From TheHarrison House

The Branford Historical Society Newsletter Winter 2007, Volume 12, Issue 1

SpringtimeProgram

On Thursday, March 15, at 7:00p.m. at the Blackstone Memo-

rial Library on Main Street inBranford, the Branford HistoricalSociety will welcome Springtime.

The “Silk’n Sounds”, a dynamicand large A Capppella group thatsings a variety of music in four-partharmony in the barbershop style, willgive us a sample of their upcomingconcert.

The members come from all walksof life and live in the greater NewHaven region. They have performedsince their inception in 1998 at theHamden Goldenbells Festival, localchurch, civic and private groups,nursing homes, retirement villages,office parties and family celebrations.They participate regularly in regionalbarbershop contests and conventions.

They are women, helping to makehistory in March, National Women’sHistory Month, by presenting oldsongs dear to their hearts and ours,with even an Irish ditty or two.Admission is free and there will berefreshments after the performance.

� Mary Boyle, Programs

To Be RememberedIs To Live Again

Although a July 1899 article fromthe Branford Opinion reported

that “Norcross is shipping stone toJersey City and Madison, N. J. fornew libraries” the names of thelibraries built with granite from theNorcross Brothers Quarry inBranford were not given.

One hundred and eleven yearslater, in January 2007, a phone callfrom Madison, New Jersey providedthe name of one of the libraries: The1899 Romanesque James Library,now serving as The Museum of EarlyTrades and Crafts.

Lynne Ranieri, who is interning atthe museum as part of her Masters of

Museum Professions program atSeton Hall University, contacted theBranford Historical Society forinformation about the quarry for anupcoming exhibit about the con-struction of their building. Did theBranford Historical Society have anyinformation about the NorcrossBrothers Quarry?

This is what I like best aboutbeing part of the Society, having theopportunity as a mere mortal fromBranford to play detective and bringthe dead back to life.

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From theHarrison House

is a publication of theBranford Historical Society

124 Main Street, P.O. Box 504Branford, Connecticut 06405

(203) 488-4828

Board of the BranfordHistorical Society

PresidentPeter Black ......................... 483-6470

Vice PresidentJane Bouley ........................ 488-6531

TreasurerJohn Anderson ................... 481-3177

Assistant TreasurerPriscilla Oliver ................... 488-4411

Corresponding SecretaryWinnifred Judge ................ 488-8755

Recording SecretaryNancy Gaylord .................. 488-1223

Past PresidentJoe Chadwick ..................... 488-4705

AccessionsAmy Prescher ..................... 483-9075

Guides & MuseumAnton Wohlert ................... 481-4665

HospitalityCheri Elliot ........................ 488-3512

House/GroundsGeorge Goeben .................. 481-9200Arnold Peterson ................. 488-0450

MembershipJeanne McParland .............. 468-5433

NewsletterJeanne McParland .............. 468-5433Jen Payne ........................... 483-5353

Preservation of HistoricStructures & LandmarksMartha Bradshaw ............... 481-9980

ProgramsMary Boyle ........................ 481-2996

PublicityJackie Ulrich ...................... 481-0130

In addition to providing informa-tion about the quarry, the BranfordHistorical Society was able to offerphotographs of the quarry andquarrymen. These were taken in1896 by Branford photographerHarry O. Andrews (1861-1906),generously donated by his grand-daughter, the late Betty M. Linsley.

Within a few days of the initialrequest, haunting images fromBranford’s past were scanned and e-mailed to Mrs. Ranieri in New Jersey.Because of a phone call from NewJersey, a photographer who recordedBranford’s history and the peoplewho were part of it, and the 21stcentury technology that makes ascanner and computer work (most ofthe time), 19th century ghosts werespirited to an audience who mightotherwise have never heard of theNorcross Brothers Quarry and HarryO. Andrews. To be remembered, is tolive again.

The Museum of Early Trades andCrafts will feature an exhibit titled:“Building the Building: Elements ofStyle” that according to curator, PeterRothenberg, “will explore some ofwhos and hows of the Museum’shome, a 1899 Richardsonian Ro-manesque stone library.” The exhibitwill include information about thepeople who were part of creating thisornate building.

The exhibit opens on March 4th,2007 and runs until August 24th2007.

Museum of Early Trades & Crafts9 Main StreetMadison, NJ 07940Phone (973) 377-2982www.rosenet.org/metc

Photos and history of theRichardson Library:www.rosenet.org/metc/james.htm

From the Museum of Early Trades& Craft’s website:

The Museum of Early Trades & Craftsis wrapped up in a fancy package - thebuilding which is our home. Built in1899 as Madison’s first library, theornate Richardsonian RomanesqueRevival building was a gift to the townby D. Willis James, a rich coppermagnate.

