Barrett Family of Minneapolis, since 1875: Edward H Barrett Speaks of Lineage & Patriotism

St. Paul Daily Globe
Wednesday, August 16, 1893
Page 2

The Big Tents to Be Pitched at University and Dale

St. Paul will enjoy the big circus of the season today, It is not always possible
to tell the exact merit of a show before its arrival in the city, but in this
case the Globe is able to assure its read-is of till, excellence of the program
offered. The shows exhibited in Minneapolis Monday, and the same
performance exactly will be given here.
There is an excellent circus olio, with a number of specialties of the highest
merit. What characterizes, the performance more especially is its novelty.
It is a departure from the regulation performance under a tent.
The first hour is devoted chiefly to a spectacular production called "1776-
The American Revolution." in which the scenes and battles of the struggles
of the colonies for independence are displayed.
Manager J. T. McCaddon in looking for a unique novelty for his big
shows this season, ran upon the idea of a great lesson in patriotism for this
Columbian year. In putting on the series of tableaux his first effort was
to secure historical accuracy, and this lie has done to a remarkable degree.
A tribute to the historical faithfulness of these tableaux was given in Minneapolis.
E. H. Barrett, of the Asbestine company in that city, came to the shows at the afternoon performance, and asked if he might be permitted to go behind the curtain: "That man." he said, pointing to the central figure in the picture of the battle of Concord in one of the newspaper advertisements, "is my grandfather, and I would like to see the man who plays his part." Mr. Barrett was taken back by Press Agent Dean. He went into the dressing room, where the men were putting on the costumes and equipping them selves with the paraphernalia of war. "That is the uniform of a continental company." he said, pointing to a corner where John Manning, the hay-seed clown, was divesting himself of his granger dress and hiding his lilacs in a tall choker. "And that." replied Mr. Dean, "will be Capt. Barrett when the battle begins." Then Mr. Barrett went over and related to the actor the story of his paternal ancestor's bravery. They went out together and saw the bridge put into place and the redoubts placed. Then Mr. Barrett. pointed out on the panorama the location of the Barrett estates on both sides of the bridge, and related the story or Capt. Benjamin Barrett's bravery in leading out his neighbors to cut off the advance of Gen. Gage on Concord. In the midst of his story a shot was heard, and Stage Manager Siegrist rushed up with warning. “If you want to see the battle, go in front right a way. That was Paul Revere arousing Hancock, and the trouble will begin immediately."
Mr. Barrett's testimony after seeing the pageant was that it was a fine mimic presentation of historic scenes.
Alter the- battle scenes the annual circus acts and' the riding of the Cossacks
should be mentioned as greatest novelties. These Cossacks came from the Caucasian mountains, being brought out by permission of the Russian government, whose subjects they are. The show is under contract to land them at Tiflis on the Black sea at the close of the season. Their strong point is their daring and skill on horseback. The shows were in St. Cloud yesterday, and will arrive hereabout 7 o'clock this morning. The parade will be made at 10 o'clock, and it is promised that St. Paul will be given a longer and finer one than the shows generally make. The exhibitions will take place at Dale and University avenues at 2 o'clock this afternoon and at 8 o'clock tonight.

St. Paul Daily Globe
Tuesday, April 17, 1894
Page 3

Battles of Lexington and Concord

The following is the programme for the celebration of the anniversary of the battles of Lexington and Concord, to be held at Century hall, Thursday evening, the 19th inst.:
Music, "Night Breezes," Temple quartette.
Prayer, President Cyrus Northrop, of University of Minnesota.
Introductory, Hon. Albert Edgerton, president of the society and son of a
Revolutionary soldier.
Remarks by Edward H. Barrett, of Minneapolis, a descendant of Col. James Barrett, of Concord.
Music, "Yankee Doodle/ Temple quartette. JBM Lexington and Concord, historical, William U. Grant, historian of the society.
Music "Sally in Our Alley," Temple quartette.
Address, Rev. Marion D.Shutter.D.D.
Music, "America," in which the audience is requested to join Benediction.
The committee on arrangements Is as follows:
Nathaniel F. Warner, Alfred S. Tallmadge Henry S. Goff, Albee Smith,
Edwin S. Chittenden

