Middletown, Connecticut, USA
1819 - Middletown
Middletown, the semi-seat of justice, and the most considerable township of the county, is pleasantly situated upon the west side of the Connecticut river, 31 miles from its mouth at Saybrook bar, according to the course of the river, 15 miles south of Hartford, 25 northeast of New-Haven, and 35 northwest of New-London, in north lat. 41 degrees 35', west lon. 72 degrees 54'.
The township is bounded on the north by Wethersfield and Berlin, in Hartford county, on the east by the Connecticut river, which separates it from Chatham, on the south by Haddam and Durham, and on the west by Wallingford and Meriden, in New-Haven county.
Its average length from north to south is about 9 miles, and its average breadth from east to west nearly 7 miles, comprising about 58 square miles, or 37,120 acres.
This township comprises the southern section of the agrillaceous district, upon the borders of Connecticut river; its geological character, surface and soil corresponding with the prevailing features of this district.
The surface is strikingly and pleasantly undulating and diversified and the prevailing soil an argillaceous loam, rich and fertile, which reposes generally upon a bed of clay slate rock. But the western section of the township embraces the eastern branch of a greenstone range of mountain, being generally a succession, but in some places a continuity of elevated hills. In this district the greenstone constitutes the upper stratum, and it is underlaid, or reposes upon argillaceous schistus.
The soil is favourable both for grain and grazing, and is well adapted to fruit, with respect to which the farmers have paid considerable attention, there being numerous apple orchards in the town; so that the making of cider is an important agricultural interest.
Of the grains cultivated, wheat, rye, Indian corn and oats are the principal; and of these the soil carries good crops. Grass, flax, some hemp, potatoes and other roots, culinary vegetables and summer and autumn fruits flourish well, under proper cultivation.
The waving and pleasantly diversified character of the country, the improved state of its cultivation, the richness and variety of its productions, and the majestic but pacific tide of the Connecticut, all of which are thrown under the eye of the beholder, placed upon many of the eminences, afford, in the summer season, most delightful and interesting landscapes.
About one mile below the city, upon the bank of the river, lead ore has been discovered, and a mine was opened and worked during the revolutionary war, but has since been abandoned...
There are several shad and herring fisheries upon Connecticut river, and various small fish abound in most of the small streams...
There are several turnpike roads communicating with Middletown; one leading to Hartford, one to Windham, one to Colchester, one to Saybrook, one to New-Haven, one to Meriden and one to Farmington.
The manufactures and mechanical establishments and employments of the town, inclusive of those in the city, consist of the following: 2 Woolen Factories, both upon a respectable scale, and the manufactures of which have acquired considerable reputation; and two Cotton Factories. Of iron manufactures, there are 1 Sword Factory, 1 Pistol Factory, and 1 Rifle factory, all upon a considerable scale, and the articles manufactured at which, particularly Swords, have been esteemed equal in every respect, if not superior, to those imported. There are 6 Tin-ware Factories, 1 Silver plating Factory, 1 Button Factory, 3 Pewter Factories, 1 Comb Factory, 1 Paper Manufactory, 1 Powder Mill, 3 Rope walks, 1 Twine Factory, 1 Muff and Tippet Factory, 3 Saddlers, 2 Cabinet Makers, and 2 Carriage Makers. There are 7 Grain Mills, 10 Saw Mills, 3 Carding Machines and 8 Tanneries.
There are, in the town, including the city, 11 Dry Goods Stores, 32 Grocery and Provision Stores, 2 Bookstores, 2 Druggist's Stores, 1 Hardware Store, 2 Crockery Stores, 1 Hat Store and 3 Lumber Yards.
The population of the town, in 1810, was 5582; and there are 700 Electors, 438 Militia, and about 800 Dwelling houses...
Middletown City, incorporated in 1784, is delightfully situated upon the west bank of the river, near the centre of the township, upon its eastern border...
The city contains about 350 Dwelling houses, and about 40 Mercantile Stores of every description; and in 1810, it contained 2014 inhabitants, and has increased considerably since that period. It contains the Naval office, or Custom-house of the District, comprising the several ports upon the river, both in this county and the county of Hartford, a Post office, 5 Churches, one for Congregationalists, one for Episcopalians, one for Baptists, one for Independents and one for Methodists, a Court House, the Gaol of the county and an Almos-house...
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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