Community Corner
Branford Lock Works (BLW)
This major Branford industry employed over five-hundred people at its height in the 19th Century. Its memory is still preserved in brick.
The following is an excerpt from Ted Braun's book "The Barkers of Branford: Life in America Through A Local Lens". Details at www.BarkersOfBranford.com
The Branford Lock Works (BLW) drew many off the farms and from foreign lands. It occupied a large plot of land just east of the town center on Main Street. It has undergone much renovation over the past century but both the exterior and interior of Donovan's Reef Restaurant still preserve its memory. See photo of items made at the Lock Works during Llewellyn's time. They are still available on the internet today.
From age thirteen on, Llewellyn Barker (1850-1937) only attended his neighborhood school during the winter months. During the other months he was needed on the farm. At age fifteen school was finished. It was time to help support his family. He joined his father and older brothers already laboring there. The following are a few quotes from Llewellyn's diary starting with his first day at the Lock Works.
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"I went to the shop for the first time" (2/12/1866)
"I went to the shop... earnt $1 80 cents clear and pleasant" (3/28/1866)
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"I got up this morning and maid fire and ate breakfast ... then I went to church... in the evening I went to prair meeting....
"It was pay day and Father took all my money and it maid me mad but I got over it at last...... I found a musk rat in my trap" (11/15/1866)
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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
