USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > Newtown > Newtown's bicentennial : an account of the celebration of the two hundredth anniversary of the purchase from the Indians of the land of the town of Newtown, Connecticut, held August fifth, 1905 > Part 8
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the eastern coast, would take them through Newtown. The passage of French troops that Aunt Mary Ann Glover referred to was under Gen. LaFayette, under marching orders from Gen. Washington to go from Peekskill to Bos- ton. They encamped on the plain between the village and the railroad station, and as she said, when they took up marching orders, went eastward over the hill through Sandy Hook on their way to Hartford, the bristling bayo- nets as they climbed the hill left the lasting impression on her mind that she often spoke of in her later years.
The following correspondence that passed between the Commander-in-chief and Count de Rochambeau when the later was en route towards the Hudson river, confirms the statement that the French army did pass through Newtown and encamped here, thus removing everything that might seem but a myth in connection with such a statement. On the army passing from Boston westward it reached Hart- ford on the 22d of June, 1781, as the following letter and the reply to it will show, together with other interesting correspondence a few days later on when the army reached Newtown.
"Hartford 23, June 1781.
*I arrived here yesterday with the first regiment which has been followed this day by the second and will be so to-morrow by the third and the day after by the fourth. I shall stay here this day and to-morrow to give time for our broken artillery carriages to be mended and our young artillery horses and oxen to refresh them- selves. I shall set off the day after to-morrow with the first regi- ment for Newtown, the army to march in four divisions on before and I shall probably arrive there on the 28th and stay the 29th and 30th to assemble the brigade and march in two divisions to the North River. The corps of Lauzun will march as far advanced as my first division through Middletown, Wallingford, North Haven, Ripton and North Stratford, in which last place it will be on the 28th. I have the honor, &c.,
The Count de Rochambeau. His Excellency George Washington.
*From Magazine of American History.
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Camp near Peekskill, 27 June 1781.
Sir : I have the honor of receiving your Excellency's favor of the 23d instant from Hartford. It would have given me the greatest pleasure could I have made it convenient to meet you at Newtown, but independently of many arrangements which are necessary at the first taking of the field, I am detained by the hourly expectation of the Chevalier-de-la-Lauzun. I am pleased to find that your idea of the position which will be proper for the troops under your command coincides with my own and I shall be happy in giving your quarter- master general every assistance in reconnoitering and making out your camp. Lieutenant Col Cobb, one of my aids-de-camp, will have the honor of delivering this letter and will return to me with any dispatch or message your Excellency may wish to communicate, or should you rather incline to come forward from Newtown before the army Col Cobb will be proud to attend you. I shall be much obliged if your Excellency will present to Count de Barras by the next occasion my sincere thanks for the readiness with which he was pleased to accept the proposition I had the honor to make him through your Excellency. I am, &c.,
The Count de Rochambeau. (Hartford.)
George Washington.
Headquarters Peekskill, June 30 1781.
Dear Sir: The enclosed letter to Count de Rochambeau is of very great importance and requires the utmost secrecy in its communica- tion. This idea you will convey to the Count before its delivery, to affect which you will first converse with the chevalier Chastellux on the mode of its communication.
Its object is to inform the Count that I have in contemplation a very sudden surprise of some part of the army which will be of very great importance in our operations and which we have flattering expectations of obtaining, to cover and support which, if obtained, we shall want the aid of the French army, in which case it will be necessary for the Count to push on his troops with greater haste than he at present intends, and by a different route from that now in view. The Duke de Lauzun's legion is to advance. The movements which I would wish to be made by the French army are particularized in my letter to the Count which you will see. It will be for you to impress the gentlemen with the importance of their motions to support our operations, as it will be to little purpose for us to obtain advantages which we may not be able to maintain.
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As the Count with his troops is now in a very disaffected part of the country and the Tories will be desirous to give any informa- tion in their power, the most profound secrecy will be necessary. Secrecy and dispatch must prove the soul of success to the enterprise. This idea you must impress with energy using your best discretion in the mode. I am, &c.,
Lieutenant Colonel David Cobb. (Hartford.)
George Washington.
Reply :
Newtown, June 30, 1781.
