New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1927-03-26
RELICS OF OLDEN
DAYS ON DISPLAY
Exhibition at State Library At.
tracts Many Visitors
SOME ARE 800 YEARS OLD
Only Known Signature OF Mug
Wump,' Famous Chief OF Mohc-
gan Indians, MAY Be Seen on An
cicnt Treaty There.

NHiiI' dtllouS I1t1 OF MDnc-
gan Indians, May Be Seen on An
cicnt Treaty There.
Hartford, March IS (UP)-Hun-
dreds OF documents and other ex.
hibits OF srea, intrinsic value, deal
ing with the early history OF the
Connecticut, colony. have been
placed on display in the main hall
Of the state library here and are
attracting scores OF visitors daily.
1t generally has been conceded
that the archives OF the safe con-
tain one OF the most complete col
lecuons Of records pertaining 10
colonial history in the possession Of
any state. However, II has remained
for State Librarian George c. God
ard 10 bring the fact 20 the attention
Of Connecticut's citlzen-y.
Hancock's Signature.
OF unus Ial interest is the certified
copy of the Declaration OF indie
penIence. signed by john Hancock.
This copy was son. at the request OF
the Indeptnde nee convention.
4 similar ore was dis
patched TO the i other colonies.
The document was printed in Sal
timore by Mary Katherine Goddard
who handled all the government
printing at that time.
Because OF the coincidence Of hay
ing the same name. and also because
she was the daughter OF the state
librarian. Mrs. Mary Katherine God
ard Dresser OF Hartford was chosen
TO assist Gov. Trumbull in present.
ing the Connecticut state flag TO
Mayor Freeland kendrick al the
sesquicontennial exposition in Phila-
delphia last year.
The presentation took place Oct.
50. 1926. The date was the ami
versarv OF the signing Of the pre-
linlinarv articles OF peace between
the United States and Great Britain
in Paris. After the ceremony. the
flag was taken to Independence
Hall. Philadelphia, where it always
will remain.
Old Indians Signature.
The only know signature of Mug
wump," which significd chief OF
the Mohegan tribe OF Indians. who
roamed Connecucuts valleys 500
years ago, reposos in the library.
The signature. which is 4 mark
rather than a written name, is at
tached TO a land grant and duly
witnessed. The deed bears the date
Of May IS 1881.
Early Assembly Records
With Connecticut legislature
now in session. the earliest record
OF any legislative doings is Of inter-
est. This may be seen on exhibition
in the form of a letter from Cover
ror John HAYNES TO Mr.. pyuchou.
The letter mentions the sessions OF
the general court" which was the
rame for the assembly in those days,
1t is dated April 20, 1859. but a few
years after the settlement OF the
colony by Thomas Hooker. Haynes
was the first governor OF Connect
cut
Tho last will and testament of
Thomas Hooker, father of Connecti-
cut, Will attract the attention of
Hartford people. Hooker. buried in
the old cemetery in the rear OF Cen
ter church in Hartford wrote his
will in pen and ink April q, 1913.
An inventory OF his estate in pounds
and pence also is on exhibit.
Old Letter of Credit
The original letter of credit Of
John Winthrop for 500 pounds re-
poses beside the Hooker documents.
Winthrop carried the letter TO Lon
don when he was sent by the colony
tc negotiate with King Charles for
a charter. The letter was author
lied March Il. 1860, by the general
court.
Exhibits OF more modern times
include an appointment by President
James Madison of David T. Welsh, as
of the 37th infantry, dated
in 1915.
4 commission by Oliver Wolcott.
captaing general in the militia, to Eli
j. Botsford, as captain in the third
of militia. 32nd regiment,
also is TO be seen. Wolcott, Con-
necticuts most prominent cabinet
member. served two terms under
as secretary of the treas
ury.
Was Gift to MacDOnough
In the same case with the Wolcott
instrument is the gold case in which
the key to the city OF Albany \.
Y. was presented to Thomas Mac
ponouch for his naval victory over
the British in the battle OF Lake
in the war of 1872. Other
q bomb thrown into the town of
Stonington in the war of 1872 by the
British in the naval battle named for
the town. The bomb was unoarthcd
years afterwards in the shipyard OF
stanton Sheffield.
A unique collection Of railroad
passes is one OF the features of the
display. The passes. collected In tn.
early '70's, represent practically
every railroad in the United States
at that time. 1t is interesting to note
that Of the more than 100 railroads
in existence then, hardly half dozen
are operating today. With the COL
lection of passes is a collection OF
medals of all kinds from all wars,
both American and foreign.
Keys To Libby Prison.
In a steel vault protected by heavy
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