Connecticut western news., 1874-11-13
CANAAN IN 1919.

FROM THE "GAZETEER'' OF THE STATES
 CF CONNECTICUT AND RHODE ISLAND.
 BY JOHN 0. pEAsE AND JOHN M. NILES.
 Written in lSl9.l
 Canaan, a considerable post township, is situated in the northwestern section ot the county, Al miles northwest from Hart ford; bounded on the north by Massachu- setts line, on the east by Norfolk, on the south by Cornwall, and on the west by the Ousstonick river, which divides it from Salisbury. r.. r-.
 The township comprises an area of about 50 square miles; having an average length from north to south of about miles, and mean breadth of nearly miles.
 The face of the country is broken and mountainous, several considerable ranges, some of which are elevated, extending through the town in northeasterly and southwesterly direction. These ranges are of a primitive granite character. Between the mountains and hills there are extensive caleareous vales. These Yales have internal strata of limestone; numerous quarries ot which, In these calcareous strata, have been opened for the making of lime. The best limestone is usually found on the northern declivities of small eminences. In the northeasterlY section of the township, iron ore has been discovered near the surface. A mine has been opened, and quantities of the ore raised and worked. The ore was found to be rich, as to the quantity of iron which 1t contained; but 1t is of an inferior quality. ..r. s....- .,-
 The soil is various, being of different quality in different sections, according to their geological character. Upon the noun tains, hills, and their decliyities, it is gene rally primitive gravelly loam; and in most of the valleys it Is calcareous loarn. The former are principally reserved for forests, or improved by grazing; and the latter are admirably adapted to grain culture, afford ing excellent crops of wheat, rye, corn and oats There is considerable broken and waste land in the township, but many sec tions that are rich and fertile; so that it may be considered as good and flourishing agricultural town. ,., 4.
 The forests comprise various species ot trees, principally ceciduous; oak, chestnut, walnut, butternut, beach, sugar maple, soft maple, birch, hemlock, white and yellow pine, white and red cedar, spruce, red, white and black ash, elm, bass, boxwood, whlsewood, peperidge, mountain ash, sassa fras, alder, &c.
 The agricultural productions are rye, h. dian corn, oats, wheat, buckwheat, peas beans, barley, cheese, butter, beef, pork fax, hax-seed, &c. The staples are rye ane corn, of which there are annually consider able quantities raised that are sent abroad for market.
 The western border of the township l! washed by the Ousatonick river; and th' interior is watered by numerous smal ssreame, of which Blackberry river, tha
 r,ses In Norfolk and runs through the town and Hollenbach, having it's source within the town, and both of which discharg , their waters into the Ousatonick, are th' } principal. Upon these and other smalle , streams, there are numerous sites for hyd
 raulic works.
 This town is accommodated with severa 3 turnpike roads; the GreenwOOds turnpike
 
 passes through this town; the Litchfel
 and Canaan turnpike. leading to Litchfeld , and the Canaan and Salisbury turnpike g which unites with the last mentioned, nea a the old furnace in Salisbury.
 The manufactures of the town are prin . cipally of iron, which constitute an impol !. tant, and in general profitable business e There are 8 forges, anchor shops, and 4 furnaces. The ore used here is transporte
 from Salisbury. The iron manufa cture have developed an ex ensive field of indus = try, and are sources of considerable wealth e Besides these, there are cotton factory a 1 dlstillery, grain mills, plaster mill, l
 saw mills, and carding machines. Ther 5 are . number of limekilns in this town; an = large quantities of lime are annually made < and sent to different places for market |, In 1910, there were 2133 inhabitants i " this town; and there are now about 30 electors, 200 militia, and PFC dwelling d houses.
 6 The mercantile business is respectable there being 9 dry goods and grocery store in the town.
 r. The civil or corporate divisions are lo D cated congregational societies and IF schot h districts. Besides the located, there are other religious societies: one of Methodis , and one of Friends. or Quakers There al
 l9 pIimaiy scnools, one Ill eacn uASsI'C' r. 3 social libraries, 8 attorneys, clergymel e and 2 practising physicians.
 d This township was sold at New London
 at auction, in l733; and the settlement con 'o menced in June the same year. The fir q settlers were Daniel and Isaac Lawrenc, V and John Franklin; but they were 500 o joined by various others. The town WI . incorporated Tn l739 and the first clerg, T man, the Rev. Elisha Webster, was settle y in October 1740.