In 1659, English settlers purchased a nine-mile square tract of land from Uncas, sachem of the Mohegan tribe. This land evolved into the present towns of Norwich, Bozrah, Franklin, Lisbon, Sprague, western Griswold and Preston, as well as Jewett City, Long Society and part of Poquetanuck.
The original settlement was centered around the Congregational Meetinghouse on the Norwichtown Green. A second center, the seaport of Chelsea, developed two miles south at the head of the Thames River in the 1700s. Other developing neighborhoods include Greeneville, Thamesville, Yantic, Bean Hill, Falls Village and Laurel Hill.
The area thrived on West Indies trade and was incorporated as the City of Norwich in 1784.
Connecticut's first paper mill was built at Yantic Falls in 1766. The textile industry dominated industrial development in the 19th century. Mill villages were created along the Yantic and Shetucket Rivers, tributaries of the Thames. Other industry in the 19th and 20th centuries included firearms, clock-making, furniture-making, iron foundries and Thermos(tm) bottles.
New means of transportation helped establish Norwich's position as the hub of eastern Connecticut. The first turnpikes were laid out in the 1790s. Steamboat service to New York began in 1817, and the Norwich & Worcester Railroad started construction in 1835 joining the City to New York and Boston by combined steamboat and rail service.
In the American Revolution, the War of 1812 and the U.S. Civil War, Norwich provided both military and political leadership on the state and national level: Samuel Huntington, General Benedict Arnold, General Jedidiah Huntington, Christopher Leffingwell and Captain Samuel Chester Reid to name a few.
Wealthy Norwich families provided education for their daughters as well as sons. Several noted woman authors came from Norwich, including Lydia Huntley Sigourney.
A vigorous African-American community dates from the colonial period. Black and white residents alike were active in the struggle to abolish slavery.
Residents of Norwich have answered their nation's call in each era of conflict. Monuments and memorials throughout the community are a testament to their sacrifice.
Today, the City of Norwich encompasses some 26 square miles. The face of industry has changed dramatically. Buildings which were once mills now house shops, professional offices, flea markets and auctions. The lion's share of the twentieth century saw Norwich and southeast Connecticut as a region heavily supporting national defense with the U.S. Naval Submarine Base, the submarine builder General Dynamics and the U.S. Coast Guard Academy at the mouth of the Thames River. A reduction in the defense force greatly affected the area. The creation of two major gambling casinos within a 15 minute drive on each side of the Thames and the arrival of a professional sports team has enabled the Tourism and Hospitality industry to become the new mainstay for the region.
We have several Historic Districts as well as numerous individual sites on the National Register of Historic Places. Some tours are in place and others are being planned. Historical societies, libraries and reading rooms provide written collections for review. (Since some reference collections including materials on Norwich history are located outside the City, those within reasonable driving distance have also been listed.)
Before visiting, writing or phoning a research facility, please consult the Tips section to maximize your research success.
The Rose City Genealogy Club thanks City Historian Dale Plummer for contributing information for this section.
The original settlers in Norwich were of English origin. While some had been born in the New World, many had come from England. English settlement in Connecticut had begun in the 1630s along the Connecticut River, coming primarily from Massachusetts Bay Colony. Others came from Plymouth Colony or directly from England. In May 1659, settlers from Saybrook, Connecticut petitioned the Connecticut General Court for permission to start a settlement at Mohegan. Petition was granted quickly and in June, Mohegan leaders transferred the land to them. A small party constructed the first house and wintered over. In 1660, settlement began in earnest.
The leaders of this group were Major John Mason and Rev. James Fitch. Due to initially poor record keeping, a listing of original proprietors had to be constructed some years later in order for the Colony to comply with English law. Frances M. Caulkins in her History of Norwich provides the best listing available.
These settlers were:
Rev. James Fitch, Major John Mason, Christopher Huntington, Simon Huntington, Thomas Adgate, William Hyde, Robert Allyn, William Backus, William Backus., Jr., John Baldwin, John Birchard, Thomas Bliss, Morgan Bowers, Hugh Calkins, John Calkins, Richard Edgerton, Francis Griswold, Samuel Hyde, Thomas Leffingell, John Olmstead, John Pease, John Post, Thomas Post, John Reynolds, Jonathan Royce, Nehemiah Smith, Thomas Tracy, Robert Wade, Thomas Bingham, John Bradford, John Gager, Stephen Gifford, Richard Hendy, Thomas Howard, Thomas Waterman, John Tracy, Josiah Reed, Richard Wallis.
Norwich was considered "the firearms center of New England" from the Civil War to the Depression. It is said that in 1860, more firearms were made in Norwich than in any other city during the War Between the States. Manufacturers included: Bacon Arms Co.; Norwich Arms Co.; Norwich Nickel & Brass; CC. Brand; Whaling Gun; Cole & Walker, Machinists; Alvah Grimes, Gunsmith; Osgood Gunworks (also known as Norwich Pistol Co.); Hood Firearms Co.; Thomas E. Ryan, Gunmaker; Davenport Firearms Co.; Crescent Firearms Co.; Manhattan Arms Co.; Ethan Allen and Charles Hurber; Tobin Arms Co.; Hopkins & Allen. The most recognizable name in Norwich gun manufacturing was Smith & Wesson, which began on Central Wharf in Norwich, later moving to New Haven when the popularity of patented revolvers required a larger facility. The last of the guns and ammunition manufacturers closed in 1931, but the Guns of Norwich Historical Society is helping to preserve that part of the City's heritage.
The craftsmanship of Norwich clock-makers was a major influence in the northeast in the early days of America. These artisans became well known while working in other locations so their Norwich connection is sometimes overlooked. They are Thomas Harland, Joseph Carpenter, Daniel Burnap and Eli Terry.
The Leffingwell House Museum contains three of Joseph Carpenter's tall clocks as well as a Harland.
(1783-1861); Commander of American privateer General Armstrong in War of 1812 and planner of U.S. flag. A monument in his honor sits adjacent to Chelsea Parade.