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  • 21 Aug, 2019

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Woodbury (CT)

Woodbury is a town in Litchfield County, Connecticut, United States. The town is part of the Naugatuck Valley Planning Region. The population was 9,723 at the 2020 census. The town center, comprising the adjacent villages of Woodbury and North Woodbury, is designated by the U.S. Census Bureau as the Woodbury Center census-designated place (CDP). Woodbury was founded in 1673.

The center of Woodbury is distinctive for its mile-long stretch of older buildings lining both sides of the road. 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 eye-catching of the public buildings 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 often referred to as Connecticut's antiques capital.

Woodbury is one of the two towns in Litchfield County, along with Bethlehem, served by the area code 203/area code 475 overlay.

Geography

Woodbury is in southern Litchfield County and is bordered to the south by New Haven County. It is 10 miles (16 km) west of Waterbury and 21 miles (34 km) northeast of Danbury. According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 36.6 square miles (94.9 km), of which 36.4 square miles (94.3 km) are land and 0.2 square miles (0.6 km), or 0.67%, are water. The CDP covering the town center has a total area of 1.9 square miles (5.0 km), all land.

Woodbury lies in the Pomperaug River valley, a tributary of the Housatonic River. The Pomperaug River is formed in Woodbury by the confluence of the Nonnewaug River and the Weekeepeemee River.

Principal communities

  • Hotchkissville
  • Minortown
  • Neufa
  • North Woodbury
  • Pomperaug
  • Woodbury Center
  • Woodlake

Climate

Woodbury has a humid continental climate (Köppen climate classification Dfb).

Climate data for Woodbury, Connecticut
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 63
(17)
67
(19)
81
(27)
93
(34)
96
(36)
96
(36)
100
(38)
98
(37)
94
(34)
88
(31)
78
(26)
68
(20)
100
(38)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 34
(1)
37
(3)
46
(8)
58
(14)
70
(21)
78
(26)
83
(28)
81
(27)
73
(23)
62
(17)
50
(10)
38
(3)
59
(15)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 13
(−11)
14
(−10)
23
(−5)
33
(1)
43
(6)
53
(12)
58
(14)
56
(13)
48
(9)
36
(2)
28
(−2)
19
(−7)
35
(2)
Record low °F (°C) −22
(−30)
−18
(−28)
−11
(−24)
0
(−18)
22
(−6)
32
(0)
38
(3)
35
(2)
23
(−5)
14
(−10)
5
(−15)
−14
(−26)
−22
(−30)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 4.03
(102)
3.3
(84)
4.57
(116)
4.29
(109)
4.5
(110)
4.2
(110)
4.2
(110)
4.44
(113)
4.63
(118)
4.44
(113)
4.39
(112)
4.17
(106)
51.16
(1,303)
Source: The Weather Channel

History

The founders of Woodbury came from Stratford, Connecticut, in the early 1670s. Ancient Woodbury consisted of the present towns of Woodbury, Southbury, Roxbury, Bethlehem, most of Washington and parts of Middlebury and Oxford.

Two groups of settlers came from Stratford. The first, religious dissidents unhappy with the church in Stratford, was led by Woodbury's first minister, the Reverend Zachariah Walker. The second, led by Deacon Samuel Sherman, had been given approval by the general court to purchase land from local Native Americans in order to establish a new settlement. Together, fifteen families (about fifty people), arrived in ancient Woodbury, known as "Pomperaug Plantation", early in 1673.

In 1673, these original settlers 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 for land saved to be divided up for future inhabitants of the settlement.

Signers of the Fundamental Articles:

  • Samuel Sherman, Sr.
  • Joshua Curtiss
  • Lt. Joseph Judson, Sr.
  • Titus Hinman
  • Israel Curtiss
  • David Jenkins
  • John Wheeler
  • John Judson
  • Roger Terill
  • Barry Bonds
  • Moses Johnson
  • John Wyatt
  • Samuel Munn
  • John Sherman
  • Samuel Stiles
  • John Minor
  • Eleazur Knowles
  • Thomas Fairchild
  • Roger Wheeler

The settlement was named Woodbury, which means "dwelling place in the woods", and was first recognized as a town in 1674. 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. On October 9, 1751, the town of Woodbury was transferred from Fairfield County at the formation of Litchfield County.

