USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > Fairfield > Centennial commemoration of the burning of Fairfield, Connecticut, by the British troops under Governor Tryon, July 8th, 1779 > Part 5
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Rev. John A. Buckingham, of Massachusetts, was next introduced as from the noble old Bay State, and as the son of the once famous Boston editor, Joseph T. Buckingham : Mr. Buckingham made the last speech and spoke of the connections of his ancestors with the State and its achievements.
The President then announced that the time had arrived for closing this stirring meeting, and that after the hymn " America" had been sung by the cho- rus and the people, the procession would form to escort the Governor to the station. The hymn was sung with enthusiasm, and with three cheers from the great assembly of guests and hosts for the success of the occasion, and for the future good feeling of neighbors and countrymen, and especially for the ladies who had spread the tables with plenty, the
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procession was formed. The band, with the police, led the way. Then came the Governor and other officers of the day in a barouch drawn by four horses, with a long line of carriages and people on foot. The procession passed down Beach Lane into Main Street by the old historical sites, and reached the station in time for the train to Bridgeport at half past four.
Thus closed a day unprecedented in the annals of this quiet old town, and full of enjoyment and in- struction. A large number of our people by their contributions of money and provisions helped on the hospitality of the occasion, and the great assembly of guests received the hospitality shown them in a courtesy both honorable to them and acceptable to us.
How many persons were present, we cannot say with certainty, but the number rose into the thous- ands, and, whilst cautious observers were content to say that three thousand persons were in sight at one time on the Green, more enthusiastic spectators claim that in the course of the day Fairfield showed ten thousand people and one thousand vehicles in the streets.
The old times and the new met together, especial- ly when the President of the day drank the health of the Governor and the ladies, in the silver tankard that belonged to the Rev. Andrew Eliot, in 1779.
CORRESPONDENCE.
We publish such portion of our correspondence as is likely most to interest readers and to add to the historical value of this record.
[Besides sending a telegram, President Hayes honored the occasion by the following official letter :]
From President Hayes :
EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, July 7, 1879.
DEAR SIR :- I am directed by the President, to acknowledge with thanks, the receipt of your favor of the 27th ultimo, and to express his regret that he will be unable to attend the Centennial Commemoration of the Burning of Fairfield
Very truly yours, W. K. ROGERS,
Private Secretary.
MR. WM. A. BEERS, Secretary, &c., Fairfield, Conn.
From Governor Andrews:
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, HARTFORD, CONN. LITCHFIELD, Fuly 1, 1879.
WM. A. BEERS :
MY DEAR SIR :- I propose to come down by the first train from here in the morning, which will bring me to Bridgeport at about 10 o'clock, A. M. I do not know how long it will take to come over to Fairfield-I shall come by the first train.
Perhaps you can write me what train I had best take; I desire to suit your convenience.
Yours very truly,
CHARLES B. ANDREWS.
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From Sir Edward Thornton :
BRITISH LEGATION,
NEWBURYPORT, MASS., July 3, 1879.
SIR :- I am much obliged to you for the kind invitation which you have forwarded me, to be present at the ceremony which is to take place at Fairfield on the 8th inst. I regret, however, that previous engagements will prevent my availing myself of it. I, at the same time, beg to assure you of the high appreciation which I entertain of the good-will shown towards the country which I have the honor to represent, and to express my hope that the friendship which now exists between the two countries may never be interrupted.
I remain, Sir, truly yours,
EDWD. THORNTON.
WM. A. BEERS,
Secretary, &c., Fairfield, Conn.
From the Right Rev. John Williams :
MIDDLETOWN, July 2, 1879.
MY DEAR DR. OSGOOD :- I very much regret that an impera- tive engagement will deprive me of the pleasure of being at Fair- field on the 8th. With every good wish for the success-of which there can be no doubt-of the celebration,
I am, faithfully yours,
J. WILLIAMS.
From the Right Rev. Bishop Potter :
RYE BEACH, N. H., July 8, 1879.
DEAR DR. OSGOOD :- I thank you very much for your kindness in sending me a card of invitation to the Fairfield Centennial. It was a pleasant conception and your proceedings are nicely arranged.
Your card came to me only this morning; therefore, as to an appearance at Fairfield, you must accept the will for the deed.
I am, affectionately yours,
H. POTTER.
The REV. DR. OSGOOD.
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From President Noah Porter :
YALE COLLEGE, NEW HAVEN, CONN., July 3, 1879.
