revolutionary war. It was rava-the year after, where he resided ged by Gov. Tryon, July 1779, until his office ceased, in conse and the property burnt and de-quence of the American revolustroyed was estimated, by commis-tion; whereupon he returned to sioners appointed by the General this town, and continued here unAssembly for that purpose, at til his death. The most remarka$84,566. The sufferers in this ble feature, in the character of town, in common with those in Judge Ingersoll, was that of an other towns in the State, received ingenuous and dignified frankness, a grant of a tract of land in the candour and fairness, which alwestern part of the lands in the ways characterized his deportstate of Ohio, reserved by this ment. This resulted from a conState at the cession which they sciousness of integrity and abilimade to the United States. ties, which led him to despise the BIOGRAPHY. The Hon. Ja- jesuitical arts of hypocrisy and disred Ingersoll was for many years simulation, which are so often the a citizen of this town. He was only resource of small minds. As born in Milford, in 1722, receiv- an advocate, there have been few ed his education at Yale College, if any individuals in this State, and took his first degree in 1742. who have been his equals; few A few years after this, having gone who have had more resources of through with the usual course of mind, more amplitude of knowprofessional studies, he commen-ledge, more clear or comprehen ced the practice of law in this town. His talents were of the highest order, and peculiarly adapted to forensic debate; so that he soon became distinguished in his profession, and acquired a great and solid reputation as an advo cate. sive views, or more energetic powers of reasoning. The Hon. Roger Sherman, distinguished for his public services, and the important offices which he held during an interesting period of our history, was for many years a citizen of this town. He was born in Newtown in Massachusetts, in the year 1721. His ad Such was the reputation which he had acquired, and the estimation in which he was held by his fel-vantages as to education were velow citizens, that in 1757, he was ry limited; having attended only sent by the General Assembly of at a common English school. In the colony, as their agent to the 1743, he removed to New-Milford court of Great-Britain. In 1764, in this State. Several years after about the period of the passing of this, he applied himself to the stuthe Stamp Act, he went to Eng-dy of law, and was admitted to the land again. In 1770, he was ap-bar in 1754. The next year he pointed judge of the vice admiral-was appointed a justice of the ty court in the middle district of peace, and soon after a representhe colonies; the duties of which tative in the General Assembly. office rendered it necessary for In 1761, he removed to New-Hahim to reside in Philadelphia. Ac- ven. From this time his reputacordingly he removed to that city|ltion was rapidly rising; and he "Mr. soon ranked among the first men|| year of his age. The life of Mr. in the State. His knowledge of Sherman is one among the many the human character, his saga- examples of the triumph of nacious and penetrating mind, his tive genius and talent, aided by general political views, and his persevering habits of industry, accurate and just observation of over all the obstacles arising from passing events, enabled him, on the want of what is generally conthe first appearance of serious sidered as a regular and systemadifficulties between the colonies tic education. Yet it deserves and the parent country, to per- consideration, whether a vigorous ceive the consequences that would mind, stimulated by an ardent thirst follow; and the probable re- of knowledge, left to its own exsult of a contest arising from a ertions, unrestrained and unemspirit of resistance to the exercise barrassed by rules of art, and unof unjust, oppressive and uncon- shackled by systematic regulastitutional acts of authority, over tions, is not capable of pursuing a free people, having sufficient in- the object of acquiring knowledge telligence to know their rights, more intensely and with more sucand sufficient spirit to defend cess; of taking a more wide and them. Accordingly, at the com- comprehensive survey; of explormencement of the contest, he ing with more penetration the took an active and decided part fields of science, and of forming in favour of the colonies, and more just and solid views. subsequently in support of the re- Sherman possessed a powerful volution, and their separation from mind, and habits of industry, Great-Britain. In 1774, he was which no difficulties could discouchosen a member of the first con- rage, and no toil impair. In early tinental Congress; and continued life, he began to apply himself to be a member, except when ex-with unextinguishable zeal to the cluded by the law of rotation. He|| acquisition of knowledge. In this was a member of the immortal pursuit, although