USA > Rhode Island > Bristol County > Bristol > Celebration of the two-hundredth anniversary of the settlement of the town of Bristol, Rhode Island : September 24th, A.D. 1880 > Part 6
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Philip's death was the end of the great war, but his dispersed followers lurked around the white settlements ready for any kind of mischief, for which they might find opportu- nity, and keeping the Colonists in continual alarm.
3. In the archives of Copenhagen is a manuscript book called " Codex Flatœensis," a skin book which was finished in 1387. A carefully printed copy of it is to be found in the Library of the University of Wisconsin. In this is contained a detailed account of the voy - ages of the Norsernen,-their settlement in Iceland, their conquest of Norway, their dis- covery of Greenland and of Labrador, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, and in the year 1000 of Vinland, under Leif, son of Eric the Red. The authenticity of these histories is recog- nized by Von Humboldt and Malte Brun. In 1007, Thorfinn and Gudrid, his newly mar- ried wife, set off to colonize Vinland, a region which had been so named by Lief Erick- son, because he had found grapes along its shores. The expedition consisted of 151 men, and 7 women. They made their settlement, it is believed, on the shore of Mount Hope Bay. The description of the coast and the way of approach, indicate that this was the
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spot ; and the impression is confirmed by a singular hieroglyphic inscription on a rock at the head waters of Mount Hope Bay. It is known as the " Dighton Rock," and Scandina- vian scholars have interpreted the inscription as signifying, "Thorfinn with 151 Norge sca- faring men took possession of this land." At the lower corner of the inscription is a figure of a woman and a child, with the letter (S) near at hand, answering to the historic fact that Gudrid, while in Vinland, gave birth to a son, whose naine was " Snorre."
After three years continuance on these shores, they were so much worried by the na- tives, whom they called " Skraellings," that the whole party abandoned their settlements, and returned to Norway.
See " Historical Sketch of the discovery of North America by the Norsemen in the tenth century, by R. B. Anderson, A. M., University of Wisconsin."
An inscription in characters, apparently of the same period and race, is found on a rock on the shore just north of Mount Hope.
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The Boston Cadet Band then gave some selections from " Nebuchadnezzar."
This was followed by singing by the school children, of several verses of " Our Century Hymn," written for the occa- sion, by John H. Wardwell, Esq., of New York, a native of Bristol. The music was also arranged for the ode.
OUR CENTURY HYMN.
We celebrate our natal day, Two hundred years have flown, While God our King has led the way, Whose guardian care we own. Through many years of gloom and night, We come to this fair morn ! And peace and love with emblems bright, Our banners now adorn.
We gather here on this glad day, One Family in love ; While we our willing homage pay, To Him who reigns above. And standing on our native soil, Breathing our native air; We recognize our parents' toil And their unwearied care, Which gave us health and courage, too, To fight life's battles o'er ; And taught us children how to do What they had done before ; And never in our cause to yield The right ! what'er the cost ; Although on bloody battle-field, For this our lives are lost.
Freed by their acts, from fear of kings, And on their native sod ; They gave us what our birthright brings, Freedom to worship God.
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Thus pilgrims from a foreign shore, From mountain, or from plain, Find welcome and an open door, To all our broad domain. And never more through future years, May fratricidal strife, With war's alarms, break on our ears, To rob us of our life. But art and science joined in hand, Winged like celestial dove;
Spread their rich fruits o'er all our land, Combined with truth and love.
God of our fathers! hear our song We lift on high to Thee this day ; Be Thou our God ! our life prolong While we our grateful homage pay To Him, who rules the World by love, And by omnipotent command The nations live ! while from above He guides them with His gracious hand.
The last stanzas, commencing, "God of our fathers," was sung in the tune of " Old Hundred," the vast audience rising and joining in the song, the Band leading.
THE BENEDICTION,
pronounced by Rev. W. V. Morrison, D. D., pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church, closed the exercises in the tent.
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THE DINNER.
After the close of the literary exercises, about 3 P. M., dinner was served in an adjoining tent, plates having been laid for one thousand persons.
Le Baron B. Colt, Esq., President of the Committee, called the assembly to order, and the divine blessing was in- voked by Bishop Clark.
The company were then invited to partake of the viands spread before them, of which the following is the
MENU.
