School houses, 3 Mercantile Stores, and numerous Mechanics' shops and other buildings. the grateful results of rural industry. There are, in Newtown, 2 Clergymen, 4 Physicians and 4 AttorThe two turnpike roads, alrea-nies.. The aggregate list of the dy noticed, lead through the village. From the elevated site of this village, it affords an extensive and interesting prospect to the east, south and west, a distance of 8 or 9 miles, comprising a fertile country, in a high state of cultivation, and exhibiting, in every direction, town, in 1817, was $65,085. In May 1708, the General Assembly made a grant of the tract of country comprising this township, which was then called Powtatuck, from the river of that name, by which it is intersected. At the same session it was incorporated, by the name of Newtown. NORWALK. NORWALK, a flourishing ma-||vourable for fruit. This town is ritime post township, is situated rich in agricultural opulenceupon Long Island sound, 66 miles abounds in the means of sustaining southwest from Hartford, 32 west a dense population-from its confrom New-Haven, and 48 north-tiguity to the sound, has a modeeast from the city of New-York; rate, uniform and salubrious clibounded on the north by New-mate-a ready and convenient Canaan and Wilton, on the east market, being possessed of naviby the Saugatuck river, which se-gable waters, rendering it always. parates it from Fairfield, on the accessible from the sea, and afsouth by Long Island sound, and fording, at all times, a facility of on the west by Stamford. It com- communication with New-York, prises an area of about 34 square whereby it unites ample advantamiles; having a mean length from ges, and a powerful stimulus to east to west of about 7 miles, and agricultural industry and improvea medium breadth from north to ment. And these. advantages, if south of nearly 5 miles. The sur-they have not been improved to face is uneven, being pleasantly the greatest extent, have not been diversified with hill and dale. Up-neglected. on the border of the sound the The staple agricultural prohills are generally moderate; and ducts consist of Indian corn, rye, in the interior more elevated. oats, wheat, flour, flax, flax-seed, The geological character is pri-beef, pork and potatoes; most of mitive, the prevailing strata of which are articles of exportation. rocks consisting of granite. The The forests, which consist of general character of the soil is a oak of the different kinds, walnut, dark coloured gravelly mould or chesnut, &c. are very valuable, loam, very feasible and fertile. It from the facility with which wood has a suitable adaptation both for and timber are conveyed to the grain and grazing, and is very fa-New-York market, merchants' or flouring Mills, 3 Fulling Mills and Cloth Dressing establishments, 4 Carding Machines and 2 Tanneries. The population of the town, in 1810, was 2983; and there are about 400 Electors or Freemen, about the same number of Dwelling houses, and 5 Companies of militia. The waters of the town are principally embodied in the Saugatuck, which washes its eastern border, forming the boundary between this town and Fairfield; and Norwalk river, a considerable stream which runs through the centre of the town, and discharges its waters into Long Island sound, forming the harbour, which is at the mouth of this stream, and The town contains 1 located has sufficient depth of water for Congregational Society, 1 Society vessels of 100 tons, and is safe and of Episcopalians, and 1 of Meconvenient. There is also anoth-thodists, which are respectively er harbour at what is called Five accommodated with houses for mile river, which admits of ves-public worship. It contains one sels of about the same size. There considerable and flourishing vilare several small islands in Long lage, situated upon the great stage Island sound, off this town, and road leading to New-York, at the numerous small inlets upon its bor-head of the harbour. It is a place ders. of considerable activity and busiOf the fishing business, blackness, being the seat of most of the fish and shell fish are taken in the commercial and navigation busisound. ness of the town. It is the com This town possesses considera-mercial depot and market for the ble advantages for navigation, and northern section of the county; the interests thereof are contin- most of the staple products being ually increasing. There are brought here for sale, or to be 16 vessels of every description freighted to New-York. belonging to the town, of which there are six regular packets that constantly ply between this place and New-York. One of them is employed exclusively in the conveyance of passengers. The re-Newspaper and Printing establishmaining ten vessels consist of sloops and schooners, and are employed in the coasting trade to New-York and elsewhere. In addition to the pursuits of agriculture, navigation and commerce, some attention has been bestowed on manufactures. There are 1 Woolen Factory, 2 Cotton Factories, one upon an extensive scale, 1 Slitting and 1 Rolling Mill, 5 Grain Mills, two of which are There are, in the village, nearly 100 houses, a number of trading houses, Dry goods and Grocery stores, 1 Bookstore, several private offices, a Post-office, a ment, 2 Churches, and several Mechanics' shops. There are in Norwalk 13 primary Schools and 1 Academy, 16 Mercantile Stores, 7 Public Inns, 3 Physicians, 3 Clergymen and 2 Attornies. The aggregate list of the town, in 1816, was $53,231. Norwalk was settled in 1651, and incorporated in 1655, four years from the first settlement. This town is memorable in the annals of the revolutionary war; having been burned by the British and Tories in 1779. The loss sustained by the inhabitants, from the destruction of buildings and other property, was estimated by a committee, appointed by the General Assembly for the purpose, at $116,238:36. A great proportion of the dwelling houses and stores were burnt. READING. READING, an interior, central post township, is situated 60 miles southwest from Hartford; bounded on the north by Danbury, on the east by Newtown and Weston, on the south by Weston, and on the west by Ridgefield. Its aveverage length from east to west is nearly 6 and a half miles, and its mean breadth from north to south about 5 miles; comprising an area of about 32 square miles. The face of the country is characteris-other deciduous trees. tically diversified with hill and dale. The prevailing strata of rocks consist of granite and primitive limestone; and the soil, corresponding with the geological features of different sections of are marketed, and large quantities of flax are annually raised, This being an interior township, and not having engaged to any