In 1707, John Noble, Sr., previously of Westfield, Massachusetts and his eight-year-old daughter, Sarah, were the first white settlers in 1707, but they were soon joined by others who had also bought land there. On October 17, 1711, 12 families including about 70 people petitioned the General Assembly to create the town, together with the associated privilege of levying a tax to support a minister. With the legislature's approval, the town was organized the next year. Shortly thereafter Daniel Boardman was secured to preach and was ordained as the minister of the Congregational Church on November 21, 1716.

Roger Sherman's house was near the present Town Hall until he moved to New Haven in 1761. He later became a member of the Continiental Congress and signed both the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.

During the American Revolution, the 7th Connecticut Regiment (also known as 19th Continental Regiment) was raised in town on September 16, 1776.  In total, the town "sent 285 men to fight in the War out of a total population of 2,776.