Saturday, the city of New Haven stepped back in time to celebrate the first Independence Day and the founding fathers from Connecticut who helped give the United States its liberty.
“It’s such a different way to commemorate the 4th of July than fireworks and picnics and all that stuff,” said Towle, a Member of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Towle was tasked with laying a wreath at General David Humphrey’s grave in the Grove Street Cemetery. Her husband is a descendant of Humphrey’s.
Humphrey and Roger Sherman were one of 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence. At Sherman’s grave historian Damien Cregeau explained the important role this founding father had in the birth of our nation.
“What’s unique about Sherman is that he is the only signer of the Declaration of Independence to sign all four founding documents,” said Cregeau.
He added that Sherman’s lasting contribution was the creation of the United States Senate.
“He comes up with this so-called Connecticut Compromise where he’s able to get a bicameral legislature, two houses,” he said.
That gave smaller states, like Connecticut, equal representation in one house of Congress.
Re-enactors brought history to life for the more than 100 people who attended Saturday’s event.
One man dressed as Humphrey’s sat on horseback and recounted the general’s life and contributions.
“I learned a whole lot. I didn’t know anything about David Humphrey’s so it was wonderful,” said Scott Haight, a New Haven resident who visited the event for the first time.
Others said they’d made the reading of the Declaration of Independence an annual tradition to kick off their 4th of July.
The ceremony was full of reminders of why we celebrate the holiday and the people who gave us our freedom.
“I think it’s the essence of what makes July 4th a special holiday for our patriotism,” Cregeau added.