he was always Congress of 1776; and was one actively engaged in business, he of the committee that drew up spent more hours than most of the declaration of Independence, those who are professedly stuwhich was penned by the venera-dents. In his progress, he became ble Thomas Jefferson, who was al-extensively acquainted with mathso one of the committee. After ematical science, natural philosothe peace, Roger Sherman was a phy, moral and metaphysical phimember of the Convention which||losophy, history, logic and theoloformed the Constitution of the gy." As a lawyer and statesman, United States; and he was chosen a representative from this State to the first Congress under this Constitution. He was removed to the Senate in 1791, and remained in this situation until his death, July 2d, 1793, in the 73d he was very eminent; having a clear, penetrating and vigorous mind, and as a patriot, no greater respect can be paid to his memory than the fact which has already been noticed, that he was a member of the immortal Congress of '76, which declared these colonies.to be free and independent. more extensively useful, or who have more perfectly finished the Samuel Bishop Esq. distinguish-work and objects of life. The Rev. Timothy Dwight, D. D. was born in Northampton, Mass. May 14th, 1752. At a very ed for the numerous and responsible public offices which he held, during a long life, and for his unimpeachable integrity, was a na-early period he disclosed unusual tive of this town, and lived and indications of genius, and an exdied here. He was born in the traordinary propensity and aptiyear 1724, and died in August tude for study and the acquisition 1803, in the 80th year of his age. of knowledge. Such was the exAlmost his whole life was spent in traordinary proficiency he had public employments; the duties made in elementary studies, that of many of which were peculiarly he was admitted a member of arduous and responsible. For Yale College in 1765, when he fifty-four years he held the of- had but just entered his 13th year. fice and discharged the duties At college he soon acquired the of town-clerk; and for twenty- character of a good scholar, and six years was a representative of of being remarkable for his devothe town in the General Assem- tion to study. He graduated in bly. During the revolution, he|| 1769, having gone through the was a zealous and decided whig, usual course of studies with great and took an active part in favour credit. In September 1771, of the colonies and their separa-when he was but 19 years of age, tion from Great-Britain. At this he was chosen tutor in this seminaperiod, he was a member of the ry. He remained in this situation committee of correspondence and for six years, and discharged its of the Governor's Council of safe-duties with unusual success and ty. For a great number of years reputation. During this period he was a magistrate or justice of he composed the well known epic the peace; also judge of probate poem entitled the "Conquest of and chief judge of the county Canaan," the poem having been court. At his death, and for some finished when he was only 22 years preceding, he was mayor years of age. In 1777, it being duof the city of New-Haven, and ring the revolutionary war, he was Collector of the district. The licensed as a clergyman; and the duties of all these various offices same year received the appointhe discharged with ability, faithful-ment of a chaplain in Gen. Parness and integrity, and to the ge- sons' brigade, and joined the arneral satisfaction of his fellow-ci-my at West-Point. Soon after tizens. Few men have been this, whilst in the army, he wrote engaged an equal period in public his much admired patriotic and employments, or in so great a di-national song, Columbia. This versity of them, & few have dischar- has justly been esteemed as the ged their duties with equal faith-best effusion of his muse. He fulness and integrity; few who in did not continue long in the army, the circle of their action have been for, in 1778, he returned to his native town, where he remained tion and prosperity were greatly for five years. During this peri-increased during the presidency of od, he was employed, a portion of the time, as an instructor of youth; and occasionally officiated as a Clergyman. Whilst in this situation, he was twice chosen a representative of the town in the legislature of the State. In 1783, having received an invitation, he became settled as a clergyman in Greenfield, a society in the town of Fairfield in Connecticut. He continued in this situation for nearly twelve years, and became highly distinguished in his profession, and as a sound, able, eloquent, orthodox and practical preacher. During his residence in this delightful and highly interesting situation, he conceived and wrote his poem, entitled "Greenfield Hill," consisting of seven parts, and a work of considerable merit. This publication, together with his Conquest of Canaan, was republished