USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > East Haven > History of East Haven > Part 13
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In 1799 the east district built the schoolhouse on the Green commonly known as the "Yellow School- house"-probably from the size and appearance of the old sycamore or buttonball trees as they were set out around the Green, about or before this time.
In 1824 East Haven had occasion to again display its patriotism and gratitude to Lafayette when he rode from New Haven to visit the place of his encamp- ment. He was warmly welcomed by the townspeople. A large concourse gathered, speeches of welcome were made, and a liberty pole erected in his honor, which was the first one raised on the Green.
In his speech he stretched forth his hand and, point- ing his finger in the direction of the old parsonage, said, "Yonder is the house where I stayed." The house was still standing, but the good minister had passed to his heavenly home eighteen years before, but Lafayette was able to shake hands with the sons of so noble a father. This time he was claimed as the guest of Capt. Daniel Bradley, himself a Revolution- ary veteran.
THE HOUSE WHERE LAFAYETTE WAS ENTERTAINED IN 1824.
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As was the custom in those days. a jolly good julep was mixed up in the three quart "sling tumbler" and passed ascusi. each ine taking a sip from it before eating. Captain Bradley's daughter. Mrs. John S. Bradley. gave this historic ambler to her daughter- in-law. Mrs. Edwin S. Bradley, saying as she did so, "My father entertained Lafayette in this house, and he drank from this combler when he came to East Haven in 1821" The combler is now in the possession of Mrs. H. Walter Ca:isey. great-granddaughter of Cape. Daniel Bra Ley, a highly prized relic of bygone days and ancestors. The house :: We. J. Ives Bradley, on Main Street is the house where Genera! Lafayette was last entertained
The original pale on the East Haven Green served its purpose until the campaign of Harrison and Tyler in the fat of sito. The night before Harrison's electice. she sspmais :: the pole mysteriously dis- appeared. A stopp at Months Cove supplied the deficiency the sex: day. tot sat fall some one sawed
s ra very high and the whole country Tas as : : ::: "Tippecanoe and Tyler too." The x : political excitement the connery had ever sithed no excuse for such an an :: - testrying the liberty pole.
East Have wa: 1 19 Whiz town, and on the occasion. :: : : : New Haven, helped :: swell and a de with a very handsome= ====== by wix horses. under the -a-azer Caldey. The float createted of a carte
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The Green.
As was the custom in those days, a jolly good julep was mixed up in the three quart "sling tumbler" and passed around, each one taking a sip from it before eating. Captain Bradley's daughter, Mrs. John S. Bradley, gave this historic tumbler to her daughter- in-law, Mrs. Edwin S. Bradley, saying as she did so, "My father entertained Lafayette in this house, and he drank from this tumbler when he came to East Haven in 1824." The tumbler is now in the possession of Mrs. H. Walter Chidsey, great-granddaughter of Capt. Daniel Bradley, a highly-prized relic of bygone days and ancestors. The house of Mr. J. Ives Bradley, on Main Street, is the house where General Lafayette was last entertained.
The original pole on the East Haven Green served its purpose until the campaign of Harrison and Tyler in the fall of 1840. The night before Harrison's election, the topmast of the pole mysteriously dis- appeared. A sloop at Morris Cove supplied the deficiency the next day, but that fall some one sawed down the whole pole. Politics ran very high and the whole country was at fever heat for "Tippecanoe and Tyler too." This was the greatest political excitement the country had ever seen, still it furnished no excuse for such an act of vandalism as destroying the liberty pole.
East Haven was a very strong Whig town, and on the occasion of a mass convention held in New Haven, helped to swell and adorn the parade with a very handsomely decorated float, drawn by six horses, under the management of Mr. Samuel Chidsey. The float consisted of a canoe filled with little girls* not * The writer chanced to be one of the number.
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oven ten years old, one for each state, dressed in white, with red caps and blue sashes, waving banners of "log cabin and hard cider." The little girls were under the care of Mr. Daniel Smith, who never left the float but provided everything to delight his little charges. They received a great deal of attention and were loudly cheered over and over again as they passed along, to which they responded by raising their ban- ners at arm's length over their heads. The Democrats in derision of General Harrison said he lived in a "log cabin," and drank "hard cider." No doubt he had, at some time in his pioneer life in the west. So the Whigs immediately caught up the expression and used it as an emblem of the campaign and of true American simplicity.
