The First Town Meeting in Granby Was Held 225 Years Ago

This year, Granby celebrates its 225^th Anniversary. Twenty-five years ago in honor of Granby's Bicentennial, the Salmon Brook Historical Society, with the help of the George A. and Grace L. Long Foundation of Hartford, decided to undertake transcribing, organizing and publishing Volumes I and II of the Records of the Town of Granby.  Despite the safe storage of these early volumes in the town vault, their condition was poor. When they were compiled and bound, little care was given to putting events in order. For instance, the Connecticut General Assembly document incorporating Granby isn't found until page 48!  

Here are some early record highlights, retaining original spellings and colloquialisms of that time:

In October of 1786, the assembly agreed with the residents of the northern part of Simsbury, "that they Labour under Many Inconveancances by Reason of the Extent of their Town Praying to be Devided into two Destinct Towns."

The boundary of the new town was described as "the Devisions of sd Town Shall be aline beginning in winsor River at the East Bounds of the sd Town of Simsbury from thence Runing Westerly in the middle of sd River untill it Comes to the pickrel Cove So Called to a white oak tree marked Standing on the West Bank of sd Cove. ..."

In allowing for the separation, Granby had to agree to, "take & maintain their Part of and Perpotion of the Now town poor … according to the List in the Town of Simsbury the Present year and Shall pay their Part of the Debts … now due and owing in purpotion to the sd list. ..."

Additionally, "sd Town of Granby Shall Ever hereafter keep & maintain a good & Convenant Bridg aCross sdRiver betwewn pickerell Cove & Winsor Line if Ever here after Ordered by this Assembly ..."

Granby also was able to receive, "their Part and Perpotion of the whole Town Stock arms amunition Camp utensils and monies of the sd Town of Simsbury. ..."

The very first town meeting was held on the first Monday in December of 1786. Town meetings were held at 10 a.m. sharp! They met in the town meetinghouse which was the First Church near town green.  Elections were held for the first town officers, including selectmen, clerk, grand jurymen and treasurer. Other offices no longer in existence included keykeeper, fenceviewer, leathersealer and tythingmen. (Check back next week for an explanation of the work of these now non-existent officeholders.)

At the first meeting controversy erupted when a decision was made to hold two of every three town meetings at Salmon Brook and only one in Turkey Hill, resulting in Turkey Hill later seeking separation as its own town.

They also voted, "Elijah Smith have Liberty to Errect & Build a grist Mill at or Near the old Saw mill place on the North Branch of the Salmon Brook Near the Brig on the Rode that Goeth from Salmon Brook to tirky Hills."

The very next items recorded on Feb. 9, 1786, were a list of warnings to three different families. The selectmen at this time would warn anyone living in their town, without the means to support themselves and without proper residency, to leave town immediately.  The Town Constable (police chief) was ordered to give these warnings.

"Warning to Micah Miller

you are hereby Directed to Give notice and Warn Micah Miller & his wife now residing in the town of Granby not having Gained a Leagal Setlement in the sd town that they & Each of them forth with Depart & Leave sd town and reside no Longer in the Same.

Warning to Wido. Butler

Give notice and warning the widow Butler belonging to the town of Guilford & now Residant in this town not having Gained a legal Setlement in the SAme that She forth with Depart & Leave sd town & reside no Loner in the SAme upon the penalty of the Law in such Case made & Provided. ...

Warning to Davis Williams

Give notice to Williams & his wife & 3 Children Tranchant Persons now residing in the sd town of Granby & Reside no Longer in the Same upon the penalty of the Law in Such Case made & Provided. ..."

If you were not a "legal" resident, life in early America was harsh and unforgiving.  For others like Bennoni Viets, even being legal had its issues when you got older. 

"Where as it appears to us that Bennoni Viets of sd Town by Reason of age mismanagement and bad husbandry is Likely to Come to want and be Chargable to Sd Town we do there fore appoint Asahel Holcomb Esqr of sd Town over Sear to the sd Bennini Viets to order and Direct in the management of his business and all person are here by forbid trading or Dealling with him. ..."

So, lest we complain too much about modern day life, let’s pause a moment and reflect on what life was like in our town, 225 years ago.

For a copy of the Granby Town Records, 1786 - 1853, please stop by the Salmon Brook Historical Society this weekend!

225th Parade Details