Birth-place of David Brainerd, Haddam. fifteen years since. The place remained in possession of the Brainerds till about the year 1802. The cellar walls still remain. The place is seen in the engraving on the right, near by which two persons are standing. The house stood a short distance from the river, at an elevation of perhaps 100 feet from the water, and about 8 or 10 rods from the turnpike road, commanding a fine prospect of the river, both to the north and south. A spring issues in the orchard near the road, and was formerly conducted to the back door of the house. This place is half a mile from Higganum Landing, one mile and a half northeast from the court house in Haddam, and about 8 miles from Middletown. "If the greatness of a character is to be estimated by the object it pursues, the danger it braves, the difficulties it encounters, and the purity and energy of its motives, David Brainerd is one of the greatest characters that ever appeared in the world, Compared with this standard of greatness, what little things are the Alexanders, the Cæsars, the conquerors of the whole earth. A nobler object no human or angelic mind, could ever propose to itself, than to promote the glory of the great Governor of the Universe, in studying and laboring to diffuse purity and happiness among his unholy and miserable creatures." His life and diary among the Indians, says a celebrated English divine, "exhibits a perfect pattern of the qualities which should distinguish the instructor of rude and barbarous tribes; the most invincible patience and self denial, the profoundest humility, exquisite prudence, indefatigable industry, and such a devotedness to God, or rather such an absorption of the whole soul in zeal for the divine glory, and the salvation of men, as is scarcely paralleled since the age of the Apostles.............. His constitutional melancholy, though it must be regarded as a physical imperfection, imparts an additional interest and pathos to the narrative, since we more easily sympathize with the emotion of sorrow than of joy. There is a monotony in his feelings, it must be acknowledged, and consequently a frequent repetition of the same ideas, which will disgust a fastidious or superficial reader, but it is the monotony of sublimity." The ancestor of the Brainerds came to this country when a lad, and lived in the Wyllis family of Hartford. He afterwards removed to Haddam, and was one of the first settlers of the town. David, the missionary, was the third son of Hezekiah Brainerd, a man of piety and respectability, who for many years represented his native town in the General Assembly. The Rev. David Brainerd commenced his labors among the Indians in 1743, at a place called Kaunaumeek, southeast from Albany, near Kinderhook; from this place he went to the Forks of the Delaware, near the line between New York and Pennsylvania. His greatest success was among the Indians at Crosweeksung, near Freehold in New Jersey. Overcome by wearisome journeyings and arduous labors, in the work of the ministry, he traveled into New England for the benefit of his health. He died at the house of the Rev. Jonathan Edwards, at Northampton, Mass. Oct. 10th, 1747, in the thirtieth year of his age. СНАТНАМ. CHATHAM belonged to Middletown until October, 1767, at which time it was made into a distinct town, and called Chatham, from the importance of its ship building, in allusion to Chatham in England. The lands in this town, opposite the city of Middletown, were early improved. "In 1675, 40 rights were laid out between Glastenbury and Haddam lines, in lots 23 miles long, running from what then was the eastern boundary of Middletown, towards the river; the remaining 12 rights owned in the town being laid out in Moromos. But notwithstanding these improvements and divisions of land, only two white families are known to have lived in Chatham, until after the commencement of the last century. James Stancliff had a house on the bank of the river, nigh the end of Chatham street, as early as 1690, and John Gill had another not far from that time. The next settler after these was William Cornwell, who settled back from Chatham meadow, about 1703. In 1710 there were only nine or ten families within the limits of Chatham parish." A family by the name of Goffe settled south of Knowles' Landing, about 1710, who were the first inhabitants within the limits of Middle Haddam." "The lands in this township were obtained from the Indians in connection with the Jands in Middletown. But a reservation, laid out partly at Indian hill, and partly a little east of Chatham meeting house, was held by them till about 1767; when having dwindled to a small number, they sold their right and united with the Farmington Indians. These Indians have been sometimes called Wongonks or Wongoms, but the reservation was for the heirs of Sowheag and Mattabessett Indians, and they were doubtless of the same tribe with the Indians on the west side of the river. A little clan inhabited, or frequented, the region about Pocotopogue pond, and had a place of rendezvous on the principal island which that incloses. These were also, probably, a part of the Mattabessett Indians. At Indian hill was a famous grave yard, where monuments with inscriptions were set up over some of the graves, after the English settled upon the river. Indian bones have been found also, on the left bank of Taylor's creek, as it enters the Connecticut." The town of Chatham embraces Chatham parish, (formerly East Middletown,) the greater part of Middle Haddam parish, the parish of East Hampton, and part of the parish of West Chester. The township is bounded N. by Glastenbury, w. by Connecticut river, E. by