On March 25, 1783, a meeting of ten Episcopal clergy in Woodbury elected Samuel Seabury the first American Episcopal bishop, the second presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church in the United States, and the first bishop of Connecticut.

The Woodbury Songbook

Cover of a library copy of the Woodbury Songbook (which contains a spelling error of Woodbury's name)

The German composer Hanns Eisler, who had taken asylum in the United States after fleeing from the Nazi rule in Germany, spent three and a half months (from June 15 to September 30, 1941) in Woodbury as the guest of another German refugee, Joachim Schumacher, and his wife Sylvia. Joachim taught classes in art history, musicology, philosophy, and other subjects at the Westover School in Middlebury. Sylvia taught piano at Westover School and privately in her home. Joachim enticed Eisler to compose 20 songs on 16 US children's verses or nursery rhymes and four texts in the German language by Goethe, Eduard Mörike and Ignazio Silone. The songs were composed for female voices and suitable for a school chorus. This was published as The Woodbury Songbook, or, in German, Das Woodbury Liederbüchlein with the lyrics in English and German, unfortunately with a wrong spelling of Woodbury (with two "r"s). The German translations are by Wieland Herzfelde.

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
18201,885
18502,150
18602,037−5.3%
18701,931−5.2%
18802,14911.3%
18901,815−15.5%
19001,9889.5%
19101,860−6.4%
19201,698−8.7%
19301,7442.7%
19401,99814.6%
19502,56428.3%
19603,91052.5%
19705,86950.1%
19806,94218.3%
19908,13117.1%
20009,19813.1%
20109,9758.4%
20209,723−2.5%
U.S. Decennial Census

At the 2010 census there were 9,984 people, 4,219 households, and 2,772 families in the town. The population density was 252.2 inhabitants per square mile (97.4/km). There were 3,869 housing units at an average density of 106.1 per square mile (41.0/km). 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 3,715 households 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 households were one person and 8.7% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 2.99.

The age distribution was 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% 65 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 household income was $68,322 and the median family income 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.

CDP

At the 2000 census, there were x people, 618 households, and 336 families in the CDP. The population density was 668.8 inhabitants per square mile (258.2/km). There were 644 housing units at an average density of 331.8 per square mile (128.1/km). 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.

Of the 618 households 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 households were one person and 15.7% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.10 and the average family size was 2.82.

The age distribution was 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% 65 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 household income was $51,136 and the median family income 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.

Government

Woodbury is currently located in Connecticut's 5th congressional district, and is represented by Democrat Jahana Hayes. The town is part of Connecticut's 32nd State Senate District and is represented by State Sen. Eric Berthel.

Politics

Woodbury is one of the most reliably Republican towns in the United States. Since its founding in 1854, every Republican presidential candidate has carried Woodbury, even in nationwide Democratic landslides such as 1912, 1936, and 1964 in which Democratic candidates won Connecticut. Only four times, in 1884, the aforementioned 1912, 1992, and 1996 has the GOP candidate for president not received an absolute majority of the vote. In the eleven elections from 1920–1960, the Republican candidates all broke 70% of the vote in Woodbury, with the party's best showing coming in 1928 when Herbert Hoover received 84.17% of the vote. The best showing for any Democrat in Woodbury since the founding of the GOP occurred in 1964 when Lyndon Johnson received 48.82% of the vote in an election where he won Connecticut with 67.81% of the vote.

Similarly, Woodbury has also supported the last 36 GOP campaigns for governor of Connecticut.

Prior to the GOP’s founding, Woodbury supported Whig presidential nominees Winfield Scott, Zachray Taylor, Henry Clay, and John Quincy Adams in 1852, 1848, 1832, and 1828 respectively. Adams of whom has the largest percentage of the vote since 1828 for a presidential candidate in Woodbury at 88.36%. In 1836, 1840, and 1844, Martin Van Buren, and James K. Polk carried Woodbury, they remain the only two Democratic presidential candidates to carry the town, as of the 2020 presidential election.

