Saybrook, Connecticut
Middlesex county. This is one of the most ancient towns in the state. Lord Say and Seal, Lord Brook and other gentlemen of England, dissatisfied with the government of Charles I., contemplating a removal to this country, procured, in 1632, of Robert, Earl of Warwick, a patent of all the country "which lies west from Narraganset river, a hundred and twenty miles on the sea coast; and from thence in latitude and breadth aforesaid, to the South Sea." In 1635 they appointed Mr. John Winthrop, a son of the governor of Massachusetts, to build a fort on Connecticut river, and appointed him governor for one year.
In the summer of 1639, Colonal George Fenwick, one of the patentees, arrived from England, and in honor of Lord Say and Seal, and Lord Brook, gave the tract about the mouth of Connecticut river, the name of Saybrook. Colonel Fenwick superintended the affairs of the colony until 1644, when, his associates having relinquished the design of removal to America, sold the jurisdiction of Saybrook to the Connecticut colony.
The original limits of the town extended upon the east side of the river for several miles, and included a part of the town of Lyme. The township now comprises three parishes, viz: Saybrook, Westbrook, and Essex. Saybrook parish is the southeast section of the town. The Indian name for this place was Pattaquasset. West of this is Westbrook parish, which was called by its Indian name Pochaug, until October 1810. North of these town parishes is Pautapoug or Essex.
Saybrook village is 40 miles S.S.E. from Hartford, 34 E. from New Haven, and 18 W. from New London. Population, 1830, 5,018.