Building the Building: Elements ofStyle will explore some of the “whos andhows” of crafting and decorating theedifice. Elements of the exhibit willinclude original blueprints by thearchitects Brigham and Adden, anexamination of how artist A. B. Cutterdesigned and crafted the building’sstencils and stained glass windows, andthe wood carving and constructingprocess.

This exhibit will appeal to artists,architects, historians and anyone whoappreciates beauty and art.

In conjunction with the exhibit, theMuseum will be offering a stonegargoyle carving course by sculptorFranco Minervini. Participants willassist in carving a clone of the gargoyleMinervini carved for the nationalCathedral in Washington, DC.

� Martha Bradshaw,Preservation of HistoricStructures and Landmarks

(Front page photo by H.O.Andrews)

To Be Remembered Is To Live Again, Continued

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Hidden Treasures at the Harrison House

Many visitors to Stony Creek arebeguiled by the thought of

hidden treasure left behind in theThimble Islands by Captain Kidd.Perhaps even Branford natives wouldbe surprised to learn that the Histori-cal Society owns a chest with atreasure perhaps even more enchant-ing than a hoard of booty.

One of the more ancient objectson display in the Harrison House is ahide-covered chest at the foot of thefour-poster bed in the parlor cham-ber. It is slightly smaller than thebulky traveling trunks of the Victo-rian era and has a simple, elegantshape with a gently curved lid. Theuntanned hide (which is actually stillfurry) is attached to the woodenconstruction with brass studs on thinbands of leather which provide adecorative pattern on the top andfront and record the date of 1710 andthe initials AF. Like most trunks, itled a peripatetic life, having comeinto the hands of one of Branford’smost prominent citizens, Dr. WilliamGould (1693-1757), and passingfrom heir to heir from Killingly,Putnam to Boston, until it came torest at the Historical Society in 1987.

The interior of the chest is linedwith paper, and today we can seepieces of a large floral print alongwith a layer of what appears to be oldnewspaper. Recycling old paper forvarious uses such as packing andinsulation has a much longer tradi-tion than one might expect. Taking alook at the text of this particularprint takes us back to a time whenthe colonists relied on astrology tomake predictions about favorableconditions for important events like

planting crops or embarking on ajourney. The pages now pasted intothe chest belong to an almanaccompiled by Edward Holyoke (1689-1769) and entitled, An Ephemeris ofthe Coelestial Motions, Aspects andEclipses, Etc. For the Year of theChristian Aera 1709. The date andpublishing place betray the colony’sallegiance to the mother country witha reference to Queen Anne, who wasin the eighth year of her reign, andlocating Boston in terms of itsdistance from London, 71 degreeswestward. The booklet itself, consist-ing of only sixteen pages, is littlemore than a calendar with compli-cated tables of symbols devoted toeach month, a title page and threepages of instructions including awoodcut illustration of the astrologi-cal signs mapped on the human body.Mr. Holyoke had just graduated withan M.A. degree and went on tobecome president of Harvard Collegelater in life.

What is remarkable about thisparticular almanac is that it is ex-tremely rare. There are only threeknown copies in American libraries.To put this into perspective, we mustrecall that in 1709 there had beenonly fourteen or fifteen printers inthe history of British North America.The first press had been establishedin Cambridge in 1639 and by 1722only four American cities had print-ing presses. Boston was the undis-puted center of printing andbookselling, and the Holyoke alma-nac was printed there byBartholomew Green, the son of oneof the earliest masters. The Greenfamily produced a number of print-ers, including Timothy, who ran theonly Connecticut press in NewLondon from 1712-1754.

A close look at the pasted pageswithin the Branford chest providessome clues about its provenance. Theindividual pages were not cut out of a

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private copy of the almanac, butrather we find the original imprintconsisting of four pages to a sheet asit would have looked fresh off thepress. Normally, the sheets wouldhave been folded and trimmed to sizebefore binding, but these copies wereapparently discarded in great number.The Branford trunk contains not justone, but at least two full copies of thealmanac and at least ten additionalsheets with title pages. Paper washard to come by in colonial timesand if Bartholomew Green did notsell his waste paper, the obsoletesheets may have been used by some-one with access to his shop to coverthe slightly rough surface of thehand-hewn boards of the new trunk.The most conspicuous family to fitits monogram, AF, is Franklin,although we do not know if James,the older brother of the famousalmanac-publisher, Benjamin, wasalready a familiar face in Boston’sprinting community. His half-sister,Anne, would have been twenty-threein 1710. While the identity of itsoriginal owner will probably remain amystery much like the existence ofCaptain Kidd’s stash on MoneyIsland, the Branford chest with itsvaluable contents is not a phantom,but a real treasure.

