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The Southport, Conn. Collection
Collection, Ms 55
1831 – 1981
Southport was settled as part of the Town Fairfield in 1639. The area was originally known as Sasqua Field, then as Mill River, and finally, when incorporated as a borough in 1831, Southport. Agriculture was the primary source of income in the 17th to mid-19th centuries. Without benefit of a central village green, the harbor at the mouth of the Mill River became the focus of village life. Coastal trade to New York and Boston made Southport the economic center of Fairfield until the advent of the railroad in 1848, which provided less expensive and faster transportation. The Mill River also supported mills, including grain, fulling and carding mills.
Southport residents also supported a large array of cultural and civic organizations, some of whose records are included in this collection. Complete histories of Southport can be found in the library.
Southport residents also supported a large array of cultural and civic organizations, some of whose records are included in this collection. Complete histories of Southport can be found in the library.
The collection consists of an assortment of records pertaining to Southport. The first two folders contain records of the formation of the borough of Southport in 1831 and minutes from borough meetings up to 1854. Advertisements, circulars and records of several Southport businesses are organized in Folder C. These include Malted Cereal, Sherwood & Matson Painters, and the Uncowa Water & Light Co. Miscellaneous papers in folders D-F include a copy of the Southport Annual Register, 1867; programs; letters and memoranda concerning the harbor, the Great Swamp fight, and roads within the village; and notices to and from the Southport Council. These materials date from ca. 1860-1952. Folder G contains programs of performances sponsored by the Pequot Music Club, 1977-1981. An account book containing annual inventories of the store of J. A. Wakeman & Co., 1889-1892, is in Folder H. Folder I contains records of the Southport Civic Assocation, 1916-1920; Folder J contains an anonymous checkbook from the Southport National Bank, 1903.
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