Newsletter september 2013

September, 2013

Autumn Means Fall Flea Market at SBHS! The Fall Flea Market is Oct. 19, from 9 am to 4 pm.

Anyone who has not yet volunteered to work the flea market and who would be willing to give only two hours of time, please contact Todd Vibert at 860-653-9506.

We need help pricing the items we sell in the Preservation Barn, working in the Preservation Barn the day of the flea market, helping at the concession stand, helping with parking or even helping lead the vendors to their spaces early in the morning.

Don’t Miss It! Sunday Sept. 29 is the last chance – the LAST chance – to see the Society’s innovative temporary summer exhibit called “The Downton Abbey Years,” based on PBS’s dramatic hit series.

You won’t want to miss the finale to this popular exhibit. It shows what was happening in Granby between 1912 and 1928, the years dramatized in “Downton Abbey,” a story of the landed English aristocracy.

Society members and nonmembers alike are invited to view the exhibit the next two Sundays, Sept. 15 and Sept. 22, between 2 and 4 p.m., the hours the Salmon Brook Historical Society buildings are regularly open during the summer.

Flea Market Story Continued on page 7

Don’t Miss It

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continued on page 7

From the Archives The following excerpts are from a letter written from Bloomington, Ill. in July 1837 by 33 year old Samuel J. Hayes to his sisters. It was addressed to Helen, but he had seven sisters. Samuel was the son of Amasa Hayes and Ruth Jones, who lived in the saltbox house on Barkhamsted Road. Illinois was evidently called the “Sucker State.” The Miss J. Cowdery who became his partner was Jerusha Cowdery.

Beloved Sisters, I left Connecticut on 9th day of November. I had company as far as the Western part of Pennsylvania, and fine weather with good roads. From Wheeling my journey was not of the pleasantest kind owing to cold, rain, snow, high water, etc. The people in this Western country make bridges over mud and leave the streams for fording, which in a time of high water makes it difficult and highly dangerous for people to cross.

I am sure I have seen colder weather in Connecticut, but I have never seen a place where cold is to be dreaded so much. Language is not capable of giving a description of the dread occasioned by crossing a large Prairie on a severe cold day with the wind blowing in one’s face. In traveling across a 12 or 15 mile Prairie in the winter, you are liable to lose your way. You might look East, West, North or South and the eye could rest upon nothing but earth covered with snow and no vestige of even savage habitation – not a tree or shrub.

I arrived in Bloomington, Ill. on the 3rd day of January. There was no way to judge the land by looking, as it was covered by snow. But I met several individuals who said Bloomington offered beauty of location, health of climate and fertility of soil. I purchased ten acres of timber land at $20 an acre. I also purchased 10 acres more, about 2 miles from town, at $18 an acre. I bought 80 acres of prairie for $112. I have contracted for 240 acres and another 155 acres with a frame house, small barn, a well of water, 50 acres under cultivation and 30 more fenced. For this, I am to pay $5 per acre.

After 3 or 4 weeks I made up my mind to get a housekeeper and board myself. As wages were high and my funds rather limited, I thought rather than hire a housekeeper, it would be better for me to take a partner. Having been quite intimate with Miss J. Cowdery, I made known my plans to her. After reflecting for a few days, she approved them, even though she was engaged in school teaching and had a 8 month contract.

The ceremony of our copartnership was ratified publicly on the evening of the 5th of February 1837. And now I will describe the school house which answers for a schoolhouse, meeting house and dwelling house. It contains 2 school rooms on the basement story with a hall between them. The upper story is a meeting house. It is built very much like the school house in West Granby, except the stairs go up inside of the building.

Under the stairs is a small room which we make use of for a buttery. I put up a partition and we use one end for a bedroom. We have an old fashioned cooking stove in the school room where we do our cooking. For furniture we have of Mr. Foster in part pay for J’s board, a bedstead and bedding. Along with the privilege of living in the school, he pays me 87 ½ cents a week for my wife’s board. Boarding is worth only $2 to $5 a week. We have bought a set of common winsor chairs, not new, but only $10. We have a table of my own make. Mrs. Foster has lent us three knives and forks and teaspoons. We bought some necessary articles of crockery, also a dutch oven, teakettle, teapot, 3 twelve quart pails, 6 six quart pails, 11 tin dippers and a frying pan.

