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is a town in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. Many records from colonial times spell the name
. The population was 26,271 at the 2000 census.
Founded in 1634 by a group of Puritans led by John Oldham, Wethersfield is the second-oldest town in Connecticut after Windsor. Although Windsor was founded in 1633, it operated as a trading post and became a settlement slightly after Wethersfield. Thus Wethersfield can claim the title of oldest settlement, while Windsor can claim the title of oldest town. There is much contention between the two towns regarding this matter. Along with Windsor and Hartford, Wethersfield is represented by one of the three grapevines on the Connecticut state flag signifying the state's three oldest settlements.
Four witch trials and three executions for witchcraft occurred in the town in the 17th century. Mary Johnson was convicted of witchcraft and executed in 1648, Joan and John Carrington in 1651. Landowner Katherine Harrison was convicted, and although her conviction was reversed, she was banished and her property seized by her neighbors.
Silas Deane, commissioner to France during the American Revolutionary War, lived in the town. His house is now part of the Webb Deane Stevens Museum. In May 1781, at the Webb House on Main Street, General George Washington and French Lt. Gen. Rochambeau planned the battle of Yorktown, which culminated in the independence of the then rebellious colonies.
The Wethersfield Volunteer Fire Department was chartered by the Connecticut Legislature on May 12, 1803, making it the first formally chartered fire department in Connecticut,
and is the oldest chartered volunteer fire department in continuous existence in the United States .