"During the revolutionary War, and for several years after, up to the commencement of the present century, large quantities of powder were manufactured in New Haven, at Westville. There were two mills engaged in the business — one in the upper, and the other in the lower part of the village. The business was carried on by Isaac Doolittle, Jeremiah Atwater, and Elijah Thompson... The city of New Haven relied on the will of Elijah Thompson, who died in 1836, for the title to West Rock: Elijah Thompson devised that, upon the death of his heirs, the land should be used for park purposes."