FISH. Salmon, Mayonaise Dressing.
MEATS.
Turkey,
Beef,
Tongue,
Ham.
SALADS.
Lobster Salad,
Chicken Salad.
CAKE.
Currant,
Citron,
Pound,
Sponge,
Jelly Roll.
ICES.
Vanilla,
Strawberry,
Lemon,
Coffee,
Chocolate, Pine Apple Sherbet,
Italian,
Orange Sherbet, Lemon Sherbet.
FRUIT.
Bananas,
Pears, Grapes.
DRINKS.
Coffee,
Tea, Lemonade.
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POST PRANDIAL EXERCISES.
At about 4 o'clock, dinner being over, President Colt called to order, and introduced Senator Burnside as the toast- master of the occasion, who, on rising, said :
REMARKS OF SENATOR BURNSIDE.
Mr. President and Ladies and Gentlemen :- It has been rightly said that I have a great affection for Bristol. More than thirty years ago I first placed foot upon its soil. Soon after that I became a resident, and I have, notwithstanding the vicissitudes of my life since then, considered this as my home, at all times. I have passed all the time here that I could, and when I have been away I have longed to return to you. I feel very much gratified at having been called upon to preside as toastmaster at this meeting. I consider it very complimentary to me, and I am very proud of the honor done me. I shall proceed at once with my duties.
The first regular toast is :
The State of Rhode Island. I have the honor to call upon one of Rhode Island's distinguished citizens, now its Chief Magistrate, to respond to this toast. I take pleasure in in- troducing to you His Excellency Governor Littlefield.
SPEECH OF GOVERNOR LITTLEFIELD.
Mr. Toastmaster, Ladies and Gentlemen :- In behalf of the State, I extend to the town of Bristol cordial greetings on this, its two hundredth anniversary. Though venerable in years, it is by its adoption, one hundred and thirty-three years ago, into our family of towns, one of the youngest sis- ters in the goodly company. But in its beauty of situation and lay-out, in its record in the past and in the enterprise and intelligence of its citizens, it may well claim to be the
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peer of any town in the State. We can well understand and appreciate the regret of our friends of the old Bay State (turning to Colonel T. W. Higginson, of Gov. Long's staff), that a territory so attractive should have been severed from their Commonwealth ;. but it may be a gratification to them to see how well it has thrived under our care. The founders of the town of Bristol displayed a foresight and enterprise which has not been surpassed in the early history of any of our towns. One very gratifying result we see in the spa- cious thoroughfares, laid out with such convenient regularity and shaded with stately and beautiful trees. With the com- mercial prosperity of Bristol in former times we are all famil- iar. Its enterprising merchants sent their ships to the four quarters of the globe, and its wharves, laden with products of distant climes, were the scenes of varied and stirring in- dustry. Its commercial importance has, owing to changes beyond its control, been superseded by the claims of other and, perhaps, less meritorious ports ; but the beautiful har- bor, in which great navies might ride at anchor, remains awaiting, let us hope, at no distant day, a return of that pros- perity which it witnessed in the past. Among the many pleasant characteristics of your town, I may be permitted to note a few in which it holds an exceptional position. Within its borders it has the only mountain of the State, the place so identified with the career and fame of the brave Philip of Pokanoket. Though the town is no longer a place of meet- ing of the General Assembly, yet here alone are the electors of the President and Vice President authorized to meet, as soon they will again do, to cast the vote of this State for those important officers. And in one industry, at least, the enterprise and capital of your citizens have developed a busi- ness whose products are found and used throughout the land. The prominent features in the history of the town have been so ably presented by the accomplished orator of the day, and will be set forth in so much detail by the able gentlemen who will in the course of the celebration address you, that little
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remains for me except to congratulate you on the success of this occasion, and to wish for the town so ancient in time, but so youthful and vigorous in appearance, a continuance of the prosperity which has attended it in the past ; and to hope that future generations will maintain that high standard of patriotism, that sturdy devotion to virtue, morality and relig- ion, which their fathers have displayed, and on which rests to so great a degree the success of any community.
SENATOR BURNSIDE. The second regular toast is : The State of Massachusetts.
A letter from His Excellency, John D. Long, Governor of that State, will now be read.
