By Marilyn Foote Masi
Hi – Family and Friends of Nathaniel and Elizabeth Foote, the Settler: I’m Marilyn Foote Masi and it is so good to see you all here.
Barb asked me to jump in here to give credit to those who worked so hard to make this happen. Of course, in 1907, the first group of Footes’ gathered and formed the organization led by Judge Nathaniel Foote of Rochester, N.Y. as President. During the dedication ceremony, in 1908, of the monument, Judge Foote said of Nathaniel, the settler:
“The records which remain indicate he had been one of the thrifty and fairly successful members of the little community in which he lived. He left the comfort of England in 1633 for the danger and hardship of a hostile environment. He sacrificed all that he had to give, himself, for the betterment of his family. He sought a better life; a life more free; a chance to seek out excellence; for each member of his family, then, and to be. He dared for us. They came to make a place for us.”
Those words were spoken by Ralph Foote of Middlebury, Vt. in 1984 when the organization was restarted and when they rededicated this monument. Those folks in 1984 -25 years ago – who worked so hard to make this happen included: Ralph Foote of Middlebury, Vt.; Dorothy Offensend of Pawlet, Vt.; Polly Clancy, Marty Partridge, Winston McDonough, and Dr. Franklin Foote all of Wethersfield, Conn..
Will the families of those folks who are here today please stand. Also, to be remembered were J. Howard Foote, Trustee; Gene Foote of Minnesota; also a Trustee and Laura Belle Beekman who, you remember, published the reprints of Vol. 1 and 2.
Ralph said: “I believe we gather to find our way; to light a torch to see by; to exercise the worst of today by the light of the best from yesterday to insure a more perfect tomorrow.” We are pleased to announce that today we are going to dedicate our new Centennial Bench put in place by our Association with the help of two Wethersfield residents.
This family has been lovingly taken care of the bench and monument, and put the landscape around it. I would like to introduce Cindy Clancy, Doug Ovian and Adam. Will you please stand a take a bow. Thank you!