddam-Quarter. Haddam, (of which an account is now to be given,) consists of Haddam Society, and Haddam-Neck, belonging to the Society of Middle-Haddam. Haddam Society lies west of Connecticut river, and is bound- ed on the south by Saybrook and Killingworth, on the west by Durham, and on the north by Middletown ; being at a medium seven miles long and from four to six broad. Haddam-Neck is a point of land east of Connecticut river, be- tween that and Salmon river, four miles across on the north, and four miles long. The number of acres in the whole town is computed to be 29,460. All the proprietors of Haddam settled at first within the limits of Haddam Society. Their names were Mcholas Ackley, Jo- Town of Haddam. 65 seph Arnold, John Bailey, Daniel Brainard, Thomas Brooks, William Clarke, Daniel Cone, George Gates, Thomas Shayler, Gerrard Spencer, John Spencer, Simon Smith, William Ventres, James Wells, James Bates, Samuel Butler, William Corbe, Abram Dibble, Samuel Ganes, John Hannison, Richard Jones, Stephen Luxford, John Parents, Richard Piper, Thomas Smith, Joseph Stannard, John Webb and John Wiat. Those whose names are printed in italics, are known to have emigrated immediately from Hartford, and most of the others, probably emigrated from that town, or the neighbouring towns of Weathersfield and Windsor. They settled generally on the rising ground back from the town meadow, beginning at the eastern point of Walkley-hill, and so extending down to the town grave-yard^ where some of their cellars are still visible. James Bates, Abram Dibble, Samuel Ganes, John Hannison, Richard Jones, John Parents and William Ventres, settled on the plain below Mill creek, and were called the Lower Planta- tion. These settlers were invested with town privileges in Oct. 1668, and the town was called Haddam ; probably from Haddam or Hadham in England, in both which ways the name of this town was formerly spelt. Not far from this time, Richard Walkley from Hartford, John Bates, William Scovil and some others settled in the town, and on Feb. 1 1 , 1686, the Assembly gave to the inhabitants a patent, of ail the lands which had been previously granted them, thereby confirming the grants, with all their appurtenances and privi- leges, to them, and their heirs apd assigns for ever. The settlement in this town was confined to the western bor- der of the river for thirty or forty years. After this, individuals began to move into the back parts of Haddam Society. Within the limits of this society, the ancestors of the Dickinsons, Hub- bards and Rays settled, about the commencement of the last cen- tury ; and the ancestors of the Lewises, Hazeltons, Tylers, Hig- ginses, Thomases, Knowleses, Burrs, &c. at after periods. Stephen Smith from West-Haven, John SutlifF, Nathaniel Sut- liff, and Joseph Sutliff, were early settlers in Haddam Quarter. The settlers in this quarter were long permitted to attend public worship in Durham, and in Oct. 1773, they were formally an- nexed to that town. Thomas Selden immediately from Lyme, but previously from Hadley in Massachusetts, and one or two families of Brainerds, settled on Haddam Neck about 1712. The Indians, who reserved Thirty-mile island and forty acres at Pattaquounk for themselves, remained on those reservation? 66 Statistical Account of Middlesex County ; for many years ; but the latter, in consequence of the aiteratiou made in the bounds of Haddam, lies within the present limits of Say brook. A few inhabited Thirty- mile island, within the memory of persons living ; and had a place of resort in a deep hollow on Haddam-Neck, to the northeast ; which is still known by the name of Indian hollow, as the brook running through it is, by the name of Indian brook. They had no name for the township of Haddam at large, but called the northern part of Haddam Society, Higganompos ; which the English have changed to Higganum, and now apply to a stream of water, and to the neighbourhood about its mouth. The west part of this society they called, Cockaponset ; which the English have changed to Punset and apply to the same region. In the introductory part of this work, it was observed, that the land south from the Straits rises into hills, at small but unequal distances to the right and left of Connecticut river, to within a few miles of its mouth. This is particularly the fact throughout this town. The northwest corner of Haddam Society is also passed by the Strait-Hills, nearly parallel with which is a range of hills of no particular name, between the middle and south branches of Higganum river. South of Mill creek, west of the range of hills near the river, is Long Hill. On Haddam-Neck. beside the hills in the vicinity of the Connecticut, is a range or collection of hills between Pine brook and Salmon river. The tract between these streams has sometimes been called Little- Neck. Higganum river is the principal stream in Haddam Society. This has three branches ; the northern rising in Middletown, the middle in the northeast extremity of Killingworth, and the southern in the western part of Haddam. These unite half a mile from the Connecticut, and form one of the best stands for a large manufacturing establishment to be found in the County or State. In the course of twenty-five rods, the water falls thirty- one feet, and the fall might be considerably increased by means of a dam. In this distance the whole stream may be used three times ; and in the last instance, in which the fall is the greatest, there is always a sufficiency of water for two run of stones. To this spot the river is navigable for boats. On this site a mill has been erected within a few months, containing three run of stones and an oakum factory ; and one of the other sites has been im- proved several years for a clothiers works. It is probable tha? other mills or factories will be erected here at no very distant periods, and that a village will be raised up in the neighbour- hood. Were heavy machinery placed here, light machinery might be turned by the branches of Higganum river within & little distance. In addition to these advantages, this stand i=^ Town of Haddam. 67 favorably situated in regard to public roads, and can be more easily supplied with materials for building, and with fuel, than most manufacturing stands in this part of the Country. Mill Creek, the only other stream of consequence in this Socie- ty, is formed by two branches, which rise near the northwest cor- ner of Saybrook. After a course of two or three miles, they unite, within a mile of Connecticut river. On this stream the first corn-mill in Haddam was erected, which has given to it its name. Some of the intervals on these streams, and some larger tracts near the Connecticut, are rich and productive. The other lands throughout the township are generally hard, and of an indifferent quality ; and considerable tracts are too rough for tillage, but yield some pasture, and a pretty heavy growth of wood. The numerous granite quarries in this town bid fair to be a permanent and important source of wealth. In some of the quarries the stone are finer and softer than in others; but in all are considerably harder than the free-stone in Middletown and Chatham ; and less suitable, of course, for any purpose in which nice operations of the chisel are needed. But as taken from their beds, one surface is generally smooth, or sufficiently so for curbing and paving, the purposes to which they are more generally applied. They are also prepared abundantly, and are very useful, for underpinning and step- stones, and for fire-places. In their natural situation, they some- times rise above the surface of the ground, in others sink below it, or are covered with shelly and useless stone. The seams in the principal openings run almost perpendicularly, at different distances from each other, and descend to different depths. Blocks of various dimensions, are therefore taken from their beds, and then split and broken as is wished. The first opening was made at Quarry-Hill, on Haddam-Neck, about 1762. Since that time, several other openings have been made in this hill. They are from fifty to seventy rods from the river ; and the descent for a portion of the way is so great, that the removal of the stone is attended with some difficulty. Haifa mile south of Quarry-Hill, and at about the same distance from the river, a quarry was opened ten or twelve years ago, called Shayler's Quarry. On a hill, below Haddam-street, ninety or a hundred rods from the river, a quarry was opened about 1 794. Of this quar- ry it is worthy of remark, that the stone range exactly with the stone in the oldest quarry on Haddam-Neck, which has given rise to an opinion that the quarries extend under the bed of the river. On this hill several quarries are now improved ; some 9 68^ Statistical Account of Middlesex County ; are improved on Long-Hill further south; and very recently two or three have been opened in the western part of the town. In all these quarries, from eighty to ninety hands have been employed, in some seasons, in getting out and preparing the stone, and in carting them to the wharves on the river : whence they are transported, not only to the neighbouring towns, but to Khode-Island, Boston, New- York, Albany, Baltimore, and as far south as Petersburg. New- York, however, is the principal market. They are sold by the foot ; for curbing, of four inches thick- ness, from 17 to 21 cents ; for paving, of two inches thickness, from 10 to 14 cents ; for underpinning and other uses, they are sold higher, according to their thickness, quality, and the labour bestowed upon them. More wood is exported from this town than from any other town in the county. From Higganum Landing 2000 cords were exported in 1807, and probably 1000 from other places, making 3000 from the town : and it may be fairly calculated that from 2500 to 3000 are annually exported. This is also carried prin- cipally to New- York. A scythe factory was improved some years ago on Pine-brook, but has now gone to decay. Agin distillery set up in Haddam Society in 1813, distils 350 hogsheads of gin annually. Shipbuilding was begun a century ago in this tov/n, on the bank of the river, west of Haddam island. It was afterwards carried on in the lower part of the town ; and vessels have been occasionally built at various places. A sloop was launched at Higganum Landing in 1754 ; a few vessels were built there soon after ; and since 1760, shipbuilding has been a regular business at this place. Two yards are usually improved : for which, oak timber and plank are procured from the back parts of Haddam, and from North Killingworth. A store was opened at this landing in 1 752, and since that time, more business has been done there, than at any other place in Haddam. The inhabitants have five or six vessels usually employed in coasting, and sometimes two or three employed in trading to the West Indies. The emigrations from this town have been very numerous. Of the twenty-eight proprietors which have been mentioned, the fourteen last named have no descendants in this town at the pre- sent time, or none of their names ; nor indeed in East-Haddam. The names of some later settlers are now extinct with us. With- in the compass of twenty years a number of families have remov- Town of Haddam. 69 ed to Leyden in the State of New- York ; others have removed to other parts of the country. Public worship has been observed in this town from the be- ginning ; and for ten or twelve years it was attended in a pri- vate dwelling. In dividing their land, the proprietors reserved one right for him who should be their first minister, and one right for the sup- port of the ministry for ever ; and they made commendable ef- forts to support the institutions of the Gospel. The first minister of whom any mention is made in the early records of the town, was the Rev. Jonathan Willaube, who re- mained with the people only a short season. The Rev. Nicholas Noyes, a native of Newbury, Mass. and graduate of Cambridge College, succeeded him in 1668, and re- mained in the town thirteen or fourteen years. He afterwards settled in Salem, and was greatly distinguished in his day, as a scholar and a divine. Salem, and the adjacent part of the coun- try, the churches, university and people of New England, are said to have esteemed him a principal part of their glory. The greatest blot upon his character was occasioned by his efforts against those who were charged with witchcraft at Salem; an error which he afterwards lamented, and abundantly confessed. He died Dec. 13, 1707, in the 70th year of his age. An effort was made early in 1682, to procure the Rev. John James to preach in this town, and he afterwards instructed the people ; but how soon, and for how long a period, does not ap- pear. After leaving this place, he settled in Derby. Mr. James is supposed to have been a native of Wales. He possessed a respectable character both for learning and piety, but was distinguished by very great singularities. Some ludi- crous anecdotes are transmitted respecting him, and are now widely circulated in the country. Neither of the above ministers were ordained in Haddam, and during their continuance, professors of religion repaired to Mid- dletown, and perhaps occasionally to Saybrook for special ordi- nances : but Mr. Noyes remained with the people so long, that they gave him the right of land reserved for the first minister. In 1690 or 91, the Rev. Jeremiah Hobart, who had been set- tled for a time in Topsfield, Massachusetts, and in Hempstead, on Long-Island, was employed as a preacher in this town ; and in August of the latter year, the inhabitants made him proposals for settlement; which he accepted. From this time they ap- pear to have regarded him as their pastor, although not for- mally installed, and he probably administered ordinances to those who had named the name of Christ ; but as some difficul- ties arose afterwards, they voted, in April 1695, that they did not 70 Statistical Account of Middlesex County ; consider themselves as under the charge of Mr. Hobart as pas- tor, and that with consent of the General Assembly, and of neigh- bouring churches, they would embody in church way and order, according to the Gospel. Accordingly the church was regularly organized the next year. But the difficulties continuing between Mr. Hobart and the people, a respectable committee, appointed by the Assembly at their joint request, met in Haddam Nov. 25, 1698 ; who, after passing various resolves with a view to the re- storation of harmony, declared upon deliberate consideration, that the agreement between them, was, both in point of law and equity, valid and binding to 'each party, and they advised the people to call Mr. Hobart to the full execution of the office of a pastor among them. This advice seems finally to have been ac- cepted, for in June 1 700, they voted to call a council to install him ; and he was accordingly installed the Nov. following ; when he was in the 70th year of his age. Of his talents and charac- ter very little is known. He became the subject of infirmities some years before his death, and was unable to perform official services. Nov. 6, 1715, being the Lord's day, he attended pub- lic worship in the forenoon, and received the sacrament; and during the intermission expired, sitting in his chair. The Rev. Phinehas Fiske, son of Dr. John Fiske of Milford, was ordained colleague pastor with Mr. Hobart in Sept. 1714. This excellent man received his education at KillingWorth, un- der the venerable rector Pierson, where he became a tutor in the autumn preceding the rector's death. Upon that afflictive event, in March 1707, the senior class being removed to Milford, the other classes were placed under the special care of Mr. Fiske at Saybrook, until commencement. After that, all the classes were instructed at Saybrook by him and a fellow-tutor for -several years, with great fidelity and success. While the churches in the Colony were looking to this institution for pastors, he was the honoured instrument of preparing a number in part for their work, and rendered great service to the cause of literature and religion. His fame as an instructor, at that time, was very great. Before he left the tutorship he became a licentiate, and preach- ed occasionally in Haddam. His talents were solid rather than brilliant, and his sermons of course were better calculated to in- struct the understanding than to move the passions. He was uniformly regarded as a gentleman of science, and as a serious and excellent character; and his name is precious among the people of Haddam and of the vicinity to this day. The Rev. Aaron Cleveland succeeded him in 1739, and was dismissed in 174G. Mr. Cleveland was a gentleman of respectable talents, and a popular and engaging preacher. After leaving Haddam, he was ToTon of Haddam, 71 minister successively at Maiden, Mass. at Halifax, in Nova-Sco- tia, and at Lewiston, in Delaware ; at the last place as an Epis- copalian. On a journey to visit his family, residing in New- England, he was taken sick and died at Philadelphia, at the house of Dr. Franklin, his old friend and acquaintance ; and his body was carried to Lewiston and buried. The Rev. Joshua Elderkin was ordained in Haddam in 1 749, and dismissed in 1753. The Rev. Eleazer May succeeded him in 1756, and after a ministry of almost forty-seven years, died in 1803. The Rev. David D. Field was ordained in this place in 1804, and dismissed in April 1818. The Rev. John Marsh jr. was ordained his successor in Dec. following. In the account of Chatham, it was stated that Haddam-Neck was constituted a part of Middle-Haddam in 1 740. It may be proper to add here that the Neck contains about one third part of the Congregational society and church in that place. Sixty or seventy years since, a few individuals began to hold meetings in the lower part of Haddam Society, who were custo- marily called New-lights or Separates. In 1785, they were formed into a Strict-Congregational society, and in 1792, they professed themselves Baptists, and united, as was related in the account of Chatham, with the Baptists in East-Hampton. They hold meetings constantly in Haddam, and have some families be- longing to them, from the bounds of Chester in Saybrook. The Methodists, in the western part of Haddam Society, arose in 1791, 2 and 3, and in the lower part of it, in 1803. These, with what Methodists exist in other parts of the society, are con- nected, and have an accession of members from North- Killing- worth. The rise of Methodism in Middle-Haddam was noticed in treating of Chatham. For seventy years, only a single school was taught in Had- dam. In 1732, a vote was passed that the school should be kept three months at the school-house, and then moved successively in other parts of the town ; not far from which time new districts were formed. The number of schools in Haddam Society at this time is twelve, two and sometimes three of which are taught by men through the year ; and there is one school on Haddam- Neck, which has the benefit of a small fund. Among the distinguished individuals who have been natives of this town, the Hon. Hezekiah Brainerd, and his son the Rev. David Brainerd, deserve to be particularly mentioned. The former, under those disadvantages for education which existed in his day, acquired a respectable portion of information. 72 Statistical Account of Middlesex County ; Early sanctified by divine grace also, he gave himself up to the practice of religion, and became distinguished for piety as well as abilities. His moral and mental excellence soon attracted public notice, and commanded the esteem and suffrages of his fellow-citizens. The inhabitants of his native town testified their sense of his worth, by sending him repeatedly a represen- tativis to the General Assembly, where he was chosen clerk of the house of representatives, in May 1721, and speaker the three following sessions. In 1722, he was appointed a justice of the Quorum for Hartford county. The next year he was elected into the Council ; where he held a seat until his death, which took place at Hartford, during a session of the Assembly, May 24, 1727, in the 46th year of his age. The happy influence of his prayers and example, was seen on a numerous family. The Rev. David Brainerd was his third son. This gentleman became the hopeful subject of divine grace in the summer of 1739, when he was at the age of 22. In the au- tumn of the same year, he entered Yale-College, where he ma- nifested an ardent love to the cause of the Redeemer : but from which he was expelled in Feb. 1742, for uttering some indis- creet and unjustifiable expressions concerning the piety of one of the tutors, at a time when much feeling and controversy ex- isted in the Colony respecting experimental religion. Notwith- standing this mortifying and unhappy event, he commenced the study of divinity with the Rev. Mr. Mills of Ripton the subse- quent spring, and in a few months became a candidate for the Gospel ministry. Regarded as suitably qualified to preach among the heathen the unsearchable riches of Christ, he was appointed, in the month of November, a missionary to the In- dians, by the Correspondents of the Society in Scotland for propagating Christian knowledge. In April 1743, he began to preach to the inhabitants of an Indian village called Kaunau- meek, to the southeast of Albany, within the present towns of Schodac and Kinderhook, where he performed very arduous la hours and suffered great hardships. The next spring, as these Indians generally had removed to Stockbridgeand placed themselves un- der the care of the Rev. Mr. Sergeant, Mr. Brainerd visited the Indians living at the forks of the Delaware, nigh the line 'be- tween New-York and Pennsylvania. With a view to services at this settlement, he was ordained at Newark N. J. June 12, 1744. The following year he laboured principally at this place, but made two visits to the Indians further west, on the Susquehannah. After this he preached to the Indians at Cros- weeksung, near Freehold in N. J. where he had great success , but took one or two journeys to the forks of the Delaware and to Susquehannah. Overcome by journeying and labours in the Tov}7i of Haddam. 73 summer of 1 746, he was unable afterwards to perform much mi- nisterial service. In the spring of 1747, he travelled into New- England for his health, and on Oct. 10th of that year, died at Northampton, aged 30. The abilities and address of Mr. Brainerd were good. His religion was distinguished for humility, submission, self-de- nial and zeal ; and if we consider the numerous privations and hardships which he endured, and the arduous labours which he performed, among the several Indian tribes which he visited, the best evidence will arise of supreme attachment to the cause and interests of the Redeemer. By respectable writers and preachers in this country and in Great-Britain, he is often refer- red to as a pattern for missionaries. The important missionary stand at Chickamaugah, has lately been called Brainerd in honour of him, and his name will descend with respect to future genera- tions. We have no written nor traditionary accounts that any exten- sive revivals prevailed in this town in the early periods of its history; and as the ancient records of the church are lost, it is impossible to ascertain the numbers admitted to the church from time to time. Within the compass of twenty years, there have been two or three seasons of awakening in the lower part of Had- dam Society. In the summer of 1 809, a -revival prevailed in the west part of the Society, which resulted in the admission of about forty into the Congregational church. By a more extensive and powerful revival the last summer, the same church has received one hundred members. This revival spread also on Haddam- Neck. As one of its happy effects, a Society has recently been form- ed in the town, called, " The Young Men's United Bible and Missionary Society," which has already 68 members. Accord- ing to existing subscriptions, this will raise annually ^34 for the purchase of Bibles, and ^10 for missionary purposes. Eighty females have also given in their names, with a view of being formed into a society, auxiliary to the Board of Commis- sioners for Foreign Missions : whose subscriptions are 50 cents ??ach, annually. STATISTICAL ACCOUNT TOWN OF EAST-HADDAlM. Kivif:: In the preceding account, the reader has been informed, that this town was formerly a part of Haddam ; that most of it was obtained by the proprietors of that town in 1662, and the residue in 1673. It belonged to Haddam Society until 1700; when it was constituted a distinct society, and named, from its relation to the former society, East-Haddam. The inhabitants began to do town business by themselves in 1704, and to keep a record of their proceedings. But as the legality of doing business in this manner was questioned, and as uneasiness prevailed on other subjects^ the societies of Haddam and East-Haddam in 1710, en- tered into articles of agreement, and had them sanctioned by the Legislature ; in which it was provided among other things, that the societies might do town business separately, and elect each a representative to the General Assembly. Agreeably to these articles their public affairs were managed until May 1734 ; when the town of Haddam was divided, according to the division of the societies, and the names of the societies continued to them as towns. In the act of incorporation, however, it was provided, that neither of these towns should send more than one represen- tative to the Assembly at public cost. This proviso remained until Oct. 1778, when Haddam, East-Haddam, Chatham, and one or two other towns in the State, were allowed to send two representatives. East-Haddam is eight and 3-4 miles long, and from six and 1-4 to eight miles broad, containing 39,900 acres. It is bound- ed by Chatham and Colchester, on the north ; by Colchester, on the east ; by Lyme on the south ; and on the west, partly by Connecticut river, and partly by Salmon river, which separates it from Haddam-Neck. Tozon of East-Haddam. 