GreenerPasture.com

Sign In



FREE ancestry since 1999 - History belongs to all of us!

Add YOUR Family To This Page

flag  History of Danbury, Connecticut, USA

Journey back in time to Danbury, Connecticut, USA

Visit Danbury, Connecticut, USA. Discover its history. Learn about the people who lived there through stories, old newspaper articles, pictures, postcards and ancestry.

Follow us on Instagram      Subscribe to our Youtube channel      Buy Me a Coffee at ko-fi.com Visit Our Old Newspaper Blog Visit Our Life Blog

Do You Have Danbury Roots? Share Your Ancestral Story!

Danbury, Connecticut, USA - Factory of THE MALLORY HAT CO, Danbury, Conn, - Est 1823 museumofcthistory.org

Danbury, Fairfield, Connecticut, USA

Danbury, in Fairfield County, is located in southwest Connecticut, on the Still River. It was named in 1687, incorporated in 1702, and chartered as a city in 1889. During the Revolutionary War, Danbury was a supply depot for the Continental army...
connecticuthistory.org

Danbury is known as the "Hat Capital of the World," dating to a time in the late 1800s when the town was manufacturing five million hats a year.
courant.com




There is MUCH more to discover about Danbury, Connecticut, USA. Read on!

Danbury Nostalgia: Vintage Photos, Ads, and Postcards


Danbury, Connecticut, USA

Postcard
Pinterest
Factory of "THE MALLORY HAT CO", Danbury, Conn, - Est 1823
museumofcthistory.org

Danbury, Connecticut, USA

Postcard
Pinterest
Main Street looking North

Danbury, Connecticut, USA

Postcard
Pinterest
Garfield Monument, 1906

Danbury, Connecticut, USA

Postcard
Pinterest
The National Hat Factory, Danbury, Conn.
museumofcthistory.org

Danbury, Connecticut, USA

Postcard
Pinterest
DANBURY, CONN. Hat Factory with Hose-House on the Hill
museumofcthistory.org

Danbury, Connecticut, USA

Postcard
Pinterest
Fair Grounds, Danbury, Conn.

"The Danbury Fair was a yearly exhibition in Danbury, Connecticut. It was begun in 1821 as an agricultural fair, but did not have a regular schedule until 1869 when hat manufacturers Rundle and White helped form the Danbury Farmers and Manufacturers Society. From then until its closing, the fair was open for ten days every October.

The fair took up 100 acres (0.4 km²) of what Rundle and White had hoped would be a Danbury Pleasure Park. Admission was 25 cents for adults and 15 cents for children. The fair offered everything from tobacco, pears, and home-brewed wines to hats, boots, saddles, carriages, wagons, churns, and stoves. In 1895, more than 1000 people were employed by the fair.

In 1932, a race track was built on the fairgrounds for the midget car and stock car races that had replaced the earlier harness races.

When the fair's owner John Leahy died in 1974, the organization fell into disarray. The last day of the fair was October 12,... Read MORE...

Danbury, Connecticut, USA

Postcard
Pinterest
Von Gal Hat Co., Danbury, Conn.
museumofcthistory.org

Danbury, Connecticut, USA

Postcard
Pinterest
A Danbury Hat Factory, Danbury, Conn.
museumofcthistory.org

Danbury, Connecticut, USA

Postcard
Pinterest
The Mallory Hat Co., Danbury, Conn.
museumofcthistory.org

Danbury, Connecticut, USA

Postcard
Pinterest
Lumber Camp on Sugar Hollow Road
Danbury, Conn.
museumofcthistory.org

Danbury, Connecticut, USA

Postcard
Pinterest
Hotel Green, Danbury, Conn.

Danbury, Connecticut, USA

Postcard
Pinterest
Main Street, Danbury, Conn.