Marlborough and Colchester, and s. by East Haddam and Haddam Neck, belonging to Haddam. There are 6 churches, 3 Congregational, 2 Episcopal, and 1 Methodist. The township is about nine miles in length from north to south, and more than 6 in breadth. The interior part of the town is rough and broken, consisting of granite hills, interspersed with inconsiderable valleys. Upon the Connecticut, there is a considerable tract of alluvial. There are very extensive and valuable quarries of freestone on the bank of Connecticut river, nearly opposite the city of Middletown, which are worked and shaped with great facility. About 200 workmen are employed, and large quantities of this stone are sent to New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Charleston, and other places. Southern view of the Episcopal Church, Chatham. The above is a southern view of the Episcopal church in Chatham. It is constructed of stone from the quarries in the immediate vicinity westward. The Episcopal society in Chatham parish was formed April 17th, 1789. The Rev. Smith Miles may be considered as the first clergyman regularly settled over this society. His monument is in the new grave yard, and is of the same form as that of Mr. Ashmun, seen on page 183 of this work: the following is the inscription. "Sacred to the memory of Rev. Smith Miles; born in Derby, March 19th, 1766; graduated at Yale College, 1791, and ordained 1795; officiated as Rector of the Episcopal church in Chatham 33 years. Died Jan. 31, 1830: aged 64 years-.They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, and they that turn many to righteousness as stars for ever and ever." The two principal streams in the township are Salmon river and Pine brook. Salmon river crosses the southeastern corner of the town. Pine Brook, a considerable mill stream, rises in Pocotopogue pond, in the parish of East Hampton, and after a course of six or seven miles, unites with Salmon river, three miles from its mouth. Pocotopogue pond, or rather ponds, is about nine miles in circumference; it is in the form of two ponds, nearly circular, united by a strait of no considerable width or length. Its waters are about ten feet in depth, and surround several islands, one of two acres, formerly the favorite resort of the Indians. It is fed by low springs, as rains do not alter its height. "Another pond within the bounds of Chatham parish, called Job's pond, is about two miles in circumference. This has no outlet. It rises and falls as much as fifteen feet, from causes which cannot be easily explained; for it is often the highest in the dryest season of the year, and lowest in the wettest season. When it begins to rise, it rises regularly for six or twelve months, and then falls for about the same periods. This, in many places, is from 40 to 60 feet deep. "On the banks of Connecticut river, half a mile northeast from Middletown harbor, are noted and very valuable quarries of freestone. The rocks at the northern and principal opening, according to tradition, originally hung shelving over the river. They were used for building stone very soon after Middletown was settled. At a meeting held in that town in 1665, it was resolved that no one should dig or raise stones at the rocks on the east side of the river, but an inhabitant of Middletown, and that twelve pence should be paid to the town for every ton of stones taken. As early as this, they were transported in vessels to other places. By several subsequent resolves, they appear to have been regarded as valuable, and to have been considerably sought. Some time after 1726, the town sold this quarry, and it has since passed into several hands. For forty years past it has been extensively improved, and the stones to the depth of thirty feet from the surface, are now removed over an area of an acre and a half, back from the river. The stone in this quarry is covered in some places with four or five feet of earth, and in others with four or five feet more of shelly rock. It is not perfectly solid, but lies in blocks, eight or ten feet thick, and fifty and sixty feet long. The seams and joints facilitate the process of removing these from their beds; and when removed, they are reduced by the wedge and chisel to any size or form which is wished. In this quarry thirty hands have been employed for several years, eight months in the year, and from four to six teams. The quantity of stone prepared for market, and sold to the inhabitants of this and the neighboring towns, and exported to distant parts of the country, has been very great; and has yielded a handsome profit. Fifty rods south of this quarry, an opening was made about 1783, now spreading over half an acre. Here the stone is covered with about ten feet of earth. In this opening as many as twelve hands have been sometimes employed. Vessels come to this and the above quarry, and load from the bank. The bed of stone in which these and the smaller openings in the neighborhood have been made is immense, and lies at different depths from the surface in different places. It has been discovered in sinking wells, for half a mile in northern and southern directions, and has been opened at a greater distance eastward. Wherever found, the stone possesses the same general properties, but varies, like the freestone in Middletown, in the fineness of its texture.' "About 1762, a cobalt mine was opened at the foot of Great hill, under the direction of Dr. Stephaunes, a German, and improved for a little time. About 1770, he renewed the improvement of it, in connection with two gentlemen by the name of Erkelin and Khool, and continued it for two or three years. Many casks of ore were obtained and shipped for Europe. But as all the persons concerned in the mine, laborers as well as principals, were foreigners, and as the ore was exported, little was known of its character or value. After they left it, it was entirely neglected, till last autumn. Since then, several men have been employed in searching for cobalt, in and near the former openings, and have been so successful, as to encourage the hope that the mine will be permanently improved. The scarcity of this mineral, and its uses in porcelain and linen manufactories, render it highly desirable that the contents of this mine should be thoroughly explored.