Category Archives: Yale Sterling Library

Gregory Frank Walwer

Walwer, Gregory Frank. Native American Mortuary Practices. Ann Arbor, MI: UMI, 1998.

Walwer studied archaeological evidence that gave details about the burial rituals of natives in Connecticut east of the Connecticut River. Although not directly related to the Farmington River Valley natives specifically, Walwer’s findings distinguish finds about general burial trends that might have in fact been more widespread than his region of study. The author’s analysis on burials over the course of thousands of years includes inferences about what this indicated of social society at certain times.

Mathias Spiess

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Spiess, Mathias. The Indians of Connecticut. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 1933.

Mathias writes about Connecticut natives in pre-contact times in relation to dominating outside tribes, and then describes the history behind the different English settlements in the Connecticut and Farmington River Valleys. The author tries to connect each tribe, and is one of the only authors so far who have claimed the Massacoe had absolutely nothing to do with the Tunxis natives.

George S. Roberts

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Roberts, George S. Historic Towns of the Connecticut River Valley. Schenectady, NY: Robson & Adee Publishers, 1906.

In this book, one can find a description of the histories of mostly every major town in the Connecticut River Valley. Roberts specifically provides the history of Farmington and Bloomfield, which used to be called Wintonbury, and included parts of Simsbury. The author mentions an Indian Deed of 1660 that describes the land as wilderness.

Mary E. Guilette

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Guilette, Mary E. American Indians in Connecticut: Past to Present. Aetna Life and Casualty, 1979.

In her book, Guilette gives an overview of tribes and customs in Connecticut throughout time. The author does a great job at providing information about population estimates in Connecticut at the time of settler-native contact, distinguishes between the different tribes of Connecticut and then describes native ways of life.

Simsbury, 1670-1970

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Simsbury, 1670-1970. Simsbury, CT: Chamber of Commerce, 1970.

This small booklet was produced to commemorate Simsbury history over three hundred years. Although short, it does provide a brief overview of Simsbury history, and also gives some general information about natives in Connecticut at the time of English settlement.

Mark Williams

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Williams, Mark. The Brittle Thread of Life. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2009.

Williams’ book is an important historical work about Salmon Brook, once a part of the original Simsbury. The author gives a history of the settlement of Simsbury, and eventually how the settlement of Salmon Brook came to be. Additionally, the fate of the Massacoes is discussed, with Williams suggesting massive death by disease and departure from the area.

William M. Vibert

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Vibert, William M. Three Centuries of Simsbury: 1670-1970. Simsbury, CT: Simsbury Tercentenary Committee Inc, 1970.

Vibert covers almost all areas of Simsbury and Massacoe history. He gives details on Massacoe territory, villages, burial grounds, food, weapons and native legends.

Noah A. Phelps

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Phelps, Noah A. A History of the Copper Mines and Newgate Prison at Granby, Conn., also, of The Captivity of Daniel Hayes, of Granby, by the Indians, in 1707. Hartford, CT: Tiff & Burham, 1845.

Phelps recounts the history of Newgate Prison and the copper mines in Granby, and also tells the story of Daniel Hayes. The story of Hayes capture and eventual return to Granby is the most related part of the text to the research. After harming a native’s dog in Weatogue, Hayes is captured and brought to Canada. Perhaps the most interesting part of the text is that Phelps includes the assertion that the problems with natives had ended long before this incident.

Lucius M. Barber

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Barber, Lucius M. A Record and Documentary History of Simsbury 1643-1888. Simsbury, CT: Abigail Phelps Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution, 1931.

Barber writes a lot of estimates of native population in Connecticut at the time of settler-native contact. Along with this, the author goes into great detail about why and how Simsbury was settled. The deeds to Simsbury are discussed in length.

Henry R. Stiles

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Stiles, Henry R. The History of Ancient Windsor. Vol. 1. Hartford, CT: Press of the Case, Lockwood, and Brainard, 1891.

Stiles’ lengthy work includes not only the history of Windsor, but also the histories of all areas that surround Windsor in the Connecticut River Valley. Stiles includes important and useful quotes from letters and court decisions related to the settlement of Simsbury, and the natives in that territory.