Litchfield enquirer., 1879-07-10
Plymouth Sketches No. 322.

Another of our aged citizens is gone "tle way of all the earth" On Monday June 8 Mir. Newman Atwater died of heart disease, in the 75th. year Of his age. He was son of Richard Atwater, (who resided in Northfeld Society, Plymouth, of Litchfeld 1 am not certain which,, and the grandson of Samuel Atwater of New Haven During the last fifty years or over he had resided in or near the Center, and had been one of our most quiet and cstimahe citizens. He had long been a member and communicant in St. Peters par ish, where he had been Clerk, and many years a vestry.nan. He had also hel. town offices to some extent Mr. Atwater was by trade q shoemaker. but, during his later years, had worked portion of the time at farming. He was one of six of our old time boot er shoe makers, all of who resided in or near the viii lage, and were of about the same age Four of these survive. viz: Benjamin Harger (who for many years has not worked at the bueiness) Albert c. Taylor; William R. Bishop; An- drew Hawkins. One-Stephen W. Clark died number of years since, before reaching the age of three score years and ten. -
 On Monday evening, June 30, a party of young people-numbering about fifty-assem bled at the Congregational Parsonage. where the time was greatly enjoyed.
 July 1st 1879.
 Miss Martha Hillard is away, visiting Vas sar school mate at Port Jervis, New York.
 Miss Helen Hlllard is home on vacation from St. Margaret's school, Waterbury
 Fred Hillard has been home on a short visit from Worcester, Mass, where he is learn ing the machinist's trade.
 On Wednesday evening, the 2nd, inst, Grill ley's Band of Themaston came up to fulfil last weeks engagement, which failed then because of unpleasant weather. On this occasion the evening was lovely; the musical programme fine one, excellently well rendered.
 A few went from here to attend the great Centennial celebration at New Haven
 Here the Fourth passed off with rather more than ordinary quietness. At the Center the celebration consisted of the letting off of a somewhat limited number of firecrackers, with the ringing of the Episcopal church bell at the very reasonable hour of sunrise. and a little surreptitious jinglng of the old Academy or lecture room bell at an earlier hour Also a small but quite interesting display of fireworks in the evening, at Mr. George Langdon's During the last few years the Congregational bell has been 'mum" on Independence day. It may be that the society officials have deci- ded to have the thing rest until the next Gen. tennial, when there may be expected from it a grand jingling, not only at sunrise, but also at sundown perhaps indeed from sun to sun :" or even from midnight point to midnight point!
 On the 4th small party of young people went over to Nonneweaug, where they encoun- tered thunder showers, and did not arrive home until early next morning.
 On the 4th, the descendants of the. late gathering at the residence of one of the daugh. ters, Mrs. Amzi Clark, near Terryville, within the limits of Bristol. A large portion of the family reside in this town.
 On Saturday the 5th, there was family gathering at MT. and Mrs. John Renfree's the occasion being the 20th anniversary of their marriage The Rev. MT. Hillard and wife were present. He now resides within the limits of Thomaston.
 July Eth 1869.