File #5672: "MS026_myLife_transcription.pdf"

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Truman Warner High School Essay
Truman Warner Collection, Western Connecticut State University Haas Library
Transcription from Script November 2010
Ruth A. Gyure, Karin Mansberg, Emily Roehler, Katie O’Brien

MY LIFE
By
TRUMAN WARNER

Progenitors
Late in the memorable year of 1620 a weatherbeaten (sic) English sailing vessel,
the Mayflower, came to rest near the rockbound shores of New England. On it were the
famous Pilgrims. Thus the first of my known American ancestors arrived in this country.
During this perilous voyage across the Atlantic John Howland, my great-greatgreat-great-great-great-great-great grandfather, was carried overboard by a wave, but
was rescued. He was the thirteenth signer of the Mayflower Compact, the set of laws
which the Pilgrims drew up, arguing that since the King ignored them they were
independent of his rule. This was the beginning of “government of the people, by the
people, and for the people.” He became one of the most noted of the Pilgrims, being
Assistant of Plymouth Colony (1633-34-35), Deputy of the General Court most of the
years from 1641 to 1670. In 1627 along with seven others he assumed the entire debt
of the Colony and became part owner of the settlement.
Another of the ship’s passengers, the sixteenth signer of the Compact, was John
Tilley, my grandfather nine times removed, John Howland’s father-in-law. While in
Holland he had been a silk worker and was sometimes accredited to be a sail maker.

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Truman Warner High School Essay
Truman Warner Collection, Western Connecticut State University Haas Library
Transcription from Script November 2010
Ruth A. Gyure, Karin Mansberg, Emily Roehler, Katie O’Brien

He brought with him his second wife, Bridget Van der Velde, and his daughter Elizabeth
who was his first wife’s, Elizabeth Carver’s, daughter.
Under the authority of the Compact they elected John Carver their first governor.
He was the grandfather of Elizabeth Tilley, John Howland’s wife, thus making him my
grandfather ten times removed. While working in the fields of corn, wheat, rye, barley
and peas which they had planted early in the spring, he became overheated and, late in
August, 1621, died of sunstroke. William Bradford was chosen to succeed him.
You all remember well how severely they suffered during that first winter, their
troubles with the Indians, their harvest the next fall, and the first New England
Thanksgiving, how in 1621 “The Fortune” arrived, followed shortly after by “The
Charity,” “The Anne,” and the “Little James,” each bringing a fresh supply of colonists to
the New World until Plymouth grew to be of considerable size. Meanwhile all up and
down the eastern coast of America other ships had likewise been arriving.
On one of these came John Gorham who married Desire Howland, John
Howland’s daughter, in 1643. His is the earliest family found which carried the
“Mayflower line” into Fairfield, Conn. He was a Captain in King Philip’s War and died in
war service 1676/7. He was a resident of Plymouth, Marshfield, Yarmouth, and
Barnstable. Capt. John’s father was Ralph, born 1575, and his grandfather, James, who
resided at Benefield in Northhamptonshire, England, was born 1550, married in 1572 to
Agnes Bennington, and died 1576.

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Truman Warner High School Essay
Truman Warner Collection, Western Connecticut State University Haas Library
Transcription from Script November 2010
Ruth A. Gyure, Karin Mansberg, Emily Roehler, Katie O’Brien

Capt. John Gorham was the ancestor of the numerous families of the surname of
Gorham in New England. His descent is traced from De Gorran de la Tannerie, near
Gorram in Maine on the border of Brittany. Several of the members removed to England
in the eleventh century, during the reign of “William the Conqueror.” Many of the name
were men of note, but his immediate ancestors appear not to have enjoyed the same
celebrity. Gorham, Maine, granted in 1728 to heirs of soldiers in Narragansett Indian
War was named for Capt. John Gorham who was an early inhabitant.
One of his descendants was Phineas Gorham, my great-great-great grandfather.
The inscription on his gravestone in the old Bridgewater cemetery reads:
“In memory of Phineas Gorham who died Feb. 2, 1842 aged 84 years. As a
soldier of the Revolution he nobly served his country and lived to see and for a time
enjoy what he so much desired and what he struggled hard to gain—the independence
of our nation. “
Thus, in a similar manner, several other branches of my family came to this
country and their descendants still live here to this present day.
Nathanial Foote and his wife Elizabeth Deming, came to Watertown, Mass.
before 1634 with a family of six. He was a first cousin of Sir Thomas Foote, Lord Mayor
of London 1649-50. He is supposed to be one of the first ten men known as adventurers
who settled at Wethersfield, Conn. After his death his wife married Thomas Helles,
afterward governor of Connecticut.
Nathaniel Foote’s granddaughter, Elizabeth Foote, married Daniel Belden,
a grandson of Richard Belden, one of the first settlers of Wethersfield. On Sept. 16,

