Stonington, Connecticut
New London county. This town is situated at the eastern extremity of Long Island Sound, at the S.E. corner of the state, and on the line of Rhode Island. It contains an area of about six square miles. The land is rocky and uneven, but fertile and productive. A considerable amount of agricultural products is annually sent from this town to Nantucket and other places. It is watered by the Mystic and Paucatuck, considerable streams, on which are cotton, woolen and other factories. Stonington was first settled in 1649, and incorporated in 1658. Population, 1830, 3,401.
This place was bombarded by British ships during the revolutionary war, and again on the 10th of August, 1814, and gallantly defended.
The harbor of Stonington sets up from the Sound, opposite Fisher's island, and is well protected by an expensive Breakwater.
This place is noted for the commercial enterprise of its people. Large capitals are employed in the whale, seal, and cod fisheries. Five whale ships recently arrived, bringing each, on an average, 3,100 barrels of oil, and 25,000 pounds of bone. The sealing business in the Pacific Ocean has been conducted here, very extensively, for many years, with great success. Many ships are built, and a large number of coasting vessels, and some in the West Indian trade, belong to this port. This place is accommodated with a marine rail way, and a light house at the entrance of the harbor.
Stonington Borough is located on a narrow point of land, extending into the Sound about half a mile. It was incorporated in 1801. It is handsomely laid out, is well built, and contains about 1,200 inhabitants. Many strangers visit this place in summer months to enjoy the marine air and delightful scenery. It lies 54 miles S.E. from Hartford, 12 E. from New London, and 62 E. from New Haven.
Stonington is an important point on the New York, Providence, and Boston Rail Road. The distance from New York to Brooklyn, on Long Island, across the ferry, is half a mile; from Brooklyn to Greenport, at the easterly part of Long Island, is 98 miles; from thence, across the Sound, to Stonington, 25; and from Providence to Boston 41 miles. Total distance from New York to Boston, by this route, 211 1/2 miles.
Until the completion of the rail road on Long Island, passengers are conveyed to and form New York, daily, by safe and splendid stream boats.
