The Barkers of Branford: Life in America Through a Local Lens6

(From Ted Braun’s book “The Barkers of Branford: Life in America Through a Local Lens”. Google this title to see more excerpts. This book is available for $30 at the Blackstone Library in Branford)

At age seventeen, Llewellyn had spent the last two years of his life as a laborer and school was a distant memory. At this time he attended a celebration of his friend going off to college. After the event, that evening, he penned the following diary entry.

“I shook hands with him… wished him well…

him to gain knowledge…. me to remain in ignorance”

He later talked about his “station in life” as being extremely limited. However, instead of sinking into jealousy and despair, he chose a different path. Maybe college wasn’t an option but he resolved to make sure he didn’t “remain in ignorance”. Four days later after the party…

“ I bought me a slate and arithmetic”

When the winter school term began for the older students in December…..

“I went to school... I am very backward in my studies”

At age seventeen, perhaps it was a bit intimidating for Llewellyn to take his seat in the class with younger students. Among them were his friends Will Leete and Jenny Dudley, who were both a few years his junior. The next day…

“I went to school... I had to do sum on the black board in fractions... I like it very well... have some fun”

Below are a few entries that illustrate his school efforts. The first was accompanied by many calculations filling the page.

“Example. a man paid $76 for calves and sheep.. he sold ¼ of the Calves & 2/5 of the Sheep for $23 and by so doing lost 8 % of what they cost him... how many Calves and Sheep did he buy? Explanation 20 Sheep 12 Calves”

“I rote the words that I missed yesterday. Twas: Endeavored Maimed Ceremony Procession Ways Philosopher Apparent Really Capable”

“Will Leete and I are going to speak a Dialogue with Jenny Dudley”

“us boys recited our pieces that we are a going to speak tonight... In the evening I took a beet for a candel stick and went to spelling school... I spelt better then I thought I would... the school house was crowded full... I felt some what embarassed to speak before them all but I done it”

“In the evening I went to the spelling school... we had a good time... our piece was very good...the house was crowded”

“today is the last day of school ...I am sorry we had some fun”

Llewellyn attended these winter school sessions for three years when his work as a hired hand on his cousin’s farm allowed.

Through his twenties, he continued his education, although in a less formal way, through self-study and expanded involvement in his church, the First Congregational Church of Branford.

All of these efforts eventually paid off for him. In 1897 this life-long laborer would take his seat on the Branford Board of Education alongside members of the educational elite of the community including doctors, ministers and other leading citizens. The other members must have seen something special about Llewellyn for they eventually elected him board chairman. Llewellyn had found a way to ensure his daughters had better educational opportunities than he experienced. His obituary stated he was among Branford’s “most highly-respected citizens”. The rise of this remarkable man and his educational journey is one of the major themes explored in the book.

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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. Richly illustrated with over 200 photos, maps and illustrations, it traces not only the history of a family but also that of the town and the nation. Over 300 names appear in the diary and are referenced and indexed for easy access. Google the book title to see more excerpts.