I would like to thank DavidWhitesell, Curator of Books at theAmerican Antiquarian Society inWorcester, MA, and the staff atWilliam Reese Company in NewHaven for their kind assistance inresearching Edward Holyoke’salmanac.

� Amy Prescher, Accessions

Hidden Treasures at theHarrison House, continued

Branford History Archives

The Blackstone Library and Branford Historical Society have collaboratedto provide finding aids and indexes to Branford History databases. The

Branford Historical Society has a large collection of Branford family, municipaland business archives and about 8000 photographic images (which must beviewed with Jane Bouley). These collections plus Branford postcards are at thelibrary. The library has a scrapbook collection of Branford newspapers onmicrofilm.

Jane Bouley, the Branford Town Historian, has provided the library with anincredible collection of material. Some of the indexes and databases that areavailable include a list of Branford federal censuses and vital records. Stop by toview the collection and use the resources that are available. History is a lot offun!

Reprinted from Marble Columns by permission of the Blackstone Memorial Library

Historical SocietyNews & Notes

� The Board of Directors extends its condolences to Peter Black,whose father passed away on January 27th.

� A photograph of the restored Cenotaph has been chosen as thecover for the Town of Branford’s Annual Report. The photographwas taken by Bill O’Brien, member of the Cenotaph Committeeand the Historical Society.

� Please be sure to join us for our Springtime Program onThursday, March 15, at 7:00 p.m. at the Blackstone MemorialLibrary on Main Street in Branford, with the “Silk’n Sounds”, adynamic and large A Capppella group that sings a variety ofmusic in four-part harmony in the barbershop style.

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“Having a Fine Time in Stony Creek”

The Branford Historical Societymaintains a large collection of

picture postcards. The scenic postcardof the early 1900s provides a slice ofthe history and culture of a commu-nity. Postcards are collected for theirlocation, condition, rarity, manufac-turer and type. There are a number ofcollectors in Branford who focus onneighborhood postcards. It can beestimated that there were about2,000 different postcards of Branfordpublished in the first half of thetwentieth century.

Most prized are cards that are realphotographs and are often a one of akind image. Also highly desirable arecards showing trolleys, train stations,and fire departments. One shouldnot forget to look at the back of apostcard- when and where was itpostmarked, where did it go, whomade it, what kind of stamp does ithave? Perhaps most fun is what is themessage relayed on the back of thepostcard.

Stony Creek was one of severalsummer resort areas along the coastin Branford. A look at the messageson the back of the old postcardsreveals some changes in how we saythings, but for the most part, howlittle we have changed in a century,

about our desire to go on vacation,have fun, and write home about it.Between 1900 and 1920 vacationerscame to Stony Creek to cool off,swim, relax, fish, and have fun.

“Having a fine time bathing, fishingand boating in Stony Creek. Wish youwere here.”

“I am enjoying every minute here.”

“The salt air smells good. Come downand we’ll let you have some.”

“We are having a slick time and looklike a bunch of lobsters.”

“Hattie took pity on the fish and gavethem enough to eat for a month.”

“Wish you could all see this prettyplace.”

“The air is delightful down here.”

“Stony Creek is so very pleasant.”

“Had dinner at the Indian Point Hotellast night.”

“We went fishing this morning andcaught a 2 pound black fish.”

“Can you recommend a good man forpastor of the Congregational Churchhere? Married man preferred.”

� Jane Peterson Bouley,Vice President

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From the Archives

The Furnished Colonial Home: 1665-1775by Nancy Hendricks

The characteristics of NewEngland’s country furniture

tell the story of a simple life with it’sthrift, isolation and dependence onlocal weather conditions, resourcesand skills. With their backs to thesea, the new arrivals faced a virtuallyunrelieved expanse of dense prime-val forest out of which they had tohew their livelihoods, their homesand much of their furnishings. Notraces remain of these 17th centurysettlers of Totoket (Branford) astheir first shelters were hastilyconstructed with one thought in

mind—protection. As permanentdwellings were built, they werewooden buildings similar to thosethey had known in England orHolland. Before 1680, houses werebuilt strictly from memory butshortly after that date, manuals ofarchitecture found their way to thiscountry from England. See belowhow the homes of our regiondeveloped:

The method of construction wasusually the same regardless of thesize. First a cellar was dug, thefoundation laid, and a massive field-

stone chimney erected, sometimes10 feet by 12 in size. After all of thehand-hewn oak timbers had beennotched for the frame and woodenpins whittled to hold it together, theentire community would gather fora “raising bee.” While the womenprepared food for everyone, the menassembled the wall frames on theground, then raised and joinedthem in one collective effort. Thisleft the owner the lighter task ofadding the clapboard walls and roofshingles and finishing the interior.

