USA > Connecticut > New London County > Norwich > The Norwich jubilee. A report of the celebration at Norwich, Connecticut, on the two hundredth anniversary of the settlement of the town, September 7th and 8th, 1859. With an appendix, containing historical documents of local interest > Part 1
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ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01151 3543
GENEALOGY 974.602 N833S
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015
https://archive.org/details/norwichjubileere00sted_0
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The Norwich Jubilee.
A
REPORT OF THE CELEBRATION AT
NORWICH, CONNECTICUT,
ON THE
TWO HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY
OF THE
SETTLEMENT OF THE TOWN,
September 7th and 8th, 1859.
WITH AN APPENDIX,
CONTAINING
HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS OF LOCAL INTEREST.
COMPILED, PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY JOHN W. STEDMAN, UNDER THE PATRONAGE OF THE COMMITTEE OF . ARRANGEMENTS.
NORWICH, CONN. 1859.
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1859, BY JOHN W. STEDMAN,
In the Clerk's office of the District Court for the District of Connecticut.
PREFACE.
1144755
The object of this volume is to preserve in a form con- venient for future reference, a record of the proceedings connected with a celebration which will stand for ages as a landmark in the history of our ancient town. That cel- ebration was so elaborately prepared, was the result of so great an amount of labor, and elicited such varied contri- butions of fact, fancy and sentiment, that a faithful history of it, in the form of an enduring memorial, is due alike to those who arranged it, to those who participated in it, and to those who are to succeed us in this " pleasant place," where our lot is cast.
We could better appreciate such a work as this, if a celebration similar to the one here reported had been held in this place one hundred years ago, and the long array of the names of those then upon the stage of active life, the addresses, the poetry, the music, the personal rem- iniscences, the trades procession, and even the bill of fare at the dinner table, were all presented to us with the freshness of life. Some old man on that occasion might have recalled a faint memory of John Mason ; some would have remembered Uncas, the white man's
Tyson- 2.50
iv
PREFACE.
friend ; and very many could have testified to their per- sonal knowledge of the eloquence of James Fitch. Who can estimate the value that such a book would bear at this time !
This book, such as it is, is wholly a Norwich book. The paper was manufactured at our famous Chelsea Mills, at Greeneville ; the printing is my own; and the binding is the work of our well known binders, Lewis and Elisha Edwards. The engraving of the large tent is from a pho- tograph by William H. Jennings; and to the pencil of our talented young townsman, Henry V. Edmond, must be credited the graphic views of the dinner tent and the scene in front of the Wauregan. The page of fac similes was collected by J. Hammond Trumbull, esq., of Hart- ford.
The book may not be wholly free from typographical errors, (though earnest pains have been taken to make it so,) yet they are such as are believed to be unimportant. By following the notes of the reporter too closely, some omissions have been made which are fully supplied in the table of contents. For instance, the speech of Daniel P. Tyler at the dinner table is attributed to Daniel Tyler. The index supplies the omission in this case, as it does in other similar cases.
With this preface the book is submitted to the public by
THE PUBLISHER.
Norwich, Connecticut, November 15th, 1859.
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
PAGE
Academy, Norwich Free
112
Adams, John T., speech by 237
Address of welcome
41
Appendix
265
Arches, committee on
29
description of 39, 40
45
"
sermon by
251
Arrangements, committee of .
12
first meeting
66
66
second
13
66
third 66
15
66
66
fourth 66
18
66
66
fifth
66
20
66
sixth 66
21
seventh 66
21
66
66
eighth 66
21
66
60
ninth
66
24
66
tenth
25
eleventh
26
27
66
66
thirteenth
30
249
Avery, Miss Mary E., song by .
Bacon, Rev. Willliam T., of Woodbury, poem by.
244
Ball, account of.
248
committee on.
32
final meeting of 249
Bolles, Rev. James A., reads from Scripture.
