The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-03-06
PAST RECALLED IN ANCIENT HOME 0FCHAMBERLA|NS Bridgeporter Of '49 GTeets Friends In Rospitab|e
 Mansion News Frcm The Farmer of 1849 and 1850 When They Put John Street Through
 the Swamp

By the light of other days and warmed by log fires ill the old fash toned fire places, the friends of George Reservoir avenue, last evening. and celebrated the sixty third anniversary of his birth. MT. Chamberlain was born in the old homestead on the farm where he now lives, in 1S49. At his marriage he moved into the house he now occupies, which while not as old as the homestead. antedates the birth The celebration was carried out in ''Ye Oloen Style, the house being il- luminstcd by candles set in rare old candlesticks The flames from los fires leaped and roared up the huge old, fashioned chimney from the hearths of two large fire places, in- parting warmth and cheer to the is- sembled guests.
 After a social hour around the fire the company adjourned to the dining room where a fine old fashioned sup Der was served by Mrs. Chamberlain Here again appeared the reminder of other days, the gold band china. cut glass and silver, all of colonial days. At the conclusion of the bounteous repast, to which the guests did full justice, the toastmaster, Joseph Hu- bert, in a felicitous speech presented the host with a handsome cut glass desk set on behalf of the assent bled friends. MT. Chamberlain, although greatly surprised, responded in well chosen. speech.
 Remarks appropriate to the occasion were made by Capt John Mosel, Ma jor Naphey, Thomas Flynn and Wal ter Fenton. A. F. Domser spoke al length upon his hunting trips in the Adirondacks, and told of some re- markable bags of game in that re- zion.
 Herbert M. Booth read number of extracts from The Farmer of the condition of Bridgeport when MT Chamberlain came to reside here.
 Some ef-the important events were the extension of John street through the swamp to Courtland street.; the dedication of the Methodist Church the burning of the Universalis' Church: the opening of the first read ing room: the first steps taken to- ward securing a High School; the de6i- cation of Mountain Grove cemetery; the building of carriage in the shop of Tomlinson & Wood for President Fillmore: mysterious knockings in Stratford; first office of the Adams
 
 of the Sterling House, and later the first wagon put on for the delivery of express matter; strike of the cabinet makers and house joiners of the city; the fact that although there were rail- roads and steamboats a large share of the freight was shipped on the six sailing vessels which made regular trips between this city and New York
 Train service between New York and Albany was via Bridgeport and the Housatonic R. R.; time for trip, g hours.
 Price of beef, beef cattle quoted in the New York market at s6 to $8 a cwt. These and many other items told the news of the city when its population was 6,0S0 The number of persons residing in what is now East Bridgeport being but 332 and the total population of the town being 7,55S. , After an evening that will be long remembered by the fortunate part;ci- rants, the gathering dispersed with best wishes for the continued health and prosperity of~the host and host ess, and expressions of appreciation of the hospitality so lavishly shown.