The simplest houses had one down-stairs room, called the hall, used forliving, cooking and dining. A staircasecrowded next to the chimney led fromthe vestibule to another vestibule andan upstairs bedroom.

The “two-room plan” calledfor joining two of the basichouses minus a secondchimney. This provided thefamily with an extra bed-room upstairs, and a parlorin addition to the hall on thefirst floor.

The largest house, the “saltbox,” had a separate kitchen,a pantry and anotherbedroom at the back in anaddition called a lean-to.

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Branford Historical Society Membership ApplicationName: _____________________________________________________________________________________

Address: ____________________________________________________________________________________

Town: _________________________________ State: ________________________ Zip: __________________

Telephone: __________________________________________________________________________________

❑ Business $50.00❑ Contributing $50.00❑ Sustaining $25.00❑ Family $15.00❑ Individual $10.00❑ Student $5.00

TOTAL ENCLOSED: __________

Additional donations, or contributions to our Memorial Fund are alsoappreciated. Please make checks payable to Branford Historical Societyand return this form to us at:

Branford Historical SocietyP.O. Box 504Branford, CT 06405 Thank you for your support.

HolidayOpen House

About 100 people came togetheron Sunday, December 3rd at

the Holiday Gathering at HarrisonHouse. Our guest book was signed byguests from Seymour, Hamden andWoodbridge as well as Branford.Members provided the home bakedsweets and mulled punch. HospitalityChair, Cheri Elliot with the help ofAl Paulsen and Eva Peterson servedthe refreshments. Guests wereentertained by The Flute Choir andthe Jet Trio and Sero Quartet. Thisprogram was arranged by MaryBoyle. Winnifred Judge, JeanneMcParland and Martha Bradshawdecorated the Christmas tree whichwas raffled off with three floralarrangements. Thanks to Shelly’sGarden Center for donating abeautiful tree and all Society mem-bers who provided food, decorationsand helped decorate the house.

Membership Update

There has been a wonderfulresponse to the letter sent to all

of you in November. At present thereare 258 members. Welcome to thefollowing new members: RichardGoodrich, Walter & Phyllis Lowell,Sandra J. Kissel, Susanne Adanowicz,George Uihelein, Marcus &Maryanne Hall, Mary S. Belknap andDavid & Mavis Britelli.

The Society sponsors programs atthe Blackstone Library three or fourtimes a year. Guides are trained andthey conduct tours of HarrisonHouse Saturdays from June 1st toOctober 1st. Groups from schoolscome to Harrison House by appoint-ment for background informationabout the house and town. There is aMuseum located at Harrison Housewith changing exhibits. Jane Bouley,Vice President of the BranfordHistorical Society and Town Histo-rian, has a large collection of photo-graphs. Many people contact theSociety when they are trying to tracetheir family’s roots. Genealogicalwork is encouraged and a file is

maintained at the Blackstone Libraryof Branford families.

Thank you to all members whohave encouraged their neighbors,family and friends to become mem-bers. If you know of someone who isinterested in the preservation of thehistory and antiquities of Branford,let me know and I will follow upwith a letter inviting them to join.

Please check the label on thisnewsletter, “C” means you arecurrent, “R” means it is time to renew.

� Jeanne McParland, Chair

Page 8 From the Harrison HouseBranford Historical Society

Post Office Box 504Branford, Connecticut 06405

NON-PROFIT ORG.US POSTAGE

PAIDPERMIT NO. 24BRANFORD, CT

Historical Society Publications & PrintsThe following publications and prints are available through the Society. Contact Winnifred Judge, 488-8755for details.

The History of Damascus Cemetery, by Jane Bouley and Martha Bradshaw ...................................... $25.00

Reprint of Malachi Linsley’s Diary, by Betty Linsley and Elizabeth Radulski ................................... $25.00

Early History of Branford .................................................................................................................. $5.00

Thimble Islands Book, by Archie Hanna ........................................................................................... $7.00

Bird’s Eye View of Branford w/Historic Buildings (Print) ................................................................ $5.00

Post Card Prints of Early Branford(Downtown, Stony Creek/Pine Orchard, Short Beach,Indian Neck/Pawson Park).......................................................................................................$3.00 Each

Montowese Program DVD ............................................................................................................ $20.00