113
Bond, Rev. Alvan, prayer by. 194
66 moves a vote of thanks 139
Bozrah, representatives of. 303
Broadway congregational church, notice of. 261
66
final
247
twelfth
13
Arms, Rev. Hiram P., prayer by
V1
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
PAGE
Bromley, Rev. Henry, prayer by
114
Buckingham, Win. A., address of welcome by 41
Catlin, Julius, toast by 237
Caulkins, Frances M., reply to invitation
19
" hymn by. 139
" " ode by 145
Chester, Rev. Albert T., reply to invitation 19
hymn by 115
" speech by . 226
16
66 66 poem by 186
Christ church, history of
264(a)
Circular of invitation.
4 George L. Perkins
268
Clark, David, masonic address by
143
College graduates of Norwich. 104
Congress, members of, natives of old Norwich. 110
Cothren, William, of Woodbury, speech by
242
Covenant of first congregational church. 255
Decorations, committee on. 29
Deed of Norwich, copy of the original.
98
Dinner, bill of fare 193
committee on. 23
113
Eaton, Dr. William P., moves a vote of thanks.
remarks by 146
23
First congregational church, historical discourse upon
251
Fitch, Rev. James, his epitaph. 103
his ministry 253
296
Franklin, representatives of.
302
Gallery of curiosities, paintings, &c.
264(h)
Gilman, Daniel Coit, historical discourse by
49
Gist, William H., of South Carolina, letter from 277
Gulliver, Rev. John P., notice of sermon by. 261
Haven, Henry P., speech by 231
Hill, Geo. Canning, reply to invitation
18
ode by 190
Hooker, Prof. Worthington, speech by .
230
Howland, George S., on trade of Norwich
297
Illumination of the town.
140
Invitation, committee on . . 22
Lee, Rt. Rev. Alfred, discourse by . 116
reply to invitation. 16
Chester, Anson G., reply to invitation
267
Finance, committee on.
Fitch, Elizabeth, love letter to
. reply to invitation. 15
vi1
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
PAGE
Lisbon, representatives of.
304
Love letter
296
Mason, Major John, life of.
148
Masonic ceremonies.
141
Miner, Charles, letter from.
269
Mitchell, Donald G., reply to invitation.
15
Music, committee on.
23
Newspapers of Norwich.
292
Niles, Nathaniel, ode by.
85
Norwich, representatives of
299
Otis, Joseph, remarks upon by J. T. Adams.
237
Paddock, Rev. John A., speech by .
241
Paddock, Rev. Benjamin H., notice of sermon by. 261
Physicians, early, of Norwich. 281
Postal affairs in Norwich 294
Procession 34-40
committee on.
23
Presiding officers.
41
Printers of Norwich.
292
Proprietors, original of town. 102
Public meeting, call for 11
Rockwell, John A., address by
148
Rockwell, Charles W., speech by
213
Reception, committee on. 22
299
" Franklin
302
66
" Bozrah
303
" Lisbon
304
Schools, committee on. 24
Senators, U. S., natives of Norwich. 111
Sentiments and speeches, committee on
23
Shipman, Rev. Thomas L., prayer by 146
18
hymn by
47
Taylor, Rev. Edward, love letter by.
296
Thayer, G. F., of Boston, speech by.
233
Town clerks of Norwich 264(h)
Trades, committee on 28
Trade and manufactures of Norwich.
297 Trinity church, notice of. 261
Tyler, Josephine, ode by .
174
Tyler, Daniel Putnam, of Brooklyn, Conn., speech by 217
Uncas, agreement to attend meeting .. 56
address by
175
" reads from Scripture 44
Representatives of Norwich.
Sigourney, Mrs. L. H., reply to invitation.
viii
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
PAGE
Uncas, Samuel, grave stone, with epitaph.
192
his epitaph by Dr. Elisha Tracy 288
Universalist church, notice of ..
262
Wait, John Turner, letter of invitation from.
14
speech by
194
Walden, Rev. J. T., sermon by
264(a)
Walworth, Reuben H., speech by
198
Washburne, ex-governor of Massachusetts, speech by. 223
Wentworth, Rev. Erastus, letter from
279
Woodbridge, William, letter from
278
Woodward, Dr. Ashbel, speech by.
