The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-02-23


the memb bers of ths organization for elect
ing him president and said IL was
worthy object 20 look into and examine
the deeds of those brave men who. from
every walk of life, with halters hanging
over their necks banded together to resist
the oppression Uf the greatest nation or
the earth 1t was well to mark the
graves of every one of those who fought
in the revolution and OF saving every
scrap of Iaper in regard TO those times
in order that future generations may
know of what stern stun our ancestors
were made. lie also announced the ihll-
ure of the two societies or similar pur-
poses to amalgamate.
Edward Field was introduced as the
first speaker and the subject Of his ad-
dress was Isaac Barker's signal. lie
traced the actions Of the English that
landed from ship at Middletown ana
made their headquarters at the Paradise
farm. then owned by Barker, and now
still called by the same name. The ma
neuvres OF the American army under
Sullivan, ana of the English enemy were
detailed and the different movements OF
the bars on Mill all having different
meanings we're referred TO as also the
work of placing letter IN rocky oiiH
and then again the signaling from the
hill where the bars anu stake was, given
TO notify Gen Chaplin IN command OF
detaolment of the continentals Of the
pressnce of letter in tho pt tstofiice. This
latter always contained infoi nation OF
the movements IF the English then en-
AaInped near Barker'S farm. tor IA
months was this telegraph system kept
up and not until the enemy Withdrew
from the island did Barker cease bis work
After the close of the revolution he was
an energetic farmer and was bonored ~
his fellow townsmen with many offices of
trust One of the great chings that inter-
"A ,,t1l
worms aud some of the mulberry trees
ne pIanted are still TO be seen on Paradise
farm.
Mr.. Field regretted that the signaling
had been so wrongfuiIy reported IN book
recently published as oeing done by the
hanging out OF the family washing by
Mrs. Barker. MIR. Field said in closing
tnat two members of the society were
members by right of descent from Barker
and Superintendent OF Health Chaplin
was descendant of Gen. Chaplin.
George A. Buifum poet OF the society
read three interesting ana appropriate
sonuets, the last of which contained
beautiful tribute to Rhode 1slanu's most
,llustrious son, Nathaniel Greene.
The memory Of Comrade William j,
Svinburne of Newport, was dealt with
in "a feeling manner by Reuben A. Guild,
LIZ ID. A tribute was paid TO MI. owin-
burne's services In the army anu TO his
business and public career
James H. Tower volunteered TO read
for ths registrar n memorial OF Nathaniel
q. Totten, for many years the controller
Of the fire alarm system or this city. The
rnper dwelt on Mr.. TOtten's long service
in tho volunteer and regular tire depart
ments, and his quiet ana regular atten-
tipn TO dut, for a period OF 3S years. lie
was widely known, the memorial stated,
To men interested in fire departments
throughout the country, ana was the
only member but one OF the society whoss
fatner fought in the revolutionary war.
MIR. Iottep's life and that cf his father
covered period of l45 years.
The next mem orial was that OF the late
Christopner Lippitt, and the address In
honor of this most prominent citizen and
manufactures was hy Robert Il. brown,
ESQ. MIR. Lippitt's business. career was
r,ferred to In an instructive way and his
descent from Colonel Lppitt OF the reyo-
lutionnry war traced.
William W. Ellsworth, Esq. secretary
OF the Century Company OF New York
then asked the members and guests TO adj
iourn 10 tie gymnasium, where he began
his lecture, "from Lexington 10 York
town" Ine views were ysrv fine, some
OF them hcin9 photographs OF oid rlstss
made soon after Concord and Lexington.
A vralth OF historical knowledge was
distltycd by the Lecturer, ana his happy
manner at expressing mis- knowledge Won
the wafmest thanks OF all who were
present.
: Al tho society election held yesterday
aft,rnoon the following officers were
elected: President, Willism A. &. Ward
we'll: president, Robert Perkins
Brown; secretary, Christopher Rhodes;
historian, Edward A ield. chaplain. kov
:. N. webb; registrar George a. Hart;
poet, Georgs Allen Banum.
The COMMITTEES who - successfully
carried out tho arrangements for the
dinner were henry v A. Joslin. Arthur
y. sumner and John T. BlcdsetL