USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Abington > Celebration of the one hundred an fiftieth anniversary of the incorporation of Abington, Massachusetts, June 10, 1862, including the oration, poem and other exercises > Part 1
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Gc 974.402 Ab58a 1779085
M. L.
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
Go
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01101 2314
CELEBRATION
OF THE
150 -
One Hundred and fiftieth Anniversary
OF THE
INCORPORATION OF ABINGTON,
MASSACHUSETTS,
June 10, 1862;
INCLUDING THE
ORATION, POEM, AND OTHER EXERCISES.
7
BOSTON: WRIGHT & POTTER, PRINTERS, 4 SPRING LANE. 1862.
1779085
1:
F 84401 .015
Abington, Mass.
Celebration of the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the incorporation of Abington, Massachusetts, June 10, 1562; including the oration, poem, and other exercises. Boston, Wright & Potter, printers, 1862.
111 p., 1 1. front. (plan) 233cm.
SHELF CARD
1
1. Abington, Mass .- Hist. -
Library of Congress
`74.A1C3 [29c1]
1-11204
₹ 1 (
34
Hingham.
Dorchester
D.C. Line
Formerly Abinoton Row N. Bridge-
water
6 mile Line.
E WAT
Beaver Brook
Surveyed by
August 9th 1706
White Out Omn through
Great Pine.
Crooked White Oak
Formerly Apator How Hansop.
White week
1
Majors Purchase.
Copied from the Original Plan on a reduced scale
June 10@1862 by Isque Hersey.
Braintree
Weymouth
Accord Pondy
.*
SAMUEL THAXTER,
R Wheel Det.
ABINGTON ..
PLAN OF
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2009 with funding from Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center
http://www.archive.org/details/celebrationofone00inbost
ERRATA.
On page 9, in list of Assistant-Marshals, for "Josiah Soule," road Josiah Soule, Jr. ; and for " Willlam Pool," read WHlilam E. Pool.
On page 33, in Note, for " David Holbrook," read Zenas Holbrook.
ABINGTON, June 11, 1862.
Rev. E. PORTER DYER :-
Dear Sir, -At a meeting of the Committee of Arrangements, held this day, it was voted, unanimously, "That the thanks of the Committee be presented to Rev. E. P. Dyer for the able and pleasing Address delivered by him on the One Hundred and Fiftieth Anniversary of the Incorporation of the Town of Abington, and that a copy of the same be requested for publication." In the hope that you will find it convenient to comply with the above request,
I remain, your obedient servant,
ISAAC HERSEY, Secretary.
IlisonAM, June 13, 1862. ISAAC HERSEY, ESq .:-
Dear Sir, -The Address of which you are pleased to request a copy for the press, was imperfectly prepared amid the pressure of other labors, and, as you know, at brief notice. I would it were worthy the thanks you are pleased to express, and worthier the perusal of those who may hereafter interest themselves in the history of my native town. Such as it is, with all its imperfections, I submit it to you for publication as you request, in the humble hope that its historical facts, gathered from various sources, may be of some future interest to the citizens of Abington.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
E. PORTER DYER.
CONTENTS.
Page.
INTRODUCTORY, . . . . ·
7
OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES, . .
8 . ORDER OF PROCESSION,
. 11
INTRODUCTORY ADDRESS, BY HON. LEVI REED, . . .
. 11
HYMN, BY MRS. E. L. CUMMINGS, OF MEDFORD, .
.
. 18
ORATION, BY REV. E. PORTER DYER, OF HINGHAM,
. 19
ADDRESS OF WELCOME, BY HION. LEVI REED, .
. 16
REMARKS BY HIS EXCELLENCY GOVERNOR ANDREW, .
. 17
POEM, BY JAMES WILSON WARD, JR. ESQ., OF GUILFORD, CONN .. .
REMARKS BY HON. BENJAMIN HOBART,
. 61
ILIMIN, BY REV. H. D. WALKER, .
. 70
REMARKS BY REV. H. D. WALKER, . . 71
BY CHARLES F. DENBAR, ESQ., or BOSTON, 71
BY REV. ISAAC C. WHITE, OF PLYMOUTH, . 77
BY REV. E. PORTER DYER, OF HINGHAM, .
