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New Fairfield History

Town History

In the year 1724, twelve English settlers from Fairfield, CT came to the area to purchase land from the Native American Schaghticoke tribe who inhabited it.
The twelve men were named Captain Nathan Gold, Gideon Allin, Samuel Wolfson, Jonathan Edwards, Samuel Jennings, John Barlow, Captain John Wakeman, Ebenezer Burr, Jonathan Sturges, Moses Dimon, Joseph Wakeman, and Thomas Edwards. They negotiated with the local sachem, Chief Squantz, of the Schaghticoke tribe who lived by the pond that still bears his name. The pond is now located in the Connecticut State Park known as Squantz Pond.
Returning in the spring of 1725 with documents to seal the purchase, the men found that Chief Squantz had died during the winter. His four remaining sons and heirs refused to honor the deal. It would be four more years of negotiations before the deed to purchase the land was signed on April 24th, 1729. The purchase price was 65 pounds sterling for 31,000 acres.
This land, along with a prior grant known as “Mitchell’s Purchase,” became what is now the Town of New Fairfield. 

A copy of the original deed may be seen in New Fairfield Town Hall.

Candlewood Corners postcard.jpg

General store at Candlewood Corner, known then as "Millers Corner." This building is now home to Icons Sports Bar.

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At the time, the original town consisted of two sections: the “Upper Seven Miles,” now the Town of Sherman, and the “Lower Seven Miles,” which makes up present-day New Fairfield. New Fairfield was officially incorporated in 1740, with the twelve original "Proprietors" managing civil affairs. In 1742, the South Society of New Fairfield (later the Congregational Church) built the first meeting house, which also served as the seat of local government. By 1759, the civil government was separated from the Church, and a town hall was constructed.

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During the early 19th century, New Fairfield thrived not only as an agricultural hub but also as an emerging industrial center. By the 1860s, the town supported a dozen business and manufacturing enterprises. However, by 1900, most of these firms had either relocated or dissolved. The creation of Candlewood Lake by Connecticut Light and Power in the late 1920s, intended for hydro-electric generation, transformed this once rural town into a sought-after residential and resort area.

Resources

List of other resources that detail New Fairfield's rich history:

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New Fairfield Library  - It houses the New Fairfield Historical Society's Historical Room which has many photos, documents, and artifacts pertaining to New Fairfield's history. www.NewFairfieldLibrary.org

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Preserve New Fairfield  www.PreserveNewFairfield.org

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​If you are interested in getting access to our archives, please contact us at nfhs1740@gmail.com

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