Voluntown, W. by Ledyard and Preston, E. by Rhode Island, and S. by Stonington. The township is rough, hilly, and abounding with granitic rocks. The soil is a gravelly loam and affords good grazing. It is watered by the Pawcatuck and its branches, which afford sites for mills and other water works. Agriculture is the principal business of the inhabitants. The only village in the town is called Milltown. It consists of between 20 and 30 dwelling houses, five mercantile stores, and two houses of worship; 1 for Congregationalists, the other for Baptists. There are also two other Baptist churches in the limits of the town. Milltown is 13 miles from New London, 12 from Norwich, 7 from Stonington Borough and 5 from Pawcatuck bridge.

The Rev. Joseph Fish, appears to have been the first minister in this town; he was ordained in 1732, it being about this time that the town of Stonington was divided into two societies. About the year 1740, was a period of great religious excitement, and Separate churches were established in the eastern part of Connecticut. In 1742, there was a separation in Stonington, especially from the church under the pastoral care of Mr. Fish.

Perceiving the errors of his people, and sensible that many of them, not excepting some of the members of his church, were very ignorant, he took great pains to instruct them, in private as well as public, and to convince them of their errors. But they appeared haughty and self-sufficient, and in their own opinion, were much wiser than their teacher, whom they treated with great abuse. They took great offense at a sermon he preached from Ephes. v. 1.-Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children. The principal design of the sermon, was to show what it was to follow God, or in what true religion consisted, which was the same thing. It was observed, that following God, as dear children, implied men's giving themselves wholly to him, to be governed by his commands; that it implied an imitation of him in his moral perfections, &c. It was insisted, that true religion consisted in thus following God; and that in this we had an infallible rule of trial, whether we were God's children or not. It was inferred, that true religion did not consist in extacies, in crying out in the time of public worship, in powerful impressions, in lively imaginations, or visions of a bleeding Saviour, &c.; that though the saints might have these things, yet that they were no evidences of a gracious state. On this, the house was filled with outcries against the preacher. He was declared to be an opposer to the work of God, making the hearts of his children sad, and strengthening the hands of the wicked. From this time, divisions and prejudices sprang up, increased and became settled. Disregarding their covenant Vows, which they had so lately entered into with their pastor and brethren; without taking any pains to reform the church, with respect to those things they conceived to be amiss, or without regarding the pains and remonstrances of their pastor and brethren to dissuade them; a large number finally separated themselves from this and all the standing churches.

"They alledged as reasons for their separation, that the standing churches were not true churches, but of anti-christ: That hypocrisy was encouraged by them, and they could have no communion with hypocrites. They maintained that the church should be pure, undefiled with hypocrisy, and that no hypocrite should abide with them. Upon this principle the separate churches set out. They publicly professed themselves to be elected of God, given to Christ, and effectually called, and as such, they covenanted together. They maintained that the whole power of ordination was in the church. They objected against their pastor for using notes, and at the same time praying for assistance in preaching. They maintained that God had redeemed their souls, and that they were not bound to rites and forms, but had liberty to worship where they thought fit. They objected, that there was not that liberty in the standing churches, and that food for their souls which they found in the meeting of the brethren. Because minis ters studied their sermons, they called their exercises, preaching out of the head, and declared that they could not be edified by it. They maintained, that there was no need of any thing more than common learning, to qualify men for the ministry; that if a man had the spirit of God, it was no matter whether he had any learning at all. Indeed the first separates at Stonington, held to a special revelation of some facts, or future events, not revealed in the scriptures. They elected their first minister by revelation. In less than one year, they chose, ordained, silenced, cast him out of the church and delivered him up to Satan.-Trumbull's Hist. Con. vol. 2, p. 171.

1

PRESTON.

THIS town was settled in 1686. The first clergyman in the town it appears, was the Rev. Salmon Treat, who was ordained Nov. 16th, 1698. The township is irregular in its form, bounded W. and N. by the Thames and Quinnebaug rivers, E. by Griswold and North Stonington, and S. by Ledyard. Its average length is about 7 miles and 44 in breadth. The face of the town is uneven, consisting of hills and vallies it is stony and rocky, and the soil is a gravelly loam, considerably fertile and productive. It is better adapted to grazing than tillage, though considerable quantities of Indian corn are raised. There are three houses of worship, 2 Congregational and 1 Baptist. Population in 1810, was 1,764; in 1830, it was 1,935.

