The Roots of Bristol’s 4th of July Celebration: Part III

A Chronological History

The first successful newspaper to be printed and distributed in Bristol, The Gazette and Companion, appeared in the year 1833, followed by The Bristol Phoenix in 1837. The greater part of the following history is taken from those pages. We can now take a chronological look at the sometimes confusing but important foundations of Bristol’s Independence Day celebrations.

1834: At 10 o’clock a procession will be formed in front of the Hotel, under the direction of Col. Arnold H. Bush, Marshall (sic) of the day, and will proceed in the following order....

A salute will be fired from the Artillery at sunrise, and a National Salute after the procession is dismissed—the day will be closed by a salute at sunset. The bells will ring a merry peal during the several salutes, and from the time the procession moves until it arrives at the Meeting House.

Arrangements Committee: Geo. H. Reynolds, Henry C. Gibson, W’m. S. Nichols, H.P. Diman, Josiah H. Luther, W’m. H. Pitman and Arnold H. Bush; Chief Marshal: Col. Arnold H. Bush; Invocation: Rev. Dr. Henry Wight; Reader of the Declaration of Independence; William F. D’Wolf, Esq.; Oration; Bradford F. Munro, Esq. Gazette and Companion, Saturday, June  28.

Friday the Fourth of July was celebrated in this town with more spirit and animation than we ever before witnessed. A great number of citizens of neighboring towns and villages participated in the festivities of the occasion, and we are sorry to say that some of these visitors did not behave themselves as well as they should have done. But ill conduct was confined to a very few, and to the great mass of those who honored us with their presence we are obliged for the pleasure that they afforded. Gazette and Companion, Saturday, July 12.

As illustrated by the above article, even at this early date Bristol was the place to be on the Fourth of July to take part in the “festivities” of the day. Another short article in the same issue of the Gazette is worthy to note here; it dates the foundation of the organized temperance movement in the town; a movement that was to became the dominate force and controlling element for more than a decade of future 4th of July observances. “The first anniversary of the Bristol Young Men’s Temperance Society was celebrated at the Congregational Meetinghouse at 5 p.m., on the Fourth of July with prayers and an address by W'm. F. D'Wolf, Esq.”

1835: Fourth of July is approaching we should think that some preparations for such an event would be creditable to the town. If our patriotic fellow citizens be of our opinion, they will meet at the Mechanic's Hotel on Monday evening next [the 15th] and choose a Committee to make the necessary arrangements. Gazette and Companion, Saturday, June 13.

Under the leadership of the Young Men’s Temperance Union (Y.M.T.U.), Bristol’s 50-year tradition went “dry” and the better part of the day was given over to the cause of abstinence. The day included a lecture on the evils of drink and singing on the same theme by the Cold Water Army as it marched in the parade.

 1837: There was no official committee appointed this year and there was no official procession. Gazette editor, Mr. Bayley lamented in an editorial comment the passing of this part of the Bristol tradition. Conditions must have been hard that year because he wrote in part “...in this town there will be no celebration, our citizens having concluded to keep their loose change usually spent on such occasions, against the pitiless storms of another winter, when they will probably need it.”

Regardless of the feelings of the majority, the town put on a festive face and visitors came from neighboring towns to pass the day with friends and relatives and to listen to an oration on the subject of temperance.

The 61st. anniversary of our National Independence passed off in an unusually quiet manner, no arrangements having been made by the citizens of this town for the celebration of the day. The weather was pleasant, and the streets thronged with cheerful faces. A large party of visitors from Taunton had a clambake at Mount Hope; another party from Dighton dined at Horton’s [Hotel]. The boys as usual spent the day in firing crackers and other youthful sports.[1] In the afternoon Rev. Mr. Tobey delivered a temperance address at the Baptist Meeting House.

A number of our citizens feeling desirous of celebrating the day in some manner, procured drums and fife, formed themselves into a company and paraded the streets during a part of the afternoon, after which they retired to a large room and listened to a reading of the Declaration of Independence, and Washington’s Farewell Address. Thus passed the day. We trust the good citizens of this town will not let another anniversary of this memorable occasion pass without celebrating it in an appropriate manner. Gazette and Companion, Saturday, July 8.

1838: Without newspaper records or other files available for confirmation, we must assume that Miss. Almey’s original findings concerning the events of July 4, 1838, are correct. The usual parade and celebration must have taken place because she wrote that J.M. Gooding was an arrangements committee member, COL. Nath’l Fales was Chief Marshal of the parade, and Dr. Silas Holmes was Speaker of the Day.

When The Temperance Societies Took Charge

Every so often local churches' pastors and traveling evangelical missionaries espoused the evils of strong drink and preached the virtues of temperance. These crusades that started as brushfires, occasionally became full-fledged firestorm movements for prohibition and abstinence. Regardless of their ultimate failure to rid the town of its “low drinking element,” the town's several abstinence societies accomplished much good in the community. They organized sports clubs and sponsored theater groups.

