Middlebury took its name from the central position of its meeting house, six miles from the older towns of Waterbury, Southbury, and Woodbury. The area began as West Farms, originally the southwest portion of Waterbury, where winter ecclesiastical privileges permitting local church services were established in 1768. In 1790, West Farms and adjoining portions of Woodbury and Southbury became a distinct ecclesiastical society called Middlebury. The first house in the area was built by Isaac Bronson before 1702 on Breakneck Hill. During the Revolutionary War, French General Rochambeau and his troops camped in the Breakneck Hill section while marching to the final campaign at Yorktown, Virginia. The first petition to the General Assembly seeking independence from Waterbury was made in 1800, and after much opposition incorporation was granted in October 1807.