The land was originally purchased in approx. 1715 from Chief Catoonah (AKA Katonah) of the Titicus Indian Tribe. Now a beautiful 7.22 acres of meticulously maintained flowering gardens, private shade gardens, grand mature trees, and park-like lawns with sweeping views.

The settlers of Ridgefield saw the Mamanasco basin as an excellent place for a larger lake to store plenty of water for a grist mill, a necessary industry to supply the settlers with flour. So on Nov. 20, 1716, Proprietors, “so long as they shall make, maintain and keep in good rig, a good sufficient grist mill there for ye use and benefit of ye town and Proprietors of Ridgefield…” On Jan. 26, 1717, the proprietors turned over the milling rights to Daniel Sherwood, who presumably built the first grist mill at the outlet shortly thereafter.

Two of the millstones from Lake Mamanasco were used as steps to 628 North Salem Road.

Daniel Sherwood, the first miller in Ridgefield, was born at Fairfield in 1686, the eldest son of Isaac Sherwood. In 1711 he married Elizabeth Bradley and moved to Ridgefield. They had eight children – all born in Ridgefield. His first child, Hannah, was born in Ridgefield on March 7, 1712. Further evidence of Sherwood’s early residence is found in the Deed of Second Purchase of land from the Indians in 1715 in which the name of Sherwood appears with others. Furthermore, reference is made in that deed to one of the boundaries as a certain white-wood tree “near where ye mill now stands”. Finally, the Covenant itself begins with the words “Know ye that I Daniel Sherwood of Ridgefield”. Sherwood was a prominent man in town affairs and served as a senior warden of the Church of England. In 1732 the names of Daniel Sherwood and his two oldest sons, Daniel and Nathan, appear among those who had paid their ministerial dues. Sherwood continued the operation of the grist mill at the outlet of Mamanasco Lake as he built the property now known as 628 North Salem Road. He lived in the home until his death and bequeathed it to his son Daniel Sherwood Jr.

Source: Ridgefield Historical Society