1835. New Milford Toll Bridge Company incorporated with liberty to erect and maintain two toll bridges, one at the present in the village, the other at the great falls. 1836. A special town meeting held February 29, to take into consideration the propriety of making an appropriation not exceeding $500 to defray the expense of surveying a route or routes for a railroad to pass through the town. It was voted that the Treasurer be authorized to borrow on the credit of the town a sum not exceeding five hundred dollars to be devoted to the accomplishment of this object. 1837. A special town meeting, May 12, voted to grant the request of New Milford and Sherman Turnpike Company upon the consideration that said company or some other company for that purpose to be formed shall build and keep in repair a toll bridge at the place commonly called Boardman’s Bridge. 1840. The Housatonic Railroad was opened from New Milford to Bridgeport. Daniel Marsh was the first station agent. Highway from near railroad station to village of Northville, laid out by commissioners, commencing at land of David S. Boardman. 1841. The New Milford Washingtonian Temperance Benevolent Society organized. Within three years 900 names were recorded as members. 1842. Town appropriated one hundred dollars to assist in paving water courses in village provided two hundred and fifty dollars be expended by the inhabitants of said village. 1843. Erected the Housatonic R. R. station which was called Merwinsville. The first elm trees in the park were set by Solomon E. Bostwick in front of his residence. Doct. George Taylor and Albert N. Baldwin appointed a committee to purchase a farm for the town. 1845. The _New Milford Republican_, the first newspaper in the village, was established by J. K. Averill. 1846-50. “The Housatonic Institute” erected. 1847. Highway laid out now called Bank street. 1849. Bridgewater and Brookfield Toll Bridge Company, incorporated. 1850. The present Methodist Episcopal Church erected. 1852. Bank of Litchfield County organized. Albert S. Hill erected a paper mill across the road from the Wells Grist Mill. Mr. and Mrs. B. J. Stone took charge of “The Housatonic Institute.” 1854. The first week in May occurred a great freshet that carried away the dam at Gaylordsville; also the Boardman’s bridge and the town bridge. 1855. New Milford Brass Band organized, Earl Buckingham leader. 1856. Bridgewater set off from New Milford as a separate town. 1858. The New Milford Savings Bank organized. The Housatonic Agricultural Society formed. 1860. The Adelphic Institute established by Ambrose S. Rogers, A. M. In Nov., fire destroyed business portion on south side of Bank St. and east side of R. R. St., to the property now owned by Ackley, Hatch & Marsh. 1861. The town voted to pay for the support of the wife, children, father or mother of those persons who enlisted, such sums as the Selectmen deemed necessary. St. Francis Xavier’s Church erected.