The subject of improving the Green began to be agitated in 1861. In special town meeting May 23, 1861,
Voted, "Rev. D. W. Havens, Samuel T. Andrews and E. Sturtevant Chidsey be appointed a committee to investigate the cost of fencing, grading and otherwise improving the Green in said town."
On June 10, 1861, it was
Voted, "To discontinue the public highways laid out around the public Green, and across said Green, for the purpose of fencing and otherwise improving said Green."
The Civil War coming on just then, the town had all its energies and funds absorbed in maintaining its war expenses, and nothing more was done at that time.
January, 1862, witnessed the burning of the "Old Yellow Schoolhouse" on the Green. East Haven had
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now been shorn of a liberty pole twenty-two years, and a few public-spirited men decided this should be the case no longer. Mr. Timothy Andrews and Mr. Alfred Hughes selected the spar from the Fair Haven shipyard, and uniting their teams drew it to the Green, where it was erected, April, 1862, and did good service for thirty years. After the burning of the schoolhouse the Green was no longer a common playground and as a new schoolhouse had been built in 1868 the Green would never be used again for that purpose, and the people began to realize the worth of this beautiful square and wish for improvement.
April 28th, 1869, Voted, "That the Green so called, belong- ing to the Town of East Haven, be plowed, graded and enclosed with a fense constructed of cedar posts, and rails, and that the expense be paid from the treasury of said Town. Voted that Timothy Andrews, Stephen Bradley and Leander F. Richmond be a Committee to carry out the same." (E. H. Town Rec.)
This was the first step taken to give prominence and protection to the public square. Hitherto it had been a common stamping ground for all sorts of pur- poses. In the days of the old Connecticut militia, it was the parade ground for their pranks and antics, called "Training Days," spring and fall, from which no able-bodied man between the ages of 18 and 45 could escape. This law was repealed about the forties. To show how hard it was to break up old habits, and how determined the people were to do it, the follow- ing by-law will prove:
March 3, 1876, Voted, "That every person who shall be found upon the public Green playing any game of Ball, shall be fined not less than ten dollars, nor more than twenty-five
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dollars for each offence. It shall be the duty of the acting Grand Juror to prosecute any violation of the above By-Law, which may come to his notice. Any By-Law inconsistent with the above is hereby repealed." (E. H. Town Rec.)
A very substantial fence was built and painted, and many elm trees set out to replace the dying old syca- mores, which from their size must have been very aged. In 1886 the band stand was erected, which was done by subscription.
October 7, 1889, Voted, "That the hay from the Green be sold, and the benefit arising therefrom be expended for fer- tilizer for the Green."
October 2, 1893, a vote was taken to instruct the selectmen to mow the park three times a year at least, or when in their judgment it is necessary, leaving the grass mowed upon said park. Oct. 5, 1896, "Voted to appropriate $150 for a liberty pole on the public square as soon as possible." Town pride was aroused.
1902, On Arbor Day a Constitutional Oak was sent to the Town of East Haven, by U. S. Senator Orville H. Platt, through William H. Stevens, Delegate to the Constitutional Convention. It was planted near the north-east corner of the Green, or Public Square, on the Main St. side by Mr. John S. Tyler, first Selectman, and Henry T. Thompson, chairman of the Town School Committee, on School property. (Volume 28, page 291.) Attest C. C. KIRKHAM, (Town Records.) Town Clerk.
The truth can not be written without saying that public sentiment has been greatly awakened and stimu- lated by the action and cooperation of the Woman's Club, under the leadership of Mrs. Edward F. Thomp- son, president, and Mrs. Leverett S. Bagley, vice president. The officers and members of the club have
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done much to make history for time to come. They have taken civic improvement for their work, and their endeavors have been upheld and aided by their townspeople with pleasure and gratitude, and their achievements have been marked with unusual success. As fast as one object is accomplished, they press on to something greater and harder to accomplish.
EAST HAVEN TREE PLANTING.
Arbor day, 1903, was observed in an appropriate manner on the East Haven Green, Friday afternoon, under the supervision of the Woman's Club. Prepara- ations for the occasion had been going on for some time and the result was a programme carried out in a manner reflecting great credit on those who bore the responsibility of completing the arrangements. As many persons know, to solicit nearly one hundred trees, and get them planted without a hitch, is a rather large contract, but this is what the Woman's Club of East Haven did, and it is safe to say that there were no better conducted services in the state.
