Norwich bulletin., 1912-12-21
Historic Lebanon And Gov. TrumbuII
Rev. George w. Huntington of Newburgh N Y Told of the Revolutionary Days at Christmas Campfire of Sedgwick Post-The War Office in the Country Store Visited by Washington and Many Others.
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The Christmas campfire of Sedgwiek post, No 1, c. A. R., he'd Friday even ing in Buckingham Memorial, proved most enjoyable affair for the large number present., afnofig Whgfn weTe members of the Womefl's Relief e6rpsj Citizens corps, Sons of Veterans, and Sot1s and Daughters of the Afnerieah Revolution, as well as big represent ation of the Grand Army. The address of the evening was on Historic Leb- anon and War Govern0r Jonathan Tfuinbull, by C9nfade Rev. George W. Huntingdon Of Newburghj N. r., a member of Sedgwick post. Command er Hovey presided and opened the meeting with words of greeting to the audience and to Comrade Huntington. General W; 4; Aiken also made a short address which proved of mitch inter- est to those present. Bullard's erehes= tra, composed of Ernest E. Bullard, violin; John H. Perkins eernet, and Miss Olive Carpenter plano, gave q pleasing programme of selections.
 A Shrine for the Patriot.
 In opening his remarks. Rev. Mir. Huntington spoke of the pleasure which he feit In visiting Norwich, and said that no matter where he had req sided he had always preferred to re- tain his G. 4. R. membership ih Sedg- wick post, No. of Norwich, his early home. Eleven miles north of the Thames, he said; surrounding spe eious village green, with q cluster of less than loo residences, lies the litte settlement of Lebanon Center. Lsb= anon was a town of considerable sizs and of conspicuous importance at the time Of the revolution, and took no small part in the shaping of the his- tory of the nation through its activ- ities in the struggle for freedom. As a result of it's importance in those days it is now a shrine for the patriot and lover of liberty. The patriotism of the early residents should be more hon. ored and appreciated.
 Early Life of Jonathan Trumbull.
 Lebanon was the home and business headquarters of the Trumbull family, among the largest shipping merchants of the revolutionary days. Lebanon was the central distributing point for the surrounding country. Joseph Trumbull, father of the subject of this paper, was successful merchant and, though of no great education himself, hand a fine appreciation of the value of an education to his children, who prof1ted thereby. Jonathan Trumbull entered Harvard at the age of IS, graduating at the age of F with high honors. He joined the Lebanon church, studied for the ministry and was about to take up this worfi when as a result of the disappearance of holder broth CT at seq, he was called to enter upon the life of a merchant with his father He was called to various public posi- tions and Yale and Edinburgh con- ferred upon him the honorary degree of LID.
 Trumbull as War Governor.
 Connecticut was the only one of the 13 colonies to elect Its governor from the 7eople the other colonies having their governors appointed by the crown, and at the time of the war Governor Trumbull was the only gov ernor who failed to bend his knee to George the Third. For 14 years he was annually chosen for governor of Connecticut. Through this most try- ing period of Connecticut's history his administration was ever marked by the boldness of his acts, wisdow of his counsel, and unfaggtng devotion to the cause of liberty.
 To him Washington constantly looked for counsel and material aid. When Boston called for assistance Governor Trumbull responded with thirteen barrels of powder which ar rived just in time to fill the powder pouches at Bunker Hill. General Wash | ington in a time of difficulty and trial come to depend on the aid and as- sistance of Governor Trumbull, whose patriotism and loyalty to the colonies incurred for him the wrath of the British and brought price to be set upon his head.
 After Washington. perhaps no indi- vidual contributed more to the success | of the Revolution than did Governor | Trumbull, and his talents, time and means were ever at the service of the country. His influence and example were powerful not only through Con necticut, but throughout New England Governor Trumbull graduated from Harvard in 1727 and thus was wei advanced in years at the outbreak o1 l the war. but this did not curtail his | activities.
 Faith Trumbull, his wife, a great granddaughter of John Robinson, who ! led the Puritans into Holland and later into New England. was a most husband, ever busy devising charities I the sufferings of the soldiers.
 The Office in the Back Room.
 When Trumbull became governor the little back room In the country store where he had carried on his shipping l business became quite asN much his l office as the official apartment at Hart ford. The legislature delegated power | to a special committee to act in sud- l den emergencies, and it is estimated | that this council of safety or wal | council met HOO times in the old store ! office, at practically all these meetings | the governor being present. By virtue | of his office the governor was com mander-in chief of the land forces and | by special legislation became com. mander of the small navy which the state got together. Privateers sailed | from all the seaports of the state and
 were especially successful, capturing
 many a rich merchant ship loaded witt l goods for the enemy and battleships al well.
 Washington at the War Office.
 The office at Lebanon was a busy place, Washington and other noted officials often stopping to discuss witt the prominent governor questions O.
 vital importance to the colonies. Or account of the great amount of worl | which was transacted in this little of flee it acquired the name war office
 which it still holds. At the opening of the year 1771 General Washington with his troops in a starving condi tion in Valley Forge called upon Gov.
 ernor Trumbull for assistance. Con.
 necticut's governor responded with {
 big herd of fat cattle and kept III
 the practice throughout the winter The active interest manifested by th'
 Sons and Daughters of the American
 Revolution has of late years done mucl
 to deepen the appreciation of the few
 existing landmarks of the early his
 tory of the country. For a century af
 ter the war the old war office was uset as a tenement. On Flag day, 1892
 in the presence of 1000 people, tn,
 owner transferred the building to tn,
 Sons and Daughters of the American
 Revolution. The building has beer
 restored and repaired and Is now verS little different from its original con
 dition. In passing through the quie
 village few fail to notice the hippe( roof building with the American f1as