Matthew Long - Revolutionary Soldier

Bronze Marker Erected

Daughters of the American Revolution

Honor Grave of Revolutionary Soldier

Afton Enterprise, August 19, 1915

An interesting history of pioneer life in this state was brought out when the grave of Matthew long was marked at Afton [Chenango Co., NY] by Gen. William Floyd Chapter, D.A.R., of Boonville, N.Y.  The exercises were held Friday p.m., August 13th, 1915, in the Baptist cemetery and largely attended by people of the vicinity and many Daughters of the American Revolution.  The program opened with reading from the D.A.R. ritual by Mrs. I.G. Sawyer, Regent of the Gen. William Floyd Chapter.  Mrs. A.C. Capron, ex-Regent acted as chaplain.

 

The marker was placed by a great granddaughter, Mrs. Margaret Landers of Sanford who also read a sketch of the soldier's life. Frank Peck of Bainbridge, a great grandson, unfurled the flag.  Mrs. D.G. Sawyer gave, in an admirable manner, the Regents' Address of Greeting.

 

Afton was greatly honored by the presence of Mrs. Benjamin F. Spraker, New York State Regent of Palantine Bridge, N.Y., who delighted her hearers with a speech telling much of interest of the work in Patriotic Education that the D.A.R. are doing.

 

Mrs. Frances W. Roberts, Honorary State Regent, of Utica, N .Y., gave a splendid address on Historic Sites.  Many remember Mrs. Roberts as a delightful visitor here two years ago when the grave of Ebenezer Landers was marked.

 

Most excellent remarks were made by the following:  Attorney G.A. Haven, Past Commander of Vanderburg Post, G.A.R., Mr. Hiram Partridge, Past W.M. of Afton Masonic Lodge, Mrs. Jennie Reed, Vice President of the Woman's Relief Corps, Rev. C.O. Fuller, Pastor of the Baptist church, Mrs. Fred Bullen, of Chicago a descent of Matthew Long, and Dr. J.J. Francis, Pastor of the Presbyterian church.  The audience joined in singing Patriotic songs including America, Red White and blue and our National Hymn.

 

At the conclusion of the program at the cemetery, a reception, in honor of the State Officers, was held at the home of Mrs. Fred Church, Regent of Cunahunta Chapter of Afton.  In the receiving line besides Mrs. Church were Mrs. B.F. Spraker, State Regent, Mrs. Frances W. Roberts, Chairman of Preservation of Historic Spots, Mrs. I.G. Sawyer, Mrs. Bullen and Mrs. Capron.

 

After a pleasant social hour fifty-six guests sat down to a dainty luncheon served by members of Cunahunta Chapter. At a large table in the dining room were the guests of honor which included Mrs. Spraker, Mrs. Roberts, Mrs. Sawyer, Mrs. Rowe, Regent of Oneonta Chapter, Mrs. Powell, Vice Regent of Are-by-on-let Chapter of Franklin, Mrs. Reed Captain John Harris Chapter of Norwich, Miss Ford, Regent Tuscarora Chapter of Binghamton, Miss Hollis, Ex-Regent Tianderah Chapter of Gilbertsville, Mrs. Bullen of Chicago, Miss Janet Juliand of Bainbridge, Mrs. Seely, Ex-Regent Cunahunta Chapter and Mrs. Church. The other guests were served at small tables in the living room, hall and library....

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Matthew Long

Afton Enterprise, August 26, 1915

 

Paper read at the marking of the grave of Matthew long in Afton, August 13, 1915.

 

This soldier of the Revolution whom we honor today was born near Hopkinton, Mass.  He was the son of John and Mary Taft Long, and he opened his eyes to the light of day on the 7th of September, 1757.

 

He is recorded in both Hopkinton and Medway with the intention of marriage on the 11th of February 1779, with Betty Howes of the latter place.

 

He served in the war of the Revolution as a private in Capt. Isaac Martin's Co., Col. Eyra Wood's regiment.  The company marched to Rhode Island on the 17th of April, 1777, and served until May 7th, under Major General Spencer.  The roll call was sworn to at Boston.  He also served in Capt. Martin's Co. in Col. Joseph Whitney's regiment from May until July under Gen. Spencer, in Rhode Island.  He was paid not only for his services but for the journey to the place of destination and return home, 85 miles.  After his marriage he seems to have removed to the state of Vermont for we find him in the first U.S. Census in 1790, living in the town of Wilmington, Windham Co., with four children. About 1800 he came to Afton and was one of the first settlers on the spot that is called "Long Hill," where he owned a square mile of land.  I find in my father's diary this mention of him.  "Major Mathew Long was universally believed by all that knew him; he was benevolent in heart, affable in his manners, sincere and devoted in his religion, industrious in his habits, charitable in his feelings and generous almost to a fault in his gifts to the poor and for public improvements.  He filled several offices of trust within the gift of his townspeople with honor to himself and to the satisfaction of all concerned."

 

The only relic that is left to know of this good man is the handwriting on a paper dated July, 1817, during his term of office as justice of the peace.  Mathew Long's wife, who was Betty Howes, lived to a great age.  I can remember when she was over ninety years and had reached her second childhood.  She sat in a great winged chair and the whole family was anxiously waiting on her.

 

I was very much afraid of her and hid behind a door during our visit.  Mathew Long was one of the presiding officers of the Universalist church here, which was incorporated in 1818.  He was also a soldier of the war of 1812 and served as a private in Capt. George Knox McRay's company of artillery from December, 1812 to April 1813.

 

On his grave stone there is an emblem which tells that he belonged to the Free Masons.  He died in Afton on the 21st of December, 1821.  His children were 11 in number, James, Ezra, Eliza, Patty, Nancy, Polly Philene, Electa, Hiram, Lewis and Wrexaville.  His descendants, who erect this marker, are glad to do  honor to his memory.  And the Daughters of the American Revolution feel proud to pay tribute to the heroes of 1776, who fought that we might enjoy the freedoms won.  Fearful as war is, there are times when it seems to be the only way.  When the great sacrifice of life and treasure opens the door for the betterment of humanity.

 

Let us pray that this terrible war now filling our hearts with horror, may be like the struggle of our forefathers, for the freedom of the people, forever.

 

Margaret Landers Sanford, Clinton, N.Y.