216
281
Whittemore, Rev. Benjamin, prayer by
142
historical paper by
notice of sermon by 262
1
PRELIMINARY PROCEEDINGS
AND
TRANSACTIONS
OF THE
COMMITTEE OF ARRANGEMENTS.
THE NORWICH JUBILEE.
The propriety of celebrating, in a suitable manner, the two hundredth anniversary of the settlement of the town of Norwich, was freely discussed for several years before public attention was formally called to the subject. Finally, on Saturday, the 28th day of August, 1858, a notice in the following form appeared in the newspapers of the town :-
NORWICH SECOND CENTENNIAL.
Those citizens of Norwich and vicinity who are interested in commemorating the Two Hundredth Anniversary of the Settlement of the Town, are requested to meet at the chapel in Norwich Town, on Wednesday, September 1st, 1858, at four o'clock P. M., to make some preliminary arrangements for the due celebration of that. event.
HIRAM P. ARMS, WILLIAM A. BUCKINGHAM, DANIEL W. COIT, L. F. S. FOSTER, JEDEDIAH HUNTINGTON, JOHN T. WAIT.
Norwich, Aug. 27, 1858.
In response to this call, a large number of gentlemen assembled at the place designated.
Daniel W. Coit, in behalf of those who invited the meeting, called the assembly to order, and on motion, John Breed was chosen chairman, and John Turner Wait secretary.
The chairman briefly stated the object of the meeting, and ex- pressed the hope that such plans would be formed as would result
-
12
THE NORWICH JUBILEE.
in a celebration which should do lasting honor to old Norwich. He deemed it important at the outset, to invoke the blessing of Heaven, and called upon Rev. H. P. Arms to offer prayer. After the prayer, L. F. S. Foster introduced the matter of arranging for a celebration, and proposed the appointment of a committee of arrangements.
A nominating committee, consisting of five, were appointed by the chairman, and on consultation reported the names of the following gentlemen for a permanent committee of arrangements :-
WILLIAM WILLIAMS, GEORGE L. PERKINS, DAVID SMITH, WILLIAM A. BUCKINGHAM, JOHN T. WAIT, BENJAMIN H. PADDOCK,
DANIEL W. COIT,
JOHN BREED,
Norwich.
HIRAM P. ARMS,
WOLCOTT HUNTINGTON,
LA FAYETTE S. FOSTER, JOSEPH G. LAMB,
GARDNER GREENE,
JEDEDIAH HUNTINGTON,
JAMES L. DAY, 7
ASHBEL WOODWARD, Franklin. ASA FITCH, Bozrah.
COMFORT D. FILLMORE, Lisbon.
FRANKLIN FANNING, Griswold.
DANIEL COIT GILMAN, New Haven. WILLIAM C. GILMAN, New York City.
The report of the committee was accepted, and the gentlemen named were appointed.
A meeting of the committee of arrangements was held immedi- ately after the adjournment of the public meeting, at which Daniel Coit Gilman, librarian of Yale College, was appointed to deliver the historical discourse at the time of the proposed celebration.
The committee then adjourned to meet again at the same place, on Wednesday, September 29th.
TRANSACTIONS
OF THE
COMMITTEE OF ARRANGEMENTS. 1
FIRST FORMAL MEETING.
The first formal meeting of the committee was held at the chapel at Norwich Town, on Wednesday, September 29th, 1858.
WILLIAM WILLIAMS was appointed permanent chairman, and JOHN TURNER WAIT permanent secretary.
At this meeting it was voted, That Messrs. Wm. Williams, John Breed, Wm. C. Gilman, L. F. S. Foster and John T. Wait, be a committee to ascertain, as near as possible, the precise time at which the town was settled, with reference to the time of the proposed celebration.
Voted, That the secretary be requested to inform Mr. Daniel C. Gilman of his selection to deliver the historical address on that occasion.
Voted, That Messrs. Hiram P. Arms, Benjamin H. Paddock and John T. Wait, be a committee to prepare a programme for the public services at such celebration, and to nominate persons to de- liver poems and addresses suited to that occasion, and to submit the same for the consideration of this committee at the adjourned meeting.
