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1582996
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
3 1833 01419 1495
I,
■ '
VOLUME NO. i
Palmer Records
PROCEEDINGS, OR MEMORIAE VOLUME
OF THE
FIRST PALMER FAMILY RE-UNION
HELD AT
gTOjXIjSIGTON, C0>\., /KIGUST JO § )), JSS1,
THE ANCESTRAL HOME OF WALTER PALMER.
THE PILGRIM OF 1629.
Being also a part of, the Genealogical, Biographical, and Historical Records of the
Family, as contained in the several Addresses, etc., delivered
on the occasion of the Re-Union.
[ARTOTYPE ILLUSTRATIONS.]
Kill TED BY
NO YES F. PALM Eli.
Jamaica, L. J.. X. Y.. LJox iS&.
I'utjlibh.:*! 1., li«'iuKiA-s L\Niox-AitGua, 1861. Copyrighted by Noves F. I'almek.
1582996
DEDICATION.
It is customary to dedicate a book to some person or principle. If this work
deserves a like mention among the customs of book making, it should be dedicated,
As regards its personality,
LORIN PALMER, Esq.,
OF BROOKLYN, N. Y.,
the Editor and Manager of one of Brooklyn's best evening daily newspapers.
For had it not been for his co-operation, this volume would have been an imag-
inary one to the Author.
As regards its principle,
TO
THE PALMER FAMILY,
in hopes of eliciting interest in a subject very much neglected in America — the pre-
nervation of genealogical and historical family records.
THE ILLUSTRATIONS.
The illustrations in this volume are hv Edward Rierstadt. Esq., Nos. 5S and 60
Keade Street, New York City, and under a new process called artotype, being a repro-
duction of a photograph in printer's ink.
The method of grouping pictures on a page enables the comparatively cheap
reproduction of many illustrations in works of this class.
Where only one likeness appears on a page is noticed the most faithful use of
this method, if from a large negative.
In the illustration of this volume it has not been possible to insert but a few of
the many pictures kindly sent to us. As a matter of justice, the officers of the Re-
Union and those who were engaged in the entertainment have been " displayed " to
the best advantage, and at the same time not absorb the printer's or binder's share
of the expenses. Those illustrations that are larger than the groups were specially
contributed for the purpose.
PREFACE.
■
-
The first Re-Union of the Palmer family was held Aug. 10,
II, i SS i , at Stonington, Conn., the ancestral home of Walter
Palmer, the pilgrim from England to America in 1629.
The gathering was a spontaneous success, and beyond the
most sanguine hopes of its management. At least three thous-
and descendants participated. But the larger proportion of the
family were not present on the occasion, for want of address
and proper notification. This volume is prepared to bring
the Re-Union to them so far as the printer can do it, and. at
the same time, furnish a memorial of the Re-Union to those
who enjoyed its gathering.
Had more time been permitted, this offering to the family
would have been more worthy of the event, and more perfect in
its arrangement.
Fraternally yours,
NOYES F. PALMER.
Jamaica, L. I., N. Y., Box 1S8.
The Germ of the Re-Union
On May 20th, 1879, Elisha H. Palmer, of Montville, Ct.,
addressed a letter to the writer, in regard to Palmer Genealogy.
A correspondence was kept up, until a complete record was de-
veloped of the branch of Walter Palmer's family, to which he
belonged. On October 6th, 1SS0, Elisha H. attended a Re-
Union of the Turners and Comstocks at Niantic, and became
impressed with the idea that a Re-Union of the Palmers would
be an interesting event. He called to see the writer, February,
i88i,and, upon learning that we could send imitations from
" Palmer Genealogical Record " to over four thousand, concluded
to organize a Re-Union. On Feb. 2d, 18S1, he addressed us a
letter wherein he says: " I expected to have written you before
this, " when I left your place. I have been waiting to see the
" Stonington folks, to see what encouragement I would get from
"them with regard to the family Re-Union. "::" ' * * I went
" to sec somecf the Palmers you gave me the names of in New
" York. * "' " As soon as I can get to Stonington and ar-
" range about the Re-Union, I shall want to get up a circular to
" send to all the Palmer descendants. We will furnish you with
" the circulars and stamps, and get you to send to all you have
"a record of." On the 25th of Feb., Elisha II. again wrote.
" If it would not be too much trouble, would like to have you
" write some of the prominent men of the Palmers, and see what
" they thought of having a farnily gathering in Stonington.
" We would have to hold it two days, in order to get much good
" out of it."
Correspondence was kept up, and from responses to letters to
prominent Palmers, it soon became evident that the Re- Union
would be largely attended. It was, therefore, decided to organ-
ize, which was done the following April.
MINUTES.
PRELIMINARY MEETINGS AT STONINGTON.
1653. Palmer Re-Union. 188 i.
At a preliminary meeting of the Re-Union of the Palmer
Family, held pursuant to notice in the Baptist Vestry on Wed-
nesday, April 6th, 1881,
Rev. A. G. Palmer was chosen Moderator,
and Hon. Elisha H. Palmer, Clerk.
Upon motion of Ira H. Palmer, it was
Voted, That the matter of permanent organization and ap-
pointment of committees be deferred till the next meeting.
Voted, That while this effort is primarily for the descendants
of Walter Palmer, who settled in Stonington, Ct., in 1653, the
invitation is extended to all branch.es of the Palmer Family to
participate in the proposed Re-Union.
Meeting adjourned to same place Wednesday, April 20th.
E. H. Palmer, Clerk.
Present at above meeting : Hon. E. H. Palmer. Montville.
Ct. ; Rev. A. G. Palmer, Stonington, Ct. ; Amos N. Palmer.
Norwich, Ct. (deaf man) : Ira H. Palmer, Stonington, Ct. : H.
Clay Palmer, Stonington, Ct.
At an adjourned meeting of the PALMER FAMILY RE-UNION
held in the Baptist Vestry, April 20. 1SS1,
Rev. A. G. Paemek, Moderator,
and H. CLAY PALMER, Clerk.
The matter of permanent organization was discussed, result-
ing in the choice of officers, as follows :
President — Hon. Elisha H. Palmer, of Montville. Ct.
Vice-Presidents — Rev. A. G. Palmer, of Stonington. Ct. ; Alex-
ander S. Palmer, of Stonington, Ct. ; Alexander Palmer, of Ston-
ington, Ct. ; William L. Palmer, of Stonington, Ct. ; Noyes S.
Palmer of Stonington, Ct. ; Thomas W. Palmer, of Stoning-
ton. Ct. ; Amos Allen Palmer, of Stonington, Ct. : Rev. Roswell
C. Palmer, of Stonington, Ct. ; Dr. L. X. Palmer, of Brooklyn,
12 • • " PALMER RECORD
N. Y.; Albert M. Palmer, of New York City; William Pitt
Palmer, of New York Citv : R. P. Palmer of Xorth Stonington,
Ct. ; Robert Palmer, of Xoank. Ct.; B. P. Palmer, of Boston.
Mass.; Noyes F. Palmer, of Jamaica. L. L: Ex-Gov. John C
Palmer, of Illinois; Charles Palmer, of Albany, X. Y. : C. T.
H. Palmer, of Oakland. Cal. ; Jerome Palmer. 'of Preston. Ct. :
Amos X. Palmer, of Norwich, Ct. ; Hon. R. A. Wheeler, oi Ston-
ington, Ct ; C. P. Dixon, of New York City; Dr. J. II. Trum-
bull, of Hartford. Ct. : Rev. H. Clay Trumbull, of Philadel-
phia, Pa.: Rev. William Clift, of Mystic Bridge; Henry P.
Noyes, of Mvstic Bridge; Rev. J. Randall Hoe*;, of New
Rochelle, X. Y. ; Porter^C. Bliss, of Xew York City.
Treasurer — H. Clay Palmer, of Stonington, Conn.
Secretary of Record— Alex. S. Palmer. Jr.. of Stonington. Ct.
Corresponding Secretary — Ira H. Palmer, of Stonington, Ct.
Executive Committee — Henry M. Paimer. of Stonington. Ct. :
James E. Palmer, of Stonington, Ct. : Edwin T. Palmer, of
Stonington. Ct.; Theodore D. Palmer, of Stonington. Ct.: Eugene
Palmer, of Stonington. Ct. ; Miss Emma W. Palmer, of Ston-
ington, Ct.: Miss Sara A. Palmer, of Stonington, Ct. : John D.
Palmer, of Greenville, X. J.: William R. Palmer, of Xew York
City; Courtland Palmer, of Xew York City: Eambert E. Palm-
er,'of Chicago. 111.: Nathan F. Dixon, of Westerly. R. I.:
Jesse L. Moss. Jr.. of Westerly. R. I.: Mrs. Elizabeth P. Soper.
of Stonington, Ct. ; Miss Emily A. Wheeler, of Stonington.
Ct. ; Mrs. Dr. Stanton, of Stonington. Ct. : Miss Hannah Stan-
ton, of Stonington. Ct. : Miss Grace Stanton, of Stonington.
Ct. ; Mrs. Maria S. Chesebro. of Stonington. Ct. ; J. Warren
Stanton, of Stonington. Ct. : Nathaniel P. Stanton, of Stoning-
ton, Ct. ; Wiliiam Bradford, of Xew York City; Charles Haw-
kins, of Xew York City: Mrs. M.J. Pitkin, of Xew York City :
Miss Elizabeth Van 'Tine, of Xew York City; Miss Eliza
Palmer, of Stonington. Ct.
Voted, That Auxiliary Committees be appointed at the next
meeting.
Voted, That the Palmer Re-Union be held at Stonington.
Ct., on the ioth day of August next.
Voted, That the Hon. Richard A. Wheeler be invited to de-
liver the Genealogical Address of the descendants of Walter
Palmer.
Voted, That William Pitt Palmer. Esq., 'of Xew York City.
be invited to deliver a poem on the occasion. That Noyes h.
Palmer, of Jamaica, be invited to deliver an address on
,l Palmer Families."
OF THE RE-UNION. I 3
Voted, That the officers elected at this meeting be officially
notified by the Corresponding Secretary.
Adjourned until April 27, 1S81.
• Attest : H. Clay Palmer, Clerk.
Form of letters of Notification sent by the Corresponding
Secretary to the various officials and committees elected at the
meeting of April 20th :
Elisha H,Palmer, 1653— 1881. v A. S. Palmer, Jr.,
Ve President. Ve Sec. of Record.
II. Clay Palmer. PALMER RE- UNION, I. H. Palmer.
Ve Treasurer. Ye Cor. Secretary.
AT
STONINGTON, CT., Ye IOTH OF AUGUST.
STONINGTON, Ct., April 23d, 1S81.
DEAR SIR: — At a meeting of the resident descendants of
Walter Palmer, held at Stonington, April 20th, you was unani-
mously elected as one of the of the PALMER RE-
UNION to be held August roth.
It will be gratifying to us all to have your co-operation with
the Re-Union, which bids fair to be large and pleasant.
The resident will doubtless relieve those more
remote of the details of preparation.
Very truly, yours,
I. H. Palmer, Cor. Secretary.
STONINGTON, Ct., April 2J, 1 88 I.
Pursuant to adjournment April 20th. a meeting was held this
day in the Baptist Vestry.
Hon. E. H. Palmer, as Moderator,
and I. H. Palmer, Clerk.
Minutes of the last meeting read and approved.
Voted, That a committee of three be appointed to consider
the subject of a suitable memorial to be erected to the memory
of Walter Palmer by his descendants, and to report upon the
matter at some future meeting.
Voted, That Wm. L. Palmer, James E. Palmer and H. Clay
Palmer be that committee.
Voted, That Henry W. Palmer and Noyes F. Palmer be a
committee on Invitation for New York City ; Arthur T. Pal-
14 PALMER RECORD
mer, for Boston, Mass.; Edwin A. Palmer and John S. Palmer.
for Cleveland. Ohio : Lambert L. Palmer for Chicago, 111., and
that the)' be authorized to add to their members.
Voted, That a committee of Xoyes F. Palmer, with the Cor-
responding Secretary, to get up a suitable invitation card for
notification of the Re-Union.
Adjourned three weeks from date.
Attest : I. H. Palmer, Clerk.
Stoxixgtox, Ct., May n; iSSi.
An adjourned meeting of the PALMER Re-Uxk>x was held
this date at the Baptist Vestry.
Hon. E. H. Pal.MER. as Moderator,
and II. Clay Palmer, Clerk.
Minutes of the last meeting were read and approved.
Committee on " Memorial to Walter Palmer " not ready to
report.
Sundry letters received by the Corresponding Secretary from
non-resident descendants of Walter Palmer were read to the
meeting, the tenor of them showing an interest in the Re-Union.
Voted, That Mrs. Palmer Knapp. of Brooklyn, and Miss Sara
A. Palmer, of Stonington, be the Musical Committee.
Voted, That invitation to the Re-Union be sent out prior to
the ioth June.
Meeting adjourned to June 1st.
Attest: H. Clay Palmer, Clerk.
Stoxixgtox, Ct., June i. iSSi.
Pursuant to adjournment a meeting of the PALMER RE-Ux*IOX
was held in the vestry of the Baptist Church.
ELISHA H. Palmer, as Moderator.
and H. CLAY PALMER as Clerk.
The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved.
The Memorial Committee not ready with a report.
Voted. That the President, E. H. Palmer, with Edwin T.
Palmer, be a Finance Committee.
Voted, That the form of invitation shown the meeting by I.
H. Palmer be procured and issued soon as practicable.
Remarks were made by persons present upon the general
subject of the Re-Union.
OF THE RE-UNION. - 1 5
Voted, That the Re-Union be held two days — August ioth at
Stonington Borough, and August iith at Wequctequock.
Voted, That after the next meeting that the meetings be
held weekly until the Re-Union.
Adjourned to June 22d.
Attest : Clerk.
Stonington, Ct., June 29, 18S1.
An adjourned meeting of the Palmer RE-UNION was held
at the Baptist Vestry this date.
E. H. Palmer, Moderator.
Ira H. Palmer was chosen Clerk.
The minutes of the last meeting read and approved.
The Memorial Committee represented by H. C. Palmer were
not read\- to report any definite action.
I. H. Palmer, of Committee on Invitation, reported that the
invitations were being sent out as rapidly as possible.
Col. Edwin Palmer, of Norwich. Conn., being present, gave
the meeting his connection with Thomas Palmer of 1633.
Voted, That Col. Edwin Palmer be a committee to invite
members of the Thomas Palmer family to join the Re-Union.
Various letters received by the Corresponding Secretary were
read to the meeting.
The following letter to Gen. U. S. Grant, a descendant of
Walter Palmer, written by the Corresponding Secretary, was
read by him and approved by the meeting.
Stonington Ct., June — , 1881.
Ex-President Grant :
Dear Sir: — Allow rne to state most briefly for your con-
venience the gist of what you received herewith in a few dis-
tinct heads, as follows:
First — Walter Palmer, a puritan of Nottinghamshire. Eng-
land, came to Stonington. Conn., in 1653 and was one of the
first settlers of the town.
Second — His descendants number many thousands and are
scattered from Maine to California, over six thousand " Palmers"
being recorded by a Genealogian.
Third — It is an honor and a pleasure, sir, for us to be able to
state the facts that you are a descendant of the said Walter
Palmer in the eighth generation.
l6 PALMER RECORD
Fourth — His descendants are to have a Palmer Re-Union at
Stonington. Conn., on August ioth and nth of this year.
Fifth — The date of the Re-Union is the anniversary com-
memoration of the " Battle of Stonington " in the \Yar of
1812, our victory over the same nation that bore our worthy
ancestor.
Sixth — You are specially invited to honor the occasion with
your presence, and grant a thousand or more " Palmers" whom
we trust will there and here assemble an opportunity to pay
their respects to you, a kinsman.
Seventh — Your acceptance will allow us the pleasure of ar-
ranging to place at your disposal at that time in the Grand
Central Depot, N. Y„ the palace car " Palmer" to bring you
hither.
Eighth — A solicitous and appreciative array of Walter
Palmer's descendants await the early intimation that you will
endeavor to join us on that day in the social and paternal
festivities of a real Anglo-American re-union.
(Signed) Ira H. Palmer, Corresponding Secretary.
Meeting adjourned to July 13.
I. H. Palmer, Clerk.
Stonington. Ct., July 13, 1881.
An adjourned meeting of the Palmer RE-UNION held in the
Baptist vestry this date.
E. H. PALMER, Moderator,
and I. H. Palmer, Clerk.
Voted, That the President, with John C. Palmer, of Norwich,
Ct., and Edwin T. Palmer, be a committee on Transportation.
Voted, That John C. Palmer, of Norwich, Ct.. and B. P.
Palmer, of Boston, be added to the Invitation Committee.
Voted, That the two following committees be blended as
one committee. Programme— Mrs. A. G. Palmer, Miss Grace
Stanton, Miss Emily Wheeler. A. A. Palmer with the Corre-
sponding Secretary be the Programme Committee : also Mrs. R.
T. Loper, Jr., with authority to enlarge. Committee on Ar-
rangemants — Thomas W. Palmer, Edwin T. Palmer. Dr. C. E.
Brayton, I. A. Palmer and James E. Palmer, with authority to
enlarge.
Voted, That Col. Edwin Palmer, of Norwich, and New-
comb, of New London, be added to the Finance Committee.
Dr. C. E. Brayton having tendered to the Re-Union the use of
his new hall till after August 1 ith, it was
OF THE RE-UXIOX. I J
Voted. That the thanks of the Palmer Re-Union be tendered
to Dr. C. E. Braxton for so acceptable an expression of his kind-
ness and good-will.
Voted, That Rev. A. G. Palmer deliver the Address of Wel-
come on August ioth.
Voted, That the following-named gentlemen be invited to
respond to name as follows :
" Cheseborough " Rev. Amor Cheseborough.
" Stanton " Dr. Geo. D. Stanton.
" Miner " Ex-Gov. Miner.
" Xoyes " Rev. Gurdon Xoyes.
" Denison " Rev. F. Denison.
Voted, That Miss Grace Stanton, Mrs. John Chesebro, Miss
Emily Wheeler, Miss Sara Palmer, Mrs. R. T. Loper. Jr., and
Miss Emma W. Palmer be the Floral Committee.
The Corresponding Secretary stated to the meeting that he
had used the column of the Mirror for the good of the Re-
Union and for the purpose of creating a favorable sentiment in
the community toward the Re-Union, and had made anarrange-
ment with Editor Anderson to have the use of one column of
Re-Union matter per week, with the agreement to take ico
copies of the Mirror at 5 cents each— S5.00 per week. Upon
motion of Judge Wheeler, it was
Voted, That the Corresponding Secretary be and hereby is
authorized to make arrangements as stated, or what shall be for
the best interests of the Re-Union.
Voted. That the President be authorized to appoint and add
to existing committees proper persons he may select from Xew
London, Montville and Norwich.
The President stated to the meeting that since we last met.
one of our number who had met with us — a Vice-President, the
Rev. Roswell C. Palmer — had passed away. Whereupon it was
Voted, That the Corresponding Secretary draw up suitable
resolution to the memory of our departed friend and co-worker
of the Palmer Re-Union, and the same placed upon our records.
Voted, That when we again meet it shall be at Brayton Hall.
Meeting adjourned to July 20, 1SS1.
Attest : I. H. Palmer, Clerk.
I 8 PALMER RECORD
STONINGTON, CT., July 20, iSSl.
Meeting called to order.
Hon. E. H. Palmer. Moderator,
and H. C. Palmer. Clerk. pro tan.
Minutes of last meeting read and approved.
Resolution upon the death of Roswell C. Palmer read bv
the Corresponding Secretary, and ordered upon our records;
also to be inserted in the " Mirror."
Upon motion of Mrs. A. G. Palmer, the programme as re-
ported on was laid upon the table to be taken up as the firs!
business of the next meeting.
Voted. That Mrs. F. Chesebro, Miss Brayton, I. II. Palmer.
and H. C. Palmer be added to the Floral and Decorating Com-
mittee.
Voted. That H. C. Palmer. Xoyes F. Palmer and Mrs. I. H.
Palmer be added to the Musical Committee.
Ex- Alderman Josiah Palmer, of Brooklyn, N. Y., was present
and made a very encouraging report of the interest in the Re-
union among the non-resident descendants.
Meeting adjourned to July 27. 1SS1.
Attest: H. Clay Palmer, Clerk pro tan.
Stonixgton, Ct., July 27, 1SS1.
Pursuant to adjournment meeting was called to order.
Hon. E. H. PALMER. Moderator
and H. C. PALMER, Clerk.
Minutes last meeting read and approved.
Programme as read from the committee was approved, sub-
ject to necessary additions and arrangement.
After some discussion upon the subject, it was
Voted, That the balance of the programme be left to the dis-
cretion of the committee.
Voted, That the caterer, Mr. L. A. Tillinghast, be arranged
with according to his letter or proposition.
Voted. That the Committee of Arrangements appoint a sub-
committee.
Adjourned to August 3.
Attest: II. Clay Palmer, Clerk.
OK THE RE-UNION. 19
STONINGTON, CT., August 3, 1S81.
An adjourned meeting of the Palmer R.E-UNION was held this
date.
ELISHA H. Palmer, Moderator,
and H. Clay Palmer, Clerk.
Minutes of last meeting read and approved.
Report of Committee on Arrangements, made by I. H. Pal-
mer, he having been to Boston to arrange for the tents, and to
Providence to see the caterer, about fire-works and electric
lights. After a verbal report on each, the following was :
Voted, That Prof. Blank's proposition to furnish fire-works
for the evening of the 10th for S50 and the expense of trans-
portation be accepted.
Voted, That the Corresponding Secretary offer the Fulton
Electric Light Company of New York the sum of $50 for the
use of three electric lights on the evening of the icth. we to
furnish engine power and transportation of the machine from
Providence.
Voted, That Miss Sara A. Palmer be a special committee to
see Mr. Robert Palmer and secure the Xoank Brass Band for
two days and one evening — 10th and 11th of August.
Voted, That Frank A. Palmer, of Westerly, be added to the
Musical Committee.
Voted, That Mr. Tissington, of the Union Square Theatre,
be appointed a Musical Director of the Re-Union.
Voted, Thanks to Mr. F. A. Palmer for the hymn ''Battle
Hymn of the Republic " composed by him; it to be left in
hands of Musical Committee.
Voted, Thanks to Rev. A. G. Palmer and Miss Sara A.
Palmer for hymns composed by them.
Voted, That H. F. Palmer, of Norwich, be added to the
Decoration Committee.
The Corresponding Secretary read the following correspond-
ence with the Borough authorities :
STONINGTON, Ct., July 50, 1SS1.
To tfic Hon. Warden and Burgesses of Stonington :
GENTLEMEN: — I deem it proper to state to your Honorable
Body that a Re-Union of the Palmer Family is to be held within
the limits of the borough on August 10th and nth, and that
we have good reason to suppose there will be a large gathering
of person-: attending— very many from other States. Will also
20 PALMER RECORD
mention that Gen. Grant has promised us one day of his pres-
ence, probably the loth.
The assemblage of so large a number of persons on that oc-
casion, and nearly all of them strangers, it may not be out of
place to thus inform you. The invited guests will, of course,
appreciate good order and kindness on the part of the borough.
Very truly yours,
I. H. Palmer, Cor. Secretary.
Stonington, Ct., July 30, 1SS1.
To the Cor. Secretary of Palmer Re- Union, Stonington :
We, the Warden and Burgesses of the Borough of Stoning-
ton, in meeting assembled this date, are in receipt of your favor
of same date, informing us of the proposed " Palmer Re-Union "
to be held August 10, 1SS1, within the borough limits. After
consideration of the matter, the following was passed by this
body as its expression of good-will and feeling toward your Re-
Union :
Voted, That the courtesies of the Borough of Stonington be
and are hereby extended to the members of the " Palmer Re-
Union " and to their illustrious guest, Ex-President Grant, and
others on the days of August 10th and 1 ith.
Attest : J. S. Anderson, Clerk.
Whereupon it was
Voted, That the expression of good feeling on the part of
the Borough authorities, as evidenced by their vote of July 30.
calls from us reciprocal thanks, which we express, by a special
invitation, to that Honorable Body to occupy seats on the Re-
Union platform.
Meeting adjourned to Monday August 8, at 10 A. M.
Attest : H. Clay Palmer, Clerk.
Literature of the Press
BEFORE THE RE-UXION.
[extracts.]
[from the new york tribune.]
A grand Re-Union of the Palmer family is to be held in Ston-
ington. Conn., on the ioth and I ith of August, the anniversary
of the battle of Stonington in the War of 1812. The Palmer
family in this country is said to number now between 6,000 and
7,000, the various members of it being scattered over the East
and West, but the majority residing in Xew-England and this
State. The Re-Union is intended to bring as many of them as
possible together and to make them acquainted. Walter Pal-
mer, the original ancestor of the greater portion of the present
generation, came to this country in 1629 with John Endicott.
having charge of six ships filled with Puritans. After making
his home in several of the New England settlements, he finally.
in 1653, settled in Stonington. at the old homestead on Wequet-
equock Cove, where the Re-Union is to be held. His blood lias
flowed in the veins of one of our Presidents, and of the Govern-
ors of four different States' of the Union. Among the clergy-
men and the doctors of the country are also several descendants
of Walter Palmer. Probably no other family in the United
States can count so many descendants from one ancestor as that
of the Palmers. Xoyes'h\ Palmer, of Jamaica. Eong Island, has
been engaged for some time in collecting the genealogical record
of the family. In this record, it appears that the name of Palmer
was derived from an episode which occurred during the cru-
sades. Those who returned from the holy wars brought back..
as a token and remembrance of their pilgrimage, palm leaves.
In the~minds of the early Christians they soon became known
as palm-bearers, and this designation became perverted into the
word "palmers." a name which the family subsequently as-
sumed. In 1621 William Palmer, the first of the family, came
to this country. This was a year after the Mayjlozvir brought
her first cargo of pilgrims to America. William Palmer settled
in Salem. Alas--., and from him a great many of the Palmers of
New England descended in a direct line. Walter Palmer fol-
lowed in 1629, and, after his final settlement at the spot where
the city of Stonington now stands, died in 1661, leaving twelve
children, from whom have sprung descendants numbering at the
22 PALMER RECORD
present time over 6,000 persons. Nearly all the records of these
have been preserved by Noyes F. Palmer, and such of them as
are not known to him will receive invitations to the family jubi-
lee upon sending their addresses to him at Post Office box No.
188, Jamaica, Long Island. Gen. Grant has accepted an invita-
tion to be present on one of the days of the Re-Union. E. H.
Palmer and Noyes F. Palmer have taken the initiative in ar-
ranging for the festival, but E. H. Palmer will have charge of the
arrangements. The first day's exercises will consist of historical
addresses, poems, music, and a general acquiring of acquaintance.
Judge R.A.Wheeler, of Stonington, will deliver the address;
Mr. William Pitt Palmer will recite the principal poem, and the
Rev. A. G. Palmer, D. D., the father of A. M. Palmer, manager ot
the Union Square Theatre, is also expected to contribute a
poem. On the second day a grand " tent meeting " is to be held
at the homestead.
[FROM THE BROOKLYN INION-ARGCS.]
A few days ago the Cuion-.lrgus published a short notice
of a proposed reunion of the " Palmer Family" at Stonington,
Conn., in August next. A glance at the Brooklyn City Direct-
ory reveals hundreds of families bearing that name, and for these
people, to whom the matter must be of warm interest, and to
those outside likely to be reached by these columns, the follow-
ing facts have been supplied by Noyes F. Palmer, of Jamaica.
L. I., who has been for several years at work upon the Palmer
genealogy. The reunion is to be held at Stonington on the 10th
and 1 ith of Augnst, the date of the battle of Stonington in the
war of 1 81 2. In " Palmer's Genealogical Record " are recorded
over six thousand descendants of Walter Palmer, who settled in
Stonington in 1653, and as he is the original ancestor of the larger
portion of the present generation, it is fitting and appropriate
that the family gathering should be held at the place designated.
The blood of Walter, the Puritan of 1629, has flowed in the
veins of one of our chief magistrates and General of the ami}-.
The same blood has warmed the hearts of Governors in four
different States, also the Speaker of the House of Representa-
tives, and in Assemblies of at least five States are among its
honors. In the professions of Divinity and Medicine, and among
inventors and patentees, are also numbered many descendants
of Walter Palmer.
The descendants have migrated chiefly to the East and West.
Connecticut, Massachusetts and New York seem to hold the
greater part, while a few are seen to be settled as far west as
Nebraska, Michigan and Arkansas. Amoncrthe direct descend-
OF THE RE-UNION. 2}
ants locally are found Dr. Lucius X. Palmer, Lorin Palmer, and
William Pitt Palmer, the poet. In the record referred to by
Xoyes F. Palmer, from 1629 to rSSl, are gleaned a few notes
of interest as follows :" Traditionary evidences state that the
name Palmer was derived during the epoch of the Crusades : that
those who returned from the Holy Land brought back, as a token
of their pilgrimage, palm leaves. The perversion became palm
bearers, and finally palmers. The first Palmer pilgrim to this
country came in the vessel Fortune in 1621. the following year
after the Mayfloxvcr, and was named William Palmer, and settled
at Salem, Mass. From him many Xew Lnglanders are descended.
In 1629, then followed Walter Palmer, who came with John En-
dicott, he having charge of six ships filled with freemen from
England, bound to the Western Continent. Thus any Palmer
who can trace their lineage to Connecticut or Massachusetts
are in all probability descendants oi those two early settlers.
After various removals from place to place, Walter Palmer
settled on the site of Pawcatuck, now Stonington. and was ap-
pointed "constable" in 165S. He was almost a giant in
physique, weighing over 300 pounds, and standing six feet
high. He died at Stonington in 1661. leaving twelve children,
Grace, John. Hannah. Elihu, Xchemiah. Moses. Benjamin,
Gershom, Jonas, Elizabeth. Rebecca and William. From these
children have sprung over 6,000 Palmers, whose records are pre-
served except in a few instances. The family -'jubilee " is to be
held on the " Old Homestead " in Stonington. and the following
is the outline of the proposed proceedings : The first day's ex-
ercises will consist of historical addresses, poems, music and gen-
eral acquiring of acquaintance. The second day a large " tent "
meeting will be held at the Homesread. where stands the ruins
perhaps of one of the oldest dwelling-houses of stone on the
continent, with its old " Balm of Gilead " trees still growing, un-
der whose branches have passed ten generations.
The Re-Union is in charge of E. H. Palmer, President ; II. Clay
Palmer, Treasurer; I. H. Palmer, Corresponding Secretary : A.
S. Palmer, Secretary of Record, and Xoyes F. Palmer, Com-
mittee on Invitations. The latter gentleman invites ail of the
family name to send him their addresses to box iSS, Jamaica,
L. I., in order to secure a card of invitation and further partic-
ulars in regard to transportation, etc. Messrs. E. 1 1, and Xoyes
I4'. Palmer are the primal movers in this affair, and from present
indications it promises to be an unqualified success. It is ex-
pected that Judge R. A. Wheeler, of Stonington, will deliver the
first address, and Mr. William Pitt Palmer the principal poem.
while Rev. A. G. Palmer, father of A. M. Palmer, the well-known
24 PALMER RFXORD
theatrical manager, of New York, is expected to write a poem
for the occasion. Any genealogy of the family will be thank-
fully received by Mr. Xoyes F. Palmer, at Jamaica.
[FROM THE r.ROOKLYN DAILY TIMES.]
I am a palmer, as you see,
Which of my life much part have spent,
In many a far and fayre countrie.
As pilgrims do, of good intent. — Sir Walter Scott.
A family re-union which is expected to arouse much interest
the coming month is that of the Palmers. The representatives
of the family arc widely scattered in many States of this coun-
try, and there has never been a gathering of them together.
Very many of the families can trace their descent to Walter
Palmer, the Puritan, who settled in Pawcatuck. now Stonington,
Connecticut, in 1653. Largely through the efforts of Elisha H.
Palmer, a wealthy manufacturer of Montville, Ct., the Re-Un-
ion to take place at Stonington, Ct.. August 10th and 1 ith, has
been arranged. This date is chosen from the fact that it is the
anniversary of the battle of Stonington in the War of 1S12, the
chief event in the history of this quiet New England town.
The Palmers were among the earliest settlers of this country.
While none of the name came over in the Mavfloxvcr in 1620.
William Palmer came in the Fortune, in the following year, from
Nottinghamshire. England, and landed in Salem, Mas?. His
descendants are chiefly in Rhode Island. Most of the present
representatives of the name are descendants of three of the early
immigrants. The most numerous branch is that descended
from Walter Palmer. He came to thiscountry in 1629. landing
at Salem. After living at Charleston and Rehoboth. Mass.. he
went to Stonington in 1653. He was made constable of the
town in 1658, being physically a large man. his weight being 30x3
pounds. He left twelve children at the time of his death in
1661. .Most of his descendants are found in Connecticut and
New York. A branch of the family in Norwich, Ct., is de-
scended from Thomas Palmer, who came from Ipswich. England.
in 1633, and the descendants of William Palmer, who settled in
Hampton, X. H., in 1638, are numerous in that State, Vermont,
and northern Xew York.
Among the descendants of Walter Palmer, in the eighth gen-
eration is General Grant. The well-known representatives of the
Palmer name at present arc General John M. Palmer, ex-Gov-
ernor of Illinois; Dr. John W. Palmer, of Baltimore, the poet
and magazine writer, author of several books : the Rev. Dr. Ray
Palmer, Secretary of the Congregational Union, who is best
OF THE RE-UNION*. 25
known as a poet and hymn writer, author of '"' My Faith Looks
up to Thee ;" Erastus D. Palmer, the well-known sculptor, whose
" White Captive" is perhaps the best work of a native Amer-
ican sculptor; George YV. Palmer, member of Congress from
1859 to * S63 ; Frank YV. Palmer, founder of the Intcr-Occan, of
Chicago; General Joseph Palmer, of Massachusetts: William
Pitt Palmer, the venerable poet of this city; and A. M. Palmer,
of Union Square Theatre. Most of these trace their lineage
back to Walter Palmer.
Among his descendants in the female lines are ex-Governor
Miner, of Connecticut; Dr. J. Hammond Trumbull, of Hartford;
and the Rev. Frederick Denison.
Among the best-known bearers of the name in England are
Sir Roundell Palmer, Baron Shelbourne, the distinguished states-
man, and Dr. Edward H. Palmer. Professor of Arabic at Cam-
bridge University, one of the most learned Oriental scholars in
the world, and whose books are undisputed authority.
The origin of the family name is not lost in the mists of an-
tiquity. The Crusaders in their marches to Jerusalem in the
Middle Ages, from the time of Peter the Hermit to the close of
the Fourteenth Century, had many followers who sought to see
the tomb of Christ from sacred motives. Many of these pil-
grims on their return wore palm leaves in their hats or carried
staves made from palm branches. They thus came to be called
Palmers, or bearers of the palm. Some were also distinguished
by the scallop shell, worn twisted in their hat band. The name
soon passed into literature. Shakespeare frequently uses the
word, as these quotations show : " My sceptre for a palmer"s
walking staff." '' Where do the palmers lodge, I beseech you ?"
In Spencer's " Farie Oueene " we find the following description
of an aged pilgrim :
" Him als accompanyd upon the way,
A comely palmer, clad in black attire ;
Of ripest years and hieres all hoarie gray,
That with a statle his feeble limbs did stire
Lest his long way his aged iimbs should tire."
The distinction between a palmer and a pilgrim gradually grew
up, and Sir Walter Scott, in his antiquarian researches, states
that the pilgrim was one who visited a shrine and then returned
home, while the palmer visited shrine after shrine, going from
place to place and living on alms. As these palmers settled
down, their surname was assumed from what they had been, as
in the case of most common surnames. The family motto
relates to the palm as the reward of noble service. It is Pal-
mam qui meruit ferat — " Let him who has won it bear the palm."
26 PALMER RECORD
A tastefully gotten up invitation to the coming Re-Un fon has
been sent to each representatives of the family whose address
could be learned by Mr. Noyes F. Palmer, of Jamaica, L. I. Mr.
Noyes F. Palmer has been the leading spirit in arousing the fam-
ily interest which has led to this Re-Union. He has been engaged
for twenty years in collecting and collating material relating to
the genealogical history of the Palmers, and- has already secured
more or less information relating to upwards of 7,000 of the name.
and has traced main- branches oi the family successfull}". The
result of his researches will be published shortly.
The plan of the Re-Union was devised by him and E. H.
Palmer, of Montville. Ct.. who is President of the Re-Union. The
other officers in charge of the matter are A. S. Palmer, Jr., Secre-
tary of Record ; H. Clay Palmer. Treasurer. Ira H. Palmer, Corre-
sponding Secretary, and Noyes F. Palmer, Committee on Invita-
tions. The back of the invitations bears the name " Walter
Palmer," ancestor of the majority of those who represent the
names, and the dates 1653 and 1SS1. Palm leaves and the fam-
ilymotto, together with the date of the Re-Union, are also delin-
eated. The invitation proper begins with a quotation from
Shakespeare. It is ornamented with an engraving of the old
homestead of Walter Palmer, at Stonington. a solid-looking
house with eaves near the ground, and an old-fashioned well
sweep and Balm of Giiead trees in front. It stands on Wequet-
equock Cove. The vessel in which the Puritan ancestors crossed
the ocean is also depicted, and the dates at which Walter Palmer
established himself at different places — Charlestown. 1629; See-
konk, 1643, and Pawcatuck snow Stonington), 1633.
It is expected that the exercises will be largely social, but
arrangements have been made for speaking, reading of poems.
and music. The first meeting will be held in the Congregational
Church, if its capacity is not exceeded. Otherwise the meeting
will be on the green adjoining. Judge R. A. Wheeler, of Ston-
ington, will make the leading historical jj^dress: Different
branches of the family will be spoken for by various clergymen.
doctors and lawyers. William Pitt Palmer, who is seventy-six
years of age, has promised to write a poem for the occasion, which
will be read. The Rev. A. G. Palmer, father of .Messrs. A. M.
and \V. R. Palmer, of the Union Square Theatre, will read a
poem which he has written for the day. Mrs. Joseph F. Knapp,
of this city, whose maiden name was Palmer, and whose musical
abilities are well known, is expected to sing several solos.
A homestead meeting under a tent provided for the purpose
at the old Palmer house on Wequetequock Cove, one of the old-
OF THE RE-UXIOX. 2?
est houses in the country, will be the feature of the second day,
August II. A delightful family Re-Union is expected.
The arrangements for transportation have been well made.
All of the railroads in the State will furnish tickets at half fare
to all who have the invitations to the Re-Union. The same
arrangement has been made with the Stonington line of steamers
from Xew York. It is also hoped to arrange for a special excur-
sion steamer from Xew York, in which those who secure their
passage can hold their state-rooms and secure their meals while
at Stonington. If a sufficient number of persons will arrange
to go by this from Xew York, Brooklyn and vicinity, the boat
will be provided.
General Grant has been especially invited to attend the Re-
Union, and it is hoped he will accept. The number of represen-
tatives of the name Palmer in Brooklyn, as shown by the Direc-
tor}', is 123 ; in Xew York the number is more than twice as
great. It is expected that these will be well represented in Ston-
ington, August 10 and 11. Invitations can be secured by
addressing Xoyes F. Palmer, Jamaica, L. I.
[from the stonington mirror.]
New York City, July 27, 18S1.
Ira H. Palmer, Esq. :
DEAR SIR — In answer to yours of July 21st, in regard to the
Palmer Re-Union, I will say that I shall be very glad to attend
at Stonington for one of the days mentioned, if it is possible for
me to do so at that time.
Yours, truly, U. S. Grant.
There was a good deal of disappointment at the absence of
Gen. Grant, who is a direct descendant of Walter Palmer's oldest
daughter, and who had promised to be present a part of one day
at least. Arrangements had been made for a special train to
bring him from Xew York to Stonington. He was compelled
to be absent, however, on account of the death of his brother.
On Monday Mr. Ira II. Palmer received the following dispatch
in response to one which he sent to the ex-President on Saturday :
New York, August S, 1SS1.
To Ira II. Palmer :
Domestic reasons will prevent my attending the Palmer
Re-Union. U. S. Grant.
This dispatch was read by Ira H. Palmer just before the close
of the morning exercises.
28 PALMER RECORD
If possible, the Re-Union grounds will be lighted with three
electric lights; arrangements to that effect are being made. To
do so will require much special effort, but it is hoped the obsta-
cles can be overcome.
The caterer tables will be 200 feet long, and covered bv can-
vas. On Monday morning work will commence on the Re-Union
lot, and everything to be in order on Tuesday.
All Palmers, or descendants of Walter Palmer, without regard
to family name, that have been omitted in the issuance of invita-
tions to the Re-Union, will please consider themselves hereby
invited, and, upon application to the committee at Brayton Hail,
can receive one. It should be distinctly understood that the
management does not intentionally omit the inviting of any
descendant of the patriarchal Walter Palmer.
To the descendants of co-progenitors of ancestral families of
this town, we say :
The subject of family re-unions is becoming popular in this
country, and being laudable, and of a beneficial nature, is really
entitled to consideration by those persons having an interest in
them respectively. The Palmer Re-Union has from its inception
and recent growth been the subject of study upon the part of
the management, to introduce moral and interesting features, and
as far as possible remaining blind to the experiences or plan of
any former re-union. Any future family re-union wili therefore
have the benefit of our experience as regards defect and lost
opportunities, and we trust a criticising public will treat us
charitably.
[from the providence journal.]
Stonington is to have a good time, in a good way, and for a
good purpose. The knightly Palmers, by the thousand, under
the banner of "Pa/wan qui meruit ferat" with detachments of
the Stantons, Chesebroughs, Minars, Xoyeses, Denisons, and the
like, are to assemble on the 10th and nth of August, to recall
the deeds of the fathers and the history of the town. Walter
Palmer, a prince in physique as in sterling character, measuring
six feet and some inches, came from England and settled first in
Charlestown, Mass., in 1629, afterwards in Seekonk in 1643, and
finally at Stonington in 1653. Having lived on both sides of
Rhode Island, and being well acquainted with Roger Williams
and John Clarke, he became almost a Rhode Islander. Rhode
Island, therefore, will gladly claim stock in the grand Re-Union
and festive celebration, taking along a few clams to be spiced
with nutmegs.
The 10th of August also signalizes the spunky battle of Stem-
OF THE RE-UNION. 2g
ington, which occurred in iS 14. when Commodore Hardy's bomb-
brig. Despatch, got her despatch in having her hull handsomely
perforated and severely splintered by cannon played by Stoning-
ton volunteers. Doubtless some of the Palmer braves will
" shoulder crutch, and show how fields are won." The celebra-
tions are to be in tents, halls, and open fields, and all the doors
of Stonington will be ajar. The order embraces processions, ora-
tions, poems, annals, incidents, songs, toasts and feasts, to all of
which efforts the descendants of Walter Palmer are fully equal,
and so Stonington, for once, will get socially and intellectually
stirred to her heart.
General Grant, who is a palm from the stalwart palm-root, Wal-
ter Palmer, will be present one of the gala days, probably the 10th,
coming from Xew York and returning in the splendid palace car
" Palmer," and he will unquestionably find a more encouraging
reception at Stonington than he found in the Wilderness of Vir-
ginia. And multitudes of people will say, ,l When he doth ride
abroad, may we be there to see."
Such re-unions and patriotic celebrations have in them a large
residuum of positive good : they increase our sacred love of
home; they hallow the memories of our deserving ancestors ;
they purify and quicken our bond of brotherhood, and deepen
and strengthen our love of country, and our devotion to all our
republican institutions. The Palmers are to be congratulated on
the spirit, enterprise and order manifest in the arrangement made
for this great gathering. F. D.
[FROM THE CORTLAND (N. Y.) DEMOCRAT.]
The Palmer family of this county, of which Irving H. Palmer,
Esq., is a worthy member, is descended from the old stock, and
have been invited to attend the Re-Union.
[FROM THE HOPE VALLEY ADVERTISER.]
We glean from the press, the great interest awakened all over
the country in the coming Re-Union of the Palmer family, at
Stonington. Ct., on the 10th and 1 1 th of August next. It prom-
ises to be the greatest event in this section for many years, and
will only be eclipsed by the Groton Centennial that follows in
September. About three thousand invitations have been sent
out, and the responses being daily received are numerous and
full of appreciative expressions.
[from cooley's weekly.]
The Palmer Re-Union, which is to take place at Stonington,
August iothand nth, 18S1, is assuming quite large proportions.
30 "PALMER RECORD
Permit me to say a few words concerning it in your paper, which
circulates so extensively. I will only venture (as Hon. Richard
A. Wheeler is to give a genealogical record of the Walter Pal-
mer families) that Walter Palmer came to this country from
England in 1629 and was sworn a freeman in the Massachusetts
colony, May, 163 1. He removed in the year 1642 to Rehobeth,
Plymouth colony. Here he purchased large tracts of land and
filled various town offices. The next we hear of him he is in
Connecticut purchasing land of Gov. Haynes. The possession
was given July, 1653. In 1635 he had one thousand one hun-
dred and ninty-one acres. His lands were situated on the shore
of Wequetequock cove in Stonington. where we propose to
have appropriate services on the 1 Ith of August, near the house
he built, a part of which is now standing, and also near where
his remains were laid. His descendants are very numerous and
reside mostly in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and
New York States, and a few in almost every State in the Union.
Noyes F. Pa.'mer, of Jamaica, Long Island, X. Y., has gathered
the lineage of nearly six thousand Palmers. There will be over
five thousand invitations sent out. There are other Palmers
that came over soon after Walter, and to whose descendants we
extend a cordial invitation to participate in our Re-Union.
Walter Palmer brought with him his daughter Grace (his wife
having died in England). She married Thomas Miner in 1634.
by whom she had twelve children. From one of these Hon.
Richard A. Wheeler has accurately traced the lineage of Genera;
Grant. He will be invited to attend. There have been several
meetings, at which officers and committees have been chosen to
to carry out a programme for the occasion. At the next, to be
held in Stonington, in the vestry of Doctor Palmer's church, a:
2 P. M., the 29th inst. (Wednesday*, it is desirable to finish as far
as practicable the arrangements that will make the Re-Union a
complete success. To this end all Palmers in New Londor.
County and vicinity that feel a special interest in the matter are
requested to attend. Any further information can be obtained
by addressing Ira H. Palmer, of Stonington, the corresponding
secretary, or the subscriber, E. H. PALMER, President.
MOST ville, Conn. j June 24, 1881.
[from the mystic press.]
Interest is growing in the Palmer Re-Union, which will take
place in this village, August 10th and 11th. Correspondence is
almost daily received from members of the family, who are
deeply interested in the affair. The treasurer visited Mr. Noyes
F. Palmer (one of the vice-presidents) at his residence at Jamaica.
L. I., last week. Mr. P. is very pleasantly situated only eight
OF THE RE-UNION. 3 1
miles from Long Island City, at Maple Grove Cemetery, a large
tract of ground containing nearly one hundred acres. Mr. P.
acts in the capacity of superintendent and civil engineer of the
same. The corporation was opened about five years ago. and
has at the present time some tour hundred lot owners from
Brooklyn, New York, and the surrounding villages. Among
some of the most remarkable features of the cemetery are the
chapel and superintendent's lodge, built of stone, with steep
French roofs. In the chapel building there is a chapel hall for
the accommodation of funerals; also waiting rooms, and office
of the superintendent. The lodge is situated at the main en-
trance, and is as convenient as pretty in design. Mr. P. has been
for the past twenty years writing up the genealogy of the
descendants of Walter Palmer, and has to-day some six thou-
sand names of the family.
[FROM THE NEW YORK EVENING POST.]
The position occupied by the family in the modern world pre-
sents many points of interest to science ; and anthropologists
will therefore not need to have their attention called to the ap-
proaching " Re-Union of the Palmer Family," which is to take
place at Stonington, next month, and to which General Grant
has received an invitation. The letter sent to him calls his at-
tention to the fact that he is one of the descendants of Walter
Palmer, who was one of the " first settlers " at Stonington : that
his co-descendants number "main- thousands." scattered "from
Maine to California : " that they propose to have a " Paimer-Re-
Union," on the ioth and nth of August, at Stonington; that
the ex-President is therefore specially invited to allow a thous-
and or more " Palmers " on those days to pay their respects to
him as a kinsman : that the palace car " Palmer " will be placed
at his disposal for the occasion : and that " a solicitous and ap-
preciative array " of his co-descendants are longing to have him
join them on that day in " tiie social and fraternal festivities of
a real Anglo-American Re-Union." The invitation bears the
well-known motto : Pa I mam qui meruit fcrat. Communal re-
unions of this kind are peculiar, we believe, to the United States,
and have become of late years a noticeable feature of sociai life
here. In older countries, where the family exists as a sort of
private corporation, such meetings of the entire body of the de-
scendant of a common ancestor are unknown, and would prob-
ably be considered undesirable, as calculated to bring together
•n an enforced and unpleasant intercourse people widely sepa-
rated by birth, wealth, social position and breeding. It would,
perhaps, also be urged that these re-unions would be chiefly
32 PALMER RECORD
useful and profitable to such members of the family as had been
unsuccessful in their struggle with the world, and needed ex-
ternal support and recognition, and would therefore be likely to
"run" the re-union in their own interest. None of these ob-
jections— to judge by the growing popularity of the custom —
seem to be applicable to the circumstances of this country, and
such re-unions afford interesting proof of the survival of a
primitive sentiment which carries us back to the times when the
Aryan or Pelasgian ancestors of " the Palmers " and other fam-
ilies gathered together not once in two hundred years, but three
times a day, for purposes of commensal enjoyment. Thus far on
all like occasions perfect harmony has prevailed, and the rigid
exclusion of " politics " has greatly tended to promote this end.
General Grant will, we presume, recollect that he is invited sim-
ply as a co-descendant " Palmer," and refrain from saying any-
thing of a political nature calculated to eclipse the gayety oi
the Re-Union or to stir up passions, which, even in the most
closely united families, often produce such unhappy conse-
quences.
— «s^?^$
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a:
L
Stonington^ Conn., June i, 1881.
A Re-Union of the " Palmer Family "
is to take place at Stonington, Conn., on the 10th
and nth days of Auguft, 1881, (the anniverfary
of the battle of Stonington, in the war of 1812).
You are moft cordially invited to participate
in the re-union and feftivities in connection there r-
with, which it is hoped will be pleafant to all who
attend.
Walter Palmer came to Stonington in 1653,
and was one of the firft fettlers of the town. His
defcendants number thoufands and the gathering
of them together on the 10th of Auguft is for their.
Ibcial acquaintance and enjoyment.
May we have the pleafure of your attendance %
Truly yours
E. H. Palmer, President.
A. S. Palmer, Jr., Secretary of Record.
H. Clay Palmer, Treasurer.
Ira H. Palmer, Corresponding Secretary.
Noyes F. Palmer, Committee on Invitation.
>'- Vy. ,^JJ'',JJ->R1 In"
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OF THE RE-UNIOX.
INVITATIONS
Invitations to the number of six thousand, were executed
by the New York Graphic from a design by H. Clay Palmer,
of Stonington, Ct. There was a first edition of three thousand
printed on light paper, with typographical errors, and it was not
intended to use many of them, but it became necessary to send
out the whole six thousand. Of this number, about one thou-
sand envelopes were directed at Stonington, Ct., by Correspond-
ing Secretary Ira H. Palmer, from lists prepared there.
The other five thousand envelopes were directed at Jamaica,
L. I., X. Y., from " Palmer Genealogical Directory" by Noyes F.
Palmer : some eleven hundred of the latter envelopes were
mailed from Stonington.
1 he limited time to mail these invitations, did not permit of
ail being sent to names coming only a few days before the date
jI the Re-Union. No one was intentionally slighted.
34 PALMER RECORD
Responses to Invitations,
BEEORE THE RE-UNION, FROM PALMER DESCENDANTS
THROUGHOUT THE LAND.
[brief extracts from letters.]
Note. — Hundreds of other letters besides those following were received, equally
interesting, but space will not allow of their insertion in this volume. In mam
cases but brief extracts have been made even of those selected to appear.
Captain A. S. Palmer, writes from Illinois : " I went into the
navy in 1839, resigned after the Mexican war. I want a memor
ial invitation, on account of the name Palmer."
Dr. George C. Palmer, of Kalamazoo, Mich., writes: " It wil!
give me great pleasure to be in Stonington."
Attorney Jewett Palmer, of Marietta, O., writes: '; I do nor
see how I can stay away."
C. P. Palmer, of Winsted, Ct., says : " Will endeavor to be
present. "
John Palmer, of Warwick, N. Y., says : " I intend to meet
with you." Note. — He will bring and show deeds, relics, etc
of interest belonging to Palmers.
Mrs. E. A. Abbe, of Mass. , says : " Hope to be in Stonington
at Re-Union."
Lawyer Palmer, of Cortland, N. Y. . writes: "I intend to be
present at the Re-Union. * * * ."
Mrs. Lucy Palmer Marshall, of Mass. , writes : ;' Please accept
thanks for your beautifully gotten up invitation card for the
Palmer Re-Union. Shall attend. '" * * ."
E. A. Palmer, of Indiana, writes: ''Wish the participators a
hearty good time, and many returns of the day."
T. W. Russell, of Hartford, writes: " Having had most pleas-
ant relations with members of the family for twenty-five years
as a son by adoption, I very naturally feel an interest in th<
proposed gathering, and shall be pleased to be one with you a!
said meeting."
1582996
-
OF THE RE-UNION. 3$
S. L. Palmer, of C. &: N. \V. Railway, writes : " Am in posses-
sion of a genealogy that dates back several hundred years of
the Palmer family."
An aged Palmer from Jewett City says: " Am an old, feeble
man. " * * My daughter may attend and represent the
family. Wish you all a pleasant and enjoyable time."
A descendant in the Green Mountain State writes: "To
those inland as far as Vermont, a vision of the open sea would
be more wonderful than a vision of the mountains. - * *
1 predict a joyful occasion."
Prof. Daniel C. Eaton, of Yale College, writes : " Anything I
can do to help the Re-Union, will be a pleasure to me."
A descendant writing from Fayetteville, N. Y. , says : "I
hope and expect to meet you in person next week, as will sev-
eral from this place, and aid as far as possible to make this occa-
sion a great success."
A re-unionist writes before coming: " Hope the gathering of
the many descendants of one of the most noted families in this
glorious old commonwealth, may be every way satisfactory to
all concerned." He further writes : " I married one of the very
best Palmer girls ever raised in Eastern Connecticut."
Colonel Wessel, of Litchfield County, writes : I came down
from Walter straight as a string, and the Palmers are a stock
one need not be ashamed of, either."
L. A. Palmer, of Honeoye Falls, N. Y., sends the following :
"A kindly greeting to you all
Gathered in this memorial hall :
A kinship to you I would claim,
By virtues of your honored name. —
A name that's known through ail the land
From Western plain to Eastern strand.
" Survival of the fittest," then,
Gives us the chance to live 'mong men ;
To live for God, for truth, for right,
And keep our ancient name stiil bright ;
For I could never strike the lyre
To degenerate son of honored sire.
My best respects to all I give.
And may we each so faithful live,
That when on earth our time shall cease,
And we from labor have release,
Be this the meed that we have won — .^
A consciousness of duty done."
36 PALMER RECORD
J. L. Moss, Jr., of Westerly, writes : " It will give great pleas-
ure to some of our family to attend the Palmer Re-Union.
With best wishes, etc."
Mr. A. M. Palmer cables from London, England, to his father.
Rev. Dr. Palmer of Stonington. expressing his regret at not
being able to return from Europe in time to be present at the
Palmer Re-Union, and sends his greetings to the members of
the Palmer family, who may be present on the tenth.
L. H. Palmer, agent Fall River line steamers, says : "Al-
though I can claim no relationship to the descendants of your
patriarchal " Walter." yet the fact, that my father was a genuine
importation from England during this century, is sufficient for
me to join in a Palmer family Re-Union."
Ex-Governor Minor states: " I shall be with you, etc." His
maternal ancestor was Grace Palmer, eldest daughter of
Walter.
Stockbridge (Mass.^ descendants write : " Many thanks for
the very enticing invitations to the Palmer Re-Union, which
we accept with unfeigned pleasure. * - '■•' Chaucer has
told us the Palmers lodge " all over creation," and that means
Stonington to every home-bound Palmer."
Rev. A. S. Chesebro' writes : " I shall be happy to be present
and to represent William Chesebro'. who with Walter Palmer
and their fellow planters laid the foundation of society in our
beloved native town, long ago."
Rev. Gurdon W. Xoyes writes :
"The Re-Union you propose is well suited to keep alive the
laudable family pride to cement old friendships, and form new-
ones, and in every way to profit the mind and heart. Meeting
as you do, near my birthplace, and where my youth was passed.
recalling attention to my worth}' and much revered ancestor,
Rev. James Xoyes, it would give me special satisfaction to be
there, and share with you in the reminisences, jubilations, and
outlooks, of that occasion, etc."
Amos Palmer Barber, of Rahway, X. J., writes: "Shall be
happy to be present. Am a direct descendant from Walter."
B. G. Palmer, of Middleton, X. Y., writes : " Shall be one of
the happy family."
R. II. Palmer writes: " Am very much interested in the Re-
Union, as are all of our family."
Rev. Frederick Denison writes: " My response to the call of
OF THE RE-UNION'. 37
" Denison " will be short, since brevity will be the soul of wit,
in your great gathering. * * ."
As to a poem :
" Responsive to your favors shown,
If I may haply touch the string-,
In filial strains I fain would sing-,
The merits of our Mother Town."
[932— From Alvak Palmer.]
Home, South Byron, Fon du Lac Co., Wis.
Stonington was my birthplace, June 7th. 1S01. the place
where my eyes first caught the light on this mundane sphere.
Oh ! friend, don't doubt the great happiness it would afford my
declining years to visit the place made sacred to me, and min-
gle with those of kindred blood. Xo doubt it will be a " feast
of fat things " to those in attendance. May the God of our
fathers and of all good be present, and direct the assemblage
to His honor and the happiness of all present. My best
regards for all who are congregated on that festal day.
And now to yourself receive my hearty good wishes, and also
to all associated with you.
[1335 — From Andrew Palmer.]
Janesville, Wis.
Nothing could be more agreeable to my wishes than to be
present and join with you in the Re-Union and festivities about
to take place at the old Walter Palmer homestead.
While as descendants of a race largely composed of men
noted for their brave and devout pilgrimages to the sacred
shrine of the Redeemer, it would ill comport with a due regard
for our own self-respect to base, upon that ground alone, a
claim to the respectful consideration of others. History still
verifies the fact that, among the six thousand or more names
already upon the record as descendants of the earlier Palmer
emigrants to this country, is a worthy array of able and distin-
guished divines, and members of the different secular profes-
sions, including many names that have elevated the callings
they have severally chosen, and from among whom have been
taken some of the wisest and most equitable of our law-makers
and chief magistrates. And while it is also a noteworthy fact,
and one of no ordinary significance, that the name by which
W'e arc known is barely second in numerical force to any by
which the English-speaking race is designated, and embraces
among those who have borne it some of the ablest jurists and
state counsellors of the old world, rare indeed are the cases in
which it is to be found upon the records of our criminal courts.
38 PALMER RECORD
or among the hungry herd of office seekers and official spoils-
men, so degrading to the moral condition of this people, and so
imminent in its bodings of an early and ignominious termina-
tion of our national greatness and glory.
Assuring you, that while I deeply regret my inability to join
with you in the festivities of the occasion, it is only in person
that I shall be absent, as my heart and every good wish will be
with you throughout the entire period of the gathering.
[From Mrs. Frances Palmer Brown.]
Elmira, N. Y.
My father, Nathaniel Palmer, received an invitation to the
Re-Union of the " Palmer Family " at Stcnington. Ct. It
being quite a task, at his time of life, to write letters, he sent me
the invitation and wished me to write for him thanking vou for
the invitation.
About twelve years ago, a daughter of John Palmer came to
Brockport from Madison Count}*, bringing with her a gold-
headed cane which had been her father's, and was to be hand-
ed down to each John Palmer in his line. She said it was given
to a John Palmer away back by one of the " Georges of Eng-
land," for meritorious conduct. I saw the cane, and I believe
she said it had been in the family two hundred and fifty years.
[From B. Frank Palmer.]
Philadelphia, Pa.
Your esteemed invitation to the Palmer Family Re-Union is
at hand ; and in accepting it I must beg you to allow me to add
to my acceptance the last line found in that of General Grant
— u I will be with you in thought, if not in person."
It is not probable that our English cousins — Sir Roundell
Palmer, Baron Selbourne. Prof. Edward H. Palmer of Cambridge,
or others of the line — can well come so far, across the ocean, to
be present on the occasion ; and yet you expect the ablest one
of all the Palmer crusaders, not excepting Peter the Hermit, in
the person of Ulysses S. Grant, whose " line," whether dating
from the root of the genealogical tree or from the trunk of some
sturdy old sheltering oak in the " wilderness " of Virginia, we
are more than honored in honoring, and more than justly proud
in boasting of, genealogically.
I will, if required by the record, ignore all others of the line
(ten thousand strong), for three hundred years : and then 'plac-
ing General Grant in his true position as the Patriot-warrior),
still claim for the family in which he is descended a name equal
to the best on two continents. England would not a^k of her
most illustrious family, in three hundred years, more than one
OK THE RE-UNION. 39
Wellington. America will not ask of any one family a more
distinguishing honor than the Palmer line presents in Ulysses
S. Grant. There are others in the line, who even in the pres-
ence of the great captain (whose deeds must, for a time, obscure
all lesser names in patriotic warfare), stand forth ready to hon-
orably contend for the palm, with our transatlantic cousin, in
all the avenues of art, invention, science and literature : and
covet a warfare in the science of peace, in which it is hoped both
will excel. The names of many honored descendants of Walter
Palmer will appear, and in honoring them, I claim, for one, the
Spartan epitaph (^little changed) — " Walter had many a worthier
son than he."
[1212 — From A. S. Chesebrough.]
Durham, Ct.
There are some of the descendants of the first settler, as you
know, who have changed the spelling of their name to Cliesehro.
The original William always wrote his name in full, and so
do a large portion of his descendants, most of whom are not
now residing in Stonington. May I ask you to see that in your
programme for the Re-Union, and in any history of it you may
publish, you will be particular and spell the name in full. We
do not fancy this bob-tailed spelling.
[900 — From Fanny Cheseboro.]
Stontxgtox, Ct.
Dr. Nathan Palmer owned the farm and house now occupied
by Joseph Chesebro, Sr., in the immediate neighborhood of the
place where Walter Palmer built his home.
The land was never sold until my father bought it, after the
death of his uncle, Denison Palmer.
The house, now owned by my uncle. Denison Palmer Chese-
bro, in Stonington Boro., also belonged to Dr. Nathan Palmer,
originally. A part of my father's house, which has always been
a Palmer homestead, is more than a hundred and fifty years
old.
[676 — From Couktland Palmer.]
No. 151 East iSth Street, New York.
As I belong to the Stonington branch, I presume you need
no statistics.
I shall attend the meeting on 10th August, unless absolutely
prevented.
[1201 — From Rev. Frederic Denison.]
No. 28 South Court St., Providence, R. I.
Please accept, in behalf of the palm-bearing family, my special
thanks for the kind invitation sent me, to attend your grand
40 PALMER RECORD
family Re-Union, of August loth and nth, of the current
year.
As my great-grandmother, Bridget (Palmer) Gallup, wife of
Deacon Benadam Gallup, of Groton, Ct.. was a lineal descend-
ant of Walter Palmer. I naturally feel the pulse and pride of
the palm-wearers; and since "blood will tell," even to the
" third and fourth generation," I shall count it a pleasure ami
an honor to " put in an appearance," if possible, on the occa-
sion of the great family festival.
[617 — From Ge.v. George W. Palmer.]
137 East 124th St., New York.
I gladly accept the kind invitation to be present at the Re-
XJnion of the Palmer Family on the 10th and uthprox., at
Stonington, and desire to convey my thanks for your courtesy.
I shall endeavor to be present with my wife, and join in the
festivities of the occasion.
[1050 — From Madame de Giveryille.]
St. Louts.
I have gathered some items respecting the Palmers from
American and English sources : " There have been about sixty
families at a time in England of this very surname, differing in
their armes, and no wise related but by marriage. The
paternal coate is 2 bans gules, each charged with 3 tre-
foils of the field. Most one in chief, a greyhound — convent
table. The crest is a demi-panther or demi-leopard : argent-
spotted azure, fire issuing from his ears and mouth and hold-
ing in his paws a holly-bough with leaves and berries proper."
" The family, whose patriarch, William le Palmer, was a cru-
sader under Richard Cceur de Leon, was from a remote period
established in the county of Sussex, but a branch of it settled
in Marston as early as 1559." A descendant of the crusader.
Thomas Palmer, came to Boston, married Abigail Hutchinson.
and had two sons, Thomas and Eliakim, and a daughter Sarah.
who married Mr. Lewis. My grandfather, who was six feet two
inches, was said to have derived his stature from the Palmers.
You will notice the name was originally le Palmer, as in France:
the family bearing the name le Pelerin ('the pilgrim) have in
their armes three scallop shells, and tradition tells their pilgrim-
age to the Holy Land. The palm is also an emblem of the fol-
lowers of Christ, and is attributed to the Christian martyrs.
[204 — From Edwin Palmer.]
Norwich, Ct.
I am not a descendant of Walter, but of Thomas of Rowley ;
and yet, as your committee are kindly inviting all Palmers to
OF THE RE-UNION. 41
the Re-Union, I feel at liberty to accept, and shall probably be
present. "Palmers all our fathers were," even if there were
some thirty different original ancestors for those who bear the
name in New England alone, making it thus an impossibility
for Walter to be appropriated, much as we may desire to do so,
by more than half of us. at the most. But from whomsoever
sprung, we are all coming, for you design, of course, the Re-
Union, although given under the auspices of Walter's descend-
ants, to be a PALMER Re-Union, do you not ? And therefore,
you ask to join you in this " gathering of the clan," those who
look back to William, passenger in the Fortune. 1 62 1, the oldest
of us all ; and to the other Williams; to John of Charlestown.
1634, and to the eight other Johns; to Henry, to Edward, to
George, to Barnabas; to Nicholas of Windsor; to Thomas of
Rowley ; and the rest.
[717 — FromELiHU J. Palmer.]
Carbondale, III.
The tradition talked into me by my grandmother and grand-
father, and confirmed by the " big ha' Bible " which they read,
and orally by my father, was that three brothers left old Eng-
land about the same time, previous to 16SS, and I think before
the restoration of the Stuarts. That one of them settled in New
England, one in the Middle States, perhaps Pennsylvania, and
one in what was once called the northern neck of Virginia. I
am a descendant of the last, and am able to trace my lineage
directly to him with but little trouble. The traits of the family
are well interpreted as far we are concerned by the motto — " Pal-
mam qui meruit" etc., for my grandfather followed Washington
for seven years in the Revolution. My father followed Har-
rison, 1 812.
And may the " returned Crusader descendants " give a' good
account of themselves on the 10th and nth prox., is the wish
and hope of one of them.
[1029 — From Henry Palmer Ensign.]
Mobile, Ala.
To one who entertains such high veneration for the historic
annals of a family whose lineage dates so far back as that to
which we belong, the occasion suggested would be fruitful of
pleasure and gratification. The reminiscences, which such, a re-
Union will necessarily call up, put into imperishable record
and transmitted to futurity, revivified and modernized, will be
treasured by all the participants with an intensity of affection
grandly commensurate with the object in view.
i'he place of rendezvous, too, made by the hand-marks in
42 PALMER RECORD
peace, and the blood in war. of those whose scions we are proud
to be to-day, will add the glamour of their legendary testimony
to the happiness that awaits those whose good fortune it may
be to give the inspiration of their presence.
[1014 — From Rev. Edward Palmer.]
Barnwell. S. C.
I cannot refrain from saying that I am proud of the name of
Palmer, and happy in belonging to a lineage of such import-
ance, as to justify the remarkable "Union" proposed. If it i;
not too late, I will write to express my regret at not being able
to make one of your favored number. One-third of the way
among the "nineties," and feeble in strength, and at a distance
so remote, I do not feel that it would be practicable or prudent
to mingle in such a vast concourse as will swell your numbers.
But I send my hearty congratulations to you all, and wish the
■richest pleasures and the happiest results from the grand
" Union." Still more, I heartily echo the Palmer Family Motto :
"Let him, who has won it, bear the palm." May the emblem
11 Never get less."
[From Francis A. Palmer.]
New York City, N. Y.
Dear Sir — It will afford me much pleasure to accept your
kind invitation to meet the Palmer family at Stonington.
[970 — Frdm Benjamin Fish.]
New York.
I regret very much that I can only be with you in spirit on
the occasion, for it is a matter of pride with me that some 01
my ancestry sprung from the good old tree. And even if there
ran in my veins no drop of Palmer blood, I should still corn-
template with the rarest interest a gathering which cannot fail
to awaken anew the most honored memories belonging to my
birthplace and early home, since no history of old Stonington
can begin or end without the name of Palmer.
[S97 — From George H. Palmer.]
My father (the late Edmund Palmer) was born in East Had-
dam, Ct., in the year 1809. Often have I heard him in most
affectionate terms tell of the old homestead. The pleasure of
visiting his birthplace has so far been denied me.
[876 — From Prof. Asaph Hall.]
Washington, D. C.
My great-grandfather, on my mother's side, was Andrew
Palmer of Stonington, Ct. I knew but little of him, but had
OF THE RE-UNION. 43
been told that he had a brother Robert, who was a privateer
during the Revolutionary War. My grandfather, Robert Palmer,
was born in Stonington. and when about 21 years old he moved
to Goshen. Ct., where he married and had nine children, my
mother, Hannah C, being the oldest. She was born August,
1S04, and died in Goshen, March, 1SS0. My uncle, Andrew
Palmer, now about seventy-three years old. is living in Goshen.
The next brother, Robert, is in California ; and the other, Lem-
uel, is in Michigan. A younger brother, James, was killed in the
Civil War; and all the rest of the generation are dead.
I should be very glad to attend the Re-Union of the Palmer
family, but probably it will not be possible for me to do so.
[SSo— From John B. Palmer.]
Concord, N. H.
As I cannot be present on the occasion, I desire to say that
in heart I shall be with you all, in all your works and undertak-
ings, and that, as long as life lasts, my doors will be opened
wide (as they always have been) to all who bear the name
of Palmer.
[6S6— From Jas. D. Palmer.]
Havana, N. Y.
With regret I inform you that I cannot meet at Stonington,
August 10th and 1 ith, and participate in the Re-Union. I don't
know as I am a descendant of Walter Palmer. My grandfather,
Dan'l Palmer, once lived in Massachusetts; had sixty acres of
land near the place Gen. Putnam rode down the stone steps.
[564 — From J. C. Palmer.]
Ouincv, III.
The occasion will doubtless be one of great interest to all
participants, and, circumstances favoring, I should be delighted
to be present.
[993 — From John H. Palmer.]
Salem, Roanoke Co., Va.
It would afford me very great pleasure to visit the home of
our ancestors, and mingle with the happy company upon this
pleasing occasion ; to take by the hand the many we have
never seen, but who are of the same blood and of the same
honored name.
Please accept, on your own behalf, and of all who may be
present, my regrets in not being permitted to be with you
'circumstances will not admit of my absence from home at this
lime), and my earnest desire that this may be an occasion of
Vjreat rejoicing, the promotion of happy and enduring acquain-
tances, long to be remembered.
44 PALMER RECORD
[971 — From L. W. Ken yon. J
Goshen, Ct.
Accept my sincere thanks for your kind invitation for August
loth and 1 ith. It is with much regret that I find myself unable
to attend, although to participate in the exercises on such an
occasion would give me very great pleasure.
[1234 — From Isabel Grant Meredith.]
My grandfather, the late Billings Grant, was the second son
of Dr. Minor Grant, who was a native of Stonington, a surgeon
in Washington's army, and a sister of whom married a Palmer.
and, I think, settled in Stonington. The families of Hewett
and Wheeler, of Stonington, were also related by marriage to
my grandfather. My mother, Mrs. Julia Grant Dowe, now liv-
ing with me, is the eldest daughter of Billings Grant. His only
other surviving child is Mrs. Lyman W. Crane, of Stafford
Springs, Ct.
[933 — From Roswell Randall. J
Clinton, Mich.
I regret very much that circumstances forbid my attendance
at the Waiter Palmer Re Union. What a numerous progeny
that Walter has at this time ! The living members at this time
number many thousands, after 22S years. Jacob went down
into Egypt with seventy souls, and the Israelites that came up
out of Pharaoh's realm have been estimated at six millions.
Perhaps after the same length of time, the descendants of Wal-
ter may number up in the millions. The Palmers are a law-
abiding people. It is presumed that a search of the records of
all the jails, penitentiaries and prisons of the country would
find very few Palmers among them. Fifty or sixty years ago
the Palmers had not become famous, but they are coming to the
front ; they can now rank among their number, governors, gen-
erals, statesmen, college professors, eminent divines, etc., etc.
In Stonington and Voluntown, Ct., the Palmers and Randalls
intermarried, living in the same locality. Subsequently a por-
tion of them emigrated to Lenox, Madison Co., and to Bridge-
water, Oneida Co., N. Y.
In these localities they intermarried still more, but the spirit
of emigration has scattered them over all the Western and
Northwestern States.
They may be found in all professions, in all pursuits, in all
enterprises.
Through my paternal grandmother I am grafted into the
family tree.
Let the old tree continue to flourish and extend ; planted on
OF THE RE-UNION. , 45
the shore of the Atlantic, its branches have spread over the
Rocky Mountains, and taken root on the Pacific coast.
Long may the name in honor shine,
From Eastern to the Western brine ;
And Walter's fame strike deep and high,
While circling ages onward fly.
[855 — From Mary Dana Shindler.]
No. 5 Waverly Place. New York.
My great-grandfather was pastor of a church in Falmouth, I
think, and my grandfather. Job Palmer, went to South Carolina
in early life and settled there. He lived to be 97 years of age,
and died from influenza— not from old age. He had two sons
who were clergymen, my father. Rev. Benj. M. Palmer. D. D.,
for more than twenty-five years pastor of the largest Congrega-
tional church in Charleston, and indeed, in the whole South ;
and Rev. Edward Palmer, now 95 years of age and still preach-
ing. My uncle Edward has two sons in the ministry, the well-
known and celebrated Dr. B. M. Palmer of New Orleans, and
Edward, settled in Alabama. My aunt Sarah (Mrs. Axson),
has also a son in the ministry, and one a physician in New-
Orleans. I suppose I belong to you, and mean to be present
at the Re-Union.
[195 — From Geo. D. Stanton.]
It may be safely asserted that none of the offspring of the
Pilgrim Fathers can lay claim to more merited eminence in the
varied fields of theory, law, physic, the art and science of war.
and statesmanship, than the descendants of that sturdy old
pioneer settler of my boyhood home, Walter Palmer:
[From Lucretia P. Spencer.]
Dover, Del.
As the traveler halting for his noonday meal looks back upon
what he has accomplished, and marks well his successes and
their causes, also his failures and their causes — the one to copy
in the future and the other to avoid — he also looks ahead,
searching eagerly for the most direct path for the goal of his
ambition. In like manner would it not be well at our family
gathering to note well the successes and failures, and their causes,
for our future benefit ; and earnestly encourage among our mem-
bers to religiously labor for the high ambition of attaining per-
fect physical, mental and moral growth.
[6S5 — From Mrs. George Sherman.]
NORWICHTOWN.
My father and two brothers and two sisters arc buried at
Wequetequock, in the old burying ground. I suppose my
46 PALMER RECORD
grandfather lived there, and perhaps in the old Walter Palmer
house. I have in my possession his old Bible which he bought
the same day he was drowned.
[931— From HCLDAH P. Safford.]
Syracuse.
_ 1 deeply regret that I am not young enough to accept your
kind invitation to the Palmer Re-Union, at Stoningtom the
place of my birth, and where my forefathers have been educated
and spent the best of their days, and where our ancestors have
fought for their freedom and obtained liberty, and left for ua
a free and glorious country. It makes me 'feel voung again
when I think of my birthplace and home, and were f fifteen
years younger I would be with you at your gathering I am
the youngest and last one left of twelve' of my father's farmh-
and am in my ninety-sixth year, and do not feel' quite as nimble
as once: but if I live to see the 10th and nth of this month, my
heart and mind will be with you, and that it will be a gloried
meeting of the Palmers is the' wish of your aged friend*
[646 — From Thomas R. Palmer.]
Otisville. X. V.
My grandfather's family consisted of five sons— Sam uei.
Aaron, Stephen, John and Daniel— all of which arc dead, i
could enumerate their descendants, but they are legion. I am
a son of Stephen, and am in my seventy-second year; have not
been able to get my coat on unassisted for a year and a half,
but I shall try and attend the Re-Union of the Palmer familv
August 10th and nth.
[103— From IE Clay Trl .mulll.J
Xo. 725 Chestnut St., Philadelphia.
Returning from a journey which has included Euroue, Asia.
Africa and America. I find here your invitation to attend the
Palmer Re-Union in Stoningtcn next month, and I take pleas-
ure in accepting it.
All the world over, there is no place to a man like his child-
hood's home for its permanently impressive associations, and i
shall be glad to revive my many memories of my native place
by a return to it on this noteworthy occasion.
[^97 — From Theodore J. Palmer.]
Xew York.
I shall take great pleasure in being present at the •' Palmer
Re-Union " on the 10th ol August, and hope the affair will be
a great success.
OF THE RE-UN'IOX. 4?
[1275 — From William Pitt Palmer.]
Freveburg, Me.
Your favor of 13th ult. was forwarded me here by my son,
two days since. He found it at my old place of business, from
which ill health banished me some three years ago. My physi-
cian willed that I should try the air of the mountains for one Sum-
mer at least, and I am here accordingly. And just to think that
I cannot join you and my other kindred, nine days hence, to
honor the memory of our common ancestor at the house by
Wequetequock, where his long pilgrimage found a peaceful and
honored repose ! I regret exceedingly that I cannot be with
yon on an occasion so interesting. I should feel myself over-
paid, if permitted to occupy the humblest seat among all my
kindred. The poem which the papers accord to me, I should
be delighted to prepare with ail my might, if only the fates had
left me some little tuneful ability. To prove my filial interest
in the Re-Union, I have sent to the care of Doctor H. G.
Palmer, as my representative, a small volume of verses, which
perhaps may fill a little chink in the memorials of the celebra-
tion. It is but a trifle at best.
[1232 — From Mrs. Alice S. Wheeler and Mrs. Elizaeeth Easton.]
Boston.
The undersigned, great-granddaughters of General Joseph
Palmer, of Revolutionary- memory, and granddaughters of
Joseph Pearce Palmer, his son, would be pleased to meet the
various branches who will be present at your gathering, should
you think proper to send an invitation.
[919 — From J. B. Wood.]
Warwick, X. Y.
I have a sort of historical record from which I briefly copy.
The Palmers of Rockland County are but one branch of the
family from New England, and is of English origin. (Gives ref-
erence to New York genealogical record and biographical, un-
der the name of Palmer.) John Palmer, as early as 1750, lived
near New City, Rockland Count}-; had three sons John,
Joseph and Jonathan.
John Palmer, Jr., continued near New City; his children's
names are John, Sarah, Joseph, Barbara, Jonathan, Elizabeth,
Mary, Catrina and Rebecca.
John Palmer, third, removed to Warwick ; his children are
fravid, Uriel, Annie, Sarah, Maria, Hannah, Rebecca and Eliza-
beth. Maria and Elizabeth are the only ones living. This
family came from City Island, as is known by old deeds in their
possession.
48 PALMER RECORD
[10S6 — From Grace B. Wilgus.]
Buffalo, N. Y.
Have received an invitation to the Palmer Re-Union. Am
a descendant of Walter Palmer in the straight line. Was borr.
at Stonington. on a farm deeded to my grandfather. Xathanie!
Palmer, by Joseph Xoyes, February- ioth. 1772, and for forty
years lived on the farm, and in the borough of Stonington.
My brother, Luke Palmer, of Burlington, Iowa, and all of our
nephews and neices. I hope, have not been overlooked. Am
proud of my 'ancestry' and the old family name of Palmer.
Regret that I cannot be with you at this gathering, but believe
me heartily in spirit with the occasion.
OF THE RE-UNION. 49
t 633.] " PALM AM QUI MERUIT FERA T." | 1 8S 1 .
Walter Palmer Re-Union,
AT
STONINGTON, CT., AUGUST io and ii, iSSi.
ORDER OF EXERCISES,
AUGUST lOth.
10:30 A. M.
MUSIC, ------ Band.
PRAYER.
MUSIC.
ADDRESS OF WELCOME, - - Rev. A. G. Palmer, D. D.
MUSIC.
Introduction of President Elisha H. Palmer, Esq.
MUSIC.
INTERMISSION TILL TWO O'CLOCK.
A KT K K- X O O >» .
MUSIC— "Home, Sweet Home."
HISTORICAL ADDRESS, - - - Judge R. A. Wheeler.
MUSIC.
POEM, .... Rev. A. G. Palmer, D. D.
MUSIC.
"PALMER FAMILIES." - - Xoyes F. Palmer, ok Jamaica, L. I.
MUSIC.
TENTH OF AUGUST— Anniversary Battle ok Stontngton ; Short
Address by Ex-Warden Williams.
MUSIC— "Old Hundred," - - - Band and Audience.
EVENING.
7:30 o'clock.
MUSIC— "America," - - - Band and Audience.
POEM, - Rev. Frederick Dentson.
^ MUSIC.
Impromptu Speeches uk Five Minutes by Non-Resident Descendants of
Walter Palmer.
MUSIC— "Auld Lang Syne," - - - Band and Audience.
Fireworks by Prof. Blank, ok Providence.
AUGUST 1 1 th.
Palmer Excursion Train to Wequetequock Dry Bridge, Leaving the
Re-Unton Grounds at 11:30 A. M. Prompt.
Marching, Music "Battle Hymn of the Republic, " ti» Walter Palmer's
Homestead She, thence to the Ancient Wequetequock Burying
Ground, where Appropriate Services will be Held.
MUSIC— "Sweet Bye and Bye."
Return to Stonington at 3:30 P. M.
Responses by Descendants of Ancestral Families ok Stoning ton, Ct.
Clam-Bake on the Re-Union Grounds.
Evening and Closing Exercises to be Announced from the Platform.
PALMER RECORD
PROCEEDINGS.
FIRST DAY— AUGUST lOth.
When morning came upon Stonington the town was full of
Palmers. By four o'clock the previous day no hotel accommo-
dations could be obtained, and Palmers lodged upon the hos-
pitality of the residents of the borough. At a preliminary
meeting on the 9th, resolutions were adopted by the Re-Union
Palmers from various sections of the country, to pay a regular
fee to all who furnished accommodations, and the enthusiasm
soon became contagious and all seemed to join in endeavoring
to lodge the Palmers. The crowds that wended their way or.
-the morning following to the grounds, were evidence that a
host of people had been furnished a temporary abiding place.
The saying among all was, " Where did the Palmers lodge /"
A large tent with open sides had been erected in the western
part of the town near the railway station, and only a few blocks
from the Hotel Wadawanuck. and here the public exercises
were held. Seats were provided for over a thousand persons,
and all were occupied before the exercises began. The tent
was furnished by R. M. Vale, of Boston, on the lot between the
Hotel Wadawanuck and the upper depot. We may say here
that many thanks are due Mrs. Charles P. Williams of this place
for her kindness in giving the use of the grounds to the Re-Union
Committee. The exercises opened at 10:30 A. M., the tent being
crowded. Not only Palmers, but a large number of borough-
ites joined in the festivities with a right good will. Music by
the Xoank Brass Band, A. L. Spicer, leader, was followed by-
prayer by the Rev. E. B. Palmer. D. L). ; the band played again.
and Rev. A. G. Palmer, D. D., delivered the Address of Welcome,
and after more music came the introduction of Hon. Elisha H-
Palmer, of Montville. Ct., the president of the Re-Union.
The afternoon session opened with the singing of " Home.
Sweet Home," by the audience, with band accompaniment.
OF THE RE-UNIOX. -,
)yn.\i;c R. A. Wheeler was then presented to his assembled kins-
men and read an extended sketch of Walter Palmer and his
family, which was full of interest and well received. After
more music by the band, the Rev. A. G. Palmer, D. D., of
the borough, delivered a poem prepared for the occasion in his
usual able manner, its deliver}' occupying a half hour. The
band again assisted, and an interesting paper on the Battle
of Stonington was read by Ex-Warden Ephraim Williams, of
Stonington, the anniversary of which was celebrated by the
Palmer Re-Union. Me closed by repeating the following verse :
Soon you will cross the unknown sea.
And reach the heavenly haven if pure vou be.
' Palmer and friends who have gone before,
Bid kindly welcome to that peaceful shore.
So should we who here remain.
Toil on, in faith " that to die is-gain."
The afternoon exercises closed with the singing of " Old Hun-
dred" by the audience.
The evening meeting opened with prayer by Rev. E. Barne-
bas Palmer, of Boston, with singing " The Palmers' Hymn."
composed by -Miss Sara A. Palmer, of Stonington, to the tune
of "America." Rev. Frederick Denison, of Providence, R. I.,
then recited an original poem. This was followed by an
address on Palmer Families, by Xoyes F. Palmer, of Jamaica.
N.Y. After this were short, stirring impromptu speeches by
Ex-Gov. Win. T. Minor. Francis A. Palmer. Esq., of New
^ ork, Gen. Geo. W. Palmer, who presided temporarily, and
others.
In regard to the exercises on the first day, the Rev. Fred.
Denison wrote to the Providence Press:
" The Palmer Re-Union is a big thing. The Palmers are here
by the thousand, from Penobscot Bay, Puget Sound, the Gulf
of California, and the palmy shores of the Gulf of Mexico. One
might as well think of numbering the children of Israel. They
press upon the borough of Stonington like the ground-swell of
the Atlantic. They are here in houses, halls, tents, car.-, car-
riages and steamboats. The -rand pavilion and caterers' tent-
52 PALMER RECORD
make a beautiful cantoinment in full view from the railroad
station on the north margin of the borough. The town never
before looked so beautiful and lively. The celebration is a
double one ; it recalls the marvelous evolution of the ancient
Palmer stock, and repeats the memory of the gallant defense
of Stonington in 1S14.
" The arrangements, not few or unlaborious, for this monster
Re-Union were made by some of the spirited tribe, particularly
the Hon. E. H. Palmer, of Montville, Ct., president of the oc-
casion ; Ira H. Palmer, corresponding secretary; H. Clay Pal-
mer, treasurer, both of Stonington ; Noyes F. Palmer, family
genealogist, of Jamaica, L. I., N. V.; and the Rev. A._G, Palmer,
D. D., poet, preacher and orator, of Stonington. Of course
these leaders had their lieutenants, and their correspondence
reached over all the country. In short, it is the biggest family
gathering probably that has taken place in Connecticut, if not
in New England. Of course the newspapers of the country
have duly noticed the plan and purpose of this pilgrimage of
the Palmers to their ancestral shrine, and the columns of the
Stonington Mirror have overflowed with the fullness of even
the preliminary proceedings."
The opening prayer and various addresses of the first day
follow.
PRAYER,
BY REV. E. B. PALMER, D.' D., OF BRIDGETOX, N. J.
Great and holy God, we thank Thee for Thy mercies unto
our fathers, and for Thy blessings to us, their children. We ren-
der thanksgiving to Thee, that Thy bountiful providence has
attended us through the generations of the past, and brought
so many of us here to greet each other in this fraternal hour.
We acknowledge Thy goodness in the cheer of this bright and
sunny day, and for the transparent air that refreshes us with its
breeze. 'We pray for Thy blessing upon us in this great family
gathering. Direct us in all the services and festivities of this
joyful occasion. Forgive us our many transgressions in Thy
hoi}- sight. We acknowledge our sins before Thee, and we
OF THE RE-UNION. 53
would not forget, at this time, that the hand of chastisement is
upon us, as a nation. We humbly beseech Thee, that Thou
ivouldst look upon our Chief Magistrate, the President of these
United States, and restore him again to perfect soundness of
body. Grant to bless the means used for his recovery. May
Divine wisdom guide those who attend him, that no mistakes
may occur, and may it please Thee to raise him up to be a
blessing to this nation and to the world. Command Thy bless-
ing upon us for the years to come. May we and our children
give heed to Thy word, so that, living in Thy fear, we may con.
linue to share Thy mercies. So guide and direct us, all
through the vicissitudes of this life, that at last we ma}- form a
part of the great family on high, redeemed through the ever-
lasting covenant by Jesus Christ, our Lord. And to Thee, the
Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, shall be praise forever.
Amen.
ADDRESS OF WELCOME,
BY REV. A. G. PALMER, D. D., OF STONINGTON, CT.
Ladies and gentlemen, descendants of Walter Palmer, all
who bear the Palmer name, and in whose veins flows the Palmer
blood. The pleasant duty has been assigned me of welcoming
you to this town, the last home of Walter Palmer, to which he
removed in 1653, and where he died in 1661. While not in-
sensible to the honor of this trust, and by no means disinclined
to the service, still I could have wished that it might have been
committed to lips better able to embody in befitting words,
the worthy aims and generous impulses of those with whom
this enterprise orignated, and in answer to whose call you are
here in such imposing and gratifying numbers to-day.
It had long been felt by many of the Palmer name, and es-
pecially by the descendants of Walter Palmer in this town and
in towns adjoining, that a family gathering of this kind was
very much to be desired, to be held either in this village, or
in some place more central and convenient to the largest num-
ber of those supposed to be interested in such a movement.
And so the matter had been discussed again and again, in ail
54 PALMER RECORD
the phases of its desirableness and possibility, but always with-
out any decisive conclusion, or any definite conception of what
was wanted, certainly with but very imperfect ideas of how it
was to be accomplished, and what the proprieties of the case
demanded; but just at this point of chaotic indecision and in-
action, where so many splendid schemes collapse and fail, ami
so many beautiful day dreams vanish into nothingness, the
Hon. E. H. Palmer, of Montville, Ct., came to the front, and
by his splendid physique, build, height, manner and spirit, and.
above all, by his intense self-reliance and personality, was at
once recognized as a Palmer of the Palmers, every way worthy
of this service and as one who could be safely trusted and fol-
lowed therein — indeed as the long-looked-for man for the
occasion.
Some three months since he said to two or three person^
whom he chanced to meet on our streets that he wished to
bring about, this Summer, a Re-Union of the descendants
of Walter Palmer. Me said that he held last year at Nian-
tic a re-union of the two branches of his own family, the
Palmers and Turners, with so much pleasure and interest,
that his appetite was sharpened for a more sumptuous and nu-
merously attended feast. He wanted to know who the
Palmers were, who he was himself, and where the Palmers
lived, and he knew of no better way to settle these questions
than to have a re-union of the household in a general Pal-
mer council, for shaking hands and mutual recognition and
acquaintance. All this was said with that simple straightfor-
ward positiveness peculiar to men of strong "purpose and self-
reliance — men who, in the successful handling of secular in-
terests, have come to believe in themselves, and to assume that
what needs to be done, ought to be done, and what ought to
be done can be done.
Weil, we listened, if not with suppressed incredulity, yet with
silent admiration for the sanguine faith of our new leader, and
we at once yielded ourselves to his guidance, became his dis-
ciples, and awaited orders. We said, " If you will take us, we
will take you ; if you will lead, we will follow, and we will see
what will come of it." i doubt if the soldiers of Bonaparte, or
OF THE RE-UXIOX. 55
Washington, or Grant, or Sherman, had a more enthusiastic
confidence in the ability of their leaders than we had in ours :
but when I tell you that the significant "we" was limited to
two or three very unpretentious and uninfluential persons, you
will see how exceedingly unpromising was the outlook for the
success of the enterprise. We comforted ourselves, however,
with the thought that if we had but a small assembly, we
might at least have a pleasant one, and it might be the be-
ginning and nucleus of something better for the future, perhaps
for another year. So the first meeting was appointed, and
duly advertised to be held in the lecture-room of the First
Baptist Church for taking the preliminary steps toward' inaugu-
rating a re-union of the descendants oi Walter Palmer, to be
held at such time and place as, after consultation, might seem
befitting. When the day came, five persons attended. At the
adjourned meeting, a week after, for a permanent organization.
only the same persons were present ; we, however, organized
and modestly voted ourselves into office, no one dissenting.
But we proceeded orderly, and gravel}' too, for we were not in-
sensible to the importance of the work we were handling. Of
course, this beginning was so small as to seem to ourselves al-
most like presumption, and I do not wonder that those who
looked on, thought the affair was "all talk." and must fail from
sheer feebleness. But they did not know our leader, and did
not take into the account that he was a Palmer of the old, una-
dulterated stock and that if we were weak in faith and purpose
and resources, he was not ; so he said to us, " This small begin-
ning does not discourage me in the least. A few will have to
handle this matter and put it in motion, anyhow. In fact, a
few are better than many ; they will all have to work, and can
work to better advantage because there will be less waste of
time and strength from conflicting interests and counsels." He
*aid everything had to grow, and growth took time. The mo-
mentum would be slow at first. A train did not start off at full
speed of sixty miles an hour. We should, by and by, get this
He-Union under such headway that we should have to " put
on the brakes, or be carried past the station from the pressure
of the heavily loaded cars in the rear. The Palmers were a
56 PALMER RECORD
heavy train, and besides we must remember they were on an
ascending grade." We knew this was sound logic and good
preaching; and I am glad to see that his strong Palmer good
sense and grit and courage have been so abundantly confirmed
and rewarded, as the surroundings of this morning, and t\\\<
great gathering indicate.
It is but just to say that he has been vigorously sustained by
his lieutenants, and if his disciples have been few, they have
been the more abundantly earnest. Ira H. Palmer, correspond-
ing secretary, and H. C. Palmer, treasurer, with a select num-
ber of women, if few. yet very honorable, have rendered timeh
and efficient aid. The amount of correspondence which Mr.
Ira H. Palmer has so successfully handled is simply wonderful
and indicates an ability of dispatch in work of this kind of grea:
practical value. Mr. Xoyes F. Palmer, of Jamaica, L. I., ha.<
also brought to the work his long experience in the field of gene-
alogical research and his rich treasure of the Walter Palme:
literature, which he has been for years accumulating, and the
whole movement has been cheered and quickened by his un-
flagging energy and never-wavering enthusiasm. If any man
living can tell " where the Palmers lodge " that man is Xoyc-
F. Palmer. He knows where the}' lodge by hundreds and thous-
ands. If in his physique somewhat below the old Palmer type,
for there were giants among the Palmers in olden times, yet
he has somewhere stored away resources of vital force ami
endurance well nigh exhaustless. making him superior to weari-
ness, and almost incapable of fatigue.
