Here a Foote, there a Foote, from everywhere there came a Foote. 375 years after Nathaniel Foote, The Settler, first stepped onto the spot now known as Wethersfield Green, his honor.
It was June 4, 1907 when the very first reunion was held in Wethersfield, Ct. About 65 Foote cousins were in attendance. At that time there was no marker in Wethersfield to mark the site of Nathaniel Foote’s homestead that was established in 1633, and the assembled group passed a resolution that a suitable marker be commissioned and erected. On September 16, 1908 the monument to Nathaniel was unveiled at the second gathering of the association.
The Association and the monument have both stood the test of time and survived for over 100 years. This was a special reunion this year as we honored that legacy by rededicating the monument on August 8, 2009.
The rededication ceremony was held at the monument on Wethersfield Green on August 8, 2009.
The Colonel John Chester Fife and Drum Corps marched into the Green playing several selections to open the rededication ceremony and entertained those who were assembled there (see the Spring 2009 edition of Footeprints cover story for more information about the Corps).
Following the invocation by Van Hall of the First Church, FFAA President Barbara Foote led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Andrew Adil, mayor of Wethersfield, read a proclamation of the celebration of the rededication of the Foote Monument on the 101st year since the original dedication by the Foote Family.
Keynote Address
John Foote introduced Damien Cregeau, historian and Foote cousin, who delivered the keynote address entitled Footesteps Back in Time
Foote Family Association Formation and Reformation
Marilyn Foote Masi
First Vice-President for the association, spoke about the Formation in 1907 and reformation in 1984 of the Foote Family Association of America.
Rededication of Nathaniel Foote, The Settler, Monument
Barbara Foote,
President of the Foote Family Association,rededicated the monument to Nathaniel, the Settler, the ancestor responsible for so many of us being here today (see page 9).
The ceremony closed with musical selections from the Colonel John Chester Fife and Drum Corps and the friendship circle joining hands and singing “Blest be the tie that Binds.”
The assembled group then gathered around the monument to Nathaniel for the photograph seen on page 10. Look there too for information on ordering reprints of the photo.
About the Reunion
It was June 4, 1907 when the very first reunion was held in Wethersfield, Ct. About 65 Foote cousins were in attendance. At that time there was no marker in Wethersfield to mark the site of Nathaniel Foote’s homestead that was established in 1633, and the assembled group passed a resolution that a suitable marker be commissioned and erected. On September 16, 1908 the monument to Nathaniel was unveiled at the second gathering of the association.
The Association and the monument have both stood the test of time and survived for over 100 years. This was a special reunion this year as we honored that legacy by rededicating the monument on August 8, 2009.
The cousins began gathering on Thursday August 6th. On Friday August 7th, a bus tour went to Old Deerfield, MA, the site of the Deerfield Massacre in 1704. There have time to tour the historic homes, see the museum and enjoy a box lunch together. Following the tour of Old Deerfield, the bus made a stop at Yankee Candle where an hour was spent exploring the unique themed shopping areas of the complex.
Later that evening the cousins gathered in the hospitality room to meet and greet all the cousins who had arrived.
Saturday, August 8, a guided tour of the Wethersfield Cemetary was conducted. The rededication ceremony began around 1:00 PM on the Wethersfield Green near the monument. Entertainment as be provided by the Col. John Chester Fife and Drum Corp. The key note speaker was Damien Cregeau-a descendent of Nathaniel Foote and our president, Barbara Foote lead us through the rededication ceremony itself. This was followed by our dinner banquet later that evening.
Below are links to some websites you might find of interest. If you wish to visit Wethersfield in the future the nearest airport is Bradley International (BDL) which is served by Southwest Airlines and all other major carriers. Boston’s Logan Airport is about 2 hours away as are airports in Providence, RI and Albany, NY. The Hartford area is also served by AMTRAK for those opting to travel by train.
Wethersfield Web Sites
www.wethersfield.org
www.historic-deerfield.org
Wethersfied Historical Society
www.riverfront.org
Centennial Bench Dedication
During the 2009 reunion, In addition to rededicating the monument to Nathaniel Foote, The Settler, the Centennial Bench was dedicated in a ribbon cutting ceremony.