St. Paul Daily Globe
Friday, April 20, 1894
Page 3

LEXINGTON AND CONCORD

Anniversary of These Famous Battles

The spirit of '76 was abroad last night and it permeated the patriotic utterances of those who participated in the proceedings at Century hall, the occasion being the celebration of the one hundred and nineteenth anniversary of the battles of Lexington and Concord.
The exercises were under the auspices of the Minnesota Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, and the excellent progamme was enjoyed by an enthusiastic audience.
Hon. Albert Edgerton. president of the society, and of St. Paul presided,
and after a selection by the Temple quartette and prayer by President
Northrop, of the university, he delivered an opening address, in which lie
alluded to the inspiring nature of the occasion and to the stirring events that preceded the opening of the revolution.
An address was then delivered by Edward H. Barrett, of this city, a descendant of Col. James Barrett, of Concord, and recited the historical events connected with the battle of Concord in a highly- interesting manner.
One of the most eloquent and entertaining papers of the evening was that
by William H. Grant, the historian of the society. He gave a graphic description of the great battles which opened the way for the revolution and sounded the keynote of American independence, and he paid
a glowing eulogy to the "minute men," who were not only ready to fight for
home rule, but who were ready, if necessary, to die for it.
After selections by the quartette, an address was delivered by Roy. M. D.
Shutter. D. D., who brought to his theme all of his well known eloquence,
his remarks showing profound research and historical accuracy.
Among those from St. Paul were Judge Willis and ex-Gov. Marshall.

MN Society of the Sons of the American Revolution
Year Book 1889-1895, Page 130

The Seattle Daily Times
Friday, September 5, 1902

HE SAW GENERAL LAYFAYETTE
--
Man now in Seattle remembers the great patriot
--
Was likewise an acquaintance of Daniel Webster and knew Abraham Lincoln very well
--
Some weeks ago there was published in a certain New York paper an article concerning a gentleman living in New York state who claimed to be the only living American who had seen Layfayette, their French General, who assisted the United States in the revolution by serving in the army under the command of General George Washington. This article was copied by the Times and in the same connection there was published an article concerning another man who claimed to have seen Layfayette.

Picture of Edward H. Barrett with caption:
E. H. Barrett
Who saw General Layfaette at Concord, N. H. in 1824

It has since developed that there is now in Seattle a gentleman who saw Layfayette and remembers the incident quite vividly.
The gentleman is Mr. E. H. Barrett of Boise, Idaho, who is visiting his son Mr. F. Barrett of the Barrett Sign Company. Mr. Barrett, Sr., is 84 years of age and saw Gen. Layfayette at the time of this latter’s second visit to America in 1824.
Mr. Barrett but was at that time only six years of age, but incident was so impressed upon his memory by the manner in which the great French patriot was received by the American people that he recalls the event with much vividness.
“It was in 1824 that Layfayette returned to America,” said Mr. Barrett in speaking of the event, “and when he came to Concord, New Hampshire, there was a great ovation tendered him by the citizens of the place. My father was one of the marshals of the day, and I went with him to witness the demonstration.” “I was naturally much interested and impressed by the display, though but a very small boy. My ancestor’s had been Yankee defenders of the flag of the country from the earliest outbreak of the revolutionary war. My grandfather Barrett was in the first fight with the British, the battle of Concord bridge, and was killed there and buried on the Barrett farm, which lies near the bridge where the fight occurred. My grandfather on my mothers side, was a Johnson and was a soldier through the revolution; fought at Bunker Hill, was afterwards captured and taken to Quebec, escaped, returned, reenlisted, and was with Gen. Washington as a colonel at the surrender at Burgoyne.”
Mr. Barrett is a typical New England Yankee of the old school. He was a neighbor and intimate acquaintance of Daniel Webster in Massachusetts when Webster was in the prime of his glory.
Later, he emigrated to Springfield, Ill., where he was immediately aquatinted with Abraham Lincoln before the latter’s reputation as a skillful lawyer had extended beyond the boundaries of the state. At Springfield he owned a farm adjoining that of Bill Herndon, whose son was a law partner of Lincoln. Later Mr. Barrett was appointed deputy marshal of Minnesota and emigrated to that state. From there he came to Idaho a few years ago.
Though he is 84 years of age, Mr. Barrett is hale and hearty, and apparently stronger than the average man at 40. He talks of his acquaintances with numerous historical characters of America in a manner almost fascinating in the interest it arouses in the listener, recounting little incidences and happenings that occurred many years ago as though they had happened but yesterday.