Old Saybrook, Connecticut, USA (Saybrook Colony)
1839 Description of Saybrook, Connecticut

Saybrook, Ct.

Middlesex co. This is one of the most ancient towns in the state. Lord Say and Seal, Lord Brook and other gentlemen in 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, Colonel 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 the 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 Pataquasset. West of this is Westbrook parish, which was called by its Indian name Pochaug, until October, 1810. North of these two parishes is Pautapoug or Essex.

Saybrook is upwards of 7 miles in length from north to south, and averages more than 6 in breadth. The greater part of the township is uneven and stony. There are, however, some extensive levels, and tracts of rich soil, particularly in the vicinity of Saybrook village, in the southern part of the town. Some of the hills, near Connecticut river, have good granite quarries. There are several small harbors on the Sound, and on Connecticut river, at Saybrook point and Pautapoug. The bar at the mouth of the Connecticut is an impediment to navigation; vessels of a moderate draught are often obliged to pass it with part of their cargoes. The depth of water at the bar, at spring tides, is about twelve feet. Saybrook harbor is at the mouth of a handsome cove, making up from Connecticut river, and extending west almost to Saybrook village. It is often resorted to by coasters in bad weather. To this place the river is open through the winter, and it is here that vessels are frequently laid up, and goods deposited, while the river is frozen over above. Large quantities of fish are taken in this town. The shad fisheries are numerous, and a source of considerable wealth. Connecticut river shad are considered superior to any other in the country. White fish are taken upon the shores of the Sound, and are very valuable for the purposes of manure. They are afforded at a cheap rate; the lightest soils, enriched by them, have produced forty bushels of rye to the acre, and they have an equally advantageous effect upon the growth of corn and potatoes.

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.

Besides the business in navigation, the fishery, ship building and quarrying of stone, there are many manufacturing establishments in the several villages in this town. Among the articles manufactured, are augers, gimlets, hammers, steel carriage springs, ivory and iron combs, ink stands, sand boxes, &c.

The Borough of Essex is about 7 miles from the mouth of Connecticut river, on the west side. It is a place of considerable commerce, navigation and ship building, with a population of about 1,000.

Ship building was commenced in 1740, on the Pochaug, and is still a leading branch of business in the place. There are at present about 15 vessels owned here, principally coasters. It is estimated that there are 1,200 inhabitants in its limits.

Saybrook point is a peninsula, circular in its form, and connected with the main land by a narrow neck, over which the tide sometimes flows. From this place to the fort, on the eastern extremity of the peninsula, the distance is about one mile. On the neck, a palisado was anciently formed from the river to the cove, to secure Saybrook point from any sudden incursion of the Indians. The soil on the peninsula is light and sandy, and the elevation of the highest part is about twenty feet. Being nearly destitute of trees and shrubbery, it presents to the beholder a bleak and naked aspect.

The land on the point was laid out with care, as it was expected to become the residence of great men, and the center of great business and wealth. It is said that Oliver Cromwell, with other men then equally distinguished, actually embarked in the Thames, to occupy this ground. Westward of the fort a square was laid out, on which it was intended houses should be erected for Cromwell, Pymm, Hasselrig, and Hampden, the most illustrious Commoners in the English annals, who were expected from Europe; while a square still further west was reserved for public uses.

About half way between the palisado was erected the first building designed for the collegiate school, since named Yale College. This institution was founded in 1700, and remained at Saybrook 17 years. The building was one story in height, and about eighty feet in length. Some remains of the cellar, "over which the ploughshare has passed," are still visible. Fifteen commencements were held at Saybrook, More than sixty young men were graduated, most of whom entered the ministry, and some of them became characters of distinguished usefulness and excellence. To educate young men of piety and talents for the ministry, was the leading design of this institution. It was desired by the founders and others, that the churches should have a public standard or confession of faith, agreeable to which the instruction of the college should be conducted. This led to the adoption of the Saybrook Platform, after the commencement in 1708.

David Gardiner, was the first white child born in Connecticut. The following was written upon a blank leaf of an old bible, in possession of John G. Gardiner, Esqr., of Gardiner's Island, N.Y.

In the year of our Lord, 1635, the 10th of July, came I, Lion Gardiner and Mary my wife from Worden, a town in Holland, where my wife was born, being the daughter of one Diricke Willemson deureant; her mother's name was Hachir, and her aunt, sister of her mother, was the wife of Wouter Leanerdson, old burger Muster, dwelling in the hostrade, over against the Bruser in the Unicorne's head; her brother's name was Punce Garretson, also old burger Muster. We came from Worden to London, and from thence to New England, and dwelt at Saybrook fort four years—it is at the mouth of Connecticut river—of which I was commander, and there was born unto me a son, named David, 1635, the 29th of April, the first born in that place, and 1638 a daughter was born, named Mary, 30th of August, and then I went to an island of my own, which I had bought and purchased of the Indians, called by them Monchonack, by us Isle of Wight, and there was born another daughter, named Elizabeth, the 14th September, 1641, she being the first child of English parents that was born there."

Saybrook is a very pleasant town, and full of interesting associations.

The New England Gazetteer containing descriptions of all the states, counties and towns in New England: also descriptions of the principal mountains, rivers lakes, capes, bays, harbors, islands and fashionable resorts within that territory. By John Hayward, author of the Columbian Traveller, Religious Creeds, &c. &c. Boston: John Hayward. Boyd & White, Concord, N.H. 1839

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