The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-07-03
Its Rude Celebration in 1779.
A Relation of Tryon's Raid on Con-
necticut shores in the War of the
Revolution.

Elizabeth d. Jeve in the Springfield RE-
publican.
1t was Friday the 4th day Of July,
1779; warm, muggy day, but the little
household in Goodman Weatherbee s
home were astir bright and early, for
II was a day they wished to celebrate
in q quiet way; the third anniversary
of Independence. The Weatherbee
family were staunch patriots; so much
so that they had sacrificed a large
share of their broad lands in the cause
and had sent, one by one, their seven
sons to the armies of Putnam, Ward
and Washington, to join in the great
struggle, which was to rescue the thir-
teen colonies from the grasp of England.
Goodman Weatherbee himself was too
old to enter the service, as well as too
inhrm; yet by his personal endeavors
ne raised the enthusiasm of his neigh
bors (of which there were very few
into desperation by calling them trail
tors and parasites on the land; and his
daily prayer was that ho might be
spared TO see the colonies free and the
war at an end; for he never doubted
what the result would be.
This is to be holy day with u.s."
"for was 1t not but three years agone
that in Philadelphia we resolved to be
free? Ay! ay! and every true patriot
should remember the day with praise
and thanksgiving"
And you were there too" said Mercy
Weatherbee, his niece a slender bright
eyed girl of IS, "ah, how good it must
he to have been there that day! DO tell
Inc about it, Uncle Isaacs."
The old mans eyes kindled. "Ay, /
was there with Sherman. Staunch
friends have we been for years; and
although the delegates sat with closed
doors, and 1 was not permitted to en-
ter, yet when Sherman came to our
rooms the night before, he took me by
the hand and his voice was husky.
said: What is it, Sherman? Is God
with us7"
"'God's will be DONE he answered
solemnly, 'ere the sun sets tomorrow
hight the thirteen colonies will declare
themselves free But not a word of this,
Weatherbee, till it is over. The people
are excited beyond control
"All that night [ lay awake, ard the
next day l, with the countless patriots
around me, surged against the state
house doors during the long hours,
waiting-waiting- At last
the word was given and the old bell
rang out the news. Old as ] am,
threw UP my hat and shouted for joy
with the rest. And oh, girl, you should
have heard the cheering that day. The
shouts ring in my old ears yet. When
Sherman came out fell in his old arms
and wept for joy. How little l thought
when I marched with Washington and
Braddotk in "a against the French
that L wCulG yet see the day when
would hate the English power as
then hated the French!"
The old man was becoming remin-
isccnt. Mercy recalled him to present
events. And how long did you stay
in Philadelphia. Uncle Isaac, with our
good Roger Sherman"
Il came away scou, child" he an
swered-"as soon as knew that
everything was settled, and that our
brave men would fight until they diet
for the liberty they had shown to be
ours. Ay, lass, it was proud day
for me when Roger Sherman took me
by the hard and presented me to
Thomas jefferson, Patrick Henry-the
young man from Virginia, who said
that he should have either liberty or
death-Richard Henry Lee, and John
Adams and Samuel Adams from Mas
sachusetts colony; and I. although
not a delegate, could say with the men
from Connecticut county-Sherman
Huntington, Williams and Wolcott-
that the Connecticut men from New
Haven colony would stand by the Dec
laration of Independence forever. All,
that was a proud day for me! / came
home soon. all the long journey from
Philadelphia; but my heart was so
light that l realized not its hardships.
Those were indeed stirring times
which tried the hearts of men," sighed
Mercy but the end seems yet far off.
1 was but little child in Boston
when the English officers searched our
home with their Writ Of Assistance.
l remember how my father and broth
ers resisted, hut it was Of no use.
They had the kings authority"
"Ay the kings euthcrity!" repeated
the old man bitterly. always the
kings authority. And 1t was but six
years agone that your brother was
fired upon and killed: ay, murdered in
cold blood the day the British soldiers
dared fire upon the men Of Boston"
"Ay, and had ] been a man | would
puNN dNelSSu MS uSdtn!' exclaimed
the girl warmly, ''and father swore
That he would. Poor father!" she add
ed, the fire dying out of her voice.
Say you not poor father lass; but
rather rejoice that his death was so
glorious. For was he not one of the
seven martyrs of the 10Th of April? /?
Perhaps the very first that fell at
Lexington that day And We're not he
and your two brothers engaged in the
tea party when the British thought to
pacify us by taking off that paltry tax.
and wasn't your father the man who
replied to Admiral Montague that If
he would come out Of the house they
could settle the bill for the Indian
caper,' as he called it, at once? Ha,
ha! my brother was a patriot, and he
died noble death. Mourn not for
him, lass, but rather rejoice that he
died so gloriously."
LAY! ay" answered the girl catch
ing his spirit. Thou hast been n
father to me since, Uncle Isaac. and
well / wot how the news of the death
of my father and the other six brought
Israel Putnam from this colony, and
thy two noble sons, Nathan and Ed
ward"
81 sent them" interrupted the old
man; "when / heard the news l gave
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