The committee then adjourned to meet at the residence of Wm. Williams, on Monday, the 25th day of October next at 3 o'clock P. M.
SECOND FORMAL MEETING.
An adjourned meeting of the committee of arrangements was held at the residence of William Williams, on Monday, October 25th, at 3 o'clock in the afternoon.
14
THE NORWICH JUBILEE.
The committee appointed at the last meeting to report on the proper time for holding the proposed celebration, having reported in favor of the year 1859, after further discussion it was resolved that the second centennial celebration of the settlement of Nor- wich be held on two consecutive days in the early part of Septem- ber, 1859, the days to be hereafter designated by the general com- mittee.
The committee appointed to prepare a programme of exercises for that occasion, presented a general plan, which was accepted and referred back to the committee to amend and carry into effect, according to their discretion. The prominent features of the plan were, a historical address, (as heretofore announced,) by Daniel C. Gilman of Yale College, a discourse by Rt. Rev. Alfred Lee of Delaware, an address by Donald G. Mitchell of New Haven, and a poem by Anson G. Chester of Syracuse, N. Y.
Voted, That all the towns which were included in the former territorial limits of the town of Norwich be invited to unite with us in the proposed celebration.
Voted, That Wm. A. Buckingham, John Breed, Wolcott Hunt- ington and John T. Wait, be a committee to report, at a future meeting, the committees necessary to prepare for the celebration, and to nominate members for the same.
The following correspondence was laid before the meeting : -
NORWICH, Oct. 5th, 1858.
MR. D. C. GILMAN-MY DEAR SIR :- At a meeting of the com- mittee appointed by the citizens of Norwich to make arrange- ments for celebrating the second centennial of the settlement of the town, it was unanimously voted to invite you to deliver the historical address on that occasion.
At a subsequent meeting of the committee, I was directed to in- form you of their doings.
It affords me great pleasure, sir, to be the medium of communi- cating to you their action, and to assure you that it reflects the feelings and wishes of the people of Norwich.
As soon as the committee fix upon a time for the proposed cele- bration, I will communicate the same to you.
Hoping that you may find it convenient to accede to the wishes of your townsmen and friends, I am, with assurances of respect and esteem, Truly yours,
JOHN T. WAIT, Secretary of Committee.
15
TRANSACTIONS OF THE COMMITTEE.
NEW HAVEN, Conn., October 9th, 1858.
MY DEAR SIR :- I have had the pleasure of receiving your favor of the 5th instant, inviting me, in behalf of the citizens of Norwich, to deliver the historical address before them, at the second centennial celebration of the town. I should hesitate to undertake this agreeable service, were it not for the assurance that other gentlemen, whose personal recollections will extend over a longer period than my own, will be invited to prepare addresses for the occasion. If, under these circumstances, the interest which I inherit in the history of our native town, and any facilities I may have had for collecting materials pertaining to the past, can be rendered of service in commemorating the virtues of our fathers, or in strengthening the attachment of the present generation to what was good and wise in their principles and lives, I shall be truly glad, and therefore accept the appointment.
Thanking you for the terms in which you have communicated the action of the committee,
I remain, my dear sir, with high regard, Very truly yours, DANIEL C. GILMAN.
JOHN T. WAIT, EsQ., Secretary of Committee.
The meeting then adjourned to meet again at the same place on the afternoon of November 27th.
THIRD FORMAL MEETING.
The adjourned meeting of the committee was held at the resi- dence of Wm. Williams, on the afternoon of Saturday, Nov. 27.
The secretary of the committee reported that, since the last meet- ing, he had addressed letters to the Rt. Rev. Bishop Lee, Donald G. Mitchell and Anson G. Chester, informing these gentlemen of the action of the committee, and that replies had been received from them, which he laid before the meeting.
NEW HAVEN, November 10th, 1858. JOHN T. WAIT, ESQ .- DEAR SIR :- I shall take pleasure in ac- cepting your flattering invitation of October 29th, and remain, Respectfully, your obedient servant,
DONALD G. MITCHELL.
