1819 - Haddam
Haddam is a post township, situated upon the west side of the Connecticut river, 8 miles from Middletown, and 23 from Hartford.
The tract of land between Middletown and Saybrook, embracing this township, was originally called the lands at Thirty mile Island, from the Island in Connecticut river of that name, (now Lord's Island,) north of the centre of the tract which was then thought to be 30 miles from its mouth, or the bar. These lands were owned and inhabited by the natives, of which there was a numerous, fierce and warlike tribe. In 1662, the Indian title to these lands was acquired by Matthew Allyn and Samuel Wyllys for thirty coats; not exceeding, probably, one hundred dollars in value. The same year, this purchase was disposed of to 28 persons, who immediately became actual settlers upon it. They were most, or all of them, from Hartford and its vicinity. The first settlement was made promiscuously in the town meadow; some families, however, located themselves on the plain...
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