LT. THOMAS BARBER

• General Notes
  • THOMAS BARBER
    
    Thomas Barber, an original patentee of Simsbury, was the son of Thomas Barber of Windsor who came from England with the Saltonstall party under Francis Stiles in 1635. He probably learned his carpentry trade from his father. We know that he built the first meeting house, church and gristmill
    in Simsbury.
    
    He received a commission of Lieutenant in the local militia. A famous story told about him is the incident of the drum warning. Apparently he noticed Indians surrounding the town and went onto his roof with a drum and beat out a warning that was heard by the militia company in Windsor who then marched to Simsbury's defense.
    
    He married Mary Phelps b. 2 Mar 1644 in Windsor, daughter of William Phelps Sr., Mary Dover, in 17 Dec 1663 and had 8 children. At the time of his death 10 May 1713 his wife and five children were living and shared in his estate. He is buried in the Hopmeadow Cemetery near the sight of the now nonexistent meetinghouse.