Danbury, Connecticut, USA

Postcard
Pinterest
Lee Hat Co., Danbury, Conn.
museumofcthistory.org

Danbury, Connecticut, USA

Postcard
Pinterest
Danbury Hospital

Danbury, Connecticut, USA

Postcard
Pinterest
Methodist Church and City Hall

Discover Danbury: History, News, Travel, and Stories

Add informationAdd History/News/Story
  • 1777 - Danbury, An important military depot for the American Revolutionary armies was burned and looted in April 1777 by the British under Major General William Tryon.

    www.ereferencedesk.com/ resources/ state-facts/ connecticut.html
  • 1819 - Danbury
    Danbury, the semi-seat of justice of the county, and a flourishing agricultural and manufacturing post township, is situated in the northwestern section of the county, 58 miles southwest from Hartford, 35 northwest from New-Haven, and about 65 miles northeast from New-York, bounded on the north by New-Fairfield, on the east by Brookfield and Newtown, on the south by Reading, and on the west by Ridgefield. Its mean length is 8 and a half miles, and its mean breadth more than 6 miles; comprising an area of about 53 square miles...
    A Gazetteer of the States of Connecticut and Rhode-Island: Written with Care and Impartiality, from Original and Authentic Materials : Consisting of Two Parts ... with an Accurate and Improved Map of Each State Authors John Chauncey Pease, John Milton Niles Publisher W.S. Marsh, 1819
  • 1839 - Danbury
    Danbury, Connecticut
    One of the shire towns of Fairfield county. Danbury, the Pahquioque of the Indians, was first settled in 1684. The soil of the town is good, and agreeably diversified by hills and valleys. The borough, or village, is very pleasantly situated in a valley, and is memorable for its sacrifices in the revolutionary war. It was nearly destroyed by the British, with a large amount of continental stores, April, 1777. It lies 22 miles N. from Norwalk, 36 S.S.W. from Litchfield, and 55 S.W. by W. from Hartford.

    Robert Sandeman, the founder of a religious sect, died at Danbury in 1771, aged 53. See Bethel, Ct.
    The New England Gazetteer containing descriptions of all the states, counties and towns in New England: also descriptions of the principal mountains, rivers lakes, capes, bays, harbors, islands and fashionable resorts within that territory. Alphabetically arranged. By John Hayward, author of the Columbian Traveller, Religious Creeds, &c. &c. Boston: John Hayward. Boyd & White, Concord, N.H. 1839
  • 1854 - Danbury
    Danbury, a post-town and semi-capital of Fairfield county, Connecticut, on the Dan- bury and Norwalk railroad, 18 miles N. N. W. from Bridgeport. It is a pleasant borough, built principally on one street, more than a mile in length, and contains, besides the county buildings, 8 or 4 churches, 1 bank, 1 savings institution, and a printing office, at which a weekly newspaper is issued. The industry of the inhabitants is chiefly directed to the manufacture of hats. Still river, a branch of the Housatonic, passes through the town, and affords good water- power. Incorporated in 1696. In 1777 it was burned by the British, on which occasion General Wooster, the American commander, was killed. Population of the entire township, 6964.
    A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States: Giving a Full and Comprehensive Review of the Present Condition, Industry, and Resources of the American Confederacy ... Thomas Baldwin (of Philadelphia.) Joseph Thomas January 1, 1854 Philadelphia : Lippincott, Grambo & Company 1854.
  • 1859
    DANBURY, a township, semi-capital of Fairfield co. in the state of Connecticut, 68 m. SW of Hartford. It is pleasantly diversified, and is intersected by a branch of the Housatonic, which affords good water-power. The soil is generally fertile. Pop. 4,504.
    A Gazetteer of the World: Or, Dictionary of Geographical Knowledge, Publisher A. Fullarton, 1859
  • News  1869 - FRIGHTFUL DISASTER. BREAKING OF DAM AT DANBURY, CONN. - HOUSES AND BRIDGES SWEPT AWAY - TEN OR TWELVE PERSONS DROWNED.
    Danbury, Conn., Monday, Feb. 1.