. 70
BY WILLIAM D. COOLIDGE. ESQ., OF NEWTON, 83
BY REV. JOSEPH CREUORE, . .
BY REV. HENRY 1. EDWARDS. . .
BY B. F. Permisos. E.g., . .
.
. 02
.
HYMN OF WELCOME, BY REV. H. D. WALKER,
. 16
BY REV. F. R. ABBE, . . 67
·
6
CONTENTS.
VOLUNTEER SENTIMENTS,
Page. 94
LETTER FROM SETH HOBART WHITE, ESQ., OF DELILI, N. Y., 95
FROM REV. JOSEPH PETTEE, . 97
PROM ELLIS AMES, ESQ., OF CANTON, . 99
TROM REV. JACOB WHITE, OF WEST BRIDGEWATER, . 99
APPENDIX,
101
ABINGTON
SEMI-CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
In the warrant for a Town Meeting, to be held at the Town Hall in Abington, on the 28th of April, 1862. the following article was inserted, viz. :-
" To see if the Town will take measures to celebrate the One Hundred and Fiftieth Anniversary of the Incorporation of the Town of Abington."
At the meeting thus called, the following resolves were offered by Hon. LEVI REED, and adopted :-
" Resolved, That as the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the incorporation of this town occurs on the tenth day of Jime next, it is expected that the occasion be noticed by a public celebration which shall commemorate an event so important in our history.
" Resolved, That the Selectmen, with nine others, to be nominated by them, be a committee to make all necessary arrangements for such a celebration, with full power to procure an Orator and Music ; and to make such provisions for the accommodation of the public as they shall judge best."
In accordance with the foregoing resolves, the fol- lowing named persons were chosen to act with the Selectmen :-
8
ABINGTON SEMI-CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
Levi Reed, Isaac Hersey, Nahum Reed, Abner Curtis, John N. Noyes, James Ford, Sumner Shaw, Meritt Nash, and I. J. Howland .*
The Committee of Arrangements held their first meeting April 30th, and organized by the choice of Hon. LEVI REED as Chairman, and ISAAC HERSEY, Esq., as Secretary.
It was decided to have the celebration at - Island Grove," and a committee, consisting of S. B. Thaxter, John N. Noyes and Meritt Nash, was chosen to make all necessary arrangements with Messrs. Reed and Noyes respecting the Grove.
Rev. E. PORTER DYER, of Hingham, a native of the town, was invited to deliver the Oration, and JAMES WILSON WARD, Jr., Esq., of Guilford, Conn., also a native of the town, was invited to deliver a Poem.
An invitation to be present on the occasion was extended to His Excellency Governor ANDREW, together with his Staff and the Executive Council.
The following were chosen officers of the day :-
PRESIDENT. LEVI REED.
VICE-PRESIDENTS.
ISAAC HERSEY.
MARCUS REED.
BENJAMIN HOBART.
JOSEPH HUNT.
JAMES FORD.
ZENAS JENKINS.
JOSIAH SHAW.
JENKINS LANE.
ASAPH DUNBAR. JARED WHITMAN.
* Subsequently, at a meeting of the "Committee of Arrangements," Mr. Howland declined serving, and Mr. S. N. Cox was chosen to fill the vacancy.
.
INTRODUCTORY PROCEEDINGS. 9
TREASURER. SAMUEL B. THANTER.
CHIEF MARSHAL. SAMUEL B. THAXTER.
ASSISTANT MARSHALS.
JASON HERSEY.
JONATHAN ARNOLD, JR.
DANIEL GLOYD.
JOSHUA CURTIS, JR.
CHARLES BEARCE.
SAMUEL IL. MOKENNEY.
HORACE REED. JOSIAH SOULE.
GRIDLEY T. NASIL.
WILLIAM POOL.
LEANDER CURTIS. CHARLES W. HOWLAND.
TOAST-MASTER. SAMUEL N. COX.
COMMITTEE OF FINANCE.
ZENAS JENKINS. MERITT NASH.
NAHUM REED. JAMES FORD.
