Terry's Plain Historic District

The Terry's Plain Historic District is a 325-acre (132 ha) historic district in the town of Simsbury, Connecticut that was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1993.[1] The district is significant as a preserved rural landscape.[2] It included 27 contributing buildings of various architectural styles, including Greek Revival, Federal and Late Victorian architecture, and 17 non-contributing buildings.[1][2]

JOHN TERRY HOUSE, c. 1780

Terry's Plain Historic District
Field used for militia training in the 17th century
Terry's Plain Historic District is located in Connecticut
Terry's Plain Historic District
Terry's Plain Historic District is located in the United States
Terry's Plain Historic District
LocationRoughly bounded by Pharos, Quarry and Terry's Plain Rds. and the Farmington R., Simsbury, Connecticut
Coordinates41°53′1″N 72°47′5″W
Area325 acres (132 ha)
Builtc. 1660
ArchitectMultiple
Architectural styleLate Victorian, Greek Revival, Federal
NRHP reference No.93001417[1]
Added to NRHPDecember 10, 1993

Thirteen houses that were parts of farm complexes and 14 agricultural outbuildings ranging from sheds to large tobacco barns.[2]

Contributing sites include:

  • A field where the militia drilled in 1683 (or 1685)[3]
  • 24 Ferry Lane, barn from c. 1840, house non-contributing (see #2 in photos accompanying NRHP nomination)[2]: 7 
  • Lucius D. Goodrich House, 36 Ferry Lane, c. 1836, Federal/Greek Revival[2]: 7 
  • 64 Terry's Plain Road, Late Victorian[2]: 8 

Traine Band (Militia)

Simsbury was founded as a town in 1670. Not long thereafter, the town established a militia, then known as a "traine band". The date of establishment of the militia is not known, but records of assemblies date to 1673.[4] The Grand Committee of the Militia met in Hartford on August 11, 1673 to organize militia against a potential attack by the enemy. The Committee ordered the raising of 500 "dragoones" from the state, of which 160 were to come from Hartford County. At that meeting, Simon Wolcott and John Griffin of Simsbury were appointed to command the Simsbury Traine Band, which at that time numbered seven "dragoones".[5]: 208 [6]: 17 

The Committee included the following order:

It is ordered that each dragoone be prouided with a good sword and belt, and serviceable muskett or kirbine, with a shott powch and powder and bullitts, viz: one pownd of powder made into cartiridges fitt for his gunn, and three pownd of bulletts fitt for their gunns, or pistoll bulletts; and a horss to expedite their march.

— Grand Committee of the Militia, [5]: 207–208 

Two years later, John Griffin was confirmed as sergeant of the Traine Band and placed in command.[5]: 332 

First home and first ferry

The first home in Simsbury was located in the Terry's Plain area. The land where the house would be built was granted in 1653 to Thomas Ford, although a house would not be built until approximately 1660, when Captain Aaron Cook, the son-in-law of Thomas Ford, built the first home in Simsbury.[7]

In the same general area, a ferry was established to facilitate crossing of the Farmington River. The exact date of the origin of the Pent Street Ferry is not known, but a road to the ferry was commissioned in 1668.[8]

  • Plaque noting first home and ferry in Simsbury
    Plaque noting first home and ferry in Simsbury

First school

The first school in Simsbury was located in Terry's Plain. The town agreed, at a town meeting on December 17, 1701, to "agree with and appoint a school master". The first day of school commenced on the first day of January 1702. The town discussed whether the school should be located on the east or west side of the river, and chose both, with the first three months to be held at a location in Terry's Plain, and then at a location in "Weatoug" on the west side.[9]

  • Plaque noting first school site in Simsbury
    Plaque noting first school site in Simsbury

See also

Notes
  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  2. Bruce Clouette and Maura Cronin (May 18, 1993). "National Register of Historic Places Registration: Terry's Plain Historic District". National Park Service. and Accompanying 16 photos, from 1993 (see captions pages 23-24 of text document)
  3. "THE TERRY'S PLAIN AREA" (PDF). www.simsbury-ct.gov. Retrieved September 26, 2010.
  4. Terrys Plain Militia Training (Sign). Simsbury, Connecticut: Terry's Plain Homeowners Association.
  5. Connecticut (1852). The public records of the colony of Connecticut [1636-1776] ...: transcribed and published, (in accordance with a resolution of the general assembly) ... Brown & Parsons. Retrieved September 26, 2010.
  6. Phelps, Noah Amherst (1845). History of Simsbury, Granby, and Canton; from 1642 To 1845. Hartford: Press of Case, Tiffany and Burnham.
  7. Terrys Plain first home and ferry (Sign). Simsbury, Connecticut: Terry's Plain Homeowners Association.
  8. Terrys Plain first home and ferry (Sign). Simsbury, Connecticut: Terry's Plain Homeowners Association.
  9. Terrys Plain first school (Sign). Simsbury, Connecticut: Terry's Plain Homeowners Association.
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