This was in March, 1720. On a stone a little distance north west from said Samuel Chapman's, is the following inscription. "Lieut. John Ellsworth was killed here by the fall of a tree, Oct. 26th, 1720, aged 49 years and 15 days." So far as can be learned from the records, it does not appear, that there was any family within the limits of Ellington, previous to the aforesaid date. It is supposed that the Capt. Wadsworth of whom the Ellsworths purchased had a grant of land for services in the Pequot war. Whether the Bissells, of whom the 200 acres were bought, claimed under the Indian title or in some other way, is not known. The Rev. John McKinstry was the first minister who was settled in Ellington. He purchased a small place of Andrew McKee, a little east of the place where Judge Hall's high school house is now located, by deed dated April 27th, 1730. Three years afterwards he bought about thirty acres of land adjoining his first purchase, of Simon Parsons; his deed, witnessed by Daniel Ellsworth, John Fairfield and Samuel Thompson, as appears from Windsor records. The ancient town of Windsor extended east to the road as it now runs from the widow Moulton's, by Wyllys Russel's. South of Lucius Chapman's, it passed on the side hill east of the road as it now runs to Bolton line, now Vernon. The land east of this, within the limits of Ellington and called the Equivalent, was granted to the town of Windsor, and the grant making the conveyance is on the records in the following words:

"A patent of the Equivalent lands on the east side of Windsor. Whereas the Governor and Company of the English colony of Connecticut, in General Court assembled at Hartford, May the 10th, 1716, did give and grant unto the inhabitants of Windsor, in the County of Hartford, an Equivalent in the Colony lands, in consideration of 7,259 acres of land on the north side of the said town, which by the last settlement of the line of said Colony with the Province of Massachusetts Bay, in New England, was taken off from said township. G. SALTONSTALL, GOV.

"Hez. Wyllys, Secretary."

These lands were surveyed, and their limits ascertained, on the 16th, 17th and 18th days of April, 1723, by James Wadsworth and John Hall. Twenty years passed away before a division of the tract was made among the proprietors. Proprietorship had become an exceedingly complex concern, and for almost twenty years there were yearly meetings held in which the division of these and other common lands was one of the objects before the meeting, while the difference of opinion among the proprietors was such, that all their doings were embarrassed to a degree that prevented them from proceeding. In 1743, the report of a committee appointed many years before was accepted, and according to their survey and division allotments were made. They began east of where Selden McKinney resides, at the north line of Bolton, now Vernon, and laid out lots in half mile ranges to Somers, and then back again. Beyond the second tier, the lots were laid north and south in two tiers, all the south range bounded south by Tolland, and all the north on the north by Stafford. Beyond this a number of lots were laid out the whole breadth from Tolland to Stafford, and thus till the last lot was bounded by the Willimantic. In all these surveys and allotments, the pond between Ellington and Tolland was uniformly written Messhanips-for_the north pond bordering upon Stafford no other name is known than Square Pond. The Rev. John McKinstry was in middle life when he was settled here. He was educated in Scotland, but married his wife in Wenham, beyond Boston. She was the daughter of Deacon Fairfield, of that place. When he came to this place, he had five children, and two afterwards. Their names were John, Alexander, William, Paul, Mary, Betsey and Abigail. One of his sons was a physician, and lived at Taunton or that vicinity. Mary married Esq. Ellsworth, the son of Capt. Daniel Ellsworth. Betsey, while on a visit to her brothers at the East, was murdered by a slave who lived in the family. She was making preparation to attend an ordination in a neighboring town, arose early, and having occasion to use a flat iron, was heating it by the fire: as she was leaning over the table, the slave took the flat iron, and by a blow upon her head deprived her of life: he concealed her body under the stairs and fled: he was however arrested and executed, and his confession of the deed published with the sermon preached at his execution: he had been told that if he should kill some one and run away he should be free. Mr. McKinstry continued his connection with the people in this place but 16 years. He was succeeded in the ministry by the Rev. Nathaniel Huntington: he continued here but six years and six months, and died of a consumption. His successor was the Rev. Seth Norton: his ministry was of short continuance: he died in 1762, aged 31 years. His successor was the Rev. John Bliss: he died February 13th, 1790, aged 54. His successor was Mr. Leonard, who continued in the relation of a minister but a few years, and was succeded by the Rev. Diodate Brockway.

