Woodbury, Connecticut
Encyclopedia
Woodbury is a town
in Litchfield County
, Connecticut
, United States
. The population was 9,198 at the 2000 census. The town center is also designated by the U.S. Census Bureau as a census-designated place
(CDP). Woodbury was founded in 1672.
The center of Woodbury is distinctive because, unlike many New England towns, it is not nucleated. In Woodbury, the older buildings are arrayed in linear fashion along both sides of a road that stretches for over a mile. The public buildings in the National Register Historic District include the First Congregational Church (1818,) the Old Town Hall (1846,) the United Methodist Church, the St. Paul's Episcopal Church (1785,) and the North Congregational Church (1816.) The most notable of the public buildings, however, is the Masonic Temple (1839.) It is a modest, clapboard, Greek Revival Temple, notable less for its architecture than for its dramatic location, situated atop a high cliff accessed by a long flight of steps (there is a modern road at the rear.) It is visible from a distance and is especially dramatic at night, when it is illuminated by spotlights. The Woodbury Temple echoes the many temples of the Greek world that were perched at the edge of high places from which they could be seen from miles around and from far out at sea.
Originally, the many historic houses on the street were residential. In the late twentieth century they were occupied by a series of antique shops.
Woodbury is one of the two towns in Litchfield County
served by the area code 203
/area code 475 overlay. The other is the Town of Bethlehem
.
, the town has a total area of 36.7 square miles (95.1 km²), of which, 36.5 square miles (94.5 km²) of it is land and 0.3 square mile (0.776996433 km²) of it (0.74%) is water. The CDP has a total area of 1.9 square miles (4.9 km²), all land.
Two groups of settlers came from Stratford. One, a group of religious dissidents unhappy with the church in Stratford, was led by Woodbury’s first minister, Reverend Zachariah Walker. The second group, led by Deacon Samuel Sherman, had been given approval by the general court to purchase land from local Native Americans in order establish a new settlement. The two groups, consisting of fifteen families (about fifty people), arrived in Ancient Woodbury, known as “Pomperaug Plantation, early in 1673. [2]
In 1673 the original settlers of Woodbury drew up an agreement called the “Fundamental Articles,” which proclaimed that as many settlers as could be accommodated would be welcomed to the new settlement. The Fundamental Articles stated that expenses of establishing the settlement would be shared by its inhabitants, and that no one was to be given more than twenty-five or less than ten acres of land. Other sections of the articles provided for common land and land saved to be divided up for future inhabitants of the settlement. [1]
Signers of the Fundamental Articles:
The settlement was named Woodbury, which means a “dwelling place in the woods” and first recognized as a town in 1674. [2] Deacon and captain John Minor was the first leader of the community during Woodbury’s early years. Minor was the first town clerk and along with Lieutenant Joseph Judson served as the first deputy to the Connecticut General Court from the town of Woodbury. [1]
On March 25, 1783, a meeting of ten Episcopal clergy in Woodbury, Connecticut, elected Samuel Seabury (1729%E2%80%931796) the first American
Episcopal bishop
, the second Presiding Bishop
of the Episcopal Church, USA, and the first Bishop
of Connecticut
.
of 2000, there were 9,198 people, 3,715 households, and 2,574 families residing in the town. The population density
was 252.2 people per square mile (97.4/km²). There were 3,869 housing units at an average density of 106.1 per square mile (41.0/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.25% White, 0.53% African American, 0.22% Native American, 1.15% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.22% from other races
, and 0.57% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.65% of the population.
There were 3,715 households out of which 31.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.9% were married couples
living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.7% were non-families. 25.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 2.99.
In the town the population was spread out with 24.0% under the age of 18, 4.4% from 18 to 24, 29.3% from 25 to 44, 29.3% from 45 to 64, and 13.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 95.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.8 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $68,322, and the median income for a family was $82,641. Males had a median income of $53,246 versus $35,298 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $37,903. About 2.3% of families and 4.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.9% of those under age 18 and 6.3% of those age 65 or over.
There were 618 households out of which 25.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.9% were married couples living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 45.5% were non-families. 39.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.10 and the average family size was 2.82.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 20.6% under the age of 18, 5.2% from 18 to 24, 30.2% from 25 to 44, 28.1% from 45 to 64, and 15.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 85.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.1 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $51,136, and the median income for a family was $65,227. Males had a median income of $50,625 versus $40,729 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $30,277. None of the families and 4.6% of the population were living below the poverty line, including no under eighteens and 8.9% of those over 64.
