***Today's History Note takes a look back at some lesser known stories of Longmeadow veterans who lost their lives in the line of duty in honor of Memorial Duty. This week's History Note is sponsored by Joy Gora. We thank Joy (@joythephotographer.com) for her generosity and support of the work of the Longmeadow Historical Society.*** This coming Monday, May 26th, is Memorial Day. Although the exact origin of the holiday is unclear, it was widely celebrated beginning May 30th, 1868, in honor of the ultimate sacrifice of Civil War soldiers. General John A. Logan, Commander-in-Chief of the G. A. R. (Grand Army of the Republic) issued the proclamation declaring the first Decoration Day, as it was originally named. This author remembers visiting the graves of relatives with red, white, and blue flowers every Decoration Day. Gradually the commemoration encompassed military personnel from other conflicts. It became a Federal Holiday in 1971, and was celebrated on the last Monday in May. Longmeadow honors many soldiers from conflicts going back to the Colonial Wars. Here are a few of their stories: Lieutenant Nathaniel Burt (1711-1755) was killed in the "Bloody Morning Scout" battle of September 8, 1755, during the French and Indian Wars. His wife Sarah, and their daughter, also named Sarah, wrote a letter to Nathaniel, addressed "To Lt. Nathaniel Burt, In the Army Marching Against Crown Point." The letter arrived three days after his death. The letter, full of newsy items from home, is in the collections of the Longmeadow Historical Society. Also in the archives is an anonymous elegy written about Burt: "Elogy On the death of Mr. Nathaniel Burt, Deacon of the Church of Christ at Longmeadow, and Lieutenant in his Majesty's service; who was killed in the memorable battle at Lake George, Sept. 8, 1755, in the 45th year of his age." It describes the battle, and the way the news was received back in Longmeadow: "...But yet no certain tidings we could hear, which held us in suspence, 'twixt hope and fear Until a Reverend letter pass'd the plain with the sad mournful news--Brave Burt is slain." Moving to the American Civil War, the Coomes family gave up two sons to the cause. Elias Coomes (1835-1862) was killed at the Battle of Fair Oaks, VA on May 31, 1862. His older brother, James Madison Coomes (1823-1864), died as too many soldiers did in the Civil War - at Andersonville Prison, on May 4, 1864. Both were laid to rest in the Longmeadow Cemetery. Their portraits are in the collections of the Historical Society, as is a "soldier's pocket bible" inscribed with James Coomes' name. To learn more about other soldiers from Longmeadow, we encourage you to visit the Memorial on the Town Green, and the Longmeadow Cemetery. Look for the markers for the Colonial Wars, the SAR markers for the Revolutionary War, and the many flags flying in the breeze. We salute you all. - Contributed by Betsy McKee, Longmeadow Historical Society Board Member (fb)

Then and now. The 1912 photograph from the Emerson Archives was taken in the Longmeadow Cemetery (the Old Burying Ground) and shows the back of the First Church prior to the renovations in 1932 when the present day appearance was created. The First Church was originally on The Green with an appearance more similar to the present day church. In 1874 it was decided to renovate the First Church and move it across the street to its present location. The adjacent Chapel, built in 1853, had to be moved south to accommodate this. The church was painted brown and when completed had a Gothic appearance. In 1921 the Chapel was moved to the present day location of the town hall and was demolished when the town hall was built in 1930. Older photographs show the church when it was located on The Green. The Longmeadow Cemetery was established in 1718. See more information-https://bit.ly/3YrJv40 . The older photograph of the cemetery was from the Proceedings at the Centennial Celebration of the Incorporation of the Town of Longmeadow (https://bit.ly/4k7DAt7) printed in 1883. #longmeadow #longmeadowma #longmeadowhistoricalsociety #firstchurchlongmeadow (fb)