Springfield 1636-1886, History of Town and City, by Mason A. Green ...

454 SPRINGFIELD, 1636-1SS6.
"business-like attitude toward banks, were by no means pleased at this
selection by the Legislature.
In July, 1843, Springfield had a reminder of revolutionary times
by a letter from H. A. S. Dearborn, from Roxbury. He said that
on June 17, 1843, he heard a fife in the room where the Society of the
Cincinnati was assembled (Boston) to observe the sixty-eighth anniversary
of the battle of Bunker Hill, and going up to an aged man
who had been playing Washington's march, the following conversa-
tion took place :
'
' AVere you a fifer in the Revolutionai-y War ? " —
"I was." — "In what corps?" — "Nixon's regiment and Nixon's
brigade." — " How long did you serve? " — " Three years. I was in
the campaigns in the Jerseys, and I was at the execution of Major An-
dre." — " How old are you? " — "I am in my 83d j^ear." — " Where
do you live?" — "In Springfield." — " AVhat is 3'our name?" —
" Thaddeus Ferry." For many years Thad. Ferry, with Pierpont
Edwards and Major Sanborn, brother of Simon Sanborn, appeared
in a carriage on the Fourth of Jul3^ these three veterans of the
Revolution rousiug the memories of '76 as nothing else could.
"Thad." Ferry was the best fifer of his day iu these parts.
John Quincy Adams lectured before the Mechanics' Lyceum in Oc-
tober, 1843. The most interesting feature of the visit was a dinner
at Warriner's United States Hotel, Judge Morris presiding. Gen.
George N. Briggs had been nominated by the whigs for governor, and
the Boston " Emancipator " said that the reason William B. Calhoun
was not chosen was because he was suspected of a want of fidelity to
Mr. Clay, — a charge that was resented at the time. It may be
noticed here that Mr. Calhoun spoke at an Irish repeal meeting at
Cabotville in 1843. He said that he had advocated the cause of Po-
land and Greece, and for the same reason stood up for Ireland.
The rumor that Royal B. Hinman, of Hartford, was to succeed
Major Ingersoll as paymaster and military storekeeper produced loud
protests, not only as an injustice to the major, but because it was too
evidently a move for the spoils. A loco foco meeting was held at