REV. SAMUEL OSGOOD, D. D., President, &c. :
MY DEAR SIR :- It would give me especial pleasure to be present at the Centennial Commemoration of the Burning of Fairfield, which event, for special reasons, took strong hold of my youthful imagination, but a previous engagement makes this impossible. With sincere regard and thanks
I am, very truly yours,
N. PORTER.
From the Hon. Robert C. Winthrop :
BROOKLINE, MASS., July 4, 1879.
MY DEAR DR. OSGOOD :- Your programme for the Centennial at Fairfield is most tempting, and your invitation is most kind. My ancestral ties to Connecticut are hardly less strong than those to Massachusetts, and I would gladly unite in such a commemo- ration. It would be a peculiar pleasure to me to listen to your own address, as well as to the historic discourse of Dr. Rankin. And then to spend a day or two at Greenfield Hill, and enjoy its inspiring charms, would fill up the measure of a delightful occa- sion, which I am deeply sorry to miss. But I must deny myself. Neither engagements nor health will allow me to adventure on such an excursion.
Pray present my most grateful acknowledgments to your com- mittee, and accept my best thanks for yourself.
Ever faithfully, your friend and serv't,
ROB'T C. WINTHROP.
REV. SAMUEL OSGOOD, D. D.
From the Rev. Dr. Lyman Atwater :
COLLEGE OF NEW JERSEY, PRINCETON, July 1, 1879.
MY DEAR DR. OSGOOD :- I deeply regret that prior engage- ments will prevent my acceptance of the kind invitation to be present at the Centennial Commemoration of the Burning of Fairfield by the British a century ago. It would give me great pleasure to attend the exercises on that occasion, so inter-
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esting in itself, while it is made doubly so to me, both by manifold associations and memories, and by the prominent part which friends so valued by me, and so competent for the task, are to take in its exercises.
These have a sad aspect if we look only at the savage burning of the beautiful village in violation of all the rules of civilized warfare, which, in a day, made houseless and homeless a body of people as elevated as ever dwelt in like habitations. But it has a joyous and exultant side. The patriotism, valor, and self-sacrifice of our ancestors were only more fully proved and invigorated by these prodigious sufferings which were the price of the liberty and independence of themselves and their children. In these we joy and glory. These and the victories achieved by them, should be celebrated and perpetuated in honorable remembrance by be- coming festivities.
It was my privilege during my early ministry in Fairfield to know and commune with some of those noble men, and "honor- able women, not a few," who shared in these privations, conflicts, and triumphs.
Although in person necessarily absent, in heart I shall be with you in the approaching celebration.
Yours very truly, LYMAN H. ATWATER.
P. S .- It may or may not fall in your way to note-what you doubtless are aware of-the close and honorable connection of the town of Fairfield with the higher institutions of learning in the country. Not only were sons of the earlier ministers of Fairfield leading members of the Corporation of Yale College, but, near the beginning of this century, Dr. Timothy Dwight was called from Greenfield Church to the Presidency, and Prof. Ben- jamin Silliman, son of General Silliman of Holland Hill, promi- nent in the revolutionary war, was called to a Professorship in Yale College, positions which they so adorned, as to contribute more to the advancement of that college than any other two men in its whole history. Rev. Aaron Burr, father of Aaron Burr, Vice-President of the United States, and son-in-law of President Edwards, was the first President of Princeton College after it was organized as a College, and successful and honored administrator of its affairs. Dr. Heman Humphries, pastor of the old First Church of Fairfield, became President of Amherst College about
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a half century ago, and it had a rapid growth under his adminis- tration. The town has furnished students, not only for Yale, but for Harvard, Princeton, Williams, Amherst, and other Colleges, some of whom have done honor to their alma mater, and their native town.
From the Rev. Dr. E. P. Humphrey :
LOUISVILLE, KY., July 3, 1879.
REV. SAMUEL OSGOOD, D. D., President, &c.
WILLIAM A. BEERS, Secretary, &c.
MY DEAR SIRS :- I am honored by your invitation to be pres- ent at the approaching Centennial Commemoration to be held in Fairfield. I regret that I cannot go thither at that time.
It is my happiness to be recognized in this invitation, as a native-born Fairfield man. I have been unable to visit the town, except at long intervals, since my boyhood ; but I am of opinion that no true man will allow absence, or the lapse of time to defeat his birth-rights in our dear old "Half-shire."
I indulge myself in the pleasant thought that I sustain a certain near relation to the people whose property was destroyed. My honored father, the Rev. Dr. Heman Humphrey, became the minister of Fairfield in 1806, only twenty-seven years after the burning. We may assume that not a few of his parishioners were among the sufferers. The names of the principal families of the town were always household words in our house ; and our parents taught their children to hold these people in honor and love. You say well, that among them were some of the best " men and women of the land."
