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a half from its mouth, seventy five rods in length, built on trestles, with a draw for vessels to proceed above. The surface on which the town is principally built, is a plain about 12 feet above high water mark. There is however a rise called Golden hill,* commencing about 100 rods northwest of the center of the present buildings, which, after a gradual ascent of about 20 rods, in which the perpendicular elevation is 50 feet, presents a surface of half a mile square, forming a delightful situation for an upper town: from this elevation is a fine prospect of the Sound and surrounding scenery. Though situated within three miles of Stratford, and four of Fairfield, both among the earliest settlements in the state, at the close of the Revolutionary war there were but 10 or 12 houses on the site where Bridgeport is now built. In 1790, there were but 110 inhabitants; in 1830, there were upwards of 1,800 in the borough. The number of inhabitants at this time, (1837,) in the city, is 3,416.

South view of the Churches in Bridgeport.

The original name of the village, (now city,) was Newfield, which in 1800 was incorporated as a borough, and called Bridgeport. There are five churches in the limits of the city; 1 Episcopal, erected in 1801, now (1837) used by the Baptists; 2 Congregational-the first Congregational church was erected in 1803, by the society formerly worshiping in Stratfield, the other in 1830; the Methodist church, erected in 1822; and the present Episcopal church, now building. The ancient meeting house of the parish of Stratfield stood about one mile and a half northwest of the central part of the city, on the line road between Fairfield and Bridgeport; it was taken down a year or two since.

The above is a representation of the churches in this place, all standing in a direct line. The nearest building in the view, which is seen on

This hill is partly a rocky eminence. In the stone is found ising-glass of a gold color, hence the name Golden hill. A numerous tribe of Indians formerly lived on this hill, and were called "the Golden hill tribe." Their skeletons are frequently dug up on the banks of the Pequonnoc river.

the right, is the second Congregational church; the next north is the Baptist, (formerly the Episcopal church;) the next building is the first Congregational church; the new Episcopal church is the next; the Methodist church is seen in the distance on the right, and is without a spire: Golden hill rises immediately beyond this building.

The first newspaper printed in the village was in 1795, and edited by Lazarus Beach. The first bridge was erected across the harbor in 1783. There are two banks in this place, the Bridgeport and Connecticut banks, the former incorporated in 1806, the latter in 1831. The number of inhabitants within the limits of the town, at this time, is estimated at upwards of four thousand. A daily line of steamboats, to ply between Bridgeport and New York, was established in July, 1834.

Among the principal articles manufactured in this place, are saddlery and carriages. The whale fishery, of late, has received considerable attention. Bridgeport, at this time, is rapidly increasing in wealth and population. A charter was granted in 1836 for a rail road, called the "Housatonic Rail Road," following the valley of the Housatonic, about eighty five miles, to West Stockbridge, Mass.

From the Connecticut Journal, Dec. 15, 1779.

On the 4th ult. about 25 volunteers, under the command of Captains Lockwood, Hawley, Jones, and Lieutenants Jackson and Bishop, set off from Newfield harbor on an expedition to Long Island, to fetch off Thomas Jones, Esq., one of the judges of their Supreme Court, and a warm Loyalist; they crossed the Sound that evening, arrived at Stony Brook near Smith Town, and then marched to Fort Nick, (said Jones' place of residence,) where they arrived the 6th, about 9 o'clock in the evening, being 52 miles, and after surprising the house, took said Jones prisoner; in consequence of which an alarm arose; which obliged our men to retreat, traveling 50 miles the same night, and secreting themselves the next day; (by which time the enemy's light horse were near,) the following evening they retreated to their boats, having taken two prisoners more, crossed the Sound and arrived safe at Black Rock, in Fairfield, on the 8th; except six men, who being in the rear, were taken by the light horse.

The object of the above expedition appears to have been the capture of some person of sufficient rank to exchange for Gen. Silliman, who was captured by the enemy a short time previous. The following is from the 3d vol. of Dwight's Travels.

