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Jeffrey O. Phelps LbNA #1272

Owner:BookWorm
Plant date:Apr 27, 2003
Location:
City:Simsbury
County:Hartford
State:Connecticut
Boxes:1
Found by: Dulcimer Dame
Last found:Apr 30, 2009
Status:FFFFFFFFFFFaFFFFFFFa
Last edited:May 25, 2017
Name: Simsbury Historical Society (www.simsburyhistory.org)
Placed: October 1, 2002

Jeffrey has moved on to other places. checked on the box 5/24/17 and not only was the box gone, but also the rocks, tree line and sumac!

This imaginary letter was found in an attic in the center of Simsbury, Connecticut near the Phelps Homestead and launched the search for a relic left behind in 1880 by Jeffery O. Phelps, Jr. Perhaps if you read it carefully you may discover its location. Begin at the Phelps Tavern Museum and Homestead, 800 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury Connecticut 06070.


May 19, 1880

Dear Cousin,

You have asked me to describe Simsbury and the farm we live on but so much has changed I know not where to start. When my father Jeffery O. Phelps and others dreamed of building a canal from New Haven to Northampton Massachusetts, they could never have imagined the coming of the railroad. Instead they saw water as the way to transport goods especially the stones that were quarried here in Simsbury. Now we have four train lines passing through town. I myself worked as a conductor and stationmaster and lived in the village of Tariffville almost thirty years ago. It was such an exciting place with hotels, mills and music halls. I was determined not to end up as a farmer. But now that the farm is mine (Father passed last year) I find myself drawn to it on those week-ends when I can get away from the social whirl in Hartford.

Today, as I walked the property checking the barns and the cows and horses they hold, I imagined what it will be like in one hundred years when my descendants are still raising cattle here. While pacing the grounds I decided to hide something for posterity. When you and the children visit us next try out my clues and see if you can find it.

From Hopmeadow Street on the east stands a sycamore tree of large dimension the furthest south near the pass way labeled Phelps Lane. From the east side of the trunk go 50 paces to the green tavern door where my great-grandfather used to sit on the porch and wait for travelers to arrive by foot or stagecoach. From this southernmost door of our home, you must cross southeast to the corner of the calving barn. (I hope it does not catch fire as some barns have lately and leave just the walls standing.) From the northwest corner of the back stone wall of the barn go northeast to stand of birch trees. Looking to your right you can see the new passenger depot. Looking to your left you can see a chunk of quartz topped granite on top of the hillside. It still has Mr. Barber's blasting marks in it. To the left of the granite you will see the stand of trees we planted when you and I were children to screen the pigsty from the train noise. Those trees sure have grown a lot since then. Here behind a large rock with cobblestones is your treasure(the sumac may grow quickly and cover the rock, so look carefully). Leave me a note to let me know that you found it as I will be away traveling for the next few months.

Your loving cousin,
Jeffery O. Phelps