COMMITTEE ON MUSIC.
NAHUM REED.
MERITT NASIL.
ZENAS JENKINS.
COMMITTEE OF CORRESPONDENCE.
ISAAC HERSEY. JOIN N. NOYES. SAMUEL B. THANTER.
COMMITTEE TO PRINT THE ORATION, POEM, AND PROCEEDINGS. ISAAC HERSEY. SAMUEL N. COX.
JOIN N. NOYES.
>
10
ABINGTON SEMI-CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
The citizens of Abington never won for themselves more credit than on Tuesday, the 10th day of June, on the occasion of the celebration of the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the incorporation of the town. The day was all that one could wish, bright, cool and airy; and was just one of those days when every thing looks pleasant and lovely. The Natal Day was announced by the ringing of all the bells in town. At an early hour the people were alive to the requirements of the occasion, and began their prepara- tions for the public exercises of the day. Many of the sons and daughters of old Abington from far and near were at home to share in the festivities of the day, and worthily to remember their mother town. The citizens of the town, forgetting their usual avocations, turned out en masse to honor the day; and large delegations from the neighboring towns were present to participate in the exercises of the occasion.
A half past nine. A. M., on the arrival of the morn- ing train from Boston, the escort, consisting of the South Abington Infantry, (Co. E, Fourth Regiment M. V. M .. ) accompanied by the South Abington Band, received His Excellency Governor Andrew, the mem- bers of the Executive Council, the invited guests, and the Committee of Arrangements, at the depot at the C'entre, and proceeded at once to " Hatherly Hall," where, after waiting a few minutes, the Procession was formed in the following order :-
11
THE PROCESSION.
Chief Marshal and Aids. Music. Military Escort.
Aid. President of the Day and His Excellency Governor Andrew. Aid.
The Executive Council.
Members of the State Departments.
Aid.
Orator of the Day and Chaplain. Aid.
Aid.
Poet of the Day and invited Speakers. Soldiers of 1812. Aid.
Members of the Legislature.
Town Officers. Invited Guests.
Vice-Presidents.
Committee of Arrangements. Aid.
Aid. Aid. Pilgrim Royal Arch Chapter. Aid.
John Cutler Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons.
Aid.
Organization of Sons of Temperance. Aid.
School Committee, Teachers, and Children of the Public Schools,
Citizens Generally. Aid. Aid. Aid.
('avaleade. Aid.
Passing through Washington Street, Centre Avenue, and Plymouth Street, the Procession proceeded to " Island Grove," where the exercises of the day were to take place, arriving at precisely the hour ( 11 o'clock.) which had been fixed upon by the Chief Marshal.
Forming as it did one of the essential features of the occasion, the Procession deserves something more than a passing notice.
The South Abington Band furnished good evidence that the reputation of the town for proficiency in music would receive no detriment at their hands.
The military escort for the occasion, (South Abing- ton Infantry,) appearing with full ranks, gained great credit by their fine appearance and soldierly bearing,
12
ABINGTON SEMI-CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
and showed that they were proficient in whatever per- tained to their duties as citizen soldiers.
The veterans of 1812 attracted, as they well deserved, considerable attention. They had gathered, after the lapse of half a century, a goodly number, although their ranks had been sadly thinned by time, to recall the scenes through which they had passed, and by their presence to add to the enjoyment of the hour.
The Masonic Fraternity, numbering some seventy, came out in full regalia. They were accompanied by the Weymouth Band, and formed a very attractive part of the Procession. They carried a beautiful banner with mottoes and devices peculiar to the order.
The "Sons of Temperance " were represented by delegations from the various Divisions in town. They numbered nearly one hundred, and carried the banner of " Home" Division, with the motto . We Lire to Conquer."
The school committee and teachers of the public schools had made every exertion to render that inter- esting part of the Procession-the schools-as attrac- tive as possible, and their success was evident from the encomiums awarded to it by observers.
First came the Centre High School, Mr. L. P. MARTIN, teacher. 50 pupils, with a bammer adorned with a neatly executed lettering of evergreen giving the name of the school, the date of the celebration, and the motto, " Virtus in Actione."
