Simsbury Free Library Quarterly

A Revolutionary Era Record

Volume 8 Issue 1 Spring 2001

John Owen’s Seventh Account Book

In February 1767 John Owen, Esq., of Simsbury opened a new leather-bound ledger and set his quill on the first of its unlined pages, each elegantly watermarked with royal symbols paying tribute to King George III of England. By the time Owen died sixteen years later, he would record his business transactions during the years immediately preceding and during the Revolutionary War. These transactions reflect much that was happening in Simsbury during this crucial period of the town’s history.

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The Cornish Family in East Weatogue

Volume 7 Issue 4 Winter 2000-01

Town Records Show Extensive Land Holdings

At least seven generations of Cornishes lived and died in Simsbury. Elisha Cornish, whose account book was the subject of an article in the Summer 2000 issue of this publication, belonged to the fourth generation in Simsbury. The death of his great grandfather, “Old Mr. Cornish,” was reported in the town records in 1698. This gentleman is believed to have been born in England and to have emigrated to Connecticut before 1662. He apparently came to Simsbury to live with his son James, later known as Deacon James Cornish, a year or so before he died.

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Gifford Pinchot: Early Simsbury Connections

Volume 7 Issue 3 Fall 2000

First U.S. Forester, Governor of Pennsylvania Was Born Here

Gifford Pinchot was born on August 11, 1865 in his grandparents’ summer home in the center of Simsbury. In front of that house on August 11 this year the Society of American Foresters, which Pinchot founded 100 years ago, dedicated a monument celebrating his life full of accomplishments. The New England Society of American Foresters hosted the event which featured speakers from those two organizations, the Yale School of Forestry and Environment Studies, the National Association of State Foresters, the Milford (PA) Experimental Forest, the Pinchot Institute for Conservation, representatives of the Pinchot and Eno families and local dignitaries.

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Fall Open House

Volume 3 Issue 4 October 1996

Saturday November 23rd – 10 AM – 3 PM

Jump start your lagging genealogical Project or get it organized for the long winter research period at our Fall Open House. Our Librarian and volunteers will be available to help you. Come see that the Library has been up to since your last visit. Spin through the NEHGS Register 1847-1994 on CD-ROM. Check out the ever expanding microfilm collection.

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