East Haven has many beautiful trees, which were planted by the fathers and grandfathers of the present school children, and it is the desire to foster in the hearts of these children such love and reverence for the deeds of their ancestors that they will ever strive to follow in their footsteps and be an honor to their home and country. Among those who have presented trees to the club are Governor Chamberlain, who gave a thrifty young oak; Congressman N. D. Sperry, Sen- ator Platt, Congressman George L. Lilley, County Commissioners Walter, Thompson and Brewer, County
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Treasurer Hiram Jacobs, Representative John S. Tyler, Selectmen Edmund B. Woodward and Eugene S. Thompson, Town Clerk C. C. Kirkham, who acted as master of ceremonies; the Board of Education, the chairman of which is Grove J. Tuttle, Esq., and many private citizens, but best of all, the school children, who had been saving up their pennies to buy trees. There was a splendid array of 100 young trees, which so suddenly appearing on the barren ground was a verita- ble illustration of a forest springing up like mush- rooms in a night.
The procession of children started from the school- house shortly after two o'clock, headed by the drum corps, which, in turn, was led by Mr. George Chidsey, who has won two state prizes as a drummer. A few blocks from the Green they were joined by the mem- bers of the Woman's Club. Mr. Herbert Nickerson drove Congressman Sperry in his automobile, suiting the pace of the machine to the march of the procession. The exercises opened with a speech of welcome by Mr. C. C. Kirkham, in which he commended the zeal and interest of the members of the Woman's Club and of the public, congratulating them upon their success in the arrangements, and extending his best wishes for all future undertakings.
Then followed the singing of "Columbia the Gem of the Ocean," by the school, and a prayer by Rev. D. J. Clark, pastor of the Old Stone Church. An original poem, written for the occasion by Mrs. Florence Andrews, was read by Miss Richards, and afterwards sung to the tune of "America," by the children. The lines were :
The Green. 185
Like sentries trees shall stand, To guard our native land In sun and storm. Maple and ash we bring, Glad let our voices ring, On this May day of spring, A gladsome song. The oak tree strong and grand, Planted by loving hand. Let work be done, And pray God's tender care This day with us to share And guard our trees so fair In years to come.
At the close of the second stanza the entire assem- bly joined in singing one verse of "America" with a spirit of enthusiasm which was good to hear. Con- gressman Sperry then addressed the children in words which they will not soon forget. Very simply and earnestly Mr. Sperry enjoined them ever to keep a guard upon their thoughts and actions, that they might always be pure and good. Although they did not realize it, he said they were now forming the character which was to last them a lifetime, and it was for them to see that that character was to be strong and good. Pointing to the beautiful elms on the Green, he said that as those trees had been planted for their benefit by their forefathers, so would the trees now planted be for the benefit of future generations, and begged that they should take an interest, not only in setting out the trees, but also in the care of them after they had been placed in the ground.
Mr. Sperry, after quoting Morris' beautiful poem, "Woodman, Spare that Tree," said that a man, woman or child who appreciates the sentiment therein
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expressed, is one to be trusted and endorsed, at any time, or anywhere. Those who love home, fatherland, parents and teachers, will appreciate these things fifty years from now, for the sweetest memories undoubt- edly cling 'round these things. In closing, he appealed to the boys for the welfare of the birds, drawing a parallel between the feelings of parents for their chil- dren and birds for their young. Just as Mr. Sperry was about to resume his seat, he was presented with a magnificent basket of wild flowers by Miss Doris E. Thompson, on behalf of the school. Mrs. Thomp- son then expressed her thanks to the children for their part in the entertainment, and to the town officers and the public for their interest and assistance in fur- thering the work of the club, after which everyone united in singing the Doxology. After the benediction had been pronounced by the Rev. John. H. Jackson, rector of the Episcopal Church, the assemblage broke up, while the drum corps played "Yankee Doodle," and rendered several other selections, which were thor- oughly appreciated. One noteworthy fact was the entire absence of any appearance of restlessness on the part of the children during the entire programme, which was indicative of excellent training on the part of teachers and parents. Thus closed a very eventful and beautiful scene on the East Haven Green. It is the intention of the Woman's Club of East Haven to solicit a tree from each new incoming governor of the state-a small request in itself, but something very significant in future history. The three last governors, namely Governor Chamberlain, Governor Roberts and Governor Woodruff, are very thriftily represented.
