Now nearly forgotten, John Ogden was one of our country's earliest patriots, a man who stood tall against the intrusion of foreign intervention in colonial affairs and who left a significant footprint in 17th century America.
An accomplished stonemason, Ogden was born in Lancashire, England in 1609. He emigrated to the New World in 1641, arriving in Rippowam (now Stamford, Connecticut) to build a dam and grist mill for the community. In 1642 he was hired to build the first permanent stone church in Fort Amsterdam, then but a small dusty settlement at the foot of Manhattan Island.
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