Yesterday’s events at Mill Hill certainly gathered a nice sized crowd. Part of the fun of events like these is that you end up learning a bit more than simply reading about the past. Having reenactors dressed in colonial outfits, splicing songs and scenes from the local plays produced by the Crystal Theater, (which according to Fred Bondi is in need of donations and chairs) along with the live reading of the Declaration of Independence was a meaningful tribute to the period that gave us America, the country.
I missed the earlier tour of the cemetery at St. Paul’s, but you can get a flavor of that by this news12.com video:
video link. Unfortunately you have to be an optonline subscriber to access it.
One of the interesting things I learned was about the visit of General Lafayette to Norwalk following the Revolutionary war. I knew vaguely of General Rochambeau’s encampments in the Southbury area, and it occurred to me that Lafayette might have had a greater connection to Norwalk, than just passing through on a victory tour. Lafayette’s journals mention to the Norwalk burning;
About fourteen days ago, one British regiment (the forty-fourth completed) and three Hessian regiments were embarked, and
are gone, as is supposed, to Halifax. The operations of the enemy this
campaign have been confined to the establishment of works of defence,
taking a post at King’s Ferry, and burning the defenceless towns of New
Haven, Fairfield, and Norwalk, on the Sound, within reach of their
shipping, where little else was, or could be, opposed to them, than the
cries of distressed women and helpless children; but these were offered
in vain. Since these notable exploits, they have never stepped out of
their works or beyond their lines. How a conduct of this kind is to
effect the conquest of America, the wisdom of a North, a Germain, or a
Sandwich can best decide, it is too deep and refined for the
comprehension of common understandings and the general run of
politicians.
And then there’s this intrguing mention of the history of Francois Joseph Durand,
We know almost nothing of that home of Francois (Francis) Joseph in Norwalk. He dropped the name of Francois, which to him could be his name only as pronounced in French (”Frahnswah”), awkward in America and an unwise distinction. The name however, was renewed in that of his oldest son, Joseph (Francois) called by his first name. The second son was called Alexandre, from that time the French names were dropped and the names of the other children were strictly of New England. It is known that (I’ll just use the Francis Joseph from now on) Francis Joseph bought and sold land in Norwalk, and it also appears that he had a home at Stamford, near Norwalk, where many of the Weed (his wife’s family) were livingl In the census of 1790, Joseph Durand is listed as Norwalk and Stamford. Norwalk was almost entirely burned by the British in 1779, only a few houses remaining which may account for the Stamford home. In this Connecticut home, the family was brought; the older sons were married and their children were growing up about them, when a change came.
…
However, we find no record of his holding any official position during the war, nor have we any positive knowledge of his having any connection with Lafayette. The probable truth is that Francis Joseph was in French employ and under French pay if serving Lafayette as an interpreter, and there would be no Colonial record.
We know that Lafayette often paid and equipped the Colonial troops, and it seemms most reasonable that Francis Joseph’s personal services to hom as an interpreter were cared for by himself; yet, the Colonial record of such services would be invaluable to his descendants.
Surely, he must have filled that position, for the tradition comes to us from all sides. Lafayette was located not faar from Norwalk the first winter, and with such very patriotic relatives on the side of his wife, as Weed*, it would be strange, indeed, if one so well fitted should not have served Lafayette in every way possible. *Twenty three of the Weed family from Stamford alone fought in the Revolution. (source: From France to America, Francois Joseph Durand)
Patrick Linsey of The Hour reports on the ceremony at Mill Hill:
The largest crowd in recent memory packed the Mill Hill House museum for a celebration marking the day 13 colonies declared their independence from the British Empire.And what better a way to mark the bravery of the 56 patriots who signed the Declaration of Independence than a reading of the document? Roger Smith, a Revolutionary War re-enactor with the 3rd New Jersey Volunteers, wore period dress as he recited those words so famously crafted by Thomas Jefferson.
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal,” Smith intoned, silver buttons gleaming on his military coat, “and that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
And after Smith read the final words, in which the founding fathers pledge to one another “our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor,” the audience burst into cheers.
For Sarah Whiteman and her young daughter Indiana, the reading was a first.
“I liked hearing the declaration, because I’ve never heard that out loud before,” she said.
The reading was followed by a bell ringing precisely at 2 p.m. The Mill Hill House bell tolled 13 times, as did hundreds of others across the country as part of the Let Freedom Ring! program.
The usual round up of politicos spoke at the event, including State Senator Bob Duff, State Reps Chris Perone, and Toni Boucher, and Mayor Dick Moccia. Moccia concluded his brief remarks about the importance of honoring history with, “Young people don’t really learn enough about the courage of the men who signed the Declaration of Independence and the sacrifices that they made,” he said alluding to the loss of life, liberty and property the colonialists faced.
That sentiment shouldn’t be limited to just young people.
source: The Hour, Let freedom ring!, by Patrick Linsey, July 5, 2007
