The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1900-06-18
HEROES GRAVES DECORATED
IMPRESSIVE CEREMONIES IN THE
GROVE STREET GEM EyERY.

Gen. David Humphreys Branch, s. IA,
Trimmed tho Graves of AOI RevOlu-
tionary Soldiers md Held Impressive
Exercises over the Graves of Roger
sherman and General Humphreys.
Bunker Hill day was flttngly cele-
brated yesterday by David Humphreys
branch, No. L. Connecticut society Sons
of American Revolution when a large
representation from this organization
and from other patriotic organizations
of the city, assembled in Grove street
cemetery and honored many dead heroes
by decorating their graves with wreaths
and bouquets. Impressive services were
held over the graves of General David
Humphreys and Roger Sherman.
The last resting place of l01 soldiers
who figured in the Revolutionary war
We're also decorated by delegations
chosen from General Humphreys branch
and from the Second Company, Cover
nor's Foot Guard. The latter company
and delegations from the Daughters of
the Revolution and Amos Morris socie-
ty, Children of the American Revolu-
ton, We're present at the exercises.
AT promptly o'clock the delegations
of the different organizations and about
$50 citizens formed near the chapel at
the entrance of the cemetery and
marched to the grave of Roger Sherman
when the exercises opened with an in
vocation by Rev. DR.. Edwin S. Line j..
of a
of General David Humphreys branch
General George H. Ford president of
the society then made some very appro-
pirate remarks on the life and character
of Roger Sherman.
General Ford spoke in part as fol-
lows:
The custom of annually decorating
the graves of our heroes and keeping
alive their deeds by paying this beauti-
full tribute to their memory is charac-
teristically American, and the sweet
sentiment accompanying this ceremony
impresses each generation with respect
and honor for the worthy deeds of the
past, has already become pronounced
in its influence, and will become far
reaching in the future.
The day annually selected for this
ceremony by the Sons of American
Revolution, known as Bunker Hill day,
and the hour chosen by this branch are
especially appropriate, when we recall
that on the 18th day of June. 1775 1875
years ago to-day, between the hours of
three and five in the afternoon, occurred
that memorable engagement, where in
the brief period of two hours $500 men
were laid low, and three millions of peo-
pie were aroused to a definite struggle
for independence.
This cemetery, the first of it's kind to
be created independent of the church
yard is the resting place of more per-
sons of varied eminence than any othr
in the country. The roll of honored
names upon its tombstones dedicates it
to the fame of learning and noble lives
that contributed not only to the early
history of the nation, and the Revolu-
tionary period, but represents brain
power that has stirred the world
through the succeeding century.
The list of revolutionary soldiers,
martyrs and patriots, at whose graves
the markers of this society have been
placed is CONSPICUOUS as containing the
names of General Humphreys and Woos-
ter Hillhouse, a United State senator,
and mayor of New Haven, who march
ed to Lexington and was the third com
mander Of the second company of Foot
Guard Napthali Daggett president of
Yale, who lead company of students
against the invading forces al New Ha-
ven; Noah Webster, Edwards Pierpoint
Ezra Stiles, Timothy Dwight privates
in the continental army afterwards
presidents of Yale, and many others of
distinction and high character
Roger Sherman, although not of the
continental army, no man was more
honored patriot in revolutionary his
tory, advocating and atfiXing his sigma
ture to the four most important docu-
ments of that period:
1.-THE Address to the King" 1.-THE
Declaration of Independence, being one
of five who drafted the same; 1.-THE Ar
ticles of Confederation" "The Constitu-
ton Of the United States" judge and
first mayor of the city Of New Haven,
and a member of the continental con-
gresss from 1774 to 1854, as a legislator,
state and national, assisting in every
way to establish the government which |
distinguished generals, rank and file |
We're fighting for. In his time he was
the foremost man in the city, if not in
the state, a central figure round which
every element clustered,
John Adams in his eulogy says, He |
was an old Puritan as honest as an an
gel. as firm in the cause of American
independence as Mount Atlas" The
epitaph now visible to you on the tomb
reads as follows:
"A man of approved integrity,
A cool discriminating judge
A pendent sagacious politician,
A true, faithful and firm patriot
interviewer with this ceremony the
day, the hour, the cemetery, the pa
triotS we honor, what more appropriate
spot to assemble, as a starting point for
the ceremonies that are to follow than
here and to pay our first tribute to the
name of Roger Sherman.
Nathan Easterbrook, Jr., as chairman
OF standing committee formally decor
ated the grave Of Roger Sherman max
ing very neat speech At the conclu-
sion of this ceremony details of various
members of the branch under command
of Nathan Easterbrook, Jr., Hon Rufus
F. Pickett, Hon Hobart l.. Hotchlkiss,
Everett E. Lord and George It. Burgess
went around through the cemetery dec