Sir : I was at Count de Rochambeau's this evening when I received your Excellency's dispatches. General Chastellux was immediately sent for, and the heads of departments consulted on the new intended route of the Army. The Count inquired whether your Excellency was acquainted with the removal of the Yagers and some other troops from Long Island to New York. I assured his Excellency was perfectly acquainted with it and all the other movements of the enemy at New York and that your Excellency would never under- take a matter of this kind but upon certain intelligence and the surest ground of success. The Count was perfectly satisfied with the plan proposed and assured me that duty as well as inclination prompted him to comply with your Excellency's wishes. Orders are accordingly given for the march of the first brigade in the morning, and the Duke's legion which is now at New Stratford will undoubtedly march at the same time. It will be at the place of destination at the time proposed, 12 o'clock.
The rest of the army will follow when the other division arrives which comes up to-morrow. The Count in his letter wishes an answer from your Excellency by to-morrow night. It would be more agreeable if it came sooner. I am, &c., David Cobb.
His Excellency General Washington.
Peekskill.
On July I, the French army broke camp in Newtown and proceeding westward joined Washington's army on July 6, at Phillipsburg, Westchester County, where the American troops were resting in two lines along the Hudson river. From there the allied troops marched to King's Ferry, where
*
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a reconnoisance of the position of the British works before New York was made. The arrival of the French troops was opportune in helping carry out the deep laid plans of Gen. Washington and he commended in the highest terms their rapid march from Providence across Connecticut, in which Newtown had a share.
Imperfectly and incompletely we have followed along the lines of Newtown's pioneer life until near the close of the American revolution. Time forbids any further review on this occasion. In October, 1911, will come the Bicen- tennial of Newtown's incorporation, when her history can be reviewed through the second century of her existence. The observance of such events tends to keep alive that civic and historic pride that every town should foster and encour- age.
One word to the 500 children who are with us on this historic occasion.
Dear children, we welcome you here to-day. No appro- priation of money that has been made by the Executive Committee to help make the events of this day a success, has been done more willingly than the one to help make it possible to bring the children of the town together in a way that would be pleasant, attractive and instructive in every particular.
May God bless you all, and when the time comes, as come it will, when you will take up the duties that we older ones must soon lay down, if you succeed in helping make home, town, state and National life better than it is to-day, it will be because you do the best you can as the days go by.
One hundred years hence will come the tricentennial of the event we celebrate to-day. May we not hope, nay, may we not believe, that it will be ushered in and observed in a manner fitting such an occasion and the early days of our town's history be again reviewed. None of us will be here, for
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"We all within our graves will sleep One hundred years to come. No living soul for us will weep One hundred years to come. But other men our lands will till And others then our streets will fill, While other birds will sing as gay As bright the sun shine as to-day One hundred years to come."
NOTE.
When the historical paper that was read at Newtown's Bicenten- nial celebration August 5, 1905, was being prepared, it was with no expectation that it would have more than a temporary place in the thoughts or interests of the people, and one insertion in our local paper, the Newtown Bee; and when the writer was asked by those who had the arranging of the order of exercises for the day, how much time must be allowed for the reading of the historical paper, the unhesitating reply was "twenty minutes."
Study, research and compilation led the historian on and on, con- stantly opening new fields of historic interest, until it became a question, not so much as to the quantity that might be gathered, as it was as to quality. The process of culling completed, the paper had its place in the literary exercises of the day, and was printed as read, in the Newtown Bee, on the following week. Local interest and pride would not stop there, but strongly urged that the addresses and historical paper should appear in book form, not only for present reference, but for the interest of coming generations.
The paper then prepared now appears in full as it was before being condensed in order to not take more than a proper share of the time allotted for it in the prescribed order of the day.
With its imperfections and incompleteness it is given with the hope that it will meet with a kindly greeting from all our towns- people, and from those who are still of us though not with us, wherever fate, fortune, choice or duty may have taken them.
Particular care as to accuracy has been taken in regard to all statistical matter and copying from records and public documents.
It would show a lack of courtesy not to embrace the present opportunity to thank those who have given kindly help, when asked for, in the way of access to old records and manuscripts. To the
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State librarian, to the officials in the Adjutant General's office, and in that of the State Superintendent of Schools, to those in charge of the rooms of the Connecticut Historical Society, as well as the care keepers of the public libraries of New Haven and Bridgeport, thanks are due and given.