Ellington is situated partly on the plain and partly on the hills. A few years since no township in the County of Hartford, in which it was

then included, was in lower estimation; its soil was considered lean-its agriculture was wretched, and the circumstances of its inhabitants were generally very humble. The circumstances of the community have changed; the agriculture and the buildings have improved, and the inhabitants have risen not a little in their general character." Few tracts of country possess advantages for further improvement equal to this, to render it a delightful garden, a most beautiful heritage, and a place of moral and intellectual worth. The scenery in this town embraces considerable variety and is uncommonly interesting and beautiful.

Western view of the central part of Ellington.

The above is a west view of the Congregational church, and some other buildings in the central part of Ellington. In the village, or near the center of the town, are about forty dwelling houses, most of which are finished in a neat, plain and handsome style. There is a high school, lyceum and conference house, school for young misses, district school, and two hotels, all of which are finished in a handsome style. The "Ellington School," designed principally for boys from the age of eight years to sixteen inclusive, is a respectable institution, and has acquired a deserved celebrity. The house of Judge Hall, the principal, and the school, a spacious edifice, are elegant buildings, situated a little west of the Congregational church, on a gentle but beautiful eminence.

HEBRON.

THE first settlement of this town was commenced in 1704. The first people who made settlements in the town, were William Shipman, Timothy Phelps, Samuel Filer, Caleb Jones, Stephen Post, Jacob Root, Samuel Curtiss, Edward Sawyer, Joseph Youngs, and Benoni Trumbull. They were from Windsor, Saybrook, Long Island and

Northampton. Hebron was incorporated as a town in 1707. It is bounded N. by Bolton and Coventry, W. by Glastenbury and Marlborough, E. by Columbia and Lebanon, and S. by Colchester. Its average length from north to south is 9 miles, and its average breadth more than four miles. The surface of the town is uneven, being somewhat hilly and diversified, and considerably fertile. There are in the town two located Congregational societies and churches, 1 Episcopal church, and 1 Methodist. The principal village in the town is 20 miles from Hartford. Hop river, a branch of the Willimantic, forms the north eastern boundary of the town. North pond, in the south part of this town, is a considerable body of water; it is situated partly in this town and partly in Colchester. A large iron furnace for castings and pig iron is now erecting near the outlet of this pond, about three miles from Hebron village. The best bed for obtaining the ore is said to be about one mile N. W. of the Congregational church in Colchester. There are also in the first society, 2 cotton and 1 woolen factories, and 1 paper mill.

South view of Hebron, (central part.)

The above is a representation of some of the principal buildings in the principal village in Hebron, 20 miles S. E. from Hartford. The Gothic building on the left is the Episcopal church, which is built of brick. The first dwelling house north with four chimnies, is the residence of Hon. John S. Peters, formerly Governor of the State. Gov. Peters was bred a physician, and is one of the largest landed proprietors in the town. On the right is seen in the distance the spire of the Congregational church, fronting the south, before which is a small open green. The first society contains about half the inhabitants of the town. The whole of the parish of Gilead, and about half of Andover, are within its limits, both of which have an excellent soil, cultivated by farmers. Hebron has furnished quite a number of distinguished men. Doct. Trumbull, the venerable historian of Connecticut, Gov. Peters, Gov. Palmer of Vermont, Gov. Root of New York, and three members of Congress, Sylvester Gilbert, Daniel Burrows, and the late Daniel Buck of Vermont, were all natives of this town.

MANSFIELD.

MANSFIELD was formerly comprised in the original limits of the town of Windham, of which it was the northern section. It was made a distinct town in 1703. Its Indian name was Nawbesetuck. Settlements were made here soon after they commenced at Windham. In Oct. 1710, the Rev. Eleazar Williams, was ordained as the first minister in the town. The township is bounded north by Willington and Ashford, west by Willimantic river, dividing it from Coventry, east by Chaplin, and south by Windham. Its average length from east to west is 8 miles; its average breadth nearly six. The central part is 27 miles east from Hartford, 19 from Norwich, and 12 from Tolland.

