Woodbury, CT Freshet, Nov 1853

Great Freshet, Nov. 13, 1853. This was by far the largest and most destructive freshet that the town has suffered since its first settlement. A continued torrent of water fell for several hours, raising the river and streams to a point three feet higher than was known by the "oldest inhabitant," and three feet higher than the "old Indian marks." The damage done was immense. Bridges, mills, dams, stacks of hay and other property, all disappeared before the angry flood. Many roads and intervales were destroyed, and all within reach of danger were more or less injured. The loss of all kinds to the town of Woodbury, must have been from $15,000 to $20,000. To Roxbury, the loss was probably $8,000 or $10,000. The rise of the river at Shepaug Falls, was about twenty-five, or some four feet higher than had been known before. Similar damage in character and amount was done in Southbury, Washington, and other neighboring towns. All this happened in an incredibly short lime, forming the most remarkable flood, in all respects, that ever visited these regions.

History of Ancient Woodbury, Connecticut, 1854, page 798
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Transcribed by Linda Horton. Thank you, Linda!