Ridgefield in Fairfield County, Connecticut — The American Northeast (New England)
The Town Common and Hauley House
Ridgefield, Connecticut
— The Museum in the Streets —
Photographed By Michael Herrick, June 2, 2010
1. The Town Common and Hauley House Marker
The First Meeting House was built on the green in 1713. In 1723 the first Congregational Meeting House was erected and served as a school, church and government building. It was replaced in 1800 by a second Meeting House, in use until 1888 when the current church on the corner of West Lane and Main Street was dedicated. The Town Common, today encompassing much of the front yard of the Methodist Church, was used for militia drills as early as 1727. The first pound was built in the churchyard on the village green, fenced in for community grazing of cattle, sheep and other animals. According to the Rev. Samuel Goodrich there were 2, 000 sheep in Ridgefield in 1800.
The Hauley House is one of the oldest houses in Ridgefield. When the Proprietors laid out the town, Lot # 5 was reserved for their first minister. By 1713 the Rev. Thomas Hauley, a graduate of Harvard College, arrived from Northampton, Mass. And began performing his pastoral duties. In 1714 he was elected Town Register, taking over that post from John Copp. Hauley continued serving the town until his untimely death in 1738.
Erected by
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the The Museum in the Streets®: Ridgefield, Connecticut series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1713.
Location. 41° 16.566′ N, 73° 29.849′ W. Marker is in Ridgefield, Connecticut, in Fairfield County. Marker is at the intersection of Main Street (Connecticut Route 35) and King Lane, on the right when traveling north on Main Street. Located in front of the Rev. Thomas Hawley House. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 236 Main Street, Ridgefield CT 06877, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Rev. Thomas Hawley House (a few steps from this marker); Ridgefield Veterans Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Benedict Arnold's Betrayal and Lieutenant Joshua King (within shouting distance of this marker); Ridgefield's Colonial Plans (within shouting distance of this marker); Keeler Tavern and the “Big Shop” (approx. 0.2 miles away); Keeler Tavern (approx. 0.2 miles away); Ridgefield Veterans Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); The Confederate Bell (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ridgefield.
Regarding The Town Common and Hauley House. The name is variously spelt
Photographed By Michael Herrick, June 2, 2010
2. The Town Common and Hauley House Marker
Photographed By Michael Herrick, June 2, 2010
3. The Town Common and Hauley House Marker in front of the Rev. Thomas Hawley House
Credits. This page was last revised on November 25, 2021. It was originally submitted on June 18, 2010, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 856 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 18, 2010, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.
