The British are coming……..

Dear GLP neighbor,

We would like to inform you of a event scheduled to take place at 2:00 pm on Sunday, August 10, 2008 in your neighborhood.

As described on the back of this notice, there will be a commemorative event to honor the Battle of Groton Long Point, which took place on Friday, August 12, 1814.

We estimate that approximately 100 people will be in attendance.  The event is expected to last for roughly one hour.  During this event, we also anticipate the firing of a muzzle loaded rifle and one or two small cannons.  Permission for these demonstrations has been obtained from the GLP Association and precautions have been taken to ensure the safety of the spectators and the neighborhood.

We would like to thank you in advance for your support of this event.  Please encourage you to call if you have any questions or concerns.

                                                           ~ Thank you,

                                                              Jon Fuller

                                                              and Peter Viering

                                                              Event Coordinators

Jon Fuller can be reached by calling his home (978) 470-3151 or (860) 536-8667 on the weekend of the event.

On Sunday, August 10, 2008 at 2:00 PM there will be a commemorative event to honor the Battle of Groton Long Point, which took place on August 12, 1814.  This small but historically significant incident was between a contingent of American and British forces during the War of 1812.  The battle happened at the site on East Shore Drive commonly known as Patriot Rock.

Groton’s Town historian, Ms. Carol Kimball, will be the keynote speaker.  Ms. Kimball will describe the chain of events which led to the battle and its outcome.  To accompany Ms. Kimball’s narrative, there will be an interesting collection of artifacts and relics from that period in American history. 

Mr. Peter Hines has kindly loaned an actual cannon ball that had been fired by the British during the battle 194 years ago and was found in a garden on East Shore Drive not too long ago.  There will also be an early American muzzle loading rifle from 1803, a small collection of coins in circulation in Britain from 1670 to 1814, a grouping of British Navy and Royal Marine uniform buttons from 1790 to 1814, three American cannon balls of various caliber, an early American Naval cutlass, and at least one cannon similar to the British swivel gun used in the battle.  All artifacts will be on display for your enjoyment.

The commemorative event will take place in the open space on the shore where Windham Street meets East Shore Drive.  The event is rain or shine.  Minimal seating will be available.  Refreshments will be served.

Please join us.