·
13
THE PROCESSION.
The South Abington High School followed, with a banner inscribed with the name of the school, and the motto, " Fortiter, Fideliter, Feliciter." Mr. D. HI. BROWN, teacher, 42 pupils.
Next came the North Abington High School, Mr. J. F. FRYE, teacher, 70 pupils. On their banner was the motto, " Suariter in modo, Fortiter in re." On the reverse was inscribed, " The love of country prevails," with the date of the celebration.
These were followed by the Intermediate Schools as follows :-
Adams Street Intermediate, Miss MARIA J. WALES, teacher, 50 pupils. Motto, " Workers Together."
Plymouth Street Intermediate, Miss MARY E. REED, teacher, 38 pupils. Motto, " Strive for the Right."
Washington Street Intermediate, Miss ELIZABETH B. NASH, teacher, 56 pupils. Motto, " Excelsior," with a painting of the aspiring standard bearer.
School Street Intermediate, Miss ELLEN DYER, teacher, 48 pupils. Motto, " Still Achieving, Still Pursuing."
Hancock Street Intermediate, Miss ABBY D. SEWALL, teacher, 40 pupils. Motto, " Onward, Right Onward."
Ashland Street School, Miss ALICE M. RAYMOND, teacher, 20 pupils. Motto, " Much in Little," with the date.
When the Procession reached the field adjoining the Grove they were joined by the East Abington schools as follows :-
·
14
ABINGTON SEMI-CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
The High School, Mr. B. FULLERTON, teacher, 50 pupils. Motto, " Mens agitat molem ;" on the reverse, a painting, the rising sun.
The three Intermediate Schools-Market Street, Union Street and Webster Street-came next, with a banner with the motto, " We are Coming," followed by 165 pupils.
The North Union Street Intermediate, Miss FIDELIA 1. Hesr, teacher, with 49 pupils, and a banner with the motto, " The Future is Ours," brought up the rear.
After music by the South Abington Band, Hon. LEVI REED, President of the Day, delivered the follow- ing Introductory Address :-
Fellow-Citizens, Ladies and Gentlemen :-
It devolves upon me, on this interesting occasion, to intro- duce these exercises by a few remarks in explanation of the reasons that have called us together. One hundred and fifty years ago to-day, on the tenth day of June, 1712, the Colonial Governor of Massachusetts, then under British control, signed the Act which incorporated here the town of Abington. This event, so important in our local history, it is fit-it is eminently proper, we should commemorate.
As individuals we notice our birthdays; annually we celebrate the birth of the nation, and is it strange, that once or twice in a century we come together to honor the memory of our fathers, the first settlers of this then howling wilderness ?
We are, perhaps, sometimes in danger of forgetting, in the onward march of events, those homely virtues of the first
15
INTRODUCTORY ADDRESS OF THE PRESIDENT.
settlers of New England, that have made this part of the country the most thrifty and prosperous of any section of the Union.
Industry, temperance, perseverance, a strict regard for truth, a rigid observance of the Sabbath, the establishment of free schools, and an unconquerable attachment to the principles of civil liberty, are all of them virtues, believed in, and practiced by our fathers, whom we should do well to imitate. They came to this country that they might estab- lish here institutions of liberty, founded on the principles of the Word of God. In their ideas they were far in advance of the age in which they lived, and here they laid deep and broad those foundations of a free government, that afterwards ripened in full development in the days of the Revolution.
Of the blood of the Puritans this town received its full share, and we should remember what it has done for us, who have inherited this treasure. Our ancestors here built roads and bridges, and dammed these waters, and made this place suitable for the residence of man. Here they lived, and loved, and labored. Here they preached and prayed, and sang praises to the Most High. Here, with stalwart forms and brawny arms, they felled the mighty forests, and opened the virgin soil to the influence of the sunlight and the rain. We cannot pass unnoticed, on an occasion like this, the blessings we have received from them. It is not my part to deliver a eulogy : that duty has been put, to-day, into other and abler hands. But the bones of my ancestors for more than a century lie mouldering in the soil of this town, and should I be silent the very dust under my feet would cry out against me. When the two hundredth anniversary comes round, I shall not be here; but I charge
16
ABINGTON SEMI-CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
these children before me-I charge my own descendants who may then be alive, to remember and honor the day.
