Philip Long Play

NARRATOR 1: Philip Long was a hero of the Revolutionary War. That’s the war that made our country free. Matter of fact, Philip Long is buried here at the Ste. Luce Cemetery. Let’s find out how come. Here’s his story.

NARRATOR 2: Philip Long is believed to have been born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1757. We know he was in Philadelphia at age 18, as the word spread that the country was going to war. Philadelphia was a city with many merchants doing business with the British. Most merchants remained loyal to the King of England. That’s why they were known as Loyalists.

PHILIP: Good day, Suzanna! There’s so much talk about war now. What does your brother think of this independence talk?

SUZANNA: My brother, Tom,  thinks there’s no way a small bunch of revolutionists can win the war against a big country like England. Tom joined the King’s American Regiment. I think his red coat is so cute and stylish!

PHILIP: Well, I think I’ll join the King’s American Regiment too.

NARRATOR 1: Philip goes to sign up to serve as a Red Coat.

SIGN-UP OFFICER:Hello, good fellow. We need more volunteers and are looking for a few good men to fight that group of Revolutionaries. Did you come to volunteer?

PHILIP. I sure did.

SIGN-UP OFFICER: Here’s your red coat.

PHILIP: Thanks!

2nd OFFICER: Please come here sir: We need some very special soldiers to join our group called the Dragoons. The job of the Dragoons is pretty dangerous. A Dragoon soldier needs to spy on the Revolutionaries. You look like you’d be perfect for this job.

PHILIP: Count me in! I like to travel and I like adventure!

NARRATOR 2: It was 1781 when Philip joined the Dragoons. He soon became a hero for the Loyalist army. He stole secret documents from the revolutionists. After the war, Philip moved to Canada, a country under British rule. The British government offered him a parcel of land along the St. John River.

GOVERNMENT OFFICER: Philip, you were a real help during the war. We’d like to reward you by giving you a piece of land. We have land near the St. John River.

PHILIP: Oh! No thank you! I want to live where there’s more people. I’m going to Quebec.

(Philip walks and comes to a sign that says QUEBEC CITY)

NARRATOR 1: Philip must have liked Quebec. He stayed there for 5 years. In 1792 he marries Julie Depres, the daughter of a French Canadian Nobleman. Three years later he lives in L’Ile Verte with his growing family.

JULIE: Philip, I like our new home. This is such a nice place to farm. This year I’ll plant our garden over there. Judith can help me plant and Constance will help me feed the animals.

JUDITH: Dad, are you leaving again? Sometimes Constance and I get scared at night. I hear all kinds of animal noises.

CONSTANCE: Yes Daddy, I hear those noises too!

PHILIP: Ma chere Judith et ma chere Constance. You know I have to deliver mail. Those noises you hear at night are your friends bidding you goodnight. I’ll be back soon and will bring both of you a maple sugar treat.

JUDITH AND CONSTANCE: Thank you daddy! Have a good trip!

JULIE: Bye, Philip!

NARRATOR 2: In 1809 Philip and his family move to Tamiscouta, Quebec. His home serves as a station for travelers and couriers. Philip’s l3th and last child is born in this place.

JULIE: Judith, I see some travelers coming. We need to make a big supper.

JUDITH: I’ll start a slab of ham cooking. Constance, you can peel the potatoes and help me set the table.

CONSTANCE: I love having company. I hope there’s a girl my age in that group.

JULIE: Jean, go get some wood so we can keep the house warm tonight. Some of you may have to sleep on the floor and give your beds to the visitors.

JEAN: They can have my bed. I like sleeping near the fire. Phillippe come with me so we can bring in lots of wood..

PHILLIPPE: I’ll help you with the wood. I can sleep on the floor near the fire too. Mom may I use that nice quilt you just finished making? It looks so warm!

JULIE: Sure, Phillippe, you can have the quilt. I made this one just for you. The others have their own quilts.

EMMANUEL: I’ll go milk the cow so we can have fresh milk for our guests. I hope they cooperate this time!   Everyone sings Je vais a l’etable pour tirer la vache.

(A knock on the door as the travelers arrive.)

TRAVELERS: We’ve been walking for a long time. We’re so cold and tired! Can we come in?

JULIE:  Bonjour! Rentrez! Do come in and warm up. I have some nice hot tea for you. We’re preparing supper right now and we’ll eat in less than an hour!

GIRLS SET THE TABLE. Visitors and family sit down to eat.

NARRATOR 1: Around 1828 Philip and his family decide to leave Temiscouata and move to a fertile piece of land along the St. John River near what is Clair, New Brunswick today. They build their home. There are very few people around.

NARRATOR 2: Philip lives here for the next 5 years. On Christmas Day in 1832, war hero and postman, Philip Long, dies at his home. Philip Long was a modest man whose exploits went unnoticed upon his death. On December 29 his remains were transported to the only cemetery in the area, the one at Ste. Luce here in Frenchville.

NARRATOR 1: In 1857 Julie Depres Long died and was buried with her husband. Philip and Julie’s headstone are in the older part of the cemetery next to the Church. Philip Long was a man of conviction and his strength of purpose and his willingness to see a job through to completion are what we celebrate today. We remember him as an ancestor and a role model.

EVERYONE:. Rest in peace Philip Long! (Bow.)