The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-06-11
Centenary Of Ladies
 Charitable Society
Historical Review by Judge M.
 B. BeaTdSIey
ccontinued from Page One,

how to trim a hearse, and MT Parrott built the first hearse used here and she trimmed it.
 Tt had large pail thrown over it. and presented such creditabIe ap- pearance the first time it was used that Squire Cannon, the weaIthiest cit- izen in the town, being worth $8O, 900, and one of two persons who owned a house. exclaimed '-It is grand It is a pleasure now to attend a funeral g
 Mrs. Bronson Hawley was connect ed with the society for over fifty years, and she used to relate that in the early days Captain Daniel Ster1- ing used to take her and Mrs. Sterl- ing to the place of meeting in a high carriage most difficult to enter.
 Mrs. Isaac H. Whiting was presi- dent during the late Civil War. A quantity of cotton cloth was needed for the use of the society She sent to a wholesale house in New York to learn the prices. Two samples were sent marked 38 and 47 1-2 cents. The same quality in 1888 could be- bought for three cents. These. samples are carefully preserved and pinned into the record book of the society
 "I have been unable to trace the history of the large work basket now in use at the meetings of the managers but all agree that it is the original and has been in existence nearly the entire life ~tirne Of, the society, and is an object of great interest
 'iAdrs. Samuel B. Ferguson was eigh- teen years of age when the society was organized, she was living in 1884 when Mrs. Sturdevantts sketch was written, said she remembered the en- tire history of the society as she had been connected with it as member, manager and president during its ene tire period of existence. She men, tions a. fact showing the unse1dsh in- L@ -d 1- l. #<nH fHnT1N had families. many of them large ones, few of them kept servants and the time spent was no little eacrf- flee. They regularly attended the meetings, spent the entire afternoon, and entertained in their turn. It was during her administration that MT. Barnurn exhibited Tom Thumb for the benefit of the society. About $3oo was realized, the largest amount up to that time that the managers had received.
 'fMrs. Polly Hawley, the first presi- dent, seems to have left a reputation for being a most exemplary woman. The society grew and prospered under her leadership. and the paper says of her the memory of her kind, gen. erous acts come floating sweetly through the generations that have passed away
 During the term of Mrs. Isaac H. Whiting in 1852, MT. Alfred Bishop endowed the society with the use of a legacy of $5,0o0 and during all of the intervening years this has been a source of great assistance in the work of the society.
 t'In 1866 was given the first charity supper. It was great success, and became an annual occurrence for sev- eral years.
 'erhe society has given concerts and entertainments of various kinds with good success.
 For three years it asked collections from the churches but has found that the efforts of the members have pro- duced better results.
 '-They appeal now directly to the people. and the results justify the course.
 ''It may be of interest here to give the list of presidents of the society.
 -fMrs. Abi5ah FIaw1ey was president for a number of years, the exact. num- ber I am unable to ascertain.
 'tshe was succeeded by Mrs Wil- length of her service.
 Mrs. Isaac Hinman followed her for an unknown term.
 .EMrs. Sylvanus Sterling was the next one to serve and she held office for seven yearss to be succeeded by her sister, Mrs. Ira sherman, who served for a like term.
 ssIt is related that Mrs. Sherman first wrote her name Sherman when she joined the society, two years. after its formation. And the same was true in the case of Mrs. Parrott, both ladies writing their married names for the first time when they signed as members of the society.
 SaAfter Mrs. sherman came Mrs. Cap-s tain Daniel Sterling, who served tWen- ty years.
 Mrs. samuel B. Ferguson was pres ident for six years.
 Mrs. F. T. Barnunn was president for two years. Then Mrs. Gasford Sterling was president eight years Mrs. David B. Nichols succeeded her and served six years. Mrs. Isaac H- Whiting held the office for nine years.
 '.1n 1867 Mrs. Fl. L. Sturdevant was elected and served with the exception of one year, when Mrs. B. A Lewis was chosen, to 1886, when Mrs. Rus sell Tonlinson was elected. Mrs. served seven years, and was succeeded by Mrs. Friend w. Smith, who served two years, and was in turn succeeded by the present able and faithful presiding officer, Mrs Geor6e D. Sonners, who was elected in 1895, and who is therefore now serving her eighteenth year, and whose service is likely to make a new record.
 .swhen we were school children there was a J1nSle to d1O us III TS- memberfng the name of the Kings and Queens of England, which concluded with the words, and next comes good Queen Vic. and may she long be the last; so may we say; Good, zealous, efficient Mrs. Somers! May she long be our last!
 .'The history of the organization of the society, is as follows:
 ''The voluntary association formed in 1913 under the name of The Bridgeport Female Benevolent Socte- ty The name was subsequently, changed to The Bridgeport Ladies Society.
 '"The Legislature of Connecticut granted to the society a charter under the latter name, which was approved March 20, 1884. This society is eight years older than the town of Bridge port, and twenty-three years older than the city of Bridgeport. At its . L. ..l. a l