History of Litchfield, Connecticut, USA

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Litchfield, an extensive, wealthy and populous township, and seat of justice of the county, is situated in north lat. 41 degrees 50', being 30 miles west from Hartford, 36 northwest from New-Haven, and 100 from New-York; bounded on the north by Goshen and Torrington, on the east by the Nagugatuck river, which separates it from Harwinton, on the south by Watertown, Bethlem and Plymouth, and on the west by Washington and Warren. The township contains about 72 square miles; having an average length from east to west of more than 9 miles, and a mean breadth of nearly 8 miles...

A Gazetteer of the States of Connecticut and Rhode-Island: Written with Care and Impartiality, from Original and Authentic Materials : Consisting of Two Parts ... : with an Accurate and Improved Map of Each State
Authors John Chauncey Pease, John Milton Niles
Publisher W.S. Marsh, 1819

The tract of land now comprised in the township of Litchfield, was called by the native Indians Bantam. In 1718, it was purchased of the colony of Connecticut by a company, who divided their purchase, (which was intended to cover ten miles square,) into sixty shares, under the name of "Proprietor's Rights," and was valued at £5 per right. The proprietors who made the purchase and first settlement, were principally from Hartford, Windsor and Lebanon. In 1720 and 1721, several families began to settle on the tract. "Nothing appears on record to show that the proprietors purchased any of the lands in this town of the Indians: the title having been previously extinguished by the colony. The lands in this town afforded better hunting ground for the Indians, than extensive intervals. Many of the hills were nearly cleared of trees by fires, kindled for the purpose of hunting. To this remark, however, many valuable tracts, containing excellent pine and other forest trees, were an important...

Litchfield, Connecticut
Litchfield county, chief town. This town, the Indian Bantam, comprising, as it was supposed, ten miles square, was valued at £300 in the year 1718. Bantam was first settled in 1720 and incorporated by its present name in 1724. It was a frontier town for many years, and during the wars between England and France was much harassed by the Canadians and Indians. Litchfield is an elevated township, and its surface presents a diversity of hills and valleys. The soil is a gravelly loam, deep, strong, and admirably adapted for grazing. Great pond is a beautiful sheet of water; it comprises an area of 900 acres, and is the largest pond in the state.

The waters of the Naugatuck, Shepung and Bantam give the town a good water power, and manufactures of cotton, wool, iron, and other articles are in successful operation on their banks.

Litchfield village, on "Litchfield Hill," was incorporated in 1818. It is a delightful place. It is situated on an elevated plain,...

Litchfield, a beautiful post-village and seat of justice of Litchfield county, Connecticut, 31 miles W. from Hartford, and 37 miles X. W. by N. from New Haven. It is situated on an elevation, surrounded by rich and varied scenery. One of the largest lakes in the state lies in full view. The principal dwellings and stores arc on two streets, crossing each other at right angles, at the inter section of which is a handsome square. Be sides the county buildings, it contains a Congregational and an Episcopal church, a branch of the Phoenix bank of Hartford, and 2 newspaper offices. A law school, which was established here in 1784, by the Hon. Tapping Reeve, was for many years the most celebrated in the United States. After the death of its distinguished founder, the school was discontinued. Population of the township, 3957.

Litchfield was crowded with people all day Saturday, come to view the ruins of the big fire. Farmers drove in from miles around and the hotels were overflowing with summer residents from Hartford, New Haven and other cities, drawn by rumors of the loss of their own property. The stores had stocked up heavily for the summer trade; and 20 of these stocks of goods are either destroyed or damaged. Eight buildings are burned to the ground. A big temporary building will be put up in the 50-acre park in the center of the village to accommodate the merchants. Great grief is felt that the fine elms about the Mansion house are scorched and shriveled; but fortunately the finest trees in the village were beyond the reach of the flames. Among the summer cottagers are President-elect Dwight of Yale, Prof Hoppin, ex-President Woolsey, Dr. Edwards and Rev. Henry Ward Beecher. They will be asked to contribute handsomely to rebuild the town. Unless the town rebuilds the court-house, the county seat...

WATERBURY, Conn., Aug. 9. - For the second time in three years Litchfield suffered the loss of a large portion of her business blocks this morning. At 1 A. M. flames were discovered breaking was entirely of wood and burned so rapidly that no attempt to save it was made. The lower floor was occupied by Grannis & Elmore's grocery. Deneger's shoe store and Dr. J. T. Sedgwick's office were on the second floor. The flames spread to the building directly east, occupied by C. E. Shumway, harness maker; then to Sanford & Sharp's tinshop, and from this to Braman & Bissell's dry goods and grocery store and Meafay's shoe store. Hopes were entertained of being able to save the new Court House, which was recently erected at a cost of $13,000, and an attempt was made to clear away the buildings between it and the building where the fire started by the use of powder, but in spite of all efforts the flames jumped the vacant space between the Court House and the building west of it, and the new...