[The letter was in answer to the letter of invitation written by one of the Committee, in which he referred to the early connection of Bristol with the State of Massachusetts. ]
Governor Long's reply, read by Mr. Miller, was as follows :
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, BOSTON, Sept. 11, 1880. Wm. J. Miller, Esq., Bristol, R. I .:
I am in receipt of your kind invitation to be present at the celebration of the two hundredth anniversary of the settle- ment of the town of Bristol. I am engaged the same day at Marlborough, in this Commonwealth, and am therefore unable to accept. If possible, one of my staff will be present, who will convey the congratulations of Massachusetts to this one of her daughters, who has gone out from the parental roof and taken up her abode in a neighboring State. If we must part with one of our towns, it relieves our regret that by its prosperity and good character it reflects so much credit upon us.
With best wishes for the occasion, I am,
Very respectfully, yours, J. D. LONG.
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General Burnside then added : Although the Governor of Massachusetts is not able to be with us to-day himself, he has sent a representative here, a member of his staff,-a gen- tleman distinguished in literature, distinguished for gallantry in the field, and above all distinguished for his great patri- otic love of country. I take great pleasure in introducing to you Col. T. W. Higginson.
SPEECH OF COLONEL T. W. HIGGINSON.
Mr. President and Fellow Citizens :- I have the honor to appear here, as you have been told, as in a manner the rep- resentative of "the elder generation,"-the generation of Massachusetts, whose child, according to your Chairman, the town of Bristol is, and whose grandchildren, consequently, you all are-and you cannot help yourselves. (A voice : " We don't want to.") And if the daughter, as General Burnside has said, has married and left the paternal home, we can at least have the satisfaction of thinking in the old home- stead that she has already done credit to the paternal stock by adding very largely to the family. Massachusetts sends you greeting, cordially and most heartily. You are very unfortunate in the fact that Gov. Long is not here himself to present that greeting. Nobody here has reason to be glad that he is not here except myself, and I am very glad, partly because it gives me the opportunity of being here, and partly, perhaps, because when I have the good fortune to go to the same place with the Governor, I sometimes have to make a speech after him,-and if you had ever tried it, you would know how hard a thing that is. If Gov. Long were here himself to address you, and if I, or anybody else were to speak after him, you would remember, perhaps, that account in the Irish newspaper of a celebrated duel, where, it said, "two shots were fired at the unfortunate gentleman ; the first shot killed him; the second shot, however, was not fatal." That is the case with any shot or any speech that
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comes after our Governor. (Laughter and applause. ) He has at this time so much of that sort of sharp shooting to do -so many towns are at this time having their anniversaries, and so many counties their cattle shows, that I am afraid if there ever was a time when he did not covet a single square inch outside of Massachusetts, that time is now. His State is quite large enough for him to have to speechify in, as it is. The time has long passed, I trust, when any such spirit of coveting exists. And I know this morning, speaking as a somewhat new-fledged citizen of Massachusetts, and a some- what recent exportation out of Rhode Island, I found myself not absolutely coveting for Massachusetts anything which is now the possession of Rhode Island, unless it be the elo- quence, the grace, and admirable candor of the orator of the day.
After all, ladies and gentlemen, this is one-half a Massa- chusetts occasion. At the time of that great Indian war, which was undoubtedly the greatest era in New England before the revolution-at the time of the death of King Philip (which took place by a singular coincidence in 1676), this was Massachusetts soil. Philip himself, if I remember rightly, began and ended the great scenes of his war within the limits of what is now the town of Bristol. But at any rate, it was Massachusetts then, and it was so eminently Massachusetts that I believe one of those four founders-that quartette of heroes who were celebrated this morning-I be- lieve that Judge Byfield himself was somewhat criticised in Rhode Island for being too aggressive on the subject of the boundary line, and trying to get for Massachusetts more than belonged to her. After you had annexed to Rhode Isl- and, I believe there was no complaint of anybody's being aggressive. It was all right then. The heroes of that day were heroes of the two States conjointly ; and Colonel Church himself, undoubtedly the greatest military character in the New England Colonies, after Miles Standish, and down to the time of the revolution-Colonel Church himself
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divided his life with singular impartiality between these two Colonies, first colonizing Little Compton, then coming here to live when Bristol was a part of Massachusetts, then going to Fall River to live; and finally concluding that Little Compton was a good place to die in, he went back and died and was buried there. Thus closely during that period were the two commonwealths united. Thus closely may they al- ways be united. Never, after that noble oration of to-day- so delicately discriminating what each of the early settle- ments contributed to the common civilization of New En- gland-never after that oration may the old jealousies revive again. And lest they should revive, ladies and gentlemen, let me at least do justice to the character of Massachusetts, and of my chief, by not being tempted to talk to you too long. We have a saying up there, among the Governor's staff (I don't know how it is in the State of Rhode Island), that the real meaning of the word aid-de-camp is that each should be prepared to decamp as soon as possible when there is any fighting or talking to go on-and that is what I pro- pose to do.