It seems needful to refer to these details of our preliminary
work that you may the more readily sympathize with the diffi-
culties with which we had to contend, and so be prepared to
make due allowance for any want of completeness or fullness
of preparation for the demands of this occasion, and especial y
that you may know under whose leadership the campaign ha-
been so courageously conducted. And now, having according
to our best wisdom brought it thus far, we take great pleasure
in laying our assumed responsibilities at your feet and in com-
mitting the future of this Re-Union to the wisdom of you*
counsels and decisions. Our own proud desire has been and f-
OF THE RE-UXIOX. 57
that it may become a permanent organization and go down
through the generations to come.. binding the Palmers together
as one great family; one in culture and literature and not less
one in social, moral and religious progress. And now it only re.
mains that I should say with the blunt honesty and warm-hearted-
ness of the olden times : Friends, we are glad to see you, and are
proud to recognize all who bear the Palmer name, and in whose
veins flows the Palmer blood, as our own kith and kin, and as
belonging to the great Palmer family so widely scattered over
this continent, that constitutes so positive a factor in our
national life and that from the War of the Revolution through
eacn succeeding conflict has contributed so heroically to the
national defense, integrity and perpetuity. We welcome you
to the old town, as rugged in its history as in its rocks and hills,
and in its more marked epochs, as sublime and grand as the
storm-driven waves that dash and break upon its rocky shore.
It is the soil that Walter Palmer and his compeers, the Chese-
broughs, the Minors, the Stantons, the Xoyeses, and others
broke up from a wilderness state and made into homes for them-
selves and their children. You are here from every part of
the land, especially from the West, to which many of the Palmers
from this town early removed, and laid there the foundation for
that golden prosperity in wealth and liberal culture and also in
social and religious relations for which the family is now as
distinguished as any other family in the land, and which we arc
proud to see so fully represented here to-day."
And now. if any still ask, in the quotation from Shakespeare.
M Where do the Palmers lodge. I pray you," the answer from the
four thousand invitations sent out by the Secretary of the Pal-
mer Re-Union is', " They lodge even where on this broad conti-
nent, from Maine and the Canadason the north, to Oregon and
California on the west, sweeping the Southwestern States and
Territories, back by the Carolinas and Virginia to the old camp-
ground in Stonington where we are met in council to-day."
And so we welcome you to the very soil which " the old giant."
•is Walter has been not unfitly called, broke and worked with
his own hands for the support of himself and his numerous
old-time family. You will find not a few objects of interest.
58 PALMER RECORD
chief among which will be the site of the Walter Palmer home-
stead at Wequetequock, and the old burying-ground where his
huge grave will be shown you, and where most, if not all, his
children were buried.
It is a rough looking, neglected old place, but it is where the
"rude forefathers " sleep, and I am sure its hallowed associ-
ations will commend it in all its barreness to your profoundest
regards, and will justify your pilgrimage to this shrine of our
earliest family, life and death.
And now with another hearty welcome to all that may be
enjoyable on this memorable occasion, and especially to our
ocean views, cool sea breezes and the fruitfulness of the sea if
not of the land, I close with the earnest prayer for the prosper-
ity and unity of the great Palmer Household in this world and
for a final re-union in the world to come.
ADDRESS
BY HON. ELISIIA II. PALMER, OF MONTVILLE, CT., PRESIDENT
OF THE RE-UXION.
Great-grandfathers, grandfathers, uncles, aunts and cousins.
I bid you a good morning. If ever I was thankful for any one-
thing it is that at this time I see the beginning of the end of
this Re-Union. I have seen it in the papers that I was to take
charge of the Re-Union, so I have felt that I was, to some ex-
tent, responsible for it. Thank God, the obstacles that arose
in our path have all been overcome, and now I am only troubled
to know where the Palmers will lodge to-night. Daniel Webster
once said, in one of his great speeches, or rather in a speech
which he expected to deliver, that some previous speaker had
stolen his thunder. I expected to give an account of the Re-
Union from its inception down to the present time. But the
Doctor has done that and left me nothing to say. It is a wise
thing that Providence never lets us see into the future. If I had
foreseen the trouble and anxiety that was to attend the prep-
aration of this gathering, perhaps I should never have gone in-
to it. It is the same in moral movements. If Jefferson Davis
could have looked ahead, he never would have attempted to
OF THE RE-UNION.
59
establish a republican form of government on a platform of
slaver}'. What man ever stood in the position I do to-day — pres-
ident of this family ? Never was there such a gathering on the
globe — perhaps that is saying too much, but it is safe to say-
that never was there such a gathering in the United States.
How do you suppose I was chosen ? If they had chosen a pres-
ident as they do delegates to political conventions, do you sup-
pose I ever would have been the man ? [Cries of yes ! yes !] A
man from a little country town in the backwoods? I told you
I couldn't make a speech. Some men are born great, some
achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.
I have had greatness thrust upon me. I consider it a greater
honor to be president of this Re-Union than to be president of
the United States. I should have told General Grant the same
thing if he had been here. I want to encourage the young
Palmers— I want them to multiply and replenish the earth.
What makes great men ? I say there are better men in this
Re-Union for senators and representatives than some who are
there now. If these men were in Congress it would give them
the chance to develop their ability. I should have been in
Congress long ago if I had only received votes enough. [Mr.
Palmer has for years been the Prohibition candidate for Con-
gress in his district.] It is the circumstances that surround a
man that makes him great. Because Grant has been President,
and general of the army, it does not prove that there are not
other Palmers who would have been just as great under favor-
ing circumstances. What would he have amounted to if he had
never left his tanner)-? If there had never been a rebellion,
Grant would never have been heard of. The speaker then re-
ferred to the sculptor Palmer as having achieved success by
circumstances. His talent was first discovered by his taking
to a jeweler, to have reproduced in gold, a likeness of his wife
which he had cut out of a cameo with a jack knife. He was
simply a rude farmer when this circumstance opened to him a
new career in which he had become famous. Take the great
men of the country in the past — Washington, Jefferson, Madison.
Webster, and others — and the)- to-day have scarcely a descendant
who is known to the country. I have heard it said that \\ cb-
<X> PALMER RECORD
ster had not a single living descendant. But the great family
of Walter Palmer never was more flourishing or bore more fruit
than to-day. One Palmer descendant was President for two
terms, and we could have stood him for a third term. When
I first came to Stonington and published a notice in the Mirror
that we would have a family Re-Union. I supposed that others
felt as I did. This is the nest of the Palmers, and I supposed
that by advertising we could get up a good re-union. At our
first meeting there were four men present and one of those was
deaf, and. I had to tell him going over on the cars what we did
at the meeting. At the next meeting I supposed there would
be more, but I believe there were less. Then somebody said, if
you can enlist the ladies of Stonington, the Re-Union will be a
success. We did enlist them, and they are entitled to a large
share of the credit of this successful demonstration. After all
I have passed through, I don't regret that I have got you here.
If I had been called upon at a political convention— Republican.
Democratic, Prohibition or Greenback — with any platform un-
der me but one of boards only, I could have made a speech.
ELISHA H. PALMER,
OF MOXTVILLE, CT., PRESIDENT OE THE RE-UNIOX.
(Brief Biography.)
The subject of this brief sketch is a grandson of Rev. Reuben
Palmer, and a son of Gideon Palmer, the oldest of a family of
eleven, and was born the 23d day of June, 1S14, in the town oi
Montville, New London County, State of Connecticut. He re-
ceived a common school education, and attended Bacon Acad-
emy, in Colchester, two years. It was intended by his father t>-
give him a college education, but sickness prevented. His father
being a manufacturer of different commodities, his son became
such, and carried on the same business, which was mostly the
manufacturing of linseed oil and paints. The first of his going
away from home was to oversee the building and starting ma-
chinery for the purpose of manufacturing cotton-seed oil in the
city of Richmond. Virginia, which was done to the satisfaction ol
his employer. He was eighteen years old at this time. He vva
^ •-.-.,-'■- ^
3S . _~^ ? >
»•
£>&
tZt^zc^
OF THE RE-UNION. 6l
the manufacturer of the first cotton-seed oil that was made in
this country, which is now one of the great industries of the
South. About this time there was more important business to
attend to, and he was united in marriage to Miss Ellis Loornis,
Thanksgiving day. Nov. 30, 1837. The following Spring he
went to Rockwell. Illinois, with his father, to erect a steam saw-
mill, and sawed the first plank to construct the canal locks at
the terminus of the canal near Losee. Was taken sick with
fever and ague in the Fall, and had to return home. In 184c,
went to Norwich, and carried on the wholesale business in oils,
paints, etc., for three years. In the year 1845, got UP machinery
for the manufacturing of cotton rope, and went to Houston,
Texas, and started it for other parties. On his return from
Texas the oil business was given up, and it was changed into
cotton manufacturing of different kinds of goods, and improved
by him until 1876, when three of his sons bought the property
and commenced the manufacturing of bedding comforters, and
are doing a large business. It is on the same place where his
grandfather built the dam about one hundred years ago.
In politics he was identified with the anti-slavery movement
at first, and voted that ticket. In 1854, was elected represent-
ative of his town ; voted for the Maine Liquor Law, which was
the most important question before the Legislature that session.
At the formation of the Republican party he joined that— it be-
ing more in accordance with his views— and was elected again
by that party to represent them in the Legislature of 1864.
His experience in the first Legislature enabled him to be in-
strumental in getting a flowage law passed, which has been a
great benefit to manufacturers of the State. He was elected
to represent his district in the State Senate in 1876.
He has been a total abstainer from all that intoxicates, also
from all forms that tobacco is made use of, from his youth up.
He is and has been an earnest and persistent advocate of temp-
trance and moral reform, both in private and public, and is
known throughout the State among the temperance peopie as
■such. For the last six years has been the Prohibition candidate
for Congress in his district. Feeling the need of a higher edu-
cation himself, he has taken an active part in trying to elevate
62 PALMER RECORD
its standard in his own town, for the benefit of his neighbors'
children as well as his own. Being of the Baptist denomina-
tion, he has always done his part in sustaining the church in his
society. Never refusing a favor to any one that was practicable
to grant ; never refused to give to the poor or to alleviate the
the sufferings of the afflicted. He was with and of the people
— not bigoted or lifted up above them — but genial, easy to ap-
proach, social, and an enjoyable companion. In short. Mr.
Palmer has been an active representative man in all the depart-
ments of life that go to make up good society. His generation
will owe him a debt of gratitude for the effort and sacrifice he
he has made to elevate them to a higher plane of usefulness.
It is but appropriate to add he was the active organizer and
promoter of the first Palmer Re-Union held in America.
HYMN
SUNG AT THE PALMER RE-UNION.
We meet an old-time family
From places far and wide ;
To answer to our pedigree
With loyalty and pride.
Chorus •
Our fathers shall not be forgot.
Their memory we'll enshrine.
And cherish in our latest thought
The days of " Auld Lang Syne."
The days of Auld Lang Syne so dear
With gladness we review ;
And pledge our children year by year
This service to renew.
We come from North, and South, and Last,
And from the distant West,
To mingle in this household feast
With eagerness and zest.
Chorus.
OF THE RE-UXIOX. 63
We're pilgrims all both great and small.
In faith and purpose true :
Obedient to the heavenly call
To see the conflict through.
Chorus.
With Palms in hand we'll firmly stand, .
As in the days of old.
When Palmers swept the Holy Land
With conquering legions bold.
Chorus.
And when our pilgrimage is o'er.
And fought the last campaign.
In triumph on the golden shore
We'll wave our Palms again.
(
Chorus.
A.G. Palmer, D. D.
HISTORICAL ADDRESS
BY JUDGE RICHARD A. WHEELER, OF STOXIXGTOX, CT.
Walter Palmer, whose descendants have met here to-day for
a family Re-Union, was of English origin, and came to tins
country and joined the early settlers of Charlestown, Mass.
How and when he came is not certainly known. It had been
supposed by some that he was one of the Dorchester company,
which, forming a connection with the grantees of the Edmond,
Lord Sheffield Patent, came over in 1624, and settled at Cape-
Ann, Mass., and remained there about two years. But their bus-
iness operations proving unprofitable, they abandoned the place
and moved to ?\aumkeag, now Salem, Mass., where the most
of them remained until they were joined by other English
emigrants that soon followed them. Others have thought that
he might have been connected with a still earlier patent, issued
by the great Council of Plymouth to Robert Georges, who wa^
subsequently appointed by them Lieutenant-General of New
64 PALMER RECORD
England. In 1623, he crossed -the ocean to establish a colony,
and thereby secure the benefits of his patent. After vainlv en-
deavoring for a year or more to promote the success of his col-
ony, and no supplies reaching him, he returned home, leaving
his interests to the care and management of his agents. Robert
Georges died soon after his return, and his interests in the pat-
ent descended to his eldest brother, John Georges who, in 1628.
leased the territory embraced in it to John Oldham and John
Dorrill. But they encountered so much opposition in this coun-
try and in England that they abandoned the lease, but not with-
out a serious and protracted controversey. Most of the grantees
under Georges' patent united with the planters at Salem, but
some of them sought a home within the limits of the patent.
where they remained until their lands and dwelling were
claimed by the next comers. It is not probable that Walter
Palmer was associated with* any of the grantees under these
patents. The Plymouth Council, which was incorporated by
King James I., November 3d, 1620. had no other source of rev-
enue than the sale of patents : so in order to increase their
profits they sold on the 19th day of March, 1628, the territory
embraced in all these patents over again to the Massachusetts
company. In September following, John Endicott reached
New England in the good ship Abigail, commanded by Captain
Henry Gauden. bringing with him the other five associate
grantees under the last patent from the Plymouth Council.
Pending these proceedings, and while the grantees were great-
ly cmbarassed by the conflict of titles under so many patents-
King Charles the First on the 4th day of March, 1629, granted
to the " associates " and others as a body corporate and pol-
itic a royal charter, which was regarded by some as in confirm
ation of the patents of the old Plymouth Council. Abraham
Palmer, an older brother of our Walter, was a merchant in Lon-
don at the time, and one of the associates," and gave fifty
pounds in aid of the object of the charter. In the early Spring
of 1629, there arrived in Salam, Mass.. Ralph Sprague and his
brothers, Richard and William Sprague, who soon after, wit!:
three or four others, by the consent and approbation of Gov-
ernor Endicott, journeyed through the woods some twelve
OF THE RE-UNION. 65
miles, and came to a place on the north side of the Charles
river, called by the Indians Mishawum, where they found an
Englishman of the Georges patent living in a thatched house.
He was a smith, by the name of Thomas Walford. who was
the pioneer settler and inhabitant of Charlestown. Mass. Two
of the four men who accompanied the Spragues through the wil-
derness to Mishawum, were Abraham and Walter Palmer. The
following is a record of their hrst proceeding: '* The inhabitants
that first settled in this place and brought it into the denomina-
tion of an English town, were anno 1629, as follows, viz: Ralph
Sprague, Richard Sprague. William Sprague, William Springer,
John Meech, Simon Hoyt, Abraham Palmer, Walter Palmer.
Nicholas Stowses. John Stickline, Thomas Walford, smith.
that lived here alone. Walter Palmer built the first dwelling
house in Charlestown. He was assigned two acres for a home
lot and subsequently had more liberal grants. Walter Palmer,
whose inclination tended to farming and stock raising, soon
found his possessions inadequate to his business. Notwith-
standing which, he continued to live in Charlestown until 1643,
when he removed his habitation to the Plymouth colony. Dur-
ing his residence in Charlestown. Walter Palmer formed the
acquaintance of William Chesebrough, who then resided in Bos-
ton and Braintree. The friendship of these men was of no or-
dinary character. It continued through life. They resided
near each other in Rehoboth, and their houses in Stonington
were within hailing distance of each other, on the east and west
banks of Wequetequock Cove. Walter Palmer was a man of
note in the Massachusetts colony. He was admitted a freeman
there May iSth, 163 1, and held various local offices. In 1643,
Walter Palmer and his friend. William Chesebrough, concluded to
remove to the Plymouth colony, and with others, joined in the
organization of the town of Rehoboth as an independent town-
ship, which was to continue as such until they should subject
themselves to some other government. Such an organization.
largely composed of strangers, and situated in a remote part of
the colony, was not very well calculated to secure their approval.
It does not appear that they intended to run this new town-
ship wholly as an independent organization, for as scon as the
66 PALMER RECORD
preliminary steps necessary for its formation were taken, they
elected and sent representatives- or deputies to the general
court of Plymouth ; and such was the confidence placed in Wai-
ter Palmer by his fellow-townsmen, that they honored him with
the first election as deputy, and subsequently re-elected him to
that office ; and also conferred upon him repeatedly the office
of selectman and other local offices.
The younger Governor YVinthrop, of Boston, acting under a
commission of the general court of Massachusetts, commenced
the settlement of New London, Connecticut, in 1645, and urged
William Chesebrough to join him in organizing the new town.
Mr. Chesebrough visited the place during the year, but finding
the place unsuitable to his expectations, did not conclude to
settle there. On his way home he re-examined our town, and
selected a place for his future residence ; and on which he
erected a dwelling house, and removed his family there during
the year 1649, supposing that his new home was within the ju-
risdiction of Massachusetts. Connecticut assumed jurisdiction
over this town, as well as New London, which superseded Mr.
Winthrop's commission, though Massachusetts afterwards as-
serted her claims, and maintained them so far as this town was
concerned. Mr. Chesebrough was almost immediately sum-
moned by the general court of Connecticut to repair to Captain
Mason, of Saybrook, or some other magistrates upon the Con-
necticut river, to give an account to him, or them, of what he
was doing alone in the wilderness. Mr. Chesebrough at first
disregarded this order, claiming that his new home was within
the jurisdiction of Massachusetts, but subsequently acting un-
der the advice and assurance of Mr. Winthrop, and other friends.
at New London, he so far yielded to the colony of Connection.
as to appear at the general court at Hartford, in March, 1651
and in answer to their summons, said that he was not engaged
in any unlawful trade with the Indians, and also assured them
that his religious sentiments were in accordance with those of
the general court. That it was not his intention to remain
alone, and lead a solitary life in the wilderness, but that he
should endeavor to induce a suitable number of his triends to
join him and establish a new township. On hearing his stat---
OF THE RE-UNION. 6?
ment the court relented so far as to reluctantly permit him to
remain, on condition that he would give bonds not to engage
in any unlawful trade with the Indians, and furnish to the
court before the next Winter the names of such persons as he-
might induce to settle with and around him at Wequetequock-
The planters at New London were friendly with Chesebrough,
and did not want him to remove, unless he came there to live.
for they did not like the idea of a new township in this region.
After repeated conferences with him. they engaged that if he
would put himself on the footing of an inhabitant of that place
they would confirm his title to his lands on which he then lived
at Wequetequock. To this proposition he acceded, but the
townsmen of Xew London soon discovered that they were mak-
ing pledges that they could not fulfil, for the then boundaries
of that town did not extend but three miles on each side of the
river Thames. However, on request, the general court extend-
ed the eastern boundary of Xew London to Pawcatuck river.
and then Xew London gave to Mr. Chesebrough a home lot
over there which he never occupied. In January. 1652, the
town of Xew London redeemed its promise to him, and gave a
grant of confirmation to Mr. Chesebrough and his sons of all
the land they claimed in Stonington. Previous to the agree-
ment of the general court with Mr. Chesebrough. and the con-
firmation of his land to him and his sons. Thomas Stanton, in
1650, procured of the general court a license to erect a trading
house at Pawcatuck. with the exclusive right of trade in that
region for three years. He immediately built and occupied the
trading house, but did not bring his family to Stonington until
165S. Thomas Miner, a former resident of Charlestown, Mass.,
and then of Hingham. came to Xew London in 1645, received
a home lot there, and built a house on it the same year. He
continued to reside there until 1652, when he came to this place
and took up a tract of land cast of and adjoining Wequetequock
Cove, and during that year and the next erected a house there-
on. On the 30th day of June, 1652, the town of Xew London
granted a tract of three hundred acres of land to Governor
Haynes for a farm lying together on the east side of the We-
quetequock »Cove. When Walter Palmer (yielding to there-
68 PALMER RECORD
quest of his old friend, Chesebrough, to join him in settling the
new township) came here and purchased this tract of land of
Governor Haynes, but before he took his deed he found it cov-
ered and embraced the house and lands of Thomas Miner. So
he and the governor entered into a written agreement that
Palmer should give £ ioo for the place in such cattle as Mr.
Haynes should select out of Palmer's stock. If any disagree-
ment should arise as to the price of the stock, it should be de-
cided by indifferent persons. This contract recognized the title
to the house and lands occupied by Mr. Miner, and was dated
July 15, 1653. Mr. Miner was selected to put Mr. Palmer in
possession of the land purchased of Governor Haynes. and did so
by a written instrument, embodying therein a conveyance of his
own land and dwelling house (included in the boundaries of the
Haynes land) to Mr. Palmer, reserving the right, however, to
occupy his said house until he could build another at Mistuxet,
now Ouiambaug. The western boundary of Gov. Haynes'
land sold to Walter Palmer, including the house and lot of
Thomas Miner, rested on the cove and the rivulet that enters the
cove. The other grants and purchases of land to, and by Wai-
ter Palmer, lay south of this purchase, and on the eastern slope
of Togwcnk, crossing Auguilla brook, and embracing the large
farms of the late Colonel William and Dudley Randalls, in ali,
some 1200 acres. Mr. Thomas Miner built his new house at
Mistuxet, in 1652-3 and 4. Captain George Denison and fam-
ily joined the new settlement in 1654, erecting his house near
Pequotsepos brook. Captain John Gallup and Robert Park, with
their families, came the same year and settled near Mystic river.
The new settlement being composed of men of note, progressed
as rapidly as could be expected under the circumstances. Mr.
Chesebrough was now surrounded by a sufficient number of
inhabitants to claim corporate power from the general court.
The first local name that the settlement received was Mystic
and Pawcatuck. Mystic embracing the territory between Mys-
tic river on the west and Stony brook on the east. Pawcatuck
embracing the territory between the Pawcatuck river on the
east and Stony brook on the west. It being understood by the
planters here, as a condition precedent to the new settlement.
OF THE RE-UNION*.
<*>
that as soon as a suitable number had joined them they should
be incorporated as a new town. So in 1654, they applied to
the general court for corporate powers. But no sooner made
than it was opposed by New London, embracing Groton. and
defeated. The planters did not rest satisfied with their
defeat, and resolved to agitate the matter until they succeeded
sooner or later. They were of the independent Puritan stamp.
and ready to make any sacrifice in defence of the right to wor-
ship God according to the dictates of their own conscience.
But to be taxed for a minister at Xew London, some twelve miles
away, with two rivers to cross to get there, and no fern- boats.
was a little too much for their Puritanism. So they were de-
termined to have a town and a church of their own ; and they
continued to ask for them of the general court, but were de-
nied as often as they applied. In the early part of 1657. the
Rev. William Thompson came here to reside, and preached to
planters a part of the time, and the rest of the time tc the
Pequot Indians. He was employed by the commissioners of
the United Colonies, who were acting as the agents of the Xew
London Missionary Society. The first religious services were
held at the dwelling house of Walter Palmer, March 22. 1657.
Services were subsequently held at the dwelling houses of the
planters, whose efforts were continued with unremitting deter-
mination to break loose from Xew London, and organize for
themselves a new town and church. They remembered that
Massachusetts had previously claimed a part or all of the Pequot
territory, embracing Groton, Stonington and a part of Westerly ;
so they sought the friendship of Massachusetts in their contest,
and in October, the planters joined by the Rev. Mr. Thompson,
prepared a memorial to the Massachusetts general court, com-
plaining of the course pursued against them by the general
court of Connecticut. Massachusetts notified Connecticut, who
appointed a committee to confer with the planters here, and
bring the contest to an issue, if possible. What was done in the
premises cannot now be ascertained, for no records of their
proceedings have been preserved. In May. 1658. Walter Palmer.
William Clie^ebrough, and Thomas Stanton, in behalf of the
planters, petitioned the Massachusetts general court a<rain.
JO PALMER RECORD
stating that some of them were settled here by Governor
Winthrop in 1649, by virtue of a commission from that court,
notwithstanding which, they had been called to account for
their doings under their authority, and asking for relief from
such interferences from the Connecticut authorities, and also for
confirmation of their lands. But this was denied them, accom-
panied, however, by a suggestion that the whole matter in dis-
pute be referred to the commissioners of the United Colonies,
and meantime to order their own affairs by common agreement,
until provision be made in their behalf. Following out these
suggestions, Walter Palmer and his associate planters assembled
on the 30th day of June, 1658, and formed a compact called by
them " The Association of Pawcatuck People," which was organ-
ized for municipal purposes only, and Avas established by them
not in defiance of the laws of either colon}', but with a firm
purpose to maintain it until some provision inadequate to their
wants should be made for them. The question in dispute be-
tween the Massachusetts and Connecticut colonies as to juris
diction was referred to the commissioners of the United Col-
onies, who, in 1658, rendered a decision that all of the Pcquot
territory west of Mystic river belonged to Connecticut, and all
the territory east of it, including Stonington and North Stoning-
ton and a part of the town of Westerly, belonged to Massachu-
setts. At the next session of the Massachusetts general court,
after this decision was rendered, they passed an act that the En-
glish plantation between Mystic and Pawtucket rivers should be
named Southerntown, and belong to the county of Suffolk, ?vlass.,
and appointed Walter Palmer and others to manage the pruden-
tial affairs thereof, until the court take further order. Walter
Palmer was appointed constable, and the bounds of the plantation
were extended into the country northward eight miles. Thus,
after a severe and protracted struggle, they succedded in ob-
taining a local government. It should be borne in mind that
the Massachusetts general court did not create or even organ-
ize a new township, but simply declared that the English plan-
tation between Mystic and Pawcatuck rivers should be called
Southerntown. They recognized in part the local association
of the people, and extended and confirmed their bounds. Dur-
OF THE RE-UNION. J\
ing the years 1659, 1660 and 1661, several town meetings were
held for the purpose of building and locating a meeting house,
which was raised May 15th. 1661, and was so far completed as
to be ready for use in September of that year, when the com-
missioners of the United Colonies being in town attended wor-
ship there, and were addressed by that stern old warrior states-
man, Captain John Mason. Walter Palmer, whose history we
have been tracing since he arrived in New England, in 1629, was
born in England as early as i5S5.and was, at the time of which
we write, an old man ripening for the grave. The rough exposure
of pioneer life had at last begun to tell upon his health and
strength, which was so much impaired that as " the November
days had come, the saddest of the year." he was gathered not
to his fathers, but laid to rest in what is now known as the old
Wequetequock burial place, dying November 10th, 1661.
Of his family it may be said that he was married in England
long before he came to this country. His oldest daughter,
Grace, of whom it is said that she was of the same age of her
husband, Thomas Miner, was born in 1608. She came to this
country with her father and family, went with him to Charles-
town, and joined the church there June 1st, 1632, and was mar-
ried to Thomas Miner, April 23d, 1634. They resided in
Charlestown, Mass.. until 1636, where their son John was born
and baptized. Soon after which they removed their habitation
to Hingham, Mass., where four of their children were born and
baptized as follows : Clement Miner, baptized March 4th. 163S ;
Thomas Miner, baptized May 10th, 1640; Ephraim Miner, bap-
tized May 1st, 1642; Joseph Miner, baptized August 25th. 1644.
In 1645, they left Hingham and joined the first planters of
New London, and received a grant of 'a home lot, built a house
thereon, and continued to live there until 1652, when he came
to Stonington and took up a tract of land on the east side of
Wequetequock Cove, and erected a dwelling house thereon the
same year. April 5th, 1652, the town of Pequot. now New
London, granted to Governor John Haynes, of Hartford, three
hundred acres of land, which was located by the grant, east of
Chesebrough's land, and laid out by Governor Haynes on the
east side of, and adjoining Wequetequock Cove, overlapping
72 PALMER RFXORD
Thomas Miner's land. Walter Palmer was then living at Reho-
both, and being anxious to locate himself near his old friend
Chesebrough, entered into negotiations with Governor Haynes
for the purchase of this land. The bargain was made sometime
before the deed was executed. In fact, Governor Haynes gave
Thomas Miner a written authority to put Walter Palmer in
possession of this land, February 15th. 1653, which he did May
30th, 1653. But the conveyance of Haynes to Palmer was not
executed until July 15th. 1653. When Thomas Miner put
Walter Palmer into possession he conveyed to him in the same
instrument his said land and new dwelling house, which Palmer
occupied that year, though Miner continued to live there until
he built his new house at. Ouiambaug.
William Palmer was born on the other side of the ocean, and
came with his father's family to this country ; lived with them
in Charlestown, Mass., but did not go down to the Plymouth
colony with him. He was admitted freeman in Massachusetts
colony in 1639, and was admitted to the church there March
28th, 1641. He remained with his brother John in Charlestown
after his father removed to Plymouth, and continued to reside
there until after his father's death, when soon after he sold the
land that his father gave him in Rehoboth.and came to Stoning-
ton and stayed with his brother-in-law, Thomas Miner, from June
1 8th, 1664, to April 29, 1665, when he left him and went over
to Killingworth, Ct., and received an allotment of land in the
settlement of that town. He continued to reside there during
the rest of his days. But the time of his death is not known ;
nor is it certain that he ever married. His brother, Gershom
Palmer, under date of March 27th. 1697. executed the following
instrument : " Know all men by these presents, that while as
my brother, William Palmer, deceased, did give and bequeath
unto me his house and all his lands in Killingworth, forever. I
settling one of my sons thereon, and in compliance to my de-
ceased brother's will, I do order my eldest son, Gershom Palmer.
to settle in said house upon said land. I, the said Gershom
Palmer, Senior, do give and bequeath the aforesaid house and
land, with all the privileges and appurtenances thereto belong-
ing to my eldest son, Gershom Palmer, to him forever, accord-
OF THE RE-UNION. 73
ing to the tenor of the will of my brother, William Palmer, de-
ceased." This renders it certain that he left no wife or children.
Whether he was ever married is not so clear. If he married it
must have been late in life, or, what is more probable he, like
his brother John, lived and died a bachelor.
3. John Palmer, born 161 5. came with his father and family to
this country in 1629. He was admitted a freeman of the Massa-
chusetts colony in 1639, admitted to the church October 23d,
1640, died August 24th, 1677, aged 62 years. He left a will
giving the bulk of his property to his brother Jonas, and sister
Elizabeth. He was never married.
4. Jonas Palmer, was a son of the first wife, came with his fath-
er and family to this country in 1629, lived in Charlestown until
1657, when he married Elizabeth Grissill, and moved to Reho-
both, where he remained the rest of his days. They had six
children. He married a second wife, Abigail Titus.
5. Elizabeth Palmer, one of the first wife's children, came to
this country with her father and family in 1629, married first
Thomas Sloan, and second a Mr. Chapman, but no children by
either husband have been traced.
In the old church record of Roxbury, Mass., the following
appears: Rebecca Short came in the year 1632, and married
Walter Palmer, a godly man of Charlestown church, which they
joined June 1st, 1633. The children of this union were:
6. Hannah Palmer, baptized in Charlestown, June 15th. 1634,
came with her father to Stonington via Rehoboth, and married
first Thomas Hewitt, April 26th, 1659, by whom she had two
children, Thomas and Benjamin Hewitt. For her second hus-
band she married Roger Sterry, December 27th, i67i,by whom
she had two children. For her third husband she married John
Fish. An interesting jointure between them is still preserved
on our old town records.
7. Elihu Palmer, baptized in Charlestown church, January 25th.
1636, came with his father to Stonington and died September
5th, 1665. It is not probable tiiat he left any children, fur the
reason that he left a will in which he gave his property to his
nephews. His will was lost in the burning of New London,
September 6th, 1 78 I, and the only knowledge we have of it :s
74 PALMER RECORD
from a deed on the Stonington record, where lands were set to
his executors and vested in his nephews. If he had children
surviving him, or living at the date of his will, they would have
been the subjects of his bounty, but dying at the age of 29 and
leaving such a will, is proof well nigh positive that no children
survived him.
8. Nehemiah Palmer, born November 23d, 1637, came to Ston-
ington with his father from Charlestown via Rehoboth, and
married Hannah, daughter of Thomas and Dorothy Lord Stan-
ton, November 20th, 1662, and had seven children. He was a
prominent man in church and state.
9. Moses Palmer, born April 6th, 1640, also came to Stonington
with his father's family, and married Dorothy , and had five
children. He was deacon of the first church, and a prominent
man in town affairs.
10. Benjamin Palmer, born in Charlestown, Mass., M*ay 30th,
1642, came to Stonington via Rehoboth with his father's family,
joined the church and became a large land holder. He married
and brought his wife home August loth, 16S1, just 200 years
ago to-day. The fact of this marriage appears in Thomas Min-
er's diary. But who she was and where she came from, does
not appear. He died April 10th, 17 16, aged 74 years. In Feb-
ruary, before he died, he gave a deed of his lands to two of his
nephews, on condition that they should take care of him through
life, and at his death give him a Christian burial. I regard this
fact beyond doubt that he left no offspring.
1 1. Gershom Palmer was born at Rehoboth, and came with his
father to Stonington ; married first Ann Denison, daughter of
Captain George and Ann Borodel Denison, November 2eth.
1667. They had ten children. For his second wife he rnarrieJ
Elizabeth, the widow of Major Samuel Mason. They made
and recorded a jointure, which appears at large on the Stoning-
ton land records. He was a deacon of the Stonington fir.-:
church and held various positions of trust in civil affairs.
12. Rebecca Palmer, born in Rehoboth, came with her father-
family to Stonington, and married Elisha Chesebrough, son o'\
William and Ann Stevenson Chesebrough, April 20th, 1665, and
had one child, Elihu, born December 3d, 1668. Elisha Chese-
OF THE RE-UNION. 75
brough died April ist, 1670, and his widow, Rebecca, married
for her second husband, John Baldwin, of New London, July
24th, 1672. They had five children.
Walter Palmer was a Puritan of the Puritans. In England
he had been denied the right to worship God according to the
dictates of his conscience, and in order to escape the perse-
cutions that were sure to follow his refusal to adopt all of
Queen Elizabeth's forms of worship, " He sought a faith's pure
shrine." The Puritans, while in the old country, did not design
to establish a separate church. They only sought to reform
and purify the church of England, and hence they were de-
risively called Puritans. But, seeing the utter impossibility of
accomplishing their object, they left their native land to seek a
home beyond " the dark, cold, heaving sea," preferring a log
cabin in the primeval forests of New England, where they
might live, and move, and have their being unchained by eccle-
siastical machinery, to a home in affluent old England, where
eveiy religious utterance must conform to the legal standard.
They had even antagonized the pilgrims, mainly because they
had favored a separate church, wholly independent of the
church of England. But when the Puritans had reached New-
England, they united with the pilgrims " in establishing in-
dependent churches." First at Salem, then at Charlestown,
Boston, Roxbury, Dorchester and elsewhere, as the new settle-
ments progressed. It was with the Charlestown church that
Walter Palmer united, in 1633, and with which he sustained
such relations until he removed to Plymouth colony, where he
attended and united with Mr. Samuel Newman's church. There
was no church here regularly organized until nearly thirteen
years after his death. But it is evident, from what we can learn
of him for the eight years that he resided here, that he was em-
inently a religious man, and so were his sons, three of whom
became deacons of the first church. The first religious services
in Stonington were held at his dwelling house, March 22d,
1G57. During the two years services of the Rev. Zachariah
Bridgden in this town, he lived with the the family of Mr. Palmer,
and died while residing there, April 24th, 1662. The valley of
Wequetequock was peculiarly adapted to the wants and neces-
;6 Palmer record
sitics of the first comers. The marsh lands bordering oil the
cove furnished hay for their cattle until upland could be broken
up and reduced to cultivation. The waters of the cove pro-
duced an abundance of shell and floating fish. The grand
primeval forests were alive with game, from a rabbit to a bear,
and from a robin to an eagle. So that a home here in those
"way back" times was not entirly destitute of luxuries, much
less of the necessities of life. Suppose we summon up our hero,
Walter Palmer, our grand old ancestor, from the vasty deep,
and let us have a talk with him about the times in which he
lived, and what has happened since his departure almost 220
years ago. Well, grandfather, what think you of all these chil-
dren's children's great-grandchildren, or whatever else is great
and grand about them ? Mark, please, the difference between
our cultivated fields, our villages and rural homes, when con-
trasted with your old wilderness fireside. The stones that gave
this town its name after you had left, the same old cove with
its flowing tides, the same sun and moon and star lit heaven-
are there; but all else, how changed! Freedom to worship
God is now written in the organic law of our land, and no slave
can breathe the air of these United States. The land you came
to settle under a monarchical form of government has broken
its chains, and has become the " land of the free, and the. home
of the brave." The flickering, dissolving vapor that used to rise
from Grandmother Palmer's tea kettle over at Wequetequock
when she was preparing your morning and evening oblations
has long since been utilized, and become the grand motive
power of the civilized world. The winds that wafted the fleets
of your day over the ocean have become a secondary power.
Water power that moved the machinery of your time has lost
its prestige, by being reduced to steam by the application o!
heat. The lightning's lurid flash that spangled through the
rifted clouds, and gleamed around and through your forest
home, has been bottled up and learned to go of errands.
When you wished to send a letter to the Plymouth or old Bay
colonies, it had to be done by a courier or post-rider, now the
same information can travel by steam over iron rails, or it in ;;
hurry you can have your thoughts put on a wire, and as quicK
Of THE RE-UNION. ' JJ
as a flash of lightning they can be read by your descendants at
Rehoboth and Charlestown, or flashed beneath the sea. telling
your relatives in England that your descendants in America
are having a grand re-union in Stonington to-day, and ere the
benediction shall have closed these proceedings, receive their
congratulations in reply. Well, Grandfather Palmer, perhaps
you would like to know the part your descendants have acted
in the grand drama of human events, since the grave clods
closed over your remains? Taken as a whole they have worth-
ily and well performed their part. The unyielding thirst for
power in the church of England, that forced the dissenters of
your day to cross the ocean to breathe an air untainted with
usurped power ; in the years that followed, sought to break
down and overthrow what of freedom the old charters con-
tained. The struggle for power on the part of England, and
for civil and religious liberty on the part of the colonies cul-
minated in the war of the Revolution, 1 15 years after your de-
parture. The little colon)- of Connecticut that you helped to
settle performed prodigies of valor in that mighty struggle.
Some of your descendants and their neighbors here rushed to
Boston to assist the descendants of your friends in Charlestown
and elsewhere, to beat back the cohorts of England, and there
on a hill, upon the east side of which you built your first house,
immortalized themselves in the battle of Bunker Hill. The
colony of your loved Connecticut, with a population at that
time of 238,000 inhabitants, sent to the battlefields of the Rev-
olution 32,000 men. They were at Bunker Hill, at Newport,
R. I., at Brooklyn, New York and White Plains. They were
at Bemis Heights, and Saratoga. They were with Mad An-
thony Wayne at the storming of Stony Point, and they suffered
and starved at Valley Forge. They were at Brandywine and
Monmouth, and finally at Yorktown, where the old British lion
growled a reluctant consent that the colonies should be free and
independent States. Perhaps, Grandfather Palmer, you may
like to know if any of your descendants have been honored
with promotions. Three of your sons were deacons in the old
church here, and represented this town in the general court.
Others down the ages have acted well their part. Some have
\
7% PALMER RECORD
chosen 'the profession of {he law, of medicine and the ministry,
and have risen to positions of eminence. Some of your blood
has coursed the veins, of governors of Connecticut and Illinois,
members of Congress, diplomatic servants and judges of our
highest courts, State senators and representatives. When the
last grand struggle for human rights prevaded this mighty
nation from the circumference to the centre, your descendants
and the colonies you helped to found earned a record of undy-
ing fame. Far away from your old home here, in one of the
mighty States of the West some of your blood in its transmis-
sions was coursing in the veins of a modest unassuming man.
The Rebellion found him in the humbler walks of life; but the
country's demand for a successful leader brought him to the front
and elevated him to the position of lientenant-general of our
armies, and to the presidency of the United States. And final-
ly, Grandfather Palmer, we will take the liberty to congratulate
you, and ourselves, too, that this mighty leader is your descend-
ant and our distinguished relative. And now we will all unite
in honoring the name of Ulysses S. Grant, the noblest, grand-
est soldier of the civilized world.
POEM
BY REV. A. G. RALMER, D. D., OF STONINGTON, CT.
I sing the hero who from England came
To inscribe upon this rock-bound coast his name,
And plant upon this barren soil the tree
Of civil and religious liberty.
By industry the wilderness to clear,
And carve out for himself a fortune here ;
Providing timely for the distant need
Of his large household, with parental heed
That when increased in numbers, more or less,
They might, through coming years, these lands possess.
Or hence, removing, find some richer soil
To stimulate and compensate their toil,
Spreading abroad, as now, on every side,
From the Atlantic to the Pacific's tide,
A stalwart, sturdy, vigorous, numerous clan,
OF THE RE-UNION. » 79
Descendants from the loins of one brave man,
Walter Palmer by name, our grand old sire,
Puritan pioneer of Nottinghamshire.
And so, in sixteen hundred twenty-nine,
Begins the Anglo-Yankee Palmer line ;
Back of that date we have no means to go —
And if we had, we should not care to know
His English ancestry, or small or great.
Of lordly wealth, or poor and mean estate,
High born, low born, or of middle birth.
Merchant, mechanic, tiller of the earth —
It matters not to us — enough that we
Arc branches of this old ancestral tree ;
The toughened fibre of a hardy stock.
Rooted amid the gravel, grit and rock
Of this old town, fruitful the years along,
Swelling a census twice six thousand strong;
A goodly company, as all may see.
And worthy of so proud a pedigree.
In social, civil and religious life.
The rank and hie of even' righteous strife ;
Loyal in politics, and without guile,
Palmers in name and life — man's highest style.
I pause a moment here, simply to state,
Judge Wheeler favored sixteen twenty-eight,
At one time, as perhaps the the truer score,
That marks the Palmer epoch on this shore:
Well, either way — we shall endorse his showing —
For what the Judge don't know is not worth knowing;
I mean in genealogies and dates,
Births, marriages, and wills, and old estates ;
When born, when died, when married, tins one. that,
Threading his winding pathway, to get at
The lineage of every stem and shoot
That ever sprang from Walter Palmer root ;
Gleaning from mouldy tome and dusty shelf
More about Walter than he knew himself.
The good old man, I dare say, never deemed
Himself a great man. never even dreamed
That in the nineteenth century, eighty-one,
From him would rise a portly judge and son,
In build and girth and brain, worthy to be
High priest and scribe of his long pedigree,
SO PALMER RECORD
Able in rugged Anglo-Saxon prose
His history to search out and disclose,
By sharp analysis and acumen,
Both fact and fable with impartial pen,
A splendid proof of Darwin's famous plan,
Survival of the fittest, brute or man.
But these statistics — this and that and t'other —
To poets are an everlasting pother ;
Just when you think you have the thing all right.
With words and phrases compact, wedged in tight.
And suited, by their harmony and jingle,
The ears of groundlings to delight and tingle,
Then some loose screw, of place or name or date,
Will work disorder, wild and desperate,
And with reckless, impious intrusion,
Tear into shreds your finely wrought illusion,
And tax your jaded and exhausted brain
To build your airy castles o'er again.
I don't believe old Homer could have written
His Iliad or Odyssey, if smitten
In his sublime poetical conceptions
By critical historical corrections ;
I think the grand old singer would have faltered,
Had every third page needed to be altered
To meet some chronological decision
In genealogy, some last revision,
Cutting his lines in every shape and angle,
Mixing his numbers in a hopeless tangle.
All right for history ; but he who sings
Must be allowed, sometimes, to stretch his wings.
And soar into the upper regions where,
It is reported, no staticians are.
Pardon this episode. Who could have thought
That such a crowd could be together brought
As, on this festal day, we proudly see,
Descendants of this brave old family.
Physicians, lawyers, clergymen and squires,
' Downy-lipped scions and gray-headed sires ;
Fair matrons, glowing with maternal pride,
Their fair daughters, blushing at their side :
With children full of fun and frolic free,
As Walter's dozen, less one, used to be.
OF THE RE-UNION. 8 1
Roaming the woods of Wcquetequock all o'er,
Or wading knee-deep on the cove's low shore :
At night, with childhood"s weariness opprest,
Folded with prayerful tenderness to rest.
But to return, as scattering preachers say.
When they have drifted from their text away ;
As soon as Walter Palmer touched the shore
And looked New England's rising Athens o'er,
The hub and centre of the universe,
Where heresies, in embryo perverse,
E'en then were taking root, he left the place
And westward turned his honest English face ;
Passed on to Charlestown, just across the water,
And found a home there for himself and daughter —
For he was wifeless, and the young girl Grace,
For some years held the mother's vacant place.
But now, like most men of the widower sort,
He sought a wife and took Rebecca Short ;
For even our old hero found this his life
A lonely pilgrimage without a wife.
Pray, who a treasure ever lost as yet,
Without an effort to find it or get
A duplicate ? and with such earnest haste,
As well befits a sanctioned good taste ;
For who has laid one good wife in the earth
Knows best how much one like her may be worth.
So Walter Palmer, as he left behind
His early love in England, felt inclined,
Perhaps divinely moved, to seek another
Wife for himself, and for his child a mother.
But who Rebecca Short was, we don't know ;
We hope that genealogy will show
Though short by name, she was not short of brains ;
For in our Palmer arteries and veins,
Rebecca Short's blood courses strong and free,
In throbbing pulses of vitality ;
So that we know not, at this distant day,
Whether the Short or Palmer blood holds sway ;
For if, perchance, the Palmer was not strongest,
The Short infusion may hold out the longest ;
But the presumption is we are a mixture,
The Short and Palmer in an equal fixture,
82 PALMER RECORD
Held in vital, permanent transfusion.
Two branches in one stream, without confusion,
Together flowing onward to the sea
Of universal immortality.
Well, Walter found Rebecca in Charlestown,
Neatly attired in simple, homespun gown —
Perhaps at Shawmut, a suburb of that day,
But now a crowded avenue and way;
Its Indian name the land of flowers and beauty,
A fitting home for maiden love and duty —
Doing her household service timely well;
Bringing to-market what she had to sell;
Chatting with Walter in his humble store,
Talking in confidence home matters o'er;
She, modesty itself, with downcast eyes,
Listening to his paternal, sage replies
To her inquiries, and with chastened air,
From underneath her shining braids of hair,
Flashing her beauty on his rugged face,
Its hard lines softened by her maiden grace ;
Till words and smiles and blushes interblending,
Had then, as now, the same delicious ending —
A wedding and a little village party,
A simple marriage, rustic, honest, hearty,
The Puritanic ritual severe
In its simplicity and Godly fear;
Hands joined, and mutual pledges asked and given,
Of constancy, beneath the eye of Heaven ;
The scriptures read, the prayer of blessing, then,
The benediction and the grave amen.
So Walter Palmer led his village bride
Homeward — young Grace in silence at his side.
With languid step and saddened, tearful eye,
Breathing a silent prayer that she might die ;
For though a lost wife might allow another,
Alas, for her, there could be but one mother.
And though Rebecca Short might be all right,
And very sweet, as in her father's sight,
Yet how could she, her mother's eldest daughter,
Her mother in the churchyard, o'er the water.
Her spirit face, all sweetly undefiled,
Smiling in brightness o'er her weeping child,
To this young stranger-wife be reconciled?
of the re-union.
But time is sorrow's healer and refiner,
And in due time Grace married Thomas Miner ;
And this old household into two was riven
By interblended griefs and joys from Heaven.
So true it is that sorrow's dark suspense
Oft heralds in some radiant providence ;
And that the surest way to brighten sorrow
Is from another light and joy to borrow ;
And that the sweetest way to heal a grief
Is in the balm of love to seek relief.
Ah, well, the prayer-book has it right, I trow —
As the beginning was, so is the now ;
Love is a light on night and cloud descending,
And so will ever be, " world without ending."
In the old church-yard, just across the tide
Of Wequetequock, sleep they, side by side ;
A huge, unchiseled stone covers the place
Where Thomas Miner rests, with his wife Grace.
So Walter Palmer lived the years in peace
At Charlestown, and of wealth had some increase.
Just what he did, of course we cannot know,
Or how his little into much did grow ;
Whether he tilled the earth, worked with his hands,
Or speculated lightly in new lands ;
Bought corner lots for less and sold for more,
And thus increased his capital and store ;
Dickered with Indians and gave them trash,
Gewgaws and beads for lands, in place of cash,
As in the Puritanic creed the might
To cheat an Indian made the thing all right ;
Or, if they might thereby from fear be freed,
To shoot an Indian was a saintly deed.
Were they not heathen, aliens from the Lord,
To be consumed by His avenging sword?
Slaughtered before the open face of Heaven,
Fit only from their homes to be outdriven ;
As Perizite and Jebusite of old
Gave place to Israel, the chosen fold ;
Or, as our thinly-scattered western tribes
Before the surging and on-rushing tides
83
84 PALMER RECORD
Of civil life are trampled in the dust.
To gratify the insatiate greed and lust
Of gold and power ; so, at this early day.
The red men melted from their homes away.
But Walter Palmer, though in morals rude.
It may be, and in worldly matters shrewd,
And, with an eye to the main chance, and quick
To close a bargain tightly; yet no trick,
From Puritanic saintliness and grace.
In his transactions was allowed a place.
He kept his word, paid all his honest debts
The last farthing, with his small assets;
If aught was over that, with honest care,
He put aside for a wet day, with prayer.
No pious double-dealing o'n his name
Has left a blot, to cause his children shame ;
And may his children to the latest day
His footsteps follow, in the same bright way.
In sixteen forty-three, from discontent,
Or hope of gain, no matter what intent,
He to Rehoboth came and pitched his tent.
Purchased new lands, organized a town,
And, as its chief man, gained fair renown,
Was sent up yearly to the general court,
As counselor of wise and grave report ;
Was constable in sixteen fifty-two.
But, having worked the Seekonk problem through,
And gained by honest deal and interchanges
What could be made within the narrow ranges
Of a young trade that could not be extended.
He sagely thought his mission there was ended ;
And so he pulled up stakes, sold out his chattel,
His block-house, lands, farming tools and cattle.
And once more moving with the setting sun.
By trail or sail, landed in Stonington,
At Wequetequock, upon the eastern shore,
And struck his pilgrim staff, to rove no more;
Built him a house, like the rude hut you see
Engraved upon our missive heraldy;'
Made that his final home; there lived and died
Was buried there, and from thence glorified,
Where yet his ashes sleep, a sacred trust,
Waiting the resurrection of the just.
Of the re-union. 85
But we must hasten on our lengthened way.
Unsaid a thousand things we'd like to say;
Some dry and humorous, and some sedate,
The light and shade in mingled aggregate,
Customs and manners, which to our chaste sense
Of fitness might beseem to need defense ;
But though grotesque and rude, they yet were free
From sham and shoddy and hypocrisy.
Better to work, they thought, a hard, cold soil,
With stalwart industry and patient toil.
And from reluctant nature conquer wealth,
At least a competence, with honest health
And a good conscience, than with godless pride
The higher places of the earth to ride ;
Better content, with hard-earned moderate gains,
Than rapid increase, soiled with guilty stains;
Better the farmer's rustic, plodding life,
Than aristocracy, with waste and strife ;
Better to hold the plough and drive the spade,
Than, in low, wanton idleness degrade
Your higher manhood, till your name shall rot
In infamy — a loathsome stain and blot —
Like many a modern swell, whose putrid breath
Is social poison, malaria and death.
So Walter Palmer thought, and stretched his line
North, from the little Narragansett's brine,
Full fifteen miles, until his purchase struck,
The wooded heights of old Pauchunganuc
Hill — not Pendleton — that name it never knew
Till late, and now but as a post-mark due
To local influences, a shallow game —
To cancel out an honored Indian name;
Let these old names be kept, and let them stand
The crude memorials of a people grand,
Even in their language, with its " tucks and nocks,'
As obdurate and stubborn as their rocks ;
As guttural, too, as " honk" of goose or fowl
In Spring or Autumn, or the panther's growl ;
No matter how obscure, we can checkmate them
As long as we have Trumbull to translate them ;
We hope he'll give us a translation true,
Of Wequetequock and Pauchunganuc, too.
86 PALMER RECORD
To this hill country, wooded region high, *
Old Walter Palmer early turned his eye :
His stalwart sons must have more land to till,
And so he sent them up to hold this hill.
With brawny arms and hands of royal brown
They felled the trees and cut the forests down ;
Tore out the roots and stumps, thrust in the plow.
And walled the fields in, as you see them now ;
Their houses, barns, and churches without steeple,
The rude, rough symbols of a sturdy people.
Hail ! old Pauchunganuc, land of my birth,
Thy airy heights o'ersweeping wide the sea,
To me the dearest spot on earth,
Home of a proud and noble ancestry ;
I never may forget, where'er I roam,
The beauties of my childhood's Highland home.
Ichabod Palmer, fourth from Walter down,
The tallest, strongest man of all the town :
Who, when denied the use of boat or paddle,
.With nothing but his trusty horse and saddle,
Dashed through the waves of Narragansett Bay,
And took from Newport Betty Noyes away,
Despite parental strategy and ire ;
I glory in the young man's blood and fire,
For you must know he was my great grandsire,
Lived on this hill, in old baronial pride.
Long years with Betty Noyes, his rescued bride,
And up there still they slumber side by side.
An incident of more dramatic glow
New England's history can nowhere show:
Which inspiration, through some genius yet,
In wealth of chaste and classic gold shall set.
The first religious service in the town,
Was held at Walter Palmer's, half way down
The narrow cove, wide opening to the bay,
The site of which remains unchanged to-day.
The sermon, rude and somewhat incomplete
In structure, doubtless, was yet very sweet,
And though from first to twenty-fifthly long,
Was orthodox and comfortincr and strong.
OF THE RE-UNION. S?
And so, in rustic style, life wore away —
Days, weeks, and months and years went flitting by,
The evening shade and morning twilight gray,
Darkened and lightened then as now the sky,
Six day's of toil, and Sabbath's quiet reign,
They rested, worshipped, and then toiled again.
Children were born, and infancy's glad smile,
With childhood's ringing laugh and sportive glee,
Boyhood and girlhood's bounding, joyous style,
And young folks brimming o'er with jollity,
Softening the staid severities of age,
Make this arcadian life a cheerful page.
Given the story of Ann Borodel,
Or of Rebecca Short, so rich and rare.
Or Betty Noyes, and let the poets tell
Of form and face and eyes and golden hair,
Of early buried loves across the ocean.
Of second loves, romantic with devotion :
And Stonington will have its heroine,
Embalmed in light of poesy divine,
A face of girlhood, whose transcendant sheen,
Old Plymouth's beauty shall as far outshine ;
As our own Palmer girls excel in grace
Of form and classic comeliness of face.
Hail to this brave old town ! Old Britain's pride
Once cowered beneath her rude and rough defence ;
Her eighteen-pounders riddled Hardy's side,
And taught him that our boys had pluck and sense.
Leaving his anchor grappled in the bay,
He slunk between the night and morn away.
Hail to this rough old town, her ocean shore,
Bays, inlets, rivers, sparkling brooks and streams,
Her waves now breaking with a deafening roar
Upon the rocks, now flashing neath the beams
Of moon and star, while evening's freshening breeze
Floats up, with grateful coolness mid her trees!
Hail to the grand old town, long may she be
What she has been, and is. with rich increase,
And fruitfulness in full maturity,
Of social, civil and religious peace,
SS PALMER RECORD
In all that makes men wise and great and good.
The highest culture of the Palmer blood !
For from this grand old stock has come a race
Of royal men in dignity and grace,
Of high renown and of distinguished worth,
Princes by right of culture, as of birth.
Among the noblest artists of this land
Is Palmer, whose creations chaste and grand,
In bronze and marble, to the latest age,
Will be his kindred's richest heritage ;
His Faith, a maiden gazing at the cross,
The world beneath her feet, as worthless dross,
With face aglow, and eye of love intent,
Of truth and purity the embodiment —
Who that has seen it, has not felt the thrill
Of art, the soul with ecstacy to fill ?
Who that has seen it, has not felt the power
Of art to intensify devotions hour?
Yet with so many garlands proudly won
His radiant, dazzling course seems but begun —
May Autumn's sere and ripening glories be
His crown of fame for immortality.
William Pitt Palmer, whose resplendent fame
As poet and banker we need but name;
Who, but for the infirmities of age,
Had with his presence graced to-day this stage,
And by his flowing numbers, chaste and terse,
Becharmed us with the rhythm of his verse ;
We'll wreathe his brow for generations late,
And crown him Palmer poet laureate.
Let these suffice. They do but indicate
A brilliant galaxy, whose aggregate
Swells to a towering monument of fame,
Proud and enduring as the Palmer name.
Divines are here and statesmen eloquent,
And last and chief our soldier President,
Combining in himself the major key
Of Palmer force and Minor modesty.
The cool, courageous push and stubbornness,
That rebel dash was powerless to repress ;
OF THE RE-UNION. 89
That gave us Donaldson, mid snow and sleet.
And canceled from our arms the word defeat ;
And never faltered till the citadel
Of Southern anarchy at Richmond fell.
And Lee, with dignity of mein and word.
Gave up to U. S. Grant his vanquished sword.
And the old flag — the stars and stripes once more
Floated an undivided nation o'er;
And Southern breezes nestled in each fold.
As trustingly as in the clays of old ;
And kissed the shreds, all loyally and true,
As lovers reconciled are wont to do.
From the rough blasts that sweep our inland seas,
And Minnesota's fertilizing snows.
To South Carolina's superheated breeze.
And Georgian airs fragrant with orange blows.
He left his country, one from sea to sea.
The broad domain of man and liberty.
All hail the nation, from behind the cloud.
That late enwrapped us in its sable fold.
The sun bright streaming through the rifted shroud,
Pours down a wealth of flashing light and gold,
While mere}-, with a sheltering hand and shield.
Covers our martyr President, Garfield.
Long may he live .all bravely to dispense
Its high and grave behests with pious care,
With an unshrinking trust in Providence,
To guard against each deadly foe and snare ;
The nation consecrated by his blood.
Or North or South to loyalty and God.
And now to duty, what though life be brief,
A fleeting cloud, a shade, the morning dew,
And generations fade as fades the leaf,
Yet life is always young when just and true.
Our grand old sire gave God his highest powers.
Did his work well, like him let us do ours.
90 PALMER RECORD
REV. A. G. PALMER, D. D.
(Brief Biography.)
Rev: A. G. Palmer, D. D., the pastor of the first Baptist
Church, Stonington, Ct., was born in North Stonington, May
nth, 1 8 1 3. His father, Luther Palmer, Esq., was an enter-
prising and thrifty farmer and a prominent man in the com-
munity. The early life of the son was devoted to farming in
the Summer, and to study during the Winter in the common
school. At the age of nine years he experienced religion, and
this shaped his entire life. He made a public profession at the
age of sixteen, and soon after began to preach and entered
upon a course of classical study for the ministry. His first pas-
torate was at Westerly, R. I., beginning in 1837 and ending in
1843, six years of successful labor in the church, in that time
increasing its membership from thirty to three hundred.
In 1843, ne was settled at Stonington. After a very success-
ful term of nine years he accepted a call from the First Baptist
Church, Syracuse, N. Y.. where he remained until 1S55, when
he received and accepted a call from the Baptist Church in
Bridgeport, Ct. He labored there for three years, and in 1858
accepted a call from the Baptist Church at Wakefield, R. I.,
and in 1861 returned to Stonington, in response to an earnest
call from the church where he had formerly labored. His pas-
torates have all been productive of great good, and have left
their impress upon the churches with which he has labored.
Dr. Palmer stands deservedly high in his profession, both as to
character and ability. His action in speaking is easy, fervent
and impressive, moving others by the intensity of his vivid con-
victions, thereby exerting a powerful influence over his audi-
ence. In all of his intercourse with his fellow citizens he sus-
tains the character of a Christian gentleman, favoring even'
practical reform with unflinching devotion for the right. His
ability and culture were early recognized by Madison University,
which conferred upon him the honorary title of D. D.
Dr. Palmer has become distinguished as a poet, writing some
very fine poems and memorial sonnets of exquisite tenderness
and beaut)-. In his bi-centennial poem at the Old Road Church,
>* *
^^ v
%
OF THE RE-UNION. 91
in 1874, alluding to the place and scenes of his childhood, he
speaks of his old — old home as follows :
" Hail ! old Pauchunganuc, land of my birth.
Thy airy heights o'ersweeping wide the sea ;
To me thou art the dearest spot on earth.
Home of a proud and noble ancestry ;
I never may forget, where'er I roam.
The beauties of mv childhood's Highland home."
Dr. Palmer descends from the Puritan, Walter Palmer, as
follows :
Walter Palmer and wife. Rebecca Short ; Gcrshom Palmer
and wife, Anna Denison : Ichabod Palmer and wife, Hannah
Palmer; Ichabod Palmer and wife, Elizabeth Noyes ; Elias
Sanford Palmer and wife, Phebe Palmer; Luther Palmer and
wife, Sarah Kenyon ; Rev. Albert Gallatin Palmer, D. D.
He thus stands connected with some of the most distin-
guished families of Connecticut and Rhode Island — from Capt.
George Denison and Lady Ann Borodel, Mr. Thomas Stanton,
the Interpreter General of New England, the Rev. James
Noyes, Governor William Brenton and Governor Peleg Sanford,
of Newport, and Joshua Kenyon, of Westerly, Rhode Island.
ADDRESS
BY HON. EPHRAIM WILLIAMS, OF STONINGTON, CT.
Battle of Stomngtox.
Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen : It seems peculiarly
appropriate that on this day, the 10th of August, so many de-
scendants of Walter Palmer, one of the first settlers of this
town, should meet together for pleasant intercourse, to become
acquainted with each other as members of one great family, to
visit the place where he lived and was buried, and to be brought
nearer in thought to the difficulties and dangers encountered
by those who crossed the ocean to make their abode in this
country — then a wilderness, except here and there a spot scan-
tily cultivated by the Indian — and contrast our town to-day,
with its public roads and well-tilled fields, its pleasant villages,
busy manufactories and manifold industries, with the time
Q2 PALMER RECORD
when your hard}' ancestor settled in Stonington. And it is tit-
ting that, as you trace the history of this town from that time
clown to the present, you shall call up a just pride that you arc
the descendants of one who filled a conspicuous place in the
developments of its resources, and who, with others, in the
forming of our town democracies, founded the principle of self-
government, which resulted in the establishment of the civil
and religious liberty we now possess. They came here to es-
cape a strong government, and worship in their own way, and
with good intent — not always gently or wisely impressed that
way upon all — but they laid the foundation of their civil and
religious polity, taken as a whole, broader than they dreamed,
and their hatred of the form and oppressions of a kingly rule.
their gropings, often dimly for the rights of man, their persecu-
tions and retaliations for conscience sake, both alike too fre-
quently cruel and unjust, worked on through successive gener-
ations, and out of their experiments and struggles and endur-
ances our model republic arose. And a generation had hardly
elapsed when the power from whom these colonies had wrested
their independence, proclaimed that " Britannia ruled the waves,"
and their right to board our ships, and impress seamen into
their service on suspicion that they owed allegiance to the
crown ; and out of the contest, to maintain the sovereignty of
our flag wherever it waved, whether on sea or on land, the in-
cident to which I have been requested to call your attention
arose. And so I think you should give more than a passing
thought to this incident, as well as to the long train of events
and actions preceding ; for the day which you have selected for
the Re-Ujiion of the Palmer Family is a day commemorative
of brave deeds done on the loth of August, 1814; and among
the heroes who in that hastily constructed fort down by yon-
der breakwater, with only two or three guns, and poorly pro-
vided with the munitions of war, drove the English from our
shores, the blood of Walter Palmer, in different channels of de-
scent, bore nobly its part. In diverting your attention some-
what from the legitimate purposes for which you have assem-
bled— namely, the well-deserved and proper glorification of the
Palmer family, to the not less proper recognition of the day, as
OF THE RE-UNION. 93
commemorative of the defence of Stonington on the 10th of
August, 1S14- — I trust I shall be pardoned for intruding, and
perhaps, adding to the general glorification, by giving some ex-
tracts of the occurrences on that memorial day, taken from an
account that was furnished August 29th, 1S14, for publication
in the Connecticut Gazette, by the magistrates, warden and
burgesses of the borough of Stonington :
On Tuesday afternoon of the 9th inst.. anchored off our
harbor, the frigate Pactolit's, the Terror, a bomb ship, and the
brig Dispatch, of twenty guns. A flag was discovered to leave
the frigate and row towards the town. The impropriety of
suffering them to come on shore was suggested, and a boat was
immediately obtained. Captain Amos Palmer, William Lord,
Esq., and S. A. Hough, of the detachment here, were selected,
and the flag of the enemy met by ours, when we received the
following unexpected and short notice :
" His Britannic Majesty's Ship - Pactolus,' j
9th of August, 1 8 14, half past 5 o'clock P. M. \
Not wishing to destroy the unoffending inhabitants residing
in the town of Stonington, one hour is given them, front the
receipt of this, to remove out of the town.
F. M. Hardy.
Captain of H. B. M. Ship Ramilies.
For the inhabitants of the town of Stonington."
From the date of tin's communication, it will appear that
Commodore Hardy was himself on board of the Pactolus to di-
rect the attack, the Ramilies then lying at anchor at the west
end of Fisher's Island. The people assembled in great num-
bers to hear what was the word from the enemy, when the
above was read aloud. It was exclaimed from old and young,
we will defend. And during the short hour granted us, expresses
were sent to General Gushing, at Xew London, and to Colo-
nel William Randall of Stonington, commanding the Thirtieth
Regiment of State militia. The detachment stationed here un-
der Lieutenant Hough was embodied ; Captain Potter, residing
within the borough, gave orders to assemble all the officers and
men under Ids command that could be immediately collected.
The ammunition for our two eighteen-poundcrs and four-pound-
ers was collected at the little breastwork erected by ourselves.
The citizens of the borough assisted by two stranger-, from
Massachuetts manned the guns. One course of discourage-
ment, on!)', seemed to prevail, which was the deficiency of am-
94 PALMER RECORD
munition. Such guards of musketry as were in our power to
place, were stationed at different points on the shores.
About 8 o'clock in the evening they commenced by the fire
of a shell from the bomb ship, which we immediately returned
by a shot from our eighteen-pounder. The attack from the
ship was immediately succeeded by one from three launches
and four barges surrounding the point, throwing rockets and
shot into the village. We defended the town until about 1 1
o'clock, and had it not been for our spirited resistance, a landing,
no doubt, would have been effected. Their shells and rockets
having been prevented from spreading the destruction intended,
they ceased firing them about 12 o'clock. At daylight a fire
of rockets and shot from the launches and barges again com-
menced, which was spiritedly returned from our artillery taken
from the breastwork, in open view of the enemy, and exposed
to their shot on the end of the point ; and they were compelled
to recede, when our guns were taken back to the breastwork
or fort. About 8 o'clock the brig Dispatch hauled within had
a mile of our breastwork and opened a well-directed and ani-
mated fire. Her fire was returned with a spirit and courage
rarely to be equalled, and the brig was compelled to cut her
cable and retire out of the reach of our shot. Our ammunition
having been expended, she kept up a constant fire for two hours
or more without having it in our power to return a shot — dur-
ing which time we are confident, had there been a supply of
ammunition, she would have been taught the use and meaning
of her name.
William Lord, ) ,T . . .
Alexander G. Smith, \ Magistrates.
Joseph Smith, Warden.
Amos Palmer, ~\
Amos Denison,
George Hubbard, \ Burgesses.
Thomas Ash,
Reuben Chesebrough, J
I also ask your attention to portions of a letter to the Secre-
tary of War from Captain Amos Palmer, a lineal descendant 0.'
Walter, chairman of the committee of citizens which had been
entrusted with the preparation for the defence, and noticed in
Pease and Nile's Gazette, as "distinguished for his integrity, his
republican principles and his patriotism," who died at Stoning-
ton, March 4, 1816, aged sixty-nine years :
OF THE RE-UNION. 95
Stoningtox Borough, August 21, 181 5.
To the Honorable William H. Crawford, Secretary of War :
Sir — The former Secretary of War put into my hands, as
Chairman of the Committee of Defense, the two eighteen-
pounders and all the munitions of war that were here belong-
ing to the general government, to be used for the defense of
the town. As there is no military office here, it becomes my
duty to inform you of the use we have made of them. On the
9th of August, last year, the Raniilies, 74. the Pactolus, 44, the
Terror, bomb ship, and the Dispatch, gun brig, anchored off the
harbor. Commodore Hardy sent off a boat with a flag : we
met him with another from the shore, when the officer of the
flag handed me a note from Commodore Hardy, informing that
one hour was given the unoffending inhabitants before the town
would be destroyed. We returned to the shore, where all the
male inhabitants were collected, when I sent the note aboard ;
they all exclaimed they would defend the place to the last ex-
tremity. We repaired to a small batten- that we had hove up.
nailed our colors to the flag-staff, others lined the shore with
their muskets. At about seven in the evening they put off five
barges and a large launch, carrying from thirty-two to nine
pound carronade in their bows, opened fire from their ships,
and sent their boats to land under cover of their fire.
We let them come within small grape distance, when we
opened upon them with our two eighteen-pounders with round
and grape shot. They soon retreated out of grape distance
and attempted a landing on the east side of the village. We
dragged a six-pounder that we had mounted, from the fort, and
met them with grape, and all our muskets opened fire on them.
so that the\- were willing to retreat a second time. They con-
tinued their fire until eleven at night. The next morning at
seven o'clock the brig Dispatch anchored within pistol-shot of
our batter)-, and sent five barges and two large launches to land
under cover of their whole tire (being joined by the Nimrod,
20-gun brig). We opened fire on them, when they retreated
and came round the east side of the town. We dragged over
one of our eighteen-pounders. put in it round shot and about
fifty pounds of grape, and tore one of their barges into pieces.
They retreated out of grape distance and we turned our fire
upon the brig, and expended all our cartridges but five, which
we reserved for the boats if they made another attempt to land.
After the third express to New London some field ammunition
arrived. We then turned our cannon on the brig and she soon
cut her cable. The whole fleet then weighed and anchored
nearly out of reach of shot, and continued there and the next
96
PALMER RECORD
day to bombard the town. They set the buildings on fire in
more than twenty places and we as often put them out. In
the three days' bombardment they sent on shore sixty tons of
metal, and strange to say, wounded only one man. since dead.
Since peace the officers of the Dispatch brig have been on shore
here; they admit they had twenty-one killed and fifty badh
wounded, and that if we could have continued our fire any
longer they should have struck, for they were in a sinking con-
dition, and the wind blew directly into the harbor; but while
\ve were waiting for our ammunition it changed to the north
and enabled them to get away. All the shot suitable for the
cannon we have reserved, and have now more eighteen-pound
shot than was sent us by Government. We have put the two
cannon in the arsenal, and housed all the munitions of war.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant.
Amos Palmer.
The Gazette also says : " The following is a list of the vol-
unteers of those who so bravely stood the brunt of the attack
of Stonington Point :"
OF STONINGTON.
Capt. George Fellows,
Capt. William Potter,
Dr. William Lord,
Lieut. H. G. Lewis,
Ensign D. Frink,
John Miner,
Isaac Miner,
Asa Lee,
Gurdon Trumbull,
Allen G. Smith,
Amos Denison, Jr.
Stanton Gallup,
Thomas Wilcox,
Luke Palmer,
William G. Bush,
George Palmer.
OF MYSTIC.
Simeon Hale}-,
Jeremiah Haley,
Fred. Haley,
Frederick Denison,
Ebenezer Denison,
Isaac Denison.
Jesse Deans,
Deane Gallup,
Jeremiah Holmes,
Nathaniel Gift,
Jedediah Reed,
OF GROTON.
Alfred White,
Frank Daniels,
Ebenezer Morgan,
Giles Morgan.
OF THE RE-UNION. 97
OF NEW LONDON.
Major Simeon Smith, Capt. Noah Lester,
Major N. Frink, (formerly of the army),
Lambert Williams.
FROM MASSACHUSETTS.
Capt. Leonard and Mr. Dunham.
It is related that the first men that took station in the batten'
were four: William Lord, Asa Lee, George Fellows and Amos
Denison, Jr. Just before six o'clock on the 9th.. volunteers from
Mystic — Jeremiah Holmes, Jeremiah Haley, Ebenezer Denison,
and Nathaniel Clift — reached the place on foot, and ran imme-
diately to help to operate the gun in the battery.
The battery being small but few could work in it, and it was
operated, probably, by less than a dozen men at a time. It is
said that the colors on the flag-staff were shot through nine
times, and a fence near by was pierced by sixty-three balls.
I also give the muster roll of the 8th Company of Infantry
under the command of Capt. William Potter in the 30th reg-
iment of Connecticut militia in service of the United States, at
Stonington, commanded by Lieut. Col. Win. Randall, from the
9th of August, when last mustered, to the 27th of August, 1 8 14 :
NAME AND RANK.
COMMENCEMENT
EXPIRATION
OF SERVICE.
OF SERVICE.
Capt. William Potter.
Aug.9;
Aug
-1 —
-/ •
Lieut. Horatio G. Sevin
" 9>
"
Ensign Daniel Finch,
" 9'
<.
^3-
Sergeants:
Francis Amv,
" 19.
"
27-
Charles H. Smith,
44 9» -
" '
27.
Peleg Hancox,
" 22,
"
-/•
Gurdon Trumbull.
" 9>
"
27.
Corporals :
Azariah Stanton, Jr.,
" 16,
"
27.
Junia Chesebrough,
" 9-
"
27.
Joshua Swan, Jr.,
" 22,
•'
27.
Privates :
Phineas Wilcox.
u 9>
"
23-
Hamilton White.
" 9.
"
27.
Henry Wilcox,
" 9.
"
23.
Latham Wilcox,
" 9.
"
27-
98
PALMER RECORD
Samuel Burtch,
Jonathan Palmer,
Andrew P. Stanton,
James Stanton,
Thomas Breed,
Amos Loper,
Samuel Bottum, Jr..
Benjamin Merritt,
Elisha Chesebrough. Jr.,
Christopher Wheeler,
Amos Hancox,
Zebadian Palmer.
Nathaniel Waldron,
Thomas Spencer,
Nathaniel M. Pendleton,
Simon Carew,
Elisha Faxon, Jr.,
Ebenezer Halpin,
Asa Wilcox, Jr.,
Warren Palmer,
Joseph Bailey, Jr.,
(Waiter to Capt.
Nathaniel Lewis,
Aug. 9,
" 9>
" 9>
" 9-
" 9>
" 9.
" 9.
" 9.
" 9.
" 9.
" 9.
" 9,
" 15,
" 19.
" 20,
" 22,
" 22,
" 22,
" 22,
" 22,
M 9,
William Potter.
Aug. o.
Aug. 27.
(Waiter to Lieut. G. L
27.
27.
27.
!/•
20.
27.
15-
27.
23-
27.
27.
27.
27.
27.
27.
27.
23-
23-
27.
27.
23-
ewis.)
Those under date of expiration of service, August 25, were
ordered at that date for service at New London.
It was never known here how much the English suffered in
killed and wounded. Captain Alexander S. Palmer told mc
last evening that in 1828, when on a sailing voyage to the Shet-
land Islands, he met an English naval officer, Captain Austin.
who was a lieutenant on board the Ramilies, who told him that
there were about forty killed on the barge, spoken of in Mr.
Amos Palmer's letter as blown to pieces, and that one shot which
entered the brig Dispatch swept between her decks and killed
fourteen outright. My informant is one of three brothers
Nathaniel and Theodore, now deceased, who were accomplished
ship-masters ; in fact, no family in this country, or any other.
ever produced three more able. Capt. Nathaniel, the eldest.
was among the first explorers south of Cape Horn, and discov-
ered the land now known as Palmer's land ; was the projector,
and commanded the first clipper ship ever built, which was im-
OF THE RE-UNION. 99
mediately followed by so many that ^>ur merchant marine 'at
one time was the admiration of all nations ; and the three broth-
ers commanded some of the finest packet ships between New
York and Liverpool, and afterwards renowned clippers in the
East India trade. An account of their voyages and explora-
tions, if fully written out, would read like a romance. I hope
I shall be pardoned this digression, but I want to show you
that the Palmers were bold cruisers on sea, as well as brave
crusaders on land. It will thus be seen, ladies and gentlemen,
that the defense of Stonington was an exploit of which you
may feel proud, in that the blood inherited by so many, prom-
inent in that affair, flows in your veins. A more brilliant en-
gagement did not take place during the war of 1S12, and no-
where was the loss and damage to the enemy so dispropor-
tionate to the harm they inflicted, for the popular ballad of that
time said :
" They killed a goose, they killed a hen,
Three hogs they wounded in a pen ;
But we bored their ships through and through,
And killed and wounded of their crew
So many, that they bade adieu
To the gallant boys of Stonington."
The anniversary of that day has often been observed in a
homely way — by processions, illuminations, firing of the historic
old guns, and festivities suitable to the occasion — while the par-
ticipants in that gallant defense were on the stage of action :
but they, with few exceptions, have overcome li the last enemy,"
and now sleep the sleep that knows no waking till the resurrec-
tion morning ; and familiy re-unions of this character, held on the
commemorative day, will tend to keep alive in a social, quiet, but
not less effective way, the memory of those patriots who fought
bravely and successfully for their country- and their homes : and
so many meeting together from various parts of the land who
were before unknown to each other, though the offspring of
one progenitor, will enlarge and strengthen the bond of friend-
ship and family pride ; patriotism, affection for kindred and ven-
eration for the past, will be fostered and perpetuated ; and we
shall all more truly feel that we are, indeed, members of one
family, have a common heritage in our country's prosperity and
IOO PALMER RECORD
partakers in her history. And you Palmers or pilgrims should
bear in mind that you are but sojourners here, as all your fath-
ers were, and that, as time rolls on, one after another of you
will be numbered with the ancestors ; and that your posterities,
when they meet, as I have no doubt they will, in pursuance of
the custom you have this day inaugurated, will lookback to the
record you will have left, as you now are looking back to that
of your ancestry. And may each of you, wherever you may
lodge, whatever may be your position in life, do your duty well
and live in the hearts of many generations of children, with
whom your memory shall be as enduring and fragrant in good
works as are to-day the virtues of those ancestors, whose mem-
ory and history- you have now assembled to commemorate and
perpetuate.
" Soon you will cross the unknown sea
And reach the heavenly haven, if pure you be ;
Palmers and friends who have gone before,
Bid kindly welcome to that peaceful shore ;
So should we who here remain
Toil on, in faith, ' that to die is gain.' "
IMPROMPTU ADDRESS,
BY DR. EUGENE PALMER.
To the call of the great State of Texas, the venerable Dr.
Eugene Palmer responded as follows :
I fear that I shall not be able to make myself heard through-
out this large pavilion, for nature has gifted me with a voice
not strong enough even to blow my own trumpet ; and now you
call on me to blow the trumpet for the great empire State of
Texas. Already has Texas been twice called to the front, and
twice been more ably represented in the cause of this Palmer
Re-Union than any other State represented on the flag of the
nation. I refer to that gifted daughter of song, the poetess.
Mrs. Shindler, of Nacogdoches, who has given you a history of
the most brilliant and distinguished branch of the Palmar fam-
ily, which your genealogist had overlooked. Besides herself.
this branch includes the Rev. Dr. Palmer of New Cleans, who,
OF THE RE-UNION. IOI
if he were here to-dny, that gifted orator would electrify this as-
sembly from centre to circumference ; he would " make a rat-
tling among the dry bones."
Again, she has recited before you her beautiful original
poems, and told you something else that you did not know be-
fore, for you never believed that the Muses have sometimes
come down from the hill tops of Pernassus, to cull the rich
wild flowers that bloom on the prairies of Texas. Your secre-
tary did not put down my name last evening among the speak-
ers for to-day, and I am playing my role without a' rehearsal.
Yesterday 1 sustained the role of two characters in the play —
both of them tramps — for in my haste to join the Stonington
boat my trunk was left, and having no means to make my toi-
let, I " came to the feast without a wedding garment." That
of the other tramp was the prodigal son, who had wandered to
a far country, and had come back to his birth-place ; but, unlike
that prodigal son. I had not wasted my substance in riotous liv-
ing, but in my sympathies with a cause which I believed to be
just. " For where your treasure is, there will your heart be
also."
THE PALMERS' HYMN,
BY SARA A. PALMER, OF STONINGTON, CT.
A gathering clan to-day
From near and far away,
We pilgrims haste
To give the honor due
To him, both strong and true,
Who built his home anew
'Midst rocks and waste.
" God and my strong right awn
Shall shield me from all harm,"
Our brave sire cried ;
"Across the trackless sea
I flee from tyranny,
, To strike for liberty
Whate'er betide."
102 PALMER RECORD
Now we, his children, here
His memory revere
With hearts aglow ;
As Palmers true and tried
We'll bravely stem the tide.
However deep and wide,
Of wrong and woe.
A widely scattered band
We'll bear throughout the land
Hearts pure within ;
Our glory e'er shall be
That all the world may see
" Who bears the palm must be
Worthy to win !"
God of our father dear,
Bow down to us Thine ear.
Accept our prayer ;
Thy mercies we implore,
On us Thy blessing pour.
Our name be evermore
Thy hallowed care.
EVENING SERVICES.
PRAYER,
BY REV. E. BARNABAS PALMER, OE BOSTON.'
Preserve, O Lord, within our heart of hearts, the memory of
this auspicious day. May it lodge therein as a special token
of Thy grace and favor. And as the " lines of influence " and
ties of blood and kindred from all the past " intersect the pres-
ent, and reach forward into all the future," may this external
union of palm with palm form an inexhaustible font of tender
feeling and sympathy. Bless Thou the hour, this moment now
arrived, in which we in one rapture strive, with lip and heart,
to tell our gratitude for Thy protecting care.
And now, what offering, what memorial can our sincerity
OF THE RE-UNION. 103
present, that would acceptable be to Thee, better than those
trophies of the soul, achieved,
" As Thy unerring precepts teach,
Upon the internal conquests made by each,
Palmam qui meruit feral.
Breathe Thou the bosom of this internal relation,
With this day's vital undulation.
That all who do this name inherit
May conscious be of Thy moving spirit."
To us, it is a source of solemn joy : to us, a hymn of prayer.
and prayer of thanksgiving, that we inherit and enjoy a name
consecrated by the triumphal entry of the blessed Jesus into
Jerusalem ; a name associated with the hosannas that were
sung, and palm branches that were spread before Him that
came in the name of the Highest. A name achieved by our
remote ancestral originals, when they returned from their long
pilgrimage with the palm, bearing palm in the palm of their
hands.
Gracious in Thy sight be this assembly, and service of the
palmbearing branches — hallowed by its aim !
With emotions of devout reverence for Thee, with feelings of
profound respect for the ancestral palm-tree, in whose name
and under whose branches we are gathered in sun and shade,
the banner of our joy
" We now unfold and wait.
That strength of love our souls may elevate."
IMPROMPTU REMARKS,
BY GEN. GEORGE YV. PALMER, OF NEW YORK CITY.
On taking the chair the evening of the 10th, General George
W. Palmer said in substance :
Palmers and kinsfolk: To say that I feel flattered and proud
by being called upon to preside for a time over this great fam-
ily gathering, is but a feeble expression of the sentiments I ex-
perience at this moment. Unexpected and undeserved as this
honor is, I shall, nevertheless, treasure its pleasing memory in
104 PALMER RECORD
my heart of hearts through life, and leave the record of it as a
rich legacy to my children.
From the Elast and the West, the North and the South, the
Palmers and their relatives have gathered to the number of
over three thousand, and to-night present a spectacle, as a fam-
ily re-union, such as was never witnessed before in this or any
other country. When a boy, at Christmas time, I remember
the gatherings at my grandfather's house of his eleven living
children, with many grandchildren, and I thought he was the
greatest man on earth to be able to preside over so large a fam-
ily. But now I am at the head of a larger table than anybody's
grandfather ever presided over, and I am proud of it.
I must not detain you by even attempting to make a speech.
You have been fed upon poetry and history and eloquence, and
the feast is not yet over. Still it has occurred to me that before
we separate for the night some business ought to be done and
participated in by all the Palmers and their relations. At all
events steps should be taken to perpetuate and nationalize these
family re-unions, and I hope resolutions will be offered and
and passed to that end. I await your further pleasure.
GEN. GEORGE W. PALMER.
(Brief Biography.)
Born in the town of Ripley, Chautauqua County, New York.
June 7th, 1835. His parents were farmers, and his early educa-
tion was only what could be obtained at a district school and
close application at home. At the age of fifteen he com-
menced teaching school in his native town, and taught four
consecutive Winters, in the meantime attending the Academy
at Westfield, an adjoining town in the same county, during the
Spring and Fall terms. He had prepared to enter Williams'
College two years in advance, but illness prevented. On his
recovery he commenced the study of law with Judge Marvin
of his native county. He entered the Law University in 1855.
was examined and admitted to practice law in all the Courts of
the States in [856, and in 1857, was graduated at the Law Uni-
versity at Albany, receiving the degree of L.L. B. He then
OF THE RE-UNION*. 105
continued practice in the town of Westfield, in partnership with
Austin Smith, and was married September 1st, 1858, to Miss
Sarah E. Keyes. the daughter of a prominent Baptist minister.
He gained a considerable reputation as a lawyer and advocate.
During the campaign of Abraham Lincoln, in i860, he took a
prominent place as a campaign speaker, and was captain of the
first company, and commander of battalion of Wide- Awakes
formed in that locality. The arduous labors of this canvass,
added to his professional duties, again caused a serious illness.
In the Winter of i86l,he was appointed assistant clerk in the
New York State Senate. Soon after Sumpter was fired upon,
though still in poor health, he went to Washington and assisted
in the defense of the bridges leading from Virginia to Washing-
ton. He was soon afterward appointed in the War Department,
and for two years served in the Quartermaster-General's office
under Secretaries of War Cameron and Stanton. He assisted
in organizing the Provost Marshal's department, and soon after
its organization was appointed Captain and Provost Marshal
of the 31st District of New York. In this position, Secretary
Stanton said of him : " I have one honest and able Provost Mar-
shal in Captain Palmer."' He held this position until the 1st
of December, 1S64, when he went to Albany with Governor
Fenton, who made him his Military Secretary, which position
he held until the Spring following, when he was appointed Com-
missar)' General of Ordnance of the State of Xew York, with the
rank of Brigadier General; and in the early part of 1808, he was
also clothed with the duties of Ouartermaster-Generai of the
State, which position had formerly been held by Generals Edwin
A. Merritt and Chester A. Arthur.
In January, 1S69, he resumed the practice of his profession
ill the city of Xew York, but soon left it to assume the duties
of Appraiser of the Port of Xew York, to which position he wu.->
appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. As
Appraiser of the Port, Secretary Boutwell said of him that he
was one of the best revenue officials in the Government.
In 1 87 1, he again resumed the practice of his profession, hut
continued to take considerable interest, and actively participa-
ted in t!ie National and State political contests, attending near-
106 PALMER RECORD
ly all of the important Republican National and State conven-
tions from the birth of that party. Early in 1879, ne received
the appointment of Deputy Collector of Customs at the Port
of New York, in charge of the Law Department, which position
he still holds.
Collector's Office, Custom House, New York. )
7th Division — Law Department. \
The care of all suits brought against the Collector; the in-
vestigation of attempts to defraud the revenue ; the enforcement
of Fines, Penalties, and Forfeitures, and all legal proceedings
connected therewith: the custody and sale of all goods seized
by the Revenue Officers: the taking and cancellation of bonds,
and the prosecution of those whose conditions have been vio-
lated ; the supervision of all Exports entitled to Drawback of
Internal Revenue, and Customs duties on articles manufactured
from foreign materials; the ascertaining and certifying such
duties ; the charge of all export entry-papers for the benefit of
Drawback, and officers' returns thereon, and of Certificates in
proof of the landing of such exports abroad ; the approval and
registry of Powers of Attorney; the custody of the archives
and records ; the reception, recording, and disposal of all Pro-
tests and Appeals ; and the correspondence growing out of or
connected with the above matters.
George W. Wright, Chief Clerk.
GEORGE W. Palmer, Deputy Collector in Charge.
His genealogy will be particularly given in the second voi-
ume of this work, when published.
[Written for the Palmer Re-Union, in Stonington, Ct., and delivered on the evening
of August ioth.J
MOTHER -TOWN.
BY REV. F. DENLSOX, OF PROVIDENCE, R. I.
Whatever scenes of beauty we behold,
Through viewing all the circle of the earth,
A grace unequalled and a charm untold
Will bind us to the spot that gave us birth.
A mystic chord, undying in the breast,
Is vibrant to the very name of home ;
;
*. *
^E
A
i
I
^W^
/
OF THE RE-UNION. I07
A mother ever matchless stands confest.
Her angel presence ours, where'er we roam.
So, Mother-Town, we reverent turn to thee
Full-crowned with honors, won by Christian sires;
Thy templed hills thy home, by singing sea.
Where, as of old, thou guarded virtue's fires.
Endowed of Heaven, our fathers were the peers
Of Britian's princes, the inheritors
Of kingly truths and rights : unknowing fears
Of men when flamed the fatherland with wars.
But full to hold their heritage from God,
Commissioned by their faith the world to bless.
They turned, as exiles, from their loved abode
To build for truth in this hoar wilderness.
Faith sped the axe and plow, the scythe and flail ;
Love sang to cradle, distaff, wheel and loom ;
The word of God, the chosen coat-of-mail
To shield the bosom and adorn the home.
'Twas thus the Christian planting was begun
By Stanton, Chesebrough, Palmer, Mason, Noyes.
Main, Miner, Gallup, Wheeler, Denison.
And kindred souls, of whom the Lord made choice.
Of freedom's grand republic yet to be,
Here was the opening promise and the type —
The humble town — league of equality —
The germ prophetic of the cluster 'ripe.
Faith's drum-beat called the people to their prayer,
^ O'er hearth-stones hung the ready, trustv swords';
Charged firelocks sentinelled the pulpit stairs,
And banners blazed with patriotic words.
III.
Hence spurned our Mother England's tax on tea,
Swift stamped the Stamp Act underneath her feet ;
Set on her brow the cap of liberty,
And vowed oppression's every 'step to meet.
IOS PALMER RECORD
Here, as from Boston's North Church, streamed the lights
Along the hills to rally minute men ;
Heaven-leagued, defensive of unaliened rights.
Here marched to battle Gideon's host again.
To Trenton. Valley Forge and Yorktown's plain.
Our mother sent her "Sons of Liberty ;"
And braves to man our guns upon the main.
Who fired their shots for rigrht and victorv.
The blood of Ledyard and his hero-band
By traitor Arnold spilt on Groton Heights,
Refired her soul and nerved her hand.
To do or die, to win our countrv's rights.
IV.
Alike prepared, when fell another blow
Upon our sailors, striking down their right,
Her children rose to beard the lion-foe
Again, and prove their manhood and their might.
From yonder waves the royal ships bore down,
With great-mouthed, bull-dog boast and swelling jibs
But met such iron-thunder from this town.
As sent them reeling back with splintered ribs.
Such was her Spartan purpose ne'er to yield.
And such the telling, gallant victory won.
That e'en to-day, on England's battered shield.
Are read the scars received at Stonington.
Within her bosom martyr children sleep.
Wrapped in our country's fame as in her love :
While others far-off fields of battle keep
Their names, as stars, in freedom's banner wove.
v.
She finds fair writ on Scripture's radiant leaf.
That harvest songs belong to those who plant ;
And hence she sings to-day our nation's chief —
Her blood beats in the veins of General Grant.
OF THE RE-UNION.
Palmam qui meruit ferat — full she saith
To him as victor both in field and state.
Repeating glad a grateful nation's breath.
While still upon him highest honors wait.
And welcome now, as knightly pilgrims, come
The Palmers, each with fitting palm in hand.
To bless with tribute their ancestral home,
And hear anew their mother's high command.
Firm guardian of the common welfare still,
With pulsing heart, by valley, crag and shore.
As faithful, loving mother ever will,
She sits and counts her jewel children o'er.
VI.
Here let the Muse of History thoughtful pause.
Here measure doctrines by the fruit they bear ;
In justice's well-poised scale obtain the cause
Why this once savage wild now blooms so fair.
The word of God, enthroned in human breasts,
Transmits all things, e'en evil into good ;
Pronounces just, beneficent behests.
And builds the empire of our brotherhood.
The desert waste is cheered by Hermon's dew ;
The wilderness takes up redemption's strain ;
The Rose of Sharon blooms where briars grew ;
And freedom's host swells out the grand refrain,
O, favored land elect, Heaven-blessed and free,
Hold fast thy homes, thy churches, schools and law:
Thy bulwark 'gainst home-bred conspiracy.
And ages 'gainst malignant foreign wars.
VII.
In vision let another century glide,
Our land by virtues, learning, arts combined.
Shall win new lustre and augment with pride.
The peaceful trophies that exalt mankind.
109
IIO PALMER RECORD
Her temples and her halls of state she'll build
On mountain ranges nearer to the sun ;
Her bounds, with cedars, palms and olives filled,
From Arctic North to Tropic South shall run.
And in that opulent, abounding year.
Supreme in majesty and wide renown,
The regent of this Western hemisphere,
She'll not forget our worthy' Mother-Town.
To be an actor on so vast a stage.
To play in such grand scene a vital part,
May well our reverential thought engage,
And with a pure devotion thrill the heart.
VIII.
Devout we gaze on monuments and urns,
And spill the legends on the moss-rolled stones ;
Affection's tender flame within us burns ;
The heart a tie unutterable owns.
Our honored ancestors here silent rest ;
On every breeze endearing memories throng ;
The hills are with their thousand stories blest.
And every vale repeats its hallowed song.
The man without a country and a home.
How like a bird, smit by fierce tempest's sweep
At sea, mid angry clouds and hungry foam,
To panting fall and perish in the deep.
O, Mother-Town, thou grandest sacred dust ;
And, not in heartless words, this prayer is made
That, when is finished all our earthly trust.
With father's ashes may our own be laid.
And then — that gathering in the bright beyond,
That great re-union on the better shore,
Where life and love shall have perfected bond,
And fellowships unfold forevermore.
OF THE RE-UNION. . II
IX.
Thus, kin and friends, fulfilling my small part.
With yours, I lay my simple offering down, ■
Though less than yours in worth, not less in heart,
A thankful tribute to our Mother-Town.
REV. FREDERIC DENISON.
(Brief Biography.)
Rev. Frederic Denison.son of Isaac and Levina(Fish)Denison,
and great-grandson of Deacon Benadam and Bridget (Palmer)
Gallup, was born in Stonington, Ct., Sept. 28, 1S19: trained on
a farm, in common schools and at Bacon Academy; learned the
carpenter trade; became a school teacher; united with the
Third (now Union) Baptist Church in Groton ; was licensed to
preach ; studied in the Connecticut Literary Institution ; grad-
uated at Brown University in 1S47; became pastor of First
Baptist Church in Westerly, R. I., of Central Baptist Church
in Norwich, Ct., of Central Falls Baptist Church in Rhode Is-
land ; entered the United States army as chaplain and served
three years during the Rebellion ; settled again as pastor in Wes-
terly, in New Haven, Ct., in Woonsocket and in Providence,
R. I.; married, January 12, 1848, Amy Randall Manton, daugh-
ter of Dr. Shadrach Manton of Providence, and has one daugh-
ter, Fredrica, living ; has written various volumes of prose, his-
tory, biography and narratives, and small works of poetry ; is
a large contributor to periodicals, secular and religious; is cor-
responding member of the Rhode Island and Wisconsin His-
torical Societies; is now Historical Registrar of the Baptists of
Rhode Island, and was a leading associate editor of the recent
" Cyclopedia of Representative Men of Rhode Island."
112 * PALMER RECORD
PALMER FAMILIES.
ADDRESS BY NOYES F . PALMER.
OF JAMAICA, L. I., N. Y.