    The most terrible disaster that has ever occurred in Danbury happened last night, destroying a number of lives and much property.

    About 7 o'clock in the evening the upper Kohanza dam, which supplies the borough with water, gave way, letting down the water with such force as to carry away the lower dam also. The water of the two dams thus let loose formed as irresistable force and carried away all before it. Flint's dam, which was carried away by a flood last Summer, was again destroyed. The upper Main Street bridge was carried away; also the Balmforth Avenue and White Street bridges, while the Patch Street bridge and the one at Lacy, Hott & Co.'s shop are rendered almost impassable. Houses and small buildings were carried down stream and destroyed. Immense cakes of ice, with rocks, trees &c., were carried a great distance. A house in the north end of the town, occupied by the family of MR. A. CLARK, was carried away with the inmates - a man, his... Read MORE...

  • News  1878 - Many funny fancies have come from Danbury, Conn.
    At least one funny fact comes from the same town. A Danbury man hired his divorced wife to attend to his present wife's child. - N. Y. Herald.
    St Joseph Herald
    Saint Joseph, Michigan
    September 28, 1878
  • News  1880 - Hat-Making was first begun in Danbury, Conn., in 1780, the factory there employing three workmen and turning out three hats a day. There are now employed 1,800 persons, and they make 17,400 hats a day.

    St Joseph Herald
    Saint Joseph, Michigan
    March 6, 1880
  • News  1888 - On the 30th ult. the Tweedy Manufacturing Company's hat factory at Danbury, Conn., the largest in America, shut down for the first time in twenty years.
    Eleven hundred employes were thrown out of work.
    St Joseph Herald
    Saint Joseph, Michigan
    May 5, 1888
  • News  1890 - FIRE BUGS IN DANBURY. TWO BIG CONFLAGRATIONS STARTED IN ONE NIGHT.
    DANBURY, Conn., Dec. 21. - A fire bug got in some effective work here Saturday night and Sunday morning, kindling two extensive fires. The first destroyed the lumber yard of Osborne Brothers at White and Canal Streets and six loaded freight cars on a siding of the Housatonic Road adjoining, and partly destroyed the Housatonic freight house. Osborne Brothers lose $26,000 and the Housatonic Railway Company about $10,000.

    The second fire occurred at 2 o'clock this morning and totally destroyed the large box factory of Green & Beebe, a two-story double house with three barns adjoining belonging to George Barnum, the foundry and half of the machine shop belonging to C. H. Reid, all on Maple Avenue. The alarm was sounded while the firemen were still at work on the ruins of the first fire, which was about 500 feet distant. Both fires were in what is called the "Fire-bug District." The flames were started with the oily waste material that had been used in kindling all of the incendiary... Read MORE...

  • 1895 - Danbury
    Danbury, dan’ber-e, a city, one of the capitals of Fair field co., Conn., is at the north terminus of the Danbury & Norwalk Railroad, 69 miles N.N.E. of New York, about 30 miles W.N.W. of New Haven, and 20 miles (direct) N.W. of Bridgeport. The Brookfield Branch of the Housatonic Railroad extends from this place to Brookfield Junction, and there connects with the main line of that railroad. It contains a court-house, 12 churches, a public library, 2 national and 2 savings-banks, 2 large graded schools, 2 news paper offices, 38 hat-factories, 2 machine-works, a silver ware-factory, 3 fur-cutting works, and 2 box-factories. Its prosperity is mainly supported by its manufactures of hats. Danbury was burned by the British in April, 1777. Pop. in 1890, 16,552.
    Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott
  • News  1896 - $150,000 BLAZE IN DANBURY.
    Fifteen Buildings Destroyed - Firemen, Hatter, and Woman Hurt.

