Litchfield enquirer., 1858-07-29
WooDBURY.

WOODBURY.
 At the recent celebration in this pleasant town, WILLIAM CorHREN, Esq, the historian of ' Ancient Woodbury," proposed that t4on the Fourth of July, 1859, should be celebrated the Second Centennial Anniversary of the first exploration of the Pomperaug Valley and the reception of the first deed of the same from the Indians.
 In introducing the proposition, Mir O. re- marked that the idea of having a historical celebration of this anniversary had been in his mind for more than ten years, and he did not know of better time than now to introduce it to the attention of the people, when more than 1900 persons were present from every hill and valley, nook and corner, of the ancient town of Woodbury, now comprising the towns of Woodbury, Southbury, Washington, Rox- bury and Bethlem, together with part of Middebury and Oxford. If, he said, we 1872, the anniversary of the incorporation of the town, many of us would be too old, if alive, to participate in it, besides, it was the first effort towards a settlement, which we wished to celebrate Two hundred years ago, our adventurous forefathers, headed by the surveyor, Capt. John Minor, surveyed these pleasant hills and smiling valleys, and fixed upon them as their future abode. Those vel,- erable men passed through this very gorge, between these overhanging cliffs of the Ore naug Rocks where we are now standing. Two hundred years ago they selected these pleas ant dwelling places, and as soon as crcum- stances allowed they came, and just over this elf, at the Bethel rock, they set up their Bethel" aud established their altar of pray CT. And as often as the day of sacred rest re- turned, they repaired to their holy place." stationing an armed sentinel upon the top of this cliff, another upon the cliff just beyold, and two more at either end of the valley be- tween to guard against hostile incursons from treacherous aud artfuI foe. Our ia hers were better class of emgrants than usually go to forest home. They were of the hardy and vrtuous class-the sturdy yeomanry. They were men of intelligence, and most of them educated men. This fact has extended it's in hnence to the present time, and we have wit messed it in the exercises of this day This has ever been pure, patriotic old town. It has been one of historic renown. It sent more than 1900 soldiers into the Revolution, and her distinguished sons who have gone out from her, are found in every corner of the land. At lne Call ol suCH Hu dDHlFtIsdIJ tlty Will rally once more around the old familiar hearthstone, and affectionately greet their aged, but fondly cherished mother. We shall do well then to celebrate the virtues of our early fathers, and call home for a brief space the wandering chil- dren. 1 therefore move that committee of two from each of the towns originally compri- sed, in whole or in part, in the ancient town of Woodbury, be appointed by this meeting, with power to add to their own number, and to ap- point all necessary assistant committees for the pnrpose of making efficient arrangements for the historical celebration of the Second Cen tennial Anniversary of the first exploration of the town, including historical addresses, public picnic, &c
 The motion was carried unanimously, and the following named gentlemen appointed such committee
 Woodbury-Wm Cothren, c. B. Phelps
 Washington-R. w. Frsbie, s. H. Mitchell
 Southbury-T. B. Wheeler, A. B. Downes.
 BethenEA braham Beecher, H. w. Peck
 Roxbury-H. B. Eastman, E. w. Lathrop
 Middlebury-Dr. DeForest, L. Bronson