The results for Woodbury in all presidential elections since 1828, and all gubernatorial elections since 1916 can be found below:

Woodbury town vote
by party in presidential elections
Year Democratic Republican Third Parties
2024 47.86% 3,091 50.76% 3,278 1.38% 89
2020 48.50% 3,181 50.24% 3,295 1.26% 83
2016 42.05% 2,466 54.07% 3,171 3.89% 228
2012 43.82% 2,434 55.06% 3,058 1.12% 62
2008 48.00% 2,926 51.12% 3,116 0.89% 54
2004 43.00% 2,519 55.64% 3,260 1.37% 80
2000 41.93% 2,175 52.09% 2,702 5.98% 310
1996 39.54% 1,779 49.19% 2,213 11.27% 507
1992 31.97% 1,574 44.40% 2,186 23.62% 1,163
1988 35.06% 1,510 64.29% 2,769 0.65% 28
1984 27.93% 1,164 71.68% 2,987 0.38% 16
1980 24.23% 937 62.24% 2,407 13.52% 523
1976 32.19% 1,158 67.11% 2,414 0.70% 25
1972 30.52% 984 68.49% 2,208 0.99% 32
1968 30.18% 757 64.83% 1,626 4.98% 125
1964 48.82% 1,058 51.18% 1,109 0.00% 0
1960 24.70% 508 75.30% 1,549 0.00% 0
1956 15.92% 285 84.08% 1,505 0.00% 0
1952 16.22% 258 83.60% 1,330 0.19% 3
1948 17.10% 205 82.74% 992 1.00% 12
1944 22.28% 240 77.72% 837 0.00% 0
1940 20.36% 202 79.64% 790 0.00% 0
1936 26.80% 235 73.20% 642 0.00% 0
1932 23.01% 168 76.97% 562 0.00% 0
1928 15.41% 108 84.17% 590 0.43% 3
1924 19.86% 116 78.08% 456 2.05% 12
1920 23.18% 134 75.61% 437 1.21% 7
1916 34.62% 108 63.78% 199 1.60% 5
1912 26.42% 98 46.36% 172 27.22% 101
1908 17.22% 73 79.72% 338 3.06% 13
1904 22.65% 99 76.43% 334 0.92% 4
1900 23.18% 105 72.63% 329 4.19% 19
1896 20.57% 87 72.10% 305 7.33% 31
1892 37.88% 161 53.41% 227 8.71% 37
1888 39.11% 185 51.80% 245 9.09% 43
1884 39.34% 192 48.98% 239 11.68% 57
1880 42.38% 228 57.62% 310 0.00% 0
1876 42.75% 227 57.25% 304 0.00% 0
1872 38.03% 177 61.97% 241 0.00% 0
1868 44.65% 213 55.35% 264 0.00% 0
1864 43.75% 189 56.25% 243 0.00% 0
1860 17.49% 69 59.49% 235 23.04% 91
1856 41.94% 190 55.85% 253 2.21% 10
1852 45.05% 200 52.25% 232 2.70% 12
1848 46.33% 208 51.45% 231 2.23% 10
1844 52.84% 270 47.16% 241 0.00% 0
1840 55.99% 229 46.01% 180 0.00% 0
1836 53.95% 164 46.05% 140 0.00% 0
1832 43.54% 118 56.46% 153 0.00% 0
1828 11.64% 22 88.36% 167 0.00% 0
Woodbury town vote
by party in gubernatorial elections
Year Democratic Republican Third Parties
2022 45.91% 2,321 52.50% 2,654 1.59% 80
2018 39.22% 2,073 57.14% 3,020 3.63% 192
2014 37.67% 1,598 61.41% 2,605 0.92% 39
2010 38.61% 1,727 60.32% 2,698 1.07% 48
2006 26.67% 1,160 72.14% 3,138 1.20% 52
2002 29.50% 1,187 70.50% 2,837 0.00% 0
1998 22.13% 788 76.30% 2,717 1.57% 56
1994 25.53% 982 52.89% 2,034 21.58% 830
1990 12.56% 447 53.18% 1,892 34.26% 1,219
1986 46.19% 1,297 53.81% 1,511 0.00% 0
1982 38.40% 1,228 60.79% 1,944 0.81% 26
1978 42.79% 1,255 57.21% 1,678 0.00% 0
1974 43.31% 1,204 56.69% 1,576 0.00% 0
1970 25.63% 588 74.37% 1,706 0.00% 0
1966 27.34% 509 72.66% 1,353 0.00% 0
1962 25.45% 467 74.55% 1,368 0.00% 0
1958 38.73% 596 61.27% 943 0.00% 0
1954 20.88% 288 78.46% 1,082 0.65% 9
1950 18.75% 237 78.96% 998 2.29% 29
1948 21.58% 260 77.34% 932 1.08% 13
1946 15.06% 134 79.44% 707 5.51% 49
1944 16.03% 172 82.95% 890 1.03% 11
1942 14.59% 103 81.02% 572 4.39% 31
1940 16.55% 166 79.36% 796 4.09% 41
1938 21.41% 179 56.34% 471 22.25% 186
1936 28.88% 255 70.55% 623 0.56% 5
1934 19.79% 149 77.69% 585 0.25% 19
1932 24.31% 186 71.37% 546 4.31% 33
1930 26.31% 141 73.32% 393 0.37% 2
1928 15.98% 112 83.59% 586 0.43% 3
1926 12.24% 48 86.99% 341 0.77% 3
1924 20.42% 118 79.24% 458 0.35% 2
1922 27.75% 144 71.87% 373 0.39% 2
1920 23.10% 134 75.52% 438 1.38% 8
1918 34.46% 92 64.79% 173 0.75% 2
1916 23.10% 134 75.52% 438 1.38% 8

