Connecticut western news., 1874-11-27
[ Written in lSl9.)

Sharon, considerable and hourishing post township, Is situated upon the west ern border of the county and State, 47 miles from Hartford bounded N. by Sa- lisbury. E. by the Ousatonick, which sep arates it from Cornwall, s. hy Kent, and w. by tho State of New York. I.s aver age length is about 9 miles. and Its aver age breadth nearly miles, comprising about 52 square miles.
 Both the surface and soil of the tow nship D are strikingly diversified, and correspond with It's geological character. Its eastern section sbounds with elevated hills, and some granite mountainous ranges, inter spersed with which there are deep valleys.
 This district affords good gEazing; and some tracts are tolerably we'll adapted to grain. The soil is 8 gravelly loam, and considerably stony. The western section of the town, bordering upon the State of New York, consists of an extensive cal careous vale, having level or undulating surface. and rich and fertile soil of cal careous loam.
 This district is admirably adapted to grain, and produces excellent wheat, rye, corn and oats, and in great abundance. II is one of the richest and best tracts of land in the State for a grain culture. The soil in this section reposes upon 8 bed uf lime- stone, and some rocks or quarries of mar ble have been discovered; and Iron ore is supposed to exist in various places; but neither have been worked, or in any re- spect received much attention,
 The natural growth of timber consists principally of oak, chestnut, walnut. ash and maple.
 The Ousatonick river washes the east ern border of the town, and separates it from Cornwall Across this stream there are several bridges. Its western section is watered by small stream, called Oblong river.
 Mudge's and Indian ponds are situated upon the western border of the town. The former is @ considerable body of water, and the latter is partly in the State of New York.
 There arc two turnpike roads which pass through this town one leading to Hart ford, and the other to New Haven.
 The town contains two parishes or locat. ed ecclesiastical Societies. Besides which, there is one Society of EpiscOpAlians, and one of Metbodists.
 In the first local Society, there is pleas ant and considerable village, comprising 50 or 60 dwelling houses, several of which are neat and handsome, ? churches, post office, and several merchantile stores.
 The most considerable manufacturing establishment is Duck manufactory, upon an extensive scale. There is something done Ut the iron manufacture, there beiDg forge besides which there are grain mills, carding machines, ? distilleries for cider, and tanneries. There are mer- caatile stores and tsverns.
 The population of the town, in lSlo, was 270S; there are Sso dwelling houses, 800 freemen or electors, and companies of militia.
 The amount of taxable property, in, cluding polls, is $65, sos; and the valuation ot lands and buildings, in 1915, compris- ing 29, ,3SS acres, amounted to $G95. 3Oe ; being 2al0O dollars per acre. In l799, the real estate of this town, together with Sal isoury, was assessed, upon the same princi- pie of valuation, at only $l2,l34; belug $s3, l6s less than the valuation of Sharon in 1915. This is a very surprising rise of landed estate, in an inland and agricultural town, for the short period of lS years.
 There are, in the town, 15 School dis tricts and primary schools. aud an Acad- emy for young gentlemen and ladies. 2 socisl libraries, physicians 8 attornies and clergyman.
 Sharon was settled in the year l738. In the spring of that year, l5 or 20 families removed there from Colchester and Leban- or, and commenced 8 settlement. The next year the settlement received consider able accession, by the immigration of sever al families from New Haven, which Fen dered 1t quite respectable. The town WAS incorporated in October l739.