Mr. President: We are assembled to do honor and homage
to the memory of Walter Palmer, a pilgrim from the Old World
to the new, and the original ancestor of a long line of genera-
tions. Over two centuries ago, Walter Palmer made the We-
quetequock Cove his abiding place, and now we, of the later
generations, have returned to this ancestral spot, like pilgrims
from afar, to view with our own eyes many places made sacred
by the reminiscences of our grandfathers and mothers.
Our name, Palmer, it has been said, is " derived from pilgrim-
ages, and is not last in the mists of antiquity. The crusaders,
in their marches to Jerusalem in the Middle Ages, from the
time of Peter the Hermit to the close of the fourteenth century,
had many followers, who sought to see the tomb of Christ from
sacred motives. Many of these pilgrims on their return wore
palm leaves in their hats, or carried staves made from palm
branches. They thus came to be called Palm-ers or bearers of
the palm. Some were also distinguished by the scallop shell
worn twisted in their hat band."
The name soon passed into literature. Shakespeare frequent-
ly uses the word : " My scepter for a Palmer's walking staff ;"
and also, " Where do the Palmers lodge, I do beseech you ?"
In Spencer's Faerie Queene, he alludes to an aged pilgrim :
" Him als accompanyd upon the Way,
A comely Palmer, clad in black attire ;
Of ripest years, and hairs all hoarie gray.
That with a staff his feeble limbs did stire,
Lest his long way, his aged limbs should tire."
Sir Walter Scott wrote :
" I am a Palmer, as you see,
Which of my life much part have spent
In many a far and fayre countrie,
As pilgrims do, of good intent."
OF THE RE-UNION. II3
In a work on " Our English Surnames," byChas. W. Bardlcy,
Esq., is an account of the derivation of the name Palmer, as
follows: ''The various religious wanderings of solitary recluses,
though belonging to a system long faded from our English life,
find a perpetual epitaph in the directories of to-day. Thus we
have still our pilgrims, or ' peteriris,' as the Xormans termed
them. We meet with Palmers any day in the streets of our
.large towns; names distinctly relating the manner in which
their owners have derived their titles. The Pilgrim may have
but visited the shrine of St. Thomas, of Canterbury. The Pal-
mer, as liis name proves, had, forlorn and weary, battled against
all difficulties, and trod the path that led to the Holy Sep-
ulchre,
' The faded palm branch in his hand.
Showed pilgrim from the Holy Land.' "
The name Palmer has been associated with Palm and Pales-
tine for ages, and has been engrafted into Holy Writ. The se-
lection of palm branches by the pilgrims to the Holy Land had
great significance ; a characteristic of a palm tree is, that if
bent or twisted out of shape, when released will regain its
normal shape. So with truth crushed to earth, will rise
again. The palm tree is mentioned in the Sacred Songs of Sol-
omon : "This thy stature is like to a palm tree, and thy breasts
to clusters of grapes. I said, I will go up to the palm tree, I
will take hold of the boughs thereof."
In 92d Psalm, referring to the return of Babylonish captives
to the Land of Promise, in 12th verse, we find : "The righteous
shall flourish like the palm tree ; he shall grow like a cedar in
Lebanon."
When Jesus made his triumphal entry into Jerusalem, it is
recorded in John xii : "When they heard that Jesus was com-
ing to Jerusalem, took branches of palm trees and went forth
to meet him, and cried, Hosanna ! Blessed is the King of Israel
that cometh in the name of the Lord."
Again, in John's Revalations, chapter vii, verse 9th : "After,
I beheld, and lo ! a great multitude, which no man could num-
ber, of all nations, and kindred, and people, and tongue, stood
114 PALMER RECORD
before the throne, and before the Lord, clothed with white robes
and palms in their hands."
We therefore find in sacred and profane literature mention of
palms and palm bearers.
In the Old World, the name Palmer applied to families of diff-
erent paternity, and different nationalities, and only in modern
times do we find it signifying any one family.
In ancient times there was even a difference between a Pil-
grim and a Palmer. Bailey, in "Clark's Introduction to Her-
aldry," thus defines the difference: "A Pilgrim had some dwell-
ing place, a Palmer none; a Pilgrim travelled to some certain
place, the Palmer to all ; the Pilgrim must go at his own charge,
the Palmer must profess poverty whether real or wilful. The
Pilgrim might give over his profession, but the Palmer might
not."
That the name applied to many different families in Europe
is evident from the fact, that Burke's " Encyclopedia of Her-
aldry " describes forty-five coats-of-arms, under the name of
Palmer.
Not so with the family name in America. Here we have no
coats-of-arms to confuse us and create caste in society. (Every
Palmer in America wears his own " coat," rather than that of
his grandfather.)
In America we have but a few Palmer ancestors, and we of
to-day have made a journey, liken unto a pilgrimage, to pay re-
spect to one of them — Walter Palmer, who came to America
soon after the Mayfloxver pilgrims, and whose descendants arc.
perhaps, more numerous than that of any other pilgrim Palmer.
The intermarriages of Palmers have so commingled posterity
that nearly all of the name are more or less related. Among the
original stocks have been gathered from records :
1st. Wm. Palmer, who came from Nottinghamshire, England,
in ship Fortune, second vessel after the Mayflotver/m 162 r.
He sailed from Plymouth. England, and landed at Plymouth,
Massachusetts Bay Colony ; what was his abiding place is now
known as Duxbury, Mass.
2d. Walter Palmer and Abraham Palmer, brothers, who came
from Nottinghamshire, England, in 1629, along with John En-
OF THE RE-UNION. I I 5
dicott, in charge of " six ships with 400 persons, men, women
and children," landed at Charlestown, Massachusetts Bay Col-
ony. Walter Palmer was one of the original founders of Charles-
town, 1629, of Rehoboth, 1643, and of Southerton, now called
Stonington, 1653.
3d. Thomas Palmer, in ship Expectation, 1635 ; from Brad-
ford, England, and the founder of the town of Rowley, Mass.
4th. John Palmer, in ship Elizabeth, 1634 or '35 ; settled in
Hingham, Mass.
I think Thomas and John (3 and 4) were brothers. Some of
his descendants on Long Island, X. Y., where John lived.
5th. Barnabas Palmer, from Belfast, Ireland, 1740; settled in
Rochester, N. H.
6th. Edward Palmer, from England to Boston, Nov. 12,
1746.
7th. Lieut. Wm. Palmer, made freeman at Yarmouth, June
7, 1638: settled on Long Island, and died there.
8th. Wm. Palmer, who went to Virginia. Descendants
throughout the South.
9th. John Palmer, in ship Providence, of Scarborough, Eng-
land, in 1684 : settled in Pennsylvania, and from whom are de-
scended vast numbers of Quaker Palmers.
10th. Joseph Palmer, from Higher Abbottsrow, Devonshire,
England, in ship Wilmington, to Boston, Mass., November 2d,
1746. Descendants in Massachusetts.
nth. Thomas Palmer, from Kelso, Scotland, 1790. Descend-
ants in Philadelphia, Penn.
1 2th. Matthew Palmer, from Nottinghamshire, England, about
1720 landed in New York City. Descendants in Dutchess Co.,
N. Y. and Saratoga Co., N. Y.
13th. Capt. Wm. J. Palmer, from London, England, about
1 8 1 2 ; settled in Galliopolis, Ohio.
There are some few later stocks, but whose descendants are
not as yet very numerous, so far as known.
The larger proportion of the Palmers of America are de-
scended from four of these individuals — namely, Wm. Palmer,
of Duxbury, Mass.: Walter Palmer, of Stonington, Ct.; Thomas
Palmer, of Rowley, Mass.; John Palmer, of Hingham, Mass.
Il6 PALMER RECORD
These four may be called the Palmer patriarchs of New
England.
The intermarriages of Palmers have been so numerous, that
all the living descendants are more or less mixed in their rela-
tionship to the ancient stocks, and it is no more than proper
to say that a Re-Union of Palmers will embrace these different
branches.
Tradition has transplanted from generation to generation
many reminiscences, but one very important one is, that the
Palmers are descended from three brothers. I presume this
sprang from the brotherhood between Walter and Abraham,
and from the many cotemporaneous Wm. Palmers, rather than
from the fact that there really were three brothers. Records
show two other brothers besides Walter and Abraham, that
were original ancestors, but not brothers to Walter and Abra-
ham ; their names were John and Thomas, who came from
England about 1631 or '52; John settled on the Georges River
in Maine, and Thomas in Newtown, Mass.
This Re-Union of the Palmer Family has special application
to the direct lineal descendants of Walter Palmer, rather than
to other stocks of the same name. We have already had a
very able and interesting historical address by Judge Richard
A. Wheeier, in regard to Walter, therefore it is not necessary
for us to repeat.
But many are present who may ask the question. " Are we
descendants of Walter Palmer?" We will give you from one
of our books, called " Branches and Places," the name and place
of residence of some one original ancestor who was a descend-
ant of Walter, and whose descendants branched out of the local-
ities where he and his children lived into various sections of the
country. It must be remembered that this list of " Branches
and Places " does not give the name of all the descendants who
may have lived in these various localities, but rather the name
of some one original ancestor, from whom there are still other
branches and places connected therewith.
OF THE RE-UNION. WJ
ALPHABETICAL ARRANGEMENT
OF PLACES WHERE SOME OF THE DESCENDANTS OF WALTER
PALMER HAVE LIVED.
Ashford, Ct.: Gen. Nathan, Benjamin, Dr. Joseph. Ansonia,
Ct.: Albert L. Andover, Ct.: The Skinners, the Foxes.
Ackworth, Ct. : Philander. Albany, N. Y. : Chas. L. Ich-
abod, Luther M., Byron O. Aroca, N. Y.: Ira, S. H.
Auburn, N. Y. : Denison. Agawam, N. Y. : Samuel.
Ann Arbor, Mich. : Alonzo B., Russel D. AtJie?is, Ga. :
Geo. H.
Branford, Ct. : William, Obadiah, Michael, Solomon, Benja-
min, John, Samuel, Stephen, Joseph, Abraham, Nathaniel.
Timothy (and over a thousand more). Berlin, Ct.: Col.
Chas. D. Buck/and, Ct.: The Clarks. Bridgewater, Ct.:
Jonathan. Brooklyn, N. Y: Dr. L. N., Wm. Pitt., the
Clarks, the Cutlers, James. Bridgewater, N. Y.: Jonathan,
the Lambs, Elias, Rev. Belia, David, Asa. Brooklyn, Mich.:
Priscilla, the Colgroves, the Randalls, the Austins, the
Ides, the Websters. Boivery Bay, N. Y: Wm. E. Bur-
lington, N. Y.: Gen. Nathan, Stephen, William, Benjamin.
Brookfield, N. Y.: Gen. Noyes, Benjamin. Brighton, N. Y.:
The Barneses. Berlin, N. Y.: Gideon, Joseph B. Boston,
Mass.: Lewis M., Jonathan. Bath, Me.: Asa. Benning-
ton, Vt.: Seth. Busti, N. Y: Whitman, Amos. Buckland
Corners, N. Y.: Sidney E. Blackinton, Mass.: David, Mary
B. Buffalo, N. Y.: The Wilguses, the Sheldons, the But-
lers, the Pecks. Burlington, la.: Luke. Bronson, Fla.:
The Simmons. Batavia, III.: Chas. A. Brockport, N. Y.:
Humphrey, Nathaniel. Bethlehem, Ct.: Sheldon, Samuel,
Isaac. Brown Co.\ N. Y.: Stephen. Bradford, Pa.: The
Weeds.
Charlestown, Mass.: Elihu, Nehemiah. Coventry, Ct.: Rev.
Eliott. Columbus, Ct.: The Littles. Columbus, N. K.-
Elijah, Grant Billings. Colchester, X. Y: Richard. Horace,
Seth, Hiram. Canterbury, AT. Y: James B. Clockville,
N. Y: The Chapmans. the Randalls. Columbus, O.:
The Grows. Columbus, N. Y.: Benjamin, Asahael, Stephen.
Il8 PALMER RECORD
Amos. Cayuga, X. Y.: Dr. Noyes. Corning, X. Y.: Olive,
Luther A. Cardiff, X. Y.: Avory F. Castleton, X. Y.:
James. Chatham, X. Y.: Ephraim. Compton, N. Y.: Sam-
uel. Clarendon, If.: David. Chicago, III.: Loomis T.,
Charles, the Durlands, Chas. T., Joseph, the Noyeses, the
Hilands, Herman C. Castleton, If.: David, Allen, the
Crarys. Chattanooga, Tenn.: Sidney. Clarkson, X. Y:
Joel B., Russell. Cincinnatus, X. Y.: Charles. Compton,
N. H.: Dudley. Chesterfield, Ct.: Elisha C, Joshua. Can-
astota, X. Y.: Joseph, Hannah S. Catskill, X. Y.: Hiland.
Collingzi'ood, A7. K: Avory R. Carboudale. III.: Elihu J.
Cuba, X. Y.: The Medburys, Joseph. Clarkson, N. Y.:
Dea. Joel. Covington. Ct.: Christopher. Coeymans Hol-
low, X. Y.: William W. Coxsackie, X. Y.: Lewis. Jon-
athan B.
Daxielsoxyille, Ct.: Edwin L. Dallas City, Pa.: Amos T.
Decatur, Xa.: Mar}- E. Dover, X. J.: Stephen J., Ezekiel,
Charles. Dutchess Co., X. Y.: Daniel, Aaron, Joseph.
Des Moines, III.: Albert S. Delevan, III.: O. B. Danville.
III.: Dr. Asa A., Judge Norman D., E. H. Dancsbnrgh, X.
Y.: Caleb, Ira. Davokins Mills, O.: Isaac. Detroit, Mich.:
Nathan H , Thomas. George T., Nehemiah, Nathan C.
Friend. Decatur, III.: Ambrose \V\, the Ewings. Delhi.
X. Y.: Ezekiel, Joseph. Shubal, Urban. Durand, III.:
Geo. W.
•EXETER. R. I.: Uriah, Amos. Extter, Ct.: Ezra, Rosweil, Rev.
Phineas, Rev. Gershom, the Havens, the Shermans, the
Whites. Exeter, X. Y.: Gen. Noyes. Elder Christopher,
Humphrey, Gershom. Michael, George, Abel. East New
York, X. Y.: Noyes G., George W. Eau Clair, Wis.:
Camillus Noyes. Euclid, X. Y.: Gideon, Nathaniel. Ev-
ans Mills, X. Y.: John R. Eaton, X. Y: Ephraim. East
Haddam, Ct.: Edward, Levi. East Killingly, Ct.: The
Lewises. East Hartford, Ct.: The Atwoods, the Lewises,
the Wilcoxs.
FAYETTEVILLE, Ct.: Dr. Noyes. Eayetteville, X. Y: Jerome,
Charles, Gilford. Denison. Falls Ullage, Ct.: Theodore H.
Fitchville, 0.: Preston. Fort Concho, Tex.: Lieut. Geo.
OF .THE RE-UNION.
«9
H. Fair Haven, Ct.: Henry. Fairfield, O.: E. S. Five
Corners, X. Y; Tne Hunts.
GRISWOLD, Ct.: Benjamin, Alvah, the Larkhams. the YVil-
coxs, the Clarks, Asher, Amos F., the Holmes. Green-
ville, Ct.: Myron, Charles, Alfred, Chauncey. Groton. Ct.;
Mary A. Gor/iam, N. ¥.: James. Galway, III.: George
Denison. Great Harrington, Mass.: Billings. Green Springs,
O.: Ura H. Green Co., X. Y.: Jonathan, Gideon. Grape-
ville, X. V.: Egbert, M. Goshen, Ct.: H. D., Robert, Addi-
son. Grand Rapids, Mich.: The Walkers. Gloversville.
X. Y.: T. R., Levi H. Greenwich, Ct.: Jonathan, Benja-
min, Stephen. Goshen, Ct.: The Halls, Robert, Samuel,
Joseph. Guilford. Ct.: Charles. Greenville, X V. :
Gideon, Epenetus, Wm. R., Jonathan. Geneva, X. K.-
Levi.
HOPE Valley, R. I.: The Chapmans. Hampden Junction,
O.: A. F. Hebron, Ct.: Horatio, Elliott, James. Hart-
ford, Ct.: David, Josiah C. Hopkinton, Ct.: Lydia X.
Homer, X. ¥.: The Randalls, the Kinnes. Havana, X.
Y.: Daniel, Zinney, John D.
JEWETT City, Ct.: Lewis, Benj. W. Jamaica, X. Y: Xoyes
F. Jamestown, X. Y: John D. Jackson, Mich.: Geo. L.
Jackson, O.: YV. H. Junction City, Kan.: The Roses.
Kalamazoo, Mich.: Dr. Geo. C. Kawkins City, Kan.: Albert
J. Kansas City, M. 0.: Albert YV., S. C. Kecne, X. H.:
Charles. Kenanee, III.: Grove Xoyes, Aaron.
LISBON, Ct.: Benj. H. Lakeville, Ct.: Edward A. Lenox, X.
Y.: Elijah, Elisha, Samuel, Joseph, Stephen W., Huldah,
the Shermans, the Chapmans. the Randalls. Leroy,X. ¥.:
Elisha, Tyler, Rev. Roswell C, the Cooks. LyndonvilL,
X. Y.: Jas. M. Lynn, Mass.: Gershom, the Breeds. Laug-
don. Mass.: Benjamin. Little Falls, X. Y.: C. J. Lebanon,
Ct.: Amos. Litchfield, Ct.: Elnathan, Samuel, Simeon.
Lockland, O.: S. C. Little Compton, R. I.: Isaac, John^
Job. Lyons, la.: The Kinskems. Lincoln, III.: Joseph.
Lockport, X. K.--Chas. N. Lynn, Ct.: Prudence, the Cadys.
Liberty, Mich.: Benjamin. Lcoui, Mich.: Frank, Theodore.
Logansport, III.: Amos. Lebanon, O.: Clayton. Liudley
120 PALMER RECORD
N. Y.: Leonard. Lafayette, N. Y.; Denison. Lockport,
III.: Walter A.
MONTVILLE, Ct.: Rev. Reuben, Gideon, Samuel. Elisha H.,
the Lambs, the Turners, the Landpheres, the Warners.
Mansfield, Ct.: Dea. Amasa. Miatius, Ct.: Abraham. Man-
liness, N. V.: Sandford. Metrisstrip, N. V.: The Gallups.
Middletown, N. Y.: B. G. Montgomery, N. Y.: Romeyn.
Mamaroneck, N. Y.: Richard C. Memphis, Tenn.: William,
Horace. Minneapolis, Minn.: The Woodwards. Momence,
III.: The Randalls. McAvory, Md.: The Lewises. Man-
chester, Mich.: Rev. Wm. L., the Calhouns. Memphis,
Mich.: The Ides. Marietta, O.: Jewett. Middletown,
R. I.: TAhd.. Mobile, Ala.: The Ensigns. Mecca, O.:
Nathan. Moscow, N. Y.: Abel. Madison, O.: Isaac,
Noyes, Walter, Erastus, Cullen, the Brooks. Morgan Park,
III.: H. A. Mystic River, Ct.: The Langworthys. Mew-
cayua, III.: Albert. Monmouth, III.: William, Henry D.
Monononie, Wis.: Stephen R. Modena, N. Y.: Samuel.
" Debby." Mystic Bridge, Ct.: The Browns, the Moredocks,
the Bromleys.
New London, Ct.: Solomon, Benjamin, the Lewises, the Wea-
vers, the Newcombs. New Briton, Ct:. Henry F. Nor.
zvich, Ct.: William, Allen, Rev. Wm. S., Joseph, Arthur,
Chas. H., Rev. Wm. B., John C, Jonathan, Leland, the
Clarks, the Baileys. Nortvich Falls, Ct.: Amos N., Abel.
Niantic, Ct.: John B., Sybil A., Henry F. North Branford,
Ct.: Joel, John, Albert H. New York City, N. Y: Court-
land, A. M., W. H., Lowell M., the Drapers (and many more).
Norvell, Mich.: Stephen W., Huldah, Sylvanus B., Andrew
J., Jno. J., the Austins, Joshua C, the Coles, William, the
Randalls. Napoleon. Mich.: Martin, Harry M. Napoleon,
0.: Hubbard, Elmer H. New Leslie, N. Y.: Benjamin.
Newtown, N. Y.: Samuel. Nine Partners, N. Y.: Abra-
ham, Rev. Henry, Rev. Asa, Rev. Eleazor. New Marl-
borough, Mass.: Henry, Nathan, Hattie L. North Stoning-
ton, Ct.: Stephen M., the Coutes. North Bridgzvater, N. K.-
Asa,Chauncey. Noank, Ct.: Robert M., the Spicers. North
Bradford, Ct.: Dea. Joel. North East, Pa.: The Noyeses,
OF THE RE-UNION. 12 f
the Sheffields. New Orleans, La.: Rev. B. M., H. F.
Newark, N. J.: F. A., Lydia, Wm. E., Thomas G.
New Leslie, Midi.: Benjamin. North Thatford, Wis.:
Henry. Newbem, S. C: Gershom. North Fayette. Me.:
Henry K., Thos. F. North Manchester, Ct.: The Bissells.
Naragansett, R. I.: Ziber. Henry E., Warren. Norfolk, Ct.:
Elias, Silas A. Norwichtown, Ct.: The Shermans. New
Milford, Ct.: Arthur H.
ONEIDA, N. Y.: L. C, the Chapmans, the Gibbs, the Gallups.
Ottawa, Kan.: Hiram, Charles, Porter, Calvin. Otis, Mass.;
Lazarus, Calvin. Otis, N. V.: Ransome. Onion River.
Vt.: Silas. Otsego, N. Y.: Joseph. Orange. Ar. /.: J as. G.
Pendleton Hill, Ct.: Lieut. Ichabod, Stephen, Julius, Lu-
ther, Robert, Amos B., the Greens, the Chapmans, Row-
land. Plainfield, Ct.: Roswell, Walter, Henry C, Dr.
Isaac. Portland, Ct.: Rev. Elliott, Geo. S. Preston, Ct.:
Rev. Gershom, Rev. Reuben, Emma T., Jonathan, Joseph,
Jedediah, Jesse, Timothy. Paris, N. Y: Amos, the Ran-
dalls. Perryville, N. Y: Franklyn, the Maines, the Ran-
dalls. Parma, N. Y.: Samuel B., Cavlin B. Providence,
R. I.: Reginald, Samuel, William H., the Shermans, the
Havens, the Lewises, the Stantons, the Denisons. Peaeham,
Vt.: Nathan. Pecawonica, III.: Russell, Roswell. Pontiac.
III.: Geo. R., the Randalls, the Thomases. Philadelphia,
Pa.: B. Frank, the Chesebroughs, the Simpsons, the Grants
(and hundreds more). Pontiac, Mich.: Charles H. Paw
Paw, III.: E. H., Amos. Pompey,N.Y.: Avery F. Ports-
mouth, Va.: Benjamin. Panama, N. Y: Andrew ]., C. S.
Plainfield, N. Y.: Vose. Paincsville, O.: Noyes, Isaac,
Erastus. Pequonic Bridge, Ct.: The Brownes. Perry, N.
Y: The Chapins. Palmer, O.: Joseph.
Rehoboth, Mass.: Gershom, Jonas, William (and many later
generations). Rochester, N. Y: Eunice, Azariah, Justus.
Richfield Springs, N. Y.: Esquire, Laton. Racine, JTis.:
A.lbert R. Republic, O.: Calvin G. Roxbury, Mass.: John.
Rutland, Vt.: The Burtons. Romney, N. LI.: Dudley.
Rockford, III.: H. H. Rutland Co., Vt.: David, James.
Reedsburgh, Wis.: O. W. Ransomeville, N. Y.: Christo-
122 PALMER RECORD
pher, Reuben, Gen. W. S. Romeo, Mich.: Amos. Rock-
villc, R. I.: Josiah. Rome, III.: Ephraim. Rochcllc, III.:
John, Stephen. Rome, X. Y.: The Cadys, the Pres-
cotts.
StoninGTOX, Ct.: Walter. Nehemiah, Dea. Gershom. Lieut.
Joseph, Col. Jonathan, Benj., Moses, William, Denison,
Andrew, Asa, Nathan, Dr. Nathan, Gen. Noyes, Benjamin.
Gilbert, Polly, the Chesebroughs, the Chesebros', the Chese-
boros, the Miners, the Stantons, the Denisons, the Hewitts,
the Coates, the Sloans, Ichabod, Thomas, Rev. Christopher,
Roswell, Geo., Elder Christopher, Zebulon, Luke, Noyes,
Dr. Joseph, Samuel, Refus. Stephen, Asahael, David, En-
sign, Moses, Eliphalet, Daniel, Israel, Amos, Henry, Sax-
ton, Varnum Bates, Col. Elias S., Rev. A. G., Capt. Nat.,
Capt. Alexander S., the Wheelers, the Churchills, the Halls,
the Williams (and thousands of others who migrated from
Stonington to New York State, to Wisconsin, to Michigan,
and various sections of the country). Suffield, Ct.: Rev.
Thomas R. Scotland, Ct.: Wm. F., Ephraim, Rev. Levi.
Stephen, Nathaniel, Nathan, the Lewises. San Francisco,
Cal.: George, Chas. E. Oakland, Cal.: The Mathews.
Salamanca, X. Y.: Wm. C. Syracuse, N. V.: Stewart B.,
Jonathan, the Jordans, the Coates, the Saffords. Sand-
wich, III.: Alex. H. 5. Coventry, Ct.: Asa. Sheriville, 0.:
Levi. Stamford, Ct.: Wm. C, Orrin, Jas. R., Abijah, the
Minors. 5. Woodstock, Ct.: Ira G. Sutton, X. H.: Rev.
Christopher, Joseph. Spencer, X. Y.: Capt. Louis, Ezekiel,
John H. St. Clair, Mich.: Titus. S.Bryon. Wis.: Alvah.
Savannah, Ga.: Samuel, Herbert A. Salem, Mass.: Job.
Salem, Va.: John H. Stillwater, X. Y.: George, Ashabel,
Justina, Henry, Charles, Edward. Spcncerport, X. K.-
Nelson. Saratoga, X. Y.: Josiah. Sag Harbor, X. Y.:
Lucius. Sharon, X. Y.: Silas. Seneca Falls, X. }'.; Jef-
ferson V., Wilbur. Sharon, Mich.; The Coles. St. Johns,
Mich.: John O. Springfield, Mass.: Samuel. Stoekbridge,
Mass.: Henry Dwight, F. A., the Pitkins. South Kings-
ton, R. I.: The Shermans, the Aliens, Henry E. Stoning-
ton, III.: Elijah. Spaulding, la.: George G. Spencer, X.
OF THE RE-UNION. 123
Y.: Joseph, Christopher, J. H., Louis F. Stedman, N. Y:
Gen. Noyes, Andrew J.
TULLV, N. V.: Prentice B., Andrew J.
UNIONVILLE, Ct.: Emily A. Utica,N.Y.: Chauncey, Walter,
A. J., Luther, the Abbotts. Ulysses, Neb.: The Smiths.
VOLUNTOWN, Ct.: Nehemiah, Benjamin, Daniel, Elijah, Elisha.
Joseph, Gershom, Rev. Jesse, Roswell, the Lewises, the
Cases. Vernon, Ct.: Elliott. Ver?ionr O.: Gilbert. Ver-
montville, Mich.: The Harringtons. Victor, N. Y.: Dr. J.
W., the Moffits.
WlNDOM, Ct.: Samuel, Rev. John, Rev. Gershom, Levi.
Waverly, X. Y: The Clarks. Willetts, N. Y: Gershom-
Wyomi?ig, N. Y.: The Randalls, Amos. Wethersfield, Ct.:
Isaac, John, Rev. Jesse. Westbury, Ct.: Walter. West
Hartford, Ct.: Orlando. Windsor, Ct.: The Grants, the
Minors. Wiiliviantic, Ct.: Rev. Stephen. Warsaw, R. I.:
Charles. Westerly, R. I.: Dr. Luther A., Rev. Reuben,
Col. Elias S., Ichabod, Hiram, Denison, the Maines, the
Perrins. West Cornwall, Vt.: Rev. Wm. S. West field,
Mass.: Rev. Squire, Rev. Eldah, John C. Walhalla, S.
C: Jesse, B. Washington, D. C: The Spencers, the Halls.
Woodstock, Ct.: David, Gershom, Hezekiah, the De Lands,
the Pellets. Woodstock, Vt.: Walter. Waltham, Mass.:
The Banks. Waits field, Mass.: Wm. Warren, O.: E. A.
West Mecca, O.: Nathaniel W. West Cambridge, Mass.:
John. Windsor, Ct.: Nicholas. West Winfield, N. Y.:
Vose, Walter. Washington, O.: F. M. Water town, N. K.-
Reuben, Amasa. Warren, N. Y.: Urban, Abel, Shubal.
Worcester, Mass.: The Baldwins. White Salina, Wash.
Ter.: Cornelius J. Ware House Point, Ct.: Epaphroetus,
F. E.
Zanesville, O.: Eliakein.
[NOTE. — This memorandum of " Places where Descendants of
Walter Palmer have Lived " is not complete. Since its prep-
aration, just before the Re-Union, over twelve hundred records,
letters, etc., have been received, which, when studied, will more
than double the Palmer Records].
124 PALMER RECORD
CELEBRATED PALMERS.
ARMY OFFICERS.
Among generals and army officers there have been :
Gen. Joseph Palmer, of Boston Tea Ship notoriety. An in-
mate friend of President John Ouincy Adams, and who served
during the Revolution.
Gen. Joseph Pease Palmer, of Guiliford, Vt, and Watertow n,
N. Y. ; among whose descendants are the celebrated Haw-
thornes and Putnams of literary fame.
Gen. Nathan Palmer. Born in Stonington, Ct. ; died in Bur-
lington, Otsego Co.. N. Y.
Gen. Noyes Palmer, of 1812. Died in Brookfield, N. Y., in
1858.
Gen. and President U. S. Grant. A descendant from Walter
Palmer's daughter Grace.
Gen. J. Newton Palmer, of Washington, D. C.
Gen. W. S. Palmer, of Ransomeville, N. Y.
Gen. Geo. W. Palmer, of New York City, N. Y.
Gen. Jos. N. Palmer, New Haven, Ct.
Gen. W\ H. Wessells, Litchfield, Ct.
Gen. Wm. J. Palmer, President of the Denver and Rio
Grande Company.
Col. Thos. Palmer, Ulster Co., N. Y.
Col. Elias Sandford Palmer, Stonington, Ct.
Col. Chas. D. Palmer, Berlin, Ct.
Col. Edwin Palmer, Norwich, Ct.
Col. Geo. W. Palmer, Chicago, 111.
Col. Jonathan Palmer, Stonington, Ct.
Capt. S. G. Palmer, Ripley, O.
Capt. Stephen W. Palmer, Lennox, N. Y.
Capt. Geo. W. Palmer, Durand, 111.
First Lieut. Geo. H. Palmer, Fort Concho, Tex.
Lieut. Ichabod Palmer, Stonington, Ct.
Lieut. David Palmer, commission signed by Gov. Alden
Bradford.
Lieut. Palmer Tilton, Baltimore, Md.
(And many more.)
OF THE RE-UNION.
125
CLERGYMEN.
DECEASED AND LIVING — ALPHABETICALLY.
A. M. Palmer, of Newark Conference.
A. R. Palmer, Collingwood, N. Y.
A. J. Palmer, of New York Conference.
Abel Palmer, Norwich, Ct.
Asa H. Palmer, Dutchess Co., N. Y.
A. G. Palmer, Stonington, Ct.
A. M. Palmer, Phillipsburgh, N. J.
A. F. Palmer, Cronomer Valley, N. Y.
Albert DeF. Palmer, Lawrence, Mass.
A. M. Palmer, New Milford. Ct.
Aaron Palmer, Poughkeepsie, N. Y.
Burton Palmer, Saratoga, Col.
B. M. Palmer, Charleston, S. C.
Benj. M. Palmer, New Orleans, La.
B. D. Palmer, Poughkeepsie, N. Y.
Benj. Wood Palmer, Upton, Mass.
Braman, Isaac, Georgetown, Mass.
Benj. D. Palmer, Mt. Horeb, N. J.
Charles Ray Palmer, Bridgewater, N. Y.
C. A. Lamb, Ypsillanti, Mich. Grandson of Rev. Reuben,
and still preaching in Michigan (1881), aged 83.
Chester Palmer. Died in 1856.
Christopher Palmer, Stonington, Ct. Died in 1805.
Charles Palmer, Meriden, Ct.
Cook, H., Essex Co., N. Y.
C. W. Palmer, Sandusky, O.
David Palmer, Vermont.
Denison, Fred., Providence, R. I.
David Palmer, Carlisle, Mass. A celebrated scholar and
writer of sacred songs.
David Palmer, of Townsend, Mass.
David Henry Palmer, Penn Yan, Penn.
Elliott Palmer, West Stafford, Ct.
Elisha Palmer. " The Blind Preacher."
Elliott Palmer, Portland, Ct.
26
PALMER RECORD
Eleazer Palmer. Died in 1852.
Edmund Barnabas Palmer, Rochester, N. H.
Edward Palmer, South Carolina. Still preaching (1881),
aged 95 years.
Edward Stanton Palmer. Fort Hill, Me.
Edward C. Palmer, Barnwell, S. C.
Elliott Palmer, Portland. Me.
Frank K. Palmer, Liberty, Mo.
Frederick K. Palmer, Clay Co., Miss. A missionary.
Fred. Palmer, Lonesdale, R. I.
F. G. Rossitter, Omra, Wis.
Frank Palmer, Norwich, Ct.
F. A. Palmer, Booth Bay, Me.
Frank Herbert Palmer, North Scituate. R. I.
Gershom Palmer, Exeter, R. I. Died in 1868, aged 94.
Gershom Palmer, Preston, Ct. Author of sacred songs.
Gurdon C. Noyes, Connecticut.
Geo. Rutledge Palmer, Illinois. Illinois M. E. Conf.
Henry Clay Trumbull, Connecticut.
Henry Palmer, Bradford, Orange Co., Vt.
Jesse Palmer, Wethersfield, N. Y.
John Palmer, Windham, Ct.
John Cotton Rossitter, Wisconsin.
Joseph P. Palmer, Norton, Mass.
John Palmer, Scotland, Ct.
L. E. Palmer, Almond, Wis.
Levi Palmer, Scotland, Ct.
Marcus Palmer, Lindonville, O. Died in 1880, aged 86.
Melvin Palmer, Fostoria, O.
Miner, Noyes W., Trenton, N. J.
Nelson Palmer, Albany, N. Y.
Reuben Palmer, Montville, Ct. Past 80 at death.
Ray Palmer, Newark, N. J.
Roswell Palmer, Exeter, R. I. Died in 1824.
Stephen Palmer, North Stonington, Ct.
Solomon Palmer, New York.
OF THE RE-UNION
127
Streeter, Randall, Connecticut.
S. C. Palmer, Lockland, O.
Thomas R. Palmer, Suffield, Ct.
Urban D. Palmer, Warren, N. Y.
Wait Palmer, Stonington, Ct.
Wm. L. Palmer, Manchester, Mich.
Wm. B. Palmer. Jefferson City, Mo.
Wm. H. Palmer, Bridgwater, N. Y.
Wm. L. Palmer, Norwich, Ct.
Walter Palmer, New York City, N. Y.
Samuel Wood, Boneman, N. H.
Wm. B. Palmer, Norwich, Ct.
DOCTORS. (M. D. AND D. D.)
Asa Rice Palmer, Danville, Ct.
A. B. Palmer, Ann Arbor, Mich. Professor.
C. Allen, Vernon, N. J.
A. H. Palmer, Brooklyn, Penn.
Arthur H. Palmer, New Milford, Ct.
Brayton, Chas. E., Stonington, Ct.
B. Frank Palmer, Philadelphia, Penn. Inventor and man-
ufacturer of artificial limbs.
Benjamin Palmer, Langdon, N. H.
C. A. Palmer, Princeton, 111.
Charles Palmer, Fayetteville, N. Y.
Charles N. Palmer, Lockport, N. Y.
C. P. Palmer, Detroit, Mich.
Corydon Palmer, Warren, O.
C. Adelaide Palmer (Miss), Boston, Mass.
David Crary, Hartford, Ct.
Daloss Palmer, New York City, N. Y.
E. L. Palmer, Noble, III.
Enos Palmer, Bennington, Vt.
Eugene Palmer, New York City, X. Y.
E. B. Palmer, Detroit, Mich.
128 PALMER RECORD
Frederick Palmer, Boston, Mass.
George M. Palmer, New York City, N. Y.
George C. Palmer, Kalamazoo, Mich. Professor.
Gideon S. Palmer, Washington, D. C.
George B. Palmer, E. Hamilton, N. Y.
Gustavus Palmer, Waterville, Me.
H. C. Palmer, Brooklyn, N. Y.
Henry Palmer, Janesville, Wis.
Harris Palmer, Hubbartstown, Ct.
Henry Clay Palmer, Rome, X. Y.
H. C. Palmer, Albany, X. Y.
Isaac Palmer, Plainfield, Ct.
Isaac Palmer, X. Fayette, X. Y.
Ira F. Palmer, Onarga, 111.
Ide, Henry H., Brooklyn, X. Y.
Irving Stanton, Baltic, Ct.
Isaac Palmer, X. Anson, Me.
Isaac Palmer, Meridan, O.
John K. Palmer, Boston, Mass.
Joseph Palmer, Stonington, Ct. Will dated 1790, and
from whom many Dr. Joseph Palmers are descended.
Joseph W. Palmer, Boston, Mass.
J. F. Palmer, Mobile, 111.
Joseph Palmer, Ashford, Ct.
James G. Palmer, Xew Brunswick, X. J.
John Kingsley Palmer, Cambridge, Mass.
J. B. Xoyes, Detroit, Mich.
J. W. Palmer, Victor, X. Y.
J. M. Rose, W. Whitfield, X. Y.
J. W. Palmer, Burnside, Penn.
Luther A. Palmer, Brooklyn, X. Y.
Lewis M. Palmer, Providence, R. I.
L. Curtis Palmer, Chicago, 111.
Miner, O. E., Xoank, Ct.
Nathan Palmer, Stonington, Ct. Born in 171 1.
Noyes Palmer, Union Springs, N. V\ Died in 1863.
OF THE RE-UNION.
Nathan Palmer, New York City, N. Y.
N. C. Palmer, Norwich, Ct.
N. Palmer, Butternuts, N. Y.
Owen A. Palmer, W. Farmington, O.
Orrin Palmer, Beaver, Penn.
Samuel Palmer, Pound Ridge, N. Y.
Samuel Palmer, Holegates, O.
Stewart B. Palmer, Syracuse, N. Y.
Stanton, Geo. D., Stonington, Ct.
William H. Palmer, Providence, R. I.
Walter B., Utica, N. Y.
PROFESSORS IN LITERATURE AND ART.
Prof. Geo. H. Williams, Ann Arbor University, Mich.
Prof. A. B. Palmer, Ann Arbor University, Mich.
Prof. Daniel C. Eaton, Yale College, New Haven, Ct.
Prof. Jas. H. Palmer, Yonkers, N. Y.
Prof. Asaph Hall, Naval Observatory, Washington, D. C.
The discoverer of the " Satellites of Mars."
Erastus Dow Palmer, the sculptor, Albany, N. Y.
Prof. Jos. Palmer, Fredonia Academy, Fredonia, N..Y.
Prof. Edward Palmer, Louisville, Ky.
PALMER DESCENDANTS THAT HAVE BEEN GOVERNORS OF
STATES.
Gov. Wni. A. Palmer, of Vermont.
Gov. John M. Palmer, of Illinois.
Gov. Wm. T. Minor, of Stamford, Ct.
Gov. Pendleton, of Ohio.
Gov. L. B. Loomis, of New London, Ct.
JUDGES.
Judge Walter Palmer, of Windsor, Vt.
Judge William Palmer, of Gardner, Me.
Judge Gilbert Palmer, of Ohio.
Judge David Davis, of Illinois.
Judge Richard A. Wheeler, of Stonington, Ct.
29
13° PALMER RECORD
Judge Norman D. Palmer, of Danville, 111.
Judge Beriah Palmer, of Saratoga Co., N. Y.
Judge Daniel Palmer, of Stonington, Ct.
Judge William Palmer, of New Hampshire.
SEA CAPTAINS.
Capt. Nat. Palmer, of Stonington, Ct. Celebrated for hav-
ing acquaintances in nearly every harbor on the globe.
Capt. Roswell Saltonstall Palmer, of Stonington ; died in
1844. Celebrated during the War of 18 12 as the Priva-
teer Captain.
Capt. Amos Palmer, died in Stonington, 1876.
Capt. Nathan Palmer, born in Stonington, 1763.
Capt. Sandford Palmer, born in Stonington, and died in
Oswego Co., N. Y., 1828.
Capt. Sandford Palmer, of Fayetteville, N. Y. Died in
1865.
Capt. Alex. S. Palmer, Stonington, Ct.
Capt. Wm. S. Palmer, Stonington, Ct.
Capt. Henry Palmer, Stonington, Ct.
Capt. Israel Palmer, Sterling, Mass.
Capt. David Palmer, Grafton, Vt.
Capt. Christopher, Stonington, Ct.
POETS.
Dr. John W. Palmer, of Baltimore, Md. The author of
sacred songs.
Rev. Ray Palmer, of Newark, N. J. Author of " My Faith
Looks up to Thee," and many other sacred hymns.
Wm. Pitt Palmer, of Brooklyn, N. Y.
Rev. A. G. Palmer, D. D., of Stonington, Ct.
B. Frank Palmer, LL. D., of Philadelphia, Penn.
Sara A. Palmer, Stonington, Ct.
Frank Averell Palmer, Stonington, Ct.
Rev. Fred. Denison, Providence, R. I.
' INVENTORS AND DISCOVERERS.
Augustus H. Palmer, Utica, N. Y. Fire and Burglar Alarm.
John Palmer, who introduced the first Mail Coaches of Great
Of THE RE-UNION.
131
Britain, and which system has been extended into all civil-
ized countries. His family received a pension from the En-
glish Government of $250,000, for improving the system
of mail deliveries.
Chas. H. Palmer, of New York City. The inventor of the Gat-
ling Revolving Cannon, now a standard weapon of warfare
among various nations. The inventor of the Palmer Sew-
ing Machine,, and various mechanical contrivances.
Newtown W. Palmer, of New York City.
Moses G. Palmer.
Wm. Palmer, Hopkinton, R. I.
Noyes G. Palmer, East New York, N. Y. Inventor of a Rotary
Engine, a Flying Machine, a Magazine Rifle, etc.
Hundreds of Palmer inventors could be enumerated. By
reference to Patent Office reports, the name will be noticed
in the various departments.
POLITICIANS.
John Palmer, Sheriff of Richmond Co., N. Y., in 1683 ; member
of New York Government Council, and one of the original
patentees of Brookhaven, N. Y., in 1686.
Col. Thos. Palmer, of Ulster Co., N. Y. Surrogate of Saratoga
Co., 1873.
Thos. Palmer, Controller of New York City, in 1698.
Elisha Grow, son of Lois Palmer and Elisha Grow. Speaker
of the House of Representatives, Washington, from Ohio.
Frank VV. Palmer, the founder of the Chicago paper, "Inter
Ocean"
Geo. W. Palmer, Congressman, of New York City.
Lorin Palmer, one of Commissioners of Brooklyn Board of City-
Works, and Editor of Union- Argus.
Fred. A. Palmer, Auditor, Newark, N. J.
John C. Palmer, Speaker of the House, Connecticut.
Secretary of Interior, Usher, under Lincoln (a Palmer de-
scendant).
J. L. Palmer, Little Rock, Ark.
Geo. W. Palmer, Tax Collector, New Lots, L. I., N. Y.
Thos. W. Palmer, Senator, Detroit, Mich.
1^2 PALMER RECORD
WEALTHY PALMERS.
Potter Palmer, of Chicago, 111.
Courtlandt Palmer, of New York City.
Chas. H. Palmer, of Pontiac, Mich.
Oliver H. Palmer, of Mutual Life Insurance Co., New York-
City.
Francis A. Palmer, President of National Broadway Bank,
New York City.
Elisha H. Palmer, of Montville, Ct.
Chauncey Palmer, Utica, N. Y. Phoenix iron works.
NOTED PALMER WOMEN.
Mrs. Phebe Palmer, of New York City. Author of sacred songs,
and known as an evangelist who traveled over the world.
Her " meetings for holiness," held even- Monday in New
York City, for a period of a quarter of a century, were at-
tended by clergymen and laymen far and near.
Mrs. Phebe Palmer Randall was celebrated as a practicing
physician and surgeon.
Mrs. Henrietta Palmer, of Michigan, was a physician as well.
Mrs. Mary Dana Shindler, authoress of sacred songs, " Flee as
a Bird to your Mountains," " Sparkling and Bright," " I am
a Pilgrim and a Stranger," etc. Daughter of Rev. B. M.
Palmer.
Mrs. Jos. F. Knapp, daughter of the well-known Mrs. Phebe
Palmer. Sunday-school Superintendent, and composer of
music for the same.
Miss Charlotte Walker, the accomplished vocalist, New York-
City.
Isabella Grant Meredith, of literary fame. (Mrs. Col. Meredith.)
PALMERS WHO LIVED TO ADVANCED YEARS.
Nehemiah, son of Walter, lived to be past 80. Rev. Ger-
shom, to the ripe age of 94. Rev. Reuben, of Montville, So ;
Prudence, his wife, past 90. Dea. Stephen died in 185 1, aged
82. Capt. Stephen W., and Huldah. his wife, passed sixty-four
years of married life together before his death in 1879, aged
OF THE RE-UNION. 1 33
84; she is still living (1SS1), aged S3. Thomas, of Hillsdale,
N. Y., aged 93. Edwin lived to be 89, and his wife, Anna, to
93. Assenith Main was 92, and, if not deceased, is one of the
oldest Palmers now living. Dr. Benjamin lived to be So. Ger-
shom, and his wife, Dolly, were husband and wife for sixty-
years, and both were past So at their death. Nathaniel, now
living in Deny, N. H., is 88. Rev. C. A. Lamb is still preach-
ing at the age of 83, in Michigan. Rev. Christopher lived to
be 89, his wife, Debby, was aged 101 at her death. Rev. Ed-
ward, of Barnwell, S. C, is preaching at the ripe age of 93.
Huldah P. Stafford, of Syracuse, N. Y., is living at the age of
97. Jared, of Thetford, Vt., living, aged 86. Ashabel, lives
at Stillwater, N, Y., aged 88. O. B. Palmer lives at Delevan,
111., aged 84. Barna died in Lisbon, N. Y., aged 95. Thomas,
of Hillsdale, lived to be 93. Debby, of Moneda, N. Y., lived
to be 93. Oliver, died in Grapeville, in 1S77, aged 90. Amos,
of Exeter, R. I., died 1820, aged 97. Thomas, of Dover, N. Y.,
died in 1830, aged 92. Capt. John Palmer died at Canterbury,
N. H., October, 1846, aged 102 years and 5 months. Susan
Kenny Palmer lived to be 102 years of age. Jonathan died in
1804, aged 104 years.
LARGE FAMILIES.
Walter Palmer, the original ancestor, had a family of twelve
children.
Grace, his daughter, who married Thos. Miner, had a family
of twelve.
Gershom Palmer and Ann Denison had but ten.
Three brothers— Jonathan, Daniel, and Nehemiah— had
united families of twenty-nine children.
Mercy Palmer and John Breed kept up the " breed " by hav-
ing ten children.
Dea. Joseph and Mary had eleven.
Nehemiah and Submit Palmer had ten.
Daniel and Mary but nine, while his brother Dr. Nathan Pal-
mer and Phebe Billings had thirteen children.
Ichabod Palmer and " Betty Noyes " had a family of nine
children, although Ichabod was only 47 at his death.
134 PALMER RECORD
Rev. Gershom Palmer and Dolly Brown were blessed with
eleven children.
His brother, " Dea. Joe.," and Elizabeth had twelve.
Denison and Marian had a family to provide for of eleven
children.
Richard C. and Susan Palmer, of Mamaroneck, N. Y., during a
married life of fifty-five years, were blessed with twelve children.
Alvah and Harriet Palmer were parents to thirteen children.
Rev. Reuben and Lucretia Palmer had a family of seventeen
children, sixteen of whom grew up to mature years.
Elijah and Lucretia were blessed with ten.
One of the most prolific of Palmer families have been fam-
ilies of "Joseph" Palmer.
The first Joe. was son of Nehemiah (son of Walter), and this
Joe. 1st was one of six; married Frances Prentice, and were
parents to eight children ; among them Joseph 2d (or Dea. Joe.),
his marriage with Mary Palmer produced eleven children ;
among them Joe. 3d, who married Catherine Coates, and they
were parents to twelve children ; among them Joe. 4th. These
Joe. Palmers have scattered the Palmer name throughont Con-
necticut, New York, Michigan, and Ohio.
David Palmer, of Stonington, had eleven children, whose de-
scendants are a large proportion of the inhabitants of the State
of Vermont.
Joseph Palmer and Susan Kenny were parents to ten chil-
dren. Nevertheless, he lived to be past eighty, and his widow
lived to the remarkable age of one hundred and two.
Reuben Palmer and Lucretia Tyler were blessed with sixteen
children, and neither died until past 80, while Lucretia out-
lived her husband some ten years, to the age of 91.
Lois Palmer, sister to Reuben, married Abel Palmer, and
they had a family of thirteen children — both past 80 at death.
Col. Elias Sandford and Phebe Palmer were blessed with
twelve children.
Amos Palmer and wife had the care and responsibility of
sixteen children, and so well did they perform their parental
duties that four out of ten boys became influential clergymen.
and several others were physicians.
OF THE RE-UNION,
135
Roswell Palmer and three wives bore families of fifteen chil-
dren.
Asher Palmer, of Griswold, Ct., had the care of sixteen chil-
dren.
Luther Palmer had a family of thirteen, and so well did he
provide for them that nine sons became either clergymen or
physicians, second to but few. The poem delivered to-day was
by one of these sons, the Rev. A. G. Palmer, of Stonington.
Gideon Palmer and Mercy Turner were parents to eleven chil-
dren, one of whom is the worthy President of this Palmer Re-
Union, Elisha H. Palmer, of Montville.
Lois Palmer and Elisha Grow brought up to manhood and
womanhood a family of seventeen children, one of whom be-
came Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Jas. Palmer and Agnes Boland were blessed with twelve
children.
Stephen W. and Huldah Palmer had a family of twelve.
Nine of whom are living whose united weight is 1945 pounds, or
an average weight of 216 pounds each. The widow, Huldah, is
living, aged 85, and has great-grandchildren aged 15 years.*
Four of these heavy-weight Palmers were present at this gath-
ering.
SEND RECORDS.
Let me take advantage of this occasion to ask all Palmers,
or their maternal descendants, to send family records. Conceit
must be excused when we add, send records of families ; for
the Palmers are a prolific family. Send biographical sketches ;
for the Palmers are respected in society, including Presidents of
the United States, Secretaries in the Cabinets, Judges, Gov-
ernors, Reverends, Doctors, Congressmen, etc. Send sketches
of business prosperity, for on the average the Palmers are well-
to-do in this world 's comforts. Send photographs to be inserted
in the record, to let the younger generations see that their
a?icestors have been good-looking people.
* Note. — See illustration of Chas. H. Palmer, N. G. P., etc., where appear
living representatives of four generations — to wit. : Huldah, Neyes G., Noyes F.,
and Albert W.
I36 PALMER RECORD
ABOUT PUBLICATION OF RECORDS.
The voluminous character of the records will make it neces-
sary to publish more than one book. Volume No. 1., Palmer
Record of Re-Union held at Stonington, Ct., August 10th and
nth, 1881, consisting of the historical and biographical ad-
dresses delivered, with photographic illustrations of individuals,
etc., and the account of the various proceedings, with brief
sketches of individuals present on the occasion. Volume No.
2, Palmer Genealogical Record, of at least 10,000 descendants,
giving families, relationship, dates, places and ages. Volume
No. 3, Palmer Biographical and Historical Record, with photo-
graphic illustrations of individuals.
These various volumes will be duly announced by a pro-
spectus of contents which will be mailed to all whose address
we may have.
A work of this character is never actually completed, nor
more than approximately correct in all its details, as its com-
pilation is not one of personal researches alone, but a revision
of letters, records, etc., sent by correspondents. Corrections
are often beyond our knowledge, and errors are multi-
plied, subject to the corrections of older descendants
having more accurate information than previous corres-
pondents.
The publication of the Palmer Records before this Re-Union
would have been a blunder, as from its publicity have sprung
records all over the land. Letters to the number of over one
thousand have been received during the last three months,
and from these a mass of records are yet to be studied and
arranged.
We have often been asked why this record was started, and
when. It may not be out of place just here to make an ex-
planation.
During a college vacation at Ann Arbor, Mich., in i860, the
writer passed three months with Grandmother Huldah Palmer,
wife of Capt. Stephen W. Palmer, born in Stonington. Both
these grandparents are descendants of Walter Palmer, in the
following; lines :
OF THE RE-UNION.
137
PATERNAL. MATERNAL. PATERNAL. MATERNAL.
Stephen W., Stephen \V., Huldah, Huldah,
Stephen, Prudence, Elijah, Lucretia,
Joseph, Ichabod 3d, Joseph 3d, Gershom,
Dr. " Joe," Ichabod 2d, Joseph 2d (Dea.), Geo. (" Snip"),
Geo. (" Snip"), Ichabod 1st, Joseph 1st (Lieut.). Gershom,
Gershom, Gershom, Nehemiah, Walter.
Walter. Walter. Walter.
Not only was Grandmother Huldah a Palmer before she mar-
ried a Palmer, but her mother, Lucretia, was a Palmer before
marriage to a Palmer ; and the same was true of Stephen W.'s
mother, Prudence.
These marriages of Palmer women to Palmer men inter-
locked and confused relationship so much that we endeavored
to find out some of these mysteries of genealogy. As a pas-
time for twenty years this work finally grew to be work and
study. For twenty years this problem of relationship continued
unsolved, and not until about four weeks before this Re-Union
did its solution develop. A letter with records from Ashabel
Palmer, an old gentleman aged 83, of Stillwater, N. Y., gave
us the connecting link. We may add that this link joined to
the Waiter Palmer branch over two thousand descendants,
among them our venerable President of this Re-Union, Elisha
H. Palmer, of Montville. Another very important branch
was discovered recently to be part of the Walter Palmer
lineage, and are termed the Branford Palmers. This evidence
embraces the pedigree of some twelve hundred descendants.
It has long been a mystery whether Walter Palmer's son Wil-
liam ever married or had any descendants. Before the publi-
cation of Vol. 2, the Genealogical Records, I think the evi-
dence will be developed that William did marry and had de-
scendants, among them two sons — Michael, born about 1642. and
Obadiah, born October, 1649; that these sons migrated from
Stonington to Branford, Ct., about 1662, and are progenitors of
the Palmers of that locality.
Now, before closing, please permit a few suggestions. Mem-
bers of the family, please send for a regular printed blank to
write family records upon. A systematic arrangement of
r3S PALMER RECORD
records affords easy study. All information not called for on a
record blank, please send on a separate sheet, written in ink,
on one side of the page, with a margin on the left of the paper,
and do not forget to sign name and address at the last. A few-
postage stamps will be a good hint that you want an answer,
and will pay for it as well.
NOYES F. PALMER,
OF JAMAICA, L. I., N. Y.
(Brief Biography.)
Noyes F. Palmer is a descendant of the pilgrim, Walter
Palmer, in several lines of pedigree, of which one is as fol-
lows :
I. Walter Palmer, born 1598, in England, married 2d, Re-
bekah Short. Children — John 2, Grace 3, Jonas 4, William 3,
Hannah 6, Elihu 7, Nehemiah 8, Moses 9, Benj. 10, Gershom
11, Rebekah 12, Elizabeth 13.
8. Nehemiah Palmer, married Hannah Stanton. Children
Lieut. Joseph 16, Elihu 17, Jonathan 18, Daniel 19, Nehemiah
20, Hannah 21.
16. Lieut. Joseph Palmer, married Frances Prentice. Chil-
dren— Dea. Joseph 35, Hannah 36, Benjamin sy, Sarah 3S,
Jonathan 39.
35. Dea. Joseph Palmer, married Mary Palmer. Children —
Sarah 58, Mary 59, Joseph 60, Francis 61, Amos 62, Moses 6?,
Hannah 64, Phoebe 65.
60. Joseph Palmer, married Catherine Coates. Children-
Joseph 92, William 93. Phebe 94, Capt. Amos 95, Phebe 96,
Elijah 97, Elisha 98, Jonathan 99, Hannah 100, Benj. 101,
David 102, Thomas 103.
97. Elijah Palmer, married Lucretia Palmer, and 2d, Miss
Powell. Children— Gershom 165, Dolly 166, Rebekah 167,
Phebe 168, Joseph 169, Elisha 170, Lydia 171, Benj. 172, Jesse
173, Huldah 174.
174. Huldah Palmer, married Stephen W. Palmer. Children
— Chas. H. 352, Lucretia, 353, Sylvenus B. 354, Wm. L. 355,
CEO. W P*L»ga.
Of THE RE-UNION. 139
Noyes G. 356, Henrietta 357, Miraetta 358, Andrew 359.
Priscilla 360, Martin 361, Geo. W. 362, John Jay 363.
356. Noyes G. Palmer, married 1st, Emeline E. Fink, 2d,
Annie Forbell, 3d, Mrs. Willis Ackerman. Children by first.
Noyes Fink 1885, William 1886, Julia 18S7 ; by second, Huldah
1888; by third, Arthur Willis 1889.
1885. Noyes F. Palmer, born in Dunkirk, N. Y., June 30,
1845, married first, Rachel Tice, September 18, 1866; married
second, Clara M. Johnson, Sept. 16, 1880. Children by .first.
Albert W. 2445, Saidee Emeline 2446; by second, William
Walter 2447.
Noyes F. received usual common school education up to the
age of fourteen. Attended Fredonia Academy, 1859 and i860,
preparatory to a course of studies as civil engineer at Ann Ar-
bor University, Mich., completed in 1865. Has been identified
with Cypress Hills Cemetery, L. I., N. Y., as Assistant Super-
intendent and Surveyor ; with Cedar Lawn Cemetery, Pater-
son, N. J., as Superintendent and Surveyor for a number of
years ; and, at present Superintendent and Surveyor of the Ma-
ple Grove Cemetery, near Jamaica, L. I., N. Y.
CHAS. H. PALMER,
OF PONTIAC, MICH.
(Brief Biography.)
Chas. H. Palmer, Ex-Regent of the University of Michigan,
and for several years Principal of the Romeo Branch of the
same University, and previously Principal of the Fredonia Acad-
emy, Fredonia, Chautauqua Co., N. Y. A graduate of Union
College, New York.
Mr. Chas. H. Palmer was born in Lenox, Madison Co., N. Y.,
June 4th, 1874, of parents Stephen W. and Huldah — the latter
were both of Connecticut (Stonington and Voluntown), and
are part of the Walter Palmer branch of the family.
Mr. Palmer has for a long period been connected with the
copper, iron and railroad interests of Lake Superior.
140 PALMER RECORD
ORIGINAL HYMN, SUNG AT THE RE-UNION.
BY REV. WM. L. PALMER, A. M.
"God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. "-
Gal. vi, 14.
I.
Yes, we'll rally round the cross, friends,
Round the sacred cross.
Shouting the worthy name of Jesus :
We will count the world but loss, friends,
All the world but dross,
Shouting the worthy name of Jesus.
CHORUS — Hosanna forever,
The Saviour we praise.
In loud swelling chorus
Our voices will raise ;
While we rally round the cross, friend;
Around the sacred cross,
Shouting the worthy name of Jesus.
II.
Look ye to the cross, friends,
Look ye. now and live,
Shouting the worthy name of Jesus ;
Seek the wounded Christ, friends,
He'll your sins forgive,
Shouting the worthy name of Jesus,
CHORUS — Hosanna, etc.
III.
Many loved have gone before, friends,
To the other shore.
Shouting the worthy name of Jesus;
O'er the river now they wait, friends.
To see us safely o'er,
Shouting the worthy name of Jesus.
CHORUS — Hosanna, etc.
IV.
Come and welcome to the cross, friends,
Join our sacred host,
Shouting the worthy name of Jesus ;
OF THE RE-UNION. I4I
Christ will save if you believe, friends,
And save the uttermost,
Shouting the worthy name of Jesus.
CHORUS — Hosanna, etc.
POEM FOR THE RE-UNION.
BY REV. WM. L. PALMER, A. M.
O, what joy now swells in each kindred heart,
As we come from homes away —
Come back to the land of the loved and lost,
Our tribute of love to pay.
With what joy do we greet returning sons,
And clasp each welcoming hand.
As pilgrims we come to the dear, dear spot,
A large and a happy band.
We sing the deeds of the, honored and brave,
Of those who have gone before,
Whose names are enrolled on fame's bright page,
Who wait on the " evergreen shore."
What joy will burst on our raptured sight.
To greet the friends passed away,
Have ever their smiles and their converse sweet,
In homes of glorified day.
REV. WILLIAM LED YARD PALMER,
OF MANCHESTER, MICH.
(Brief Biography.)
Rev. William Ledyard Palmer was born in Lenox, Madison
Co., N. Y., January 21, 1820. His mother was Huldah Palmer,
daughter of Lucretia Palmer, who was a daughter of Gershorn
Palmer, a brother of Dr. Joseph Palmer. William Ledyard
Palmer's father was a son of Prudence Palmer, whose father was
Ichabod Palmer, and a brother to Col. Elias Palmer. William
Ledyard Palmer, was converted when eleven years old, and
united with the Baptist Church in Brooklyn. Mich., on January
21, 1838. He removed from Lenox, N. Y., to Michigan with his
father in September, 1836. He attended the academy in Fre-
donia, N. Y., of which his brother, Chas. H. Palmer, A. M., was
142 PALMER RECORD
then principal, in the Summers of 1839, 4° an^ 41- an(J fol-
lowed teaching until the Spring of 1S50. He then commenced
preaching, and was licensed to preach by the Baptist Church, in
Adrian, Mich. He was called to settle as pastor over the
Baptist Church in Clockville, in the Summer of 1850. and was
ordained at Clockville, in January, 185 1. In the Fall of this year,
he entered the senior class of the Academic Department of Mad-
ison University, Hamilton, N.Y., and graduated from the College
Department in August, 1856. During a few months of the first
of the year 1857 he supplied the pulpit of the Eighteenth Street
Baptist Church, in Washington, D. C, and returning to Ham-
ilton, he graduated from the Theological Department of Madison
University, in August, 1859, receiving from the University the
degree of A. M., and writing the hymn which was sung by the
graduating ciass on the stage on the Commencement day. Mr.
Palmer settled in Poultney, October, 1859, anc^ remained with
that church until the Summer of 1865. He commenced to
labor in the Baptist Church in Cornwall, Vt., January, 1866,
and remained there until January, 1870, when he accepted a
call to the Baptist Church in Middletown Springs, Vt., where
he remained until the death of his father, which took place at
Norvell, Mich., May 24, 1879, when he preferred a settlement
near his mother, and commenced labor with the Baptist Church,
Manchester, Mich., August, 1879, where he now resides.
NOYES G. PALMER,
OF EAST NEW YORK, N. Y.
(Brief Biography.)
Noyes Grant Palmer was born February 24, 1822, in the
town of Lenox, Madison Co., N. Y.
In 1836, his father moved from Lenox to Jackson Co., Mich.,
with a family of ten children, the subject of this sketch being
one of them. Before Noyes G. was sixteen years old, he
began teaching school, and continued to teach for part of each
succeeding year, to get means to support himself while acquir-
ing a classical education. His father " gave him his time," as
the saying is, at the age of eighteen years, and he returned to
OF THE RE-UNION.
'43
the State of New York in' 1840, and has resided therein ever
since.
He commenced the study of law with Risley & Matteson,
at Dunkirk, Chautauqua Co., in 1842, and soon after was di-
rected to another profession. The part of the State in which
he was located was literally swarming with law students, while
there were very few civil engineers. He chose the latter pro-
fession and has followed it, with slight interruptions, to the
present time.
We find him at two different periods of his life editor and
proprietor of a newspaper. At another time, two-thirds owner
of a large manufacturing establishment, in the western part of
the State; and for the sale of their goods building a merchant
boat on Lake Erie— he, as captain, taking it through the Erie
and Beaver Canal to the Ohio river, trading from Pittsburg to
Cairo, thereon ; to Nashville, up the Cumberland, and from St.
Louis to Natches, on the Mississippi. At another time, half
owner of a free bank with fifty thousand dollars capital, in his
native State.
In 1845, ne prepared a prospectus of a plan for foretelling
changes of the weather ; which plan was identical with the sys-
tem adopted by the U. S. Government since the Rebellion. In
addition to the meteorological observation on land, he proposed
stations at sea, that we might predict changes probable from
that direction. In 1848, his proposals were submitted to Prof.
Henry, of the Smithsonian Institute, and to Congress. His
letters from Prof. Henry and Congressmen show that the
then novel proposition was ahead of philosophers of that
age.
In 1849, ne settled down as Engineer and Superintendent of
Cypress Hills Cemetery, on Long Island, and occupied the posi-
tion for twenty-six years. His abilities and close attention to
the lot proprietors gave that institution nearly all the success
and popularity it ever had, and since his connection with it has
been severed it has been going to ruin.
He is now located at East New York, Kings Co., N. Y., active
and ready for any engineering the age may require.
144 PALMER RECORD
GEORGE W. PALMER,
OF EAST NEW YORK, N . V .
(Brief Biography,)
Geo. W. Palmer, seventh son of Stephen W. and Huldah
Palmer, was born in Lenox, Madison Co., N. Y., Dec. 51, 1S35,
and was "an infant in arms" when the family moved to the
State of Michigan, in 1836. He grew up in the latter State ; was
educated there ; was a school teacher, a railroad agent, clerk
and merchant there. Sold out and came back to the State of
New York, A. D. i860; settled in Kings Co., L. I., and has
resided there to this date ; soon after removing to Long Island,
he engaged in school teaching again, and also became a suc-
cessful insurance agent ; was elected Collector of Taxes for the
Town of New Lots, in 1869, and by strict attention and efficient
performance of the duties of the office, has given such general
satisfaction that the people re-elected him to the same office at
every election thereto since.
HYMN FOR THE PALMER RE-UNION.
BY REV. A. G. PALMER, D. D.
(Tune— "We are Tenting To-Night.")
We are tenting to-night on the old camp ground,
As in the days of yore ;
Our fathers met, their fires around.
Upon this cold, bleak shore.
CHORUS.'
Many are the hearts that are waiting to-night.
Waiting on the golden strand :
Many are the voices calling us away
To join their holy band.
Tenting to-night, tenting to-night,
Tenting on the old camp ground.
We are tenting to-night on the old camp ground,
From homes afar and near ;
Our hearts are filled with peace profound,
From olden memories dear.
Chorus.
OF THE RE-UNION.
We are tenting to-night on the old camp ground,
Our souls with love aglow ;
Our grandsire's praises to resound,
His sturdy virtues show.
Chorus.
We are tenting to-night on the old camp ground,
Our voices full of cheer ;
Our songs shall through the air resound
Witih notes of gladness clear.
Chorus.
We are tenting to-night on the old camp ground,
We may not here remain ;
But, when another year comes round,
We hope to meet again.
Chorus.
We are tenting to-night on the old camp ground,
But soon our tenting's o'er;
We'll meet the throne of light around
Upon the radiant shore. ■
Chorus.
■45
146 PALMER RECORD
PROCEEDINGS.
SECOND DAY — AUGUST 11th.
The exercises on the 1 ith commenced as early as eight o'clock,
not to say anything of the social gatherings in the hotels and
various places even earlier. After a few preliminary matters
were attended to, it was announced that the Palmers would
make a pilgrimage to the old homestead and ancient burial
ground of Walter Palmer. A press correspondent very aptly
said :
" The Palmers then took an extra train of cars and carriages
and moved on to YVequetequock, where, with great satisfaction,
the pilgrims visited the site of Walter Palmer's house, securing
relics — pieces of the front doorstep, bits of the chimney and
sprigs from a tree — and then passed in procession to the an-
cient burying-ground ' where the rude forefathers sleep,' es-
pecially the remains of Walter Palmer, over which rests a
long and massive native granite slab. Here hymns were sung,
prayer was offered and a benediction was pronounced. These
services were very touching and deeply impressive. The host
then returned to the borough and re-entered the pavilion, where
speeches were again in order, relieved by spirited singing. Dr.
Stanton, of Stonington, responded to the name and families of
Stanton ; the Rev. F. Denison, of Providence, R. I., responded
for the Denisons ; the Rev. Amos Chesebrough responded for
the Chesebroughs ; the Rev. E. B. Palmer, of New Jersey, re-
plied for the Palmers ; Mrs. Mary Dana Shindler, of Texas, the
famed poetess and singer, was introduced, and spoke happily
and sang sweetly. The great audience joined her in singing
'Sparkling and Bright,' and also 'I'm a Pilgrim, I'm a
Stranger.'
"Then came the dinner — a clam bake truly — got up by a true
Rhode Islander ; and a feast it was.
OF THE RE-UNION'. 147
"After dinner came family speeches, full of wit and wisdom,
from the president, the Hon. E. H. Palmer ; Benjamin F. Chap-
man, of New York; G. T. Palmer, of Arkansas; Irving H. Pal-
mer, of New York ; Dr. C. Palmer, of Ohio ; the Rev. James
S. Palmer, of Maine.
" Again Mrs. Shindler, of Texas, was called out, and spoke of
the Palmers of the South, and then repeated her beautiful poem,
' Passing Under the Rod.'
" Speeches were then resumed — from Cornelius B. Palmer, of
Sing Sing, N. Y. ; the Rev. Wm. L. Palmer, of Michigan, who
spoke and then sang an original song in the measure of the
battle hymn. A choir of Palmers then sang ' America,' the
whole assembly joining, and shaking the vast pavilion. Then
Dr. A. G. Palmer led in another sacred song. Speeches were
again called out — from E. H. Palmer, of Illinois, and Dr. Eu-
gene Palmer, of Texas. Again came hymns and song. Next
came a tasteful and pithy speech from Mrs. Isabella G. Mere-
dith. Votes of thanks were passed to various generous and
helpful citizens of Stonington. Francis A. Palmer, bank presi-
dent, invited the vast Palmer tribe to meet next year in New
York City, at his expense. All united in singing, ' There's a
land that is fairer than day.' A general vote of thanks to
assistants and speakers was passed, and prayer by the Rev. Wm.
L. Palmer, and fitting words by the president, closed the first
Palmer Re-Union. The singing of the beautiful hymn, ' Sweet
Bye-and-Bye,' by the audience, was affecting ; many an eye
moistened, and one by one the singers' voices hushed through
emotion. It was a moment long to be remembered by those
present. After the benediction the assemblage separated, with
the feeling that such scenes are productive of great good, and
tend to the awakening of the finer feelings of man, and a fit prep-
aration for that real separation that awaits us all."
There were many miscellaneous proceedings on the second
day that were not especially noted, and are alluded to in the
newspaper reports which appear hereafter. The various ad-
dresses, proceedings, etc., of the second day, with sketches of
some of the individuals participating, follow.
I48 PALMER RECORD
THE PILGRIMAGE TO WEQUETEQUOCK COVE.
THE ANCESTRAL BURIAL GROUND, ETC.
Walter Palmer settled in Stonington, in 1653, on the borders
of an inlet from the Sound, just above Stonington. This inlet
runs back a mile or so, and was called after the Indian name
Wequetequock. On either side of this inlet, or cove, land was
level and fertile, and more easily developed. As the name
Stonington implies, the country abounds in stones — not mere
boulders, but solid large rock formations. Where these rock
formations are few, there land has been cultivated. The enclo
sures of farms are nearly always stone walls. It is not difficult
to understand why Walter Palmer should have selected the low
lands of the cove for his habitation. The old house stood with-
in about one quarter of a mile from the head of the inlet, on a
knoll. The old foundation stones are yet partly standing in
the cellar hole, where hands placed them two and a quarter cen-
turies before. No part of the building is standing. A rod or so
from the house there is an immense rock that it would need a lad-
der to surmount. Near the house stood the well, and from which
water was drank on the occasion of the Re-Union. The burial
ground is at the head of the cove, on the east side, and formerly
extended down nearer to the edge than where its stone wall now
marks its eastern line. Tradition says that an Indian died in the
employ of Walter, and was buried on his land. From this
burial grew the custom of using the grounds as a burial spot —
now sacred to the memories of Palmer descendants all over
the land. In i828-'29, a stone wall was placed around the ground,
which stands there yet, with steps and gate on the east side
fronting towards the cove waters. Later, the east line was
changed to grade a road on the east bank of the cove, and there-
fore many graves were "shut out" and graded over. No records
can be found of the burials, only as they may be deciphered
from ye olde fashioned English nomenclature found among the
headstones, many of which are passed all reading. There seems
to have been a clustering of families in burying — the Stantons,
the Miners, the Chesebroughs and the Palmers are grouped to-
gether. This custom, perhaps, was continued until want of space
OF THE RE-UNION. I49
surrounding each group made it necessary to go elsewhere. The
exact burial spot of Walter Palmer is not fully known, as no in-
scription is found to corroborate any testimony. The grave sup-
posed to be his is located about the centre of the ground, and is
covered with a huge, long, hog-back stone, to prevent wolves or
evil-disposed persons from disturbing the grave. This stone is
six feet eleven inches in length — which, testimony of old people
say, was the statue of Walter Palmer. By the side of this stone
is the legible headstone of Walter's favorite son, " Nehemiah Pal-
mer, died February 17, 17 17, aged 81 years." All of the inscrip-
tions on these time-effaced grave-marks that we could find time
to study out, are as follows :
Nehemiah Palmer, died Feb. 17th, 17 17, aged 81 years.
Benj. Palmer, Capt., died April 10th, 1716, aged 74 years.
Rev. James Noyes, died Dec. 30th, 1712.*
Thomas Stanton, died April nth, 171 8, aged 80 years.
Robert Stanton, died Oct. 24th, 1724, aged 71 years.
Capt. Thomas Noyes, died June 26th, 1755, aged 76
years.
Elizabeth, wife of Thomas Noyes, died Oct. 23d, 1762, aged
J 7 years.
Dorothy, wife of Rev. James Noyes, died Jan. 19th, 1742,
aged 91 years.
Joseph Palmer, Jr., died May 26th, 1760, aged 41 years.
Walter Palmer, died Nov. 1st, 1785, aged 69 years.
Mercy Palmer, died Dec. 25th, 1785, aged 71 years.
Walter Palmer, died Feb. nth, 1726, aged 43 years.
Prudence, daughter of Ichabod Palmer, died Dec. 1st, 17 16,
aged 22 years.
Elias, son of Ichabod Palmer, died March 13th, 1738, aged
24 years.
Capt. Nathan Palmer, died Feb. 12th, 1791.
Sarah P., wife of Capt. Nathan Palmer, died Aug. 4, 1784,
aged 40 years.
Dr. Nathan Palmer, died March 28th. 1795, aged 84 years.
Phebe, wife of Dr. Nathan Palmer, died April 3d, 1792, aged
78 years.
* Note. — One of the original incorporators of Vale College.
150 PALMER RECORD
Hannah Palmer, died March ;th, 1834, aged 79 years ; wife of
Capt. Andrew Palmer.
Lemuel Palmer, died May 14th, 1S50, aged 82 years.
Abigal, wife of Lemuel Palmer, died Jan. 22d, 1832, aged 54
years.
James Palmer, died June 20th, 1794, aged 74 years.
Hannah, wife of James Palmer, died Oct. 4th, 18 14, aged 85
years.
John D. Palmer, died Jan. 6th, 1850, aged 47 years.
Zebediah Palmer, son to Noyes and Sarah Palmer, died Sept.
20th, 1790, aged 27 years.
Alan Palmer, son to Noyes and Sarah Palmer, died a pris-
oner in New York, in Jan., 1778, aged 19.
Capt. John Palmer, his brother, died Jan. 21st, 1778, aged 32
years.
Noyes Palmer, died Nov. 20th, 1783, aged 52 years.
Capt. Joseph Palmer, died Oct. 16th, 1822, aged 80 years.
Lydia, wife of Capt. Joseph Palmer, died Aug. 8th, iSoi,aged
62 years.
Thomas Minor, died 1690, aged 83 years.
Many of these are not literal copies, as most of them are old
style, with Scriptural verses and characters cut in the stone.
Some show coats-of-arms, hour-glasses, angels' wings and head.
Nearly all the grave-stones are old-fashioned slabs, imported
from Wales and other localities nearer home. The peculiar blue-
stone headstones are least affected by time, while most of the
later American marble stones are more decayed.
The area of about two acres within the burial ground is lit-
erally jam full of mounds, which one stumbles over in wending
their way; no paths nor spaces to walk upon, and if there ever
were any, they have long since been used for graves. Few inter-
ments have taken place within this ancestral city of the dead
for a long period ; so the spot may be said to have been neg-
lected and disused for over a hundred years. On our first visit
to this spot, some two months before the Re-Union, we found
the area devoted to graves was one of the most desolate and
v/oe-begone places our eye ever beheld — a mass of briars and
weeds, that prevented any free access to the grounds.
OF THE RE-UNION. I 5 I
A few days before the Re-Union some of this was cleared up.
Perhaps it would not be unwise to suggest that a small fund be
raised by Palmer descendants, the interest to be applied in some
ordinary care of this ancestral graveyard.
SHORT ADDRESS,
BY HON. B. FRANKLIN CHAPMAN, OF ONEIDA, N. Y.
Mr. Chairman and Cousins — For by that endearing name I
wish now and hereafter to call you, without counting the link
in the chain that binds us to our great and noble progenitor,
Walter Palmer. This is a fit and proper place for us to meet
and organize the first Re-Union of the descendants of a worthy
sire, so near to the old homestead, on the slope just above the
waters of Wequetequock Cove, which we visited to-day, where
nothing remains but the cellar wall, the old well, the large flat
stone in front of the door, on which we were so delighted to
stand, and on which our distinguished sire so often trod ; and
in sight of the old well-preserved burying-ground of two hundred
and fifty years ago, on more elevated ground, and half a mile
away, and in which we saw no new-made graves within half a
century in which we live.
Comparing them with to-day, what a contrast ! That old
homestead, on its thousand acre farm, filled by the parents and
a dozen children — a community by itself — a happy family, hearty,
healthy, laborious and free from vice.
Look at the palatial residences amid the giddy allurements
of to-day — houses occupied by the parents and a child or two,
or none, and all run by servants. In warm weather fresh air is
needed to breathe ; the house is closed ; family and servants at
Long Branch, Coney Island, Saratoga, abroad in Europe, around
the world on a pleasure trip ; the facilities for travel enable
them to be continually on the " go." A continuing panorama
is passing before our eyes ; a never-ending strain upon every
muscle and nerve.
Look at the old " burying-ground " where Walter Palmer
lies, and whose grave is covered over its entire length by a tri-
angular stone, seven feet long and shaped like the roof of a
152 PALMER RECORD
house, to keep the wolves from digging down to and eating up
his body. Contrast it with the cemeteries of to-day, with their
expensive mausoleums and monuments piercing the very
clouds.
Give me the humble cottage, with contentment and happiness.
Give me the old burying-ground, with its simple mound and
slab.
My friends, why this great concourse of people here to-day?
Hundreds, nay, thousands of the descendants of Walter Palmer
assembled here under these vast tents ?
It is the love of home implanted in every human heart ; the
place of our birth, the home of our parents and grandparents ;
and distance often lends enchantment to the view. And nat-
ural history teaches us that this wonderful instinct to find the
spot where life began pervades the whole animal kingdom ;
hence, the fish of the sea will flow through the ocean to the
little streams where their life began ; and birds will sweep
through the air back to the place where they were born ; and
beasts of the forest will seek out and find their native birth-
place.
We have come here because we could' not help it ; that tie of
kindred, that instinct of nature planted in every living creature,
led us cheerfully here, and we all rejoice at the opportunity of
seeing and conversing with each other, and forming so many
new and valuable acquaintances. For one, I can truthfully say
that I have never spent two days of my life more happily and
profitably.
Here we meet the child, the parents, the grandparents, com-
ing from all parts of our Union ; joy and gladness are seen in
every face ; mirth and song fills the air we breathe ; and in
the instructive and interesting historical and genealogical ad-
dresses delivered on this occasion, we rejoice to know that the
descendants of Walter Palmer are not unknown to fame and
history. The learned profession and the civil and military lists
are filled with his descendants.
I hope to live and meet you again and again at future Re-
Unions of the Palmers.
• tawr
1 3*7
V
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OF THE RE-UNION. I 53
B. FRANKLIN CHAPMAN.
(Brief Biography.)
B. Franklin Chapman was born in Clockville, Madison Co.,
N. Y., March 24, 1S17. His father, the late Col. Stephen Chap-
man, and his mother,' Keturah Palmer, were born in Stonington,
Ct., and emigrated with a large number of families from that
locality in 1812 ; most of them settled on "Palmer Hill," in the
town of Lenox, but Col. Chapman located in Clockville. He
and the late Joshua A. Spencer were mechanics, but were em-
ployed quite extensively in " pettifogging " cases, and soon
became adepts in their profession, and finally entered the law
office of Gen. J. S. Spencer as students, and were admitted to
the bar in 1822.
Col. Cha"pmah was a strong, vigorous, energetic man, full of
enterprise, liberal and confiding. Through his efforts the first
post-office was established in Clockville, in 18 14, and he was
appointed the first postmaster, an office which he held (with a
brief interval) until he resigned in 1S47. He reared a family of
twelve children ; five of them survived him, and are still living —
Noyes P. Chapman, Wm. H. Chapman, Man' Ann, wife of
Conrad G. Moot, Augustine, wife of Clinton L. Colton, and
Benjamin F. Chapman, the subject of this biography, who, from
youth up, has ever been familiarly known as " Frank Chapman."
He was born with an active brain and strong muscle — a leader
among the boys ; whatever was to be done he did it first and
took the consequences afterwards. Much of the mischief in
and out of schoolhouse was laid on him, and he generally got
the lickings and never grumbled.
On the death of his brother, Stephen, in 1 83 1 , who had pre-
viously been admitted to the bar, his father decided to educate
and make a lawyer of him. He assisted his father in making
surveys, and idolized a compass.
In the Fall of 1834, he entered Stockbridge Academy ; the
next Spring he entered the new Hudson River Seminary, where
he was under the mathematical instruction of Prof. Ostrander.
In the Fall of 1835, ne went to Manlius Academy, and applied
himself to the study of languages, and the next Spring he fol-
154 PALMER RECORD
lowed his teacher, Mr. Bushaus, in opening Fayetteville Acad-
emy, where he remained until he entered the sophomore class
in Hamilton College, at Clinton. August, 1836. In the junior
year he was one of the prize speakers, and was graduated in
July, 1839, with one of the five honors — the Philosophical Ora-
tion.
He then entered the law office of his father, and in January,
1841, was admitted to the bar, and subsequently to the District,
Circuit and Supreme Courts of the United States. By his in-
domitable industry and perseverance he acquired a large practice.
and soon became one of the leading members of the bar of
Madison County.
He married Miss Huldah Wilcox, daughter of Dea. Alanson
Wilcox, Nov. 10, 1S41 ; they had three children — Elmer, who
died at the age of two years ; Mattie, who married Capt. Charles
E. Remick, of Hardwick, Vt.. who was then engaged in busi-
ness in Boston, and subsequently was with the firm of E. S.
Jeffray & Co., New York, and now is established in business in
Oneida, N. Y. ; Stephen, who studied law with his father, then
entered and was graduated from the Albany Law School, and
was admitted to the bar in May, 1874, and is now in company
with his father.
In April, 1880, he left the old homestead where he and his
children were born, and with his entire family moved into his
new home in Oneida. In politics he is a pronounced Democrat,
■ and has ever been one of the influential Democratic orators in
Central New York. In early life he was connected with schools.
holding various town offices, such as School Inspector, Commis-
sioner, Town Superintendent, Supervisor ; also District Attorney
and Postmaster. In 1861, at the breaking out of the Rebellion.
Mr. Chapman led off with the first war speech in the country,
and no patriot ever worked harder than he during this long and
memorable struggle.
He has had large experience as a surveyor and engineer, and
his services have been sought for by the most eminent lawyers
in Central New York, in suits involving the title to real estate
and water powers.
To-day he stands erect and has the vigor and step of youth ;
■■'
OF THE RE-UNION.
55
a constant and hard worker, enjoying, as he ever has, good health,
blessed with a constitution capable of great endurance, endowed
with a vigorous mind, entertaining and instructive in his con-
versation, interspersed with mirth and anecdote.
Amid all the tumults of life he has found time to devote to
literary works ; he has a model library, and for years has been
accustomed to deliver popular lectures on various subjects, and
among them, " Washington and its Defences," " Harper's Fer-
ry," and especially his late and popular lecture on " Salem
Witchcraft," which has been received with great favor through
out the country.
The Jackson Citizen (Mich.), in speaking of it, says : " Mr.
Chapman is a lawyer of superior ability, and his word-pictures
of that terrible delusion were as vivid as the closest acquaint-
ance could make them. The audience seemed to be com-
pletely fascinated by his eloquence, and were swayed at his
will as he described in graphic language those terrible scenes
through which the people of Salem passed in that fated period.
[The foregoing biography is copied from the " History of
Madison and Chenango Counties," pages 734, 735, by James H.
Smith; accompanied by a fine steel engraving; 1880.]
FRANCIS A. PALMER,
OF NEW YORK CITY, N. Y.
(Brief Biography.)
The subject of our sketch was present at the Re-Union, with
his family. His remarks, or impromptu address, was short, and
not reported, and instead we give biographical sketch.
Palmer, Francis Ashbury, of New York City, President of
the National Broadway Bank, was born in the town of Bedford,
Westchester County, N. Y., on the 26th of November, 1S12.
His ancestors, who were from England, came to America in the
early part of the seventeenth century, shortly after the arrival
of the " pilgrim fathers," settled at Greenwich, Ct., at a place
which was subsequently known as Palmers' Hill. They were
respectable and sturdy people, with sincere religious convictions,
156 Palmer record
and taking up land in the New World, soon prospered. The
first mention of this family occurs in the records of the First
Congregational Church in Greenwich, as early as 1674, although
family tradition points to a much earlier date as that of its
arrival in New England. During the Revolution, the Palmer
family were staunch patriots, and labored hard with their fellow-
colonists to achieve freedom and independence, several of them
serving in the Continental Army. At the close of the Revolution-
ary War, Stephen Palmer, the grandfather of the subject of this
sketch, removed from New England to New York, establishing
himself at Bedford, in Westchester County, where he built the
Palmer Homestead, of which the family still fondly retain pos-
session. Mr. Palmer passed his boyhood in his native place
and obtained his education at the old village academy, which
was then presided over by Prof. Samuel Holmes. In 1831, he
came to the city of New York, and, entering the grocery busi-
ness as a clerk, subsequently became proprietor of a store, and
finally became a prosperous merchant. Perceiving the great
need existing in New York for a cheap method of transporting
passengers within the city limits, he invested a portion of his
capital in founding a line of omnibuses which, proving success-
ful, led to the establishment of other lines, and eventually be-
came a source of great profit. On the 9th of August, 1849, Mr-
Palmer, in company with several other prominent business men.
organized the Broadway Bank, personally holding a large por-
tion of the stock. On the incorporation of the bank, Mr. Pal-
mer was made president, and has since then held this responsi-
ble position, being to-day the senior bank president of the city.
Under his wise and careful management the Broadway Bank has
prospered, and has attained a status second to no other finan-
cial institution in the city. It possesses to-day a capital of
$1,000,000, and is in a most flourishing condition. He joined
with several others, and in 1851 founded the Broadway Savings
Bank, of which subsequently he became treasurer and vice-
president. He has been a director in several other successful
financial institutions in this city.
More than fifty years ago, Mr. Palmer connected himself with
the Presbyterian Church in Bedford. On the 22d of March.
OF THE RE-UNION. I 57
1 88 1, this congregation celebrated its two hundreth anniversary,
which was attended, among others, by the living members of the
Palmer family — most of them for several generations have re-
ceived their religious training in its bosom. For many years
Mr. Palmer has been a member of the Broadway Tabernacle
Church (Congregational ), presided over at the present time by the
Rev. Dr. William M. Taylor. Mr. Palmer is a consistent tem-
perance man, and during along and active career has never used
intoxicating beverages of any kind, and does not provide them
at his table. To-day, in the full posession of health, with a clear
intellect, a bright eye, and a degree of bodily vigor that would
put to the blush many much younger men, he is a living example
of the preservative power of habits of temperance and a well-
occupied, useful life. His tastes are quiet and domestic, and
his habits simple and unostentatious. He has never taken any
active part in politics, but at the opening of the Civil War joined
the Union Glee Club immediately upon its organization, and in
common with the patriotic merchants of New York did all that
was possible to strengthen the power of the Federal Govern-
ment, and sustain its armies in the field. His interest in busi-
ness affairs continued unabated, and he is present even' day at
his post of duty in the bank, carefully superintending the details
of its large financial transactions and guarding with fidelity
the interests of its stockholders.
IMPROMPTU ADDRESS,
BY EX-GOVERXOR WM. T. MINOR, OF STAMFORD, CT.
Mr. President — It has given me much pleasure to be present
with you on this occasion, to join with you in commemorating
the virtues and services of Walter Palmer, one of the first set-
tlers of Stonington. While listening to the recital of those
virtues and services, I have felt the Palmer blood coursing more
rapidly through my veins, and have almost believed that an
inch had been added to my stature.
But while according to Walter Palmer and the others of the
Pilgrim Fathers ail praise, that with their sturdy bravery and in-
dependence they came to this Western land and laid here the
158 PALMER RECORD
foundations of empire, let us not forget to render the due meed
of praise to the wife of Walter Palmer, and the wives, mothers
and sisters of the other Pilgrim Fathers. The Pilgrim Mothers
ought not to be neglected and entirely passed by on such an
occasion as this. So far, I have not been able to find from the
addresses and proceedings here, that Walter Palmer had a
wife ; yet I know that he had, for his history informs us that
his daughter, Grace, married Thos. Minor, my first ancestor in
the United States, as a representative of the female portion of
the Palmer family. I propose to render to woman the honor
to which she is entitled.
The wife, mother and sister, equally with the husband,
father and brother, encountered all the perils of a long and
tempestuous passage across the stormy Atlantic, and with them
all the discomforts of an unhospitable climate, and a sterile,
rock-bound territory ; brave and unmurmuring, they guarded
their log cabin, in the absence of the men, against the attacks
of wild beasts, and themselves against the tomahawks and
scalping knives of the savage Indians. No hardship was en-
countered by the Pilgrim Fathers that was not, without com-
plaint or murmur, shared by the Pilgrim Mothers.
It was by the training and example of the mothers that their
children was fitted to become founders of empire. No power
is more potent, no influence greater, than that of woman —
directly or indirectly she governs the world.
All honor, then, to the Pilgrim Mothers, as well as to the
Pilgrim Fathers J Together they laid the foundation, deep and
broad, of a Government which we believe and hope will last
forever.
Re-unions of this character and anniversaries of the first settle-
ments of towns are always interesting socially. They are bene-
ficial, besides — always on these occasions a great mass of facts,
resting mainly on tradition, are brought together and collated
by the local historian, and laid away for future use, when the
history of the State is to be written. We learn, too, of the first
settlers of our State, of their inner and public life. How they
selected a place in some convenient locality, which
was divided into home lots, on which the rude cabin,
OF THE RE-UNION. 159
enough
. strong enough to withstand hostile attacks, and compact _.
to keep out the cold blasts of Winter, was erected ; and outside
these home lots were the common fields, which, included in
certain territorial limits, became the town.
We learn how they or their children again took up their line of
march and formed new settlements and established new towns.
In our State, the first settlers formed our towns which, with
us, performed the same duties and held the same relation to the
State as counties in most of the other States of the Union.
Our towns, as such, are represented in the town branch of the
Legislature; they levy all taxes, take care of their own poor,
build and repair their highways, and educate their citizens'
And, in my judgment, under this system, more of wisdom
has ever been found, and less of peculation and dishonesty,
than under the system in the other States which impose these
duties on counties. From behind the ramparts of these muni-
cipalities the great principles of civil and religious liberty and
popular education have been, now for more than two hundred
years, successfully defended and maintained. Citizens of Con-
necticut, guard well these ramparts; see to it that they are still
preserved. Then shall our motto, " Qui transtulit sustinet"
be true forever.
HYMN.
BY FRANK AVERILL PALMER.
(Tune— " Battle Hymn of the Republic")
We come to pay a tribute to the founder of our race.
To gallant Walter Palmer, stately Palm and full of grace :
I o reach the land of promise, toward these shores he set his face,
His name is marching on.
CHORUS— Glory, glory hallelujah,
Glory, glory hallelujah,
Glory, glory hallelujah,
His name is marching on.
And now, in holy purpose, we are here from east and west,
r rom north and south, are gathered round his place of final rest,
lo recount his many virtues, daring deeds and valor blest,
His name is marching on.
Chorus.
l60 PALMER RECORD
He left his home and kindred, like the patriarch of old,
To gain our glorious heritage, of freedom's wealth untold.
And faith by far more precious than was Ophir's finest gold.
His name is marching on.
Chorus.
Then hail, all hail, our grand-sire, for in him we claim a part.
May his memory ever flourish, and be green in every heart :
His name be unforgotten till the last of kin depart, '
Then we'll all go marching on.
CHORUS— Glory, glory hallelujah.
Glory, glory hallelujah.
Glory, glory hallelujah.
Then we'll going marching on.
POEM.
■ WALTER PALMER'S HOMESTEAD.
No costly, sculptured walls were thine,
No high-built, stately room.
Where gilded mirrors proudly shine.
Amid their draperied gloom.
No pompous name has told thy praise,
On fallen beauty decked ;
No child of song has woke thy lays,
On famous pencil sketched.
No ; thine was but a simple frame,
Well-reared by honest toil,
Beside this stream of Indian name.
Where first was turned the soil.
An humble roof and simple stone.
To mark an entrance there ;
Afar from other homes, and lone —
Protected by God's care.
That brought this Palmer o'er deep seas
And through the trackless wild ;
And blessed him well with goods increased.
And many a happy child.
OF THE RE-UNION. l6[
That made this desert bud and bloom,
And lightened every care ;
In time they farther sought for room,
And planted homesteads there.
Till towns and states have circling grown,
As forest depths gave way ;
His race, a legion, meet and own
And praise that power to-day.
August u, 1881.
BRIEF REMARKS,
BY E. H. PALMER, OF DANVILLE, ILL.
This Re-Union is of double interest to me — it opens on a day
which is the anniversary of a very important event in the his-
tory of my existence. Fifty-one years to-day I made another
addition to the Palmer family, and I have never regretted the
occurrence, and to-day am happy to meet so many of this ex-
tensive family.
Most of you were born and have lived among the rocks and
hills of the East. I believe I am the only full-blooded sucker
in the company,
My branch of the Palmers seemed to catch the pioneer spirit,
first removing East and then West.
My father was born in South Coventry, Ct., in 1783, and died
in Danville, 111., in 1861, aged 79 years.
He was one of the early settlers of Eastern Illinois, moving
there in 1825.
