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The Barkers of Branford: Life in America Through a Local Lens7
Excerpt*** "A FILTHY STORY WON'T FLOAT IN CLEAR WATER" ***Llewellyn Barker's diaries, found in a Branford attic, span Abraham Lincoln to FDR
(From Ted Braun’s book “The Barkers of Branford: Life in America Through a Local Lens” available for $30 at the Blackstone Library in Branford. Details at www.BarkersOfBranford.com)
Llewellyn’s 1875 diary, written at age twenty-five contains a number of quotations from the bible and literature. They give indication to his continued educational journey and include inspirational or cautionary messages written down, perhaps, as a guide for life.
“Oh, that men should put an enemy in their mouths to steal away their brains S”
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“Anjles (Angels) are bright still though the brightest fell S”
The “S” designation above refers to Shakespeare. The first quote from “Othello” referred to alcohol consumption that can lead to bad choices. Alcohol and its impact is among the themes that thread through his diaries and are expanded upon in the book. In the second quote from “Macbeth”, the bright angel was Lucifer who was cast out from heaven for his pride.
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“A filthy story wont float in clear water L”
“If you wouldn’t be eat by wolves, don’t be a sheep L”
The “L’s” above are unclear attributions but may refer to Llewellyn freshly minting his own truths.
Llewellyn also reflected on how he might achieve a measure of happiness, no matter his “station” in life. This resonated with the time-honored Christian principles that he had come to embrace.
“Happiness is the fragrance from the flower of duty; and if we don’t cultivate the flower, we cannot expect the fragrance”
“What thou Keepest thou loosest ...What thou givist thou hast”
His church involvement was much more than fulfilling a duty.
“Hot as July Went to the house of worship all day... And went again in the evening... Must say that my zeal must be very great when I can come home from church a hot July day and say that I’ve enjoyed it.”
By age twenty-five in 1875, Llewellyn had found a way to make up for his lack of formal education, to enrich his life and firmly ground himself in the interwoven religious and social fabric of his time. He had set the stage for his remarkable journey to become, as his obituary stated, one of Branford’s “most highly respected citizens”.
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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