The Connecticut Colonial Records, the History of the Catholic Church in New England, the Magazine of American History; also Hoadly's Records of the State of Connecticut from 1776 to 1789 inclusive, have been valuable books for reference.
The custodians of the Congregational Church records have been extremely kind in loaning them for my use.
Searching of Newtown Probate Records of date previous to 1820 necessitated going to Danbury, and there the Judge of Probate was very courteous, kind and helpful; and when occasion required access to our town records, Newtown's Town Clerk has ever been ready with pleasant greeting and kindly interest.
Surely, in Newtown we have a goodly heritage, and let us strive by strengthening our moral, our religious, our social and our domes- tic ties, to help uplift ourselves as a whole, to a higher plane of sobriety, good order and general usefulness. [E. L. J.]
It was impossible for many on the outskirts of the large audience to hear Mr. Johnson, unaccustomed as he is to speaking in public. But the numbers who crowded close to the platform, and stood to listen eagerly to the address to its close, witnessed to the interest and appreciation with which it was received. It was read by a large number when printed in the next issue of the Newtown Bee. That it might have a permanent record is one of the chief reasons for the publishing of this volume.
At the close of Mr. Johnson's address "The Star Spangled Banner" was sung by Mrs. Sherwood S. Thompson, of New Haven, a native of Newtown and daughter of the late Captain Julius Sanford, her sister, Mrs. C. B. Bolmer, playing the accompaniment.
At 1 :30 P. M. an intermission of an hour was taken for luncheon. The Committee on Entertainment had provided
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CHARLES F. BEARDSLEY Chairman of the Entertainment Committee.
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an abundance of sandwiches and crullers in the large Agricultural Building of the Fair Association, where waiters served the multitude. The people entered by the east door, near which they were provided with wooden plates and paper napkins. After helping themselves to as much as they chose, they passed out at the west door and picnicked in the grand stand, in the buildings, in their carriages, or on the grass. An abundance of hot coffee and iced lemonade was provided at the north end of the grand stand. So abundant was the provision that over one thousand sandwiches and much other food had been left after the multitude had been satisfied.
The Governor, the speakers of the day, and specially invited guests lunched with the Executive Committee in the room under the south end of the grand stand. Mr. Beards- ley and his assistants had tastefully decorated the room with bunting and spread a feast such as Newtown ladies know how to prepare. One feature of the table was a large cake set in front of the Governor's place representing Ronald Castle, the gift of Mr. Peter L. Ronald, a generous con- tributor to the expenses of the celebration.
The afternoon session was opened by a selection by the Woodbury Brass Band, after which the President of the day introduced the poet. He said :
"When plans were first made for this celebration and for many weeks in which the Executive Committee were arranging the programme, I was in constant dread lest some one should propose that we should have a poem upon this anniversary. I had suffered much on such occasions from poems which told in lame and halting verse the things which had already been said in simple prose. The length of such poems had also prolonged the agony. So great was my dread of the entering of a poem to mar this happy day that I had almost decided to
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provide myself with some deadly weapon with which to put to a speedy if not painless rest the person who should first propose it. But at last there was placed in my hands a poem by one who was so highly esteemed a friend I could not do him bodily harm; but to whom I did not hesitate to tell my opinion of occasional poems. It was his wish that I should read it, and if not approved, he promised that it should be heard of no more. If approved, I should submit it to the Executive Committee anonymously and let it be accepted or rejected on its merits. It was accepted. I think you will agree with me when you have heard it that we found a poem. We did more, we found a poet. Our friend had frequently lectured us in the columns of our local paper on our morals and manners, on good roads, libraries, the schools, and many other practical matters. We did not dream that he could soar aloft or woo the gentle muse. I am sure you will all gladly listen to one of our own fellow-townsmen, who if not a Tennyson, is not a Long- fellow; for his poem is brief. The poet of the day is the Rev. Otis O. Wright, Rector of St. John's Church, Sandy Hook; his subject, "The Old Home Coming."
REV. OTIS OLNEY WRIGHT Rector of St. John's Church, Sandy Hook, Poet of the Day.
THE OLD HOME COMING
1705-1905
BY REV. OTIS OLNEY WRIGHT
All hail, ye sons and daughters ; welcome home! We greet your coming with our songs of cheer ! To hill-tops welcome; and to valleys fair; We wish you joy beneath these blissful skies. Welcome to verdant fields, and woodlands wide, With joyful songs of birds, and purling brooks, The beauty, and the fragrance of the flow'rs, And all that comes in happy summer time To make us love the dear old country-side.
