‘Twas days before Christmas and all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, ’twas quiet as a mouse
Folks had been busy, festivities to share
With gingerbread ready for decorating flare
Musicians were tuned up and all set to sing
The treats, they were laid out with more still to bring
The families came showing such laughter and glee
At the sight of the cookies, the cider, the tree
There were friends to converse with and new friends to meet
Join us for our ninth annual Children’s Holiday and Open House. Enjoy an old-fashioned holiday afternoon full of cookie decorating, holiday crafts, roasting chestnuts, live music, storytelling and refreshments. Create winter memories with the whole family! Admission is free.
The Deacon John Grave Foundation was happy to be a part of the Fall Festival again this year. We had a good crowd, great weather, and children and adults enjoyed playing with the games.
The Deacon’s grounds again served as a beautiful setting for the Madison Garden Club’s annual plant sale.
Late April brought nine classes of the town’s second graders to the Deacon John Grave House for the traditional annual visit by that age group.
On April 19th, the Deacon’s homestead hosted one of its own, Jennifer Hadlock, a descendant of John Grave I through the Redfield line. She toured the house and visited the Grave tombstones at the West Cemetery.
On Tuesday, January 14, the 8th grade students from The Country School presented their findings on the life of Prince, a slave who was purchased by the Elias Grave in 1771. Prince served at the Grave House until 1783.
Prince, who was believed to later be known as Prince Wright, lived under enslavement and in freedom in late 1700’s and early 1800’s Connecticut. While it is impossible to know for sure, Prince Wright is likely the same Prince who worked for the Grave family. Although Prince was a very common name for enslaved people, only one Prince lived in Guilford during that time period. Another reason the Country School students think it’s the same person is that Wright was the last name of his first enslaver.
Prince is presumed to have been born in 1758. Before being sold to the Grave family, Prince was enslaved in Killingworth by a man named Benjamin Gale who acquired him from David Wright’s estate. Elias Grave purchased Prince in 1771. From that date until 1783, Prince was enslaved by Elias and lived in the Deacon John Grave House. The student researchers believe that Prince found freedom by 1789. After his release from enslavement, Prince married a woman named Vice in 1807. The couple had a son named Sampson; that son lived in freedom for decades, before passing away in 1848 at the age of 90.
The cold early evening of January 5th brought together the Board and members of the Deacon John Grave House for the warmth of fellowship, the taste of good food, and the joy of music. House decorations lingered from December’s holidays and created a festive scene.
The tables in each downstairs room were spread with sweets, savories, and a choice of beverages.
Board member, Rick Royston, shared the stage with two guest musicians. Courtney Bussman stood in for her father, Jim Bussman, the long-time partner of the popular Rick & Jim musical duo. Experienced musician, Dave Geisler, brought his voice and guitar to create a trio. Board member, Henry Griggs, contributed to the evening’s entertainment by singing with the trio for a specialty number.
During a musical break, Board President, Terry Roberts, held a brief members’ meeting for the Deacon.
Following the interlude, the audience returned to the enjoyment of seasonal music and classic folk-rock.