SENATOR BURNSIDE. The third regular toast is :
The Town of Bristol.
This will be responded to by one of Bristol's most eminent citizens, a man well posted in all her history, as he is, in- deed, in all history. He needs no introduction. I will sim- ply present to you Hon. William J. Miller.
SPEECH OF WILLIAM J. MILLER.
Ladies and Gentlemen :- In this presence you will pardon me if I feel a diffidence in responding to this sentiment. I think, perhaps, that Bristol to-day needs no one to speak for her,-that she speaks for herself in the gay attire that she has assumed ; that she speaks for herself in her sons and daugh- ters who have returned to greet her on this her natal day ;
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that she speaks for herself in the eminent guests who are here with us. But it seems to me very proper that for the mo- ment that is allotted me to respond to this toast I shall glance at her early history. I naturally go back to the time when the earliest settlers came here-when they became familiar with these "Mount Hope lands," this "Pokanoket," this home of the red men-of Massasoit, the great sachem of the tribe, of whose good faith they had learned ; and of his son, King Philip, whose vengeance they had felt. I want to talk to you of this " Mount Hope neck," heavily wooded, as it then was, so heavily wooded that they had to cut down sturdy oaks to make a place for the first meeting-house that was erected here, which stood, as you have been told this morn- ing, where our Court House now stands. That building stood just one hundred years, and when it was taken down the timber was sound, and some of the same timber was put into that second house of worship; and that second church has been used for nearly one hundred years, and is now our Town Hall, where we have gathered the relics of the past, and that timber is as sound as when it was put in ; and we may imagine that those oak trees had a good growth when the Pilgrim Fathers first landed in Plymouth. With these links connecting the present with the past, it seems but a span, and that we have only to put forth an arm, in order to reach and clasp hands with the fathers and mothers who landed from the May Flower.
When the four proprietors laid out this town for " a port of trade," they invited in their friends. I want to read to you the names of a few of those men. Richard Smith, the first Town Clerk of Bristol, who came here at the very be- ginning of the settlement of the town. On the 9th of November, 1680, Richard Smith came here, and from that date to the present, there has been no time in its history when there has not been a resident Richard Smith in Bristol, a descendant of the first Richard. His descendants are as thick, almost, as the leaves of autumn. Then there were
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Benjamin Church, Isaac Waldron, Nathaniel Reynolds, Wil- liam Ingraham, Nathaniel Paine, John Finney, Jabez Gor- ham, Hugh Woodbury, Jabez Howland, John Cary, George Waldron, William Hoar, Nathaniel Bosworth, John Glad- ding, Samuel Woodbury, Uzal Wardwell, Benjamin and Edward Bosworth, John Wilson, William Throop, and many others ; every one of those I have named having descendants to represent them here to-day at this two hundredth anniver- sary celebration. Some of us can claim descent from half a score of them. These were the men who settled Bristol. " Their lines have gone out into all the earth," and their de- scendants are a great multitude.
For almost a hundred years, Bristol prospered and in- creased in population and wealth. Then came the war of the revolution, and she was baptized in fire. In the first year of the war the town was bombarded by a British fleet, and, in May, 1777, British troops marched through the town and burnt many dwellings. Every family that could, left, and her streets became desolate. After the war, most of her children returned, and the waste places were restored. Our growth from the beginning has been a slow, conservative, New England growth, up to the present time. To-day, " we raise our Ebenezer-hitherto, God has helped us." Never before in our history have there been so many happy, virtuous homes within our borders. Never before was wealth so nearly equally distributed. Never before were her people so well fed and clothed. Never before in her history have they enjoyed all the privileges of civilization as they do to-day. And I only ask, that in the future, as in the past, we may-guided by the motto on our town seal-be virtu- ous and industrious, and so humbly claim the protection of Divine Providence.