One of the temperance societies' most noted contributions to the community was organizing the Fourth of July celebrations in those years when the Town Council failed to do it. Newspaper accounts and town records from the mid-1800s are incomplete, but by piecing together facts from all sources, we can account for seven years when observances of the day were organized by the local temperance groups; years the Town Council abdicated its custom of appointing an Arrangements Committee—a custom originated in 1815. For eight years during 1818 to 1833, there are no surviving records concerning the existence of an Arrangements Committee; for six holidays, 1837 to 1850, no official committees were appointed.

1839: The Town Fathers saw fit not to appoint an official committee of arrangements, but the townsfolk would not be deprived of their annual holiday observance. So, the local temperance societies mobilized the public school children into a procession.

After the parade, the Y.M.T.U., with invited guests, dined at the Burgess Temperance Hotel where pure water took the place of “Ardent spirits and Wines.”

At 10 o’clock a.m., the youth of the several public schools will convene at the Congregational House of worship to attend such addresses and other exercises as may be appropriate to the occasion. The several private schools are respectfully invited to unite in these services.

At half past 2 p.m., in the same place, Rev. Dr. Tucker of Providence will give an address on the Cause of Temperance. The procession of children will form on the Common and walk in order to the Meetinghouse. Prayer will be offered by Rev. Mr. Scott, singing will be performed by the children lead by Mr. Guhee, and the address will be delivered by Rev. Messrs. [Thomas] Shepard and Tucker.

1840: committee members S.H. Akerman, John Gladding, Jr., Thomas I. Usher, Richard S. Pearce, James D. Ingraham, Gilbert Richmond, William Bradford and Thomas Thurston signed the official program of the day presented in the Phoenix.

The procession under escort of the Artillery, marched without accident from Jones’ Hotel to the Presbyterian Church, where the Declaration of Independence was read by J.R. Bullock, Esq., and Washington’s Farewell Address by Mr. Eames. The musical portion of the exercises were greatly assisted by Mr. Shaw, who presided at the organ; the solos also in one of the pieces deserve particular commendation.

The Artillery fired rounds at noon and at sunset. There were fireworks. On the whole, perhaps the anniversary never passed off in better style. No mischance occurred to mar the festivities of the day nor was the public peace offended by a single instance of drunkenness.

The weather was cool and pleasant. The ladies of St. Michael’s held a Fair; objects for sale included little cotton pigs with texts from scripture on their backs.

1841: The Phoenix of July 3, informed the public that no celebration was planned to commemorate the Fourth except for an address on temperance on July 5; “Rev. Mr. Blodget of Pawtucket in the Congregational Meeting-House, at 3 o’clock p.m.”  The Fourth of July holiday fell on a Sunday, so the celebration was held on Monday, July 5; a custom that continues today.

A report published on the following Saturday, July 10, informs us that at the last moment an Arrangements Committee was appointed and a procession was organized. But, the press is silent as to the names of the committee members and the name of the parade marshal.

In our last, we stated that there would be no celebration in this town on the 5th. After our paper went to press, however, the committee appointed for that purpose, concluded to make the necessary arrangements for celebrating the day in a becoming manner and gave notice accordingly. At 10 o’clock a procession was formed in front of Jones’ Hotel, which after marching through several of the most public streets, repaired to the Congregational Church where after prayer, singing, and a reading of the Declaration of Independence, an oration was delivered by G.H. Reynolds, Esq.

As yet we have seen but few accidents recorded as having occurred on the 5th, and we trust that not many happened. We expected to have heard of some sad accident befalling a stage load of young men from Warren who were driving furiously through our streets beastly intoxicated, and cutting up all manner of capers; but, we believe they escaped injury otherwise disgracing themselves in the eyes of all who saw them.

1842: When the Phoenix went to press on Saturday, July 2, the arrangements for the day and the order of the procession were not yet firmed-up, so the information was made known to the town later in the afternoon in the form of a posted handbill. The names of the committeemen went unrecorded, however. “...A procession was formed at ten o’clock in front of the State House, under the direction of Colonel. N. Fales, and was escorted through several of the most public streets to the Congregational Meeting House, by the Bristol Guards, Captain H.C. Wardwell; the Bristol Train of Artillery, Colonel W.R. Taylor, and a large company of volunteers, under the command of General Diman, the latter of which participated in recent scenes at Chepachet [the Dorr War].”

Rev. Mr. Fales offered the invocation, Geo. F. Usher, Esq., read the Declaration of Independence. Rev. Mr. [Thomas] Shepard delivered an address; he referred in most touching manner to the events which have occurred in our state.

