The name Middlebury derives from the central position the Town's meeting house occupies, six miles from three older neighbors, Waterbury, Southbury, and Woodbury.

Winter ecclesiastical privileges, permitting local church services, were established for West Farms, originally the southwest portion of Waterbury, in 1786.

In 1790, West Farms and adjoining portions of Woodbury and Southbury became a distinct ecclesiastical soci-ety under the name of Middlebury. The first house in the area was erected by Isaac Bronson before 1702 on Breakneck Hill.

During the Revolutionary War, French General Rochambeau and his troops established a camp in the Breakneck Hill section on their march to the final campaign at Yorktown, VA.

First petition to the General Assembly for independence of Middlebury from Waterbury was made in 1800. After much opposition, incorporation was granted in October, 1807.