The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-09-09
b,s native town The development Of trade the growth

III, .,;,,o TOWN The development Of trade, the growth
of Chelsea "thc Landing tne par, when Moawicn
,ren took in the French and Indian war the nonmpora
lion agreement the reception of the stamp act and the
other important affairs which occupied our fathers IN the
middle OF the eighteenth century, were then succncty
described The period of the American Revolution
WAS next taken up in reference 10 which the speaker
had been favored with to large numbers Of unpab
lshed letters and documents The part which Conncct
cut took this great struggle alluded to- and espec
ally the liberal contribution Of men and money for the
army beyond any other Of the thirteen United Colonies
In this contribution Norwich did more--much more
than its share, and has received from any
the credit II deserves Foremost at the very opening Of
the struggle stood General Jabez Huntingdon who at
time owned forty vessels. When the great conflict began
he was made member of the Council of Safety Con-
nectcut arduous and responsible post, and on tho
death Of Gen. David Wooster, made Major General
of the militia of the State, with power to call
out the troops at any time for the defence Of this
the neighboring States. His ample fortune,
well his hbors, sacrificed for his country;
but not these alone. Four and two in law,
young Of property ability and bravery endued with
their fathers spirit entered with like zeal into the active
duties of the service and found in almost every
field from the early entertainments upon Bunker Hill
the victorious eneampment on the plains of Yorktown
en- said the speaker ANY lamiy m the country con-
American freedom have yet TO learn its name" Two
other Hunungtons remote connections OF the one Just
named also influential citizens of Norwich in the
days of seventy six" Benjamin Neutrality-suspicious. to
older people "Judge Ben. distinguished law.
YER Placed with Gen abez IN 1875 upon the Council OF
Safety he Of the prudent and sagacious
cornsellers whom the colonial in
pecially indebted The who have been mention
ed were natives of the town; the hird-thc Hon Samuel
Huntineton-alhough a native OF windham, was
resident here during most Of his life was his rare for
tune place his beside the signatures Of Roger Ser.
and William Williams TO the Declaration of lndepen-
dence The character of this eminent patriot at one time
President of Congress- and afterwards for ten years Gov
ernor Connecticut, then briefly sketched, and
letter read from his distinguished associate, William Will
iiams, written soon after the 4h Of July, 100, IN wncu
he bestows the highest encomiums upon Mr. Huntington
The next character skeched was DR. Philip Turner sur
geon in the British army in the French war; and after
wards Surgeon General OF the eastern department OF the
Continental army No in the country at that day was
distinguished as an operative surgeon He has"
SAYS General Jcdediah Huntingdon "a skill in saving
limbs quite peculiar himself" deserving of perpetual
gratitude and honor Among other choice spirits here
sident ut this period was Nathaniel Niles well known as
political and theological writer He composed, Nor
witch, in l775 sapphc ode, entitled The American
Hero 1t began
Why should vain mor,als tremble at the sight of
Death and destruction in the field Of ba,les
ana was sung TO stirring tune called Bunker HILL NO
song during the war awakened such enthusiasm among
the troops this. Col Christopher Leingwell Cap
tain Of the Norwich Light Infantry, well disciplined
Of the Committee of Correspondence of the town Of
Norwich during the war and was in constant communi-
cation with all the leading patriots OF the State and
try. He also acted as sort OF resident commissary
Norwich furnished not only statesmen direct surgeons
army but it sent forth warriors for the field. The four
brothers Huntington then individually referred to-
Jedediah Andrew Joshua and Ebenezcr. Durkee, Will
lams, Trumbul Nevins, Tanning, Peters, Tracy and
others successfully spoken Of The Norwich Navy
Yard with the building of frgate FOR Congress by Col
Joshua Huntington, and the Norwich Armory, with the
excellent guns which made in it by Elijah Back.
ms, also described. The question next raised
what were the people engaged in while the leaders were
thus busyS Let the record of the period tell
the odious Port bill June 17 closed the harbor Of Bos
ton, an Indignation meeting called in Norwich, at
which the town house so crowded that the meeting
house was opened for the eager multitude The rights
American freemen then and there unequivocaly
ana unanimously asserted; correspondence was com
menced with the oppressed metropolis of New England
relief was promised. generous and general conribu
flock Of near 800 sheep driven to Boston Samuel
Adams in acknowe lodging their arrival gratefully adds
in words worthy TO be inscribed yonder arch-er
be carried in your perpetual mountaineering part
which the town of Norwich takes in this struggle for
American liberty is truly NOBLE" So began the
Revolution in Norwich. Lexington found Norwich
ready. Bunker Hill bears witness to the promptness
with which the town responded the earliest call for
troops One evening Col Joshua Huntington rec eiyed a
commission, and before dawn the next morning sixty
brave men had been enlisted by him. The same spirit
continued throughout the Over and again
contributions made for the army The gifts of Norwich
to its soldiers writes distinguished officer from the
morabe camp at Valley Forge, cheering indeed Gen.
Jabez Huntington up his fortune to the colony per
uniting the caden weights by which his windows
hung to be cast into bullets and his generous example
was initiated by Others each being liberal in proportion to
hs means When a: last the war was over. the suffer
ines OF these brave patriots nor ended They had
bought the freedom not Of the town of the State but
OF the continent But they had bought 1t at the sacrifice
Of time, and labor, and health and prosperity. The
old families We're many Of them sadly depressed in
financial circumstances. New men came into town.
enerprising and unembarrassed, business revived
and the community prospered. Yet in this period
OF prosperity in this hour of jubilee let gratitude and
honor be unsparngly bestowed the memory of those
who pledged for their lives, their fortunes and their
sacred honor. The conclusion Of the address spoke
the rapid growth OF the town during the last fifty years
and OF the prosperity which marked the religious educa
tional and commercial institutions of the day We see
he then said that the foundations of native
laid with forethougbt by brave intelligent and religious
men; rejoice that the right TO the soil acquired by
purchase, and the former conciated perpetual
friends that our fathers free from moderation and
bgory and were ready TO to fight in defence of
civil and religious liberty that they industrious
the farm and enterprising in business that they pre-
Served the golden mean between conservatism and rad
casm being loyal TO the King till endurance ceased be
virtue and then heartily devoted to the independence
of America; that in the great conflict of the Revolution
they sacrificed their fortunes and exposed their lives with
spirit Of patriotism rarely equaed and surpassed
and that their intelligence thrift and virtue have secured
TO their children under the blessing of Providence, pros
perty and happiness at home-repuation, hsnor and in
fuence abroad Long live old Norwichl and when the
last of shall lie beneath the sod when the deeds Of the
present shall furnish the materials Of history may be
the lot Of the future chroncer scanning the memorials
of our day, TO record with truth that worthy Of
the precious heritage which we now enjoy.
The meeting adjourned TO half past O'Clock this
evening.