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Truman Warner High School Essay
Truman Warner Collection, Western Connecticut State University Haas Library
Transcription from Script November 2010
Ruth A. Gyure, Karin Mansberg, Emily Roehler, Katie O’Brien

1696, an attack by bloodthirsty Indians was made upon Daniel’s home. His wife,
Elizabeth, and some of their children, were killed. He, with two or three children, was
taken prisoner and carried into Canada. After two years of suffering he was released
and then appointed on the Committee of Fortifications in the war with Col. Sheldon.
Of course all of a person’s ancestors are not especially great and do not
have some remarkable event occur in their lives. I, like everyone else, have many of
these. One is Henry Gregory who resided in Springfield, Mass, before 1643. By
occupation he was a shoemaker. When he lived in Stratford, Conn his workmanship
was complained o, at which time he was stricken of as an old man. His son John,
followed in his footsteps and became a shoemaker like his father. On Feb 24, 1644/5 he
was admitted as a member of the New Haven Court, but he soon moved to Norwalk.
John’s son, Judah, was one of the original eight that settled our own
Danbury. His older brother, Jachin, was my grandfather’s seven times removed making
Judah my great – great – great – great – great - great - great –great – great uncles.
Another one of my ancestors was Captain George Lanberton who perhaps
can be called famous if you are interested in sea life. He was in command of the
phantom Ship which left New Haven in January 1647 for England. Nothing was ever
heard of the ship, but in the following June, after a severe thunders storm, “about and
hour before sunset, a ship of like dimensions with the aforesaid, with her canvas and
colors abroad (the wind northerly), appeared in the air coming up from our harbor’s
mouth, which lyes southward from the town, seemingly with her sails filled under a fresh
gale, holding her course north, and continuing under observation sailing against the

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Truman Warner High School Essay
Truman Warner Collection, Western Connecticut State University Haas Library
Transcription from Script November 2010
Ruth A. Gyure, Karin Mansberg, Emily Roehler, Katie O’Brien

wind for the space of half an hour. Many were drawn to befold (sic) this great worth of
god; yeah, the very children cryed (sic) out, “There’s a brave ship! - - - Mr. Davenport
also in publick(sic) declared to this effect. “That God had condescended for the quieting
of their affected spirits, this extraordinary account of his sovereign disposal of those for
whom so many fervent prayer were made continually.”
Francis Brewster, my grandfather eight times removed was also lost on
the Phantom Ship. He was a well to do merchant and was dignified with the prefix of
respect (“Mur.”_ which at that period was applied only to men of birth and breeding. All
of Mr. Brewster’s children were born before New Haven was founded. His son Nathaniel
was born not later than 1618 and was graduated from Harvard in 1642. The civil War
broke out in England about this time, remaining as long as the Puritans were in control.
After the Restoration, he came back to New England. In 1655 he went to Ireland, and
not long after married a daughter of Roger Ludlow, the founder of Fairfield. After she
died he married Abigail Reynes from whom I’m descended. The names of two more of
my ancestors, Matthew Marvin and Richard Seymore, are to be found on the monument
in memory of “The Founders of Hartford” at Hartford, CT.
The Seymours were a family of great family of antiquity in England.
Richard came from Chelmsford Co, Essex, England and was one of those to receive
land by the courtesy of the town. He was one of the segments of the agreement for the
planting of Norwalk June 1650 and was assigned lot #2 there. The john Gregory
mentioned before received lot #1.