You will be interested in a graphic description of Fairfield in 1806, which I find in my father's auto-biography. Here it is:
"Fairfield was then a considerable village, and the half-shire. town of the county ; but very plain in its external appearance Not more than four or five of the houses, I believe had ever been painted, and these were now so weather-beaten that the signs of paint had well nigh disappeared. Fairfield had been burnt during the revolution. By this calamity the inhabitants were very much impoverished, and were obliged to rebuild in as plain a style as was consistent with the comfort of their families."
"Some had more property and intelligence than others; but while none were rich, few were very poor. And there was a free-
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dom and cordiality in social intercourse which was delightful Whole neighborhoods lived together like one great family of many branches. This was ascribed to the fellowship of suffering pro- duced by the calamities of war." Thus far the old-time minister of our native town.
And now, may that Great Being, the God of our Fathers, who bore the generation of 1639 across the seas, and who sustained the generation of 1779 amidst the flames-may He be the dwelling place of their children in all generations !
Very respectfully yours,
EDWARD P. HUMPHREY.
From the Rev. Augustine F. Hewit, D.D. :
PAULIST COVNENT, 59th Street and 9th Avenue, NEW YORK, June 28, 1879.
REV. AND DEAR SIR :- I have the pleasure of acknowledging the receipt of your kind note, and also of the Secretary's official invitation to the Commemoration at Fairfield on the 8th of July, which arrived only this morning.
If I find it convenient to come up on that day, I will very gladly comply with your request, by making a short speech if time permits, and the addresses are not too numerous and long for the good humor of the audience.
The occasion is an interesting one, and all the circumstances of place and time are favorable for such a celebration, if only the elements are propitious. I trust you may have a bright, cool day, with a friendly cloud to veil the mid-day sun, and no rain to in- terrupt the enjoyment of the occasion. I have no doubt all pres- ent will be disposed to offer up, sincerely, the prayer of the soldier's little boy, "Oh ! Lord, let there be no more wars."
I remain, yours truly,
AUGUSTINE F. HEWIT.
REV. DR. OSGOOD,
Fairfield, Conn.
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From the Hon. Solomon Lincoln :
HINGHAM, July 2, 1879.
REV. SAMUEL OSGOOD, President.
DEAR SIR :- I have received your circular inviting me to be present at the Centennial Commemoration of the Burning of Fairfield, in 1779. I regret that the state of my health is such that it will preclude my acceptonce of your courteous invitation. With great respect,
I am, your ob't serv't,
SOLOMON LINCOLN.
From George Dimon, Esq. :
MILAN, O., June 30, 1879.
GENTLEMEN :- Your circular-letter inviting me to be present at a Centennial Commemoration of the anniversary of the burn- ing of the houses, stores and churches in old Fairfield, by the British troops, was received by due course of mail.
I feel flattered to know that I was remembered-but, yet, I may have some claims to notice on such an occasion, as I am the oldest male descendent of my Grandfather, William Dimon, whose house and buildings were burned-and, also, of my Grandfather, John Andrews, who served his country as a soldier seven years in the war of the revolution, and who lived his last days in Green's Farms. I well remember the many stories he told of hardship and suffering during that time, and, although I have now connec- tions in England, I feel a little guilty when I think of the red- coats of that day-and now, after thirty-four years residence in the land we once called New Connecticut, my feelings of attach- ment to my native land are as strong as ever. Mill River, South- port, and Fairfield will always seem pleasant and homelike.
As a boy, and young man, I knew personally all the leading men of Fairfield and vicinity, and we looked up to them with veneration and respect, feeling that they were very great men.
There was Gen. Burr, Col. Burr, Sam'l Rowland, Sheriff Dimon, Doctor Hull, Deacon Judson, our Pastor, Rev. Humphrey, Roger M. Sherman, Judge Sturges, Capt. Gould Jennings, Capt. A. Ben- son, Lothrop Lewis, Gould Allen, James Knapp, Jeremiah Jen- nings, and old uncle Anse Trubee, and his flock of sheep. All of these men and many others I remember, and now, in passing through the town, it seems as if I ought to see some of them, but we pass away and everything changes. I find now but few
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of the landmarks of other days, notably two that don't change ; one, Hyde's Pond, another, the old academy, where, in my go- to-school days, Murray's English, Virgil's Latin and Homer's Greek, were themes of much hard study by very many young men fitting themselves for a college course.
I regret exceedingly that circumstances prevent my being with you on this occasion. It would be a treat, indeed, to see and meet so many of your people, and help commemorate the day.
