"Mr. Rice of Beacon Falls killed a rattlesnake over four feet long in the eastern part of town."

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    "Oxford is a post township, situated in the northwestern section of the county, 14 miles northwesterly from New Haven, and 40 miles southwesterly from Hartford; bounded on the north by Middlebury and Waterbury, on the east by Woodbridge and Derby, on the south by Derby, and on the southwest by the Ousatonic river, which separates it from Newtown in Fairfield county, and on the west by Southbury. Its mean length from northeast to southwest is about 8 miles, and its mean breadth nearly 5 miles, comprising about 38 square miles.
    "The surface is uneven, being diversified with hill and dale. The prevailing soil is a gravelly loam; but in the western section of the town it is a calcareous loam, and is generally fertile and productive. There is a large proportion of forests, the timber of which is principally oak, walnut and chestnut. Considerable quantities of wood and timber are annually got to market, principally to New Haven, but some of which is sent to New York. The leading agricultural productions consist of wheat, rye and some other grains, grass, butter and cheese; small meats, fowls, esculent roots and culinery vegetables are sent to the New Haven market.
    "The town is well watered; the Ousatonic washes its southwestern border, and the Naugatuck runs through its northeaster section, in addition to which there are numerous small streams. Upon the Ousatonic there are several shad fisheries. The Woodbury turnpike, leading to New Haven, passes through this town; and also the Southbury turnpike leading to the same place, from up the Ousatonic river. "Of the mechanical employments and establishments in the town, the most important are 1 Woolen Factory, 3 or 4 Lime kilns, 1 large Hat Factory, 2 Fulling Mills and Clothiers' works, 3 Carding Machines for customers, 3 Grain Mills and 6 Tanneries. There are 3 Mercantile Stores and 1 Public Inn.
    "The population of the town, in 1810 was 1,445; and there are about 200 electors or Freemen, about 220 Dwelling Houses, and 1 Company of Militia.