    DANBURY, Conn., March 3. - The Fire Department battled for four hours this morning with a fire in the centre of the city. Property worth $150,000 was destroyed. Half the damage is covered by insurance.
    Capt. Hoyt and Frank Eastwood, a hoseman, were badly injured. Mrs. Hattie Carpenter, colored, who jumped from a window, was internally hurt. She was taken to the hospital. Fifteen buildings, all but one of wood, were burned to the ground.

    The fire was caused by the explosion of an alcohol tank at Charles D. Park's hat shop. Mr. Park was severely burned, but he gave an alarm at once. Within five minutes the flames had spread to the adjoining buildings, all wooden ones.

    The territory attacked by the fire is bounded by Maple Avenue, White Street, and Maiden Lane. In it were Weed's stables, Meeker's block, the Barnum Building, and Steven's sash and blind factory. There were twenty-five families housed in the district,... Read MORE...

  • News  1896 - DANBURY'S FIRE. The Total Loss Inflicted Will Reach Fully $70,000.
    Danbury, Conn., April 23. - The fire yesterday afternoon which destroyed Mackinzie & Sons' and Devenport & Von Gals' hat factories and George Taylor's tobacco store, near Taylor street, inflicted a total loss of fully $70,000. The fire started in the drying room of the Mackinzie factory. Engineer Charles B. Pickering smelled smoke, and on opening the door of the drying room the flames burst out and drove him back. There were but a dozen operatives in the place as the factory had been down to make repairs. The flames spread so quickly that they had barely time to make their escape. Fifteen minutes after the fire started the Mackinzie factory was in ruins and the flames had spread to Davenport & Von Gals; fifty feet distant. From there they leaped to the Taylor building. Lee & Hawley's factory just beyond and H. McLaughling's opposite were on fire several times and with the strong wind that was blowing it looked as though it would be impossible to save them. All buildings were large... Read MORE...

  • 1916
    Danbury, dan'ber-e, a city, one of the capitals of Fair field co., Conn., on the New York, New Haven and Hartford R., 60 miles N N E. of New York. It has machine- and fur- cutting works, large hat-factories, manufactures of plated-ware, silks, etc. Danbury was burned by the British in April, 1777. Pop. in 1890, 16,552; in 1900, 16,537.
    Lippincotts New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns, Resorts, Islands, Rivers, Mountains, Seas, Lakes, Etc., in Every Portion of the Globe, Part 1 Angelo Heilprin Louis Heilprin - January 1, 1916 J.B. Lippincott - Publisher
  • News  1927 - DANBURY BOY MAY LIVE AFTER CRASH
    Struck by Truck, While Riding Bicycle, Boy May Recover.

    DANBURY June 2 - (By Special Correspondent) - Chances for recovery of thirteen year old John Swanson 20 Spring street Danbury, who yesterday was struck and knocked down by a coal truck here were reported as good at Danbury hospital tonight.

    The Swanson boy was hit by the truck while riding his bicycle Edward L. Smith City Hamlet Danbury the truck driver who was arrested on a charge of reckless driving was released today in bonds of $100 It is understood that following and examination of the brakes of the truck, which is the property of John McCarthy, coal dealer further charges may be made against the driver.

    The boys' chest was crushed by the impact and although the scalp was badly lacerated, the skull was not fractured examination today showed X-rays will be taken tomorrow to learn if a broken rib has punctured a lung.
    The Bridgeport Telegram
    Bridgeport, Connecticut
    June 3, 1927
  • 1965 - December 4 - 2 passenger planes collide above Danbury, Conn, 4 die

    historyorb.com


  • Danbury is the wettest city in Connecticut, averaging 94 days of precipitation each year.

    National Weather Service

Discover Your Roots: Danbury Ancestry

Ancestors Who Were Born or Died in Danbury, Connecticut, USA

We currently have information about ancestors who were born or died in Danbury.

