of shell fish are taken in the har-derable mill stream, on which are bour, which consists of an arm of several mills within a dozen miles, the sea, or of Long Island sound. and two with six run of stones on The population of the town, in|| tide water. The average width 1810, was 2895; and there are of the harbour, at high water, (it 300 Freemen or Electors, 4 Com- being a tide harbour,) is eighty panies of Militia, and about 420 rods. At low water, most of it is Dwelling houses, including the bare, leaving only a channel about borough of Bridgeport. a dozen rods wide. Common tides

The amount of taxable proper-rise seven feet; spring tides nine. ty, including polls, is $54,197. The depth of water on the bar at The manufacturing and mecha-high water, in common tides, is nical employments of the town, exclusive of the borough of Bridgeport, are 1 Tin-ware Factory, 1 Tannery, 2 Carding Machines, 3 Grain Mills, 3 Merchants' Mills, for flouring wheat, grinding Indian || corn and plaster of Paris.

thirteen feet; within the bar the water is much deeper, and has a muddy bottom, so that, at low water, loaded vessels lie at ease on the flats, while those in the channel, of almost every size, have sufficient depth of water, as ships The civil divisions of the town of 200 tons can conveniently load consist of 2 located Congrega- at the wharves, and at high water tional Societies, 1incorporated Bo-proceed to sea. Vessels, when rough, and 10 School Districts ; once within the bar, are at all there is also a Society of Episco- times safe from dangers of the palians, and one of Methodists, all sea; and the entrance is also safe of which are respectively provi- and easy, by means of a large beaded with Houses for public wor-con, just within the chops, 40 feet ship. There are 10 common or in height, on the west side of the primary Schools, one in each Dis- channel, and the light-house on trict, and an Academy or Gram-Fairweather's Island, both of which mar School. were procured to be erected by citizens of Bridgeport.

BRIDGEPORT, an incorporated borough, is situated in north lat. There is a bridge across the har41° 18' and west lon. 73° 12', on||bour, about a mile and a half from the west side of an arm of the sea, its mouth, 75 rods long, and 24 called Bridgeport harbour, distant feet broad, built on trestles, and southwest from New-Haven 17 accommodated with a draw, for miles, and from Hartford 51, and vessels to proceed above. This northeast from New-York 62|bridge, though originally built by miles; bounded south on Long the State, now belongs to an inIsland sound; it is about two miles corporated company, who are by in length from north to south, and law allowed to collect a toll upon half mile in breadth from east it. to west. The harbour extends The surface on which the town about three miles within land to is principally built, is a plain or the head of tide water, where it level, about 12 feet above high meets Pequanock river, a consi-water mark. There is, however,

a rise, called golden hill, commen-about a mile above its mouth, the

tide waters break out, and take the course of a small stream called Old Mill creek, about two miles upon which stands a large flouring mill of eight run of stones; the dam forming a bridge, across which

Haven to New-York. The land between the two branches, called the Point, is a beautiful level plain, at the lower end of which is a handsome village, called the Old Mill village, although not within the limits of the corporation.

cing about 100 rods northwest of the centre of the present buildings, which, after a gradual ascent of about 20 rods, in which the perpendicular elevation is 50 feet, presents a surface of half a mile square, forming a delightful situa-is the great stage road from Newtion for an upper town, from which the eye may at a single glance take a survey of Long Island and the sound for a distance of 30 or 40 miles, with the numerous vessels plying upon the latter; and more nearly of a champaign country for several miles to the east and west of the town, forming altoge- There is a natural canal running ther a landscape highly beautiful, from the Ousatonick river into The base of this hill appears to be Bridgeport harbour, which is at silicious rock, much of which may present useful, and with a little be easily split into convenient buil-expense might be of vast importding stones, while the soil upon itance, as it would give an inland is of sufficient depth, and of the boat navigation from Bridgeport best mould, for trees and cultiva- to Derby. Oysters and clams, tion. Several springs of the best both round and long, together with water issue from the southeastern a variety of scale and fin fish, are side of the hill, from fountains found plentifully in the harbour evidently sufficient for the supply and adjoining waters.

of an extensive town.

