The Cromwell area was originally settled as part of Mattabesset settlement, what would eventually be called Middletown, in 1651.  Specifically, the area would be referred to as the Middletown Upper Houses, relating to the area's northern orientation.  The first settlers built homes in the area around and between todays Wall and South Streets and included the names of Stocking, Graves, Webster, Smith, Treat, Savage, Blumfield, Martin and White. 

The Upper Houses were set apart from Middletown proper by the Sebethe River which presented transportation challenges from time to time.  As early as 1789, discussions of separation began and in 1851, the Upper Houses became a separate town from Middletown. 

Online Resources and Links

Middletown Upper Houses; A History of the North Society of Middletown
By C. Collard Adams

Russell A. Frisbie
by Richard Wm. Donohue

J & E Stevens Company

The Warner Hammer Factory

The Allison Hammer Factory

The History of Middlesex County 1635-1885 - Cromwell
J. H. Beers & Co., 36 Vesey Street, New York
1884
Pages 242-263
The Town of Cromwell, CT

Upper Houses Historic District

Cromwell School Alumni

Mettabasset District

Cromwell images at
Connecticut History Online

The Connecticut Presenter Nexus

Cromwell's Town Greens
at
Connecticut's Town Greens

Historic Buildings of Connecticut

Connecticut Museum Quest

Connecticut Barns

Connecticut Monuments

Town of Cromwell

Cromwell at the Connecticut Geneology Web