-Coal was discovered at Indian hill about thirty years ago. But whether it exists there or in any other part of the town in any considerable quantities, must be determined by future researches.” EXTRACTS FROM NEWSPAPERS. Middletown, June 7th, 1799. THE LAUNCH.-More of the Wooden Walls of Columbia.-Yesterday at 35 minutes and 4 seconds past five P. M. the United States Ship Connecticut was safely deposited on the bosom of the majestic stream whence she derives her name. No words can convey an adequate idea of the beauty and brilliancy of the scene. Nature, as inclined to do honor to the occasion, had furnished one of the most delightful days that the vernal season ever witnessed. While old father Connecticut eager to receive his beautiful offspring, had swollen his waters by the liquefaction of snows, reserved for the occasion, near his source, in order to facilitate her passage to his wave; and extending his liquid arms, welcomed her to his embrace. Flora decked in her richest attire, smiled gleefully around, and a brilliant concourse of spectators from this and the neighboring towns, whose countenance expressed the liveliest sensibility at thus witnessing the progress of our nautical armament, destined to protect our commerce and hurl the thunders of Columbia on her shrinking foes, formed a most magnificent moving picture, in addition to the brilliancy of nature which shone around. The preparation for the launch was exquisite, and evincive of the consummate skill of the architect who superintended the operations of the day, and whose orders were given with dignity and obeyed with punctilious nicety. When the moment arrived at which the elegant fabric was to leave her earthly bed never more to return, the anxiety of the crowd was witnessed by a solemn silence, awful and profound. The stroke was struck, the blocks were removed, when lo! with the grace and majesty of the divine Cleopatra, or the wonder-struck Cydnus, she glided into the arms of her parent river, and as if reposing herself to sleep upon a bed of roses, sunk upon his breast. In a moment the *Field's Statistical Account of Middlesex County. peal of Federalism burst forth, the peans of the gazing thousands met the heavens, and echo faintly expired on the distant hills. While shad and salmon feel the patriot glow, And throng in numerous shoals the watery way, Leap up her matchless beauty to survey. [*** The above Bostonian paragraph, translated in the vernacular tongue, reads thus: The United States ship Connecticut, which is to be commanded by Capt. Moses Tryon, was yesterday, in the afternoon, safely launched from the ship yard at Chatham, into Connecticut river.] The following are from monuments in the yard on the margin of the ground, above one of the quarries. Here lyes the body of Samll. Hall, who died February the 22d 17 in the 16th year of his age. The first person laid in this yard. This monument sacred to the memory of the Rev. Moses Bartlit, for more than 34 years the faithful Pastor of the Chh. of Christ in this place, who deed. Decr. 27th, 1766, Et. 58, is gratefully reared by the people of his charge. He was a sound and faithful divine, a Physician of Soul and Body, a sincere Friend, a faithful husband, and an affectionate Father. The memory of the just is blessed. CHESTER. CHESTER, formerly a parish of that name in Saybrook, was incorporated as a town in 1836. Jonah Dibble, from Haddam, appears to have been the first settler in this town: he was a resident here in 1692: Andrew Warner, from Hadley, came about 1696. "The ancestors of the Parkers, Shipmans, Waterhouses and Webbs, from Saybrook parish, were early settlers in this place. George Willard and Andrew Southworth, from the same parish, Joel Canfield and Gideon Leet, from Durham, settled in it about 1745. The inhabitants were vested with parish privileges in 1740. Their first pastor was the Rev. Jared Harrison, who was ordained at the formation of the church in 1742. Chester is about 5 miles in length from east to west, and upwards of 3 in breadth, bounded N. by Haddam, E. by Connecticut river, s. by Saybrook, and w. by Killingworth. The western part of the town is rough and hilly. It is estimated that there are in the town about 1,200 inhabitants, most of whom are in the eastern part. There are 2 churches in the town, 1 Congregational and 1 Baptist. The following shows the appearance of the Chester Hotel, and some other buildings at the head of the cove, about one mile from the river, in the central part of Chester, about 17 miles from Middletown, 5 from Haddam court house, and 30 from New Haven. The Congregational church is about 80 rods north, and the Baptist about half a mile westward of this place. Several streams run into the cove, affording fine sites for manufacturing purposes. L'Hommedieu's auger and hammer factory is finely located, and more than 20 hands are employed in this business. The Chester Manufacturing Co. manufacture coach springs : there is one cast iron foundery; also, one factory for the manufacture of hard ware, recently erected. Messrs. Southworth and Stephens have |