Neighbor News
The Barkers of Branford: Life in America Through a Local Lens11
Excerpt *** A BRANFORD CHRISTMAS IN THE 1890s *** Llewellyn Barker's diaries, found in a Branford attic, span Abraham Lincoln to FDR.
The following is an excerpt from Ted Braun’s book “The Barkers of Branford: Life in America Through a Local Lens”. It is available for $30 at the Blackstone Library in Branford. Details at www.BarkersOfBranford.com
In 1890, Llewellyn Barker was 40 and his wife Dell was 26. Their three daughters were Venia (6), Olive (3) and Martha (2). Dell was pregnant with their youngest daughter Anna who was born three months later (see photo). The following are entries from Llewellyn’s diaries written at Christmas time during the last decade of the 19th Century.
*********A Few Days Before Christmas*********
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“At half past 11 went over to New Haven on the train with Dell & Venia to get some things for Chrismas... We came home on the 3 oclock train”
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“I get a present for Dell carpet sweeper & book”
“Snow wind ...She (Dell) went to New Haven with Geo. Beach in a carriage... Dell couldn’t get the stage man to bring her from the station so she walked through the snow and brought the Christmas things” (see photo)
“Dell is making dolls cloths for the children... I killed 4 cocks”
“Dell finished the dress for Venia”
**********Christmas Eve**********
“Venia Olive Martha & I went on Pisga hills (local area) to cut a Christmas tree... we got a pine one and it looks fine with the children’s things on it”
“We fired the Christmass tree... The children are popping and stringing corn for tree”
Evening Venia Dell & I went to the Christmas Eve service at the Congl Church... the music was very good”
*********Christmas Day**********
“The children got up before light to see the Christmas tree"
“went down to the mill to see Adams about taking the children and us to the Christmass annual. We all went in a sleigh.”
“I split wood & cut (see photo)... Dell & I road our wheels (bicycles) a little way... too cold...Miss Edna Hoadley made a call... We went to Mr Hegelheimer Mr Nagles & Tom Wards to see their trees”
“The children had a few things within stockings which they enjoyed very much
“Dell got a gold pin & holder & a clothes wringer ...I got a pair of gloves match box etc”
**********Day After Christmas**********
What to do with the unwanted gifts? The answer back then was the same as today.
“I went over to New Haven ….got me a diary & exchanged Dells gold pin for another”
Christmas in the 1890’s was much less complicated than today. The “season” lasted a week. The tree was cut out from just beyond their back door the night before Christmas and decorated with items made by the children. The gifts were simple, practical and often handmade. Like today, Christmas was also an opportunity to pause, be thankful, and celebrate with family and friends.
Merry Christmas To You And Yours!
Ted Braun
P.S. You can contact me with comments/questions for this series of articles at tedbraun135@gmail.com
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Ted Braun’s book “The Barkers of Branford: Life in America Through a Local Lens" is available for $30 at the Blackstone Library in Branford. Details at www.BarkersOfBranford.com
