The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-08-14

WHICH mas sGecSukiy come lutO the possession of the Connecticut Daughters of Revolution, is to be formally opened with reception for members of the society and invit,d guests on the afternoon of September 6.
 The building was erected between 1sS5 and 1740 by the father of Jonathan Trumbull, as a home for hts son and his wife, Madame Faith Robinson Trumbull. The house stood at the intersection of Town street and the Colchester road, in the same yard with the famous building, used by the governor as a store, and now called the war of- flee. This war office has for a num- Der of years been owned and cared for by the Connecticut Society, Sons of American Revolution.
 From a paper written by the late Mis- Adelaide s. Hallen, the last occupant of the house, we learn that like many another Colonial structure, Trumbull house is silent, yet eloquent yet eloquent reminder of the historic past. The old home on Lebanon, green is entitled to honorable mention, both for its home influences and its unsurpass- ed historic background.
 The house was the birthplace of the second Governor Jonthan Trumbull of Connecticut; of Mary Trumbull, who became the wife of William Williams, the signer; of Faith who married General Hunt ington of Revolutionary fame, of David the father of Governor Jo- seph; and of John, the artist who was distinguished for patriotic zeal during the Revolution, and who later became renowned as distinguished American painter. Several of his paintings are now on exhibition at the Gallery of Fine Arts, Yale university, New Haven, as part of tho Connecticut tercentenary observation.
 The Governor Trumbull house is of the second Colonial type two storied, oblong and gable roofed. It has the large central chimney around which are built the four lower rooms which con- stitute the main part of the ground story.
 The approach to the house Is attractive. It consists of a spacious level lawn which is shaded by the usual fine old naples and elms, and a walk of wide fiagstones leading to the front entrance.
 On the upper floor is the room where the governor took refuge when a price was set on his head because he was the only rebel gov- ernor in the colonies, and of course did all he could to assist the cause of the Americaps. The room, at that time. was Situated at the head of . flight of stairs (which have sinoe been removed). A person standing at the top of these stairs could guard the approach from two directions as the house then stood Here a sentinel was station ed for the purpose of guarding the governor while he rested. This little enclosure with it's tiny win- dows overlooking the western hills Is now called "The Sentinels Box
 The upstairs bedroom, which was used by the bovernor is small and unpretentious and contains but one window. It has an inbuilt cupboard. From the supboard has been removed the panaled door upon which John Thumbull paint ed on of his pictures. This pie tured panel Is now in the Athe- neum at Hartford.
 A story is told in connection with the necessity for guarding the person of the governor, which is considered authentic. Governor Trumbull was i'll in bed in his chamber at the head of the stairs. Au Nabby Hyde, his good house. keeper, sat knitting by the kitchen fireplace when a man who appear ed to be a peddled, entered and insisted on going up to see his excellency. Aunt Nabby knew that the stranger must have evaded the sentinels who kept guard outside and fearing that the man meant 10 assassinate the governor, she seized the large kitchen shovel in one hand and the tongs in the other and made so fierce an attack on the intruder that he ran out in the darkness and made good his es- cape.
 D.A.A. chapters throughout the state are being asked to send rep resentatives to the reception on September 9th, who will wear Colonial costumes, and will imper- sonate citizens from their vicinity who would have been contempora- ries of Governor Trumbull. An nouncement will shortly be made of those who are taking part, and 1t is expected that those imper- sonating Governor Jonathan Trum- bull, ST., and Madame Faith Rob- inson Trumbull, Jonathan Trumbuil Jr., and his wife; and William williams, signer of the declaration of independence, and his wife, Mary Trumbull Williams, will be in the receiving line; also that Aunt Nabby, who featured in the fore- going story will be among those present.
 The house still retains many of its original features, and is in an excellent state of preservation. It has been restored to as nearly as possible it's earlyy appearance, the committee of members of the state D.A.R. in charge of the work be- ing Miss Katherine Arnold Nettle- ton of New Haven, chairman; Miss Berthat c. Perry, of Lebanon, vice-chairman; Mrs George May nard Minor, Waterford; Miss Jen- nie Loonis, Windsor; Mrs. Fred erick P. Latimer, Hartford; Mrs. George E. Matthies. Seymour; Mrs. John c Gallup, Plainfield; Mrs. Charles c. Gildersleeve, Norwich. Ex-officio, Mrs. Gurdon T. Chap pell II. regent of Governor Jona- than Trmbull chapter, D.A.R. Of Lebanon. MT. and Mrs. Phineas B. Randall of Watertown, have as- sisted the committee in the work of restoration.
 Plans for the receptionare in charge of the tercentenaryy com ,,,itfae of the Connecticut D, A. R..