75 It embraces two whole parishes, viz. East-Haddam and Mil- lington ; and two thirds of the parish of Hadlyme, the remainder of the last parish being taken from the third parish in Lyme. The settlement began within the bounds of East-Haddam pa- rish ; but at what time is not absolutely certain. It has been commonly supposed that it began at the place called the Creek- Row about 1685, by the removal thither of the Gateses, and of some of the Bateses, Brainerds and Cones from Haddam. Cur- rent tradition declares this to have been the spot first settled, and these to have been the first settlers. But from a document found in the Colony Records, it is certain that Robert Chapman had a dwelling house in East Haddam, north of the Creek-Row, in 1674. If the settlement at the Creek-Row was first, it must have begun about 1670. Near this time, the Ackleys and a family of Spencers from Haddam, settled farther eastward in the parish. With these settlers, were soon united the ancestors of the Anna- bles, Booges, Fullers and Percivals, from the bounds of the old Colony of Plymouth ; the ancestors of theOlmsteds from Hartford, Samuel Emmons from Cambridge, Mass. and John Chapman Esq. from Saybrook, who had purchased the lands laid out to Capt. John CuUick, noticed in the account of Haddam. James Green, Elijah Atwood, Nathaniel Goodsped and Isaac Taylor, from the bounds of Plymouth Colony ; Henry Champion and Matthew Smith from Lyme ; Robert Hurd from Killingworth ; John War- ner from Sunderland, and John Church from Hatfield, Massa- chusetts ; were later settlers. Not far from the period in which the setdement began at the Creek-Row, Samuel Spencer from Haddam settled in the upper part of Hadlyme. Thomas Hungerford was an inhabitant of that parish as early as 1692, and John Holmes from New-Lon- don as early as 1710. Isaac Willey, John Willey and Abel Willey, also from New-London, Thomas Harvey from some part of England, and John Marsh from Braintree, Mass. were early inhabitants. The first settler in Millington was Jonathan Beebe from New- London, who settled by the Long Pond about 1704, and was soon joined by several persons who have now no descendants in East-Haddam. Except at this spot, there were no inhabitants in Millington until about 1 732, 3 and 4, when families moved into it, by the name of Arnold, Barns, Brainerd, Chapman, Church, Cone, Emmons, Fuller, Gates, Olmsted and Spencer, from East-Haddam parish ; of Hai-vey and Hungerford, from Hadlyme ; of Clarke, from Haddam ; of Graves, from Colches- ter, and Stewart from Voluntown. Daniel Smith from some part of Plymouth Colony, Lemuel Griffin from Lyme, and Thomas Fox from Colchester, settled in it not long after. 10 7G Statistical Account of Middlesex County ; The town was very generally settled by 1 740, and since that iime the increase of population has been small, compared with th?it of most towns in the State ; indeed for half that period the popu- lation has rather diminished. In 1757 and in 1760, some fami- lies removed to Hartland in Litchfield county, and the emigra- tions have been almost perpetual, to the county of Berkshire, in Mass. to Vermont, or to New- York. The greater part of this town was purchased from the Indians together with the town of Haddam : but when the tract granted in 1673 was obtained from them, is unknown. A considerable number remained in the town after the English settlements com- menced. The Indians called it Mackimoodus, or the place of noises, from those noises or shocks of earthquake, for which it has been famed from time immemorial. These, the Puritans were dispos- ed to ascribe to the extraordinary pawwaws, which the debased clan, inhabiting this town, practised ; while the Indians, on the other hand, were ready to ascribe their existence or violence, to the introduction of Christianity : for an old Indian being asked the reason of the noises said, ' that the Indian's god was very an- gry, because Englishmen's god was come here.' These have been heard more or less frequently ever since the English setdements began. Mr. Hosmer, the first minister of the town, says, in a letter to Mr. Prince of Boston, dated Aug. 13th 1729, " I have myself heard eight or ten sounds succes- sively and imitating small arms in the space of five minutes. I have, (I suppose,) heard several hundreds of them within this twenty years, some more, some less terrible. Sometimes we have heard them almost every day, and great numbers of them in the space of a year. Oftentimes I have observed them to be coming down from the north," (the center of them being in the north part of East-Haddam parish, about Moodus river falls,) " imitating slow thunder, until the sound came near or right un- der, and then there seemed to be a breaking, like the noise of a common shot, or severe thunder, which shakes houses and all that is in them. They have in a measure ceased ever since the general earthquake, as 1 remember there have been but two heard since that time, and those but moderate." The earthquake referred to, occurred Oct. 29, 1727. Ten or twenty years after this, they became again very frequent and violent ; and excited the attention of the neighbouring towns, and of the learned and inquisitive throughout the Colony ; and thus they have continued, for some seasons, frequent and vio- lent ; and at others, rare and slight, until the present time. The most violent of these noises or earthquakes ever known, took place on the 18th of May, 1791, consisting of many shocks, which so ToTxn of EaH-Haddam, 77 shook the eanh as to untop many chimnies and excite consternation in every family. Some of the shocks were noticed at New-York, Boston and Northampton. After this they were rarely heard for some time, and not often till within three or four years past : nor are they by any means as common now as in the days of Mr. Hosmer. A gentleman who has paid much attention to them, has ob- served, that for twenty-six years, they have occurred almost uniformly in a dull and heavy state of the atmosphere. What there is in this town to produce them, it is difficult to determine. In the letter above quoted, Mr, Hosmer observes, " Whether it be fire or air distressed in the subterraneous caverns of the earth, cannot be known, for there is no eruption, no explosion percep- tible." The day after the earthquake in 1791, however, it is said that apertures and fissures were observed in the earth and rocks near Moodus river falls, and that stones of several tons weight were found, thrown from their places. Some disruptions from the bank of Salmon river and of Moodus river, are also sup- posed to have been occasioned by them. When these noises have been perceived only within a small circle, producing a slight tremulous motion in the earth and in the river, they have been called Moodus noises ; but when they have extended a considerable distance, they have been deno- minated earthquakes, and have been characterized by all the circumstances which attend earthquakes usually in New-Eng- land. The earthquakes noticed in Connecticut for forty years, with scarcely an exception, have been more violent in East- Haddam, than in any other place. This town is less hilly and broken than Haddam, and taken together has a better soil ; but is more suitable for grazing than for the culture of grain. The inhabitants are very generally farmers, and derive considerable profits from their stock and dai- ries, and from their wood and lumber. Salmon river, described in the account of Chatham, washes its v/estern border for four miles. In the north-eastern part of East-Haddam parish, is a pond, spreading over an area of 1000 acres, sometimes called Bates's Pond, but more commonly from its form, the Round Pond, affording small fish, which at times are caught in considerable quantities. This is the source of Moodus river, which after a winding course of four or five miles, receiving on its way the little stream called Wigwam brook, empties into Salmon-river Cove. Two miles from its source are the falls, which have been re- peatedly named. Here the water descends suddenly to the depth of seventy feet, dashing against the rocks with great vio- 78 Statistical Account of Middlesex County ; lence, and producing at times a noise, heard to a considerable extent in the surrounding region. Bog-meadow brook, in the southern part of East-Haddam pa- rish, and Roaring brook principally in Hadlyme, are streams sufficient for turning mills a part of the year. In the northeast corner of Millington, is the Long Pond, nam- ed like the Round Pond, from its form. Its length is two miles and its breadth half a mile ; affording also small fish. This is the source of Eight-mile river, which after leaving Millington, passes through Pleasant Valley and Hamburg, set- tlements in North-Lyme, and empties into the Connecticut. On this stream two miles from the pond are falls, more inter- esting than those on Moodus river. Immediately above the falls the stream divides itself into two parts, and then dashes down the rocks from 70 to 100 feet, in the course of eight or ten rods ; where the stream again unites, and passes on through a deep, narrow and gloomy opening. The rocks in the falls are curious- ly smoothed and scooped out by the action of water, or the whirling and friction of objects which it carries, and the scene- ry around is uncommonly wild, and romantic. At the head of boat navigation on Salmon river, four miles from its mouth, are Lord's Mills, or Factories. At this excel- lent stand, an oil mill was erected fifty years ago, the first, it is said, erected in the State. A saw mill has also been erected here for several years, carrying eight saws and sawing a length of seventy feet. In 1814, a woollen and cotton factory were set up in the building, previously used for an oil mill. By some means not perfectly ascertained," this took fire on the night of the 30th of March 1815, and with a clothier's works, and dress- ing shop, and a large portion of their contents, was consumed •, occasioning a loss of 25,000 dollars. But notwithstanding this calamitous event, the proprietors, the summer after, erected a fine fire-proof brick building, 65 feet by 35, four stories, with a loft in the garret. Into this they introduced machinery in the fall, for the manufacture of woollen cloths, which now consumes wool at the rate of 16,000 pounds a year. In the spring of 1816, they introduced into it 600 spindles for spinning cotton, and intend hereafter to increase these to 2,000. In this building, is a ma- chine room, where all the wood, brass and iron machinery, are made and refjaired for the establishment. Twenty hands are employed in the woollen factory, fifteen in the cotton, and five in the machine room. The stream at this stand is equal in the driest season to two grist-mill powers, and by means of a seven- foot dam, has a head of twelve feet. A co'iton factory was erected in 1815, on the west bank of Town of East-Haddam. 79 Moodus river, a mile and a half from its mouth. The building is of stone, 60 feet by 36, three stories, with a slate roof, and is cal- culated to contain from 1500 to 2000 spindles. It is owned by an incorporated company, allowed to hold stock to the amount of 75,000 dollars, divided into 150 shares of 500 dollars each. On the same stream westward, a nail factory was erected in 1809 ; but this lately has not been much used. Shipbuilding was begun at East-Haddam Landing some time before the revolutionary war ; and as early as that war, it was begun at Chapman's Ferry. But the business is not now car- ried on extensively at either of these places. A house was built at East-Haddam Landing and a market opened for produce in 1743 ; since which, most of the trade in the town has centered at this spot. This Landing is a little south of the mouth of Salmon river, on the bank of the Coh- necticut, from which hills rise suddenly to the north and east. Here are three or four merchant stores and about twenty houses. A portion of business is also done at Chapman's Ferry and at Lord's Mills. Several coasting vessels are owned in the town, and usually two or three sea vessels. It has been already staled that East-Haddam Society was formed in 1 700. The church in this society was gathered Jan. 6, 1 704, consisting of eight male members, viz. the Rev. Stephen Hosmer, ordained its pastor on the 3d of May following, and seven brethren from the church in Haddam. Mr. Hosmer preached to this people forty-five years and sus- tained a respectable character. The Rev. Joseph Fowler succeeded him in 1751, and was also deservedly esteemed. The Rev. Elijah Parsons was ordained in East-Haddam in 1772, and is still living. The Rev. Isaac Parsons was ordained colleague pastor with him in 1816. The Society of Millington, in the east part of East-Haddam, was incorporated in Oct. 1733, and the church was formed, it is supposed, Dec. 2, 1736 ; as the first pastor, the Rev. Timo- thy Symmes, was ordained at that time. The members, gene- rally at least, were taken from the church in East-Haddam. Mr. Symmes, in the great revival which spread in New-England a few years after his ordination, had his feelings, (as is reported,) extravagantly raised, and pursued his work with misguided zeal. This excited uneasiness, which closed his services in this place. The Rev. Hobart Estabrook, son of the Rev. Mr. Estabrook of Canterbury, was ordained in Millington in 1745. He died in 1766, and is still remembered with affection and respect as av;or- thy minister. 80 Statistical Account of Middlesex County ; The Rev. Diodate Johnson, son of the Rev. Stephen Johnson of Lyme, succeeded him the next year. Possessed of superior abilities and ardent piety, Mr. Johnson bid fair to be a distinguished ornament and blessing to the church. But the consumption, (a disease to which his family connections have been uncommonly subject,) closed his days in the sixth year of his ministry. When struck with death, he was sitting in his chair, reading the prayer in Doddridge's Rise and Progress, entitled, " A meditation and prayer suited to the case of a dying christian." The Rev. Eleazer Sweetland, was ordained in this place in 1777, and died in 1787. The Rev. William Lyman, D. D. succeeded him in the close of the same year, and is the pastor of the church at the present time. The Society of Hadlyme was incorporated in Oct. 1742, and was thus called, because it was made partly from East-Haddam and partly from Lyme. The church was organized, with ten male members, on the 26th of June 1745, and on the 18th of the succeeding September, the Rev. Grindall Rawson, who had been minister several years at South-Hadley, Mass. was installed their pastor. He was remarkable for pleasantry in conversation, and had an uncommon talent in reconciling parties at variance. He died in 1777. The Rev. Joseph Vaill, the present pastor of Hadlyme church, was ordained in 1780. Of fifty-five members, belonging to this church in April, of the last year, twenty-seven lived within the town of East-Haddam. A disagreement in East-Haddam Society respecting the spot, where their present meeting-house should be set, produced a di- vision among the people. The portion dissatisfied with its loca- tion, were formed into an Episcopal society April 27, 1791, and the Rev. Solomon Blakesley was placed over them as deacon in 1792, and in full orders in 1793, and he has generally laboured with them and some neighbouring societies since. A few Baptists arose in Millington in 1789 or 90, with whom some families are now connected at East-Haddam Landing. In Millington also are a few people of the Methodist persua- sion. A school was probably kept in this town as early as the for- mation of East-Haddam Society. There was but one until 1729 or 30. in Millington and Hadlyme there must have been schools as soon as those societies were formed. There are now in the town 19, viz. 8 in East-Haddam Society, one or two of which are taught by men through the year, 7 in Millington, and 4 in Hadlvme. Town of East-Haddam, 81 The Hon. Joseph Spencer of this town, without the advan- tages of a regular and public education, acquired that general knowledge, and that acquaintance with business, which enabled him to discharge happily and usefully the various duties to which he was called. His mind was early impressed with the reality and importance of religious subjects, and comforted by the con- solations of the Gospel, though circumstances prevented his pro- fessing Christ for a season. Not long after the settlement of Mr. Estabrook in Millington, he communicated to him in writing, a very humble and satisfactory account of the exercises of his soulj and then came forward aqd united with the church under his care ; in which some years after, he was elected a deacon. A long and humble walk with God, evinced the sincerity of his profession ; and he at last died, as might be expected, with strong and joyful expectations of a blessed immortality. His public employments were very numerous. In 1758 he went into the northern army in the capacity of a major, under Col. Nathan Whiting, and the two following years as a lieute- nant-colonel, in the second French war; where he acquired the reputation of a brave and good officer. ' In 1775, in the war of the revolution, he was appointed a brigadier-general, and the next year a major-general in the army of the United States, a post which he resigned in 1778. From the autumn of 1753 till his death in 1789, he was judge of probate for the district of East-Haddam. In 1766, he was elected into the Council of the State, where he remained until 1779, being appointed for the last year a judge of Hartford county court. At this time a prejudice arose against him among the freemen, because he did not, in a particular instance, march some troops under his command on to Rhode-Island; and he lost his election ns an assistant. But the same year, the Assembly, entertaining a high sense of his worth, sent him a representative to Congress ; and in 1 780, he was elect- ed again into the Council, and thus annually elected during life. In the first parish in this town, there was some special atten- tion to religion in 1802, and again in 1816. Some seasons of gentle refreshing from the presence of the Lord have occurred in Millington ; and there have been within a few years, several seasons of more than ordinary attention to the concerns of the soul in Hadlyme, and the state and prospects of that society have been greatly improved. In each of the parishes in this town, are one or more female charitable societies. STATISTICAL ACCOUNT TOWN OF-SAYBROOK. ::^^:: Dissatisfied with the civil and religious state of things in England in the time of Charles I. Lord Say and Seal, Lord Brook, Lord Rich and other gentlemen of distinction, contem- plated a removal to America ; and in prosecution of their design, procured of Robert, Earl of Warwick, March 19, 1631, a patent of all that territory, *' which lies west from Narraganset river, a hundred and twenty miles on the sea coast ; and from thence in latitude and breadth aforesaid, to the South Sea." In July 1635, they appointed John Winthrop, son of the governor of Massachusetts, then in England, their agent, to build a fort at Connecticut river, to erect houses for the accommodation of him- self and men, and for the reception of persons of quality ; and they constituted him governor of Connecticut river, of the har- bour and places adjoining, for the space of one year from his arrival there. Thus commissioned, and furnished with men and means for the undertaking, he shipped for New-England. On his arrival at Boston, Oct. 8th, he found that some people had just gone from Massachusetts and settled upon Connecticut river, within the patent held by their lordvships. But upon the agreement of his father and other magistrates, that those settlers should either re- move, or the patentees be satisfied in some other way, he dis- patched carpenters and workmen to the mouth of the Connecti- cut ; who arrived there in the close of November and entered upon their work. Mr. Winthrop followed them, and superin- tended their labours during the continuance of his commission. The level and pleasant tract, two miles northwest from the bar, called Saybrook Point, was selected for the beginning of a set- : tlement ; and was laid out with care, as it was expected to be- I Thzon of Sayhrook. 83 come, not only the residence of great men, but the center of great business and wealth. This is a mile in length, and is lin- ed on the north and south by coves and meadows. On this, se- veral parallel streets were laid out, intersected by others at suit- able distances. On the east end, in front of Tomb Hill, a site was chosen for a fortification. Back from this, was a square, on which it was intended, the houses should be erected for the illustrious personages expected from Europe, while a square fur- ther west was reserved for public uses. The fortification and some other buildings were immediately begun, under the direction of Mr. David Gardiner, a skilful en- gineer, who had been procured for the purpose in England ; and that the workmen and inhabitants might be the more secure, palisades were placed across the west end or neck of the Point. This Mr. Gardiner became the lieutenant of the Fort, and pro- moted the views and interests of those who were concerned in the settlement, several years after the expiration of the commis- sion of Mr. Winthrop. In the summer of 1639, Col. George Fenwick, one of the pa- tentees, arrived from England, and gave to the tract about the mouth of the river, the name of Saybrook, in honour of Lord Say and Seal, and Lord Brook, his principal associates. From this time until Dec. 1644, he superintended and governed the inhabitants, and then sold the jurisdiction of Saybrook to Con- necticut Colony ; as his brethren had given up the idea of emi- grating to America. They were prevented from emigrating for a season, both by the dangers apprehended from the Indians at Saybrook, and by opposition to their removal made in England ; and afterwards, by a change in public affairs, they hoped to en- joy that liberty at home, which they had anticipated in the American wilderness, and therefore abandoned the project alto- gether ; but Lord Say and Seal particularly, was ever friendly to this settlement, and contributed to the promotion of its pros- perity. The territory to which the name of Saybrook was applied, and which was sold to the Connecticut Colony, included most of the present townships of Saybrook and Lyme. The latter town was incorporated in May 1 667. Saybrook was at first considered to be six miles long, but was really eight and a half, and its length was increased two miles in 1669 agreeable to statements made in the account of Haddam ; so that its present length is ten and a half miles. This is its length at a medium. Its breadth varies from five to six and a half miles, and it contains by computation 40,800 acres. It is bounded by Connecticut river on the east, which separates it from Lyme ; by Long-Island Sound on the south, by Killing- 11 t34 Statistical Account of Middlesex County ; worth on the west, and by Haddam on the north ; and comprises tour parishes, viz. Saybrook, Westbrook, Pautapoug and Ches- ter parishes. Saybrook parish is the south-eastern section of the town. This section the Indians called Pattaquasset. West of this is Westbrook parish, which was called by its Indian name, Pochaug, until Oct. 1810. North of these two parishes is Pautapoug, (incorporated bef6re Westbrook but settled later,) an Indian name still used by the English. Northward still is Chester, which the Indians called Pattaquounk. Some individuals who left England with Mr. Winthrop in 1 635, and others who left Jt with Col. Fenwick in 1639, become set- tlers at Saybrook Point: but their number was small. About 1646, some individuals moved into the place from Hartford and Windsor. From a division of lands made in 1648, there appear to have been 43 proprietors then in the town. Among them, were the ancestors of the Barkers, Bulls, Bushnells, Chapmans, Clarks, Lays, Lords, Parkers, Pratts and Posts ; as there were of the Champions, Gris wolds, Lees and Wades, who settled af- terwards in Lyme ; and of the Backuses, Blisses, Fitches, Hunt- ingtons, Hydes, Larrabees, Leffingwells, Masons and Budds, who removed about 1660, either from the bounds of this town or Lyme, and settled Norwich. These all lived upon the Point. or in its immediate neighbourhood ; as did also the ancestors of the Chalkers and Tullies, who were very early associated with them. There were one or two families at Saybrook Ferry in IQQ'^, and about this period some families settled west of Oyster river. Among the early settlers in Saybrook parish, after those which have been mentioned, were the ancestors of the Water- houses, Kirtlands, and Shipmans ; and also of the Whittleseys, Willards and Lyndes, which last families were from Boston. About 1710, a family by the name of Ayres settled in the north- ern part of this parish, at Ayres's Point. . The settlement in Westbrook began as early as 1664, near the east border of Pochaug river, between the meeting-house and the Sound. Some of the first settlers in this parish were of the name of Lay and Post from Saybrook parish or from Lyme, of Hart and Wright from Guilford, of Stannard and Spencer from Haddam, of Kelsey from Killingworth, of Denison from Stonington, of Deval or Dee from Seakonnet R. I., and of Mur- dock from East-Hampton, Long-Island. John Denison from Stonington, and some families of Lays and Pratls from Saybrook parish or Lyme, settled at Pautapoug Point about 1690. John Starkey from London, the Heydens from Boston, and Charles Williams from Rhode-Island, united v/ith these some time after. Families by the name of Platts were early settlers in the west part of Pautapoug parish. Town of Saybrook. 