By Liz Leamy
Last Sunday marked another golden moment for the town as hundreds of people convened to celebrate the historic ride of General George Washington who was joined by his Aides de Camp, Lieutenant Colonel William Palfrey and members of the Fifth Connecticut Infantry Regiment of the American Revolution with their fife and drum corps.
This Revolutionary War troupe, with General Washington and Lieutenant Colonel Palfrey leading everyone on their horses, navigated their way from the Greenwich Historical Society campus on Strickland Road in Cos Cob to Putnam Cottage (Knapp’s Tavern) at 243 East Putnam Avenue in central Greenwich in honor of the 250th April 12th 1776 anniversary of General Washington’s documented stop at the famed latter site.
By all accounts, this reenactment was unique in that it was historically transportative while also taking place in real time as the group made their way from Strickland Road and then headed over to East Putnam Avenue with the accompaniment of the Greenwich Police Department’s three-member motorcycle procession and its official SUV vehicle.
“It’s very exciting to have people come see American history, especially in Greenwich from this perspective,” said Lauren Ackerley, Greenwich Historical Society Assistant Director for Education. “George Washington came here long ago and we have him here today, so this brings the past into the future.”
Others agreed.
“This is incredible and I can’t wait to see General Washington leave with his troupe and go down the road,” said Gloria Coe Sprigg, a longtime Greenwich resident and retired award-winning Kindergarten teacher who was at Hamilton Avenue Elementary School in Greenwich. “This is really special and to see this event reenacted is wonderful.”
Throughout this 45 minute-plus riding and walking procession, drivers, bicyclists and walkers were seen pulling over on the road or stopping on sidewalks in order to take in this unique spectacle that marked a kickoff for America’s 250th celebration here in town.
“This is wonderful,” said Bea Crumbine, Ambassador-at-Large for the Town of Greenwich. “I find it very interesting as an Ambassador-at-Large to watch the creation of these events with how people reflect on what we have read in history books and then how exciting it feels in reality. That, along with the beautiful animals, makes this all just quite lovely.”
Crumbine elaborated on how this event ought to help create many further good and lasting memories for many people who were there on hand.
“The turnout today for this event has been great,” said Crumbine. “People here will always remember they had this moment.”
The procession, which drew hundreds of spectators and participants, was organized and coordinated by the Putnam Hill Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and the Israel Putnam House Association of Connecticut Inc. (IPHA) in tandem with the Greenwich Historical Society.
It featured reenactors John Koopman III who played the role of General Washington and was there with his charge, Bear, while David Loda portrayed Lieutenant Colonel Palfrey who was accompanied by his horse, Huckleberry and Sandy Spector was Mrs. Martha Washington. (The Commander of the Fifth Connecticut Infantry Regiment of the American Regiment, meanwhile, was portrayed by Alan Abraham.)
Conclusively, the procession wrapped up with General Washington and his team adjourning at Putnam Cottage (the site was originally known as Knapp’s Tavern and has been serving as the Putnam Hill Chapter of the DAR headquarters since the early 1900s), with an enthusiastic crowd welcoming them with rousing cheers while bells rung from the Christ Church historic steeple across the street to celebrate their arrival. (Christ Church is the distinctive and beautiful Episcopal parish located on Putnam Hill that was established in 1749.)
“Seeing General George Washington here at Putnam Cottage as he arrived with his horse, his entourage, his band with the number of people who are here is so exciting,” said Joe Kelly, a longtime Greenwich civic leader who is running for Connecticut State Senate in the 36th District this November. “This is great and this is Greenwich with our community tying into the 250th Anniversary of our country. It’s all incredible and it’s great to be part of it all.”
Following the arrival of General Washington and his troupe, a flag-raising ceremony was held by the Boy Scouts of America that was followed with a proclamation by First Selectman Fred Camillo who designated April 12th ‘General George Washington Rides to Greenwich Day’ for the Town of Greenwich.
In addition, Daisy Jopling, a world-renowned solo violinist and composer, played ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ and ‘My Country ‘Tis of Thee’ on her 250 year-old violin to further add to the palpable energy of the event.