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Truman Warner High School Essay
Truman Warner Collection, Western Connecticut State University Haas Library
Transcription from Script November 2010
Ruth A. Gyure, Karin Mansberg, Emily Roehler, Katie O’Brien

Matthew Marvin was baptized in England in 1600 and died in Norwalk
1680. It is interesting to read “Names of persons permitted to embark at the port of
London after X-mas 1634. These parties are to be transported to New England in the
“Increase” Matthew Marvin age 35 for Elizabeth Marvin age 31 – their child Hannah ½.
years old. This is found in a M.S. folio at the Augmentation office under the date of April
15, 1634. They lived at Hartford, later coming to Norwalk. He was one of the most
distinguished Norwalk fathers, and Assistant magistrate.
And so down through the generations came all types of people – Benjamin
Ruggles a Revolutionary soldier, George Bratton, a soldier in the civil War, who died at
the Lincoln Hospital Washington, D.C. from the wounds received shortly before; Liut.
Samuel Smith who built and was part owner of the vessel. “Tryal,” the first ship built in
the Connecticut colony; my grandfather, Theodore Harner, one of the old time hatters
and my other grandfather, George Bratton, who was a foreman in one of the old
hatshops now gone.
On a cold, clear day, Jan 2, 1920, I myself was born, the only son of
Truman Warner Sr. and Eva Bratton, the thirteenth generation in this country, perhaps
inheriting some of those characteristics that made my forefathers the people that they
were. As was natural, no great historical event occurred in my life during those first few
years after my birth. Under the guidance of the prevailing New England customs (quite
different than those under which my early English, French and Scotch ancestors had
lived) I enjoyed a happy and healthy infancy.

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Truman Warner High School Essay
Truman Warner Collection, Western Connecticut State University Haas Library
Transcription from Script November 2010
Ruth A. Gyure, Karin Mansberg, Emily Roehler, Katie O’Brien

Glancing through my “baby books” one of those immature biographies of my
baby days, I’ve observed that when I was born my weight was seven and a half pounds
(quite a difference from the 140 [or more] that I weigh now) and that my first real outing
was on May 30, 1920. My first picture by a photographer was taken when I was exactly
1 year old. Incidentally in this same book I found a lock of my hair cut off long ago. It
was light brown in color and gave me quite a jolt because until then I hadn’t realized
(sic) that my hair hadn’t always been the very dark brown, almost black, that it is now.
I always greatly enjoyed being on friendly terms with my neighbors. On one
occasion while I was still very tiny standing up in my crib I was engaged in a most
animated conversation with the lady next door. However, the curtain being in the way, I
pushed it roughly aside and continued on. I was still jabbering excitedly away but the
bothersome curtain had not fared so well. It was in shreds.
It was in this self same crib that I first publically exhibited my athletic prowess.
Jumping up and down, attempting to see how high I could go, I took one tremendous
bound and up I sailed over the side and dropped with a thud on the floor. My wails
fetched the rest of the family. Luckily, however, it was found that I wasn’t badly hurt only
shaken up and frightened. This shows what good material I must be made of!
From all reports it seems that I was quite a lively little fellow. I absolutely refused
to be held in anyone’s lap. If they wouldn’t let me down I squirmed and cried till they
decided it was the best thing to do. When my mother was busy she would put me into
my play pen in the living room, and then go about her work. I however discontented by
myself, would twist and turn the pen through the hall that connected the parlor with the

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Truman Warner High School Essay
Truman Warner Collection, Western Connecticut State University Haas Library
Transcription from Script November 2010
Ruth A. Gyure, Karin Mansberg, Emily Roehler, Katie O’Brien

