Old Saybrook, Connecticut, USA (Saybrook Colony)
1819 - Saybrook

Saybrook is an extensive maritime post township, situated at the mouth of Connecticut river, upon Long Island sound, 40 miles southeast of Hartford, 18 west of New-London, 34 east of New-Haven and 70 southwest of Providence; bounded easterly upon Connecticut river, southerly upon Long Island sound, westerly by Killingworth, and northerly by the town of Haddam. The mean length of the township, from north to south, is about 11 miles, and its average breadth, from east to west, is more than 6 miles, comprising an area of about 70 square miles.

The general character of this township is rough, and considerably broken, being hilly and stony; but there are some intervals, and other sections that are level. Its geological features are primitive; the prevailing strata of rocks consisting of granite and micaceous schistus. Within these strata, there are, at different places, several valuable quarries of stone. The prevailing soil, which is a gravelly loam, is considerably fertile; it produces corn, some rye, oats, hay, &c. Indian corn and hay are among the staple productions, and are of the best quality. The lands are well adapted to grazing, and the dairy business is considerably attended to.

This township is very advantageously located, with respect to waters; being washed by Long Island sound upon its southern border, which is indented with numerous inlets, and by Connecticut river upon its eastern border, a distance of nearly 14 miles; besides which, there are several small streams that intersect the town...

The navigation business of the town is considerable; there being 30 vessels of every description owned here, which are employed in the coasting trade. Ship building also receives considerable attention, particularly at the village of Petitpaug.

The shad fisheries in Connecticut river, within this town, are very valuable, a source of great wealth, and afford employment for considerable industry...

Salmon, which were formerly taken very plentifully in this river, have for some years past, wholly disappeared...

The interests of agriculture, navigation, fishing and commerce, engross most of the capital, industry and enterprise of the town; and its manufactures, exclusive of those of a domestic character, can claim only a very subordinate rank. There is 1 Ivory Comb Factory, upon a very extensive scale. Large quantities of ivory button moulds are also manufactured at this establishment. There are 3 Clothiers' works, 2 Carding Machines, 7 Grain Mills and 6 Saw Mills. The mercantile business of the town is respectable, there being in the several Societies, 14 Dry Goods and Grocery Stores.

The civil divisions of the town consist of 4 Parishes or located Congregational Societies and 20 School Districts. Besides the located, there are 2 Societies of Methodists, 1 of Baptists and 1 of Episcopalians.

In the Society of Pettipaug, there is a considerable village, of the same name, situated at the landing, upon Connecticut river, eight miles from its mouth. This is a place of considerable commercial and navigation business. Ship building is also carried on here very extensively.

This village is memorable from the attack made upon it by the British, during the late war, and the entire destruction of the shipping in the harbour, which seems to have been the object of their friendly visit. This event occurred on the 8th of April, (being Good Friday, and a public Fast day,) 1814...

The population of the town, in 1810, was 3926; and there are about 450 Electors, 5 Companies of Militia, four of Infantry and 1 of Artillery, and about 600 Dwelling houses.

The aggregate list of the town, in 1816, was $75,857.

There are 2 Post offices in the town, one in the first Society, and the other in Chester; and, in addition to the county or public roads, it is accommodated with a convenient turnpike, leading thro' Haddam to Middletown; and another now opening from this town to New-Haven.

There are, in this town, 20 primary Schools, 6 Clergymen, 5 Physicians and 1 Attorney.

This is one of the most ancient towns in the State. Lords Say and Seal and Brook, having purchased the tract of land upon the mouth of Connecticut river, previously to the year 1635, caused a fort to be erected at the Point, this and the succeeding year, in which a garrison of about 20 men was maintained... The original limits of the town extended upon the east side of the river, for several miles, and included a part of the town of Lyme...

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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