The Newtown bee., 1892-02-05

While on Long Island, spent my vacat- ions in Fairfield, calling that my resi- dence. My mother was one of eight children. She had brotherJ Jesup Banks, who taught school in Greenwich in l8ll and the first time l ever crossed the Saug- atuck was going with him on horseback to return the horse. That uncle fitted for teaching at the Staples Free school in Easton and, in 1S14, was drafted and went to New London, serving his term out. He came to my fathers house on his way home in uniform and agreed with my father to have Horace blow for his rye sowing; this I did, having done so much for my country, in our last war with England.
 From 1872 to 1915, all the cotton man. ufactured in New England was carted over the Saugatuck bridge (now Vest port) and that, with seeing Long Island Sound covered and governed by English cruisers, was the most interesting sight of the times. In those days, in Winter we wore for underclothing checked wool en and butternut, or butternut and blue for outside garments. I have stripped many butternut tree of it's bark, which we used to lay down with layer of wool in a large cask, until it gave the wool bright butternut color; then it was card ed, spun and woven by the mothers.
 Generally in time of wool spinning, January and July, our most respectable young ladies used to go about to the neighbors and spin up the wool; two runs per day was days work. By sum- rise in the morning, we were greeted with the hum of the big wheel by young la dies who made it a rule to get their days work done by noon. They spun for their own garments, too, which were colored in the yarn, that made very handsome check of red, white and blue. When l commenced business here, there were three lumber yards. l followed that bus mess with partners until 1863 4, then sold out, but in 1865 had to take the business again and run it alone and followed it for five years very successfully.
 In 1866, bought the Sturges place, in- pld(C lIClC "C bAlic SOh~ gregate. Many families have commenc- ed living here and liked the place, except the want of High school and, owing to that want, left, which led me to keep this lot for that purpose. About 1870, getting no encouragement after offering the lot and something besides and the daily sight of 20 to 30 going out of town to school led me to provide the lot and means to build the house after my de- cease. I don't know how it occurred, Zens to urge me to make sure of the thing being done at once, giving as a strong reason that so many were leaving town to go to other places to a High school. In 1883, commenced the fOun- dation, which was finished and the cor ner stone laid in the Spring of 1884.
 The laying of the corner stone drew out the largest meeting that ever occur red in Westport. It demonstrated the fact that love was the greatest thing ir the world, for it had been proclaimed that the school must be unsectarian.
 Many writers have expressed gladness that we have so many denominations. Ir 1632, Thomas Hooker and Samuel Stone led a colony into Massachusetts. Cottor Mather called them "Judicious Christ ians." They soon saw their difarenras Onrlstlans began to move west, settling in Windsor, Hartford, New Haven, Fair field and Greens Farms. These remoy- als have continued for 256 years and pro- duced these United States, the most ex- traordinary uatiOn in the world. This little town on the beautiful Saugatuck river may advance toward the millennium day and now, when I see this school showing an increase to no scholars. let me rejoice with you, my fellow citizens and sincerely thank you for your kind congratulations.
 Let me admonish my young friends of this school to do all in your power to aid your teachers in their various duties, and to be diligent in your studies, in deport- ment and determined to fit yourselves for the various callings of your future life. By doing this, you will add to the
 
 being noted for fitting young gentlemen and ladies for all branches of usefulness. Now, ladies and gentlemen aud all pres- ent, let us join in thanking our Heavenly Father for granting this meeting and that tour flesh may rest in hope.''
 Letters of regret and congratulation from Robert Martin, New York; Hon Morris K. Jessup, Dartmouth college; Dr k. c. M. Page, New York; Rev G. S. Plumley, Greenfield Hill, were read by Rev J. k. Coley.
 Congratulatory remarks were made by Rev MT Backus, Rev MT Still and Rev MT Relyea, wishing the founder of Staples God speed and hoping that they would have an invitation to celebrate with him his Tooth birthday. Notwithstanding the overshadowing clouds, Assembly hall was crowded to it's utmost capacity be- fore the exercises began. Everything passed off in the most pleasing and satis- factory manner.
 PUPILS IN HIGH SCHOOL.
 Senior class-Antoinette c. Cable Laura D. Gorham, Samuel G. Meeker, Alice D. Parsell, Edith E. Salmon, Chris tine A. Upson, Annie Warren.
 Middle class-John L. Coley, Stanley W. Pillow, Annie T. Sherwood, Hettie k. Sherwood, Frederick A. Raymond, Clara E. Squires, Bertha Wakeman, Har- ry T. Wayne, Katie M. E. Wheeler.
 Junior class-Edward B. Adams, Ger trude M. Barnes, George T. Dayton, Sa- die M. Dolan, Frederick c. Filley, Carrie $. Gorham, Ellen E. Hubbell, Edward