This box is in honor of Col. Thomas Knowlton, Revolutionary War, patriot, founder of the United States Army Rangers, and past resident of Ashford.

The letterbox is planted on the property of the Knowlton Hill Preserve owned by Joshua’s Trust. It is listed by them as being located in Mansfield but there is a large section of the property that is over the town line in Ashford. The letterbox is in the Ashford section. From the Storrs 4 corners (intersection of routes 195 and route 44) go 3.5 miles on route 44 east. Turn right onto Knowlton Hill Road. The small parking area is located 1 mile down the road just past the large beautiful private Victorian house with a copper roof on your left. The parking area holds 3 maybe 4 cars. This preserve is not used very much. I never had a problem parking here. You can also get to the preserve from the intersection of routes 195 and 89 in Mansfield Center by going down route 89 north 1.2 miles. Here you turn left onto Wormwood Hill Road. Continue on Wormwood Hill Road 4.8 miles to a fork. Take Knowlton Hill Road .5 mile to the preserve parking on your right. This hike round trip totals about 1 ¼ mile.

Thomas Knowlton was born in November 22nd, 1740 in West Boxford, Massachusetts. Around the age of 8, he moved with his family to Ashford Connecticut and a 400 acre farm. In 1755 at the age of 15, Thomas enlisted in the English army and fought under Major Putnam in the French and Indian War. At the age of 20, he was made a Lieutenant. In 1759 he married Anna Keyes of Ashford and bought a farm on the present site of the Norcross Webster Boy Scout Reservation. Knowlton and his wife raised a family of nine children. He went back in service with the British in Havana Cuba against the Spanish. At the age of 33, Thomas was already a popular man in Ashford and was elected Selectman in 1773. From the start of the American Revolution, Ashford and Thomas Knowlton supported the cause. In 1775 a Company was organized in Ashford for the struggle against the British. They elected Thomas Knowlton as their commander. Captain Knowlton took the company from Connecticut into Massachusetts, the first unit from an outside colony to march to Massachusetts to assist with the struggle after the Lexington and Concord alarms. The Company of Ashford Volunteers reported for battle at the Battle of Bunker Hill. The leader of the Battle was General Putnam, who had previously commanded Thomas Knowlton during the French-Indian War twenty years earlier. Knowlton was in command of nearly 200 troops. His troops helped to repulse the early British charges and were the rear guard covering the retreat of the rest of the force. Captain Knowlton was promoted to Major based on his performance here, and was considered the "first officer of his grade in the army". In the winter of 1775 – 1776, Major Knowlton lead a daring foray into Charlestown to burn homes housing British officers. In the spring of 1776 a special force of Connecticut men was formed for "special" operations. this was a ranger force. Major Knowlton was asked to command it and was promoted to Lt. Colonel. This was an elite hand picked independent corps which was under the direct command of George Washington. This was the origin of today’s army rangers and Thomas Knowlton is known today as the founder. The soldiers he led were known as "Knowlton's Rangers" and eventually earned the nickname "Congress's Own". In preparing for the defense of New York, General Washington felt the need for more intelligence about the British situation in the city. Lt. Col. Knowlton was put in charge of the intelligence operation. Nathan Hale of Coventry Connecticut was the volunteer to put the operation into effect. He was captured by the British and hanged the day after his capture. His words that day have been immortalized into American history: "I regret that I have but one life to give for my country." In 1776, Lt. Col. Knowlton and his 16 year old son participated in the Battle of Harlem Heights. It was in this battle on September 16th, 1776 the rangers with Col. Knowlton and his 16 year old son were scouting in advance of the main army at the battle of Harlem Heights New York when they came into contact with the Black Watch. It was during this scrimmage that Col. Knowlton was mortally wounded. He is reputed to say, "You see my son, I am mortally wounded; you can do me no good; go fight for your Country." George Washington upon hearing the news said on the next day "The gallant and brave Col. Knowlton, who would have been an honor to any country, having fallen yesterday while gloriously fighting, Capt. Brown is to take command of the party lately led by Col. Knowlton."