Bara-Hack, Connecticut facts for kids

Bara-Hack is like a "ghost town" in Pomfret, Connecticut. It used to be a small settlement, but now no one lives there.

The Story of Bara-Hack

Bara-Hack was settled in 1778 by two men, Johnathan Randall and Obediah Higinbotham, and their families. They were colonists who had come from England.

Why They Moved Here

These families had to leave their home and farm in Cranston, Rhode Island. It became too dangerous for them to stay because of the Battle of Rhode Island in 1778. British soldiers were advancing, so they needed to find a safer place.

Building a New Life

Johnathan Randall had already bought land in Pomfret, Connecticut in 1776. So, they moved there and started fresh. They built their homes and farms. They also created businesses to make a living.

• They built a mill that used a water wheel.
• They made spinning wheels, which were used to create fabric.
• They also set up a small burial ground for their families.

Myths and Mysteries

There are many stories and legends about Bara-Hack. Even its name is a bit of a mystery! It was never really big enough to be called a village. Some people think the name "Bara Hack" comes from a Welsh phrase meaning "the breaking of bread." However, this name probably became popular much later, in the 1900s.

The community was left empty by 1890. This might have happened sometime after the American Civil War.

Who Was Obediah Higinbotham?

Obediah Higinbotham was born in 1750 in Lancashire County, England. He was one of the first people to settle Bara-Hack.

Bara-Hack Today

Today, Bara-Hack is on private land. It is not open to the public. This is because many "ghost hunters" used to visit without permission.

Most of the old fields and streets of Bara-Hack are now covered by forest. Only the stone foundations of the old houses and farms remain. The cemetery, however, is still there.