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

Celebration Chairmen, Chief Marshals and Marshals’ Receptions

When reviewing the lists of names of participants in Bristol’s traditional celebration of Independence Day, one cannot help noticing the frequent reappearance of some individual and family names. Many participants’ names appear on several lists.

These individuals must have so pleased the community by their performance in the celebration that they returned to replay their previous role, or to act in another capacity on the “programme” of the day. Some participants may have enjoyed their part in the celebration to such an extent that they decided to stay active and encouraged relatives take part in organizing the celebration.

Daniel Bradford is first on the list of Chairmen, appointed by the town council in 1815 and 1816; Colonel William Throop took charge of the Arrangements Committee for one term in 1817.

After two years without an official committee for arranging the celebration, James F. D’Wolf took charge and organized a committee in 1820. However, D’Wolf ties Col. Samuel P. Colt for having served four times as Chief Marshal. D’Wolf held the title in four consecutive years: 1850 – 1853. Col. Colt served sporadically as Chief Marshal: 1871, 1875, 1879 and 1882. During those years, Colt alternated between Chief Marshal and Chairman; he held the Chairmanship in 1878 and 1888 and both positions in 1882.

Jacob Russell Bullock, Jr., acted as Co-Chairman of the Committee in 1835, with his father Jacob Russell Bullock, Sr., and William B. Tilley. The following year the junior Bullock was called upon to act as Speaker of the Day.

In 1862, Walter C. Barclay served as Co-Chairman and Chief Marshal for that year’s celebration and parade. John B. Pierce served with Barclay in 1862 and on his own in 1863.

Edward Anthony served on the Committee for more than 50 years. Between the years 1881 and 1912, he was Chairman 21 times; during that span of years, he had one stint of 12 consecutive terms as Chairman.

James F. Meiggs chaired the Committee eleven times, from 1937 and through 1947; in 1948, he was elected Honorary Chairman.

Everett Lebaron Church is third in leadership longevity, with a total of nine years at the helm, from 1922 to 1931.

Major Ambrose E. Burnside was Chief Marshal of the 1854 parade and 25 years later, wearing his General’s stars, he led the Committee.

Andrew W. Anthony handled the Chief Marshal’s duties in 1919, and in the following year, he acted as Committee Chairman.

The Haffenreffer family is represented in the records of Chief Marshals three times: 1916, Rudolph Jr.; 1931, Carl W.; and 1963, Rudolph III.

Dr. W. Fred Williams held the esteemed post of Chief Marshal in 1899 and 1900, and his son, W. Fred, Jr., followed 30 years later.

We remember, that Roswell S. Bosworth was a soloist at the 1937 Patriotic Exercises, and in 1945, he was appointed Chief Marshal. For two years, 1948 and 1949, he acted as Committee Chairman; in 1969, he returned to the Patriotic Exercises in capacity of Speaker of the Day.

Following his pioneering father, R.S. Bosworth, Jr., chaired the Committee three times, 1950 – 1952. He was Chief Marshal for the 1981 celebration and parade and continuing in the family tradition, he accepted the Speaker’s position in 1986.

For two successive celebrations, 1954 – 1955, Leonard P. Sanford and Norman J. (Corky) Servant served as co-chairmen. I remember Servant as a highly upbeat enthusiastic and dedicated committee member; he was an active Bristol Volunteer Firefighter.

In 1956, Frank J. Miserandino and Michael DiLello shared the Chairman’s duties. Miserandino returned to chair the committee on his own in 1957 and 1958.

The first woman Chief Marshal was M. Theresa Donovan, that memorable event occurred in 1957. In 1986, Donovan’s niece, Joan Doyle Roth, was the second woman to hold the post.

Chief Marshal John Andrade led the 1962 parade and he was followed in 1973 by his son John Paul Andrade, who worked for several years as a member of the Committee.

The Britto family has also received the town’s highest honor. In1954, Mathias Britto is remembered as the Chief Marshal who led the parade on horseback. Other members of the Britto family who acted as Chief Marshal include Caesar in 1966; 1982, Joseph M., and in 2011, Joseph, Jr.