05 Jonah Dibble from Haddam was an inhabitant of Chester in 1692, and Andrew Warner from Hadle}', about 1696. The an- cestors of the Parkers, Shipmans, Waterhouses and Webbs from Saybrook parish, were early settlers in this place. George Wil- lard and Andrew Southworth from the same parish, Joel Canfield and Gideon Leet from Durham, settled in it about 1745. In this town there were four Indian settlements. One of these was about the mouth of Oyster river. Another was on Obed's Hammock, near the mouth of Pochaug river, where Indians lived till within fifty or sixty years. A third was at Ayres's Point, and so northward to Pautapoug Point. A fourth was on, or near the Indian reservation in Chester, mentioned in the account of Had- dam. From Oyster river the Indians may have carried their'dead to the grave-yard at Black- Hall in Lyme, for interment ; but they are known to have buried at, or near all the other settlements in the town. Their bones have been found frequently on Pauta- poug Point, and in one or two instances intire skeletons. Back of Ayres's Point on a sandy plain, are numerous hillocks or tu- muli, covered with small stones, which have been thought to be Indian graves; but of this there is no certainty : for though bones have been found on the plain, they were in such a state of decay, as to render it impossible to determine whether they ever belonged to human bodies. Here Indian arrows, pestles, axes, &c. have been often found. The Indians in this town and in the vicinity were subject some years before the English settled upon Connecticut river, to the Pequots, a warlike and powerful nation, who lived principally in the towns of I^cw- London, Groton and Stonington. These had become already distihguished for their jealousies of and cruelties to the English, and had communicated their malignant feel- ings to all whom they could influence. In 1634, some of their confederates murdered Capt. Stone and Capt. Norton, and their whole crew, consisting of eight men, half a mile above Saybrook Point ; plundered the vessel of such articles as they wished, and then burned her down to the water's edge and sunk her. It may not be unsuitable to notice, that some of the timber and plank of this vessel were found so recently as 1785, together with a quantity of bar iron, and a few other articles. In 1635, they re- ceived and protected individuals, who had been concerned in the murder of Mr. Oldham at Block-Island. But notwithstanding these recent and abominable transactions, they consented to hold a treaty with Mr. Winthrop and his men, and gave to the English their right to Connecticut river, and the adjacent country. Thus they excited a hope of peace and safe- ty. But a few months, according to the testimony of Dr. Trum- So Stalistical Account of Middlesex County ; buil and various other writers, disclosed their treachery and wickedness. For in the beginning of Oct. 1636, as five men from Saybrook fort went to get hay at Calves' island, four miles north, near Lyme shore ; some Pequots who had concealed them- selves in the high grass, surprised them, caught one, a godly young man, by the name of Butterfield, and tortured him to death : from which circumstance the place was named Butterfield's meadow. The other four escaped to their boat, but one of them was wound- ed with five arrows. A few days after this, Joseph Tilly, master of a bark, came to anchor nearly opposite Calves' island, and taking one man with him, went on shore for the purpose of fowling. As soon as he had discharged his piece, a large number of Pequots rising from their concealment, took him and killed his companion ; and then gratified their malice by putting him to torture. They first cut off" his hands and then his feet ; after which he lived three days. But as nothing which they inflicted upon him excited a groan, they pronounced him a stout man. The place where he was tak- en and tortured has ever since been called Tilly's Point. Within a fortnight of these transactions, the following calami- ty was experienced. A house had been erected about two miles from the fort, (at Cornfield Point as is supposed,) and six men detached from the garrison to keep it. As three of them were fowling near the house, (a practice which the lieutenant had strictly forbid,) they were suddenly attacked by nearly one hun- dred Pequots ; two were taken, and one fought his way through them sword in hand, wounded with two arrows, but not mortally. The following winter the fort was little better than in a state of constant siege. None could go from it without hazard ; and the cattle, stacks of hay, and almost every thing belonging to it at any distance were destroyed. When the spring arrived, the enemy were still more troublesome. As Lieut. Gardiner was going out in the month of March, with ten or twelve men to burn the marshes, the enemy rose upon them, just as they had turned south from the palisades, killed three of the men and wounded a fourth, so that he died in the fort the next day. . The lieutenant was slightly wounded, but was able with most of his men to re- treat. Encouraged by this success, the Indians followed them, surrounded the fort, and challenged them to fight ; mocking them in the groans and pious invocations of their friends whom they had tortured ; till a dexterous use of the guns loaded with grape shot, compelled them to retire. After this, Indians in several canoes beset a shallop, having three men on board, as it was sail- ing down the river. They shot one of them through the head with an arrow, who fell overboard. The other two they took, 3nd ripped them from the bottom of their bellies to their throats, Town of Saybrook. 87 cleft them down their backs, and then suspended them on trees by the side of the river; that the English might behold these ob- jects of their vengeance. One of the Indians concerned in -hese Isabarities, was Nepaupuck, a famous Pequot captain, who for this and other murders was beheaded at New-Haven in 1639, and whose head was set upon a pole in the market place. In the midst of these calamities, Capt. John Mason was sent with 20 men to reinforce the garrison at Saybrook : after whose arrival the Indians withdrew very generally, from that quarter. He was soon relieved by Capt. John Underhill with 20 men sent from Massachusetts, and he returned to Hartford. But a party ©f Pequots in the month of April waylaid some of the people of Weathersfield, killed nine persons, and took two maids captive. They also killed twenty cows and did other damage. By these repeated murders and injuries, the inhabitants of Connecticut Colony were greatly alarmed ; not only for the safe- ty of their friends at Saybrook, but for the safety of themselves and families. They saw nothing before them but destruction, unless the rage and power of the Pequots could be broken. The General Court therefore, being summoned together on the 1st of May, came to the resolution of waging immediate war with that perfidious and cruel nation. Massachusetts and Plymouth Colonies also, hearing of the outrages of thfe Pequots, resolved to aid their Connecticut brethren in prosecuting the war against them. But the crisis admitted of no unnecessary delay. The Connecticut troops were raised forthwith, and on Wednesday, the 10th of May, Capt. John Mason, appointed commander of the expedition, with 90 men, almost the whole efficient force of Hartford, Weathersfield and Windsor ; and Uncas, sachem of Moheagan, with about 70 Moheagan and river Indians; went on board three small vessels at Hartford, and fell down the river for Saybrook fort. Not understanding the channel they ran aground several times, and did not arrive at the fort until Monday, the ■ 15th of the month. But when they had got as far as Chester, the Indians, being impatient of delays, were permitted to go on shore, and proceed on foot. On their way, they fell in with about 40 of the enemy, killed six, and took on€ a prisoner, a no- torious villain, who had practised much treachery and mischief against the inhabitants of the fort. The Indians insisted upon punishing him according to the barbarous custom of their ances- tors, and in existing circumstances were not opposed. Capt. Underhill with 19 men belonging to the garrison, join- ed the expedition, and 20 of Mason's men were sent back to protect their friends up the river. But the army was detained till Friday by contrary winds ; and the officers were divided in sentiment, whether to go directly to the Pequot settlements, or 88 Statistical .Account of Middlesex County ; to sail to Narraganset, march into the country and so come upoi] them if possible by surprise. The latter course was finally adopted ; and on Saturday they arrived at Narrag&nset, and at the close of the following Thursday, in the neighbourhood of the Pequots ; having received on their way an accession of about 500 Indians, Narragansets and others. It had been ascertained that the Pequots were collected in two strong forts, called Mistic fort, and Sassacus's fort. The army was near the former, which contained at this time four or five hundred inhabitants, men, women and children, and 150 warriors, who had been sent on that day from the other fort, with a view to go out on an excursion against the English settlements. As the troops from Saybrook had been seen to pass by the Thames , the Indians drew the conclusion that they durst not attack them, and gave themselves up to merriment on that account, singing and dancing till midnight. After this they sunk into a deep sleep ; and Mason and his men marched forward to the confines of their fortress. It was now nearly day-light, on Friday, the 26th of May, and not a moment was to be lost. Capt. Mason therefore proceeded with one part of the troops to attack the fort on its north-eastern side, and Capt. Underbill, with another to attack it on its western side. They got within a rod or two of the fort, when a dog's barking awoke the Indian centinel, who instantly roused his brethren. But the assailants fired through the palisades, and soon effected an entrance, and a desperate con- flict ensued. For some time the victory was doubtful. In this situation, Mason ordered the fort to be burnt, and immediately took fire and put it to the mats on the wigwams. The flames spread with amazing rapidity, and the English retreated and formed a circle around the fort ; while the friendly Indians who had been disheartened, resumed courage and formed an outer circle. Many within the fort were consumed in the conflagra- tion, others mounting the palisades were a fair mark for the English muskets, and others rushing forward to make their es- cape, were cut down with the sword. In little more than an hour about 600 Pequots in one way or another were killed, while 7 only escaped and 7 were made prisoners. The English had only two men killed, and about 20 wounded. The next day in marching to Pequot harbour, whither they had ordered their vessels, a running fight ensued with 300 war- riors from Sassacus's fort, who were frantic with passion upon the destruction of their brethren. In this fight the English and their associates suffered no loss, while several of the enemy were slain. They entered their vessels, and in about three weeks from the time they left Hartford, they returned to their respec- tive habitations. Town of Saybrook. 89 But the Pequots at Sassacus's fort, deeming it unsafe to re- main in that region, burnt their wigwams, and dispersed in va- rious rambling parties. But their dispersion did not wholly se- cure them. The Legislature appointed Capt. Mason, and fur- nished him with men to prosecute the war ; some forces were sent from Massachusetts for this pui-pose ; and the Indians, who had been inimical to the Pequots, willingly came forward and united in destroying them. One of their parties was taken by the Massachusetts troops, united with some of the Narraganset Indians. Another party crossed Connecticut river and proceed- ed westward, near the Sound. Some English scouts had a skir- mish with these on a hill in Saybrook parish, whence they fled into a neighbouring swamp, from which circumstance, the hill is called Pequot Hill, and the swamp, Pequot Swamp to this day. A few of these were pursued by some English soldiers, and by some Moheagans, down the eastern shore of the harbour west of Guilford. They crossed the harbour, but were taken as they as- cended the opposite bank. Among these was a sachem, (according to the Manuscripts of the Rev. Mr. Ruggles of Guilford,) whom Uncas shot with an arrow. He then cut off his head, and put it in the fork of an oak, where the skull remained for many years. From this transaction the harbour has ever since been called Sachem's head. But the fugitives generally proceeded to a large swamp in Fairfield. Thither they were pursued and sur- rounded; about 20 were killed and 180 taken prisoners. The others escaped and fled. By these various attacks and losses, the Pequots were com- pletely subdued as a nation. Their conquest was of the greatest, importance to the settlenfient in Saybrook, and to the other set- tlements on Connecticut river. It indeed struck a general terror into the Indians through the country, and prevented their rising in great numbers against the English for nearly forty years. The lands in the south-eastern division of this township, throughout the greater part of Saybrook parish, are level and easi- ly cultivated; and enriched by the white-fish and other manures, are very productive. The same is true of smaller tracts in other parts of the town, in the vicinity of the Sound and of the river ; but the lands back are generally stoney and somewhat hilly, though there are few hills of much note. Cow Hill, and Pequot Hill, (already named,) in Saybrook parish, Robert's Hill and Bork Hill in Pautapoug, and Horse Hill betweep this town and Killingworlh, are among the more important. The streams in this town, as well as in the other towns in the county, are small. Chester river has its sources in the southern part of Haddam 90 Statistical Account of Middlesex Country , and in Cedar-swamp Pond. The branches unile at Chestei Cove, at the head of tide water, a mile from Connecticut river, and for half that distsltice, from Middlesex tm-npike bridge, the river admits of large vessels. Cedar-swamp Pond is remarkable only, for its being formed by a dam, sufficiently wide for a cart-path, which was apparent- ly made by beavers. Directly below this is the swamp which imp£irts to it its name. There is another pond in Chester parish, on very high ground^ called Shipman's Pond, which sends forth a small stream. Deep river is said to derive its waters partly from Cedar swamp and partly from sources farther south. It empties into Connecticut river a little south of Chester river. Fall river, (so called from its passing over some inconsidera- ble falls,) rises in the west part of Pautapoug, and unites with the Connecticut a little above Pautapoug Point. Oyster river rises in Pequot Hill, and runs southerly into the Sound. This stream derives its name from the oysters which used to be caught near its mouth. Some are taken there now and also clams. On this stream Mr. Francis Bushnell erected a corn-mill in 1662, the first erected in the town; for which the proprietors gave him a farm, on condition that a mill should be kept there continually, and that the inhabitants should have equal privileges in regard to grinding : and the farm is held by his descendants on these conditions at the present time. Pochaug river rises in the west part of Pautapoug, and takes a southern direction through the center of Westbrook, and empties into Westbrook harbour. This receives near its mouth, Menun- ketesuck river, whose head waters are in the edge of Haddam. whence it passes through the parish of North Killingworth, pan of the parish of Killingworth, and then turns eastwarel into Westbrook. Westbrook harbour serves as an indiiferent shelter for small vessels. It formerly furnished a considerable shad fishery : but in latter years the shad have become scarce. Shell fish are caught in the harbour for the use of the inhabitants, and arc occasion- ally carried to the neighbouring places. A quarry of Steatite or Soap stone exists in Pautapoug, half a mile north of the Congregational meeting-house. This appear.- to have been known to the Indians, as pots and mortars made ol this stone have been found in their graves on the Point, and in fields in the neighbourhood. Thirty or forty years since, it was procur- ed by the owners of a furnace in Killingworth, for the purpose of making an oven for baking steel. In 1815, some gentlemen obtained a lease of the quarry for 20 years, got out fifty tons o! '^ Tozon of Say brook. 91 fhe stone and sent it to New- York ; where upon examination, it was declared to possess durable qualities, and to be susceptible of a fine polish, but to be too hard to be extensively useful. A quarry of Gneiss stone, resembling the quarries in Haddam, called Deep-river-Quarry, because it is in the neighbourhood of that river, was opened in 1812. This is near a cove, na- vigable for scows, half a mile from Connecticut river. Several hands have been employed in it, and it promises to be profitable. Another quarry of a similar description was opened some years after on Mitchel's Neck. Some others were opened in the vicinity last year ; and one, two or three years ago near Ce- dar-swamp. Several persons have been mentioned as emigrating frcnn this town to Lyme and to Norwich. In the former, settlements be- gan about 1654, and in the latter, in 1660. The reason of the emigration to Norwich was as follows. In some of the wars be- tween Uncas, and the Narragansets, they besieged him and his men in his fort near the Thames, until their provisions were al- most exhausted. He found means of acquainting the scouts from Saybrook fort with his situation, and of apprizino- them of the danger to which the English would be exposed, if the Mo- heagans were destroyed. In these circumstances, Mr. Thomas Leffingwell, an ensign at the fort, loaded a canoe with provi- sions, and under cover of the night paddled it to the Thames, and relieved him : soon after which the siege was raised. For" this kindness, Uncas gave him most, if not the whole of the town- ship of Norwich. In June 1639, a formal deed was given of this township to Mr. Leffingwell, Capt. Mason, Mr. Fitch and 32 others, for which they allowed him as an additional compensa- tion about 70 pounds. The next spring, Mr. Fitch, and the greater part of his church and congregation moved to that town. Some families removed from this town to Hebron about 1 704, to Salisbury about 1773 or 74, to Durham in the State of New- York about 1788, to Fairfield also in that State about 1794, and families and individuals have removed to various other places. But one person an inhabitant of this town has ever been con- victed of a capital offence, and that was a Pequot squaw, living in the family of the Rev. Mr. Worthington of Westbrook. She murdered her own child, a bastard, by striking it on the head. It was found hid in Mr. Worthington's barn, and languished ten hours after the wound was given. Her trial was had before the Hon. Jonathan Law, chief judge, and four assistants, at a special session held in Westbrook, Nov. 15, 16 and 17, 1737, and she was executed at New-London on the 3d of May, 1738. Another murder was committed in this town Oct, 14, 1772. bv James Shields, on the person of James Johnson. Both were 12 92 Stalls ileal Account of Middlesex County y tbreigners. Johnson had been labouring as a journeyman at the carriage-making business at Saybrook, was that day out of his time, and had crossed over into Lyme, going eastward. Here Shields met him, and after drinking freely together, enticed him back over the ferry, and in the hollow a little west of the ferry, and directly south of the stage road, murdered him, (for his money as was supposed, which consisted only of a few shillings,) by stabbing him in several places with a narrow chi"sel. He then stripped the body and hid it in the bushes, (where it was dis- covered nine days after,) and then went down to the sea shore^ crossed to Long-Tsland and escaped. For another murder he was afterwards hanged at the southward, and at the gallows con- fessed his villainy in killing Johnson. Horn and shell combs have been manufactured many years in Saybrook parish, and two or three years since were manufactur- ed at Pautapoug Point. Williams's Ivory Comb Factory near the mouth of Fall river in Pautapoug parish was established in 1802, but did but little business till 1807. In 1816, this was united with a comb factory which was erected in 1 809 on Deep river. In this united es- tablishment, more than 20 men are employed, and 50,000 dozen combs annually manufactured. The old stand on Fall river is improved for a factory of ivory buttons. In this four and some- times more workmen are employed. On Chester river are two forges, one set up about 1790, the other in 1818. On this stream, L'Hommedieu's Factory was erected in ISli, for making patent double podded gimlets. In this, machinery is used for cutting steel plates into pieces of proper size and length for gimlets, for double stamping and rounding them, smoothing the shank and bowls, forming the screw, and for turn- ing and perforating the handles. Twenty men have been sometimes employed, and more than 10,000 dollars worth of gim- lets manufactured in a year. In 1815, the owners procured machinery for making patent single twist augers ; and since that time have directed their attention principally to this branch of manufacture. Within about twelve months, they have made more than 8000 for the navy of the United States and some for individuals. Shipbuilding is occasionally carried on in one yard on Say- brook Point. This business was begun by Mr. John Tucker at Pautapoug Point about 1720, but was not extensively carried on for many years. In 1 775, the ship Oliver Cromwell, of 24 guns, was built at this place by Mr. Uriah Heyden. For ten or fifteen years before the late war, from 1200 to 2000 tons of shipping were Town of Sayhrook, 93 annually launched from the Point and the yards in the neighbour- hood. In 1740, shipbuilding was commenced in Westbrook. The yards are all on Pochaug river, one and two miles from its mouth, from which vessels are let down to the Sound. In these 1000 tons of shipping are calculated to be built annually. This business was commenced in Chester, near the mouth of Chester Cove in 1755. More recently a few vessels have been built a mile westward : but the business in this parish is now ge- nerally discontinued. This town has more commerce than any other town in the county excepting' Middletown. It is principally coasting. Each parish has a share of trade, but most is done in Saybrook parish and in Pautapoug. Business began to thrive at Pautapoug Point soon after the re- volutionary war. Since that time most of the buildings have been erected upon it and in the vicinity. There are now on the Point about 30 dwelling-houses and 100 within the circuit of a mile, a few merchant stores, and some mechanic shops. Besides the shipbuilding which has been just noticed, the inhabitants have had a considerable concern in navigation. This point is 100 rods long and lies between two coves, called the North and South Coves. The buildings are principally on one street running lengthwise through it, parallel with which a street has been recently laid out. To this Point, the river is open through the winter, and it is of course, the place where vessels are frequently laid up and goods deposited, while the river is frozen over above. It suffered much by the restrictive system, and the succeeding war, particularly by a visit from the English in April, 1814. Vessels from the squadron blockading New-London had often gone out and cruised in the Sound. On the evening following the 7th of April two or three of these anchored off Saybrook bar. They immediately dispatched for Pautapoug, two launches, each carrying 9 or 12 pound carronades and 50 or 60 men each, and four barges, supposed to have 25 men each, under the command of Lieut. Coote, completely prepared with torches, combustibles, &;c. for the enterprise which they accomplished. Before 11 o'clock they were discovered entering the mouth of the river, by the keeper of the light-house, and before 12, many of the men landed at Saybrook Point, and went into the old fort, where no force was then stationed to resist them. The distance from this place to Pautapoug Point, is between five and six miles ; but being retarded by a strong northerly wind and the fresh- et, they did not arrive there till about four o'clock, Fri- day morning, the 8th of April. The people knew nothing of 94 Statistical Account of Middlesex County ; their being in the river more than 30 minutes before they arriv- ed and took possession of the Point ; and some had no know- ledge of it, before the work of conflagration was begun. Pick- et guards searched houses and stores for arms and ammunition, while the men generally were employed in setting fire to the vessels, lying in the river, at the Point, and on the stocks along the North and South Coves. About 10 o'clock, they called in their guards and proceeded down the river, with a brig, schoon- er and two sloops. But the wind shifting from the northeast to the southeast, they set fire to all these excepting the schooner, which they anchored about a mile and a quarter below the Point, where they remained till evening. Twenty-two vessels of va- rious descriptions were destroyed, and a loss occasioned, com- puted at 160,000 dollars, 60,000 of which fell on the inhabitants of Pautapoug. When the enemy first landed, the people living on the Point and in the vicinity were in no situation to oppose them. In the course of the day, some forces collected from Pautapoug and other places west of the river; while on the east side, some collected from Lyme and New-Londoa: but the work of de- struction was finished and the British were more than a mile down the river. The plan adopted was to oppose them on their way out, for which stations were taken on both sides. But the enemy were detained as has been stated. About sunset a field- piece was planted on a point near their resting place, which by several well directed shots, compelled them to leave the schoon- er. One of these shots killed two men and wounded a third. When night came on, it was excessively dark and no object could be seen, and they proceeded silently down the river, and arriv- ed at their vessels about 10 o'clock in the evening. Many shots were directed against them on the supposition of their being on their way, some of which struck their boats, and probably did some execution. During the day and the evening, the lives of the Americans were not exposed ; and though the British were abundantly on our coast in the course of the last war and engaged in several encounters with our men ; it is worthj of remark, that no Ame- rican belonging to Saybrook or Middletown was killed, except- ing Mr. Charles Dolf, a worthy inhabitant of Saybrook Point. He lost his life Jan. 15, 1815, in retaking a sloop from the pri- vateer Boxer of Lisbon. At the same time Cyphenas Cowles, lieutenant of the privateer was killed, and five seaman were taken. The pious people who first came to Saybrook Point, and suf- fered so much from the Indians, were instructed and comforted by the Rev. John Higginson, whose ministrations were " suita- Toron of Sayhrook. 