Our citizens generally seemed highly pleased with the events of the day, and what is still more gratifying, but one or two individuals were seen the least disguised in liquor during the day.
No spirituous liquors or wines were used by the several companies, and on the whole the celebration passed off in the most rational and gratifying manner to all participators.

1843: Previously, in my 1989 book, I reported no parade was held in 1843. The omission of that parade and its Chief Marshal has been part of the official record since its compilation. But, the following news item from the July 1 issue of the Phoenix disproves that thought. “[The] Procession will be formed on the Common at 2 o’clock, by Mr. George M. Coit, Chief Marshal....”

The celebration was devoted to the cause of Temperance. The Phoenix of July 1 printed a notice of the approaching celebration inviting the “Ladies whose happiness is so intimately connected with the triumphs of total abstinence to unite in the procession. We think such an example would do good in this place.”

The march which was organized under the leadership of several temperance organizations seems to have consisted of four divisions as follows: Chief Marshal, Band, the Clergymen of the town, Committee of Arrangements, Martha Washington Society, Second Division; Marshal, Cold Water Army, Third Division; Marshal, Washingtonian Society, Fourth Division; Marshal, Bristol Young Men's Total Abstinence Society. Services were held in the Methodist Church.

Should the day be warm and the streets dusty, we presume the Marshal will not deem it expedient to subject the procession to a tedious walk. But as far as it does proceed we hope to see it filled up with friends of the cause [of abstinence] of both sexes, and all ages and denominations.

1844: The procession formed in front of Jones’ Hotel at 10 o’clock a.m., by William H.S. Bayley, Marshal of the Day.

The procession will proceed to Bradford Street to the Congregational Church where will be performed the following exercises: music, reading of the Declaration of Independence by Joseph M. Blake, Esq., oration by Rev. Mr. Thayer, music, benediction. At the close of the service the procession will again be formed and proceed to the Armory, and [will] be dismissed after partaking of a Collation which will be prepared for the occasion.

The Committee for Arrangements for the 1844 celebration was: W’m. R. Taylor, C. Esterbrooks, Geo. H. Pearse, Jacob Babbitt, Jr. and M.D. Bonney. In the evening there were fireworks on the common. Phoenix, June 29.

1845: The Town Council again failed to appoint an Arrangements Committee, so youthful members of the Cold Water Army undertook the task. The orders of the day read:

TEMPERANCE CELEBRATION—FOURTH OF JULY.
      A procession will be formed on the Common at 10 o’clock a.m. under the direction of Mr. David Coit, Marshal of the Day, and parade down High Street to Constitution Street, down Constitution to Hope Street, up Hope to State Street, down State to Thames Street, up Thames to Bradford Street, up Bradford to the Congregational Church, where the following exercises will be performed: VOLUNTARY, SINGING By The COLD WATER ARMY, PRAYER, TEMPERANCE ADDRESS By Rev. Mr. Waterman, SINGING, BENEDICTION. The friends of Temperance are respectfully invited to join the procession.

The body pews will be reserved for the Temperance Societies. The wall pews for the ladies. The Orchestra and South Gallery for the singers from the Cold Water Armies. Phoenix, Saturday, June 28.

Those who wish to furnish themselves with Temperance Badges, can obtain them at the store of Mr. John B. Munro and Mr. John Adams.

It gives us pleasure to see the youth of our village, marshaled as a Cold Water Army making arrangements in connection with the Temperance Societies, to celebrate this National Festival in a manner so worthy of the day and so honorable and useful to themselves.

At an early hour, a very beautiful Banner was presented to the Bristol Young Men’s Total Abstinence Society by the Ladies of the town, through the hands of Mr. Louis Diman, who in presenting it made a neat and appropriate speech. The Banner was received by Mr. M.T. Bennet, who replied in a very happy manner to the remarks of Mr. Diman.

1846: Surprisingly, Phoenix Editor Bayley showed uncharacteristic restraint in his report of the celebration; surprising, because this year he was a member of the Arrangements Committee. The other members of the committee were: W’m. R. Taylor and Joseph C. Pearse.

The morning of the Fourth was ushered in by the firing of cannon and the ringing of bells. At 10 a.m. a procession was formed on State Street [under the direction of Chief Marshal John Adams, Esq.] and escorted by the Bristol Artillery to the Congregational Church, where a very able and appropriate Oration was delivered by the Rev. Mr. Sykes. The beautiful and appropriate hymns selected for the occasion were performed by the choir, and the exercises throughout appeared to be highly satisfactory to the audience. The usual salutes were fired and the bells rung at noon and 6 o’clock p.m. The day was remarkably fine, and everything passed off pleasantly. We are happy to say that we saw not a single instance of drunkenness or rioting during the day or evening. Phoenix, Saturday, July 11.

