that of foreign countries; and, if
properly manufactured, would af-
ford excellent porcelain ware.
There are
also various indi-
cations of iron ore, at various
places; but no mines have been
opened or worked.

The soil is generally a gravelly loam; but in some sections of the vales it is a calcareous loam, It is warm, fertile and productive; being well adapted both to grain and grazing.

Among the natural growth of timber, oak, chesnut, maple and pine abound; there is also birch, ash, beech, &c., comprising every kind of wood, valuable for fuel, fencing or building.

The agricultural productions consist of wheat, of which considerable quantities are annually raised, rye, oats, hay, butter and cheese, of which considerable quantities are annually marketed abroad, beef, pork, wool, and some other articles.

The Ousatonick washes the western border of the town. Besides which, there are several small streams, affording many sites for water works.

keepsie, after passing through Goshen, leads through the centre of the town east and west, and passes the north meeting-house; Cornwall and Washington turnpike leads through the town north and south, about one mile east of its centre; Warren turnpike runs north and south, on its west line; and Sharon and Cornwall turnpike east and west, near its south border.

About two miles from the north boundary of the town, and near its centre, east and west, there is a pond called Cornwall pond, being one mile in length, and half a mile in breadth, from which there is an outlet that affords numerous sites for mills and other waterworks. In the southeast corner of the town, there is also a pond of about one mile in length, and nearly half a mile in width. These ponds are stored with pickerel and trout; the latter are also taken plentifully in the small streams.

The manufactures and mechanical interests and trades in the town, are the following: 1 Woolen Factory, which employs about six hands, 2 Iron Forges, constantly Across the Ousatonick, there in operation, 4 Distilleries, 2 are several bridges; one on the of gin and 2 of cider brandy, 4 Goshen and Sharon turnpike, call-Tanneries, 3 Grain Mills, 2 Mills ed Hart's bridge; one on the road to clean clover-seed, 2 Oil Mills, leading from this town to Ells-20 Saw Mills, 3 Fulling Mills and worth Society, in Sharon, called Lewis' bridge, at the village of that name; and one on the Sharon and Cornwall turnpike; these bridges are about 120 feet in length.

Clothiers' works, and 2 Carding Machines, for Customers. There are 2 Cabinet Makers, 4 House Joiners, 2 Carpenters, 2 Wheelwrights, 1 Carriage Maker, 6 The town is accommodated Coopers, 7 Blacksmiths, 1 Mason with several turnpike roads; the and Bricklayer, 1 Hatter, 20 Shoe Canaan and Litchfield turnpike Makers and 5 Tailors. There are crosses its northeast corner; the 4 Mercantile Stores and traders, turnpike from Sharon to Pough-and 4 Public Inns.

The population of the town, in Edmund Lewis and Ebenezer 1810, was 1602; and there are Silliman, appointed by the Geneabout 250 Electors, 2 Companies ral Assembly for that purpose. of militia, one of about 80 mem-The sale was effected, at $30 per bers, and the other a Light In-right, with the reservation of one fantry Company of about 35, and right for the support of the minisabout 200 Dwelling houses. try, and another for the benefit of The amount of taxable proper-schools. In laying out the townty, including polls, estimated ac- ship, there was also a reservation cording to the laws for making up of 384 acres for the benefit of lists, in 1816, was $37,559; and Yale College. the assessment of the lands and The first settlement was made buildings of the town, in 1815, about the year 1738, probably in which comprised 23,484 acres, the spring of that year; and in amounted to $490,696; being 1740 there were 13 families in the 20 dollars per acre. The as- town, previously to the arrival of sessment of the real estate of this John Dibble, with several others, town and Goshen, in 1799, amoun- from Stamford. Soon afterwards, ted to $517,342; being only $17,-||Joshua Pierce removed from Pem646 more than the valuation of broke, in Massachusetts, and setCornwall alone, in 1815. tled in this town. The settlement The town comprises 1 located soon became respectable and flouSociety and 11 School Districts.rishing; and in 1741, a clergyThere are, however, 2 Congrega-man was ordained, being the first tional Churches, and a Society settled in the town. and Church of Methodists. There is a common or primary School maintained in each of the School Districts, a suitable portion of the year. Besides which there is a Foreign Missionary School, designed for the education and ecclesiastical instruction of foreigners, and is the only school of the kind in the United States.