Such are the men whose worth we this day celebrate. Such are the men who have left us a rich legacy in their example, and have made the nation what it is.
" What constitutes a state ?
Not high-raised battlement or labored mound, Thick wall, or moated gate ; Not cities proud, with spires or turrets crowned ; Not bays and broad-armed ports ;
Where, laughing at the storm, rich navies ride ; No -- men, high-minded men, Men, who their duties know,
But know their rights, and knowing, dare maintain ; These constitute a state !"
Such were our fathers, and well will it be for their descendants to keep their memories green, while time shall last, or immortality endure.
A " Hymn of Welcome" furnished for the occasion by Rev. H. D. WALKER, was then sung by the children of the public schools to the tune of " Red, White and Blue."
Hail! Abington's sons and her daughters From all the new homes you have found ; Say. is there a spot in those quarters Dearer now than your own native ground ? Where we of the new generation,
As we come the old days to review, And learn to stand true to the Nation, Now ring out our welcome to you.
.
HYMN OF WELCOME. 17
Welcome back to the home of your childhood, Ye who've wandered o'er land and o'er sea ; To our voice now let meadow and wild wood Echo back the loud notes full and free, As to God, who can cheer all in sadness, To God, who will chase every fear, We lift now the song of our gladness This Hundred and Fiftieth Year.
Welcome, all who have staid in your places And been true to your holiest trust ; Who've taught us to mark well the traces Of the Wise, and the Pure, and the Just : Oh! be sure that in gladness we greet you, Friends, relatives gathered around, Your joy may we be as we meet you Through another Half Century's bound.
Welcome all, of each age and each station, And welcome ! our Governor true ! Three cheers for the State and the Nation ! Three cheers for the Red, White and Blue ! Our hearts will in gladness repeat it, Our pulses all bounding in glee ; With welcome, thrice welcome, we greet it. Our Abington's third Jubilee !
Prayer was offered by the Chaplain, Rev. ASAHEL COBB, of New Bedford, a native of the town.
The following Hymn, contributed by Mrs. E. L. CUMMINGS, of Medford, a native of the town, was then sung, to the tune " America " :-
.
18
ABINGTON SEMI-CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
God of our buried sires, Ginard of their altar-tires, Guide of their way, Our grateful hearts and tongues Praise Thee in thankful songs, To whom all praise belongs ! Bless us to-day.
While to the golden urn Of hist'ry's page we turn, ller garnered store Shows the brave Pilgrim band Sifted from Father-land, Wafted by heavenly hand, To plant our shore.
Now o'er our Fathers' dust. Firm in their faith and trust, From us arise Blessings for Gospel light, For Halls of Learning bright, For Freedom, Truth and Right, Gifts from the skies.
Guard Thon our native town ; Ilere shed rich blessings down ; 'Mid danger's night, 'Mid war's fierce, fiery breath, Shield her young sons from death ; Preserve her ancient faith : God speed the right.
At the conclusion of the singing, the President introduced Rev. E. PORTER DYER, of Hingham, as the Orator of the Day.
ORATION*
Mr. President, and Fellow-Citizens and Friends :-
The occasion of our assembling, to-day, in this beautiful temple of Nature, is one of rare interest. We meet to celebrate the one Indred and fiftieth anniversary of the Incorporation of the Town of Abington. One hundred and fifty years! What a lengthened period ! The memory of the oldest inhab- itant reaches not back so far. Such a Jubilee has never occurred here before, and in our day will never oceur here again. Even the children of to-day, who are ready to ask " What mean ye by this service ?"
