Author: Michelle Shen

In the earliest days of the Republic, its independence was in jeopardy when, in 1812, the United States became embroiled in War with Great Britain over that nation’s assault on American commercial vessels trading in international waters. In Fairfield, of which Westport was a part, locals gave land and funds to create a magazine to store gunpowder for the town’s defense.  The War ended in 1815 in a tie, and Americans went back to the business of nation-building. A few years later, in 1818, Connecticut enacted its state constitution–the last of the original thirteen states to do so.  

With war behind it, and the State Constitution secured, Connecticut threw itself in the drive toward an Industrial culture. By 1820 Westport (Saugatuck Village) had become a major shipping center. The residents of this area grew tired of traveling three miles to Green’s Farms Congregational Church. Completed in 1832, Saugatuck Congregational Church was built on the Post Road on land provided by  Ebenezer Jesup, a prominent Saugatuck merchant. After much discussion the original 36 members of Saugatuck Church were formally dismissed by letter from the Society of Green’s Farms. Ebenezer Jesup’s stately home, built in 1811, was donated to the church for use as the parsonage by his grandson, Morris Jesup, in 1885. Saugatuck Church has thrived, through the founding of the Town of Westport in 1835, a move of the church across the Post Road in 1950 to sit next to the parsonage house, and a disastrous fire in 2011. 

Dive in and learn more about the history of Westport, the quintessential New England town

Connecticut was a Patriot stronghold during the American Revolution and its shoreline was strategic both in terms of military engagement and espionage—particularly relating to Long Island, just across the Sound which was occupied by British forces. Early in the conflict, outright battle came to Westport when, in the spring of 1777, the British landed a force of 2,000 men on Compo Beach. The goal was to proceed to Danbury to confiscate or destroy the Patriot’s supply of tents and other provisions stashed there.  As the British marched to Danbury the Patriots mustered their forces but were too late to stop them from plundering and burning that town. 

Upon leaving Danbury the Patriots attacked the British column as it approached Ridgefield but Patriot Brigadier General Benedict Arnold temporarily slowed their progress in Ridgefield with a force of 500 men.  The following day Arnold desperately tried to block the raiders’ return to their ships with a force of 2,000 men stationed on Old Hill.  In a white-knuckle showdown the British outwitted Arnold by crossing the Saugatuck River at Ford Road and made a mad dash for their ships as Arnold’s troops pursued them before being scattered by British bayonet charges on Compo Hill. 

Dive in and learn more about the history of Westport, the quintessential New England town

In April 1775, George Washington, newly minted commander of the Continental Army, passed through Westport en route to Boston to lead the colonial militia that succeeded in beating back the British at the Battle of Lexington & Concord. He stopped at West Parish Meeting House (Greens Farms Church) to rest and speak with Reverend Hezekiah Ripley about impending war. 

The conflict was no surprise to either man-the colonies had borne harsh taxes to pay for the French and Indian War (Sevens Year War) between England and France that took place from 1754-1763. In 1764 the Currency Act prevented colonies from printing local money and 1764’s Sugar Act taxed molasses. The 1765 Stamp Act levied fees on legal documents and playing cards. The Townshend Act of 1767 taxed writing paper, paint, lead, glass and tea. 

By 1773, spurred by outrage, a group calling themselves the Sons of Liberty dumped $1,000,000 worth of British tea into Boston harbor. The British retaliated by blockading the city. 

Instead of breaking colonists’ spirit, revolutionary fervor grew. In April 1775 the Revolution properly began. Black and white Westporters enlisted on both sides. Reverend Ripley would go on to be a chaplain in Washington’s army. He ministered to soldiers at Valley Forge.

Dive in and learn more about the history of Westport, the quintessential New England town

The Connecticut Colony played a significant role in the French and Indian War, also known as the Seven Years War. The rivalry between France and Britain in the North American colonies, each with Native American allies, played out in battles across Western Pennsylvania, Ohio, and New York. 

England expected her colonies to provide men and materials. Over seven years, 16,000 men or 12% of the Connecticut Colony volunteered. Most did so for economic reasons; the signing bonus and salary were a source of income to poor farmers. However, the enlistees paid a price: 1,445 Connecticut troops died in battle during the war years. 

Rosters from Fairfield regiments include many familiar names from Westport’s past: Coley, Sturges, Wakeman, Gould, Burr,  and Sherwood.  A Captain Smedley led his troops to Fort William Henry in 1757 to relieve a siege in what would be a devastating loss for the British troops. Jabez Fitch Jr., a sergeant with a New London regiment, described how the Mohawk tribe allied with the French “plundered, stripped, killed and scalped our people.” The men from this area were accustomed to hostile relations with Native Americans; Greens Farms was settled only after defeating the Pequot Indians during the Great Swamp War of 1637. 

The war left the colony deeply in debt, but there was more financial trouble to come. Since the colonies benefited from the outcome of the war, the British decided that they should share the expense by paying tariffs on sugar, coffee, wine, and other imported commodities. Colonial opposition to these tariffs would later set the stage for the American Revolution.  

Dive in and learn more about the history of Westport, the quintessential New England town