Charter Oak Surveys

Our history and Constitutional Government is enshrined in the legend of the Charter Oak.  In the 1600s the colony of Connecticut was ruled by a governor and 12 member council under a charter approved by the British King, Charles II.  When James II assumed the throne upon his brother's death, the Charter, which granted the colony elements of self-rule was in peril, when the new king appointed a British nobleman, Edmund Andros to be governor of a consolidated New England territory, nullifying the benefits of the Connecticut Charter.  Andros demanded that the charter be sent to him.  When Colony leaders refused, Andros went to Hartford on October 31, 1687 to announce his governorship and collect the Charter.  He met with Gov. Robert Treat and his council who waged a filibuster well into the evening, when, a council member stood and gave a short impassioned speech about the meaning of the Charter to Connecticut, ending dramatically by falling on the table knocking over the candles.  In the darkness, the Charter was passed out the window to the widow of Joseph Wadsworth who fled to the Charter Oak hiding it in the hollow of the great tree. Connecticut since that time has been known as the Charter State.

Two Hundred Fifteen years later, at the 1902 Constitutional Convention in Hartford, Gov. Hawley presented each delegate a sapling, a descendant of the original Charter Oak which had stood until 1856 when struck by lightning.  Chatham's representative, William N. Markham, along with James Costello, Sr. and Ernest Markham planted the sapling in front of the Skinnerville Cemetery.  In 1932, a granite marker was placed at the foot of the oak tree by the Village Improvement Society (fore-bearer of the Old Home Day Committee) with a description "Constitutional Oak."  Similar to Connecticut's state motto Qui transtuit sustinet (Latin) for "He Who Transplanted Still Sustains," our oak has fared well as it stands today, the steadfastness of our heritage and rule of self-government.

East Hampton Charter Oak seen center of two large monuments

Village Improvement Society monument placed in 1932 at base of our Charter Oak

Old Home Day 1934

Old Home Day 1934 marked the 2nd year the event had been sponsored by Treadway-Cavanaugh Post No. 64 American Legion and Auxiliary aided by 9 other Legion Posts from around Middlesex County.  Billed the 17th annual OHD,  it actually had been suspended for five years beginning in the late 1920s before our very active Legion members stepped up to revive this important community event.  Similar actions by member of the EH Fife and Drum Corp in the late 1970s revived the modern OHD now in its 35th year.

 

As now, the biggest day of the year for EH and its former residents who wandered far and wide from their childhood homes, the combined OHD observance and the Middlesex County American Legion Fair arrived with it thousands of townspeople, former residents, friends, visitors, guests, and the curious to partake in the huge celebration.

 

Then as now, the colorful and lengthy parade, still acknowledged as one of the largest in Connecticut, featured snappy colored uniforms of many state Drum Corps, each competing for viewers attention.  Interspersed between marching units were picturesque floats designed and staffed by local organizations, each depicting the parade theme of "name a song." A baseball game between the East Hampton Bombers and the Middlesex County All Stars followed.  (Maybe something our current OHD Committee might re-institute).

 

The evening held a variety show with dance and song performers such as Clara and Sidney Bradley, a one-man act by Harry Bolden, and strong-man stunts by Richard Vintour, who had appeared at Radio City Music Hall.  Later, a fireworks display on the school grounds followed by dancing and other activities at Carriers Casino and other venues such as Clearwater Lodge on Lake Pocotopaug.

 

Event officials included Paul Voelker, Chairman, Mrs. Phyllis Thatcher, Vice Chair, Mrs. Mary Garvey, Treasurer. 

Former Town Council Chairman Donald P. Markham

Donald Prescott Markham, 85, beloved husband of Pauline (Lindquist) Markham, passed away Friday April 26th after a long convalescence.  A life-long resident of East Hampton, Donald, born November 5, 1927, was the son of the late Percy P. and Rose (Knotek) Markham.  Family, community, service and commitment defined him.  Donald, who preferred to be called Don, upon graduation from East Hampton High School in 1945, enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. WWII ended during his basic training, but he was placed as a member of the inactive reserves.  He worked for the FBI in Washington, DC from 1946-1947, and in 1949 was called to active duty, becoming a decorated Veteran of the Korean Conflict.  Upon returning to East Hampton, he worked for Thatcher Drug and then the Sisson Drug Co. of Hartford until 1961, at which point President Kennedy appointed him East Hampton Post Master; a position in which he proudly served for 26 years. 