The borough contains a populaThe earth in the lower town||tion, by an actual census, of 867 has no where been opened deeper persons, and the point, 222; mathan for wells. The lowest stra-king an aggregate population of tum discovered is a fine alluvial 1089. Within the borough are sand; next incumbent, is a coarse 92 dwelling houses, on the point, gravel, then a fine gravel, in the 31, in the whole, 123; of which moister parts mixed with clay and many are handsome two story builsome veins of iron ore. The sur-dings, generally painted white. face is a soil formed principally of clay and sand, and naturally the most fertile, and affords excellent gardens.

There are in the borough, 2 handsome houses for public worship, each having a good bell, one for Episcopalians and the other for Congregationalists.

Of the various roads running into the country, one only is a turn- The principal occupations of pike, called Bridgeport and New-the inhabitants are manufactures, town turnpike, beginning at Bridge-trade, commerce and navigation. port and ending at New-Milford. There are 18 sail of vessels, maOn the east side of the harbour, king 1414 tons, employed princi

pally in the coasting and West-In- tising physician, 1 surgeon, 1 lawdia trade. Large quantities ofyer and i clergyman.

1

The borough of Bridgeport is one of the most healthy places in the State, no epidemical or contagious disease having ever prevailed here, and cases of fever very rarely.

wheat and rye flour, kiln dried The most singular and striking Indian meal, rye, corn, oats, flax-characteristic of the inhabitants, seed, pork, beef, butter, lard, ci-is their carefulness in avoiding lider, cider brandy, and a vast vari-||tigation; and it is perhaps an unety of other articles, which con- precedentcd fact, that there has stitute the exports of the place, not been, in the space of 20 years, afford them constant employment. a single trial before the County The principal manufacturers are or Superior Court, wherein the hatters, saddlers, saddle-tree ma-parties were both residents in this kers, boot and shoe makers, gold borough; and but few in which and silver smiths, watch makers, either of them has lived here. watch case makers, plate workers and fan light makers, tinners, comb makers, carriage makers, cabinet makers, tallow chandlers and coopers. The products of the labours of many of these furnish large items in the exports of the Though situated within three place. Of the manufactures here miles of Stratford and four of Fairnoticed, which are exported for field, both among the earliest seta market, hats, saddles, saddle- tlements of the State, at the close trees, combs, boots, shoes and of the revolutionary war, there candles are the most important. were not more than 10 or 12 This is the only place in Connec-small houses upon the site where ticut where the plate-working bu-Bridgeport has since been built; siness is carried on; and the plate so that the place has grown up which is made here is as handsome, to its present size and consequence and of as good a quality as any since that period. In 1793, the in America. There are also two bridge was built across the hartanneries, at which large quanti-bour; in 1798, a fire-engine was ties of leather of all sorts are ma- provided by the inhabitants, and nufactured; three printing offices, the village incorporated for its one an extensive establishment, management; in 1800, the boexclusively for books; from the rough was incorporated; and in others are issued two weekly news-1806, the bank established, havpapers; two book-binderies, each ing received a charter from the of which carries on the business legislature of the State. In 1810, upon an extensive scale, and large the census was taken separately, quantities of books are bound an- for the first time, by which it apnually; one pottery, besides a va-peared that the borough then conriety of mechanics' shops upon an tained 572 inhabitants. inferior scale. There are in the The growth of this place has borough, 15 large warehouses, 28 been altogether natural, having mercantile stores, 1 bank, 1 prac-never been forced, or received

any aid or patronage, other than brave and good officer. From his what has arisen from its own lo- military experience and character, cal advantages and resources; and the reputation which he had from which considerations, and acquired, he was appointed in from its present flourishing ap- 1775, at the commencement of pearances, it is believed that it will the revolutionary war, commander not prove altogether an illusion, of the Connecticut troops, and to calculate, that at some future was subsequently made a Brigaperiod it will become a considera- dier General in the continental arble town. my. This commission he soon In addition to the borough of resigned, and was afterwards Bridgeport, there are several vil-appointed the first Major Gelages in this town; the one called neral of the militia in ConnectiOld Mill village, which is the most cut. considerable, has already been noticed. There is also the village of Putney, and the village of Oronoque.