95 ble, seasonable and profitable, according to the then present dis- pensation of Providence." Mr. Higginson, came with his father, the Rev. Francis Hig- ginson from Leicester in England in 1629, to Salem in Massa- chusetts, where his father re-settled. After labouring at Say- brook three or four years, he went to Guilford, and was one oi the seven pillars of the church formed in that town in 1643; where he assisted his father-in-law, the Rev. Henry Whitfield, in the instruction of the people, both before and after the formation of the church. From the return of Mr. Whitfield to England in 1650, he was sole teacher at Guilford until 1660, when he de- termined to go to England himself and join his respected relative and friend ; and he took shipping for the purpose. But be- ing forced into Salem by contrary winds, the people there per- suaded him to settle as colleague with his father; and he was accordingly set apart to the work of the ministry in that place, on the 29th of August, in the last mentioned year, where he died Dec. 9, 1708, in the 93d year of his age, having been in the mi- nistry 72 years. " This reverend person," says Cotton Mather, " has been always valued for his useful preaching, and his holy living: besides his constant labours in the pulpit, whereby his own flock has been edified ; the whole country has by the press enjoyed some of his composures, and by his hand the compo- sures of others also, passing through the press, have been accom- panied." He wrote the attestation to the Magnalia, and among other compositions which he published, was a volume of ser- mons, dedicated to the people of Saybrook, Guilford and Salem. The Rev. Thomas Peters succeeded Mr. Higginson at Say- brook, and after a ministry of a few years, returned to England in 1645. Neither of the above clergymen were ordained in Saybrook, and no church was organized there until 1646, the time of the ordination of the Rev. James Fitch. Mr. Fitch came to New-England in company with thirtee;j other youth, designed for the holy ministry. He spent some years at Hartford, engaged in preparatory studies. After his settlement at Saybrook, his talents drew several families from Hartford and Windsor to that town; but in 1660, agreeable to what has been related, he was induced with the greater part of his people to remove to Norwich. In that town he not only in- structed his own charge, but acquiring the knowledge of the Mo- heagan language, he instructed the Indians around him in the principles of Christianity, and exerted himself to dissuade them from their savage mode of life. A very high, and it is believed, a very just character, is given of him on his monument, which will communicate all the other particulars respecting him, which 96 Statistical Account of Middlesex County ; need to be related in this work. This, translated from the latin, is as follows : " In this grave are deposited the remains of that truly reverend man, Mr. James Fitch. He was born at Bok- ing, in the county of Essex in England, the 24th of December, in the year of our Lord 1G22. Who, after he liad been most ex- cellently taught the learned languages, came into New-England, at the age of 16 ; and then spent seven years under the instruc- tion of those very famous men, Mr. Hooker and Mr. Stone. Af- terwards he discharged the pastoral office fourteen years at Say- brook. Thence he removed with the greater part of his church to Norwich ; where he spent the other years of his life in the work of the ministry. In his old age indeed, he was obliged to cease from his public labours, by reason of bodily indisposition, and at length retired to his children, in Lebanon ; where, after spending nearly half a year, he slept in Jesus, in the year 1702, on the 18th of November, in the 80th year of his age." " He was a man, as to the smartness of his genius, the solidity of his judgment, his charity, holy labours, and every kind of pu- rity of life ; and also as to his skill and energy of preaching, in- ferior to none." Lessened in population and wealth by the emigration to Nor- wich, Say brook remained destitute until 1670, when the Rev. Thomas Buckingham was setded there. Mr. Buckingham was of Welsh extraction. His parents emigrated to Milford in this State in 1646, and he was born during their passage across the Atlantic. Whether he was educated privately by some of the New-England clergy, or went to Europe for an education is un- known ; nor is any direct information possessed respecting his talents or- character. He was one of the founders and trustees of Yale-College, and exercised a general superintendence over it in the last years of his life, as it was then located at Saybrook. He was also a moderator of the Board which adopted the Say- brook Platform in 1 708. He died in 1 709. The Rev. Azariah Mather, a descendant of the Mather family, which furnished so many distinguished clergyrnen in the early periods of New-England, succeeded him in 1710. Mr. Mather had been a tutor of the College in Saybrook, and had enjoyed an opportunity to become acquainted with the peo- ple during his tutorship. As a linguist he greatly excelled, and was an able divine. A sermon was published by him in latin, on being baptized for the dead. He was dismissed in 1732, and died in 1737. The Rev. William Hart, son of the Rev. John Hart of East- Guilford, happily united the people of Saybrook, and was or- dained their pastor in 1736. Mr. Hart was a genUeman of respectable talents, natural and Town of Sayhrook, 9T acquired, was prudent and judicious in the management of his flock, and enjoyed to an uncommon degree, through a ministry of nearly thirty-eight years, their affection and esteem. In the course of his life, he published several occasional sermons and controversial pieces. In one of these pieces, he styled the pe- culiar sentiments of Dr. Hopkins, Hopkinsianism, which gave rise to that term, which is now so prevalent in our country. The Rev. Frederic W. Hotchkiss was ordained colleague with him in 1783, and is now his successor. The society or parish of Pautapoug, was incorporated in May 1722, and then included the society of Chester; but as the an- cient records of the church are destroyed, it is impossible to as- certain exactly when that was gathered. The Rev. Abraham Nott preached to the people from the in- corporation of the society, but was not ordained until Nov. 1725. Nothing is known respecting him, except the general fact, that he was a respectable clergyman. Hedied in 1756. The Rev. Stephen Holmes was constituted the pastor of ^w- tapoug by installation, the next year. In connection witiFthe various services of the ministry, he practised physic. He de- ceased in 1773. The Rev. Benjamin Dunning, who had been settled in Marl- borough, a pious and worthy man, succeeded him in 1776, and died in 1785. The Rev. Richard Ely was installed in Pautapoug, in 1786. He had been minister in North Bristol, a parish of Guilford, from June 7, 1757, until Aug. 1785. He performed public services generally, until the settlement of his colleague in 1804; soon after which he removed to Chester, and lived with his son, the late Dr. Richard Ely ; where he died in 1814, at the advanced age of 81 years. The Rev. Aaron Hovey, the colleague of Mr. Ely, is pastor in this parish at the present time. The incorporation of Westbrook took place in May 1724, and the church was organized June 29, 1726, with 14 members. At that time the Rev. William Worthington was set over them in the Lord. Mr. Worthington was a man of agreeable and engaging man- ners, a worthy minister, greatly beloved by his brethren and all who knew him. He deceased in 1756, and was succeeded the next year, by the Rev. John Devotion. In the early part of his public life, Mr. Devotion entertained an unfavourable opinion of those sentiments, which are termed Calvinistic, but was more reconciled to them before his death, which took place suddenly, in 1802, from a fit of the apoplexy- He possessed a clear understanding, and was a good scholar. 98 Statistical Account of Middlesex County ,' The Rev. Thomas Rich was ordained in Westbiook in 1 804, and dismissed in 1810. He was afterwards settled in Columbia in this State, but now resides in Massachusetts. The Rev. Sylvester Selden, the present minister in West- brook, was ordained in 1812. The inhabitants of Chester were invested with parish privi- leges, in Oct. 1740, and a church was formed among them, Sept. 15, 1742. Their first pastor was the Rev. Jared Harrison, who was or- dained at the time of the formation of the church. His connec- tion with them was dissolved, in 1751 : after which they were destitute eight years. The Rev. Simeon Stoddard, an amiable man, grandson of the venerable Mr. Stpddard of Northampton, was ordained in Ches- ter in 1759, and died in 1765. The Rev. Elijah Mason, who had been a settled minister in Marlborough, succeeded Mr. Stoddard in 1767, and died in 1770. ;The Rev. Robert Silliman, who had preached about thirty yeals, in that part of the original town of Norfolk, now called New Canaan, was installed in Chester in 1772. He died in his former parish, while on a visit to his friends in 1781, having sus- tained the reputation of a faithful minister. The late Rev. Samuel Mills, was ordained in Chester in 1786. After leaving College, Mr. Mills was employed some time in ihe business of keeping school. In the revolutionary war, he went into the army in the capacity of a lieutenant of horse ; where he received a wound from a cutlass, in the back of his neck, in an engagement with the British at Philadelphia. Dur- ing his ministry, as his stipend was too small to support a nu- merous family, he usually instructed a number of youth in his own house ; and thus rendered an important service to many persons in Chester and the vicinity. But his delight was in the things of the Kingdom of God. No man was more sensible of the necessity and value of religious experience, more fond of meetings for conference and prayer, or took more delight in con- versing on the doctrines of grace, revivals of religion, and the efforts recently made in Christendom for spreading the Gospel. The truths of the Bible he delivered to his people in public and private, with simplicity and plainness ; and having adorned them, by a humble, patient and prayerful life, he died in faith and hope. The Rev. Nehemiah B. Beardsley, his successor, was ordain- ed in the beginning of 1816. Individuals in Pautapoug had been attached to the principles of the church of England for a considerable time ; but were un- Jcjiown as a society until about 1790. These have enjoyed or- Town of Sayhrook. 99 casionally the services of Mr. Blakesley of East-Haddam, and of some other clergymen. The Baptists, in the west part of this parish, arose as early as 1740, and were formed into a society about 1745. They have been joined by a few families from the neighbouring parishes. Asplund represents a church to have been organized among them in 1788 ; but it was probably organized previously to that time. The Baptists at Pautapoug Point arose in 1805, and their church was gathered June 18,1811, having 40 members. A few persons from the first parish in Killingworth, united with them, in July of the same year : but these hold meetings by them- selves. In the account of Haddam it was noticed, that some families in Chester belong to the Baptists in Haddam Society. The Methodists must be considered as rising in Westbrook in 1816, though one or two families of that denomination lived there before. The children in this town were taught in a school, kept in Say- brook parish, for many years. Schools were set up within the bounds of the other parishes as soon as they were incorporated, and probably at earlier periods. There are now in the town 19 schools, 3 of which are in Saybrook parish, 8 in Pautapoug, 5 in Westbrook, and 3 in Chester. In addition to monies drawn from time to time from the treasury of the State, these schools have the benefit of a considerable fund, belonging to the inha- bitants, derived from various sources. Mr. Edward Lorey in his last will, dated June 17, 1689, gave to them 300 pounds, to be applied to the support of schooling. The Legislature, by an act passed in Oct. 1718, gave to them 50 pounds, for the same purpose, in consideration of the removal of the College. They also received another sum afterwards, accruing from the sale of Litchfield lands. A part of the legacy of Mr. Lorey was lost many years ago, by the reception of bills of credit from those who had borrowed it. The remainder was divided, in 1773 or 74, to the several parishes in the town, according to their list; and all the school-funds in the town are now given up to the parishes, to be used by them for the education of their children. Their whole amount is unknown. Pautapoug possesses $ 652 43. Reference has been repeatedly made in the preceding pages to Yale-College, as being several years in this town ; and it will be proper, in this place, to relate some particulars respecting it. This was founded in the year 1700, by ten principal clergy- men in the Colony, designated for the purpose, by the general voice of their brethren and of the people. These met in Say- brook, Nov. 11, 1701, having received the patronage of the IiC- 13 1 00 Statistical Account of Middlesex County ; gislature ; and drew up some rules for the instruction and go- vernment of the institution ; and appointed the Rev. Abraham Pierson of Killingworth, one of their body, to take the charge oi it, under the character and title of rector. On the question of its location, they were not united ; but concluded that Say- brook would be the best situation for it for the present. As the population of the Colony was confined almost wholly to the vi- cinity of Connecticut river and of the Sound, there was no place then, where students could be more conveniently collected. They accordingly desired the rector to remove thither ; but un- til he could do that, consented that what students should offer themselves, might be instructed at Killingworth ; and they ap- pointed a tutor to assist him in his work. Several youth, who had been pursuing preparatory studies in the expectation of this seminary, came forward, were examined, and arranged in differ- ent classes, according to the proficiency which they had made. But the people of Killingworth were wholly unwilling that their pastor should be separated from them ; and of course the stu- dents were instructed in Killingworth, though the commence- ments were held at Saybrook, until the death of Mr. Pierson, in March 1707. The senior class was then removed to Milford, and put under the instruction of the Rev. Samuel Andrew, rector pro tempore ; while the other classes were removed to Saybrook, and put under the instruction of tutor Fiske, until commence- ment. After this, all the students were instructed at Saybrook by two tutors, and were peaceable and happy, making respec- table advances in science, until the winter of 1715 — 16 ; when a serious and alarming disturbance arose among them. Na- thaniel Lynde Esq. had generously given a house on the Point, for the use of the college, so long as it should remain in Say- brook. But they complained of the settlement as not being suf- ficiently compact, many of them being obliged to reside more than a mile from the place of public exercises ; and of their in- struction and government, there being no resident rector, and. the tutors sometimes very young and inexperienced. Those most dissatisfied, belonged to Hartford or the vicinity, where a strong desire prevailed to effect the removal of the college ; and it was supposed that they were instigated to the complaints which tiiey made. In the month of April the trustees came together to con- sider the circumstances of the seminary, and were unhappily divided among themselves ; but gave leave to the scholars who wished for it, to repair to other places for instruction un- til commencement. At the succeeding session of the Legisla- ture, two of the trustees, without the consent or knowledge of their brethren, petitioned that the college might be removed to Hartford. This surprising and ungentleman-Iike proceeding. Town of Sayhrook, 101 caused passions, which had long been kindling, to burst forth* and from this time until the permanent establishment of the college at New- Haven, the subject of its location, produced more de- bate and division in the Legislature, and in the Corporation, among civilians and clergymen, and the people at large, than al- most any other subject which has ever been agitated in Connec- ticut. In this state of the public mind, the inhabitants in diflferenl parts of the Colony^in the summer of 1716, subscribed large sums for the college; in the hope of inducing the trustees to lo- cate it where it would best accommodate themselves. About 700 pounds sterling were subscribed, on condition of its being established at New-Haven ; 500 pounds to have it continued at Say brook ; and a considerable sum to have it removed to Hart- ford or Weathersfield. At a meeting of the trustees at New-Ha- ven in October, a vote was carried, " That considering the diffi- culties of continuing the collegiate school at Saybrook, and that New-Haven is a convenient place for it, for which the most li- beral donations are given, the trustees agree to remove the said school from Saybrook to New-Haven, and it is now settled at New-Haven accordingly." But notwithstanding this vote, some years elapsed before all the students could be collected at New- Haven ; and before the minds of all the trustees, and of the people generally, were united and quieted with respect to its establish- ment at that place. The feelings raised in the towns, most interested by this sub- ject, may be gathered from circumstances attending the removal of the library. An unsuccessful application having been made for this by some of the trustees, the Governor and council con- vened in Saybrook at their request, in Dec. 1718; and issued a warrant to the sheriff to go and take the books. When he got to the house where they were kept, he found men collected to resist him ; but calling assistance, he forcibly entered the house, took them, and had them secured by a guard through the night. In the morning it appeared, that the carts, provided for carrying them to New-Haven were broken, and the horses turned away. New provision being made, they were conducted out of the town by the major of the county ; but some of the bridges on the road were broken up, and when they arrived at New-Haven, it was discovered, on counting the books, that about 260 were wanting. These were disposed of by persons unknown, together with some valuable papers, in the confusion which arose at the taking of the library, and no discovery was made of them afterwards. But the college had still more than 1000 volumes, and its pros- pects again began to brighten. Fifteen commencements were held at Saybrook. At these i 02 Statistical Account of Middlesex County ; more than 60 young men were graduated, most of whom became ministers of the Gospel, and some of them characters of distin- guished usefulness and excellence. To educate young men of piety and talents for the holy mi- nistry in the churches in the Colony, was the leading design of this institution. It was therefore early regarded, by the found- ers and by others, as very desirable, that these churches should have a public standard or confession of faith ; agreeable to which the instruction of the college should be conducted. This, toge- ther with the importance of such a standard on other accounts, led to various measures, which resulted in the adoption of Say- brook Platform, after the commencement in 1708. The fort in this town, called usually Saybrook Fort, but some- times Fort Fenwick, however it may be regarded now, was for- merly a post of great importance. In this a garrison was con- stantly kept for a very long period, and it has usually been man- ned since in seasons of war and danger. It commands the entrance of Connecticut river. It was first built of wood, in front, or on the point of Tomb Hill. But as this, in some unaccountable manner, took fire in the winter of 1647, and was consumed, with some adjoining buildings, the fort was rebuilt soon after, of more substantial materials, and placed further north, on what was called New-Fort Hill. This, with some alterations, is the pre- sent fortification. A few days after this fort was begun, in 1636, a Dutch vessel arrived from New Netherlands, with a view of taking possession of the mouth of the river, and of laying the foundation of a set- tlement. The English having mounted two pieces of cannon, prevented their landing, and defeated the enterprize. About the time of the Pequot war, the fort saved the inhabitants of Say- brook from being cut off by the Indians ; and in the summer of 1675, prevented the surrendry of the town to Major Andross. Had there been a very small force stationed in it in April 1814, it would also have prevented the burning at Pautapoug Point. In regard to distinguished characters, the following may be noticed. Mr. Winthrop who began the settlement, was one of the great- est men of his age. He was born at Groton, in England ; was educated at the Universities of Cambridge and Dublin ; and af- terwards travelled through the principal countries of Europe ; acquiring a mass of information respecting those countries, and those accomplishments, which arise from an extended intercourse with polished society ; and what is much more to his honour, he maintained the unblemished morals of a puritan, in the midst of all the fascinations of the world. Coming to Massachusetts with his father, in 1631, he was elected into the magistracy. Having Tozon of. Sayhrook. 103 returned to Europe, he received from Lord Say and Seal and others, the commission mentioned in the beginning of this ac- count. Sometime after the fulfilment of this commission, having settled at New-London, he was successively elected to the of- fices of assistant, lieutenant-governor, and governor. Upon the accession of Charles IL to the throne of England, he was sent to manage the affairs of the Colony before the King ; and obtained the charter, which united New-Haven Colony with Connecticut, and which was the basis of the government of Connecticut, thus enlarged, for more than a century and a half. After his return from this mission, he was placed again for many years at the head of the Colony. He died at Boston, whither he had gone to attend a meeting of the Commissioners of the United Colo- nies, April 5, 1676, in the 71st year of his age; where he was honourably interred in the same tomb with his father ; in which also his son, the Hon. Fitz John Winthrop, another governor of Connecticut, was afterwards interred. Mr. David Gardiner, who had been procured to superintend the building of the fort, and who afterwards commanded the gar- rison, was a gentleman of respectability and worth. About 1639, he removed to Manchanoc, now Gardiner's island, and was the first English inhabitant within the present limits of the State of New-York. He resided several years in East- Hampton, on Long-Island, which was settled soon after he left Saybrook ; where he was frequently chosen a magistrate, and" where he transacted public business until his death, in 1663. His son, David Gardiner jr., was born at Saybrook April 29, 1636, and is supposed to have been the first white child, born in the county. George Fenwick Esq. who came to this town in 1639, was " a worthy pious gentleman, and of a good family and estate." Before he sold the jurisdiction of Saybrook, he was generally known and greatly respected in New-England, and held a seat in the board of Commissioners for the United Colonies, as being the head of Saybrook settlement. Afterwards, he was elected into the Council of Connecticut, and represented at the same board a Colony instead of a town. His wife was Lady Anne Botcler. or Butler, the daughter of an English nobleman, who retained her maiden name. She died in 1648, and about that time he return- ed to England, where he was appointed one of the judges for the trial of Charles L He deceased in March 1657, probably at Sussex, as his will was there proved. In this, he bequeathed 500 pounds to the public use of New-England, on condition that his friend Governor Hopkins, (who was then in England,) should ap- prove of it, to be used in that way which he should direct. But as Mr. Hopkins, died a day or two before him, his approbation i04 Statistical Account of Middlesex County^ was impossible, and so the bequest was lost. But the will itself, expressed his benevolent affections, particularly to his friends in America. Capt. John Mason who had commanded the successful expe- dition against the Pequots, removed from Windsor to this town, at the request of the inhabitants in 1647, and was constituted commander of the fort. He was also " authorized to govern all the soldiers and inhabitants of the town ; to call them forth and put them in such array, as should be necessary for the general defence of the country." In 1660, he removed with Mr. Fitch and others, and settled Norwich ; where he died in 1672 or. 73, in the 73d year of his age. Besides his military employments, he was an assistant in the Colony from 1642 to 1660, and thence- forward lieutenant-governor until 1670. He was a gentleman of great courage and prudence, and of unblemished morals. The Hon. Robert Chapman, ancestor of the Chapmans in Say- brook, East-Haddam, and other parts of the State, came to Bos- ton in the autumn of 1635, and from thence, the following spring, to this town, where he spent his days. While Col. Fenwick re- mained in the country he was one of his particular friends and confidents, and among other services was employed by him in purchasing Manchanoc of the Indians. In connection with civil offices in the town, he held the station of an assistant from 1681 to 1685. In the near view of death, which took place in Oct. 1687, he wrote an address to his children, giving them his part- ing counsel. In this, after relating the religious exercises of his own mind, and making some observations on the state of the church, he exhorted them, (who were all professors of religion,) to examine well the reasons of their hope, to rely upon Christ, and to follow diligently every good work. Mr. John Tully was born in the parish of Horley, in the county of Surry, near London, about 1639, and came to this town when a lad. From the instructions and libraries of a hyj gentlemen in Saybrook, he became acquainted with several branches of science, and was afterwards a teacher of arithme- tic, navigation and astronomy. The almanacks published in New-England from 1681 to 1702 were composed by him. The last was printed at Boston after his death, which occurred Oct. 5, 1701. He had the reputation of an intelligent and serious man. The Hon. Samuel Lynde, son of Nathaniel Lynde Esq. whose generosity to the college, while it remained in Saybrook, has been noticed, received his education principally under rector Pierson at Killingworth. There he made those improvements, which laid a foundation for his eminence and usefulness. From 1724 until 1729, he was a justice of the quorum, and from the Town of Saybrook. 