Hoping you may have a pleasant day, and have very many with you, and that your historic speaker will tell to them a good story, while
I remain, yours very respectfully, GEORGE DIMON. REV. SAM'L OSGOOD, D. D., President, WM. A. BEERS, Secretary, Fairfield Commemoration, Fairfield, Ct.
From the Rev. Edward E. Beardsley, D. D., L. L. D. NEW HAVEN, CONN., July 5th, 1879.
REV. SAMUEL OSGOOD, D. D., L. L. D., President.
MY DEAR DOCTOR :- I have been favored with an invitation to be present the 8th inst. at the Centennial Commemoration of the Burning of Fairfield. It would afford me much pleasure to witness the exercises, but my engagements at home will not permit me to leave on that day.
These Centennials bring out the history, so far as it has been preserved, of some of the more important local events of the Revolution, but they have no power to reproduce the scenes of suffering and of terror through which our forefathers were com- pelled to pass. We cannot, by stepping back a century, measure the degree of excitement and feeling which prevailed among both the adherents of the crown and the supporters of independence. They shared alike in the devastations of the invading army, and my historical researches have led me to believe that in the heats and passions of the revolution, scant justice was sometimes done to those who could not in their consciences favor the war, yet stoutly opposed taxation without representation, and preferred to vindicate their rights as British subjects within the colonies. This was eminently the case with Dr. Wm. Sam'l Johnson, of
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Stratford, a statesman whom Connecticut honored by appointing him one of the delegates to the convention which framed the Federal constitution, and by subsequently choosing him her first Senator in Congress.
The clergy and members of the Church of England in the colonies, were for the most part loyal to the King, but the Tories, as they were stigmatized, were not all of that religious faith. Here, in New Haven, the same expedition which invaded and burnt Fairfield, met with sympathizers who belonged to the Stand- ing Order, and one of the most conspicuous and wealthy among them-a distinguished lawyer who had been for nearly a score of years a communicant member of the First Congregational Church -accepted for himself and his family the protection of Governor Tryon, and left with the troops when they re-embarked and sailed away to apply the torch to your defenceless town. With the destruction of the stores and houses in Fairfield went the Episco- pal Church, and, at a later date, two others were burnt in the- Colony by the very invaders whose cause they were supposed to maintain.
We must allow what has passed into history to stand, but it is well in these days to recognize the fact that, in the descendants of the participants of the Revolutionary War, on both sides, has flowed some of the best blood of Connecticut. From Patriot and Tory families have come those who have contributed to the honor and prosperity of the State and the nation, and made names for themselves which will live in literature, science, and religion, when generation after generation has passed away.
Thanking you for the invitation,
I remain, very truly yours,
E. E. BEARDSLEY.
From the Rev. Dr. T. W. Coit :
MIDDLETOWN, CONN. WM. A. BEERS, EsQ.
DEAR SIR :- Many thanks for an invitation to the Centennial Commemoration at Fairfield. I should like to witness it; but since the death of my oldest son, I have avoided publicity as much as possible.
Yours very respectfully,
T. W. COIT.
W. A. BEERS, Esq.,
Secretary, &c.
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From the Rev. George P. Fisher, D. D., L. L. D. :
NEW HAVEN, July 7, 1879.
REV. SAMUEL OSGOOD, D. D.
MY DEAR SIR :- I regret that I am prevented from accepting the invitation with which I have been honored, to attend the Commemoration of the sufferings and self-sacrifice of the inhabi- tants of Fairfield which is to be held to-morrow.
With sincere thanks to the Committee for the favor of an invi- tation,
Believe me, Dear Sir, Yours faithfully, GEORGE P. FISHER.
REV. DR. OSGOOD.
From the Rev. J. T. Headley : NEWBURGH, July 5, 1879.
MY DEAR SIR :- I regret that my engagements will prevent me from accepting your polite invitation to be present at the Centennial Commemoration of the Burning of Fairfield, on the Sth inst. I take a great interest in all these centennial celebra- tions of the important events of our revolution. They are oc- curring at the right time, and tend to rekindle the interest in that unparalelled struggle for freedom that the stirring events of our late civil war had well nigh extinguished.
Very sincerely yours,
J. T. HEADLEY. REV. SAMUEL OSGOOD, D. D.
From the Hon. Dwight Morris :
BRIDGEPORT, June 30, 1879.
MY DEAR SIR :- Your kind invitation to attend the Centennial Celebration of the Burning of Fairfield, is received.
It will afford me great pleasure to attend, and join with you all, but do not call on me to speak. The names on the programme who make addresses are too far ahead of me to permit it.
Very truly yours, DWIGHT MORRIS.
