Monthly Archives: July 2014

Mark Williams

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

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

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.

Dana M. Miller

Miller, Dana M. Images of America: Canton & Collinsville. Charleston, SC: Arcadia Publishing, 2001.

Miller’s booklet gives a quick overview of Canton and Collinsville history and gives photographs of early homes in the towns. Both the Tunxis and the Massacoe are briefly discussed, and Miller asserts that both were extremely peaceful. The author also mentions Cherry, or Waquaheag, a native of Canton.

Lucius M. Barber

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.

Marc Banks and Lucianne Lavin

Banks, Marc and Lucianne Lavin. Archaeological Site Sensitivity Analysis of the Town of Simsbury. Simsbury, CT: Simsbury Planning Department, 2002.

Banks and Lavin write a summary of an archaeological survey of Simsbury. Included are old maps, copies of deeds from the natives, and descriptions of finds based chronologically. What might be extremely useful are maps of Simsbury that indicate what locations had finds, and which locations might have the most finds if excavated. This source might tell us the most specifically about the Massacoes that lived here for thousands of years.

Jeffrey Ashmore

Ashmore, Jeffrey, Steven Betz, Gary Gralton, Barbara Holmes, Paul Roderick & Carmela White. That Part of Simsbury Called the Falls. Tariffville, CT: Tariffville Fire District Committee, 1970.

This small booklet provides a quick overview of Tariffville history in relation to Simsbury.  The authors discuss the land deeded by sachem Manahanoose, and how the Falls at Tariffville played a role in Simsbury history.

“An Archaeological Survery of the Simsbury Waste Water System”

“An Archaeological Survey of the Simsbury Waste Water System”. New Britain: CT: Connecticut Archaeological Survey, Inc., 1977.

Largely, this report is not relevant to the Massacoes, but it does include some background history to Simsbury. The Massacoes, along with the climate, soil, fauna, flora, geology, setting, etc. of Simsbury are explored.