“To Remain in Ignorance” is the first in a series that shows Llewellyn Barker’s rise from laborer to Branford Board of Education Chair.

(Excerpt from Ted Braun’s book “The Barkers of Branford: Life in America Through a Local Lens” available for sale at the Blackstone Library)

To Remain In Ignorance

“Went to school and the boys slid down hill and turned over and liked to broke their necks” (1/5/1865 diary entry)

The above quote was among Llewellyn Barker’s first entries in his diary at age fourteen. He attended the Mill Plain School (see photo) across the street from his home on Mill Plain Road. He and his peers attended school only during the winter months when farming requirements lessened. The teacher in this one-room schoolhouse often had twenty-five students spanning the first six grades.

“I went to the shop for the first time” (2/12/1866)

At age fifteen, Llewellyn joined his father and older brothers who were laboring at the Branford Lock Works (see photo), a major Branford industry that employed over 500 at its height. Remnants of the factory can still be seen including Donovan’s Reef Restaurant. A plaque on a pole pronounces the area “Lock Works Square”.

Aaron Barker, Llewellyn’s cousin, had emigrated from Branford to become a farmer in West Salem, Wisconsin. Our country’s westward expansion beckoned many from the east and abroad with the enticement of free land (see photo). Perhaps adventure beckoned Llewellyn, age seventeen, from his factory floor to join his cousin. Perhaps it was just a desire for change. The following is his first diary entry there.

“I took a walk on the high rock and marked my name on it I came down to the house and ate dinner and then I went to work for Aaron Barker for $20 a month and my board I carted a load of manure and harrowed over 5 acres of wheat and then we plowd the garden in the evening we went on the bluff and see a prarie on fire” (4/10/1868)

It was grueling work. In winter, Llewellyn (see photo) dragged lumber in 20 degrees below freezing. In summer, the ground was so hot that steam erupted in his face when pulling turnips. On a November night in 1868, almost a year into his farmhand laboring, Llewellyn was invited to a going away party at the Leetes, a family that had emigrated from Guilford, along with the Dudleys, in the 1850s.

“I went over to Abr Leetes George Leete is a going away tonight with Willie Dudley to Chirgo (Chicago) to school I shook hands with him……. bid him good by……..him to gain knolege…….. me to remain in ignorance” (11/10/1868)

It had been three years since Llewellyn’s last day of school in Branford. He was envious of the opportunity afforded his friends. For himself, he could see no escape from the hard life of a laborer.

What could he do to improve his lot in life?

See next installment.

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Ted Braun’s book “The Barkers of Branford: Life in America Through a Local Lens” is available for sale at the Blackstone Library in Branford. The $30 price includes a donation to the Branford Historical Society. During the past year, Mr. Braun has been a guest speaker at events hosted by a number of libraries and organizations including the Branford Historical Society.

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