Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1856-06-12
The Summers Of Massachusetts,,

The Summers Of Massachusetts,.
In Loring's .HuneIred Boston Orators we find
some account Of the Summers of the last century
The grandfather of Senator Sumner. Major Job Sum
ner, was native Of Milton. Massachusetts,. He en-
tered Harvard College in 1774, but when, after the
battle Of Lexington, the students dispersed and
the college edi6cc was converted into barracks, he
joined the Continental army, in which he continued
until peace was declared He was second in COM
nand of the American troops who took possession OF
New York on its evacuation by the British Novem-
Der 25 1885, and was also second in command of the
battalion Of light infantry which rendered to General
Washington the last respects Of the Revolutionary
army when on the 4h of December 1883, at Francss
Tavern New York city he took leave Of his brother
officers and comrades in arms
~ Major Summer died On the 10th of September, 1889,
and was buried with military honors, in st. Pauls
churclyard, New York city. Alexander Hamilton
was one of the pail bearers at his funeral. Major
Summers tomb is inscribed as follows:
This tomb contains the remains of Major Job
Sumner of the Massachusetts, line Vt the army of the
Revolution; Who having supported an unblcmishcd
character through life the soldier, the citizen and
versay regretted by his acquaintanccs on the 10th
day OF September, 1857, aged 80 years.
Charles Pinckney Summer the only son of
the foregoing and the father of the present Senator
from Massachusetts, Hegraduated at Harvard College
with distinguished honor in 1896. Among the class
mates were Pickering, the well-known Hcllenist,
james Jackson of the first physicians of his time,
and Leonard Wood, the eminent divine.
A large and genial spirit of philanthropy seems to
have characterized all of Mr. Summers thoughts and
actions. An incident we'll illustrates this: Shortly
after leaving college, he passed Winter in the West
Indies. The vessel in which he passenger hap
pened to stop at the Island of Hayti which was then
rejoicing in its independence; and the officers and
passengers with other American citizens there were
invited to public entertainment the anniversary
of the birthday of Washington, at which Gen Bower
afterwards president of that republic presided Mr.
Sumner when called upon for toast, gave the fol-
lowing g Liberty. Equality and Happiness to all
Men," which so much pleased Boyer that he sent
one of his adsdecamp to invite the young American
to take the seat of honor by his side at the feast
Mr.. Sumner studied law under the guidance of the
tcnsiye practice, he acquired reputation for the
curacy and extent ,fhs legal lore He early attach
ed himself to the democratic party and was through
out firm and consistent advocate of the principles
Jefferson was his beau ideal of statesman, and he
stroye, in his daily walk to exempfy those rules OF
action, whether public private of which that great
man the living embodiment. He wrote in re-
meetings He composed speeches, phamplcts and adj
dresses In one of the latter delivered the 4th of
July, 1905 the following passage, applica-
bic to the times in which live to the days Of
the embargo and non-ntcrcourse excitement nearly
fifty years ago.
"There is indeed, no diversity of interest between
the people of the North and the people of the South
and they friends to either who cnde.vor to
stimulate and embitter the one against the other
What if the sons of Massachusetts, rank high the
roll of revolutionary fame! The wisdom and hcroism
for which they have been distinguished will never
permit them to indulge an inglorious boast Them
dependence and liberty possess the result Of
joint counsels and joint efforts-of common dangers,
sutferngs and successes; and God forbid that those
who have every motive of sympathy and interest to
act in concert should become the prey of party
chickering's among themselves
Mr.. Sumner not long actively engaged in the
political arena though for several years he was clerk
to the Massachusetts House of Representatives.
He also served for many years sheriff of the conn
ty of Lincoln. Through life he characterized by
the ripeness of his scholarship his integrity and the
case and grace of his department. He often
styled the best hammered man in Boston" Hi.
memory will be vcncrated in his descendants as long
eloquence, literature science and moral purity arc
esteemed among men. -.