N. E. view of the Presbyterian church, Mansfield.

The above is a north view of the Presbyterian church in Mansfield, and some other buildings in the vicinity, in the central part of the town. This is believed to be the only Presbyterian church in Connecticut the members are ruled, or governed, by 8 elders.

The face of the township is uneven, being diversified with hills and vallies the eminences in general have considerable elevation. Besides the Willimantic, the town is watered by Nachaug river, and its tributary streams, the Mount Hope and Fenton.

A larger quantity of silk is manufactured here than in any other place in the United States. This branch of industry was introduced into the country by Dr. Aspinwall of this place, above seventy years since, who established the raising of silk worms in New Haven, Long Island and Philadelphia. At this period half an ounce of Mulberry seed was sent to every parish in Connecticut, and the legislature for a time offered a bounty on Mulberry trees and raw silk; 265 lbs. were raised in 1793, and the quantity has been increasing ever since. In 1830, 3,200 lbs. were raised. Two small silk factories have been established

in this town by an English manufacturer, with swifts for winding hard silk; 32 spindles for doubling; seven dozen of spindles for throwing; 32 spindles for soft silk winding; and 2 broad, and one fringe silk looms. There is machinery enough to keep 30 broad silk looms, and fifty hands in operation. There are in the town two cotton factories.

Screw augers, and steel yards, are manufactured here.

The following inscription is from a monument in the yard a little south from the Presbyterian church.

Here lies the body of ye Rev. Mr. Eleazer Williams, pastor of ye chh. in Mansfield. Descended from venerable ancestors, but more nobly born from above; and with faithfulness, prudence, zeal and courage, improved the gifts and graces his divine Lord had intrusted him with; in ye work of the ministry here, being found with his loynes girt and looking for the mercy of the Lord Jesus to eternal life, at his master's call, he quietly fell asleep in Jesus, Sept. 21st, 1742, in the 55th year of his age, and ye 32d year of his pastoral work.

Them that sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

SOMERS.

SOMERS was formerly the south east part of the ancient town of Springfield, granted by the General Court of Massachusetts, to Mr. Pyncheon and his company. It was afterwards incorporated with the town of Enfield, and was part of the same ecclesiastical society, and so continued to be until about the year 1726, when it was made a distinct ecclesiastical society, by the General Court of Massachusetts, by the name of East Enfield. The town of Enfield, when incorporated, extended from Connecticut river to Stafford, ten miles. The first person who moved on to Somers, was Benjamin Jones, of Welch extraction. He was from Enfield; and in 1706, moved on to this tract, where he resided in the summer,* but moved back in the winter, and at other times when danger was apprehended. But no permanent settlement was made until 1713, when Edward Kibbe, James Pease, Timothy Root, and John M'Gregory, with their families, joined with Jones, and made a durable settlement. Soon after, several other families became residents in the town, by the names of Horton, Killam, Wood, Collins, Cittron, Davis, Sexton, Parsons, Blood, Purchase, Rockwood, Felt and Fisk. Their first pastor was the Rev. Samuel Allis, who was ordained in March, 1727. In 1734, the General Court of Massachusetts, incorporated the society as a town, by the name of Somers. It is said to have been thus named at the request of Gov. Belcher, in honor of Lord Somers, for whom he had a peculiar respect and veneration. The town first transacted its business under the government of Connecticut, in 1749.

Somers is bounded N. by the Massachusetts line, W. by Enfield, E. by Stafford, and S. by Ellington. It is about six miles in length from north to south, with a mean breadth of about five miles. The central part of the town is 22 miles north east from Hartford, and 12 south east from Springfield, in Massachusetts. There is one Congregational and one Methodist church, in the town: there is also a considerable number of Baptists, who are associated with the Baptist churches in the neighboring towns. The western section of the town is generally smooth and level, and free from stone. "The eastern section is hilly and mountainous, with some heights of considerable elevation, affording an extensive and interesting prospect of Hartford, and the beautiful valley of the Connecticut.

This was near the foot of the mountain, on the principal road which passes through the town from Enfield to Stafford. + Dr. Trumbull.