At an early hour in the morning, the ceremonies were inaugurated by the raising of a beautiful bunting flag on the pole in front of Eagle Engine House, by two of the oldest inhabitants of Westfall Township. Following this was the firing of cannon on “Taylor’s Bluff” and a profuse display of flags by the citizens generally.
A half hour later Maghogomock Hook and Ladder Company of this village, numbering about 25 members, and Excelsior Engine Company No.1, of Germantown, numbering 30 men, headed by the Susquehanna Cornet Band, and accompanied by a large number of citizens from this place and Germantown, went across the bridge and finally the crowd increased to fifteen hundred persons, a fair number for a little village like Matamoras.
Long before the exercises of the day had commenced all available space on the streets, verandahs, in windows and on roofs along the line of the proposed march was occupied by expectant people, “gay in holiday attire,” awaiting the initiatory proceedings. It was considerable after ten when the column was in readiness to move over the route which had previously been marked out for it. The march was taken up and continued amid the plaudits of the masses that had assembled to witness it, and was the finest civic display ever witnessed in Matamoras.
The clouds had been dispersed by the sun, which seemed to catch not a little of the fire of the Centennial, and responded with a most genial outpouring. Still a cool breeze stirred the foliage, fanned perspiring humanity, and gently unfurled the hundreds of flags that were conspicuous in the village, and waved them over the inspiring scene.
Rev. Mr. Monroe of Port Jervis invoked the divine blessing in a brief and beautiful prayer. After this Mr. Augustus Brown, President of the day, introduced Dr. J. S. Potter, of Matamoras, as the orator of the day. … Next came the reading of the Declaration of Independence, which was done by James W. Quick. The band then discoursed some very fine music, after which Dr. Solomon Van Etten, of this village, was called on for a speech.
The line was then reformed and marched to Eagle Engine Company’s house when a bountiful repast was served, in which all the paraders shared. After the above ceremonials were over, the vast concourse of people joined the ceaseless throngs on the different streets, and sought enjoyment where it could be found.
An ice cream and strawberry festival under the management and auspices of the Matamoras Sunday school, was in operation during the day and evening and was liberally patronized.
Notwithstanding the large and miscellaneous
crowd of people at the great Centennial celebration in the village of Matamoras,
July 4th 1876, remarkable good order was maintained, and with the exception
of one or two drunken brawls, everything passed off pleasantly. The several
committees and officers of the day deserve great credit for the able manner in
which they performed their duties, and thanks of the place are due all those
who so kindly consented to be present and assist in the celebration.”
Excerpted from: "A Hundred Years. A Nation's Celebration" Tri-states Union, July 07, 1876. https://nyshistoricnewspapers.org/lccn/sn83031675/1876-07-07/ed-1/seq-1/
George Bradford Brainerd (American, 1845-1887). 4th of July Celebration at Matamoras, Pennsylvania, July 4, 1876. Collodion silver glass wet plate negative Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn Museum/Brooklyn Public Library, Brooklyn Collection. https://www.brooklynmuseum.org/opencollection/objects/191931