, Woodbury Middle School, Bethlehem Elementary School, and Mitchell Elementary School.
is the main thorougfare in the town. Route 64 is a main highway connecting the town directly to Waterbury
. Other highways in the town include Route 47
, Route 61
, Route 132
, and Route 317
.
grew up in the town. It was also the residence of surrealist
painters Kay Sage
and Yves Tanguy
from 1946 until each one's death. The composer Leroy Anderson
who wrote the Christmas classic Sleigh Ride
as well as many other well known compositions, also lived in Woodbury from 1948 until his death in 1975. His widow Eleanor Anderson still lives in Woodbury today. Jazz guitarist Joe Beck also lived in Woodbury until his death in 2008. Musician and Movie Director Rob Zombie
also recently moved to the town in January 2009 and resides in a residence off Route 317. Henry Shelton Sanford
(1823–1891), was born in Woodbury. He was an American Diplomat
, and the founder of Sanford, Florida
. Reverend Alexander Hamilton was the rector of St. Paul's Episcopal Church.
New England town
The New England town is the basic unit of local government in each of the six New England states. Without a direct counterpart in most other U.S. states, New England towns are conceptually similar to civil townships in other states, but are incorporated, possessing powers like cities in other...
in Litchfield County
Litchfield County, Connecticut
Litchfield County is a county located in the northwestern corner of the U.S. state of Connecticut. Litchfield County has the lowest population density of any county in Connecticut but is geographically the state's largest county. As of 2010 the population was 189,927...
, Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 9,198 at the 2000 census. The town center is also designated by the U.S. Census Bureau as a census-designated place
Census-designated place
A census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
(CDP). Woodbury was founded in 1672.
The center of Woodbury is distinctive because, unlike many New England towns, it is not nucleated. In Woodbury, the older buildings are arrayed in linear fashion along both sides of a road that stretches for over a mile. The public buildings in the National Register Historic District include the First Congregational Church (1818,) the Old Town Hall (1846,) the United Methodist Church, the St. Paul's Episcopal Church (1785,) and the North Congregational Church (1816.) The most notable of the public buildings, however, is the Masonic Temple (1839.) It is a modest, clapboard, Greek Revival Temple, notable less for its architecture than for its dramatic location, situated atop a high cliff accessed by a long flight of steps (there is a modern road at the rear.) It is visible from a distance and is especially dramatic at night, when it is illuminated by spotlights. The Woodbury Temple echoes the many temples of the Greek world that were perched at the edge of high places from which they could be seen from miles around and from far out at sea.
Originally, the many historic houses on the street were residential. In the late twentieth century they were occupied by a series of antique shops.
Woodbury is one of the two towns in Litchfield County
Litchfield County, Connecticut
Litchfield County is a county located in the northwestern corner of the U.S. state of Connecticut. Litchfield County has the lowest population density of any county in Connecticut but is geographically the state's largest county. As of 2010 the population was 189,927...
served by the area code 203
Area code 203
Area code 203 is the North American telephone area code that covers the southwestern part of Connecticut. The area code stretches from its western border, along its southern coast, to beyond the city of New Haven, and ends just south of Hartford. 203 overlays with area code 475...
/area code 475 overlay. The other is the Town of Bethlehem
Bethlehem, Connecticut
Bethlehem is a town in Litchfield County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 3,422 at the 2000 census. The town center was designated in the 2000 census as a census-designated place ....
.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the town has a total area of 36.7 square miles (95.1 km²), of which, 36.5 square miles (94.5 km²) of it is land and 0.3 square mile (0.776996433 km²) of it (0.74%) is water. The CDP has a total area of 1.9 square miles (4.9 km²), all land.
History
The founders of Ancient Woodbury came from Stratford in the 1670s. Ancient Woodbury consisted of the present towns of Woodbury, Southbury, Roxbury, Bethlehem, most of Washington and parts of Middlebury and Oxford. [2]Two groups of settlers came from Stratford. One, a group of religious dissidents unhappy with the church in Stratford, was led by Woodbury’s first minister, Reverend Zachariah Walker. The second group, led by Deacon Samuel Sherman, had been given approval by the general court to purchase land from local Native Americans in order establish a new settlement. The two groups, consisting of fifteen families (about fifty people), arrived in Ancient Woodbury, known as “Pomperaug Plantation, early in 1673. [2]
In 1673 the original settlers of Woodbury drew up an agreement called the “Fundamental Articles,” which proclaimed that as many settlers as could be accommodated would be welcomed to the new settlement. The Fundamental Articles stated that expenses of establishing the settlement would be shared by its inhabitants, and that no one was to be given more than twenty-five or less than ten acres of land. Other sections of the articles provided for common land and land saved to be divided up for future inhabitants of the settlement. [1]
Signers of the Fundamental Articles:
- Samuel Sherman, Sr.
