The morning journal-courier., 1908-06-15
s. A. R. MEMORIAL
Annual Decoration of Graves by David Humphreys Branch
 of Order.
EXERCISES AT CEMETERY
Interesting Ceremonies Held in Grove Street Burial Lot Yesterday
 Afternoon.

The annual memorial day exercises of the David Humphreys branch of the Sons of the American Revolution was held yesterday In the Grove street cem- etery and the largest number of per- sons ever present on such an occasion was on hand, there being about 500 people at the services The services were held first at the grave of Gen. David Humphreys and were continued at the grave of Ezra Stiles, president of the college during the revolutionary revolutionary soldiers in the cemetery were decorated to the number of 12i In addition there were decorated yes- terday in other cemeteries sixty-one graves in West Haven, Ansonia, Mil ford and Derby, making a total of 1855 decorated during the day.
 Seymour c. Loomis, president of the local branch made the speech at the grave of Gen. Humphreys He spoke of the part which had been taken in the revolution by the captains of the Gov ernors Foot Guard of whom there were eight or ten buried in the ceme- tery. Among them are Captain James Hillhouse, the man who purchased tho land where Grove street cemetery Is now situated as the site for a cemetery. The purchase was made in 1797 and in | 1921 the bodies of the revolutionary heroes were removed from the Green to this new resting place with appro- priate ceremonies. Mir. Hillhouse Is the same who put out the trees about the Green here.
 Continuing the speaker told of Gen eral Humphreys himself, w1o was an aid to General Washington, serving first on the staff of Gen. Putnam. He was quite active at the siege of York town and there had the honor of re- ceiving the flags from General Corn wallis at the surrender. He was also the man selected to turn them over tc the congress, which body presented hin 1 in token thereof with a sword for his fidelity and bravery. He was born ir Derby and after the revolution resided with Washington at Mount Vernon as his secretary. He left there when he was appointed foreign minister to Par is and later to Portugal and Spain.
 After serving abroad he returned tc his old home in Derby and purchased g mill at Humphreysville, which Is now the town of Seymour. He manufactur. ed fine broadcloth, which at that day had large reputation throughout the country He died in 1919 after having seen service also in the war of 1872
 At the close of his address Mr Loomis decorated the grave of the de parted general. The Rev. I. C. Meservt of San Francisco then spoke on tho general topic of the revolutionary war His address was very interesting ant was thoroughly enjoyed by all thos, present.
 At the end of the exercises the pro cession formed and marched to thu grave of President Stiles in the colleg plot. President Stiles died in 1795 ant his remains were removed in 1891 iron the Green.
 MT. Loomis spoke of President Stiles He practicec law for two years, afte which he entered the ministry and To cated at Newport about 1760 to 1765. | 1766 he was offered the presidency o the college but declined and Dagget was elected instead Eleven years late
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