Hezekiah Bradley Loomis, one of the Founders, penned the Family Testimonial in 1878. The family gathered in Windsor on the first anniversary of their brother James’ death to sign this document. These words continue to resonate with significance more than 100 years later.
 

Somewhere near the termination of the year 1871, or the beginning of 1872, a sentiment, born of the strong natural love and sympathy between us, and intensified by the loss of all our children, crystallized into a desire to leave some memento of our lives, failing the natural one of succession; and this finally took the form of a free educational establishment, called the Loomis Institute.

Those of us now living, admonished by the death of our brothers, James and Samuel, that whatever we wish to do, or make known, must be done now; and desiring to make a record of our united sentiments for ourselves, and all who in the future may be interested in the story of the love and tenderness we bear to each other, moving us to stand together, supporting at the close of our lives a common purpose, pledge ourselves to the support, care and personal comfort of each other, and to remain true and signally faithful to the Loomis Institute, acknowledging and accepting the duties incident, cheerfully, lovingly and devotedly; so that nothing short of death shall divert us from our purpose of mutual support; hoping and trusting that some good may come to posterity, from the harvest, poor though it may be, of our lives.

Windsor Conn Monday April 29, 1878

H.B. Loomis
Euphemia A. Loomis
Osbert B. Loomis
H. Sidney Hayden
Abby L. Hayden
John Mason Loomis