Somers, Connecticut, USA (Somersville)
1819 - Somers
Somers is situated in the northwest corner of the county, being 22 miles northeast from Hartford, 12 miles southeast from Springfield, in Massachusetts, and 56 miles west from Providence.
It is bounded north on Massachusetts line, south on Ellington, east on Stafford, and west on Enfield, in Hartford county.
The township is nearly 6 miles in length, with a mean breadth of about 5 miles, comprising an area of 28 square miles. The western section of the town is considerably smooth and level, being free from stone; and the surface is diversified with hills of a moderate elevation. The soil is a gravelly loam, interspersed with some tracts of argillaceous loam, rich and fertile, and well adapted to a grain culture. The eastern part of the town is hilly and mountainous, containing some heights of considerable elevation, affording an extensive and interesting prospect of Hartford, and the beautiful vale upon Connecticut river.
This mountainous tract is rough and stony, containing schistus, granite, and other rocks of a primitive formation. Some iron ore has been found, but not in great quantities. The soil in this part of the town is hard and gravelly; but it sustains some good orchards and generally produces excellent pasturage.
The natural growth of the forests is chesnut, butternut, oak, elm, walnut, ash and other deciduous trees.
The town is well watered, being intersected with numerous small streams or brooks; and Scantic river runs through it. This, here, is a rapid stream, frequently over flowing its banks, and affords small tracts of alluvial.
Somers and Woodstock turnpike road, leading from Enfield bridge to Providence, passes thro' the centre of town.
There were, in 1810, 1210 inhabitants; and there are now 135 qualified Electors, 145 Militia, comprising 2 companies, and 200 Dwelling houses.
The manufactures of the town are principally domestic. Most of the families manufacture a large portion of the coarser cloths for their own use, both woolen and linen, and also some of cotton. Other domestic manufactures receive attention, such as household furniture, casks, shoes, hats, straw bonnets, &c.
There is one small establishment of Woolen and Cotton manufacture. There are 3 Grain Mills, 4 Saw Mills, 1 Distillery, for grain, 6 for cider, 1 small Forge, 2 Tanneries, 1 Carding Machine and Clothier's works, 6 Mercantile Stores and 1 Druggist's Store.
The taxable polls and estate of the town, in 1817, was $31,434.
Somers forms but one located or Ecclesiastical Society, and contains one Congregational Church. There are a considerable number of Baptists, who, not being formed into a Society, are associated with the Baptist churches in the neighboring towns.
The town contains 9 School Districts, in each of which a common School is maintained for several months in the year. There are 2 Social Libraries, 3 Attornies, 3 Physicians and 1 Clergyman.
Somers was incorporated as a town in 1734.
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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