dining room, When ,mother would turn about there I would be greeting her with a broad
impish grin.
Even before I was old enough to go to school I always wanted to attend. One day
when o was coming home with mother from shopping down town we passed new street
school just as the children were going home for lunch. As soon as we arrived at our
house I snatched a book and raced as fast as I possibly could down the street with
mother at my heels. When she finally caught me and tried to explain that I couldn’t go to
school I answered glibly “I CAN go to school! They’ll let me come if I’ve got a book” but
I guess my arguments weren’t persuasive enough for I didn’t continue on my journey.
However a few years after this escapade I entered the first grade of Lincoln ave.
school. After completing the fourth grade here I went to new street for the fifth through
seventh grades, at Main Street for the eight. Now I am in my sophomore year at D.H.S.
In the first grade I learned one of the greatest lessons ever taught. We had a
substitute teacher taking the place of Miss Waters for the day. When we came to the
spelling lesson the words seemed rather hard and so I surreptitiously copied down the
words on a tiny piece of paper as she explained them on the board. During the written
lesson on the pretenses of looking for an eraser I would peek into the desk and copy
them from the paper. But for some reason (perhaps for the too frequent searches) I
foiled to fool the teacher. She stalked haughtily up to my desk tore up the paper and
tossed it into the basket and so I failed to receive my star for the day, a thing every pupil
strived hard to obtain. Right then and there I was taught the truth in the axiom “honesty
is the best policy” and since that day I’ve tried to follow that rule diligently.

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Truman Warner High School Essay
Truman Warner Collection, Western Connecticut State University Haas Library
Transcription from Script November 2010
Ruth A. Gyure, Karin Mansberg, Emily Roehler, Katie O’Brien

Recently in the last few years I have won several types of prizes. When I was in
eighth grade I won the D.A.R education contest by reciting “I am an American” by Chas
Lieberman. Then in a contest sponsored by Genung’s Department Store, I was awarded
an Inver Johnsons bicycle. These are the only two from which I received any rewards of
this sort but my “Goodwill Letter” written while at Main Street was selected to represent
that school.
Another of my favorite avocations is that of delving into foods of various kinds.
One day when mother was using lemons for some culinary purpose I decided that I
wanted some and so I resorted that age old means of obtaining them-teasing. Finally in
despair she granted my desire, planning to have me suffer their sour consequences,
she believing that I thought they were oranges. Then she nonchalantly continued her
work waiting for my outcry. It was she that received the greatest surprise. When she
turned about I had already finished half the lemon and asked for the other part. I calmly
ate it before her eyes. Needless to say I can’t do this with the same coolness now,
however, for once it seems that you learn how a thing is supposed to taste it tastes that
way whether it really does or not.
Along this same line comes another type of nourishment-water. This was a word
and the only word that I did not say properly after I once began to speak correctly.
Rather than say the simple word water I selected instead from my own private use
“boom boom.” How this originated no one knows, but whenever I wanted some of this
tasty beverage it always was simply “boom boom” no more, no less.

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Truman Warner High School Essay
Truman Warner Collection, Western Connecticut State University Haas Library
Transcription from Script November 2010
Ruth A. Gyure, Karin Mansberg, Emily Roehler, Katie O’Brien

One of my most enjoyable pastimes is traveling. As yet I’ve only been through
most of the New England states, New York and New Jersey. However at every
opportunity I like to be on the go and glad of any chance to journey wherever I can.
I seem to have inherited this eagerness for travel from my grandmother Warner.
She has been over numerous parts of this section and a few years ago when she was
about eighty years old went with my uncle to Niagara Falls and parts of Canada, the
Middle West. She was the most contented on the group and withstood the wear and
tear of the journey much better than all the rest.
She is now eighty four years old and is happier and sprier than many a
great many years younger. Though her eyes are now getting feeble she still keeps up
on the news and all the happenings of the presentday (sic). But her memory is still
keen, and she readily tells how she heard of Lincoln's assassination while she was
weeding in her flower garden first as if she were talking about something that occurred
yesterday.
When I was still rather small I went with mother to New York City to see
the Christmas toys. As we traveled from store to store one great question was prying on
my mind: I couldn't comprehend how Santa Claus could possibly jump to each store and
still be there ahead of me on every visit. My mother wisely did not attempt to solve this
pressing problem but instead sagely offered the suggestion that perhaps some were
Santa's helpers. However, I really had the best fun on the escalator. These moving
stares were a real novelty, and I just was not able to resist the attraction. A few rides
didn't satisfy me. The more I had the more I wanted. In vain my mother tried to dodge