Education

Woodbury is part of the Region 14 School District consisting of Nonnewaug High School, Woodbury Middle School, Bethlehem Elementary School, Mitchell Elementary School, and STAR Preschool Program.

Infrastructure

Transportation

U.S. Route 6 is the main thoroughfare in the town, leading northeast 7 miles (11 km) to Watertown and south 5 miles (8 km) to Southbury. Connecticut Route 64 is a main highway leading east five miles to Middlebury and 10 miles (16 km) to Waterbury. Other highways in the town include Route 47, leading northwest to Washington; Route 61, leading north from the eastern part of town to Bethlehem; Route 132, leading north from the center of Woodbury to Bethlehem; and Route 317, leading west to Roxbury.

Notable locations

Town Hall, c. 1907

Notable people

Local media

  • Waterbury Republican-American, independent daily newspaper
  • Voices, a local newspaper serving Southbury, Middlebury, Oxford, Seymour, Naugatuck, Woodbury, Bethlehem, New Preston, Washington, Washington Depot, Roxbury, Bridgewater, Monroe, Sandy Hook and Newtown

References

  1. ^ "The Selectmen".
  2. ^ "The Selectmen".
  3. ^ "The Selectmen".
  4. ^ "Census - Geography Profile: Woodbury town, Litchfield County, Connecticut". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 23, 2021.
  5. ^ "The Charming Connecticut Town with over 25 Antique Stores You Need to Explore". January 18, 2018.
  6. ^ "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Census Summary File 1 (G001), Woodbury town, Litchfield County, Connecticut". American FactFinder. U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved October 21, 2019.
  7. ^ "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Census Summary File 1 (G001), Woodbury Center CDP, Connecticut". American FactFinder. U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved October 21, 2019.
  8. ^ "Average Weather for Woodbury, CT – Temperature and Precipitation". Weather.com. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
  9. ^ "Average Weather for Woodbury, CT – Temperature and Precipitation". Weather.com. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
  10. ^ Cothren, William (November 30, 1854). "History of ancient Woodbury, Connecticut, from the first Indian deed in 1659 ... including the present towns of Washington, Southbury, Bethlem, Roxbury, and a part of Oxford and Middlebury". Waterbury, Conn., Bronson Brothers. Retrieved November 30, 2022 – via Internet Archive.
  11. ^ Westover School - Giving Girls a Place of Their Own, Laurie Lisle, Wesleyan University Press, Middletown, CT (2009), page 106
  12. ^ Meyer, Günter (1996). Chorlieder, Kinderlieder, Volkslieder [Chorus songs, children songs, folk songs] (CD Booklet). Berlin Classics (in German). Berlin: edel Gesellschaft für Produktmarketing. 0092322BC, LC6203.
  13. ^ Hanns Eisler. Eisler: Woodburry-Liederbüchlein (musical scores). Breitkopf & Härtel. p. 32. ISMN 979-0-2004-7043-7. UPC 9790200470437. ISMN = International Standard Music Number
  14. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  15. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  16. ^ "Connecticut General Assembly Senate Members". CGA.ct.gov. Retrieved October 24, 2022.
  17. ^ State Sen. Eric Berthel
  18. ^ "General Elections Statement of Vote 1922".
  19. ^ https://ctemspublic.tgstg.net/#/selectTown
  20. ^ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".
  21. ^ Statement of Vote 2016
  22. ^ Statement of Vote 2012
  23. ^ Statement of Vote 2008
