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MIDDLESEX

COUNTY.

MIDDLESEX, a pleasant ma-||west by the county of New-Haritime county, is centrally situated ven.

upon Connecticut river; bounded Its mean length from north to on the north by Hartford county, south is about 25 miles, and its on the east by Hartford and New-mean breadth from east to west London counties, on the south by nearly 14 miles, comprising about Long-Island sound, and on the||342 square miles.

The following TOPOGRAPHICAL AND STATISTICAL TABLE exhibits a view of the several towns in the county; their situation, with relation to Middletown; their population, according to the census of 1810; number of dwelling houses; religious societies; school districts, and post-offices.

Towns.

Post- Popu- Dwelling Religious School Distance from offices. lation. houses. societies. districts. Middletown.

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This county has a very advanta-||this county from a northeasterly geous and pleasant situation, being to a southwesterly direction, rising intersected by Connecticut river, upon the west side of Connecticut which gives it important commer-river, and extending into New-Hacial and other advantages. Its ven county, towards the sound, surface is greatly diversified, pre-where it subsides. Upon the east senting almost every variety, from the lofty, rugged granitic ridges, to the delightful Connecticut river alluvial.

The extensive eastern granitic range of mountain passes through

side of the river is a mountainous range, extending nearly parellel with the river, in a direction towards the sound, which, although not distinctly connected, appears to be a branch of the great east

ern range. This, however, is abundant and valuable; and afmostly in New-London county. ford important advantages for the The first mentioned range forms business of navigation, ship-buildthe boundary between the graniticing and fishing. Being intersectand argillaceous district upon ed by Connecticut river, and its Connecticut river; and the north southern border washed by Long section of this county, being the Island sound, this county unites commencement of the argilla-greater advantages for navigation ceous district, is a highly interest-than any other in the State; there ing country, having a beautifully undulating surface, and a rich and productive soil. The southern section being the tract south of the principal range, is of a granitic character, and generally hilly, rocky and broken, with the exception of the alluvial upon Connecticut river, and the flats upon the border of the sound.

being but one town in the county hut what is accommodated with navigable waters. Numerous small streams intersect and fertilize the different sections of the county, discharging their waters either into Connecticut river or Long Island sound. These streams abound with numerous sites for hydraulic works.

The soil, corresponding with the The commercial business of the geological structure of the coun-county is important and flourishty, in the northern section, is a ing, and is principally directed to rich argillaceous loam, interspers-a trade with the West-Indies, the ed with some excellent tracts of southern States and New-York. alluvial, and some small sections Nearly 100 vessels of every desof sandy loam. In the eastern,cription are owned in the county. middle, and more southern sec-Considerable attention is paid to tions, the soil is a primitive gra- the transportation of wood to the velly loam, interspersed occasion-New-York market. ally with small tracts of sand and alluvial.

The forests are deciduous, and considerably extensive; and the quality of the timber is excellent.

The shad fishery in Connecticut river is an extensive and important interest, and a source of great profit. Large quantities of shad are annually taken, which not only supply the immediate demand, but constitute a staple ar

The agricultural interests of the county are respectable, and generally directed to the objects|ticle for exportation. of the dairy business, and the raising of cattle and sheep. In the northern section of the county, considerable quantities of grain are raised; but in the other sections, little attention is paid to this branch of husbandry, and the grain raised is scarcely sufficient for the consumption of the inhabitants.

This county possesses great advantages for ship-building; which, at different periods, has been extensively carried on.

The waters of the county are

There are several very valuable. quarries in the county, which are a source of profit, and afford employment to considerable industry.

The manufactures of this county are respectable, and compara

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tively flourishing. The manufac-dlesex, 18 School Societies, each tures of woolen, of rifles, pistols, of which is divided into a suita

ble number of School Districts, of which there are in all 113, and 42 Religious Societies, 99 Mercantile Stores, and 17 Social Libraries.

swords, ivory combs and button moulds are the most important. Several of these manufactures, particularly those of rifles, pistols and swords, have been carried to great perfection. There are, in The population of the county, this county, 3 Cotton Factories, in 1810, was 20,723; and its ag5 Woolen Factories, 17 Fulling gregate list, of taxable property Mills and Clothiers' works, 16 and polls, is $429,782. Carding Machines for customers, The county was incorporated 43 Grain Mills, 1 Paper Mill, 1in 1785, previously to which, it Oil Mill, 1 Powder Mill, 1 Forge belonged to the counties of Hartand 6 small Furnaces. ford, New-London and New-HaThere are in the county of Mid-||ven; principally to the former.

MIDDLETOWN.

