The sun., 1900-09-24
HISTORIC spot
At COOCH'S BRIDGE
FORMALLY LOCATED
Basket Picnic Held Saturday
Was a Delightful
Affair.
]. WILKINS COOCH PRESIDES
Committee of Prominent Persons
Was Appointed to Mark the Place
Where First Flag Was I'M
furled. just Outside the
Gateway of Cooch Home.

The basket picnic held at Cooch's
Bridge on Saturday for the purpose of
making arrangements to suitably mark
the spot where the first American flag
was unfurled was Il successful and de-
lightful affair.
Il was held under the aucpiccs Of the
Sons and daughters Of the American
Revolution. \ special train left this city
AZ 12.15 o'clock in the afternoon for
Cooeh.
The picnic was held on the lawn at the
home Of j. wilkins Cooch. Rev. W. i.
Munson opened the exercises with
prayer after which "The Star Spanged
Banner" was sung.
j. Wilkins Cooch who presided then
read I'M interesting paper on the engage
ment at Cooch's Bridge ana the intro
dnction Of the flag In opening lie said.
Mr.. Chairman and fliends | vel
come you today to this hallowed spot.
made so by reason of its being the place
where our dear old flag was first bap-
tized in blood and fire. And if this is
sacred ground to YOU, who have come
from Your homes to commemorate that
event, how much more must it be to me,
and how proud | must feel. as it has
been the home Of my family for six gen
erations. 1t is here that my childhood.
my youth and my manhood have been
spent. So ! welcome YOU today with
feelings that cannot be expressed and in
the words of the Oriental. MY home and
all that ! have are yours.
He quoted Il number of authorities to
prove that the first flag was unfurled at
Cooch'S Bridge and closed by saving that
II Il Il
been sent over by Washington from
Newport to intercept the British army.
He met them Mt Cooch's Bridge where
u sharp engagement took place Septem-
Der 9. He held that ii is reasonable 10
believe that 50 important division rs
MaXwell'S had flag and that it must
first have been used at- Cooch'S Bridge.
Rev. ]. Harry Chescy spoke next his
subject being "Old Glory" He gave
Delaware the honor of first mfnrling
the flag hy sea rs well ns by land.
Henry G. Conrad representing the
Historical Society Of Delaware. follow
rd and outlined the position and condi-
ton Of the British and American troops
during the summer and fall of 1777.
Captain Henry Hobart RelIas. u. s.
A.. secretary Of the Delaware Society Of
Cincinnati next delivered an interesting
address.
Rev i. W Munson offered resoln-
tion that committee be selected to fix
spot that should be marked rs the place
whore the first tng was unfnrled This
was agreed to and the following commit
tee appointed:
Chief Justice Charles r. Lore, Presi-
dent Of the Historical Society Of DelA-
ware chairman.
Chancellor John X. Nicholson Of Do
vcr. President Delaware Society of Col
onial Wars, vice chairman.
Vice President General Howard De
Haven Ross Of National Society. S.A.
Il. treasurer.
Mrs Elizabeth Clarke Churchman of
Claymont, State Regent Delaware So
ciety ID. A. r.. secretary.
Colonel William A. I.aAlottc, Prcsi-
dent Delaware Society. s. A. II.
Spottswood Garland, ESQ., vice presi-
dent Society. S. y. Il.
Mr.. Martin Beadcnkopf. secretary and
treasurer Delaware Society, S. \. II.
Miss Sophia Wnnlcs, Regent Caesar
Rodney Chapter, y. 4. Il.
Mrs. +. s. anderson. Regent Col. Has
lett Chapter. d. =. Il.
Mrs. Caroline Spenkman. Regent Eliz-
ahpth Cook Chantor, y. \. T..
Miss Serena Hall. Regent John prtti-
grow Caapter. y. \. Il.
Mrs. II. Tutnal Wnrucr. Mrs. Charles
Rumford, Mrs. Charles II. Miller, Mrs.
William Drein. Miss Anna T. Canly
Mrs. Clemtina Leo McIlvainp pre@-
dent Delaware Society Of Colonial
Dnmcs.
Captain Henry Hobart Rellas. Z. S.
-. ef Philadelphia. secretary Delaware
Society Of tbe Cincinnati.
ITon. J. wilkins cooch. q ceorh's
Bridge.
Prof. Gear@a s. IIamor, president or
Delaware College.
Prnf. .N. ri. Rerlin uncipal Of tho
hi@l school representing o. nuf!i"
sehool+ Of thn state ri Dcllwarn.
Rev. lase,ll Brown Tnner Of Davor.
Rrv. y. NJ. AlunSon, IL. ~, Of New
Castle.
Rev. ]. Harry Chesloy. Of Claymont.
Henry G. Conrad, ESD, representing
the patriotic citizens of the State Of Del
aware.
Thanks wcrc given Howard DcHavcn
Ross for his excellent management If
the affair. \ chepr was heartily given
for Mr.. and Mrs. j. Wilkins Coorh.
Archdeacon Hall pronounced the henc-
diction and the exercises closed with the
singing Of "The Red. White and Blue"
Among those present from Wilmington
wepn:
Mrs. J9'izahoth Clarl.o Clurchman.
Miss Sonhia Wanles. Mr.. and Mrs
Howell $. En~lnnd. Mrs. Mary Dranor
Bailey. Mrs. NcIlvaine. Mr. and Mrs
George w. Roberts. and The Misses
loherta. Mrs. $. T. Turner. Col. and
Mrs. John Wainwright. Dr. Quin'-