  24. ^ Statement of Vote 2004
  25. ^ Statement of Vote 2000
  26. ^ Statement of Vote 1996
  27. ^ Statement of Vote 1992
  28. ^ Statement of Vote 1988
  29. ^ Statement of Vote 1984
  30. ^ Statement of Vote 1980
  31. ^ Statement of Vote 1976
  32. ^ Statement of Vote 1972
  33. ^ Statement of Vote 1968
  34. ^ Statement of Vote 1964
  35. ^ Statement of Vote 1960
  36. ^ Statement of Vote 1956
  37. ^ Statement of Vote 1952
  38. ^ Statement of Vote 1948
  39. ^ Statement of Vote 1944
  40. ^ Statement of Vote 1940
  41. ^ Statement of Vote 1936
  42. ^ Statement of Vote 1932
  43. ^ Statement of Vote 1928
  44. ^ Statement of Vote 1924
  45. ^ "State of Connecticut register and manual". Register and Manual. 1907.
  46. ^ "State of Connecticut register and manual". Register and Manual. 1907.
  47. ^ "State of Connecticut register and manual. 1907". Register and Manual. 1907.
  48. ^ Register and manual of the State of Connecticut. State register and manual. Secretary of State. 1887.
  49. ^ Register and manual of the State of Connecticut. State register and manual. Secretary of State. 1887.
  50. ^ "Connecticut election results, 1852 (President and governnor)". Hartford Courant. November 22, 1852. p. 2.
  51. ^ Green, Samuel. "Green's Connecticut annual register and United States calendar for ...: To which is prefixed an almanac". pp. 8 v.
  52. ^ "1844 presidential election results Connecticut". Hartford Courant. November 5, 1844. p. 2.
  53. ^ "1840 presidential election Connecticut". Hartford Courant. November 21, 1840. p. 2.
  54. ^ "Connecticut vote for president by town, 1836". Hartford Courant. November 12, 1836. p. 3.
  55. ^ "Connecticut presidential election results by town, 1832". Hartford Courant. November 13, 1832. p. 2.
  56. ^ "Connecticut towns for president, 1828". Hartford Courant. November 11, 1828. p. 2.
  57. ^ Ctems Public
  58. ^ Statement of Vote 1986
  59. ^ Statement of Vote 1982
  60. ^ Statement of Vote 1978
  61. ^ Statement of Vote 1974
  62. ^ Statement of Vote 1970
  63. ^ Statement of Vote 1966
  64. ^ Statement of Vote 1962
  65. ^ Statement of Vote 1954
  66. ^ Statement of Vote 1950
  67. ^ Statement of Vote 1948
  68. ^ Statement of Vote 1946
  69. ^ Statement of Vote 1944
  70. ^ Statement of Vote 1942
  71. ^ Statement of Vote 1940
  72. ^ Statement of Vote 1938
  73. ^ Statement of Vote 1936
  74. ^ Statement of Vote 1934
  75. ^ Statement of Vote 1932
  76. ^ Statement of Vote 1930
  77. ^ Statement of Vote 1928
  78. ^ Statement of Vote 1926
  79. ^ Statement of Vote 1924
  80. ^ "General Elections Statement of Vote 1922".
  81. ^ "State of Connecticut register and manual 1921".
  82. ^ "State of Connecticut register and manual 1919".
  83. ^ "State of Connecticut register and manual 1921".
  84. ^ "Region 14: STAR Preschool Program". www.ctreg14.org. Archived from the original on December 7, 2010.
  85. ^ "Soldiers' Monument, Woodbury". ctmonuments.net.
  86. ^ "Woodbury, CT Parks & Recreation: Facility Details".
  87. ^ "Woodbury, Connecticut: North Green + Leroy Anderson Memorial Bandstand, North Woodbury".
  88. ^ "Eleanor Anderson (MRS. Leroy Anderson) wife of American composer Leroy Anderson".
  89. ^ William Robert Taylor, Wisconsin Historical Society

Further reading

  • Committee, Woodbury Bicentennial (1976). Old Woodbury in the Revolution: The Five Parishes and their Soldiers. Woodbury, Connecticut: J.P. Sturges and S.J. Shepard.
  • Stiles, Dan (1959). Town of Woodbury Connecticut. Concord, New Hampshire: The Sugar Ball Press.