ANDREW AVE — ANDREW MOUNTAIN
By Sandra Clark

“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 from 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

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there for about 5 years. When Amos Osborne married Joanna Weed, sister of the Weed brothers, 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 known 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 an 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..

Source - Naugatuck Historical Society Newsletter, Volume 10, Issue 2, March-April 2005