1 05 latter year until 1752, judge of the county court for New-Lon- don county; thence till his death, in 1754, he was a judge of the superior court. For twenty-four years also, he held a'seat in the Council. A manuscript from Saybrook, declares him to have been " a gentleman much respected for his talents and piety, a civil and religious father among the people." Mr. David Bushnell, the ingenius inventor of the American Tur- tle, was a native of the parish of Westbrook. At the age of about thirty, he became a member of Yale-College, where he made uncommon improvements in mathematical science. In the last year of his Collegiate life, in 1775, he invented the machine just named, for the purpose of annoying the British shipping, which cruised upon our shores in the revolutionary war. Seve- ral other machines were invented by him for the same purpose. These gave him a very high reputation as a mechanical genius ; but their effect upon the British vessels, in most instances in which they were used, consisted in terror and alarm, rather than in real injury. About 1777, having been recommended by Pre- sident Stiles, Gen. Parsons and other literary characters, he was appointed captain of a company of sappers and miners, and in that capacity served through the war. Upon the cessation of hostilities, he returned to Westbrook, settled his domestic con- cerns, and then sailed, as was supposed, for France: since which nothing certain has been heard concerning him, but the presump- tion is that he died many years ago. Mr. Bushnell was a man of very unassuming manners, reserv- ed in his conversation, keeping all his plans to himself, and ex- emplary as a professor of the christian religion. AH the parishes in this town have been blessed with revivals of religion. From a revival which spread in Chester in 1 803. 46 persons were added to the Congregational church in that pa- rish, and some to the Baptist church in the west part of Pauta- poug. From another revival in 1814, the same Congregational church, received an addition of 17 members. From a powerful revival which extended through Saybrook parish, Westbrook, and also the two parishes of Killingworth and the parish of East- Guilford, in the winter of 1809 and 10, more than 70 were added to the church in Saybrook, and 60 to the church in Westbrook. A less extensive revival spread in Westbrook in 1816, which re- sulted in the admission of 24 to the church. Twenty were ga- thered into the Congregational church in Pautapoug from a re- vival in 1814. In the parishes in this town, as well as in other parishes in the county, there are female charitable associations. i STATISTICAL ACCOUNT TOWN OF KILLINGWORTH. n:^\^::i This Town is bounded by the Sound, on the south ; by Guil- ford, or rather by Hammonnasset river, on the west; by Dur- ham and Haddam, on the north ; and by Saybrook, on the east. It is from 10 1-2 to 13 miles long; from tlie Sound, 10 1-2 miles northward, its medium breadth is about 4 miles ; and thence for- ward 2 1-2. Its area is about 30,880 acres. It comprizes two parishes ; the first of which is usually called by the name of the town : the second is called North-Killingworth. In Oct. 1663, the Legislature resolved that there should be a town at Hammonnasset ; (this Indian name being then applied to the tract now constituting Killingworth, as well as to the river on its western border,) and the same month twelve planters moved into it. These were joined by sixteen others, in the course of two or three years ; and the town was divided into 30 rights, one right being reserved for the first minister that should be set- tled there, and another for the support of the ministry for ever. The names of the settlers and proprietors, were as follows, viz. John Meigs, Bryan Rosseter, John Rosseter, George Chatfield. Nathaniel Parmelee, Thomas Stevens, William Stevens and Ben- jamin Wright, from Guilford ; William Kelsey, John Kelsey and Joseph Willcox, or Willcoxson, from Hartford ; Edward Gris- wold, from Saybrook ; Josias Hull, from the county of Barnsta- ble, Mass. ; Henry Farnum and Eleazer Isbel, from Long- Island ; Samuel Buel from Wales ; William Barber, from Eng- land ; and Matthew Allen, Henry Crane, Jonathan Dummer, Jo- seph Hand, William Heyden, John Hodge/Joha Nettleton, Tho- mas Smith, William Wellman, Jonas Westover and Robert Wil- liams. The settlement began to the left of the stage road, from Ham- Town of Killingworth, \ 07 monnasset bridge to Killingworth meeting-house, and thence spread east and north. Bryan Rossiter and John Meigs, who had left Guilford in consequence of disturbances which followed the removal of Mr, Higginson, returned to that town upon the peaceable settlement of Mr. Elliot in 1664. But their places were soon filled by others. Ananias Turner and Andrew Ward moved into Killingworth as early as 1670. Robert Lane, from Derbyshire in England, and the ancestors of the Merrills and Rutty families were also early settlers. Robert Carter from Bristol, in England, became an inhabitant about 1700, and Ebe- nezer Hurd, from Waterbury in this State, about 1706. The Morgans in this town, are from Groton, and the Hillyards, from Stonington. The settlement in North-Killingworth began in 1716. The first settlers in this parish, were Isaac Kelsey Esq., Dea. Josiah Hull, Dea. Joseph Willeox, Dea. Daniel Buel, John Willcox, Joseph Griswold, Nathaniel Parmelee, Ebenezer Hull, Samuel Stevens and Edward Rutty. These were all from the first parish in the town. Solomon Davis, Timothy Chittenden and Theo- philus Redfield soon united with them ; but from what places they emigrated, is not known. James Hill, David Blatchley and Bezaliel Bristol, moved into this place from Guilford about 1 750. The Graves and Harris families are from Saybrook. The plantation in this town was called the plantation at Ham- monnasset, and the plantation between Saybrook and Guilford, until May 1667. At that time, the place was named Kenil- worthy after a town in the county of Warwick in England, from which, according to tradition, some of the settlers at first emi- grated. The name is thus spelt in the early records both of the town and colony ; but by corrupt spelling or pronunciation, the present name was finally adopted. On the 26th of Jan. 1686, the Assembly granted to the in- habitants of this town, the lands north of their bounds and of the bounds of Guilford, and west of Haddam, up to Coginchaug swamp, except such lands within these limits as were included in previous grants. These lands, thus granted, together with the lands previously possessed, were confirmed to them by a patent, given in Oct. 1703 : but the jurisdiction of the tract granted in 1686, was surrendered to Durham, by agreement, in June 1708. The Indians were very numerous in tne southern part of this town, on the banks of Hammonnasset and Indian rivers, and about the harbour. Immense masses of mouldering shells still point out the places where they dwelt. Most of their lands were sold to Col. Fenwick,'' while he lived at Saybrook. On the 20th of November, 1669, Uncas, sa- chem of Moheagan, with Joshua, his son, sold to the inhabitants 14 108 Statistical Account of Middlesex County } of Killing worth, all the lands in the township, which he had not before sold to George Fenwick, Esq. excepting six acres on the big hammock, (which lay on the eastern shore of the harboui^,) reserving, however, free liberty to hunt in the woods and fish in the rivers, and to use any trees for canoes, and rushes and flags for mats. The reason of these sales' being made by the sachem of Moheagan, was this, that after the war with the Pequots, in which he assisted, he claimed the lands which had belonged to that nation, and to those who were tributary to them. The In- dians lived in this town in great numbers until 1730 or 40. The south, and particularly the south-western section of Kil- Jingworth parish is level, having a soil formed of loam, sand and occasionally of gravel, which by good husbandry is rendered very productive. Northeast and north from this, the land is gravelly and hilly. This is true of almost all the land in North- Killingworth, which is better fitted for grazing, than for grain and corn. The principal hills in the town, are Long-Hill, Horse- Hill, Cow-Hill and Chesnut-HilL Hammonnasset river, which has been already noticed, is prin- cipally valuable for a few mill-seats which it furnishes. It has its sources in Durham ; but receives a considerable branch, which rises near the borders of Haddam. j i Indian river, the only other stream in this town deserving no- fj tice, except Menunketesuck, which was described in the account of Saybrook, rises in Cedar swamp in North-Killingworth, runs through the center of Killingworth parish, and uniting with the Hammonnasset, forms Killingworth harbour. This harbour is a mile below Killingworth street. It is safe from winds and has good anchorage ; but a bar lies at its en- trance, on which there is only eight feet of water in common tides. Shad were formerly caught here in abundance : it now fur- nishes a supply of shell-fish for the inhabitants of the town, and of the eastern part of Guilford, and its oysters are of a very fine flavour. One half of this harbour belonged to Killingworth, and one half to Guilford until Dec. 1790. At an adjourned session of the Legislature, held at that time, it was enacted, " that a line run- ning from the mouth of Dudley's creek, in Hammonnasset river, 50 degrees, 10 minutes east, to West Rock, (so called,) upon the Sound, being 216 rods, should be the dividing line between Kil- lingworth and Guilford." This threw the whole of the harbour, and a point of land east of said line into Killingworth : but it was provided, that this act should not prevent the town of Guil- ford from regulating the fisheries of clams and oysters, as fully as though this act had not been passed. Killingworth street is very pleasant. It is a mile and a Tow7i of Killingworth, 1 09 half in length, 6 rods wide, and is crossed about midway by Indian river. On meeting-house hill, immediately east of this river, it appears with great advantage. Here is also a fine view of the harbour and of the Sound. The prospect from the steeple is more extensive and beautiful. On this street there are 65 dwell- ing-houses, and 109 are in the village. Here are several mer- chant stores and here most of the business in the town is trans- acted. A few coasting vessels are owned by the inhabitants. The emigrations from this town have been numerous. Of the first settlers, the nine whose names are printed in italics, have no descendants here at the present time. Several families within a few years have removed to Bergen, in the State of New- York. No inhabitant of Killingworth has ever been convicted of a capital offence : but a woman in the north part of the town, in a 9tate of delirium, killed three of her children, Oct. 14, 1779, by cutting their throats with a knife ; and would have killed herself, in the same dreadful manner, had she not been stayed at the mo- ment, by the interference of her husband. A forge was formerly improved on Menunketesuck river, in the south-eastern part of North-Killingworth. In this for a sea- son iron was made from black sand. On this stream, within the same parish a woollen factory was erected in 1814. In this, wool has been consumed at the rate of 6000 pounds a year. Shipbuilding was begun in this town about the beginning of the last century by Mr. Robert Carter ; and for many years this has been a leading branch of business. Three yards are im- proved, which are all on Indian river. The inhabitants of Killingworth were encouraged to settle in church order by the General Assembly, in Oct. 1667. A church was formed among them soon after, and the Rev. John Wood- bridge ordained their pastor. Mr. Woodbridge was dismissed in 1679, and re-settled the same year, in Weathersfield. Cotton Mather ranks him among the most excellent clergymen of Connecticut. But the effect of his dismission was unhappy upon the people of Killingworth. They fell into divisions, and no minister was settled among them until 1694. At that time, the Rev. Abra- ham Pierson, afterwards rector of the College, was sent to them as an angel of peace. Under his ministry their divisions were healed, and they remained united and happy during his life. Mr. Pierson was the son of the Rev. Abraham Pierson, for some time minister in Yorkshire, in England, then at Southamp- ton, Long-Island, then at Branford, in this State, and afterwards at Newark, New-Jersey. The subject of this sketch, was born 1 1 Statistical Jiceount of Middlesex County ; during his father's continuance at Branford, was educated at Har vard College, and was settled colleague with his father in the church at Newark, where he remained sole teacher some years after his father's death. At Killingworth he was not only a great bifessing, as a preacher of the Gospel, but as rector of the college. This he instructed and governed with general appro- bation : he also composed for the students a system of natural philosophy, which they recited for many years. But as efforts were made to induce him to remove to Saybrook, his people be- came uneasy on that subject, and were unwilling that he should act as rector. At a town-meeting, held Nov. 7, 1706j he sent to them a request in behalf of the trustees, that they would allow the college to remain in Killingworth under his care. They voted they were not willing it should remain there as it had been. He dreaded a separation from them, as he had lived among them in love and harmony, and yet his heart was strongly attached to the college. Circumstances therefore, were prepar- ing the way for a decision of the question, whether he should be rector only and so remove to Saybrook, or remain in his pas- toral relation at Killingworth, when he sickened and died, in March 1707. In regard to his person, he was above a middling stature, was fleshy and well favoured : as a Christian he was charitable and pious ; in preaching, he excelled ; and by his talents and cha- racter, was excellently qualified for the station to which he was advanced. " He was a hard student, a good scholar, a great di- vine, and a wise, steady and judicious man in all his conduct." The same aftection which he had all along exercised towards his people, displayed itself in the closing scenes of life. While some of the elders of the church were standing around his dy- ing bed, he earnestly advised them to procure Mr. Jared Elliot, who had been educated under him, to be his successor, whom he judged likely to become a pious, steady and useful minister. The advice was followed, and Mr. Elliot was called to the pasto- ral office the next June, though from a diffidence in his abilities to discharge so great a trust, he was not ordained till two years after. How correct and how useful the rector's advice was. will be best illustrated by a sketch of Mr. Elliot's life. He was the eldest son of the Rev. Joseph Elliot, a worthy minister of the neighbouring town of Guilford, whose pious and pithy letter to his brother at Roxbury, recently published in se- veral periodical works, has brought his excellencies afresh to re- membrance ; and grandson of the famous John Elliot of Rox- bury, whose holy evangelical labours, particularly among the In- dians, secured to him the title of the apostle John. The sub- ject of this sketch, possessed a liberal portion of those excellencies Tovm of Killingworth, 111 by which his ancestors were distinguished, while in some re- spects he evidently surpassed them. His early progress in literature was not rapid, but what he once acquired he never lost ; and the solid rather than brilliant qualities of his mind, accompanied by the goodness of his dis- position and the regularity of his life, induced his sagacious in- structor to form the opinion of his future excellence, which has been related. As he applied himself more and more to study, his mind improved in quickness of apprehension as well as in strength, and he at length acquired a greatness and excellence rarely surpassed, at least in our country. He had the singular talent of applying himself to a variety of employments, to di- vinity, to physic, and to various branches of literature, without disorder, and though his acquisitions in nothing were as great as they probably would have been, if his attention had not been thus divided, yet they were very respectable and in some things eminent. There are three points of light in which Mr. Elliot may be ad- vantageously viewed ; as a divine, a physician, and a scholar. As a divine, he possessed enlarged views of the system of re- ligion contained in the Scriptures, and held the doctrines gene- I'ally believed by the divines of New-England. In his preach- ing he was plain and familiar, happy in allusions to Scripture^ and abounding in original and laconic expressions. As a physician, he was well versed in the science of medicine, and very extensively employed, not only in his own town, but for many years in the neighbouring places ; and such was his re- putation, that he was sometimes called out of the colony. In attending the sick, he was careful not to lose the character of a minister in that of a physician, but intermingled with prescriptions for the body, advice and instruction for the soul. The standing of Mr. Elliot as a divine and physician, pre- supposes an extensive acquaintance with literature. In history, natural philosophy, botany and mineralogy he excelled. Nor did his knowledge rest in speculation : he was eminently a prac- tical man. By several small treatises, he laboured to improve the agriculture of his country. Some considerations had led him to believe that the black sand, which appears occasionally on the beach of the Sound might be wrought into iron. He made an experiment upon it in the year 1 76 1 and succeeded. For this discovery, he was honoured with a medal, by the Society in- stituted in London for the encouragement of arts, manufactures and commerce. Mr. Elliot was fond of society ; and by a pleasant and socia- ble temper, connected with his various talents, was eminently qualified to secure and entertain friends. His acquaintances and i 12 Stalislical Account of Middlesex County j correspondents were numerous. Among these were Dr. Frank- lin, and Dr. Berkley, Bishop of Cloyne. By his representa- tions, and those of a few others, the latter gentleman was led to make extensive benefactions to that institution, whose instruc- tion Mr. Elliot had shared, and with which for thirty-two years he was connected in the capacity of a trustee. In charities he abounded. Much of his practice was perform- ed gratuitously. But while he scattered he increased. Wise in his calculations, he acquired a large landed estate, which laid the foundation for the wealth of a numerous family. Notwithstanding his numerous avocations and employments, he was preserved by the blessing of God upon a firm constitu- tion to a good old age, steadily advancing the happiness of all around him. For more than forty years, he never failed of preaching at home or abroad a part of every sabbath. He died in 1763, and was succeeded in the charge at Killingworth, the next year, by the Rev. Eliphalet Huntington. Mr. Huntington was strongly attached to the doctrines of grace, and a warm and zealous preacher. He fell a victim to the small pox, in 1777. His successor was the late reverend and beloved Achilles Mansfield ; a gentleman distinguished for mild and pleasant manners, for uniformity and sweetness of disposition, and for the patient endurance of afflictions. He also possessed a liberal share of ministerial gifts and graces. For several years he was a fellow of Yale-College. The pastor of the church in Killingworth at this time, is the Rev. Hart Talcott. The inhabitants of North-Killingworth, though several years contemplating it, were not formed into a distinct parish until May 1735. In Jan. 18, 1738, fifty persons who had been members of the first church in the town, were formed into a new church, and the Rev. William Seward was at the same time constituted their pastor. Mr. Seward was the son of Dea. William Seward of Durham. His natural talents were good ; and though he spent a portion of his time in manual labour, his acquisitions were respectable. As he preached without notes in the latter part of his life, his sermons may not have possessed all the correctness they would, if they had been written ; but they were replete with sound evan- gelical instruction. Having a deep sense of the value of truth in his own soul, he laboured to bring his people to understand and practise it. To all these he was a father, and friend ; from them he received continually the expressions of affection and es- teem ; and had abundant occasion through life, to rejoice in their regular religious habits. After a ministry of forty-four years, Town of Killingworth, 113 he fell asleep, and entered, as there is good reason to believe, into the joys of his Lord. The Rev. Henry Ely was ordained in this place in 1782, and dismissed in 1801. His successor, the Rev. Josiah B. Andrews, was ordained in 1802, and dismissed in 1811. , Divisions growing out of events which attended the dismission of these two clergymen, both of whom are still living, rendered the prospects of this parish gloomy for a season. But the minds of the people became gradually tranquil, and they are now unit- ed and happy under the ministry of the Rev. Asa King, who was for some years settled in the town of Pomfret. A few individuals professed themselves Episcopalians in Kil- lingworth 40 or 50 years ago ; but they kept up meetings only for a short period. In ISOO, an Episcopal society was formed in North-Killing- worth and the adjoining parish of North- Bristol, in Guilford, which includes all the Episcopalians in those two parishes. This had only two families at first, from North-Killingworth ; but it has now thirty or forty. The society is a part of the cure of the Rev. David Baldwin of Guilford. Some families from the two parishes in this town belong to the Baptists who meet for worship in the west part of Pautapoug. Some also in the village of Killingworth, who embraced the Baptist sentiments in 1806, connected themselves with the Bap- tists at Pautapoug Point in July 181 1, as was noticed in the ac- count of Saybrook. A few Methodist families in the northern part of the town, be- long to the Methodist Society in Haddam : a few also attend meet- ing in North-Bristol. From a revival which prevailed in North-Killingworth in 1801 and 2, a very considerable addition was made to the church. From an extensive revival which spread through this town, and some adjoining places in the winter of 1809 — 10, about 40 were brought into the communion of the church in Killingworth parish, and 51 into the communion of the church in North-Killingworth. A STATISTICAL ACCOUNT op THE TOWN OF DURHAM. :^^::i This Town is from 5 1-2 to 6 1-2 miles long, from east to west, and 4 miles broad, and comprizes about 15,360 acres. It is bounded by Killingworth and Guilford, on the south ; by Wal- lingford, on the west; by Middletown, on the north; and by Haddam, on the east. That portion of it, known by the name of Haddam Quarter, formerly belonged to Haddam ; and the whole of it was supposed to belong to the neighbouring towns, until they were surveyed ; when a tract was found to be left. This was small for a distinct plantation ; and does not appear to have been contemplated with that view for a long period : but many lots or farms in it, were granted by the Legislature to per- sons who had performed important services for the Colony. In this way, more than 5000 acres became the property of indivi- duals, before any settlement was made. These grants proved unfavourable to the settlement of the town, for the grantees were widely dispersed in Connecticut ; and were so situated, most of them, that they could not remove and occupy their rights ; or that they did not wish to alienate them. The large grant to Killingworth, in 1686, described in the account of that town, was still more unfavourable. In 1698, however, David Seward from Guilford moved into the town, and some of his neighbours contemplated following him. The next spring therefore, a petition was presented to the Le- gislature, signed by thirty-one inhabitants of that town, that there might be a plantation at Coginchaug, the Indian name of Dur- ham. This was urged on the ground that Coginchaug was so far from other settlements, that the people could not go to them for public worship. The petition was granted, and soon after a site was selected for a meeting-house on a hill in the southern Town of Durham. 