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COUNTY.

LITCHFIELD, an extensive || and on the west by the State of agricultural and manufacturing|| New-York.

county, is situated in the north- This county has an average western section of the State; boun-length from north to south of about ded on the north by Berkshire 33 miles, and a mean breadth county, in Massachusetts, on the from east to west of nearly 27 east by Hartford and New-Haven miles, comprising about 885 sq. counties, on the south by the coun- miles, being the largest county in ties of New-Haven and Fairfield, the State.

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

Towns.

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

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The principal part of the Tunxis rivers. The former of county of Litchfield is elevated these, which is the second river and mountainous; several branch-in size in the State, intersects the es of the extensive granitic ran-county, and has numerous branchge intersect the county from northes, of which the principal are the to south, and comprise an exten-Naugatuck, the Pomperaug and sive evergreen district.

the Shepaug, which afford many excellent sites for hydraulic works. The Tunxis washes the northeastern section of the county, and affords also numerous sites for water-works.

The manufacturing business receives considerable attention in this county, particularly that of iron, which is carried on more extensively here than in any other sec

In the northwestern section there are some large and extensive calcareous vales, abounding in limestone; but most of the other sections of the county are of a granitic, geological character. The prevailing soil is a gravelly loam, generally deep, and in many sections strong and fertile, and admirably adapted to grazing. In the limestone district, the soil is a cal-tion of the State. There are 39 careous loam, rich and fertile, and excellent for arable purposes, particularly for the culture of wheat, which is raised here very successfully, and to great extent. This is the best section for wheat that there is in this State.

Forges, many of which pursue the business extensively, 5 Furnaces, 8 Anchor Shops and 2 Slitting Mills. The ore used at these establishments is obtained within the county, and abounds in various places. There are 2 Oil Mills, 1 Paper Mill, 62 Grain Mills, 4 Cot

Upon the Ousatonick and its branches, in the southwestern sec-ton Factories, 8 Woolen Factories, tion of the county, there are tracts of alluvial of considerable extent, and some small sections that are a light sandy loam.

The agricultural interests of the county are very respectable, and constantly improving. The staple productions consist of cheese, butter, pork and beef. Considerable attention is paid to the raising of neat cattle and sheep; and in the calcareous section there is a considerable surplus of grain raised, which is sent abroad for a market.

The waters of the county are abundant, and principally embodied in the Ousatonick and

50 Carding Machines and 46 Cloth Dressing establishments. In the county of Litchfield there are 68 Religious Societies, 31 School Societies, which are divided into 249 School Districts, 29 Social Libraries, and about 100 Mercantile Stores.

The population of the county, in 1800, was 41,214; and in 1810, 41,375.

The aggregate list, in 1817, was $881,601.

This county was incorporated in 1751; and a considerable section of it was more recently settled than any other part of the State.

piles.

LITCHFIELD, an extensive, to the west the Catskill mountains, wealthy and populous interior appearing in huge and disorderly post township, and the seat of justice of the county, is situated in north lat. 41° 50', being 30 miles west from Hartford, 36 northwest from New-Haven, and 100 from New-York; bounded on the north by Goshen and Torrington, on the east by the Naugatuck river, which separates it from Harwinton, on the south by Watertown, Bethlem and Plymouth, and on the west by Washington and Warren. The township contains about 72 square miles; having an average length from east to west of more than 9 miles, and a mean breadth of nearly 8 miles.

The geological character of the township is primitive; the prevailing strata of rocks consisting of granite and schistus, interspersed with some quartz, primitive limestone and other original formations. There is one quarry of slate-stone, of an inferior quality; and in the eastern section of the town there is a quarry of freestone, valuable for hearths and other uses. Some indications of iron ore have been discovered.

The prevailing soil is a dark coloured gravelly loam, with some sections of argillaceous loam. It is deep, strong and fertile; and, for an elevated tract, is warm, and favourable for vegetation. It is

the interests of which are pursued very extensively and advantageously.

The staple agricultural productions are cheese, butter, pork and some others. In some sections of the town considerable grain is cultivated, and the raising of cattle and sheep receives considerable attention. In 1811, there were 6734 sheep shorn in this town. The agricultural interests of the town are flourishing; and great exertions are making to improve them.

Litchfield is an elevated township; its surface presents an interesting diversity of hill and dale. The hills are in general conside-in general best adapted to grazing, rably elevated; and their prevailing course is from north to south. In the eastern section of the town, near the Naugatuck river, there are mountainous ranges, extending in an eastwardly and westwardly direction. In the western section of the township, there are also some mountainous tracts, which comprise several considerable eminences, of which Mount Tom is the most elevated. From actual mensuration it has been found to be about 700 feet from the margin of the river to the summit of this eminence, upon the south side. Little Mount Tom and Mount Prospect are eminences of less clevation. From the elevation of this township, some of its eminences afford the most extensive and interesting prospects; to the east may be seen the hills upon the east side of Connecticut river, and

The town is well supplied with forests, comprising a great varicty of trees; sugar maple, beach, button-wood, oak, birch, chesnut, butternut, walnut, elm, peperidge, wild cherry, bass, hornbeam, sassafras, &c.

