The boundary crew recently found a fence line of antique barbed wire (circa 1880’s) along the north-west boundary of the Trust’s Mason’s Mill Site. These things are sometimes important as, lacking any other evidence, and given an 1880’s deed description that has been carried forward calling for a wire fence where the boundary would have been located. This distinctive wire was easily identifies on the internet as manufactured by J. Brinkerhoff of Auburn, NY and patented in 1879. Because it was difficult to handle it was called the “Devil’s Rope.”
~Hill Bullard