I will close by reading an ode written by a daughter of Bristol, now one of the teachers in our public schools, Miss A. J. Coggeshall :
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BRISTOL, 1680-1880.
Our native town! whose homes within, Old friends are gladly meeting, We ring thy happy birthday in, With joyous bells of greeting.
Many to thy loved homesteads come, To live their boyhood over, And once again in thought, to roam The wide fields sweet with clover.
September brings his golden sheaves, And fruits for his bestowing,- Within his crimson crown of leaves, The purple grapes are glowing.
Steadfast and bright upon our hills, . The golden rod is shining ; The aster by our laughing rills, His dainty wreaths is twining.
The golden sheaves of time are ours ; We hold in holy keeping, The sacred gifts of mind and powers, Of those who low are sleeping.
The holy dead ! to them we owe The freedom of their earning ;
Honor to their blest names; the glow Of Heaven is round them burning !
We hail the day with mirth and song ; But 'mid this feast of gladness,
My thoughts revert to scenes that long Have passed-dread scenes of sadness.
Old times return ; I see once more The grand old forest, rounding In wavy curves from shore to shore, With woodland echoes sounding.
Adown its pathless depths I hear Plaintive-voiced Autumn singing ; O'er vale and hill, afar and near, His gold-edged mantle flinging.
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On Mount Hope's wooded side I see The council fire's red gleaming ; O'er wild war-dance and revelry, Their lurid lights are streaming.
Once more King Philip's famous reign, Makes English hearts to tremble ; On Pokanoket once again, His painted braves assemble.
I see his rocky covert near,- His haunt for wily scheming; While at its foot the waters clear Of Philip's spring are gleaming.
I hear the fearful war-whoop rend The night with sounds appalling; While, where no timely hands defend, The red man's wrath is falling.
I see the dauntless forest king, From Mount Hope's summit glancing, Where sun-lit isles their shadows fling, And gladsome waves are dancing.
O waters blue! no fairer bay Smiles 'neath the light of heaven ; No rosier waters stretch away, Beneath the skies of even.
Whether above thy western tide, More bright than dream or story, The hands of Sunset open wide The golden gates of glory ; -
Or by the moonlight silvered o'er, Thy waves of light are sleeping : While the hushed town along thy shore Her silent watch is keeping.
Fair Bristol! keep thy glad watch still, By Narragansett's waters, And welcome with a right good will, Returning sons and daughters.
God grant that through the coming years, Over thy harbor streaming, Their eyes may see through smiles, or tears, The lights of " Sweet Home" gleaming.
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SENATOR BURNSIDE. The next regular toast is : The Day We Celebrate.
This toast is to be responded to by my colleague in the United States Senate, who needs no introduction to you.
SPEECH OF HON. HENRY B. ANTHONY.
Mr. Toastmaster :- The day we celebrate is a proud day for Bristol, a great day for Rhode Island. On this day, the old town opens wide her doors, and invites her scattered children to come home to the parental mansion. She calls them from the fields of labor, from the workshops of toil, from the marts of trade, from the halls of study. From every part of the coun- try and of the world, wherever they have wandered, she calls them and folds them in her maternal arms. This is a memorial period in our history. The Republic has just completed the first century of its existence, and the glad event has been celebrated with joyous congratulations, commencing with an international exhibition of the arts and industry of the world, in which our own country vindicated republican institu- tions, by an exposition that compared favorably with that of the older countries, and in some departments, notably in in- ventions and processes in the useful arts, taking the first place. The centennial anniversaries of great events that fol- lowed the immortal declaration which proclaimed our exis- tence as a nation, have also been commemorated with due and patriotic pomp, and the valor and patriotism, the wis- dom and virtues of our fathers, who flourished a hundred years ago, have been duly held up to the grateful admiration and the emulation of the present and the rising generations.
It would be strange, indeed, if the ancient town of Bris- tol, whose corporate existence antedates, by near a century, the independence of the country, should not join in this gen- eral jubilee of commemoration. Her history is rich in mem- orable events, her traditions, of romantic interest, stretch
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