Torrington, Connecticut
Litchfield county. This town was first settled in 1737. Its surface is diversified by hills and valleys, and the soil is better adapted to grazing than the culture of grain. There are many sheep in the town, and the products of the dairy are considerable. Population, 1830, 1,654.
Two branches of Naugatuck river meet at Wolcottville, a beautiful village, in the south part of the town; 26 miles W.N.W. from Hartford, 40 N. by W. from New Haven, and 7 N. by E. from Litchfield. This village is situated in a valley, and contains an extensive woolen factory, a church, an academy, and a number of handsome dwelling houses. Near this village a good bed of copper ore has been recently discovered; and Mr. Israel Coe, the proprietor, has commenced the manufacture of brass kettles, the first establishment of the kind, it is believed, in the United States.
Wolcottville owes its rise, principally, to Oliver Wolcott, secretary of the United States Treasury, during the administrations of Washington and John Adams; and governor of Connecticut 10 successive years. He was born in Litchfield, and died in New York, 1833, aged 74.
