History of Stonington, Connecticut, USA

Stonington, a flourishing post town, is situated in the southeast corner of the State, being 55 miles southeast from Hartford, and 62 east from New-Haven. It is bounded north by North-Stonington, east by Paucatuck river, which separates it from Rhode-Island, south by Fisher's Island sound and Paucatuck bay, and west by Mystic river, which separates it from Groton...

Captain Nathaniel Palmer of Stonington discovers the continent of Antarctica.

Stonington, Connecticut
New London county. This town is situated at the eastern extremity of Long Island Sound, at the S.E. corner of the state, and on the line of Rhode Island. It contains an area of about six square miles. The land is rocky and uneven, but fertile and productive. A considerable amount of agricultural products is annually sent from this town to Nantucket and other places. It is watered by the Mystic and Paucatuck, considerable streams, on which are cotton, woolen and other factories. Stonington was first settled in 1649, and incorporated in 1658. Population, 1830, 3,401.

This place was bombarded by British ships during the revolutionary war, and again on the 10th of August, 1814, and gallantly defended.

The harbor of Stonington sets up from the Sound, opposite Fisher's island, and is well protected by an expensive Breakwater.

This place is noted for the commercial enterprise of its people. Large capitals are employed in the whale, seal, and cod fisheries....

Stonington, a post-borough and port of entry of New London county, Connecticut, on the seacoast, at the southern terminus of the Stonington railroad, 63 miles E. from New Haven, and 50 miles S. S. W. from Providence. It is built on a peninsula somewhat more than half a mile in length from N. to S., and contains 5 churches of the various denominations, several flourishing schools, 2 banks, with an aggregate capital of $160,000; a savings' institution, with $46,182 on deposite, and about 20 stores. Manufactures have recently been introduced; one large establishment has gone into operation here the present season, (1853.) Stonington is much resorted to during the summer months as a watering-place, and a first-class hotel has been erected for the accommodation of visitors. The harbor of Stonington is capacious, and partly protected by a national breakwater, constructed at a cost of $100,000. Previous to 1835, the inhabitants were extensively and profitably engaged in various enterprises...

The estate of the late Charles P. Williams, of Stonington, Conn., is appraised at $2,250,000, probably as large a sum as has ever been presented for probate in that State.

A company of Italian musicians, who have been playing on the Stonington, Ct., line of steamers, now furnish music on the steamer Lorn.

Stonington, stön'ing-ton, a post-borough and port of entry of New London co., Conn., in Stonington township, on the Atlantic Ocean, 12 miles E. of New London, 50 miles S.S.W. of Providence, and 62 miles E. of New Haven. It is on the Stonington & Providence Railroad, and communicates with New York daily by a line of large and elegant steamboats. Its harbor is capacious, and is partly protected by a breakwater. It contains 6 churches, a national bank, a high school, a newspaper office, an iron-foundry, and manufactures of silk-machinery and silk velvets. Stoning ton township contains the villages of Old Mystic, Mystic, and Pawcatuck. In August, 1814, this place was bombarded by several British vessels, but was successfully defended. Pop. of borough, 2000; of township (1890), 7184.

Stonington, a banking post-borough, port of entry, and resort of New London co., Conn., in Stonington township (town) on the Atlantic Ocean, 50 miles SSW. of Providence, on the New York, New Haven and Hartford R. Its harbor is capacious and is partly protected by a break-water. The borough has railroad-shops and manufactures of foundry products, silk-machinery, velvets, etc.In Aug., 1814, this place was bombarded by several British vessels, but was successfully defended. Pop. of the borough in 1900, 2278; of the town, 8540.