Western view of Poquetannuck, Preston.

The above is a western view of Poquetannuck, an ancient village near the line between Ledyard and Preston; most of the village is in Preston. The village consists of about 30 or 40 dwelling houses and 4 mercantile stores. A large cotton factory was burnt here in 1835. The building seen on the extreme right is the Episcopal church, and is within the limits of the town of Ledyard. The village is situated about two miles from the Thames, at the head of a cove, and nearly 4 miles from Norwich city. Sloops can at high water, get within half a mile of the village; considerable quantities of ship timber and plank, are exported from this place, and many of the inhabitants are engaged in the seafaring business. Preston City, is a village in the eastern part of the town, about the size of Poquetannuck, in which there is a Baptist and a Congregational church. This village is six miles east from Norwich city, and five north east from Poquetannuck. There is a lake south of the village called Amos lake, which is a place of some resort for parties of pleasure.

New London, July 13, 1786. (951.) Lately arrived here from Poquatanuck River, where she was built under the direction of Col. Jeremiah Halsey, the present owner, a remarkable double decked Brigantine, burthen 140 tons, constructed and built with plank only, having no timber whatever belonging to her, except her keel, stern and stem post. She is said to be very strong, and is a well moulded vessel.

SALEM.

SALEM, formerly the society of New Salem, the principal part of which was in the bounds of Colchester, was incorporated a town in 1819. It was composed of the south section of Colchester, the north east section of Lyme, and the northerly section of Montville. It is bounded N. by Colchester, E. by Bozrah and Montville, S. by Montville and Lyme, and W. by East Haddam. It is about six miles long from north to south, and about five broad from east to west. The center of the town is about twenty nine miles southeast from Hartford, and about thirteen miles from New London. The inhabitants are substantial farmers, who live scattered about on their farms, which are tolerably fertile and productive. There is no place in the town which may be considered as a village. There are three houses of worship in the town, 1 Congregational, 1 Methodist, and 1 Episcopal.

STONINGTON.

THE first person who settled in Stonington, was William Cheeseborough, who removed here from Rehoboth, in Massachusetts, in 1649. It appears that complaints were made against him for trading with the Indians, repairing their arms, &c. which practices endangered the public safety. He was summoned before the General Court of Connecticut, who, declaring they had a clear title to those lands, reprimanded him for settling on them without their authority, and for his unlawful trading with the Indians. After giving bonds for his good conduct, he was allowed to continue upon the lands. The court promised him, that if he would procure a sufficient number of planters, they would give them all proper encouragement in making a permanent settlement. About 10 or 12 families in 1658, made settlements in this quarter; and finding there was a controversy between Connecticut and Massachusetts with respect to the title and jurisdiction, they on the 30th of June, entered into a voluntary compact to govern themselves, and conduct their affairs in peace, until it should be determined to whose jurisdiction they should submit. The principal planters were George Dennison, Thomas Stanton, Thomas Shaw, William, Elisha, and Samuel Cheeseborough, Moses and Walter Palmer. These, with some others were signers of the voluntary compact. The first settlement was made at Wequetequock cove, a little more than two miles N. E. of Stonington

Dr. Trumbull,

borough. Cheeseborough, or Cheesebro, and Palmer located themselves, one on each side of the cove: the cellars of their houses are still to be

seen.

Massachusetts claimed this tract of country, by virtue of the assistance they rendered to Connecticut, in the conquest of the Pequots. This claim was allowed by the commissioners of the colonies, and Mystic river was adjudged to be the eastern boundary of Connecticut. Upon the petition of the planters, Oct. 19th, the General Court of Massachusetts, made them a grant of eight miles eastward of the mouth of the Mystic, and eight miles northward into the country, and named the plantation Southerton. It continued under the government of Massachusetts, until after Connecticut obtained a royal charter.

West view of the Borough of Stonington.

Stonington is bounded north by North Stonington, west by Mystic river, separating it from Groton, east by Pawcatuck river, which separates it from Westerly in the state of Rhode Island, and south by Fisher's Island Sound and Narragansett Bay. It averages about seven miles in length from east to west, and upwards of six in breadth, containing 45 square miles.