in England. Whilst in this situation also, he established and maintained an academic school, which deservedly sustained a high reputation. In the spring of 1795, Dr. Dwight was called, from this delightful abode and favourite retreat, to the presidency of Yale College, as the successor of President Stiles. In this important and responsible situation, he continued nearly 22|| years; during which lengthy period he presided over the institution with great ability and astonishing success. Notwithstanding the extensive erudition of President Stiles, and the high reputation which the institution, while he presided over it, had acquired, yet its reputa Dr. Dwight; although a portion of this period was one of peculiar difficulties. At the accession of President Dwight, there were but about 110 students; whereas, at some periods subsequently, the number amounted to 313. Few men have possessed the various and important qualifications necessary for a situation of this description, in so eminent a degree as President Dwight. He possessed a sound and penetrating mind, indefatigable industry, a laudable and elevated ambition for literary fame, adequate scientific acquisitions, and an extensive fund of general information. With these qualifications he united others, although more common, yet equally important; an agreeable and dignified person and deportment; a fine constitution; an unusual share of common sense; an accurate and extensive knowledge of the human character; an extensive and just observation; great practical knowledge, and an unusual portion of prudence or policy. His writings, which were pub lished in his lifetime, consist, in addition to his poetical works, the most important of which have already been noticed, of numerous sermons or theological discourses, delivered on various important occasions. Since his death, a series of his sermons, comprising a System of Theology, has been published in five large octavo volumes. This edition of his sermons, which was published at Middletown in this State, in 1818, has also been published in England. He died on the 11th of January, 1817, E 65. BRANFORD is a post township, Of the shell fish, the oyster and situated upon Long-Island sound, clam are the most important. The 8 miles from New-Haven, and 40 fish, with which the town is supmiles from Hartford; bounded on plied, are a convenience and luxthe north by Wallingford, on the ury to the inhabitants, and a source east by Guilford, on the south by of considerable profit. In addiLong-Island sound, and on the tion to the business of fishing, west by North and East-Haven. there are other maritime employIts average length is 9 miles, and ments and interests: the coasting its average breadth 5 miles; com- business has received consideraprising 45 square miles, or about ble attention; there are six ves30,000 acres. sels of from 40 to 60 tons enThe township is uneven, con-gaged in this business, which besisting of hill and dale; upon the long to this town. The maritime borders of the sound, there are situation and interests of the place some small sections that are level. || have a tendency to affect the chaThe soil is more generally a red,||racter of the inhabitants, and to gravelly loam; in some sections, give a direction to their pursuits argillaceous loam prevails. There and industry. are also some tracts of salt marsh. The natural growth consists of oak,|| elm,walnut,butternut,buttonwood, &c. The lands, when cultivated, produce grass, Indian corn, rye, and some wheat; but corn receives the most attention, and is princi-plied, a place of some resort in pally cultivated. There are no considerable rivers in the town. The largest stream discharges itself into the harbour, which is a small but convenient one, and admits of vessels of from 40 to 60 tons. There is a small but pleasant village in the town, consisting of about 30 dwelling-houses, a postoffice, church, stores, &c. It is, from its contiguity to the sound, and the fish with which it is sup the summer for health or pleasure. The town is accommodated with the turnpike road from New-Haven to Middletown, which leads through its northern section. Its population, in 1810, was 1932. There are 280 dwellinghouses, 220 qualified Electors, and two companies of militia. The amount of taxable property, inclu Upon the western boundary of the town there is a small lake, called Saltonstall lake. There are a cluster of smallding polls, is $54,739. islands in Long-Island sound, belonging to this town, called Thim-cal employments consist of 1 small ble Islands; and another cluster called Indian Islands. This town, being situated upon the sound, possesses great conveniences for fishing various kinds of salt water fish, both shell and fin, are taken plentifully in almost every month in the year. The manufactures and mechani Furnace for casting, 1 Carding Ma- The town contains 3 located Congregational Societies and Churches, and 2 Episcopal Soci|| eties, which are also accommoda |