Connecticut Historical Collections

The city of Bridgei)ort was incorporated in 1836. It is mostly built on the west side of an arm of the sea, 17 miles s.w. from New Haven, 62 miles from New York, and 4 from Fairfield. The harbor extends about three miles inland to the head of tide water, where it meets Pe- quanock river, a considerable mill stream. The average width of the harbor, at high water, is eighty rods. At low water most of it is bare, leaving a channel about a dozen rods wide ; common tides rise seven feet, spring tides nine. The depth of water on the bar, at high water, is about thirteen feet ; within the bar the water is much deeper, having a muddy bottom. 'I'l e bridge across the harbor is about one mile and BRIDCIEPOKT, 373 a half from its mouth, seventy five rods in length, built on trestles, with a draw for vessels to proceeii 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 tl)ree 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 Jiritlgcport. The original name of the village, (now city,) was Newfield, which in 1800 was incorjjorated as a borough, and called Bridgeport. There are live churches in the limits oi'the city; 1 Episcopal, erected in 1801, now (1837) used by the Baptists ; 2 Congregational — the first Congre- gational church was erecterl in 1803, by the society formerly worship- ing in Stratfiuld, the other in 1830; the JMethodist church, erected in 1822; and the present Episcopal church, now building. The ancient meeting house of the parish of Stralfield stood about one mile and a half northwest of the central part of the city, on the line road between Fair- field and Bridgeport; it was taken down a year or two since. The above is a representation of tlie churches in this place, all stand- ing in a direct line. The nearest building in the view, which is seen on * This hill is piully a rocky eminence. In the stone is found ising-glass uC a i^old color, lience the name Gulden hill. A numerous tribe of Indians formerly lived on this hill, and wii'o called " the Golden hill tribe." Their skeletons are frequently du,!j up on the b, iks of the Peqiionnoc river. 374 BRIDGEPOUT. the right, is the second Congregational church ; the next north is the Baptist, (formerly the Episcopal church ;) the next huilding is the first Congregational church ; the new Kpiscopal 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. Tlie first bridge was erected across tlie harbor in 1783. There are two banks in this place, the Bridgeport and Connec- ticut banks, the former incorporated in 1806, the latter in 1831. The number of inhabitants within the limits of the town, at this time, is es- timated 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 183G for a rail road, called the " Housatonic Rail Road," following the valley of the Housatonic, about eighty five miles, to West Stockbridge, Mass. Frovi the Conncclicut Journal, Dec. 15, 1779. On the 4th ult. about 25 volunteers, under tlie command of Captains Lockwood, Hawley, Jones, and Lieulenanls Jaclfson and Bisliop, set olF from Newfield liarbor on an expedition to Long Inland, to feicli ol!" Thomas Jones, Esq., one of tlie judges of their Supreme Court, and a warm Loyalist ; they crossed tlie Sound that evening, ar- rived at Stony Brook near Smith To«n, and then marched to Fort Nick, (said Jones' place of residence,) where they arrived llie Gth, about 9 o'clock in the evening, being 52 miles, and after surprising llie 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 wliich lime the enemy's light horse -were near,) the following evening they retreated to their boats, having taken two pris- oners more, crossed the Sound and arrived safe at Black Rock, in Fairfield, on the Sth ; excejit six men, who being in the rear, wore taken by the light horse. The object of the above expedition appears to have been the capture of some person of sullicient rank to excliange for Gen, Silliman, who was captured by the enemy a short time previous. The following is from the 3d vol. of Dwighl's Travels. In 1779, RLijor General Silliman was appointed by the governor and council of safety, superintendant of the coast of the county ol' 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 nametl Glover, a carpenter; who had been employed by General Silliman not long before; and having been some time at the house -was i)erfectly ac- quainted 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 Mere awakened by a violent assault upon the door. General Silliman sprang out of bed, seized a musket, and ran to the door. As he pa.ssed by the window he saw the men, and at once comprehended their design. He then attempted to lire his mnskel ; 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 pistolsja sword and some other articles of no great value, proceetl- ed 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 Siilimans are not worth a man, nor your Washinglons.' General Silliman's eldest son was taken with him. The prisoners were ordered to the guard-house. The General asked the BROOKFIELU. 375 Adjutant whether this was the manner they treated prisoners of his rank. The Ad- jutant replied, ' We do not consider you in the same lii;ht as we should a continental General, ilovv, said General Silliinan, will you view nie when an exchange shall be proposed! 'I understand you,' said the Adjutant, and withdrew. These questions proliably preserved General Silliman I'rom the indignity of being confined in a guard- house. Soon after, he and his son were conducted m a carriage to New York, under an escort of Dragooii.s. 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 piisoner in the possession of the Americans, whom the British would accept in exchange for General Silliman ; and after some consideration, it was determined to piocure 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 Britlguport,) uoderlook to accomplish the design. Having selected a proper crew, he proceeded in a whale boat to Long Island, and liaving land- ed his men, concealed his boat in some bushes near the shore. Of the place where they lantied I am ignorant; but it is said to have been at least fitly miles IVom the place of their destination. The hou.se of Judge Jones stood, and probably now stands, on the north side of Hempstead plain, in a solitude rather pleasant, and certainly very favor- able 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 ap- proach of the adventurers from being heard. Captain Hawley knocked ai the door, and perceiving that noboily heard him, forced it, and found Judge Jones standing in the entry. He insiunily told liiin he was his prisoner, and immedialely conducted him olf, together with a young gentleman whose name was Hewlett. A guard of sol- diers were posted at a small distance from their road. When they came near the sjiot, 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 repe- tition would be followed by fatal con.sequcnces, 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 immeiliately to Newfield.