Battle of Post Road/Nearwater Farm

You are at Hindley School, site of the Battle of Post Road near the modern location of Nearwater Farm. Feel free to get out and read the marker from the Darien Heritage Trail and walk or drive the mile down Nearwater Lane to enjoy ocean views.

Throughout the beginning of the Revolution, the British Navy and Loyalist troops frequently made night raids targeting the Patriots of Connecticut. The Loyalists used whaleboats to cross the Long Island Sound to steal animals, food, clothing, and valuables from Connecticut farms to bring back to their quarters and families.

On August 2, 1781 Loyalist raiders under the command of Major Nathan Hubbell plundered Norwalk, scouring farms and rounding up animals. Local militia guards under command of Lieutenant Nathan Howe quickly gathered men and responded to the raid. They hid behind the stone wall at the Southeast corner of the Post Road, close to Nearwater Lane (which today is the yard of the Hindley School). The Loyalist troops learned of this plan and gathered behind a stone wall across the street, where they could fire at the militiamen from the side and rear. A few men on both sides were killed, and several others wounded. The rest of the Loyalist men snuck back down to the water and escaped back across the Long Island Sound on their whaleboats. The marker placed in front of Hindley Schools recognizes the location of this skirmish.

Down the lane is the still-standing Nearwater Farm. This house was built in 1750 by Nathan Weed, and was passed down in the Weed Family for many generations. Joseph Weed, Nathaniel’s grandson, wrote about the animals like oxen, horses, cows, sheep and pigs held by the family, as well as crops like wheat, rye, buckwheat, oats, corn, flax, and potatoes. The beach at the end of the lane is named Weed Beach, in honor of the family.