in the town, which afford many Baptists; 3 Physicians and 1 Attorney. The town was first settled in 1738, and incorporated in

A so

valuable sites for mills, and other hydraulic works; the most considerable of which, are the Sau-1787. gatuck and its branches, Mill river, In 1808, a meteoric phenomeand Creker's brook. Many of the non occurred in this town. privileges which these streams af-lid mass, or meteoric stone, was ford are advantageously occupied. precipitated to the earth, accomAgriculture is the principal busi-panied with a loud explosion. It ness of the inhabitants, who are steady and industrious. The turnpike road from Fairfield to Danbury passes through this town.

appears to have been broken in the explosion; and was found in pieces or fragments. Soon after its descent, it was quite warm ; The population, according to and its fall was attended with the the last census, is 2618; and there usual meteoric appearances, a brilare about 450 Electors, and 230 liant light, and loud noises. Its militia. The general list of the general appearance was that of town, in 1817, was $57,551. iron ore, its exterior being coverThere are 9 Grain Mills, 12ed slightly with rust, and small Saw Mills, 1 Forge for the manu-portions of pure malleable iron facture of iron, 4 Distilleries, 4 Tanneries, 3 Carding Machines, 3 Fulling Mills, 14 Mercantile Stores and 380 Dwelling houses.

were intermixed with the mass. This was a very large meteoric stone, it being supposed to have weighed 200lbs. ; and in its fall it penetrated into the earth three feet. There have been few mc

There is an Academy, possessing a considerable fund, which renders it a free School; the num-teoric masses which have fallen, ber of district Schools we have not ascertained; 3 Social Libraries, 2 Congregational Societies and Churches, 1 Episcopal Church, I for Methodists, and 1 Society of

of equal size with this, although some have exceeded it. Two meteoric stones fell in Verona, one of which weighed 200, and the other 300 pounds.

WILTON.

WILTON is a post township, || about 17000 acres. The surface situated 6 miles north from Norwalk, and 34 miles westerly from New-Haven. It is bounded on the north by Ridgefield, on the east by Reading and Weston, on the south by Norwalk, and on the west by New-Canaan and Salem, in the State of New-York. Its extent is about 6 and a half miles in length, and 4 miles in breadth, comprising

is broken, there being two ridges which run northerly and southerly, intersecting the town. The soil is a gravelly loam, considerably productive, and best adapted to a grain culture. Wheat, rye, corn and oats are the principal agricultural productions. The lands are well adapted to fruit, and afford apples. pears, peaches, &c. The natural

WINDHAM

COUNTY.

WINDHAM, a considerable || west by the county of Tolland.

and flourishing agricultural and The south and west lines of manufacturing county, is situated the county are irregular; but its in the northeastern section of the general form is that of an obState; bounded on the north by long square, having a mean length, the county of Worcester, in Mas- from north to south, of about sachusetts, on the east by the 29 miles, and a mean breadth, State of Rhode-Island, on the from east to west, of more than south and southwest by the coun- 21 miles, comprising an area ty of NewLondon, and on thell of about 620 square miles.

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

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

Towns.

The county of Windham is in some other sections, are well general a rich and productive ag-adapted to a grain culture, and ricultural district. Its surface is afford considerable quantities of characteristically a succession of oats, Indian corn and rye; parmoderate elevations, with gentle ticularly of the two first. In the declivities; and its general incli-eastern part of the county, there nation is to the south and east, are some sections that are light ..and most of its waters run in those and lean. The raising of neat directions. cattle and sheep also receives considerable attention in this county; and in general the agricultural interests are as flourishing in this as in any part of the State; its inhabitants being remarkable for their hardy and persevering habits of industry, the salutary results of which, in the cultivation of the

With the exception of some part of the borders of Long Island sound, and the beautiful vale of Connecticut river, this county has as mild and as uniform a climate as any section of the State. Although this tract is uniformly hilly, yet no part of it is mountainous, or very elevated. The pre-earth, the flourishing state of agvailing soil is a primitive, gravelly riculture, the numerous manufacloam, being a suitable mixture of turing establishments, and the gegravel and siliceous earths. In neral condition and appearance the greatest portion of the coun- of social improvements and of ty, the surface is stony, and con- wealth, are every where to be seen. siderably rough; so much so, in many sections, as to render it unsuitable for arable purposes. The lands in general are best adapted to grazing; and many sections afford some of the richest and most productive dairy farms in the State. The natural character and adaptation of the soil must always, in a greater or less degree, control its agricultural interests; and hence, in this county, the dairy business comprises the principal objects of husbandry, and affords its most important staples. Large quantities of cheese, butter and pork are annually sent abroad; being marketed in Norwich, Providence, Boston, New-York and the southern States.

The waters of the county are mostly embodied in the two principal rivers by which it is intersected, the Quinibaug and Shetucket. The first of these rivers waters the eastern section of the county, and affords some valuable tracts of alluvial. This river receives, in its course, the French, the Moosup, Little river, and va rious other small streams; which abound with numerous sites for hydraulic works. The Shetucket washes the western section of the county; its principal tributary streams are the Willimantia and Hop rivers, the former of which forms a part of its western boun dary, and the Nachaug, which has numerous branches, and abounds

Upon the borders of the Quini-with many valuable water privibaug and Shetucket, and their leges. branches, there are considerable tracts of alluvial, which, with

Shad and salmon are taken in the Quinibaug, the Shetucket, and

WINDHAM

COUNTY.

WINDHAM, a considerable || west by the county of Tolland.

and flourishing agricultural and The south and west lines of manufacturing county, is situated the county are irregular; but its in the northeastern section of the general form is that of an obState; bounded on the north by long square, having a mean length, the county of Worcester, in Mas- from north to south, of about sachusetts, on the east by the 29 miles, and a mean breadth, State of Rhode-Island, on the from east to west, of more than south and southwest by the coun- 21 miles, comprising an area ty of NewLondon, and on the of about 620 square miles.

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

Towns.

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

Windham. 1 2416