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"October 2, 1905, Voted, The Selectmen be instructed to remove the fence around the Green."
The following is not exactly connected with the Green, yet as the idea originated in East Haven and was successfully carried out through the energy and perseverance of the president of the Woman's Club, finally resulting in the cooperation of all like clubs of the state, it is thought best to give it place in this chapter.
The extracts following, relative to the subject, are mostly from the daily press.
MOUNTAIN LAUREL AS STATE FLOWER. Delegation Addresses Legislative Committee.
"Whether or not the state shall have a state flower, and whether or not that flower shall be what is commonly known as the mountain laurel, were matters considered yesterday by the committee on agriculture, and a hearing of more than ordinary interest resulted.
"The principal speakers were Mrs. E. F. Thompson of East Haven and Mrs. Frank W. Gerard of South Norwalk, a special committee representing the Federation of Women's Clubs. Theoretically the room was more than filled with women; for these two were considered to represent 3,000. Mrs. Thompson in addressing the committee made several points for having a flower, and several for having the moun- tain laurel that flower. She showed that thirty-two states have floral emblems now, and why should not Connecticut have one? It would give a floral emblem to decorate all state and social functions, encouraging patriotism in both old and young. She favored the mountain laurel because it is ever green, indigenous to our soil, symbolic of honor and glory, rich in classical allusions, at its height at Flag day, and frequently available for use on Memorial day. Now we want a flower to encourage decoration, 'a flower the sweet- est thing God ever created.'
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History of East Haven.
"Mrs. Gerard spoke in support of Mrs. Thompson and said it had been endorsed by the various branches of the federation, and by the main body in convention unanimously after Mrs. Thompson had presented her arguments. In a letter to Mrs. Thompson read before the agricultural com- mittee, Mrs. Sara T. Kinney, state regent of the D. A. R., said: "There is no money in your errand, and no politics, but a fine sentiment makes a whole state kin. If other states have state flowers, why should not Connecticut have hers? And if so, what more beautiful flower could be chosen, or one more suggestive of the sturdy qualities of Connecticut men and women, than our mountain laurel?' Mrs. John Holcomb of Hartford, prominent in the Colonial Dames, a member of both the St. Louis and the Jamestown exposition committees, wrote : 'I very much approve of the selection of the mountain laurel as a state flower for Connecticut. It seems to me preeminently the one for this purpose, for it is the personification of many virtues and great beauty.' There were no other speakers and the hearing ended at this point."
"The report of the committee on agriculture, recommending the adoption of the mountain laurel as the state floral emblem, is a distinct victory for Mrs. E. F. Thompson of East Haven and Mrs. F. W. Gerard of South Norwalk, and for the State Federation of Women's Clubs, which they successfully rep- resented before the committee for the adoption of the flower. It is confidently expected now, that as the laurel has passed the committee stage, it will run the gauntlet of the general assembly with equal success."
"At Hartford yesterday the mountain laurel-technically the Kalmia latifolia-was adopted as the official flower of the 'Constitution State.'"-"Senate-House resolution, No. 236, making the mountain laurel the state flower. Mr. Kingsbury of Coventry offered a substitute which gives correctly the name of the shrub as the Kalmia latifolia. Mr. Kingsbury explained the bill, and said the shrub is a beautiful one, and grows only in America. The bill was favored at a large hearing, and a passage of the bill would satisfy a large num- ber of women, and would put the state in line with thirty- two other states. Mr. Gunn of Milford said he appreciated
STATE FLOWER MOUNTAIN LAUREL. ! Kalmia latifolia]
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the influences which must have been brought to bear upon the committee by the large number of women. 'The Kalmia is," he said, 'one of the most beautiful products of Connecticut soil.' He advocated the passage of the bill."-"The mountain laurel has been adopted by the General Assembly as the official flower of the Constitution state; the bill having been signed by Governor Woodruff April 17, 1907."
THE LAUREL. By Mrs. Florence R. Andrews.
The loyal oak we dearly love, Each year brings added glory; And still to children's listening ear, We tell the "Charter's" story.
The fruitful vine on seal and state, Its legend well proclaims, That nation planted in His name, Its root and branch sustains.
Connecticut has named her flower- "'Twill make the whole state kin" --- The Mountain Laurel, better type Not found the whole state in.