View Them Now (sorted by year of birth)



male ancestorThomas BARNUM (1625, , England (United Kingdom) - 26 December 1695, Danbury, Connecticut, USA)
male ancestorThomas BARNUM (9 July 1663, Norwalk, Connecticut, USA (Rowayton) (South Norwalk) (East Norwalk) - 17 December 1730, Danbury, Connecticut, USA)
male ancestorNathan TAYLOR (7 February 1682, Danbury, Connecticut, USA - 1 April 1782, Danbury, Connecticut, USA)
female ancestorHannah BENEDICT (16 November 1684, Norwalk, Connecticut, USA (Rowayton) (South Norwalk) (East Norwalk) - 1764, Danbury, Connecticut, USA)
male ancestorJohn STARR (1684, Danbury, Connecticut, USA - 27 July 1739, Danbury, Connecticut, USA)
female ancestorRebecca CORNELL (1685, Scarsdale, New York, USA - 15 July 1739, Danbury, Connecticut, USA)
female ancestorRachel TAYLOR (1 January 1689, Norwalk, Connecticut, USA (Rowayton) (South Norwalk) (East Norwalk) - 7 January 1779, Danbury, Connecticut, USA)
female ancestorEunice TAYLOR (1689, Danbury, Connecticut, USA - 1779, Danbury, Connecticut, USA)
male ancestorJonathan STARR (16 February 1702, Danbury, Connecticut, USA - 6 May 1751, Danbury, Connecticut, USA)

Ancestors Who Were Married in Danbury, Connecticut, USA

We currently have information about ancestors who were married in Danbury.

View Them Now

male ancestorPeter CORBIN (28 July 1733 - 20 March 1805) and female ancestorAbigail BENEDICT (11 September 1738 - 23 September 1813) married 18 November 1756
male ancestorEphraim BARNUM (28 August 1733 - 17 April 1817) and female ancestorRachel STARR (1740 - 4 April 1798) married 1 February 1776
male ancestorDaniel WOOD (25 September 1751 - 21 September 1829) and female ancestorWealthy MANROW (15 October 1759 - 10 July 1818) married 13 May 1777
male ancestorPhineas TAYLOR (April 1743 - 3 March 1819) and female ancestorMolly SHERWOOD (1760 - 20 August 1825) married 11 September 1783
male ancestorHenry SELLECK (24 September 1796 - 13 March 1872) and female ancestorMary Ann KEELER (8 May 1802 - 29 October 1881) married 21 September 1820
photo of Eli Taylor TROWBRIDGE Eli Taylor TROWBRIDGE (2 October 1803 - 3 March 1871) and female ancestorEliza JUDD (23 December 1804 - 4 July 1868) married 4 October 1843
male ancestorAndrew J CROFUT (8 May 1833 - 25 November 1893) and female ancestorJennett A SEYMOUR (16 February 1835 - 15 February 1888) married 31 May 1854
male ancestorGeorge Albert PORTER (20 October 1847 - 16 March 1930) and female ancestorMary Susan GODWIN (July 1852 - ) married 12 May 1875
male ancestorThomas DAVIS (22 July 1891 - 4 May 1956) and female ancestorHagel Calves BALDWIN (2 August 1889 - ) married 8 September 1913
Not the place you are looking for? Try again!

Search for Your Family by Place

To search for a place, specify place name below. Choose name from the list. Then SEARCH.
*Place Name:

Who Are You Searching For?

Search for Your Family by Name

NOTE: If you don't know your ancestor's whole name or are unsure of the spelling, specify part of the name.

First Name:
*Last Name:
Gender:
Born (+/- 2 years):
Died (+/- 2 years):
Match all terms exactly:

Updated: 6/19/2023 3:03:45 PM

Danbury Ancestry Tales: Share Your Unique Story!

If you'd like to be contacted by others who have ancestors from Danbury, leave a message here!
The comments you read here belong only to the person who posted them. We reserve the right to remove off-topic and inappropriate comments.