480 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF 



dwell on an enthusiastic recital of his courageous deeds and kindly nature. 

 Gathered around the grave were little groups that recalled the lines written nearly 

 forty years ago : 



"And then the humble poor will come 

 In that far-distant day, 

 And from the felon's nameless grave 



They'll brush the leaves away ; 

 And gray old men will point the spot 



Beneath's the maple's shade, 

 As children ask with streaming eyes 

 Where old John Brown is laid." 



The occasion was also deemed a proper one for the unveiling of a large monu- 

 mental stone which had just been erected on the grounds in commemoration of the 

 deed of gift conveying the property to the State. This monument consists of a huge 

 block of granite, nine feet in height and four feet square. Three of its sides present 

 an unfinished surface of broken rock; on the front is a large polished panel, on 

 which is chiselled this inscription ; 



JOHN BROWN'S FARM. 



Donated to the People of the 



State of New York 



BY 



Kate Field, 

 LeGrand B. Cannon, 

 Salem H. Wales, 

 William H. Lee, 

 Simeon B. Chittenden, 

 D. R. Martin, 

 Jackson S. Schultz, 

 Isaac Sherman, 

 Elliot C. Cowdin, 

 Sinclair Tousey, 



A. D. 1S96. 



Anna Quincy Waterston, 

 Isaac H. Bailey, 

 Henry Clews, 

 Charles Stewart Smith, 

 George Cabot Ward, 

 George A. Robbins, 

 Charles C. Judson, 

 Horace B. Claflin, 

 John E. Williams, 

 Thomas Murphy. 



This stone stands outside the little enclosure in which the grave is situated. It was 

 erected on a large granite boulder whose surface, at a proper height above the sur- 

 rounding turf, furnished a solid and appropriate foundation. Previous to the assem- 

 bling of the people it was draped with a large United States flag which concealed it 

 from view. 



The lofty flagstaff, hewn from a tall spruce that grew on the farm, was quickly 

 raised and put in place ; and then the flag was run up by Commissioner Thompson 