For provisions I bought a hog that weighed 155 lbs., 250 lbs. of flour, 2 bushels of cornmeal, 2 venison hams, 6 bushels of potatoes. I made about 150 lbs. of sugar. Our stock consists of a horse, 1 cow and calf, 6 hogs, 2 hens and 3 chickens. The hens were a present by one of our neighbors. We have plenty of beans, peas, cucumbers, squashes and new potatoes. Just come over some afternoon and make us a visit to see how we live in the “Sucker State.”

Mrs. Hayes sends her best respects. Your affectionate brother, Samuel.

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Employment and the Worker in 19th Century Granby

By Ken Kuhl With headlines about jobs in America almost daily, and today with more than half of Granby’s residents employed in the service industry, a discussion of how people made their living 150 years ago might be of interest.

Granby in the 1850s was primarily a farming community; however statistics for industry in the mid-19th century tell a fascinating story. Most of the businesses were one-man operations that were powered by hand or water power. The highest paying industry was the Cornwell and Brewer twine manufactory located in the Mechanicsville section of Granby. They employed four men and five women, paying the men $32.50 per month and $13 to the women.

A typical working day in 1850 was 10 hours. People worked 6 days a week and there were no paid vacations, sick leave or holidays. The average male employee earned $20 to $25 per month while most women were paid only $5 per month, regardless of the type of job.

Granby had three shoemakers in town. Carlton Holcomb of West Granby employed four men and two women. They produced 1,525 pairs of shoes and boots per year. In North Granby, Hezekiah Goodrich made 1,000 pairs with just two men and a woman. But by far, the major employer was Allen and Pratt, located on Wells Road in the Pegville section of town. Here they employed 23 men and 12 women, who made more than 30,000 pairs of shoes annually.

Just up Wells Road, Lewis Holcomb had a whip lasher business with eight men and over 30 women. The male whip lasher earned more than his shoemaker counterpart, making up to $26; however, women were paid the standard $5 per month. In Turkey Hills, Simeon Viets employed five women, and also paid them just $5 per month, to roll 36,000 cigars a year.

In 1850, water wheels powered four grist mills and nine sawmills, where the average wage was $20 a month. Blacksmiths made a little more, closer to $25. They also made extra money for “custom work.” David Latham made 40 ploughs at the same time Silas Cone in West Granby made 60 dozen scythes that year.

Carriage making was a big business in Granby. Watson Dewey of North Granby employed 13 men and built more than 100 carriages per year. In West Granby, Sherman Fancher employed nine workers who made 60 carriages in 1850. These vehicles sold for about $1,000 each.

Another major industry was silverware, and while the production in the Spoonville section of Turkey Hills is well known, in Granby, Addison Harger employed 45 men and 10 women. These skilled male workers earned $26, although the women received the usual $5 per month!

So with all we have to complain about in 2013, I think we can all agree, we would not be willing to switch places with our forefathers of the 19th century.

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In Memoriam

by Carol Laun

The Society mourns the loss of two of our leading supporters and engaged members who gave so freely of their time, energy, and enthusiasm for the work of the Society and the people we serve.

Wyman Ward a long time member and generous supporter of the Society Jane Ann Pease former Board Member, Board Secretary, volunteer for years whenever needed, in every activity from the Annual Dinner to the Flea Markets to the Wassail Party. Jane Ann was always a willing and very competent worker.

Newsletter Delivered By E-mail?

Memorial Day Parade 2013

By Peter Dinella

The Historical Society’s board wants to know if there is any interest among members in receiving the quarterly SBHS News by e-mail instead of by snail mail.

The idea is to better serve members and save paper and postage costs. Members who are not online or who otherwise prefer to get the newsletter the old-fashioned way, through the post office, could still do so.

If you would be interested in receiving the Society’s newsletter by e-mail, reply to Ken Kuhl (kennykuhl @ gmail.com), Bob Schrepf (rschrepf70 @ gmail.com) or call the Society’s office at 860 653 9713. Leave a message with your name if no one’s there.

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SBHS Looks at The Perfect Storm!