115 part of the town, which from that circumstance is called meet- ing-house hill to this day. But very few of the petitioners left Guilford, and no plantation was immediately formed. In May 1704, the proprietors of farms at Coginchaug, be- sought the Assembly for some act, which should encourage a settlement at that place. In answer to this, the Assembly de- creed, or rather proposed, that the proprietors should give up one fourth part of their farms, and that the part thus given up, with the common lands should be laid out in lots, for such per- sons as should offer themselves for inhabitants. The Assembly also proposed to the people of Killingworth to do the same, with respect to the tract granted to them, (for the idea of annex- ing that to a settlement at Coginchaug had already occurred,) and it was provided, on condition of their consenting to this, that they should have the privilege of appointing from among themselves, their proportion of a committee to lay out the lots. At the same time it was enacted, that the plantation at Cogin- chaug should be called Durham. These proposals were accepted, and settlers came in from various places ; who, in May 1708, were favoured with a pa- tent, confirming to them all the lands in the township. The number of adult male inhabitants at that time, was thirty- four, most of whom were heads of families. Their names were as follow, viz. Caleb Seward, David Seward, Joseph Seward, David Robinson and Joel Parmelee, from Guilford ; the Rev. Nathaniel Chauncey, Isaac Chauncey, Robert Coe, Joseph Coe, Samuel Fairchild, James Curtis, Jehiel Hawley and Benjamin Baldwin, from Stratford ; Richard Beach and Benjamin Beach, supposed to have been from the same place ; James Baldwin, Samuel Camp, William Roberts, Samuel Sanford and Thomas Wheeler, from Milford ; Joseph Gaylord, Joseph Gaylord, Jr. John Gaylord, Joseph Hickcox and Stephen Hickcox, from Wa- terbury ; Joseph Norton and Samuel Norton, from Saybrook 5 John Sutliffand Nathaniel Sutliff, from Deerfield j James Wads- worth, from Farmington ; Jonathan Wells, from Hatfield ; Hen- ry Crane, from Killingworth ; Hezekiah Talcott, from Hartford ; and Ezekiel Buck, from Weathersfield. Directly after, they received their patent, these settlers pur- chased of the inhabitants of Killingworth, the jurisdiction of the tract granted to them, for which they gave them the fee of 60 acres of land. They were very early joined by John Norton, from Saybrook, by the ancestors of the Lymans, Parsonses and Strongs, from Northampton; of the Newtons, Guernseys, Tibbalses, Mer- wins andCanfields, from Milford ; of the Pickets, from Stratford 5 of the Bateses, from Haddam ; and of the Hulls from Killing- 15 116 StaHsticai Account of Middlesex County ; worth. In later periods, families have settled in the town, by the name of Hall, Hart, Bishop and Scranton, from Guilford; of Smith and Johnson, from Middletown, of Chalker and Love- land from Saybrook, and of Butler, from Branford. As, early as 1723, John Sutliff, Nathaniel Sutliff, and probably some others from Durham, settled on Haddam-Quarter. Per- sons also from other towns settled on this tract. These had the consent of the people of Haddam, that they might attend public worship in Durham ; and in Oct. 1773, the Quarter was annex- ed to this town. There is no evidence that the Indians ever dwelt in Durham in any considerable numbers, or for long periods ; but they re- sorted to it occasionally for the purpose of hunting. They were however regarded as the rightful owners of the soil, and their title was purchased by Samuel Wyllys and others, on the 24th of Jan. 1672, at the same time that a purchase was made of lands in Middletown. This is a good farming township, and the inhabitants are em- ployed, almost universally, in the cultivation of the earth. They formerly raised wheat in large quantities for market. They now raise good crops of rye, corn, oats, flax, &;c. The town also is very pleasant. The principal settlement is on the road which runs through it from north to south, on ground moderately elevated, descending to the right and left. Imme- diately to the right, is a large tract of low land, and then a tract of higher land, extending to Wallingford Mountains. On the left is an interval, east of which, the land rises into hills, as it does also in the southern part of the township. The tract of low land, was called by the Indians Coginchaug, or the long swamp, and from this the name was applied to the township. This is generally cleared, and yields a large quantity of coarse grass. The tract might be rendered valuable by more effectual draining. The largest stream in Durham, is that which rises at the foot of Bluff-Head in Guilford, runs north through the swamp just named, and passes into Middletown; in the account ofwhich.it is described. This receives one or two brooks from the west on its passage through this place, and also Allen's brook from the east. In the northeast corner of the town is Miller's Pond, a mile in circumference. This is the source of Miller's brook, which runs into Middletown. At the southwest corner, partly in this town, is Pistapog Pond. This is remarkable, as containing within its limits, in r single monument, the corner boundary of four towns, viz. Durham, Guilford, Branford and Wallingford. This is a mile long and half a mile wide, and sends forth a small stream, which runs through Branford and East-Haven, into the Sound. Both these ponds furnish small fish. '^'-'^ Town of Durham. 117 There is a quarry of free stone in Haddam-Quarter, from which stone have been taken to a limited extent for 70 or 80 years. The first white child born in this town was Ephraim Seward, son of Mr. Seward, the first settler. He was born Aug. 6, 1700, and died in 1 780. In 1756, there were 799 inhabitants in Durham, exclusive of Haddam-Quarter, in which there may have been 100 or 150 more. In 1774, there were 1076, and in 1810, 1101. The reason that there has been no more increase of popula- tion for many years is, that individuals and families have re- moved almost perpetually to other places. Many of the early settlers of the town have no 'descendants here at the present time, or none who bear their names. Some of the people re- moved to Granville, in Massachusetts, about 1750, some to San- dersfield about 1765, and some to West-Stockbridge and Rich- mond, about 1786. Some removed to Durham in the State of New-York about 1788; some to Whitestown about 1796, and others at more recent periods have gone to New-Connec- ticut. The inhabitants of Durham made early provision for the en- joyment of the worship and ordinances of the Lord ; and it is a remarkable fact, that they are now enjoying, after the lapse of considerably more than a century, the labours of their third mi- nister. In May 1706, the Rev. Nathaniel Chauncey was pro- cured to preach to them. He remained with them as a candi- date until Feb. 7, 1711, when he was ordained their pastor. Mr. Chauncey was the son of the Rev. Israel Chauncey of Stratford, and grandson of the Rev. Charles Chauncey, presi- dent of Harvard College. He received his education in Con- necticut, and was the first person on whom the honours of Yale- College were conferred, having never been graduated at any other seminary. Through the agency of a friend in England, he pur- chased a very large and valuable library, and thus provided the means of gratifying his love of reading and study, of enlarging his views, and of rendering himself more extensively useful. Through life he was regarded as a man of wisdom and pru- dence, as a good scholar, and as an able divine. His sermons were wholly written, but he never carried his notes into the desk, unless in quite the latter part of his days ; and of course he was in the habit of preaching from memory. His elocution was distinct, and his addresses grave and pungent. In his fami- ly and among his people, in all the relations and duties of life, his conduct was such as becomes the Gospel. After a ministry of almost fifty years, including the time of his services as a can- didate, he descended to the grave, greatly lamented. The Rev, 118 Statistical Account of Middlesex County ^ Mr. Todd of East-Guilford, preached a sermon on the occasion of his death, and drew his character with the affection of a friend, and the faithfulness of a historian. The Rev. Elizur Goodrich, D. D, succeeded him in the autumn of 1756, and like him possessed a distinguished and excellent character. Dr. Goodrich was both a graduate and tutor of Yale-College. After settling in Durham, he had the use of the important libra- ry of his predecessor. As this consisted of books generally written in Latin, he read extensively in that language. He was also well versed in Greek, and excelled in Hebrew. As a mathematician he had few equals, and probably no superiors in our country. He was indeed a sound and general scholar. As a minister of the Gospel, few understood better the evidences of Christianity, or were more able to defend the Bible as a revela- tion from heaven. In preaching he dwelt principally upon the more common subjects of faith and morals, because he judged them to be the most useful. In prayer his mouth was filled with arguments, especially on sudden and aflfecting occasions. In connection with his official and stated services, he fitted many young men for a public education, and superintended others in pursuing studies, preparatory to the ministry. In cases of diffi- culty he was abundantly consulted by his brethren, and by the neighbouring churches ; and he uniformly employed his talents and influence in the promotion of order and peace. In 1776, he was elected a fellow of Yale-College, and ever after had an extended and happy influence in the management of the afiairs of that important institution. On " Nov. 1 7, 1 797, he set out from his house on an annual visit to the Collegiate lands in the county of Litchfield. The following Sabbath he preached at Litchfield, and on Monday rode to Norfolk. He lodged at the house of Capt. Titus Ives, and went to bed in his usual health and cheer- fulness. In the morning he rose early, and having partly dress- ed himself, fell upon the floor in an apoplectic fit and expired, in the 64th year of his age and 42d of his ministry. His remains were brought to Durham the succeeding Saturday, and followed to the grave by his family, church and congregation, and a nu- merous concourse of strangers." President Dwight delivered an appropriate and affecting discourse on the occasion, which is now in the hands of the public. The eldest son of Dr. Good- rich, was the Hon. Chauncey Goodrich, the late respected and excellent lieutenant-governor of this State. The Rev. David Smith is pastor of the church in Durham at the present time. A few Methodists arose in this town in 1802. In 1803, a por- tion of the people were formed into an Episcopal society, and Town of Durham. 119 some have declared themselves by certificates to be strict or re- formed Congregationalists. But no denomination beside the Congregational, holds meetings constantly on the sabbath, ex- cept the Methodist. There is only one school district in this town, though schools are taught in five different places. But one school appears to have been kept until Dec. 1737, when the people on the west side of Coginchaug swamp were allowed to have a school. One was set up soon after at the north end of the town. Mr. Ebenezer Robinson, who died Oct. 10, 1789, gave a lega- cy for the benefit of a school in the center of Durham, provided it should be kept 1 1 months annually. This consists partly of money and partly of land, and amounts to about 400 dollars. The following distinguished characters must be noticed. Col. James Wadsworth, one of the first settlers, was bred a lawyer, and though it is not likely that he was ever extensively employed in that capacity, yet he was called to various public services. The people of Durham gave hiip almost all the offices at their disposal ; and when his abilities and worth came to be generally known, he was honoured repeatedly by appointments from the Colony. He was the first justice of the peace in the town, and had the command of the first military company at its formation. Upon the organization of the militia in 1 739, he was constituted colonel of the 10th regiment. For a time he was justice of the quorum for the county of New- Haven. From 1718 until 1751, he was an assistant. In May 1724, he was ap- pointed with several other gentlemen, to hear and determine all matters of error and equity, brought on petition to the General Assembly, and from 1725 until he left the Council, was one of the judges of the Superior Court. In fulfilling the public duties assigned him, ability and integrity were alike conspicuous ; while an exemplary attendance upon the worship and ordinances of the Lord, gave a peculiar dignity to his character. He died in Jan. 1756, aged 78. Col. Elihu Chauncey, son of the Rev. Mr. Chauncey, was an upright, useful and worthy man. For a very long period he was connected with the county court in New-Haven county, either as a justice of the quorum or as judge ; and for forty years, with scarcely an exception, he represented the town in the General Assembly, He died in April 1791, aged 81. Gen. Phinehas Lyman, an officer in the second French war, was born in Durham, but I am not sufficiently acquainted with his history to give his character ; and as he removed from the town after completing his education, it does not so properly be- long to this work. The late Gen. James Wadsworth, was son of James Wads- 120 Statistical Account of Middlesex County <, worth Esq., and grandson of Col. Wads worth, whose character has just been related. He was graduated at Yale-College in 1748 ; and settling in his native town, was soon advanced in milita- ry life ; and afterwards was constituted by the Assembly the commander of a brigade. For two or three years, in the course of the revolutionary war, he was a member of Congress. For some time he was justice of the quorum, and then judge of the Court of common pleas in New- Haven county. In 1786 and 87, he was controller of public accounts in the State ; and from 1785 until 1789, a member of the Council. At the latter period, some objections in his mind against taking the oath of fidelity to the constitution of the United States, induced him to retire from public business. He died in Sept. 1816, aged 87. Gen. Wadsworth was a gentleman of dignified manners, of sound understanding, and of the strictest morals. A revival of religion of considerable extent, prevailed in Dur<= ham about 1 736 and 7. Revivals also prevailed here in 1 803, in 1808 and in 1815; by the first of which, 63, by the second 60 or 70, and by the third, 32 persons, were brought into the com- munion of the Congregational church. NOTES ILLUSTRATING THE PRECEDING ACCOUNT, t::^:u Note A, referred to, page 3. As Middlesex county was not formed until the spring of 1785, the inhabitants of the several towns must have repaired to the courts, in the counties to which they previously belonged, in civil and criminal suits, (from the time of the organization of those counties,) up to this period. This was true of Durham still later, as that town did not become a part of Middlesex till the autumn of 1799. Several gentlemen in these towns appear, from the records of the Colony and State of Connecticut, to have held seats in the courts, of Hartford, New-London and New-Haven counties. The Hon. John Hamlin of Middletown was Judge of the county court for Hartford county, from May 1715 to 1716 The Hon. Jabez Hamlin do. „ „ 1754 „ 1784 The following gentlemen were justices of the quorum for the same county, viz. Hon. Jabez Hamlin of Middletown, from May 1745 to 1754 Seth Wetmore Esq. do. ,, „ 1761 „ 1778 Hon. Hezekiah Brainerd of Haddam, „ „ 1722 „ 1723 Hon. Joseph Spencer of East-Haddam, „ „ 1778 ,, 1779 The Hon. Samuel Lynde of Saybrook was Judge of the county court for New-London county^ from 1 729 to 1 752 The following gentlemen were justices of the quorum, viz. Nathaniel Lynde Esq. of Saybrook, (generally if not uniform- ly,) from May 1689 to 1721 Daniel Taylor Esq. do, „ „ 1701 „ 1722 Hon. Samuel Lynde do, ,, „ 1724 „ 1729 John Murdoch Esq. do. ,, — ■ ., ~ 122 Statistical Account of Middlesex County ^ EnHU Chauncey Esq. of Durham was Judge of the county court for New Haven county, from May 1773 to 1778 Hon. James Wadsworth do. „ „ 1778 " 1789 The following gentlemen were justices of the quorum, viz. Hon. James Wadsworth of Durham, from May 1716 to 1718 Elihu Chauncey Esq. do. „ „ 1762 „ 1773 Hon. James Wadsworth do. ,, ,, 1773 „ 1778 Middlesex county court has been constituted as follows. JUDGES. Gen. Dyar Throop of E. Haddam, from May 1785 to May 1789 Col. Mat. Talcott of Middletown, ,, Oct. 1789 „ „ 1790 Gen. William Hart of Saybrook, „ May 1790 „ „ 1796 Dr. John Dickinson of Middletown, „ „ 1796 „ „ 1807 Hon. AsHER Miller do. „ ,, 1807 Justices of the quorum. Col. Mat. Talcott of Middletown, from May 1785 to Oct. 1789 Dr. John Dickinson do. „ „ „ ,, May 1796 Col. Wm. WoRTHiNGTON of Saybrook, „ „ ., „ „ 1786 Dr. Hezekiah Brainerd of Haddam, „ ,, „ „ „ 1795 Ebenezer White Esq. of Chatham, „ „ 1786 „ „ 1796 Gen. William Hart of Saybrook, „ Oct. 1789 ,, „ 1790 Hez. Lane Esq. of Killingworth, „ May 1790 „ „ 1802 Jabez Chapman Esq. of E. Haddam, ,, „ 1795 „ „ 1802 Jonathan Lay Esq. of Saybrook, „ „ 1796 ,, ,, 1306 Abra'm PiERSONEsq.of Killingworth, „ „ 1797 „ „ 1802 Elij. Hubbard Esq. of Middletown, „ „ I892 „ „ 1808 Col. Eliph. Holmes of E. Haddam, „ „ „ ,, „ 1817 Wm. Morgan Esq. of Killingworth, ,, „ „ „ ,, „ Gen. Seth Overton of Chatham, „ „ 1806 „ „ 1818 Col. Lemuel Storrs of Middletown, „ Oct. 1808 ,, Dec. 1816 Col. Josiah Griffin of E. Haddam, „ May 1817 ,, May 1818 Joshua Stow Esq. of Middletown, „ „ 1818 Joel Pratt Esq. of Saybrook, „ „ ,, State's Attornies. Hon. Asher Miller of Middletown, from 1 785 to 1 794 Hon. Samuel W. Dana, do. ,, 1794 „ 1797 Hon. J. O. Mosely of E. Haddam, „ 1797 „ Mar. 1805 Hon.S.T.HosMER of Middletown, „ March 1805 „ „ 1815 Matthew T. Russel Esq, do. „ June 1815 „ Sept, 1818 MajorAndre AMDREwsEsq. do. „ Sept. 1818 Mtes, 123 Clerks. Hon. S. T. HosMERofMiddlelown,from — 1785 to Dec. 1800 John FisK Esq. do. „ Dec, 1800 Sheriffs. Wm. W. Parsons of Middletown, from 1785 to Oct. 1791 Enoch Parsons Esq. do. „ Oct. 1791 „ May 1818 J. Lawrence Lewis Esq. do. ,, May 1818 Until May 1666, the " probation of wills and other testamen- tary matters" in Connecticut, were transacted in what was then called the " Court of Magistrates." After this for 30 or 40 years they were transacted in the county courts, and then distinct pro- bate courts were established in the several counties. These were succeeded by the district probate courts which exist at the present time. In Oct. 1741 , the towns of Haddam, East-Haddam, Colchester, Hebron and that part of Middletown [now Chatham] lying south of Salmon river, were formed into a probate district, called the district of East-Haddam. Haddam was taken from this and united to a new district in May 1752, and Hebron in May 1789. The following gentlemen have been judges of this court ; viz. Hon. John Bulkley of Colchester frohi Oct. 1741 to 1753 Hon. J. Spencer of E. Haddam „ 1753 „ Jan. 1789 Isaac Spencer Esq. do. „ Jan. 1789 „ May 1818 B. Trumbull Jr. Esq. of Colchester „ May 1 8 1 8 N. B. In May 1776, Daniel Brainerd, Esq. of Eaat-Haddam, was appointed to act as judge of this court while the Hon. Joseph Spencer should be out of the State in the army of the United States. In May 1752, Middletown, including Chatham, except the part lying south of Salmon river, that part of Berlin, formerly taken from Middletown, Haddam and Durham, were formed into a probate district, called the district of Middletown. Haddam, as noticed above, previously belonged to the district of East- Haddam, and Durham to the district of Guilford. The judges of this court have been : Hon. Jabez Hamlin of Middletown from May 1752 to May 1789 Hon. AsHER Miller do. „ „ 1789 „ „ 1793 Dr. John Dickinson do. ,, „ 1793 „ „ 1807 Hon. A. Miller do. (re-appointed) „ „ 1807 Saybrook and Killingworth, which had belonged to the dis- trict of Guilford from Oct. 1719, were formed into a new district in May 1780, called the district of Saybrook, The judges of this district have been : 16 124 Statistical Account of Middlesex County j Col. A. Elliott of Killingworth Hezekiah Lane Esq. do. Jonathan Lay Esq. of Saybrook William Lynde Esq. do. from May 1 780 to Dec. 1 785 „ „ 1786 „ Nov. 1809 „ „ 1810 „May 1818 „ „ 1818 The following lists contain the names of those who have been justices, or as they were formerly called commissioners, in the towns belonging to Middlesex. The lists for Middletown and Saybrook may not be complete, and perhaps the names are not arranged in any case, exactly according to the order of appoint- ment. Those whose names are printed in italics were appointed justices at the time Middlesex county was formed, most of whom doubtless had been in the commission of the peace years before. Those whose names have an asterisk annexed to them, remov- ed from the county. MWDLETOWm Deaths. MIDDLETOWN. Death). i 1. Robert Webster, Hon. Giles Hamlin, Ebenezer R oberts 2d W. John Pratt, Sept. 1, 1689 67 Nathaniel White, U. H. Aug. 27, 1711 82 William Plumbe, Thomas Ward, Klijah Hubbard, Hon. John Hamlin, Jan. 2, 1733 74 Alexander Collins, Sept. 14, 1816 41 Israhiah Wetmore, Giles Hall, Richard Alsop, Samuel Eells, Aug. 20, —15 55 Feb. 11, V750 69 Joseph Southmaid, June 8, —72 75 Eli Coe, M. Seth Wetmore, April 12, —78 78 Samuel Wetmore,* George Phillips, Feb. 78 67 Jozeb Stocking, U. H. Joseph Clark, April 21,— 78 58 Josiah Sage, U. H. Hon. Titus Hoemer, April 4, —80 43 Chauncey Whittlesey, Thomas Johnson, U. H. Dec. 26, —74 56 Levi H. Clark,* Hon. Jabes Hamlin, April 25 j —91 82 Samuel Gill, Matthew Talcott, Aug. 29, 1802 89 Daniel J. Griswold, W. Samutl H. Parsons, Nov. 17, 1789 52 Alexander Wolcott, Dr. John Dickinson, Oct. 3, 1811 82 Elisha Coe, M. J^athan'l Chauncey, U.H. Sept. 3, 1798 77 Seth Paddock, Philip Mortimer, Mar. 15, 1794 84 Arthur W. Magill, Elijah Treadioay, Major A. Andrews, Isaac Miller, M. July 20, 1817 80 Gen. Comfort Sage, Mar. 14, 1799 67 CHATHAM. Hon. Asher Miller, Joseph White, Dec. 14, 1770 82 Bevjamiii Williams, June 15, 1812 45 Nathaniel Freemein, Sept. 6, —91 78 Nathaniel Gilbert,* W. David Sage, Nov. 25, 1803 86 Chaiincey Whittlesey, Mar. 14, —12 65 Ebenezer White, July 29, —17 90 Hon. Samuel W. Dana, Joseph Dart, M. H. May 5, 1791 53 Hon. S. Titus Hosmer, John Clark, E. H. Aug. 8, 1809 94 Matthew T. Russel, Jonathan Pen-field, July 23, 1794 69 Elijah Hubbard, May 30, —08 62 Bryant Parmelee, E. H. Jan. 6, 1817 ^^ Neheiniah Hubbard, James Bill, E.H. 7'2 t Ebenezer Sag'e, Hezeldah Goodrich, April— 1817 Isaac Gridley, U. H. (/haunceyBulkley,iyLH. May 10,-18 7i. Amos Sage, Daniel Shepherd, Amos Churchel,* W. David White, Lemuel Stori's, Nov. 29. —16 63 Gen. Seth Ovcrlon,. ■ Notes. 