History of Glastonbury, Connecticut, USA

1655 - Dating back to 1655, Glastonbury has the oldest continually operating ferry in the United States. It runs between South Glastonbury and Rocky Hill.

connecticuthistory.org/ towns-page/ glastonbury/

1693 - (Glastonbury, CT) Founded in 1636 as part of Wethersfield and called Pyaug, the area was incorporated in 1693.

connecticuthistory.org/ towns-page/ glastonbury/

1819 - Glastenbury
Glastenbury is a post town situated upon the east side of Connecticut river, near the south east border of the county, being eight miles south east from Hartford; bounded on the north by East-Hartford, on the south by Chatham and Marlborough, on the east by Marlborough, Hebron and Bolton, and on the west by Connecticut river, which separates it from Wethersfield. The town comprises two located Societies. In 1810, it contained 2776 inhabitants, and has now 440 dwelling houses, a Post-office, four Churches or houses for public worship; two for Congregationalists, one for Episcopalians, and one for Methodists; two companies of Infantry, and a part of a company of Cavalry of Militia...
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

1839 - Glastenbury
Glastenbury [Glastonbury], Connecticut
Hartford county. This town, previous to its incorporation in 1690, had been attached to Wethersfield. It lies on the east side of Connecticut river opposite to Wethersfield, 8 miles S. from Hartford. It has some fine land on Connecticut river. The face of the uplands is rough but generally productive. About a mile and a half from Connecticut river and 8 miles from Chatham freestone quarry, in a romantic spot between the hills, is a beautiful village connected with the Hartford Manufacturing Company. Roaring brook, at this place, passes through a very narrow defile, affording a great and constant water power. Cotton is manufactured here to a considerable extent, and the village is very flourishing. From the hills around this village a great variety of delightful scenery is observable. Population, 1830, 2,980.

"In the eastern part of the town there is a pond of about a mile in circumference, called 'Diamond pond,' from the circumstance of there ... Read MORE...

1854 - Glastonbury
Glastonbury, a post-township of Hartford county, Connecticut, on the east side of Connecticut river, 8 miles S. by E. from Hart ford. Population, 3390.
A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States: Giving a Full and Comprehensive Review of the Present Condition, Industry, and Resources of the American Confederacy ... Thomas Baldwin (of Philadelphia.) Joseph Thomas January 1, 1854 Philadelphia : Lippincott, Grambo & Company 1854.

1879 - Julia Smith marries
Miss Julia E. Smith, one of the famous Glastonbury (Conn.) sisters, was married on Thursday of last week to Amos G. Parker, of New Hampshire, who is 86 years of age. The bride is very wealthy but she refused to pay any taxes. She is the only one of five sisters who married. They were the daughters of an eccentric clergyman of Glastonbury, the Rev. Zabaniah H. Smith, who named them respectively Nancy Zephina, Cyrintia Sacretia, Laurilla Alcroyla, Julia Evelina and Abby Hadassah. Nancy Zephina died in 1871, at the age of 84, of whooping cough.
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
April 19, 1879

1890 - Soap Factories Burned
HARTFORD, Conn., Nov. 5. Three units belonging to the J. B. Williams Company of Glastonbury, Conn., and used by them in the manufacture of their soap powder and ivorine, were burned to-night. The fire caught near the boilers in one of the old buildings, and inside of an hour and a quarter the three buildings in the ivorine section of the plants were a total loss. The ambulances at hand were devoted to saving the buildings used in the manufacture of shaving soaps. The loss is placed at $100,000 and the insurance at about half that amount.
Boston Journal
Boston, Massachusetts
November 6, 1890

1895 - Glastonbury
Glastonbury, glass'on-ber-e, a post-village of Hart ford co., in Glastonbury township, on the E. bank of the Connecticut River, 7 miles below Hartford. It contains an academy and several churches. The township has 2 cotton. mills, 3 woollen-mills, and 7 churches, and a pop. of 3560.
Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott

1916
Glastonbury, gloss'on-ber-e, a post-village of Hartford co., Conn., in Glastonbury township (town), on the E. bank of the Connecticut River, 7 miles below Hartford. It contains the Glastonbury Free Academy. The town has knitting-, woollen- and paper-mills, etc. Pop. in 1900, 4260 ; of the village, about 1500.
Lippincotts New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns, Resorts, Islands, Rivers, Mountains, Seas, Lakes, Etc., in Every Portion of the Globe, Part 1 Angelo Heilprin Louis Heilprin - January 1, 1916 J.B. Lippincott - Publisher

1949 - Highway Safety Commission Lists 1948 Freak Accidents - Tomato Accident
...Perhaps the freakiest of the runaway accidents was caused by a tomato in Glastonbury last September. A woman had placed a basket of tomatoes on the front seat of her car and started to drive home. One of the tomatoes kept tipping precariously atop the pile and finally rolled off. The woman lunged at the rolling tomato and the car swerved and grazed a tree. The car wasn't badly damaged and the other tomatoes in the basket joined their playmate on the floor of the car...
Naugatuck News
Naugatuck, Connecticut
Wednesday, January 5, 1949

2023 - Glastonbury has something for everyone. Here's a list of places to go and things to do in Glastonbury:
Glastonbury Historic District: Start your visit by exploring the historic district in the center of town. The area is filled with beautifully preserved 18th and 19th-century homes, as well as the charming Town Green. It's a great place for a leisurely stroll and to admire the town's colonial architecture.

Welles-Shipman-Ward House: This historic house, also known as the Historical Society of Glastonbury, offers tours that provide insight into the town's history. You can learn about the local history, including its agricultural and maritime past, and see period furnishings.

Glastonbury Audubon Center: If you're a nature lover, the Glastonbury Audubon Center is a must-visit. It's a peaceful place to explore the outdoors, with walking trails, birdwatching opportunities, and educational exhibits about local wildlife.

Riverfront Park: Enjoy the scenic beauty of the Connecticut River at Riverfront Park. There are walking trails, picnic areas, and even a playground for kids. It's a... Read MORE...