The township is uneven, and abounding with rocks; the soil is, however, generally fertile, being well adapted for grazing. Within the limits of the town in many places, are single, large rocks lying loose upon the surface of other rocks imbedded in the earth. The three principal settlements, or villages, are Stonington borough, Lower Mystic, opposite Portersville, in Groton, and the village at the Head of Mystic. There is also a settlement of about 15 or 20 houses on the Connecticut side of the Pawcatuck river, at Pawcatuck bridge. There are 3 houses of worship, 2 Congregational, and one Baptist. There are one or two cotton, and one woollen factory in the town. The maritime situation and interests of Stonington, has rendered it a conspicuous nursery for seamen, who are distinguished for their enterprise, perseverance, and courage. There are 2 banks; the Stonington, and the Mystic.

Stonington borough was incorporated in 1801. It is situated on a narrow, rocky point of land of about half a mile in length, at the eastern extremity of Long Island Sound. The borough consists of about 150 dwelling houses and stores, and upwards of 1000 inhabitants, 2 churches, 1 Congregational, and 1 Baptist; 2 Academies, where the higher branches of education are taught, and 1 Bank. Sealing and Whaling is the principal business. In some years 100,000 Seal skins have been brought into this place. The Breakwater at this place was erected by the United States, at an expense of about 50,000 dollars. In the severest seasons, ships can get up to the Breakwater without being obstructed by ice. Since the location of the New York, Providence and Boston rail road through this place, real estate has been more than doubled in value. Stonington borough is 12 miles east from New London, and 45 from Providence.

This town has become celebrated for the spirited and successful resistance which it made to the attack and bombardment of Sir Thomas Hardy, during the late war. The following account is taken from "Perkins' History of the Late War."

"On the 9th of August, (1814,) a detachment from the squadron off New London, consisting of the flag ship Ramilies 74, Pactolus 38, a bomb ship, and the Despatch brig of 22 guns, appeared off Stonington point. At five o'clock a note was addressed to the magistrates of the village by the commodore, informing them that one hour from the receipt of the note was allowed them for the removal of the unoffending inhabitants and effects. The officer who brought the note was inquired of whether a flag would be received from the magistrates; his reply was, that no arrangement could be made. On being asked whether Commodore Hardy had determined to destroy the town, he replied that such were his orders from Admiral Cochrane; and that it would be done most effectually. On receiving the communication, the village was thrown into the utmost consternation. The most valuable articles were hastily removed or concealed. The sick and aged were removed, the women, children, and inhabitants incapable of bearing arms, fled to the neighboring farm houses. A few militia stationed at the point, under the command of Lieutenant Hough, were placed in the best positions to give notice of any attempt to land. A number of volunteers hastened to the battery on the point, which consisted of two eighteens, and one four pounder mounted on field carriages, protected by a slight breastwork. An express was immediately des patched to General Cushing at New London, the United States commanding general of the district, with a request for immediate assistance. The general considered this as a feint intended to mask a real attack on fort Griswold, which commanded the harbor of New London; that the object of the enemy was to draw the regular troops and militia from that post, and in the mean time land a considerable force at the head of Mystic, four miles in the rear of the fort, and take it by storm. Having accomplished this object they could destroy or lay under contribution the town of New London, and proceed up the river and capture the frigates. This opinion of the general's was confirmed in consequence of the squadron having lately been reinforced; and a number of ships taking stations near Mystic. Having these views of the designs of the enemy, General Cushing made correspondent arrangements with Major General Williams, commander of the division of militia in that district; and orders were immediately given for the assembling of one regiment at the point of attack at Stonington; one at the head of Mystic river to prevent a landing for the purpose of attacking fort Griswold; one company of artillery and one regiment of infantry at Norwich port, a few miles in the rear of the frigates; and one company of artillery and regiment of infantry for the protection of fort Trumbull and the city of New London. These dispositions were promptly and zealously carried into effect.

"The village of Stonington point consists of about one hundred dwelling houses, and a number of stores, compactly built on a narrow peninsula extending half a mile, and forming a convenient harbor. The attack commenced on this village at 8 o'clock in the evening by a discharge of shells from the bomb ship, and rockets and carcasses

* General Cushing's letter to the secretary at war.