- Joshua Curtiss,
- Lt. Joseph JudsonJoseph JudsonJoseph Judson was a Connecticut settler, local official and militia officer....
, Sr. - Titus Hinman
- Israel Curtiss
- David Jenkins
- John Wheeler
- John Judson
- Roger Terill
- Moses Johnson
- John Wyatt
- Samuel Munn
- John Sherman
- Samuel Stiles
- John Minor
- Eleazur Knowles
- Thomas Fairchild [1]
The settlement was named Woodbury, which means a “dwelling place in the woods” and first recognized as a town in 1674. [2] Deacon and captain John Minor was the first leader of the community during Woodbury’s early years. Minor was the first town clerk and along with Lieutenant Joseph Judson served as the first deputy to the Connecticut General Court from the town of Woodbury. [1]
On March 25, 1783, a meeting of ten Episcopal clergy in Woodbury, Connecticut, elected Samuel Seabury (1729%E2%80%931796) the first American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Episcopal bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
, the second Presiding Bishop
Presiding Bishop
The Presiding Bishop is an ecclesiastical position in some denominations of Christianity.- Evangelical Lutheran Church in America :The Presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is the chief ecumenical officer of the church, and the leader and caretaker for the bishops of the...
of the Episcopal Church, USA, and the first Bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
of Connecticut
Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut
The Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut is a diocese of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America, encompassing the entire state of Connecticut. It is one of the nine original dioceses of the Episcopal Church and one of seven New England dioceses that make up Province 1.Its first bishop,...
.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 9,198 people, 3,715 households, and 2,574 families residing in the town. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 252.2 people per square mile (97.4/km²). There were 3,869 housing units at an average density of 106.1 per square mile (41.0/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.25% White, 0.53% African American, 0.22% Native American, 1.15% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.22% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.57% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.65% of the population.
There were 3,715 households out of which 31.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.9% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.7% were non-families. 25.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 2.99.
In the town the population was spread out with 24.0% under the age of 18, 4.4% from 18 to 24, 29.3% from 25 to 44, 29.3% from 45 to 64, and 13.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 95.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.8 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $68,322, and the median income for a family was $82,641. Males had a median income of $53,246 versus $35,298 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the town was $37,903. About 2.3% of families and 4.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.9% of those under age 18 and 6.3% of those age 65 or over.
CDP
As of the census of 2000, there were x people, 618 households, and 336 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 668.8 inhabitants per square mile (258.3/km²). There were 644 housing units at an average density of 331.8 per square mile (128.2/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 98.07% White, 0.85% African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.39% Asian, 0.31% from other races, and 0.23% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.16% of the population.There were 618 households out of which 25.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.9% were married couples living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 45.5% were non-families. 39.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.10 and the average family size was 2.82.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 20.6% under the age of 18, 5.2% from 18 to 24, 30.2% from 25 to 44, 28.1% from 45 to 64, and 15.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 85.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.1 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $51,136, and the median income for a family was $65,227. Males had a median income of $50,625 versus $40,729 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $30,277. None of the families and 4.6% of the population were living below the poverty line, including no under eighteens and 8.9% of those over 64.
School System
Woodbury is part of the Region 14 School District consisting of Nonnewaug High SchoolNonnewaug High School
Nonnewaug High School is a public school based out of Woodbury, Connecticut USA which serves the towns of Woodbury and Bethlehem, Connecticut. It is part of Regional School District #14. The school houses the Ellis Clark Regional Agri-Science and Technology Center, which draws students from...
, Woodbury Middle School, Bethlehem Elementary School, and Mitchell Elementary School.