Lay down the implements of labor, now ; Forsake the marts of trade, and common gain; Close up the office, and the fact'ry door ; Throw off the burden of consuming cares ; Come back again, and breathe the Newtown air.
We gladly bid you welcome, one and all: The native born, and children's children dear. With all descendants of those gone before, And you who hither come but to sojourn,- Return, once more, to rest yourselves awhile, And feel the home love in your hearts renewed.
II.
Back through the records of two hundred years We trace the presence here of those who came,- The daring, strong, and brave,-from Stratford town, Through winding valleys up, to Pootatuck : Bush, Junos, Hawley, sturdy pioneers,- True men of spirit, venture, enterprise,-
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Who blazed the bounds of these first purchased lands On graceful Housatonic's swirling stream,- (July the twenty-fifth, ye olden style, 'Twas seventeen hundred five, in Queen Anne's reign,)- The red man's birthright to the white man sold By Mauquash, Nunnaway, and Massumpas.
III.
In vision still, we see those stalwart sires Who came to be the Founders of the town: Beers, Curtis, Judson, Hawley, Nichols, Booth, Johnson and Fairchild,-names abiding here,- With many others who possessed the land : Men strong to labor; and men wise to rule,- Such were, indeed, the builders of the State,- Made first, the Town,-the germ of social life- The town is always father to the State, The state the parent of the Nation, so; And we are offspring of the life they gave.
IV.
And we now read the roll of honored names In later generations known and loved :- Our teachers, statesmen, judges, governors ; Our preachers, advocates, masters of crafts, And leaders true and great in all good works ;- Men born and nurtured here, in humble life, With those adopted sons who came to bide, -- Who struggled on, and climbed the rugged way That leads to usefulness, and wealth, and fame :- Those who have served to make our nation great :- Like Edmond,* patriot, and soldier brave,
* William Edmond, soldier of the Revolution, M.C., and Judge of the Supreme Court of Connecticut; the Rev. John Beach, M.A., founder of Trinity Church, Newtown, Conn .; the Rev. David Jud- son, pastor of the Congregational Church; Asa Chapman, Head of the Chapman Law School; Isaac Toucey, M.C., Governor of Con- necticut, United States Attorney General, United States Senator, and Secretary of Navy; Henry Dutton; Luzon B. Morris, and William Hamilton Gibson.
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A statesman worthy of his stirring times, Who graced the highest ermine of the State ;- The parson Beach, and all his honored line ; The Rev'rend Judson, loved and long revered; With Chapman, also Judge of Court Supreme, And famous for his law-lore, widely sought ;- Then, in the highest councils of the land, Was Toucey, Chief of State, and Senator ;- Like Dutton, true adopted son, esteemed, Exalted to supreme Judicial bench, And likewise Chief Executive of State ;- So, Morris, known and loved in our own day, Was dignified as Judge, and Governor ;- And one we claim by birth and heritage, Gibson, the seer of Nature, workman rare,- The poet-artist of the fields and woods.
These we revere and honor, here to-day, With others also worthy to be praised, And laud them for their faith and large success, As for their thrift, and homely virtues pure,- The richest fruitage gleaned from age to age, --- The truest glory of the Nation's fame.
V.
This is the land of light, and hope, and peace, The goal of the oppressed, the poor, and lost; And hither come the Celt and Teuton bold, With Swede, and Dane, and Slav, from out the North; And from the South the Latin races come, While of the ancient, Oriental world Are dusky faces, eager for new life ; That swarm like bees, and seek the richer fields; And all are welcome, so they worthy come, And men of ev'ry clime find here a home, For this is God's own land and kingdom true, And we are stewards of His gracious love.
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VI.
We live for others,-others lived for us,- For on the stream of time men come and go,- And life is one, past, present and to come ; And all is ours if we but claim our right, The true, the beautiful, the good, and great.
Shall we not heed the lessons of the past ! To guard the treasures which our fathers won! And cherish well the wisdom of their thoughts! And emulate the virtues of their lives !- Most precious lessons in the schools of earth !
