Governor Island (Connecticut)

This article is about the island in Connecticut. For the island in Ontario, see Governor Island (Georgian Bay). For the island in New York Harbor, see Governors Island.

Governor Island is one of the Thimble Islands off Stony Creek, a section of Branford, Connecticut. It has 14 residences, although none are inhabited year-round.

Inhabited initially as an oyster company's base of operations. Since pigs will feed from an oyster shucker's waste pile, a "watch pig" was installed rather than a dog, eliminating the daily row out to feed the animal. The assertiveness of this pig quickly earned it the name "Governor". By the fourth season, the pig had grown so large and onerous that it kept even the oystermen off the island. Something had to be done since this was a commercial operation. In memory of the first pig roast, the island was named "Governor's". There remains a debate among the older islanders if Governor was a pig or a goat; with recent gentrification looking down upon "goat roasts".

One of the oldest houses on the island was built in 1880 and still is held in the original family's name "Simpson".

References

Wealthy Widow Buying Up Thimbles, "New Haven Register", January 22, 2006, page A1
Half a Mile Off the Coast; Stacey Stowe; "In the Region/Connecticut", New York Times, July 30, 2006; Real Estate page 10.

Coordinates: 41°15′18″N 72°45′21″W / 41.255°N 72.7559°W / 41.255; -72.7559

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