125 CHATHAM. Deaths. David Clark, E. H. Stephen Griffith, M. H. John Parmelee, E. H. Nathaniel Cornwell, William Uixon, Cyrus Bill,* M.H. Asahel H. Strong, M.H. Jan. 7, 1818 41 Joseph Dart, M. H. Kalph Smith, M. H. George White, Amasa Daniels, Jr.M.H. Sparrow Smith. E. H. HADDAM. George Gates;, About 1725 90 Daniel Brainerd, April 1, —15 74 James Wells, Dec. 21, —44 77 Hon.Hezekiah Brainerd, May £4, —27 46 Col. Hezekiah Brainerd, Dec. 14, —74 67 Joseph Wells, July 77 70 Jabez Brainerd, Aug. 20, —78 62 Joseph Brookt, Dec. 14, —97 79 J^ehemiah Brainerd, Nov. 8, 1807 66 Hesekiah Brainerd, July 6, —05 62 Cornelius Higgins, Oct. 14,-03 81 Ezra Brainerd, M. H. Col. Daniel Brainerd, Dec. 2, —09 58 Edward Selden,* Smith Clark, June 9, —13 47 Stephen Tibbals, Oliver Wells, Levi Ward,* Jonathan Huntington, Reuben R. Chapman, M.H. Linus Parmelee, jr. Timothy Chapman, Gen. John Brainerd, John Brainerd, Joseph Arnold, Joseph Scovil, EAST-HADDAM. John Chapman, ""■ Thomas Gates, April 20, 1734 70 Samuel Olmsted, July 27, —47 71 Jabez Chapman, Sept 2, —59 69 Stephen Hosmer, Dec. 20, —21 40 Daniel Cone, May 27, — 76 83 Thomas Adams, April 58 38 Hon. Joseph Spencer,M. Jan. 13, —89 75 Daniel Brainerd, Jam. 9, —77 54 Gen. Dyer Throop, June 4f —89 51 Col. Jabez Chapman, Samuel Estabrook, M. Oct. 26, —76 25 Israel Spencer, H. Nov. 18, 1813 81 Tirjnoihy Gates, EAST-HADDAM. Deaths. Samuel Huntington, John Chapman, M. John Percival, Isaac Spencer, M. Col. Eliph. Holmes, H. Thomas Moseley, M. D. Hon. Jon. O. Moseley, Timothy Gates, jr. Ebenezer Holmes, H. Abner Hall,* Jared Spencer, M. Jolm Brainerd, Col. Josiah Griffin, M, Israel Cone, M. William Cone, M. Sylvester Chapman, Isaac Chapman, William Palmer, Samuel P. Lord, Diodate Jones, Isaac Chester, H, William Hungerford, H. SAYBROOK. Hon. George Fenwick,* Matthew Griswold, Hon. John Mason, Hon. Kobert Chapman, William Pratt, John Chapman, Daniel Taylor, Daniel Buckingham, Nathaniel Lynde, Joseph Blague, Hon. Samuel Lynde, Nathaniel Clark, P. Maj. Jedh. Chapman,M. John TuUy, Col. Samuel Willard, Ambrose Whittlesey, Samuel Field,* Maj. John Murdock, W. Hezekiah Whittlesey, John Shipman, Justice Bucke, C. Timothy Starkey, P. Jedediah Chapman, W. William Lynde, Samuel Tully, Col. Wm. Worthing- ton,* W. Gen. William Hart, Benjamin Williams, P. Jonathan Lay, W Thomas Silliman, C. Henry Hill, W. Bajnuel Hart, Mar. 20, 1797 Jan, 22, 1813 Aug. 13,-11 April 4, — 14 74 80 80 49 - 1672 or 3 Oct. 13, 1687 moved toE.H. Oct. 5, 1729 Sept. 28, —42 Sept. 19, —54 Aug. 21, —72 Feb. 10, —64 Oct. 29, —76 Dec. 24, —79 April 17, —56 Jan. 21, —78 May 16, —85 Nov. 21, —86 Nov. 1, 1817 Feb. 29, —16 June 2, 1787 Aug. 29, 1817 Dec. 7, —00 Oct. 7, 1799 126 Statistical Account of Middlesex County ; SAYBROOK. John Bull, P. Samuel Williams, P. Jonathan Warner, C. Maj. John Stannard, W Jolm Platts, V. Clark Nott, P. Col. Joseph Hill, P. Col- George W. Jew- it,* P. Dr. Richard Ely, C. Col. Elisha Sill, Joseph Platts, P. Samuel Colt, C. William Lyndp, Augustus Bushncl, Rufus Clark, Joel Pratt, P. Stephen Utter, James P. lledfield, W. Benjamin Holt, C. KILLINGWORTH. Edward Griswold, Henry Crane, Samuel Buel, Abraham Pierson, • Maj. David Buel, Jolin Lane, Jonathan Lane, Benjamin Gale, Ehiathan Stevens, Isaac Kelsey, N. K. Joseph Willcox, N. K. Col. Aaron Elliot, John Pierson, K. K. Theophilus Morgan, Hesekiah Lane, JV. K. About Jan. 8, Feb. 25, Oct. 2, Nov. 7, May 6, Dec. 21, Oct. 10, iMay 3, Dec. 27, Aug. 25, Feb. 7, Nov. 6, 1711 —52 —49 —59 —59 —90 —76 —51 —74 —85 —94 —78 1809 KILLINGWORTH. George Elhott, Job Wright, Abraham Pierson, N. K. Martin Lord, N. K. William Morgan, Bezaliel Bristol, N. K. Gen. Joseph Willcox, George Elliott, Dan Lane, N . K. Nathaniel Hull, N. K. Joel Griswold, N. K. Amaziah Bray, William Carter, David Kelsey, N. K. Austin Olcott, Benjamin Hurd, Jcdediah Harris, N. K. DURHAM. Hon. James Wadsworth, Henry Crano, Col. Elibu Chauncey, James Wadsworth, Hon. James Wadsworth, Daniel Hall, Sitneon Parsons, Dan Parmelee, Charles Coe, Guernsey Bates, Worthington G. Chaun- cey, Isaac Newton, Job Merwin, Bridgman Guernsey, James Robinson, Lemuel Camp, Deaths. May 1, 1810 Jan. 18, —17 Jan. 10, 1756 April 11,-41 April 10, —91 July 21, —77 Sept. 22, 1817 Dec. 17, 1790 74 62 J^ote B. referred to, page 4, Agreeably to an enumeration made in the years 1756, 1774, and 1810, there were in the towns in Middlesex the following number of inhabitants : it being remembered that in the first men- tioned year, Chatham was included in Middletown ; viz. In Middletown, in 1756, 5,664, in 1774, 4,878, in 1810, 5,382 Chatham, 2,397 3,258 Haddam, 1,241 1,726 2,205 East-Haddam, 1,978 2,818 2,537 Saybrook, 1,931 2,687 3,996 Killingworth, 1,458 1,990 2,244 Durham, 799 1,076 1,101 Total, 13,071 17,572 20,723 Js'otes. 12- J^ote C, referred to, page 8. In Dec. 1815, the towns in Middlesex owned the vessels fol- lowing ; viz. •I- 1 S 1 Tons. 95ths. o o 5^ Tons. 95ihs. 1 -2 Tons. 95(hs. Total Tons, Middletown, - - - Chatham, - - - - Haddam, - . - - E. Haddam, - - - Saybrook, . - - . KillingAvorth, - - - 3 1 1 1 1 7 876 1 324 66 318 62 228 22 283 30 10 1 4 2 1 1,932 86 204 45 738 48 303 29 204 73 4 1 3 7 4 395 67 162 45 288 65 793 82 251 71 7 2 6 4 16 4 332 76 125 5 394 15 231 49 846 30 138 67 3,537 40 816 66 1,740 763 5 2,128 25 390 43 Total of the County, - 2,030 86 18 3,383 91 19 1,892 45 38 2,068 52 9,375 84 The amount of shipping owned in Middletown District, in- cluding Middlesex and Hartford counties, at that time was 22,580 tons. It is however to be noticed that some of the vessels enter- ed at the custom-house, were built for market. This was true of a considerable number which were owned in Middlesex; and of course the quantity of shipping actually employed in commerce was less than is here stated. The articles exported from Middletown District in 1815, amounted to g 93,141 32. The duties on imports for the same year, amounted to $ 43,394 14. J^ote D, referred to, page 13. The parishes in the county have the following number of grist- mills, saw-mills, and fulling-mills ; to which the number of tan- neries is added. Middletown parish, Upper Houses, - Middlefield, - - Westfield, - - Chatham parish, Middle- Haddam, East-Hampton, - Haddam parish, - Grist- Saw- Fulling- mills. mills. mills. 5 5 4 2 1 1 2 1 1 1 2 3 1 6 10 1 3 3 1 5 8 2 Tanne- ries. 4 3 1 2 3 1 7 128 Statistical Account of Middlesex County; Note D, continued. E. Haddam parish, - - - Millington, Hadlyme, in E. Haddam, - Saybrook parish, - - - Pautapoug, Westbrook, Chester, ----.- Killingworth parish, - - North- Killingworth, Durham, Total, Grist- mills. 53 Saw- mills. 10 9 4 1 7 4 3 2 5 4 82 Fulling- mills. 23 Tanne- ries. 55 Note E, referred to, page 17. Pleasure carriages were introduced into the several towns in the county, at the following periods ; viz. Into Middletown, Chatham, Haddam, E. Haddam, Saybrook, Killingworth, Durham, about 1750, which owned in 1814, 246 in 1768 54 1785 17 1769 31 about 1756 113 1748 39 1755 49 Total, 549 jVote F, referred to, page 17, Stating the number of vessels launched from yards in different parts of the county in the year 1815, Middletown city, Upper-Houses, Chatham parish, ^ a m Oi Tons. »i Tons. ^ Tons. ^ Tons. JS •c a o c« PQ » tIJ I 360 1 147 1 44 1 240 I 57 3 990 1 163 Total tons. 551 297 1153 Notes. ^ Note F, continued. 129 » i Tons, •i Tons. 1 Tons. 01 1 Tons. Total tons. CO m cc uj Middle-Haddam, - - 2 675 2 440 1 120 1235 Haddam, - . - . 4 745 1 110 855 E. Haddam, - - - 2 395 3 219 614 Saybrook parish, - - 1 196 196 Paiitapoug, - - - - 2 620 1 200 3 370 4 246 1435 Westbrook, - - - - 2 245 4 178 423 Chester, - - . . 1 104 lOl^ Killingworth parish, - 3 360 4 280 640 Total, - 8 2645 11 2216 13 1619 17 1023 7503 Note G, referred to, page 18. The names of the turnpike roads, partly or wholly in Mid- dlesex, their length, the time when they were granted, and capital »tock. Middlesex Turnpike, extending from Say- brook through Haddam and Middletown to GofFe's brook in Weathersfiejd, 32 miles, May 1802 Hebron and Middle-Haddam Turnpike, extending from Hebron meeting-house through Marlborough to Middle-Haddam Landing, 13 1.-2 miles, - - - - - do. Middletown and Berlin Turnpike, ex- tending from Middletown through Berlin into Farmington, 20 miles, . - - - May 1808 Colchester and Chatham Turnpike, ex- tending from Colchester through Chatham to Middletown Ferry, 18 miles, - - Oct. 1808 Chatham and Marlborough Turnpike, ex- tending from Middletown Ferry by Pistol Point lo Marlborough, 10 1-2 miles, - Oct. 1809 East-Haddam and Colchester Turnpike, extending from East-Haddam Landing to Colchester meeting-house, 10 1-2 miles, do. Granted. Capital Stock. jg 18,088 8,232 14,950 9,086 9,086 6,288 130 Statistical Account of Middlesex County ; Note G, continued. Granted. Capital Stock. MiDDLETOWN AND Meriden Turnpike, ex- tending from Middletown to Meriden meet- ing-house, 7 miles, Durham and East-Guilford Turnpike, ex- tending from Durham street through North- Bristol to East-Guilford green, 14 miles, MiDDLETOWN, DuRHAM AND NeW-HaVEN Turnpike, extending from Middletown through Durham and parts of Branford and North-Haven to New-Haven, 23 1-2 miles, KiLLINGWORTH AND HaDDAM TuRNPIKE, CX tending from Killingworth street to Higga- num in Haddam, 15 1-2 miles, - - - A Branch or the above, called Beaver- meadow Turnpike, running to Haddam street, 4 miles and 101 rods, - - - - Haddam and Durham Turnpike, extending from Higganum in Haddam to Durham street, 7 3-4 miles, Chester and North-Killingworth Turn- pike, extending from the bridge over Ches- ter-Cove to North-Killingworth, 7 miles and 53 rods, Total, - - - - Oct. 1 809 May 1811 do. Oct. 1813 Oct. 1815 May 1815 May 1816 $ 7,364 10,000 40,000 10,973 2,465 4,100 3,000 143,632 N. B. Chatham and Marlborough Turnpike was at first laid out from Pistol- Point to Marlborough. The addition from Middletown Ferry to Pistol-Point was granted in May 1811. Besides the above, a turnpike from Norwich to New-Ha- ven, through East-Haddam and Haddam, was granted iu Oct. 1817, and another from Pautapoug Point, to East-river bridge, in Guilford, in Oct. 1818; which are not yet wrought. The mail has long been carried on the road from Hartford to New-Haven, through Middletown and Durham in this county ; and for a considerable time on the road from New-Haven to New-London and Providence, through Killingworth and Say- brook. On the first of these a line of stages was established in 1785, and on the second in 1794, and the mail has been general- ly carried in the stage since those periods. About the year 1 800, a post road was established from Middletown, through Chatham, to East-Haddam Landing, and thence to New-London ; and in 1802- another, from Middletown, through Haddam, to Saybrook : Notes. I3i but in 1810 these were given up ; and a rout was established from Middletown to Middle- Haddam, Haddam, East-Haddam Landr- ing, and thence to Saybrook. The post road from Middletown, through Chatham and Hebron, to Windham, was established in 1814 ; that from Middletown, through Chatham, to Colchester, in 1817; and that from Middletown, through the west part of Had- dam, to Killingworth, the same year. There are eleven post-offices in the county ; viz. Middletown Post-Office, established m - 1775 Upper-Houses, do. - 1803 Chatham or Knowles's Landing, , do. - 1804 Westchester, do. - 1817 Haddam, do. - 1802 East-Haddam, do. - 1800 Chester, do. - 1810 Saybrook, do. - 1793 Killingworth, do. - 1794 N, Killingworth, do. - 1817 Durham, do. - 1800 Kote H, referred to, page 18. The Ferries in Middlesex are as follows ; viz. Saybrook Ferry, between Saybrook and Lyme, granted or established in 166? Brockway's, Pautapoug and N. Lyme, 1724 Warner's, Chester and Hadlyme, 1769 Chapman's, Haddam and East-Haddam, 1694 East-Haddam, do. do. 1811* Haddam, do. and M. Haddam, 1814 Higganum, do. do. 1763 Knowles's Lauding, Middletown and do. 1806t Middletown, do. and Chatham, 1726 Upper-Houses, do. do. 1759 All these ferries are private property excepting Higganum Ferry, which belongs to the town of Haddam, and Middletown Ferry, which belongs to the town of Mid- dletown. Note I, referred to , page 19. Showing when the houses for public worship, belonging to dif- ferent religious denominations, in Middlesex, were erected, and their dimensions. The two first houses in Middletown were built near the north end of what is now Main-street in the city, to accommodate people * A ferry had been kept occasionally at this place for 70 years ; but being aban doned a new grant was made. t A ferry was granted at Knowles's Landing in 1735, but being abandoned, o gyaat was made at this time, 17 132 Statistical Account of Middlesex County ; in the Upper-Houses. The former, and probably the latter of these, was inclosed with palisades. When the subject of erecting the third house was agitated, it is said that different divisions of the inhabitants contended for its location at the east, north and west corners of the great square, lying between Main and High-streets ; that it was agreed to have the point decided by lot ; but as there were four corners to the square, it was sug- gested it would be well to draw for them all. This was done, and the south corner was taken, where none wished the house to be erected. But as the lot was considered as expressing the di- vine will, the people went forward and built there. The width of this house was increased 18 feet in 1740, and rendered a very uncouth building. The first meeting-house in Chatham stood on the hill south of the Episcopal church. The first in Haddam, stood near the dwelling-house of Capt. Samuel Clark, and the se- cond near the site of the court-house. The first in East-Had- dam was built in the middle of the street, near the dwelling- house of Mr. Isaac C. Ackley, and the second 50 or 60 rods south of the present meeting-house. The first house in Saybrook was built on the Point. The sites of the other ancient houses of public worship, were near the sites of the present houses, or are so well known as to render any information re- specting them unnecessary. All the houses in the county have hitherto been built of wood, ex'cept that owned by the Methodists in Middletown, and one recently erected by the Second Baptist Society in Pautapoug, which are of brick. Where these have had steeples and bells, the letter B is annexed to the name ; where steeples only, the letter S. Time of Length Breadth HOUSES IN MIDDLETOWN. erection. in feet. in feet. Congregational meeting-house, - 1652 20 20 do. . do. B. - 1670 32 32 do. do. B. - 1715 60 40 do. do. B. - 1799 68 51 Episcopal do. B. - 1752 50 36 Strict- Congregational do. 1774 56 46 Baptist do. 1809 53 38 Methodist do. 1805 42 32 Upper-Houses. Congregational do. about 1703 — — do. do. 1736 55 36 Baptist do. 1803 46 36 J{otes. 133 Time of Leng^ Breadth erection. in feet. in feet. MiDDLEFIELD. Congregational meeting-house, - 1745 40 40 Westfield. Congregational do. 1773 48 38 Baptist do. 1812 36 26 Chatham. Congregational do. 1716 40 26 do. do. 1750 56 42 Episcopal do. about 1790 50 36 Middle-Haddam. Congregational do. 1744 44 36 do. do. S. - 1812 50 40 Episcopal (taken down,) do. 1772 26 24 do. at the Landing, do. \ About I 1786 or 7 47 36 Methodist do. 1796 or 7 24 23 East-Hampton. Congregational do. 1765 46 37 Haddam. Congregational do. 1673 or 4 28 24 do. do. 1721 44 36 do. do. 1770 65 45 Baptist do. 1793 32 25 Methodist do. 1795 41 29 East-Haddam. Congregational do. 1705 32 32 do. do. 1728 55 40 do. do. B. - 1794 64 44 Episcopal do. S. - 1792 54 37 Millington. Congregational do. 1743 50 40 Hadlyme. Congregational do. 1743 46 35 Saybrook. Congregational do. 1646 — — do. do. B. - 1726 50 36 Pavtapoug. Congregational do. 1727 40 30 do. do. B. - 1792 60 40 Episcopal do. S. - 1790 40 30 Baptist 1st Society, do. 1775 or 6 30 25 134 Statistical Account of Middlesex County ; Time of Length Breadtk erection. in feet. in feet. Padtapoug. Baptist, 2d Society meeting-house, S. 1816 43 34 Westbrook. Congregational do. B. - 1727 41 34 Methodist do. - 1817 40 32 Chester. Congregational do. - 1742 42 34 do. do. - 1794 42 34 KiLLINGWORTH. Congregational do. - »_ do. do. - about 1700 — — do. do. B. - do. 1733 60 38 North-Killing WORTH. Congregational do. do. do. - 1735 30 22 - 1739 58 38 do. do. B. - 1817 58 47 Episcopal do. - 1803 40 32 Durham. Corigregational do. - 1711 40 40 do. do. B. - 1736 64 44 }{ote /, referred to, page 1 9. In 1815, there were 3,688 families in the county, divided among the different religious denominations, according to the following table ; supposing all the families to belong to some denomination or other. Some societies have increased and others diminished since that time ; but this will serve as a general view of the numbers adhering to different denominations. 1^ Congrega- tionalist. o . ^ a "1 Methodist. 2 -^N '3-2 Middletown, in the city, do. out of the city. 353 269 169 112 89 11 38 64 54 51 3 31 Total of this society, - 622 281 100 102 105 34 ' J^ofes. 1 35 a a ii LI ■B oq 1 i '^ a 0.2 2 Upper-Houses, - - - Middlefield, - - - - Westfield, .... 137 92 93 122 41 53 2 1 11 5 17 2 6 4 3 19 36 Total of the town, - - 944 497 103 135 117 56 36 Chatham, .... Middle-Haddam, (Chat- ham Part,) . . - East-Hampton, - - - Part of Westchester, - 219 149 147 20 108 74 101 19 93 35 7 12 2 28 1 6 33 11 5 Total of the town, . - 535 302 1«5 43 50 5 Haddam, - - . . . Haddam Neck, - - . 390 57 273 38 5 6 38 5 73 8 1 Total of the town, - - 447 311 11 43 81 1 East.Haddam, - - - Millington, . . . . Hadlyme, (East-Haddam part,) 184 182 55 129 122 34 44 3 8 10 50 12 1 6 1 1 Total of the town, - - 421 286 55 72 8 1 Say brook, - - . . Pautapoug, .... Westbrook, - . - . Chester, 155 300 162 115 153 187 145 77 33 1 2 76 15 38 4 1 Total of the town, - - 732 562 34 131 5 Killingworth, - . . North-Killingworth, 184 233 91 170 1 36 56 8 3 19 33 Total of the town, -. - 417 261 37 64 22 33 Durham, .... 192 3,688 112 46 1 8 25 Total of the county, - 2,330 421 489 291 88 69 136 Statistical Account of Middlesex County ; J^ote K, referred to, page 19. The following table will show at one view, when the towns and parishes in Middlesex were settled, when they were incor- porated, when the first churches in them were formed, and the number of members belonging to those churches, April 11, 1818. Middletown, Upper-Houses, - Middlefield, - - Westfield, - - Chatham, - - Middle-Haddam, East-Hampton, - Haddam, - - - East-Haddam, - Millington, - - Hadlyme, - - Saybrook, - - Pautapoug, - - Westbrook, - - Chester, - - - Killingworth, - N. Killingworth, Durham, - - - Set- tied. Incorporated. 1650 do. 1700 1720 1690 1710 1743 1662 1670 1704 1670 1G35 1690 1664 1692 1663 1716 1698 Nov. May Oct. May May May May Oct. Churches formed. Oct. Oct. May May Oct. Oct. May May 1653 1703 1744 1766 1714 1740 1748 1668 1700 1733 1742 1644 1722 1724 1740 1663 1735 1704 Nov. 4, 1668 Jan. 5, 1715 About 1747 Dec. 29, 1773 Oct. 25, 1721 Sept. 24, 1740 Nov. 30, 1748 — — 1696 Jan. 6, Dec. 2, No. of mem- bers. •I F^- S males. June 26, 1704 1736 1745 1646 1725 1726 1742 About June 25, Sept. 15, About 1667 Jan. 18, 1738 Feb. 7, 1711 Total of members, 203 125 33 35 86 86 55 165 95 89 55 196 116 171 63 103 207 178 2061 54 31 9 11 21 30 16 49 36 18 18 70 30 60 22 27 82 63 647 149 94 24 24 65 56 39 116 69 71 37 126 86 111 41 76 125 115 1414 The Episcopal churches in the county had the following num- ber of members Oct. 1818 ; viz. The Episcopal church in Middletown, - - - 103 do. do. Chatham, - - - - 40 do. do. M. Haddam, - - about 20 do. do. E. Haddam, . . - — do. do. Pautapoug, . - - — do. do. N. Killingworth & N. Bristol, 36* The Baptist churches in the county had the folk)wing num- ber of members at the same time ; viz. The Baptist church in Middletown, - - - - 123 do. Upper-Houses, including some professors living in other parishes, 64 * Twelve of these live ia N, Brbtol. J^otes, 137 The Baptist church in Westfield, - - - - 29 do. East-Hampton, including profes- sors in Haddam, - - - 126 do. East-Haddam, - - - - 48 The first Baptist church in Pautapoug, including some professors in Chester, &c. - 88 The second do. including some professors in Kil- lingworth, - - - - 61 Total, - 539 The number of Methodist professors in Middlesex, I am una- ble to give. The church in Middletown has more than 100. J^ote L, referred to, page 20. Names of those who have been settled ministers in Middlesex, places of their birth, &c. Where the dates are given in italics in the fourth column, it denotes that the ministers referred to were installed, and the italic characters in the sixth column de- note that the ministers referred to were dismissed. Com- municants are not stated after April 11, 1818. CONGREGATIONAL MINISTERS. Place of J^AMES. Place of Birth. Educa- Time of Set- .^ Deaths or tion. tlement. Dismission. i MIDDLETOWN. Nathaniel Collins, Cambridge, M. Har.1660 Not. 4, 1668 76 Dec. 28, 1684 42 Noadiah Russel, New-Haven, do. 1681 Oct. 24,1688 180 Dec. 3, 1713 54 Wiltam Russel, Middletown, Yal.1709 June 1, 1715 305 June 1, 1761 70 Enoch Huntington, Windham, do. 1759 Jaji. 6, 1762 346 June 12, 1809 69 Dan Huntington, Lebanon, do. 1794 Sept. 20, 1809 98 Feb. 6, 1816 C. A. Goodrich, New-Haven, do. 1810 July 24, 1816 32 Dec. 23, 1817 John R. Crane, Newark, N. J. Nas. 1805 Nov. 4, 1818 Upper-Houses. Joseph Smith, Concord, M. Har.l695 Jan. 5, 1715 62 Sept. 8, 1736 62 Edward Eells, Scituate, M. do. 1733 Sept. 6, 1738 138 Oct. 12, 1776 64 Gershom Bulkley, Weathersfield, Yal. 1770 June 17, 1778 85 June 17, 1708 Joshua L. Williams, do. do. 1805 June 14, 1809 84 MiDDLEFIELD. Ebenezer Gould, Joseph Denison, Oct. 10, 1747 Feb. 28, 1765 About 1756 Feb. 12, 1770 Windham, Yal. 1763 13 31 Abner Benedict, N.Salem,N. Y. do. 1769! Nov. 20, 1771 12 1785 Westfield. Thomas Miner, Woodbury, Yal. 1769 Dec. 29, 1773 96 CHATHAM. Daniel NewU, Bristol, Yal, 1718 Oct, 25, 1721 SO Sept. 14, 1731 31 138 Statistical Account of Middlesex Couniy ^ NAMES. Place of Birth. Moses Bartlet, Cyprian Strong, D.D, Eber L. Clark, Hervy Talcott. Middlb-Hadd AM . Benjamin Bowers, Benjamin Boardman David Selden, East-Hamptow, John Norton, Lemuel Parsons, Joel West, HADDAM. Jeremiah Hobart, Phinehas Fiske, Aaron Cleveland, Joshua Elderkin, Eleazer May, David D. Field, John Marsh, Jr. EAST-HADDAM. Stephen Hosmer, Joseph Fowler, Elijah Parsons, Isaac Parsons, MlLLINGTON. Tinaothy Symmes, Hobart Estabrook, Diodate Johnson, Eleazer Sweetland, William Lyman, D.D. Hadlyme. Grindall Rawson, Joseph Vaill, SAYBROOK. James Fitch, Thomas Buckingham, Azariah Mather, William Hart, Fred. W. Hotchkiss, Paftapoug. Abraham Nott, Stephen Holmes, Benjamin Dunning, Richard Ely, Aaron Hovey, Westbrook. Wm. Worthington, John Devotion, Thomas Rich, Sylvester Selden, ChESTEPv. Jared Harrison, Guilford, Farmington, Mansfield, Coventry, Billerica, M. Middletown, Haddam, Berlin, Durham, Lebanon, Hingham, E. Milford, Medford, M. Windham, Weathersfield, Guilford, Weathersfield, Hartford, Lebanon, Northampton, Southampton, Scituate, M. Canterbury, Lyme, Hebron, Lebanon, Mendon, M. Litchfield, Bocking, Eng. Yal. 1730 do. 1763 Gul.1811 Yal; 1810 Har.1733 Yal. 1758 do. 1782 Yal. 1737 do. 1773 Dar.1789 Windsor, Guilford, New-Haven, Weathersfield, Woodstock, Newtown, Lyme, Mansfield, Colchester, Suffield, Weston, M. Chatham, Branford, Place of Educa- tion. Time of Set- tlement. 1^ June 6, 1733 Aug. 19, 1767 Sept. 25,1812 Oct. 23, 1816 Sept. 24, 1740 Jan. 5, 1762 Oct. 19, 1785 Mv. 30, 1748 Feb. 10, 1779 Oct. 17, 1792 Har.1650 Yal. 1704 Har.1735 Yal. 1748 do. 1752 do. 1802 do, 1804 Har.1699 Yal. 1743 do. 1768 do. 1811 Har.1733 Yal. 1736 do. 1764 Dar.1774 Yal. 1784 Har.1728 Dar.1778 Yal. 1705 do. 1732 do. 1778 Yal. 1720 do. 1752 do. 1759 do. 1754 Dar.1798 Yal. 1716 do. 1754 do. 1799 Gul.1807 Yal. 1736 114 193 24 22 171 162 131 Deaths or Dismission, J^ov. 14, 1700 Sept. 15,1714 July — 1739 June— 1749 June 30, 1756 April 11, 1804 Dec. 16, 1818 May 3, 1704 May 15, 1751 Oct. 28, 1772 Oct. 23, 1816 Dec. 2, 1736 Nov. 20, 1745 July 2, 1767 May 21, 1777 Dec. 13, 1787 Sept. 18, 1745 Feb. 9, 1780 1646 Feb. 5, 1670 Nov. 22, 1710 Nov. 17, 1736 Sept. 24, 1783 — 1725 J^ov. 24, 1757 In. 1776 Jan. 18, 1786 sept. 5, 1804 234 138 uns 29, 1726 26, 1757 13, 1804 10, 1812 :pt. 15, 1742 J Dec. June June Se Dec. 27, 1766 Nov. 17, 1811 Aug. 18, 1815 May 11, 1761 Sept. — 1783 Mar. 24, 1778 Feb. 14, 1791 Nov. 6, 1715 Oct. 17, 1738 Dis. 1746 do. 1763 April 14, 1803 Apriin,im8 June 16, 1749 June 10, 1771 Dit. 1743 Jan. 28, 1766 Jan. 15, 1773 Mar, 25, 1787 Mar. 29, 1777 45 Di9. 1660 > April 31, 1709 1 Feb. 11, 1737 176 July 11, 1784 307 101 75 61 193 31 33 Jan. 24, 1766 6 Sept. 13, 1773 May — 1785 Aug. 23, 1814 Nov. 16, 1756 Sept. 6, 1802 Sept. 4, 1810 I7r»} 70 60 M}tes,^ 139 ^JMES. Simeon Stoddard, Elijah Mason, Robert Silliman, Samuel Mills, Neh. B.Beardsley, KILLINGWOllTH. John Woodbridge, Abraham Pierson, Jared Elliott, Eliphalet Huntington, Achilles Mansfield, Hart Talcott, N. KiLIilNGWORTH. William Seward, Henry Ely, Joslah B. Andrews, Asa King, DURHAM. Nathaniel Chauncey, Elizur Goodrich,D.U. David Smith, Place of Birth. Woodbury, Hartford, Fairfield, Canton, Stratford, Branford, Guilibrd, Lebanon, New-Haven, Bolton, Durham, Wilbraham,M. Bouthington, Mansfield, Stratford, Weather^eld, Bozrah, Place of Educa- tion. Yal. 1755 do. 1744 do. 1737 do. 1776 do. 1805 Har.1664 do. 1668 Yal. 1706 do. 1759 do. 1770 Dar.1812 Time of Set- tlement. Oct. 31, 1759 May 21, 1767 Jan. 29, 1772 Oct. 25, 1786 Jan. 3, 1816 1667 hi. 1694 Oct. 26, 1709 Jan. 11, 1764 Jan. 6, 1779 June 11, 1817 Yal. 1734 Jan. 18, 1738 do. 1778 Sept. 25, 1782 do. 1797 April 21, 1802 i Sept. ^5, liii'Z 1 April 21, 1802 -\Nov. 20, 1811 Deaths or Dismission. Oct. 27, 1765 1770 AprU 9, 1781 Feb. 17, 1814 61 176 6 \Dis. ' 1679 IxMarchS, 1707 IApril22, 1763 Feb. 8, 1777 July 22, 1814 Yal.l702|Feb. 7, 1711- do. l752jNov. 24, 1756 - do. 1795|Aug. 15, 1799 160 92 143 30 188 Feb. 5, 1782 Feb. 12, 1801 ./^prine, 1811 Feb. 1, 1756 Nov. 21, 1797 69 EPISCOPAL MINISTERS. J^AMES. MIDDLETOWN. Ichabod Camp, Abraham Jarvis, D. D. Calvin White, Joseph Warren, Clement Merriam, John Kewley, M. D. Birdsey G. Noble, CHATHAM. M. Smith Miles, EAST-HADDAM. Solomon Blakesley, Place of Birth. Durham, Norwalk, Middletown, Liverpool, Eng New-Milford, Derby, Place of Education. Yal. do. do. 1743 1761 1786 Cam. E. Commenced Services, July 19, 1752 1760 Aug. 16, 1799 Oct. 5, 1800 Sept. 10, 1803 Yal. ■•— Mar. 8, 1809 1810 Mar. 7, 1813 Yal. 1791 North-Haven. I Yal. 1785 1796 1792 Ceased Ser- vices. June 19, 1760 1799 July 27, 1800 Aug. 15, 1803 April 7, 1806 Feb. 19, 1813 MINISTERS OF THE STRICT-CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. KAMES. MIDDLETOWN. Ebenezer Frothingham, Stephen Parsons, David Huntington, Benjamin Grave?, Ahab Jink?, Place of Birth. Cambridge, M. Middletown, Lebanon, East-Haddam, FmithfieW, R. I. 18 Place of Education. Dar. 1773 Time of Settlement. 1754 Jan, 31, 1778 Nov. 8, 1797 Aug. 7, Time of Dismission. 1803 1816 — 1778 About une 1795 Oct, — 1800 1811 or 12 u 140 Statistical Account of Middlesex County j J^AMES. MIDDLKTOWN. Joshua Bradley, George Phippin, Jeremiah F. Bridsres, BAPTIST MINISTERS. Place of Education. Place of Birth. Kingston, M. Salem, M. Colchester, Time of Settlement. Time of Dismission. Brown — } do. — IJune 11, 1812jJuly — 1816 There have been some other Baptist ministers settled in tlie County, but I am Unable to give a list of their names. The Methodist churches have been general- ly supplied by circuit preachers. Mote M, referred to, page 20. frjlfesi The names of those who have been deacons in the several Congregational churches in the County, the time of their election, deaths and ages. N. B. Those marked with asterisks are known to have been ordained. Otliers in East-Haddam and Saybrook churches have been ordained, but I am unable to desioiiate the individuals. The persons whose names are printed in italics in the account of Middle-Haddam, lived within the bounds of the town of Chatham, and those thus printed in the account of Hadlyme, lived in tlie town of Lyme. NAMES. "Thomas Allen,* Samuel Stocking,'* John Hall, jr.