My father's younger brother also removed to this State at
same time, and at time of overland emigration to Oregon, he
took his three sons and three daughters to that far western
State, where he left them, the first representatives of the Pal-
mer family on the Pacific coast. Before leaving home to attend
this meeting, I was accosted on the street by one of our citizens
with the remark, " The original Palmers were, I understand,
transported." I replied, " England done a good job for Amer-
ica.'* In looking over the list of the old stock, I find the names
162 PALMER RECORD
of Abel, Moses, Elisha, Elijah, Ichabod. Nathaniel, Hannah and
Huldah, but no Cain or Jesebel. What do you think of that ?
I am no speaker, but I would close by saying, Our great
State of Illinois would welcome any and all of the Palmers
has a good and rich soil, which would bring forth an abundance
under the hand of such a people. May this not be our last
happy assembly.
BRIEF ADDRESS,
BY C. B. PALMER, OF SING SING, N. Y.
Mr. President, and my sisters, and my cousins, and my
aunts — I put on my spectacles to view this grand spectacle.
I see, Mr. President, where these Palmers have dined, " but
where do they lodge, I beseech you?" I have the honor on
this occasion to represent the Palmers in Sing Sing (laughter).
My good friend, Xoyes F.. who has lived so long on Jamaica
(I mean Jamaica Plains), has told you I am from outside the
walls. I am pleased to say there are several very good Palmers
outside the walls, but I have no personal knowledge of any inside
(applausei. The Palmers are a sharp set ; they all go in under
the name of Smith. I am glad to be present on this happy oc-
casion. I regret that a circumstance so mournful has prevented
General Grant from attending. I thought the General would
be glad to see a man from Sing Sing. That's the reason I came.
I went myself to see the General once, with the Army of the
Tennessee.
Mr. President, are these modern Palmers that I see before me ?
Palmers without cowl or staff ? Have they been on a pilgrim-
age to the shrine at YVequetequock ? No longer, then, they
side as Wilfred of Ivanhoe in the lists of Templeton. No
longer cross lance with Lord Marmion on Flodden Field. They
are children of a newer civilization. Monk Knights of a later
crusade — a crusade as representatives of the principle of civil
and religious liberty. Mr. President, it is not an unknown name.
It was heard in the city of the Little Monk. It came up over
the walls of Geneva ; it echoed among the crags and peaks of
Switzerland ; it whistled amid the camp-fires of those soldiers
OF THE RE-FNIO.V. 163
that rallied around the standard of stern old Oliver ; it sounded
as a death knell on the ear of the last of the house of Stuart as
he stepped from Whitehall to a scaffold. Lotuslikc it crossed
the broad Atlantic, on a Mayflower^ and planted itself deep with
Carver and Standish at Plymouth, and Walter Palmer at We-
quetequock.
Mr. President, since it has become generally known that I
came from Sing Sing. I am surprised to find after two days
hunting among all these Palmers, any one of them that owns
relationship with me. I might say, in justification of my re-
spectability, that I am a descendant of aline of Richard's father,
grandfather, great-grandfather, dating back to 1770. when an
ancestor bought four hundred acres of land in the manor of
Courtland. Westchester Co., N. Y. What I want Xoyes F. to
do is to tell me where this ancestor came from — hardly from the
poorhouse, as he would not have had six hundred pounds to
pay for the land, as stated in the deed.
Like our friend Ex-Governor Minor, I am a ladies' man. and
I would here speak a good word for them. The mothers of all
these Palmers were women of another name and lineage ; and
a cross blood has sometimes had good results. The neutral
ground of the Revolution — good old Westchester — has been
rendered famous not only in history, but by the magic pen of
Fenimore Cooper. Tradition has, in connection with these
scenes, the name of Elizabeth Hunter. She married a Palmer;
she was my great-grandmother.
Mr. President, time forbids my making any extended remarks.
if I expect to get back to Sing Sing before locking-np time. 1
may, like my friend from Courtland, Judge Palmer, invite you
all to come to Sing Sing (laughter). Thanking you for the
courtesy of an invitation to address you, and for your courteous
attention, I say good-bye.
164 PALMER RECORD
CORNELIUS B. PALMER,
OF SING SL\G, N. Y.
(Brief Biography.)
Cornelius B. Palmer, of Sing Sing, N. Y,, third son of Rich-
ard R. and Rachel Palmer, born in the Ninth Ward in the city
of New York, July 1st, 1840. When about twelve years of age,
his father retiring from business, removed to a country place in
the vicinity of Sing Sing, N. Y., his former home, and that oi
his ancestry. The subject of this sketch attended the old acad-
emy at Canandaigua, N. Y., and subsequently prepared at Fort
Edward Institute, N. Y.. for Sophomore Class at College. At-
tended course at Law Department, LTnion University, and
read law in office of N. H. Baker. District Attorney, Westches-
ter Co.; was admitted to the bar, July 10th, 1861, ten days ovei
twenty-one years of age. For seven years connected with the
Internal Revenue successively as Clerk, Deputy Collector, and
Acting Collector of Tenth Collection District, X. Y. Is now a
practicing lawyer, having an office at Sing Sing. His grand-
parents all lived to a very old age. His grandmother. Catherine
Doris, died in 1870, at the age of 92, leaving her surviving six
children, fifty-three grandchildren, sixty-two great-grandchildren
and one great-great-grandchild.
R. R. Palmer, his father, died suddenly in 1877, at the age
of sixty-eight, while spending a Summer in the State of Maine.
This branch of the family are presumably of Quaker origin.
SHORT ADDRESS,
BY JOSIAH LEE PALMER, OF LITTLE ROCK, ARK.
Mr. President — I am happy to be with you to-day as a mem-
ber of the Palmer family, and I thank God that I am a Palmer.
and a descendant of the great and noble Walter Palmer, in whose
name we have met in family re-union. I hope this pleasant
Re-Union will be kept up annually as long as time shall last.
and while I live you may rely upon seeing me. I trust this
Re-Union will not adjourn until a sufficient amount is raised to
OF THE RE-UXION. 1 65
erect a monument over him. We are all proud to honor to-day
Walter Palmer. I have much more I would like to say upon
this occasion, but am too feeble.
JOSIAH LEE PALMER.
(Brief Biography.)
Josiah Lee Palmer was born in Gahvay, Saratoga Co., N. Y.,
May nth, 1817. Married May nth, 1847, to Sarah Eddy,
daughter of Dr. John Eddy, Lockport, N. Y.
Emigrated to Chicago, and engaged in mercantile business.
Came to Arkansas in 1859 ! was engaged in planting and hotel
business until after the war. In 1874, was appointed Assistant
Auditor of State, which piace he still holds. For four years he
has been Acting Insurance Commissioner of State. He was
the first one to inaugurate the Christian Temperance Union
in that State, and held for three years the presidency of the
Union.
IMPROMPTU REMARKS,
BY REV. E. B. PALMER, D. D., OF BRIDGETOX, N. J.
I am very glad that it has fallen to my lot to share in the
festivities of this great family gathering. The occasion is in.
deed one of great interest. For myself I wish to thank the
gentlemen of the committee, who have labored so perseveringly
amid so many discouragements, that they have brought us thus
together under circumstances so agreeable. And I can but
acknowledge my obligation to them in leading me to think a
little more closely of, and to appreciate a little more highly
the Palmer name.
It is often asked, "What is there in a name?" Sometimes
there is much of significancy, and then again but little. A
friend of mine was going up the Catskill Mountains, and a pas-
senger was inquiring why the mountains were called the Cats-
kills. The stage-driver, somewhat annoyed at what seemed to
him "a foolish question, replied, impatiently: "Why, everything
has to have a name ; you might just as well ask why the Hudson
l66 PALMER RECORD
came to be called the Hudson." Now, there are a great main-
names that seem to have no more reason for their existence,
in fact, than the beautiful river that treads its way down that
charming valley had. in the fancy of the ignorant stage-driver.
It was needful that they should be called something, and that
is about all can be said of it. There is often, however, a mean-
ing in names that makes their study very suggestive.
The family name which we bear has an origin which speaks
of two things most highly to be prized ; for the name, Palmer,
suggests two grand ideas — they are of Reverence and Triumph.
Whatever may be our judgment of the Crusaders (and there is
much in their history that we cannot approve'), they did have
boundless reverence for holy things and holy places. I have
sometimes thought that we. in this age, might be their pupils
with some degree of advantage. We live in times not over-
stocked with this grace. It was reverence for the Holy Land,
especially for the Holy Sepulchre of our crucified Lord, that gave
the world the first Palmers. Then, too, that idea of triumph is
a most exalted one. The bearer of the palm must needs be a
victor. He must be a man of courage. He must love truth
and bravely battle for it. He must know how to meet difficul-
ties and master the situation. Yesterday, as we were making
our way up to the old homestead and grove of our noble grand-
sire, as I noted the huge stone fences enclosing the small fields.
and saw about me enough remaining to build others equally
great, as I observed the surface of this hard, unpromising soil.
and imagined what it must have been more than two centuries
ago, in its untamed state, with all the dangers of the primeval
forests added thereto, I thought what a brave heart the "old
patriarch" must have had in him. What magnificent courage it
must have required to make a home and extort a living out of
such surroundings.
Indeed, in a sense which we can hardly realize, the men of
those times must have been brave men, and good old WTalter
must have been a veritable " palm-bearer" to have triumphed
over such obstacles. I have also been somewhat surprised to
see how the idea of the Palmer or palm-bearer links itself with
our world's history, running on even to its close, mounting up
OF THE RE-UNION. 167
to the grandest and holiest triumph of the Redeemer's King-
dom. In the interesting genealogical account given us last
evening, our secretary alluded to that beautiful passage in the
Revelation which describes the entire throng of the redeemed
standing " before the Throne and before the Lamb, clothed
with white robes, and palms in their hands." Why, did you
ever think of it, the whole vast throng of the redeemed are to
be Palmers at last. All these Denisons and Minors and Chese-
broughs, with those of all other names, sharing in the blessed
work of the Redeemer, are to come over to our family and re-
joice in being palm-bearers — Palmers in the highest and best
sense, through the victor}- of the all-conquering Christ. It is
my prayer that this indeed may be the case with all in the joy-
ous sense in which Christ gives the victory over sin in every
form.
May God grant that those of us who bear this noble name
may appreciate its worth, and catching the inspiration of its
birth, live to know the exalted triumph of which it is in origin
and history the symbol.
HOUR OF MY CHILDHOOD.
BY L. A. PALMER.
O home of my childhood, sweet memories of thee.
Come floating around like the breeze o'er the sea ;
And fresh to my mind each loved scene appears.
Not dimmed by the distance or faded by years.
The hills and the valleys, where once I was young.
The woodland and thicket where the nightingale sung;
There the love of a father and mother I knew.
Kind brothers and sisters and friends that were true.
The old village church where we used to repair,
And worship our maker in accents of prayer ;
While each joined in singing sweet anthems of praise,
To him who preserved us and lengthened our days.
But time, the destroyer, has been on the track.
Has taken the loved ones, and ne'er brought them back :
Side by side in a churchyard where the last sunbeams play,
A father and mother lie mouldering awav.
[68 PALMER RECORD
Those brothers and sisters, ah ! the tale must be told,
Not one now remains on the homestead of old :
• And the stranger treads carelessly, making his hay,
In the field by the brook where we once used to play-
But we look for a time to be gathered again.
In a world free from sorrow, temptation and pain ;
Where sweet-sounding echoes shall fill all the place.
To Him who redeemed us and saved us by grace.
Honeoye Falls, N. Y., Sept. ioth, 1881.
RESPONSE FOR THE STANTON FAMILY.
BY DR. GEO. D. STANTON, OF STONINGTON, CT.
Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen — It would be exceed-
ingly inappropriate for me, after the numerous, able and elo-
quent addresses with which you have been entertained during
the past two days, to further tire your perhaps wearied patience
with anything but a very brief response for the Stanton family.
which I have been honored to represent on this occasion.
The Stantons, in common with the Denisons, Miners, and
Chesebroughs, have become so interwoven by marriage with the
descendants of Walter Palmer, that we cannot but feel a just
pride in the fair fame of your family name, and we most heart-
ily congratulate you for your enviable and honorable record —
whether it bo in the school of science, in the halls of legislation.
on the field of battle, in the forum, and last, and by no means
least, in the newspaper editor's sanctum sanctorum. We com-
mend the laudable spirit which prompted your pilgrimage to
your ancestral home, and we congratulate you on the unrivalled
success which has crowned your praiseworthy enterprise.
As this is a Palmer Re-Union, you will not expect, nor will
you care to hear anything concerning the history of Thomas
Stanton, the Indian interpreter and pioneer associate of Walter
Palmer ; but this much I may state, that in his capacity as
Indian interpreter for the colonies, and in his duties as medi-
ator in the differences often occurring between the settlers and
the natives he had, necessarily, frequent occasion to visit the
habitations of the latter in this then rugged wilderness, by
OF THE RE-UNION. 169
which he became familiar with the most desirable localities for
settlements, and thus paved the way for those hardy pioneers.
Stanton was first on the ground at Pawcatuck as an Indian
trader, immediately followed by Chesebrough, and subsequent-
ly by Miner, Palmer, Denison and others. They wisely selected
the rich meadow-lands adjoining the bays and coves of our
coast, as suitable pasture fields for their herds and flocks, and
it is not impossible that they may have had an eye to the " suc-
culent and festive clam," for which we descendants have inher-
ited an undisguised affection, and with which you have very
properly decided to close this festive occasion.
Permit me again to congratulate you on your happy success
in the union of hearts and of hands, and to wish you, one and
all, a safe return to your respective homes.
REPORT OF TREASURER,
h. clay palmer, of stonington, ct.
Dr.
1 88 1. To cash paid as follows (bills) :
August, Treasurer's expenses to New York and
Jamaica $20 00
June, " Graphic," bill for invitations 50 00
July, N. F. Palmer, postage bill to date 39 5°
Aug. 10, Bill of fireworks 65 00
" Bill for clams (on acct. of caterer) 27 00
" Bill for calcium lights 47 55
4< Schofield's bills, clams (for caterer) 41 30
Freight and express bills 46 32
Anderson, on account of printing bill .... 50 00
Charles E. Randalls, on acct. of labor bill 56 15
E. T. Palmer, bills as follows :
Atwood Mfg. Co., wood (for caterer) $5 00
Police $4, ice bill for caterer, $4 8 00
R. R. fares bill, for Noank Band.. . . 3 60
Bill for dinners " " " ... 5 60
Utter's printing bill 1 50 23 yo
J. S. Anderson, balance on printing 30 20
Bills for empty boxes for seats 3 45
Bill of S. O. Durgan, board for tent man. 8 00
Bill of Thomas Capron, for use of boat. . . 3 00
Chas. E. Randalls, bill of labor in full. ... 65 30
i;o
PALMER RECORD
To C. P. Trumball's bill, express wagon $
Thomas H. Hinckley, police duty two days
and nights
Orchestra leader Williams, of New York.
Palmer & Co., register book
Of labor
Noank Brass Band
Printing dinner tickets
Printing signs
For team for hauling boards
N. H. Gates, for bill of lumber
Telegraph bills
"Graphic" bill, balance due on acct. N. F. P
I. H. P., postage expenses to New York
Boston, and Providence
Badges, etc
Envelopes and postage stamps, N. F. P. .
Balance to account
1881.
June,
July 25,
" 21,
" 21,
" 21,
" 21,
Aug. 8,
" 8,
" 10,
" 10,
" 10,
" 11,
" 11,
" 12,
" 12,
" 12,
" 12,
" 12.
" 12,
" 12,
" 12,
" 12,
Cr.
By cash from E. H. Palmer.
to N. F. P
Noyes .
Postal order from Pele<
Cash from E. H. P
col'ct'd from Re-unionists by H. C. P.
" C. D. Prescott.
" N. F. P
for dinner tickets by H. C. P. .
" I. H. P..
"Col. G. W. Palmer, I. H. P.
11 rent of tent, I. H. P
" Ed. T. Palmer, I. H. P
collected, A. M. Palmer, N. Y
Dr. Eugene Palmer, Tex.
William Butler, Boston . .
A friend
A friend
Asher Chapman
6
00
10
00
2
25
4
00
53
60
2
00
2
50
3
00
30
r-
5
00
20
00
54
5 ')
3
75
21
85
79
>797
58
$10
00
5o
00
10
00
10
00
10
00
10
00
1
00
20
00
1 10
75
230
OJ
118
00
62
;o
61
00
5
00
4
00
10
00
25
00
10
GO
5
00
s
00
5
00
25
00
By balance account
$797
OF THE RE-UNION. \Ji
NAMES OF CONTRIBUTORS.
F. A. Palmer, of New York City $50 00
M. G. Palmer, Portland, Me 25 00
B. F. Chapman, Oneida, N. Y 10 00
B. R. Palmer, Oneida, N. Y 10 00
Robert Palmer, Noank, Ct 20 00
E. A. Palmer, Lansingburg, N. Y 2 00
Gidden Palmer 5 OO
Luther Palmer, Brookfield, Mass 10 OO
Peter A. Palmer, Lansingburg 5 °°
Chas. L. Palmer, Albany, N. Y 5 00
\Vm. A. Grant, Boston 5 00
Prof. D. L. Eaton, Yale College 5 00
Simeon Palmer, Boston 5 OO
Mrs. Phcebe Palmer 5 OO
Sarah N. Maise, Westerly 5 OO
Allen Palmer ' 5 OO
Miss F. Chesebro, Stonington 1 00
G. C. Morse $ 00
J. L. Palmer, Little Rock 5 OO
A. B. Gardiner I OO
H. H. Palmer, Portland 5 OO
S. T, Palmer, Chicago 5 OO
Wm. A. Woodward 1 00
VVm. H. Palmer, N. Y 5 00
R. P. Palmer.' 6 00
J. J. Palmer 2 00
C. H. Palmer, Norwich 2 OO
H. J. Palmer 1 00
J. M. Languerthy I OO
Nehemiah Palmer, Boston 5 °°
J. E. Palmer, Mich 5 °°
J. Palmer 1 00
A. M. Palmer 5 °°
Alex. Palmer I 00
Gen. G. \V. Palmer 5 °°
A. D. Palmer, Stonington 10 00
H. M. Palmer, Stonington 10 00
Noyes S. Palmer, Stonington 10 00
Courtland P. Palmer, N. Y 10 00
D. P. Chesebro 5 00
A. M. Palmer, N. Y 25 00
Asher Chapman 25 00
Dr. Eugene Palmer, Texas 10 OO
I/2 PALMER RECORD
Wm. Butler, Boston $ 5 00
Two friends 10 00
Clarence P. Lewis 2 00
A lady 1 00
A. L. Lebanon I 00
A. A. Muts 1 00
R. Wm. H. Palmer, Manchester 5 00
R. B. Palmer, Butternuts, N. Y 1 00
Two ladies 2 00
A. F. Chesebro, Philadelphia 3 00
Cornelius Palmer 5 00
E. H. Palmer 5 00
J. L. Hutchingson 1 00
B. H. Palmer ; . . . . 1 00
B. L. Palmer 2 00
B. G. Palmer ' 1 00
D. M. Palmer ....[.. 25
J. R. Palmer t 00
L. W. R 1 00
H. B. Palmer 1 co
A. W. Hewitt 1 00
H. L. Palmer 1 00
E. L. Palmer I 00
Dr. J. F. Noyes 1 00
M. V. Palmer 50
W. C. Palmer • 2 00
J. W. D ..." ! 00
J. S. Palmer 5 00
A. Cook 1 00
F. W. Palmer 5 co
Bardick ' : . . . . 1 00
G. W. Palmer 5 00
Chesebro I 00
N. F. Palmer 5 00
H. CLAY PALMER.
(Brief Biography.)
H. Clay Palmer, Treasurer of the Re-Union, was born in Ston-
ington, November 17, 1852 ; his father is Amos A. Palmer, a son
of Allen Palmer, and a grandson of Noyes Palmer, who was
born and resided in the same place ; his mother was Emma
Chesebro, daughter of Ezra Chesebro ; her mother was Sally
Palmer, daughter of Denison Palmer, of his native place ; both
OF THE RE-UNION. 1 73
branches of the family being direct descendants of Walter Pal-
mer. After finishing his studies, he entered the office of Clif-
ton A. Hall, one of the first architects of Providence, R. I.,
where he served his time perfecting himself as an architect, the
profession he now follows. In 1878-79 he was Tax Collector
for the Town of Stonington, and has since been the Collector
of the Borough and Ninth School District ; of the latter he also
served five years as its Clerk and Treasurer.
At the time of the Re-Union, August 10th, he was one of
the five who first met to organize the first meeting, and was
anxious and active in the grand success of the same.
CLOSING ADDRESS,
BY E. H. PALMER, PRESIDENT OF RE-UNION.
The last speaker on the afternoon of August nth was Presi-
dent E. H. Palmer, and as he arose and for a moment remained
silent, a hushed stillness pervaded the entire assemblage. The
realization of the moment was pictured upon every countenance,
and falteringly the speaker, in a subdued manner, spoke in sub-
stance as follows :
Friends — The hour that I have most dreaded, and to which
I have almost shuddered when thinking of its approach, is at
hand. From the inception of this grand Re-Union of the Pal-
mer Family up to the present moment, I have looked only to its
growth and progress from day to day. But now we are soon to
separate, probably never to meet again. Some one of us, e'er
another Re-Union will occur — some one of this assemblage, yes,
perhaps many of you now before me — will have passed away. I,
too, may be of that number, and never again have the pleasure
of standing, as I do to-day (the head of this great family) in an-
other Re-Union. The solemnity of this hour cannot be evaded.
It is upon us, and we must meet it. To say good-bye to
you all is to breathe a choking utterance. To think that many
faces now before me, so bright and joyous for the past two days,
so full of real hope and spirit, may never be gazed upon by me
again, affects me to sadness. So, with thanks to you all for
174 PALMER RECORt)
kindness and manifestations of friendship during our Re-Union.
never to be forgotten, I will, in a spirit of hope for the future,
bid you each and all good-bye.
POEM ON PALMER RE-UNION.
BY H. L. SPENXER, OF ST. JOHNS, X. B.
Where, where will be the birds that sing,
A hundred years to come ?
The flowers that now in beauty spring,
A hundred years to come?
The rosy cheek, the lofty brow,
The hearts that beat so gaily now ;
Where, where will be our hopes and fears,
Joys, pleasant smiles, and sorrow's tears,
A hundred years to come?
Who'll press for gold this crowded street,
A hundred years to come ?
Who'll tread your aisles with willing feet,
A hundred years to come ?
Pale, trembling age and firy youth,
And childhood with its brow of truth ;
The rich, the poor, on land and sea,
Where will the mighty millions be,
A hundred years to come?
We all within our graves shall sleep,
A hundred years to come !
No living soul for us will weep,
A hundred years to come !
But other men our lands will till,
And others then our homes will fill ;
And other birds will sing as gay,
And bright the sunshine as to day,
A hundred years to come.
IRA H. PALMER.
(Brief Biography.)
Ira H. Palmer, the Corresponding Secretary of the late Pal-
mer Re-Union, was born at Mystic Bridge, in the town of Ston-
ington, Ct., April iSth, 1836, of parents Benjamin F. and Eliza
Hart Palmer. At the age of twelve, he moved to the borough
OF THE RE-UNION. T--
of Stonington, and became a clerk in the drug store of his
brother, Franklin A. Palmer. He subsequently became the
agent of the " Harnder Express Company," and for many years
continued as such. Then follows some six years of banking and
railroad experience.
In 1869, he became connected with an extensive quarry in
Westerly, R. I., and during the last two years of his term was
the manager.
The subject of our sketch built and managed a railroad con-
necting the quarries of Westerly with the Stonington Railroad.
Mr. Palmer is naturally of a quick turn of mind, very zealous,
and hardly without a peer in the projecting of any new work.
It has been remarked of him, that he is always " ten years in
advance of the age."
In 1862, he purchased the well-known Wadawanuch Hotel,
at Stonington, Ct. ''then a Female Seminary), and opened
it as a first-class hotel. For three years he managed it with
practical assistants, and in 1865 sold it to its present owners.
Mr. Palmer managed the first steamer ever run to Watch
Hill from Stonington— it was the Dashing Wave, owned by
Capt. R. F. Loper, and run in connection with the Wadawa-
nuch House.
His connection with the Palmer Re-Union is still fresh on
the minds of all. From curiosity solely he attended the first
meeting held at the Baptist Vestry, and was one of the five
Palmers present. He at once grasped the idea of a Family
Re-Union, and at that meeting infused spirit and encourage-
ment into the four others present. Has been blessed with four
sons, three of whom are living — the eldest, Arthur Trumbuil
Palmer, is in the wholesale department of Jordan, Marsh & Co.,
Boston, Mass. ; the second, Henry Robinson Palmer, the well-
known juvenile editor of the Palmer Vidette ; Frank Trumbuil
Palmer being the youngest son.
Mr. Palmer, in addition to being a decendant of Walter
Palmer, is by the maternal line a direct descendant of Roger
Sherman, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence ;
and to the Sherman side Mr. Palmer gives greatly the credit
of any enterprise and tact he may possess.
176 rALMER RECORD
SOCIAL MEETING.
After the proceedings on the evening of the last day were
over, many wended their way homeward by trains, boats and
carriages, so that the numbers became greatly reduced.
A social meeting took place at Palmer headquarters, " Bray-
ton Hall," that was one of the most enjoyable occasions of the
whole Re-Union services, and developed the fact that more
real entertainment comes from a commingling socially than
from public speaking, weary and tiresome to a large audience.
At the social gathering individual introduction elicited for the
first time real relationship, and a flood of reminiscences seemed
to flow from groups of Palmers. Latent talent sprang up that
had been dormant during the day services. The singing by
Miss Lottie Walker, of New York City, was the finest musical
entertainment of the whole Re-Union, and had this sweet singer
appeared on the platform while the thousands could have
listened to her trained voice, the enthusiasm would have been
contagious, and well merited.
By this social meeting it soon became known that many emi-
nent men and women had sat meekly listening at the services
during the two days that ought to have been on the platform,
while many on the platform would have enjoyed exchanging
places with them. If these lines meet the eyes of many who
thus humbly " hid their light under the bushel," they must re-
ceive the apology of the officers of the Re-Union that no slight
was intended, and that only a want of social acquaintance pre-
vented their occupying their proper position. The register list
reveals many of these individuals.
OF THE RE-UNION. 1 77
Miscellaneous Matters.
[To THE LADIES. — An apology is due to the Palmer ladies.
whose efforts undoubtedly made the Re-Union a success. The
interest first created in favor of the gathering emenated mostly
through their influence and persuasion. The social meeting of the
last evening developed this fact. Out of respect to their sex, a
few allusions are made, accompanied by brief sketches and photo-
graphic illustration. Had more time been given to the prepara-
tion of this publication, a more extensive and appropriate
showing would have been given to the part taken by the
mothers of the Palmer decendants.]
MARY DANA SHINDLER.
The Re-Union proceedings were continuous in their charac-
ter ; for when not in regular order, as per programme, some
other services were being held, and none were more interesting,
nor more like a " Love Feast " than the singing of original
hymns, etc., by Mary Dana Shindler, of Texas. So popular
were these songs that the audience joined in, and the singing
sendee was kept up spontaneously.
Mrs. Shindler is a daughter of the late Rev. Dr. B. M. Pal-
mer, of Charleston, S. C. ; born in 1810; married, in 1848, to
Rev. Robert D. Shindler, who died in 1874. Mrs. Shindler
resides with her son, Robert C. Shindler, in Nacogdoches, Tex.
Mrs. Shindler has contributed extensively in prose and
poetry, and particularly in songs, to the various publications of
the country for half a century. Among them have been pub-
lished three musical works — "The Northern, Southern, and
Western Harps ;" a controversial work, entitled " Letters to
Relatives and Friends ; " a volume of poems, called " The
Parted Family." Two works for seamen's libraries, published
by the Harpers, and entitled "The Young Sailor." and
m
178 PALMER RECORD
'■' Forecastle Tone ; " two song books, " The Temperance
Lyre," and the " Greenback Labor Song Book ; " a volume on
Spiritualism, entitled "A Southerner Among the Spirits," pub-
lished recently by Colby & Rich, of Boston, Mass.; and
several long serials which have appeared in the literary jour-
nals.
The old and familiar Sunday-School song, " I'm a Pilgrim
and a Stranger," was sung by Mrs. Shindler very appropriate])
as she was a pilgrim and a stranger among the Re-Unionists :
but many old people were present who joined in the singino- of
a song familiar to them in younger days. The effect of hear-
ing its author sing it was an inspiration of respect and venera-
tion.
The following old but well-known poem by Mrs. Shindler is
published by request :
PASSING UNDER THE ROD.
" And I will cause you to pass under the rod, and I will bring you -nto 'he bond
of the covenant."— Ezk. xx, 37.
I saw the young Bride, in her beauty and pride,
Bedeck'd in her snowy array,
And the bright flush of joy mantled high on her cheek,
While the future look'd blooming and gay ;
And with woman's devotion she laid her fond heart,
At the shrine of idolatrous love,
And she fasten'd her hopes to this perishing earth
By the chain which her tenderness wove.
But I saw when those heart-strings were bleeding and torn.
And the chain had been severed in two,
She had changed her white robes for the sables of grief
And her bloom for the paleness of woe.
But the Healer was there, pouring balm on her heart,
And wiping the tears from her eyes,
And he strengthen'd the chain he had broken in twain,
And fasten'd it firm to the skies.
There had whisper'd a voice— 'twas the voice of her God,
I love thee, I love thee— pass tinder the rod !
I saw the young Mother in tenderness bend
O'er the couch of her slumbering bov,
And she kiss'd the soft lips as they murmured her name,
While the dreamer lay smiling in joy.
OF the re-union. 179
Oh, sweet as a rose-bud encircled with dew,
When its fragrance is flung on the air,
So fresh and so bright to that mother he seem'd
As he* lay in his innocence there.
But I saw when she gazed on the same lovely form.
Pale as marble, and silent, and cold ;
But paler and colder her beautiful boy,
And the tale of her sorrow was told.
But the Healer was there, who had stricken her heart,
And taken her treasure away,
To allure her to Heaven he has placed it on high,
And the mourner will sweetly obey.
There had whisper'd a voice, 'twas the voice of her God,
I love thee, I love thee — pass under the rod !
I saw the fond Brother with glances of love
Gazing down on a gentle young girl,
And she hung on his arm while the whispering wind
Freely played with each clustering curl.
Oh, he lov'd the soft tones of her silvery voice,
Let her use it in sadness or glee,
And he clasp'd his brave arms round her delicate form
As she sat on her brother's knee.
But I saw when he gazed on her death-stricken face
And she breathed not a word in his ear,
And he clasp'd his brave arms round an icy-cold form,
And he moisten'd her cheek with a tear.
But the Healer was there, and he said to him thus :
"Grieve not for thy sister's short life,"
And he gave to his arms still another fair girl,
And he made her his own cherish'd wife.
There had whisper'd a voice, 'twas the voice of his God,
I love thee, I love thee — pass u?ider the rod !
I saw a proud father and mother who lean'd
On the arms of a dear, gifted son,
And a star in the future grew bright to their gaze,
As they saw the high place he had won ;
And the fast-coming evening of life promis'd fair,
And its pathway grew smooth to their feet ;
And the starlight of love glimmer'd bright at the end,
And the whispers of fancy were sweet.
But I saw when they stood bending low o'er the grave
Where their hearts' dearest hope had been laid,
And the star had gone down in the darkness of night,
And the joy from their bosoms had fled.
ISO PALMER RECORD
But the Healer was there, and his arms were around,
And he led them with tenderest care.
And he show'd them a star in the bright upper world,
'Twas their star shining brilliantly there !
They had each heard a voice, 'twas the voice of their God,
. I love thee, I love thee — PASS UNDER THE ROD !
ISABELLA GRANT MEREDITH.
This lad)r took an active part in the exercises of the Re-
Union, and her pithy and extemporaneous remarks from the
platform being lost to the reporter, we append a brief sketch
instead, and also, by permission of the authoress, the poem
" Borodel."
The subject of this sketch is a descendant of Walter Palmer.
through his daughter Grace Minor, and of Mathew Grant
(1630), through his grandson, Josiah Grant, who moved from
Windsor to Stonington, Ct.. in 1695-96, and in the same year
married Rebecca, daughter of Ephraim, and granddaughter of
Grace Minor.
Mrs. Meredith is the daughter of Julia Elizabeth Grant, and
Joseph Clark Dowe, M. D., and the great-granddaughter of
Minor Grant, M. D., who served as Army Surgeon under Wash-
ington in the Revolution.
She is a native of New England, having been born in Staf-
ford, Tolland Co., Ct. While very young, her parents removed
to Milwaukee, Wis., where all of her childhood and much of
her youth were spent. Her playground was that " Beautiful
Shore " which travelers have likened for lovliness to the Bay
of Naples, and the great lake whose sapphire waters laved the
strand was by turns her playmate and her teacher.
She began early to contribute stories, poems and articles to
the press ; is the author of the " Papillon Papers," published in
the New York Evening j\ I ail \ of " Sweet Briars," a volume first
published serially in the Christian Leader; of stories and poems
which have appeared in the Christian Union, the Old and New,
the Galaxy, Scribners, and other magazines; of the operatta
" Bo-peep," etc., etc. She has contributed New York corre-
OF THE RE-UNION, tgj
spondence for several journals under the signature of Papillon,
and served editorally on the staff of a Washington, D. C, paper.
Since her marriage, she has made her home principally in
the Metropolis.
"BORODEL."
Daughter of Captain George Denison and Lady Anne Borodel ; born, 1657.
BY ISABELLA GRANT MEREDITH.
Two centuries have won largess
Of August shine and April shower
And Winter's bleak and biting stress,
Since blossomed in the wilderness
A maiden like a wilding flower,
Of whom the legends little tell
Save that her name was Borodel.
If she were fair they have not told,
Of haughty mood, or winsome ways;
Or, if beneath her wimple's fold
Her tresses shone like threads of gold
In plaits demure, or curly maze.
We only know a damosel
Once lived, whose name was Borodel.
And had she eyes of blue or brown ?
And were her lips of witching pout ?
Did she glance side-long, and look down
And knit her brows in mimic frown,
And gallants lure — their woes to flout ?
Had she the triumphs of a belle,
Whom we must know as Borodel ?
I wonder much how fared this maid
In that wild home, in those rude days,
When painfully the fathers prayed,
And judged, and banished undismayed
Their brethren to the desert's maze.
Did Calvin's doom of terror fell
Shake the sad soul of Borodel?
Clad, or in homespun, or brocade.
With petticoat of paduasoy,
As maiden sweet, and matron staid,
1 82 PALMER RECORD
I'm fain to think she ever made
Her household's best delight and joy.
It needs not musty scroll to tell
That leal was gentle Borodel.
And here she lived and loved apace,
The child of loyal Lady Anne :
Here, meekly filled a daughter's place ;
Here, ruled her house with seemly grace,
As gentle dame and puritan ;
Till wended sadly up yon fell
The funeral train of Borodel.
Of late we thronged * in pious quest
Where tangled briars net the mounds;
From Texan pampas came the guest,
From the vast prairies of the West,
From Norombega's snow-wreath'd bounds
We sought her grave, ah, who may tell
Where slumbers Lady Borodel ?
Two hundred years a-gone ! A faint,
Fair vision grows before my een
As of a non-conformist saint
In garb sad-colored, prim and quaint,
Dove-eyed, with still and holy mein ;
But, meek or proud, the old, old spell
Of silence thralls thee, Borodel.
I wot thy life was — woman's doom,
Something enjoyed, and much foreborne ;
Thy garland, braided shorn and bloom,
Thy chequer'd days half shine, half gloom,
Until death found thee overworn.
Brave heart and patient, rest thee well,
God's peace enfold thee, Borodel.
* Note. — This lady was an ancestress of many of the pilgrims from near and far
who met together at Stonington, Ct., August ioth, 1S81, to celebrate the Palmer
Family Re-Union. Although, as the verses show, the writer has been able to gather
but few facts with regard to her history — even the place of her grave being un-
known. One other date of interest has been gleaned from the American Genealogist —
namely, that of her marriage with Samuel Stanton, June 15th, 1GS0.
OF THE RE-UNION. 1 83
MISS SARA A. PALMER,
OF STONINGTON, CT.
Miss Sara A. Palmer is the only surviving daughter of Rev.
Dr. Palmer, of Stonington, Ct. She is a young lady of many
personal attractions and decided traits of character. Her kind-
ly disposition, happy conversational powers, cultured and well-
stored mind, make her an enjoyable companion, and win the
profound respect and esteem of many chosen friends, not
less from among the lowly than the refined classes of society.
She is a very successful Sabbath-school teacher, and a genial
auxiliary to her father in all parish and missionary work. Her
abilities, as illustrated in poems furnished for various periodicals,
-and especially her hymn for the loth of August, 1876, and for
the grand Palmer Re-Union, 1881 (found in this volume), have
the promise of a brightening literary future.
It is sufficient to say, that Miss Palmer is every way worthy
of the grand old family to which she belongs, and is fully en-
titled to the place they have so proudly assigned her.
We cannot resist the temptation to digress from the scope of
this volume, and therefore select one of Miss Sara's very able
poems, in reference to a sad event contemporaneous almost
with our happy Re-Union.
GARFIELD.
"Though dead, he speaketh."
As I sit in the little village church,
Darkened with signs of woe,
To my heart comes faintly the preacher's voice,
With its tremulous accents low ;
And I hear not the pleading words of prayer,
That come through the falling tears ;
While the notes of song they strive to raise
Fall on unheeding ears.
For my thoughts have flown to that distant grave
By the lakeside in the West,
Where now they are laying our noble dead
In his peaceful, final rest.
I think of the Nation bowed in grief,
A million hearts as one,
I 84 PALMER RECORD
A whole world shuddering at the thought
Of this basest deed e'er done ;
Of our country, washed on every shore
By a whelming wave of woe,
Baptized in sorrow, for what wise end
No one but God may know.
And I pray that the Nation may be led,
Through this way so dark and cold,
By " pillar of fire," or " pillar of cloud,"
As was Israel of old.
Then suddenly the preacher's words
Call back my wandering heart :
" Though dead, he speaketh yet," he saith,
" And bids us act our part ;
His life so true and strong and brave,
So full of godly trust,
So earnest in the cause of truth,
So free from earthly rust,
Shall shine forever on our land,
A glowing, guiding light,
To lead us on to nobler deeds,
And bolder blows for right."
To God, who knows our every need,
In silence, let us pray,
Unmurmuring while we tearful ask
For strength to bear this day.
Sara A. Palmer.
Stonington, Sept. 26, 1881.
MRS. M. J. PITKIN,
OF STOCKBRIDGE, MASS.
Mrs. M. J. Pitkin, daughter of Paul S. and Hannah E. Palmer.
was a native of Stockbridge. When nine years of age, her pa-
rents placed her under the watchful care and love of her uncle
and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Smith, of Stonington, to attend
the school of the Misses Sheffield and Stanton. After three
years in this school she entered the Williams Academy, in Stock-
bridge, under the instruction of the loved teacher and poet, E.
W. B. Canning. A few years later, her parents put her in the
care of her uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Pitt Palmer, of New
OF THE RE-UNION. 1 85
York, and through their advice attended the well-known school
of Mrs. Mulligan and Miss Roberts, for one year. She then re-
turned to her home, where she remained until after her mar-
riage to James F. Pitkin, of New York City (son of Capt. John
Pitkin, of East Hartford, a descendant of Governor Pitkin, of
Connecticut, where she resided for fifteen years, until after the
death of her husband, when she returned to the old homestead
(in Stockbridge) "'mid Berkshire Hills," where she now resides
with her mother and brother.
MRS. HENRY SMITH.
Mrs. Henry Smith, of Stonington, oldest of the eight children
of Lemuel and Abigail Davis Palmer (all of whom were born
at their homestead within one mile of Walter Palmer's, at We-
quetequock); born in September, 1797 ; named for her mother,
familiarly known and loved as " dear Aunt Abbie." Was mar-
ried in 182$ to Henry Smith (son of Col. Joseph Smith), one of
nature's noblemen, kind, genial and refined. Mrs. Smith is an
active member of the Congregational Church, is " never weary in
well-doing," and a valued member of society. Her home for
fifty-seven years, corner of Church and Main streets, and where
she now resides with her daughter and her husband, Mr. and
Mrs. C. S. Hull, is noted, as it always has been, for its un-
bounded hospitality.
MRS. PAUL S. PALMER.
Mrs. Paul S. Palmer, fourth child, born December 6th, 1804,
was named Hannah Ells Palmer for her aunt, Mrs. Samuel Pal-
mer, daughter of the beloved clergyman, " Priest Ells," of Ston-
ington. Was married on February 15th, 1824, to her cousin, Paul
S. Palmer, formerly of Stonington. From there she went to
her beautiful home in the Berkshire Hills (known as the Judge
Bacon place, and bought of him by Roswell S. P.), and where-
she has lived fifty-seven years. The mother of nine children,
three only are living — W. H. Palmer, the eldest son, lives near
her ; M. V. Palmer Pitkin, and the youngest son, William Pitt
1 86 PALMER RECORD
Palmer, who inherits the homestead, live with her there, and
rise up daily to " call her blessed." Is a member of the Prot-
estant Episcopal Church, and dearly loved by all. " tier
standing in society second to none."
MRS. HENRY RHODES.
Mrs. Henry Rhodes, fifth child of Matilda B. Palmer ; born
1806; was married in 1S29 to Henry Woodbridge Rhodes, a
merchant of Stonington (son of Simeon Rhodes). He left
merchandise, and with his wife and four children went to live
in Trenton, N. Y., where four youngest were born.
The mother of eight children, her home was proverbially one
of love — the centre of all refinement, and people of marque
in that region gathered around them. Four of her children
are living, and settled in beautiful homes near her, where she
can enjoy their society.
She is a member of Congregational Church, and altogether
lovely.
MRS. ALDIN PALMER.
Mrs. Aldin Palmer, sixth child of Henry D. Palmer ; born
1809; was married in i832toMaj. Aldin Palmer, son of Thomas
Palmer and brother of Dr. Eugene P., of Texas (of Re-Union
fame). She was the happy mother of eight children (seven are
living), and the pleasures of their home are well known by many
who were attracted to the " house on the hill " by the welcome
they were sure to receive, and which always made the place
and the hour warm. She is a member of the First Congrega-
tional Church in S. ; charitable to the last degree, and an orna-
ment to the society in which she moves.
FANNY CHESEBORO'.
The subject of this sketch, Miss Fanny Cheseboro', is the
eldest of twin daughters, who were natives of Westerly, R. I.
In early infancy she was adopted by relatives — Mr. and Mrs.
Joseph Cheseboro', of Stonington, Ct., where the first years of
OF THE RE-UNION. 1 87
her childhood were spent. Later, the family removed to the
old homestead, a farm of green meadows and rocky pastures in
the vicinage of YVequetequock, originally owned by Mr. Chese-
boro's great-grandfather, Dr. Nathan Palmer, who was the first
regular physician in the town of Stonington.
Miss Cheseboro' was graduated at the State Normal School,
at New Britian. Ct. She taught for several years in the public
schools of Connecticut, and contributed occasional articles to
the New York Independent and other periodicals of the day.
In 1864, she went to Boston and devoted herself for a season
to^the study of art, under Theodore Rabuske, a Polish gentle-
man, who was eminent in his profession.
Several years later. Miss Cheseboro' became a regular con-
tributor to a journal published in Buffalo.
A season of ill-health supervening, forced her pen to lie idle,
but within the last two years she has recovered sufficiently to
be able to resume her active labors as a teacher and a writer.
On the maternal side (her own mother was Fanny Bliven,
nee States) Miss Cheseboro' is descended from several of the
early settlers of Stonington — being seventh in descent from
William Chesebrough, the first settler of the town, through
his son Elisha, who married a granddaughter of George Deni-
son and Anne Borodel.
Her grandfather's mother, Esther (daughter of James Noyes
and his wife, Margaret [Woodbum] Noyes), was a lineal de-
scendant of Rev. James Noyes, the first settled minister of the
town of Stonington.
Her claims to Palmer descent come through her grandmother,
Fanny (Chesebrough ) States, whose mother was Phebe Palmer,
a daughter of Capt. Andrew Palmer, by his first marriage.
Capt. Palmer owned the " Mill House," as it was called — a
large, low house adjoining the mill at the head of Wequete-
quock Cove.
He married for his second wife a sister of Lemuel Palmer,
Esq., of Stonington.
Capt. Palmer was lost at sea.
188 PALMER RECORD
MARIA PALMER WOOD.
(Brief Ancestry and Biography.)
John Palmer and Martha Brown, the oldest ancestors that
we can refer to, lived at New City, Rockland Co., N. V.. as early
as 1750, and tradition says that he came from Minefords (City
Island) or vicinity, and was of English ancestry. John Palmer,
Jr., born near New City, married Sarah Hubbard, born at Hakiat,
dates unknown. John Palmer 3d, born Sept. 13. 1769, married
Hannah Onderdonk, and moved to Warwick, Orange Co., N. Y.,
in 1807. Their children were David, Uriel, Anna, Sarah Maria,
Rebecca, Hannah and Elizabeth. Maria Palmer was born Aug.
8th, 1809, and was married to James B. Wood on Dec. 18th, 1836,
He continues to live near Warwick, and was seventy-two years
old August 8th, 1 88 1 ; has three sons living — Andrew, farmer,
living at home ; Enos S., Principal of Valatia Graded School, Col-
umbia Co., N. Y. ; and Charles, a farmer, residing near the vil-
lage of Warwick, County of Orange, N. V.
JAMES B. WOOD, JR.
(Brief Ancestry and Biography.)
The Wood family are of English origin. Israel Wood, only-
son of the Earl of Warwick, came to America in company with
the Duke of York, in 1664, and settled in town of Brookhaven.
L. I. Married, and had three sons. Israel, the eldest, married
a lady by the name of Oldfield, in Kings County, and settled
in Flatbush ; built the first house on Brooklyn Heights, and
mill at Red Hook. Had four sons and one daughter. Moved
to W'arwick, Orange Co. ; purchased several large tracts of land —
drowned lands, Wickham's pond, and a large one near Warwick;
Settled upon this, and gave the part he occupied to his son Dan-
iel, who married a Miss Schofield ; had eight sons and one daugh-
ter. His third son, John Wood, married Mary Benedict ; lived
near Warwick ; had two sons. The eldest, James B. Wood, Jr.,
born Feb. 6th, 1810; farmer by occupation. Married Maria
Palmer, December iSth, 1836; has three sons — Andrew, Enos S.
(teacher), and Charles. Lives near Warwick ; has held public
stations, and is nearly ~2 years old.
OF THE RE-UNION.
89
LOIS NOYES APPELMAN.
(Brief Biography.)
Mrs. Appelman is a native of Stonington, Ct. When very
young she married Capt. Wm. H. Appelman. of Mystic, going
with him to California, via Cape Horn, in a clipper ship, com-
manded by Capt. Gardner, of Middle Haddam, Ct. The
young wife made her first home in a zinc house, in Sacramento.
In that city her eldest son was born, and the family passed
through strange experiences of flood and fire.
Eventually they removed to Mendocino, in the northern part
of the State, and some years later returned to Mystic, where she
has ever since resided.
Her two younger children were born in Connecticut. Some
time in the year 1878, her husband sailed in the vessel Charles
Shearer, bound for the South Shetland Islands, in pursuit of seal.
Capt. Appelman was accompanied by his eldest son, William.
and his nephew, Frederick Appelman. The son himself had
commanded a vessel for some years previous to this voyage with
his. father. Capt. Appelman stopped at some island where they
expected to secure seal, and leaving a portion of his crew with
supplies for a certain time, went on, intending to stop on his way
back for the men and the fruit of their toil. That was the last
that was ever known of the vessel Charles Shearer and its last
accompanying crew. The sailors who were left behind managed
to subsist until the opportunity occurred for their return in an-
other vessel.
The owners appealed to the Government, praying that a ves-
sel might be sent to search for the missing vessel, as it was be-
lieved that there was a possibility of her being detained by the
ice, near the dangerous ground so often sought by adventurous
sealers.
The answer was, in substance, that the United States had at
that time no vessel which was properly equipped to make the
effort with any hope of success. Four years have passed aw ax-
since the Charles Shearer sailed, and no whisper of her fate-
has reached the waiting wives and mothers at home.
Mrs. Appelman derives her Palmer descent from her grand-
I9O PALMER RECORD
mother, Eunice (Palmer) Stanton, a daughter of James and
Hannah Palmer, of Stonington.
She has been prominent in the temperance movement, and
was one of the delegates at the late convention in Washington,
D. C. Her father, the late Andrew Palmer Stanton, of Ston-
ington, was a lineal descendant of the famous Interpreter Gen-
eral of colonial times, Thomas Stanton.
AUTOGRAPHS.
Among the mementoes of the Re-Union, are the signatures
written upon cards and given to the writer as the Palmers
passed in at the gate. The crowds that flocked through the
entrance to the grounds became so numerous that this auto-
graph feature was abandoned, and the list is of but a small pro-
portion of the many that passed in. It is somewhat interest-
ing, as showing various family representatives at the gathering.
In addition to this autograph list the writer has over eighteen
hundred other signatures, received during a period of twenty-
years' correspondence with members of the family, in "Palmer
Autograph Album."
A
Allen Palmer, Castleton, Vt. Miss Alida E. Palmer, Canter-
Alex. Palmer, Stonington, Ct. bury, Ct.
Alfred Palmer, Genesee, Ct. Mrs. Geo. A. Avery, N. Ston-
A. G. Palmer, Rev. LL. D., ington, Ct.
Stonington, Ct. Addie Palmer, Potter Hill. R. I.
Abel F. Palmer, Westerly, R.I. Mrs. E. B. Abbe, Westfield,
Fred. J. Allen, Auburn. N. Y. Mass.
Amos N. Palmer, Norwich, Ct. Mr. and Mrs. Geo. A. Adee,
A. B. Palmer, Maiden, Ct. New York City, N. Y.
Mrs. Geo. P. Ash, Stonington, A. S. Palmer, Danielsoriville,
Ct. Ct.
Arabella Palmer, Salina. Ct. Mrs. Ella M. Palmer, Daniel-
Arthur W. Palmer, New York sonville, Ct.
City, N. Y. A. E. Palmer, Flatbush, L. I.
Mr. and Mrs. Amos S. Palmer, N. Y.
Hopkinton, R. I. Sarah H. Alexander, Norwich.
Alanson Palmer, Astoria, N. Y. Ct.
Thos. \V. Avery, N. Stoning- Anna Palmer Ludington, Fair
ton, Ct. Haven, Ct.
OF THE RE-UNION.
I9I
Avery, Providence,
Anderson,- Stoning-
A. P.
R. I.
Katie E.
ton, Ct.
Benj. F. Ash, Stonington, Ct.
Alice L. Palmer, Canterburv,
Ct.
A. H. Palmer, Dr., Brooklyn,
Pa.
A. S. Palmer, Iroquois, 111.
Miscellaneous A (no address). — Mrs. Alden Palmer,
Adaline and Geo. \V. Smith. Alonzo A. Smith, A. D. Palmer,
Louis N. Appelman, Abel Palmer. Allen S. Palmer, Arthur W.
Palmer, Miss Katie Ash, Jonathan Allen, Miss Helen M. Awe,
Nellie Adell, Elizabeth Avery, E. D. Avery, Mr. afid Mrs. S.
W. Ashley, Geo. W. Ashley, A. Palmer, Mrs. A. H. Palmer.
B
Byron R. Palmer, Favetteville,
N. Y.
William Palmer, Norwich, Ct.
Jas. B. Bales, Preston, Ct.
Lena Brown, Noank, Ct.
J. F. Billings, Morgantown,
Kan.
Geo. Biglow, New Haven, Ct.
Margaret Brown, N. Stoning-
ton, Ct.
Nellie Brown, Noank, Ct.
J. S. Bull, New York City,
N. Y.
Herman Brown, N. Stoning-
ton, Ct.
Gilbert Billings, N. Stoning-
ton, Ct.
Betsev A. Palmer, Westerly,
R. I.
Ellen Brown, N. Stonington,
Ct.
Mrs. David Brown, Noank, Ct.
Miss H. P. Babcock, Westerly, Sidney Bradford, London,
R.I. Eng.
Edith Y. Babcock, Westerly, Atwood R. Brayton, Stoning-
R. I.
Adelaide H. Brayton, Stoning-
ton, Ct.
Frances A. Brayton, Stoning-
ton, Ct.
Mrs. C. O. Bent, S. Gardiner,
Mass.
V. R. Ball, Noank, Ct.
Dr. Chas. E. Brayton, Ston-
ington, Ct.
Mr. and Mrs. John Burdick,
Franklyn, Ct.
Mrs. Cornelia Palmer Bissell,
N. Manchester, Ct.
Mrs. G. Brown, Noank, Ct.
Mr. and Mrs. B. H. Palmer,
Greenville, Ct.
ton, Ct.
A. G. Billings, Griswold, Ct.
Lottie P. Babcock, Westerly,
R.I.
Geo. E. Brayton, Stonington,
Ct.
Chas. S. Brown, N. Stoning-
ton, Ct.
H. Eugene Bolles, Boston,
Mass.
Amanda Ball, Noank, Ct.
Maria S. Bromley, Rockland,
Ct.
Lydia W. Brown, Mystic
Bridge, Ct.
John D. Brown and family,
Stonington, Ct.
192
PALMER RECORD
Nelson A. Brown and family,
N. Stonington, Ct.
J. E. Bush, New London, Ct.
Nellie Burdick, Potter Hill,
* R. I.
Calipha Brown, N. Stonington,
Ct.
Mary L. Barber, Exeter, R. I.
W. O. Berjamin, New Lon-
don, Ct.
Sarah P. Burdick, Ashaway,
R. I.
H. E. Burdick, Ashaway, R. I.
Cornelia Brown, Jewett Citv,
Ct.
Arthur Boardman, Lancaster,
Pa.
Walter Boardman, Lancaster,
Pa.
Win. Brown. Noank, Ct.
Fred. Brown, Providence, R.I.
Wm. W. Butler, Savbrook,
Ct.
Sarah T. Bell, Norwich, Ct.
Edwin J. Bates, Norwich, Ct.
Robert P. Bissell. N. Manches-
ter, Ct.
Warden H. Benjamin, Wester-
ly, R. I.
M. L. Browning, Uncasville,
Ct.
Mrs. Abbie L. Bates, N. Ston-
ington, Ct.
Mrs. and Mr. Geo. Burdick,
Morgan, Ct
Mary E. Benjamin, New Lon-
don, Ct.
Imogene Bales, Noank, Ct.
Miscellaneous B (xo address). — F. P. Babcock, Lizzie
A. Babcock, N. P. Brown, Edith V. Babcock, B. Palmer and
wife, Chas. Benjamin. Ollie Babcock, Harry H. Babcock, Mary
Benjamin, Sarah A. Brayton, Mrs. William Bolles, Mr. and Mrs.
C. W. Burdick. Mrs. E. E. Babcock, Georgia Birthiar, E. Benja-
min, A S. Burdick, Michael Burke, Cynthia B. Benjamin. Wm.
C. Benjamin, Burrows S. Palmer, C. A. Babcock, Nellie G. Bel-
liard, F. Belliard and wife, Mrs. S. M. Brayton, Carrie E. Both-
une, Ammie L. Babcock. Ed. J. Brown, F. R. Brown, Smith
Burrows, Mrs. M. D. Brown, Mrs. C. H. Babcock. Mrs. H. H.
Brown, Lillie Brayton, B. G. Palmer, R. S. Bromley, Barkley
Palmer, Jedediah Brown, Mrs. Smith Browning.
Charlotte M. Palmer, New
York City, N. Y.
D. P. Chesebrough, Stoning-
ton, Ct.
R. Emma Chesebrough, Phil-
adelphia, Pa.
Mrs. E. A. P. Carpenter, Flor-
ida, N. Y.
Sarah B. Cook, Preston City, Ct.
Charles Palmer, Gloversville,
N. Y,
John F. Chesebrough, Stoning-
ton, Ct.
Elias J. Palmer, S. Norwalk,
Ct.
C. S. Palmer, Winstead, Ct.
Fannie D. Cranston, Norwich.
Ct.
Chas. E. Cauikins, Preston, Ct.
Chas. Palmer, Newark, N. J.
L. Chesebrough and wife, Wil-
Jimantic, Ct,
OK THE RE-UNION.
*93
Mrs. Dyer L. Chesebrough,
Norwich, Ct.
C. H. Palmer, Norwich, Ct.
Chas. L Palmer, \V e b s t e r,
Mass.
Chas. E. Chase, Mystic Bridge,
Ct.
C. R. Palmer, Brooklyn, Pa.
Dr. Corydon, Palmer, Warren,
Ohio.
C. A. Palmer, Rockville, R.I.
Dr. C. Palmer, Providence,
R.I.
Mrs. Walter Chesebro', Noank,
Ct.
Fanny Cheseboro, Stonington,
Ct.
C. B. A. Palmer, Vernon, Vt.
Nellie F. Cornell, Rochester,
N. Y.
Clara H. Chase, Stonington,
Ct.
E. B. Cox. Troy, N.Y.
C. S. Palmer, Norwich, Ct.
Adrin Cook, Norwich, Ct.
E. G. Cook, Norwich, Ct.
Ed. E. Chesebrough, Phila-
delphia, Pa.
Mrs. Clara R. Palmer, Noank,
Ct.
Rev. A. S. Chesebrough, Dur-
ham, Ct.
C. B. Palmer, Sing Sing, N. Y.
C. J. Cook, Preston City, Ct.
Rebecca Comstock, Newport,
R. I.
Clark C. Palmer, Jewett City, Calvin B. Palmer, Voluntown,
Ct.
J. N. Crandall, St. Louis, Mo.
F. Chesebrough, Philadelphia,
Pa.
Chas. L. Palmer, Albany, N.Y.
Chas. P. Palmer, Niantic R. I.
Chauncey W. Palmer, Green-
ville, Ohio.
Caleb W. Palmer, Troy, N.Y.
Mrs. Engene Chesebrough,
Philadelphia, Pa.
Chas. W. Palmer, Norwich, Ct.
Ct.
Jane E. Crandall, Stonington,
Ct.
Arthur H. Chapan, Pendleton
Hill, Ct.
Chas. W. Palmer, New Haven,
- Ct.
C. H. Palmer, Tarrytown, N.Y.
B. F. Chapman, Oneida, N. Y.
Chas. H. Palmer, Westerly,
R. I.
C. R. Palmer, Brooklyn, Pa.
Miscellaneous C (no address). — Mrs. J. P. Collins, Mrs.
Geo. A. Chase, Lorenzo Crouch, Joseph G. Chesebro', Jessie
Palmer Clayton, Edwin C. Chesebrough, Helena Chase, Gussie
Chase, M. Carrington, Miss S. S. Cluster, Ellie C. Carrington,
Mrs. Alfred Clark, Mrs. Austin, Mrs. Palmer, Joel S. Crouch,
C. D. Palmer, Sarah J. Chaffee, Mrs. A. H. Chapman, Mary
Agnes' Crandall, Thos. Clark and son. Arthur D. Chase, P. H.
L. Chesebrough, Mrs. Wm. F. Clark, Mr. and Mrs. Chas. B.
Palmer and daughter, Lillie W. Carrington, Ada L. Crandall.
T3
Chas. M. Davis, Stonington, Mrs. Chas. Davis, Boston, Mass,
Ct. W. J. Dickinson, Norwich, Ct.
Hattie Davis, Boston, Mass. A. P. Davis, Jewett City, Ct.
194
Mrs. M. L. P. Downin_
idence, R. I.
G. M. Downing, Providence,
R. I.
Chas. Davison, Norwich, Ct.
David P. Palmer, New Haven,
Ct.
Sarah A. Davison, Mystic
Bridge, Ct.
Dwight Palmer, Stonington, 111.
Darrance Palmer, Stonington,
Ct.
PALMER RECORD
", Prov
Dr. Deloss Palmer and wife.
New York City, N. V.
Mrs. J. A. Douglass, Niantic,
R. I.
Rev. F. Denison, Providence,
R. I.
W. C. Dewey, Palmer, Mass.
Mrs. E. A. P. Davis, Jewett
City, Ct.
Ella Douglass, Niantic, R. I.
L. P. DeLand, N. Brookfield,
Mass.
Miscellaneous D (no address).— David Palmer, Walter
H. Davis, Nellie Davis, Thos. Davis, A. B. Davis, Denison Pal-
mer, A. M. Davis, Rev. A. Darrow, Chas. H. J. Douglass
Nathan N. Denison, S. H. Dewey, Dwight A. Palmer, Fred
A Davis, Y. M. Dickson.
E
Ellen J. Palmer, Branford, Ct.
Mrs. Emily J. Palmer, Jewett
City, Ct.
Elmer E. Palmer, Gilbertsville,
N. Y.
Mrs. Elizabeth Easton, Boston,
Mass.
Eugene A. Palmer, Belmont,
N. Y.
Ella E. Palmer, Rockville, R. I.
Emily E. Palmer, Potter Hill,
R. I.
Dr. E. Palmer, Houston, Tex.
Fidelia Palmer Eaton, Fayette-
ville, N. Y.
Mary E. Easton, Boston, Mass.
Edwin E. Palmer, Mystic, Ct.
Rev. Elliott Palmer, Portland,
Ct.
Edwin Palmer, Norwich, Ct.
Mrs. E. H. Palmer, Montville,
Ct.
E. A. Palmer, Montville, Ct.
E. P. Palmer Turner. Norwich,
Ct.
S. L. Edwards, Westerly, R. I.
Rev. E. B. Palmer and wife.
Boston, Mass.
S. J. Edwards, Westerly, R. I.
Hattie Palmer Edward's, Wes-
terly, R. I.
Emma H. Palmer, Richmond,
Va.
Rev. E. B. Palmer, Bridgeton,
N.J.
Emma E. Palmer, Winsted.
Ct.
Emma C. Palmer, New Lon-
don, Ct.
Prof. Daniel C. Eaton, New
Haven, Ct.
Eugene J. Palmer, Rockville,
R. I.
Etta Palmer, Potter Hill, Ct.
Miscellaneous E (no address).— Emma Palmer, Robert
Eldred, Eunice Palmer, Eugene Palmer, E. Palmer, E. L. Pal-
mer, Mrs. Eunice Ward Palmer.
OE THE RE-UNION.
195
Miss Frank E. Palmer, Canter-
bur)'. Ct.
Fletcher Rateneur, Thetford,
Vt.
Flora Palmer, Niantic, R. I.
Frank A. Palmer, Westerly,
R. I.
Frank H. Palmer, Brooklyn,
N. Y.
Maria L. Faxon, Stonington,
Ct.
James D. Fish, New York City,
N. Y.
Samuel Fletcher, Thetford, Vt.
Miss Fannie Palmer, Bran ford,
Ct.
Miss Fannie Palmer, New York
City, N. Y-.
James B. Fowler, New York
City, N. Y.
Frank A. Palmer,Newark, N. J.
Mr. and Mrs. Thos. C. For-
sythe, Mystic, Ct.
Friend Palmer, Detroit, Mich.
Miscellaneous F (no address). — Frances M. Palmer, L.
D. Fairbrother, Mrs. F. C. Palmer, Frank L. Palmer, Frank Pal-
mer, Juliet S. Fenney, F. N. Palmer.
H
Henry S. Palmer, Rockville,
Ct.
Ray G. Haling, Fitchburgh,
Me.
R. R. Hoes, New Rochelle,
N. Y.
Bessie Hancox, Stonington,
Ct.
Geo. L. Hunt, Hoboken, N. J.
John Hood, Stonington, Ct.
Edward Havens, Providence,
R. I.
Mrs. L. T. Hakes, Norwich, Ct.
Mrs. E. S. Henry, Rockville,
Ct.
John Hutchins, Fayetteville
N. Y.
Geo. E. Hanron, New London,
Ct.
P. Hopkins, Noose Neck Hill,
R. I.
Mrs. C. F. Hull, Providence,
R.I.
N. W. Howell, Jr., Brooklyn,
N.Y.
W. H. Hobart, Stonington, Ct.
Mrs. Bertrand Healy, N. Hart-
ford, Ct.
Man- E. Hill, Norwich, Ct.
Lewis E. Hill, Norwich. Ct.
Fred. L. Hill, Norwich, Ct.
C. E. Hammond, Stonington,
Ct.
John Hammond, Stonington,
Ct.
Fred. F. Huntley, Lynn, Ct.
Martha E. Huntley, Lynn,Ct.
Mary T. Howard, Norwich, Ct.
C. F. Howard, Norwich, Ct.
Mrs. Thos. H. Hinckley, Ston-
ington, Ct.
Miss H. Hinckley, Stonington,
Ct.
C. H. Hinckes, Stonington, Ct.
C. \V. Hinckes, Stonington, Ct.
Annie E. Hoey, Brooklyn,
N. Y.
Jas. B. Hoey, Brooklyn, N. Y.
L. \V. Hayes, Stonington, Ct.
C. A. Hewett, Stonington, Ct.
Chas. E. Hewett, N. "Stoning-
ton, Ct.
ig6
PALMER RECORD
Mrs. Denison Hewett, N. Ston-
ington, Ct.
Annie M. Hewett, Norwich,
Ct.
Mrs. and Mr. E. A. Hewett,
Norwich, Ct.
Kate A. N. Hewett, Stoning-
ton, Ct,
Fannie D. Hewett, Stoning-
ton, Ct.
Geo. Hewett, Unionville, Ct.
Maggie H. Hewett, N. Ston-
ington, Ct.
Dudley R. Hewett, Stonington,
Ct.
Jennie M. Hewett, N. Ston-
ington, Ct.
Amos G. Hewett, N. Stoning-
ton, Ct.
Denison Hewett, N. Stoning-
ton, Ct.
Hattie R. Palmer, Westerly,
R. I.
Horace Palmer, Westerly, R. I.
Henry Clay Palmer, Green-
ville, Ct.
Hannah Palmer, Plainfield, Ct.
H. J. Palmer, Norwich, Ct.
H. G. Palmer, Stonington,
Ct.
H. Clay Palmer, Stonington,
Ct.
Harriet E. Palmer, Westerly,
R. I.
Mr. and Mrs. Henry Palmer,
Greenville, Ct.
H. F. Palmer, Norwich, Ct.
H. W. Palmer, New York City,
N. Y.
H. H. Palmer, Rockford, 111.
Henrv L. Palmer, Brooklyn,
N. Y.
Henrv R. Palmer, Stonington.
Ct.'
H. W. Palmer, N. Danville, Yt.
Henrietta Palmer, Potter Hill,
R.I.
Helen Palmer, Amherst, Mass.
Henry C. Palmer, Potter Hill,
R. I.
Henry C. H. Palmer, Sing Sing,
N. Y.
Mr. and Mrs. Henry C. Palmer,
Fair Haven, Ct.
H. C. Palmer, Mystic, Ct.
Mrs. H.J. Palmer, Nowich. Ct.
Hannah Palmer, Mystic, Ct.
Miss Hannah Palmer, Mystic,
Ct.
Howard S. Palmer, Mystic, Ct.
Miscellaneous H (no address).— John P. Hoxie, Mrs. J.
H. Hunter, Miss Maria Hautor, A. C. Hand, Frank Hawkins,
Miss Fanny Haley, Chas. E. Holmes, Mrs. J. Holmes, Mrs. John
Hill, CO. P. Plammond, Louisa A. Hewett, Alden Hewett, Rich-
ard B. Hewitt, Mary E. Hewitt, Mrs. Lucy A. Hewitt, Mr. and
Mrs. G. L. Hewitt, E. Hewitt and family, Mrs. H. M. Palmer, H.
T. Palmer, Henry Palmer.
Ida Palmer, Norwich, Ct.
Miscellaneous I (no ADDRESS). — Isabella Palmer, Mrs. Ira
Palmer, Ida II. Palmer, Irving H. Palmer.
OF THE RE-UNION.
197
J. B. Palmer, N. Stonington,
Ct.
John S. Palmer, Stonington,
Ct.
John M. Palmer, Rockville,
R. I.
James B. Palmer, Canterbury',
Ct.
James M. Palmer, Cambridge,
Mass.
J. Cathburt Palmer, Brooklyn,
E. D., N. Y.
John H. Palmer, Brooklyn, E.
D., N. Y.
Julia \Y. Palmer, Pendleton
Hill, Ct.
J. L. Palmer, Little Rock, Ark.
John Palmer, Norwich, Ct.
Joseph Palmer, Potter Hill,
R. I.
Josiah Palmer, Rockville, R. I.
Airs. Josiah Palmer, Rockville,
R.I.
Mrs. J. J. Palmer, Norwich. Ct.
Jay Palmer, East New York,
N. Y.
Josiah Palmer, Brooklyn. N. Y.
J. D. Palmer, Jersey City, N. J.
Mrs. John B. Palmer, Prov-
idence, R. I.
Mrs. James Palmer, Jewett
City, Ct.
Mrs. John M. Palmer, Rock-
ville, N. J.
Joseph R. Palmer, New Jersev,
N.J.
J. Albert Palmer, N. Cranford,
Ct.
Justus Palmer, Brooklyn, N. Y.
J. S. Palmer, Providence, R. I.
J. J. Palmer, Norwich, Ct.
J. P. Palmer, Boston, Mass.
Julius Palmer, Providence,
R. I.
Mrs. J. M. Langsworth, Mystic,
Ct.
Miscellaneous J (no address). — Mrs. J^ C. Palmer, Jennie
ilmer, Col. Jeremiah P
Palmer, John J. Palmer.
Lucy G. Palmer, Plainfield, Ct.
Libbie Palmer, Niantic, R. I.
Lucian W. Palmer, Providence,
R. I.
L. M. Palmer, Spencerport,
N. Y.
Louis N. B. Palmer, Norwich,
Ct.
Dr. L. A. Palmer, Westerly,
R. I.
Mrs. Dr. L. A. Palmer, Wes-
terly, R. I.
L. H. Palmer, Gloversville,
N. Y.
L. N. Palmer, Brooklyn, N. Y.
Lewis A. Palmer, Boston,
Mass.
Lizzie Palmer, Hopkinton,
R.I.
Lizzie Palmer, Potter Hill, R. I.
Lucy W. Palmer, Stonington,
Ct.
Louisa S. Palmer, Norwich, Ct.
Lavinia S. Palmer, New Lon-
don, Ct.
L. A. Palmer, New York, N. Y.
Mrs. Wm. A. Lewis, New
York, N. Y.
Mrs. Wm. H. Larkham, Can-
terbury, Ct.
I98 PALMER RECORD
Mrs. Carrie E. Larkham, Can- Rev. R. M. Luther, Philadel-
terbury, Ct. phia, Pa.
\V. H. Larkham, Canterbury, Lucy C. Palmer, Amherst,
Ct. Mass.
Mrs. B. F. Latham, Noank, Ct. Mr. and Mrs. E. A. Lyons,
B. F. Latham, Noank, Ct. Jewett City, Ct.
Russell Lewis, Norwich, Ct. Lorin Palmer, Brooklyn,
A. N. Lewis, Westerly, R. I. N. Y.
Miscellaneous L (no address). — Lizzie M. Palmer, F. B.
Loomis, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Lewis, Jas. M. Lee, Mary Palmer
Lee, R. F. Loper, Jr., Dr. B. K. Land, Elizabeth Palmer Loper,
F. Loper, Jr., Alex. Palmer Loper, Cornelia J. Lee. Mrs. Russell
Lewis, Lucy A. Palmer, Mrs. L. W. Palmer, Effie L. Lamb, E.
Lamb, Lizzie Lamb and family, M. P. Lewis, E. A. Landphere,
Lucy A. Landphere, Francis Landphere.
M
Col. J. H. Meredith and wife, Isabella Grant Meredith, New
New York City, N. Y. York City, N. Y.
Rev. H. H. Mead (no address).
N
Noyes Grant Palmer, East Nellie M. Palmer, Mystic, Ct.
New York, N. Y. Nettie H. Palmer, Hopkinton
Dr. N. Palmer, New York City, City, R. I.
N. Y. Chas. S. Noyes, Stonington,
Nehemiah Palmer, Unionville, Ct.
Ct. Mrs. S. Noyes, Stonington, Ct.
Nellie Palmer, Canterbury, Ct. Harriet E. Noyes, Mystic
N. B. Palmer, Woodville, Bridge, Ct.
R. I. • Dr. Jas. F. Noyes, Detroit,
N. G. Palmer, Lebanon, Ct. Mich.
Nelson Palmer, Spencerport, Jas. Newcomb, New London,
N. Y. Ct.
Miscellaneous N (no address). — Mr. and Mrs. Nathan
Palmer, Nellie Palmer, Noyes S. Palmer.
O
O. Palmer, Stamford, Ct. Mrs. Oscar Palmer and son
(no address).
OF THE RE-UNION.
199
Mr. and Mrs. C. D. Prescott, Peter A. Palmer, Lansing-
Rome, N. Y. burgh, N. Y.
J. F. Pomeroy, Newark, N. J. Peter P. Palmer, R. I.
Asa Perkins, Groton, Ct. Miss Phebe Palmer, Pendleton
Dr. Thos. Wells Perrv, Prov- Hill, Ct.
idence, R. I. P. G. Palmer, Niantic. R. I.
Mrs. Phebe Palmer, Pendleton Harry Palmer Powers, Pitts-
Hill, Ct. ford, Vt.
Miscellaneous P (no address). — S. L. Pelletts, Miss A. P.
Pelletts, Mrs. Stephen C. Parker, James Parker, L. H. Potter,
L. S. Prosser, Bessie Perry.
Robert L. Palmer, Bridgeport, L. Reafield, New York City,
Ct. N. Y.
Robert Palmer, Jr., and wife, A. J. Rice, Norwich, Ct.
Noank, Ct. Ella J. Rice, Norwich, Ct.
R. T. Palmer, New London, Mr. and Mrs. D. T. Richards,
Ct. Preston, Ct.
Robbie Palmer, Niantic, R. I. Sabina L. Rockwell, Groton,
T. B. Robinson, Fayetteville, Ct.
N. Y. Robert S. Renz, Bridgeport.Ct.
Sophie P. Robinson, Fayette- Robert J. Palmer, Norwich, Ct.
ville, N. Y. Henry S. Richmond, Brooklyn,
Mr. and Mrs. Ray, Scotland, Ct.
Ct. E. P. Randall, Bridgeport, Ct.
Miscellaneous R (no address).— C. D. Rice, R. Heber
Palmer, Dr. Jas. M. Rose, B. A. Palmer Rose, Robert Palmer,
R. B. Palmer, R. P. Palmer, David F. Roach, Mary Palmer
Rogers, Lizzie C. Rice, Winset Rogers, Mrs. D. T. Richards,
Mrs. O. P. Ricker.
S. L. Palmer, Levena, 111. Samuel F. Palmer, Plainfield,
Stephen Palmer, Pleasantville, Ct.
N. Y. Simeon Palmer, Stonington,
Simeon Palmer, Boston, Mass. Ct.
Stephen Palmer, Manchester, Sarah A. Palmer, Stonington,
N. Y. Ct.
S. E. Palmer, Potter Hill, R. I. Susan Palmer, Hopkinston
SabraDeBell Palmer, Amherst, . City, R. I.
Mass. S. Palmer, Rockford, 111.
200
PALMER RECORD
Sarah H. Palmer, Jewett City,
Samuel K. Stedman, Westerly,
R.I.
Hattie M. Stedman, Westerly,
R. I.
Cornelia E. Sesson, Binghamp-
ton, N. Y.
Lucy Swinburne, Newport, R.I.
Alice H. Spicer, Noank, Ct.
Mrs. S. A. Saunders, Green-
ville, Ct.
Gracie Spencer, Mystic Bridge,
Ct.
Mrs. H. P. Spencer, Mystic
Bridge, Ct.
Miss Lena W. Stetson, Green-
wich, Ct.
Dr. Geo. D. Stanton, Stoning-
ton, Ct.
Mrs. A. P. Stanton, Stonin"ton,
Ct.
Wm. C. Stanton, Westerly,
R. I.
Edna G. Stetson, Greenville,
Ct.
Mrs. H. W. Stetson, Greenville,
Ct.
Mrs. Hannah Smith, Stoning-
ton, Ct.
Joseph E. Smith, Stonington,
Ct.
B. A. Smith, Jewett City,
Ct.
Mary Smith, Stonington. Ct.
Charlotte A. Smith, Stoning-
ton, Ct.
Mrs. D. H. Smith, Stonington,
Ct.
Mrs. Geo. Sherman, Norwich-
town, Ct.
Peleg A. Sherman, Providence.
R. I.
Mary Dana Shindler, Texas.
Miscellaneous S (xo address).— Miss Mary Stanton, Mis,
Jennie Slack, Mrs. F. Stanton, Mrs. Chas. T. Stanton, Grace
Stanton, Henry L. Stanton, T. J. Sawyer, Louisa C. Sawyer, Mrs.
T. J. Sawyer, Anna Sawyer, Henlen F. Sawyer, Mrs. Statts, D.
W. Stevens, Mrs. Levi Spicer, Silas Spicer,' Miss Spicer, A. L.
Story, Mrs. A. L. Story, James Palmer Story, Welcome A. Smith.
Mary A. Smith, Joseph Smith, James Smith, Sarah Palmer,
Sarah E. Palmer, Mrs. Samuel Palmer, Susie A. Palmer.
Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Turner
Brooklyn, N. Y.
Lida Palmer Turner, Norwich
Ct.
M. C. Palmer, Norwich, Ct.
William Turner, New York
City, N. Y.
Mrs. John Turner, Norwich, Ct.
Mrs. H. Tuttle, E. Marion,
L.I.
Lila Thompson, N. Stoning-
ton, Ct.
Samuel Thompson, N. Ston-
ington, Ct.
Nellie Thompson, N. Stonine-
ton, Ct.
Fannie Thompson, N. Ston-
ington, Ct.
Theodore Palmer, Falls Vil-
lage, Ct.
Mrs. Geo. E. Tripp, E. Mystic
Bridge, Ct.
Geo. Tuttle, E. Marion, L. I.'
J. A. Thurber, Syracuse, N. V.
OF THE RE-UNION.
»OI
Mrs. E. C. Palmer Thurbcr, J. Hammond Trumbull, Hart-
Syracuse, N. Y. ford, Ct.
Theodore J. Palmer, Hacken- M. B.Trumbull, Stonington, Ct.
sack, N. J. Mrs. H. Clay Trumbull, Phil-
H. Clay Trumbull, Philadel- adelphia. Pa.
phia, Pa. Isaac Tourtelots, Norwich, Ct.
Miscellaneous T (no address). — Geo. A. Thompson, T. R.
Palmer, J. R. Taylor, John Taylor, Lucy A. Tabor, Mrs. Towne.
Vashti H. Palmer,. Boston, Miss J. A. P. Van Velsor, Green-
Mass, point, N. Y.
Mrs. J. A. P. Van Velsor, Green- E. W. Vars.
point, N. Y.
W
Wm. A. Wadsworth, Union- Walter Palmer, Hoboken, X. f.
ville, Ct.
Wm. D. Palmer, New York
City, N. Y.
Walter Palmer, Philadelphia,
Pa.
Wm. F. Palmer, E. Haddam,
Ct.
Wm. C. Palmer, Stamford, Ct.
Walter L. Palmer, Plainfield,
Ct.
Miss Margaret Walker, New-
York City, N. Y.
Miss Jessie Walker, Rome.
N. Y.
Julia A. Weaver, New London,
Ct.
Frank A. Weaver, New Lon-
don, Ct.
Stephen S. Wrav, New York
City, N. Y.
Wm. H. Palmer, Brooklyn, Mrs. B. F. William, Mystic
N. Y
Bridge, Ct.
Wm. R. Palmer, New York D. P. William, Manchester,
City, N. Y.
Wm. R. Palmer, Boston, Mass.
Mrs. R. Palmer, Boston, Mass.
Mr. and Mrs. Wm. P. Palmer,
Colchester, Ct.
Mrs. Wm. H. Palmer, Stoning-
ton, Ct.
Wm. L. Palmer, New York
City, N. Y.
Wm. Wells, Westerly, R. I.
E. H. Wells. Woodstock, Ct.
Robert T. Walker, Rome, N.Y.
Rev. W. C. Walker, Andover,
Ct.
Ct.
S. M. William, Groton. Ct.
Mrs. Allen M. Wheeler, N.
Stonington, Ct.
Allen U. Palmer, Stonington,
Ct.
Mrs. Ephraim Wheeler, N.
Stonington, Ct.
Mrs. Alice S. Wheeler, Boston.
Mass.
Richard A. Wheeler, Stoning-
ton, Ct.
Mrs. Richard A. Wheeler,
Stonington, Ct.
202 PALMER RECORD
Delia A. Wheeler, Stonington, Mrs. W. Wessells, Litchfield,
Ct. Ct.
Mr. and Mrs. Ezra Wheeler, Jennie A. Wolf, Mystic Bridge,
Stonington. Ct. Ct.
Hattie A. Wheeler, Stoning- Miss M. A. Whiteley, Nor-
ton. Ct. wich, Ct.
Benj. P. Wheeler, Stonington, Wm. H. Palmer, Genesee.
Ct. N. Y.
L. W. Wessells, Litchfield, Rev. Wm. L. Palmer, Man-
Ct. Chester, Mich.
Miscellaneous W (no address). — Mrs. Williams. Willie H.
Williams, Mrs. John A. Williams. Mrs. C. P. Williams, John P.
Williams. Mrs. M. P. Williams, J. H. Wilcox and wife. Lucy
Palmer Wheeler, Emily Wheeler, Robt. Wheeler, W. W. Palmer.
Mrs. C. B. Wilcox. W. A. Wadsworth, Eva Whitler, M. A. Wells
A. J. Wiley, E. A. Palmer Wadsworth, Grace Wheeler, Mrs.
Henry Ward. H. B. Ward, S. L. Ward. Edward D. Ward. W. L.
Palmer, W. E. Palmer, W. H. Palmer and wife, Walter Palmer,
W. M. Palmer, W. W. Palmer, Wm. L. Palmer, Walter Palmer, Jr.
Y and Z
Sallie P. York. Mrs. Lydia Zerk.
Clayton Palmer Zerk. Wm. C. Zerk.
. REGISTER LIST
AT THE PALMER HEADQUARTERS.
Perhaps the most interesting feature, to a disinterested person.
was the collection of Palmers about the register in Brayton Hall
(the use of which apartment was kindly tendered the Re-Union-
ists by Dr. Brayton). Here people from all parts of the Union
gathered in squads in the pursuit of familiar names and in search
of old-time acquaintances. Brayton Hall was the scene of many
a happy meeting on both days.
C. B. Palmer, Sing Sing, N. Y.: W. H. Palmer, Brooklyn,
N. Y.; Robert L. Palmer, Sing Sing, N. Y.; C. H. Palmer, Tarry-
town, N. Y.; Geo. E. Palmer, Tarrytown, X. Y.; Mrs. Mary Dana
Shindler, Nacogdoches, Tex.; Mrs John S. Bull, New York ;
Stephen Wray, New York ; L. H. Palmer, Gloversville, N. Y.:
Charles Palmer, Gloversville, N. Y.; Guy C. Palmer, New Hart-
OF THE RE-UNION. 20.3
ford, N. Y.; Geo. W. Palmer, N. Bridgewater, N. V.; T. B. Pal-
mer, Butternuts. N. V.; Dr. N. Palmer, Butternuts, N. Y.; Orrin
Palmer, Stamford. Ct.: David P. Palmer, New Haven. Ct.; Chas.
J. Palmer. S. Norwalk. Ct.: Halsey S. Palmer, Gilbertsville. Ct.:
Elaner Palmer, Gilbertsville, Ct.; James G. Palmer, New Bruns-
wick, N. J.; Clara M. Palmer, New Brunswick, N. J.; Gen. Geo.W.
Palmer, New York, N. Y.: Mrs. Sarah E. Palmer, New York,
N. Y.; Col. and Mrs. T. J. Meredith, New York, N. Y.; Wm.
Chauncey Palmer, Stamford, Ct.: Joseph Palmer, Potter Hill,
R. I.; Henrietta Palmer, Potter Hill, R. I.: Samuel E. Palmer,
Potter Hill, R. I.; Addie Palmer, Potter Hill. R. I.; Etta Pal-
mer, Potter Hill, R. I.: George C. Palmer, Potter Hill, R. I.;
Henry C. Palmer, Potter Hill, R. I.; Emily E. Palmer, Potter
Hill, R. L; Lizzie A. Palmer, Potter Hill, R. I.: Daniel M.
Palmer, Potter Hill, R. I.: Nellie J. Burdick, Potter Hill. R. I.:
Robert Walker, Rome, N. Y.; Jessie Walker, Fairfield. N.
Y.; Charlotte Walker, New York, N. Y.: Margaret Walker,
New York, N. Y.; Wm. H. Palmer, New Haven, Ct.; George
M. Palmer, Elvria, 0.; Geo. L. Palmer and wife, Potter Hill,
R. I.; Lydia S. Palmer, Potter Hill, R. I.; John Palmer, War-
wick, R. I.; Mrs. C. A. Palmer Bissell. N. Manchester, Ct.; Robt.
Palmer Bissell, N. Manchester, Ct.; Mrs. C. A. Palmer Car-
penter, Florida, N. Y.; Mrs. C. L. Palmer Smith, Potter Hill,
R. I.; Miss Sadie F. Carpenter, Florida, N. Y.; Mrs. J. A. Palmer
Van Valsor, Brooklyn, N. Y.; Miss Van Valsor, Brooklyn, N. Y.;
Arthur W. Palmer, New York, N. Y.; Mrs. J. A. Clayton, Brook-
lyn, N. Y.; Willie F. Cornell, Rochester, N. Y.; Nellie F.
Bullard, North Hamlin, N. Y.; J. S. Palmer, Providence,
R. I.; Julius Palmer, Providence, R. I.; B. R. Palmer, Fav-
etteville, N. Y.: Mrs. Franklin Eaton, Fayetteville, N. Y.;
Mrs. Sophie Robinson, Fayetteville, N. Y.; T. B. Robinson,
Fayetteville, N. Y.; J. N. Hutchins, Fayetteville, N. Y.: Jas. N.
Hutchins, Fayetteville, N. Y.; Lauren Redfield, New York,
N.Y.; Ray Greene Huling, Fitchburg, Mass.; Geo. W. Palmer,
New York, N. Y.; Rev. Dr. N. W. Miner, Trenton, N. J.; Mrs.
Dr. N. W. Miner, Trenton, N. J.; Miss Kate E. Miner, Tren-
ton, N. J.; Dr. L. M. Palmer, R. I. Hospital, Providence. R. I.:
Edward Havens, Providence, R. I.; Caleb W. Palmer, Troy,
N. Y.; Alanson Palmer, Astoria, N. Y.; E. R. Palmer, New
Brunswick, N. J.: Wilbur M. Palmer, Flatbush, L. I.; Dr. J. B.
Noyes, Detroit, Mich.; A. E. Palmer, Tribune, Flatbush, L. 1.;
P. A. Sherman, Providence, R. I.; S. K. Stedman, Westerly,
R. I.; Lorin Palmer, Brooklyn Argus, Brooklyn, N. Y.: Mary
Palmer, Brooklyn, N. Y.; Sophia Palmer, Brooklyn, N. Y.;
Henry Palmer, Brooklyn, N. Y.; Chas. H. Palmer, Westerly,
204 PALMER RFXORt)
R. I.; Justus Palmer, Brooklyn, N. Y.: G. G. Palmer, Richmond.
Va.; Emma H. Palmer, Richmond, Va.: Henry C. H. Palmer,
Sing Sing. X. V.; Stephen Palmer, Pleasantvilfe, N. Y.: Joseph
Cutler and wife, Brooklyn, X. Y.; Eliza T. P. Prescott. Rome,
N. Y.; Fidelia VV. P. Cady, Syracuse, X. Y.: O. D. Prescott,
Rome, X. Y.; A. C. Burdick.'Ashawav. R. I.; J. R. Palmer,
New Brunswick, X. J.; E. B. Palmer, Bridgeton, X. J.; H. H.
Palmer, Rockford, 111.; S. D. Palmer, Rockford, 111.; Louise S.
Prosser, Proyidence, R. I.: Sarah P. Burdick. Ashaway, R. I.;
Dr. A. H. Palmer, Brooklyn. Pa.; Gideon Palmer, New York-
City, X. Y.; Mary L. Barber, Exeter. R. I.: VV. H. Palmer,
Cortland, X. Y.; J. T. Palmer. Rockyille, R. I.: Benj. G. Palmer.
Middletown. X. Y.; Jay Palmer, East Xew York. L. I.; L. R.
Case, wife and child, Xorwich, Ct.; Rev. \Y. C. Walker and
wife, Andover, Ct.: Theodore H. Palmer. Falls Village, Ct.
Calyin I. Cook and wife, Preston, Ct.; Ansel C. Marshall. Am-
herst. Mass.: Lucy C. P. Marshall, Amherst, Mass.; Marvin L.
P. Downing. Proyidence, R. L; Josiah Palmer. Brooklyn, X. Y.:
Noyes G. Palmer, Xew York City, X. Y.; C. A. Grav and
wife, Potter Hill, R. I.: YVm. H. Palmer, Catskill. X. Y.:
Elizabeth Palmer, Catskill, X. Y.: Sabra De B. Palmer. Am-
herst, Mass.; Helen Palmer, Amherst, Mass.: Mrs. E. C.
Abbe, Westfield, Mass.; W. H. Palmer, Le Roy, X. Y.;
Xelson Palmer, Spencerport, X. Y.; L. M. Palmer, Spencerport,
N. Y.; H. L. P. Spencer, Dover, Del.: Henry W. Palmer. X.
Danville, Yt.; E. H. Palmer, Danville, 111.; Rev. Elliott Palmer.
Portland, Ct.; Louisa P. Chapin, Perry, X. Y.; YVm. Ledyard
Palmer, Manchester, Mich.; Mrs. Lucv'L. Ward, Mystic Bridge,
Ct.: L. W. Wessells, Litchfield, Ct.; 'Mary M. Wessells, Litch-
field, Ct.; Pardon Hopkins. Moose Xeck. R. I.; Edwin C. Chese-
bro, Philadelphia, Pa.: Samuel Fletcher, Thetford. Vt.: Kath-
erine Fletcher, Thetford, Yt.: W. D. Palmer, Stonington, Ct.:
C. S. Palmer. Stoneham, Mass.: Robert E. Green, Westmore-
land, X. H.; Walter Palmer. West Winfield, X. Y.; Miss Alice
Palmer, Mitchell, X. Y.; Miss H. Maria Palmer, Woodville.
R. L; Betsey A. Palmer, Woodville, R. I.; Mrs. I. M. Palmer.
Rockville, R. I.; I. M. Palmer, Rockville, R. I.; D. R. Hewitt.
Stonington, Ct.; G. M. Palmer, Portland, Me.; Miss Fannie D.
Hewitt, Stonington, Ct.: X. B. Palmer, Hopkinton, R. I.: Amos
S. Palmer and wife, Hopkinton. R. I.; Ada E. Palmer, Hopkin-
ton, R. I.; Susan E. Palmer. Hopkinton, R. I.; Xettie H. Pal-
mer, Hopkinton. R. I.; Lizzie S. Palmer, Hopkinton, R. I.;
Mary S. Palmer, Hopkinton, R. I.: Alex. S. Palmer, Stonington,
Ct.; Moses H. Main, Hope Valley, R. I.: Mrs. M. H. Main,
Hope Valley, R. I.; Silas E. Main, Hope Valley, R. I.: Chas.
OP THE RE-UNION. 20$
A. Palmer, Rockville, R. L; Joseph Smith, Potter Hill, R. I.;
Sarah B. Cook, Preston City, Ct.: VVm. C. York and wife, X.
Stonington, Ct.; C. P. York, N. Stonington, Ct.: Wm. T. Miner
and wife, Watch Hill, R. I.; C. W. Miner, Watch Hill. R. I.;
Emma C. Miner, Watch Hill, R. I.; Mrs. Arthur Palmer, Brook-
lyn, Pa.; P. G. Palmer, Niantic, R. I.; Libbie Palmer. Xiantic,
R. I.; May E. Palmer, Xiantic, R. I.; Flora Palmer, Xiantic,
R. I.; Robbie Palmer, Xiantic, R. I.; Charlie Palmer, Xiantic,
R. I.; Mrs. John Collins, Stonington, Ct.; Mrs. Asher Chapman,
Pendleton Hill, Ct.; Mrs. E. E. Babcock, Westerly, R. I.; Mrs.
C. W. Burdick, Stonington, Ct.; Mrs. John F. Chesebro, Ston-
ington, Ct.; Mrs. Frank Chesebro, Stonington, Ct.; Hannie Bab-
cock, Westerly, R. I.; Lottie P. Babcock, Westerly, R. I.; Den
ison Palmer, Stonington, Ct.; Hettie I. Palmer, Stonington, Ct.;
Albert M. Palmer, Stonington, Ct.: Lula Palmer, Stonington,
Ct.; Frederic Palmer, Stonington, Ct.; Xannie Palmer. Ston-
ington, Ct.; M. L. Browning, Waterford, Ct.; Simeon Palmer,
Boston, Mass.; Mrs. Geo. Hewitt. Waterford. Ct.: Caroline E.
Palmer, Stonington, Ct.; James McLee, Bay City, Mich.: Mary
L. McLee, Bay City, Mich.; Howie McLee, Bay City, Mich.;
Frank McLee, Bay City, Mich.; Caroline E. Hammond, Ston-
ington, Ct.; Walter W. Hammond, Stonington, Ct.; W. W.
Hammond, Bay City, Mich.; Joseph H. Palmer. Stonington,
Ct.: Frank E. Hammond. Stonington, Ct.; Carrie E. Hammond,
Stonington, Ct.; Charles O. B. Hammond. Stonington, Ct.; Louis
E. Hammond, BavCitv, Mich.: E. M. Palmer, Mystic, Ct.: Fred. E.
Palmer, Mystic, Ct.; H. S. Palmer, Mystic, Ct.: Nellie M. Palmer,
Mystic, Ct': Wm. W. Palmer. Mystic, Ct.; Mary E. Palmer. Mys-
tic, Ct.; Howard Palmer, Mystic, Ct.; Horace Palmer, Mystic,
Ct.; W. L. Palmer, Cromwell, R. I.: Xathan Palmer, wife and
son, Cromwell, R. I.; W. E. Palmer, wife and family, Cromwell,
R. I.; Eli Hewitt and wife. Windham, Ct.: Mary A. Hewitt.
Windham, Ct.; G. D. Hewitt and wife, Xorwich, Ct.: J. H. Wil-
cox and wife, Xew London, Ct.; Miss C. B. Wilcox, New Lon-
don, Ct.: F. Williams and wife, Mystic Bridge, Ct.; Miss H. E.
Noyes, .Mystic Bridge, Ct.: X. S. Xoyes, Mystic Bridge, Ct.;
Walter Boardman, Lancaster, Pa.; Arthur Boardman, Lancas-
ter, Pa.; Arthur Billings, Griswold, Ct.; J. A. Billings, Morgan-
town, Kan.: Mrs. Alice S. Wheeler, Boston, Mass.; Samuel Pal-
mer, Springfield, Mass.; Xettie F. Palmer, Springfield, Mass.;
Stephen Palmer, Manchester, Mass.; E. M. Miner, Groton, Ct.:.
