Mrs. Prout

Tobacco has long been a part of South Windsor’s history; originally brought up from Virginia in 1640, the crop began to dominate the Windsor area by the 18th century. Originally, tobacco leaves were exported before being rolled, but in 1801, local Main Street resident, Mrs. Prout, wife of a farmer, gained notoriety for being the first person to roll an American cigar.

Made of broadleaf, Mrs. Prout’s cigar was sold for 5 cents. The wrapper was the best grade of tobacco, followed by the binder as the second best, and the filler as the poorer grades. Not long after this accomplishment, she recruited the wives of other farmers to help roll and sell cigars; they would travel from village to village by wagons to help sell the cigars they’d rolled. The early brands of these cigars were known by three different names: “Long Nines,” “Windsor Particulars,” and “The Clear New England”. (cigar boxes pictured are from our archives)