Donated by: Eno, Amos R. (Amos Richard) (1810 – 1898)
Manuscript Number: MS 001
Series Arrangement:
Series 1. Art Work
Series 2. Architectural Drawings
Series 3. Print Materials
Series 4. Photographs
Amos R. Eno (1810 – 1898), the founder of the Simsbury Free Library, was a sixth generation descendant of James “Jacques” Enno (1625 – 1682). James Eno emigrated to Windsor, Connecticut from France in 1649. Amos R. Eno was born in Simsbury to Salmon Eno (1779 – 1842) and Mary Richards Eno (1785 – 1883).
Amos R. Eno went to Hartford, Connecticut to work as a clerk in a dry goods store. He took over that business and also opened a dry goods business in Simsbury. He was married in 1835 to Lucy Jane Phelps (1818 – 1882) also of Simsbury. The couple moved to New York City where Amos opened a wholesale dry good business with Lucy’s cousin, John J. Phelps on Pearl Street which was called Eno & Phelps. That business later became Eno & Mahoney and then Eno, Roberts, Rhodes & Co..
In 1857 Amos R. Eno retired from the dry goods business and started investing in real estate in New York City. As a developer, he built the Fifth Avenue Hotel in 1859, the Madison Square Theater, and founded the Second National Bank as well as many other prominent real estate development projects. Their home was a brick four story house at 233 Fifth Avenue, between 26th and 27th Streets.
While at their summer residence in 1874, in Simsbury, Connecticut, Amos R. Eno made an initial donation of $3,000 which established the Simsbury Free Library and its Board of Trustees. In 1887, he made additional donations of funds, land and a building totaling $20,000. Amos R. Eno hired a Hartford, Connecticut architect, Melvin H. Hapgood to design and build the Simsbury Free Library.
The Simsbury Free Library was dedicated in 1890. Amos R. Eno was unable to attend the dedication himself, however his letter was read by his son, William Phelps Eno., in it he states:
“Gentlemen, this gift is due to the Town of Simsbury from me. . . . We boys of old Simsbury who have made, or will make our mark in the world, all know that self-denial begets strength, and that he who has a high aim in life must labor to attain it. . . . . The influences that surrounded my youth were owing to the excellent character of the people in this town.”[1]
In following quote from the Report from the Report from the Board of Trustees on Oct. 6, 1890 summarizes the Town of Simsbury’s response to Amos R. Eno’s generous gift:
“. . . no other form of gift could be more elevating and refining in its influence – so far-reaching and permanent in its results, and we do believe that this library, founded by him, is, and will be, a constant and powerful force for good in this community so long as time shall last, and men shall draw inspiration, wisdom, and strength from the knowledge and experience of the past.” [2]
[1] Report of the Proceedings at the Dedication of the Simsbury Free Library, January 28, 1893. (Hartford, CT: Press of the Case, Lockwood & Brainard Company, 1893) .p. 3-6.
[2] Report of the Proceedings at the Dedication of the Simsbury Free Library, January 28, 1893. (Hartford, CT: Press of the Case, Lockwood & Brainard Company, 1893) .p. 22-23.
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To request an item from the archives please provide the collection name and the row number of the desired item in an email to simsburyfreelibrary@gmail.com with the subject ARCHIVE REQUEST.
Language: English
The collection is open for research.
The collection is in good condition.
Simsbury Free Library Quarterly Newsletter Cross-Reference:
Summertime 1875 for the Eno Family,” Volume 10, Issue 1, Spring 2003
Mary Jane Springman, “Melvin Hathaway Hapgood (1859-1899): The Architect Who Designed the Simsbury Free Library Building,” Volume 15, Issue 4, Winter 2008-2009
Mary Jane Springman, “Melvin H. Hapgood and the Eno Family: Intersections of Common Interests and Collaboration,” Volume 16, Issue 1, Spring 2009
Jackson F. Eno, “The Eno Family From Their Origins In France to the Present – Part 1: The Late Middle Ages to the Early 19th Century,” Volume 17, Issue 2, Summer 2010
Jackson F. Eno, “The Eno Family From Their Origins In France to the Present – Part II: Into the 20th Century,” Volume 17 Issue 3, Fall 2010
Mary Jane Springman, “The Simsbury Free Library – The Original Trustees: Part 1,” Volume 13, Issue 3, Fall 2006
Mary Jane Springman, “The Simsbury Free Library – The Original Trustees: Part 2,” Volume 13, Issue 4, Winter 2006-2007
Mary Jane Springman, “The Simsbury Free Library – The Original Trustees: Part 3,” Volume 14, Issue 1, Spring 2007
Mary Jane Springman, “The Simsbury Free Library – The Original Trustees: Part 4,” Volume 14, Issue 2, Summer 2007
Mary Jane Springman, “The Simsbury Free Library – The Original Trustees: Part 5,” Volume 14, Issue 3, Fall 2007
Mary Jane Springman, “The Simsbury Free Library – The Original Trustees: Part 6,” Volume 15, Issue 1, Spring 2009
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Finding Aid Web, Sarah Neagoy, 2022, updated November 2026
