 By the late eighteenth century, plans were underway to improve the road between Fairfield and the New York border, "for even travelers from overseas were learning to avoid this part of the road by taking the boat between New Haven and New York," according to Louise H. McLean.During the Revolutionary War, General Israel Putnam made a daring escape from the British on February 26, 1779.Although British forces pillaged the town, Putnam was able to warn Stamford.