Plymouth in Naugatuck Valley Region, Connecticut — The American Northeast (New England)
The Mystery of the Stoughton Bell
This bell came from the Stoughton Building, the structure with the cupola and windvane on your right. It was named after the family of Frederick Stoughton, who donated funds for its renovation in the 1950s.
The inscriptions on the bell provide clues to its origin.
It was cast (FEGIT) in 1835 (MDCCCXXXV) at the Doolittle Bell Foundry in the New Haven for J Ward.
It rang for social gatherings, historic occasions, and every July 4th.
But was the Stoughton Building always at this location?
This engraving, created sometime between 1796 and 1838, shows the Stoughton Building on the other side of North Street, where the Baptist Church is today.
When and why was it moved? Nobody knows. The mystery lives on!
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Historic Bells series list. A significant historical date for this entry is July 4, 1835.
Location. 41° 40.343′ N, 73° 3.235′ W. Marker is in Plymouth in Naugatuck Valley Region, Connecticut. It is on Park Street north of U.S. 6, on the left when traveling north. Touch
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Regionally, this marker is in Connecticut’s Berkshire Foothills and in the Litchfield Hills. It is also in the American Northeast and in New England. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once Litchfield County and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: First Congregational Church of Plymouth (a few steps from this marker); Plymouth Soldiers Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Plymouth Center School (within shouting distance of this marker); Plymouth Burying Ground (within shouting distance of this marker); Constitution Oak (within shouting distance of this marker); Site Of St. Peters Church (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Plymouth (approx. 0.6 miles away); Clifford R. French Post (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Plymouth.
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 20, 2026
2. The Mystery of the Stoughton Bell Display
Credits. This page was last revised on June 28, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 28, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 17 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 28, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