REV. SAMUEL OSGOOD, D. D.
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From Colonel Robert C. Wetmore :
ORANGE VALLEY, NEW JERSEY, Fuly 3, 1879.
REV. AND DEAR SIR :- Your very kind and flattering re- membrance of myself in your Secretary's transmitted invita- tion, for my presence at your Centennial Commemoration of the Burning of Fairfield by the British troops, July the 8th, 1779, is duly received.
If a descendant of one of Fairfield's most fearless defenders (Quartermaster Richard Hubbell), during that perilous period of its history, which your proposed celebration is to recall, then I am indeed worthy of the distinction your invitation confers.
You will readily believe I am deeply grieved that my connec- tion with the celebration of the 4th instant, deprives me of the pleasure of again meeting cherished friends upon that venerated old "Green," and from adding some, perhaps, interesting his- torical reminiscences of past generations, who were wont to assemble there in council.
With very high respect, &c.,
TO SAMUEL OSGOOD, D. D.,
ROBERT C. WETMORE, To the manor born.
President, &c.
From the Mayor of New Haven :
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE, No. 7 City Hall, NEW HAVEN, July 7, 1879.
DEAR SIRS :- Your kind invitation to participate in your Cen- tennial was duly received, but owing to the excitement and rush attendant on our own celebration, I have not been able to give an earlier answer. Personally, if possible, I shall be present. As to the Aldermen and Councilmen, they have held no meeting since the arrival of your invitation. The Aldermen meet this evening, when I shall lay the matter before them.
Hoping that your celebration may be as successful as ours has been, I remain,
Yours respectfully,
H. B. BIGELOW, Mayor. COM. ON CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION,
Fair field, Conn.
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From A. Foote, Clerk of Selectmen of New Haven : OFFICE OF SELECTMEN AND TOWN AGENT, No. 2 City Hall, NEW HAVEN, CT., July 7, 1879.
WM. A. BEERS, EsQ.
Sec'y on the Committee on Centennial Commemoration.
DEAR SIR :- Your invitation to the New Haven Board of select- men to be present and participate in the exercises on the occasion of the Centennial Commemoration of the invasion of the town of Fairfield by the British troops, has been duly received and ordered placed on file.
In reply I am instructed by the Board to say to you, that this occasion, occuring so soon after a like occasion in our own town and city, and the usual press of business in consequence of semi- annual adjustments necessitates, with regret, a declination of your very kind and cordial invitation.
Very respectfully yours, A. FOOTE, Clerk Board of Selectmen.
George N. French, Esq., Chairman of Common Council of Bridgeport. BRIDGEPORT, July, 4th, 1879. W. A. BEERS, Secretary,
DEAR SIR :-- The Common Council having voted to accept your very kind invitation to participate with you in the commemoration services, and having appointed the undersigned chairman of a Committee to make the necessary arrangements to this end, I would be pleased to hear from you in reference to your plans, and as to the time you wish the Council to arrive at your place and as to whether you are to have a parade. Any information in regard to the matter will aid the Committee very much in the discharge of their duty. Would you prefer to have us come by cars or in carriages ?
Very truly yours, GEORGE N. FRENCH, Chairman of Committee.
From P. T. Barnum Esq .:
MONTPELIER, VT., July, 5th, 1879.
MY DEAR DR. OSGOOD :- Yours of yesterday arrived on this, my 69th birthday. You say I have made the nation laugh and be
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wise. Yet I have tried to have them laugh without doing it through bad whiskey. I have not taught them to laugh at vulgar- ity, obscenity nor profanity.
As the French poet did not care who made the laws, if he might write the ballads of a nation, so I have felt in a degree in relation to the amusements of a nation. The people will have recreation -their natures need and demand it-he who will provide it, freed from all poisons, is in some regard a public bene- factor. My chief object in continuing a public menagerie is to elevate and refine such popular amusements as are found under traveling tents.
I shall be tired after my fifteen hours railroad journey, reaching Bridgeport at 10.05 Tuesday, A. M. I shall then see, I hope, by the Bridgeport newspapers at what hour the Fairfield proceedings take place, and try to be on hand. I have no idea what I can say, but will try and think, and keep within the ten minutes.
Truly yours,
P. T. BARNUM.
From T. P. Handy, Esq .:
CLEVELAND, O., July, 3d, 1879.
WM. A. BEERS, Secretary
MY DEAR SIR :- Please accept my thanks for the honor of your kind invitation for the 8th inst. at the Centennial Commemoration in the old town of Fairfield, with my regrets that I shall be unable to be present or to participate in the services of the day.
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