The Barkers
of branford
Life in America Through a Local Lens
1867, 1872, 1885, 1932
Fifty-seven volumes of diaries, written by Llewellyn Barker of Branford, CT, span 72 years from 1865 at age 14. His last entry was the day before he died in 1937. Descendant of one of Branford's founders, he never graduated from high school. His obituary states "he was one of Branfords most highly respected citizen's".
How did this factory laborer for 64 years achieve this status? Author Ted Braun unearthed these forgotten diaries from the family attic, and the result is his book "The Barkers of Branford: Life in America Through a Local Lens". In it he not only answers the question but in the process documents the story of the family , their community, and our nation.
IT'S ABOUT COMMUNITY
QUOTES FROM THE BOOK
from youth...
...to old age
"Late at school ... harnessed the horse ...stayed in from recess for whispering."
1/1/1865
"All the work I did was to sharpen 13 lead pencils and this is one of them."
2/16/1934
from limitation...
...to achievement
"George Leete is a going away tonight to Chicago to school...I shook hands with him...bid him goodby...him to gain knowleg...me to remain in ignorance."
11/10/1868
"Went to the school board meeting. In the reorganization I was elected chairman of the board."
10/6/1904
TESTIMONIALS
"Ted Braun has taken an otherwise-overlooked set of diaries for one man's life and put them into rich historical context of the Branford, Connecticut community and American nation. The generous graphics, end note and name/place/subject index add to the treasure of Mr. Braun's work."
JOEL HELANDER / MUNICIPAL HISTORIAN / TOWN OF GUILFORD
"Richly illustrated and thoughtfully crafted, The Barkers of Branford" is a fascinating and entertaining read."
JOHN HENNELLY / MADISON
"A wonderfully entertaining kaleidoscope of stories and pictures of Branford during a time of momentous changes. Llewellyn's diaries provide personal and intimate jumping off points to explore many subjects like dime store novels, the bicycle craze, the coming of electricity, woman's rights, Polly's tea shop, and far more. An unbeatable read with vintage photographs and extensive research that enlightens the reader's knowledge of where we came from and what our ancestors experienced."
DANA LINDSLEY / MADISON
HOW TO PURCHASE
Books available for $30 at Blackstone Library, Branford, CT
or
Send $35 to Ted Braun at 80 Quarry Dock Rd, Branford, CT 06405 to have it mailed to you.
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