1847: Because the temperance societies had taken such decisive leadership roles in previous celebrations, the Town Council did not appoint an official committee. And so, the temperance societies were caught off guard, and with such short notice they were unable to muster the personal for an appropriate parade.

The Anniversary of National Independence passed off very pleasantly in this town. Although the day was not celebrated in the usual manner, yet, there were various means of enjoyment. The Methodist Society had a picnic on Mount Hope, and a splendid address by Rev. Mr. Wise of Providence, the Ladies of St. Michael’s Church held a Fair at the Armory Hall, which attracted a large number of visitors. Salutes were fired at sunrise, and at 6 o’clock and the bells rang as usual.

1848: Once again the temperance societies of the town organized the day’s observance. It was billed as a “Temperance Celebration” and the announcement for the procession and ceremonies read:

A Procession will be formed on the Common at 9:30 a.m., under the direction of John Adams, Esq., Marshall [sic] of the day in the following order. MARSHALL - MUSIC - ORATOR AND RESIDENT CLERGY - COLD WATER ARMY - TOTAL ABSTINENCE SOCIETY Friends of the Cause of Temperance.

The Procession will proceed to the Methodist Church on High Street where the following exercises will be performed: VOLUNTARY By The Band SINGING By The Choir  PRAYER By Rev. Mr. Kelton  READING The Scriptures by The Rev. Mr. Bigelow ORATION By Rev. Mr. Shepard  BENEDICTION By Rev. Mr. Linesey. Phoenix, Saturday, July 1.

Some few among us would probably have been better pleased to have seen a procession of a different character, and composed of those who would not hesitate to satisfy their thirst with something stronger than cold water. But we trust the time is not distant when the birth day of our national independence shall be celebrated throughout the land without the use of alcoholic drinks....

The day was cool and exceedingly pleasant, affording an opportunity for all to enjoy the fresh air, and unite in the festivities of the occasion....

We are happy to say that we never saw a day celebrated in a more rational and pleasant manner, and we doubt not that all friends of the holy cause of temperance, who were present, were highly gratified with the entire proceeding.

1849: The 73rd anniversary was a grand affair with the military, the Sons of Temperance, the ex-Governor and the Lieutenant Governor, the fire department, and town officials in the parade. The Temperance Society must have had some influence because “... a light lunch was partaken in an orderly manner.”

1850: The proceeds of the fair were intended to offset the cost of new uniforms for the Artillery Company. It is noteworthy that Phoenix Editor Bayley did not mention prayer or oration, or other patriotic exercises in two editorial articles concerning the celebration. It appears the entire day's activities were conducted by and for the benefit of the Artillery Company.

The approaching Anniversary of our National Independence will not be celebrated in the usual manner in this town. Should the day prove pleasant however, there will be sufficient entertainment for the young. A salute will be fired at sunrise by the Artillery Company who will pitch their tents upon the common, and in the course of the day will march through some of the principal streets, accompanied by the Pawtucket Brass Band.

The Armory Hall will be decorated in a new and lovely style, and a Fair will be held throughout the day and evening for the benefit of the Artillery Company. We understand that the tables will be furnished with a large variety of fancy and useful articles. Great preparations have been made by the ladies to have the Refreshment Tables supplied with the most delicious articles. Phoenix, June 29.

The Fourth passed off very peaceably and pleasantly. In the morning the weather was cloudy and rather unpleasant, it however cleared off about 10 o'clock and the remainder of the day was exceedingly fine. The usual salutes were fired at 6 o'clock in the morning, at meridian and at 6 p.m., and the several bells rang a merry peal. The Artillery Company under the command of Col. M. T. Bennett were out in full rank and paraded several times through the principal streets¾they made a handsome appearance. The day seemed to have been passed pleasantly and agreeable by our citizens generally, we are happy to say that we saw but two persons disguised in liquor. Phoenix, July 6.

In the same issue of the Phoenix, Francis Bowen, Secretary of the Bristol Total Abstinence Society (T.A.S.) announced that the regular monthly meeting of the Society was to be held on Monday at the Vestry of St. Michael's Church. 

Since Alice B. Almy compiled her original list of Speakers of the Day in 1953, the name of
Rev. Dr. Henry Wight has been carried as the speaker for the years 1785 through 1814. Contemporary newspaper accounts provide us with evidence that Rev. Dr. Wight blessed the Patriotic Exercises with invocations and devotional prayers. Alas, the press is silent regarding the names of exercises’ orators
during those early years of celebrations.

Because of the local presses’ unfortunate omissions, the chronology of principal participants must begin with the year 1815, and the names of Daniel Bradford as first Committee Chair and Barnabas Bates as the first known orator.

[1] In those days, even as today, there was a town ordinance prohibiting the use of firecrackers—then called India Crackers.