Simsbury in Hartford County, Connecticut — The American Northeast (New England)
First House and Ferry
Captain Aaron Cook
circa 1660
Site of the Pent Road Ferry
circa 1668
The Traine Band passed here
Erected 1993 by the Terry’s Plain Homeowners Association.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels.
Location. 41° 53.068′ N, 72° 47.053′ W. Marker is in Simsbury, Connecticut, in Hartford County. Marker is at the intersection of Ferry Lane and Goodrich Road, on the left when traveling north on Ferry Lane. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 36 Ferry Lane, Simsbury CT 06070, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Militia Training Ground (approx. 0.3 miles away); Constitution Oak (approx. 0.4 miles away); First School House (approx. 0.4 miles away); Simsbury (approx. 0.9 miles away); This Elm Tree (approx. 0.9 miles away); The Landmark Building
(approx. 1.1 miles away); Simsbury Veterans Memorial (approx. 1.1 miles away); Eno Memorial Hall (approx. 1.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Simsbury.
Regarding First House and Ferry.
Captain Aaron Cook built his home and developed the land around it. In 1677, he deeded the property to John Terry. This home, on the east side of the Farmington River, was the site of the first recorded Town Meeting on May 5, 1671. The meeting voted to establish the location of the future Meeting House on the west side of the river. Thomas Barber was commissioned to perform the construction for the 24 x 28 foot building at a cost of 33 pounds.
The road leading to the ferry crossing was fenced on both sides of the Farmington River so farmers could control their cattle on and off the ferry. Luke Hill served as the ferryman and was paid 12 pounds per year. In 1756 the General Assembly commissioned another ferry at Pent Road. The fee for a man, horse, and load was one penny. Cattle, sheep, and swine were one half penny per head.
Also see . . .
1. Terry’s Plain Historic District. (Submitted on March 18, 2017, by Alan M. Perrie of Unionville, Connecticut.)
2. Terry’s Plain Historic District. (Submitted on March 18, 2017, by Alan M. Perrie of Unionville, Connecticut.)
Credits. This page was last revised on March 20, 2017. It was originally submitted on March 18, 2017, by Alan M. Perrie of Unionville, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 687 times since then and 498 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 18, 2017, by Alan M. Perrie of Unionville, Connecticut. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.