"Twelve Mile Hill" is the
oldest English name given to "that fine, beautiful dome which
lies directly west of Naugatuck and rises 850 feet. It is the highest
point in New Haven County."
In 1671, the Colonial government granted to Mattatuck Plantation
(Waterbury) that "the northern limit of the plantation should
extend 12 miles form its southern boundary." The measurement
led to the summit of "Twelve Mile Hill". A stake was placed
there for surveying purposes. The stake stood faithfully for almost
100 years.
It was replaced by an apple tree. It, too, has long disappeared.
The first English land owner on the hill was John Standly who received
a grant of 12 acres in about 1687. Later, this land was sold to
the Rev. Joseph Moss and his brother Samuel. According to the deed,
this tract of land is described as "in the precincts of Derby,
situated at a place known by the name of "12 Mile Hill",
joining upon the bounds of the town of Waterbury on the north, running
from "Twelve Mile Stake, which standeth on the top of said
hill, ¼ of a mile eastward, which will make the length of
said land a half mile, and to run from said stake 100 rods south,
which maketh 100 acres". The deed was signed by the Chief of
the Derby Indians, named Conquepatano, and two other Indians. This
signing represented the "final loosening of the Indian grip
upon the soil of the Valley".
By 1733, John Weed, a Derby Hatter, came into possession of a considerable
tract of land on the hill. His sons, John, Jonas and Joseph, also
settled there. The Weeds lived there for about 5 years. When Amos
Osborne married Joanna Weed, sister of the Weed Brother, he brought
his bride to the hill along with his brothers, Thomas and Joseph.
In 1739, Thomas Osborne purchased the 12 John Standly acres at the
stake and with his brothers became owner of half of the 100 acre
farm that the Rev. Moss and his brothers had purchased from the
Derby Indians. Thomas Osborne lived on the summit for 70 years,
during which time he built 3 houses. The hilltop then passed into
the hands of the Huntington family and was know as "Huntington
Hill".
Samuel Andrew was a farmer who operated a farm on the lower end
of Andrew Avenue. The farm was located in the vicinity of the P.J.
Foley Little League Park. His residence was across the street. According
to an 1877 and 1883 map of Naugatuck, Andrew Avenue was known as
Cross Street.
Samuel Andrew purchased the hilltop from the Huntington family.
The date of the purchase was 1839. Mr. Andrew renamed the hilltop,
Andrew Mountain. The name is retained to this day.
On June 14, 1904, the Waterbury and Derby chapters of the D.A.R.
erected and dedicated a Memorial Boulder on the spot where the "Twelve
Mile" stake once stood. At the dedication, Naugatuck was represented
by members of the Sarah Rogers chapter of the D.A.R.
Thanks
to our Corporate Members
* New England Realty Group
* Buckmiller
Funeral Homes
* Naugatuck Elks Lodge 967
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