Winchester, Connecticut, USA (Winsted)
1819 - Winchester
Winchester is an elevated post township, situated 27 miles northwest from Hartford; bounded on the north by Colebrook, on the east by Barkhamsted, on the south by Torrington, and on the west by Goshen and Norfolk. Its average length is about 6 and a half miles, from east to west, and its average breadth more than 5 miles, comprising about 35 square miles.
The township is situated within the evergreen district of the State, and is hilly and mountainous. Its geological character is primitive; the rocks and stones consisting of granite, mica slate, and other primitive formations, and the soil is a hard, coarse gravelly loam. The lands afford very good grazing; and the making of butter and cheese, and growing of cattle, together with some beef and pork, constitute the principal agricultural interests.
The natural growth of timber is maple, beech, oak and birch; but hemlock and other perennial trees constitute a considerable portion of the forests.
The town is watered by two considerable mill streams, called Still and Mad rivers, which unite in its eastern section. These streams, particularly the latter, afford numerous excellent sites for hydraulic works.
Upon an elevated plain there is an interesting lake, or pond, which is one of the largest bodies of water in the State, being 3 and a half miles in length, and three fourths of a mile in width. The outlet of this lake presents a novel and romantic view. It consists of a small stream, compressed within a narrow channel, literally tossed from rock to rock, many having nearly a perpendicular fall, the whole descent being nearly a quarter of a mile, whence it unites with Mad river.
Upon this outlet, there are some of the best natural sites for hydraulic works in this State, or perhaps the Union; several of which are occupied to advantage.
This town is justly celebrated for iron manufactures, which are a source of wealth and industry, and have promoted the growth of a considerable village. There are now 5 Smelting Forges, several of which carry on the business upon an extensive scale. The ore to supply these forges is brought principally from Salisbury, there being no mines in the town. In addition to the iron manufactures, there are 4 Carding Machines, 3 Grain Mills, 5 Tanneries, 3 Cider Distilleries, 1 Clock Factory, 1 Turnery for the manufacture of Wooden Ware, 1 Scaleboard Factory, 3 Clothiers' works and Fulling Mills and 1 Oil Mill. There are 4 Mercantile Stores and 3 Taverns.
The population of the town, in 1810, was 1466; and there are about 230 Dwelling houses, 200 Freemen or Electors, 2 Companies of Infantry, and a part of a Company of Artillery, of Militia.
There are 2 located Ecclesiastical Societies or Parishes in the town, and 1 Society of Methodists. In the Society of Winstead, there is a small village, comprising several handsome Dwelling houses.
The Greenwoods turnpike, leading to Albany, passes through this section of the town. The Colebrook and New-Haven turnpike also leads through the western section of the town.
There are 9 School Districts and primary Schools, and 1 Academy or Grammar School, 2 Social Libraries, 3 Clergymen, 1 Attorney and 2 Physicians.
Winchester was incorporated in 1771.
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
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