“We’re celebrating America’s 250th Anniversary and how 250 years ago today, George Washington, after his victories in Massachusetts, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and Dorchester Heights, was travelling down to defend New York City and stopped at Knapp’s Tavern on April 12th of 1776,” said Carol Cadou, Greenwich Historical Society Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer. “We’re delighted he is here with us today.”
Washington’s visit to Putnam Cottage, meanwhile, which was open all day to the public for the event, marked a pivotal moment in American history, as it took place shortly after the Continental Army’s Siege of Boston.
According to Revolutionary War luminaries, General Washington’s trip to Putnam Cottage (Knapp’s Tavern) was set up so he could connect with Continental Army figureheads and strategists to begin devising and implementing plans for their troops in regard to their impending fight against the British forces in New York.
“George Washington came into town on April 12th, 1776, so this is exactly 250 years to the day that he rode into town and ate at Knapp’s Tavern,” said Karen Gregg Neilinger, Regent of the Putnam Hill Chapter of the DAR who was dressed as Elizabeth Knapp, wife of Captain Israel Knapp, the tavern’s keeper. “The reason he stopped and ate at Knapp’s Tavern was that he was trying to get the troops together and garner support as he was making his way from Boston to New York. He had just won his siege in Boston and was making his way to New York because the Red Coats were coming there.”
Neilinger also explained that the actual recorded bill from that April 12th 1776 lunch of what General Washington had eaten and drank on is now on exhibit at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington D.C.
However, a copy of that recorded bill is hanging up at Putnam Cottage.
“General Washington came here three times during the Revolution and not just the once,” said Neilinger, adding that other Revolutionary War figureheads such as John Adams and The Marquis de Lafayette had also visited Knapp’s Tavern.
Notably, General Israel Putnam had frequented Knapp’s Tavern with the tavern being renamed after him in remembrance of his famous ride in which he alerted the people that the British were coming, serving as a benchmark locale all during the Revolutionary War and symbolizing a pillar of freedom with its powerful and potent presence right up to the present day.
“The cottage played a very prominent place in history and what we try to do is preserve it for future generations,” said Neilinger. “We’re hopeful that will continue on.”
On February 26th, 1779, General Israel Putnam had famously spotted the British from the upstairs windows of Knapp’s Tavern to then make his historic ride down the steep 100-step rocky incline next to Knapp’s Tavern (Putnam Cottage) upon having seen its dozens of forces marching up from the Greenwich waterfront with the intention of seizing and pillaging the area.
At that point, Putnam jumped on his horse, flew down the hill and then rode furiously over to Fort Stamford on Westover Road to inform the Continental troops and colonists about this ominous news. (The British Army soldiers, in turn, were apparently been so surprised by Putnam’s daring they ceased pursuing him altogether, a turn of events that gave the Continental soldiers an advantage that resulted in the British troop’s retreat from the area.)
“General Putnam looked out the window, saw the Red Coats marching, raced downstairs, jumped on his horse and flew down the big hill toward Stamford to alert other colonists that the Red Coats were coming and burning down the villages,” said Neilinger. “That’s why this is named Putnam Cottage because he was General Washington’s right-hand man who he came to visit on April 12th, 1776.”
General Putnam’s game-changing role in the Revolutionary War protecting and defending the Town of Greenwich is also the reason why he is featured on the storied Town of Greenwich official seal as it represents a symbol of faith, courage and fortitude.
On October 19th, 1781, more than two and a half years following General Putnam’s ride, the Continental Army won the Revolutionary War, having secured victory over the British at the Siege of Yorktown in Virginia.
Ultimately, this historic moment in U.S. and global history was defined and ignited by approval of the final text of the Declaration of Independence that announced the political independence of 13 American colonies from Great Britain on July 4th, 1776 to mark the 250th Anniversary of America’s freedom of which the country and town are celebrating in grand fashion this year.
With this golden kickoff event, America’s 250th looks to be a powerful and wonderful era, that is for certain, with many exciting events slated to take place in coming months.
“Hopefully, everyone, from this celebration, has been further inspired to treasure our history. I hope that the future may learn from the past and we take what was good in history to move forward,” said Neilinger. “Everyone had such a great time and it was wonderful having everyone come together for this celebration as we all continue to celebrate our nation with its 250th birthday.”
