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This is a picture of the Hanks Homestead located in Mansfield, CT, built by Benjamin and Mary (White) Hanks. A description of the house by Caroline Hanks Hitchcock states, "Next to the sitting room is the "Bridal Room" so called because all of the children were married there. Out of the "Bridal Room" leads the "Bridal Chamber". During the Revolution when it was impossible to get knitting needles, Uriah invented a wire-drawing apparatus which drew out wire by horse power, and it was the first wire-drawing machine in America. Uriah & Irene's son Rodney Hanks (my ancestor) was born in the house and was considered a mechanical genius (as well as his brother Benjamin who made clocks & who knew Aaron Burr.) Rodney also built the first silk mill in America and was married to Olive Freeman. Rodney's sister Philena Hanks married Andrew Meneely, the famous bell maker of West Troy, NY. All together, this was a rather amazing family.
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