Transportation
US 6U.S. Route 6 in Connecticut
U.S. Route 6 is the portion of the cross-country U.S. Route 6 within the state of Connecticut. West of Hartford, the route either closely parallels or runs along Interstate 84. Interstate 84 has largely supplanted Route 6 as a through route in western Connecticut. East of Hartford, the route serves...
is the main thorougfare in the town. Route 64 is a main highway connecting the town directly to Waterbury
Waterbury, Connecticut
Waterbury is a city in New Haven County, Connecticut, on the Naugatuck River, 33 miles southwest of Hartford and 77 miles northeast of New York City...
. Other highways in the town include Route 47
Connecticut Route 47
Route 47 is a Connecticut state highway from US 6 in Woodbury to US 202 in Washington, in the west-central part of the state. It is long and runs roughly northwest-southeast, signed north–south.- Route description:...
, Route 61
Connecticut Route 61
Route 61 is a secondary state highway in rural northwestern Connecticut connecting the towns of Woodbury and Morris. It serves as the main north–south highway within the towns of Bethlehem and Morris.-Route description:...
, Route 132
Connecticut Route 132
Route 132 is a state highway in western Connecticut, running from Route 47 in Woodbury, through Bethlehem center, to Route 63 in Watertown.-Route description:...
, and Route 317
Connecticut Route 317
Route 317 is a state highway in west central Connecticut running from Route 67 in Roxbury to a junction with U.S. Route 6 in Woodbury. The section of Route 317 from Route 67 to Painter Hill Road in Roxbury is designated a scenic road....
.
Notable locations
- Glebe House (Woodbury, Connecticut)
- Hotchkissville Historic DistrictHotchkissville Historic DistrictHotchkissville Historic District is a historic district in the town of Woodbury, Connecticut that was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1995.It includes examples of Colonial, Federal, Greek Revival, and Italianate architecture....
, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1995. - St. Paul's Episcopal Church (Woodbury, Connecticut)
Notable people
Poet and critic Hayden CarruthHayden Carruth
Hayden Carruth was an American poet and literary critic. He taught at Syracuse University.-Life:Hayden Carruth grew up in Woodbury, Connecticut, and was educated at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and at the University of Chicago. He lived in Johnson, Vermont for many years...
grew up in the town. It was also the residence of surrealist
Surrealism
Surrealism is a cultural movement that began in the early 1920s, and is best known for the visual artworks and writings of the group members....
painters Kay Sage
Kay Sage
Katherine Linn Sage , usually known as Kay Sage, was an American Surrealist artist and poet.-Biography:...
and Yves Tanguy
Yves Tanguy
Raymond Georges Yves Tanguy , known as Yves Tanguy, was a French surrealist painter.-Biography:Tanguy was born in Paris, France, the son of a retired navy captain. His parents were both of Breton origin...
from 1946 until each one's death. The composer Leroy Anderson
Leroy Anderson
Leroy Anderson was an American composer of short, light concert pieces, many of which were introduced by the Boston Pops Orchestra under the direction of Arthur Fiedler...
who wrote the Christmas classic Sleigh Ride
Sleigh Ride
"Sleigh Ride" is a popular light orchestral piece composed by Leroy Anderson. The composer had the original idea for the piece during a heat wave in July 1946; he finished the work in February 1948. Lyrics, about a person who would like to ride in a sleigh on a winter's day with another person,...
as well as many other well known compositions, also lived in Woodbury from 1948 until his death in 1975. His widow Eleanor Anderson still lives in Woodbury today. Jazz guitarist Joe Beck also lived in Woodbury until his death in 2008. Musician and Movie Director Rob Zombie
Rob Zombie
Rob Zombie is an American musician, film director, screenwriter and film producer. He founded the heavy metal band White Zombie and has been nominated three times as a solo artist for the Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance.Zombie has also established a career as a film director, creating the...
also recently moved to the town in January 2009 and resides in a residence off Route 317. Henry Shelton Sanford
Henry Shelton Sanford
Henry Shelton Sanford was an American diplomat and businessman who founded the city of Sanford, Florida.-Early life:Sanford was born in Woodbury, Connecticut into a family with deep New England roots...
(1823–1891), was born in Woodbury. He was an American Diplomat
Diplomacy
Diplomacy is the art and practice of conducting negotiations between representatives of groups or states...
, and the founder of Sanford, Florida
Sanford, Florida
Sanford is a city in, and the county seat of, Seminole County, Florida, United States. The population was 38,291 at the 2000 census. As of 2009, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau was 50,998...
. Reverend Alexander Hamilton was the rector of St. Paul's Episcopal Church.