Sylvania City Council Meeting April 21, 2003

My parents, Richard and Mary Lathrop, my wife Amy and myself were invited to the council meeting by the friends of the house. The friends treated us to dinner to our surprise! They told us about the history of the home and family and the debate over the home. We had our picture taken by the home and then went to the council meeting. There were a hundred or more people present. From what I observed the opposing people did not sit with the supporters. The lawyer for the church got the crowed stirred up the most. There were many boos from the crowd against the council's actions. The council is willing to work with the friends but from what I observed the lawyer is not. I am not certain if he is honestly representing the parish's interests. From what I observed the parish is bitterly split on the issue. Our family's history  has caused great grief to this parish. The friends are confident that a compromise can be achieved, possibly leaving the home where it is on the smallest parcel of land needed by the home. The option of moving the home is still discussed however as is demolition. We decided it was best to be neutral based on the bitter feuding. My father and I spoke and we said; 

"The Lathrop family is grateful to the community of Sylvania for their efforts to preserve the home and we're hopeful that the differences that have befallen your parish will be resolved and we're pleased that your parish is growing and we wish you the best" 

The audience applauded us. The arguing seemed to settle down. Once the meeting was over I stood by the door and offered "peace" to those willing to receive it. I don't think that it would be in our best interests to engage in the argument. We should possibly just offer aid when asked and show our gratitude to the community. I'm confident that if we make our presence known and show our support for their parish's aspirations that they will return in kind.

This is the "Lathrop way", I believe.

Robert Lathrop

Toledo Blade 4/14/2003

Lathrop family would be grateful

The extended Lathrop family commends the community of Sylvania for its efforts to preserve the Lathrop house. We hope that Sylvania will cherish its home as the citizens of Barnstable, Mass., cherish theirs. The city of Barnstable is home to our nation's oldest community library, the Sturgis library built in 1639.

The city's historical collections are held in the home built by the grandfather of the Lathrops of Sylvania, the Rev. John Lothropp, a founding father of the Congregationalist church in America. The Lathrops of Sylvania certainly maintained our family tradition of upholding the word of God by their actions in the Underground Railroad.

The extended Lathrop family would be grateful to Sylvania if it decides to preserve the home by any means and preserve the memory of one family's devotion to the word of God.

We hope that the community will take pride in knowing that many years ago a good deed occurred in that house and so would serve as an inspiration to the community and the church.

                ROBERT LATHROP
                South Lyon, Mich.