The name of the town derives from the central
position its meeting house occupies, six
miles from three older neighbors, Waterbury,
Southbury and Woodbury.
Winter ecclesiastical privileges, permitting
local church services, were established for
West Farms, originally the southwest portion
of Waterbury, in 1768. In 1790, West Farms
and adjoining portions of Woodbury and South-
bury became a distinct ecclesiastical society
under the name of Middlebury. The first
house in the area was erected by Isaac
Bronson before 1702 on Breakneck Hill.
During the Revolutionary War, French General
Rochambeau and his troops established a camp
in the Breakneck Hill section on their march
to the final campaign at Yorktown, Virginia.
First petition to the General Assembly for
independence of Middlebury from Waterbury was
made in 1800. After much opposition
incorporation was granted in October, 1807.
Erected by the Town of Middlebury
the Middlebury Historical Society, Inc.
and the Connecticut Historical Commission
1976
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