Community Corner
The Barkers of Branford---Part II---First Time To Work
Llewellyn Barker's diaries span 1865-1937. "The Barkers of Branford: Life in America Through a Local Lens" is based upon these diaries.
The following is an excerpt from Ted Braun’s book. It is available for $30 at the Blackstone Library in Branford. Details at www.BarkersOfBranford.com
“I went to the shop for the first time” (2/12/1866)
At age fifteen, school was over. Llewellyn Barker joined his father and older brothers laboring at the Branford Lock Works, a major Branford industry that employed over 500 at its height. It drew many off the farms and from foreign lands. All that remains is a portion of one of the brick buildings that now house s Donovan's Reef restaurant The remaining buildings of this major Branford industry in the latter half of the 19th century includes Donovan’s Reef Restaurant and a plaque out front pronouncing the area "Lock Works Square" See photo of items made at the Lock Works during Llewellyn’s time. They are still available on the internet today.
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“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 maid 411... 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. For details see www.BarkersOfBranford.com