This township comprises the southern section of the argillaceous district, upon the borders of Connecticut river; its geolo

MIDDLETOWN, the semiseat of justice, and the most considerable township of the county, is pleasantly situated upon the west side of Connecticut river, 31||gical character, surface and soil 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° 35', west lon. 72° 54'.

The township is bounded on the north by Wethersfield and Berlin, in Hartford county, on the east by 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.

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 con

rises in Berlin, and runs in a southeasterly direction,) near the cen

siderable attention, there being numerous apple orchards in the town; so that the making of ci-tre of the town, north and south,

der is an important agricultural interest.

and about two miles west from
Connecticut river, into which the
waters of these united streams
are discharged, between the city
and the village called Middletown
Upper Houses.
These streams,

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 particularly West river, afford nuroots, culinary vegetables and merous excellent sites for hydrausummer and autumn fruits flou-lic works, many of which are adrish well, under proper cultiva-vantageously and profitably occution. pied.

The waving and pleasantly di- There are several shad and herversified character of the country, ring fisheries upon Connecticut rithe improved state of its cultiva-ver, and various small fish abound tion, the richness and variety of in most of the small streams. its productions, and the majestic In the western part of the town, but pacific tide of the Connec-near Meriden, there is a pond, ticut, all of which are thrown un- called Black pond, which is also der the eye of the beholder, pla-stored with fish. çed upon many of the eminences, afford, in the summer season, most delightful and interesting landscapes.

There are seven 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 Far

About one mile below the city, upon the bank of the river, lead ore has been discovered, and amington. mine was opened and worked during the revolutionary war, but has since been abandoned. In this vicinity, there are also some indications of coal; several excavations have been attempted, which hitherto have proved unsatisfactory.

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, Besides the Connecticut, which and 2 Cotton Factories. Of iron washes the eastern border of the manufactures, there are 1 Sword township, it is watered by two in-Factory, 1 Pistol Factory, and 1 considerable streams, called West || Rifle Factory, all upon a considerand Little rivers. The former has able scale, and the articles manits source in Guilford,and runs thro'ufactured at which, particularly Durham and the southwesterly Swords, have been esteemed equal section of Middletown, maintain-in every respect, if not superior, ing a northeasterly course, until to these imported. There are 6 it unites with Little river, (which || Tin-ware Factories, 1 Silver plat

river here having 10 feet of water at full tide, and is a port of entry. Its site is principally a gentle declivity; having a gradual ascent

ing 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 Fac-back from the river. It is built

mostly upon eight streets, of which Main-street, being the great river road, is the principal.

This

tory 3 Saddlers, 2 Cabinet Makers, and 2 Carriage Makers. There are 7 Grain Mills, 10 Saw Mills, 3 Carding Machines and 8 Tanne-street runs in a northerly and southerly direction, nearly paral

ries.

There are, in the town, includ-lel with the river; is well built, for ing the city, 11 Dry Goods Stores, nearly a mile in extent, and con32 Grocery and Provision Stores, tains most of the public buildings 2 Bookstores, 2 Druggist's Stores, and public offices; the two Bank1 Hardware Store, 2 Crockerying houses, two Churches, the NaStores, 1 Hat Store and 3 Lumber Yards.

The population of the town, in 1810, was 5382; and there are 700 Electors, 438 Militia, and about 300 Dwelling houses.

The civil divisions of the town are 4 located Ecclesiastical Societies or Parishes, 26 School Districts and an incorporated City. Besides the located, there are 3 Societies of Baptists, 1 of Episcopalians, 2 of Methodists and 1 of Independents, making 11 in the town, ten of which are accommodated with Churches, or houses for public worship; and, in each of the School Districts, a primary school is maintained.

val office and Post office, a considerably extensive range of brick buildings, occupied principally for Stores, Washington Hotel, several elegant brick edifices, and a number of neat and handsome Dwelling houses, Stores, Mechanics' Shops, &c. Aside from the navigation interests, most of the mercantile business is done in this part of the city. Upon the margin of the river, is Water-street, running in a parallel direction, and affording a communication with the several wharves which have been built. The maritime business of the city is chiefly transacted in this street; but it contains few stores or other buildings either large or elegant. High-street has an elevated and prospective situation, more than 100 rods back from Main

There are 4 Social Libraries and 1 Circulating Library in the city; and, in the town, 6 Physicians, 10 Clergymen and 7 Attor-street, upon the height of land,

nies.

The amount of taxable property, including polls, is $113,896. 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. It has a safe and commodious harbour, the

and runs in a parallel direction. This street is a delightful residence, affording a view of the other parts of the city, of the surrounding country, which, for beauty, richness and variety of rural scenery, is scarcely surpassed, and of the river for a considerable extent. There are a number of

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