Norwich bulletin., 1912-02-16
jEWEn CITY
D. A. r. Chapter Hears Paper on Bril-
liant Career of Samuel Huntington
A. F. Class Entertained-FuneraI of
Samuel A. Coles.


Samuel A. Coles.
Mrs. Henry II. Burnham, a member
OF Faith Trumbull chapter, d. A. r.,
invited Anne Brewster Tanning chap
ter, d. A. r., to hold its regular meet
ing at her home Wednesday afternoon,
and a large number attended The
regent, Mrs. w. R. Burdick, presided.
Paper on Samuel Huntington.
The subject of the paper read at this
meeting by Miss Martha Brewster was
Samuel Huntington, He was. born in
Windham July 8, 1882, the son of Ma
thaniel and Mehltable Thurston Hunt
ingten, His father was a farmer and
clOthier in Windham. The family In
the 18th century were closely related
to royalty. Samuel Huntington's edu-
cation was slender, but, gifted with an
excellent understanding, he educated
himself, and at the age of 20 took
up the studNof law. In 1860 he moved
to Norwich. where his reputation as a
man Of great talents brought him i'm
mediate success.
April Il, 1851, he married Martha
Devotion, daughter of a clergyman Of
Windham. In 1854 he began his official
career, being sent to the general as
sembly, and in 1865 he was appointed
kings attorney, In IVA he was ap-
pointed associate judge of the supreme
court, and the next year a member Of
the governors council, In 1875 he was
sent to congress and remained in 1776-
T-7S-79, and when he returned to
Connecticut resumed his seat as Judge
and member Of the council. which were
kept vacant until his return.
Signed the, Declaration.
In 1776, when the Declaration of In
dependence was adopted, he with three
other men from Connecticut signed
the document.
Sept. %, 1T79. the great appreciation
and estimation of his fellow members
was shown when he was chosen to the
highest civil appointment that could
be given him, that Of president Of con-
gress. He held that Office until his
health failed, and he returned to Con-
necticut in 1881. During this time the
British were ever ready to pay a price
for his head,
He was reelected to congress in
1888, but on account of Ill health he
took his final leave of the national
council and retired to Norwich, but not
to private life. In 1884 he was ap-
pointed chief justice of the supreme
court and the year following lieuten-
ant governor Of the state.
Elected Governor.
In 1885 he was elected governor and
was reelected for II years. He was
the 18th governor Of the state, and no
one, with the exception of Trumbull,
excelled him in popularity. No judge
in Connecticut was more dignif1ed in
department, more courteous and polite
to the gentlemen of the bar or more
respected by the parties interested in
the proceedings of the court His
name and his virtues are frequently
mentioned by those who remember him
in judicial affairs with respect and
veneration. He was man of great
simplicity and plainness Of manners
and strictly economical. Although not
college man, Yale and Dartmouth
conferred upon him the honorary de-
gree OF doctor of laws.
Given State Funeral.
He died OF dropsy of the chest Jan.
5, 1885. AS he died in Office, he was
given a state funeral. A procession
consisting of a band, drummers, fifers,
military companies with arms reversed,
magistrates, aldermen, councilmen and
clergy marched from his home and
laid him to rest in the old brick tomb
in the cemetery at Norwich Town.
Wednesday afternoon a Social time
followed the D. A. R. meeting, during
which the ladies were given pictures
drawn by the hostess representing
some historic person, to guess their
identity, Refreshments were served in
the dining ROOM which was attractive
" decorated with red hearts The
favors were beautiful postcards and
the placecards were heart valentines
Mrs Burnham was assisted in serv-
ing by Mrs. Fred S. Brown.
Pleasure for A. F. Class.
The A. F. class Of the Baptist church
held its meeting at the home Of Mrs.
George BabcOck Tuesday evening. The
class went up from Jewett City On the
SIG p. m. trolley and spent a most
delightful evening. The house was
decorated with valentines and cupids
Mrs. Babcock served a supper of escal-
loped oysters, potato salad, Parker
house rolls, cake, coffee and fruit
January Vital Statistics.
Town Clerk Welsh has recorded the
following vital statistics for January:
Four births: Helen Goska, Bronis-
lava Guozda, Stanley Polewick and
Lucy Mildred Culver.
Three deaths; Martha NJ. Payne of
grip, John Gill Of cerebral hemorrhage,
Lena NJ. Pechie of marasmus.
Three marriages: William H. Con-
nell and Florence Jackson, Joseph
Belisle and Annette Jannelle, Alonzo
G. Wood and Mary X. Sweeney.
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