Highly regarded Bristol school teacher Anthony E. Agatiello chaired the committee in 1964 and 1965, in 1991 he was selected Chief Marshal; 1976 – 1978 Agatiello served one-term as Bristol Town Administrator. 

Long-time Committee member James J. Velleca, Jr., elevated to the Committee Chairmanship 1968 and 1969, he wore the Chief Marshal’s badge in 1974 when he was still an active member on the committee.

In 1985, the 200^th Bristol Fourth of July Celebration, the Januario brothers: Joseph, Manuel and Anthony shared the Chief Marshal’s responsibilities. In 1987, Joseph Januario delivered the patriotic address as Speaker of the Day.

While Joseph Caromile was serving on the general committee, his daughter, Nancy won the Miss Fourth of July title for 1972. Caromile went on to lead the Committee as Chairman for the 1974 and 1975 celebrations. In 1989, Caromile gave a rousing address as that celebration’s Speaker of the Day.

Fifty-year Committee member John R. Partington gained the Chairmanship for the celebration years 1970 and 1971, in 1998 he was appointed Chief Marshal. John’s daughter Judy Squires chaired the Committee in celebration years 2011 and 2012.

Controversial Chief Marshals
Almost with out exception, the Chairman’s selection for Chief Marshal is met with community applause. Appointment to the high office of Chief Marshal is an honor bestowed on a native-born or a long-time resident of the town who exhibits high standards of unselfish civic caring.

However, the Chief Marshal selected in 1951, by Roswell S. Bosworth, Sr., Governor Dennis J. Roberts, the first non-resident Chief Marshal in 125 years caused some unsavory discourse in the town. The second and last time a non-Bristolian became Chief Marshal was in 1959, when Chairman Francis N. Perry selected Senator Theodore Francis Green.  

Since the passing of these two disagreeable appointments from the mid-twentieth century, Chief Marshals of the Celebration have remained homegrown gaining the approval of all Bristolians.

Chief Marshals’ Receptions
The celebration of Independence Day in Bristol draws celebrants from all demographics to participate in the commemoration of the Republic’s natal day.

The great equalizing event in Bristol on the day that we celebrate is the Chief Marshal’s reception. Traditionally, elected national and state officers, ranking military, dignified judiciary, members of academia, high-ranking clergy, barons of industry and citizens share libations from crystal punch bowls and champagne fountains.

In recent years these gala receptions have been held under huge, gaily colored striped tents in spacious yards, at Independence park, at the Roger Williams University campus, the medical center (next to the Knolton Estate), at the Linden Place east lawn and in 1989, on the piers of the Herreshoff Boatyard at 155 Hope Street.

At the Herreshoff affair, two large tents joined to form a “T” on the piers from where so many Herreshoff boats first met the water. Most notable was a large contingent from the yachting fraternity, who drifted around the stored motor and sailing craft of bygone ages.

The cost of this “equalizing” aspect of Bristol’s celebration is usually as huge as the party’s success. The wealthy Colt and Haffenreffer families hosted wonderful events at their residence compounds for the Committee and invited dignitaries; for them cost was of no importance.

In 1969, Chief Marshal Dr. Victor deMedeiros reported spending more than $4000. In 1975, Chief Marshal Dr. Manuel daSilva estimated his expenses at $3500. Dr. daSilva sent out 986 invitations to state and local government officials, crewmembers from visiting ships, and anyone who donated five dollars or more toward the Celebration.

These days, a fifty-dollar donation to the Committee will garner an invitation to the Chief Marshal’s reception.

Chief Marshals receive the highest office the town can bestow on a nonelected resident. While most Chief Marshals are financially capable of absorbing the expenses of an elaborate reception, occasionally some are not. In 1955, Chief Marshal George R. Fish, and in 1956 Chief Marshal Colonel E.S. McMillan were unable to muster the expense for a dignified reception, so the Committee took the option to underwrite the cost.