16
THE NORWICH JUBILEE.
SYRACUSE, N. Y., November 15th, 1858.
MY DEAR SIR :- Your very courteous letter, in which I am in- vited to deliver the poem at the celebration of the two hundredth anniversary of the settlement of Norwich, in September next, is received.
Believe me, sir, I am deeply sensible of the high honor in- volved in this unexpected and flattering request-a request which I can readily trace to the generous partiality of my Nor- wich friends. I accept the invitation so kindly tendered, with hesitation and timidity, in view of the magnitude of the duty which such acceptance imposes, but with a hearty determination to justify, as far as in me,lies, the preference of those from whom it proceeds.
Let me beg you, sir, to express my most cordial thanks to the cit- izens of Norwich, as represented by the committee in whose behalf you have addressed me, as well as to the committee itself, for this signal mark of their favor. For yourself, you will please accept my dutiful acknowledgments for the very handsome and tasteful man- ner in which you have made known to me the action of the com- mittee.
I am, sir, yours gratefully and truly,
ANSON G. CHESTER. JOHN T. WAIT, EsQ., Secretary of Committee.
WILMINGTON, Del., November 24th, 1858.
JOHN T. WAIT, EsQ., Secretary of Committee of Citizens of Nor- wich-MY DEAR SIR :- I have felt somewhat perplexed what an- swer to return to your obliging letter of Nov. 2d, containing an invitation from the committee appointed by citizens of Norwich, to deliver a discourse at the commemoration of the two hundredth anniversary of the settlement of the town. I scarcely feel myself competent to do justice to the interesting theme, or to meet the expectations that would be naturally awakened. Another, I can not but think, would discharge the duty much more adequately and acceptably than myself. On the other hand, it is so truly grat- ifying to be remembered as a son of Norwich, that I am reluctant- to appear insensible to the kindness which has connected my name with such an occasion. For the good old town I cherish a filial affection, and rejoice in her honor and prosperity.
-
17
TRANSACTIONS OF THE COMMITTEE.
May I venture to suggest to the committee to reconsider that part of their action, and make, as I am sure they can, a more ap- propriate selection ? If, however, they continue in the same mind, such poor service as I can render will be at their disposal.
I remain, dear sir, very respectfully and truly yours,
ALFRED LEE.
On motion, it was voted, That the secretary inform Bishop Lee that his selection by the committee, to deliver the discourse at the approaching celebration, was made with entire unanimity on their part, and, as they believe, in accordance with the earnest wishes of the citizens of Norwich, and that they respectfully decline to re- consider their action in the matter.
Wm. A. Buckingham, from the committee appointed at the last meeting to report to the present the sub-committees necessary to prepare for the celebration, and to nominate members of the same, reported that they would recommend the appointment of the fol- lowing, namely :-
1. A committee on reception.
2.
" invitation.
3.
" sentiments and speeches.
4. 66 66 finance.
5. 66
" dinner.
6. 66
procession.
He further reported that the organization of such sub-commit- tees had not been completed, and that he would suggest that the whole matter be referred back to the committee, which, on motion, was done.
Also, voted, That the celebration be held on the 7th and 8th days of September, 1859.
The committee appointed at an early meeting to prepare a pro- gramme of public exercises for that occasion reported that, in addi- tion to those already determined on, they would suggest the pro- priety of inviting Mrs. L. H. Sigourney, Miss F. M. Caulkins and Rev. A. T. Chester, to prepare hymns, and George Canning Hill an ode, to be sung on the occasion, which recommendation was unanimously adopted, and the secretary was directed to inform them of their respective appointments.
The meeting then adjourned to meet again Saturday, January 8th, at 3 o'clock P. M., at the same place.
3
18
THE NORWICH JUBILEE.
FOURTH FORMAL MEETING.
The adjourned meeting of the committee was held at the house of William Williams, on Saturday, January 8th, at 3 o'clock in the afternoon.
