Enfield Plans To Rededicate Historic Monument

ENFIELD, CT — A monument honoring the drummer remembered for alerting Enfield residents to the start of the Revolutionary War is scheduled for rededication next month.

The town’s America250 Coordinating Committee lists the Abbey Monument rededication for Saturday, Oct. 17, at 11 a.m. in its Sept. 24 meeting agenda.

The Captain Thomas Abbey Memorial stands in front of Enfield Congregational Church at 1295 Enfield St. It was dedicated Nov. 4, 1916, making this fall’s ceremony nearly 110 years after the original dedication.

The planned rededication follows a restoration effort announced by the Penelope Terry Abbey Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution. As Patch previously reported, the chapter partnered with Enfield-based Rogers Memorial Studio on the project as part of the town’s celebration of America’s 250th anniversary.

Abbey’s place in local history comes from an account passed down through generations.

According to the Enfield Historical Society, tradition holds that Abbey interrupted a sermon on April 20, 1775, by marching around the meetinghouse and beating his drum after news of the fighting at Lexington and Concord reached town. Seventy-four volunteers led by Major Nathaniel Terry marched for Boston the next day.

The monument depicts Abbey with a drum at his feet. A National Register of Historic Places nomination identifies the sculptor as Sherry Fry and describes a marble figure on a granite base, surrounded by four sections of a circular marble bench. Inscriptions recount the lives of Abbey and members of his family.

The committee’s September agenda also lists a legacy tree and plaque, along with the question of whether additional funding is needed. It does not specify a cost, location or funding amount for that project.

A speaker lineup and other ceremony details are not included in the agenda.

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