Sabrina L. Rockwell, Groton. Ct.; Mrs. Walter I. Chesebro,
Noank, Ct.; Addie E. Spicer, Xoank. Ct.; Alice H. Spicer,
Noank, Ct.; James M. Palmer, Cambridge, Mass.; Jonathan P.
Palmer, Boston, Mass.; Louis A. Palmer, Boston, Mass.; Ezra
206 PALMER RECORD
Wheeler, N. Stonington, Ct.: Hattie A. Wheeler, N. Stoning-
ton, Ct.; Mary H. Wheeler, N. Stonington. Ct.; Mrs. Elizabeth
Easton, Boston, Mass.; Miss M. Eizzie Easton, Boston, Mass.;
Nannie J. Moredoc, Mystic Bridge, Ct.: Abbie M. Moredoc.
Mystic Bridge, Ct.; Mary Healy. Hartford. Ct.: Mrs. John B.
Palmer, Providence, R. I.; Miss Laila B. Palmer. Providence,
R. I.; Mrs. John B. Palmer, Providence, R. I.: Miss Lucy A.
Palmer, Providence, R. I.; Daniel Cady Eaton. New Haven,
Ct.; Henry L. Douglass, Westerly. R.'l.: C. H. J. Douglass,
Ann Arbor, Mich.; Henry Palmer and wife, Fair Haven, Ct.;
Annie P. Ludington, Fair Haven, Ct.; George Palmer, Bran-
ford, Ct.; Ellen J. Palmer, Branford, Ct.; Fannie Palmer. Bran-
ford, Ct.; Allen P. Palmer, Castleton, Vt.: H. P. Powers, Little-
ford, Vt.; L. W. Palmer, Providence, R. I.; Miss Jennie C. Pal-
mer, Providence, R. I.; Ira A. Thurbur, Syracuse, N. Y.; Mrs.
E. C. Thurbur, Syracuse, N. Y.; C. L. Palmer, Webster, Mass.;
Maria P. Hull, Providence, R. I.: Adelaide H. Lambertscn,
Goshen, Ct.; J. A. Palmer, N. Branford. Ct.; Mrs. H. M. P.
Russell. New Haven, Ct.; Mrs. M. E. Huntley, Old Lyme, Ct.;
Walter Potter Palmer and wife, Plainfield, Ct.; Samuel Palmer
and wife, Plainfield, Ct.: Samuel F. Palmer, Plainfield, Ct.; Susie
A. Palmer, Plainfield, Ct.: George A. Palmer, Plainfield, Ct.:
Walter L. Palmer, Plainfield, Ct.; Ella F. Palmer, Plainfield. Ct.:
Lydia C. Dorrance, Plainfield, Ct.; Henry Dorrance, Plainfield,
Ct.; Col. Edwin Palmer, Norwich, Ct.: Rev. Frank Palmer, Nor-
wich, Ct.; C. L. Brown and wife, N. Stonington, Ct.; Fannie
Chesebro, Stonington, Ct.; J. L. Palmer, Little Rock. Ark.:
Gilbert Billings, N. Stonington, Ct.; Mary A. Billings, N. Ston-
ington, Ct.; Abbie L. Cutts, N. Stonington, Ct.; Miss Denison
Harnott, N. Stonington, Ct.; Sarah M. Main. N. Stonington.
Ct.; Rebecca Comstock, Newport, R. L; Lucy Sanborne, New-
port, R. I.; Mrs. Vashti H. Palmer, Boston, Mass.; Mrs. George
Sherman, Norwichtown, Ct.; Charles Wilberforce Denison. a
grandson of Joseph Palmer, Norwichtown, Ct.; John P. Wil-
liams and wife, N. Stonington, Ct.; Allen Wheeler and wife, N.
Stonington, Ct.: Delia Wheeler. N. Stonington, Ct.; Geo. W.
Palmer, Galesburg, 111.; A. G. Palmer, East Haddam, Ct.; Ma-
tilda S. Palmer, East Haddam, Ct.; Wm. F. Palmer, East Had-
dam, Ct.; Dr. Wm. H. Palmer, wife and children, Providence.
R. I.; Wm. R. Palmer and wife, Gt. Barrington, Mass.; Mrs.
Nancy P. Gray, Potter Hill, R. I.; Mrs. S. P. Sisson, Potter
Hill, R. I.; Mrs. A. P. Mowry, Providence, R. I.: Phebe Palmer,
Pendleton Hill, Ct.; Julia W. Palmer, Pendleton Hill, Ct.; J.
P. Potter, Westerly, R. I.; Amelia Potter, Westerly, R. I.: Sarah
P. York, Wellesville, N. Y.; J. C. Palmer, Brooklyn, N. Y.;
OF THE RE-UNION. 20/
Gertrude E. Palmer, Brooklyn, N. Y.: S. L. Palmer. Seneca, 111.:
K. E. Palmer, Wataga, 111.: Denison Hewitt, N. Stoning-
ton, Ct.; Mrs. J. A. Williams, New Britain, Ct.: Fremont D.
Palmer, Norwich, Ct.; Mrs. Cynthice Benjamin. Mystic River,
Ct.; Wm. C. Benjamin and wife. Mystic River, Ct.: Geo. D.
Palmer, Griswold. Ct.; Mrs. Clark YV. Reynolds, Jewett City,
Ct.; Edwin Benjamin. Preston, Ct.: Mary E. Benjamin. Pres-
ton, Ct.; C. YV. Palmer, New Haven. Ct.; YV. V. Gould and
wife, Norwich. Ct.; Mrs. YV. F. Clark, Brooklyn, N. Y.; M. I.
Lewis, Norwich. Ct.: C. J. Lewis, Norwich, Ct.; James L. Case,
Norwich, Ct.: Sarah C. Case, Norwich. Ct.; R. P. Palmer and
wife, Pauchnegeruc Hill, Ct.; Sarah Palmer. Pauchnegeruc Hill,
Ct.; Jettie R. Palmer, Pauchnegeruc Hill. Ct.; Silas Spicer, No-
ank, Ct.; F. A. Palmer, Newark. N. J.; E. A. Palmer, Belmont,
N. Y., A. A. Smith, Lebanon, Ct.; Maria S. Bromley, Rockville,
Ct.; Lydia M. Brown. Mystic Bridge. Ct.: Maro V. Palmer,
Windsor Locks, Ct.; Geo. YV. Palmer, Pawtucket, R. I.: Weeden
H. Berry, Westerly, R. I.; Mrs. Delia A. Berry, Westerly. R. I.;
Hattie E. Berry, Westerly, R. I.; Saxton Berry, Westerly, R. I.:
Leman Berry, Westerly, R. I.: Mrs. C. Crandall Walker, Rome,
N. Y.; Mrs. C. M. Robinson. Auburn. N. Y.: W. O. Benjamin,
New London, Ct.: Mary E. Benjamin, New London, Ct.: Dr.
Delos Palmer, New York, N. Y.; Dr. Eugene Palmer, New York,
N. Y.; Corydon Palmer, D. D. S., Warren, O.: Calvin B. Palmer,
Yoluntown, Ct.; A. S. Palmer and wife. Onarga, 111.: C. J. Pal-
mer and wife, Seneca Falls, N. Y.; Herbert I. Palmer and wife,
Norwich, Ct.: Mrs. J. C. Palmer, Norwich. Ct.; C. M. Davis,
Stonington, Ct.; Fred. I. Allen. Auburn, N. Y.; A. B. Palmer
and wife, Maiden, Mass.: Miss G. Nowiin. Brooklyn, N. Y.: Miss
M. Clark, Lyme, Ct.; Mrs. Lizzie Lamb, Noank, Ct.: Mrs. Carrie
Latham, Noank, Ct.; Thomas Clark. North Stonington. Ct.:
YY7ilford A. Clark, North Stonington, Ct.; Amos G. Hewitt,
North Stonington. Ct.; C. E. Hewitt, North Stonington, Ct.;
Grant M. Hewitt, Lowell, Mass.; Mrs. D. O. Allen, Lynn, Mass.;
Fred. Denison, Providence, R. I.; A. R. M. Denison, Providence,
R. I.; Fred. Denison, Providence, R. I.; Emily D. Noyes. Mystic
Bridge, Ct.; Henry B. Noves, Mystic Bridge, Ct.: Ellen M. Noyes,
Mystic Bridge, Ct.; H.B. Noyes, Jr., Mystic Bridge, Ct.: N. P.
Palmer, Thompsonville, Ct.; Lewis A. Palmer, Boston, Mass.;
M. G. Palmer, Portland. Me.; C. H. Babcock, Westerly, R. L;
A. H. ttabcock, Westerlv, R. I.; Annie L. Babcock. Westerly.
R. I.; Edith Y. Babcock, Westerly, R. I.; Henrv H. Babcock,
Westerly, R. I.; Mrs. W. R. Wells. Ashaway, R. I.: Mrs. J. P.
Spicer, Noank, Ct.: Frank A. YVeaver, New London, Ct.; Julia
E. W'eaver, New London, Ct.; Mary Benjamin, New London,
20S PALMER RECORD
Ct.; H. F. Palmer and wife, Norwich, Ct.: George S. Palmer and
wife. Montville, Ct.: F. C. Palmer and wife, Montville, Ct.; E.
L. Palmer and wife, Montville, Ct.: E. A. Palmer and wife,
Montville, Ct.: E. H. Palmer and wife, Montville, Ct.: Mrs. J.
S. Latimer, Montville, Ct.; Mrs. Alice M. Mitchell, Montville,
Ct.; Noyes F. Palmer, Jamaica, L. I.; Ira H. Palmer, Stoning-
ton, Ct.; Rev. Dr. A. G. Palmer, Stonington, Ct.; Judge R. A.
Wheeler, Stonington. Ct.; Rev. Fred. Denison, Providence. R. I.;
B. F. Chaoman, Oneida, N. Y.; Charles R. Palmer, Noank, Ct.:
Wm. H Palmer, Mamaroneck, Ct.: E. A. Stillman, Westerly,
R. I.; Mrs. E. A. Stillman, Westerly, R. I.; Miss Sadie S. Still-
man, Westerly, R. I.: T. J. Palmer. Hackensack, N. J.; Frank
L. Palmer, New London, Ct.; I. E. Palmer. Middletown, Ct.:
W. W. Butler, Boston, Mass.; Lottie E. Palmer, Sing Sing,
N. Y.; Mamie Grant, Sing Sing, N. Y; James Newcombe, New
London, Ct.; Wm. A. Wadsworth, Unionville, Ct.; Mrs. E. A. P.
Wadsworth, Unionville, Ct ; Mrs. J. F. Bushnell,.Savbrook. Ct.:
Mrs. E. H. Palmer, New York, N. Y.; Cornelia P. Bolles, Boston,
Mass.; Emerson P. Turner, Norwich, Ct.; Col. Geo. W. Palmer,
Chicago, 111.; W. C. Dewy, Palmer, Mass.: F. C. Palmer and wife,
Palmer, Mass.; Lida P. Turner, Norwich, Ct.; Vinnie S. Pal-
mer, New London, Ct.; H. Palmer, East Greenwich, R. I.:
Annie J. Palmer, New York City, N. Y.; Tyler R. Palmer,
Worcester, Ct.; John E. Bushnell, Old Saybrook, Ct.; Arabella
P. Latimer, Montville, Ct.; A. L. Spicer, Noank, Ct.; Chas. R.
Palmer, Noank, Ct.; L. N. Palmer, Jr., Brooklyn, Mass.; Wen-
dell E. Turner and wife, Brooklyn, N. Y.; Miss Jeannette P.
Stanton, Monson, Mass.; H.Clay Palmer, Monson, Mass.; Min-
nie Palmer, Stockbridge, Mass.; H. P. Palmer and wife. Cats-
kill, N. Y.; Wm. S. Palmer, Catskill, N. Y.; Priscella Palmer,
Catskill, N. Y.; Susette Palmer, Catskill. N. Y.; Byron Palme-,
Leeds, N. Y.; Simpson Palmer, Leeds, N.Y.; Atwood R. Bray-
ton, Stonington, Ct.: Mrs. A. R. Brayton, Stonington, Ct.; Sarah
A. Brayton, Stonington, Ct.; Frances A. Brayton, Stonington,
Ct.; H. Adelaide Brayton, Stonington, Ct.; Atwood W. Brayton,
Stonington, Ct.; George E. Brayton. Stonington, Ct.; Mrs. E.
Brayton, Stonington, Ct.; Edward B. Cox, Troy, N. Y.; Emily
Dickinson, Troy. N. Y.; Dr. Chas. E. Brayton, Stonington, Ct.;
M. Lilian Brayton, Stonington, Ct.; Simeon Palmer and wife,
Stonington, Ct.; Chas. O. B. Palmer and wife, Stonington, Ct.:
John Hammond and wife, Stonington, Ct.; Joseph Hammond,
Stonington, Ct.; Frank Hammond. Stonington, Ct.; Carrie
Hammond, Stonington, Ct.; Walter Hammond and wife, Ston-
ington, Ct.; A. Allen Palmer, Stonington, Ct.; John Palmer,
Stonington, Ct.; Clarence Palmer, Stonington, Ct.; Capt.
OF THE RE-UNION.
'09
A. S. Palmer, Stonington, Ct.; Alexander Palmer, Jr.,
Stonington, Ct.; Capt. Wm. L. Palmer, Stonington, Ct.; T. D.
Palmer and wife, Stonington, Ct.; R. F. Loper and wife, Ston-
ington, Ct.; Win. Letchford, New Orleans, La.: Nathan Pal-
mer, Stonington, Ct.; Denison Palmer, Stonington, Ct.; Grove
White and wife, Stonington, Ct.; Rev. A. C. Palmer and wife,
Stonington, Ct.; Emma Palmer. Stonington, Ct.; Sarah Pal-
mer, Stonington, Ct.; Dr. G. D. Stanton and wife, Stonington,
Ct.; James E. Palmer, Wequetequock Cove, Ct.; J. W. Brad-
ford, Voluntown, Ct.; Mrs. Margaret Collins, Stonington, Ct.;
Mrs. Emma Chesebro, Stonington, Ct.; Capt. J. E. Smith. Ston-
ington, Ct.; Nathan G. Smith, Stonington, Ct.; Mrs. C. York,
Stonington, Ct.; Mrs. John F. Trumbull, Stonington, Ct.; Mrs.
B. F. Palmer, Stonington. Ct.; Mrs. Maria Faxon, Stonington,
Ct.; Mrs. Lucy Woodbridge, Stonington, Ct.; Mrs. Maria Fax-
on, Stonington, Ct.; Geo. VV. Mathews and wife, Stonington,
Ct.; Miss Caddie Smith, Stonington, Ct.; Miss Minnie Trum-
bull, Stonington, Ct.; Chas. P. Palmer and wife, Stonington,
Ct.; Courtland Palmer, New York City, N. Y.; Ex-Lieut. Gov.
F, B. Loomis, New London. Ct.; Frank H. Palmer, Brooklyn,
N. Y.; Robert Palmer, Bozrah, Ct.
THE PALM-TREE.
BY JOHN G . WHITTIER.
Is it the palm, the cocoa-palm,
On the Indian sea, by the isles of balm,
Or is it a ship in the breezeless calm \
A ship whose keel is of palm beneath,
Whose ribs of palm have a palm-bark sheath,
And a rudder of palm it steereth with.
Branches of palm are its spars and rails,
Fibres of palm are its woven sails,
And the rope is of palm that idly trails !
What does the good ship bear so well ?
The cocoanut with its stony shell,
And the milky sap of its inner cell.
What are its jars, so smooth and fine.
But hollowed nuts, filled with oil and wine,
And the cabbage that ripens under the Line :
2IO PALMER RECORD
Who smokes his nargileh cool and calm ?
The master, whose cunning and skill could charm
Cargo and ship from the bounteous palm.
In the cabin he sits on a palm-mat soft,
From a beaker of palm his drink is quaffed,
And a palm-thatch shields from the sun aloft !
His dress is woven of palmy strands,
And he holds a palm-leaf scroll in his hands,
Traced with the Prophet's wise commands !
The turban folded about his head
Was daintily wrought of the palm-leaf braid,
And the fan that cools him of palm was made.
Of threads of palm was the carpet spun
Whereon he kneels when the day is done,
And the foreheads of Islam are bowed as one.
To him the palm is a gift divine,
Wherein all uses of man combine —
House and raiment, and food and wine !
And, in the hour of his great release.
His need of the palm shall only cease
With the shroud wherein he lieth in peace.
" Allah il Allah !" he sings his psalm.
On the Indian sea, by the isles of balm ;
14 Thanks to Allah who gives the palm !"
CAPT. ALEXANDER S. PALMER,
OE STONINGTON, CT.
Capt. Alexander S. Palmer was born at the site of his present
home (called Pine -Point) at Stonington, January 26th, 1806.
When an infant his parents moved into the borough of Stoning-
ton, and there he remained until June 21st, 1821, when he started
on his first voyage in the brig Alabama Packet, Capt. Wm. A.
Fanning, bound on a sealing voyage to the South Shetlands.
His education was confined to the common schools. After leav-
ing school he was placed in a lawyer's office, but could not stand
the confinement.
OF THE RE-UNTON. 211
After coming home in the Alabama Packet, made two coast-
ing voyages to Philadelphia in the schooner Alonso, Capt. R.
F. Loper; then sailed to the West Indies in the brig Thetis, Capt.
Savage. On return, went to Carthagena in the schooner Cadet,
Capt. N. B. Palmer. July 5th. 1824. From Carthagena sailed to
Chagris, carrying part of General Bolivar's army, who was assist-
ing the Peruvians drive out the Spanish from Chagris; carried
Spanish prisoners to St. Gago. Cuba. On the return voyage to
New York, November. 1824, was wrecked at Long Branch:
schooner a total loss. Then made seven voyages in the brig Tam-
pico, Capt. N. B. Palmer, to the Spanish Main; 1826, he took
command of the brig Tampico, and made two voyages. Then
commanded respectively, the schooner Penguin, Sept. 5th, 1827,
and ship Charles Adams, Sept 1st, 1831, on whaling and sealing
voyages to Cape Horn, South Shetland and Falkland Islands ;
sailed from Stonington. Next commanded ship Louisville
(1834), on voyages to New Orleans and Liverpool; sailed from
New York. Next commanded ship Shakespeare (1838), from
New York to New Orleans; then ship Garrick (1839 anc^ 1840),
from New York to Liverpool ; also ship Southerner {\ 841). Then
commanded ship Hoqua (1845), from New York to China, being
the second ship to enter the port of Shanghai, after this port
was opened to commerce. He brought to this country the first
Shanghai fowl. His last voyage, in 1847, was made to Liverpool
from New York, in ship Southerner. Was married in June, 1837,
to Priscilla Denison Dixon, daughter of the Hon. Nathan F.
Dixon. His first vote was cast for General Jackson, at his first
election. Always has been a democrat in politics ; has represent-
ed the town and district, as representative and senator, five times
— namely: Representative, in years of 1857, 1858 and 1875;
senator, in years of 1876 and 1877.
A PALMER PILOT— "CAPTAIN NAT."
BY REV. F. DENISON.
Of Palmers famous on the sea.
The wide world owns Nathaniel B. —
In story and familiar chat
For euphony styled " Captain Nat." —
2 1 2 PALMER RECORD
Pure-blooded son of Stonington,
In seamanship excelled by none,
Of ardent, broad and sunny soul,
Bold sealman nigh the southern pole ;
Polite, prompt, generous and brave,
The very man to rule the wave.
Far voyaging he struck the strand
Now blazed on charts as Palmer Land-
Vast rocks and bergs — alive with seal,
And swore his crew to ne'er reveal
The wild, storm-lashed Antarctic shore.
That they of furs might gain the more.
He sped his keel, and speedy made
In sealing trips a thriving trade ;
But once while on the island's rim,
He spied on the horizon's brim
A ship-of-war, with pennants free,
On bearing to the coast alee.
Slow beating up by tack and tack,
And feeling out the dangerous track.
From jutting crag high on the strand
He sharp surveyed, with glass in hand.
The laboring ship until he found
That she was on discovery bound,
Intent possessive right to claim
In some far foreign sovereign's name.
He read old Russia's yellow field,
With horseman on its crimson shield.
From main-top waving in the clouds,
And sailors watching from the shrouds,
And knew the Russian officer
With all on board were now astir.
Prepared, with bunting spread to suit,
To fire a national salute,
And take possession of the isle
In ceremonious, royal style,
And win a badge of heraldry
By this their grand discovery.
He slyly then his anchor tripped,
Out from his rocky harbor slipped,
Each man of his brave crew on deck
OF THE RE-UNION. 2lj
Obedient to his word and beck,
And bearing down upon the ship.
With speaking-trumpet at his lip,
Cried, " Ho ! do you a port prefer, *
And wish to have a pilot, sir ?"
How quick that ship was brought in stays,
And faded out the flag displays ;
How sore, chopfallen and chagrined,
As veering off before the wind.
The Russian magnate, while he bowed
To Captain Nat., vehement vowed :
" I'd like to see that earthly bound
That Yankee Palmers never found."
August, 1SS1.
COL. JONATHAN PALMER.
(Brief Biography.)
Col. Jonathan Palmer, deceased, of the third generation, was a
gentleman of considerable distinction: not only as a military man,
in which he was very active, but as a citizen he was very popular,
holding during his lifetime some very important Government
positions. His commission, as Collector of the Port of Ston-
ington, dated at Philadelphia, A. D. 1791, signed by George
Washington, President, and Thomas Jefferson, Secretary of
State ; also his commission as Naval Officer of Stonington,
signed by Mathew Griswold, Governor of the State of Connec-
ticut, and his commission from Timothy Pickering, Postmaster-
General, as Postmaster of Stonington, dated at Philadelphia,
A. D. 1792. He was highly esteemed, not only by his own
citizens but by those who occupied high places in the land.
He died at the age of sixty-four, loved and respected by the
entire community.
CAPT. JONATHAN PALMER.
Jonathan Palmer, son of Col. Jonathan, of the fourth genera-
tion, and the last of the name, was born at Stonington, in 1793.
After obtaining an education, he taught school at Westerly,
R. I., for a short time, after which he established himself in busi-
ness at that place. During this period the attack was made on
214 ■ PALMER RECORD
Stonington by the British fleet, in 1814, in which he took a very
active part in defence of his native town. He was the man
who, when the British shot down the flag, climbed the pole and
nailed it fast in the face of the combined fire of the fleet ; he also
brought a keg of powder that had been hidden in a garden
some distance oft", which was used with good effect in driv-
ing off the fleet. His mother, during this time, was engaged
in making cartridges of her carpets and flannel skirts in the old
mansion at the upper end of the town. You will see from this
that he came from fighting stock, and strongly inherited the
patriotic feeling of his parents. For some years he was en-
gaged in a seafaring life ; at one time he had charge of a fleet
of three vessels on a sealing voyage to the South Seas. After
this he engaged in shipping produce to Philadelphia, and finally
settled there as a merchant, about 1S26. Mr. Palmer's career
as a merchant was a long and successful one. At one time he
was largely engaged in the shipping business between Philadel-
phia and Boston, being the proprietor of a line of barks doing
business between the two cities and other ports of the country.
He remained in business for over half a century, and retired at
a good old age with a name untarnished, and with the good
will and affection of all who knew him.
DR. CHAS. E. BRAYTOX,
OE STONINGTON", CT.
Though not a Palmer by name, yet as a descendant he par-
ticipated in the Re-Union, and was one of those to whom many
thanks are due for his efforts to entertain the " Re-Unionists."
The headquarters were at Brayton Hall, which he freely gave
for the purpose.
Charles E. Brayton was born in Stonington, Ct., February
nth, 185 1 ; son of Atwood R. and Sally M. Davis Brayton,
the tenth child. Was educated at the common and private
schools of the town, and also in Providence ; began the study of
medicine with Dr. Win. Hyde, in (868, at Stonington, and
graduated in March, 1873, at College of Physicians and Sur-
geons, New York City. Began practice with Dr. Hyde in
OF THE RE-UNION. 21 5
April, 1873, and succeeded (ajt his death, September 2;, 1873,)
to his practice, and lias been engaged in a good practice since
that time. In August, 1880, commenced the building, Bray ton
Hall.
LUCIEN W. PALMER,
OF PROVIDENCE, R. I.
Lucien Webster Palmer, Superintendent X. Y. & X. E. R. R.,
was born in Castleton. Vt., Sept. 1st, 1839.
His father, Allan Palmer, was a farmer in good circumstances.
His mother, Ruth Webster, was a sister of the late Horace
Webster, LL.D., President of the New York Free College
for over a quarter of a century. His father and mother were
both well educated, and the parents of six children — three sons
and three daughters.
Two of the sons died at an early age, leaving the subject of
this brief sketch as the only surviving son. His education was
received at Castleton Seminary. Having no taste for the life
of a farmer, he set out in 1861 to make his own way in the
world. Going to Springfield, Mass., he first commenced work in
the United States Armoiy, but disliking the favoritism prac-
ticed by many of the subordinate officers in that institution, he
went to Providence, R. I. Here he worked in the Armory of
the Providence Tool Company for about three years.
preparing himself for a better position by spending his evenings
in study. He went through a commercial college, taking up
various branches that might be of use to him. At the expiration
of this time he accepted a position as book-keeper in a wholesale
house, where he remained one year.
Having made the acquaintance of the manager of the Provi-
dence and Worcester Railroad, he was offered a position as clerk
in his office, which he accepted. In this position he was entrust-
ed with many important duties, which he discharged with such
ability and fidelity that his promotion was rapid. He was soon
appointed freight agent of the road and placed in full charge of
that department. The position was a difficult one. in which
several men had been unsuccessful. This was an opportunity
2l6 PALMER RECORD
to succeed where others had failed, and bringing to the business
all the energy at his command, he soon had the department
thoroughly organized.
The ability and economy with which he managed this business
caused him to receive an offer of the position of Superintendent
of the Passumpsic Railroad, in 1872. Soon after taking this posi-
tion it became apparent that the fractious and erratic disposition
of the president of the road would cause much annoyance, and
after some months spent in ineffectual efforts to ascertain what
general policy the president intended to pursue, he decided to
follow such a course as would be creditable to himself, whether
satisfactory to the president or not. Knowing this would not
harmonize matters, although sustained by the board of directors.
he tendered his resignation, to take effect at the close of the
year.
Immediately on learning this the managers of the Providence.
& Worcester Railroad sent to know if he would return to his
old position as freight agent, at an increase of salary. Accept-
ing this offer he returned to his former position, but in a few
months he was sought out by the late General Burnside as a
fitting man to adjust some serious difficulties upon the Cairo
& Vincennes Raiiroad, of which he was president.
This being a temporary service he obtained leave of absence
for two months, and started upon the difficult mission. The
required service was so well performed that some six weeks
after, when General Burnside reached Cairo, he desired him to
take the office of General Superintendent of the road.
At this time a lawsuit had been commenced, to place the
road in the hands of receivers, and after some hesitation the
offer was accepted upon the representation that there was no
possible chance for the suit to succeed. It did succeed, how-
ever, and at the expiration of about two years he found him-
self out of business. Returning to Providence he was soon
offered and accepted a position in the freight department of
the New York & New England Railroad, as contracting agent,
where he remained until by consolidation the road required other
superintendents, when he was appointed superintendent of the
Providence division, where he still remains.
OF THE RE-UNION. 217
In the year 1S63 he was married to Jennie C. Greene, a direct
descendant from the same family as Gen. Nathaniel Greene,
and has two sons — Harry L., aged sixteen years, and Ernest
W., aged ten years.
JAMES G. PALMER, D. D. S.,
OF NEW BRUNSWICK, N. J.
Dr. James G. Palmer, a very efficient co-worker at the Re-
Union, was born at Mt. Horeb, Somerset Co., N. J., November
15th, 1850. His father, Benjamin D., was a Methodist Episco-
pal minister, and owing to the itinerant system of that Church,
his place of abode was frequently changing. As a consequence,
James attended school in various parts of the State.
When about sixteen years of age, he became imbued with
the desire to become a dentist, and soon entered the office of
Dr. S. R. Osmun, of Hackettstown, N. J. From there he went
to New York City, where he entered the office of Dr. R. M.
Streeter, then of 22 West 35th street, with whom he remained
about four years. During this time he matriculated at the
Medical Department, N. Y. University, but subsequently grad-
uated from the Pennsylvania College of Dental Surgery, in Phil-
adelphia.
In 1876 he located in New Brunswick, N. J., where, as the
junior partner of the firm of Hull & Palmer, he is conducting
successfully a large practice.
WM. PITT PALMER.
^.This worthy son of Berkshire Hills, Mass., was prevented by
sickness from attending the Re-Union, and occupying the
chosen position among the poets on that occasion. It is no
more than proper that some notice be taken of his absence :
for, had he been present, he would have received a large share
of the notice of the pilgrim Palmers at the Re-Union.
Wm. Pitt is a direct descendant from Walter in the paternal
line, as follows : 1st. Walter ; 2d. Nehemiah ; 3d. Justice Daniel :
218 PALMER RECORD
4th. Dr. Nathan; 5th. Andrew; 6th. Roswell Saltonstall; 7th.
Wm. Pitt Palmer.
Wm Pitt Palmer, son of Roswell S. and Desire Palmer, was
born in that part of the Old Stockbridge Mission (called South
Lee in the present century), on Feb. 22, 1805. He was a far-
mer boy until fifteen, when he was sent to the academy of the
Rev. Jared Curtis, and thence to Williams College, where he
graduated, A. B., Sept., 182S. At his father's desire he entered
the law office of Sedgwick & Field, New York, but ultimately
yielded to his own preference of a profession, and became a
pupil of Prof. Joseph M. Smith, M. D., New York. He was
not long after induced to become a professor himself in a fa-
mous high school on the Hudson. After some years he was
prevailed upon to return to the city and join an old and pater-
nal friend in the " ranks of business." For well-nigh a half
century he remained therein, to the satisfaction of all his ju-.t
wishes and expectations, until the infirmities of age at length
dismissed him from the desk to the easy-chair. As was natural,
the change seems to have been as agreeable as it was necessary,
his only regret being that it did not take place earlier than at
three score and fifteen years, so that he might have better and
longer enjoyed the blessings of a happy home. In his retire-
ment he still keeps his pen from resting, and last year published
a volume of poems — " Echoes of Half a Century" — which a
great critic confidently declared " will live." Be that as it may,
some of them have been widely popular — such as " Light," " The
Smack in School," " Dame Salisbury's Pudding," " Loves Sec-
ond Sight," etc. — and seem to possess a promising vitality. We
insert a few poems :
"ARE YOU 'ROUND YET?"
Still, still around, though faint and slow.
With weary feet and shoulders galled
Yet loth to leave my task and go
The long, dark way before I'm called.
Like yEsop's hoary fagot slave,
Who cried for Death to end his pain,
I too, if heard, should humbly crave
His help to lift my pack again.
OF THE RE-UNION.
With sands so few, and cares so prest,
I fain recall what Pascal said :
There will be time enough for rest,
When the green turf is o'er me spread.
Well, yes, my friend. I'm still around,
In spite of fortune's cruel blows :
The weed, you know, oft holds its ground,
In presence even of the rose !
Death seems to spurn or quite forget,
At times, the meanest thing that crawls ;
The while his dart strikes down the pet
Adonis of imperial halls.
Your blurted question doubtless grew
From wonder, bluntly unconcealed,
That earth had not yet snatched from view
This laggard to the Potter's field.
Am / to quarrel with the fate
That spares me, howsoe'er abhorred,
And, with my own hand, antedate
The severing of " the silver cord ?"
I'm always fain my friend to please
In aught that conscience may condone ;
But life is life, and its surcease
The All-disposer leaves to none.
If I had made myself, be sure
Some traits of worth should stand so clear,
That even you might still endure,
Perhaps, my longer presence here :
For you should see me give their due
To friend and foe, whate'er it be ;
And inly feel my debt to you
Was always less than yours to me.
But let that pass — the world is wide,
With room for all and courses meet —
The broad highroad for flaunting pride,
The close, shy path for humble feet :
So we may go our several ways,
Good strangers, near or far apart ;
For though the sky be full of days,
Not one shall brin^ us heart to heart.
219
TALKER RECORD
To you I leave the shining goal
So often won with honor wreckeo
I fail, yet failing, will console
My loss with unlost self-respect.
And so my simple faith shall rest
In this fond hope, as aye before ;
That some, though few, who knew me best.
Will sigh, when I am " 'round no more."
ENVO Y.
Friend ! though to careless, common sight.
A kind word, like the widow's mite,
Seem but a worthless thing ;
In all the social marts of love
Its purchase-power is worlds above
The coffers of a king !
WONDER.
FROM THE GERMAN OF NOVALIS. '
The mead took on a tender green,
Faint bloom about the hedge was seen
And every day new plants appear ;
The air was soft, the sky so clear !
I knew not how my eyes were spelled.
Nor how that was which I beheld.
And aye the grove more shadowy grew,
As birds their vernal homes renew :
Whence stole to me, from all sides round,
Their descant of melodious sound ;
I knew not how my ears were spelled,
Nor how that was which I beheld.
Now gushed and revelled everywhere,
Life, color, music, dulcet air ;
And all in such sweet union met,
That each, the while, seemed lovlier yet •
I knew not how my sense was spelled,
Nor how that was which I beheld.
Then mused I, is 't a soul awakes,
Which all things thus so vital makes ;
And zl'M its presence manifest
In thousand forms by Flora drest?
I knew not how my sense was spelled,
Nor how that was which I beheld.
OF THE RE-UNION. 221
* A new creation it must be !
Loose dust becomes a blade, a tree,
The tree a beast, the beast a man
Complete in action, shape and plan ;
I knew not how my sense was spelled,
Nor how that was which I beheld.
As thus I stood in wildered thought,
With pulsing bosom passion-fraught,
A charming maiden near me stole,
And captive took my sense and soul ;
I knew not how my heart was spelled,
Not how that was which I beheld.
The greenwood veiled us from the day ;
It is the Spring ! Love's own sweet May !
And now I saw, in this new birth.
That men become as gods on earth ;
And well I knew, each doubt dispelled.
How all was so as I beheld !
LOVE'S SECOND-SIGHT.+
Far through the dim, lone vistas of the night,
As eye to eye, thy form and face appear,
Love's inward vision needs no outward light,
No magic glass to bring the absent near.
Seas roll between us. Lo, the palm-tree throws
Its shadow southward from yon moonlit hill ;
And stars that never on my boyhood rose,
Are round me now, and yet I see thee still !
Alone thou sighest on the beaconed steep,
While sports thy sister by the waves alone ;
Why dost thou gaze so fondly o'er the deep ?
Ah, blush not, love, the tender truth to own !
I see thee sink upon thy bended knees,
Yet not as one who bows in mute despair ;
Nor need I listen to the tell-tale breeze,
To learn whose name is oftenest in thy prayer.
Thy cheek is wet — was that a falling gem
1 From the pearled braid that binds thy golden curls?
* Note. — Written before Darwin was born.
f Supposed soliloquy of a young sailor of the North, looking homeward, or rather
Urvevjard. from far Southern seas. — Wm. Pitt Palmer.
222 PALMER RECORD
No, never shone from jewelled diadem
A gem so bright as beauty's liquid pearls.
Thou turn'st away — though fair the moonlit main.
No sail appears, thy yearning heart to thrill ;
One long, last gaze, and on the night again
Thy casement closes, yet I see thee still !
On thy sweet face, as in a magic glass,
I see the shapes that haunt thy slumbering eyes :
What smiles of joy, when Hope's gay visions pass !
AY hat pictured woe, when Fear's dark phantoms rise
Why dost thou wake, while yet the East is dark,
To hold sad commune with the wind and surge ?
T'was but a dream that wrecked thy lover's bark ,
Only a dream that sang his ocean dirge !
Even now that bark, before the homeward gale.
Flies like a bird that seeks her callow nest :
Soon shall thine eyes behold its furling sail.
Soon thy fond bosom to my own be prest !
I could not fail to hold my course aright,
Though every orb were quenched in yon blue sea ;
Love's inward vision needs no outward light,
Star of my soul, no cynosure but thee !
WILBUR MERTON PALMER.
Wilbur Merton Palmer, of the city staff of the New York
Tribune, was born in Winterton, Sullivan Co.,-N. Y., October
6, 1850. He is the second son of Daniel W. Palmer, a farmer.
Upon leaving the public school, he prepared for college at the
Hudson River Institute, Claverack, N. Y., of which the Rev.
Dr. Fleck was principal. Graduating here, in 1869, he entered
Wesleyan University, at Middletown, Ct., as a freshman, in the
same year. Both before and in his college course he spent con-
siderable time in teaching school. He was graduated with the
degree of Bachelor of Arts at Wesleyan, in 1S73, and received
the degree of .Master of Arts three years later. Upon leaving
college he resumed teaching, intending to follow it as a profes-
sion. In successive years he was principal of graded and high
OF THE RE-UNION. 223
schools at Richville, N. Y., Scarsdale, N. Y., and Southington, Ct.
After two years' service in the latter town he resigned teaching;
in 1878, and turned his attention to journalism. He joined
the city staff of the Tribune, with which his brother, Mr. A. E.
Palmer, was connected, and has since been in the service of
that newspaper. His home is in Flatbush, L. I.
ARCHIE EMERSON PALMER.
Mr. Archie Emerson Palmer, whose portrait is presented to
the readers of this volume, is at present a member of the edito-
rial staff of the New York Tribune. He is twenty-nine years of
age, having been born on the 13th day of January, 1853. He
is the youngest son of Mr. Daniel W. Palmer, of Flatbush,
L. I., and his native place was Winterton, Sullivan Co., N. Y.,
a small hamlet on the line of the New York, Ontario and
Western Railroad. His early years were spent on his father's
farm, and he attended district schools where very good facili-
ties for obtaining an education were furnished. At the begin-
ning of 1868, when just entering his fifteenth year, he accom-
panied his older brother. Wilbur M. (a sketch of whom appears
herewith), to the Hudson River Institute, at Claverack, Colum-
bia County, N. Y. He continued to attend this institution
during the greater part of the two following years, and left it
at the close of trie Spring term, in 1870, after completing his
preparation for college. In the Fall of that year he entered
Wesleyan University, at Middletown, Ct., where his brother
(previously mentioned) had already been matriculated. The
subject of this sketch was a painstaking and faithful student
throughout his college course, giving especial attention to the
classics. He was graduated as third in a class of thirty-six.
While in college he took two prizes in Greek, and prizes in
Mental Philosophy, Geology and Moral Science. He was a
member of the Greek Letter Society, Alpha Delta Phi, and also
of the Phi Beta Kappa. In his senior year in college he taught
in the higher department of the graded school in Haddam, Ct.,
a village a, few miles from Middletown. He was graduated as
Bachelor of Arts, and three years later received the degree of
224 PALMER RECORD
Master of Arts. Before leaving college, Mr. Palmer had de-
cided upon journalism as his profession, and on Oct. 9, 1874,
he joined the city staff of the Tribune as a reporter. He re-
mained connected with that journal in this capacity — being for
the greater part of the time in charge of the Brooklyn depart-
ment— until May 29, 1SS0, when he was promoted to be the
assistant night city editor, which position he still holds. Mr.
Palmer was married on Sept. 26, 1876, to Miss Mattie Leavens,
the oldest daughter of Mr. John Leavens, of Brooklyn, by
whom he had one son, born on August 20, 1877. ^rs- Palmer
died on January 9, 1880, after a three-months' illness. On
October 12, 1S81, Mr. Palmer was married to Mrs. Rebecca L.
Trail, of Brooklyn. His only child, Bert Leavens Palmer,
died January 24, 1882. Mr. Palmer's present address is No.
2S0 Monroe Street, Brooklyn.
JUDGE RICHARD A. WHEELER
(Brief Biography.)
Judge Richard A. Wheeler, the subject of the following no-
tice, was born Jan. 29. 18 17. He is the son of Richard Wheeler
and Mary Hewitt Wheeler.
His mother was from one of the best families of North Ston-
ington. His father was an industrious, thrifty farmer, and so
his boyhood was under the discipline of the typical " New Eng-
land home," which has furnished some of the best specimens
of American manhood.
The period of his minority was divided between the indus-
tries of the farm during the Spring, Summer and Autumn, and
the educational culture of the common school for the Winter.
The range of studies in these " seminaries" at that time was
very limited — Wrebster's Spelling Book, Daboll's Arithmetic.
Morse's Geography, Murray's English Grammar, and Murray's
English Reader, being the exclusive text books.
But the teaching and discipline were often severe, and the
scholarship had a corresponding value of thoroughness and
solidity for all practical ends. Judge Wheeler's industrious use
and improvement of the common school is seen in the fact that
OF THE RE-UNION*. 225
this rudimental education has been equal to all the varied posi-
tions of responsibility he has, during his opening and ripening
manhood, filled with so much credit to himself, with honor to his
town, and to the full satisfaction of his friends and fellow-
citizens.
Early called to important civil trusts, he has attained to a
degree of legal culture that gives to his counsel great weight
and value, and often render his rulings decisive and final.
In genealogical lore Judge Wheeler has no rival, and few, if
any, equals. His researches here are thorough and fearless, dis-
pelling many a beautiful tradition, but fixing the plain, prosaic
truth by figures and data that will not lie.
His discourse at the late Palmer Re-Union, at Stonington — a
masterly grouping of events, scattered over a period of two hun-
dred and fifty years — held the attention of a large and promis-
cuous crowd to its close.
Judge Wheeler has been twice married — first to Miss Frances
Mary Avery, of North Stonington, Jan. 12, 1843, an^ second to
Miss Lucy A. Noyes, of Stonington, Nov. 5, 1856.
He is descended from the following New England families —
Wheeler, Park, Thompson, Payson, Tilestone, Elliott, Burrows,
Culver, Latham, Hubbard, Gore, Draper, Denison, Prentiss,
Gallup, Lake, Stanton, Burch, Fanning, Burd, Chaplin, Hewitt,
Lord, Borodel, Short, Palmer, and others.
In 1838, when twenty-one years old. he was chosen one of the
Society Committee of the Road Church, and has held that office
for forty-three years, to the present time.
He was chosen Selectman in 1847 and '48 ; Representative to
the Legislature, 185 1 ; Sheriff of New London County, i860 ;
re-elected in 1863, '66 and '69, and holding the office until 1S72,
when he declined re-election.
In the Spring of 1864, he was chosen Judge of Probate, and
by successive re-elections has held the office until the present
time.
During the Spring of 1 881, he was unanimously chosen Presi-
dent of the Groton Monument Association, in Connecticut, which
office he held during the reconstruction of the monument and
improvements upon the surrounding grounds. He was one of
226
PALMER RECORD
the Vice-Presidents of the Groton Heights Centennial Commit-
tee, Chairman of the Historical Committee thereof, a member
of the Committee of Admission of Members: also one of the
Committee of the New London County Historical Society, and
a member of the Committee of Reception during the celebra-
tion on the 6th of September, [881.
Judge Wheeler has written the History of the First Congrega-
tional Church of Stonington. a book of 300 pages; also an his-
torical sketch of the three first Congregational Churches in New-
London County, a historical sketch of the Pequot Indians,
and a sketch of the Mystic Valley.
Judge Wheeler also wrote the history of the towns of Ston-
ington and North Stonington, for the New London County
History, recently published.
He has collected a large amount of genealogical material of
some twelve to fifteen of the earliest families of the town of
Stonington, for future publication.
The above are the principal events of Judge Wheeler's active
and varied life. He has a fine physique, an open countenance,
pleasing address, and genial manners. Besides, he has an in-
exhaustible fund of genealogical anecdote, can tell a good story
of olden or modern times, and excite and enjoy an honest.
hearty laugh.
The proverb, " a prophet is not without honor save in his
own country," is not applicable to Judge Wheeler, for nowhere
is he more popular than among his own town men, and by none
more highly esteemed than by his own immediate neighbors.—
From New Lo?idon County History.
ADDRESS,
BY B. FRANK PALMER, OF PHILADELPHIA, PA.
[This gentleman had been expected to deliver an address at
the Re-Union, and made preparation for the same, but was
prevented coming by circumstances beyond his control. We
OE THE RE-UNION. 22?
prevailed upon him to send us the substance of his intended
address, and he kindly sent them. J
Philadelphia, August 9, 1881.
Hon. E. II. Palmer. Pres't, Noyes F. Palmer, Esq., and Ira 'H.
Palmer. Esq., Committee of Invitation of the Palmer Family
Re-Union, August 10, 1881 :
Gentlemen — When you first invited me to the festivities of
the Re-Union, I was in doubt as to my having any claim to a
seat among the six thousand Palmers found in the line of the
honored and honorable Walter, whose " ship came in " to Charles-
town, Mass., from Nottinghamshire, England, in 1629.
Not liking to appear by an act of your courtesy only, if I
-had no right there, I spent a few moments in writing to Noyes
F., the family historiographer, asking a few questions ; and his
reply to them, just received, leaves me in no doubt as to the
direct line.
John Palmer was the father of Joseph 2d ; Benjamin was the
son of Joseph, and the father of Benjamin Franklin (or B.
Frank).
Joseph was a small boy when (in 1767) the family removed
to New Hampshire, where he was found aiding, with his little
hands, in forming the first " Palmers' Lodge" in the ''vast wil-
derness," when the fathers pitched their " camp " in the now
beautiful and noted vale of Camptown, or Campton. Joseph
there married one of the best of Christian women, Martha Tay-
lor. They lived a quiet, useful life ; and the records of Camp-
ton show them to have been among the most esteemed of the
intelligent citizens. They rest in the Campton Cemetery, near
the beautiful spot from which, in a long lifetime,
" Their sober wishes never learned to stray —
Where, during a period of more than 'three score and ten,'
Along the cool, sequestered vale of life,
They kept the noiseless tenor of their way."
There Benjamin was born, in 1790. With a fair education
(finished at the Holmes Plymouth Academy), Benjamin, when
a young man, taught throughout Grafton County, district and
228 PALMER RECORD
singing schools in the Winter, and engaged generally from
Spring to Fall in the pursuit of a farmer, in the beautiful valley
about the confluence of the Pemigewasset and Beebe's rivers.
AJittle distance from there runs the Palmer brook, along which
I first went fishing. Artists now seek a poetical nook in our
old terraced homestead, to sketch the grandest of mountain
views, looking through Thornton towards Franconia.
Benjamin Palmer married Abigail Goodwin, and was the
father of seven children, six of whom (foursonsand two daugh-
ters) are now living, the youngest being fifty-three. Benjamin
Franklin (the third son), you may count as a poor specimen of
this Palmer family, who, at your request, presents here such
thoughts as arise on the moment and demand expression.
They are epitomized in a few sentences and rhymes, some of
which were prepared by request, for the first centennial celebra-
tion of the town of Campton, N. H., Sept. 12, 1867; but seem
suited to the first Re-Union of the living thousands of the ancient
Palmer line, now first assembled in solid phalanx since the re-
turn of Peter the Hermit from Jerusalem with his victorious
Christian army, bearing palms and singing psalms, in the elev-
enth century. No person is the better for having a good fam-
ily line, and none can safely boast of family name who has not
added to its lustre. Such need not. But we cannot wish to
repudiate a good name fairly won and inherited — the only leg-
acy of a knightly and a Christian ancestry, whose heroic deeds
illumined it through a period of near two hundred years, during
eight crusades to the Holy Land; for the great crusader, Peter,
inflicted the first great blow upon the intolerant infidels, rescued
the Holy Sepulchre, and opened the highway to Christian lib-
erty.
All that was gained by the pilgrim, Peter, and the Pilgrim
Fathers, has been saved by his and their followers in the Old
World and the New. May this liberty never suffer in the charge
of their descendants.
Of Walter Palmer and his Puritan band it may be said :
" We read their history in a Nation's eyes."
OF THE RE-UNION. 229
The intelligent forefathers displayed better than Royal arms ;
and the ancient Palmer demesne, stretching from Wequetequock
harbor to the crest of Mt. Washington, now presents a family
shield on which our ancient motto is written in living lines, more
potential than heraldic blazonry — Palmam qui meruit ferat.
Descended in a more than Royal line —
Ye pilgrim sons, your hopes, your joys are mine ;
Let others boast heraldric fame and birth —
Sons of the great who subsidize the earth ;
But ye may boast (and none dispute your claim)
An ancestry whose deeds transcend a name ;
Whose earnest life-work gives example great.
On the broad battle-grounds of Church and State.
Our Fathers' faith caught Liberty's first beam,
Which o'er world-conflicts shed its fitful gleam.
And through Time's vistas led the onward way
Of heaven-born freedom, to this glorious day.
Triumph of faith sublime in souls intense —
Unseen till angel voices called them hence —
As we seeing the record, clear and bright,
Their blazon glories in lines of lustrous light.
Guard well the shrines where sleep the patriot sires —
Whose great example my rapt strain inspires ;
And monumental bust ye need not raise,
Nor lettered pomp to consecrate their praise.
The Spartan youth heard — starting for the field —
" Bring back or be brought on an honored shield ; "
The Pilgrim Matron to her heroes said,
" Come with the honored living, or the honored dead !
And thus they came — when ceased war's thunder-peal
That caused the pillars of the State to reel ;
When great Ulysses, of our ancient line,
Returned victorious in the cause divine !
Sheathing his sword he said — " Let us have peace,"
Let love fraternal in our land increase ;
Their memory shall th' admiring world embalm —
Then — " Let him who has won it bear the palm."
2JC PALMER RECORD
AN APOSTROPHE TO LIBERTY.
0 how shall the muse, unaccustomed, indite
A strain that befits so exalted a theme ?
The " Nine " with charmed fingers an epic might write.
Yet tell not the bliss of our goddess's dream.
With tremulous heart, and with faltering hand,
I waken the harp-string to Liberty's sound —
Its numbers have thrilled where wave answers to strand.
And mountain to valley re-echoes them round !
The bard and the druid have swept o'er its chord —
The prophet and priest have bent over its tone —
The psalmist hath tuned it to Faith's cheering word.
And felt " hands of fire " directing his own.
Old Jura hath listened, red Sinai hath spoken,
And Palestine wakes at the Crusader's touch ;
Greece, Sparta and Rome have, in phalanx unbroken.
Marched forth to the music the soul loves so much !
It rings in sweet strains, to Germania's praise —
O'er Poland and Hungary murmurs its sigh —
Old Gallia flames with the fierce Marseillaise,
And " God save the queen " rings through Albion's sky !
1 list to the strain that down Avon has rolled
As Ocean's loud billows call back from afar —
I hear the lone exile, as, weary and cold,
He strikes to the numbers of " Erin go bragh ; "
I hear Caledonia, vocal with strains,
As Abbotsford answers to Ettrick's wild hill ;
And Erin, through all of her sorrows, retains
" The harp that through Tara's Halls " ever shall thrill !
I sigh for the rapturous music that rolled
Along the sweet banks of the pure gurgling Ayr —
For the harp, like the heart, of the poet is cold,
And his eye rests no more on that " lingering star. "
But now the New World feels the vibrations grand.
That master-hands wake round the Puritan's Shrine ;
And the refluent wave, from Columbia's strand
Bears treasures as rich as the waifs of Lang Syne !
Her songs bless the land, and their life-cheering strains
Have given new heart-beats of hope o'er the wave ;
Then while Freedom wakes, or our Country remains,
" The Star Spangled Banner " shall lead on the brave !
OF THE RE-UNION. 23!
Her sons, 'midst the joys of the Orient may roam,
And linger wher'er the " old Genii " have trod ;
But the heart's inner chord still shall murmur " Sweet Home,"
And the pilgrim-foot haste to press Liberty's sod.
Poor Howard Payne sounded the key-note sublime —
And lo ! what a chorus of joy shakes the skies ;
Like hoi)' bells ringing their joyfulest chime
The pagans of freedom and glory arise !
Potential New England — the pride of the land —
The nursery of Empire is trusted to thee !
The cradle of Liberty rocks by the strand —
These, these are your shrines. O ye sons of the free !
Then guard ye the rock and the hallowed sod,
On which your brave fathers — a prayer-loving band —
First stepped from the Mayflower, worshipping God,
For freedom they found and preserved in the land !
My Country! I view with a heart full of pride,
The fame of thy sons and the vastness of thee ;
Thy golden gate opes to Pacific's broad tide —
Thy sons to the pole plough the disc of the sea ;
And long as that gray shaft in grandeur sublime
Shall tower o'er the graves where the patriots sleep ;
Their names shall be traced on the pillar of Time,
Where'er Freedom's angel her vigil shall keep !
And thou in each science and art shalt excel —
Thus " good will toward man " o'er the earth will increase ;
And where'er thy sails of the triumph shall tell.
The angel of mercy will often say — " peace."
Sail on ! let the starry flag kiss every sky !
Great ark of the Nations, thou'rt leading the van —
Sail on ! where'er mortals for liberty sigh —
Bear hope to the down trodden — Freedom to man !
THE FAMILY FEATURE.
BY II. EUGENE BOLLES, OF BOSTON, MASS.
Every well hath its spout,
And the truth will leak out ;
And our secret is known far and near ;
So, the Tribes all around
From the lakes to the sound,
Are on hand for our free lunch and beer.
232 PALMER RECORD
The ravenous Bear —
Over head in his lair —
Grunjs across to the Dog in the sky.
Even comets" appear,
And, with shy look and queer,
Whisk around us like fish round a fly.
Hark! hear that uproar
Joneses make at the door!
Smiths, like rain, stand outside there and rap ;
Just as if we could rent
The North Pole for our tent,+
And keep the Atlantic on tap.
To get in, many clans
Will resort to low plans ;
The Smiths forge our family armor;
And the children of Jones,
Having polished his bones,
Try to palm off his ghost for a Palmer.
And some will rely
On their blue Palmer eye ;
And some, of their curling sun-beams ;
Trust them not, for alas !
The best eyes may be glass.
And that curl may not grow where it streams.
Then come to our aid.
Lovely muse ! from thy shade.
And distinguish our own from the rest.
"There is only one way,"
So I hear the muse say,
And sing this infallible test.
" All family creatures
Have family features—
The impress of nature's own hand —
As each tonic or bark
Has its private trade-mark,
And each whiskey is known by its brand."
* Note. — Two comets were in sight at the time of the Re-Union,
f The (.'inner was served in a large tent.
OF THE RE-UNION. 233
" Some arc told everywhere.
By the blush on their hair;
Some by the nose, a la Roman or Greek ;
And some are so plain
They don't have to explain,
Except when your own eyes are weak."
" Does he act very shy,
And grin his reply,
And feel unimportant and meek ?
Then put him right out !
He's a fraud, without doubt.
For a Palmer is known by his clieek.
RESPONSIVE LETTER FROM
JUDGE R. A. WHEELER.
PALMERS AND GRANTS.
Rev. P. C. Headley, in his life and campaigns of Gen. Grant,
says that he " is of Scotch descent. More than a century ago
his ancestor came to the shores of America, then comparatively
a wilderness, and settled in Pennsylvania, while a brother who
emigrated with him went on to Canada. By honest industry-
our hardy pioneer supported his growing family upon his forest
girdled clearing, until the Revolutionary war called him to its
fields of strife. After bravely following the flag of the rising
republic he returned with the dawn of peace to his home in
Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania." This statement is very
far from being correct. Gen. Grant is a direct descendant of
Matthew Grant, who was one of the original company who
came in the Mary and John to Dorchester, Mass., in 1630. He
came to Windsor, Ct., among the very earliest settlers of that
town, where he became an active and prominent man, and ren-
dered important service to the then new settlement. He con-
tinued to reside at Windsor, until his death, which took place
December 16th, 1S61.
1. Matthew Grant married Priscilla , November 16th,
1625. B>* the marriage there were four children, viz.: (2)
Priscilla, (3; Samuel, (4) Tahan, and (5) John. Samuel Grant,
234 PALMER RECORD
No. 3, born Nov. 1 2th, 1631, married Mary Porter May 27th,
1658. Their children were (6) Samuel, (7) John. (8) Matthew.
(9) Josiah, (10) Nathaniel, ( I f) Mary, (12) Sarah, (13) Abigail.
Samuel Grant, No. 6, born April 20th, 1659, married first Han-
nah Filley, Dec. 6th, 1683, by whom he had one child, 1 141 Han-
nah, who died young. Her mother died April 18th, 1686. He
married for his second wife Grace Miner, April 11th, 1688.
She was the daughter of John and Elizabeth (Booth) Miner,
and granddaughter of Grace (Palmer) Miner, of Stonington, Ct.
Grace Palmer was the daughter of Walter Palmer, and was
married to Thomas Miner, April 23d, 1633. Samuel Grant.
No. 6, had by his second wife, Grace Miner, eight children, viz.:
(15) Hannah, (16) Samuel, (17) Noah, (18) Abigail, (19) Ephra-
im, (20) Grace, (21) David, and (22) Ebenezer. Noah Grant.
No. 17, born Dec. 16th, 1692, married Martha Huntington, of
Norwich, Ct., June 12th, 1717. They had four children, viz:
(23) Noah, (24) Adoniram. (25) Solomon, and (26) Martha.
Noah Grant, No. 23, born July 12th, 17 18, married Susannah
Delano, Nov. 8th, 1746. They had two sons, viz.: (27) Noah,
(28) Peter. Noah Grant, No. 27, born June 20th, 1748, and mar-
ried for his first wife Mrs. Anna Richardson, by whom he had two
sons, (29) Peter, and (30) Solomon. After the death of his first
wife, this Noah Grant, No. 29, moved to Pennsylvania from
Coventry, Ct., about 1787, where he married Rachael Kelly in
1791. By this marriage there were seven children, viz,: 1311
Susan, (32) Jesse Root, 133) Margaret, (34) Noah, (35) Join1..
(36) Roswell, and (37) Rachael. Jesse Root Grant, No. 32.
born in January, 1794, married Hannah Simpson, June 24th,
1 82 1. She was born near Philadelphia, and moved with her
father to Ohio, where she was married. Their children are Gen.
Ulysses Simpson Grant, born April 27th, 1822, Samuel, Clara,
Virginia, Orvil L., and Mary Frances Grant. Matthew Grant.
his son Samuel, and grandson Samuel Grant, lived and died in
the ancient town of Windsor. Noah Grant, son of Samuel
Grant No. 6, was born in the same township, and lived there-
until the town of Tolland was formed from a part of Windsor,
when he became an inhabitant of the new town. Noah Grant,
No. 24, removed to the adjoining town of Coventry about 1750 :
OF THE RE-UNION. 235
and he and his brother Solomon joined the expedition against
Crown Point in 1755 and were both killed the same year.
Noah Grant, No. 27, served with distinction in the army of the
Revolution, and after the close of the war went to Pennsylva-
nia to reside. This is doubtless the ancestor of Gen. Grant, to
whom Mr. Headley alludes as coming to America more than a
century ago, and whose brother went on to Canada, which was
wide of the mark. The direct line of descent of Gen. Grant
from Walter Palmer, of Stonington, is as follows :
1. Walter Palmer and first wife ; 2. Grace Palmer and
husband Thomas Miner; 3. John Miner and wife Elizabeth
Booth ; 4. Grace Miner and husband Samuel Grant : 5. Noah
Grant and wife Martha Huntington; 6. Noah Grant and wife
Susannah Delano ; 7. Noah Grant and wife Rachael Kelly ; 8.
Jesse Root Grant and wife Hannah Simpson ; 6. Gen. U. S.
Grant.
Richard A. Wheeler.
Stonington, May 14, 1881.
RESPONSIVE LETTER FROM
COURT LAND N. PALMER,
OF NEW YORK CITY.
I am proud of possessing this name, a name we should all
feel honored in bearing, and a name we must all in our daily-
walk and conversation, strive to honor more as time waves on.
I well remember the account my father gave of his early
struggles ; how, as a boy, renouncing his little patrimony in fa-
vor of his needier sisters, he took passage by sloop to New
York, since railroads then were a thing of the future. Employed
by his brother Amos as a clerk in his hardware store, he rose
by hard work and long work, through prudence and economy,
until he was the head and master of his own warehouse, result-
ing finally in the formation of a partnership controlling the
largest hardware trade between the South and the North. Fail-
ing in the crisis of 1837, he gathered what he could save from
the wreck of his business. This he invested in New York real
236 PALMER RECORD
estate, he being one of the earliest citizens of the Metropolis
of the New World, to perceive its coming growth and great-
ness.
Such was my father, a fine type of the American man of
energy, self-reliance, honesty and commercial foresight.
I remember one day boasting to an aunt on my mother's
side, of my pride in my father as a self-made man. She
shrugged her shoulders and remarked : I do not wish to detract
from the tribute you render to your father, but be assured that
your gentle blood comes from your Knickerbocker descent
through your Suydam mother. I had at that time taken but
little interest in my genealogical tree on either side, but the
good lady, my aunt, promised to send me the printed annals
of her family, on the perusal of which I discovered that my
maternal grandparent of some two hundred years ago was a
worthy blacksmith.
Well, I am glad he was a blacksmith, instead of some pirate
freebooter in the times of William the Conqueror, but I am
also glad that this Re-Union proves to me that my descent on
my father's side, from Walter Palmer in 1629, is at least as an-
cient and honorable as on that of my mother.
But as old Ben Johnson wrote:
" Titles are marks of honest men and wise ;
The fool or knave who wears a title lies ;
Those who on noble ancestry enlarge,
Their debt produce instead of their discharge.'1
This is the point. As the French motto has it, " Noblesse
oblige." By the records and traditions of the past of our
great family we are bound to carry the name on to still higher
glory. We are the descendants of the past, but the parents of
the future.
Those who can read the signs of the times, read in them that
wonderful changes are pending in politics, science and religion.
Old things are passing away and all things are becoming new.
Let us as a family stand in the van of this onward-marching
civilization, and welcome the morning breeze from the mountain
OF THE RE-UNION. 237
tops, and hail the rising sun of a new epoch. As Tennyson
says,
" Ring out the days of sloth and crime,
Ring in the Christ that is to be."
And thus it is and thus only, in the words of George Eliot,
that we shall " join the choir invisible of those immortal dead
who live again in minds made better by their presence ;" thus
it is that we shall have done our share in passing down to the
children Palmers to come, the tendencies of a new, a happier,
and a better era.
RESPONSIVE LETTER FROM
PROF. DANIEL C. EATON,
OF NEW HAVEN, CT.
I had some other friends in Stonington, and gave them part
of my time, and I had to leave the meeting before it was ended
to take my train.
I was much interested in Mr. Wheeler's paper on Walter
Palmer, and consider it a wonderfully fine production.
I will add a few items in relation to Prudence Palmer, who
was a daughter of Jonathan and Mercy Palmer, and was born
March 31, 17 19. She married Ebenezer Cady, born at Canter-
bury, April 19, 1 714. They had a family of seven sons and
one daughter, mostly born at Lyme. About 1764 they re-
moved to Canaan, Columbia Co., N. Y., where Mr. Cady died
in 1779, his wife surviving him several years. It is recorded of
the sons that most of them served in the war of the Revolution.
Their descendants reside mostly in Columbia Co., and along
the valley of the Mohawk, though many are scattered in dis-
tant places. Among the more conspicuous descendants were
Judge Daniel Cady, of the Court of Appeals of New York, and
Brevet Major-General Amos B. Eaton, Commissary General of
the U. S. Army, from 1864 to 1874.
238 PALMER RECORD
[Written for the Palmer Gathering, at Stonington, Ct., August 10 and 11, iSSi.l
THE PALMER.
BY SIMEON PALMER, BOSTON, MASS.
In the dim past of shadows and of dreams.
Of loathsome superstitions, nameless crimes —
The age of boor and serf, where lurid flames,
Rank with the blood of martyrs, hide the beams
Of the dimmed sun : roaming from land to land
A homeless beggar, bearing in his hand
A branch of palm — seeking from shrine to shrine
If, haply, he may find his Mecca, Palestine;
Behold our ancestor! A holy man,
* As they accounted holiness. In skins.
Like John, he clothed himself ; but then his pan-
Taloons were wisps of straw wound round his shins."
In faith abounding, innocent of work.
Hating a Jew e'en as a Jew hates pork ;
He of the world to come had firmest hope,
But, in this sphere, took no account of soap.
His washing, it was figurative; blood
Was his chief cleanser; and a frequent dish —
For famine stinted his supply of food —
Was boiled, or raw, or roasted human flesh.
He knew no prattle of a chlid, no wife ;
His daily prayer was for eternal life,
And to escape the clutches of the evil
One whom he knew as Satan, or the Devil.
To mortify his flesh was his delight,
The ripened product of the age of faith —
Knowing no wrong and ignorant of right,
Obedience was his motto, unto death ;
Or to the priest, or to the powers that be.
His God the slaughtered Lamb of Calvary.
Upon the darkness of his mental night
No reason dawned, no science shed its light.
But, in the baleful shadow of the cross
That casts athwart the Lmiverse its gloom,
* Note. — For an account of the wretched condition of the masses, in Europe in
the age of "faith," see Dr. J.W. Draper's "Conflict between Religion and Science."
OF THE RE-UNION. 239
Counting all earthly treasures but as dross,
He took his cheerless journey to the tomb ;
The tomb, as he believed, for all below.
The yawning portal to eternal woe.
His way beset with goblin and with ghost,
And spirits of the damned forever lost.
A wanderer, through long and weary years
Seeking a Saviour's tomb in Palestine,
He found refinement, manners; found ideas,
And the keen blade of courteous Saladin ;
And reason vanquished faith. No more he'll roam
Bearing his palm branch, seeking Jesus' tomb ;
No more, for life to come, will barter joys
Of earth ; he has his home, his wife, his boys !
He sings no longer of a 4i shining shore "
On neighboring planet, or on distant star,
A grander music is the Atlantic's roar,
Breaking in foam upon the harbor bar ;
And dearer far than shining shore, or shrine
Of saint or fabled God in Palestine, -
The homestead, where the boundless prairie waves
Its wealth of green, and stacks its golden sheaves.
Or where the fisher's cot looks out to sea,
Watching the offing for the home-bound sail,
And the white lighthouse sends its welcome ray
To cheer the sailor when the threatening gale
Moans in the rigging, and the fog-bell tolls
Its mournful requiem o'er departed souls.
Whatever is his lot ; or if he be
Fameless, or honored with the jlcur de lis*
While he is free and owner of the soil
He tills with his own hand, no blighting dread
Of famine haunts him ; happy in his toil
That those he loves are by his labor fed,
The phantoms of his age of faith are gone.
No goblin haunts his path, nor churchyards yawn
With graves of gibbering ghosts, nor death-watch check
His fleeting moments with their hurried tick.
NOTE.— * I am told that the right to engrave the "fleur de lis " upon his coat of
arms was, for some public service, conferred upon a member of the Palmer famiiy
by Henry IV.
»40 PALMER RECORD
He knows his rights, he is a man, is free.
This earth, it is his heritage, his own.
He bows to no one, save in courtesy;
Yields no obedience to priest or throne,
But only to the laws himself has made ;
And as the poet Halleck truly said,
" He never kneels except it be to pray,
Nor even then except in his own zvay."
Pity our ancestors, that in the night
That lowered o'er Europe for a thousand years,
Through the dark clouds there shone no ray of light
From the deep firmament of blazing stars,
Nor knew they that behind the clouds there shone:
Brighter than star or the eternal sun,
An orb of light, in whose celestial ray
Their children's children should be ever free !
Honor our ancestors ! That we are free
From loathsome superstition's foul embrace ;
That we have equal right and liberty
Each to enjoy his heritage in peace ;
That we are sovereign and not subjects, make
Aud unmake laws and rulers, for our sake ;
That we call no man master, and our vote
Is humbly sought for by our men of note
(With hat in hand, and with exceeding grace
Of manner, like all servants out of place).
We owe to those who gave their lives that we
Might know no shackles on our limbs, our lips
No padlock, and our quivering flesh no stripes.
And that we value this rich legacy.
Ye hosts of the innumerable dead,
If, haply, ye be gathered overhead.
Dear spirits of our fathers ! hear our vow :
That when our children, as we're gathered now,
Shall stand here when a hundred years have fled,
Through no neglect of ours shall they have lost
The sacred rights that we inherited :
But as we now, with honest pride may boast,
The virtues of our fathers, they shall show
No stain on our escutcheon, and shall know
Our cherished motto in their day fulfilled :
" Freedom for man, for woman, and for child ! "
OF THE RE-UNION. 24 1
Literature of the Press after the Re-Union.
[New York Tribune, August nth.]
PALMER FAMILY RE-UNION.
LARGE GATHERING AT STONINGTON— THE DESCENDANTS OF
WALTER PALMER MEET NEAR THE OLD HOMESTEAD-
OTHER BRANCHES OF THE FAMILY REPRESENTED — A
QUIET NEW-ENGLAND TOWN THRONGED WITH VISITORS-
SPEECHES, POEMS AND OTHER EXERCISES— THE GATHER-
ING SUCCESSFUL.
STONINGTON, Ct, Aug. io. — The visitor to this staid New-
England town would be fully justified in addressing any one
whom he might meet in the street to-day as " Mr. Palmer."
The street urchins salute every passer with this title, and when
one of a crowd of corner loungers near the post-office called out
"Mr. Palmer!" this morning, not less than fifteen men turned
toward the speaker. The Stonington brought a hundred mem-
bers of the family last night, and the trains this morning were
all crowded. " Palmer lemonade" is for sale on the street cor-
ners, and the boot blacks will give you a " Palmer shine" for no
more than the usual fee. The hotels and boarding-houses are
crowded, and many persons slept last night on cots in the par-
lor of the Hotel YYadawanuck. To-night it is expected that
cots will be put up in the hotel hall and office, and perhaps on
the broad veranda. One quotation from Shakespeare, " Where
do the Palmers lodge, I beseech you?" has often been on the
lips of the committee which has charge of entertaining visitors.
All this is on account of the Re-Union of the Palmer family,
which began to-day, and will be continued through to-morrow.
This date was chosen because August 10, is the anniversary of
the battle of Stonington, the principal event in the history of
this quiet borough. Stonington's glory departed with the de-
cline of the whale fishery business. Time was when thirty
whalers were sent out from here each year. Every family had
both a personal and pecuniary- interest in this business, and
Stonington flourished and its people grew rich. But that era
of prosperity passed. Later, visions of popularity as a summer
resort dawned upon the people, but Stonington was over-
shadowed by the nearness of Watch Hill, distant only a five
242 PALMER RECORD
miles' sail. This Re-Union was started by the Connecticut de-
scendants of Walter Palmer, who settled in Stonington in 1653,
and died here eight years later ; but much of its success is due
to the efforts of Mr. Noyes F. Palmer, of Jamaica, L. I., who
has collected a large number of facts in connection with the
genealogy of the various branches of the family. Mr. E. H.
Palmer, of Montville, Ct., is the president of the Re-Union, Mr.
A. S. Palmer, Jr., the secretary of record, Mr. H. Clay Palmer,
the treasurer, and Mr. Ira H. Palmer, the corresponding sec-
retary. Mr. Noyes F. Palmer, has served as the Committee on
Invitation, and has sent out over 3000 invitations.
The headquarters of the Re-Union are at Brayton Hall, just
across the street from the shaded lawn of the YYadawanuck.
A register has been kept here, and at three o'clock this afternoon
about 400 names had been put down. These, however, do not
represent more than one third the Palmers who are here.
Among the names on the register are the following : General
George W. Palmer and wife. Col. and Mrs. J. T. Meredith.
A. W. Palmer, Lauren Redfield, Gideon Palmer, Dr. Corydon
Palmer, Dr. Delos Palmer, Dr. Eugene Palmer, and Stephen
W ray, of New York; W. H. Palmer, Mrs. J. A Palmer Van
Valsor, Miss J. A. Palmer, Mrs. J. A. Palmer Clayton, Lorin
Palmer, wife and two daughters, Justus Palmer, Joseph Cutter
and wife, and Josiah Palmer, of Brooklyn ; George \V. Palmer.
of East New York ; Alanson Palmer, of Astoria; Dr. James G.
Palmer and wife, of New Brunswick, N. J.; and Jay Palmer, of
East New York. Some names are registered from as distant
points as Illinois and Texas.
A large tent with open sides has been erected in the western
part of the town near the railway station, and only a few blocks
from the hotel YVadawanuck, and here the public exercises
were held to-day. Seats were provided for over a thousand
persons, and all were occupied before the exercises began. It
was not until 11:20 A. M. that the Hon. E. H. Palmer rapped
upon the desk and called the meeting to order. Upon the
platform was seated a good number of ladies and gentlemen ail
presumably bearing the name of Palmer, or descendants of per-
sons bearing that name. Among them were the following :
the Rev. A. G. Palmer. D. D., of Stonington : Mr. Ira H. Pal-
mer, of Stonington ; ex-Governor \Y. T. Minor, of Stamford:
ex-Lieutenant-Governor F. B. Loomis, of New London ; State
Senator Alexander S. Palmer, of Stonington ; the Rev. Dr. E.
B. Palmer, of Bridgeton, N. J.; the Rev. C B. Minor, of Tren-
ton, N. J.; and Dr. Corydon Palmer: Judge R. A. Wheeler, of
Stonington; Mr. Noyes F. Palmer ; Mr. Francis A. Palmer, of
Of THE RE-UNION. 243
New York ; Mr. Lorin Palmer, of Brooklyn, and Mr. L. \V.
Palmer, of Providence.
After music by the Norwich City Band a prayer was offered
by the Rev. Dr. E. B. Palmer. The chairman then introduced
the Rev. Dr. A. G. Palmer, the father of Mr. A. M. Palmer,
the well-known manager of the Union Square Theatre, who
made an address of welcome. He said that great credit was
due to Mr. Elisha H. Palmer, of Montville, who had been chief-
ly instrumental in arranging the Re-Union, and hoped that one
result of the Re-Union would be the permanent organization
of the family. An address was also made by President E. H.
Palmer. He was in the best of humor and was frequently ap-
plauded.
There was a good deal of disappointment at the absence of
General Grant, who is a direct descendant of Walter Palmer's
oldest daughter, and who had promised to be present a part of
one day at least. Arrangements had been made for a special
train to bring him from New York to Stonington. He was
compelled to be absent, however, on account of the death of
his brother. On Monday Mr. Ira H. Palmer received the fol-
lowing dispatch in response to one which he sent to the ex-
President on Saturday :
New York, August S.
To Ira H. Palmer :
Domestic reasons will prevent my attending the Palmer Re-Union.
U. S. Grant.
This dispatch was read by Ira H. Palmer just before the
close of the morning exercises. As the audience was dispers-
ing, a bright little paper called The Palmer Vidette, found many
buyers. It is announced as published monthly by Henry R.
Palmer, a boy of thirteen, a son of Mr. Ira H. Palmer. It is
devoted exclusively to the interests of the Palmer family. This
number which is said to be " Volume 1, No. 1," contains a full
report of the address delivered by the Rev. Dr. Palmer this
rriorning.
The afternoon exercises were even more largely attended
than those of this morning. They began with the playing of
"Home, Sweet Home," by the band. Then came an interest-
ing historical address by Judge R. A. Wheeler. This was de-
voted mainly to an account of the life of Walter Palmer, whose
origin is somewhat involved in obscurity. He came from
Nottinghamshire, England, to Charlestown, Mass., in 1629, un-
der a patent from the Plymouth Council. He was a widower
with five children — Grace, William, John, Jonah, and Elizabeth.
In Charlestown he married Rebecca Short, of Boston. There
244 PALMER RECORD
he remained until 1643, when he went to Rehoboth. in the
Plymouth Colony. In 1653 he came to Stonington (then called
Pawcatuck), where he lived during the rest of his life. He died
November 10, 1661. While in Rehoboth he represented that
town in the Colonial Court for two years. After he came to
Stonington he took an active and prominent part in the affairs
of the town. By his second wife he had seven children — Han-
nah, Elihu, Nehemiah, Moses, Benjamin, Gershem and Rebecca.
Judge Wheeler's address was listened to with close attention.
After music a poem was read by the Rev. Dr. A. G. Palmer.
who reviewed the deeds of the family at considerable length.
This was followed by an address on " Palmer Families "by Mr.
Noyes F. Palmer, who spoke of various branches of the family
and of what has been accomplished by their members.
A poem by the Rev. Frederick Denison. of Providence,
opened the evening exercises, aud afterwards there were sever-
al short speeches by non-resident descendants of Walter Palmer.
The gathering partook somewhat of the character of an experi-
ence meeting, and everybody was kept in the best of humor by
the semi-personal character of some of the remarks. A display of
fireworks closed the first day of the Re-Union. This was wit-
nessed by a great throng of people. The most interesting
pieces were those in honor of Washington, President Garfield,
and others, and they were received with applause.
To-morrow morning there will be an excursion by train to
the Wequetequock Dry Bridge, and thence the descendants of
the original Palmers will march to the site of the Waiter Palmer
homestead and to the old Wequetequock Burying Ground,
where Walter Palmer was buried. After the return of the ex-
cursion train there will be a clambake on the Re-Union grounds
here.
[New York Tribune, Second Day.]
THE PALMER GATHERING.
THE RE-UNION AT STONINGTON A SUCCESS— A CROWD ALMOST
TOO GREAT TO BE ACCOMMODATED, BUT EVERYBODY CON-
TENTED AND HAPPY— TAKING A TRIP TO THE SITE OF
WALTER PALMER'S HOMESTEAD AND THE SPOT WHERE
THE ANCESTOR OF THE FAMILY IS BURIED— AN OLD-FASH-
IONED CLAM BAKE IN THE BIG TENT— HOW THE VISITORS
WENT HOME.
STONINGTON, Ct., August 12. — Members of the numerous
Palmer family continued to arrive in Stonington in large num-
OE THE RE-UNION. 245
bers yesterday morning. The weather has been delightful for
the last few days, and this has been no small element in the
success of the Re-Union. That it has been a complete success
is the opinion of nearly everyone of the thousands who have
participated in it. Of course there are two or three growlers,
who not being descendants of Walter Palmer, think that one
branch of the family has been glorified to the exclusion of de-
scendants of other Palmers who came to this country a few
years after — and, in one case a few years before — the arrival of
Walter. Wednesday was a busy day, and yesterday was equally
so. Those who were fortunate enough to get good beds at
night slept soundly. There has been considerable complaint
about the. management of the Hotel Wadawanuck. Persons
who engaged rooms there several days ago, found upon their
arrival Tuesday and Wednesday that the rooms which they ex-
pected had not been reserved. Then the force of cooks and
waiters was entirely inadequate. The service in the dining-
room was very slow, and some persons after waiting an hour or
more were compelled to abandon the attempt to get a meal.
The hotel proprietor seemed to fail wholly in endeavoring to
comprehend the situation, and was as much surprised by the
influx of guests, which he had had every reason to look for. as
the steady-going people of Stonington have been by the crowds
that have thronged the streets of their borough during the last
few days.
The crowd which gathered to see the fireworks Wednesday
night was probably the largest that Stonington ever boasted of,
and there was no hitch or failure in setting off the various
pieces. The final one was a memorial of Walter Palmer. This
contained a figure which may be supposed to represent Walter
Palmer, with his name and the dates " 1653 — 1881." It was
heartily applauded. At the evening meeting a few remarks
were made by Mr. Francis A. Palmer, of the Broadway Na-
tional Bank, New York, who a year or two ago purchased a
church in Thirty-fourth street in order to establish a free church
" for the people," and who more recently had a quarrel with
the pastor whom he had engaged, the Rev. George J. Mingins.
Mr. Palmer said at the close of his short speech that if a re-
union of the family should be held in New York City he would
see that all the visitors were entertained. It is probable that
this offer will be accepted at no distant day.
Yesterday morning about half-past 9 more than five hundred
members of the family went by special train to view the site of
the house in which their principal ancestor lived during a part
of his residence in Pawcatuck (Stonington), and also the ancient
246 PALMER RECORD
Wequetequock Burying Ground, where he was buried. These
are situated about two and a half miles from the center of the
borough. A number also went out by carriage, and a few-
walked. The burying ground is situated on a slope at the head
of Wequetequock Cove, a few rods from where the Anguiila Riv-
erlet flows into the Cove. Walter Palmer's estate, embracing
about 1,200 acres, lay on the east side of the cove, and ex-
tended from its upper end down to the ocean. The burying
ground was set apart by him and originally bordered upon the
Cove. Now, however, a road runs along the shore and is di-
vided from the burial plot by a substantial stone fence. It is not
an absolute certainty that Walter Palmer and his wife Rebekah
are buried here ; but it is believed that his bones (^or what may
remain of them) lie under a huge "hog back" stone. This
stone is said to have been described in Walter's will, with the
request that it be placed over his grave. There is no inscrip-
tion or mark whatever upon the stone, which is 6 feet 1 1 in-
ches in length — the reputed height of Walter Palmer, whose
weight was 300 pounds — and must weigh at least half a ton.
One reason why this is believed to be the grave of this ancestral
Palmer is that a stone marking the burial spot of his son Xe-
hemiah stands alongside of the stone already described. An-
other of Walter Palmer's children, his oldest daughter, Grace,
who married Thomas Minor, is also buried a rod or two away,
together with her husband. A flat stone covers the common
grave, bearing the figures " 1690." His son, Elihu, who died
in 1665, is buried here, and the first wife of his son Gershem.
The inscription upon the rude, lichen-covered stone which
marks Nehemiah Palmer's grave is as follows:
Here lyeth ye body
of Nehemiah Palmer
Esqr. Dyed Feb'ry
the 17, 1717, in
the 8 1 st year of
his age.
The burying ground is surrounded by a stone wall, which is
dilapidated in parts. It has been much neglected, and evident-
ly has been allowed to grow up to weeds and briars. These
had recently been cut. but had not been raked up this morning,
and many were the complaints of the ladies to whose skirts the
briars clung with much persistence. After spending some time
in viewing the interesting features of the ground the visitors
gathered together around Walter Palmer's grave. Here two
hymns written for the occasion were sung, and a prayer was
offered and the benediction pronounced by the Rev. Dr. A. G.
Palmer.
OF THE RE-UNION. 247
On their way to the burying-ground most of the visitors
stopped to see the site of the old homestead. This is a few
rods from the road, and marks the site of the second occupied
by the original Walter. It is only a short distance from the
Wequetequock Cove, which was the only highway to the sea
two centuries ago. The cellar walls are in a dilapidated con-
dition and are overgrown with weeds and thorns. A group of
balm-of-Gilead trees stands near the spot. Nearly everyone
carried away some relics in the shape of stones or walking-
sticks or flowers. A few steps from the house in the direction
of the Cove, is an old well at which Walter Palmer doubtless
many times quenched his thirst when weary with toiling in the
rocky fields of which much of his farm consisted. A pole and
pail and a couple of glasses were provided here and all had an
opportunity to drink from the clear, cold water.
The party returned to Stonington about noon, and then
there were a number of addresses in the tent by the represent-
atives of various branches of the family.
After the speeches had been concluded a clambake was
served in the large tent. About 500 persons sat down at four
large tables, and clams and clamshells were soon rapidly dis-
appearing—the latter being tossed under the table. This prac-
tically concluded the exercises of the re-union, although there
was some speech-making afterward. The late afternoon and
evening trains in both directions were crowded, and there was
a large quota of Palmers who started for New York. The moon
was shining in an unclouded sky, and the first hours of the trip
promised to be very enjoyable. After the clambake and be-
fore the hour when the Xarragansett started, a considerable
number went over to Watch Hill and had a sea-bath. The sail
is very delightful, and when wind and tide are favorable the
trip can be made in twenty minutes.
[New York Times, August 11, 1SS1.]
A TOWN FULL OF PALMERS.
THE NOTABLE FAMILY RE-UNION" AT STONINGTON— DESCEND-
ANTS OF WALTER AND WILLIAM PALMER FILLING THE
PLACE AND THE ADJACENT HAMLETS— WHAT WAS DONE
YESTERDAY.
Justly proud of its part in the bitter War of 18 12, the village
of Stonington, Ct., has never failed to celebrate the anniver-
sary of that loth of August when off its coast the brave, un-
24^ PALMER RECORD
disciplined Continental cannonaders put to rout the heavy ships
of Britain. The day is always a gala one, more generally ob-
served and more enthusiastically hailed by local patriots 'than
even Independence Day itself. And yesterday the old town
surpassed every celebration recorded in the past. Never were its
streets so filled, never did strangers so abound, and never was
patriotic sentiment so earnestly displayed. The orders of the
day were of greater scope than usual' embracing exercises in
honor of that stern, conscientious old Puritan, Walter Palmer,
the colleague of John Endicott and the virtuous founder of
Stonington more than two and a quarter centuries ago. The
descendants of this man and of his kinsman, William Palmer
the first Pilgrim of the family name who reached America, as
well as the descendants of divers other Palmers of ante-Revo-
lutionary times, endeavored yesterday to do justice on so ap-
propriate an occasion to memories long honored too modestly.
When Walter Palmer died, in 1661, twelve children survived
him ; now there are not less than 6,000 citizens of his adopted
land who claim him as progenitor. These 6,000 persons were
largely represented in Stonington yesterday. For more than
a week past they had been gathering. Every train brought
them in force, and the boats from New York during the past
several days have received fully two-thirds of their^patronVe
from this one source. The hotels were all filled with Palmers,
and Palmers overran the private boarding-houses of the quiet
town, and, indeed, the reign of Palmer extended even into the
neighboring hamlets, accommodations being practically ex-
hausted in Stonington before many more than half of the
guests had been provided for. A family re-union on such a
scale was never before attempted in New England. But its
success renders certain the early gathering of the clans of Noves
and Stanton and Minor and Denison and Chesebrough. and a
half-hundred others who have reason for pride in historic ances-
tors, and whose numbers are become almost countless.
Stonington is a pretty town, with its cozy cottages, broad
lawns, and fresh-faced maidens. It boasts two or three hotels
more or less distant from first-class establishments. Liquid
refreshments stronger than coffee are not served, and one of
the Palmer family who so far forgot himself yesterday afternoon
as to ask for a seltzer lemonade, almost completely stupefied
the amiable clerk, and subjected himself to a severe reorimand
on account of the terrible viciousness of his appetite. Bunting
streaming from every building, and the inhabitants were out
en masse to bid cordial greeting to their guests. On the streets
everything was " Palmer." " Palmer avenue " stared the pedes-
OF THE RE-UNION. 249
trians in the face from black-lettered signboards ; " Palmer bit-
ters " were advertised at the village drug store ; a " Palmer
Base-ball Club " played against another ragamuffin nine at the
depot ; " Palmer lemonade " was dispensed on the street cor-
ners, and the one bootblack of the place vociferously yelled :
" Here's where ye git yer Palmer shine." The visitors during
the early part of the day scattered about the town and learned
of its historic attractions. The two old iS-pound guns that
did duty on that eventful 10th of August, 67 years ago, were
chief among the subjects of inspection. They stand down near
the ocean, bright with new paint, with their lips kissing, and
their wooden wagons only a little less well preserved than in 1S14.
Up the street, a walk of a minute or two, is kept the banner
that floated over the brave patriots of the " Point " in the his-
toric fight. It is sadly tattered, and relic-hunters have had
good chance to despoil its folds. The State Historical Society
has vainly endeavored to have the borough transfer its title to
the flag, and there is room to fear that the lack of effort to se-
cure proper preservation may in the future be regretted. On
the same street, and only a little distance removed from the
house where the flag hangs, is the home of Miss Mary Howe,
who, as a child of 14, witnessed the engagement of Yankee
valor against British power; and she probably is better able to
relate the story of that engagement than any other person now
living. On the corner of the avenue in front of her residence
stands a granite monument surmounted by one of the heavy
shells thrown into the town by the English cannon. It is in-
scribed as follows:
: In Memory of :
George Howf. Fei.lowes,
I Who Nailed the Flag to the Mast.
Tender memories of this hero are cherished in Stonington.
A shell struck down the American flag, whereupon the brave
young Fellowes, in the thickest of the fight, caught up the
fallen banner and coolly nailed it to the mast.
The morning had more than half passed before the family, in
all its strength, gathered upon the tented grounds in the upper
part of the village, within a stone's throw of the depot. A score
or so of cozy canvas tents were grouped about the canvas pavil-
ion set apart for the public meetings. Beyond stretched a beauti-
ful lawn sloping down to a miniature lake. The small tents were
all occupied for the most part by Palmer families from New
York, bent on " roughing it." One of the tents served as a
250 PALMER RECORD
newspaper office, yesterday being the honored dav of birth of
the Palmer Videttc, a journal " devoted to the interests of the
Pa mers all over creation." Its founder is Henry Robinson
palmer, a lad about 13 years old, residing in Stonington Ke
is well supported, there being much pride aroused in the fact
that the I aimers can claim the youngest editor in the country.
Ine paper is to be published monthly and will print no news
except such as is directly connected with the Palmer family
nor will advertisements be accepted from persons outride the
same circle. The leading article of the first issue advocates
the adoption of August 10 as " Palmers' Day," to be celebrated
annually. Prominent place is also given to the following start-
ling announcement : to
this country5" ^^ ^ Wecluetecluock' is the man who introduced Pekin ducks into
Not a few well-known names belong to the line of Palmer
Gen. John M. Palmer, ex-Governor of Illinois, is a direct de-
scendant of Walter, and this honor he shares with Gen. George
W. Palmer of this city; Erastus D. Palmer, the sculptor; the
Rev. Dr. Ray Palmer, author of " My faith looks up to Thee "
and other popular hymns ; F. VV. Palmer, who established the
Chicago Inter-Ocean- A. M. Palmer, of the Union Square
Theatre ; Dr. J. W. Palmer, the Baltimore author; ex-Gov. VV.
1. Minor, of Stamford: ex-Lieut.-Gov. F. B. Loomis, of New
London; Capt. Aleck Palmer, of Stonington : United States
Senator David Davis, of Illinois, and a host of others. But the
crowning glory of all, in the Palmer view, is the relation borne
by Gen. Grant, who in the eighth generation is descended from
Walter "as straight as a string." When Walter Palmer came
to New England he brought with him five children by a wife
who had died. These children were Grace. William, John. Jo-
nah and Elizabeth. Grace married Thomas Minor, the head
of the great Minor (and Miner) family of the Eastern States,
l^rom that union descended Gen. Grant. Weeks ago the Re-
union having become assured, a pressing invitation was sent to
the General to be present. He replied that he should be " very
glad to attend if in any wise it was possible. The nalace car
Farmer was chartered to carry him in a special train to
Stonington, and every arrangement had been made bv those
in charge to render the distinguished guest's stay among his
kith and kin one of marked pleasure. All the forenoon yester-
day the great majority of those present in the village were earn-
est in their expectation of the ex-President. Every train ar-
riving at the depot was besieged by crowds, who did not at-
OF THE RE-UNION. 25 I
tempt to disavow their disappointment at the non-appearance
of the one anticipated. At 1 1 o'clock the formal morning ses-
sion of the Re-union opened and Gen. Grant had not yet come.
On every face was written anxiety and every lip was ready to
question, " Do you really think he will come?" Finally Mr.
Ira H. Palmer, who has had charge of the 4,700 invitations is-
sued, announced that he was in receipt of a dispatch from Gen.
Grant. There was an instant hush. He read :
Domestic reasons prevent my attending the Palmer Family Re-union.
U. S. Grant.
Continuing the morning session, Rev. E. B. Palmer, of Bridge-
ton, N. J., said a prayer in behalf of the large family gathered
under such novel circumstances. The address of welcome was
delivered by the Rev. A. G. Palmer, Pastor of the First Baptist
Church of Stonington. Following this address there was music
by the Palmer Brass Band, each member of which boasts de-
scent from the founder of Stonington or his Puritan brothers.
The music was good, and so was the address by the Hon. E.
H. Palmer, President of the day. In an intermission of two
hours, fortunate visitors secured dinner. Some there were, how-
ever, not of the fortunate. The afternoon exercises began at
2 o'clock, with an elaborate sketch of Walter Palmer, and his
movements from a date prior to his landing in New England
up till the time of his death, in 1661. This address was made
by Judge R. A. Wheeler, one of the first of Connecticut's local
historians, and it was supplemented by a historical poem by
the Rev. A. G. Palmer, recounting the achievements of those
of the Palmer name. Noyes F. Palmer, of Jamaica, L. I., pre-
sented the story of the " Palmer Families," closely tracing the
genealogy of the various branches of the family. A review by
ex-Warden Williams of the battle of Stonington closed the
afternoon exercises. In the evening there were oratory and
song and fire-works. To-day an excursion is to be made, each
Palmer carrying a palm leaf, to Walter Palmer's original home-
stead site, and thence to the ancient Wequetequock burying-
ground, where is the grave of the famous old Puritan and his
twelve children. The Re-union register bears the names of the
following New- Yorkers: Gen. George W. Palmer and wife. Dr.
N. Palmer, Mrs. John S. Brull, Stephen Wray, Col. J. T. Mere-
dith and wife, Charlotte Walker, Margaret Palmer, A. W. Pal-
mer, Lauren Redfield, Gideon Palmer. The Brooklyn regis-
trations were W. II. Palmer, Mrs. J. A. Palmer Van Valsor,
Miss J. A. Palmer Clayton, Lorin Palmer and wife, May Palmer,
Sophia Palmer, Justus Palmer, Joseph Cutler and wife, Josiah
252 PALMER RECORD
Palmer, Henry L. Palmer. George W. Palmer, and Jay Palmer
represented East New York, and W. M. Palmer and Archie
Palmer were present from Flatbush, with Alonson Parker, of
Astoria. The Rev. R. Randall Hoes was a prominent guest,
as also was Mrs. Mary Dana Shindler, aged 71, of Texas. She
is a descendant of Walter, and is well known in literary circles
as the author of " Flee as a bird to yon mountain," " I am a
pilgrim and a stranger," and other hymns. The Palmer pres-
ent from the furthest point west was J. L. Palmer, of Little
Rock, Ark.
[From Brooklyn Union-Argus, August II.]
PALMERS ALL.
WALTER PALMER'S DESCENDANTS AT STONINGTON — A RE-
MARKABLE RE-UNION — THE TOWN OVERRUN BY THE
FAMILY— HOSPITALITY OF THE RESIDENTS — THE EXER-
CISES— A STROLL THROUGH THE TOWN — PILGRIMAGE
TO-DAY TO THE GRAVE OF THE OLD PURITAN.
STONINGTON, Conn., August 10. — This is the only time and
place where the size and capacity of the big Rockaway Hotel
would be appreciated. From last evening until now the poor
hotel clerk of the Wadawanuck House has grown feeble in re-
peating " rooms all taken." The town is fairly overrun with
Palmers who are pulling the door beljs of the private houses
and begging for a night's lodging. To the credit of the Ston-
ington people, though they be not, perhaps, invited to the
jubilee, with few exceptions throw wide their doors to the wean-
travel-stained descendants of the ancient Walter P. If that
stately pilgrim is looking on to-day, he must smile to see how
his descendants have for the first time become veritabic Pilgrims
and all in a lump, so to speak. Many people will be forced to
go out of town for the night to Watch Hill, Westley, Mystic.
New London, or, perhaps worse, to the steamer Frances, which
lies moored to the dock to receive the overplus, and it must be
confessed in not a condition to suit the most fastidious. In
fact, Stonington seems to have been taken possession of by a
• surprise party, and is consequently wholly unable to cope with
the incoming crowds.