And now to tree and vine of state, We come our Laurel bringing, On lofty hill, and low land too, We found its blossoms springing.
No petted child of hothouse growth,. But wild, free, rugged ever, To heat of sun or chill of snow, Its green leaf changeth never.
It came alike for rich and poor, Its buds and blossoms showing. The silent beauties of the woods All added to its growing.
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Its leaves fair crown for martyred dead When o'er them gently falling The stars and stripes they loved so well, While bugle blast is calling.
'Twill beauty lend to church of God, When bridal bells are ringing. Its stately presence near our dead, A requiem soft is singing.
Now He who gave both tree and vine, His promise yet is keeping, At morning mercies still are fresh, And new again at evening.
Then leave our Laurel to His care Through storm and sunshine hours, To give new lustre to its leaves, New beauty to its flowers.
STATE SEAL OF CONNECTICUT.
The origin of the seal of Connecticut was told by Governor Roger Wolcott in 1759. It is there stated that the seal was a present from George Fenwick to the colony. Mr. Fenwick was agent for the proprietors of Connecticut under the Warwick patent of 1631. The original seal had a vineyard of fifteen vines, sup- ported and bearing fruit; above them a hand issues from the clouds, holding a label with the motto, "Sus- tinet qui transtulit," meaning, "He who transplanted still sustains." The General Assembly of 1711 ordered a new seal, with only three vines, instead of fifteen, and the motto read, "Qui transtulit sustinet." In the new seal, approved by the General Assembly about 1784, the hand is omitted. The present seal was ordered by the General Assembly in 1842. It has three clusters of grapes on each vine; the one preced-
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ing it having had four clusters on each of the upper vines, and five on the lower. The motto remains the same.
"THE CITY BEAUTIFUL."
Much has been said and recommended, by our near city neighbor, about "The City Beautiful" during the past year. But to East Haven belongs the credit that this has been energetically carried on for the past four years, in one form or another, by the Woman's Club. It may be considered a fad, as that word is now used, by those who stand aloof, more ready to criticise than to take part. If it is, it is certainly a benefit to the community, and a blessing to the rising generation.
Who does not receive a well-kept heirloom with much more joy than an old and battered relic? There- fore civic improvement is a priceless heirloom, to be handed down to coming generations-priceless not only in itself, but in the influence it exerts in all direc- tions, stimulating a love of order, awakening a sense of the beautiful, and an appreciation of the natural beauties which surround us on all sides; a broadening of views, a stimulant to more vigorous exertion, a reaching out and grasping all those elevating purposes which time and opportunity present.
The Woman's Club added another star to its crown this year, as shown by the following extract from the New Haven Register:
ROOSEVELT OAK FOR EAST HAVEN.
President to Send One for Arbor Day-To Mark Lafayette Site-Where the General Camped in Wartime.
President Roosevelt has directed that a memorial oak be sent to East Haven to mark the site where General Lafayette
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History of East Haven.
encamped in the Revolution. Word to this effect was received to-day by Mrs. Edward F. Thompson, as president of the Woman's Club of East Haven, which organization recently petitioned the President for a tree.
The White House letter in response reads in substance as follows :
WHITE HOUSE, April 16, 1908.
"Your letter asking the President to furnish a memorial tree to be planted on the ground where General Lafayette encamped has been received. The President will be very glad to comply with this request, and has directed that the tree be forwarded. Sincerely yours,
WILLIAM LOEB, JR.
"Secretary to the President."
The credit for securing the tree is largely due to Mrs. Thompson as president of the club, and Miss Sarah E. Hughes, an honorary member, who also corresponded with the authorities at Washington. A history of East Haven by Miss Hughes, which incidentally refers to the Lafayette visits, is now in the hands of the publishers.
The Woman's Club of East Haven has been at work for some time beautifying the Green of the town, and already has memorial trees from Connecticut senators and representa- tives, as well as three governors. The Roosevelt oak will be planted on Arbor Day.
The exercises to mark the planting of the "Roose- velt Oak," on the historic Green of East Haven, under the auspices and direction of the Woman's Club, were very pleasantly and successfully carried out on Arbor Day, May 1, 1908. The ceremonies in behalf of the club were in charge of Mr. Henry H. Bradley, chairman of the board of education. The Green was spic and span in its walks, and circles around the trees, with large patches of flowering moss, indigenous to the soil, in full bloom scattered all over its surface.
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