Middletown, Connecticut, USA
1839 - Middletown
Middletown, Ct.
Chief town of Middlesex co. Middletown City, and port of entry, lies on the W. bank of Connecticut river, 30 miles from its mouth, 15 S. from Hartford, 24 N.E from New Haven, 35 N.W. from New London. Lat 41° 34' N., long. 72° 39' W. The city is very pleasantly situated on ground rising gradually from the river. The principal street, called Main street, runs parallel with the river. This and other streets, are intersected by cross streets, leading to the river.
The wharves are commodious for shipping, there being ten feet of water for all vessels that can cross the bar at the mouth of the river.
Two high wharves are appropriated for two lines of steam-boats, of a large class, which afford a daily communication with the cities of New York and Hartford.
The streets and side-walks are pleasantly shaded with trees, and the side-walks are remarkably well paved.
The population of the city, is about 3,500; of the town, above 7,000.
The public edifices are a court-house in the Grecian style of architecture, built in 1832; a custom-house handsomely built of Chatham freestone; 2 banks, and a savings bank. The places of public worship in the city, and the principal houses and stores are of brick, many of which are built with great taste.
The Wesleyan University, under the patronage of the Methodist Episcopal church, was founded in 1831, and is rapidly acquiring a high standing. It has now 160 students. Its officers are a president and 5 professors.
The college buildings command an extensive view of the surrounding country, as well as of the valley of the Connecticut, so justly famed for its beauty.
The college library, with those belonging to the societies, comprise about 10,000 volumes. It has many rare and choice works, an entire set of the Latin Classics, and most of the Greek, a set of the Philosophical Transactions, and all of the most important later scientific works of France. There is also a collection of bibles and testaments in 81 languages and dialects, oriental, into which the bible has been translated.
The philosophical and astronomical apparatus, has been lately increased at great expense. There is a telescope, with a six inch object glass, a splendid altitude and Azimuth instrument, so constructed as to be used for meridian transits. Russell's magnificent Orrery, an unrivalled instrument, and the only one of its kind. There is a noble Plate Electrical machine, with two plates 36 inches in diameter, &c.
The chemical department has a good laboratory and apparatus, The cabinet of minerals is becoming extensive. In geology, besides specimens, there are several valuable charts to illustrate the different states, and many districts of England.
In botany, there are several of the best standard works, and for the preservation of the science, the richness in species of the native plants about Middletown, is not surpassed by any location in New England. The place is also remarkable for the variety and abundance of its rare minerals.
The rising reputation of the university, the great salubrity of its atmosphere, and the activity of its manufacturing capital, render Middletown equally attractive to the traveler, the man of science, or of business. There are besides in this city, several fine cabinets of shells, insects, minerals, &c, and an Herbarium of considerable extent, of North American as well as of European plants, also several choice private libraries.
The library of the Rev. Dr. Jervis, contains 13,000 volumes of exceeding choice books, collected by him, during a residence of several years in Europe, and his gallery of about 120 paintings, is regarded as being very valuable. About 70 of these paintings formed the gallery of the Archbishop of Tarento at Naples, and are of the old masters Titian, Rubens, Tintoretto, Salvator Rosa, Carlo Dolce, Lueca, Giordano, Jordens, Spagnoletto, &c. There is also in another collection some very fine old paintings of the old masters, and an exquisite piece of statuary by the Chevalier P. Marchesi of Milan, representing Christ when 12 years of age! This is the only work of the distinguished sculptor, that has yet arrived in this country.
The township from N. to S. is about 9 miles long, its breadth varying from 4 to 10 miles at its greatest area, or about 43,520 acres. The Indian name of the town was Mattabesett. The town is divided into 4 societies or parishes.
There is in the city a preparatory school connected with the university, as well as several flourishing private schools.
The public records of this town commenced in 1654. The city was incorporated in 1784.
The burial grounds contain many curious, as well as antique monuments of its earliest settlers.
The burial ground in the N. part of the city, and by the river, was laid out in 1650.
Middletown meadows, north of the city, contain about 640 acres. The height of the base of the village is 160 feet above the river, and is from it, five eighths of a mile. Main street is from 40 to 50 feet above the river.
The Connecticut river is here generally closed with ice about the middle of December, and opens about the end of the third week in March.
The manufactures in this city, are 3 establishments on a large scale for the manufacture of arms, for the United States service ; broadcloths and cotton goods, britannia and tin wares, stoves, combs, tubs, machinery, steam engines, cotton machinery, paper, powder, jewelry, brass ware, steel pens, buttons, looking-glasses, carriages, carpenter's tools and locks, besides many manufactures of minor importance.
Geology. Middletown rests on secondary red sandstone: within 2 miles of the city, south, there is a granite ridge, here known by the name of the White rocks. It runs N.N.E., and forms the straits of the Connecticut river. This granite ridge is from 400 to 600 feet above the tide water. Here occurs an inexhaustible quantity of the finest feldspar, the material used for the glaze of porcelain. This was first brought into notice in 1833, at the recommendation of Dr. Barrett. A large quantity of it has been sent to Europe, as well as being used in this country, and it has been proved to be of the best quality.
The feldspar is often so pure at the quarry opened on the Haddam road, that masses of several hundred weight occur without any admixture of quartz and mica.
The New England Gazetteer containing descriptions of all the states, counties and towns in New England: also descriptions of the principal mountains, rivers lakes, capes, bays, harbors, islands and fashionable resorts within that territory. By John Hayward, author of the Columbian Traveller, Religious Creeds, &c. &c. Boston: John Hayward. Boyd & White, Concord, N.H. 1839
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