Historical Society
The Old SaybrookHistorical Society
President’s Message June/July 2008
| Surprise! The Board of Trustees recently
voted to increase the newsletter from 4 issues to 6 issues per year. We
have grown so much and with the additional programming 3 months was too
long between issues. We hope this effort helps you feel better informed
of all the ongoing programs and events though out the year. One way you
can help us to bring you the programming that would appeal to you is to
fill out the survey in this issue and return it to us as soon as
possible. We value your input and need your help as we proceed on our
path of steady growth.
Speaking of growth, I want to especially thank the many numbers of SCFA members who have responded to the letters of our merger by joining our Society even though their membership dues are current till September. The support, not just financially but also the letters and notes of support, speak volumes about the significance of our organization’s mission statement. In the last newsletter Iinadvertently misspelled the surname of one of our founding members, Houghton and Virginia Bulkeley. My sincerest apologies to the Bulkeley Family for this oversight. Iam pleased to report that Bob Czepiel has completed his latest video, this one on the Hart family and titled "It Must Be In Their Genes." Bob was creator, writer, editor, videographer and producer of this excellent look at an exceptional family whose ancestral home is our headquarters. The film will be shown at our summer exhibit "Some Other Harts of Old Saybrook", and as an introduction to visitors to the Hart House. Thank you, Bob. Our exhibit committee, including Susanna Swan from Kingston, NY has expanded the summer exhibit to a 10 part display to showcase some of General William Hart’s descendants. "Some OTHER Harts of Saybrook: Stories of Fame and Fortune" will feature his seven nieces, popular sisters known as the "Pleiades of New England." One of these lovely belles married Isaac Hull of "Old Ironsides". Other displays will include General Hart’s great-granddaughter, Mrs. Samuel Colt.
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Featured in the exhibit are several items on loan
from an anonymous donor, including a portrait of General Hart, a rocking
chair once owned by Elizabeth Bull Hart and a silhouette of her as well.
The Exhibit Opening Reception is from 5 to 7 on Saturday, June 7. We are currently working on the website and I thank Jim Rothgeb for his continuing efforts. We aren’t there yet but it is starting to take on a more user friendly face. Check it out and feel free to make recommendations for articles and ideas at www.oldsaybrook.com/history. Part of our effort is to reduce the amount of mailings and postage expense in order to keep the members informed. While we know not all members have e-mail access we invite those of you who do to help us by sending us your e-mail address and we will send you updates and announcements that way. You can send your e-mail address to, harthouse1767@sbcglobal.net.In this issue you will find a lot of reminders from the last issue. The summer is our busiest season and our best opportunity to see you at one of our many functions. Please take a moment to mark your calendars, we look forward to seeing you. Randi In Memory Constance F. Keleher 7/23/1924 - 11/21/2007 The Old Saybrook Historical Society is greatly saddened by the recent loss of a longtime member and active participant in our programs and events. Connie will long be remembered for her sweet nature and willingness to help in any way she could. Connie left a bequest to the Society’s Endowment for which we are grateful. It is with the utmost respect we send her family and loved ones our deepest sympathy for the loss of this special woman.
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Officers Randi Bradbury, PresidentRobert Duncan, Vice PresidentWalter Osborne, Past PresidentRobert Pedemonti, TreasurerDiane Hoyt, Corresponding SecretaryEdna Lorentson, Recording Secretary Trustees Chairpersons Membership & Volunteers
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New Members Welcome to the Society these new members; here’s to a long and fruitful relationship. William & Rosemary McLaughlin, Old Saybrook |
Essex Savings Bank Community Investment Program
Award The OSHSwas recently awarded 716.00 by the Essex Savings Bank as part of their Community Investment Program. Thank you to all the members and supporters who voted for us. Your votes are responsible for this gift to the Society and we greatly appreciate your support. Thank you also to Essex Savings Bank for including us in their program and for their continued sponsorship of our annual Jazz Concert on the Green.
Wanted: Guides and Greeters
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| Appreciation Party Thank you to all the members and volunteers who have contributed so much to the success of the Society over the years. Please join us for wine, cheese and soft drinks under a tent at "Great Spot" 192 North Cove Rd., Old Saybrook on Sunday, June 15th from 4 to 6pm. See you all there!! Your Ways and Means Committee. RSVPRandi at 388-2118. Parking is limited. Lecture Series All lectures are held at the Acton Library, 60 Boston Post Rd, at 7:00pm. No Charge Seating is limited, for additional information contact Linda Kinsella at 860/399-6263. Wed. July 30th, "19 Century Saybrook Area Mail" guest speaker, Bob LorenzThis fun and interesting presentation grew from a young man’s interest in collecting old postcards, stamps and letters with early Saybrook postmarks. The Old Saybrook Post Office was established in 1794, one of the earliest in Connecticut. As the young country evolved, so did the postal system and the handling of letters. This fascinating segment of our history includes the content of old letters that reveal a diverse spectrum of human activity. Mr. Lorenz is a long time resident of Old Saybrook and is a professional photographer in NYC.