 

Don was actively involved in the life of the East Hampton community in various capacities.  He was a Master Mason for over 50 years and served as Master of Anchor Lodge No. 112 AF & AM during the 100th Anniversary (1971), as well as serving on the Masonic Temple Association Board.  He was a founding member of the East Hampton Lions Club, Inc. in 1957.  Don served as Commander of American Legion Post No. 64 and was a life member, and, along with other veterans, revived Old Home Day, serving as Co-Chair in 1953 and 1954.  He was a Charter member and first President of the Chatham Historical Society, and was honored as Chairman of both the East Hampton Bi-Centennial Committee in 1967 and the local Bi-Centennial Committee celebrating the founding of our Nation in 1976.  He was also a board member of the Lake View Cemetery Association. 

 

Serving his fellow citizens in town politics, Don, a lifelong Democrat, was elected to the Board of Education in 1956, and from 1969 to 1976 was an appointed member of the Water Pollution Control Authority.  From 1952 through 1960, he served as the Democratic Town Committee Chairman.  Don was elected to the East Hampton Town Council in 1995, serving as Chair, and was reelected to 4 more terms (serving through 2005). 

Donald Markham - Town Council Chairman with (l-r) Chris Goff, William Farrell, Thomas Distefano, & Jane French.

 

Don is survived by Pauline, his wife of 65 years, and sons: Dean P. Markham and his wife Debbie of East Hampton, their children Nicole F. Markham of Newport, RI, Danielle P. Mathias and her husband Greg and great-grandson Desmond of Phoenixville, PA, and Gregory D. Markham and his wife Kira and great-grandchildren Sandra and Alexander of East Hampton; and Allan N. Markham and wife Sharon of East Hampton, and their sons David A. Markham of East Hampton, and Stephen P. Markham and his wife Colleen and great-grandson Chase of Pembroke, MA.  The family sincerely thanks the caring and loving staff of Middletown Health Care who provided for his well-being and comfort.  Friends are invited to call at Spencer Funeral Home 112 Main Street East Hampton on Monday April 29th between the hours of 5-8 P.M.  Funeral services will be conducted by The Rev. Michelle Madsen-Bibeau (Haddam Neck Covenant Church), at Spencer Funeral Home on Tuesday April 30th commencing at 11 A.M.  Burial will follow at Lake View Cemetery.  Pall Bearers were Robert Lanzi, Robert McKinney, Evan Rea, Philip Visintainer, Gregory Mathias and Gregory Markham.

 

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate a donation in Don's memory to a local charity or organization such as the East Hampton Food Bank, 20 East High St.,  the East Hampton Ambulance Association at P.O. Box 144, or the Lake View Cemetery Fence Restoration Project at P.O. Box 71,  all in East Hampton at 06424, or give the gift of life - become a blood donor with the American Red Cross.

 

My First Old Home Day

Recollections of my first Old Home Day were at the age of five in 1953. My father Donald Markham and Dennis Erickson were co-chairs working tirelessly to reestablish OHD which had withered at the end of WW II from lack of funds, lack of meat (no hamburgs or hotdogs) and support. In the early 1930s, the American Legion and after WW II, jointly with the Veterans of Foreign Wars, organized the summer event.

That August 1st parade included Fife and Drum Corps from EH, Litchfield, Deep River, Chester, Windsor Locks and our EHHS Band. A dozen floats entered representing the Chamber of Commerce, V.F.W. Auxiliary, American Legion and Auxiliary, Belltown Garden Club, Cranmer Club, Rotary Club, Haddam Neck Grange, 46 Club - Eastern Star, Girl Scouts and Rebekah Lodge. Fire Departments from surrounding towns of East Haddam, Cromwell, Durham and Middletown joined our EH Volunteers. The State Police Color Guard led other marching units - the Middletown Police, V.F.W. and American Legion, Sons of Union Veterans and Spanish-American War Veterans, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Cubs and Brownies who stepped off from the old Town Hall.

I guess what brings back the most vivid memory of that 1953 Old Home Day was trigger this past week on the passing of Richard Hitchcock. Richard, who Co-chaired the Parade Committee, and my Dad were best friends. The morning of Old Home Day, my father took me with Richard to erect an American Flag for a widow living on West High Street near the entrance to the Middle School. You see, every year, homes would be decorated with American Flags to welcome all back to our community. This past weeks event has kept up this tradition with telephone poles lining Main Street, North Main, East High, West High and others display our flag.

I never knew the widow's name, but after the bracket and flag was installed, she had us come to attention, salute and recite the Pledge of Allegiance and then I, with my cap gun (do you remember the rolls of red paper caps?) fired 3 rounds in honor of all who had served.