A Bit of Ridgefield History - Joshua King

The final Jeopardy question: “During the Revolutionary War, in 1780 he was executed in NYC. His body was later moved to Westminster Abbey”. The answer: British Major John Andre who was capture carrying suspicious papers which later turned out to be Benedict Arnold’s plans for the capture of West Point. During Major Andre’s imprisonment, trial (picture) and execution as a British spy, Patriot Lt. Joshua King was in charge of his safekeeping. They became so close that King remorsefully escorted Andre to the gallows. In 1817 King wrote a letter describing his time with Andre which is now considered to be the most accurate account of the event. What connection does this have to Ridgefield? Joshua King met one Anne Ingersoll, daughter of Ridgefield’s Rev. Ingersoll, during his early days in the Sheldon’s Dragoons. He was so infatuated with her, after the war he came back to Ridgefield where in 1783 he married her. He went on to be a prominent and wealthy member of the community. He served as First Selectman 9 times, represented the town in the State Legislature 10 times and was a Delegate from Ridgefield to the CT Constitutional Convention. His wealth allowed him to build an elegant house. Upon his death, the street where it stood was renamed King’s Lane – the same King’s Lane of today! (To learn more about Joshua King go to The Ghosts of Ridgefield program description and click learn more about the ghosts.)