Webster’s Schoolhouse

Life in the 1770s: The West Division of Hartford

In early America, West Hartford was known as the West Division of Hartford. This land was granted to the colonists through a treaty signed with the Sicaog (an Indigenous tribe) in 1636 (reaffirmed in 1670).

treaty, noun: an agreement or arrangement made by negotiation 

Agriculture was an important part of life in the West Division during the 1700s & 1800s. This community had hundreds of livestock animals, including horses, cows, pigs, and oxen. Also, there were thousands of sheep throughout the West Division.1 Sheep provided important resources, like wool, which could be used for clothing.

The soil in the West Division was very fertile, which meant it was perfect for growing crops, like apples and grain.2 This fertile soil also contained clay, which could be used for making ceramics and earthenware. In the late 1700s, the Goodwin family of West Hartford achieved regional fame with “Goodwin Pottery.” They used West Hartford clay to make everything from flower pots to tableware.3

The West Division was a tight-knit community that relied on each other. By 1774, many early Americans were upset with England, particularly after England issued the Intolerable Acts, a series of taxes on imported goods. At a 1774 Town Meeting in Hartford, early Americans voted to support non-importation. This meant that early Americans would only trade locally and not import products from England. As a result, trade created a sense of community within the West Division. 

Nobody was self-sufficient. In order to get the food, tools, and supplies they needed, people traded with each other. Many people in the West Division were farmers, and it was common for neighbors to trade goods and services with each other.4 During harvest season, West Division farmers traveled by horse and wagon four miles to Hartford for trading. This activity also helped build a sense of community, as residents lent horses and labor to those in need. Although men mostly traveled, women and children joined them several times a year.5

self-sufficient, adjective: able to take care of oneself or itself without outside help

By the 1770s, the town was 100 years old. There were about 150 homes and 1,000 residents.6 Everyone played an important role in the success of the community. The town had blacksmiths, schoolmasters, doctors, weavers, shoemakers, a minister, farmers, cabinetmakers, millers, servants and merchants. Often, people had multiple roles within the community. For example, Noah Webster’s father was a weaver by trade and also owned a farm. 

During this time, sawmills, gristmills, and blacksmith shops in the West Division served local needs.7 The town’s schoolhouses, church, and local militia were open to all and everyone could trade, including African Americans and widows.8 Some of the African-Americans who lived in town were slaves or servants and others were free. Many were farmers and some practiced trades.

gristmillnoun: a mill for grinding grain

Life in the West Division was not easy. People had to work hard everyday in order to survive. No matter how big or small their role, everyone played an important role in the success of the community.

1: Miriam Butterworth, Ellsworth Grant and Richard Woodworth, Celebrate! West Hartford, West Hartford, CT: Wolf Printing Co., Inc., 2001, 6.

2: Celebrate! West Hartford, 6.

3: Celebrate! West Hartford, 7.

4: Tracey Wilson, Life in West Hartford, West Hartford, CT: Tracey Wilson, 2018.

5: Life in West Hartford.

6: Life in West Hartford.

7: Celebrate! West Hartford, 7.

8: Life in West Hartford.

Butterworth, Miriam; Grant, Ellsworth; and Woodworth, Richard, Celebrate! West Hartford, West Hartford, CT: Wolf Printing Co., Inc., 2001.

Wilson, Tracey, Life in West Hartford, West Hartford, CT: Tracey Wilson, 2018.