Northwest farmers of Stratford formed the Village of Unity in October 1725. In 1744, they united with the Long Hill parish of the Stratfield section of Stratford to become the Society of North Stratford. The Society controlled its own religious and educational affairs, but to have a voice in governmental functions such as adopting laws and establishing taxes, inhabitants were required to attend town meetings in Stratford, an overnight journey. After ten years of unsuccessful petitions, the General Assembly granted complete town rights in October 1797, and the town was named for General Washington's staunch supporter, Revolutionary War Governor Jonathan Trumbull.