* Daniel Markham,* William Sumner,* Obadiah Allen, Joseph Rockwell,* Boriah Wetmore, Solomon Atkins, John Hubbard, Jonathan Allen, <^ William Rockwell, Hon. Jabez Hamlin, Joseph Clarke, Esq. John Earl Hubbard, Chaun. Whittlesey, Esq. Jacob Whitmore, Oliver Wetmore, Timothy Boardman, Matthew T. Russel, Esq. Thomas Hubbard, Joseph Boardman, ^Samuel Eells, 2d. Time of Election. Mar. 16, do. do. About Au^. 11, May 31, do. May Jan. 6, 8, May 26, do. April Feb. 6, 7, Aug. 16, do. Sept. Mar. 17, 7, Mar. 4, April May 1, 3, May 16, do. 1670 1690 1695 1704 1713 1735 1743 1749 1754 1765 1778 1782 1784 1784 1798 1812 1812 Deaths Jan. 22, 1694 About 1706 Oct. 27, 1742 Oct. 5, Mar. 12, Dec. 23, July 28, April 25, April 21, July 27, Mar. 14, Dec. 1, May 5, 75 74 70 60 1748 1753 178380 1765i63 1791182 1778158 1782 59 1812 1798 1792 65 46 64 J\''otes. lU NAMES. Time of Election. Deaths. ^William Savage, Samuel Hall, Samuel Stow, John Willcox, Samuel Gipson, Samuel Shepherd, J: <( Isaac White, William Savage, Thomas Johnson, Esq. Joseph Kirby, Solomon Sage, Timothy Gipson, Amos Sage, Jeremiah Hubbard, ..Bani Parmelee, ^ f Ichabod Miller, ^ J Joseph Coe. ^ "^j Giles Miller, g (^Prosper Auger, . f Nathaniel Boardman, -2 J Amos Churchel, \^Sarauel Galpin, g Samuel Hall,* John Ganes, Joseph White, Esq. David Sage, Esq. Ebenezer White, Esq. Dr. Moses Bartlet, Hezekiah Goodrich, Esq. =?^ Jonathan Brown, '^Daniel Shepherd, Esq. ^Ebenezer Smith, Gideon Arnold, Benjamin Harris, Daniel Arnold, Ezra Brainerd, Esq. David Smith, Dr. Thomas Brainerd, Selden Gates, Feb. 10, 1716 do. Dec. 3, 1745 Jan. 15, 1749 Jan. 9, 1766 Nov. 29, 1770 Jan. 26, 1775 Jan. 14, 1784 Feb. 22, 1790 Dec. 14, 1807 Mar. 23, 1810 re-elected at Chatham. Sept. 28, 1741 May 12, 1751 Mar. 18, 1748 drowned April 9, 1750 June 27, 1769 1774 Dec. 26, 1774|56 Sept. 12, 1783;64 June 7, 1794 74 68 76 71 74 About 1774 Jan. 10, 1809 About 1779 do. About 1794 Nov. 9, 1721 Jan. 22, 1724 Dec. 15, 1748 April 21, 1768 Oct. 27, 1791 do. June 25, Mar. 15, Nov. 18, do. Mar. 14, Nov. 27, do. June 1, Dec. 10, July 27, 1795 1810 1740 1748 1771 1774 1795 1810 Jan. 8, 1814 Aug. 23, 1808 Aug. 22, 1788 June 10, 1784 Mar. 1, 1804 April 9, 1807 became a Baptist and moved away. Mar. 6, 1740 July 27, 1748 Dec. 14, 1770 Nov. 25, 1803 July 29, 1817 Mar. 3, 1810 became an E- piscopalian. Feb. 11, 1752 Mar. — 1772 April 11, 1775 May 27, 1774 70 63 87 71 77 64 76 72 82 86 90 70 75 43 Nov. 25, 1795|52 moved away. 142 Statistical Account of Middlesex County ; NAMES. TEbenezer Clarke, Isaac Smith, John Clarke, Esq. James Bill, Esq. g , Gideon Arnold, t^ ^ Moses Cook, Isaac Smith, Joseph Sage, David Clarke, Esq. i^ Warren A. Skinner, I' Daniel Brainerd, Esq. Thomas Brooks, Joseph Arnold, James Brainerd, Thomas Brooks,* Elisha Cone,* Elijah Brainerd, Col. Hezekiah Brainerd, Joseph Smith, Nehemiah Brainerd, Esq. Eliakim Brainerd, Jonathan Huntington,* ^David Hubbard,* ^Thomas Gates, Daniel Cone, Daniel Brainerd, Isaac Spencer, Jeremiah Gates, Noadiah Brainerd, Daniel Cone, Esq. James Gates, !25 < Samuel Huntington, Esq. Thomas Fuller, John Percival, Esq. Caleb Gates, Ephraim Gates, ^ John Percival, jr. rSamuel Emmons, Daniel Gates, Gen. Joseph Spencer, Time of Election. July 5, do. May 16, do. Jan. 24, July — May 1, 1795 1806 1815 1816 1818 Deaths. About do. July 12, Feb. 14, Nov. 27, About do. April — May 2, do. June 26, Oct. — April — Dec. 3, Feb. 5, Oct. 1742 1759 1764 1771 1784 1806 1806 1704 1725 1734 1741 1743 1746 1762 1770 do. June 12, Sept. — Sept. — 1782 1795 1806 Dec. 30, 1814 moved away. July 29, 1802 Aug. 8, 1809 Feb. 17, 1807 May 15, 1818 Oct. 28, 1815 Feb. 20, 1818 April 1, April 6, April 8, Feb. 10, Mar. 6, May 9, Dec. 14, April 22, Nov. 8, Jan. 18, 1715 1734 1752 1742 1781 1809 1764 1774 1790 1807 1815 April 20, 1734 June 15, 1725 Feb. 28, 1743 Feb. 10, 1751 Nov. 1, 1761 Sept. 30, 1746 May 27, 1776 moved toRich mond, Mass. Mar. 20, 1797 moved to Harlland. Jan. 22, 1813 moved to Ha milton, N. Y. Nov. 20, 1767 Jan. 13, 1789 75 94 72 75 70 60 74 79 86 73 82 99 58 67 79 66 83 70 60 77 72 65 50 74 80 Motes, 141 NAMES. Time of Election. Samuel Dutton, Ebenezer Duiton, ^ ^ «^^ Benjamin Fuller, Nathaniel Cone, Barzillai Beckwith, Isaac Spencer, Diodate Lord, Israel Cone, jr. ^Nathaniel B. Beckwith, '"Samuel Dutton, Samuel Crosby, Christopher Holmes, Col. Samuel Selden, Israel Spencer, Esq, Jabez Comstock, Israel S. Spencer, Israel Dewey, Ilhamar Hervey, ^Francis Bushnel, William Parker, Nathaniel Chapman, Joseph Blague, Esq. Andrew Lord, Joseph Bushnel,' Hezekiah Whittlesey, <^ Caleb Chapman, Samuel Kirtland, Christopher Lord, Travis Ayres, William Chapman, William Lord, ^Samuel Lynde, ''Nathaniel Pratt, Ebenezer Pratt, Samuel Bushnel, Abner Parker, Benjamin Bushnel, Josiah Nott, Peleg Hill, July 4, Feb. 26, do. May — June 4, April 1 , Aug. 26, April 17, do. Jan. 18, Mar. 19, Mar. 29, April 3, Oct. 1, June 3, June 30, About Dec. 9, Sept. Oct. 28, June do. May 2, June 2, Oct. 9, Dec. 2, 1771 1778 1789 1790 1796 1816 1818 1750 1756 1780 1792 1801 1803 1815 1648 Deatlis. Dec. 30, 1790 moved to Le- banon. Nov. 10, 1815 April 15, 1790 Feb. 22, 1818 moved away. re-elected at Millington. 1742 1761 1774 1782 1788 1803 1808 1810 April 12, 1792 Nov. — 1776 Nov. 18, 1813 Oct. 10, 18Q7 May 19, 1806 Dec. 4, 1681 Aug. 20, 1725 April 5, 1726 Sept. 28, 1742 Dec 1759 Dec. 24, 1778 May 16, 1785 June 4, 1785 Sept. 4, 1805 moved to Dur- ham, N. Y. April 7, 1812 May 22, 1808 <_ 87 93 78 79 Sept. 13, 1778 Aug. 10,1783 Sept. 8, 1756 Nov. 2, 1771 Mar. 24, 1788 Mar. — 1786 Dec. 17, 1814 moved to Cats- kill. 77 81 84 52 82 I 74 48 61 88 77 80 73 89 49 68 7i 90 77 82 144 Statistical Account of Middlesex County ,* NAMES. < S < O s s < •s. David Post, Dr. Richard Ely, Phinehas Pratt, Clark Nott, Esq. LDan Platls, 2d. ^Abraham Post, Maj. Jcdediah Chapman, Robert Lay, Maj. Jonathan Murdock, Jedediah Chapman, Esq. Caleb Chapman, Jonathan Bushnel, ^Jonathan Lay, Esq. Chapman, John Ward, Jonathan Dunk, Thomas Silliman, Esq. I Andrew Lewis, i^ Henry Farnum, ''John Griswold, Nathaniel Parmelee, John Lane, Esq. Josiah Stevens, Benjamin Carter, Col. Aaron Elliott, Nathaniel Stevens, George Elliott, Esq. Philip Stevens, Stephen Willcox, Samuel Crane, ^Josiah Hull, ""Joseph Willcox, Esq. Daniel Buel, Dodo Pierson, Abel Willcox, Abraham Pierson, Esq. John Hinkley, Nathan Hull, Esq. William Seward, f Henry Crane, Esq. Israel Burret, I Joseph Tibbals, Time of Election. May 12, 1792 Mar. 11, 1804 Feb. 21, April 19, Aug. 8, About About Mar. 8, Aug. 22, Nov. 8, June 22, Mar. 4, Jan. — 1807 1807 1813 1726 1733 1751 1764 1771 1780 1796 1797 1781 Feb. 22, 1811 Deaths. Dec. 17, 1803 moved to Chester. Feb. 4, 1813 About 1750 Feb. 10, 1764 Jan. 1, 1790 Jan. 21, 1778 Feb. 29, 1816 Oct. 1, 1797 Mar. 28, 1781 About 1760 do. July 5, 1795 June 28, 1810 July 6, 1815 About 1759 April 21, 1768 About 1773 April 4, 1794 June 30, 1806 Oct. 20, 1814 1741 Aug. Oct. Mar. Aug. Dec. Sept. May Oct. 7, 1717 — 1718 2, 1759 15, 1754 — 1759 27, 1785 12, 1805 1, 1810 12, 1814 May May May Jan. Jan. May A pril June Oct. 18, 3, 9, 19, 2, 1759 1774 1782 1796 1807 31, 1764 11, 1741 19, 1750 30, 1774 ha -5. 68 66 60 83 67 89 57 70 67 85 84 55 68 95 74 74 79 79 84 72 74 80 64 64 88 J^otes, 145 NAMES. Time of Election. Deaths. bo John Camp, Sept. 20, 1754 54 Ezra Baldwin, James Curtis, Mar. 26, 1782 Jan. 13, 1790 76 80 « Dec. 25, 1766 s c Daniel Hall, Esq. May 2, 1782 Dec. 17, 1790 73 •s<^ Dan Parmelee, Esq. June — 1789 4 John Johnson, do. Abner Newton, Sept. 1, 1808 Ozias Norton, do. moved to N. Conn. Josiah Jewit, July 2, 1812 moved to State N. Y. Timothy Stone, Nov. 6, 1815 ^John Tibbals, do. 1819 J^ote JV, referred to, page 21. Salaries given by the parishes and societies in Middlesex, to their ministers, settlements have been given in some instances, these are also stated. As Annual Sr Settlement. Money. Middletown Congregational society. $ 1000 Upper-Houses do. 500 Chatham, do. $ 500 500 Middle-Haddam, do. 666 67 266 67 East- Hampton, do. 666 67 266 67 Haddam, do. 700 East-Haddam, do. 600 600 Millington, do. 666 67 500 Hadlyme, do. 666 67 233 33 Saybrook, do. 833 34 266 67 Pautapoug, do. 1000 . 365 Westbrook, do. 450 Chester, do. 400 Killingworth, do. 600 North-Killingworth, do. 510 Durham, do. 580 Cords of wood. 12 12 1 2 20 The Strict-Congregational society in Middletown give their minister $ 450 annu- ally and the use of a parsonage house and lot. The Episcopal society in Middle- town give their minister $ 700 salary, and the Episcopal society in Chatham give theirs $ 400. The support given by other societies, is unlaiovni. J^ote O, referred to, page 22. Funds in Middlesex, devoted to the support of the Gospel. Middletown parish has. From the sale of parsonage lands, - $ 800 Appropriation money, - - - 187 31 . 987 31 146 Statistical Account of Middlesex County ^ Upper-Houses parish has, 29 acres of land, estimated at - - ^ 812 Appropriation money, - - - 83 51 Middlefield society has, Appropriation money, . . - The church has. Money, raised by subscription in 1815, Westfield has, A fund, raised by subscription in 1818, Appropriation money, - - - Chatham parish has, From the sale of lands, given by the pro- prietors of Middletown, . - - 1700 Legacy from Mr. Ezra Bevin, who died Feb. 5, 1792, - - - - 1000 Money, raised by subscription in IB 12, 3300 Appropriation money, - - - 71 96 74 30 1750 2000 29 79 895 51 1824 30 2029 79 6071 96 Haddam parish has, Parsonage lands, estimated at - - 2000 Avails of parsonage lands, sold, - 1117 22 Legacy from Mrs. Elizabeth Brainerd, who died Dec. 1813, - - - 500 Appropriation money, - - - 141 23 3758 45 East-Haddam parish has, Legacy from Capt. Samuel Gates, who died Dec. 1788, - - - 433 33 do. from his widow, received in 1802, 1000 do. from Capt. Sylvanus Tinker, who died Oct. 12, 1815, - - 300 Avails of parsonage lands and subscrip- tions united, . - - - 800 Parsonage lot, worth - - - 150 - 2683 3^ Millington has. Avails of Parsonage lands, - - 516 67 Legacy from Mr. Samuel Gates, who died Aug. 21, 1801, - - - 260 A farm given in the will of Mr. Simeon Chapman, who died March 31, 1813; but to be used by his children during life, 4286 MUs. 147 Legacy from Mr. Thomas Beebe, who died June 6, 1816, - - - 1440 Appropriation money, - - - 94 90 6597 57 Hadlyme has, Avails of parsonage lands^ - - 340 Appropriation money, - -? - 48 388 Saybrook parish has. Lands, (including some belonging to th^ church,) worth - - - - 2406 Legacy from Gen; Wm. Hart, who died Aug. 29, 1817* .... 1600 4000 Pautapoug has, Parsonage lands, worth - - . 400 Legacy from Mr. Wm. Clarke, who died Sept. 16, 1803, one thitd of which is for the promotion of psalmody, - 281 20 Subscriptions, drawing interest from Jan. 1, 1817, 6587 Appropriation money, - - - 126 40 The church has. Donation from Mr. Jeremiah Kelsey, 100 Legacy from Mr. Doty Lord, who died April 25, 1814, - - - - 100 Gift from a friend, - - - - 10 30 7604 90 Westbrook has. Lands and a wharf, (part of which is leased,) worth .... 650 Appropriation money, - - - 84 61 Chester has. Legacy from Mr. Pardon Stevens, who died July 2, 1817, - - - 300 Appropriation money, . ^ . 63 49 Killingworth parish has, Avails of lands sold, - - - - 525 Lands, estimated at - - - - 2475 Appropriation Money, - - - 61 90 734 61 363 40 3061 90 North Killingworth has. Avails of parsonage lands, - - 434 76 Appropriation money, - - - 126 62 19 " M . 561 38 148 Statistical Account of Middlesex County } Durham has, Lands, estimated at . - - 3500 Appropriation money, . . . - 100 The church has, Legacy from Mr. David Camp, who died Oct. 13, 1808, - - - - - 250 Money otherwise obtained. 50 3900 Total of the funds, belonging to Congrega tionalists, - - - - - • 45,462 41 The Strict-Congregational Society in Mid- dletown, has a parsonage house and ;lands, estimated at - - - - 2700 The Episcopal Society in Middletown has. From the sale of a parsonage house and lands, given in 1785, by Philip Morti- mer, Esq. and Mrs. Mary Alsop, - 1500 Capt. Stephen Clay, who died in 1809, gave them a legacy, which is to go into their hands upon the decease of his widow, amounting to about - 1 3000 14500 The Episcopal Society of Chatham has, Lands given by Mr. Joseph Blague, who deceased in 1812, estimated at - 3300 Total of Episcopal Funds, - - 17800 The First Baptist Society in Pautapoug has, Parsonage house and lot and other lands., estimated at .... 1400 The second Baptist church in Pautapoug has, Legacy from Miss Betsey Heyden, who died in Nov. 1813, - - - 50 Legacy from Mr. Jared Heyden, who died in April 1814, amounting to about $5,500; but 1500 of this has been used according to his direction in building a meeting-house, - 4000 ^ 4050 Total of Baptist funds, 5450 Total of all the funds now stated, » - - 71,412 41 Motes. IM M)te P, referred to, page 22. DISTRICT SCHOOLS IN THE COUNTY. Ag;reeably to an inquiry made for the winter of 1814 — 15, with the exception of Haddam and East-Haddam, where the inquiry was made generally for the win- ter preceding;, there belong to the several parishes in Middlesex the schools follow- ing, having the annexed number of scholars ; viz. /"South-School, in two rooms, 160 f Middle District School, "" 72 Center do. 50 . Clark's-hill - 31 North do. in two rooms. 125 1 North - 36 . Newfield 40 I' East - 25 Staddle-Hill Moromos 43 63 1^ Southeast West - 40 28 a,. Hubbard's 50 1 1"^ Miller's 80 f*; Total, . 232 o Johnson-Lane 31 ^ ^ South- Farm hill 31 sC /'In Waterhole School, '&>■§ ! [Whole school 23 . 9 3 Long-Hill, east 25 .] do. west - 36 ;^ 1 1 Total of Chatham, . 904 . Total, 734 k. r Town School, No. 1 94 ''Lower School, g North do. 120 Higganum do. 2 83 51 Punset 3 40 § Nook's 16 Lower part of town 4 75 j| J Brick 71 "S Northwest 45 Turkey-hill 5 38 45 . Candlewood-hill 6 35 a. 1 Southernmost 7 67 1 ^ Total, 277 :§ ; Walkley-hill 8 19 [ ^"^ North-western 9 27 ? North-School, :§ j East do. 33 Little-city 10 30 38 B eaver-meado w 11 26 ^c, j South § ! Total, 45 116 Soutli-western Total, 12 41 575 ^ L i_ /-First School, . ! Second do. 44 !» ^ r Haddam Necfc, - . 71 36 ^'J ) ^ i Third 34 ■g-l ^ Total of Haddam, , 647 ^^ Fourth 1 30 rMiddle District School, . 62 144 Landing do. _ 78 I • South _ 43 Total of Middletown, 1271 a Southeast _ 45 1 J Bashan . 43 ''First District School, South-Neck do. 90 tq^ Upper - 48 70 ■i Northwest . 44 « North 50 f§ Factory - . 34 1 J Penfield-hiU e "s Over the meadow 50 60 Total, . 397 Ames' District 40 V. Brown do. 20 ^Middle District School, North-western do. - 69 32 Total, 380 Western - « 51 r s 2 South-western - 40 1 ti North-west Schoob 121 ^ J Soutli 3*^ East .. 50 ::«£? Middle do. j2^^ East 7|^ Chesnut-hill 80 . 45 25 30 ^ Northeast - 32 =S "s Northeast 27 Total, . 319 k r^ I, Total, 283 150 Statistical Account of Middlesex County ; tH ». "S « /'Center school, 31 33 a. I Northeast do. 16 ^ o alk^ j Southeast 7 ^•^■i § jIS West 15 1. --S*^ I — .gj'jr cs s>k I ^ a ^ ^ Total, 69 Total of East-Haddam, 785 /-First Dist. School, iatWQ rooms, 112 ?g I Second do. - - 60 e J Ferry n Total, /'Meeting-house School, No. 1 1 Deep-river IComstock West _ , Southeast t" ^Meadow-woods § [Point " Pound-hill do. n Total, /"First District School, I Second do. Third J Fourth - 3^ Fifth ^ Total, 222 ■72 93 43 45 70 66 82 80 553 145 40 45 47 45 322 r First District School, Second do. Third, included in first, n Total, Total of Saybrook, /•Weit District School, ^ j East do. ^ Cow-hill I J Mill ^S North § Total, ''Center District School, \< Southwest Chesnut-hill Union Lane Parker's hill NetUeton Stone-house Black-Rock do. Total, Total of Killingwortbi ^North School, Quarry do. Southwest South Middle - I Total of Durham, Total of the County, 179 87 259 1356 110 80 40 14 30 274 70 29 40 54 75 28 36 36 20 388 662 ~m. 65 85 56 50 358 5,9S3 J^ote Q, reftrred to, page 27t Deaths in the county from Jan. 1, 1805,' to Jan. 1, 1815. Middletown, about - - 441 Hadlyme, E. H. part, - 34 Upper- Houses, - 123 Saybrook, - - 137 Middlefield, - - 76 Pautapoug, t - - 225 Westfield, about - 66 Westbrook, - r - 110 Chatham, - 130 Chester, . - 94 Middle-Haddam, - - 152 Killingworth, . - 123 East- Hampton, - 94 N. Killingworth, - - 130 Part of Westchester, . 14 Durham, - - 156 Haddam, - - - 285 jlast-Haddam, - 93 Total, 2,616 MiUingtpn, ? ? - 133 Notes. rst To tkii I liave thought proper to subjoin a list of the grave-yards in the county ; jaating the time when they were first laid out or improved. These are as follows ; viz. The old yard in Middletown, Farm-Hill yard, Dec, 16, West yard, Old Moromos yard, abandoned, about New Moromos yard, 1776 Tomb-lane yard. The old yard in U. Houses, Jan. 13, West yard, do. The yard in Middlefield, The old yard in Westfield, New do. The old yard in Chatham, Jan. 13, New do. The yard in Middle-Haddam, by the first meeting-house, do. at Knowles's Landing, do. at the Rock Landing, First yard in East-Hampton, North do. Southeast Waterhole Town yard in Haddam, (not for- mally laid out till Jan. 1699,) Higganum yard, Pimset Yard in the lower part of the town, do, at Turkey-Hill, Cove yard in East-Haddam, (aban- doned,) about 1650 Yard in the upper part of the town, 1745 1723 Bashan yard, about 1760 1740 Landing do. 1773 1 own Hill 1774 1708 Meeting-house 1778 or 7 Yard by Mr. Oliver Warner's, 1793 do. by the Long Pond in Millington, 1726 do. by Mr Green Hungerford's, 1760 do. by the meeting-house, 1764 Eight-mile river yard, 1769 Yard by Mr. Simeon Chapman's, 1802 1778 1713 1802 1737 1772 1794 1713 1767 1742 1794 1734 1743 1787 1776 1793 1662 1741 1761 1782 1815 Old yard in Hadlyme, 1723 Meetingrhouse yard, 1750 Old yard in Saybrook, about 1635 New do. 1786 Yard at Pautapoug Point, 1715 West yard, about 1750 Westbrook yard, 1738 Yard at Parker's Point in Chester, (abandoned,) 1717 do. at the meetingThouse, 1750 West yard, ' 1813 Killingworth yard, 1663 Union district yard in N. Killing- worth, March ^ 1738 Southwest district, do Oct. 7, 1743 Yard by the Episcopal church, Nov. 7, 1748 1 Stone-house district yard, May 5, 1806 1700i Durham yard, 1700 Some persons were buried on a knoll east of the dwelling-house of Mr. Joseph Clarke, before any grave 5rard was laid out in the lower part of Haddam. In 1648, the wife of Col. Fenwick was buried at Tomb Hill on Saybrook Point, where a large stone table, one of the oldest in New-England, still marks the place of her »rave. Note i?, referred to, page 31, LIBRARIES. In the societies in Middlesex, there were in : 1815, the following public libraries, vjz;. Middletown 1st Society, Middletown Library, do. M. Circulating Library, Upper-Houses, Library of M. Upper-Houses, do. Friendly Association Library, Middlefield, Federal Library, Westfield Social Library, (part of an old one,) Chatham 1st Society, Chatham Library, do. I^epublican Library, Middle-Haddamj Increasing Library, do, General Library, Formed No Vols. 1797 617 1809 600 1792 196 1810 136 1790 90 1809 70 1787 322 1795 200 1793 238 1795 238 152 Statistical Account of Middlesex County ; East- Hampton, Social Library, Haddam, Literary Society Library, East-Haddam 1st Society, East- Haddam Library, Hadlyrae, Hadlyme Library, Say brook 1st Society, Say brook Library, do. Ladies' Library, Pautapoug, Library of 2d Society of Saybrook, do. Union Library, Chester, Fraternal Library, Killingworth 1st Society, Killingworth 1st Society Library, Durham, Book Company Library, two united, < do. Durham Library, Total of books belonging to the above libraries, 4,471 A library was formed in Haddam in 1791 and dissolved in 1 808. A library has been dissolved in Millington, another in Westbrook, and three in North-Killingworth. Saybrook library is a part of a library, formed in 1736, in the towns of Saybrook, Lyme, Killingworth and Guilford. The following Notes, though not distinctly referred to in the body of this work, are subjoined. Mte S. Lists of the several parishes in Middlesex, the dwelling-houses and merchant-stores. Lists for 1814, 1799 140 1804 80 1794 266 1790 118 1792 150 1792 77 1795 30* 1813 28 1789 101 1790 208 1733 150 1789 210 1788 206 Middletown parish, in the city, without the city, Upper-Houses, Middlefield, Westfield, Chatham, Middle-Haddam, Chatham Part, E. Hampton, (with Waterhole,) Haddam, Haddam-Neck, East-Haddam, Millington, Hadlyme, in E. Haddam, Saybrook, Pautapoug, * Were formerly Dols. Cls. 39,785 32,027 81 18,356 94 14,477 87 14,420 48 24,260 54 14,669 72 18,380 74 32,320 19 6,722 66 27,599 26 27,762 33 7,310 78 19,910 44 25,186 72 100 TolumcE. D. Houses. 299 247 121 81 89 203 135 147 340 44 167 172 53 135 275- M. Stores, 37 1 5 1 2 4 2 7 8 1 4 7 J^otes, 153 Lists for ISU. Dols. Cts. D. Houses. M. Stores. Westbroak, Chester, Killingworth, North-Killingworth, Durham, 18,977 61 12,504 28 26,300 69 31,645 65 29,531 141 105 152 212 158 3 2 6 3 3 Total of the County, 442,150 66 3,276 96 Mte T. MILITARY COMPANIES, &c. The circumstances of our ancestors compelled them to leam the use of arms. Military companies were formed in all the plsuatations. Where these contained 60 soldiers, they were allowed to have a captain, lieutenant, ensign and 4 Serjeants ; where they contained 32 soldiers, a lieutenant, ensign and 2 sergeants ; and where they contained 24, two sergeants. The oldest companies in the towns in Middle- sex were formed about the time that the settlements in them commenced ; and the companies in the parishes, about the time of their incorporation. At the organiza- tion of the Connecticut militia in Oct. 1739, the companies within the bounds of Middlesex, constituted parts of the sixth, seventh, tenth and twelfth regiments. The companies in Weathersfieid, Middletown, (inclusive of Chatham,) Glasten- bury, -and the parish of Kensington, were the sixth. This regiment was com- manded by Thomas Wells of Glastonbury, John Chester of Weathersfieid, Jabex Hamlin and Matthew Talcott of Middletown, and perhaps by some others, pre- vious to May 1775. At that time, the companies in Middletown and Chatham were formed into the 23d regiment, and thus remained until the organization in 181C. The companies in Saybrook, Killingworth, Guilfoi'd and Haddam, constituted the seventh regiment. From this, Guilford was detached in May 1782, and with Bran- ford formed into the 27th, or as it was called at the time of its formation, the 28th regiment. The companies in Wallingford, Waterbur}', Durham and the parish of Southing- ton constituted the 10th regiment. This was first commanded by James Wads- worth of Durham, and has been since commanded by Elihu Chauncey, Gen. James Wadsworth, James Arnold, Samuel Camp, John Noyes Wadsworth and Seth Se- ward of the same town. The companies in Lebanon, Hebron and East-Haddam, constituted the 12th re- giment. This was commanded by John Bulkley of Colchester, Jonathan Trumbull and Joseph Fowler of Lebanon and Gen. Joseph Spencer of East-Haddam, perhaps by others, before May 1776 ; when East-Haddam and Colchester were formed into the 24th, or as it was then called, the 25th regiment. The 23d, the 7th and the 24th regiments have been under the command of the following persons ; viz. XXin. Reg't. Gen. Comfort Sage, of Middletown, John Penfield, of Chatham, Nathaniel Brown, of Middletown, Gen. George Pliillips, do. Joseph Blague, of Chatham, Gen. Samuel W. Dana, of Middletown, Lemuel Storrs, do. Gen. Seth Overton, of Chatham, Elisha Coe, of Middletown, Enoch Huntington, do. Daniel White, of Chatham. VII. Reg't. Samuel Lynde, of Saybrook, Samuel Hill, of Guilford, Samuel Willard, of Saybrook, Timothy Stone, of Guilford, Andrew Ward, do. Aaron Elliott, of Killingworth, Hezekiah Brainerd, ol Haddam, Gen. Andrew Ward, of Guilford, William Worthington, of Saybrook, Sylvanus Graves, of Killingworth, -Abraham Tyler, of Haddam, 154 Statistical Account of Middltttx County j Edward Shipman, of Saybrook, Gen. Joseph Willcox, of Killingworth, Asa Liay, of Saybrook, Daniel Brainerd, of Haddam, William TuUy, of Saybrook, George Lvlorgan, of Killingworth, Joseph Hill, of saybrook, Elisha Sill, do. Gen. John Brainerd, of Haddam. XXIV. Reg't. Henry Champion, of Colchester, Gen Dyer Throop, of East-Haddam, Elias Worthington, of Colchester, 7 Eliphalet Bulkley, do. Darid B. Spencer, of East-Haddam, Gen. Henry Champion, of Colchester^ Gen. Epaph. Champion, of E. Haddam^ Daniel Waterhouse, of Colchester, Jonathan O. Mosely, of East-Haddam, Daniel Worthington, of Colchester, Josiah Griffin, of East-Haddam, John Isham, of Colchester, Jonah Gates, of East-Haddam, Joshua Bulkley, of Colchester. Jabez Chapman, do. The above mentioned regiments, had, from this county, in the autumn of 1815, at the last reriew before the late organization, the following number of companies, commissioned officers, &c. viz. Com. Com. OJictrs. Kon. Com, Officers. Musicians. Pri- vates. Total. The 23d Reg't. 7th Reg't. 10th Reg't. 24th Reg't. 11 11 2 4 33 34 6 12 84 87 14 26 39 29 3 5 488 435 66 102 644 585 89 145 Total, 28 85 211 76 1091 146S To tliese must be added a company in Hadlyme, (E. Haddam part,) some year? since annexed to the 33d regiment, a company of State Corps in Haddam and Kil- lingworth and a part of a State Corps in Durham, having in 1815 the officers, &c, following, viz. Hadlyme Company, Com. in Had. and Kil. Company in Durham, Com. Of JVbn. Com. Of. Musi- cians. Privalet. Total. 3 4 1 6 8 2 1 3 3 20 40 15 30 55 21 8 16 7 75 106 Total, Besides these, there are 4 or 5 Companies of Cavalry, partly or wholly witliin the county. ERRATA. Page 8, 3 1. from bottom, for 31,956 read 22,580; p. 13, 11 1. from top, before may 6e insert the words young trees; p. 50, 26 1. for 1773 io 1777 or 8 read 1758 to 1767 ; p. 50, 36 1. for 1783 read 1773; and next 1. for (wo read ten; p. 52, 22 1. for 16//i of August 1816 read Jug. 20, 1815 ; p. 62, 11 1. for care read cure; p. 67, 15 1. for granite quarries read quarries of Gneiss stone ; p. 83, 39 1. for six read eight ; p. 84, 111. for become read became ; p. 84, 20 1. for Budds read Rudds ; p. 89, 41 1. for Bork Hill read Book Hill ; p. 94, 30 1. for Middletown read Middlesex ; p. 98, 19 1. for Js'orfolk read JS'orwalk ; p. 101, 36 1, for horses read teams ; p. 114, 21 1, for David read Caleb ; p. 130, 10 1. for do. read Oct. 1813; p. 136, against West- brook, for June 25 read June 29. 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