The exercises, which began this morning about eleven o'clock,
were held in a large tent a few rods back of the Wadawanuck
House, capable of holding over 1,200 people. It was fairly
bulged out by the attendance of to-day, and it is not safe to
predict its tension to-morrow. A score or so smaller tents are
OP THE RE-UNION. 253
grouped around the big one. One of the tents serves as a news-
paper office, to-day being the day of birth of the Palmer
Vidette, a journal "devoted to the interests of the Palmers all over
creation." Its founder is Henry Robinson Palmer, a lad but
13 years old, residing in Stonington. He is well supported,
there being much pride aroused in the facr that the Palmers can
claim the youngest editor in the country. The paper is to be
published monthly, and will print no news except such as is
directly connected with the Palmer family ; nor will advertise-
ments be accepted from persons outside the same circle. The
leading article of the first issue advocates the adoption of
August 10 as " Palmers' Day," to be celebrated annually.
Very interesting indeed were the exercises. Rev. Dr. A. G.
Palmer, in his address of welcome, served to engender a family
feeling in the following fitting words :
" We welcome you to the old town, as rugged in its history
as in its rocks and hills ; and in its more marked epochs as sub-
lime and grand as the storm-driven waves that dash and break
upon the rocky shore. It is the soil that Walter Palmer and
his compeers, the Chesebroughs, the Minors, the Stantons, the
Noyeses, and others broke up from a wilderness state and made
homes thereupon. You are here from every part of the land,
especially from the West, to which many of the Palmers from
this town early removed, and laid the foundation for that golden
prosperity in wealth and liberal culture, and also in social and
religious relations, for which the family is now as distinguished
as any other family in the land, as records will show."
If any man living can tell "where the Palmers lodge," that
man is Mr. Noyes F. Palmer, of Jamaica, L. I., whose admira-
ble address on " Palmer Families " I sent you yesterday. So
long were most of the addresses and papers that this evening
the speeches were limited to five minutes each.
The headquarters for registry at Brayton Hall contains seve-
ral hundred names at present writing, and the cry is "still they
come." A stroll through the town revealed a genuine local
interest in the combined celebration of the Battle of Stoning-
ton and the family re-union. Flags and bunting are seen at the
corners of every street, while the ancient bombs, mounted on
corner posts, which were thrown from the ship Terror on Au-
gust 10, 1 8 14, and the two antiquated cannon at the south end
of the town, muzzle to muzzle, serve to remind the Palmer
tribe strongly of an animated time during that 10th of August
long ago. Stonington is a very cool town despite its low level.
It is located on a rocky peninsular, so that the breezes blow
across it from both sides unobstructedly.
254 PALMER RECORD
The scenes on the street are verv amusing to the new comer
The fresh arrival is hailed by the rustic gamin with " Hello
Palmer, ' and the unwary arrival turns his head instanter as
does everyone who does not think twice, and the laughter is
audible at the involuntary "give away." People are here on a
double purpose— to have a good time, and find out who they
are if they can. Men don't stop for an introduction, but beo-in
right away to plough up their family trees and compare roots
and for the most part the would-be blood relations find them-
selves only seven or eight generations apart. There are all
kinds of Palmers represented— the sun-bronzed farmers with
fists like leather, and well-dressed merchants with unsoiled palm
while the ladies, too, are as widely divergent as Newport and
New Utrecht. Despite the inconveniences experienced in lack
of accommodations, the Re-union will prove of itself an event
long to be remembered for its gathering of so many of a large
family who have never before in the long run of years met and
saw what manner of people they were. Taken altogether, they
show their good stock, good breeding, and, more than all, good
humor, and a disposition to take things easy, and not fret be-
cause everything don't happen to run on a smooth basis.
General Grant, who is a descendant, and had accepted an
invitation to be present, telegraphed this morning to" Ira H.
Palmer that ''domestic reasons would prevent his attending
the Re-union." This is a great disappointment to evervonct
The palace car " Palmer" had been chartered to bring him in a
special tram to Stonington, and even" arrangement&had been
made by those in charge to render the distinguished guest's
stay among his kith and kin one of marked pleasure.
The programme for to-morrow includes an excursion to
Wequetequock Dry Bridge, marching with music of » Battle
Hymn of the Republic " to Walter Palmer's homestead site.
thence to the ancient Wequetequock burying-ground, where ap-
propriate services will be held. On the return there will be an
old-fashioned clam-bake, weather permitting.
[From New York Herald, August n.]
PROLIFIC PALMER.
TWO THOUSAND DESCENDANTS OF THE OLD, ORIGINAL
WALTER VISIT THE HOMESTEAD AND OVERRUN STON-
INGTON—SINGING HIS PRAISES AND THEIR OWN IN
PROSE AND VERSE.
STONINGTON, August 10, iSSi.— The Palmers are a prolific-
family. Of the assemblage of two thousand, at the family re-
OF THE RE-UNION. 255
union to-day, all are direct descendants of sturdy Walter
Palmer, who came from Nottinghamshire, England, in 1663,
and settled near this place. A part of the old homestead and
the burial ground in which he and his children lie are to be the
objects of a pilgrimage by the Palmers to-morrow to Wequcte-
quock Cove, a mile and a half east of Stonington. To-day the
exercises were devoted to sounding the praises of the Palmers
in prose and poem. Flags are flying on all the public and
many private buildings, and there is a general attempt at decora-
tion. The hotels are overflowing, and many have sought
quarters in adjacent villages. A large tent was erected on the
sweeping lawn of the famous old Loper mansion, near the de-
pot, and there were numerous smaller tents and booths in
the shade of trees. General Grant was expected, but early in
the day he telegraphed that the funeral of his brother Orvil
would prevent his attendance.
Among the prominent members of the great Palmer family
present were President Palmer, of the Broadway National Bank ;
George W. Palmer, of New York : Alderman Palmer, of Brook-
lyn ; Chauncey F. Palmer, of Utica : Noyes F. Palmer, of
Jamaica, L. I., author of the Palmer Genealogy; ex-Governor
Minor, of Stamford ; Professor Eaton, of Yale ; Professor
Asaph Hall, of Washington, D. C. : Rev. E. B. Palmer, of
Bridgeton, N. J.; Lorin Palmer, of the Brooklyn Union-Argus,
and many others. All of the Eastern and Middle States are
represented largely, and a score or more of Palmers are here
from Western cities.
The programmes of to-day's exercises bear the inscription,
" Palmam qui meruit ferat,*' and every Palmer on the ground
was decorated with a red badge. This forenoon the Rev. Dr.
Palmer, of Stonington, delivered an address of welcome. This
afternoon Judge Ralph Wheeler, of New London, gave an
historical address, and Mr. Ephraim Williams, of Stoning-
ton, an address on the defence of Stonington against
the British in 18 13, to-day being the anniversary. A
poem of an historical character was read by the Rev. Dr.
Palmer, of Stonington. This evening there were impromptu
speeches and an address on Palmer families by Noyes F.
Palmer, and at a later hour there was a fine pyrotechnic dis-
play with several set pieces. To-morrow the principal event
will be the visit to the ancient Palmer homestead, but there
will also be exercises extending into the evening.
256 PALMER RECORD
[From The Day, New London, Conn.]
PROLIFIC WALTER.
FIFTEEN HUNDRED OF HIS DESCENDANTS OVERRUN STON-
INGTON — A MAMMOTH RE-UNION— ELABORATE OBSER-
VANCES, WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY — PALMER PRO-
GENY PRESENT.
" Is this where you live, Cap'n ? Be you a Palmer ?" were
the words that fell on the ear as a reporter of this paper strolled
past the Wadawanuck Hotel, at Stonington, Wednesday morn-
ing. The speaker was an urchin about six years old who had one
of the crimson Re-union badges of the Palmers pinned upon his
breast, nearly covering his entire jacket front. The crowds of
visitors had but just commenced to roll into the place. It was
not until after dinner that the people began to assemble in
earnest. The cheerful, breezy old town of Stonington and the
shipping in the harbor was gaily decked with bunting of all
colors out of courtesy to the Palmers, and in respect to the
memory of those who fought so bravely the battle of Stoning-
ton Point in 18 14. The New York boats and the trains East
and West were well filled with pilgrims. Street venders
shouted themselves hoarse with Palmer cards, Re-union cigars,
Palmer lemonade, Palmer ice cream, Palmer double-jointed pea-
nuts, and Palmer Jackson balls and candy. The man with
the magic mouse, the lifting machine and the blower, were
each in their individual glory. Everybody seemed to grow in
good humor as the jam on the streets increased. Long be-
fore the afternoon services began it was evident that "there
were not sufficient accommodations for one-half the visitors,
and considerable fault-finding was the result. When it is con-
sidered, however, that the weight of the arrangements fell on
the shoulders of two or three men, one wonders how they
could have done as well as they did. But the fact remained
that " feed and lodgin'," as one of the Palmers expressed it.
" wuz mighty sca'ce," as the day progressed. Several wearied
with long journeys from distant States arrived weak, weary and
dusty, to find that having sought and found the Palmer Mecca,
the next object of their research must needs be a boarding
place. But the distresses of the masses meant dollars to the
ears of hotel men and restaurateurs. Food commanded
fabulous figures. Ham sandwiches melted away like the morn-
ing dew at a York shilling apiece, ice cream went at twenty
cents per dish, and where it was possible to get a hotel dinner,
$1.25 was the ruling price. On Thursday, the crowd was not
OF THE RE-UNION. 257
so large, hence the people were more fairly used, but during
both days the hotels at Westerly, Watch Hill. Mystic, and in
the borough and also the steamer Francis, at the wharf, were
filled to overflowing. The quotation which the Palmers have
taken from Shakespeare : " Where do the Palmers lodge, I
beseech you ?" had a thoroughly truthful as well as a poetical
application, Wednesday night.
The morning had more than half passed before the Palmer
family, in all its strength, gathered upon the tented grounds on
Loper Park, in the upper part of the village. A score or more
of cozy canvas tents were grouped about the canvas pavilion,
set apart for the public meetings. Beyond stretched a beauti-
ful lawn, sloping down to a miniature lake. The small tents
were all occupied for the most part by Palmer families from
New York, bent on " roughing it." One of the tents served as
a newspaper office, being the honored place of birth of the
Palmer Vidette, a journal " devoted to the interests of the
Palmers all over creation." Its founder is Henry Robinson
Palmer, a lad but thirteen years old. residing in Stonington,
and a son of Ira H. Palmer. He is well supported, there be-
ing much pride aroused in the fact that the Palmers can claim
the youngest editor in the country.
The Palmer Re-union was started by the Connecticut de-
scendants of Walter Palmer, who settled in Stonington in 1653,
and died eight years later; but much of its success is due to
the efforts of Noyes F. Palmer, of Jamaica. L. I., who has col-
lected a large number of facts in connection with the genealogy
of the various branches of the family. E. H. Palmer, of Mont-
ville, was the President of the Re-union, A. S. Palmer, Jr., the
Secretary of Record, H. Clay Palmer, Treasurer, and Ira H.
Palmer, Corresponding Secretary. Noyes F. Palmer served as
the Committee on Invitation, and sent out over four thousand
invitations. Not a few well-known names belong to the line of
Palmer. Gen. John M. Palmer, ex-Governor of Illinois, is a di-
rect descendant of Walter, and this honor he shares with Gen.
George W. Palmer, of New York ; Erastus D. Palmer, the sculp-
tor ; Rev. Dr. Ray Palmer, author of " My faith looks up to
thee," and other popular hymns: F. W. Palmer, who estab-
lished the Chicago Inter-Ocean ; A. M. Palmer, of the Union
Square Theatre; Dr. J. W. Palmer, the Baltimore author: ex-
Gov. W. T. Minor, of Stamford ; ex-Lieut. Gov. F. B. Loomis.
of New London; Capt. Aleck Palmer, of Stonington ; United
States Senator David Davis, of Illinois, and a host of others.
But the crowning glory of all, in the Palmer view, is the relation
borne by Gen. Grant, who in the eighth generation is descended
from Walter " as straight as a string."
258 TALMER RECORD
At 1 1.20 the exercises in the tent were begun by music by
the Noank Brass Band, after which President E. H. Palmer
called the assemblage to order and prayer was offered by the
Rev. E. B. Palmer, of Bridgeton. X. J. An eloquent and cor-
dial address of welcome was delivered by Rev. A. G. Palmer.
1). D., of Stonington, in which he described the small beginnings
of the movement for a Re-union, paying due honor to the grit
and energy which had been displayed by Hon. E. H. Palmer in
pushing the matter to a vigorous success. Hon. E. H. Palmer
followed in a brief impromptu address, saying that he felt
prouder to be President of the Palmer Re-union than he would
to be President of the United States.
The afternoon observances were much more largely attended
than those of the morning. They began with the playing of
" Home, Sweet Home," by the Band. Then came an interest-
ing historical address by Judge R. A. Wheeler. This was de-
voted mainly to an account of the life of Walter Palmer, whose
origin is somewhat involved in obscurity. He came from Not-
tinghamshire, England, to Charlestown, Mass., in 1629, under a
patent from the Plymouth Council. He was a widower with
five children — Grace. William. John, Jonah, and Elizabeth. In
Charlestown he married Rebecca Short, of Boston. There he
remained until 1643, when he went to Rehoboth. in the Ply-
mouth Colony. In 1653 he came to Stonington (then called
Pawcatuck). where he lived during the rest of his life. He died
November 10, 1661. While in Rehoboth he represented that
town in the Colonial Court for two years. After he came to
Stonington he took an active and prominent part in the affairs
of the town. By his second wife he had seven children — Han-
nah, Elihu, Nehemiah, Moses, Benjamin, Gershom, and Rebecca.
Judge Wheeler's address was listened to with close attention.
A collection amounting to over $450 was then taken in a few
moments to aid in defraying the expenses of the Re-union.
which were over $900. The hat was passed again with good
success, Thursday. After music, a poem was read by Rev. Dr.
A. G. Palmer, who reviewed the deeds of the Palmer family at
considerable length. This was followed by an address on " Pal-
mer Families " by Noyes F. Palmer, who spoke of what has
been accomplished by its members.
A stirring poem by Rev. Frederick Denison, of Providence,
opened the evening exercises, and afterward there were several
short speeches by non-resident descendants of Walter Palmer.
A fine display of fire-works closed the first day of the Re-union.
This was witnessed by a great throng of people from Norwich,
New London and neighboring towns. The most interesting
OF THE RE-UNION. 259
pieces were those in honor of Washington, President Garfield,
Grant, Bigelow, Walter Palmer and others, and they were re-
ceived with applause.
On Thursday morning an excursion train was run to We-
quetequock dry bridge, where the family marched to the " Battie
Hymn of the Republic " to Walter Palmer's Homestead, and
thence to the ancient Wequetequock burying ground, where ap-
propriate services were held. Remarks and responses by de-
scendants of ancestral families of Stonington were in order as
soon as the pilgrims returned from the excursion, which was not
till late. The next exercise was the " including " of an old-
fashioned clam bake on the Re-union grounds. A tent meet-
ing and a general good time prolonged the exercises of the
evening to a late hour.
Hundreds of the Palmers still linger about Stonington, seem-
ingly loth to. leave the place. It is certain that a family re-
union on such a scale was never before attempted in New Eng-
land. But its success renders sure the early gathering of the clans
of Noyes and Minor and Denison and Chesebrough, and a half
hundred others who have reason for pride in historic ancestors,
and whose numbers are become almost countless.
[From the Commercial Advertiser, Alig. 11.]
THE Palmers very properly asserted themselves at Stonington.
Yesterday the descendants of " worthy Walter Palmer," the
first settler of the old Connecticut town, met and remembered
him and his in prose, in verse, and in a royal good time, inter-
woven with music and feasting. The occasion was one that
will be remembered by thousands who know the worth and wis-
dom of the Palmer blood as mingled in the progress of the coun-
try since Connecticut was a colon)'. The absence of General
Grant, who is a direct descendant of "worthy Walter," on account
of recent domestic affliction, was the only disappointment of
the hour. The celebration continues to-day, when, like the pil-
grims of old, the families of the original settler will march in
procession to the ancient homestead and to the "God's acre," in
which their ancestors lie, to think of them with honor as they
rest from their labors.
[From the Sun.]
The Palmers, who this week made their long-contemplated
family pilgrimage to Stonington, the resting place of the first
Palmer who ever journeyed to this country, certainly turned out
in force. So many of a kind filled the city, and overflowed
260 PALMER RECORD
through the suburbs. They came from all parts of the United
States — for these Palmers are sturdy travelers. It was a woman
of the Palmer stock who wrote " I'm a pilgrim " and " Flee as a
bird to you mountain.*' Family re-unions are contagious ; and
now that the Palmers have successfully had theirs, we shall hear
that others are going to do likewise.
LIEUT. GEO. H. PALMER, #
OF FORT CONCHO, TEXAS.
[BrIef Biography.]
Geo. H. Palmer is a descendant of Walter Palmer — viz. :
Walter, Gershom, Ichabod, Ichabod, jr., Elias Sandford, Elias
S., Jr., Noyes, Geo. W., Geo. H. His father, Geo. W., was
captain in the United States Army (calvary service), during the
Rebellion. His ancestor, Elias S., was a colonel in the army,
and his ancestor, Noyes, was Major-General ; so the family
may be called a military one.
Geo. H. went into the volunteer service from Illinois in April,
1861, and served until the end of the war as captain. During
the last year of the Rebellion he had command of a picked
company of mounted men, and was engaged in fighting guer-
illas in Kentucky and Tennessee. Since the war he has been
in the Regular Arm)', and served on the plains and in the
Southern States. His present rank is first lieutenant. He was
born at Leonardsville, Madison County, N. V., April 16, 1841 :
married Estelle J. Hoban, at Utica, X. Y., and have children —
Geo. G., Mary Estelle, Ruth, H. Bruce, Edwin A.
OF THE RE-UNION. 26 1
[From Anderson's Stonington Directory.]
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF STONINGTON.
The claim of the Anglo race to the territory now embraced
in Connecticut, originated in the discoveries of Sebastian Cabot
in 1497, while he was in the employment of King Henry the
Seventh of England.
No apparent effort was made on the part of that Govern-
ment to profit by Cabot's discoveries for more than a century,
nor until 1606, when King James the First granted a Charter
to Thomas Hanham and others, which included our State in
its boundaries. But no permanent settlement took place under
that Charter in Connecticut. Soon after the pilgrims left Eng-
land for America, and before their arrival at Plymouth — to wit :
on the 3d day of November, 1620 — King James the First, by let-
ters patent under the Great Seal of England, incorporated forts-
noblemen, knights and gentlemen by the name of the Council es-
tablished at Plymouth in the County of Devon, for the planting.
ruling and governing New England in America. The territory
included in the patent extended from the 40th to the 48th de-
gree of north latitude, and east and west from sea to sea. It
was ordained by this patent that the country embraced in its
boundaries should be called New England in America, and by
that name have continuance forever. In 1629 the Council of
Plymouth granted to its President, Robert, Earl of Warwick, the
territory granted by him in March, 1631, to William Viscount
Say and Seal and others as used for Connecticut : which grant
the noble earl had confirmed to him by Charles the First.
The territory now embraced in the town of Stonington was in-
cluded in all the foregoing discoveries, grants, patents and char-
ters. The Colony of Massachusetts having provided men and
munitions of war for the conquest of the Pequot Indians in 1637,
claimed an interest by right of conquest in all the lands held
by the Pequots upon their overthrow, and preferred her claims
to the Commissioners of United Colonies in 1646. Connecticut
claimed all of it by patent, purchase and conquest. The Com-
missioners held that unless Massachusetts could show better
title she could not sustain her claims. This decision did not
end the controversy, for during the next year (1647), the matter
of jurisdiction was again brought by Massachusetts to the at-
tention of the Commissioners, who again decided in favor of
"Connecticut.
The first English settlement in Eastern Connecticut took
place at the Nameaug, now New London, in 1645-6. The
262 PALMER RECORD
boundaries of that township extended four miles east and
west of the Pequot River (Thames), and six miles from the
sea northwardly. The first settlement in what is now Stoning-
ton took place in 1649. William Chesebrough located himself
at Wequetequock in the fall of that year. He was soon followed
by Thomas Stanton and Walter Palmer. The forest homes of
Chesebrough, Stanton and Palmer were outside the recognized
jurisdiction of any township. He was summoned before the
magistrates of Connecticut to give an account of his solitary life,
in 1649-50. He did not respond before 165 1. when he ap-
peared at Hartford, and after satisfying the magistrate of his
good intentions he made an arrangement with the deputies of
Pequot to become an inhabitant of that town if they would con-
firm to him the lands he occupied at Wequetequock. So in or-
der to give the town of Pequot jurisdiction over Mr. Chese-
brough's new home in the wilderness, the General Court ex-
tended the boundaries of that town eastward to Pawcatuck
River. After this Mr. Chesebrough's land was confirmed to
him by the town of Pequot, soon after 1650. The name of
Mystic and Pawcatuck was applied to the territory lying be-
tween the Mystic and Pawcatuck Rivers ; and under this name
the inhabitants sought to become a township of themselves in
1674. This object was frustrated by the opposition of the in-
habitants of the Western part of the plantation, who outvoted
them in town meeting when the matter came up for considera-
tion. But notwithstanding the opposition that they encoun-
tered, they still continued to agitate the question of dividing
the town of Pequot on the line of the Mystic River. But all
their efforts in that direction were unavailing. The Connecti-
cut General Court zvould not allow them to form a new town-
ship. So remembering the claims of Massachusetts based on
the right of conquest, some of the planters in October, 1657.
addressed a letter to the Massachusetts General Court, asking
to be taken under that Government, and allowed the privilege
of a township. In May, 1658, they presented another petition
to that Court, asking again for corporate powers. The Court
declined to take any action, suggesting, however, a reference of
the matter to the Commissioners of the United Colonies, mean-
time advising the planters to order their own affairs peaceably,
and of common agreedeyit until some provision be made in their
behalf. Following out this suggestion of the Massachusetts
Court, the planters assembled on the 30th day of June, 1658,
and formed a compact, called by them " the association of Paw-
catuck people." Massachusetts sympathizing with, these plant-
ers, and knowing the condition of affairs, esteemed it a good
OF THE RE-UXIOX. 263
time to renew, and did renew her claim to a portion of the con-
quered Pequot territory, and brought the matter again before
the Commissioners of the United Colonies, and this time suc-
cessfully, for in September, 1658. they rendered their decision,
which was that all of the said conquered territory west of the
Mystic River should belong to Connecticut, and all east of it
should belong to Massachusetts. Immediately after this deci-
sion became known to the planters, they petitioned the Massa-
chusetts General Court for corporate powers, which were granted
them, on the 19th day of October, 1658, in these words: "In
answer to the petition of the inhabitants of Mystic and Pawca-
tuck, the Court judgeth it meet to grant that the English plan-
tation between Mystic and Pawcatuck be named Southington,
and belong to the County of Suffolk, and order that all pruden-
tial affairs thereof be managed by Capt. George Denison, Rob-
ert Park, William Chesebrough, Thomas Stanton, Walter Pal-
mer and Thomas Miner, till the Court take further order."
Connecticut remonstrated but yielded reluctantly to the deci-
sion in the premises. The town of Southerntown remained
under the jurisdiction of Massachusetts till after the restoration
of the monarchy in England, when King Charles II. granted
a new charter to Connecticut in 1662, placing Southerntown
in the limits of our State. Massachusetts gave up ail claim to
our territory, and Connecticut again asserted jurisdiction, when
the General in 1665 changed the name of the town to Mystic.
In the year 1667 the General Court again changed the name to
that of Stonington. At first these changes in the jurisdiction
and names of the township produced contention and litigation
which lasted for years, but finally subsided, and the town in-
creased in population and wealth. That portion of the old
town of Southerntown now embraced in the limits of the bor-
ough of Stonington, was included in the Chesebrough land
grants, and remained a pasture until 1750. when a new highway
was laid out, from the town square northwardly to Preston.
Previous to this the business of the town had been transacted
at Pawcatuck, Tangwonk, Agreement Hill, and Mystic. But al-
most immediately after this highway was established, business
centered here, and the population increased very rapidly, so
that by 1770, the village contained about five hundred inhabi-
tants. The first meeting house was built in 1787, and the mon-
ey to pay for the same was raised by a lottery. The village
I was bombarded during the Revolutionary War, and again more
formidably during the last war with England. The borough
i was organized under a charter obtained of the General Assem-
; bly in 1801.
264 PALMER RECORD
1662.
WALTER PALMER'S WILL.
Vnto my sonne John, a yoake of three yeare old steares. and
a horse; to my dau. Grace 20; to all my Grand Children 20s
a piece — To my sonne Jonas, halfe the planting Lott at ye new
meadow River, by Seaconck & ye Lott betweene John Butter-
worths, according to the fouer score pound Estate, & the use of
halfe ye housing & halfe of the whole Farme for fouer yeares —
To my sonne William, the other halfe of ye same farme at Sea-
conck foreuer. and to take Robert Martine or some othr skill
full man & to devide the houseing &: the whole farme in two
equall prts & to take his owne & dispose of it as he pleaseth —
I giue him, also, a Mare with her foale, two redd oxen, a pair
of Steares of three yeare old a piece, fouer Cowes & a Muskett
with all such things as are his owne allready — The other halfe
of the farme at Seaconcke I give to my Sonne Gcrsham, for
ever, after the tearme of fouer yeares — all the rest of my Land
goods, and chattell vndisposed I leave vnto my wife, whome
with my sonne Elihu, I make my full executor, to pay my
debts, bring vp my Children & pay them theire portions as my
Lands and Estate will beare : but, in case my wife marry againe,
before my Children are brought vp & their portions payd, then,
my three sonnes, Elihu, Nehemiah, & Moses to enter vpon the
farme & Estate, and pay vnto their mother, 10^ pr annum during
hir life & ye Land & Estate duely valued to be equally distributed
among my Children, — Elyhu, Nehemiah, Moses, Benjamin.
Gersham, Hannah, & Rebecca, with Consideration of the tenn
pound yearely to be payd to theire mother out of ye Land —
But if my wife pay their portions, according to her discretion
& my three sonnes Elihu, Nehemiah, & Moses Possesse the
Land, they shall give ^20 a piece out of the Land to my sonne
Benjamine, besides his mothers portion, in 3 years after they
are possesst of the Farme.
Walter Palmer.
In the prnce of
William Cheesbrough,
Samil Cheesbrough,
Nathaniell Cheesbrough.
m
Memorandum. — If Elihu, Nehemiah. or Moses decease before
they have any years, Benjamine is to succede in theire pt of ye
Farme & give to my dau. Elizabeth, two Cowes — 1 give my
Executors a yeares time for payment of these Legacies.
Testified to, by three witnesses, on oath, before George Deni-
son, Commissi".
OF THE RE-UNION. 265
Approved by the Court on Petition of Lieut. Richard Cooke,
in behalfe of ye Widow Palmer, relict of Walter and Elihu,
theire sonne, on the oathes of Win.. Samuell & NathanU Chees-
brough, 1 1 May 1662.
Inventor}'' of the Goods & Chattells of Walter Palmer, now
deceased, at Southertowne, in the Countie of Suffolke, as it was
•taken the Last of Mrch 1662 by William Chesbrooke & Thomas
Stanton of the same towne.
Amt ;£ 1644.05s.
One horse valued at £12, added by Elihu Palmer, as Execu-
tor who deposed, 13 May 1662.
— {From the Records of Suffolk Co., Mas?.~\
THE INVENTORY OF WALTER PALMER.
An invcntarie of the goodes & chatels of waiter Palmer Now
deceased at Sothertwn in the Cowntie of Suffolke as it was ta-
ken the Last of March 1662 by William Chisbroh & Thomas
Stanton of the same towne.
4 horses at £45 00 00
5 mares at 66 oc 00
4 cowltes at 30 00 00
halfe a hors 06 00 00
19 yeerlings at 38 00 00
19 too yer owldes at .- 76 00 00
1 8 two veer & vantag at 90 00 00
4 Steeres & a bull at 29 00 00
8 Oxen at 64 00 00
23 Cowes at 115 00 co
So Sheepe at 44 co 00
wvn bull not seen at 03 00 00
4 fatting hogs at 08 00 00
3 younger hogs at I 10 00
4 moi e swine at 4 05 00
2olb of fetheres at I 00 00
5olb of wool at 2 10 00
9 gwnes 4 foling Peeses at 15 00 00
3 sordes at or 10 00
4 beds of furnyture at 14 00 OO
3 beds of furnyture at 2$ 00 00
4 Chiestes & y't in them 120000
Pewter bras & other goods 20 00 00
1 tabell & forme at , r 01 10 co
266 PALMER RECORD
plowgeares & Castes at .£30 00 00
Lumber and toolles 22 00 00
his apparell at 12 00 to
Corne & have at 55 00 00
Provision in the hows at 25 00 00
1 boat at 07 00 co
goods at New London, Seaconk & the duch 120 00 00
howsing and Landes 661 00 00
Totalis 1644 05 00
WlLLM ClIESEBROUGH.
Tho. Stanton.
one horse more Added at iz£ at Seacunccke virte.
[On the back of the inventory is the following :]
13 may, 1662, at Generall Court, Elihu Palmer deposed as
executor to his late father Palmer's will, deposed yt hairing
added to this Inventory one horse at twelve pounds, is a true
Inventory of his late father's Estate to his best knowledge that
when he knowes more he will discover it.
Edward Rawson, Secretv.
THE WALTER PALMER FARM AT WEOUETE-
OUOCK COVE.
This farm contains 231 acres, and is that portion of Walter
Palmer's immense tract which he gave to his son Xehemiah.
and upon which he built his house (now standing), and where
he reared his family, the names of whom are given in another
column. On this " Walter Palmer farm " is the ancient burying-
ground, in which repose the dust of the early settlers (of Ston-
ington) and of their children: also it is the very- spot where
Walter first built his log-house as a temporary abode, on his
arrival from Rehoboth (the excavation in the side hill can stii!
be seen), consequently it is historic ground, and probably more
so than any other of the original Palmer territory.
The northern edge of the farm borders on the old mill pond
and Anguilla brook, and at the head of the pond traces can be
seen of the old saw-mill dam built by Walter and others. The
grist mill, built some 220 years ago, is still in operation, and its
appearance is the best evidence of its antiquity.
The Stonington and Providence Railroad runs across the
southern portion of the farm, and at that point is the tank-
OF thf. re-uxiox. 26;
house of the Railroad Co. supplied by water from a reservoir
on the farm. Until within a few years all trains on the Ston-
ington Railroad stopped there to " water." From the railroad
track up the hill to the farm-house is only 600 feet.
The farm is admirably adapted to grazing purposes, and
many years ago it was purchased by a Mr. Baldwin for ten
thousand dollars, and since that time it has been known as the
" Baldwin farm."
But a little while ago it was offered for sale, and Ira H. Pal-
mer, of Stonington, seeing with others the desirability of secur-
ing and retaining the large property, with its historic associa-
tions, in the Palmer family, entered into negotiations for it,
which were concluded in the early part of this month. The
farm is now tenanted and will continue to be : improvements
will gradually be made, and the descendants (who are very nu-
merous) of Xehemiah Palmer, son of Walter, when they visit
Stonington, will particularly be interested in this part of Wal-
ter's domain. Although the house now standing has been oft
times repaired, yet it is of the original shape and style as built
by Nehemiah. The Re-unionists to Stonington last summer
did not have this property pointed out to them, consequently
knew nothing of its associations. We trust Walter's descend-
ants will know more of it in the future. — From " Vidette."
IX MEMORIAM.
During the interval of the Re-union, and the publication of
this volume, there have been deaths of some of the family.
Such as we have learned of we insert a brief biography of.
[From the American Grocer, December S, 1 58 1.]
JAMES WOOLSEY PALMER.
The subject of this sketch, who died at his late residence,
213 Washington street, Jersey City, on Monday, the 5th inst.,
after a month's illness, was for forty-three years a resident of
Jersey City, and for forty-two years a wholesale grocer in New
York City. The deceased was born near Paterson, X. }., on
the 2d January, 18 10. and was the son of Captain James M. W.
Palmer, of the ship Marshall, and grandson of Brigade-Major
Thomas Palmer, of the British Army, and Esther Woolsey, his
wife, whose brother was the father of President Theodore D.
268 PALMER RFXORH
Woolsey, of Vale 'College. Mr. Palmer came to New York
when a boy, and in 1832 became a clerk for the old wholesale
grocer}- house of Clark & Tallmadge, which firm he left in 1834
to become, at the age of 24 years, one of the firm of Ream,
Lyon & Palmer, wholesale grocers. In 1837 Mr. Beam retired
from business with a competence, when Mr. Palmer associated
himself with Mr. Samuel J. Berry, under the firm name of Ber-
ry & Palmer, and so continued under that firm name for 28
years, until 1865, when Mr. Berry also retired from business.
Mr. Palmer then concluded to continue the business under the
firm name of James \Y. Palmer & Sons, taking into partnership
his sons, James W. Palmer, Jr., now of the firm of H. K. & F.
B. Thurber & Co., and David W. Palmer, who during the war
was an Assistant Adjutant-General in General Sherman's army.
but died March, 22, 1873, widely known and highly respected.
In 1876, the senior member of the firm retired from active bus-
iness, and since then has occupied his time in attending to the
affairs of the George M. Woolsey estate, of which, as executor
and trustee, he has had the management for the past thirty-
years. In early life Mr. Palmer was a very active member of
the old Whig party, especially during the campaigns of Clay
and Harrison, but of late years he has taken no special interest
in any political organization. On December 6, 1841. at its
first meeting, he was elected an incorporator and trustee of the
Provident Institution for Savings of Jersey City; on December
2, 1850, he was elected a Vice-President, and on January [5.
185 1, a member of the Board of Investment, of which he was
for many years the Chairman. In fact, so highly were his ser-
vices appreciated that, in 1867, he was presented with a service
of silver plate for his faithful labors, rendered gratuitously, as a
member of the Board of Investment. After twenty-six years'
service as Vice-President and member of the Investment Com-
mittee, he resigned, December, [876. He was again elected
Vice-President in December, 1879, which office he held at the
time of his death, having served the Institution faithfully, wise-
ly and gratuitously for ^y years. In all the relations of life he
was faithful and conscientious, and although he only sought the
friendship of those whose friendship was worth having, he was
a warm friend to the needy and afflicted who came to him for
comfort, assistance or advice. He was a kind father, a wise
counsellor, a good citizen and an honest man. His funeral
took place from his late residence on Wednesday afternoon, 7th
inst. The remains will be taken to Goshen, N. V., to be buried
by the side of his wife and children.
OF THE RE-UNION. 269
REV. MARCUS PALMER,
OF FITCHVILLE, OHIO.
PALMER — Feb. 15, 1881, Rev. Marcus Palmer, in his eighty-
sixth year.
The following is an abstract of a memorial discourse, preached
by Rev. J. H. Walter, at the funeral services held at Olena,
Huron County, on the 15th, the remains being conveyed to the
family burial-ground at Fitchville.
The same discourse was preached in the Presbyterian Church
in that place, the Sunday previous.
The deceased was a native, of Greenwich, Fairfield County,
Conn.; born the 24th of April, 1795. He was the seventh in
age of a family of fourteen, two younger brothers yet living at
Fitchville.
At the age of nineteen he united with the Congregational
Church, and on the death of the father, the family removed to
Huron County, Ohio. The deceased remained East with a
brother, a physician, and studied medicine and graduated at
the Medical College in New York City. In 1820 he was re-
commended by Dr. Gardner Spring, pastor of the Brick Pres-
byterian Church, New York, to the United Foreign Missionary
Society, as a suitable person for a physician among the Indians
west of the Mississippi. The appointment was made and ac-
cepted, and Dr. Palmer set out from New York for Philadelphia,
in one of the first steamboats ever built. Thence in company with
about eight persons for the same mission, he crossed the Alle-
gheny mountains with one of the long wagon-trains, to Pitts-
burg; thence by flat-boats down the Ohio and Mississippi riv-
ers to the mouth of the Arkansas, and up that river by poles
and bushwhacking, to Little Rock ; thence to the Union Mission,
now in Southern Kansas, among the Osage Indians.
Here his work began, amid the difficulties and sufferings
which attended the removal of the Indians westward.
In 1824 Dr. Palmer was married to Miss Clarissa Johnson,
then having care of the Mission School, and who, after twelve
years, died on her way East, and was buried at Granville, Ohio.
HULDAII PALMER,
WIDOW OF-STEPUE N W . 1' A L M E K .
"GRANDMOTHER."
At the close of our volume, we are pained to note the close
of Grandmother Palmer's earthly career.
She was a remarkable woman in many ways. In physique
2/0 PALMER RECORD
large and portly, weighing in usual health 240 pounds, and sel-
dom ill — the mother of twelve children, all but two grown up to
manhood and womanhood, and whose average weight was 216
pounds. She was a home mother, and during the period of a
quarter of a century, left her house to visit her neighbor's but
two or three times. I doubt if she beheld a locomotive more
than two or three times, though hearing the whistle daily. She
had a wonderful memory, and her mind was a store-house of
information, which she kept daily refreshed by reading and
study. She was strong-minded to that extent that few politi-
cians in her neighborhood could out-talk her on the topics of
the day. Four of her sons became active representatives in
the Democratic party, in the various sections where they lived:
but mother's advice and counsel was always held in high esteem
by them.
We have given, on page 136, a brief-mention that " Palmer
Records" emanated from her influence, when we passed a three
months' vacation with Grandmother. We outlined what Bible-
records she had. and by gradual study she gave us the pedigree
of over four hundred Palmers. This was the nucleus upon which
was built the Record, now containing the lineage of over 10,000
Palmers. She took an active interest in the work, and wrote
hundreds of letters in a hand-writing almost like print — writing
the letters slow and in the shape of type, rather than script
penmanship. In one of her letters she writes: " I joined the
Church in Lenox, in 18 19, a firm believer in Christ, as all my
connections were, and most of them were members of the Bap-
tist Church. Near my birth-place were high ledges of huge
rocks, which mother said were rent asunder when Christ was
crucified, which, in our infancy, created no little interest for the
great God of Heaven and Earth. And the teachings of a
Christian mother, endowed with a mother's kind heart, stamped
the minds of her children impressions that will endure like the
rock of ages."
On page 138 will be noticed one of the lines of descent of
Grandmother from Walter, and on page 137 another; and on
page 139 her likeness, with that of her husband Stephen W.,
her four sons, Chas. W., Wm. L., Xoyes G. and Geo. W., with
that of her grandson, Noyes F., and two of her grta {-grand-
children, Albert W. and Saidee E.
Our great regret is that she did not live to see some of the
Record in print — a fond hope of hers for years.
Grandmother Huldah was born December 28th, 1797, and
died January 30th, 1882, aged 84 years and 1 month.
OF THE RE-UNION. 2/1
STEPHEN W. PALMER,
OF NORVELL. JACKSON COUNTY, MICH.
Grandfather Stephen \Y. Palmer was born at Stonington, on
November 22cl, 1793. and lived there until about 18 10, and
moved into New York State — Lenox, Madison County. At the
age of twenty, he married Huldah Palmer, who was " sweet
sixteen " at that time. He joined the Masonic Fraternity in
1 8 14; held important offices, and finally received the degree of
Royal Arch, and took several honorary signs ; held a captain's
commission in the Militia; was called out in 18 15. just before
the War of 18 12 closed, and for services received a bounty of
160 acres; moved to this land, situated near Napoleon, Jack-
son Count}', Mich., in 1836; was elected Postmaster and Jus-
tice of the Peace several times. He was a man of strong con-
victions, stern and decided ; he had a marked influence in any
matter requiring deliberation and judgment. His avocation as
farmer was in the line of stock-cattle breeding, and in which
he became known all over the State as owning the best breed
of Durham cattle.
He died March 23d, 1879, aged ^ years. His likeness ap-
pears on page 139.
CULLEN PALMER,
OF MADISON, OHIO.
PALMER — In Madison, August 28th, 1881, after a painful and
protracted illness of over a year, Mr. Cullen Palmer, aged 69
years.
The deceased was one of Madison's most respected and in-
fluential citizens. Having lived in Madison during the past 40
years, he aided materially in the upbuilding of the town and
society, and won to himself many friends and acquaintances.
He was born in Concord, Ohio, in 18 12, was a son of Dr. Isaac
Palmer, of that place, and a descendant of Walter Palmer,
who came from Nottinghamshire, England, with the pilgrims,
and settled in 1653 in Stonington, Conn. While living in Con-
cord, the deceased, in company with Mr. Robert Murray, now
of Mentor, bought and sold cattle quite extensively, buying
them in that vicinity and driving them overland in large droves
across the Allegheny Blue Ridge mountains to Philadelphia,
where they were sold — the hardship and enterprise of the
business being far different than now, when the herds of cattle
272 PALMER KLCORfr
arc transported by rail. While living in Madison, he devoted
his energies to farming, buying and selling cattle for the Buffalo
and home market. At the age of 52, soon after the death of his
son, he united with the Congregational Church. During his
sickness he bore his suffering with patience, and died trusting
in Christ's mercy and his atoning blood. He leaves a wife, three-
sons and a daughter, who deeply mourn his loss.
REV. GEORGE PALMER WILLIAMS,
OF ANN ARBOR, MICH.
WILLIAMS— Rev. George Palmer Williams, LL.D.. for forty
years professor in Michigan University, died Sept. 4, 1881, at
Ann Arbor, of general debility.
Dr. Williams was a native of Woodstock, Vt., having been
born April 13, 1802, and was a brother of the late Hon. Nor-
man Williams, and whose mother was a daughter of Gershom
Palmer. He graduated at Burlington in 1S25, and afterward
at Andover Theological Seminar)', and in 1827 went west and
became a tutor in Kenyon College, Gambier, O. From 1 S3 1 to
1834 he was a professor of languages in the Western University
of Pennsylvania at Pittsburg, and from 1834 to 1837 again at
Kenyon College. In 1837 he received the first appointment to
the place of instructor made by the board of regents of the
Michigan University as principal of the Pontiac branch. July
22, 1 841, he received the first appointment in the department
of ancient languages to a professorship in the University proper.
This position, however, he did not accept, but instead that of
mathematics and natural sciences. In 1854 the department of
physics was otherwise provided for, leaving him only mathe-
matics. This, in 1863, he exchanged for physics, with which
department he was connected as emeritus professor. Astron-
omy, though not nominally in his professorship, he taught until
1844, and great enthusiasm in the calculation of eclipses was
annually awakened among the students. At the age of 45 he
entered the ministry. He served at one time for more than a
year as rector of St. Andrews Church, Ann Arbor, and by the
donation of his salary relieved the church from debt. In 1S27
he married Elizabeth Edson, of Randolph, Vt., who died in
1850. In 1852 he married Mrs. Jane Richards. Some years
ago the Alumni of Michigan University conceived the idea of
raising an endowment fund, and the total amount subscribed
was $27,374.46, the interest on which was paid Dr. Williams.
OF THE RE-UNION. 273
William Brown Palmer, of Covington. Wyoming Co..
N. Y., died January 31, 1SS2. Was the oldest son of Uzziel
and " Nabby " Palmer, and was born in Stonington, May 10.
1795. Was a direct descendant from Rev. Wales Palmer.' He
moved to New York State when a young man.
Walter Palmer, of Winfield, X. Y.,died at that place Janu-
ary, 1882. He was one of the most prominent citizens of the
locality, and connected with the National Bank of Winfield.
Mrs. Harriet N. Palmer, of Norwich, Conn., and wife of
Col. Edwin Palmer, died October 31, 1881.
GEO. W. PALMER, of Union Park, Conn., died November,
1 88 1. He was for over twenty years Treasurer of the .Middle-
sex Horse Railroad in Boston. Mass. His amiability and
strict business habits won for him a high standing in society.
The funeral was attended by the Handel and Hayden Musical
Society, who furnished sacred music on the occasion. The re-
mains were buried in Brandon, Conn.
Capt. Gideon H. Palmer, of Newport, R. I., died in March,
1 88 1, much respected and esteemed.
William Walter Palmer (No. 2,447, page '39> died Feb-
ruary 5, 1882, aged 1 year, 5 months and 4 days, infant son of
Noyes F. and Clara M. Palmer. This little fellow had some-
thing to do with the Re-union. He used to play around the
room, and scatter the invitations being written to the Palmers.
He used to spoil some of them, too. and blot them, as he sat
upon our knee, when we were writing, and with his chubby
hand reach out and try to help. He had something to do in
putting sunshine in this book when we were weary in the task —
a romp on the floor brought back our spirits. He used to help
us by spilling the ink, breaking off the end of our lead pencils,
and creep over our desk on the top of papers. In short, he-
was company to us in many ways. Now he is in company with
angels in heaven, and we in sorrow and sadness.
MRS. PAUL S. PALMER.
[Likeness No. 6, page 177 ; Riography, page 165. J
PALMER.— At Stock-bridge, March 13, Mrs. Hannah Palmer,
aged 'jj years.
" Dear, good Mrs. Palmer!" is the exclamation universally
following the mention of the decease of this excellent lady, by
2/4 PALMER RECORD
our citizens. No woman has better deserved such testimony,
and no monument that may rise above her place of rest can
better commemorate her. No community can spare such mem-
bers without sorrow, and a feeling of impoverishment. Mrs.
Palmer was born in Stonington. Ct.. in the year 1804. Her
bright and joyous girlhood ripened into the tempered vivacity
which she brought with her to her adopted residence here, and
radiated like sunshine from her home to all who were blessed
with her acquaintance. In 1824, she married Mr. Paul S. Pal-
mer, moved to this town and commenced a life-long career of
love and usefulness. The family residence on the upland north
of our village became proverbial for good cheer, hospitality and
happiness. Her husband was an intelligent, courteous and in-
dependent farmer, preaching by his own example the " dignity
of labor." When Lord Morpeth visited our town in 1842, for
larger knowledge of the modes of American life, he was taken
to Mr. Palmer's as a place affording a most favorable specimen
of the American farmer and domestic management. Nor did
it fail of proper appreciation, of which the genial, lady-like mis-
tress came in for a full share. Mrs. Palmer was the soul ot
sympathy and helpfulness. Her charity knew no sectarianism,
and "the blessing of Him that was ready to perish" was al-
ways hers. The victims of misfortune found in her an invalu-
able ally. All children loved her as a mother. Her words of
kindness and deeds of beneficence brought cheer to the dis-
tressed : her hand was ever efficacious to smooth the pillow of
pain, and the remedials suggested by her rich experience often
proved more efficacious than those of the physician. There
could be no despondency when and where she was present. To
her last days she could equally well entertain those of Jier own
age and the gayest of the young. The natural sedatene.ss of
years was remarkably tempered by an inborn cheerfulness
which prompted her, not to withdraw from social pleasures, but
rather to promote them by a geniality which made her presence
agreeable to old and young. Her well-stored mind, large ex-
perience and interesting conversational powers rendered her a
model guest and hostess. The death of her hasband, in 1875,
dampened but could not subdue her inherent cheerfulness, while
it brightened the Christian faith which dominated all her fac-
ulties and enhanced her sympathy toward general humanity.
A son and a widowed daughter, Mrs. Mar}' Palmer Pitkin, re-
mained in her stricken home, whose loving devotion to her in
her increasing years, augmented by that of another son's family,
occupying the adjoining farm (three only surviving of nine
children), and numerous grandchildren, all of whom almost
of The re-union.
worshipped her, rendered life still desirable and happy. Here,
finally, after a brief illness, death overtook her, in full posses-
sion of her mental powers, though at the ripe age of " years,
and closed her eyes on earth to be opened on the glories of the
better land. Such a life in any community is a golden exam-
ple and a benediction, and the loss of it can only be recom-
pensed by the assurance of eternal reward to the one who lived it.
"She set as sets the morning star, that goes
Not down behind the darkened west, nor hides
Obscured among the tempests of the sky,
But melts away into the light of I leaven.*'
Stockbridge, March 25, 1682.
Extract from a sermon preached by the Rev. Arthur Law-
rence, rector of St. Paul's Church, in Stockbridge, March 19th.
" We have laid this week out of our sight one of the sweetest
and best of our number — one who for more than fifty years has
been the centre and the sunlight of that best of all things on
earth — a Christian home — one whose clear wisdom, whose
gentle nature, whose loving heart have drawn to her the ten-
der respect and tender affection of every one she knew.
Was the tender smile which was ever on her lips inconsistent
with an humble spirit ? Was the cheerfulness with which she
welcomed those who turned to her — and never in vain — for
sympathy or greetiug out of keeping with a heart that had been
sanctified by suffering and acquainted with grief?
APPENDIX.
[After the " business minutes " of the Re-union had been
published in this volume it was discovered by the Secretary
that several records had been omitted, and we insert, to keep
the record complete.
Palmer Re-UNION, Stonington, Conn., Aug. 10, 1881.
[Part of omitted Minutes, page 20.]
At a mass meeting of the " Palmer Re-union," held on the
evening of this date, in the large tent on the Re-union grounds
(Loper lot), Gen. Geo. W. Palmer, of New York, Acting Chair-
man. Hon. C. D. Prescott, of Rome, N. Y., then moved:
That whereas, the officers having charge of this grand Re-
union have demonstrated their fitness for the respective offices
they hold, and their eminent ability to plan and successfully
carry out another re-union.
Resolved, That such officers be and they hereby are elected
and continued as the officers of the " Palmer Re-union Organi-
zation " now formed, to hold until the next re-union, with full
power to determine the time when and the place where the
same shall be held, and to do all acts and things necessary and
proper with reference thereto.
The above motion being seconded, was carried unanimously.
The thanks of the Re-union was voted separately to Hon. E.H.
Palmer as President, Ira H. Palmer as Corresponding Secretary.
and Noyes F. Palmer as Committee on Invitation, for their in-
defatigable efforts in arranging and planning so effectively the
interests of the Re-union.
Adjourned to mass meeting, August nth, same place.
From the Record.
(Attest;, Ira H. Palmer,
Acting Clerk.
OF THE RE-UNION. 2/';
Palmer Re-union, Stonington, Aug. n, 1881.
* * -::- * j}y those assembled at this time, and as Un-
representative body of the " Palmer Re-union," the following
was passed unanimously, Hon. E. H. Palmer, Chairman :
Voted, That the " Palmer Re-union " does now adjourn, sub-
ject to the call of the President.
(Attest), Ira H. Palmer,
Acting Clerk.
[In addition, the proceedings of the business meetings, pre-
liminary to the second Re-union is also inserted. Efforts have
been made to perfect a " Palmer Re-union Association" that will
perpetuate re-unions from time to time, and will provide ways
and means for the expenses.]
MINUTES OF FIRST MEETING
FOR PERMANENT ORGANIZATION
OF THE
PALMER RE-UNION ASSOCIATION,
November 28th, 1S81, at 237 Broadway (Broadway National
Bank), New York City.
Meeting held pursuant to call of President of Re-union —
E. H. Palmer.
PRESENT — E. H. Palmer, Montville, Ct. ; Gen. Geo. W. Palmer,
New York City; Francis A. Palmer, Esq., New Yoak City:
Lorin Palmer, Esq., Brooklyn, N. Y. ; Courtlandt Palmer,
Esq., New York City; James U. Palmer, Esq., Brooklyn,
N. Y. ; B. Frank Chapman, Esq., Oneida, N. Y. ; Noyes F.
Palmer, Jamaica, N. Y., and others.
On motion of Francis A. Palmer, Esq.,
Voted, That E. H. Palmer, the President of the late Palmer
Re-union, be called upon to preside.
27& PALMER RECORD
On motion of Gen. Geo. W. Palmer,
Voted, That Noyes F. Palmer be Secretary pro tern.
After general discussion as to the objects of the meeting, on
motion of Courtlandt Palmer, Esq., it was
Voted, That a permanent organization, for the purpose of per-
petuating Palmer Family Re-unions, and for social and literary
intercourse, be formed under the name of PALMER RE-UNION
Association.
On motion of Gen. Geo. \V. Palmer, it was
Voted, That E. H. Palmer, of Montville, Conn., be President
of the Association.
On motion of Lorin Palmer, Esq., it was
Voted, That Gen. Geo. W. Palmer, of New York City, be
First Vice-President of the Association.
On motion of Noyes F. Palmer, it was
Voted, That Rev. A. G. Palmer, D. D., of Stonington, Conn..
be Second Vice-President of the Association.
On motion of Courtlandt Palmer, Esq., it was
Voted, That Francis A. Palmer, Esq., of New York City, be
Treasurer of the Association.
On motion of Gen. Geo. W. Palmer, it was
Voted, That Noyes F. Palmer, of Jamaica, N. Y., be Secre-
tary of the Association.
On motion of Lorin Palmer, it was
Voted, That the five officers (President, First Vice-President,
Second Vice-President, Treasurer, and Secretary) be an Execu-
tive Committee, with power to appoint sub-committees.
After general discussion as to the basis of control of the said
Association, on motion of Courtlandt Palmer, it was
Voted, That the Executive Committee prepare a certificate
of membership to issue to members of the family (paternal or
maternal j descendants ; that said certificate not to stipulate that
it is obligatory for the recipient to pay for the same, but that
the requirements necessary to obtain a certificate be set forth
in the By-Laws of the Association, and not appear in the cer-
tificate.
OF THE RE-UNION. 279
On motion of Gen. Geo. W. Palmer, it was
Voted, That the Executive Committee prepare a set of By-
Laws, and report at the next meeting, said meeting to be called
by the Secretary when the Executive Committee are prepared
to report.
On motion of Lorin Palmer, it was
Voted, That Vice-Presidents be elected to represent different
branches of the family in various sections, and that the Secre-
tary prepare a list of the same, and report at the next meeting
for approval.
On motion of E. .H. Palmer, it was
Voted, An expression of thanks to F. A. Palmer, Esq., for
his courtesy in allowing the Association a temporary place of
meeting.
On motion of Lorin Palmer, it was
]Toted, To adjourn, subject to call of the Secretary.
I NOTE. — The minutes were amended by a subsequent meet-
ing held at St. Paul's Evangelical Church, April 6. 18S2. At
the latter meeting the report of Committee on Constitution,
By-Laws, etc., was made and adopted.]
Palmer Re-UNION, Stonington, Conn.. Jan., 1S82.
Notice is hereby given tha: a business meeting of the " Pal-
mer Re-union " will be held at Brayton Hall, January 30th. at
7:30 o'clock, for the consideration of, and the acting upon
measures appearing necessary — to create additional offices, if
desired, and to fill the same. By order of
E. H. Palmer,
President.
Ira H. Palmer,
Cor. Sec'y and Acting Sec y of Record.
[NOTE. — The proceedings of this informal meeting of Janu-
ary 3, 1882, were superseded by the action of the Re-union
meeting held at St. Paul's Evangelical Church, New York City,
April 6, 1882.J
2So PALMER RECORD
PALMER RE-UNION ASSOCIATION,
CALL. FOR MEETING.
[From Brooklyn Union-Argus, April i, 2, 3, 4 and 5, 1S82, New York Tribune.
April 5, 1SS2, and other papers.]
Palmer Family — Second Re-Union— Business Meeting.
— A meeting of the members of the family, and officers of the
late Re-union, is to be held in New York City, on the 'first
Thursday in April (6th), at St. Paul's Evangelical Church, cor-
ner Thirty-fourth street and Eighth avenue, at 8 P. M. ; the
object of the meeting being to discuss the advisability of hold-
ing stated re-unions and to perfect a permanent association to
perpetuate the same. All members of the family (ladies as
well) are particularly requested to attend and participate in this
business meeting. You are specially invited to be present.
(Signed) Elisha H. Palmer, Montville, Conn.,
President of Re-union.
[From Stonington Mirror, March 25, 16S2.]
PALMER Re-UNTON. — There will be a meeting of the Palmer
Re-union, in New York City, at St. Paul's Evangelical Church.
April 6th, at 3 o'clock P. M., for the consideration and transac-
tion of business appearing necessary at that time.
By order of E. H. Palmer, President.
I. H. Palmer, Acting Secretary of Record.
Stonington, Conn., March 22, 1882.
MINUTES.
New York, St. Paul's Evangelical Church. /
250 W. Thirty- fourth street, April 6, 1882. \
Pursuant to published call, this meeting was held.
Elisha H. Palmer, of Montville, Conn., President of Re-union,
in the chair; Ira H. Palmer, of Stonington, Conn., Corre-
sponding Secretary of Re-Union, Clerk.
On motion of Rev. A. G. Palmer, of Stonington, Conn.,
Voted, That the Clerk read the call for the meeting.
The Clerk read the same.
The Chair directed the Clerk to read the minutes of the pre-
vious meeting, held at Stonington, Conn., January 30, 1882 :
and the same was read.
OF THE RE-UNION. 28 1
Upon motion of Noycs F. Palmer, of Jamaica,
Voted, That the minutes of the previous meeting be super-
seded by the deliberations of the present meeting.
The Chair then made a few remarks, and called upon Gen.
Geo. W. Palmer, of New York City, who made an explanation
in regard to the necessity of having a permanent association
formed to assist the officers of the late Re-union in any future
meeting of this character ; that the motion adopted at the close
of the late Re-union stipulated that the officers may do such
acts as are necessary to promote re-unions, and have proper
regulations made to accomplish the same.
Therefore, on motion of Benj. F. Chapman, of Oneida, N. Y.,
Voted, That the Palmer Re-union Association be formed.
Proposed Constitution and By-Laws of the Palmer Re-union
Association read by Gen. Geo. W. Palmer, and upon his motion,
seconded by Rev. A. G. Palmer,
Voted, That the same be adopted as a whole.
On motion of Benj. F. Chapman, of Oneida, N. Y.,
Voted, That the date of August and November meetings be
left to the discretion of the Board of Officers.
On motion of Prof. Joseph H. Palmer, of Yonkers, N. Y.,
Voted, That there be no restrictions as to the age of appli-
cants for certificate of membership.
Amendments adopted, and the Constitution and By-Laws, as
a whole.
On motion of Gen. Geo. W. Palmer,
Voted, That the officers of the Palmer Re-union Association
be chosen.
On motion of Gen. Geo. \V. Palmer,
Voted, As President, Elisha H. Palmer, of Montville, Conn.
Voted, As First Vice-President, Rev. A. G. Palmer, of Ston-
ington, Conn.
On motion of Noyes F. Palmer,
Voted, As Second Vice-President, Gen. Geo. W. Palmer, of
New York City.
On motion of E. H. Palmer,
282 PALMER RECORD
Voted, As Third Vice-President, Robert Palmer, of Noank,
Conn.
•\
Voted> As Treasurer, Francis A. Palmer, of New York City.
Voted, As Chaplain, Rev. E. B. Palmer, D. D., of Brid^eton
N. j.
Voted, As Recording Secretary, Noyes F. Palmer, of Ja-
maica, N. Y.
Voted, As Corresponding Secretary, Ira H. Palmer, of Ston-
ington, Conn.
Voted, As Grand Marshal, F. C. Palmer, of Montville, Conn.
• The questions of Life Membership and Honorary Member-
ship were discussed, and deferred until the next Re-union.
Dr. Corydon Palmer made an explanation in reference to
coat-of-arms, and exhibited a large painting of one of the em-
blems. Matter referred to Committee on Certificate.
Committee on Certificate appointed by Chair— Gen. Geo. \V.
Palmer and Noyes F. Palmer — with power to print in pamphlet
form the Constitution and By-Laws, and have prepared a suita-
ble form of Certificate of Membership, and to do such other
acts as are necessary to perfect the Association.
Literary Committee appointed by the Chair, with power to
increase their number : Rev. A. G. Palmer, of Stonington, Conn.,
Chairman; Mrs. Isabella Grant Meredith, of New York City:
Miss Sara A. Palmer, of Stonington, Conn. ; Mrs. Mary Palmer
Pitkin, of Stockbridge, Mass. ; Arch. M. Palmer, of New York
City; Prof. Joseph H. Palmer, of Yonkers, N.Y.; C. B. Palmer,
of Sing Sing, N. Y. ; Noyes F. Palmer, of Jamaica, N. Y. ;
Frank H. Palmer, of Brooklyn, N. Y.
Rev. A. G. Palmer, D. D., of Stonington, made a very happy
address to the Palmer Family, welcoming them to meet at
Stonington, at their next Re-union.
Whereupon, it was
Voted, To hold another Re-union at Stonington the coming
Summer.
Upon motion of Gen. Geo. W. Palmer,
Voted, Thanks to the hospitality of Francis A. Palmer in
tendering to the Palmers the use of the edifice in which the
meeting was held.
Adjourned subject to call of the President.
CONSTITUTI ON.
ARTICLE I.
Of the ATame of the Association.
SECTION i. The name of the Association shall be "Till-:
Palmer Re-union Association," and its object shall be the
perpetuation of the re-union of the Palmers and their paternal
and maternal kindred through the Palmer lineage ; to collect
and preserve information respecting the history of the family,
and to promote social and literary intercourse among its mem-
bers.
ARTICLE II.
Of Members.
Sec. i. Any descendent, paternal or maternal, of the Palmer
lineage, of good moral character and in respectable standing
in society, shall be eligible as a member.
§ 2. Each member shall, immediately upon admission, sign
the Roll of Membership (in person or by proxy) with full name
and residence, which will entitle him or her to a voice in the
proceedings of any meeting; but members shall not be entitled
to vote upon any question unless they shall hold certificates
of membership, in their own name, in the form prescribed.
§ 3. Certificate members shall not be held liable for any greater
amount than the sum voluntarily pledged by them to the Asso-
ciation ; nor shall they be liable for any dues, assessments, or any
indebtedness of the Association.
§ 4. In case any indebtedness is created, by reason of the
non-payment of pledged funds, a statement thereof shall im-
mediately be prepared by the Treasurer and sent to each certifi-
cate member, with the pro rata amount necessary to be con-
tributed by each, to maintain the integrity of the Association.
ARTICLE III.
Of the Officers of the Association.
SEC. 1. The officers of the Association shall be a President,
a First, a Second and a Third Vice-President, a Chaplain, a
Treasurer, a Grand Marshal, a Corresponding Secretary, and a
Recording Secretary, who shall be elected by the certificate
members at the close of each Re-union of the Association, at
which time they shall be installed and hold thier offices until
their successors are duly elected and qualified.
2S4 PALMER RECORD
§ 2. The election shall be by ballot in person or by proxy, and
a plurality of votes shall constitute a choice.
§ 3. The officers named in Section 1 of this Article shall
constitute an Executive Committee, to be styled the "Board of
Officers."
§ 4. The President shall, when he is present, preside at all
meetings of the Association, preserve order, put the question.
and declare the decision. He, in conjunction with one of the
Vice-Presidents, may call special meetings of the Association
when they shall judge proper, and he shall call them when re-
quired by the Board of Officers, or when requested in writing
by any nine members holding certificates, specifying in such re-
quest the object for which such meeting is desired. He shall
appoint the time and place of all meetings, and shall sign
orders on the Treasury from the Board of Officers, of which
Board he shall be President.
§ 5. The Vice-Presidents shall assist the President in presid-
ing at the meetings. The duties specified in the preceding sec-
tion shall, in case of the inability to act of the President, by
reason of his absence or sickness, devolve on the first Vice-
President, and, in the absence or sickness of both, on the Second
Vice-President ; and so on, according to rank — only that, in re-
gard to signing orders on the Treasurer, each shall have equal
powers with the President.
§ 6. The Treasurer shall have the custody of the money and
other property of the Association. He shall keep regular ac-
counts of receipts and disbursements in suitable books provided
for that purpose, which shall be open at all reasonable times to
the inspection of the members. He shall enter on his books
each sum paid by him in consequenee of the recommendation
or order of the Board of Officers, and preserve vouchers for all
disbursements. He shall present a full report at each Re-union
meeting of the financial condition of the Association, and at
such other times as the Board of Officers may direct.
§ 7. The Chaplain shall perform the religious duties at the
meetings of the Association, and shall by his counsel and ad-
vice promote harmony and good will among the members.
§ 8. It shall be the duty of the Grand Marshal to supervise
the details of the Re-unions of the Association, and he shall be
ex officio a member of each and every general and special com-
mittee.
§ 9. The Corresponding Secretary shall have general super-
vision over the correspondence of the Association; give notice
OF THE RE-UNION. 285
of all meetings, whether stated or special, and publish the
same in the newspapers when so directed by the Board of
Officers ; in the absence of the Recording Secretary to act in
that capacity, and make memorandum of all the proceedings,
and forward the same to the Recording Secretary.
§ 10. The Recording Secretary to assist the Corresponding
Secretary, and in the absence of the Corresponding Secretary
to act in that capacity. He shall keep a roll of the members
of the Association, and have custody of all the journals,
records and papers of the Association, and make entry therein
of all proceedings of the Association ; and also act as Secretary
of the Board of Officers.
§ 11. The Board of Officers shall meet whenever they deem it
expedient and the interests of the Association require. Special
meetings may be called by either of the Secretaries under the
direction of the President, or of the Vice-President acting in
his stead, or of any three members of the Board of Officers.
In addition to the general management and supervision of the
affairs of the Association hereby delegated to them, the Board
of Officers shall execute all such business as may from time to
time be committed to them by any law or resolve of the Asso-
ciation, and they shall report their proceedings at every
Re-union of the Association ; but they shall not create any
indebtedness not provided for by the funds of the Association
or the funds pledged by certificate members. The presence of
at least five members shall be necessary for the transaction of
business.
§ 12. In case of the death, resignation, or disability of the
President (see Sec. 5, Art. III). As to other vacancies (see
By-Laws.
ARTICLE IV.
Of Committees.
SEC. i. The Board of Officers shall constitute the Finance
Committee and have charge of all the funds of the Association.
All funds and money belonging to the Association shall
stand in the name of the "The Palmer Re-Union Associa-
tion." No money shall be disbursed except upon order of
said Board to the Treasurer, signed by the President, and
countersigned by the Recording Secretary.
£ 2. There shall be appointed at each Re-union meeting
when the officers of the Association are elected, a Committee
of Installment, consisting of two certificate members, who
shall present and install the officers elected for the ensuing
term.
286 PALMER RECORD
§ 3. All committees (special, as well as standing) whose ap-
pointment is not otherwise directed by the Constitution or By-
Laws, or a resolution of the Association, shall be nominated
by the President, and confirmed by the Board of Officers.
ARTICLE V.
Of Meetings.
Sec. I. As the natural object of this Association will be
greatly promoted by social intercourse among its members, the
Board of Officers may, whenever in their judgment it is deemed
expedient, appoint a time and place for the holding of a Re-
union meeting, and a two-thirds vote shall be necessary for
such action. But the General Re-Union of the Association
and Palmer descendants shall take place at least once in five
(5) years — the first having been in 1 881, the second to be 1886,
the third 1S91, etc. — at Stonington, Conn., in the month of
August, it being desirable that they be held on the loth and
nth, but the Board shall have power to fix any other days in
August for such Re-union.
§ 2. Special meetings may be called as provided in Section
4, Article 2, of this Constitution. Special meetings shall be
competent for the transaction of any business which may come
before them, except such business as by this Constitution or
the By-Laws may be confined to Re-union meetings.
§ 3. All business meetings of the Association shall be held
at such hour and place as the President, or person acting as
President for the time being, shall appoint.
§ 4.' A quorum for the dispatch of business, except in cases
where a larger number may be required for any special act by
any Article of the Constitution, shall consist of such number
of members as shall be prescribed by the By-Laws, but any
number of members present at the time appointed for a stated
meeting may, from time to time, adjourn such stated meeting.
ARTICLE VI.
Of the Funds, etc.
Sec. 1. The funds of the Association shall be under the con-
trol of the Board of Officers, who shall have power to determine
of the necessity of raising funds for the Association, and shall
direct the manner of collecting the same; and if a surplus of
funds be created at any time, such surplus shall remain in the
Treasury of the Association, credited against future pro rata
subscriptions of the members who may have contributed to
such surplus.
OF THE RE-UNION. 287
ARTICLE VII.
On the Mode of Altering the Constitution of the Association.
Sec. 1. No alteration, appeal or amendment of any part
of this Constitution shall take place unless the proposition for
such alteration, repeal or amendment shall have been made at
a previous stated meeting ; and such proposition shall not take
effect unless there are present at least seventy-five members,
three-fourths of whom shall vote in the affirmative, and the
votes on such question shall be recorded by the Secretary, if
required by five members present.
§ 2. The By-Laws of this Association may be altered, re-
pealed or amended, either at a stated meeting or a special
meeting, when called, for the object of making such alteration,
such object being expressed in the notice of said special meet-
ing. The proposition for such alteration, repeal or amend-
ment must have been made at a previous meeting.
BY-LAWS.
Sec. 1. The business meetings of the Association shall be
held on the date of the Re-union, and immediately before
the Re-union exercises commence, or they shall be held in
November in each year, upon such day as fixed by the Board
of Officers.
§ 2. The Corresponding or Recording Secretary shall give at
least ten days' notice, through the mails, to all members, of the
time and place of all meetings, whether special or stated, and
shall issue all invitations wherever Re-unions may be called by
the Board of Officers.
§ 3. At special meetings, the consent of two-thirds of the
members present shall be necessary to constitute a vote.
§ 4. Fifteen members shall be necessary to constitute a
quorum, except in cases where a larger number may be re-
quired by the Constitution or By-Laws for any special act.
§ 5. At each meeting of the Association, immediately after
the presiding officer shall have taken the chair, the minutes of
the previous meeting shall be read by the Secretary, and passed
upon by the Association. The next business in order shall be
reports of officers and committes; then new business. 1 he
same order shall obtain at each meeting of the Board of Of-
ficers.
288 PALMER RECORD
§ 6. Any member having observations to make or resolu-
tions to propose, shall rise in his place and address the Chair ;
and all resolutions shall be submitted in writing and handed
to the Secretary, and shall be by him entered on the minutes.
§ 7. Certificates of membership, in form approved by the
Board of Officers, shall be prepared by the Recording Secretary,
signed by the President and the Treasurer, or any Vice-
President, and countersigned and sealed by the Recording
Secretary, and when issued shall not be transferable.
§ 8. Whenever any question arises touching the eligibility
of an applicant for membership, the same shall be submitted
to and decided by the Board of Officers.
§ 9. A seal bearing such device and legend as may be ap-
proved by the Board of Officers shall be provided for the As-
sociation, and until the same shall be prepared a common seal
is hereby adopted.
§ 10. A fee of one dollar shall be collected for each certifi-
cate of membership issued, and paid into the General Fund of
the Association.
§ 11. The Recording Secretary, upon application to him,
shall send to each descendant (paternal or maternal) of :he
Palmer lineage, a certificate of membership, and a copy of the
Constitution and By-Laws.
§ 12. All bills for stationery, postage, etc., shall be paid by
the Treasurer, on proper order, and when, in the judgment of
the Board of Officers, the services of any officer of the Associa-
tion deserve special compensation, the same shall be voted and
paid.
§ 13. No topic connected with the party politics of the day
or religious beliefs, shall ever be discussed at the meetings of
the Association.
§ 14. The Board of Officers shall appoint District Secretaries
in such localities as are necessary to assist them.
§ 15. The Board of Officers shall appoint such non-resident
Vice-Presidents as deemed expedient.
[Note. — At the next meeting of the Board of Officers of the Palmer Re-union
Association will be adopted a form of certificates, to be issued to the family, also a
list of non-resident Vice-Presidents, and of District Secretaries. Thereafter a
pamphlet containing- the Constitution, By-laws, List of Officers, etc., will be issued
to all Palmer descendants, paternal or maternal, whose address the Recording
Secretary may have.]
[Note. — This publication has been delayed to incorporate the foregoing matter
in relation to Palmer Re-Union Association, and thus keep up a unity of records
between the first and subsequent Re-unions. It is hoped that patient subscribers
will accept this excuse for long delay.]
CONTE NTS
A PAGE.
A. E. Palmer, of New York City, Brief Biography 223
Illustration (20) 222
A. G. Palmer, Rev., D. D., Stonington, Conn., Address of Welcome 53
Poem ;S
Hymn " We Meet," 62
Brief Biography 90
Illustration 90
Hymn for the Re-union,
" Tenting " 144
Alvah Palmer, South Byron, Wis., Letter. ... ." 37
Alex. S. Palmer, Capt., Stonington, Conn , Brief Biography 210
Illustration (13) 107
Albert W. Palmer, Jamaica, X. V., Illustration 139
\ No. 2445 )
■ lineage f a£e '5 years 139
Aldin Palmer, Mrs., Stonington, Conn., Brief Biography 1S6
Illustration (7) 177
Amos N. Palmer, Norwich Falls, Conn., Illustration (19) 107
A. M. Palmer, New York City, Extract from Cablegram . 36
Andrew Palmer, Janesville, Wis., Letter 37
Appleman, Mrs. Lois Noyes, Stonington, Conn., Brief Biography 189
" Illustration (t6) 177
Appendix, Miscellaneous Matter 276
A. S. Palmer, Capt., Extract from Letter 34
Asa A. PalmeV, Gorham, N. 1L, Illustration (17") 107
Autographs, list of, taken at the gate (alphabetically) 190
Abbe, Mrs. E. B., Boston, Mass., Letter * 34
B
Barbor, Amos Palmer, Rahway, X. J., Letter 36
B. Frank Palmer, Philadelphia, Fa., Letter ' 38
Address 226
Poems (2) 229,230
Illustration (20) 107
B. G. Palmer, Middletown, N. Y., Extract from Letter 36
Bissell, Mrs. C. A. Palmer, North Manchester, Conn., Illustration (ii) 177
Bissell, Geo. Palmer, North Manchester, Conn., Illustration (7) 222
Bolles, H. Eugene, Boston, Mass., Poem, " The Family Feature " 231
Brayton, Dr. Chas. E.. Stonington, Conn., Brief Biography 214
Illustration (14) t07
Brown. Mrs. F. Palmer, Elmira, N. V., Extract from Letter 38
Business Meetings in regard to Second Re-union 276
2C)0 PALMER RECORD
Cady, Mrs. Eidelia Palmer, Rome, N. Y., Illustration (12) 177
C. B. Palmer, Sing Sing, N. V., Brief Address 162
Brief Biography 160
Illustration (10) 10-
Chas. H. Palmer, Pontiac, Mich., Brief Biography 130
Illustration 13a
Lineage (No. 352) 13S
Chas. E. Palmer. Oakland, Cal., Illustration (S) 222
Chas. L. Palmer, Webster, Mass., Illustration (17) 222
Chapman, B. Frank, Oneida, N. V., Brief Address . 151
Brief Biography 153
Illustration 153
Chesebrough, Rev. A. S., Extract from Letter 36
Chesebrough, A. S., Philadelphia, Fa., Extract from Letter 39
Cheseboro, Miss Fanny, Stonington, Conn., Letter 39
Brief Biography 1S6
Illustration (14) 177
Courtlandt Palmer, New York City, Letter 30
Illustration (12) 107
Responsive Letter 235
Culien Palmer, Madison, O., In Memoriam 271
C. P. Palmer, Winsted, Conn., Letter 34
Dedication of Volume.
Denison, Rev. Frederick, Providence, R. I., Letters 36, ',0
Poem, " Mother Town " 106
Brief Biography in
* " , Illustration (3) 107
Easton, Mrs. Elizabeth, Boston, Mass., Letter : 47
~E. A. Palmer, of Indiana, Letter 34
Eaton, Prof. Daniel C, New Haven, Conn., Letter 237
E. Barnebas Palmer, Rev., Boston, Mass., Prayer 102
E. B. Palmer, Rev. D.D., Bridgeton, N. J., Prayer 52
Address 165
' " Illustration (16)...' 107
Edwin Palmer, Norwich, Conn.. Letter 40
Edward Palmer, Rev., Barnwell, S. C, Letter 42
E. H. Palmer, Danville, 111., Brief Remarks 161
Illustration (II) 107
Elisha H. Palmer, Montville, Conn., (President of Re-union) Opening Address 5:
" Closing " 173
" Brief Biography. Cu
Illustration 60
OF THE RE-UNION. 2g 1
Elihu J. Palmer, Carbondale, 111., Letter 41
Elmer, Elizabeth Palmer, Rome, N. V., Illustration (15) 177
Ensign, Henry Palmer, Mobile, Ala., Letter 41
Eugene Palmer, Dr., Texas, Address 100
F
Fish, Benjamin, New York City, Letter 42
Francis A. Palmer, New York City, Letter 42
" Brief Biography 155
Illustration , 155
Frank Averill Paimer, Hymn for the Re-union 159
Friend Palmer, St. Clair, Mich., Illustration (10) 222
G
Germ of the Re-union 9
Geo. C. Palmer, Dr., Kalamazoo, Mich., Letter 34
Geo. \V. Palmer, Gen., New York City, Letter 4°
Address '..... 103
Brief Biography 104
Illustration (8) 107
Geo. H . Palmer, Letter 4?
Geo. S. Pajmer, Detroit, Mich., Illustration (6) 222
Geo. W. Palmer, Fast New York, N. Y., Brief Biography 144
" Illustration 139
Lineage (No. 362) 139
Geo. H. Palmer, Concordia, Kan., Illustration (17} 177
Mrs. " I/lustration (18) 177
Geo. H. Palmer, Lieut., Fort Concho, Texas, Illustration (20) T77
Brief Biography 260
Mrs. " Illustration (19) 177
Gershom Palmer, Rev., Exeter, R. I., Illustration (5) 222
Lineage (No. 165) 13^
[Note. — By mistake the name was printed Ashbael instead of Gershom, on page
with illustration].
de Givererville, Madame, St. Louis, Mo., Letter * 4°
Geo. W. Palmer, Union Park, Conn., In Memoriam 273
H
Hall, Prof. Asaph, Washington, D. C, Letter 42
Harriet N. Palmer, Norwich, Conn., In Memoriam 273
H. Clay Palmer, Stonington, Conn., Treasurer's Report 169
Brief Biography 1 72
" Illustration (5) 107
Henry Palmer, Catskill, N. V., Illustration (13) 222
H. II. Palmer, Rockford, 111., Illustration (2) 222
Historical Sketch of Stonington, Conn 261
292 PALMER RECORD
Huldah Palmer (Widow of Stephen \Y.), Norvell, Mich., Illustration 139
Lineage (No. 174).. 138
" In Memoriam 269
I
Illustrations, Explanation of 5
In Memoriam 267
Inscriptions on the grave-stones at " Wequetequock " U9
Invitation, form of, Illustration 33
" Number sent, etc 33
Ira II. Palmer, Stonington, Conn., Brief Biography 174
" " Illustration (6) 107
J
J. C. Palmer, Quincy, 111., Letter }3
James D. Palmer, Havana, N. Y., Letter'. 43
James G. Palmer, D.D.S., New Brunswick, N. J., Brief Biography 21 7
" " Illustration (15) 107
James YVoolsey Palmer, Jersey City, N, J., In Memoriam 267
Jewett Palmer, Marietta, O. , Illustration (3) 222
Letter 3a
J. Kingsley Palmer, M. D. (deceased), Cambridge, Mass., Illustration (16). . . . 222
J. L. Palmer, Little Rock, Ark., Brief Remarks 164
" Brief Biography 165
Illustration (9) 170
Jonathan Palmer, Col. (deceased), Brief Biography 213
Jonathan Palmer, Capt. (deceased), Brief Biography 213
Illustration (12) 222
John B. Palmer, Concord, N. II., Letter 43
John H. Palmer, Salem, Ya., Letter 43
John Palmer, Warwick, N. Y., Letter 34
K
Kenyon, L. W., Goshen, Conn., Letter 44
L. A. Palmer, Iloneoye Falls, Conn., Poems 35, 167
L. II. Palmer, Fall River, Mass., Extract from Letter 36
Literature of the Press before the Re-union 21
New York Tribune, New York City 21
Brooklyn Union- Argus, Brooklyn, N. Y. 22
Brooklyn Daily Times, Brooklyn, N. Y 24
Stonington Mirror, Stonington, Conn 27
Providence Journal, Providence, R. I 28
Cortland Democrat, Cortland, N. Y .... 29
Hope Valley Advertiser and Cooley's Weekly 20
Mystic Press, Mystic, Conn 30
OF THE RE-UNION. 293
New York Evening Post, New York City, N. Y 31
L. \V. Palmer, Providence, R. I., Brief Biography ... . . . 215
Illustration (4) 222
Literature of the Press after the Re-union 24 1
New York Tribune, Aug. 10, 1S81 241
— — New York Tribune, " II, 1SS1 244
New York Times, " II, 1SS1 247
- Brooklyn Union-Argus, Aug. II, 1SS1 252
New York Herald, " 11, 1SS1 254
The Day, New London, Conn 250
M
Marcus Palmer, Rev. , Fitchville, O. , In Memoriam 269
Martha M. Palmer, St. Clair, Mich., Illustration (13) 177
Meredith, Isabella Grant, New York City, Letter 44
Brief Biography 1S0
Illustration (3) 177
Poem, " Borodel " 1&1
Minutes, Preliminary Business Meetings II
Appendix 276
Second Re-union 276
Milton Palmer, Catskill, N. Y., Illustration (9) 222
Minor, Ex-Gov. W'm. T., Stamford, Conn., Brief Address 157
Illustration (7) 107
Letter 36
Miscellaneous Matters, To the Ladies 177
Moss, J. L. \V., Westerly, R. I., Extract from Letter 36
Marshall, 'Mrs. Lucy Palmer, North Amherst, Mass., Letter 34
Nathaniel Palmer, " Capt. Nat." Poem to a Palmer Pilot," by Rev. Fred. Denison 211
Noyes, Rev. Gordon W. , Extract from Letter 30
Noyes G. Palmer. East New York, Lineage (No. 356) 139
Brie"f Biography 142
Illustration 1 39
Noyes F. Palmer, Jamaica, N. Y., Address J 12
Some Original Stocks of the Family 114
Alphabetical Arrangement of Places where some of the Walter Palmer
descendants have lived 117
Celebrated Palmer Army Officers 124
Clergymen, Doctors 127
Professors in Literature and Art 129
Sea-Captains, Poets, Inventors, etc 13°
Governors of States, and Judges 129
Who Lived to Advanced Years 132
Noted Palmer Women . ... 1 32
Large Families 1 33
294 PALMER RECORD
About Family Records 136
Noyes F. 1'almer, Jamaica, X. V., Lineage (No. 1SS5) 139
Illustration 1 39
Brief Biography 138
P
Paul S. Palmer, Mrs., Stockbridge, Mass., Brief Biography . . 1S5
" " Illustration (6). 177
Obituary 273
Palmer Re-union Association Constitution 2S3
Officers . 2S1
Pitkin, Mrs. M. V., Stockbridge, Mass., Illustration (4) 177
" " Brief Biography 1S4
" Pilgrimage " to Wequetequock Burial Ground 14S
Preface 7
Programme of Re-union Proceedings 49
Proceedings, First day, August 10, 1SS1, Summary of 50
Second day, " 11, " " 14b
Palmer Re-union Association, Minutes of 2S0
Constitution • • • - 2S3
Bv-Laws 2S7
Randall, Roswell, Clinton, Mich., Letter 44
Register List of Names signed at " Brayton Hall " 202
Resolutions, Vote of Thanks, etc., adopted at close of Re-union. . . .• 2S2
Re-union Grounds, Tent, etc. (before the Assembly gathered), Illustration. ... i
Response to Invitations, Miscellaneous 34
Rhodes, Mrs. Henry, Stonington, Conn., Illustration (8)
" " Brief BiogTaphy
R. H. Palmer, Extract from Letter 36
Russel, T. W., Hartford, Conn., Letter 34
cr.
Sara A. Palmer, Miss, Stonington, Conn., Poem •" The Palmer Hymn " ioi
" " Illustration (2) J 77
" " Poem " Garfield " iSj
" " Brief Biography 183
Safford, Huldah Palmer, Mrs., Syracuse, N. Y.. Letter 4f)
" S " Poem, " Walter Palmer's Homestead " 1^°
Saidee E. Palmer. Jamaica, N. Y., Illustration 130
Genealogical assistant (age 13 years), No. 2446 Lineage. ... .... 1 39
Shindler, Mary Dana, of Texas, Letter 45
" Brief Biography *77
" " Poem " Passing Under the Rod " I73
" Illustration (1) '77
Sherman, Mrs. Geo., Norwich Town, Conn., Letter ' 45
Simeon Palmer, lioston, Mass., Poem, " The Palmer " 23S
Illustration (\) ---
OF THE RE-UNION. 295
Smith, Mrs. Henry, Stonington, Conn., Illustration (5) ... i~;
" Brief Biography iS;
Social Meeting, Evening after the close of the Re-union ito
Spencer, H L., Poem, " Palmer Re-union " \f\
Spencer, Eucretia Palmer, Dover, Del., Letter ... 45
Stanton, Dr. Geo. D., Stonington, Conn., Address, " Stanton Family" 16S
Eetter .". ... 45
" Illustration (1) X07
Stonington, Conn., Historical Sketch of 261
Stephen W. Palmer, Xorvill, Mich., In Memoriam 271
' ' Illustration 1 3^
Brief Lineage, see page 137
Stone, Rev. Hiram, Bantam Falls, Conn., Illustration (11) 222
T
Title Page I
Thos. R. Palmer, Otisville, N. V., Letter s . 46
Theodore J. Palmer, New York City, Letter 46
Theo. H. Palmer, Falls Village, Conn., Illustration (15) 222
" The Palmer Tree," by J. G Whittier 209.
Trumbull, H. Clay, Philadelphia, Pa., Letter 46
W
Walter Palmer's " Will " and " Inventory "....• 264
Farm at " Wequetequock " 256
Walter Palmer, Winfield, X. Y., In Memoriam 273
Wessells, Col., Litchfield, Conn., Letter 35
Wequetequock Cove, Burial Ground and Homestead 146
Wheeler, Judge R. A., Stonington, Conn., Historical Address 63
Brief Biography 224
• Illustration (4) 107
Letter, " Palmers and Grants ". . . 233
Wheeler, Airs. Alice, Boston, Mass., Letter 47
Wilgiis, Grace B., Buffalo, N. Y., Letter 48
Wilber M. Palmer, New York City, Brief Biography. . . . .' 222
Illustration ( 10 l 222
Williams, Prof. Geo. P., Ann Arbor, Mich.. In Memoriam 271
William Brown Palmer, Covington, X. Y., In Memoriam 273
William Walter Palmer, Jamaica, X. Y., In Memoriam 273
Brief Lineage (Xo. 2447) ... . . 131,'
Williams, Ephraim, Stonington, Conn., Address, " Battle of Stonington" 1S12 o:
Illustration ( 2) 106
Wm. L. Palmer, Rev., Manchester, Mich., Hymn 14a
Brief Biography 14?
Poem foi the Re-union. . . .. 141
Brief Lineage (Xo. 355) iji
Illustration 1 39
Wm. Pitt Palmer, Brooklyn, X. Y., Letter 47
Illustration (iS) 107
Poem, " Are you 'Round Yet ? " 219
" " Wonder " 220
" " Love's Second Sight " 221
Wm. H. Palmer, Catskill, X. Y., Illustration (14) 222
Woodward, Mrs. A. Palmer, Minneapolis, Minn., Illustration fio) 177
Wood, J. B., Warwick, X. Y., Letter 47
Brief Biography iSii
Illustration (17) 222
Wood, Mrs. J. B. Palmer, Brief Biography ... 1S8
Illustration (9).'. 177
E R RATA.
Page 12, 20th line from bottom of page, for " Soper " read " Loper."
" 17,6th " " corresponding" read "corresponding.
" 71, read " No. 1 " Grace.
" 72, " " No. 2 " William.
" 112, 10th line from top, for " last " read " lost."
" 127, for " Doctors (M. D. and D. D.)" read " M. D. and D. D. S."
" i3Qk, 5th line from bottom for " 1874 " read " 1S14."
" 222, (5) Ashabel, should be Rev. Gershom, of Exeter, R. I.
" 177, (9) should be Mrs. J. H. Wood.
" 222, (17) " J. 15. Wood.
" 235. " Courtland N.," read " Courtlandt." '
" 270, 7th line from bottom, "Chas. W.," read "Chas. H."
[The writer will appreciate receiving from readers of this volume any corrections
of errors discovered by them.]
SUPPLEMENT TO VOLUME NO. 1
-OF-
Palmer Records
.^-PROCEEDINGS
^etfttcl fMtttg? ^%m% j^«II£tttijmt
J5to.\i\gto;y, (o.\\\, /mens* jo. u r- )% jssz,
ANCESTRAL HOME OF WALTER PALMER. THE PILGRIM OF 1629.
UNDER THE AUSPiCES OF THE
PAXMER RE-UNION ASSOCIATION.
EDITED BY
NOTES F. PALMER, Recording Secretary.
JAMAICA, L. I., X. V., Lock Box *20.
PRICK, 81.00.
PALMER RE-UNION ASSOCIATION,
BOARD OF OFFICERS.
President.
ELISHA H. PALMER, - - - . Montville, Conn.
Iprat Vice-President.
Rev. A. G. Palmer, D. D., , Stonington, Conn.
Second Vice-President.
Gen. Geo. \V. Palmer. - - - New York, N. V.
Third Vice-President.
Robert Palmer. ...... Noank, Conn.
Treasurer.
Francis A. Palmer, - New York, N. Y.
Chaplain.
Rev. E. B. Palmer, - - - - Bridgeton, X. J.
Qi'and Marshal.
F. C. Palmer, ----- .Montville, Conn.
Corresponding Secretary.
Ira H. Palmer," - Stonington, Conn.
Recording Secretary.
No YES F. PALMER, ... - Jamaica, N. V.
4 PALMER RECORD
]S£en -resident Vice-Presidents
Amos N. Palmer, Norwich Falls, Conn.; Andrew Palmer,
Janesville, Wis.; Asa A. Palmer, Gorham, Mass.; Ashabel Pal-
mer, Stillwater, X. Y.; Alex. S. Palmer, Capt., Stonington,
Conn.; A. M. Palmer, Xew York City, N. Y.; A. G. Palmer,
Terre Haute, Ind.; A. B. Palmer, Dr., Ann Arbor, Mich.; A. J.
Palmer, Rev., Xew York City, X. Y.; Amos Allen Palmer,
Stonington, Conn.; Albert Palmer, Rev., Boston, Mass.; Alan-
son L. Palmer, Auburn, X. Y.; B. Frank Palmer, L.L. D., Phil-
adelphia, Pa.; Chapman, Asher H., Pendleton Hill, Conn.:
Chas. Palmer, Albany, X. Y.; Chas. H. Palmer, 41S W. 77th st.,
Xew York City, X. Y.; Chas. Ray Palmer, Rev. Dr., Bridgeport,
Conn.; Clark, YVm. F. Brooklyn, X. Y.; Courtlandt Palmer.
Xew York City, X. Y.; Chas. H. Palmer, Pontiac Mich.: C. A.
Palmer, Dr., Princeton, 111.; Chauncey Palmer, Utica, X. Y .:
Chesebrough, E. C, Market st. wharf, Philadelphia, Pa.; C. T.
H. Palmer, Oakland, Cal.; Corydon Palmer, Dr., Warren, Ohio.
Daloss Palmer, X. Y. City ; David C. Palmer, Reading, Pa.:
Dixon, G. P., Xew York City, X. Y.; Elliott Palmer, Rev.. Port-
land, Conn.; Eaton, Prof. Daniel C, Xew Haven, Conn.; E. H.
Palmer, Danville, 111. : Edwin Palmer, Col., Xorwich, Conn..
Edward Palmer, Rev., Barnwell, S. C; Erastus D. Palmer, Al-
bany, X. Y.; Edwin B. Palmer, Chicago, 111.; Friend Palmer.
Detroit, Mich.; Gideon Palmer, Xew York City, X. Y.: Geo. C.
Palmer, Dr., Kalamazoo, Mich.; Geo. W. Palmer, Plattsburgh.
X. Y.; Geo. W. Palmer, East Xew York, X. Y.; Henry W.
Palmer, Southfield, Mass.: Irving H. Palmer, Courtlandt, X. Y.:
Israel Palmer, Ripley, Chaut. Co., X. Y.: J. Woolsey Palmer,
New York City, X. Y.; James Palmer, Rev., Cambridge, Mass.:
Josiah Palmer, Greenpoint. X. Y.; Jewett Palmer, Marietta.
Ohio ; Joseph H. Palmer, Prof., Yonkers, X. Y.; John M. Pal-
mer (Ex.-G.), Ouincy, 111.; Jas. U. Palmer, Brooklyn, X. Y.:
James E. Palmer, Stonington, Conn.: John C. Palmer, Norwich,
Conn.; J. H. Trumbull, Hartford. Conn.: Lorin Palmer, Brook-
lyn, X. Y.: Lamb, Rev. C. A., Ypsillanti, Mich.; Lowell M.
Palmer, Xew York City, X. Y.; Loomis T. Palmer, Chicago.
111.: Lucian W. Palmer, Providence, R. I.: L. X. Palmer, Dr..
OF SECOND RE-UNION. 5
Brooklyn, N. Y.; Minor, Win, T. (Ex. G.), Stamford. Conn.;
Noyes G. Palmer. East New York, X. Y.; 0. A. Palmer, Dr..
W. Farmington, Ohio ; Oliver H. Palmer, New York City.
N. Y.: Peter A. Palmer, Lansingburgh, N. Y.; Potter Palmer,
Chicago. Hi.; Robert N. Palmer, Poughkeepsie. N. Y.; R. P.
Palmer, N. Stonington, Conn.; Solon Palmer, New York City,
N. Y.; S. B. Palmer, Syracuse. X. Y.; Stanton, Dr. Geo. D.,
Stonington, Conn.; S. C. Palmer, Rev., Lockland. Ohio : Thos.
R. Palmer, Rev., SufHeld, Conn.; Thos. W. Palmer, Chicago,
111.; Thos. W. Palmer, Stonington, Conn.; Wm. Palmer, North-
east, Erie Co., Pa.: Wm. L. Palmer, Stonington, Conn.; \\ 'heel-
er, R. A., Judge, Stonington, Conn.; Wessels, L. \Y.. Gen..
Litchfield, Conn.; Wm. Pitt Palmer, Brooklyn, N. Y.: Wm. L.
Palmer, Rev., Manchester, Mich.; Williams, Ephraim, Stoning-
ton, Conn.; Walker, Robert" J., Oneida, N. Y.: Wood. J. B..
Warwick, N. Y.: Wm. H. Palmer. Catskill, N. Y.
District Secretaries.
Allen Palmer, Castleton, Vt.; Appelman, Mrs. Lois N., Mys-
tic Bridge. Conn.; Ada R. Palmer, Chicopee Fall, Mass.: A. PL
Palmer, Starkboro. Vt.; A. P. Palmer, Hazardville, Conn.:
Albert Palmer, N. Branford, Conn.; Albert W. Palmer, Kansas
City, Mo.; A. Craig Palmer, Albany, N. Y.; Arch. M. Palmer,
New York City, N. Y.;. Bissell, Mrs. C. P., N. Manchester,
Conn.: Benj. Palmer, Danville, Miss.; Barnebas, Palmer, Roch-
ester, N. H.; B. D. Palmer, Poughkeepsie, N. Y.; B. P. Palmer.
Boston, Mass.; Bolles, Eugene, Boston, Mass.; Case, Miss Fan-
nie M., Norwichtown, Conn.; C. L. Palmer, Chicago, 111.: C. B.
Palmer, Sing Sing, N. Y.; Chester Palmer, Willoughby Lake.
Ohio; Charles L. Palmer, Webster, Mass.; C. Albert Palmer,
Philadelphia, Pa.; Chas. H. Palmer, La Crosse, Wis.: C. M.