* In the preparation of this Address, the author has availed himself freely of the labors of others, by gathering from them such facts and statis- tics as he presumed might be of interest to the citizens of Abington. Hle acknowledges his indebtedness to Bigelow's Statistics, Barber's Historical Collections, Hutchinson's History of Massachusetts, Morton's Memorials, Dean's History of Scituate, Reed's History of the Reed Family, Thatcher's History of Plymouth, American Quarterly Register, Panoplist, Hobart's History and the Town Records of Abington, and various other publications found at the State House and on the shelves of the Massachusetts Historical Society. He would also express his thanks to Ellis Ames, Esq., of Canton. for valuable documents; to Miss Marcia Thomas, Author of the Memorials of Marshfield; to Rev. Martin Moore, of the Boston Recorder, and especially to Hon. Solomon Lincoln, Author of the History of Ilingham, for free access to his valuable private historical library .- E. P. D.
·
20
ABINGTON SEMI-CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
will grow up to manhood and to womanhood, and at length, bending under the infirmities of years, descend to their graves, long before the lapse of time will summon their descendants, as we are now summoned, to review the progress of their native town for a century and a half.
Standing as we now do on the narrow isthmus which separates the Future from the Past, it is not easy to divest ourselves of all interest in those who have gone before us, and especially in the men whose pions forethought, for the welfare of their posterity, led them through sacrifice, and toil, and perils of the wilderness, and heroic self-denial, to secure and trans- mit to us the inestimable boon of civil and religious liberty.
Our fathers and mothers came hither with the faith of pilgrims and with a pilgrim spirit. Wearied with the oppressions of the old world, and relying on the tender mercy of our God, they sternly resolved to take up their habitation in the desert, where foot of civilized man had never trod, rather than surrender the rights of conscience, or suffer continued persecu- tion in their father-land. They came with the zealous hope of laying the foundations of many generations, and of establishing the Gospel of the Kingdom of God in these then inhospitable wilds. For this they
21
ORATION.
counted no hardship too severe, no sacrifices too great. All evils in their view seemed light compared with "the abominations they saw practiced in the land they had left, contrary to the revealed will of God." They could not endure the imposition upon their hearts and consciences of any rites or ceremonies which tended to corrupt the spiritual worship of the Most High God. They loved the truth of God,-they loved the king- dom of Jesus. For this they cheerfully consented to privations,-for this they watched, they wept, they praved ;- for this they counted not their lives dear unto themselves ; and He who gave Israel a cloud for a covering by day, and a pillar of fire to give light in the night, guided, shielded, supported and defended them. Ile enabled them to accomplish their desire ; Hle rewarded their faith and self-denial, by giving them a pleasant land and a goodly heritage. He did more than this. Ile permitted them to transmit to unborn generations " Freedom to worship God." And we their children, who have entered into their labors, have gathered here to-day to pay a just and respectful tribute to their memory. It is fit that the festal board should be spread, and that the scattered children of the household come home, and keep this Jubilee with fervent prayers, with thanksgivings, and with songs of praise. It is fit that we pause in the midst of the
ABINGTON SEMI-CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
revolving centuries, and at this dividing line between the Future and the Past, erect some humble memorial of our filial gratitude and love. Especially is it becoming in us to commemorate God's great goodness and mercy to our fathers, in confirming them in the lot of their inheritance, when they were but a few men in number, yea, very few and strangers in it.
Much as our thoughts are prone to revel in the gorgeous hopes and pleasing promises of the Future,- much as we are absorbed in the contemplation of the momentous events transpiring in connection with our Present National struggle with hydra-headed rebellion, we cannot and we ought not utterly to ignore the lessons of the Past. It is profitable to pause now and then for retrospection, and to glean from the historic page whatever facts, events, or incidents may indicate the progress of successive generations.
When in 1685 the County of Plymouth was incor- porated, it contained twenty-one towns, forty congre- gational societies, and one hundred and seventy-five ministers. In this number of towns Abington was not included. The Court of Plymouth, however, early had this territory in view for a fotme town.
As early as 1642, the first grant of land in this town was made by the Colony to Nathaniel Souther. This grant embraced two hundred acres, designated as lying
·
23
ORATION.
" above Weymouth path." Souther, to whom the grant was made, was chosen six years before, as the first secretary of Plymouth Colony ; thirty-seven years afterwards he sold his title to James Lovell of Wey- mouth, who purchased for himself and Andrew Ford. On the land thus granted and conveyed and since known as Ford's Farm, the first settlement in this town was probably made in about 1668.
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