Connecticut western news., 1908-04-23
Easter at Pilgrim Church


 The Easter services at the Pilgrim church were enjoyed by large congrega- tions, the evening congregation being one of the largest ever seen i'll the church. There were numbers present from all the churches of the village. The service assumed the character of a union ser vice with the Methodists. MT. Ridgway preached the sermon. MT. Gillette intro pleasure, in the presence of and on be- half of so representative a congregation, to extend to him a welcome into the fellowship and cooperation of the chur- ches of Canaan, which was so marked a feature of our village life. MT. Ridg- way responded to the words of welcome and expressed himself as gratified that such spirit of fellowship existed and said that he believed that it was necces- sary in these days for the churches to cooperate.
 We may have our regimental organi- cations and march. under our separate
 
 open and realize that the whole army is under one common flag, it gives courage and strength to all. The sermon was listened to with great interest and ap- preciatiou. Three carols and an anthem were we'll rendered by the church choir and the solo by Mrs. Bullock was greatly enjoyed by all. The church was beautifully decorated with lilies, tulips, daffodils and ferns. The offering, which was for the Newington home for children amounted to $l3'75.
 Death of F. A. Cummings.
 The Hartford Times says: Francis Asbury Cummings, one of the best known Civil war veterans of Hartford, died last Monday evening, at his home, of heart disease. He had been out riding in his automobile, with his daughter, Miss Alice T. Cummings, and on his return com plained of feeling i'll. He lay down on a couch and died in few minutes. Dr. F. l.. Mckee pronounced death due to heart disease.
 MT. Cummings was born January 23, 1854, in Minot. Me. When a young man he went west. Shortly before the Civil war he returned east and went to North Canaan where he engaged with brother, Philip O. Cummings, in the produce bus mess. He enlisted, October 8, 1861, in Company l of the Eleventh regiment, Connecticut Volunteers. MT. Cummings enlisted as corporal. He was in the bat tie of Newborn, N. O., Fredericksburg South Mountain and Antietam. He was wounded at the battle of Antietam and at Petersburg. He was discharged from the service, July IA, 1865.
 After his service in the army MT. Cum. mlngs went into railroading, becoming a conductor on the old -Housatonic road and afterward on the Connecticut West. ern. In 1882 he gave up the railroad and went into the grain and feed business MT. Cummings was prominent mem. Der of Robert O. Tyler, post G. A. R.. and past commander of the post. He had been the patriotic instructor of the post and was much interested in the en couragement of patriotism in the public schools.
 He leaves a wife, and an adopted daughter. Miss Alice Twiss Cummings sister, Mrs. Francina NJ. Caldwell widow of Leonard A. Caldwell, of Ga man, four nephews, Sherwood o. Gum mings of Rockville, l.. A. Caldwell oi Canaan, Charles Bowker. of South Paris, Me, and D. F. Bowker of Port land, Me.
 He was charter member of the Ga naan Housatonic lodge, F. & A. NJ.