extent in any manufacturing interest, agriculture is almost exclusively the business of the inhabitants. There is a considerable proportion of forest lands in the town; the natural growth of timber consists of oak, walnut, chesnut, and The waters of the township are principally embodied in the Saugatuck and Norwalk rivers; the former of which intersects it, running through its centre, and the latter washes its western section. the township, is a gravelly and In addition to the public or calcareous loam. From the cal-county roads, the town is accomcareous strata limestone is ob-modated with several turnpikes; tained for making lime, of which one from Danbury to Norwalk considerable quantities are annu- leads through it, and also one ally produced. from Danbury to Greenfield, in the town of Fairfield. This town is rich in resources for agricultural improvements and Of the manufacturing and mewealth. It contains very little chanical establishments of the waste land, and the soil is gene- town, there are 1 Woolen Facrally good. The calcareous sec-tory, 5 Grain Mills, 2 Cloth Drestions are fertile and productive, sing establishments, 3 Carding affording wheat, rye, oats and In- Machines, 3 Tanneries and I dian corn in abundance; and the Lime kiln. sections which are not so favourable for the growth of grain, are well adapted to grazing. Considerable quantities of beef and pork The population of this town, in 1810, was 1717; and there are about 260 Dwelling houses, about 300 Electors, 2 Companies of In fantry and a part of a Company of Cavalry, of Militia.. Spalding and Uriah Tracey, his Excellency Oliver Wolcott, AlexIts civil divisions are 1 located ander Wolcott, Abraham Bishop Congregational Society and 11 and Josiah Meigs were memSchool Districts; besides the lo-bers of this class. He passed cated, there is 1 Society of Episcopalians, and 1 of Methodists, all of which are accommodated with houses for public worship. through the usual course of academic studies with great reputa||tion, and at the public commencement in 1778, delivered or recited There are, in the town, 5 Mer-an original poem, which was the cantile Stores, 5 Taverns or Pub-first time he had appeared before lic Inns, 1 Social Library, 2 Physi-the public in his poetical characcians and 3 Clergymen. The aggregate list of the town, ter. This effusion of his muse was soon after printed, and has been preserved in a collection entitled "American Poems." Previously to this period, and whilst BIOGRAPHY. Joel Barlow, Barlow was in College, the revoL. L. D. distinguished as a poet, lutionary war commenced, and politician, statesman and philoso- the natural ardour and enthusipher, was a native of this town. asm of his mind, stimulated by the As the design of this work does pervading spirit of liberty which not contemplate giving lengthy bi- characterized the times, led him ographical accounts, we must, in to take a deep interest in a conthis instance, confine ourselves test in which both the cause of to a notice of a few facts, exhi- ||civil liberty and the dearest interbiting a compressed view of the ests of his country were so intilife and writings of Mr. Barlow.mately concerned. During the He was born in or about the year early period of the war, the mi1755. His father, who was an in- litia of Connecticut constituted dependent farmer, but in mode- an important part of the army. rate circumstances, died whilst he | Barlow had four brothers in the was a youth, leaving him a small service; and more than once, dupatrimony, scarcely sufficient to ing vacations, he armed himself defray the expenses of a liberal with a musket, and joined them education, which he had contem- in the "bloody strife," as a voplated. Having been placed in lunteer. It is said he was in the Dartmouth College in 1774, he battle at White Plains. was soon after removed from Upon his leaving College, he thence to Yale College, at New-commenced the study of law; but, Haven, where he graduated in at the urgent solicitation and re1778. The class into which he commendation of some of his entered was remarkable for the friends, he was induced to abangreat promise of talent which ma- don this situation, and to qualify ny of its members disclosed; himself for, and accept the apamong whom Barlow always rank-pointment of chaplain to the ared conspicuous. The late Asa my. Whilst in this situation, he This town is memorable in the other property, was estimated by READING. are marketed, and large quantities of flax are annually raised, There is a considerable proportion of forest lands in the town; the natural growth of timber consists of oak, walnut, chesnut, and READING, an interior, central post township, is situated 60 miles southwest from Hartford; bound- This being an interior township, ed on the north by Danbury, on and not having engaged to any the east by Newtown and Weston,|| extent in any manufacturing inteon the south by Weston, and on rest, agriculture is almost excluthe west by Ridgefield. Its ave-sively the business of the inhabitverage length from east to west is ants. nearly 6 and a half miles, and its mean breadth from north to south about 5 miles; comprising an area of about 32 square miles. The face of the country is characteris-other deciduous trees. tically diversified with hill and The waters of the township are dale. The prevailing strata of principally embodied in the Saurocks consist of granite and pri- gatuck and Norwalk rivers; the mitive limestone; and the soil, former of which intersects it, runcorresponding with the geological ning through its centre, and the features of different sections of latter washes its western section. the township, is a gravelly and In addition to the public or calcareous loam. From the cal-county roads, the town is accomcareous strata limestone is ob-modated with several turnpikes ; tained for making lime, of which one from Danbury to Norwalk considerable quantities are annu- leads through it, and also one ally produced. from Danbury to Greenfield, in the town of Fairfield. Of the manufacturing and mechanical establishments of the town, there are 1 Woolen Factory, 5 Grain Mills, 2 Cloth Dressing establishments, 3 Carding Machines, 3 Tanneries and Lime kiln. This town is rich in resources for agricultural improvements and wealth. It contains very little waste land, and the soil is generally good. The calcareous sections are fertile and productive, affording wheat, rye, oats and Indian corn in abundance; and the sections which are not so favourable for the growth of grain, are well adapted to grazing. Considerable quantities of beef and pork||300 Electors, 2 Companies of In The population of this town, in 1810, was 1717; and there are about 260 Dwelling houses, about |