Palmer, Editor, Minneapolis, Minn.: Chapman, B. Frank, Onei-
da, N. Y.; C. W. Palmer, New Haven, Conn.; C. T. Palmer,
Faribault, Minn.; Delia Palmer, Milan, Ohio; David Palmer,
Bridgewater, N. Y.: E. H. Palmer. Barlow, Ohio; Ensign,
Henry P., Mobile, 111.; E. L. Palmer, Danielsonville, Conn.; F.
B. Palmer, Prof., Fredonia, N. Y.; Frank Palmer. Norwich,
° PALMER RECORD
Conn.; Frank II. Palmer, Brooklyn, X. Y.; Geo. H. Palmer.
New Bedford. Conn.; Geo. Palmer, Branford. Conn.; Gidley Pal-
mer, Grooms Corner. X. V.; Geo. S. Palmer, Detroit. Mich.:
Geo. Palmer, Ashtabula. Ohio : Havens, Edward, Providence,
R. I.; H. G. Palmer, Riverside, Iowa : H. II. Palmer, Rocktord.
111.; H. F. Palmer, Norwich, Conn.; H. Beatrice Palmer. Fay-
etteville, N. V.; Isabella Grant Meredith, New York City, X. V.;
J. P. Palmer, Rockville. R. I.; J. Alonzo Palmer, New York
City, N. Y.; J. YVm. Palmer. Washington. D. C; J. G. Palmer,
New Brunswick. N. J.; L. M. Palmer, Mrs., Albany, X. Y.-
Lynda Palmer, Xew York City, X. Y.; M. D. Palmer, James-
town, X. Y.; M. G. Palmer, Portland, Me.: Mary Amanda Pal-
mer, Carlisle, Mass.: X. B. Palmer, Pittsburgh, Pa.; Preston
Palmer, Fitchville. Ohio: Pitkin, Mrs. M. P., Stockbridge,
Mass.; Prescott, C. D., Rome, X. Y.; Powers, Harvey P.. Suth-
erland Falls, Yt.: Robinson, Edwin, Brooklyn. Conn.; Reuben
T. Palmer, Xew London, Conn. ; Sabra DeB. Palmer, Amherst,
Mass.; Shindler, Mary Dana, Nacogdoches, Texas: Simon Pal-
mer, Boston, Mass.; Timothy R. Palmer, X. Branford. Conn.;
Ura H. Palmer, Green Springs, Ohio ; Van Yelsor, Mrs., Green
point. E. D., X. Y.; Woodward, Abbie, E. A., Minneapolis
Minn.; Walter, Palmer, Plainfield. Conn.; Wm. Palmer, Mon-
mouth, 111.; Wilber M. Palmer, Xew York City, X. Y.; W. R.
Palmer, Stamford, Conn.
INTRODUCTION.
This supplement will contain principally the Addresses, Po-
ems and proceedings in brief of the Second Re-Union of the
Palmer family, held August 10, II, 12, 1SS2, at the same ances-
tral homestead, Stonington, Conn.
Vol. No. 1 was published last year, and was a memorial vol-
ume of the First Re-Union, held at the same place, in August,
1SS1, consisted 0^296 pages, with 74 artotype illustrations, with
addresses, poems, genealogical, historical and biographical
data pertaining to individuals participating in the First Re-
Union.
It would be a repetition to make this supplement as exten-
sive as the memorial volume of the First Re-Union, not to say
anything of the extra expense and labor involved. It seems to
us more appropriate to reproduce only the proceedings, ad
dresses and poems in an economical publication, that more may
subscribe for it.
The first Re-Union was a novelty and was largely attended,
surpassing the expectations of the most enthusiastic. The
second Re-Union lacked this novelty, but was more of a Pal-
mer Re-Union and more of a social success than the first, though
not so largely attended by the public generally.
The second Re-Union was held under the auspices of the
Palmer Re-Union Association, duly organized, with appropriate
Constitution and By-Laws, and proper officers, resident and non-
resident. The main object of holding a second Re-Union so
soon after the first was to ratify this organization. The foun-
dation of the association is a Certificate of Membership granted
at a nominal fee to any Palmer descendent, maternal or pater-
nal, and upon which certificates an election of officers can take
place to fill vacancies, and thus perpetuate the Re-Union man-
agement under the provisions of the Constitution and By-Laws.
This organization was duly ratified at the second Re-Union.
The Constitution provides that the general re-unions shall take
8 PALMER RECORD
place in Stonington, Ct., at least once in five years, in August.
The first having been in iSSl, the next general Re-Union to be
in 18S6, etc., etc. Auxiliary re-unions may be held at such
time and place as the Board of Directors may determine. A
copy of the Association pamphlet, containing the Constitution,
By-Laws, etc., will be mailed by application of a Palmer de-
scendent to the Rec. Secty. It is very much desired on the
part of the officers of the association that their efforts to place
the association in the front ranks of gatherings of this character
will be duly co-operated with by members of the family by
their procuring a certificate of membership.
The Address and Poems. It is hardly necessary to allude, by
way of introduction, to the addresses and poems delivered at
the second Re-Union, for they are of such a literary character
that little else seemed necessary in this publication. It is to be
regretted, though, that some of the extemporaneous remarks
were last to record, particularly that of Stiles T. Stanton, who,
in behalf of the borough authorities of Stonington, gave a
hearty welcome to the Palmer Re-Unionsts from various sections
of the land. It is also to be regretted that, for want of oppor-
tunity, the addresses of several well-known Palmers were
missed, particularly that of N. B. Palmer, Esq.. of Pittsburgh,
Pa., and Loomis T. Palmer, of Chicago, 111. We opine that
like others of note, they were so much interested in the cere-
monies they forgot to appear on the platform at the time. The
fact that there was no lack of speakers is an evidecne of the in-
terest created in the subject and the success of the Re-Union.
The Tent, Grounds and Accommodations. The large tent
seated about one thousand people, and was the scene of a con-
tinual service for two days and evenings, and the third day un-
til past noon. The caterer's Tent, under the capable manage-
ment of Mr. Chaffee, assisted by H. F. Palmer and J. J. Pal-
mer, of Norwich, afforded all the refreshments required, at rea-
sonable rates— two very desirable advantages to be secured in
such a gathering and quite an improvement over the manage-
ment of the first Re-Union. Other tents were located on the
grounds for the accommodation of President E. II. Palmer, the
OF SECOND RE-UNION. 9
Recording Secretary, Xoyes F. Palmer, assisted by his son, Al-
bert W., and other tents in abundance for those who could not
find other accommodations. The Hotel Wadawanuck, located
in Stonington, under the management of C. A. Lindsay, was
all that first-class guests could ask for, and the hospitality of the
residents of Stonington, in affording private lodgings, was no
less a credit to them, and a means of accommodation to the
kindred of many of them.
The Rail Roads and Steamboats. Under the judicious man-
agement of the President, assisted by H. F. Palmer, of Nor-
wich, and Lucian W. Palmer (Supt. of the N. Y. N. E. R. R.),
excursion tickets were secured at lower rates and the best of
facilities given in return. The grounds being located adjacent
to the Stonington depot, where trains came and went almost
hourly from the East and West. The Stonington line of steam-
boats, under the Presidency of Mr. Babcock, afforded great ad-
vantages to the Re-Unionists, and the association manage-
ment, by a system of excursion tickets at lower rates and also
a rebate to the association. The spirit of co-operation mani-
fested by the% railroad and steamboat companies and hotel man-
agements of Stonington and connecting therewith, conduced
largely to the success of these Re-Union gatherings.
The Loan and Relic Exhibition, under the management of
Isabella Grant Meredith, of N. Y. City, and Miss Emma W.
Palmer, of Stonington, was a new feature introduced at this Re-
Union. Nevertheless it was well received and interesting. It
was held at the same old headquarters, tendered by Dr. Chas.
E. Brayton. A description of the articles on exhibition, by
the Secretary, Miss Emma W. Palmer, of Stonington, will be
found in this supplement.
The Concert by the Palmer Band of Whitfield. N. H.. under
the directorship of its leader, Frank H. Palmer, assisted by sev-
eral well-known Palmer artists, was one of the great surprises to
the Palmers. That the concert was interesting and highly ap.
predated was manifested by the large attendance for a whole
evening.
The pilgrimage to the old Wequetequock Cove, where lived
IO PALMER RECORD
and died«and was buried Walter Palmer, the original ancestor
of 1629, was a repetition of last year's excursion, by R. R. and
by carriage, and otherwise, " horse, foot and dragoon." Relic
hunters abounded, and so did the relics, even down to the bull-
rushes of the swamp, now termed " Palmer Cat Tails."
The Sojourn of Palmers to Watch Hill, Pawcatuck, Panchun-
ganuc and other favorite resorts adjacent to Stonington left no
lack of amusement and afforded no little pecuniary advantage
to the places in question and to the commoncarriers thereto.
The Fire Works, though not as elaborate as at the first Re-
Union, were very fine, and a great crowd from the country
around flocked to witness the display. An early shower ere
the culminating pieces dampened the display and cooled the
enthusiasm of the event very much. This reminds us of a say-
ing of the President in a letter to us: "/ have arranged for
everything but the iveather"
In conclusion of this introduction : Some may read these
lines who will remark :' " Of what consequence are these Re-
unions?" We answer, perhaps of little consequence to any
but Palmers or their kindred. To doubt that such gatherings
have any latent influence in society would be to deny the be-
nign influence of Parentage and Home — the nursery of mankind.
That the Palmer Re-Union has become so popular in the
family is no doubt owing to the fact that so many of the name
can trace their lineage from the tenth generation of 1882, back
to the first ancestor of 1629. While the first ancestor from
EnglanoVto America, Walter Palmer, may not have been as cel-
ebrated as George Washington, Daniel Webster or Thomas Jef-
ferson, nevertheless, the sacred memories that cling around
Mt. Vernon, Mansfield and Monticello, the homes of Washing-
ton, Webster and Jefferson, are no more held in reverence with
their descendants than is Stonington to the descendants of
Walter Palmer. A strange fact coupled with this thought is
that while the descendants of the latter, now number at least
six thousand, very few, if any, of the same name live, of the
three most distinguished statesmen of America.
The Press-Second Re-Ui
1MU1M.
[fkOE THE NATION (NEW YORK. CITY) JUNE I, lSS2.]
The Palmer family is to meet again at Stonington this Sum-
mer. Last year the gathering was almost impromptu; now
'there is a Palmer Re-Union Association, with a full list of offi-
cers including a Treasurer, a Chaplain, and a Grand Marshal.
The membership is open to any respectable descendant, "pater-
nal or maternal," of the Palmer lineage, and there is nothing in
the constitution to prevent the collateral descendants, of either
sex, from being chosen to direct the Association ; but the pres-
ent Board is wholly male and Palmer. The permanence of the
spirit of re-union is greatly favored by the charms of Stonington
and its vicinity as a seaside resort. The Western branches, who
naturally seek the salt water in the heat of summer, will doubt-
less time their flight to Newport, Westerly, Watch Hill, or New
London, so as to have a share in the Palmer hand-shaking and
picnicking. Moreover, the proceedings of last year have all
been set down in a book of some 300 pages (Jamaica, L. I., X.
Y.: Xoyes F. Palmer), where also are to be found artotype illus-
trations of places and persons — ^a veritable portrait-gallery —
brief biographies, much genealogical information, and even a
necrology of Palmers deceased since the first meeting. There
is an " alphabetical arrangement of places where some of the de-
scendants of Walter Palmer have lived, "and a list of "celebrated
Palmers." classified by occupation — as, General Grant among
the Army officers, Senator David Davis among the judges. Gen-
eral John M. Palmer and Senator Pendleton among State gov-
ernors: Professor D. C. Eaton, the sculptor Palmer, the maker
of Palmer's artificial limbs, the inventor of the Gatling gun, ex-
Speake Galasha Grow — the wealthy, the long-lived, the large-
family Palmers (twelve children was the example of the foun-
der, Walter Palmerj and so forth. Grandmother Palmer" passed
away in January. She wai the ultimate cause of the Record-,
though her own habits were so far unsocial or ungaddi^h that
12 PALMER RECORD
" during the period of a quarter of a century she left her house-
to visit her neighbors but two or three times." Her grandson
doubts" if she beheld a locomotive more than two or three times,
though hearing the whistle daily." She was brought up in the
Baptist faith. "Near my birthplace," wrote this old lady, "were
high ledges of huge rocks, which mother said were rent asunder
when Christ was crucified, which in our infancy [circa 1800] cre-
ated no little interest for the great God of Heaven and Earth."
There is much else that is curious and instructive in this volume.
[FROM THE NI'.W LONDON DAY, AUG. 9.]
One of the notable events of this section during the present
week will be the Palmer re-union, which is to be held at Ston-
ington commencing on Thursday and continuing for three days.
The re-union last year far surpassed the expectations of its pro-
jectors. It was largely attended and successful in every respect.
That of the present year, however, promises to throw it com-
pletely in the shade. During the last twelve months the offi-
cers of the reunion association have made arrangements on a
most complete and elaborate scale for the approaching meeting,
and the responses that have been received from Palmers all
over the country warrant the belief that the family gathering
of the- present week will far surpass any event of the kind that
has ever transpired in the United States. The large attendance
that is promised will tax to the utmost not only the hotels of
this section but the private hospitality of the people of Ston-
ington. It is believed, however, that the arrangements that
have been perfected will prove equal to the occasion, and that
all who attend will be able to find comfortable quarters either
in Stonington or its immediate vicinity. The literary pro-
gramme for the occasion is quite elaborate, and cannot fail to
prove of great interest. No doubt one of its most attractive-
features will be the address of welcome by Capt. Stiles T. Stan-
ton.
[stonington mirror, augcst 12, 1SS2.]
The attendance at the second annual reunion of the Palmer
family, now being held in this place, must be gratifying to the
officers of the Palmer Re-Union Association, as well as to the
OK SECOND RE-UNION. I 3
members of the family generally. For several days, in fact
during the entire week, indications of the great gathering have
been manifest in the arrival of small parties of Palmers and the
pitching of one monster tent and a large number of small ones
on the lot northeast of the upper railroad station. On Wed-
nesday evening the Palmer Band, of Whitefield, N. H. arrived
here and took rooms at the Ocean Mouse. About ten o'clock,
at the request of a number of the attending Palmers, they as-
sembled in front of the family headquarters and rendered sev-
eral selections in a manner which at once stamped them as mu-
sicians of no mean order.
Early Thursday morning the committees were astir perfect-
ing the arrangements for the meetings.
THE OPENING SERVICES.
At eleven o'clock, A. M., the opening ceremonies were held in
the large tent, President Elisha H. Palmer calling the meeting
to order. A selection was acceptably rendered by the Palmer
Band, after which Prayer was offered by Rev. Caleb A. Lamb,
of Ypsillanti, Michigan, the chaplain of the re-union association,
Rev. E. B. Palmer, of Bridgeton, X. J., being unable to attend.
Mr. Lamb is a descendant of Walter Palmer, and although nine-
ty-three years of age is apparently in good health. Mis great
interest in the affairs of the association is attested by his pres-
ence at the re-union, which rendered necessary a trip of several
hundred miles. Mr. Stiles T. Stanton, of this place, was then
introduced by the president and in a graceful address welcomed
the Palmers, on behalf of the Wardens and Burgesses, to the
hospitality of the borough. His remarks were at times of a
humorous character, but bid the Palmer host a heart)' welcome.
President E. H. Palmer responded briefly.
The band then played a piece. It having been stated upon
the street that the players were not all of Palmer descent, the
leader, Mr. Frank H. Palmer, was called upon to testify to that
fact. Gen. George W. Palmer, of Xew York, delivered an able-
address, abounding in good points, and Mrs. Isabella Grant
Meredith, also of that city read a graceful poem written by
14 PALMER RECORD
her for the occasion. The regular programme having been fin-
ished, business relating to Friday's exercises was transacted.
AFTERNOON EXERCISES.
The attendance at the afternoon session was much greater
than in the morning, the large tent being filled and surrounded
by many people unable to procure seats within it. The exer-
cises wereopened by the Hon. T. W. Palmer, of Detroit. Mich.,
who made an exceedingly happy address. Music by the Palm-
er band with a cornet solo by Mr. F. H. Palmer of Whitefield,
N. H., followed and was very heartily applauded. Miss Sara
A. Palmer of this village then read a poem written for the oc-
casion. It was one of the pleasantest features of the occasion,
the subject, " The New Crusade " being treated with much
freshness of thought and marked by the grace of expression
which characterizes all her poems. Miss Palmer was very warm-
ly received, after which C R. Palmer of Sing Sing, X. Y., spoke
at some length on " The Modern Palm Rearers. " The Rev.
A. G. Palmer contributed a beautiful love story in delightful
verse and there was more music by the band. The President
then presented the names of the members of the committee on
finance and the programme for the following day was announced.
One or two gentlemen spoke briefly relative to further arrange-
ments for the celebration and the exercises closed with the
Palmer Hymn written by Miss Sara A. Palmer and sung by ail
the Palmers to the tune of '•America."
A MAGNIFICENT PYROTECHNIC DISPLAY.
In the evening, commencing at eight o'clock, a beautiful dis-
play of fireworks took place on the re-union grounds under the
direction of parties from Middletown. The number of specta-
tors is thought to have been equal to that of last year, and the
exhibition, although not quite so elaborate, reflected great cred-
it upon the persons having it in charge. A number of set pieces
were given, the largest and most beautiful being one gotten up
for the occasion showing the words " Palmer Reunion, 1SS2. "
About nine o'clock a slight shower dampened the spirits and
OF SECOND RE-UNION. 1$
jackets of the assembled multitude, but happily the display was
nearly finished before the rain began to fall.
The evening trains from the east and west came crowded
and the extra trains at the conclusion of the exercises were Lit-
erally packed with the returning excursionists.
From opening to close the first day of the reunion was of a
most pleasant character and a grand success.
FRIDAY AND SATURDAY
the reunion exercises were continued, but at the hour of going
to pre^s we are unable to make a report of the meetings. Fri
day's programme included a trip to the burial place of Walter
Palmer at YVequetequock, a clambake, and a meeting in the big
tent at which the following gentlemen spoke: J. U. Palmer-
Brooklyn, N. Y. ; A. L. Palmer, Auburn, X. Y. ; L. T. Palmer,
Chicago ; Courtlandt Palmer, Xew York ; Ephraim Williams,
Stonington ; Dr. G. D. Stanton, Stonington : Prof. Joseph H.
Palmer, Yonkers, X. Y. ; X. P. Palmer. Pittsburg, Pa. ; Wm.
Pitt Palmer, C. B. Palmer, Sing Sing, X. Y. ; Robert Stanton,
Frank Palmer, Norwich : Prof. A. B. Palmer, M. D., L.L. D.,
Michigan University ; Rev. Hiram Stone, B. Frank Chapman,
Oneida, X. Y/
THE LOAN EXHIBITION
at Palmer Headquarters contained many articles of interest,
including Walter's portmanteau and photographs of Col. Jona-
than Palmer's family.
[BROOKLYN DAILY TIMES, AUGUST II, lS32.]
The second gathering of the clans of the Palmer family began
yesterday at Stonington. Conn. The success of the Re-Union
of last year so far exceeded the expectations of those who set
on foot the enterprise in fear and trembling, that they were en-
couraged to go forward this year with the expectancy of even
greater success. Last year about 1,500 Palmers nearly all of
whom could trace their descent to the original Walter Palmer,
who settled in Wequctequock, now Stonington, in 1650, assem-
l6 PALMER RECORD
bled to revisit the home of their ancestor, and a thoroughly en-
joyable family party was the result.
A PERMANENT FOOTING.
Since that re-union the participants have united upon a per-
manent footing and have formed the Palmer Re-Union Associ-
ation, the object of which " shall be the perpetuation of the re-
union of the Palmers and their paternal and maternal kindred
through the Palmer lineage : to collect and preserve information
respecting the history of the family, and to promote social and
literary intercourse among its members." The constitution of
the Association provides for re-union at least once in five years.
This year however, it was deemed wise to appoint the second
re-union, as so large a number of persons were unable to be
present last year, and at least two-thirds of those present agreed
to come again.
The present meeting is held as the last was, upon' the anni-
versary of the historical day in Stonington, that upon which its
naval battle was fought. The Re-Union grounds are in the
north part of the borough, near the railroad depot. Here all
the public meetings are to be held in a large tent, and smaller
tents upon the grounds are put up to accommodate the overflow
from the hotels and boarding houses. It is expected that not
less than three thousand persons will be in attendance in the
three days that the exercises will continue. Ever)' possible pro-
vision has been made by the Local Committee of Arrangements
for the comfort and care of all those who attend. In addition
to the hotels, of which there are several in Stonington and Watch
Hill, as well as in New London and Westerly (accessible in a feu-
minutes by rail), there are many private houses thrown open for
guests.
EXERCISES OF THE OCCASION.
The varied programme for each day has been provided. The
first address was assigned to General George W. Palmer, of
New York City. Various branches of the family and different
localities are to be spoken of by their representatives, and poems
OF SECOND RE-UNION.
"7
and music will diversify the public exercises. Business connect-
ed with the Association and its maintenance will be attended to.
One feature of the gathering is to be a collection of relics and
curiosities held by members of the family, and a curious and
unique exhibition is promised by Mrs. Isabella Grant Meredith
and Miss Emma \Y. Palmer who have supervised this feature.
This Loan Exhibition is also designed to show the work's of
Palmers by pen, pencil and chisel, and art work of all sorts.
One evening will be devoted to a concert by a band composed
altogether of Palmers, and an exhibition of fireworks will be
given upon another.
A PALMER VOLUME.
Since the re-union ©f last year a neat volume of 300 odd pages
has been compiled by the indefatigable Secretary, Noyes F.
Palmer, giving an account of the origin of the enterprise, the ad-
dresses and features of the first gathering, and sketches of the
most notable men there. It is embellished with artotype illus-
trations of many of those who attended the exercises and con-'
tributed to their success. It is the first of a series of Palmer
books, the second to contain the genealogical lists of the vari-
ous branches of the family, including already over 7,000 names.
The first volume has met with much success in the family,
•which is as large as a small city in itself. The present Re-Union
is expected to intensify the interest in the family and all of its
belongings.
PLANS FOR THE FUTURE.
Not a few Palmers have been going to Stonington in the fort-
night past in order to be on hand for the Re-Union, and Ston-
ington bids fair to be the Palmer Summer Seaside Resort.
Already apian has been broached to buy a large hotel and con-
vert it into a Palmer House. * * * * There
is a likelihood, however, that the gatherings of Palmers will be-
come fixed facts in Stonington history. It is expected that the
season which commenced yesterday and which will continue to-
day and to-morrow will be a thoroughly successful affair.
IS PALMER RECORD
[NEW LONDON DAY, AUGUST II, 1SS2.]
A bright hot summer sun rose into a deep azure sky, unob-
scured by a single speck of cloud, over the old borough of Ston-
ington on Thursday morning, as the descendants of the pioneer
Palmers from far and near began gathering on the tented mead-
ow for their second annual re-union. The large central pavilion
with a seating capacity of about 1200 was conveniently arranged
with .chairs and benches in amphitheatre form, fronting on a
raised dais for the officers of the organization and speakers.
To the left was the kitchen and dining pavilion and all around,
smaller tents to the number of twenty-five "dotted the ground
and gave the whole a decidedly sylvan and picturesque charac-
ter. In the first of these smaller tents a register is kept where
all who would might leave their autographs. Next was a tent
in which Noyes F. Palmer issued certificates of membership to
those of the family who desired them at the cost of $1. Then
came the striped tent of the president, E. H. Palmer, of Mont-
.ville, with the colors of the clan and the motto " Palman Qui
Meruit Ferat, " in which he received and welcomed the arriving
guests. " * * * Another tent contained Palmer fancy
work, bric-a-brac and souvenirs, the work all done in the family
and each article marked with its price which ranged all the
way from ten cents to Si 00.
Before the time announced for the commencement of the ex-
ercises, 10:30 A. M., all the trains, regular and special were de-
positing their freight of Palmers at the depots, but it was not
until 11:15 that the committee of arrangements could arrange
and accommodate the crowds that thronged to the main pavil-
ion. The order of exercises opened with prayer by Rev. C. A.
Lamb of Ypsillanti, Mich., age 93, after which the president in-
troduced Capt. Stiles T. Stanton of Stonington who in behalf
of the warden and burgesses extended a cordial welcome and
the hospitalities of the burough to the great and prolific family
whose heroic ancestor was so intimately identified with the lo-
cality, whose ancient homestead can still be pointed out and
whose bones still rest under the green turf he loved so well, and
near the sounding sea whose heaving; billows sing; an eternal
OF SECOND RE-tWTOX. 19
requiem. The address was received with unbounded applause
and Capt. Stanton received a perfect ovation as he stepped
down from the rostrum.
President E. H. Palmer replied, acknowledging the courtesy
with his usual happy bonhomie. The Palmer band of White-
field, N. II., composed exclusively of scions of the race, gave
some fine original selections, after which Gen. Geo. W. Palmer
of New York, for the literary committee delivered a greeting to
Palmers, relatives and friends which was in reality a cursory
history of the origin, genealogy and peculiar characteristics of
the family from the middle ages to the present day, elaborated
by quotation and comment from ancient and modern history and
drawing deep draughts of inspiration from Walter Scott's heroic
novel, Ivanhoe, where the Lad}' Rowena accosts the Palmer
with : " The defender of the absent has a right to favorable recep-
tion from all who honor truth, honor and manhood " and where
the Palmer himself asserts, in speaking of his brother warriors
<l Second to none, sir. " The poem of Welcome was read by Is-
abella Grant Meredith and elicited prolonged applause.
Part of the opening stanza only is given below :
Friends ! Kindred ! it hath been accorded me
The grateful part, to greet and welcome ye,
To this old city by the sounding sea.
An honorable task-in days of yore.
When came some way-worn l'almer to the Hall.
The Chatelaine brought forth the choicest store ;
Her pages flitted at his beck and call ;
In gentle cares her bower-maidens strove.
And pretty zeal displayed in deeds of love.
While with her own fair hands, the noble dame
Dispensed the manchet, as her rank became,
And served her venerable guest in Christ His name.
After Mrs. Meredith's poem the president asked for an ex-
pression from the assemblage as to whether they would visit the
home and grave of Walter Palmer in Wequetequock at a cost
of twenty-five cents for the round trip. It was unanimously
voted that they would. The president then said that this meet-
ing was called mainly to ratify the constitution and by-laws in-
formally adopted at the centennial celebration in Stonington
last year and subsequently confirmed at a Palmer meeting in
New York last winter. At the last named meeting it was vot-
20 PALMER RECORD
ed to continue the present officers until now and to hold an elec-
tion for their successors at this re-union. The Palmers also vot-
ed to accord the right of suffrage to men, women and children.
All can vote who are accredited Palmers and who pay Si to
Noyes F. Palmer, who is Recording Secretary, on the grounds.
The president then appointed Senator Thos. W. Palmer, of De-
troit : Loomis T. Palmer, of Chicago ; Courtlandt Palmer, of
New York City; and Geo. W. Palmer, of New York, a finance
committee.
This closed the forenoon exercises, and the concourse ad-
journed to the hotels or to the dining pavilion where for lack
of clams the)' were disappointed in the chowder, but the way
cold ham and tongue disappeared from the groaning tables was
absolutely startling, and it took considerable time to appease
those appetites stimulated by the bracing salt sea air that swept
refreshingly across the moor. At 2:50 P. M. the large tent was
again filled, many having arrived in the interim. Hon. T. \Y.
Palmer, of Detroit, Mich., opened with an address in behalf of
the Palmers of Michigan, in which he carried them back to the
fountain head, bringing down the house frequently by his sallies
of humor as he caught on to some funny Palmer trait. F. H.
Palmer's cornet solo was finely rendered and received with an ex-
pressive encore. Miss Sara A. Palmer of Stonington read very
effectively an excellent original poem on the Xew Crusade, and
C. B. Palmer of Sing Sing, made an address on the Modern Palm.
bear'ers, which was replete with interesting reminiscences and
delivered in a masterly style of oratory. Rev. A. G. Palmer of
Stonington read The Courtship of Betty Noyes and Ichabod
Palmer, a historical epic written expressly for the occasion.
Then the band gave the memorial hymn, a musical selection by
the leader, and very creditable to his genius as a composer and
arranger of music. Brief responses to family names were next
in order. Some were brief and some were hot, but all of them
were more of a puzzle to the reporter, as they meandered through
the lines and angles of families, than the differential calculus.
Richard A. Wheeler, of Stonington. mixed some Irish blood,
from Cork, into the clan through the Celtic tribe of Fanning
OF SECOND RE-UNION'. 21
and proved himself one-fifth a Palmer. Rev. Mr. Stone, of Ban-
tam, traced his family to Simeon Palmer, of Taunton, and claim-
ed a quarter degree of blood relationship. Mr. Chapman, of
Oneida, but not of the community, kne.v more about the Palm-
ers than any Palmer on the ground and told what he knew in
a graphic and humorous but very intricate style, and after he
got through with 115 Palmers — father and son, sisters, cousins
and aunts — the reporter put his fingers in his ears and stopped
his reckoning. The president and Mr. Chapman then announced
the following speakers for the exercises to-day, which they char-
acterized as the grand love feast of the Palmers : J. U. Palmer,
Brooklyn, N. V. ; A. L. Palmer, Auburn, X. Y. ; L. J. Palmer,
Chicago: Courtlandt Palmer. New York: Eph. Williams. Ston-
ington : Dr. G. D. Stanton, Stonington ; Jos. H. Palmer, Yon-
kers, X. Y. ; X. B. Palmer, Pittsburg, -Pa. ; Win. Pitt Palmer,
of Stockbridge, Mass.: Wm. C. Palmer, Sing Sing, X. Y. ; Rob-
ert Stanton. Frank Palmer, Xorwich ; Prof. A. B. Palmer, M. D.,
L.L. D. Michigan University ; Rev. Hiram Stone, Loomis T.
Palmer, Chicago, and B. Frank Chapman of Oneida. The Pal-
mer Hymn, written for this re-union by Miss Sara A. Palmer
of Stonington, was then sung by the whole audience, standing,
to the accompaniment of the band, and was a brilliant finale to
the exercises of the afternoon. This concluded the business
portion of the day's doings, and at the request of an enterpris-
ng photo man, the crowd left' the tent and posed outside for a
quarter of an hour to have their pictures taken. It was inter-
esting to see the girls saying prunes and prisms with their silent
ips, as they struggled for good positions to give the machine a
Joint blank shot at them. The president told all unlodged
Palmers where they could procure beds or hammocks in We'st-
rly and Xew London or under the A tents on the grounds.
Ie also said that the concert to-morrow evening by the Palm-
r band and vocal singers would be held in thelarge tent. Ad-
mission 50 cents. The pyrotechnic display in the evening, com-
mencing at 8 o'clock, was attended by large numbers from the
djacent cities and villages, and was eminently successful, not-
22 PALMER RECORD
withstanding a moderately heavy shower threatened to throw
a damper over the exhibition.
[NEO LONDON DAY, AUGUST 12, lS32.]
On Friday morning the Palmers began gathering on their
camping ground at an early hour. The air was cool and pleas.
ant and a brisk westerly wind shook out the national and Pal-
mer ensigns that floated bravely from the central pavilion. At
10:30 A. M. the officers arrived and shortly after the large tent
was filled to the extent of its seating capacity which is at least
1000. The exercises opened with prayer, after which several
speakers arose to respond to family names, tracing their origin.
and descent from the Palmers. Ephraim Williams, of Stoning-
ton, said that the descendants of the Palmers in the female line
were superior in physical 'endowments to those who inherited
the name through the male line. He said it was one of the in-
stances where the gray mare proved to be the best horse.
B. F. Chapman, of Oneida, is a Palmer enthusiast. He wenr
back to the days when a Tudor or a Stuart abrogating despot-
ic rights over their subjects, compelled by their tyranny the
best blood of Britain to leave the land where there fathers lived
and died, and seek in the untried and virgin soil the freedom
which they were denied in the land of their nativity. The
speaker eulogised the hard}" pioneer race, and claimed for them
the development of the country which they adopted, and her
progress through the centuries from an almost unknown and un-
surveyed region to the highest pinnacle of power and civiliza-
tion. In no other country has science, art. literature made such
rapid strides, and in no other is the heaven born boon of civil
and religious liberty enjoyed by its people to the fullest and
most liberal extent. Several speakers whose names were an-
nounced on the programme were compelled by business exigen-
cies to leave without fulfiling their engagements.
This closed the morning exercises, and the assemblage adjourn-
ed from the pavilion, some to their hotels, others to the res-
taurant tent and still others to the number of seventv- five tool:
OF SECOND RE-UXIOX.
-3
advantage of the special excursion train to Wequetequock. wlie*"*
two hours were consumed in visiting the ancient homestead and
venerated tomb of the noblest Palmer of them all — the great and
glorious Walter — whose name has made a brilliant page in the his-
tory of his adopted country. The old grist mill came in for its
full share of admiration, and the party returned deeply impressed
with the retrospective memories which the historic old spot
awakened. The afternoon exercises did not commence until
after 3 o'clock.
The President introduced Dr. Eugene Palmer, of Texas, an old
gentleman of 80, who gave interesting reminiscences of the fami-
ly in the far southwest. H'e was followed by his grandson. Albeit
G. Leoning, Esq., of X. Y. City who delivered a brief but eloquent
laudatory address. Dr.Eugene Palmer was the furthest traveler to
this re-union, except the Misses Nash — two beautiful girls whose
maternal Palmer lineage is warmed by the hot blood of Castile
and the dark liquid eyes and rich olive complexion, favors more
the Andalusian than the Saxon extraction. The Misses Nash
are orphans, natives of Mexico, and this is their first visit to their
mother's land. Lawyer Palmer of Oneida, read from a deep
mourning card a greeting sent by Mary Palmer Pitkin, who was
the soul of the last re-union, to the officers and guests at this
re-union and regretted that the recent death of her mother
compelled her absence. Miss" Sara Palmer read in a very ef-
fective manner a poem by her father. Rev. A. G. Palmer. Gen.
George W. Palmer proposed a vote of thanks to the ladies
whose efforts in collecting and exhibiting relics and souvenirs
of the family were largely instrumental in making these re-unions
the magnificent success they have been. The names of Mrs.
Isabella Grant Meredith of New York, and Miss Emma \V.
Palmer of Stonington, were deserving of especial honor. The
resolution was adopted with enthusiasm. Gen. Geo. YV. Palmer
offered a resolution of thanks to the president for the ability he
displayed as a presiding officer and the herculean efforts he
made to perfect this great family organization. The resolution
was unanimously adopted. President E. H. Palmer gracefully
24 PALMER RECORD
returned thanks for the courtesy, and pledged his faith to con-
tinue with all the ability he was possessed of to work for the
organization which had so honored him. Rev. A. G. Palmer
then presented the first prize, a beautiful gold-headed ebony
cane, to Rev. Elliott Palmer, of North Coventry, as the oldest
clergyman, bearing the name of Palmer, in attendance at the
re-union. This presentation address was the feature of the
day. The venerable gentleman said that the gift reminded
him, by its strength and stiffness, of the character of the recipi-
ent, who in the face of new creeds, new schisms and the assaults
of infidelity, moved through life in the even tenor of his way,
hewing to the line, according to the doctrine of Christ his Sav-
ior, and yielding nothing to force nor flatter}', from the dis-
ciples of Ingersoll. and others less open in their expressions,
but for that reason more dangerous by their insidious heresies.
He concluded by invoking the blessing of Christ on his
friend and fellow minister, and as the two white-haired old men
clasped hands in greeting their feelings overpowered them, and
it was easy to discern that the vast audience was in sympathy
with their emotions. Rev. Elliott Palmer replied in a very few
words which were not half as expressive as his moistened cheeks
and trembling hands. * * The concert in
the evening began at'S P. M. The programme was good, ex-
cellently rendered and received the applause it deserved from a
very fair audience. To-day's programme will consist mainly of
election of officers, reports of the old, and appointment and or-
ganization of new committees.
OF SECOND RE-UNION. 25
PROCEEDINGS.
PRAYER,
BY REV. CALEB A. LAMB, OF YPSILAXTI, MICHIGAN.
" Lorti thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations.
Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst
formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to ever-
lasting thou art God," as the Psalmist says. Lord we render the
thanksgiving for thy creating power and thy preserving mercy
and for thy kind providence which has watched over us and per-
mitted so many of us to meet and mingle our kindred greetings.
We invoke thy divine blessing to rest upon us. and especially
upon the association, its officers, and its managers: that kin-
dred ties may be strengthened, so that we may feel that it is
good that we have come together: Lord grant that we may all
so live here upon earth as at last to be brought to participate
in that glorious Re-Union, where high hills and deep water,
arid broad lands should separate us no more, forever :
In the name of Christ. Amen.
ADDRESS OF WELCOME,
BY GEN. GEO. \V. PALMER. OF NEW YORK.
[Note Illustration and Biography on pages 107 and 104— Vol. L]
Palmers, Relatives, Friends : I am bidden by the Literary
Committee, and others in authority, to extend to you a most
cordial and hearty welcome.
I greet you all ! Welcome, thrice welcome to this Re-union,
ye Palmers of the East, ye Palmers of the West, ye Palmers of
the North and ye Palmers from the regions where the Palm
26 PALMER RECORD
trees grow. Welcome friends and 'relatives — one and all of you
descendants of Pilgrims, who brought order out of chaos on
this continent, and assisted in spreading light where before there
was darkness. Welcome every one to this historic field in the
heart of classic New England, where the giant Walter Palmer
and the sturdy William Palmer lent their strong arms and will-
ing hearts toward practically illustrating that self reliant man-
hood, which here in this very section of our noble land sowed
the seeds that brought forth, a century later the tree of Liber-
ty, under whose benignant and manifold branches we are this
day enjoying peace, good will and happiness.
Who is there among you that doubts the great share every
one of the Palmers of old contributed toward establishing upon
this soil that beacon light of freedom — resplendent in all its
glories — which in this century of ours has become the day star
of hope — the rock upon which mankind all over the world rests
its unwavering faith for the welfare of the generations that are
to come after us ? Xo battle-stained castles, no armored halls,
no frowning towers mark the valleys where these ancestors of
ours first planted the seeds of civilization. The sturdy Pilgrims
of those days had already cast behind them the helmet and the
lance of the middle ages. They had come to conquer new fields,
but with weapons far more effective than those which for cen-
turies have reddened the hiilsand dales, the rivers and lakes of
the old world with the blood of man. They had come to build
up, and not to destroy. They had come to infuse blood and
not to shed it. Industry was their weapon. Civilization was
their aim.
The humble cabins were their castles, the free fields, domed
by the glorious sky above, were their palatial halls. Thence
rung forth in tones that were heard all over the colonies, those
songs of toil and labor well performed, that one hundred and
fifty years later brought out the first Battle Cry of Freedom. "
and with it that matchless Declaration of Independence.
"The rights of man *' were firmly planted in the soil by our
forefathers by the aid of the ploughshare and the spindle, but
OF SECOND RE-UXtOX. Z~
•
where clanger threatened, they knew how to, and did wield
the sword to victor}-, returning quietly to their homes, and re-
suming the habiliments of labor, the ploughshare and the prun-
ing-hook, when war was over.
And yet — but not in this land, of toil, there must have been
in the dim past, Palmers who devoted their entire lives to the
profession of aims; but only — and let us be thankful for it — in
behalf of a cause dear to us all. the Christian religion. ■ Not that
can be traced directly, the line of genealogy to the ideal Palmer
now in my mind. According to Sir Walter Scott, however, we
read in his charming book " Ivanhoe " of a Palmer who had par-
ticipated in the crusades of the middle ages, when religion was
yet spread with the aid of the sword. We find in Ivanhoe, the
Pilgrim Palmer upon his return from the Holy Land, imbued
with all the sentiments of chivalry, truth and manhood, which
should at least make us anxious to claim this heroic character
as representative of one of our veritable ancestors. When in a
conversation in regard to the courage displayed by various
nationalities during the battles about the Holy Sepulchre, a
Knight of the Temple claimed that the English warriors were
second to others which the Knight mentioned, the Pilgrim Pal-
mer arose and exclaimed :
" Second. to none, sir! I say that the English chivalry were
second to NONE who ever drew sword in defence of the Holy
Land. I say besides, for I saw it, that King Richard himself,
and five of his knights held a tournament after the taking of
St. John D'Acre as challengers against all comers. I say that
on that day each knight ran three courses, and cast to the ground
three antagonists. The first in honor as in arms, in renown as
in place, was the brave RichardrKing of England. "
When subsequently the Pilgrim Palmer spoke in behalf of
the absent Knight of Ivanhoe. and pledged his honor that upon
his return from Palestine, he also would be reach' to answer the
challenge of the Knight Templar, the Lad}- Rovvena, seated up-
on a throne and anxious to hear about Ivanhoe, the companion
of her childhood, addressed Palmer saying : " The defender of
2S PALMER RECORD
the absent has a right to favorable reception from 'all who
value truth and honor manhood. ' ' The eminent author points
other traits of character, honorable to the name of Palmer, but
this ma}- be sufficient to show that even by one of the greatest
minds of English Literature, the word Palmer was considered
synonym with all that is great and noble in human nature.
Let us leave, however, the domain of story, fiction and tradi-
tion, and. contemplate with the powers at our command, the liv-
ing fact of this grand Re-L nion. composed of many minds and
yet all bent on perpetuating the ancestral name, that ever re-
liable connecting link, between the past and the present, and —
judging by the well-known productive forces of the Palmers—
also of the future. We see before us the grave and the gay —
the young and the old — the farmer and the merchant — the sol-
dier and the statesman — the artisan and the representatives of
the learned professions, all united in celebrating what ? a simple
idea.
And yet the American people are frequent!}- taunted by for-
eign critics with being solely devoted to the might}- dollar.
Do we gain anything in the shape or way of lucre by this Re-
Union? Xo. It is an idea, a simple but great and giorious IDEA
that brings us hither from the Prairies of the West, from the
granite hills of the East, from the chilly mountains of the
North and the majestic rivers of the South. It makes us great-
er men and women to commingle on this beautiful field for and
on behalf of this idea, in order to sho.v the world at large that
the blood which courses through the veins of a Palmer gives
sustenance to a heart full of feeling and sentiment, to a head
full of understanding as to the importance of tin's most interest-
ing Re-union of a great and growing family.
There are two ways of looking at these family Re-Unions or
gatherings, namely : in their moral, and also political aspects.
When I say political, I do not mean it in the narrow partizan
view, but the broad, vast political system which is synonym
with order and government We meet here with a full under-
standing that the family is the foundation stone of the State.
OF SECOND RE-U2CIOX. 20
«
It is after the pattern oi the family that the government of our
country is constructed. Ill fact, the family being the narrow-
est limit in which people are united, is the real source of all
power. It has a head, represented by the parent, whose duty,
defined to him or her by the laws of nature, compels him or her
to maintain order among the different member- Without
such order, without such discipline there would come division,
unhappiness and misery. " Honor thy father and thy mother
that thy days may be lengthened." has been written and unwrit-
ten law ever since the thunders of Sinai first proclaimed to
mankind the ten great commandments which were ever after to
be the fundamental principles upon which all just laws must be
based. The patriarchs of old in this respect have been no more
scrupulous in its observance than are the savages of our day.
Christians and Pagans. Jews and Gentiles have ever laid this
solemn obligation to their hearts. " Honor thy father and thy
mother. " Aye, the Romans of old, were so imbued with the
meaning and spirit of this command, that the thought of a
child ever assaulting or murdering a parent newer entered their
heads. To t-hem such an atrocity was impossible, and hence
the renowned Roman laws contain no provision for the punish-
ment of such a crime and totally ignore the word "parricide."
leaving it to modern vocabulary to coin the designation of this
crime, and to modern law to provide the punishment.
Acknowledging then, that mankind, ever since, the beginning
of history, has endowed the parents of the family with author-
ity for the purpose of maintaining within its circle harmony and
unity of action, we find that this system stands the test — nay,
it is the necessity of the highest civilization. Here in our Re-
public, as I have already said, it lies at the foundation of our
governmental system and contains the original source of power.
Next to the family comes the municipality, which is an aggre-
gate of families : next to the municipality comes the province
or as we term it, the State, its government stretching its author-
ity over the various municipalities. The States again form a
family which is governed by the Federal Power, called the
Union. (We call our government the Family Re-Union). Now,
30 PALMER RECORD
again look at the beautiful structure composed of the just men-
tioned integral parts. While the government of the Union is
restricted in its powers and in its authority, there is a corre-
sponding strength of authority as we descend stage by stage
from the Federal to the State, to the Municipal and finally to
the Family power. The larger the extent of territory over
which these various powers expand themselves* the fewer are
the restrictions which they impose within their respective juris-
dictions, until we finally come back to the family where the
parental power is making itself felt in the minutest details of
life, of habits, of manners, of food, of raiment, of religion and
of education. These Re-Unions teach us to respect and honor
the family— nay, make us more proud of it, and thus render it
stronger for good in the body politic.
Nor will any one deny that such an organization as this is
wise and proper. If one should, I ask him why he commingles
in this Re-Union with the fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters,
uncles, aunts, cousins, nephews, nieces and all those connected
with him through the multiplicity of grades of consanguinity,
gathered here to place a crown of garlands upon the family
system and family name ?
Within this Re-Union we have no questions of State to con-
sider ; no treaties to conclude or ratify, unless indeed it be the
treaty of Love which the bold Palmer youth desires to conclude
with the blushing Palmer maiden. But mind you ! let us whis-
per it so low that it may not awaken the echoes in yonder nooks,
under the shade trees, or in the quiet of the cozy parlor, — parent-
al authority reaches far, but may not arbitrarily attempt to
command \r those sacred precincts. Mutual confidence between
parent and child should always exist respecting the delicate re-
lations of lovers and the all-important and serious contemplation
of wedlock. The one should kindly and freely give and the
other take the advice and the wisdom which experience brings :
but arbitral}- commands seldom, if ever, have any other than
mischievous effects upon those whose affections are plighted.
Ah ! would that all mankind in general, and the Palmers in
particular, might lay to heart the lessons that ought to be in-
OF SECOND RE-UXIOX. 31
culcated by a Re-Union of hands and a Re-Union of hearts
such as seems to exist here, and feel the ennobling effects and
influences such gatherings have upon the young and the old
alike.
Why should not the Palmers stand at the head of that grow-
ing class of eminent souls who continually point with pride
toward any event of great contemporaneous human interest ?
If we cannot be the pioneers in movements like" these, we can
at least be the most active promoters of a cause such as we here
represent at Stonington. And why should we not ? Casting
aside all care, all troubles, we have come here to sit at the feet of
those mature in years, and listen to the tales and songs of ances-
tral fame, as we heard them while still in our cradles, just as
they were told and sung when still being fed by our mothers.
This to us is a season of peaceful reflection: a wandering back —
if I may so express it — to the days of our childhood, when
peace and innocence held sway over our tender years.
It is meet and proper that we should have, now and then,
days like these ; not only for the purpose of enjoyment but for
the purpose of contemplating ourselves — our real selves. In
this busy life of ours, composed of so few and short years, we
pay too little attention to the betterment of ourselves and our
kind. We permit — too frequently, alas ! — events to drive us
on, and perform our work in a hap-hazard way. Here, at
least, in this Re-Union we have an opportunity for study, for
reflection, for thought. We can compare notes as to the diifer-
ent modes of life indulged in by the various Palmers, as to the
different principles which guide their lives, as to the views en-
tertained by them in regard to questions dear to us as citizens
and as men. As then we become acquainted with these various
phases of thought, of action, of habits, entertained by them, all
of us by contemplating the same, thereby become better Pal-
mers, for we then learn to practice that great and noble cardinal
virtue, Tolerance. The time has passed, my friends, in this age
of thought for one set of men or women imposing their ideas,
their principles, their formulas upon another set of men or
32 PALMER RECORD
women. We will listen, study, reflect and choose for ourselves
what seems good and valuable to be our charts and guides of
life. No man is so well informed but that he can always learn
something from what others may tell him. and if he does not
associate or cares not to associate with all those with whom he
comes in contact in daily life, a Re-Union like this teaches him
at least, that for the time being he must — in the common phrase
of the day — " put up " with those around him. In other words,
this Re-Union teaches all of us. as I said before, tolerance, good
will to men and to women also.
Probably, while dwelling on this subject of our duty toward
our fellow men, while showing that we should never belittle the
attainments, the talents, the character of others, unless we have
ample proof of unworthiness, I ought also to speak of the respect
we owe to and for the matters and things of the past. Henry
Thomas Buckle, in his unparalled work " History of English Civ-
ilization, " teaches us, in this regard, a valuable lesson. Unlike
other historians who measure everything of the past by the
standard of the time in which they are writing. Buckle has set
himself to show the good that was done to humanity even in
those darlv ages which are generally thought profitless to man.
He draws instructive lessons even from the monks and friars of
the time who kept themselves in seclusion from the world they
did not care to commingle with. So, also, let us regard with
respect the men and things of the past, and endeavor to find
the good that was done by them or with them.
Yon here, for instance, will see during this Re-Union many
things your ancestors possessed, queer in their shape, odd in
their make up. stranger withal to your modern ideas. But
there is a history to all of these relics, a history that may or
may not come to your ears, but a history nevertheless. Your
paternal or maternal ancestors may have been happy in their
possession at a time when your very existence was not even a
subject of thought to them, while these relics were. Human
nature is so constituted that we love to retain such relics, it
simply for the contemplation of the various associations sur-
OF SECOND RE-UNION. $$
rounding them, at a time that is now gone, a time that can nev-
er more return.
In tli Is good work of, collecting relics of the past, none have
been so industrious, so untiring, so discriminating as the ladies
of our organization. God bless them for it ! They always lead
in works where the heart and sentimentfpreside, and often
where the sterling intellect is brought into requisition.
My friends, I have already taken up more of your time than
I ought, but let me say to you on behalf of the officers of this
organization, that it affords us infinite pleasure to see so many
Palmers present at this our second Re-Union, and apparently
in such excellent health. We trust that the time you will spend
in and around Stonington will not only prove pleasing, but also
instructive ; and that it will be an incentive to you to urge oth-
er Palmers, who have not yet joined our ranks, to send in their
names and enroll themselves under the family banner bearing
that time-honored motto, " Palma Virtnti. "
And now. while yet standing upon the threshold of the pre-
cincts of this Re-Union, I again bid you welcome ! You have
traveled the causeway — the gates are wide open. Let us enter
and enjoy the poetry, the eloquence, the song, and all the va-
ried entertainments which are in store for us. And ma)- the
events of this Palmer Re-Union be so pleasing — so fraught
with all that is charming and delightful in the relations of so-
cial life — that their memory will ever be cherished in our hearts
of hearts as among the sweetest and most beautiful experiences
of our lives. Together let us labor, together let us rejoice, and
in the language of Dickens, put into the mouth of '"Tiny Tim, "
may " God bless us every one. "
34 PALMER RECORD
POEM OF WELCOME.
FY ISABELLA GRANT MEREDITH.
[Note Illustration, etc , on page 177, Vol. I.]
To the Palmers — Greeting :
■ 1.
Friends. . . . kindred ! ... it hath been accorded me
The grateful part to greet and welcome ye
To this old city by the sounding sea.
An honorable task. ... In days of yore
When came some wayworn Palmer to the Hall,
The Chatelaine brought forth her choicest store.
Her pages flitted at his beck and call:
In gentle cares her bower-maidens strove.
And pretty zeal displayed in deeds of love.
While with her own fair hands the noble dame
Dispensed the manchet. as her rank became,
And served her venerable guest in Christ His Name.
n-
Though wild those days when, for a zealot's scheme.
Mere tender Babes shared the Crusaders' dream.
Athwart that gloom, thank God ! shone one faint gleam ;
One little taper burned with steadfast ray
Till it dispersed the wavering shades of night ;
When Love illumined Faith, lo ! dawned the day,
And Force was fettered. Error shorn of might.
No more brave Palmers strove by doughty deed
From hands impure, that served an idle creed.
The Holy Land and Sacred Tomb to wrest.
Their worthier care, the temple in each breast.
By outward life the inward grace to manifest.
III.
Adown the ages shone that beacon clear
On Covenanters' ranks, Cromwell austere,
On faithless King, and loyal cavalier.
On sturdy Puritans who home forsook.
Heaven's counsel guiding their prayer-guarded deeds,
OF SECOND RE.UNION. 35
High-hearted, strong, with ne'er a backward look
To England's storied woods and sweet, green meads.
From pleasant granges 'midst the flower-prankt glades,
Forth fared the Pilgrims, matrons, sires and maids,
Yet not as erst, with Paynim foes to right,
Nor panoplied like the Crusading knight;
They went self-exiled in the cause of Human Right.
IV.
What welcome met the wandering Palmer here?
No eager servitors brought dainty gear.
Stayed him with flagons, cates and royal cheer.
Yet sure this virgin solitude did thrill
Before the Master of its savage moods;
And the lark lilt with wilder, sweeter trill
O'er rippling waters and o'er whispering woods,
That here a nobler race brought milder ways.
Methinks e'en Nature felt some soft amaze
When here the Pilgrim's gentle daughter, Grace,
Bent o'er the Wequetequoc a moment's space
To meet the wistful smile that flitted o'er her face.
V.
Once more the peaceful Pilgrims seek the strand
Two centuries have made our mother land :
Once more we meet and grasp each other's hand.
And still ye strive, knights errant and Crusaders,
With arms far nobler than the lance and brand,
'Gainst foes more fell than Saracen invaders,
Against insidious Circe, bright and bland ;
Sin, that now lurks obscure in loathly nest,
Now stalks abroad and flaunts its shameless crest.
Ye track the hydra, Vice, with hearts of ruth,
For Age dishonored, and for blighted Youth,
Your bright, resistless weapons, Beauty, Virtue, Truth.
VI.
For some of ye are poets, some are preachers,
Some artists, statesmen, editors and teachers :
All — like Ben Adhem — love your fellow-creatures.
36 PALMER RECORD
And, howsoe'er ye tend the quenchless Light.
Instruct a nation, strive in its defence.
Limn English meads (1), sing of " Love's Second sight ('-),
Chisel the dimpling dream of innocence ( 3),
Transfix in marble, Beauty's matchless face.
And touch our souls with the pathetic grace
Of Resignation's sweet, submissive calm,
Your faithful works uplift, your hands bring balm ;
Unto such noble labor God awards the Palm (*).
VII.
But better welcomes than my poor verse meet you
In the kind eyes that cordially entreat you
From yonder chair, whence genial smiles now greet you.
When these bright days are ended and we sever.
Be mine, yet once again, the grateful part.
In the serene and beautiful Forever,
As now, to bid you welcome from my heart.
Ther$ melody shall help the halting phrase.
And Pentecostal tongues teach truer praise.
And, oh ! my friends, let it De pardoned me
The lack of grace in words that welcome ye
To Walter's home and grave, beside the sounding sea.
NOTES TO THE POEM OF WELCOME,
i.
Limn English Meads. — Reference is here made to Mr. Robert Minor, the artist,
whose studies of English scenery are well known.
2.
"Love's Second Sight" — A poem by Wm. Pitt Palmer.
3-
Dimpled Dream of Innocence. — ''The Sleeping Peri," one of the Palmer
Marbles, as is also the bust of "Resignation." alluded to in a succeeding line.
Both are works of art from the hand of the sculptor, Mr. Erastus Dow Palmer.
4-
Unto such noble labor God awai'ds the Palm. — " Paima non sine Lahore" is the
motto which has been handed down for six generations in the branch of the famhy
of which Mr. E. D. Palmer, the sculptor, is a member. The crest surmounting
this legend is the scallop, or cockle-shell, worn by those Paimers who had visited
the shrine 'of St. James the Less, at Compostella ; this sheil being the cognizance
of the great apostle.
OF SECOND RE-UNION. 37
ADDRESS OF SENATOR THOMAS \V. PALMER.
OF DETROIT, MICH.
The Palmers of Michigan send their greeting to their kins-
men. Common report had long pointed to Stonington as the
parent hive; but until the gathering of the clan last year the
fact was involved in and only supported by the vagueness of
tradition.
They are grateful to the promoters and organizers of this
family Re-Union for the opportunity to formulate into history
the shreds, scraps and memories which, until now. had their
uncertain abiding place in anecdote and rumor.
In earK' life our hopes and aspirations are our motive power.
As we see the purpling of the dawn brighten into day, buoy-
ancy, strength and certainty of the future is a subtle quality
of the blood. If we study the past, we do so for its uses and
not for a solace; but as the shadows begin to lengthen in the
west all philosophic souls, healthfully weary of the struggle for
and possibly the possession of what men strive for, turn to the
past for consolation and repose. We delight to treasure up a
remembrance of traits in the characters of those to whom we
owe our being, and collate incidents in their lives which may
throw light upon the impulses which controlled them ; nay,
more, he desires to know of those who in like manner were
dear to them, and to learn how they in turn wrought, suffered
and enjoyed.
In primitive times this was the beginning of history, and as
the family relation was the foundation of the State, so was the
knitting together of families by common memories the begin-
ning of patriotism.
But aside from the sentimental aspect of the question. I
think the Re-Union has a scientific value. I must confess that I
had a great curiosity to come down and meet my kindred to
compare notes and to see how we had differentiated, as the sci-
entists say, in the last two hundred years ; to note the effect <A
the introduction of different strains of blood upon our mental
and physical structure.
38 PALMER RECORD
The Palmers of Michigan represent two branches of the
Walter Palmer tree. One of these branches, which I will des-
ignate as the Stonington and Voluntown branch, is briefly
reported in Vol. I of the Palmer Record, in the notices of Hon.
C. H. Palmer and Rev. William Ledyard Palmer. They are
both gentlemen of character and position, and one of them I
am happy to call my personal friend. Their line of descent
from Walter Palmer is established.
The other branch, which I will call the Windham County
branch, is the most numerous in Michigan. It had for its pro-
genitor Dr. Joseph Palmer, who went up into Ashford, Conn.,
and made a home one hundred and fifty years ago. It is to
this branch that I belong, and it gives me pleasure to come
back and pick up the missing links, if any there be, which will
render indisputable our claim to a descent from the staunch old
pioneer whom we are all proud to claim as our common
ancestor.
Our staying away so long may recall to some of you the story
told of an old man and his son down here in Connecticut. The
old man treated his boy with very little consideration ; in other
words, he was rough in addressing him, and sometimes a little
profane. His legs were paralyzed, and he generally sat in one
position before the old-fashioned open fire-place. One evening,
as night drew on, he raked out the coals, and, turning his head,
said with an oath, " Ben, bring in a back-log." Ben went out
with his feathers badly ruffled. After meditating a little while,
he concluded to let the old man wait for his back-log. and start-
ing off he went down to some seaport and shipped before the
mast. Ten years wore round with varying fortune to Ben, till
finally, one day in port, liis heart yearned for a sight of the old
faces, and he concluded to make the old home a visit. As he
drew near the old farm, misgivings took possession of him. He
wondered whether the old man, helpless and paralytic as he
was, still lived, and then he questioned, as a feeling of tender-
ness came over him, whether he had not been too hasty, and
again he felt guilty that he had stayed away so long. While
stirred by these emotions, he drew near and entered the old
OF SECOND RE-UNION. 39
yard. The light beamed from the same windows, and looking
through he saw the old man in the same attitude in which he
had left him. He had the hoe in his hand with which he was
wont to rake out the coals preparatory to making the evening
fire. Ben saw by the pose of his head that he was the same as
of yore, that the same spirit animated him — stern, hard and
unrelenting. Ben thought he would try what the French would
call a coup d'etat, that he would conquer him by one stroke.
He looked around, and seeing a back-log of the right size he
shouldered it, walked in, and putting it down end first, said,
" Dad, here's your back-log !"
Ben expected a revulsion of feeling, a throwing of arms
around his neck such as he had seen in the print of the prod-
igal son in the old family Bible. The old man looked up for a
moment, but he never flinched, and then said, " Well, Ben, you
have been a confounded long time about it. but put her on."
Now, whether old Dr. Joseph Palmer left Stonington in a huff
one hundred and fifty years ago tradition does not say. but he
has come back to-day in the person of his descendants — has
brought in the back-log, and proposes to again take his place
with his kindred around the old hearth-stone.
Dr. Joseph lived and died in Ashford, leaving five sons. From
two of these sons, Benjamin and John, sprung all of the \\ ind-
ham Count}- Palmers living in Michigan.
Benjamin Palmer married Martha Barbour, of Simsbury,
Conn., by whom he had eight children, five of whom are buried
in Michigan.
John Palmer, his brother, had five children, two of whom are
buried in Michigan.
Thomas Barbour, of Simsbury, father of Benjamin Palmer's
wife, had taken goods to barter for furs to Detroit as early as
1760. He bought his stock in Albany, and freighted it in bat-
teaux up the Mohawk, thence by stream, lake and portage
across to Lake Ontario, up Lake Ontario and by Indian trail
around Niagara Falls, thence up Lake Erie to Detroit, at that
time a British garrisoned fort. After exchanging his stock fur
40 PALMER RECORD
furs, he returned by the same route. By two ventures of this
kind he made a snug sum, which enabled him to live in com-
parative affluence. He undoubtedly would have continued his
ventures in 'this direction if it had not been for the Indian
troubles fomented by Pontiac, who was perfecting his great
conspiracy to drive the English from the valley of the lakes.
It was the recital of his adventurers around the Winter fire in
old Ashford that stirred the imaginations of Thomas and
Friend, sons of Benjamin, and in 1S09 Thomas went to Detroit
and thence to Maiden, in Canada, now Amherstberg, eighteen
miles below the present city, at the mouth of the Detroit river,
and there started a store. At the breaking out of the War of
18 12, Thomas was thrown into jail as an American citizen, and
after five weeks imprisonment was liberated, put across the
river, whence he walked to Detroit and joined the legionary
corps just in time to be included in the surrender of the town
by General Hull.
He and his brother Friend returned in 1S16, and for many
yearb were engaged in large enterprises. They had stores for
general merchandise at Canandaguia, Ashtabula, and at Palmer,
Mich., now St. Clair, with a large establishment for headquar-
ters at Detroit. They took contracts from the governor and
judges, then the executive administration and judicial power in
the Territory, for the building of government roads and the
construction of the Capitol for the Territorial Legislature.
They also built and freighted several vessels on the lakes.
In 1S25, George, a younger brother, came out and settled on
a farm at Palmer, St. Clair County. Catharine Palmer, who
had gone out with her brothers, married Mr. Felix Hinchman.
Titus followed his brothers, and engaged in the mercantile-
business.
In 1826, John Palmer, a cousin of Thomas and Friend, and
son of John above named, came out and engaged with the
brothers under the firm name of F. F. & J. Palmer. For some
years they did a successful business, when John withdrew from
the firm and started business alone. His brother Mason camc
out in 1828,
OF SECOND RE-UNION. 4 1
The above is a complete list of all the Windham County
Palmers of the last generation who settled and remained in
Michigan. They were all persons of high character and good
repute. The first of them went to Michigan when there were
only 10,000 white people in the Territory. All save, one, lived
to be eighty years old. They all, save one, Mr. George Palmer,
died within a period (of twelve years, and when the last one
died, in 18S0, the State had a population of 1,700,000. Few
families had more to do than they with the material develop-
ment of the State, and none, I believe, exercised a better influ-
ence by their moral, energetic and unostentatious lives. With
one exception all the families live where they lived fifty years
ago. All save one left children, most of whom live in the
State. They were men of strong convictions and positive
character, but kindly, genial and hospitable. They were all
men of temperate, pure lives.
The sons of Benjamin were men of large stature and great
endurance. The sons of John were delicate men and slight
stature.
They were men of independent thought, as is evinced by
their denominational connections. Friend was a Baptist ; Thom-
as never joined a church, although an attendant of one; George
was a Congregationalist ; Mrs. Hinchman was a Presbyterian;
Titus belonged to no church ; John was a member of the Pres-
byterian Church, and Mason of the Episcopal.
None of them nor their descendants were ever accused of a
misdemeanor. They were not litigious, seldom appearing in
court as plaintiff or defendant. Some of their descendants are
rich, and all in comfortable circumstances, through wealth ac-
quired or through their individual efforts; but none of them,
to my knowledge, regard wealth as the be all and the end all
of life. Both branches are people of good repute.
They seem never to have had a taste for public life. One
only from each branch . has held a State office respectively,
Regent of the University and State Senator, and I imagine that
those instances were the result of accident rather than of
design.
42 PALMER RECORD
And now, my kindred, the Palmers of Michigan have made
their report. After a wandering of an hundred and fifty years,
in which they have seen the great chief Pontiac, and spoken to
the great chief and statesman Tecumseh, they have come back-
to the old homestead to look in the eyes of their kindred, to
exchange congratulations, and to invoke the spirit of old Wal-
ter Palmer, that he may determine whether we have brought
back his escutcheon untarnished.
"THE NEW CRUSADE,"
BY SARA A. PALMER.
[Note— Illustration, etc. on Page 177, Vol. I.]
One year ago to-day.
Our Pilgrim feet astray,
Sought this green land ;
Our hearts were free from care.
Pleasure reigned everywhere,
The skies smiled bright and fair
Upon our band.
We sang brave Walter's praise,
Cheered his grand old-time ways,
With hearty zeal.
Proud we his children felt.
- Gazing where erst he dwelt ;
As at his grave we knelt,
Our hearts were leal,
And full of reverence strcuig,
To him who well and long,
This new land ranged.
And stead)- since that day.
Our love has burned alway
A never flickering ray,
By nothing changed.
To-day more firm we stand,
More strongly hand grasps hand
in kinship rare ;
We've learned to know the worth
OF SECOND RE-UNION.
Of honest Palmer birth:
Second to none on earth
The name we bear.
Stronger our purpose grows,
As swiftly on time flows,
To use life well.
Worth}' our grand old name.
We mean shall be our fame ;
Not vain shall be our claim,
All to excel !
Now planning let us drop.
And for a moment stop :
Leave vows and pledges here,
And backward turn a year.
A merry sight we'll see.
Gay faces full of glee. —
This in the morning hours; —
But by-and-bye — ye powers !
A shadow dark and deep.
Doth o'er our spirits creep.
And in our inmost hearts,
A sad foreboding starts ;
Remembering how in pain
We wanderers asked in vain
For sofas, lounges, beds,
Or shelter for our heads;
How often meekly said,
" A Palmer wants a bed, "
Only to hear again
That wearisome refrain,
" The Palmers lodge, oh where,
We neither know nor care. "
* * -* * -s
Astronomy that night
Was studied with new light,
For many a student wise
Beneath the starry skies.
Fancied he'd " plan-et " better
And make the Palmers debtor
If e'er they " com-et " again.
Were all these plannings vain?
To-night the truth will show,
44 ' PALMER RECORD
Our fate we soon shall know!
Now. too, we feel a gnawing,
A sudden awful clawing,
To think of that clam-bake
Which we had hoped to take,
And which, alas, we lost,
• Though some found to their cost.
Oh bitter was the lay.
Of those who on that day,
Strolled up and down the street.
Seeking for " bread to eat. "
The Palmers in old times,
Wandered in distant climes
With scrip and staff in hand.
Seeking their holy land.
Did they our sorrows know,
Hungry and homeless go?
Did they as vainly try,
As we the land to spy ?
Did they find only rocks,
Huge boulders, massive blocks.
Most glorious to see.
But surely they'd not be
Fit pillow for a head,
With weariness half dead ;
Tired out, with Palmer lore.
And Palmer poetry ; that's more
To bear than Palmer ways,
Their wit, their many days.
Their families so great,
(Twelve was the common rate),
And that wise man so tall,
Ancestor of us all.
The many men of note.
We almost learned by rote,
The night we heard them told ;
And almost felt it bold
To claim our little place.
Among that giant race,
Described with graphic 'power.
In that dim-lighted hour,
By our historian small,
Who over-tops us all,
OF SECOND RE-UNION. 45
At least, in names and dates,
In old homes and estates,
With now and then a blunder.
Which fills us with " grave "' wonder
And sorrow, that his pages.
Designed for coming ages,
Should misplace or mistake
A name or place or date.
If height the passport be,
How does our G. H. P.
Make good his presence here?
Why that is very clear,
Because with genius true,
He knew so well, to do
The thing that should be done,
That victories might be won
Knew, too, the time to take
A proud success to make.
Or tall or short, 'tis sure,
His Palmer blood is pure ;
We honor him to-day.
The man who led the way
In this, our new" Crusade, "
So worthy of our grade.
Proudly to every eye,
Lifting the "Palm " on high.
So long shall live his fame,
As lasts the Palmer name.
No more must we rehearse,
Put turn to our first verse.
And throw one longing look
At that close-sealed book —
Our future. One glance cast
O'er now-to-be and past ;
Our deeds, our hopes and fears.
The joys we've had, the tears.
The plans we've made, and may
And then the " Good-bye "' say.
46 PALMER RECORD
'Twas thus we planned last year.
And now we're gathered here
The page to show,
To tell if dreams, or deeds.
If golden fruits, or weeds,
If failures, or won meeds.
We Palmers know.
If, as the days went by.
We've used, or let them fly,
No laurels won ;
If we have e'er proved true,
To all we've vowed to do.
Stood strong, e'en when a few,
t To have right done.
No record this will show,
But even- heart will know,
In depths profound.
We trust our Palmer blood,
To stand for God and good.
E'en though wrong, like a flood,
Surges around.
•
And so with gladsome hearts,
Albeit the tear-drop starts,
Our kin we greet.
We give all, " welcome " smiles,
And use our sweetest wiles,
To make it worth their whiles.
With us to meet.
And tribute we would pay,
E'en on this festal day,
To those gone higher.
So many from our ranks,
Stand on the other banks,
Singing and giving thanks
With heavenly choir.
Children that we have known,
Up into angels grown,
So far above ;
Mothers and fathers dear,
Seeming to heaven so near,
OF SECOND RE-UNION. 47
'Twas but a step from here
To God's own love.
Thus grief must cloud this day,
God help us all to say,
" It was Thy will. "
IIcId us to give Thee praise.
For all their lengthened days,
For all their loving ways.
For memory still.
And grant that by-and-bye,
We all may find on high,
The rest we crave.
Then with all fightings done,
Then with all victories won,
Then with new life begun.
Our Palms we'll wave.'
MODERN PALM-BEARERS.
C. B. PALMER, OF SING SING, N. Y.
[Note— Illustration, etc., on page 107, Vol. I.]
Mr. President, members of the Palmer Re-Union Associa-
tion— Ladies and Gentlemen :
I speak to-day of knightly conflict on other fields than Acre
or Ascalon. I recount not the valor of a Godfrey or a Cour de-
Leon, but the deeds of a later day and the conquests of a
newer crusade. I shall not speak of the panoply of arms, or
of a sheen of spears in the cause of sentiment, and an empty
sepulchre, but rather tell you of achievements in behalf of the
living principles of the teachings of the man of Nazareth. You,
who bear derivative title in name and lineage from the palm-
bearers of the thirteenth century, have gathered here on this
second Palmer Day to do honor to the names and memories oi
an ancestry who had a part in this conflict, a conflict more g!o-
; rious in its results than any on the Plains of Palestine.
One born of a parentage on the one hand paternal from that
4S PALMER RECORD
non-conformist clement that convulsed England in her political
and religious policy for a century, and planted vast empire on
this continent, founded upon the principles for which they con-
tended, and, on the other hand, maternal from the sturdy
Dutch who conquered the ocean with the dikes of Holland ;
protected the early Puritans by their libera! policy ; and sent
to that same England the man who calmed her troubled state
when, in the words of Lord Macauley, the cry went up from
Land's End to John O'Groat's house, ''Welcome the Prince of
Orange !" I say such an one may be pardoned on this occasion,
in addressing this company of modern paim-bearers on the cru-
sade for civil and religious liberty.
With the last years of the thirteenth century expired the
dying spark of the crusades, leaving the world in social and
moral darkness for two hundred years. When dawn appeared,
it struggled through the doors of that little monastry at Erfut,
and with that dawn came the new crusade for light and liberty
to the human soul in the doctrine of a justification by faith
alone.
It gave rise to the terrible wars of the sixteenth and seven-
teenth centuries — conflicts for principles — and from the smoke
of battle and the incense of blood was diffused knowledge to
the struggling masses of humanity.
Shall I speak of the leaders in the vanguard of this crusade ?
of Luther and Melancthon, of Zwingle and Cabin, of Cramner
and Latimer, and of young Patrick Hamilton, or later of Pym
Hampton and Cromwell, soldiers of the sword as well as the
spirit ?
I say these were conflicts of ideas, contests for principles.
Man contested with man on the thirty-nine articles, or the five
points of Calvinism, either but offspring of human thought.
Both followers of the lo\vly Nazarine, brother battled with
brother if he follow a clergy investments from the Aaronic
priesthood or the simpler forms of the Genevean Church ; men
died for the doctrine of predestination, and shed blood for the
form of a surplice.
Reviewing the events of these times from our standpoint in
OF SECOND RE-UNION. 49
Republican America, it seems absurd. Yet these questions
deluged England in blood and woe, and drove from her throne
an hereditary prince of the house of Stuart. But beneath these
surface questions was the vital issue, Should the civil govern-
ment regulate the individual responsibility of man to his God-1
The pulpit of the Puritan became the forum of the common
people, advancing step by step in that onward progress of the
human race up to higher and nobler plains of Christian civili-
zation.
In that portion of old England known as the north shire of
Nottingham, in the Hundred of Bassett Lawes, was the little
town of Scrooby. Here, under the shadow of the manor house
of the Archbishop of York (that manor house where the great
Cardinal YVoolsey dwelt when, " if he had served his God with
half the zeal he served his king, he would not, in his age, have
been forsaken to his enemies "), was a congregation of Puritan
separatists. Scrooby may be known as the mother of Ameri-
can Puritans. A leading man in this congregation was one
William Brewster. He had been a secretary and devoted fol-
lower of that Davidson who had clipped off the head of the
one fair woman who seems destined ever to be alike the con-
tention of historian and theme of poet — Mary of Scotland.
The meetings at Scrooby and the preaching of Brewster soon
attracted the attention and invited the interference of the au-
thorities. From trial and tribulation there was no escape save
exile. With longing eyes and heavy hearts they bid adieu to
those fair Nottingham hills, and crossing the channel sought
refuge in Amsterdam. This Scrooby company was twenty years
after the Pilgrims of the Mayflower.
From Nottinghamshire, possibly, probably, of the Scrooby
congregation came William Palmer, and Walter Palmer, and
Abraham Palmer, and Matthew Palmer, palm-bearers in the
crusade, bearing their palms across the broad Atlantic and
planting them deep down among the foundation stones of a
new commonwealth.
Argonauts on an unknown sea, standing upon an inhospita-
ble coast, before them an unexplored, mysterious wilderness
50 PALMER RECORD
inviting physical contest, behind them, across the water, all
they held dear in this life, but with it a fiercer spiritual
combat :
I summon brave Ulysses
From the mists of Ancient Troy,
And knightly names of other days',
From the Cid to DeMaloy;
In heroic deed and action,
'Gainst savage craft and power,
The pilgrim of New England
Is the hero of my hour.
He came like John the Baptist,
In the wilderness he wrought,
Preaching in this world Judea,
What the holy teacher taught ;
We revel in his visions,
t And our hearts with rapture ring,
When he strikes the harp of glory,
Like the Israelitish King.
But there were other palm- bearers left at Whitehall bearing
soiled palms. Roger, Earl of Castlemaine, lives solely in his-
tory as the husband of Barbara Palmer, the celebrated Duch-
ess of Cleveland.
But our ancestry, casting behind them all favor of King and
Crown, boldly planted their palms in the virgin soil of a new
world. Palmer descendants — scions from the old palm stocks-
have carried these palms and principles across the continent in
all the walks of life — martial, educational, on sea and land, in
art, science and literature. Of the Palmer patriotism let the
roster roll of three wars tell, from Bunker to Malvern Hill.
A Stonington ship-master,
" Far voyaging, he struck the strand,
Now blazoned on charts as Palmer land."
We have searchers in the South seas and in the starry heav-
ens. Inventors of machines for the destruction of mankind,
and an honorable array of names devoted to their cure. Wealth
may be the creature of chance — frequently the result of com.
OF SECOND RE-UNION. 5 I
binations ; and politics are not always a criterion of either abil-
ity or respectability ; but we do claim the man who introduced
stage-coaches in Great Britain, and the one who first brought
to this country Pekin ducks. The combative qualities of our
soldiery, and the doctrines and devotion of our clergy, the
character of our ancestry may clearly indicate. But what, you
may ask, is the Palmer peculiarity ? for what the family famous?
And I challenge any other family in this broad land to produce
a dozen not unknown poets, male and female (not the least our
fair cousins of to-day), a score or more prose writers, and at
least one purely American sculptor. Shades of William and
Walter! whence these poetical Palmers? whence this art and
literature? " My Faith Looks Up to Thee," or " Hymns of
Holy Hours," might echo back in the old colony without effect,
and " I'm a Pilgrim and a Stranger," sound natural, but that
"Smack in School" would cause tumult and commotion. And
then our sculptor, Palmer, must hide his- Sleeping Peri and his
White Captive behind the colossal figures of his Landing of the
Pilgrims. Have these old Puritans deceived us ? Was there
hidden behind that sombre demeanor heart fancies of life's
amenities, suppressed because forbidden, which has developed
in their descendants to-day? — You, who true to your pilgrim
name, have gathered here from the St. Lawrence to the gulf,
from the hills of New England to the canon of the Sierra
Nevada, from the populous city and the open plain — gathered
on this old ancestral ground, gathered around this family altar
that our fathers set up and dedicated to civil and religious lib-
erty two hundred years ago.
Puritanism meant freedom of thought ; liberty of conscience;
but the Puritans of Massachusetts Bay Colony limited it to the
measure of truth they had attained. It was heresy to go be-
yond. This seems bigotry. . It was bigotry. Let us be truth-
ful ; let us be fair. Being intolerant, they were no less sincere.
They had borne so much, suffered so much ; yet great suffering
had not taught them charity. If they drove forth from the colony
that man whose only crime was having advanced a step beyond
their standard, and who founded your adjoining great little State
$2 PALMER RECORD
— Roger Williams and also, perchance, Walter Palmer from Re-
hoboth — let us be truthful, let us be kind ; let us not forget
their human frailties. For this Puritan belief was solemn: it
was profound. Men who stood face to face with God : men.
who by faith entered into his councils, joined with him in his
work. The slightest incident, to ordinary mortals trivial, was
to them unmistakable indications of Divine approbation or dis-
pleasure. Was it unnatural, then, that the first code of laws
for their guidance was taken entirely from the Old Testament?
On it was subsequently engrafted precepts from the Roman or
civil law, at least admitting that society in the seventeenth
century required something more modern. Was this a mistake
of Moses?
Their jurisprudence was severe; they were severe men ; and
it may be a question to-day if we do not sacrifice quality for
quantity on our statute books. For instance, enactments pun-
ishing the crime of • blasphemy was first the whipping-post.
This audience may consider the deplorable condition of a noted
orator of to-day had he lived in Massachusetts Bay Colony in
sixteen hundred.
If the Puritan conflict developed the zeal of fanatics, it also
developed the hearts of heroes. In the words of Whittier:
" For there he stands in memory to this day,
Erect, self-poised, a rugged face half seen.
Against the back-ground of unnatural dark ; .;
A witness to the ages as they pass,
That simple duty hath no place for fear."
Such, Palmers, was the character of the ancestry it is your
privilege to commemorate to-day. And I raise my voice in
humble tribute to their many virtues.
In religion the Puritan recognized the personal responsibility
of man to his Maker; in temporal affairs, that the governor
derived his just powers from the governed. They built with
circumscribed views of these principles, yet they builded greater
than they knew ; for it was the outcome of society, founded
upon these principles, that brought on the conflict between the
OF SECOND RE-UNION. 53
colonies and King. It permeated the original thirteen States ;
it hastened that struggle of popular freedom against the divine
right of a king to rule over men, callec' "he revolution, which
involved the destiny of a continent; yea! of half the world.
Samuel Adams, the son of a Massachusetts Puritan, drove the
entering wedge that separated the colonies from the mother
country, and culminated in that second Magna Charta of hu-
man rights — the Declaration of Independence. .
These results could not have emanated alone from the sturdy
Dutchman of New Amsterdam, for by nature he was a conserv-
ative ; nor from the disciples of William Penn, for they were
non-combatants; nor the followers of Lord Baltimore on the
shores of the Chesapeake, for they were churchmen ; nor the
cavaliers in the trains of Raleigh and Oglethorpe, for they were
King's men. The moral lever, the educator of pre-revolution-
ary days, was New England Puritanism, and by and through it
the Calvinist and Baptist of New England, the Reformed
Churchman of New York, the Quaker of Pennsylvania, the
Papist of Maryland, and the Episcopalian of Virginia. Georgia
and the Carolinas, all combined, without guide or precedent, in
the formation of a government of separated State and Church
— the first in the history of the world from the days of Con-
stantine.
A searcher around that monument that stands behind the
White House on the flats of the Potomac, may read on a stone
this inscription, " To George Washington : Hero, Soldier, States-
man. Founder of well-named Modern Liberty. The Native
Country of Solon, Themistocles and Pericles — the Mother of
Ancient Liberty — Dedicates this old stone from the Parthe-
non."
It is a hand grasp across the gulf of ages. From the Demos
of Attica to the States of America. From the Pagan liberty
of the Ancient to the Puritan liberty of the Modern Republic.
Vet this Puritan liberty was impure. With greed for gold
came clank of chains. The)- legislated liberty for the white
man, but slavery for the black man. A perfect government
54 PALMER RECORD
was not formed. There was other and fiercer conflicts in the
crusade.
It was a beautiful Sabbath morning in early April, iS6i.that
I, a youth, stood in State street in the city of Albany. On my
right, mingled with the sound of church going bells, I heard
the roll of a drum. In front of the exchange I saw a mass
meeting of excited citizens. I asked a bystander, What means
this demonstration? and he replied. The rebels have fired on
Fort Sumpter! It was one of the opening scenes in that
drama history bears record as " The Civil War in America."
The causes that may have led to it, time and the occasion for-
bid I should discuss. It has been charged to New England and
Puritanism ; and indirectly they might plead guilty to the in-
dictment with pride, for one result stands pre-eminent : one fact
established that civil liberty in this commonwealth shall be a
misnomer no longer. The emancipation of three million hu-
man bondmen consummated the grand ideal, that under the
broad egis of the Republic all men are born free and equal.
It was the same conflict fought at Naseby and at Marston
Moor, at Concord and at Lexington, at Antietam and at Get-
tysburgh ; it was the same zealous longing of humanity for lib-
erty that possessed the soul of good old John Knox when, wan-
dering'an exile in foreign lands, he cried, "Give me Scotland
or I die." It was wafted through Cromwell's army on the notes
of the seventeenth psalm. It burst from the lips of Virginia's
great orator when he cried, " Give me liberty or give me death."
It rustled among the leaves on the table where the Declaration
was signed, when John Hancock said, " Let England read that
without spectacles," and thus reverberating down the ages, it
echoed in that round house at Harper's Ferry with Ossawato-
mie Brown and his Spartan band, when above the rattle of
musketry might be heard :
" God never leaveth utterly
This world that he hath rounded,
All human stress is by the sea
Of his dear pity bounded ;
Upon no Israel, to its ill,
OF SECOND RE-UNION. 55
The grip of Pharoah closes,
Beyond the liberating skill
Of some anointed Moses."
As if, with prophetic vision, they saw through the smoke
wafted across the sacred soil of Virginia the form of that man
before whose name the great names of history pale, and whose
character coming generations will behold colossal — Abraham
Lincoln — and at his side that stalwart palm-bearer and modest
soldier, U. S. Grant.
Yes, there were palm-bearers in this conflict. All may not
have worn the blue ; some wore the grey, and learned through
bitter defeat the lessons all must learn — " The mills of God
grind slow but sure." Some of these palm-bearers sleep to-day
under velvet sod, fanned by gentle breezes, on Southern hill-
sides, and some sit here with us.
I am one of those who believe that " God ruleth among the
armies of heaven and the inhabitants of earth," and that in his
special providence for six thousand years of the world's history,
this^vast continent was hid from civilization; that through the
progress of principles and the evolution of events, as I have en-
deavored briefly to narrate, it might be, in these latter days, an
asylum for civil and religious liberty.
Is there danger awaiting us as a nation? Are we not slowly
drifting away from the landmarks set by the Pilgrims of Ply-
mouth and the fathers of the Republic' Is there not an indif-
ference to the precepts they preached, and the principles they
practiced? Is that a cloud just above the horizon, not larger
than a hand yet a cloud? May we read on it aristocracy or
anarchy? Aristocracy means State Church. Anarchy means
no Church. The accumulation of great wealth in the few ; the
interference of powerful ecclesiastical bodies and of corpora-
tions in affairs of State ; appropriations of large subsidies of
public moneys for sectarian and other purposes ; and a rapidly-
increasing population, without patriotic pride, and wanting
sympathy with our governmental system, assaults on that
moral nursery of the Republic, our common schools. A want
56 PALMER RECORD
of purity and morality in public affairs and among public men
— nay, open and boasted infidelity, and disregarded that " right-
eousness exalteth a nation " — all indicate in the near future a
conflict between aristocracy and too much religion, and anarchy
and no religion.
Let the Palmers plant their palms on the middle ground.
God grant that in this land we may never have persecution
for conscience sake ; that on our ears may never sound the jing-
ling of the stirrups of the troopers of a Claverhouse. God
grant we may not witness what France once saw, when a mad-
dened crowd carried through the streets of Paris draped in the
insignia of freedom an abandoned woman as the Goddess of
Reason, and wrote on the tombstones in their cemeteries,
"There is no hereafter."
Palmers! Palm-bearers! you »vho bear the motto, " Pa/ma
Virtuti" when this conflict shall come, if come it may, forget
not the faith of your fathers. Let our palm-leaf be to us a sig-
nal, like the white plume of Henry of Navarre.
And in that congregation that John of Patmos saw, a great
multitude, that no man could number, of all nations and kin-
dred and people and tongues stood before the throne and be-
fore the Lamb, clothed in white robes and palms in their hands.
And as that congregation shall pass up, up, higher, higher, high-
er, through the light of the throne of the ever-living God, fore-
most in their ranks, we pray, may march with their palms, the
Palmers.
OF SECOND RE-UNION".
ICHABOD PALMER AND BETTY NOYES.'
A POEM BY REV. A. G. PALMER, D. D.
[Note Illustration, etc., on page 90, Vol. I.]
I have a little tale, of olden time,
Which I would like, in some way to rehearse;
Truthful, dramatic, thrilling and sublime.
And worth}- of the poet's highest verse;
The story is of fair young Betty Xoyes,
And Ichabod Palmer, her first maiden choice.
Ichabod Palmer, son of Ichabod,
Through Gershom, fourth, from Walter Palmer down,
Six feet and six, full in his boots he stood.
The tallest, strongest man in all the town ;
A fine physique, high-browed and open face,
A model man in build and strength and grace.
Five leagues, due north, from Walter's home domain
Lived Ichabod, on bold Pauchunganuc
Hill, whence sweeping o'er the underlying plain,
The eye took in the silvery Pawcatuc,
Discharging its bright waters, as to-day,
Into the Little Narragansett Bay.
Around The Bridge, where navigation ended,
A nascent village early sprang to birth.
By store, and mill, and smithery attended,
Adjuncts of village life in all the earth ;
Now, Westerly — a city soon to be —
Four miles, by steam, from Watch Hill and the sea.
Here lived a fair young girl, our heroine.
Referred to in our opening verse above.
Of chastened beauty and of modest mien.
Whom but to see was to admire and love ;
And many an offer for her heart and hand,
Came from the first young gallants in the land.
Still, Betty Xoyes could not be wooed ; but why,
Though spinsters gossipped much, yet none could tell
For she, with quiet humor in her eye,
Kept her sweet secret to herself, and well ;
58 PALMER RECORD
She only archly said : " I know my heart,
And have no mind at all with it to part."
"•I am not in the market," she would say,
" Not ready to be auctioned off just yet,
I want a little longer my own way,
For all know therein I am strongly set ;
I could not my sweet liberty forego
For any unengaged young blood I know."
And so, girl like, she held the beaux at bay,
Now smiled on them now jilted them a't will,
Now soberly, now in sheer sport and play,
She tortured them with hope and fear, until
They'd turn away with wounded pride and pain,
Only, with her first smile, to come again.
A maiden's smile — who has not known its power.
Who has not felt its half bewildering spell,
Who has not, in some fragrance-laden hour.
Beneath its flash and brightness swooned and fell
But who shall fail to know its thrill and bliss,
The ecstacy of life and love will miss.
But at a social gathering, one young man.'
Some miles outside the village, seemed to be
That evening present by design and plan,
As if some one awaited him to see ;
And when he strode in, kingly-like and bold,
And towered above the rest like Saul of old.
And there was gathered round a radiant cluster
Of flashing eyes and cherry lips to greet him.
'Twas noticed Betty Xoyes was in a fluster.
And did not press in with the rest to meet him ;
But timidly, stood just apart awhile,
Awaiting his affianced glance and smile.
But when he did not turn, her blushes fled.
And pallor followed the retreating flow
On cheeks, where but just now the crimson red
Of life was burning with a fevered glow ;
And then came over her a stifling chill,
She gasped and fainted— Betty Xoyes was ill.
But why, none knew save two who knelt beside her.
One, with^maternal instincts quick and true,
OF SECOND RE-UNION".
Saw what it meant, and with no heart to chide her.
Knew that there was but just one thing to do-
Restore her consciousness and vital sense.
Then leave her to herself and reticence.
So on her mother's couch the young man laid her.
Kissed her white hand, the mother bade adieu.
And since 'twas plain he could no longer aid her.
He bowed in courtly form and then withdrew:
Mounted his charger, and with morning's ray
Was at his Highland home, ten miles away.
But Betty's secret, though, at length revealed.
Was locked securely in her mother's heart—
For mother-like she must her daughter shield.
And in the threatening conflict take her part ;
Softening the father's hot, indignant wrath
Against the young man who had crossed his path.
For she herself had bitter memories still.
Of sore heart troubles in her girlhood's days,
Constrained to yield her preference and will,
A sacrifice to cold, prudential ways ;
She could but shelter, with indulgent care.
Her darling writhing in her sufferings there.
The father's wrath was not to be appeased.
He stormed and chafed like a wild beast at bay.
He was not barely angry and displeased,
But wild and furious, in his own blind way ;
His pride of family was deeply stirred
Against his child, who had, at most, but erred.
For, like most fathers in that early time,
He ruled his household less by love than fear.
And every little fault became a crime
To be reproved by penalties severe :
His autocratic will alone was duty,
Alike for slave, and wife, and childhood's beauty.
The family, once kindly in its schooling,
Had lost its tone of grace and gentleness,
For a severe and magisterial ruling,
Holding the household under sheer duress;
Not even childhood's prattle could assuage
The sternness of this Puritanic age.
59
6o PALMER RECORD
At once the line of duty was decided,
The love-sick daughter must be sent away,
The Island of Conanicut provided
A safe retreat, in Narragansett Bay ;
And thither she must go. allowed, in pity,
Sometimes to see her friends in Newport City.
For Betty Noyes was high-born, well connected
On both sides, of a gentle pedigree.
Reverend James Noyes her grandsire, learned, respected,
Of Yale's first corporate fraternity;
The Newport Sandfords and Governor Brenton,
The mother's side, the father proudly leant on.
Of course his daughter could not wed a farmer
From the backwoods of Fauchunganuc Hill,
A plebian and democratic Palmer,
With nothing but his beauty, strength and will;
That was a thing not even to be thought on.
And by no measure suffered to be brought on.
For though of princely qualities possessed.
Of manly vigor, bearing proud and high,
He walked an open democrat confessed,
Dark scorn and hatred flashing from his eye,
Against all aristocracy of race.
But toward the lowly, gentleness and grace.
The mother wise!}' urged entire submission, —
On Betty's part there must be no resistance,
The trusting child saw in this sharp decision,
A mother's strategy for her assistance ;
So with an effort to be bright and gay,
She kissed her parents, and so went away.
But on her mother's iips she pressed a kiss
Of fevered, loving trust, as if to say,
" I understand it, mother, you will not miss
To help your Betty through this stormy way ;"
To this appeal the mother's tearful eye
And long caress were nature's own reply.
Ichabod Palmer, from Pauchunganuc
Hill, rode south one day just as eve drew on,
By chance as he the little hamlet struck,
Under the deepening gloam. upon the lawn
OF SECOND RE-UNION.
He met the mother who, with faithful heed.
Told the whole truth and gave him her God speed.
Eastward he faced for Xarragansett Bay,
And put his charger to his highest speed.
The loyal beast swept foaming o'er the way.
As if he knew his master's urgent need ;
And ere the dawn twelve leagues weve measured o'er.
And beast and rider halted at the shore.
The fern-man in early waiting stood,
As if on guard against some rude invasion
Of his official trust, and in no mood
To take our hero o'er ; and when persuasion
Failing, he was, as fit, severely chidden.
He said that he had been straightly forbidden
-To take a traveler like him across ;
And he had been described so in advance
That when he saw him he was at no loss.
Hut knew him by his build, and height, and glance ;-
He had Deen advertised a vagrant rover,
And he could not be bribed to take him over.
The young man looked out, o'er the white-capped tide,
Measured the distance to the other shore.
Then boldly sprang his faithful horse astride.
And plunged in reckless mid the breakers' roar;
And while the ferryman, pailid with fright,
Gazed after him in the dim morning light,
He saw him standing on the farther bank.
His horse caressing with a loving care,
Rubbing him down on neck and bide and flank.
As if he would with him the honor share.
Of that triumphant ride across the ferry,
Better and safer than by boat or wherry.
Just how the lovers met we cannot say,
For here tradition fails; we know but this,
That some hovo and some where they met that day,
For when to meet did ever lovers miss ;
When drawn by hearts in dualistic action,
That subtle influence that we call attraction.
Ah ! who can think with what supreme surprise-
He looked on her and she on him at first,
62 PALMER RECORD
How they embraced, and with what hungry eyes
They gazed and gazed with a delicious thirst ;
She with a flush and tremor of confusion.
Lest it should prove a dream or bright illusion ;
He, with a manly strength and honest pride,
In having foiled the father's poor design
To rob him of his long-affianced bride.
Triumphant smiled on her with grace benign :
Talked low and deep, as only a strong man
When sanctified by woman's chaste love can.
Then mounted once more on the faithful steed,
The dear girl pillioned trustfully behind him —
Her arm encircling him, delicious need,
For she had long in her chaste heart enshrined him—
He dashed again into the swelling flood,
Confiding in his horse, himself and God.
The tide was at its height and full ebb flow,
And seemed in wonderment to hold its breath
To see this slight young girl so bravely go
Into the black, engulfing waves of death ;
And watched, aghast, the terrible issue
That must o'ertake her half the passage through.
Even the winds were breathless with affright,
And not a breeze the glassy surface stirred,
The "sea fowl," awe struck, ceased their sportive flight,
And not a note of wild delight was heard ;
All nature seemed to watch, in consternation,
The ending of such blinded desperation.
The horse himself, as if conscious that beauty
In double trust was given to his care,
Put every sinew to its highest duty.
As if of all the facts fully aware
Knew what his mission was, and had a sense
Of its importance from intelligence.
So with unflagging courage on he pressed,
With steady stroke and spirit in his eye,
And when his master his proud neck caressed,
He whinnied back a strong and brave reply.
