[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 75 (Friday, May 24, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E930]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




THE 275TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE INCORPORATION OF THE TOWN OF VOLUNTOWN, CT

                                 ______


                           HON. SAM GEJDENSON

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 23, 1996

  Mr. GEJDENSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 275th 
anniversary of Voluntown, CT. Like so many communities across eastern 
Connecticut, Voluntown has a proud history which spans nearly three 
centuries.
  In 1698, Lt. Thomas Leffingwell of Norwich and Sgt. John Frink of 
Stonington petitioned the assembly in New Haven for a plantation for 
the volunteer settlers who carved a community out of the forbidding 
wilderness of remote eastern Connecticut. Several years later the 
assembly approved the petition. The petition reads in part:

       Granted unto the inhabitants of Voluntown the power and 
     privilege of choosing their own town officers and carrying on 
     their own town affairs, as other towns in this Colony by law 
     impowered to do so. All volunteer rights or lots in number of 
     acres, within the original grants are hereby taxed at eight 
     shillings per year for five years, for the support of a 
     minister and building a meeting house in said town. The 
     committee for the proprietors of the old Voluntown are hereby 
     impowered to act jointly in settling a ministers salary.

  I am proud to fly a flag over the Capitol to mark this special 
occasion. The residents of Voluntown are rightfully proud on this 
landmark anniversary.

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