BIOGRAPHY. Col. Ethan Allen, distinguished for his bravery, his adventures and his sufferings, during the revolutionary war, was a native of this town. Whilst he was a youth, his father removed to Vermont. In the year 1770, when the disturbances in that territory had assumed a serious aspect, Col. Allen first came into notice, from the bold and active part which he took in favour of the "Green Mountain Boys," as they were called, in opposition to the claims of the Government of the State of New-York. So obnoxious had he rendered himself, that an act This township was divided into of outlawry against him was pass53 shares or rights, and sold at ed by the Government of that copublic auction at Fairfield, in Feb-lony, and 500 guineas were offered ruary 1737 or 1738, by a commit- for his apprehension. But he had tee, consisting of John Barnes, nothing to fear from these proceed

It contains, at this time, 20 scholars from various parts of the world, some from the Sandwich Islands.

There are 3 Social Libraries, 1 Clergyman, 1 Attorney and 2 Physicians.

ings, as his party were too nume- In the autumn of 1775, he was rous and too faithful to the man sent into Canada, to observe the who had been the great champi-dispositions of the people in that on of their cause, to suffer him to province, and to endeavour to atbe apprehended. During the pe-tach them to the American cause. riod that this subject was agitated, Whilst on this tour, Col. Brown in all the struggles which it occa-proposed to him the project of an sioned, and in which Col. Allen attack upon Montreal, which was took a part, he was uniformly suc- eagerly embraced by Col. Allen. cessful. For the execution of this bold On receiving the news of the enterprise, he collected 110 men, battle of Lexington, the first hos-nearly 80 of whom were Canaditile event of the revolutionary con-ans; and with this little party, on test, Col. Allen determined to en- the evening of the 24th of Septemgage on the side of the colonies; ber, he crossed the river, expectand being hasty in his decisions, ing the co-operation of Col. and desperately bold and deter-Brown, in which, however, he mined in his enterprises, his ar- was disappointed. In the morning dour and attachment to the cause he was attacked by a force of 500 of his country were soon signalized men, a part of whom were Inby a daring and almost unexam-||dians, and after an obstinate and pled exploit. Soon after the af- ||desperate resistance, he was comfair at Lexington, a project had pelled to surrender. On falling been consulted, to surprise and into the hands of the British, he take the forts of Ticonderoga and was put in irons, and treated with Crown Point, by several gentle-the greatest severity and cruelty. men from Connecticut; and on being informed of this enterprise, Col. Allen engaged in it with his usual ardour and characteristic bravery, and being joined by Col. Arnold, this party of adventurers accomplished their object, without the loss of a man. In this affair, an incident occurred, which in a peculiar manner exemplified the character of Col. Allen. He rushed into the fort, at the imminent risk of his life, and demanded its immediate surrender. The astonished commander, equally filled with surprise and consternation, inquired by what authority?" To this, Allen, without the least hesitation, replied, "in the name of the Great Jehovah and of the Continental Congress."

66

He was shortly after sent to England, as a prisoner, although not allowed the rights belonging to a prisoner of war, being after his arrival there confined in a castle near Falmouth. On the 8th Jan. 1776, he was embarked on board a frigate, destined for Halifax, and from thence proceeded to NewYork. Here he was detained ||about a year and a half, and had an opportunity to witness the severe and inhuman manner in which the American prisoners were treated. He calculated that nearly 2000 of these unfortunate persons perished by hunger and cold, and from diseases which originated from the unwholesomeness of their provisions, and the impurity of their prison.