In 1779, Major General Silliman was appointed by the governor and council of safety, superintendant of the coast of the county of Fairfield. In the month of May, Sir Henry Clinton directed a small company of refugees to cross the Sound in a whale boat from Lloyd's Neck, and if possible to take him a prisoner. One of them was an inhabitant of Newtown named Glover, a carpenter; who had been employed by General Silliman not long before; and having been some time at the house was perfectly acquainted with the safest and easiest modes of access to it. The crew consisted of nine. One was left in the boat. Eight came to the house about midnight. The family were awakened by a violent assault upon the door. General Silliman sprang out of bed, seized a musket, and ran to the door. As he passed by the window he saw the men, and at once comprehended their design. He then attempted to fire his musket; but it only flashed. At that instant the assailants broke through the window and laid their hands upon him, exclaiming that he was their prisoner, and that he must go with them. At his request they permitted him to dress himself, and having plundered him of a fusee, a pair of pistols, a sword and some other articles of no great value, proceeded with expedition to the shore. They reached it about two o'clock, and immediately embarked for Long Island. As they approached the shore of Lloyd's Neck, Colonel Simcoe, the commanding officer, who was waiting for them exclaimed, ' Have you got him,' They answered Yes, 'Have you lost any men,' No,' That is well, your Sillimans are not worth a man, nor your Washingtons. General Silliman's eldest son was taken with him. The prisoners were ordered to the guard-house. The General asked the

Adjutant whether this was the manner they treated prisoners of his rank. The Adjutant replied, 'We do not consider you in the same light as we should a continental General.' How, said General Silliman, will you view me when an exchange shall be proposed! I understand you,' said the Adjutant, and withdrew. These questions probably preserved General Silliman from the indignity of being confined in a guardhouse. Soon after, he and his son were conducted in a carriage to New York, under an escort of Dragoons. On his arrival a numerous body of people gathered to see him. A gentleman who was a friend to him, advised him to withdraw lest he should be insulted, and very kindly conducted him to good lodgings. Here he remained for some time and was at length ordered to Flatbush.

At that time there was no prisoner in the possession of the Americans, whom the British would accept in exchange for General Silliman ; and after some consideration, it was determined to procure one. The person pitched upon was the Hon. Mr. Jones, one of the justices of the Supreme Court of the province of New York. Capt. Daniel Hawley of Newfield (now Bridgeport,) undertook to accomplish the design. Having selected a proper crew, he proceeded in a whale boat to Long Island, and having landed his men, concealed his boat in some bushes near the shore. Of the place where they landed I am ignorant; but it is said to have been at least fifty miles from the place of their destination. The house of Judge Jones stood, and probably now stands, on the north side of Hempstead plain, in a solitude rather pleasant, and certainly very favorable to their enterprise. The Americans arrived about nine o'clock in the evening. There was a ball in the house, and the noise of music and dancing prevented the approach of the adventurers from being heard. Captain Hawley knocked at the door, and perceiving that nobody heard him, forced it, and found Judge Jones standing in the entry. He instantly told him he was his prisoner, and immediately conducted him off, together with a young gentleman whose name was Hewlett. A guard of soldiers were posted at a small distance from their road. When they came near the spot, Judge Jones hemmed very loud, and was forbidden by Captain Hawley to repeat the sound. He however did repeat it, but, being told by his conductor that another repetition would be followed by fatal consequences, he desisted. On their way they were obliged to lodge in a forest through the day. The third night they reached their boat, and proceeded immediately to Newfield.

Mrs. Silliman, hearing of Judge Jones' arrival, sent him an invitation to breakfast. He came. During several days while he was at her house, she took all the measures in her power to make his situation agreeable. But although few ladies could contribute more effectually to such a purpose, the Judge was distant, reserved and sullen. From this place he was ordered to Middletown.

It was a long time before the British would consent to an exchange; but in the month of May, 1780, they agreed that if one Washburn, a refugee of a notoriously bad character, could be included in the exchange as a kind of make-weight, they would release General Silliman for Judge Jones, and his son for Mr. Hewlett. The vessel which conveyed him met another, employed to transport General Silliman to his own house, on the Sound. The two gentlemen having dined together, proceeded immediately to the respective places of their destination. The General's return was welcomed with demonstrations of joy by all the surrounding country.

BROOKFIELD.

BROOKFIELD was incorporated as a town in 1788; it was formed from parts of New Milford, Danbury and Newtown. It was formerly called the society of Newbury. The Rev. Thomas Brooks was the first minister in the place, and was ordained Sept. 28th, 1758, a church being gathered at the same time. Brookfield is said to have been named from the first minister. The town is bounded N. by New Milford, N. E. by the Housatonic river, s. E. by Newtown, w. by Danbury and New Fairfield. The township is equivalent to about 17 square miles, containing about 11,000 acres. The surface is diversified with hills and valleys, and the soil is generally a dry, hard, gravelly loam, particularly upon the hills; the lands generally are well adapted to a grain culture. In some sections of the town there is limestone, and several beds of marble.