Wethersfield

Hartford County · dedicated 1976 · location approximate

WETHERSFIELD "The Most Auncient Towne in Connecticut" In 1633 John Oldham, with a few friends from the Massachusetts Bay Colony, struck out overland to explore this territory, called Pyquaug (cleared land) by the Wongunk Indian tribe. Before their petition was approved by the Massachusetts General Court, ten "Adventurers" led by John Oldham settled here in 1634 on land they purchased from the Indians. In May, 1635 the Massachusetts Court approved the "new plantation", calling it Watertown. The Connecticut General Court in 1636 renamed the town Wythersfeild. By 1639 the town boundaries were extended to include Naubuc (Glastonbury), Stepney (Rocky Hill), & West Farms (Newington). These towns separated respectively in 1692, 1843, & 1871. Pipestaves, shipbuilding, & grist mills were early industries. The Town Cove was a major river port. Fertile riverside meadows farmed at that time have endured to this day.

Text transcribed from the cast town markers erected under Connecticut's town historical marker program in the 1970s and early 1980s. Presented as a historical record.

Digital Commonwealth, Boston Public Library

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Marker text: Connecticut Historical Commission town marker program (1970-1983), text as cast on the markers
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