The township is well watered. The Naugatuck washes its eastern

The most important manufacture in the town is that of iron, of which there are 4 Forges, 1 Slitting Mill and 1 Nail Factory.

border, the Shepaug its western, naan, called the Litchfield and forming a part of its boundary, Canaan turnpike; and one leadand the Bantam waters its interi-ing from the northeast corner of or, intersecting the township from the town to New-Hartford, called northeast to southwest, passing the New-Hartford turnpike. There through Great, Little and Cran-is also a turnpike road running berry ponds, and discharging its wa-upon the eastern border of the ters into the Shepaug, a branch of township, contiguous to the Nauthe Ousatonick. These streams gatuck river, which unites with afford numerous excellent sites for the Straits turnpike at Salem, and hydraulic works, particularly the extends northwardly through Winlatter, which, at the outlet of the chester and Colebrook to MassaGreat pond, has some of the most chusetts. valuable mill seats in the town, and which are scarcely rivalled. Great pond is an extensive and beautiful sheet of water, comprising an area of about 900 acres, and is the largast pond or lake in the State. Mount Tom pond, a part of which is in the town of Washington, comprises about 72 acres, Little pond, 15, and Cranberry 8. In the streams and ponds various small fish are taken. In the winter of 1809, 28 pickerel were taken in Southwick pond, and conveyed in casks of water and put into Cranberry pond, in this town. Their The population of Litchfield, in progeny now begin to be tak-1810, was 4639; and there are en in considerable numbers; but it is apprehended that these formidable strangers will be likely to destroy the shiners, red fins and small perch, the former occupants of the pond.

There are 1 Cotton Factory, 1 Oil Mill, 1 Paper Mill, 2 Carding Machines, 6 Fulling Mills, 5 Grain Mills, 18 Saw Mills, 5 large Tanneries besides several on a small scale, 2 Comb Factories, 2 Hatters' Shops, 2 Carriage Makers, 1 Cabinet Furniture Maker, 3 Saddlers, and a number of House Carpenters, Joiners, Smiths and other Mechanics.

about 600 Electors, 4 Companies, of Militia, 512 Dwelling houses, 3 Churches and 2 Post offices.

The commercial business is respectable, and employs considerable capital, there being 16 Mer

The civil or corporate divisions of the town are 4 located Ecclesiastical Societies, 26 School Districts, and an incorporated vil

This town is well accommoda-cantile Stores. ted as to roads, there being five turnpikes leading from it; one to New-Haven, sometimes called the Straits turnpike; one from the western part of the town to New-||lage. Milford, called the Litchfield and Besides the located, there are New-Milford turapike; one pass-3 Episcopal Societies and one of ing through Harwinton to Hart- Baptists; all of which are accomford, called the Litchfield and|modated with houses for religious Harwinton turnpike; one to Ca-l worship. There are 26 primary

Schools, one in each District, and (nix Bank at Hartford, a Court an Academy, established in 1790, | House, the Gaol of the county, 2 in the Society of South Farms. Churches, a Post office, several The Latin and Greek languages, Professional offices, Mechanics' Mathematics, English Grammar, shops, &c. Logic and Moral Philosophy are In addition to the public or taught at this Seminary, which is common Schools, there is in the very flourishing. There is in this village a private School for young Society a Social Library, establish-ladies, which at times has mained in 1785, and comprises from 300 || tained a very distinguished reputo 400 vols. of well selected books. tation.

There is also a Law There is a medicinal spring in School maintained here, which is the first Society, about half a mile very flourishing, and contains stufrom the Court House. Its waters dents from almost every section in have never been analyzed; but the Union. It was established in they appear to be chalybeate and 1784, by the Hon. Tapping sulphureous, and have been found Reeve, then one of the Judges efficacious in cutaneous diseases. of the Supreme Court. In 1798, LITCHFIELD VILLAGE, incorpo- the Hon. James Gould, at present rated in 1818, is delightfully situa- one of the Supreme Judges, was ted upon an elevated plain, in the associated as a joint instructor centre of the first located Socie- with Judge Reeve; and at this ty, affording the most extensive time he is the principal instructor. prospects, surrounded with inter-The number of students who have esting scenery and charming land- been educated at this school, from scapes, and enjoying in the sum-its establishment, in 1784, to 1812, mer season the most salubrious and refreshing atmosphere.

was 474. This has justly been considered as the most respectable and systematic Law School in the United States.

The corporate limits of the village are about one mile and a half in length and a mile in breadth. The aggregate list of Litchfield, The houses are chiefly built upon in 1817, was $86,872; and the vatwo streets, which intersect each |luation of the lands and buildings other, forming a pleasant square in of the town, in 1815, made in purthe centre. The principal street, suance of the laws of the United running from northwest to south-States, and which comprised 39,227 east, is well built, comprising nu-acres, was $1,255,380; being an merous neat, handsome and con- average value of $32 per acre. venient dwelling houses, which are There are in this town & Physigenerally handsomely arranged,cians, 4 practising Attornies, and 5 and some of which are elegant edi- || Clergymen. fices. Within the corporate limits of the village there are 84 Dwel- this township, the Indian name of ling houses, 9 Mercantile Stores, which was Bantam, was purchas2 Bookstores, several excellented of the colony of Connecticut, Public Inns, a Printing office, a (the Indian title having been preBank, being a branch of the Phoe-viously extinguished,) by a compa

The tract of land comprising

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