Norwich bulletin., 1919-05-22

than George Washington Trumbull, |
was a manufacturer. and is still re-
membered by some of the older gen. !
Grafton as a gentleman of the old
school, fastidiously well dressed, some
times seen walking home at midday
with a shad carefully suspended at
arms length at the end of his walk
ing stick. Both father and son were
well known and highly respected in
Norwich.
Jonathan Trumbull was sometimes
called Brother Jonathan" by his in
innate friends. partly out of personal
regard, and partly in remembrance of
the illustrious ancestor whose name
he bore. Governor Jonathan Trumbull
of Lebanon. the friend and purveyor Of
commissary supplies for General
George Washington. who was accus
toned to say when provisions ran
short, 1--WE must write to Brother Jo-
nathan"
Jonathan Trumbull of Norwich was
engaged during the early part of his
life in mercantile pursuits, chiefly
with the West Indies, but he aban-
doned them for literary work. For
many years he was librarian Of the
Otis Library until compelled by fail
ing health to withdraw from the posi-
ton. He had not the advantages of
modern schools for librarians, but ia
mi1iarized himself with the best meth
DDS of library administration and
adopted them as far as was possible
with the narrow space and limited re-
sources of the Otis Library. His I'M
failing courtesy and his unwearied
patience in helping people to avail
themselves of the collection are held
in grateful remembrance.
Aside from his vocation Mr.. Trun
| bun took great pleasure on the one
side i'll outdoor life and in botanical
pursuits, and on the other. in histori-
cal researches and in the study of
Shakespeare. During his active life he
f! held many important positions of use
| fulness and trust in banking and
! commercial institutions here, being a
corporator of the Dime Savings bank
! director of the Eliza Huntington Me-
! mortal Home and fellow of the Free
| Academy. He was a deacon in the
Park Congregational church. and was
treasurer of the William W. Backus
| hospital. Mr.. Trumbull also at one
| time was president of the board of ed
ucation of the Central school district.
He was a member of the society of the
| Sons Of Colonial Wars. Of the Sons of
the American Revolution. of the Con-
necticut and New London County His
torical Societies. president of the So
ciety of Founders of Norwich, and an
| honorary member of the Society of the
Cincinnati.
He wrote the Lebanon War Office,
the Defamation of Revolutionary Pa
triots-A Vindication of Gen. Israel
Putnam, both in the Year Book of
Connecticut Society. S. A. r., 1885;
Joseph Trumbull, First Commissary
General of the Continental Army, New
london Comfy Historical + society
| publication; the Share OF. Connecticut
in the Revolution. American Monthly
Magazine August, 1897; the Jaques of
tho Modern stage, Shakespereana
S5hylock, same: Walt Nhitmans View
! OF Shakespeare. Poet Lore Vol. III:
also Connecticut in the Revolution in
Vol. of Connecticut as Colony and
State He contributed articles to
many literary and historical maya
zines. Sad prepared a history of
j Connecticut during the Revolutionary
period which is now awaiting publ
cation. ~ r"
Capt. James Munroe Baker.
i Capt. James Munroe Baker, one OF
. the veterans OF the old time Provi-
dence fire department, died Monday
afternoon at his homess 472 Friendship
street, Providence. in his 90rh year
He had been i'll only about two weeks
He was born at Ellington, Tolland
county, Connecticut. Nov. /. 1880
where his father had stock farm.
His wife, who was Julia Sheppard O.
PaWtuXet. died several years ago. H
leaves no children, his nearest rela
tives being four nepIicTs and tw5
nieces, one of whom Mrs. Nettic SE-
monds has kept house for him since
his Wife's death;