As if to say, " I know what I can do,
And I shall bear you both in triumph through."
OF SECOND RE-UNION. 63
On, 'on he struggled through the placid tide,
Eyeing with eagerness the nearing sand,
With ears erect and nostrils open wide,
With every sinew like an iron band :
At length the shore was reached, and solid ground
Became a cause for gratitude profound.
Ashore, he shook his sides and heavy mane,
Then waiting quietly his master's will.
Nibbled the scanty grass along the plain
Skirting the shore, with heartiness, until
Remounted both, they took their homeward way,
And bade adieu to Narragansett Bay.
A farmer's house soon reached, dank garments changed,
Her golden braids relaid with simple grace,
Her toilet made and tastefully arranged,
She beamed on him from her bright girlish face,
Like Venus, goddess, rising from the sea,
His rescued love, and soon his bride to be.
And so it fell out — when do not things fall
Out right and timely for true trusting hearts? —
A country clergyman was within call.
And soon arranged were all the marriage parts ;
The bans declared, the " knot of true love tied,"
And Betty Noyes was Betty Palmer, bride.
The homeward course lay o'er the " Old Post Road,"
Beskirting pleasantly the Atlantic shore,
The leagues with rapid pace the horse bestrode,
As if he proudly felt the trust he bore:
Bravely, till five miles east of Pawcatuc,
They faced northwest for bold Pauchunganuc.
The foliaged woods — it was the last of June —
Were in their deepest green, and wild flowers gay
Decked copse and hedge. The air was full of tune
And melody from birds, as if the day
Had been created and arranged for this
Sweet complement of long awaited bliss.
To me there is no sight of deeper beauty
Than youthful matrimonial affiance,
Two young hearts pledged in words of faith and duty,
Man's robust love and woman's strong reliance ;
64 PALMER RECORD
With mutual confidence and admiration,
Waiting in hope the blissful consummation.
For nature will be nature, right or wrong.
Will chasteK' rule, or misrule. — wildly free :
Its instincts, though instincts, deep-seated, strong,
Ungratified, will turn to anarchy :
Marriage is holiness ; bridegroom and bride
In wedded love are nature sanctified.
Ten miles or more, a winding, narrow way.
Secluded from too captious ears and eyes.
Brought them, toward the falling of the day
As shades were gathering on the western skies.
Near to their journey's end — three miles aloof.
The shelter of the P.almer Manor roof.
These last three miles in conversation low,
Which could not be reported if we knew,
W:ere passed with footsteps intermittent slow,
As if the moments all too quickly flew ;
They lingered till the night shades round them fell,
By what enchantment, who does not know well ?
And here we leave them. Only this we say,
That through long years they lived in peace and health.
And by industry worked their upward way
To comfort and to satisfying wealth ; —
In the old cemetery, side by side.
Ichabod Palmer shunters with his bride.
OF SECOND RE-UNION. 65
THE PALMER HYMN.
1653. August 10. 1SS2.
BY SARA A. PALMER, STONINGTON, CONN.
O Lord to Thee we raise
A hymn of grateful praise
For boundless love.
To us throughout the year
Daily hast Thou been near,
Bow down this day and hear,
From Heaven above.
In Thy great presence now
Our hearts we humbly bow-
Asking Thine aid ; «
Asking Thy help, to stand
As a true Palmer band,
Showing through all our land
Hearts undismayed.
Help each to hold his life
Free from all stain and strife,
All sin and shame ;
Help us to " Palmers" be
Striving the world to free
From wrong and tyranny,
Sorrow and blame.
May the new coming year •
Bright, and more bright appear
In noble deeds ;
May we prove faithful to
All that we've vowed to do,
Seeking the right and true
Where'er it leads.
Once more Thy praise we sing,
Making the heavens ring
With the full strain.
Glory we give to Thee,
Who e'er our guide shall be,
Through all eternity
We'll praise again.
66 PALMER RECORD
ADDRESS OF B. FRANK CHAPMAN,
ONEIDA, N. V.
[Note— Illustration, etc. on Page 153, Vol. I.]
Mr. President, Relations and Friends :
The question is often asked how the Chapmans got into this
Palmer Re-Union? It is easy answered : I. Walter Palmer;
2. his son Gersham ; 3. his son Ichabod ; 4. his son Ichabod ;
5. his son Elias S. ; 6. his son Sanford ; 7. his daughter Katu-
rah Palmer, my mother, who married Col. Stephen Chapman ;
8. your humble servant, B. Franklin Chapman.
On my father's side, John Chapman, the settler, was born
near London, England, a weaver by trade : while on a visit to
London, he was pressed on board a man-of-war. The ship,
some time afterward, visited Boston, and John availed himself
of an opportunity to regain the liberty of which he had been
deprived ; he fled to Wakefield, R. I., where he worked at his
trade; after a while he went to Stonington, Conn., where he
was captured by the charming smiles and the beautiful Sarah
Brown, whom he married in February, 1709; so coming down
with our genealogy, we have — 1. John Chapman; 2. his son
Andrew; 3. his son Joseph; 4. his son Stephen; 5. his son B.
Franklin Chapman, etc.
Chapman is a Saxon name, and is derived from trades or oc-
cupations ; and the name itself indicates labor, not ease ;
strength, not weakness.
Walter Palmer and John Chapman were both Englishmen,
and both settled in Stonington, Conn., but at different periods
of time, and many of their descendants were educated in the
same school-house ; and a large number of the families emi-
grated about the same time, just prior to the war of 1S12, to
the towns of Lenox and Manlius, in central New York, where
many of their families yet reside.
If I shall mention the name of "Columbus," do not think
that I am to navigate all the unknown paths of the sea, if I
mention " our forefathers," do not think that I am togo through
OF SECOND RE-UNION. 6j
all their trials and sufferings, or fight all the battles of the Rev-
olution.
The discovery of America, however, was one of the greatest
events that had occurred since the downfall of the Roman Em-
pire ; and a greater number of coincidences are said to have
occurred about the time the old world was introduced to the
new world. Among them was the discovery of the art of print-
ing, the use of gunpowder, the mariner's compass, the improve-
ment in navigation, the revival of philosophy and literature,
and the introduction of the Protestant religion.
Columbus was a volunteer, and begged the privilege from
kings and queens of crossing the ocean to find a new continent.
Not so with our forefathers ; they were driven from England
by the religious tyranny under the reign of the Tudors and the
Stuarts. They came to this country not to gain wealth nor
honor, but with a full knowledge of the perils of the sea, with
its unknown paths to travel, and the toils and sufferings they
would encounter in landing among cruel savages of the forest ;
they braved it all for the privilege of worshipping God accord-
ing to their own conscience.
The moment they landed they formed themselves into a civil
body politic for the purpose of framing just laws, ordinances
and constitutions ; it was a voluntary confederation of inde-
pendent men instituting a government for the good of the
governed.
The axe came in contact with the forest ; log cabins were
raised, the families increased and multiplied, and every little
hamlet was a republic by itself. Schools in log school-houses ;
teachers were self-educated, they had no colleges or seminaries
of learning; they had fewer books, but knew better what was
in them than we do to-day.
We remember, and recount with pride, the mighty battles of
the Revolution, from the first gun at Lexington to the last shot
at Yorktown, wherein the principle of self-government was
firmly established, and that brains and not blood was to rule
our country.
6S PALMER RECORD
During a life of activity and toil it has been my privilege to
see quite a considerable portion of our own country, and
whether riding on a canal boat, in a stage coach, on a steam-
boat, or in a swift-moving train on a railroad, the mighty sweep
of vision, taking in the hills, the long range of mountains, the
valleys, the lakes, the rivers, the broad fields of grain, the mead-
ows, the magnificent rich prairies with their flocks and herds,
the illimitable fields of corn, the forest, dwellings, villages and
cities, upon the right hand and the left, presents a panorama
to the eye more beautiful than language can describe or tongue
can tell ; and add to this the great inventions springing up like
magic from a thousand brains in our own country, like the
steam-engine and steamboat by Fulton, which made its first
trip a few miles up the Hudson; and the distingushed men on
board made and published a certificate that it was propelled up
stream and against the current at the rate of four miles an
hour.
Compare it with the magnificent steamers of to-day on our
lakes and rivers, and our ocean steamers ploughing their thou-
sand paths across the Atlantic and Pacific oceans ; the cotton-
gin by Whitney, followed by the power-loom, by which a new
product, cotton, was brought into the market, and to-day it is
supplying the world with clothing: the telegraph and cable by
Morse, which, to-day, if put in one continuous line would spin
its way seven times around this globe ; it is distributing news
and business matters to every part of the inhabitable world
with the exact rapidity of lightning ; the power press by Hoe,
which will print twenty thousand newspapers an hour; the
sewing-machine by Howe, the poor cobbler, who invented the
stitch and was unable for many months to raise sufficient fundi;
to get a patent ; the reaper and mower by McCormick, by which
farming is made easy ; the telephone and electric lights by
Edison, the telephone relieving every branch of business of
much of its arduous labor, and the electric light throwing the
light of the sun into a shade, and converting darkness into
light; the railroad by Stephenson, an Englishman; this is the
OF SECOND RE-UNION. 69
great civilizer of the world, it passes over the plains and tun-
nels the mountains, it fills up the valleys, it leaps over the rivers, '
it slays down the forests, and plants civilization wherever it
goes; wherever it stops almost every industry in life instantly
springs up and is planted there.
Fortunate, indeed, was it that our forefathers were men of
thought and brains ; they were honest men and had convictions
of their own, and to-day we are reaping the benefit of their
bold act in fleeing from tyranny in the old world and planting
freedom in the new world.
To-day the words of Loch, Pluto, Milton, Shakespeare, Em-
erson, Bryant, Longfellow, and a host of others, belong to the
world. Chinese walls and national boundaries are of no account
when a thought seeks passage.
English Gatling gun's and her ponderous steel cannons, lately
introduced before Alexandria, by which a cannon ball could be
thrown with such force as to pass through a solid plate of
wrought iron fifteen inches in thickness at the distance of three
miles, and yet go on miles beyond in its path of death and
destruction, will virtually put an end to wars as a means of set-
tling national difficulties. International laws are fast spreading
over continents; their tendency will be to bring all nations
nearer together as one government, one people, and to use one
universal language.
And what a glorious thought is it for us to-day, at this Palmer
Re-Union, to know that the Palmer blood is on the farm and
in the work-shops; it is in every trade and industry, in all the
learned professions, in poets, orators and authors, in a president,
governors, cabinets, legislators, and upon the bench, throughout
our country ; we have our relatives* and kinsmen here to-day
from South America, Mexico, and almost every State in the
Union.
Oh '.'glorious the thought, that the Palmer blood and patri-
otism was in the Revolution from Bunker Mill to Yorktov.n, by
which the principle of free government was firmly established !
Glorious the thought that it was in the War of l8l2, and upon
yO PALMER RECORD
this very battle-ground where we stand to-day, by which the
freedom of the seas and the rights of the American sailor was
forever secured ! Glorious the thought that it was in the last
great struggle for human rights, where prejudice had to yield
to humanity; where freedom won and slavery fell!
GRACE PALMER.
A POEM BY REV. A. G. PALMER, D. D.
OF STONINGTON, CONN.
[Note— Illustration, etc., on page 90, Vol. I.]
I.
Grace Palmer, Walter Palmer's child,
On whom,, at birth, the angels smiled,
As snow, new fallen, undefiled,
Grew up, in sheltered innocence,
All artless and with no pretence
To premature intelligence ;
So reticent and so demure,
That one who knew her not, would sure
Have thought her birth-endowment poor.
A lone, sad child, without a mother,
Without a sister ; had she a brother,
Friend of her own sex, or the other;
Playmates, with their rout and rattle,
Shout and laughter, noise and battle,
Answering to her low-voiced prattle ?
Did her father have a caring
For her early childhood's faring,
Shelteringvher with love unsparing?
Was he gentle, was he tender,
Of his child, so frail and slender,
Did he strength and courage lend her ;
OF SECOND RE-UNION. J\
Did he kiss away her tearing
When, all tremulous and fearing.
At a bound the darkness clearing,
Rushing to his arms affrighted.
By some ghostly phantom sighted,
Face as marble, pallid, whited?
Did he to his bosom press her,
Warmly, tenderly caress her.
And with words of brightness bless her?
We will think so, for 'twere not good
Even to dream in saddened mood
Of a young child's fatherhood.
And if, to any, it should seem.
Of gushing sunshine, just a gleam,
Would brighten up our shaded dream ;
Our answer is, that what we see
In dreamland, for our minstrelsy,
With what is written must agree ;
These visions that so fleetly glide,
Our waking thoughts and dreams inside,
All truthfully we must transcribe.
Should we the vision kindly lent,
Allow to be asunder rent
Or marred, no other would be sent. .
The spirits that control the will,
And wisely our ideals fill,
Are of their own rights jealous still ;
If we are true to them and leal,
They will to us new truths reveal,
And all our imperfections heal.
II.
Grace Palmer, then, as we have seen her,
Amid surroundings that ensheen her,
With but her father's arm to screen her,
So timid, bashful and retiring,
So gentle, winsome and inspiring,
As if our warmest love desiring
72 PALMER RECORD
And craving, haunts us in all places,
And with her sweet and childish graces,
All else from heart and mind displaces.
She seems resolved that we shall know her
Just as she was ; and so to show her —
Nor shade above, nor shade below her —
Her chaste simplicity discerning.
Our hearts go out to her in yearning,
Warm admiration, glowing, burning.
III.
We see her in her English home.
Amid the evening's deepening gloain.
As wont the heather wide to roam ;
- In rustic gown, of antique style,
With hat and shoes to match, the .while
Prim, Puritanic, modest, guile.
Less as the wild flowers round her feet.
And like them breathing fragrance sweet,
In girlhood's loveliness complete ;
Returning to her humble door,
While evening's shadows gather o'er
Thatched roof and porch and polished floor
The ivy and the eglantine
And sacred holly intertwine
This English cottage to enshrine.
Within, the evening meal is spread,
Then Walter Palmer bows his head
And thanks God for his daily bread ;
While little Grace, with pious ken.
And folded hands waits the amen,
Then smiles up in his face again;
And fills with light the lowly place,
The father's rugged form and face.
Made beautiful by his child Grace —
The image of her mother, high
Of birth, and hair of golden dye,
And eyes blue as the far-off sky.
OF SECOND RE-UNION. /$
IV.
That night Grace Palmer had a dream,
And from a distant land a gleam
Of sunlight flashing o'er a stream
So wide and dark, the farther shore
Seemed hid in mist forevermore.
So far away none might explore ;
But as she dreamed, this shadowy land
Came nearer, till with open hand
She gathered up the golden sand.
And then the wilderness withdrew,
And smiling landscapes rose to view,
And meadows bright with sparkling dew
A frith or cove from out the sea,
Opened as if designed to be
A pathway to the ocean free ;
And there, upon the eastern side,
A cottage rude, but well supplied
With food for man and beast beside,
Stood with its English vine-clad thatch.
And open door with outside latch.
And front and rear a garden patch.
Her father, too, with cheerful mood,
She saw in strength of full manhood
Clearing away the forest wood.
And the broad acres stretched away,
Northward and eastward from the bay
On which this dreamland homestead lay.
V.
And then another vision fell
Upon our little demoiselle,
Of which we have not time to tell ;
Save this, that it was very bright,
And golden to her raptured sight,
And filled her with a strange delight ;
74 PALMER RECORD
Latent the while and unsuspected,
And now but timidly detected,
Because imperfectly reflected ;
An embryonic interjection,
A shadow)- outline introspection
Of bliss, perspective in perfection.
A new world opens to the view
Of this young girl, as she peers through
The mists, love's paradise into.
Another sense is o'er her stealing —
An unknown sense to her revealing,
The fount of maiden love unsealing ;
As yet an indistinct conception,
Inconstant, easy of deflection.
Almost too frail to claim protection.
A tremulous, ecstatic flame,
A thrilling, subtle, chaste regime,
A passion strong, but without shame;
A pungent yet delicious pain,
So grateful, waking she would fain
Have brought the vision back again.
Of course it was a young girl's dream
From out the future — just a gleam
Across the dark Atlantic's stream ;
But it was like a golden ray,
Kindling with rainbow hues the spray
And dash of billows far away ;
And with its sweet prophetic light.
Rifting the sorrow-clouded night
Of this young child with visions bright.
Blessed be childhood, chaste and pure,
For its young dreams are pledges sure
Of opening life in miniature.
" VI.
Soon Walter Palmer bade farewell
To English soil, and came to dwell
OF SECOND RE-UNION. 75
At Charlestown first, Rehoboth then,
Lastly at Wequtequock, when,
Grace Palmer found her dreamland glen ;
And more than all, the man who sought her,
In vision far across the water,
And all the wealth of his love brought her.
VII.
The passing years, a full decade
Twice told, have rapid changes made,
And brought with them a higher shade
Of face and character, not less
Of form and maiden comeliness.
And lips, that challenge a caress,
Like threads of cherry red, between
Which rows of well-set teeth are seen.
Like pearls of highly-polished sheen ;
And eyes blue as the far-off sky,
Whence it is said the angels fly
When o'er the earth they hover nigh ;
And with a crown of golden hair,
Befitting well a face so fair,
And such as any queen might wear;
With open countenance, serene,
High-browed and goddess-like in mien,
In girlhood, ene she walked, a queen.
Her skin is like the driven snow,
Save where the vital current's flow-
Kindles a warm and crimson glow ;
As when the blood with sudden rushing,
Driven by some strong impulse gushing
Baptises all the face with blushing.
Nature's own chrism, kindly sent,
An index of the heart's intent.
And purity's chaste compliment.
76 PALMER RECORD
VIII.
We wonder not that Thomas Miner
Thought her than any girl diviner,
And asked in his heart to enshrine her ;
And made her his affianced bride,
And married her in manly pride,
And walked through life by her dear side.
IX.
Beneath a huge moss-covered stone,
Sleeps Thomas Miner's dust alone,
The grave of Lady Grace unknown.
No matter, for beyond the sky,
Like angels robed in white on high,
They walk in love, no more to die.
Poetic license kept in view,
A picture, beautiful as true,
In outline I have drawn for you
Of Lady Grace, the fairy child,
On whom at birth the angels smiled,
As snow new fallen, undefined.
OF SECOND RE-UNION. 7/
ADDRESS OF COURTLANDT PALMER,
NEW YORK CITY.
Mr. Chairman, my sister and brother Palmers : I have, on
rising, to express my thanks for the honor of being called
upon to reply to the toast, "The Palmers of the City of New-
York." '
In looking over the Directory of that mighty hive of human
beings I find that our name there is legion, covering several
columns of that bulky and finely-printed volume. In a word,
the Palmers of New York alone are numerous enough to con-
stitute of themselves quite an extensive village. That these
are all inter-related I strongly doubt, but that they are largely
so connected I am quite sure from an experience that befel me
some years ago. I was subpoenaed to serve on the jury of the
U. S. District Court of our city. Xext to me in the jury-box
sat a gentleman whose name was announced by the clerk as
Walter Palmer. I turned to him and said : " Why, this is quite
a coincidence, I had an ancestor whose patronymic was the
same as yours, and who was said to have been a giant in his
day. Tradition relates that he was nine feet high, and lived to
be one hundred and fifty years old. He came over with Chris-
topher Columbus in Her Majesty's ship, the Mayflower, in the
year 1629, and landed on the top of Plymouth Church." " Why,"
replied my fellow-juryman, " that is the very progenitor from
whom I boast my descent." "Well," rejoined I, "then we
must be at least one hundred and sixteenth cousins." " We
must," said he. "Shake," said I. And we grasped each other
in the mutual recognition of our family relationship. But
seriously, I found on further inquiry that this Mr. Waiter
Palmer was a thrifty merchant, doing business under the Bible
House, and a man, as far as I could learn, of character and
culture.
Perhaps, as another type of the Palmers of New York, it
may not seem out of place on an occasion like this to pay my
tribute to my own father. Born in Stonington, his life was
/S PALMER RECORD
passed in New York, and I doubt not that many of the potent
grave and reverend seniors of this borough, now within sound
of my voice, have played kite, tag and peg-top with him in the
happy days of childhood. At ten or twelve years of age he
shipped; by sloop for Manhattan Island, railroads being then
unknown. He disembarked with the traditional shilling in his
pocket, but fortunately found employment with his' brother
Amos, then engaged in the hardware trade on the corner of
Pearl street and Maiden lane. Half clerk, half porter, he toiled
from early morn till noon, from noon till dewy eve, learning his
business in every detail. At length — he often told this inci
dent — desiring to embark on his own account, he requested —
on the basis simply of his good American self-assurance — a credit
from three auctioneers, which, probably to his, and perhaps
even to their own surprise, was granted him. But he was thus
enabled to purchase his goods at great bargains, and by turning
them quickly met his notes before they were due. Such was
the beginning of a career which finally resulted in his admission
as partner to a firm doing the largest hardware trade between
New York and New Orleans.
It is needless to cite further individual cases. The shortest
biographical sketch of each worthy Palmer in our great city
would exhaust my powers of speech and your patience. Suffice
it to say that in all the departments of human achievement and
effort, in the army and navy, in law, medicine and theology, in
sculpture, architecture, painting, poetry and literature, in me-
chanics and the practical arts we, as a family, have set the
stamp of our intelligence, perseverance, honesty and skill.
Such are the Palmers of the present. And why loom they
up so well ? Is it not because behind them stands the race of
the strong *nd sturdy Walter Palmer and his descendants ?
Along with myriads of other worthy citizens of this Republic
have not our forefathers delved in the mines ; have they not
tickled the soil with the plow and made it laugh with the har-
vest; have they not agonized for us, battling against rude na-
ture's firm decrees, and taming her hard forces into our service ?
Have they not suffered that we might enjoy the fruits of their
OF SECOND RE-UNION. 79
conquests ? Are we not products of the epoch they have
made — products in character as well as inheritors of mere ma-
terial gain ?
Such is a glance at the Palmer empire of the past. May I
now try to forecast the coming empire of the future, in order
that hereafter as heretofore our extensive family may thus, per-
chance, be enabled more grandly to walk worthy of the, voca-
tion whereunto they may be called ?
Change is the primal condition of existence. Without it
progress cannot be. In visiting the room where the Palmer
relics are exhibited I chanced to see an ancient wooden loom,
standing about as high from the floor as an ordinary table,
from off which old tape was slowly and wearily woven. Compar-
ing this poor contrivance with the present power-loom, which
in our time produces fabrics by the flowing yard, we can readi-
ly see the wonderful mechanical advance our age evinces, as we
do also in the brilliance of the electric lamp as compared with
the tallow dip of Walter Palmer's time, or in the rush of the
railroad train contrasted with the tedious travel of the stage
coach era. Ay ! even the very mountain tops, impregnable as
they appear in ail their granite strength, crumfMe before the
mild attacks of the Summer rains, or rend themselves to frag-
ments when shattered by the bolts of Winter and the resistless
shafts of the frost.
And can it be supposed that changes such as these can come
to our external and material life without some corresponding
variation in the province of ideas ? Gen. George W. Palmer,
in his most able address, stated, in truth, that this Re-
Union only represented an idea, the sentiment, to wit, of fami-
ly unity and brotherhood, wherein, gathered together in a spirit
of mutual tolerance for each other's opinions, we might take
counsel together to our general benefit.
It is in this spirit that I would speak of the empire of the
future. "Palmam qui meruit ferat," " Let him bear the palm
who deserves to bear it." As Goethe says: " He only conquers
liberty and life who daily conquers them anew," and also as
Tennyson affirms :
00 PALMER RECORD
" I hold it truth with him who sings
To one clear note in divers tones,
That men may rise on stepping-stones
Of their dead selves to higher things."
And while quoting in this strain, I might most appropriately
add right here these words from the talented pen of our own
sister -poetess, Miss Sara A. Palmer:
" Help us to 'Palmers' be.
Striving the world to free
From wrong and tyranny,
Sorrow and blame."
All this, my friends, is simply introductory to the statement
that as far as I can look abroad and read the signs of the times
1 see the human race passing through, perhaps, the most
remarkable transition the history of man has yet revealed. In
order to outline this empire of the future, so that the Palmers,
if they will, may adapt themselves thereto, allow me to consider
it in several of its aspects.
We can aU of us recall the anathemas of yore which the
pulpit hurled against the stage. Between the actor and the
clergyman there seemed a great gulf fixed. But now the gown
assumes a different attitude towards the buskin. In very many
of our New York churches no longer is the entrance to the
theatre called the gate of hell. In a similar manner, the pulpit
formerly leveled its invectives against the novel, against por-
tions of the press, against art, and many innocent amusements,
while now it has practically come to recognize all of these not
only as inevitable, but, under proper guidance, as useful forces.
In a word, its function has come to be not to extirpate them
but to 7iioralizc them, and thereby lift them up to loftier human
purposes. Instead any longer of seeking to slay these cognate
institutions, it now seems content to harness itself by their side,
so that in place of wasting strength in vain contentions amongst
themselves all of them together may draw onwards the glorious
car of civilization,
OF SECOND RE-UNION. 8 1
Such is one vast change in what may be called the domain
of sentiment and art.
But turn we to another field. Throughout the world there
seems to be arising the thrilling cry, the sterner demand for a
larger industrial justice. In distant Russia Nihilism lifts its
voice in the name of land and liberty — the land, without which
people cannot live, and liberty, without which life is not worth
the living. I read the manifestos of these much-censured rev-
olutionists and find that all the rights they ask is less than we
of this republic enjoy as commonly as the air we breathe.
If we turn one glance to the German fatherland we also there
behold the spirit of unrest. I see by recent statements in the
newspapers that Socialistic thoughts have so pervaded every
rank that even the army no longer can be counted on, and that
the man of iron, Bismarck, seeks to satisfy the masses by stealing
the very thunder of the malcontents, himself, with admirable
statesmanship, becoming the leading one to advocate and for.
ward many of their measures.
In France, as I can read the way that nation tends, I see that
they would there create not only a democracy in politics, but
that they aim to found a socialized republic.
The throes of troubled Ireland chant their pregnant lesson.
It is a nation rising in revolt against a thraldom that has grown
into a tyranny. It is the stand that a wronged race has taken
wherein they give their edict to the world that it is contrary to
every law of human justice that the soil of a whole country
should be held in toll by the tens among its populace, while the
thousands, through the landlords' power, are bound thereby in
practical servitude. And all throughout the British Isles, I'm
told, the Irish refrain is being echoed from hill-top unto
hill-top.
But here, three thousand miles away from these old-world
disturbances, here in free America, 'tis said, where we have
ample space and almost limitless land for every settler, here
such dangers cannot show themselves. But even here, I think.
I see the writing on the wall. We find most palpably among
82
Palmer record
ourselves the tendency of wealth to gather in the clutches of
the few, while relatively the many go lacking. Even such a
conservative authority as Mr. David A. Wells affirms that the
rich are continually growing richer and the poor poorer. And
the murmurs of discontent are beginning to make themselves
only too plainly manifest as the masses, in their increasing sense
of something wrong, perceive that the present processes of
trade all tend to concentrate wealth— the wealth their labor
makes— in the pockets of the plutocrats. And is not this brood-
ing feeling exhibiting itself in politics? Does it need much
power of prophecy to state that the olden parties— the demo-
cratic and republican parties — are really dying out for want of
vital issues on which to subsist? And in place of them, like
threatening heads arising on the vast ocean of politics, do we
not perceive such organizations as the Anti-Monopoly League
proclaiming deadly war on bloated corporate aggrandizement ;
do we not see the old Greenback party — not dead, but only
sleeping— still loudly maintaining that we must have a money
of the people for the people instead of a money of the banker
for the banker and by the banker? The Socialistic Labor party,
too, they tell me, with its slogan, that all profits are robbery, "is
a rapidly-growing clan. And more than all of these, and far
more threatening as regards this coming strife between labor
and capital, is the vast extension of trades-unionism throughout
the length and breadth of our land, wherein the laborers throw
their gauntlet down in defence of labor's rights.
But this is enough, for this occasion, to indicate the empire
of the future in the line of industry that seems to be casting
upon us its coming shadow, and unto which, as in the previous
case that I have stated, I would have the Palmers adapt them-
selves as their good hearts and active brains may dictate.
And now, for a moment, let us bend our thoughts to the last
department of the empire of man in the future that I shall now
allude to, I mean the department of Religion. I know how
delicate is the ground I stand on, but without it my subject
were incomplete and my purpose unaccomplished. Be it
OF SECOND RE-UNION. 83
enough for me to say, that I shall advance no dogmas of my
own nor assail a single cherished doctrine held by any here, and
if I state, as my opinion, that faith itself must undergo a
change, I also, in the self-same breath, affirm that this will only
be because worship must enlarge to grander, nobler issues. It
will be like Saul, the son of Kish, who, being sent to seek his
father's asses, found himself possessor of a kingdom.
A great man has said : " Without religion civilization dies;"
but yet everywhere around us the signs of altering creeds ob-
trude themselves at every turn. If America has produced any
one divine more prominent than another, we must confess that
Henry Ward Beecher is that one, and yet this is the clergyman
who, in the August number of the " North American Review,"'
openly pronounces that the time-honored faith of Christendom
must step onwards to the music of the century or else itself
must be left behind.
And here another name straightway suggests itself, the name
of one now gathered with the mighty dead of our own America,
I mean Ralph Waldo Emerson, the sage of Concord, of whom,
like Spinoza, it might almost be said : " He was a God-intoxi-
cated man ;" and yet even Emerson, descended as he was from
a long line of clergymen ancestry, himseif educated for the pul-
pit, was forced to leave his inherited limitations and find his
church in nature, his inspiration in humanity.
I sat some four years ago beneath the venerable and conse-
crated roof of Westminster Abbey. Around me I could almost
fancy were flitting the shades of the heroic personalities whose
tombs from adown the ages have been built against its walls.
Around me in the pews a crowded throng were gathered. They
had come to listen to that brave and wise and gentle man, Dean
Stanley. It was Trinity Sunday, and of the trinity the rever-
end preacher spoke. But oh, in what a different, in what a
clearer, holier light than that we were accustomed to! God,
the Father, in his hands became the underlying though un-
knowable force which flows with never dying energy, and which
manifests itself to us in all phenomena; the Son, the Christ.
84 PALMER RECORD
enlarged to all Humanity, as in its daily death, its daily martyr-
dom, its daily resurrection, it lives and suffers for the sake of
man, while the Holy Spirit became transformed to the saving
grace of the individual conscience.
My friends, it is folly for us to play the ostrich ruse and bury
our heads in the sandy desert of conservatism and imagine that
no change is going on around us. Thousands of lives like Stan-
ley's are being lived. In Germany, but a few decades since,
great Goethe passed away. His Faust is being read, or else, in
the form of opera, is being sung in ever)' land ; and, mind you
this, that Faust was saved not lost as for the most part is sup-
posed. And Faust, that wondrous play, the divine comedy of
this new era, is the revelation of the new salvation, wherein
"for all our failings a pure humanity atones." In France Au-
guste Comte has written — Comte, whom Gambetta pronounces
the greatest thinker of the nineteenth century, and whose
teaching is the creed of science, and whose religion is the reli-
gion of humanity. In England, Darwin, vilified only twenty
years ago as the prince of evil writers, has been lately buried
with princely honors in the same cathedral pile to which I have
alluded. Herbert Spencer is still toiling, honoring now this
country with his presence, while Harriet Martineau and George
Eliot, the two leading women thinkers of this time who spoke
our mother tongue, have only, as it were, just gone away be-
fore us, leaving their works to follow them.
And so I might continue by the hour citing these heroic
souls, these hearts devoted to humanity, and these deeply-
thinking brains; but enough has been said, I think, at least to
suggest that as in the realm of mechanical invention, as in the
field of art and industry, so in the wider domain of religion
itself "our knowledge grows from more to more;" therefore
here also I would admonish my kinsmen to so live and so en-
large their lives that our Palmer orators in Re-Unions of the
future may say of us, as we affirm now of our past ancestry:
"Well done, good and faithful servants!"
One more reflection and I have finished. New York City is
OF SECOND RE-UNION. 85
called the Empire City of the Empire State — New York State
is called the Empire State of the great Republican Empire of
the United States. I would, my friends, live to see the Palmers
acknowledged as the Empire Family of this our Empire Coun-
try. Xenophon it is who in his history of the anabasis, tells the
tale of how the Greeks, ten thousand in their numbers, made
a brave retreat from Asia back to Hellas. Our own genealogist
informs us that in all their ramifications the Palmers, also, doubt-
less aggregate to some ten thousand. My friends and rela-
tives, I trust we may never hear of a Palmer retreat, even
though it a courageous one, but instead thereof always of a
Palmer advance.
ADDRESS
BY EPHRAIM WILLIAMS (EX-WARDEN), OF STONINGTON, CT.
[Note Illustration, etc., on page 106, Vol. I.]
Mr. President and Kinsfolk :
The name for which I have been requested to speak has had,
until perhaps in the present generation and branch of the
family which I have the privilege to represent, so little connec-
tion by blood and marriage with the vast concourse who have
emanated from your worthy ancestor, Walter Palmer, that I
had many misgivings, and felt that it would be almost intrusive
for me to attempt by participating in your family Re-Union, in
the manner suggested by the kind invitation of your venerable
and revered Vice-President, the Rev. A. G. Palmer, to assume
any claim as a Williams to be taken into your fellowship and
association. And so I delayed and deferred, after receiving
that invitation, to signify my acceptance of the appointment
(for which I hope the Rev. Dr. will accord me full pardon ) until,
finally, with some reluctance and doubt as to the propriety of
my putting in an appearance, only the other day endeavored to
see if my ingenuity could devise some form of words whereby
86 PALMER RECORD
I could associate Palmer and Williams, and comply with the
Dr.'s polite invitation. And I am fearful that in the time allot-
ted, or without great weariness to your patience, even if I pos-
sessed the literary abilities and mental force of the most intel-
lectual now present who represent those names, or who have
passed away, and have adorned various professions and gained
the reputation of the historian, the scholar, the orator, the poet,
that it would hardly be proper for me to attempt more than
simply ask you, in the enjoyment of these festivities, not to
forget, but to preserve and cherish the remembrance of those
whose lives were famous and whose good example it should be
the legitimate purpose of these Re-Unions to perpetuate ; for
I think whatever can be most appropriately said on such occa-
sions, must emanate from and revolve around the idea that we
are met to commemorate the virtues of the ancestors. And
with this intention, it may be justifiable for me to briefly show
by what right I respond to the names of Palmer and Williams,
and how in my branch the Palmer blood came down.
As for the Williamses whose remains now mingle with the
dust of their native town. I have intimated that so far as my
genealogical knowledge extends their infusion with the Palmer
blood would not warrant my going into the details or history
of the Williams family or portray the part they performed in
building up the wealth, intelligence and prosperity of the com-
munity where they lived. My ancestor, Robert Williams, was
not among the first settlers here. He and his sons, Samuel,
Isaac and Stephen, resided at Roxbury, Mass.. where they ar-
rived from England in 1637. He lived to the good old age of
one hundred years, having been born in 1593. and died in Sep-
tember, 1693. His wife, Elizabeth Stretton, died July 28, 1674,
aged eighty years, and saw the commencement of the fulfillment
of her dream that from her should spring a long line of gospel
ministers ; and, without doubt, through her sons, Samuel and
Isaac, for many generations there were more in New England
eminent in that profession of her lineage than of any other, and
the record of her offspring for a long period had an honorable
OF SECOND RE-UNION. 8/
and conspicuous position in the history of the colonies ; there
was scarcely a battle fought either with the Indians or a foreign
enemy in which one or more of the name does not appear. On
Groton Heights among the martyrs for their country's inde-
pendence, whose self-sacrifice and patriotism the State and
nation ceremoniously and grandly commemorated on the cen-
tennial anniversary of their massacre at Fort Griswold, in the
sublime language written upon the monument there, John,
Henry, Thomas, Daniel, " were a people that jeoparded their
lives unto the death in the high places of field." The wife of
the brave Col. William Ledyard. who commanded the garrison
and was brutally murdered after laying down his sword, was
the grand-daughter of Ebenezer Williams, who came to this
town about 1685. She died in 1789, a few hours after her son
Charles, who was a babe but ten days old when his father was
killed, and at her request this boy whose infancy and childhood
were impressed upon her heart by the blood of the heroic father,
was buried in her arms.
Ebenezer Williams, who was the son of Samuel, and his two
cousins, John and Eleazer, the sons of Isaac, came from Rox-
bury here together and took up land adjoining; and they and
their descendants, although not as numerous as the Palmers,
have acted a respectable part in the early history of this town
in developing its resources and in forming its social, civil and
religious society. It would not be interesting for me to partic-
ularize or hold any up to view, " for they have rested from their
labors and their works do follow them ;" but it is due to their
memories to say that the early settlers of this town had not the
opportunities for study and education and the public display of
acquired powers that others of their family enjoyed who re-
mained at or near the historic Plymouth Rock and Boston har-
bor, which then, more than now, was supposed to be the " hub
of the universe ;" yet, as pioneers in the wilderness here, caus-
ing it, if not " to blossom as the rose," to yield a decent sub-
sistence, in originating industries and improvements in various
business occupations, and in their views of self-government in
88 PALMER RECORD
town meeting assembled, upon which the fabric of our great
republic, to be secure, must always depend ; and in their organ-
ization of those local methods which we now follow in the
management of our civil affairs, they exhibited eminent quali-
ties and those inherited natural abilities which were more neces-
sary here then to make the land give forth its increase, and by
toil of the hands and sweat of the brow to open the way of
prosperity and happiness for themselves and others, than were
the exclusive wisdom of colleges and the circumscribed duties
and accomplishments of the learned professions. And in my
opinion it would be to the general advantage now if we had
more of their old-fashioned, straight-forward integrity and hard-
headed business method in public matters, and less new-fangled
notions, vain babblings on law, hair-splitting technicalities, and
wordy, pettifogging oppositions of science of government, false-
ly so-called.
It would at least save some worriment and just criticism if
we could throw off a few delusive theories, a little false style
and pride in daily living, and snobbish imitation of foreign
manners, which the Pilgrims never intended should cross the
Atlantic, and are a severe reproach to the professions of their
descendants that they are a free and independent people : for
what can be more slavish than servile worship of imported fash-
ions, and aping the habits and usages that surround monarchial
governments and a titled nobility; and it would infuse more of
original, genuine manhood into our body politic if, instead of
soaring quite so high after "/Esthetics and High Art," we would
cultivate more the rugged simplicities of our ancestors, Palmer,
Williams, Denison, Wheeler, Chesebro, Stanton, Noyes, Gallup,
Miner, and all those worthies whose characters and customs it
is to be hoped your Re-Unions will recall, and make us pro-
foundly realize that if we live in more cultured days, with greater
opportunities of ease and affluence, that the wisdom, the econ-
omies, the patriotism and sturdy uprightness of the forefathers
laid the foundation of it all. And you who are to-day glorify-
ing the name of Palmer, do not forget that you had foremoth-
OF SECOND RE-UNION. . 89
ers as well as forefathers, and that in very many cases " the
grey mare was the better horse," that in mental capacity, in
that perception or intuition which is more valuable than expe-
rience, because it prevents mistakes and comprehends in ad-
vance the wise course to take, in that painstaking prudence in
domestic duties and economy in saving what was earned, which
are essential to success, that the woman was often the better
help-mate ; and if the assertion be true that the sons usually
inherit the traits and characteristics of the mother, and the
daughters those of the father, then the name of Palmer is for
you only an empty boast ; you are not Palmers at all. for the
blood of old Walter Palmer went down through his daughters
to a variety of names, perchance a Williams, a Denison, or some
other name ; and while I would not have you feel any less
cheerful because you have inherited the Palmer name, yet I
deem it my duty to account for my being here by telling you
that I claim the Palmer birthright through the fairest and per-
haps the wisest of the immediate family of our honored pro-
genitor, who was Grace by name, and was all that name implies
as the consoler and counsellor of her father in the loneliness of
his widowhood, as the dutiful daughter in attending diligently
to the ways of his household, and afterwards as the devoted
wife of Capt. Thomas Miner, by whom, if my friend the Palmer
genealogist tells true, she had sons and daughters whose de-
scendants have been known in this State and everywhere where
ex-Gov. Miner and Gen. Grant are known.
And so may we all, by whatever line we claim descent and
right to participate in this gathering, do all honor to the women
who have borne the Palmer blood. The deeds of its men may
seem grander and more conspicuous as you trace back your
family history to that modest home at Wequetequock Cove, but
who can measure the quiet, subtle essence of the mother's in-
fluence through all these years in shaping the lives of the men
whose achievements in different walks of life have made honor-
able the name you call your own. And permit me to add, Mr.
President, that you have contributed a creditable part towards
making that name respected and esteemed. It is woman's in-
90 PALMER RECORD
fluence much more than any other forms, and as civilization
progresses will the more and more form the character of the
people, and on through manhood the lesson learned at the
mother's knee, like the voice from an angel, shall arrest the err-
ing sons of men in their wayward career and call them back, if
not to innocence, to their duty and their God. And though
that mother ma}- have lived so long ago that your lips have al-
most ceased to pronounce the name, and in the sunshine of
your domestic happiness, with little ones climbing your knee
and young tongues calling you father, the momory of your own
childhood appears like a distant dream, yet you may be sure
that somewhere down in your heart, though the wound made
by her grave may seem entirely healed, that there is a chord
which is always whispering low to the old-time lullaby of her
gentle voice, and ever saying, "A mother's influence, a mother's
love never dies, for it was made only a little lower than the
angels."
ADDRESS
BY REV. HIRAM STONE, OF BANTAM FALLS, CT.
My Kindred :
*
When introduced to a promiscuous audience, as on the pres-
ent occasion, it is common for the speaker to address them as
"Ladies and Gentlemen." But in this instance I salute you as
my kindred, for such you are. Though looking upon hundreds
of faces which I have never seen before, and speaking to people
gathered from different parts of our wide-spread country, I recog-
nize you as members of a numerous family heretofore to me un-
known. We are descendants of a common ancestry ; our remote
forefathers left England some two hundred and fifty years ago,
and braving the terrors of savage war tribes and the unbroken,
desolate wilderness, settled upon this Western Atlantic shore.
Could those sturdy ancestors of ours but revisit this spot to
OF SECOND RE-UNION. 9 1
day, doubtless they would be as much surprised as me to behold
such a numerous posterity sprung from that little family which
cast their destiny upon this then inhospitable land.
But in this how has a " little one become a thousand." From
William and Walter Palmer, who settled in southern Massachu-
setts and Connecticut, have sprung a posterity literally repre-
senting every section of our country from the great lakes on
the north to the Gulf of Mexico on the south, and from the
Atlantic to the Pacific shores. The Palmer family thus widely
disseminated, represents ever)- honorable trade, pursuit, calling
and profession. The ministry, the bar, the medical faculty, the
army, the navy, the State and National Legislature, the press,
the maratimc and commercial interests are all honorably repre-
sented by Palmer name and blood.
It is gratifying to meet so many of you on this occasion, to
make so many new acquaintances, and to establish new relations
for the future with those who hitherto were entire strangers.
In looking around upon this assembly I feel much like a person
lying down to sleep in a solitary place with hardly a recognized
face about him. and without a knowledge of a relative near.
On awakening, what a strange metamorphose has risen to greet
the eye ! Hundreds of family kindred appear before me of
whom I knew nothing before; I find myself in the midst of
friends of whom I never dreamed. I seem to have entered
upon a life almost new ; a vision surrounds me which it is rap-
turous to contemplate. To awake to such a reality is better
than awakening from a pleasant dream. Permit me, therefore,
to tender my sincere congratulations to you all as my newly-
found friends and kindred.
For several years past I have been seeking out the four fam-
ily lines of my ancestry in order to trace them back to our
fatherland. The Palmer line I had traced back to Taunton,
Mass., about one hundred and fifty years, and there I lost all
further trace. Put on receiving the circular of Noyes F. Palmer,
Esq., to whose indomitable perseverance and unflagging inter-
est the whole Palmer family owe an unspeakable debt of grati-
92 PALMER RECORt)
tude, I was put upon the direct line of research, and on my
maternal side trace my pedigree to England.
And now I close this brief address, hoping that much good
and many happy experiences may grow out of our family
gathering".
ADDRESS
BY FRANK PALMER, ESQ., OF NORWICH, CT.
•
It was to a Thomas Palmer that in the village church of
Snodland, County of Kent, Eng., a tablet was erected bearing
these words :
" Palmers all owre Faders were ;
I, a Palmer, liuyd here.
And trauyld stil, till, worne wyth Age,
I endid this Worlde's Pylgramage
On the blyst Assension Day
In the chereful Month of May,
One Thowsand wyth fowre Hundryd
Seauen ;
And took my Jorney hense to
Heuen."
And for a Thomas Palmer I have been invited to speak. Both
the invitation and response, amid this present company, would
bear out the spirit of the opening sentence of that old epitaph
— for our fathers were " Palmers all," and therefore we are here :
they were Palmers, though many be the number of our various
originals, and scant the blood relationship between them.
The Thomas Palmer of whom I would speak was among the
company which founded Rowley, Mass., in April, 1639. The
leader of the company was the Rev. Ezekiel Rogers, a man vf
note in England, who by his own exertions had gathered to-
gether the little church at Brough, Rowley, Yorkshire, and had
ministered to them there for many years, till at length he led
them away into the wilderness of America to found the nciv
Rowley in the neiv England.
OF SECOND RE-UN ION.
93
The history of our Thomas, preceding this establishment in
the new home, is as yet a blank page to be rilled only by ingen-
ious conjecture and brilliant imaginings. One theory is that he
was one of those friends of the Rev. Mr. Rogers who accom-
panied him to this country in 163S— a theory that has many
things in its favor, and which has yet to be put to the final test.
Another theory is that he is the Thomas Palmer who, in his
twentieth year, sailed for Barbadoes on the ship Expedition, the
vessel leaving London the 20th of November, 1635. This the-
ory, too, is supported by certain strong facts of circumstantial
evidence. So much for the time of his coming; as to his Eng-
lish home, Bradford and Rowley have both been claimed, though
the former has now been discarded, while there are facts that
point away from Yorkshire to the County of Essex.
On the 10th of September, 1643, the first town survey of
Rowley was made, and the seventh house-lot on Bradford street,
the principal street, was set to Thomas Palmer — he having
taken to himself his good wife Ann in the August preceding.
His previous occupation had been that of a weaver, at which
occupation it is presumed he labored while here; yet, like all
the early comers, his heart was set on the acquirement of land.
A strange story does his purchase of a salt-marsh, one of his
earliest acquisitions, tell of the slavery of his mird to the old-
time English thoughts and traditions. We of to-day, in this
land of boundless fertile fields, would fain inquire what he could
see to desire in a salt-marsh while this whole fair land lay yearn-
ing for possessors? Nevertheless, with scrupulous care, the
deed of this precious purchase has been preserved to this day.
The fruit of Thomas Palmer's marriage was three sons, Sam-
uel, born in 164.}.; Timothy, born in 1647; and Thomas, born
in 1650.
In August, 1669, after living in the main a quiet life, in
which he took a more or less active interest in the affairs of the
new town, Thomas Palmer died. His widow outlived him by
nearly a score of years, she being buried the 22d of February.
1686. This is not the time nor the place to descant on his vir.
94 PALMER RECORD
tues or his graces ; suffice it to say, therefore, they were such
as were peculiar to the days in which he lived, and the spirit of
the old Puritan— a spirit typical of one reared in the famous
John Evelyn's district — may be read in this single fact, that he
was the progenitor, in one line at least, of a race of deacons,
devout and earnest men.
Two of the children of Thomas and Ann remained in Row-
ley— namely, Samuel and Thomas. The former married in 167 1 ,
two years after his father's death, Mary Pearson, of Rowley, the
daughter of the founder of the first fulling mill in America, and
through his son Thomas he became the ancestor of the Nor-
wich branch of the Rowley Palmers.
Thomas 2d married Hannah, the daughter of Capt. John
Johnson, of Rowley — he went to the wars, and came heme to
marry the captain's daughter — and he has numerous descend-
ants living in Maine, eastern Massachusetts and New Hamp-
shire. The second son, Timothy, in company with his brother-
in-law, John Huggins, the celebrated Springfield lawyer of later
years, and Capt. Anthony Austin, as well as with others, re-
moved to Suffield, Conn., becoming one of the proprietors of
that town in 1674. Timothy's descendants are mainly to be
found in that vicinity — in Springfield, Westfield, Agawam, Am-
herst, etc. — a sturdy and honored race ; while we are all indebt-
ed, so our corresponding secretary gracefully acknowledges in
his words of dedication, to the inspiration and effective support
of one of these descendants, Mr. Lorin Palmer, of the Brooklyn
" Union-Argus," for the existence of " Volume I of the Palmer
Records"- — one of the many exemplifications of the fact that
the Palmers, though of various clans, unlike the Greeks in the
old adage, are ever ready to assist one another.
The branch which I represent runs back to the first Palmers
of Norwich, Conn., Thomas 3d, the grandson of the original
Thomas, who came to Norwich in 1723, and bought land^ there
that have ever since remained in the family — a period of about
one hundred and sixty years — though his descendants have mi-
grated in many directions. These lands lay in that part of
OF SECOND RE-UNION. 95
Norwich which was ceded to the town of Preston in 1786.
Their present owner and occupant is Mr. Charles Palmer, and
his grandchildren are the sixth generation in direct line born
thereon. The same peculiar love for the " old homestead " is
found in other lines of this family, and the branch which went
to Maine in 1765 retains still its original purchase, as do also, I
believe, other branches which settled in other States. Though
many of the descendants of Thomas, of Norwich, have found
homes elsewhere, notably in Vermont, where three separate
families settled in the last century, yet taking the male and
female lines together they are still numerous in this vicinity.
This last branch, together with the branches that settled in
Massachusetts and in Maine, make up the greater part of the
race of Thomas Palmer, of Rowley, so far as that race is known,
and doubtless many of them are present here to-day.
Such is a brief outline of the generations of the Puritan of
1639; though not so numerous as the descendants of Walter.
they still show quite a company.
And now, friends, whether sprung from Walter, or from
Thomas, or from the numerous other Palmers who came as pil-
grims to this shrine of liberty, let us rejoice in this Re-Union
because of the emphasis such a gathering places on the memo-
ries and aspirations that our name suggests: let us rejoice to-
gether in the friendships that we here have found, and though
while we bear a common name, we may not bear a common an-
cestry; yet, as our fathers became of kin by their devotion to
a glorious cause, let us. too, prove ourselves heirs of a like fel-
lowship by our united service to our country and our age !
ADDRESS
BY ALBERT G. LEONING, ESQ., OF NEW YORK CITY.
Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Palmer Re-Union :
I feel deeply the honor my venerable grandfather, Dr. Eugene
Palmer, of Texas, has thus thrust upon me by saying that
96 PALMER RECORD
Texas, as a young State, would prefer being represented by the
rising than by the setting sun, and I also feel how inadequate I
am to the occasion. I am proud of the privilege of coming
before you, for it gives me the chance to proclaim myself a
member of the Palmer family, and to eulogize the Palmer
name.
Although I was not present at the last Re-Union, I have
been informed that the genealogical tree of the family was dis-
played before, and its history given from the first exotic that
took root in this soil down to the generation of the hour; its
trunk was described, also its branches, with the fruit and flow-
ers that they bore, together with the Palmer scions that were
grafted on other stocks, and it would seem that the subject of
Palmer was then and there entirely exhausted, yet I know of no
other theme so appropriate to this occasion.
But why is Stonington the chosen place of meeting for all
time? Is it because the ashes of our old patriarchs repose
within its borders, or is it not rather that Stonington is the
seed-bed of the Palmers which raises plants to be set out in
other climates and on other soils? "Wherever this plant has
taken root in a congenial soil, it has flourished like the " cedar
of Lebanon ;" and in the universal adaptation of the cedar to
climate and soil, and in its longevity, how much that species of
tree resembles the Palmer family— for the cedar has a wider
climatic range than any woody plant on the continent of Amer-
ica, or for aught I know on the surface of this planet. It is
found growing in the torrid and in frigid zones. It maintains
its vitality in the coldest climate on the most barren soil, it
grows also on the rich lands midst the orange bloom and fra-
grance of a golden Southern shore. It rears its green foliage
above the white surface of the snow-clad hills of New England.
and is a gladsome sight to the weary traveler on the arid prairies
of the West. It is the only tree that the tropical sun-heat, or
the long-continued tropical drouths cannot kill.
It is found on the high bluffs of the Missouri and Cana-
dian rivers where, above the reach of prairie fires, it attains
OF SECOND RE-UNION. 97
its perfect development, where the trunk of trees measure four
feet in diameter, and from their exceeding slow growth such
trees must be of immense age. They may have stood for cen-
turies, thus resembling the longevity of the Palmer family.
Has not the Palmer family some towering cedars that have
lived and grown on a higher plane, above the prairie fires of
religious schismatics or political detractions? Why, at the
sacred desk to-d.ay, teaching peace and good will to all men,
the Palmer name can boast of a pulpit orator who stands al-
most without a peer."
The Palmer lineage has another towering cedar, a military
chieftain, f who has won laurels of victory, has smoothed the
angry brow of "grim-visaged war" and made it wear the smiles
of peace. I need not call the name, for the man I speak of can-
not, in this world, be singly counterpoised.
Has not the Palmer name furnished successful agriculturists?
You may find in every township in this State and other States,
where the rugged bramble heath has been changed to the taste-
ful landscape with its groves, its lawn and embowered home, all
planned by a Palmer taste, wrought by a Palmer hand.
And when you come to that semi-amphibious class of New
Englanders. the daring and intrepid seamen, the name of Palm-
er stands pre-eminent ; for this village has furnished one,:}: whose
sea record is not only an honor to the name, but an honor to
the generation he lived in, for he pushed his prow beypnd the
circuit of waters that had hitherto been navigated, discovered
a new land, and called it Palmer land.
" Honor and fame, from no condition rise;
Act well your part, there all the honor lies."
And did he not act well his part when, as a star actor in the
drama of life, he was applauded in every scene till the last act
and the dark curtain fell.
*Kev. Dr. B. M. Palmer, of New Orleans.
fGen. U. S. Grant.
I The kite Cap:. "Nat." Palmer, of Stonington,
()S PALMER RECORD
The early boyhood of distinguished men has ever been a
subject of interest. I am told that his free spirit, like that of
Patrick Henry, would never be chained to the dull bench of the
school-room : that he played the truant, and when found was
always afloat on his sail-boat. Was he an idle truant ? By no
means; with the blue waters beneath, and the blue sky of
heaven above him, he was all this time studyingthe profession
of his choice. Adapting his canvas to the veering winds, his
"jib" was his grammar lesson, his "mainsail'' his class-book;
and how did it come to pass that, without a store of academic
acquirements, without the regular training of mathematics in
the schools, how did he become one of the greatest navigators
of the nineteenth century? What was the grand secret of his
success? Why, it was a self-educated Palmer brain!
And take the Palmers where you will, in peace or in war, with
the ploughshare or the sword, on the land or on the ocean, afloat
or ashore, the Palmer name or the Palmer lineage has borne
the Palm !
For the fruits of the Palmer scions that have been grafted on
other stocks, in whatever market they may have been displayed,
their surpassing excellence and high quotations are justly
claimed by this Palmer Re-Union.
ADDRESS
BY ALANSON L. PALMER, ESQ., OF AUBURN, N. Y.
Mr. President and Kindred ;
There is a proverb often applied to human affairs which says,
"the unexpected always happens." Certainly that is true in
my case to-day. When the committee came and asked me to
deliver an address about the Palmers in central New York, I
said " No, I could not do that, because the Palmers whom I
know do not make speeches. I do not remember such an event
in the life of any one of them I ever knew. They make pretty
sharp remarks about people and affairs and then go about their
OF SECOND RE-UNION. 99
work, but no speeches." " Weil," the committee said, " if you
were at a family dinner you could answer questions and talk,
could you not-' That is all we want from you.*' "Yes," I
said, " I can do that." But behold ! instead of sitting at a din-
ner and conversing I find myself on this platform, and this
great audience of Palmers looking with some expectation evi-
dently for an address.
The impression made upon me at this Re-Union, and the one
you make upon me now as I look into your faces, is indeed
peculiar. I came here an entire stranger. 1 have not seen a
face in Stonington into which I have ever looked until this visit.
Not one of you have I ever spoken with or seen before in my
life. One hundred and fifty years or more have passed since
there has been any intercourse that I am aware of between our
branches of the family and those I see represented here. And
yet I know you are my kindred. The evidence is beyond ques-
tion. Personal appearance, tones of voice, manner of speech,
quality of temper and spirit — a thousand things you say and
do and think are Palmer traits — so like our own peculiarities at
home that there can be no mistake. You are all Palmers and
my kindred.
The resemblances I see here to nearly all of our immediate
family and relations are most striking My father's features are
before me — his profile, complexion and partial baldness. The
forms and tones of voice of my uncles have startled rne as I
have looked and listened. I have seen to-day, as it were, the
very face of an older sister long since departed — the eyes, lips
and form of teeth were exactly hers. The stout forms of my
brothers and cousins are all about me, while the large, full form
and happy face of our good Aunt Sally have approached me
more than once, suggesting an accustomed hearty embrace, and
yet a century and a half has passed since these same branches
of the family have stood in each other's presence. So 1 can but
say what a strange and unique experience is this to me.
I had been here but a few hours when I learned something
of the difficulties our president has had to encounter in endeav-
lOO PALMER RECORD
oring to make this Re-Union a success. Some blamed the
Palmers in Stonington, because it was said among them that
there was too much pretense and self-laudation about it, and
therefore they declined to give their aid. When I heard that,
I said they are true Palmers : for that is a trait which belongs
to all of them in our region. A sham they hate, with a good,
honest hatred, and they speak of it with freedom. Sometimes
they make mistakes, and call things insincere which are not ;
but the matter gets a " piece of their mind," you see, just the
same. And perhaps all the Palmers in Stonington have not
been able to see ail the good there is in this Re-Union ; but
they have faithfully expressed their opinions, I find, like true
Palmers, and I therefore welcome them as my kindred.
Now, in carrying out his plans, our president has felt himself
somewhat hindered and embarrassed by these things ; and, I
have been told, he was very patient for a long time, but at
length the proper limit was reached. Things became close and
hot. Then there was some forked lightning and thunder, fol-
lowed by the peaceful success which has attended all these
arrangements for our comfort and profit. Now this quality of
mind and temper is exactly like the Palmers I know. They
are over-kind, over-generous, many times bearing too much :
but when matters have gone about so far, look out for thunder
storms and clearing weather.
I have said Palmers are generous — many times over-generous.
In fact, it is a proverb among us that a Palmer always gives
away his best things. And this comes not from recklessness,
but from conscientiousness; for if they have one trait more
marked than others, it is that of having a tender conscience. I
think I can say this truthfully and without egotism. I learn
from the historical addresses made here, and what I otherwise
hear of our ancestors, from Walter Palmer down, that they
have been, as a rule, a people with strong religious faith. God
and 'the unseen world are real to them; so real that the con-
science becomes educated in sensitiveness and controls the life.
Now, when this is the case, you have a character that will do
its duty in the family, in society and in the State ; and this is
OF SECOND RE-UNION. lOi
true of the Palmers in our locality. They do not become very
rich ; the}' are never very poor; their families are well provided
for and well educated. They are industrious and frugal, and
thrifty as far as is compatible with generosity. You will find
them in churches, and always interested in schools. They rare-
ly hold office or are politicians, but are uniformly at the caucus
and at the polls. Central New York was represented by many
Palmers among the 75,000 men who responded to the first call
of President Lincoln for soldiers. They do these things be-
cause they are right and conscience requires them done. And
I feel very grateful to good old Walter Palmer and all our
ancestors who have followed him, that they have given us
some measure of this inheritance of conscientious Christian
principle.
ADDRESS
BY PROF. A. B. PALMER, M. D., LL. D., OF ANN ARBOR, MICH.
Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen :
I scarcely need to say it gives me pleasure to be here at the
home of my ancestors, and to meet with those whom I can
regard as kindred. We have all a common heritage in a Puri-
tan ancestry and in New England institutions, and I have the
satisfaction of claiming, with most of you, a descent from the
Pilgrim, Walter Palmer. There must have been in that old
hero much sturdy vigor — I say hero, for peace, and civilization,
and religion have their heroes as well as war. When we look
upon these rocks and this meagre soil, and remember the for-
. ests which were to be subdued, and the ferocious beasts and
the more ferocious savages to be resisted ; when we consider
that a livelihood wa^ to be extracted from this soil and these
surrounding waters ; when we reflect that churches, and schools,
and towns, and States, and a great Nation were to be established,
we may well call those heroes who commenced the task. There
must have been, I repeat, much sturdy vigor in that old hero
102 PALMER RECORD
to have commenced a new and untried life in this wilderness,
and to have been the father of a race so numerous, to say noth-
ing of their activities, their deeds, and the results of those
deeds.
At first view it might have seemed unwise for our ancestor,
with the whole continent before him, to have commenced the
new life among these rocks ; but there is " a Providence that
shapes our ends, rough hew them as we may," and results have
shown that the struggles of Walter Palmer and his more imme-
diate descendants with this rugged, reluctant mature, devel-
oped qualities which would not have had an existence in a
milder climate and upon a richer soil.
We are here to-day from various and many distant parts of
this great country — a country which has survived many perils,
whose present and prospective prosperity and greatness exceeds
those of any other nation ; a country whose greatest peril now
is its unprecedented prosperity — we have come here to remind
ourselves of the virtues, the struggles and the successes of our
progenitors, to receive inspiration from their history, and to
excite each other to stronger efforts for improvement : to re-
ceive a stimulus to exert ourselves for the preservation and con-
tinuance of our family, and to make our name respected and
honored.
Whatever may be our philosophical notions, we must admit
that " the survival of the fittest " is, at least, a general law, how-
ever many exceptions there may be ; and we, as a family, must
submit to the conditions of this law. We shall survive if we
are fit for survival.
Now, it seems to me, that the principal object of these Re-
Unions is to take counsel together as to the proper methods of
preserving and strengthening all that is good and commendable
among us, and of repressing all that is evil and reprehensible —
of making ourselves the fittest to survive, and thus promoting
our survival, and with our survival the promotion of our honor
and our efficiency for good.
I appeal to you, Mr. President, and to you the originators
OF SECOND RE-UNION. 1 03
and sustainers of this Re-Union Association, whether this is
not its chief object and the justification of its existence?
With this understanding of your object, it would have given
me pleasure to have endeavored to contribute my mite to the
accomplishment of that object, and to have stated in a some-
what orderly manner some of the means of self-preservation,
and of physical, mental and moral improvement. Had I been
trained as a minister of religion 1 should have been inclined to
set forth the claims of spiritual influences in renovating the
heart and. purifying the characters of those I might have ad-
dressed. Had I been a general educator of youth, I might
have dwelt upon the influence of common school, academic and
higher education in elevating the mind and increasing the power
of the family. Had I been a statesman, I should have been
inclined to dwell upon the importance of proper political insti-
tutions, and just and beneficent laws; or had I been a financier
or manufacturer, I might have made suggestions respecting
economy in living, care and uprightness in business, and in-
dustry and skill in useful pursuits. All these, it seems to me,
are proper themes for discourse on these occasions.
But being a physician — having devoted my life chiefly to the
study of the human organism, of the physical laws which govern
its existence, and the influence of physical agencies upon
the body and through it upon the mind — upon the intellectual
and the moral characters — I was inclined to make some remarks
upon the influence of these physical agencies upon the vigor,
the continuance, the power, and the honor of the Palmer fami-
ly. This, I thought, was a theme worthy of the occasion, hew-
ever unworthily it might have been presented ; but having been
prevented by illness in my family from arriving here until this
late hour, when so few remain, when you have all been satisfied
if not surfeited with the good things you have received, and
are now anxious to return to your homes, I must content my-
self with expressing my gratification at meeting even this num-
ber, and of saying that should all the Palmer family obey with
strictness the physical laws established by the Ruler of the uni-
verse, avoiding all injurious articles and influences avoidable-
104 PALMER RECORD
should they lead temperate, and, in every way, proper physical
lives, not neglecting mental and moral energies and spiritual
influences, their existence would be perpetuated, their power and
influence would be progressively augmented, and their name
and honor preserved until the latest generation.
Many families commenced in this country with more wealth,
higher position, and, to all appearance, with better prospects
than the family of Walter Palmer, who are now almost unknown,
or have become entirely extinct. Few families are as numerous
or have been as successful as his. There have doubtless been
natural, intelligible causes for this.
Among the influences which have determined these results
must be placed physical agencies ; and among these physical
agencies strong drinks are not the least. Family after family-
has been extinguished by intemperance, and its entailed vices
and defects. The evils of this great error are not confined to
those who are drunkards, but those who indulge to a less ex-
tent are more or less injured ; and the evil effects are often
manifested more in the progeny of the drinking men than in
themselves. These sins of the fathers are visited upon their
children to the third and fourth and later generations.
So far as my observation and information extends, the Palm-
ers have generally been a temperate race. I have known very
few* drunkards among them, or even habitual free drinker^; and
if this general absence of intemperance is the fact, as I believe
it is, it will go far to account for the numbers and charaeter of
the family. The inferences are too evident to require to be
urged. Other influences might be mentioned, but the time and
the occasion do not justify a further continuance of these un-
prepared and hasty remarks ; and thanking you for your atten-
tions and kindly greetings since 1 have been with you, I will
leaveyou to the closing exercises of this Re-Union.
OF SECOND RE-UNION. IOC
ADDRESS
TO THE PALMERS OF WESTCHESTER CO., N. V., BY PROFESSOR
JOSEPH H. PALMER, OF VOXKERS. N. Y.
Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Palmer Re-Union :
Westchester County is a small part of the great territory of
the Palmer family. It was so closely allied to the State of
Connecticut that for many years it was impossible to determine
a boundary line of separation : but now Westchester Count)'
contents herself, lying between the Hudson River and Long
Island Sound, and having for its southern boundary the great
city of New York.
In population Westchester ranks as the ninth county in the
State of New York. It contains the city of Yonkers and num-
erous villages, among them White Plains. Peekskiil, Tarrytown
and New Rochelle. From its proximity to New England and
New York, and its beauty of situation, it is not surprising that
the Palmers were among its first settlers.
The first settlement was made at the present village of West-
chester in 1642. by John Throckmorton with thirty-five English
families from New England, with the consent of the Dutch who
had acquired title from the Indians. These, and others imme-
diately following them, were refugees from New England per-
secution, and among them was William Palmer, who died in
Westchester about 1670.
The Palmers were not only among the early settlers, but they
were among the mo»t active participants in the affairs both of
Church and of State. As early as 1673 Joseph Palmer and
Edward Waters were appointed the first magistrates of West-
chester. In 1688 Joseph Palmer was appointed a trustee for
Westchester ; and in 1692 John, Joseph and Samuel Palmer
were appointed as commissioners for the repurchase of the land
from the Indians. John Palmer was a vestryman of St. Peter's
Church. Westchester: other Palmers were Baptists. Methodists.
Independents and Quakers. Some shared the independent
spirit of Ann Hutchinson, and deeply lamented her untimely
I06 PALMER RECORD
and cruel death, which occurred near the creek which bears her
name.
As the population increased and the settlements extended.
we find the Palmers in the adjoining towns — Pelham, New Ro-
chelle and Mamaroneck, and in other parts of the county, and
finally in other counties and other States.
' City Island, originally called New City Island, in the town of
Pelham, takes its name from an organized effort to make it a
great trading port — a great commercial city. The waters are
deep, and the tides from both extremities of the sound meet
there.
Benjamin Palmer owned the island, consisting of 230 acres.
and with his consent and co-operation it was granted to a corn-
pan)' or corporation consisting of thirty persons, and laid out
and mapped into city lots. The plans of the company were
interrupted by the Revolutionary War. Benjamin Palmer, in
the beginning of the war, at once took an active part in favor
of independence. He was driven from the island, wheie he-
had retained an interest, and was a great sufferer during the
entire war, losing almost everything for his attachment to the
American cause.
In 1789 he set forth his grievances in a petition to Gen. Wash-
ington for redress, Aaron Burr being his advisor. The petition,
among other things, stated " That himself and his family were
taken prisoners by the British who used us very ill, and then
ordered us off my plantation, which I then had on said island.
to New York, where I have continued with my family ever
since."
In order to give the original lines of the Palmers of West-
chester, we must go still farther back, and begin with:
William Palmer, accompanied by his son William, a iaci oi
nine years, came from Nottinghamshire, England, in the ship
Fortune, in 162 1 — the second ship after the Mayflower — landed
at Plymouth, Mass., and settled at Duxbury, Mass.. and thence
to Scituate. It is supposed he died in 1637. His will was pro-
bated March 5, 1638. His wife, Frances, followed her husband
to America in the vessel Anne, in [623.* His son William it
^§ee Palmer Records, Vol. I, p. 114.
OF SECOND RE-UN ION. IO/
is supposed migrated into Westchester Country, and died there
in 1670. Children, William, Joseph, Benjamin, Samuel. Obadiah
and Thomas) Samuel settled in Mamaroneck, and became the
propritor of Mangopson Xeck. Children, Obadiah, Xehemiah,
Sylvanus and Solomon. Obadiah died in 1747. Children, Wil-
liam, Samuel, Benjamin, David, Obadiah. Caleb and Mary Anne.
Xehemiah died in 17O0, leaving a son and a daughter. The son
died, leaving Harrison, Drake, Aaron, Nathan, Benjamin, Xehe-
miah and Elihue. Sylvanus died in 1741. Children, Robert,
Sylvanus, John, Marmaduke, Edward, Anne, Susannah, Charity
and Mary.
John, son of Sylvanus, grandson of Samuel and great grand-
son of William, of Westchester, married Rebecca. Children,
Joseph, Philip, Marcus, Lewis. Benjamin. The brothers Joseph
and Benjamin became proprietors of City Island.
John Palmer, of Rockland Count}-, X. Y., was probably a son
of Joseph and nephew of Benjamin, of City Island. He lived
in Rockland County as early as 1750, and called his little set-
tlement Xew City, from Xew City Island where his father had
lived. The Palmer homestead is about one mile north of Xew
City, which has long been the county-seat of Rockland County.
I have been unable to trace with certainty the relation between
Benjamin Palmer, of City Island, and John Palmer, of Xew
City, but there are old deeds and other papers in possession of
John Palmer's descendants which establish a connection be-
tween him and the City Island property: and the dates indi-
cate that he was the son of Joseph. He married Martha Brown.
Children. John, Joseph and Jonathan. Joseph never married.
The descendants of John and Jonathan, with dates, are more
fully given in " Family Sketches," by Rev. David Cole, D. D..
Yonkers, X. Y. In these remarks I can only trace the West-
chester branch from Rockland County back to Westchester.
Jonathan Palmer, born at Xew City, date unknown ; married
Elizabeth Wood, daughter of Sheriff Ebenezer Wood, born at
Tappan, July 4, 1762, and died at Camillus, Onondaga Count}*,
X. Y., December 10, I&32- Children, Elizabeth, Jonathan
108 . PALMER RECORD
Mar)', John, Sarah, Benjamin, Jacob, Hannah, Ebenezer, Joseph
and Daniel.
Benjamin Palmer, born at New City, April i. 1795 ; married.
December 8. 18 14. Clarinda Frink, daughter of Isaac Frink and
Phebe Pendleton ; born at Cherry Valley. Otsego County, X. \ ..
July 28,1795. The husband died July 20. 1857. and his wife.
December \2, 1872. There were seven children, all born at
Camillus, Onondaga County. N. V.. Phebe. Hannah Etta. Jane.
Joseph H.. George \\\. Warren \Y.. and A. Judson.
Joseph Howard Palmer (myself I. born at Camillus. Onondaga
County, X. V.. September 16. 1824: married first. December
2$, 1851, Hannah Maria Van Cott. daughter of John G. Van
Cott and Sarah Wyckoff : born at Bushwick. L. I., April [$.
1830. died at Yonkers. X. V.. March 17. 1S59. Married second.
July 19, 1866. Frances A. Bingham, daughter of Horace B.
Bingham and Emeline Jones: born at Coventay. Conn.. March
31, 1835. Children of the first marriage:
Sarah Clarinda Palmer has the professorship of mathematics
since September, 1876, in Wells" College. Aurora. Cayuga Lake.
N. Y.
John Garrison Palmer is a Dartner in the Pure Gold Manufac-
turing Co)npany, Fairport, Monroe County, X. V.
Anna Maria Palmer has charge of a kindergarten in Alle-
gheny, Pa.
Phebe Etta Palmer is a teacher in the Park Heights Semina-
ry, Ocean Grov-, X. J.
Children of the second marriage. Horace Bingham Palmer,
Frank Howard Palmer, and Maria Whitney Palmer.
But few of this numerous race remained in Westchester. The
enterprises of Xew York City and the surrounding country be-
came inviting; and as westward the star of empire takes her
course, thitherward from every eastern count}- and State went
many of the Palmers to act their part among the first in peace-
able possession, among the first in places of honor and trust.
among the first in war, in peace, and in the hearts of their coun-
trymen. In the wide stretch across the continent their dwell-
OF SECOND RE-UNION. IO9
ings ere found in almost every county, from Plymouth Rock to
the Golden Gate. From every point of the compass on land
and sea the Palmers rejoice over this Palmer Re-Union — this
reuniting of heart and home. The home in all ages has been
the center of love and affection. Its surroundings and associ-
ations engage our earliest attention, and the words father and
mother are the last oi all things forgotten. The pictures of
our old homes awaken commingled emotions of joy and sorrow,
reminding us of the sunshine and shadows of the past.
The remembrances of kindred and friends are precious en-
dearments. Art has been taxed to its uttermost to present in
.photography, in painting and in sculpture the forms so dear to
us. These remembrances are sacred — our penates, our house-
hold gods. And when these, like all earthly things, shall perish
from the earth, the memory they faintly embodied, the story
of virtue or valor and of useful lives, will be told to children's
children. Ves. when all who now live, and their children's chil-
dren, have been carried to their last resting-place, their success-
ors throughout all time will read the story of Plymouth Rock
and Stonington. Bunker Hill and Saratoga, Valley Forge and
Vorktown.
If memory is so enduring, and the story of one's life so inde-
structible, then let our lives be lives of virtue and honor; let
us be exemplar}- parents and citizens, known and blessed by
doing good amoung our fellow-men.
BRIEF RESPONSE,
BY N. B. PALMER, ESQ., OF PITTSBURG, PA.
Having had the pleasure of attending the last Re-Union of
the Palmers at Stonington, Conn., and after spending a season
of unequalled comfort, I was led to believe that a word to this
effect would be of interest, and act as an incentive to induce
others to attend future calls of the Association.
On these memorable occasions of Re-Union, it is not possi-
IIO PALMER RECORD
ble that all interested would be able to assemble and smoke the
family calumet : there will always be some, from various causes.
less fortunate ; they must be content with reading of the joy-
ous time their more favored brethren experienced, and in con-
templation thereof find their pleasure and source of knowledge
of these transcendent affairs pertaining to and concerning them
peculiarly as dwellers upon this mundane sphere.
At the Mecca of the Palmers, quaint old borough of Ston-
ington (which, by the way, is worth a day's journey to see), you
would find here the stranger could not dwell as such — all are ac-
quainted, each vieing with one another to make all happy.
Here might one, had they the stature of a Colossus, plant one
foot in the State of New York or Rhode Island whilst the other
remained in the State of Connecticut ; and historic, too, as hav-
ing been the scene of conflict, of which relics may yet be seen
in her streets, but of most interest, that beautiful cove, " Weque-
tequock " by name, where our great ancestor was wont to rest
in his canoe, and as it gently made its way to the sea he might
view the broad acres, of which he was monarch of all he sur-
veyed. Words cannot picture the delightful scenes, moving, as
it were, in a panoramic dream : and as encomiastic friends pour
into your ears well earned praises of those of your ancestors
gone before, it will prove quite elevating. If you desire, will-
ing friends will accompany you to the very place where once
dwelt our grandfathers; here you will find the old mill that
ground their meal for ten generations still faithful to the last,
and grinding away at the post of duty (although almost gone
from infirmities of age) whilst all else has passed away, and
with them should have been forgotten had it not been for these
Re-Unions. So with that little sacred spot where dwelleth the
dead! How suggestive of the unwritten things of earth! Can
we realize that here relative lie — born, served their calling,
made their election sure, and have passed out as an extin-
guished star, leaving little else behind them save a good name?
Had I the silver tongue of the orator I should spend the
happiest moments of my life in proclaiming the praises of the
OF SECOND RE-UNION. II!
Palmers who have, upon this American soil, implanted that
which from effects it would be impossible to lose sight of the
cause. The corner-stone of American civilization, imbedded
in the strong bonds of virtue and morality, was laid by the Pil-
grims ; then why should we not reunite to recall the past ?
Where is there one so base as to decline to show forth to the
welkin the praises of those who walked in full faith, and gave
expression and impression of and to them that should follow?
Their mantle has fallen upon our shoulders: shall we acquit
ourselves nobly' If so, now our opportunity occurs. Shall
we emulate their example, and so teach, our children? You
may sa\-, How emulate? One way, I answer, by gaining, with
proper motives, an extended knowledge from each and every
one : by imparting and receiving ideas and items, one with an-
other, of the good deeds and virtues of those gone before ; then
you can sit in delightful reverie and contemplate that which is
beyond the stars; slowly rolling back the ponderous curtain of
the past, then shall be revealed to your anxious eyes the silver
lining of that light beyond the clouds which shall enaole you
to more fully realize the object and appreciate the worth of
these family Re-Unions. How commendable the desire to per-
petuate the memory of those we love, to keep green in the
garden of our remembrance the family tree to which we may
repair and partake, in our leisure moments, of a refreshing
change, after buffeting with the waves and storms on the ocean
of life.
Brethren and friends, one and all, be ye a Palmer, then your
duty is evident ; complete your library by securing all the books
and papers relating to these Re-Unions, so that you may be
able to entertain your friends, read your title clear, and have
on stated occasions a family Re-Union of the little Palmers
that may gather around your hearthstone there to be made
acquainted with their history, so that the)' can pass it along
down the line from generation to generation until time shall be-
no more.
Hoping to experience, as the cycles of time allotted shall
I 12 PALMER RECORD
roll around, more of these Re-Union occasions, and perhaps see
relatives for the first time in life; may you, kind reader, if such
be numbered among them.
CONCERT.
The concert given on the second evening, August iith. was
an interesting and enjoyable entertainment. The Palmer Band,
of Whitfield, X. 11.. consisted of leader and cornettist, Frank
H. Palmer, G. F. Palmer, Chas. W. Palmer. John \Y. Palmer,
Fred. A. Palmer, and some others— twelve pieces in all ; vocal-
ists, Mrs. R. G. Coit : soprano. Mrs. H. F. Palmer: alto. Mr. H.
E. Stevans; tenor. Dr. F. VV. Plolbrook ; and pianist, Miss Ada
L. Crandall, who took part in the quartette. Miss Amy Palmer
and sister, Mrs. Jessie Clayton, both of New York City, also
added their cultivated voices to the evening's melodies. The
Stonington " Mirror" speaks of the concert thus:
"The 'Palmer Hand' from New Hampshire was one of the
notable features of the late Re-Union. The concert given by
them in the pavillion tent, evening of August i I th, was we!!
attended and received. At the close an impromptu dance was
indulged in, and after a general hustling of seats to make room.
the tripping of the light fantastic toe on the mother earth was
really novel and hugely enjoyed. The barrister from Oneida.
with a lady from New York City, first led off. and soon a gen-
eral dance was inaugurated. None- enjoyed it more than the
lookers on, and they ached for an opportunity to participate."
ARTICLES IN THE LOAN COLLECTION OF THE
PALMER RE-UNION. •
Mrs. Isabella G, Meredith, Chairman. Miss Emma W. Palmer, Secret&\-
Punch bowl of 1750, loaned by Mrs. Jos. Chesebro.
Glass bowl of 1750,
China cup and saucer, 100 years old, " "
Two table-spoons, " " Mrs, F. Larkin.
OF SECOND RE-UNION. 113
Cockle-shell tea-spoon, very rare, Miss Fannie Chesebro.
Shell harpa, Miss Fannie Chesebro.
Majolica-leaf plate, rainbow glaze, old and rare, Miss Fannie
Chesebro.
Two pictures, silhouettes, in gold leaf on black, very rare,
Miss Fannie Chesebro.
China cup and cream pitcher, 100 years old, Miss Fannie
Chesebro.
Linen towel, 100 years old, Miss Fannie Chesebro.
75
Old-fashioned toilet cover, " "
Book, 100 years old. "
Indian amulet, with Masonic emblems engraved on it, sup-
posed to be ancient Masonry, Miss Fannie Chesebro.
Arrow and spear heads, dug up at Wequetequock, Miss Fan-
nie Chesebro.
China plate, 1739, ^rs- F. Larkin.
Black lace veil, worked by Mrs. Jos. Chesebro 50 years ago,
Mrs. F. Larkin.
Panel tidy, modern, Mrs. Jos. Chesebro.
Tape loom, 100 years old, Mrs. Jos. Chesebro.
Old paper and song of 1728, Sara A. Palmer.
" House-wife," 100 years old, "
Three pieces of crewel work of 1730, worked by Prudence
Hallam on linen spun by herself, Miss H. R. Hallam.
. China tea cup, 80 years old. Miss H. R. Hallam.
Masonic pocketbook, Mrs. Dr. Win. Hyde.
Miniature, very quaint, " "
Red morocco bag of 181 2, " "
Lace scarf, imported from France in 181 2, Mrs. Dr. Wm. Hyde.
Towel made in 1768 from flax grown on Lern'l Palmer's farm.
H. Stanton.
Skeleton leaves, painted by the Japanese, E. W. Palmer.
Bead work, over 70 years old, E. W. Palmer.
Malines lace, worn at Washington's inauguration ball, E. W.
Palmer.
Portrait of B. Frank Palmer, E. W. Palmer.
114 PALMER RECORD
B. F. Palmer's journal, written in Dartmouth prison in 1S12.
E. W. Palmer.
Bible, 1797, Amos Palmer, E. W. Palmer.
Old school-book, 130 years old, Rev. A. G. Palmer.
Four large books, printed in 1618, " "
Modern table-spread, made -by Mrs. "
Photos of Jonathan Palmer, first postmaster of Stonington,
Dr. Geo. D. Stanton.
Letter from Timothy Pickering, Postmaster General, to Jon-
athan Palmer, in 1793, establishing post-office at Stonington.
Dr. Geo. D. Stanton.
Letter from Jonathan Palmer to Timothy Pickering, Dr. Geo.
D. Stanton.
Survey of lands. 1675, Dr. Geo. D. Stanton.
Two samplers of 17S2, Mrs. "
Concordance, printed in Amen Corner, London, 1726, Mrs.
John Brown.
Spanish coin, 1734, Mrs. John Brown.
Old pocketbook, 1732, Rich. A. Wheeler.
Piece of wedding-d.-ess, silk, 1735, Rich. A. Wheeler.
Diary of Thomas Miner, 1654,
Bond of Capt. Kidd, 1699, "
Wig worn by Israel Hewit, 1740,
Autographs of the first settlers of Stonington, Rich. A.
Wheeler.
Diary of Manassah Miner, 1797, Rich. A. Wheeler.
Plan of Indian Pequot fort at Groton, fac simile of fight
(by Lieut. Underbill ), 1637, Rich. A. Wheeler.
Will of Geo. Denison, 1693, Rich. A. Wheeler.
Book printed in 1510 at Venice, afterwards owned by Jos.
Palmer, very rare, Dr. David Hart.
Manuscript black-letter, written on vellum, 870 years old, very-
old and curious, Dr. David Hart.
Drawings of the ships of war of 181 2, drawn by C. T. Hart,
Dr. David Hart.
Pitcher with picture of the attack on Stonington, 1814, E. P.
Hubbard.
OF SECOND RE-UNION. I 15
Penny token of the first stage coach, W. P. Hopkins.
Portrait of I. H. Palmer (aet. 10 yrs.\ Ira H. Palmer.
Writ served in 1729, Mrs. F. A. Denison.
Two portraits of Elijah and Mercy Palmer, Mrs. D. C Hyde.
Whale teeth carved with a jack-knife, Mrs. E. Chesebro.
Two rugs, modern work, made by Mrs. Mitchell.
Watch of 1770 which, after a rest of 50 years, keeps perfect
time, Miss Nellie Cornell.
Reed musical pipe, over 100 years old, Miss Nellie Cornell.
Afghan and umbrella, lace work, modern, made by Mrs. J.G.
Palmer.
Specimens of minerals, F. F. Palmer.
Old sampler, crewel work, W. H. Palmer.
Old mourning piece, embroidered on satin, Mrs. Emeline P.
Stanton.
Cane, over 200 years old, J. H. Wilcox.
Razors of five generations of Palmers, H. C. Palmer.
Indian spear-head, Harvey C. Palmer, Greenville.
WTarming-pan of Roger Williams, Mrs. Eunice Noyes.
Landscape belonging to Lady Ann Borodel, 1640, Mrs. Eu-
nice Noyes.
Lace collar, worked by hand, very old, Mrs. Gen. Geo. W.
Palmer.
Crewel-work, material spun and dyed by the lady who worked
it over 70 years ago, Mrs. Gen. Geo. W. Palmer.
Indian samp stone, Mrs. Chase.
Miniature of Hon. E. H. Palmer at 17 years, Mrs. Mitchell.
Plates and platter, painted by Mrs. Appelman.
Wistaria, painted by Miss E. W. Palmer.
Pewter platter, over 100 years old, H. A. Murphy, Mystic.
Pewter plate marked B. P. (Bridget Palmer), H. A. Murphy,
Mystic.
Jabez Brewster's chopping knife, 1 10 years old, H. A. Mur-
phy, Mystic.
Jabez Brewster's wedding stockings, H. A. Murphy. Mystic.
Handkerchief with prints of the attack of the - Leopard "
on the "Chesapeake " in 1807, H. A. Murphy, Mystic.
Il6 PALMER RECORD
Walter Palmer's chopping knife, \V. P. stamped on it, over
200 years old, Emilie Pendleton, Norwich.
Commission of Thomas Palmer, T. W. Palmer.
Tea cannister, 120 years old, very curious, Mrs. Lois Appd-
man.
Wooden sugar-bowl, 120 years old, very curious, Mrs. Lois
Appelman.
Lem'l Palmer's hymn-book, Mrs. Lois Appelman.
Deeds (1681) with autographs of Anna (Lord) Stanton, Dr.
Geo. D. Stanton.
Yellow quilted skirt of the last century, Miss Julia W. Palmer.
Confederate scrip, collected by Mrs. Appelman.
Chinese embroidery, Sara A. Palmer.
Lace caps, worked by Mrs. Geo. Sherman over 5c years ago.
E. W. Palmer.
Pewter plates, kept in the Stanton family over 150 years, Dr.
Geo. D. Stanton.
Silk handkerchief of 1770, Dr. Geo. D. Stanton.
Cups and saucers of Mrs. Eunice P. Stanton. 100 years old,
Mrs. Appelman.
Plate, belonging to Marvin Palmer, 1739, ^rs- Sam'l M.
Stanton.
China bowl, supposed to have belonged to the Rev. James
and Dorothy (Stanton) Noyes, 1674, Mrs. Sam'l M. Stanton.
Linen coverlet, woven by Palmers over 100 years ago, Mrs.
Appelman.
Photo of Warren Palmer, born in 1776, emigrated to Ohio in
1800, Dr. Corydon Palmer.
Set of dental instruments, designed and made by Dr. Cory-
don Palmer.
History of Job. 1727, Mrs. Appelman.
Book, "No Cross, No Crown," written by Wm. Penn, 1747.
Mrs. Appelman.
Portrait of Parson Fay weather, painted on copper, Mrs. T.
Mallaby.
Portrait of Rev. A. G. Palmer at 21.
OF SECOND RE-UNION.
Silver spoon, 1749, Mrs. S. M. Stanton.
Certificate of membership in the Baltimore Union Lodge of
A. F. & A. M., 1788, Dr. Geo. D. Stanton.
[Stonington " Mirror," August 19, 18S2.]
THE RE-UNION IN RETROSPECT.
The second annual Re-Union of the Palmer family has trans-
pired, and its record is already on the historic page. In many
respects it was unlike the first Re-Union. Many circumstances
had a tendency to detract from the attendance, but on the
whole it was a success — much criticism to the contrary notwith-
standing, The opposition element in our midst, so manifest
prior to the first Re-Union, long since became of little account,
and was virtually extinct, except in a few individual cases.
Even time is not long enough to educate such. But to that
portion of this community that by its willingness to accommo-
date the late Re-Unionists, the management desire to express
unqualified thanks, and state that their hospitality was appre-
ciated by the recipients.
Not until 1886 will the people of Stonington be called upon
to again lift the latch of their doors to a Palmer Re-Unionist.
By that time it is to be hoped a general and hearty welcome
will be extended to the Palmers that will then be here. During
the intervening Summers, without a doubt, the social element
of the family will assemble here or elsewhere for the purpose
of a good time, and to keep alive the coals of enthusiasm left
burning at the late Re-Union. The acquaintances made at the
first Re-Union and renewed at the last have bacome too strong
and pleasant to expire by limitation, consequently demand an
annual "coming together" of those that affiliate, and by nature
and taste enjoy social intercourse and all things collateral
thereto.
I IS PALMER RECORD
NECROLOGY.
DEATHS DURING THF. INTERVAL <>K THE RE-UNIONS.
ACE.
Abbie Palmer, Mrs, East Avon, N. V.. December 31, 1SS1 77
Alva Palmer, Byron, Wis., May 27, 18S2 72
Arthur C. Palmer (child), Montville, Ct., May 11, 1S82
Braman, Milton Palmer, Auburndale, N. V., April 10, 1SS2 S3
Pert L. Palmer (child), Brooklyn, N. V., January 24, 1SS2 ;
Brewster, Mrs. Olive, Corning, N. Y., September 10, 18S2
Cullen Palmer, Madison, Ohio, August 20, 1SS1
Chapman, Mrs. Lydia, July 27, 1SS2
Case, Ann E., Norwich, Ct
David Palmer (Dr.), Pittsburgh, Pa., July S, 1SS2 ,:
E. W. Palmer, Mrs., Portsmouth, March 11, iS32
Edward Palmer, Rev., Barnwell, S. C, September 30, 1882 94
Fanny Palmer, Mrs.. Syracuse, X. V.. December 12, 1SS2 72
Geo. W. Palmer, Union Park, Ct., November, 1SS1
Gideon Palmer, Capt., Newport, R. I., March, 1SS1
Geo. W. Palmer, Boston, Mass
Hoadley, Mrs. Ella P., Branford, Ct., September 4, iSSi 3:
Huldah Palmer, Mrs. (widow of Stephen \\\), Norvell, Mich., Jan. 30, 1SS2. . . ?2
Harriet N. Palmer, Norwich, Ct., October 31, 1SS1
Hutchins, Mrs. Sophia P., Fayetteville, N. V., May 20, 1882 86
Hannah E. P. Stanton, Lebanon, Ct., February 14, 1S82 65
Helen M. Palmer, Lanesborough, April 23, iS32 24
Harriet Palmer, Mrs., Dover, April 7. 1SS2
^ James Woolsey Palmer, Jersey City, N. J., December 5, 1SS1 71
Jacob P. Palmer, Mrs., Boston, Mass., January 29, 1*82
Kingsiey. R. A. H., Hartford, Yt.. May 17, 1S82
Kathie Palmer (child), Glasgow, Mo., May 5, isS2
Lura Palmer, Mrs., Canastota, N. V., March 13, 1S82 77
Minnie B. Palmer, Stonington, Ct., March 9, 1SS2 9
Paul S, Palmer, Mrs., Stockbridge, Mass., March 13, 1SS2 77
Roswell C. Palmer, Rev., Stonington, Ct., July, 1S81
Ray Palmer (child;, Minneapolis, Minn., March 9, 1882
Safford, Mrs. Huldah P., Syracuse, N. V., August 17, 1SS2....95 yrs. and 5 tnos.
Tallman Palmer, Hartford, Ct., March 30, i3S2 7>'
Woodward, Emeline, July 6, 1882
Williams, Geo. P. (Rev. and Prof.), Ann Arbor, Mich
Wm, Brown l'almer, Covington, N. V. January 30. 1882 -
Waiter l'almer, Winfield, X. V., January 30, 1882
Wm. Walter Palmer, Jamaica, N. V., February 5, 1882 H
Wm. H. Palmer, Boston Highlands, Mass., April 17, 1882 7P
Walter Palmer, Mrs., Woodstock, \"t 9©
Wm. Palmer (Judge;, Gardiner, Me., June 4, 18S1
[Not h.— Mure appropriate notices of the deceased will be given in "Vol. Ill, Palmer
Records, Historical and Biugrupi.ical."
OF SECOND RE-UNION. I 19
CONTENTS.
PAGE.
Title Page 1
Board of Officers, Palmer Re-Union Association 3
" Non-Resident Vice-Presidents 4
District Secretaries 5
Introduction, by Noyes F. Palmer, Rec. Sec'y 7
The Press, — "The Nation," "The Day," " Mirror." " Brooklyn Times." ... n
Opening Prayer, by Rev. Caleb A. Lamb, of Vpsillanti, Mich 2;
Address of Welcome, by Gen. Geo. W. Palmer, of New York City 25
Poem of Welcome, by Isabella Grant Meredith, of New York City 34
Address, " Palmers of Michigan," by Senator Thos. W. Palmer, of Detroit,
Mich 37
Poem, " The New Crusade," by Sara A. Palmer, of Stonington, Ct 42
Address, "Modern Palm Bearers," by C. B. Palmer, Esq., of Sing Sing, N. V, 47
Poem. " Ichabod Palmer and Betty Noyes," by Rev. A. G. Palmer, D. D., of
Stonington, Ct 57
The Palmer Hymn, by Sara A. Palmer, of Stonington, Ct 65
Address, "Palmers and Chapmans," by B.Frank Chapman, Esq., of Oneida, N.V'. 66
Poem, "Grace Palmer," by Rev. A. G. Palmer, D. D., of Stonington, Ct... . ~-j
Address, Palmersof New York City," by Courtlandt Palmer, Esq., of New York. 77
Address, "' Palmers and Williams," by Ephraim Williams, Esq., Stoning-
ton, Ct S5
Address, " Palmers and Stones," by Rev. Hiram intone, Bantam Falls, Ct. . . . go
Address, " Thomas Palmer, of Rowley, Mass.," by Frank Palmer, Norwich. Ct. 92
Address, " The Palmers of Texas," by Albert G. Leoning, Esq., of New York. <;.-
Address, by Alanson L. Palmer, Esq., of Auburn, N. V 5S
Address, by Prof. Alonzo B. Palmer. M. D., L. L. D., of Ann Arbor, Mich.. lOi
Address, "Palmersof Westchester Co., N. Y.," by Prof. Joseph H. Palmer,
of Yonkers, New York 105
Response, by N. B. Palmer. Plsq., of Pittsburgh, Pa 109
Concert, by Palmer Band, Leader, Frank H. Palmer, of Whitfiled, N. H. .. 112
Relic and Loan Exhibition, Description of, by Miss Emma \V Palmer, of Ston-
ington, Ct IT-
" The Re-Union in Retrospect," by " The Stonington Mirror." . II?
Necrology, — Deaths during the interval of the Re- Unions Ho
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