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Guilford Savings Bank Sponsorships The OSHSis pleased to announce that the Guilford Savings bank has again generously sponsored our newsletter for $1000.00 which helps us to lower our costs for the production and mailing to our growing numbers. We are currently at 500+ members and this sponsorship helps us tremendously with that expense. The Guilford Savings Bank is also a Silver Sponsor for our summer fundraiser "ASeaside Garden Event". We thank them for their continuing support of the community and especially the OSHS. Group Tours Available The OSHSis pleased to announce that the Guilford Savings bank has again generously sponsored our newsletter for $1000.00 which helps us to lower our costs for the production and mailing to our growing numbers. We are currently at 500+ members and this sponsorship helps us tremendously with that expense. The Guilford Savings Bank is also a Silver Sponsor for our summer fundraiser "ASeaside Garden Event". We thank them for their continuing support of the community and especially the OSHS. Thank you to all the members and volunteers who have contributed so much to the success of the Society over the years.Please join us for wine, cheese and soft drinks under a tent at " Great Spot" 192 North Cove Rd., Old Saybrook on Sunday, June 15th from 4 to 6pm.See you all there!! Your Ways and Means Committee. RS VPRandi at 388-2118. Parking is limited.We are looking to expand the numbers of visitors to the Hart House and Exhibit Gallery. If you know of groups or organizations looking for weekday tours we are happy to arrange a "Private Tour." For example, a "Red Hats" group could tour our facility and then have lunch at the one of the many fine area restaurants. Since we are normally closed during the week we need an advance reservation in order to open the House and provide the guides. This community is rich in history and is often the reason why people visit Old Saybrook. Think of your Society when friends and family come to visit or if your organization is looking for a different venue to enjoy. For more details contact Marie McFarlin at 388-4147 or Donna DiBella at 395-1458.
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Books for Sale
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In the Shade of
Saybrook Fort, 1644 By Elizabeth H. Booth and Anne W. Sweet Afictitious story for school children aged 8-11. Based on historical information and real people of the time, Sarah is a young girl who along with her brother, baby sister, and parents were one of the first families to live in Connecticut’s Saybrook Colony.Read of the experiences the family shared, the people they encountered and the way of life during the colonial era. Written by Society members. Soft cover, illus., 78pp $12.50Saybrook During the Revolutionary War, British Warships in Long Island SoundTranscripts from the Journal of Samuel Tully, farmer and town clerk of Saybrook, 1775-1777 Transcribed by Society members Charles Weldon & Dorothy Swan This 44 page booklet contains copies and transcriptions from the journal. Contains alphabetical listing of people mentioned. Interesting look at daily life of a farmer and some of the duties of a town clerk. He mentions sightings of warships among other things pertaining to the War of Independence. 44 pp, spiral bound $8.95 OrderForm I n the Shade of Saybrook Fort, 1644 $12.50 #copies ____+ S&H@$2.00 eachS aybrook during the Revolutionary War $ 8.95 #copies____+ S&H@$2.00 eachS aybrook Social Life and Customs $ 8.95 #copies_____+S&H@$2.00 eachTOTAL enclosed $___________________ Check or money order only, please Old Saybrook Historical Society
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Saybrook
Social Life and Customs Legal Papers of John Tully, Justice of the Peace, and others 1720-1864 This 50 page booklet contains copies of actual legal documents saved by John Tully and transcriptions of records. The original records are preserved in a pre-glued scrapbook donated to Acton Library by William Buckingham Tully and then passed to the Society. Transcribed by Dorothy Swan and Charles Weldon, Society members.Afascinating account of life in Saybrook Colony: " 1748 Lemuel Bushnell fined for not attending Congregation church. He was to pay 5 shillings to Old Saybrook for offense and 1 pound 5 shillings for prosecution. Put in New London jail until he paid the fine.""1761 Indenture of Thomas Dudley (age 10) to John Tully "until he shall arrive at full age of 14 years". 50 pp, spiral bound $8.95  |
