This State of CT historical marker is located in front of Town Hall on Broad Street. It was erected by the Town of Windsor, the Windsor Historic District Commission, and the Connecticut Historical Commission in 1971, It’s a 2-sided marker that honors WIndsor as the first permanent English settlement in Connecticut in 1633. The plaque also honors three Windsor citizens for their contributions to its development. The trio were Roger Ludlow, Oliver Ellsworth, and John M Niles. The full text of the plaque reads: Windsor The first permanent English settlement in Connecticut On September 26, 1633, a company of men under Lieutenant William Holmes arrived by ship from the Plymouth Colony in Massachusetts, on invitiation of the local Indians, and established a trading post near the junction of the Farmington and Connecticut Rivers. In 1635 these first settlers were joined by a larger group which came overland from Dorchester in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Windsor, with Hartford and Wethersfield, formed the Colony of Connecticut in 1636. In the development of the constitutional government three Windsor men have played prominent roles: Roger Ludlow principal framer of the Fundamental Orders of the Connecticut 1638, first written constitution of a self-governing people. Oliver Ellsworth one of final Committee of five which framed Constitution of the United States 1787, appointed one of first two United States Senators from Connecticut, and became Chief Justice of United States Supreme Court John M Niles led reform movement which resulted in a new more democratic constitution for Connecticut 1818. Later represented Connecticut in United States Senate and became a leader in campaign against slavery. The plaque is in average condition, with side one being in superior shape to a somewhat faded and streaked side two.