The secretary of the committee reported that, in obedience to the directions of the committee at their last meeting, he had ad- dressed letters to Mrs. Sigourney, Miss Caulkins, Rev. A. T. Ches- ter and George Canning Hill, informing them of the action of the committee, and the parts assigned to them at the approach- ing celebration, and had received replies from them, which letters in reply he laid before the meeting :-
HARTFORD, December 30th, 1858.
MY DEAR SIR :- Yours of the 24th, communicating the resolu- tion of the committee of arrangements, was duly received. It will give me pleasure to accept their designation, and if my life is spared to witness the two hundredth anniversary of the settlement of our fair native town, shall count it an honor to be permitted to mingle my thoughts with the music-strain that renders praise to the great protector of the fathers and their children.
Very respectfully,
L. HUNTLEY SIGOURNEY.
JOHN T. WAIT, EsQ.
BOSTON, Mass., 3d Jan., 1859.
MY DEAR SIR :- Your kind letter of the 24th ult., inviting me, on behalf of the committee of the citizens of Norwich, to furnish an ode to be sung at the celebration of the two hundredth anni- versary of the settlement of the town, would have been noticed some days ago, but for my absence, during the past week, in New York.
Allow me to thank the committee, through you, for the partial- ity so generously expressed in their request, and to assure them of the real gratification it will afford me to comply, so far as I may be able, with their wishes.
I need not subjoin any wordy protestations of my continued love for the beautiful town in which my life began, nor invoke for her, in this place, those rich blessings which her grateful sons and daughters everywhere are ready to call down upon her head. Like
19
TRANSACTIONS OF THE COMMITTEE.
the good mother she is, she should be able to collect her abundant family around her table next September, and to sweeten their lives with a new taste of the savory old memories.
I desire further to convey to you personally the assurances of my continued friendship and esteem, and to subscribe myself,
Very truly and gratefully yours,
GEO. CANNING HILL.
JOHN T. WAIT, EsQ.
BUFFALO, N. Y., Jan. 4th, 1859.
JOHN T. WAIT, ESQ .- MY DEAR SIR :- I am in the receipt of your favor of the 24th ult., informing me of the vote of your committee inviting me to prepare a hymn to be sung upon the occasion of the commemoration of the two hundredth anniversary of the settlement of Norwich. I am very much obliged to you for the privilege of having any part in the services of the occasion, the anticipation of which already causes the heart of every son and daughter of our dear old native town to beat with joy. I only regret that I have a part assigned me for which I have no special qualification, but I will show my devotion in the good cause by undertaking whatever may be laid upon me. My hope is that I shall have an inspiration begotten of memory and love and loyalty, so that, being neither by birth nor by experience a poet, I may yet be able to add something to the interest of that occasion. I will do the best I can, though I can not answer for the result of my effort.
" Perhaps it may turn out a song, Perhaps turn out a sermon."
With thanks to you personally, my dear friend, for the manner in which the invitation has been communicated,
I am very truly yours, A. T. CHESTER.
NEW LONDON, Jan. 5th, 1859.
JOHN T. WAIT, EsQ. :- Accept, sir, for yourself and the other gentlemen of the committee, my grateful acknowledgments for the high honor you bestow upon me by assigning me a share in the preparations for the approaching bi-centennial commemoration at Norwich.
I regard the proposition with unfeigned diffidence and self-dis-
20
THE NORWICH JUBILEE.
trust,-unwilling either to accept or decline,-for, on the one hand, how can I venture to appear in the list with such distinguish- ed compeers, and on the other, how can I refuse a request from Norwich ?
The very name of the place awakens enthusiasmn. For the old town of Norwich, in all its original amplitude, overshadowing its various offsets, (New Concord, West Farms, Pettipaug, Hanover, Newent and East Society,) all who have dwelt in its precincts or studied its history, will ever cherish a peculiar veneration. It is a place made by nature to captivate the lovers of the beautiful and the picturesque ; and now for two hundred years, by wise munici- pal regulations, by the quenchless energy of its inhabitants and the smiles of a benign Providence, it has ever stood in the first rank as an honorable, patriotic and prosperous town.
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