By Ken Kuhl

The Weed Enders House has had interior storm windows for its 17 openings for many years. They are made of plexi-glass and stay in place through the use of magnetic strips. However, over the years, the plexi has shrunk and no longer give the sealing benefits it originally did. Visibility has also been reduced over the years as the plastic has begun to get cloudy.

Recently, a friend of the society introduced David Laun to the InnerglassWindow System company from Simsbury. These storms fit on the inside of the window and feature Low-E glass which doubles R value while reducing ultra-violet rays by 66%. Reducing UV helps protect fabrics and rugs from fading and weakening.

The board has agreed to begin a fund raising effort to install these new storms in the Weed-Enders house. The storms cost about $250.00 each. Any donation amount would of course be welcomed. Please consider helping with this cause. Samples of the Innerglass product are available at the Weed-Enders House to see if anyone is interested.

Please consider contributing toward this needed improvement.

Freshly Painted Abijah Rowe House, Spring 2013

By Peter Dinella STUDENT $3.00 INDIVIDUAL $15.00 FAMILY/GROUP $20.00 SUSTAINING $30.00 LIFE MEMBERSHIP $300.00

Have you renewed your membership in the Salmon Brook Historical Society for the calendar year 2013?

We have attempted to keep the dues at a reasonable level. If you haven’t renewed for this year or owe back dues, please send us a check. Your continued support is welcome and appreciated. To those of you who have already paid your dues, many thanks.

Send your name and address with a check made payable to: Salmon Brook Historical Society and send to the society at 208 Salmon Brook Street, P.O. Box 840, Granby, CT. 06035

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Granby, CT Sponsored by

Salmon Brook Historical Society 208 Salmon Brook Street (Rtes. 10 & 202) Free Admission - Free Parking Food Booth open to public

Sat., October 5, 2013 (Weather Permitting)

9:30 am – 3:00 pm Contact: D. Laun (860) 653-3965

An amazing variety of yesteryears’s technology will be both displayed and operating.

This year our show is on the same day as the Celebrate Granby festivities at Salmon Brook Park, so come down and enjoy both events.

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. . . continued from page 1 Autumn Means Fall Flea Market at SBHS!

If anyone is interested in renting a vendor space, which is a 20 x 20 foot grid, for $25, please contact Dave Laun at 860-653-3965 or Todd Vibert at 860-653-9506. The price of the space will increase to $35 if paid after Oct. 12.

Anyone wanting to donate items to be sold in the Preservation Barn on the day of the flea market can drop off those items at the Historical Society on Tuesday or Thursday mornings between 9 am and noon after Oct. 1.. We ask you not to donate plastic toys or children’s clothing.

We will serve hot dogs, soda, chips, and Mrs. Murphy’s donuts at our concession stand, as usual. Also, Lisa Vibert will make her chili for that day.

Come enjoy the fun and do not forget to tell your friends. This has become a Granby tradition. . . . continued from page 1 Don’t Miss It!

We’ve saved the best for last, however.

On Sept. 29, exhibit hours have been extended – from noon to 4 p.m. – and guests will be served tea and light refreshments as part of the $5 per person entry charge that day.

For that small amount you will get an authentic glimpse into what life was like in Granby during the World War I years and the Roaring Twenties. You’ll see examples of the “modern” conveniences that were in the home, of the clothing and accessories that people wore and a treasury of period photographs.

You will discover World War I artifacts like uniforms and the Red Cross poster that reads, “Our Boys Need SOX. Knit Your Bit.” You will see gems like Stella Jewett Godard’s redwork coverlet.

As we said, don’t miss it!

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Salmon Brook Historical Society 208 Salmon Brook Street Granby, Connecticut 06035 860-653-9713 Or go to: www.salmonbrookhistorical.org

Granby, Connecticut 06035 PO Box 840 The Salmon Brook Historical Society

Calendar of Events Last Chance: Summer Exhibit & Tea Gas Engine Show Fall Flea Market Wassail Party

Sept. 29 Oct. 5 Oct. 19 Dec. 1

Hours: Tuesday 9:00 to Noon Genealogical & Archival Research

Thursday 9:00 to Noon Thursday Morning Group Follow us on:

September 2013 Issue •SBHS Newsletter Publishing Committee Leila Hawken and Bob Schrepf •Layout: Ken Kuhl •Photography: Peter Dinella