*

resident of this town, and died here on the 14th Nov. 1814, aged 82 years. He was the son of Jabez Swift, and was born in Sand-` wich, Massachusetts, in 1733; soon

Col. Allen was exchanged in May 1778, and soon returned to Vermont; where, from his desperate exploits and extreme sufferings in the cause of his country, he was received with the most en-after which, his father emigrated thusiastic joy. He was soon after promoted to the rank of a Brigadier-General in the militia of that State. He acquired great influence in that section of the country, and was extensively active and useful during the remainder of the

war.

to this State, and settled in the town of Kent. During the French war, at an early age, Mr. Swift, the subject of this notice, entered the service, having the rank of a lieutenant in the provincial troops sent to the northern frontier. At an early period of the revolutionCol. Allen possessed a mind na-ary war, he was appointed a coloturally strong, vigorous and ec-nel in the continental army, by centric, but it had not been im- the American Congress. He conproved by an early education. He tinued in the service until the terwas brave in the most imminent mination of the war; and, throughdanger, and possessed a bold, dar-out most of this arduous and dising and adventurous spirit, which tressing contest, he belonged to neither feared dangers nor regard- the main army, and executed the ed difficulties. He was also inge-orders of its illustrious leader. nuous, frank, generous and patri-He was esteemed a good officer, otic, which are the usual accompa- and was distinguished for his firmnying virtues of native bravery andness, integrity, and strict regard to courage. He wrote and publish- military discipline, and enjoyed ed a narrative of his sufferings du- the esteem and confidence of the ring his imprisonment in England Commander in chief. After the and in New-York; comprising al-close of the war, having retired to so various observations upon the his residence in Cornwall, he was events of the war, the conduct of soon appointed to various civil ofthe British, their treatment of their fices, under the Government of prisoners, &c. He died 13th Feb. this State, and for twelve years 1789. in succession, was a member of The Hon. Heman Swift was allthe Council.

GOSHEN.

GOSHEN is an elevated post|| west by Cornwall. Its average township, situated 32 miles west length is about 9 miles from north from Hartford, and 42 from New-to south, and its average breadth 4 Haven; bounded on the north by and a half miles, comprising about Norfolk, on the cast by Winchester 40 square miles. and Torrington, on the south by Litchfield and Warren, and on the

This township is very elevated, and is undoubtedly the highest

tion of the inhabitants, and sales at home being considerable. This quantity of cheese at 10 cents per pound, would have amounted to $38,023:60, a very considerable

land in the State, but it is not generally mountainous; the surface being undulating, affording an interesting diversity of hill and dale. Just north of the centre of the town, there is an elevated hill call-sum for the avails of a single staed Ivy mountain, which rises con- ple. But neat cattle, and the vasiderably above the general surface rious interests of the dairy business of the town, and is considered as do not occupy the exclusive atthe most elevated point of land intention of the farmers of this town; the State. It affords a most exten- sheep and the growing of wool, sive and interesting prospect, in receive considerable attention, almost every direction; to the particularly since the merino breed west is a view of the Catskill moun- has been introduced. tain for a considerable extent; its rugged features, and high and disorderly hills; and to the east is a view of the elevated country east of Connecticut river.

The road called East-street is so situated upon a height of ground, as to divide the waters which de- || scend into the Ousatonick and Waterbury rivers.

Of the natural growth of timber, the sugar maple prevails; and formerly, the industry of the inhabitants supplied large quantities of sugar, from the saccharine juice of this valuable tree.

There is no stream in Goshen, excepting one which rises in Norfolk, and runs across the northeast corner of the town, deserving the character of a river; but there are several small mill streams, having their sources in ponds and springs within the town, some of which afford good sites for water works.

There are five ponds in the town of different sizes, from one to three miles in circumference; the out

The geological character of the township is primitive; the rocks consisting of granite, gneiss and other original formations. The soil is a gravelly loam, deep, strong and fertile; and is admirably adapted to grazing; and hence, the dairy business is extensively and advantageously carried on, the pro-lets of some of which afford excelducts of which, consisting not only lent sites for hydraulic works. The of butter and cheese, but of pork || stream which flows from one of and lard, constitute the agricultu- these ponds in the western part of ral staples of the town. The grow- the town, is admirably calculated ing of cattle and fattening of beeves,|| for water works, having an adealso receive considerable attention.quate supply of water at all times, This is one of the best towns for and characterized by great unithe dairy business in the State;||formity; being neither affected by and the farmers are generally droughts, nor heavy rains occasionwealthy and flourishing. In 1811, ing freshets as in other streams. Upthere was 380,236lb. of cheese on this stream, there are now 2 marketed abroad from this town, Woolen Factories, a Carding Mawhich was much less than the chine for customers, 2 Fulling Mills, whole quantity made; the consump-la Grain Mill, Saw Mill, Trip Ham