Let us be true and faithful to their trust ; And venerate the freedom of their souls : And keep the law of liberty secure For all who come to share these blessed gifts !
VII.
Not in ourselves alone we live and thrive, Nor for our own we strive to win, alone; For we are links in moving endless chains Of passing generations "quick and dead." Not what we have, but what we are, is ours ; Not what we gain, but what we give, abides ; And so we build the palace of the soul, By common, daily duties nobly done ;- In thought, and word, and humble loving deeds The light eternal shines in mortal lives.
The treasure-houses of the world we own, If in our hearts and minds we find the keys; And in our good desires, and hopes, and dreams,- The firstfruits of the holy life Divine,- We have a foretaste of the world unseen ; And as we celebrate the times long past, And venerate the noble dead we sing, We feast our souls on sacred memories, And thus renew the joyful days of youth, 'Mid scenes immortal, in the old, old home.
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After the Chorus had sung "Let the hills and vales rejoice" the President of the day introduced the Governor :
"The New England town is a little republic in itself, but it is part of a greater civic body, the State. It is therefore with great pleasure that we greet the chief magistrate of our Commonwealth, who has accepted an invitation to attend our town celebration. We esteem it a great honor that, in spite of his many cares and calls to duty elsewhere, he should not only grace this anniversary with his presence, but should also consent to make an address. We have sent forth some governors from our town, and feel able to judge of the men who have filled so honorable a place in the history of our State. Among that line of distinguished men and a worthy successor to Winthrop and Dutton and Toucey and Morris is that perfect gentleman who now holds that office. I have the honor to introduce His Excellency, Henry Roberts, Governor of Connecticut."
The Governor received an ovation as he rose to speak, and after gracefully acknowledging his introduction made an address which was received with great favor.
ADDRESS
BY
HIS EXCELLENCY, GOVERNOR HENRY ROBERTS
In celebrating the two hundredth anniversary of the purchase from the Indians of land which now consti- tutes the township of Newtown you are accomplishing a purpose which must carry with it much that is interesting and instructive. The older Connecticut towns furnish a record that is attractive and inspiring in the lives of former inhabitants and in the events that have taken place in them. Newtown is among this number and its present residents may look back and refer to much that is laudable and instructive in deeds and events,-for it is in these rural communities that we find that some of our most distin- guished and able men and women have been born, bred and passed part of their lives. And it has been a prevailing and worthy custom to take note of these special periods in a town's history, such as the one you now celebrate, to go into retrospect and to draw therefrom lessons of value to present and coming generations, and there can be few exercises of more worth to the youth of these towns than such celebra- tions ; for not only are the examples of worthy lives held up to them to emulate, but generous and praiseworthy deeds and accomplishments are again rehearsed and an incentive is afforded to follow in the footsteps of those who have performed valuable service in their day for the good of the community in which they lived, or for the state or nation.
HON. HENRY ROBERTS
Governor of Connecticut.
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Should I recall the names of persons who inhabit or have inhabited this village, the list would be found to include those to whom I have referred.
And it is the celebration of these anniversaries that is helpful to the town's interest and betterment, for it is a means of not only increasing and stimulating the activity of those resident in the town, but it recalls the associations of former residents and mutually they tend to the accom- plishment of something that is of credit to the community.
The Old Home Week movement ought to be more and more fostered as leading to the result which I have just mentioned, and in other states where it has taken a stronger hold than it has in Connecticut it has been fraught with great good-by uniting the interests of those who have been former inhabitants of the town with those residents who are now interested and active in its concerns ; churches have been aided; waste places reclaimed, libraries built ; schools assisted and monuments and memorials commem- orating noted events or distinguished personages have been erected,-and so by these benefits and object lessons there is handed down to coming generations not only a knowledge of what has worthily transpired before within the bounds in which they dwell, but also which will incite them to make their lives equally worthy and their community more attractive. We have few towns in our Commonwealth more attractive than this one, with its broad street, its fine shade trees, its healthful location, its beautiful landscape, its inviting dwellings-so that it has been for years the delight of the visitor and the rendezvous for those who enjoy spending their summers in its environs, breathing the pure air and delighting the eye in the fair scene which it beholds. So, my fellow citizens of Newtown, you should esteem yourselves most fortunate, for you have a goodly heritage and you dwell in a pleasant and delectable abiding place.
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