The following description of Mansfield appeared in A gazetteer of the states of Connecticut and Rhode-Island published in 1819 (Hartford: W. M. Marsh).  It was written by John C. Pease and John M. Niles who, in the previous years, had visited every county and nearly every major town in Connecticut and Rhode Island.  They collected information about geography, climate, population and economy for each town.  Although published in 1819, the statistics are based on information gathered in 1810.

At that time Mansfield was clearly an agrarian community and the majority of its industries were related to agriculture.  But change was coming!  Compare this description to the one below, written twenty years later. 

“Mansfield, a considerable and flourishing post township, is situated upon the western border of the county, 28 miles east from Hartford; bounded on the north by Willington and Ashford, on the east by Hampton and Windham, on the south by Windham, and on the west by the Willimantic River, which separates it from Coventry…

The natural growth of timber is oak, walnut, chestnut elm, ash, maple, &c.

The agricultural productions are grass, rye, oats, Indian corn, butter, cheese, pork and beef.  The white mulberry tree is cultivated in this town, for the making of silk; and it is estimated, that 2500 lbs. of raw silk are annually manufactured.  The silk manufacture is a branch of industry unknown in most of our towns, and is confined principally to females, who are the guardians and attendants of the silk-worm, the most curious and useful of insects.

Besides the Willimantic, which washes the western border of the town, it is watered by Nachaug [sic] river and its tributary streams, the Mount Hope and Fenton, which unite their waters near the south part of town.  These streams afford various sites for mills and other water works.  In the first Society, there is a small pond, called Fish pond, comprising an area of about 30 acres.

The middle turnpike road from Hartford to Boston leads through this town, and also a turnpike from Norwich to Stafford, and another from Windham to Hartford.

The manufactures of the town consist of screw-augers, steelyards, horn combs the manufacture of which is carried on to considerable extent, sewing silk, cotton, of which there are two establishments, and woolen, of which there are 2 Factories.  There are also 7 Grain Mills, 10 Saw Mills, 5 Carding Machines, 1 Oil Mill, 3 Tanneries, and 7 Merchantile Stores.

The population of the town, in 1810, was 2570; and there are 500 Electors, 172 Militia, and 360 Dwelling houses.

The amount of taxable properties, including polls, is $62,750. 

The civil divisions of the town are 3 located Ecclesiastical Societies or Parishes and 19 School Districts.  There is also 1 Society of Baptists and 1 of Methodists; each of these Societies is accommodated with a house for public worship; and in each of the School Districts there is a primary or common School maintained.

There are 3 Social Libraries, 4 Physicians and 2 Clergymen, 1 Congregationalist and 1 Baptist.”