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Truman Warner High School Essay
Truman Warner Collection, Western Connecticut State University Haas Library
Transcription from Script November 2010
Ruth A. Gyure, Karin Mansberg, Emily Roehler, Katie O’Brien

them but as soon as I saw another I would cry with delight, “Here's another ma! Come
on!” And as quick as a flash off I would dart with my mother following lest I be lost. Of
course she had to follow for no one (sic) knows where I should have ended if she
hadn't.
One day, while on a visit to Bronx Park, we stopped before the cage of a
special type of monkey that made a horrible screech (sic). Being something new this
naturally pleased me, and so every time he would squeal I would repeat it after him in
exactly the same manner. After I had done this a few times the people about became
apprehensive, fearing that a monkey was running loose on the grounds. But their fears
were soon turned to laughter when they saw that only a little boy was the cause of their
worry. This, a believer in the theory that all men are descended from monkeys might
take me as an example of the close relationship between the two animals.
If anyone gets hurt it is always I. Throughout my fifteen years it has always
seemed that way. When I was small the various children in the neighborhood rode down
the hill with me on my kiddy car. One eventful day an unexplainable accident occurred,
and in some curious manner we struck the tree in the center of our back yard. All the
others were merely knocked from the wagon but I, in accordance with my usual custom
of being injured, had my leg painfully caught between the tree and the cart. It was near
this same place that I stumbled and fell on the open edge of a tobacco can and cut a
deep gash in my forehead, almost in my eye. The scar remains there to this day.
Accordingly this ill luck has followed me though the years. Last autumn,
while looking for a box in the attic, I ripped open my hand on a (corrugated) fastener.

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Truman Warner High School Essay
Truman Warner Collection, Western Connecticut State University Haas Library
Transcription from Script November 2010
Ruth A. Gyure, Karin Mansberg, Emily Roehler, Katie O’Brien

This wound uncovered the muscles deep in my flesh, but for once Lady Luck smiled
upon me, and they were not out. However, I had to have five stitches taken and carried
my hand in a sling for several days.
Like most other people in my leisure hours I have various pastimes to
claim my attention. One of these is what has often been called the “King of Hobbies,”
stamp collecting. Of course, as far as I know, my collection has no great monetary
value, but the real joy lies in the collecting, not the money concerned. Altogether I have
several thousand stamps.
Another on my vocations is genealogy, which deals in tracing your family
back though the generations. As yet I'm not very apt at doing this, but nevertheless I
have traced back some of the lines to their first arrival in America.
My musical talent (if it may be called that) lies in playing the violin.
However, this trait does not tend to stand out very prominently (sic), for I can't seem to
find time enough to practice (this practicing does not exactly agree with my ideas of a
good time anyway). Still, even though I no longer take lessons I do play in the High
School orchestra as a second violinist.
I'm sorry to say if an athletic coach is looking for a man for his tram he
won't look long in my direction. Even though my third cousin, Karl Warner, is a member
of Yale's track team, is on their crew and has been to Oxford with this and in 1932
participated in the Olympic games at Los Angeles, I don't seem to resemble him in this
respect. My favorite sport is tossup between swimming and tennis (swimming usually
wins, especially on hot summer days). If hiking may be called a sport it comes next

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Truman Warner High School Essay
Truman Warner Collection, Western Connecticut State University Haas Library
Transcription from Script November 2010
Ruth A. Gyure, Karin Mansberg, Emily Roehler, Katie O’Brien

followed by skiing and then skating. Once in a while I am able to hit the ball in a
baseball game, and when I shoot a basket in basketball I consider it a red letter day. All
in all you can see I am not a very skilled athlete, but I keep at it, try my best and have a
good time out of it, which is the most important benefit.
When I leave High School I honestly do not know what I shall do. Perhaps
I will take up a course in architecture or, as some of us boys have now jokingly agreed
to so, go to Normal school. But whatever this experience and education to come
teaches I hope it will make the Truman Warner of the future as good or even better than
that boy of today.
My Life
by Truman Warner