St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1905-06-21
DECORATION DAY.

Peacham, VT, May 80, 1905.
Exercises at the dedication of Markers,
Sons Of the American Revolution, at the
graves of eleven Revolutionary Soldiers
In the cemetery and Old Graveyard.
PROGRAM.
HyDm-First verse of America. The
singing was led by Mrs. Laura
Palmer, in which the audience Joined.
Address and sketch of the life and
service of each soldier, read at his
grave. By Miss ]. E. Cowles-Read
by Mr.. Charles A. Bunker. Immedi
ately following each sketch, the grave
was decorated with wreath of ever.
green, by descendant, relative, or
the contributor of marker.
A few hours later, today, the veterans
Of the Civil War will come here to decor.
ate with flowers the graves of their com.
rades who served with them in the army
of the North, and by their valor saved
our Union from disruption.
1t is fitting that before we join them In
this patriotic service we should gather
about the graves of those patriots whose
services in the war of the Revolution
helped to lay the foundations OF our
great Republic, and place there the endur-
ing memorials of our gratitude, and OF the
duty we as patriotic citizens owe to
them, ITO keep their memory green"
Not only their descendants, of whom
there are many in the town at the present
time, but the citizens of the town, also,
have personal interest in the history of
these men, these Revolutionary soldiers,
these founders of the town, as few of
them were: of whom two were of the
first three permanent settlers in 1776.
Jonathan Elkins, John Skeele, and Archi-
bald McLachlin were the first three
settlers to remain here with their families
in 1851 to brave the errors of winter
in the wilderness, in perils by wild beasts,
ii perils by Indians, suffering cold and
privation in their log huts, where today
we look off over green fertile fields, and
comfortable houses within sound of the
church bells.
In 1S41 the New York Evening Post
published some verses entitled "The
Memory ofRevolutionary Heroes" which
are appropriate to the occasion.
"Our Patriot Fathers, where are they?
Where is that holy band,
Who stood in fearless firm array
Through all the long and stormy day
OF war and biood-the hope and stay
Of our beloved land"
"Who nobty in her darkest hours
Sustained the patriots part?
Led onward by that soul sublime
The master spirit of the time,
Whose fame shall live in every cline
Where breathes freeborn heart"
ooh where are they who priced their rights
Above this fleeing breath
Indignant spurned the tyrant's sway
And woke the dawn of freedoms day
Their watchword thro' the dreadful fray
Still Liberty or Death"
"Ahl few among that gallant band
Are left us on the earth;
But though our patriot sires depart,
Columbia's sons in hand and heart,
When called to act the the patriots part
Will never shame their BIRTH"
"And as revolving ages find
Our country great and free.
Long as her sunbright mountains stand
Through all her fair aud happy land
The memory OF that honored band
beacon light shall be-"
ROLL OF HONOR.
1he names OF the men at whose graves,
today, we dedicate Markers, to perpetu-
ate thememory of their patriotic services
in the Revolutionary War, are
Henry Blake, Wells Burbank, Col. John
Chandler, Edward Clark, Samuel Davis,
Deacon Jonathan Elkins, Captain Nathan
Hurd, Ashbel Martin. David Martin,
Deacon Reuben Miner, John Skeele. The
name of William Chamberlain also be-
lougs in this roll of honor, at whose
grave marker was placed some years
ago.
The contributors to the fund for obtain
ing these markers are:-
Mrs. Sarah Hooker, St. Paul, MINI.
Mrs. Mercy Hooker. Peacham, vt.
Mrs Hn rrsah Hnnixnx- pannhntr1 W.