What is the history of Ridgefield, Connecticut?
Ridgefield was first settled by English colonists from Norwalk, ConnecticutNorwalk and Milford, ConnecticutMilford in 1708 when a group of settlers purchased land from Chief Catoonah of the Ramapoo IndiansRamapoo tribe. The town was incorporated under Royal Charter in 1709. The most notable 18th Centery event was the Battle of Ridgefield (on April 27, 1777). This Revolutionary War skirmish involved a small colonial militia force (the Connecticut Continentals), led by, among others, General David Wooster, who died in the engagement, and Benedict Arnold, whose horse was shot from under him. They faced a larger British force that had landed at Norwalk and was returning from a raid on the colonial supply depot in Danbury, Connecticut. The battle was a tactical victory for the British but a strategic one for the Colonials since the British never again attempted a landing by ship to attack colonial strongholds during the war. Today, the dead from both sides are buried together in a small cem