There are in Stratford, exclusive of Bridgeport, 2 Physicians, 2 Attornies, 2 Clergymen, and 1 Social Library.

Stratford is an ancient town, having been settled in 1639. BIOGRAPHY.

Gen. David Wooster was a native of this town, and was born in 1711. He was educated at Yale College, and took his first degree in 1738. He commanded the Connecticut sloop of war, in the expedition against Louisburg in 1745, which conveyed the Connecticut troops. This sloop, together with one from Rhode-Island, which accompanied it in this expedition, engaged the Renonnee, a French frigate of 36 guns, which, although superior in force to both of her assailants, was compelled to sheer off, to avoid being captured. In the French war, he was appointed to the command of one of the regiments, raised by this State for that service, sustained this command during most of the war, and acquired the reputation of a faithful,"

In 1777, a party of the British having landed at Compo, and marched from thence to Danbury, for the purpose of destroying the military stores at that place, belonging to the public. General Wooster hastened to oppose them with such force as he could collect on the exigency of the occasion, which consisted of about 300 men. With this inconsiderable force he fell upon the British, as they were retreating, having accomplished the object of incursion, and burned a considerable part of the town. A smart skirmish ensued, in which Gen. Wooster, while gallantly fighting in the van of his little party, was mortally wounded. This event happened on the 27th April, 1777, and he died on the 2d of May following, at Danbury. A monument was voted to be erected to his memory by Congress, which, however, has never been done.

Gen. Wooster was a brave and good officer, an ardent patriot, possesed a respectable understanding, and, in his various public and private relations, sustained a character distinguished for integrity, benevolence and virtue.

The population of the town, in 1810, was 1241; and there are 175 qualified Electors, I company of militia, and about 200 Dwelling houses. There are 4 Grain Mills, 3 Fulling Mills and. Clothiers' works, 3 Carding Machines, and 5

TRUMBULL, an interior post||ges its waters into Bridgeport hartownship, is situated 4 and a half bour. The Bridgeport and Newmiles from Bridgeport, 20 from Milford turnpike road leads thro' New-Haven, and 55 from Hart- this town. ford; bounded on the north and east by Huntington, on the south by Stratford, and on the west by Fairfield and Weston. Its average length is about 5 miles, and its average breadth 4 and a half miles, comprising about 22 square miles. The township is uneven, being Mercantile Stores. diversified with hill and dale; and] The town contains 1 located the prevailing character of the soil Congregational Society, and 1 Sois a gravelly loam, and it is con-ciety of Episcopalians, both of siderably fertile and productive. which are accommodated with houRye, corn, oats and some wheat ses for public worship; 6 School are cultivated; and the lands are districts and Schools, and 1 small tolerably well adapted to the cul- Social Library. There are 2 Phyture of grass, and to grazing. sicians, 1 Clergyman and 1 Attorney.

The amount of taxable proper

The geological structure of the township is characterized by granitic features, and its natural growth || ty, including polls, is $25,100. is the same as is common to this Trumbull originally belonged to Stratford, and was incorporated as

region.

The town is watered by Pequan-a town in 1801. ock, a small stream which dischar

WESTON.

some silicious stones and felspar. The forests, which are considerably extensive, comprise oak of the various kinds, hickory, maple, bass, white-wood, chesnut, butternut &c., containing much

WESTON is situated about 8|| tus, miles north from the sound. It is bounded south by the town of Fairfield, east by Trumbull and Huntington, north by Reading & Newtown, & west by Wilton and Norwalk. The extent of the township||valuable timber. is nearly 9 miles from east to west, & 6 miles from north to south, containing about 50 square miles, or 32000 acres. The surface is uneven & hilly, and the soil a gravelly loam. The geological structure of the town, (which has probably never been examined,) exhibits many appearances of iron ore; its rock is a coarse granite, micaceous schis

The lands, when cultivated, produce wheat, rye, oats, maize or Indian corn, buckwheat, flax, all kinds of culinary vegetables, esculent roots, and fruit from plants, vines, shrubs and trees, common to the climate. But rye, oats and corn are the staple agricultural productions.

There are several small streams