Ridgefield, Connecticut
Fairfield county. Ridgefield, or, as the Indians called it, Caudatowa, a word signifying high land, is bounded W. by New Salem, N.Y., and lies 31 miles W. by N. from New Haven, and 9 S. by W. from Danbury. This township is very elevated, and commands extensive views of Long Island Sound and of the surrounding country. The soil is a strong gravelly loam, and productive of grass and grain. It is watered by Saugatuck and Norwalk rivers, and by a branch of the Croton. It comprises a very handsome village, in which are manufactures of carriages, cabinet furniture, &c. Limestone is abundant. Population, 1830, 2,323. Incorporated, 1709.
The celebrated hermetess, Sarah Bishop, lived on the western border of Ridgefield. She lived on Long Island at the time of the Revolutionary war. Her father's house was burnt by the British, and she was cruelly treated by a British officer. She then left society and wandered among the mountains near this part of the state: she found a kind of cave near Ridgefield where she resided till about the time of her death, which took place in 1810. It is said that the wild animals were so accustomed to see her, that they were not afraid of her presence.
